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

260. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State⁰

Moscow, November 7, 1962, 10 p.m.

1227. Policy. Some footnotes to Kremlin reception.

1. There seems to me no doubt that events of past 10 days have really shaken Soviet leadership. This seemed clear from remarks by almost every Soviet with whom we spoke, including Kozlov, Madame Khrushchev, and Air Marshal (who told my wife he was now willing to believe in God), intelligentsia and government functionaries. This seems to me more important, basically, than rumors and speculation about differences within that leadership. There was in fact no evidence of such differences during three hours of reception tonight and Khrushchev was in command.

2. As the press will have reported in detail, Khrushchev made three short extemporaneous speeches concluding in toasts: First to Soviet people and building of communism; second to Soviet youth, i.e., the future; and third to “Ambassadors” and peace and friendship among all peoples. In latter he was both agile and restrained, following general line of Kosyginʼs report last night and Malinovskyʼs speech in Red Square this morning.¹ Perhaps most striking element now being introduced is extension of definition of “peaceful coexistence” to include concept of the necessity of mutual “concessions” to prevent conflict.

3. During first round of exchanges with Khrushchev, in which all Chiefs of Mission were briefly received, I had recourse to a story which he had told in his own third speech, about two men who had added different numbers to reach same sum. I said that I used different numbers than he to come to same results as regards danger of situation and need to settle differences peacefully. He said total sum was important thing and proposed we toast that.

4. Later, Khrushchev called me over privately and immediately referred to our conversation about a meeting with the President.² He said he had been thinking further about this question. He now thought we should not rush into such a meeting. It would probably be better that there should be advance preparation on one or more questions, so that agreement would be in view. Then perhaps the President and he could meet, maybe together with some other heads of government, and register such agreements. He asked me to convey his greetings to the President.

5. Despite the gesture toward Cuba in Khrushchevʼs last speech and toast, the Cuban Ambassador was in fact neglected during the proceedings.

During the entertainment which followed, Khrushchev pointedly brought my wife forward to join him and Madame Khrushchev. At the end he again asked me to transmit his message and his regards to the President, which I assured him I would do promptly.

Kohler

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 761.00/11-762. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution.
1. For Kosyginʼs report, see Pravda or Izvestia, November 7, 1962; for Malinovskyʼs speech, see Pravda or Izvestia, November 8, 1962.
2. See Document 248.