42. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State1
2624. Subj: Waldheim Visit to Moscow and Plans re China.
July 25. The Secretary General reviewed with me his Moscow trip saying that he was courteously received and that he had the distinct impression that the Russian leaders wanted to avoid confrontation with the United States at all cost. It is his judgment that the Middle East situation and Vietnam were second in importance to good relations with the United States Government. He got this distinct feeling from the high level leaders he met and lower echelon people as well.
He reviewed the UN financial situation with Moscow. He proposed an arrangement under which the Soviet Union would pay $15 million towards the deficit and that the US Government would pay $15 million towards the deficit. He now estimates the deficit that needs to be paid off at $65 million. He figures that the balance ($35 million) would come from other industrialized countries.
He discussed his forthcoming trip to China. He indicated that the Chinese wanted the trip to be sooner rather than later. He is now thinking of going in mid-August and said that the Chinese came over specifically to see him so that he would go early, well before the General Assembly session. He indicated that the Chinese wanted him to come via Thailand rather than on the route that would take him through Moscow. It is now his intention to go in mid-August, return to Austria, and then come back to the United Nations.
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 303, Agency Files, USUN, Vol. X. Secret; Exdis. Repeated to Moscow.↩