Editing 76-17-A2 (section)

=== Transcript ===
A great many military experts believe the Soviet Union envisions a war it
can win without the mutual nuclear destruction the world has come to fear. True,
the nuclear capability of the Soviets to wipe out a hundred million Americans
is the basis of their strategy, but victory would be won by conventional weapons,
hence the massive buildup in tanks, artillery, tactical aircraft and helicopters.

If this sounds confusing, listen to how some experts see the script shaping
up. Former Chief of U.S. Air Force Intelligence, General Keegan, looking at
the growing imbalance along the NATO line says that one day, in the not too
distant future, an American President could get an early morning call on the
hot line. The caller would be Brezhnev to announce his troops were advancing
into Western Europe and that he hoped the President wouldn't do anything foolish.

If the American President had not done anything to redress the growing
imbalance in conventional forces prior to such a call, he would know our NATO
line could not withstand the Russian assault. His choice would be, push the
nuclear button or abandon Western Europe. Would an American President push the
button knowing he was sentencing 100 million Americans to death?

How does another expert see it? John Taylor, editor of Janes All the World's
Aircraft, a former designer of planes himself -- including those that saved
Britain in World War II -- tells his version of what could happen in middle
Europe. Mr. Taylor gets specific. He says the Russians now have something
they haven't had before -- a helicopter such as we have that can -- QUOTE --
"dash in and shoot up everything in sight". UNQUOTE -- They have two versions;
one carrying eight combat soldiers but also four anti-tank missiles and 128
rockets. The other is a specialized gunship with much the same weaponry plus
see-in-the-dark sensors that give it day-or-night, all-weather capability.

These helicopters are stationed at the north and south ends of the NATO line.
In a confrontation they'd scoot around our NATO forces, shoot up everything in
sight and land their troops behind our lines. They also have a new fighter-bomber,
similar to our F-111. Then there is the Russian Backfire bomber, which Taylor
says is, in fact, a strategic bomber capable of hitting targets all over the U.S.
Mr. Taylor also says our B-1 bomber, which we aren't going to make is far
superior to the Backfire.

By coincidence there is another gentleman named Taylor, also British. But
this one is General Sir Walter Taylor, who spent almost half his 40 years of
soldiering in active operations from the tropics to Europe in World War II. He
was Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, Northern Europe from 1969 to 72. He, too,
sees us threatened by conventional forces.

He sees Russia's grand design as an outflanking of Europe by sea, taking
control of the sources of oil and the sea routes in the Indian Ocean, South
Atlantic and North Atlantic and, of course, dominating Western Europe. Need I add,
the Soviets already have the world's largest Navy.

The General says World War III has already begun. At this time, the weapon
is subversion. He quotes the Russians as saying, -- QUOTE -- The role of the
Red Army is to stand by, ready to shake the tree when the rotten fruit is ready
to fall". -- UNQUOTE. They'd have a longer time to wait if we started producing
B-1 bombers.

We have another weapon - not yet in production with much debate as to
whether it ever should be.

Next broadcast, I'll talk about it. 

This is Ronald Reagan.

Thanks for listening.
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