Office of the Historian

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

Moscow, July 5, 1977, 1405Z

9564. For the Secretary from Toon. Subject: Appointment With Brezhnev.

1. Following are principal points made by Brezhnev in his prepared statement to me at 100-minute meeting in Kremlin this morning:

A. While Geneva meeting2 had been useful Soviet side was disappointed at lack of progress in resolution substantive differences on SALT—which in Soviet view largely the fault of US which continued insist on one-sided approach;

B. US human rights campaign and particularly President’s report to the Congress on CSCE compliance3 condemned as blatant interference in Soviet internal affairs;

C. Progress on removal of trade barriers stymied;

D. Despite Soviet understanding that Washington discussions re possible summit meeting would at US insistence remain confidential, matter had been unilaterally publicized, much to Brezhnev’s annoyance;

E. Although Vance-Gromyko agreements on desirability of reconvening Geneva Conference this year was step forward, movement now seems bogged down.

2. While I will be sending full report later in day4 I thought that you and the President would wish to have this briefest of summaries soonest, particularly in view of fact that news of my meeting with Brezhnev is already on tickers. Brezhnev incidentally seemed in good form and while his speech was somewhat slurred it was intelligible. He did not visibly tire during our extended meeting and his attention span seemed normal.

Toon
  1. Source: Department of State, Office of the Secretariat Staff, Special Adviser to the Secretary (S/MS) on Soviet Affairs Marshall Shulman—Jan 21, 77–Jan 19, 81, Lot 81D109, Box 3, Brezhnev/Toon Meeting, 7/5/77. Secret; Cherokee; Niact Immediate; Nodis.↩
  2. See Document 28 ↩
  3. Not found.↩
  4. In telegram 9615, July 5, the Embassy transmitted Toon’s full report. (Department of State, Office of the Secretariat Staff, Special Adviser to the Secretary (S/MS) on Soviet Affairs Marshall Shulman—Jan 21, 77–Jan 19, 81, Lot 81D109, Box 3, Brezhnev/Toon Meeting, 7/5/77)↩