181. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to Secretary of State Vance1
SUBJECT
- Visit from the Romanian Ambassador
Prior to going home on leave, the Romanian Ambassador called on me to say goodbye. He raised two specific points:
—He expressed concern that out of the $20 million US relief funds for Romania, only $7 million have been “handed over”. Can something be done to expedite this?2
—He expressed a very strong hope that President Ceausescu could come and visit with President Carter. He pleaded for this year, but obviously would be satisfied with something next year. In my view, a visit by Ceausescu would be useful. How do you feel about it? Should we put in a recommendation for the President?
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron File, Box 45, Romania: 1977. Secret.↩
- On July 29, Treverton sent a memorandum to Brzezinski with an update on the situation for aid to Romania. He reported that Representative Clarence Long was holding the supplemental appropriation bill in the Appropriation Committee, despite having no objections to it, and urged Brzezinski to call Long. (Ibid.) On August 4, Treverton again wrote Brzezinski, urging a call to Speaker O’Neill to ask the Speaker to intervene with Long. Treverton wrote: “Romania has been extremely cooperative in the CSCE Preparatory Conference; it was, in several cases, a more fervent advocate of Western positions than were the Allies themselves.” (Ibid.)↩