Page 2, Portlan Observer, August 21, 1985 Reagan and apartheid: rhetoric vs. reality EDITORIAL/OPINION Purl One o f a Two Pari Senes. Manipulating news from Nicaragua "show ” staged by the activists and the San- dinistas. Evidence? Who needs evidence? Time and again the press quoted without comment State Department spokespeople scolding Witness for Peace for going into an area that the U.S. government had warned was unsafe. The Washington Post suggested they were “ looking for trouble." This blame-the- victim reporting was distinctly absent during coverage of the attack on the Marines in San Salvador. What editorial writer would have been so bold as to assert that the U.S. government was guilty o f murder for sending U.S. soldiers into a country at war? The contra kidnappers were always referred to with respect by the media. They were an " in ­ dependent anti-communist group of Nicaraguans,” "Nicaraguan rebels,” “ U.S.- backed rebels," "rebel forces” or, perhaps to stir the patriotic juices, "P ro American Nicaraguan rebels.” Never once were they called terrorists. O f course not, for that might leave the impression that the contras were the bad guys. Significantly left out o f most coverage (The Oregonian never mentioned it; the New York Times buried it in the 12th paragraph of a long article) was the Nicaraguan government's suggestion that the kidnapping incident demon­ strated once again the need for an inter­ nationally supervised demilitarized zone bet­ ween Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Was this no, reported because it would tend to challenge the carefully nurtured image of the Sandinistas as the aggressors in Central America? O f course all these distortions and omissions were to be expected. The corporate-owned press in this country has proven that it can stand mute while the U.S. carries out against El Salvador the heaviest aerial bombardment in the history of the Western Hemisphere, and that it can wat­ ch as thousands of civilians are slaughtered in Nicaragua by U.S.-backed marauders. Is this the institution we should look to for truth and objectivity? I think not. hy B ill Bigelow It comes as no surprise any longer when the corporate-controlled national and local media cover events in Nicaragua with a blatant dis­ regard for truth. Sometimes activities there which might reveal a positive image o f the San- dinistas or indicate their widespread support, such as the 20-milc march of 70,000 Nicaraguans last June are simply ignored. Other times the media become mere mouthpieces for the Reagan Administration, as in the viciously distorted coverage of last year’s election. More recently we were treated to a somewhat more subtle manipulation o f the news. Recall the Witness for Peace activists who were fired upon, then captured by contras as the group’s boat motored up the San Juan River on the Nicaraguan-Costa Rican border. This kidnap­ ping came on the heels of the hijacking of the I WA jet with Americans aboard in the Middle East and the killing o f U.S. Marines by guerrillas in San Salvador. Both these events were attacked in the media and by the ad­ ministration as "terrorist” outrages committee by power-mad thugs. But what o f the kidnapping of unarmed American religious activists by Nicaraguan con­ tras? You can imagine possible headlines, especially given the emotional climate in the U.S.: "C ontra Terrorists Kidnap Unarmed Americans” , or "Contras Hold U.S. Church- people Hostage," or how about, "Terrorists Strike a, Americans Again.” The press had a decision: Do we or don’t we link the contras to international terrorism? But the press had no intention to discredit the contras. Instead, they adopted a tone o f skep­ ticism and " it ain’t no big deal.” Thus from the very beginning it was the "claim ed” or "alleged" kidnapping, even though it was ap­ parent that the Witness for Peace travellers were, in fact, being held at gunpoint against their will. Faithfully reported were contra leader I den Pastora’s assertions that the incident was a EDITORI AL/COMMENTARY President Reagan should stop constructive engagement policies in South Africa the world a nation whose Constitu tion slates that all men are created equal and claims to support human rights—to be on the side o f a government which does not respect any o f these beliefs is hypocritical. Instead o f supporting the repressive regime, the President should cut o ff all ties with South Africa and impose a total trade embargo. I his can be done by executive order. This is what Reagan did when he slapped a trade embargo on the elected government o f Nicaragua A trade embargo was put on Nicaragua because o f the alleged attempts to export their revo­ lution elsewhere in Central America and the establishment o f m ilitary ties with Iran. The President ignores or fails to realize the fact that the racist policies o f the South African government are worse than the alleged charges made against the Nicaragua government, the President only needs to review the history ot South A frica to see that by Jerry Garner t he Reagan Administration should cease its policy o f Constructive En­ gagement with the government o f South A frica. I he daily violence and killings in South Africa we are slewing on our local news is partially the result ol the President's polity towards Pretoria. this nation should he ashamed for supporting the most inhumane, racist, and repressive government since the tune ot A dolf Hitler Constructive I ngagement has strengthened this evil regime hy financing tire system o f Apartheid, resulting in millions o f people having no basic human rights such as the right to vote, to live and work where they chose, to own a business or trade, to live with their families, tust because their skin happens to he black. I or any nation, especially the United Stales, which regards itself as (lie keeper o f DemiKracy throughout fpORTWNDOBSEDER this government has always used violence as a means ol denying the basic human rights o f non whites. 1 roin |7«W to 1900, whiles and non whites have fought nine major wars in South Alrica. the Afrikaners, in a single battle during the (neat Irek, killed f.ildti Zulus at Blood River. At the present, the tenth war is occurring in South A ftica I he I tilled Slates, so lar, has supported the Afrikaners in the war against the non whiles I he Reagan Administration should follow the advice ol W mine Mandela, wife ot the Black leader Nelson Mandela who has been imprisoned since !**►* Mrs. Mandela stated, "W e are tired ot being well ted slaves. We want to fight lor our freedom on empty bellies. Stop sustaining and maintaining Apartheid Again, the white man prescribes for us. He tells us we will sutler, as if we have not been suffering " President Reagan, are you listening? $15 for one $?5 for two years I H V Portland OR 9 J«*** k Apt A long the C olor Line by D r Manning Marable < z * ? * Ö Has Ronald Reagan finally repudiated his cordial relationship with the white m inority regime in South Africa? Certainly that’s the general impression the Reagan A d ­ ministration has tried to convey to the American public during the past two months. The state o f emergency initiated by the apartheid government, escalation o f violence and mass arrests since July have shocked the world, and have heightened American concerav about U.S. economic and political links with South Africa. A t the forefront o f the anti-apartheid "rhetorical assault" have been Reaganitcs. "Apartheid is abhorrent to the gov­ ernment and the people o f the United Slates,” declared Maureen Reagan before the U .N .’s international women's conference in Nairobi. “ In addition to its demeaning and des­ tructive effect on the Black people o f South A fric a ," she slated, "its effects upon women are especially severe.” "A partheid is an affront to every­ thing we believe in ," said Secretary o f State George Shultz at a Foreign Pol­ icy Conference for leaders o f National M inority and Women's O r­ ganizations, held in Washington on July 24 Speaking with the fervor o f a late convert, Shultz affirmed that the apartheid system would be destroyed. " I he only question to be determined is how it will come about. What we arc trying to achieve is an end point o f change, o f citizenship, o f freedom ." When South A frica President P.W. Botha rejected a call by Nobel Prize winner Bishop Desmond Tutu for constructive negotiations on July 29, the U.S. government was quick to voice objections "W e believe South Africa's internal situation is such that a meeting between the State President and important Black leaders is imper­ ative," declared Charles Redman, a Stale Department spokesman. "Dialogue is the only way out o f the crisis South A frica faces.” There is an old tradition among American politicians o f both parties to say one thing and to do the opposite. The Reagan Administration has not abandoned its economic al­ liance with Pretoria—termed "constructive engagement." Rather, it has been forced to accomodate itself to the general anti apartheid senti men I o f domestic and international opinion through rhetorical diversions. The United States government was shocked when France suspended all new investments in South Africa and recalled its Ambassador. It was less stunned, but still upset, when the con­ servative British Foreign Secretary, Sir Geoffrey Howe, demanded that South Africa halt its stale o f emer­ gency, free African National Con­ gress leader Nelson Mandela, and all o f its political prisoners. Shultz indirectly criticized the French gov­ ernment, maintaining that U.S. corporate investment was essential for "influence and leverage " Economic sanctions, he insisted, would not lead to racial reforms inside South Africa. Not coincidentally, this is exactly the position o f P.W. Botha. To call for disinvestment inside South A frica is a crime, punishable with imprisonment, less than two percent o f South A frica ’s entire nonwhite labor force is employed by American firms. However, the total U.S. financial connections with apartheid, including U.S. bank loans, amounts to nearly Dr. Manning Marable leaches po­ litical sociology at Colgate University, Hamilton, New York. Letters to the Editor To the Editor, Thank you very much for your thoughtful coverage o f the Portland I '«immunity College election I per­ sonally appreciate the assistance you have given the college in getting in fo r­ mation to the public about our programs as well as our elections. As you know, the college offers many opportunities to members o f this community. The newspaper plays an important role in letting people know about the classes and activities ol the schixil. Portland ( «immunity College is an excellent institution and one in which our community should take pride. Il has placed an im jxirtant role in my personal and professional life I have gained much from my six year in volvement in this community and leave many gixxl friends. I have grown professionally and now look forward to a new challenge Sincerely, JO H N H ANTHONY lyesulenl To the Editor, A local group called SAVE has begun collecting signatures on a lobby-state merit urging the Portland City Council to take action which will reduce the number o f afxirtions which occur out o f economic necessity. The fact o f the matter is that the economic systems o f Portland and this nation leave many in a constant life and death struggle. Women and minorities are especially hard hit, with discrimination adding injury to injury. One result o f this is that the economically deprived must do without Sometimes it’s do without new shoes for a child, sometimes it ’s do without contraceptive gel (at $3.49 a tube), sometimes it ’s do w ithout an adequate diet during pregnancy, and sometimes it means getting an abor- tion because there are no other choices. Here are some striking facts. According to the Oregon Health De­ partment whites have the highest rate o f abortions for initial pregnancies. Blacks have the lowest. Nonetheless, Blacks end up with the highest overall rate o f abortion because many second and third pregnancies are terminated. Such statistics may indicate that many whites use abortion as a form o f birth control, whereas many Blacks have abortions in reaction to the costs o f pregnancy and child care. This city spends tens o f millions o f dollars building music-halls and courthouse squares. By comparison nothing is done to prevent abortions, or undercut the economic causers o f abortion. SAVE is urging the City Council to declare Portland a Pro- choice Abortion-free Zone. The plan calls for a resolution against laws restricting the woman's right to choose abortion as well as for City funding o f birth-control programs, pre-natal care, crisis counseling, adoption services, and child support, all o f which are directed at reducing the number «if abortions in Portland To the Editor, This is to inform your readers o f a petition to be launched across the state this month. The "Save Antelope Committee" is organizing a petition drive to dis­ incorporate the City o f Rajneesh (formerly Antelope). A 20-person advisory board makes up the Committee, consisting o f resi­ dents, property owners, former Antelope Council members and con­ cerned citizens throughout the state. The petition would place an issue on the state ballot to repeal the Rajneesh’s City Charter and dissolve the city's assets. Chief sponsors o f the Initiative are State Representative Wayne l aw bush, Stale Representative Dave Me I eague and John Silvcrtooth Stewart, former Antelope Council­ man. W ilhani Gatchel is executive d ir­ ector of the “ Save Antelope Committee." Presently funds are being raised for this petition effort. Contributions may be sent to P.O. Box 66, Antelope, Oregon 97001. Sincerely, D A R I E EN OSRORNE JEEEREYJ. UDDICOAT Corrections by Nathaniel Scott t_ STATf ZIP Portland Observer Th* Portland O tnrrser (U SPS 969 6801 « puM«h«ri «vary Thur»d»y by E m PuMnbmg Comp«ny. Inc , 1463 N F y o n h . PnrtWnd Or»qon 97211 Po«« Otfk» Bo« 3137. Portland, f»«Unn 9 72OB S«cond c l M I» (>•*) »I P oni»») Th« Portland rJ6