Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume V, Soviet Union

170. Paper Prepared by the Secretary of Stateʼs Special Assistant (Bohlen)⁰

Washington, undated.

SOVIET MOTIVATIONS IN CANCELLATION OF TV EXCHANGE

1. In matters of this kind, the Soviet Union is not animated by any of the normal personal considerations which might seem to us to be involved. The Soviets undoubtedly consider that the time is not propitious in large measure because of their propaganda reaction to our announcement of resumption of tests. They undoubtedly feel it would be quite incompatible at a time when Soviet propaganda was denouncing the Presidentʼs speech as “aggressive” or “atomic blackmail” to have an exchange of television programs between the President and Khrushchev.

2. I would seriously doubt if there was any intention of affronting the President if only because the agreement on this exchange has never been made official, and from the Soviet side, there has been no leak at all. The leaks from our side are, as you know, something they have complained about. But, it does not fall in the category, in their eyes, of the renunciation of something that was officially announced.

3. As additional proof that Khrushchev was not seeking to rebuff the President, is the fact that he is clearly directing his policy towards bringing about a Summit meeting at Geneva. It is likewise clear that the only person that he wishes to meet and talk to is the President, since the Soviet Union is only always interested in going where the power is, and, on the nuclear subject, there is only really one other nuclear power, namely the United States. It would hardly make sense for Khrushchev avidly to seek a meeting with the President on the one hand and on the other to go out of his way to affront the President personally.

4. In short, given the fact of no announcement of the agreement, the Soviet response to our resumption of testing, I think the Soviet suggestion to call it off for the time being is quite sensible, and a further illustration of the lack of considerations in the carrying out of their policies—to which we perhaps attach greater importance. On policy matters, the Soviet Government operates like a machine, regardless of any personal considerations.

0. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, USSR, Adzhubei Visit. Secret; Eyes Only. The source text is attached to a March 9 memorandum of transmittal from Bohlen to Bundy, which stated that it was a response to an inquiry by Bundy and that because of the sensitivity of the subject, he was not sending it through the usual channels.