American Notes ARMS CONTROL

Now that he has taken himself out of the running for the Democratic nomination for President, New York Governor Mario Cuomo seems to be relishing the dual role of active politician and youngish elder statesman. Last week Cuomo offered the White House an intriguing suggestion for achieving an arms- reduction agreement with the Soviet Union: give the job of chief negotiator to former President Richard Nixon.

Nixon, who was in the White House when the U.S. successfully negotiated the 1972 SALT I antiballistic missile treaty, "has said some reasonable things" on the subject of nuclear policy, argues Cuomo. The Governor thinks that Nixon "would probably have the respect of the Republicans, and he would probably have the respect of the Russians." Would Nixon, 74, be interested in the arduous job? His aides wouldn't say.