Soviets Offer to Pull Out if U.S., Allies Do
The Soviet Union offered Tuesday to withdraw its naval task force from the Persian Gulf--but only if the United States, Britain and France do the same.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Boris Pyadyshev also said Soviet withdrawal of its fleet--three minesweepers, a frigate and a communications ship--is conditional on efforts to end the Iran-Iraq War.
“We propose as soon as possible the removal of all military ships belonging to states not adjoining the Persian Gulf, with the understanding that decisive steps be taken simultaneously with that in order to end the war between Iraq and Iran,” he said.
“If the American forces will be withdrawn, if the naval forces of Britain and France are withdrawn too . . . Soviet naval ships will undoubtedly be withdrawn from the Persian Gulf region.”
The Soviet statement came two days after White House Chief of Staff Howard H. Baker Jr. said the United States may “take a fresh look” at reducing the Navy’s fleet in the gulf if the Soviets pull out their forces.
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