Strategic Arms Reduction Talks

Record states that the Soviets understand that it is harder to hit a moving target than a stationary one. In his eagerness to hang on to as many land-based missiles as possible, Record seems to have forgotten that there are thousands of mobile sea- and air-based missiles in the U.S. arsenals. The Soviets are doubtless aware of this.

The real question is whether the United States and the world are safer with larger or smaller nuclear arsenals. Since nuclear weapons are with us for the foreseeable future, the optimal nuclear arsenal is the smallest that will deter war. The nuclear arsenals of both the 1950s and the 1980s have accomplished this goal, and the arsenals of the 1950s were much smaller. It seems we can safely head in this direction.

JAMES D. STEIN JR.

Marina del Rey