271. Memorandum of Conversation1 Moscow, May 24, 1972, 7:50 ...

1060 Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, Volume XIV
circumstances when all questions are taken up with a desire to soften
the situation in all areas, perhaps it would be worthwhile for you to
give more thought to possible measures the United States could take
to end the situation in Vietnam, a situation which at the present time
becomes more grave and intolerable daily. In the context of these talks
the events of Vietnam certainly place us in a very awkward position.
In conclusion may I just say we don’t doubt that if instead the
United States really took resolute measures to end this war and bring
about a peaceful solution, no country would ever think, and that includes
the Vietnamese, the United States had capitulated in Vietnam.
General Secretary Brezhnev: Mr. President, I feel perhaps it is a
good thing to end the discussion for today. We have probably on both
sides spoken out our views on the substance.
I for one want to close with the following thought. You are quite
familiar, Mr. President, with the wrath of our people in connection with
Vietnam and the demands of socialist countries. You are familiar with
their indignation at your aggression and the war in Vietnam. They demand
that the bombing end and a peaceful solution be found. I must
say frankly that wrath is still in the hearts of the Soviet people, and no
order given to the people eradicate this sentiment. We certainly have
on both sides taken this into account in our discussions at such a high
level, and we cannot abstract this from all other questions because after
all we agreed prior to the meeting not simply to discuss bilateral
matters but also international problems. Now the other day you yourself
said the most difficult problem between us were Vietnam and the
Middle East, and I feel today we have said some sharp things to one
another. And that is natural because the subject itself is very acute. Also
a lot of things said were useful and reasonable.
Man is a creature endowed by nature with a wonderful quality of
intelligence. If a man approaches a matter not from a selfish point of
view, but objectively looks at all that has been discussed between two
statesmen, he can find a reasonable way out of any predicament. I think
we can both agree that today we cannot say we have completed discussion
of this problem or found a solution for it. Therefore perhaps it
would be expedient to end this discussion now and have dinner. I shall
say the night brings counsel. Perhaps we can return to this subject tomorrow
or the day after. We should try to make a new effort to find a
solution.
Chairman Kosygin: At least we should try to engage in a constructive
search for a solution.
The President: Let me add I think our discussions have been very
helpful in setting forth our points of view. I appreciate the fact that our
hosts have been so direct and honest and candid about what they don’t
like about our policy and why. Because that’s the kind of discussions