§ 20. Mr. Andrew MacKayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of the state of. East-West relations following the recent meeting between the American and Soviet Foreign Ministers in Geneva.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweWe have welcomed the outcome of the meeting between Mr. Gromyko and Mr. Shultz. We hope that the forthcoming negotiations will lead to increased security at a lower level of weapons. Given the complexity of the issues under discussion, progress is not likely to be rapid. Meanwhile, a broader dialogue between the superpowers as well as between the other countries of East and West can help to create the increased trust and confidence which will be necessary if lasting progress is to be made on arms control and on other problems.
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§ 33. Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed disarmament and East-West relations with the United States Secretary of State.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweI held private talks with Mr. Shultz on 11 December, when he visited this country on his way to the NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels. We discussed a range of international issues, including prospects for arms control and disarmament and East-West relations. Mr. Shultz and I took part in further discussions on these subjects in the course of, and in connection with, the NATO ministerial meeting itself.