European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 9, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The stirs mar vol. 50. No 22 50 Mon Ltd in May 0, i9 4 d 8693 a drug ruling in Germany puts military in Legal fog by Kevin Dougherty Kaiserslautern Bureau . Military attorneys in Europe Are reviewing How a recent ruling by the German supreme court that essentially legalizes Possession of cannabis for personal use would apply to civilian employees and family members affiliated with the military. Although last months ruling does not change How the military punishes Active duty service Mem ers for using the drugs it could affect disciplinary Steps taken against . And non-. Civilians in Ger Many who work for or Are affiliated with the defense department officials said. For service members a using any amount is a violation of the uniform code of military Justice and that will not change a said Navy cmdr. Ron Morse a . European come spokesman. But How the court ruling will affect civilians is being researched by army and air Force Legal officials spokesmen for both services said Friday. A we just done to know a Morse said. The courts decision overturned German Federal Laws Banning Possession of marijuana and hashish in Small quantities for personal use. The april 28 ruling effectively legalizes import procurement and consumption of the drugs by individuals. However the court upheld narcotics Laws that forbid mass trafficking. Justices sided with health authorities in equating cannabis with alcohol. They said alcohol though deemed acceptable by modern society a can equal or even exceed cannabis As an addictive health Hazard. The court urged Germany a 16 states to work in unison to combat drug trafficking while not encroaching on a persons consume it Tion of cannabis a in Small quantities and for the exclusive occasional  / but even occasional use of marijuana and hashish flies in the face of military doctrine. A the military Community does no to condone the use of illegal see drug on Page 2 . To hear pleas of some haitians from wire reports Washington the United states will begin offshore screening of haitian boat people seeking Refuge from the violence and repression sweeping their country an administration official said sunday. President Clinton was set to explain his decision which also includes screening of haitian refugees in third countries in a statement from the White House Rose Garden later sunday. A was violence has increased we wanted to make sure that people who Are fleeing on boats have an Opportunity to assert those claims outside of Haiti before they Are taken Back and turned Over to Hai Tian authorities a Sandy Berger Deputy National Security adviser said on no cd a meet the press. The decision to make it slightly easier for haitians to claim political Asylum comes after the United nations at the urging of the United states set a May 21 deadline for imposing Tough new sanctions on Haiti a military government. The Clinton administration has come see pleas on Page 2 Well wishers Greet presidential front runner Ernesto a to Row Perez Ballad arcs right after he voted sunday in Panama City. Panama City a a Salsa Singer a millionaire businessman and the widow of a former president were among the candidates vying for president sunday As panamanians voted for the first time since a . Military invasion. Turnout appeared to be heavy As thousands of voters lined up under Cloudy skies at scores of voting stations around the capital. There were no Early reports of violence or other problems. A this is the first time we have Ever elected a president democratically a said Jose Balboa 24, who waited to vote at a local school. The polls there opened 15 minutes late while election workers taped together cardboard ballot boxes. The last elections held in May 1989, were annulled by military strongman Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega when it became apparent his handpicked candidate would lose to Guillermo Endara Endara and his vice presidential candidates were beaten up by Street thugs controlled by Noriega. Panama was ruled by the military for see vote on Page 21nsidst01w american teen Ager the fed May move amp we amp Quot a a $ a cheerful after caning to boost the dismal Singapore says Dollar overseas a see Page 14 a \ v a a a see Page 9 smooth operators forklift Drivers show off their Best moves a see pages 16-17