Nordic role in NATO needs beef-up panel says

House Armed Services Committee leaders who recently toured Europe said Monday that Norway and Denmark needed to increase theit defense contributions to NATO. "Nordic countries are vital to the security of the Western world and they must begin to assume a higher degree of risk involved," said Rep. W. C. (Dan) Daniel (D) of Virginia.

Rep. William L. Dickinson (R) of Alabama added that while a future war might not be won on NATO's northern flank, "it could be lost in that strategic area."

But Mr. Daniel praised defense developments in the United Kingdom. "They have definitely turned the corner on defense since our last visit to Britain two years ago. They are now firmly committed to real growth in their defenses.