4 Page 4-Saturday, February 9, 1980-The Michigan Daily Palestinians are not center of world crises H. Scott Prosterman's article, "Motives Behind Soviet's Afghan Move" (Daily, Feb. 1) could have been an interesting and informative explanation of the crisis in Central Asia. However, in addressing himself to "the most threatening development in power politics sin- ce the Cuban Missile Crisis," he derives a series of illogical conclusions. According to Prosterman, the major issue in the region in the midst of crisis in Iran and Afghanistan is the Palestinian question. Following his logic, in order to stabilize the Middle East the United States should "force" Israel into solving the Palestinian problem. Such an American policy would supposedly win over the confidence of Arab and Muslim coun- tries and insure their support for American security interests in the region.- YES, THE PALESTINIAN problem needs to be~solved. Yes, Israel has a major role to play in such a solution. But is the Palestinian problem really the core of the conflict in the Middle East, as Prosterman seems to be claiming? Is it so easy to infer, as Prosterman does, that if the Palestinian problem were to be solved through direct American pressure on Israel then threats to American and world security will be minimized? It is hard for me to understand how Proster- man believes that by simply (emphasis mine) solving the Palestinian problem-and he puts the sole burden on Israel to do so-other con-* flictsin the region will be eased. Such logic is not only fallacious, but it is dangerous because it puts us under the false illusion that simple solutions will resolve complex conflicts which at present dominate Middle East and world politics. This attempt to directly link the Palestinian issue to political turmoil elsewhere in the region and the world is faulty on a number of grounds: 1) IT IS DOUBTFUL just how much the Arab and Moslem countries care about the Palestinians; it has appeared that these coun- tries have used the Palestinian issue as nothing more than a political tool against Israel. The bottom line of the Arab-Israeli conflict, which antedates the Palestinian question, remains: no Arab nation except Egypt has even recognized Israel's right to exist. To think, as Prosterman does, that even the Arab- Israeli conflict will be resolved-let alone the other compounding crisis to which he ad- dresses himself-if Israel changes her positions vis-a-vis the Palestinians, contradicts the history and nature of the Arab-Israeli con- flict. 2) Prosterman's proposal to "force" Israel to change her policies to "win the confidence of the more stable Muslim and Arab nations" assumes that there are such stable countries. He also assumes that such countries are willing to support American interests in the region. Yet such assumptions contradict what he him- self recognizes : the instability of political regimes in the region and traditional distrust of American imperialism. 3) PROSTERMAN REACHES his conclusion in terms of coldly calculated "national and world security interests." I assume that he is referring to American access to Middle East oil and the ability to counteract Soviet aggression. According to Prosterman, Israel stands in the way of these vital interests. What is implied is that by her "arrogant refusal to deal seriously with the Palestine problem," Israel not only By Jeffrey Colman jeopardizes American access to oil-the old argument-but also inhibits American ability to contain the Soviets-the new argument. It is true that Prosterman concedes that "the defense of Israel should remain an important American policy consideration" but only so long as it does not block support from Arab countries. The similarity to John Connally's argument, though perhaps unintentional, is striking. Genuine threats to Israel's security are forgot- ten. The stable nature of the Israeli gover- nment is deemed of little importance. The fact that Israel is the only democracy in the region with political goals compatable with the U.S. is ignored. BUT EVEN IF Prosterman ignores these facts and limits his concern to what Israel can do for the United States, his argument is still faulty. Hisyunqualified statement that "Israel ob- viously can not be counted on to defend the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea countries in a time of crisis" is totally untrue. Israel already provides services to American armed forces and her sophistcated air and naval facilities could be essential for the United States in the event of a military emergency in the region. The reliability of Israel as an ally vital to American strategic interests cannot be denied. It is true that Israel will not serve as America's proxy in the Middle East, but just whom Prosterman expects to defend American and world security interests in the region is unknown. Prosterman tops off his argument in the last paragraph of his artice with the classic in- sinuation about a "powerful lobby" that con- trols American Middle East policy. According to this old and unsubstantiated conspiracy theory, American policy-making has been dominated by pro-Israel lobbyists who, in Prosterman's own words, "jeopardize national and world security." Of course, he leaves this assertion dangling as nothing more than an in- nuendo. Just what "powerful lobby" is Prosterman referring to? the American Jewish copmunity? a Zionist conspiracy? the U.S. Senate? PERSONALLY, I AM tired of hearing this familiar and dangerous argument that has been used for years to explain and change America's commitment to the Jewish State. By using the "powerful lobby" argument, Prosterman is confirming his prejudiced views which were obvious in his previous articles on regional affairs. As one who feels strongly that the Palestinian problem needs to be solved, I find that Prosterman's argument both fallacious and un- constructive. By placing the burden on solving the Palestinian problem solely on Israel's shoulders, he is ignoring the fact that other key Arab states, particularly Jordan, have not been willing to join autonomy negotiations, He also is ignoring the need for a moderate and legitimate Palestinian leadership to assume the responsibilities of autonomy. Certainly the terrorist Palestine Liberation Organization which is aligned with the Soviet Union can not be expected to fill this role. By linking the Palestinian problemt America's ability to respond to threatening events elsewhere in Central Asia, Prosterman is implying a trade-off that does not have to exist: America's commitment to Israel vs. American influence in the Arab world. By put- ting American choices into such dichotomous terms, he is urging that unless Israel changes her policies to the liking of America's potential allies in the Arab and Moslem world, the U.S. should shift its policies away from Israel (that's, called blackmail). Such a propos4 assumes, perhaps foolishly, that the Moslem world wants to align itself with the United States. Prosterman's argument is unconstructive because it provides a panacea to a series of conflicts that are monumental in scope. Dealing with the Palestinian issue is a com- plicated task within itself. To believe that Eastern and Central Asia will be a more peaceful and friendly region by merely solving the Palestinian problem puts ourselves under a false illusion. In view of the Soviet occupati4 of Afghanistan, the American hostage crisis in Iran, the rise of ethnic nationalism among Kurds, Baluchis, and others, the revival of Islamic fundamentalism, and the upsurge of traditional resentment of the West, there are no quick-fix solutions. Jeffrey Colman is an LSA senior major- ing in political science and history. I N 4 m Ninety Years of Editorial Freedom Vol. XC, No. 107 News Phone: 764-0552 Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan Carter's registration plan I -TNrluK x UP P4uG tr JUST MB A 6 GC 6om U"g" j I 1 FTER DAYS of rumors, President Carter has finally an- nounced that he wants both men and women to register for a military draft. Further, he proposed yesterday that youth aged 19 and 20 be required to register now, and 18 year-olds in a year. Altholgh the mood of the country as a whole is clearly in favor of resum- ption of registration at this time, it is A nevertheless a bad idea. Not only will 9 registration accelerate the Cold War fever currently sweeping the country, it will also alienate those Americans who will have to register. It seems to be precisely this second consideration that Carter is addressing by calling for the registration of only 19 and 20 year olds. Whatever his true motives, it appears a terribly shrewd political move-now only a very small percentage of voters will be alienated. If there must be registration for a draft-and this seems inevitable-women should without question be included in that registration. Indications from Congress-which must approve any plan to register women-are that Car- ter's proposal might be turned down. This would be an unthinkable, sexist mistake, for such a rejection of Car- ter's plan would ,indicate that women are not equal to men. 0/7r' LETTERS TO THE DAILY: Jakubowski clarifies his statemets 6 I WIQB change unfortunate I F THE MAIL the Daily has received path offerings. Airplay was given 1 is any indication, WIQB radio's such local artists as Steve Nardell format change-from free form, and John Mooney, and at night, jaz album-oriented rock to soft and addicts could get a midnight fix. mellow-is an extremely unpopular But advertisers pay the bills for mos one among students. At any rate, if the media, and WIQB's new owners wan majority likes the new format, they're ted to cater to the interests of loca too "mellowed out" to come forward merchants. After aH, the owner and say so. argued, the merchants "deserve Before WIQB joined the dozens of that." other automated stations, local Unfortunately, the market is floode listeners could turn to FM 103 to hear with just the kind of predictable, dul an agreeable variety of off-the-beaten- stations that WIQB has become. to a z st n- al rs d d 1l1 To the Daily: In the Daily of February 7th, Mark Niziak professed that I was ignorant of the facts when I made' my recent comments regarding Stacy Stephanopoulos and Leslie Morris. Mr. Niziak, unfor- tunately, misunderstood what I espoused when I said that Ms. Morris "wants anshot at the mayor's job, and so she is building a loyal Second Ward organization that can pull out the student vote sometime in the future." Hence, I feel a detailed explanation is necessary. I am fully aware that Ms. Stephanopoulos decided to run on her own, and that the pressures of running a campaign are too great a burden for a junior at the University of Michigan to under- take just to be someone else's stalking horse. What I meant was that after Ms. Stephanopoulos decided to run on her own, Ms. Morris seized upon the oppor- tunity and endorsed her for two reasons; by endorsing Ms. Stephanopoulos and working to get her elected to the City Coun- cil, she was covering herself by eliminating the possibility of a student challenging her in next years primary; also, if Ms. Stephanopoulos were to prove to be successful this year, Ms. Morris would then have a student organization ready and willing to work for her when she decides to challenge for the mayor's position. These facts are well known and accepted by many Democratic leaders in the city of Ann Arbor. I didn't intend to im- ply that Stacy Stephanopoulos was a stalking horse for Ms. Morris, for I believe that she is very sincere, albeit premature, in her attempt at acquiring a seat on the City Council. Mr. Niziak also charged that Earl Greene was not running a fair campaign, and that I.was one of Mr. Greene's "hounds." People that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, Mr. Niziak. For the Stephanopoulos campaign staff has run a very dirty and immature campaign. To prove my point, I will cite two examples from the campaign. Just last week, a woman phoned Earl Greene'e headquar- linked to Stacy's staff, I ask you: Who could it have been? My second example dates back to therbeginning of the campaign. In certain sections of the ward, Stacy went door to door professing to be a representative of a senior citizens group, and, upon gaining admittance into the houses, she thenturned the con- versation to politics with the in- tention of gaining support for herself. These are just a couple of the many examples I could give. There are many more where these came from, and if Mr. Niziak wishes to hear them, he need only to inquire to the Daily and I would be more than happy to accommodate him. But I must ask the people of Ann Arbor one question; Is this the type of woman you want on your City Council? -Ken Jakubowski Feb.7 No-war poem To the Daily: I have written the following anti-war poem for the 1980s, en- titled "Stop the War Before It Starts." Stop the war before it starts, The Joint Chiefs of Staff are all old farts; When I come to meet the judgment day, No damn commie 's going to blow me away. I don't care about that stupid oil, All day long I'd rather toil. Chop me some wood for my fire, Get other energy fror a hydro wire, Heat my water with the sun, Use a down blanket when day is done. So if you are thinking about going to war, ask yourself: "What the hell for?" -Charles Hallock Feb. 1 Greene camp To the Daily: swering. Rather than come for- ward with substantiation of the number of supporters Greene has, Bokovoy has instead twisted the issue, trying to make it seem as if the charge itself is somehow dishonest. Once more then, Mr. Greene, Mr. Bokovoy: who are your workers? Even more upsetting to respon- sible citizens was the totally spurious charge by Ken Jakubowski that the Stephanopoulos campaign is a front for a future 'Morris for Mayor' drive. Leslie Morris is in- volved in the campaign-as an issues advisor. Stacy Stephanopoulos decided to run for Council on her own, and setrup the organization on her own. It is not for sale or rent to any other candidates. Ms. Morris is a com- petent Council member, and I would not oppose any future am- bitions she might or might not have, but to claim that Stacy is somehow her puppet is a lie, and Mr. Jakubowski could have checked his facts by calling anyone in the campaign, or Ms. Morris. Perhaps someone ought to remind Mr. Jakubowski, who is ostensibly 'angry' that Stephanopoulos is running, that. people get angrier at people who spread malicious rumors than they do at people who participate in the Democratic process by running for office, as is their right. -Marc Abrams Senior Advisor, Stephanopoulos for City Council Feb. 6 Free speech To the Daily: The latest attack on free speech by the Ann Arbor Committee for a New Jewish Agenda is noted with regret. No. American com- mitted to free speech can afford to allow these attacks on our civil liberties to go unchallenged. The Viewpoint Lecture Series has had many speakers of diverse views. Rabbi Kahane has a right to speak. He has a point of view. The fact is the "New Agenda" Blast WIQB 6 Ston eggs To the Daily: I think it was wise to print both Prof. Close's letter (concerning the Soviet invasion Afghanistan; Daily, Jan. 22) an Mr. Esper's (Daily, Jan. 22). Personally, I side with Prof. Close; Russia's "protection" of Afghanistan resembles the Soviet treatment of the Letts, the Czechs, the Poles, the East Ger- mans. It is a rather crushing kind of support, like that of the tender- hearted elephant who sees some unattended ostrich eggs. "Poor motherless orphans," she claim as she sits on them to hatch them. As for the Young Socialists, I would like to hear their views on -the Sakharov case; that might be the funniest letter yet. -PrestonSlosson, professor emeritus Jan. 26 J To the Daily: Ann Arbor lost a large portion of its musical identity last Satur- day. It's appalling that so many people either failed to notice or even worse, simply let it pass. WIQ.B was Ann Arbor's own. It was intelligent, unpretentious, and committed to new music. Where are we as a culture when computer-chosen 'mellow' or familiar sounds from any of the last 15 years will attract "five times the listeners" (according to station owner Ernie Wynn) as local shows featuring current albums and local requests? Are we all ready to trade the potential transcendence of the live, human voice for the unreal, automated certainty of "more music?" This ain't no disco. These are the 198os. The McDonald's life encroaches everywhere but radio must be more responsible because it sells feelings. At the very least, the potential for mass recognition of lowest common denominator feelings must never outweigh the challenge of making new feelings known among rnnle whoncare. y f ,, , , : , ppp - ' " ..