Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–14, Part 2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1973–1976

55. Telegram 9209 From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State¹

Moscow, June 14, 1974, 1952Z.

9209. Vienna for USDel MBFR. Subj: Brezhnev Urges Underground Test Ban.

1. Summary. In his electoral speech in Moscow, televised live on June 14, Brezhnev devoted long passage to U.S.-Soviet relations. Pointing to upcoming summit with President Nixon, he discounted pessimism attributed to foreign press. While acknowledging the need for proceeding carefully, he warned against marking time. He underlined the importance of strategic arms limitations, praising what has been done and urging agreement to restrain development of new weapons systems. He also stated Soviet willingness to agree to limit or halt underground testing. End summary.

2. Brezhnev praised development of relations thus far, citing signatures of principles of relations, PNW agreement, “first steps in limiting strategic arms,” and also cooperative agreements which “created good basis for wide development of contacts and ties” in many fields.

3. Noting widespread interest in upcoming visit of President Nixon, Brezhnev commented that in foreign press one can encounter pessimistic appraisals of the prospects but said “we think differently; improvement of Soviet-American relations can and must continue. Nobody of course is going to decide hastily questions which are not yet ripe. But comrades we must not mark time either.” While acknowledging difficulties, it is important to utilize all possibilities for moving ahead.

4. While acknowledging importance of political and economic relations, Brezhnev asserted that most important and complex problem is limiting the arms race. He noted that a “sharp discussion” has arisen on this question, citing “those circles” in the U.S. and its allies which oppose relaxation of tensions. After brief digression denying Soviet responsibility for starting arms race, Brezhnev praised 1972 and 1973 agreements on arms limitations and urged that “we must continue along this path, we must go further.” He said Soviet Union favors mutual agreement to show “maximum restraint” developing weaponry, and agreement on “preventing the creation of newer and newer strategic weapons systems.”

5. At this point, Brezhnev stated “we are ready now to agree with the U.S. on limitation of underground testing of nuclear weapons, including full cessation according to an agreed timetable.”

6. Brezhnev concluded his discussion of U.S.-Soviet relations with wish that U.S.-Soviet relations should become “truly stable, not dependent on incidental developments (konyunkturnyye momenty).”

7. Comments and reporting on other aspects of Brezhnev speech septel.

Stoessel

1. Summary: The Embassy reported that Brezhnev had raised the issue of an underground test ban during a June 14 televised speech delivered in Moscow.

   Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740155–0419. Unclassified. Repeated for information to the consulate in Leningrad, the Mission in Vienna, the U.S. delegation to the SALT talks in Geneva, and the Mission to NATO.