§ 28. Mr. Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the intermediate nuclear forces talks in Geneva.
§ Mr. RaisonProgress has been most disappointing. The Russians have failed to take advantage of NATO's flexibility, in particular our amendment to the offer of an interim agreement; for example, our offer that NATO would not seek by Pershing 2 and cruise missile deployments in Europe to match all SS20 deployments throughout the Soviet Union and our suggestion that some aircraft could be included. We shall study carefully what the Russians say in Geneva to clarify Mr. Andropov's interview of 26 October inPravda, and shall welcome any positive elements. But the Russians are still insisting on retaining a monopoly of the relevant INF missiles.