Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XIII, Soviet Union, October 1970–October 1971

159. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and the Soviet Ambassador (Dobrynin)¹

Washington, March 26, 1971, 3:32 p.m.

K: Anatoliy, how are you?

D: I thought you were on your way.

K: I’m leaving in a few hours. You are working very actively today.

D: I am preparing for my way home.

K: Look, I want to clean up the items from yesterday.² I gave you one answer already. On the access formulation, we will review our formulations and will carefully compare them with yours to see to what extent they are, in fact, in accord.

D: Our two Ambassadors could do that meanwhile.

K: On the formulation we gave you and the formulation you gave back.

D: Your last proposal?

K: I will have that reviewed in Bonn and presumably our two Ambassadors can take a look at it.

D: It’s better not to mention it for the time-being?

K: This is something I can tell Vorontsov [while you are away?]³ The access question can be discussed by our Ambassadors. Secondly, on the other points, on the committees and on the party, I can only repeat what I said before—if we can make progress on access, we will make every effort to move toward your position. We don’t like the phrase “far enough.” We don’t know what it means.

D: You will use your formula?

K: We will make every effort to move toward your position. We will—in the spirit of what I have already told you.

D: They mentioned to me in connection with SALT that I promised to give you a reply before I leave Washington. Where can I reach you?

K: In San Clemente. We are leaving today at 5:00. You can call me in San Clemente. Call the White House—they will find me. If you have something before, I will send Colonel Kennedy to pick it up—whatever answer you have.

D: If I receive anything before 5:00, I will call you.

K: If it’s after that time, you can call Colonel Kennedy. Haig will be with me. Colonel Kennedy can pick it up and send it to me. If I have any question, I will call you.

D: Should I call on your usual telephone? If I don’t receive it in a half-hour, I will call Colonel Kennedy. Have a nice trip.

K: You, too. I hope we will do some constructive work when you return. That is certainly our attitude.

D: It is mutual.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Henry Kissinger Telephone Conversation Transcripts, Box 27, Dobrynin File. No classification marking.
2. See Documents 154 and 156.
3. Brackets are in the original.