Statement by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Cooper on the President's Meeting With Marshal Sergei Akhromeyev of the Soviet Union

The President met with Marshal Sergei Akhromeyev of the Soviet Union for approximately 1 hour in the Oval Office. Marshal Akhromeyev, who is visiting Washington at the invitation of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. William Crowe, is a special adviser to President Gorbachev on security and arms control matters.

The President and Marshal Akhromeyev exchanged views on a wide range of topics, including the status of arms control negotiations. The President reiterated his desire to see early agreement in these negotiations. He was particularly interested to hear the views of Marshal Akhromeyev on the relationship of domestic reform to Soviet security policy.

The President and Marshal Akhromeyev discussed perestroika, and the President took the opportunity to reiterate his support of President Gorbachev's reform programs. Also attending the meeting were the Vice President, Secretaries Baker and Cheney, and national security adviser Brent Scowcroft.