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PAS'l'OR GENERAL'S REPORT, May 9, 1980
Page 18
A White House official said a trip to Europe by the President at this
time was "not appropriate" in view of Mr. Carter's self-imposed travel
limitations since the onset of the Iranian hostage crisis. Yet, curi
ously, it was sharply hinted that the President would travel to Europe
for a world economic summit next month in Italy--and might skip across
the Adriatic to Belgrade on an official house call.
There was speculation in world capitals that Mr. Carter just didn't want
to be seen in the same room with Soviet President Brezhnev, who "betrayed"
the President's confidence by dispatching the Soviet Army into Afghanistan.
Mr. Brezhnev himself decided to come only after Chinese Premier Hua
Guofeng announced he would be attending the ceremonies. Heads-of-state
and government came from both East and West as well as from throughout
the Third World with which Tito had allied his neutral country.
In a rather petulant announcement, a White House spokesman said "The
President is not inclined to become involved in some game of diplomatic
one-upmanship with the Kremlin on a matter like this."
European critics of the decision, including the press, were pointed in
their comments about Mr. Carter, and his apparent disregard of diplomatic
symbolism. The Times of London for example, said the president's decision
was another grave mistake by a "muddled" man "blind to whole areas of
reality."
In an editorial titled "He Ought To Have Gone," the newspaper said, "In
this case, he shows himself blind to the stature of President Tito, to
the importance of Yugoslavia, to the mood of the Yugoslav people, to the
interests of the United States... In such moments, symbols and gestures
become especially significant and are long remembered."
It is known that Yugoslav leaders were.both baffled and disappointed at
the White House decision. They were not comforted when an administration
official said, "We think the Yugoslavs know who their friends are and who
poses a threat to them."
But a friend indeed helps a friend in need. Once again--mere words from
Washington backed up with no action.
--Gene H. Hogberg, News Bureau