45. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Nixon1
Following is the report of Dr. Kissinger’s consultations in London:
1. I spent several hours with the Prime Minister and Douglas-Home today. The talks were generally relaxed and friendly. Heath seemed preoccupied with the domestic economic problems that beset him; it was, therefore, hard to sustain much of a substantive conversation on foreign policy matters. He appears determined to be tough with the unions, and is prepared to institute some draconian measures. He was particularly eager to hear of the possibility of your visit to Europe in the spring.
2. The principal point that emerged from the talks was British recognition of the part they played in causing the breakdown in trans-Atlantic communications. They now seem ready to do better on the consultation front, and have promised to keep us informed of what is happening within the Nine.
3. I learned from one of Heath’s party that six Arab Foreign Ministers are to appear in Copenhagen later this week when the Nine hold their summit meeting. This cannot help but complicate the Middle East portion of my trip; I forcefully told the British that we will not yield to pressures from them or other Europeans, since to do so would simply encourage the Arabs to raise the ante and increase the blackmail. I said that our position was as much in their own interests as in ours.
4. I believe the London stopover has been worthwhile, and has convinced the British that if there is to be some special relationship between us it has to be a two-way street. But we must recognize their extraordinary domestic preoccupations and the weakness of their government. Thus, while they may try to be helpful, I doubt that we can expect much leadership from them.
[Page 193]5. You are held in high regard throughout Western Europe. A clearly dominant feature of my trip thus far has been the many statements of respect and good wishes Europe’s leaders have asked me to pass on to you.
6. I leave for Algiers and Cairo tomorrow and will report to you after my meeting with Sadat.
- Summary: Scowcroft relayed a report on
Kissinger’s
consultations in London.
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; Exclusively Eyes Only. In a November 29 message to Kissinger, Douglas-Home addressed Kissinger’s dissatisfaction with U.S.–UK and U.S.-West European relations. After discussing UK policies regarding NATO and the Middle East, as well as the Year of Europe and the EC, and stressing the need for consultation, Douglas-Home concluded that, “though frustrations abound, there is really nothing in my view which justifies the fear that United States / British relations are ‘collapsing.’” He also saw no reason why the U.S. and UK should not be able “to restore the old intimacy.” (Ibid., RG 59, Records of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Entry 5403, Box 3, NODIS Letters HAK 1973–1977, Folder 2)
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