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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 26, 1981)
National THE BATTALION Page 9 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1981 Former hostage files $5 million imprisonment suit by Greg Gammon today to sell some itions enied ■ft complaints lues- itonio Cabral, allegations are wi ther of us had any th any type of theft," I’ve never seen the vantto see the cards low where they are United Press International LOS ANGELES — The lawyer who unsuccessfully took on the OPEC oil cartel filed a $5 million false imprisonment suit Wednesday against Iran and the United States on behalf of a Marine taken hostage during the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. Attorney James H. Davis filed the federal court suit on behalf of Sgt. John D. McKeel Jr., of Balch Springs, Texas,, charging the Iranian government illegally held the Marine' hostage and stating the agreement with Iran to free the hos tages was illegal — “the same as ransom.” Eleven other Americans who were stationed in Iran at the time of the takeover of the embassy have filed similiar suits seeking financial retribution from the Iranians and challeng ing the agreement that brought about their release. Davis, who lost a well-publicized federal court suit last year that sought to break up OPEC because of violations of U.S. antitrust laws, said McKeel contacted him to file the action. “One of the ways we can help discourage future terrorism is by making governments responsible for the acts of terrorists,” Davis said. “When governments ratify the acts of outlaws, they should pay for it.” McKeel, who will be reassigned to embassy duty next month, did not attend the news conference to announce the filing of the suit. During his imprisonment, McKeel’s Iranian guards told him his mother had died, and if he wanted to go to her funeral, he’d have to answer their questions. He refused, although his mother later said he never was sure she was alive until he arrived at Weisbaden, West Germany, after being released. The 35-page complaint in the lawsuit, which seeks $2 mil lion in general damages and $3 million in punitive damages, also asserts release of Iranian assets in the United States by then President Carter in the negotiating for freeing the hos tages is null and void because it was done “under direct threat of force and duress. ” Davis said Carter “overextended his authority” when he freed Iranian assets that were frozen during the 444-day hos tage crisis. He said if a settlement is won — and the Iranians do not pay — the U.S. government may be forced to come up with the money. “The hostages I’ve talked to do not want the judgment paid by the United States, but if it comes down to that, the United States may have to pay,” he said. Davis pointed out Iranian assets are still available in the United States for payment of the judgment. He noted the Bank of America headquartered in San Francisco has obtained a court injunction against release of $91 million in Iranian assets it holds. The attorney said he may go to court to seek a similar injunction freezing Iranian assets within the next week or so. McKeel is not the first ex-hostage to file suit against Iran. Three former American hostages, including two women El Salvador aid need disputed United Press International WASHINGTON — Disputing the need for increased U.S. milit ary aid to El Salvador, former Ambassador Robert White said to day the real threat to the Central American nation comes from the extreme right — not the extreme “There is no demonstrable need for putting U.S. military advisers into El Salvador,” White told a House Appropriations sub- lommittee. “It would put El Sal vador into the position of being a vassal state of the United States.” But Senate Republican leader Howard Baker, dropping clues to itello and ElPuebi wssible future U.S. policy, said :oday it is “entirely appropriate” or the United States to commit mall numbers of American milit ary advisers to support the embat tled government. “On the question of advisers, of course we should have advisers,” Baker told reporters after meeting with President Reagan at the White House. “On the question of combat troops or those who might be involved in combat, at this mo ment, I think we should not.” The House panel opened hear ings on possible aid to El Salvador just one day after Reagan said the United States will not play a Viet- nam-style role in the Central American nation but will support its government “against those who believe in the violent overthow. ” White, who was fired from his post by the new administration, described as “demonstrably false” a Pentagon assessment published Friday claiming El Salvador’s armed forces cannot deal with the leftist guerrilla threat. “The threat to the stability of the government of El Salvador comes not from the extreme left but from the extreme right,” White said. “Military aid to this govern ment is not crucial and it runs the risk of diverting the attention from the real problem of El Salvador, which is political reconciliation. To apply a military solution to a leftist threat is to go down the wrong road.” White blamed the extreme right, including government security forces, for the deaths of about half of the estimated 10,000 people killed in the past year. “The issue is not military aid. The issue is how you are going to supply military aid to a military force that is killing and assassinat ing thousands and thousands of people down there,” White said. But he agreed with the adminis tration’s warning to the Soviet Un ion and Cuba about their massive arms shipments to El Salvador last year, and said there definitely was direct Nicaraguan involvement in the arms shipments. Secretary of State Alexander Haig said this week the adminis tration was considering various options to stop communist- supported insurgents in El Salva dor. AUTO TUNE “The Inflation Fighters” (Formerly Bill’s & Jay's Auto Tune) ''Quality Service.. Personal Attention" TUNE-UPS & OIL CHANGES... by Appointment Only 846-9086 3611 S. COLLEGE AV. — BRYAN Te :x>\s o FnriCAL. Prescriptions Filled Glasses Repaired 216 N. MAIN BRYAN 822-6105 Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m.-l p.m. pleaded no contest n-related charges :1 was shut down by ithorities last Octo- eduled for a Thurs- Tax protesters face IRS prosecution daint filed by Sail ;d that she “loaned ents which are my erty” to Cabral for riginally part of said ] oves iction United Press International DETROIT — State and Inter- lal Revenue Service officials say reconsider her nolo bey will take whatever action a and instead face ecessary, including criminal pro- ecution, to stop a tax revolt by madame has said 13,500 auto workers — a move- 'erify all the names pent they deny is spreading riday’s edition of El nationwide. Michigan officials said Tuesday bey will join the IRS in a crack- lown on the tax revolt fever, ihich began in Flint and spread to 'ontiac and Detroit. Auto workers in the three cities f publishing its en- are claiming as many as 99 depen dents on withholding forms, Cabral and Botelic I thereby avoiding tax reductions d file by “removing pom their paychecks, adding three names | Public affairs officer Tony "ombadere said the IRS will “take hatever action is necessary to get pese protesters to comply with ie law — and if that means cri- |iinal prosecutions, then we’ll irosecute.” State and federal officials both essed the tax revolt was “strictly I local movement, ” despite mes- iges of support from across the inntry. But protest organizers say the •me teacherswoul Michigan rebellion, which has ent, Blanton said, ttracted a substantial number of ollowell, D-Grand ^ite-collar workers as well as that the Legisla- uto wor l (erS) h as piqued the in- iving too many In eres t 0 f sympathetic taxpayers and the appropria- rom across the nation, ich will be consi-1 “In the last three days, we’ve done nothing but be on the phones,” said William Hughes, a founder of We the People ACT (American Citizens Tribunal), an organization fueling the tax pro test. The 700-member club, which claims the direct federal income tax is unconstitutional, has taken calls from Washington, Utah, South Carolina, Illinois, West Vir ginia, Nevada and California — “Los Angeles, especially,” he said. State Treasurer Loren Monroe, whose agency has been investigat ing We the People since Novem ber, said his staff will be “looking very carefully” at workers claim ing high numbers of dependents “and we will probably ask the em ployers to withhold Michigan in come taxes without benefit of any exemptions in those cases.” Monroe said it was unclear whether any criminal charges would be filed, but he noted tax evasion carries a prison term of up to five years under Michigan law while perjury statutes — which might apply — carry sentences of up to 15 years. State Revenue Commissioner Sydney' Goodman said violators will be prosecuted both indepen dently and jointly with the IRS, but conceded the state lacks the resources to take action against all those involved. He said filing a false tax return, like tax fraud, is a felony under Michigan law. Although local IRS officials from other states said they have seen no evidence of an organized rebel lion, Florida has reported a tax evasion similar to the Michigan protest “on a limited basis in the Tampa Bay area” for several years. mid be larger than revenue the stale lave the money to lollowell said. recommended by icnts and an educa- ee the governor On The Double Northgate 846-3755 XEROX COPIES, TYPING We specialize in Resumes, Theses, Dissertations Open M-F, 7 a.m.-l 0 p.m. WINTER £ PARK / SPRING BREAK “LAST CHANCE” 6 DAYS 5 NIGHTS n i MICHELOB. ^/Uj 189 FANTASTIC NEW SNOW! ALSO AVAILABLE: SOUTH PADRE FOR MORE INFORMATION: LARRY OR WILLIE 693-8067 ,JB ) Formal s Sates iS Rentals SHIRT & TIE RENTALS OR COMPLETE TUXEDOS “Ask About Our Last-Minute Assistance.” 693-0768 334 Jersey College Station (Next to Rother’s Bookstore) Battalion Classifieds Call 845-2611 released in November 1979, filed suit on Feb. 13 in federal court in Washington against Iran and its leaders seeking $30 million each for being held captive at the embassy. That suit was filed by Steven Lauterbach, of Dayton, Ohio, one of the 52 Americans released on Jan. 20, and two women, Lillian Johnson of Burke, Va., and Elizabeth Montague, of Washington, D.C., who were released with the first group of Americans in Nov. 1979. In addition, former hostage Sgt. Gregory Allen Persinger, one of the 52, filed suit in Washington on Feb. 2., charging he was illegally arrested and detained in Iran in violation of U. S. and international law. In the last year, eight other Americans who were stationed in Iran at the time of the takeover have filed suit against Iran in U.S. District Court in Washington. They include three who were hidden at the Canadian Embassy and five others re leased by the militants in November 1979. ibetter footwear for lessi A special purchase on a leading fashion brand... r $14.99! yo-yos Choose from hundreds of pairs with famous holes in the soles, terrific fashion styling in lots of spring colors. Made to sell for $24 to $26 not every style in every size. Manor East Mall Next to Cloth World Open Monday & Thursday till 9 I Plasma iSH Station CAMPUS INTERVIEWS THUR 5 MAR CHALLENGING ENGINEERING POSITIONS WITH PROFESSIONAL GROWTH • Mechanical Engineers • Electrical Engineers • Industrial Engineers • Civil (Structural) Engineers • Nuclear Engineers • Chemical Engineers Excellent opportunities for advancement under the Merit System to Senior Engineer levels with pay levels in $22,925 to $35,000 range. 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