Question and Answer Briefing Sheets (2)” of the Ron Nessen Papers at the Gerald R
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The original documents are located in Box 41, folder “8/28/74 - Press Conference: Question and Answer Briefing Sheets (2)” of the Ron Nessen Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Ron Nessen donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Digitized from Box 41 of The Ron Nessen Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library L. WILLIAM SEIDMAN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR PRESIDENTIAL PRESS CONFERENCE L. WILLIAM SEIDMAN Q. Your Press Secretary indicated that you should not be expected to achieve an economic miracle. Was he suggesting that you will be unable to cope with the problem of inflation? If not, how do you plan on dealing with what you have identified as the Nation's No. 1 problem? A. Our position is that inflation is a difficult problem that does not have a quick, easy, or painless solution. In that sense, there is no known miracle cure. But that does not mean we will be paralyzed by the problem. We have acted in establishing, with the cooperation of the Congress, a wage and price monitoring agency. We have secured a modest roll back on the General Motors announced price increase. We have commenced planning for the Summit Conference on Inflation which will bring the Executive, the Congress, and the best minds in this country together in a joint effort to discuss the most appropriate steps which can be taken. L. WILLIAM SEIDMAN Q. What do you hope to get out of the Summit Conference on Inflation? A. The Summit Conference has several objectives. First, to clarify the realities of our present economic condition. Second, to identify the causes of the present inflation. Third, to search for a consensus on the basic policies which should be adopted. Fourth, to listen to new ideas. And fifth, to identify areas of hardship requiring immediate action. L. WILLIAM SEIDMAN Q. Is it realistic to expect the Summit Conference on Inflation to reach any type of consensus? A. Consensus on an issue as complex as inflation is not easy. However, we are hopeful that there will be areas where there will be some consensus. This, in part, is what the conference is for -- to explore with the best brains in this country their thinking on what should be done to deal with our number one problem. L. WILLIAM SEIDMAN Q. Is the Summit Conference going to be a decision-making body? Will your position regarding the economy emerge from the Summit? A. The Summit Conference is not designed to be a decision making body. It is designed to provide a forum for the expression of views and new ideas. Furthermore, it is designed as a means of identifying areas where there is consensus on actions which can be taken and, where differences exist, identifying the alternatives and basic decisions which must be made. L. WILLIAM SEIDMAN Q. How active a role do you envisage for yourself in the Economic Summit? A. I expect to spend a substantial amount of time at the Summit Conference itself. In addition, I will be attending part of the meetings in early September with the economists and with labor leaders. My interest in the Summit shows the high priority I place on the issue of inflation. L. WILLIAM SEIDMAN Q. Is there any particular reason you will chair the meeting with the labor leaders rather than Secretary Brennan? A. We felt it impractical to hold a single meeting with management which is organized much differently than labor. We did feel, however, that a single meeting with labor leaders would be productive and that I should chair that meeting. L. WILLIAM SEIDMAN Q. Are we to assume that you don't have any economic program of your own and are using the Summit to get some advice about what you should do? A. No. I have some ideas about the best ways of dealing with inflation. But, I have discovered during my years of public service that it is wise to seek views from a variety of sources and to maintain an open and flexible mind. We will earnestly consider the ideas which surface at the Conference. I am a man who likes to listen. L. WILLIAM SEIDMAN Q. Inflation is a world-wide problem with many international ramifications. What is being done to coordinate our efforts with other free world countries? A. The international aspects of inflation is one problem which will receive considerable attention at the Summit Conference. In addition, we intend to maintain close consulting relationships with our friends and allies on economic and other matters. L. WILLIAM SEIDMAN Q. Do you intend to act in dealing with the economy or wait until the Summit Conference is over? A. I do not intend to allow any meeting or set of meetings to forestall necessary action. We do not intend to take any precipitous actions in this Administration. On the other hand, problems, economic and otherwise, needing urgent action will receive it. L. WILLIAM SEIDMAN Q. Is the Conference going to be primarily a listening device for you or will it be a platform from which to pronounce the Administration's point of view? A. We are not orchestrating this Conference. It is a Joint Congressional-Executive enterprise and certainly will not be merely a device for propounding an Administration viewpoint. All opinions will have an opportunity to be expressed at the Summit within the limitations of time available. L. WILLIAM SEIDMAN Q. Who will be selected as head of the new monitoring agency? A. No decision has been made on that appointment at this time. FOREIGN TRAVEL Q: What plans do you have for foreign travel and meetings with foreign leaders? A: I have been in frequent contact with foreign leaders since August 9 and, as you know, I met with King Hussein here last week. I plan a very active program of meetings with world leaders. For example, I will meet with President Leone of Italy in late September and with First Secretary Gierek of Poland in early October. I plan to visit Japan before the end of the year and will also be considering other future travel. / .. ' CYPRUS Q: Why did the United States not act more forcefully to restrain the Turkish actions on Cyprus? What will the US do now to bring peace there? A: This Administration has taken every reasonable and appropriate step in our efforts with all parties involved to end the fighting and bring about early negotiations for a constructive solution of the Cyprus problem. We urged both military restrairtand diplomatic flexibil'ity to take into account the national dignity and security needs of all parties. In our attempts to bring the parties to the negotiating table, the United States has been willing to take part in any role that accords with the wishes of the parties. We remain willing to do so. The United States greatly values the friendship of Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, and it is in this context that we will continue to offer our assistance. US-EUROPEAN RELATIONS Q: How do you assess the current state of U.S. -European relations, _especially in light of the Greek threat to withdraw from NATO? A: Since I entered the Congress in 1949, I have believed that it is important for the United States to have a strong alliance with NATO and Western Europe. This policy has paid --and continues to pay -- sizable dividends to all members of the Alliance. I am pleased by the progress made in U.S. -European relations in the last few months. The Atlantic Declaration signed in June marks a renewed spirit of unity and common purpose for the Alliance, and I will continue efforts to broaden and strengthen the partner- ship that document symbolizes. Further, I will continue the United States' whole hearted efforts to consult and to work with our European friends and allies to guarantee the best possible U.S.- . European relationship. This relationship remains fundamental to U.S. foreign policy. We regret, of course, the Greek announcement of plans to withdraw from military participation in NATO, and hope that this action is only temporary and can be satisfactorily resolved without per- manent damage to the Alliance. CSCE AND POSSIBLE SUMMIT MEETING Q: Do you envisage travelling to Europe this fall for a European summit meeting, perhaps in connection with a final meeting of the CSCE? A: I have no current plans to visit Europe. The CSCE, which is now in recess, will reconvene in early September. The United States and its allies have taken the position that the level at which the final meeting will take place will depend on the results achieved in the session to be resumed next month. U.S. -SOVIET RELATIONS Q: · Some say detente is stalled. How do you see future U.S. -Soviet relations? A: I have informed the Soviet leaders that it is my intention to continue the course of Soviet-American relations charted in summit meetings in Moscow and Washington, in agreements reached by our two governments, and in the general spirit of cooperation, that has been established.