67. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Among the Presidentʼs Assistant (Haldeman), the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), and President Nixon 1
K: Mr. President.
H: This is Bob. Iʼm in the Presidentʼs office. I was thinking of a stopping point on the way to Russia.2 I was wondering whether Austria is a possibility and going to Salzburg, not Vienna. Spending two nights as originally planned to do which would destroy the idea of a rest stopover.
K: Well, if he wants to do that. I have no great objection to that.
H: He is just wondering if that isnʼt better than going to Switzerland.
(At this point, the President came on.)
P: Hello.
K: Hello, Mr. President.
P: I donʼt like the feeling of a Spanish base and I didnʼt like the feeling of the Azores. Switzerland poses a problem which you are aware of. Let me say this for Austria. I have always had a very close relationship with Austria. The Ambassador is a good friend of mine and also it is a country which is not allied to us or the Russians and rather than going to Vienna, going to Salzburg which is a lovely town.
K: And the weather will be nice too. Can we land there?
P: We landed there in a Constellation last time. And I donʼt mind doing the Austrian thing. Whatʼs an hourʼs conversation during the day.
K: I share your concern about Switzerland. And if you go there just over night you are going to have a tremendous operation there for one nightʼs rest and if you go for two nights it looks like a vacation so I think Austria …
P: You donʼt mind our exploring it.
K: No.
P: This Ambassador Hans Gruber is a helluva guy. I know him extremely well. I got to know him at the [Hungarian] refugee period.
[Page 176]K: And they certainly have the facilities there, Mr. President.
P: They do and the people will be friendly—thatʼs another thing. We have no problem there of unfriendly people. They love Americans in Austria.
K: I think if you are willing to see them …
P: Right. I think we should see them, but only have an hourʼs meeting.
K: A courtesy call.
P: Right, a courtesy call. We do need the two nights.
K: I think, Mr. President, that is a good idea.
P: I will have Bob check that out then. And do you want to check it with Gruber?
K: Gruber?
P: Yes.
K: I could do it easily enough or my office could do it quickly. I will get you an answer by tomorrow. I am sure they will be enthusiastic.
P: Fine, you go forward with Gruber.