Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969–1972

365. Memorandum From Secretary of Commerce Stans to President Nixon ¹

Washington, May 25, 1970.

Following on our several discussions about the commercial attachés of the State Department, I prepared a memorandum a short time ago outlining a proposal whereby these individuals might be transferred to the Department of Commerce.² I sent a draft copy of that memorandum to Bill Rogers, but did not send one to you.

Bill’s people misconstrued the situation and assumed that I had sent the memorandum to you, with the result that you have now received a reply to a document that you did not receive in the first place.

I have since talked to Bill about this and suggested that instead of arguing this matter by correspondence, he and I sit down with three or four of our key people and try to work out a solution that will provide more effective commercial assistance overseas in our export and foreign investment programs.

He has agreed to this, so that there is nothing that you need do at this time, and I hope that we can work something out without troubling you further.³

Maurice H. Stans ⁴

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Subject Files, Box 339, HAK/Richardson Meetings, April–May 1970. No classification marking. Printed from a copy sent to Kissinger.
2. Document 362.
3. In a May 28 memorandum Kennedy informed Kissinger of Stans’ agreement with Rogers and that “Bergsten feels this is not a White House matter and advises that you not raise it with Under Secretary Richardson.” (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Subject Files, Box 339, HAK/Richardson Meetings, April–May 1970)
4. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.