Page:Ford, Romanian Presidential Counselor Pungan - August 27, 1974(Gerald Ford Library)(1552767).pdf/2

 I bring you the greetings and best wishes of President Ceausescu. He appreciated the message he received and he asked me to emphasize his desire and efforts to improve relations, and to have personal relations with you. Our relationship is important to us, and a visit from time to time is important in this regards.

The American people, the Congress and I treasure our friendship with the Romanians, and if we can get over all the problems here we can strengthen those ties.

President Ceausescu asked me to bring a few matters to your attention.

First, Europe. He is pleased with the results of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, but there is some delay in the Conference and in having the final phase at the highest level by the end of the year. He asked your help to see the second stage finalized and preparations made for the third stage. We think this Conference can bring more cooperation and confidence.

I think we are eager to move it along, aren't we?

Yes, we are prepared to encourage the Europeans, but not to strain our relations with them in order to do it.

We understand but we see some favorable benefits which would make desirable an early Conference at the highest level. It is especially important on Confidence-Building Measures and those measures leading to detente. We think the United States can help.

We support the Romanian position. But in the area of human contacts, the West Europeans are being extreme. In the areas of maneuvers and movement of forces, our views are similar to the Romanians!

We want to see increased contacts, but it is a delicate matter.

Mr. President, I told him yesterday that the Communists have specialized in taking and holding power and aren't likely to be overthrown by accident through increased contacts. What the Romanians want is to prevent the large movement of forces to bring pressure.