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absolutely clear to Mr. Gorbachev that there was no question
of the Soviet Union being able to divide the United Kingdom
from the United States on these matters.
just not on!
Wedge-driving is
I told the President of my firm conviction that the
Research is, of
SDI research programme should go ahead.
course, permitted under existing United States/Soviet treaties,
and we, of course, know that the Russians have already their
research programme and that in the United States view that
programme has in some respects already gone beyond research.
We agreed on four specific points:
First, the United States and Western aim was not to
achieve superiority, but to maintain balance, taking acount
of Soviet developments.
Second, that SDI-related deployment would, in view of
treaty obligations, have to be a matter for negotiations.
Third, the overall aim is to enhance, and not to
undermine, deterrence; and
Fourth, East-West negotiation should aim to achieve
security with reduced levels of offensive systems on both
sides.
This will be the purpose of the resumed United States/
Soviet negotiations on arms control, which I warmly welcome.
Ladies and Gentlemen, your questions, please!
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.