Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969–1972

174. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant (Haldeman) to Secretary of State Rogers¹

Washington, March 16, 1972.

SUBJECT

• The President’s Visit to the Soviet Union

I have reviewed with the President your memorandum to me of March 14.² He is, of course, pleased that you are giving personal attention to the State Department preparations for his visit to the Soviet Union.

However, because of the myriad of departmental interests in the substantive issues, it is important that there be no misunderstanding about the coordinating mechanism which should be followed. As has been fully covered in previous memoranda, the NSC Senior Review Group and the CIEP must be the focal points for preparation and coordination of substantive bilateral matters pertaining to the Soviet Summit. All meetings and discussions which you have should be conducted within this framework and consistent with the President’s memorandum to you of January 19, 1972.³

With respect to the physical arrangements, the President has designated Dwight Chapin as the point of contact with whomever Ambassador Dobrynin might designate from the Soviet side. You may be sure that Mr. Chapin will include John Thomas in the preparatory meetings which are held for implementing the physical arrangements for the trip.⁴

HR Haldeman

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Executive Secretariat, Office Files of William P. Rogers: Lot 73 D 443, Box 22, WPR—White House Correspondence. Secret. Drafted by Kissinger.
2. Document 173.
3. Document 170.
4. At the bottom of the memorandum Rogers wrote: “I discussed this on the phone. The matter has been straightened out to my satisfaction. WPR”