EURAI Director Leslie Alan Whittome Files

47261

1966-1976, 1980-1984

series

textual records

1 linear feet of of textual records.

English

Poland, Republic of, Turkey

Series is open according to the Archives Access Policy. Files will be screened by reference staff for any time restrictions.

Series consists of working files maintained by Leslie Alan Whittome during his tenure as Director of the European Department (1964-1986). They contain a file on the Group of Thirty (1984), two on Polish Papers (1981), and one on Turkey (1980-1981). Additionally, there are three other files - (1) Mission Correspondence (1969-1971), (2) Personal (1972-1980), and (3) Speeches and Lectures (1966-1974)., The file on the Group of Thirty is related to a Group Meeting that took place in Washington, D.C., in September 1984. Developments in rescheduling, the adjustment programs of major debtor countries, and the world debt situation were the principal points of discussion. The file contains draft papers, prepared for discussion at the Group's plenary sessions. Of special interest is a background paper: "Do We Need a New Bretton Woods?", by Jacques Polak (Research Department Director, 1958-1980). Additionally, there is an invitation for the Group's meeting addressed to Director Whittome, agenda and schedule, and information on social activities., The two Polish Papers files appear to have been created with the objective to build up some critical mass on Poland's economic and payments situation, eventually culminating in a Task Force Meeting(s) on that country, possibly around September-October 1981. Files contain internal memoranda, notes, papers and reports, and a copy of a government program prepared to overcome the country's crisis and stabilize the economy. Topics include Poland's decentralization experience, retrospective for the economic crisis, external debt rescheduling, trade projections, and monetary components of a stabilization program., The Turkey file includes copies of internal memoranda; country background notes; a Letter of Intent requesting a Stand-By Arrangement; Memorandum of Understanding; and a note on the State Economic Enterprises (SEEs), a policy tool to further government economic policies. Additionally there is information on balance of payment and debt service projections, on use of Fund resources, and on Bilateral Aid to Turkey by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries., The Mission Correspondence file contains, primarily, carbon copies of letters Director Whittome wrote or received, on mission matters and other IMF developments. Some of these correspondences he received while away on mission. Occasionally correspondence exchanged among other IMF staff, and a few copies of cables and handwritten letters are copied to the file. Addressees include the Managing Director, Deputy Managing Director, EUR Deputy Director and Advisors, and other Department heads., The Personal file contains only a handful of correspondences referring to issues such as a Stand-By Agreement with Turkey, IMF mission to the United Kingdom, exchange of information between the IMF and the Commission of the European Communities, and the east-west economic relations., Director Whittome's Speeches and Lectures file covers a variety of economic topics. Of special interest are topics on the IMF and the international monetary system, international monetary reform - with special consideration to economic blocks, the evolution of the IMF, the debate on international liquidity, and the banking system in the United Kingdom.