PROPOSED BACKCHANNEL TO GERARD SMITH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-10-3-47-5
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: October 31, 2012
• Sequence Number: 47
• Publication Date: December 14, 1970
• Content Type: MEMO

1Wv- _/;,--- No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/10/31 : LOC-HAK-10-3-47-5
(Outside System)
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL, ,/
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. KISSINGER
RGEN. S' ACTION
ecer4er 14, 1970
SUBJECT: Proposed Backcl annel to Gerard Smith
Smith is having a private meeting Ith Semyonov on Tuesday, December 15.
There is no indication what it wil . e about; it may possibly deal merely
with procedural matters.
I gather that during the Lenin ad trip, there was no opportunity for private
talks and that consequently S myonov and other Soviets did not pursue the
intimations concerning taci arrangements. contained in SALT 508 and 510.
(See my memorandum of ecember 11, Log 24275 at Tab B). It may there-
fore be possible that Se onov will revert to this subject -- which so far
has been touched on mos ly by his subordinates -- to-morrow.
Since you had not acknowledged Smith's last backchannel to you (Tab C) in
which he "voted" for a soft formula on FBS, you may wish this evening to
send him the attached message very briefly explaining the rationale for his
final, formal instructions and providing him with your guidance on the
Soviet approaches concerning tacit arrangements.. (I am assuming you
agree with the views Wayne and I presented in Tab B).
RECOMMENDATION
That you urgently approve the attached backchannel to Smith and that it be
sent by the Situation Room tonight, Monday, December 14.
Approve Disapprove
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/10/31 : LOC-HAK-10-3-47-5
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/10/31 : LOC-HAK-10-3-47-5
.. MW )V_
SECRET /EYES 'ONLY
December 14, 1970 25X1
FROM: Henry A. Kissinger
FOR: Ambassador Gerard Smith, SALT/Helsinki
You will have received the formulations regarding ABM-only and
FB S that were decided on over the weekend. The basic consideration
. was to leave our position sufficiently flexible for.the next round as well
as for any approach the Soviets may elect to make during the recess.
At the same time they could not of course be left in any doubt that their
particular proposals were unacceptable. The formula on FBS contained
in your.080 was of course taken into account.
I have read with. interest the delegations' reports in SALT 508 and
510. We will want to give careful consideration to the significance of
these approaches at an:early stage after adjournment in terms of our
intelligence regarding Soviet ICBM construction, the survivability study
and other factors such-as the situation. in Moscow in this pre-Congress
period. Best regards and bon voyage on your trip home.
. SECRET /EYES ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/10/31 LOC-HAK-10-3-47-5