The Michigan Daily-Saturday, May 27, 1978-Page 3 GM plans defense for S. African By RENE BECKER General Motors Corporation developed a secret contingency plan last summer for the defense of their South African operation in the event of race riots in that country. The plan has drawn a variety of comments from those on and off cam- pus who have been involved in the year- long debate about University invest- ments in corporations which do business in South Africa. Released last week by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), the plan indicates that General Motors South Africa (GMSA) executives expect the entire auto in- dustry in South Africa to be taken over by that country's Ministry of Defense if a national emergency were declared. The document, dated July 20, 1977, also shows that the South African government requested GMSA to supply several types of trucks "for Defense Force purposes." GMSA executives expressed concern in the document that "refused to com- operations ply (with the South African govern- ment's request) might be interpreted as reflecting doubt on the motives of the Company." The report stated this "could lead to direct loss of other government business and seriously af- fect GM South African's share of the vehicle market and very likely threaten its viability." GM OFFICIALS have confirmed the sale of trucks to the South African government. The trucks, indicated in the document were sold to the gover- nment's central purchasing facility. A GM spokesman said GM didn't make military vehicles, but the government adapts the trucks for whatever purpose they want. The University, which owns more than $1.8 million worth of GM stock is being pressured by a variety of groups and individuals to sell all investments in corporations which do business in South Africa. These groups insist that American corporations operating in South Africa See GM, Page 7 Three tribes sue 'U' fly RENE BECKER Three Indian tribes - the Chippewa, the Ottawa and the Potawatomy - who have filed a lawsuit against the Regents claiming that under a 160-year-old treaty the University should provide free education to the tribes will have their case heard on August 21, after seen years of waiting. In what has been termed by the court as a class action lawsuit, the Indians claim that under the 1817 Treaty of Fort Meigs, in which several thousand acres of Indian land was transferred to whites, a trust was created for the benefit of the tribes involved. As a result, the Indians further claim that the University is obligated to provide free elementary, secondary and higher education to the members of the three tribes concerned. THE INDIANS charge that the University has neglected its fiduciary obligations as trustee of the alleged trust. They seek to replace the Univer- sity as trustee with Paul Johnson, an Indian activist. Roderick Daane, the University's general counsel, will argue that trust does not exist and the land was an outright gift. Elmer White, the Ann Arbor attorney who is handling the case for the In- dians, said he has "put seven years of his life into this lawsuit." He has done extensive research on the subject and claims that Article 16 of the Fort Meigs Treaty confirms the trust and the University responsibility to provide education to the Indians. "I would think a university with veritas (truth) in its motto would want to know the truth about its beginnings," said White. The Indians also ask that the Univer- sity, along with providing education, include books, supplies, shelter, food, clothing, medical and dental care. Circuit Court Judge Edward Deake has declared August 21 the day of the trial's commencement. The lawsuit was filed on August5, 1971. Daily Photo by ANDY FREEBERG From here to eternity Two sunbathers enjoy a moment of solitude in the quietest of all places. toa Holiday closings There are plenty of closings and cancellations to note because of the holiday. And topping off the list is us! The Daily will take a vacation too, we won't publish Tuesday, but we'll be back on your doorstep bright and early Wednesday morning.- Also, the UGLI, the Graduate Library, and the Public Library will all be closed both Sunday and Monday. A smoking escape Like a modern-day Hansel dropping a trail of bread crumbs, a kidnapped driver threw cigarettes onto an LA freeway from the back of his truck as two hijackers piloted the delivery van. You see, Dave August was making a delivery to a liquor store in an LA suburb when he was grabbed by two men and thrown in the back with a load of cigaret- tes. August decided to bail out, but the smokes were between him and the rear door, so he pitched them, leaving a trail three-quarters of a mile long. But motorists, rather than come to his rescue, stopped to help themselves to the freebies until August him- self tumbled out onto the road. August is okay but the LA motorists are a few smokes closer to the grave. Happenings ... . . begin this Memorial weekend with a piano recital in the Union at 10 this morning ... at 1 p.m. at the Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission on Hill St., J. S. Khanna will speak on "The Surate Shabd Yoga-The Science of the Soul" ... SUNDAY, the Outing Group will meet at the Huron Street en- trance to Rackham at 2 p.m. . . . at 7:30 and 9:30 Cinema Guild will present free showings of D. W. Griffith's Way Down East . .. MONDAY, you can start your holiday off bright and early by joining Audubon Society member Dave Baker for a trip to Ohio to see Kentucky Warblers, Lark Sparrows, and other good stuff-meet at the Pit- tsfield School parking lot at 7 a.m.. .. a little later in the day, 1 p.m., you can attend the Hillel picnic in the -Arb, meet .at tGeddes Rd. entrance - . . other, than that, just enjoy your vacation. Keeping your cow's head above water Dixie Whitaker had to take the bull by the horns when she looked out her window and observed her prize Brown Swiss swallowing her swimming pool. As a herd of bull heifers stood watching the perfor- mance, Whitaker fearlessly rushed out to hold the bull's head above water until the fire department arrived, and dragged it to the shallow end. Neither Whitaker nor the bull were available for comment. On the outside Today will be sunny, hot and humid, with ahigh this afternoon of 88, and a humidity to match. Tonight's low will be a muggy 65. More of the same is expected for Sunday, with a high near 90, and rising humidity. There is a chance of rain in the af- ternoon. . '' III - I I. I"., I I I - I I I" I . . I W-0