European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 27, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 2 the stars and stripes wednesday september 27,1989 women throughout ranks promoted at same rate As men Gao reports by Chuck Vinch Washington Bureau Washington women in inc military generally arc being promoted at the same rate As men even though about hair of All military jobs Are closed to them because of combat exclusion Laws a report by the general accounting office says. Statistics for the various pay grades showed that the percentages of eligible women who were promoted from 1986 to 1988 were about the same As those of eligible men promoted in each Grade the report showed. For example 91 percent of the men eligible for pro motion to the rank of Captain in the three year period were selected compared with 89 percent of eligible women the report said. In the enlisted ranks 21 percent of eligible men were selected for e-7, while 22 percent of eligible women were selected. The report was done at the request of rep. Beverly Byron did. Who chairs the House armed service committee s military personnel and compensation panel. She was concerned that inequities might exist in career opportunities for women in the military. The Gao interviewed 181 service officials including 82women officers and enlisted personnel. Most of the women interviewed by the Gao thought the military s promotion and assignment poli cies arc fair to both sexes the report said. The similarities in promotion rates can be attributed to the High Quality of women entering the  forces or to the special instructions Given to promotion boards that were designed to address the competitive disadvantages that women have due to the combat exclusion and other factors inc report said. But the combat exclusion Laws May Hurt the ability of female  to make it into the very top enlisted and officer ranks because the kind of com Mand experience that speeds promotions to that Levelis most easily gained in specialities closed to women  As the combat arms Fields the report said. The career Fields where women can serve some times have fewer opportunities to be selected for com Mand it said. Lack of command experience can affect women s competitiveness and is viewed by Many of those we interviewed As an impediment to advancement. That May be one reason women generally Don t stay in the military As Long As men. Women. Are More Likely than men to retire after a minimum of 20 years the report said. Even though the combat exclusion Laws were cited by some women As hindrances to their military careers responses were mixed on whether the Laws should be changed to allow women to serve in combat positions. About 1.1 million of the 2.2 million military positions arc closed to women who now make up about 10.5 percent of the total Force the report said. Although the report made no specific recommendations the defense department submitted a response that agreed with the Gao s findings. " we will continue to ensure that women arc provided full and equal Opportunity to pursue appropriate military careers and that no artificial barriers to Ca reer Opportunity for women Are constructed or Toler ated said David Bertrau Deputy assistant Secretary of defense for resource management. News updates out of Hospital Greenwich Conn. A Dorothy Walker Bush the presi Dent s 88-year-old Mother has been released from Greenwich Hospital after recovering from pneumonia a spokeswoman said. Mrs. Bush was released monday and taken by ambulance to her Greenwich Home said Michelle Brown a Hospital spokeswoman. No family members were pre sent when mrs. Bush was released and she was accompanied by her private nurse Brown said. Brown said mrs Bush had fully recovered from pneumonia by sat urday morning but doctors wanted her to remain at Hospital for two More Days to Complete treatment with antibiotics. Mrs. Bush was admitted to the Hospital sept. 18. Subject for priests new York a roman Catholic priests arc being asked to preach on the rights of the unborn this weekend in the first respect life sunday since a supreme court ruling allowing some restrictions on abortion. In a statement tuesday Cardi Nal Joseph Bcrnardina chairman of the Bishops committee for pro life activities of the United states Catholic conference said the Church should contribute to the debate started by the july 3 ruling that allows states to restrict abortions. Germany Netherlands Gas prices dip Munich. West Germany is gasoline prices at Exchange service stations in West Germany and the nether lands decreased slightly last week in the third straight decrease in fuel prices since june an cafes spokesman said tuesday. The Price of diesel fuel Rose by 5 cents a gallon in West Germany but remained the same in the Netherlands. The prices for most grades of gasoline dropped i cent a gallon. Super plus unleaded dropped 5 cents in West Ger Many and 2 cents in the Netherlands. The changes the first since late july were attributed to Price fluctuation from the supplier capt. Was Davis said. In West Germany the new prices per gallon at Exchange pumps Are super leaded $1.24 regular unleaded $1.21 super unleaded $1.26 super plus unleaded $ 1.45 and diesel $ 1.20. Prices for 100-liter Coupon books of super leaded Are $32.80 regular unleaded $32.00 super unleaded $33.30 super plus unleaded $38.30 and diesel in the Netherlands super leaded Isnow $1.28 per gallon super unleaded. $1.31 super plus unleaded $1.37 and diesel $1.16. Prices for 100-liter Coupon books of super leaded costs $33.80 super unleaded $34.60 and diesel $30.60. Super plus unleaded is available in the nether lands in 50-liter books for $ 18.10. This latest Price drop look effect sat urday. Karlsruhe police find knives in dumpster Karlsruhe West Germany is police investigating the stabbing and robbery of a Karlsruhe tax Driver have found blood stained clothing and knives in a dumpster in the military s Paul re vere Village housing area. The dumpster is on Rhode Island Street the Street where the stabbing occurred about 9 30 . Sunday a police spokesman Werner Prokopp said. Prokopp said the attacker hired the taxi in downtown Karlsruhe and Rode to the housing area. Once there he stabbed the Driver twice in the stomach and once in the ribs then fled on foot after robbing him of 200 Marks or about $ 105, Prokopp said. The attacker is described As a slender Black american male Between 25 and 35 years old and from 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall. According to police the Man was wearing jeans and White sneakers when he fled. When . Military and German police searched the neighbourhood monday they found a Black cloth coat a Black t shirt a knife with a folding handle and a curved Jackknife in the dumpster. They believe the assailant dumped the bloodied items there As he fled. The taxi Driver was admitted to a local Hospital in critical condition sunday night but appears Likely to recover pro Kopp said. Toy mileage rate increase announced Washington Scricc members who use their own vehicles on official business during temporary duty assign ments will get 1.5 cents More per mile from Uncle Sam the general services administration has announced. Effective last week the mileage reimbursement rate increased from 22.3 cents to 24 cents per mile for All Federal workers. An official with the defense depart ment s per diem travel and transportation allowance committee said the reimbursement is not applicable to travel on reassignments called permanent change of station moves. Personnel who made official trips on or after sept. 17 should ensure that their local finance offices arc paying the new higher rate the defense department official said. A Gas official said this is a routine increase based on the Agency s annual Survey of the costs of owning and operating a private vehicle. The last time we raised the rate was in August of 1988, and that was also one and a half cents he said. Obe Hursei i accused some Rhem Mam flights affected by Hugo of shooting fellow my Ober Ursel West Germany a 4th trans come military policeman has been charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a fellow my a command spokeswoman said tuesday. Pfc. Thomas r. Hoskins allegedly shot pfc. Martin l. Haney while the two guarded an ammunition train Friday the spokeswoman said. Both soldiers Are As signed to the command s 570th my Pla Toon she said. Hancy remained in critical condition at a West German Hospital on tuesday. No other details were immediately Avail Able. Military police Are investigating the spokeswoman said. Rhein-ma1n a West Germany anyone holding a flight reservation through oct. 14 from Rhein main a to Charleston fab s.c., which was devastated by Hurricane Hugo last week should Call his local transportation office to reconfirm the flight s status. Flights that had been scheduled to leave Charleston for the Rhein main a terminal will Fly from Philadelphia through oct. 14. Also pickups and deliveries of privately owned vehicles at Charleston fab have been suspended until further no Tice. Charleston representatives handling shipments can be reached at 201 823 6383 or Auto on 247-6383. For further information about Depar Tures and arrivals to West Germany Cal the Rhein main passenger service at 069-699-7477 or 330-7477. Bomb shatters . Embassy windows Santiago Chile a a bomb exploded Early tuesday across the Street from the . Embassy shattering windows in the compound and several other Down town buildings and slightly injuring an embassy Security guard authorities said. The bomb was planted in a sidewalk garbage can in front of the . Embassy and 150 Yards from the presidential pal Ace a police officer said. The narrow downtown Street is lined by shops and offices. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the explosion. A chilean Security guard for the embassy who was at the building Entrance suffered minor injuries in the blast said a spokeswoman for the embassy Sonja Sweck. The Man was taken to a Hospital treated and released she said