Brezhnev asks for a ban on outside bases in Gulf

Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev proposed a "hands off the Gulf," pact under which all outside military bases in the area would be banned. The Soviet President, speaking to members of India's Parliament, said he was putting forward a "doctrine of peace and security" under which all powers would pledge not to interfere with free use of the sea lanes between the Gulf and the rest of the world. The pact would also ban the deployment of nuclear weapons in the area and involve pledges by all states not to interfere in the Gulf countries' internal affairs.

Mr. Brezhnev introduced his proposal by saying the Gulf and the Indian Ocean were becoming an increasingly dangerous seat of international tension. He said his offer was being made to the United states, other Western powers, China, Japan, and all states that displayed interest.