TNAG-0325-FCO40-361-Proposed-visit-by-the-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Com-1972 — Page 87

CONFIDENTIAL

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6. The choice of date need not be affected by the short

visit which the Secretary of State has agreed to make to

Warsaw, either on his way to Moscow or on the way back.

The Poles would certainly be delighted to welcome the

Secretary of State either in February or in May.

7. It looks as if a visit in February would be more useful

than one in May. On the other hand it is undeniable that

Moscow is at its least attractive in February, whereas May

is one of the best months.

RECOMMENDATION

8

I recommend that HM Ambassador be authorised to tell

Mr Gromyko that having looked at his programme the Secretary

of State would like to take up his outstanding invitation to

visit to Soviet Union in February 1972. The Ambassador

should then ask which week in the month would be most.

suitable for the Soviet side, but should express a preference for the beginning of the month (in order to get in ahead of

President Nixon).

:

9.

I submit a draft telegram to Moscow.

10. WED, WOD and the geographical departments affected by

the Secretary of State's other travel plans agree.

28 July 1971

-3m

CONFIDENTIAL

J L Bullard

Eastern European & Soviet

Dept