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1562949
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Defense - Vice President Ford's Meeting with Secretary James Schlesinger
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1562949
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Defense - Vice President Ford's Meeting with Secretary James Schlesinger
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John O. Marsh Files (Ford Administration)
John Marsh's General Subject Files
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1974-02-22
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1974
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1974-02-22
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1974
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The original documents are located in Box 12, folder "Defense - Vice President Ford's
Meeting with Secretary James Schlesinger" of the John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford
Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 12 of The John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
SENSITIVE - CLOSE HOLD
February 22, 1974
ml
MEMORANDUM FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT: Meeting with the Secretary of Defense
J. mand mm,
FROM: Jack Marsh
This memorandum is limited to your meeting this afternoon with Secretary
Schlesinger, and although it develops some thoughts on your efforts in
national security matters, it is only preliminary and a first step effort.
Background Thought
For background purposes in your conversation there are indications the
legislative session is beginning to move unusually fast. For example, just
this week Senator Stennis alerted all subcommittees of his Armed Services
Committee to be prepared to report out their Bill not later than May 15.
This legislative pace gives some urgency to what you seek to do.
PURPOSES OF MEETING
---
THREE
First: Mutual Discussion Major Issues
I believe the Secretary will want to have some exchange of ideas of how
you and he might be mutually supporting in reference to statements on major
foreign policy and Defense issues, i.e., Southeast Asia, Middle East, NATO,
the Defense Budget, etc.
Second: Seek Schlesinger Ideas on Your Task
In reference to defining your Defense role, I would suggest the following:
a. Reiterate your assignment and your deep interest in undertaking
and executing that assignment.
b. I recommend you have the Secretary give you his ideas and
thoughts as to how he thinks the above can be effectively done in some type
of partnership role. You might touch on the following items:
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
ORIGINAL RETIRED FOR PRESERVATION
(1) Areas where the office of the VP can help DoD.
(2) The methods whereby this help is offered, i.e., causing
meetings with selected groups of Members in the House
and Senate, personal contact with individual Members,
and finally identification of people who should be targets
of attention.
(3) Perhaps we can get some ideas to areas of responsibility
of DoD, State and the Office of the VP.
(4) Stake out, generally, the role of Marsh (JM). What, if
anything, might DoD want JM to continue doing for them,
with your permission. Mention some of the things you
want JM to do re Defense.
Third: Your Requests and Your Offer of Help
To help establish an effective relationship in what is a new role for the
Vice President, it is essential to seek mutual cooperation to include:
a. Easy access by your representative to DoD and its various
departments, respecting, of course, DoD's right to be aware and advised
of any such contacts. There presently exists a firm procedure that needs
to be flexible in its application.
b. Obtaining an easy flow of information in response to your requests.
This is especially helpful in some of the major policy sections such as ISA,
Comptroller, Legislative and Intelligence.
C. Offer the support of the VP's office and request advice as to
how to draw on that support.
d. It is important to remember that as legislation moves to a vote
and we are faced with the tremendous crunch to win issues, that you are
going to be called on time and time again to exert personal influence on
Members who may be wavering or who need to be turned around. Although
it is some months away, ultimately this is the ace which you are holding.
BERALD FORD LIBRARY
2
Conclusion
Finally, I stress again the uniqueness and precedence of your role which
means we must plow new ground and develop gradually a structure for its
successful accomplishment. This meeting is a first step to develop that
structure, there will have to be high level meetings between yourself and
others involved at the White House, State, CIA, as well as Defense and
the NSC to implement what you seek to do. Therefore, the meeting today
may bring about a follow-up session with broader participation.
FORD is LIBRARY
3