(SANITIZED) SUMMARY OF PUBLIC POSITIONS ON INF

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00287R000500790032-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 30, 2010
• Sequence Number: 32
• Publication Date: February 10, 1983
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/30: CIA-RDP85T00287R000500790032-8
10 February 1983
Unclassified Summary of Public Positions on IMF
Most French papers yesterday used the words "complete harmony," "complete accord,"
and "entente" to describe the US and French positions on INF. A new UK survey shows over
half of those Britons polled oppose cruise missile deployment.
UK The Guardian said the Vice President clearly hinted in Paris that the US "might
settle for an interim agreement." The Times reported that the Thatcher
government is determined to resist demands for a "dual key" arrangement,
fearing that any change in the 1979 NMO decision would weaken commitment to
the program on the part of the other basing countries. The Daily Telegraph
(Tory) published the results of a Gallup poll which shows 54 percent of British
voters are opposed to "American controlled cruise missiles," while two-thirds
of those polled also oppose unilateral nuclear disarmament. The paper
concluded that the quickest way for the government to undercut the antinuclear
1 -1
movement in the UK is to concede on the "dual key" issue.
West Several West German papers reported statements by Carl-Friedrich von
Germany Weizsaecker, a nuclear scientist who is an adviser to Vogel, that if Its'
deployments become necessary, they should be sea-, not land-based. The
Frankfurter Allgemeine quoted von Weizsaecker as saying that he had discussed
this issue with members of Vogel's campaign staff and that there is agreement
"in principle" among them. The moderate Die Welt editorialized yesterday that
"it was no surprise that the latest State Department report" on the USSR showed
"that the Reagan Administration deems it necessary again to expose Soviet
violation of human rights." The paper speculated this indicated "that
Washington has little hope for progress at Geneva." Westdeutsche Allgemeine
(independent) observed that the Vice President's trip had "contributed much to
clarifying US policy. Bush nowhere left any doubt that the Reagan
administration is seriously seeking an agreement in Geneva that also will meet
European interests.
France Le Monde editorialized that France and the US are "on the same wavelength" on
defense issues and that both are equally worried about growing neutralism in
West Germany. France-Soir (moderate/socialist) observed that US-French
relations are "excellent" and that "Mr. Bush seemed particularly pleased with
his brief visit to Paris." Figaro-Aurore (conservative) cited the "entente"
between Paris and Washington on European security. Quotidien (rightist) quoted
the Vice President as saying that he "was very pleased with the attitude of the
Europeans." Le Matin (socialist) described the Vice President as a "happy man
who was convinced-FE-having reached his objectives," i.e., to let Europeans
know that the US is open to all proposals and that "Reagan's proposals are
currently the best proposals.
Italy The conservative I1 Giornale, in an article entitled "Andropov's Lies," used a
recent Eagleburger article to conclude that Moscow's arguments on Its' are
"false." The leftist La Repubblica ccmnnented it was ironic that the Vice
President received such a warm welcome in Paris considering that "almost two
years ago George Bush was received at the Elysee-in an atmosphere laden with
suspicion." La Staanpa (centrist) summarized the position taken by European
leaders during their talks with the Vice President as one of reement both on
deployment and on the need for serious negotiations at Geneva
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/30: CIA-RDP85T00287R000500790032-8