Letter states US terms for scrapping MX missile

The Reagan administration told Congress Tuesday it will not scrap the new 10 -warhead MX nuclear missile unless the Soviet Union gives up its medium and heavy missiles.

The statement came in a letter to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which was sent last Thursday in response to a question from Sen. Claiborne Pell (D) of Rhode Island. He had asked under what circumstances the US would abandon the MX.

"This is the first time the administration has publicly indicated it would accept a fair trade," said committee chairman Charles Percy (R) of Illinois, who released the letter.