Carter Conference

WASHINGTON--President Carter yesterday vowed to continue to fight against inflation even if it proves politically disastrous.

Speaking in a nationally broadcast press-conference, Carter also said that he was "somewhat discouraged" by the slowdown in Mid-East peace negotiations, but added that he thought the peace process was experiencing only "temporary setbacks."

Speaking about last week's mass suicide by members of the People's Temple, Carter said that the nation should not overreact by trying "to inject government into religion."

Carter also said that his goal was to increase the level of defense expenditure so that it more than keeps pace with inflation. He refused, however, to cite a specific figure for the increase.