898-008a

Conversation No. 898-8

Date: April 17, 1973
Time: 10:34 - 12:19 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Giulio Andreotti, Andrea Cagiati, Niel A. Seiderman, Paolo Gestulo [?],
and Anna Saxon. Members of the press and the White House photographer were present at the
beginning of the meeting. Portions of this conversation are in Italian.

Italian press session

-Schedule


Welcome ceremony

-Andreotti’s appreciation

 -8-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)

[Photograph session]

White House correspondents

-Relationship with President

-Compared to promotional weeks
-Volunteer opportunities, good health, bread, wheat
-”Be Kind to Your President” Day
-”Be Kind to the Press”

[Translation of President’s remarks into Italian]

White House correspondents

-Relationship with Spiro T. Agnew


[Translation of President’s remarks into Italian]

President’s greetings to members of press

-Photographs of meeting

-Past photograph, circa 1971

-Author of previous article on Henry A. Kissinger

-Ronald L. Ziegler

-Presidential pens

Members of the press and the White House photographer left at an unknown time after 10:34 am.

Andreotti’s schedule

-Meeting with President

-Postponement


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Italian parliament

-Compared to US Congress

-Close votes


Henry A. Kissinger entered at an unknown time after 10:34 am.
 -9-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Greetings

Seating arrangements

Meeting agenda

-Informal nature of talks

-State dinner

-Seating
-Morning discussion
-Similar world views of US and Italy
-Contrasted with meetings with other world leaders
-Confrontation

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]

Italian friendship with US
-Italian domestic policies

-Majority viewpoint

-Minority

-Communist opposition
-Socialist support

[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]

Italian domestic politics

[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]

Italian domestic politics
-Postwar parliamentary coalition
-Socialists, Communists, New Conscience Party
-Opposition
-Majority
 -10-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)

-Social Democratic Party
-Socialist International
-Willy Brandt
-East Germany
-Italian Socialist Party
-Pietro Nenni, Francesco De Martino
-Center-Leftist government, 1952

[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]

Italian domestic politics
-Postwar parliamentary coalitions
-Aldo Moro, Amintore Fanfani, Mariano Rumor, Emilio Columbo
-Disagreements
-Foreign policy
-Socialists
-Domestic policy
-Center-leftists
-Fascists
-Dissolution of parliament
-Current government

-Christian Democrats in Cabinet

-Confidence

-Elections


[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]

Italian domestic politics
-Coalition government

-Elections

-Social Democrats, Leftists

-Majority

-House compared with Senate
-Margin
-Socialist support
-Christian Democrats
-Christian Democrat convention, June 1973
 -11-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)

-Role of Socialists

[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]

Italian domestic politics

-Center-Left Cabinet

-Possible crisis
-Support for neo-Fascists
-Role of Communists
-US role

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Italian domestic politics
-Andreotti’s coalition government
-President’s admiration
-Margin of majority
-Stance

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]


Italian domestic politics

-Majority

-Difficulty


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]


Italian domestic politics
-Andreotti’s historic role

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]

Meeting agenda
 -12-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)

-Middle East

Stephen B. Bull entered at an unknown time after 10:34 am.

President’s schedule

-Meetings with Andreotti

-Changes in schedule


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East
-Giovanni Leone’s letter to President
-Concerns
-Peace settlement
-Peace settlement
-US support
-Compared to Vietnam, Indochina
-Andreotti’s visit to Soviet Union
-Talks with Alexis N. Kosygin, October 1972
-Oil interests
-Italy’s role
-Interest
-Development prospects
-Compared with capability
-Proximity, security

[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]

Andreotti’s talks with Kosygin

-President’s and Brandt’s election

-Kissinger

-Kosygin’s admiration

Middle East

-Difficulty composed to Vietnam


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
 -13-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)


Middle East
-Significance compared to Vietnam
-US casualties

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East
-Possible effects of failure to settle
-Oil
-Confrontation of super powers

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East
-US-Italy communication, correspondence
-Candor
-Kissinger’s role

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East
-US role in peace negotiations
-Meetings with Israeli representations
-Meeting with Anwar Sadat

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East

-US role in peace negotiations

-Meetings with Jordan


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East
-US role in peace negotiations
-Discussions with Soviet Union leaders
 -14-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East
-Peace negotiations
-Degree of disagreement

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East
-US role in peace negotiations

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East
-US hope for breakthrough

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East
-Italy’s role
-Andreotti’s previous statement

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East
-Italy’s role
-Possible impact on Israel and Egypt

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East
-Italy’s role
-Geographic, cultural, historic ties to Arab bloc countries

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
 -15-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)

Middle East

-Italy’s role

-Diplomatic policies

-Mediterranean states

-Possible influence


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East

-US-Israel relations

-Impact on US relations with Arab states

-Moderate course


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East

-Italy’s role contrasted with US


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East

-Prospects for peace

-Israel’s neighbors [Arab nations]

-Support of allies
-Soviet Union
-Extremists
-Italy’s role
-Relations with non-Communist states, as compared to Communist
states
-Relations with anarchists
-Potential danger

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]

Middle East
 -16-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)

-Provisional government
-Suez Canal
-Evacuation of territories
-Rehabilitation of canal
-Detente
-Dialogue between Arabs and Israelis
-Balance of power
-Israel compared to Arab nations
-Petroleum revenue
-Armaments
-Negotiations
-President’s view
-Longevity of Israel
-Surrounding hostility
-Financial resources
-Oil
-Strength of opposing military forces

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East

-Peace negotiations

-Interim settlement
-Israeli’s willingness
-United Arab Republics [UAR] [Egypt]
-Suez Canal
-Compared to general settlement

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East
-US role

-Interim settlement

-Goal

-Stability of region

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
 -17-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)


Middle East
-President’s conversations with Golda Meir
-President’s conversations with representatives of Anwar el-Sadat [Mohammed
Hafez Ismail]

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Kissinger
-Candid discussion

-Shared interests

-Influence


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East

[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East

-US policy

-Compared to Andreotti, Leoni

-Interim settlement


[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East

-Egypt’s position

-Interim settlement compared to overall settlement


[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East
-President’s proposal

-Meeting with Ismail

-Sadat’s public announcement

-Sovereignty separated from security

 -18-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)


[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East
-Sadat’s interview with Newsweek

-Statement on US attitude

-Mention of President’s proposal


[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East

-Peace negotiations

-General principles

-Egypt
-Interim settlement
-Overall settlement

[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East

-US policy


[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East

-Jordan

-Settlement
-Possibility
-”Egyptian model”
-Timing
-Egypt negotiations
-[Hussein, King of Jordan] Hussein ibn Talal

[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East

-Jordan

 -19-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)

-Assessment of Israel’s position

[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East

-Jordan

-Assessment of Israel’s position


[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]

Translation

-Communication of message


Middle East

-Jordan settlement

-Egypt negotiations

-Progress
-Timing
-Hussein’s possible action

[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]

Middle East

-Italy’s diplomacy

-US role in negotiations
-Priority
-Optimism
-Engagement of all parties
-Goal of settlement
-Arab public opinion
-US objectives
-Israel’s influence
-Fairness
-Messages to Israel, Egypt

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
 -20-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)

[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]

Middle East
-Arab nations
-Shift in attitude
-Recognition of Israel’s right to existence
-Compared with occupied territories
-Integration of smaller countries
-Sheikhdoms
-Oil resources
-Per capita wealth
-Speculation
-Possible action by United Nations [UN]
-Balance of power

[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]

Year of Europe

-Announcement of President’s visit

-President’s visit to Italy

-Timing
-Italian domestic politics
-Anti-US sentiment
-Anti-European Economic Community [EEC] sentiment
-Communists
-Preparation, timing
-Political event in Italy
-Timing
-Autumn

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Year of Europe

-President’s visit

-Communications
-”Big Four”
-North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO] Council
 -21-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)

-Timing

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Year of Europe
-President’s visit to Italy
-Timing
-Discussions with Andreotti
-Concerns
-30-day framework for planning
-Preferences
-Kissinger
-Preparatory talks

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]

Year of Europe
-President’s visit with EEC
-Compared with NATO Council
-Brussels
-Significance
-President’s visits to non-friendly countries compared to friendly countries
-Possible reception
-President’s previous trip to Rome
-Andreotti’s displeasure at reception
-Compared to President’s domestic travel

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

“Price of freedom”

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Year of Europe

-Possible outcomes

 -22-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)

-New approach to Atlantic community

-Preparatory talks

-Italy

-Compared with “Grand Tour”

-Press characterization

-Working trip

-Compared to President’s trips to People’s Republic of China
[PRC], Soviet Union

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]


US-Europe relations

-Dangers posed to Atlantic alliance


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations

-President’s previous trip to Italy

-US-Soviet Union relations

-Italy’s position

-Detente


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations

-US-Soviet Union detente

-Effects on Western Europe

-Atlantic alliance

-Andreotti’s remarks

-US policy

-Priority

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations

-Dangers posed to Atlantic alliance

 -23-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)

-CSCE

-Italy’s support


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations
-Possible effect
-Reduction of tensions between East, West

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

CSCE

-Communist influence

-Europe’s defenses


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions [MBFR]
-Western Europe
-Defense forces

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations
-MBFR discussions
-Possible effects
-Reduction in defenses
-Incentives to Soviet Union
-Possible dissolution of Atlantic alliance

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Soviet Union talks
-Strategic Arms Limitation Talks [SALT] II

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
 -24-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)

US-Soviet Union disarmament

-Europe, Italy’s response


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Soviet Union negotiations

-SALT I and SALT II

-Possible effects on Atlantic alliance


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations

-Dangers posed to Atlantic alliance

-President’s support for European unity


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

European unity

-Alcide de Gasperi


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations

-Possible economic confrontation

-EEC


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations
-NATO
-Military strength of Atlantic alliance
-Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions [MBFR]
-Soviet Union

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations
 -25-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)

-CSCE
-Communique, speeches
-Effect on Atlantic alliance [NATO]

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations

-Atlantic alliance

-Moral commitment compared with [NATO] treaty
-Source of loyalty, strength
-Possible effects

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations
-Atlantic alliance [NATO]
-Opposition in Europe, US
-Support for unilateral reduction in forces

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations

-European media, US media

-Liberal influence


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations

-Neo-isolationism

-Effects on US, Europe


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations
-Leadership
-Strength of stance
-Preservation of Atlantic alliance
 -26-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)

-Soviet Union diplomacy

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations

-Prospects for global peace

-Strength of Atlantic alliance


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations
-Atlantic alliance
-Importance of European countries, Canada
-Leadership
-Edward R. G. Heath, Andreotti, Georges J. R. Pompidou, Willy
Brandt, President
-Strength of stance
-Media, public opinion
-Parochialism
-Effect on peace prospect, detente

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations

-Public statements

-Leaders of smaller countries


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

US-Europe relations
-Realists
-President’s meetings with Heath, Andreotti, Brandt, and Pompidou
-Summit
-PRC, Soviet Union, Europe
-Leaders’ input
-Substance contrasted with ceremony
 -27-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]

US-Europe relations
-President’s policies
-Opinions, moral stance
-Italian domestic politics
-Media relations
-Liberals, conservatives
-Election results contrasted with press analysis
-Public opinion
-Cultivation of educated classes
-”Men of culture, men of science”
-Influence
-Public opinion through media
-Media
-Radicals
-Compromise
-Cowardess

[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]

US-Europe relations
-Atlantic alliance
-US diplomacy
-Soviet Union, PRC
-Effect on alliance
-Strength
-European public opinion
-Strength
-Possibility for detente
-Soviet Union leaders
-Authority for contact, negotiations
-Public opinion
-MBFR
-Significance, necessity
 -28-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)

-US military commitments compared to Europe

-US human, financial investments

-Increased European investment

-Andreotti’s position
-President’s appreciation
-Domestic appreciation

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]

State dinner

-Continued conversation

-Seating arrangements


President’s forthcoming meeting with Andreotti, April 18
-Topics of conversation

-Trade, economics

-MBFR

-Other topics

-Kissinger
-Economics
-Andreotti’s meeting with George P. Shultz and William J. Casey,
April 18

[Translation of the President’s and Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]

Shultz

-President’s confidence

-Casey


[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Kissinger’s introduction to Andreotti

-Lorenzo Natali [?]


[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]
 -29-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)

Conversation No. 898-8 (cont’d)


Natali [?]
-Intellectual

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]

Natali [?]
-Italy’s ambassador [to Austria or International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ?]
-Vienna
-Beauty

Andreotti’s schedule

-Lunch with State Department officials

-Blair House

-Pleasantness

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Williamsburg, Virginia
-Beauty in springtime

[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]

Camp David compared to Williamsburg, Virginia
-Seasonal changes

[Translation of the President’s remark into Italian]

Andreotti et al. left at 12:19 pm.
 -30-


NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM


Tape Subject Log

(rev. October-2011)