Editorial Reagan should not ignore team reports President Reagan set the stage, but didn't plan for the surprise ending. And in efforts to regain his footing, he is making a bad situation worse. The Reagan administration encouraged Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos to arrange a presidential elec tion in order to demonstrate Philippine public support for his position. And ever since Marcos announced a presiden tial contest Nov. 3. the administration has called for a fair and honest election. The United States organized a 20-member team to travel to the Philippines, observe the election and report abuses to the United States. Reagan even dangled a carrot in front of Marcos’ nose in the form of a substantial aid-increase con sideration bartered for an election perceived as honest. But Reagan didn’t plan for what happened next. Few, including the Emerald, expected presidential challenger Corazon Aquino to assume an early lead, or any lead for that matter, particularly one reported by the government’s vote counting commission. To complicate matters, the American team and other observers reported flagrant election-day violations emanating from the Marcos camp including violence, vote buying, ballot-box stuffing and ballot-box theft. Sen. Richard Lugar, who headed the U.S. delegation, reported a ‘‘very disturbing pattern of incidents" and accused Marcos and his supporters of withholding ballots in an attempt to manipulate the election. In addition, 30 workers in the government’s vote counting commission tearfully left their computer ter minals, claiming the election results were being falsified to favor Marcos. The Reagan administration thus found itself faced with a potentially sticky situation. After emphasizing the impor tance of a credible election, the administration faced a situa tion in which evidence could indicate an Aquino victory but Marcos could refuse to relenquish power. So, in an attempt to avoid jeopardizing U.S. military bases, Reagan peered over the corpses of Aquino supporters and the reports of his own commission and said fraud oc cured on both sides and that the American team didn't have any “hard evidence beyond that general appearance" of election fraud. He affirmed his desire to maintain diplomatic relations with the Philippine government regardless of the declared winner. When questioned on his position, he said, "the elec tion ... is for the people of the Philippines to decide, and not for us to interfere." But if Reagan believes it is not the United States’ place to interfere, why did he send a U.S. delegation in the first place —- particularly if he was prepared to ignore its reports? And why didn’t the administration consider the scenario beforehand? Admittedly, Aquino’s success came as a surprise, but the possibility was not so remote as to remove it from consideration. Understandably, Reagan is in a difficult position. It would be completely inappropriate for the United States to attempt to force Marcos to step down. And economic/diplomatic sanctions could jeopardizing strategic military bases in the nation — a risk Reagan firmly disfavors. But the administration should not trivialize reports of fraud. And if it appears Marcos stole the election from Aquino, the administration should not hesitate to protest — including slashing aid to the Philippines. It appears Aquino accurately assessed the situation. Referring to the United States, she said, "Its only interest is in safeguarding its bases, not in restoring democracy.” LEI’S PUT^SBEYOUR [AND INGVfiTH THEFUPOFACOIM- I Letters False statement This is in response to the let ter "Fraternity rape" (ODE.' Feb. 10). . The letter was one of many at tacks that single out fraternities as the focus of a social problem. Date rape is an important issue, but to ignore the fact that other organizations and dorms have just as many documented cases is not . giving Justice to the . matter. Simply blaming the fraternity system for an individual matter, is like saying the U of O" is bad* because there have been cases of rape in. the dorms. Both statements are unfair.'' • ... As far as the problem being overlooked, the Greek system has set up seminars and has in formation available to’ it's members specifically address ing the problem of "date rape.” ■ Furthermore, there is no ° fraternity , on campus that . reprimands its pledges for not", getting "laid” or for letting women leave early. As with so many letters written previously about fraternities, the people who submit these letters- are misinformed and their statements are false. It’s a pity the media tend to focus on the negative aspects of Oregon Daily Emerald The Oregon Daily Emerald is published Monday through Friday except during exam week and vacations by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Go, at the University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, 97403 The Emerald operates independently of the University with offices on the third floor of the Erb Memorial Union and is a member of the Associated Press The Emerald is private property. The unlawful (emoval or use of papers is prosecutable by law General Staff Advertising Director Susan Thelen Advertising Sales David Wood - Sales Manager. John Boiler. Michael Gray. Robin Joannides, Carlos Lamadrid, Marcia Leonard. Shawn Leuthoid. Julie Lewis. Catherine Lilja. Anne-Marie Vranizan, Laura Willoughby. Production Vince Adams Kelly Alexandre. Lynne Casey. Shu-Shina Chen, Ellen Cross, Monica Dwyer, Stormi Dykes, Mwiuel Flores, Steve Gibbons, Rob Hare, Mary Lewis. 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Maria Corvallis, Steve Gibbons, Rob Hare, Derrel Hewitt, Jim Marks, Ross Martin News and Editorial 666-5511 Display Advertising and Business 686 3712 Classified Advertising MS-4343 Production 686-4361 Circulation 686-551T Greek life and not.on all the positive, events that take place. But that’s life,at the U of O. , Lisa Hastings Delta Gamma Doug White Sigma Chi Careless deed On .Friday. Jan. 31, ’shortly. ; before 1:3Q p,m.. a bomb threat was called that forced the evacuation of Science I, in eluding the Geology building.. ■ Twoexams were scheduled for . that .°hour in those buildings': Geology 102 and Chemistry 462 •(Biochemistry). • • ’ The Geology 102 exam was postponed until Monday. '. Geology. 102 is a' split-section , course, so the coordination “of . lectures is now disrupted. The Chemistry 462 «xam was given in the EMU cafeteria. AH nor mal.operations in Science i and Geology ceased for. about 45 minutes' while the buildings were checked. The students, staff and facul ty listed below wish to express their displeasure at being In convenienced due to the malicious and selfish actions of some individual who, evident ly, has little or no respect for his or her ”neighbors" in the University community. Although it cannot be proved the person who made the threat was a student in either of the two courses, it is probable. This sort of action shows disregard for the rights of other students In those courses who were prepared and wanted to com plete the examinations at the scheduled times and places. r ;°The message wewish to send to the perpetrator of the bomb,', .threat is simple: ~We‘ have ,nq respect for anyone whowpuld . infringe In this way upon I he rights of others. ° ; • « ^ • 'V Sarah L tJlertck . • • • Faculty Joseph M. Greeley Student , , ' ’• Marc Htrschmann ’ GTF • X - V Janet Tan*y \ ; Student % * M. Allen Kays .... Faculty Sheila Monroe' • . GTF Bill Ciingman ,* .GTF\„ C.D.Huli. GTF • •' /■. •• ' " ' James W.'long Faculty Library reply Regarding til»k<V Louis Sliter’s letter to the editor (Feb.' ft) concerning the loss of nickels . in library photocopiers:'. Mr. Slitflfr. in a letter delivered to: the University' librarian's office, indicated he had lost 1S cents since the beginning of winter quarter In a letter of response to Mr. Sliter. be was assured the library would gladly refund his money and he willing to discuss any other problems he might have had. George Bynon Director, University Library Administrative Services Letters Policy The Kmerald will attempt to print all letters containing fair comment on topics of interest to the University community. letters to the editor must lx; limited to 250 words, typed, signed and the identification of the writer must be verified when the letter is turned in. The Kmerald reserves the right to edit any letter for length or style, letters to the editor should be turned into the Kmerald office. Suite 300. KMU.