This document describes the problems related to security and disarmament in East-West relations. The Soviet intransigence combined with lack of consensus among the NATO states makes reopening nuclear disarmament negotiations difficult.

Part of Foreign Ministry's documentation about the Ministerial Session at the NATO council meeting in Washington, May 1984. It dicusses strategic parity, current state of alliance, and its cohesion vis-à-vis Warsaw Pact.

Ambassador Petrignani analyses US economic and foreign policy in light of the upcoming presidential election . He predicts a narrow victory for Reagan, and discusses its potential implications on future foreign policy.

Italian Ambassador to Washington, Rinaldo Petrignani, volunteers his views on the interruption of the INF negotiations, and their possible relaunch. He states that Italy's firm and coherent position vis-à-vis the missile debate has improved its standing internationally, and highlights the crucial importance of maintaining strong transatlantic relations.

Ambassador Petrignani reports his conversation with Vice Secretary of State Burt following Kissinger's interview in Time where he talks about NATO's crisis and need for burden sharing reform. Burt distances the current administration from Kissinger's views, stating instead that euro-american relations are "in good health", and there is no need for drastic measures.