Office of the Historian

104. Memorandum of Conversation1

Washington, April 13, 1978, 1:19–1:25 p.m.

SUBJECT

  • Summary of the President’s Phone Call with Chancellor Helmut Schmidt of Germany

The following is a paraphrase of the conversation:

The President: This is Jimmy Carter. How are you?

Chancellor Schmidt: How are you doing Mr. President? Good to hear you. I’m calling to tell you about our parliamentary debate on the enhanced radiation warheads.

The President: I’m eager to hear.

Chancellor Schmidt: I think, Jimmy, it went rather well. I forcefully, and I think effectively, rejected harsh criticism by the opposition of your position and of my own. Secondly, I strongly underlined what I had said earlier about the indestructability of our friendship. I received a majority of fifteen—greater than my normal majority—in favor of a resolution in which both your policy and the position of my government were endorsed.

The President: That’s very encouraging. It is a tribute to your leadership.

Chancellor Schmidt: Jimmy, I have been worried by press comments alleging differences between our two countries.2 I want to assure you that myself and my aides will not contribute to the invention of such “leakages,” which are not leaks at all but most often are just made up.

The President: We have an uncontrolled press here, too. My confidence is in you, and if I see any stories that give me cause for concern, I’ll call you directly. In the absence of a call, be sure that I have no concern.

Chancellor Schmidt: The same is true for me. Secretary Brown is here and asked me to mention that to you.3 We just finished talking, and he is going to meet with the press. He wanted me to tell you that he will not make any mistakes!4 (laughter)

The President: Thank you. I appreciate your support. I think we should now put the enhanced radiation weapons issue behind us for a while. I’m looking forward to the NATO Summit meeting here in Washington and to seeing you again. We’ll have a chance to talk privately then—on May 30, I believe.

I made a major statement on inflation several nights ago, and I think we are making progress.5 We had a surprise success in Congress with a vote on a very expensive piece of agricultural legislation.6 And we have had recently the first progress in weeks on the energy legislation.7 Any time you have the chance to speak out on the importance of our action on energy, please do so. Your words are closely monitored in this country.

Chancellor Schmidt: I use the words “assistance to the President’s energy conception.”

The President: I think so far the preparations for the Summit in Bonn have been constructive. If you have further ideas, I hope you will convey them to me, either directly or indirectly through Henry Owen.

Chancellor Schmidt: I received your letter on the Summit, and I will send you an answer within a fortnight or so.8 Henry Owen probably can give you a better report on our conversations.

The President: Yes, I think we have made progress. I look forward to the Summit and to being in your country. I’m proud of our friendship. You’ve been superb. Your friendship means a great deal, more than you can know.

Chancellor Schmidt: I’ll see you in Washington in May, if we don’t talk in the meantime.9 And I’ll send you a written response to your letter.

The President: Have a nice weekend, and get some rest.

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 36, Memcons: President: 4/78. Secret; Sensitive. Carter spoke to Schmidt from the Oval Office.↩
  2. West German reactions to Carter’s policies were covered in the April 10 issue of Der Spiegel, in “Front Gegen den ‘Religiösen Schwärmer,’” and “Was ist das nur für eine Führung? Die Politik des unberechenbaren Jimmy Carter.” (Der Spiegel, April 10, 1978, pp. 23–34) Telegram 6417 from Bonn, April 10, reported that Van Well called the Embassy to deny that Genscher had called Carter “a religious day-dreamer;” telegram 6464 from Bonn, April 10, reported that Rufus had said to Stoessel that “Schmidt had not expressed the criticisms attributed to him.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780153–1098 and D780154–0205)↩
  3. Telegram 6889 from Bonn, April 14, reported on Brown’s April 13 meeting with Schmidt. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, N780004–0420) Brown also reported on his talks with Schmidt in an April 14 message to the White House. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 7, Backchannel Messages: Europe: 1–6/78)↩
  4. Telegram 6860 from Bonn, April 14, conveyed a transcript of Brown’s April 13 news conference in Bonn. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780160–0110)↩
  5. On April 11, Carter made a statement on anti-inflation policy. (“Remarks to Members of the American Society of Newspaper Editors Announcing the Administration’s Policy,” Public Papers: Carter, 1978, pp. 721–727)↩
  6. On April 12, the House rejected an emergency farm aid bill that had been passed by the Senate on April 10. (Seth S. King, “Senate Approves Farm Aid, 49–41, Rejecting Warnings of High Costs,” New York Times, April 11, 1978, p. 20; Seth S. King, “Emergency Farm Aid is Rejected by House in a Carter Victory,” New York Times, April 13, 1978, pp. A1, A14)↩
  7. Apparent reference to negotiations held at the White House on April 12 and 13 between members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, Schlesinger, and Carter. (Steven Rattner, “Energy Conferees Meet With Carter,” New York Times, April 13, 1978, p. D7)↩
  8. Reference is to Carter’s April 11 letter to Schmidt, in which he wrote: “I welcome your willingness to take stimulus measures, if needed to fulfill Germany’s growth target, and I understand the importance of avoiding any public discussion of these measures until and unless the need arises.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Box 13, Germany F R: 1–6/78)↩
  9. See footnote 10, Document 101.↩