European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 10, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse Wednesday june 10, 1992 the stars and stripes b Page 9putting on the dog s4s Dov Cathy proof the Pooch rides around Sainte a amp re a Glise France in style in his specially designed trailer thanks to his owners who arrived in the City from the Netherlands. Cocky Bastinck left and her husband Jan right make no Bones about it. They done to go anywhere without proof who a a real motorcycle hound. Friendly fire cases Spur gadgetry race in defense Industry by Melissa 1iealy los Angeles times Washington a year after Friendly fire claimed the lives of 44 Allied in the persian Gulf War some military top brass were to gather at an army test Range in Texas on tuesday for demonstrations of new equipment that they Hope will prevent such deadly accidents in future wars. Prominent among the new gadgetry is a special a Thermal beacons that would be mounted on tanks to help Friendly vehicles and aircraft distinguish them from foes. Pentagon officials said an army Arsenal in Pennsylvania is building 300 of the beacons which Are mounted Ato atop s fall aluminium poles for deployment this on the vehicles of the 24th inf div much a one of the nations rapid reaction tank units. The demonstration at fort Bliss is to be the military leaders first formal Progress report since they established the task Force on combat identification in May 1991. Mistaken attacks on Friendly forces accounted for about one fourth of the Allied deaths in the War casting a Cloud Over the overwhelming military Victory and convincing military officials that one of the chief lessons of the War was the need to improve Battlefield identification. A the army has found that there a no one single solutions to the problem said it. Col. James l. Fowler a senior Pentagon analyst. A we have to attack the problem on a Multi front the Challenge unleashed what one officer called an a off to the races mentality in the defense Industry As contractors recognized an Opportunity to develop new products. A they obviously see a problem a a growing sub Market in the midst of decline a said capt. Paul d. Horne an armoured officer also reviewing work in the area for the army Stop brass. A this is an inventors dream. There Are a lot of Guys out there with gizmos to 1 he Thermal Beacon is one of those gizmos that can be ready Quick la. In its earliest incarnation the Beacon would be turned on by soldiers As their vehicle Maneu vers close to potential adversaries. It would Emit a Strobe like signal visible Only through infrared night vision glasses which Are in wide use by american tank Crews signalling others that the vehicle is Friendly. Among the other gadgets being rushed to soldiers in the Field Are Little Battery driven flashlights that can be hooked to a soldiers shoulder strap or attached to a vehicle with velcro. Those gadgets work on the same principle As the Thermal Beacon a effectively broadcasting a signal that could be seen by american soldiers wearing night vision glasses. But the lights now being distributed have a built in vulnerability As More potential adversaries can equip their forces with night vision goggles from the worlds arms Bazaar a Beacon that broadcasts indiscriminately could also announce a there i am a to enemy forces. So even As such equipment is being distributed to troops. Army engineers Are testing More discriminating gadgets that could be available Between 1995 and the end of the Century. These technologies would allow a vehicle to automatically identify itself As Friendly Only when queried by another vehicle using the proper electronic laser or radio frequency password. These technologies too have shortcomings. Although automatic the querying process could take crucial seconds at a time when hesitation could prove deadly they also could Lead to grave errors because those who do not respond to the electronic identification request Are considered a by default a hostile. But in fact Fowler said a vehicles failure to respond could also could mean its identification Gadget is on the blink. Sweep by italian Law officials brings in hundreds of mafiosi Rome apr mafiosi enjoying House arrest and other concessions were hauled Back to jail by the hundreds in Southern Italy on tuesday under an hours old decree aimed at cranking up the states Battle against organized crime. The architect behind much of the decree approved monday night by the Cabinet was anti mafia crusader Giovanni Falcone an investigative judge whose assassination last month by a bomb under a sicilian Highway raised a Public cry for action. Interior minister Vincenzo Scotti reported that some 700 convicted mobsters or suspected ones were hustled off to jail and that most of figures were in the Southern regions of Sicily Calabria Campania and Apulia where organized crimes grip is the strongest. Some were awakened before Dawn in the vast sweep. State television showed film footage of mobsters being taken to prison by the Busload. Dozens were also picked up in Rome and Milan where the mob has been extending its Power to Italy a financial Center. Tuesdays sweep which began before Dawn was the most sensational anti mafia Roundup since 1984, when falconers investigation led to the arrests of suspects who were tried in the 1986-1987 a a Maxim trial in Palermo. That trial brought 338 convictions including of some top sicilian mafia figures on drug murder and other charges. Those were the glory Days of the states fight against organized crime. In the last few years however the Battle has suffered numerous setbacks including problems in the judiciary and police systems. The mafia and a a Cousin crime syndicates a the a in Calabria the Camorrah around Naples and the sacred Crown in Apulia a have also grown More violent. Murders blamed on the mob jumped 30 percent last year reaching 718 nationwide. Investigators contend Many mob crimes Are plotted and arranged by suspects or convicts too generously treated by the Law. In Italy convicts can stay out of jail for the several years it usually takes their appeals to move through a slow bureaucracy. Those rounded up had been either under House arrest or free on their own recognizance with the obligation to sign in several times a week with police. State television reported that some of those hauled in were mobsters no had been sentenced to life in prison and were awaiting appeals. Magistrates were going through each Case to see if there was evidence the convicts had kept up mob ties while under House arrest. Falcone who was director general of penal affairs for the Justice ministry position when he died had Long lobbied to tighten loopholes for mobsters. The decree a is no to the fruit of emotional and emergency choices but rather the result of careful study launched Long ago Quot Justice minister Claudio Martel i said. But some Palermo magistrates complained that the state Only moves after yet another mafia butt of humor has town red faced Sadieville by. A Sadiev Illch a 255 residents arc a bit embarrassed since word got out about a subdivision that does t allow Lawn mowing but does allow nude fishing. The town became the subject of jokes by television hosts Jay Leno and Arsenio Hall who called the town the a nude fishing capital of the the jokes followed news reports last week about the Wood sorrel subdivision describing the areas natural setting and the restrictions written into property deeds to keep it looking like something in a postcard. The restrictions or covenants prevent residents from mowing or planting grass Hunting on the property and participating in a obnoxious or embarrassing but they can fish and nudity is allowed. Despite the jokes Deborah Reed who wrote Many of the deed covenants said she a learning to Grin and Bear it. A at first i was kind of Panicky a Reed said. A but its making people laugh. I done to think its meant in a harmful Way and things that make people laugh Arentt tourism has picked up As Well with curious motorists stopping at the Bottom of Gold tooth woman Lane to get their pictures taken in front of the subdivision s sign. Reed said she personally has never considered fishing naked. A it just seems kind of dangerous Quot she said. A you never know where those Little Hooks Are going to
