U.S. Reportedly to Consult Allies on Soviet Arms Plan

The Reagan Administration will send two special envoys to consult with American allies about a tentative response to the latest Soviet arms control proposal, The New York Times said in its Sunday edition.

Paul H. Nitze, adviser to Secretary of State George P. Shultz, will talk with European allies while Edward L. Rowny, arms-control adviser to President Reagan, will go to Canada and Asia, the paper said, quoting unidentified Administration officials.

The two aides will discuss a draft letter from Reagan to Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev that covers many arms control subjects and addresses the issue of research into the Strategic Defense Initiative, a space-based U.S. missile defense system, the Times said.

The Soviet Union has proposed that the 1972 anti-ballistic missile treaty between the superpowers be strengthened as part of an arms reduction agreement.

The Times also reported that the United States has retreated from a proposal that each side simultaneously reduce the number of underground nuclear tests it holds as the number of strategic weapons is reduced.

The Administration is also trying to decide how to respond to Soviet negotiators in Geneva when the Standing Consultative Commission meets Tuesday to discuss the issue of compliance with the unratified second strategic arms limitation agreement, the paper said.