Test-Detection Plan Rejected

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31226, 25 November 1966, Page 13

Test-Detection Plan Rejected

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) MOSCOW, November 24. The Soviet Union has rejected a new British plan for overcoming the three and a half year deadlock on efforts to ban underground nuclear tests, authoritative sources said last night.

The sources said the Russian Foreign Minister (Mr Gromyko) gave an unenthusiastic response to the proposal put forward by the visiting British Foreign Secretary (Mr

Brown). Mr Brown suggested that American, Russia and British scientists meet in London next month to work out a foolproof system of policing underground tests. He suggested that this

could end the Impasse over on-slte international inspection, which has blocked agreement.

The sources said Mr Gromyko's reply killed chances for such a London conference next month.

They said Mr Gromyko showed interest in pursuing the idea in other forums, presumably the Geneva disarmament talks, where discussions would not be limited to three countries.

The United States insists on some international on-site inspection to police an underground test ban. But the Soviet Union says scientific detection methods are sufficient and the American demand is an attempt at espionage.