Mid-Range Pact Possible, Soviets Say : But They Raise New Issue of Warheads on Pershing 1 Missiles

The Soviets said today the superpowers could agree this year on a treaty to rid Europe of medium-range missiles despite an “unconstructive” U.S. approach. But then they raised a new issue which could prove an obstacle to agreement.

Alexei Obukhov, the Soviet deputy chief negotiator, told a news conference that nuclear warheads on West German Pershing 1 shorter-range missiles “must go” if there is a U.S.-Soviet accord on eliminating shorter-range missiles from Europe.

West Germany has 72 Pershing 1 missiles, according to Western statistics. The United States controls the nuclear warheads while West Germany controls the missiles.

Western officials have indicated the Pershing 1s were not an issue in the Geneva talks.

Immediate Talks Sought

Obukhov reiterated in a prepared statement that the Soviets favor immediate negotiations on an accord eliminating American and Soviet shorter-range missiles in Europe and limiting them on a global basis. He said it could be worked out as a separate treaty or part of a treaty on medium-range missiles.

He also reiterated the Soviet position that a treaty could be achieved this year.

Obukhov’s news conference came one day after the Soviets formally submitted its draft for a treaty on medium-range missiles.

He said the Soviet draft was “a compromise document” that takes into account provisions of a draft the United States proposed March 4. He said it also includes provisions aimed at preventing cheating.

Obukhov said Soviet negotiators believe they are “facing difficult work, given the American approach as we know it at present contains a number of patently unconstructive elements.”

Conversion a Problem

He said the problems included U.S. proposals to convert medium-range Pershing 2 missiles into the shorter-range Pershing 1 missiles.

Obukhov said the U.S. draft also failed to provide for simultaneous reductions, “so that over a considerable period of time only the Soviet Union would be effecting them while the United States would even have the possibility of building up its medium-range missiles.”

He said the Soviets are concerned about U.S. plans to deploy its remaining medium-range missile warheads within reach of Soviet territory.