"I
Arabs vow to break
Israeli-Lebanese ties
The Michigan Daily-Wednesday, October 18, 1978-Page 7
GSA scandal may settle documents questioii
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP( - Seven
Arab nations pledged at the end of a
three-day summit yesterday to
neutralize the right-wing' Christian
militias that have been fighting for
months against Syrian forces in
Lebanon.
They also threateied in an eight-point
statement to use force if necessary to
end collaboration between the Christian
militiamen and Israel.
THE MEETING was called by
Lebanese President Elias Sarkis to find
a way to restore peace to this war-torn
country. The eight points were largely a
reiteration of previous Arab demands.
"After laboring for three days, -all
that they have produced is just another
wordy statement that means nothing,"
a political commentator said.
Foreign Minister Fuad Butros told
newspersons, "We could have done bet-
ter."
SARKIS CALLED for the conference
to consolidate the fragile, nine-day-old
cease-fire between Syrian troops of the
rab League peacekeeping force in
Lebanon and the Lebanese Christians.
Sarkis said he hoped the participants
-+Syria, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab
Einirates, Sudan, Kuwait and Qatar -
would agree on a formula to solve the
basic problems that plunged Lebanon
into civil war four years ago. That con-
flict, which pitted leftist Moslems and
Palestinians against the Christians, en-
ded in Nov. 1976 when the Arab League.
force, which includes some 26,000
Syrians, came to Lebanon.
The Syrians saved the Christians
from defeat in the civil war, but since
February have been fighting to disarm
hem. More than 1,200 Christians were
flled in the 10-day Syrian artillery and
ocket attack in Beirut that ended with
he cease-fire Oct. 7.
13UTROS REFUSED to give details
f a reported security plan presented to
he conference by Sarkis. Reports said
he plan envisages the replacement of
Syrian troops with soldiers from an
enlarged SaudiNArabian contingent at
points along the battle-line dividing
Christian and Moslem sections of
Beirut.,
"The plan guarantees adequate ac-
tion to end clashes and future blood-
shed, and it will also enable displaced
persons to return to their homes,"
Butros said, without elaboration.
The Christians have refused to sub-
mit to Syrian control because the
Syrians have. done nothing to disarm
the Lebanese Moslems or Palestinian
guerrillas. The Christians charge the
Arab League force is a Syrian oc-
cupation army and have turned to the
Israelis for arms, other supplies and
Mnilitary support.
WASHINGTON (AP)-The scandal
in the General Services Administration
(GSA) could help settle
questions-which have puzzled lawyers
and judges for years-about the owner-
ship of the personal papers of public
officials.
In the past, the names of Richard
Nixon, Henry Kissinger and 'William
Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition
have been involved in disputes over
ownership of such documents.
THE LATEST case has come up in
the government's investigtion of the
GSA scandal, which thus far has
produced guilty pleas by 10 GSA supply
store managers and other federal em-
ployees and charges of fraud running
into millions of dollars.
The Justice Department is seeking the,
records of Robert Griffin, who was
fired as GSA's deputy administrator in
July and then was given a White House
job after his friend, Speaker Thomas
O'Neill, interceded in his behalf.
Investigators would like to examine
Griffin's telephone logs, personal notes
and similar documents. They contend
that the papers belong to the gover-
nment. Griffin argues that the
documents are personal and should be
considered his property.
IN THE KISSINGER case, a federal
judge ruled in January that notes of
Kissinger's telephone conversations,
made by his secretary on his orders
while he was secretary of state, were
public property.
Kissinger, believing he owned the
notes, had given them to the Library of
Congress.
The U.S. Court of, Appeals for the
District of Columbia is expected to hear
arguments in the case later this month.
The Justice Department is taking the
position that in the Kissinger case the
courts first must decide whether the
government can even have access to
the documents, because they no longer
are in the State Department's
possession.
THE CONTROVERSY over the
papers and tape recordings from the
Nixon White House most likely will not
be settled on the question of ownership.
Even if it is, because Congress has
passed a special law governing that
case, the decision will not provide the
definitive answer for the notes of
government officials generally.
Congress authorized the GSA to sort
through the 42 million Nixon documents
and to withhold from the public only
those considered personal or
threatening national security . if
divulged.
The Justice Department has conten-
ded that even if the White House tapes
are considered Nixon's property, the
public still has a compelling interest in
them which does not entitle Nixon to
dispose of them as he wishes.
THE CASE of the Lewis 'and Clark
expedition documents offers a federal
appeals court opinion that legal
scholars can draw on for precedent. But
both sides of the controversy can find
support for their positions in the
opinion.
The Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Ap-
peals ruled in 1958 that the documen-
ts-rough notes of Clark's on the
famous expedition into the Louisiana
Purchase Territory-were private
papers and not documents executed in
the discharge of official duties.
The ruling was made in a dispute
over claims to the documents after they;
were discovered in the attic of a private
home more than 150 years after Clark
wrote them.
Conflict, o
(Continued from Page 1)
out, however, that the vote in question
"sets up a leasing arrangement so the
bond can be issued."
GREENE SAID, "Whether they face
the question of conflict of interest now
or later is up to them (Sheldon and
Fisher), but I would.like to get that out
of the way now rahter than later.
Rather than drag my peers through the
quagmire of conflcit, I want to remove
the veil of suspicion surrounding this."
Laidlaw said Greene's inquiry for the
attorney general's opinion would
probably not be answered. "The attor-
ney general won't render an opinion for
city government; I can ask him all I
want, but he won't give me an answer,"
he said. If a general question about
state law were involved, Laidlaw said
he could ask a state legislator to subit it
to the attorney generalnfor him. sI
BOTH SHELDON and Fisher said
they did not think conflict of interest
was involved in their votes Monday
night. Fisher said, "It's (conflict of in-
terest) not even a relevant issue at this
stage." He added that he asked Laidlaw
about potential conflicts coming into
play when the land purchase contract
comes before Council, and was told that
such conflicts might prevent him from
interest charges
voting on that matter. Sheldon said he understood that he
Fisher said two types of conflict of in- could vote "if no direct benefit to the
terest exist: those legally defined and bank is involved." 'He added that con-
the appearance of a conflict of interest. flict of interest is distinguished by a fine
"I'm a CPA and it's one of the biggest line legally. Sheldon said Laidlaw told
things we have to be concerned with." him, when he asked earlier, that votes
He added that if he were not excluded on taxes could be construed as a con-
from considering the land-buying con- flict of interest because they directly
tract because of his affiliation with the affect Council members too if the law is
bank, he would demand several ap- strictly interpreted.
praisals on the property before tle sale City Administrator Sylvester Murray
is consummated. had originally wanted to get the bond
That way citizens can be assured that approved and in the office of the
the city does not pay more for the land Municipal Finance Commission (MFC)
than it is worth and that the transaction last Wednesday in order to avoid the
is "all above board," according to repercussions of approval of the tax
Fisher. proposals on November's ballot.
Why only three selection committees for
a new U. of M. president?
Form Your Own Selectin eCommittee for
President of the UnhIiersity of Michian
Get Your "Official Selection Committee Certificate"
This certificate entitles your committee, composed of anyone you choose, to:
1. solicit nominations, 2. receive resumes. 3. interview candidates, 4. attempt
to consult with other selection committees, 5. submit your list of potential
presidents to the U.M. Regents. Your committee will have as much power as
all the other committees.
For a free "Official Selection Committee Certificate," send a stamped, self-
addressed envelope to: LET THEM EAT COMMITTEES, Canterbury Loft, 332
South State Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104.
TE RING
YOU WEAR FOREVER
WILLSAVEYO$1
RIGHT""NOW.
JOSTEN'S NATiONALCO.i1E
RING WEEK. OCTOBER 16-21.
MORE THAN A BOOKSTORE
543 East University 662-3201
Nov. elections keep
new city clerk busy
i
4
{{
S
(Continued from Page 1)
ity clerk said.
BEFORE TURNING east to Ann Ar-
mor, Vollbrecht served five years as
City Clerk of Alberta Lae, Minnesota, a
;own of 20,000. He was responsible for
he city's record management, in addi-
ion to special assessments. Vollbrecht
s accustomed to elections being held
nce every two years, which contrasts
vith Ann Arbor, where municipal elec-
ions come annually and statewide elec-
ions are held every two years.
Before assuming the Alberta Lae
iost, Vollbrecht attended college in
4ankato, Minnesota and later worked
or the Makato Free Press. In college,
tollbrecht majored in political science
nd received his journalistic training
luring a four-year stint with the Air
orce in Duluth, Minnesota during the
Vietnam War.
I missed living in a college town,"
Vollbrecht stated. "It brings cultural
and recreational opportunities to a city
and adds a whole other dimension (to
the city)." Vollbrecht is settling in nor-
thwest Ann Arbor.
TAKING THE
LSAT?
Join thousands of
law school applicants
nationwide in
Amity's LSAT
Review Seminars
CALL TOLL-FREE FOR
DETAILS AND LOCAL
SCHEDULE INFORMATION:
800-243-4767 Ext.761
N=
i ". ..A Life-long Commitment to
p Quality Education at All Levels ..."
-.
.,;
i
Kozol
Thursday, October 19
12:00-1:30 pm
in Person
Refreshments Served
t
the University Cellar
downstairs in
A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE, AND TAX-EFFICIENCY.
As a parent, Congressman Pursell knows the value of quality education. As a taxpayer and former
small business owner, he knows the value of the dollar. As a legislator and experienced education
budget expert, he knows how to achieve both.
A member of the House Education and Labor Committee, Carl authored amendments to
improve the nation's program for gifted and talented students. He was also a leader in
developing Michigan's gifted program while in the State Senate.
He sponsored the most far-reaching plan to split education programs from the H.E.W.
conglomerate, with emphasis on local control, academic freedom, and his
"no-strings" revenue sharing to cut the property tax burden.
PURSELL
HIS LEADERSHIP AND ABILITY ARE MAKING A REAL
DIFFERENCE IN SHAPING OUR NATION'S
EDUCATION POLICY
Voted for Co-sponsored
College tuition Expanded college
Tax credits Grants and
Loans
Re-elect Our Congressman
thel
-Death a
-The Nig
(just re
Childre
Ko - ICHIDKNoftheWMT4
Michigan Union
at An Early Age
ght is Dark and I am Far From Home
leased)
n of the Revolution
CHIL
('i I N cmhIJI.
i