P.M. BRIEFING : Gorbachev in Spain to Talk Credit
Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev traveled to Spain today and immediately embarked on negotiations to receive about $1-billion worth of credits in Spanish consumer goods desperately needed by the beleaguered Soviet economy.
Gorbachev, accompanied by his wife, Raisa, landed shortly before 1 p.m. at Madrid Airport, where he was received by socialist Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez and Foreign Minister Francisco Fernandez Ordonez.
Officials said the main subject of business will be an estimated $1-billion credit package that would be used by the Soviets to buy Spanish consumer goods and industrial equipment.
The Spanish newspaper El Pais said the Spanish side has offered to increase the sum to $1.5 billion, but officials at Gonzalez’s office declined to comment on the report.
The six-day European swing will also take Gorbachev to France, and to underline his intent on active European diplomacy, the Soviet leader was accompanied by Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze.
“We are prepared and want to share actively in all European issues, including the new security structure, and pan-European system of interaction in the economy, ecology, energy, information and culture,” Gorbachev told El Pais.
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