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[Newspaper Clippings, 1990-1991]
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415892678
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[Newspaper Clippings, 1990-1991]
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13896-014
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Tony Snow Subject Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
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MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection: George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Snow, Tony, Files
Subseries:
Subject File, 1988-1993
OA/ID Number:
13896
Folder ID Number:
13896-014
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[Newspaper Clippings, 1990-1991]
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G
18
29
2
4
PAGE G4/ TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
The Washington Times
DONALD LAMBRO
hese are dismal days for the
T
Democrats as they watch
Adrift in
when the war resolution roll was
called, urged his colleagues to "stop
their party's spirit gradually
looking so gloomy" and enjoy the na-
being eroded by political de-
tion's victory.
fection, depression and division.
America's victory over Iraq has
a dismal
If the president's soaring job ap-
proval ratings were not hard enough
clearly changed the national politi-
for Democrats to swallow, Louisiana
cal climate, though its full implica-
Gov. Buddy Roemer's desertion to
tions may not be known for many
political
the GOP was even worse.
months to come: Much depends on
Democratic National Committee
how President Bush and his party
Chairman Ron Brown tried to put
use the political capital that has
flowed from the president's remark-
the best face on a party switch he
able achievement.
had long feared, saying that it was
Yet only now is the full enormity
swamp
not surprising "given his past rec-
ord, his-recent vacillation and ideo-
of the Democrats' Persian Gulf
blunder just beginning to settle in on
logical leanings." But the first politi-
party leaders as Republicans con-
percent to 23 percent when asked
cal defection of a governor in
tinue to bombard them for failing to
who is better able to handle foreign
modern memory represented an-
give Mr. Bush the bipartisan ap-
policy
other major crack in the Democrats'
proval he sought in January to liber-
The mood of renewed national
increasingly splintered ranks in the
ate Kuwait.
confidence and elf-esteem that has
Deep South.
As postwar public opinion polls
followed the war has spilled over into
Mr. Roemer joins nearly 240 for-
mer Democratic elected officials
roared in, bathing the president with
broader political tributaries as well.
overwhelming approval of his lead-
Republicans now lead Democrats
and other party leaders who have
ership in a major crisis, the majority
47 percent to 34 percent when voters
turned Republican since Mr. Bush
of House and Senate Democrats
are asked which party can better
became president, most of them
were left to weakly defend their fail-
handle the nation's overall problems.
from the South, where a slow but
ure to support him when the fateful
And despite the recession, the GOP
continuing party realignment is tak-
roll was called.
even holds a decisive lead over the
ing place.
The polls not only showed that
Democrats when voters are asked
In many ways, the switch grew
most Americans strongly approved
which party is better equipped to
out. of the realigning climate that
of Mr. Bush's handling of the war
handle the economy.
emerged anew in the early 1980s
and, the reasons for waging it, they.
Moreover, more voters now iden-
when Boll Weevil Southern con-
also revealed a sharp decline in con-
tify themselves as Republicans, by
gressmen like Mr. Roemer broke
fidence in the Democrats on protect-
47 percent to 45 percent, a major
Democratic ranks to support Ronald
ing national security. A Washington
shift from the 51 percent ad
Reagan's tax and budget cuts. Mr.
Post-ABC News poll showed voters
vantage that Democrats enjoyed last
Reagan may be gone, but the seeds
siding with Republicans by 68 per-,
October.
of his political legacy are still bear-
cent to 17 percent when asked which
No one denies that the Democrats
ing fruit for his party.
party is best able to maintain a
are just as relieved as anyone else
Meantime, the Democrats' deep-
strong defense. The GOP wins by 59
over the war's successful conclu-
ening ideological divisions emerged
sion, but its political aftermath and
again last week when Mr. Robb was
the sudden turn in public opinion
ousted from the Budget Committee
Donald Lambro, chief political
against their party has clearly de-
by his party because of his fiscal
correspondent of The Washington
pressed their ranks
conservatism. The Virginia Demo-
Times, is a nationally syndicated
Indeed, Democratic lawmakers
crat was shoved off the committee
were so gloomy that Virginia Sen
by Chairman James Sasser of Ten-
columnist.
Charles Robb, one of only 10 Senate
nessee, who said he merely wanted
Democrats to support Mr. Bush
to reduce the size of the 23-member
panel to make it more manageable.
But Mr. Robb revealed last week
that he had been purged by Mr. Sas-
ser, with the approval of his party's
Steering Committee, because he had
been critical of the increased spend-
ing levels approved by the Demo-
cratic-run committee.
He admitted to me that although
ANTI-
his public position was to reduce the
size of the committee, that, as he put
GULF
it, if I would have been more willing
WAR
to cooperate, then he would have
been more willing to go to bat for
VOTE
me," Mr. Robb told New York Times
reporter Richard Berke.
The Senate Democratic action
against Mr. Robb, who has been
mentioned as a future presidential
contender, sent a chilling signal to its
party's moderate to conservative
members; toe the liberal party line
on big spending or else face disci-
plinary action.
'92 CAMPAI GN
Opera fans give
bravos for their
favorite troupe/2
Life
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
The Washington Times
UPI Bettmann
In June 1919 French Premier Georges Clemenceau signed the Paris Peace Treaty, which would bring Germany to its knees after losing World War 1.
The ghosts of Versailles
THE
By Judith Colp
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
The treaty that ended World War I
which saddled that country with
guilt, debt and, in the end, a fanatical
reaction," wrote syndicated colum-
he ghosts of the
holds lessons for America today
nist Paul Greenberg in The Washing-
I
statesmen who gath-
ton Times:
cred at Versailles Pal-
"Whatever justice was served [by
ace in 1919 have been
But when the victors moved from
rose to power because the treaty had
the Versailles streaty] was out-
hovering over Wash-
the corpse-strewn battlefields to the
been so viciously punitive: After the
weighed by the ruin of the German
ington since the Unit-
sumptuous halls of Versailles near
collapse of the German Democratic
economy and weakening of its de-
ed States defeated
Paris, they were no longer united.
Weimar Republic, Adolf Hitler de-
mocracy,": declared a New York
Iraq. They are evoked by pundits
Led by idealistic U.S. President
clared the Versailles treaty void.
Times editorial: at is the stability,
who echo the old refrain that those
Woodrow Wilson and the vengeful
Once again Germany plunged Eu-
not the ruin, of Iraq that should be
who forget history's lessons are
French Premier Georges Clemen-
rope into a long, bloody battle.
the goal of any postwar reparations
doomed to repeat them.
ceau; the Versailles conference was
Many contend the Versailles
program."
As he determines how much Iraq
the most lavish display of diplomacy
treaty was filled with as many illu-
The New York Times quoted
should be punished for having in-
in modern history. It also has been
sions as the famous Hall of Mirrors
economist John Maynard Keynes, a
vaded Kuwait, President Bush is be-
widely viewed as the most disap-
in which it was signed. British Prime
member of the British delegation at
ing urged to heed those ghosts who
pointing.
Minister David Lloyd George, a par-
Versailles, who wrote in his influen-
established a "new world order' and
Four months later in the bloom of
ticipant, called it "the most abused
tial 1920 tome "The Economic Con-
settled scores 72 years ago, right
summer, the diplomats produced a
and least perused document in his-
sequences of the Peace"
after World War I.
200-page document known as the
tory."
If we aim deliberately at the
Five million lives were lost in that
Paris Peace Treaty. Framed in high-
Now, in the winter of 1991 some
impoverishment of Central Europe,
four-year struggle in which Ger-
toned, albeit soporific, rhetoric, the
might find meaning in the date's
vengeance, I dare predict, will not
many, Austria-Hungary and Turkey
treaty was poised to bring Germany
similarity to 1919 - Mr. Bush is be-
limp. Nothing can then delay. for
lost to the victorious Allied forces of
to its knees.
ing urged not to make the same mis-
very long that final civil war be-
France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan
Schoolchildren today learn that
takes with Iraq. "To impose punitive
tween the forces of Reaction and the
and the United States. A world built
the treaty's effects were so devastat-
reparations on Iraq would be as
despairing convulsions of Rev-
on colonies, classes and monarchies
ing for Germany that less than 20
shortsighted as the harsh peace im
was about to end.
years later a megalomaniacal leader
posed on Germany at Versailles,
see TREATY, page E4
PAGE TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
The Washington Times
TREATY
pointed Germany, which had hoped
for the leniency promised by Wil-
son's Fourteen Points, was forced to
From page E1
sign the Versailles treaty or face
military occupation. Its empire was
olution, before which the horrors of
destroyed. Among other treaty pro-
the late German war will fade into
visions, Germany was forced to cede
nothing."
Alsace-Lorraine to France, and ter-
But the historical lessons to be
ritory to several countries including
drawn from Versailles are not SO
Poland and Belgium.
clear. Stephen A. Schuker, professor
German territory west of the
of history at Brandeis University;
Rhine, and 30 miles east, was to be
says the New York Times editorial
permanently demilitarized, owing to
has it all wrong by "repeating the
French insistence. The German
canard that the reparations levied
state of Saarland was granted a pro-
on Germany after World War I pre-
visional government with its coal-
cipitated 'the ruin of the German
rich fields to be used by the French.
economy.'
Germany's army was severely re-
Germany, in fact, never paid its
stricted in equipment and man-
reparations, Mr. Schuker asserts.
1
power.
15,
From 1919 to 1931 Germany trans-
ferred to the Allies the equivalent of
$4 billion. But during the same pe-
League of Nations
riod citizens of Allied nations trans-
Wilson received his cherished
ferred 10 Germany more than twice
Watercolor by Gwen Raveral/
League of Nations. Ironically the
that amount, They speculated on the
The National Portrait Gallery London
United States was the only world
German mark and made loans on
John Maynard Keynes, a member of
power that didn't join the league,
which defaulted, he
the British delegation at Versailles
greatly weakening its potential.
says.
After battling with France at the
"The net capital flow thus ran
Germany, in fact,
conference, Wilson faced an equally
strongly toward Germany," says Mr.
tough partisan battle back home.
Schuker, who documents these as-
The Republican-dominated Con-
sertions in his book "American
Reparations to Germany, 1919-33"
never paid its
gress; led by Wilson's nemesis, Sen.
Henry Cabot Lodge, refused to rat-
Some vengeancel Some ruin!"
ify. the Versailles treaty without
He adds that for too long Keynes
reparations, says.a
making major changes in the pro-
whom hedubs"a well known Ger-
posed League of Nations.
man propagandist" set the
tone debate about the treaty.
professor of history.
Unwilling to compromise, Wilson
urged his Democratic loyalists to
Another Versailles treaty expert,
vote against the treaty, so ensuring
Fritz Stern, professor of history at
the defeat of ratification. The sickly
Columbia University, agrees that the
president had outlined this new di-
but persistent president declared
impact of reparations was felt
plomacy in his Fourteen Points ad-
the next presidential election, in
psychologically, rather than eco-
dress, which called for "peace with-
which he was not a candidate, to be
nomically, by Germany.
out victory" and self-determination
a referendum on the League.
"The treaty has been unjustly
among peoples.
The U.S. public, who came to be-
blamed for all sorts of mishaps and
His most cherished vision was for
lieve they had been lured into World
tragedies that happened afterward,"
the establishment of a League of Na-
War by the greed of arms manufac-
Mr. Stern says. "At the very least it
tions, the forerunner of the United
turers the so-called "merchants
was'a triumph of speech that gave
Nations which became the modern
of death" wanted to step down
Europe. an immediate breathing
world's first permanent organi-
fróm the international stage. They
spell which it didn't use."
zation for international cooperation.
elected Republican Warren Har-
The Fourteen Points formed the
ding, who declared the league as
The conference
basis for an Allied armistice with
dead as slavery," in a landslide.
Germany, and was expected toilay
By 1921 the United States had
It was the modern world's grand-
the groundwork for the Versailles
signed separate peace treaties with
est international conference, with
peace treaty.
its World War enemies, and three
representatives from more than 35
But the Old World leaders who sat
years later, Wilson died a broken
nations. There were U.S. public rela-
down with Wilson to draft the peace
man.
tions men, academics and econo-
treaty had more basic concerns.
If the Versailles treaty statesmen
mists - including a young Herbert
They saw the U.S. president re-
had been dealing with modern Iraq,
Hoover, who would end up agreeing
lentlessly lampooned in French
their job would have been consider-
with Keynes in his own:account of
newspapers as the naive Amer-
ably easier. There is no Iraqi empire
the proceedings:
ican,) whose nation had entered
to divide, far fewer nations to repay
There were. rulers of *vacant
World War Lnear the end and had
and many fewer grieving widows,
thrones in search of new careers
suffered little.
Iraq also has oil refineries,al
There were Armenian farmers who
France, by contrast, had lost
though damaged. Patrick Clawson,
had lost entire families during Turk-
3 million of its men in battle, and
resident scholar at the Foreign Pol-
ish massacres. There were French
Paris was filled with the widowed
icy Research Institute in Philadel-
widows trying to feed their children,
and wounded. Clemenceau - a
phia, estimates that within a year
There were reporters hunting for
stooped 0-year-old with a jutting
Iraq could start pumping its -oil
the real story behind the endless
jaw whose nickname was "the tiger'
fields to generate revenues of $15
round of committee meetings. There
- had little interest in Wilson's ide-
billion to $20 billion per year.
were charlatans with a captive audi-
alism. Single-mindedly he sought to
Mr. Schuker argues that the Ver-
ence, and curious onlookers who
please the Paris masses by severely
sailles treaty example demonstrates
simply, wanted to see history in the
punishing Germany economically
that the best way. to collectirepara-
making:
and militarily.
tions from Iraq is to refrain from
The City of Lights became the
In between these two extremes
imposing a set figure to be collected
clearinghouse of the fates, the place
was Great Britain. Lloyd George
over several decades.
where the suffering righteous might
was not as intent upon revenge, but
Instead he says, the United States
finally be
his Liberal Party had been handed
pollepipelines
would suffer. Overshadowing the
recent parlimentary victory based
through Saudi Arabia and Turkey for
proceedings was V.I. Lenin's new
on the promise that Germany would
five years; Iraq should also be given
government in Russia, installed
pay dearly. He had his own masses
incentives to repay reparations by
after a revolution that threatened to
to please.
returning some, money, to it that
spread.
These three mismatched figures,
would be used for non-military pur-
For Wilson, in frail health and po-
with Italian and Japanese leaders
poses. Finally, Iraq's payment of
litically unpopular back home, Ver-
playinga secondary role, hammered
reparations. should be supervised
sailles was an opportunity to remake
out a peace treaty patched together
internationally by a regional devel-
the world in the U.S. democratic im-
after interruptions, clashes and
opment bank, Mr. Schuker adds.
age. Months before the war ended,
compromise.
That might finally lay the Ver-
the former Princeton University
In June 1919 an extremely disap-
sailles ghosts to rest
President wondow Wilson in janked M French Promier Groms ilall) and British
COMMENTARY
MORTON KONDRACKE
clear - echoing Mr. Bush in his
Reading
State of the Union address that the
basic job of putting together a new
Middle East (and a New World Or-
NWO's
der) is a U.S. responsibility. The So-
viet Union is being offered a role,
they say, if it behaves responsibly in
other contexts, including the Bal-
fine print
tics. The president and his top aides
all fervently hope that Mikhail Gor-
bachev will continue to be a foreign
policy asset. At the same time, one
ore than a week after
M
State Department official said, Mr.
Secretary of State
Gorbachev is "at a precipice," as are
James Baker's surprise
hopes for a close, cooperative U.S.-
agreement with Soviet
Soviet relationship.
Foreign Minister Alexander Bess-
Rather than a full partner in the
mertnykh on Gulf war aims and sub-
New World Order and in Middle
sequent Middle East peace, Bush ad-
Eastern diplomacy, the chances are
ministration colleagues were still
that the Soviet Union will be, at best,
raining verbal artillery on Mr. Baker.
"cover" to convince Europeans and
"Total, unabashed free-lancing," one
non-aligned countries to go along
official called it. "Very upsetting to
with U.S. policy initiatives. Mr. Bush
PAGE FEBRUARY 12, 1991
our allies," said another.
needs a backup plan for both the
White House officials are willing
NWO and the Middle East in case the
to believe that Mr. Baker was simply
Soviet Union can't or won't play this
outfoxed by Mr. Bessmertnykh, who
role- if Mr. Gorbachev becomes an
grandly read the communique to the
embarrassing despot, for instance,
Washington press instead of saving
or if Soviet foreign policy again
it for Soviet consumption. But they
turns hostile toward the United
were peeved by a State Department
States.
leak to The Washington Post that im-
Current administration plans call
plied that State, and not the National
for Middle East peacemaking to be
Security Council, was in charge of
primarily a U.S. show. Once an NSC-
postwar diplomatic planning.
led interagency panel concludes its
This inside jostling likely will end
strategy review this month, ideas
soon, but it does seem to have long-
will get tried out on Israel and Arab
term meaning.
allies. Then,
President Bush's
something like a
"New World Or-
Bush Plan for the
der" and espe-
region will be set
cially the Middle
in motion. Offi-
East aspect are
cials say the
going to be Bush
United States
initiatives, not Ba-
wants to act fast,
ker plans. And the
before other play-
"NWO," as it is
ers have a chance
inevitably being
to formulate alter-
dubbed, is likely
nate proposals
to veer closer to
that may not be as
Pax Americana
congenial to
than to Pax-
American inter-
Americana-
ests.
Sovietica.
Therearethree
Nothing about
categories for ad-
the NWO is en-
ministration Mid-
tirely clear, of
dle East planning:
course, because Alexander Bessmertnykh
the political (in-
it's still more sio-
cluding Arab-Is-
gan than strategy The administra-
raeli), economic, and security (in-
The Times
tion says it means good things: pro-
cluding military and arms-control
motion of democracy, collective
subcategories). Not very many con-
security, arms reductions, settle-
crete decisions have been made yet,
ment of regional disputes, coopera-
but highest-ranking administration
tion among industrialized nations
officials seem firmly committed to
and free trade. But many Americans
leaving few, if any, U.S. ground
fear it means that this country will
forces in the Gulf after the war is
be the world's policeman, and many
over. The Pentagon, the Saudis and
foreigners see it as a post-Cold War
the Kuwaiti government in exile all
American grab for hegemony. The
think the region could absorb a
NWO seemingly anticipates that
small permanent force of 15,000 to
other countries will help pay for U.S.
40,000 Americans, but White House
foreign policy initiatives, but what
officials say their first choice is for
will those countries get in return?
Arab forces (presumably Saudi and
And if they don't pay up as many
Egyptian) to provide security for the
assert Japan and Germany aren't
Gulf. The second choice is a U.N.
paying now what will be the con-
force and "the worst possible" is a
sequences? And just how does the
U.S. force. The United States would
Soviet Union fit into Mr. Bush's new
preposition equipment and make a
world?
fast return, if necessary.
The first big test of what the
Officials say there may be major
NWO means will come in deciding
opportunities for Arab-Israeli
how to end the war. The next will be
peacemaking after an allied victory.
in the attempt to bring peace and
"The region will be all shaken up,"
stability to the Middle East. The So-
one top Bush adviser said. "The PLO
viets, the French and the U.N. secre-
will be discredited as an organi-
tary general seem willing to settle
zation. A feeling of closeness will
the war diplomatically, but Mr. Bush
have developed between the Saudis
wants a full Iraqi withdrawal from
and the Egyptians, and maybe the
Kuwait - plus, apparently, contin-
Syrians. We see increasing self-
ued sanctions, arms embargoes,
confidence among our Arab friends,
reparations and war crimes trials if
similar to what Anwar Sadat showed
Saddam Hussein remains in power.
after his 1973 war." Obviously this
"In the aftermath of the crisis in
official thinks the Saudis, like Sadat,
the Persian Gulf," said the Baker-
might be ready to recognize and ne-
Bessmertnykh communique, "mu-
gotiate with Israel.
tual S.-Soviet efforts to promote
The NWO and its Middle East
Arab-Israeli peace and regional sta-
component all depend, of course, on
bility, in consultation with other par-
a reasonably quick allied victory in
ties in the region, will be greatly fa-
the Gulf - and upon the continued
cilitated and enhanced." Some
willingness and ability of the Amer-
Middle East experts took this to
ican people to shoulder international
mean that Mr. Baker had in mind a
burdens. Administration officials
U.S.-Soviet-led postwar peace pro-
acknowledge that some problems
cess, without European participa-
loom, including deep unhappiness in
tion, without the United Nations and
Congress with Germany and Japan,
without the international peace con-
and the weakness of the American
ference that the Soviets (and most
domestic economy. Mr. Bush obvi-
Arabs) have always called for.
ously wants to build a New World
White House officials make it
Order the way the Truman and Ei-
senhower administrations did after
World War II, but he's got to watch
out that the country doesn't turn iso-
Morton Kondracke is a senior edi-
lationist and treat his dreams as it
for of The New Republic, in which
did Woodrow Wilson's after World
this article first appeared.
War 1.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
A15
Gulf Lessons-for Good Guys, and Bad
Every battle has lessons to teach, but
lost his taste for blood, as evidenced by his
fusion. The techniques were learned
to be vital to Western interests-against
sometimes losers and bystanders are the
current slaughter of Shiites.
mainly through many years of NATO exer-
large, well-equipped aggressive forces.
ones who learn best. The French demon-
The U.S. "rapid deployment" concept
cises, where forces of 15 NATO nations
Perhaps the biggest lesson of Desert
strated the potential of air power in World
did not fare well in the Gulf. Congress pre-
function under a single command.
War I with their state-of-the-art little
Storm, however, was that any country, no
fers to base U.S. forces at home, where
Spads. But it was the losing Germans who
Some military men say that preserving
matter how inept at battle management or
they contribute to local economies. Hence
the principle of a single command for al-
defense, can shoot a ballistic missile.
would use air power to best advantage 22
the concept of highly mobile U.S.-based
years later. They assaulted the French
lied forces is one of the major arguments
Many small and nasty countries will have
units that can be rushed to trouble spots in
for preserving the NATO alliance and re-
army with a devastating one-two punch of
them available by the year 2000. A single
a few days. But it took seven months for
moving restrictions on the use of NATO
Iraqi Scud cost the U.S. the most deaths it
tanks and Stuka dive bombers. The French
the U.S. to dispatch enough heavy equip-
air force had nothing in 1940 that could
forces outside the boundaries set by the
suffered from any single attack in the war
ment to the Gulf sufficient to fight a deci-
match Germany's fast, modern Messer-
North Atlantic Treaty. But as the lessons
albeit through a quirk of fate.
sive ground war against Iraq. Had Saddam
schmitts.
of the Gulf slip from view, there again will
In future, missiles in the hands of
been clever enough or lucky enough to
be arguments from American neo-isola-
smaller countries will become more accu-
The Israeli air force employed guided
launch an effective air strike against Saudi
rate. It seems inevitable as well that more
bombs and rockets in the 1967 Six-Day War
Arabia's limited port facilities, the deploy-
to destroy Egyptian armor in the Sinai.
Perhaps the biggest les-
and more will be equipped with nuclear
ment could have taken much longer.
But in the Yom Kippur rematch in 1973, it
Yet, there is little evidence of second
son of Desert Storm, how-
warheads despite efforts to prevent "nu-
clear proliferation." Even if that were not
thoughts over whether the U.S. can defend
Global View
ever, was that any coun-
true, there's enough to worry about from
its interests in Europe and the Far East
the vast number of nuclear missiles in the
from U.S. bases. A very large drawdown of
try, no matter how inept
hands of a Soviet Union now experiencing
By George Melloan
U.S. forces in Europe seems certain. It will
leave the Soviet Union with an enormous
at battle management, or
political and economic disorder.
The Patriot missile proved that missile
superiority in men and equipment on that
defense, can shoot a ballis-
defenses are feasible. But it will not be
was the Egyptians who first used guided
continent. A cutback also is under way in
the Far East. Of course, heavy equipment
tic missile.
good enough for the future. For protection
weapons to best advantage, employing So-
against nuclear missiles, it will be impor-
viet-made surface-to-air missiles to hold
can be pre-positioned in strategic areas,
tionists that NATO has outlived its useful-
tant to kill the missile on launch, before it
such as Europe or the Gulf, and the crews
off the Israeli air attack while Egyptian
ness.
is descending on friendly territory. An ex-
tanks attempted a quick knockout that al-
quickly dispatched to the theater by plane
Precision weapons and electronic defen-
ploded incoming nuclear warhead would
in case of trouble. As U.S. forces withdraw
most succeeded.
sive countermeasures were a big story of
multiply many times the damage caused
President Eisenhower knew the impor-
from Europe and from the Gulf, they likely
this war. The capacity to destroy another
when Scuds were shot down over Israel. In
tance of overwhelming force when he dis-
will leave much heavy equipment in place.
country's military assets without heavy
short, there is little choice but to take mis-
patched troops to stabilize Lebanon in 1957.
But what happens to tanks and artillery
losses of your own-and without extensive
sile defense into space, engaging in the
left in storage-prey to corrosion and obso-
But Ronald Reagan forgot that lesson
casualties among noncombatants-gives
very Star Wars that sophisticates pooh-
when he sent only 1,000 soldiers to Lebanon
lescence and tempting to political activists
warfare a new dimension. Peacekeeping
pooh.
in 1982, with disastrous results. George
with a mind to subvert regimes friendly to
the U.S.-needs careful attention. The an-
on a global scale by an alliance equipped
The central question about all these les-
Bush didn't forget in dealing with Sad-
with the most modern weapons is at least
dam.
swer might be embarrassing someday.
sons is who will learn them best. History's
within the realm of reason.
A positive lesson from the Gulf is that
record is not encouraging on that score. It
What are the lessons of Desert Storm?
Some cautionary notes are needed.
multinational forces can be coordinated ef-
suggests that it is the potential aggressor
There are many. One is that losing 200,000
Using smart weapons against massed ar-
fectively on a large scale through a single
who most carefully studies the lessons of
soldiers in a war, as Iraq did in its fight
mor in a desert or against exposed poison-
system of command and control. Gen. Nor-
each war. The Stuka dive bombers that
with Iran, doesn't necessarily discourage a
gas factories is one thing; using them
man Schwarzkopf employed U.S. and Brit-
came screaming down on British and
dictator from having another go. In coun-
against guerrilla forces in a jungle or in
ish air and naval power, with an assist
French forces in 1940 were products of
tries with a high population growth, a
mountains is something else. Iraq was per-
from the French and Italians, along with
what the Germans learned from their de-
large new youth cohort comes along every
fect for a high-tech war. Indochina was
U.S., British, French, Egyptian, Saudi, Ku-
feat in World War I. Will potential aggres-
year for the dictator to employ as cannon
not. But despite the high costs of such
fodder. In Desert Storm, Saddam has sac-
waiti and Syrian land forces, assigning
sors be cowed by Desert Storm? A lot will
weapons, which means they require high-
each of the units at his disposal specific
depend on how well the allies apply in fu-
rificed many thousands more but has not
value targets, they clearly are worth the
missions. There was amazingly little con-
ture the lessons they themselves taught in
money for the kinds of actions most likely
1991.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
GOP Can Capture the Civil-Rights Issue
By CLINT BOLICK
compromise-but that group's biggest cb-
less employers can prove that the chal-
Neas himself, whose group sponsored a
Usually when legislation just barely
jection is to the very provisions that are of
lenged practices are significantly related
major poll and series of focus groups on
fails to make it into law, its proponents
greatest importance to the women's lobby.
to the job in question. In reality, this stan-
what mainstream Americans think about
in the next session will pick up where they
Compromise thus appears unlikely.
dard is nearly impossible to satisfy, and
the civil-rights movement today. The re-
left off, attempting to gain the few extra
Activities on the other side of the aisle
only at tremendous expense through litiga-
sults were SO devastating that Mr. Neas
votes necessary for approval.
are markedly different as well. Last year,
tion-which employers can avoid If they
tried to suppress the findings, to no
Not SO with the 1991 version of last
not a single Republican wanted to take the
adopt Informal quota systems.
avail.
year's civil-rights bill. Though the legisla-
lead in opposing Kennedy-Hawkins. This
The quota issue was the breakthrough
The results are unsurprising, except to
tion is the same, the politics have changed
year, GOP legislators are falling over
for the Bush administration, for It com-
people inside the Beltway: Most Ameri-
dramatically since President Bush's veto
themselves to sponsor their own civil-
pletely reversed the usual dynamics of
cans support equal opportunity and efforts
was upheld in the closing days of the last
rights bills or to take on the issue in a visi-
civil-rights bills, in which proponents are
to expand opportunities to the disadvan-
Congress. So much so, in fact, that Repub-
ble manner.
highly motivated but opposition is diffused.
taged, but they no longer view the civil-
licans may wind up turning to their gain
Likewise, in 1990 the administration was
This time, the quota Issue galvanized oppo-
rights movement as advancing those goals.
an issue the Democrats have dominated
sharply divided between those who op-
nents: non-minorities who feel victimized
Instead, they view It as merely another
for a quarter century.
posed and supported Kennedy-Hawkins. It
by reverse discrimination.
special-Interest group, pursuing its own in-
On the surface, the dynamics appear
spent the better part of half a year in in-
But perhaps even more important, the
terests at the expense of others.
much the same. Ted Kennedy (D., Mass.)
tense negotiations trying to find a way to
bill failed to resonate among mainstream
Even more ominously for supporters of
is still the major force behind the bill in
the 1991 bill: Mainstream voters believe
the Senate: in the House, Rep. Jack
Though the legislation is the same, the politics have
that reverse discrimination is pervasive in
Brooks (D., Texas is the primary sponsor,
American life. And they're not happy
replacing Rep. Augustus Hawkins, who re-
tired. The effort to override Mr. Bush's
changed dramatically since President Bush's veto was
about it.
But the GOP isn't making quotas the
veto of Kennedy-Hawkins failed by only
upheld in the closing days of the last Congress.
only facet of Its civil-rights strategy. In-
one vote in the Senate and was within
stead, It's embracing the concept of "em-
striking distance in the House, meaning
that Kennedy-Brooks needs, in theory, to
appease Mr. Neas and company, in the end
blacks. Unlike past civil-rights bills that
powerment"-eliminating arbitrary bar-
gain only a few votes.
embracing legislative language that would
riers that prevent low-income people from
promised tangible gains, such as housing
But the actions of the major players be-
have given the civil-rights lobby almost ev-
controlling their own destinies-a the next
or voting rights, this one was mired in
tray a very different reality. Where a year
erything It wanted.
complex abstractions, such as burdens of
logical step for civil rights.
As a result, the administration is pack-
Democrats mon-
This year, conversely, Mr. Bush ap-
proof and statistical disparities.
olithically supported
pears to have drawn a line In the sand
aging its civil-rights bill with empower-
The lack of grass-roots support for the
the bill, this year
around his own more moderate proposal,
civil-rights bill dogged Its supporters from
ment Initiatives, such as funding to encour-
Mr. Kennedy has
which he's clothing In a broader "civil
the beginning. When the NAACP's execu-
age inner-city school districts to allow par-
rights and Individual opportunities" pack-
ents to choose the best schools for their
had trouble finding
tive director called for a mass protest
people to sign on
age designed to refocus the debate. What's
against the Supreme Court's 1989 civil-
children, public or private; enterprise
and will almost cer-
more, after a year of Inflghting, no promi-
rights rulings, SO few people showed up
zones to ease tax and regulatory burdens
tainly lose some of
nent naysayers have emerged in the White
that he was forced to recast the event
on inner-city enterprise; tenant ownership
the handful of Re-
House to oppose this new approach.
as a "silent vigil." This reflects a broader
of public housing: and anti-crime meas-
What happened to send Democrats into
ures.
publicans (espe-
trend in which the NAACP has lost more
cially Sen. John
a tallspin and to embolden the GOP? Both
than 100,000 members in the past decade,
The ideas aren't new (though the ad-
Danforth of Mls-
sides apparently have discovered that civil
particularly among younger blacks who in-
ministration only recently endorsed pri-
rights has become, for the moment at
vate-school choice), but the linkage of em-
souri, who co-spon-
creasingly view the organization as irrele-
sored the bill last
least, a no-lose Issue for Republicans.
vant to their needs.
powerment with civil rights is. Whether
year As a result,
Why this Is SO has a great deal to do
the administration will work aggressively
These new dynamics showed up in the
the bill is still not In-
Ralph Neas
with the specifics of the Kennedy bill, one
election results last November. The quota
to establish that linkage is yet unclear:
of the most complex civil-rights bills ever.
Except for a single speech by Mr. Bush
troduced in the Senate, three months into
Issue figured prominently In helping Jesse
Though It contains a number of fairly non-
that was eclipsed by war coverage, the ad-
the new year.
Helms (R., N.C.) keep his Senate seat and
controversial components that could have
ministration has yet to present the pack-
helping Pete Wilson exchange his for the
Across the Alsle
been enacted last year had Mr. Kennedy
California governorship. Now Democrats,
age as a coherent strategy.
Meanwhile, lobbyists led by Ralph Neas
been willing to compromise, Its core pro-
A civil-rights and empowerment strat-
especially the several Southern senators
of the Leadership Conference on Civil
visions deal with the standards applicable
egy could be politically potent, however. It
whose seats are up in 1992, are looking ner-
Rights are now trying to portray the bill as
to statistics based discrimination claims.
offers the prospect of bipartisan compro-
vously over their right shoulders, while Re-
a*women's bill, even though most of Its
Under the bill, lawsuits challenging em-
mise: The nation's first private-school
publicans like Sen. Phil Gramm (R.,
provisions relate more closely to racial dis.
ployment criteria (tests, education require-
choice law, allowing 1,000 low-Income MII-
Texas) move to exploit the quota Issue for
crimination. At the same time, the civil-
ments, etc.) and based solely on differ-
all It's worth.
waukee youngsters to opt out of Inadequate
rights lobby is negotiating with representa-
ences in numerical outcomes among races,
New support for the GOP strategy ar
public schools, was championed by the duo
tives of the Business Roundtable to find a
religions and genders will be successful un-
rived from an unexpected source: Ralph
of liberal black state legislator Polly Wil-
liams and conservative Gov. Tommy
Thompson.
It also offers the GOP a chance to make
inroads among black voters without jeop-
ardizing its base among whites. Ask Gov.
Thompson, who last year won re-election
as the first Republican gubernatorial can-
didate to carry Milwaukee County since
1946.
Indeed, if the GOP embraces empower-
ment in a big way, it could completely re-
verse the ordinary political equation. For
once It will be Republicans who can go Into
the Inner city offering tangibles-school
choice, homeownership, jobs-while the
Democrats argue about abstract intangi-
bles. If Republicans can parlay empower-
ment issues into a 5% to 10% overall In-
crease in black support, it could deliver
them the Senate In 1992.
Black Voters' Choice 11
What can moderate Democrats do to re-
tain their base? They can take columnist
William Raspberry's advice to quietly for-
get about the Kennedy bill, which is ra-
cially divisive and not very helpful to the
real needs of the most disadvantaged black
Americans, and instead move on to more
Important Issues.
Or they can hope that the Bush adminis-
tration drops the ball and capitulates on
the civil-rights bill. If he fails to assert
boldly a clear alternative, Mr. Bush will
find, as did Richard Nixon and Gerald
Ford before him, that given a choice be-
tween the Democrats and a Republican
trying to out-Democrat them, black voters
will choose the real thing every time.
But for once, the ball Is in the Republl-
cans court on civil-rights Issues. The Dem-
ocrats may have the bill most people are
talking about-but it's also one that many
would dearly love to abandon. The Repub-
llcans have the ideas and the momentum
to shift the terms of the debate-both to
their advantage, and to the advantage of
Americans generally.
The question Is whether they have the
courage of their convictions. If SO, maybe
Saddam Hussein taught George Bush a les-
son after all.
Mr. Bolick is director of the Landmark
Center for Civil Rights in Washington and
author of "Unfinished Business: A Civil
Rights Strategy for America's Third Cen-
tury" (Pacific Research Institute). A re-
lated editorial appears nearby.
THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
B7
A Videotape of a Police Beating Puts
National Glare on Issue of Brutality
Continued From Page Al
Detective Talkington, who said he
had reviewed the report as part of the
cluding a majority of whites, who were
routine initial inquiry, said the officers
questioned in a Los Angeles Times poll
also reported that Mr. King had
published March 10 said they believed
reached into his pants pocket, an action
that police brutality was common here.
that presumably would have raised
concern among the officers that he
9Court records depict a history of
might have weapon.
similar cases in Los Angeles, some of
The report said Mr. King charged at
which seem to differ from the beating
the officers after standing up, and
of Mr. King primarily in the fact that
kicked and swung at them, according
there was no camera to record them.
to the detective's account. The full po-
"This is going to be the defining Inci-
lice report has not been released.
dent in police brutality; it's going to be
Mrs. Morales and other witnesses
the historical event for police in our
said they did not see Mr. King reach
time," said Jerome Skolnick, professor
into his pocket, knock over an officer or
charge at the police. But one other resi-
of law and sociology at University of
dent of the apartment complex, who
California at Berkeley and an expert on
spoke on condition of anonymity, said
police behavior. "It is highly unlikely
she saw brief scuffle.
that this is unrepresentative of Los An-
Mr. King said that after lying down
geles police. Two people can go crazy,
he was handcuffed and got an electri-
but if you have 10 or 12 people watching
Associated Press
cal shock from "some kind of device."
them and not doing anything, this tells
The beating suffered by Rodney
'After they shocked me the first
you that this is a normal thing for
time, they paused for a minute and
G. King has caused local and Fed-
The beating of Rodney G. King by several members
front of the criminal justice debate nationwide. The
them."
then they struck me across the face
Although several national organiza-
eral law-enforcement agencies na-
real hard with a billy club," Mr. King
of the Los Angeles Police Department on March 3
incident, which was taped by an amateur with a
said. "I was lying face down with my
may bring the issue of police brutality to the fore-
video camera, has been shown around the country.
tions, including the National Associa-
tionwide to investigate brutality.
hands tied, and they shocked me again
tion of Chiefs of Police and the Police
on the other side of my shoulder."
Foundation in Washington, monitor
Louis Frescas, one of dozens of citi-
law-enforcement issues and compile
Use of Force:
statistics on police practices, none keep
The Videotape
The Chase Before the Beating
zens who have been compensated by
the City of Los Angeles, was hospital-
complete statistics on complaints
Police Guldelines
Events began shortly before 30 on Sunday, March
Ized following a 1984 arrest. He said he
against the police by citizens. Many
was struck more than 50 times, even
large cities rely on their police depart-
Following is the language
Illuminated
though charges were never filed
ments own internal affairs units to
on the use of force, from the
The highway patrol car
A California Highway
against him. Mr. Frescas, who is His-
take such complaints and to compile
Los Angeles Police Depart-
By Headlights
calls in the Los Angeles
Patrol car reports a white
panic, said he was dragged from his
statistics about them.
ment's manual:
police when the car leaves
1988 Hyundai driving very
car, thrown to the ground, kicked and
For all the details captured by the
the freeway.
fast down the Foothill
pummelled with nightsticks by one
video camera in Los Angeles, several
"While the use of reason-
A minute or two after Mr. King got
Freeway. In the car are
white officer as six others looked on.
questions remain about what exactly
able physical force may be
out of his car and lay down, another
resident of the apartment complex
Rodney G. King, Bryant
His case was settled out of court.
set off the beating. Police and witness
went onto his balcony. George Holliday,
Allen and Freddie Helms.
Court documents from several mis-
accounts of the moments after the
necessary in situations
conduct cases show that nearly all the
chase ended and the beating began are
which cannot be otherwise
a 31-year-old manager of a plumbing-
victims of maulings by Los Angeles po-
in conflict, with the police accusing the
controlled, force may not.
supply business, was carrying his new
lice dogs in the last seven years were
motorist of resisting arrest. And there
be resorted to unless other
Sony video camera. He started shoot-
black or Hispanic though whites
is no evidence of anything that might
reasonable alternatives
ing the scene unfolding across the
committed nearly third of the crimes
have been said to spark the outburst.
street, which was well illuminated by
have been exhausted or
in which dogs are usually deployed.
No matter what actions Mr. King
street lights and police car headlights.
In recent years, there have been sev-
might have taken before the videotape
would clearly be ineffective
The opening seconds of the videotape
eral incidents in which black celebri-
was switched on, there was a wide-
under the particular cir-
show Mr. King leaping up, spinning to
ties - people like Marcus Allen, the
spread feeling here that nothing he did
cumstances. Officers are
his right and taking one or two quick
professional football player, and Ja-
or said could justify the beating he re-
permitted to use whatever
steps. He was not handcuffed or tied,
maal Wilkes, the retired basketball
ceived from the three patrolmen under
and It cannot be determined whether
force that is reasonable
star - were ordered out of their cars
the supervision of a sergeant.
he had yet been beaten.
and treated like felons when there was
Mayor Tom Bradley, who has con-
and necessary to protect
A close viewing of the unedited,
CALIF
no apparent reason to stop them.
demned the beating as reprehensible,
others or themselves from
seven-minute videotape spanning
Area of
said, "The three officers, clearly with
Los Angeles police cars
Detail
Last January, the California Depart-
bodily harm."
the time from Mr. King's abrupt mo-
ment of Fair Employment and Housing
the use of their batons and with their
tion to a point where he lies handcuffed,
pick up the chase.
Los
said the department had systemati-
feet, left no doubt in anybody's mind
hogtied and bleeding at the side of the
Angeles
cally denied promotions and advance-
about the charges that should be levied
road shows one officer swinging his
ment to black officers. The accusation
against them.
nightstick at Mr. King like baseball
Sergeant Brey and a review of the
followed complaints in December by
bat as Mr. King rose and turned. Mr.
Mr. King's car is pulled
audio tape, it appears that the pursuing
the same agency that the department
King fell to the ground.
over; he is beaten at the
The Chase
officers did not know that Mr. King had
discriminates against Hispanic offi-
The tape blurs for several seconds.
site.
a criminal record.
cers. The cases are pending.
When the focus is restored, one officer
A Drive Ends
is seen striking Mr. King repeatedly
On the Inside
The Beating
around the head and shoulders.
At that point, the tape shows one of
York Times
In Nightmare
the officers holding a Taser stun gun
Allen. The tape ends with Mr. King still refused to allow a utility man to cut
Personal Code
Awakening
that has been fired at Mr. King, al-
lying by the road.
service to her home. When the police
Shortly before 12:30 A.M. on Sunday,
though it remains unclear whether the
Witnesses said about five minutes
were called, she emerged holding a
Is
To Commotion
Taser was fired before or after the
March 3. Mr King was driving fast
elapsed after the beating before an am-
paring knife with a two-inch blade and
down the Feothill Freeway near San
videotaping began. A Taser (the name
bulance came. They said Mr. King was
was immediately shot dead.
is a loose acronym for "Tom Swift's
Fernando at the northern edge of Los
still hogtied and handcuffed when he
Another case that received little pub-
Whenever force is used - and police
AI about 12:45 A.M., Mr. King pulled
Electric Rifle") shoots two barbed
was loaded on the stretcher.
licity but which bears similarities to
records show it happens in about one
100
over and stopped on Foothill Boule- darts that deliver an electric shock to
Hyundai sedan were two friends,
After the ambulance left, witnesses
the videotaped beating was the 1987
- - LOS
vard, a four-lane street running
immobilize a suspect. The darts re-
said, the police freed Mr. Allen and Mr.
Bryant Allen and Freddie Helms.
beating of Stuart Vigil, a 27-year-old
the officers are required to file a Use
through the relatively sparsely settled,
main connected to the Taser gun by a
Mr. King, a 25-year-old unemployed
Helms, who walked to where many
white man. As Mr. Vigil, handcuffed
of Force report.
middle-class mixed-race neighborhood
wire, which is visible on the tape
construction worker with two children,
residents were still gathered, asked
and high on drugs, struggled against
In well-supervised departments, Dr.
of Lake View Terrace. At least 15 offi-
throughout the beating.
had been released last December after
where they could find pay phone, then
the police, 14 officers shot him with a
Skolnik said, officers are encouraged to
cers in patrol cars converged on him.
walked down the street. Neither Mr.
Taser gun, kicked him in the head, then
report any use of excessive force by
serving six months of a two-year sen-
In what other police officers called a
Wires Still Attached
Allen nor Mr. Helms has been charged;
jumped on him. He died clutching the
fellow officers. Departmental regula-
tence for second-degree robbery (bran-
chance deployment, all the pursuing
The videota 3 shows two officers
their lawyers declined to permit them
darts embedded in his chest.
tions require Los Angeles police offi-
dishing a tire iron, he had taken cash
officers were white. The force is 14 per-
from a grocer) and was still on parole.
beating Mr. King ferociously for just
to be interviewed.
In a recent case, about 30 youths,
cers to report misconduct by their col-
cent black.
under two minutes. A third officer
In a California Highway Patrol car, a
Mr. King was jailed until Wednesday,
most of them Hispanic or black, were
leagues although authorities on po-
The wailing sirens and the thunder-
joined in from time to time to kick or
when he was released without charges.
rounded up by the police when they en-
lice behavior have long recognized that
husband-and-wife team, T.J. and Mela-
ous roar of the helicopter awakened
nie Singer, reported to their headquar-
hit Mr. King. The officer with the Taser
He was then examined by doctors who
tered a park in an affluent, mostly
a "code of silenced exists here as in
many residents of an apartment com-
ters that the Hyundai approached them
paced about 10 feet away, keeping the
said they found nine skull fractures, a
white neighborhood one afternoon.
other big city departments.
plex across the street. Josie Morales, a
from behind at 110 or 115 miles an hour,
wire leading to the darts from getting
shattered eye socket and cheekbone, a
They were ordered at gunpoint to lie on
Under mounting pressure to resign,
26-year-old service representative for
a Highway Patrol spokesman, Sgt.
tangled as Mr. King spun and rolled
broken leg. a concussion, injuries to
the ground, then to walk on their knees
Chief Gates has defended his 8,300-per-
the Los Angeles Department of Water
under the force of the blows.
Mike Brey, said later.
both knees and nerve damage that left
while the officers jeered at them and
son force. The 64-year-old chief, who
and Power, looked out her second floor
Although a number of press reports
Later, Mr. King showed journalists a
his face partially paralyzed.
made racial slurs, according to a suit
seems to enjoy wide support among
bedroom window and saw the Hyundai
have asserted that the small car can-
bruise on his right side that he said was
On Friday, a sergeant and three pa-
filed here.
rank-and file officers, said there is no
and police cars pulling up behind it.
caused by the Taser darts and the
trolmen were indicted.
not reach such speeds, Sergeant Brey
Civil rights cases against the Los An-
pattern of violence or,racism. So far, he
Mrs. Morales said she and her hus-
said that at the time of the report it
shocks. Los Angeles police regulations
geles police have become routine. Chief
has taken no action to change depart-
band, Heriberto, put on robes and
would have been traveling downhill.
say the darts should be removed only
Gates recently testified at a trial in-
mental procedures on the use of force
walked onto their balcony before the
"There was no chase, Mr. King told
after the suspect has been restrained.
History
volving the beating and hogtying of a
or on investigating complaints of
police or Mr. King got out of their cars.
brutality.
reporters the following Wednesday
The soundtrack is dominated by the
man by the police.
Mrs. Morales said she heard a muf-
night, when he was released from jail
roar of the helicopter. But a voice can
"I preach - and I really mean
fled command from one police car. Mr.
be heard repeatedly screaming
Steady Increase
What minority victims of past police
preach to every single person who
without charges. "I may have been
misconduct have said in numerous in-
King, she said, got out of his car with
speeding just a little bit."
"Stop! As the beating nears an end,
graduates from the police academy
his hands up, turned and put his hands
An audio tape of police radio conver-
one of the officers seems to be yelling
In Lawsuits
terviews this week was that the only
about the law and their need for a
difference between their cases and that
on the roof. Then, she and other wit-
sations, released Friday, picks up the
at Mr. King. The audio quality is poor,
reverence of the law," Chief Gates
nesses said, he knelt, then lay on his
of Mr. King was the camera.
said.
chase after the Highway Patrol called
but it sounds like he is saying, "Hands
stomach, with three or four officers
The beating has raised a central
in the Los Angeles police when Mr.
behind your back" as Mr. King is
standing in a semicircle around him.
question: Was it an aberration, as
King's car left the freeway. A police
struck repeatedly.
Chief Gates said, or part of pattern?
helicopter was also called in.
Here, Accounts Differ
At one point Mr. King, lying face
There are contradictory accounts of
down, moves his arms as if to put his
Complaints of police brutality and
Then, the audio tape shows, he led his
racism have continued, and verdicts
hands behind his back. An officer
pursuers in a circle through a dark-
what happened next. Richard Talking-
and settlements against the depart-
HOTELS
ened neighborhood at about 55 m.p.h. in
ton, a Los Angeles police detective,
stomps on his head or neck, causing
ment have risen over the decades,
a 40-m.p.h. zone. "Vehicle stopped at
said the report filed by the officers on
him to jerk his arms up to his head.
from $553,000 in 1972 to $6.4 million in
RESORTS
red light but failed to yield to police,' a
the scene said Mr. King tried to stand
The use of the nightsticks and Taser
1989 to $8 million in 1990. In one case, a
radio transmission from a pursuing
up while being handcuffed, causing one
guns are regulated by the depart-
car said. Based on the statements of
officer to fall.
ment's "Use of Force' rules, which
jury found Chief Gates personally 11-
SPAS
able for $170,000 in damages in 1988 for
permit their use only when all other
a beating some of his officers gave a
reasonable means of subduing a sus-
pect have been exhausted, or when a
Hispanic family while searching for a
CONFERENCE CENTERS
murder weapon.
The Grand Jury's Charges
suspect poses danger.
One of the four officers charged in
Only once on the videotape did any
the beating of Mr. King had previously
Here are main sections of the grand jury's five-count indictment
officer try to intervene. One officer
AIRLINES
been disciplined for excessive use of
unsealed Friday in the case of four police officers charged with the
briefly raised his left arm in front of a
force. Officer Theodore J. Briseno was
nightstick-swinging colleague in the
beating of a motorist, Rodney G. King:
suspended for 66 days in 1987 after he
opening moments of the videotape. But
beat a handcuffed man. The others in
RENTAL CAR COMPANIES
the gesture had no discernible effect.
dicted were Sgt. Stacey C. Koon and
1. Assault by force likely to produce great bodily Injury and
There appear to have been 15 law-en-
Officers Timothy E. Wind and Lau-
with a deadly weapon.
forcement officers and at least six pa-
rence M. Powell. Sergeant Koon and
trol cars on the scene. Two cars and at
Alleges Sgt. Stacey C. Koon, and Officers Laurence M. Powell,
least three officers were from the
Officer Powell were also charged with
filing false reports.
Timothy E. Wind and Theodore J. Briseno assaulted Mr. King
Highway Patrol
One former officer used the term
Your customers
with nightsticks and kicked him.
Witnesses said about 20 residents
"magic pencil" to describe the way the
were on their balconies or gathered
along the metal fence separating the
police can make potential allegations
deserve great service
2. Officer unnecessarlly assaulting or beating any person.
of misconduct disappear.
street from the apartment complex.
"We were yelling, 'No, don't kill
In the first two months of this year
and a great newspaper
States that Officers Powell, Wind and Briseno and Sergeant
Koon "did willfully, unlawfully, under color of authority and
him!' said Elois Camp, a 65-year-old
there was a sharp rise in complaints
filed against the police 127 for two
without lawful necessity assault and beat a human being, to wit
retired teacher who watched from the
months, against a yearly average over
porch of her first-floor apartment.
Rodney Glenn King." It further alleges that Officers Powell and
the last five years of about 600. About
"They paid us no attention.'
your customers even more
Wind and Sergeant Koon personally inflicted the injuries.
25 percent of the complaints involve al-
Dragged Away, to Wait
legations of assaults by the police. On
average, only two of the 600 complaints
with a complimentary copy of
3. Submission of a false police report by peace officer.
The officers made no apparent at-
a year result in felony charges.
tempt to conceal or stop the beating,
Alleges Officer Powell submitted the report and "knowingly and
despite the presence of so many wit-
*An Orgy of Violence'
The New York Times
intentionally made statements in the report which he knew to be
nesses and at least three passing cars,
When people talk about police brutal-
false.'
one of which slowed almost to stop.
ity in Los Angeles, they talk about the
The beating ended just under two
Dalton Avenue case in 1988, in which 77
The New York Times offers reduced-rates on or-
4. Submission of false report by peace officer.
minutes into the videotape, when one of
officers invaded the homes of two
ders so you can provide your customers with a
the officers grabbed Mr. King's arms
black families and engaged in what one
Alleges Sergeant Koon intentionally made statements he knew
and handcuffed his hands behind his
lawyer called "an orgy of violence,"
great newspaper at a great price to you. The New
were false.
back. Half a dozen officers circled
ripping out sinks and toilets and
York Times Amenity Program includes merchan-
around him, and one apparently pulled
smashing windows and television sets
dising materials tailored to your needs.
S. Accessory after the fact.
out the Taser darts. He was then
in apparent retribution for a tele-
hogtied his cuffed hands lashed to
phoned threat to police station.
For more information call 212-556-4301.
Alleges that Sergeant Koon knew a felony had been committed
his ankles behind his back and
Officers scrawled "LAPD Rules" on
and "did harbor, conceal and ald" Officer Powell "with the Intent
dragged face down to the side of the
a wall outside the building, then beat
that he might avoid and escape from arrest, trial, conviction and
street, where he was left alone.
residents as they arrested them. Four
The rest of the videotape shows the
punishment for said felony."
officers have been charged in the case.
officers milling around, moving their
The city settled lawsuits by the resi-
Source: Associated Press
cars off the street, searching Mr.
dents Mist year for $3 million.
King's car and patting down one of his
Also well remembered is the case of
passengers, either Mr. Helms or Mr.
Eula Love, a black woman who in 1984
THE NEW YORK TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
A15
DIALOGUE
The Party's Politics
The Democrats Are Spoiling the Beef
Dumping Robb
fundamentalists," the political ana-
lysts William Galston and Elaine Ka-
Don't Argue
ened to "incinerate" half of Israel.
For all the credit that President
marck have written, 'greet any devi-
Bush deserves for his magnificent
Was Foolish
ation from liberal dogma, any at-
tempt at innovation with the refrain,
With Victory
leadership after the Iraqi invasion,
the truth is that his Administration
'We don't need two Republican par-
not only resisted imposing sanctions
By Will Marshall
ties.'
By Stephen J. Solarz
on Iraq before Aug. 2 but, by giving
This refusal to learn the lessons of
Mr. Hussein the impression he could
defeat and rethink the means by
invade his defenseless neighbor with
WASHINGTON
which progressive ends can be pur-
WASHINGTON
impunity, made the aggression more
ongressional Democrats
sued is driving people out of the par-
he guns had barely fall-
likely.
C
found yet another way
ty, Democrats will survive the defec-
T
en silent in the gulf be-
Upon close examination, the claim
to remind the nation of
tion of Louisiana's maverick Gover-
fore the political artil-
of some Democrats, even after the
the party's crippling li-
nor, Buddy Roemer, but they would
lery was rolled out here
war ended, that sanctions might have
abilities when they
be foolish to ignore his reason for
at home. Republicans,
worked cannot be sustained. Before
ousted Charles S. Robb
bolting: "It has been my increasing
abandoning the biparti-
from a Senate budget committee the
the debate in Congress, many honor-
conviction," he said, "that it is the
sanship that prevailed during the
able and knowledgeable Americans
other day for espousing a heretical
Republican Party that is becoming
fighting, have begun denouncing the
doctrine: fiscal responsibility.
believed we could achieve our goals
most open to new ideas, new thinking,
Democrats as the party of appease-
through the continued application of
Mr. Robb, a rising star in the party,
new people.
ment. A number of Democrats, un-
was 1 of only 10 Senate Democrats to
sanctions. Mr. Bush and the majority
Fortunately, many Democrats -
willing to accept the clear lessons of
of Congress felt otherwise, but it was a
supported the use of American power
to liberate Kuwait. His colleagues
Mr. Robb among them - prefer to
the war, have chosen this peculiarly
politically respectable position to take.
stay and fight for reform and innova-
inappropriate moment to resuscitate
tapped him not long ago to head, the
But that was before the war began.
tion. Senate Democrats got it exactly
the argument that we should have
If six weeks of the most intense aerial
party's campaign committee in the
wrong: Instead of punishing him for
given sanctions more of a chance, and
Senate. In the 1980's, he earned a
ideological deviation, they should em-
that because we didn't, we will never
reputation as a tough fiscal manager
brace the lessons of his stewardship
know if they would have worked.
during his successful governorship in
of Virginia. His election as Governor
The Republicans are correct in
Virginia.
Appeasers?
As a Senate Budget Committee
in 1981 reversed a long spell of G.O.P.
saying that the majority of Demo-
crats voted against the resolution au-
member, Mr. Robb was an advocate
ascendancy in that conservative
state.
thorizing the use of force. But they
That's
of fiscal discipline fond of quoting a
fail to add that without Democratic
fellow Virginian, John Randolph of
His formula of fiscal responsibility,
support, the resolution would not
Roanoke, on "that most delicious of
public investment in economic devel-
ridiculous.
have been adopted. In the House, a
privileges - spending other people's
opment and education, and staunch
third of the Democrats, including
money." But to Washington sophisti-
support for civil rights revived Vir-
some of the party's most influential
cates, whose worldly wisdom has pro-
ginia Democrats and showed the na-
members, such as Dante Fascell,
bombardment in history was not suf-
duced a Federal deficit slouching
tional party how it can win with a
chairman of the Foreign Affairs
ficient to bring about an uncondition-
past the $300 billion mark, Mr. Robb's
progressive message, even with an
Committee; Les Aspin, chairman of
al Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait, it is
devotion to fiscal probity seems hope-
increasingly conservative electorate.
the Armed Services Committee; and
simply not plausible to suggest that
lessly quaint.
Finally, the ouster was an act of
David McCurdy, chairman of the In-
six more months of the relatively
So quaint that he was bounced by
hypocrisy. After all, Senate Demo-
telligence Committee, for it. In
benign application of sanctions would
the committee's Democratic chair-
crats picked Mr. Robb to lead their
the Senate, the, resolution could not
have done so. Even if sanctions had
man, Jim Sasser, with the backing of
campaign committee because he is
have passed without the backing of
succeeded in bringing about a with-
the party's Senate leadership. While
not a stereotypical liberal but a main-
prominent Senators like Joseph Lie-
drawal, who can believe that Mr. Hus-
the official explanation is that the
stream Democrat with the ability to
berman, Charles Robb and Al Gore.
sein, as a goodwill gesture, would
move was intended to reduce the
reach out to disaffected voters (and
Furthermore, in perhaps the most
have voluntarily blown up his nuclear
budget panel to a more manageable
contributors) who constantly scan
significant statement in the two-day
reactors? Or dismantled his chemi-
size (from 23 to 21 members), Mr.
the party for signs of change.
debate, Speaker of the House Tom
cal and biological manufacturing fa-
Robb says he was bumped for push-
Some Democrats who acquiesced
Foley promised that once the decision
cilities? Or destroyed thousands of
ing for deeper budget cuts than Mr.
was made, both parties would unite
tanks and artillery pieces? Some-
Sasser and other Democrats wanted.
around it. In fact, virtually every
times it's best not to argue with suc-
His removal was a maladroit act
Democrat supported the war after
cess.
that only. reinforces the popular im-
pression of Democrats as the fiscally
Too tough
hostilities began.
The American people can under-
To suggest that Democrats who
stand that before mid-January honest
dissolute "tax and spend" party of
Republican fore. And while it may
for dogmatic
opposed the use of force before Jan.
and legitimate differences existed
16 were appeasers is ludicrous. Would
over whether the sanctions could
seem like a minor Washington con-
the Republicans also argue that two
tretemps, of interest only to political
liberals.
work. But if Democrats now persist in
former chairmen of the Joint Chiefs
arguing that we should have stuck
insiders, the episode casts a revealing
of Staff and six former Defense Sec-
with sanctions, they will simply re-
light on a party establishment that
retaries - all of whom advocated
inforce the view that the party cannot
continues to delude itself.
that sanctions be given more time
find a set of circumstances, other
Democrats should follow the exam-
in Mr. Robb's removal will importune
were also appeasers?
ple of the British Labor Party and
him in 1992 to campaign in their
than a direct attack oh the U.S., that
Moreover, the Republicans have
would justify the use of force.
other parties of the democratic left
states. As a decorated Vietnam vet-
much to answer for. Less than a week
Instead of debating the merits of a
that in the last decade have reviewed
eran who supported the war against
before Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, half
lost case, the Democrats would be far
and redefined their policies. But
Iraq, he can provide political cover to
of the Republicans in the House voted
better off persuading the public that
many Democrats have dealt with
Democrats attacked for their votes
against sanctions on Iraq - even
they recognize there may be times
successive electoral disasters by
against that war. He can credibly
though Baghdad had already massed,
when the defense of vital American
clinging ever more obstinately to
criticize George Bush and the G.O.P.
100,000 troops on its border with Ku-
interests and values requires mili-
ideological orthodoxy. These "liberal
for gross mismanagement of the na-
wait and Saddam Hussein had threat-
tary action. Such a strategy would be
tion's budget and economic policies
Centirely compatible with the party's
Will president.o the Pro-
over the last decade. Mr. Robb, a
Stephen J. Solarz, Democrat of
effort to remind Americans that our
gressive Policy Institute, an arm of
loyalist, would undoubtedly perform
Brooklyn, was a co-sponsor of the
victory abroad has not lessened our
the Democratic Leadership Council,
this service. Whether his colleagues
House resolution authorizing the use
obligation to address the many press-
a group of centrist Democrats.
deserve his help is another question.
of force in the gulf.
ing problems we still face at home.
Kuwaiti
landscape
'surreal'
By Josette Shiner
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
KUWAIT CITY - These are the
surreal sights of Kuwait, liberated
just in time:
Screwdrivers, pliers and drills,
adapted into torture devices, ar-
rayed near a baby's crib in a royal
palace.
A mortician's stark Polaroid
photos of dozens of Kuwaitis, struck
in poses of death at the hands of
Iraqi torture masters.
The Iraqi military command's
huge sandbox model of the Kuwait
that Saddam Hussein was slowly de-
stroying, built from colorful chil-
dren's Duplo blocks and doll-house
food cans.
The grim "highway to hell,"
where the shoes and helmets of
thousands of dead Iraqi soldiers lic
tangled among the television sets,
toys, trinkets and items looted over
seven months of Iraqi occupation.
But of all of the horrors seen by
the first delegation of American po-
litical and business leaders to Ku-
wait since the Aug. 2 invasion, the
inferno of oil fires sears the senses
and outrages the mind the most. The
power and the fury unleashed from
the bowels of the earth soars hun-
dreds of feet into the air, the devour-
ing legacy of a vengeful army in
humiliating retreat.
"This is about as close in the mod-
ern world as one can get to the
Apocalypse," says Alexander Haig,
the former secretary of state and a
combat veteran of two wars. "In past
wars I've seen demagogues impose
the most horrible tragedies. But in
see OIL, page All
WORLD
The Washington Times
OIL
From page A1
no case have they destroyed the leg-
acy of the future like this madman
has. That is perhaps what makes this
war unique."
The travelers to Kuwait, a cross
section of U.S. business, media and
politics who came here as guests of
the Kuwaiti government, leave
agreed that the international com-
munity has grossly underestimated
the extent of the oil disaster- and
the crucial necessity for an immedi-
ate worldwide response.
While most speak of the unfath-
omable environmental damage be-
ing done hourly, others fear that the
oil reservoirs themselves will soon
be lost due to water contamination.
"It is beyond comprehension,"
says Jack Murphy, president of
Dresser Industries Inc., an oil equip-
ment company based in Dallas. "The
whole field is on fire. Whatever you
imagine from television, multiply it
by a thousand and you get close.
Photos by Josette Shiner/The Washington Times
A Kuwaiti shows a cleaver used by Iraqi torturers to an American delegation of politicians and business leaders in a
We're going to have to mobilize an
room in the royal palace used as a torture chamber by Iraqi occupiers
effort like the world has never seen
to save the reservoir."
Raymond Smith, chairman of Bell
knowledge of those on top.
Atlantic, the telephone company,
"While the generals were in the
says the blazing oil field struck him
basement in their sandbox they ob-
as "100 organic Chernobyls."
viously knew of the torture chamber
"We all need to declare a state of
on the second floor," he says. "This
emergency on the level of the inva-
was not isolated, barbaric torture.
sion," he says. "The need is as great
This was planned along with their
as when we saw Kuwait bleeding be-
war strategy.
cause now the earth is bleeding."
"As much as we want to believe it
Commerce Secretary Robert
isn't possible and it didn't happen, it
Mosbacher says that in decades of
is possible, it did happen."
work in the oil business, he only saw
The delegation drove north out of
one such fire. "I drilled my first well
Kuwait City along the Iraqi escape
when I was 21. I've only seen one
route, where an estimated 25,000
total blowout in all these years and
Iraqi troops died trying to flee Ku-
that was considered a disaster.
wait. "This was not an ordinary re-
"Now multiply that by hundreds.
treating military," says Mr. Machtley.
It is almost surrealistic, the total,
"These were looting renegades.
darkness illuminated only by the
"Their statistics - their muni-
wells. I knew the numbers before we
tions, equipment, manpower, experi-
came. I knew the figures. But Inever
ence in fighting - made them the
imagined the level of devastation."
fourth-largest army in the world.
Of the 1,000 oil wells in Kuwait,
The story is how they were incapable
538 are burning, according to the
of performing as a military because
latest figures from the Kuwait Oil
of their lack of discipline."
Co. An additional 200 were damaged.
Several members of the delega-
Experts estimate that 6 million bar-
tion say the atrocities they have seen
rels of oil are burning each day. At
have changed their perceptions of
$20 a barrel, this represents $120
war crimes trials.
million in lost revenues daily.
"This is an international environ-
The incredible damage first as-
mental disaster and not simply a
saults the senses of travelers ap-
problem for Kuwait," says former
proaching by-plane. "First came the
U.N. Ambassador Donald McHenry.
haze, then the total blackout of the
am much more inclined now to say
whole country," says Maryland Gov.
Saddam Hussein has to be tried than
William Donald Schaefer of the de-
I was before because of the scope of
scent into the pocked ruins of Ku-
his destruction. Because of the vin-
wait International Airport. "When
dictiveness of it all."
the sun blotted out, it was just like
John Norton Moore, professor of
you imagine a nuclear disaster
international law at the University of
would be."
Virginia, says the "oil field atrocity
At the northern edge of Kuwait's
is clearly a grave breach of the
Bergan oil field, the second-largest
fourth Geneva Convention," citing
in the world, the air throbs with the
the provision that. deals with the
thrust of explosive heat, as if hun-
"wanton" destruction of property.
dreds of oven broilers the size of the
"This is the first example the
Empire State Building were on fire.
world has seen of nationcide," he
The overpowering stench of burning
says, "It is not only genocide against
oil turns the stomach. Greasy black
a people but directed to end a na-
soot soon coats eyeglasses, collects
tion."
on surgical masks used to protect
John Covaney of the Virginia Port
the lungs, clings to the skin and soils
Authority proposes what he calls a
clothing.
"fitting punishment" for Saddam
Worst of all, the enormity of the
Kuwaiti military officers display a sandbox model of Kuwait made with
Hussein.
crime against the earth, and the
children's building blocks and toys that was used by the Iraqi command.
"Try him, convict him of war
monstrous rehabilitation that lies
crimes and then imprison him in an
ahead, is more than the mind can
open cell on the oil fields. Let him
easily comprehend.
new wells built later.
on a nearby table: pliers to pull out
"They can't wait two years, or
breathe that air day in and day out."
"The fires stretch so far, there is
toenails, drills to puncture kneecaps,
just fire everywhere, a forest of
they'll lose those fields," he says.
Others, looking at the carnage and
expanding sticks with jagged edges
"Forget saving those wells. They'l
evidence of unimaginable human
fires," says Miami Mayor Xavier
to tear apart the genitals of women,
Suarez. "Nature has been twisted
need to kill them. You have to plug
suffering about them; speak of their
cleavers to chop off ears and other
and changed and thwarted by this
the well with cement."
admiration of the courage and con-
body parts.
viction of President Bush.
madman. Even more than the tor-
The delegation also visited a royal
ture of innocents, this shows the
palace that had been turned into the
The sight was almost too much for
"When I was a kid you used to hear
command and control center, be-
Frank Carlucci, the former U.S. sec-
about the end of the world and it
mind of that madman."
lieved to have been used by Saddam
retary of defense. "It is very hard to
would scare the living hell out of
Dresser Industries' Mr. Murphy,
Hussein's cousin, Ali Hassan Jajid,
explain in rational terms. This isn't
me," says Joshua I. Smith, chairman
struggling to put the repair job in
during the occupation.
just war. In war you kill people but
of Maxima Corp. of Rockville.
context, says that "yesterday is too
late" to prevent major damage to the
A 40-foot-long sandbox model of
you don't torture innocent civilians.
"When I saw those wells burning and
reservoir.
I've lived through any number of
stood in the darkness I went back to
Kuwait, used to plan military strat-
"The white smoke we're seeing,
egy against the allies, stands as the
revolutions - Zaire, Zanzibar, Bra-
that same scared kid. I felt power-
zil, Portugal - and I've seen a lot of
less. I felt small.
that's steam. The pressure vacuum
centerpiece of a large basement
President Bush had waited any
is sucking water into the reservoir."
room. A child's Duplo blocks rep-
brutality.
The salvaging effort is slowed by
"But never on this kind of a scale
longer, as so many urged him to, that
resent government and military in-
the work of Iraqi troops who blew
stallations. A toy-size can of V-8
and never with this brutality."
country would have been destroyed.
apart the casing and piping at the top
juice depicts one installation.
I'm soproud of George Bush. The
Rep. Ronald Machtley of Rhode
of the wells, making it exceedingly
A room on the second floor, a
guts he displayed. I guess I've never
Island, one of several congressmen
difficult to plug the well head. To
baby's crib still at rest on the fluffy
been so proud of a human being in
on the trip, says the placement of the
all of my life.
speed the effort, the current wells
pink carpets, was used as a torture
torture chamber in the command
"The decision to save Kuwait will.
should be filled with concrete and
chamber. Implements, still showing
center convinces him that the
the blood of captured Kuwaitis, lie
go down in history as one of the key
crimes were committed with the
decisions of history."
Iraqis
left mark
on home
By Josette Shiner
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
KUWAIT CITY - A simple
household table sits amid the filth
and debris, holding a sharp steel
hook and open bag of rock salt. An
exposed metal bed frame lies
rammed against the table.
These common household imple-
ments are favored Iraqi torture de-
vices: sharp tools for gouging flesh,
salt for rubbing in wounds, bed
frames as conduits for electrical
Saúd Nasir Sabah, the Kuwaiti
ambassador to the United States and
a member of the royal family, speaks
see SABAH, page All
shock.
SABAH
military lookout post during the wan
for any remembrance of their past
The once-luxurious contents have
silence on a makeshift clothesline.
a small token of the family memo
From page A1
been reduced to rubble by the invad-
Pink folders, containing military
ries shattered and desecrated by evil
plans and supply orders, are stuffed
ers. In place of the colorful and
strangers whose ghosts still despoil
in a child's desk. The ambassador's
warm array of family furniture,
the air.
softly as if he dreads the sound of his
china and photos, the invaders left
son Nawaf, 19, picks up a handwrit-
own voice.
The living room and dining room,
crudely drawn Iraqi battle plans,
ten note from the floor and shakes
made grimmer by the lack of electri-
"This room was my eldest daugh-
his head in disbelief.
with pillbox tanks drawn in black
cal light, are dark, empty shells. The
ter's bedroom," he tells a small group
ink, a crate of live ammunition. A
"It is an interrogation account," he
of Americans who have returned
kitchen is stripped bare of every ap-
chilling emptiness has descended
said, handing it to his father.
with him to Kuwait and are guests
pliance In a hall, an oil painting, ap-
upon the great house.
parently too large to steal but
On the next floor upstairs, silk pil-
now in his brutalized home. The four-
Room by room, the ambassador
slashed from top to bottom, stands
lows block an open window frame
story mansion, which overlooks the
and his teen-age son and daughter
propped against a wall.
where an air-conditioning unit has
harbor in Kuwait City, was an Iraqi
survey the destruction, searching
been ripped out. A Soviet munitions
An Iraqi uniform hangs in eerie
box sits open in the hallway, live car-
tridges inside.
On a rooftop balcony, spent NATO-
issue cartridges litter the ground.
There, two Iraqi sandbag lookout
posts keep silent watch on the pris-
tine Gulf waters below.
"For my wife, everything is gone.
Her heritage. Her possessions," the
ambassador says.
The ambassador takes no comfort
in the fact that the structure of the
house is still standing. "I would just
as soon level the house to the ground
and start all over," he said. "Psycho-
logically, would you sleep here? How
can I ask my daughter to return?"
In the courtyard, Ambassador
Sabah turns to his home for one last
time before returning to Washing-
ton. His daughter Nayirah, 15, runs
up clutching something in her hand.
She hands a postage-stamp-size
piece of paper to her father.
"Look, look," she cries. She hands
over a photograph of her mother -
one small gift that defied Iraqi at-
A bed frame used for electrical shock torture by Iragi troops was left behind in the Kuwaiti ambassador's house
Photo by Josette Shiner/The Washington Times
tempts to wipe out all traces of their
family history.
Iraqi
revolt
still
IRAQ
'We had a couple of guys in here
Mr. Naqib was armed forces
with burns that looked like white
deputy chief of staff during the rule
phosphorus," Col. Ritter said; refer-
of President Ahmed Hassan Bakr in
From page Al
ring to incendiary bombs that se-
1970. Western governments con-
verely burn the flesh
try, Kurdish rebels have won control
sider Mr. Naqib an acceptable re-
Sgt: Waleed Huwail, a Kuwalti at-
placement for Saddam.
rages
of a large part bf Iraqi Kurdistan,
tached to U.S. troops here, said:
Sgt. Huwail also said he has re-
the State Department said in Wash-
"Welve been hearing all kinds of sto-
ington.
ceived reports that "a number of re-
ries of atrocities. One group, de-
Bayan Jabr of the Iran-based Su-
sistance leaders have been high-
scribed the Iraqis forcing suspected
ranking Iraqi officers, even some
preme Council of the Islamic Rev-
By Tom Diaz
members of the resistance to stay in
olution in Iraq said rebel units were
generals [have been] defecting."
their car while'a tank was rolled over
less than 60 miles south of the capi-
In the Kurdish north, the Iraqi
it. They also told us of houses with
Heavy fighting
tal.
army attacked the towns of Kirkuk
people in them being flattened by
raged between rebels) and govern
"Our forces are now advancing to:
and Tuz Khurmatu with 2,000-pound
tanks.
ward Baghdad," he said.
napalm bombs, the dissident Patri-
ment in Lacks Shilite Muslim
PA number of Kuwaitis whom the
(sound said ugees flee...
Iraq's official media also spoke of
otic Union of Kurdistan reported.
rebels freed from prisons said
southern
Irad
fresh outbreaks of violence south of
But the Kurdish rebellion has
they had been routinely tortured by
Their reports refuted Presi
Baghdad. The Iraqi News Agency
widespread control of the area. State
their jailers. They said one pregnant
Saddam Hussein's claim to have
reported acts of violence that it said
Department spokesman Richard
woman was suspended upside down
crushed the revolts
had been carried out by a "deluded
Boucher said in Washington that
in front of about 30 male, female and
(loval to Saddam appeared
handful of agents and thieves tam-
"Kurdish dissidents now appear to
infant prisoners and beaten until she
pering with the state's property and
control large portions of predomi-
have gained some over
aborted her baby on the spot.
finances."
nantly Kurdish areas of northern
Basra, Iraq second city, but
One guy saw here had no fin-
rebels were still battling army units
Refugees interviewed at a U.S.
and northeastern Iraq."
gernails," Sgt. Huwail said. "They
in the Shi'ite holy cities of Karbala
Army checkpoint in allied-occupied
A Kurdish opposition spokesman,
had ripped them out."
and Najaf and many other towns
Iraq told of massive atrocities. They
quoted by Iranian television Sunday,
ac
Iran's official Islamic Republic
cording to the refugees.
said that more than 5,000 bodies are
said 100,000 government troops had
News Agency reported yesterday
strewn around the streets of Basra
so far surrendered to the rebels in
Up to 16,000 people have died in
that battles continued in Kut and in
the two holy cities, Iran's official ra-
and that starvation is rampant in the
Iraqi Kurdistan alone.
Nassiriya, where long-range shell-
dio reported, citing no source for the
south.
Saddam, in a televised address to
ing killed or wounded many people.
figure.
In part of Basra, the bodies were
Both towns are south of Baghdad.
the nation, said Saturday his troops
Refugees and rebels also said the
stacked on top of each other, one by
The towns of Tanuma, Zubair and
had crushed a revolt in Iraq's mainly
government used napalm, incendi-
one," said Salem Salem Mosri, a
Abul-Khasib, near Basra, were in re-
Shi ite south. Kurdish rebels in the
ary bombs and mustard gas to fight
waiter.
bel hands, refugee Ahmed Hashem
north will suffer the same fate, he
the rebellion
The claims could not be indepen-
said
added.
A video shot by an Iraqi rebel
dently confirmed because Saddam
In Kufa, near Najaf, Iraqi Repub-
The rebellion began after the
showed what was described as vic
expelled all foreign journalists sev-
lican Guard units sent to quell dem-
United States and its allies routed
tims, of government poison gas
eral weeks ago.
onstrations had been forced to re-
Saddam's occupation army in Ku-
attacks. The video was aired on Bri
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Patrick Ritter,
treat with heavy casualties.
wait in the six-week Gulf war. The
tain's Independent Television News,
a battalion commander at the front,
A former Iraqi general turned op-
allies said they had destroyed or neu-
which said it was shot three days ago
called reports of bodies in Basra
position leader said many Iraqi
tralized about half of Saddam's
and that the rebel was killed while
"believable."
troops have joined the revolt
army.
filming it.
"We've heard that from several
"Tens of thousands of Iraqi sol-
Meanwhile, an Iranian dissident
In the northern part of the coun-
refugees, coming out at different
diers have joined the rebels and are
group said yesterday its forces killed
times," he said. "It appears that Sad-
now controlling most of Iraqi cities
100 Iranian Revolutionary Guards in
see IRAQ, page A8
dam's troops are carrying out re-
and towns," said Hassan Naqib,
battles near one of its bases 40 miles
venge attacks."
leader of the Saudi-based Indepen-
inside Iraq during the past 48 hours.
Refugees said Saddam's cousin,
dent Nationals Group. "Saddam's
The People's Mujahideen said the
Interior Minister Ali Hassan Majid,
days in power are numbered. He will
Iranians had taken advantage of the
has been personally executing reb-
be removed very shortly."
turmoil in Iraq to attack its National
els in Basra
He said the Iraqi army felt humil-
Liberation Army base outside Kifri,
U.S. medics have treated many
lated by Saddam's decisions and ac-
100 miles northeast of Baghdad,
refugees this week, including a 12
tions and urged all soldiers to join
with mortars and multiple rocket
year-old girl with a 50-caliber bullet
the rebels
Date
launchers.
wound and another girl about 6 years
'Saddam dragged these forces
Iran has denied any role in the
old with three bullet wounds in her
into an immoral fight against Iran
revolt sweeping Iraq since Bagh-
legs, said Col. Ritter, of Macomb, III.
[in the 1980-1988 war] and to a cruel
dad's defeat by U.S.-led allied forces
Most of the injured civilians have
invasion of a neighboring Arab
nearly three weeks ago.
gone for days without treatment be-
brotherly country [Kuwait]," he
This article is based in part on
fore reaching the U.S. line
added:
wire service reports.
Photo by Josette Shiner/The Washington Times
Horror chamber Kuwaiti envoy
Saud Nasir Sabah In his daughter's
room, with Iraqi torture devices.
AP
This photo, from footage released by Iraqi opposition forces and aired on ABC TV Monday morning, shows a tank
burning in Karbala, Iraq. Iraq claimed yesterday it had crushed the revolt in the south, but rebel leaders said the
uprising was growing and travelers said the army set up checkpoints around Baghdad to search for weapons.
U.S. 'silence' on-Iraq's turmoil
misses opportunity - expert
Miss Mylroie said there are pros-
She identified one as Salah Omar
By Andrew Borowiec
pects for "long-term guerrilla war in
Ali Tikriti, a former chief of secret
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
the south" and there are doubts that
police reponsible for the execution
The Bush administration is miss-
Saddam "will ever recover control of
of Iraqi Jews in' 1969, and Saad
ing an opportunity to influence
the north from the Kurds."
Jaber, a London-based Shi'ite busi-
nessman.
Iraq's future by remaining silent on
"The Bush administration does
Miss Mylroie also said the Saudi
the country's turmoil and avoiding
not explain its policy toward Iraq,"
approach to the Iraqi crisis is flawed
contact with the opposition, a lead-
she said, adding that there are no
because it focuses on opposition fig-
ing expert on Iraq said yesterday.
concrete signals besides the wish to
ures who have limited appeal inside
"The U.S. passivity, including re-
see Saddam ousted and rid Iraq of
Iraq. "We'll have a situation of win-
fusal to speak of political pluralism,
unconventional weapons.
ning the war and losing the peace,"
is pushing Iraqi Shi'ites toward
Above all, she said, the United
she said.
Iran," Laurie Mylroie told the Wash-
States is not talking to the Iraqi op-
Miss Mylroie feels that in addition
ington Institute for Near East Policy.
position while other members of the
to Saudi Arabia, Syria is promoting
Miss Mylroie. of the Harvard Uni-
anti-Saddam coalition have exten-
its proteges among Iraqi exiles.
versity Center for Middle Eastern
sive contacts with his foes. Miss
Amid growing confusion and inter-
Studies, is co-author with Judith
Mylroie claimed that the reason for
necine fighting, she believes it con-
Miller of "Saddam Hussein and the
absence of U.S. activity in this field
ceivable that Iraq can split into three
Crisis in the Gulf."
is that "we are deferring to Saudi
parts, with Baghdad controlling only
She described Iraq as being in-
Arabia" which wants to have a domi-
the center of the country.
creasingly fragmented, with Kurds
nant role in determining Iraq's fu-
"The United States should weigh
controlling virtually all of the north,
ture.
carefully whether the present insti-
including mountain crossing points
Thus, she said, U.S. officials have
tutions can still govern Iraq," Miss
into Turkey. In the rebellious south,
established contact with two Saudi-
Mylroie concluded, saying that at
she said, Iraqi President Saddam
backed Iraqi opponents whom she
this juncture the ruling Ba'ath party,
Hussein "does not have enough
described as irrelevant and without
the security apparatus and the army
troops to garrison all towns."
a power base.
are discredited.
THE WASHINGTON POST
RI
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991 A21
D
NEWS
Israeli General Pleads Guilty
To Fraud Involving U.S. Aid
Prosecutor Says GE Official Involved in Multimillion-Dollar Scheme
By Jackson Diehl
force, one of Israel's most presti-
have no comment," he told Wash-
Washington Post Foreign Service
gious institutions, and raised ques
ington Post staff writer Jim McGee.
tions about the way military aid and
Company spokesman George Ja-
JERUSALEM March 18-Is
contracts between the United
mison said GE learned of the
raeli military prosecutors have
States and Israel are handled. Un-
charges in December from Israeli
charged that several employees of
like in other countries, Israel's
officials and is presently assisting
U.S. defense contractors, including
spending of U.S. military aid is not
with a parallel federal investigation.
a manager of General Electric, con-
spired with an Israeli air force gen-
closely supervised by the Pentagon,
"That cooperation is ongoing,'
eral to divert millions of dollars in
and officials here and in Washington
Jamison said: "It appears as if both
U.S. government aid to their per-
have pointed out that Israel's own
the Israeli government' and GE
sonal- bank accounts, according to
procedures were SO lax that one
were victimized by Gen. Dotan,
court documents published today
general was able to manipulate hun-
who apparently used claims of Is-
The charges, spelled out in court
dreds of millions of dollars in con-
raeli security to hide schemes for
tracts for personal gain.
his own enrichment. GE is in the
Sunday in Tel Aviv, provided the
first detailed outline of what mili-
So far, one other Israeli officer
midst of its own internal investiga-
tary officials here have said is the
and several civilians have been ar-
tion to determine if any GE employ-
biggest scandal ever uncovered in-
rested for involvement in the diver-
ees participated with Gen. Dotan in
volving the misuse of U.S. aid to
sions of funds, and eight other of-
the scheme and improperly re-
Israel. Israel is Washington's big.
ficers who assisted Dotan in cir-
ceived personal gain."
gest foreign aid recipient, getting
cumventing air force procedures
The FBI declined to comment on
$1.8 billion in military aid and $1.2
have. been dismissed from their
the matter.
billion in economic assistance in
posts.
GE said last year that Steindler,
each of the past five years,
Documents submitted by pros-
who Israeli sources said supervised
The air force's former chief of
ecutors to the court and published
the company's sales to Israel, had
equipment, Brig. Gen. Rami Dotan,
today in the Israeli press alleged
been reassigned from his post dur-
pleaded guilty. to 12 criminal
that Dotan conspired with Harold
ing the firm's inquiry.
counts, including bribery and fraud,
Dotan allegedly conspired with at
Steindler, an executive of GE's air-
and admitted to misappropriation of
least two other, smaller U.S. firms
craft engine division, to divert more
funds totaling $12 million. Under a
who bribed him to award them con-
than $10 million from contracts be-
plea-bargain agreement with mil-
tracts, the prosecution said. Pros-
tween GE and Israel's air force.
itary prosecutors; Dotan, 45,
ecutors said one firm helped Dotan'
agreed to confess his crimes and
The contracts, to purchase en-
create an illicit fund of more than
return the money he had accumu-
gines for F-16 warplanes, were paid
$500,000 by overbilling for main-
lated in exchange for a prison sen-
for with U.S. military aid money to
tenance work done for the air force.
tence of 13 years and a dishonor-
Israel, according to Israeli officials.
The two firms were not named in
able discharge from the air force.
Israeli officials said evidence in
the official material published today
The court is scheduled to announce
the case has been turned over to
in the Haaretz newspaper.
next week whether it will accept
the U.S. JusticeDepartment for in-
According to the charges, Do-
the plea-bargain arrangement.
vestigation.
tan's partner in Israel was Yoram
The 12 charges also include be-
General Electric said last Decem-
Ingbir, an engineer who founded a
ing an accessory to the kidnapping
ber that it was conducting an inter-
firm that received tens of millions
and beating of an Israeli business-
nal review of the affair.
of dollars in contracts from the air
man living in the United States who
Steindler, who was a senior man-
force and its U.S. suppliers, includ-
originally informed authorities
ager in a GE divison that sold mil-
ing about $30 million in contracts
about the fraud.
itary engines overseas, declined to
from GE.
The scandal has rocked the air
discuss the allegations today. "I
See AID, A24, Col.
Israeli General Pleads Guilty to Fraud
In Diversion of Millions in U.S. Aid
AID, From A21
tract. The prosecution charges pub-
force and GE worth $251 million,
lished by Haaretz said Steindler and
The prosecution charged that
according to prosecutors.
Ingbir initially received a subcon-
Dotan set up a paper company
The documents submitted to
called GSK that served as an inter-
tract to build test facilities for jet
court said that "Steindler, who was
engines as part of a 1984 contract
mediary between GE and Ingbir.
actually a partner of Dotan, con-
between the Israeli air force and "a
Over the course of six years,
vinced the American firm that it
foreign firm." Haaretz identified the
GSK took more than $3 million in
was necessary to allot money to
firm as GE, a fact confirmed by of-
commissions from contracts be-
experimental flights for testing en-
ficial Israeli sources.
tween GE and Ingbir, the prosecu-
gines," according to the text pub-
GE supplied Israel with engines
tors said. According to the charges,
lished by Haaretz.
for its F-16 fighters. Under agree-
the money was then diverted from
The prosecutors said Dotan and
ments between the United States
GSK to bank accounts controlled by
Steindler transferred $300,000 to
and Israel, it was obligated to chan-
Steindler and Dotan.
Ingbir to conduct the proposed
nel:part of the contract to an Israeli
The largest alleged fraud involv-
tests, then diverted the other $7.5
subcontractor. Prosecutors said
ing Steindler and Dotan was linked
million in the contract to foreign
Steindler arranged for the subcon-
to a 1986 contract between the air
bank accounts they held.
WALL STREET JOURNAL TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
L.A. Debate-Police Are Also Victims
By Tom KANDO
murder and other violent crimes. Policy is
nocent, hard working, law abiding citizens,
Friedrich Nietzsche once wrote that the
increasingly dictated by ideological com-
often putting them first through excrucia-
gravest threat to a society's survival is its
mitment rather than empirical facts.)
ting torture. One of this criminal's recent
The thrill killer executed all his victims
unwillingness to control its criminals. To
victims was a beautiful, promising, hard-
in fast-food and convenience stores located
paraphrase a figure more widely known in
working college girl. A few years ago, also
our world, Michael Corleone, history
in middle-class neighborhoods. The victims
in Sacramento, authorities discovered in
teaches us that it is possible to murder
were employees, and an occasional cus-
another killer's apartment the remnants of
anyone with impunity.
tomer. An obvious and pragmatic response
the bodies of victims who had been par-
Both these sets of words are relevant in
would be for every clerk, cashier and cook
tially eaten by the murderer!
the current discussion and investigation of
in such businesses to have ready access to
Establishment Overruled Voters
police brutality in Los Angeles. There, a
a hand gun underneath the counter. But
videotape of a beating of a black motorist
enabling citizens to protect themselves is
It would be understandable if, in the
by a group of police officers has touched
not part of the professional criminological
face of such unspeakable evil, many would
off a Justice Department investigation.
ideology.
find slow torture a more appropriate pun-
The beating itself was outrageous. The
Another way in which crime is encour-
ishment than swift and painless execution.
aged is through the exclusionary rule. The
But since the people of California are civi-
Justice Department is correct in perceiv-
ing this event as a "national" or "civil-
definition and implementation of criminal
lized, they simply voted to reinstate capital
justice policy is in the hands of politicians;-
punishment in San Quentin's gas chamber.
rights" issue. But not, perhaps, a national
civil rights issue in the sense that many
judges, criminologists, academicians, Hol-
Yet, although capital punishment was ap-
lywood and media people, lawyers, parole
proved twice by an overwhelming majority
are describing it.
of the voters a decade ago, the criminal
To understand what is happening in Los
justice elite refuses to permit the state to
Angeles, it is worthwhile to look at what is
The typical policeman
execute anyone. Instead, each capital case
happening in the rest of the U.S. Take, for
example, another California city-Sacra-
has long lost the motiva-
is tried, appealed and suspended ad infini-
tum at an average cost of $8 million per
mento. Sacramento has seen more than its
tion really to "go after"
case to the taxpayers.
share of crime. The early part of 1991 has
murderers and other vio-
During that endless process, every
been particularly disgraceful. A so-called
mass murderer becomes a celebrity, en-
thrill killer has murdered half a dozen peo-
ple, and the total number of murders SQ
lent criminals.
joying year after year free room and
board, media coverage and the best legal
far this year exceeds 23. The discovery of
unidentifiable bodies is becoming common-
agents and-probation officers. With a few
services that the public can pay for. From
place, often reported only on the back page
exceptions such as Harvard criminologist
Juan Corona to Salcido, from Charles Man-
of the local newspapers. The murders are
James Q. Wilson, a large majority among
son to Dorothy Puente, from David Chase
to Dan White, and the dozens upon dozens
happening everywhere, including the most
these professionals has, for many years,
affluent neighborhoods.
been much more occupied with the legal
of other killers and mass murderers, they
have all learned the lesson that their
Police Lost Will
rights of defendants than with the plight of
victims or the security of society. As a re-
crimes assured them of a spotlight on na-
The national clearance rate for murder
sult, the typical policeman has long lost
tional television, a permanent place in his-
has declined steadily since the 1950s:
the motivation really to "go after" mur-
tory and the lasting attention of society. If
Three decades ago, more than 95% of all
derers and other violent criminals.
this is not reward, what is?
murders led to an arrest. Today, the figure
When my friends on the local police
The L.A. videotape case is still unfold-
is less than 70% and going down. In Sacra-
force stop a vehicle for a minor moving vi-
ing. The issues seem to be quite different
mento so far this year, fewer than 40% of
olation or a defective light, they routinely
from the ones in the cases discussed
all murders have led to an arrest.
check the driver's license, his identity,
above. But they share the same surreal
Part of the reason for the increasing in-
whether the car is stolen and whether
context, a context that will change if and
ability of law enforcement to solve murder
there is a warrant out for him. That's
when the citizenry wrestles back from the
cases is that the proportion of stranger-on-
about it. They rarely try to find out where
criminal justice professions and from opin-
stranger murder is going up. Cases involv-
the individual is from, how long he has
ionmakers the means to protect itself. Un-
ing relatives, neighbors or acquaintances
been in Sacramento, where he lives,
til then. the system will continue to reward
are easier to solve, of course.
works, etc. Yet it is through such inquisi-
criminals. endanger our lives and emascu-
However, the primary cause of our soci-
tiveness that most serious criminals are
late the police. An important principle
ety's increasing lawlessness is the one to
eventually apprehended. It is such inquisi-
which is supposed to guide criminal justice
which Nietzsche alluded: Our correctional,
tiveness that was typical of citizen-police
is that of proportionality, or just deserts.
criminal justice and political systems have
encounters in the past, and still is in Japan
by which is meant a correspondence be-
simply lost the will to combat crime. In
for example today. But most of my police-
tween the seriousness of a crime commit-
fact, they implement at every opportunity
men friends no longer bother. since such
ted and the severity of the ensuing punish-
policies most likely to encourage crime.
fact finding is unlikely to lead to arrest or
ment. This principle is operative today, in
Thus, the Sacramento thrill killer's
conviction, but instead more likely to their
a very perverted sense: The more serious
mass-murderous spree has led to immedi-
own punishment, reprimand or a law
an offender's crime is, the more lavish are
ate calls in the state legislature for stricter
suit.
the resources and the attention which soci-
gun control laws. It is useless to remind
Another factor is the matter of reward
ety bestows upon him.
those folks that the two jurisdictions with
and punishment. or simply put: justice.
the strictest gun control laws in the coun-
Every year. murderers such as the Sacra-
Mr. Kando is a professor of sociology
York and Washington, D.C.-are
mento thrill killer put a premature end to
and criminal justice at California State
also among those with the highest rates of
the lives of thousands upon thousands of in-
University in Sacramento.
The Loser of the Gulf War Is
the Soviet Military
By GABRIEL SCHOENFELD
I see here is particularly dreadful and bru-
the anarchic planned economy is com-
Thank God that the generals who run
tal," said the unnamed Air Force officer,
pletely overhauled, competing in technol-
the Soviet military remain Marxists. They
and they "will chuck me out if they find
ogy with the U.S. is not an option.
know that Friedrich Engels once wrote
out that I have bypassed the censor and
Arms control.was once the most prom-
that "nothing is more dependent on eco-
told the truth about this war."
ising vehicle to restrain the West in areas
nomic conditions than the army and the
The American F-15 fighter is no match
where competition looked like a losing bet.
navy." All of them can recite Lenin by
for top-flight Soviet aircraft, a Soviet pilot
But even if the West were willing, the pace
heart: "Military tactics depend on the
told readers of Krasnaya Zvezda on Feb. 6.
of Western technological change is not
level of military technology
"Even an average pilot in a MiG-29 has
something that can be put up for discus-
Given their creed, and the weak state of
more chances of emerging the victor in
sion at a bargaining table. The Soviet Un-
the Soviet economy, America's victory
dogfights than his adversary in an F-15
ion can only win a hand or two at the arms
over Iraq leaves not only Saddam Hus-
not to mention other aircraft."
control game-U.S. satellites show that
sein's army in tatters. Without suffering a
Syria's defense minister was also en-
when it comes to military technology it
single casualty, the Soviet military has en-
listed to tell the Soviet public about Ameri-
holds perpetually bad cards.
dured its worst psychological defeat since
can backwardness. The Patriot missiles
and the "Star Wars" technology it em-
The Kremlin may be forced to take cues
Afghanistan-and possibly since June
1941.
ploys, are "not that reliable" in countering
from the limited areas where the Iraqis
did well. The elusive Scud launchers show
Iraqi Scuds, he said. If the U.S. were to
Over the past decade, Soviet military
"wage Star Wars," it would be a "disas-
that mobile missiles "are relatively safe
thinkers charged with worrying about the
ter" for America. The American M-16 not
from air strikes," says Col. Valery
West have focused their attention on one
only misfires when "it is slightly dirty," it
Ochirov, a member of the Supreme Soviet
substance being added to the imperialist
explodes when sand gets in the barrel. The
committee for Defense and Security Ques-
arsenal: silicon. At both the strategic and
Soviet Kalashnikov rifle on the other hard,
tions. We can expect that Moscow will
conventional levels, computerization and
will fire when "clogged with sand or dirt."
want to further develop, not trade away,
the development of smart munitions,
its truck and rail-launched ballistic mis-
U.S. helicopters break down in desert
showed Soviet officials that the revolution
siles.
sandstorms, but "Soviet helicopters keep
in military affairs underway in the capital-
flying in those conditions."
.The Iraqis also did well with mas-
ist world was bypassing the bureaucratized
The Soviet military no longer speaks in
kirouka. "Operative camouflage, including
Soviet economy.
one voice, and not all of the accounts of-
the extensive use of various mockups and
The Pentagon's most recent appraisal
fered by Soviet military authorities have
fake airfields and launching positions was
in its annual report on Soviet Military
been so bent on self-deception. In fact, De-
well thought out and effectively imple-
analysis report, Soviet Military Power is
fense Minister Dmitri Yazov, in reviewing
mented," says Lieut. Gen. Valentin Pere-
the same: In semiconductor materials, mi-
preliminary lessons of the war, has spoken
verzev. This suggests a low-cost, low-tech
croelectronics, parallel processing, ma-
of "weak spots" in Soviet air defenses.
strategy for the Soviet Union to survive as
chine intelligence and robotics, and soft-
"What happened Kuwait and Iraq neces-
a formidable military power. Ever since
ware production, the Soviet Union is "lag-
sitates a review of the attitude to
the
Catherine the Great, Russia has been good
ging in all important aspects." The lop-
country's entire air defense system," he
at building Potemkin villages. If it can
sided outcome of the Gulf War will confirm
told the Soviet parliament on Feb. 28. Gen.
solve the paper shortage, Moscow could
Soviet perceptions of their own backward-
Vladimir Lobov, head of the now defunct
build an enormous arsenal of tanks, planes
ness.
Warsaw Pact forces, is also alarmed. The
and rockets, all made of papier-mache.
This conclusion does not flow from a
Gulf War is giving the Americans a chance
simple comparison of the relative perform-
to test their weaponry and change their
Mr. Schoenfeld is a fellow at the Center
ance of American-made vs. Soviet weap-
technology, a process that will help in
for Strategic and International Studies and
onry. The real issue for Moscow was not
"perfecting" U.S. and NATO forces. This
editor of Soviet Prospects.
the relative, but the absolute performance
will in turn lead to a "violation of parity
of the Western high-tech arsenal. Would
between the two systems
these weapons, ordered and designed by
Press analyses have explained the tech-
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
the Pentagon to destroy Soviet fighting
nological threat in operational terms.
forces, work?
Krasnaya Zvezda on Jan. 25 told Soviet
Warren H. Phillips
Peter R. Kann
Over the past weeks the Soviet Union
readers that the American forces are "sat-
Chairman
Publisher & President
has engaged in an intense effort to an-
urated" with the latest combat gear. "This
swer this question. When the fighting be-
applies primarily to electronic warfare" as
Norman Pearlstine
Robert L. Bartley
gan on Jan. 16, the Soviet Union immedi-
well as to precision guided munitions that
Managing Editor
Editor
ately expanded the coverage provided by
are the "latest achievement of science and
Daniel Henninger
its "space assets," and intensified elec-
technology-laser, electronic and SO
Paul E. Steiger
Deputy Editor,
Deputy Managing Editor
Editorial Page
tronic intelligence surveillance of the area.
forth." Such weapons allow for "excep-
Kenneth L. Burenga
An "operations group" was established
tional accuracy of target destruction."
General Manager
within the Soviet military at the general
Pravda has expressed worry that reports
Paul C. Atkinson
Dorothea Coccoli Palsho
staff level to "gather, generalize and as-
of the Tomahawk cruise missile's effec-
Vice President,
Vice President,
sess the information" received from the
tiveness will "divert Western politicians
Advertising
Circulation
war. Gen. Mikhail Moiseyev, the Soviet
from understanding the need to block this
F. Thomas Kull Jr.
Charles F. Russell
chief of staff, explained that the Gulf War
dangerous channel of the arms race."
Vice President,
Vice President,
was a "testing ground for state-of-the-art
Operations
Technology
The Patriot missile has been treated
hardware and arms which are or will in
with great respect. "Highly accurate,"
Published since 1889 by
the near future be standard equipment for
"very effective," "modern," "crammed
DOW JONES & COMPANY, INC.
the NATO bloc's combined armed
with Japanese electronics" are the words
forces."
Editorial and Corporate Headquarters:
with which honest Soviet military experts
200 Liberty Street, New York, N.Y. 10281.
The full findings of the "operations
have appraised the Patriot air defense sys-
Telephone (212) 416-2000
group" are not likely to be published any
tem. And the anti-missile missile is Mos-
time soon in the Soviet press. Neverthe-
Warren H. Phillips, Chairman;
cow's major new concern. Izvestia says it
Peter R. Kann, President & Chief Executive Officer;
less, statements by military officials dur-
is an SDI kitten that has not yet turned
Kenneth L. Burenga, Executive Vice President &
ing the war and Soviet reporting about the
into a full grown tiger. Pravda says that
Chief Operating Officer;
course of battle give a sense of what fears
the Patriot's success has generated "tech-
James H. Ottaway Jr., Peter G. Skinner,
the war has left for Soviet leaders.
nophoria" in Washington, a sentiment that
Carl M. Valenti, Senior Vice Presidents
"Denial" is an appropriate term to
is being translated into renewed support
Vice Presidents: Frank C. Breese III, Administration;
characterize one visible strand of the So-
for SDI. The Bush administration, says the
William R. Clabby, Richard J. Levine, Information
viet reaction. "The war in the Gulf will end
newspaper, has seized on the effectiveness
Services; Bernard T. Flanagan, Marketing; Karen
in a major U.S. defeat," was the Feb. 1
of the missile to lobby "in every possible
Elliott House, International; Donald L. Miller,
prediction of Maj. Gen. Viktor Filatov, the
Employee Relations; Kevin J. Roche, Finance; Sterling
way" for SDI's reactivation.
E. Soderlind, Planning. John S. Goodreds, president,
controversial editor-in-chief of the princi-
Soviet military leaders recognize that
Ottaway Newspapers.
pal military history journal. There is disaf-
the Soviet Union's pathetic economy will
fection among U.S. troops, was what other
not be rescued soon. Students of the Soviet
Washington News and Sales Office:
1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
media accounts told Soviet readers. "Our
economy all agree; the worst is yet to
Telephone (202) 862-9200
morale is reaching rock bottom," a U.S.
come. In the area of electronics and com-
SUBSCRIPTIONS AND ADDRESS CHANGES
airman was quoted as saying in the Red
puters in particular, the Soviet Union is
should be sent to The Wall Street Journal, 200 Burnett
Road, Chicopee, Mass. 01020, giving old and new
Army newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda. "What
destined to fall generations behind. Until
address. For subscription rates see Page A2.
Bush's Plan Would Allow
ORE AID SOUGHT
S.E.C. Acts
F.D.I.C. to Borrow From Fed
On Executive
FOR AILING BANKS
WASHINGTON, March 18
the banking industry that included a
(Reuters) - The Securities
Continued From Page Al
and Exchange Commission
UNDER BUSH PLAN
measure to take away much of the
F.D.I.C.'s authority, and that was
won a permanent injunction to-
seen by lawmakers and many in the
day against the former chair-
ing rate of large bank failures has left
industry as a slap at Mr. Seldman.
man of Borman's Inc. for issu-
the fund at Its lowest level since the
ing a press release that fraudu-
Move Called a Mistake
creation of the program in 1933 during
lently said he knew no reason
"0 HELP INSURANCE FUND
the Great Depression.
But the Administration has denied
for the jump in Borman's stock
The $8.4 billion fund is now at about
that it was aimed specifically at him,
price even though he had
43 cents per $100 in deposits and it is
and more recently, Treasury officials
agreed to buyout talks.
D.I.C. Would Get Authority
have backpedaled and said the at-
Without admitting or denying
estimated that it will decline to 19 cents
tempt to entirely strip the Insurance
the charges, Paul Borman, the
by the end of the year. Federal law has
fund of much of its authority had been
former chairman and principal
for Borrowing $25 Billion
set $1.25 per $100 as the goal that
"a mistake."
shareholder of the Detroit-
should be sought by regulators.
Unlike the bailout of the savings
based food company, agreed to
From Federal Reserve
is too early to determine whether
and loan industry, in which Congress
be barred from future viola-
Congress will ultimately support the
set up a corporation that raises
tions of securities laws, under
Treasury's plan, although the Congres-
money by selling bonds in the mar-
terms of an order entered in
sional Budget Office has already
ketplace, the rescue of the bank insur-
United States District Court in
By STEPHEN LABATON
recommended increasing the borrow-
ance fund through Federal Reserve
Washington. The S.E.C.'s sanc-
Specialio The New York Times
ing authority of the F.D.I.C. by another
borrowings should be considerably
tion merely prohibits Mr, Bor-
WASHINGTON, March 18 - In an ef-
billion, to $10 billion.
less expensive because it will enable
assman from similar securities
ort to keep the Federal deposit insur-
regulators to obtain lower interest
law violations.
ince program afloat, the Bush Admin-
Optimism on Prospects
rates.
The agency has limited
stration will propose that bank regula-
But Mr. Seidman appeared optimis-
The rates of interest charged for
powers to hand out penalties.
tors be able to increase the amount
tic today about the Administration
the loans and any other conditions,
Its primary role is to insure
such as the. type of collateral that
timely and accurate disclosure
they can borrow by $25 billion, Admin-
plan's prospects. "My guess is that the
would need to be posted by banks re-:
of any information about a pub-
istration officials said today.
reception on Capitol Hill will be pretty
questing open assistance, would be
licly traded company that may
Under the proposal, which will be
good, because it meets our needs and
set by the Federal Reserve. Adminis-
influence an investor's deci-
sent to Congress this week, the Federal
their needs,") Mr. Seidman said in an
tration officials said the interest rate
sions.
Deposit Insurance Corporation would
interview. "Their No. 1 interest is
would be equal to the Treasury rate
be given the authority to borrow $25 bil-
that the taxpayer not get stuck with
paid for borrowings of comparable
thebill. This meets that interest."
lion from the Federal Reserve, on top
maturity, which is lower than what
Congress, at the urging of Treasury
The Treasury Department's en-
the Government would be able to ob-
officials, lifted all restrictions on pre-
of the $5 billion it can now borrow from
dorsement of Mr. Seidman's plan
tain on the open market from invest-,
mium increases.
the Treasury. Any money borrowed,
came in a letter today to him from
ors.
After raising premiums from 12
along with interest, would be repaid
Treasury Under Secretary Robert R.
The Administration also said that
cents in January, to 19.5 cents, the in-
through increased bank contributions
Glauber.
the premiums banks pay to the de-
surance fund has said that it will in-
to the insurance fund.
The original proposal by Mr. Seid-
posit insurance fund would be in-
crease premiums this summer to 23
Administration officials said they de-
man, who has enjoyed an alternately
creased for every $1 billion drawn by
cents per $100, a 92 percent jump
cided to take this approach instead of
warm and cold relationship with the
the insurance fund from the Federal
from last year, in order to finance $10
relying on the Treasury for further
White House, did not detail where the
Reserve.
billion in loans to keep the bank insur-
lending to avoid even the appearance
borrowed money should come from.
As part of the proposal, the Admin-
ance from becoming insolvent
"When Mr. Seidman announced his
istration will recommend that Con-
by the end of this year, as some
of using taxpayer funds.
plan, Treasury officials declined to
gress cap the premiums paid by
economists have predicted.
comment. In early January, the
banks to the insurance fund at 30
Mr. Seidman, whose term as chair-
Help for Solvent Institutions
Treasury disclosed a plan to overhaul
cents per $100 in deposits. Last fall,
maniexpires in the fall, estimated to-
The increased borrowing authority
day that the insurance fund would
need to borrow only that $10 billion
would be used to rescue the depositors
this year.
at insolvent banks as well as to give
Premium Rise Would Be Needed
additional help to ailing but solvent in-
stitutions under a current program
Mr. Seidman has said previously
known as "open assistance."
that borrowing an additional $15 bil-
In recent weeks, regulators and the
lion would require a premium in-
Administration have been considering
crease of 5.25 cents per $100 in de-
posits.
ways to enlarge the program, particu-
In addition to its existing line of
larly in New England, which has been
credit with the Treasury, the insur-
hit hard by the recession. But critics
ance fund has the authority to borrow
have said that providing cash to sol-
based on a formula pegged to its net
vent banks props up unhealthy Institu-
worth. Its present net worth enables
tions and that increasing the program
it to borrow about $65 billion, but that
provides opportunities for political
amount will dwindle as the insurance
manipulation.
fund continues to pay out more than
the contributions it receives from the
Concerns About Bailout
industry.
The insurance fund already has the
The Administration's proposal is
authority to provide open assistance
largely an endorsement of a similiar
to banks by lending them funds, but in
one made three weeks ago by L.:WII-
the last two years it has only exer-
liam Seldman, chairman of the Federal
cised it twice with two small institu-
tions. Last September it provided $2.5
Deposit Insurance Corporation.
million to the Pawnee National Bank
The insurance fund's precarious
of Pawnee, Okla.; in 1989 it lent $2.3
financial condition and the growing
million to the Metropolitan National
crisis in the nation's banking industry
Bank of San Antonio.
have raised concerns about a replay of
On the outlook for Congressional
the bailout of the savings and loan fund,
passage of the Treasury's plan, the
which is expected to staxpayers
chairman of the House Banking com-
hundreds of billions of dollars. The ris-
mittee, Representative Henry B. Gon-
Continued on Page D9, Column 1
zalez, Democrat of Texas, has ex-
NEW YORK, TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
pressed concerns about borrowing
from any source. Any borrowing
would be ultimately guaranteed by
the Government and he views these
guarantees as a form of a taxpayer
bailout.
The chairman of the Senate Bank-
ing Committee, Donald W. Riegle Jr.,
a Michigan Democrat, has not com-
mented on Mr. Seidman's plan, say-
ing only that he awaits the Adminis-
tration's legislation.
"Congress is going to be extremely
wary about doing anything that
resembles a taxpayer bailout,' a
Congressional aide said. The strong-
est sign of the reluctance of Congress
in the area came last week in the nar-
row margin by which the House voted
to continue financing the savings and
loan bailout.
50 cents beyond 75 miles New
WORL
Israel's Moment of Truth:
Restraint or Retaliation?
As Scuds Fell, Shamir Faced Tough Choices
ment in a postwar Middle East
By Jackson Diehl
peace process.
Washington Post Foreign Service
For some optimistic observers
JERUSALEM, March 18-In
here, the case suggests that Sha-
less than 36 hours after the first
mir is capable of taking command
Iraqi Scud attack on Israel on Jan.
of his government and overriding
18, Prime Minister Yitzhak Sha-
the entrenched doctrines and fac-
mir, a man frequently criticized
tional squabbling that so often
for political intransigence, led his
hamstring Israeli politics. At the
Shamir and Defense Minister
right-wing cabinet to one of the
same time, government officials
Arens, below, favored strike
most dramatic policy reversals in
warn, Washington may succeed
against Iraq until President Bush
Israel's history: a decision to for-
with Shamir only when it avoids
personally appealed for restraint.
go retaliatory military action
confronting his central ideological
against Iraq.
commitment to Israel's control of
For months before the Persian
the Arab territories it occupies.
Gulf War, Shamir and a host of
"Shamir surprised a lot of people
other Israeli spokesmen had in-
because he showed that on some
sisted that if attacked by Iraq, Is-
issues, he is willing to go very,
rael would respond quickly and
very far to accommodate the Unit-
massively, despite the potential
ed States," a senior official said.
risks this could pose to the U.S.-
"But that is linked to the fact that
led Operation Desert Storm.
on other issues, such as territory,
For weeks before the first mis-
he is not willing to budge at all."
sile hit Tel Aviv, the Israeli air
To be sure, few Israelis expect-
force had been preparing for its
ed before the war that Shamir, a
expected mission, bombing dummy
former fighter in the most uncom-
missile launchers on secret test
promising of Israel's pre-state un-
ranges in the Negev desert.
derground insurrectionist groups,
Yet once the crisis began, Sha-
would be willing to bend a security
mir defied the conventional wis-
doctrine that for decades had been
dom about his own political poten-
sacrosanct to the country's mili-
tial as well as that of his govern-
tary and political elite.
of Iraq. Israeli entry into the war,
ment. Within a few hectic hours,
Israel has long contended that
they realized, ran the risk of up-
the enigmatic, 75-year-old prime
its only possible defense lies in de-
setting the coalition the United
minister scrapped longstanding
terring or preempting any attack,
States had forged with moderate
Israeli security doctrine, rejected
in part through creating an unvary-
Arab states against Iraq. Jordan,
the demands of the hard-line
ing record of responding quickly
the buffer state between Iraq and
hawks in his cabinet and, most sig-
and massively to any provocation.
nificantly, yielded to appeals from
Part of the deterrence factor has
Israel, had vowed to resist any at-
a U.S. administration that previ-
rested on the Jewish state's past
tempt by Israeli planes to cross its
ously had been unable to get its
refusal to be constrained by the
airspace, and Syria-a member of
way with Jerusalem.
United States or other Western
the allied coalition-had promised
The story of the restraint policy
powers.
to fight against Israel if it entered
thus offers an intriguing example
Strategists here could see that
the war.
for the Bush administration as it
there would be problems in holding
In a White House meeting with
seeks to involve Shamir's govern-
to the security doctrine in the case
See ISRAEL, A24, Col. 1
THE WASHINGTON POST
Shamir's Decision to Forgo Attacking Iraq Reversed Long Policy
ISRAEL, From A21
to guard the country's airspace
The first call from the White
mir again. Sources here said the
on, Shamir's chief rival in the Likud
against a possible Iraqi air attack,
House to Shamir came sometime
15-minute conversation was the
Party-strongly favored immediate
Bush in December, Shamir had
and they were not prepared for a
after 5:30 a.m., following a prepa-
longest they had ever had by tele-
Israeli military action. The army
agreed to forgo a preemptive Israeli
bombing raid of their own.
ratory call- from Baker, officials
phone and was the turning point in
chief of staff laid out a plan for an
attack on the Iraqi missile launchers
According to official sources,
said. It was the first time that the
relations between the two countries
ambitious air-and-ground operation
in: exchange for a pledge by Bush
Arens did not ask Cheney for the
two men had spoken by telephone
during the war.
in western Iraq, in which Israeli
that the sites would be targeted at
"friend or foe" air codes used by
since the previous February, when
Shamir had already moved the
commandos would track down the
the onset of any U.S. offensive.
allied planes to identify one anoth-
Shamir's rejection of a U.S. peace
cabinet session up from Sunday to
mobile launchers and call in air
Still, in meetings with U.S. Deputy
er-which had been withheld from
initiative left a residue of personal
10 a.m. Saturday, less than two
strikes on them.
Secretary of State Lawrence S.
Israel-but instead asked Cheney
rancor and mistrust between them.
hours away, and had ordered the
Arens tended to support the ar-
Eagleburger on the weekend before
to set aside a block of time during
Bush stated the case for Israel to
military to have its final attack plans
my. But Foreign Minister David
the gulf war began, Shamir insisted
refrain from action, pledging that
ready for the session.
Levy made Shamir's job much easi-
that Israel would have to retaliate if
the United States would quickly
Bush, sources here said, was
er. Last year, Levy, who commands
attacked. As a result, when the first
Shamir "realized
look for ways to upgrade military
careful not to reject Israeli military
a substantial base of support within
volley of Scuds hit, just after 2 a.m.
cooperation as well as attacks on
action, saying that the government
the Likud, helped stop the peace
the Scuds.
had to make its own decision and
Friday morning, Jan. 18, the long-
the best way to
process by joining Sharon's hard-
Shamir replied that Israel would
had a right to retaliate if it chose to.
liners. Now, as foreign minister, he
standing lack of coordination be-
[Saddam
probably have to respond, but that
Instead, he appealed to Shamir's
strongly supported the moderates'
tween Tel Aviv and Washington sud-
ensure
his policy-making inner cabinet
sense of political calculation.
line against military action.
denly became critical.
The first call, according to official
destruction was to
wouldmeet that morning to consid-
"Bush said, 'Don't play into the
Shamir remained silent through
er the question, sources said.
hands of Saddam Hussein,' " said
2½ hours of debate, sources said,
sources, came from Secretary of
go along with the
The prime minister then went to
one source who talked to Shamir
then delivered a 20-minute speech
State James A. Baker III to Defense
Tel Aviv, where he convened an
ARIEL SHARON
soon afterward. "That caught his
that forcefully concluded that Israel
Minister Moshe Arens, who was in
United States.'
emergency meeting of the 12-mem-
led hard-liners favoring retaliation
attention. It appealed to Shamir's
should stay out of the war. "It could
the underground command bunker at
ber body at his office in the Defense
fighting instincts. He said after-
have gone either way," contended
the Defense Ministry compound in
- Israeli source
Ministry compound.
meantime, Israel would press the
ward, 'I don't want to do what Sad-
an official who was there. "But after
Tel Aviv. Arens subsequently called
The consensus at the meeting
United States to provide the nec-
dam Hussein wants me to do.'
Shamir spoke, it was settled. We
Shamir, and Israeli sources say the
which allied planes would not oper-
was that Israel had no choice but to
essary military coordination.
"In the end, Shamir's basic focus
didn't even bother to take a vote."
two decided that no Israeli action
ate in western Iraq, thus allowing
act, and should not be put off by
Shamir returned to Jerusalem. In
was, 'How can we destroy Saddam
Pragmatism had won the day
would be taken immediately.
Israel's air force in. Arens also sug-
U.S. blandishments or threats from
the early evening Bush called back,
Hussein?' : the source said. "He
over Israel's long-held strategic
However, Arens then placed a call
gested that the United States ar-
Arab neighbors. While Shamir did
and Shamir explained that the cab-
realized that the best way to ensure
principles, and the policy proved
(son a newly installed secure tele-
range for an air corridor through
not disagree with this stand, offi-
inet felt action was necessary, but
his destruction was to go along with
enormously popular with the public.
phone line to Defense Secretary
Saudi Arabia, so that Israeli planes
cials said, the first conversation
agreed to wait 48 hours before ap-
the United States."
Despite 16 more Scud attacks, polls
would not have to pass over hostile
with Bush had convinced him he
Richard B. Cheney, and pressed for
proving the plans.
When the cabinet's discussion
showed that more than 75 percent
Jordan. Cheney did not reject the
an immediate upgrading of Israeli-
should wait to see how Washington
In response, Bush delivered on
began, the coalition's right wing-
of Israelis supported the restraint
Israeli requests, but he responded
would respond to the Scud threat.
the morning's conversation by of-
led by Housing Minister Ariel Shar-
policy throughout the war.
U.S. military coordination so that
that any decision would have to be
Shamir thus proposed a delaying
Israel could act against the Scud
fering new U.S. steps to satisfy Is-
made by Bush, sources here said. A
step: The army staff would be or-
launchers.
rael. He said he was arranging the
political reality was quickly becom-
dered to prepare final, detailed
Dozens of Israeli planes had al-
immediate shipment to Israel of
ing evident to both sides: At the
plans for an attack on the missile
Patriot air-defense batteries
ready taken off from their bases fol-
moment of crisis, Israel's behavior
launchers to present to the cabinet
lowing the Scud attack. But senior
manned by U.S. crews, and was
would depend on the interaction of
at its next scheduled meeting, set
Israeli sources said their mission was
sending Eagleburger back as a per-
Bush and Shamir.
for Sunday, two days later. In the
sonal envoy to ensure full cooper-
ation between Jerusalem and Wash-
ington.
Finally, the Pentagon met one of
Arens's most pressing concerns by
sending an Army general to Tel
Aviv to serve as a direct liaison be-
tween the Israeli military and the
U.S. Central Command in Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia. After his second con-
versation with Bush, Shamir felt
encouraged about U.S. intentions,
sources said. But then the first air
raid siren sounded in what was to
be a long, harrowing night in Israel.
After three exhausting false alarms,
three more Iraqi missiles exploded
in and around Tel Aviv just after
7:30 a.m. Saturday.
Within an hour, Bush called Sha-
A20 THE WALL STREET JOURNAL THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
POLITICS & POLICY
even though he officially backs the plan.
ing troop. numbers, into increasing the
maintaining, or even increasing, spending
Even the Scaled-Down Military Machine Planned
readiness of the smaller forces that re
for research and development on new
"The army of the mid-1990's," he says,:
will be a perilously small land force for a
main. For instance, the plan foresees
weapons while procurement is slowed.
So even before receiving final reports
nation with the United States' superpower
maintaining the current number of flying
For '95 Would Leave the U.S. a Still-Potent Force
hours, Navy steaming days and Army
on the Persian Gulf war, military leaders
responsibilities.
ground miles now spent in training, despite
are convinced that changes to the downsiz-
High-Water Mark
the cutbacks in personnel. The prospect of
ing plan will be slight. "This force," Adm.
David Jeremiah, deputy to Gen. Powell,
In fact, many agree that the U.S.
moderate oil prices in the next few years
smaller U.S. armed forces of the future
shouldn't make this year's Persian Gulf
told lawmakers this week, "has the capa-
By WALTER S. MOSSBERG
should help make that possible.
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Lean But Mean
will be "prudently matched to the threat
conflict the high-water mark in planning
The downsizing plan contemplates
bility of doing it."
Defense Secretary Cheney plans major cuts
we have been projecting."
WASHINGTON - The timing couldn't
for the enemy armies of the future. Desert
have been much worse. On the very day
in the number of U.S. military units by 1995
The cutback program that the president
Storm was perfectly timed for the U.S. It
that Iraq invaded Kuwait, President Bush
now that the Soviet threat is receding But
announced last Aug. 2, devised by Secre-
occurred when the U.S. still had a large
announced plans to drastically reduce the
even the smaller military he plans would
tary Cheney and Joint Chiefs Chairman
military designed to fight the U.S.S.R., but
Gen. Colin Powell, would slash total U.S.
size of the U.S. military.
contain at least twice as many of these
at a time when the actual threat from the
Now, hardliners inside and outside the
troop strength 25% to roughly 1.7 million
major units than were used in the Gulf war.
Soviets had receded to almost nil. It was a
Pentagon are demanding that the presi-
active-duty personnel by late 1995 and
war fought in wide-open spaces against So-
dent think again. Plans to cut the military,
TYPE OF
USED IN
would halt further production of a number
viet weapons and tactics-the very. fight
they contend, could make the Gulf victory
FORCE
1990
1995
GULF
of weapons that became prime-time stars
the U.S. spent years preparing to win.
impossible to repeat. Warned Henry Kis-
Army Divisions
28
18
8
in the Gulf drama: the F-16 Fighter, the
By contrast, what if the U.S. were
singer in a Feb. 26 Washington Post piece:
Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the M1A1 tank,
forced to fight in multiple theaters? In jun-
Aircraft Carriers
13
12
6
for instance.
Had Kuwait been invaded two years
gles? What if nuclear weapons became in-
later, the American defense budget would
Fighter Wings
36
26
10
Even if the lessons of Desert Storm
volved? What if the Soviet threat reap-
have declined SO as to preclude a massive
don't fundamentally change the cutback
peared?
Source: Defense Department
overseas deployment.
plan, they will alter it in some details. Be-
"People can cite every contingency in
But one obvious fact gets little notice in
cause SO many U.S. troops are still in the
the world," says Sen. Glenn, but you
the renewed debate: Even the slimmed-
war zone, Congress has excused the Army
fewer of the Army divisions, Navy air-
can't provide permanently for World War
down U.S. military currently planned for
from making the force cuts it was slated to
craft carriers and Air Force fighter wings
III. You've got to make some judgments
1995 would remain an awesomely huge
make this year. And the Army wants an-
that the Pentagon plans to have in 1995.
about what the real threats will be.
force, able to deploy just as many planes,
other year still to reach its final, lower
Pentagon planners are hoping that
As it was, the Army committed ábout
ships, tanks and troops as the U.S. sent to
troop level-to avoid too much turbu-
while the new military will be smaller, it
eight divisions in the war against Iraq-
lence". in the ranks. There will also be
the Gulf-with units left to spare.
also will be more effective, particularly
'We could have taken care of Iraq with
fewer than a third of its current total of 28,
support in Congress to continue some can-
against a greater number of Third World
the scaled-down force,' says. Sen. John
including reserves, and fewer than half of
celed weapons.
threats. With fewer units-and with more
its total of 18 active-duty divisions. The
Glenn (D., Ohio), chairman of the Senate
But the severe downsizing remains
based in the U.S.-it will be crucial to have
Armed Services Committee's manpower
Navy sent just six of its 13 aircraft-carrier
mostly on track-to the consternation of
enough transport planes and ships to rush
subcommittee. Adds Sam Nunn (D., Ga.),
battle groups. The Air Force contributed
many military experts. On Feb. 28, the dat
troops to a distant war. One weapon con-
chairman of the Armed Services Commit-
the equivalent of 10 tactical fighter wings,
the war ended, military Anthony
spicuously spared the knife was the new
fewer than a third of its total of 36 wings
tee: "Done properly, think the new,
Cordesman expressed concerns that under
C-17 transport plane
and fewer than half of the 24 active-duty
smaller force structure would be able to
the Cheney plan, "many of our technologi-
handle something like Desert Storm in the
wings. U.S. troops represented 85% of the
cal assets will be gone-perhaps much of
Extra Funds
allied combat forces in the war
mid-1990's."
our readiness as well." He wrote in the
In addition, Mr. Cheney may soon an-
Most senior Pentagon officials also say
"I am comfortable with the capabilities
New York Times: "If this goes on, we will
nounce a plan for fast, new cargo shir
that even at reduced levels, the U.S. would
that these forces will possess," Defense
be unable to refight our last war, much
and other moves to increase sealift., us.
have a lopsidedly large force to field
Secretary Dick Cheney told Congress in
less the next one. Any effort to check fu
extra funds Congress has already a;
against any foreseeable Third World
the midst of the Desert Storm fighting. Un-
ture aggression will be threatened.'
priated. The defense chief has alrea:
threat. In fact, a rerun of Operation Desert
less there is a reversal of the military pull-
And although top commanders remain
nounced plans to boost by more
back by the Soviet Union, he added, the
committed to the cutbacks, therd's still
the reserve fleet of mothballed
Storm would consume only half-possibly
plenty of dissent inside the Pentagor. Gen.
can tap in wartime.
Photocopy-Preservation
Carl Vuono, the Army's chief of staff, has
The cutback plan also if
taken pains to warn Congress of the risks,
plowing back training funds, save
NEW YORK POST, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1991
35
UPFRONT AND CENTER
S the gallant warrfors
talitarians had been smit-
clear out Kuwait, we
ten, and SO had the bandits.
should clear out our
The non-wimp president
minds. It's a new moment.
of a non-wimp country in a
Here is a short history of
non-wimp alliance had
the läst 50 years, and the
tapped a gusher: an often-
next 10:
ignored reservoir of forti-
"America entered World
tude in America and the
War II in 1941 and led a
democracies. (That was
coalition to defeat totalitar-
one factor in the re-ignition
ian despots - the fascists.
of the global economy in
After that war, America
1991.)
led a coalition of democra-
President Bush pro-
cies to oppose communist
claimed the New World
totalitarians in the Cold
Order. It was thought that
War.
The cold conflict had hot
Something strange went
president. He was some-
to appreciate the open
NWO meant that the world
Photocopy-Preservation
on while the world al-
rhythms of the West. In al-
would have a new order. It
môments. In the mid-1960s,
times called a wimp.
my
also meant that the coming
America helped threatened
legedly lost respect for
In 1989, the American-led
liance with America and
allies, the South Vietna-
America. American popu-
alliance won the Cold War.
the West, these Arabs
order reflected the triumph
mese. We stabilized the
lar culture - movies, tele-
made a stand for modern-
of the values of the New
Americans had spent tril-
World.
military situation, turned
vision, music, journalism,
lions on defense, and
ism.
"The New World" is what
the war over to the South
language - swamped the
elected presidents who said
The struggle for Kuwait
Vietnamese, and left They
world. While it was being
spend more.
was the last battle of the
Europeans said Columbus
were defeated and lost
BEN J.
said that "America was in
The wrong lessons from
Vietnam War. The last les-
discovered in 1492. For cen-
Vietnam resonated else-
turies afterward there was
their country.
decline," another thought
son of Vietnam was: Ignore
It was one lost battle in a
WATTENBERG
a. contest for influence be-
resurfaced: "The world is
tween the stultified values
long Cold War, a long war
Americanizing."
of the Old World and the
that we would ultimately
cocted on the left, but often
It became apparent that
dynamic values of the New
win.
morosely believed on the
more than politics and eco-
"Alleged "lessons of Viet-
right.
Saddam, like the media; made the
World.
nomics was important.
By 1992, 500 years after
nam" were promoted and
All those lessons were in-
People from everywhere
swallowed whole by a gul-
correct.
sought to come here. Many
mistake of believing in the
Columbus, it was becoming
obvious that the ideas of
lible media corps.
In 1972, after seven years
succeeded. America be-
'lessons' of the Indochinese war
the New World - demo-
The lessons included:
of casualties in Vietnam,
came the world's first uni-
Americans turned against
Americans re-elected their
versal nation, the only
all of which were wrong
cratic, upwardly mobile,
the war; Americans
"pro-war"
individualistic, oppor-
President
place where people came
wouldn't support a war
(Nixon), not the "anti-war"
tunity-oriented - had be-
from every place.
candidate (McGovern).
come the regnant ideas of
with costly casualty levels;
As ever, Americans were
where. Saddam Hussein
previous lessons.
the era.
America was psychologi-
In 1976, undepressed,
proud, tough, influential
believed that America was
The battle of Kuwait, tele-
cally depressed; America
Americans euphorically
Everyone lived happily
and admired. That's why
flaccid. He believed that
vised everywhere, showed
had lost its nerve; the
celebrated the 200th anni-
ever after, for quite a
Ronald Reagan was
the momentum of civiliza-
the potency of American
while.
world had lost respect for
versary of American liber-
elected in 1980. He pushed
tion had left the West. He
and Western influence. It
America, and America was
ty. "Tall ships" boomed a
the ball forward.
bet his life on it.
was the exclamation point
Ben Wattenberg is a senior
in decline.
salute to people who stood
In 1988, Americans
He lost, in some measure
of the Cold War.
fellow at the American Em-
The lessons were con-
tall.
elected George Bush as
because many Arabs came
In a half century the to-
terprise Institute.
A Post-Crisis Iraq
Stopping Aggression
I think what you have to have after
A24 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
So you have all kinds of ingredi-
the crisis and after the withdrawal
R
ents. And jobs, I'd say, comes under
that is unconditional and after the
the heading of the economic secu-
restoration of the legitimate rulers
rity of the world. And it's a very im-
to their proper place in Kuwait,
portant part of this. And so is ag-
there would have to be some inter-
gression And so is staking our pris-
national guarantees, because what's
Bush: 'What
ers and they have every right in the
ohers in contravention of all inter-
happened-the world is now focused
world to safeguard the powers of
national law. against possible tar-
on the fact much more clearly-I
the Congress. And I will be very re-
gets. I mean, it's not one piece of
know I have-that the man has used
the puzzle. It's all the puzzle
chemical weapons against his own
We Are Doing
spectful of that
together
people, that he has a nuclear capa-
Why New Deployments
If I haven't done as clear a job as
bility that he's trying frantically to
build And having demonstrated this
Is Right'
I might on explaining this, then I've
[Saddam's] advance had been
got to do better in that regard, be-
recklessness, I don't think the rest of
stopped in the shift in terms of our
cause I know in my heart of hearts
the world would say this is good
ability to defend Saudi Arabia. He
that what we are doing is right, I
enough, just what they call the status
Excerpts from President Bush's
has moved a substantial amount of
know that what the United Nations
quo ante, going back to where things
remarks during an interview yes-
force into Kuwait since the original
terday by Cable News Network re-
has done is correct, I know that we
were before the invasion.
decision was made, and I am going
porters Frank Cesno and Charles
have got to stand up against aggres-
to preserve all options, and if an op-
sion, an aggression that goes re-
The Vietnam Parallel
Bierbauer:
tion is out there it'd better be cred-
warded today means instability and
ible, and one way to have a credible
Debate Over U.S. Policy
horror tomorrow and I've got to
I don't see a parallel. Let me tell
option is to have enough force there
tell you-I have on my mind every
you why. In Vietham the Soviets and
to fulfill one's responsibilities if one
We're bound to have some con-
night I go to-go to sleep, these
the Chinese were on opposite sides;
has to exercise that option
frontation and some debate, but, be-
hostages.
you had a state of almost enmity be-
And then there's another reason.
Barbara and I-you know-our
tween the superpowers. And today,
lieve me, the world is still united
I-am sending a signal, a clear, clarion
thank God, we have a much more
against this brutal aggression. They
family, we still-still say our pray-
signal to Saddam Hussein: we are
bright and hopeful future. China and
want the hostages freed, they want
ers at night, and we say them for
deadly serious about seeing you get
these hostages and the people in
the Soviet Union have joined in the
to have stability in the gulf, and se-
out of Kuwait and about those hos-
United Nations in the total condem-
curity there. They don't like the
our embassy, as well as for our kids
tages, Americans and others being
thought of a mad dictator possibly
that are halfway around the world.
nation. In Vietnam you had a very
freed, and about the sanctity of our
different supply situation; in Vietnam
controlling the economic well-being
And I guess I'd have to accept some
embassy being respected, and about
of every country in the world.
of the responsibility, if it's not as
you had a very different topography
the stability of the world economic
situation-the land was very differ-
So, please understand-the
system. Make no mistake about
clear to others in this country as it
ent in terms of the cover and the
world is still united against this
it.
is to me, but I'm going to do my lev-
hiding.
the weapons. So there is
man's aggression
el best to see that it is clear, be-
no parallel. What people, when they
What I want to do is have a
Waiting Out Saddam
cause we're dealing with naked ag-
say we worry about a Vietnam, is
peaceful resolution to this question,
gression, we're dealing with brutal-
they don't want to put this nation
and I have said from the very be-
I think holding public opinion for-
ity, unprecedented in recent times,
through a long drawn-out inconclu-
ginning that no options are ruled
ever in any country is very difficult
and we're dealing with a threat to
experience that had military ac-
out, nor have 1. made any determi-
to do. In any country, I think
the national security of this country
tion that just ended up with kind of a
nation to use military force, and I
there is a ticking of the clock, but the
and other countries.
totally unsatisfactory answer. And
repeated that to the members of
alliance is strong, the alliance is un-
that's right.
Congress. But I am absolutely con-
wavering, and I don't think this mat-
Consulting Congress
I will not, as commander in chief,
vinced that having the forces in
ter is going to go on forever. As far
ever put somebody into a military
place, should a military option be
as I'm concerned, it's not.
If
The leadership decided that they
you
situation that we do not win-ever.
required, is prudent policy.
said to me how effective are the
did not want to have a special ses-
And there's not going to be any long
I think there's a certain frustration.
sanctions, I'd say, Frank, I don't
sion. But I think they. also know
drawn-out agony of Vietnam. So I re-
I, don't live by polls. I'm certainly
know the answer to that
something else, that we have had
ject the parallel. But I can under-
not going to shape the policies of
question.
I know they've had
more meaningful consultations on
stand why people say that.
the United States government by
some bite, we get different reports
this question than-than any other
polls.
I think the American peo-
from countries near to Iraq, but I
such period in history have-these
can't give you and the American peo-
consultations have taken place. And
Reading Saddam's Mind
ple will support their president, and
I think they know I'm prudent.
ple a total assessment.
I will continue to consult. I want
I'm not one of these psy-
When you rape, pillage and plun-
Congress on board. But I'd leave it
choanalysts. But I understand un-
Economic Security
der a neighbor, should you then ask
right there because who knows
acceptable behavior. I understand
the world, hey, give me a little face,
what's going to happen? We are not
international outlawism when I see
I think people are concerned
give me a little face-saving so I can
in a situation of what I would call
And so does the rest of the
about this
But there is an enor-
do what I should have done months
hostility at this point, and therefore,
world, and they've condemned it.
mous economic equation here. Look
ago? Should we be saying to him
Idon't think we need a declaration
But I don't understand him well
what's happening in our own coun-
we're going to reward your aggres-
of war in advance of a hypothetical
enough to know what he's going to
try right now. There's a slowdown,
sion by peeling off some part of
situation.
do. I've read all these stories about
an economic slowdown. And it's a
somebody else's country?
I've consulted more than any oth-
him, but the unpredictability, the
disproportionate increase in the
Should we say the brutality to
er president in history.
And
you
brutality, the closeness in which he
price of oil that stems from what
these hostages and the way you've
can't have 435 commanders in
holds things and doesn't hear any
Saddam Hussein has done. It's the
treated these embassies should be
chief, and you can't have a hundred
advice from anybody else. But I've
fear, because of what he's done.
rewarded in some way, SO you, sir,
commanders in chief. I've read the
seen him do a 180-degree turn. I
And it does mean jobs,
can have some face, SO you can bru-
Constitution. They have the right to
saw him do that in his war with Iran
You know who's hurt the worst
talize somebody else tomorrow, so
declare war and I have the right, as
and let's hope he does the same
by this oil question? And job ques-
we set a precedent that would be un-
commander in chief, to fulfill my re-
thing here. Because it would be in
tion? It's the Third World countries:
acceptable for the rest of the world?
sponsibilities, and I'm-I'm going
his interest to hurry up and get out
It's the have-nots that are. being
The answer is no, there isn't going
to safeguard those executive pow-
of Kuwait.
driven
to
their
knees
by
these
to be a compromise with this kind of
prices because of whatSaddamnakedaggresion
Hussein has done.
Photocopy-Preservation
Photocopy-Preservation
THE WASHINGTON POST
CRISIS IN THE GULF
Bush Says Time Is Limited for Peaceful Gulf Solution
PRESIDENT, From A1
tity" of the besieged U.S. Embas-
what I should have done months
To cite just one of those rea-
sy in Kuwait City and about "the
ago?" he asked.
clear, because we're dealing with
sons, Bush said, was "simplistic"
stability of the world economic
"
Should we say the brutal-
naked aggression, we're dealing
because "It's not just one piece of
system."
ity to these hostages and the way
with brutality
and
with a
the puzzle. It is the puzzle alto-
The president also restated his
you've treated these embassies
threat to the national security of
gether."
concerns about Saddam's pos-
should be rewarded, so you, sir,
this country and other countries."
In a week when members of
sessing chemical, biological and
can have some face, so you can
In the half-hour session, Bush
Congress have raised questions
eventually nuclear weapons even
brutalize somebody else tomor-
also referred repeatedly to the
if he withdraws from Kuwait.
about the administration's will-
row
hostages held by Iraq. "I've got to
While stating he was not trying to
ingness to keep them informed
Over the months of the crisis,
tell you-I have on my mind ev-
"escalate" his demands, the pres-
the president has alternately
about gulf policy, Bush strongly
ery night I go
to sleep, these
ident said an acceptable solution
defended his record.
played down the hostages and
hostages. Barbara and I-you
to the crisis will have to deal with
emphasized them, caught be
"I've consulted more than any
know-our family, we still
those weapons through some
tween his fear of basing his pol-
other president in history," he
say our prayers at night, and we
United Nations-type monitoring
icies on the fate of the Americans
said, adding that he was grateful
say them for these hostages and
and control.
held in Iraq and Kuwait, and what
for the overall support he has re-
the people in our embassy, as well
While saying that the interna-
appears to be his genuine anger
ceived from Democrats and Re-
as for our kids that are halfway
tional alliance against Saddam
over their plight.
publicans.
around the world."
remains "unwavering" today, the
The interview was a clear ef-
But he said he would continue
Bush, on the eve of his depar-
president signaled he has doubts
fort by the president to offer a
to protect his powers as com-
ture for Europe and the Middle
about how long public support,
fuller, broader rationale for why
mander-in-chief. "I'm going to
East, reiterated that increasing
abroad and at home, can last. "In
he believes the United States
safeguard those executive powers
the force of 230,000 troops now
any country, I think there is a
must face down Saddam, even if it
and they have every right in the
there to more than 400,000 was
ticking of the clock
and
I
comes to a military conflict. Stop-
world to safeguard the powers of
meant to preserve the "credible
don't think this matter is going to
ping "a mad dictator from possi-
the Congress," he said.
military option" of an offensive
go on forever. As far as I am con-
bly controlling the economic well-
Bush said he does not feel "any
strike if he decides to use it. "If an
cerned, it's not."
being of every country in the
mode of confrontation" with Con-
option is out there, it'd better be
Even though public polls show
world" by controlling the Middle:
gress over gulf policy.
credible, and one way to have a
Americans strongly support a ne-
East's oil reserves was the most
"Individual congressmen may
credible option is to have enough
gotiated settlement with Saddam
direct economic explanation he
look at this differently than I do
force there to fulfill one's respon-
Bush yesterday rejected the no-
said. But, also, he said, "It is as
and some are willing to tell me
sibilities if one has to exercise
tion of a solution that would help
gression. It is the safety of human
what not to do, but [are] a little
that option," he said.
Saddam save face. "I am not go-
life. It is the concern over a U.S.
bit fuzzy and unclear on what to
In addition, Bush said, "I am
ing to compromise one single
embassy where the man's trying
No," he said. "But that's not their
sending a signal, a clear, clarion
iota," Bush said. "When you rape,
to starve it out. It is a world order
job. My job is to make tough de-:-
signal to Saddam Hussein, we are
pillage and plunder a neighbor,
that is threatened. It is the na-
cisions and to hold this coalition
deadly serious" about Iraq leaving
should you then ask the world,
tional security" of the United
together and to drive forward to
Kuwait, about not harming Amer-
hey, give me a little face, give me
States and of "many other coun-
ican hostages, about "the sanc-
see that this aggression is not
a little face-saving SO I can do
tries."
rewarded."
THE WALL STREET JOURNA)
Mr. Teeter was a sphinx; he said he'd
1/24/92
see what he could do but as usual gave no,\
clue about what he believed himself. The
Bush Teeters
Kempites were left wondering whether Mr.
Teeter was just trying to humor them; or
perhaps trying to maneuver outside sup-
On Strategy
port for his own positions In the White
House State of the Union debate.
For Comeback
In an interview, too, Mr. Teeter is
harder to read than a novel by James
Joyce. One positive sign:-He's hired White
The new and disheveled offices of Bush
House aide Jim Pinkerton, a Lee Atwater
Quayle campaign headquarters look and
protege who is blessed among Bush Repub-
smell of fresh white paint. That' only fit
licans for having ideas. Mr. Pinkerton has
ting. because many in the White House
spent more time in the White House West
believe all President Bush needs to recover
Wing in the last three weeks than he did in
from his four-month political swoon is an-
three years as a staffer.
other coat of high gloss
Mr. Teeter has also sided with the an-
But not Robert Teeter, the new paint-
gels on some crucial internal debates. He
crew boss. Is Mr. Bush's problem sub-
wants a sustained presidential campaign
stance or just communications? The poll-
for his growth proposals, to influence pub-
ster and strategist turned campaign chair-
lic opinion; this contrasts with the disas-
man is known to think it's both. For
trous 1990: strategy of letting Democrats
months he's urged Mr. Bush to get more
control the debate. He'd prefer a bolder
than a new facade; he's wanted a vigorous
capital-gains tax cut than has been leaked,
new growth agenda
especially a zero rate for lower-income
That need may seem obvious out in the
taxpayers; this is opposed by Treasury,
real economy. But only a month ago such
presumably on the grounds that Republi-
an admission was taboo in the OZ that has
cans don't want to
been the Bush White House: The posture
be seen giving the
was diff-upper-class lip: "It always looks
average guy
dark at the bottom of recovery in Treas-
break.
ury Secretary Brady's memorably reassur-
But Mr. Teeter
ing words.
hasn't challenged
Then the week before Christmas, Mr.
Mr. Darman alle
Teeter walked into the West Wing and ar-
giance to the 1990
gued along with Press Secretary Marlin
budget accord; his
Fitzwater for some public candor. The new
polls show voters fa.
Chief of Staff, Sam Skinner, agreed, de-
vor limits on federal
spite the objections of the No Worries
spending. And while
Gang. So Mr. Fitzwater walked into the
he knows that in a
press room to let It all hang out and admit
time of public dis-
the economy was in recession.
tress Mr. Bush must
The episode shows the growing clout of
become a leader for
Robert Teeter
Mr. Teeter since the departure of John
"change," like most Bush Republicans
he's -cautious in trying to reform thei
Potomac Watch
welfare state.
Mr. Teeter does believe there is a natu-
ral GOP presidential majority if it can be
By-Paul A. Gigot
mobilized. And he's steeped enough in po...
litical history to know that first means SO
lidifying the coalition, that elected: Mr.
Sununu: He's the man working most
Bush. This is especially true in the 12th
closely with State-of-the-Union wordsmith
year of the GOP presidential ascendancy.
Tony Snow. and Mr. Skinner, a fellow
The last time a party was in power this
Midwesterner but a neophyte in the presi-
long, Democrats (FDR in 1944 and Truman
dential leagues, have lately been joined at
in 1948) moved sharply to the left to re-en-
the political hip.
ergize their New Deal coalition. But three
When Mr. Skinner wanted to talk to
years of compromises have left many Re-
GOP conservatives this Tuesday about
publicans indifferent to Mr. Bush's re elec-
next week's State of the Union, Mr. Teeter
tion.
made the call to his friend, housing secre-
Unlike FDR or Truman, Mr. Bush still
tary Jack Kemp. He and Mr. Skinner
seems to believe in some welrd dichotomy
heard the Kempites out, absent the usual
between "governing" and politics. On
White House culprits.
Wednesday, he told his senior staff he
The meeting underscored both the value
knew this would be a rough political year
of, and the worries about, Mr. Teeter
and was ready for a fight. He then walked
among many Republicans. On the one
out and told a press conference, in a clas-
hand, he now the main bridge between
sic Bushism, that with his economic pro-
the reformist, growth wing of the GOP and
posals "I think we're transcending poli-
the old establishment that dominates the
tics."
Bush administration. He talks to Rep.
Mr. Teeter's toughest job will be per-
Newt Gingrich, the Georgia firebrand, ev-
suading Mr. Bush that there is nothing
ery day. He's,bright and experienced (this
transcendent about what George Mitchell
is his fourth incumbent presidential cam-
and his Senate Democrats want to do to his
paign). On the other hand, like his boss the
presidency.
president,' he isn't renowned for strong
convictions.
On Tuesday, the Kempites made their
case for a challenging, activist State of the
Union. Rep. Mickey Edwards of Oklahoma
asked that Mr Bush give Congress a dead-
line for passing his economic proposals.
Someone else said Mr. Bush "must declare
his independence from Brady and Dar-
man" (White House Budget Director, King
Richard)
Photocopy-Preservation
Foreign Affairs
LESLIE H. B/14/91
Mr. Bush's
Never have SO
few wielded SO
Three
much foreign and
defense policy-
Trios
making power.
Never since World War II have so
ices make their proposals.
few had so much control over the
Mr. Cheney and his trio are even
making of American foreign and de-
more fierce than the Baker crowd in
fense policy. And though the profes-
keeping other agencies out of their
sionals in the State and Defense-I
business. Even the White House
partments grumble about being ex-
largely leaves the Pentagon alone.
cluded, never in the last 40 years has
And Dick Cheney tends to share few-
the. national security bureaucracy
er White House secrets with his aides
known such harmony.
than Mr. Baker does with his trio.
The obvious part of this story is the
wAll these inner aides can be de-
passing of most throat-cutting cold
scribed as technocrats with certain
war issues and Mr. Bush's skill in
leanings - with the exception of Mr.
getting his trio of senior aides -
Wolfowitz, who is well established in
Secretary of State James Baker, De-
conservative foreign policy circles.
fense Secretary Dick Cheney and
Mr. O'Keefe and Mr. Williams (also
Brent Scowcroft, the national securi-
Mr. Addington) are more political
Ly, adviser - to work together without
operatives than policy advisers, and
the legendary bloodletting that devas-
their politics run to a moderate-con-
tated their predecessors.
servative Republicanism. Mr. Ross
But a largely uncommented-upon
and Mr. Zoellick play the role of
and unusual part of the story has to do
grand strategists, and their strate-
with the inner teams assembled by
gies have a moderate-liberal cast.
=
Mr Baker and Mr. Cheney. These new
None of the inner àides carry the
second-tier officials who receive little
baggage of a personal policy bibliog-
publicity are young, generally without
raphy, and that has proved of enor-
prior experience in top departmental
mous advantage. Most key officials in
-jobs, of diverse ideological back-
recent Administrations, like Richard
grounds and almost totally untainted
Perle and Richard Burt under Ronald
by Ivy League educations. They, along
Reagan, took to the pen to offer policy
with several key National Security
ideas and slay opponents - which
Council staffers, wield unprecedented
made them constant targets them-
power inside their organizations. And
selves once in office. The new crowd
they alone are privy to the innermost
came to power without a track record
thinking of their bosses.
and without enemies.
Like Mr. Bush, Mr. Baker has his
15 What the two trios did bring with
own inner trio: Robert Zoellick, the
them, as did their bosses, was a dis-
Under Secretary of State for Eco-
trust of the bureaucracy. Yes, they
nomic Affairs; Dennis Ross, Director
include senior departmental officials
of the Policy Planning Staff, and Mar-
on certain subjects. But for the most
garet Tutwiler, the Assistant Secre-
part they meet with their bosses
tary for Public Affairs. All three
alone and tell their colleagues only
worked closely with Mr. Baker in the
what they want them to know.
Reagan Administration before he
The military and Foreign Service
took them to State.
professionals are not happy with this
....Mr. Zoellick, 38, runs foreign eco-
on They used to rebel when given
nomic policy, but he also fills what
such treatment by allying with
had been two other separate top jobs
friendly legislators and leaking to the
- Counselor and chief of staff. Every
press. Now, the professionals quietly
piece of paper going to and from Mr.
march along because, much to their
Baker passes his desk. Mr. Ross, 43,
surprise, they like and respect the
is the key policy maker for East-West
Bush Administration policies. Not a
relations and the Middle East. Ms.
bad accomplishment for Mr. Bush
Tutwiler, 40, is the political confi-
and his trio and their trios.
dante.
Mr. Cheney also has his trio: Paul
Wolfowitz, the Under Secretary for
Policy; Pete Williams, the Assistant
Sepretary. for Public Affairs, and
Sean O'Keefe, the Comptroller.
(Some might also include David Ad-
dington, 34, the Cheney special assist-
ant and gatekeeper.)
Mr. Wolfowitz, 47 and the only
member of the inner circle not tied to
Mr. Cheney past, is the big think
man for issues like the Persian Gulf
war and arms control, Mr. Williams,
39, sits in on most discussions. Mr.
0 Keefe, 35, oversees defense pro-
grams and spending - after Gen.
Photocopy-Preservation
Colin Powell, the Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs, and the military serv-
6/11/91
COMMENTARY
The Washington Times
PAUL GREENBERG
to allow any business, faculty, union
The anti-quota quota bill
or other outfit that hires and fires to
do so strictly by merit so long as its
work force did not exceed the racial,
sexual or-ethnic imbalance demon-
strated by teams in the National Bas-
hen it came time to con-
W
ketball Association. That would be a
sider civil rights this
year, the U.S. House of
IFBUSHVETOES OUR
sign that Americans were taking
Representatives obvi-
CML RIGHTS BILL WE
merit, competitiveness, and per-
MAY START TO
formance in the workplace as seri-
ously couldn't decide whether to
LOOKAUTTLE SILLY
ously as we take the same qualities
pass a quota or an anti-quota bill. So
it did both.
in professional sports - which
would be a gigantic step up.
The resulting bill is a mystifying
monstrosity even by the usual
This latest "civil rights" bill, with
warped congressional standards.
its capacity for collecting civil
One section of the bill declares job
wrongs for every conceivable kind
quotas unlawful; another encour-
of American, is but one more sign of
a sad fad - the culture of victimiza-
ages them. One section says employ-
ers may not set aside jobs for certain
tion. T*S motto: Whatever happens,
groups; but if they don't, and their
it's not our fault. It's only because we
work force turns up short of these
belong to a victimized race, class,
groups (a "disparate impact"),
religion, ethnic group or some other
they'd better have a good reason
subspecies of citizen that we're not
("business necessity") or they face
uniformly successful and ecstati-
stiff penalties. Who wrote this bill
cally happy all the time. And the way
Casey Stengel as edited by Yogi
to bring about that happy state is to
Berra?
include more and more Americans
This bill, whose significance is
in the category of victim, which now
cloudy and whose provisions are
Itis neither a quota nor an anti-quota
layers of courts. Should the courts
includes white Anglo-Saxon Protes-
anything but manifest, requires
bill; it is a charter for confusion and
read some strange meaning into all
tant male - by grace of the U.S.
businesses accused of wrongful dis-
an invitation to strike out into the
this strange language, the same leg-
House of Representatives.
crimination to prove that their re-
verbal fog and sue.
islators will describe themselves as
The definition of equality in this
quirements for a job have some "sig-
The upshot: Under this bill, busi-
shocked - shocked! - to discover
country has come to mean giving ev-
nificant" and "manifest" relation-
nessmen could find themselves sued
that there was anything like that in
ery American a separate grievance,
ship to the work involved. Washing-
simultaneously. by (a) white males
this legislation, and proceed to cor-
his own lawyer, and a civil-rights law
ton remains a feast for connoisseurs
who claim they're the victims of un-
rect the court's interpretation by
sufficiently vague to justify almost
of irony. The surest sign of a bad bill,
fair quotas that lock them out of em-
passing another and even murkier
any result, however bizarre. That's
like the surest sign of a bad idea, is
ployment or promotion, and by (b)
bill next year.
how wacky bills like this get past the
bad language. If a bill can't make its
litigants of another color or sex who
House of Representatives with the
claim they're not fairly represented
How to remedy this pattern,
intentions clear, the odds are they
support of lawmakers like Demo-
in the company's work force. Maybe
other than by repeated presidential
aren't.
cratic Reps. Beryl Anthony Jr., Ray
One opponent of this bill - Rep.
both could combine their grievances
vetoes that divide the country and
Thornton, and Bill Alexander. (The
John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican-
in a class-action suit. Perhaps they
reduce Americans to questioning
only vote against it from Arkansas
one another's motives?
went too far when he said this "is not
could be joined by workers already
was cast by GOP Rep. John Paul
a civil rights bill. It is a quota bill,
on the payroll who feel they've been
One way would be to make such
Hammerschmidt.)
plain and simple." If only it were, it
denied advancement because they
laws apply to Congress Now mem-
As for actual injustices that may
might not be nearly so mischievous.
are too (a) white, (b) black, (c) His-
bers of Congress tend to exempt
exist in hiring - like racism and
At least employers and workers
panic, (d) male or female, (e) some-
themselves from civil rights bills
other evils - they are almost lost in
would then understand precisely
thing else, (f) all of the above or any
convincing evidence of how much
the expensive legal folderol and the
what arbitrary injustices and consti-
combination thereof, or (g) one from
real confidence they have in their
rush of grievance collectors heading
tutional affronts were being decreed
List A and two from List B.
own botched handiwork. They're not
for the courts. The distinction be-
by Washington. Alas, there is noth-
The only interests clearly pro-
about to accept the burden of proof
tween justice and mischief is soon
ing plain and simple about this bill.
tected, nurtured and encouraged by
when their own staffs reveal a "dis-
lost. It happens every time some
this bill are those of trial lawyers.
parate impact" that must be justi-
hopelessly vague and contradictory
That's always the way with murky
fied by "significant" and "manifest"
theory- of group entitlement re-
Paul Greenberg is editorial page
legislation designed to be passed,
job requirements. Maybe if con-
places the idea of individual rights
editor of the Pine Bluff (Ark.) Com-
rather than to be clear. Lazy legisla-
gressmen had to live with their
- and responsibilities. That is what
mercial and a nationally syndicated
tors have left the meaning of this bill,
work, it might get better.
has just happened in the U.S. House
columnist.
any, up to legions of lawyers and
Another improvement would be
of Representatives.
Photocopy-Preservation
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1992 A19
Private schools, unlike public
schools, are outside the reach of public
authority and do not have to account to
Albert Shanker
the public for their results. The Senate
therefore was right on target in con-
cluding that what the administration
Progress-
really meant by break-the-mold was,
first and foremost, breaking with the
American tradition of public control of
public education. In fact, the adminis-
By Public
tration itself helped drive the point
home by submitting its New American
as
Schools proposal along with a proposal
out
Schools
to allow federal dollars to follow stu-
ur
dents to private and religious schools."
m
Broder acknowledges that there
to
I agree with David Broder that the
were risks involved in the administra-
as
idea of "break-the-mold" schools is com-
tion's New American Schools proposal
e
it
pelling ["Hidebound Schools, Gutless
He says, however, that it was worth
Senators," op-ed, March 1]. I've advo-
gambling on the "chance" that "outsid-
e
cated the idea myself. But the Bush
ers ready to challenge the status quo"
administration's break-the-mold pro-
might have come up with a few worthy
a
posal-New American Schools-was
models that would have shaken up. the
al
nothing more than a catchy name for a
school system. I share Broder's urgen-
1-
bad public policy. The U.S. Senate, led
cy about fundamentally restructuring
g
by Edward M. Kennedy, was right to
our schools, but he's mistaken in think-
insist on substantial modification.
ing that one break-the-mold school in
The administration's proposal called
each congressional district would have
for spending $535 million to fund pro-
unleashed a demand for change
throughout our school system.
e
posals to create one new innovative
school in each of our 535 congressional
This theory was tested by the feder-
districts. One new. school per election
al government in the 1970s under the
district would have created good politi-
name of the "model schools" program,
call photo opportunities, but it would
and it didn't work. This theory is in fact
have done almost nothing to improve
being tested, and failing, every day:
There's hardly a school district in
the education of America's 41 million
America that doesn't have at least one
students. Anyone would have been eli-
innovative school that's doing a marvel-
gible to receive the federal funds, in-
ous job with youngsters, often against
cluding private, profit-making or reli-
great odds. Some of them are magnet
gious organizations. And the U.S.
schools, others just neighborhood
Department of Education, a bureaucra-
schools, but these models have led
cy at a great remove from the real
neither to widespread replication nor to
world of teaching and learning, could
a ground swell for reform
have awarded 535 $1 million grants as
Why is that? In part because there
it saw fit. The administration had no
are no incentives in the system to
criteria for selecting winners.
emulate or adapt (or even learn about)
The Senate's version was not only a
practices that work. The New Ameri-
more responsible bill, it was also histor-
can Schools proposal didn't create any,
ic. Federal aid to education traditionally
either. And in part it's because design-
has been categorical; aimed at promot-
ing a break-the-mold school is not like
ing particular purposes through partic-
designing a new model stove or refrig.
ular programs. This bill seeks systemic
erator. It's not simply a matter of
getting the specifications right, plunk-
Taking Exception
ing the model down and cranking up
the production line. Youngsters are not
raw. materials, teaching and learning
change and, unlike the administration's
are not mechanical processes, and
proposal, makes all public schools and
change doesn't happen in complex hu-
students eligible.
man institutions merely through out-
It's ironic, too, that while the presi-
side mandates or models.
dent pays only lip service to the nation-
These lessons have been learned
al education goals he helped devise, the
over and over again, in business as well
Senate put teeth into them. The crite-
as in education. The administration's
ria for winning the revised break-the-
New American Schools proposal re-
mold schools competition all involve the
flected none of these lessons. The Sen-
quality of the schools' plans for achiev-
ate version did, and it deserved to win.
ing the national education goals. Nor do
winners get off the hook just by win-
The writer is president of the
ning. The Senate's proposal offers
American Federation of Teachers,
schools grants for five years, but if a
which represents public school
school does not show improvement in
teachers.
student achievement after three years,
its funds would be cut off.
The administration also has been
talking a :lot about greater accountabili-
ty in education, which I support. But its
break-the-mold schools proposal did not
call for any such accountability. Win-
ners would have gotten $1 million for
one year-hardly-enough time to make
real changes-with no responsibility
for followup or accounting for student
achievement outcomes. This is not ex
actly surprising, given the administra-
tion's avowed zeal for having private
sponsors design and run New American
Schools.
Photocopy-Preservation
Aircraft Carriers:
Vital to U.S. Power
close to the maximum set by the Sec-
By Robert F. Dunn
retary of the Navy.
True, had the need arisen there
ALEXANDRIA, Va.
could have been five or six more at
nce again, the nation's
sea, but not without inviting a break-
O
aircraft carriers have
down of people and equipment in the
done one of their many
not very long run., Fortunately, be-
jobs merely by show-
cause carrier force levels had thus
ing up.
far been reduced by only one, there
Just a few days after
were ships available and close by.
Iraq shocked the world by rolling
Any carrier force of less than 15
over Kuwait, a U.S. Navy aircraft
opens gaps in essential coverage.
carrier took station in the Gulf of
Given the complacency prevailing in
Oman. It was the first and for a time
late July, some of those gaps would
the only American air power avail-
probably have appeared in the Indian
able for action. Once again the
Ocean and the eastern Mediterra-
responsiveness, reliability and
nean: precisely the areas the Inde-
availability of naval forces, particu-
pèndence and the Eisenhower were
larly naval air forces, was demon-
patrolling when the crisis erupted.
strated.
How can we know when and where
Not only was the carrier Independ-
the next call for American help will
ence on station near the potential
come? The northwest Pacific around
scene of action but the Eisenhower
Korea? The South China Sea near the
was in the eastern Mediterranean,
Philippines? The Caribbean? West
about to transit the Suez Canal to join
Africa? Southeast Asia?
the Independence. The Saratoga was
Many nations are understandably
on a sortie from Mayport, Fla., to the
Mediterranean Sea.
The aircraft deployed on these
ships totaled more than the entire air
forces of many nations and surpassed
As the
in quality of equipment and the train-
ing of crews anything Iraq might
gulf crisis
have thrown at them. Evening news
coverage of their flight decks packed
shows, we
with Tomcats, Hornets and Intruders
had to have a sobering effect on the
need to
Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein.
President Hussein couldn't help but
maintain
know that just their presence meant
that his forces had lost control of the
air. Without that control, his own mili-
at least 14.
tary options were severely limited,
and his flanks were vulnerable to at-
tack at all hours of the day and night
and in all sorts of weather from sev-
sensitive about foreign bases on their
eral different directions.
sovereign soil and nervous about for-
Fortunately, the Persian Gulf crisis
eign military aircraft in their skies.
broke out before Congressional budg-
Hence it is naval forces that best sup-
et-cutters had a chance to cut the car-
port allies, other friendly nations and
rier forces. Had the carrier force
the national strategy of the U.S. -
level been cut from the current 14
and on short notice. Only naval forces
down/to 12 or less, as some have pro-
have the necessary mobility, flexibil-
posed, there might have been no air
ity and global reach to project Amer-
power. available to sober anyone.
ican military power. And it is naval
There might have been no air power
forces built around large-deck air-
available to assure allies of our com-
craft carriers in sufficient numbers
mitment or to insure the safe transit
to cover the globe that do the job
of other American forces.
best.
The three carriers near or en route
We had nearly a sufficient number
to the Middle East in early August
in commission, some fortuitously de-
were not and are not the whole story.
ployed, when Kuwait was grabbed by
At the same time they were center
Saddam Hussein. We need to main-
stage on the nightly news, two more
tain those 14 - or more - into the un-
carriers were in the western Pacific
certain future of the 21st century. It's
and a sixth was in training off the
a lesson learned loud and clear from
East Coast: six of the nation's deploy-
the early days of August 1990, and
able aircraft carriers at sea simulta-
countless times before.
neously, an operating tempo very
Forty-five years ago there was a
saying: "Keep the fleet to keep the
Robert F. Dunn, a retired vice admi-
peace." Today, "the fleet" means
ral in the U.S. Navy, commanded the
carriers. The ideal number is 15. We
aircraft carrier U.S.S. Saratoga.
should settle for no less than 14.
Photocopy-Preservation
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL FRIDAY, AUGUST 17. 1990
A11
Letters to the Editor
Quebec Premier Explains Why His Province Wants Change
In response to several questions posed
is the macroeconomic policies of the Ca-
that the welfare of its people will depend
in Canada-that we found the greatest sup-
End of a Boom Not Necessarily a Bust
by Wall Street Journal editors about the fu-
nadian government.
on a sound macroeconomic policy, on a
port for the U.S.-Canada Free Trade
ture of Quebec, the province's premier,
Firstly, given the policy of high interest
budget policy of the federal government
Agreement. Today's Quebec is ready to
Robert Bourassa, wrote the following:
rates enforced in Canada. the cost of capi-
that does not put the province at a disad-
carry through the necessary investments
Your July 25 page-one article about the
Sadly, I somehow think the waves at Well-
For a good number of years now, Que-
tal is higher than in other industrialized
vantage, and on a maximum efficiency in
to meet the challenges provoked by inter-
soft home-sale market, which discussed
fleet will be lapping against the Journal's
bec nationalism has not implied the desire
countries. This situation puts obstacles in
the supply of public services if it wants
national competition and technological
the need for a family in Rye, N.Y., to
own printing presses in Chicopee before we
to live in seclusion: Quebec's determina-
front of investment ventures that otherwise
businesses to face with success the chal-
change. Quebec thus will enter this period
lower their asking price for today's mar-
find a buyer.
tion to ensure cultural security is abso-
would be profitable and slows down Que-
lenges of international competition and
of reexamination of its relationship with
ket, did not mention the tremendous appre-
SHANE CROSBY
lutely compatible with its determination to
bec's economic growth. while unemploy-
technological change.
the rest of Canada truly believing in its
ciation they will realize from the eventual
Nicholasville, Ky.
create new political and economic relation-
ment levels remain above 9%. Further-
capabilities and its future.
sale of their home.
ships with its partners and to open up to
more, high interest rates cause an artifi-
During the '60s-and even into the
In short, the government thinks that by
The Schenkers purchased their home in
I am a native of the Northeast, but I
foreign cultures.
cial rise of the Canadian dollar in terms
'70s-active state intervention to, sustain
uniting as many favorable conditions as
1976 for $107,000, and if they sell it in 1990
have lived in Texas for nearly 10 years.
The rising integration of national econo-
of other foreign currencies. At the actual
economic development in Quebec was de-
possible for business, the Quebec society
for $895,000 (their current asking price low-
I've enjoyed the energy boom and then suf-
mies is encouraged by the liberalization
rate, which the Bank of Canada tries to
sirable for several reasons: the insufficient
will be able to prosper and preserve its
ered from $1.5 million), they will realize an
fered through the economic downturn and
and the multiplication of world trade. Mar-
preserve, the overvalued dollar substan-
presence of the core sectors: the absence
cultural coherence. The Quebec govern-
836% increase over the 1976 selling price.
real-estate collapse along with everyone
ket globalization incites smaller economies
tially reduces the power of Quebec's enter-
of Francophones at the decision-making
ment therefore must maintain a fiscal bur-
The $788,000 profit amounts to $56,200 re-
else in the Southwest. In particular, I expe-
to specialize their production and expertise
prises to compete, and export levels are
level of private enterprises; entire sectors
den compatible with economic growth and
turn a year, or a 52.6% annual increase.
rienced double-digit home-price increases
reduced.
of the economy that
speculate on mechanisms that will favor
This average annual appreciation is higher
only to subsequently see the value of my
than most annual household incomes.
The Americas
Secondly, even though Quebec shares
needed to be mod-
the development of a private sector very
home fall by half. Given this, it is very dif-
the Canadian government's goal of deficit
ernized, etc. During
competitive on a world scale rather than
Although the Schenkers are experienc-
ficult for me to have much sympathy for
reduction. it does not accept the federal
this period, the gov-
impose itself through direct commercial
ing the effects of a challenging market,
those individuals such as Frederick and
government's demands to the provinces to
ernment's role prob-
and industrial action.
they are not taking a loss. In fact, the
Joyce Schenker who tried to sell their
reduce their expenses and to raise taxes in
ably was more pro-
appreciation they will eventually see is an
home for $1.5 million, after having pur-
its place. For example, the reduction in
nounced in Quebec
If the Quebec government's intention
immense increase over the 1976 selling
chased it in the 1970s for little more than
in order to carve a place for themselves in
transfer payments to provincial govern-
than in most Cana-
was to substantially modify the rules of
price.
$100,000. Get real! Greed stopped being
the international economic order. There-
ments constitutes the main budget cut
dian provinces, even
the present economic system, I would un-
JAMES M. WEICHERT
fashionable when Ron and Nancy returned
fore, smaller economies such as Quebec's
measure announced in the last federal gov-
though several prov-
derstand investors' concerns. However, on
President
to California.
may expect to keep their competitiveness
ernment budget. This behavior makes
inces had recourse
the contrary, the new arrangement sought
Weichert Realtors
As a baby-boomer, I grew up with ever-
facing the giants. The new international
budget planning far more complex for the
to governmental in-
after by Quebec within the Canadian feder-
Morris Plains, N.J.
expanding expectations. I have learned a
economic order does not eliminate the le-
government of Quebec, the objective of
tervention in one
ation will take into account the necessity
very sobering lesson, and I now realize
gitimacy of the aspirations of nations to
which is a systematic budget reduction
form or another.
to maintain-ideally, toimprove-commer-
that if there is to be anything left of this
Your article made me want to crawl un-
master their own development but obliges
while maintaining a competitive fiscal bur-
Today, the situa-
cial relations between Quebec and the
country to pass on to my children and their
them to rethink their economic strategies
den. It also tends to hit more sharply the
tion has changed.
Robert Bourassa
other Canadian provinces, such as Ontario.
der my desk. Moments before my Journal
generation, then we as a society must re-
and to show initiative.
poorer provinces, which goes against one
Since 1985 the government's role has
Quebec's future, whatever political ar-
arrived, I was on the phone with my wife
turn to the virtues of my grandparents'
It is Quebec's and the rest of Canada's
of the great principles of the Canadian con-
mostly been to create an environment that
rangement will be accepted, must lean on
attempting to walk her through the fun job
generation-thrift, practicality and moder-
challenge to identify a political and consti-
stitution.
favors the birth of entrepreneurship, and
a strong and prosperous economy. That
of draining the water bed. Two days ago, it
ation.
tutional system that will provide Quebec
Finally, the present system brings a
the establishment of new businesses and
guarantees the future improvement of the
was something else, and now she tells me
BLAIR B. HODGKINS
with the position and powers necessary to
costly duplication of public services in too
investment. Moreover, the tax burden of
population's standard of living and the
my microwave is spitting up blood in its
Austin, Texas
own electronic throes of death.
its development and to the strengthening
many areas. The result is a fiscal burden
enterprises and individuals has been re-
preservation of the distinct character of
of Canadian and North American economic
higher than necessary. and an inefficiency
duced. Furthermore, the government has
the Quebec society.
You see, I am in Kentucky-in our new
When my home was put up for sale in
partnerships.
that can be significant in services offered
privileged an approach for fiscal incen-
Viewed from this angle, a rearrange:
hometown, and she is in Massachusetts-in
July 1989, the Realtor determined the list-
to the population. In a context of increased
tives to stimulate investment into the fun-
ment of the Canadian federation ultimately
our still-up-for-sale house. It long since
ing price; my suggested price having been
passed from Home to House, and if this
The differences of opinion between Que-
economic competition on the world mar-
damental determinants of our growth: re-
could enable Quebec to provide itself with
dismissed as too low for consideration. Ten
bec and the government of Canada go way
ket, governments and enterprises must ra-
search and development, introduction of
additional tools to be better prepare'
saga continues much longer, it will be
months later it sold; but only after numer-
beyond economic problems alone, but
tionalize their interventions, and produce
new technologies and skill development.
face the economic situation forese'
called things you don't even hear on TV.
ous price reductions and one kitchen re-
these differences are nevertheless consid-
at minimum cost the best public services
Even described in broad outline, these
the '90s. Thus, an economically an
The dream job offer was followed by
modeling, all done on my initiative. When I
the full-of-smiles visit where my wife and
erable. Probably the most important eco-
possible.
developments help us to easily understand
cially stronger Quebec would b
questioned why the sales price was far be-
I found the perfect vacant lot and the blue-
nomic problem that Quebec has to face
The government of Quebec is convinced
why it is in Quebec-and not elsewhere
sult.
low the listing price, I was sternly told
prints that could be changed here and
that the original price was unrealistic.
there. Once back in Massachusetts we
Foolish me.
found the world's greatest broker. who
Your characterization of Realtors as the
could sell igloos in Arizona. We are now
reasonable voice against unrealistic expec-
on our second broker.
tations of homeowners can only be ex-
One of my aunts, a retired nun. prays
plained by your having gotten your infor-
for us. My other aunt and my lovely
mation from Realtors. Fool
mother-in-law pray for us. I can't go on
ith this letter, as my knuckles are 'urr
G'-
g white.
mittee, conts
Perhaps, somewhere in this
neone wants my house
Photocopy-Preservation
A12 THE WALL STREET JOURNAL FRIDAY. AUGUST 17, 1990
Navistar Posts
squeezed," said Mitchell 1. Quain, an ana-
POLITICS & POLICY
Reebok International Ltd.
lyst at Wertheim Schroder, New York. Mr.
Quain has been recommending that his cli-
STOUGHTON, Mass.-Reebok Interna-
In Cincinnati House Contest, GOP Takes Aim
3rd-Period Net
ents sell the stock.
tional said its Rockport Co. Inc. unit has
Analysts they aware of any
purchased all rights in Europe to the Rock-
problem-with the quality of the loans made
port brand name from Rockport Lizenz-
by Navistar. But the loan-loss provisions in
und Handels Establishment, a Liechten-
At Elusive Goal: Victory for'a Black Republican
Of $6 Million
the third quarter for the company's credit
stein company.
unit and manufacturing operations were
The transaction gives the U.S. firm
about S7 million-an amount that analysts
Rockport Lizenz's registered rights to mar-
By TIMOTHY NOAH
Rep. Tom Luken announced in January
Blackwell says. At HUD, he was a strong
said might be too small. Receivables at
ket in 20 European nation. A price wasn't
By SCOTT KILMAN
advocate for tenant purchase and owner-
those businesses total about $1.5 billion.
given.
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
that he wouldn't seek another term,
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
CINCINNATI - The Republican Party
Charles Luken was judged a shoo-in to suc-
ship of public housing as a means of "em-
CHICAGO - Navistar International
A company spokesman wouldn't con-
Rockport makes dress and casual
ceed him. Convinced by Ohio Republicans
powerment" for the poor.
firm the loan-loss provisions, describing
shoes. With sales of about S192 million in
has lately been sending a campaign ar-
Corp. eked out a fiscal third-quarter profit
mada through this riverfront city. Jack
that Mr. Blackwell was the man to beat
Mr. Blackwell takes a hard-right line on
amid signs that the slump in the truck in-
that information as proprietary. "We be-
1989, the Marboro, Mass. based company is
Charles Luken. Washington party officials
most social issues as well. He opposes le-
lieve they are adequate," the spokesman
one of Reebok's largest subsidiaries. Ree-
Kemp and Dan Quayle have steamed
dustry is worsening.
through; Oliver North and, possibly,
recruited the HUD official for the job. He
galized abortion, and led a successful city
said.
bok makes athletic shoes.
Earnings were slightly better than ex-
George Bush. are on the way.
declared his candidacy, returned to Cincin-
council crusade to require local hospitals
pected: some analysts had expected the
Their goal-to elect a Republican to
nati in March. and now finds himself in a
to provide for "humane" disposal of fe-
company to report a small loss.
Congress-isn't unusual, but their vessel
very close race.
tuses such as burial or incineration. (The
The maker of trucks and diesel engines
is: The candidate,
Unique Route
measure was subsequently struck down in
said net income for the quarter ended July
EMPLOYERS:
Ken Blackwell, is a
federal court. He opposes the civil-rights
31 dropped 79% to S6 million from S28 mil-
Mr. Blackwell has traveled a unique
black conservative.
bill currently being constructed by Con-
lion, or eight cents a share, it earned for
TELL YOUR NEW EMPLOYEES
route to his current candidacy. A student
For decades, Re-
gress, arguing it amounts to "quota legis-
the similar 1989 quarter. The company said
activist and president of the African-Amer-
publicans have had
lation." But he still maintains he's for af-
its per-share net income for the latest pe-
ABOUT SHORT TERM!
ican Student Association at Cincinnati's
little successextend-
firmative action when it's "legitimate and
riod was less than a penny because of its
Xavier University in the 1960s. Mr. Black-
ing their influence
fair.
obligation to pay dividends on the Series G
Are your new employees without insurance while they wait
well agitated for more courses in black
into the black com-
studies and more minority hires. After a
A Conservative Opponent
preferred stock.
to be added to your group coverage?
munity. Indeed, no
Revenue dropped 10% to S972 million
brief professional football stint with the
Democratic candidate Charles Luken is
black Republican
from $1.08 billion. Navistar said the num-
Dallas Cowboys, Mr. Blackwell became an
campaigning as a conservative too, oppos-
Short Term Major Medical coverage is available
has been elected to
ber of medium and heavy trucks it sold
administrator and psychology teacher at
ing abortion and favoring a cut in capital-
for 1 to 6 months.
the House as a vot-
in the quarter sank 15% from a year
Xavier, then ran for city council on the re-
gains taxes to 22%. In an ironic twist, Mr.
ing member since
Luken positions himself as the anti-Wash-
ago.
formist Charterite ticket in 1977.
Receive a
GOP Rep. Oscar De
In New York Stock Exchange composite
As late as 1980, Mr. Blackwell was a
ington figure in this contest, despite the
FREE COUNTERTOP DISPLAY
Priest of Chicago,
Ken Blackwell
trading yesterday, Navistar fell 37.5 cents
strong supporter of Jimmy Carter; at one
fact that his father served eight terms in
who was unseated in
to S2.875. The stock was the second-most-
with brochures, applications, and rates.
news conference, he joined several urban
Congress and has long been a major recipi-
1934 by Republican-turned-New-Deal-Dem
active issue on the Big Board, with almost
politicians in denouncing Ronald Reagan
ent of special-interest campaign contribu-
ocrat Arthur Mitchell (himself the first
2.2 million shares traded.
NO SALESPERSON WILL VISIT.
as a "disaster" for urban America. One
tions.
black Democrat elected to Congress)
Navistar trimmed its estimate of indus-
SIMPLE APPLICATION.
year later, however, Mr. Blackwell left the
Both candidates will spend a lot of
This year, the party is attempting to
trywide demand for trucks in North Amer-
city's Charter Party to become a Republi-
money as fat-cat contributors and special
NO WORK FOR THE EMPLOYER!
turn that historical tide with three black
ica-signaling that a recovery in truck or-
can and committed Reagan supporter. A
interests line up to donate in a close race
candidates for the House: Gary Franks, a
ders probably isn't materializing as ex-
leading catalyst in persuading him to
with no incumbent. Mr. Blackwell says he
Waterbury, Conn., alderman pitted against
pected. After slumping in 1989, industry-
Mail To: Short Term Division
make the switch was Jack Kemp, whom he
already has raised almost half of his $750,-
wide new truck orders have been stable at
former Rep. Toby Moffett; Al Brown, a
met at a National Football League function
000 target and last month began running a
low levels for several months.
Louisville, Ky., businessman challenging
Golden Rule
in 1979. "Kemp was constantly sending me
television ad touting his rise from "work-
Rep. Romano Mazzoli: and Mr. Blackwell,
With more economists predicting reces-
speeches and working papers," Mr. Black-
ing-class origins" to membership in the
sion, Navistar trimmed its fiscal year fore-
Golden Rule Insurance Company
a former Cincinnati mayor and, until last
well recalls as he sits in a quiet corner of
Bush administration.
March, a deputy undersecretary at the De-
cast by 2,000 to 140,000 heavy trucks, which
7440 Woodland Drive
Cincinnati's walnut-paneled Queen City
Although the elder Mr. Luken has held
partment of Housing and Urban Develop-
would be down 19% from last year. Indus-
Indianapolis, IN 46278-1719
Club, where he is waiting to meet two busi-
this seat since 1976, the district, which in-
ment under Mr. Kemp. Of the three, it is
trywide demand for medium-sized trucks
(317) 297-4123
ness-community supporters. When Mr.
cludes suburbs as well as the western part
Mr. Blackwell-who blends opposition to
will probably drop 6%, the company
Kemp became HUD secretary. he brought
of Cincinnati, is more a Republican one;
Please send full details about Short Term Major Medical, including
taxes, gay rights and abortion with support
said.
his protege to Washington.
George Bush won with 63% of the vote in
for affirmative excites conser-
Truck sales could drop further still if
costs, limitations, and exclusions, along with a free countertop display.
Today, Mr. Blackwell styles himself as
1988. In a reversal of the usual calculus,
vative activists the most.
the Middle East conflict raises fuel prices
a social and economic conservative. He's a
it's the black candidate who expects his
Name
for a prolonged period, analysts said.
To win. he must beat a formidable op-
supply-side true believer, advocating a cut
strongest showing in the suburbs, home to
Because Iraq's invasion of Kuwait dis-
Address
ponent: Charles Luken. the current mayor
in capital-gains taxes to 15% from as much
German-Catholic Republicans who long
rupted Middle East oil supplies. the price
of Cincinnati and son of the popular. con-
as 33%. Limiting taxation is the "best way
ago abandoned Cincinnati's "Over-the-
City
State
Zip
of fuel has jumped more than 30% for
ervative Democratic incumbent. When
to check the size of government, Mr.
Rhine" neighborhood. "Good luck to you,"
some transportation companies. That
Phone (
)
H-5.1, H-5.2
chirps one elderly white man as Mr. Black-
eroding profit margins at the large
8001-690
No cost or obligation. Not available in all states
well passes out refrigerator magnets in
fleets. which might promr
front of the Green Township Thriftway.
purch-
But Mr. Blackwell also hopes to split
the black vote-somewhere around 15%
despite his Republican label. Ed Brook
over. regional finld represer
Photocopy-Preservation
Times' Snow
to head Bush
speech staff
Tony Snow, editorial page editor of The
Washington Times since 1987, yesterday was
named chief speechwriter for President
Bush
Mr. Snow, 35, succeeds Chriss Winston as
deputy assistant to the president for commu-
nications and director of speechwriting at the
White House. He will start his duties March
13
"They made me an honor Icouldn't refuse,
Mr. Snow said "It's flattering to be asked to
head a presidential speechwriting depart-
ment at any time, and exciting to get an op-
portunity now.
I'll be able to learn a lot
about White House politics and get a chance
to play a role, however peripheral, in Amer-
ican politics at an exciting time."
Describing himself as "your basic ink-
stained wretch," Mr. Snow said he would miss
newspaper work, but added, "Ill be good for
no news from 1600 Pennsy Ivania Ave.
He quoted an earlier White House
speechwriter, William Safire, on the injunc
Tony Snow
tion that a presidential wordsmith should
have "a passion for anonymity" and said,
That's the approach I intend to adopt."
and to The Times that the White House se-
Asked about the multiple editing process
lected him for this critically important as-
that has frustrated many White House
signment Tony will be a great addition to
speechwriters, Mr. Snow said: I got no prom
President Bush's staff; he will be sorely
missed at The Times."
ises of special treatment or access [to the
A native of Berea, Ky., Mr. Snow graduated
president]. My job will be to articulate policy,
not to create it or insinuate it. The staffing
from Davidson College in 1977 and began his
process will remain intact, as will the chain
newspaper career as an editorial writer on the
of command under which the speechwriting
Greensboro, N.C., Record in 1979. He was an
editorial writer at the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
department now operates."
and editorial page editor of the Newport
"Tony made an incalculable contribution to
News, Va., Daily Press and the Detroit News
the resonance of The Washington Times'
before coming to The Times. He has been a
voice at home and abroad," Arnaud de
regular panelist on Fox-TV's political discus-
Borchgrave, editor-in-chief of The Times,
sion show, "Off the Record."
said yesterday. "It is a great tribute to Tony
He and his wife, Jill, live in Alexandria.
Photocopy-Preservation
ABROAD AT HOME
Anthony Lewis
Is It Our Leaders, or Is It Us?
HONOLULU
made no real commitment to address
ucts. We can make smart bombs and
our eyes. Existential blindness, a Ro-
H
awaii is, and feels, remote from
them -no commitment of mind or
Patriot missiles, but we no longer
man Catholic bishop in South Africa
mainland America. But for all
resources
American public education is a
Problems at
make video cassette recorders.
once called it: blindness because see-
its exotic quality, the concerns
All of those problems, and more,
ing is too painful.
on people's minds are not so different
scandal, In a world where learned
from those in Boston or New York or
skills are increasingly important, our
home are not
have been festering for years. None is
Or perhaps the problems at home
a secret. But where is there any sign
are too long and slow to awaken ener-
Los Angeles. People worry about the
children leave school far less educat-
addressed.
that we are about to tackle them?
getic response from us. If there is an
war, about the recession, about racial
ed than those in France or Korea or a
Why not?
invasion abroad and the President
tension.
dozen other countries.
20W
Leadership is one possible answer.
tells us that it is a defining moment,
In three days at and around the
Our system of medical care - our
Most Presidents find foreign affairs a
the country responds. Perhaps it will
University of Hawaii, I found conver-
non-system - is the most expensive
more congenial place to invest their
take a domestic trauma to waken us,
sations coming back to one puzzling
in the world yet leaves millions with
Homelessness is another result of
energy. President Bush is more can-
as the Depression did in the 1930's.
question. Why is it that the United
no assurance of care. Alone among
poverty and inadequate social pro-
did than most, saying openly that he
Still, leadership matters. We have
States can rise so quickly to chal-
the industrialized nations of the West,
grams, In cities across the country
finds foreign challenges more exhila-
seen how Mr. Bush has been able to
lenges abroad but seems utterly un-
we have no universal medical insur-
we are met by the sight of the home-
rating than the often frustrating polit-
rally the country to the cause of fight-
able or unwilling to meet challenges
ance. Medical costs are breaking
less. Private and public efforts have
ical struggle of domestic policy-mak-
ing Iraq and freeing Kuwait. Whether
at home?
state and national budgets, and we do
provided, at best, palliatives.
ing.
his policy proves wise in the end or
Whatever one thinks of the policies
nothing but tinker here and there.
Two decades after the death of
But on the whole we get the leaders
not, there is no doubt that he cared.
that have led us to war in the Persian
In the richest country on: earth,
Martin Luther King Jr. our major
we deserve. We voted for Ronald Rea-
Someday we may again have a
Gulf, the speed and energy of the
poverty is a mass phenomenon. We
cities have black ghettos that are
gan because we wanted to believe that
President who cares about the coun-
American commitment have been re-
have so many poor families that the
centers of hopelessness and social
greed was good, that cutting taxes and
try's economic decline, about its
márkable. In six months the United
infant mortality rate, related to pov-
disorder, A powerful United States
disabling government would make us
stricken schools, about poverty and
States has sent a force of more than
erty, is higher than in less affluent
Senator can be re-elected by appeal-
all richer. We cheered even as he did
sickness. Someday we may have a
400,000 and a vast array of modern
countries. The Bush Administration
ing bluntly to anti-black feelings.
lasting damage to this country.
President who will rally us to care, by
weapons halfway around the world.
wants to experiment with a program
Investment in our industry is at a
Perhaps we have concluded, most
saying something like what Franklin
But in six months or six years we
to reduce infant mortality - by taking
low level, and we are falling way
of us, that the problems are just too
Roosevelt said in 1937:
have made no progress on a host of
money away from programs to help
behind other countries in research
daunting to face. Perhaps we have
"I see one-third of a nation ill-
domestic problems. Indeed, we haye
poor pregnant women and children.
and development of domestic prod-
decided to deal with them by closing
housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished."
Photocopy-Preservation
THE NEW YORK TIMES, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1991
ESSAY
William Safire
the man in the Oval Office last week
Anthony Snow, 35, a Cincinnation who
worked at The Detroit News and for
Mr. Bush
the past three years has been editori-
al page editor and columnist at the
conservative Washington Times
Articulate enough for TV opinion-
Hires a
fests, Mr. Snow has already begun to:
clam up: the F.B.I. is now visiting his
kindergarten teachers, and Mr. Sunu-
Writer
nu would be proud of the way his
choice parries press queries, even
from certified bigfeet. Apparently
Peggy Noonan's irreverent memoirs
WASHINGTON
have set insiders' teeth on edge, and
a sailor, a telitale is a strip of
the new man is expected to revert to
cloth attached to the mast to
what F.D.R.'s Louis Brownlow called
indicate the wind's direction; to
"a passion for anonymity
a railroader, a telltale is a ribbon
Most members of the Judson Wel-
hung over a track before a tunnel to
liver Society, the club of former Pres-,
warn trainmen off the roofs of cars;
idential speechwriters, would go
to a pundit; a telitale is some seem-
along with that, even as we-wince at
ingly insignificant sign that is a por-
the thought of a polemicist who has
tent of a change in political emphasis
never written a speech - and who
- as when a President hires a new
doesn't know the principal's thinking
chief speechwriter.
intimately - starting at the top. I
Last Halloween, as Chriss Winston
hope op-editors seek out my col-
prepared to take her 2-year-old out
leagues (Clifford, Sorensen, Valenti,
trick-or-treating, the White House
Cater, Schlesinger, Price, Herzberg
reached her with a hurry-up assign-
Elliot, etc.) for their guidance, but
ment. Little Ian, dressed in his bunny
here is one old hand's advice to the
suit, fell asleep on the couch as his
new superspook:
mother cranked out a statement.
1. Don't look for a hot new phrase:
That was It; early this year, Ms.
stick with the New World Order. Of
Winston let her bosses know that her
course it's vulnerable every time
Immediate future would be as mother
some plan falls apart or some tinpot
and freelancer.
hollers at, Washington, critics will
Chief of staff John Sununu and the
hoot, "You call this a new world or
pollster Robert Teeter seized the op-
der? - but it's Bush's baby, even if
portunity to search for a writer with a
he shares its popularization with Gor
harder, edge; The half-dozen other
bachev. Forget the Hitler "new or
writers were passed over - one,
earlier. der" root; F.D.R. used the phrase
Mark Davis, was leaving to be word-
smith to Gov. Pete Wilson of Califor:
2. Fight for the Union: Up to now
nia because the President's men
the most pellucid prose to come out of
were looking ahead to 1992.
Mr. Bush's mouth has been by the
In siximonths, the war will be over
National Security Council's Richard
and the sky high Bush ratings will
Haass, in a news-conference state-
begin to sink unemployment will be
ment of war aims; he also drafted the
up, whether or not the recession bot.
powerful letter to Saddam Hussein.
toms out as soon as hoped; and Dem
cymaker But Professor Haass is merely a poli
ocrats will be taking pot-shots at "the
first President to lead üs into both a
speechwriter; insist that card-carrying N.S.C. stuff
not
a
war and a recession Partisanship
be routed through the writing shop,
time
lest you wind up in a domestic back
water.
Needed not a heavy hitter with a
big reputation and a lot of baggage,
3. Discover the Bush domestic de
but hard hitter not known for
sign and lay it out in a series 'of
speechwriting relatively young, and
speeches. Under all those Pinkerton
with independent right-wing creden
paradigms and Darmanesque dither-
tials
ings must be some pattern of deci-
Mr. Sununu's choice, not yet an-
sions: find that gestalt, give it a Welt-
nounced but who was introduced to
anschauung, and push it with some
passion. Even moderates stand for
something; the rhetorical trick is in
divining the drift and declaiming the
direction.
And one
4. Don't be haunted by Reagan's
Ghost. Mr. Bush is fearful of compari-
of these
son with Reagan speechifying, and
instead shows off his ad-libbing ad-
days we may
vantage over his predecessor per
versely boasting of his inadequate
get a speech
speech delivery Enough of that
you've been brought aboard not for
sound bites and snippets, but for seri-
ous red meat and potatoes.
As the Ides of March approach, in
prime time, the President will sol-
emnly come before us to explain this
war's endgame. He has the sense of
history in his head but not on the tip of
his tongue. It's your enviable job to
help him make weapons out of his
words.
Photocopy-Preservation
A14
1/15/91
THE WA
REVIEW & OUTLOOK
If Not Now, When?
With Saddam Hussein's intransi-
or dominated the whole Gulf, he
gence closing the last avenues to a
would be able to use oil not only for
peaceful solution of the Kuwait crisis,
revenues but for blackmail-reward-
it's time to review why the impending
ing nations that cooperated with his
war is necessary. In brief, because we
nuclear program and punishing oth-
have a monster loose in a crucial cor-
ers. Saddam has also tried to use anti-
ner of the globe we share.
Western resentments to möbilize the
The future is at stake. If Saddam's
Arab masses, an effort that would be
aggression fails, potential pirates
much enhanced by success in Kuwait.
around the world will be forced to
A nuclear-armed Saddam at the head
think twice before invading their
of the Arab world would be a threat of
néighbors and disrupting the world's
global proportions.
commerce and diplomacy. But if he
It's true that we could try to avoid
succeeds his ambitions will grow, and
war by adopting a purely defensive
barring some miracle we will face a
posture in Saudi Arabia. This obvi-
future choice between succumbing to
ously would give Saddam time to de-
his intimidation and fighting a larger
velop his nuclear potential, and to try
and bloodier war.
resuming his expansion by subverting
We all know that battle means
the Saudi regime. It also would risk a
American deaths, not to mention vast
change in the attitude of the Soviet
expenditures. But in truth, war
Union, a possibility that events in
started August 2 when Saddam or-
Lithuania make all too clear. Presi-
dered his troops to pillage Kuwait;
dent Bush decided that the less risky
our resulting blockade is already an
course was to establish a deadline,
act of war. The issue in today's
and to take the offense if necessary.
United Nations deadline is not
In this judgment he has by now been
whether to start a war, but whether
supported by the United Nations, the
an offensive is necessary to conclude
majority of the Congress and, accord-
one
ing to the polls, a substantial majority
The attack on Kuwait was unpro-
of the American people.
voked, a gross violation of interna-
It's also true that battle is always
tional law and common-sense moral-
risky. Equipment can fail, foes can
ity. The gratuitous cruelty was shock-
mount surprises and generals can
ing even by the standards of this
make mistakes. We surely hope that
jaded century, though not surprising
an attack would be well planned: Ex-
from a man who in his own country
ploiting our air power to cut off Iraqi
had already used poison gas on an
troops, but without indiscriminate
ethnic minority. As we learn more of
bombing threatening to civilians. Con-
Saddam, it confirms the picture of a
templating an eventual ground assault
megalomaniac proud of his own amor-
if necessary, but avoiding a frontal at-
ality.
tack on fortifications just to give the
The world has known other mon-
Army and Marines a part of the ac-
sters, of course, and the United States
tion. Facilitating the surrender or de-
need not go to war to punish them all.
fection of Iraqi troops likely to be less
But Saddam sits astride the Persian
deluded than their leader, and quite
Gulf and its immense oil reserves.
vulnerable in the desert if our planes
The United States cannot allow this
can interdict their water supplies.
region to fall under the domination of
With good planning and decent for-
a hostile power. It was a Democratic
tune, we can hope that this will not be
President, after all, who proclaimed
a lengthy or costly engagement.
"The Carter Doctrine," that the Gulf
It's true, finally, that Saddam is
was within "the vital interests of the
not about to invade the United States.
United States.'
Neither was Hitler. Though Pearl
It could scarcely be more obvious
Harbor ended our internal political di-
that Saddam's ambitions extend far
visions, the retrospective lesson was
beyond Kuwait. He had previously
that we could not escape involvement.
started a war with Iran, declaring a
The world is too small, and the United
treaty "null and void." Despite the
States too large. This is even more
punishment of that protracted war, he
true today. While "new world order"
emerged with a larger army. He has
may sound a bit grandiloquent, the in-
devoted his oil revenues, what he
vasion of Kuwait was the first large
could borrow and the labor of his peo-
scale piracy of alpost-Cold War era;
ple into constructing a military ma-
its disposition will prove an important
chine. As neighbors like the Saudis,
precedent on whether that era is one
Egyptians and Turks quickly recog-
of greater order or greater chaos.
nized, an Iraqi success in Kuwait
The reason for spending blood and
would be followed by further aggres-
treasure in battle is to avoid even
sion elsewhere.
worse choices and even greater sacri-
The analogy with Hitler is of
fices in the future. As today's deadline
course not complete, since Iraq is not
passes, we face an Iragi leader with
one of the most advanced nations of
demonstrated ambition and ruthless-
our times. But it has already launched
ness, threatening undeniably strategic
a space satellite, and is working fe-
territory at a moment of historical
verishly on development of nuclear
crux. If this is not the time to stand
weapons. If Saddam ever conquered
and fight, when?
Photocopy-Preservation
Charles Krauthammer
11/25/90
The Case for Destroying Saddam
Rarely in the post-war world have the issues
dependency brings, is not a vital American
pro-Western Arab regimes that had the audacity
been as clear as they are in the Gulf crisis today.
interest then it is hard to see what the phrase
to oppose him and the foolishness to rely on the;
Yet rarely has the debate been more muddled.
"vital interest" can possibly mean.
United States. One day, the Americans will
After all, this is not some morally murky war of
Indeed, the United States has already de-
leave Arabia. If on that day Saddam remains, the
national liberation, but unprovoked, out-of-the-
clared that preventing such a calamity is not just
Saudi royal family will not last a month. Mubar-
blue, '30s-style aggression. It did not happen in
a vital interest but a casus belli. Who declared
ak of Egypt, the linchpin of the American posi-
some marginal corner of the world like Southeast
that? Not George Bush but Jimmy Carter, the
tion in the whole Middle East, will not last much
Asia, but in the world's oil treasure house. And
most dovish president of this century. The
longer. The smaller Gulf states, it goes without
the adversary is not some morally ambiguous
saying, will either be subjugated or physically
liberator like Ho or Castro but a usurper and a
absorbed, Kuwait-style. Jordan will be next.
thug, a man who has already sacrificed a million
Congress should vote up
Ultimately, a new and perhaps nuclear Arab-Is-
lives for control of half the width of one waterway.
raeli war becomes inevitable.
Responsibility for the muddiness of the debate
or down on the Carter
As the richest dictator in history, however,
lies with the Bush administration. Presented
Saddam will not just convulse the Middle East.
with the easiest moral and strategic case in 45
years-easier than Korea and Vietnam, easier
Doctrine.
He will acquire the reach to threaten the world:
weapons of mass destruction (nuclear, chemical,
than Grenada and Panama-Bush has been so
biological) and the missiles to deliver them.
clumsy in advancing his case as to have nearly
Carter Doctrine, enunciated Jan. 23 1980, de-
Within 10 years, Saddam (age 53) will have
discredited it.
clared that "an attempt by any outside force to
nuclear weapons. Ten years is hardly the far-off
The president has been admirably clear about
gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be
future. Saddam's emergence as a nuclear power
only one thing: the aim of our Gulf policy. It is to
regarded as an assault on the vital interests of
is closer to us in time than Ronald Reagan's
defeat Saddam, at the minimum by forcing his
the United States of America. And such an
election in 1980. Last year, Iraq tested a three-
unconditional withdrawal from Kuwait. But, com-
assault will be repelled by any means necessary,
stage ballistic missile. Which means that by the
plain the critics, the president never adequately
including military force."
end of the decade we will be facing a hostile
explained why Saddam must be stopped, Is it oil?
The administration is loath to ask Congress to
power with unlimited wealth and nuclear weap-
Is it preserving peace in the Gulf? Is it establish-
authorize the use of force in the Gulf for fear
ons able to reach any city on earth. That is a
ing the basis for a new post-Cold War order?
that an equivocal wording might unduly tie its
very concrete threat, threat enough to warrant
The implication is that it must be one or the
hands. Why not then ask Congress to vote up or
breaking this man's sword before it can be used.
other. If the president' invokes sometimes oil,
down the following two sentence resolution:
Order. Forget about woolly New World Or-
sometimes order, this is taken as evidence of
"Resolved that-(1) Congress reaffirms the
ders. Keep your eye on the threat Saddam is
insincerity. Which is it? The answer, it is blind-
Carter Doctrine of Jan. 23, 1980. (2) Congress
but the first of many coming threats in the age
ingly clear. is all of the above. To imply that
determines that Iraq's aggression against Ku-
of weapons of mass destruction. He is a crucial
these goals are somehow mutually exclusive is
wait constitutes such an attempt to gain control
test case. If a small, ruthless, heavily militarized
nonsense. Any one alone might justify American
of the Persian Gulf region and therefore consti-
regime can stand up to a global blockade, a
intervention. The three together add up to an
tutes an assault on the vital interests of the
united Security Council, a majority of the Arab
overwhelming self-reinforcing case.
United States of America."
League, the opprobrium of the entire world, the
Oil. Control of the Arabian Peninsula gives
Peace. Saddam's control of oil supplies would
threats of the great powers and half a million.
Saddam control of half of the world's oil re-
allow him to impose a huge tax, payable to him, on
troops massed against it in the desert-and still;
serves. That gives him the power to manipulate
every American oil consumer. That would impov-
emerge intact and in possession of the fruits of
production to create buying panics, shortages,
erish us. But more important and worse, it would
its aggression, the message to every other'
recession or whatever world economic shock
enrich him. As in the past, his new and now
potential aggressor and victim will be clear;
suits his economic or political goals of the
fabulous wealth will go. directly into his military
There are no rules in the post-Cold War world.
moment. If preventing half of the world's oil
machine. That will make him not only King of the
The great powers are preoccupied. America has
reserves from falling into hostile hands, if pre-
Gulf but undisputed hegemon of the Middle East.
gone home. Welcome to the 1930s.
venting the hardship and extortion that such
His immediate aim will be to break those
Our children will curse us.
is safe
make
Photocopy-Preservation
3/15/91
1991
The Washin
JEREMIAH O'LEARY
ularity and emotionally disposed to
Trying to
use his high-tech armed forces when
there is a clear-cut villain like Sad-
dam afoot, is not likely to try. to cre-'
place the
ate a NWO like either the Roman or
British models of long ago. Gen.
Manuel Noriega of Panama and
President Saddam Hussein of Iraq
new order
are one thing, but dictatorial soci-
eties like the Beijing regime or the
hard-liners in the Soviet Union are
everyone else in the world, I
quite another.
L
have been waiting with
Even while the Americans and
bated breath for President
their U.N. allies were whaling the tar
Bush to explain in detail ex-
out of the Iraqis, the Bush Pentagon
;actly what he means by the "new
was already engaged in finding ways
world order" of which he has been
to reduce rather than expand the
speaking since the spectacular de-
size of the American armed forces.
struction of the military machine of
Iraq's dictator, Saddam Hussein.
It is conceivable that Mr. Bush
Are we in for a Pax Americana,
and his advisers some day might in-
dulge themselves to the extent of
like the hegemonies imposed on
much of. the world by the ancient
disposing, once and for all, of such
nutcases as Moammar Ghadafi of
Romans or the anything-but-peace-
Libya. It passed, almost unnoticed
ful Pax Britannica by which Queen
that Mr. Bush sent Marines to rescue
Victoria's British Empire was in-
Americans caught in the civil wars
volved continually in military expe-
in Liberia and Somalia. Other Amer-
ditions around the world from 1837
ican presidents have not hesitated to
until the end of the second Boer War.,
in 1902?
intervene in Haiti, the Dominican
Republic, Grenada, Nicaragua and
Mr. Bush hasn't given us a hint of
scores of other Third World coun-
what this New World Order will be
tries in modern times recently as
like. I am glad not to be in the boots
World War I, Americans invaded
of Tony Snow, my former colleague
northern Mexico and Vera Cruz on
at The Washington Times, who is
punitive expeditions.
now the chief White House speech
writer, because he will be on the cut-
On the other hand, I have no pic-
ting edge of whatever attempt Mr.
ture in my mind of Mr. Bush sending
Bush makes to explain what the
troops to enforce the worthy aspira-
NWO means.-
tions for independence of such peo-
The Pax Romana prevailed in the
ples as the Lithuanians, the Latvians
Mediterranean world from the reign
and the Estonians. Israel is a special
of Augustus in 27 B.C. until Marcus
case. The United States has guar-
Aurelius in 180 A.D. It was imposed
anteed the right of Israel to exist,
by far-flung Roman legions on the
though it be surrounded by a host of
borders of the Roman Empire until
Muslim blood enemies from the At-
the barbarian hordes swept out of
lantic Ocean to the far reaches of
the east against a Rome that had
Indonesia.
grown so effete that its privileged
My guess is that Mr. Bush's New
citizens were hiring hardier nation-
World Order is not going to turn us
alities to do their fighting.
into a nation of Spartans, ready to
The Pax Britannica coincided
right all perceived wrongs. Mr. Bush
with the long reign of Queen Vic-
is well aware that the United States
toria but, as historian Byron Farwell
is the sole remaining superpower in
has pointed out, there was not a sin-
the world, but I doubt if he is going
gle year of the Victorian era in which
to evolve into a Teddy Roosevelt with
the British regiments and their
"Manifest Destiny" woven into his
Irish, Sikh, Punjabi, Bengali, Pathan
regimen for steering the ship of
and Gurkha regiments were not
state.
fighting somewhere to protect or ex-
pand frontiers, avenge insults or
Mr. Bush has demonstrated to the
suppress rebellions.
whole world that he is ready and
willing to go to war for principle as
The bottom line for the British,
well as the world economic order.
when British was the dominant
Merely by carrying the big stick he
color on world maps, was the neces-
wielded against the Iraqis, I believe
sity for a small island nation to pro-
Mr. Bush can well afford to speak
tect its sea lanes and overseas com-
softly unless some neighborhood
merce and to provide occupations
bully like Saddam challenges him.
for upper-class Englishmen who felt
The United States may be the
it was their duty to shoulder what
only power with the muscle to be the
they called "the white man's bur-
world's policeman, but I don't be-
den."
lieve Mr. Bush has a burning ambi-
It seems to me that President
tion to play this role. Virtually as-
Bush, riding a vast wave of pop-
sured of remaining in the White
House until 1996, it's now time for
Mr. Bush to show that he has solu-
Jeremiah O'Leary is a columnist
tions for our domestic problems as
for The Washington Times.
well as a certain genius for foreign
affairs.
Photocopy-Preservation
HINGTON POST
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991 A15
Charles Krauthammer
Bush's March
t
Through Washington
3
/
3
How a president incapable of rhetoric
0
1.
could take a country to war.
Many lessons of the Gulf War
's
are by now obvious: the decisive-
0-
ness of air power, the irrelevance
in
of the Arab "street" and the aston-
n-
ishing efficacy of high-tech weap-
:i-
onry. One. lesson, however, has
been largely overlooked. It has to
re
do with American public opinion
",
and the nature of presidential
:n-
leadership.
0 a
Cast your mind back exactly sev-
ain
en months. On Aug. 1, you would
I's
have thought crazy anyone who
aid
suggested (a) that President Bush
st
would send more than 500,000
not
troops into the Arabian desert, (b)
BYT.GIBSON
'he
that he would launch them in a
ion
new troops, the whole allied effort
massive ground offensive and (c) at
ab-
would have been undone. The
the point of maximum danger, 90
Democrats were boxed in.
percent of the American. people
illy
would support his conduct.
Which is why they concentrated
ke
George Bush found a country
their fire on the looming Fact 3,
31-
the launching of the war itself.
still not fully recovered from Viet-
od
But here, too, Bush had con-
nam (in the congressional war de-
strained the debate with more
bate, it was sometimes hard to tell
facts, in this case the already
8
whether the argument was about
established U.N. deadline. For
a
Iraq or Vietnam) and embarked on
t
Democrats to oppose the war at
a difficult and risky foreign adven-
that point, they had to be willing
ture. At every stage, he brought
to vitiate the deadline, upset the
the country with him. It was a
coalition and undermine the very
remarkable feat of domestic diplo-
idea of collective security, an idea
macy, all the more remarkable for
dear to Democratic hearts. Hav-
being almost imperceptible.
ing prepared the battlefield, as
That is because he didn't do it
the military briefers like to say,
the usual way. The usual way to
Bush won. By a hair, but he won.
inspire is through language. His-
Then Fact 4, the ground war. As
torically, leaders rally the nation
with the air war, an initially appre-
to war with ringing rhetoric.
hensive public rallied hugely be-
Think of FDR and Churchill.
hind the policy. Ten days before
Now, we all know Franklin Roo-
the ground war, the CBS/New
sevelt, and George Bush is no
York Times poll found only 11
Franklin Roosevelt. Bush is a
percent of Americans in favor of
president 80 devoid of rhetorical
launching one. When asked again
skill-Wednesday night's flat vic-
the day after the ground war start-
tory speech is but the latest
ed, 75 percent approved.
proof-that he rarely addresses
The cynics will say that this
the nation. He knows that he does
proves only that nothing succeeds
not match up to Ronald Reagan,
like success. Yes, but no one
let alone Franklin Roosevelt.
knows in advance where success
So how did he do it? He did it by,
lies. Particularly in war, one
as they say in the Middle East,
chooses very much in the dark.
creating facts. Four times since
The point is that if you choose
Aug. 2 he has made unilateral deci-
well, even if unpopularly, the peo-
sions that were bold and, to the
ple will follow.
extent that anyone had considered
It must be admitted that Bush
them at all, generally unpopular at
was helped in all this by two
the time. Yet, each action reshaped
factors not of his making: an inept
the debate and in time came to be
enemy and a just cause. Yes, but
seen as necessary if not inevita-
remember how roundly, and cor-
ble-and correct. Each time Bush
rectly, Bush was criticized for be-
vas. way out ahead of the country,
ing unable to articulate the just-
nd, as he set about creating facts,
ness of the cause. As for
e country followed.
Saddam's now demonstrated in-
Fact 1, Aug. 7: the initial Amer-
eptness: remember that just
Ican troop deployment. Three days
weeks ago the conventional wis-
earlier, the Gallup poll asked Amer-
dom cast him as supremely wily
icans about sending U.S. troops to
and resourceful. Not many were
defend Kuwait. It found 56 percent
predicting an easy campaign.
opposed. The deployment an-
[ will leave it to the psychohis-
nouncement (framed, to be sure, as
torians to figure from where Bush
a defense of Saudi Arabia) drew
drew the personal resources to
immediate, 81 percent, approval.
steer the country through the
By the time critics mounted opposi-
Gulf affair to its extraordinary
tion to Bush's further actions, the
conclusion. My point is merely to
initial deployment had become a
note the magnitude of his political
matter of national consensus.
achievement and the most unusu-
Fact 2, Nov. 8: doubling the
al way in which he did it: not with
ground troops. That put the Unit-
language but with action.
ed States on a war footing and
As a shaper of public opinion,
created a great wave of Nunn-led
the bully pulpit is overrated. The
Democratic opposition. But there
powers of the presidency, if skill-
was little the Democrats could do.
fully deployed, are enough to
Bush had used his power as com-
move the nation. Bush managed
mander-in-chief to create a politi-
to rally a reluctant nation to a
cal fact-the doubling amounted
successful war not with inspiring
to a commitment of American
words or soaring visions, but with
prestige and a declaration of
a series of shrewd and forcing
American resolve to see Iraq out
actions. Military schools will long
of Kuwait-that was nearly im-
be studying Schwarzkopf's march
possible for the opposition to re-
through the Gulf. Government
verse. Had the Democrats forced
schools will be studying Bush's
a withdrawal or rotation of these
march through Washington.
Photocopy-Preservation
Carl T Rowan
Blacks and 'Class'
the
I've seen alot of nonsense written
president of Michigan State University
in the past few weeks to "celebrate"
and recent chancellor of the huge
black history month, but few things
State University of New. York, who
more absurd than a sociologist's as
now administers the $87 billion Teach-
sertion that "blacks don' thave an
ers Insurance and Annuity Associa
Supper class."
tion-College Retirement Equities
The Chicago Sun-Times quotes Bart
Fund. His wife, Dolores, is a director
Landry a University of Maryland au-
of several great corporations. They
thor of The New Black Middle Class,"
are as upper class as anyone can get.
as saying that only two black Ameri-
James Earl Jones, who can't lack
cans can truly be considered "upper
money given his omnipresence onTV
class: John H. Johnson, the wealthy
as both actor and advertising spokes-
founder of Johnson Publishing Co., and
man, and who strikes me as a very
Reginald F. Lewis, chairman of TLC
classy fellow.
Group, the New York firm that owns
Beatrice International Food Co.
Barbara Jordan, the former con
The last thing we ought to be
gresswoman who now is in ill health
Atelling American youngsters, espe-
and is probably far from rich, but who
cially black ones, is that you can't be
is upper class in every respect worth
"upper class unless you have money
talking about.
to burn. plus second and third homes
Rep. Bill Gray, (D-Pa.), who ranks
in places like Paris and Palm Springs.
third in the House of Representa
Landry asserts that upper class is
tives, and Douglas Wilder, the gover
about owning large corporations that
nor of Vir ginia, are not super rich, but
_keep producing more income, corpo-
most of America's millionaires don
rations with massive stocks.
come close to their class or clout.)
will wager.that both Johnson and
VGen. Colin Powell and his wife AI
-Lewis would say "rubbish" to what
mar may live on military pay,"and the
Landry is writing and saying. I think
general's temporary second home may
they would say that being upper class
only be a barracks in Saudi Arabia, but
may suggest having a comfortable
I'll wager you that most Americans
amount of money but that class? also
consider them "upper class" in the
is about other things as well
finest meaning of the phrase
By way of illustration, let me list a
Landry dismisses Bill Cosby with
few black Americans who I think
the assertion, that "When you are
would make anybody's list of "upper
talking about the upper class, you are
class":
not talking/about a few million dollars.
Dr. LaSalle Leffall, the distin-
That's peanuts." Well, any guy who
guished Howard University surgeon
gives $20 million to a black college is
and former president of the American
upper class enough for me.
Cancer Society, and his wife Ruth. He
Someone had better put Landry
has unusual medical influence all over
back in a school where he might learn
the world.
what high class really is all about.
Clifton R. Wharton Jr., the former
@ 1991, North America Syndicate, Inc.
Photocopy-Preservation
Dan McG
For this, he needs to summon the best eloquence of the past that
was applied to similar moments. To Abe, perhaps, and the test that
would light us down in honor or dishonor to the last generation.
But primarily to Churchill, the most moving voice of this century
which many of us still remember calling us to duty.
If the President has to make that speech upon launching military
action, as I suspect he will, he should quote the best of Churchill
that roused the world. As George Bush has pointed out, the threat
then was not dissimilar to the one now.
You might wish to find Churchill's surprise Christmas Eve speech
that he gave at the White House in 1941, just two weeks after Pearl
Harbor, after he had slipped unnoticed into Hampton Roads aboard
a British warship. I feel sure that FDR was moved by the
extemporaneous words of his visitor, on the subject of the hard
duty that had to be faced if the future was to be tenable.
Winston's marvelous stirring admonitions spoken by Bush still can
transmit power, the old electricity. And a line of Paine thrown
in ("these are the times that try men's souls") that stirred us in
our own beginnings wouldn't hurt, if there is room.
All of this is unsolicited/advice, from an old editorialist who is
without deadlines, for the moment. Enclosed is a column by a
friend, Paul Greenberg, saying much the same things. I hate to
take your time, but my thoughts are with you there in that house
of fearsome accountability. May God bless all of you.
With best regards,
Town Deamore
Tom Dearmore
Dave
FXI.
you for spechwiles
Mal
Photocopy-Preservation
Paul Greenberg
11/28/90
What the president must say
Once upon a time, when this
commander-in-chief might decide
casualties, a la Vietnam.
to get away with his conquest, or
country faced a crisis that
on. But it would allow him to
Richard Strout, better known
even to emerge from this confron-
demanded military resolve, Con-
decide - without being constant-
as TRB in the New Republic for
tation with his arsenal and dema-
gress was called into session, it
ly sniped at by 535 congressional
which he wrote, so many essays,
goguery intact, more turbulence
debated the issue, war was dec-
generals and secretaries of state,
said something in his very first
is sure to rock the Islamic world, a
lared, and America stood united.
all prepared to whisper in the
piece - penned during World
once great civilization now prey to
It is time to return to that past;
president's ear and jostlé his
War II - that bears repeating.
such mischief.
it would be progress.
elbow at critical moments.
Calling for a clear statement of
Kuwait is Saddam Hussein's
With a declaration of war
The president has shown lead-
postwar aims, he wrote: "When a
Sudetenland. It is the beginning,
against Saddam Hussein's
ership in this crisis everywhere
man dies he wants to die for some-
not the end, of his demands. To
regime in Iraq, the president and
but at home. A great internation-
thing important." Today another
borrow a metaphor from Winston
commander-in-chief would be on
al force has been massed in the
president needs to tell the Ameri-
Churchill about another territor-
the solid. constitutional ground
Saudi desert. The United Nations
can people why it is important to
ial demand, this is but the first
that is slipping out from under
has acted, amazingly, much like a
defeat Saddam Hussein - and
sip, the foretaste of a bitter cup
him day by day, week by week.
group of united nations. A global
defeat him decisively, unmista-
that will be proffered to the world
Then Saddam Hussein would get
embargo is in place. But the
kably,"unequivocally.
year by year unless the aggressor
the clear and unequivocal mes-
Administration has neglected the
What should Mr. Bush say?
is thwarted. Iraq's dictator
sage that he must leave Iraq -
crucial theater in this conflict:
First, that this is not a struggle
already has chemical weapons
instead of hearing nothing but
American public opinion. It is as if
over oil or jobs or even over an iso-
and has demonstrated a willing-
clamor and confusion.
nothing had been learned from
lated act of aggression. Rather, it.
ness to use them. He is out to
Let it be noted, let it be empha-
Vietnam.
is a struggle to determine the
acquire nuclear ones. The world
sized: A declaration of war doesn't
Now the president must mobil-
shape of the world in the next cen-
cannot afford to sit back and wait
mean that the president would
ize Congress and united the coun-
tury. With the collapse of com-
for that day.
have to employ force or to what
try. He could have done it easily in
munism, the prospects for a world.
degree. This country already is at
August. He will have to work to do
of peace, oflegitimacy, of coopera-
"My fellow citizens," George
war with Iraq in effect: American
it now. It will become harder with
tion and security, even communi-
Bush should declare, "we will not
warships have blockaded that
each passing day. The opposition
ty, are brighter than they have
allow Saddam Hussein to steal
country, and a blockade is an act
already senses opportunity in the
been since the very beginnings of
the future." That is the essence of
of war. So is taking hostages. The
Administration's uncertainty and
this century. That was before the
why this struggle matters; the
question is not whether a conflict
frustration.
First World War and its after-
details can be left to presidential
exists between Iraq and the
This president must make it
math led to almost uninterrupted
speech writers. But if a sleeping
United States, but whether this
clear to the American public why
turmoil and vast suffering. Now,
people is to be roused, and mount-
country shall wage it under one
we're Over There. If he cannot, it
just when peace looms, comes a
ing confusion and irresolution
commander or many.
would be a mercy to disband the
shrewd and fanatical dictator
dispelled, the trumpet must be
A declaration of war would not
entire effort right now rather
with different plans.
sounded - on a single high, clear
specify the strategy or tactics the
than after five years and 50,000
If Saddam Hussein is allowed
note.
Photocopy-Preservation
B2 TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1991
R
WASHINGTON WAYS
Jane Weinberger's Washington
By Donnie Radcliffe
In March 1984, she is the
Washington Post Staff Writer
outraged "wife of' shooting off a
letter to Israeli Defense Minister
he four of them-Jane,
Moshe Arens that she is "appalled
Grandmother, the dog and
"Cap"-arrived here in
at your lack of judgment, sensitivity
February 1970, and from then on,
and morality.
You seem to be
Washingtonians fortunate enough
upset that my husband's
to know Jane Weinberger were in
great-grandfather changed his
for a surprise. Irreverent at times,
religious beliefs." (He'd been
frequently just plain funny, she
misquoted, he replied a few days
and her pen were off and running
later.)
the next 17 years while her
After a Senate ladies' luncheon,
husband, Caspar, moved up
she returned home to write how
through three Republican
"Cabinet wives mingled with Senate
administrations from Federal
wives and we all behaved
Trade Commission chairman to
beautifully-except me, I tried to
director of the budget, secretary
avoid yet another picture with
of health, education and welfare
Nancy but Barbara Bush wouldn't
and finally secretary of defense.
let me get by with that."
Jane Weinberger meeti-
An inveterate letter writer, she
And in her 1985 Christmas
Chief of Protocol Lucky
kept friends and family
letter, she describes being
entertained with what she calls
"reprimanded (by the V.P.'s wife)
In those simple building
"the views of one ordinary woman
children learned the Th
for having neglected my husband all
living a somewhat extraordinary
summer. Not true! I maintain an
lots more about growin
life." Now compiled in a book titled
open door policy at Windswept from
rugged new frontier. M
"As Ever," and published by her
April to October. If he only came
may not have attended
own Windswept House of Mount
once or twice, it was the fault of the
nonetheless manages to
Desert, Maine, the letters are the
latest in "wife of" comments and
government-not me."
some of that nostalgia i.
she has written to "Am
reminiscences about the high and
When Weinberger resigned as
Country Schools" by A
mighty and what made them fly or
defense secretary in November
Gulliford, being broug
fall.
1987, she writes, she was the
month by the National
Spiro Agnew's acceptance of
reason-because of her illness
Historic Preservation's
"dirty little bits of money to do
resulting from osteoporatic loss of
Press.
what stupid favors, heaven only
bone in the spine, a side effect of
makes me sick
radiation treatments. "But I'm not
"Young rural school'
knows
the
some barely older than
children had just begun to believe
as bad as reported," she reassures
in the government again. Damm!"
her pen pal and a couple of weeks
students-struggled t
with great dedication :
she writes. And since she was one
later proved it by attending the
Reagans' White House dinner for
precious knowledge W
of those "still waving the flag on
children of our growin
deck when the Captain [Richard
the Gorbachevs, about whom she
First Lady writes. "D
Nixon] abandoned ship, I don't feel
writes: "He seemed affable enough,
qualified to say anything."
but I should hate to meet her on a
real hardships, countr
schoolchildren were e
In one letter she remembers
mountain pass."
broad view of life. The
Soviet Ambassador Anatoliy
Jane's motorized chair "was
curriculum steeped in
Dobrynin as "a wily old bastard but
deemed unseemly" for such an
as honesty, industry, $
amusing." In another, she hopes
august occasion SO a wheelchair and
patriotism-values W
Nancy Reagan, as America's new
a Marine to push it were provided.
First Lady, won't be "irritable and
But the real point (
"Hellishly embarrassing and
comes when she rem
snappish.
We all know how
undignified," she laments,
easily upset she can be when things
that in addition to edu
describing still a "further
are not exactly as she wants them."
children, the country
humiliation: we ran over the
In October 1983, she writes that
became "the roots of
President's foot-luckily, ours, not
Cap Weinberger was "grieving and
literacy programs,"
theirs. Ever the gentleman,
blaming himself because he was
community center, ,
[Reagan] forgave me for, as he
unable to persuade The White
neighbors gathered
said, I was not driving."
House to move the Marines from
concerts, lectures, d
the airport in Beirut-move them
caucuses and worsh
in time to prevent that terrible
Despite the word "country" in its
1900s these lively p
massacre." And that despite his
name, Barbara Bush's childhood
attracting older fam
pleas, he was "always being told
school, the Rye Country Day School
search of knowledge
that it would look like we had 'cut
in Rye, N.Y., was hardly a one-room
"The pioneer fam
and run.' That 'Marines never
country schoolhouse like those that
America's vast fron
backed down' and other rot like
dotted America's rural landscape
one of Thomas Jeff
that."
for the better part of two centuries.;
deeply held convict
Photocopy-Preservation
ESSAY William Safire
Pacifism in the Pacific
TOKYO
risk by offering to pick up as little as
that we don't know; it could be that
he cold war was the economic
T
possible of the cost.
the historical impulse to control
heyday of Japan. The Soviets
Is all the above to be dismissed as
neighbors still lurks beneath the sur-
spent 24 percent of their na-
Japan-bashing, subtle racism or in-
face, and we should respect their re-
tional product on armaments and
sensitivity to cultural differences? I-
luctance to develop a mobile, long-
went broke. The U.S. spent 6 percent
see it as a natural reaction to a dis-
range striking force.
of its larger G.N.P. on defense and
play of national irresponsibility.
How, then, to deal with an economic
ran up a debilitating debt. Japan en-
The current non-leader, Prime
superpower that - in the coming
joyed the full protection of our nu-
Minister Kaifu, will not hear such
bloodletting - is a conscientous ob-
clear umbrella. while spending a
straight talk from President Bush
jector? Pacifism has moral standing
minuscule percentage on defense -
when they meet in New York this
only when it involves compensating
and prospered.
week. The White/House traditionally
sacrifice; how do we and they keep
That was its competitive edge.
pats Japan on the back for its prom-
Japan's pacifism from being so prof-
More than any management tech-
ises to remove structural impedi-
itable?
nique or protectionist industrial poli-
ments while Congress is left the task
First, Japan should get serious
cy, that long free ride enabled Japan
of threatening the marriage of true
about getting involved. A contingent
to become an economic wonder.
of 3,000 combat medics and nurses
Now, in the first battle of the pre-
should be assembled with no delay,
peaceful world, Japan is again willing
and hospital ships dispatched to the
to hold America's coat while we bear
the brunt of stopping aggression. At
Japan says
Persian Gulf on an emergency basis.
These Japanese citizens will be put-
first it offered a billion-dollar tip for
it gave at
ting their lives on the line, reflecting
our trouble; when that was deemed
honor on their nation.
niggardly the Japanese begrudged
Next, Japan should stop confusing
three billion more. In this way, they
the office.
pacifism with passive-ism. Sending a
appeared to be willing to defend their
bigger-than-expected check to the
oil lifeline by putting as little as possi-
united U.N. appeal is not enough;
ble in the kitty to remain in the game.
Japanese banks and insurance com-
"This habit of running from the re-
minds. What caused the Diet to cough
panies should come up with creative
sponsibility of power invites interna-
up the extra* three billion was neither
ways to finance trusts for families of
tional scorn; moreover, Japan's self-
morality nor. responsibility but the
hostages and subsidized-rate policies
serving anguish is stirring resent-
deadline of the end of the U.S. Con-
for every service person in the haz-
ment in those who look beyond supply
gressional recess.
ardous zone.
of oil to the need to stop an aggressor
Our knee-jerk reaction to Japan's
If Japan does not rise to the occa-
from acquiring nuclear weapons
attempts to play the checkbook ally is
sion, the world should give it a back
Why does it happen? Here is a na-
to demand the reinterpretation of the
seat at Iraq's surrender ceremony
tion of hard-driving people with the
pacifist Article 9 of its Constitution,
and the U.S. should grimly Gramm-
third most powerful armed force in
thereby enabling Japan to use not
Rudmanize its trade deficit. To equal-
the world. Like Germany, it hides be-
only minesweepers but a squadron of
ize the burden, a standard of 6 per-
hind a web of legalisms left over from
F-15's in a U.N. action. Pentagonians
cent of G.N.P. should be set for Japan
defeat in World War II. The excuse of-
want Japan to beef up its defense
to contribute to the poor and war-rav-
fered is that any contribution of
forces with a larger purchase of U.S.
aged.
forces to world police action will re-
military equipment.
Better this effort should come from
vive fears of a rebirth of militarism.
But let us pause before invoking
within than be imposed by a resentful
The real reason is a desire to duck the
that patella reflex. Maybe the self-
world. Isn't there one political leader
doubting, hand-wringing Japanese
in this rich land who can articulate a
Tom Wicker is on vacation.
know something about themselves
national conscience?
9/27/90
Photocopy-Preservation
A24
THE NEW YORK TIMES, T
ARTHUR OCHS SULZBERGER, Publisher
ARTHUR OCHS SULZBERGER JR., Deputy Publisher
MAX FRANKEL, Executive Editor
JOSEPH LELYVELD, Managing Editor
WARREN HOGE, Assistant Managing Editor
DAVID R. JONES, Assistant Managing Editor
CAROLYN LEE, Assistant Managing Editor
The New York Times
JOHN M. LEE, Assistant Managing Editor
ALLAN M. SIEGAL, Assistant Managing Editor
JACK ROSENTHAL, Editorial Page Editor
Founded in 1851
LESLIE H. GELB, Deputy Editorial Page Editor
ADOLPH S. OCHS, Publisher 1896-1935
LANCE R. PRIMIS, President
ARTHUR HAYS SULZBERGER, Publisher 1935-1961
ORVIL E. DRYFOOS, Publisher 1961-1963
RUSSELL T. LEWIS, Sr. V.P., Production
ERICH G. LINKER JR., Sr. V.P., Advertising.
JOHN M. O'BRIEN, V.P., Finance/Human Resources
ELISE J. ROSS, Sr. V.P., Systems
JAMES A. CUTIE, V.P., Marketing
WILLIAM L. POLLAK, V.P., Circulation
10/30/90
Past Saved. Future Squandered?
For weeks, a bumbling President and stalemat-
procedures to rein in future deficits. For the next
ed Congress invited ridicule for their endless budget
three years, the budget law sets separate spending
wrangling. The President seemed to contradict
caps on three categories of Federal programs:
himself. by the hour. Congressional leaders lost
domestic discretionary, foreign aid and defense.
control over their colleagues. It took an unlikely
Congress cannot pass a program that exceeds those
coalition between the Republican White House and
caps even if it is willing to raise taxes or cut
Congressional Democrats to close the deal.
programs in other categories. If it tries, the Admin-
But ridicule misses the important story. This
istration is required to cut programs across the
was no usual election-year dithering. This Congress
board within the same category.
faced up to the herculean task of controlling deficits
Entitlement programs will be treated different-
that were 10 years in the making. It passed a $500
ly. They are put on a pay-as-you-go basis, but not
billion program of spending cuts and tax increases
capped. That means entitlements can be expanded,
and approved new procedures that will make Rea-
as long as Congress is willing to raise taxes or cut
gan-era excesses difficult to repeat. Cleaning up
other spending.
these sins of the past presented the hardest set of
The spending caps and enforcement proce-
decisions in a decade.
dures promise to work better than past deficit
Unfortunately, fiscal responsibility came at a
controls because they are designed to be self-
steep price: the future. The new budget law forbids
enforcing. Any spending proposal that does not
Congress for three years to spend more, for in-
carry its own means of finance should ignite opposi-
stance, on decrepit schools and dilapidated bridges
tion from Congressional subcommittees that will
by cutting wasteful military spending. That uncon-
fear across-the-board cuts in favored programs.
scionable provision squanders the peace dividend
Yet these rules have the unfortunate effect of
and detracts from this overdue act of courage.
preventing Congress from paying for better schools
or retraining workers by cutting the military, no
matter how desirable it finds such cuts. Congress
Ronald Reagan came into office under the
has surrendered the peace dividend just as the end
banner of spend now, pay later. Congress could
of the cold war has created it.
have all the military weapons that money could buy,
There are ways to get around the new con-
leave middle-class entitlements alone and still cut
straint, like redefining discretionary programs as
income taxes. All gain, no pain except some nearly
entitlements and then passing higher taxes. But
invisible hikes in payroll taxes. The result was
further tax hikes aren't in the political cards for
predictable. Deficits skyrocketed and now are back
some time. The most direct way to fix the problem
over $200 billion a year, and rising.
is also the most honest: Admit that the peace
Ultimately, the 101st Congress faced up to the
dividend has been needlessly squandered and
problem. Besides program cuts, it approved new
amend the new law.
Photocopy-Preservation