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Viewpoint The Battalion Wednesday Texas A&M University January 10, 1979 Shah’s crisis may fuel Carter headaches By DAVID S. BRODER WASHINGTON — For all the public outcry and threatened lawsuits about Pres ident Carter’s decision to break diplomatic relations with Taiwan and recognize the Peking government, there appears to be far greater worry inside the administration about the political fallout from the crisis in Iran. The view is that the China debate is a tempest in a teapot compared to the storm that could break if the Iranian upheaval has as unhappy an ending as now appears likely. In conversations. Carter aides suggest at least half-a-dozen reasons for fearing the domestic fallout from the Shah’s troubles may prove to be more serious than the China controversy. —Despite the efforts of some right-wing organizations to whip up the issue, there is no way to tag Carter with being the man who “lost China. ” That happened 30 years ago, and the reality of Peking’s regime being the government of China was ac knowledged first by Richard Nixon, not Jimmy Carter. As far as the charge of a “sellout” of Taiwan, Carter aides insist the diplomatic files would show that Nixon and Henry Kissinger indicated to Peking that, when the time was right, they would grant for mal recognition on terms less favorable than Carter obtained. By contrast, the Shah has enjoyed a press in this country almost as favorable as Chiang Kai-shek did 30 years ago. He was viewed by the American public as sitting securely on his throne when Carter came to power. Thus, the question of who lost Iran is far more plausible in domestic poli tics. —Second, while recognizing China can be seen as an effective anti-Soviet move in the world balance of power, the undermin ing of the Shah has clear negative implica tions for the United States’ strategic posi tion vis-a-vis Russia. There is no disguising this as a major setback for American inter ests. —Third, the Soviets may well be tempt ed to exploit the Iranian situation, even if their role in fomenting the anti-Shah movement is equivocal. Mischief-making in Iran or pressure tactics against other Persian Gulf states would give an impor tant argument to the foes of Carter’s prime diplomatic project, the ratification of a strategic arms (SALT) agreement with Russia. —Fourth, the events in Iran provide an opening for critics of Carter’s human rights policy. Already, they are asserting that the Shah’s troubles were increased by the criticism of his police-state tactics by Car ter administration officials. The larger question of the human rights policy — amd its differential application to different countries — seems certain to be revived by the Iranian problems. —Fifth, the events in Iran have raised the question of the performance of the Central Intelligence Agency in this admin istration. During his campaign. Carter promised to take personal responsibility for any malfunctioning in the intelligence agencies. His critics will not allow him to escape responsibility for the controversial appointment of his classmate. Admiral Stansfield Turner, as CIA director. Nor will they permit the Democrats to avoid responsibility for the inhibitions placed on the CIA by new executive and congres sional guidelines. —Sixth, the Iran crisis threatens to re vive the Vietnam-era debate between hard-liners and soft-liners in the Demo cratic Party. Worse, evidence of that de bate within the administration is already becoming public, in the exchange of re criminations between the National Secu rity Council and the State Department. State Department “doves” blame national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski for locking the United States to a fatal em brace of another “doomed dictator,” while Brzezinski loyalists blame the State De partment for undercutting U.S. support of the Shah with gloomy predictions about his prospects. Ultimately, the whole affair revives the question of the competence of Carter’s management of foreign policy — an issue that had been muted since fall’s Camp David summit. For all these reasons, the Carter admin istration seems more nervous about Iran than about the China fallout. (cj 1979, The Washington Post Com pany Aivard-ivinning political session By ARNOLD SAWISLAK WASHINGTON — Everybody gets end-of-the-season recognition and awards except politicians. To remedy that, Wash ington Window herewith institutes the Political Olympics with the following 1978 prizes: —The Free Style Issue Pivot: California Gov. Jerry Brown on Proposition 13. The committee cited Brown’s breath-taking ac robatic performance last June in embrac ing the property tax cut he had called “a consumer fraud” in May. —The Diplomatic Arm Twist: Presidept Jimmy Carter at Camp David. The presi dent set a new record for this event by doing it to two foreign statesmen simulta neously while riding a bicycle on top of a mountain. —The Treaty-Drafting Foot Drag: Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat won this in a slow walk. Carter and Brezhnev trail with SALT. —Campaign Money Shoveling: Sen. Jesse Helms of North Carolina. Govs. Bill By JEFF CARRUTHERS OTTAWA — Everyone knows that Canada has large reserves of natural gas. But nobody knows quite how much, and that is creating a problem. For the uncer tain energy picture here is making plan ning difficult, especially in regard to Canadian relations with the United States. In many ways, therefore, the doubts about Canada’s gas deposits seem to fit into the worldwide question of whether energy resources are ample or limited. Only a couple of years ago, the major multinational oil companies were warning that Canada would run short of domestic natural gas as early as 1979. The warning was taken seriously in a country where winters are frigid, and partly for that reason, the government here vetoed a proposal for a $10 billion pipeline to carry both Alaskan and Cana dian gas down the Mackenzie River Valley to U.S. markets. Instead, a pipeline to carry only Alaskan gas was built. Today, many of the same firms are pro moting just the opposite line. They claim that Canada has more gas than it can used at home and that unless additional exports to the United States are permitted, partic ularly from fields in Alberta, scarcities will develop within the next decade. The present contention is based on the thesis that, without a more liberal Cana dian export policy, the gas exploration boom in Western Canada will grind to a halt. The boom is largely the consequence Clements of Texas and Bob Graham of Florida tied for second. Helms won when, after going through more than $6 million, he appealed to the public for funds to re tire his campaign deficit. Washington Window —The Election Throwaway: A group award to Seri. Wendell Anderson, Gov. Rudy Perpieh 'and Robert Short of MifL nesota. The committee gave Sen. Edward Brooke honorable mention, but felt the job done by the Minnesotans was the best since Thomas Dewey cussed out the rail road engineer in 1948. —The Hot Water Hurdle: Mayor De nnis Kucinich of Cleveland. The event was not completed, but the committee felt the mayor had amply demonstrated a talent in of a tenfold increase in gas prices in recent years. So the Canadian government and its Na tional Energy Board, the principal agency involved, will soon have to make a deci sion on new gas exports. Should it approve new exports, it will be the first time such a step has been taken since Canadians began to worry about gas shortages 10 years ago. In any event, the export program — if it goes through — is likely to be short-term in nature, so that Canada is not locked into long-range commitments. One idea is to put so-called “swap-back” provisions into contracts in the event that Canada encounters scarcities earlier than pre dicted. Under such provisions, Canada would be able to tap Alaskan gas that would be transported across Canada through a pro posed $12 billion Alaska Highway pipeline. This scheme is supported by Minister of Energy Alastair Gillespie and many other Canadian political figures, who contend that Canada must be pro tected should forecasts turn out to be wrong. At the moment, Canada exports about 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas to the United States per year. Additional ex ports, if okayed, would increase exports by 600 billion cubic feet per year. With the price of natural gas now at $2.16 per thousand cubic feet, the new exports would strengthen Canada’s bal ance of trade by nearly $1.5 billion annu- 1978 for escaping both pitfalls dug by his enemies and boobytraps built by himself. —The Brazen Power Grab: Mayor Frank Rizzo of Philadelphia. The commit tee rewarded the mayor for his valiant, al though losing effort to change the city charter so he could seek another term. Its citation: “In recognition of his capacity to do or say anything trying to change the rules after the game has started, this solid brass plaque is awarded.” —The Two-Handed Kickback: Rep. Charles Diggs of Michigan. Not an espe cially classy performance, but some sign of creativity in his explanation that the em ployee, really wanted to retiirn part of her salary td the congressrrian. ‘ —The U.S. Attorney Toss; Attorney General Griffin Bell. A limited entry event, but the committee felt the Marston affair demonstrated the status of the presi dent’s pledge to get politics out of the Jus tice Deparment. —The Uphill Husband Push: Elizabeth Taylor Warner of Virginia. The commit tee, remembering Velvet, knows a good ally. That is a powerful argument in favor of exports, since the Canadian dollar is ex tremely weak. Another argument in favor of building up exports, however limited, is that they would help to spur the oil and natural gas exploration business, especially in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. This would forestall a further deterioration of the Canadian economy, which is shaky, and perhaps provide for jobs as well. Gas exploration and the potential dis covery of new natural gas fields also offer an answer to imported oil, which is expen sive and unreliable. There is a danger in the possibility of new gas discoveries both in Canada and Mexico, though. The United States may reach the con clusion that Alaskan gas is too expensive, and, as a result, block construction of the Alaska Highway pipeline even though it has been approved. The Canadian government is eager to see the pipeline built, and it would decide against new exports if there were any indi cation that the project might be aban doned. The strongest case for stepping up Canadian gas exports, however, is that they contribute to stimulating the econo my, which needs all the help it can get. And if surpluses develop, the gas can be left in the ground as insurance should the Arabs again embargo oil or boost petro leum prices. rider can get a winning race out of the least promising plug. —The Seven-Year Ratification Run: Eleanor Smeal and the National Organiza tion for Women for discovering that the seven years usually given to ratify a con stitutional amendment can, when the issue is ERA, be made to last 10 years. —The Semantic Triathalon (Slide, Slip and Slither): Richard Nixon, for his expla nation that while he told no lies during the Watergate period, some of the things he said turned out to be untrue. Itemized diplomacy By DICK WEST WASHINGTON — This country has gone list crazy. Magazine writers are moving away from conventional articles in favor of composing lists of things. Songs that have lists for lyrics become hit records. Two recent highly successful books contained nothing but lists. Small wonder that people meeting on the street greet each other with “Read any good lists lately?” It doesn’t much seem to matter what the category is. The subject may be so trivial or arcane as to leave most people gasping with indifference. But if someone draws up a list of it, it is certain to find a wide audience. Picking Forum magazine from a long list of examples, its January issue has a list of 50 ways of improve your love life. The items run heavily to such sugges tions as “Sleep on satin sheets,” “Put dimmers on your light switches,” “Wear erotic underwear” and “Feed each other fancy chocolates or sensuous fruit.” Anyone with experience in such matters will tell you that none of those things is likely to enhance passion, and some have great potential for slapstick. To say no thing of blowing your diet right out of the water. Not to mention making your face break out in zits. If your love life has degenerated to the point where it would benefit from racy drawers, you might as well chuck the whole thing and start over. Presented separately, the idea of two adults bettering their relationship by ply ing each other with Hershey Kisses and prunes would seem preposterous. But as long as it appears on a list, it is assured of serious consideration. Since lists enjoy such popularity, I’ve been thinking they might be the answer to the problems President Carter is having in getting some of his proposals accepted. The Egyptian-Israel negotiations, to mention one impasse, remain becalmed despite various compromises offered by the United States. Perhaps what Carter should do now is cease his mediation efforts and simply put forth a list of 50 ways to achieve peace in the Middle East. The entries, as already noted, do not necessarily have to be rational. It’s the format that counts. Here are a few sugges tions that might be high on the list: 1. Inform the negotiators that if no agreement is reached by Jan. 31, the peace talks will be moved to Jonestown, Guyana. 2. Resolve the West Bank occupancy issue by leasing the area to the Marriott Corp. for development into an amusement park called “Palestineland.” 3. Send Ralph Nader to Sweden to de mand the recall of defective Nobel Peace Prizes. Carter should have no trouble finishing the list. But if difficulties do arise, the State Department is loaded with little ol’ list-makers who can be called on for help. Canada in natural gas tug-a-war Top of the News ew CAMPUS n si ill Vet facility groundbreaking today Unite* Groundbreaking for the $11.5 million clinical science facility ton gen Texas A&M University will be at 2 p.m. today. Planners say the lire releas shovel of dirt will be turned at the site just west of the existid strong< College of Veterinary Medicine buildings, but in case of inclemendid the weather ceremonies will be moved to Room 5 of the veterinaiEW Sec medicine hospital. The 103,000-square-foot structure will feateilifano t consolidation of current clinical diagnostic areas, as well as previouslei s ' unavailable capabilities for zoo and exotic animal medical training day tha The building, to be constructed by the Houston firm of Zapata Waiindings rior, will also include a new research area, a new small animal clinid,200-pi office and storage space. Jj” imp le 1964 Auditions for singers scheduled hj and l packag Auditions for Texas A&M University student vocal groups art adverti scheduled Jan. 15-19. Vacancies will be filled in the Singing Cadets think • the Century Singers and a new women’s chorus. Students maysip'Qsearcl up for auditions between 2-4:30 p.m. weekdavs of the first weeliri 11 '" it ii the spring semester. Registration will be in the vocal music officjino tolc Room 003 of the Memorial Student Center. lever b Said t Degree application deadlines S6|' topics it, such Texas A&M University seniors and graduate students who expef he effec to complete degree requirements during the spring semester mns setting make formal applications for their degrees no later than Feb. fesearch Robert H. Baine, assistant registrar, says the first step is fortify Year applicant to pay an $8 graduation fee in the fiscal office of the Riehar xecu tiv Coke building. They should then take the fee receipt to the registra; fohacco office in Heaton Hall, where they will complete the required fon)i! ,Tl 'O ee Graduate students must take their fee slips to the Graduate Colle^ will c in Room 125 and complete degree application forms. »lsignif his repc More Merit Scholars at A&M > report t in a di aid Texas A&M University has moved up to 15th in the nation J enrollment of National Merit Scholars. It ranks fourth among pubkH^" 1 . ^ institutions. The National Merit Scholarship Corp.’s 1978 annualrt; ,e ea port shows that Texas A&M has 171 of the high-achievement sfejl dents, an increase of 17 over the previous year, when it ranked 18tli| Harvard heads the list with 767 students, followed by Rice with Michigan State placed third with 429 and Yale fourth with 411 and Texas A&M are the only institutions in the Southwest ranker among the top 20. STATE T] Unite* JSTIN e once Relief requested for Hunt Countij Iwaters on Eai rcteristi Gov. Dolph Briscoe Tuesday asked the U.S. Small Business Adversity ministration to declare Hunt County a disaster area because of dan* Victo age caused by the recent icestorm. Such a declaration would malor for tl residents of the area eligible for low interest loans from the SBASpace > “Within the corporate limits of Greenville, almost no property owntied phc escaped some damage or casualty loss directly due to the storm s surf Briscoe said in a letter to the SBA. He said customers of the Greenfrum, : ville electric system were without power for a considerable time, anS during there was at least $1 million in damage to trees because ofheavyice. le plan s ago h scien sized a: NATION tkcr saic Hys at flows o per sec ige Ear Budget to he submitted early ftlsaid in size f imense to In an apparent tactical break with tradition. President Carter plansj^ submit next year’s federal budget to Congress before delivering dy beyc the State of the Union message, aides say. White House aides indiE m cated Carter expected loud protests and “gnashing of teeth” whenhej e () f sends the 1980 fiscal year “austerity” budget to Capitol Hill on Jan j lun( j re 22. His state of the union message will be delivered in person twooi three days later. Traditionally, presidents have first delivered tbe| state of the union address and then submitted the budget. WORLD iher st vast a ace ai d have s, or p Tanker explosion claims 50 lives Vikir for tv Firefighting tugs Tuesday circled a blazing French tanker thatei ploded off Ireland s giant Gulf Oil terminal, killing 50 people in one it. ■ 1011 history’s worst tanker disasters. More than 24 hours after twin ev j s,n plosions split the 120,000-ton Betelgeuse in Bantry Bay and hurled crewmen into an inferno of flaming oil, a thick pall of smoke curled , hundreds of feet above the burning stern. The cleath toll of 50 ^ crew members and seven Gulf Oil terminal workers — was believedf* Sdl one of the highest recorded in a tanker disaster. Eighteen bcdieiL^ 6 ^ 1 were recovered, most from under the thick carpet of oil that covered^, , <K the sea in the vicinity of the vessel. :tures h WEATHER Mars 1 ■r in th ending ! been subsurf An upper level low pressure system has moved into Bryant locally College Station causing overcast skies, continued cold, ante said freezing drizzle tonight and Thursday. High today will be4C" tra p and low tonight 32 with a 70% chance of rain. It will befair^j iiac and cold Friday changing to cloudy with rain Saturday. ^,,4^ i out ur 'f the The Battalion M till as it water cc 'ing flo Bake LETTERS POLICY Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and are subject to being cut to that length or less if longer. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit such letters and does not guarantee to publish any letter. 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MEMBER Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress . So p Editor fiJing wit Managing Editor Liz® ce . SCO Assistant Managing Editor .AndyVte said Sports Editor David fled to tl City Editor Jamied into I Campus Editor Ste'eventu News Editors Debbie P< as sno\ Beth Calhoun polar a Staff Writers Karen Roger. Patterson, Scott Pemiaker coi Sean Petty, Michelle S^Ssial, 1 Diane Blake, Lee Roy b^nels w Jr., Dillard Stone or win Cartoonist Doug jLh m Photographers EdC Wk c, Lynn Blanco s , , Focus section editor Garv?j idea of < Hint for Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or of the writer of the article and are not necessarily those of the University administration or the Board of Regents. The Battalion is a ,,<,H "W^k4r wi supporting enterprise operated by ^ , as a university and community m’lWlB . ( Editorial policy is determined by tlu’tm a * 1<,n — mi .in ' HHsaden:
