The World - News from April 7, 1987

Thousands of people turned out in Prague to greet Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev, unaware that his visit had been abruptly postponed, witnesses said. Soviet and Czechoslovak state news media said the Kremlin leader will visit the capital later this week but gave no reason for the delay. No mention was made of the “slight cold” from which he was said to be suffering Sunday. Rumors have persisted that Gorbachev would announce a reduction of the 80,000-man Soviet troop contingent in Czechoslovakia or address the issue of withdrawing shorter-range tactical nuclear weapons from the country.