European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 28, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                \ Gorbachev ins approval for Western style presidency a Page 3the steam prices Auto sized unofficial publication Fott the , a co Fob of Good morning vol. 40. No. 317 wednesday february 20, 1990 d 8693 . Announces plan to improve nicaraguan ties Washington apr the Bush and Minn Lvalion tuesday moved toward re storing Normal relations with Nicaragua announcing it would soon lift sanctions return an ambassador to Nicaragua and assemble a package of economic Aid. A be lawmaker briefed by president Bush said the package could Amoum to hundreds of millions of dollars. White House spokesman Marlin fi1z-water said the United states is ready to help at Quot reintegrating Nicaragua into the International  hut. In a message that seemed primarily aimed at the Contra rebels Long supported by the Reagan and Bush administrations. Fit water urged restraint. He reiterated a . Call for an immediate cease fire Quot under . Supervision and that it be strictly resp Clad by All  Fil Waier a comments backed up the administration s message to Contra rebels to Quot Cool it Quot and avoid provoking a hostile sandinista response from loyalists of president Daniel Onega who was Defeated by National opposition Union candidate Violta Barrios do Chamorro in a Surprise upset during sunday s National elections. Quot we have always anticipated that the resistance would demobilize and repatriate under conditions of political Freedom and personal Security Quot Fitzwater said. Related Story Page 6. The president s spokesman said the administration would respond to the changes in Nicaragua s government with a series of Steps designed to normalize relations. Quot we intend to lift economic sanctions soon a he said referring to a series of see plan on Back Page nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega talks to president elect Folda Barrios de chamorro.7 989 . Trade deficit fell to 5-year Low Washington Cap a the . Trade deficit narrowed to is 13.2 billion last year its lowest level since 1v8j. As weapons of manufactured products and farm goods posted sizable gains the government reported tuesday. The Commerce department said the increased exports helped overcome a continued increase in imports Iasi year As the country improved its trading position with almost every nation. The $113.2 billion deficit was an it percent improvement from a $127.2 billion deficit in 1988. It stemmed from a 13.4 percent Rise in exports which climbed to a record $361.9 billion. This offset a it a percent increase in imports which also hit an All time High of$475. I billion. The Trade deficit is the difference Between imports and exports tuesday s report on merchandise Trade As calculated on a balance of payments basis confirmed an in prove Mcnol already noted in the Commerce department s monthly merchandise Trade reports. The totals Are slightly different because the new report excludes military sales by the . Government and makes other minor adjustments in the monthly figures. For the fourth Quarter the Trade deficit posted an increase of 0.9 percent to $28.h billion following a deficit of $28.6 billion in the third Quarter. This marked the second consecutive Quarter in which the . Trade deficit failed to improve a trend analysts have termed worrisome Given the fact that the annual deficit remains stuck above $ Job billion. Economists have expressed fears that the deficit see deficit on Back Page . Military facilities suffer $ 15.8 million wind damage from staff and wire reports severe windstorms have caused at least $15.8 million in damage to  military facilities in Europe since late january installations of the . Army Europe have suffered $12.7 million in damage a spokeswoman Ltd tuesday. Officials at the . Air forces Europe said earlier this month that storms had caused $3.1 million in damage to the command s facilities. On tuesday. Usary mfr officials were still tallying the effects of this week s winds. Ana a Safe spokeswoman was also unable to provide new damage totals tuesday saying that the information had to be gathered from each of the three numbered air forces. But Usa eur officials said they had received no reports of major incidents from the Gale Torce winds that swept sewn countries and caused a reported 37 deaths this week. West Germany s weather service reported winds gutting to More than 75 Mph monday night and tuesday morning. In Britain. Monday s winds set records for the month at Raf Mildenhall and Raf Bent Waters. Mind Chan reported gusts of 59 knots or 69 Mph and Raf Bem Waters had of 64 a eng we 28th weather so. Gusts of 64 knots or 73 Mph according to the Wing weather officer with det 15, Usa eur spokeswoman Elayne be Nama said j6 million of the army s see damage on Beck Page smiling soviets smooth Rood to Berlin but Miles still bore by Ken  son stuff a Rifer Berlin a tin Young soviet Soldier flashed a smile Ami greeted the american traveler with a Chipper hello in russian. After carefully in spending the offered travel document and identification he lifted one Edge of his Logbook to display a gleaming soviet army uniform Crest. Quot Twenty Marks?1 he asked. The cheerful greeting and Brazen offer to sell a souvenir were in Sharp contrast to the icy Demeanour presented to travellers on the Helmstedt la Berlin  corridor before november s fall of the Hertz Wall. American military members and defense department civilians driving to Berlin must present Flag orders and identification 10 soviet soldiers at both ends of inc corridor. In the past the soviets would occasionally ask for a cigarette but they rarely smiled or said hello. After the Scnory cheeked the Berlin bound traveler s documents the american As usual entered a Small building and pushed the papers see soviets on Back Page problems after peace Breaks out a pages 13-15