Soviet missile test could lead to SALT II violation

December 29, 1982

The Soviet Union apparently is planning to test in flight a new solid-fuel mobile missile, the Washington Post reported Tuesday.

Although the new missile's range is not yet known, Pentagon sources reportedly said the test would raise the possibility of Moscow's violating limitations on new ICBMs in the 1979 SALT II treaty.

In a separate report, the State Department disclosed that it is seeking clarification of certain points in Soviet leader Yuri Andropov's Dec. 21 speech offering to reduce missile forces in Europe.