News In Brief

Reagan, at D-Day beach, makes plea against war

President Reagan, making a pilgrimage to the Normandy beaches on the 40th anniversary of the D-Day invasion Wednesday, said America stands willing to ''wipe from the face of the earth the terrible weapons man now has in his hands.''

At a ceremony atop cliffs scaled by US Rangers at the dawn of the great Allied invasion, Mr. Reagan spoke of the ''bitter lessons'' of World War II and declared, ''I tell you from my heart that we in the United States do not want war.''

''In truth, there is no reconciliation we would welcome more than a reconciliation with the Soviet Union, so together, we can lessen the risks of war, now and forever,'' he said, striking the theme he set for the day of solemn memory and celebration of victory.

But the President said the United States sought ''some sign from the Soviet Union that they are willing to move forward, that they share our desire for love and peace, that they will give up the ways of conquest."