U.S. Officials Differ on Talks on Arms With European Allies

The State Department differed Thursday with U.S. arms control director Kenneth L. Adelman on the need to consult the Western European allies about the Strategic Defense Initiative or “Star Wars” missile-defense program and on an arms treaty with the Soviet Union.

Appearing before an American Legion group, Adelman said he doubts that the allies “have any qualifications” to interpret the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. He said they have already “let us know why they don’t like the broad interpretation,” which would clear the way for new experiments with “Star Wars” technology.

But the State Department said “we fully intend to continue to consult closely with the allies on ABM treaty issues, as well as other subjects related to SDI (the Strategic Defense Initiative).

Stating U.S. Policy

Phyllis Oakley, the department’s deputy spokesman, stressed she was stating “the policy of the U.S. government on this issue.”

She said the Reagan Administration has made “a serious commitment to consult” before any steps are taken on “Star Wars” research that might affect the allies. Secretary of State George P. Shultz had made that point clear, she added.

The U.S. search for a defense against missiles has sparked controversy in Congress, Europe and the Soviet Union. Critics assert that testing or deployment could be in conflict with the 1972 treaty.

Consultations Increased

President Reagan and his senior advisers decided at a meeting Tuesday also to step up consultation with the European allies.

But Adelman seemed to suggest the allies’ views would have little bearing on U.S. policy.

“This is our agreement with the Soviet Union (and) they have not seen the negotiating record,” he told the Legion. “It’s nice to have the views of the allies and everything, but it’s nicer to have (their) views . . . on issues they know more about.”

Matt Murphy, a spokesman for the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, said Adelman did not know any reporters were present when he delivered his remarks.

Policy Criticized

In another development Thursday, a Stanford University group released a report sharply critical of U.S. policy on “Star Wars.”

The report found little evidence of cheating by the Soviets on arms control accords with the United States. Only a Siberian radar system was found to flout the 1972 treaty that limits U.S. and Soviet defenses against missiles.

At the same time, the report raised questions about U.S. radar installations in Georgia, Texas, Britain and Greenland, as well as the Soviet SS-25 intercontinental ballistic missile.