U.S., Soviet Negotiators Resume Talks : Arms Bargaining Could Pave Way for November Summit

U.S. and Soviet negotiating teams returned to the arms bargaining table for two hours today at the start of a third round of talks that could lay the groundwork for November’s superpower summit.

Chief Soviet negotiator Viktor Karpov, asked afterward whether progress might be made before the summit, told reporters, “It’s too early to draw any conclusions based on our first meeting.”

He would not say whether any new proposals had been made and declined further comment on the opening session, citing a confidentiality agreement covering the bilateral arms talks.

Although the negotiating schedule is rarely announced, established practices suggest that the next bargaining session will take place Tuesday.

Karpov arrived at the U.S. delegation building in a gray Mercedes sedan promptly at 11 a.m. and left two hours later.

“If our negotiating partners show willingness for meaningful progress, we will be ready,” Karpov told reporters as he entered the building. “If they don’t, we won’t.”

Chief U.S. negotiator Max Kampelman, Karpov and two other negotiators from each side met briefly in an eighth-floor conference room before the initial bargaining session began around a large wooden table.

About 40 officials with their staffs and translators filled the conference room. Seasoned observers said the presence of a Soviet general from the Defense Ministry could be a significant signal of earnestness on the Soviet side. Kampelman singled out the general for a special welcome.

Kampelman, asked whether progress is possible before the November summit, said: “I hope so. The goal is agreement and stability.”