Force-cut plan may include neutron bomb

Press, 27 October 1977, Page 9

Force-cut plan may include neutron bomb

NZPA-Reuter Washington Carter Administration officials have confirmed that West German proposals are under consideration for mutual East-West troop reductions in Western Europe that could include the giving up of the neutron bomb. A State Department spokesman, Mr John Trattner, told reporters: “We have been seeking to get a reduction of forces of both sides and to reduce the level of armed confrontation in Central Europe. “We will continue to ask for reductions by the Warsaw Pact, including reductions in armour that would lead to a more balanced situation." Mr Trattner said: “We have been consulting with our allies on ways to get the talks off centre without sacrificing our security objectives. “The Federal Republic of Germany has been discussing ideas along this line with us and with other N.A.T.O. members.” In a written answer prepared for the briefing, the department later added: "The issue of production and denlovment of the neutron

bomb is also being considered. We have also been consulting with our allies on this." According to Carter Administration sources, the basic West German idea is for a reciprocal cut, in both Eastern and Western forces, of about 65,000 troops, a figure similar to the one proposed earlier by N.A.T.O. countries. In Geneva, an international conference has condemned the neutron bomb as a further escalation of the arms race, and called for world-wide demonstrations for disarmament. The conference of nongovernmental organisations, attended by 150 delegates from 25 countries, also demanded an immediate halt to all research programmes for new types of weapons. In a declaration unanimously adopted at the end of a two-day meeting, the organisation proposed rallies throughout the world in May, next year, to press for effective disarmament measures. The demonstrations would be timed to coincide with a special session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to discuss the arms issue. The neutron bomb, the latest nuclear weapon being developed for the United States armoury, is designed to kill without causing much damage to buildings.