News In Brief

Soviet Union announces deployment of cruise missiles

The Soviet Defense Ministry announced Saturday that it is putting new long-range cruise missiles in strategic bombers and submarines, saying the program would ''correspond'' in scope to US deployment of air- and sea-launched cruise missiles. The announcement also repeated Soviet statements that the military is continuing ''successful tests'' of ground-launched cruise missiles.

In Washington, a State Department spokeswoman commented on the statement, saying the Soviets had long deployed cruise missiles and Washington was aware they were developing new long-range cruise systems. She said if Moscow were seriously interested in limiting cruise missiles, it should agree to resume arms talks.