Prime Minister
Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen, the Soviet Ambassador Mr. Zamyatin has just brought me a personal message from Mr. Gorbachev saying that how very sorry he is that he is unable to come but there is this terrible tragedy in which thousands and thousands of people have lost their lives and obviously his place is at home at this time, which we fully understand and we would do exactly the same. And I am sure every politician in the world will understand. I have of course said anything we can do to help with the provision of warm things, food, drugs—it might be easier to get it in from Western Europe than from some of the other parts of the Soviet Union—of course we will do to help. Yes, we are disappointed. We greatly looked forward to the talks, especially after such a significant speech to the United Nations. It was not only the proposals for reductions in conventional armaments important as those are, and very important. It was the whole atmosphere of the speech, the whole new approach, the whole new philosophy treating it all now as one word—greater freedom of choice, the reference to the necessity to keep treaties, the reference to Hemingway that the bell tolls in the world. When you have difficulty in any region, how true that is as circumstances have proved. The message emphasises that it is only a postponement and of course we will change any plans for when Mr. and Mrs. Gorbachev come. But in the meantime we must all do everything we can to help and express our deep sorrow to those people. I understand two towns have been devastated and therefore they are not able to know the full loss of life. The Soviet Ambassador came down this morning very kindly indeed to deliver this personal message and we are both disappointed, but we are much more concerned to do everything we can to relieve this disaster.
Leonid ZamyatinSoviet Ambassador
I can only add to that what Madam Prime Minister says, that I brought on the instruction of the Secretary General the [end p1] personal message to the Prime Minister of Great Britain expressing his deep regret that he should postpone his visit to Great Britain. The Secretary General intended to have very fruitful talks with the Prime Minister on the variety of questions, including that which he mentioned in his speech in the United Nations on the reduction of the armaments in Europe and many other questions. And I wish to stress again the visit is not cancelled. The visit is postponed and the second thing I wish to say to you is that I express my gratitude to the Prime Minister and all people who co-operated in preparations for this visit. The big jobs have been done and I consider that it would not be lost—you know—everything was done for the visit, for the next visit of the Secretary General and President of USSR, Mr. Gorbachev, to the United Kingdom. I am very grateful for everything which has been done for this visit. And the last thing which I wish to say is that the Prime Minister expressed her condolences to the Soviet leadership and personally to Mr. Gorbachev and I will pass this information immediately to Moscow and I am grateful for that too.
Prime Minister
… . in our thoughts and all kind wishes are with the Soviet people at this time.
Q
Has there been another invitation issued to Mr. Gorbachev?
MT
Any time he can come we will do our very best to change any plans that we have. It is very important that we are able to talk together, especially in view of this major speech which he made. I think it is not possible to go further, because when you have a disaster like this, all efforts obviously are to go and help those people, particularly when you have two towns virtually devastated. But Mr. Gorbachev has only postponed his visit. The invitation is wide open for him at any time.
Q
Will NATO be responding to President Gorbachev 's … .
MT
The Sir Geoffrey HoweForeign Secretary is over having NATO talks at the moment and I am sure that they will be discussing this matter. It is [end p2] very serious and will require very careful consideration. It is not something for off-the-cuff reaction, except to welcome it very much in general terms. But it was quite detailed and will need very careful study and then we negotiate these matters later. But these are declarations that troops and tanks will be reduced.
Q
What practical help can Britain offer?
MT
You are just standing in front of the Foreign Office. We keep what is called a disaster unit always ready to respond and always knowing just exactly where the stocks are that we can send in an emergency, either drugs or blankets or warm travelling rugs, warm clothes, food and all medical supplies. We know from experience that the efforts need to be co-ordinated and therefore we will need to be in touch with the appropriate department in the Soviet government. We are quite ready always to do this because speed is of the essence and the Foreign Secretary will be raising the matter also with the Commission because they too may well be able to help.
Q
Ambassador, some people are saying that President Gorbachev has gone back because some of his hard liners … .
MT
No, no we are not having any of that. This is a tragedy, a great tragedy. Never mind, I don't believe necessarily that they are saying that. This is a great tragedy, a great tragedy. This is a time for all gathering together to help to relieve that great tragedy.
So there is no truth in that then? … .