Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 16, 1990                   TAG: 9007160270
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A/1   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MOSCOW                                LENGTH: Medium

KOHL: GORBACHEV AGREES GERMANY CAN BELONG TO NATO

Kohl spoke at a joint news conference with Gorbachev in southern Russia that was broadcast live on West German television.

He said he and the Soviet president had agreed that a unified Germany will be free to choose which alliance it will belong to, and Kohl had told Gorbachev that Germany wanted to stay in NATO.

Kohl also announced agreement on several other major issues, including a timetable for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from East German territory and the size of the armed forces for a united Germany.

The chancellor was speaking at the end of a two-day visit to the Soviet Union and talks with Gorbachev aimed at removing Soviet concerns over German unification. The news conference was held in Zhelosnovodsk, in southern Russia.

Kohl said that Soviet troops should be withdrawn from East German territory three to four years after Germany is united. The Soviets now have about 380,000 troops in East Germany.

During the same period, the armed forces of a united Germany will be reduced to 370,000 men, Kohl said. The combined strength of the East and West German armed forces is now about 600,000, with West Germany providing 480,000 men.

Kohl said the rights of the four World War II victorious powers will cease immediately after unification, but that their troops could stay in Berlin as long as the Soviet troops are in East Germany.

He said a united Germany and the Soviet Union will sign a comprehensive treaty that will govern all aspects of their bilateral relations.

The two leaders were in southern Russia after a visit Sunday to Gorbachev's home region, Stavropol.

The Soviet leader said he thought the "fresh air" of the northern Caucasus mountains would help both leaders formulate their thoughts clearly, Tass reported.

It was Kohl's second visit to the Soviet Union since February and Gorbachev's hospitality indicated the Soviets seek close ties with the economically powerful Germans.

Tass said parallel talks were held Sunday between Foreign Ministers Eduard Shevardnadze and Hans Dietrich Genscher as well as Finance Ministers Valentin Pavlov and Theo Waigel.

During Kohl's visit, the two leaders discussed how West German economic aid can help Gorbachev restructure - and revive - the ailing Soviet economy.