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

May 13–May 31, 1972 1063
General Secretary Brezhnev: Well, we have certainly had a most
serious discussion on a problem of world importance. I wish to reemphasize
that what’s been said is useful, taking into account the level of
our discussion and the frankness of both sides. I do believe it is correct
that this will not end our discussion of this topic; think things over
in an endeavor to find a solution. After all there is more than one solution
to any problem. One must find the most reasonable solution. We
understand by your last remark that you are prepared to look at this
and we understand you are prepared to do this.
The President: No question.
General Secretary Brezhnev: Mr. President, on the eve of coming
to this country we did note that you had decided not to harden your
position on bombing during your visit here. But unfortunately that has
not been the case and I hope you can appreciate our attitude toward
this and its significance.
Dr. Kissinger: To what does the General Secretary refer?
General Secretary Brezhnev: Haiphong and Hanoi.
Dr. Kissinger: We told your Ambassador we would not bomb in a
certain radius of Hanoi, a certain number of miles from Hanoi. And I am
not aware that this has been done, and if so you should tell us about it.
The President: We made a commitment.
General Secretary Brezhnev: It has been in the TASS communication.
Chairman Kosygin: I refer once again to the Minister of Marines’
report on our ships being buzzed and bombs being dropped near them
and American aircraft imitating bombing dives against our ships.
The President: We will check. That’s against our orders. 11
General Secretary Brezhnev: You can appreciate our feeling on this
matter, because when one of our ships was damaged and some people
were wounded before your visit we lodged a protest with you, but
we didn’t say one word about this in the Soviet press. The entire world
knew about it.
11 Following the meeting Kissinger cabled Haig in Washington, and reported Kosygin’s
accusation that U.S. bombing activities had been taking place close to Soviet vessels
berthed in DRV ports (presumably Haiphong). He said that Nixon had assured the
Soviet leaders that such activities, if true, were not authorized and that he would check
into these allegations. Kissinger asked Haig to send them any relevant information and
noted that it went without saying that “every effort must be made to avoid incidents
while we are in Moscow.” (Telegram Hakto 28, May 24; National Archives, Nixon Presidential
Materials, NSC Files, Box 480, President’s Trip Files, The Situation Room—President’s
Trip, USSR, Iran, Austria, Poland, May–Jun 1972, HAKTO File) In telegram Hakto
35, May 25, Kissinger ordered: “All bombing within a five mile radius from the center
of Haiphong is prohibited until the President returns to the United States.” (Ibid., Howe
Vietnam Chronological File, Box 1089, May 25, 1972)