To: Chicago Tribune-New York News Syndicate, Inc.
220 East 42nd Street, New York, N.Y. 10017

HARRIS PUBLIC OPINION ANALYSIS

For Release: Thursday A.M., January 4th, 1973

Not Before

By Louis Harris

A substantial 66 percent of the American people view National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger as a "highly skilled negotiator, especially in dealing with the communists," although by a narrow 41-39 percent, a plurality, also believe they were misled, when just before the election Kissinger said, "Peace is at hand."

Kissinger's October 26th statement is most defended by high income persons, the college-educated, political independents and Republicans, and those who voted for President Nixon last November. He is criticized most by young people under 30, union members, Midwesterners, Democrats, and those who voted for Senator McGovern in the recent election.

The controversy over whether peace indeed was "at hand" has taken on significant meaning since negotiations with North Vietnam broke down in Paris and the President resumed heavier bombings to the North. It is apparent from the results of an in-depth survey, conducted from December 17th-21st among 1,501 households nationwide, that, until the recent break in negotiations, Dr. Kissinger has been highly respected by most Americans.

On the positive side:

-- By 64-15 percent, a sizeable majority of the American people agree with the statement that Kissinger is "a brilliant student of foreign affairs who has helped move the world closer to peace".

-- By 65-12 percent, a majority also agree with the statement, "He has made a major contribution to foreign policy as President Nixon's chief aide."

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Harris Public Opinion Analysis --- January 4, 1973

2.

By 66-11 percent, most view him as a "highly skilled negotiator, especially in dealing with the communists."

By a much lesser 36-32 percent, a plurality agree with the statement that Henry Kissinger is "an attractive and appealing personality."

Taken together, it is apparent that Dr. Kissinger is widely respected for his professional skills, his service as national security advisor to President Nixon, and his own accomplishments in actual negotiations with the Russians and the North Vietnamese.

On the negative side:

By 48-20 percent, a plurality of the public disagrees with the charge that Kissinger is "too much of a playboy."

And by 42-24 percent, most also do not go along with the criticism that "he has taken over the job of Secretary of State, and that isn't right."

By 47-19 percent, most also disagree with the statement that Dr. Kissinger is "too cold and unappealing as a personality."

However, by 41-39 percent, a narrow plurality agrees that "he misled the American people when just before the election he said, 'Peace in Vietnam is at hand.'"

All of the above dimensions were direct questions about Dr. Kissinger put before the national cross-section. In addition, the Harris Survey probed people for their spontaneous feelings about the security advisor.

When asked what they liked about him, four main categories of replies were volunteered by the public:

— "He is trying to bring about an end to the war." Typical was a college student in Boston who said, "At least he's been trying to end the war, and working hard at it, even though he hasn't made it yet."

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— "He's doing his best in a difficult situation." A housewife in Waco, Texas, summed up much of the feeling: "Dealing with the communists is not easy, I'd say. Getting the war done is a lot tougher than getting into it in the first place."

— "He is bright, intelligent." A lawyer in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, said, "No matter what else you think of Kissinger, it is obvious he has a mind like a trip-hammer. He is brilliant and completely educated for the job he has."

— "He's done a good job negotiating with the communists." A retail merchant in Selma, Alabama, put it this way: "Nobody thought we could ever get the Russians or Chinese to even sit down with us and talk peace. Kissinger gets a big part of the credit for doing it."

When asked what reservations came to mind, three main criticisms were leveled at Kissinger by the public:

— "He is too conceited, arrogant." Typical was a secretary in Monroe, Michigan: "You only have to look at him and you can see he thinks the sun rises and sets around himself."

— "He is too much of a playboy." A retired machinist in Sandusky, Ohio, said, "I don't think it looks so good when he comes from some big pow-wow and goes to a night club with his arm around some blond."

— "He misled the public about ending the war." An 18-year-old high school senior in Utica, New York, summed up much of this feeling when he said: "Kissinger seemed so certain he had negotiated a successful settlement that many people thought it was all over. Now we know differently."

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The survey was already in the field during the period President Nixon ordered a resumption of bombings of North Vietnam, so no direct question was included about public approval or disapproval of the bombing policy.

However, President Nixon's standing on "negotiating a final settlement of the war in Vietnam" stood at 48-47 percent positive, compared with 53-42 percent positive just before the election. On "handling the war in Vietnam," Mr. Nixon's rating in late December was still positive by 51-46 percent, indicating that in any military crisis the public is highly likely to rally behind the President, at least for a period of time. Whether public backing will remain high if the bombings continue, however, remains to be seen.

* * * * *

(Copyright: 1973 Chicago Tribune-New York News Syndicate, Inc.
World Rights Reserved)

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1973

A27

Rowland Evans and Robert Novak

# The Two Worlds of the White House

The morale of Dr. Henry A. Kissinger's talented NSC staffers, many of whom believe themselves victims of back-room persecution by the White House palace guard and the State Department hierarchy, is dropping to an alarming low point for reasons having nothing to do with Dr. Kissinger.

The sense of persecution is well-founded and its symbol is undeniable: National Security Council (NSC) staffers are not given the perquisites of other White House aides. More important is the determination of the State Department, ever more jealous about NSC encroachment on its hereditary turf, to deny promotions and good assignments for foreign service officers attached to Kissinger — a discrimination fought by Kissinger but facility backed by H. R. (Bob) Haldeman, the mighty White House chief of staff.

Thus, the NSC is becoming a dead end for career foreign service diplomats, a fact drenched with irony. While NSC staffers, who helped President Nixon achieve his glorious triumphs (the SALT agreements, the China policy, Vietnamization, the Berlin agreements, among others) are treated shabbily, domestic White House staffers are grandly rewarded despite the implications of Watergate, the failure of Phase III, the ITT scandal and other political disasters.

The irony is directly traceable to Haldeman. It is no secret that Haldeman resents everything about Kissinger — his continuous and highly favorable publicity, his total access to the President and the exemption of his NSC operations from Haldeman's iron control. But while Kissinger is per-

force immune from Haldeman's vengeance, his aides are not, even with Kissinger's active intervention.

In a city where appearances tell so much, Kissinger's men are members of a special White House underclass. Unlike domestic aides under Haldeman's control, the NSC staffers are denied regular White House transportation, are denied use of the White House mess, are denied parking privileges, are denied entry into the White House box at the Kennedy Center and are denied invitations to state dinners at the White House.

Kissinger's men can easily bear such minor indignities. What has really damaged their morale is the vivid contrast between what is happening to their careers and those of Mr. Nixon's domestic staffers. In the second Nixon administration, the White House domestic staff has produced three under secretaries, six assistant secretaries, six members of presidential commissions and over 20 deputy assistant secretaries.

Contrast that with the treatment of one of Kissinger's important senior staffers, Viron P. Vaky. For 18 months the State Department refused to give Vaky, a career foreign service officer, the ambassadorial appointment he was due. Haldeman refused to lift a finger. Finally, Kissinger persuaded Mr. Nixon himself to order the State Department to give Vaky an embassy. It was Costa Rica—scarcely a plum.

At that, Vaky fared better than another brilliant foreign service officer, Soviet expert Helmut Sonnenfeldt,

who has been Kissinger's invaluable lieutenant in the SALT negotiations. Sonnenfeldt, ostracized by both the Defense and State Departments, is without a new assignment at this writing — and Haldeman has refused to intervene in his behalf.

Fred Rondon, Kissinger's top staffer for Africa and the U.N., is being exiled by the State Department bureaucracy to the political section in Lima, Peru. John D. Negroponte, who overworked himself into a hospital as Kissinger's globe-trotting top deputy for Vietnam, is earmarked for similar obscurity in Quito, Ecuador. Another Vietnam expert, Richard W. Smyser, was barred from any suitable job at all at State after two fruitful years with Kissinger. He is now a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center.

Kissinger's expert on North Vietnam, William Stearman, has been denied promotion by the State Department for several years despite Kissinger's intervention, and he is not alone. Of seven foreign service officers on Kissinger's staff eligible for promotion this year, none was promoted. Despite efforts to enlist the aid of chief-of-staff Haldeman, he did nothing.

The only Kissinger staffer appointed to a high post in the State or Defense Departments is Marshall Wright, acting assistant secretary of state for congressional relations. Otherwise, NSC has meant routine oblivion for the brilliant men who helped so much to produce SALT, Vietnamization and the China triumph. In Richard Nixon's and Bob Haldeman's Washington, success can be a mixed blessing.

© 1973, Publishers-Hall Syndicate

John P. Roche

10F1

# Watergate: 'Political Amateur Hour'

The more we learn about the Watergate affair, the more puzzled we become. By "we" I mean those of us who have spent a good deal of time inside Presidential politics. Putting aside the interesting conflict between the administration's devotion to law and order (to say nothing of the "work ethic") and the sequence of events which has led the Acting Director of the FBI to

Vice President, and finally President of the United States through his non-political talents. I think, perhaps naively, that he, and every other candidate for President of the United States in my time, would have blocked it instantly on moral grounds. But beyond that, he would be fully aware of the inherent stupidity of even a successful bugging of the office of Lawrence O'Brien,

a half an hour?" Arriving at his office in the Watergate, you would remark on what a lovely day it was and suggest a walk. And as you ambled along the bank of the Potomac, you would get down to business.

I am sure that the Republicans, that is, the real professionals, operate on roughly the same set of assumptions. This sort of atmosphere does have a "chilling effect," but

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

APRIL 6, 1973

Office of the White House Press Secretary
(San Clemente, California)

THE WHITE HOUSE

The President today announced the appointment of Brigadier General Brent Scowcroft as Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. He will succeed General Alexander M. Haig, Jr., who held the position from June 1970 until January 4, 1973, when he was promoted to his current rank and became Vice Chief of Staff of the Army.

General Scowcroft has served as Military Assistant to the President since February 1, 1972. Prior to assuming that position he was assigned to the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the Special Assistant to the Director of the Joint Staff from March 1970.

He was born March 19, 1925, in Ogden, Utah. General Scowcroft was graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1947 and holds Master's (1953) and Ph. D. (1967) degrees in international relations from Columbia University. He has also attended Lafayette College, the Georgetown University School of Language and Linguistics, the Strategic Intelligence School, the Armed Forces Staff College and the National War College.

Following his graduation from pilot training in October 1948, General Scowcroft served in a variety of operational and administrative positions. In 1953, he became an Assistant Professor of Russian history at the U. S. Military Academy, remaining there until 1957 when he entered the Strategic Intelligence School. From 1959 to 1961, he served as Assistant Air Attache in the American Embassy at Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and in 1962 he went to the U. S. Air Force Academy, where he was Professor of Political Science and acting head of the department.

From 1964 to 1966, General Scowcroft was assigned to Air Force Headquarters in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, and in the Long Range Planning Division, Directorate of Doctrine, Concepts and Objectives. He next attended the National War College. In 1968, he was assigned to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs and, in 1969, he returned to Air Force Headquarters as Deputy Assistant for National Security Council Matters in the Directorate of Plans.

He has an aeronautical rating as a pilot. His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (Air Force), Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He was promoted to Brigadier General effective March 1, 1972.

General Scowcroft is married to the former Marian Horner. They have one daughter.

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This Copy For

NEWS CONFERENCE

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AT THE WESTERN WHITE HOUSE

WITH RON ZIEGLER

11:35 A.M. PST

APRIL 6, 1973

FRIDAY

(Laguna Beach, California)

MR. ZIEGLER: We have given you the announcements that we have today. You have had a chance to read those.

The President is working in his office this morn-
ing. He has met for about an hour this morning with Dr.
Kissinger, and was meeting at the time I came over here with
John Ehrlichman. The President has been discussing the trade
message which will be going to the Hill next week, and as
Secretary Morton pointed out to you yesterday, also is spend-
ing time on the energy message which will be going to the Hill
the middle of April. The President is also working with
John Ehrlichman today on other messages that will be going
to the Hill next week.

The President will probably be spending most of the
day in his office at the compound, at least up until 1:30 or
2:00 o'clock, then will take a break and probably spend the
rest of the day in his residence office.

We are announcing today a number of personnel
changes and appointments which the President is making relat-
ing to the staff of the National Security Council, and you
have the information on this.

First, the President is announcing the nomination
of Helmut Sonnenfeldt to be Under Secretary of the Treasury.
There are two Under Secretaries in the Treasury, as the
material you have points out. Mr. Simon is the Deputy
Secretary of the Treasury. There is a Secretary, Deputy
Secretary and two Under Secretaries, and Mr. Sonnenfeldt is
being nominated as one of the Under Secretaries of the
Treasury.

Q Ron, a question on Mr. Sonnenfeldt. What is
his area of responsibility?

MR. ZIEGLER: I am going to go through that.

Mr. Sonnenfeldt is, at the present time, a senior
member of the National Security Council staff, responsible
for European affairs. Mr. Sonnenfeldt, in his new position,
will be heavily involved in matters relating to East-West
trade and other issues involving both the nation's security
and foreign economic interests. He will, therefore, be main-
taining a close relationship with the National Security Coun-
cil staff on these issues over the coming months. At the
Treasury Department, Mr. Sonnenfeldt will succeed Edwin S.
Cohen as Under Secretary.

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Q What does that pay, Ron?

MR. ZIEGLER: It is $40,000.

Q Ron, before you get off the subject of Sonnenfeldt, did I understand you to say those two jobs, the two Under Secretaries, are the third-ranking jobs in the Department?

MR. ZIEGLER: Yes. There is a Secretary, Secretary Shultz, and then Deputy Secretary Simon, and then the two Under Secretary positions. One is held by Paul Volcker and the other will be held by Mr. Sonnenfeldt.

Also, we are announcing today, in relation to the National Security Council staff, that the President is appointing Brigadier General Brent Scowcroft to replace General Alexander M. Haig as Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Deputy to Dr. Kissinger. General Scowcroft is at the present Military Assistant to the President, but he has been serving in this new position since January.

Also, in a move to streamline the operation within the National Security Council staff and give impetus to the responsibilities of the various functional areas of the National Security Council staff, the President is appointing three new Deputy Assistants.

To be Deputy Assistant to the President for NSC Operations, the President is appointing Lawrence S. Eagleburger. Mr. Eagleburger is currently Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs.

I think many of you will recall that Larry Eagleburger did work on the National Security Council staff at the beginning of the first term, and I believe many of you know him. He worked in a staff capacity on the NSC staff in 1969.

To be Deputy Assistant to the President for NSC Planning, the President is appointing Richard T. Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy has been a member of the National Security Council staff since October of 1969, and currently heads the NSC Staff Planning Group.

In recognition of the heavy impact of economic issues on national security affairs, the President is creating the position of Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs for the NSC staff. To fill this position, the President has selected Charles A. Cooper, who is at present Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs in the United States Embassy in Saigon.

In addition to these appointments, the position of Director of Program Analysis for the National Security Council staff is being elevated to a top policy level position, and Philip A. Odeen, who is currently the Director, will remain in that position. Mr. Odeen joined the National Security Council staff in November of 1971.

We have provided you with the biographical information on all the individuals who we have announced this morning.

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The new organizational pattern defined by the
President's appointments which we are announcing today re-
flects a streamlining of the National Security Council opera-
tion and the recognition of the top policy level of the five
positions involved: The Deputy Assistant to the President for
National Security Affairs and Deputy to Henry Kissinger, Gen-
eral Scowcroft; Deputy Assistant to the President for National
Security Council Operations; Deputy Assistant to the President for
NSC Planning; Deputy Assistant to the President for National
Security Council International Economic Affairs; and Director
of Program Analysis for the NSC.

Q. They are all getting pay raises?

MR. ZIEGLER: The salary level for the five Deputies
is $36,000 and remains the same as they were receiving before.
It is just a new title structure.

Q Does this mean they are all on the same level
with Scowcroft?

MR. ZIEGLER: It means that there are now five top
policy level positions, as I indicated to you. I don't want
to single any one individual out as being over the other.

Q. They are all at the same level, then?

MR. ZIEGLER: Brent Scowcroft, in his capacity as
Deputy to Henry Kissinger, will have a somewhat more unique
position in the fact that he will be the immediate Deputy to
Dr. Kissinger, and his title so reflects that.

Q How many are there on the staff now?

MR. ZIEGLER: The professional staff of the National
Security Council is slightly less than 50. I believe it is
around 48 or 49.

Q Including these?

MR. ZIEGLER: Including these.

Q Ron, who succeeds Sonnenfeldt as European Adviser?

MR. ZIEGLER: We do not have that to announce today.

Q But somebody will be selected to fill the
position?

MR. ZIEGLER: That is correct.

Q Does that total of 50 include personnel bor-
rowed from other agencies?

MR. ZIEGLER: This is the total professional staff,
yes.

Q What is the total including non-professional?

MR. ZIEGLER: I would say the total staff is some-
where around 70.

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Q How does this compare with what it was a year ago? I mean, is it a reduction or an increase?

MR. ZIEGLER: I think there has been a reduction. I do not know what specific level of reduction it is, but there has been a reduction.

Q Are you saying all these five are directly subordinate to Dr. Kissinger?

MR. ZIEGLER: That is correct.

Q On an even level?

MR. ZIEGLER: Yes. As the announcement says, there are five top policy level positions which I have announced to you. General Scowcroft holds a unique position in this particular policy structure because he, in addition to being the Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, is also Deputy to Dr. Kissinger.

Q Ron, will Scowcroft continue as the Military Aide to the President?

MR. ZIEGLER: General Scowcroft will retain the title and administrative supervision duties of Military Assistant to the President until a successor is chosen.

Q Who will take that job?

MR. ZIEGLER: The decision on that has not been made.

Q Did you say he is Deputy to Dr. Kissinger?

MR. ZIEGLER: He replaces General Haig, and in replacing General Haig, as the announcement says, he is Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. He is also Deputy to Dr. Kissinger, as his title indicates. So of the five men, if any of them has a senior position, General Scowcroft has, in the unique capacity that he holds in terms of his relationship with Dr. Kissinger, as Dr. Kissinger's principal Deputy.

Q Ron, is this an effort to make these men more happy by making them less anonymous?

MR. ZIEGLER: I don't know that that is the reason for doing it.

Q What is the reason for elevating them from their present positions?

MR. ZIEGLER: I think it was reflected in my earlier comments: to streamline the operation and to recognize these top level positions for what they are.

Q Ron, doesn't this give the NSC an even greater degree of power, both within the bureaucracy and in the eyes of the public vis-a-vis the State Department, because now you are institutionalizing this at even a higher, stronger level?

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MR. ZIEGLER: I don't believe so. It is not a matter of institutionalizing the NSC to a position it has not held in the past. The National Security Council staff and the National Security Council is established on the same basis it was before. This is simply a realignment of personnel within that staff.

Q By putting in this Economic Assistant, for example, doesn't it indicate the President is going to lean even more heavily on the NSC in the area, for instance, of international economic affairs?

MR. ZIEGLER: I think it reflects the fact, as I said in the announcement, that international economic policy and trade matters are becoming an even more dominant and important factor in foreign policy considerations, and in the course of deliberation of these policies, he, of course, will be looking to the NSC staff, as you would expect, for advice in this area. But I think it is more reflective of the trend of policy than it is of the President leaning more than he has in the past on the NSC staff.

Q Is the assumption correct that the number and the top policy move will increase to six once a successor to Sonnenfeldt is selected?

MR. ZIEGLER: No, that is not a correct assumption. The top policy level position are as I announced them, at five.

Q Ron, will General Scowcroft continue with the title of Military Assistant to the President?

MR. ZIEGLER: He has held that title since January and still holds that title. Yes, he will, until the new man is selected. General Scowcroft will continue to draw his salary as a Brigadier General.

Q Is the White House aware of legislation introduced by Senator Byrd and Senator Mansfield that would remove the FBI from the Justice Department and make the permanent Director a fixed term of seven years, and if you are, what is the reaction?

MR. ZIEGLER: I haven't studied that legislation, Pete. When was that introduced?

Q I think today.

MR. ZIEGLER: I haven't had a chance to study the legislation, or even review news accounts of the legislation.

Q Have you heard of it?

MR. ZIEGLER: Yes, but I haven't had an opportunity to discuss it with anyone, so I cannot be responsive to you.

Let me continue with the announcements.

The President is also today announcing a number of personnel changes and appointments. He intends to nominate Dr. Fred Charles Ikle to be Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Dr. Ikle is currently Director of the Social Science Department of the RAND Corporation.

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During the course of a distinguished academic career, he has established a reputation as one of the world's leading experts on the negotiating process, and his publications include "How Nations Negotiate" and "Every War Must End." He has had an extensive Government experience as adviser-consultant to the Department of State, the Department of Defense and the National Security Council. I believe you have the biographical information on that.

Q Ron, will he be involved in the SALT negotiations like Gerard Smith was when he headed Arms Control?

MR. ZIEGLER: We have already announced the head of the SALT delegation. The Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, of course, will continue with research and staff work that will relate to not only the SALT talks, but other disarmament discussions, but we have announced the head of the SALT delegation, and Dr. Ikle will not be.

Q Ron, who is the head of the SALT delegation?

MR. ZIEGLER: U. Alexis Johnson was named head of the SALT delegation.

The President today is announcing his intention to nominate Richard F. Schubert to be Under Secretary of Labor. Mr. Schubert served as Solicitor of the Department of Labor during the first term. He now will be nominated to succeed Laurence H. Silberman. The compensation is Level 3, $40,000.

We have also provided you with releases on two boards and commissions. The President is announcing that he will appoint four members of the Commission on Revision of the Federal Court Appellate System.

The President is also announcing his intention to nominate six members of the Board of Regents of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

Q What is that?

MR. ZIEGLER: I knew you would ask. That will be posted. (Laughter)

Q It is a medical college for the military?

MR. ZIEGLER: It is a medical college for the military.

Q Is this post for Manny Celler a paid one?

MR. ZIEGLER: No, it is not.

Now we can take your questions briefly.

Q When does the President intend to name an FBI Director?

MR. ZIEGLER: I cannot predict that, Pete. The President is in the process now of finding a man to nominate to head up the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I do not know when he will make that decision.

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Q Ron, did he discuss that with Kleindienst when Kleindienst was here?

MR. ZIEGLER: I don't know if he did or not. The President met alone with Dick Kleindienst. I am sure they did discuss the FBI and the Gray nomination at that time. As to whether they discussed men who would be nominated for the position of Director of the FBI, should the Gray nomination not work out, as indications suggested even at that time it might not, I do not know.

Q Was Cambodia among the subjects discussed between Dr. Kissinger and the President?

MR. ZIEGLER: I do not know, because I haven't talked to Henry regarding the discussion. I didn't raise it with the President when I talked with him, but I am sure you can accurately report that they talked about the entire Indonesia situation, which would include the developments in Cambodia.

Q Has anything changed on the scale of concern that the President felt the other day about Cambodia and Laos, and the fighting there?

MR. ZIEGLER: I wouldn't suggest that anything has changed on the scale of concern in the last several days. The concern remains as it was several days ago. There is extensive military activity in Cambodia. The cease-fire has not been observed there, as you know, and we remain concerned about the action in Indochina, as we have been for some weeks now.

Q Ron, has the United States lost any reconnaissance planes over North Vietnam the last two weeks?

MR. ZIEGLER: No.

Q Ron, is the United States Government considering an airlift into Phnom Penh?

MR. ZIEGLER: I have heard no discussion along that line and have seen no reports that would indicate that, Bob.

Q Is the President considering going back to the 12-power commission to protest the actions in Cambodia?

MR. ZIEGLER: I am not aware of any plan to do that, Courtney.

Q Do they have cognizance over Cambodia? I thought that was the International Conference on Vietnam?

MR. ZIEGLER: It is. Now, your question goes to the reason why it is in existence. It relates to the agreement. What they did in the conference addresses the entire situation in Indochina.

Q But they could go back to the violations of the Paris Accords?

MR. ZIEGLER: They could, I suppose.

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Q On another subject, there is a published report this morning that on March 28th, just a few days ago, Mr. Haldeman went to the Capitol and held a meeting with 20 Republican Members of Congress at their request. The meeting was called by Representative Howard W. Robinson, Republican of New York, and according to this report, Mr. Haldeman met with this group for an hour and a half and answered many questions, some of them about the Watergate case.

I am asking you, first, if this report is correct, that Mr. Haldeman went to the Capitol on March 28th.

MR. ZIEGLER: The report that Bob Haldeman went up to the Capitol is correct. I think as the report indicates, there is an organization called The Wednesday Group which, through Bill Timmons, invites members of the White House staff to appear before it, and Bob had been invited and accepted the invitation.

The purpose of the meeting was not to discuss any particular subject, but simply to talk about Administration policy, take questions, and discuss legislation with this particular group of Congressmen. So that part of the report is correct.

Q Now, this report which you have confirmed says --

MR. ZIEGLER: I don't think I confirmed it. It was confirmed in the report itself. In other words, my point, in your line of questioning, is that I have not added anything to the information that has already been reported.

Q I understand that; however you want to put it.

MR. ZIEGLER: I want to make sure people understand correctly the line of questioning. I haven't just confirmed the fact that Bob went. It has been reported and previously confirmed that he went.

Q In the Post-Dispatch?

MR. ZIEGLER: No, it was in Ralph de Toledano's column.

Q No. The Novak and Evans column this morning. The rest of the question is this: The report says that Haldeman answered a question, or more than one question, on the Watergate case.

MR. ZIEGLER: Which report are you referring to.

Q The Evans and Novak report. It says that at this meeting, Haldeman answered one or more questions about the Watergate case. My question is: In view of that, how can the President defend a situation where you are not permitting Mr. Dean to meet informally with Members of Congress to answer questions about the Watergate case when Mr. Haldeman goes and meets informally with Members of the Congress and answers questions about the Watergate case?

MR. ZIEGLER: It doesn't relate at all. They are not parallel situations. Bob met with Members of the Congress, as he has done before. Ehrlichman has been up there. A number

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of the people in the Administration have met with the Wed-
nesday Group. I think there are other informal clubs that
Congress has formed.

Q Have they answered questions about the Watergate
affair?

MR. ZIEGLER: The point of answering questions about the Watergate matter, as with many things I find that we discuss, is a matter that is overstated. I talked to Bob about this, and he said he had a brief, informal discussion, as he has had with a number of people, about the particular news developments in this area. But he did not go through an extensive question and answer session on that subject.

As a matter of fact, I confirmed this to a number
of reporters who asked me about it yesterday afternoon.

Q Ron, how does Under Secretary Casey, at the
State Department, relate to these new, important security,
economic and trade posts which are being announced at the
White House and at the Treasury Department? Where does he
fit into this?

MR. ZIEGLER: He fits in as a high official at the
State Department who will be very much involved in the
economic and trade decisions that are being made. He is one
of the officials in the Government who will concentrate a
good deal of his effort on those subjects.

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Q Ron, is it true that Haldeman discussed with the Wednesday Group what he called the legal intelligence operation of the Committee to Re-elect the President against the Democrats in the election campaign?

MR. ZIEGLER: I talked to Bob Haldeman about that. What Bob said was we had an interest, as I think you would suspect -- the Committee to Re-elect the President did -- to be aware of what the Democratic opposition or opponents said publicly during the campaign period, and that is what he was addressing himself to.

Q Has Haldeman ever done this before?

MR. ZIEGLER: Done what?

Q Met informally with a group of Congressmen on Capitol Hill.

MR. ZIEGLER: I think he may have, but not with this group. He has not done this frequently, but, I think, is doing more of it in the second term than he has in the past.

Q Did he confirm to the committee that he was in charge of seeing that this operation was carried out, that they were kept aware of what the opposition was doing?

MR. ZIEGLER: It is not a committee. It is an informal group of Congressmen and it is in that context -- at least when I discussed this with Bob, he said at one time he expressed the fact that we should be totally aware of what was being said publicly by the Democratic opposition and it was in that context his remarks were made.

Q Ron, in this connection, has any progress been made in working out the procedures for some alternative appearance before the Ervin Committee?

MR. ZIEGLER: We expect to have further communications with the Ervin Committee, with the Chairman, and also, I believe with Senator Baker, to attempt to work out a procedure to provide information which was requested by the committee along the lines I discussed on Friday.

Q Would it be accurate to say that General Scowcroft is sort of an administrative officer for the NSC?

MR. ZIEGLER: In effect he is the principal deputy to Dr. Kissinger and in this role he will be the Chief Administrative Officer, also.

Q Ron, in the Labor Department, Don Rodgers is the Counsellor to the Secretary of Labor and is also an Assistant to the White House. Is he senior to Mr. Schubert, or who is the Number Two guy in Labor?

MR. ZIEGLER: Schubert would be senior.

Q Ron, since you have decided to give out information on the salary of White House officials, would you extend this to include the salaries of other White House officials?

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MR. ZIEGLER: These are the Deputies on the NSC staff, which I felt would be appropriate to give out, but I won't expand on that beyond what I have said before.

Q Why don't you give out information on your own salary, for instance?

MR. ZIEGLER: It is listed in the budget.

Q Ron, there is another published report in Washington that Chairman Dulski and two other Democratic Members of the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee are proposing legislation that would require the President to issue his recommendations on Congressional and Executive level of pay adjustments in time for a pay raise to go into effect with the fiscal '74 budget. Is the White House opposed to that?

MR. ZIEGLER: I believe there is a commission that is established which is made up of representatives from the public, representatives from the Congress and representatives from the Executive branch. This is a commission that proceeds with its work on a periodic basis. They have made no recommendations up to this point. I think you are referring to a news report that says if the commission does not in fact suggest increases that the President delay the increases or putting those into effect. It is not a matter before us yet.

Q When the commission was named, Mr. Shultz made it clear that it was not to report, its instructions were not to report prior to noon of June 30th, which would then make it too late, and that announcement said that it was the President's intention not to make any such recommendation until he submits his fiscal '75 budget. They want to force him to do it sooner. That is what I am asking your reaction to.

MR. ZIEGLER: It is something, Ted, that has not really come before us for consideration yet, so I don't have a decision to give you on it. It is a matter that has not been forwarded to the White House from the commission at this point.

Q When you said communications are underway with the select committee, can we infer then that Senator Ervin is prepared to consider a means of communication with White House aides other than direct appearance by subpoena?

MR. ZIEGLER: The intent of my remarks was to tell you that we anticipate further discussions and communications with the committee, and it is our intention to attempt to work out with them ways we can provide information to the Ervin Committee consistent with the point of view that I expressed on Friday before we left Washington. There has not been a decision as to how we might proceed.

The communications I am referring to are simply sitting down and talking about the possibility of doing this and ways it can be worked out. Nothing has been worked out yet.

Q I think I asked the question before, and I will try it again. Who on the White House staff will do the sitting down and talking? Will it be the legal counsel, John Dean?

MR. ZIEGLER: It will not be John Dean.

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Q Who will it be?

MR. ZIEGLER: I am not prepared to indicate that to you at this time.

Q Did I understand you to say that General Scowcroft will continue to receive the salary of Brigadier General rather than the $36,000 the others will be getting?

MR. ZIEGLER: Yes.

Q Is that more or is he going to be getting less than they will?

MR. ZIEGLER: It will be less. A Brigadier General is less than $36,000.

Q So he is going to be getting less than the other Assistants?

MR. ZIEGLER: Yes, but he gets that star, too; and you know, there have been several fellows who walked in there and got a lot of stars. (Laughter)

Q Do you know what a Brigadier General's salary is?

MR. ZIEGLER: No, I don't.

Q There is a man named Mr. Reisner or Mr. Riesner or something, who is in the personnel office in the White House, who formerly worked in the Committee to Re-elect the President. The Ervin Committee has asked him to come and testify because he is thought to have kept the appointment book for a meeting where the Watergate was allegedly discussed. He has agreed to testify.

My question is, why has he agreed to testify when he is, in fact, now on the White House staff?

MR. ZIEGLER: As I understand it -- and I can't verify the portion of your question where you referred to why he is being asked to testify, because I don't know -- but as I understand it, the reason he is going to provide information is the fact that he was not at the time a member of the White House staff, and indeed, at this time is not a member of the White House staff, and therefore, does not fall into the category of being a member of the White House staff.

Q Why is he not now a member of the White House staff?

MR. ZIEGLER: He doesn't work at the White House now. He worked at the White House for a very brief period on the Executive recruitment side of things. He does not work for the White House now.

Q He is now not employed by the White House?

MR. ZIEGLER: No.

Q But he is a former White House staff member; right?

Q Who is this?

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MR. ZIEGLER: Robert Reisner.

Q He is a former White House staff member, so doesn't he fall into the President's March 12th declaration?

MR. ZIEGLER: The point I was making is that they want to question him apparently on activities, or question him regarding information relating to a period of his employment which was not employment at the White House. He worked outside of the White House. He came to the White House for a brief period of time and is not now a member of the White House staff, so even though he did work at the White House for a month or two, they do not want to question him about any activity during the time he was on the White House staff.

Q Former White House employees are only forbidden to testify if what they are to be asked about deals with their term at the White House?

MR. ZIEGLER: I think in this particular case, too, you have to put it in the category this man was not a senior staff member. He was never in a senior staff capacity at the White House. I don't think he ever advised the President on any subject. So he does not fall into the category which we have discussed in terms of the doctrine of separation of powers.

Q The general hypothesis which I put forth is correct, however, that former White House staff members are only barred from testifying about anything dealing with their time in the White House?

MR. ZIEGLER: I suppose you could draw that conclusion, because the doctrine of separation of powers and the whole question of Executive privilege goes to the point of advising the President. So I assume your assumption is true.

Q Ron, your statement on Pat Gray says he was exposed to totally unfair innuendo and suspicion. I wonder if you would elaborate that and comment on whether Senator Weicker's role contributed to the decision to withdraw Mr. Gray's nomination?

MR. ZIEGLER: I don't want to make any comments regarding the statements made by specific Senators or individuals. I think the statement which we released yesterday -- the President's statement -- is clear in what it states, if you look at the record of the hearings.

Q Ron, you mentioned de Toledano. I think he says that Bob Haldeman tried to resign last year for some reason. Would you comment on that?

MR. ZIEGLER: Several members of the press asked me about that yesterday afternoon. I have not seen Ralph's piece, but I told the fellows who asked me yesterday that that was incorrect; that Bob submitted his pro forma resignation like all of us did, at the start of the second term, but it was pro forma in nature and was not discussed in the context that the column suggested.

Q Do you have any information on our return to Washington?

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MEMORANDUM

THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN 1C

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

MEETING WITH BRIGADIER GENERAL BRENT SCOWCROFT

Monday, October 1, 1973

12:00 p.m. ( 5 minutes)

Oval Office

From: Henry A. Kissinger

I. PURPOSE

To promote Brigadier General Scowcroft to Major General USAF

II. BACKGROUND, PARTICIPANTS & PRESS PLAN

A. Background: Brent Scowcroft has been selected for promotion to Major General, USAF. This promotion adds to his distinguished career of 27 years in the Air Force. He became your Military Assistant in February 1972, and accompanied you to Peking and Moscow. In April of this year, General Scowcroft replaced General Haig as your Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs. In this role, he has been responsible for management of the national security planning system and has personally contributed to the development of the major foreign policy initiatives of your second term. He has performed superbly and now, as Dr. Kissinger focuses more of his attention on the leadership of the Department, General Scowcroft's performance becomes much more vital to the effective development of U.S. national security policy.

B. Participants: Brigadier General and Mrs. Scowcroft and daughter Karen (age 15), Henry A. Kissinger, General Haig, General Lawson, nine senior members of the NSC staff, and Mrs. Lora Simkus, General Scowcroft's secretary (complete list of attendees at Tab A).

C. Press Plan: To be announced; Ollie Atkins photo only.

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### III. TALKING POINTS

-- It is particularly gratifying today, as Commander-in-Chief, to join in recognizing the performance of one of my most dedicated and capable officers.

-- The fact that the Air Force has selected Brent for promotion testifies to the superb quality of his performance. His service here, however, has transcended the demands of a normal Air Force career. In the last two years, we have embarked on the most comprehensive and vital foreign policy initiative of the post-war period. Brent has played a very significant role in making that possible.

-- I am mindful of the long hours and family sacrifices that go with the job, and deeply appreciate not only your dedication but that of your wife and daughter.

-- Now that Dr. Kissinger has taken on the additional responsibilities of running the Department of State, I am sure that he will lean more heavily on Brent to continue the superior effort necessary to manage the NSC system. I am confident that he is up to the job, and I am counting on him.

MEMORANDUM

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

November 29, 1973

MEMORANDUM FOR: HENRY A. KISSINGER

FROM: R. C. McFARLANE

SUBJECT: JON HOWE'S DEPARTURE

On Friday, November 30, Jon Howe will depart the staff. He has been assigned as Commanding Officer, USS Wilson, a guided missile destroyer based in San Diego. In recognition of his superb service as your Military Assistant since July, 1969, you recommended him for the Distinguished Service Medal, the country's highest peace time award for officers in the armed forces. The award has been approved for your presentation today.

For more than four years, Jon Howe has been totally committed to serving your objectives and the President's in activities that have covered the entire range of NSC operations. He has contributed a quality of intellect, judgment and dedication seldom found in public service. His totally selfless performance of duty has necessarily involved considerable sacrifice on the part of his family. Today Mrs. Howe and their children will be present for the award ceremony.

TIME AND PLACE: Your White House Office following the WSAG (approximately 4:30 p.m.)

PARTICIPANTS: Commander and Mrs. Howe and children (up to six)
General Haig
General Scowcroft
Colonel Kennedy

FORMAT: Receive and welcome Commander Howe's family and using talking points below, present the Distinguished Service Medal to him. While House photographer will be present

TALKING POINTS:

(1) Since becoming Secretary of State I have come to realize very accutely how great was the excellence of the staff of the NSC. In no case is this more clearly demonstrated than in the performance of Jon Howe.

(2) As all of you know, since 1969 Jon has been at my right hand in each of the major foreign policy undertakings of this Administration. Throughout the tortuous but compelling process of seeking an end to the Vietnam war, in nurturing and finally realizing an open dialogue with the People's Republic of China, and in the many other successful accomplishments of this period, Jon has been a constant source of judgment and intellect that has made it all possible.

(3) While the Medal that I will present to him today is a mark of recognition of his professional competence, it can in no way truly reflect the enormity of his service and the depth of my respect and gratitude for the contribution he has made.

(4) Brent, will you please read the citation (pin the medal on Commander Howe).

(5) I would be remiss if I did not recognize that Jon's service was only made possible at the cost of great sacrifice to his family. In this regard I would like to congratulate you, Mrs. Howe, and your children for having sustained Jon in what has been a very difficult time I am sure.

(6) Jon, as you leave you know that you have my deepest appreciation and very best wishes for your continued success in the Navy. While I am pleased that the readiness of the Navy is being significantly improved, you are leaving a tremendous void here and I will miss you a great deal.

(7) By the way could you please have the Middle East report, the memcons of the Chou En-lai meetings and some more SALT options on my desk before you leave tomorrow.

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