HC Deb 25 July 1984 vol 64 cc698-9W
42. Mr. Jim Spicer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the latest round of mutual and balanced force reduction talks at Vienna.

Mr. Luce

During the latest round—24 May to 19 July—of the mutual and balanced force reduction talks, the focus of discussion has been the new Western initiative tabled in April. This offers a real opportunity to resolve the long-standing dispute over the size of Eastern forces. The East's response has been disappointingly negative. But we and our allies have emphasised that our proposal is not presented on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. We are very willing to discuss its provisions. We hope for a more productive dialogue in the next round which begins on 27 September.

Forward to