News In Brief

Conventional-force talks are breaking off in Vienna

East-West talks on reducing conventional forces in Europe are to be broken off for the time being as the Soviet bloc reappraises its strategy of consultations with the West, diplomatic sources said.

The talks are to recess today with no set date for resumption. The Soviets told Warsaw Pact and NATO ambassadors at the 19-nation conference a date would be set later.

After last month's suspension of the two Geneva conferences on limiting strategic and medium-range nuclear weapons, the breakoff here will mean a stop to all existing forums of East-West discussion on arms.