The World - News from Feb. 14, 1988

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is ready to allow up to 60 more U.S. F-111 nuclear-armed bombers to be stationed in Britain after the withdrawal of U.S. intermediate-range missiles, the Sunday Times of London reported. A Defense Ministry spokesman added that no decision has been reached on strengthening defense after cruise missiles are removed from two U.S. bases in Britain over the next five years. North Atlantic Treaty Organization leaders have expressed fears that the new Soviet-U.S. treaty abolishing nuclear missiles with a range between 300 and 3,400 miles could expose weaknesses in Western defenses. There are currently 150 F-111s in Britain.