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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 19, 1991)
News Digest Remaining 6 captives reportedly to be home by Christmas Kidnappers free British, U.S. hostages DAMASCUS, Syria — Shiite Muslim kid nappers freed British hostage Terry Waite and American Thomas Sutherland on Monday, and Waite said the remaining three Americans held hostage in Lebanon would be released by month’s end. “Terry Waite and I are very happy to have received our first gulps of Lebanon and Syrian fresh air but we have to wait to tomorrow to meet the sunshine,” said a joyous Sutherland on his arrival from Beirut. Their release by the group Islamic Jihad, or Holy War, was a dramatic advance toward ending the hostage ordeal. The United Nations has been leading diplomatic efforts to gain freedom for Western hostages in Lebanon in exchange for the release of Arab detainees held by Israel. Sutherland and Waite’s release raised specu lation that the Israelis may have made a com mitment to free Sheik Abdul-Karim Obeid. Waite said at a news conference that his captors told him before they set him free that American hostages Joseph Ciccipio and Alann Steen would be released within the next five days, and Terry Anderson by the end of the month. He said he did not know when the three remaining hostages — two Germans and an Italian — would be released. U.N. Secretary General Javier Perez dc Cuellar said all should be freed by Christmas. Waite and Sutherland indicated they had been chained to a wall day in and day out for most of their captivity, and that they depended on each other for comfort and company. Waite said one captor came to tell them Monday afternoon that they would be released. “He also said to me, ‘We apologize for having captured you.’ They recognize that now this was the wrong this to do, that holding hostages achieves no useful, constructive purpose.” Sutherland said he and the others were “humbled” by learning over the past few months of the support the hostages had worldwide. Of Anderson, the longest-held hostage, Sutherland said: “He’s a man who should have never been kidnapped,” adding that Anderson had just been doing his job as a journalist. British officials said Waite would be taken late Monday night to Cyprus to spend the night before returning to England today. Suther land’s plans were not immediately known. Waite, 52, who had successfully negotiated the release of other Western detainees in Iran and Lebanon, came to Beirut in 1987 to try to free Americans held by the Iranian-allied Is lamic Jihad. He was kidnapped himself and held for nearly five years. Sutherland, 60, was the hostage held the second-longest, only a few months less than Associated Press chief Middle East correspon dent Terry Anderson, who also is held by Islamic Jihad. Nebraskan Editor Managing Editor Assoc News Editors General Manager Production Manager Advertising Manager Sales Manager Publications Board Chairman Professional Adviser Jana Pedersen, 472-1766 Diane Brayton Stacey McKenzie Kara Wells Dan Shattll Katherine Policky Todd Sears Eric Krlngel Bill Vobejda, 476-2855 Don Walton, 473-7301 FAX NUMBER 472-1761 The Daily Nebraskan(USPS 144-080) is published by the UNL Publications Board, Nebraska Union 34,1400 fi St., Lincoln, NE, Monday through Friday during the aca demic year, weekly during summer sessions Readers are encouraged to submit story ideas and comments to the Daily Nebraskan by phoning 472-1763 between 9 a m and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday The public also has access to the Publications Board For information, contact Bill Vobeida, 436-9993 Subscription price is $50 for one year Postmaster; Send address changes to the Daily Ne braskan, Nebraska Union 34, 1400 R St..Lincoln, NE 68588-0448 Second-class postage paid at Lincoln, NE ALL MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 1991 DAILY NEBRASKAN House defense bill rejects B-2 funding WASHINGTON — The House on Monday approved a S291 billion military spending bill for 1992 that would speed up troop cuts and reject President Bush’s request for four new B 2 stealth bombers. The Senate is expected later this week to approve the measure and Bush’s signature seems likely. Congress is also expected later this week to approve a money bill containing funds for the programs authorized under the measure. The authorization represents a compromise between rival House and Senate versions, reached after the collapse of the Soviet Communist system. It contains no substantial changes from priorities set earlier by Congress and the ad ministration. Rep. Lcs Aspin, D-Wis., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a floor speech that the measure “moves our de fense closer to the new realities” of the post Cold War world. News agency says Croat troops surrender Vukovar Jfc. BELGRADE, Yugoslavia — The com mander of Croat fighters huddling in the ruins of Vukovar ordered his men to end their three-month fight against besieging federal troops Monday, Yugoslavia’s Tanjug news agency said. Yugoslav soldiers who fought their way into the eastern Croatian city on Sunday fired their guns into the air in celebration. Weary residents crawled out of shelters by the hundreds, some for the first time in months. A reliable Croatian Defense Ministry source said the Croats had not surrendered and were still in contact with the Zagreb headquarters. There was no immediate comment from federal army commanders about the reported surrender of Vukovar. Croatian Health Minister Andrija Hc brang who took part in talks with the army in the Croatian capital Zagreb said, “We do not have any assurances” regarding the safety of those left in Vukovar. At the talks, army and Croatian officials reached agreement on evacuating 700 wounded from Vukovar’shospital, Hebrang said. In Belgrade, Serbia's president endorsed the sending of U.N. peacekeepers to war tom Yugoslavia. Fighting continual in other parts of Croatia. AP reporter Dusan Stojanovic said from Vukovar that there was only sporadic small arms fire in the Danube River town" on the border with Serbia, though the Croatian Defense Ministry source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said fighting was continuing. Stojanovic said no building in the town escaped damage from the near-relentless shelling. Corpses littered the streets and ruined houses. Tanjug said the Croats had been pressed back into a single suburb of Vukovar when their commander ordered them to surrender. It said many of the Croat troops were obey ing. Croat militiamen and police officers were being disarmed into the night, the agency said. The loss of Vukovar was a severe blow for Croats, who held the town for nearly three months against the more heavily armed Serb-dominated army and insurgents from Croatia’s Serb minority. Military Continued from Page 1 changing, and a lot of people arc concerned about their future.” The minimum cutoff for retirement in the military is after 20 years of service, when the retiree can collect full benefits. A military with fewer mid- and high-level management positions open will make it easier to get more recruits, but will also mean less chance to advance both on the pay scale and in rank, Johnson said. “There is an absolute emphasis on youth in the military,” Johnson said. “Physical strength and stamina mean a lot — that’s why older people get cut.” Johnson said officers who have 16 to 18 years of service, arc advanced in grade and arc not eligible to retire will be targeted for early dismissal. The military also will have to decide whether to cut reserve units or only active units. . “The Army, Navy and Marines have all said whatever cuts they have to make will affect both active and reserve units,” he said. ‘‘The Air Force, on the other hand, has said the cuts will all be taken within the active force, not the reserve.” The philosophy of the three branches want ing to cut reserve units is that a small active force doesn’t need as large a reserve force, Johnson said. But the Army National Guard is in disagree ment with the regular Army, he said, and the Army National Guard representatives arc quick to point out that it doesn’t take as much money to maintain the guard units and keep soldiers trained as it docs active units. The good news for National Guard units, Johnson said, is that Congress and the Joint Chiefs of Staff appear to be taking their side. ‘‘Congress has intervened and said there are to be no cuts in the reserve components,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘And Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney and the Joint Chiefs of Staff have said they agree with the Air Force and will allow Air Force reserve units to remain uncut.” I-POLICE REPORT-—11 Beginning midnight Friday, Nov. 15 9:33 a.m. — Bicycle stolen, Harper Schramm-Smith courtyard, $200. 11:20 a.m. — Doormat stolen, Nebraska Hall, $50. 12:19 p.m. — Ashtray stolen, Sellcck Resi dence Hall, $30. 3:21 p.m. — Hit-and-run auto accident, parking lot at 14th and Avery streets, $125. 6:06 p.m. — False fire alarm, Abel Resi dence Hall. Beginning midnight Saturday, Nov. 16 1 a.m. — Jeep top stolen, Abel-Sandoz complex parking lot, $450. 1:07 a.m. — Man trespassing in women’s bathroom, Huskcr Hall, 705 N. 23rd St. 1:03 p.m. — Belated report, misdemeanor assault, man attacked by two men Friday night, Centennial Mall between R and Q streets. 1:49 p.m. — Bicycle stolen, Pound Resi dence Hall, S360. 5:26 p.m. — Purse stolen from auto, park ing lot at 14th and Avery streets, $15. i 9:33 p.m. — Vandalism, gate arm broken, parking lot at 15th and U streets, $25. 10:04 p.m. — Vandalism, gate arm broken, University Health Center parking lot, $25. celebrates Christmas in the Union today! Christmas in November? Stop in the Union and see for yourself. Represen tatives from Apple are in the Union today demonstrating the new com puter products Apple Macintosh has to offer UNL this holiday season. Discover the amazing conve l nience of the portable Powerbook computers and the increased speed and memory of the Classic II personal computers. These new Macintosh products and many more are on display today at the Apple fair in the Union. In the spirit of Christmas, Apple will be giving away free gifts to many of the students and faculty stopping by the festivities. Don't miss this chance to experience the new technology of Macintosh and receive free gifts from Apple. After all, Christmas only comesjH^e twice this year! ^ For more information contact: ^ The CRC Computer Shop University Bookstore Lower Level Nebraska Union 472-5785 l Hours: 8am-5pm_j The power to be your best at UNL. ...