Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XIV, Soviet Union

275. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State¹

Moscow, June 27, 1968, 0925Z.

4406. Ref: State 190346.²

Subj: Cultural Exchange Negotiations.

1. In after-dinner conversation last night, Kornienko inquired about status of exchange negotiations. I said Washington was very dissatisfied with Soviet draft and I expected instructions to take the matter up with Gromyko. Kornienko said Gromyko occupied with Supreme Soviet which would take up foreign affairs today and that he would probably not be available until next week. He strongly advised against pursuing this question with Gromyko indicating that firm decision had been taken at highest level. Zinchuk in separate conversation with Klosson took same line. When I referred to imbalance in Soviet draft, Kornienko said that if we wanted to cut out some of the exchanges agreed to, the Soviets would be quite willing but in that event they would have some ideas of their own about what might be dropped. He emphasized that Soviet draft on balance provided for exchanges somewhat above actual level of past year. He specifically mentioned memorandum on atomic energy cooperation.

2. I must confess I am disappointed at being overruled on this matter. Most we can hope for in my view would be very slight improvement in present draft. It seems clear that decision to hold exchanges at present level has been taken by Politburo. Gromyko will be unable to change this in any material way without referring back to highest level. I doubt that he will do this, but if he does we risk jeopardizing entire agreement. Both Kornienko and Zinchuk indicated that there was strong high level opposition to any agreement. I doubt that it is in our interest to be suppliant on this issue and we should certainly not threaten to break off negotiations unless we are in fact prepared to carry out our threat.

3. Although I have strong misgivings about this approach, I shall tomorrow morning ask for appointment with Gromyko unless Department, in light this message, wishes modify my instructions. Request comments urgently.³

4. I think we should also urgently decide how we are going to play this matter with the press. My own view is that we should play it on low key stating we would have liked to have had wider exchanges but have agreed on continuing on roughly level carried out last year. If Department agrees with this line, the sooner we conclude the agreement the better in order to avoid appearance of having received major rebuff.

Thompson

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, EDX 4 US–USSR. Confidential; Immediate.
2. In telegram 190346, June 25, the Department instructed Thompson to call on Gromyko “in effort to induce some degree of flexibility in Soviet position” on the cultural exchanges agreement. (Ibid.) Katzenbach informed the President in a June 24 memorandum that an impasse had been reached on the major issues involved, since “the Soviets insist on significant cut-backs in the areas of greatest importance to us-exhibits, performing arts and students exchanges-as the price for continuing the exchanges program.” (Ibid.)
3. In telegram 191845 to Moscow, June 27, the Department informed Thompson that it was reviewing the situation in light of his message and that he should withhold seeking an appointment with Gromyko. (Ibid.)