European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 3, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thes Fau authorized unofficial publication for the . Armed forces 35 d 8693 Gorbachev 10 leaders propose federation plan Moscow a Milhau s. Gorbachev and leaders of 10 soviet republics closed ranks against hard liners monday and proposed creating a Loose federation that would strip the Kremlin of most of its responsibilities. The republics that endorse the interim plan would have far More Power with Central authorities controlling Little More than defense and foreign affairs. It apparently would Grant Independence to the five republics that did not endorse it a the three Baltic states see related stories on pages 3 and 4 Moldavia and Georgia a although that Issue has not been fully resolved. Kazakhs president Nur Sultan Naza Bayev read the proposals at the opening of an extraordinary session of the Congress of Peoples deputies where hardliners had planned an attempt to remove Gorbachev As soviet president. Instead Gorbachev and 10 Republic leaders launched the preemptive strike immediately offering the plan they forged in a meeting sunday and having Naza Bayev declare a four hour recess immediately after Reading it to deputies. As Naza Bayev adjourned the gathering so delegations from the various republics could consider it microphones in the Palace of congresses went dead to the dismay of hard liners who sought the floor. The plan must be approved by the Congress which it would strip of considerable Power. The lawmaking body is still dominated by the communist party which was ejected from the National government and had its assets seized in the Wake of the failed August coup. Under the proposal Gorbachev and soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev right looks uneasy while russian president Boris Yeltsin smiles As the two leaders attend the one Vaun Barlev on Page 2 opening of the Congress of Peoples deputies monday in Moscow. Baltic Hail Gorbachev pledge to Grant them Independence Vilnius .s.r. Apr the Baltic republics Are rejoicing Over Mikhail s. Gorbachev a Promise of Independence and Lithuania a president monday looked Forward to benefits of . Diplomatic recognition. President Bush told the Baltic to expect a Good news monday a a phrase widely taken to mean . Diplomatic recognition. A i am sure it will mean the end of and the greatest possible Protection against any possible new aggression a lithuanian president vytautas Landsbergis said. In the past soviet authorities have sought to halt Lithuania a Independence drive with military attacks. A lithuanian official said Lithuania would like to Start talks with the United states on economic Aid and other issues. A we done to want the United states to see Lithuania Only As a state that needs support a parliament member Romualdas Vozolas said sunday. A we would like a partnership  the secession drive by Lithuania Latvia and Estonia was on the Agenda of the Congress of Peoples deputies the highest representative governing body in the soviet Union which began meeting monday morning in the Kremlin. At the meeting Gorbachev and leaders of 10 republics proposed a plan creating a Loose federation granting republics More Power but leaving foreign affairs and defense to the Kremlin. It apparently would give Independence to the five republics that did not endorse it a the three Baltic states Moldavia and Georgia a although that Issue has not been fully resolved. On sunday Gorbachev virtually gave the Green Light saying in a to interview that if the Baltic insist on be see Baltic on Page 2trial under Way for 4 sex guards in Wall death Berlin apr the trial of four former East German Border guards in the fatal shooting of a would be Escapee opened monday in Berlin the first such Case to come to court since the Berlin Wall came Down in late 1989. The four Are accused in the feb. 5, 1989, shooting of Chris Gueffroy the last person known to have died trying to flee Over the Wall. The 20-year-old waiter was shot trying to scale an isolated stretch of Wall with a Friend Christian Gaudian. Even after firing several rounds the Border see trial on Page 2