2A --The Michigan Daily -Thursday, March 16, 2000 NATION/WORLD DEATHS ,Continued from Page 1A Howell was doing a photography project as part of an Antioch College curriculum that requires students to spend five semesters doing co-op work to fulfill graduation requirements. Eagen had been visiting Howell for 15 days in Costa Rica, and her sister said she had investigated the area before traveling. "We thought it was okay, it was a peaceful place," Sarah Eagen said. f "Now we have been informed that in the past two weeks there have been five other murders in the region." Sarah Eagen said she thinks it is wrong to send students off abroad on their own with no place to live. "Antioch dumps you with no place to live. Hopefully due to this tragedy they will look into changing things," Sarah Eagen said. "We can't hold them responsible," she added. "My sister's a smart girl, she would not have gone there if she knew about these murders," Sarah Eagen said. Students at the University of Michi- gan are "given orientations on all pro- grams including extensive discussions on safety concerns," Office of Interna- tional Programs Associate Director Jordan Pollack said. "Safety is a primary concern for stu- dents on our programs," Pollack said. "In many cases we have faculty on site and on exchange programs we have staff at host universities responsible for safety concerns." In addition, the Office of Interna- tional Programs has guidelines and protocols that cover natural disasters, illnesses and crime of various sorts, Pollack said. The University sends nearly 500 students abroad annually and "has been very fortunate that they haven't had any major problems," Pol- lack said. LSA junior Audrey Baker echoed Pollack's sentiments. "The dangers of the U.S. are just the same if not more than abroad," said Baker, who plans to study in France this summer. The 1,565 students that go abroad yearly from Michigan State University are required to attend a pre-departure orientation with discussion of safety procedures, Michigan State Office of Study Abroad Acting Director Edward Ingraham said. "We have not had any tragedies, but I cannot say it's all because of our programs, it is a combi- nation of careful procedures and good luck," Ingraham said. "Costa Rica is perhaps the safest Latin American country," Ingraham said. "It is a terrible tragedy and there is no information that was by any sense of negative or unwise acts on the part of the students." The University of Michigan has sent students to Costa Rica in the past and will continue to do so, Pollack said. "The death of a student doesn't trig- ger a panic attack;' he said. "We assess the conditions quickly and we make decisions accordingly:" Despite the tragedy, some University students said they are not concerned about their upcoming overseas journeys. "I am not really concerned (about safety). I am going with a couple of other guys and we should be able to get out of any situation," said LSA sopho- more Charles Westrin, who is planning to go to western Europe this summer. But LSA sophomore Greg Honderich said when considering study-abroad pro- grams, "security is definitely a concern." - The Associated Press contributed to this report. PAC to allow McCain to push reforms WASHINGTON - John McCain's advisers are preparing to establish a politi- cal action committee that would allow the failed Republican presidential con- tender to campaign for other candidates this year and lay the groundwork for his own future, which could include another White House race. McCain is expected to give the final go-ahead on the project when he returns to work next week, the advisers said yesterday, speaking only on condition of anonymity. They also said the Arizona senator is still in no hurry to endorse George W. Bus The two-term Texas governor, who now has clinched the GOP nomination, is eager to mend fences with McCain and forge an alliance that could help attract independents and Democrats to the GOP ticket in the fall. The Arizonan had enormous success with voters who normally don't vote in GOP primaries, but he couldn't overcome Bush's stranglehold over party regulars and social conserva- tives. McCain is now mulling his next step, as he prepares to return to the Senate on Monday. Advisers say the most likely option is the formation of a political action com- mittee that would accept limited, regulated "hard money" donations - as opposed to the more freewheeling "soft money" contributions that McCain is trying to ban. Looking for a job where you can really shine? HAMURER Put an end to your search and become an Account Executive in our Classified Sales Department at the Michigan Daily. l " Learn it " Live it " Work it * Love ft Be a superstar and gain the hands on business experience that will complete your resume! Just stop by the Student Publications building at 420 Maynard, and pick up an application today! Or call 764-0557. Deadline: Fri, March 24. Don't Delay! Purchasing trends flowing into the U producers. cause trade deficit With plentiful jo low inflation ands WASHINGTON - American con- Americans feel w+ sumers' buying spree of foreign buying mood, econ goods from TVs to cars last year led "U.S. consum to an immense increase in the trade appetite for everyt deficit - up more than 50 percent to Cohen, economista a record high of $338.9 billion. The deficit in the "current House GC account;' which measures not only, trade in goods and service but also down Bus] investment flows and foreign aid pay- ments, grew by 53.7 percent from the WASHINGTON previous record, a $220.6 billion licans were offered imbalance in 1998, the Commerce to give a full-throa Department said yesterday. Texas Gov. Georg The hefty SI18.4 billion deteriora- trillion, 10-year t tion in the current account deficit is respectfully declin the one bit of tarnish on an otherwise At issue was th sterling, record-breaking U.S. econo- lution being writ my, which celebrated its ninth year of At a meeting oft uninterrupted growth in March. Committee, Den While all categories measured tweak their Repub showed deterioration in 1999, Ameri- by forcing a vo ca's deficit in goods widened the most Bush's tax plani - by $100.2 billion to $347.1 billion Democrats know' - as U.S. consumers snapped up is now too costly TVs, cars and other merchandise sional GOP standa AROUND THE tended that "ever Premier campal S ery" was being us against indepen ents "to get the onew independence to w BEIJING - Shouting and point- ing his finger in the air, Premier Zhu inu.red Rongji warned Taiwanese not to vote i for a pro-independence presidential overturns1 candidate, asserting yesterday that China will invade before allowing VERDUN, Franc Taiwan to declare itself a separate American militaryI country. families on a day tr Noting the slide in Taiwan's Paris overturned on stock market this week, Zhu said early yesterday, inju some Taiwanese fear electing a pro- Police said the t independence leader on Saturday ing on a highway s could take them into a war with town ofVerdun inn China and "these worries follow when it keeled o clear logic." injured were hospi "The people of Taiwan are stand- was critically hurt. ing at a very critical historical junc- The initial inves ture, so let me give advice to all the that the driver wasc people of Taiwan: Do not act just on - when the bus tippe impulse," Zhu said. "Otherwise you local time, police will regret it very much and it will be from Ramstein Ai too late to repent." said the bus was can In an unmistakable reference to on an express tour t Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan's pro-inde- pendence opposition party, Zhu con- - Compiled from .S. from overseas' bs, rising incomes, stock market gains, wealthy and -in the omists said. ers have a strong hing," said Gerald at Merrill Lynch. )P turns h tax plan - House Repub- a chance yesterday ted endorsement ~of ge W. Bush's S1.3 ax cut plan. They ed. e new budget res@ tten by Congress. the House Budget mocrats tried to lican counterparts ite on including in the budget; as very well, the plan even by congres- ards. y possible treach- ed in the campaign who is for Taiwan vin." when bU in France e-A bus carrying personnel and their ip from Germary t n a French highway ring 29 people. our bus was travel- ix miles west of the northeastern Fra. over. Eight of tIW talized, but no one stigation suggested dozing at the wheel d over at 4:50 a.m. said. A statement r Base in Germany xrying 61 passengers o Paris. Daili wirerepor* s i r U w w___ w U I r-- If you want non-stop career action - the place to be is Automation Alley. JJ lli The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is published Monday through Friday during the fall and winter terms by students at the University of Michigan. Subscriptions for fall term, starting in September. via U.S. mail are. $100. Winter term (January through April) is $105, yearlong (September through April) is $180. On-campus: subscriptions for fall term are $35. Subscriptions must be prepaid. The Michigan Daily is a member of the Associated Press and the Associated Collegiate Press, ADDRESS: The Michigan Daily, 420 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1327. 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ONLINE Toyin Akinnusuru, Paul Wong, Managing Editor$ EDITOR: Rachel Berger STAFF: Alexandra Chmielnicki. Dana M. Goldberg. Jenna Hirschman, Sommy Ko, David Ng. Vince Sust. Eric Wilfong. Peter Zhou. DESIGNER: Seth Benson As the nation's newest, fastest growing technology cluster, Automation Alley offers young professionals low-risk, high-value career opportunities. Located in Michigan's Oakland County, Automation Alley is home to 1,800 of the world's leading corporations. Companies that offer diverse technologies. Information systems. Aeronautics. Telecommunications. Software development. Robotics. Automotive R & D. f;° DISPLAY SALES Steve Jones, Manager I: F' I