European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 3, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Nato seeks to ease Russia s fears Brussels Belgium a nato foreign ministers sought Friday to reassure Russia that the alliances plans for admitting former Warsaw pact foes  create a new Divide in Europe. The allies opened Daylong talks with their counterparts from Eastern Europe and former soviet republics in a session Likely to be dominated by russians unexpected opposition to a plan to expand the Alliance in coming years. Russian foreign minister Andrei Kozarev stunned the ministers thursday by protesting the plan for drawing up conditions for future nato membership. He also announced russians withdrawal from a program to improve military and political cooperation Between Moscow and nato. Secretary of state Warren Christopher met separately with Kozarev for More than an hour Friday to discuss the dispute As Well As the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They a worked toward a clarification of some of the issues the foreign minister raised last night a said state department spokesman Mike me Curry. A a a. A / Willy Claes Secretary general of the 16-nation North Atlantic treaty organization opened the formal session by saying a the division of Europe has ended. We have worked. To ensure that it never  Koz Yreva a comments cast a pall Over thursday s meeting and Over natos at tempt to draw its former Warsaw pact enemies into the Alliance. However some diplomats suggested he was playing to an audience Back in Russia where the government is contending with a Strong nationalist opposition. Poland a foreign minister Andrzej Olechowski said the foreign ministers would a explain everything to the russians a that membership plans Arentt against  Poland Hungary the czech Republic and others have repeatedly demanded nato membership and the Security guarantees that would go with it. The russian outburst temporarily pushed the crisis in Bosnia off the ministers Agenda. A Christopher and Kozysev were to meet later Friday with the foreign ministers of France Britain and Germany to try to revive efforts to end the 2vi-year bosnian 1 War. A. A a a a Quot a. A Christopher wants formal approval from the others for a new diplomatic initiative to try to draw the bosnian serbs into negotiations with the muslims and croats in Bosnia including a cease fire around the . A Safe area of Bihac and a pledge to Stop fighting nationwide for three to six months. ,. The lure for the serbs who control about 70 percent of Bosnia is an Opportunity to press their demand for political ties to serbian controlled Yugoslavia. Santas Day off even Santa Claus likes to relax when he a not Busy preparing for Christmas. Here a Bunch of santas from the Western temporary services Santa school take some time out at a Pool in Beverly Hills calif., before a graduation ceremony thursday. The school has been training about 3,000 santas each year throughout the United states Australia and new zealand for More than 25 years., a a a a a a a a a a. A a a a a a. A a. A a. A a sick leave policy broadened by the Washington Post _ Washington a Federal workers May now take paid time off a using their own sick leave a to care for a Parent child spouse or other family member who is ill. Quot ,. / the new Benefit became effective Friday. It also Al lows use of. Sick leave for a any activity related to adopting a child and it can be used to attend the funeral of a family  previously Federal workers could use their own sick leave Only when they a not a loved one a were sick. Many Federal personnel offices had told workers that the new sick leave rules would not go into effect until dec. 22. But the office of personnel management has confirmed that the Benefit was to begin Friday As part of a Clinton administration Effort to. Get it in place before the Christmas new year Holiday period. The office said the new family Friendly leave act guarantees full time Federal workers the use of five Days of sick leave each year to take care of a family member or for a a bereavement purposes. Employees who want to take More than five Days of sick leave but fewer than 13 must have a sick leave balance of at least 80 hours. That a to make sure that the individual employee a who earns 13 Days of leave each year a a has enough time in Case he or she gets sick. The new Law pm 103-388, allows workers to use their own sick leave to take care of family members who Are physically or mentally ill As Well As to help family members who Are injured pregnant or recovering from childbirth. It can also be used to take them to the doctor or dentist. The Law defines a family member As a spouse any individual related by blood or a Affinity whose relationship to the employee is the equivalent of a family  the new Law also extends the Benefit to part time employees on a pro rated basis. Soldering Achille Lauro sinks off Somalia Djibouti apr the Achille Lauro Sank Friday As nearly 1,000 survivors of the ill fated cruise ships final tragedy steamed toward safety in a Motley Armada of warships and freighters. Two elderly passengers died and eight passengers were injured after fire erupted in the engine room before Dawn wednesday and engulfed the ship a defying efforts by the Crew to contain it. A _ the soldering ship which had been listing off Somalia Sank Friday evening italian coast guard it. Francesco do Amico said in Rome. The coast guard coordinated Rescue operations after the ship caught fire in route to South Africa on wednesday. A passengers Clad in evening clothes and pyjamas clambered aboard lifeboats and rafts and evacuated the ship. Eight cargo vessels and two american warships the guided missile Cruiser Gettysburg and glided missile frigate Halyburton carried the Achille Lauros surviving passengers and Crew members to safety. A Happy hello for mrs. Claus elves and Deer dear Santa How Are you Fine i Hope. I done to need no presents this Christmas because my parents got me a whole Bunch already. You May come by my House to say hello and get some milk and cookies. The gifts you would have Given me please give them to someone else. Tell mrs. Claus the elves and the Reindeer hello for me. A love. _. A a a teach Jackson Quot a dear Santa i my name is Aaron. I am five. I go to kindergarten. This is my Christmas list. I done to want All of these things just two. 1 want to save some toys for All the other boys. 1. Pretend police uniform 2. Lion King electric Toothbrush 3. Toolbox with tools 4. Railroad set 5. Electric fire engine 6. Dinosaur chair. Love Quot Aaron Drummond dear Santa i have been a Good girl most of the time. In a Only 3 years old a so what do you expect i really am trying to be a Good girl. I would like a doll that squeaks like my sister Chelsea a doll squeaks. I would also like a Blue Ball. I will leave some milk and cookies for you. I Hope you like chocolate Chip. In a going to ask Mummy to bake some for you. Love. A a v. A Quot a a Quot a Catrina e. Rayl a Santa also received Nice Christmas letters and lists from the children listed below care Crosby Aie Cvrk Jeffrey Van Rees Nathan Wolard Zachary Devyld Stephan Murrey Jordan a Bias Quinn Dempsey Monica Martinez Amy David Erika Johnson Emily Wachutka Stephanie Niesen Chris Alvarado Chelsea Wamick Megan Gross Deidra Reynolds Jacob Metoxen Tyler Creech. Michael Cain Foster Alley Lizzie Kommer  Tommy of Ustiy Michael Yotard Jessica Drummond kale David. Basti Rommel. Alexander Suama Dylan Dempsey Sarah David Lauren Smith r-chasat6 Covington Alison Nelsen Dousta Shakrey Lori Alvarado Christa Rayl Alyssa Gross Christina Locklear Amanda Creech Dale Cain Royce Bess. Phillip Jiey Karen Hynes Quot questions about letters to Santa and the Art contest Call Michelle at Dan 348-8361