January 25, 1984
Q. Does the Andropov interview published today mean any fine-tuning of phrase here and there?
The President. I think -- I welcome it and am willing to join them if they're -- want to talk. That's all we've been waiting for and wanting. So, I welcome that, and I think that it is a reply to all this feeling that we have no communications with them. We do have and -- --
Q. Do you see it as a conciliatory message from Andropov or not? Do you see it as a conciliatory response?
The President. Well, I saw it as that he, himself, expressed what we have; that he believes there should be a dialog on some of the problems confronting us. So do I.
Note: The luncheon meeting was held in the Roosevelt Room at the White House.
As printed above, this item follows the text of the White House press release.