European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 24, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 10 a the stars and stripes Friday january 24, 1992smoke signals smoke rises from piles of burning Ivory after officials in Dubai United Arab emirates torched the confiscated tusks wednesday. The bonfires were set by officials to show that the country complies with a . Trading ban aimed at preventing the annihilation of elephants and Rhino populations. The value of the Ivory burned wednesday was nearly $2 million. Kohl sees growth of German Power As plus for Europe by Tyler Marshall los Angeles times Bonn Germany a Chancellor Helmut Kohl dismissed concern about Germany a growing political Power wednesday declaring that it is an inevitable yet positive development for Europe. A no one really needs to be afraid of the germans a Kohl told a group of foreign correspondents at a formal lunch Here. A no one is running around with Jack boots wanting to Mug someone. I believe we be Learned at least As much As others from history because we had More reason  in the course of a two hour question and answer session Kohl sketched a set of personal foreign policy goals for himself and his country. They were anchored in the consolidation of German unification and focused mainly on the creation of a larger european Unity. He referred often to the vision of West Germany a first Chancellor Konrad Adenauer declaring at one Point a i want a United states of  he also made it Clear that the newly free but economically devastated nations of Eastern Europe were part of his vision. Attempting to ease the anxieties of Germany a neighbors and allies in the Wake of the country a controversial shaping a critics would say a a hijacking a of dec policy on Yugoslavia Kohl said a we germans done to want to go it  the wave of criticism that erupted after German foreign minister Hans Dietrich Genscher last month cajoled his dec counterparts effectively to take sides in the yugoslav conflict by recognizing the breakaway republics of Croatia and Slovenia stung the government. The respected British Magazine the economist portrayed Germany As a Frog marching Strong arming the dec. A i done to believe we be earned the mistrust a Kohl said at another Point. A no one can wish More than that the germans agree with the words of Thomas Mann that we Are German europeans and not european  Kohls comments come less than 24 hours after . Ambassador to Germany Robert m. Kimmitt in carefully chosen words said in Bonn that the United states a welcomed and valued this German assertiveness but noted that it should be contained within a collective actions designed to achieve common goals and  a Low would expand phone mail surveillance Bonn Germany apr parliaments lower House on thursday passed a controversial Law that allows investigators in Pursuit of illegal weapons merchants to tap telephones and open mail. The opposition social democrats charged the measure could be misused to Snoop on the general populace. But Chancellor Helmut Kohls governing coalition said the limits of the new Law would not be trespassed and that it would help in the Long Battle against the illegal Sale of weapons to other countries. The Law states that in urgent cases where other methods of investigation have not been fruitful customs officials can Monitor the mail and Telephone Calls of people suspected of involvement in illegal weapons deals. German firms allegedly helped with iraqis atomic weapons program and with improving the Range of iraqis scud missile which was used against Israel during the persian Gulf War. One of the most sensational scandals erupted in 1987 when the Cia said German companies helped build libyans Poison Gas Plant at rata. Some convictions have already been handed Down in the Case and the investigation is still under Way. British conservatives May Call election on heels of budget London apr prime minister John majors government wednesday announced that the next fiscal budget will be unveiled March 10, fueling speculation that a general election would follow soon after. The elections timing is sensitive for majors ruling conservatives which is struggling with a recession and is neck and neck in opinion polls with the main opposition labor party. To take advantage of voter reaction to the tax cutting measures expected to be included in the budget the conservative party is expected to hold the election As soon As possible after the budget announcement. That would be april 9 at the earliest because an election has to be announced and parliament has to be dissolved a minimum of 23 working Days before the election actually takes place. Elections Are traditionally held on thursdays. The financial times quoted unnamed senior ministers As saying that an unexpected reversal of conservative fortunes in opinion polls could Force major to delay the election until May. Some ministers reportedly Are advising him to wait for signs of an upturn in the Economy. The conservatives came to office in 1979 under Margaret thatchers leadership. She was in her third term when major replaced her As prime minister in november 1990. Americans escape worst of flu in Turkey from wire and staff reports a Strain of influenza that has swept through Turkey the past three weeks claiming six lives and closing schools has not had any measurable Impact so far on american service members and their families assigned to bases there. The disease which health officials refer to As the a China flu a killed two people in the past two Days one in Istanbul and the other in Ankara bringing the total to six since Early this month. People at Ankara air station however Are not experiencing More cases of influenza than would be expected for this time of year said capt. Kimberly Sale a base spokeswoman. Service members were vaccinated in november and family members Are Welcome to be vaccinated although it is not mandatory Sale said. Base officials at in Ciurlik a and Izmir air station reported similar situations. Tuesday the turkish education ministry ordered All schools closed in Turkey four Days ahead of scheduled midterm holidays to prevent the virus from spreading. Education minister Koksal top Tan said the measure was precautionary and four Days would be added to the next term to make up for the loss. Schools at All three american bases have remained open. Characterized by symptoms of High fever which caused the six deaths the flu has hit adults and children alike. The other four deaths occurred in Izmir and two Black sea provinces. Health authorities said they were not using the term a a epidemic to describe the diseases effects. Staff writer Gary Miller in Naples contributed to this report cafes new Home to open feb. 78 by the stars and stripes the army and air Force Exchange services european Headquarters will officially open at its new location near Nimberg on feb. 18, a spokesman said this week. The Exchange service in Europe was headquartered in Munich since 1969 but is moving to Pinder Barracks in Imdorf because the Pentagon has placed the Munich military Community on the closure list. A we started off with a move schedule and we re pretty much on it a said col. Joe Cato. A we have As of right now 25 offices that have moved up to Pinder  the Headquarters supervises cafes retail food and service operations in Europe. The move which started Jan. 6, will not be completed by feb. 18, but enough of the Headquarters will be in place for cafes to operate he said. The Munich facility will be returned to the military Community in May. The Munich Headquarters had 547 employees but the move to Imdorf also includes a reduction in staff to 374, Cato said. Ten employees were assigned to the cafes world Headquarters in Dallas. Eleven were sent to the distribution Center in Giessen Germany and 38 were moved to the accounting division in Kaiserslautern Germany. Cato said nearly All employees in Munich were offered transfers to the new Headquarters but Many declined. Also a few jobs were not transferable to the new Headquarters