Swedish Disarmament Bid

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31028, 6 April 1966, Page 20

Swedish Disarmament Bid

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter) STOCKHOLM. Sweden is making an all-out attempt to create a firmer basis of negotiation at the Geneva Disarmament Conference. It has called a meeting in May of scientists at which it believes the exchange of information might lead to new ideas in the detection of underground nuclear tests. Underground tests are not included in the 1963 Moscow partial test ban treaty. The United States insists on international on-site inspection, whereas the Soviet Union will not have any foreign inspectors on its soil. Sweden hopes that the scientists—from Japan, India, Australia, Canada and possibly Italy, will by exchanging information on various methods of detection, be able to come up with a foolproof system. The conference, sponsored

by the Swedish Foreign Ministry, is aimed at creating a “detection club.” “We want to expand and improve the exchange of seismological data which is so important indeed vital for such detection,” the ministry said. “Perfect System” “The main goal, however, is to find the perfect system of detection which would be acceptable to all countries and cut out the necessity of having on-the-spot control.” Sweden, which always has been active in the disarmament field, stressed at an inter-Nordic meeting earlier in the year that the Nordic countries should co-operate more closely so that they could improve their chances of presenting the United Nations with the perfect solution to the problem. Sweden reported its intentions to the United Nations General Assembly last year and was given the full support of a number of countries.

Although the Soviet Union has not stated so definitely, it is believed Mr Kosygin, the Prime Minister, is interested in the Swedish efforts. Dis-

armament is expected to be a major discussion topic when he makes his first visit to Sweden next July.