European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 27, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Inside stripes d 2 charged in murder of 2 British to tiers Page 2 d finding child care bigger problem Page 3 o Propfe murder defendant guilty of manslaughter Page 5 g Duke dumps Temple in Mcaa play sports Page 21 the St trs an afro ficus  f0 the , amid Foulch.  vol. 46. No. 342 sunday March 27, 1988 d 8693 a House panel oks 4% military pay raise so Chuck Vinci Washington Bureau Washington a House subcommittee in an extremely generous mood Tail week approved a 4 percent military pay raise called for a 1 percent increase in Basic allowance for quarters and re pealed further planned cuts in officer strength Over the not two years. The actions taken thursday by the House aimed services military person Nel and compensation subcommittee Are considered to be significant victories for the Pentagon in the Early stages Mohe fiscal 1989 defense Budge process according to military officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. But those officials cautioned that the process is Only beginning. The House subcommittee s counterpart in the Senate must weigh in its decisions on the same issues and the appropriations and budget committees on both sides of Congress also will play a big role in shaping the defense budget you could say the fat lady has yet to sing said one official. The House Bud gel committee for example already has committed to a 3 percent military pay raise. Whether we would have the authority 10 fund the difference for a higher raise if we wanted to or if we d be bound by a specific target number is something we Don l know  but the official said Dod remains hopeful of getting at least 4 percent be cause sen. John Glenn a Ohio. Chair Man of the influential Senate armed services manpower and personnel sub committee has voiced his support for the administration s requested 4,3 per cent pay increase. For weeks military officials have been shuttling Back and Forth from he Penta gon to Capitol Hill forcefully pressing for the 4.3 percent pay raise. While the House subcommittee s figure in slightly lower it would still be More than the increases Congress a approved Over the past few years. Losi year the raise was Only 2 percent. Officials Are delighted Over the sub committee s increase in Basic allowance for quarters which would go into effect Jan. I if finally approved. Increases in Flat usually arc tied to the level of the pay raise. Another decision by the subcommittee that went the Pentagon s Way Calls for scrapping a planned 2 percent Cut in the officer corps in each of the next two years. The defense department already has trimmed officer strength by 2 per cent Over the past two years. Military officials consistently have maintained that the cuts would impair readiness but had never been Able to Back up their arguments until a massive 4-Pound Dod report on officer require ments was drawn up and sent to con Gress two week ago. One official said the report has greatly helped Dod s cause on the Issue. The general accounting office has t officially evaluated the report but unofficially they re pleased. Thai s helped us build sup port for repealing Ibe rat of the cuts officer cuts Promise to be one of the Hornier budget issues because Glenn on sea raise on Back Page Reagan insists Iran Contra defendants will be found innocent of All charges Reagan old us audience Friday thai he believe u. Col. Olla North h a hero. Washington a president Reagan Friday said he still thinks fired National Security Council aide Oliver i. North is a hero and he docs not believe any of the Iran Contra criminal defendants committed a crime. Fielding questions after making a speech to Young people representing the Center for the study of the presidency be aeon said he thought that North along with former National Security adviser John poin Desler and other defendants will be acquitted of charges brought against them in a Federal grand jury indictment. Reagan said he could not understand Why the Arras to Iran initiative had become his administration s worst political scan dal i still think Ollie North it a hero Rea Gan said when asked if he was considering a Pardon for his former aide. Earlier this week. North and  along with Arm dealers Richard sword and Albert Hakim pleaded innocent to Federal conspiracy and theft chaff is in connection with inc iraqi Contra affair. Former National Security adviser Rob Sas Reagan on Back Page a photo Dole Ron reds in Washington Fri Day Bush is Likely cop nominee Bush says veep talk too Early Denver a _ vice presi Dent George Bush far ahead of sen Bob Dole in the race for the Republican presidential Nomi nation said Friday he will stick id his game plan in the while House Campaign and declared it s Loo Early forme to Start