Carter outlines stance on atomic strike

Press, 26 July 1976, Page 7

Carter outlines stance on atomic strike

NZPA-Reuter Boston The Democratic Party’s Presidential candidate, Mr Jimmv Carter, has said that if he were President, a preemptive nuclear strike would L used only if he were convinced that the security or existence of the United States was threatened. M” Carter’s statement came in answer to a question during ah interview with executives and reporters of the Hearst newspapers. The text of the interview appeared in the Boston “Sunday [Herald Advertiser.” i The United States has •never explicitly ruled out the 'first use of nuclear weapons i under all circumstances. ! However, the United States [strategic bomber and missile [force has been designed un;der the concept that it would be used for seejnd-strike rather than first-strike pur-: poses. Mr Carter was aske under what circumstances he, as President, would use nuclear weapons. “T think it would be inappropriate to spell out precisely what circumstances might prevail that would I cause me to use atomic weapons,” Mr Carter answere . i “The only general response I can give is that if I was |convinced that the security or existence of our own nation was threatened, under those circumstances I would use atomic weapo- s,” he said. “A pre-emptive strike, again, would only be used, to keep my answer deliberately in general terms, if I was convinced that, the existence| or the security of our nation; was threatened,” Mr Carterl said. Under the former Defence)

i Secretary, Mr James Schles singer, the United States mili- < r tary began adjusting its tac- , t tical nuclear capability so 1 ■ that it could be used in t 1 places such as Europe if con- i - ventional forces came under ] r overwhelming attack. j ; Mr Carter said the United ' States had binding agree- ( t ments in Europe, but he ( ■ would not contemplate use . iof atomic weapons there f without agreement of the ; nations who would be most • directly affected by retalia- i r tory nuclear actions against i the Soviet Union. 1 ! “And.”, he said, “my own | • belief is that limited nuclear ; i v r would be unlikely.” i On defence. Mr Carter, al ; former nuclear-submarine [| > officer, said he thought.l< . .SU.S.SOOOM or SU.S.7OOOM i I could be saved, and that , > nuclear-powered submarines ; ■ 'are “our most important < [strategic element in the eh- ■ tire defence mechanism of , ; our country ...” On the Middle East, he . said he would let the world ( know that, the United States;| • commitment to Israel was not i ;to be doubted. “I would 1 never waiver on that commit- i . ment and that we would pro- ; . vide them with adequate mili- ■ ■ tary and economic aid so ; ; they could defend themselves : <.. . ” I i But he said he would not • sena troops to Israel. ; I He said he thought Israel : . would have to give up major , portions of territory if it was ; > captured, and that Pales- i r tinians should be recognised, I ; and territory ceded to ■ 'them. I II “I think they should be : ■'part of Jordan and be ad- 1 ■ ministered by Jordan,” Mr i ilCarter said. t