Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on Renewed START Negotiations

Yesterday afternoon Soviet Ambassador Komplektov conveyed to General Scowcroft, President Gorbachev's response to the President's message of Saturday. President Gorbachev agreed with the President's view for the need to redouble efforts at completing a START agreement and accepted the President's invitation to send a delegation to Washington to work on the negotiations. The Soviet delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Bessmertnykh, will arrive on Wednesday evening. The delegation will also include Chief of the Soviet General Staff Moiseyev and Ambassador Obukhov, as well as a number of arms experts. They will meet with Secretary Baker on Thursday afternoon and Friday. The President welcomes this decision by President Gorbachev and hopes it can lead to further progress in the START negotiations.