Unemployment nationwide declined to 10.2 percent last month because military personnel were included in the computation for the first time and President Reagan proclaimed the economy is “on the move.” Reagan, citing the new report and a brighter retail sales picture, told reporters he did not expect to see’ joblessness top the post-Depression 10.8 percent rate of December. “Unemployment has finally started down,” he said. Reagan reiterated the administration’s contention •that a recovery is underway and said it would create 4.5 million new jobs by the end of 1984.
Meanwhile, Independent truckers in day five began the nationwide strike Monday to protest proposed federal increases in fuel taxes and highway user fees. The strike has been marred by numerous shootings and acts of vandalism. Truckers here last night vowed to continue “until we shut the country down,” in the words of one man. “You’re shut down now, you stay shut down, and let’s see how they can eat,” said Frank Brown, chairman of the local association. Independent truckers move much of the nation’s fresh produce.
And Vice President Bush said that he has asked America’s NATO allies to propose alternatives to the U.S. negotiating strategy at talks with the Soviet Union aimed at reducing medium-range missiles. Mr. Bush said at a news conference that in a series of private consultations he had asked the leaders of West Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium to suggest new approaches to arms limitations other than the Reagan administration’s zero option. He reiterated U.S. support of the zero option, which calls for eliminating modern classes of Soviet intermediate range missiles in return for a decision by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to forgo scheduled deployment of 572 U.S. Pershing 2 and cruise missiles. On the 5th day of his 12-day, seven-nation European tour, the vice president said, “The only argument’ anyone has made against the zero option is that the Soviets don’t like it.”
And that’s a little of what went on, this fourth day of February in 1983, as presented by The CBS World News Roundup.
