‘We Don’t Need SDI,’ Dukakis Says, but Urges NATO Buildup : Wants Improved Conventional Force Technology

Michael S. Dukakis declared today, “We don’t need SDI” but should instead help Europe by improving conventional military forces.

Speaking to the private Atlantic Council at the State Department, the certain Democratic presidential nominee said he’s committed to “a NATO so strong and so united that no nation will be tempted to begin a war against us.”

In reference to President Reagan’s proposed Strategic Defense Initiative, or “Star Wars,” Dukakis said:

“We don’t need SDI; we need CDI, the Conventional Defense Initiative begun by leaders in the Congress to apply advanced technology to the challenge of fighting and winning a conventional war.”

He praised the U.S.-Soviet treaty banning intermediate-range nuclear missiles, and he hailed Reagan’s stance on human rights at the recent Moscow summit.

Stresses Consultation

But Dukakis also criticized the Administration, saying the United States should never again “announce radical changes in our strategic doctrine or adopt dramatic new bargaining positions on nuclear weapons without consulting our allies in advance.”

Answering questions after the speech, he said that if the Reagan Administration can conclude an agreement on long-range nuclear weapons before the President leaves office, “I strongly urge the Administration to go for it and I hope they do.”

He renewed his criticism of South Africa but continued to resist labeling it a “terrorist state” as rival Jesse Jackson has demanded.

“I tend to resist labels generally because I don’t know exactly what they mean,” he said. He added, “I think we’ve got to be very tough on South Africa.

Hits Reagan’s Policy

“I think we’ve got to be very tough on South Africa. Constructive engagement’s a failure,” he said, referring to the Administration’s view that South Africa’s apartheid system can be best opposed by staying in contact.

“South Africa is not only engaging in blatant racism against its own people and in terrorist acts, it’s committing naked military aggression against its neighbors all over southern Africa,” he said.

Dukakis Campaign Chairman Paul Brountas, point man in the Democrat’s search for a running mate, today started several days in Washington to discuss vice presidential prospects, seeking advice from members of Congress and other Democratic Party leaders.

Jackson, who has at times said he deserves to be offered the vice presidential spot behind Dukakis on the Democratic ticket, said Monday that he could still rally supporters behind Dukakis if someone else is chosen.