The numbers game of nuclear overkill

Press, 11 May 1979, Page 6

The numbers game of nuclear overkill

KZPA-Reuter Washington The new United States-So-siet Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty will slow the face of the nuclear arms face, but still leave both tuper-powers with many times the number of bomb’s needed to annihilate each tither, well into nuclear •overkill.” Where it breaks new {round is by establishing rules of the game — setting out criteria to limit the modernisation of the United States and Soviet arsenals ind to ensure compliance Kith the terms. In doing so. it lays the framework for real arms tontrol. which both countries hope will follow in B.A.L.T. 111 talks. The treaty text will not be issued for two to three weeks. Following are the treaty’s lighlights — quantitative limits, qualitative limits, temporary restrictions, and Other ceilings — as set out n official United States locuments:

QUANTITIVE LIMITS Both sides agree for the Srst time to equal ceilings. Within six months after the reaty takes effect, the Soriet Union must dismantle ;ome 120 of its strategic nutlear delivery vehicles S.N.D.V.s) — inter-conti-Jental ballistic missiles 1.C.8.M.5). bombers, or nu-tlear-armed submarines — o a level of 2400. By the tnd of 1981 that ceiling will te cut to 2250 S.N.D.V.S. The United States now Us 2059 S.N.D.V.s. and itvill not have to dismantle my. Through 1985, when the reaty runs out, both sides will further be limited to 320 heavy bombers and »nd and sea launchers of ailistic missiles. There are iub-]imits of 1200 air and ea launchers and 820 land<ased multiple-warhead mis-

QUALITATIVE LIMITS There is a ban on the contruction of new 1.C.8.M. lunchers and on any inrease in the number of eaiv missiles, restricting fie Soviets to the 308 they ow have, and the United tates to none.

Each is allowed to flighttest and deploy one new 1.C.8.M.-type lighter than a smaller missile, the Soviet SSI9. through 1985. But mo- | bile systems cannot be flight-tested or deployed until 1982. Thus the Soviet Union will have to shelve its mobile programmes. The number of multiple warheads (M.I.R.V.s) is not to be increased on any existing missile system, the biggest number now being 14 on American sea-launched ballistic missiles. The new type of missile can have a maximum of 10 warheads. Launch weight, payload, and dimensions cannot be increased by more than 5 ' per cent on any existing missile, or it will be counted as the one new system permitted under the treaty. Ra p i d-re!oad systems, which enable the re-use of ground silos or other ; launchers for use with 'stored missiles, are banned, j New systems not yet tried [out, such as orbital bombs or ballistic missiles launched from ships, are prohibited.

VERIFICATION For the first time, the Soviet Union has agreed to exchange data on its arsenal and to update it periodically. Both agree that photo-re- • connaissance satellites are a legitimate means of veri- ■ fying compliance, and deliberate concealment to avoid verification is prohibited. Encryption of telemetry — the deliberate scrambling of radio signals from missile tests — is prohibited if it

imoedes verification. The Soviet SSI6 1.C.8.M., j which is so similar to the SS2O intermediate-range missile that the difference canno‘ be detected by satellite reconnaissance, will be scranped for the sake ofi verification. Both sides agree not to | undertake any action that! would circumvent the treaty.! A Soviet-requested ban oni the transfei- of technology to] .other countries was not in-1 j eluded. United States off-' icials said the negotiating! ’■“cord would show that the United S’ates intended to! continue the ex-isting nattern of co-operation ; vnth its; allies. Under the ‘‘M.I.R.V.-coun i ting rule.” any missile tested'

;with multiple warheads will ,be counted a- a M.1.R.V., an' 1 any launcher used with a M.I.R.V. will be considered a M.I.R.V. launcher. OTHER LIMITS I The Soviet Union agrees, |in a separate document with j the same binding force as ; the treaty, not to produce i more than 30 of the bomber • known as Backfire annually, (and not to upgrade the I I plane’s capabilities so that it! • can be used as a heavy (bomber. I Long-range ground I (launched or sea-launched (Cruise missiles cannot be •deployed, before the end of] (1981, the life of a separate) protocol. Long-range air-launched (Cruise missiles can be deployed on heavy bombers — |up to 20 on United States |Bs2s and an average of 28 on new’ carriers. Bomzers so (equipped will be counted I against the 1320 ceiling on I. j M.I.R.V. systems. S.A.’ 11l ) Both sides agree that fol-! 1 low-on negotiations should’ (further reduce the number! • of strategic offensive arms, (bring further qualitative limitations and resolve issues such as Cruise missiles which are covered in protocols. The sides also will con-; sider other steps to enhance) j strategic stability, and either! 'side may bring up any other! ! topic relevant to limiting! • strategic arms. ; 1

' Grisly find More human bones have been found at a killers dumping ground at Truro, South Australia. The police say they have found two (bones from a lower-leg a”d a I (toot. The find was made! near a spot where one of the •tour skeletons so tar found I was discovered a week ago. (Tests were being done yesterday to determine the I origin of the bones. In other ( developments, two crime ; .squad detectives left Adelaide for Melbourne to interview a Royal Australian Air Force man, and other squad members began a huge door-i to-door inquiry in the Truro; i district.—Adelaide.