US tempers opposition to Europe-Siberia pipeline

The Reagan administration decided to avoid a conflict with its European allies over plans to build a Soviet natural gas pipeline from Siberia to Western Europe, American officials said.

Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger argued the US should bar US firms' foreign subsidiaries from providing vital equipment. But secretary of state Alexander M. Haig Jr. said the issue could crack Western-alliance unity over Poland.

Officials have now made it clear Mr. Haig's view has predominated and an upcoming trip to Europe by undersecretary of state James Buckley will not include a showdown on the issue