SALT, n.3
(sɒlt, -ɔː-)
Also S.A.L.T., Salt.
[Acronym f. the initials of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks.]
Negotiations, involving esp. the U.S.A. and the Soviet Union, aimed at the limitation or reduction of nuclear armaments. Freq. attrib.
The last element, which is freq. redundant in attrib. uses, is also understood as Treaty.
| 1968 Mrs. L. B. Johnson White House Diary 1 July (1970) 693 When and where the talks would start, we do not know. They are being referred to as Strategic Arms Limitation Talks. (SALT). 1969 New Scientist 14 Aug. 314/2 The progress of SALT is likely also to be slow. 1972 Guardian 6 June 4/4 The Secretary for Defence..told Congress today that the United States could not afford to relax its defence effort in spite of the SALT agreement. 1973 E. Osers tr. Waldheim's Austrian Example xv. 196 The first ceilings set by the Salt Talks may prove to be an important landmark in limiting the arms race. 1975 Daily Tel. 23 Sept. 14/3 Whether the SALT discussions were a success or not is a matter of embittered controversy. 1976 Survey Summer-Autumn 24 The need for a further agreement in SALT remains paramount, given the threat to human survival posed by the nuclear arms race. 1979 Sci. Amer. Feb. 30/1 As the Senate prepares to debate the ratification of the new treaty emerging from the second round of strategic-arms-limitation talks (S.A.L.T. II) between the two superpowers. |