MEMORANDUM ACTION 

THE WHITE HOUSE 
WASHINGTON 
March 7, 1968 

MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT 
SUBJECT: Invitation to Romanian Scientific Research Chief 
When Don Hornig was in Bucharest in 1966, he informally invited the head of the Romanian Council for Scientific Research to visit this country. Since then a new man has been appointed, and the State Department recom­mends that Don Hornig renew the invitation. 
The new man, Alexander Birladeanu, is a member of the Politburo --one of the top ten in Romania. He would talk with our people about scientific research policy and ways to stretch limited Romanian scientific research funds. He would also travel around the country. 
The only political risk we see is the possibility that Romania's economic and military assistance to North Vietnam would give some newsman or Congressman a handle to attack the visit. Romania does provide petroleum and other products to North Vietnam, and a Romanian-Chartered, Greek/ Belgian/ Panamanian ship is presently enroute to China, we believe, with oil for North Vietnam. The Warsaw Pact Conference now meeting in Sofia will no doubt issue some statement in support of North Vietnam, and subsequent statements cannot be ruled out. (Birladeanu's visit might be a month or two from now. ) 
Nevertheless, Romania is taking an increasingly independent line --as most recently demonstrated by her walkout from Budapest --and is increas­ingly friendly to us. 
Our Ambassador and the State Department recommend that the invitation be extended. Dr . Hornig thinks it is a good idea, and would be,hap to 
, I . ~ 
host the visit. 

E.O. 
Extend invitation 
No 
Call me