Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–15, Part 2, Documents on Western Europe, 1973–1976

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

Washington, December 11, 1973.

Secretary Kissinger asked that the following report of his final day in Brussels be passed to you.

“The NATO meeting ended this morning with no repetition of yesterday’s sour French note. I had breakfast with Jobert beforehand. He was subdued and cooperative both at breakfast and in the Council meeting. I suspect that he had second thoughts about continuing his course, since by so doing he was isolating himself from his colleagues.

“At mid-afternoon, after some maneuvering, I had a very good meeting with the Foreign Ministers of the Nine. It was a historic first for them to meet with a Foreign Minister outside their group, and served to underline their special relationship with us—something the French especially have been trying to avoid. Their attitude was extremely conciliatory and, without openly conceding the point, they recognized that their recent practice of facing us with accomplished facts was unacceptable and in the long run would undermine the whole alliance. They acknowledged the need for better means of consultation before they reach decisions. They also were positive toward my suggestion that the Declaration we have been working on has become too legalistic and that it may be best to try for a shorter more punchy document that established the spirit and direction of future relations. My impression is that the French may be willing to work with us quietly.

“Clearly our recent tough talk has had its impact and we can expect the Europeans to curb their impulse to show their ‘identity’ by kicking us. It will be difficult at the European Summit later this week for any one to try to rally opinion against us, even if the French and British, in particular, are still bitter about their self-imposed isolation on the Middle East.

“We seem to have moved forward a major step, and may be on the threshhold of an event of historic significance that would justify a Presidential trip to Europe on April 4 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of NATO. All the other Ministers agreed with this assessment.”

1. Summary: Scowcroft relayed a report from Kissinger on his final day in Brussels, where he was attending a NATO Ministerial meeting.

   Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 43, HAK Trip Files, HAK Trip—Europe & Mid East, Dec 8–22, 1973, State Cables, Memos & Misc (TS/SENS, Eyes Only, Codeword 2 of 2). Top Secret; Sensitive. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. In telegram 14669 from London, December 13, the Embassy reported on Kissinger’s meeting with the EC Foreign Ministers in Brussels: “Session was characterized by very friendly, constructive atmosphere. In discussions of US/EC declaration, Secretary noted discussions to date have become overtly legalistic and he suggested for consideration that possibility of shorter draft emphasizing general principles and employing more eloquent language might be desirable. Several other ministers supported this suggestion and also thought it would be useful to consider new methods by which to carry on intensified consultation between US and EC.” (Ibid., State Cables, Memos & Misc.)