Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume V, Soviet Union, March 1985–October 1986

167. Memorandum From Secretary of State Shultz to President Reagan¹

Washington, December 6, 1985

SUBJECT

• 12/5/85 Dobrynin Meeting

Dobrynin came in for a little over an hour Thursday evening.² He handed over the Gorbachev letter on testing which I have sent you separately through John Poindexter.³

We discussed in general terms the modalities of your next meeting with Gorbachev. We also considered the timing of additional meetings between Shevardnadze and myself. Dobrynin seemed comfortable but non-committal with my suggestion of late January and late May sessions, perhaps outside of Washington and Moscow. As to the late June timing of your next meeting with Gorbachev, he questioned whether it allowed enough time to work out something substantial in Geneva and suggested September. I responded that this would be too close to our elections. My guess is that they will in the end accept the June or perhaps the July date.

In addition to walking Dobrynin through the post-Geneva agenda along the lines I discussed with you on Wednesday,⁴ I took advantage of the meeting to tell him about the human rights letter Mac Baldrige will be carrying to Moscow.⁵ Dobrynin seemed to take my point that it would be valuable for Mac to meet with Gorbachev, and said he would send a telegram recommending a meeting.

I also put down a marker on the SA–5 missiles the Soviets appear to have delivered recently to Libya, and which could threaten our aircraft over the Gulf of Sidra. I told Dobrynin we had proof positive of Qadaffi’s involvement in terrorist operations and other irresponsible activities and strongly urged that Moscow reconsider the wisdom of its military supply relationship with Tripoli.⁶

We agreed to meet again after my return from Europe in mid-December.

1. Source: Reagan Library, Jack Matlock Files, Meetings with USSR Officials, Meetings: Shultz-Dobrynin 1986. Secret; Sensitive.
2. December 5.
3. See Document 166.
4. December 4.
5. See Document 168.
6. In telegram 379815 to Cairo, also sent to Moscow for information, December 13, the Department noted: “We have raised the issue of Soviet supply of SA–5 air defense missiles to Libya both in Washington and Moscow. The Secretary raised this question with Dobrynin on December 5 and Ambassador Hartman took it up with Deputy Foreign Minister Komplektov on December 6.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, N850013–0230) Documentation is also scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. XLVIII, Libya; Chad.