German OK of Arms Plan Sets Stage for NATO Accord: Reagan : President Hails Bonn Endorsement of Missile Cuts

President Reagan today embraced West Germany’s endorsement of a Soviet offer for the removal of medium- and short-range missiles in Europe and said it “sets the stage” for establishing a NATO consensus on the key arms control issue.

“I am confident that based on discussions with NATO and those that will occur here in Venice, a foundation will be laid for equal and verifiable global constraints on U.S. and Soviet (short-range and medium-range) missiles in the near future,” Reagan said in a statement released as he prepared at a nearby hotel for next week’s economic summit.

Presidential spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said the United States and Soviet Union have moved closer to having a superpower summit.

“It’s probably fair to say this moves us a little closer, but we have not discussed specifics with the Soviets. The welcome mat is out. The invitation remains there,” Fitzwater said.

NATO Unity Cited

Reagan’s statement followed a speech in Bonn by Chancellor Helmut Kohl to the West German Parliament. In that address, Kohl said that it was difficult to back the Soviet offer but that Bonn had done so in the interest of NATO unity.

Kohl’s center-right coalition had been decidedly cool to accepting the pact but agreed several days ago to accept it with an important condition: that West Germany be allowed to keep its 72-Pershing 1A missiles that have U.S. nuclear warheads.

Fitzwater said the United States takes the position that arms negotiations are conducted between Washington and Moscow and that other countries’ missiles are not involved.

In a statement, released as he relaxed at a luxurious 17th-Century villa outside Venice, Reagan said Bonn’s decision “sets the stage for establishing a common NATO position at the coming foreign ministers meeting in Reykjavik” immediately after the seven-nation summit next week.

He said that once a consensus is reached, he will instruct U.S. negotiators in Geneva to incorporate it into the U.S. bargaining position.

Consultations With Allies

Without directly mentioning Kohl’s reservations about the proposal, Reagan said that U.S. negotiations on medium-range missiles “have always been characterized by close consultations with our friends and allies in both Europe and Asia.”

He added, “I commend (Kohl) on the leadership he has shown on this issue.”

Fitzwater said the arms control issue will be one of the topics Reagan raises when he confers, beginning Monday, with the leaders of Britain, France, West Germany, Canada, Italy and Japan.

He said he was sure the allies would want to make sure the United States understands their position.

Earlier today, Italian opponents of capital punishment protested outside Reagan’s villa and demanded a pre-summit audience.

Security forces refused entry to the group, led by two members of Italy’s Parliament. They carried signs reading, “Welcome President (Reagan) in a country where there is no death penalty.”

The protesters, numbering about 40, tried to enter the grounds at several points but were rebuffed.