Reagan Tells U.N. He Sees Moment of Hope for Peace

President Reagan told the United Nations in a farewell speech today that this was “a moment of hope” for peace in the world and that a new U.S.-Soviet treaty to sharply reduce nuclear arms may be concluded next year.

He called for an international war on drug traffickers, terrorism and hostage-taking, and vowed to maintain U.S. support for an armed insurgency against the leftist government of Nicaragua.

He said the Sandinistas were pursuing “the oldest, most corrupt vice of all--man’s age-old will to power, his lust to control the lives and steal the freedoms of others.”

But with his presidency nearing an end, Reagan struck a mostly philosophical stance as he told the 43rd General Assembly session of 159 nations that civil wars and foreign occupations are giving way around the world.

Reagan said the trend was spurred by “a new era in Soviet-American relations” marked by the continuing withdrawal of the Red Army from Afghanistan and a treaty last year to abolish intermediate-range nuclear missiles.

He said American and Soviet negotiators were making steady progress on another accord to sharply reduce long-range bombers, missiles and submarines. While completion of the pact this year was “highly doubtful,” Reagan said, “I can tell you a year from now (it) is a possibility, more than a possibility.”