We are meeting here to explore the possibilities for a V O 'cOuntries We do this agab tt a b c' grounC' wish wh•c•t wt re a ll familiar and which makes this effort' particularly delicate It is essential in the first instance to determine whether there exists an equal determination on both aides to settle the differences that exist between us In this context it is equally important that neither side does anything to worsen the existing situation between our countries rnore no r•n1al relati ns iiiJ Jetv leer ur The mood in our two countries will of course be important to such talks We have noted the recent public expressions of Premier Castro about President Ford and Secretary Kissinger By the same token the Govermnent of Cuba will have seen that our own recent public statements about Cuba have been temperate and measured Restraint on the two sides can we think contribute importantly to the improvement of the environment in which such talks as these can take place We propose therefore to continue to give the most careful consideration to our public declarations on the Cuban issue which is of course a matter of some sensitivity in our country The ideological differences between us are wide But the fact that such talks will not bridge the ideological differences does not mean that they cannot be useful in addressing concrete issues which it is in the interest of both countries to resolve The United St te3 is able and willing to make progress on such issues even with socialist nations with whom we a re in fundamental ideological disagreement as the recent progress in our relations with the Soviet Union and the Peoples' Republic of China has shown There is a long agenda of matters of concern on both sides Meanwhile we as a unilateral gesture will do the following The Government of the United States will move now to permit the travel of the Cuban diploma ts accredited to the United Nations from New York to Washington - 2 - The United St te_s_ c onsiders it appropriate t iat ub ir s begin t•l garlic 1pa e·more actively b •h in- e lectual l fc of tt e Un ted States No purpose is served in attempting to embargo ideas Therefore it is reasonable to expect that the Government of the United States may begin to grant additional visas from time to time to Cubans to visit this country for cultural scientific and educational meetings and for other similar purposes in order that such scholars and experts may begin to com rnunicate more effectively with their colleagues in this country We recognize that there are a number of issues on both sides We anticipate that many 0£ these issues must be resolved over time between us for ir nporta nt substantive reasons while a number of them are essential for Cuba or for the United States to settle for symbolic reasons It would 1 ther £ore be helpful for both sides to identify and define the issues which may be discussed and in what order we might best discuss them • We are prepared now to consider how talks on these issues could go forward where a t what level and at what pace We will look at these suggestions carefully and respond quickly and in a cooperative spirit January 11 1975 i