US says arms talks gains are up to the Soviets

April 8, 1983

The Reagan administration blamed the Soviet Union for lack of movement in strategic arms reduction talks. But it said progress was still possible this year if Moscow decided to negotiate seriously.

White House deputy press secretary Larry Speakes called the Soviet response so far dilatory and disappointing. A day earlier members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said it appeared there was no chance for agreement at the strategic arms reduction talks this year.