10. The departure of the United States destroys the universality of the ILO and will necessitate a rapid cut-back in expenditure (the United States contributed 25% of the ILO's budget). The ILO's technical assistance programme which places its current emphasis on aid for the poorest section of the world's population - particularly the rural poor - will be curtailed and much expertise available to the ILO will be lost through the reduction in the number of posts resulting from economy measures.
11.
Doubtless her friends and allies will keep in mind the declared intention of the United States to rejoin whenever the International Labour Organisation is, in the words of the President "again true to its proper principles and procedures", but internal corrective measures will not be made easier by the absence of the predominant Western power.
Overseas Labour Adviser Foreign and Commonwealth Office
3 November 1977
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