TV debate ends in a draw

Press, 23 October 1984, Page 6

TV debate ends in a draw

NZPA-Reuter Kansas City

The American President, Mr Ronald Reagan, and the Democratic challenger, Walter < Mondale) clashed" yesterday G about/ Central America, '"Lebanon, East-' West relations, and arms control in their last televised debate before the election on November 6.

Both sides immediately claimed victory, but political analysts and television commentators rated the debate a virtual stand-off, neither candidate a clearcut winner.

Mr Reagan defended his “star wars” space defence plan and the United States role in Lebanon. He accused Mr Mondale of having “a record of weakness with regard to our national defence which is second to none.”

Mr Mondale, still trailing in opinion polls despite his strong showing, in their first debate two weeks ago, attacked Mr Reagan for failing to master the details of arms control, and said “the terrorists have won each

" tithe” in Lebanon. He said that Administration policy on Leftist-ruled Nicaragua had undermined United States moral authority) citinga Central Intelligence Agency booklet that advocated political assassinations by Rightist rebels. Mr Reagan said that the booklet had been prepared by a minor employee working under contract to the C.I.A. in Central America and that some of the pages had been printed by mistake. He said that if anyone was guilty, “they will be removed.” On United States-Soviet relations, Mr Reagan accused Mr Mondale of an attitude that would result in unilateral disarmament: — “weakness if you will.” Mr Mondale denied that and retorted that he had no illusions about the Kremlin. “I don’t trust the Russians,” he said. He repeated the assertion that Mr Reagan knew so little about details of arms control and weapons that he

believed submarine nuclear missiles could be recalled in flight. Mr Reagan denied that he had ever said that, Mr Reagan saidthat he ’retracted none of the harsh 1 rhetoric he had used against the Soviet Union shortly after he came into office. His tone towards the Kremlin has softened since, but he said that tough talk was needed initially. “We did get their attention,” he said. Mr Mondale said that the United States had pulled out of Lebanon earlier this year in humiliation, and noted that there had been no retaliation against suicidebombers who blew up the United States Marine’s barracks in Beirut and twice hit the American Embassy. “I’m tempted to ask what you would do,” Mr Reagan said. The terrorist centres were being sought, and he promised that there wojjld eventually be retaliation. But in retaliating care had to be taken not to harm civilians. Mr Reagan attacked the

policy of the Carter Administration, in which Mr Mdndale was Vice-President, in Iran .before the falL of the Shah pin 1979. He said that he was not’ cdiwinced' that the monarch had been“that far out of line? with his people.” “ Mr Reagan acknowledged that aspects of the Government of Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines “do not look good to us,” but he gave a warning that if Mr Marcos were ousted he would be succeeded by a Government hostile to the United States.

Mr Mondale, attacking Mr Reagan’s “star wars” missile defence plan, ridiculed the President’s suggestion that the United States should offer to turn over the technology to the Soviet Union after it had been perfected. Mr Reagan said that he would give the Soviet Union a “demonstration” of the defence plan but did not explain. Mr Mondale said that the “star wars” concept and the

Administration’s plan to develop anti-satellite weapons would start a new arms race. : ■ $5, ' “Why don’t-we,■ stop this madness now and draw a ' line and keep the heavens free , from war?” Mr Mondale asked. Mr Reagan had to correct himself at one point, when he said that a C.I.A. man was in Nicaragua directing operations against the Sandinist Government. He said later that he had meant to say Central America. He did not name the country. Mr Mondale, replying to a reporter’s question, said that Mr Reagan’s age — 73 — was not ’ a campaign issue. " > Mr Reagan drew laughter when referring to the 56-year-old Mr Mondale, he quipped, “I‘;will not make age an issue in this campaign. I will not exploit for political purposes my opponent’s youth and inexperience.” ~