October 2 1967 • I r • ecretar y1 inating Por • in er l r Sovi ta in -2- In recent weeka there have been i n dieations from the Soviet aide that Millionshchikov may have received top level pol itical clearance for a reSUlllPtion of meetings for diacusaion of the atrategio arms ·race In a letter just received a 9roup of us are invitf d to visit Moscow December 28- 30 for a discus•ion of the effects of new offensive and defensive missiles on the strategic balance I t has been sµggea ed that this visit could be pr liminary to a larger meeting to be held next June We have been t old that this idea • been cleared with Kosygin and turther that while the official talks proposed py Thompson to Gromyko prob bly cannot start before the Pre•idential elections in 1968 private technical talks among saientiets could start now ' I' 1 ' While we cannot be au re of the connection of our channel to tbe decision- making group in he u s s R it aeems to us that our discussions with soviet scientists c oµld be a useful preliminary and open· up thi• area for more ventilation in Moscow we have always kept Washington closely informed of our activiti s vis - a - vis the Soviets and w have benefitted from washingt9n briefings on th background of the topics we have discu•ee I with our Soviet colleagues Our moat frequent connection has been with Foster in ACDA with Tommy Thompson and other at State and with John McNaughton in I efense Now we would like your advice as to whom we shoul d 1 · Tt la place r f Mri l 1 s·bt i'til in 'dr r rat cr rc filture c ont acts with the Soviets can be useful and free of any features that would be contrary to US interests I ncl ose copies of two letters on this matter to our Seviet contact in New York • I would be glad to furnish mor in f ormation and you may· want to take this up with Kisaing r or Xistiakowaky In ' any event I hope that you can direc t us to the person who will serve in your area aa McNaughton did in the past and that in time you will give us your own views on this venture Sincerely yours Paul Doty Enclosures