359. Memorandum of Conversation0
SUBJECT
- Possibility of further agreements between the Soviet Union and the United States
PARTICIPANTS
- Ambassador Anatoliy F. Dobrynin, USSR
- The President
- Ambassador Llewellyn E. Thompson, Department of State
[Here follows discussion of other subjects; for text, see volume V.]
The President then referred to Cuba, and said that apparently the Soviets had withdrawn many of their troops, but we did not know how many were there now.
[Page 858]Dobrynin said that Khrushchev had recently stated that all combat units had been withdrawn from Cuba. The President asked what would happen over the next six months with the Soviets. Would the Soviets withdraw more or would the number remain the same?
Dobrynin said that he had no instructions to say anything on this point, but his strong impression was that when the Soviet instructors there had finished their jobs, they would leave.
Dobrynin said it was Khrushchev’s intention to go to Cuba toward the end of the year, but that no exact date had been set. He inquired whether the President intended to go to the United Nations General Assembly and make a speech there.
The President said that he had not yet decided.
Dobrynin said that Khrushchev definitely did not plan to go to the opening of the United Nations General Assembly, although there had been some thought that he might appear in connection with his trip to Cuba.
The President said he was sure Mr. Khrushchev was aware of the sensitivities involved in his visiting Cuba. This was Mr. Khrushchev’s affair, but he wanted him to know of these sensitivities.
[Here follows discussion of other subjects.]
- Source: Department of State, Presidential Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 66 D 149. Drafted by Thompson, approved in the White House on August 28 and in Thompson’s office on August 29. The discussion was held at the White House and lasted from 11 to 11:53 a.m. (Kennedy Library, President’s Appointment Book)↩