European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 08, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Friday february 8,1991 the stars and stripes Page 5war in the Gulf 40 la. Shreveport la. A about 40 Louisiana National guard soldiers were classified wednesday night As absent without leave an offence punishable by imprisonment after they left fort Hood Texas complaining of mistreatment the guardsmen were part of a group of up to 150 soldiers who Eft the base tuesday night saying they had been overworked and were angry that the army had Cut a two Day leave to one Day. The approximately 40 soldiers classified awol had left the base without a pass. In addition 90 others were on a 24-hour pass and some May have gone Home to Shreveport a to discuss problems they have encountered during training said Dan Nance spokesman for the army a 5th inf div Mech. Nance said he did no to know when or if the other �?~90 or so guardsmen might be classified As awol because they were due Back at various times a this Isnit a rebellious thing. We just wanted some time off. Well be Back saturday a said sgt. Thomas Baker 24, of Pine Bluff Ark All were from the 1st in 156th Armor 256th inf brigade a National guard unit that was activated in december and moved to fort Hood on Jan.2i.,most were scheduled for one Day of leave this week but planned to stay Home for three according to Baker and Giglio some of the soldiers said they were tired and homesick. Some also complained that they did no to get adequate medical care enough food or time for Church services and were required to undergo unreasonable military training. A we understand some of these soldiers go awol in Texas have had a difficult time making the adjustment front civilian to military life. But we would be remiss if we did t provide these soldiers with the training necessary to survive fight and win a Nance said in a statement. In Washington a spokeswoman for rep. Jim Mccrery. R-la., said he was a encouraging any troops with or without a pass to return to fort Hood before their deadline. And we Are keeping our Shreveport office open until 11 . To Field questions front any soldiers or family members to voice complaints about fort Hood a if they stay awol a the focus would be shifted away from any complaints they May have to their misconduct a said Mccrery a press Secretary Leslie Cor a. Kern. A /. A a the soldiers said they know the army could Fine them imprison them and Cut their rank. A a Quot a everyone who left knew that was a possibility. We were willing to risk that to get some time off. We were just that desperate a said Baker. He said the soldiers biggest complaint was that a promised two Day leave was Cut. Members said they had t had. A Day off since Jan. 21. Svy a they did no to just change the Days they changed the Date. It messed everybody a plans up a said Baker. Last month members of a new Orleans National guard unit at fort Hood complained that morale was poor about 20 soldiers were awol and that troops had to train in freezing rain without cold weather gear. Their commander it. Col Glenn Appe denied the reports. Sgt. Thomas Baker left and pvt. Denene Hodge Are among Louisiana National guardsmen protesting conditions at fort Hood Texas by threatening to go  citizens donating to War Effort from wire reports Bonn Germany a the . Embassy is being showered with Money from citizens ashamed of other germans opposition to the persian Gulf War a spokesman said wednesday. One wealthy German asked where he should Send 20,000 Marks $13,700 for . Troops a . Embassy spokesman speaking on condition of anonymity said. The . Embassy has received nearly $50,000 in Cash checks or pledges from German citizens for use toward the War Effort the spokesman said. There has also been an outpouring of German support for american soldiers wives left behind in Ger a Many a including free Public transportation and baby sitting. The grass roots Solidarity starkly contrasts to the Early Days of the War when anti War protesters took to the streets Many of them denouncing the United states still protests continue. On monday night the . Consul in Stuttgart Sam Westgate was struck by an anti War activist during a panel discussion about the conflict. Westgate sear drum was broken by the blow the embassy spokesman said. A we Hope this individual will be identified and charges brought against him. This is assault and Battery a he said. Meanwhile president Richard von Weizsaecker angrily rejected foreign criticism a much of it from the United states and Britain a about Germany a contributions to the Gulf Effort. In an interview with die Zeit newspaper Weizsaecker said the criticism had been marked by a emotionalism and  he said that even though German militarism was viewed As undesirable after world War ii a now the germans afe seeing themselves exposed to accusations that they Don t want to participate in a  Germany chose not to Send troops to the Gulf citing constitutional restrictions. Instead the government has made available about $9 billion in Money and Materiel for the cause. In another development the German government cracked Down wednesday on companies violating Export Laws As More reports surfaced of German involve ment m helping Iraq develop its chemical and biological weaponry. Chancellor Helmut Kohls Cabinet agreed on a package of proposals that would tighten penal los for violating German Export Law or . Sanctus allow Domestic intelligence officials to eavesdrop on mail and Telephone conversations of suspected companies and Beerup customs agencies. 1. _ parliament must approve the package which requires several changes in existing law.. To Send medical Aid Sands of time United nations a . Agencies will Send emergency medical supplies to iraqi children and their mothers As Early As next week officials said wednesday. The decision follows Secretary general Javier Perez de Cuellar s meeting monday with James Grant the director of Unicof to assess the needs of Iraq which says it is in dire need of emergency Relief. . Spokesman Francois Giuliani said the. United nations decided to Send a joint world health organization uni Cef Mission to Iraq to deliver emergency medical Supply a to assist in the care of children and mothers and ascertain essential health  a it is hoped that the Mission could arrive in Baghdad by the end of next week a he said. A sources speaking on condition of anonymity said the shipment is expected to include baby food. 1 last week Iraq requested that Unicof and world health officials assess the need for emergency Aid. Medicine and medical equipment Are specifically exempted from the Security Council s embargo on Iraq. The United nations categorizes food for infants younger than 6 months old As  United nations has yet to Contact the Allied coalition bombing Iraq to ensure that the convoys of medicines and infant formula will not be attacked diplomats said. In the stars and stripes 40 years ago today. Feb. 8, 1951 a a packed Pennsylvania Railroad commuter train swayed crazily on a newly opened temporary trestle then bucked and plunged Down a 20-foot embankment killing 82 people. -30 years ago today. Feb. 8,1961 a president Kennedy sent to Congress a with a plea for a prompt consideration Quot a a Bill to boost the $1 minimum wage to $125 and give 4.3 million More workers the Protection of a wage floor. -220 years ago today. A feb. 8, 1971 a the Hill City of tuscan a in Central Italy Lay in ruins in the Wake of an earthquake that killed a reported 18 people injured 120 others and damaged numerous Art treasures. 7 0 years ago today. Feb. 8, 1981 a miners and other workers in Southern Poland announced tentative plans for warning strikes. Poland a Warsaw Licat allies charged that the Independent tade Union Solidarity directly attacked the polish communist party