Office of the Historian

25. Memorandum From Secretary of State Haig to All Agency Heads1

Washington, March 3, 1981

SUBJECT

  • Reciprocity in Bilateral Relations with the Soviet Union

It is this Administration’s policy to ensure strict reciprocity in our dealings with the Soviet Union. In order to implement such a policy, it is important that there be close coordination among all Government agencies which engage in bilateral dealings with the Soviets.

It is also our intention to bring the access of the Soviet Ambassador and other Soviet officials to U.S. Government offices in Washington [Page 59] more nearly into balance with the access which we have to Soviet officials in the USSR.

I have asked that the Interagency Coordinating Committee on U.S.-Soviet Affairs (ICCUSA) coordinate questions of reciprocity. I also would appreciate your designating an official of your agency to coordinate your agency’s Soviet contacts with the Department of State’s Office of Soviet Union Affairs. Our purpose is not to cut off these contacts but to monitor them to ensure that access is reciprocal.

The telephone numbers of the Office of Soviet Union Affairs are 632–8670, 632–8671, 632–8720, 632–1712 and 632–2137.

Thank you for your cooperation.

  1. Source: Reagan Library, European and Soviet Affairs Directorate, NSC: Records, 1983–1989, Haig, Secretary of State (1). Limited Official Use.↩