Canada, 1973–1976
103. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Summary: Kissinger relayed a message from Trudeau on Vietnam.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 750, Canada, Trudeau, corres. (1969–1973) (1 of 1). Secret. Sent for information. Attached but not published is Tab A. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. Nixon circled the last paragraph of the memorandum and wrote, “No reply.” On January 17, Sonnenfeldt forwarded to Kissinger a draft condolence message to Trudeau on the death of his mother, noting that “the President rejected the idea of a reply to Trudeau’s recent Vietnam letter. There were also put in train some other manifestations of our displeasure. We now have the attached condolence message. I personally feel it should be sent as a civilized gesture. But because of the mood you described yesterday I want to be sure you know and agree this is being done.” Scowcroft wrote at the bottom of Sonnenfeldt’s memorandum, “HAK says no.” (Ibid.)
104. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon
Summary: Rogers discussed Canadian views on the ICCS.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973, POL 27–14 VIET. Secret; Exdis. A memorandum of conversation on Porter’s March 8 talk with Sharp is ibid. During a March 8 telephone conversation with Kissinger, World Bank President Robert McNamara reported that he had recently urged continued participation in the ICCS on Sharp, who “was really on the ropes” politically over the issue. Kissinger remarked, “They are a God damned bunch of selfish gripers.” McNamara replied that the purpose of his call was to advise Kissinger “to massage” the Canadians. Kissinger agreed, commenting, “I guess we’ll send Porter up there to talk to him.” (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, Kissinger Telephone Conversations, Box 19)
105. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Nixon
Summary: Scowcroft recommended that Nixon call Trudeau to urge continued Canadian participation in the ICCS.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 750, Canada, Trudeau, corres. (1969–1973) (1 of 1). Secret. Sent for urgent action. Attached but not published is Tab A, a copy of the March 22 letter to Trudeau signed by Nixon; and Tab B, undated talking points. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. A handwritten notation next to the “Disapprove” option reads: “President told Bull he would not call. 1:40 PM—3/22/73.” Below, another handwritten notation reads: “The President called Trudeau at 3:48 p.m. 3/22/73.” A tape recording of Nixon’s March 22 telephone call to Trudeau is ibid., White House Tapes, White House Telephone, Conversation 44–15. On March 27, Sharp announced that Canada would remain on the ICCS for 60 days, with further participation thereafter subject to review. Trudeau notified Nixon of the decision by telephone before Sharp’s announcement. (Ibid., Conversation 44–19)
106. Telegram 1083 From the Embassy in Canada to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy discussed the impending Canadian decision on ICCS participation.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 671, Country Files, Europe, Canada, Vol. IV (Jan 73–Jul 74). Secret; Priority; Exdis. Sent for information to Saigon.
107. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Summary: Kissinger forwarded a letter from Trudeau concerning the Canadian decision to withdraw from the ICCS.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 750, Canada, Trudeau, corres. (1969–1973) (1 of 1). No classification marking. Sent for action. Attached but not published is Tab A, a signed June 8 letter from Nixon to Trudeau; and Tab B, an undated message from Trudeau to Nixon. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. Iran subsequently agreed to fill the position vacated by Canada on the ICCS.
108. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Schlesinger and Richardson discussed U.S-Canada air defense, NORAD, ASW, and the conventional forces balance.
Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 330–76–117, 333 Canada 18 Dec 73. Secret. Prepared by Wickham and OASD/ISA European and NATO Affairs Director Brigadier General H. Lobdell; and approved by Hill on December 18. The meeting took place in the Mission to NATO. In telegram 147164 to Ottawa, July 26, the Department requested the Embassy’s assessment of the likely Canadian reaction to a reduction in continental U.S. air defenses and changes to its warning capabilities. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 671, Country Files, Europe, Canada, Vol. IV (Jan 73–Jul 74)) In telegram 1839 from Ottawa, August 8, the Embassy replied that the proposed reductions would not affect Canadian willingness “to cooperate in bilateral defense relations. However, any change in level of U.S. support for NORAD is likely to be matched by reduction in level of Canadian support.” (Ibid.)
109. Minutes of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meeting
Summary: Kissinger discussed U.S.-Canadian relations with his staff.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, Entry 5177, Box 2, Secretary’s Analytic Staff Meeting, March 8, 1974. Secret. The meeting ended at 3:50 p.m. Attached but not published is a summary of Kissinger’s decisions at the meeting, as well as a full list of those in attendance. The paper referred to at the meeting is apparently an undated paper entitled “US-Canadian Relations: Alternate Strategies,” forwarded to Kissinger under cover of a February 22 memorandum from Lord and Hartman. (Ibid., Policy Planning Council, Policy Planning Staff, Director’s Files (Winston Lord), 1969–1977, Entry 5027, Box 345, Feb. 1974)
110. National Security Study Memorandum 206/Council on International Economic Policy Study Memorandum 36
Summary: The President requested a review of the status of U.S. relations with Canada.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–206, Study Memorandums, 1969–1974, NSSM–206. Secret. Copies were sent to the President’s Counselor for Economic Affairs, the Director of the OMB, the Chairman of the CEA, the Chairman of the JCS, the DCI, and the STR. The ad hoc NSC working group produced a draft study in response to this NSSM, but it was neither acted upon nor approved. The July 8 Canadian national election gave Trudeau a majority government.
111. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Ford, Kissinger, Trudeau, and MacEachen discussed energy cooperation, defense issues, economic policy, and environmental cooperation.
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. The meeting took place in the Oval Office. Trudeau paid an official visit to Washington on December 4. Kissinger and MacEachen met on September 24 in New York, where they discussed non-proliferation, the Middle East, Japanese-Canadian relations, the possibility of a visit by Trudeau to Washington, beef quotas, the increase in the export price of Canadian natural gas, and the September 28 to 29 meeting of G–5 Foreign and Finance Ministers at Camp David. (Ibid., NSC Europe, Canada, and Ocean Affairs Staff Files, Box 1, Canada 1974 (3) WH)
112. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Ford
Summary: Kissinger discussed U.S.-Canadian relations and their near-term prospects.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Europe and Canada, Box 2, Canada (3). Secret. Sent for information. Attached but not published is Tab A, an undated background paper. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. Ford initialed the memorandum. On March 31, Kissinger asked MacEachen, “Is Canada trying to move away from the United States?” When MacEachen denied this, Kisisnger retorted, “You’d say that anyway. Even if the opportunities are there?” MacEachen replied that Canadians viewed “relations with the United States as being our most important in the long and short haul. We have and we continue to have the closest of relations with you. We are trying to establish new relations elsewhere but it is not our purpose to supplant the United States. No other two countries in the world have the same extent of relations.” (Memorandum of conversation, March 31; ibid., NSC Europe, Canada, and Ocean Affairs Staff Files, Box 2, Canada 1975 (3) WH)
113. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Ford, Kissinger, Trudeau, and MacEachen discussed Portugal and U.S.-Canadian relations.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversation, Box 12. Secret; Nodis. All brackets are in the original. The meeting took place in NATO Headquarters. Ford and Kissinger were in Brussels from May 28 to 31, where they attended a NATO meeting and met with NATO leaders. Later that year, from October 14 to 15, Kissinger was in Ottawa to meet with Trudeau, MacEachen, and other Canadian officials. A memorandum of conversation recording his October 15 tour d’horizon discussion with Trudeau is in National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P820125–$(Lb$)0049. A memorandum of conversation recording Kissinger’s October 15 meeting with MacEachen, during which they discussed the Law of the Sea, the Middle East, and controls on Cuban assets, is ibid., P820123–2161. A memorandum of conversation recording Kissinger’s October 15 roundtable discussion with Canadian ministers, is ibid., P820123–2466.
114. Memorandum For the Record Prepared by the Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Wickham)
Summary: Wickham summarized the September 15 and 16 discussions among Schlesinger and Canadian officials in Ottawa.
Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files: FRC 330–78–0058, 333 Canada 17 Sep 75. Secret. Prepared by Wickham. On September 10, Scowcroft sent Wickham a list of questions received from Trudeau for Schlesinger. The preface to Trudeau’s list reads: “Canada is now engaged in a review of its defence activities—not with any intention of reducing effort or expenditures but with the aim of improving effectiveness. An important criterion in forming a judgment of effectiveness will be the attitude of our allies. We would value your views on the priority of the tasks assigned to the Canadian Armed Forces, and on the need for their discharge. In formulating your answers we hope you will reflect political, as well as military, considerations.” (Ibid., 333 Canada 10 Sep 75) Proposed answers to Trudeau’s questions are ibid., 333 Canada 11 Sep 75.
115. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford
Summary: Scowcroft discussed the state of U.S.-Canadian relations.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Europe and Canada, Box 2, Canada (7). Confidential. Sent for information. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. Ford initialed the memorandum. On December 17, 1975, Kissinger and MacEachen discussed Porter’s remarks and U.S.-Canadian relations. (Memorandum of conversation, December 17; National Archives, RG 59, Records of the Office of the Counselor, Helmut C. Sonnenfeldt, 1955–1977, Entry 5339, Box 3, HS Chron-Official, Oct–Dec 1975)
116. Memorandum From the Counselor (Sonnenfeldt) to Secretary of State Kissinger
Summary: Sonnenfeldt discussed Rogers’ impending trip to Ottawa.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Records of the Office of the Counselor, Helmut C. Sonnenfeldt, 1955–1977, Entry 5339, Box 3, HS Chron—Official, Jan–March 1976. Confidential; Eyes Only. In telegram 524 from Ottawa, February 9, the Embassy reported Rogers’ February 7 meeting with Head on Trudeau’s January visit to Mexico, Venezuela, and Cuba. In a March 17 memorandum to Kissinger, Sonnenfeldt wrote that Enders had told him that the Canadians “were getting agitated about our statements on Cuba and what they implied for Canada.” Sonnenfeldt authorized Enders to tell senior Canadian officials that U.S. “statements on Cuba were not just rhetoric, that we did indeed view with deep concern any further Cuban intervention in Africa and that we meant what we said.” Sonnenfeldt commented: “Needless to say, the Canadians worry greatly about their economic relations with Cuba and possible inhibitions on them. And Trudeau is politically exposed since his trip to Cuba.” (Ibid.)
117. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Enders and Trudeau discussed U.S.-Canadian relations.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Europe and Canada, Box 2, Canada (11). Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Enders on March 25; and approved by Newsom in S/S–S. The meeting took place in the Prime Minister’s Parliamentary Office. In telegram 1187 from Ottawa, March 24, Enders reported: “Trudeau was as advertised: elegant, contrary, brittle, unable to resist intellectualizing, preoccupied with Galbraithian thoughts that few in Canada share with him. He was also very friendly. Chances are that he will not have the power to move very far towards implementing those thoughts (he has made no move to do so since New Year’s) and his particular scenario for US/Canadian clashes is unlikely to be a big headache for a while. More interesting is his assessment that further action protective of Canadian culture may not be needed. If true, that could avoid some of the most prickly and unmanageable disputes.” (Ibid., Box 3, Canada—State Department Telegrams TO SECSTATE—NODIS (2))
118. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford
Summary: Scowcroft discussed the recent Canadian decision concerning the purchase of long-range patrol aircraft.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Europe, Canada, and Ocean Affairs Staff Files, Box 4, Canada 1976 (5) WH. Secret. Sent for action. Attached but not published is Tab A, a May 28 letter to Trudeau that Ford signed. On June 21, Clift forwarded to Scowcroft an undated letter from Trudeau to Ford promising a review of the aircraft issue in June based on successful negotiations to reduce the initial financing required for the purchase. (Ibid., Canada 1976 (8) WH) On July 21, the Canadian Government contracted to buy 18 CP–140 long-range patrol aircraft from Lockheed; Ford welcomed the purchase in an August 4 letter to Trudeau. (Ibid., Canada 1976 (10) WH)
119. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Ford, Kissinger, Trudeau, and Macdonald discussed the U.S. and Canadian economies.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversation, Box 19. Secret; Nodis. All brackets are in the original. The meeting took place in the Oval Office. Trudeau was in Washington for a private visit. On August 18, Kissinger met with MacEachen and U.S. and Canadian officials in Washington for discussions of bilateral and multilateral issues. (Memoranda of conversation, August 18; National Archives, RG 59, Records of the Office of the Counselor, Helmut C. Sonnenfeldt, 1955–1977, Entry 5339, Box 9, POL 2 Canada; Memorandum of conversation, August 18, Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Europe, Canada, and Ocean Affairs Staff Files, Box 4, Canada 1976 (10) WH)
120. Telegram 4579 From the Embassy in Canada to the Department of State
Summary: Enders reported his November 17 discussion with Trudeau concerning Trudeau’s tactics vis-à-vis Quebecois separatists.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Europe and Canada, Box 3, Canada—State Department Telegrams TO SECSTATE—NODIS (2). Secret; Immediate; Nodis. The PQ won a majority of seats in Quebec’s provincial legislature seats in a November 15 election.
121. Telegram 372 From the Consulate in Quebec City to the Department of State
Summary: The Consulate reported a December 3 meeting with Claude Morin.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, 1976. Confidential; Immediate. Sent immediate for information to Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto.
122. Telegram 5036 From the Embassy in Canada to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy explored the issue of whether Trudeau was adopting a more aggressive strategy against the Parti Québécois.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, 1976. Secret; Priority; Exdis.