Foundations of Foreign Policy, 1973–1976
32. Address by Secretary of State Kissinger
Source: Department of State Bulletin, May 6, 1974, pp. 477–483. Kissinger gave the address to the Sixth Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The Algerian Representative to the United Nations, Abdellatif Rahal, proposed the session, held April 9–May 2, in the interest of furthering discussion and action on development and raw materials issues. The General Assembly approved two resolutions at the session: U.N. Resolution 3201 (S–VI), Declaration on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order and U.N. Resolution 3202 (S–VI), Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order. (Yearbook of the United Nations, 1974, pp. 324–332) For information concerning the planning of the special session and the American response to the U.N. resolutions, see Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XXXI, Foreign Economic Policy, 1973–1976, Document 257.
33. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1028, Presidential/HAK MemCons, MemCons 1 Mar 1974–8 May 1974 HAK & Presidential [1 of 4]. Secret; Nodis. The meeting was held in the Cabinet Room. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the meeting took place from 8:38 to 9:50 a.m. In addition to Nixon, Ford, Kissinger, and Scowcroft, Senators Mike Mansfield, Robert Griffin, George Aiken, John Stennis, Strom Thurmond, Daniel Inouye, Edward Brooke, and John Sparkman; Representatives Tip O’Neill, John Rhodes, Carl Albert, John McFall, Leslie Arends, Peter Frelinghuysen, William Bray, George Mahon, Elford Cederberg, Otto Passman, Garner Shriver, Clement Zablocki, and William Broomfield; and Armstrong, Ash, Haig, Flanigan, Dean Burch, Gerald Warren, William Timmons, Thomas Korologos, Daniel Parker, Linwood Holton, and Max Friedersdorf attended the meeting. (Ibid., White House Central Files)
34. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1029, Presidential/HAK MemCons, MemCons—HAK & Presidential, May 8–31, 1974 [1 of 3]. Secret. The meeting was held in the Cabinet Room at the White House. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the meeting took place from 10:05 until 11:34 a.m. In attendance were Nixon, Ford, Simon, Schlesinger, Morton, Butz, Dent, Weinberger, Brinegar, Ash, Burch, Rush, Schubert, Bush, Attorney General William Saxbe, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development James Lynn, United Nations Ambassador John Scali, Haig, Ziegler, Cole, Scowcroft, Hartmann, and Special Assistant to the President David Parker. (Ibid., White House Central Files)
35. Address by President Nixon
Source: Department of State Bulletin, July 1, 1974, pp. 1–5. Nixon’s address was made before the graduating class of the U.S. Naval Academy.
36. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 280, Memoranda of Conversations, Presidential File, Apr. 1973–Dec. 1974. Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the White House Cabinet Room. Brackets are in the original. Blank underscores are omissions in the original. Talking points for the meeting, forwarded to Nixon by William Timmons on July 9, are in the National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 310, Subject Files, Cabinet Meetings [January 69–July 74] [1 of 1]. Also printed in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XV, Soviet Union, June 1972–August 1974, Document 200.
38. Minutes of a Washington Special Actions Group Meeting
Source: Ford Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files, Box 24, Institutional Files—Meetings, Meeting Minutes—Washington Special Actions Group, August 1974. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room. Richard Kennedy sent Kissinger an August 8 briefing memorandum, accompanied by talking points, in advance of the meeting. Kennedy’s memorandum, which bears a note indicating that Kissinger saw it, began: “The purpose of the meeting is to stress to the principals the need for unity and solidarity in this difficult time of transition, to focus attention on potential trouble spots as a basis for possible contingency planning, and to establish a climate of more intensive focus on the situation over the coming weeks.” (Ibid., Box 18, Institutional Files—Meetings, Washington Special Actions Group Meeting, 8/9/74—Transition)
39. National Security Decision Memorandum 265
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, National Security Decision Memoranda and National Security Study Memoranda, 1974–1977, Box 1, NSDM File, NSDM 265 The National Security Council System, 8/9/74. Confidential. Copies were sent to the Director of the OMB, the Counselor to the President for Economic Policy, the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs, the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration, the Administrator of AID, the Director of ACDA, the Chairman of the CEA, the Chairman of the JCS, the Chairman of the AEC, and the Executive Director of the CIEA.
40. Minutes of a National Security Council Meeting
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box TS 85, National Security Council, Meetings, Jan. 1974–Apr. 1975. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The meeting took place in the Cabinet Room at the White House. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the meeting lasted from 11:07 until 11:40 a.m. (Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Staff Secretary’s Office) Kissinger sent Ford a memorandum, with attached talking points and an NSC organization chart, briefing him on the meeting’s purpose, which was “to affirm your strong interest in the continuance and revitalization of the NSC system as a vital aid to your decision making in national security matters.” A notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. (Ibid., National Security Council, Institutional Files, Box 8, Institutional Files—Meetings, NSC Meeting, 8/10/74—NSC System)
41. Address by President Ford
Source: Public Papers: Ford, 1974, pp. 6–13. Ford addressed a joint session of Congress at 9:06 p.m. in the House Chamber at the Capitol. The President’s speech was broadcast live on nationwide radio and television networks.
42. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 426, Subject File, Media, Briefings, Background, April–October 1974. Confidential; Nodis. Drafted by Robert Anderson (S/PRS) and retyped on September 6.
44. Address by President Ford
Source: Department of State Bulletin, October 7, 1974, pp. 465–468. All brackets are in the original. Ford’s address was made before the U.N. General Assembly. Drought and famine characterized the global food situation during 1973–1974, thus increasing the need for American agricultural commodities and prompting the United States to reevaluate its food aid commitments. In response to a question posed at his September 16 news conference regarding the American response to global starvation, Ford asserted that a “very major decision in this area” would be made and that it was his “hope that the United States for humanitarian purposes will be able to increase its contribution to those nations that have suffered because of drought or any of the other problems related to human needs.” (Public Papers: Ford, 1974, p. 155)
45. Statement by Secretary of State Kissinger
Source: Department of State Bulletin, October 14, 1974, pp. 505–519. Kissinger made his statement before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations during the Committee’s hearings on U.S. relations with Communist countries. A copy is in the National Archives, RG 59, Policy Planning Council (S/PC), Policy Planning Staff (S/P), Director’s Files (Winston Lord) 1969–77, Lot 77D112, Box 349, SEPT 1974.
46. Interview With Secretary of State Kissinger
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Policy Planning Council (S/PC), Policy Planning Staff (S/P), Director’s Files (Winston Lord) 1969–77, Lot 77D112, Box 348, OCT 1974. No classification marking. New York Times columnist James “Scotty” Reston conducted the interview with Kissinger. Reston’s article and a partial transcript of the interview were published as “Kissinger Sees the World On Verge of Historic Era,” New York Times, October 13, 1974, pp. 1, 34. Kissinger offered similar remarks during an off-the-record conversation with members of the New York Times editorial staff on September 30. (National Archives, RG 59, Policy Planning Council (S/PC), Policy Planning Staff (S/P), Director’s Files (Winston Lord) 1969–77, Lot 77D112, Box 369, WL Sensitive Non-China)
48. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, 1973–1977, Box 7, Memoranda of Conversations—Ford Administration, November 16, 1974—Ford, Kissinger. Secret; Nodis. The conversation took place in the Oval Office. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the meeting was held from 10:50 a.m. until 12:10 p.m. (Ibid., Staff Secretary’s Office) Also printed in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XVI, Soviet Union, August 1974–December 1976, Document 88.
49. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of Henry A. Kissinger, 1973–77, Lot 91D414, Box 22, Classified External Memcons December 1974–April 1975. Confidential. Drafted by Parker Borg. The location of the meeting is not indicated; presumably it took place at the Department of State. The Senators and Congressmen at the meeting were members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee. Also published in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume E–3, Documents on Global Issues, 1973–1976, Document 245.
50. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, 1973–1977, Box 8, Memoranda of Conversations—Ford Administration, January 8, 1975—Cabinet Meeting. Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the Cabinet Room at the White House from 11:11 a.m. to 12:14 p.m. In attendance were Ford, Kissinger, Simon, Schlesinger, Morton, Butz, Dent, Brennan, Weinberger, Lynn, Brinegar, Hartmann, Ash, Marsh, Rumsfeld, Scali, Seidman, Greenspan, Baroody, Friedersdorf, Scowcroft, Deputy Attorney General Lawrence Silberman, Buchen, Nessen and RNC Chairperson Mary Louise Smith. (Ibid., Staff Secretary’s Office, White House Daily Diary)
51. Address by President Ford
Source: Public Papers: Ford, 1975, Book I, pp. 36–46. The President delivered his State of the Union address at 1:06 p.m. in the House Chamber at the Capitol. His remarks were broadcast live on nationwide radio and television networks.
52. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P820123–0961. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by William B. Richardson (H) on March 12 and approved by David C. Gompert on May 11.
54. Memorandum From the Counselor of the Department of State (Sonnenfeldt) and the Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (Hyland) to Secretary of State Kissinger
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of the Office of the Counselor Helmut Sonnenfeldt, Lot 81D286, Box 3, HS Chron, Official—Apr–June, 1975. Secret; Sensitive. Kissinger’s initials appear on the memorandum alongside his handwritten comment: “Excellent—Let’s discuss soonest.” Notations in the upper right hand corner of the first page read: “direct to C” and “Secto 3.”
55. Address by President Ford
Source: Public Papers: Ford, 1975, Book I, pp. 459–473. The President delivered his address reporting on U.S. foreign policy to a joint session of Congress at 9:04 p.m. The address was broadcast live on nationwide radio and television networks. Earlier that evening, Kissinger briefed several network television reporters on the content of the President’s address, commenting: “We have two problems: The tragedy of Vietnam and the conduct of United States’ foreign policy in the face of the difficulties of Vietnam. There are two problems—the management of Vietnam and keeping our foreign policy so that it is carried out with design, conviction and purpose. We cannot avoid the tragedy of Vietnam by denying that it has any foreign policy importance. But we can assure that the basic structure and conduct of our foreign policy remain strong.” He later added: “Vietnam will have an effect, but if we come together, we can accomplish our goals of moving the world toward a global and lasting peace. That is the philosophy and background of the speech.” (Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, 1973–1977, Box 10, Memoranda of Conversations—Ford Administration, April 10, 1975—Kissinger, TV Network Representatives)
56. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Agency Files, Box 6, Defense, Department of, 3/11/75–4/30/75. Administratively Confidential. A notation on the memorandum by Scowcroft indicates Kissinger saw it.
57. Address by President Ford
Source: Public Papers: Ford, 1975, Book I, pp. 568–573. The President delivered his remarks, entitled “An Agenda for America’s Third Century,” at 8:07 p.m. in the Tulane University Fieldhouse.
58. Telegram From the Department of State to All Diplomatic and Consular Posts
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750170–0109. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Lord and Michael Armacost, cleared by Eagleburger and R.E. Woods (S/S), and approved by Kissinger. Lord and Armacost sent a draft to Kissinger on May 5. In a covering memorandum, they characterized the telegram as a “personal message from you that lays out the basic posture and tone we should adopt in the wake of recent events, particularly in Indochina.” David G. Gompert initialed Kissinger’s approval on May 13. An additional handwritten comment reads: “as amended.” (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 325, Department of State, Bureaus, Policy Planning, History Project, Selected Papers, Vol. 8 (global, new multilateral issues, and miscellany), 1974–76)
59. Address by Secretary of State Kissinger
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Policy Planning Council (S/PC), Policy Planning Staff (S/P), Director’s Files (Winston Lord) 1969–77, Lot 77D112, Box 355, JUL 1–15 1975. No classification marking. All brackets are in the original. Kissinger delivered his address to the Upper Midwest Council. The speech is printed in Department of State Bulletin, August 4, 1975, pp. 161–168. The previous day, Kissinger addressed a dinner meeting of the University of Wisconsin Institute of World Affairs in Milwaukee. The speech, entitled “The Global Challenge and International Cooperation,” is ibid., pp. 149–157.
60. Draft Memorandum From Secretary of State Kissinger to President Ford
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Policy Planning Council (S/PC), Policy Planning Staff (S/P), Director’s Files (Winston Lord) 1969–77, Lot 77D112, Box 355, JUL 16–31, 1975. Confidential; Nodis. Drafted by Bartholomew and Lord on July 18. The memorandum is not marked as a draft but there is no indication that either Kissinger or Ford saw it. Lord sent it to Scowcroft under a July 18 covering memorandum. Lord offered to “rework this for you [Scowcroft] in any way,” as he was “not sure this is precisely on the mark. We have assumed that it is strictly for internal consumption.”