Russia raps Far East tour by Shultz

Press, 1 February 1983, Page 8

Russia raps Far East tour by Shultz

NZPA Moscow The Soviet Union accused the United States yesterday of encouraging militarisation and building up tensions in the Far East. Commenting on the Far East tour by the American Secretary of State. 'Mr George Shultz, the official news agency Tass said that the trip would be used to pressure Japan into increasing military spending and expanding its armed forces. "Representatives of the

Washington Administration do not conceal the fact that Washington's main aim is to place under its control the military policy of the Japanese Government, to create in the Far East a powerful American-Japanese force." said Tass. The agency's report came after repeated assertions in the State-controlled Soviet news media in the past two weeks that Tokyo and Washington plan to expand their presence in the Pacific and threaten the far east of the

Soviet Union. . The Soviet reports have warned that Moscow would take appropriate measures if necessary, but have not detailed what action is contemplated. Noting that Mr Shultz is also scheduled to visit Peking, Tass said that he would have to convince the Chinese leadership that Washington sought good relations with Peking while pursuing what the agency called a steady build-up of Taiwan's military potential.