The World - News from Dec. 19, 1986

Soviet scientists say they could trick or overcome a “Star Wars” defense system in space with a combination of orbiting mines, lasers, new missiles and other devices. A panel, made up of the country’s top researchers, physicists and academics, summed up its findings in a report made public at a Moscow news conference. The study represents the first detailed statement on possible Soviet responses to the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative. It calls the system fragile, complex and vulnerable and says it could be overwhelmed or circumvented for “a fraction” of the billions of dollars “Star Wars” is expected to cost.