107. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rusk to President Johnson1
SUBJECT
- Soviet Intersputnik Proposal
Just before the Czech invasion, the Soviets, along with seven other Communist countries, floated a proposal for the establishment of an international communications system, which they dubbed Intersputnik. A message from Premier Kosygin announcing the proposal was read at the opening session of the Vienna UN Space Conference, August 14. He said that “... in order to satisfy the needs of the developed and underdeveloped countries, the USSR is proposing the creation of an international communications system through artificial earth satellites based on democratic principles with total equality of all its participants”.
The draft agreement is structurally similar in content to the present INTELSAT agreement. A major difference is the provision for decision making on a one-country/one-vote basis rather than weighted voting based on investment as in the INTELSAT system.
At present we can only speculate as to the Soviet motives in putting forth this proposal at this time. We doubt that they seriously expect to establish a truly world-wide system to supplant INTELSAT. It could be that they envision a more limited one which would handle some of the traffic among the Soviet Union and its allies. A number of countries, principally for political reasons, may want to participate in such a system as well as in INTELSAT. Alternatively, the Soviets’ real aim may be to force a restructuring of INTELSAT in the forthcoming negotiations on INTELSAT permanent arrangements, so that they can participate on a basis of equality with the United States. Lastly, they may simply be interested in making these negotiations more difficult for the United States. They have not exhibited any interest in INTELSAT to date. You may recall that since the spring of 1964 we have at various times encouraged the Soviets to join INTELSAT, the last time being your speech in June commemorating the Glassboro talks.
It is worth noting that both Yugoslavia and Romania are showing interest in joining INTELSAT, and, in fact, the Communications Satellite [Page 200] Corporation just recently concluded a consulting engineering contract with the Government of Yugoslavia to design and prepare earth station specifications for that Government.
Jim Webb has reported from Vienna that the Soviets did not gain the propaganda splash they must have intended, and that the United States presentations have been most impressive. While the Soviets have not succeeded in disrupting the agreed agenda of the Conference, they may have set the stage for continuing agitation on this issue.2
I agree with Mr. Webb that we must continue energetically our preparations for the INTELSAT negotiations next February. We should be prepared to make such changes in the structure as are necessary and acceptable to continue the very broad support this organization has built in the last four years. The problem is to ascertain whether the Soviets are interested in discussing this subject with us in a serious manner. In light of the current Czech situation, we will not be able to do that now, but we shall attempt to sound the Soviets out as soon as such contacts are feasible.
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Records of the Department of State, Central Files, 1967–69, TEL 6. Confidential. Drafted by Loy and Nelson and cleared by Rostow and Allen.↩
- In telegram 6231 from Vienna, August 28, the delegation wrote: “Czech adventure has removed any small possibility of serious consideration of Sov Intersputnik proposal. Item is forgotten except for derision in view Sov real world performance.” (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Records of the Department of State, Central Files, 1967–69, SP 6 UN)↩