321. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and the Soviet Ambassador (Dobrynin)1

K: Hello, Anatol.

D: Yes.

K: Where are you?

D: At home.

K: At home. OK. I am calling you about this Berlin thing.

D: Yes.

K: And I just wanted to check the following with you. I understand that you are going to see the Secretary tomorrow about it?

D: I already have seen him.2

K: Oh you have.

[Page 904]

D: But this morning I saw him before he saw Ambassador Rush.

K: Right.

D: And he said maybe later on today he would see me or tomorrow and he will give me a call.

K: Right.

D: So, this is the situation.

K: Now what I want to have happen here is that before this thing gets completely confused, is don’t report anything to Moscow without checking back with me.

D: Right.

K: Can you do that?

D: Of course, I will call you then.

K: Because I don’t want Moscow to be confused about our position.

D: OK.

K: We have tactically solved most of the problems along the lines of our agreement, but we cannot prevent any discussion. So if it goes to you, you call me and then we will agree how to handle it.

D: OK. Up until now, nothing was said on this.

K: Alright, but in any event what I want to prevent is confusion in Moscow and to make sure that what you report reflects the President’s thinking.

D: OK. Good. If I receive something, I will call you back.

K: OK, fine.

D: But I saw today at the State Department by accident Ambassador Rush and his message to me was he is going today at night back to Bonn.

K: No, I have changed that.

D: Oh, I see.

K: Rush is coming out to see the President and so that gives the President an opportunity to back the agreement publicly.

D: Oh, I understand. OK.

K: But we have to go through several maneuvers along the way.

D: I understand.

K: And so far everything has gone pretty well, don’t you think?

D: The Secretary simply mentioned to me that he is going to call me back to say if there is anything too serious or that it is more or less alright.3

[Page 905]

K: Right. I think that is right. There is one particular point he has and if he raises it with you come back to me and we will discuss it.

D: OK. Thank you very much.

K: OK Anatol.

D: I will give you a call.

K: Good. Thank you.

[Omitted here is discussion of press speculation on a U.S.Soviet summit.]

  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 57, Country Files, Europe, Berlin and European Security, Vol. II [2 of 2]. No classification marking. Kissinger was in San Clemente; Dobrynin was in Washington.
  2. Rogers met Dobrynin at 10:03 a.m. (Appointment Book; Personal Papers of William P. Rogers) In telegram 156614 to Moscow, Bonn, Berlin and USNATO, August 25, the Department summarized the discussion on the quadripartite talks: “Secretary said we pleased with the progress made by the Ambassador and that draft seems to provide good ‘general framework’ for agreement. He added that we of course want to look over draft and if we have any suggested changes we will be back in touch with the other participants. Dobrynin asked when Ambassador Rush would return to Germany and was told that date not yet set. Dobrynin said that Gromyko had personally requested him to delay departure on leave (planned for today) for few days in case we wish to discuss Berlin with him.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL USUSSR)
  3. Rogers called Dobrynin on August 27 at 9:27 a.m. (Appointment Book; Personal Papers of William P. Rogers) No other record of the conversation has been found.