Reagan Optimistic on Arms

President Reagan, voicing optimism that nuclear arms cuts can be won, said the Soviet Union agreed to return to the bargaining table when it was forced to choose between arms reduction or an arms race. While the Kremlin has not responded to his proposal to meet in Geneva in early March, Reagan said he expects agreement soon on a time and place for talks on strategic arms, medium-range nuclear missiles and weapons in space. In an interview with United Press International, Reagan said Washington and Moscow are entering the new negotiations “with both sides having said their ultimate goal would be . . . to eliminate nuclear weapons entirely.”