Interview with John Sherman Cooper, June 22, 1986

Interview Summary

Cooper begins the interview by discussing some of the honors he has received from universities. Cooper recalls the Senate debate in 1972 over reducing the number of American troops stationed in Europe under NATO. Subsequently, Cooper explains why he was opposed to reducing the number of American troops in Europe. Cooper briefly talks of Mike Mansfield and his views on the NATO issue. Cooper describes an amendment to the National Security Act he introduced during the aftermath of the publication of the Pentagon Papers. Cooper evaluates his perception of the CIA and its leadership. Cooper assesses US-China relations in the 1970s. Cooper remembers his trip to Helsinki in 1971 to witness the SALT I treaty negotiations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The anti-ballistic missile treaty that was approved by the Senate in 1971 is examined. Cooper also discusses the SALT II treaty negotiations. Cooper provides his views on campaign finance laws. Cooper describes his trip to the Middle East in 1971, during which he met with leaders from Israel, Egypt and Greece in an unofficial capacity. Cooper considers his views on Israel. Cooper remembers rumors of his possible appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Egypt in 1972. Cooper highlights his firm belief in voting his conscious in the Senate. Cooper articulates why he was in favor of the William Rehnquist nomination to the Supreme Court in 1971. Cooper lists some of the reasons why he decided to retire from the Senate in 1972. Additionally, Cooper provides his views on busing, the War Powers Act, the easing of restrictions on federal highway billboards and George McGovern. To conclude the interview, Cooper expresses his support for a 1972 expansion of mass transit systems in urban areas.

Interview Keyword

Bellarmine Medal Lorraine Cooper U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Supreme Court William Rehnquist Senate Foreign Relations Committee Gene McCarthy Highway Beautification Act Highway Trust Fund Jacob Javits John McCone Dean Acheson North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Alben Barkley George Aiken Jennings Randolph Stuart Symington War Powers Act Mike Mansfield Richard Nixon SALT I treaty Anti-ballistic missile system SALT II treaty Campaign finance Senate Senators Desegregation George McGovern Mass transit systems

Interview LC Subject

Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991 Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991--Interviews Politicians Politicians--United States Politics and government United States--Politics and government Washington (D.C.) Awards International relations Bellarmine University Soviet Union Europe Cold War Pentagon Papers National security United States. Central Intelligence Agency China Helsinki (Finland) Missiles Weapons of mass destruction Nuclear weapons Travel Middle East Israel Egypt Greece Voting Retirement Busing for school integration Civil rights Civil rights movement Schools Billboards Transportation Cities

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.