Summary of the discussions between Secretary of State Shultz and Minister of Foreign Affairs Shevardnadze in preparation for the Washington Summit. Shultz confirms that a joint working text has been produced and the preprations for signing the INF treaty in Washington are well underway.

The telegram comments on the recent NPG ministerial session. It describes the state of negotiations around the elimination of INFs in the light of the upcoming Washington summit where the treaty is expected to be signed.

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.

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.