U.S. cool on move to ban space weapons

Press, 13 June 1984, Page 10

U.S. cool on move to ban space weapons

NZPA-Reuter Moscow The Soviet President, Konstantin Chernenko, has had a cool response from Washington after he urged the United States to begin immediate talks on a space weapons ban. In a written reply to questions, Mr Chernenko said they should start discussions before any space weapons were deployed and should aim for a total prohibition of anti-satellite weapons or orbiting arms systems. “We propose to the United States to embark without delay on official talks with a view to achieving agreement to this effect,” he added.

The Soviet leader firmly contradicted President Reagan’s assertions that such an accord would be difficult to police. In Washington. White House officials said Mr Chernenko’s appeal contained nothing new and a spokesman, Larry Speakes,

suggested it was intended to divert attention from Moscow’s walkout from negotiations on nuclear arms controls. The Soviet Union has repeatedly urged a space weapons ban since Mr Reagan announced plans for a “Star Wars” defence system which would shoot down incoming missiles with laser guns.

Soviet scientists have indicated that Moscow would have difficulty keeping pace with such technology. Western diplomats believe the Kremlin fears Washington would gain an insuperable strategic superiority. But Mr Reagan has said he sees no point in talks on a space weapons ban, as such an accord would be hard to verify. Mr Chernenko rejected this view, saying verification was not only possible but would be highly reliable. He said present tracking stations and electronic eavesdropping networks

could check for'breaches of an accord, with consultations in case of doubt. The Soviet leader said those who tried to rule out talks by saying verification was impossible were in fact trying to “keep their hands free to pursue a course of militarising space in the hope of gaining military advantages.” Mr Chernenko’s replies to questions were published by the Soviet news agency, Tass.

Mr Speakes said the “door was not closed” on antisatellite arms control measures but he accused the Soviet Union of trying to seek a monopoly in antisatellite systems, which the U.S. says Moscow developed in the 19605.

Last year the Kremlin announced a moratorium on tests or deployments of anti-satellite and space weapons. Mr Chernenko said this will remain in force unless the U.S. carries out new tests.