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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (June 30, 1988)
UNL prof discusses rights with Czechs By Larry Peirce Staff Reporter David Forsythe recently re turned from what he said was “not your average tourist trip” to Pra gue, Czechoslovakia, where he 4 discussed human rights issues with Czech scholars and dissidents. The Academy of Sciences of Prague, which hosted Forsythe, a University of Nehraska-Lincoln political science protessor, can t be compared to anything in the United States, he said. “It is a kind of establishment research organization,”he said. “It is part of the party/statc-rule appa ratus.” The communist party and gov ernment control the academy and dictates its research. During the 10-day visit, For sythe gave two speeches about human rights and political prison ers at Charles University in Pra gue, and met with Czech foreign ministers and scholars. Forsythe said an American being invited by an eastern Euro pean nation to speak about human rights is a rare event. He said that while the invitation is evidence of a loosening Czech government, censorship was still evident at for mal meetings. He said he was not restricted in what he talked about, but during formal meetings in front of gov ernment officials, Czech scholars wouldn’t discuss human rights issues in socialist countries. This self-imposed censorship i by his Czech counterparts was a re minder that little has changed in that country. “They wouldn’t even talk about things that are public knowledge in the Soviet Union,” he said. Forsythe said he tried to talk about human rights issues in Yugo slavia, China and other socialist countries, but the Czech scholars would not. Czech scholars talked about human rights issues in the United Stales, such as problems with blacks and Native Americans. They also wanted to discuss reasons why the United Slates hasn’t ratified most of the international treaties on human rights. After meeting with the scholars privately, Forsythe said, it was clear to him that they were ready for cnange. Czech leaders are not ready to endorse any change, he said. Forsythe said the events of the Prague Spring of 1968, when an attempt by the Czech government at liberal reform was crushed by the Soviet Union, still strongly affect Czechs. Forsythe said that “in the backs of the minds” of the scholars he met with was the question “Where arc those Czech reformers of 1968?” “Well,” he said, “they arc in one of three places: they arc living abroad, in prison, or shoveling coal someplace. These people do not want the same thing to happen to them." Forsythe said of the socialist governments that have relaxed government control over citizens’ political speech that Czech officials arc close to the East Germans, who are resistant to any kind of reform or “glasnost” now seen in the Soviet Union. "One can discuss all sorts of things in Moscow that one cannot discuss in Prague," he said. Forsythe said Czech officials expelled 32 westerners, including 6 Americans, the weekend he left. ——— -—m Connie Sheehan/Daily Nebrakan Forsythe These people held an unauthorized meeting on human rights, he said. W ith the help of U .S. diplomats, he met with the three Czech dissi dents who organized the illegal meeting. “They were being harassed by the regime,” he said. “They were under surveillance.” A great amount of caution had to be taken to arrange a meeting with dissidents, Forsythe said. He said that if he had gone to the home of a dissident, Czech officials might have physically prevented any dis cussion. Along with gifts from die Acad emy, Forsythe brought home a bet ter understanding of the Czech situ ation and a continuing dialogue with Czech scholars on human rights. Bring this coupon for one free wash h June * 2 L % nJ * I L_ H— b : A<fJ' . f sv/^SS,/ 1 | TheW Place To Do Your Lanfeyl jg for one free wash h June Your Students Deserve The Best. We know how important the course packet is to your students, that's why Astro's prom ises to provide the best quality packets at the best possible price. Also, Astro's is the only copy center to offer professor packet buy backs. CALL US TODAY. Well pick up your original material, follow your instructions com- . pietely. and return it with a proof and com plimentary copy of the finished packet. All Free of Charge! Astro's Copy Center 16th & W • In the Reunion 477-9011 We accept Visa and Mastercard UNL officials discuss 1989 implementation of photo I.D. system By Julie Dauel Staff Reporter University of Nebraska-Lincoln officials have taken the first step in developing an all-purpose UNL photo identification system. Members of the student I.D. card committee met for two weeks and discussed how the system will work, the cost, and where students will be able to use the cards, said Doug Zat echka, director of housing. “Nothing is decided as of yet,” Zatechka said.“The committee is reviewing concepts abou‘ what the system will do.” i nc cumin luce, cum puscu ui uni cials from several UNL departments, will meet every Wednesday todiscuss plans for the system. The system is scheduled to be in use by fall 1989. The photo identification cards might look like Vali-Dinc cards used in residence hall food services, Zat cchka said. One card will enable a student to check out books at the library, use recreation facilities, vote at student government elections, and get into campus activities and athletic events. “I see a lot of benefits from the system and it should minimize prob lems for the students,” Zatcchka said. “Instead of a student carrying Five cards he will only have to carry one,” Zatcchka said. \t iPailYi Nebraskan Editor Bob Noloon 472- 1766 News Editor Curt Wegner Editorial Page Editor Chortoo Lleurenca Copy Desk Editor/ Chuck Oroon Night News Editor Sports Editor Tim Hartmann Arts & Entertain Geoff McMurlry ment editor Photo Chief Connie Sheehan Art Director John Bruce General Manager Daniel Shattll Production Manager Katherine Pollcky Advertising Manager Bob Bale* Sales Manager Dave Thiemann Publications Board Don Johnson Chairman 472-3611 Professional Adviser Don Walton 473- 7301 The Daily Nebraskan (USPS 144-080) is published by ttie UNL Publications Board. Nebraska Union 34. 1400 R St., Lincoln, Neb 68588 0440, weekdays dur ing the academic year (except holidays); weekly during the summer session Readers are encouraged to submit story ideas and comments to the Dally Nebraskan by phoning 472-1763 between 9 a m and 5 pm. Monday through Friday. The public also has access to the Publica tions Board. For information, contact Don Johnson. 472-3611. Subscription price is $45 for one year. Postmaster: Send address changes to the Dally Nebraskan, Nebraska Union 34, 1400 R St., Lincoln, Neb 66588-0448. Second-class postage paid at Lincoln, Neb ALL MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 1966 DAILY NEBRASKAN A complete set of instructions : for the firsttime smoker. I Don’t. I wmmmmmmmwmmmmm