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Miscellaneous Correspondence Oscar and Habib - Visit Tientsin, 1975
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446394166
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Miscellaneous Correspondence Oscar and Habib - Visit Tientsin, 1975
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George H. W. Bush Papers
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection: Donated Historical Materials
Collection/Office of Origin: Bush, George H.W., Collection
Series:
Personal Papers
Subseries:
China Files, Subject File
OA/ID Number:
25879
Folder ID Number:
25879-015
Folder Title:
Miscellaneous Correspondence Oscar and Habib - Visit Tientsin, 1975
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
6
22
2
3
CLASSIFICATION
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
UNCLASSIFIED
TRANSMITTAL SLIP
DATE
TO
For the Attention of
USLO PEKING
Amb. Bush
FROM
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
TO THE FOREIGN SERVICE
TO THE DEPARTMENT
For Transmittal to Addressee
Dept. Information Only
of the Discretion of Post
CERP Publications
X
Post Information Only
Enclosure to Previous
Transmit to Foreign Office
Airgram.
Submit Report
Reply to Department
Reply to the Individual
Request
Transmit to:
(U. S. Agency)
Inform:
REFERENCE
JUN ? P 1974
ITEMS/REMARKS
I know you'll agree that it's
heartening to receive letters like this.
Please pass my own "well done" to Herb
et al.
Current PER practice is that letters
like this go to the post, for use in
preparing performance evaluations, instead
of being put directly in the personnel
file here.
Osers
IN REPLY REFER TO FILE NUMBER AND DRAFTING OFFICE
FILE NO.
SIGNATURE
Oscar V. Armstrong
CLASSIFICATION
OFFICE
EA/PRCM
FORM DS - 4
*
12-64
# U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1973-727-504/1028 3-1
ECON
2- AMB
file
June117, 1975
WI
Oscar Armstrong, Esq. ,
EA/PRCM,
Department of State,
Washington, D.C. 20520.
Dear Oscar:
Thanks for sending the copy of Paul
W. Speltz's letter to Secretary Kissinger,
and your reply of April 29th, which arrived
here today.
In the event there is more correspondence
from Mr. Speltz I suggest you talk to Herb
Horowitz in INR about him. Herb can clue
you in very well.
Sincerely,
George Bush
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Washington, D.C. 20520
April 29, 1975
Mr. Paul W. Speltz, President
IDC Marketing, Inc.
2 West 59 Street
The Plaza Hotel
New York, New York 10019
Dear Mr. Speltz:
The Secretary has asked me to reply to your letter of
March 17, concerning your experiences in trading with
the People's Republic of China (PRC) --including those
on your recent trip.
First of all, we appreciate your taking the time to
commend the work being done by Mr. George Bush and
his staff. We are pleased that you took the time to
mention this to us, and will see that a copy of your
letter is placed in the appropriate personnel records.
You mentioned two substantive points that the Chinese
have raised during your conversations. Concerning
the extension of MFN tariff treatment to our imports
of Chinese products, the U.S. Government had no
authority to take this step with the PRC, and other
communist countries that do not now have MFN status,
until the passage of the Trade Act of 1974. Although
the Chinese have from time-to-time indicated to
American businessmen and others a general interest in
MFN, we are not aware that they desire to start early
negotiations on the subject. Moreover, the Trade Act
as passed by Congress places a number of conditions
on MFN extension, some of which could present problems
in the PRC case. However, I can assure you that we
will be prepared to explore the matter with the PRC at
the appropriate time.
There is little I can usefully say on the complex and
difficult Taiwan issue. As long as it is unresolved,
the PRC will probably not be fully satisfied with the
form of our relationship--with emphasis on the word
"form." Basically, however, the US-PRC relationship
remains sound. We believe that the Chinese wish to
-2-
maintain the relationship, and certainly the U.S.
remains committed to further normalization of rela-
tions on the basis of the Shanghai Communique.
Again, thank you for providing us with your views.
Sincerely,
Oscar V. Armstrong
Director for
People's Republic of China
and Mongolia Affairs
P750061-2308
1
7507356
the
PEKING HOTEL, CHINA 37
March 17, 1975
The Honorable Henry Kissinger
ACTION
Secretary of State
is assigned to
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
EA
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I would like to take this opportunity from Peking to bring to
your attention several important points.
First, you should know what a fine job your Liaison Office in
Peking is doing. I personally have spent thirty-four weeks in
China in the last two years during which time I have had
considerable exposure to the members of the Commercial/Economic
staff. I understand that Mr. Herbert E. Horowitz and several key
members of his staff will be leaving Peking within the next few
months. You should know that Mr. Horowitz and his staff have
continuously gone out of their way to extend every courtesy--both
personal and commercial--to us, our clients (large and small
companies) and, from what I understand, to all other Americans
they come in contact with. I cannot adequately express my
appreciation directly to them, therefore, I would only have you
know what a superb job they have been doing and I hope that this
service is reflected in their growth and responsibility with the
State Department.
On this current trip to Peking, I had the honor to meet with Mr.
George Bush and his wife Barbara on several occasions. Mr. Bush's
willingness to meet and speak with the Americans who come to
Peking, his sincere questions with regard to trying to understand
our commercial negotiations and/or problems and his willingness
to have his staff assist us in any way is indicative of the type
of person who is really needed in this role. Although he has only
been in Peking a short time, I personally feel that he will prove
an asset to the important role of continuing to build relations
between China and the United States. I am sure that the Chinese
appreciate his sincerity and I hope that he will have the
opportunity to represent the United States in an expanded fashion
during his stay in Peking.
With regard to the impending trip by the President and yourself
to Peking, many high level officials of the Foreign Trading
Corporations with whom we are dealing continued to bring up two
points during this current five week stay. In summary, they are
hole
PEKING HOTEL, CHINA
-2-
passing along the message that they (the PRC) are looking forward
to the visit of the President with enthusiasm but hope that serious
discussions and/or resolutions will be made concerning:
a) Trade between the PRC and the US--they continue to be
specifically concerned about the lack of MFN and its
implication in limiting exports from China to the United
States while China continues to negotiate for sizeable
purchases from the United States. During this last trip,
we noticed a change towards a favorable and aggressive
attitude on the part of the Chinese trying to deal with
American businessmen. They have even gone so far as to
lower prices for certain commodities to be exported to
the American market to compensate for our high duty
structure.
b) The Taiwan issue-time and time again, they repeated the
statement that the Shangai Communique "must be lived up
to". They were not saying this last year.
I mention these facts because although they are enthusiastic about
the visit, I believe that they definitely want to move toward a
resolution of these two issues during the President's trip.
Although I am sure that you are kept aware of many of these points,
I would like to take this opportunity to let you know that I would
consider it an honor to at any time, provide advice or guidance
with regard to the People's Republic of China to you and the
President if you feel it would be of help.
My last comment is a personal one to you. I am aware that you
have been under a great deal of pressure and have heard numerous
opinions about your performance as Secretary of State. I personally
feel that you have done a magnificent job of representing the
United States and our interests abroad, both under former President
Nixon and in the State Department. I can assure you that every-
where I have gone in China the Chinese people have the highest
regard for you. You are definitely a very significant factor in
our continuing growth of relations with the People's Republic of
China and I hope that your stay in the State Department will be a
long one.
Respectfully,
Paul W. Speltz
President
CC: The President
IDC MARKETING INC.
2 West 59 Street
The Plaza Hotel
New York, N.Y. 10019
September 26, 1975
The Hon. Philip C. Habib,
Assistant Secretary for East Asian
and Pacific Affairs,
Department of State,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Phil:
OK, now you' 11 have to believe it. You and that
guy on the 7th Floor think I am a publicity hound.
Please let the record show that I got out of town
after two weeks with a) no press, b) relatively little
bitching - for me anyway, and c) only this clipping
from a Dallas paper (not even syndicated) to show the
polss I'm still alive. "Avoided reporters" no less -
it killed me.
Oh yes, thanks for all the time and for all the
cooperation given to me by all at EA. I am really
grateful. Learned a lot, I enjoyed the visit back
there, and everyone in your shop (aides, secretaries,
big deals - all of 'em) were just great. Same for
Oscar's shop.
See you here, I hope, or in Hawaii, I hope.
All's well. The staff is doing great. We have
a good team. in place and we are ready to withdtand
the invasions that are coming our way. More on that
later.
Many, many thanks to EA for making those consul-
tations informative and helpful.
I was pleased to see you looking well, but don't
kill yourself.
Warmest regards,
George Bush
March 12, 1975
Mr. Oscar V. Armstrong
Director
People's Republic of China & Mongolia Affairs
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Dear Oscar:
Last night we had a reception for the Chinese Solid
Physics Investigation Group that is going to the U.S.
Dillon Ripley attended. During the course of the evening
he talked to Mr. Wang Shou-wu, the delegation head and
Mr. Feng Yin-fu, a Cal Tech graduate and delegation member.
Dr. Ripley determined that the delegation will have two
free days while they are in Washington and he told Messrs.
Wang and Feng that he would be delighted to have them as
his guests in a visit to the Smithsonian.
Will you please have someone convey this information to
those in charge of the delegation's schedule; making the
request that the scheduler notify Dr. Ripley when the
delegation arrives. He would like to follow up on this,
and needless to say, it would be a real treat for our Chinese
friends.
Many thanks.
Yours very truly,
George Bush
cc: Dr. S. Dillon Reipley
TO: Oscar Armstrong, Esq.,
EA/PRCM, Department of State.
Big favor! When I came to the Department
for consultation my phone will be ringing off
the hook; at least, it was last time.
Alice Campbell, a roving secretary there
at EA, was SO darn nice to me on my last trip
and seemed unflustered by all the activity,
that I am wondering if she would be willing
to help me out again. Would you mind checking
on this when you get back?
I don't need anything specific, but I
would like to have somebody who is not annoyed
by people coming in and out, lots of phone
messages, and occasionally having to stay past
5 o' 'clock.
Alice is neat.
George Bush
8-19-75
ar
MEMO
February 24, 1975
TO:
Mr. Ren
FROM:
Herbert E. Horowitz
SUBJECT: Visits to Tientsin Carpet Fair by Mr. Bush and USLO Offices
Please pass to the China National Native Produce and Animal
By-Products Import and Export Corporation the following message:
U.S.L.O. understands that the Native Produce Corporation
will hold a carpet fair in Tientsin during the period of February
25 to March 5, 1975 and that some American businessmen have been
invited to attend. During this period the Chief of USLO and
members of the USLO staff will be visiting Tientsin and we would
appreciate it if they could have opportunities to look in briefly
on the Fair.
On Wednesday February 26, Mr. Bush, accompanied by his wife,
and by Mr. R.R. Blackburn and Miss Jennifer Fitzgerald, will pay
a one day visit to Tientsin. During their trip they hope to have
an opportunity to pay a short visit to the carpet fair, in order
to see the carpets on display and to observe the fair in operation.
Mr. Bush has requested that a China Travel Service guide meet him
on his arrival in Tientsin and he will transmit his request to
visit the carpet fair to his guide.
On Friday, February 28, Mr. William Rope, one of our Com-
mercial/Economics officers, will visit Tientsin, and on Monday
March 3, Mr. Herbert Horowitz, Chief of our Commercial/Economic
Section, will also visit the city. Both Mr. Horowitz and Mr.
Rope would like to visit the Carpet Fair in their capacity as
Commercial Officers, and if possible they would like to pay
brief courtesy calls on appropriate officials of the Native
Produce Corporation while visiting the Fair. Mr. Horowitz and
Mr. Rope will also transmit these requests through the China
Travel Service on their arrival in Tientsin.
CC: Mr. Bush
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Washington, D.C. 20520
February 14, 1975
UNCLASSIFIED
The Honorable
George Bush
Chief
United States Liaison Office
Peking
Dear George:
I failed to mention while you were here that after
receiving your December 31 letter about how long
it took for your effects to reach Peking, I asked
EA/EX to look into the matter.
The result was the enclosed memo. You'll be
pleased to know that corrective action has been
taken which hopefully will prevent unnecessary
delays in the future.
Sincerely,
Over
Oscar V. Armstrong
Director for People's Republic
of China and Mongolia Affairs
Enclosure:
Memorandum dated
1/17/75
UNCLASSIFIED
OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10
MAY 1902 EDITION
GSA FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.6
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Memorandum
TO
:
EA/PROM - Mr. Oscar V. Armstrong
DATE: January 17, 1975
FROM :
EA/EX - Donald A. Wetherbee
DAW
SUBJECT:
Shipment of Ambassador Bush's Household Effects
I have discussed Ambassador Bush's letter of December 31 (attached) with the
Chief of the Transportation Section of OPR/ST. He has supplied the following
information on dates connected with the shipment:
9/27 - Pickup at Bush home in Washington by Merchants Transfer & Storage
9/30 - Merchants request for instructions received by Dept
10/4 - Dept's shipping instructions sent to Merchants
10/11 - - USDA Baltimore received packing list
10/25 - Shipment booked for 11/9 sailing of SS American Lancer
10/31 - Liftvan delivered to Baltimore
11/9 -- American Lancer sailing delayed until 11/14
12/25 - Effects transshipped Yokohama to Sunyo Maru with ETA
Hsinkiang of 1/2/75
OPR/ST agrees that speedier action should have been possible on the Bush
shipment. Obviously the impression should not have been given that the
effects would be in Peking in six weeks = that much time is required on
shipboard alone sailing Baltimore/Yokohama/Hsinkiang.
The first week of delay after pickup was due to the fact that Merchants
could not be instructed to make shipment until Mr. Bush's travel orders
had been issued (a process dependent upon all the clearances involved with
Mr. Bush's reappointment to the Foreign Service). In addition, the delays
between dates in the above listing are all one or more days longer than
normal adding up to a total holdup of several weeks over the usual U.S.
pickup time and overseas delivery date.
OPR is instructing the USDA Baltimore to expedite the administrative arrange-
ments of shipments bound for Peking SO that a series of delays such as
occurred on the Bush effects will not happen again. The several employees
currently preparing for PRO assignments are being advised that their effects
EA/FX:Daketherbee
RAINI TT r Consine Rands not the Pannall Caninoe Plan
From the desk of
GEORGE BUSH
John H
Bob Blackburn 3-314 B
Mo Morin
m 3/5
please I eturn to JF for file
GB 3-4
March 6, 1975
Mr. Oscar V. Armstrong
Director
People's Republic of China & Mongolia Affairs
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Dear Oscar:
The attached Butz letter is for your file on the subject.
By now you have received an update on this subject from
John Holdridge.
I am more receptive than anyone else here to this idea.
The personality thing bothers me. More later. Please
brief Harry on all this.
Hastily.
Yours very truly,
George Bush
May 27, 1975
Donald A. Wetherbee,
Post Management Officer,
Bureau of East Asian & Pacific Affairs,
Department of State,
Washington, D.C. 20520.
Dear Don:
Thanks so much for handling the cable
message regarding young William Steiger.
I can't ever thank you enough for the
many courtesies you show to the Bushes, but
I am indeed grateful.
Sincerely,
George Bush
Chief, US Liaison Office
May 14, 1975
Mrs. Evelyn McCabe
Director of Admissions
Beauvoir National Cathedral
Elementary School
3500 Woodley Road N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20016
Dear Mrs. McCabe:
This will confirm my telephone call to your office this
morning in which I quoted the following message received
from Ambassador George Bush, Chief of the United States
Liaison Office, Peking, Peoples' Republic of China:
"I would strongly like to recommend
William Steiger for admission to Beauvoir
School. He is an extremely bright boy
and the school would be greatly benefited
by his admission."
If there should be any reason for you to communicate
with Ambassador Bush, his mailing address is as follows:
Ambassador George Bush
Peking
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
Sincerely,
Donald A. Wetherbee
Post Management Officer
Bureau of East Asian and
Pacific Affairs
Blind copies:
USLO Peking for Mr. Bush
Honorable William A. Steiger
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
EA/EX:DAWetherbee:eg
May 28, 1975
Oscar Armstrong, Esq.,
Director, EA/PRCM,
Department of State,
Washington, D.C. 20520.
Dear Oscar:
Thanks for sending me PEOPLE. Frankly
I didn't think the story was too bad. Hope
it didn't cause any heartburn on the Seventh
Floor.
As you well know we are having a massive
turnover this week. I seem to be spending
most of my time either at the airport or at
the railroad station.
Thanks for your thoughtfulness.
Warm regards,
George Bush
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Washington, D.C. 20520
may 9
Dear Leorge -
you el portably he getting other
copies, but just to make sure,
here's one
-
-
courtery of ftam
Brooks.
It's a nice story.
Sincerely,
Over