Bush Declines to Criticize Gorbachev Over Lithuania

President Bush today declined to criticize Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev’s order that Lithuanians surrender arms and said there are “certain realities” that govern Moscow’s control over the rebellious republic.

“I am convinced the answer is peaceful discussion between the parties. . . . I believe they can talk and work out these problems,” Bush said.

Bush took questions from reporters after participating in a tree-planting ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House.

He passed up an opportunity to criticize Gorbachev’s order and said he is certain that neither side in the conflict wants to see force used.

Bush said he takes Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze at his word in his assurances earlier this week that the Kremlin will not use force to block Lithuanian independence.

“We do not recognize the incorporation of Lithuania into the Soviet Union. However, there are certain realities in life. Lithuanians are well aware of them. And they should talk, as they are, to the Soviet officials, about these differences,” Bush said.

In other remarks, the President:

- Sought anew to quiet Polish fears about Poland’s limited role in talks on German unification, saying that “a nuance of difference” remains between the Poles and Germans on the border question and that “they are very, very close now.”

- Said it is for the “state of Idaho to decide” whether to enact a bill that would be one of the nation’s most restrictive anti-abortion statutes. But, he said, “I have not changed my position at all” in opposition to abortions except to save the life of the mother or in cases of incest or rape.

- Said that no date has yet been set for his summit in June with Gorbachev but that most of the work will be done in Washington.