U.S. Changes Missile Stand in Negotiations

The United States will alter its position on mobile long-range nuclear missiles in an attempt to break an arms control deadlock with the Soviet Union, Secretary of State James A. Baker III said today.

Baker, speaking to State Department reporters two days before his meeting with Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze, reacted sharply to criticism from congressional Democrats that the Bush Administration has failed to recognize sweeping changes in the Soviet Union.

Baker said he will inform Shevardnadze that the United States is dropping its ban on negotiating over mobile missiles as part of the strategic arms reduction talks, known as START.

The Soviets have deployed two kinds of long-range mobile missiles. The United States has none yet but is considering adding them to its arsenal. The Administration has asked Congress for authority to build the MX mobile missile.

Previously, the United States proposed a total ban on negotiating on mobile long-range missiles, arguing that such a treaty would be impossible to verify. Because of the verification problems, the United States argued, Congress would probably never approve such a treaty.

“To start the ball rolling this week, I’m announcing today that we’ll lift our ban on (negotiating) mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles, contingent on congressional funding of our ICBMs,” Baker said.