Good Neighbors Again?

From the Monroe Doctrine through John Kennedy's Alliance for Progress, U.S. policy toward Latin America has been based on the assumption of a "special relationship" with the region. For their part, Latin Americans have often resented the paternalistic hegemony of "the Colossus of the North." Almost as irritating has been the U.S. habit of ignoring the Southern Hemisphere except in times of crisis. Last week the independent but influential Commission on U.S.-Latin American Relations issued a trenchant appeal for change in U.S. policy, "not because of hidden dangers, but because of latent opportunities."

Headed by Sol Linowitz, former Xerox board chairman and U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States during Lyndon Johnson's presidency, the commission urged the "new President, Congress" and the American people to undertake a review of Latin policy. Among its recommendations:

> An early pledge by the Carter Administration to avoid military or covert intervention in Latin affairs.

> Prompt reopening of the stalled negotiations with Panama and a clear explanation to the American people of the "highest priority" for a "new and equitable treaty" on control of the canal. Viewing it as "no longer vital," the commission favors an agreement yielding full jurisdiction of the zone to Panama.

> Resumption of efforts to "normalize relations with Cuba" by lifting the U.S. embargo on food and medicines in return for such concessions as Cuban release of U.S. prisoners, withdrawal from Angola and an end to meddling in Puerto Rico.

> A firm stance by the U.S. on behalf of human rights on a continent suffering "a plague of repression."

> Dropping economic sanctions in case of expropriation of U.S. businesses and devising new ways of resolving nationalization disputes.

The Linowitz report is certain to get the President-elect's attention. Not only does the 20-member commission include such Carter intimates as W. Michael Blumenthal, the future Secretary of the Treasury, and Columbia Professor of Law and International Organization Richard N. Gardner, but its findings were delivered to the President elect by Linowitz's friend Cyrus Vance.

In view of its sponsors, the report may offer the first firm clues to Carter's approach to a Third World policy. Human rights are stressed: "The United States should not in any way abet repressive actions or allow itself to be associated with brutally repressive governments." The report cautions against any attempt to dictate the form of Latin governments, but it strongly urges a cutoff of military aid to countries like Chile whose ruling regimes flagrantly violate civil liberties.

Heavy Obligations. Noting that 100 million Latin Americans live in extreme poverty, the commission would shift to the poorest nations all direct aid by the U.S. To help more developed countries like Brazil and Mexico, it favors large grants of new capital to international lending agencies. Such funding could enable the World and Inter-American Development banks to ease the burden of recession-generated debt that now erodes up to 40% of export earnings of some Latin American na tions. Says Linowitz: "We're focusing on how to permit these people to go forward without being strangled by their heavy obligations." The commission report also condones two urgent Latin-American demands: lower U.S. tariff barriers to Latin exports and plans for stabilizing commodity prices.

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