Pages 10-11 from FCO 46-8067

The document is a non-paper that discusses the US position on Soviet membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). The MTCR partners agreed at the Ottawa meeting that additional states, including the Soviet Union, could be admitted to the regime. However, the US expressed concerns about continuing Soviet transfers of Scud missiles to Afghanistan. In light of recent events in the Persian Gulf, the US believes it would be awkward to admit the Soviets at this moment when they continue to transfer missile technology outside the limits of the regime. The US proposes approaching Foreign Minister Shevardnadze and stating that Soviet membership in the MTCR would be problematic under present circumstances unless they assure that they have suspended missile exports to Afghanistan. If such assurances cannot be given, the US suggests placing the question of Soviet membership on hold until a settlement of the Afghanistan problem is reached.