Pages 11-13 from FCO 177-1357

This document is about a COCOM successor. 

• The United States claims that Russians broadly welcome their ideas on COCOM successor arrangements. The U.S. is inclined to accept most of the points on the Chairman's paper for the Oslo meeting.
• There were discussions about COCOM successor arrangements during Christopher's visit to Moscow. The Russians were already aware of the discussions and had received information from the French and Germans.
• The Russians complain about the slow response to their letter concerning COCOM cooperation. The French had held up the reply during the recent unrest in Moscow.
• The Russians broadly welcomed U.S. ideas but were cautious about endorsing anything before seeing all the details. They suggest making a statement about COCOM and successor arrangements at the Clinton-Yeltsin summit in January.
• The Chairman's paper for the Oslo meeting on COCOM successor arrangements is discussed. There are areas of agreement and difference between the U.S. and Russia.
• Hankin (representing the U.S.) wants to agree on an amended paper for the meeting in The Hague. The U.S. is willing to limit arms consultations to a limited group and is open to some flexibility regarding prior notification of dual-use goods.
• The differences between the U.K. and U.S. are relatively narrow. Concerns include possible interference from the French at the Oslo meeting and Japanese resistance to immediate Russian membership without China also becoming a member.