West Germans see merit in Romanian arms proposals
| Bonn
West German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher has praised aspects of Romania's latest disarmament proposals, but Western analysts said the proposals, directed at both Moscow and Washington, disguise the limits of Bucharest's freedom within the Soviet bloc.
The proposals are designed to maintain the image of Romania's independence within the Warsaw Pact, but they differ little in substance from the policy of Soviet leader Yuri Andropov, the analysts said.
The Romanians urged the Kremlin to return to negotiations and said Moscow should halt preparations for new nuclear missiles in East Germany and Czechoslovakia in retaliation for NATO missile deployment.
Genscher said Friday after receiving the proposals that he welcomed Romania's recognition of the principle of nuclear balance between the two sides, and the proposal to leave French and British nuclear arms out of negotiations.
