6. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon1

SUBJECT

  • Secretary Rogersʼ Recommendation re Expansion of Scientific Exchanges with Eastern Europe

In a memorandum to you (Tab A),2 Secretary Rogers has recommended that you authorize steps toward an expansion of scientific and technical exchanges with Eastern Europe. The main points of his memorandum are:

1.
Following their recent visits to Eastern Europe, both Chairman Seaborg and Dr. DuBridge have recommended expanding scientific and technical exchanges with Eastern European countries.
2.
Expansion of these programs, consistent with export controls and other security considerations, could lend valuable substance to our policies toward these countries.
3.
Eastern Europeans are interested in these exchanges not only to support industrialization and economic development, but also to decrease dependence on the Soviet Union.
4.
Exchanges in science and technology are useful also as a trade-off against cultural exchanges, an activity in which we have greater interest than the Eastern Europeans.
5.
Joint research and scientific cooperation could have not only scientific results, where Eastern Europeans can make a contribution, but also valuable political and psychological results.
6.
Romania offers a particularly attractive possibility for expansion because of the highly favorable climate there for cooperation.
7.
To give substance to possibilities and opportunities in Eastern Europe, State is prepared to undertake a coordinated effort with the National Science Foundation and other interested agencies to explore avenues of new or expanded activity.
8.
The basic obstacle is that no meaningful program can be funded out of existing or promised budget allocations.
9.
An expanded program would require new fiscal authority for both the Department of State and the National Science Foundation after a division of responsibilities has been worked out. A reasonable beginning could be made during FY 1971 with about $1 million in additional funds for such programs.

In response to this general proposal, I have written the Secretary3 stating that you have reviewed the proposal and requesting that a more detailed program outline be submitted for your consideration before seeking any new fiscal authority or program commitments. This outline would include reference to specific program activities and lines of responsibility, along with indications of actual costs, methods of funding and an evaluation of the political implications. (FYI: As a result of your trip to Romania4 and Dr. DuBridgeʼs trip thereafter, the National Science Foundation will be earmarking approximately $50,000 for exchanges necessary to implement our agreements with the Romanians on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.)

  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 667, Country Files—Europe, General through May 1970. Limited Official Use. A handwritten note from the President reads: “K. I generally support this initiative—(on a practical trade-off basis).” A stamped notation reads: “Jan 16 1970.”
  2. Attached but not printed.
  3. Dated January 12. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 667, Country Files—Europe, General through 1970)
  4. See Documents 183 and 184.