Office of the Historian

133. Letter From President Nixon to Soviet General Secretary Brezhnev1

Washington, undated.
Dear Mr. General Secretary,

I have the honor to confirm that as a result of the talks held in the USA from 18 to 24 June 1973, the following understanding has been reached between the American and Soviet sides.

1. Soviet foreign trade organizations will purchase in the United States of America in 1973–1980 approximately 5 million tons annually of grain (wheat, corn, barley, soy beans and other grain products).

2. Commercial deals between appropriate Soviet foreign trade organizations on one side and American physical or juridical persons on the other will be implemented in accordance with each country’s existing legislation.

Simultaneously both sides will facilitate in every way the conclusion of such commercial deals.

3. Both sides proceed from the assumption that contracts for the purchase of the said goods may be concluded subject to reaching agreement on grain quality, prices, delivery dates, conditions and forms of payment, conditions of transportation and other conditions.

4. Both sides will favorably consider questions involving the possibility of concluding commercial deals beyond the quantities specified. Notification will be given as early as practicable of intention to purchase beyond the quantity specified.

5. Goods that may be purchased in accordance with this letter will be utilized mostly in the USSR. However, Soviet foreign trade organizations will have the right to channel a certain part of those goods to the countries-members of the Council of Mutual Economic Assistance.

6. All payments involved in such commercial deals will be made in US dollars or any other freely convertible currency by mutual arrangement between the participants in such deals.

Sincerely,2

  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 68, Country Files—Europe—USSR, Dobrynin/Kissinger, Vol. 18 [June 8, 1973–July 10, 1973]. No classification marking. A handwritten note at the top of the page reads, “2 cys [copies] delivered to the Soviet Embassy 5:00 pm, 6/25/73.”↩
  2. Printed from an unsigned copy.↩