Missile Sites Criticised

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32306, 26 May 1970, Page 15

Missile Sites Criticised

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, May 25. A Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee today will begin hearings on the American military presence in Europe. Members are reported to be concerned that some United States tactical nuclear weapons might be too close to the Communist countries.

The location of these weapons was among topics to be explored in closed-door hearings by the sub-committee on United States security agreements and commitments abroad, informed sources said.

The sub-committee, which has already scrutinised American involvement in Laos and other Asian countries, will hear Defence, State department and other government witnesses. Senate sources said committee members feared that the closeness to Eastern Europe of some intermediate-range missiles and artillery capable of firing nuclear shells might tempt the Soviet Union to neutralise them in a surprise attack, or try to capture them. Senator Stuart Symington (Democrat, Missouri), chairman of the sub-committee, tinted at the nuclear question j’ a Senate speech in February

“Recently, I received some extraordinarily disturbing in-

formation which has a major impact not only on our foreign relationship with various countries, including the other super-Power, but also on our national security,” Mr Symington said. He asked the sub-committee staff to investigate any agreements between the United States and other countries regarding nuclear weapons.

The sub-committee also planned to look into other aspects of United States military relations in Western Europe, sources said. The first witness will be General David Burchinal, deputy commander of United States forces and N.A.T.O. forces in Europe.

The sub-committee has been sharply critical of what it claims is the Government’s practice of entering into secret defence agreements with other nations. The general is expected to be closely questioned on his role in negotiating the United States-Spanish |Military Security Agreement.