European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 13, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Saturday july 13, 1991 the stars and stripes b Page 5 attorney general Dick Thornburgh. Approves of measure _ Washington passed a package thursday that would impose the death penalty for 51 crimes curb death Row appeals and require a waiting period for handgun purchases. The Bill passed on a 71-26 vote toughens penalties for drug dealing and using firearms to commit also bans nine types of assault St Vic semiautomatic weapons. A votes against the Bill came mainly from Senate opponents of gun control and critics of the death penalty. Forty five democrats joined by 26 republicans voted for the measure. Ten democrats joined by 16 republicans opposed final passage. The focus switches to the House where the judiciary committee is expected to draft an omnibus crime Bill before lawmakers leave on the August recess. The Senate package includes gun control provisions that president Bush said he would sign Only if Congress enacted a crime Bill to his liking. Attorney general Dick Thornburgh is Here Are the major provisions of the violent crime control Quot act of 1991 As passed by the Senate. The Bill would a require a five working Day waiting period for handgun _ purchases while police conduct background checks of the prospective buyers. A ban nine types of assault style Semi automatic weapons. A expand the Federal death penalty to include 51 crimes including murders of a wide Range of Federal officials ranging from the president to poultry inspectors. A increase penalties for Selling drugs to minors and at truck stops. A amps Susan Harris sued a statement praising the Bill saying it a will strengthen the ability of Federal state and local Law enforcement to remove drug traffickers and violent offenders from our streets a once and for it contains a nationwide five Day waiting period for handgun purchases. The Bill would also revive Federal death penalty statutes invalidated nearly 20 years ago by the supreme court and extend capital punishment to 51 crimes. The provision would apply in the 14 states where there is no death penalty. It would also set Sharp limits on the ability of state prisoners particularly those awaiting execution to Challenge their convictions by filing successive Hareas Corpus petitions in Federal caucus to fight Thomas appointment Washington apr the congressional Black caucus announced thursday it will a vigorously opposed Senate confirmation of Clarence Thomas to the nations highest court. The caucus said it will hold a news conference wednesday to explain its reasons and discuss plans for mobilizing Black opposition. But sen. John Danforth a to. A who twice hired Thomas for his staff and is shepherding his nomination through these Nate a accused the caucus of engaging in racial politics. Such tactics have a been used very recently by republicans a said Danforth who has tried to forge a Compromise on civil rights legislation with the White House. A but it is no less playing the race card for members of the congressional Black caucus to organize Black politicians around the country to oppose a Black judge who has been nominated to the supreme court on the basis he docs not have the right ideology a Danforth said. Rep. Ronald v. Dellums d-calif., a former chairman of the caucus said some of the mistrust of Thomas is based on his record As head of the equal employment Opportunity commission and personal dealings Between the nominee and House members. �?o1 think you will find that there Are substantive reasons. Rooted at least in part in the experience that at least a number of our colleagues have already had with the gentleman when he chaired Leoc a Dellums said. Thomas Leoc chairman for seven years during the Reagan administration has been accused of lax enforcement of anti discrimination Laws As head of the Agency. He also has been an outspoken opponent of affirmative action. The caucus vote was 19-i t6 oppose Thomas. The Only vote in support of Thomas was cast by rep. Gary Franks of Connecticut the Lone Republican member. Thomas declined comment on the caucus vote. In another development the internal Revenue serv ice filed a Lien against Thomas seven years ago in an Effort to collect More than $2,000 on a claim that he underpaid his 1982 Federal income taxes according to Maryland court records. The court record indicates the Case remains unsettled. But the irs said the tax liability was resolved in mid-1984 and the Lien should have been withdrawn. White House spokeswoman Judy Smith said Thomas a believes that the Lien was placed in error and that the matter is now Montgomery county court records show that the Lien for $2,150.59, was filed on april 26, 1984, against Thomas and his first wife Kathy g. Thomas. The Lien did not indicate the tax amount disputed by the irs or what portion May have been interest or penalties assessed by the Agency. Smith said Thomas a made a common error in completing a complicated schedule to his 1982 income tax she said that when notified by the irs Thomas filed an amended return and payment. In the stars and stripes10 year Sago july 13,1981 a Havana radio reported that five commandos trained in the United states and intent on assassinating cuban president Fidel Castro were captured. 20years ago july 13,1971 a the principal ringleaders of the unsuccessful military coup against Morocco a King Hassan ii were executed by a firing squad. Hassan implied that the attempt was inspired by Egypt and Libya. 30years ago july 13,1961 a armed moroccan police stood guard Over the charred wreckage of a czechoslovak Airliner which crashed in a pre Dawn Landing killing All 72 persons aboard. The plane exploded after striking a 60,000-Volt Power line. 40years ago july 13,1951 a peace talks with North Korea were unexpectedly suspended after the communists refused to permit a . Press group into the armistice town of Kaeson. Bush firmly defends Cia nominee Kennebunkport Maine a president Bush defended Robert Gates his embattled nominee to head the Cia and said Friday that the Senate should not leave him a twisting out there because of new revelations in the Iran Contra investigation. The Senate intelligence committee which had hoped to Start confirmation hearings monday announced thursday that it was delaying the hearings until it could question several people about Gates knowledge of the Iran Contra affair when he was Deputy to Cia director William Casey. Bush said the hearings should not be held up by the new disclosures in the Independent prosecutors investigation of the Iran Contra Case. He said the Senate should Call any witnesses who have made allegations against Gates and Force them to testify under oath so that the nomination can move Forward. A a speaking outside his vacation Home Bush said the Senate should not leave Gates a twisting out there through the summer. The president gave an impassioned defense of his Deputy National Security adviser speaking at length and rejecting reporters repeated attempts to ask new questions. A get the men up there who Are making these allegations. Isnit that the american system of Justice a innocent until proven Robert Gates. Hearings delayed guilty a Bush said. �?o1 have Tota Confidence in the Many a integrity and Honor a he added. Sen. David Boren d-okla., the intelligence committee chairman and senior Republican Frank Murkowski of Alaska said aides would soon try to question Alan Fiers the former Cia official who pleaded guilty tuesday to two counts of withholding information from Congress and Clair George Gates immediate subordinate at the Agency the time of the Iran Contra operation. They said the committee also wanted to question others who might be Able to say when Gates first knew of the plan to sell weapons to Iran and divert the profits to Aid Contra rebels in Nicaragua. Special prosecutor Lawrence Walsh however has warned the committee not to jeopardize his Case saying a there is no Way in which the facts now under investigation As to the cover up in the Cia can be completed within a few Days or a few weeks. A your investigation has now reached a Point of significant breakthrough a Walsh said. A to jeopardize this Progress in a vain Hope of getting Quick facts As to an individual nomination would be regrettable.�?�. If the committees quest for new information stretches on it could run into Congress scheduled monthlong recess that begins aug. 5. The situation was reminiscent of 1987, when Gates was forced to withdraw his name from consideration for the same Post because of the Iran Contra Shadow. Bush said the Senate should not have the nomination a obscured by an investigation that has been going on for four years. They ought not to panic and run like a Covey of Quail and say a lets hang it out All Over next a
