The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, April 13, 1994 - 3 Visiting prof-. gives picture of strife in Bosnia By ROBIN BARRY DAILY STAFF REPORTER A panel discussion at the Michigan Union last *ight gave students an opportunity to hear first- hand accounts of what is taking place in Bosnia. Husein and Mihra Taljanovic, two of the panel- ists who testified in front of about 100 people, described an existence without water, food or elec- tricity. "In Sarajevo, we are happy when it rains be- cause that may be the only way to have water to clean dishes or to wash yourself," Husein said. His wife, Mihra, agreed, saying, "People resort 0o burning their furniture to make a fire to cook food." Husein said his father was killed as a result of random shooting in Sarajevo. "No family is without killed or injured per- sons," Mihra said. "More than 11,000 civilians have been killed in Sarajevo, and more than 50,000 injured." Naza Tanovic-Miller, a visiting professor from Sarajevo, said while the destruction may have stopped, Sarajevo is still besieged, without freedom. 4 After giving a brief summary of the history of Bosnia, Tanovic-Miller said relations between dif- ferent religions and ethnicities in.Bosnia were not always so strained. "People had lived together in peace for centu- ries," she said. "The different religions had re- garded each other with mutual respect for hundreds of years." Naza's husband, Harry Miller, was born in Chicago but moved to Sarajevo to teach math in 969. He said that before the war in Bosniahe did not need to know how to use a gun. But when faced with the need to protect his family, he learned how to use one. The panelists also criticized the lack of action from the United States and other world powers. "They claim that what is going on in Bosnia is a civil war," Tanovic-Miller said. "But the things that are being perpetrated against the people of Bosnia are leading to, the destruction of an entire ulture and civilization." W Miller furthered his wife's point, using the racial problems of the United States as an analogy. "Do we live in tolerance or do we live with century-old hatred?" Miller asked. "We live in both. Does that mean we should separate into different states according to race and ethnicity? Of course not." Race plays factor in environmental waste problems By APRIL WOOD DAILY STAFF REPORTER Racism. The word itself represents a thought-provoking and delicate sub- ject that exists in many forms. Nu- merous elements of life are touched by this issue, environmental factors included. Environmental racism is defined as "the inequity in exposure to haz- ardous waste material among various ethnic groups," in a 1987 study con- ducted by the Commission for Racial Justice of; the United Church of Christ. Reports indi- cated that EARTH WEEK 1994 Blacks, Latinos April 1115 and Native Americans, among other groups, were more likely to be exposed to hazard- ous waste than whites. Socioeconomic standing may ap- pear to be the primary factor in the placement of toxic dumping sites, but the study reported that race is truly a more prominent element in these de- cisions. Three of the five largest U.S..land- fills holding hazardous material are located in primarily minority com- munities, and the higher the concen- tration of a minority group in a given area, the greater the amount of dump- ing sites, according to the report. "If you don't have as much money, you don't have as much political clout," said Inteflex junior Neal Waechter, who is with the student group Environmental Action at UM (ENACT). Two University professors, Bunyan Bryant and Paul Mohai, have researched environmental racism for many years and have co-authored a book titled, "Race and the Incidence of Environmental Hazards: A Time for Discourse." The book discusses an SNRE conference held to gather support for the fight against environ- mental racism and to debate future action on the issue. Bryant will be teaching a class in the fall titled, "Small Group Organi- zation and Advocacy Planning." SNRE senior Amy Stoner said, "It's an issue that not too many people are aware of and it needs to be publi- cized more." She will be teaching a class in the fall titled, "Inquiry into Environmental Justice." "Environmental racism does exist and we're trying to get more students aware," she added. Information issued by ENACT said environmental racism is a criti- cal element to current environmental problems. Residents of areas affected by hazardous waste material have higher cancer rates and more water contamination problems, it reported. Residents of these areas may be exposed to dangerous chemicals through air pollution, ground leakage and surface spills that can run off into water supplies. Several areas around the United. States suffer from exposure to toxic material and the problems stemming from it. Leakage from uranium min- ing plagues the Havosupai Indians of the Grand Canyon. They face con- tamination of drinking water and sa- cred burial grounds. Environmental racism is one topic debated during Earth Week, which is focusing on subjects such as ecosys- tem preservation, population growth and pollution as ENACT's letter-writ- ing campaigns in the MUG continue through Thursday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. JONATHAN LURIE/Daily Visiting Mathematics Prof. Naza Tanovic-Miller describes the conditions in war-torn Bosnia. The discussion was sponsored by the Bosnian Relief Effort, a campus organization. The audience asked questions and donations were collected for Bosnian refugees staying outside Detroit. Denis Butkovic explaining how students could make a difference by contacting or writing govern- ment officials to promote action. Students attending the discussion commented that the event was very moving and informative. "When you're reading about what's happening in Bosnia in the newspapers you still can't get a real feel for it," said LSA senior Jomana Dababneh. LSA sophomore Mike Denardis agreed. "It was interesting to hear the different viewpoints. .Mitchell withdraws. from consideration Seniors consider options for the future WASHINGTON(AP)-President Clinton's Supreme Court search was scrambled yesterday as Senate Major- ity Leader George Mitchell abruptly withdrew from consideration. Mitchell said he was convinced taking the job might hurt the chances of health care reform passing this year. Mitchell said Clinton had told him Monday night he was inclined to nomi- nate the 60-year-old Maine Democrat for the vacancy created by Justice Harry A. Blackmun's retirement. Mitchell said Clinton "reluctantly ,accepted" his assessment that he might iot be able to undergo the demanding confirmation process and keep his promise to shepherd health care reform through the Senate this year. Mitchell served briefly as a fed- eral judge in his native Maine, and his political skills were viewed as an important asset on a court nar- rowly divided on many controver- sial issues. Clinton accepted Mitchell's judg- ment that nominating him now "would have had an adverse impact on their shared agenda," said White House press secretary Dee Dee Myers. "We've always maintained some flexibility," Myers said. By REBECCA GORDON FOR THE DAILY What thoughts go through the minds of seniors when they buy their caps and gowns? "Should I start my job search now? Or should I go on vacation? Where am I going to be next year? Am I ever going to see these people again?" These are questions that constantly run through LSA senior Robbie Lazarus's head. "It is a very difficult time for those of us who are faced with no options after graduation day," Lazarus said. Many seniors never thought they would be jobless after having received a degree from such a large, presti- gious university. Unfortunately, a college degree for this generation is often described as the equivalent to a high school degree a generation ago. However, other students do not share Lazarus's misgivings concern- ing a permanent job. David Leitner, an LSA senior, is 'A couple of my friends and myself are touring Europe for five weeks.' David Leitner LSA graduating senior content with only temporary plans for the near future. "A couple of my friends and my- self are touring Europe for five weeks." When discussing the possi- bility of a job, Leitner just smiled and said, "In (architecture), I don't think it will be so difficult to find a job." Many students agree with Leitner's statement that the availabil- ity of jobs depends upon which field one enters. . Malcom S. Cohen, director and associate research scientist for the Institute of Labor and Industrial Re- lations, offered a multitude of options for college graduates. Cohen ranks occupations according to many indi- cators, such as rate of employment growth. The occupations Cohen ranks highest include: natural scientists, physicians, registered nurses, speech therapists, chemists, computer pro- grammers, airplane pilots, college instructors and clergy. Cohen also listed occupations that do not require a college degree, such as typists and recreational workers, The news concerning jobs for those graduating is hopeful and even a bit surprising. "The job market this year is definitely more optimistic than last year," Cohen said. "In about five more years there might even be a labor shortage." Mitchell Posby found guilty ofI lling 'U' doctor ASSOCIATED PRESS A jury yesterday found a 70-year- old man guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of a nationally known ear doctor at a University Hospitals linic. Chester Posby faces an automatic penalty of life imprisonment without possibility of parole when Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Kurtis Wilder sentences him May 12. A jury began deliberations April 4 in Posby's trial on charges in the June 25, 1992, shooting death of Dr. John Kemink. It found him guilty but men- tally ill, meaning he is to receive mental health treatment while in prison. In 1992, Child magazine named Kemink among the top 10 pediatric specialists in the nation. He special- ized in head and neck surgery and pioneered the use of cochlear im- plants in children. During the trial, Posby said Kemink was part of a conspiracy of doctors to cripple him. His defense contended he was insane when he killed Kemink. Washtenaw County Public De- fender Timothy Niemann last year called his client "the poster child for insanity." ,The hospital tightened its security following the shooting, spokesperson Joan Siefert Rose said. "The department is still upset," Rose said. She said Kemink's col- leagues sat through the trial. EwiASY AS PI Iq 3:00 a.m. last night! Cool P11 kel sh the grading curve How'd she dog all this? Color spent a fortune!frtereto s . 11.* Group Meetings Q Association for Campus Ma- chinery, 3166 Dow Building, 12:30 p.m. Q Archery Club, Coliseum, 5:30 p.m. Q East Quad support group for lesbians, gay men, & bisexual people, call 764-3678 for info. Q ENACT, Mosher-Jordan, Jordan Lounge, 8 p.m. Q Ninjutsu Club, IM Building, Room G21, 7:30-9 p.m. Q Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do Club, beginners welcome, CCRB, Dnn~m ?.7C52R-1(_-9.0 n m _ Events U "Asia in the 21st Century: The Challenge for Sustainable Development," Ken Lieberthal and Tim Titus, sponsored by the Population-Environment Dynamics Project, School of Public Health, third floor fac- ulty lounge, 7 p.m. Q Bosnian Counterpoint, Shaman Drum Bookshop, 313 S. State, 4-6 p.m. U Golden Apple Award, Brian Coppola, Rackham, 7 p.m. U Law School Admission Semi- nar- Mirhigan Uninn AndTer- Q Undergraduate Research Op- portunity Program, spring syposium, School of Business, Hale Auditorium, 5 p.m. Student services U 76-GUIDE, peer counseling phone line, , 7 p.m.-8 a.m. Q Campus Information Center, 763-INFO; events info., 76- EVENT; film-info., 763-FILM. U Free Tax Assistance, 3909 Michigan Union, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. U North Campus Information Center, 763-NCIC, 7:30 a.m.- :30 nm. 11