Paper admits it patched 'interview' with Reagan

A West German newspaper admitted Monday it pieced together statements made by President Reagan in the past and published them Feb. 7 under the heading of an interview with the President.

In the account, Welt am Sonntag said that President Reagan described Israel as America's ''only reliable'' Middle East ally.

A White House spokesman said the President did not recall talking with the newspaper Welt am Sonntag and the quotation did not represent the view of Mr. Reagan or the US government.

The story was based on an interview given to an American radio network six weeks ago, the newspaper said later, and quotations were also inserted from other sources.

White House deputy press secretary Larry Speakes said the Reagan quotations just didn't "ring true."