Date: 1981-11-18
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I. likewise. watched the President as he addressed the National Press Club. and I listened with great interest to what he had to say. I feel that this was the best delivered speech I have seen the President make. and I congratulate him on the speech. I commend him on taking the leadership in the efforts to bring about disarmament. not on a unilateral basis. but. as he emphasized. meaningful disarmament. mutual arms control. S 13582 Co I believe his words will be well received around the world and should certainly give heart to all peaceloving Peoples everywhere. I think his statement was timely. and what he had to say constituted a very constructive initiative on arms control. It is my hope that the initiative the President has taken will put us in a strong opening position visavis the Soviets as we go into negotiations on the question of theater nuclear weapons on the European continent at the end of this month. in Geneva. The Soviets have engaged in a very intensive propaganda offensive in recent months. throughout Europe. to discredit Amiericas commitment to arms control. This must be expected. This Is certainly in accordance with their style and was predictable. They have skillfully attempted to divide the alliance and to play on the fears of many in Europe that Europe would be used as a battleground by the superpowers. They have done this at the same time that they continue dcploying mediumrange ballistic missiles. as the President stated. at the rate of one SS20 per weekprimarily aimed at Europe. The alliance has taken no steps to stimulate or to simulate this belligerent activity. except to plan the emplacement of Americanmade missiles beginning in 1983 unless the destabilizing Soviet deployment is stopped. The President has now taken the lead In the propaganda offensive. I think he has very effectively taken the offensive out of the Soviets hands. He has certainly spoken most convincingly. and in such a Persuasive way that our Euroiieari friends should be encouraged. Their concerns should be Put to rest. In my judgment. he has put the Soviets on the defensive. precisely where they should be. I am sure that all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle Join me in wishIng the administration complete success in persuading the Soviet Union to dismantle the SS.-20 launchers which have been the major factor causing the imbalance of nuclear missiles in the European theater. It will be a most difficult job because. If there Is one thing the Soviets are generally superior at. It Is of being tough at he bargaining table. So the President has my support In this endeavor. If. however. the Soviets cannot -be persuaded to engage in such meaningful reductions In the European theater. then the President has my comnplete support In going forward to lead the alliance to deploy our own missiles. because It will then be clear that there Is no other alternative. The President is seeking an alternative and he is seeking an alternative which would redound to the peace of the world and to the lowering of manpower costs. human costs. and monetary costs for all countries Involved. But if the Soviets should reject this effort on the part of the President. then we know there is no alternative. and in that regard. again. I support the President fully. Without such credible determination. of course. the Soviets could not be persuaded to dismantle their SS20s. SS5s. and 554s. In addition. Europe expects us to go forward with strategic intercontinental arms talks as the overall framewvork within which the TN? talks are to proceed. Today. the President indicated a strong willingness to proceed expeditionally with strategic negotiations next year. and again hie can count on my comnplete support. I am hopeful those talks can begin as soon as possible. I thank the Senator for yielding.