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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 3, 1981)
n tuesday, november 3, 1981 lincoln, nebraska vol. 107 no. 50 Copyright Daily Nebraskan 1981 W7 nrvs O u - u r Venezuelan statesman compares OPEC to unions By Mary Louise Knapp In an effort to strengthen ties between the United States and Venezuela, former Venezuelan President Rafael Caldera presented a bust of Latin American writer and statesman Andres Bello to UNL Monday. The presentation at Sheldon Art Gallery, was made on behalf on the Venezuelan people. "Bello was a beacon of light - a pinnacle of achieve ment, Caldera said in his presentation speech before an audience of about 75 people. Bello, born 200 years ago in Venezuela, is considered by many to be Latin America's greatest intellectual. His works will soon be published in several languages in a 26 volume edition to commemorate the bicentennial anni versary of his birth, Caldera said. Bello spent some time in England as a diplomat but spent most of his life in exile in Chile, where he became the first head of the university and wrote the nation's new code of law, he said. Caldera said the presentation of the bust represents "the basis of truthful understanding between us." Caldera's own life and accomplishments are probably as diverse as Bello's, said NU President Ronald Roskens in an introductory address. As a student, Caldera was president of the Venezuela National Student Union and the editor of his university newspaper. He holds degrees in journalism, sociology and labor law and has taught at several major universities, in cluding Harvard, Notre Dame and Oxford. Venezuelan president He was president of Venezuela from 1968 to 1974. Caldera said he was "deeply moved" at the cordial re ception he received in Lincoln, and said he had found many frie'nds during his stay. At a press conference after the bust presentation, Cal dera answered questions about international relations be tween the United States, Venezuela and the rest of the world. Caldera said Venezuela, as an OPEC nation and as a supplier of oil to the United States, favors the unity of OPEC. "There is well-managed propaganda against it (OPEC)," Caldera said. Caldera said oil prices had remained at under $2 a bar rel for more than 50 years until OPEC was founded. "That (low price) was absurd," he said. Opec was founded to prevent a further decline of oil prices, he said. "From 1970 until now, OPEC has taken a role in the economic life of the people," Caldera said. Caldera said the formation of OPEC was similar to the formation of the first labor unions - was shaky at first but later proved beneficial. "The uniting of OPEC has been useful," he said. Because of new OPEC pricing, Venezuelan oil prices have been lowered from $36 to $34 a barrel, he said. Oil supply continues Venezuela will continue to supply the United States with oil, as it has since before World War II, Caldera said. However, he said the conservation of energy is extrem ely important and recommended that all oil producing countries cut their production. "OPEC has invited all countries to become cognizant of energy problems," he said. The United States need not fear shortage of imported oil at the present time, Caldera said. Caldera said the money that the United States pays to Saudi Arabia is returned through the sale of items such as airplanes. "That is a good way of recycling petrodollars," he said. The United States does not need as much oil as it im ports because of its own capacity for producing oil, but the United States is being "wise" to conserve its supplies, he said. . ' JUT V Daily Nebraskan photo Rafael Caldera Caldera said Venezuela welcomes American invest ments. "I have met American businessmen who have invested in Venezuela, and they are very appreciative of the re sults of their investments," he said. Legislators consider cut in alcoholism treatment By D.L. Horton State legislators continued their efforts today to cut $23 million from the state's budget during the special session. The Legislature's Appropriations Committee met Mon day to hear testimony from 50 of the 89 state agencies that would be affected by a three percent budget cut un der Gov. Charles Thone's bill. Anne Campbell, commissioner of the Department of Education, outlined a program that her department would use to make the cuts less severe. She said she looked for areas in state education that would affect the fewest stu dents to support the majority of the department's $238,949 cut. Public Institutions, whose prospective budget cut is $850,482, second only to the Universtiy of Nebraska's, which is $4,289,106, faces heavy cuts in its mental health and alcoholism programs. The state is also considering using money from liquor taxes that has been earmarked for alcoholism treatment for other areas in state govern ment. Sen. William Nichol of Scottsbluff and the Rev. Bill Killigan of the Omaha Archdiocese called the reappropria tion of liquor taxes "morally wrong." Killigan called the present use of the taxes an "eco nomic move" because rehabilitated alcoholics return to the work force and help the economy. "If you support the federal government's returning power back to the states, that means more spending on the state level, not less," Killigan said. Several representatives of state, regional and communi ty alcohol treatment centers also testified on the reappro priation. "I'm one of them (a recovering alcoholic)," Duncan said. "I've been there, I hurt for those kids." Francis Duncan, of Norfolk said it wasn't fair to take away money from recovering alcoholics, especially juve niles. Officials for the Nebraska Association for Mental Health and the Association of Community Mental Health Centers testified that the mental health budget was alrea dy at a minimum and any cuts would result in inadequate services. Harold Simpson, commissioner of the Public Service Commission, opposes any cut in the agency's budget. Simpson said the agency has reduced its budget voluntar ily for the last five years. He said his agency had an excess of $100,000 yearly that was returned to the state trea ury. Simpson asked the senators what they would do next year when the federal government plans to cut an addi tional 10 percent form individual income taxes and the state runs short again next year. smm monday Miss the Grade? Dissatisfied students can appeal through grading appeals committees Page 3 Temple Lives!: The UNL Department of Theatre Arts pre pares to move into the remodeled and renamed Temple Theatre Complex Page 9 Fun in the Sun: If reactions from several bowl committees are any indication, Nebraska appears to be headed for its 13th straight bowl trip Page 10 0 o Q G HA iT3 . Daily Nebraskan photo Not even Eddie Rabbitt would love this rainy night at Hazel Abel Park, 18th and E streets. The eerie light results from the photograph being taken at night with a flash.