From the S&S archives: Ford declares he won't be a candidate in 1980

TOKYO — Former President Gerald R. Ford couldn't help grinning a little when he told a group of newsmen Monday that the 1980 presidential election will be "very interesting" but that he will not be a candidate.

"In the Republican Party, we are not lacking for candidates," he said. "We have many now and many more will appear. I happen to think that's good and, I add as a postscript, I'm not one of them."

The latest Gallup Poll gave Ford 26 percent of the "vote," just behind Ronald Reagan with 31 percent.

Ford made the comments at the Japan Press Center after receiving an honorary degree and a medal from the prestigious Gakushuin University earlier in the day.

Before leaving Japan late Tuesday, Ford visited Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira and conferred with Foreign Minister Sunao Sonoda. He was also to meet with Emperor Hirohito.

Ford, who in 1974 was the first president to visit Japan while in office, came this time at the invitation of a Japanese commercial broadcasting company.

When asked about Japan buying Alaskan oil, Ford noted that legislation. prohibited the selling of the oil to foreign nations because, he said, "Congress felt that was our oil and we ought to keep it in the U.S."

He said the world oil crisis today did not exist when the legislation was approved. He noted that about 40 percent of Alaskan oil is shipped through the Panama Canal to the East Coast, while Mexican oil is being shipped to Japan.

"It would be far more logical and far more economical for Alaskan oil to be delivered to Japan and Mexican oil delivered to the United States." He said he hoped Congress would understand the changing circumstances and that President Carter "would take the initiative" to change the existing law.

Ford said "the best deterrent to a nuclear holocaust" is for the U.S. to maintain the most modern strategic weapons system allowed under any international or bilateral agreements.

He said he has not yet decided whether to oppose or support the signing of the the SALT II agreement. He said he has told President Carter he will make no decision until the agreement's provisions have been made final. Pointing out that the scrapped B-1 bomber program would have been permitted under the SALT II, he said "it is essential that the United States maintain its most modern strategic weapons system." He said there are many people in the United States who think cancellation of the B-1 program "was a serious mistake."

Concerning trade restrictions imposed against countries like Japan which enjoy trade surpluses, Ford said such restrictions would be "counterproductive in the long run."

The Joint Economic Committee of Congress indicated Sunday it was considering a surcharge against such countries.

Ford said he hoped Congress would be "cautious" before approving the action, especially since it would be contrary to current trade negotiations.

A West German reporter pointed to the Chinese invasion of Vietnam and asked what the United States' reaction would be if China decided to "teach Taiwan a lesson."

"I've learned some time ago not to respond to speculative scenarios of this kind," said Ford.

Ford's wife, Betty, and daughter, Mrs. Susan Vance, accompanied him to Japan.