News In Brief

Top US negotiator says US seeks arms control talks

The United States is ready to offer a cut in its missile and bomber arsenal as well as discuss controls on ''Star Wars'' satellite weapons, for similar concessions by the Soviet Union, a top US official said Friday.

''We are ready to reduce the number of planned bombers and air-launched cruise missiles if the Soviets will reduce their ballistic missiles and their capability,'' Ambassador Edward Rowny, the chief US nuclear arms negotiator, said Friday.

''Informal contacts through diplomatic sources'' indicated the Soviets would be receptive to negotiations on those lines, he said at a news conference at the US Embassy here.

''The United States is ready to resume negotiations at any time, without preconditions on nuclear arms reductions,'' Mr. Rowny said.