European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 29, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                By the new York times Berlin a seeking to Stem a drop in birthrates that May be the sharpest in modern world history the government of the Eastern German state of Brandenburg has announced that it will pay parents $650 for every new child they have. A Eastern Germany a adults appear to have come As close to a temporary suspension of childbearing As any Large population in the human experience a Nicholas Eberstadt a demographer with the american Enterprise Institute in Washington wrote in a recent study. Birthrates have fallen sharply in Alt five states in the former East Germany. The drop is most pronounced in Brandenburg where births have fallen of More than two thirds from nearly 38,000 in 1989 to barely 12,000 last year. In the four other Eastern states births Are Down by More than half Over the same period. Demographers say that such precipitous declines have never before been seen except in times of War plague or famine. This time the astonishing drop in birthrates which has been attributed in Large part to economic uncertainty seems to be a byproduct of German unification that no one predicted. In Brandenburg minister president Manfred Stolpe said in announcing the plan last week that he was sending out a a special signal to couples who have been reluctant to have children because of worries about Money. Leclau the payments Tojie parents in Brandenburg Are to begin immediately. The Money will be in addition to the National health insurance which covers obstetric and other medical expenses and to a monthly allowance called Kinder Geld that is awarded on a sliding scale based on income and May be used for a variety of the expenses of raising a child. Kinder Geld which has been distributed in Western Germany since 1955, can reach a monthly Cap of $420 for a family of four. Birthrates also have fallen in Europe a other former communist countries but not nearly As steeply As in Eastern Germany. Some provide payments for Newborn babies but the sums Are much smaller than the payments Brandenburg will now make. Muslim scarves Paris a at least 45 Muslim girls have been suspended from French schools in less than a week for refusing to remove religious scarves in an escalating Campaign to Force respect for the secular underpinnings of Public schools. An academic appeals commission confirmed 17 suspensions from Lille a Faid Herbe High school on thursday and Friday that were ordered in october. The disciplinary commission at  High school in mantes la Jolie West of Paris ordered 12 suspensions thursday and Friday with More expected. In Strasbourg in Eastern France 16 High school students were suspended last week from two schools for refusing to take Oft their islamic head scarves during classes. More suspensions Are expected there in the coming weeks said sources speaking on condition of anonymity. An order issued at the Start of the school year by education minister Francois Bayrou forbidding a a ostentatious religious signs in classrooms resurrected a dormant controversy Over the wearing of islamic head scarves that flared in the mid-1980s. The order which is not a Law followed a crackdown on Muslim fundamentalists increasing tension within Frances 5 million Strong Muslim Community. The Interior ministry had expelled to Turkina faso 20 muslims suspected of links to algerians banned fundamentalist movement. It also has expelled up to three imams or Muslim priests for allegedly undermining the state in their sermons. There is no official count on How Many girls have been suspended from school for refusing to remove the scarves used to cover the hair of women in accordance with islamic tradition. Arrives in Seoul South Korea a a North korean electrician who landed in Seoul on monday became the 50th defector from the communist state to South Korea so far this year government int Ellige Nee officials said. Kim Chang Hwan 31, an electrician at a fertilizer Plant arrived at Seoul a Kimpo Airport from an unspecified third country and sought Asylum said the officials at the Agency for National Security planning the governments primary spy Agency. Kim reportedly told investigators that he decided to defect because he had heard about economic Prosperity in the capitalist South. Kim left behind his wife and two children Agency officials said. Until last year Only about a dozen North koreans had defected yearly. The number has increased sharply this year amid reports of acute food and fuel shortages in the North. North koreans Economy has faced increasing problems since it lost its major sources of Trade and Aid after the collapse of communist governments in the former soviet Union and in Eastern Europe. The korean Peninsula was divided into the communist North and the capitalist South in 1945, and an invasion by the North started a three year War in 1950. With these valuable benefits overseas a Low Down payment and monthly payment plans. A payments in dollars. A policy translated in English. A offices throughout Europe to serve you. Stateside a peace of mind. Insure your vehicle before you leave. A free rate quotations a pick up your car at port and drive away with no hassles a toll free service upon arrival in u.s., Call 1-800-841-3000. Contact one of Genic tvs european offices. 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