Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Concerns on Missile Safety Discussed

Defense Secretary Dick Cheney met with nuclear weapons experts to discuss their concerns about the safety of a nuclear-tipped, short-range missile deployed on strategic bombers, but Cheney made no decision about withdrawing the weapons from service, a spokesman said. Directors of three U.S. nuclear weapons laboratories made presentations about risks associated with the continued deployment of Short-Range Attack Missile-As, or SRAMs, on “alert” B-52, B-1, and FB-111 bombers--those ready for takeoff on short notice.