European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 7, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Inside stripes a first american files in Mig-29page 3 a Busty praises servicewomen for Panama  4 a the far Side of Gary Larson daily Magazine a clippers win in Boston Garden sports Page 21  unofficial. Publication Forth a red Force vol. 48, no. 265 sunday january 7, 1990 Good morning we a sunday d 8693 a Bush hints at possible Noriega plea bargain Washington Nytz a president Bush on Friday left open the door for Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega to try to arrange a reduction of the charges in his drug trafficking Case. But the president said he a is not seeking a Deal Bush s remarks came at a news conference one Day after a senior Justice department official said the administration was willing to consider plea negotiations with the deposed panamanian Leader if he were willing to provide information about colombian drug dealers. Bush also announced that vice president Dan Quayle was being sent to latin America to reassure leaders there that the United Stales was a Friendly neighbor not in Leric std in flexing Power throughout the Region. David Rund spokesman for the Justice do Bush part mint said attorney general Dick Thornburgh would not offer a plea bargain. Quot As in any other criminal Case if a defendant comes in and wants to say something we have an obligation to hear that person  Runkel added. These comments added to the impression that the administration plans to prosecute but does not want to foreclose a Chance to avoid a protracted and potentially difficult trial that could involve the disclosure of classified information about Noriega a links to . Intelligence agencies. Bush has said he was not concerned that Noriega might try to use classified information to undermine the govern men s Case against him. He also said he did not think that his own contacts with the general As Cia director and As vice president were relevant to the trial. Noriega worked on his defense strategy with his lawyers Friday in Miami. One of Noriega s lawyers said the defense would argue that Noriega was brought to the United states illegally As a political prisoner. Bush said he was worried about latin american criticism of the invasion and was dispatching Quayle to assure . Allies that the operation did not signal a return to gunboat diplomacy. Bush said he and Secretary of state James a. Baker i also had been working to convince latin american leaders that the situation in Panama had been unique. Bush said he believed he governments Case against Noriega was Strong. Quot our government is not seeking a Deal with Noriega a Bush said Reading a prepared  policy remains that we have brought him to this country for  but in response to questions about w Hether prosecutors would consider a request for a Pica agreement. Bush said Noriega a is entitled to do whatever is granted him under our  clearly sensitive to the possibility that Noriega might try to use the extensive publicity surrounding his Case a including the presidents own attacks on him. As a defense tactic a Bush said he would make no further comment on the Legal proceedings. The president bristled when asked if he had been aware of any drug trafficking activity by Noriega during his earlier contacts with the panamanian. Bush has denied any knowledge of such activity by Noriega Gorbachev meetings postponed by unrest a. Moscow apr president Mikhail s Gorbachev has put off appointments with foreign visitors  being to Deal with Domestic unrest and the political crisis in Lithuania a senior official said Friday Quot we have Many problems right now a explained the communist party official and confirmed news reports / that Gorbachev had postponed planned meetings  Britain a labor party Leader Neit Kinlock and other i amp eign dignitaries. / the reports sent share prices on the Tokyo Swik Exchange into their worst plunge since oct. 16, g reaction that demonstrated How closely Gorbachev i linked by Many in the West to the reductions in East West tensions he has pursued since becoming  in March 1985. / Gorbachev s Calendar is rarely made Public and foreign visitors sometimes come Urmo scow expecting to gain an audience with him but �u1 to do so. Whenever he disappears from the Public Eft speculation about his activities and even his health becomes Rife. The Kremlin Leader uhf last seen on stale run television delivering a taped new years eve address to the nation dec. 31. Malacow based official Media did not report on a Clos amp Woor meeting he had thursday with lithuanian party leaders who said afterwards he failed to Sway them Fri Rte their decision to split from the 20 Mil lion member ruling party and pursue local Independence. X Quot to Japan the worst thing Ilia could happen to the world Scep Rio would be for Gorbachev to drop from sight Quot and Chris Schreiber an investment analyst with pan securities. Gorbachev is regarded in Japan As Tyr they to global stability he said. Che presidents efforts to Reform Soviel society and politics have created troubles at Home however. More than is people have died nationwide in ethnic unrest in two year rapid in an atmosphere of growing rest Veness among the sell Union s Many ethnic groups the dec. 21 vote by a con Cwg of lithuanian communists to break with Moscow Coulett Ggaer a Stampede from Central party control elsewhere. That Tannian communist party threw its support to the  in the dispute with Moscow a Moscow journalist  More than seven decades of recognized local party sch Vic acc to the Kremlin. The soviet communist party official speak Traon condition of anonymity died disturbances in  along the iranian Border As Well As the lithuanian set top Tion As leading to Gorbachev s decision to put off foreign appointments. Soviet azerbaijanis have tried for most of the past week to Force open the Frontier and reunite with their ethnic counterparts in Iran tearing Down guard Lowers and prompting the Kab to reinforce Security along the Frontier. Gen. Colin Powell conducts news conference by former panamanian defense forces Headquarters. Powell expects Quick pullout from Panama by the Washington Post Panama City Panama a Gen. Colin Powell chairman of the joint chiefs of staff predicted at the end of a Short inspection trip Friday that . Invasion troops can be withdrawn from Panama Quot Over the next several  the gradual pullout would reduce . Troop strength from 25,400, already slightly Down from the 26,000-troop level reached just after the dec. 20 invasion to a longstanding total of about 10,000 army Navy and air Force personnel permanently stationed at . Bases in Panama a military spokesman said. A we wish to lower our profile and reduce our forces As quickly As circumstances permit a Powell told reporters before departing. A but even after we remove All the additional forces that came Down with operation just cause there will still be a residual . Force Here As there has been for some time Quot Powell refused to outline a specific withdrawal schedule saying he first would make recommendations to defense Secretary Dick Cheney. His caution seemed to reflect the difficulty of balancing . Goals As the invasion that ousted Manuel a. Nonga evolves into a longer term see pullout on Back Paga