Kohl, Gorbachev Call for Strategic Missile Cuts : Leaders Also Urge Conventional Forces Balance and Ban on Chemical Arms

West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev signed an agreement here Tuesday calling on the United States and the Soviet Union to seek a 50% reduction in strategic nuclear missiles.

The two leaders also urged a new “balance of conventional forces” at a lower level in Europe and a worldwide ban on chemical weapons.

They agreed that the goal should be to reduce armaments to a level sufficient for defense “but not for attack.”

“Above all,” the declaration said, “the two sides consider it necessary to rule out the capability of armed forces for launching surprise attack and initiating large-scale offensive action.”

‘Exceptionally Important’

Gorbachev called the document “exceptionally important” and a “turning point” in the Soviet Union’s relations with West Germany.

In addition to the joint declaration, the two leaders and their top aides signed 11 other agreements in the fields of investment, cultural exchanges, managerial training, scientific and student exchanges and narcotics abuse. They also established a Bonn-Moscow hot line.

Gorbachev topped off the second morning of his four-day visit with a stop at Bonn’s old city hall, where in the square outside, he was greeted by a throng chanting, “Gorby! Gorby! Gorby!”

Later, in Kohl’s office, they signed the declaration, which said both countries will “contribute toward overcoming the division of Europe.”

The divided city of Berlin was mentioned only in passing. But afterward Gorbachev told reporters that time should decide the question of German reunification.

‘Changing for the Better’

Asked about this touchiest question in Soviet-German relations, Gorbachev said: “Let time decide. I think that the world is changing and changing for the better, and it is opening possibilities for better contacts between all states. If we are wise and farsighted, then a good number of profound changes can take place in Europe and in the whole world.”

West German government spokesman Hans Klein was asked whether Kohl had received a favorable answer about dismantling the Berlin Wall, and he replied, “I’m afraid not.”

But he said that Kohl, being a realistic politician, did not expect any surprise statement about eventually tearing down the Wall.

The six-page joint declaration said that in Europe, every country must have the “right to choose freely its own political and social system.”

On the subject of arms control, the two leaders advocated:

-- A 50% reduction of U.S. and Soviet strategic nuclear weapons, to be worked out in the Geneva talks that are to be resumed Monday.

-- Observance of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

-- A balance in conventional forces in Europe at below present levels.

-- A worldwide, verifiable ban on chemical weapons as soon as possible.

-- A verifiable nuclear test ban as soon as possible.

-- Further confidence-building measures including greater “transparency” of military arsenals and budgets, as well as effective international mechanisms for managing crises.

Treaty Obligations

As if to reassure allies on both sides of the East-West divide, the declaration emphasized that “this policy takes account of each side’s treaty and alliance obligations; it is not directed against anyone.”

In an afternoon meeting with the West German business community in Cologne, Gorbachev said the Soviet Union would like to increase its level of trade with West Germany.

But, he said, “if the Federal Republic wishes to secure access to Soviet markets, it should begin by offering strategic projects rather than trifling ventures.”

He chided West German businessmen for not allowing more Soviet imports into their markets, but he admitted that the Soviets could do more to make cooperation easier.

No Modern Miracles

Sounding like a businessman himself, Gorbachev declared: “You know better than I do that opening up new markets always requires major initial investment and smooth cooperative relations. There are no miracles in modern business.”

He said the Soviet Union is drawing up plans for “price reform, foreign trade legislation, new customs tariffs, and import licensing” that would allow the country “to switch to market arrangements.”

“In other words,” he said, “we are building a fundamentally new mechanism to govern our foreign economic relations.”

Summing up for West German businessmen and financiers, Gorbachev said: “Recently, many things have changed in East-West relations. There is less suspicion and fear and more trust. Political and cultural ‘Iron Curtains’ are now falling apart. However, economic as well as scientific and technological ties can also be a litmus test, showing whether one’s policy is sincere and whether one’s deeds match one’s words.”

Klein, the West German spokesman, compared the Gorbachev visit to that of President Bush two weeks ago by noting that Kohl got along with both presidents, and that all three leaders preferred informal sessions.

He said Kohl was naturally more comfortable with Bush because “you discuss things differently with a friend than with a potential new partner.”

FAREWELL TO ARMS

The declaration signed by Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev and West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl calls for:

50% reduction in U.S. and Soviet strategic nuclear missiles.

Worldwide, verifiable ban on chemical weapons.

Observance of 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

Balance in conventional forces in Europe below present levels.

Verifiable nuclear test ban.