Andropov: US arms plan only tries to buy time

Soviet leader Yuri Andropov dismissed President Reagan's latest proposals for curbing intermediate-range missiles and accused Washington of trying to win time to deploy its own missiles.

In his first reaction to Reagan's address Monday to the UN General Assembly, Mr. Andropov said it was clear that Washington had no intention of reaching an accord on limiting medium-range missiles. He said the Soviet Union would make the appropriate response to any disturbance in the strategic balance ''and there is no difference between its word and deed.''

In one of his toughest attacks on Washington since taking office last November, Andropov also made his first public comment on the South Korean airliner incident. He said the incident was an ''unprecedented criminal diversion'' aimed at covering up Washington's militaristic aims.