[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.