346. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union0
296. To Harriman. Ref: Embtel 292.1 We could agree to Soviet communiqué language on non-aggression pact provided following changes are made:
- First, eliminate “the manner of” before “continuing discussions.”
- Second, eliminate “with the object of achieving agreement” following word “question.”
- Third, try to eliminate second paragraph beginning “an exchange of views.” Alternatively, attempt substitute words “a brief exchange of views,” and change words “leading to” to words “directed at” and eliminate clause “affecting the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Warsaw Treaty.”
In arguing this position you should point out that if we are to be able to continue progress toward further agreements, we must demonstrate by our actions that we are faithful to the commitments we have given our allies. Gromyko’s language implies a commitment on our side to agree to non-aggression arrangements and this commitment would take effect before consultation with our allies. This position impossible not only with allies but also with important sectors of American opinion.
FYI. We read Soviet position readiness to accept test ban treaty as clear and definite, and do not believe you need to be concerned about communiqué which necessarily registers our view as well as theirs. End FYI.
However, if after you have taken an emphatic position along lines indicated, Soviets prove unwilling to accept language as modified, you should continue to insist upon first and third modifications listed at start of this message, but you may, as a fall-back for second modification, offer to substitute for “with the object of achieving agreement” the phrase “in the hope that agreement satisfactory to all may be achieved.”
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 18-4. Secret; Operational Immediate; Eyes Only Ban. Drafted by Ball; cleared by the President, Rusk, Foster, and Thompson; and approved by Read.↩
- Document 343.↩