Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969–1972

328. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of Commerce Stans¹

Washington, March 15, 1971.

SUBJECT

• Proposed Visit and Trade Mission

I would like to confirm our earlier telephone conversation in regard to your two recent memoranda on official travel.² The President fully approves your trip to Europe and the Near East during the period April 17 through May 3, 1971. He is particularly pleased at your intention to include Romania in your itinerary.

There is doubt, however, about the need for a second trade and investment mission to Eastern Europe, which you raised in your earlier memorandum to me. I do not believe that the status of our relations with these countries, apart from Romania and Yugoslavia of course, justifies a second business mission within a year led by a Deputy-Assistant Secretary. It would be more consonant with the President’s policy, as just conveyed in NSDM 99,³ to delay for some time before sending another high-level official group to that area.

Henry A. Kissinger

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Agency Files, Box 213, Commerce, Volume II 1971. No classification marking.
2. See Document 323.
3. Document 325.