European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - December 17, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 28 news briefs the stars and stripes saturday. December 17,1988 disastrous winds Snow quake take toll in Calif. By the associated press howling winds clocked Al 102 Mph battered Northern California on thursday claiming at least one lire while Snow and sleet blanketed Southern California causing chaos on Mountain roads and killing two. Rihal was t enough a moderate earthquake jarred a wide area of Southern California late thursday but apparently caused Little  tremor was cell from los Angeles to Palm Springs 110 mites to the East As Well As in Orange county. There were no immediate re ports of damage or injuries. The quake which struck at 9 53 ., was entered 13 Miles Northwest of Palm Spring Sand was Felt in at least five counties. Earlier in the Day powerful winds littered Sce Nic Northern California with downed Power lines branches and trash. Trucks were Over turned. More than 440,000 people were without electricity. Authorities closed dangerous High ways and issued travel warnings. Berlin police investigating 7 terrorist suspects Berlin a police rounded up seven suspected terrorists after confiscating hand made explosives that were hidden in a West Ber Lin cellar officials said  to a West Berlin police spokesman investigators found several ready to use Deto nation devices and handmade explosives hid Den beneath a pile of Coal Al a residence in the City s Kreuzberg  spokesman who asked not to be further identified said seven people were Laken int custody and were being investigated for suspected membership in a terrorist  said two of the suspects a 28-year-old woman and a 36-year-old Man face court appearances on saturday. Palestinian group frees captive red Cross official s1don, Lebanon a Peter Winkler. Kid napped Swiss official of the International com Mittee of the red Cross was released Friday from a. Monthlong Captivity in this Southern lebanese port City police said or. Winkler has been handed Over to their re and is now Al the 1crc Center in Sidon said a police spokesman who cannot be named under standing  was freed at 9  At Sidon s Hisheh Square where he was abducted on nov. 17, the spokesman  Christian controlled voice of Lebanon radio station in East Beirut earlier said Winkler was released by the Fatah revolutionary coun cil the guerrilla group headed by palestinian terrorist Mastermind Abu Nidath. . Team denied visas to Aid armenian victims Salt Lake City up the soviet Union has denied visas that would have allowed four University of Utah medical experts to help treat survivors of the dec 7 earthquake that ravaged arme Nia University official said Friday. In essence they have said they have enough physicians Over there right now said John Dwan. University of Utah health sciences Cen Ter spokesman the University team planned to leave Friday with eight portable dialysis machines. But the doctors also were told the equipment they wanted to take Over was too Bulky Dwan said Soldier seriously injured by self inflicted gunshot Erl Ancen West Germany a i St Arm div Soldier was in critical condition Friday after he apparently shot himself with an m-16 Rifle while on guard duty a division spokesman said. The Soldier a private first class assigned to., the 2nd in 6th inf regl. Was taken to the or Jansen University clinic maj. John l. Shea said in a news  said the Soldier s name is being withheld until family members have been notified. W. German politicians increase pressure to Cut training flights Bonn West Germany a West German politicians in the Wake of the Remscheid air disaster on Friday stepped up pressure on nato to find ways to reduce the dangers resulting from military training flights. The opposition social democrats began a petition signing Campaign calling for a total ban on Low level military training flights Over West Germany. Chancellor Helmut Kohl s Christian democrats want s Sharp reduction in Rich tactical flights but not a total ban. In response to the dec. 8 crash of a . Warplane inthe Central City of Remscheid the United states and other nato nations have suspended their tactical training flights Over this country until Jan. 2,1989. The crash which shied live West germans and the american Pilot has stirred up intense emotions among the West Derman populace. Following a memorial service for the victims thurs Day night West German protesters shouted Amis go Homer and disgusting pigs As . Ambassador Richard Hurt and air Force officials left the Church in  Hauser a defense expert with the Christia democrats on Friday reportedly said the nato allies should lengthen the suspension of tactical air flights Over West Germany. The Cologne express newspaper quoted Hauser assaying the Christian democrats want a nato concept Tor decreasing military air plane movements in agreement with the  Hauser reportedly said that until such a concept i reached it would be helpful if Low level nights in the Federal Republic were suspended past Jan. 2," defense minister Rupert Scholz said in a radio interview that Low Cvet nights continue to be a necessary part of keeping nato pilots prepared but their num Bers should be lowered to an absolute necessary operative  Friedhelm Ost Cohl s chief spokesman told report ers that Federal officials and authorities from the coun try s 11 states arc forming a working group to exam Ine ways to reduce the Burden caused by tactical training flights. In starting i hair petition signing Campaign the so Cial democrats said the Remscheid crash has shown again hat the present level of military lights Over the densely settled Federal Republic carries incalculable and deadly dangers for the  Tower from pigs 1 but he said he " and seem loto try to build upon Progress,1 he said. Edidon t want to Send out the other signal1 be acting hastily. He said Gorbachev and other soviet officials under stand his viewpoint. The president elect said he would t overstate the importance of the United states beginning meeting with the Palestine liberation organization. As for Tower some conservatives have complained that he is not a Strong supporter of the proposed strategic defense initiative known As Star wars. However Bush said senator Tower and 1 agree with. The position i took in the Campaign which is Strong sup port for  Tower himself said the proposed system would not Only be a useful deterrent to attack but also a very valuable negotiating tool.1 Bush once had planned to name a defense Secretary by thanksgiving but delayed the decision pending the completion of an extensive background Check. That Check delved into the former Texas lawmaker s connections with the defense Industry As Well As with allegations of womanizing and drinking problems. Asked whether he was satisfied with the investigation into issues of a personal nature Bush shot Back issues or Nuno Raj when the reporter persisted the president elect said he was totally satisfied.1 Bush said the most inquisitive members of the Senate would be satisfied by the investigation a reference to the confirmation vote that Tower must win to take his Cabinet  s appointment to head the Pentagon was tint rumoured in the Days immediately following Bush selection More than a month ago. But it quickly sparked a highly unusual  set of issues revolved around the former senator s ability to control the Pentagon s bureaucracy and Pur chasing system particularly in Light of his staunch support for president Reagan s massive arms buildup in the early1980s and the consulting contracts he holds with live major defense firms. Tower retired from the Senate in1985 after 24 years including the final four As chairman of the armed services committee. Tower s personal life also became grist for the transition Mill. Tower was divorced from his second wife Lola in 1987. She alleged marital misconduct on his part during their 10 Yean together. Tower s deposition responding to the charges was sealed by Mutual agreement. I Israel from pager Ca no longer enjoys preponderant Power the presi test said but Mist Lead by Swap a in. " the american Side had planned loosen the meeting with a dear statement of the United slates attitude toward terrorism and to stress that the United Stales expected Arafat s words of be matched by his actions a High ranking diplomatic source said. The United states expects that the Plo s renunciation of terrorism will be prominent and pervasive but also understands that Arafat docs not control All palestinians nor All acts of terrorism a diplomatic source said the second american Agenda item according to die sources would be a statement of the United states general principles and approach to Middle East , once held hostage by palestinians Tele phoned Plo Headquarters thursday 10 make the Ini tial official Contact according to the Plo and . Embassy spokesman Adnan  of state George p. Shults designated Pelle Mireau As the . Government s Only authorized Chan Nel of communication with the Plo. Arafat was not in Tivinis and it was t known when he would return. He met East German Leader Ench Honecker in Berlin on thursday before heading to , ambassador to Tunisia since March 1987, is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable Ameri can diplomats on Arab affairs