Chernenko Hopeful on Talks

Soviet President Konstantin U. Chernenko, reported by aides to be on vacation and not seriously ailing, said in written replies to a U.S. television interviewer today that the stage is set for fruitful arms talks.

In replies to written questions from the Cable News Network, Chernenko charged that President Reagan’s proposed Star Wars defense system is “offensive and aggressive” and could wreck arms control prospects. But he said he has no doubt that the conditions had been set at U.S.-Soviet talks in Geneva on Jan. 7-8 for “serious and fruitful negotiations” on space-based anti-missile defense systems and ground-based nuclear missiles. The negotiations are to open in Geneva on March 12.