Pentagon plans ‘star war’ base for atoll

Press, 30 August 1986, Page 33

Pentagon plans ‘star war’ base for atoll

By TOM BRIDGMAN NZPA Washington The Pentagon plans to build ' a new SUSI. 3 million base next year at Kwajalein atoll in the Pacific to launch targets for missiles that will be part of the United States strategic initiative, popularly known as “star wars,” the “Washington Post” newspaper reported.

The ... missiles to be tested against the targets are known as braduskill interceptors, one of the major "star wars” projects run by the United States Army, it said. The interceptors are designed to hit Soviet warheads in space in the "mid-course” phase of their trip towards targets in the United States. The United States has long had a missile test range at Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands.

The Republican congressman, Mr Ben Blaz,

who represents the territory of Guam, told the conservative Heritage Foundation in an address recently that the United States, in conjunction with its allies, needed to negotiate a long-term development plan with South Pacific countries to combat the Soviet threat to the region. There was also the need to conclude as soon as possible a fishing agreement recognising the exclusive economic zones and fishing fee rights of the region, and to increase United States presence.

“Our physical presence in the region is minimal and that lack of personal contact on leadership as well as academic and people-to-people levels feeds an impression of the United States as unconcerned, uncaring, and uninterested in the welfare of South Pacific people,” he said.