THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF 2 SEPTEMBER 1974

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: President's Daily Brief 1969-1977
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0006007806
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: August 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2016
• Publication Date: September 2, 1974

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The President's Daily Brief
September 2,1974
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2016/07/15 : CIA-RDP79T00936A012200010054-2
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Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. I 1652
exemption category 513(11,(2)0)
, declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
THE PRESIDENT'S DAILY BRIEF
September 2, 1974
PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENTS
Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko critically analyzed
US positions on such key issues as arms control,
the Middle East, and Cyprus during a wide-ranging
discussion with Ambassador Stoessel on August 30.
(Page 1)
Cairo has accepted a Soviet proposal that Foreign
Minister Fahmi visit Moscow in mid-October. (Page 3)
There is no obvious candidate for New Zealand's rul-
ing Labor Party to select as prime minister to re-
place Norman Kirk who died suddenly last Saturday,
but Wellington's traditionally close relations with
the US will probably be little affected no matter
who is chosen. (Page 4)
A note on the new Syrian cabinet appears on Page 5.
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USSR
In a tour d'horizon with Ambassador Stoessel on
August 30, Foreign Minister Gromyko expressed his
government's confidence that relations with the US
will continue undisturbed during your administration.
He went on to analyze critically US positions on
such key issues as arms control, the Middle East,
and Cyprus.
Gromyko indicated his availability for meetings
in Washington on September 25, the day after he ad-
dresses the UN General Assembly. He arrives in New
York on September 16, after a brief stopover in Bonn.
The foreign minister commented that the Soviet
government has been following your statements on re-
lations with the USSR closely and has concluded that
you fully endorse former President Nixon's policies.
Gromyko noted with interest Secretary Kissinger's
statements on the question of most-favored-nation
status, for the USSR, and commented that if this prob-
lem is overcome, relations with the US will be placed
on a "firmer basis."
The foreign minister complained that he was not
briefed to discuss the problem of family reunifica-
tion and attempted jokingly to dismiss the subject.
He warned that the US should not expect "lightning-
like" action on cases submitted by the embassy.
SALT
Gromyko characterized SALT, the arms race, and
similar matters as a complex of "old but new" re-
lated problems that must be resolved piecemeal, and
only after hard negotiation. He was disturbed by
continued nuclear proliferation, a problem made cur-
rent by India's recent nuclear test. He endorsed
efforts by the US to influence countries to ratify
the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and suggested
that such efforts be made not on a "campaign" basis
but systematically.
Gromyko repeatedly referred to SALT as one of
the most important and acute problems faced by the
two nations. He hoped that the US delegation would
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
be ready to go to work when the talks resume on Sep-
tember 17. Quantification appeared to be a partic-
ularly bothersome problem, and Gromyko asked how one
was to quantify geographic factors. He said that
each side had to be objective and realize that the
other's security cannot be reduced, in the end the
two sides might have to rely on "natural reason."
A further point was that the two countries will
eventually have to face the role of those states af-
fected by the agreements who have not taken part in
the negotiations.
The Middle East
Gromyko characterized the Middle East situation
as acute. In his view, the US approach seemed to be
to engage in non-binding consultations; what the
Soviets wanted was "concerted action" to resolve the
problem. The two powers should jointly help the
Arabs and Israelis reach agreement and not wait to
reconvene the Geneva peace conference until all
questions had been solved.
The USSR did not want military bases but did
want an end to hostilities. Under certain circum-
stances, the Soviets were prepared to consider
"regulation" (normalization) of relations with
Israel and would back any necessary international
guarantee of Israel. Gromyko mused that it would
not be difficult to cause trouble, but immediately
disclaimed any Soviet intention to do so.
Cyprus
Turning to Cyprus, Gromyko said that "frankly"
he did not understand the US position. He asked
why the US did not stop the Greek junta from pursu-
ing its plans for Cyprus and why the US did not make
a more effective contribution toward a settlement.
He said the USSR does not believe the issue is one
that involves Cyprus alone, nor is it one that can
be resolved by the three-power forum at Geneva.
The USSR does not seek any bases in the area, rather
it wants all foreign troops removed. Gromyko said
that Cyprus represents an opportunity for the US
and the USSR to demonstrate the benefits of coopera-
tion, but the US attitude prevents this from taking
place.
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USSR-EGYPT
Cairo has accepted a Soviet proposal that For-
eign Minister Fahmi visit Moscow in mid-October.
\Egyptian Chief
of Staff Lieutenant General Gamasy will accompany
Fahmi. This suggests that Cairo will seek a steady
flow of new military equipment from the Soviets.
Egyptian President Sadat has been under pressure
from domestic critics to mend fences with the USSR,
especially since Moscow abruptly canceled a visit
Fahmi was to have made to Moscow in mid-July./
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).
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NEW ZEALAND
There is no obvious candidate for the ruling
Labor Party to select as prime minister to replace
Norman Kirk who died suddenly last Saturday, but
Wellington's traditionally cordial relations with
the US will probably be little affected no matter
who is chosen. The dynamic and popular Kirk had
been preeminent in his party for 10 years and had
never felt the need to groom a successor.
Finance Minister Rowling, an able and shrewd
politician who has visited the US on both Fulbright
and leader grants, appears to be the strongest can-
didate to take over the leadership, in the opinion of
the US embassy. Deputy Prime Minister Watt, who is
now acting leader of the government, stands a chance
because of a desire in the party for continuity,
but he has not distinguished himself in his several
cabinet positions.
Other leading contenders are Trade and Industry
Minister Freer, Justice Minister Finlay, and Defense
Minister Faulkner.
The opposition National Party is in no position
to take advantage of any disarray in the Labor Party
as a new leader seeks to establish himself. Labor's
strong parliamentary majority makes it unlikely that
elections could be forced before they are due in
November 1975.
FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY
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FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY.
NOTE
Syria: President Asad yesterday signed a decree
installing Prime Minister Mahmud al-Ayyubi's new
cabinet. Ayyubi reshuffled ministries dealing pri-
marily with domestic and economic affairs, but made
no changes in the foreign, defense, interior, eco-
nomic, or foreign trade ministries. A government
spokesman emphasized that the changes will have no
effect on Syrian foreign policy.
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r
Top Secret
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