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Adapted from Geneva Summit (1985), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for audio. This HearLore entry is also licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

— Ch. 1 · Diplomatic Leadup And Planning —

Geneva Summit (1985).

~7 min read · Ch. 1 of 7
The Geneva Summit of 1985 began its planning in May 1985 when Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko approached U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz during a meeting in Vienna. Gromyko asked discreetly to begin the process for leaders Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev to meet. Only two months had passed since Gorbachev became general secretary in March 1985 before these initial mentions appeared. Reagan initially wanted Gorbachev to select Washington D.C. as the site because Nixon and Ford had both visited the Soviet Union in 1974. Gorbachev preferred a neutral location instead. The city of Geneva was agreed upon sometime in June 1985 after subsequent discussions over several months established possible topics for negotiation. Reagan's advisors Bud McFarlane and Jack Matlock identified weaknesses in his understanding of the Soviet Union. They noted that Reagan still tended to base many judgments on generalities rather than nuanced reality. Beginning in June 1985, a series of papers were written to give him a rounded picture of the country and its people. White House summit advance teams identified two possible residences in Geneva for the Reagans to stay in during July 1985. Nancy Reagan vetoed the first choice after consulting with astrologer Joan Quigley. She insisted on Maison de Saussure, the same residence President Eisenhower used during his 1955 Geneva Summit.

The Fireside Summit Dynamics

On the 19th of November 1985, Ronald Reagan emerged from Fleur d'Eau without his coat to greet Mikhail Gorbachev at the villa's eastern facade driveway. Commentators later contrasted Reagan in a blue suit next to Gorbachev in an overcoat as a sign of Reagan's vitality. Reagan had been wearing an overcoat and scarf but was urged by personal aide Jim Kuhn to remove them for appearance's sake. The second private meeting took place at Fleur d'Eau's pool house where a fireplace provided the backdrop for seated discussions between the leaders. Speaking to Maryland high school students shortly after the summit, Reagan disclosed he discussed alien invasion with Gorbachev. He said I could not help but say to him just think how easy his task and mine might be if suddenly there was a threat from another planet outside the universe. In a 2009 interview, Gorbachev confirmed Reagan asked if the Soviet Union would help if the U.S. faced an alien invasion. Gorbachev said yes while Reagan replied we would too. This conversation aimed to foster a sense of togetherness since they would forget local differences and realize they were all human beings on Earth together. During their walk back from the pool house, Reagan and Gorbachev agreed to continue meeting at further summits.

Strategic Defense Initiative Debates

On the 20th of November 1985, meetings began at Geneva's Soviet Mission with the Strategic Defense Initiative as the main focus of the third plenary session. Gorbachev insisted that SDI represented a new phase of arms buildup in space while Reagan claimed it was merely a shield against intercontinental ballistic missiles. Reagan replied that where Gorbachev saw a threat, they saw an opportunity. Both sides should first seek to reduce offensive arms by 50 percent since the U.S. would not miss developing defense due to fear of offensive potential. The debate highlighted deep disagreements over missile defense systems despite shared goals for peace. Reagan emphasized that America desired peace above all else during their initial interactions. He described his hopes for the summit as a mission for peace. Their first private meeting exceeded its scheduled time by over half an hour according to Secretary of State George Shultz. White House Chief of Staff Don Regan urged intervention but Reagan's aide Jim Kuhn asked whether he should interrupt. Shultz replied if you think so then you shouldn't have this job. The actual reason for the delay likely involved consecutive translation doubling communication time rather than dramatic political maneuvering.

Human Rights And Emigration Talks

Much of Reagan and Gorbachev's third private meeting focused on human rights issues including the desire of Soviet Jews to emigrate to Israel. Reagan stressed dealing with this privately through quiet diplomacy because large Jewish communities influenced Congress. He expressed appreciation for what had been done without hinting U.S. efforts caused it. This approach made it easier for leaders to collaborate on trade areas requiring Congressional support. Gorbachev countered that human rights were being used for political purposes by anti-Soviet organizations and U.S. Administration officials. He stated the fate of Jewish people concerned the Soviet government since they gave special attention after Fascist actions. Gorbachev mentioned examples of personal discrimination occurring in the United States. Reagan acknowledged individuals might hold prejudices about hiring women or blacks but insisted no discrimination existed under law. White House Chief of Staff Don Regan courted controversy when his Washington Post interview condemned summit coverage as focusing only on human interest stories. He claimed most women would not understand throw-weights or events in Afghanistan. Patricia Schroeder and Bella Abzug criticized these remarks from American politicians. Reagan defended Regan saying he did not mean it that way while Gorbachev replied both men and women worldwide wanted peace and weapon reduction.

Media Management And Visual Narratives

White House strategists curated imagery like the removed overcoat to shape public perception during the Geneva Summit. Jack Matlock noted instances such as Reagan's absent coat and the pool house fireplace showcased how public relations helped convey preferred messages. Few questions received more attention within the Reagan White House than visual narratives. According to the LA Times, Press Secretary Larry Speakes described the second private meeting at the pool house as spontaneous nature. Speakes claimed Reagan ended their afternoon meeting 50 minutes early by suggesting a walk. Donning coats on the chilly afternoon, they headed for the lake joined only by interpreters. After a five-minute stroll, leaders entered a lakeside pool house where logs were blazing in the fireplace. They continued talks for another 44 minutes. Speakes told media the impromptu walk occurred because the President felt it was desirable time to continue alone. He described the genesis of the resulting second private meeting as entirely unexpected development. Speakes did not reveal how accommodations happened upon with fortuitous inclusion of chairs and active fire. He joked the site was probably one of those pool houses that has a 24-hour day fire. These attempts at influencing the summit's visual narrative were not always easily accepted by gathered media.

Final Agreements And Cultural Exchanges

On the 21st of November 1985, at Geneva's International Conference Center, Reagan and Gorbachev held a joint press conference announcing several agreements. Implementation began on the already signed Northern Pacific Air Safety accord preventing repeat downing of Korean Airlines Flight 007 in September 1983. A signing ceremony followed with agreement on opening consulates in Kiev and New York. Agreements renewed regular U.S.-Soviet dialogue on future summit meetings. Forty-one cultural exchange agreements were also signed including restart of theatrical and artistic group exchanges suspended after Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979. At the end of the summit, Reagan gave Gorbachev a Colonial Williamsburg Chippendale-style mahogany box and desk set carrying theme peace through communications selected for tenth anniversary of Apollo-Soyuz space mission. Gorbachev presented Reagan a set of 16 bronze medallions representing 15 constituent Soviet Republics plus combined Soviet Union in leather case. After stopping in Brussels to brief allies, Reagan returned to Washington to address Congress. Gorbachev stopped in Prague to brief Warsaw Pact allies during return trip to Moscow.

Enduring Legacy And Historical Impact

Although the summit lacked larger-type agreements seen in past summits like SALT, it helped reset relations which had reached nadir with no summit held for six years. Both leaders came away feeling they started something since meetings expressed will and desire to find answers benefiting all people worldwide and yet unborn. Reagan said meetings in Geneva expressed this shared vision while Gorbachev agreed if now we have laid first few bricks new phase has begun. The summit played crucial role in resetting Cold War relations despite limited concrete treaties. It paved way for future negotiations by establishing personal rapport between Reagan and Gorbachev. Their willingness to engage directly created foundation for subsequent arms control discussions. The absence of major breakthroughs did not diminish importance of their mutual commitment to dialogue. This meeting marked turning point where decades of hostility began thawing into cooperation. Future treaties built upon groundwork established during these three days in November 1985.

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20th-century diplomatic conferencesForeign relations of the Soviet UnionSoviet Union–United States diplomatic conferences1985 conferences1985 in international relations1985 in Switzerland20th century in GenevaDiplomatic conferences in SwitzerlandNovember 1985 in EuropeOrganised events in GenevaPresidency of Ronald Reagan

Common questions

When did the Geneva Summit 1985 take place?

The Geneva Summit 1985 took place from the 19th of November 1985 to the 21st of November 1985. Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev held their meetings during these three days in November 1985.

Where was the Geneva Summit 1985 held?

The Geneva Summit 1985 was held at the Fleur d'Eau villa and the International Conference Center in Geneva. Leaders stayed at Maison de Saussure which President Eisenhower used during his 1955 Geneva Summit.

Who organized the planning for the Geneva Summit 1985?

Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko approached U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz in May 1985 to begin planning for the meeting. White House summit advance teams identified residences while advisors Bud McFarlane and Jack Matlock prepared briefing papers for Ronald Reagan.

What topics were discussed at the Geneva Summit 1985?

Discussions focused on the Strategic Defense Initiative human rights issues including Jewish emigration to Israel and cultural exchange agreements. Leaders also addressed the Northern Pacific Air Safety accord and the downing of Korean Airlines Flight 007 in September 1983.

Why did Ronald Reagan remove his coat during the Geneva Summit 1985?

Personal aide Jim Kuhn urged Ronald Reagan to remove his overcoat and scarf for appearance's sake before greeting Mikhail Gorbachev. White House strategists curated this imagery like the removed overcoat to shape public perception during the event.

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