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We already know Vice President Bush well. We congratulate him on his election victory, and welcome the prospect of essential continuity in American foreign policy, where the President-elect commands wide experience. We look forward to working with the new Administration in the warm spirit of the Prime Minister's visit last
week to Washington.
- My Lords, I have said that where our security is at issue we can
afford only to take account of Soviet deeds, not words.
the same approach over principles that matter to us.
We choose
We shall therefore keep up our pressure on the Soviet Union to improve its human rights record. We acknowledge recent changes for the better in Soviet performance. But without clear evidence that these changes will be permanent, we believe it would be wrong to attend Moscow CSCE Conference on human rights.
We believe
- A firm Western approach so far has helped bring results.
that it can take us further yet, and so improve the lives of thousands of Soviet citizens.
- We have long argued that there is no inconsistency between a
hard-headed Western approach to security issues and human rights, and a desire for improved relations with the East.
President
Look at the facts. Anglo-Soviet relations are acknowledged by both
We have established an sides to be at their best since the war. active and productive dialogue at the highest level. Gorbachev's forthcoming visit will mark his fourth substantive
We have frequent meeting with my rt hon friend the Prime Minister.
and varied Ministerial contacts; we are giving priority to developing people-to- people exchanges, and trade on prudent
commercial terms.
Our purpose is to use the new opportunities we see to make our relationship more natural and relaxed. Of course we are also offering our successful political and economic example to increase
SELALT