Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 7, 1990 TAG: 9007070376
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HOUSTON LENGTH: Medium
Aboard Air Force One en route to Houston and another round of summitry, this time with the leaders of the seven most industrialized nations, Bush boasted that the "London Declaration," issued earlier in the day by the NATO leaders, "was the United States draft." And "that shaped the new direction for NATO."
The president's design for a remodeled Western alliance gained unusually easy approval, but he remained in the minority opposed to direct financial aid to the Soviet Union. Most European NATO members say such aid would help stabilize a deteriorating Soviet economy and send a positive political signal.
Bush ruled out direct assistance pending changes in Soviet military spending and its huge support for Cuba, but he indicated the United States might be willing to accord the Kremlin some trading credits.
The Soviet aid question is bound to be a major topic at the Houston economic summit.
During the 10-hour flight, Bush was informed that Eduard Shevardnadze, the Soviet foreign minister, had said NATO's "decisions . . . move in the right direction and pave the way to a safe future for the entire European continent." The president called that reaction "very interesting. And very positive."
Bush confided he had received a recent communication from Mikhail Gorbachev, but he merely wink ed and smiled when asked what it said.
In London, Bush achieved his goal of preserving - at least for now - a NATO that is the main instrument of U.S. influence in Europe while pushing it toward changes that could make it more acceptable to the Soviet Union.
France in particular has promoted the idea of diluting the influence of both military blocs - NATO and the nearly dead Warsaw Pact that the Soviets dominated throughout the Cold War. Paris wants a pan-European organization such as the 35-nation Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe to play a bigger role.
"This is indeed a day of renewal for the Atlantic community," Bush said. "For more than 40 years we've looked for this day . . . and now that day is here and all peoples from the Atlantic to the Urals, from the Baltic to the Adriatic can share in its promise."
The president managed to overcome initial skepticism from Britain on his idea of modifying NATO's nuclear strategy by declaring nuclear arms "weapons of last resort." But he remained at odds with West Germany and France on direct financial aid to the Soviet Union.
West Germany has suggested a $15 billion Western aid package for Moscow. The matter is expected to be discussed in more detail at the Houston economic summit.
"If the Germans decide they want to do that, that's their business, but I have made very clear to those who have spoken to me about this . . . we have some serious problems and I have not been under any false colors about that at all," Bush said.
Bush also acknowledged that he faced growing opposition in Congress to keeping a large U.S. troop presence in Europe. He said the NATO reforms adopted could help him persuade critics the troops are necessary.
"I view it as my responsibility to make clear to the American taxpayer why it is in our interest to help keep the peace. And that's exactly what these forces are engaged in," he said.
by CNB