373. Letter From President Nixon to Prime Minister Heath1
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
Thank you for your recent message on the proposal to sell two computers to the Soviet Physics Laboratory at Serpukhov.2
We have now studied the matter at length, for, as you well realize, those aspects involving precedents or what might be construed as precedents we felt needed to be considered very carefully. As a result of this study, we have come to the conclusion that it should be possible for our two Governments to work out an arrangement that will meet our security problems both in regard to this sale and in regard to future consideration of computer cases in the Coordinating Committee.
The State Department will shortly be in touch with your representatives to settle these details.3 I am pleased that we have been able once again to settle satisfactorily a question that was of concern to you and, consequently, to us.
With warm personal regards,
Sincerely,
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files-Europe, Box 728, UK, Volume VI 4/71-8/71. No classification marking. Attached to a July 3 memorandum from Kissinger to the President informing him that successful security negotiations with the United Kingdom had been completed and that on June 25 the United States had lifted its COCOM objections to the proposed computer sale. “The President has seen” is stamped on the July 3 memorandum.↩
- A copy of Heath’s March 17 message is ibid., NSC Files, Presidential Correspondence, United Kingdom: Heath.↩
- See Document 374 and footnote 1 thereto.↩