Office of the Historian

105. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Nixon1

Washington, March 22, 1973.

SUBJECT

  • Message to Prime Minister Trudeau on Canadian Participation in the ICCS

The Canadian Government has been under considerable domestic pressure to withdraw from participation in the Vietnam International Commission of Control and Supervision (ICCS). We have learned that the Canadian cabinet will decide tomorrow on whether or not to withdraw from the ICCS.

The Canadians have been the prime movers in the ICCS, and their departure would be an extremely serious loss. We therefore strongly recommend that you urge Prime Minister Trudeau to continue Canadian participation in the ICCS.

Secretary Rogers has recommended that you call Prime Minister Trudeau and personally urge him to reach an affirmative decision.

We have also prepared a letter (Tab A) from you to the Prime Minister which we can transmit today should you decide not to call him.

Recommendation:

That you telephone Prime Minister Trudeau today and urge him to continue Canadian participation in the ICCS. (Talking points are at Tab B.)

That you sign the letter to Prime Minister Trudeau at Tab A.

  1. Summary: Scowcroft recommended that Nixon call Trudeau to urge continued Canadian participation in the ICCS.

    Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 750, Canada, Trudeau, corres. (1969–1973) (1 of 1). Secret. Sent for urgent action. Attached but not published is Tab A, a copy of the March 22 letter to Trudeau signed by Nixon; and Tab B, undated talking points. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. A handwritten notation next to the “Disapprove” option reads: “President told Bull he would not call. 1:40 PM—3/22/73.” Below, another handwritten notation reads: “The President called Trudeau at 3:48 p.m. 3/22/73.” A tape recording of Nixon’s March 22 telephone call to Trudeau is ibid., White House Tapes, White House Telephone, Conversation 44–15. On March 27, Sharp announced that Canada would remain on the ICCS for 60 days, with further participation thereafter subject to review. Trudeau notified Nixon of the decision by telephone before Sharp’s announcement. (Ibid., Conversation 44–19)

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