Advertisement

Reagan Will Meet Gorbachev if Soviet Leader Goes to New York, Official Says

Share via
United Press International

President Reagan will meet with Mikhail S. Gorbachev in the fall if the Soviet leader goes to New York to attend U.N. ceremonies, a senior American official said Wednesday.

In the strongest statement yet on the subject, the official--speaking on condition that he not be identified--told reporters aboard Air Force One: “If Gorbachev comes to New York, Reagan will meet with him.”

Previously, White House officials said only that the fall U.N. ceremonies would be an opportune time for the two leaders to meet.

Advertisement

The Soviets have indicated that Gorbachev will attend the opening session of the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 23 or the anniversary celebration of the founding of the United Nations on Oct. 24.

A date for a summit meeting may be set when Secretary of State George P. Shultz meets with Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei A. Gromyko in Vienna on Tuesday.

Advertisement