TNAG-1341-FCO40-17721-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Beijing-fo-1985 — Page 84

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The aim of the West is not to achieve superiority,

but to maintain balance, taking account of Soviet developments.

I have indicated that we need to go ahead with the research in

order to attain balance. Balance is necessary to

security, so you have the balance in order to get the security

and in order to keep the deterrent effect upon both sides.

QUESTION

Did you get the impression that Gorbachev was willing

to walk out of the talks or would not even begin to talk if

he felt the United States would not give on testing?

PRIME MINISTER

·

No, we were not in that amount of detail, but I

think it is absurd if I might respectfully say so to talk

of walking out before the talks have even started and if I

might turn one of the questions on you: Do you not think that

such a comment might fuel trouble?

QUESTION

(very difficult to hear) Secretary Weinberger said

the other day th

balance of terror is outdated..

it is disproven.......the President called this doctrine

immoral and senior White House ......called it.......

yet some of your aides have called it a brilliant doctrine

which has succeeded over the last 40 yera in keeping the

peace.

How do you.