“Russia Concentrating On All-Atomic Army”

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27963, 9 May 1956, Page 13

“Russia Concentrating On All-Atomic Army”

(Rec. 8 p.m. London. May 7. “The Soviet Government intends in future to concentrate on building up an atomic army. It has little, if any, further interest in discussions on international disarmament, and it may very well withdraw from the United Nations Disarmament Commissions sub-com-mittee.” reports the “Daily Telegraph” diolomatic correspondent, in commenting on the ending of the disarmament talks in London. He savs that it is regarded as certain in London that nothing more will be heard of the Russian campaign to “ban the hydrogen bomb.” The visit of Marshal Bulganin and Mr Khrushchev raised hopes of injecting some life into the sub-committee’s exchanges—lB sessions in seven weeks —which had produced little or no progress. In fact, the visit of the Russian leaders produced the opposite effect.

It is understood that Mr Khrushchev mid Mr Gromyko plainly that the Soviet had no interest w’hatever in any international agreement to disarm. Furthermore, it was to be Mr Gromyko’s mission to bring the meetings to a speedy end.

If possible, he was to see that no further meetings were held after the sub-committee had reported back to the United Nations Commission in New York. “The Soviet Government s way ahead now seems plain,” the correspondent continues. , _ “Maintenance of a large _ Russian standing army is proving an economic and financial embarrassment, and therefore it must be reduced unilateral‘*This must be achieved without any international agreement on political settlements, as for example the reunification of Germany, a settlement in the Far East or in the Middle East. “Throughout the series the Soviet Government has refused to enter into any such political conditions governing disarmament. “More significantly, it has refused to sanction any agreement which might hinder its intention to build up its nuclear strength. “Russia now realises its immense strength in the nuclear field, and therefore the savings made by paring down the conventional arms will be placed at the disposal of the new nuclear Red Army.” ■