European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 2, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday december 2, 1993 a commentary the stars and stripes Page 17. A 1 a a. I veterans Are Walter r. Mears the Nightmare of the persian Gulf War was the threat that iraqi mis Sites might spew chemicals on troops or cities. The worst did no to happen. But something apparently did. So nearly three years later the . Government is investigating trying to de Termine the cause of mysterious ailments afflicting some americans who served in the Gulf War zone in 1990 and 1991. In previous cases such As this the gov can mint usually has been slow some times grudging to acknowledge that chemical expo sure afflicted men Long after they served. It was 20 years in the Case of Vietnam 50 years for world War ii veterans exposed to Mustard Gas in secret . Tests. Fly comparison this administration is moving fast wary of the kind of drawn out controversy that lasted until the government agreed to compensate veterans afflicted by exposure to agent Orange in Vietnam. Ironically the Bill to do that was signed Early in 1991, with american forces deployed for the War against Saddam Hussein. \ while acknowledging three instances in which at least traces of chemical weapons were detected in Northern saudi Arabia the Pentagon said that could not be the cause of what now is called a Gulf War  the symptoms include fatigue weight loss insomnia and pain in Muscles and joints. Even the source of the gases remains a mystery there a nothing to prove they came from Iraq and the Pentagon is checking with . Allies in the War to see if they know. The official Pentagon history of the War had said flatly that a Iraq did not use chemical or biological weapons a a czech chemical defense unit detected traces of nerve Gas at two Sites on Jan. 19, 1991, and Mustard Gas at another spot on Jan. 24 during the air War against Iraq. . Officials checked and concurred with the findings although there was no other data to confirm them the Pentagon said. That was done in october with Congress prodding after hearings with ailing veterans. A panel of medical experts recruited by the Pentagon is to look into the veterans health problems and a team is to go Back to the area soon to see what other factors perhaps Industrial chemicals like chlorine and ammonia might be involved. The veterans affairs department is setting up a Pilot program at a medical Center in Birmingham ala., to conduct neurological and other tests on area veterans who say they have ailments because of chemical exposure in the Gulf War. Sen. Jay Rockefeller d-w.va., chairman of the veterans affairs committee said he will seek legislation to provide government care for ailing veterans of the Gulf War. He said they Are entitled to the presumption that to Cir illness is connected to their service at least a until we unravel this  1,500 Gulf veterans have filed claims with the veterans administration seeking compensation for disabilities they blame on environmental exposure during the War. Fewer than 100 Nad been approved As of october. _ the government said earlier this year that some Gulf veterans were suffering from undefined ailments that could t be diagnosed but that there was no firm evidence linking them to service in the War. A the topic has been debated in congressional hearings Ever since with demands that the government do More to find the cause treat the ailments and provide information on the problem. That too has happened before. Administrations were reluctant Congress insistent that there be compensation for veterans with ailments linked to. The agent Orange defoliants sprayed on the Jungles of Vietnam Between 1962 and 1971. But even now there Are disputes As to which diseases can be traced to that chemical entitling victims to disability compensation. Five including three types of cancer arc on the Listwa. Eventually there will have to be answers like those about ailments linked to Gulf War duty. _ it was a 100-Day War Swift and victorious with relatively few losses in Battle. But it seems there acc other casualties still to but a counted. C the also dated pres education has had its knocks but there s Hope Bill Clinton never promised to be a the Educa lion president a As his predecessor did. But there was every reason from his history to expect that education would be a Keystone of his program. It had been his passion and almost his obsession during the decade he was governor of Arkansas. It turned out that other things have preempted his attention this first year a the budget Bosnia Naftal health care Etc. Clinton has launched several school initiatives but probably the Best thing the president has done for education was to pick his old Friend former South Carolina gov. Richard Riley As the Secretary of education. Riley is one of the most decent and honorable people in Public life. He has Little of the showmanship of Nis predecessor in the Job former Tennessee gov. Lamar Alexander. But Riley a sincerity and commitment to schools made a difference in his Home state a where he led the fight to keep schools open during the Battles Over busing and launched the drive to improve their Quality. He will make a difference Here As Well. The other morning i went out to see Secretary Riley at Hine Junior High school seven blocks from the Capitol where he met with students and teachers and made a talk about a newly released report on americans Young people. Hine Junior High has been a shining example or excellence in a generally beleaguered school system. Between the time Riley a visit was scheduled and his actual appearance Hine became even More famous locally for its outspoken principal Princess Whitfield. Angry because the Slowpoke District of  school bureaucracy would not assign the four extra teachers needed to meet the increased enrolment in her Magnet school Whitfield went on the Warpath and took her demands to the Public. By the time Riley got there two of the extra teachers were at work a and Whitfield was telling anyone who would listen Lejat a no one is going to Stop me. One Way or another in a going to get this  with its palpable school Pride and its Pushy no Compro Mise with Quality principal Hine proved to be the perfect setting for Riley to Tell the country about a a revolution of rising expectations that has not been widely noted. Among the cores of social trends a Many of them negative a reported in the study was releasing youth indicators 1993, the most hopeful he said is that a the education aspirations of our Young people have jumped enormously in the last ll7years." in 1980, a department of education Survey showed More High school sophomores planned to end their schooling with a High school diploma a or less a than were aiming at a Bachelor s degree. A similar question in 1990 showed More than three times As Many said their goal was a bachelors degree than said completing High school was their aim. The evidence in the report suggests this is not just talk. Many More Are enrolled in academic or College preparatory tracks than a decade David s. Broder earlier. More Are participating in after school academic clubs fewer in Check leading athletics and Simitar activities. The upward shift was particularly dramatic among Black students surveyed and that was certainly True of Many of the youngsters in Riley a audience at mine. Eighth grader Gregory Stevens said he would a most definitely go to College Quot to pursue his interest in Art and music. Classmate Angela Bennett was even More specific a i plan to go to Udo the University of the District of Columbia and then to Law school f want to be a criminal lawyer so i can help people and see that they get their  that such students should be stuck in classrooms with 35 or More pupils because the District school bureaucracy cannot get teachers to the schools where they Are needed is almost criminal Riley spoke about the Faith that he and president Clinton share with millions of other americans. A Public education a Riley said a is the Bedrock of our free Enterprise system and our democratic rights. It is the one american institution that has done More than any other to give each generation and new immigrants As Well the leg up in life they need to gel  with principals As uncompromising As Princess Whitfield and an education Secretary As committed As Dick Riley the Public schools have a Chance to meet the rising expectations of this latest generation of americans. Nothing is More important than their Success. C the wat4igtori Pori