Office of the Historian

212. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Kohler) to the Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (Cleveland)1

Washington, July 3, 1962.

SUBJECT

  • Intimations of Soviet Desire for Bilateral Discussion of 17th General Assembly

I found the memorandum of conversation between Joe Sisco and the Soviet Counselor of Embassy of June 11 interesting indeed.2 However, considering the general Soviet tactic at this time of suggesting quiet talks with the U.S. on a number of different issues, I am not surprised by the “personal suggestion” of Kornienko that a Stevenson-Zorin discussion would be desirable.

As a quick reaction it is my feeling that: (1) We not take the initiative in proposing such talks but respond should Zorin or some other responsible Soviet official repeat Kornienko’s “personal suggestion.” (2) Considering the number of issues in which both the USSR and the U.S. have an active interest at the time, I can understand that there are some possible agenda items which the USSR might wish to treat with caution [Page 455] for its own reasons. Thus, a convergence of interests between us is possible at least in a limited sense. Over-all, however, my judgment is substantially the same as that which you expressed in your letter of June 25 to Ambassador Stevenson: i.e., “While this probably would not be productive of very much agreement, it might be a useful exercise.”3

Assuming that the Secretary does go to Geneva for the purpose of signing the Laotian agreements approximately the third week of July, and if there is indeed a serious Soviet intent to arrange a discussion of General Assembly matters, Gromyko would have an opportunity to suggest it at that time. In any event, the actual discussions, if they develop, probably should be centered in New York where Ambassador Stevenson and his staff have the details at their fingertips.

I would assume that, should such talks take place, appropriate steps would be taken to keep our allies fully informed.

  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1960–63, 616.61/7–362. Limited Official Use. Drafted by William O. Anderson on July 2. Cleveland forwarded a copy to Secretary Rusk under cover of a July 19 memorandum. (Ibid., 611.61/7–1962)↩
  2. Document 208.↩
  3. This letter has not been found.↩