Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 April 11, 1951 By DEB NLT, Date 9-4-85 S E € R E T SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS FOUR-POWER - The 27th session of the Paris talks EXPLORATORY TALKS yesterday lasted less than two hours, Gromyko replied to direct questions from the West in a restrained, non-propaganda fashion. There was, however, no change in position on either side. After no Western Deputy volunteered to speak, Gromyko, as chairman, filled in the breach with a statement that: 1) the last proposal was tabled by the Soviets and took tripartite views into account, but the other three powers have not accepted it or introduced anything new; and 2) the meeting still has outstanding questions for discussion, namely the NAT and the US bases. This statement evoked several re- - marks about the general question of armaments and the Soviet approach to this questión, after which Jessup summarized the situation concerning the armaments clause as follows: 1) the Soviets desire a reduction of armaments and propose that the Foreign Ministers discuss this question; 2) the West also believes that arms reduction is an important goal, but has pointed out that the basic problem is the removal of obstacles to the reduction of armaments; and 3) whereas both sides propose to include references' to the level, control and reduction of armaments, the Soviet delegation wants the West to accept a proposal which includes the poli- tical conclusion of the Soviet Government concerning the relative impor - tance of various items and the feasibility of proceeding immediately to the reduction of armaments and armed forces of the four powers without considering any of the obstacles or other circumstances. (Jessup's reference in point 2 above to the "removal of obstacles to the reduction of armaments" represents a new wording which the three Western Powers may introduce formally as a substitute phrasing. Jessup submitted it to the Department yester- - day for the consideration of the Department and the JCS. ) SECRET