79. Editorial Note
Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu came to Washington on October 26, 1970, for a 2-day official visit following his participation in the 25th anniversary session of the UN General Assembly. During the course of a conversation between President Nixon and President Ceausescu in the Oval Office of the White House on October 26, Ceausescu expressed the hope that improved relations between the United States and Romania would serve as a model for relations between large and small countries as well as between those with differing social systems:
“The President responded by saying that this is what the United States has in mind with countries like Romania and Yugoslavia—that this kind of cooperation can be the basis for cooperation between countries with different systems, especially having in mind that this is a cooperation without strings, with no intention to influence the internal affairs of the other country.”
President Nixon also addressed concerns that U.S. efforts to develop a modus vivendi with the Soviet Union would be undertaken at the expense of countries such as Romania :
“The President then said there was one point he would like to emphasize. After his talk to the UN, some observers in the press had speculated that he was committed to develop with the USSR a condominium to the detriment of other countries. The President continued by saying that he wished to state American policy quite directly. He had had a long talk with Gromyko. There would be other discussions in the future. The purpose of these discussions with the Soviets would be to explore areas where the United States and the Soviet Union could reduce the level of world conflict and the burden of arms. Under no circumstances will the direction of any discussions be toward a result where the independence of any country, especially any country in Eastern or Western Europe will be compromised. The future of each country in Europe must be determined by itself not by the USSR nor by the United States.
“That is why we will continue, the President added, in the future to attempt to explore ways we can talk with the People’s Republic of China again because it is necessary to have avenues of communication with all nations in the world if we are going to have a world safe from the danger of a nuclear war.”
Nixon reiterated this assurance later in the conversation:
“The President assured Ceausescu, however, that under no circumstances would the United States cooperate with any country, including [Page 283] the USSR, at the expense of another country or American relations with that country. This would be contrary to American tradition. He could also assure Ceausescu that the American position was clear, namely that the United States wants good relations with all countries of Eastern Europe. It rejects the idea that two great powers should sit down at a summit meeting and determine the future of smaller countries. That is wrong and the United States will not proceed on such a course.”
Near the end of the conversation, discussion turned to the desire of the United States to improve relations with China, and Nixon expressed his appreciation for Romania’s efforts to facilitate expanded contacts between the United States and China :
“Ceausescu remarked that Romania has especially cordial relations with China. Since his last meeting with the President, there have been several fairly high level delegations which have visited China and discussed many subjects including relations between China and the United States and China’s presence in the UN. It is important to note from these discussions the point that China desires to have improved relations with the United States and is ready at any moment to occupy its place in the UN, including this year. This morning, Ceausescu added, he had just received a message from Chou En-lai on behalf of the Chinese leadership, thanking him for the clear Romanian pronouncement at the UN in favor of China’s taking its place there. He believes that the United States should take the first steps in that direction, especially after the Cambodian events. Such steps could open the way to increased contacts with the Chinese. Ceausescu then said he must tell the President frankly that the Chinese have some of the same feelings of concern, some of the same doubts as those he had mentioned earlier regarding problems being solved by only two large countries.
“The President commented that the other side of the coin was that the Soviets do not look with much sympathy on American moves to normalize relations with China.
“Ceausescu replied why should they not. Otherwise things would be impossible. The Romanians have told the Soviets more than once that there should be good relations between China and the U.S. A lack of understanding of this problem will not help solve it. Ceausescu said he did not believe that an improvement in U.S.-Chinese relations would be directed against the USSR or others. He noted that he had had lots of discussions with Chinese leaders and knew how they thought. He was convinced that they are not pursuing such a goal.
“The President stated that American policy is one of wanting friendly relations with both the USSR and eventually with Communist China. We do not intend to play one against another. Our desire is to have independent relations with each, not directed against the other. [Page 284] The President added that this seems to be President Ceausescu’s viewpoint as well. He then remarked that President Ceausescu’s continued role as a peacemaker is very useful in regard to U.S.-Chinese relations. He can talk to both parties which is very helpful and in the end, in the President’s opinion, this will produce results.” (Memorandum of conversation, October 26, 1970, 10:55 a.m.-12:55 p.m.; National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 936, VIP Visits)