Pentagon acknowledges it seeks Caribbean bases

The Pentagon said it is seeking ''access agreements'' for air bases in the western Caribbean area, but refused to identify the countries involved and stressed no decisions have been made.

The comment followed press reports that Pentagon teams are scouting out possible locations for Caribbean bases that could be used by United States troops or serve as staging grounds for the US Rapid Deployment Force.

An official Pentagon statement said $21 million has been requested in 1983 for ''airfield improvements in that area.'' The statement did not name specific countries.