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By Robert A. Bryson Tribune Staff WriterWhile the United States has been cutting some of its military might, the Russians “are preparing for nuclear war/’ a former U.S. Air Force officer and official of a firm that helps make missiles saidThursday.“From 1979 to 19S — the next six of or seven years — are the most dangerous years because the United States must face whether the balance of power will stay with us or shift to the Russians/’ Antonio L.Savoca said.He is corporate vice president and general manager of Thiokol Corp/s Wasatch Divison. The firm's plant near Tremonton manufactures solid-propellant rockets.Mr. Savoca noted that his comments were to the Salt Lake Kiwants meeting at Hotel Utah as a citizen and do not necessarily reflect the views of Thiokol.Soviets Strive“I see the Soviet threat as one of striving for military superiority. They will not allow us to be their military equals. They are preparing hard and fast for nuclear war and if we don’t take action fast, we may face nuclear blackmail/’ he said.Many of the Russian military gains, he said, were gained during the Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT) between the United States and Russia.■Hie Russians, he said, have more intercontinental ballistic missiles, a greater capability to deliver multi pie warheads and more submarines equipped with missiles.The SALT talks, he said, have limited she multiple warhead missiles to 1,320 but the United Stateswon’t be able to reach that level anyway.Shutting DownThe United States is shutting down its only intercontinental ballistic- missile, the Minuteman,” he said.He said the Russians will have 2,400 n litiple-warhead rockets by 1983 and the U.S. will have 1,214.“By 1984, if the Russians reachoverwhelming military superiority, they may try to blackmail us. They could tell us they are marching troops into Western Europe and that if we try to stop them, they will annihilate us, Mr. Savoca said.He also said the phrase “roughequivalency” is meaningless. “Wehave to know where we stand with the Russians.”Also, he said, the word ’'overkill” is of no value unless the Russians believe we have the capability to destroy them — and they don’t. 'Soviets PrepareXuctear war may be unthinkable to many of us, but the Russians are preparing for nuclear war. They have a strong civil defense system. It is believed if they suffered a nuclear attack casulties would be 6 percent.”“They believe ours could be from 60 to 90 per cent,” Mr. Savoca said.Americans should support increasing military might until we reach the same strength as the Russians, he added.
Newspaper Details
Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake City, Utah, US
Fri, Mar 04, 1977
Page 16
Full Page
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USA 08 Sep 2020
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