NHF Tape 020

DateMay 12 1989

Viewing NotesThis round-table forum hosted by PBS and led by Edwin Newman brought together former U.S. Ambassadors to the United Nations to answer questions about the value of continued membership in the organization. James Russell Wiggins served as ambassador under President Lyndon B. Johnson, 1968-1969. (Wiggins made the follow comments:) 7:00 It was in the Soviet Union's best interest to seek peace and that the leadership there knew it; 17:00 There were times that Washington kept ambassadors in the dark about what it wanted them to do. 30:00 The Russians had the same problem as the Americans with their leadership being directive. 40:00 We can't tell developing countries not to do the sorts of things we did, environmentally, though we now disapprove of those things.