News In Brief

NATO group approves lifting controls on W. German arms

A group of seven NATO member countries, formed to oversee the rearming of West Germany after World War II, formally approved on Saturday the removal of all controls on West Germany's production and stockpiling of conventional weapons.

Foreign Minister Hans Dietrich-Genscher said the decision will not alter his government's policy on armaments, and that West Germany would not produce strategic weapons. He will outline his government's position on the issue before the West German legislature on Nov. 8.