European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 18, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 4 a a the stars and stripes Friday May la Nyu . Trade deficit up 38.5% in March. It. I a 7hh Millir Tii in mine uritus 41 Friday May 18,1990 Washington apr the . Trade deficit jumped 38.5 percent to $8.45 billion in March As record exports were offset by the second highest level of imports the government reported thursday. Despite the widened Gap in March the deficit still was Well below the average $9 billion monthly imbalance in 1989. And Many economists say the Gap which has improved each year since peaking in 1987, should continue to narrow this year. The Commerce department said a 4.6 percent increase in exports to $33.28 billion was offset by a 10 percent gain in imports to $41.7 billion second Only to the record $41.9 billion set last october. The Trade deficit is the difference Between what America imports and what it Sells abroad. The imbalance had narrowed to a revised $6.1 billion in february the smallest deficit in six years and was Down 34,6 percent from a $9.32 billion Gap in january. The february Gap first was reported to have been $6.49 billion. Many analysts had been expecting a deficit of about $7.8 billion in March up from the february level but still Well below the $9 billion monthly average last year. The news was sure to attract attention at the White House and on Capitol Hill where negotiators were studying Compromise spending cuts and possible tax hikes to reduce the budget deficit. Trade improvements Are seen As an essential part of any Effort to Spur economic growth and Stem the widening Gap Between what the government receives and what it spends. The jump in exports from $31.8 billion was led by automobiles Industrial supplies and foods feeds Ana beverages. It was pulled Down by a decline in aircraft shipments which had boosted the february Export level. Imports were up from $37.9 billion in february led by automobiles capital goods consumer goods and Industrial supplies. The 10 percent gain was the largest since a 21.8 percent Advance in september 1985. Oil imports totalled 261 million barrels up 7.4 percent from february. But prices fell from $19.39 a barrel to $ 18.18 a barrel in March making the $4.7 billion import Bill virtually the same As the previous month. As usual the deficit with Japan was the largest of any country. It totalled $3.6 billion followed by China and Taiwan $600 million each Mexico and Brazil $300 million each and Canada $100 million. The United states posted a $700 million surplus with the countries of Western Europe. The Trade deficit hit $152.12 billion in 1987 and then dropped to $118.53 billion the following year. The 1989 deficit Slid further to $109 billion. A i think the deficit for �?T90 will show a significant improvement Over 1989,�?� said senior economist Bruce Steinberg of Merrill Lynch capital markets in new York. A it will get Down to about $95 billion or so maybe even better than  economists at Fuji securities inc. In Chicago also forecast continued improvement. They expect the average monthly Gap in the first Quarter to total about $7.6 billion Down from $9.1 billion during january March 1989. A stepped up Export demand stemming from vibrant economic growth abroad plus reduced import demand caused by sluggish Domestic growth should assure further reductions in the deficit in coming quarters a they say. President Bush and congressional leaders began negotiations earlier this week on a package of spending cuts and Revenue increases to forestall the automatic spending cuts for fiscal 1991 under the Gramm Rud Man balanced budget Law. Polhill in Good condition after vocal cords surgery Pennsylvania patriotism former president Reagan stands at attention for the National Anthem thursday in Philadelphia before delivering a patriotic message a a the world is Giddy with democracy Quot a at a Cele bration of the University of Pennsylvania a 250th birthday. Reagan 79, kicked off ceremonies before a crowd of 10,000 to commemorate Pennis founding by Benjamin Franklin. Washington apr freed american hostage Robert Polhill was reported in Good condition thursday following surgery to remove his voice Box because of a cancerous growth around his vocal cords. A the is resting in intensive care a said Ben Smith spokesman for Walter Reed army medical Center where Polhill underwent four hours of surgery. A this condition is Good. The surgeons characterized the operation As  Polhill a wife Ferial and Mother Ruth were with him in the Hospital Smith said. The spokesman declined to provide More details saying an update on the former hostages condition would be provided Friday. Polhill a doctors said wednesday that such Radical surgery might have been avoided if the tumor had been diagnosed sooner. A if it had been discovered earlier he probably  have to lose his voice Box provided he had the right radiation therapy a said col. Russ Zajtchuk Deputy commander of clinical services at the army Hospital. He said the tumor is probably at least a year old but there is no evidence the cancer has spread. Nonetheless Polhill a treatment will include radiation therapy the doctor said. Polhill 55, was held captive by shiite moslem in Lebanon for 39 months before being released april 22. A we Are going to overcome this or Deal. We Are survivors and we Are definitely going to survive this ordeal a Ferial Polhill said. Polhill has told his doctors he was visited by physicians eight or 10 times during his Captivity. A a in a pretty sure they did no to examine his Throat a Zajtchuk said. A a he a a smoker and this condition is related to smoking a Zajtchuk said adding that Polhill told him his captors had provided him with cigarettes. A the growth is involving both vocal cords. One vocal Cord the left is paralysed a Zajtchuk said. Quot the tumor also extends below the vocal cords so it is quite an extensive  Polhill a weak Raspy voice prompted Early discovery of the tumor. A full diagnosis was put off until Polhill a diabetic who was 25 pounds underweight when he was released gained enough stamina to undergo the general anaesthesia necessary for a Biopsy. Polhill was told after the Biopsy last week that the growth was cancerous and agreed to surgery. Public disclosure was postponed to give Polhill time to Tell members of his family Zajtchuk said. Mrs. Polhill said her husbands spirits were a very High very positive  Polhill smother Ruth nodded agreement. Zajtchuk said Polhill had begun working with a speech therapist to explore various methods for voice communication once the Larynx is removed. Polhill is expected to spend about two weeks in the Hospital after the surgery then will undergo radiation treatments Brando a son arrested in death of Sisters Boyfriend los Angeles apr Marlon Brando a son told police that he shot and killed his Sisters Boyfriend in a fit of rage because the Man had beaten the pregnant woman investigators said thursday. Christian Brando 32, was arrested wednesday night at the actors palatial Santa Monica mountains estate and was booked for investigation of murder police it. Ron Hall said. Brando was held without bail pending arraignment monday. A the admitted to the shooting a Hall said. Defense attorney William Kunstler said from his new York City office that Christian Brando will plead innocent. A there has been a tragic Accident at or. Brando a House involving the shooting death of his daughters Boyfriend a said Kunstler a longtime associate with Marlon Brando in civil rights struggles Over the past 30 years. Dag do Lett 26, died instantly from a .45-caliber Bullet in the head Only one shot was fired police said. Marlon Brando made a 911 emergency Call to police about 10 45 . To report a shooting inside his Mulhol land drive estate police said. A the dispute was Over the victims treatment of Cheyenne Brando Marlon Brando a 20-year-old daughter a Hall said. A there were allegations that there was physical abuse a beating. There was an argument and he became  Cheyenne is Brando a daughter by Tarita Terii Pia a tahitian actress who played his sweetheart in the 1962 film a Mutiny on the  Hall said she was pregnant but he did no to know when the baby was due or who the father was. Do Lett was a temporary guest at the Home and a Friend of the family the lieutenant said. When police and paramedics arrived at the estate overlooking Bel air Dor Lett a body was found in what was described As the entertainment room. Christian Brando was waiting calmly for them said police. He was alone with do Lett when the shooting occurred. The Oscar winning actor his wife and daughter were in another Wing of the Home and did not witness the shooting Hall said. Christian is the son of the actor and his first wife Anna Kashfi. The couple were divorced in 1959. Officers recovered a .45-caliber automatic used in the killing several other weapons were confiscated including an m14 carbine a Shotgun and an Uzi assault Rifle. A i done to want these guns Here. Take these guns out of Here a Marlon Brando was quoted As telling police. The 66-year-old Brando who won Best actor oscars in 1954 for a on the waterfront and in 1972 for a the godfather a is an intensely private individual who shuns Media attention. A a he a a very private person and has nothing to say a said Kunstler a partner Ronald Kuby