Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-18
BY EARL III. vOSS
star staff writer

op8A wal WAAsNA
The United States intends to
preserve its advantage over the
Soviet Union in long-range nu-
clear missiles throughout the
general disarmament process,
which would take many years
That is the Interpretation
high Defense Department Of
ficials insist both President
Kennedy and Defense Secretary
Mcnamara place on the gen.
era1 principles for disarmament
agreed upon with the Soviet
Union in September. 1861.
One Of these agreed princi-
pies is that neither side could
at any stage gain" q mill
tary advantage during the dis
armament process.
This means, Pentagon sources
explained. that the Unite &
States can keep the military
advantage it now has but can
not increase It.
Soviet leaders not only I'M
derstand this but might accept
it under certain circum-
stances" the officials said.
The Interpretation is not 9
new Pentagon or presidential
position. these sources said.
They we're disturb e d that
timing of this article might be
regarded in diplomatic circles
as a Defense Department at
tempt to disrupt high-level. So.
Wet British American test bar
negotiations set for next month
in Moscow. The Defense Depart
ment's comments were made In
response to The Stars inquiries
Pentagon Denial
Pentagon officials denied q
recent Evening Star report
that President Kennedy anc
Mr.. Mcnamara appeared TO bc
at odds on fundamental dis
armament policy.
The President is committed
to the principle that neithei
side should at any stage gain q
military advantage, the article
noted.
Yet. Mr.. Mcnamara had told
a Senate committee he wal
very much opposed" TO any
form Of arms control or dis.
armament which would "reducC
our net advantage ! think
we should engage in such agree.
ments II and when, and only Il
and when. we can do so with.
out reducing our power advan.
tage,"
Arms Control and pisarma.
ment Agency officials take 9
different view Of the Soviet
American principle. The aim
they say. Is TO lover gradually
the composite military power
Of both sides simultaneously
keeping a "tolerable balance
or rough equality between the
Soviet and Western blocs al
the way down.
The first stage OF the general
disarmament proposal by the
United States provides for a &c
per cent cut In long-range de-
livery systems.
Since the United States Il
believed 10 have a much great
er long-range nuclear-missile
and nuclear-bomber capacity
the percentage cuts on the way
down would leave this country
at an advantage throughout
the disarmament process.
Similar percentage cuts are
In the American disarmament
plan for other categories OF
arms. such as medium-range
ballistic missiles. tanks and
artillery, where the Soviet IN
ion Is acknowledged 10 have an
advantage over the United
States.
The United States. In
general. would have an advan-
tage In nuclear arms. the Soviet
Union an advantage IN conven-
tional arms through the dis
armament process.
But by far the most crucial
single category Is lone-range
nuclear missile power, where
American strength Is believed
70 be much greater. SO the
Pentaeon Interpretation Is tan
tamount 10 demanding an over
all military advantage for the
| United States throtiuhottt The