TV Interview for BBC (visiting Moscow)
| Document type: | Speeches, interviews, etc. |
|---|---|
| Venue: | Moscow |
| Source: | BBC Television Archive: OUP transcript |
| Journalist: | Tim Sebastian, BBC |
| Editorial comments: | Exact time and place uncertain. |
| Importance ranking: | Major |
| Word count: | 232 |
| Themes: | Defence (arms control), Foreign policy (USSR & successor states), Famous statements by MT (discussions of) |
MT
We talked very frankly and freely about the Geneva talks. We both want them to succeed. Of course, we were fortunate that we had a very good basis for talking after the meeting in London which took nearly six hours.
Tim Sebastian, BBC
Do you see this as the start, possibly, of a new era in discussions with the Soviet Union?
MT
I think it augurs well for reaching agreement between East and West and for increasing co-operation. You know the view that I've constantly taken about arms control talks. That if they are to succeed—and we want them to succeed above all else—then they can only do so on a basis of trust and confidence between the Soviet Union and the United States or in larger measure, between the Warsaw Pact countries and the NATO countries.
What I have been doing earlier, in inviting Mr Gorbachev to Britain, and in the talks we've just had, is trying to increase that trust and confidence and trying to find a basis on mutual respect, mutual security and balance and deterrence on which those talks can be successful at a lower level of weaponry.
Tim Sebastian, BBC
Do you still like him?
MT
Of course. [pauses] I respect him. He's very able, and on that basis, yes, we can do business.