Foreign Relations of the United States, 1989–1992, Volume XXXI, START I, 1989–1991

179. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State¹

43616.

Moscow, December 17, 1990, 1801Z

SUBJECT

• START Package. Ref: State 424164.²

1. Secret—Entire Text.

2. On December 17, DCM passed Reftel letter and paper on START package to Deputy Foreign Minister Viktor Karpov. After reading through the paper, Karpov commented that, while the document would require further careful study, it seemed to sum up the results of the discussions in Houston. Gennadiy Shabannikov, who was also present, agreed with this assessment. DCM noted that this was the intention and the U.S. side looked forward to agreement or comment from the Soviet side. Commenting that it would be “overly optimistic” to expect that the Soviet side would be in full agreement with all the points in the paper, Karpov reiterated that the U.S. position would be thoroughly reviewed and noted it would then be up to the START negotiators in Geneva to resolve any remaining differences. In closing, Karpov said that the paper on the START package was additional evidence that the two sides were gradually approaching a final agreement on a START Treaty.

Matlock

1. Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, [no N number]. Secret; Immediate; Nodis.
2. See Document 178.