US asked by NATO allies for close ties on START

America's NATO allies have asked Washington to consult them closely on the US-Soviet strategic-arms reduction talks (START) expected to begin by the summer , diplomatic sources said.

The request for consultations was made at the end of a two-day meeting of NATO defense ministers, which was expected to issue a communique conveying strong support for a decision to deploy new missiles in Europe in 1983 if no progress was made at the Geneva talks on limiting European medium-range nuclear missiles.