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. All Federal Civil Service Benefits—liberal vacations allowed,
paid sick leave, partially employer-funded life and health insurance
programs, excellent retirement plan. Relocation allowance for self
and dependents. U.S. Citizenship required.
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, with over 11,000 employees, has
been established for over 85 years. Located in scenic Bremerton on
a deep water arm of Puget Sound. With a mild climate, only one
hour from Seattle, recently recognized by several publications as
the city with the best "quality of life" in the country.
Starting Salaries to $22,925 depending on qualifications.
Contact your Placement Office for an interview on Thur 5 Mar.
If this date is inconvenient, you may cafl toll free by dialing 1-800-
426-5996, or, if you wish, you may mail a resume to:
PUGET SOUND NAVAL SHIPYARD
ATTN: 170.2CK
BREMERTON, WASH. 98314
e
d
s
L
I B
if
St
r-
ie
>y
m
;d
V.
jp
he'
he
of
)Ut
:ed
‘all
ap
es,
tor
l or
’ or
ban
t of
. It
mal
any
nk.
I in
the
Ison
mar
glas
ton,
iled
the
por-
cur-
gas
t by
the