Finally Mr. Reagan views an arms pact as the crowning achievement of his Administration.

With deep feeling, the President defended the arms pact as being "different than anything else that's ever been attempted before in arms negotiations between our two countries."

Differences over these two issues are the main obstacles to a strategic arms pact.

An agreement on aircraft has been the principal barrier to a new conventional arms pact.

Indeed, some conservative critics began to question whether there was even any point in completing a complex new conventional arms pact.

And moving toward a conventional arms accord appears to be a higher priority for the Bush Administration than wrapping up a strategic arms pact.

If the Soviet leader wants an arms pact that can free resources for the Russian economy, now is the time to offer realistic proposals.

Mr. Gorbachev would be helped internally by concluding an arms pact with Washington.

The Senate is scheduled to begin floor consideration of the arms pact on May 9.

Congressional experts generally agree the arms pact will probably be approved by the Senate.