October 17, 1984
We agree with President Chernenko that there is no sound alternative to constructive
development in relations between our two countries. We are pleased to see the emphasis he puts
on positive possibilities for U.S.-Soviet relations. We will be studying his remarks carefully, and
as was agreed during Deputy Prime Minister Gromyko's recent meeting with President Reagan,
we will be pursuing our dialog with the Soviet Union and exploring the possibilities for progress
through diplomatic channels.
President Reagan has repeatedly demonstrated that we are ready for cooperation with the Soviet
Union. In April 1981, he sent a handwritten letter to President Brezhnev describing his feelings
about the issue of war and peace, and to ask President Brezhnev to join him in removing the
obstacles to peace. Since then, the United States has made practical proposals for forward
movement in all areas of the relationship, including arms control.
Over the past year, for instance, the United States and its allies have put forward new proposals
for limits on strategic weapons, on intermediate-range nuclear weapons, on chemical weapons,
and on coventional forces. On June 4 in Dublin, President Reagan stated our willingness to
discuss the Soviet proposal for a mutual non-use-of-force commitment, if this would lead to
serious negotiation on the Western proposals for practical steps to enhance confidence and reduce
the risk of surprise attack in Europe. This summer we accepted a Soviet proposal to begin space
arms control negotiations in Vienna without preconditions. At the United Nations last month
President Reagan reiterated his desire to move forward in these fields and put forward a number
of concrete new proposals for U.S.-Soviet cooperation. In his subsequent meeting with Deputy
Prime Minister Gromyko, the President emphasized our strong desire to move to a more
productive dialog across the board and put forward specific suggestions as to how we might do
so.
We cannot agree with President Chernenko's version of recent history. It is the Soviet Union
which has broken off negotiations on nuclear arms and backed away from its own proposal to
begin space arms control talks. The United States stands ready to negotiate on these and other
issues, but we cannot concur in the apparent Soviet view that it is incumbent upon the United
States to pay a price so that the Soviet Union will come back to the nuclear negotiating table.
President Chernenko has stated that improvements in the U.S.-Soviet relationship depend on
deeds, not words. We agree. When the Soviet Union is prepared to move from public exchanges
to private negotiations and concrete agreements, they will find us ready.
Note: Larry M. Speakes read the statement to reporters assembled for the daily press briefing in
the Briefing Room at the White House, which began at 12:35 p.m.