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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 8, 1993)
Z2U_TsJTWQ DTGFST Neb'raskan Edited by Jeff Singer X 1 J / T ▼ k-j X-/XVJJ / k^J X Monday, Novombor 8,1993 Clinton scolds labor forces WASHINGTON — Using harsh language against an old ally, Presi dent Clinton said organized labor is strong-arming lawmakers with “roughshod, musclebound tactics” to scuttle the North American Free Trade Agreement. in a rare ana sweeping Sunday morning television interview, Clinton also insisted that North Korea can not be allowed to develop a nuclear DOTT1D. “We have to be firm about it,” he said, but refused to discuss the possi bility of a pre-emptive strike against the communist nation’s nuclear fa cilities. Clinton, appearing for an hour on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” reiterated his support for Russian President Boris Yeltsin and exiled Haitian Pres ident Jean-Bertrand Aristide. And he said U.S. troops in Somalia would renew efforts to clear supply lines for humanitarian operations. The president also issued a sharp defense of his first year in office, saying historians will “be hard pressed to find many first years of presidencies that match ours.” In a personal moment, the former Arkansas governor said he still finds living in the White House “pretty confining.” “I don’t know whether it’s the fin est public housing in America or the crown jewel of the prison system,” he joked. Clinton said he now understands how a president can become “out of touch and maybe out of harmony with the American people.” Aides said his attack on labor was not scripted, but the remarks were astonishing for a Democratic presi dent, even on a free-trade issue that has spawned an odd menagerie of political coalitions. “At least for the undecided Dem ocrats, our big problem is the raw muscle, the sort of naked pressure that the labor forces have put on,” Clinton said. He said unions are privately threat ening to cut financial support and field opponents if lawmakers support the free-trade deal with Mexico and Canada. “The president knows better than that,” AFL-CIO spokesman Rex Hardesty said in a telephone inter view after the show. “He knows what our record is with seeking working rights protection in trade agree ments.” The free-trade deal, which comes to a vote Nov. 17, is about 30 votes short of the majority needed to pass it in the House, Clinton said. “I think we’ll make it, however,” he said. Opponents, most visibly former presidential candidate Ross Perot, believe the pact would cost thou sands of jobs. Clinton said Vice Pres ident A1 Gore will fare well in his Tuesday night debate with Perot, al though the Texas billionaire “is the master of the one-liner and the emo tional retort.” Water scarcity becoming a problem, report says WASHINGTON — People from Los Angeles to Beijing are having to look farther and farther for fresh water, and a new report says water scarcity is a spreading global problem. Proposals for solving the prob lem have ranged from towing in icebergs from Antarctica or giant plastic bladders filled with lake water to building desalination plants or international water pipe lines. But these ideas will not be enough to quench the world’s thirst, said Bob Engelman, co-au thor of the report by Population Action International. “Expense keeps getting in the way,” Engelman said. “The bottom line of this is sim ply that the rate of population growth in countries experiencing water scarcity is vastly outpacing population growth of the world as a whole.” By 2025, one out of three peo ple will be living in countries with inadequate fresh water supplies said the report “Sustaining Water Population and the Future of Re newable Water Supplies.” The current ratio is about one out of 15. Over the next three decades, between 46 and 52 countries will be either “water-stressed” or “wa ter-scarce,” the report said. “There are no substitutes — as human populations grow, there’s less renewable water for each per son,’’ said Engelman. Even in the United States, which has abundant fresh water supplies nationally, regional demands of ten exceed supply, the report said. It cited efforts by water-poor ur ban areas in California to draw from water-rich areas around the state. California wildfire victims try to recover among ashes MALIBU, Calif. — Fire-devastated com munities sought solace at church services Sun day, while the American Red Cross reported damage more extensive than previously thought. A Red Cross survey counted 390 residenc es destroyed, seven with major damage and 51 with minor damage, spokeswoman Barbara Wilks said. The tally of lost homes was up from an earlier figure of 350. “It’s OK to cry. We have Kleenex in the pews for you today,” the Rev. David A Worth said at Malibu Presbyterian Church. “To those of you who lost homes our hearts go out to you. If you’re going through a crisis let’s talk it out.” The fire killed three people, including Brit ish director and screenwriter Duncan Gibbins, who was remembered Saturday night. The 41-year-old Gibbins died of bums he suffered trying to rescue his cat. “He was an ordinary guy with an acerbic wit,” said Geoffrey Brandt, Gibbins’ agent and longtime friend. Firefighters on Sunday patrolled for em bers and smoldering brush. Crews still worked on containment lines around the 19,000-acrc bum area in the Santa Monica Mountains, said Los Angeles County fire Inspector Dan Ertcl. The force of 5,400 firefighters was slowly being disassembled, he said. A few blocks from the firefighters’ staging area in the Civic Center, an early morning -44 When I go home now I look at my house and I don’t see landscaping — I see fuel. — Blinn, Malibu Presbyterian Church elder -ft Mass drew parishioners to Our Lady of Malibu Roman Catholic Church, where fire scorched earth within a few hundred yards. Piles of donated goods ranging from beds to bicycles lay on church grounds under a sign saying, “Fire Victims Help Yourself.” “There’s mourning and celebrating. There is grieving and thanking,” Monsignor John Sheridan said after Mass as people lingered in a damp chill, talking over steaming cups of coffee, exchanging stories and lessons learned. Sheridan noted how one of the classic sym bols of the Malibu beach lifestyle contributed to the fire’s intensity. “Palm trees became torches. They are like burning devils,” he said. Steve Blinn, an elder at Malibu Presbyteri an whose home is far up the coast from the fire area, gained similar insight. “When I go home now I look at my house and I don’t see landscaping — I see fuel,” he said. Fighting Wildfires How firefighters have been attacking the latest round of fires in Southern California. i—i--— :— 1 ’1 ' r"— ' ' ] i___,____ —— i Reaction Continued from Page 1 He said Smith brought a wealth of knowledge and familiarity to the po sition that would help the NU system tackle its future objectives. “In his background there is expe rience with all the missions repre sented in our four campuses,” Spanier said. Keith Bcnes, president of the As sociation of Students of the Univer sity of Nebraska and UNL’s student regent, said he was satisfied with the board’s selection. However, Benes said, he and oth er student regents were most im pressed with how much clout they were given in the selection process. “From the first day, all regents were not only willing, but made ex tended efforts to engage the student regents for input,” Benes said. “I think we, as students, have gotten our say in this process.” Benes said although his working relationship with Smith would be short, he hoped to get to know the incoming president as soon as possi ble; Hazing Continued from Page 1 have no idea,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s small and I don’t know if it’s great. “Nobody wants to talk to us, and nobody will talk to us.” But Griesen said he would try to use the atmosphere created by the tragedy to educate people about the dangers of hazing. “The opportunity presents itself when something tragic happens to raise everyone’s awareness of hazing and alcohol,” he said. Griesen said he also would be re ceptive to anyone who knew of other incidents of hazing to come forward and report them. Scott Bunz, president of the Inter fraternity Council, also spoke at the press conference. He said the greek system had made progress with haz ing. “In the old days it was very preva lent,” he said. “We have made strides.” Bunz said that the night of Knoll’s fall, fraternity presidents were meet ing to discuss hazing. National Phi Gamma Delta repre sentatives will meet Monday with Griesen and Jayne Wade Anderson, UNL director of greek affairs, to dis cuss the incident. Senior Reporter Steve Smith contribut ed to tbit report. President Continued from Page 1 “I absolutely wasn’t surprised.” she said. “Seated presidents take a risk. They have their own methods. It’s important they are able to with draw.” In a telephone conference call from California Sunday, Smith said he was pleased to accept the job at one of the top universities in the coun try. 1 think it’s an exciting challenge,” he said. Smith said he was impressed with the chancellors, regents and faculty he met during his visit to Nebraska last Wednesday. Smith, who was raised in Frank fort, Ind., has been in his current job since 1990. Smith took his first ad ministrative role — dean of the School of Biological Sciences at UC Irvine — in 1987. He served on the Purdue University faculty from 1969 to 1987. Smith’s only experience as a chief operating officer of a campus was in 1992-1993, when he was the acting chancellor of UC-Irvine for about nine months. Smith said he was not concerned about becoming the presi dent of a four-campus system. “I don’t think I’ll have problems,” he said. Smith said team playing was cru cial in a multicampus system. If the best people are hired on each cam pus, he said, the university will move forward without strict guidance from central administration. “1 don’t propose to micromanage,” he said. While at UC-Irvinc, Smith said he worked with state legislators but not the governor. During future visits to Nebraska, Smith said he would begin to work with slate political leaders. Regent Charles W ilson of Lincoln said Smith would bring a solid aca demic background and extensive land grant university experience to Ne braska. Smith’s Midwestern background will help him at Nebraska, Wilson said. His two-hour interview with re gents last week also impressed Wil son. “I think his ability to interact with the board was an important strength,” he said. Regent Robert Allen of Hastings said he was pleased with all four candidates recommended to the board. “I frankly would have been happy with any one of the four," he said. “But I’m happy Dr. Smith was cho sen.” Netira^kan Editor Jeremy Fitzpatrick 472- 17*6 Managing Editor Wendy Mott Assoc. News Editors Angie Brunkow Kara Morrison Editorial Page Editor Kathy Btelnauer Wire Editor Jeff Singer Copy Desk Editor Chris Hopfensperger Spons Editor Todd Cooper Arts 6 Entertain- Tom Mainelli merit Editor Photo Chief BheunSartin Night News Editors Jeff Zeieny Use Sickert Kristine Long Andrea Kaser Art Director David Badders General Manager Dan Shettil Production Manager Katherine Policky Advertising Manager Jay Cruse Senior Acct Exec Bruce Kroese Publications Board Chairman Doug Fiedler 436-6407 Professional Adviser Don Walton 473- 7301 FAX NUMBER 472-1761 The Daily NebraakanfUSPS 144-080) is published by the UNL Publications Board. Nebraska Union 34,1400 R St., Lincoln, NE, Monday through Friday during the academic year; weekly during summer sessions. Readers are encouraged to submit story Ideas and comments to the Daily Nebraskan by phoning 472-1763 between 0 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The public ajso has access to the Publications Board. For information, comact Douq Fiedler, 436-6407 Subscription price is $50 for one year Postmaster: send address changes to the Daily Nebraskan, Nebraska Union 34,1400 R Si.Lincoln, NE 68588-0448. Second-class postage paid at Lincoln. NE. ALL MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 1*63 DAILY NEBRASKAN
