US and Soviet officials sit down to talk grain

US and Soviet officials will discuss a grain deal today (June 8) in the first direct negotiations between their countries since President Reagan took office. The meeting follows the lifting of a US embargo on grain sales to Moscow imposed after Soviet intervention in Afghanistan.

In Washington, the State Department said the two countries will also hold talks in a few weeks to lay the groundwork for negotiations on nuclear arms control in Europe later this year. In September, Secretary of State Alexander Haig is to meet with Sovi et Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyke.