NATO arms chiefs buck US criticism on outlays

NATO defense ministers will go on the offensive against US criticism of their nation's contribution to Western defense. They agreed to intensify a campaign to counter complaints that well-off Western Europe does not bear its fair share of the burden. the ministers, meeting before a session May 12 of the NATO defense planning committee, felt their contributions should not be measured only in financial terms, whether or not they reach the target of a real 3 percent increase in military budgets. They said cost effectiveness and manp ower level should also be taken into account.