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

192. Talking Points Prepared in the Office of Soviet Union Affairs, Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs for Secretary of State Shultz¹

Washington, undated

RESPONSE TO GORBACHEV

—We’ve had several useful soundings with the Soviets this week, including an interesting meeting between Hartman and Shevardnadze.² Several messages come through:

—On arms control, the Soviets are stressing Gorbachev’s personal involvement in the initiative and his movement to meet your desires on INF, UK/French forces, verification, and a staged process to abolish nuclear arms.

—They also believe they have taken important steps on human rights, your people-to-people initiative, and other areas of arms control. [Card with details attached.]³

—They are anxious for your response to the Gorbachev initiative, which they see as a bellwether in setting the tone for the months ahead.

—They are not going to make up their minds on summit timing until they see your response to Gorbachev.

—Shevardnadze also went off the record with Art Hartman to make a strong complaint against U.S. statements that U.S. strength had “forced” the Soviets to the Geneva summit. He seemed concerned about the impact of such statements at a sensitive juncture in Soviet internal politics.

Assessment

—Soviet pressure on summit timing is partly self-serving, but it’s possible we face a period of some uncertainty about a summit date.

—On our consultations with Allies, Mrs. Thatcher is nervous about talk of eliminating nuclear arms, but she also told Paul Nitze that she thought Gorbachev would need something on SDI.⁴ She suggested you take Gorbachev up to Camp David and work out how SDI relates to the ABM Treaty so there are no surprises, as you did with her.

—Once Paul and Ed Rowny are back from their trips, we should sit down and weigh all these factors in your final decision on the tone and substance of the response to Gorbachev.⁵

1. Source: Department of State, Ambassador Nitze’s Personal Files 1953, 1972–1989, Lot 90D397, February 1986. Secret; Sensitive; Summit II. Drafted by Burton; cleared by Palmer. Burton initialed for Palmer. Although no date appears on the memorandum, a typed note in the top margin reads: “For 7 February Meeting with President.” Brackets are in the original. According to the President’s Daily Diary, Reagan met with Shultz and Poindexter on February 7 from 2:18 to 2:55 p.m. (Reagan Library, President’s Daily Diary) A longer version of the talking points, also drafted by Burton and clearly based on Hartman’s February 4 meeting with Shevardnadze, are in the Reagan Library, George Shultz Papers, Secretary’s Meeting with the President (02/11/1986); NLR–775–18–101–1–9.
2. See footnote 6, Document 191.
3. Not found attached.
4. In telegram 2619 from London, February 6, the Embassy noted Nitze met with Thatcher on February 5 to provide the “United States’ cautious assessment of Gorbachev’s January 14 proposal, and outlined the President’s thinking on next steps in Geneva arms talks.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, [no N number])
5. See footnote 4, Document 189.