288. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and the Minister of the Soviet Embassy (Vorontsov)1

K: Yuli, I just talked to the President again. I reported our conversation2 to him and he asked me to tell you that we will work it out in a spirit so there are no winners or losers. And so we are not looking for any public humiliation of anybody. We also believe—and we will use our influence in the Security Council as it evolves to come up with a compromise as far as the UN is concerned in which everybody gives up a little. We are also prepared to proceed on our understandings on which you are working. We want to make sure that you approach us first so that for now on we will not take any additional steps beyond what we have told you.

V: I recalled this to Moscow. First to you and the President and then …

K: … and then work out the strategy and tactics and then work toward a solution as rapidly as possible. That is the spirit in which we will approach it as soon as we get confirmation from you.

V: That is very important what they are doing in Delhi—a solution acceptable to you, to us, the Indians and to Pakistan.

K: Thank you, Yuli. I am in immediate touch by phone on the plane, or they will flash a message to me.

V: Or I should talk to Colonel Kennedy.

K: This afternoon and after that talk to General Haig.

  1. Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 370, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File. No classification marking.
  2. See Document 287.