The John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress presented a roundtable discussion on “Re-evaluating the Nixon/Ford/Kissinger Era: Transatlantic Relations and U.S. Foreign Policy During the 1970s and Beyond,” on Wednesday, June 18, 2003.

A distinguished panel of historical “witnesses,” journalists and scholars will discuss topics related to the relationship that existed between Europe and the United States during the Nixon and Ford administrations and its continuing legacy. Among the issues addressed will be conflict and cooperation among the transatlantic allies, including Franco-American and German-American relations; America and the development of a common European identity; the rise of neo-nationalism; the Western Alliance and NATO; Europeans’ perception of America in the post-Vietnam War era; changes in Eastern Europe; the oil crises; and other events of the last three decades in international political, economic and security affairs.

Among those who will participated in the symposium and who were either personally involved at the time, or close to those who were, include:

Henry A. Kissinger, secretary of state from 1973 to 1977 and assistant to the president for national security affairs from 1969 to 1975;

Robert McFarlane, military assistant to President Nixon, special assistant for national security affairs under President Ford, counselor in the State Department and national security adviser from 1983-1985;

James R. Schlesinger, secretary of defense and CIA director during the Nixon and Ford administrations, and energy secretary under President Carter;

Robert F. Ellsworth, assistant to President Nixon in 1969, U.S. ambassador to NATO from 1969 to 1971, assistant secretary of defense from 1974 to 1975, and deputy secretary of defense from 1975-1977;

Joseph Sisco, undersecretary for political affairs and assistant secretary of state under the Nixon and Ford administrations.

Journalists and scholars who will participate in the afternoon roundtable discussion include: Walter Isaacson, president and CEO of the Aspen Institute.; Marvin Kalb, journalist, Harvard University; Robert Wampler, National Security Archive; Anna Nelson, expert on the American national security system, Keith Olson, professor, University of Maryland; Jussi Hanhimaki, Woodrow Wilson Center; and John Van Oudenaren, chief of the European Division in the Library of Congress.

The roundtable discussion, one of a continuing series of programs hosted by the John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress, was organized by Klaus Larres, the Henry Alfred Kissinger Scholar in Foreign Policy and International Relations at the Library of Congress, who will also act as moderator.

For more information about any of the fellowship, grants and programs offered by the John W. Kluge Center, contact the Office of Scholarly Programs, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue S.E, Washington, DC 20540-4860; telephone (202) 707-3302, fax (202) 707-3595, or visit the Web at