Washington Summit, June 1973: Nixon & Brezhnev
Nixon invited Brezhnev to Washington in May 1973, sending him a detailed programme of his visit to the United States. Nixon had already decided that the Summit would be held at the White House, Camp David and San Clemente and had proposed to sign two principal agreements i.e. on the prevention of nuclear war and on the fundamental principles of SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty). Brezhnev arrived at the Andrews Air Force Base on June 18 1973 and stayed that night at Camp David. He liked the rustic place and shared his good feelings with other members of the entourage. The next day Nixon welcomed Brezhnev on the well-groomed South Lawn of the White House with all the pageantry associated with a state visit. It was indeed a proud moment for the Soviet leader and members of his delegation, notwithstanding the fact that the Watergate hearings were televised live and Nixon’s influence was on the decline. …show more content…
Nixon gifted his counterpart a Lincoln Continental of the latest model. Brezhnev was fond of foreign cars and immediately set out to give a test ride to his host, which was not a very pleasant experience for Nixon, as Brezhnev was unfamiliar with the Lincoln and its powerful engine. Following the State dinner, Brezhnev gave a return dinner to Nixon at the Soviet Embassy’s Golden Hall, for which the food was delivered by a special plane from Moscow. Nixon also took Brezhnev to his private residence at San Clemente, California to establish a personal rapport with the Soviet leader. Brezhnev liked the Spanish style of Nixon’s House, named Casa Pacifica or House of Peace. At Nixon’s abode, Brezhnev poured out his heart to Nixon and complained that it was not easy being a Secretary General and that he had to listen to all kind of silly things from other politburo members. He even gave names to Nixon to the politburo members who were trying to undermine his
Nixon invited Brezhnev to Washington in May 1973, sending him a detailed programme of his visit to the United States. Nixon had already decided that the Summit would be held at the White House, Camp David and San Clemente and had proposed to sign two principal agreements i.e. on the prevention of nuclear war and on the fundamental principles of SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty). Brezhnev arrived at the Andrews Air Force Base on June 18 1973 and stayed that night at Camp David. He liked the rustic place and shared his good feelings with other members of the entourage. The next day Nixon welcomed Brezhnev on the well-groomed South Lawn of the White House with all the pageantry associated with a state visit. It was indeed a proud moment for the Soviet leader and members of his delegation, notwithstanding the fact that the Watergate hearings were televised live and Nixon’s influence was on the decline. …show more content…
Nixon gifted his counterpart a Lincoln Continental of the latest model. Brezhnev was fond of foreign cars and immediately set out to give a test ride to his host, which was not a very pleasant experience for Nixon, as Brezhnev was unfamiliar with the Lincoln and its powerful engine. Following the State dinner, Brezhnev gave a return dinner to Nixon at the Soviet Embassy’s Golden Hall, for which the food was delivered by a special plane from Moscow. Nixon also took Brezhnev to his private residence at San Clemente, California to establish a personal rapport with the Soviet leader. Brezhnev liked the Spanish style of Nixon’s House, named Casa Pacifica or House of Peace. At Nixon’s abode, Brezhnev poured out his heart to Nixon and complained that it was not easy being a Secretary General and that he had to listen to all kind of silly things from other politburo members. He even gave names to Nixon to the politburo members who were trying to undermine his