"major illicit drug-producing or drug-
transit countries."
He did that, Mr. Clinton said,
because "U.S. government surveys
have detected no current opium
poppy cultivation" in Lebanon's Bekaa
Valley, which is under Syrian control.
But that decision was a controver-
sial one even within the administra-
tion, and there were indications it
might touch off an uproar in
Congress, where there is little affec-
tion for Syrian strongman Hafez al-
Assad.
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chair
of the Senate Caucus on International
Narcotics Control, quickly termed the
decision a "blunder."
The National Jewish Coalition, a
Republican group, cited a State
Department report that seemed to
refute the president's claim, and
termed this week's decision an "over-
ture to Syria." But the administration
claims there have been significant
changes in Syrian policy since that
report was completed.
Both countries are still "transit
..)areas" for South American cocaine,
Mr. Clinton conceded, but "there is
no evidence that any of these drugs
reach the United States in quantities
that significantly affect the United
States."
Pro-Israel activists generally reject
the administration's insistence that
there was no connection between the
stalled peace process and the decision
Ito clear Syria and Lebanon.
"Doing it now sends a signal,
whatever the evidence about drug cul-
tivation," said a top pro-Israel activist
here. "Undoubtedly this was meant as
part inducement to Syria, part warn-
ing to Israel. The administration's
impatience over the peace process
may lead to a series of actions and
positions meant to stir the pot."
0 "The key question is whether this
is a decision being made based on a
rigorous analysis of the drug-related
facts on the ground, or whether it is
the administration signaling a politi-
cal or diplomatic message to the
Syrians," said Douglas Feith, a
national security staffer during the
Reagan administration. "As a histori-
cal matter, there have always been
people in policy circles who view
these kinds of certifications as useful
for diplomatic and political signaling.
And I find it difficult to believe that
the Assad regime, which over the
years has made billions of dollars in
the drug trade, has had a sudden
epiphany on the issue."

°

0

HE WROTE
CHUTZPAH.
HE DEFENDS
WITH CHUTZPAH.
ON NOVEMBER 19m,
HE BRINGS HIS CHUTZPAH TO
THE BIRMINGHAM TEMPLE.

ALAN DERSHOWITZ

Wednesday, November 19, 1997, 8:00 p.m.
Book signing will follow.
Admission $25 per person, members;
$35 per person, non-members.

Alan Dershowitz, distinguished professor of the Harvard Law
School, controversial writer and public figure, provocative
commentator on Jewish life, author of Chutzpah, will discuss
his vision for the American Jewish future, as first presented
in his new book, The Vanishing American Jew.

THE BIRMINGHAM TEMPLE

A Congregation for Humanistic Judaism

28611 West 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills

4

Don't miss this exciting and provocative evening. Hurry!
Seating is limited. Make your reservations now. Call 248-477-1410.

LOCATED IN
THE ORCHARD MALL
6385 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD
AT MAPLE
WEST BLOOMFIELD 48322
248.855.4488

20% off everyday 20% off everyday

MONDAY - TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
FRIDAY - SATURDAY
10AM - 5:30 PM
THURSDAY 10 AM - 8 PM

•

Items Under $25 Excluded.

LECTIONT
AND
SERVICE

and gallery

11/14
1997

35