"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