Date: April 17, 1973
Time: 10:34 – 12:19 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Giulio Andreotti, Andrea Cagiati, Niel A. Seiderman, Paolo Gestulo [?],
and Anna Saxon. Members of the press and the White House photographer were present at the
beginning of the meeting. Portions of this conversation are in Italian.
Italian press session
-Schedule
Welcome ceremony
-Andreotti’s appreciation
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
[Photograph session]
White House correspondents
-Relationship with President
-Compared to promotional weeks
-Volunteer opportunities, good health, bread, wheat
-“Be Kind to Your President” Day
-“Be Kind to the Press”
[Translation of President’s remarks into Italian]
White House correspondents
-Relationship with Spiro T. Agnew
[Translation of President’s remarks into Italian]
President’s greetings to members of press
-Photographs of meeting
-Past photograph, circa 1971
-Author of previous article on Henry A. Kissinger
-Ronald L. Ziegler
-Presidential pens
Members of the press and the White House photographer left at an unknown time after 10:34 am.
Andreotti’s schedule
-Meeting with President
-Postponement
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Italian parliament
-Compared to US Congress
-Close votes
Henry A. Kissinger entered at an unknown time after 10:34 am.
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Greetings
Seating arrangements
Meeting agenda
-Informal nature of talks
-State dinner
-Seating
-Morning discussion
-Similar world views of US and Italy
-Contrasted with meetings with other world leaders
-Confrontation
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]
Italian friendship with US
-Italian domestic policies
-Majority viewpoint
-Minority
-Communist opposition
-Socialist support
[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]
Italian domestic politics
[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]
Italian domestic politics
-Postwar parliamentary coalition
-Socialists, Communists, New Conscience Party
-Opposition
-Majority
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
-Social Democratic Party
-Socialist International
-Willy Brandt
-East Germany
-Italian Socialist Party
-Pietro Nenni, Francesco De Martino
-Center-Leftist government, 1952
[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]
Italian domestic politics
-Postwar parliamentary coalitions
-Aldo Moro, Amintore Fanfani, Mariano Rumor, Emilio Columbo
-Disagreements
-Foreign policy
-Socialists
-Domestic policy
-Center-leftists
-Fascists
-Dissolution of parliament
-Current government
-Christian Democrats in Cabinet
-Confidence
-Elections
[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]
Italian domestic politics
-Coalition government
-Elections
-Social Democrats, Leftists
-Majority
-House compared with Senate
-Margin
-Socialist support
-Christian Democrats
-Christian Democrat convention, June 1973
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
-Role of Socialists
[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]
Italian domestic politics
-Center-Left Cabinet
-Possible crisis
-Support for neo-Fascists
-Role of Communists
-US role
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Italian domestic politics
-Andreotti’s coalition government
-President’s admiration
-Margin of majority
-Stance
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Italian domestic politics
-Majority
-Difficulty
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Italian domestic politics
-Andreotti’s historic role
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]
Meeting agenda
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
-Middle East
Stephen B. Bull entered at an unknown time after 10:34 am.
President’s schedule
-Meetings with Andreotti
-Changes in schedule
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-Giovanni Leone’s letter to President
-Concerns
-Peace settlement
-Peace settlement
-US support
-Compared to Vietnam, Indochina
-Andreotti’s visit to Soviet Union
-Talks with Alexis N. Kosygin, October 1972
-Oil interests
-Italy’s role
-Interest
-Development prospects
-Compared with capability
-Proximity, security
[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]
Andreotti’s talks with Kosygin
-President’s and Brandt’s election
-Kissinger
-Kosygin’s admiration
Middle East
-Difficulty composed to Vietnam
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
Middle East
-Significance compared to Vietnam
-US casualties
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-Possible effects of failure to settle
-Oil
-Confrontation of super powers
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-US-Italy communication, correspondence
-Candor
-Kissinger’s role
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-US role in peace negotiations
-Meetings with Israeli representations
-Meeting with Anwar Sadat
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-US role in peace negotiations
-Meetings with Jordan
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-US role in peace negotiations
-Discussions with Soviet Union leaders
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-Peace negotiations
-Degree of disagreement
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-US role in peace negotiations
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-US hope for breakthrough
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-Italy’s role
-Andreotti’s previous statement
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-Italy’s role
-Possible impact on Israel and Egypt
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-Italy’s role
-Geographic, cultural, historic ties to Arab bloc countries
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
Middle East
-Italy’s role
-Diplomatic policies
-Mediterranean states
-Possible influence
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-US-Israel relations
-Impact on US relations with Arab states
-Moderate course
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-Italy’s role contrasted with US
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-Prospects for peace
-Israel’s neighbors [Arab nations]
-Support of allies
-Soviet Union
-Extremists
-Italy’s role
-Relations with non-Communist states, as compared to Communist
states
-Relations with anarchists
-Potential danger
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]
Middle East
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
-Provisional government
-Suez Canal
-Evacuation of territories
-Rehabilitation of canal
-Detente
-Dialogue between Arabs and Israelis
-Balance of power
-Israel compared to Arab nations
-Petroleum revenue
-Armaments
-Negotiations
-President’s view
-Longevity of Israel
-Surrounding hostility
-Financial resources
-Oil
-Strength of opposing military forces
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-Peace negotiations
-Interim settlement
-Israeli’s willingness
-United Arab Republics [UAR] [Egypt]
-Suez Canal
-Compared to general settlement
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-US role
-Interim settlement
-Goal
-Stability of region
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
-17-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
Middle East
-President’s conversations with Golda Meir
-President’s conversations with representatives of Anwar el-Sadat [Mohammed
Hafez Ismail]
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Kissinger
-Candid discussion
-Shared interests
-Influence
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-US policy
-Compared to Andreotti, Leoni
-Interim settlement
[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-Egypt’s position
-Interim settlement compared to overall settlement
[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-President’s proposal
-Meeting with Ismail
-Sadat’s public announcement
-Sovereignty separated from security
-18-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-Sadat’s interview with Newsweek
-Statement on US attitude
-Mention of President’s proposal
[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-Peace negotiations
-General principles
-Egypt
-Interim settlement
-Overall settlement
[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-US policy
[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-Jordan
-Settlement
-Possibility
-“Egyptian model”
-Timing
-Egypt negotiations
-[Hussein, King of Jordan] Hussein ibn Talal
[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-Jordan
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
-Assessment of Israel’s position
[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-Jordan
-Assessment of Israel’s position
[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]
Translation
-Communication of message
Middle East
-Jordan settlement
-Egypt negotiations
-Progress
-Timing
-Hussein’s possible action
[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]
Middle East
-Italy’s diplomacy
-US role in negotiations
-Priority
-Optimism
-Engagement of all parties
-Goal of settlement
-Arab public opinion
-US objectives
-Israel’s influence
-Fairness
-Messages to Israel, Egypt
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]
Middle East
-Arab nations
-Shift in attitude
-Recognition of Israel’s right to existence
-Compared with occupied territories
-Integration of smaller countries
-Sheikhdoms
-Oil resources
-Per capita wealth
-Speculation
-Possible action by United Nations [UN]
-Balance of power
[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]
Year of Europe
-Announcement of President’s visit
-President’s visit to Italy
-Timing
-Italian domestic politics
-Anti-US sentiment
-Anti-European Economic Community [EEC] sentiment
-Communists
-Preparation, timing
-Political event in Italy
-Timing
-Autumn
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Year of Europe
-President’s visit
-Communications
-“Big Four”
-North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO] Council
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
-Timing
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Year of Europe
-President’s visit to Italy
-Timing
-Discussions with Andreotti
-Concerns
-30-day framework for planning
-Preferences
-Kissinger
-Preparatory talks
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]
Year of Europe
-President’s visit with EEC
-Compared with NATO Council
-Brussels
-Significance
-President’s visits to non-friendly countries compared to friendly countries
-Possible reception
-President’s previous trip to Rome
-Andreotti’s displeasure at reception
-Compared to President’s domestic travel
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
“Price of freedom”
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Year of Europe
-Possible outcomes
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
-New approach to Atlantic community
-Preparatory talks
-Italy
-Compared with “Grand Tour”
-Press characterization
-Working trip
-Compared to President’s trips to People’s Republic of China
[PRC], Soviet Union
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-Dangers posed to Atlantic alliance
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-President’s previous trip to Italy
-US-Soviet Union relations
-Italy’s position
-Detente
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-US-Soviet Union detente
-Effects on Western Europe
-Atlantic alliance
-Andreotti’s remarks
-US policy
-Priority
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-Dangers posed to Atlantic alliance
-23-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
-CSCE
-Italy’s support
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-Possible effect
-Reduction of tensions between East, West
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
CSCE
-Communist influence
-Europe’s defenses
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions [MBFR]
-Western Europe
-Defense forces
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-MBFR discussions
-Possible effects
-Reduction in defenses
-Incentives to Soviet Union
-Possible dissolution of Atlantic alliance
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Soviet Union talks
-Strategic Arms Limitation Talks [SALT] II
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
US-Soviet Union disarmament
-Europe, Italy’s response
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Soviet Union negotiations
-SALT I and SALT II
-Possible effects on Atlantic alliance
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-Dangers posed to Atlantic alliance
-President’s support for European unity
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
European unity
-Alcide de Gasperi
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-Possible economic confrontation
-EEC
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-NATO
-Military strength of Atlantic alliance
-Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions [MBFR]
-Soviet Union
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
-CSCE
-Communique, speeches
-Effect on Atlantic alliance [NATO]
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-Atlantic alliance
-Moral commitment compared with [NATO] treaty
-Source of loyalty, strength
-Possible effects
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-Atlantic alliance [NATO]
-Opposition in Europe, US
-Support for unilateral reduction in forces
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-European media, US media
-Liberal influence
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-Neo-isolationism
-Effects on US, Europe
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-Leadership
-Strength of stance
-Preservation of Atlantic alliance
-26-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
-Soviet Union diplomacy
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-Prospects for global peace
-Strength of Atlantic alliance
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-Atlantic alliance
-Importance of European countries, Canada
-Leadership
-Edward R. G. Heath, Andreotti, Georges J. R. Pompidou, Willy
Brandt, President
-Strength of stance
-Media, public opinion
-Parochialism
-Effect on peace prospect, detente
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-Public statements
-Leaders of smaller countries
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
US-Europe relations
-Realists
-President’s meetings with Heath, Andreotti, Brandt, and Pompidou
-Summit
-PRC, Soviet Union, Europe
-Leaders’ input
-Substance contrasted with ceremony
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]
US-Europe relations
-President’s policies
-Opinions, moral stance
-Italian domestic politics
-Media relations
-Liberals, conservatives
-Election results contrasted with press analysis
-Public opinion
-Cultivation of educated classes
-“Men of culture, men of science”
-Influence
-Public opinion through media
-Media
-Radicals
-Compromise
-Cowardess
[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]
US-Europe relations
-Atlantic alliance
-US diplomacy
-Soviet Union, PRC
-Effect on alliance
-Strength
-European public opinion
-Strength
-Possibility for detente
-Soviet Union leaders
-Authority for contact, negotiations
-Public opinion
-MBFR
-Significance, necessity
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
-US military commitments compared to Europe
-US human, financial investments
-Increased European investment
-Andreotti’s position
-President’s appreciation
-Domestic appreciation
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]
State dinner
-Continued conversation
-Seating arrangements
President’s forthcoming meeting with Andreotti, April 18
-Topics of conversation
-Trade, economics
-MBFR
-Other topics
-Kissinger
-Economics
-Andreotti’s meeting with George P. Shultz and William J. Casey,
April 18
[Translation of the President’s and Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]
Shultz
-President’s confidence
-Casey
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Kissinger’s introduction to Andreotti
-Lorenzo Natali [?]
[Translation of Kissinger’s remarks into Italian]
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)
Natali [?]
-Intellectual
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
[Andreotti’s remarks in Italian]
Natali [?]
-Italy’s ambassador [to Austria or International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ?]
-Vienna
-Beauty
Andreotti’s schedule
-Lunch with State Department officials
-Blair House
-Pleasantness
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Williamsburg, Virginia
-Beauty in springtime
[Translation of the President’s remarks into Italian]
Camp David compared to Williamsburg, Virginia
-Seasonal changes
[Translation of the President’s remark into Italian]
Andreotti et al. left at 12:19 pm.
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. October-2011)