75. Memorandum of Conversation1
PARTICIPANTS
-
U.S.
- The President
- Secretary Shultz
- Chief of Staff Baker
- Duberstein
- Carlucci
- Matlock
- Zarechnak, Interpreter
-
U.S.S.R.
- Shevardnadze
- Dubinin
- Bessmertnykh
- Sredin, Notetaker
- Palazhchenko, Interpreter
THE SECRETARY began the call by reporting briefly to the President the results of his meetings with Shevardnadze. He noted that the meetings had been businesslike, constructive and productive, and cited their agreement in principle to conclude an INF agreement, agreement to hold a Summit meeting during the fall, and the agreement on an approach to dealing with nuclear testing (which had already been announced to the press). He pointed out that both agreed on the importance of accelerating negotiations on strategic arms reductions, and noted that discussions had covered all areas of our four-part agenda. There had been a thorough discussion of human rights issues, and Shevardnadze had outlined for him some changes that were underway in the Soviet approach to these issues, changes which, he stressed, were being made for Soviet reasons, not as the result of pressure from abroad. In preparation for the fall summit, Shevardnadze had invited the Secretary to Moscow in October to review progress as of that time, and the Secretary had accepted.
SHEVARDNADZE thanked the President for his kindness in receiving him again and complimented the hospitality which had been accorded him throughout his visit. He endorsed the Secretary’s comments regarding their meetings and added that, in his opinion, a summit meeting should be possible this year, although much work still remains to be done. While he was pleased that agreement had been reached in principle to conclude an INF agreement, he was disappointed that more progress had not been registered in regard to strategic systems and to space and defensive weapons. The Soviets had made some significant proposals in these areas and were concerned that the U.S. had not yet seen fit to reciprocate. He looked forward to Secretary Shultz’s visit to Moscow to finish off the various preparatory details for the summit and hoped that more rapid progress could be achieved in START by that time.
THE PRESIDENT said he hoped Shevardnadze was not reestablishing a linkage between START and INF. SECRETARY SHULTZ pointed out that the Soviets had not asserted a formal linkage, but that there is a relationship between the two negotiations, and he was encouraged by Gorbachev’s comments about the importance of achieving a START treaty. They would try to complete the INF treaty by October, and then push ahead on the other negotiations.
THE PRESIDENT then reviewed his invitation to Gorbachev to come to the U.S., and SHEVARDNADZE assured him that they were [Page 388] planning a meeting in this context. He was unable, however, to discuss concrete dates since he had not yet had time to report to and consult with Gorbachev. He said that he was proposing a thorough discussion of all aspects of the summit meeting when Secretary Shultz came to Moscow in October. Of course, Mr. Carlucci would also be more than welcome to come with the Secretary for these meetings.
THE SECRETARY said it would be a very good thing if Mr. Carlucci could accompany him to Moscow.
The Secretary also told the President that he had explained to Shevardnadze that December would be a difficult month for us for the summit. The President nodded and added that the latter part of November would be fine.
SHEVARDNADZE said that all decisions now had to be tentative since he had not yet been able to discuss the matter with Gorbachev. He needed to report to him, and then the concrete date could be discussed with Secretary Shultz in October.
- Source: Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/S Records, Memoranda of Conversations Pertaining to United States and USSR Relations, 1981–1990, Lot 93D188, Shultz—Shevardnadze—Wash—9/87. Secret; Sensitive. No drafting information appears on the memorandum. The meeting took place in the Residence at the White House.↩