learned Friend, the Foreign Secretary, has over the
course of the past year had no less than five meetings
with Mr Gromyko. He has succeeded in establishing a
pattern of communication. At a time of mutual
misapprehension that in itself represents a
considerable achievement. More than that, it offers a
framework for moving forward to reduce the tensions
between us.
6. In the same way, we welcomed Mr Gromyko's
acceptance of President Reagan's invitation to go to
Washington last September. That meeting was an
important step forward. The Soviet official report of
the meeting carefully left open the possibility of
closer superpower relations and of arms control
negotiations. Let us hope that the Russians have
concluded that it is time to move.
7. As we turn to the year ahead, I see grounds for
guarded optimism. I hope and believe that in 1985 we
shall at least see real growth in the range and quality
of dialogue between East and West. To hope for more
than that in the next twelve months may be premature:
we can not yet expect substantive results from
negotiations.
8. In the months ahead This Government will play its
full and proper part in the process of rapprochement
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