European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 25, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The slits i 15 vol. 50, no. 345 350 wednesday March 25,1992 d 8693 wheels of draw Down can t go any faster Galvin tells panel by Chuck Vinch Washington Bureau Washington Gen. John r. Galvin chief of the european come told lawmakers tuesday that any congressional efforts to Speed the Pace of the military draw Down in Europe would cause the logistical system to collapse. A we Are now withdrawing our forces at the maximum possible rate a Galvin said at a House armed services committee hearing. A the infrastructure for personnel and equipment transportation is  Galvin said it is difficult enough to get personnel Levels in Europe Down to the currently planned level of 150,000 by fiscal 1995, let alone move tens of thousands More troops out of Europe Over the same time Frame As some lawmakers have proposed. A a in a trying not to be confrontational about this a he said. A i m so flexible that i can to even stand up. But lets just do what we have to do  the committee led by rep. Los Aspin d-wis., is holding a series of hearings with . Regional commanders worldwide to devise a realistic threat based defense posture for the United states in the Post cold War Era. Galvin told the committee that about 230,000 service members civilians and family members have left Europe Over the past two years even while 90,000 troops were moved from Europe to Southwest Asia for the persian Gulf War. The current draw Down plan Calls for having no More than 220,000 troops in see Galvin on Page 2gas leaks from reactor in Russia Moscow apr a chernobyl style nuclear Power reactor near St Petersburg leaked radioactive Gas tuesday but russian atomic Energy officials said the Small amount that escaped into the atmosphere posed no threat to the Public. Despite the official assurances some St. Petersburg residents took precautions including keeping children indoors swedish experts who visited the Leningrad Skaya Plant last year had urged that it be closed immediately because of safety concerns. . Officials said tuesday that they remained worried about the safety of All soviet built nuclear plants. Since the chernobyl disaster spewed radioactivity across Europe in 1986, serious questions have been raised about aging and poorly designed reactors poor maintenance and operator errors at nuclear plants in the former soviet Union. Despite those concerns Russia must rely heavily on its nine nuclear Power plants because of persistent Energy shortages. Three of the plants a with 11 reactors a share the same design As the chernobyl station. Russian officials said filters rendered the radioactive gases and iodine harmless tuesday As they escaped from the reactor building. Soviet nuclear plants do not have sealed structures designed to contain leaks from see reactor on Page 2 Cheney predicts Long term need for . In Gulf by Susanne m. Schafer a military writer Washington the United Stales will need to maintain a military Force in the persian Gulf a for a King time to come a even into the next Century defense Secretary Dick Cheney predicted tuesday. Cheney said that the persian Gulf War greatly reduced iraqi president Saddam Hussein a military Power but that iraqis Arsenal could be rebuilt a in a matter of years if . Sanctions Are dropped. Cheney was asked about . Involvement in the Region after a speech to group of insurance agents. The Secretary noted that Saddam has not complied with . Demands that he destroy what remains of his weapons of mass destruction. He said Saddam Only backs Down a when he is reminded we have the Means to Force him to come into compliance through . Military Power. A i think we re going to be involved there for a Long time to come Quot Cheney said citing . Allies in the Region the areas Oil supplies and general instability. The Secretary pointed out that the aircraft Carrier America and its Battle group Are in the Gulf. The warships Are a Quick strike military Force armed with see Cheney on Page 2buying a new car need t be torture by Luke Britt staff writer buying a new car in Europe does no to have to be an arduous undertaking. A Little Homework can make the process a and the results a less painful. Thousands of people buy cars through the Exchange service programs each year without complaint and the rules of those sales a no bickering factory options Only no Trade ins a prevent some of the abuses that can occur with stateside dealers. However buying a car from any source is a complicated matter. Experts say the More a customer knows about the process the less likelihood of Post Purchase trauma. Research by the stars and stripes and interviews with Industry experts suggest that new ear buyers can avoid Many potential problems by following these guidelines know thy car a less than 10 percent of car buyers know what they Are doing or How to do it a said James Ross a car Salesman tuned consumer advocate. A the other 90 percent lose billions of dollars every year on the cars they buy a Ross has written three Hooks on How Consumers can find the Best car and service for their Money by recognizing the tricks of the car sales Trade. Ross also said that new car buyers do not have to live with shoddy workmanship poor Quality control and a a too Busy attitude from dealers who done to care about customers after the Sale. The Best Protection Ross and other experts said is for customers to know As much or More about the car they wish to buy than the person trying to sell it to them. Raees protections although the military a new car sales program has some built in safeguards the customer nonetheless must be vigilant against hidden costs and misleading practices research showed. The familiar Exchange service motto a satisfaction guaranteed or your Money Hack a does see car on Page 14 last in a series tha does and done to of buying a oar in Europa. Paget 14 and 15