European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - January 28, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Larou Fie sentenced to j 5 years Page 2 the stars and stripes authorized unofficial publication for the . Armed forces vol. 47,no. 283 saturday january 28, 1989 Good Rno Rhina 25 daily and sunday d 8693 a Bush backs raise for Congress says visit to China not meant to upset Kremlin Washington a president Bush convening his first news conference far from prime time Friday said he intends no foot dragging in .-soviet affairs and that his trip to China next month is not designed to unsettle relations with the Kremlin. Bush also gave his endorsement to a proposed $45,000 pay raise for members of Congress and Side stepped questions about a proposal to place a fee on savings accounts to help Rescue the troubled savings . Economy grew by 3.8% in 1988 and loan Industry. The free Wheeling question and answer session last ing More than 40 minutes marked the end of Bush s first week in the Oval office. There s still a wonder of it All,".the new president said. We re ready to Roll he added. Bush said he had assured soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev that his intention to move slowly in t Active signal. I Don t think the soviets see that i a neg As foot dragging. I m confident they Don the said. I want to take the offence in moving this relation ship Forward he said. Asked about american citizens being held hostage in the Middle East he said unless the information i have is wrong iran itself the government is not Actu ally holding these people. And if they were i would reiterate my View that the Way to improve relations is continued on Back Page Washington a the . Economy Shook off the effects of the Stock Market crash and the drought to grow at a robust 3.8 percent in 1988, the Best performance in four years the government reported Friday. The increase in the Gross National product the broadest measure of eco nomic health was powered by a big improvement in the . Trade deficit and a Sharp increase in business capital invest ment. The Advance occurred even though growth slowed sharply in the final three months of the year. From october through december the Gnu grew at a lacklustre annual rate of 2 percent the slowest quarterly performance in two years. Weakness in consumer spending and business investment held Back growth. The fourth Quarter Gnu increase Fol Lowed a 2.5 percent Rise in the july sep tember Quarter. Many economists predict these trends will intensify this year and will result in sharply lower growth for 1989. That would give president Bush a major head ache because his Hopes of lowering the budget deficit without an increase in taxes rests on expectations of continue Strong economic growth. But Commerce undersecretary Robert Ortner briefing reporters about the Gnu report said he believed the growth fore casts used in the Reagan administration budget were realistic. He said some of the sluggishness in the fourth Quarter was based on temporary factors that would see Economy on Back Page soviet cutbacks will be key Issue at West forum by David Tarrant staff writer Munich West Germany the Impact on Western european Security of recently announced cuts in soviet Mili tary manpower and funding is expected to dominate discussion at a major two Day defense forum scheduled to Start today. About 200 participants including Many european and . Government officials defense experts and military members will attend the annual Wehr Kunde conference in Munich. The influential gathering in its 26th year is sponsored by German Magazine publisher Ewald von Kleist. The seminar will focus on the Chang ing role of the Western Alliance in Light of improving relations with the soviet Union. . Secretary of defense designate John Tower will Lead a delegation of about 40 americans including a dozen members of Congress. Tower whose confirmation hearings Are under Way in the Senate arrived in Munich Friday and is scheduled to address the Confer ence sunday. In his speech Tower is expected to respond to soviet initiatives to pare its military might by a half million soldiers and the military budget by 14.2 percent according to an Advance summary of his remarks. While welcoming the moves Tower will emphasize that the soviets still hold an extensive advantage in conventional arms Over the Western Alliance. Tower also is expected to urge Progress on efforts to modernize nato s convention land nuclear forces. A member of the Senate from Texas for 24 years the former congressman presided Over the Reagan military build up As chairman of the Senate armed services committee. He also will speak see Issue on Back Page for is Mannie Garcia Linda Brouhard has her petition signed by staff sgt. Richard Moyer. A s wife campaigning against Congress pay hike by Deedee Arrington Doke Kaiserslautern Bureau Kaiserslautern West Ger Many unhappy with an impending 50 percent pay hike for members of Congress and other top government officials Linda Brouhard is taking to the streets. Brouhard a Soldier s wife is spend ing frosty afternoons circulating a petition calling on Congress to reject the proposed pay boost before feb. 8. The increase for lawmakers judges and top executive Branch officials takes effect that Day unless both houses of Congress vote to Stop it. In the Senate legislation blocking the pay raise was introduced wednes Day but it appeared doubtful that House leaders would schedule a vote to Stop the proposal. They re sitting Down to a Steak dinner and feeding the american peo ple the Bone Brouhard said. As of Friday Brouhard and several friends had collected 650 signatures and she has had Little trouble Persuad ing people to sign the petition from her Post outside the Midway Plaza see hike on Back Page Seifert takes Over As 49ers Gid go up bras Page 21vv- to " -. A i.-". .-."-. A a