388. Telegram From Secretary of State Herter to the Department of State0
Cahto 106. For the President from the Secretary.
“Dear Mr. President: I cabled a full account of my private talk with Gromyko yesterday to the Department.1 Unfortunately it contained [Page 892] little of substance except his repeated denials that his recent proposals were either an ultimatum or a dictat and his statement that the holding of a Summit meeting was not related to the outcome of our negotiations here. Both Merchant, who was present, and I felt Gromyko was stalling for time in the absence of any word from Moscow resulting from the strong reaction of the Western Ministers to Gromyko’s proposal.
Because of Macmillan’s strong objection to a recess for more than two weeks and previous engagements which would keep Couve away in the event of resumption, we agreed not to recommend a recess but to try early next week in three days of intensive talks to see if any material progress could be made. I am afraid that Macmillan made a commitment in Moscow to press for a Summit meeting regardless of the outcome here and that this is making Selwyn’s position very difficult. In my opinion the outlook is still dim.
Faithfully,
Signed: Chris.”
- Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 64 D 560, CF 1328. Secret. Drafted by Herter.↩
- See Document 384.↩