(SANITIZED) SUMMARY OF PUBLIC POSITIONS ON INF

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00287R000500790019-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 30, 2010
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: February 3, 1983
• Content Type: REPORT

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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/30: CIA-RDP85T00287R000500790019-3
3 February 1983
Unclassified Summary of Public Positions on INF
The initially favorable media reaction to the US summit proposal is turning critical
in some instances, especially in the UK. Andropov's rejection of President Reagan's
invitation dominated the headlines of a broad cross-section of papers.
STAT
UK The Times yesterday editorialized that the US summit proposal was a
propaganda move and a "strange way to launch a delicate diplomatic idea."
The Guardian observed that "America's Allies are not impressed by the
proposal," and surmised that some were concerned about specific linkage of
the summit and the zero option. The pro-Tory Daily Telegraph more
charitably noted that, although "clumsily framed," the proposal "could prove
STAT
the start of a new phase in American-Soviet affairs."
[p :1
West Reaction to President Reagan's proposal,almost uniformly positive
Germany yesterday,has become more mixed in the West German press. The Stuttgarter
Zeitung (independent) stated that "at long last, the US President has
indicated that he wants to regain the initiative in East-West policies."
The very conservative Die Welt announced that "Moscow's propaganda
campaign...has been countered by the US President's statements to the
Europeans." The Frankfurter Allgemeine (independent) noted that "Bush's
Berlin address did not disappoint our expectations." The Sueddeutsche
Zeiitung (independent) reported that some CDU members have criticize the
open letter, while The Frankfurter Rundschau (pro-SPD) observed that
"compared to the pompous setting, the substance of the action staged by
Reagan was meager ." STAT
France The French press yesterday continued its generally positive reporting on
both the Vice President's style and the Reagan letter. The centrist daily
Nouveau Journal commented that the US summit invitation "will influence
Western public opinion, which is increasingly sensitive to the pacifist
campaign. After several weeks of hesitation and wavering...US leaders are
counterattacking in the diplomatic field." The conservative Le Figaro has
interpreted the Vice President's statements to mean that "balance or parity
at the best possible level has become the immediate US objective." The STAT
rightist Le Quotidien observed that President "Reagan has made tremendous
progress in foreign affairs. Under pressure from 'realists' in Washington
who are overtaking the 'doctrinaires,' the President understood the need to
change his tone and avoid appearing bellicose in the face of Andropov."
Belgium Brussels yesterday released a statement strongly supporting President
Reagan's proposal for a US-Soviet summit. The statement also noted that,
even if negotiations led to "limited" deployment, the Allies would "be STAT
ready" to negotiate on "total abolition."
USSR A TASS commentary of late Tuesday previewed the current INF round by noting
that the preceding two rounds "did not produce any encouraging results."
TASS predictably laid the blame for this on Washington, but added that "time
will show what the American delegation has brought with it to Geneva this STAT
time."
Italy In formal statements yesterday at a legislative meeting, Foreign Minister
Colombo and Defense Minister Lagorio stressed Western unity and support for
the zero option. Colombo acknowledged that the Fanfani government would
"consider eventual alternative proposals."
STAT
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/30: CIA-RDP85T00287R000500790019-3