VOL.101.NO.10
THE UNIVERSITY DA KANSA
KANSAS STATE HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
TOPEKA KS 66012
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
FRIDAY,SEPTEMBER6,1991
ADVERTISING:864-4358
(USPS 650-640)
Hard-line deputies resist Soviet plan
The Associated Press
MOSCOW — Lawmakers fearful of being stripped of power and privilege are presenting stiff resistance to Mikhail G. Sorbachev's grand scheme to transform the Soviet Union into a confederation of sovereign states.
The Congress of People's Deputies took up the proposal when it convened yesterday. Gorbachev was again eager to bring it to an immediate vote.
The shift came three days after the draft won resounding support at the opening session, propelled by the momentum of last month's failed
"All right, allright," Gorbachev told the Congress after it refused to debate his plan on Wednesday. "The law is still in the air."
Second thoughts by members of the highest Soviet lawmaking body could force Gorbachev and the leaders of the 10 republics that have endorsed the plan to bypass the lawmakers and implement it by decree.
On Wednesday, deputies refused to debate the plan, which would creatеen interim govеrnment in which the republics would wіnd nearly all the
Ukrainian lawmaker Yuri Scherbak said later that he was not sure whether Gorbachev would get the needed to pass even a reworked draft.
The president told republican delegations to submit proposed changes to a commission drafting a new plan for yesterday's session.
Lawmakers on Wednesday voted 1,126 to 289 to approve a resolution "in
principle" calling for a new Union Treaty in which each member independently decides the form of its participation in the union.
The resolution, subject to amendment, requires republics achieving full independence and not joining the new union to negotiate "a whole complex of questions related to separation."
Gorbachev has told Baltic representatives that he — and not the Congress — would recognize their independence by decree after the session.
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have won diplomatic recognition from the United States and most of Europe and would become the first breakaway Soviet states to have their independence drives win Kremlin acceptance.
Under the law, an interim government would rule until a new loose confederation can be formed.
A new State Council, consisting of the president and the leaders of the 10 member republics, will be the top executive body in the temporary government. A committee, including representatives of each republic, would coordinate economic policy and the transition to a market economy.
The same lawmakers who were silent during Gorbachev's three-day ouster and who initially backed the Soviet leader's plan suddenly resisted it once they realized it would end their power.
The law on restructuring the union seeks an orderly transfer of power from a central government radically downstream to the aftermath of the failed coup.
"It is simply madness to leave the huge territory of this vast country that
Baltics may get money, visit from U.S. officials
The Associated Press
RIGA, Latvia — A high-ranking U.S. official hinted yesterday that President George Bush might grant direct economic aid to the Baltics — a measure Washington has so far refused the Soviet Union.
The official, Curtis Kamman, a U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state, said it was possible Secretary of State James A. Baker III may visit the newly independent nations of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania next week.
The United States recognized the Baltics' independence from the Soviet Union on Wednesday, and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev was expected to do so as early astoday.
"Tomorrow, at the State Council, we will consider that question," Gorbachev said, referring to the country's newly created top legislative body, which consists of him and the leaders of the republics.
used to be a single entity without common laws in such difficult times," said Yuri Burykh, a deputy from the Ukraine.
A delegation of members of the U.S. Congress who arrived yesterday in Latvia said that they would press the Kremlin for recognition if no action was taken by the time it reached Moscow on Monday.
"We will urge it in the most vociferous way we can," said Sen. Dennis DeConcini, an Arizona Democrat.
not think that the people will forgive us," said Col. Viktor Alknis, a leader of a hard-line group opposed to dissolving the union.
In the hands of lawmakers unwilling to accept the changes, the two-thirds vote needed to pass laws changing the constitution is a powerful weapon.
Algimantas Cekuoiis of Lithuania said the lawmakers would retain their status as deputies until the end of their terms in 1949. That means 300-ruble (¥540) monthly salaries and free plane and train tickets would continue.
"If we let ourselves be frightened today and give up our convictions, I do
New Soviet structure
Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev's "interni-
gvernment structure until a new union is formed"
State Council
Highest government body: Headed by Soviet president; leaders of all republics Responsibility: Coordinates domestic, foreign policy, defense, security and law enforcement
Inter-republic Economic Committee
Responsibility: Coordinates national economy, implements economic reforms; chairman to be named by president
--their own constitutions ___
Supreme Soviet
Council of Republics
Council of the Union
Each republic will send 20 deputies; autonomous regions can send one representative each; one vote for delegation
Deputies chosen by republics' legislatures, based on number of lawmakers each now has in the Congress of People's Deputies
Joint responsibility: Decide on changes to Soviet constitution accepts state into new union, confirm budgets, declare war
SOURCE: AP
Powers of the republics
Republics 'legislatures have right to suspend laws set by Supreme Soviet that contradict their own constitutions
Knight-Ridder Tribune News
N.C. blaze may stem from lack of inspections
The Associated Press
The state has 10 times more agricultural extension agents helping farmers improve their harvests
BALFIGHT, N.C. — North Carolina,
where 25 people lived this week in a
factory fire, has just 27 workplace safety
inspectors, giving the bottom rank
Workers' advocates say the shortage of inspectors may have contributed to the deaths at Imperial Food Products plant in Hamiet on Tuesday.
Investigators are trying to determine if locked exits at the chicken mugger factory trapped the workers inside the burning buildings businesses were locked. Workers said doors were locked to prevent pilferage.
Federal inspectors in Georgia found fire hazards in the cooking room at a Georgia poultry plant owned by the Department of Agriculture, and the cooking room was shut down.
A U.S. House of Representatives committee will look into the accident next week. Rep. William D. Ford, D-Mich., said yesterday.
"From the initial information I have seen, this is a tragedy that should not have happened," said Ford, head of the House Committee on Education
"There appears to have been a total lack of enforcement of even the most elementary safety standards."
State Labor Commissioner John Brooks had his inspection staff was so small that it would take 65 years to visit every workplace in North Carolina.
The plant was never inspected in its 11 years of operation. State officials say that is not unusual.
"It makes me feel like, basically, the Legislature doesn't care about the lives of workers," said Mark Schulz of equational Safety and Health Project.
Workers' advocates blame lawmakers for that predicament.
A hiring freeze prevented Brooks from filing vacant positions. Gov Jim Martin lifted that冻结 Wednesday, but an earlier order from Martin that state agencies return money for replenishing the state's "rainy day" fund will take away the money available for new inspectors. Brooks said.
"They're not workers. They don't relate to workers. They're basically accepting what they think is going to happen and make themselves make more money."
The Charlie Observer found and reported many inefficiencies in the investigation system in a four-month investigation of the state system.
Patrick G. Brungardt/KANSAM
Enjoying the fair weather, Brian Bentley (left), Olathe freshman, watches as Rob Thies, Olathe freshman, kicks a football. The two were using some spare time yesterday afternoon to practice at the Shenk Complex playing fields at 23rd and Iowa streets.
Getting their kicks
Council opposes Regents mission
University body says statement would weaken institutions' authority
By Alexander Bloemhof
Kansan staff writer
University Council yesterday adopted a resolution opposing a mission statement the Board of Regents staff proposed in late August.
The Kansas Regents System Mism Statement 1982-2000 is being written to address future needs such as training and equipment at Regents schools
The Council opposed the Regents staff proposal because it believes it would weaken the individual institutions' authority.
"It appears that the Regents staff wishes to transform the current Regents system of autonomous educational institutions into a system concerned with appointing and to appoint itself as the administrative agent," the resolution stated.
The Regents in the past outlined broad policies for the entire Regents system, while the individual schools managed themselves.
The Regents staff distributed its proposal to several administrative and governing bodies at Regents institutions for consideration and com-
It is scheduled to be submitted to the Regents at its monthly meeting Sent.19 in Topeka.
Frances Ingemann, presiding officer of the Council, said the schedule created a problem because it left little time for the institutions to respond.
however, Del Shankel, interim executive vice chancellor, said at the Council meeting that there was some flexibility.
Shankel said that Jack Sampson, chairperson of the Board of Regents, had indicated that the staff's proposal should be considered a draft.
"The staff material will probably be substantially revised before it is approved by the Board of Regents," he said.
TheapprovedversionoftheRegents mission statement will determine what the individual schools can include in their own mission statements.
"The mission statements are requested by the Board of Regents to define the role of the individual universities," said Tom Beiecker, chairperson of University Senate Executive Committee.
"They serve as a justification for particular programs and to express how the institutions think of themselves." Beisecker said.
He said KU always had been seen as a research institution.
The individual mission statements have to be submitted to the Regents by the Board.
Ingemann said that the proposal focused too much on making universities' programs more efficient and that it also provided a educational mission of the universities.
To have the statements ready by then, KU's administration established the Mission 2000 Steering Committee before the proposal from the Regents staff was released.
She said she did not think that centralization of management would make the Regents system more efficient.
Citizens help enforce law with video cameras
By Justin Knupp Kansan staff writer
Smile! You could be on candid "home video" camera.
With the deluge of home video camera sales, it may seem that no person, place, event or natural disaster can hide from the inquiring lenses of video cameras. A police officer on a police brutality, amateur video camera operators have all to tape.
Local police officers see the video craze as way for the community to be involved with law enforcement
"If the public can get involved by taping crimes they witness, so much better," he said. "In an area where there are tens of thousands of people, and a limited number of officers, public involvement is always a big help."
Burdel Welsh, KU police representative, said involvement with law enforcement officials could be good.
"Plus, they may get some event on tape that could be used as evidence."
Welsh said many law enforcement officers worried that people would place themselves in danger if they attempted to videotape events.
we don't want someone to get hurt because they are trying to tape something," he said. "We also don't want them with officers trying to do their jobs.
*Not only could the civilian get hurt*
in a dangerous situation, they could distract the officer and endanger the officer's life." Welsh said.
The use of videotape among law enforcement officials also is increasing. Sometimes cameras are mounted in the grills of police cars.
"This, in my opinion is a good thing and KU is looking at possibly investing in this technology. "Wela said."
He said KU police had no specific plans to purchase cameras.
"It can also serve as evidence if anything happens to the officer," he said.
parts of a police station.
He said officers could record events in front of their cars as evidence or as a record of people's actions.
Earlier this year, the Lawrence police department tested a car with a video camera.
Gwin also said videotape was a good tool for law enforcement officers to use in recording crime scenes.
Ernest Gwin, Lawrence police representative, said cameras could provide footage of arrests to clarify discrepancies in police procedures.
When the prosecutors begin to look at a DWI case, they have a visual record of how the person acted when the officer stopped them," he said. "One person's definition of staggered can be different than another's. However, the tape leaves little doubt as to the actions of the suspect."
"There is a permanent record that can be viewed as many times as necessary," he said. "Officers can review the scene without having to return to the site."
However, Gwin said that in some court systems, tapes were not widely accepted.
"I don't know why, but I think that soon tapes will be more easily accepted," he said. "Until then, I don't see them as being used a lot."
David Gottlieb, professor of law,
said videotape usually was accepted
because of the emotional impact it
could have.
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