WASHINGTON WIRE A SPECIAL WEEKLY REPORT FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL'S CAPITAL BUREAU

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86B00420R000200310024-0
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 21, 2009
• Sequence Number: 24
• Publication Date: March 23, 1984
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Approved For Release 2009/10/22 : CIA-RDP86B0042OR000200310024-0
Washington Wire
A Special Weekly Report From
The Wall Street Journal's
Capital Bureau
U.S.-SOVIET FRICTION grows over pri-
vate talks to ease tensions.
The two sides dispute the current talks'
significance; analysts detect an election-
year propaganda war. Moscow is peeved by
a Shultz statement touting "private diplo-
matic discussions" to seek possible accord
on arms control and other issues. The Sovi-
ets claim Shultz spreads false optimism.
They deny that a private meeting in Moscow
between Gromyko and U.S. Ambassador
Hartman made any progress.
The-Reagan administration, with eyes on
the election, wants to make relations seem
better than they are. A top official insists
the quiet discussions are continuing "to see
if he can solve some of these problems."
Moscow tries to paint a bleak picture-for
fear that any appearance of progress might
only help Reagan's reelection chances.
Many U.S. officials doubt any break-
through on .nuclear-arms issues this
year. But the Soviets will have to deal
with Reagan next year if he is re-
elected.
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Approved For Release 2009/10/22 : CIA-RDP86B0042OR000200310024-0