Page:Kissinger, Schlesinger - August 30, 1974(Gerald Ford Library)(1552772).pdf/6

Rh Next year is the best time to get an agreement. The Soviets are not sure which way the President will go and they will pay a price to influence it. They will hope to line up both political parties for '76. I (and the President) think we can't get for six years through Congress what we can over the next two years.

I will defend your strategic budget completely. This is what we have working for us now. We will lose a lot of these by '76.

We should make a push next year.

Our differences are: You think any reduction of Soviet programs helps; I am working to maintain stability by holding back destabilizing programs. Hughes Rudd says you oppose weapons R & D.

Nonsense. I strongly favor strategic R & D.

I get these questions at the War Colleges. The imagery is that you oppose R&D and weapons acquisition.

My fear is there is a ceiling beyond which we can't fund in the absence of a major crisis. I think with SALT you can keep your power above what you would otherwise, because Congress would be reluctant to cut below agreed levels.

Could we cut the Trident boats?

Sure. It depends on what they offer.

We should tell Brezhnov that here are various models over the next 10 years. One requires no cutback; the others mean cutbacks at varying levels.

Greece. They may have the bases we need. We shouldn't help Papandreou replace Karamanlis.

So?

We ought to give Karamanlis some bonus.

We can let Karamanlis say no second-stage Home porting or even reverse the first stage. We need the