European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 19, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tuesday february 19, 1991 the stars and stripes b Page 5war in the Gulf patriotism in the running a Marine no stands beside a race car driven by buddy Baker and painted in tribute to the marines As part of opening Cere monies at sundays Daytona 500 Auto race at Daytona Beach Fla. Four other autos were also painted to represent branches of the armed services in support of . Troops stationed in the persian Gulf. _ a fear of terrorists Horts . Tourism Washington a widespread fears of terrorist attacks spawned by the persian Gulf War Are dampening prospects for a Busy tourist season in Washington where Cherry blossoms and bus loads of High school students Are the traditional harbingers of Spring tour cancellations and a sudden Sharp decline in visits to smithsonian museums and historic monuments have sent a chill through Washington a $2.4 billion tourist Industry the biggest local employer after the Federal government. Political and business leaders Are scrambling to deny false rumours that the capitals major tourist attractions have Sands of time been closed for Security reasons. The District of Columbia said mayor Sharon Pratt Dixon a is one of the safest places in America to  Washington tourism is suffering from the a double whammy Quot of War jitters and the economic recession which have combined to discourage vacation travel said smithsonian institution spokeswoman Madeleine Jacobs. She reported that 170,900 fewer people had visited the smithsonian a 14 museums and galleries in the first six weeks of this year a 12 percent decline from the same period a year ago. A a lot of school groups both local and out of town have told us they re not com ing because of fears of terrorism a she a said. A a a fewer school buses Are parked near the Lincoln memorial the Washington Monument and the Vietnam veterans memorial where visits in january also were 12 percent lower than a year earlier according to National Park service. Spokeswoman Sandra Alley. Y the trend at the monuments on the National mall continued into february she said although there has been a recent upsurge in visits to the Vietnam memorial. Congress pushing to Honor vets by the Washington Post Washington rep. Jim Jontz d-ind., wants a Halfway House to treat veterans suite Reg from combat stress. Sen. David l. Boren a okla a wants the led eral government to pay the medical Bills for any former prisoner of War. Rep. James 11. A a Jimmy Quillen r-tenn., wants to ensure that veterans cemeteries Are open for burials on weekends and holidays and rep. Michael Uil Irakis rtla., wants veterans spouses age 55 or Over to be Able to remarry without losing spousal death benefits. Spurred by patriotic Fervour Over the persian Gulf War members of Congress Are promising a dizzying array of benefits for current a and prospective a military veterans. A nothing that any Congress or government department does Ean Ever fully repay the men and women who serve at risk of their lives a Senate majority i Ead or Foric Mitchell a Maine declared in Aloor speech last week. But Congress is trying. It is in the words of rep. . A Sonny Quot Montgomery d-miss., chairman of the House veterans affairs comm it l e e. A red hot to do. Something for our returning  nearly 100 veterans Bills have been introduced in the 102nd Congress with a measure drafted by Montgomery one of the most comprehensive. His Bill would Call on foreign governments to underwrite some of the costs of new veterans benefits. A a a a. A a a a a a a a a a Montgomery acknowledged that his Bill is certain to be modified but said he is confident that a some Type of appreciation1�?T package will be enacted by the time the congressional session ends. Sen. John Mccain r-ariz., a co chairman of the Senate a desert storm task Force promises action on that Side of the Capitol a within five or six  Possi blk Senate measures include providing funds for the counselling of military children and adding restrictions on the assignment of military couples to combat zones. In the stars and stripes 40 years ago today feb. 19, 1951 a in an interview with the soviet newspaper pravda soviet Leader Josef Stalin predicted the Complete defeat of . Forces in Korea. 30 years ago today. Feb 19, 1961 a flight engineers from six major . Airlines called off their strike after president Kennedy  three member panel to mediate differences Between the engineers and pilots feuding Over Union rep resent Tori. 20 years ago today feb. 19, 1971 a defense Secretary Melvin Laird announced that All military counterintelligence and investigation activities would be under direct civilian control from now on. The action was prompted by reports of army abuses related to watching and keeping records on suspected subversives and other . Civilians. 10 years ago today. Feb. 19, 1981 a five present and former inmates at Atlanta a Federal prison filed suit seeking $2.5 million from the Central intelligence Agency for damage allegedly suffered in Agency sponsored drug experiments More than 20 years ago. A it hires Fifo image with . Lawmakers Washington apr Kuwait has hired a High fir iced lobbying firm to help smooth relations with . Lawmakers deflect criticism of kuwaiti lifestyles and ensure continued support for the Oil Rich emirate. Kuwaitis Here and in taif saudi Arabia Headquarters of Kuwait a government in exile Are sensitive to suggestions they Haven to done enough for the War Effort or Are a political  minority Leader Bob Dole r-kan., for instance has said reinstalling the Emir Sheik Jaber Ahmad Al Sabah is a not Worth one american  sen. Sam Nunn d-ga., chairman of the Striate armed services committee referred in a recent speech to a reported $1 million to $2 million in a personal living expenses incurred by the Emir in taif. Nunn though he  verify the figure said that the kuwaitis wealth underscores the wide Gulf Between the haves and have not in the Arab world. Suleiman Mutawa. Kuwait a minister  in taif called the $1 million figure a absolute  a the the Emir does not Lead a lavish extravagant life a a testy Mutawa said in a Telephone interview. A i am sure or. Sam Nunns life is More  Mutawa refused to say How Bruch it Cost to keep the e 64iyear-old Emir his four wives and Large family in taif. Lobbyist Neill and co. Is trying to Shore up us. Sup Ort for the ruling Al Sabah family which will be at the forefront in rebuilding Kuwait s political social and economic life if and when iraqi troops Are ousted. The three month $150,000 contract signed in january Calls Lor the firm to provide a advice and information on issues in the . Congress relating to development of . Policy in the persian  As Neill and co. Got the new contract the Public relations firm Hill amp Knowlton in january lost its account with citizens for a free Kuwait a lobbying group getting Money from the kuwaiti government. Hill amp know Elton was paid $5.6 million Between August and november but some of the Money went to cover costs for polling and printing. Already one House Resolution dealing with Kuwait has been introduced. It Calls for Kuwait to award contracts to rebuild the country based on outsiders contributions to the War. Under that formula the United states would receive 55 percent of the contracts according to rep. Helen Bept Tofy r-md., the sponsor. Kuwaitis say the rebuilding could take five years and Cost $60 billion