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44
Nixon was read to the fasters by Herschenson.
Subcommittee interviews of participants in the fast and internal UC
documents indicated that Moon s Watergate activities were aimed in large part at
stopping Nixon's impeachment and enhancing Moon's position. In a July 29,
1974 address to those UC mem-
342
bers who had participated in the fast the following exchange took place:
"Question. Father, what do you think will happen with President Nixon * * *?
Answer. Even if many people label somebody as dying not all of them will die. If
this dying person, Nixon, is revived, then Reverend Moon's name will be more
popular and famous, right? He may plan one more fasting campaign during the
final stage of impeachment proceedings, at the Senators level. * * * In the Senate
forum, if they cannot get more than two-thirds of the vote, impeachment will be
automatically cancelled. Se, he is exploring this area right now." (384)
Two days later, Moon was even more specific:
"* * * Father is planning a final strategy before the impeachment proceedings
in the Senate. * * * We prepared a long time ago through the PR team [see
below], making a friendly relationship with Senators, beginning already a few
years ago. Why? This has been done to prevent a two-thirds vote against Nixon,
to save Nixon and this nation." (385)
Two former members of the UC told the subcommittee of a second purpose
of the Watergate activiites which had definite political overtones: to impress the
Government of the ROK with the strength and influence of the UC in the United
States. (386) As a result, the stature of Moon would increase in the eyes of
President Park. An article written by Neil Salonen in the April 21, 1975 edition of
"New Hope News" corroborated this view.
"When Father came to the United States, his primary purpose was to do
things to make him influential in Korea. The Day of Hope Tour and especially the
rallies in support of President Nixon, were far more significant due to the impact
they had in Korea rather than their impact here." (387)
The PR team mentioned by Moon in his remarks about Nixon was one of the
first projects initiated by Moon after his arrival in the U.S. in December 1971. The
team, smaller than originally planned, (388)
consisted of a group of young,
female UC members who were given three tasks: to develop friendships with
Congressmen or members of their staff; to explain the UC and dispel any
negative views of it; and to insure that the Congressman or staff became
supporters of the ROK. The last goal, when achieved, would serve to impress the
Korean Government as to Moon's influence in the United States
When a sufficient friendship had been established, the individual was
invited
for dinner at a suite in the Washington Hilton. He or she would be shown a
film
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