Office of the Historian

192. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between the Ambassador to Chile (Korry) and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1

Washington, December 19, 1970, 3 p.m.

K: I have talked to Irwin and there is no problem about staying until April as far as I know. He has to talk to the Secretary.2

Ko: You spoke today? I had an unsettling talk this morning. Irwin said it could happen next week.

K: I don’t believe it. I talked to him around noon. If it doesn’t happen the way I said, I would be prepared to intervene.

Ko: It’s terribly unsettling.

K: Of course, and you don’t deserve it.

Ko: They are using me as a football indirectly with you. It goes back to the people around the Secretary with the development business. The President accepted the Peterson report and they think I ganged up with you. The recommendation that the Peterson Commission adopted would denigrate the powers of the Department. They haven’t ever gotten over it and have been waiting ever since.3

K: I didn’t have any views.

Ko: I have explained that a dozen times. I don’t know where I go from here.

K: Hold on a bit. Things are always in a state of flux.

Ko: With four kids . . .

K: You don’t deserve to have to panic, and don’t. We will do what we can.

Ko: Irwin’s talk this morning goes back to our talk the other day.4

K: I had hoped it would straighten out without White House interference, but I am prepared to intervene.

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Ko: When I go back, we are entering a rough period on the copper thing. I will be sending cables. I will also write a letter with regard to your latest NSSM.5

K: I would love that. Would you do that? I won’t show it to anyone.

Ko: Thank you, Henry.

  1. Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 365, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File. No classification marking.↩
  2. Irwin called Kissinger at 11:37 a.m. to discuss several issues, including when Korry would resign. A transcript of the conversation is ibid.↩
  3. In 1969, Korry prepared a report on U.S. foreign assistance as directed by NSSM 45, April 21, 1969. His report was released in early March 1970, at the same time as the report of the Task Force on International Development, chaired by Rudolf Peterson. President Nixon based his proposals for changes to the U.S. foreign assistance program on the Peterson report. See Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. IV, Foreign Assistance; International Development; Trade Policies, 1969–1972, Documents 123 and 124.↩
  4. According to his Record of Schedule, Kissinger last met Korry on December 8 from 2:32 to 2:50 p.m. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 438, Miscellany, 1968–1976, Record of Schedule) No substantive record of the conversation has been found.↩
  5. No letter was found. Korry is probably referring to NSDM 108, December 10; see footnote 2, Document 187.↩