Wallace's Summer of Tough Love
July 1, 1977
CKO (a Canadian all news radio network) begins broadcasting.
East African Community dissolved.
The Libertarian Cato Institute is founded in San Francisco.
July 3, 1977
The French National Assembly votes to abolish the death penalty.
July 4, 1977
The United States Independence Day celebrations are carried out amidst very tight security which includes the prominent use of National Guard troops, backed by regular Army and Marine units and the use of fighter jets in air space over major cities in the United States.
July 5, 1977
General Mohammed Zia ul-Haq overthrows Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the first elected Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Despite controversy, the Kohl government in West Germany passes a series of workplace liberalization laws which will allow greater employer/employee choice in terms of working conditions and terms of employment. This legislation, backed by the FDP, is designed to make the West German economy more competitive than it has been under a more tightly regulated Social Democratic model.
TRW begins marketing the SAT-64 computer as a personal and business solution. The SAT-64 is marketed with proprietary software bundled with the hardware by TRW and sold under a strict license that requires users of the SAT-64 to use only the TRW software with their computer.
July 7, 1977
FBI agents raid the Church of Scientology's world headquarters at Los Angeles and its Washington, D.C., offices July 7 and discover evidence that members of the organization have conspired to infiltrate, burglarize, and bug offices of the IRS and Department of Justice. They seize a 19-page document outlining a plan to sabotage IRS investigations; followers of L. Ron Hubbard decry what they call "religious intolerance," but 11 Scientologists will eventually go to prison, including Hubbard's wife, Mary Sue
12,000 police occupy a university in Mexico City after radical demonstrations.
July 10, 1977
The South African government reverses an earlier decision and decides not to permit television broadcasts within South Africa. The National Party government officially denounces television as “morally corrupting.” The main influence affecting a change of mind appears to have been coverage of President Wallace’s inauguaron, which inflamed sentiment in much of sub-Saharan Africa. This lead Prime Minister Botha to reverse an earlier policy decision to allow television broadcasts in South Africa.
July 11, 1977
President Wallace awards a posthumous medal of Freedom for Dr. Martin Luther King to his widow, Coretta Scott King, at the White House. While the President is present, it is actually the Vice President Nicholas Katzenbach who drapes the medal over Mrs. King.
July 13 - 14, 1977
The New York City blackout of 1977 lasts for 25 hours, resulting in looting and other disorder. Federal troops are sent in to restore order in the federal District of Hudson. Numerous clashes are reported between troops and looters.
President Wallace: “America’s seen enough of lawless violence by dirty, unwashed pinkos and punks wanting to make trouble for its own sake. The average, hard working American wants law and order and by God, my administration will give it to them. Now a few bleedin’ hearts are all teary eyed about us having broken a few heads this past week in New York. Well, tough! I’d rather break a few heads than have anarchy take over one of our greatest cities. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in peaceful protest, but this wasn’t some flower power march on Con Edison. These punks were burin’, lootin’ and doin’ all kinds of unlawful and violent things against their neighbors. They broke the law and they got what every law breaker deserves – a slap from the long arm of the law and a jail cell. I’m not going to spill any tears, or loose any sleep, over that, no sir.”
July 14, 1977
Citing perfidy on the part of the Soviet Union, President Wallace withdraws the United States from talks on a fifteen-nation non-proliferation treaty.
President Wallace: “They say I should sign on to a flawed agreement to keep the spirit of détente going. Well, I say détente was nothing but a flim-flam pulled on us by the Soviets who had, and never will have, any intention of keeping any treaty they sign. I’m here to say that the days of the United States lyin’ down in front of the wheels of the Russian express for the sake of a one-sided deal are off. From now on out we demand real deals from the Soviets, ones they intend to keep, and ones which don’t involve one sided cuts by the West while Moscow builds a new crop of weapons to use against us. No sir, the Nixon-Kissinger days are done.”
One of the key advisors in formulating this approach is said to be NSC staffer Richard Perle, a one-time staff member of Henry Jackson’s who now acts as the Secretary of State’s liaison with the NSC.
July 15, 1977
Anti-drug campaigner Donald Mackay disappears near Griffith, New South Wales (presumed murdered).
CAIF forces insurgents manage a series of victories which force the ZAF to withdraw from several strategic points in the Central African Republic. However, ZAF forces go on a rampage in other areas, focusing world attention on a situation that would later be described as “an effort at limited area genocide.”
July 19, 1977
Flooding in Johnstown, PA, caused by massive rainfall, kills over 75 people and causes billions in damage.
The Khomeini Affair
The trial of the exiled Iranian Ayatollah, Ruhollah Khomeini continues as a show trial for the conflicts in Italian politics. Right wing prosecutors are hoping to use the trial of Khomeini for attempting to overthrow the Shah as a stand-in for prosecuting the left-wing Berlinguer government for “allowing” Khomeini to do so on Italian soil. Backing for this comes from the opposition Christian Democratic Party and elements connected to the Security Services and a radical, secret society known as the P-2 (Propaganda Due), a proto-fascist Masonic lodge made of right wing Italians from business, politics, the security services, the military and the police.
The forces of the right contend that the left-wing government is not only abetting criminal activity under Italian law, but that it is involving Italy in Middle Eastern politics on behalf of “pro-communist, anti-freedom ideologies and conspiracies.” The aim of the Berlinguer government, they contend, is to topple the Shah and replace him with a left wing government as part of a “Moscow-hatched plan to carve-up the Middle East.” (Some critics point out that Khomeini, a religious conservative, is hardly a likely participant in a pro-communist, left-wing revolution in Iran, but this point seems to get lost or overlooked in the domestic political opera built around the case). The idea is to portray the Prime Minister and his Communist Party as stooges of a greater Moscow conspiracy and so not really “a government for Italians with Italian values.”
The Berlinguer government counters by stoking an anti-rightist, anti-clerical approach, using Khomeini as a cut-out for the sort of Church-oriented conservative that opposes it and that the government accuses of being behind Khomeini’s trial (the government is ready to simply expel him, but blames its opponents for turning the matter into a show trial, and for endangering Italian relations with the Shah). The government notes with glee that some Church prelates, who oppose Berlinguer’s government, seem to support Khomeini, despite the fact that the old Ayatollah is decidedly anti-Christian in many of his pronouncements. The Berlinguer government uses this to accuse the Church of being cynical and opportunistic.
In court prosecutors use the charges against Khomeini as an excuse to probe the supposed government connection to the old Ayatollah’s anti-Shah activity. Khomeini’s Italian lawyers argue that Khomeini’s activites are strictly an Iranian matter and that the old Ayatollah has not broken Italian law. The government plays no direct part in his defense, but is eager to dispel the false belief being planted by its enemies that it has supported Khomeini.
The lengthy trail in Italy leads to a number of demonstrations in Tehran by Khomeini supporters, many of which focus on the Italian Embassy there (as well as other identifiably Italian symbols such as Fiat dealerships). Many of Khomeini’s supporters are egged on by the Tudeh Party and other left-wing elements who see the controversy as a chance to de-stabilize the regime.
The Shah in turn cracks down on the unrest, further fueling anti-regime sentiment across the board, which regime opponents use to build following for an anti-Shah movement.
July 21, 1977
Border skirmishes break out between Egyptian and Libyan troops along their border.
July 24, 1977
Led Zeppelin plays their last U.S. concert in Oakland, CA at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. A brawl erupts between Led Zeppelin's crew and promoter Bill Graham's staff, resulting in criminal assault charges for several of Led Zeppelin's entourage including drummer John Bonham.
The United States Senate Permanent Committee in Intelligence is established.
July 26, 1977
In the UK General Election the Conservative Heath Government is defeated at the polls.
Spanish police forces are forced to crackdown on further unrest by left-wing groups seeking to overthrow the post-Falangist regime.
July 27, 1977
Edward Heath resigns as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Labour Party leader Denis Healey forms a new government.
John Lennon is granted a green card for permanent residence in US.
Four people were shot dead and 18 were injured in the continuing feud between the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) and members of the Official Irish Republican Army (OIRA).
An off-duty member of the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) was shot dead by the IRA in Belfast.
July 28, 1977
The first oil through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System reaches Valdez, Alaska.
July 29, 1977
An anti-government demonstration/riot is put down in Dahran by Saudi security services. The demonstration, conducted by mostly Shi’ite oil workers, is said to have been sparked by anti-regime religious leaders who are exploiting social divisions in the Kingdom to further undermine the royal family/
July 30, 1977
Left-wing German terrorists Susanne Albrecht, Brigitte Mohnhaupt de:Brigitte Mohnhaupt and a third person assassinate Jürgen Ponto,chairman of the Dresdner Bank in Oberursel, West Germany.
August 1, 1977
Former Lockheed U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers crashes the news helicopter he was flying in Los Angeles
August 3, 1977
United States Senate hearings on MKULTRA are held.
The Tandy Corporation TRS-80 Model I computer is announced at a press conference.
DPRP forces cross briefly in Spanish Galicia, to attack rebel bases and to destabilize Spanish troops which have been supporting them. To the consternation of the Falangist government in Madrid – and to the delight of their opponents – the Spanish Army seems unable to adequately defend Spanish territory from the incursion. Rumors soon filter out that the DPRP are arming and providing logistical support to anti-government forces inside of Spain.
Seven U.S. Troops are killed and fourteen wounded during an insurgent attack outside of Damascus.
August 4, 1977
U.S. President George Wallace signs legislation creating the United States Department of Energy.
August 5, 1977
There was a series of fire bomb attacks in Belfast and Lisburn, County Antrim.
August 7, 1977
The Japanese Usu volcano erupts.
August 9, 1977
Against the advice of many of security specialists, King George VII begins a two day visit to Northern Ireland in the hopes of bolstering support for a peace process. The SDLP boycotts the King’s visit. The King earns the ire of Unionist leader Ian Paisley when in a speech at the Stormont parliament building the King denounces Loyalist radicalism and “violent language” which he blames for “aggravating an already intemperate crisis with inflammatory rhetoric which all too easily finds expression in violent action.”
King George VII: “Through the 20th century if we have learned anything, it is that violence in worlds begets violence in deeds, and that violence in itself is never the solution, but the problem. If we meet the crisis with the armalite in one hand and the bomb in the other, we create the self-justification for war and violence which kills the innocent and brings no one any measure of peace. I suggest instead of intemperate language, that we instead hold out the hand of peace, the invitation to talk. Perhaps there will be shouting, no doubt there would be much arguing. But the shedding of blood would end.”
This portion of the speech was vetted by neither the Heath nor the Healey governments.
The military-controlled government of Uruguay announces that it will return the nation to civilian rule through general elections in 1981 for a President and Congress.
August 10, 1977
The PIRA planted a small bomb in a garden on the campus of the New University of Ulster which was visited by the King as part of his tour. A bomb exploded after the King had left and it caused no injuries, nor was the King’s schedule affected. Members of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) refused to attend a reception in the King’s honour.
August 9-11, 1977
Backed by prominent financial figures in Hong Kong, the first “Hong Kong-Taipei Commercial and Financial Forum” is held in Hong Kong. This association of business interests from Hong Kong and Taiwan is aimed at linking business partnerships between the two areas and further cementing commercial ties. Hong Kong entrepreneurs are exploring the possibility of using Taiwan as a commercial and industrial hinterland where production can be done cheaply and “off-shore.” To that end the forum encourages the Taiwan government to liberalise its economic and trade polices (and implicitly open-up the government in Taipei to Hong Kong influences through a more pluralistic, business-oriented system).
August 12, 1977
The NASA Space Shuttle, named Enterprise, makes its first test free-flight from the back of a Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA).
The USAF and US Navy bomb PJO held areas around Beirut in retaliation for the recent attack on U.S. Troops in Damascus.
August 13-14, 1977
In the US the National Conservative Political Action Committee holds a convention in San Diego which is highlighted with speeches from Governors Barry Goldwater Jr. and Donald Rumsfeld, Spiro Agnew, Senator Barry Goldwater Sr. and a keynote address by former Governor Ronald Reagan, who receives a standing ovation.
Despite his continued popularity, many Republican conservatives are beginning to look at office holders such as Goldwater Jr. and Rumsfeld as the future of their movement.
Randy Bachman quits BTO, they disband.
August 14, 1977
The Big Ear, a radio telescope operated by Ohio State University as part of the SETI project, is shut down for three days of maintenance.
August 15, 1977
Herbert Kappler escapes from the Caelian Hill military hospital in Rome.
August 16, 1977
Elvis Presley, the king of rock and roll falls into a coma at his home Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee. The unconscious singer is rushed to the hospital. Upwards of 75,000 fans camp in the streets around the Memphis hospital and hold candlelight vigils for him.
August 17, 1977
Russian nuclear sub "Artika" is the first to North Pole
The USSR performs nuclear test at Eastern Kazakh/Semipalitinsk USSR
August 18, 1977
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton throws his NL record tying 5th one-hitter
Soviet Forces repel an insurgent attack in north-western Syria. They launch reprisals against the local population, creating anti-Soviet feelings among the Syrian population.
August 20, 1977
Voyager program: The United States launches the Voyager 2 spacecraft.
UK Prime Minister Healey announces that the new British government will continue sea patrols around Madeira and the Azores, and “participate in NATO peace stabilization activities” but that the posture of the Royal Navy along the Portuguese coast will be “scaled back so as to be less provocative, and less of a hindrance to further diplomatic negotiations on the future of the region.”
August 25, 1977
The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) issued a policy document (Facing Reality) which called for greater emphasis on the 'Irish dimension'. [This was seen to be a response to the perceived adoption of a greater integrationist stance by the (previous Heath) British government and a signal to the new Labour admnistration. Later Paddy Devlin resigned as Chairman of the SDLP in response to the document.]
August 28, 1977
Nolan Ryan strikes out 300 batters for 5th straight year
August 30, 1977
In a speech in Boston U.S. President George Wallace, gave a keynote speech on Northern Ireland. In the speech he said that the American government would support any initiative that led to a form of government in Northern Ireland which had the support of both sections of the community. In particular the support would take the form of trying to create additional jobs in the region. He also called on Americans not to provide financial and other support for groups using violence in Northern Ireland, and warned that anyone caught supporting the armed struggle in the United States, either through selling weapons to the PIRA or through other financial contributions to proscribed entities would be subject to prosecution in the United States as “a terrorist.”
August 30 – September 8, 1977
A ten day conference at the Hague, co-sponsored by France, Italy and Yugoslavia, fails to develop a solution over the issue of which government of Portugal is legitimate. Despite diplomatic efforts, no compromise can be reached in part because the Lisbon regime and the Azores-Maderia regime, each backed by a superpower, refuse to concede to the other. The conservative faction hosted by Spain is completely ignored in these talks.
August 31, 1977
The deposed Prime Minister of Pakistan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, flees the country ahead of reports that he is about to be re-arrested by the military junta. Bhutto founds a “government-in-exile” in London composed mainly of his followers.
September 1, 1977
USSR performs nuclear test at Novaya Zemlya USSR.
September 2, 1977
Prime Minister Healey announces the release from detention of the peace protestors Mairead Corrigan and Betty Williams in a gesture of reconciliation to the non-violent peace process in Northern Ireland.
September 3, 1977
The Commodore PET computer is first sold. Within a year it will be absorbed by TRW, which is aggressively seeking to corner the computer business.
Japanese baseball star Sadaharu Oh, 37, of the Yomiuri Giants hits his 756th home run September 3 in the third inning of a game against the Yakult Swallows at Tokyo's Korakuen Stadium, beating Henry Aaron's record of 755 home runs.
September 4, 1977
The Golden Dragon massacre took place in San Francisco, California, on September 4, 1977, inside the Golden Dragon Restaurant. At 2:40 AM a longstanding feud between two rival Chinese gangs, the Joe Boys and Wah Ching came to head when a botched assassination attempt by the Joe Boys at the Golden Dragon Restaurant led to the death of five people, including two tourists, and injury to 11 people, none of whom were gang members. The assassination attempt was a result of the death of another Joe Boy Felix Huey, who had died in a shootout with Wah Ching members at the Ping Yuen projects earlier that year.
The Golden Dragon Massacre led to the establishment of the San Francisco Police Department's Asian Gang Task Force. It also lead to more increased scrutiny on the activities of Asian narcotics importers, some of whom were linked through various gangs to Hong Kong and from there to cheap sources of narcotics supply in China.
Elivs Presley awakes in his hospital bed after three weeks in a coma. He proclaims that God has communicated with him while he was unconscious, and that now he has a new mission upon Earth to serve the work of the Lord.
September 5, 1977
Voyager program: Voyager 1 is launched after a brief delay.
Cleveland Indians stage 1st "I hate the Yankee Hanky Night"
German Autumn: Employers Association President Hanns-Martin Schleyer is kidnapped in Cologne, West Germany. The kidnappers kill 3 escorting police officers and his chauffeur. They demand the release of Red Army Faction (RAF) prisoners.
The Kohl government declares a state of emergency to deal with the kidnappings.
The U.K. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Terrence Boston begins secret talks with the PIRA leadership using the French government as intermediaries.
September 5 – 7, 1977
U.S. U.K., French African and South Vietnamese troops repel an attack by insurgents on Joint Forces Base Willis outside of Damascus. The running battle, which features suicide attacks and mortar barrages from hidden positions outside the base continues for two days until the allied forces, supported by Syrian Armed Police, manage to kill or capture the main group of insurgents.
September 6, 1977
Steve Biko suffers a massive head injury in police custody in South Africa, later dying.
September 7, 1977
Treaties between Panama and the United States on the status of the Panama Canal are signed. The U.S. agrees to transfer control of the canal to Panama at the end of the 20th century.
George Wallace – Oral History Recordings at the Wallace Presidential Library (classified until 2030)
“I took a lot of heat for turning over the Panama Canal to Torrijos. Reagan insinuated I was a traitor, while that snivelling snake Spiro Agnew said it in so many words – and repeated it often. The truth is I didn’t want to do it; Hell we built the damn thing and it was ours! I agreed with Reagan about that, no question.
“But every President since Lyndon Johnson had been trying to work something out over the ownership of the canal – even that lying polecat Spiro Agnew had talks goin’ with the Panamanians during the year he was in charge – a fact I was very happy to announce after that sour-belly made such a big stink about it on his television show.
“Fact of the matter was that our canal zone and the whole ownership question was making things increasingly unstable politically in Panama. It was the source of anti-American rioting and a convenient excuse for the Soviets and their Cuban henchmen to stir-up local feeling. Dr. Ickle pointed out that his analysts felt that a Communist revolution was a possibility as long as the canal grievance was there to be exploited.
“So I made the deal with Torrijos and managed to persuade enough Senators to ratify it. A lot didn’t want to, but Henry and Birch sat down with their old colleagues and showed them what was happening, and what we were trying to do to bolster Torrijos against the possibility of further instability.
“In the end we got a 68-31 vote – the Libertarian Senator Galtieri voted for the treaty because he didn’t think the United States had any business running a canal in Central America, and many of the Republicans went along on the premise that we were reducing a budget item by passing at least some of the cost for the canal to the Panamanians.
“Barry Goldwater – the father - in particular was pissed about it (he was one of the 31 who voted against the treaty), but as I told him ‘Look, we have this provision in the treaty that says if they can’t secure the canal we get to keep our troops there, and between you an me, Senator, ain’t no Panamanian government ever going to be able to secure that thing. And if they do, maybe some future President’ll just have to stir the pot some down there. But don’t you fret, we’ve given them their canal, but push comes to shove, it’s still ours.
“By the way, Torrijos considered me his best friend in the world after we got the treaty through, there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for me. This from a guy who had long been making common cause with Fidel Castro. Winning Torrijos over as friend was a very important side product of all this. Lots of my critics don’t get that point, but we made progress on securing Panama against Cuban influence by doing that treaty.”
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September 8, 1977
INTERPOL issues a resolution against the piracy of videotapes and other material.
September 9, 1977
President Wallace makes a visit to the recovering Elvis Presley at his hospital room. Photos are circulated of the signing icon and the wheel chair bound President praying together.
September 10-12, 1977
In the UK a Conservative Party conference confirms Sir Geoffrey Howe in the position of interim Parliamentary leader of the Conservative caucus for at least another year.
President Mitterrand and Chancellor Kohl meet at Verdun in France to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations. Verdun, the sight of a lethal First World War battle is chosen in an effort to, as the leaders put it in a joint statement “to remember the lessons of the past, while at the same time moving out from the poison shadow left by the legacy of war, and to look ahead at Europe’s future instead of dwelling upon the past.”
Despite cosmetics and efforts by the leaders, deep divisions remain over the future of NATO and the shape of the European Common Market.
September 13, 1977
General Motors introduces 1st US diesel auto (Oldsmobile 88).
September 16, 1977
Glam rock pioneer Marc Bolan dies in a car crash in Barnes, London.
In an address to a Socialist Party convention President Mitterrand again suggests that a referendum be held in France before the next Presidential election in May 1981 which would offer to reduce the Presidential term from seven years to five years. The President receives approval (but only by 52% of the delegates) for the idea “in principle.”
September 18, 1977
The yacht Australia narrowly winds out over the Courageous (U.S.) to win the 24th America’s Cup.
The PRC performs a nuclear test at Lop Nor.
September 19, 1977
The Wallace Administration signs a new military and financial support agreement with the Nicaraguan regime of President Anastasio Somoza Debayle. There are protests over this as the Somoza regime is seen as both brutal and corrupt.
Secretary of State Henry Jackson: “The United States remains committed to the development of a democratic regime in Nicaragua, and as such we will continue to work with the administration of President Somoza to achieve an orderly transfer to a full democratic government which is representative of all the people of Nicaragua. However, we will not allow Moscow-backed, Havana-armed insurgents to dictate that process, which would surely lead, if they had their way, the enslavement of the Nicaraguan people under the tyrannical yoke of Communism. First we must defeat the communist insurgency which is the real threat to Nicaraguan freedom – and indeed to the freedom of all our friends in this hemisphere – and we will work with the current government to do so. While we recognize that President Somoza’s government is not the model democracy we would like it to be, we know nonetheless that the President and his ministers are our friends and stalwart in the defence of their national freedom and independence. For this reason we will support their efforts to maintain a free and independent Nicaragua against the common enemy of communist tyranny and Moscow directed oppression.”
September 21, 1977
A nuclear non-proliferation pact is signed by 14 countries, including the Soviet Union, but not the United States. The pact is considered largely symbolic and powerless because the United States has withdrawn from the negotiations.
Turkish Prime Minister Turkes is arrested in his bed by Turkish Army troops. The Turkish Army, lead by a number of senior officers, seizes all state communications and governing facilities and immediately bans all political parties and all “unapproved” political activity. Turkes and a number of his supporters are thrown into jail.
Fighting breaks out between Turkish military forces and elements of the Grey Wolves who take to an insurgent/terror campaign in their resistance to the military government. Meanwhile leftist groups also begin a campaign of violence against the Turkish military government.
September 22, 1977
A West German Red Army Faction terrorist kills policeman in Utrecht
September 23, 1977
Cheryl Ladd replaces Farrah Fawcett on Charlie's Angels.
September 28, 1977
The Porsche 928 debuts at the Geneva Auto Convention.
Denis Healey, then British Prime Minister, and Paddy Donnegan, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), held a meeting in Downing Street, London. One of the main issues discussed was economic cross-border co-operation and the improvement of bi-lateral relations. Healey and Donnegan also touched on measures that both governments could take in facilitating the peace process, including tacit co-operation with the French diplomatic efforts.
September 29, 1977
The modern Food Stamp Program begins when the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is enacted.
President Truong of South Vietnam visits the United States, where he lobbies for a free trade agreement between the U.S. and the Republic of Vietnam. On his return to Asia President Truong will stop of for meetings in Hong Kong and Taipei aimed at building commercial relations.
The Soviets launch the Salyut 6 space station into orbit.
September 30, 1977
Due to US budget cuts, the Apollo program's ALSEP experiment packages left on the Moon are shut down.
Philippine political prisoners, Eugenio Lopez, Jr. and Sergio Osmeña III successfully escaped from Fort Bonifacio Maximum Security Prison in the Philippines
In a speech at Howard University, President George Wallace, once the symbol of segregation in the U.S. South, condemns the apartheid regime in South Africa.
From the Diary of Henry Jackson
After the Howard University speech blasting South African apartheid – which in places read as if Dr. King have given it from the steps of the Lincoln memorial – I expressed my concern to the President that we could be alienating the South Africans, who were still an important ally in an area where we had few friends of any quality. I also reminded the President that we knew, through our intelligence sources, that the South Africans and Israelis were co-operating on a nuclear weapons project.
“In the South, we took the heat over civil rights for a long time, Henry,” the President said. “The South Africans are just going to have to develop a tough hide. Look, if Botha wants to come out and proclaim Apartheid fovever, no one is gonna stop him, but there’s a price to be paid for it.”
“With all due respect, Mr. President,” I said, “South Africa is not Alabama or Mississippi. The situation there is different, and the strategic impact…”
The President waved his hand to dismiss my argument. “I know that. Listen here, Henry, we’re not gonna abandon South Africa, or Rhodesia. I recognize the strategic import of these places, and I know the commies are behind the other side, so we can’t give in there anymore than we did in Vietnam or can in Nicaragua. But here’s the thing, we’re Democrats, and that means as Democrats if we want to stay in office, we gotta placate the left, and that includes the Civil Rights lobby. That’s just politics, Henry. Like I used to say I was a nig…black hater in Alabama because that’s where the votes were. In the bigger United States I’m a civil rights guy, ‘cause that’s where the votes are.”
“Where does that leave South Africa? I mean if we allow boycotts and…”
“Well, we got some pretty nasty countries like Chile and Nicaragua and Argentina who are international bad boys too. Publicly we have to condemn them, but privately we can open up the trade credits and allowances that let them function, or not function if we cut-off the flow of funds.”
“Yes, Mr. President. We have that control.”
“My new friend, Omar Torrijos wants to do me a favour, well he can pass the message – we’ll prime the pump for trade and weapons sales to South Africa, Chile, Nicaragua and Argentina, even while we talk bad about their domestic politics. Maybe our friends in South Vietnam can help; they got a lot of people experienced in this sort of thing looking for a new war. But in return they got to start supporting each other, build up their own sort of outlaws network, you see, what I mean, Henry. We talk bad about them, but don’t stop’em from doing what they really need to do, which is fight the commies in the jungles.”
“That could backfire, Mr. President, if it isn’t handled carefully. Frankly, I would advise approaching something like that with a great deal of caution.”
“I know, Henry. That’s why we use the Panamanians and Nicaraguans as cut-outs, as they like to call it in the spy trade. We might even make Chile the fall guy, but heck, no one thinks much of General Pinochet anyway, so what’s he got to lose?”
“Still, I’m concerned, Mr. President. On the one had we’re supporting a strategic partner, but at the same time…”
“We’re in bed with a lot of unsavoury types?” the President cut me off. “I’ve done deals with unsavoury types before; Hell, I made a deal with the Klan in 1962 after I ran against them in 1958. People want me to denounce South Africa, it’s proof that I’m the changed – the new and improved – George Wallace. But the American people don’t want a bunch of thugs with Che Guevara posters and hammer and cicles on their flags over-running anymore of this Earth than they already got. They especially don’t want that if the thugs in question look like a Harlem street gang, you know what I mean?”
I was afraid that I did.
“The people want their President to be defending America by leavin’ the fight over there, on foreign soil, with foreign troops doing all the fightin’ and dying. Sure they love all the high faluting rhetoric about freedom and equality, makes ‘em feel good – special. I make ‘em feel good and special because I’ve become a symbol of it, of the change you can make. But if I’m caught helping out some foreign brutes to stop a bunch of black commies, well there aren’t many American voters who will loose a wink of sleep over that. And if I’m caught in a little hypocrisy over South Africa – well that’s just George Wallace being Wallace, and a lot of would be Reagan voters will take a special comfort in that.”
That meeting left me more in a quandary than ever about who the real George Wallace was.
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Henry Kissinger (in a remark to Robert Scheer of the Los Angeles Times): “The more I saw of Wallace in action, the more I came to realize that in some in respects he was like Nixon, a man filled with many conflicting impulses but one determined to carve his own path at the expense of conventional wisdom. The problem was that while Nixon could show great restraint in his actions and had a deep well of thought, this man had neither. He was all gut instinct and layered duplicity for its own sake.”
