The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, January 10, 1979, Image 2

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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
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eeze ev
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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: