NATION AND WORLD
Page 11
First ladv flies in costly style
University Daily Kansan, February 16, 1984
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the ninth in a 10-part series of reports investigating waste in government spending.
By GREGORY GORDON United Press International
WASHINGTON — On three trips to Phoenix, Ariz., to visit her invalid mother last year, Nancy Reagan and a small coterie of aides and Secret Service agents rode in 42-seat military planes provided by the Air Force — each trip costing the government $24,000.
MRS. REAGAN'S traveling contingents perhaps were no larger than the six-member crews of the Air Force, who would dispose, according to flight manifests.
On at least one other trip to Phoenix, Mrs. Reagan traveled in a smaller plane. It cost about $18,000—still more than triple the cost of an Air Force T-39 aircraft. Sen. Barry Goldwater, R-Ariz., at least on a one occasion to fly home.
Sheila Tate, the first lady's press secretary, said that "security requirements dictate use of military planes" and that distance determined aircraft used on the flights on March 24, April 28-May 2 and June 27-28, 1983.
She said Mrs. Reagan has no involvement in those travel decisions made by the White House military office and the Secret Service.
Commercial airlines operate hourly shuttle flights between New York and Washington for $65 a seat, but U.N. Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick and other administration officials have used military planes for the brief flight at a taxpayer cost of more than $1,500.
Presidential advance teams also sometimes ride in spacious planes from the Air Force's 89th Airwing, occasionally at five times the cost of commuter airplanes, on scouting missions weeks before President Reagan begins a journey.
WHITE HOUSE AIDES defend the practice, saying they operate under tight deadlines that could not be met on commercial flights, particularly on trips involving many stops.
During a four-month investigation of government travel, United Press International and the Better Government Association found numerous instances that raise questions about White House use of the Air Force's 17-plane 89th Airwing.
THE FLEET COST taxpayers $78 million for "special mission" in fiscal 1983 for the White House, Congress and the executive branch. The Air Force says it does not have a precise cost breakdown.
White House house spokesman Larry Speakes, in a letter to UPS said, "It is White House policy to utilize military aircraft only when a scheduled commercial aircraft is not available or when the unique nature of the mission necessitates special provisions."
Air Force records reviewed by UPI and the BGA indicate that, like members of Congress, White House officials appear to use a liberal interpretation in deciding which trips are "unique" in nature.
Robert Nimmo resigned as Veterans Administration chief after disclosures of personal extravagance at taxpayers' expense. He was attacked in part for using an Air Force jet.
BUT KIRKPATRICK'S use in 1981 of an Air Force jet for at least one round trip and eight one-way journeys between New York and Washington has gone unnoticed. Each trip aboard the jets, sometimes along with her husband and security personnel, cost taxpayers at least $1,500.
Speakes declined to release details of any of the trips, asserting that it is White House policy not to "comment on aircraft manifests."
A spokesman for Kirkpatrick, who stopped using military aircraft in late 1981, said from New York, "In the best recollection of those who worked closely with the ambassador during that time period, most if not all of the flights on the military aircraft were taken during time periods when the commercial shuttle was not operating."
Girl is stable after organ transplants
By United Press International
PITTSBURGH — Stormie Jones, who had the world's first simultaneous heart and liver transplants, was named the 2013 recipient without a respirator by today.
Stormie, 6, of Cumby, Texas, was listed in critical but stable condition in Pittsburgh's Children's Hospital after her operation that ended Tuesday morning.
Stormie suffered from a heart weakened by two double-bypass operations and a rare genetic illness that caused an excessive buildup of cholesterol in the blood. Doctors who knew the patient was her only hope of surviving.
The surgery, performed by well-known transplant surgeon Dr. Thomas Starzl andDr. Henry Kearns, will cost $100,000, hospital officials said.
"All her vital signs are good," officials said in a statement. "She is responsive and alert when awake, but she is still sleeping most of the time."
Doctors said that Stormie may be able to breathe without a respirator by today. She is expected to be hospitalized for several months.
South African police 'evict' black villagers
By United Press International
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Armed policemen forcibly evicted more black villagers yesterday from land their families have lived on for more than 70 years, driving some out at the point of shotguns, witnesses said.
In Washington, U.S. officials would not rule out the possibility of American military observers being sent to the area to police a peace agreement. U.S. officials said the meetings would begin today and last for "several days."
Elsewhere, top officials from the United States and South Africa headed to Zambia yesterday for talks in the capital city of Lusaka to strengthen Namibian independence settlement.
WESTERN DIPLOMATS said the meeting in the capital city of Lusaka was crucial to maintaining the peace initiative set in motion last month when South Africa announced a 30-day disengagement of its forces with West African guerillas the Saudi West African People's Organization (SWAPO).
It was said to be the first acknowledged face-to-face meeting between Angola and South Africa since December 1982.
Senior South African officials have said the disengagement of Pretoria's
ouces, the product of months of shuttle
romance inspired by Crocker, might lead
to a more complex project.
A spokesman for the white-rate government said almost 100 families from among 250 unwilling to resettle in Bohphatsuwana had been moved from Mogopa, located some 100 miles northwest of Johannesburg.
A further 1.7 million blacks face compulsory removal from their traditional homes under South Africa's apartheid system which, among other social factors, eradicate so-called "black spots" in areas reserved for white occupation.
Police said the removal of villagers from Mogopa in northwestern Transvail province was going smoothly and with the cooperation of local people."
Witnesses said diplomats who tried to enter Mogopa to monitor the removals were turned away by police.
The relocation, the latest in a 20-year program which has seen almost 3.5 million blacks forcibly removed from their traditional homes, began at dawn Tuesday under an order from State President Marais Viljoen.
FALL 1984
Student Teachers Meeting
AN ADMINISTRATION official in Washington yesterday described the U.S. role in negotiations as "a catalyst to try to pin down the important South African commitment."
All students who plan to student teach in the fall semester, 1984, are required to attend one of the following meetings.
★ Monday, February 20 -- All students in elementary and secondary education.
★ Tuesday, February 21 -- All students in health physical education, art and music.
The meetings will be
in Alderson Auditorium at 3:30.
Thrifty Thursday
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Expires 2/16/84
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How to be a better kisser.
Kissin' Close-up Games. Your kisses could win smackers for Easter Seals, and win you a trip to Hollywood, an all expense paid "Night on the Town," and an appearance on the local Easter Seals Telethon. Even if your lips want to sit this contest on, come down and watch. The Kissin' Close-up Games is being held around Valentine's Day (when else?) at Union Ballroom. 2/23, 7:50 pm. Sponsored by Close-up® Toothpaste.
KISSIN'CLOSE-UP GAMES
After you've gotten your lips in tipi lip shape, come enter them in the variety of events at the annual
BBQ CHICKEN SPECIAL Our Original Deep Hickory Barbeque 1/2 Chicken
$3.50
Served with tater curl fries,
choice of side dish and bread
Served after 4:00 p.m. daily
Offer Good
Wed., Feb. 15 thru
Sun., Feb. 19
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No Coupons Accepted with this offer