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at their press conference on the question of their reponses to the Russian proposals on arms control. We must prevent wedgedriving. It was said there was a distinction in style between the French and British responses but in fact our position was exactly the same. M. Dumas said consultation between us was necessary. The Prime Minister and President Mitterrand would be ready to confirm the closeness of our position. The French were ready to listen to the Russians and exchange views on the subject of arms control but were not ready to discuss any reduction of their deterrent.
4. The Secretary of State asked whether the French had an idea of
what might emerge from the Geneva summit. M. Dumas referred to an interview he had just given to the Nouvel Observateur. We should not expect too much too quickly further meetings would be
necessary.
achieved.
1
But we should not be too pessimistic about what might be
5. The Secretary of State asked about signs of Soviet movement on Human Rights issues. M. Dumas said the Russians had few gestures prior to the Geneva meeting, notably in authorising Mr Sakharov to
leave the Soviet Union (M. Plaisant added that they understood Mrs Sakharov was refusing to take up this opportunity, perhaps in the hope of persuading the Russian authorities to let her husband join her). The Americans had made clear there needed to be some movement by the Soviet Union in order for any agreement in Geneva to be possible. Mr Derek Thomas asked whether there was any truth in
press reports of a major exodus of Jews from the Soviet Union to Israel and French involvement in such an operation. M. Dumas said that to date the French had merely offered to provide aircraft to transport the Jews if such a development occurred. This offer was made in response to a request from Mr Peres to M. Mitterrand during
his recent visit to Paris. But this was not for the immediate
future.
Middle East
6. The Secretary of State said he saw no prospect of a new move. Discussions between Jordan and Syria were however making some progress. M. Dumas said the rapprochement between Syria and Jordan was not connected to a similarity of views on the Israel/PLO
CONFIDENTIAL
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