The O bserver VOL. XXIII NO. 133 FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1990 THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING NOTRE DAME AND SAINT MARY’S Lithuania must back down, letter says MOSCOW (AP) — Lithuanian President Vy- tautas Landsbergis said Thursday he will care­ fully study a proposal from France and West Germany that the Baltic republic temporarily suspend its independence drive. The letter from French President Francois Mitterrand and West German Chancellor Hel­ mut Kohl, delivered to Lithuanian representa­ tives in Moscow, said such a suspension could lead to talks with the Kremlin "so that the current crisis ends in a solution acceptable to all parties." Also Thursday, Vilnius Radio reported Lithuania will begin food rationing May 1. The republic of 3.8 million people is struggling un­ der an economic embargo imposed last week by Soviet President M ikhail Gorbachev to break its campaign for independence. Gorbachev himself was confronted Thursday by activists protesting his crackdown in Lithuania. During his visit in an industrial city in the Ural Mountains, demonstrators raised a banner that called him a “ political hypocrite.” Yawns on the lawn H , kThBasme,,s's,: Mo:kop ■ Gorbachev meets protestors/ page 6 provides an interesting change from the classroom. The fair Students and teachers take advantage of the nice weather weather is expected to last throughout the weekend, making Landsbergis described the letter from Mit­ and hold classes outside. The lawn outside of O’Shaugnessy this a perfect time to enjoy An Tostal activities. terrand and Kohl as “ a step forward toward the realization of Lithuanian independence,” said parliamentary spokesman Ed Tuskenis, speaking by telephone. Lithuania wants an immediate dialogue, Gas stations ‘octane cheat’ Landsbergis said, and “ a termination of the Soviet economic blockade against Lithuania WASHINGTON (AP) — Some ser­ could reach as high as $600 million engine efficiency, mileage and emis­ would be beneficial to the atmosphere of this vice stations pass off regular gaso­ through growing mislabeling of oc­ sions in high-powered engines, the dialogue." line as higher-priced super premium, tane ratings at the pump. GAO said. “ The leadership of Lithuania, greatly appre­ according to a congressional study ciating this act of goodwill on the part of two Thursday that said “ octane cheat­ Sharp’s estimate is based partly Regular unleaded gas is rated at noted leaders, will carefully study this letter’s ing” may be costing motorists $150 on the fact that the GAO said that 87, with midgrade unleaded at 89 million a year. proposition,” he added. more than half the samples taken in and premium grades from 91 to 94. Tuskenis said Landsbergis viewed “ as posi­ two large cities last year — Detroit Regular leaded gas is rated at 89. tive” that the letter from Kohl and Mitterrand The report by the General Ac­ and St. Louis — were found to have did not mention revoking Lithuania’s March 11 counting office estimated that 9 per­ octane ratings an average of 2.2 or The difference in retail price be­ declaration of independence. The letter dis­ cent of gasoline sold nationwide is more points below what was posted tween the lowest and highest grade cussed temporary suspension of some deci­ mislabeled by half an octane number on the pump. can range up to 20 cents a gallon. sions by the Lithuanian parliament. or more. And in several states where The letter from the French and German lead­ pump testing has actually proven “ Unfortunately, consumers cannot “ A consumer could be paying sev­ ers came two days after President Bush said he mislabeling, the federal government determine octane ratings visually or eral cents a gallon extra for quality would put off sanctions against Moscow for has done little to stop the deception, in other ways that allow them to that is not delivered.” said Sharp, bringing economic and military pressure the report said know if they are getting what they who is chairman of the House Energy against Lithuania. are paying for,” the GAO said. and Commerce subcommittee on Kremlin authorities on Monday urged The GAO, the investigative arm of energy and power. Lithuania to suspend for.two years its decla­ Congress, said motorists who think Federal law requires that uniform ration of independence. they are buying premium grades may yellow and black labels on gas pumps A 1978 law requires the Federal Lithuanian leaders have refused to revoke be losing $150 million a year. show the octane rating of gas, and Trade Commission and the Environ­ the declaration. But the Baltic republic’s lead­ some higher-powered vehicles recom­ mental Protection Agency to enforce ership has always been w illing “ to discuss the But Rep. Philip Sharp, D-Ind., who mend various levels of octane to compliance with federal petroleum timing and the form of independence, whether along with Rep. Charles Schumer, D- avoid that unhealthy “ ping” or marketing practices. But the GAO or not that’s a year or two,” Tuskenis said N.Y., released the report, said the knocking sound in engines. after talking to Landsbergis. study was conservative and losses A low octane gas can reduce see OCTANE / page 4 Cheney aims to reduce number of new bombers WASHINGTON (AP) — De­ Armed Services Committee, “ How can you make the deci­ Cheney’s Proposed Aircraft Cuts fense Secretary Dick Cheney on Rep. Les Aspin, D-Wis., com­ sion on the numbers without A list of proposed reductions and postponements by the Defense Thursday called for slashing mended Cheney for “ coming to having a firm force structure in Department to trim down earlier defense spending estimates by $34.8 Pentagon plans for the B-2 grips with some things he mind?" Nunn asked. clearly needs to come to grips Cheney said the present situa­ billion through 1997.___________________________________________ stealth bomber and other so­ phisticated aircraft, citing a with” but said he didn’t go far tion dictates cuts in the B-2 and Revised request Original request diminishing Soviet threat. enough. C-17, and possible reductions in Cheney, pressed by congres­ Citing analysts’ testimony one aircraft carriers and Air Force B-2 Stealth Bomber proposed request cut: sional Democrats to cut m ili­ day earlier on the internal wings will decide the other pro­ One plane equals 10 7 5 132 tary spending in response to problems in the Soviet military grams. rapid changes in Europe, testi­ as well as U.S. intelligence re­ “ I can tell you w ith some con­ fied his blueprint would trim ports predicting instability of viction that both the Navy and $2.4 billion from President the broader Soviet economy, the Air Force are going to be a C-17 long range transport plane proposed request cut: Bush’s $307 billion defense Aspin said Cheney’s plan “ is lot smaller in the future than One plane equals 20 ^ 0 210 budget for 1991 and would based on an unrealistically pes­ they are today,” Cheney said. save $34.8 billion through simistic view of the Soviet The Democratic-controlled 1997. th re at." House is already debating a fis­ In addition to cutting the Cheney later presented his cal 1991 budget that would Navy’s A-12 all weather attack planes proposed request cut: proposed number of B-2 plan to the Senate Armed Ser­ make significant cuts in pro­ One plane equals 50 620 858 bombers from 132 to 75, Ch­ vices Committee, where the posed Pentagon spending. The eney said he intends to cut panel’s chairman, Sen. Sam Senate is working on its own planned purchases of the C-17 Nunn, D-Ga„ gave the secretary version. AT A- Advance Tactical Aircraft (Air Force’s version of the A-12) long-range transport plane and high marks for his efforts but Cheney told the House com­ the Navy’s A-12 attack aircraft, declined to adopt the program mittee, “ Soviet military capabil­ Delayed beyond 1997 and to delay purchases of the totals. ity will continue to be robust Advance Tactical Fighter Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Nunn was puzzled, however, but we can in fact afford to Aircraft and the Advanced by Cheney’s ability to reduce slow down the pace of develop- Delayed from 1994 to 1996 aircraft programs without final Tactical Fighter. see CHENEY / page 4 Original request of 750 planes will remain The chairman of the House figures on the armed forces. AP/Martha P. Hernandez Friday, April 27, 1990 page 2 The Observer I n s id e C o l u m n W e a t h e r The Simpsons Yesterday’s high: 85 and the Family Yesterday's low: 63 Nation’s high: 102 (Borrego Springs, and of the Year Palm Springs, Calif.) Nation’s low: 33 (Burns, Oregon) This is the year of Forecast: the family, and what Partly sunny and contin­ family best exempli­ ued very warm today. fies the average Highs near 85. Partly American family than cloudy and mild tonight the Simpsons. None with a 50 percent chance if you ask me? And if of thunderstorms. Lows you don't care, stop Joe Zadrozny near 60. Mostly cloudy reading this column. and not as warm Satur­ The Simpsons are IT! Production Manager FRONTS: day with a 60 percent There has been a --------------------------------- chance of showers and complete turn around in the depiction of the thunderstorms. Highs family on television. People are sick and from 70 to 75. COLD WARM STATIONARY tired of seeing these over-loving families ©1990 Accu-W eather, Inc. like the Huxtable's or the Brady's. The only Pressure true TV show worth watching today is "The ® ( D F X l f v q & Simpsons." HIGH LOW SHOWERS RAIN T-STORMS FLURRIES SNOW ICE SUNNY PT.