I called his attention to the use of the phrase “bombings and other
military actions against the Democratic Republic of Viet-Nam” in the
first paragraph and told him of the significance of the distinction we
drew between the phrase “bombing and all other acts of war” and “bombing
and other acts involving the use of force.” He asked if the Hanoi
delegation understood the significance of this in relation to
reconnaissance and I said that they did. He merely said that he thought
that the wording of Mr. Kosygin’s
letter was not intended to convey anything specific on that point.
I told him I would want to see him early next week to have a full talk
about where we go following the cessation of bombing. I emphasized the
great importance of respect of the DMZ
and the absence of attack on the cities and he said he thought that
everyone was quite clear about those points. He added “you have
certainly made that clear in Moscow.”
Attachment
Moscow, October 31,
1968.
Letter From Chairman Kosygin to President Johnson
2
Dear Mr. President:
My colleagues and I have received with satisfaction the news that an
agreement has been reached at the Paris talks on the cessation of
bombing and other military actions by the United States against the
Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and about the commencement during
the next few days of political negotiations with the participation
of representatives of DRV, NFLSV,
US and the Saigon administration
in order to seek a peaceful solution of the Vietnam problem.
We are deeply convinced that a great deed has been done (and) an
important step taken in the right direction.
We have frequently and frankly expressed our view, and among others
to you personally, about the unpromising attempts to solve the
Vietnamese problem by force of arms. Presently, when finally a
decision has been made by the United States to stop military actions
against DRV, it seems to us that
there are grounds to hope that other aspects, too, of this problem
will find their solution on the basis of respect for the lawful
rights and aspirations of the Vietnamese people.
As we see it, it is very important for the success of the forthcoming
political negotiations with the participation of the four sides to
show the necessary endurance and composure in order that any
incidentally occurring moments do not complicate the attainment of
the said goal. In this connection we were glad to note the
assurances contained in your letter dated October 31, 1968,3 that the USA will
in good faith strive to conduct negotiations about the political
settlement in Vietnam.
[Page 517]
There is no doubt that the cessation of the still continuing
bloodshed in South Vietnam on the basis of mutually acceptable
decisions would be received with relief by the people of the world
and the role of those whose actions have allowed to reach this
positive result would be properly appreciated not only today but
also in the future.
We would like to think that this course of events in Vietnam, namely,
the complete end of the war there, giving the Vietnamese people the
opportunity to solve for themselves their internal problems would
have a very positive effect also on the relations between our two
countries. We have always believed and do believe that the relations
between the Soviet Union and the USA should be determined by long
term, fundamental interests in the cause of strengthening peace and
cooperation between all peoples. We hope that you, Mr. President,
also hold the same point of view.
Respectfully,
