Page 4-Thursday, January 12, 1978-The Michigan Daily
Eightyv-Eight Years of Editorial Freedom
420 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Vol. LXXXVIII, No. 84 News Phone: 764-0552
Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan
Jimmy's traveling road show
By ROD KOSANN
What is Begin up to?
T HINGS ARE GROWING curiouser
and curiouser in the Middle East.
A few short weeks ago peace was a real-
istic possibility for the first time since
1947. But now that the emotion of the
two historic visits - Sadat's to Israel
and Begin's to Egypt - has dissipated,
the two sides appear to be as far apart
as ever.
The newest crisis is Israeli settle-
ments in occupied Arab territories.
When Sadat and Begin met last month,
there was no problem reaching an
agreement on the future of the Sinai: it
would be returned, unconditionally, to
the Egyptians. At least that is what we
were led to believe. But last week Begin
reversed his field and stunned the Arab
world by announcing plans to establish
new Israeli settlements in the Sinai.
This brought an immediate and stern
response from Sadat: "Not a single
Israeli" can remain on Arab lands after
peace.
Sadat felt betrayed, and with ample
justification. Begin is playing a very
dangerous game of tentatively agree-
ing to one thing and then changing his
stance little by little until he pushes the
opposition to its limit. But Sadat is not
in a position to be pushed. He took a
bold step in bucking his Arab allies and
initiating peace talks with Israel, and
now he must produce results, not
promises. Sadat has said that there can
be no peace until all occupied Arab lan-
ds are returned. This is in line with the
demands of other Arab leaders, and if
Sadat's efforts produce such an
agreement even the most radical Arabs
may ~ well join the bandwagon. But if
Israel continues to build new settlemen-
ts on the West Bank and in the Sinai,
these radicals will portray Sadat as a
traitor and his peace plan a failure. And
if Sadat is discredited, all hopes for
peace will be dashed.
So the big question is: what is Begin
up to?
His move in the Sinai was a direct
slap in the face to Sadat, and Tuesday's
announcement of new proposed set-
tlements on the West Bank only wor-
sened the situation. Begin is treading on
unstable ground, and he is risking a
possible war. As it now stands, Sadat is
the only Arab willing to deal with the
Israelis, and all Begin has done is ap-
pease Sadat privately while embarras-
sing him publicly. If Begin truly wants
peace he must prove it by making some
concessions. And agreeing to build no
more new settlements on occupied
Arab lands would be a small step in the
right direction.
President Carter took his traveling road
show through seven countries last week, and
from the best one can tell so far the reviews
are mixed. If there is a general consensus, it
seems to be that the President scored high
marks on many major policy questions in-
volved in his trip, but that a series of oratory
and diplomatic gaffes clearly illustrate that
Carter is still experiencing the growing pains
of his first year at the White House. Such an
assessment does much to satisfy the needs of
political flattery, but it falls far short of
closely examining what finally transpired at
some of the stops on Mr. Carter's itinerary.
The first major city where the President's
road show occupied center stage was War-
saw. Much to Carter's embarrassment it was
not he, but his interpreter, who made the
biggest splash on the first day in Poland; and
in all the confusion the press appeared to
forget exactly why the President had made
the visit in the first place. Ostensibly, one of
Carter's primary goals was to encourage
Poland, and its leader Edward Gierek, to act
as an intermediary between U.S.-Soviet effor-
ts to further the cause of detente.
THIS POLICY objective received surpris-
ingly little public play from the two leaders,
and undoubtedly some will argue that the
process of building a U.S.-Polish-Soviet pipe-
line is a slow one that must take place behind
closed doors, and therefore shouldn't be com-
mented upon so early in the game. However,
Poland is a nation that enjoys the dubious
honor of having to share a good percentage of
its yearly production with the Soviet Union,
and just to ensure that there are no hard feel-
ings the Russians keep three Army divisions
in the country. So, what Mr. Carter may have
disappointedly discovered on his visit to
Poland is that when one wants to establish
better relations with the puppeteer, enlisting
the aid of the puppet isn't all that important
after all.
Soon after Poland, Carter's troupe pulled
into India, where the major question was one
of limiting the proliferation of nuclear weap-
ons. President Carter has lent his strong sup-
port to legislation, already passed by the
House, that prohibits further sales of nuclear
fuel supplies to those countries who refuse to
accept complete international inspection of
their nuclear facilities. Indian Prime
Minister Moraji Desai rejected these
safeguards and at the same time reiterated
India's refusal to sign a global non-prolifera-
tion treaty that would halt the growth of
nuclear armaments.
At that point in the proceedings it seemed
reasonable to expect that Mr. Carter would
have preserved the integrity of his nuclear
policy, and halted further shipments of
atomic fuel supplies to India. He didn't. In-
stead, he okayed those shipments, and signed
the so-called "Delhi Declaration" wherein he
and Mr. Desai concurred on the general prin-
ciple that nuclear stockpiles must eventually
be eliminated.
BY REACHING this agreement, Mr. Car-
ter has done little for the cause of nion-prolif-
eration, but has gone far towards hastening
the erosion of his own credibility. For ex-
ample, can anyone expect the Shah of Iran,
Middle East. Immediately before embarking
on his nine-day tour, Carter lent his backing
to a peace plan presented by Israeli Prime
Minister Menachem Begin. The President af-
firmed his opposition to an Independent Pal-.
estinian "state in the heart of the Mideast,"
and maintained that a military presence in
the occupied territory was a reasonable
Israeli position. His comments raised hairs on
the back of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat,
who had previously expressed his disapproval,
with numerous aspects of the Begin peace
plan. Consequently; in his never ending quest
to keep everybody happy, Carter quickly
sought to comfort Sadat by making an un-
scheduled stop in Egypt, and by affirming the
right of the Palestinians to determine their
own future - a statement which in turn
rankled Mr. Begin.
The reaction of the American press to all
this fence hopping was surprising. The Presi-
dent was credited by many observers with in-
jecting a certain dynamism into the peace
process, and the New York Times observed
that his statements were helpful to both Israel
and Egypt.
UNFORTUNATELY, no matter which
side of the Mideast coin Mr. Carter came out
on, his efforts seemed to cause more confu-
sion than anything else. Stated simply, Mr.
Carter has taken too many positions on the
Mideast in the past year, and every time he
opens his mouth fewer and fewer listeners
take him seriously. After the President's
meeting with Sadat this view was expressed
by one high Egyptian official who asked,
"Why should we think that (his) latest
statements reflect American policy;" while
the leading Israeli newspaper warned "not to
take too seriously the things Mr. Carter
says."
After his stint in the Mideast, the remaind-
er of Carter's trip consisted of giving reas-
surances - to Western Europe that the U.S.
would continue to stand by its allies. On the
whole, this appeared to go quite well, but it is
inevitable that European leaders who closely
examine Carter's journey will wonder just
how binding those assurances actually are.
Carter's trip has helped to place him in the
unenviable position of having his words taken
at less than face value. This is a shortcoming
that will return to haunt him in the futufe,
especially when the President's road show
prepares to embark on another foreign tour.
Carter
who signed the non-proliferation treaty when
the President touched down in Teheran, to
take the global agreement seriously, having
seen Carter default on its principles at the fir-
st sign of Indian resolve?
Yet, if President Carter weakened his
credibility in the debate over non-
proliferation, he did it even more harm each
time he chose to comment on events in the
TH ILWAUKEE JOURNAL
Vo rM r .0ST. FIELD NEWSPAPER SYNDICATE. 1977 ,
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Letters to
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Biko and tenure
To The Daily:
We would like to explain our
position on several local issues,
including the dismissal of Asst.
Prof. Jpel Samoff. Local affairs
and events in South Africa seem
to reflect each other in parallel
sequence.
While a torrent of anger
followed the murder of South
African student leader Steve Biko
("It leaves me cold," said
Minister of "Justice" Kruger),
the U-M refused to budge on its
$50 million holdings in Apartheid.
Ali Mazrui, a U-M prof. even
pointed out the possible com-
plicity of the U. in Biko's death:
through the financial support it
gives the South African regime;
but the regents were also left
cold, it seems.
Next, in a blatantly political
move, Asst. Prof. Joel Samoff has
been refused tenure although
(possible because) he is the only
authority on South Africa at the
U. At the same time the U. openly
admits that it will only comply
with Affirmative Action
regulations out of fear of losing
huge sums of Federal money.
Theseacts of callous disregard
for racial issues (who in their
right minds would defend support
for Apartheid?) have aroused a
strong response among broad
sections of the Washtenaw county
community, /students -and
residents alike. To try to defuse
the situation, the administration
has put together a pitiful Com-
mittee on Communications,
whose all-white members
publicly admit their ignorance
about South Africa. One member
had to ask the public at a recent
meeting flow they could possibly
uncover the U's ties with South
Africa; and he is a prof. of the In-
stitute of Social Research!
Faced with this insensitivity, or
C
*0
To The Daily:
The future of train tr
subject well worth
about; Stu McConnel
gracefully and provoca
the subject. (Why A
Won't Ride Trains,
January 78). In seeing ti
cannot compete with
distance speed of air t
with the door-to-door c
ce of the local private a
right, of course. Many t
used to be attractive a
now, and will not be
future.
But there remains a
which the comfortabl
and speedy train can
successfully with any
travel. That sphere is in
traffic of medium
ce-Detroit to Chicago
ple. The location of air
the delays and uncert
air travel render the tri
roadbed is decent and t
equipment good-a ve
alternative for trips
distance. That is part
planation, perhaps, of tl
of the rail network in Et
In this country the re
train quality and comfo
fortunately, very ir
met. Amtrak is now t
put the roadbeds into a
that will permit high=
their new rolling equip
that is a long process-
expensive one. When t
done, and equipment ft
ineptitude, we will have to step up
the pressure on the ad-
ministration to get them to
realize that Apartheid is not a
good investment. We urge your
readers to sign the petition that is
. being circulated to help them get
the message.
-Southern Africa Liberation
TheL
bished, and schedules improved,
Mr. McConnell and I, and all of us
who love trains, may have many
opportunities to enjoy. their ef-
ficiencies as well as their roman-
ce.
P.S.: Stu McConnell knows how
to write.
-Carl Cohen
trains To The Daily:
Congratulations on your forth-
rightness in publishing the lead-
avel is a ing article January 7th on
thinking prostitution and the proposed
11 writes reduced penalty in Ann Arbor.
tively on Whatever the outcome of this bat-
Daiys 6 tle, I'm glad to see that this issue
hat trains was given prominent coverage,
thelong as it reflects today's moral
travel, or climate and ethical tolerance.
rave, or However, I would like to respond
onvenien- to a comment included in that ar-
luto, he 1°s ticle which was made by David
rains that Lady, one of the prosecuting at-
re not so torneys of several Ann Arbor
so in the women arrested on soliciting
charges.
sphere in Lady said "The women are of-
le, clean, fering sex for money.. . The
compete men are just participating". This
mode of implies that men don't offer
iter-urban money for sex, and that, without
distan- active solicitation by women,
forexcam- men would not seek 'out{
ports, and prostitutes. Lady is ignoring the
ainties of fundamental law of supply and
amn-if the demand; prostitution is
the rolling profitable, and therefore in sup
ery happy .
of such ply, only because there are men
of theesuc actively pursuing sex for a price.
he succex-s Demand is responsible for the
e ofcess existence of prostitution, and
es oe. men create that demand.
.quisites of With this in mind, any moral
rt are, un- judgement of prostittion must
regularly apply equally to both sexes. Lady
rying to is proved false even by his own
condition argument, for by his logic, if a
speeds for man offered money for sex, the
ment. But woman would be 'just par-
and a very ticipating'. Lady seems to em-
hat job is phasize the role of instigation, but
ully refur- in truth there is solicitation on
)aily
both parts; the contract is struck
between two willing parites, both
actively seeking a commodity
which the other has. How then
can any distinction between the
sexes on the gravity of the offen-
se?
Throughout its entire existen-
ce, the oldest profession, when
considered a crime,' has been a'{
crime of women, since men are
consistently seen as only
fulfilling their natural urges,
whereas women are being sinful,
if the engage in sex outside mar-
riage. Whetther or not'
.our society accepts, and
legalizes prostitution,. it must
acknowledge the egual par-
ticipation and responsibility of
men and women. This in turn
depends on our individual at-
titudes-obviously David Lady's
are not well thought out.
-Deborah M. Reyher
0
lovely winter
To The Daily:
I propose a New Year's
Resolution for the Michigan
Daily:-No more grumping about
the weather!g
Many winter days are plain
beautiful. The sky is often bluer
and the air crisper than in anyw
other season. Snowflakes made
silver by bright sun are a delight.
With snowball material
everywhere and buildings and
trees boasting soft white trim,,
even cloudy winter days can out-
shine warmer, duller days in
other parts of the year.
We have a long winter before
us, and it will be far easier to take
without glum "stay in bed" ad-
vice from the Daily. Let's get out
of bed and enjoy what winter has
to offer. It's not that hard to do
and the rewards are many.
-Dean Rosencranz
'Brilliant! Now we don't have to worry about rebuilding the dam!'
A win for women athletes
IN A CONTROVERSIAL decision
handed down Monday, U.S. District
Court Judge Carl Rubin ruled that Ohio
and Federal bans on coed sports are un-
constitutional and declared that girls
may compete with boys in high school
sports, even contact sports.
Those that oppose Rubin's decision
argue that women are simply not cap-
able of competing in men's athletics.
But what is so wrong with giving
women the opportunity to compete,
assuming they are equally skilled?
For years women's sports have not
emphasized the skills or the same kinds
of talents that men's athletics have. So
it is natural that most women feel ath-
letically inferior to men, even if their
potential ability is the same. One effect
the ruling may have is to prepare
women for male competition starting at
the outset of athletic interest.
Giving women the chance to com-
pete with men doesn't necessarily
mean women will come to dominate or
r'a t. _ h --_ _1. L_-.-- V 7 L -t :4 . .. c
risk injury. Many lines of employment
that women hold now are equally as
dangerous as playing linebacker on a
football team.
While it must be remembered that
thus far the ruling pertains only to high
school sports, it is also important to
note that the decision will have a far-
reaching effect and, should extend as
far as college and professional sports.
We feel that this ruling has been
needed; moreover, that it is somewhat
late in coming.
(Tble 3diw a
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EDITORIAL STAFF
ANN MARIE LIPINSKI
Editors-in-Chief
JIM TOBIN
LOIS JOSIMOVICH..................... . anaging Editor
GEORGE LOBSENZ..................... Managing Editor
STU McCONNELL....................... Managing Editor
JENNIFER MILLER.................Managing Editor
PATRICIA MONTEMURRI .............Magaging Editor
KEN PABSIGIAN........................ Managing Editor
BOB ROSENBAUM ...................Managing Editor
MARGARET YAO........... ........Managing Editor
SUSAN ADES JAY LEVIN
Sunday Magazine Editors
ELAINE FLECTCHER TOM O'CONNELL
Associate Magazine Editors
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