Monday. Feb. 24. 1986
Nation/World
University Daily Kansan
7
U.S. finds itself badgered by Nicaraguan proganda
United Press International
WASHINGTON — The Reagan administration suddenly found itself knee deep last week in the irony of trying to fight Nicaraguan propaganda with secrecy.
U. S. officials hope to repair some of the damage today when a document from Managua's Marxist-led government is scheduled to be released by the State Department, allegedly showing evidence of a Sandinista "sophisticated campaign of disinformation."
The document, shown to dozens of members of Congress last week in White House meetings to warn them of attempts at communist lobbying, will be stripped of names.
Those names, according to Assistant Secretary of State Elliott Abrams, are of American lobbyists who might be approached to persuade Congress to vote down aid to Contra rebels in Nicaragua and of individual Americans who might be asked to volunteer — so they would not have to register with the government as paid foreign agents.
The administration apparently acted too soon last week in revealing the disinformation campaign, building up expectations of a plot that when publicly disclosed would probably turn out to be not only legal, but expected of any foreign government with an interest in foreign aid.
After the first of the congressional meetings Tuesday, in which top aides tried to win support for President Reagan's plan to give $70 million in secret military aid to the rebels, House Republican leader Robert Michel revealed the existence of a Nicaraguan disinformation campaign.
Other lawmakers, usually happy to talk about what they heard, were unusually grim-faced and tight-lined about the document.
White House deputy press secretary Larry Speakes hammered on the theme for two straight days — but offered little proof of the charges, saying intelligence sources and methods had to be protected.
Asked if Congress could be persuaded more by Sandistina public relations than administration lobbying, Speaks replied, "It remains to be seen."
A senior administration official took the accusations to a higher level Wednesday, saying Americans who volunteer to help the Sandinistas did so out of outright, sheer hatred of the president.
By Thursday, the official, speaking as Abrams, promised that the
sanitized documents would be released and if those named knew about it, they would be shocked.
The administration official, apparently at odds with the CIA, conceded that reporters were making a very effective argument for declassification by suggesting that the vague charges put a cloud over anybody on Capitol Hill who might oppose the administration aid proposal.
Sen. David Durenberger, R-Minn., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he feared the administration would portray every senator and congressman who voted against lethal aid as a stooge of communism.
"The White House decision to declassify a secret, sensitive Nicaraguan government document is outrageous." he said.
White House spokesman Edward Djerejian called those charges untrue.
At work in this episode were the desire by White House policy makers to inoculate Congress and public opinion against Nicaraguan arguments and the propensity of the intelligence community to classify almost everything.
Kansas City-based group vies for top reggae band Grammy
United Press International
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Blue Riddim Band, a blue-eyed reggae group from jazzy Kansas City, is vying for a Grammy this week — making it the first all-white band to be nominated for the coveted award in the reggae category.
"People say, 'Yeah right, a reggae band from Kansas City. All white. Sure," said蓝Riddim drummer Steve "Duck" McLane.
The band is nominated for best reggae recording of the year for its album "Alive in Jamaica" — which was recorded in 1982 at the Sunspill festival in Jamaica and released last year by the Chicago-based Flying Fish Records.
Blue Riddim's competition includes music performed by reggae heavy Jimmy Cliff and the Melody Makers — made up of the children of the late reggae superstar Bob Marley. Nominated for the best reggae recording is Cliff's "Cill's Hanger," the Melody Makers "Play
the Game Right," Burning Spear's "Resistance," and Judy Mowatt's "Working Wonders."
Blue Riddim isn't counting on winning tomorrow night at the Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles — but the thrill of being nominated is apparent.
"We feel really good to even be nominated," said McLane in an interview before the band left for Los Angeles. "I don't think we even have any great level of expectations. If for some reason we would win, we'd be in a great position."
Bass player Andy "Drew" Myers quickly interjected, "Just being nominated is an honor."
The nomination marks the first time a Kansas City-based group has ever been in the running for the prestigious industry award and it came as a surprise to Blue Riddim.
Reggae is the native pop music of Jamaica so being American and white — on top of being from Kansas City — is not always easily accepted by those who first hear about the
Blue Riddim Band
But the band made quite an impression at the 1982 Sunsplash Festival at Montego Bay in Jamaica
— where an estimated 16,000, mostly black reggae puirists — gathered for the world's biggest reggae festival. Jamaican journalists called the Blue Riddim's set the highlight of the four-day festival.
The band came on stage about 6 a.m. the last day of the festival before a sleepy crowd that moaned as the all-white band was introduced. But Blue Ridim's first song brought the drowsy reggae fans to their feet. When it was all over, the Kansas City band tied for the festival's best band honors.
The performance resulted in the Grammys nomination, an extensive tour across the United States and international notice for Blue Riddim.
"Now it's gotten to the point Jamaican think there's some great Jamaican or reggae scene here in Kansas City," said McLane. "At least people don't scoff anymore."
On the Record
Three persons reported in separate incidents Saturday that their license plates were missing, Lawrence police said. The thefts occurred in the 1200 block of Rhode Island Street, the 700 block of Massachusetts Street and the 2700 Redbud Lane.
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automotive services and higher operating costs, may reach epidemic proportions if current trends continue more than a few weeks.
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Terry Burkart/KANSAN
He said national brand dealers had been hurt by the high cost of oil from large refineries, while the independents have been able to seek lower-priced gasoline.
Buried behind piles of files, George Lopez, Wichita junior, goes over notes during the Heart of America Debate Tournament. Preliminary rounds were held Saturday and yesterday. The tournament will conclude today with elimination rounds in the Kansas Union.
Those with high-volume sales are best suited to withstand the price cuts, Lundberg said, because they can stay current with market prices.
Making a case
Damage to dealers of national brands, especially those with
wholesale price of oil were factors contributing to what he foresaw as a shakeup in the wholesale and retail markets.
Analyst studies gas benefits
Dealers of national brands may be hurt the most, he said, noting that prices at full-service gas stations have not fallen as quickly as those at independent self-service retailers who are able to shop around for the best wholesale prices.
In his weekly newsletter, analyst Dan Lundberg said Saturday that higher operating costs, increased competition and the uneven
LOS ANGELES — Falling oil prices will benefit consumers in the short-term, but the lower prices may lead to a decline in the number of retail gasoline and automotive service stations, an oil industry analyst reports.
A bike valued at $500 was stolen sometime between 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, police said. The bike was stolen from the owner's place.
United Press International
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