Henry Alfred Kissinger

“ The practical explanation is that in any use of nuclear weapons, regardless of who initiates it, in a war between the Soviet Union and another country or between the U.S. and another country, or between an ally of each, then the U.S. and Soviet Union would have to help each other, and if physical help is not possible, then they would have to observe benevolent neutrality. ”

“ Khrushchev introduced Gromyko to us, and he told us that Gromyko had a lot of things in his pocket. And Khrushchev told us that this fellow Gromyko could produce this formula today, and tomorrow, and he has so many things he can produce that that is his major trait -- that was Khrushchev's introduction of Gromyko. And it seems that Brezhnev has learned that trait from Gromyko and has a lot of things in his pocket too.
As for our dealings with the Soviet Union, we do not rely on our nuclear weapons. And we don't have very much skill other than digging tunnels and having rifles. ”

“ It has nothing to do with the People's Republic of China.
Teng: I would like to raise a question. We have heard the Doctor say that the recent meeting and the recent signing of such an agreement was a great breakthrough. Was it really so? To be more specific -- how reliable can it be -- how reliable are the prospects for ten years of detente and a cease of competition in the military field?
Kissinger: First of all, you have to understand that we have to fight on many fronts. And our domestic strategy is to isolate our left, if that is a proper thing to say in the People's Republic. ”

“ So for either side to use nuclear weapons against the other, it is a matter for great care by both sides.
Kissinger: That is without question. I was answering the question about the Soviet Union being able to make a first strike. My argument is that that is impossible.
Let's look at the reverse. The US has about 30% in land-based missiles, the rest either at sea or on airplanes. I would also like to tell you, we are planning to put long-range missiles into our airplanes - something the Soviet Union cannot do because they don't have airplanes large enough to do that. ”

“ Secondly, they are making all their improvements in the most vulnerable forces, namely in the land-based forces. We are making ours in the sea-based and air-based forces -- which are not vulnerable, or much less vulnerable. For example, on their submarines, they have not begun to test a multiple warhead -- which means they could not possibly get it before 1980 into production. Which means, in turn, we will be, in accuracy and technical procedures, 10 to 15 years ahead of them.
Teng: We are in favor of your maintaining a superiority against the Soviet Union in such aspects. ”

“ Teng: We have no reason to be in disagreement.
Kissinger: It was no accident that on my recent trip that I stopped in Afghanistan, Yugoslavia and Romania, and made speeches in each about an independent foreign policy.
Teng: So we have been exploring some strategic issues today. ”

“ But from our discussions with some Europeans, they seem much more worried than you -- not just on naval forces but on the whole question of conventional forces.
Kissinger: On the question of conventional forces, everyone has reason to worry. On the question of naval forces, I believe we are far superior.
Teng: But the Soviet Union develops itself with greater speed. If the Soviet Union launches a war, it might not be a nuclear war ”

“ We like those on the right!
Kissinger: The ones on the right have no choice but to be with us anyway. The one's on the right are no problem with us.
Teng: Isn't Mr. Heath of Great Britain a well-known man on the right? ”

“ But we believe that if the Soviet army is permitted to move outside its sphere, it will create appetites that might not stop. This is why we reacted so violently when they mobilized their airborne divisions during the Middle East crisis. ”

“ Kissinger: That's true. Let me make a few observations if I may. First, we agree on the desirability of demonstrating not only that our relations have not become colder, but in fact our relations are becoming warmer. We think that is in the interest of both of our countries. And we are prepared to do this not only symbolically, but substantively.
Now, in the security field, I had some discussions with the Prime Minister on my last evening here last time and I want you to know that those principles we still maintain.
Now, about the invitation of the Secretary of Defense. ”

“ The first is to undermine NATO, because it would specifically oblige us to cooperate with the Soviet Union against our allies if nuclear weapons were involved. Secondly, it would force those Arabs who are afraid of nuclear weapons being used by Israel into an alliance relationship with the Soviet Union. ”