TNAG-1341-FCO40-17721-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Beijing-fo-1985 — Page 81

the deployments would be covered by treaty obligations.

So, first the research, which can be done without

infringing the treaties, and I think it best to wait for the

results of that research before being able to go any further

or to conjecture about what would happen then. We know that

we would have to go to negotiations then.

QUESTION

Madame Prime Minister, can you tell us what you told

the President concerning your meeting with Mr. Gorbachev?

PRIME MINISTER

I gave him (the President) a general account of my

meeting with Mr. Gorbachev. With Mr. Gorbachev we discussed,

obviously, East-West relations, obviously arms control. I

made it quite clear to Mr. Gorbachev that there was no point

in his ever- either his or the Soviet Union

to separate us from the United States.

hopeless mission if they did!

·

ever trying

They would be on a

I also discussed trade matters with Mr. Gorbachev

and a number of other matters, but we had a very realistic

and constructive and businesslike discussion. No rose-tinted

spectacles on either side, and it is best that way! Really

realistic, constructive and businesslike, and friendly.

QUESTION

Prime Minister, are you concerned that a spirited

US research programme might fuel a process of competition