Message from the Soviet Leadership to President Nixon/1/

 

/1/ Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 492, President's Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger, 1971, Vol. 8. Top Secret; Sensitive, Special Category. A handwritten note on the message indicates it was received at 5 a.m. Haig transmitted the text of this hot line message to Kissinger at 7:37 a.m. in telegram WH 11131 to Lajes in the Azores. Haig observed about the message: "Obviously we are still in a holding pattern." (Ibid., Box 643, Country Files, Middle East, India/Pakistan)

 

Moscow, December 13, 1971.

 

We have attentively examined your message/2/ over the direct communications link. In accordance with the confidential exchange of opinions existing between us, we are advising you that at the present time, we are conducting a clarification of all the circumstances in India.

 

/2/ Document 286.

 

We will inform you of the results of the clarification without delay.

 

 

Source: Document 291, volume XI, South Asia crisis 1971, Department of State.