University Daily Kansan / Thursday, September 7, 1989
7
Nation/World
U.S. assails 'Christian terrorism' in Lebanon
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The State Department blamed a Christian military commander and his supporters yesterday for forcing the evacuation of all U.S. diplomats from Lebanon through threats of hostage-taking and a "good dose of Christian terrorism."
While vowing that the United States would not abandon the strife-torn Middle Eastern country permanently, State Department spokesman Margaret Tutwilier said it was "very wise, very prudent," to withdraw Ambassador John McCarthy and his staff from the besieged embassy in Beirut.
The decision was made by President Bush with the unanimous concurrence of Secretary of State James A. Baker III and other high-
level officials who met with the president Tuesday, Tutwiler said.
About 1,000 demonstrators had blockaded the embassy, demanding that McCarthy recognize Gen. Michel Aoun, commander of Christian forces at war with Moslem factions backed by Syria, as the "sole legitimate authority" in Lebanon, Tutwiler said.
The spokesman said the leader of the demonstration, whom she did not name, told the crowd that the Americans could enter and leave the embassy "at their own risk."
"He said the blockade would move closer to the embassy, and an indefinite next step would take place yesterday." Tutwiler said.
Several hours after Bush made the decision to evacuate, McCarthy and his staff of about 30 were airlifted to Cyprus, from which they later
were flown to Frankfurt, West Germany. Some are expected to go on to the United States today, and others later in the week.
The embassy was left in the charge of Lebanese guards. After it was abadoned by the Americans, the protesters disbanded.
Ambassador Abdallah Bouhabib, the Lebanese ambassador to Washington, disputed the U.S. account.
"We think that there was no danger whatsoever for the American diplomats there," he said. "There have been no real threats. The demonstration was democratic, like any demonstration."
The ambassador, who said he was notified by the State Department of the evacuation Tuesday night, described the demonstration as "a
result of frustration of asking for more assistance from a friendly superpower."
The envoy said he had been assured, however, that the United States "will tell all parties concerned that the closing of the embassy is not giving others a green light to do whatever they want in Lebanon, and they promised us they will continue to work for peace in Lebanon."
The Bush administration has supported efforts by the Arab League to arrange a ceasefire in the 15-year civil war and has not taken a direct or prominent diplomatic role in trying to end Lebanon's strife.
Colombian says drug war is foiled by U.S. appetite
The Associated Press
BOGOTA, Colombia — Communications Minister Carlos Lemos said yesterday that his embattled country could not successfully fight narcotics traffickers unless the United States, the world's largest cocaine consumer, curbed its drug appetite.
The Defense Ministry meanwhile said it had seized 880 properties, some of them castle-like estates, and nearly as many vehicles and aircraft in its $2\frac{1}{4}$-week-old war on narcotics dealers.
Lemos, who is also acting justice minister, commented on television on President Bush's Tuesday night
declaration of his own war on drugs.
"I hope the aid to be offered to Colombia will be substantial," Lemos said.
"The main thing is consumption. As long as drug use in the United States isn't suppressed, the world never will succeed in effectively combating narcotics trafficking."
In a speech in Washington, Bush proposed spending $7.9 billion to fight the drug problem, including a four-fold increase in military and law enforcement aid for Colombia, Bolivia and Peru, to $261.2 million in 1990.
BUDGET OFFICE BLAIMED: The White House budget office was blamed yesterday for the inability of government statisticians to track significant changes in the economy and their effect on people and businesses, even while spending about $2 billion this year trying.
The government spends nearly seven times more money collecting data on agriculture than education, said the congressional Office of Technology Assessment's report.
"It seems unlikely that this is the right ratio, given the transformation under way in the economy," the agency said in the 40-page report. The report also said that no agency had stepped forward to challenge the ratio.
World Briefs
SOCCER FANS ARRESTED:
Swedish Police arrested about 100 British soccer fans who rampaged through downtown Stockholm yesterday before a World Cup qualifying match, the national TT news agency reported.
TT said another 61 soccer fans, including six Britons, were arrested outside Rasunda Stadium during and after the match between Britain and Sweden, which ended in a 0-1 tie.
British soccer clubs were banned from playing in European club competition after a 1986 riot-sparked stumpede in Belgium that killed 39 spectators, mostly Italians.
HUD REFORMS PROGRAM: The Department of Housing and Urban
Development will revive, with significant reforms, a housing insurance program that has cost the government millions because of defaults blamed on mismanagement, agency officials in Washington, said yesterday.
The revised multifamily housing co-insurance program will include tighter eligibility requirements for lenders and an expanded monitoring effort by HUD, said the officials, who spoke on condition they not be identified.
IRAQI EXPLOSION: Many sources report an explosion Aug. 17 at an Iraqi missile plant south of Baghdad and some put the death toll at more than 700, but Iraq's obsessively secret government has said nothing.
Bakker is able to stand trial, judge declares
The Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A federal judge ruled yesterday that Jim Bakker was competent to stand trial on fraud charges after a government psychiatrist testified that the PTL founder was not going crazy when he broke down last week.
Bakker's trial was recessed and he was sent to a federal prison for psychiatric evaluation last week after he was found in his lawyer's office hallucinating and hiding under a couch.
"He is not going crazy," Sally Johnson, chief of psychiatric services at the prison, testified out of the presence of jurors. "The stress that he's feeling is normal."
U. S. District Court Judge Robert Potter asked Bakker, who was brought to court in leg irons and buffs, to stand and answer questions.
"Do you understand what you are on trial here for?" the judge asked Bakker, who is accused of fleeing followers of his PTL ministry.
"Yes sir," Bakker responded quietly.
Asked if he was able to assist his friend, he said, "Tm've very liked, but I believe."
Potter ordered Bakker released from federal marshals' custody.
Potter also denied defense lawyers' motions for a continuance and for a dismissal of the indictment against Bakker after meeting in his chambers with attorneys. He did not rule on a motion for a mistrial.
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