W. Germany Charges Ex-U.S. Soldier Knowingly Exposed Others to AIDS

A former U.S. serviceman has been jailed on suspicion of knowingly exposing others to the AIDS virus, officials said Friday.

In another case, a warrant was issued for a prostitute accused of continuing her trade after she was told she was carrying the virus.

The disclosures came as a state committee prepared to discuss a proposal that would require mandatory registration of AIDS carriers.

State Justice Ministry spokesman Bernhard Kwittel said the detention of the American, whose name was not disclosed, was the first arrest in West Germany for the possible transmission of the deadly acquired immune deficiency syndrome. He said the man, who has been in investigative custody here for two weeks, could be charged with causing bodily harm or worse.

Stars and Stripes, the unofficial daily newspaper for the U.S. military community, said the arrested man was a former military cook well known in homosexual circles in Nuremberg.

Sgt. Ralph Munson, a spokesman at the U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, said military officials are aware of the arrest but had no further information on the case.

Kwittel said Bavarian state authorities are also seeking a Munich prostitute who allegedly continued to practice her trade after her public health permit was revoked when she was found to be carrying the AIDS virus. Prostitution is legal in West Germany, and permits to practice it are based on regular medical checkups.

Federal Health Ministry officials estimate between 30,000 and 100,000 people in West Germany are carrying the AIDS virus.