Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXIX, Eastern Europe; Eastern Mediterranean, 1969–1972

211. Letter From President Nixon to Romanian President Ceausescu¹

Washington, March 31, 1972.

Dear Mr. President:

Thank you for your recent letter which was conveyed to me by Vice President Manescu on March 21.² I very much appreciate your expression of greetings and good wishes, and reciprocate them most cordially.

I remember with pleasure our discussions in Bucharest and Washington, and fully share your view that the good relations which exist between the United States and Romania have been further strengthened since our last meeting in October 1970. The visit of Vice President Manescu is an important contribution to the further development of Romanian and American friendship and cooperation, and to our valuable exchange of views at all levels. I was happy for the opportunity to meet with the Vice President during his stay in Washington and pleased that he could talk with a number of high officials of our Government.

It is my hope and expectation that United States-Romanian relations will continue to expand—in the economic field—and in other areas as well. In this spirit I made the determination last November that Export-Import Bank facilities be made available for trade with Romania and—as we announced during Vice President Manescuʼs visit—that Overseas Private Investment Corporation programs be made available for private United States investment in joint ventures in Romania and Yugoslavia.

It is also my desire that the United States Congress grant discretionary power enabling me to authorize negotiation of a commercial treaty with Romania including the power to extend Most Favored Nation tariff treatment. My views on this important matter were communicated to the Congress on December 14, 1971,³ and we have been doing everything possible to further this objective since that time. I earnestly hope that the Congress will pass such legislation in the near future.

The United States will continue to pursue actively the goal of expanded relations with Romania. We believe the achievement of this goal is in the best interests not only of our two countries but also of peace and understanding in the entire international community. I want to assure you of my personal interest in seeing that this goal is achieved.

Mrs. Nixon joins me in sending warm personal regards to you and to Mrs. Ceausescu.

Sincerely,

Richard Nixon

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 761, Presidential Correspondence, 1969–1974, Romania Ceausescu Corres. No classification marking.
2. See Document 210. A rough translation of the letter from Ceausescu to Nixon reads in part: “Dear Mr. President,… I am glad to note that since our last meeting, further progress has been recorded … [in] Romanian-American relations…. I have learned with satisfaction about the authorization given to the Export-Import Bank to ensure and guarantee the granting of credits to Romania to purchase goods and services from the U.S.A…. Certainly, the increase of our imports from your country raises, of necessity, the problem of creating favourable grounds so that Romanian exports to the American market would also increase to a corresponding extent, thus ensuring … [an equalization of] the balance of payments. I know and appreciate the efforts made by you, Mr. President, in this direction and also as regards the granting of the ‘most favoured nation clauseʼ to my country. I would be glad if these efforts would lead, within the shortest possible time, to the desired results.” (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 761, Presidential Correspondence, 1969–1974, Romania Ceausescu Corres).
3. See footnote 3, Document 208.