Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXIX, Eastern Europe; Eastern Mediterranean, 1969–1972

180. Memorandum for the Files¹

Washington, July 12, 1969.

SUBJECT

• The Presidentʼs Conversation with Romanian Ambassador Corneliu Bogdan July 11, 1969, 12:30–12:55 p.m.

The Ambassador extended greetings from President Ceausescu, who wanted the President to know that he was very much looking forward to Mr. Nixonʼs visit and was pleased to have had such a quick response to the Romanian invitation. The President told the Ambassador that he too was glad to be making the visit, that he had had good talks in Bucharest on his previous visit although he had not had a chance to see very much. He hoped this time to see something of the people. The President noted that great interest had been displayed in the press in connection with his forthcoming visit, although the implications mentioned in the newspaper articles were not always justified.

The President said he had three basic reasons for making the trip. First, we want good relations with all countries and do not wish to draw any lines between countries to which this applies and those to which it does not. Secondly, there were matters which deserved further discussion, including the question of trade in which the Romanians are interested. Thirdly, the President liked the people he had met in Bucharest and retained a warm impression of them. The President mentioned in this connection that in addition to the president and the Prime Minister, he had especially liked Foreign Minister Manescu. The President noted the symbolic effect of his visit, that he would be prepared to discuss bilateral matters and the friendly relations between us. Ambassador Bogdan expressed agreement.

The President then stated that when he met with President Ceausescu he wanted to see him alone in a face-to-face meeting with only Mr. Kissinger present on our side. The President added that our Ambassador would not participate in this discussion. The President continued that he was open on the subjects to be discussed and he was most interested in hearing Mr. Ceausescuʼs views. The President observed that in the other places where he will stop during his forthcoming trip, he would likewise be listening to what the leaders have to say. The President noted that he recalled Mr. Ceausescu as a very direct person and Mr. Bogdan interjected that Mr. Ceausescu said the same of Mr. Nixon. The President went on to say that there will no be record of the conversation and that nothing would leak out from it.

The Ambassador said that the Romanians for their part would do all they could along the same lines.

The Ambassador then informed the President that the Soviet leaders had postponed their scheduled visit to Bucharest on the 14th of July. He was instructed to tell the President that the Soviet leaders had recently informed the Romanian leaders that due to their schedule but in view of the great importance they attribute to the signing of the Soviet-Romanian friendship treaty, they (the Soviet leaders) propose to come to Bucharest in the fall.

There ensued a brief discussion of some of the arrangements for the Presidentʼs visit.²

The President then noted that this would be a most significant first in that he would be the first American President to go to Eastern Europe or the Soviet Union since President Roosevelt went to Yalta. The President added that he wanted it to go well and hoped it would set a pattern. At the same time we had no desire to embarrass the Romanians. The Ambassador commented that the Romanians, after all, had asked for it. The President noted that he himself had made the decision to go at the time his trip was first discussed. Mr. Kissinger commented that he had been startled when the President first mentioned it. The President concluded the conversation by reiterating that he considers the President a strong person and straight shooter.

Photographs were then taken of the President and the Ambassador.

Mr. Kissinger and Mr. Sonnenfeldt were present at this conversation.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 702, Country Files—Europe, Romania, Vol. I—8/69. Confidential. Sent for information. Drafted by Sonnenfeldt.
2. In a July 11 conversation with Bogdan, Kissinger underlined the importance the Presidentʼs staff attached to getting precise information and agreements on the schedule for the Nixon visit. (Memorandum for Record, July 12; ibid.) Kissinger reiterated this concern in a July 16 telephone call to the Romanian Ambassador. (Memorandum for Record, July 16; ibid.)