Soviet N-tests to resume

Press, 20 December 1986, Page 13

Soviet N-tests to resume

NZPA-Reuter Moscow

The Soviet Union, citing national security interests, says it will resume nuclear testing after the first United States explosion of 1987. A Government statement issued yesterday said persistent refusal of President Ronald Reagan’s Administration to halt tests had forced the decision.

United States press reports say January 29 has been set as the date for the first blast next year, at the Nevada test site.

Commenting on the Soviet decision, a White House spokesman dismissed the move as ir-

relevant to United States policy.

The Kremlin statement made clear that United States policy decisions would be directly responsible for Moscow resuming nuclear tests after maintaining a freeze since August 6, 1985. It said continued testing showed that the United States sought military superiority over the Soviet Union, using the blasts to develop its Strategic Defence Initiative, or “star wars” missile shield in space.

The Soviet Union, could not go on exercising unilateral restraint to the detriment of its own security and that of its

allies when the United States had conducted 24 tests, four of them unannounced, since the start of the moritorium, it added. “The Soviet Union is prepared to continue its moratorium. Yet it will resume nuclear testing after the first nuclear explosion carried out by the United States next year.” Calling for immediate and full-scale talks toward a total test ban, which the Soviets called the arms control priority, the statement said Moscow would again halt tests if Washington did likewise. The phrasing of the Soviet decision appeared designed to minimise its effect on efforts to por-

tray the country as the leader in international arms control initiatives.

Referring to sacrifices involved in continuing the moratorium, the statement also reflected concern among the Soviet Armed Forces that military setbacks caused by the ban could no longer justify its political rewards. The Soviet moratorium, which took effect on the fortieth anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, was originally due to expire at the end of 1985. It was extended in January, then in March, and again after the nuclear accident at Chernobyl in April.