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Dr. Unseld/Mr. Kissinger
May 17, 1971 9:10 a.m.
jlj
K: Hello. I think I can do it tonight.
U: That is good.
K: That is of course subject to last minute changes. What time would
you come down?
U: There is a shuttle service and I think I would take that.
K: The shuttle service is a pain in the neck.
U: I think I will get the shuttle at 7 so at 8 I will be there.
K: You are going back tonight?
U: I thought at 10 p.m.
K: It does not give you a hell of a lot of time here.
U: I think I will take the 6 p.m.
K: The 6 gets in at 7. I will have you picked up. How in God's name
will they find you.
U: Where will the car be.
K: It's a mess. You couldn't find it. I will send somebody to the airport.
You go to the counter for the shuttle and see if somebody is waiting for you.
U: Eastern Airlines?
K: As you come off the shuttle, the shuttle has a separate desk - information
counter for the shuttle. Go to that desk. Somebody will be there and lead
you to the car.
U: I will take the 6 SO that I will arrive at 7.
K: Then you will be able to leave at 10.
U: And if anything comes up for which you can't make it your secretary
can get me at the Algonquin Hotel I will understand. I will call just
before I am ready to leave and confirm that everything is OK.
K: It will be good to see you again.
U: Good to see each other.
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TELECON
Professor Doty
5/17/71 9:50a.m.
D: If the meeting's still on for Wednesday and Thursday
we're going to assemble on Wednesday
...
K: You're going to
I was going to ask you how
Thursday and Friday would be; that would be better for me.
DL We!ll find out and be back to David. And with regard
to what we should do
K: Let's discuss where we stand in SALT and other things,
and I have some ideas I would like to discuss with you. I prefer to
do it later in the week. We have that NATO vote and the President
may want to call in some Senators and ask them where we go from
there. This has reelly been something.
D: It's hard on my party loyalties.
K: And especially when we've done a fisst-class study on
MBFR. Now they are leaving us, saying we ought to
calmly. It's a disaster.
D: How did you find Arbatov?
K: He started going into the old song and dance about our
not being ready to have agreements. I got very tough with him
and said "you can say that at universities, but if you don't want
to waste my time
...
we are the ones who wonder whether you
really want an agreement. The problem is I don't know how much
he knows. He claims to know a lot, but Dobrynin says he deesnt.
And having worked with Bill Elliott I know the syndrome of aca-
demics who claim to know a lot.
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TELECON
Gerard Smith
5/17/71 10:00am
S: My airplane planning problem -- when might I see the
President?
K: He is holed up in Key Biscayne at the moment. How late
can you leave? You going on a military plane?
S: Yes, I could do it as late as 6:00 I guess.
K: Okay, then let's aim for that. My instinct is around
3:00 becuase he usually keeps the morning free when he first
comes back.
S: Okay, I'll hold the day free and you think I can expect
something by the end of the week?
K: I will try for it.
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Ambassador Mosbacher/Mr. Kissinger
May 17, 1971 11:15 a. m.
jlj
K: Hi.
M: How are you. We just got back from our trip to Australia. There
are one or two things I want to mention to you. I do not know whether you
want me to stop by or over the phone. Do you have anybody on your line?
K: I will get them off. Will you get off please. I will get them off,
just a minute.
[Mr. Kissinger came out to say he did not want the call taken. ]
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The President/Mr. Kissinger
May 17, 1971 3:20 p.m.
jlj
P: I am going to be back tonight by about 7:30 and I was thinking it
might be well to go over all this tonight about 7:30 or 8:30. Are you
free this evening or are you going out?
K: I will be free this evening. I have something but I think it is a good
idea to go over this.
P: You could meet with me from 7:30 to 8:30 and then go on from here.
I would not take more than an hour.
K: No, It is just a German publisher who can come some other day.
It is no problem.
P: I think it would be good to talk over just what the plan is for the week.
One thing we should have in mind is how to brief Laird because I really
don't think we should keep this from him. Especially when he has to play
a major role. Should brief both he and Moorer. Does that present a
problem?
K: Oh God. We will have no trouble with Moorer. Mr. President, we have
got to be able to trust Cabinet members for 48 hours with information.
P: You could tell him after I tell Rogers.
K: I will see Laird - say around 11:30 a. m.
P: Then you could bring him in. Let's see, no I have a 12 o'clock. I am
free about 12:30 and you could bring him in.
K: Then you could - I have plenty of business with him, Mr. President.
P: Another thing I think is important is how to combat the people who are
going to criticize us as being soft on the Russians. This is to be baxbxx
XXXXX X handled delicately. And they will say never trust the Russians.
If somebody like Jackson wants to take this line.
K: Jackson is in a delicate position because he wanted to go even further.
He even wanted to stop even MIRV deployments.
P: We must talk because I understand we are not going to announce that
and should not say anything about it publically.
K: Jackson is very vulnerable, Mr. President.
P: If not Jackson, somebody is sure to pick it up. Laird will have to
know the background. He should have no problems, was against ABM anyway.
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-2-
K: This does not stop ABM but just stops going beyond what we have.
P: I know, just limits where it is.
XX
negotiate on command.
K: Command. We have not and shoul not. They will yield on that.
P: On the freeze thing.
K: We are working that out now Mr. President. We do not need a full
position at this moment.
P: Sell something to Smith so that he won't say anything and will buy
this. What objections would he or Rogers raise?
K: I don't think we would have any problems in substance with Smith.
ONly ego. Nitze will raise that there should be no distinction between
ABM and IBM. He thinks they should be the same degree of formality.
One is agreement and the other is understanding.
P: Not in the public statement though.
K: No. The only difference is one will go to the Senate. It does not
worry me. ABM goes to the Senate and IBM will not.
P: Smith would not argue for that?
K: On substnace I can see no problem at all. I don't know if they will
want to fly speck it. Could conceivably find a problem with discuss and
agree.
P: That is not in the public announcement. I am not going to show the
letter to Rogers. I am only going to show him the announcement.
K: But Mr. President, I think you will have to show Secretary Rogers
the letter. At least you must tell them that there is a letter or they
will think we are running on the vagueness of Vienna. You do not have to
show them the letter. I will show it to Smith and get it to Rogers.
P: Letter from them to us and us to them?
K: Yes.
P: OK. Do we have the January proposal or was that oral? I do want to
have something to show him that we sent in January.
K: It was oral.
P: Well that's all right. I could say here is the message I sent them
in January.
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-3-
K: We showed them a preliminary draft that we proposed to send in
February but it was substantively changed later.
P: Who did you show that to.
K: You can show it to Rogers but I do not want to show that to Smith.
I do not want Smith to have the whole record because no telling what he
will discuss with Semenov in a week if he has the whole record.
P: No, I can just say to Rogers here is the
oral message I sent.
K: I will get that written up knoyxxxx for you.
P: Just tell him I sent a message while I was in California ******
January 6. Through Dobrynin to the Russians which proposed that we
negotiateoand -
K: You can't tell all that.
P: How much can I say. I can't just tell them here it is. They will
ask how did it start.
K: cannot tell anything publicallyxxx publicly.
P: Tell them something started at some time. They then ask when and
what do you say then?
K: Say we made some proposals that helped break the deadlock.
P: That's the point. We proposed an approach where we would limit
ABM and
beyond on that score. I will be talking to the leaders
and you will be talking to backgrounders and we should discuss what
kind of language we are going to use on how did it happen.
K: Certain mystery.
P: Oh yes I know some mystery. But how was it all negotiationed. We
can't very well say the White House negotiated the whole thing. XXXWXX
K: We can just say that the approaches were made in various channels.
P: Various channels. Good thing to hedge on too. But don't want to leave
impression that Smith negotiated it. We can talk about those things tonight.
What I am really trying to do is just enough to keep them happy and not give
anything away. It is a fineline we are walking.
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- 4 -
K: On that issue if anybody has feelings it will be Smith but not have
any problem with him on substance because he is getting what he wanted.
Just to keep DOD from leaking.
P: We will be thinking about it and we will talk about it when I see
you at 7:30.
K: Fine, Mr. President.
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TELECON
Lord Cromer
5/17/71 4:50pm
K: We have given instructions on the matter you called about.
C:
K: Right.
C: And the actual information will not have been passed to
them by then?
K: No, I think it will have been.
C: Fine. Thakk you very much.
K: Thank you. I am now thinking of the visit to London I
was talking about on the two days either before or after the weekend
of June *** 19 - 20. That'e either the 17th and 18th or the 21st
and 22nd. It's conceivable that I might want to do it the week
before.
C: Right, and the same arrangements?
K: Then it would be the 14th and 15th.
C: Shall I give them the alternatives?
K: Could you?
C: Yes.
K: And could I know by the end of next week which of them
are not suitable?
C: Yes, before then.
K: Godd, thank you.
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TELECON
The Averell Harriman
5/17/91 5:42pm
K: It was good to see you yesterday.
H: Yes, it was a pleasant evening.
K: Very nice. Are you free for lunch next Monday?
H: The 24th?
k: Yes.
H: I'd be delighted to. I'll be just back from the LBJ
Ranch and feeling full of good will and vigor.
K: You are always full of vigor.
H: What time?
K: *XMO 1:00?
H: fine.
K: You want me to send a car for you ?
H: That would be nice.
K: I'll send a care to your quarters at 1:00.
H: Good, see you Monday.
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U. Alexis Johnson/Mr. Kissinger
May 17, 1971 5:50 p.m.
jlj
J: You saw Jack Beam saw Gromyko. I LDXed to you a release we
would like to issue from there or from here this evening.
K: Yes, I have it. I have 2 qualifications. We don't want it to give
the impression that they pushed us into this. Should say that studies
on MBFR within the US Government and within the Alliance have been
going on for a year. They will be discussed within NATO concert in
" [reading from release]"
J: Those are very good points.
K: Have an introductory paragraph that studies have been going on.
J: Refer to NATO -
K: NATO communique and to the President's point.
J: Good point.
K: The rest of it is fine with me.
J: I entirely accept it. We will get those changes made and get it
out over here tonight.
K: With these two additions. One other point. Two weeks ago as we
agreed I told Cromer that we were going to notify the French on some
nuclear matters. I have told him but I don't know if we have notified
the French or not.
J: I saw something on that. I think we had a round-up on that.
K: I haven't seen any paper on it.
J: You do not have a piece of paper on it?
K: If I do it has not caught up with me yet.
J: You have not said something to Cromer?
K: I have. He has come back to me and said want to refer to the French
and British have been notified.
J: I'll get you something on that.
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Senator Javits/Mr. Kissinger
May 17, 1971 6:30 p.m.
jlj
J: Lots of things are manipulating here. Your people are going to be
annoyed but we feel we must do the things the way we know is best up
here. Mathias has an amendment in. We might as well vote on it.
It is a lousy amendment.
K: If it is easier to defeat a lousy amendment.
J: I will give you the play. There are a certain amount of democratic
Senators under the leadership of Humphrey who will vote for it. It makes
it a little difficult. X Gene Cowan has a copy. It is a question of
accuracy of White House count. Cowan said they thought they had the
votes but we feel to the contrary. If we vote on this amendment we could
be sure way to defeat him. I would like to get your views on it.
K: I have looked at Mathias' amendment and it is not acceptable. It stayxx
states 200, 000 troops - sets a limit.
J: No. I have taken out all reference to numbers. I will dictate it to you
girl. You have the wrong one.
K: You dictate it.
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Senator Javits 5/17/71
jlj
Mathias Amendment
(as revised by Sen. Javits)
Humphrey, Stevenson and Mathias
Section 401(a). The Congress renews its support for the
North Atlantic Alliance and reaffirms the policy of the United
States for full partnership in the defense of Europe on the basis
of self-help and mutual support.
(b). The President is requested to enter into negotiations,
within the NATO framework, to achieve mutual and balanced force
reductions in central Europe between the NATO and Warsaw Pact
forces.
(c). The President is requested, in addition to regular
consultations, to negotiate within NATO on the reduction of U.S.
force levels, and financial arrangements for U.S. forces which
remain in Europe, consistent with the balance of payments situation
of the United States: and, to reduce U.S. forces in Europe in accordance
with such consultations and negotiations.
(d). The President shall report to the Congress on September
15, 1971, and every six months thereafter on the progress of such
consultations and negotiations.
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Telecon
Mr. Kissinger
Senator Javits
5/17/71; 6:55 p.m.
(I missed the first part of the conversation.)
K: Where every six months we have to report to Congress about re-
ductions so that if we don't make reductions we are really not carrying
out the mandate of Congress -- so, we will negotiate with Europe how
much we can squeeze out. This is about an area where we are trying
to remain committed. It is not like Vietnam.
J: Okay, let me look into it. I don't want to close you in. Let me
talk to Mathias and see what we can do. You are not going to get the
necessary Democrat votes unless vote count is good -- they better
know what they are doing.
K: Shall I call Humphrey?
J: Yes! He is in San Francisco at the Fairmont Hotel. Call him and
then maybe he can call me. I will get together with Mathias.
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Telecon
Mr. Kissinger
Bob Haldeman
5/17/71; 7:10 p.m.
K: Are you going to call Rogers or have you already done it?
H: I am going to call him.
K: Just don't tell him anything happened on SALT, just tell him the
President wants to see him.
H: He knows something was developing over the weekend. All I am
going to do is tell him the President wants to see him.
K: You know the Russians have not confirmed the time yet but I am
sure it is all right.
H: Really!
K: They might shift it to Friday.
H: That will really screw us up.
K: I talked to Dobrynin what can I do? I gave Scali a preview and
he almost jumpted through the roof.
H: (Laughter) That's all I am going to tell him.
K: I already made a date with Smith. It is not unusual for me to see
Smith.
H: I think I will have Chapin call Rogers -- this way he can't ask
questions.
K: Is the President expecting me or am I just going to wait for his call?
I hope he is feeding me.
H: You are meeting with Smith and the President at 3:00 and with
Laird at 12:30.
K: Laird at 11:30 and I will take him into see the President at 12:30.
we
H: He is seeing Rogers at 10:30. I guess/will move the Credentials thing
to 4:00.
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Telecon
Mr. Kissinger
Bob Haldeman
5/17/71; 7:10 p.m.
-2-
K: Did you finally get some sun?
H: Yes. And today was really a beautiful day!
K: Are you going there again on this weekend?
H: It won't be good this time.
K: Oh?
H: It;s the time of the year when you don't get good weather.
K: I will be there on Saturday. I will go down from here.
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TELECON
Gerard Smith
5/17/71 7:11 p.m.
S: I didn't mention today the recess date problem. I take it there is no
question about it.
K: No, the President wants it to recess on the 28th.
S: All right, and I will have Parsons tell them that in the morning
and we'll get cracking on Helsinki.
K: You got yourself to Helsinki in the summer -- that's what you were
after. The President, on second thought, doesn't want to do it in the NSC.
He thinks it would pur you in a box to srakex send you off with such a fanfare.
He will see you and may have one or two people in there too. But we'll have
the great group when you go off on July 1. We don't want much substantive
discussion now. We ought to do our homework figuring what we want to do
on July 1.
S: Okay, but the President does want to talk again on Friday?
K: Yes, that's all set.
S: Okay. See you in the mørning.
K: 9:00.
S: Right. Good.
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Telecon
Mr. Kissinger
George Ball
5/17/71; 7:30 p.m.
B: I just wanted to give you a reading of how the situation looked on the Hill.
There are about one-half dozen Senators who want to be heroes and have bills
in the hopper. All are set up as substitutes to Mansfield which means they
will be voted on before Mansfield which means none of Mansfield's people will
vote for any. The Mathias thing I think will get several people on it -- Stennis
and John Cooper.
K: I don't believe he has Stennis. I will get Stennis off.
B: Don't involve me because Mathias told me in some confidence.
K: Javits told me he has Humphrey -- I have to go the President is calling me.
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TELECON
Senator Stennis
5/17.71 7:35pm
K: I have been told that you are going to co-sponsor the
Mathias amendment.
S: Ridiculous.
K: I wanted you to know we are totally opposed.
S: I know that. I promised you what I would do. About 2
minutes before it happened Senator Choper showed me a copy of the
proposed amendment. You know what I promised you.
K: Yes, and you've never let us down before. I couldn't
believe it.
S: Someone was supposed to brief me on it
and
told me they were against the Mansfield amentment. I
didn't know anything about this until Senator Cooper mentioned this.
K: Well, I am delighted. I will be in close touch with you.
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Telecon
Mr. Kissinger
Senator Humphrey
5/17/71; 9:00 p.m.
K: I am calling you about the Mathias amendment which somebody told me you
were thinking of co-sponsoring and I wanted to tell you why we think that isn't
really in the national interest right now that it pass.
H: Have you read it carefully, Henry?
K: Yes. Let me tell you what my concern is. I would tell you this if you asked
me as an old friend negotiations
and to reduce US forces in accordance
with such consultation
and President shall report to
the particular
consequence of this is to make reductions of our forces in Europe is almost an
end in itself and one of the major problems we have with Europe is to give them
a sense of stability and continuity. That six month reporting to Congress
H: I don't think it requires that in all honesty it doesn't require progress
just that Congress be informed. I addressed myself to this matter out here.
K: Are you on the West Coast now?
H: Yes. I don't see this as a mandatory report of progress in the sense that
you have to have reductions that you negotiate with your partners in the hope
to get them.
K: If the Congress gets that you can report once or twice or three times
that there has not been progress but you are under a moral obligation to produce
something. We think for the first time in a long while we have the Europeans
realizing that our forces are not symbolic. Secondly, we have this hopeful
beginning of mutual force reduction and if we can conduct them like SALT we
will be doing progress. So, I think that this time is just about the worse time
for this sort of Congressional action.
H: I think the Mansfield resolution was not right. I said so in powerful words.
I said that I was dismayed amendment does not provide for consultation by
allies and I said the resolution would not be in the best interest of the U.S. and
I will vote against it. But Cooper, Mathias and Javits and others are concerned
that we may run into stormy weather. The last part, President shall report to
the Congress on September 15, 1971 is subject to alteration. I don't feel firmness
of date you can put from time to time. It just appears to me that the President
reports on everything including Mothers Day it doesn't mean he comes to
Congress. Somebody State or your office tells us.
K: You know that anybody would be ridiculous to say forces there are frozen in
concrete. If we raise in European minds that conventional forces are being cut
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Telecon
Mr. Kissinger
Senator Humphrey
5/17/71; 9:00 p.m.
-2-
H: It says will be done in consultation with Allies. Says to negotiate within
NATO on reduction of forces -- does not say you have to do it.
K: I talked to George Ball about it. I would never call you Hubert just because
the President wants me to If I didn't feel it was really wrong.
H: I am a strong NATO man.
K: My judgment on knowledge of Europeans is that this would be read as strong
pressure by Congress to reduce forces which is bound to affect
H: Let me ask you, Henry. This amendment has been announced in Washington
K: I don't know if it has.
H: I think they were going to introduce it. We are not locked in. The sponsor
can always alter its amendment. Take a look at the language
K: Do you think this will carry?
H: If this carries first the Mansfield amendment is dead.
K: I see how people will want to put themselves on record of voting for another
amendment that fails but if it has a chance of passing that is a different situation.
H: If this amendment succeeds and Mansfield fails then the second vote will be
on the Mathias amendment. Then the question is whether you can live with it.
If not, then tell us the language you can live with. What alterations would you
want in it so that it becomes liveable. If section D is not liveable, how do you
alter it?
K: Actually it is C -- reduction;
H: The President is requested, in addition to regular consultations, to negotiate
within NATO on the reduction of US force levels and financial arrangements for
US forces which remain in Europe
K: What we ought to be negotiating with Europe is what is needed.
H: I am asking for counsel and advice -- how you think this should be amended.
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Telecon
Mr. Kissinger
Senator Humphrey
5/17/71; 9:00 p.m.
-3-
K: To negotiate within NATO to insure that US force levels do not exceed what is
necessary
H: To negotiate within NATO US force levels and financial arrangements for US
forces which remain in Europe and to establish such US force levels in accordance
with such consultations and negotiations. Then we got word reduction out.
K: Still I have to say my strong judgment is I would rather have Mansfield thing
defeated up and down.
H: If you can do it. The peoplewho are there in Congress feel that it is not as
easy as it looks.
K: I have no judgment on a think like that.
H: I will be in my office not later than 9:00 a. m. on Wednesday morning. I
would like to have you think about section C I am not asking that the Administration
support it. I am asking how do we minimize difficulties. The President is
requested in additiona to regular consultations to negotiate within NATO US force
levels and financial arrangements for US forces which remain in Europe to
establish US force levels in Europe in accordance with such consultations and
negotiations.
XeX
YOU
K: Let me take a look at it and I will call you on Wednesday.
H: Have you talked to Mathias?
K: No. I don't want to be in a position where I will make a compromise.
H: If we can beat the Mansfield v/n/a/ amendment that's what I want. This amend-
ment doesn't have to be offered. It is just introduced. If the votes weren't there
you should have an amendment that you can live with.
K: I can talk to you like this because we have discussed sensitive things before
on a personal basis. I don't want this to run around in Congress. Also the
thing in Section D so that it isn't every six months.
H: And the President shall report to the Congress on 9/15/71 that's because
it was 3-4 months after NATO Council meeting -- thereafter on such occasions --
periodically
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Telecon
Mr. Kissinger
Senator Humphrey
5/17/71; 9:00 p.m.
4⑉
K: Am speaking as an ex-professor -- this would be an improvement. But
as both an individual and Administration official I feel it wuld be better to defeat
Mansfield head on.
H: The problem that we have is that nobody keeps an accurate count and I know
that Mansfield's Charlie Ferris thinks they have the votes.
K: Our people say they have the votes
.
H: We have time. We don't have to do anything until 5:00 Wednesday. I will
call you on Wednesday if you get too tied up to call me.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELCON
The President/Mr. Kissinger
9:28 p.m., May 17, 1971
P:
I was thinking that until we get the final word from Dobrynin that
we really shouldn't go ahead with Rogers and Smith. You know
what I mean, I think --
K:
The problem with Smith is - -
P:
He is going to leave. So he leaves. Can he stay a day?
K:
Sure but we have to make some special --
P:
Because I want to see him, that I have got a heavy day with legislators.
You see, my point is while I am just as certain as you -- well, there
is no reason for it not to come through but there is a possibility.
K:
I think there is a lot in that.
P:
If you've got it wrapped up, that's that. If not, put it off a day.
K:
I ought to hear by tomorrow morning.
P:
If not, then I can put the Rogers' appointment off a day and you
can tell Smith I want to see him a day later.
K:
Just put everything off 24 hours, say you have a cold or something.
P:
No, no; my schedule is too full. I have to see all these Senators --
K:
Exactly, exactly.
P:
Because of the vote that's coming up, I have to talk to a lot of
Senators and just wait and see me the next day.
K:
We can do that, he's flying on military plane anyway. The Russians
will know why he is being held up.
P:
We may not have to, it seems to me quite likely you will hear in
the morning one way or the other.
K:
Very possible.
P:
You had already discussed the date of Thursday, they know that's the
day we are talking about. If we brief them on Wednesday, we can
can still go on Thursday.
K:
Didn't change the day.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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TELCON
Mr. Kissinger/The President
9:28 p.m, May 17, 1971
P:
Perfectly all right. We just didn't get the word. Don't you think
that is right. Just suppose the Russians for one reason or another
which we don't know, suppose they delay a week.
K:
What worries me is the public announcement they agreed to is so
unfavorable that one of their experts might read it and not agree
to it.
P:
I thought they had already agreed to the public announcement.
Haven't they?
K:
They have. This is their text, Mr. President, not one which I
gave them to agree to, but their text.
P:
Let's find out, we may just be brewing trouble here if we start
down the line with Rogers and Smith. We will wait and tell them
when it's nailed down. When you find out, you let me know. I can
call them in at night if necessary.
K:
You can keep the appointment at 3:00 --
P:
Wait a minute we will have the 3 o'clock appointment and then
he will fly off.
K:
No, no, we can cancel the 3:00 appointment at 2:30.
P:
That's right, then he will delay. That's the best way to do it.
K:
I would just as soon have him out of town as soon as we can.
P:
If you hear in the morning, I can arrange the afternoon schedule,
I can squeeze other things in.
K:
I should know by noon from Dobrynin. I will cancel xxx the 10 o'clock
I have with Smith. I will cancel about a quarter till ten. For some
reason they usually get their cables around 10:00, that's when Dobrynin
usually calls me.
P:
I see. Well, you just cancel him if you want. But I shouldn't cancel
Rogers just before.
K:
Is he going to be at the Leadership meeting?
P:
No. He is working over some Republican Senators at the State
Department.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
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TELCON
Page 3
The President/Mr. Kissinger
9:28 p.m., May 17, 1971
K:
You can cancel him at 10:00 and say you want to see some Senators
yourself.
P:
I can say I have gotten tied up myself, the railroad strike and so
forth. There are plenty of reasons for me to be tied up. If the
things begin to gel, can get at noon tomorrow. I don't want to get
going until this thing is nailed.
left
high and dry as far as I am concerned. We are just not going to
run the risks, we don't need to. We will just be a little more
discourteous.
K:
I think that is the wise course.
P:
You let me know at 10 o'clock if you don't hear at 10:00.
K:
I will let you know and let Haldeman know.
P:
I will be speaking at 10:00 to legislators, you call Haldeman and have
him call Rogers and put off to the following day.
K:
Right, Mr. President.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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TELECON
The President
5/18/71 ca. 10:30am
P: I'm getting behind a little in my schedule. Does this Smith
meeting need more than 10 or 15 minutes?
K: After thinking about it, I think if we haven't heard from Dobrynin
by 2:00 we should put Smith off for 24 hours. If on the other hand we have heard
we'll have to give him more time. I don't think we can let him go back with
egg on his face. He'll be blabbing with Semanov and I would feel better about
it
P: I was thinking we should put it off 24 hours anyway.
K: Well, let's wait till 2:00 to see if we've heard from Dobrynin.
P: 2:00 or 2:30.
K: Okay.
P: And if not, then okay.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
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TELECON
Rowland Evans
5/18/71 11:35 a. m.
E: I keep hearing reports about you.
K: Like what?
E: That you behaved rather well at a dinner party I heard about.
K: I must have been drunk. What dinner party?
E: Can you talk to me strictly for background on the telephone.
I am getting stuff together for a piece on the Cairo shake-up. It seems
to me -- I just talked to someone who is in Egypt if ever there were a
time to give Sadat a boost it's now. I've just seen an item on the ticker
from Moscow saying the Russians are worried about their status in
Cairo, that they want the Egyptians to restate their undying love and take
the oath all over again. Is there nothing we can do to get faster action
from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem?
K: If its true that Egypt is getting ready to move out of the Soveet
orbit, then the principal restraint on pressing Israel vis-a-vis Egypt
will disappear. There's no question that if
Sadat doesn't
then
.
But if the signs continue as they are
and
we won't wait six weeks.
E: And you see nothing now militating against that happening?
K: If it isn't happening, then the Soviets are unnecessarily nervous.
It must be disquieting to have$5 billion worth of equipment in a country
whose ultimate direction you can't be sure of.
E: Israel's answer is always "don't be misled the Russians are
so eager to get the Suez Canal opened
11
K: Impossible. You don't fire 10 cabinet members and arrest half of them
as a stage play. Beside we are committed to opening the Canal anyway,
even with Sabri as Vice President.
E: I think we are coming to the moment of truth. The President has
been so good up to now. I just hope
K: Don't worry about the President.
E: The President told me the other night that he appreciated what I
had told you. I didn't know what he meant, but I said "Mr. President, I
m eant every word of it. 11 But I think this is the one conspicuous area
where the President has been better than good.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELECON
Rowland Evans
5/18/71 11:35 a.m. p. 2
K: Where did you see the President?
E: I almost knocked into him at the Press conference the other night,
it was the night after he had breakfast with Harold Wilson. I didn't see him
coming and bumped into him. Afterward he took me out in the hall and talked
for about 10 minutes. How are you doing?
K: well. I think a number of things may be gelling.
E: Any possibility of breakfast this week or the next?
K: One of the reasons I said something to you the President about you
is so that I can continue to do such things. Let's have breakfast this week.
E: Thursday or Friday?
K: How about Monday?
E: Okay, that's definite.
K: You coming here?
E: Okay.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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TELECON
Ambassador Bogdan
5/18/71 11:45am
K: How are you?
B: A little dizzy after that fast trip.
K: Did you just get back?
B: Yes.
K: How was it?
B: Very interesting. I called your assistant to tell him: my principle
has to be you-know-where on June (?) first. He might have to leave
Bucharest earlier.
K: What time is he leaving?
B: It is not yet sure. It might be the 28th, maybe earlier. But if
there is anything to get fo him it would be best to do it around the 25th or
26th of this month.
K: I will keep that in mind.
B: His way of communicating
very much appreciated if someone
from your part could go too.
K: How is he travelling?
B: By plane, but by the most direct way, probably through the
southern part of the Soviet Union. It is not yet definite.
K: Right.
B: But he will go to the Soviet Union.
K: Right. Good.
B: You will keep in mind that?
K: I will keep it very much in mind and be back to you in a day or tw O.
B: Thank you.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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TELECON
Ron Ziegler
5/18/71 12:45 p.m.
Z: We have not put for th any formal proposal to the Soviet Union
on MBFR is that correct?
K: Incidentally, the President was very restive when I told him that I had tol
you about it. He said if there was any leak it would be our mutual heads.
Z: You're kidding!
K: I don't have to worry about you -- you have never broken a confidence.
Z: Of course not. You told him you told Scali?
K: I told him about both at the same time.
Z: What did he say?
K: He didn't like that either. He forgot that he was bugging me all
weekend about getting a PR plan.
Z: But he didn't tell you to tell Scali and not me did he?
K: No.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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TELECON
Mr. Haldeman
5/18/71 2:30 p.m.
H: Do you know what is happening yet?
K: No; we cancelled the Smith appointment.
H: Okay. How do we figure it now?
K: By this time tomorrow we will have heard. We may still hear late today.
H: But nbt until late?
K: I just don't know. Any time from now on. I am frankly puzzled.
It is inconceivable to me that they wouldn't do it. But they've had Trudeau there
and maybe they haven't been able to get to the right people.
H: You holding Smith over?
K: Yes. It would be too humiliating to have the President go through a
charade with him. But after tomorrow we'll let him go. We put it on a basis
with him that with Mansfield and the rail strike he just couldn't do it today.
H: But it will be the same plot tomorrow as today?
K: I think so.
H: Okay.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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TELECON
James Brady, Publisher
Women's Wear Daily
5/18/71 3:47pm
B: I am returning your call for Mr. Cody; he was not here.
K: I was calling about an item which appeared last Thursday that has
just caught up with me.
B: I am aware of it the one about your reported expenditures at
various restaurants?
K: I consider that outrageous. Without even making an effort to check
it. One, I don't have an expense account and two, I have never charged any
meal to the President, and three, the figures are absurd. How often I eat in
restaurants is my personal business. But if I did what they describe I couldn't
get my work done. Twice a month is a lot. The whole thing is an absurdity.
I think it is close to being libbèous, but I'm not making it a legal case, just
an ethical one.
B: Mrs. Stroud is an experienced and accomplished journalist
K: I know her and like her.
B: If you think it would be a good idea, I would be glad to run a state-
ment from you
K: I don't do that.
B: You don't want to write a statement of clarification?
K: I think you owe me one.
B: Well I don't know the facts
K: I think it's a hell of a charge to print without knowing the facts.
B: I don't if it's a charge, but a question.
K: Do you think it is a fair thing to suggest without even knowing if
I have an expense account? If you can find me one lunch since I came here
that I charged to the government then that is a different story.
B: If we had called and said we had a story, and what about it
K: But she didn't do that.
B: She didn't?
K: No.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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TELECON
James Brady
5/18/71 3:45pm p. 2
But even if the facts were true, which is absurd, it's my own business.
B: But it is rather interesting. You are a public figure.
K: If I had eight people to a restaurant here 10 times since I came
to Washington it's a miracle. When I do entertain, which is rare, because
I live by myself I have to go out.
B: What can we do.
K: Straighten out the facts. You go to a maitre'd who is trying to
build himself up and I don't then feel it's my job to write a letter.
B: Well, I don't know what the facts are. I will have to call Candy back.
K: I am telling you what the facts are. I think my word is as good as that
of a maitre'd at Sans Souni. In fact I've got my calendar here. If you froce
me to it
I know what bills I pay. But that just makes me look frivilous.
B: No one would want to make you look frivolous.
K: The frequence of my luncheons is very low. I don't have that much
in three months. I would have to check on the last time I was there. When
does it say?
B: eight to ten times a month.
K: That's ridiculous. I haven't done ther in three weeks.
B: You have got more important things to do than this.
K: But the inference that I use the taxpayers' money to pay for my
luncheons is ridiculous. I usually eat in my office. I pay for my own
lunches in my office and I pay for my guests' lunches.
B: I will have to talk with Candy; I will call you back.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELECON
Mr. Kissinger/ Candy Stroud
4:27 p. m., May 18, 1971
K:
Candy?
S:
Henry, when are you going to take me to dinner?
K:
I want a correction.
C:
What do you mean?
K:
Your article. When I couldn't get you, I called your publisher.
C:
James Brady? You want a correction?
K:
On what you wrote on May 13. The idea I would charge the
government for lunches or dinners is an outrage.
C:
It was speculation. I said I wonder if.
K:
What if you said I wonder if he murdered his mother?
C:
I said I wonder if it came out of an expense account.
K:
Furthermore, I have eaten at the Sans Souci five times since
February 18 -- not ten times a month for lunch and once every two
weeks for dinner. You have me there 10 times for lunch and frequently
for dinner. In those three months, I have eaten there 5 times which
makes an average of 1-1/2 times a month.
C:
We are both making a liar out of Paul.
K:
I can't tell you how that breaks my heart. Do you think you are
entitled to publish something that makes me look frivolous and taking
money out of the taxpayers' pockets? Without checking it with me?
C:
I will be happy to publish what you say.
K:
I will not be quoted. You are saying I am eating with a tall,
dirty blond 8-10 times a month and frequently coming for dinner.
You mention $57, 000 and wonder if it comes out of the taxpayer's money.
That is a hell of an insinuation to make. I do not take government money
for any entertainment. I have 99 out of a 100 lunches in my office.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Mr. Kissinger/Candy Stroud
4:27 p. m., May 18, 1971
- 2 -
C:
Out of an expense account?
K:
I have never eaten in a restaurant except out of my own pocket.
I live alone and when I entertain I have to do it in a restaurant when
I have 6-8 people. I have done it maybe eight times since I've been
here in Washington. I almost never entertain. There have been very
few times and I have to do it in a restaurant. I have never taken expense
account money for any meal in any restaurant.
C:
How would you like it printed?
K:
Not as a quote from me. Just say you looked into it and you
found it was not true.
C:
That the amount of XXXXX times you have eaten in the Sans
Souci is about 5 times since February 18.
K:
It is exactly X 5 times since February 18. ; My most recent lunch
was April 17.
C:
How about last year?
K:
I would have to look it up. It was about the same frequency.
C:
What about Paul's statement?
K:
It's just not true.
C:
You have never taken people on an expense account?
K:
No. I pay it out of my pocket. I am going broke in this job. I
live beyond the income I have.
C:
I guess we all do.
K:
I have never in this job taken government money for any meal
outside this building. I don't take it for my meals in this building.
C:
What about the Jockey Club?
K:
I haven't checked, but it is at least plausible.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Mr. Kissinger/Candy Stroud
4:27 p. m., May 18, 1971
- 3 -
C:
I have seen you there myself. I have seen you everytime I
have been there. About two times a month is plausible?
K:
The statement about government expense money is a point of honor.
It wouldn't be anybody's business if I ate all my meals at the Sans Souci
with six women. But the implication that I would take government money
is
or that I might even do that.
CL
I will print what you said.
K:
But not quoting.
C:
How do we prove it's not true?
K:
You implied it. You can say you checked into it and found I do
not take government expense money for eating in public restaurants.
C:
Do you have a total of your expense money?
K:
I wouldn't give it to you if I had it. It's my business what I sp end
on food. But it's ridiculous to say I go 8 or 10 times a month for lunch
to the Sans Souci.
C:
I don't think it's ridiculous.
K:
It isn't true. You say I have been there that many times with a
tall dirty blonde.
C:
It was a brunette?
K:
That is the sort of gossip I don't ask you to correct. But the
government money attacks me on a point of honor. When I worked for
Nelson Rockefeller -- don't print this -- I asked him to pay me my
same salary, so I ended up making less money than my secretary.
I maintained a room in New York at my own expense. I don't do these
things for money.
C:
If you would let us come talk to you.
K:
I like you. I know you didn't do it maliciously.
C:
I didn't know you would take it this way.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
Mr. Kissinger/Candy Stroud
4:27 p. m., May 18, 1971
- 4 -
K:
To say $57, 000 to $71,000 and wonder if it all comes out of the
taxpayer's money. People are fretting about the war in Vietnam. I
am the National Security Advisory. Don't you think they would wonder
what was going on?
C:
I think it gives more snap to the National Security Advisor
for a change.
K:
But it would be despicable if I had the government pay for it. For
God's sake, this is a point of honor!. I never comment on gossip. You
have had a lot of stuff to which I didn't react.
C:
Can I see you sometime?
K:
You correct it first and then I will see you.
C:
Okay, Henry, thank you for your patience.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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James Brady
5/18/71 5:15 p.m.
B: I talked to Candy and she said she had called you.
K: Yes.
B: So now we're down to what do you want us to do? I think it fair
for us to run something in our Eye (?) page saying Women's Wear Daily
has learned that the figures stated were highly inflated and has also
learned that Mr. Kissinger's expenses are handled by himself and ant
by the government or any government agency.
K: If you did that it would meet all my concerns. I know, Candy is
a fine girl, and she has every reason to think that she cannot get through
to me very easily. It's a sort of funny piece; I just happen to be very
touchy about money. I almost never take money for anything, even when
I am entitled to it.
B: Well, you know newspapers love to needle people in high places.
I hope that one daty you and Candy can sit down and do the kind of inverview
story she would like to do.
K: If she stays off substance. I can't give foreign policy comments
but if you want my comments on John Mitchell I'll be glad to give them to you
I'm joking.
B: Well, this will be printed either tomorrow or the next day and I
will send you a tear sheet.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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TELECON
Secretary Laird
5/48/71 5:16 pm
K: I've been tied up all day with the President, but Haig and Murphy are
working on an appointment.
L: Let's work on it. Really on this SALT thing -- I don't think he understan
that problem.
K: He wants to see you. What We'll do it tomorrow definitely and I'll
get you the time within the next hour.
The President suggests
2:00p. m. if you are free. Are you free for lunch?
L: I will make myself free for anything.
K: Well, I am not free tomorrow -- I'm scheduled for lunch with the
Indian Ambassador, but I'll change that. We'll have lunch here and then go
in to the President.
L: Good.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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McGeorge Bundy/Mr. Kissinger
May 18, 1971 5:25 p.m.
jlj
B: My Russian friend came in and I said I would call. I really do not
have very much. I think he was bringing more of a "please keep this
channel open'' rather than any substantive message. I told him it was
my opinion that some concrete acts would be welcomed at this time.
My own impression was that perhaps in SALT and balanced neutral
force reduction. I told him that I thought some concrete results
would be followed by unilateral intent on our side. I told him what you
told me.
K: That is exactly right.
B: I would say that this contact quite frankly Henry, is more his
initiative rather than a push from Moscow. I told him that the formal
lines were very important now. He said yes. Said I was with Ambassador
Dobrynin the other day and he said I could talk to the White House as much
as I wanted to and if you want me to prove it I will call President Nixon
right now. Ho, Ho, Ho.
K: (laughter) Cabinet members cannot even do that.
B: How did Mansfield go today? I haven't seen the tickers.
K: It comes up tomorrow.
B: You feel all right?
K: We will be if we can get to the Mansfield amendment vote.
B: There are so many to get there.
K: They are little groups with six people in each all proposing an amendment.
George Ball thinks that is great.
B: Only the guys in the corridors taking count can tell at this stage.
K: We can beat it in Committee anyway. The Foreign Policy establishment
will stick with the President and have not launched out themselves. This
is one fact that should be brought home in the White House.
B: Moral question is not whether old executive type can be brought together
on this but whether Hill and Departments can be brought together.
K: And the problem is that the Hill does not have one voice at this time.
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-2-
B: Hill has neither one ear or one voice. I saw Fulbright badgering
Connally on TV recently. It was just silly.
K: Fulbright doesn't take one side or the other. That is the problem
with him.
B: That is not true of Mike. You just happened to catch him on his
King Charles' head with this one.
K: That is not true of Mike. There was no doubt about how he felt
about it.
B: He put all his chips on the card table. He used to come in and tell
us that he wanted something done about it and we would put him off and
he would come back the next year.
K: I don't think he would have done it without the balance of payments
crisis.
B: It probably put more clout behind it for Mike. The other fello is
just a plain trouble maker.
K: Now I make sure he gets a note from me once a month saying I will
meet him any place and any time.
B: Except in an executive session on the Hill. Henry, I will send you
a little note on this just to keep the record straight.
K: OK Mac, and do let me know when you come down here. I would
like to see you.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELECON
Steve Bull
5/18/71 5:50pm
B: The President would like to know whether you and Mr. Haldeman
would like to join him on the Sequoia tonight. That ought to screw up your
evening.
K: You are right. But can I tell him anything but that I have been
waiting for this invitation? Find out whether Haldeman is going to do it.
Is he?
B: Yes.
K: I'll be honored. What time?
B: I think about 6:30. I'll let you know.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELECON
Ambassador Rabin/Mr. Kissinger
5:59 p. m. , May 18, 1971
K:
Mr. Ambassador.
R:
At the present, I don't believe we have much news or many
new things about any developments. I am leaving town tomorrow and
will be back on Thursday night.
K:
Let's get together early next week. I don't think there will
be anything dramatic before then -- unless you are going to have a
domestic coup.
R:
No; X unfortunately, it is not going to happen in our country.
K:
I thought, given your principles of reciprocity, you would now
get rid of your war minister.
R:
I don't want to talk on the phone, but I have something to say
about it.
K:
I will schedule something early in the week. Unless it is urgent,
in which case I will always see you.
R:
We will have to wait to see what is going on there and to see with
what they will come in response to the last visit. In the meantime, I
don't see very much that can be done. The next critical phase will
be once they come back.
K:
Right. Good. Talk to you soon.
R:
Good.
lds
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELECON
Mr. Haldeman
5/18/71 ca. 6:00pm
H: When are you seeing Laird tomorrow?
K: 1:00, and I understand the President will see him at 2:00.
H: And that's what you want?
K: Yes.
H: And how long will he need with Laird?
K: Half an hour. It's going to be a hectic day tomorrow, but it will
be worth it.
H: That's all right. We just want to get the ducks lined up in the
right rows. That's an old American expression that you wouldn't understand.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
TELECON
Clark Mollenhoff
5/18/71 ca. 6:10pm
M: Have you had any flack yet on the suicide at State, the FSO and the
Congressional enquiries that flowed off from that?
K: I didn't know that there was one.
M: He was a Class-4 officer who was selected out a couple of years ago.
It's a long story -- I've gone into it in detail. But the problem is the Foreign
Service and McComber and Mace (?) refuse to let anyone have grievance
proceedings except under the kind of circumstances he will provide. They
didn't straighten out the record is what it amounts to. Maybe I should shoot
a copy over to you. It's a worse mess than I can explain quickly.
K: Why don't you do that. Let me see it and I promise you I'll check
into it.
M: Okay.
K: Thank you.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
DECLASSIFIED
This document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.
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"ocrText": "Dr. Unseld/Mr. Kissinger\nMay 17, 1971 9:10 a.m.\njlj\nK: Hello. I think I can do it tonight.\nU: That is good.\nK: That is of course subject to last minute changes. What time would\nyou come down?\nU: There is a shuttle service and I think I would take that.\nK: The shuttle service is a pain in the neck.\nU: I think I will get the shuttle at 7 so at 8 I will be there.\nK: You are going back tonight?\nU: I thought at 10 p.m.\nK: It does not give you a hell of a lot of time here.\nU: I think I will take the 6 p.m.\nK: The 6 gets in at 7. I will have you picked up. How in God's name\nwill they find you.\nU: Where will the car be.\nK: It's a mess. You couldn't find it. I will send somebody to the airport.\nYou go to the counter for the shuttle and see if somebody is waiting for you.\nU: Eastern Airlines?\nK: As you come off the shuttle, the shuttle has a separate desk - information\ncounter for the shuttle. Go to that desk. Somebody will be there and lead\nyou to the car.\nU: I will take the 6 SO that I will arrive at 7.\nK: Then you will be able to leave at 10.\nU: And if anything comes up for which you can't make it your secretary\ncan get me at the Algonquin Hotel I will understand. I will call just\nbefore I am ready to leave and confirm that everything is OK.\nK: It will be good to see you again.\nU: Good to see each other.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nProfessor Doty\n5/17/71 9:50a.m.\nD: If the meeting's still on for Wednesday and Thursday\nwe're going to assemble on Wednesday\n...\nK: You're going to\nI was going to ask you how\nThursday and Friday would be; that would be better for me.\nDL We!ll find out and be back to David. And with regard\nto what we should do\nK: Let's discuss where we stand in SALT and other things,\nand I have some ideas I would like to discuss with you. I prefer to\ndo it later in the week. We have that NATO vote and the President\nmay want to call in some Senators and ask them where we go from\nthere. This has reelly been something.\nD: It's hard on my party loyalties.\nK: And especially when we've done a fisst-class study on\nMBFR. Now they are leaving us, saying we ought to\ncalmly. It's a disaster.\nD: How did you find Arbatov?\nK: He started going into the old song and dance about our\nnot being ready to have agreements. I got very tough with him\nand said \"you can say that at universities, but if you don't want\nto waste my time\n...\nwe are the ones who wonder whether you\nreally want an agreement. The problem is I don't know how much\nhe knows. He claims to know a lot, but Dobrynin says he deesnt.\nAnd having worked with Bill Elliott I know the syndrome of aca-\ndemics who claim to know a lot.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nGerard Smith\n5/17/71 10:00am\nS: My airplane planning problem -- when might I see the\nPresident?\nK: He is holed up in Key Biscayne at the moment. How late\ncan you leave? You going on a military plane?\nS: Yes, I could do it as late as 6:00 I guess.\nK: Okay, then let's aim for that. My instinct is around\n3:00 becuase he usually keeps the morning free when he first\ncomes back.\nS: Okay, I'll hold the day free and you think I can expect\nsomething by the end of the week?\nK: I will try for it.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nAmbassador Mosbacher/Mr. Kissinger\nMay 17, 1971 11:15 a. m.\njlj\nK: Hi.\nM: How are you. We just got back from our trip to Australia. There\nare one or two things I want to mention to you. I do not know whether you\nwant me to stop by or over the phone. Do you have anybody on your line?\nK: I will get them off. Will you get off please. I will get them off,\njust a minute.\n[Mr. Kissinger came out to say he did not want the call taken. ]\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nThe President/Mr. Kissinger\nMay 17, 1971 3:20 p.m.\njlj\nP: I am going to be back tonight by about 7:30 and I was thinking it\nmight be well to go over all this tonight about 7:30 or 8:30. Are you\nfree this evening or are you going out?\nK: I will be free this evening. I have something but I think it is a good\nidea to go over this.\nP: You could meet with me from 7:30 to 8:30 and then go on from here.\nI would not take more than an hour.\nK: No, It is just a German publisher who can come some other day.\nIt is no problem.\nP: I think it would be good to talk over just what the plan is for the week.\nOne thing we should have in mind is how to brief Laird because I really\ndon't think we should keep this from him. Especially when he has to play\na major role. Should brief both he and Moorer. Does that present a\nproblem?\nK: Oh God. We will have no trouble with Moorer. Mr. President, we have\ngot to be able to trust Cabinet members for 48 hours with information.\nP: You could tell him after I tell Rogers.\nK: I will see Laird - say around 11:30 a. m.\nP: Then you could bring him in. Let's see, no I have a 12 o'clock. I am\nfree about 12:30 and you could bring him in.\nK: Then you could - I have plenty of business with him, Mr. President.\nP: Another thing I think is important is how to combat the people who are\ngoing to criticize us as being soft on the Russians. This is to be baxbxx\nXXXXX X handled delicately. And they will say never trust the Russians.\nIf somebody like Jackson wants to take this line.\nK: Jackson is in a delicate position because he wanted to go even further.\nHe even wanted to stop even MIRV deployments.\nP: We must talk because I understand we are not going to announce that\nand should not say anything about it publically.\nK: Jackson is very vulnerable, Mr. President.\nP: If not Jackson, somebody is sure to pick it up. Laird will have to\nknow the background. He should have no problems, was against ABM anyway.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\n-2-\nK: This does not stop ABM but just stops going beyond what we have.\nP: I know, just limits where it is.\nXX\nnegotiate on command.\nK: Command. We have not and shoul not. They will yield on that.\nP: On the freeze thing.\nK: We are working that out now Mr. President. We do not need a full\nposition at this moment.\nP: Sell something to Smith so that he won't say anything and will buy\nthis. What objections would he or Rogers raise?\nK: I don't think we would have any problems in substance with Smith.\nONly ego. Nitze will raise that there should be no distinction between\nABM and IBM. He thinks they should be the same degree of formality.\nOne is agreement and the other is understanding.\nP: Not in the public statement though.\nK: No. The only difference is one will go to the Senate. It does not\nworry me. ABM goes to the Senate and IBM will not.\nP: Smith would not argue for that?\nK: On substnace I can see no problem at all. I don't know if they will\nwant to fly speck it. Could conceivably find a problem with discuss and\nagree.\nP: That is not in the public announcement. I am not going to show the\nletter to Rogers. I am only going to show him the announcement.\nK: But Mr. President, I think you will have to show Secretary Rogers\nthe letter. At least you must tell them that there is a letter or they\nwill think we are running on the vagueness of Vienna. You do not have to\nshow them the letter. I will show it to Smith and get it to Rogers.\nP: Letter from them to us and us to them?\nK: Yes.\nP: OK. Do we have the January proposal or was that oral? I do want to\nhave something to show him that we sent in January.\nK: It was oral.\nP: Well that's all right. I could say here is the message I sent them\nin January.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\n-3-\nK: We showed them a preliminary draft that we proposed to send in\nFebruary but it was substantively changed later.\nP: Who did you show that to.\nK: You can show it to Rogers but I do not want to show that to Smith.\nI do not want Smith to have the whole record because no telling what he\nwill discuss with Semenov in a week if he has the whole record.\nP: No, I can just say to Rogers here is the\noral message I sent.\nK: I will get that written up knoyxxxx for you.\nP: Just tell him I sent a message while I was in California ******\nJanuary 6. Through Dobrynin to the Russians which proposed that we\nnegotiateoand -\nK: You can't tell all that.\nP: How much can I say. I can't just tell them here it is. They will\nask how did it start.\nK: cannot tell anything publicallyxxx publicly.\nP: Tell them something started at some time. They then ask when and\nwhat do you say then?\nK: Say we made some proposals that helped break the deadlock.\nP: That's the point. We proposed an approach where we would limit\nABM and\nbeyond on that score. I will be talking to the leaders\nand you will be talking to backgrounders and we should discuss what\nkind of language we are going to use on how did it happen.\nK: Certain mystery.\nP: Oh yes I know some mystery. But how was it all negotiationed. We\ncan't very well say the White House negotiated the whole thing. XXXWXX\nK: We can just say that the approaches were made in various channels.\nP: Various channels. Good thing to hedge on too. But don't want to leave\nimpression that Smith negotiated it. We can talk about those things tonight.\nWhat I am really trying to do is just enough to keep them happy and not give\nanything away. It is a fineline we are walking.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\n- 4 -\nK: On that issue if anybody has feelings it will be Smith but not have\nany problem with him on substance because he is getting what he wanted.\nJust to keep DOD from leaking.\nP: We will be thinking about it and we will talk about it when I see\nyou at 7:30.\nK: Fine, Mr. President.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nLord Cromer\n5/17/71 4:50pm\nK: We have given instructions on the matter you called about.\nC:\nK: Right.\nC: And the actual information will not have been passed to\nthem by then?\nK: No, I think it will have been.\nC: Fine. Thakk you very much.\nK: Thank you. I am now thinking of the visit to London I\nwas talking about on the two days either before or after the weekend\nof June *** 19 - 20. That'e either the 17th and 18th or the 21st\nand 22nd. It's conceivable that I might want to do it the week\nbefore.\nC: Right, and the same arrangements?\nK: Then it would be the 14th and 15th.\nC: Shall I give them the alternatives?\nK: Could you?\nC: Yes.\nK: And could I know by the end of next week which of them\nare not suitable?\nC: Yes, before then.\nK: Godd, thank you.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nThe Averell Harriman\n5/17/91 5:42pm\nK: It was good to see you yesterday.\nH: Yes, it was a pleasant evening.\nK: Very nice. Are you free for lunch next Monday?\nH: The 24th?\nk: Yes.\nH: I'd be delighted to. I'll be just back from the LBJ\nRanch and feeling full of good will and vigor.\nK: You are always full of vigor.\nH: What time?\nK: *XMO 1:00?\nH: fine.\nK: You want me to send a car for you ?\nH: That would be nice.\nK: I'll send a care to your quarters at 1:00.\nH: Good, see you Monday.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nU. Alexis Johnson/Mr. Kissinger\nMay 17, 1971 5:50 p.m.\njlj\nJ: You saw Jack Beam saw Gromyko. I LDXed to you a release we\nwould like to issue from there or from here this evening.\nK: Yes, I have it. I have 2 qualifications. We don't want it to give\nthe impression that they pushed us into this. Should say that studies\non MBFR within the US Government and within the Alliance have been\ngoing on for a year. They will be discussed within NATO concert in\n\" [reading from release]\"\nJ: Those are very good points.\nK: Have an introductory paragraph that studies have been going on.\nJ: Refer to NATO -\nK: NATO communique and to the President's point.\nJ: Good point.\nK: The rest of it is fine with me.\nJ: I entirely accept it. We will get those changes made and get it\nout over here tonight.\nK: With these two additions. One other point. Two weeks ago as we\nagreed I told Cromer that we were going to notify the French on some\nnuclear matters. I have told him but I don't know if we have notified\nthe French or not.\nJ: I saw something on that. I think we had a round-up on that.\nK: I haven't seen any paper on it.\nJ: You do not have a piece of paper on it?\nK: If I do it has not caught up with me yet.\nJ: You have not said something to Cromer?\nK: I have. He has come back to me and said want to refer to the French\nand British have been notified.\nJ: I'll get you something on that.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nSenator Javits/Mr. Kissinger\nMay 17, 1971 6:30 p.m.\njlj\nJ: Lots of things are manipulating here. Your people are going to be\nannoyed but we feel we must do the things the way we know is best up\nhere. Mathias has an amendment in. We might as well vote on it.\nIt is a lousy amendment.\nK: If it is easier to defeat a lousy amendment.\nJ: I will give you the play. There are a certain amount of democratic\nSenators under the leadership of Humphrey who will vote for it. It makes\nit a little difficult. X Gene Cowan has a copy. It is a question of\naccuracy of White House count. Cowan said they thought they had the\nvotes but we feel to the contrary. If we vote on this amendment we could\nbe sure way to defeat him. I would like to get your views on it.\nK: I have looked at Mathias' amendment and it is not acceptable. It stayxx\nstates 200, 000 troops - sets a limit.\nJ: No. I have taken out all reference to numbers. I will dictate it to you\ngirl. You have the wrong one.\nK: You dictate it.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nSenator Javits 5/17/71\njlj\nMathias Amendment\n(as revised by Sen. Javits)\nHumphrey, Stevenson and Mathias\nSection 401(a). The Congress renews its support for the\nNorth Atlantic Alliance and reaffirms the policy of the United\nStates for full partnership in the defense of Europe on the basis\nof self-help and mutual support.\n(b). The President is requested to enter into negotiations,\nwithin the NATO framework, to achieve mutual and balanced force\nreductions in central Europe between the NATO and Warsaw Pact\nforces.\n(c). The President is requested, in addition to regular\nconsultations, to negotiate within NATO on the reduction of U.S.\nforce levels, and financial arrangements for U.S. forces which\nremain in Europe, consistent with the balance of payments situation\nof the United States: and, to reduce U.S. forces in Europe in accordance\nwith such consultations and negotiations.\n(d). The President shall report to the Congress on September\n15, 1971, and every six months thereafter on the progress of such\nconsultations and negotiations.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nMr. Kissinger\nSenator Javits\n5/17/71; 6:55 p.m.\n(I missed the first part of the conversation.)\nK: Where every six months we have to report to Congress about re-\nductions so that if we don't make reductions we are really not carrying\nout the mandate of Congress -- so, we will negotiate with Europe how\nmuch we can squeeze out. This is about an area where we are trying\nto remain committed. It is not like Vietnam.\nJ: Okay, let me look into it. I don't want to close you in. Let me\ntalk to Mathias and see what we can do. You are not going to get the\nnecessary Democrat votes unless vote count is good -- they better\nknow what they are doing.\nK: Shall I call Humphrey?\nJ: Yes! He is in San Francisco at the Fairmont Hotel. Call him and\nthen maybe he can call me. I will get together with Mathias.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nMr. Kissinger\nBob Haldeman\n5/17/71; 7:10 p.m.\nK: Are you going to call Rogers or have you already done it?\nH: I am going to call him.\nK: Just don't tell him anything happened on SALT, just tell him the\nPresident wants to see him.\nH: He knows something was developing over the weekend. All I am\ngoing to do is tell him the President wants to see him.\nK: You know the Russians have not confirmed the time yet but I am\nsure it is all right.\nH: Really!\nK: They might shift it to Friday.\nH: That will really screw us up.\nK: I talked to Dobrynin what can I do? I gave Scali a preview and\nhe almost jumpted through the roof.\nH: (Laughter) That's all I am going to tell him.\nK: I already made a date with Smith. It is not unusual for me to see\nSmith.\nH: I think I will have Chapin call Rogers -- this way he can't ask\nquestions.\nK: Is the President expecting me or am I just going to wait for his call?\nI hope he is feeding me.\nH: You are meeting with Smith and the President at 3:00 and with\nLaird at 12:30.\nK: Laird at 11:30 and I will take him into see the President at 12:30.\nwe\nH: He is seeing Rogers at 10:30. I guess/will move the Credentials thing\nto 4:00.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nMr. Kissinger\nBob Haldeman\n5/17/71; 7:10 p.m.\n-2-\nK: Did you finally get some sun?\nH: Yes. And today was really a beautiful day!\nK: Are you going there again on this weekend?\nH: It won't be good this time.\nK: Oh?\nH: It;s the time of the year when you don't get good weather.\nK: I will be there on Saturday. I will go down from here.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nGerard Smith\n5/17/71 7:11 p.m.\nS: I didn't mention today the recess date problem. I take it there is no\nquestion about it.\nK: No, the President wants it to recess on the 28th.\nS: All right, and I will have Parsons tell them that in the morning\nand we'll get cracking on Helsinki.\nK: You got yourself to Helsinki in the summer -- that's what you were\nafter. The President, on second thought, doesn't want to do it in the NSC.\nHe thinks it would pur you in a box to srakex send you off with such a fanfare.\nHe will see you and may have one or two people in there too. But we'll have\nthe great group when you go off on July 1. We don't want much substantive\ndiscussion now. We ought to do our homework figuring what we want to do\non July 1.\nS: Okay, but the President does want to talk again on Friday?\nK: Yes, that's all set.\nS: Okay. See you in the mørning.\nK: 9:00.\nS: Right. Good.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nMr. Kissinger\nGeorge Ball\n5/17/71; 7:30 p.m.\nB: I just wanted to give you a reading of how the situation looked on the Hill.\nThere are about one-half dozen Senators who want to be heroes and have bills\nin the hopper. All are set up as substitutes to Mansfield which means they\nwill be voted on before Mansfield which means none of Mansfield's people will\nvote for any. The Mathias thing I think will get several people on it -- Stennis\nand John Cooper.\nK: I don't believe he has Stennis. I will get Stennis off.\nB: Don't involve me because Mathias told me in some confidence.\nK: Javits told me he has Humphrey -- I have to go the President is calling me.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nSenator Stennis\n5/17.71 7:35pm\nK: I have been told that you are going to co-sponsor the\nMathias amendment.\nS: Ridiculous.\nK: I wanted you to know we are totally opposed.\nS: I know that. I promised you what I would do. About 2\nminutes before it happened Senator Choper showed me a copy of the\nproposed amendment. You know what I promised you.\nK: Yes, and you've never let us down before. I couldn't\nbelieve it.\nS: Someone was supposed to brief me on it\nand\ntold me they were against the Mansfield amentment. I\ndidn't know anything about this until Senator Cooper mentioned this.\nK: Well, I am delighted. I will be in close touch with you.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nMr. Kissinger\nSenator Humphrey\n5/17/71; 9:00 p.m.\nK: I am calling you about the Mathias amendment which somebody told me you\nwere thinking of co-sponsoring and I wanted to tell you why we think that isn't\nreally in the national interest right now that it pass.\nH: Have you read it carefully, Henry?\nK: Yes. Let me tell you what my concern is. I would tell you this if you asked\nme as an old friend negotiations\nand to reduce US forces in accordance\nwith such consultation\nand President shall report to\nthe particular\nconsequence of this is to make reductions of our forces in Europe is almost an\nend in itself and one of the major problems we have with Europe is to give them\na sense of stability and continuity. That six month reporting to Congress\nH: I don't think it requires that in all honesty it doesn't require progress\njust that Congress be informed. I addressed myself to this matter out here.\nK: Are you on the West Coast now?\nH: Yes. I don't see this as a mandatory report of progress in the sense that\nyou have to have reductions that you negotiate with your partners in the hope\nto get them.\nK: If the Congress gets that you can report once or twice or three times\nthat there has not been progress but you are under a moral obligation to produce\nsomething. We think for the first time in a long while we have the Europeans\nrealizing that our forces are not symbolic. Secondly, we have this hopeful\nbeginning of mutual force reduction and if we can conduct them like SALT we\nwill be doing progress. So, I think that this time is just about the worse time\nfor this sort of Congressional action.\nH: I think the Mansfield resolution was not right. I said so in powerful words.\nI said that I was dismayed amendment does not provide for consultation by\nallies and I said the resolution would not be in the best interest of the U.S. and\nI will vote against it. But Cooper, Mathias and Javits and others are concerned\nthat we may run into stormy weather. The last part, President shall report to\nthe Congress on September 15, 1971 is subject to alteration. I don't feel firmness\nof date you can put from time to time. It just appears to me that the President\nreports on everything including Mothers Day it doesn't mean he comes to\nCongress. Somebody State or your office tells us.\nK: You know that anybody would be ridiculous to say forces there are frozen in\nconcrete. If we raise in European minds that conventional forces are being cut\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nMr. Kissinger\nSenator Humphrey\n5/17/71; 9:00 p.m.\n-2-\nH: It says will be done in consultation with Allies. Says to negotiate within\nNATO on reduction of forces -- does not say you have to do it.\nK: I talked to George Ball about it. I would never call you Hubert just because\nthe President wants me to If I didn't feel it was really wrong.\nH: I am a strong NATO man.\nK: My judgment on knowledge of Europeans is that this would be read as strong\npressure by Congress to reduce forces which is bound to affect\nH: Let me ask you, Henry. This amendment has been announced in Washington\nK: I don't know if it has.\nH: I think they were going to introduce it. We are not locked in. The sponsor\ncan always alter its amendment. Take a look at the language\nK: Do you think this will carry?\nH: If this carries first the Mansfield amendment is dead.\nK: I see how people will want to put themselves on record of voting for another\namendment that fails but if it has a chance of passing that is a different situation.\nH: If this amendment succeeds and Mansfield fails then the second vote will be\non the Mathias amendment. Then the question is whether you can live with it.\nIf not, then tell us the language you can live with. What alterations would you\nwant in it so that it becomes liveable. If section D is not liveable, how do you\nalter it?\nK: Actually it is C -- reduction;\nH: The President is requested, in addition to regular consultations, to negotiate\nwithin NATO on the reduction of US force levels and financial arrangements for\nUS forces which remain in Europe\nK: What we ought to be negotiating with Europe is what is needed.\nH: I am asking for counsel and advice -- how you think this should be amended.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nMr. Kissinger\nSenator Humphrey\n5/17/71; 9:00 p.m.\n-3-\nK: To negotiate within NATO to insure that US force levels do not exceed what is\nnecessary\nH: To negotiate within NATO US force levels and financial arrangements for US\nforces which remain in Europe and to establish such US force levels in accordance\nwith such consultations and negotiations. Then we got word reduction out.\nK: Still I have to say my strong judgment is I would rather have Mansfield thing\ndefeated up and down.\nH: If you can do it. The peoplewho are there in Congress feel that it is not as\neasy as it looks.\nK: I have no judgment on a think like that.\nH: I will be in my office not later than 9:00 a. m. on Wednesday morning. I\nwould like to have you think about section C I am not asking that the Administration\nsupport it. I am asking how do we minimize difficulties. The President is\nrequested in additiona to regular consultations to negotiate within NATO US force\nlevels and financial arrangements for US forces which remain in Europe to\nestablish US force levels in Europe in accordance with such consultations and\nnegotiations.\nXeX\nYOU\nK: Let me take a look at it and I will call you on Wednesday.\nH: Have you talked to Mathias?\nK: No. I don't want to be in a position where I will make a compromise.\nH: If we can beat the Mansfield v/n/a/ amendment that's what I want. This amend-\nment doesn't have to be offered. It is just introduced. If the votes weren't there\nyou should have an amendment that you can live with.\nK: I can talk to you like this because we have discussed sensitive things before\non a personal basis. I don't want this to run around in Congress. Also the\nthing in Section D so that it isn't every six months.\nH: And the President shall report to the Congress on 9/15/71 that's because\nit was 3-4 months after NATO Council meeting -- thereafter on such occasions --\nperiodically\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTelecon\nMr. Kissinger\nSenator Humphrey\n5/17/71; 9:00 p.m.\n4⑉\nK: Am speaking as an ex-professor -- this would be an improvement. But\nas both an individual and Administration official I feel it wuld be better to defeat\nMansfield head on.\nH: The problem that we have is that nobody keeps an accurate count and I know\nthat Mansfield's Charlie Ferris thinks they have the votes.\nK: Our people say they have the votes\n.\nH: We have time. We don't have to do anything until 5:00 Wednesday. I will\ncall you on Wednesday if you get too tied up to call me.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nThe President/Mr. Kissinger\n9:28 p.m., May 17, 1971\nP:\nI was thinking that until we get the final word from Dobrynin that\nwe really shouldn't go ahead with Rogers and Smith. You know\nwhat I mean, I think --\nK:\nThe problem with Smith is - -\nP:\nHe is going to leave. So he leaves. Can he stay a day?\nK:\nSure but we have to make some special --\nP:\nBecause I want to see him, that I have got a heavy day with legislators.\nYou see, my point is while I am just as certain as you -- well, there\nis no reason for it not to come through but there is a possibility.\nK:\nI think there is a lot in that.\nP:\nIf you've got it wrapped up, that's that. If not, put it off a day.\nK:\nI ought to hear by tomorrow morning.\nP:\nIf not, then I can put the Rogers' appointment off a day and you\ncan tell Smith I want to see him a day later.\nK:\nJust put everything off 24 hours, say you have a cold or something.\nP:\nNo, no; my schedule is too full. I have to see all these Senators --\nK:\nExactly, exactly.\nP:\nBecause of the vote that's coming up, I have to talk to a lot of\nSenators and just wait and see me the next day.\nK:\nWe can do that, he's flying on military plane anyway. The Russians\nwill know why he is being held up.\nP:\nWe may not have to, it seems to me quite likely you will hear in\nthe morning one way or the other.\nK:\nVery possible.\nP:\nYou had already discussed the date of Thursday, they know that's the\nday we are talking about. If we brief them on Wednesday, we can\ncan still go on Thursday.\nK:\nDidn't change the day.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nMr. Kissinger/The President\n9:28 p.m, May 17, 1971\nP:\nPerfectly all right. We just didn't get the word. Don't you think\nthat is right. Just suppose the Russians for one reason or another\nwhich we don't know, suppose they delay a week.\nK:\nWhat worries me is the public announcement they agreed to is so\nunfavorable that one of their experts might read it and not agree\nto it.\nP:\nI thought they had already agreed to the public announcement.\nHaven't they?\nK:\nThey have. This is their text, Mr. President, not one which I\ngave them to agree to, but their text.\nP:\nLet's find out, we may just be brewing trouble here if we start\ndown the line with Rogers and Smith. We will wait and tell them\nwhen it's nailed down. When you find out, you let me know. I can\ncall them in at night if necessary.\nK:\nYou can keep the appointment at 3:00 --\nP:\nWait a minute we will have the 3 o'clock appointment and then\nhe will fly off.\nK:\nNo, no, we can cancel the 3:00 appointment at 2:30.\nP:\nThat's right, then he will delay. That's the best way to do it.\nK:\nI would just as soon have him out of town as soon as we can.\nP:\nIf you hear in the morning, I can arrange the afternoon schedule,\nI can squeeze other things in.\nK:\nI should know by noon from Dobrynin. I will cancel xxx the 10 o'clock\nI have with Smith. I will cancel about a quarter till ten. For some\nreason they usually get their cables around 10:00, that's when Dobrynin\nusually calls me.\nP:\nI see. Well, you just cancel him if you want. But I shouldn't cancel\nRogers just before.\nK:\nIs he going to be at the Leadership meeting?\nP:\nNo. He is working over some Republican Senators at the State\nDepartment.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELCON\nPage 3\nThe President/Mr. Kissinger\n9:28 p.m., May 17, 1971\nK:\nYou can cancel him at 10:00 and say you want to see some Senators\nyourself.\nP:\nI can say I have gotten tied up myself, the railroad strike and so\nforth. There are plenty of reasons for me to be tied up. If the\nthings begin to gel, can get at noon tomorrow. I don't want to get\ngoing until this thing is nailed.\nleft\nhigh and dry as far as I am concerned. We are just not going to\nrun the risks, we don't need to. We will just be a little more\ndiscourteous.\nK:\nI think that is the wise course.\nP:\nYou let me know at 10 o'clock if you don't hear at 10:00.\nK:\nI will let you know and let Haldeman know.\nP:\nI will be speaking at 10:00 to legislators, you call Haldeman and have\nhim call Rogers and put off to the following day.\nK:\nRight, Mr. President.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nThe President\n5/18/71 ca. 10:30am\nP: I'm getting behind a little in my schedule. Does this Smith\nmeeting need more than 10 or 15 minutes?\nK: After thinking about it, I think if we haven't heard from Dobrynin\nby 2:00 we should put Smith off for 24 hours. If on the other hand we have heard\nwe'll have to give him more time. I don't think we can let him go back with\negg on his face. He'll be blabbing with Semanov and I would feel better about\nit\nP: I was thinking we should put it off 24 hours anyway.\nK: Well, let's wait till 2:00 to see if we've heard from Dobrynin.\nP: 2:00 or 2:30.\nK: Okay.\nP: And if not, then okay.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nRowland Evans\n5/18/71 11:35 a. m.\nE: I keep hearing reports about you.\nK: Like what?\nE: That you behaved rather well at a dinner party I heard about.\nK: I must have been drunk. What dinner party?\nE: Can you talk to me strictly for background on the telephone.\nI am getting stuff together for a piece on the Cairo shake-up. It seems\nto me -- I just talked to someone who is in Egypt if ever there were a\ntime to give Sadat a boost it's now. I've just seen an item on the ticker\nfrom Moscow saying the Russians are worried about their status in\nCairo, that they want the Egyptians to restate their undying love and take\nthe oath all over again. Is there nothing we can do to get faster action\nfrom Tel Aviv or Jerusalem?\nK: If its true that Egypt is getting ready to move out of the Soveet\norbit, then the principal restraint on pressing Israel vis-a-vis Egypt\nwill disappear. There's no question that if\nSadat doesn't\nthen\n.\nBut if the signs continue as they are\nand\nwe won't wait six weeks.\nE: And you see nothing now militating against that happening?\nK: If it isn't happening, then the Soviets are unnecessarily nervous.\nIt must be disquieting to have$5 billion worth of equipment in a country\nwhose ultimate direction you can't be sure of.\nE: Israel's answer is always \"don't be misled the Russians are\nso eager to get the Suez Canal opened\n11\nK: Impossible. You don't fire 10 cabinet members and arrest half of them\nas a stage play. Beside we are committed to opening the Canal anyway,\neven with Sabri as Vice President.\nE: I think we are coming to the moment of truth. The President has\nbeen so good up to now. I just hope\nK: Don't worry about the President.\nE: The President told me the other night that he appreciated what I\nhad told you. I didn't know what he meant, but I said \"Mr. President, I\nm eant every word of it. 11 But I think this is the one conspicuous area\nwhere the President has been better than good.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nRowland Evans\n5/18/71 11:35 a.m. p. 2\nK: Where did you see the President?\nE: I almost knocked into him at the Press conference the other night,\nit was the night after he had breakfast with Harold Wilson. I didn't see him\ncoming and bumped into him. Afterward he took me out in the hall and talked\nfor about 10 minutes. How are you doing?\nK: well. I think a number of things may be gelling.\nE: Any possibility of breakfast this week or the next?\nK: One of the reasons I said something to you the President about you\nis so that I can continue to do such things. Let's have breakfast this week.\nE: Thursday or Friday?\nK: How about Monday?\nE: Okay, that's definite.\nK: You coming here?\nE: Okay.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nAmbassador Bogdan\n5/18/71 11:45am\nK: How are you?\nB: A little dizzy after that fast trip.\nK: Did you just get back?\nB: Yes.\nK: How was it?\nB: Very interesting. I called your assistant to tell him: my principle\nhas to be you-know-where on June (?) first. He might have to leave\nBucharest earlier.\nK: What time is he leaving?\nB: It is not yet sure. It might be the 28th, maybe earlier. But if\nthere is anything to get fo him it would be best to do it around the 25th or\n26th of this month.\nK: I will keep that in mind.\nB: His way of communicating\nvery much appreciated if someone\nfrom your part could go too.\nK: How is he travelling?\nB: By plane, but by the most direct way, probably through the\nsouthern part of the Soviet Union. It is not yet definite.\nK: Right.\nB: But he will go to the Soviet Union.\nK: Right. Good.\nB: You will keep in mind that?\nK: I will keep it very much in mind and be back to you in a day or tw O.\nB: Thank you.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nRon Ziegler\n5/18/71 12:45 p.m.\nZ: We have not put for th any formal proposal to the Soviet Union\non MBFR is that correct?\nK: Incidentally, the President was very restive when I told him that I had tol\nyou about it. He said if there was any leak it would be our mutual heads.\nZ: You're kidding!\nK: I don't have to worry about you -- you have never broken a confidence.\nZ: Of course not. You told him you told Scali?\nK: I told him about both at the same time.\nZ: What did he say?\nK: He didn't like that either. He forgot that he was bugging me all\nweekend about getting a PR plan.\nZ: But he didn't tell you to tell Scali and not me did he?\nK: No.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nMr. Haldeman\n5/18/71 2:30 p.m.\nH: Do you know what is happening yet?\nK: No; we cancelled the Smith appointment.\nH: Okay. How do we figure it now?\nK: By this time tomorrow we will have heard. We may still hear late today.\nH: But nbt until late?\nK: I just don't know. Any time from now on. I am frankly puzzled.\nIt is inconceivable to me that they wouldn't do it. But they've had Trudeau there\nand maybe they haven't been able to get to the right people.\nH: You holding Smith over?\nK: Yes. It would be too humiliating to have the President go through a\ncharade with him. But after tomorrow we'll let him go. We put it on a basis\nwith him that with Mansfield and the rail strike he just couldn't do it today.\nH: But it will be the same plot tomorrow as today?\nK: I think so.\nH: Okay.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nJames Brady, Publisher\nWomen's Wear Daily\n5/18/71 3:47pm\nB: I am returning your call for Mr. Cody; he was not here.\nK: I was calling about an item which appeared last Thursday that has\njust caught up with me.\nB: I am aware of it the one about your reported expenditures at\nvarious restaurants?\nK: I consider that outrageous. Without even making an effort to check\nit. One, I don't have an expense account and two, I have never charged any\nmeal to the President, and three, the figures are absurd. How often I eat in\nrestaurants is my personal business. But if I did what they describe I couldn't\nget my work done. Twice a month is a lot. The whole thing is an absurdity.\nI think it is close to being libbèous, but I'm not making it a legal case, just\nan ethical one.\nB: Mrs. Stroud is an experienced and accomplished journalist\nK: I know her and like her.\nB: If you think it would be a good idea, I would be glad to run a state-\nment from you\nK: I don't do that.\nB: You don't want to write a statement of clarification?\nK: I think you owe me one.\nB: Well I don't know the facts\nK: I think it's a hell of a charge to print without knowing the facts.\nB: I don't if it's a charge, but a question.\nK: Do you think it is a fair thing to suggest without even knowing if\nI have an expense account? If you can find me one lunch since I came here\nthat I charged to the government then that is a different story.\nB: If we had called and said we had a story, and what about it\nK: But she didn't do that.\nB: She didn't?\nK: No.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nJames Brady\n5/18/71 3:45pm p. 2\nBut even if the facts were true, which is absurd, it's my own business.\nB: But it is rather interesting. You are a public figure.\nK: If I had eight people to a restaurant here 10 times since I came\nto Washington it's a miracle. When I do entertain, which is rare, because\nI live by myself I have to go out.\nB: What can we do.\nK: Straighten out the facts. You go to a maitre'd who is trying to\nbuild himself up and I don't then feel it's my job to write a letter.\nB: Well, I don't know what the facts are. I will have to call Candy back.\nK: I am telling you what the facts are. I think my word is as good as that\nof a maitre'd at Sans Souni. In fact I've got my calendar here. If you froce\nme to it\nI know what bills I pay. But that just makes me look frivilous.\nB: No one would want to make you look frivolous.\nK: The frequence of my luncheons is very low. I don't have that much\nin three months. I would have to check on the last time I was there. When\ndoes it say?\nB: eight to ten times a month.\nK: That's ridiculous. I haven't done ther in three weeks.\nB: You have got more important things to do than this.\nK: But the inference that I use the taxpayers' money to pay for my\nluncheons is ridiculous. I usually eat in my office. I pay for my own\nlunches in my office and I pay for my guests' lunches.\nB: I will have to talk with Candy; I will call you back.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nMr. Kissinger/ Candy Stroud\n4:27 p. m., May 18, 1971\nK:\nCandy?\nS:\nHenry, when are you going to take me to dinner?\nK:\nI want a correction.\nC:\nWhat do you mean?\nK:\nYour article. When I couldn't get you, I called your publisher.\nC:\nJames Brady? You want a correction?\nK:\nOn what you wrote on May 13. The idea I would charge the\ngovernment for lunches or dinners is an outrage.\nC:\nIt was speculation. I said I wonder if.\nK:\nWhat if you said I wonder if he murdered his mother?\nC:\nI said I wonder if it came out of an expense account.\nK:\nFurthermore, I have eaten at the Sans Souci five times since\nFebruary 18 -- not ten times a month for lunch and once every two\nweeks for dinner. You have me there 10 times for lunch and frequently\nfor dinner. In those three months, I have eaten there 5 times which\nmakes an average of 1-1/2 times a month.\nC:\nWe are both making a liar out of Paul.\nK:\nI can't tell you how that breaks my heart. Do you think you are\nentitled to publish something that makes me look frivolous and taking\nmoney out of the taxpayers' pockets? Without checking it with me?\nC:\nI will be happy to publish what you say.\nK:\nI will not be quoted. You are saying I am eating with a tall,\ndirty blond 8-10 times a month and frequently coming for dinner.\nYou mention $57, 000 and wonder if it comes out of the taxpayer's money.\nThat is a hell of an insinuation to make. I do not take government money\nfor any entertainment. I have 99 out of a 100 lunches in my office.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nMr. Kissinger/Candy Stroud\n4:27 p. m., May 18, 1971\n- 2 -\nC:\nOut of an expense account?\nK:\nI have never eaten in a restaurant except out of my own pocket.\nI live alone and when I entertain I have to do it in a restaurant when\nI have 6-8 people. I have done it maybe eight times since I've been\nhere in Washington. I almost never entertain. There have been very\nfew times and I have to do it in a restaurant. I have never taken expense\naccount money for any meal in any restaurant.\nC:\nHow would you like it printed?\nK:\nNot as a quote from me. Just say you looked into it and you\nfound it was not true.\nC:\nThat the amount of XXXXX times you have eaten in the Sans\nSouci is about 5 times since February 18.\nK:\nIt is exactly X 5 times since February 18. ; My most recent lunch\nwas April 17.\nC:\nHow about last year?\nK:\nI would have to look it up. It was about the same frequency.\nC:\nWhat about Paul's statement?\nK:\nIt's just not true.\nC:\nYou have never taken people on an expense account?\nK:\nNo. I pay it out of my pocket. I am going broke in this job. I\nlive beyond the income I have.\nC:\nI guess we all do.\nK:\nI have never in this job taken government money for any meal\noutside this building. I don't take it for my meals in this building.\nC:\nWhat about the Jockey Club?\nK:\nI haven't checked, but it is at least plausible.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nMr. Kissinger/Candy Stroud\n4:27 p. m., May 18, 1971\n- 3 -\nC:\nI have seen you there myself. I have seen you everytime I\nhave been there. About two times a month is plausible?\nK:\nThe statement about government expense money is a point of honor.\nIt wouldn't be anybody's business if I ate all my meals at the Sans Souci\nwith six women. But the implication that I would take government money\nis\nor that I might even do that.\nCL\nI will print what you said.\nK:\nBut not quoting.\nC:\nHow do we prove it's not true?\nK:\nYou implied it. You can say you checked into it and found I do\nnot take government expense money for eating in public restaurants.\nC:\nDo you have a total of your expense money?\nK:\nI wouldn't give it to you if I had it. It's my business what I sp end\non food. But it's ridiculous to say I go 8 or 10 times a month for lunch\nto the Sans Souci.\nC:\nI don't think it's ridiculous.\nK:\nIt isn't true. You say I have been there that many times with a\ntall dirty blonde.\nC:\nIt was a brunette?\nK:\nThat is the sort of gossip I don't ask you to correct. But the\ngovernment money attacks me on a point of honor. When I worked for\nNelson Rockefeller -- don't print this -- I asked him to pay me my\nsame salary, so I ended up making less money than my secretary.\nI maintained a room in New York at my own expense. I don't do these\nthings for money.\nC:\nIf you would let us come talk to you.\nK:\nI like you. I know you didn't do it maliciously.\nC:\nI didn't know you would take it this way.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nMr. Kissinger/Candy Stroud\n4:27 p. m., May 18, 1971\n- 4 -\nK:\nTo say $57, 000 to $71,000 and wonder if it all comes out of the\ntaxpayer's money. People are fretting about the war in Vietnam. I\nam the National Security Advisory. Don't you think they would wonder\nwhat was going on?\nC:\nI think it gives more snap to the National Security Advisor\nfor a change.\nK:\nBut it would be despicable if I had the government pay for it. For\nGod's sake, this is a point of honor!. I never comment on gossip. You\nhave had a lot of stuff to which I didn't react.\nC:\nCan I see you sometime?\nK:\nYou correct it first and then I will see you.\nC:\nOkay, Henry, thank you for your patience.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nJames Brady\n5/18/71 5:15 p.m.\nB: I talked to Candy and she said she had called you.\nK: Yes.\nB: So now we're down to what do you want us to do? I think it fair\nfor us to run something in our Eye (?) page saying Women's Wear Daily\nhas learned that the figures stated were highly inflated and has also\nlearned that Mr. Kissinger's expenses are handled by himself and ant\nby the government or any government agency.\nK: If you did that it would meet all my concerns. I know, Candy is\na fine girl, and she has every reason to think that she cannot get through\nto me very easily. It's a sort of funny piece; I just happen to be very\ntouchy about money. I almost never take money for anything, even when\nI am entitled to it.\nB: Well, you know newspapers love to needle people in high places.\nI hope that one daty you and Candy can sit down and do the kind of inverview\nstory she would like to do.\nK: If she stays off substance. I can't give foreign policy comments\nbut if you want my comments on John Mitchell I'll be glad to give them to you\nI'm joking.\nB: Well, this will be printed either tomorrow or the next day and I\nwill send you a tear sheet.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nSecretary Laird\n5/48/71 5:16 pm\nK: I've been tied up all day with the President, but Haig and Murphy are\nworking on an appointment.\nL: Let's work on it. Really on this SALT thing -- I don't think he understan\nthat problem.\nK: He wants to see you. What We'll do it tomorrow definitely and I'll\nget you the time within the next hour.\nThe President suggests\n2:00p. m. if you are free. Are you free for lunch?\nL: I will make myself free for anything.\nK: Well, I am not free tomorrow -- I'm scheduled for lunch with the\nIndian Ambassador, but I'll change that. We'll have lunch here and then go\nin to the President.\nL: Good.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nMcGeorge Bundy/Mr. Kissinger\nMay 18, 1971 5:25 p.m.\njlj\nB: My Russian friend came in and I said I would call. I really do not\nhave very much. I think he was bringing more of a \"please keep this\nchannel open'' rather than any substantive message. I told him it was\nmy opinion that some concrete acts would be welcomed at this time.\nMy own impression was that perhaps in SALT and balanced neutral\nforce reduction. I told him that I thought some concrete results\nwould be followed by unilateral intent on our side. I told him what you\ntold me.\nK: That is exactly right.\nB: I would say that this contact quite frankly Henry, is more his\ninitiative rather than a push from Moscow. I told him that the formal\nlines were very important now. He said yes. Said I was with Ambassador\nDobrynin the other day and he said I could talk to the White House as much\nas I wanted to and if you want me to prove it I will call President Nixon\nright now. Ho, Ho, Ho.\nK: (laughter) Cabinet members cannot even do that.\nB: How did Mansfield go today? I haven't seen the tickers.\nK: It comes up tomorrow.\nB: You feel all right?\nK: We will be if we can get to the Mansfield amendment vote.\nB: There are so many to get there.\nK: They are little groups with six people in each all proposing an amendment.\nGeorge Ball thinks that is great.\nB: Only the guys in the corridors taking count can tell at this stage.\nK: We can beat it in Committee anyway. The Foreign Policy establishment\nwill stick with the President and have not launched out themselves. This\nis one fact that should be brought home in the White House.\nB: Moral question is not whether old executive type can be brought together\non this but whether Hill and Departments can be brought together.\nK: And the problem is that the Hill does not have one voice at this time.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\n-2-\nB: Hill has neither one ear or one voice. I saw Fulbright badgering\nConnally on TV recently. It was just silly.\nK: Fulbright doesn't take one side or the other. That is the problem\nwith him.\nB: That is not true of Mike. You just happened to catch him on his\nKing Charles' head with this one.\nK: That is not true of Mike. There was no doubt about how he felt\nabout it.\nB: He put all his chips on the card table. He used to come in and tell\nus that he wanted something done about it and we would put him off and\nhe would come back the next year.\nK: I don't think he would have done it without the balance of payments\ncrisis.\nB: It probably put more clout behind it for Mike. The other fello is\njust a plain trouble maker.\nK: Now I make sure he gets a note from me once a month saying I will\nmeet him any place and any time.\nB: Except in an executive session on the Hill. Henry, I will send you\na little note on this just to keep the record straight.\nK: OK Mac, and do let me know when you come down here. I would\nlike to see you.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nSteve Bull\n5/18/71 5:50pm\nB: The President would like to know whether you and Mr. Haldeman\nwould like to join him on the Sequoia tonight. That ought to screw up your\nevening.\nK: You are right. But can I tell him anything but that I have been\nwaiting for this invitation? Find out whether Haldeman is going to do it.\nIs he?\nB: Yes.\nK: I'll be honored. What time?\nB: I think about 6:30. I'll let you know.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nAmbassador Rabin/Mr. Kissinger\n5:59 p. m. , May 18, 1971\nK:\nMr. Ambassador.\nR:\nAt the present, I don't believe we have much news or many\nnew things about any developments. I am leaving town tomorrow and\nwill be back on Thursday night.\nK:\nLet's get together early next week. I don't think there will\nbe anything dramatic before then -- unless you are going to have a\ndomestic coup.\nR:\nNo; X unfortunately, it is not going to happen in our country.\nK:\nI thought, given your principles of reciprocity, you would now\nget rid of your war minister.\nR:\nI don't want to talk on the phone, but I have something to say\nabout it.\nK:\nI will schedule something early in the week. Unless it is urgent,\nin which case I will always see you.\nR:\nWe will have to wait to see what is going on there and to see with\nwhat they will come in response to the last visit. In the meantime, I\ndon't see very much that can be done. The next critical phase will\nbe once they come back.\nK:\nRight. Good. Talk to you soon.\nR:\nGood.\nlds\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nMr. Haldeman\n5/18/71 ca. 6:00pm\nH: When are you seeing Laird tomorrow?\nK: 1:00, and I understand the President will see him at 2:00.\nH: And that's what you want?\nK: Yes.\nH: And how long will he need with Laird?\nK: Half an hour. It's going to be a hectic day tomorrow, but it will\nbe worth it.\nH: That's all right. We just want to get the ducks lined up in the\nright rows. That's an old American expression that you wouldn't understand.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified.\nTELECON\nClark Mollenhoff\n5/18/71 ca. 6:10pm\nM: Have you had any flack yet on the suicide at State, the FSO and the\nCongressional enquiries that flowed off from that?\nK: I didn't know that there was one.\nM: He was a Class-4 officer who was selected out a couple of years ago.\nIt's a long story -- I've gone into it in detail. But the problem is the Foreign\nService and McComber and Mace (?) refuse to let anyone have grievance\nproceedings except under the kind of circumstances he will provide. They\ndidn't straighten out the record is what it amounts to. Maybe I should shoot\na copy over to you. It's a worse mess than I can explain quickly.\nK: Why don't you do that. Let me see it and I promise you I'll check\ninto it.\nM: Okay.\nK: Thank you.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library\nDECLASSIFIED\nThis document has been reviewed pursuant to Executive Order 13526 and has been determined to be declassified."
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