expansion of air commerce and air travel promises to continue. One of the results is that persons and property in the vicinity of airports are being exposed to an increasing amount of aircraft noise. At the same time, our growing economy and population create pressures for increasingly intensive land use near transportation facilities, including airports.

It is imperative to the growth of aviation. and to the welfare of our people that means be found to contain such noise within levels compatible with the pursuit of other desirable. activities and the quiet enjoyment of property. We must do all in our power to assure that the environment in which we live is not overburdened with any form of pollutant, including excessive noise.

Various agencies of the Federal Government either have programs which affect land use near airports or participate in various ways in actions affecting such land. They must all be deeply concerned with seeking solutions to the problems of noise and compatible land use around airports. To obtain the maximum benefit from knowledge and technology developed within the Federal Government, each Federal Agency or Department should coordinate its efforts and cooperate fully with the particular Departments most concerned, which are the Department of Transportation in matters relating to the prevention, control and abatement of aircraft noise, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development in matters relating to the compatible use of land in the vicinity of airports.

The Heads of the Departments, Agencies and Establishments of the Executive Branch of Government are therefore directed, consistent with the performance of their mission and the relevant legislation, to take into explicit and due account aircraft noise whenever it is relevant to any of their programs or to action in which they may participate, and to cooperate with the Secretaries of the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development in efforts to control and reduce the problems of aircraft noise.

NOTE: On the same day the White House Press Office made public a report to the President from Dr. Donald F. Hornig, Special Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, summarizing steps taken by him in collaboration with officials of the Federal Aviation Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to frame a program to alleviate problems of aircraft noise in the vicinity of airports.

The cooperating agencies, the report said, had agreed on a program aimed at ascertaining how such noise can be reduced through design of engines and airframes, procedures and techniques of flight operations, and land use in the vicinity of airports. In furtherance of the program, the report continued, the Federal Aviation Agency had proposed legislation to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to certify new aircraft on the basis of noise as well as safety standards.

Dr. Hornig's report stated that in its first year of operation the program had "achieved an industry and governmentwide consensus" on two basic approaches to the problem of aircraft noise abatement: a generally accepted method of assessing human reaction to aircraft noise, and agreement that noise level as well as safety must be a criterion in aircraft certification.

The report is printed in the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents (vol. 3, p. 527).

the additional cost of the fiscal 1967 pay increase authorized last year for some Federal

more than 3 years. He has had a part in every step on this long road. He knows his fellow negotiators, and they know and respect him.

Ambassador Roth has just returned from Geneva, where he reports that agreement has been reached on a timetable for bringing negotiations to a successful conclusion. This is good news for all nations. The world may be certain that the United States will be ready to move as quickly and imaginatively as our partners.

Successful conclusion of the Kennedy Round will not mark the end of the drive toward trade liberalization. Ambassador Roth will begin preparations for a long-range study of our foreign trade policy. He will

recommend such legislative and other measures as may be required.

Ambassador Roth will focus this study on ways of improving the trade positions of the developing countries as well as further. reduction of trade barriers between industrialized nations.

A Public Advisory Committee will assist Ambassador Roth and will consult with Members of the Congress and other interested and knowledgeable people both here and abroad.

NOTE: The President spoke at 11:30 a.m. in his office at the White House. During his remarks he referred to Christian A. Herter, former Governor of Massachusetts who previously served as Special Representative for Trade Negotiations.

Maiwandwal of Afghanistan.

Mr. Prime Minister, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

I am very happy, on behalf of all Americans, to welcome you back to our country, Mr. Prime Minister, and to this Capital City that you know so well.

All of us will remember that you came here before as the Ambassador from your country. Today you return as Prime Minister. We are very proud that a good friend who lived among us has found time to pay us a cordial visit in the position of great trust and distinction which you now hold.

Mr. Prime Minister, Afghanistan is far from us in miles and hours as we meet here this morning. But for us it is no longer a distant, far-off, remote place.

Countless Americans have come to know your country and to know your people.

President Eisenhower was your guest. Their Majesties King Zahir and Queen Homaira are warmly remembered by all of

March 28, 1967

us for their visit here in 1963.

Ambassador Pazhwak is our good neighbor in New York where he now serves as President of the United Nations General Assembly.

So we meet today as friends. We live on opposite sides of the globe, yet we have much in common:

-Your land, like ours, has a strong tradi

tion of freedom and independence. -Your people, like ours, cherish diver

sity while they seek unity in mutual respect and justice.

-You, like us, are experimenters in the

art of government and social reform. -And we share a common dedication to peace, and to the ideal of a world community based on freedom.

Mr. Prime Minister, these are only a few of the ties which bind our nations and our peoples together. Historically, the relations between our countries have been very close

395

employees and military personnel.

The total cost of these pay increases is $1,080 million. The appropriations I am requesting today, together with the $339 million supplemental appropriation requested last week, amounts to $818 million-$262 million less than the full cost of the increases.

I do not intend to ask Congress for the remaining $262 million. I am pleased to report that this amount will be met from available funds, as a result of tighter management in response to my request that agencies absorb the costs of the pay increases to the fullest possible extent without interrupting essential services and functions.

Many agencies were able to absorb 100

percent of the additional cost of the pay increase. Overall, some 24 percent of the pay increase is being met by economies and efficiencies in operations.

This is being done by leaving unfilled less essential job vacancies as they occur, by cost reduction programs, and other management improvements.

These actions are the result of a growing cost consciousness at all levels of the execu tive branch. They are the fruits of our efforts to use each tax dollar wisely and well. NOTE: The appropriations requested by the President were included in the Second Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1967, approved on May 29, 1967 (Public Law 90-21; 81 Stat. 30).

THE FORTUNES of the Kennedy Round will greatly influence the future of international trade. Agreement by the United States and other trading nations on tariff reductions providing new opportunities and stimulation for productive enterprises everywhere will open the path to a world economy of abundance.

On the other hand, if such reductions

cannot be managed, if narrow speci interests prevail, divisive forces may gain th upper hand, with grave damage to the ec nomic and political fabric of the world cor munity.

William Roth combines all the assets th Nation should bring to bear on so importa a problem.

He was Governor Herter's deputy f