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Negotiating from strength
Although he supports the thaw in U. S./Soviet relations, Mr. Slaughter continues his support of building the nation’s ability to defend itself. “I doubt that the Russians would have been as anxious to negotiate a treaty or understanding on nuclear weapons if there had not been a substantial increase in our armed forces since President Reagan came into office.”
“If the downward trend of previous administrations had continued,” he said, “it would have been less likely that the Russians would have wanted to negotiate.”
On the President’s Strategic Defense Initiative, Rep. Slaughter said, “It will be helpful. I think there has been enough expert, informed opinion which holds that SDI is practical and can be developed. We should go forward with research and development.”
He feels “there is a strength and power in defensive weapons that is a plus in the preservation of peace.” With an effective SDI defense, and the probability that a high percentage of attacking weapons would bd destroyed, “that makes a first-strike not nearly so attractive.”
Also, he added, the United States should realize that the Russians have admitted that they are engaged in research and development of such a defense themselves. “They realize too that it could be effective as a defense. They believe that it has a reasonable chance of success.”
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