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From: mjk@tty3b.UUCP (Mike Kelly)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: results of poll of world news servic
Message-ID: <611@tty3b.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 22-Feb-85 12:29:12 EST
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Posted: Fri Feb 22 12:29:12 1985
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 >From: renner@uiucdcs.UUCP
 >As far as I am concerned, the word "verifiable" should be taken to mean
 >"on-site inspections by US military personnel."  With so much at risk, why
 >should we settle for less?  What reason could the Soviets have to object,
 >except that they plan to cheat?

The arms control people I know (e.g. a staff aide to the House Military
Affairs Committee) claim that on-site inspection is much overblown.  There
are few cases where it is really necessary.  The on-site inspection case is more
complex than Scott let on as well, since it's reciprocal -- some in the
Pentagon are not that hot about having the Soviets poking around on *our*
bases and installations and feel, on balance, an on-site inspection agreement
isn't worth that risk.

However, the Soviets have recently said they are willing to consider a treaty
including on-site inspection.  (I can probably dig up the reference, it was
in the New York Times sometime in the last year.)  The key is to negotiate
that treaty -- and then ratify it.  

Scott talked about the radar station at Krasnoyarsk, which is alleged to
be a component of a ABM system, which would be a violation of the ABM
treaty.   If that's so, there are ways for the Administration to resolve
the issue, through the treaty compliance committee.  But the Adminstration
prefers to publish glossy booklets and offer leaks to newspapers.  It's as
if I claimed you had robbed me, but rather than take you to court, I just
yelled about how you'd robbed me.  If they're so sure it's a violation, why
not do something about it?  

Mike Kelly