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Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 4

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Arizona Republici
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Phoenix, Arizona
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4
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

REPUBLIO'v REPUBLIC XITY MAIL The ArizonaRepublic Switching operation Michael Padcv Reoubllc foreign (dHor The Berlin Wall: Victory symbol for Communists Page 8 Phoenix, Aug. 16, 1973 Where The Spirit Of The Lord Is, There is Liberty Corinthians 3:17 Published Every Morning by PHOENIX NEWSPAPERS, INC. 120 E. Van Burea, Phoenix, Arizona 85004 EUCENI PULUAM. PubOdMr Editorials scores ftil Thimmeseh Nixon would find Israel's support gratifying istic Mr.

Nixon Only months before Harry Truman left the White House, a mere 21 per cent of all Americans registered a favorable rating for the plain-speaking Missourian. History since has treated him as one of the great modern chief executives. President Nixon, with three and a half years remaining in office, faces an even more crucial test of confidence and leadership. His polled favorable rating has shrunk to 31 per cent, and Watergate has months of life left in it. The President's attempt last night to clear himself of direct Watergate involvement, and an appeal for the nation and Congress to get on with urgent business, will not satisfy his critics.

They are convinced of complicity, and will not be denied. What came through loudest and strongest last night is Mr. Nixon's intent not to resign, public opinion and mounting partisan pressures notwithstanding. On reflection, Mr. Nixon's position is stronger than passion and circumstances might indicate.

Items: Of 35 Watergate witnesses only one John W. Dean III, who bargained immunity with promises of sensational charges accuses the President of coverup involvement. Except for one unsuccessful and short-lived resolution, no attempt has been made in Congress to impeach. Rather finding, Mr. than stifling guilt-Nixon has demanded Tyrant Communist East Germany's application to join the United Nations portends another mockery of the U.N.'s lofty purposes.

Both the U.N. preamble and Article 13 of the charter provide for "the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all." Yet East Germany like Red China and Cuba has come to symbolize the worst in man's inhumanity to man. East Germany was declared a sovereign state by the Soviet Union in 1954, but is little more than a puppet under the heel of the Russian government. In August 1961, in violation, of Potsdam agreements, East Germans began construction of the infamous Berlin Wall which at first was a test of America's will, but later became the prison for the inhabitants. President John Kennedy de the of can the carte the rest, in two is ed States cast a veto recently when Israel was about to be condemned in the United Nations.

All this, to Israelis, dwarfs Watergate, and besides, the Israelis, like Europeans to the north, regard intrigue and scandal found in governments all over the world as a fact of life not easily coped with in puritanical United States of America. Among top government officials, there is concern that President Nixon could be thwarted from extending his new foreign policy directions. But Prime Minister Golda Meir's adviser, Mordechy Gazit, told me, "Personally, I am encouraged that even in the past six months he has handled foreign policy as if he has no personal problems. In the meeting with Brezhnev this summer, he handled himself very well. You know Brezhnev has his own Watergate.

He is in deeper trouble than Nixon If nothing happens, if he doesn't resign or something, my thought is that the President will pursue new initiatives as he is in the Persian Gulf, and that is good." Defense Minister Moshe Dayan's closest colleague is Shimon Peres, minister of transportation and communication. Peres spoke of Nixon's "completely positive global politics," and how "the man really made a better atmosphere for all of us to live in." JERUSALEM -President Nixon, badgered and weakened by Watergate, would get refresh-m from the strong support and popularity he still enjoys in Israel. It's not that the Israelis have doped out the Watergate affair and exonerated the President. Rather it's the gratitude that they feel for his strong support of Israel in the past four years and the expectation that his foreign policies will benefit Israel in the remaining years of his term. Go anywhere in Israel, pick up hitchhikers, talk to young soldiers, fanners, clerks and top government officials, and the response is the same: Nixon is the most popular American to Israelis and is considered the most reliable president they have known.

Sen. Henry "Scoop" Jackson, is becoming a strong second figure in Israel's affections. Nixon scored here because he: stood firm against the Soviets in the 1969-70 "war of attrition" by the Arab r.ations: challenging the Soviets to step shipping arms and missiles into the region; made good U.S. promises of delivering Phantom jets to Israel at a crucial time, and also greatly increased other military aid; reduced tension through his Moscow and Peking summits, and had the Unit- Anthonu ttarrigan WASHINGTON -The notorious Berlin Wall is 12 years old this week, and this is as good a time as any to re-vlew its political significance in terms of international realities and U.S. foreign policy.

The accepted view Is to consider the wall a striking example of Communist failure. The rulers of Communist East Germany, we are told, were afraid of the contacts which the East Germans had with the West Germans in the free city of Berlin. To stop these contacts, the Communists erected the wall. In this way, the story goes, the Communists revealed their own weakness to the whole world. This is a beautiful story, and Americans have heard it many times.

But there is net a grain of truth in it. The truth is that the erection of the Berlin Wall was a most important Communist political success and a humiliating American foreign policy failure. The truth is, further, that this Communist success had a decisive effect on European developments in favor of the Communists. But let the facts speak for themselves. When the Berlin Wall was built, back in August 1961, East Germany was eco- nomicaily the weakest and politically 7 the most unstable of all Communist regimes in East Europe.

Today East Ger-' many, a state of 17 million is economically the strongest in East Europe. East Germany's economy can, in fact, be compared favorably to some Western European countries. Politically the East German regime is stable, well run and efficient. In the diplomatic field, East Ger many has been recognized by most countries in the world. This autumn, East Germany is to be admitted to the United Nations, and East German diplomatic representatives are expected in Washington before the end of the year.

On the world market East German industrial goods have an excellent reputation they are considered almost as good as West Germany's. Domestically the living standards of the East Germans are the highest in East Europe and they compare well with most other countries. We also have to note that American diplomacy has changed completely its attitude toward East Germany. The same is true of West European diplomacy, which actually went well ahead of Washington in initiating and encouraging policies of friendship and cooperation with East Germany. The West German government itself recognized East Germany and signed -extensive treaties for political and economic cooperation with it.

Most im-' portant of all, both the West Germans and the East Germans are very happy with the new situation, and so are all European nations. What, then, we are entitled to ask, happened with American and allied indignation over the Berlin Wall? The answer is nothing! Why? Because indignation, in general, is not a rational basis for any foreign policy decision, and indignation over the Berlin Wall, in particular, was completely meaningless because neither the United States nor its European allies meant to do anything about it. America's negative policy toward the Berlin Wall could have had a serious effect back in 1961 only if the United States and its allies were prepared to back their indignant words with firm action, including military action. But American public opinion would not have supported such a policy. In International affairs, It has been rightly said, you should speak softly but always carry a big stick.

Over the Berlin crisis, back in August 1961, the United States spoke very loudly, but carried no stick at all. That's why the Communists made the best out of the Berlin WalL Today's quote Richard S. Simons, In an article In The Indianapolis Star on traveling with your pets: It remained for Bob Fletcher, a hotel keeper in Thornton Le Dale, England, to announce after 30 years in the business that he would welcome more dogs as guests and give these reasons: Dogs don't try to kiss chambermaids; they don't get drunk; they don't use face towels to clean shoes; they don't burn sheets while smoking in bed; they don't complain. Watergate affair go to courts law where guilt and innocence be determined, rather than in partisan atmosphere of a Senate hearing chamber. Denying the Ervin committee blanche access to White House tapes, the President is buttressed by ample precedence.

The public also gradually recognizes constitutional damage of senators having the right to paw through the White House. The President has accepted re- sponsibility for overzealous subordinates, something no other chief executive has done when confronted with shenanigans by staff aides. There the matter will logically since Mr. Nixon is adamant about the tapes, and Congress is no mood to impeach. From this point on, the Watergate hearings have little benefit, except to pile more testimony atop million words already taken, extract more unfavorable public opinion ratings and continue to delay work on vital government programs touching the futures of generations.

Ultimately, the pendulum must swing back to Mr. Nixon. The doggerel is tiresome, the evidence and testimony and claims are repetitive and the public mood for more waning. It will be a hollow victory, indeed, if continued pursuit of Watergate demeans the presidency beyond its ability to achieve greatness in an hour of historic need. wants in clined to knock down the cinder -block wall which first went up.

Given this paralysis of fear by the United States, East Germany erected a permanent barrier. Tens of thousands of East Germans have fled to freedom despite the risk of execution by thousands of guards and a series of minefields and explosive devices implanted at the Wall. To date, more than 150 East Germans have died while trying to climb the Wall. The Wall, then, is modern history's starkest reminder of how little the East German state regards human freedom and rights. The U.N.

has shown little stomach to make its rules stick. Thus, Wall and all, East Germany probably will be admitted to the United Nations under the fashionable notion that it is better to invite bandits into the house than to reform them. sive Input of new capital, and this need is not being met. A spokesman for Continental Oil Co. estimates that "between now and 1985 the United States energy industries will have to invest between $400 billion and $500 billion in new productive and distribution an annual average of about $30 billion," in order to meet the nation's energy needs.

Present outlays, according to the spokesman, average only about $16 billion a year. Investors aren't exactly clamoring to put their capital into oil and gas exploration a certain sign that the industry isn't quite the easy money-maker its critics say it is. against me" had "inflicted suffering on my families and dedicated doctors and lawyers and their families." He also said he had volunteered to appear before a grand jury now investigating the case. Time will tell whether that's the end of the matter. "Though I still believe in my innocence," the senator said yesterday, would enter a guilty plea so the case could be dismissed and "so that I may turn my full attention to my duties as a U.S.

senator." For anyone less prominent, that should end the story. We trust Sen. Fannin will not be called upon to make any further payments on the price of prominence. Chicago amazing phenomenon- One influential Israeli told me how Mrs. Meir and other government officials who met personally with Nixon learned that "he has a deep understanding of the drama of Israel against the background of the Bible and Jewish history." Moreover, as the most celebrated "square" in the United States, Nixon harmonizes with the "square," goal-and work ethic orientation of the vast majority of Israelis.

There is small nonsense or signs of the "hip" generation here. Besides, Israelis have long learned to take travail in their 6tride. They would not smear paint on an oil company's headquarters in California, as angry members of their American cheering team did. The Israelis are tough but realistic, and aren't that worried about oil getting into U.S. policy toward Israel.

An able man like Jerusalem's Mayor Teddy Kollek deals with the thorny realism of keeping harmony in the Holy City (which he has done). He knows Israel cannot rely on sympathy. "When we were underdog, people had sympathy for us," Kollek said. "The moment we became stronger, the sympathy evaporated. The distance in time between what happened in the concentration camps is gradually fading out.

But we have made solid friends in the past five years, too. We have won over a good number of people to the opinion that Jerusalem should remain united and that it is being governed with more tolerance now than it was under the Arabs." it really works ernment programs. We need to abolish the old programs and let people spend their own money in accordance with their own values. The city would then get better and better and better." Another Chicago intellectual leader is David Collier, editor and publisher of Modern Age, the most civilized quarterly review in America. In this journal, Dr.

Collier brings the work of American and European scholars who are totally dedicated to economic freedom and personal liberty under law authors such as Henry Hazlitt, Gerhart i Stefan Possony. These are men who, in the words of the eminent Chicago book publisher Henry Regnery, haven't purchased success at the price of conformity to prevailing opinion or by fawning upon their contemporaries. Such men and institutions constitute the best of Chicago. Of course, it would be absurd to say that all Chicago institutions are constructive or enjoy perfect health. Sad to report, The Chicago Tribune, long the press voice of the heartland, has lost most of its old nerve, punch, and character.

Increasingly, it is a facsimile of commonplace journals catering to contemporary liberal conventions. But many Chicagoans still hope and believe that the Tribune will regain its former independent, battling spirit and plain-spoken conservatism. Chicago has experienced as much or more than any American metropolis from the Great Fire of the 1870s to the rioting radicals of the 1968 presidential nominating convention. The city's turbulent experience is a reminder of the generally turbulent experience of the United States as a whole. Many Easterners never think of visiting Chicago except on business.

They imagine that it lacks sophistication. But foreigners find it 'the most exciting, the most authentically American of the major cities. The Times of London recently said In an editorial: "At a time when things are difficult for Americans, a visit to Chicago is stimulating and enormously refreshing." Those Americans who don't know the greatest of the heartland cities would do well to note this informed British view. Distorted view In recent days liberal critics have portrayed the oil and natural gas industries as arch-villains a monopoly that basks in excess profits, enjoys tax loopholes, and contrives fuel shortages. lust how distorted this picture is becomes clear in light of some hard economic facts.

If the oil industry were as lucrative as its critics contend, there would be no problem in raising the necessary capital for exploration and development. Investors would rush to put their money where it would do the most good for themselves. The fact of the matter is that the oil industry has need for mas- Peres, also highly laudatory of Sen. Jackson, sees the United States as "by far the best leader in the Free World generous, open to argument and plural city whose people identify With it very strongly and who take pride in municipal works and private projects such as the spectacular new towers. For all its importance as a national mart and transportation center, Chicago isn't adequately known.

American school books put too much emphasis on the history of eastern cities. Yet Chicago is central to the American experience. The mechanical reaper manufactured in this city was the North'6 secret weapon in the Civil War, making possible huge harvests even when manpower was drained for military service. The conquest of the Great Lakes region and the building of industries around the rim of the lakes receives grossly inadequate coverage in the history texts. Countless wealthy individuals in the Chicago area, over many generations, have enriched the nation through gifts of art galleries and museums and their extraordinary collections.

Chicago, the essence of the Midwest, is the special creation of its remarkable mix of European immigrants Czechs, Ukran-ians, Latvians, Armenians, Germans-down to the present time. Chicago is a source of innovative thinking. For example, it is the home of Milton Friedman, the great university of Chicago economist, who has written so brilliantly and independently concerning urban problems. In an article entitled "What Is Killing the City?" Dr. Friedman said (and he was talking about New York City), "Government spending is the problem, not the solution.

We do not need new gov This popular weekly feature from Congressional Quarterly is in recess along with Congress. It trill resume when Congress comes back to work in September, CHICAGO One of the chief com-plaints against American big cities these days is that they don't work. New York City is the classic example of anon-functioning city. The streets aren't safe. The parks and other amenities are inadequate.

Business is in flight to the suburbs. Traffic conditions are impossible. Municipal facilities are archaic and out of order. But the wonderful thing about Chicago, capital of the American heartland, is that it is a city that works. One can walk about the downtown Loop day or night without fear of being mugged.

There are miles of attractive, litter-free parks and beaches that serve the citizens and visitors. The expressways and railways form an effective, efficient system for moving people in and around the city. Chicago is a municipality that takes pride in its past and that is busily building for the future. Chicago was the pioneer city for modern architecture, as exemplified by Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. Today, builders continue to work miracles in steel, concrete, stone and glass, in such giants as the Sears skyscraper the tallest in the world and in the John Hancock Tower, affectionately known as "Big John." Chicago has an exciting, changing skyline.

The new construction in downtown and lakeshore Chicago represents confidence in the city's future, confidence expressed not only in dollars but in the words of the people who live in the city. This is a city where the average citizen regards the city as his own, not as a cruel, alien environment, a kind of prison. New Yorkers once had that feeling, but It is gone now after the dim, depressing years of misrule by all the mayors from LaGuardia to John Lindsay. It is cheering to visit a big American ISftf The price goes up Last March 3, in an editorial headed "Price of prominence," we discussed the arrest of Sen. Paul Fannin on a drunken driving charge.

The charge was dismissed when the senator pleaded guilty to a Jesser charge of changing lanes "not in safety." It now appears that the full price of prominence was not extracted from the senator last March. Yesterday County Attorney Moise Ber-ger announced he would refile the charge of driving while under the influence against the senator. An hour or so later Sen. Fannin announced he had decided to plead guilty to the new charge. He said "the continuing controversy over the disposition of the charge.

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