SENATOR CHURCH ASKS CARTER PLEDGE ON TROOPS IN CUBA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-01315R000400350050-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 10, 2004
• Sequence Number: 50
• Publication Date: October 12, 1979
• Content Type: NSPR

Approved For Release 2005/01/12 : CIA-RDP88-01315R000400350050-8
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ON PAGE
NEW YORK TIMES
12 OCTOBER 1979
u r
in,
a ctor Church Asro opl
By CHARLES MOHIi
. Specl~lwThoNe.-Ywxnmes ? -
WASHTNGTON, Oct. 11 - Senator
Frank Church, the chairman of the For-
eign Relations Committee, formally pro-
posed today that the strategic arms
treaty with the Soviet Union not be rati-
fled until the President gives. an.assur-
ance that Soviet troops In Cuba "are not
engaged in a combat role" and will noc
become a threat to any nation- in; the.
Western Hemisphere. The language of the Idaho Democrat's
proposed "utx3ersianding" was less rigid
than some proponents of the treaty had
feared, in that.it.wmuld not require that
what has been reported as a Soviet c==.
bat brigade be withdrawn from Cuba.;; A,
Some officials indicated that the: White'
House might find-'the proposal amt=:
able- Others said-the Administration-
wanted to soften the language furthers, `;:F
The proposed wording, if adopted, may-
pose difficulties for President Carter and
prevent the- treaty from-coming: into'.
force. The resolution could be read to re..-
quire certification by-the President that
the Soviet troops'reputed combat-read}
status had been changed. This might be
embarrassing to the Soviet Union, which,
has denied that the troops had such a,
status in the first place::.:: n - 4; v `r
Church Endorses Arms Treaty-
Senator Church said in a speech on the
Senate floor that without this condition
the pact could not garner the two-thirds
.vote needed forratification. He endorsed
the treaty by saying that it "serves the
national interests of the United States"
and. that its rejection "would be a grave.
disservice to the country."
He said he was proposing his condition
to save the treaty, which could be re-
jected if one-third of the Senate votes not
to consent to it. Speaking with reporters,
-Sermtor Church denied that he was moti-
vated by the fact that polls indicated he
faces a difficult re-election campaign.
Iii It- development, Donald H.
Rumsfeld, a Secretary of Defense in the-
Ford-,:Administration, told:- the- Armed
Services. Committee that.::: the,;: Senate
should not:ratify the treaty:.. Mr- Rums::
,fell, bow, a pharmaceuticals executive,.
.thus, joined a series of Republicans who.
advocated rejection, delay or substantial
alteration of the treaty. .';
The understanding offered by Senator
Church would be attached to the resolu-
tion of ratification on which the Senate-
would vote. Such understandings bind the,
the United States Government but do not,
change the legal terms of the treaty or rd-'
quire Soviet assent, ., a'?
Differences Over Interpretation
The Senator's understanding provides'
.that, before. the President can- exchange.
Instruments- of .L ratification ; with , the
Soviet Union,.he-"shall affirm that the-
United States will assure" that Soviet
forces in Cuba are not engaged in a com-
bat role and will not become a threat
three Democrats --. Lawton Chiles of.,
Florida, Walter D. Huddleston ofg Ken-
tacky and Jim Sasser of Tennessee. At +
the suggestion of Senator Robert C. Byrd
of West Virginia, the majority leader, the
resolution was allowed to lie on the table
until tomorrow so that others may join ,
theco.sponSors. _ .., ~._. ;
Some.liberal Senators in both parties
said.
essary', but they indicated they might go
alongwith it to accommodate the feelings.
However, there. may, be disagreement
over the precise-meaning-of the-Church
proposal.. A liberal senator said the Presi-
dent probably:;would have to affirm only
that the troops were not .'actively" en-
gaging in combat functions.. However,
Senator Church indicated: later: that, he
wanted Mn Carter to give not simply his
ably have an opportunity. to consider al.-
terations in the language of the under-
standing when. the--treaty, reaches=,the
agreed today to: begin: processing the-
treaty and the resolution of ratification
Monday. This could mean that the treaty.
would be ready. to go. to the floor by. the
end of the month. , z .? k ~~ w,
Approved For Release 2005/01/12: CIA-RDP88-01315,R000400350050-8