    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [April 29, 1991]
    [Pages 444-445]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the Task Force on United
    States Government International Broadcasting
    April 29, 1991

        Hundreds of millions of people worldwide rely on U.S. Government
    broadcasting for objective world news, local news, explanations of U.S.
    policy, and information about democratic values and institutions,
    including free-market economics. In light of dramatic political
    developments worldwide, including the democratic revolution in Eastern
    Europe, the end of the cold war, and events in the Persian Gulf and
    Middle East, it is appropriate and timely to examine U.S. Government
    international broadcasting operations.
        The President is pleased to announce the establishment of an
    independent, bipartisan Task Force on U.S. Government International
    Broadcasting to study the best future organization and structure for
    U.S. Government international broadcasting. The President is gratified
    that the enclosed list of distinguished Americans have agreed to serve.
        The Task Force will make recommendations to the President within 6
    months on the following issues in the overall context of U.S. foreign
    policy and public diplomacy:
        --The most appropriate organization and structure under which all
            USG international broadcasting assets and activities eventually
            would be consolidated, in steps and over time, under a single
            U.S. Government broadcasting entity; when and how such
            consolidation should take place.
        --New technologies in light of the need for U.S. Government
            broadcasting to remain effective and competitive. This should
            include strategies for the best use of new technologies.
        --The relationship between U.S. Government broadcasting activities
            and U.S. private sector broadcasting enterprises in the
            international arena.
        The President today announced that the following individuals have
    agreed to serve on the Task Force on U.S. Government International
    Broadcasting:

    Chairman:

            John Hughes, of Maine. Mr. Hughes is a Pulitzer Prize winning
                    journalist and is currently a syndicated columnist for
                    the Christian Science Monitor. In addition, Mr. Hughes
                    has served as Director of the United States Information

    [[Page 445]]

                    Agency/Voice of America, 1982; and Associate Director of
                    the United States Information Agency, 1981.

    Members:

            David Manker Abshire, of Virginia. Currently Dr. Abshire serves
                    as president of the Center for Strategic and
                    International Studies at Georgetown University in
                    Washington, DC.
            Richard M. Fairbanks, III, of the District of Columbia. Since
                    1985 Mr. Fairbanks has served as a partner with the law
                    firm of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky and Walker in
                    Washington, DC.
            Richard Vincent Allen, of Maryland. Since 1982 Mr. Allen has
                    served as president of the Richard V. Allen Co. in
                    Washington, DC.
            Viviane M. Warren, of California. Currently Ms. Warren serves as
                    chairman of the Community Advisory Board for KPBS-TV/FM
                    in San Diego, CA.
            Rita Crocker Clements, of Texas. Ms. Clements is active in many
                    community service volunteer activities and serves as
                    chairman of the Tourism Advisory Council of the Texas
                    Department of Commerce in Dallas, TX.
            Abbott McConnell Washburn, of the District of Columbia. Mr.
                    Washburn served as a Commissioner with the Federal
                    Communications Commission, 1974-1982, and currently
                    serves as a director with Metro Mobile Cellular
                    Telephone Service, Inc.
            Ben J. Wattenberg, of the District of Columbia. Since 1981 Mr.
                    Wattenberg has served as a syndicated columnist with the
                    United Features Newspaper Enterprise Association; and
                    has served as a senior fellow with the American
                    Enterprise Institute, 1977 to present.
            Rozanne LeJeanne Ridgway, of the District of Columbia. Currently
                    Ms. Ridgway serves as the president of the Atlantic
                    Council of United States in Washington, DC.
            Stuart E. Eizenstat, of the District of Columbia. Currently Mr.
                    Eizenstat serves as a partner with the law firm of
                    Powell, Goldstein, Frazer and Murphy in Washington, DC.
            Margaret Noonan, of New York. Currently Ms. Noonan serves as a
                    writer and journalist in New York, NY.