Weinberger to ask Europe for more help on the Gulf

US Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger will ask West European allies this week for more help in defending the Gulf, possibly including an international strike force, a senior Pentagon official said. The official, who asked not to be identified, said the administration's plans for the US rapid-development force would be a major topic at the NATO meeting opening Tuesday in Brussels.

The official said Mr. Weinberger would tell the allies the new plan to create an independent command for the force would not in any way dilute the US commitment to Western Europe or its ability to defend NATO in event of Soviet attack.