Bush Sees Shift From East-West Confrontation to Economic Ties

Stating that the Soviet Union may be in a “state of radical change,” President Bush said Thursday that a historic shift may be under way from East-West military confrontation to a global emphasis on economic relationships.

In an interview at the American ambassador’s residence here on the final day of his first trip to Europe as President, Bush said that as Moscow changes, “Our doctrine need no longer be containing a militarily aggressive Soviet Union. It means a united Europe. It means a Europe without as many artificial boundaries.”

As this occurs, on a timetable he would not predict, U.S. policy “will be substantially different because we won’t be dealing with as much emphasis on military deterrence,” Bush said. “We will be dealing much more with openness and reformed economies.”

Fresh from an allied summit meeting in which he assumed the mantle of Western leadership with the aid of surprise initiatives, Bush seemed at ease but not euphoric, almost serene in his new role.

Asked how he has adjusted to near-universal applause instead of criticism of his slow, cautious approach, Bush said with a grin, “I’m the same guy I was four days ago.”

A reflective Bush discussed changes occuring in the Communist world and offered his view of how the United States can respond, including extensive reference to “the vision thing,” as he lightheartedly called it.

Bush also said:

-- The Soviet Union should continue to “lighten up” its dominance of Eastern Europe, which the President termed “the most exciting area for change in the world” right now. But he does not believe the time is right for U.S. discussions with the Soviets on individual countries of Eastern Europe lest this be seen as an attempt to “divide things up with the Soviets.”

-- Chinese leaders will be unable “to put the democratic genie back in the bottle” after the extensive demonstrations there even if they wish to do so.

-- Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev’s statement to Bush in a letter that Moscow has ceased sending weapons to Nicaragua was not a surprise because Gorbachev had said much the same during the 1987 Washington summit.

The president’s national security adviser, Brent Scowcroft, who sat in on the interview, said the Soviets have stopped supplying “major lethal weapons” to Nicaragua but that arms flows from other Communist countries continue.

Bush said he would like to see change in the Soviet attitude toward Nicaragua.