Page:Ford, Kissinger - September 6, 1974(Gerald Ford Library)(1552775).pdf/1

File scanned from the National Security Adviser's Memoranda of Conversation Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library

[After Schmidt meeting.]

It went brilliantly. He is committed now. With the two of you working together, the West, the alliance is going to be all right. Schmidt is a man of his word.

I believe him. He is frank and understandable.

A miraculous change from Brandt and Scheel. I am really pleased with the relationship between you two. It will be the same as his with Giscard.

Should I reaffirm it in a month or so by a phone call?

I would do it after the Martinque meeting, then periodically.

We now have superb structure -- Japan and now Germany. Your foreign policy is structurally in good shape except for the Middle East.

I would keep the French a half step behind the Germans.