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Vatican - Pope Paul VI
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1555871
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Vatican - Pope Paul VI
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Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders (Ford Administration)
Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders
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Vietnam (Republic)
Refugees
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1975-05-31
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1975
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1975-03-01
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1975
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The original documents are located in Box 5, folder "Vatican - Pope Paul VI" of the
National Security Adviser's Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders Collection
at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 5 of the NSA Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 8, 1975
Your Holiness:
Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge has conveyed to me your
concern for the Vietnamese refugees. I fully share this
concern and assure you that our efforts continue to assist
those displaced by the recent tragic events in Vietnam.
Since the time of your message, the United States has
evacuated nearly 60, 000 refugees from threatened areas
of Vietnam. I have also appealed to other nations, as
well as various international organizations, to assist in
resettling and rehabilitating these unfortunate people. We
hope that a number of countries will participate in this
effort.
In this regard, it would be most helpful if you would con-
sider issuing a general appeal calling on nations throughout
the world to join in helping these refugees to start a new
life. I believe that such an appeal by you would contribute
most importantly to the goal we share of alleviating the
immense suffering inflicted on these people.
Sincerely,
Herain R Ford
His Holiness
Pope Paul VI
FORD
Vatican City
&
GERALD
LIBRARY
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Washington, D.C. 20520
5/7
Carale
"
x x staly is in correct
to use in the
address End with
")
"Vatican City
WWWenham
S/S-S
united lister Hosik
sind to 5/7
(TerN 8 cabled may)
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 6, 1975
Your Holiness:
Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge has conveyed to me your
concern for the Vietnamese refugees. I fully share this
concern and assure you that our efforts continue to assist
those displaced by the recent tragic events in Vietnam.
Since the time of your message, the United States has
evacuated nearly 60,000 refugees from threatened
areas of Vietnam. I have also appealed to other nations,
as well as various international organizations, to assist
in resettling and rehabilitating these unfortunate people.
We hope that a number of countries will participate in
this effort.
In this regard, it would be most helpful if you would
consider issuing a general appeal calling on nations
throughout the world to join in helping these refugees to
start a new life. I believe that such an appeal by you would
contribute most importantly to the goal we share of
alleviating the immense suffering inflicted on these people.
Sincerely,
Herald R. ford
His Holiness
Pope Paul VI
Vatican City, Italy
LIBRARY
CLASSIFICATION
NSC REFERRAL TO STATE SECRETARIAT
Date: May 13, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
GEORGE SPRINGSTEEN
NSC LOG# 7502038
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION:
TO:
Pope
FROM: President
DATE: May 8, 1975
SUBJECT:
ACTION REQUESTED:
DRAFT REPLY FOR:
PRESIDENT'S SIGNATURE
WHITE HOUSE STAFF SIGNATURE
OTHER
DIRECT REPLY
FURNISH INFO COPY
XXX DISPATCH
RECOMMENDATIONS/COMMENTS
TRANSLATION
APPROPRIATE HANDLING
INFORMATION
FOR ADDITIONAL PROCESSING AS INDICATED:
DUE DATE:
URGENT
ROUTINE
COMMENTS:
for JEANNE W. DAVIS
MAY 1 19/5
Staff Secretary
FORD
LIBRARY
CLASSIFICATION
2038
5/13
NSC/S:
Pope's letter had to be resigned
because of error in address.
Pls send the new letter to S/S
for dispatch and file the other that
was signed in Central Files/
Carole
CLASSIFICATION
NSC REFERRAL TO STATE SECRETARIAT
Date: May 6, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
GEORGE SPRINGSTEEN
NSC LOG# 7502038
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
7509190
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION:
TO:
Pope Paul VI
FROM:
President Ford
DATE: May 6, 1975
SUBJECT:
Vietnamese Refugees
ACTION REQUESTED:
DRAFT REPLY FOR:
PRESIDENT'S SIGNATURE
WHITE HOUSE STAFF SIGNATURE
OTHER
DIRECT REPLY
FURNISH INFO COPY
DISPATCH
RECOMMENDATIONS/COMMENTS
TRANSLATION
APPROPRIATE HANDLING
INFORMATION
FOR ADDITIONAL PROCESSING AS INDICATED:
DUE DATE:
URGENT
ROUTINE
COMMENTS:
and
for JEANNE DAVIS
Staff Secretary
Unclassified
CLASSIFICATION
NSC REFERRAL TO STATE SECRETARIAT
Date: May 6 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
GEORGE SPRINGSTEEN
NSC LOG# 7502038
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION:
TO:
Pope Paul VI
FROM:
President Ford
DATE:
May 6, 1975
SUBJECT:
Vietnamese Refugees
ACTION REQUESTED:
DRAFT REPLY FOR:
PRESIDENT'S SIGNATURE
WHITE HOUSE STAFF SIGNATURE
OTHER
DIRECT REPLY
FURNISH INFO COPY
XXXXXXXPISPATCH
RECOMMENDATIONS/COMMENTS
TRANSLATION
APPROPRIATE HANDLING
INFORMATION
FOR ADDITIONAL PROCESSING AS INDICATED:
DUE DATE:
URGENT
ROUTINE
COMMENTS:
CUCA
for JEANNE
Hardy ann DAVIS
Staff Secretary
CLASSIEICATION
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 6, 1975
Your Holiness:
Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge has conveyed to me your
concern for the Vietnamese refugees. I fully share this
concern and assure you that our efforts continue to assist
those displaced by the recent tragic events in Vietnam.
Since the time of your message, the United States has
evacuated nearly 60, 000 refugees from threatened
areas of Vietnam. I have also appealed to other nations,
as well as various international organizations, to assist
in resettling and rehabilitating these unfortunate people.
We hope that a number of countries will participate in
this effort.
In this regard, it would be most helpful if you would
consider issuing a general appeal calling on nations
throughout the world to join in helping these refugees to
start a new life. I believe that such an appeal by you would
contribute most importantly to the goal we share of
alleviating the immense suffering inflicted on these people.
Sincerely,
Herald R. 7rd
His Holiness
Pope Paul VI
Vatican City, Italy
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
2038
WASHINGTON
SECRET
ACTION
May 5, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
Henry A. Kissinger
SUBJECT:
Papal Message on the Vietnamese Refugee Situation
Pope Paul has sent a message to you (at Tab B) through Ambassador
Lodge expressing concern over the plight of the Vietnamese refugees
and requesting that every effort be made to assist the refugees.
At Tab A for your approval is a reply to Pope Paul which would express
your concern for the plight of the Vietnamese refugees, outline our
assistance efforts to date, indicate that we are working to enlist the
support of other nations in aiding these displaced people, and request
that he consider issuing a general appeal for assistance in resettling
and rehabilitating the refugees.
Your message has been coordinated with Paul Theis.
RECOMMENDATION
That you approve the message to Pope Paul at Tab A.
APPROVE MR7
DISAPPROVE
SECRET
GDS
luke 3/10/04
Message From The Pope To The President
The condition of the refugees in Vietnam is approaching
catastrophy and if something is not done within 24 hours a catastrophy
is certain. There are 600, 000 refugees in Da Nang and their
evacuation is urgently necessary. I plead to you, Mr. President, to
make every effort to save these miserable people.
March 28, 1975
7506553
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
the &
Washington, D.C. 20520
2038
April 2, 1975 :
CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM FOR LIEUTENANT GENERAL BRENT SCOWCROFT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Subject: Papal Message to the President
on Vietnam
On March 28 Pope Paul VI sent a message to the
President expressing his concern with the Vietnamese
refugees in DaNang and pleading with the President
to make every effort to evacuate these people. The
Pope's verbal message was delivered to Ambassador
Henry Cabot Lodge, the President's Special Envoy
to the Vatican.
A suggested Presidential reply is attached.
Prop George Executive S. S. Speriter
Attachment:
Suggested reply.
Rome's 4635 (NODIS)
CONFIDENTIAL
GDS
Cala 3/10/04
FORM DS 322{0CR}
CONFIDENTIAL
EUR/WE RPGALLAGHER: JKB
4/1/75 X. 28210
WHITE HOUSE
EUR - AAHARTMAN
EA/VN - LPETERS
EA - RMILLER
S/S -
IMMEDIATE
ROME
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958, Sec. 3.5
State Dept. Guidelines
By
Wh
, NARA, Date 3/10/04
STADIS
WH
E.C. 11652: XGDS-1
RPG
TAGS: PINT, VS, VT
SUBJECT: MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE POPE
AAH
FOR ILLING
LP
RM
1. ILLING REQUESTED TO DELIVER FOLLOWING PRESIDENTIAL
MESSAGE TO THE VATICAN:
S/S
2. BEGIN TEXT: YOUR HOLINESS: AMBASSADOR HENRY CABOT
LODGE CONVEYED TO ME YOUR GRAVE CONCERN FOR THE VIETNAMESE
REFUGEES IN DA NANG. I FULLY SHARE YOUR DEEP CONCERN AND
ASSURE YOU THAT OUR EFFORTS CONTINUE TO ASSIST REFUGEES
THROUGHOUT VIETNAM.
AT THE TIME OF YOUR MESSAGE, I HAD ORDERED AN AIR AND SEA
EVACUATION OF DA NANG USING ALL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO US.
I HAVE ALSO APPEALED TO OTHER NATIONS, AS WELL AS TO UNITED
NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL WALDHEIN, TO ASSIST IN THIS
EFFORT. THE UNITED STATES WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE EVERY
CONCEIVABLE EFFORT TO EVACUATE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE
FROM THREATENED AREAS IN SOUTH VIETNAM. WE HAVE BEEN
GRATIFIED THAT A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES ARE PARTICIPATING IN
THIS EFFORT.
IN THIS REGARD, I APPEAL TO YOU TO ASK ALL PARTIES
CONCERNED IN VIETNAM TO PERMIT THE SAFE EVACUATION OF
CONFIDENTIAL
2023
-
FORM DS 322A{0CR}
CONFIDENTIAL
12
REFUGEES FROM ANY AREA WHERE IT IS NECESSARY. AN
ASSURANCE OF SAFE EVACUATION WILL HELP TO ALLEVIATE THE
HUMAN SUFFERING AND ASSIST IN TRANSPORTING THE REFUGEES
TO SAFE AREAS. SINCERELY, GERALD FORD. END TEXT. YY
CONFIDENTIAL
SECRET
NQ0975
of
PAGE 01 KOME 04635 2022012
23
ACTION NODS-02
COPY
/
OF 15 COPIES
INFO OCT-01 /001 W
029598
0 282140Z MAR 75
FM AMEMBASSY HOME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC NIACT IMMEDIATE 0344
S ECRE T ROME 4635
ACTION COPY
NODIS
FGR EAGLEBURGER FROM LODGE
E.O. 11652: XGDS-1
TAGS: PINT, VS, VT
SUBJECT: MESSAGE FROM THE POPE TO THE PRESIDENT
1. ARCHBISHOP BENELLI CALLED ME TO HIS OFFICE AT 2145 LOCAL
TIME TONIGHT TO GIVE ME THE FOLLOWING VERBAL MESSAGE FROM THE
POPE TO PRESIDENT FORD:
2. BEGIN MESSAGE TO THE PRESIDENT: THE CONDITION OF THE REFUR
GEES IN VIETNAM IS APPROACHING CATASTHOPHY AND IF SOMETHING
IS NOT DONE WITHIN 24 HOURS A CATASTROPHY IS CERTAIN. THERE
ARE 520, 000 REFUGEES IN DANANG AND THEIR EVACUATION 15 ORGENTLY
NECESSARY. I PLEAD TO YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, TO MAKE EVERY EF-
FORT TO SAVE THESE MISERABLE PEOPLE. END OF NESSAGE TO THE
PRESIDENT.
3, BENELLI RANKS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE POPE AND THE SECY OF
STATE AS NUMBER THREE MAN AND RE HAS UNQUESTIONABLY PERSONALLY
INSTRUCTED BY THE POPE TO GIVE ME THE ABOVE MESSAGE FOR DE.
LIVERY TO THE PRESIDENT.
1. I DREW ON DEPARTMENT'S 3169165 AND TOLD HIM WE TOO HAD
HEARD THAT THERE ARE c00, 00W REFUGEES IN DANANG. I ASSURED
HIM THAT THE U.S. FULLY SHARED POPEIS CONCERN OVER THE REFU-
GEES AND WERE EXPLORING ON URGENT BASIS EVERY MAY Or ALLEVI-
ATING THE HUMAN SUFFERING AND TRANSPORTING THE REFUGEES TO
SAFER AREAS.
5. I ASSURED HIM I WOULD DELIVER HIS MESSAGE. BEAUDRY
SECRET
NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958, Sec. 3.5
By
Wa
State Dept. Guidelines
, NARA, Date 3/10/04
DOC
RECD
LOG NBR
INITIAL ACTION O
NSC CORRESPONDENCE PROFILE
MO
DA
MO
DA
HR
7503038
REFERENCE:
CIRCLE AS APPROPRIATE
TO: PRES
FROM: KISSINGER, H
S/S
2506553
UNCLAS LOG IN/OUT
SOURCE/CLASS/DESCRIPTION
KISSINGER
COLBY, W
OTHER
LQU
NO FORN
NODIS
SCOWCROFT
SCHLESINGER, J
C
EYES ONLY EXDIS
DAVIS
ST
EX
SEC
S
CODEWORD
SUBJECT: Papel for my her TS Kefuger SENSITIVE
INTERNAL
ROUTING
AND
DISTRIBUTION
REC
ACTION
REQUIRED
ACTION
INFO
CY
ADVANCE CYS TO HAK/SCOWCROFT
FOR
MEMO FOR HAK
(
)
STAFF SECRETARY
MEMO FOR PRES
(
)
REPLY FOR
FAR EAST
(
)
)
DISTRIBUTION/INITIAL ACTION ASGMT
SUB-SAHArAN AFRICA
MID EAST / NO. AFRICA / so. ASIA
MEMO
APPROPRIATE ACTION program
(
TO
)
EUROPE / CANADA
x
t
ECOMMENDATIONS
(
)
LATIN AMERICA
JOINT MEMO
(
)
UNITED NATIONS
REFER TO
FOR:
(
)
ECONOMIC
NY ACTION NECESSARY?
(
)
SCIENTIFIC
CONCURRENCE.
(
)
PROGRAM ANALYSIS
DUE DATE:
4-10
NSC PLANNING
COMMENTS: (INCLUDING SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS)
CONGRESSIONAL
OCEANS
POLICY
Lenul INTELLIGENCE DATE FROM m TO
C S has SUBSEQUENT ltc ACTION REQUIRED to Lope (OR) TAKEN): Paril CY
TO
5/6
56
state
SUBSEQUENT ROUTING/ACTIONS
FORD
GERALD
LIBRARY
DISPATCH
CY RQMTS: SEE ABOVE PLUS:
MICROFILM & FILE QMTS
NSC/S DISP INSTR
NOTIFY
& DATE
BY
MAY 12 1975 BY
SPECIAL DISPOSITION:
CRT ID 6AB
SA
SF
CROSS REF W/
OPEN
HP
NS
SUSPENSE CY ATTACHED:
FOLDER:
CLOSE
WH
EP
PA
DY
(NBC-74-21)
STATE
De artment of State
2
UNITED
SECRET
N00975
TELEGRAM
STATES OF
PAGE 01 HOME 04635 2022012
23
ACTION NODS-00
COPY /
OF 15 COPIES
INFO OCT-01 /001 W
029598
0 282140Z MAR 75
FM AMEMBASSY HOME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC NIACT IMMEDIATE 0344
SECRET ROME 4635
ACTION COPY
NODIS
FOR EAGLEBURGER FROM LODGE
E.O. 11652: XGDS-1
TAGS: PINT, VS, VT
SUBJECT: MESSAGE FROM THE POPE TO THE PRESIDENT
1. ARCHBISHOP BENELLI CALLED ME TO HIS OFFICE AT 2145 LOCAL
TIME TONIGHT TO GIVE ME THE FOLLOWING VERBAL MESSAGE FROM THE
POPE TO PRESIDENT FORD:
2. BEGIN MESSAGE TO THE PRESIDENT: THE CONDITION OF THE REFU-
GEES IN VIETNAM IS APPROACHING CATASTROPHY AND IF SOMETHING
IS NOT DONE WITHIN 24 HOURS A CATASTRUPHY IS CERTAIN. THERE
ARE sun, 000 REFUGEES IN DANANG AND THEIR EVACUATION IS URGENTLY
NECESSARY. I PLEAD TO YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, TO MAKE EVERY EF-
FORT TO SAVE THESE MISERABLE PEOPLE. END OF MESSAGE TO THE
PRESIDENT.
3. BENELLI RANKS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE POPE AND THE SECY OF
STATE AS NUMBER THREE MAN AND HE WAS UNQUESTIONABLY PERSONALLY
INSTRUCTED BY THE POPE TO GIVE ME THE ABOVE MESSAGE FOR DE-
LIVERY TO THE PRESIDENT.
4. I DREW ON DEPARTMENT'S 0169165 AND TOLD HIM WE TOO HAD
HEARD THAT THERE ARE 000,000 REFUGEES IN DANANG. I ASSURED
HIM THAT THE U.S. FULLY SHARED POPEIS CONCERN OVER THE REFU-
GEES AND WERE EXPLORING ON URGENT BASIS EVERY WAY OF ALLEVI-
ATING THE HUMAN SUFFERING AND TRANSPORTING THE REFUGEES TO
SAFER AREAS.
5. I ASSURED HIM I WOULD DELIVER HIS MESSAGE. BEAUDRY
SECRET
FORD
NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958, See 3.5
State Dept. Guidelines
By
Bola
, NARA, Date 3/10/04
3A
NATIONAL
BUD SECURITY Speral
MEMO FOR
Bud
Attached is the Birthday message to
Pope Paul VI which we have already cleared.
a
ADC
9/23/76
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958, Sec. 3.5
State Dept. Guidelines
By
NARA, Date
,
3D
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
EUR/UE: JUSWIHART JKB
9/23/76 X. 28210
EUR - LBLAINGEN
S/CPR - SUROCKUELL
NSC - HBINNENDIJK
S/S -
IMMEDIATE
ROME
FOR AMBASSADOR LODGE'S OFFICE
LSL
E.O. 11652: N/A
JWS
TAGS: PFOR, VT
SACK
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE TO POPE PAUL VI
H3
1. PLEASE TRANSMIT THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE TO POPE PAUL ON
S/S
SEPTEMBER 26:
QUOTE: YOUR HOLINESS: ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE,
I WISH TO CONVEY HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS ON THE OCCASION
OF YOUR SEVENTY-NINTH BIRTHDAY. YOUR UNFAILING EFFORTS
ON BEHALF OF WORLD PEACE AND JUSTICE ARE AN INSPIRATION
TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD. SINCERELY, GERALD R. FORD.
UNQUOTE.
2. WHITE HOUSE DOES NOT PLAN TO RELEASE TEXT, BUT HAS NO
OBJECTION TO RECIPIENT DOING so. YY
LIBRARY
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958 Sec. 3.5
State Dept. Guidelines
NARA, Date
OFFICIAL USE