W. German leader begins to stress arms control

West Germany's chancellor is suddenly stressing Euromissile arms control, reports Monitor correspondent Elizabeth Pond. In an interview in the Die Zeit newspaper, Helmut Kohl said his support for deploying new missiles had strengthened the West's hand. ''Because the (West's) position is stronger, the chances have also increased that (US-Soviet talks) in Geneva will achieve positive results - and I'm convinced they will,'' he said.

This emphasis contrasts with Dr. Kohl's earlier assertion that he would be seeking in the March 6 election a mandate to deploy new missiles. The shift also coincides with a potential increase in US flexibility in the talks.

Nevertheless, President Reagan stood firm on his zero-zero option in a speech this week.