IRKUTSK, SOVIET UNION : Afghan Thaw?
U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker III and his Soviet counterpart, Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze, are said to have the long civil war in Afghanistan at the top of the agenda for their planned meeting Wednesday and Thursday in this Siberian city.
The two superpowers are reportedly nearing a possible deal that could end the conflict, which poisoned bilateral relations during much of the 1980s. The officials are expected to discuss other regional issues and ongoing negotiations over strategic arms and conventional forces in Europe as well. The goal: to set the stage for agreements by the fall.
From Irkutsk, Baker goes to Ulan Bator, where talks are to include a plan to send Peace Corps volunteers to Mongolia.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
