Gerald Ford

“ We don't want to let the Soviet Union think we capitulated.
Javits: Also, we are determined, if it is humanly possible, to have a trade bill.
Jackson: You and Abe cover that.
Ribicoff: You are in a great position here with the change of President.
We will have no problem knowing about harassment. The most important thing is numbers. Once we have established that, and the exchange of letters, I am not worried.
Once we know that harassment is ending and people are leaving, we are in good shape. They should go ahead with mark-up and amend on the floor to add the waiver. ”

“ Yes, what we would do is leave it hang but with waiver authority. [He reads from the draft] . This is enough language. This is also your club with the Soviet Union.
President: Is the House bill a denial of authority?
Javits: The House language is onerous.
President: Let me propose. The general authority would cover all. Then a denial could apply to any one country who denied emigration.
Javits: That's not good either. You don't want to force you or us to break with the Soviet Union. We shouldn't be put in a place where it has to be proved that there are violations. ”

“ If Congress has to renew your authority every year, we can have this kind of debate every year.
Javits: We could write a line that the President has the right to waive and then say this will continue for one year. ”