90. Memorandum From Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1
SUBJECT
- Public Statements on Soviet Emigration and MFN
This morning’s Washington Post article quoting Deputy Secretary Rush’s views on Soviet emigration policy, the desirability of separating this issue from MFN, and the possibility of a new wave of anti-semitism in the USSR should MFN be denied,2 points to the need for keeping the Administration’s public position on these issues appropriately cleared and coordinated.
As you know several high-level members of the Administration including Secretary Shultz, Peter Flanigan and now Deputy Secretary Rush have addressed the subject in one way or another—as has the State press spokesman. Considering the importance of these issues, the President runs the risk of unnecessary problems and complications if divergencies appear in such statements that may be turned to advantage by one interest group or another.
The memorandum for your signature to State, Treasury, Commerce, Agriculture and CIEP at Tab A3 would state that the President has directed that all proposed public statements on Soviet emigration policy and MFN for the USSR be submitted to the White House for clearance.
Recommendation:
That you sign the memorandum at Tab A.
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 721, Country Files—Europe—USSR, Vol. XXVIII. Confidential. Sent for immediate action.↩
- “Exit Called Easier for Soviet Jews,” Washington Post, March 30, 1973, p. A21.↩
- Printed as Document 91.↩