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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 4, 1989)
News Digest EdUedby Victoria Ayott* Noriega: U.S. aided in failed coup attempt PANAMA CITY, * Panama - Troops loyal to Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriego put down an attempted coup by rebel forces Tuesday, retaking the headquarters of the Panamanian De fense Forces after a six-hour gun battle. As the fighting sputtered to an end, Noriega met with reporters iir the Defense Forces headquarters. He told them, “This incident corresponds to the permanent aggression of U.S. forces against the tranquillity of our country. The proof is that U.S. forces closed access routes to the barracks. The rebels “surrendered to Gen eral Noriega in person,” said De • fense Forces spokesman Maj. Edgardo Lopez, who was with Nori ega. A communique by loyalists, read over Channel 2 television, said, “The nationalist officers of all ranks and in all the barracks countrywide have confirmed their loyalty to the father land ... and to our Commander-in Chief Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega. Rebel troops seized the headquar ters during the morning but failed to capture Noriega. Troops loyal to the general, who commands the Defense Forces and controls the government, launched a counterattack and de feated the insurgents. The United States, which has been trying to oust Noriega since he was indicted nearly two years ago in Flor ida on drug charges, denied any in volvement in the coup attempt. The uprising was launched by junior De fense Forces officers. U.S. troops assigned to the Pan ama Canal Zone took up positions about 600 yards from the headquar ters, placed between the fighting at -- - the compound and U.S. installations at Port Amador and Quarry Heights. However, a spokesman for the U.S. Southern Command said the Ameri can troops took no part in the fighting and were dispatched for security rea sons. Guillermo Ford, an opposition candidate for vice president in the May 7 election, was interviewed in New York on CBS Evening News and asked about the foiled coup. “I think Noriega’s going to get stronger regarding the Panamanian people,’ ’ Ford said. “He’s been hold ing them hostage for the last two years.” Rebellious troopers seized the headquarters compound in the morn ing but apparently failed to capture Noriega, and loyal forces counterat tacked. After a six-hour gunbattle, the government claimed victory. “We want to underline that the situation in the country has been duly controlled to guarantee the peace and tranquillity that the state should as sure tor its citizens,’’ said a statement released by Justice and Interior Min ister Olmedo Miranda. The Justice Department statement declared an 8 p.m.-to-5 a.m. curfew ■nd said the news media could report only official statements on the revolt . Firing around the Defense Forces headquarters tapered off in the early afternoon, but reporters were blocked From approaching the compound. Several ambulances were seen leaving the area, and witnesses said there were some dead and wounded, but the number of casualties was not immediately known. A VISION, oX ^ <THg FUTVP* ---—Andy MNy Ntbwdkw 4 Smart toilets ’ to flush m DENVER - “Smart toilets” and car radar will usher in the high tech advances coming in the 1990s, while bad service, loud rock music and Mexican beer will become passe, says “The Ameri can Forecaster 1990.” Other trends on the rise for 1990 are New Age radio, portraits com missioned tor ego gratification and “wet” beer to serve on the rocks, says Kim Long, author of the yearly book. “In the 1990s we will see phe nomenal advances* A popular phrase some futurists are using is that life has the potential to move forward very rapidly because 80 percent of all the scientists and engineers who have ever lived are alive today ,” said Long. “The corollary to then is that 80 percent of an the artists. Crackpots and loonies who have ever lived are alive today. We will see some intriguing things happen in the 1990s,” ne said, including a wave of bizarre prognostications as the year 2000 approaches. Long, 40, is a Denver free-lance author who began writing the Forecaster in 1983 and claims an 80 percent accuracy rale. His predictions sometimes are based on his research into Japanese product development “Smart toilets” are made by a Japanese company to measure re cent hospital outpatients’ biood pressure, pulse, urine, temperature and body weight Results are dis played on a built-in monitor. Long predicts gadget lovers will pay the $3,000 to nave a conversation piece. Long said car radar systems will gauge other vehicles’ sppeds and may incorporate automatic brak ing. E. Germany restricts Czechoslovakia trips PRAGUE, Czechoslovakia - East Germany issued an older Tuesday banning free travel to Czechoslova kia but agreed that at least 10,000 of its citizens already in Prague could emigrate to the West East German leader Erich Honecker accused West Germany of “insolently breaking promises” by letting the East Germans into its embassies in Prague and Warsaw, “They believe in West Oermany that they can destabilize East Oer many with a broad-baaed attack, but it will not work," he said in his first major speech since returning to work after a long convalescence from gall bladder surgery. ADN, the official East German news agency, carried his remarks. . Rudolf Sellers, Chancellor Helmut Kohl's chief of staff, said East German refugees would begin leaving Prague for West Germany by train Tuesday evening. 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