The World : France Expels 3 Soviets

France ordered the expulsions of three Soviet Embassy staff members in the wake of the discovery of an alleged Soviet espionage operation mounted against the European Ariane rocket program. The Foreign Ministry said the Soviet ambassador was told that France was demanding the recall of the three employees within eight days. Their names and positions were not released. Government sources said embassy personnel led a spy ring that sought information on engines of the Ariane, the chief competitor to the U.S. space shuttle for commercial satellite launchings. The Soviets have denied the charges.