~~t1v ti Weather Tonight: Dry, low in the mid 30s. Tomorrow: Partly sunny, highs in the upper 50s. One hundred four years of editorial freedom Wednesday March 15, 1995 11 h..-li il1ia i 'Assembly condemns leadership 4rogram By Amy Klein Daily Staff Reporter The Michigan Student Assembly passed a resolution last night oppos- ing executive officers' participation in Leadership 2017, a University- sponsored training program for stu- dent leaders. * The resolution passed 24-2 with three abstentions. It condemned the attendance of elected student leaders at University programs that pay par- ticipants, calling this a violation of trust and faith. "Students did vote already that stu- dent leaders should not accept money from the administration," said LSA Rep. Seth Altman, referring to a referendum on paying MSA members that was voted Own in the lastelection. "Having MSA officers being paid to attend the pro- gram questions the legitimacy of this institution." The 2017 resolution was resub- mitted after MSA President Julie Neenan ruled it out-of-order at last week's meeting. Neenan had called the previous resolution unconstitu- tional because it infringed on the *wer of the president. "Tonight this resolution was in order, and I had no problem discuss- ing it," Neenan said. The new resolution mandated that any sitting member of MSA "should not" participate in Leadership 2017, rather than stating that an MSA repre- sentative "will not" attend the program. The statement also resolved that SA will work with the administra- ndto find alternative funding for Leadership 2017. LSA Rep. Jonathan Freeman, one of the representatives who drafted the resolution, said MSA executive of- ficers must serve the students. "We're agovernment, whichmakes us different than other groups because we're responsible to our constituency. We have to say we will stand above and *parate ourselves from these other groups," Freeman said. While the majority of the assembly was in favor of the resolution, other representatives argued that Leadership 2017 gave financially disadvantaged students a unique opportunity. "A number of students have par- ents paying for everything here, but a lot of students involved in 2017 don't 4 ve the opportunity for a summer gram. It's not fair to limit those leaders who can't afford this," said LSA Rep. Joe Cox. "Make sure you're being fair to all the student leaders and you're not being biased against poor students." Neenan, who attend the conference last summer, said the program offered her a chance that would not have been ssible without the University-paid lary. "I couldn't have been here this summer without 2017," she said. Neenan also said the programtaught valuable leadership skills. "I think that people are suspicious by nature, both of each other and of the administration. I hate to hear the assembly condemning something that was such a positive ex- perience for me," she said. Iowa Israel, Syria agree to return to peace talks Heat wave First-year Law student Jeremy Silverman turned the small porch enjoy the warm weather yesterday. DUG~iLAS KANTERl/ uaiy outside his second-story room into a porch to Russel lecture, awards honor Massey, junior professors By Sam T. Dudek For the Daily Three University faculty members were honored yesterday at the annual Henry Russel Lecture held in Rackham Amphitheatre. Chemistry Prof. Vincent Massey was awarded the Henry Russel Lec- tureship. Associate anthropology Prof. Brinkley Messick and associate engi- neering Prof. Khalil Najafi each re- ceived the Henry Russel Award pre- sented to assistant or associate pro- fessors chosen for distinguished schol- arship and excellent teaching. President James J. Duderstadt called the award Massey won "an important moment to recognize faculty with an extraordinary distinction." After Massey received his award, he gave a lecture on "The Many Faces of Riboflavin." The lecture, filled with chemistry terminology and tabora- tory-like demonstrations, entertained the 250 people who attended. Leslie Kish, the 1981 Henry Russel lecturer, was pleased with Massey's selection. "He is enormously popular with his students," Kish said. "Not only is he well-liked, but he is well-appreci- ated. ... His work - I don't truly. understand." Cynthia Marcelo, a research sci- entist and lecturer in the Medical School, said she understood the lec- ture and found it to be very interest- ing. "It was nice that he did a show- and-tell," she said. Political science Prof. David J. Singer is president-elect of the Uni- versity Research Club, a group that helps choose the Henry Russel honor- ees. Singer said he was happy with the selection but was somewhat criti- cal of Massey's speech. "A good scientist really carries you through the discovery and verifi- cation process," he said. Singer said When Messick and Najafi re- ceived their awards, Duderstadt said, "The Henry Russel Award is the most prestigious award the Univer- sity can bestow to junior faculty members." Messick has focused his research on the nature of Islamic law and its relationship to the idea of an Islamic state. Najafi's research includes provid- ing a means for restoring muscular control in paralyzed individuals and other health care advancements. Singer outlined the plans for next year's award. "Next year we'll have a roundtable discussion and get the physics and biology people to sit still and hear the social scientists explain how and why we do what we do," he said. Singer said he hopes to unify sci- entists in the physical, biological and social sciences. Singer said it would be "appropriate" for next year's lec- turer to be from the social sciences. From Daily Wire Services DAMASCUS, Syria - Israel and Syria yesterday agreed to resume face- to-face peace talks after an interrup- tion of three months, although the two sides remain so distrustful of each other that it took more than 12 hours for Secretary of State Warren Chris- topher to tie down every detail. Christopher said the two nations' ambassadors to the United States - Israeli Itamar Rabinovich and Syrian Walid Moualem - will conduct the talks in Washington, probably start- ing before the month's end. Christopher announced the agree- ment at the end of a nine-day trip to the Middle East that he described as "the most satisfactory" of his 11 visits to the region. As a result of his efforts, he said, a "sour" atmosphere has been replaced by renewed negotiations on both the Syrian and Palestinian peace tracks. Although the deal was cut hours before he arrived on the scene, Israel and the Palestinians agreed last week to complete their negotiations over Pales- tinian rule in the West Bank by July 1, restarting a long stalled process. "This underscores the importance of continued U.S. involvement in the region," Christopher said. Taken together, the renewed talks between the Israelis and their two major adversaries appeared to be something of a breakthrough, although they really do little more than return the peace process to where it was late last year. But American officials say they hope the latest rounds of nego- tiations will also be able to tackle some of the substantive disputes that blocked earlier efforts. In contrast to the earlier rounds of talks, in which the ambassadors did little more than read formal state- ments to each other, Christopher said Rabinovich and Moualem will have wide latitude to engage in give-and- take bargaining. "Both ambassadors ... have the full confidence of their leaders," he said, noting that each envoy attended meetings he conducted this week with their respective leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Syrian President Hafez Assad, so "they have a better understanding of the param- eters" their governments are putting on the negotiations. Dennis Ross, the principal adviser to Christopher on the Middle East, will participate, making suggestions to the two sides, and go to the region in about two weeks for further talks. Also, a U.S. official said, a secu- rity committee will be formed, in- cluding U.S., Israeli and Syrian rep- resentatives, in another move to bring the Clinton administration more di- rectly into the search for a peace treaty. It has eluded negotiators for more than 40 months while Israel struck agreements with the Palestine Lib- eration Organization and with Jor- dan. "I am satisfied there will be give- and-take bargaining,"Christopher said. However, he gave no indication Israel and Syria had agreed on the issues dividing them. Primarily, these are the extent of a pullback Israel would be willing to execute on the Golan Heights and the kind of peace Syria would extend in return. The talks are expected to concen- trate on measures that could be taken to replace the Israeli troops whose presence has sealed the border for more than two decades and shielded Israeli villages from the kind of cross- border attacks that were common be- fore the 1967 Six-Day War. "It's turned out to be one of the most satisfying trips I've made to the Middle East," Christopher said. He has made 11 in more than 25 months as secretary. Massey failed to these points. follow through on S tory of Purim he story begins with the Persian king Ahasuerus banishing.his wife for disobeying a command. Ahasuerus decided to hold a beauty contest among all the women in the land to search for a new wife. He chose Esther, a.Jew, but she decided to keep her religion a secret. Soon, Haman, the villain of the story, was promoted above all the other princes in the realm. He camneto hate Esther'~s uncle, Mordechai, because he refused to bow before Hamnan. Because of this hatred, Haman went before Ahasuerus andI asked for permission to kill all the Jews in the land. Through guile and deceit, Haman convinced Ahasuerus to agree. Mordechai, when told of Haman's plans, went-to- Esther and asked her to .speak to the king. ID the face of death, she revealed her identity and convinced the king to save the Jews and hang Harman., Jewish students dress up for Purim By Lenny Feller Daily Staff Reporter Judaism has survived attacks by Hitler, the Romans and the Egyptians. Today, dur- ing the holiday of Purim, the Jewish people celebrate their victory over an ancient anti- Semitic leader, Haman. Purim is not a major festival on the calen- dar of the Jewish people, but its message is important, West Bloomfield Temple Israel's Rabbi Harold Loss said in a statement. "ln times of peace and contentment remem- ber your past and recall the names of your enemies, but do not allow their wickedness to color the way you respond to others," Loss said. The story of Purim is told in the Book of Esther, called the "Megillah," in the Old Testament of the Bible. Purim celebrates the Jewish victory over Haman, who plotted to annihilate the Jewish population of ancient Shoshan, Persia. Esther and her uncle, Mordechai, prevail as the story's heroes. Purim is marked by a carnival atmosphere and masquerades. "It's probably the most fes- lIt's not the most celebrated or observed, but it is the most festive" -- Scott Nagel LSA sophomore tive Jewish holiday. It's not the most cel- ebrated or observed, but it is the most festive," said Scott Nagel, an LSA sophomore and member of Hillel's Reform Chavurah. The holiday is also observed by giving gifts to loved ones and those in need, a custom called Shalach Manot. "Chanukah has turned into a sort of Jew- ish Christmas," said LSA sophomore Jeff Berger. "Traditionally, the more religous Jews have given gifts on Purim." The reading of the "Megillah" marks Purim religious services. Even in the temple or synagogue, unusual levity prevails dur- ing the holiday. "At services, every time the name of Haman is read, everybody shakes their gregors and boos-and basically drowns out his name," Nagel said. "When Mordechai or Esther's name is read, everybody cheers." LSA sophomore Julie Smith also enjoys Purim. "It's a really great holiday that shows the strength of the Jewish people through the ages. But it is also one of the only Jewish holidays that shows the strength of the Jew- ish woman," Smith said. Hillel is hosting a Purim party tonight. "There'll be a 'Megillah' reading and we're going to eat hatentashen (fruit-filled cook- ies). People are going to get dressed up too. I guess in some ways, Purim is somewhat like a Jewish Halloween," Nagel said. Purim is the Hebrew word for lots. Haman drew lots to decide on the date for the Jewish executions. The date chosen was the 13th of Adar the Hebrew calen- dar. The Jews celebrated on the following day, which always occurs in late winter or early spring. Sinn Fein opens U.S. office, starts fund raising The Washington Post WASHINGTON - Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Fein, the political wing of the Irish Republican Army, opened an of- fice here yesterday as he collected another payoff from President Clinton's wager that e IRA really wants peace in Northern land. Over the past year, Clinton has pursued what might be called a carrot-and-carrot approach to Adams and the IRA, gradually elevating the level of Adams's acceptance in Washington as the IRA moved away a mainstream politician. In extending the invitation, the White House completed the elevation of Adams from pariah to legitimate interlocutor faster than any other foreign leader except Pales- tine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat. Despite the stated reservations of Brit- ish leaders, who say they are not yet con- vinced that the IRA has permanently re- nounced terrorism, the Clinton administra- tion has accepted Adams as the only man capable of turning the IRA away from British reduce troops in N. Ireland The Washington Post LONDON - Britain announced yes- terday its first troop reduction in North- ern Ireland since the Irish Republican Army declared a cease-fire six months ago, an 'action 'small in' size but large in .significance. The removal of 400 of the 18,000 'soldiers stationed in the province signals all the political parties in Northern Ire- land for a permanent settlement there. Britain. first'sent troops to Northern Ireland in 1969, when widespread sectar- ian violence left the police incapable of restoring order. They have been there ever since, carrying machine guns and patrolling the- streets of Belfast in ar- mored vehicles. 9- - ~'~I a