Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XI, START I

211. Notes of a Meeting¹

Washington, September 17, 1987

PRESIDENT’S MEETING WITH SECRETARY SHULTZ AND FRANK CARLUCCI ON SEPTEMBER 17, 1987 IN THE OVAL OFFICE

GS START—Need move. Explains 4800. Mobiles—difficult verify.

Geneva—verification of mobiles—work in parallel—develop—verification issues. (S&G agree to explore verification of mobiles at Geneva!)

S Preservation of ABM Treaty. We have good options. Let’s not add complications. 10 years observe strictly.

As for R&T,² we have made steps to accommodate you. Third possibility is list of devices banned from space. Have given to your experts.

There will be no retreat from preservation of ABM for 10 years. Otherwise no START.

Situation not hopeless. If want START, a solution can be found.

S Need to prod our delegations—Ministers must intervene.

Must have progress on START before Summit. Ground work for discussion only—Difficulties in Congress re INF ratif if no progress toward START. Can’t have GS sign agreement US Congress might not ratify.

GS Sign agreement—fine.

All other areas of R/C, bilateral, regional—broad ranging discussion.

1. Source: Reagan Library, Carlucci Files, Secretary Shultz (08/14/1987–11/03/1987) [Meetings with President—Notes]. Secret. Drafted by Carlucci.
2. Research and testing.