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

284. Letter From the Under Secretary of State (Katzenbach) to the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Nitze)¹

Washington, August 16, 1968.

Dear Paul:

You will recall that you earlier wrote me about the desirability of reaching an understanding with the Soviets on ways to avoid incidents at sea.² I would like to bring you up to date on our efforts.

Following up on our initial approach, we proposed in an April 16 note to the Foreign Ministry³ that private discussion be held on this subject. On August 13, having had no response, we called in the Soviet Embassy political counselor and presented a memorandum expressing our concern and once again proposing talks.⁴ We also used the occasion to pass on our account of the May 26 crash of a TU–16 which had been buzzing our ships in the Norwegian Sea.

While we may yet get a favorable reply, my people believe the Soviets are simply not ready to talk on this one yet.

Sincerely,

Nick

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 33–6 US–USSR. Secret; Limdis. A typed note on the letter reads: “Signed Original sent 8/19/68.”
2. Document 266.
3. For text, see airgram A–233, April 9, 1966. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files, 1964–66, POL 33–6, US–USSR)
4. Not found.