December 16, 1982
As you know, the U.S. has proposed the total elimination of U.S. and Soviet land-based, longer
range INF missiles -- the zero-zero solution. As you also know from Soviet public statements, the
Soviets have proposed that after 5 years, the U.S.S.R. and NATO reduce to a ceiling of 300
``medium-range'' nuclear missiles and aircraft located in or ``intended for use in'' Europe, to
include British and French forces. This longstanding position, which is basically unchanged, would
allow them to maintain their monopoly over the U.S. in longer range INF missiles, especially their
mobile, triple-warhead SS - 20 missiles in Europe and the Asian U.S.S.R. The number of
deployed SS - 20's currently stands at 333 launchers.
A missile subceiling, as mentioned in recent press accounts, would at most require the reduction
of some of these highly mobile systems in or ``intended for use in'' Europe, while requiring us to
cancel entirely our deployments of Pershing II and ground-launched cruise missiles planned to
begin in December 1983. This would leave the Soviets with a substantial monopoly over the West
in long-range, land-based INF systems, would not constrain the overall levels of Soviet systems,
would draw into the bilateral negotiations the nuclear forces of other countries, and is patently
inadequate as a solution to the INF issue, since it would not eliminate the political and military
threat to the alliance posed by Soviet longer range INF missiles.
We will continue the negotiations on a serious basis. During these negotiations, we and the
Soviets have elaborated our positions in both formal and informal contacts. We will continue to
study the Soviet position, and it will be among the things we will be discussing when the next
round begins on January 27.
We have kept our allies fully informed about negotiations as they have occurred. We and they
have reaffirmed in three recent NATO meetings at the Foreign Minister or Defense Minister level
that the zero-zero solution remains the best arms control result, since it would eliminate the
systems of greatest concern to both sides. The President and his administration are fully convinced
of the reasonableness of this carefully developed proposal. Nothing could be fairer to all
concerned.
Note: Deputy Press Secretary Larry M. Speakes read the statement at his daily press briefing in
the Briefing Room at the White House.