‘Star Wars’ Plans Must Go On: Shultz : MX Work Also Held Essential During Arms Control Talks

Secretary of State George P. Shultz said today that the United States must press on with President Reagan’s “Star Wars” defense program and the MX missile program while negotiating arms control with the Soviets.

“As we proceed in a process of negotiations, it is essential that we look continually at what we must do for the security interests of the United States, at our own defense programs, pursuing the strategic defense initiative of the President, and in many other ways we must work for the security of ourselves and our allies,” Shultz said after briefing members of the Senate and House.

Shultz said the funding and deployment of the controversial MX missile program--he used Reagan’s term, “the Peacekeeper”-- must go ahead during the talks, as well as research on the controversial space defense shield program.

“If the Soviets can get what they want out of us without giving up anything in return, they would love it,” Shultz said.

He cautioned members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee that there should be no hope of an immediate breakthrough in the difficult negotiations ahead.

“Our coat is off, our sleeves are rolled up, we’re ready to go to work in a constructive and positive spirit, but at the same time with realism,” Shultz said.

Shultz told senators that Soviet negotiators in Geneva decided to go ahead with new arms talks when they realized there was no way to block research on the Star Wars program.

Sen. Richard G. Lugar of Indiana, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told reporters that Shultz apparently persuaded Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei A. Gromyko that work on the $26-billion program was not harmful while the superpowers sought reductions in strategic weapon arsenals.

Reagan optimistic on arms talks, Page 6.