Gerald Ford

“ It is my profound conviction. We feel a great weight has been lifted. The United States can now give the leadership the world needs. Any time the U. S. speaks with an uncertain voice, we are in trouble. ”

“ As an outsider, let me say: Your people will be telling you of the consequences of your actions in the U.S. They won't tell you of the indirect effects on other countries and the feedback on you. It happened the last time you had a near recession -- it was a full recession in Europe. What you do will have a severe impact in the world and especially in Europe. ”

“ The Europeans are ambivalent about the United States. We want you to take the lead but are a bit put out when you do. The Soviet Union accentuated it today. Gromyko today spoke to the U.S., not the UN. This irritates the others, and you, on occasion, have to take on more than it is worth.
President: We understand, but the American people don't always rise up in wrath when they are criticized. But we are getting more emotional. ”