Release of Foreign Relations, 1969-1976, Volume XIII, Soviet Union, October 1970-October 1971

The Department of State released today Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XIII, Soviet Union, October 1970–October 1971. Continuing the practice established in recent Foreign Relations volumes on the Soviet Union, this volume places Soviet-American relations in the global context of the Cold War, highlighting the conflicts and collaboration between the two superpowers. Beginning with Richard Nixon’s meeting with Andrei Gromyko in October 1970—the President’s first with the Soviet Foreign Minister—the volume documents a pivotal year in the administration’s foreign policy, culminating in the announcement in October 1971 of the summit meeting in Moscow.

 

During the year covered in this volume, the two sides held a series of secret talks, eventually resulting in agreement not only on the summit but also on strategic arms limitation (May) and Berlin (August). These secret talks, which constitute the backbone of the compilation, were conducted in the so-called “confidential channel” between Henry Kissinger, the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs, and Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin. The confidential channel became the crucible in which the possibilities and limitations of détente between the superpower were initially tested. In addition to diplomatic agreements, Kissinger and Dobrynin regularly discussed potential areas of disagreement between Washington and Moscow, successfully managing differences over Vietnam, the Middle East, Cuba, and Jewish emigration.

 

The volume also closely examines the impact of developments in Sino-American relations, in particular the announcement in July of Kissinger’s secret trip to Beijing and of Nixon’s upcoming visit to the Chinese capital.

 

This volume was compiled and edited by David C. Geyer. The volume and this press release are available on the Office of the Historian website at http://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1969-76v13. Copies of the volume will be available for purchase from the U.S. Government Printing Office online at http://bookstore.gpo.gov (GPO S/N 044-000-02617-1; ISBN 978-0-16-079136-9), or by calling toll-free 1-866-512-1800 (D.C. area 202-512-1800). For further information, contact history@state.gov.