What you will face is whether to conclude it at the summit level or foreign minister level. My guess is the Europeans will decide on a summit. We have positioned with the Soviet Union, so we look like we are ahead of the Europeans.
The President: What is the timetable?
Kissinger: Maybe next March. The Soviet Union wants it this year, but that is not possible. If you meet Brezhnev in December, they won't want it before that.
There are no decisions to make now.
When you meet Gromyko the end of September you should give him the impression we are trying to be helpful.
There is no implementation in the treaty.
On MBFR -- we made an absurd proposal which couldn't fly. Now we are modifying it. The Soviets should cut more than us, but not so much. Then we should add the nuclear package -- 32 Pershings, 54 F-4, 1,000 nuclear warheads. It is strategically insignificant, but it does have the consequence of establishing some ceiling on our nuclear forces.
But we don't have targets for the nucs anyway.
Also we have to take care of FBS. To do it in SALT causes alliance problems. If we could get the Soviets to do it in MBFR, it would satisfy our allies and give the Soviet Union a face saving way out.
Your coming into office will give a big boost. They will be looking for a success, especially if you make a meeting in December conditional.
The President: I have told Brent MBFR is more popular here than SALT.
Kissinger: At the VFW, you might give a tough Defense-oriented speech. It would be good for the Soviets.
The President: I have been doing that, and with no apologies.
Kissinger: We can probably get a 15-20,000 cut in MBFR. Maybe in December. We will have to manage with the allies so it doesn't look like bilateralism.
SECRET/NODIS/XGDS
