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A. I think that the Soviet Union has got to be convinced that the results of such an action would be very severe. Now, you can ask yourself, how would the free world quarantine the Soviet Union with regard to trade and so forth? You have to ask yourself, can the Soviet Union exist on its own? It never has. The Soviet Union, with all its boastfulness about its system, could not live without support and help by way of trade and so forth from capitalist nations. If their system is so great, how come they're not self-sufficient? They are probably richer in minerals and fuel supplies than any other nation.
Q. So you think a quarantine might be one repercussion of an invasion?
A. It shows the possibilities. The Soviet Union is not as rich industrially as the rest of Europe. It has a smaller population than the rest of Europe. Maybe it's time for us to get out of this syndrome, if that's the proper word ... to stop thinking of the Soviets as being ten feet tall. They're not all that invulnerable.
Q. If the Soviets do not move on Poland, do you now have in mind even a rough timetable for arms control talks? Are you getting any signals from Brezhnev?
A. There is no way for me to outline a timetable on that. I have made it plain that I believe in legitimate negotiations that are aimed at reducing the strategic nuclear weapons in the world. I just think you cannot sit down at the negotiating table and ignore the policies of the Soviet Union, when you're talking disarmament, while they're carrying on as they are in Afghanistan and Africa and so forth.
Q. President Nixon introduced détente with the Soviets. As a Republican, do you think that in the eyes of the American public you would also have more leeway than a Democrat to deal with Moscow?
A. No, I don't think so. I could sum up in one sentence, I think, what I feel the attitude toward Russia should be. The Soviet empire should know that there will be no further concessions from us unless there is a concession in return.
Q. Do you have any sense of their view of you from whatever you have been able to learn since the election?
A. Oh, I have just read some of the things that are quoted in the press and how they are looking forward and all that, and that is fine. Why, what else can they say?
Q. President Nixon has been in touch with you occasionally since the election. Do you expect to be discussing foreign policy with him periodically once you are in the White House?
A. I have not made any plans, but I would not rule it out. I think there is no question, if you look back at the record, about his knowledge of world affairs and world figures.
Q. Concerning the Middle East, do you plan to follow President Sadat's recommendation to call for a new summit meeting with yourself, Sadat and Prime Minister Begin?
A. Obviously, I don't want any retreat there on the part of our country. I wa.nt to make it plain to both Sadat and Prime Minister Begin that the United States does have an interest in the Middle East. We should not try to dictate a settlement, but be as helpful as we can in arriving at a settlement.
Q. Have you developed any further your belief that the U.S. should establish a military presence in the Middle East?