174. Telegram 2218 From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State1
2218. Subject: Soviets Propose WMD Discussions February 18–19 in Moscow.
1. Embassy is in receipt of MFA Note No. 15 dated February 13 with following text in Embassy translation.
2. Begin text. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics expresses its respect for the Embassy of the United States of America and, with reference to the understanding achieved during the talks with the USA Secretary of State H. Kissinger in January of this year in Moscow with regard to conducting an exchange of opinions between representatives of the USSR and USA on the question of prohibiting the development and production of new types of weapons of mass destruction and new systems of such weapons, proposes to begin the aforementioned exchange of opinions on approximately February 18–19 of this year in Moscow. The Ministry would appreciate receiving a rapid reply from the American side. End text.
3. Comment and request. Soviets would obviously like to have exchange before Party Congress beginning February 24. Please advise what reply we should give soonest.
-
Summary: The Embassy transmitted the translation of a Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs note that requested an “exchange of opinions” between Soviet and American officials on the “question of prohibiting the development and production of new types of weapons of mass destruction and new systems of such weapons.” Soviet officials proposed that such an exchange take place in Moscow, February 18–19.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760055–0812. Confidential; Immediate. In telegram 37502 to Moscow, February 14, the Department transmitted the text of a note for the Embassy to deliver to the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs, indicating that the United States was not prepared to discuss the proposal at the current time. (Ibid., D760057–0705) For Kissinger’s earlier discussion in Moscow, see Document 170.
↩