874–12

Conversation No. 874-12

Date: March 9, 1973
Time: Unknown between 12:43 pm and 12:56 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with John N. Irwin, II and Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft; members of the Press and
White House photographer were present at the beginning of the meeting.

Greetings

Irwin’s departure

Residence for US ambassador in France
-Irwin's predecessor
-Arthur K. Watson

Irwin's schedule
-Children
-Vacation

US-French relations
-Irwin's role
-Talks with Georges J. R. Pompidou
-Importance of US-France relations
-Irwin's selections as ambassador
-Criteria
-Foreign policy experience
-Political appointment
-President's relation with Pompidou
-Pompidou
-Private talks
-Edward R. G. Heath
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-2010)
Conversation No. 874-12 (cont’d)


-Great Britain-US relations
-France’s sensitivity
-France’s role in world
-Expansion
-President's talks with Pompidou
-Subjects
-Monetary policy
-East-West relations
-Union of Soviet Socialists Republics [USSR]
-France’s civil service
-Quality
-Compared to Great Britain
-Cooperation with US
-Personal relations with Pompidou
-Role of France in world
-Compared to World War I era
-Economic compared to military cooperation
-European Economic Community [EEC]
-North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO]
-Economic confrontation with Europe
-Impact on NATO
-Competition
-Consultation
-Europe, US, Japan
-Great Britain
-Japan’s role
-Post-Vietnam War settlement opportunities
-France’s role
-USSR
-Communists
-US relations
-NATO
-“Year of Europe”
-US breakthrough with USSR, PRC
-Appeal to France’s world role
-Compared to bilateral relations
-Pompidou
-Leadership
-Election
 -15-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-2010)
Conversation No. 874-12 (cont’d)


-Impact
-World leadership
-Work with President
-France role in the world
-Africa
-US relations with USSR
-Irwin’s role
-Consultation with Henry A. Kissinger
-Nuclear cooperation
-Congress
-US bureaucracy
-President’s disagreement
-Trust of Great Britain, France
-Military compared to economic cooperation
-Respect
-Pompidou
-Gen. Charles A. J. M. De Gaulle
-Pompidou
-Claude Pompidou
-Ambassadors from US
-Importance of post
-William C. Bullit, David K. E. Bruce
-C. Douglas Dillon, Charles E. Bohlen, Amory Houghton
-President’s meeting with Dillon

President's visit to France
-France’s invitation
-Congressional relations
-Forthcoming US-USSR summit
-President’s reception

French food
-Bread

Irwin and Scowcroft left at 12:56 pm.
 -16-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log
(rev. June-2010)
Conversation No. 874-13 (cont’d)