Gorbachev OKs Germany in NATO : Gives Blessing in Talks With Kohl; Bush Hails New Stance

Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev gave his reluctant blessing today to a united Germany in NATO, a move that alliance diplomats in Brussels said solves the biggest problem of the post-Cold War era.

Gorbachev stressed that a united Germany must choose its alliance, leaving unclear whether Moscow wants the matter decided at the “two-plus-four” talks between the two Germanys and the four victorious World War II allies.

Nonetheless Gorbachev’s first clear endorsement of a Germany in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization marked a major breakthrough in two days of talks with West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.

“Whether we like it or not, the time will come when a united Germany will be in NATO if that is its choice,” Gorbachev said. “Then, if that is the choice, to some degree and in some form, it can work together with the Soviet Union.”

In Washington, President Bush today welcomed Gorbachev’s change of position.

“This comment demonstrates statesmanship and strengthens efforts to build enduring relationships based on cooperation,” Bush said in a written statement.

Gorbachev spoke at a joint news conference with Kohl at the south Russian spa town of Mineralnye Vody where the two leaders concluded their talks.

Moscow had previously insisted that membership of a united Germany in NATO could upset the balance of power in Europe.

Kohl said he and Gorbachev agreed that the rights of the four Allied powers--the United States, the Soviet Union, France and Britain--will end once Germany is united.

But Moscow will be given three to four years to withdraw its 350,000 troops from what is now East Germany under an agreement to be worked out between united Germany and the Soviet Union.

During this transition period, Kohl said, the Allies will be allowed to keep troops in Berlin and NATO structures will not be extended to today’s East Germany.

Kohl also said Bonn accepted a ceiling of 370,000 men in the new German army, to be achieved in three or four years.