It *rnl One hundred four years of editorial freedom 'He was 40 or 50 feet from the ground and then he went for the ground like a brick.' Larry Boles, a construction worker from Warren Helicopter crash kills 3 Historic trade agreement sails through Senate *MedFlight falls near N. Campus By DAVID SHEPARDSON Daily News Editor An Ann Arbor medical helicopter crashed four minutes after takeoff yes- terday morning near a North Campus family-housing complex, killing the pilot, a doctor and nurse - after issu- ing a desperate distress call. "The pilot signaled mayday just before he went down, and that's the st they heard from him," said Joan iefert Rose, a spokeswoman at the University Medical Center. By the time the University had received the call for help, emergency vehicles were already arriving and a University medical helicopter, Sur- vival Flight, was in the air, Rose said. The twin-prop helicopter, owned by Midwest MedFlight, took off from . Joseph Mercy Hospital near Ann Nrbor at 10:01 a.m. and was on its way to pick up a cardiac patient at McPherson Hospital in Howell and return to St. Joseph Mercy when it crashed at 10:05 a.m. in clear, cold weather with occasional winds. The helicopter crashed approxi- mately two miles from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. Witnesses reported that the heli- 4ypter barely cleared a tall stand of pine trees, making an emergency turn above Huron Parkway toward a grassy field adjoining the Transportation Research Institute on North Campus before plunging to the ground. The helicopter had lowered its landing gear and was attempting to land when it suddenly dropped to the ground, catching a tree that appar- tly shattered the rear propeller shaft, itnesses and Federal Aviation Ad- ministration experts said. "He was 40 or 50 feet from the ground and then he went for the ground like a brick," said Larry Boles, a con- struction worker from Warren, who was on his 10 a.m. coffee break stand- ing a couple hundred feet from the crash near the Parke Davis building. Killed in the crash were Dr. Terry *. Racicot, 37, a doctor of osteopathy and emergency medical specialist from Troy; nurse Janice D. Nowacki- .. , T New sday~ WASHINGTON - The Senate last night ushered in a new era of world trade by overwhelmingly ap- proving a 124-nation pact that will tear down trade barriers and open new markets to American products. The 76-24 vote to ratify the Gen- eral Agreement on Tariffs and Trade was a significant victory for the Clinton administration. President Clinton had assured for- eign trading partners that he could win passage of the trade deal, and, a defeat would have had international repercussions for an already weak- ened presidency. Nevertheless, the vote in the Sen- ate had been in doubt when 20 hours of debate on the trade accord began Wednesday morning. Since the reduction in tariffs could increase the federal budget deficit, a three-fifths majority, or 60 votes, was needed to overcome a parliamentary objection lodged by Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) that prevented the legisla- tion from coming to the floor. But senators voted 68-32 to waive Senate. budget rules and allow a vote. "This agreement is a very good deal for America and a very great improve- ment on the current system," said Sen- ate Majority Leader George Mitchell (D-Maine) moments before the vote, the last act of the 103rd Congress. A jubilant Clinton said the vote was "a big, bipartisan victory that re- ally, really gives our country the boost we need to keep moving forward." The trade deal, negotiated over seven years by three administrations, is the most sweeping trade pact ever enacted and will change the shape of world trade for decades. It cuts tariffs an average of 40 percent; eliminates most quotas; brings agriculture and services under trade rules for the first time; protects software, films and re- cordings from copyright piracy; and establishes a new World Trade Orga- nization (WTO) to mediate disputes. The signatories have agreed infor- mally to begin implementing GATT by Jan. 1. Tuesday, the House of Rep- resentatives approved the trade accord by an equally wide margin of 288-146. But the expansion of GATT, which has governed world trade since 1947, also has achieved a symbolic impor- tance and notoriety that few would have predicted when negotiations were completed last December. After a series of delaying tactics Ann Arbor firefighters spray the wrecked helicopter with foam to prevent any remaining fuel from igniting. Tobin, 43, of Canton Township; and pilot Richard Elliot, 43, of Ypsilanti. police reported. "All three on board died instantly." said Ann Arbor police spokesman Phil Scheel. Officials sprayed fire-retardantfoam on the helicopter and surrounding grass for hours after the crash as fuel contin- ued to leak from the helicopter. The helicopter lay on its left side, crumpled into a heap of wreckage only about 50 feet from a Philips Display Components Co. building at 1600 Huron Pkwy. Two of its four rotor blades were lodged in the ground while the rear section was torn almost completely off. Bits of blades and other debris were scattered several feet from the wreck. It was more than two hours before the deceased could be removed from the helicopter as police and fire offi- See CRASH; Page 3 North Campus Helicopter Crash At 10:05 a.m. yesterday, a helicopter crashed near North Campus, killing all three passengers. It was making a routine flight from St. Joseph's Hospital in Superior Twp. to McPherson Hospital in Howell. Apparently due to engine failure, the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing in a field behind Philips Compounds near Huron Parkway. PLYMOUTH RD. Phlips Compounds Parke - # _Dais :; intended pat h to H owell BURsLYHUBBAR 5-7 FULLE- 'U' experts say treaty brings economic gains By KARIN WALIENSTEEN For the Daily With Senate approval of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade yesterday, University business experts say the treaty will bring new challenges to U.S. government and industries. And they tend to agree that good things will come with those challenges. Of particular interest to many is GATT's creation of the World Trade Organization, which will settle international commerce disputes. Many members of Con- gress said during heated debate that the WTO would infringe on American sovereignty. However, Business School Associate Prof. William Moller disagrees. "I think these argu- ments are designed to mask a protectionist position," he said, adding the loss of sovereignty is overstated. "There is always some ceding for the benefits that are obtained, but it will work the same for every country that par- ticipates." Mller also said he does not believe claims that GATT or WTO will cause a decreasein environmental and health stan- dards. "If the U.S. has standards that applies to all commerce, and if that standard has its basis in scientifically proven facts, then the GATT or WTO cannot touch See GATT, Page 2 by opponents, GATT became the un- expected curtain call of a Democratic- controlled Congress. In January, Re- publicans take control of both houses for the first time in 40 years and so the vote was regarded as a test of whether Clinton and the new Republican lead- ership can work together. "Let's make the GATT vote the first vote of a new era of coopera- tion," Clinton said last night. Moreover, the trade agreement in- spired protests that the United States was giving up control of its laws and regulations to foreign bureaucrats at the ominous-sounding WTO. Students: 'U' shirks mandate prom",0ises / GAIL MONGKOLPRADITAND ANDREW TAYLOR/Dadiy Molin to assist Roberson, Jeaves 'U' relations post By NATE HiURLEY was not something for Daily News Editor which I was looking. It sort The University's top lobbyist in Lansing of evolved out of the dis- stepped down from his post yesterday to take up cussions." a newly created position in the Athletic Depart- After working for 16 ment. 4 years in the University ad- Keith E. Molin, who held the post of associ- ministration and 17 years ate vice president for government relations, is in Lansing before that, in- now the special assistant to Athletic Director cluding a position in former Roberson. Gov. William Milliken's "It has a very nebulous title, which trans- Molin cabinet, Molin decided it lates into doing those things that need do be was time for a change from done but no one but (Roberson) can do," Molin government relations. said of his new post. "I was looking for something different. Joe The position has no set responsibilities, but knew that. ... He allowed that a change of Molin said those will evolve over time. scenery and position is refreshing," Molin said. "It's full-time-and-a-half, but it does not fit See MOLIN, Page 2 any standard mold." Molin said he and Roberson came up with ! A state representative will be idea over breakfast about six weeks ago. "It University-city liaison. Page 5. By LISA DINES Daily Staff Reporter The University has fallen short on its promise to improve the environ- ment for minorities on campus, stu- dent groups say. In 1987, President James J. Duderstadt announced the Michigan Mandate, a broad plan to increase the amount and success rates of minority students and faculty on campus. Last week, the University released a six- year progress report on the mandate. "As I look through it, I am very delighted with what I see with respect to all minority groups ... with the excep- tion of African Americans," Duderstadt said in an interview last month. The percentage of minority stu- dents on campus has increased from 1 V S ne~rreznt in 199%7 to 4ICnrvent AIDS vigil JUDITH PERKINS/Daly Marchers prepared for the AIDS vigil by writing the names of loved ones who have died of AIDS on white arm bands and writing notes to the deceased on a Michigan banner. See story, Page 5. SRivers preps for first term in Capitol By SCOT WOODS Daily Staff Reporter will be one of only 13 first-term Demo- crats in the U.S. House. climactic, because I was coming from the Michigan House chamber, which INSIDE ARTS1t I f . _.. " I o :