262. Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Eagleburger) to Secretary of Defense Richardson

Summary: Eagleburger reported the status of U.S.–FRG offset.

Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 330–76–117, 121 Germany 22 Feb 73. Confidential. Drafted by Arthur Chapa in ED/NATO on February 20. Attached but not published is an undated paper entitled, “US/FRG Bilateral Offset.” NSSM 170 is Document 8. On February 22, Eliot sent Kissinger the position paper on U.S.–FRG bilateral offset requested in NSSM 170; the paper recommended that the Embassy in Bonn engage the West German Foreign Office in a preliminary discussion of offset. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–196, Study Memorandums, 1969–1974, NSSM,–170)

263. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon

Summary: Kissinger forwarded a letter he had received from the novelist Hans Habe.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 61, Country Files, Europe, General, Hans Habe. Confidential. Sent for information. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. Nixon wrote on the bottom of the memorandum, “K—a very perceptive and very disturbing analysis—I think he is too close to the truth.” Nixon underlined the portion of the seventh paragraph of the letter that begins “in the current of time” until the end of the sentence and wrote in the adjacent margin, “K—very perceptive.” In the ninth paragraph, Nixon underlined the third sentence; in the tenth paragraph, he underlined the fourth sentence. In the thirteenth paragraph, Nixon underlined the sixth sentence, as well as the final sentence, and wrote a check mark in the margin. In the sixteenth paragraph, Nixon underlined the first sentence, writing in the adjacent margin, “K—one of our greatest mistakes. We must do everything possible to rectify it.” Nixon also underlined substantial portions of the fourth and fifth sentences in the sixteenth paragraph.

264. Memorandum From R.G. Livingston of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Summary: Livingston forwarded and summarized an analysis of anti-Americanism in the FRG by Hillenbrand.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 687, Country Files, Europe, Germany (Bonn) Vol. XIII, Jan–Sep 73 (2 of 3). Confidential. Sent for information. Attached but not published is Tab A, telegram 4477 from Bonn, March 27. Scowcroft wrote at the top of Livingston’s memorandum, “HAK has seen.” During a March 9 tour d’horizon discussion with Hillenbrand, Brandt discussed anti-Americanism in the FRG. (Telegram 3589 from Bonn, March 9; ibid., RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, 1973, [no film number])

265. Memorandum for the President’s File by the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Summary: Kissinger reported on a meeting among Nixon, Brandt, Bahr, and himself.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Special Files, Staff Member & Office Files, President’s Office Files, Memoranda for the President, Box 91, Beginning April 29 (1973). Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. All brackets are in the original. The memorandum contains two sentences that were partially deleted by means of correction fluid; sufficient text remains to decipher them. The first appears at the end of the sixth paragraph: “[He was rambling almost incoherently.]” The second appears at the end of the tenth paragraph: “[A long anti-Israel speech.]” Nixon and Brandt entered the Oval Office, where this meeting took place, at 10:44 a.m.; Kissinger and Bahr joined them at 10:50 a.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary) A tape recording of the full meeting, from 10:44 a.m. to 12:24 p.m., is ibid., White House Tapes, Oval Office, Conversation 908–13. Nixon and Brandt met again on May 2; no memorandum of conversation on this meeting was found, but a tape recording of the talk is ibid., Conversation 909–25. Memoranda of conversation on the talks between Scheel and Rogers are ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, POL 7 GER W.

266. Memorandum for the Record by the Director of the Office of International Security Policy and Planning (Sloss)

Summary: Sloss reported a meeting between Schlesinger and Leber.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, POL GER W–US. Secret; Exdis. Sloss did not initial the memorandum which was sent to the Assistant Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs Spiers. The meeting was held on July 17. Attached but not published is Tab A, a list of participants and a schedule; and Tab C, an undated draft communiqué. A more detailed memorandum of conversation on this talk, prepared by DOD, is in Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–78–0011, Germany 091.112 30 Jul 73. In a July 18 discussion with Rush, Leber said that his July 17 discussions with Schlesinger had clarified all of the misunderstandings that had arisen in the FRG and Western Europe with respect to U.S. policy. (Memorandum of conversation, July 18; National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, POL GER W–US)

267. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon

Summary: Kissinger sought Nixon’s decision on the issue of loans in the U.S.–FRG bilateral offset negotiations.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 264, Agency Files, NATO July–Sept 73, Vol. XV (2 of 3). Confidential. Sent for action. Tab A is Document 13. The initial “P” was written next to the first recommendation; a note by Scowcroft in the same file reads, “Per John Bennett, the President approved the delay of the mention of loans in offset negotiations.”

268. Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Colby to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

[Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Entry 5403, Box 24, Classified “C” Material. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. 7 pages not declassified.]

269. Memorandum From Philip Odeen and Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Summary: Odeen and Sonnenfeldt briefed Kissinger on the status of the U.S.–FRG bilateral offset and NATO multilateral offset negotiations.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 688, Country Files, Europe, Germany (Bonn), February–December 31, 1973. Confidential. Sent for information. Copies were sent to Charles Cooper of the NSC staff and Eagleburger. All brackets were printed as footnotes in the original. Attached but not published is Tab A. Kissinger wrote at the top of the memorandum, “What need I do now?” In a September 23 memorandum to Kissinger, Sonnenfeldt discussed the first round of U.S.–FRG negotiations. (Ibid., NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–239, Policy Papers, NSDM–214) Memoranda of conversation on the first round are ibid., NSC Files, Box 687, Country Files, Europe, Germany (Bonn) Vol. XIII, Jan–Sep 73 (2 of 3).

270. Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt and John Knubel of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: Sonnenfeldt and Knubel briefed Kissinger on the status of the U.S.–FRG bilateral offset negotiations and the NATO multilateral burdensharing discussions.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 265, Agency Files, NATO Oct 73–Dec 73, Vol. XVI (3 of 3). Confidential. Sent for urgent action. All brackets were printed as footnotes in the original. Tab A is an earlier draft of Document 271. Attached but not published is Tab B, an undated paper on “Loans in the German Offset;” and Tab C, telegram Brussels 439 from Rumsfeld to Kissinger, October 6. Kissinger did not indicate his preferences among the options presented in Sonnenfedlt’s and Knubel’s memorandum; see, however, Document 271.

271. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Secretary of the Treasury Shultz, and Secretary of Defense Schlesinger

Summary: The President requested a study on the unresolved issues arising from NSDM 214, Balance of Payments Offset and Burden-sharing Negotiations with NATO.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 265, Agency Files, NATO Oct 73–Dec 73, Vol. XVI (3 of 3). Secret. Copies were sent to the DCI, the Director of OMB, and the Chairman of the JCS.

272. Telegram 15456 From the Embassy in the Federal Republic of Germany to the Department of State

Summary: The Embassy reported Hillenbrand’s October 25 conversation with West German State Secretary Frank.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, 1973, [no film number]. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. In telegram 15408 from Bonn, October 24, the Embassy reported that Frank, in a “strongly-worded request,” asked “that US cease resupplying Israel with military goods from FRG.” Frank also asserted “that, in view of the second ceasefire, there is no further need for German territory to be used by Israeli or any other carriers to resupply Israel.” (Ibid.) In telegram 210441 to Bonn, October 25, the Department sent talking points for a follow-up démarche to Frank. (Ibid.)

273. Briefing Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs (Springsteen) to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: Springsteen discussed possible pressure points on West Germany in light of its policies during the October 1973 Middle East war.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, POL GER W–US. Secret. Springsteen did not initial the memorandum.

274. Telegram 212618 From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Federal Republic of Germany

Summary: The Department reported an October 26 discussion between Kissinger and Von Staden on the military resupply of Israel from U.S. stocks in Germany.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Entry 5403, Box 1, NODIS Memcons, Sept–Dec 1973. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Sent immediate for information to RUEHCR NATO and RUEHCR Mission to the EC in Brussels. Drafted by Nelson Ledsky in EUR/CE; cleared by Springsteen, Gammon, and Eagleburger; and approved by Eagleburger. On October 26, Schlesinger, McCloskey, and Nixon all publicly criticized the lack of West European support for the United States during the Middle East crisis; both Schlesinger and McCloskey made specific reference to the independent stance adopted by West Germany. On October 30, Frank proposed the convening of a secret U.S.–FRG working group on the resupply issue, which “would consider the whole problem with a view to arriving at agreed solutions.” (Telegram 15715 from Bonn, October 30; ibid., Central Foreign Policy Files, 1973, [no film number]) On November 2, the Department authorized Hillenbrand to agree to the working group, whose “terms of reference should be restricted to present Near East situation.” (Telegram 216217 to Bonn, November 2; ibid.)

275. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Schlesinger and Leber discussed U.S.–FRG relations and the October 1973 Middle East war.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 232, Agency Files, Defense May 73–Dec 1973, Vol. #20 (1of 2). Secret; Eyes Only. The meeting took place in the Promenade Hotel. Kissinger initialed the memorandum.

276. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Nixon

Summary: Scowcroft reported the state of the U.S.–FRG bilateral offset negotiations.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 754, Presidential Correspondence, Germany, Willy Brandt 1972 (1 of 3). Confidential. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. Attached but not published is the letter to Brandt, which Nixon signed. In his reply to Nixon, Brandt said that FRG negotiators, who would be ready to resume talks by mid-February, would “be guided by the view that the undiminished presence of United States forces in Europe is of overriding importance to the security of our two countries and the alliance.” He also suggested that “since the conditions of all our offset agreements as laid down by NATO in 1957, i.e. serious balance of payments difficulties on the party of a stationing country, no longer seem to exist, allowance should be made for this fact in the negotiations.” (Letter from Von Staden to Nixon, January 29; ibid., NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 61, Country Files, Europe, General, German Exchange (1 of 3))

277. Memorandum From Denis Clift and Jan Lodal of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: Clift and Lodal advised Kissinger to give guidance to Shultz on his upcoming bilateral offset discussion with Schmidt.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 290, Agency Files, U.S. Treasury Jan. 1974–, Vol. V. Confidential; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Sent for action. Attached but not published is Tab A, a February 4 memorandum for the record.

278. Telegram 57527 From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Federal Republic of Germany

Summary: The Department reported that Shultz, Casey, and Schmidt had reached agreement in principle on the magnitude and components of a bilateral U.S.–FRG offset agreement.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, 1974. Confidential; Immediate. Sent immediate for information to the Mission to NATO. Drafted by Lucian Heichler in EUR/CE; cleared in EUR/CE, EUR/RPM, E, Defense, Treasury, S/S, and by Sonnenfeldt; and approved by Hartman. Delegations of American and West German experts met over the subsequent weeks to finalize the details of the agreement, which was signed in Bonn on April 25.

279. Telegram 7304 From the Embassy in the Federal Republic of Germany to the Department of State

Summary: The Embassy discussed Brandt’s May 6 resignation as Chancellor.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, 1974, [no film number]. Confidential; Immediate. Sent immediate for information to Damascus, Tel Aviv, Nicosia, Moscow, and Jerusalem. Sent priority for information to Vienna, Stockholm, the Mission in Geneva, the Mission to the EC, and the Mission to NATO. Sent for information to Ankara, Athens, Brussels, Copenhagen, The Hague, Lisbon, London, Luxembourg, Oslo, Ottawa, Paris, Reykjavik, Rome, Belgrade, Bucharest, Budapest, Prague, Sofia, Warsaw, the Mission in Berlin, Bremen, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, CINCUSAFE Ramstein, CINCEUR Vaihingen, CINCUSAREUR Heidelberg, and USNMR SHAPE.

280. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon

Summary: Kissinger discussed Brandt’s resignation as West German Chancellor.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 61, Country Files, Europe, General, German Exchange (1 of 3). Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Outside the System. Sent for information. Scowcroft initialed the memorandum on Kissinger’s behalf. Brandt resigned on May 6. He was succeeded as Chancellor by Helmut Schmidt on May 16.

281. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Schmidt, Ford, and Kissinger discussed Ford’s November 19 to 24 trip to Japan, South Korea, and the USSR, as well as the U.S. and FRG economies.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversation, Box 7. Secret; Sensitive. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text omitted by the editors. The meeting took place in the Oval Office, and ended at 1:05 p.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary) For the portion of the conversation on energy cooperation, see Document 22 in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. XXXVII, Energy Crisis, 1974–1980.

282. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Schmidt, Ford, and Kissinger discussed economic policy.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversation, Box 7. Secret; Nodis. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text omitted by the editors, and “[blank in original]”, added for clarity. The meeting took place in the Oval Office.

283. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Schmidt and Kissinger discussed U.S.–FRG defense relations in the event of another war in the Middle East.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Entry 5403, Box 10, NODIS Memcons Feb. 1975, Folder 3. Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place in Schmidt’s home. A memorandum of conversation on the rest of Kissinger’s and Schmidt’s February 16 talk is ibid., Records of the Office of the Counselor, Helmut C. Sonnenfeldt, 1955–1977, Entry 5339, Box 5, Germany 1975. Kissinger stopped in Bonn from February 15 to 16 after his February 10 to 15 trip to the Middle East. In a November 15, 1974 memorandum to Kissinger, Colby reported that Schmidt had recently told a U.S. official “that in the event of another Middle East War, he could not permit the use of Frankfurt airfield by the U.S. for resupply operations,” suggesting that the U.S. use a FRG airbase in Portgual should the Azores base become unavailable. (Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 80M01048A, Box 3, Germany)

284. Letter From West German Chancellor Schmidt to President Ford

Summary: Schmidt discussed U.S.–FRG defense relations in the event of another war in the Middle East.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Kissinger-Scowcroft West Wing Office Files, Box 35, West Germany (3) (1/3/75–5/23/75). No classification marking. A handwritten notation at the top of the letter reads, “Hand delivered by Amb Von Staden 4:30 pm 3/4/75 to Gen Scowcroft.” Attached but not published is the signed letter in German. Attached to the letter is a handwritten note by Ford that reads, “General Scowcroft—You better keep this.” A record of the January 30 conversation to which Schmidt refers was not found.

285. Letter From President Ford to West German Chancellor Schmidt

Summary: Ford urged the conclusion of a new U.S.–FRG bilateral offset agreement.

Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box 59, NSDM 293—U.S. Approach Toward Enhancing the Allied Contribution to the Defense of NATO (1). No classification marking. On Ford’s decision to send this letter to Schmidt, see Documents 68 and 69. On May 21, Schmidt told Kissinger: “Some time ago I received a letter from your President concerning another of these horrible offset agreements. My idea, frankly, is not to answer the letter. We already have piles of money in your treasury, in bonds and so on and I will not buy anything that I do not need. If you insist, I could transfer some of the money I already have over there into some other account but I simply will not go through buying things that are not needed.” (Memorandum of conversation, May 21; National Archives, RG 59, Records of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Entry 5403, Box 23, Classified External Memcons, May–December 1975, Folder 1)

286. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Ford, Kissinger, and Schmidt discussed Spain, the U.S. and FRG economies, energy, raw materials, the Middle East, CSCE, and the USSR.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of the Office of the Counselor, Helmut C. Sonnenfeldt, 1955–1977, Entry 5339, Box 5, Germany 1975. Secret; Nodis. All brackets are in the original. The meeting took place in the Ambassador’s residence. It began at 1:37 p.m. and ended at 3:05 p.m. (Ford Library, White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary) From May 29 to 31, Ford and Kissinger were in Brussels to attend a NATO summit meeting.

287. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Ford

Summary: Kissinger requested Ford’s approval of U.S. acquiescence in the sale of a FRG nuclear reactor to the USSR.

Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box 60, NSDM 298—FRG Reactor Sale to the USSR. Secret. Sent for action. Tab A is Document 288. Attached but not published is Tab B, an undated paper entitled, “Options Paper—Proposed FRG Nuclear Reactor Sale to USSR”; and Tab C, consisting of memoranda from ERDA Administrator Robert Seamans, Clements, Acting ACDA Director J. F. Lehman, Colby, and Ingersoll, May 14, 14, 12, 12, and 16, respectively. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. Ford initialed his approval of Kissinger’s recommendation. In October 1974, Schmidt and Kissinger exchanged correspondence about this sale; both letters are in telegram 233648 to Bonn, October 23, 1974. (Ibid., National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Europe and Canada, Box 6, Germany—State Department Telegram from SECSTATE—NODIS (1))

288. National Security Decision Memorandum 298

Summary: The President directed that a COCOM exemption be granted to allow the sale of a FRG nuclear reactor to the USSR, provided certain safeguard measures were met.

Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box 60, NSDM 298—FRG Reactor Sale to the USSR. Secret. Copy sent to the DCI.

289. Memorandum From the Director of the Policy Planning Staff (Lord) to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: Lord discussed the implications of a proposed FRG nuclear reactor sale to Brazil.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Entry 5403, Box 14, Briefing Memos, 1975, Folder 4. Secret; Nodis. Two of the memoranda to which Lord refers, a June 14 memorandum from Lord to Kissinger and a June 12 memorandum from Hartman to Kissinger, are ibid., Policy Planning Council, Policy Planning Staff, Director’s Files (Winston Lord), 1969–1977, Entry 5027, Box 356, Jun. 1–15, 1975; both provide guidance on the reactor sale issue for Scheel’s June 16 to 18 state visit to Washington. Kissinger and Genscher discussed the issue briefly on June 16, but reached no conclusions. (Memorandum of conversation, June 16, ibid.; Central Foreign Policy Files, P820123–1320)

290. Memorandum of Conversation

Summary: Schmidt, Ford, and Kissinger discussed Turkey, Greece, Portugal, and Italy.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversation, Box 14. Secret; Nodis. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text omitted by the editors. The meeting took place in the Chancellery. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the conversation lasted from 10:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary) A memorandum of conversation prepared by Hartman that covers in greater detail that portion of the talks that occurred after Schmidt, Ford, and Kissinger joined the plenary meeting is ibid., National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversation, Box 14. A memorandum of conversation recording a brief July 28 discussion among Schmidt, Ford, and Kissinger on Portugal, energy, and MBFR is ibid. Ford and Kissinger visited West Germany from July 26 to 28.

291. Memorandum From Denis Clift of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger

Summary: Clift discussed the possibility of another approach to the FRG on the issue of a U.S.–FRG bilateral offset agreement.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Kissinger-Scowcroft West Wing Office Files, Box 35, West Germany (4) (6/7/75–12/10/75). Confidential. Sent for action. Tab A of the Sonnenfeldt/Lodal memorandum is Document 285. Attached but not published is Tab B of the same memorandum, an undated paper entitled, “US Policy Options for a New US/FRG Offset Agreement.” An undated note from Scowcroft attached to Clift’s memorandum reads, “HAK wishes to follow Denis Clift’s recommendation at Tab I.” Schmidt replied to Ford’s May 3 letter on September 26, suggesting that they discuss offset during their October 3 talk in Washington. (Letter from Von Staden to Ford, September 26; Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Kissinger-Scowcroft West Wing Office Files, Box 35, West Germany (4) (6/7/75–12/10/75))