The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, February 20, 1979, Image 2
Viewpoint 8ort-alior> The Battalion Tuesday Texas A&M University February 20, 1979 Nicaragua s Somoza may face bankruptcy New Iranian regime shows no new rights By CLIFFORD KRAUSS United Press International MEXICO CITY — With his leftist guer rilla foes beaten for the moment, Nicara guan President Anastasio Somoza must now battle a new enemy — international isolation. If he loses, Nicaragua could go bankrupt in 1979. The U. S. government, once Somoza’s staunch ally, has announced the with drawal of 47 U.S. officials from Nicaragua, the closing of its small military mission, a halt to military aid and a freeze on eco nomic assistance. President Carter blamed Somoza for the impass in the three-nation mediation effort that attempted to forestall another round of civil warfare that last year took at least 1,500 lives and caused $66 million in dam ages. Though the Sandinista Liberation Front took to the hills and escaped abroad in the face of far superior national guard firepower, its two-week September offen sive took its toll. International insurers have balked at $60 million in claims arising from the offensive, and foreign credit agencies like the Inter national Monetary Fund have squeezed the loan pipeline dry. The government has been forced to postpone major hydroelectric works for lack of scheduled World Bank and Inter- American Development Bank credit. Lxil * ' A h" Born-again Somoza hopes to reschedule the foreign debt, or he may not be able to pay off the interest, scheduled at $155 million in 1979. The public sector is already in default on $45 million due in interest and principal to a number of U.S. banks, including Citibank, Manufacturers Hanover Trust and Wells Fargo. Among the pressure points the Carter administration plans to apply on Somoza is the freezing of any further economic aid, including two projects worth $10.5 million agreed upon last summer. However, sev eral other aid projects now in advance stages will be completed. A freeze of U.S. support to the Somoza regime has its symbolic as well as economic points. By withdrawing the four-man military mission, effectively ending all military aid. Carter is ending a traditionally strong rela tionship between the United States and the 20,000-man national guard. The guard was organized and trained by the United States in the 1920s and 1930s to permit a withdrawal of U.S. Marines fight ing nationalist guerrillas led by Augusto Cesar Sandino. Letters to the Editor By STEVEN MOSSBARGER For several years now, Iranian students have been demonstrating in our streets, hoping to arouse public opinion against the Shah. They have formed anti-Shah coali tions and created these demonstrations, many times at great risk to their own lives, and always, always, pleading for the downfall of the Shah and the establishment of some kind of constitutional government. They have requested respect for their rights, many of which most Americans still assume are shared by all men throughout the world, and also the establishment of many new reforms, including the new land reforms which the Shah was in the process of granting. But as to the Shah, this was too small a gesture, too late. These years of protesting and striving to overthrow the Shah’s regime have finally culminated in the “successful” revolution during the past couple of weeks. Yet in reality, what is being accomplished by this new regime? So far, a new government is to be created under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini — a man who was first looked upon by the mas ses as the liberator from Shah — is now having trouble controlling these masses, especially the “leftist” groups. And he is a person who, if he has his way, will set the people of Iran under a government con stituting pure Islamic rule. Not once has there been a promise of, or even mention of, establishing constitu tional rule by this new governmental fig ure, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. In fact, by calling for a “religious war, ” he is placing Iran in an era that has not been seen since the desert “Holy Wars” in Algeria and Egypt around the turn of the century, an era mired by blood bath after blood bath. This sort of action, coupled with eco nomically separating Iran from the rest of the world, can only result in placing the social stature of Iran a couple of hundred years behind that of the modern world. In essence, this regime is placing Iran politi cally “180 degrees out” from what I have understood the Iranian populace, led by its intellectual class, to be fighting for. I wonder if the people of Iran, most of all Khomeini, really understand what they have unleashed. For even with concrete ideas and policies decided upon before the official beginning of revolution or civil war (whichever term one prefers), it is a histori cal fact that once begun, a revolution can not be stopped as we would stop a rotating bicycle wheel. It is more like rock slide, or an ava lanche, picking up speed as it travels down the mountainside, destroying all but the most firm objects in its path, only halting when it has finally exhausts source and Khomeini at this moment, has only abstract ideas as to how governmental policy is to be run. will establish itself in relationship to the means. I hope that severed relationships Reader s Forum with the United States, plus an extremely strained economy, will bring the constitu- ional reforms which have so long been striven for. I am placing these thoughts and com ments in The Battalion hoping it will arouse some political thought on campus. I sin cerely hope that some Iranian students will honor this article with a reply — for many things which we are able to read in our newspapers are quite often obscured, like such notions as classifying any government not allied with our own as “communist.” With communism still a dirty word in our society, this is an easy way to turn public opinion against that particular movement. I am sure that many of the Iranian students are still able to communicate with their homeland to some extent and I would like to invite them to share their thoughts with us, and perhaps help us to have a clearer picture of what is taking place in Iran. Steven Mossbarger is a senior history major from Houston. Victims shouldn’t take blame for crime horseless carriages? By DICK WEST WASHINGTON — The Senate Com merce Committee is holding hearings this week to see how the auto industry is re sponding to Transportation Secretary Brock Adams challenge to “reinvent the auto. Detroit’s attitude is important, of course. If we are to have the kind of car AdamT envisions — one that goes a long way on a small amount of gas — the companies that make the kind of car we have now must take the leading role in its development. Leading but not exclusive. It is likely that a good bit of the basic headwork lead ing up to the reinvention of the automobile will be done by small “think tanks” and research centers, such as The Future Is Yesterday Foundation. On the eve of the committee’s study, I paid a visit to the Foundation’s laboratories to see whether its director, Sam Harken- back, might have any ideas along that line. We don t have the complete concept firmly in mind just yet, but we have been testing a few of the components we believe the bom again auto should have,” Harken- back said. He led me into a chamber, much like a wind tunnel. It contained a mock-up of an auto body. Attached lengthwise to either side was a long wooden plank covered with rubber matting. We call those running boards,” Har- kenback said. I said, “I can see where stepping on a running board might make it easier to get in the car, but how could they possibly im prove fuel efficiency?” “Our experiments indicate that wind rushing under the running boards provide a lift effect that lightens the weight of the vehicle and thus makes it get better mileage,” he explained. I said, “I don’t know about Henry Ford II, but Brockdams should love it. Anything else?” In an adjoining chamber, Harkenback dixected my attention to another mock—' up. “How many people would you say it seats?” he asked. “It looks like there’s only xoom for the driver and one passenger,” I said. With a triumphant cry of “Wrong!” Har kenback leaned over and twisted a handle that caused the back to open, revealing seating space for two. “We call it a rumble seat. “In winter, this part of the car wouldn’t be heated, ” Harkenback pointed out. “And in summer, it has its own natural air condi tioning. ” Deeply impressed, I told Hai kenback he already had gone a long way toward rein venting the auto. “Wait, there’s more,” he said, pointing to a Z-shaped metal object. “We don’t have o rvTWYn fot* JF x • o F \%rf^ y yp» f Iqi n ]*'* n f r Editor: In reference to your Feb. 13 article, con cerning the rash of x ecent thefts on campus, I quote the words your xeporter attributed to our University police chief: “Most (of the thefts) have resulted for inattention and failure of owners to protect their property ... Most of the time it ’s a girl or secretary who goes off and leaves her purse unattended ... The best thing is for owners to be more careful about leaving their belongings.” Being one of the “victims” mentioned in the article, I am greatly disturbed about this philosophy which places the burden of responsibility on the offended rather than on the offender and also the blanket impli cation that most of this is a result of carelessness on the part of “girls.” The arti cle mentioned 282 thefts with two being detailed as female victims. What of the other 280? Were they also female victims? The implications of this philosophy — blaming the victim (in this case “girls” or secretaries), could be of gx-eat importance as I see in it a stxiking similarity to the attitudes perpetuated nationwide concern ing the crime of rape, which also places the burden on the victim. The danger then, is that this same philosophy could deter mine future security policy on our campus towards such crimes against persons. It is apparent that a greater cooperative effoi't is indeed called for — but placing so much responsibility on the victim is hardly indicative of a cooperative effoi’t between security personnel and potential victims. Far more was lost that afternoon than my waller; there was the loss of a certain basic trust that was part of my nature, but of much gieater concei n to me is the attitude towards crime on this campus. —L.M. Saltsman Secretary, Sociology Department Birds attacking Editor: We’ve got a problem besides grass, Waggies, and ticket lines. We’ve got birds. Yes, that’s right, birds. And they are de stroying a lot of our beautiful trees. They started early this semester at the east gate and have been slowly moving towards the Systems Building, leaving along their way a path of seemingly ruined trees. I don t know if the problem exists throughout our campus, but I am in terested in finding out if the trees will be permanently damaged or if there is already some action being taken to prevent further damage. —Andy Jones College Station Correction In the Monday Feb. 19 Battalion the winners of the Muscular Dystrophy dance marathon were incorrectly identified in a caption as Diane Fusselman and Forest Parker. The winners were Michelle Pringle and Bob Bauer. The Battalion regrets the error. Why’s 6 Batt’ late? Editor: I have often wondered why the faculty and staff of the different departments do not receive The Battalion newspaper on the same day in which it is published. I feel there is a real need for faculty and staff to be as immediately infoimed of campus ac tivities as are the students. With more up-to-date knowledge of the news, communication between faculty and staff of each department, faculty, staff and students, as well as students will be much improved. P.S. The “Aggie Moonshine” photo graph on the fi ont page of Monday’s (Feb. 12) Battalion was a nice one. Really. —Paul Parma Secretary, Agricultural Engineering Department Editor’s note: The Battalion is delivered to the University Mail Service at press time each day — generally about 12 p.m. The mail service has an afternoon deliv ery route. However, according to an em ployee with the service, The Battalion would have to be ready and sorted in the morning in order to make the afternoon delivery, so it can’t be delivered to campus offices until the next day. The Battalion is also dropped in bundles at various campus spots for general distri bution each day. Top of the News CAMPUS A&M part of 7-library system Texas A&M University has joined six other libraries that are build ing their research collections in forming the Houston Area Resear li Libraries Consortium (HARLIC). Other members are the Housto Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center, Rice University Tex” Southern University, the University of Houston, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and the Houston Public Library The consortium has approved a policy of reciprocal borrowing privileges for faculty at member institutions. LOCAL Train derailment investigated Missouri-Pacific officials are investigating the cause of the Sunday train derailment three miles west of Bryan. Fifty-two empty cars derailed about 2 p.m., forcing police to close Smetana Road. No injuries or property damage were reported. A Department of Public Safety report estimated that the track would be cleared and the road reopened by today. STATE Davis divorce trial begins today Priscilla and T. Cullen Davis’ well-publicized marital problems officially go on the public record today with the opening of their much-delayed divorce trial. The two Texas socialites split in 1974, but a series of spectacular legal entanglements by Davis — including charges of murder, the wounding of Mrs. Davis and charges of at tempting to hire the murder of the divorce court judge — resulted in numerous postponements. Mrs. Davis said Davis once beat her with a crutch while she was recovering from a broken ankle and broke her nose during an argument. During the Amarillo murder trial, Davis’ attorney, Richard “Racehorse” Haynes, said Mrs. Davis’S6 million mansion was often a scene of drug and sex parties and that Mrs. Davis had had a number of sexual partners since the couples break-up. Power plants proposed for coast A Florida company is negotiating with Gulf States Utilities to con struct four floating nuclear power plants to be anchored off the Texas Gulf coast at a cost of $8.8 billion, the Port Arthur News reported Monday. Permission to anchor the plants in 45-70 feet of water, three miles into the Gulf of Mexico would have to be obtained from the Texas Legislature, after approval of a nuclear manufacturing permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The plants would be towed to the Gulf sites by tugboats. Each would use about 90 acres of the Gulf bottom and would l>e protected by a 175-foot high granite horseshoe-shaped breakwater. NATION Rhode Island kills death penalty The Rhode Island Supreme Court struck down the states’ manda tory death penalty law calling it a violation of the Eighth Amend ment s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Until Monday, Rhode Island law mandated “death by lethal gas” for inmates or prison es capees convicted of murder while serving sentences for other of fenses. Four inmates now sit in death row at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston. Utility merger causes speculation Public Service Commission Chairman Louis Lambert Monday told officials of Gulf States Utilities Co. and the Central Louisiana Energy Co. that he would not be railroaded into approving their merger without a detailed study. Officials of both companies said they had no objection to a proposal by Lambert for a detailed independent study of the merger plan. Last week Central Louisana Energy, the parent company of Central Louisiana Electric Co., and Gulf States an nounced an agreement in principle for a $270 million transaction by which GSU would take over CLECO. The merged company would have about one-third of all electric customers in Louisiana. WORLD Middle East peace talks resume Israel and Egypt sent high-level delegations to Washington Monday for a second round of Camp David meetings in an effort to pump new life into the dormant Middle East Peace talks. Egyph an Prime Minister Mustufa Khalil, Israeli Foreign Minister Moshe Dyan and Secretary of State Cyrus Vance were scheduled to meet Wed nesday in negotiations scheduled to last four to seven days. A major stumbling block is linkage between the proposed peace treaty and the establishment of Palestinian autonomy in the Jordan West Ban and Gaza Strip. Two other unsettled issues are Egyptian demands for a review of security arrangements in the Sinai desert after five or six years and putting their defense obligations to Arab states above the treaty. WEATHER B; Sugges verity’s sought in this week Sbisa din Thougl Tl inc By PI A grou fexas A£ hare tin lusinessr :ra,” pi ’layers. Direct (hat desp ninute irecht ta Beggar’s optimistic G( of tel U: WAS 1: nillion ti elevisioi 278,000 echnicia But tl avel co he Hou: It beg rst mor lemberi pecial r ley wor eep tra le chan By M; ill be ible te le Unit f read ousehc Iso will overage The ie ir. Rep crats w Hirers \ n met 'ews pap political jiearly e Overcast skies and drizzle with a high today of 50 and a low tonight of 40. Winds are variable. 60% chance of rain. The Battalion letters policy ofthe —«'*" C a t,rre Z 0,U ' ence to the Editor The """ »"""<«■ «2: Angeles. Clty> ch "=ago and Los periods and the summer when it h ° liday through Thursday. ’ published on Tuesday Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semester SVX school year; $35.00 nerfullvea, La ^ einester ' -$33.25 per on request. Adffress The Battr p gfUrnished McDonald Building, College Station^Te ™ 11 ^ ^ use Rights of reproduction of all oAer V? t0 “ member Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congres • ■ •&* 'L Liz New AndyWiW Editor Managing Editor Assistant Managing Editor ^ Sports Editor tUendW City Editor Sc ° si Campus Editor U' uh,> Par^ News Editors Debb ‘ Beth Calhoun Staff Writers ^ aren o°m Dii Patterson, Sean Pe«y’ Blake, Dillard Sto Bragg, Lyle Love !l g Gi^ Cartoonist • " T Photo Editor -Le e ^ ^ nn Photographer \Ve^ Focus section editor Pt! 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 non- . nlllllr c