Ronald Reagan, the U.S. President, and the Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko held a four-hour meeting in the Oval Office. Upon entering the White House, Gromyko signed the guest book with the remark, in English, "Aha, my first concession." The aim of the meeting was to clear the atmosphere between the two super-powers. The two men stood firm in the respective positions, however, but agreed on one thing: it was necessary for their countries to keep in contact. U.S. Secretary of State George Schultz said that a "useful exchange of viewpoints took place, an intense personal exchange between the two individuals." They discussed the nuclear thrust, the Gulf War, the situation in Lebanon, the Palestinian problem and the question of human rights. It is hoped that this meeting is a step forward in the direction of peace. September 28, 1984