@a We are meeting here to explore the possibilities for a Inore norntal relati-Jnshio between Eur two 'countries We do this against a background with we are all 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 sides 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 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 Government 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 environrnentvin 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 States is able and willing to make progress on such issues even with socialist nations withwhom we are in fundamental ideological disagree ment 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 diplomats accredited to the United Nations from New York to Washington -- The United States considers it appropriate that Cubans begin to pariic ipav'e'more actively in the intellectual of the United 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 communicate more effectively with their colleagues in this country We recognize that there are a ntunber of issues on both sides We anticipate that many of these issues must be resolved over time between us for iinportant substantive reasons while a number of them are essential for Cuba or for the United States to settle for symbolic reasons It would therefore 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 at what level and at what pace We will look at these suggestions carefully and respond quickly and in a cooperative spirit January 11 1975 dn -FF-                     National Security Archive    Suite 701  Gelman Library  The George Washington University    2130 H Street  NW  Washington  D C  20037    Phone  202 994‐7000  Fax  202 994‐7005  nsarchiv@gwu edu