U.S.-Soviet relations remain strained by the continued Soviet presence in
Afghanistan, by growing Soviet military capabilities, and by the Soviets'
apparent willingness to use those capabilities without respect for the most
basic norms of international behavior.
But the U.S.-Soviet relationship remains the single most important element
in determining whether there will be war or peace. And so, despite serious
strains in our relations, we have maintained a dialogue with the Soviet
Union over the past year. Through this dialogue, we have ensured against
bilateral misunderstandings and miscalculations which might escalate out of
control, and have managed to avoid the injection of superpower rivalries
into areas of tension like the Iran-Iraq conflict.