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

195. Memorandum for the Record¹

Washington, May 25, 1970.

SUBJECT

• Lunch with Romanian Ambassador Bogdan May 22

At an abbreviated luncheon, Bogdan said he had not had advance notice of Ceausescuʼs recent trip to Moscow² and, as usual, had first learned of it when the State Department called him to ask for his comment. However, that morning he had had some brief guidance from home, the upshot of which was that there was reason for cautious optimism about the prospects for bilateral Romanian-Soviet relations. Bogdan had no amplification except to express the view that the pending Soviet-Romanian friendship treaty (initiated but not so far signed) would not be modified to reflect the terms of the recent Soviet-Czechoslovak treaty.

I noted that Premier Maurer had seemed to indicate to Ambassador Meeker a certain uneasiness over Soviet intentions toward Romania in connection with US actions in Indochina.³ Bogdan said that his own candid opinion was that if the US had intended its move into Cambodia as a sign of strength, this had not been effective. The domestic US reaction and the limitations which the President had apparently imposed on the Cambodian operations in response to domestic pressures could be read by the Soviets and others as showing the inhibitions under which the President was now functioning in international affairs. This aspect of the situation did cause some uneasiness in Romania.

In the course of the conversation, Bogdan expressed appreciation for White House assistance with various commercial projects of interest to the Romanians. He also expressed gratitude for the Presidentʼs message in connection with the Romanian floods, which were extremely serious.

At another point, Bogdan intimated that Romanian recognition of Sihanouk should be seen in the context of Romanian-Chinese relations. Soviet failure to recognize Sihanouk should also be seen in the context of relations with China.

On European questions, Bogdan rehearsed the well-known Romanian arguments in favor of a security conference. He stressed that the Brezhnev doctrine should of course be raised at such a conference, though in broad terms of relations among sovereign states rather than simply as a stick with which to beat the Soviets. I noted that the Rome meeting of NATO⁴ would probably move further ahead on MBFR but that the conference idea would probably be treated as at the last NATO meeting.

Bogdan said his imminent return home is prompted by the forthcoming visit to Bucharest of Canadian External Affairs Secretary Sharp, Bogdan also being accredited to Ottawa. He would of course use the occasion for consultations.

HS

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 702, Country Files—Europe, Romania, Vol. II 9/69–Jun 70. Confidential. Sent for information. Kissinger initialed the memorandum indicating he had seen it. A copy was sent to Ash.
2. May 19.
3. Meeker reported on a May 7 discussion with Maurer regarding Vietnam in telegram 1081 from Bucharest, May 8. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 702, Country Files—Europe, Romania, Vol. II 9/69–Jun 70)
4. May 26–27.