Chilly Atmosphere At Geneva Arms Talks

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29841, 6 June 1962, Page 19

Chilly Atmosphere At Geneva Arms Talks

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

GENEVA, June 5. The United States yesterday condemned Russia’s criticism of planned American high altitude nuclear tests as “hypcritical and cynical.” The United States deputy chief delegate (Mr Charles Stelle) made the charge at the Geneva Disarmament conference. The Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister (Mr Zorin), earlifer had read the Russian statement into the conference record. He said that by its acts in outer space, America had proved it wanted no agreement on a nuclear tests ban Mr Stelle replied that Mr Zorin had revived old argu-

ments' regarding the responsibility for nuclear tests and

"we must set the record straight.” Mr Stelle said the Soviet Union had repudiated its pledge and unilaterally resumed nuclear weapons tests last September, and therefore bore complete responsibility for the consequences. Mr Zorin, according to Western sources, retorted that President Eisenhower in December. 1959, had abandoned any United States undertaking not to test nuclear weapons, and therefore, the responsibility belonged to America.

One Western spokesman said after yesterday's threehour session the conference had distinctly returned to a cold war atmosphere.