4. Conversation Among President Nixon, the United States Representative at the United Nations (Scali), and the Deputy Secretary of State (Rush)1

[Omitted here is discussion unrelated to Rogers’s trip.]

Nixon: I just think you should know I’ve—I took a look at the reports on the [Rogers’s] Latin America [trip]. I remember, it brought back recollections of my own visit there in 1958, which was rather stormy. And you would think that the only faces you see on such a visit are, you know, the people throwing rocks and stones, and so forth, and [Page 8] so on. And believe me, that’s about all I saw in the last couple days of it in Caracas when we went. But, as far as this trip was concerned, it was important. I’ll let Bill report when he comes back, but, you know, we’re—at least from the halfway point it was important, and the talks have been constructive. The other thing I could say is this to all of you: there is a tendency right now for our friends in Latin America, and other parts of the world, other than what, I mean, are basically the major power centers, to think that our primary obsession is with the Russians and the Chinese; the Europeans at another level; the Japanese; that they’re [Latin Americans] way down at the bottom and we don’t care about them. What is the most important thing with regard to Latin America? There isn’t a hell of a lot we can do for them at the moment—they have to do it for themselves—is to let them know that we consider them our closest friends and our closest neighbors. They’ve just got to be told we love them. And we do, and that’s why in your conversations—when many of you are at Embassies and the rest—be sure to get across. Wouldn’t you agree, John? Do you want to talk about that at the UN?

Scali: Yes, sir.

Nixon: And it is actually true. We are not overlooking Latin America at this time. With this talk of the “Year of Europe,” the “Year of Europe”—we’re working on some new Latin American initiatives as well, and they are very important.

Rush: Mr. President, I might add that the Time magazine article was made out of old cloth. For example—

Nixon: Tell us about it then.

Rush: Well, the—

Nixon: It’s a kind of old cloth, I got it.

Rush: [Laughs] Well, this is very old cloth.

Nixon: I see. What are they throwing at us?

Rush: For example, in Rio, Bill had planned to hold a talk and have two days of rest. Time magazine said that he was being held up by the President, that he was being ignored, and snubbed in essence. In Argentina and Buenos Aires they said that also—

Nixon: They said that?

Rush: Yes. Yes. And they also were citing demonstrations. And the actual fact is he had very few demonstrations. He’s seen almost none himself. And in contrast—by way of contrast to your experience in 1958—he didn’t see a demonstrator in Caracas. There were some, but they were kept way away, and it was just a few students. And he actually has had a very friendly reception. For example, in Peru, which is highly nationalistic, the President, we thought would not see him at all, because the President has been very seriously ill and is recuperating, and Bill thought he would make a courtesy call. Instead he stayed there [Page 9] for two hours and had a very constructive talk. And oddly the press here has almost ignored his visit. It’s had very fine coverage throughout Latin America. The theme that we’re going to treat the Latin American countries as equal partners and fully recognize their sovereignty is going over very favorably, and I would call the trip an outstanding success in Latin America, and in our press they refuse to recognize it.

Nixon: Well, don’t be too concerned about that because, in the end, it will be quite balanced, but I think members of the Cabinet, when you think of your own trips and so forth, remember we have—everybody comes in, and I know so many of you do, saying, “Gee, I’d like to go to Russia, or the middle of Europe—how about Hungary or Romania, and so forth?” Don’t overlook Latin America, I mean, and don’t be concerned about the fact that you’re going to have a demonstration and so forth. That’s a way of life down there. My God, I went down there as a private citizen in 1967 and they demonstrated against me, and some guy—they don’t [unclear]. Some guy threw a rock and says, “Who’s that?” He says, “I don’t know.” [Laughter] They finally decided they better start running. [Laughter]

[Omitted here is discussion unrelated to Rogers’s trip.]

  1. Summary: Commenting on Rogers’s visit to Latin America, Nixon noted the importance of demonstrating U.S. interest in the region. Rogers visited Mexico, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, the Netherlands Antilles, and Jamaica from May 12 to May 28.

    Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Conversation 124–2. Secret. The editors transcribed the portion of the tape recording published here specifically for this volume, brackets indicate discussion omitted from the transcription or text added for clarity. The transcript is part of a Cabinet meeting that took place in the Cabinet Room of the White House from 11:06 to 11:59 a.m. In telegram 1729 from Rio de Janiero, May 19, Rogers transmitted his impressions to Nixon at the halfway point of his Latin American trip. (Ibid., NSC Files, Country Files, Box 772, Latin America, Brazil, Vol. IV, 1973–74) Rogers’s May 29 briefing of the Cabinet on his travels is ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Conversation 124–3.