Foreign Relations of the United States, 1917–1972, Volume VIII, Public Diplomacy, 1969–1972

130. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Special Assistant (Scali) and President Nixon¹

Washington, April 21, 1971, 3 p.m.

Telephone Conversation with the President;

The President said he wants me to handle the Chinese Table Tennis Team visit.² He suggested that it be “fairly soon” for maximum impact. This would be preferable, he said, to capitalize on current news interest and because of a possibility that delay in some way might ruin prospects for a trip.

The President suggested that all arrangements be handled very subtley by me. He said perhaps I would be “too visible” and would have to coordinate everything from backstage, while someone else was out front, perhaps someone close to the President but outside the government. However, he said maybe I should be out front, depending on what Kissinger and I decide is best. He emphasized keeping the State Department informed in order to keep their officials happy.

The President said it was important to do “exactly the same” in providing the Chinese with travel opportunities, visits, and hospitality as the American Table Tennis Team had while in China. The President said he, of course, would be most pleased to meet with them. The locale of the President’s visit was not necessarily an important factor but the President said he would be quite willing to meet with them in San Clemente. After all, it would have a tremendous impact, particularly on the West Coast.

The President said he would see to it that funds are available for the sponsors of the tour so that this will not be a problem. The President said he was particularly pleased that Bill Gossett, former president of the ABA, who is a friend, has been brought into the picture by Steenhoven. Gossett is first rate, and I should keep in close touch with him to make sure that we keep control throughout, either through backstage or out front operations. The President stressed that this Chinese visit was not just another exchange, but should be treated as something special and that he would rely on me to make sure this is done.

The President said Henry Kissinger would be phoning me sometime today to discuss first steps.³

JAS

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Special Files, Staff Member and Office Files, John A. Scali, Subject Files, Box 3, Chinese Table Tennis Team, April 21, 1971 [4 of 4]. No classification marking. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the telephone call took place from 2:54 until 3:01 p.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files)
2. On April 20, Steenhoven announced that the U.S. Table Tennis Association had extended an invitation to the Chinese Table Tennis Association to visit the United States. He explained that the invitation had been extended verbally during the U.S. team’s recent visit to the People’s Republic of China. (Chalmers M. Roberts, “Chinese Accept U.S. Trip: Agreed to Bid During Tour by Americans,” Washington Post, April 21, 1971, p. A1) Earlier in April, the PRC Government invited the U.S. team, then competing in a championship in Japan, to visit China; for additional information, see Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. XVII, China, 1969–1972, Document 112. Ziegler also announced on April 20 that the United States Government “would welcome the visit” from the Chinese team and stated that Steenhoven would meet with the President on April 21. (“White House Welcomes News,” New York Times, April 21, 1971, p. 6) Following their meeting, Steenhoven told reporters that he planned to send a “formal letter of invitation” to the Chinese as a follow up to the verbal offer made during the trip. (“Nixon and Steenhoven Discuss a Chinese Visit,” ibid., April 22, 1971, p. 10) The President met with Steenhoven, Scali, and Ziegler in the Oval Office from 11:35 a.m. until 12:26 p.m. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary)
3. No record of the telephone conversation between Scali and Kissinger has been found. Nixon spoke with Kissinger at 2:45 p.m., prior to his call with Scali, and instructed him to speak with Scali regarding the visit of the Chinese table tennis team. Nixon said: “The problem we have is that I don’t want [the visit] handled by USIA or State. If State handles it they will send out a weeping willow.” Kissinger replied: “You should be the only senior official they meet. Otherwise it looks like a big foreign policy ploy.” (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Henry Kissinger Telephone Conversation Transcripts, Box 9, Chronological File)