Conference 7.286::space

83.0. "Soviets Criticize U.S. ASAT" by PYRITE::WEAVER () Mon Sep 16 1985 10:59

Associated Press Sat 14-SEP-1985 18:08                           Soviets-ASAT

        Soviet media critical of U.S. anti-satellite test

   MOSCOW (AP) - The Soviet media on Saturday sharply criticized
the U.S. test of an anti-satellite weapon and said it interfered
with preparations for November's superpwer summit conference.
   Radio Moscow called the test a ``dangerous step'' toward
deploying other space weapons, and the official Tass news agency
accused the United States of worsening the strained relations
between Moscow and Washington.
   On Friday, a U.S. F-15 fighter plane launched a rocket that
soared into space and demolished an old satellite in orbit about
345 miles above the Pacific Ocean.
   President Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev are
scheduled to meet in Geneva in November, and the Soviets have said
the testing of the U.S. ASAT system would complicate their
discussions.
   That concern also was expressed in London by Britain's
opposition Labor Party.
   Denzil Davies, the party's spokesman on defense matters, said
that ``in common with many people in America and Europe, I am
concerned at this latest development.''
   ``This will make it more difficult to reach an agreement either
between Gorbachev and President Reagan at the forthcoming summit or
indeed at the detailed (arms control) talks going on in Geneva,''
he said.
   Friday's test ``looks like the preliminary step towards an arms
race in space,'' he said, but added: ``It could still be stopped
with goodwill on all sides at Geneva.''
   Radio Moscow reported the test in its English-language newscasts
and said:
   ``Washington, in defiance of widespread protests of the world
public, took a dangerous step leading directly to the deployment of
a new class of weaponry - strike space weapons.
   ``By testing its ASAT system, Washington indicated that it
regards the escalation of the arms buildup and its spread to outer
space as a major goal of America's policy.''
   Tass moved a story identical to the one read over Radio Moscow
and then added a commentary by analyst Yevegeny Yegorov.
   ``Another round of the arms race in space, hinging on the
notorious `Star Wars' program, has begun,'' he wrote.
   ``What is noteworthy is that this escalation of war preparations
is taking place before the meeting of the Soviet and U.S. leaders
in Geneva and is called upon, according to admissions of senior
U.S. officials, to demonstrate the `resolve' and `firmness' of the
Reagan administration.''
   Yegorov added, ``Acts of militarism perpetrated by the United
States can only lead to the further aggravation of international
tension and to the deterioration of Soviet-U.S. Relations.''
   In 1983, the Soviets said they would not test or deploy
anti-satellite weapons if the United States also refrained from
doing so. But they said on Sept. 4 they would feel free to deploy
such weapons if the U.S. ASAT testing went ahead.

Britain has a lot of nerve saying ANYTHING about American foreign policy 
after their extremely mature <<sarcasm>> response to the Soviet's response 
to their response.  Get serious!  Britain's idea of foreign policy is 
having their own way!

(Sorry - shouldn't spout off like that in this note.  Send me some mail and we 
can meet in SOAPBOX)

Jim  }.)

Re: .1

I posted the article because it was interesting, not because it represented
my views.  I posted it to indicate the success of the ASAT test, which I
had been unaware of.

						-Dave

re .1 & .2

Sorry, Dave.  

I wasn't addressing YOU specifically.  When I asked 'YOU' to send me
mail, the 'YOU' I intended was the editorial 'YOU'.  That is, 'YOU' guys
out there. 

I was merely making a comment, and was attempting to invite responses.  
Unfortunately I did not make that clear.

Further, I would never censor the file - its not my job.  I enjoy the 
articles I read hear and I am very thankful for the efforts of those 
that make them available to us.

I realize that articles do not necessarily represent the views of the 
transcribers.

Once again, sorry!  Keep up the good work!

Jim  }.)