Radio Free Europe in crisis.

Radio Free Europe in Crisis

RADIO FREE EUROPE and Radio Liberty--the vital U.S. radio stations headquartered in Munich--are facing a financial crunch of monumental proportins. Earlier this year, the radio stations absorbed a painful Gramm-Rudman cut, like every other federally funded agency or operation. That reduction forced them to economize severely, curtailing important new programs and ongoing activities. But now the Munich radio stations face a financial crisis more severe than anything imposed by Gramm-Rudman, perhaps the worst financial crisis in their history.

The immediate cause of the crisis is the precipitate decline in the value of the dollar. The radios live on dollars appropriated by Congress, but they operate largely in the West German economy, meaning that every dollar appropriated must be converted into German marks. The plunge of the dollar since Congress last appropriated money has reduced the radios' operating budget by effectively $22 million this year-- a 21 pe cent cut, far a 21 per cent cut, far surpassing the Gramm-Rudman cent. If urgent measures are not taken in Washington to appropriate supplemental funds, the radios will run out of money by July 4.

The OMB has approved a $14.5-million supplemental package, now wending its way through Congress. Unfortunately, this bill has been encumbered by layers of fat added on in the House of Representatives. President Reagan has rightly threatened to veto the bill in its present form--meaning that the rescue money would go down with the rest of the bill.

While it is possible that the Senate Appropriations Committee will somehow fix up the House bill sufficiently for it to pass muster and be signed into law, this is not likely to happer before July 4. Even more disturbing, the amount of $14.5 million currently in the bill will not be anywhere near sufficient to save the radios. The shortfall would still amount to nearly one month's operating budget. The Administration, however, could transfer the requisite $22 million from an account in the national budget where a surplus exists (there are numerous possibilities). Such action would be fairly routine and require only a voice vote in the House and Senate. This seems to be the surest way to make certain that the radios continue operating without interruption. It will require, however, the full authority of President Reagan to make this happen.

It is inconceivable that Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty should cease broadcasting, even temporarily, under a Reagan Administration. The two radio stations have the unique mission of serving as surrogate domestic radio services for the countries to which they broadcast, focusing their news and commentary on events in Eastern Europe and the USSR. Their influence behind the Iron Curtain is considerable, and they are a target of constant venom from the Communist govenments of the region. For millions, they are a cherished lifeline to the free world.

The President should devote his personal attention to this one.