From the archives: Reagan, Gorbachev meet for first time in 1985

Key Concepts

• Summit Diplomacy: High-level meetings between leaders of nations to discuss critical issues.
• Arms Control: Negotiations and agreements aimed at limiting the production, proliferation, and use of weapons, particularly nuclear weapons.
• Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) / "Star Wars": A proposed missile defense system by the United States, a significant point of contention in US-Soviet relations.
• Public Opinion: The collective attitudes and beliefs of the general population, which can influence political decisions and international relations.
• Human Rights: Fundamental rights inherent to all human beings, including civil and political rights, and economic, social, and cultural rights.
• "Cone of Silence" / News Blackout: A deliberate strategy to prevent information from leaking to the public or media during sensitive negotiations.
• Atmospherics: The general mood and tone of interactions between leaders, which can impact the perception of progress even without concrete agreements.
• First Lady Diplomacy: The role of the wives of national leaders in engaging in diplomatic activities and influencing their husbands.

Reagan-Gorbachev Summit in Geneva: A Detailed Summary

This report details the initial stages of the summit between US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in Geneva, focusing on the style, substance, and public perception of their meetings.

Initial Encounters and Atmosphere

The summit began with a face-to-face meeting between Reagan and Gorbachev, described as a moment a "nervous world had waited for." Initial discussions, as reported by CBS News, focused on mundane topics like the weather and jet lag, a stark contrast to the high stakes of their agenda. President Reagan expressed being "terribly impressed by this Russian fellow." Despite the freezing chill of Lake Geneva, President Reagan was initially coatless, a detail noted by Gorbachev.

The "Cone of Silence" and Substance of Talks

A significant development was the agreement to impose a "cone of silence" over the talks, with the US delegation ordering no cables to be sent to Washington. This strategy aimed to prevent leaks and control the narrative. The report highlights the paradox: "Those who talk don't know what's going on, and those who know what's going on won't talk."

Despite the news blackout, CBS News learned that the two leaders met alone, except for interpreters, for just over an hour, exceeding the scheduled time. This extended private meeting was described as a "good sign" by both sides, though aides called it a "surprise not in the script."

Personal Diplomacy and Shifting Tones

In a departure from the planned agenda, President Reagan invited Gorbachev for a stroll through the garden to a pool house. Here, they sat alone before a fire for almost an hour. President Reagan spoke without notes, focusing on his personal feelings about reducing "the level of fear and misunderstanding between the two nations." While it's unconfirmed if Gorbachev's "smile" had "iron teeth," the report suggests that though Gorbachev did not back down from tough positions, his tone was "far more soothing, a much more consiliatory tone."

Key Areas of Disagreement and Potential Agreement

The cheerful atmospherics, however, did not translate into immediate agreement on the most difficult issues. "Star Wars" (the Strategic Defense Initiative) and arms control guidelines remained points of contention. While a joint appearance with separate statements was expected, sources indicated squabbling among President Reagan's advisors over the wording of his statement.

Reverend Jesse Jackson's Intervention

In a notable side event, Reverend Jesse Jackson met with Chairman Gorbachev for 40 minutes at the Soviet mission. Jackson, representing a group of American activists from peace and women's rights movements, presented a petition calling for a nuclear weapons freeze and test ban. Jackson raised concerns about Soviet human rights issues, particularly the "plight of Soviet Jews," and came away optimistic about Gorbachev's strategy, sensing "tremendous amount of intentionality on making something happen around arms control." Jackson defended the timing of his meeting, stating, "The time is now. If not now, when? If not here, where? Uh, and if not us, who?"

Human Rights Protests

The summit was also marked by human rights protests. Five Jewish activists, including one who had spent over a decade in a Soviet jail, were arrested after a sit-in at the Soviet airline office, representing the "most aggressive human rights protest in Geneva yet."

The Role of the First Ladies

The report also examines the interactions between Nancy Reagan and Raisa Gorbachev. Their meeting, the first between wives of Soviet and American leaders in over 11 years, was described as a "second summit." Both women conveyed that their husbands were seeking better understanding. Raisa Gorbachev, who revealed she speaks some English, appeared at ease in her role as a "new style Soviet first lady." While Nancy Reagan focused on her interest in a drug rehabilitation center, Raisa Gorbachev seized opportunities to make political points, advocating for peace and success in achieving it. However, she ignored a Ukrainian dissident's question about human rights. Soviet television did not broadcast Mrs. Gorbachev's activities, suggesting the image was for external consumption. At the evening dinner, Nancy Reagan was noted to have "clearly upstaged her rival with her clothes."

Conclusion

The Geneva summit marked a significant beginning, characterized by a blend of personal diplomacy, strategic communication control, and underlying disagreements on core issues like arms control and human rights. While the atmospherics improved, the report concludes that "there is a long way to go."