New York, July 24—I wish to pass along, and then to evaluate, a rumor.It is that President Carter and the European leaders never had any intention of deploying the Pershing and cruise missiles. Carter’s motive (according to this thesis) was all along to bluff the Russians, in order to induce them to enter seriously into negotiations to withdraw their own theater missiles.
At this point, pause for a little technical glossary. The Pershing 11 mediumrange ballistic missiles (MRBMs) are extremely fast and extremely accurate. It is proposed that in 1982 the work commence to make their deployment possible by the end of 1983—108 Pershings. The cruise missiles are intermediate-range ground-launched missiles (GLCMs). They are slower than the Pershings, but also highly effective. It is proposed that we deploy 464 of these. Both weapons, in the jargon of the trade, are known as long-range theater nuclear force (LRTNF).
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