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May 9, 1975 - Ford, Kissinger, Anatoliy Dobrynin
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1553071
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May 9, 1975 - Ford, Kissinger, Anatoliy Dobrynin
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Memoranda of Conversations (Nixon and Ford Administrations)
Ford Administration Memoranda of Conversations
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Soviet Union
Middle East conflicts
United States-Soviet relations
World War, 1939-1945
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THE WHITE HOUSE
Scowertt file
WASHINGTON
Corig. in Dfile)
SECRET/XGDS
1a
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
PARTICIPANTS:
President Ford
Dr. Henry A. Kissinger, Secretary of State and
Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs
Anatoliy F. Dobrynin, USSR Amb. to U.S.
Lt. General Brent Scowcroft, Deputy Assistant
to the President for National Security Affairs
DATE & TIME:
Friday - 9 May 1975
PLACE:
The Oval Office
The White House
The President: I appreciate the letter from the General Secretary. [Tab A]
Dobrynin: This is just a little memento from the General Secretary. Henry
and Brent have seen it.
[General Scowcroft leaves the meeting for a few minutes. ]
The President: As I said in the press conference, I am pleased with the
E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5
BY NSC MEMO, GUIDELINES 3/9/14
state of our relations but I think we have to make substantive progress.
Dobrynin: Yes. I think there are prospects for the European Security
hollits
Conference, then the summit.
The President: We are hopeful that Congress will take some action, but
this one is more difficult that usual. Compared to previous ones, there is
a division of leadership. We used to condemn Rayburn for being dictatorial
DECLASSIFIED
11/24/98, STATE DEPT.
NARA DATE
but he looks good compared to this. But from a long-range point of view,
the Congress is losing support with the public.
HENRY A. KISSINGER
CLASSIFIED BY
EXEMPT FROM GENERAL DECLASSIFICATION
SCHEDULE OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11652
SECRET/XGDS
EXEMPTION CATEGORY 5 (B) (3)
AUTOMATICALLY DECLASSIFIED ON Imp. to Det. A FORD
GERALD
LIBRARK
File scanned from the National Security Adviser's Memoranda of Conversation Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
SECRET/XGDS
- 2 -
Dobrynin: What do you think of the Middle East? The General Secretary
said we would do everything in our power to help. We know you are now
reassessing.
The President: We are reevaluating -- we will be talking to Sadat and
Rabin. In the meantime we hope nothing will erupt, but we cannot tolerate
a stalemate. Does the General Secretary feel we should go to Geneva?
Dobrynin: Yes. It is a difficult ordeal, but we should do the whole thing
rather than ordeal after ordeal. We have the feeling that more and more
people in this country support a complete settlement. It is surprising
how few cries there are in opposition now.
President: I think there is a change in public opinion. But that opinion
fluctuates. We are getting views from a wide variety of people, but we
must move soon because we can't permit stagnation.
[The President hands Ambassador Dobrynin a letter. Tab B] Please
give the General Secretary my regards and best wishes on this historical
day. Where were you on V.E. Day?
Dobrynin: I was a fighter aircraft engineer. I picked up a rifle only when
the Germans were ten miles from Moscow. We had a potato garden and my
wife and I dug in the garden.
And here is a letter from our Parliament to all allied Parliaments. [Tab c]
[There was small talk about the future of Vladivostok, and the meeting
ended. ]
FORD
A
SECRET/XGDS
GERALD
LIBRARY
SECRET
EMBASSY OF THE
1b
UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
May 8, 1975
Dear Henry,
As agreed I am sending to you
herewith the texts for the President,
which I have mentioned over the phone.
Waiting for a reply to my
request
with best wishes
Dr. Henry Kissinger
The Secretary of State,
Anatal
The Department of State
Washington, D.C.
CLASSIFIED BY Henry a. Kissinger
EXEMPT FROM GENERAL DECLASSIFICATION
SCHEDULE OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11652
EXEMPTION CATEGORY 5(b)(3)
SECRET
AUTOMATICALLY DECLASSIFIED ON Imp to det.
DECLASSIPIED
FORD
State Dept. Guidellnes stateler: as 3/9/04
B.O. 12958, Sec. 3.5
By
laby
,NARA, Date 5/14/04
GERATO
SECRET
IC
His Excellency
Mr. Gerald Ford,
The President of the United States
of America
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. President,
These days the freedom-loving nations of the
world are marking a historic date - the 30th Anniver-
sary of Victory over hitlerite Germany in the Second
World War.
This is a joint festivity of the countries of the
Anti-hitlerite coalition whose peoples and armies
united their efforts to rout the common enemy. Soviet
people highly value the participation of the U.S.A.
in the Anti-hitlerite coalition, in the struggle for
the freedom and independence of the countries that
fell victim of fascist aggression. The possibility of
effective political and military cooperation of our
State E.O. Dept. 12958, Guidelines state terion 3/9/04
countries in the struggle against aggression was proved
in practice thirty years ago.
Tension is now lessening in the world and gaining
DECLASSIFIED
By NARA, 5/14/04
strength is the trend towards strengthening of peace
Sec. 3.5
Date
and security of the peoples. Substantial positive
changes have also been achieved in Soviet-American re-
lations as a result of efforts made by our countries.
CLASSIFIED BY Henry a. Kissinger
GERAL
LIBRAR
EXEMPT FROM GENERAL DECLASSIFICATION
SCHEDULE OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11652
EXEMPTION CATEGORY 5(b) (3)
AUTOMATICALLY DECLASSIFIED ON Imp. to Let.
SECRET
2.
The consolidation of relations of peaceful coexistence
and mutually advantageous cooperation between the Soviet
Union and the United States-accords not only with the
cardinal interests of the peoples of our countries,
but is also of much importance for the cause of univer-
sal peace.
On the occasion of this historic Anniversary
permit me on behalf of the Soviet people and on my
own behalf to convey to you, Mr. President, and to
the entire American people congratulations and wishes
of peace and wellbeing. We express firm conviction
that the further development of good relations between
our two countries will continue serving the cause of
strengthening universal peace and security.
Sincerely,
L.Breznev
Moscow,
The Kremlin
May 8, 1975
SECRET
SECRET
TO THE PEOPLES, PARLIAMENTS AND GOVERNMENTS
Thirty years ago the bloodiest and the most destructive war
in the world history came to an end. The victory in that great-
est of wars over fascism and militarism became an important land-
mark in the destinies of mankind.
It forever preserved a deep feeling of pride and sorrow in
the memory of peaceloving peoples.
The feeling of pride - because at that time defeated were
the forces which were bringing slavery to whole nations under the
black banner of fascism, racism and chauvinism.
The feeling of sorrow - because the victory cost an incredib-
ly high price. It was paid with the lives of dozens of millions
of men, women and children, with tremendous destructions and with
ruining many states.
The scale of the losses is great. The gravity of sacrifices
is boundless. But they were not in vain.
The soldiers from all the continents who fought against the
armies of Hitlerite Germany and militarist Japan, partisans, re-
sistance fighters, underground antifascists fighters, all those
who forged the victory at the home front - they did not spare
their lives in the battles and did not spare themselves for the
sake of defending their Motherland, their ideals, their home and
their family. They wanted to destroy fascism and militarism for
good and to save the mankind from the horrors of war for ever.
State Dept. Guidelines 3/14/04
They went to the great struggle, hoping and dreaming to attain a
durable, just and democratic peace. And their heroic efforts pro-
E.O. 12958, Sec. 3.5
duced the results and brought about tremendous changes Social
and political transformations of the gratest importance took
CLASSIFIED BY Henry a. Kissinger
EXEMPT FROM GENERAL DECLASSIFICATION
GERALD
LIBRAR
SCHEDULE OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11652
EXEMPTION CATEGORY 5/6) (3)
SECRET
AUTOMATICALLY DECLASSIFIED ON Amp to det.
SECRET
2.
place and for the first time in history an objective possibility
was created to exclude a world war from the life of the mankind.
The thirtieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War
is a special one. We commemorate it in a new and more favourable
situation. Europe and the world as a whole came closer in a real
way to the achievment of the high goal which had been sought by the
peoples of the anti-Hitler coalition. In the relations between state
the principles of equality, sovereignty, renounciation of the use of
force are gaining more and more ground.
The road toward it happened not to be a simple one. Through
all the thirty years a hard and persistent struggle have been going
on and to this day that struggle is not yet over.
The "cold war" delayed building the structure of peace for de-
cades. Aggressive, reactionary circles tried to impose from the po-
sition of strength such a world order which would be in a complete
contradiction with the interests of peoples and social progress.
That brought about an unprecedented arms race with the use of latest
scientific achievments and not once pushed the world to the brink
of a new military catastrophe.
We have no right to forget either that over the past thirty
years one or another country and sometimes the whole areas of the
world were stained with blood, turned into a theater of military
actions resulted in the loss of millions of lives. Even today the
peoples of Arab and other countries have to wage a fierce struggle
often with arms in hand against the reactionary forces in order to
be able to determine by themselves their own way of development un-
der the conditionsof just peace, independence and liberty.
However through the efforts of socialist states, of all those
who cherish peace and who actively fought for it the deadly nuclear
and rocket weapons have not been used after the Second World War.
FORD
P.
SECRET
SECRET
An important role in that was played by realistically thinking po-
litical circles in the West.
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the great victory
the Soviet people, the Communist party, the USSR Supreme Soviet and
the Soviet Government call upon the peoples of the world, Parlia-
ments and Governmentsof all countries to put an end once and for
all to the dangerous "cold war" policy, to stop interference in
the internal affairs of other peoples and states, to concentrate
efforts on creating the atmosphere of confidence in a peaceful fu-
ture for the mankind, on ensuring lasting and permanent peace on
earth.
has been
For three decades already the humanity
saved from a world
war. This is a great achievement of peaceloving forces, the impor-
tance of which is getting deeper and deeper into the minds of
peoples.
There has never yet been done so much for strengthening peace
as during the recent years.
Thanks to the consistent peaceloving policy of the Socialist
states, as a result of active actions of democratic forces of all
countries, as well as of realistic position of Governments which
realized the danger of continuing the "cold war", the internatio-
nal situation fundamentally changed.
Historic agreements defining the process of relaxation of in-
ternational tensions were concluded. Of special importance are the
agreements between two largest states of the world - the USSR and
the USA - on prevention of a nuclear war and on the strategic arms
limitation. In force are important treaties and agreements between
the USSR and France, between the USSR and the FRG, between other
Socialist countries and the FRG, the quadripartite agreement on
West Berlin. The first steps are made on the way of limitingthe
SECRET
THE
SECRET
4.
arms race. Search is underway for a settlement of existing interna-
tional conflicts by peaceful means.
In the relations between states with different social systems
such elements establish themselves in a more and more fundamental
wayas recognition of the inviolability of borders, settlement of
disputes at the table of negotiations, regular consultations, long-
range economic cooperation, exchange of technological and cultural
achievements.
The all-European conference is nearing the completion - an un-
precedented event in the history of the continent which was the
major theater for two world wars and for centuries a knot of most
explosive international contradictions. Success of such a Conference,
implementation of its recomendations will open a new page in the
life of Europe, will signify the triumph of the ideals of peace and
reason. And this in its turn will favorably influence the develop-
ment of international relations the world over.
In today's world ithas been basically done away with direct
colonialism, which served as a permanent source of acute tension
and as a legitimate reason for the armed national liberation strug-
gle of the oppressed peoples. Disintegrated is the last colonial
empire - the Portuguese one.
All these important changes are the embodiment of the will of
the peoples towards peace and progress. They prove that prevention
of wars between states is not an utopia, but is a real perspective
and a fully attainable goal. Deep reshaping of the system of inter-
national relations on the basis of principles of peaceful co-exis-
tence began. It can and must be continued and completed. The memory
of the fallen and the vital interests of the living demand that.
In the present epoch peace is a necessary condition of social
progress of the mankind, of securing the sovereign right of the
FORD
4
SECRET
GERALD
5.
SECRET
peoples to build their life the way they want. All the development
for the last three decades is an ample proof of it.
Under the conditions of peace the gigantic growth of scienti-
fic and technical knowledge and ensuing powerful development of pro-
ductive forces allow to transform the material culture and the eve-
ry day life of people. Achievements of the scientific and technical
revolution make it possible to fundamentally improve the living
conditions on earth, to abolish hunger, poverty and mass diseases.
And the greatest social changes and transformations that occured
in 30 years clearly demonstrated, as examplified by various count-
ries, that inhumane reactionary forces can be kept in check and on
this basis negative consequences of the scientific and technical
revolution can be prevented.
The achievements of many peoples since the end of the second
world war have been enormous. But they could have been incomparably
greater if the colossal means, intellect and energy spent during
this period for the production of instruments of death and destruc-
tion were used for creative purposes.
Nevertheless, some influential forces which are stubbornly
seeking to stop the movement toward lasting peace continue to exist.
Unprecedented in time of peace arsenal of arms - of nuclear-rocket
type included - has been already accumulated. The arms race is going
on. All of this causes deep and justified anxiety, demands stronger
efforts in the struggle for peace, for stopping the arms race and
for disarmament, for terminating the material preparation for a war.
The Soviet people, the Soviet state that bore the major burden
of struggle against fascism declare again their firm intention to
do all they can in order to eradicate together with other peoples
and states a war from the life of the mankind.
Expressing the will and earnest aspiration of all Soviet peo-
SECRET
GERALD
6.
SECRET
ple we shall strive for:
- the complete and comprehensive affirmation in the practice
of international relations of the principles of peaceful co-existen-
ce between states with different social systems;
- the ensuring of the irreversible character of the process of
easing international tensions;
- the limitation and termination of the race in all types and
kinds of weapons, the steadfast progress towards general and complete
disarmament;
- the elimination of existing sources of danger of war coupled
with the necessary recognition and respect for the right of every
people for independence and equal security;
- the creation of regional systems and a universal system of
security and equal ccoperation between the states;
- the utmost growth of mutually beneficial ties in the spheres
of economy, science, technology and culture while insuring the un-
conditional right of every country to excercise control over its na-
tural resources, to guard its laws and customs;
- the securing of real quarantees of the effective and equal
participation of all countries and peoples in the world policies;
the liquidation of neo-colonialism and of discrimination of any kind
against any countries;
- the creation of such an international climate when potential
aggressors, adventure-seekers and saber-rattlers are met with a de-
cisive and universal rebuff, when security and confidence in a
peaceful future actually become available to all countries and peop-
les.
On behalf of the 250 million Soviet people, we address all who
are concerned with the future of our planet: let us exert all our
efforts to make the future a peaceful one.
The stable peace and freedom of peoples are the most worthy
FORD
&
GERALD
BALO
SECRET
7.
SECRET
monument to those who perished in the war.
The stable peace and freedom of peoples is a never fading
ideal which inspired heroes of the struggle against fascism and
which inspires us. Let us do everything so that this ideal becomes
an indisputable law of the life of humanity.
We address this message to all Nations, Parliaments and Gover-
nments and, first of all, directly and officially, to those who are
entrusted with the mission to represent their states. and public
opinion of their countries on the international arena. We are look-
ing forward to their reaction worthy of the importance of this pro-
blem, and call for active actions in the name of stable and lasting
peace.
The Central Committee of the Communist Party
of the Soviet Union
The Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet
The Government of the Soviet Union
SECRET
SECRET
12
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 9, 1975
Dear Mr. General Secretary:
It is indeed fitting that we should mark the thirtieth
anniversary of a victory for which both of our
peoples sacrificed so much. Our military struggle
against a common foe united our countries in the
most noble of causes -- that of seeking to win peace
and tranquility for all peoples. The success we
achieved in the Grand Alliance bears witness to our
ability to work together in furthering those ends
which are the highest aspirations of mankind.
I welcome your desire to extend our cooperation
together in peace as in war, and I assure you that
I will do all I can to further the mutually beneficial
changes which have taken place between our countries.
Acting together in a spirit of restraint and coopera-
tion, we can move forward toward a world that is
more secure and prosperous for all,
On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of
Victory in Europe, I would like to reciprocate your
congratulations, Mr. General Secretary, and wish
you and the Soviet people, on behalf of the American
people, best wishes and goodwill. I share your con-
viction that our two great countries will continue to
work together in the search for a just and lasting peace.
5/14/04
Sincerely,
CLASSIFIED BY Henry a. Kessinger
ENEMPT FROM GENERAL DEC 133160 TION
5/HR7
ULE OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11652
ON CATEGORY 5(b)(3)
DECLASSIFIED
12958, SEC.3.5
BY DATE
TCALLY DECLASSIFIED ON Imp to det
His Excellency
Leonid I. Brezhnev
General Secretary of the Central Committee
NSC MEMO, E.O.
of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
The Kremlin
Moscow
SECRET
1
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DECL ASSIFIED
E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5
NSC MEMO, 11/24/98, STATE DEPT. GUIDELINES Statelleriew 3/9/04
BY win
VADA DATE 5/14/04
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