July 8, 1977

5 inmates killed and 71 injured as fire sweeps through crowded cellblock at Fed Prison in Danbury, Conn; authorities say that fire was deliberately set and that high injury toll was caused by confusion and panic; acting prison life; fire prevention measures at some insts discussed (M)

Fed officials say inquiry into Hoffa's disappearance has collapsed (M)

NY-NJ Port Auth comrs unanimously extend indefinitely 13-mo-old 'temporary' ban against Concorde landings at Kennedy Internatl Airport; cite repts from tech consultants on craft's excessive noise; say more time is needed to study findings; auth Chmn Alan Sagner says there will be no final agency decision on Concorde until after Fed Govt rules on permanent landing rights at Washington Natl Airport; Queens Boro Pres Donald Manes to seek ct decision forcing auth to formulate standards for supersonic aircraft (M)

5-mo interagency Carter Adm study finds US and USSR in rough strategic balance and sees future trends as more favorable than Ford Adm thought; reptdly finds USSR buildup has slowed down and is being effectively offset by steps taken by US and its allies; assessment sharply contrasts with final rept of then Defense Sec Rumsfeld, who warned USSR would gain mil superiority unless US sharply increased defense spending; State Dept aide says study indicates US need not drastically increase forces, but must have some growth; study was supervised by Prof Samuel P Huntington; finds US-USSR tics now incorporate both competition of cold-war era and cooperation of detente period (M)

Analysis of outlook for US-USSR ties; notes some US officials say USSR is angry over Carter's stress on human rights, which it sees as psychological warfare, and arms policies it sees aimed at giving US strategic edge; sees Carter as surprised by Russian reaction; notes Sec Vance weighs speech on East-West ties (M)