*

TELCON

French Ambassador Lucet
Mr. Kissinger

Feb. 1, 1969 3:00 pm

HAK said President told him how delighted he was with his chat with Lucet. Lucet said the P told him some very important things and he is so pleased. HAK and Amb. Lucet agreed to have lunch on Monday, Feb. 3, at 1:00 p.m. at the French Embassy. HAK said he wouldn't be able to stay much longer than about 2:15 p. m.

HAK said he wants to discuss with him subject brought up by the President y esterday and how we should handle it technically. The P would like much of the contact for this to be through Mr. Kissinger.

HAK said he wants to ask his personal opinion (if Lucet is permitted to do this)
as to how we can best make sure that whatever talks happen will be done in
a way that is most fruitful--so that we don't begin with a misunderstanding.
Lucet agreed entirely.

(check on Monday to see if lunch will be at Embassy, or at Embassy residence)
AD 4-0990 2221 Kalorama Road, per Amb. Secy

DECLASSIFIED

Authority E.O.12958

By DS NARA Date 4/15/06

TELCON
General Wheeler
Mr. Kissinger
2/1/69 5 00 p

HAK: The President would like at the NSC meeting on Tuesday to include the operational briefing on the Middle East. Gen Wheeler said that is easily done.

HAK: He hasn't made a decision whether to meet again on Wednesday, but he does want to include that operational briefing. I don't suppose you can get up by Tuesday anything on questions he keeps asking on Soviet intervention?

Wheeler: It would be a pretty rough effort -- probably no better than what I said today.

HAK: They can just make a few observations about the kind of considerations that would enter into it, without being specific.

You will be delighted to hear what is on his mind--which you told us 4 times cannot be done. He'll take "no" if you say it once more.

Wheeler: I'll take another look -- he has listened to me -- Andy Goodpaster -- and Gen Abrams has come back negative.

HAK: It's on his mind. This first thing--we might be able to do before we travel, but if it can't be it can't be.

Wheeler: We'll take another look, but I must say it's a dry hole.

HAK: I told him you made a persuasive case to me. Isn't there something-- some offensive, or something -- I just feel bound to raise it with you.

Wheeler: OK

HAK: You're better off having someone whose mind is in that direction, rather than the other...

DECLASSIFIED

*

TELCON
Robert B. Anderson
Mr. Kissinger
2-3-69 12:35 PM

A said he is leaving for Zurich in the morning - will be seeing all the bankers from Switzerland, Germany, Italy and will be doing some inquiring for the Treasury Dept on the monetary situation. He will be away about 12 days but his office will know where to reach him if needed.

Re the Middle East, HAK asked A whether he thought we should go four power route, two power route or one power route. A said he would rule out one power and that he leaned toward 4 power. Both agreed no settlement could be made without the Soviets. HAK said do we want French in it. A said there would be pros and cons but he would still go for 4 power.

A said he would be seeing head of Central Bank of Egypt - just wanted HAK to know. After his return, A will be coming down to see Kennedy and HAK said he would like to see him as well. HAK said he would also try to get him one-half hour with the Rx President.

A brought up Italian situation - said he had sent a letter, which HAK said he would call to the Department's attention as soon as he receives it.

jm

DECLASSIFIED

TELCON
Senator Dirksen
Mr. Kissinger
2-3-69 5:40 PM

K said he had just seen the President and told him of their conversation earlier in the day. HAK told Pres of some of D's constituents' reaction to four power approach. HAK asked whether D on his own he could call Rogers about this. D said he would call him in the morning (hopefully before the NSC meeting) and would advise K of his call.

jm

DECLASSIFIED

Authority E.O. 12958

By DS NARA Date 4/15/06

*

TELCON
Secy Laird
Mr. Kissinger
2-3-69 5:55 PM

K and L discussed press leaks. K said he had talked with the President yesterday re the contingency briefing we had laid on. K told Pres that it was judgment of both Laird and Wheeler that nothing more could be done. L said that is right - there is nothing more that can be done and it would be a mistake to move in any other direction. K said Pres wants analysis of whether any increase in South Vietnamese military activity since the first of the year and then explore retaliatory steps which have been taken.

L said Genl McConnell will be coming with him tomorrow. K said we may not have enough business for two hours on the Middle East so if they could stand by for Berlin and Korea in case we get to it. K said to bring them over but not to bring them in.

jm

DECLASSIFIED

Authority E.O.12958

By DS NARA Date 4/15/06