202. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State1
3563. 1. During my call on Kosygin today, he raised question of discrimination against Soviet vessels in U.S. ports. Noting he had discussed this with Kohler, he complained that while U.S. vessels treated by Soviets on equal basis with ships any other nation, only Soviet vessels discriminated against by U.S. He wanted me to report to U.S. Govt Soviets regarded their request for equality as legitimate and would wish U.S. reply on this matter. He said he wanted bring up this subject in this fashion rather than formally.
2. I told him that U.S. Govt already working on this problem. However, he probably knew that difficulties were due to position taken by American trade unions rather than govt. While noting this not directly related to subject he had brought up, I mentioned that our goodwill could be seen from fact only last month we had assisted more than [Page 460] 40 Soviet vessels in evacuating members of crew who had fallen ill, providing for repairs, etc.
3. Kosygin said Soviets very grateful for U.S. assistance and noted Soviet ships also have strict instructions assist U.S. vessels as well as vessels of any other nation, in case of distress. As to my remark re trade unions, he commented Soviets also had trade unions and that latter complained about U.S. discrimination and demanded equality. Kornienko added that problem with U.S. was not only of trade unions’ position but also of discriminatory rules such as prior notice, etc.
4. Kosygin concluded discussion on this subject by stating that if we wanted improve U.S.-Soviet relations, something Soviets desired sincerely rather than as matter of expediency, there should be no discrimination by either side. USSR could reciprocate in full but that would serve no useful purpose. All USSR wants is equal treatment and U.S. should therefore consider Soviet request.
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, OS 12 USSR. Secret; Priority; Limdis.↩