European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 18, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 24 the stars and stripes thursday August 18,1988 news briefs soviets take first look at Nevada test site blast paiute Mesa Nev. A the United states wednesday detonated a nuclear device under the Remote desert Mesa in a test monitored by soviet scientists under an agreement allowing both countries to observe nuclear weapons tests. Scientists diplomats and military officials applauded in the control Center after the nuclear device exploded at 10 ., causing a Ripple on the desert surface at ground Zero. The blast was not Felt at the Center 30 Miles away where it was observed on television screens. It was the first time soviet officials had been allowed to Monitor a weapons test at the super secret Nevada test site. The nuclear explosive with a blast nearly 12 times More powerful than the one that devastated Hiroshima was buried 2,020 feet underground 130 Miles Northwest of Las vegas. Coal miners in Poland defy return to work order Jas Krzebie Poland a workers occupying a Coal mine in southwestern Poland defied government orders to end their strike and said wednesday they will not give up until their demand for Solidarity s reinstatement is met. Police ringing the Colliery one of Poland s largest turned away area residents who tried to bring food to the workers. Solidarity activists said negotiations be tween labor and management were under Way but details of the talks were not available. Adam Kowalczyk a regional Solidarity Leader said More workers were joining their col leagues inside the july manifesto mine by leap ing Over police barricades erected after the strike began tuesday. The Solidarity strike committee at the mine issued a communique repeating demands for legalization of the outlawed Independent labor federation along with pay raises and reinstate ment of workers fired for Trade Union activities. Ignited propellant blamed in tank fire that killed 2 gis by Janet Howells Tierney staff writer a fatal Flash fire in an mall Abrams tank sunday started when propellant in a 120mm round of ammunition ignited a 3rd army div spokesman said wednesday. The fire occurred at about 9 30 . During a night live fire training exercise at the  arms training Center West Germany. Two Crew members died and two others were injured As a result of the Blaze. The Crew from co a 4th in 8th Cav in Geln Hau sen had fired three rounds prior to the fire. The round was not in the Breech at the time of the Accident although the Crew was in the process of firing a round said the division spokesman who asked that his name not be used. Spec. John Alexiou 26, the tank s gunner was pulled from the vehicle after the incident and taken to the training area dispensary. Alexiou who had been in the unit five months was declared dead on arrival the spokesman said. Tank commander staff sgt. Carlos f. Williams 25, got out of the vehicle on his own despite Burns he suffered in the fire. Williams a master gunner with the unit More than two years was flown at 11  Monday to the Burn Center at Brooke army medical Center Texas. Medical officials diverted the flight to Andrews fab md., when Williams condition worsened the spokesman said. He died at 11 40 . Monday. The names of the tank s Driver and loader who suffered minor injuries were not released. Training was stopped on the Range sunday evening and resumed monday. Damage to the tank is repairable the spokesman said. A team from the army safety Center fort Rucker ala., arrived tuesday to investigate the cause of the Accident. The spokesman also said an ammunition round in a Vii corps tank caught fire july 4, but no injuries were reported. Alexiou a native of Elizabeth n.j., is survived by his wife Heidrun. A memorial service was held monday for Alexiou. Williams a native of live Oaks fla., is survived by his wife Anna and a 6-month-old child. A memorial service for Williams was scheduled for 11  Thursday in Grafe Wohr. Crash from Page 1 under the pakistani Constitution officials said. Khan the Cabinet and three armed forces chiefs were meet ing to discuss the situation a government statement said. The government announced 10 Days of official mourning. It was not immediately Clear what effect Zia s death would have on general elections scheduled for nov. 16. Zia 64, took Power in a 1977 military coup and ruled with an Iron hand under martial Law until de Cember 1985. Zia took Power from prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1977, arrested the Cabinet and proclaimed martial Law. Two years later he had his predecessor executed on charges of conspiracy to murder. Under Zia s authoritarian Rule mass arrests and floggings were frequent. He began sharing Power with a civilian government in Early 1986 but fired the government again on May 29, saying it failed to maintain Law and order and to enact islamic Law. The career military officer and . Ally strongly supported afghan guerrillas fighting the soviet backed marxist government of Afghanistan and kept up his nation s military strength to guard Borders with India. Recently the soviet Union warned Pakistan to Stop allowing arms intended for the afghan guerrillas to pass through pakistani territory. In recent months however Zia faced an unprecedented Challenge by the country s increasingly unified political opposition led by Binazir Bhutto the Daugh Ter of the former prime minister. Raphel 45, and a native of Troy n.y., was named ambassador to the Southeast asian country in january 1987 by president Reagan. It was his second assignment to the country. He served there from 1975 to 1978 As political officer in the embassy. Raphel played a key role in negotiations to end the . Hostage crisis in Iran in 1981. Convention from Page 1 fornia praised the Choice of the Hoosier senator As bold and  the first question at the news conference was whether Quayle was qualified to step in As president should anything happen to Bush. The vice president said i be listened to his Peers. Who speak eloquently of Dan Quayle s standing to be one heartbeat away from the  describing his qualifications Quayle said he had spent a dozen years in Congress had experience i Indiana state government and had met a payroll at his family newspaper in Indiana. Quayle has been in Congress since he was 29 years old. Quayle was asked about whether he had been involved with Paula Parkinson the key figure in a sex and influence scandal in 1980. Quayle and two other members of Congress spent a weekend with Parkinson in a Florida condominium. See Story photo Page 3. That has been covered and there s nothing to it Quayle said. Asked if he had seen Parkinson on any other occasion he said  Quayle said he considered it to be a cheap shot to suggest that he ducked service in Vietnam by enlisting in the National guard. I have a deep affection for those men and women who sacrificed their lives in Vietnam and for anybody to imply anything differently is just simply wrong he said. He said it was not a Handicap that he had not served in Vietnam. Earlier in the Day Bush practice his acceptance speech at the podium of the Louisiana supermom convention Hall where his nomination was to be secured late wednesday night. Well do All Rekht i la do of he said of his acceptance speech set for thursday night. Quayle an heir to the Pulliam newspaper publishing Empire was asked about reports that his wealth exceeded $200 million. That figure is not Correct Quayle said. Believe me you have caused me a lot of problems at Home because my wife is asking about  he Promise that a full financial statement would be forthcoming. Bush asked if the addition of Quayle underscore the image of republicans As the party of the Rich said i picked the Best Man it s not a question of per Sonal  Bush was asked if it was smart politics to choose running mate so much like himself. He s different from me Bush said. I m 64 and he is 41." Bush said that making his Choice was a Tough Call. There were several men and women who fit the Crite Ria. I Felt Dan Quayle was the Best  Bush added he helps me nationally. I did t think had to do something bold or  Bush bridled when a reporter asked him what head meant tuesday when he introduced his three mex ican american grandchildren to president Reagan As the Little Brown  Vic suggest these kids Hurt. This is family and i m going to protect  Bush opened his news conference by expressing How horrible i feel about the deaths wednesday of president Mohammad Ziaul Haq and . Ambassador Arnold l. Raphel. They were killed wednesday when their pakistani military plane exploded in the Eastern part of that country. Turning Back to politics Bush said he and Quayle would be a formidable Challenge to the democratic team of Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen. Describing Quayle As one of the rising stars in the Republican party Bush said he picked the Indiana senator for several reasons. Most importantly he s qualified Bush said. Moreover he said we agree on the fundamental challenges that face this country How to keep America Strong and secure How to create opportunities for american families. While a midwesterner i believe he will help our cause in every part of the  the news conference provided Bush with an Opportunity to tweak the Dukakis Bentsen team about the differences on policy issues. We Aren t going off in two different directions like the democratic ticket. We won t have to debate each other the vice president said. On the other hand Paul Brountas Campaign chair Man for Dukakis said Quayle was relatively in exp  he suggested Bush seemed to make a Deci Sion that placated the right Wing of the Republican  Many delegates admitted that they did t know much about Bush s Choice but they seemed enthusiastic anyway about the selection of the two Jerm Junior senator from Indiana. Super super Choice said John Lindley Iii chair Man of the Vermont delegation. A real spark plug for Bush said North Dakota gop chairman Layton fre Borg. We need the female vote. Hell do the trick added Sharon Estrada of Montana. He s very