222. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Germany1
An undated memorandum from Leddy to Rusk, attached to the source text and its cover memorandum, indicates that EUR had prepared for the President a reply to Kiesinger’s December 8 letter to Johnson, and that EUR had additionally prepared a draft telegram for the Embassy in Bonn for the Secretary’s and President’s approval containing instructions to deliver the reply to Kiesinger on Monday, December 11. Handwritten notations on the December 9 cover memorandum indicate that the EUR letter was not approved, but that a new text—printed here—was the final version sent to Bonn on December 11.
82479. Disto Tosec 5. US Mission NATO for the Secretary.2 Please deliver following letter at earliest convenient time to Chancellor Kiesinger:
“Dear Mr. Chancellor:
I was heartened by the warmth and hopefulness of your recent letter.
This has been an eventful year for each of us, both our nations, and the international community our partnership serves. Our closeness of [Page 542] mind and heart has given vital momentum to the proposed Non-Proliferation Treaty. It is moving now in the direction we desire. I share your hope that the Soviet Union may accept the concept of verification of Euratom safeguards by IAEA. You can be certain that the United States will continue to press for that with all vigor and persuasiveness.
The momentum of the European integration movement must be maintained. A free flow, from country to country, of nuclear materials for peaceful uses is crucial to Europe’s progress. The Non-Proliferation Treaty must not hamper such traffic between nations who enter into the treaty and carry out its obligations in good faith.
We have consulted with our allies in the North Atlantic Council on further action to obtain an effective safeguards article that also protects the principle of verification. Our Geneva delegates are instructed to tell the Soviet Co-Chairman of our firm belief that the road to agreement on Article III is through the draft on November 2.3 The Soviets, as you know, have so far rejected this language. They claim it constitutes self-inspection by Euratom members of Euratom members. This is not so. Every effort will be made to reassure the Soviets of that.
We have emphasized to them the clear and basic intent of this article. The agreement between IAEA and Euratom seeks only to assure all Treaty parties that safeguards will be effective in practice. It intends only that IAEA can be certain that nuclear material is not diverted to nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. I am assured that these key principles are consistent with the German position. Secretary Rusk is now en route to Brussels, and I have asked him to review the entire matter of non-proliferation with your Foreign Minister.
Your own journeys to London and Asia have given me real and timely encouragement. The British quest to join the Common Market is strengthened by your support. My own hopes for peace in Asia are lifted by the promise you found, and the example you left. I am no less grateful for your government’s recent policy statement on defense. These are initiatives all the world can value. They speak eloquently and optimistically of your personal commitment to a world at peace, and your people’s determination to advance that joyous day. Its coming is hastened by Germany’s efforts to draw her eastern neighbors closer in one community pledged to the betterment of all. Americans are proud to share that vision with you.
For myself, it is a comfort to know the warmth of your friendship and the strength of your partnership in these trying days. With freedom at test and the future in hazard, it is good to recall the resolve we shared in [Page 543] our Bonn and Washington meetings. It will sustain me, and inspire all who work with us, in the new year that approaches.
May it bring us the blessings of peace and freedom that we seek. Should it also bring you back to my country, that too would be a blessing. Mrs. Johnson and I look forward to the happiness of showing you more of America and her people.
We speak for all of them in sending you and Mrs. Kiesinger our kindest regards and best wishes.
Sincerely, Lyndon B. Johnson.”
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 18. Secret; Nodis; Immediate. Repeated to the Mission in Geneva and to USNATO for Secretary Rusk. The text of the telegram was received from Walt Rostow at the White House and cleared for transmission by Under Secretary Katzenbach and Samuel G. Wise (S/S-O). The telegram text was submitted under cover of a December 9 memorandum from Rusk to President Johnson. Rusk recommended that it be sent in response to Chancellor Kiesinger’s December 8 letter to President Johnson which “discussed unresolved German concerns over the Non-Proliferation Treaty … other bilateral issues and his recent trips to London and Asia.” Rusk also suggested that “Since I shall be seeing German Foreign Minister Brandt in Brussels on December 12 and shall raise the Non-Proliferation Treaty with him there, I think it would be helpful for you to send the enclosed letter [the text printed here] in time to reach Chancellor Kiesinger before that meeting.”↩
- Secretary Rusk left Washington December 10 to attend the Ministerial Meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Brussels December 13-14.↩
- See Document 216.↩