Arms Talks Split Into Study Groups : U.S., Soviet Sides Present Opening Positions on Issues

American and Soviet negotiators presented their opening positions today on cutting back nuclear weapons and agreed to split into separate working groups to tackle the key issues standing in the way of an arms control treaty.

“It was a businesslike session and done in an atmosphere of mutual respect,” U.S. spokesman Joseph Lehman said at the end of the nearly two-hour session.

Bound by their own rule of confidentiality, the negotiators made no statements about today’s discussions to reporters. Viktor P. Karpov, head of the Soviet delegation, said they will meet again next Tuesday. By then, the two delegations are expected to nail down an agreement to negotiate until April 23, when they are expected to recess.

15-Month Stalemate

“It’s only the second meeting,” Karpov said with a smile and a wave of the hand. The talks formally opened Tuesday after a 15-month stalemate over the basing of new U.S. nuclear weapons in Western Europe.

On the table are strategic bombers, intercontinental missiles and nuclear submarines, the intermediate-range weapons both sides have in Europe, and defense systems, including President Reagan’s research program on anti-missile shields.

Max M. Kampelman, the chief U.S. negotiator, greeted Karpov as the two delegations took their places in an eighth floor meeting room at the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.

“Maybe you and I should shake hands,” the American told the Russian with a smile as they posed for photographers. They shook hands twice to make sure.

Playful Swipe

Taking a playful swipe at Karpov, who held an extensive interview with a handful of reporters before the initial session on Tuesday, Kampelman asked: “Do you think you’ve had enough publicity?”

Karpov replied, “Yes, I think so,” and took his place.

Lehman refused to discuss today’s opening statements presented by Karpov for the Soviets and Kampelman for the United States.

He indicated, however, that the two sides remain far apart on how to reduce their offensive missiles and what to do about space-based defense systems.

“I think it’s going to take quite a few more negotiating sessions for us to make an assessment of whether or not we are near an agreement or not,” Lehman said.