European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 17, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 4 the stars and stripes wednesday january 17,1990first lady approves of women in combat Washington api a Barbara Bush said tuesday she thinks women should be allowed 10 serve in combat if they Are physically Strong enough because  and mentally they Are More than Able to compete with a  she answered with a Quot qualified yes Quot when asked in an interview whether women should serve in combat. Quot if i thought a woman physically could pick up someone who was wounded and carry them to safely if 1 thought they could throw a hand grenade As far As a Man then i would say Fine. Quot they can shoot As Well. They can Fly As Well. The Only problem i would have is if it risks somebody Csc s life because they could t throw a hand grenade As far or carry someone that would be the Only  president Bush has said he would be willing to listen to recommendations from the Pentagon about the possibility of women serving in combat but that the women who fought in Panama were not in combat roles. In the Panama invasion women were not assigned to combat units but some found themselves under fire in performing support duties. The first lady also said she helped Bush keep the invasion of Panama secret. She said she was told about it the Day of the invasion before it happened but Quot i knew something was going on Quot a few Days ahead because of All the presidential advisers who were coming and going from the White House. When deposed Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega finally surrendered to . Forces after several tense Days in the Vatican embassy in Panama City mrs. Bush Sard the president a came racing through and said a we got him a a she added a i d say he was pleased pleased that it was Over without Mote . But Cheney has no plans to change policy Houston apr defense Secretary Dick Cheney says he has no plans to allow american servicewomen in combat despite complaints from same women soldiers and a Call to do so from a congresswoman. Quot my own personal View is that the current system is about right Quot Cheney said monday. Quot we be worked to expand opportunities for women As much As possible. It s a continuing process of opening up various occupational specialities where we think its  sgt. Rhonda Maskus of the army 82nd airborne div has filed a discrimination complaint against the army alleging a male Soldier was selected Over her for the recent Panama Mission despite her expertise As an intelligence analyst on Panama. Army policy bars women from com Bat roles although several women were engaged in combat in Panama. In addition rep. Patricia Schroeder d-cnlo., has said she will introduce a Bill that would allow female military personnel into combat. But Cheney Drew the line monday saying �?o1 think there Are situations in he nature of Modem warfare that women assigned to various combat support units or to of units for exam ple As was the Case in Panama will in fact end up in combat and have to defend themselves accordingly. Quot that s a different proposition from taking a unit that has a specific combat role and saying we ought to change the makeup of that unit and include women to fill those roles. As a general proposition i think the current exclusion from certain types of units is appropriate Quot foreign Bank pleads guilty to Money laundering Tampa Fla. Apr a Luxembourg Bank pleaded guilty tuesday in a $32 million global Money laundering Case with links to cocaine traffickers and fallen dictator Manuel Noriega and agreed to forfeit a record $14 million. Under the plea bargain the two divisions of the Bank of credit and Commerce International will also receive five years probation. The Pica did not affect charges against six Bank Oft cers a one of whom said he was Noriega s personal banker a and two colombians prosecutors say were part of the Medellin cocaine Cartel their Case opened tuesday with pretrial motions. But under the plea bargain the Bank agreed to cooperate in prosecuting the remaining defendants. The Cash forfeiture of $ 14 million Frozen by inc government was 1he largest Ever by a financial institution in the United slates said Dave Runkel . Justice department spokesman. The Bank entered the plea As it was about to go on trial in the first Federal prosecution of a major Bank on charges of conspiring to Aid drug trafficking through secret accounts. The More than 30 charges against the two Bank entities included tax fraud failure to report currency transactions Over $10,000and laundering cocaine profits. . District judge w. Terreil Hedges did not immediately set a sentencing Date. He imposed a gag order to prevent parties in the Case from talking to the news Media and Bank officials and attorneys refused comment on the agreement. During a two year sting called operation a Chase customs agents posed As Money launderers and penetrated powerful colombian syndicates authorities said. According to the indictment agents contacted Bank representatives in 1987 and opened accounts at different branches. Bank officials were to receive drug Money and put it in certificates of Deposit in the branches agents said. The branches used reportedly included locations in France Panama Uruguay the Bahamas Luxembourg and England. Customs agents claimed the Money was intended mainly for colombian drug traffickers. Investigators said Bank officials would create a loan at a Branch permit the agents to withdraw the funds getting a Buzz from Art Renaissance master Michelangelo might look askance at this artistic technique but sculptors across the country Are rated up Over it. Max Osorio for one is using Bis Chain saw to put the finishing touches on u wooden Bear in Stowe it. A it is stir very rough but when pit consider i am working with a Chain saw it s remarkable a said Osorio who claims to he the Best sculptor in Vermont. Then repay the loan with the cd. The Bank divisions and nine of its officers were indicted in 1988. Noriega is not mentioned in the indictment. Altogether More than 80 people were accused of participating in drug related Money laundering in Highl . Cities a Detroit Philadelphia Chicago los Angeles Houston Miami new York and Tampa a and London and Paris the Luxembourg Bank with operations in 73 countries was allowed of continue doing business after putting $14 million in escrow to cover the amount the government contended the Bank had laundered. Among those still facing trial is Amjad a wan of Coral Gables Fla., who Daims he was Noriega s banker managing an account that held up to $23 million. Letting kids skip school for Rock concert costs parents detention time Cambridge wis. Apr three parents who let their daughters skip school for a Roult concert have volunteered to serve detention time in inc principal s office in place of their children. Quot in a 33 years old and i m taking my first detention Ever Quot Chris Thompson said. Quot everyone i be told this to thinks it s the funniest thing they  Thompson her husband. Haul and a neighbor Colleen Lupin Zowick said they will serve their daughters detention time wednesday when the students arc Oft from school because of an administrative Day. They said they allowed their daughters Junior High school students to take a Day off so they could attend a concert in Milwaukee by new kids on the Block. The concert was not scheduled to begin until 7 p.m., but Lupin Zowick said she and the children left in the Early afternoon because she had business to conduct in Milwaukee about 70 Miles East Thompson said her daughter Melissa was Home sick in the morning but went to the concert anyway. Quot i think she would have left if she had he plague she was that excited about it she said. Michael Buehler. Superintendent of Cambridge schools said the pupils would have been excused if they and their parents had told the school the truth instead the daughters were Given detentions but school officials agreed to let the parents serve the time. Quot the parents came up with a novel idea that shows accountability and being a Good role Model Means owning up w Hen you do something wrong or Don t use the Best of judgment a Buehler said. _ Lupin Zowick said she will sit in the principal s office fur 1 hours a 3 i hours fur each of her two daughters