Word: abm
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...still could pave the way for a grand compromise by inducing the Soviets to agree to significant cuts in offensive weapons in return for reinforcing old agreements that limit the development of defensive systems. Indeed, the Soviets have recently begun exploring ways to restrict SDI by reaffirming the ABM treaty of 1972. That approach has considerable promise since it is potentially compatible with Reagan's own public statements on SDI. Largely as a result of the quiet urging of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Secretary of State George Shultz, Reagan has said repeatedly that SDI is a research program...
...plans to jettison the limits on offensive weapons in the unratified 1979 SALT II agreement unless the Soviets are more forthcoming on new arms-control initiatives, and last week he awkwardly tried to explain what this posture really means. His Administration is split on how to apply the 1972 ABM treaty, which limits development of antimissile systems, but Pentagon hawks have gone a long way toward undermining any restraints the treaty might place on SDI. Both Congress and the NATO allies are trying to pull the U.S. back from an unconstrained arms race that they fear may be provoked...
Reagan first discussed the question of missile-killing technology with his science adviser, Physicist George Keyworth II, in a conversation two years ago. Keyworth, an admirer of Teller's who helped develop an earlier ABM system, appointed a task force that included Teller, Consultant Edward Frieman and former Deputy Secretary of Defense David Packard. Early this year they informed Reagan that the idea seemed technically feasible, and it was brought up at a Feb. 11 White House meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Reagan said nothing for the next three weeks, then popped the idea at a morning briefing...
...order to preserve an element of surprise in its announcement, the White House restricted discussions of the ABM plan to top officials on what is called a "close held" basis. Most congressional leaders were kept in the dark until the afternoon of the speech. So were most of those on the the political and policy staffs in the West Wing. The paragraphs in Reagan's speech on new defensive technologies were drafted separately and then blended into the speech by the President. The overriding factor in the timing and handling of the issue?one that discomfited a few senior aides?...
...invited a group of 52 scientists and national security experts to the White House Wednesday night to view his speech and be briefed by top officials. Some of those who attended, such as Teller and David Packard, a co-founder of the Hewlett-Packard Co., were longtime advocates of ABM research. Said Packard: "Technology has moved ahead to the point where we could design a ballistic missile defense system which could be fully effective. If both sides had a defensive system, it would be stabilizing...