LETTER TO G. V. CHICHERIN **
7/VÏ [1921] To Comrade Chicherin! I had already completed the enclosed letter when I received your latest missive.
* — How much?
** On the envelope of this letter is the inscription: “V.
I.
Lenin:
“Secret.
[ Urgent. ] To Comrade Chicherin. (From Lenin)”

I recommend that you submit your reply through the Politburo. Ask Molotov to handle this matter via a telephone inquiry.
I propose the following resolution:
1) In principle, we should accept the proposal put forward by the Kopp Germans.
2) We must stipulate complete confidentiality and
3) adopt a wholly legal, loyal, innocuous, and convenient form—be it a concession or some similar arrangement—that shields us from any liability whatsoever for whatever the concessionaire may be interested in, what he produces, or for whom he produces it.
4) Ideally, the contract should be executed in the name of a citizen of a “neutral” country; however, this is not an absolute requirement.
5) It is absolutely essential that we secure genuine guarantees that we will not be deceived—that we will receive the necessary equipment, fuel, and, in short, that our production will be effectively advanced.
6) Write to Stomonakov: either assist us or do not interfere; this is a matter of special importance. The letter should be drafted on behalf of the Central Committee.
7) Issue an order from the Central Committee to Kopp: you are to travel only on this specific mission, for a brief period—and under no circumstances for any other business. (A copy of this order should be forwarded to Stomonakov.)
These are my proposals for approval by the Politburo.
Of course, I am not insisting on every detail—only on the fundamental points.
As for the two‑person commission: if necessary, I can come for an hour tomorrow, or on Wednesday. But in my view, that is unnecessary. We can simply correspond and communicate by telephone.
If the commission deems joint management risky—what exactly is so dangerous about that?—then let them negotiate, but without resorting to ultimatums. In my opinion, the choice is between a concession, joint management, or some other arrangement—whatever works best.
With kind regards,  
V. I. Lenin
P.S. Menzhinsky is unlikely to be suitable. Is it possible to appoint Kopp without involving the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Trade? If that is not feasible, we will look for another candidate.
1 V. R. Menzhinsky had been a member of the Party since 1902. Following the October Socialist Revolution, he served as People’s Commissar of Finance and as the General Consul of the RSFSR in Berlin; from 1919 onward, he held leading positions within the All‑Union Extraordinary Commission for Combating Counter‑Revolution and Sabotage.