Boost for arms race

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34106, 19 March 1976, Page 13

Boost for arms race

I 5 .P.A -Reuter—Conyrig’WASHINGTON. March IS. A United States Con gre>sional committee has approved a weapons bill for SVSG’JKm more than President Ford’ Administration had sought, reflecting grow ing concern that the United States might K' falling behind the Soviet Union in the weapons race. It was the first time in several years that the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee had in creased a Defence Depart mem request. The Adminu tration h . asked for nearly $U532.728m for the 1977 financial year starting next October 1. Ihe committee's approved figure would pro vide 5U533.426m The committee increased naval spending, but made (Substantial cuts tn other areas, including research and I development. Nearly SUS6Sm was cut .(from the Navy’s Cruise mis- ■ sile programme. Detel lopment of the missile ba' become a controversial issue because of its impact on negotiations with the Soviet Union for a new strategy Arms Limitation Agreement In Moscow, the Soviet Defence Minister (Marshal Andrei Grechko i has been reported as saying that the Soviet Armed Forces had ["risen to a higher level of battle preparation" tn the last five years, and should , continue to increase their fighting power. Marshal Grechko, whose speech to Defence Ministr [officials and leaders of the ■ Moscow garrison was reported by the Defence Ministry daily newspaper, “Red ■ Star,” said: “Our Armed , Forces have become more monolithic and vigilant, and risen to a higher level of 1 battle preparation “However, we Communists > cannot stop at what we have ■ achieved, for to stop means Ito fall behind.”