Evening star., 1961-02-08
DEFENSE
u. S. Won't Reduce
Forces in NATO

Continued From First Page
case there should be an attack
upon us.
He was asked If he felt as
strongly now as he seemed to
feel during his election cam
paign that a serious missile
gap did exist.
He replied that II hope that
we will have a clearer answer
to that question" when the
Defense Department study of
strategic weapons is completed.
Hopeful On Security
Emphasizing that he hopes
the United States is fully Sc
cure. he said Il will be pleased
II that is the result" If it
isn't, he said he will pass on
his judgements to Congress
about what needs to be done
to make the country secure.
But as of today, he insisted,
"it would be premature to reach
a judgement as to whether
there is a gap or not a gap"
Meanwhile Senator Bush, Re-
publican of Connecticut, called
on Chairman Russell, Democrat
Of Georgia, to schedule full
hearings by the Senate Armed
Services Committee to deter
mine if there is a missile gap.
THE American people are
entitled to the facts in this
situation" Bush, member of
the committee, wrote Senator
Russell in a letter released to-
day. Senator Russell's office
said he is in Georgia.
II can understand why news
paper stories that the new ad-
ministration has found a non-
existent missile gap are en-
barrasSing to the President"
Senator Bush said. "Neverthe-
less. our committee has an OBJ
legation to probe into this
situation, and I respectfully
urge you to schedule full hear
ings at the first opportunity"
Mr.. Kennedy set at rest any
fears Of a cutback in American
military forces in Europe dur
ing his administration by vol
unteerlng that I'VE wish to
maintain our military strength
In Europe"
Calling NATO "our most i'm
portant defensive alliance" he
said the NATO allies must be
partners in such things as the
integration Of Europe and CO.
operative development Of new
nations as well as in military
defense.
1--WE, for our part" he de-
clared, mean to go on as full
and energetic partners in
NATO.
Studying NATO Arms
One Of the matters under
study, he added, Is whether to
carry forward an Eisenhower |
administration recommenda-
ton that NATO be given its
own nuclear weapons.
In the wide ranging press
conference that concentrated
mainly on international and
defense problems, the Presi-
dent set the keynote by saying
he hopes his administration
will follow the standard set by
former President Roosevelt
speak softly but carry a big
stick"
Mr.. Kennedy also asserted
that some things must be
done" if relations with the
Soviet Union "are going to
continue to be fruitful"
VIII Meet Ambassador
He said he expects to meet
several times this week with
American Ambassador Llewel-
lyn Thompson, returning from
MOSCOW for consultations:
Charles E. Bohlen, State De-
partment expert on Russia, and
George Kennan, former Ambas-
sador to Russia, to chart future
relations with the Soviets.
There are some things that
I think can usefully be done
and must be done, if our
viet-American) relation are
going to continue to be fruit
:ul," Mr.. Kennedy said.
1--WE are concerned, as I am
sure they are, with the situa-
ton in Laos. We are con-
cerned with the situation in
Congo, as I am sure they are,
and I am hopeful that we will
make our position clear to
them, and accomplish some
other fruitful results" T.
Mr.. Kennedy sidestepped a
question about "how long are
we prepared to wait" for the
Soviets to end their two
nonth-old airlift of weapons
to the anti-government rebels
IN Laos.
He did not spell out any
conciliatory moves he wants
the Soviets to make on the .
Congo and Laos fronts.
Asked about the possibility !
Of him going to a NATO sum- ,
nit meeting, Mr.. Kennedy said :
that matter is not yet under
consideration.
Briefings Hazardous"
During the missile gap dis
cussion, a newsman asked Mr..
Kennedy what he thought
about the wisdom Of back
ground press briefings where
Government officials are not
identified in the published ac-
counts.
He drew a burst Of laughter {
when he replied that "they are
hazardous in many cases" and
that he believed Mr.. Mcnamara
would agree with that.