Office of the Historian

144. Memorandum of Conversation1

Washington, October 6, 1980, 6:20–6:23 a.m.

President Carter-Chancellor Schmidt Telephone
Conversation October 6, 1980
(0620-0623)

President Carter (P)

Chancellor Schmidt (S)

Hello Helmut

Hello Jimmy

P: Good morning and congratulations to you.2

S: Oh—thank you very much, Jimmy.

P: I was up in the Pennsylvania mountains yesterday and when I got back last night I heard the good news. It was very exciting to us and all of the people in this country.

S: Thank you very much. I have it after me and you still have it before you.

P: That’s exactly right. I envy you this morning.

S: Yes, well I’m feeling fine. I hope to see you in November Jimmy. Is that okay with you?

P: Of course, I think it would be very helpful for us to get together.3 In fact, I would have suggested that we get together earlier had it not been for the political campaign.

S: Yes.

P: I think I would have been accused of just meeting with you . . .

S: Yes, I am aware of that.

P: Right.

S: I have to go to New York City on the 19th of November and around that date I would like to come to see you in Washington.

P: I look forward to that and will let our people arrange the exact time and place.

S: Yes.

P: Yes. Well I’m very proud of what you have done. It shows the great confidence the German people have in you.

S: Thank you very much Jimmy and let me please mention at this occasion that I’m deeply satisifed about the ongoing talks between your administration and the Soviets on TNF.

P: Well that’s good.

S: Yes. Well I’m really deeply satisifed that these talks are now starting and I think it has helped me quite a bit here in this country.

P: Well, we will keep them going. We want to get along well with the Soviet Union and I think you know the background on the problems which you share with us.

S: Yes.

P: Well good luck to you and get some rest, and congratulations again.

S: Thank you very much. All the best Jimmy.

P: Thank you very much. Good-bye.

S: Good-bye.

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 38, Memcons: President, 9–11/80. Confidential. Carter also called Genscher to congratulate him on the election results. (Memorandum of Conversation, October 6; ibid.)↩
  2. In the October 5 parliamentary elections, Schmidt’s SPD–FDP coalition increased its majority in the Bundestag to 45. (“Schmidt’s Coalition Wins German Vote, Increases Majority,” New York Times, October 6, 1980 p. 1)↩
  3. For a record of Carter’s November 20 meeting with Schmidt, see Document 213.↩