Page:Ford, Kissinger, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, Foreign Secretary James Callaghan - July 30, 1975(Gerald Ford Library)(1553188).pdf/2

 The harvest is bad all over Europe.

And Russia.

Another month of good weather and we will have the best harvest in history.

We will need it. We had a bad year for farmers.

We changed over to the common market price system.

Flying over Poland and Germany I was impressed by the green fields.

Europe had had a lot of rain. We have had a draught.

The Soviet harvest problem creates very severe pressure on grain markets.

Can you control it?

We have ways but we have to use them very subtly so as not to upset the farmers.

Kosygin said ten years ago that they can't predict their harvest.

We have the market cornered vis-a-vis the Soviets. They have bought all they can find, now they have to come to us.

Now is the time for your talents.

The issue has to be handled globally. It is bad for the United States to be a reserve for the Soviets.

The Commonwealth is talking about a ten-million ton reserve.

We are thinking of a 30-million-ton reserve globally.

What do you think of Gierek?

He was very impressive. We received a great reception, crowds were good and I liked the look in their faces.

I like Gierek too. Also Kadar. The Polish Foreign Minister is a fat fellow but pleasant.