European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 12, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 4 a the stars and stripes thursday september 12, 1991santa could arrive in a civilian style Hummer a Star spangled Saint Nick stands beside the Neiman Marcus version of the military vehicle Hummer in Plano Texas. From wire reports Dallas the Ltd Hummer military vehicle frequently seen hauling . Troops during the persian Gulf War will be dressed out in civilian colors As Neiman Marcus 1991 his and hers Christmas gift. Only 100 of the exclusive a Wnm edition Quot hummers painted in red White and Sand colors will be sold at $50,000 a copy the High profile Dallas retailer said tuesday at a preview of its annual Christmas Catalon. A a Square Back Ltd Hummer in civilian dress is ready to meet any Road Challenge Quot said Neiman Marcus describing the four wheel drive vehicles 150-horsepower diesel engine As Akin to a harnessing a Herd of  Neiman Marcus will accept reservations for the special hummers on a first come first served basis with delivery in october 1992. They will carry a Neiman Marcus signature plaque and luxury appointments. A deluxe package of air conditioning upgraded carpeting and an am pm cassette with dual speakers will be included for Neiman Marcus customers. The hummers must be picked up at the owners expense in South Bend ind., where they Are built by am general a subsidiary of Ltd corp. Owners will be Given special instruction in How to drive the rugged vehicle that can Ford up to 2vi feet of water. The growing interest in sports vehicles prompted Neiman Marcus to select the Hummer for the Christmas Catalon. The Neiman Marcus Christmas Book with a worldwide circulation of 2.8 million attracts attention each Christmas season with its unusual gifts. Since 1960, it has included air planes submarines egyptian Mummy cases. Hot air balloons chinese Junks and camels. The Vendor of valuables recognized this year that some of its clients May have fallen on hard times with the re cession. So it kept a group of presents in its Holiday Catalon at $25 or less. The least expensive gift is a $10 Christmas Platter and the most expensive is a selection of Thailand sapphires for about $200,000.Gulf payments brighten foreign Trade picture Washington a the United states posted a $2.97 billion surplus in the broadest measure of foreign Trade from april through june As payments by foreign countries for the persian Gulf War continued to give America its Best International performance in nine years the government said tuesday. The rare surplus in the country a current account during the Spring followed an even larger $10.5 billion Trade surplus in the first three months of the year the Commerce department said. Both surpluses came about because of $34.3 billion in Cash payments made by Japan and other countries of the a a . Military for the Gulf War. During the first six months year to reimburse the without those payments the current account would have been in deficit by $6.4 billion in the first Quarter and $5.2 billion in the second Quarter. Analysts believe a combination of forces will help give the United states its lowest current account deficit this year since 1982. The current account is considered the most important Trade statistic because it tracks not Only the flow of merchandise Between countries but also earnings on foreign investments and payments for services such As tourism. Many analysts predict that this years current account deficit could dip to $2 1 billion or less As the Allied War payments and lower imports resulting from the . Recession make a dramatic improvement from last years $92.12 billion deficit. David Wyss an economist with Dri Mcgraw Hill was even More optimistic than most economists predicting the deficit could fall to a Small negative of $6 billion this year. Quot we Are forecasting that the current account will be close to balance a Wyss said. But Wyss and other analysts said the deficit would begin to balloon again in 1992, climbing to around $68 billion As an improving . Economy boosts demand for foreign goods. A much of the improvement in the current account is due to the recession and As we come out of the recession imports will turn up Quot said Bruce Steinberg senior economist at Merrill Lynch in new York. For the second Quarter the $2.97 billion current account surplus reflected $11.6 billion in payments by countries for desert storm. That followed $22.7 billion in payments during the first Quarter. The War contributions resulted in a $8.2 billion surplus in the category known As unilateral transfers. Store s Sale of pet vaccines has veterinarians howling Washington a a new Safeway inc. Advertisement says it cares about your family and your pets but Many veterinarians argue that the supermarket Chain is endangering both by Selling Over the counter pet vaccines. A this whole vaccine marketing policy. Seriously endangers the health safety and welfare of unsuspecting Consumers As Well As innocent pets a said Ray Thompson executive director of the Maryland veterinary medical association. The plan is to sell Needles and vaccines to prescription holding pet owners who will then personally inject their pets. Quot we have called for the immediate discontinuation of the Over the counter Sale of dog and cat vaccines and associated syringes and Needles Quot Thompson said tuesday. Safeway made Public sunday its new product that will combat such common pet illnesses As distemper and feline leukaemia. The association said it has identified several companies that sell vaccines for injection by pet owners and has written letters asking them to Stop. A we recognize that current state and Federal Laws do not prohibit retailers from Selling such vaccines Over the counter Quot Thompson said. Quot they Are perfectly Legal in doing this. But we done to think they have seriously considered All of the physical and psychological dangers to humans and  120 dieters file suits against nutria system Miami up a More than 120 dieters including seven teen agers claimed in lawsuits tuesday that they developed gallbladder disease after following the nutria system weight loss program for More than a month. Before tuesdays filing in Dade county circuit court 74 similar suits had been filed in the county since March 1990, All of the lawsuits accuse the weight loss company of fraud and negligence. All the plaintiffs the majority of them women under the age of 30, claim damages in excess of $10,000 each but seek an unspecified amount said one of their attorneys Robert Fiore. He said 18 More dieters were to file similar suits in new York City on tuesday. The first 19 cases filed against nutria system in Dade county in March 1991 Are scheduled to go to trial oct. 15. All of the lawsuits claim that nutria system based in Blue Bell pa., failed to supervise customers weight loss Rou tines which included prepackaged foods they bought from the company. The majority of the plaintiffs have had their gallbladder removed because of severe abdominal pain and Gall stones Fiore said. The gallstones develop because rapid weight loss increases the saturation o bile with cholesterol the plaintiffs con tend