Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume V, Soviet Union

383. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State⁰

Moscow, December 3, 1963, 2 p.m.

1824. In course my meeting with Gromyko today, which I had requested for purpose discussing pending bilateral issues (e.g., Civil Air Agreement, leased line, Consular Convention), FonMin briefly and in general terms touched on desirability of progress toward relaxation of tensions. Gromyko said he had in mind need for action on broad issues which he had discussed with Secy and late President when in Washington last fall.¹ He had noted statement by Pres Johnson that new administration intended to follow foreign policy lines laid down by Pres Kennedy² and he hoped, therefore, Washington would soon come up with specific suggestions for further steps. Sovs, for their part, Gromyko said, were prepared to move ahead.

I said I understood Secy had discussed problem with Mikoyan³ when latter in Washington for Pres Kennedyʼs funeral and had underlined need for continued consultation with allies on issues of multilateral concern. I reminded Gromyko that there would be further opportunities for such consultation at upcoming NATO Ministerial Meeting as well as during planned visits to Washington after first of year by leaders of certain of our allies.

Gromyko commented wryly that he hoped in such consultations we planned to search for keys to solutions rather than provide additional locks. He then said if he were asked to name problem requiring most urgent solution, he would be obliged to cite problem of Germany.

I said I readily agreed that German problem was of cardinal importance but, unfortunately, our suggestions for its solution were widely disparate. In any case, I could assure Gromyko that we were equally anxious to seek and settle on ways of relaxing tension but we did feel at moment best chances of quick progress toward this goal lay in bilateral field.

Gromyko concluded the discussion by remarking that while avoiding a worsening of international situation is better than worsening it, best course is to take positive steps for improvement by removing current blocks. I said that was precisely purpose of my visit today.⁴

Kohler

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 1 US-USSR. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to London, Paris, Bonn, and Berlin.
1. See Documents 362–364.
2. For President Johnsonʼs address to Congress, November 27, during which this statement was made, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1963-64, Book I, pp. 8-10.
3. See Document 382.
4. Kohler also discussed the forthcoming visit to the Soviet Union of FAA Administrator Halaby, communication problems for the U.S. Embassy, the cultural exchanges agreement, and the consular convention. (Telegrams 1822 and 1823 from Moscow, December 3; Department of State, Central Files, ORG 7 FAA and EDX 4 US-USSR)