Grapevine

MR. NICE GUY. Later this year West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl will launch a program to refurbish U.S. military bases and improve community relations with American troops in the Federal Republic. Why is Kohl playing Mr. Nice Guy? Bonn sources say he is concerned that shabby barracks and lack of contact with German civilians can turn G.I.s into ambassadors of ill will when they return home. He also hopes to head off any "German bashing" by Bush over Bonn's contributions to its own defense.