European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 6, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Survivors claim Crew deserted they left us in the lurch East London South Africa apr passengers from a greek cruise ship that Sank in Stormy seas off South Africa said monday that the Crew abandoned the vessel while hundreds of people were still on Board. The ships owner rejected the accusations. The company said some Crew members were the first to Board lifeboats As the liner oceans Sank sunday about a mile offshore. But the company said they were needed to help the passengers aboard and assist others onto the Rescue vessels. Transport ministry officials were investigating claims that Many of the Crew were among the first to abandon the Durban bound ship. Passengers said Crew members took the ship s Only two motorized lifeboats leaving passengers to try to launch regular motor less lifeboats. A they left us in the lurch. They knew. That the ship was going to sink and did no to say a thing a said passenger Kevin eh&v11 All who knew How to operate lifeboats had Stephanie Hankinson the ships photographer said the Crews departure created havoc a they left and there was a total state of panic because nobody else knew How to let the lifeboats employees and entertainers of the South african Lour company that rented the oceans reportedly took Over launching lifeboats and helping people who were see Crew on Page 2 the oceans is shown in a videotape image from Abc news just before sinking sunday oly South Africa s vows to fight with Bare hands Zagreb Yugoslavia apr Croatia a president monday declared he wants peace but said that if necessary he would Call on All croats to fight a with their Bare hands to preserve their Republic. Media reports said monday that new fighting broke out in the separatist Republic hours after the collapse of a european Community peace Mission. Battles were reported near split a major Adriatic port As Well As in Eastern Slavonia near the Border with rival Serbia and in Central Croatia. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The Leader of the three member dec peace Mission dutch foreign minister Hans Van Den Broek said talks broke Down because of Serbia a stubbornness. He said that As a result a tragedy and catastrophe loomed. Serbia and its allies refused to attend a meeting of dec ministers held with the Federal presidency sunday. Croatian president Franjo Tadjman said his government would do All it could to prevent War. But he said All croatians would fight if need be. A we shall not hesitate if necessary to Call up in arms our entire population a to Call tin them to resist see related Story on Page 9 aggression and occupation with their Bare hands a he said. A if croatian Independence cannot he ensured. Then we will Call up our people regardless of the victims involved a he added. Tadjman acknowledged last week that Croatia does not have enough weapons even to fully Arm its reservists. He said that he would continue to seek peace because a it would be irresponsible to declare War with unarmed but he said Serbia would not be allowed to extend its territory or replace his government. The collapse of the dec peace Effort reduces the chances of averting Large scale Battles Between the country a 9.8 million serbs and 5 million croats. Scores of people already have died in serb croat clashes and in fighting Between croats and the serbian dominated Federal army since Croatia declared its Independence on june 25. Fighting in Croatia stems mostly from disputes Between croats and the serb minority which makes upset croat on Page 2 a t a a charge of 80 Deal on hostages being probed Washington a Congress democratic leaders monday announced a formal investigation into a charge that the 1980 Reagan Bush Campaign schemed with iranians to hold american hostages until after the presidential election. House speaker Thomas s. Foley d-wash., and Senate majority Leader George j. Mitchell a Maine said the investigation would be carried out by the House foreign affairs and Senate foreign relations committees. Quot these allegations Are both persistent and disturbing a the two leaders said in a joint statement. A they have led us to conclude along with former presidents curler and Reagan and president Bush that these allegations should be Laid to rest once and for rep. Lee h. Hamilton d-ind., will Lead the House investigation. Sen. Terry Sanford d-n.c., will head the Al fort in the Senate. White House spokesman Marlin Fitz water said a if there is legitimate evidence and a real reason for an investigation then they ought to get to the Bottom of it. But if its just a political Witch Hunt of some kind then its asked which Way the White House views the congressional move. Fit water replied a a that a for them to a a it a not political in any Way Quot Foley told reporters. �?o1 am in a sense reluctant to open a formal investigation he added. A but i was convinced that these persistent rumours which had gone so occupied the attention of news Media both Here and abroad indicate that the inquiry should be taken Quot Foley had agonized Over the decision for weeks first asking aides to conduct an informal review of available evidence then seeking a Way to gel it the Bottom of lingering questions without appearing to Overly elevate their importance. Foley and other advisers Lear cd that their action could he criticized As a political vendetta an attempt to tar a popular Republican president just As election season begins. House minority Leader Robert ii. Michel k my said it was Clear to him that the move was politically motivated. A no question about it a he said. A i think hell be wasting an awful lot of Money on a charade Quot Michel said of Foley. Quot there s nothing there and the people Back Home Don t give two Mitchell speaking to reporters monday in Bangor said it would be Quot appropriate to examine whether there was a see Deal on Page 2
