Teng: It is up to you.
Kissinger: Let me review the international situation as we see it, as it has developed during the year.
I agree with the analysis of Chairman Mao that we should make progress in normalization, but also that there is an international environment which brought us together in the first place and which determines in many respects our relationship.
In this respect, the factor in which we both have an interest, and which has produced some common fronts, is your ally and northern neighbor. In this respect, our assessment has not changed since last year. We believe Soviet purposes are still essentially hegemonial. We don't think it is particularly fruitful to debate in which direction the primary thrust is going, because in which ever direction it goes, the ultimate consequence will be the same. And therefore, we believe the principal necessity is to keep in mind the overall objectives and the means to prevent them from being realized.
In this respect, we have to keep in mind -- and I'm being very frank with you -- a very complicated domestic situation. For the United States to take strong actions in crises, it is necessary to do so from a position of having demonstrated to our people that we have exhausted every avenue for peace. I think Chairman Mao, last year, said the United States plays complicated games, and China too plays complicated games, but more energetically. [Laughter].
Teng: I think he had discussed actually the difference between shawdow-boxing and boxing in the Sha-lin style, which is more energetic.
Kissinger: Yes, shadow-boxing. But it was a profound observation. We have to do a lot of shadow-boxing to get into a position to take action when we are in a crisis. I say this only so you will distinguish between appearances and reality. We will not permit a strategic gain for Soviet power. We will attempt to reduce Soviet power where we can. We do not, however.... At the same time we go through many stages which create either diplomatic obstacles to the extension of Soviet power or which psychological and political obstacles against Soviet military action. We do not intend to create a condominium with the Soviet Union, because such a policy -- by removing all obstacles to Soviet expansion -- would eventually, with certainty, turn against us.
SECRET/NODIS/XGDS
