277. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in France0
3365. Paris for Under Secretary Del by 8:00 a.m. Soviet Deputy FonMin Kuznetsovʼs one hour talk with President January 9 and 65 minute session with Secretary January 101 covered no new ground. Points at issue discussed only in general terms. These were in nature courtesy calls and atmosphere cordial at both.
Main thrust of Kuznetsovʼs remarks made under instructions was plea for improvement US-Soviet relations. Now that Cuban crisis abated and New York phase completed, it was time to move to other issues, specifically German peace treaty and disarmament. In latter context, nuclear test ban treaty touched on.
Most time in talk with President devoted to Cuba with Kuznetsov emphasizing Soviet good will and intentions carry out agreements [Page 601] reached in Khrushchevʼs exchanges with President. President assured him of US intention abide by its commitments.
With Secretary, Kuznetsov placed greater emphasis on German problem and asked US to come up with new proposals. He also complained of US trade discrimination against USSR and called for further improvement in cultural relations.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.61/1-1063. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Guthrie, cleared with Thompson and the White House, and approved by Davis. Repeated to Moscow.↩
- Regarding the Presidentʼs conversation with Kuznetzov, see Foreign Relations, 1961–1963, vol. XI, pp. 658–662. For memoranda of Ruskʼs conversation with Kuznetzov on trade and U.S.-Soviet relations, see Documents 278 and 279. A memorandum of their conversation on Berlin and Germany is in Foreign Relations, 1961–1963, vol. XV, pp. 474–475. A memorandum of their conversation on nuclear testing is ibid., vol. VII, pp. 630–631.↩