Office of the Historian

99. Notes of Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and Secretary of Defense Laird1 2

Washington, May 7, 1969, 7:30 p.m.

[Omitted here is discussion unrelated to inspections.]

Laird said he was having problems with Jerry Smith. HAK said he (Smith) saw Laird’s letter to the President and was upset about the first sentence to the effect that Laird was opposed. Laird said when the decision is made he will testify and so will the Chiefs. He had to write that letter to the Pres. HAK said he didn’t know how Jerry got it in the first place. HAK wanted to know if Laird would be satisfied if we had no inspection but have a review conference to see whether an inspection is needed. Laird agreed with that.

  1. Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 359, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File, 1–14 May 1969. No classification marking.↩
  2. Laird indicated he was having problems with Director of Arms Control and Disarmament Agency Smith. Smith had seen a letter written by Laird to the President and was upset about the first sentence noting Laird’s opposition to the treaty.↩