Preparations for the Summit Conference 347



the President had given him on the day of his arrival. General de Gaulle
said that he had read the papers. With regard to the first one relating to
the deterrent capabilities of the United States, he was taking note of it.
With regard to the one on the summit procedures, he had read it and
was in agreement with it and would write the letter to Khrushchev and
set forth the summit procedures as the Western powers understood
them. His thought was that on the opening day they might hold a short
session of about an hour to agree on general principles (Chiefs of Gov-
ernment session). Thereafter on every day they would meet every
morning with Ministers and Ambassadors and leave the afternoons free
for bilateral contact. On Monday, the final day, a major session could be
held with all of the delegations present.
    The President said that he felt we should not put a final date on the
conference before it starts, but that he would have no objection to having
such a final session on the last day of the conference, whenever that
might be. General de Gaulle said that that was what he meant; he did not
mean Monday to be the last day necessarily. He did believe, however,
that the President had some commitment in Portugal and also could not
remain outside of the United States for a great length of time. The Presi-
dent said that he had promised to go to Portugal as he had not been there
since 1951. The Portuguese were a little touchy because he had been to
Spain last December2 and had spent the night there, so he had agreed to
go to Portugal, but if it were necessary he could return to Paris from Lis-
bon, and return directly to the United States from Paris if the summit
meeting lasted a few days more. If he had to return to the United States
because of pressing government business, Mr. Nixon might come over
and head the United States delegation.
    General de Gaulle said that this would be agreeable to him but, as
the President knew, Mr. Khrushchev did not like Mr. Nixon. The Presi-
dent said that this might not be bad. When Mr. Nixon had gone to Rus-
sia,3 the President had told him to take his cue from the Russians. If they
were courteous he should be equally courteous, and if they were sharp
to behave in like manner. When Mr. Khrushchev had talked roughly,
Mr. Nixon had talked back to him and Mr. Khrushchev had not liked
this. The President explained that Mr. Nixon was so close and so loyal he
could send him over to the summit if he himself had to return. The Presi-
dent said that he had also mentioned this possibility to Mr. Khrushchev
in a letter.4 The Vice President had acquired extraordinary experience


    2Regarding the President's visit to Spain December 21-22, 1959, see ibid.,
Document
318.
    3Vice President Nixon visited the Soviet Union July 23-August 2, 1959.
See vol. VIII,
Document 481.
    4See footnote 2, Document 127.