211. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between Secretary of State Kissinger and the Soviet Ambassador (Dobrynin)1

K: Hello Anatol.

D: How are you Henry. Thank you very much. How was your trip?

K: I am just leaving.

D: I mean your trip to Canada.2

K: Didn’t you read about it in the newspapers? It is getting to be like the Kremlin.

D: It is no problem. You are covered—it is an open door policy.

K: Two things, three things really. Patolichev is acting too nasty. We are trying to get this thing settled and a little more conciliation on his part would be helpful.3

D: I don’t understand.

K: His behavior is getting to be too tough. I understand your problem but your analysis is not exactly correct—the one you gave me the other day.4

D: It is our analysis.

K: I think you are wrong. If I want compensation I want it in the political field, I don’t give a damn about the economic thing.

D: Sure, like . . .

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K: That is ridiculous. That is not the issue. I think we can settle it in turn. I think we can settle it in terms agreeable to you if you can—well, first of all, I think the behavior is too rough.

D: I don’t have any information on this.

K: I want to tell you this privately and if we make this agreement I think we should do it in a way that we are pleased with each other. Those are the instructions Robinson has.5

D: The real . . .

K: Those are exactly his instructions and you will have to help us a little bit in not pressing things to the absolute limit. I am meeting your basic point.

D: I will pass on the points you mentioned since I don’t have any information yet.6

K: Ok. The second thing is the date that looks best to meet Gromyko is the 14th.

D: The 14th of November. Late November you couldn’t do it.

K: No because I have to visit your allies.

D: Yes, you have a political problem. Ok. I will check with him while you are there and when you come back, tell you.

K: Yes, and I wanted to tell you I am taking Sonnenfeldt to China. This has nothing to do with you. It is to give him some experience and satisfy his ego. He is not along for any substantive purpose. I have him along for his education and his ego. I wanted you to know this from me—it has nothing to do with you.

D: I understand.

K: I know we have an occasional reason to be irritated with each other, but I think this thing will come out alright. We should have a serious talk sometime soon when we can on where we should go in our relationship.

D: What about SALT?

K: I am waiting for your response. I can’t do any more til I have a reply from you.

D: I understand. Will there be anything new when Sadat will be here.7 You promised to tell me.

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K: We are giving them B–52s but that wouldn’t affect you—they are aimed at Israel.

D: Otherwise, there is nothing interest.

K: There won’t be anything spectacular that I foresee.

D: Do you take him to Disney World?

K: I won’t, no.

D: What about the beginning of this building of our apartment house in the complex of our embassy?

K: Let me get you an answer when I get back. I have to catch a plane.

D: Ok.

K: And you’ll let me know about the 14th?

D: Yes.

K: We’ll meet the 13th.

D: What do you mean?

K: I will arrive the evening of the 13th and we’ll meet on the 14th.

D: Ok. You will be in Paris.

K: I will be in Paris afterwards.

D: Ok. Have a nice trip.

K: Thank you.

  1. Source: Department of State, Electronic Reading Room, Kissinger Transcripts of Telephone Conversations. No classification marking.
  2. Kissinger was in Ottawa October 14–15 for meetings with Canadian Secretary for External Affairs Allan MacEachen. He left Washington on October 17 for a 6-day trip to Japan and China.
  3. In telegram 14888 from Moscow, October 17, Robinson reported that he had held a 3-hour meeting with Patolichev that morning “aimed at bringing our grain/oil negotiations to a conclusion.” “The Soviets’ attitude,” Robinson noted, “was extremely cold, unhappy and very hard.” (Telegram 14888 from Moscow, October 17; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files)
  4. See Document 207.
  5. See footnote 3, Document 207.
  6. In telegram 14954 from Moscow, October 17, Robinson reported a meeting that afternoon after which Patolichev approved several revisions to the overall package on American grain and Soviet oil, possibly opening the door to a final settlement. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files) After several days of further talks in Moscow, Robinson finally notified Washington (and Kissinger in China) on October 20 that at 1 p.m. Moscow time, “Patolichev and I executed the grain agreement and oil letter of intent.” (Telegram 15000 from Moscow, October 20; ibid.)
  7. Sadat was in the United States October 27–November 5 for a State visit.