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?U General Gerd Bastian speaking in English.
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SPEECH (TRANSCRIPT)



BASTIAN (SEQ 1): "...If a general is convinced that the new nuclear arms race cause of NATO will not improve our security but will make a nuclear war, especially a nuclear war in Europe more probable, he has the duty to oppose against this nonsense. And therefore I am fighting side by side with millions of people in our countries against more nuclear weapons in Europe and for a nuclear free zone in our continent."



SPEECH (TRANSCRIPT) BASTILAN: "... Not Mr. Schmidt's policy along but the policy of the United States which is supported by Mr. Schmidt may be has this undesirable result. The decision to bring a new generation of highly dangerous nuclear weapons to Europe beginning eighty-three is not the answer to match the strength of the armament of the other side how it is said. They are instruments, these new weapons in Europe, which don't improve the nuclear deterrent of the area but give the possibility to wage and win a limited nuclear war. Now President Reagan has confined this in these last days and therefore the European peoples have the duty to prevent this direction and this step in the wrong direction."





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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTRODUCTION: A retired West German army general has joined the ranks of those opposed to nuclear proliferation and he has denounced the NATO policy of sitting more powerful nuclear missiles in Europe. He's General Gerd Bastian, former commander of the 12th Panzer Division in the West German army. He was asked why a military man would be opposed to nuclear weapons.

SYNOPSIS: Would the German leader, Mr. Schmidt's policy turn Germany into a battlefield?