2A
The Inside Front
Tuesday December 9,1997
News
from campus, the state, the nation and the world
NATIONAL
BALTIMORE: The National Transportation Safety Board convened a weeklong hearing yesterday into the cause of the TWA Flight 800 crash, one day after the agency released documents suggesting that fuel vapors or bad wiring may have caused the explosion.
WASHINGTON: Biologists have shown for the first time that excess ultraviolet rays from natural sunlight kills amphibians, an ominous sign of the dangers of solar radiation leaking through a thinning ozone layer.
WASHINGTON: Looking to pressure Congress, the White House pushed the idea yesterday that President Clinton might appoint Bill Lann Lee as his new civil rights chief while lawmakers are out of session and powerless to stop him.
LOS ANGELES: A federal judge yesterday refused to block the release of Steven Spielberg's "Amistad," saying the moviemaker did not appear to have plagiarized a novel about the 19th-century mutiny aboard a slave ship.
INTERNATIONAL
TEHRAN, Iran; Iran and Saudi Arabia are edging closer after nearly 20 years of acrimony — a move that threatens to undermine U.S. efforts to isolate Iran.
NATIONAL
Board searching for cause of TWA Flight 800 crash
BALTIMORE — The National Transportation Safety Board convened a weeklong hearing yesterday into the cause of the TWA Flight 800 crash, one day after the agency released documents suggesting fuel vapors or bad wiring may have caused the explosion.
"While the shock of this event has slowly abated, the horror has not," board chairman James Hall told the crowd of reporters and experts.
The spark that ignited the fuel tank in the Boeing 747 off the coast of Long Island, just minutes after it left Kennedy International Airport for Paris on July 17, 1996, remains as elusive as ever. All 230 people on board were killed.
The Safety Board released thousands of pages of documents on the explosion Sunday but still cited no cause. The documents said that vapors in the nearly empty center fuel tank likely were ready to explode before the plane left the ground.
Investigators also reported discovering wires with insulation worn away in bundles of wiring leading through the plane's center fuel tank. In some sections of the miles of wiring retrieved from the ocean, investigators found the insulation was corroded or cracked to the core.
Investigators have looked into suggestions offered in more than 500 letters from university professors and aviation enthusiasts. Hall said yesterday.
"Some of these theories are just not possible," he said. "But of those that were, I can assure you that we had already examined most of them and we made sure we looked into the rest."
The documents and the hearings may help the National Transportation Safety Board pressure the Federal Aviation Administration to adopt potentially costly recommendations to reduce temperatures in fuel tanks so they cannot explode.
Amphibians can die with excessive natural sunlight
WASHINGTON — Biologists have shown for the first time that excess ultraviolet rays from natural sunlight kills amphibians, an ominous sign of the dangers of solar radiation leaking through a thinning ozone layer.
Oregon State University researchers found that natural sunlight contains enough ultraviolet-B radiation to kill most embryos of the long-toed salamander in mountain lakes of the Cascade Mountain Range, a home for the animals for thousands of years. Salamanders shielded from UVB were able to reproduce normally in the lakes, said Andrew Blaustein, leader of the Oregon team.
"We were stunned by our findings," said Blaustein. "This is proof that excess UVB radiation in nature can cause death and deformity in this species."
A report on the study was being published today in the Proceedings of the
Other scientists said the study sharpens concern about the thinning of the natural ozone layer of the atmosphere that normally shields the Earth from high levels of UVB. Studies have shown that the ozone layer has been eroded by industrial chemicals, principally chlorofluorocarbons used in refrigeration.
National Academy of Sciences.
Such chemicals are being phased out or have been banned worldwide, but the chemicals from earlier years remain in the atmosphere and continue to affect the ozone layer. Among the effects is the so-called ozone hole that forms annually over the Antarctic, but similar thinning has been detected over North America.
Blaustein said the findings strongly supported the theory that increased solar UVB had played a role in the worldwide decline of a number of amphibian species. Most of these animals reproduce by laying eggs in jelly-like masses in shallow water where they can be affected by solar UVB radiation.
Scientists internationally have reported a sharp decline in the numbers of frogs, toads and salamanders in many locations and a number of explanations have been proposed.
Likely Clinton appointee could face GOP challenge
WASHINGTON — Looking to pressure Congress, the White House pushed the idea yesterday that President Clinton might appoint Bill Lann Lee as his new civil rights chief while lawmakers are out of session and powerless to stop him.
At every turn, the president's aides were saying that Clinton hopes the Senate will confirm Lee as assistant attorney general for civil rights but remains willing to make a rare recess appointment if Republican opposition persists.
"I think it's clear what we will do." White House spokesman Mike McCurry said when asked about the president's options if opponents refuse to grant Lee a Senate vote. Abandoning Lee in favor of another nominee was not an option, McCurry said.
Attorney General Janet Reno appeared with Lee at a Justice Department ceremony and said Senate opponents were using unfair reasons to deny him a vote.
"Some say he should be denied the job simply as a payback for the rejection of past nominees. Others say he should be rejected because he shares the views of the president on affirmative action." Reno said. "I say 'no' to that, and so does the president."
A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said some senators have cited the idea of avenging two civil rights nominees from GOP administrations who, like Lee, failed to win approval from a Senate committee. Those people are Bill Lucas, nominated by President Bush in 1989, and William Bradford Reynolds, nominated by President Reagan in 1985.
"The president would like to see (Lee) confirmed, first and foremost, but in any event wants him to serve as assistant attorney general." McCurry said.
But Clinton did not act immediately to name Lee.
LOS ANGELES — A federal judge yesterday refused to block the release of Steven Spielberg's "Amistad," saying the moviemaker did not appear to have plagiarized a novel about the 19th-century mutiny aboard a slave ship.
U. S. District Judge Audrey Collins rebuffed a move by Barbara Chase-Riboud to stop the film's premiere tomorrow in New York and Los Angeles and Friday in the nation's 50 biggest markets.
'Amistad' release intact in spite of plagiarism suit
But the judge said Chase-Riboud could press ahead with her lawsuit and try to prove at a trial her claim that much of the "Amistad" screenplay was stolen from her historical novel "Echo of Lions."
"The judge said there was no reasonable likeliness of success on the merits of the case," said Bert Fields, an attorney for Spielberg and his DreamWorks studio. "She took apart their claims of similarities and said these things appear to come from history."
Chase-Riboud said she was disappointed but confident she would prevail at trial, which has not yet been scheduled.
"A preliminary injunction is the only protection a poor person has against a rich infringer," she said outside court. "I'm doing this for all writers."
The dispute has turned increasingly personal and vitriolic.
"What an irony that the renowned filmmaker who produced and directed "The Color Purple" would be a party to denying a prominent black American of letters and the arts her rightful recognition for raising public consciousness about slavery," Chase-Riboud's lawyers said in court papers.
The allegations challenge the reputation of Hollywood's best-known director about a movie Spielberg calls perhaps the most important of his career. In turn, Dream-Works is attacking the integrity of the award-winning novelist.
The tentative ruling was made after the parties failed to reach a settlement behind closed doors.
INTERNATIONAL
Iran, Saudi Arabia inching toward peace agreement
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran and Saudi Arabia are edging closer after nearly 20 years of acrimony — a move that threatens to undermine U.S. efforts to isolate Iran.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah arrived yesterday in Tehran for an important Islamic summit with delegates from more than 50 Muslim nations. His presence, and an expected meeting with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, follows months of diplomatic maneuvering for a rapprochement.
Their talks, though distracting attention from the Organization of the Islamic Conference summit, could mark a turning point in relations between the two most influential Islamic countries. Saudi Arabia has been a close American ally for more than half a century — 5,000-plus U.S. troops are in the kingdom — though a
new warmth toward Iran could jeopardize those ties.
The United States has been seeking to isolate Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution toppled the U.S.-backed shah and led to 52 Americans being held hostage for more than one year.
Washington regards Iran as a sponsor of terrorism and has severely criticized its opposition to the Middle East peace process. A Saudi-Iranian axis also would be regarded as a grave threat by Washington's prime Mideast align, Israel.
The kingdom is the world's largest oil exporter and played host to the U.S.-led coalition against Iraq in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Last year, however, the Saudis refused permission for U.S. planes based in Saudi Arabia to take part in an attack on Iraq. And last month, they joined most Arab states in boycotting a U.S.-backed economic conference in Qatar.
In Washington, State Department spokesman James Foley said he would have no official comment about the Islamic conference until after it ended. He added that there was no significance to the fact that the Islamic summit was better attended than the Qatar conference because the OIC was a well-established institution.
The Associated Press
ON THE RECORD
A KU student's silver 1993 Ford Probe was damaged between 10:30 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday in the 1000 block of Alabama Street, Lawrence police said. The damage was estimated at $1,000.
A KU student's four-G string panties were stolen between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Satur day from the 500 block of Fireside, Lawrence police said. The panties were valued at $20.
A KU student's front windshield and hood on a 1997 Mercury Mountaineer were damaged between 7.30 and 9.57 p.m. Friday in the 900 block of Iowa Street, Lawrence police said. The damage cost $260
At the damage was estimated at $350.
■ A KU student's left-side door window on a 1989 Honda was damaged between 12:01 and 11 a.m. Saturday in a lot in front of Lewis Hall, KU police said. The damage was estimated at $100.
A KU student's 1992 Honda was damaged between 8 p.m. Nov. 24 and 9:30 p.m.
Nov. 30 in a lot near Gertrude Sellards Pearson-Corbin Hall, KU police said. The damage was estimated at $100.
■ A KU student's wooden door was damaged and Super Nintendo and seven games stolen between 7 p.m. Nov. 23 and 2 p.m. Nov. 30 in the 1600 block of West 15th Street, KU police said. The damage and items were valued at $530.
A West African traditional religion book was stolen between 9:55 and 9:57 p.m. Saturday from Watson Library, KU police said. The book was valued at $30.
A Voltaire book was stolen and damaged between 3:55 and 4:08 p.m. Sunday in Watson Library, KU police said. The book and damage were estimated at $7.5
- Five building keys for Foley Hall were stolen between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Aug. 25 from room 102 Foley, KU police said. The keys were valued at $10.
ET CETERA
The University Daily Kansan is the student newspaper of the University of Kansas. The first copy is paid through the student activity fee. Additional copies of the Kansan are 25 cents. Subscriptions can be purchased at 119 Stauffer-Flint Hall.
The University Daily Kansan (USPS 650-640) is published at the University of Kansas, 119 Stauffer-Flint Hall, Lawrence, Kan. 66044, daily during the regular school year, excluding Saturday, Sunday, holidays and finals periods, and Wednesday during the summer session. Periodical postage is paid in Lawrence, Kan. 66044. Annual subscriptions by mail are $120. Student subscriptions of $2.33 are paid through the student activity fee.
Postmaster: Send address changes to the University Daily Kansan, 119 Stauffer-Flint Hall, Lawrence, Kan. 66045.
The On Campus section is now located in the University Daily Kansan's Classified section.
Listings for the On Campus section can be purchased at the University Daily Kansan business office, 119 Stauffer-Flint Hall, during regular business hours, Monday-Friday.
Listings are billed on a per-line-per-day basis. Prices are at cost for legitimate University of Kansas organizations.
Listings must be placed by 4 p.m. two days before the listing is to begin in the section. The University Daily Kansan is not responsible for ads that do not run due to missed deadlines.
Nation/World stories
http://www.kansan.com/news/nation/
http://www.kansan.com/news/nation/
Top Stories http://www.kansan.com
For a complete look at the day's news and top stories from around the nation and the world visit the University Daily Kansan interactive.
SANTA SAVINGS & HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FROM HAROLD'S
LADIES' HOLIDAY SAVINGS
Italian Merino Sweaters .up to 60% off!
Long Print Skirts .up to 50% off!
Select Ladies' Fall Blouses .up to 50% off!
Select Blazers .up to 40% off!
Select Chenille Sweaters .up to 40% off!
Velvet Knit Tops .up to 40% off!
Select Genuine Italian Handbags .up to 50% off!
Microfiber Outwear .up to 40% off!
Wool Gabardine Separates .up to 30% off!
Select Hardwets .up to 40% off!
Suede and Leather Vests .up to 30% off!
Select Plaid Skirts .up to 30% off!
Select Wool Tweed Separates .up to 30% off!
Corduroy Separates .up to 50% off!
MEN'S HOLIDAY SAVINGS
Select Outerwear ... 25% off!
Select Woven Sportswears ... $29.90!
Long Sleeve Knit Shirts ... $29.90!
Select Fall Patterned Trousers ... 25% off!
Special Group of Neckwear ... 50% off!
Select Group of Fall Sweaters ... 25% off!
Topcoats ... $150 off!
Fall Sportgears ... $75-100 off!
HAROLD'S
Quality Apparel Since1948
More stories in the UDKi
Country Club Plaza, Kansas City* and Town Center Plaza, Leawood
For a free men's & ladies' color catalog, visit us at www.harolds.com or call 1800-676-5373.
"Ladies' selections only at the Country Club Plaza location.