Transcript
of Telephone Conversation between the President's
Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig)
and the Minister of the Soviet Embassy (Vorontsov)/1/
/1/ Source:
National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 998, Haig Chronological File, Haig Telcons 1971. No classification marking. Another copy is in
the Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers,
V: How are
you, General?
H: Fine, Mr.
Minister. I am calling to convey a message. Dr. Kissinger is in a meeting right
now, but he wanted you to have this message as soon as possible. It is to the
effect that with respect to your note yesterday,/2/
the President does not feel a response at this time is necessary until he
receives a response to his written communication, and he wanted it understood
that the "watershed" term/3/ which he used was very, very pertinent,
and he considers it a carefully thought-out and valid assessment on his part.
/2/
Reference is to the message from the Soviet leadership delivered by Vorontsov to Kissinger on December 6; see Document 241.
/3/
See Document 231.
V: Okay. I
will have this in mind and transmit it to
H: Good-bye,
Mr. Minister.
Source: Document 249, volume XI,