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April 8, 1976 - Ford, Don Kendall
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1553423
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April 8, 1976 - Ford, Don Kendall
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Memoranda of Conversations (Nixon and Ford Administrations)
Ford Administration Memoranda of Conversations
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United States-Soviet relations
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1976-04-08
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1976
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1976-04-08
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File scanned from the National Security Adviser's Memoranda of Conversation Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
CONFIDENTIAL/XGDS
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
PARTICIPANTS:
President Ford
Don Kendall
Brent Scowcroft, Assistant to the President
for National Security Affairs
DATE AND TIME:
Thursday, April 8, 1976
4:54 - 5:55 p.m.
PLACE:
The Oval Office
[There was small talk at the beginning. ]
Kendall: I know your schedule is tight, so I am organized. I want to
talk about US-Soviet relations and politics.
I started going to the Soviet Union in 1939.
[Discusses his qualifications as a Soviet student. ]
GERALD
I believe in detente . -- there is no other answer.
[Discusses political qualifications -- campaigning for Nixon in
'66, '68, '72. ]
MEMO, 11/24/98, STATE DEPT. GUIDELINES
NARA, DATE 2/1/04
There were no "plusses" in the Cold War -- either political or
military. It is easy to give a speech and kick the Soviets around. It
takes some guts and innovation to be constructive.
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5
The new relationship was based on a series of bridges -- not to
change the system but to build an interlocking web which will build up
trust and confidence. The Soviets have educated their people and the
result has been pent-up consumer demand like nowhere else I have ever
seen. Brezhnev spends two-thirds of his time with me on consumer
problems. [Story about Brezhnev and Czech invasion.
]
BY.
CLASSIFIED BY Brent Scowcroft
CONFIDENTIAL/XGDS
EXEMPT FROM GENERAL DECLASSIFICATION
SCHEDULE OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11652
EXEMPTION CATEGORY 5(b)(3)
AUTOMATICALLY DECLASSIFIED ON Imp. to Det.
CONFIDENTIAL/XGDS
2
Over a period of time we can build up leverage with trade and
grain, but that will take years. But the linkage theory never had a chance
to work -- we never gave them the trade or the credits.
And I know all about the Jewish issue. I have had garbage dumped
in my yard, etc. But the Council for Soviet Jewry came to me and asked
for help. [Described the deal for starting the MFN reversal. ] This
was all set when Angola burst. I think Angola got out of proportion. The
only thing wrong was the Cubans. There was nothing wrong with the
Soviets supporting their side just like we do.
The cancellation of the Commercial Commission really got me upset.
You can't do this sort of thing on a stop-and-go basis. This is a big
error - just like when you dropped the word "detente.' I tried to talk
Henry out of it but he went ahead anyway. I was mad as hell at Henry.
We just shouldn't blow everything when something goes wrong.
The other problem is the military. They have terrible blinders on.
The only difference between Schlesinger and Rumsfeld is he is a better
salesman.
The President: That is why I picked him.
Kendall: I don't think you have to hit the Soviets over the head. It is a
lousy way to go about it. Why the hell does Don have to say, 11 I don't
trust the Russians. 11 You can't win in the long run by creating a crisis
with the Soviets - - you can't do it year after year.
You made a terrible mistake when you dropped "detente."
The President: It was only the word, not the process.
Kendall: I know, but when you drop the word it rattles not only here but
around the world. You support the process but people don't believe it
because you drop the word.
The President: I guess we differ on that.
Kendall: We do and you are wrong.
Now, politics. Humphrey is going to be the winner. He will clean
you up the way you are going on foreign policy.
CONFIDENTIAL/XGDS
CONFIDENTIAL/XGDS
3
The President: I agree on Humphry.
Kendall: [Reads Harris judgments on support in the country on detente
and Kissinger. ]
The President: You haven't heard me say anything but in support of
Kissinger.
Kendall: Yes, but it doesn't help when your people go around bad-mouthing
him, Laird and Morton.
The President: You know we got Morton turned right around. Laird is
uncontrollable.
Kendall: True, but Morton said in January, when I asked if he had checked
with Henry about something, that Henry didn't count for much anymore.
[Reads from draft Democratic platform a statement strongly supporting a
detente policy with the Soviet Union.
]
Be positive on detente.
Don't sell the Defense budget by kicking the Soviets.
Don't hold off on MFN.
Hold the Patolichev meeting.
Move as fast as possible on SALT.
The President: Let me talk to Brent on Patolichev. On SALT we are
doing what we can, but we have trouble with the military.
Kendall: The military shouldn't be in economic policy. They are in
both. They won't let us sell to the Soviets, so US technology goes to the
Soviets through Japanese and European companies.
The President: We are moving as fast as possible on SALT.
CONFIDENTIAL/XGDS
P/Don Kendall 4:54- 5:55p.m,
8 apr 76
(Chit-chat)
K d have your whole is tight 20 down organzld.
Us-Sas relations 4 potitis
I started going to SJ int 939.
(Decersis in jundifications do for student)
& believe in in divints -there is no other
Desiribes politied perabyication - comp
for mixor G6, 68, 72)
There were and phrsoes in C Cril War-either political
or inititing. It is easy to givid speeded hirts C
su around It Tahro some justs. innovation to
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else Ilme ever seen. Bug spends to 45 this
(story about Buy & Egent invoice)
time rx/ ent an conserver pers.
Our a long puind of trie are can bried ey leverage
w/track butchat writtake yours. Best
trinkage Thery which hada ohmer & work - are
here game Then C tranks ore credits.
and I humarall about - Jamish is & have
had gerbage dranged in my yourd, atc. But
the Common for Seve Jewy cmml to mexaphed for
help. (Described c deal for starting c MFN
This was all set when hmot.
Ithnik Anyola got ant f proporties. Two only they
wrong was c Cubona There writing avery
us/ Sows serys porting their sich- just the are do.
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5
BY NSC MEMO, 10/m 11/24/98, STATE DEPT. GUIDELINES state leview 3/12/14
NARA DATE 7/4/04
The of c Cml Crusery wally goit me
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when you dropped C and clatint. I twich tulb
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at here you hope was
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SCHALD
P your haven't heard Mrs toy anything ht in
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and bad mornting him - Land + wictro
P
you hnow me tot wrtn twand ioght
and haved is
4
K
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if lose had shicked W/R about counthing, that
Henry didn't connt pr much any more.
(Reads from droft dense platform a statement
stronghy supporting a detents policy w/c
SU.
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Don't evel Dy bodyet by highing c Loss
Don't hold ofform NIFN
Hrld Patrhillen mtg.
Zune AS or past a fortath on Salt
P Let me cmk is Bunt on ARE on Sat
were doing what me can, but we have written
Gs/ C instition
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c Saw three lop t Eur
PW₂ Add are uning or foot 46 goosethenSatt.
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GERALD