Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XIV, Soviet Union

195. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union¹

Washington, January 25, 1967, 7:23 p.m.

125373. Subj: Exchanges. Ref: State 124520.

1. In meeting with Dobrynin January 25 Leddy expressed Dept’s concern over implications of Soviet action on Industrial Design exhibit.² Leddy reviewed negotiating history, stressing Soviet commitment to receive exhibit in early 1967, and US actions in conformance with Soviet stipulations.

2. Emphasizing degree of official interest and concern with exchanges program, exemplified at time of signing agreement last March, Leddy pointed out that inevitable publicity of Soviet action likely to have wider effect than upon Exchanges Agreement itself. Quoted Romanovsky statements made during negotiations committing Soviet Government to receive exhibit in early 1967. Then pointed out that failure Soviets live up to exchange commitments could lead many to question validity Soviet commitments in other engagements such as proposed Consular Convention. This could seriously affect our strong efforts to have Convention approved by Senate.

3. In reply to Leddy’s expression of hope for Soviet reconsideration, Dobrynin expressed his understanding of situation and implications of action, and promised to seek quick reply from Moscow.

4. Leddy replied in negative to Dobrynin query as to whether commitment to December opening would be acceptable.

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, CUL 8 USSR. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Wortzel and approved by Leddy.
2. The Embassy reported in telegram 3164, January 24, that Spirin informed an Embassy officer that the Soviet Union, “due to number of circumstances,” would not receive the Industrial Design exhibit during the time proposed by the Department, nor would it be accepted earlier than December 1967. Ambassador Thompson commented: “This is clearly top-level decision and I do not believe anything we could do would allow us to proceed with exhibit in near future.” (Ibid.) Telegram 124520 to Moscow, January 24, noted that the Department thought the issue important enough to discuss with Dobrynin. (Ibid.)