TNAG-1313-FCO40-1688-Future-of-Hong-Kong-views-and-involvement-of-Australia--Cana-1984 — Page 59

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levels.

Many of Soviet leadership have not seen West;

in West we know more of Soviet Union from free press about realities in that country. But still need to see

with our eyes.

(5)

My visit to Moscow in July

-

(6)

(7)

(8)

impressions.

Not one off; part of wider pattern.

Gorbachev; Gromyko return visit. Contacts at Rifkind/Kornienko level. Senior and middle-ranking

officials (talks on Africa and Middle East in

Moscow in 1984).

Part of wider Western effort - Washington NATO

ministerial (statement East/West relations attached).

Let's not deceive ourselves: slow business establishing greater confidence. Some positive glimmers in Soviet response to President Reagan's initiatives. But real progress on substantive issues, especially arms

control, will take time, swallows

summer some way off.

yes a few

but