Daily Sitka Sentinel from Sitka, Alaska • Page 10

Page 10, Daily Sitka Sentinel, Sitka, Alaska, Monday, May 3,1993 U.N. Says Serb Attack On Sarajevo Letting Up School Board By ROBERT H. REID Associated Press Writer SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) Explosions and machine gun fire shook Sarajevo today, but United Nations officials said Bosnian Serbs had generally eased their attacks in the Bosnian capital one day after their leader signed a U.N. peace plan. The plan was approved at a meeting in Greece on Sunday by Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic on the condition that it be ratified by the rebels' self-proclaimed assembly, which unanimously rejected it just a week ago.

The speaker of the assembly on Sunday denounced the plan to divide Bosnia into 10 provinces. But the assembly is under intensified pressure from Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and the Clinton administration. Milosevic is the Serb rebels' patron. They would be hard-pressed to keep fighting without the economic and military support of Serb-dominated Yugoslavia. The Clinton administration is holding firm on its threat of military intervention likely air strikes if Serbs break their promise of peace.

Both Christopher and President Clinton said they would judge Bosnia's Serbs not by what they say but by what they do. "What really matters is what happens on the ground," said Christopher. "Whether the killing slops, whether the aid is permitted to get into those who need it, whether the heavy weapons are silenced, whether the parties carry out their agreements." Christopher is in Europe seeking to persuade European allies to back air strikes on Serb artillery positions and lift the embargo on arms to the outgunned Muslims. U.N. officials said today shelling in Sarajevo was down nearly two-thirds from the past few days, and half the rounds were falling in and around Serb positions, indicating they were fired by Bosnian government troops.

"There is a general air of cautious optimism," U.N. spokesman Barry Frewer said. Clinton administration officials are concerned Karadzic's signature on the international peace plan is just another empty gesture to avoid Western military involvement. Many Bosnian Muslims also doubt that Serbs intend to abide by any agreement that would force them to give back land. "I would prefer them not to sign, and be up front for once," said Miro Purivatra, a Sarajevo artist.

"They are going to keep those territories they conquered forever." Serbs have seized about 70 percent of the republic since fighting erupted last year when the republic's Muslims and Croats voted for independence from Yugoslavia. The peace plan, drawn up by UN. envoy Cyrus Vance and European Community mediator Lord David Owen, would reduce Serb territory to 43 percent "Nobody is happy with the signing of this document because people do not believe in Karadzic's signature," said Gordana Knezevic, editor of the daily newspaper Oslobodjenje. "I personally hope that the Americans do what they promised, that they won't be satisfied with the Serbs' word but with actual deeds." Sri Lanka Police Seek ID of President's Killer COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) -Police circulated a picture of the severed head of President Ranasinghe Premadasa's assassin today in hopes of identifying the suicide bomber. The man approached Premadasa on a bicycle during a May Day parade on Saturday and triggered explosives strapped to his chest Twenty-four people were killed, including the assassin and the president, and 36 people wounded.

Mourners streamed past-the casket of the slain president today as 350,000 people waited their turn outside' his home. Shops and government offices opened for the first time since the president was killed, and streets were as crowded and noisy as usual. The government has blamed the killing on the Tamil Tigers, a guerrilla faction fighting for an independent Tamil homeland in the north and east. The Tigers have denied it Detectives took the photograph of -the killer through Tamil neighbor- 'hoods of Colombo to-see if anyone could recognize the man. The picture showed a virtually unmarked face, with eyes closed and mouth open.

The head appeared to be resting on the street or against a wall. Police superintendent Lionell Gunatilleke said the assassination bore the trademarks of a Tiger operation and was similar to the killing of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991. On Sunday, the governing United National Party nominated Prime Minister Dingiri Banda "Wijetunga as Its candidate to complete the president's term, which expired on Jan. 2, 1995. Wijetunga was sworn in as acting president on Saturday.

The opposition Sri Lanka Freedom Party nominated former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, who had been the nation's chief executive for a total of 12 years in two terms. The election will be held within one month by the members of parliament, where Wijetunga's party has a majority. Communists Resume Small Vigil in Moscow MOSCOW (AP) A Communist outside Russia's parliament waned today, two days after a May Day protesi that ended in Moscow's worst bloodshed since the 1991 coup. Fewer than 80 mostly elderly protesters milled about down from roughly 2,000 who took part in Saturday's clash and the hundreds who picketed the parliament the next day. Some held red Soviet flags or placards with anti-Yeltsin slogans as a few police officers looked on warily.

The president's supporters and opponents have been trading accusations of who provoked the which resulted in hundreds of injuries but no deaths. It was the worst flareup yet in Russia's festering political crisis. A policeman who was pinned between a truck and another vehicle in the rioting remained in extremely critical condition today. The Interfax news agency said his skull had been broken and chest crushed. The clashes erupted during rallies in which nationalists and pro-Communists marched through the streets demanding Yeltsin's ouster and blaming the United States for Russia's ills.

May Day, still a state holiday honoring workers, was was a day marked by Soviet fervor and pageantry under communism. Violence broke out when police blocked demonstrators from leaving their officially authorized parade route. Protesters hurled bricks, metal rods and flag poles at the police, who fought back with rubber truncheons. President Boris Yeltsin heard citizens' complaints about the violence during a stroll today in Zelenograd just outside Moscow. He said 17 police officers had been seriously hurt in the clash.

T44 Bring the best in movies on your screen or on our screen! Hero; Pet Semetaiy II; Sarafina; The Public Rye; Liar's Edge. Gross-Alaska THEATRES A JL-j Groundhog SHOW TIMES: 7:35 Sunday Matinee 4:35 SHOW TIMES: 7:30 Sunday Matinee 4:30 Continued from Page 1 and principal of Ketchikan High School, and principal of Valley Park Elementary School. He was a principal and high school math and English teacher in Wisconsin for 11 years before moving to Alaska, Bachen said the strength of recommendations from Hoist's former school districts gave the school board confidence that a three-year contract would be appropriate. Previously Sitka superintendents have received two-year contracts. Hoist's experience in education on a statewide level also influenced the board in its choice, said Bachen.

"I think that's real healthy in terms of giving us someone with a good perspective," said Bachen. "He's knowledgeable about how other districts handle problems." Bachen 1 said he was also impressed by the way Hoist approached negotiations with the board for his first contract. Hoist was organized, had information available, and was easy to work with, said Bachen. "I think we found a he said, referring to the salary agreement Although the position had been advertised at $74,000, board members wanted to offer enough to attract Hoist -here. Hoist's salary in Sitka is less than he would have received in Craig.

The third-year increase is 1 percent greater than the fiscal 1995 salary. The board viewed a three-year contract as a way to control salary increases and to "send a message that the board is looking for stability in the district He'll be here enough time to pull the district together the staff parents and Whether the board wants Hoist involved in the current negotiations with the teachers union, classified workers union and administrators has not been decided, said Bachen. Hoist said he's willing to do whatever the board directs him to do. He said he's had experience on both sides of the negotiating table. The attitudes of those involved in the interview process, and the unanimous choice of Hoist was encourag- Longevity.

Continued from Page 1 that chamber has adjourned. The House must reconvene by Wednesday if the Senate stays at work, as expected. The longevity bonus program, which provides the monthly payments to Alaskans 65 and older regardless of need; will cost the state ah estimated S87.5 million a year by the end of the century. HB81 would reduce the cost to $24.3 million, state officials say. "It's a major, major expenditure of general funds in a time of declining revenues," said Sen.

Tim Kelly, R- Anchorage. Sen. Jay Kerttula, D-Palmer, read excerpts on the Senate floor from legal opinions that implied the bill had been drafted so that courts would rule the entire program unconstitutional. "What we're doing here as near as I can tell is wiping out the whole program," Kerttula said. The program began in 1973 to those who had lived in Alaska since before statehood.

Some were miners, fisherman and trappers who had no retirement income. The payments were intended to let them stay in Alaska. Senate Continued from Page 1 the additional money to spread out among certain districts. We don't like that at all." Several water and sewer projects were deleted from the districts of Democratic Sens. Fred Zharoff of Kodiak and Georgianna Lincoln of Rampart The most glaring was a $2.5 million upgrade of Kodiak's water system the No.

1 project on the Department of Environmental Conservation's priority list Finding that cut hard to justify, Senate Finance restored the money Friday night "They've- got serious problems," said Senate minority leader Jim Duncan, D-Juneau. "The majority should be absolutely embarrassed by what they've done to the capital budget "It's pure power politics. It's a sham. It's greedy." One example cited Friday was $2.3 million for a new elementary school in Pedro Bay, home of Sen. George Jacko, the only Democrat in the Senate coalition.

The new school in Pedro Bay was not mentioned in the governor's proposed four-year, $520 million school construction and repair plan. Jacko cited a state environmental inspector's report that said he detected the odor of diesel fuel during a visit to the old Pedro Bay school Monday as justification for a new one. A total of $14 million would be allocated for school projects in Jacko's rural district, including $9 million in grants for projects the administration did not list as priorities. "When you sec millions of dollars in school and water and sewer projects going to his district, why is that happening?" Duncan asked "Do they just like him or has he threatened them? Jacko disputed the rumor that he had threatened to leave the coalition if ing to board members. At their presentations Saturday and after the announcement, committee members thanked the board for allowing them to participate in the selection process.

"I think there's a lot of enthusiasm and optimism right now," said Bachen. "People who were involved in the process are very enthusiastic about the choice. I only hope the enthusiasm will carry forward and that everyone will work well together." At the Saturday announcement, Hoist said he is so far impressed with the school board. "I believe we'll have a very positive relationship," he said. Although not certain what his plans or goals are for the district, he said he favors long-term planning.

He said he has had experience "on both sides of the table" in teacher negotiations. He said he's excited about coming to Sitka. "It's a lively community, with fine people" he said. "The pieces are all in place for things to really take off. There are signs of strong support for education.

The only piece missing is getting things pointed in the right direction. I hope I'll be able to do that" He said that although his former district is about one-fifth the size of the Sitka district, he's confident his experience in larger districts will be enough for him not to feel overwhelmed. "It gives you some feel for he said. "Issues of funding, how the funding formula works and how to manipulate the funding formula to your advantage." Hoist is originally from Chilton, Wise. He received his bachelor's degree in English and math, and his master's degree in administration at the University of Wisconsin in River Falls.

He received his superintendent certificate in 1977 at the UW in Superior. His wife Lana works for the Forest Service in Ketchikan. He has two grown children. Kristina, 25, will receive her degree in pharmacy at Idaho Slate University this May. His son Louis, 21, is a power troller in Alaska.

But a 1984 court decision struck down the longterm-residency requirement and the program was opened to all Alaskans over 65. In 1973, enrollment was at about 3,600 Alaskans. Enrollment this year 23,000, costing the state about Many supporters'of the longevity Ixmus, including Have suggested as an alternative a program in which younger Alaskans would buy an annuity by paying into a state- managed retirement account The Senate version of bill adds an "optional longevity bonus program" to be set up by the Administration Department Members of the Republican-led majority touted the provision as an alternative to the longevity bonus. Democrats called it a hoax. Eileen Plate, special assistant to Administration Commissioner Nancy Bear Usera, said the department knew of the provision and envisioned a program in which Permanent Fund dividends would be forwarded to a private investment company of the person's choice.

It would be akin to direct deposit of the checks into savings accounts, she said. he did not get the money. "It's not true. There's just a lot of needs out there that haven't been met over the years." The Senate budget deleted $1.8 million the House and administration had approved for a study of a road to Juneau and transferred the money to a similar study of a road up Bradfield Canal, which is in the district of Senate majority leader Robin Taylor, R-WrangeU. In addition to the road, the Senate Finance Committee deleted $3 million for a Juneau marina.

Both projects are in Duncan's district and on Gov. Walter J. HickeFs list. At a meeting between Barnes and Halford late Friday, Barnes suggested the Senate pass ihe House public works budget and put all the different projects from the Senate proposal in a separate bill. Both bills presumably would go to the governor, who would make the final funding decisions with his veto pen.

Continued from Page 1 monthly payment would go from $821 to $809. The legislation also would eliminate a provision in stale law that requires annual cost-of-living increases for AFDC and adult welfare payments. The bill as passed by the House would have required a cost-of-living increase in a year after AFDC benefits for a family of two fall below 75 percent of the federal poverty level, or in a year after Adult Public Assistance benefits fall below 100 percent of the poverty level. The Senate version eliminates those requirements. Autopsy Shows Koresh Had Been Shot in Head WACO, Texas (AP) The discovery that cult leader David Koresh was shot in the head before a quick- moving fire killed his followers raises as many questions as it answers.

Who killed him? When? Why? What does it say about the end of the 51-day standoff with federal "It's a good question," Jeff Jamar, the FBI special agent in charge during the standoff, said Monday. "The gunfire told us somebody was getting shot Just who and why is the question." On Sunday, authorities said X-rays and dental records proved that the charred body and fragmented skull found three days after the fire were the remains of the 33-year-old Koresh. Toxicology tests will be used to determine how much carbon monoxide heed his body. The higher the level, the greater the likelihood Koresh was alive when fire engulfed the compound April 19. Results will take at least a week.

Preliminary findings showed Ko- rseh died of a gunshot wound in the forehead, Justice of the Peace David Pareya said. He said he did not know whether any weapons were found near the body. Although Koresh's body was found alone, all six cult members identified publicly by authorities had been shot in the head. "Some people may have been trying to get out," Jamar said. "Maybe they were shot" Nine Branch Davidians escaped the burning compound.

They told lawyers that Koresh was alive when FBI agents started pummeling the compound with tear gas. They said Koresh spent his final hours making sure Ihe women and children were wearing their gas masks properly. No attempts were made to gather the group from Bible study and laundry chores as the FBI's assault tightened, the survivors said. Then the fire started. The survivors said a tank ramming the compound walls ignited the blaze when it knocked over a lantern.

An independent investigation concluded the fire was set by cult members. "Fire is by far the most horrifying death any of us can imagine," said Balenda Ganem, whose son, David Thibodeau, was among the survivors. "As to what any of us would do when confronting something of the magnitude of a fire, who's to say what any person would do?" Koresh's mother-in-law, Mary Jones, said he wouldn't have committed suicide. "God the Father told him you can't do that. He says under no circumstances are you to kill yourself," said Jones, whose son, David; daughters, Rachel and Michelle; and several grandchildren died in the fire.

Authorities have removed 72 bodies from the rubble. Koresh claimed 95 people were inside and wanted to stay with him. FBI figures place that number at 86. The standoff began Feb. 28 as agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were attempting to serve arrest and search warrants because of suspected illegal weapons, drugs and child abuse.

A gunfight killed four federal agents and an estimated six cult members. For the next 50 days, law enforcement officials surrounded the cult and tried coaxes and warnings to get the Davidians out. Koresh responded with promises, preachings, curses and threats. "Look and see, you fools, you will not proceed much further," he wrote the FBI on April 10. "Do you think you have power to stop My will?" Koresh built his teachings on the biblical Seven Seals, the section of the Book of Revelation describing Armageddon.

The doomsday prophet taught that only he had the authority to open them. Gang Summit Ends With Call for Help from Cities KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The cure for urban violence and despair can't be found without the help of suburban and rural Americans, gang members said as they wrapped up a summit on bringing peace-to cities. "White no reason to be afraid of us," said Wallace 'Gator' Bradley, a former gang member from Chicago. "Since we've been here, not a single brother has slung any crack or carried any Uzis.

There's been nothing but love and harmony since we've been here." Kansas City police concurred that there had been no problems during the three-day National Urban Peace and Justice Summit, which ended Sunday. The summit was held behind the closed doors of an inner-city Baptist church for current and former gang members from 26 cities. About half the participants were black and half were Hispanic. Summit participants said a truce called by street gangs after the Los. Angeles riots last year was expanding across They pledged to help push i along; 1 "We're the ones who have been there," said Alberto Burgos, 20, a former leader of the Gangster Disciples in Chicago.

"We can do it" The participants offered a' set of recommendations Sunday, including "the immediate establishment of 500,000 jobs for at-risk youth" by public and private employers. Others called for the government to make public the status of 15,000 police brutality cases, and for President Clinton to appoint an independent commission "comprised of people of color to oversee and monitor-police brutality." Sailor Admits to Killing Homosexual Shipmate YOKOSUKA, Japan (AP) An American sailor admitted today to killing a homosexual shipmate in a public restroom, but denied the attack was premeditated and offered to plead guilty to a lesser charge. Airman Apprentice Terry M. Helvey, 21, of Westland. told a pretrial hearing that he was drunk when he assaulted Allen Schindler and that he continued to beat Schindler even after his victim fell unconscious.

"I remember hitting him in the face and stomping on his neck and kicking him in the groin," Helvey testified at the hearing before a military judge at Yokosuka Naval Base, headquarters of the U.S. 7th Fleet southwest of Tokyo. Helvey also testified that he had lied in previous statements when he claimed that Schindler, 22, had made sexual advances just before the killing. Gay rights activists say the killing was a hate crime that illustrates widespread hostility toward homosexuals in the U.S, military. 5 a arf ested after bcmndler beaten and mutilated body was found in October in the restroom in a public park in the southwestern Sasebo, home port for their ship, the amphibious assault ship USS Belleau Wood.

Helvey has been charged with premeditated murder, which carries a maximum penalty of death. He offered today to plead guilty to a lesser charge of murder with intent to inflict great bodily harm 3 Children, 3 Adults Found Slain in Harlem Apartment NEW YORK (AP) Firefighters answering a call for a small fire made a gruesome discovery: six bodies lying in a blood-soaked apartment. Three were children, including an 18-month-old found in her crib. Firefighters battling Monday morning's blaze at the Jefferson Housing project in Manhattan's East Harlem first thought the victims had succumbed to smoke. But as they carried the bodies out, a different picture emerged.

"There was blood everywhere" Lt Ken Schermerhom. But firefighters didn't immediately know that because smoke had filled the second-floor apartment. Killed were identified Maria Rodriguez, 27; her three children: BUI Getz, 11; Jennifer Getz, and 18- month-old Linda Javier; Rodriguez's mother, Bienvenida Rodriguez, in her 50s, and the elder Rodriguez's boyfriend, Rafino Lopez, also in his 50s. The three adults and the 11-year- old were found on the bed in the master bedroom, the 5-year-old and 18- month-old were in separate bedrooms. ilie Lttte one was in her crib," Schermerhom said.

The fires, in a couch and a bed. angered to have been set ro the cnme said Sgt Edelle JarST police spokeswoman. Police said there were numerous cut and slash marks on some of the bodies and signs of strangulation on several vicDms The medical examiner's of- No weapon was recovered but investigators theorized it may have been a cleaver or machete -iftgs.