What does SALT mean?

So, having surveyed the history of 'detente' it is time to return to the point of departure and to have a further look at SALT'

SALT I was signed in May 1972 It put quantitative limits on the numbers of strategic missiles and bombers that the two superpowers could have -1710 for the US, and 2358 for the USSR. The Soviet Union was given a numerical advantage because of the technical superiority of US weapons, in particular the ability of the US to put multiple warheads on their launchers.

However, while SALT put quantitative limits on nuclear weapons it did not put any qualitative limitations on them.

Research could still go on, new weapons systems could still be developed So, it is hardly surprising that in the first month after the signing of the accords, the Soviet Union carried out 7 ICBM tests and 8 SLBM tests. At the same time, US Defence Secretary, Melvin Laird said in Congress that 'it is essential to maintain technological superiority', and that 'we must continue . . . existing deployment programmes.'

In fact the arms race continues as before with the development of such weapons as the US cruise missile, the B-1 bomber, the Trident Submarine, the suggested M-X mobile land based missile, the Soviet Backfire bomber, the Soviet Delta II submarine, new Soviet ICBM's and SLBM's (eg. the SSN-8).

Talks directed towards a SALT II agreement have stalled on the problems page break not covering these particular weapons. What use is there in an agreement that leaves unlimited two of the most recent weapons developments?

A further problem in SALT II is the question of numbers. The Soviet numerical advantage under SALT I was justified by the fact that the US could put MIRV's on their missiles whereas the Soviets could not. Since then, the Soviet Union has discovered how to MIRV missiles, so the US predictably argues that the SU should lose its numerical edge. When Vance tabled this proposal, the Soviet reply was a predictable and peremptory 'Niet'.

These, then, are the main problems facing SALT II. However, even if the superpowers somehow managed to iron them out to each other's satisfaction there would still be no end to the arms race. Each side would delve more deeply into its techno - logical Pandora's box and come up with yet another generation of weapons with which to torment mankind.

We can now answer the questions raised at the beginning of this article. No, detente does not exist. The arms race continues apace as does the political and military contention between the two superpowers around the world. The signing of a new SALT agreement would only serve to deceive some people into thinking that a genuine relaxation of tensions is taking place. It would do nothing to eliminate the conflict.