Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 7

Reno Gazette-Journal Maurice Hickey Publisher Barbara Henry Executive editor Everett S. Landers Managing editor Bruce L. Bledsoe Editorial page editor kJ Opinion Monday, September 26, 1983 7A Richard Bunker should be kept out of gaming EDITORIAL Former Gaming Control Board Chairman Richard Bunker is seeking a state gaming license as corporate secretary-treasurer of Circus Circus. That license should be denied. Bunker should never again be permitted to have anything to do with gaming in this state.

He forfeited that privilege when he prevented the Control Board from seeing a report on AJ Sachs prior to Sachs' licensing as owner of the scandal-ridden Stardust and Fremont hotels in Las Vegas. To be sure, there are other reasons for questioning Bunker's suitability, all stemming from Bunker's handling or mishandling of his responsibilities as a Control Board member. While he was chairman, Bunker met privately with Frank Sinatra's attorney and then-Gov. Robert List prior to Sinatra's licensing hearing. This created serious questions about Bunker impartiality.

During the 1982 election campaign, Bunker permitted his secretary to pick up a $3,500 check from the Sahara Hotel-Casino for delivery to an unofficial legislative committee sup- g)rting List's tax package. State law forbids ontrol Board members from becoming involved in politics. organized crime figure. The respected Wall Street Journal claimed that numerous law enforcement reports linked Sachs with the Chicago mob that Glick was accused of being associated with. Former mobster Jimmy "The Weasel" Fratianno told board investigators that Sachs had mob ties.

Despite this, the licensing hearing was pushed ahead a month, and Sachs was approved. And now Sachs and co-owner Herbert Tob-man are under state and federal investigation for alleged 1982 skimming at the Stardust, and the present Control Boardis calling in a number of Stardust employees for suitability hearings. They want to shut down and overhaul the casino. Perhaps that 1979 Control Board would have given Sachs a gaming license even with the report Bunker withheld, given its indifference to all the other information it had. But that does not excuse Bunker.

Bunker had a duty to pass the report along. He failed in this duty, as he failed in a number of other duties while on the Control Board. The duty of the present Control Board is clear. It should tell Bunker to get out of gaming, and stay out. "Lefty" Rosenthal as a pit boss at the Stardust 12 years ago, beginning Rosenthal's Nevada gaming career.

The state eventually forced Rosenthal out of gaming. The report also said Glick claimed Sachs was the man who hired Jay Vandermark, a notorious slot cheat, to run tne Stardust's slot department. Vandermark reportedly broke down the casino's internal controls to protect against wrongdoing, then kicked casino auditors and security guards out of the slot count rooms. He disappeared in 1976 and is believed to have been killed by the mob. This information, and much more, was kept from the board by Bunker at a time when Bunker was not even the chairman.

Bunker says he relied on the advice of former Deputy Attorney General Ray Pike. Pike confirmed Friday that in his opinion the evidence was not supported. However, others in a position to know say it was. In any event, the Control Board is not a court of law. It rules on suitability, and the report was pertinent.

Bunker's action was not the only problem with the Sachs licensing, of course. The full board knew that Sachs was a business associate of Moe Dalitz, who was listed in a California attorney general's document as a former Control Board member Glen Mauldin forced off the board by List claimed that, under Bunker's leadership, the board conducted an incomplete investigation of Ed Torres when he sought licensing for the Aladdin Hotel. This year, the Torres-led Aladdin faced severe financial difficulties and possible foreclosure on a Teamsters Central States Pension Fund loan. Bunker's board stopped providing the attorney general's office with summaries of closed-door meetings, and deputy attorneys general said they were kept from these meetings. Bunker fired the man who wrote the Sachs report that Bunker withheld.

All of these actions and accusations raise serious questions of favoritism and abuse of office. But the most damning incident has to be Bunker's handling of the Stardust report. This report contained a detailed analysis of massive skimming under Allen Glick's Argent which owned the Stardust and Fremont before Sachs bought them. According to the report, Sachs hired Frank LETTERS tested Opinion ignored I hope that when you merge both papers someone will start a rival paper, one whose views are totally different than the biased writing that now appears. I wrote what I thought was a rather good opinion for your "It's Your Turn" column and because I am a nobody, of course it wasn't printed.

Perhaps it was the subject, "How to improve our schools," that you didn't like. I will say that many things you take sides on make sense, but I do feel some very important opinions are not thought out, such as your "Winner" on Sierra Pacific for its push for meters on water lines. Perhaps we do need meters but have you considered who pays for them? Anyone renting a small house will have his rent raised $50 a month to pay for them. The renter does When we the people condemn everyone of any given nationality we fall into the trap of prejudice. Nationality, like race is an accident of birth.

To loathe someone for their nationality only demon- strates your ignorance and lack of social conscious- ness. Most Americans feel impotent in their righteous anger toward the Soviets over the loss of life of inno- cent people shot down by Russian missiles in a civil- ian aircraft. How can we as Americans effectively display our outrage? One way is to boycott Soviet products that are for sale here in America. Do not buy Russian vodka or caviar. Express your views to store manag- ers upon whose shelves are displayed Russian prod- ucts.

This is a small step, maybe ineffective but an important action to take. If we all united in this goal of boycotting Russian products where it hurts, in their pocketbook. David M. Tscheekar, Reno City employee appreciated In dealing with the various public departments on an almost daily basis, we are sometimes left with a feeling of frustration at the attitude of many public I employees. What a refreshing change from the usual we disco- vered when recently my husband and I had occasion to visit the Department of Building and Safety for the city of Reno.

The helpful, cheerful attitude of Merle Miller in that department made our day. Her knowl- edge of the requirements for the project we proposed, along with the general attitude of sincerity is com- mendable and greatly appreciated. In the hustle and bustle of our busy schedule we are sometimes remiss in saying "thank you" for the efforts of others and so we now say publicly, "Thank World economic health is at stake JOSEPH KRAFT WASHINGTON Miracle workers grace the annual session of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank here in Washington this week. For during the past year financial authorities and private banks ventured far out into unknown territory to contain a debt crisis that threatened international stability. But miracles don't keep happening.

The need now is to organize political backing for a sustained effort to meet the long-term economic problems of the developing countries. The international debt crisis exploded just about a year ago as a consequence of several unforeseeable factors. Protracted recession, soaring interest rates and a big drop in commodity prices combined to drive many leading underdeveloped countries to the financial wall. First Mexico, and then half a dozen other nations, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Venezuela, declared themselves unable to meet debt payments. The major banks in this country, Europe and Japan were so exposed that a default would nave crippled them, with devastating impact on the world economy.

At that juncture there stepped into the breach the international financial equivalent of the "A Team." Leading roles were played by Jacques de Larosiere, manaeine director of the IMF: Paul Volcker, chair not really gain much but the landlord gains a bundle. Sierra Pacific charges too much for water already and I would bet the cost would come down very little with meters. Sierra Pacific is the only one to benefit as it would be able to establish that many more customers. If they want meters, let them pay for them and make up the cost from the "new" customers. Don't stick the poor renters with a much too high cost for installation.

When you write your opinion, think of the average citizen and how he will pay through the nose, before you publish. Robert L. Heckman, Reno With Cashell all the way To the state Democratic chairman: Were you not ready to throw the towel in not long ago and did you not help select and appoint a registered Republican to act as a paid Democratic party organizer? And, to the Democratic Clark County power chair do you not realize that Democrats in 16 counties cannot function without your personal approval, and without your approval on all issues they are politically dead and know it? Statewide Democrats sometimes don't like you. Let's talk political party. You are a Democrat.

How many working hours and how much money have you raised or given to your party? Bob Cashell participated and gave to your party for 16 years. Cashell has a 16-year record of getting things done, not only for his business but for his community and state. If he feels he can best serve his state as a Republican then let only those of you who have the same record as he, or better, write the letters or press releases. Unemployment, taxes and closed casinos know no party affiliation. Your lieutenant governor has proved he has what it takes to get a job done.

Democrat or Republican, he is still the same man. Let's build Nevada, and that takes all people, black, white and yellow from all walks of life and both poltical parties. Bob, I'm with you all the way. Eva Hartley, Verdi Hit 'em where it hurts As an American citizen of Russian ancestry I find the Soviet Union's unconscionable destruction of a civilian airliner to be particularly repugnant in a way that indirectly affects all of us. It is "popular" to degrade the Soviets for that action.

This passionate abhorrence by most Americans concerning that barbaric act is good as it unites and solidifies all Americans regardless of their political ideology. You, Merle Miller. Helen J. Rodriguez, Reno Much help on Skyline fire The Reno Fire Department would like to express I its appreciation to the construction workers, homeowners and police officers for their outstanding efforts at the Lakeside Skyline fire Sept. 8: The police for keeping the roadways and access clear for fire equipment usage, and spectators from I being in the way.

This was no small task. The construction workers and homeowners, many armed with shovels, garden hoses, for braving a fast moving and dangerous fire, and help- ing to stop its advance. We were fortunate that no serious injuries were reported and no structures were lost. On behalf of the Reno Fire Department, thank I you. Marty Richard, fire marshal relying indefinitely on what is essentially an emergency, stopgap method.

Basic economic and political problems are involved. The large developing countries are going to need big amounts of credit for decades to come. Without it, their economies will stagnate. The political effect would be grievous, and the strain would be felt by all countries, not least the U.S. Financial authorities and private banks are not well equipped to settle such matters.

Neither are the private banks well positioned to run the show. They have profits to consider, and, in some cases, past mistakes to cover. The terms they have felt obliged to exact so far impose severe burdens on many countries. Even Mexico, which has under President Miguel de la Madrid perhaps the most responsible government in the world, will be hard put to meet the schedule of payments due after 1984. Generating political support for the developing countries, to be sure, comes hard.

Even now the IMF is finding it extremely difficult to raise the money required to meet the new responsibilities it has recently taken on. In this country the Congress is marking time on a request for an additional $8.4 billion. The Europeans and others are waiting on the United States. M. de Larosiere has, in consequence, canceled negotiations on all new loans.

His brinkmanship will probably have its effect. The Congress, after all, does not want to be held responsible for collapse of the international financial system. But in the end there is no substitute for clearly established, political responsibility. The governments of the industrialized countries need to be out front in pushing for long-term development assistance. The national legislatures must be engaged.

The World Bank, which is far better equipped for the development task than the IMF, has to be Drought front and center. For while tactical subterfuges may be necessary now, the long-run issue cannot be avoided. The political future of major countries and the long-term economic health of the world are at stake. Such issues cannot safely be left forever to private interests and international technocrats however enlightened. WHERE TO WRITE man of the Federal Reserve Board in this country; and Fritz Leutwiler of the Bank of International Settlements in Switzerland.

Several top private bankers including Walter Wriston of Citibank; Lewis Preston of Morgan Guaranty; Lee Prussia of Bank of America; Jeremy Morse of Lloyds; Wilfrid Guth of the Deutsche Bank; and Yufuke Kasha wagi of the Bank of Tokyo joined the effort. Operating informally and behind the scenes, they worked out a series of country-by-country agreements. The debtor nations were put on a strict fiscal regime approved by the IMF. The private banks rolled over billions of dollars in existing loans and added huge amounts of new money. The system was saved without a default.

A continuation of that informal approach can probably work for the next few years, provided there is a Cannon House Office Building, Room 507 Washington, D.C. 20515 (Reno Federal Offices) 300 Booth St. Reno, Nev. 89502 YOUR GOVERNOR Gov. Richard Bryan State Capitol Building Governor's Office Carson City, Nev.

89701 YOUR SENATORS Sen. Paul Laxalt Room 315 Russell Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Sen. Chic Hecht Room 304, No. 14 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C.

20510 YOUR CONGRESSMAN Rep. Barbara But let us not forget that it is not the Russian people who should be objects of our collective wrath, but rather the Soviet leaders. good recovery in this country and other industrialized nations. But identifiable forces militate against Can the Colombians negotiate a peaceful solution in Central America? BOGOTA, Colombia Responsibility for a solution to Central America's wars is being put more and more on the "Contadora Group" the democracies of Colombia, Panama, Venezuela and Mexico. But while this is in many ways a healthy idea, Colombia alone shows how vulnerable these countries themselves are to the same kind of subversion Central America faces and how they internally are so determined to make their peace with Cuban President Fidel Castro that their compulsion could poison the entire negotiations.

For a long time, analysts have been saying that Colombia, this vast and populous land of 29 million, is the next target for CastroSoviet subversion. Actually, it has long been that. For the last eight to 10 years at least, there have been four active and ruthless guerrilla groups, the major one being the notorious M-19. Three are sponsored by Cuba. The fourth is sponsored directly by the Soviet Union, which is an extremely unusual situation.

Then last year came a watershed ideological trick. The new government of the able President Belisario Betancur declared a general amnesty for the guerrillas. But after several months, it became clear that thev had no intention of "coming in" and becoming in links to Cuba have become more and more obvious? The Latin Americans (and now even President Reagan, hesitantly) are right when they say that in great part the terrible civil wars in Central America ought to be resolved by the Latins themselves. But one must respect the incredible new power equation: The Cubans today in the Caribbean, because of their willingness to use their power with total ruthlessness, have far more usable influence with the Latin democracies than does the United States. As well, the Latin democrats have near them people apparently mesmerized by Fidel Castro.

One of President Betancur's closest associates is Nobel Prize-winning writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez. A Marxist writer like Marquez looks down on the Soviet Union but considers himself a "Castroite." People who would know say that he has even seen off contingents of Cubans and Colombians leaving Cuba to invade his own country. Basically, the reasons why intellectuals like Marquez take the Cuban position are several. It is the old being-against-the-Anglos syndrome. Also, it is the idea that it is all right or even inevitable to have a Marxist government in countries where there was social injustice before.

And finally, it is the fact that Fidel, despite everything, rebelled against the big United States. We see illustrated in this rich but troubled country three key but often-missed rules for the Central American revolution: 1) Elections and a chance at them are not what the Marxist guerrillas want. They are fighting for absolute power. 2) The United States is not a threat, but the guerrillas certainly are. They could destroy Colombian democracy just by the ongoing terror they are sponsoring.

So Cuba becomes the greatest military power here. 3) There is a deep question about the ability of leaders here though they are moving in the best of faith to negotiate a solution for a situation that is not only present in Central America but that is present within the very soul of their own nation. In short, expecting a country as threatened as Columbia to be able to negotiate from any position of strength is a little like expecting a Chicago judge trying a Mafia case to be able to be judicious when the Mafia has just kidnapped his daughter. The sad part of the equation is that there is a distinct gun at Colombia's head. Georgie Anne Geyer, who speaks five languages, has been writing her nationally syndicated column sinct1975.

GEQRGIE ANNE GEYER the first time, even the intellectual community, which had previously translated the guerrillas' demands as just wanting a chance at political power, realized this wasn't what it was all about and it has largely turned against the guerrillas. As one diplomat has put it, "After you've been Robin Hood, how can you be a fruit seller?" He might have added that we have here the most dramatic kind of proof that "elections" simply do not translate into the kind of absolute power these guerrillas want. President Betancur's message to Fidel Castro, therefore, over and over has been in effect, "We know you are not helping the guerrillas, but we'd appreciate your telling them to cool it." Can Columbia be a mediator for a tough-minded solution when this rich and workable country has 29 million people terrified by Marxist guerrillas numbering at the most When capital and the creative elites are leaving the country because of the sheer terror and violence? When narcotics-smuggling a political party like other political parties. For.