MEETING WITH PELE (EDSON ARANTEL NASCIMENTO) BRAZILIAN SOCCER STAR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: August 10, 2010
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: June 28, 1975
• Content Type: REPORT

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN.::. 4294
THE WHITE HOUSE
MEETING WITH PELE (Edson Arantes Nascimento)
BRAZILIAN SOCCER STAR
Saturday, June 28, 1975
11:30 a. m. (10 minutes)
The Oval Office
From: Henry A. Kissinger
I. PURPOSE
To meet one of the world's foremost athletes and express your
appreciation and support for his participation in the North American
Soccer League.
II. BACKGROUND, PARTICIPANTS & PRESS ARRANGEMENTS
A. Background: At 34 Pele (PEH-LAY), is the world's most
highly paid athlete and one of its finest. He comes from a
poor family in the interior of Brazil but by the age of 16 his
talents had been recognized and he was playing soccer for
Brazil in World Cup competition. (The sport is called
football in Brazil. ) As long as Pele remained a member of
Brazilian teams they dominated world soccer play. Their
victories in three consecutive world cup matches gained
permanent possession of the trophy for Brazil. Pele himself
retired from world cup competition in 1971 and from his
Brazilian professional team (Santos) in 1974. His contract
to play with the New York Cosmos of the North American
Soccer League was signed earlier this year. Appearances
with, the team have doubled attendance at soccer games.
His participation, is expected Lobe a great boon to professional
soccer and to stimulate general interest in the sport in
this country.
President Nixon rn.et with Pele on the occasion of his visit
to the United States in 1973.
Pele speaks fair English and the Brazilian Ambassador is
fluent. However, an interpreter will be standing by.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
B. Participants:
Pele
Clyde Toye, General Manager of the New York Cosmos
Steven Leipsner, General Manager of the Washington Diplomats
John Rose, Public Relations Manager of the Washington
Diplomats
Brazilian Ambassador Joao Augusto de Araujo Castro
Brent Scowcroft
Press Arrangements; Meeting'to be announced; press photo
session.
III. TALKING POINTS
1. We are delighted to have you here in this country playing for
the North American Soccer League. I hope that you and your
wife and your children are enjoying your stay here.
2. Your presence will do a great deal to stimulate professional
soccer as well as general interest in the sport here in this
country.
3. We are among the less developed countries in this sport and
can use a little technical assistance. Your presence will help
us.
4. I understand, though, that an American team playing in Brazil
once knocked the English out of world cup competition.
5. I am hopeful that in a few years we will be able to mount a
team which can challenge the top contenders in this sport.
6. ?.. Socc r*_r z . r f,,.ga.e to play .as well as to watch. It doesn't
require size or a lot of equipment to play. It's easy to learn
and, since the object isn't to hide the ball, as in our football,
it's easy to follow for the spectator. It doesn't have all those
pauses in the action, either.
7. I hope your country doesn't mind our borrowing you a little
while. I know from our own point of view it will be very positive
and helpful to the friendly relations between our two countries.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
 j._.... ,...,, 7Y n 42Q4
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
ACTION
June 27, 1975
SECRETARY KISSINGER
STEPHEN LOW
President's Meeting with Brazilian
Soccer Star Pele
Attached at Tab A is a Talker for the President's meeting on Saturday,
June 28, with Brazilian soccer star Pele. .
Ambassador Araujo Castro will also be present.
RECOMMENDATION
That you initial the Talker.
STAT
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
 , No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
49 W
June 23, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR: WARREN S. RUSTAND
FROM: JEANNE W. DAVI
SUBJECT: Attached Schedule Proposal for
Brazilian Soccer Star Pele
We support an Oval Office meeting with Pele. I assume both his.
own team of the New York Cosmos and the Washington Diplomats
will want to hie a representative present.
Secretary Kissinger would like to attend but unfortunately will be,
out of the city. We believe, however, it would be a good idea to
include the Brazilian Ambassador in the meeting.
We understand that Pele was hurt last weekend by an
over-enthusiastic crowd in Boston and has returned to Brazil.
However, it may be that he will be back in the U. S. this weekend.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
4294
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
June 23, 1975
MEMO FOR: JEANNE W. DAVIS
FROM: STEPHEN LOW
SUBJECT: Attached Schedule
Proposal for Brazilian
Soccer Star Pele
Attached memo and Schedule Proposal for
your initialing.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
4Z94
SCHEDULE PROPOSAL
DATE:
FROM: Henry A. Kissinger
VIA: /Warren S. Rustand
FORMAT:
CABINET PARTICIPATIO
SPEECH MATERIAL:
PRESS COVERAGE:
STAFF:
RECOMMEND: J
OPPOSED:
A
RTICIPATION:
PREVIOUS P
BACKGROUND:
Pele (Edson Akanteg Nascimento),
r
Brazilian soccer star
To meet tai's outstanding athlete and express
your appreciation and support for his
participdtion in the American Soccer League.
al Office
the New York Cosmos and Washingtori
Diplomats soccer teams and Brazilian
Ambassador Araujo Castro
10 minutes
articipants: Pele, a representative of
None
Talking points to be prepared by NSC.
Meeting to be announced; press photo
session.
Secretary Kissinger
Secretary Kissinger
None
None
The world's most highly paid professional
athlete, Pele recently signed a contract to
play for the New York Cosmos American
Soccer League team. He has been Brazil's
leading soccer player for the last ten years
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
? !
and was Captain of the team which
won the world soccer cup for thee'
consecutive times, thus per 'tting
Brazil to retain the cup pe anently.
Secretary Kissinger ha expressed
his interest in Pele' participation
in U. S. soccer to e Brazilian
Government. P e's presence has
already given great boost to soccer
in the Unite States .
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
June 20, 1975
to q $4
HIGH PRIORITY
MEMORANDUM FOR: JEANNE DAVIS
FROM: WARREN RUSTAND LU~fC_
SUBJECT: : President meeting with Pele,_
Brazilian soccer player, June 28 or 29
The New York Cosmos soccer star, Pele, will be in Washington
June 28 and 29 for a match against the Washington Diplomats
Soccer Team.
A brief Oval Office meeting has been requested; the Diplomats
are also trying to tie in the B razianAmbassador and Secretary Kissinger.
I do not know of the extent of the dialogue with State. I would
appreciate your recommendation on this meeting.
Thank you.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
4294 .- retyped
Gen S:wgh:27 Jun 75
MEETING WITH PELF (Edson Arantes Nascimento)
.Saturday, June 28, 1975
l i :30 a. m. (10 minutes)
The Oval Office
Froth:
To meet one of the world's foremost athletes and express your
appreciation and support for his participation in the North American
Soccer League.
ACKOROUND, PARTICIPANTS &
Back rounds At 34 Pele (PEH-LAY), is the world's most
highly paid athlete and one of its finest. He comes from a
poor family in the interior of Brazil but by the age of 16 his
talents had been recognized and he was playing soccer for
Brazil in World Cup competition. (The sport is called
football in Brazil.) As long as Pete remained a member of
Brazilian teams they dominated world soccer play. Their
ictories in three consecutive world cup matches gained
soccer and to stimulate general interest in the sport in
this country.
,tai jti tie p oaa%, pec:ted,tfa be a'great boon to professional
permanent possession of the trophy for Brazil. Pole. himself
retired from world cup competition in 1971 and from his
Brazilian professional team (Santos) in 1974. Hie contract
to play with the New York Cosmos of the North American
Soccer League was signed earlier this year. Appearances
with .the team have doubled attendance at soccer games.
President Nixon met with Pale on the occasion of his visit
to the United States in 1973.
Pole speaks fair English and the Brazilian Ambassador is
fluent. However, an interpreter will be standing by.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
Partic tpantss
Pelee
Clyde Toye, General Manager of the New York Cosmos
Steven Leipsner, General Manager of the Washington Diplomats
John Rose, Public Relations Manager of the Washington
Diplomats
Brazilian Ambassador Joao Augusta de Araujo Castro
Brent Scowcroft
Press Arrangre . Meeting to be announced; press photo
session.
III. TALKING POINTS
We are delighted to have you here in this country playing for
the North American Soccer League. I hope that you and your
wife and your children are enjoying your stay here.
Your presence will do a great deal to stimulate professional
soccer as well as general interest in the sport here in this
country.
. We are among the less developed countries in this sport and
can use a little technical assistance. Your presence will help
us.
I understand, though, that an American team playing in Brazil
once knocked the English out of world cup competition.
I am hopeful that in a few years we will be able to mount a
cam which can challenge the top contenders in this sport.
Soccer is a groat game to play as well as to watch. It doesn't
-req ac a bi ,e or . . w c x'equipx ).ent to play. It's easy to learn
-r T
and, since the object isn't to hide the ball, as in our football,
it's easy to follow for the spectator. It doesn't have all those
pauses in the action, either.
7. I hope your cotmtry doesn't mind our borrowing you a little
while. I know from our own point of view it will be very positive
and helpful to the friendly relations between our two countries.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
MEETING WITH PELE (Edson Arantes Nascimento)
BRAZILIAN SOCCER STAR
Saturday, June 28, 1975
11: 30 a.m. (10 minutes)
The Oval Office
From: Henry A. Kissinger
I. PURPOSE
To meet one of the world's foremost athletes and express your
appreciation and support for his participation in the North American
Soccer League.
H. BACKGROUND, PARTICIPANTS & PRESS ARRANGEMENTS
A. Background
At 34 Pele (ate _ e _ _ ..: ,mod PEH-LAY), is
the world's most highly paid athlete and one of its finest. He comes
from a poor family in the interior of Brazil but by the age of 16 his
talents had been recognized and he was playing soccer for Brazil in
World -Cup competition. (The sport is called football in Brazil)-4
~~ !1t - -,.ice-~'Y~C TTl I71iL
As long as Pele remained a member of
Brazilian teams they dominated world soccer play. Their victories in
three consecutive world cup matches gained permanent possession of
the trophy for Brazil. Pele himself retired from world cup
competition in 1971 and from his Brazilian professional team (Santos)
in 1974. His contract to play with the New York Cosmos of the North
American Soccer League was signed earlier this year. Appearances
with the team have doubled attendance at soccer games. His
participation is expected to. be a great boon to professional soccer
and to stimulate .:, era.i ingest ::iu thr-, sport in this country.
President Nixon met with Pele on the occasion of his visit to the
United States in 1973.
Pele speaks fair English and the Brazilian Ambassador is fluent.
However, an interpreter will be standing by.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
 l,rrrr.ACgTV TTn
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2
B . . ParlicipanLI
Pele
Clyde Toye, General Manager of the New York Cosmos
Steven Leipsner, General Manager of the Washington Diplomats
-John Rose, Public Relations Manager of the Washington
Diplomats
Brazilian Ambassador Joao Augusto de Araujo Castro.
C. Press Arrangements
Meeting to be announced; press photo session.
TALKING POINTS
-- We are delighted to have you here in this country playing
for the North American Soccer League. I hope that you and your wife
and your children are enjoying their stay here.
-- w your presence will do a great deal to stimulate
professional soccer as well as general interest in the sport. here in this
country. _
-- We are among the less developed countries in this sport
and can use a little technical assistance. Your presence will help us.
I understand, though, that an American team playing in
BrazilYonce knocked the English out of world cup competition.
-- I am hopeful that in a few years we will be able to mount
a team which can challenge the top contenders in this sport.
Soccer is a great game to play as well as to watch. It
~"
ize ors e.iipment to play. It's easy to ands
doesn't require s
since the object isn't to hide the ball, as in our football, it's easy to
follow for the spectator . 'It doesn't have all those pauses in the action,
either,
-- I hope your country doesn't mind our borrowing you a
little while. I know from our own point of view it will be very
positive and helpful to the friendly relations between our two countries.
UNCLASSIFIED
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/08/10: LOC-HAK-74-5-2-2