Daily Press from Newport News, Virginia • Page 1

Friday February 17, 1984 Final Edition 89th Year No. 48 Hampton Roads' Morning Newspaper Newport News-Hampton TWENTY-FIVE CENTS Geinayel scraps pact with Israel could not save his deteriorating regime with military support They said Gemayel directed Foreign Minister Elie Salem to take an eight-point plan signed by the president to Saudi Arabia, which sponsored the plan. The plan affirms Gemayel's willingness to scrap the accord with Israel and to undertake other policy changes demanded by his opponents. Besides the repeal of that accord, the new eight-point program calls for a cease-fire, withdrawal of Israeli and Syrian troops within 60 to 90 days, replacement of the multinational force with U.N. troops and a joint committee of government and opposition representatives to.

work out security arrangements for areas not controlled by Syria or Israel. Druse and Shiite officials were meeting in Beirut late Thursday night in an effort to work out a joint position on the eight-point proposal signed by Gemayel. The accord with Israel, signed May 17, called for the withdrawal of Israeli and Syrian troops and gave Israel certain rights in southern Lebanon. Syria was not a party to it. Home building jumps sharply WASHINGTON (AP) Construction of new homes jumped 15 percent in January to the highest level in five years, the government said Thursday.

White House spokesman Larry Speakes called it "another in a long string of indicators reflecting good news for the economy." Analysts were surprised at the strength of the rebound in housing construction in January even though some improvement had been expected since the 3.7 percent decline in December was attributed to unusually severe winter weather during the month. Marines pack for withdrawal to Navy ships N.Y. Times News Service BEIRUT, Lebanon President Amin Gemayel sent word to his Syrian-backed opponents Thursday night that he would cancel the 1983 agreement with Israel in exchange for their agreeing to enter reconciliation talks with his government Senior government officials said he acted after coming to realize that the United States r- A Lebanese Phalangist soldier WASHINGTON (AP) U.S. Marines, who were sent to Beirut 17 months ago as part of a multinational peacekeeping force, will begin withdrawing to Navy ships off the Lebanese coast in two or three days, a senior White House official said Thursday. The official, who briefed reporters on the condition that he remain anonymous, said the redeployment should be completed within 30 days from today.

However, 500 people, ing Marines and Army trainers, will remain in Beirut to guard the U.S. Embassy and perform other duties, the official said. But even after the Marines, perhaps 1,200, are placed on the ships, they will remain as members of the multinational force, the official said. The timetable for withdrawal of the Marines was submitted to the White House on Thursday by Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, who included a provision for removing the Marines more quickly in the event in an emergency. The White House official said Reagan would formally approve the plan today.

"I am confident that we will It also calls for a resumption of talks in Geneva by the rival factions, acceptance of political changes to give Moslems a greater share of power and guarantees that Israel's northern border will be secure from guerrilla infiltration. A Lebanese official said the Syrians and the opposition would have to accept all eight points as a package. be able to complete this redeployment in the projected time frame," the official said. The initial phase of the redeployment has already begun with the moving of some equipment from the Beirut airport to ships offshore. While maintaining there was always some risk to the Marines in their current situation in Beirut, the official nevertheless sought to minimize the danger.

But asked whether the Marines could be removed more quickly than the formal plan envisions in the case of emergency, he replied: "The secretary's proposal included assurances that plans have been made for ensuring safe redeployment under any circumstances." At the same time, the official said, the United States believes that sending a U.N. peacekeeping force to the area "would be very useful, particularly with regard to ensuring the safety of Palestinian refugee camps." The official said it remains to be seen who will replace the Marines in the vulnerable territory around the airport, now surrounded by anti-government militia. But, "we intend to leave a stable situation there," he said. withdrawal agreement, which Secretary of State George P. Shultz helped to negotiate, Washington could support most other points in the plan, the official said.

But Reagan indicated Wednesday that the United States is neutral on what happens to the May 17 agreement, See Marines, Page 14 $500,000 to appear at the park in 1978. That $5 million ride took several months to build, was almost finished by early March and still didn't open until June, well after the season's start. If the park does want another ride this year, it has few other companies to approach. Arrow-Huss the Utah See Arrow-Huss, Page 14 in Sidon carries U.S. M-16s left Personal income rose 1.1 percent during January and industry operated at its highest rate in more than two years.

See Page 42 For January, housing starts climbed to a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.92 million units, the best showing since December 1978 when construction starts were at an annual rate of 2 million units. The January increase was the largest since a 25.9 percent jump in January 1983. The improvement in the January housing picture came primarily from construction of single-family homes, which were up 22.7 percent. Apartment construction of two to four units was up a slight 0.8 percent while construction of larger apartments rose 3.5 percent. Geographically, the biggest rebound came in the North Central states, where housing starts were up 52 percent from December.

Next came the West, 46 percent; the Northeast, 29 percent; and the South, with a decline of 6.8 percent. Pete Herder, president of the National Association of Home Builders, said if mortgage rates remain around 13 percent, then 1984 should see 1.8 million housing starts, compared to 1.7 million in 1983. While that would be an improvement, the pace of the increase would be far below the 60 percent jump posted for all of 1983 when the industry was recovering from its worst showing in 36 years. Other analysts agreed with predictions of only a modest increase in 1984. Sandra Shaber of Chase Eonometrics said the January level of 1.92 million units could well be the year's highest mark.

U.S. skeptical Saudi plan will bring peace 3 AP photo by the Lebanese army. then present the plan to the United States for further discussion. In promoting a comprehensive Lebanese settlement, the Saudis were acting independently of Washington, officials here said. White House spokesman Larry Speakes said the administration had not been asked to take a position on the plan, derailed; Lukas, said, "We have no con tract with The Old Country now." Of the original agreement last year, he said: "That was canceled.

And now a different company is maybe dealing with Busch." It seems likely that any major new ride or expansion would not be operating by March 31, when Local-Regional 52 12-13 Theater the Syrian government, which has been supporting Lebanese opposition forces demanding Gemayel's resignation, U.S. officials said. The Saudis also discussed the plan with U.S. officials, seeking Reagan administration reaction, it was learned. They were told to win the support of others involved in the Middle East and thrill ride the 1984 season" but declined to say whether it would be another ride or a different attraction.

The park traditionally keeps new rides secret until they are built and ready to go. Intamin Inc. of Berkeley was acting as a go-between for Busch Gardens and Schwarzkopf. Reached earlier this week, its president, Kurt Ann Landers ..................30 31 Busiaess Classified. Comics 30-31 but he said, "We have problems with a number of elements," which he would not identify.

An informed State Department official agreed. "The prevailing view here is one of skepticism that this can be pulled off at this point," he said, insisting on anonymity. Except for opposing the scrapping of the May 17 troop Busch out the park first opens on weekends. The park opens on week days starting May 14. The county planning department said no site plan has been filed and no construction started on the five acres Busch Gardens set aside last fall for its expansion.

The Loch Ness Monster was the last major new roller coaster Debra Winger star in "Terms r' 'vJ WASHINGTON (AP) U.S. officials said Thursday they were skeptical about whether a Saudi Arabian plan that would scrap the 1983 Israeli-Lebanese troop withdrawal agreement as the price of bringing peace to Lebanon would work. A special Saudi envoy, Rafik Hariri, was to go to Damascus today to try to sell the plan to Upcoming By JAY HANCOCK Staff Writer JAMES CITY The bankruptcy of a West German thrill ride company nas naiieu pians for a $3.5 million suspended roller coaster scheduled this Old Country. Anheuser-Busch Companies the theme park's parent company, canceled in December an agreement for the coaster with Schwarzkopf a a Iff A. Munsiernausen, wesi vjeruiuiy, ride maker.

Complications from Schwarzkopf's bankruptcy' earlier in 1983 prevented the company from delivering the ride on time, according to a recent magazine interview with its president. In canceling the agreement, Busch Gardens forfeited a $500,000 deposit with Schwarzkopf, said the president, Wie-land Schwarzkopf, in the Feb. 18 issue of Amusement Business miMiino mihiished in Nash-; SJ. ICS gU J( ville, Tenn. 0- Busch Gardens' plans now are unclear.

Officials consisienuy have declined comment on the ride and did so again on Thursday. I A spokeswoman said the park is "planning an expansion for Peninsula songwriter nominated for Oscar Newport News songwriter Austin Roberts has been nominated for an Oscar for the song, "Over You," which he co-wrote with Bobby Hart. Nominated as best song of the year for the film "Tender Mercies," "Over You" is sung by Tony Award-winner Betty Buckley in the movie. Altogether, "Tender Mercies," which has not played any of the Peninsula theaters, was nominated for four Oscars, including best film and best actor for star Robert Duvall. "Terms Of Endearment" lead the Oscar nominations with 11, followed by "The Right Stuff," with See story on Page 49, complete listings on Page 25.

Editorials 4 Weather: Mostly cloudy. High in mid-50s. Low in low 40s. See Page 2..