Casper Star-Tribune from Casper, Wyoming • 8

Saturday, August 29, 1998 Casper Star-Tribune RUSSIA: Yeltsin losing control HILL: Practiced law in Riverton, Seattle Other Wyo diplomats CASPER If Congress confirms former Wyoming governor Mike Sullivan as ambassador to Ireland, he will be the 10th state resident to serve in a significant diplomatic post. According to the 'Wyoming Almanac," compiled by Phil, David, and Steven Roberts, the other ambassadors include: John A. Campbell, Wyoming's first territorial governor, who served as consul to Switzerland from 1877 to 1880. Thomas Moonlight, Wyoming's last territorial governor, who served as minister to Bolivia from 1893 to 1897. Jacob Blair, a former Wyoming territorial Justice, was minister to Costa Rica from 1868 to 1873.

Frederic deBillier, a cattleman, held diplomatic posts In Iran, Greece, Bolivia, Rome and Peru from 1908 to 1924. Robert D. Coe, owner of a ranch southwest of Cody, was U.S. Ambassador to Denmark from 1953 to 1957. Coe was a career State Department diplomat Francois Dickman of Laramie was ambassador to the United Arab Emirates from 1976 to 1979 and U.S.

Ambassador to Kuwait from 1979 to 1983. Dickman also was a career diplomat. Gale McGee, a former Wyoming U.S. senator from Laramie, was U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States from 1977 to 1981.

David Nicholas, a Laramie attorney and former state senator from Albany County, served as U.S. representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) In 1989. Tom Stroock, a Casper oilman and former state senator from Natrona County, served as U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala from 1989 to 1992. Continued from Al agreed to allow the prime minister that Is, Chernomyrdin -to name Cabinet ministers and to give the parliament the right to reject those appointments.

Yeltsin also agreed that Chernomyrdin's government should be given a year's grace period In which It would be spared political attack, Kotenkov said. Either concession would mark a sea change In the generally autocratic but free-market political ideology that has kept Yeltsin in power for seven years now. Any serious alliance with the Communists, who want to re-na-tlonallze Industry, increase social spending and re-establish control of the economy, should be anathema to western governments and Investors who had begun to build a market 'economy here. None of that Is to say that Yeltsin or future presidents i STOCKS: Banks Continued from Al "With Russia having problems, some people are saying, FAre there dominoes here? Is there a Latin American country hat's said Robert Doll, 'manager of the $2 billion Op- tpenheimer Growth Fund. In that lease, "what happens to economic growth and earnings in the U.S.?" Doll has more than 30 percent of his fund in cash in anticipation of further declines jln the market.

He recently bought shares of Compaq Computer Corp. and Insurer Conseco Inc. The Standard Poor's 500 Hill will finish Taylor's term of office which expires In January 2003. Hill will come up for retention in office for a full eight-year term in the 2002 general election. Geringer said he will designate an advisory committee to identify and recommend people he can consider as the new attorney general.

He said he hopes to make the appointment In October. Hill, who was raised and educated in Riverton, received a bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Wyoming In 1970 and his law degree In 1974. He served as an assistant attorney general from 1974 to 1977 when he entered private law practice in Riverton and Seattle, Wash. Between 1980 and 1989 he served as chief of staff for former U.S. Sen.

Malcolm Wallop's in Washington, D. C. Hill was In private practice In Cheyenne from 1989 to 1991 when he was named an assistant U.S. Attorney for Wyoming. He served in the federal prosecutor's Job until 1995 when Geringer appointed him attorney general.

Hill said earlier that he considers an appointment to the bench as the ultimate public service In the legal profession. Hill's wife, Mary Kay Hill, is Gerlnger's director of policy. She said late Friday afternoon that she expects to leave her Job In the governor's office at the end of the year. But she added that she Is committed to helping Geringer and recognizes he has vacancies In the office. One vacancy is the position of chief of staff.

Mary Kay Hill said she planned to leave Gerlnger's office even before the Judicial appointment came up SULLIVAN: Reward for loyalty SUIT: District levied extra four mills Qulnn, a Washington lawyer and Fleet Bank lobbyist; Richard Riley, the Education Secretary; Mark Gearan, head of the Peace Corps; Tom Donahue, a former union leader. Oddly, the nomination process seemed to stir less anxiety among Irish government officials than among Irish-Americans. In recent Interviews, the officials and Irish diplomats said that Clinton has taken such an interest in the peace process that a single ambassador probably will not make much of a difference In shaping policy. "It's policy above personalities," an official in Dublin said recently, emphasizing Sullivan's access to Clinton. Simpson comments Alan Simpson described Sullivan, a lawyer and petroleum engineer, as a "very steady, patient, thoughtful man." He added that Sullivan underwent quintuple bypass surgery earlier this month but is in fine health.

It was during his governorship that Sullivan and his wife, Jane, got to know Hillary and Bill Clinton. When Clinton was In the New Hampshire primary in 1992, Sullivan "laid himself on the line" by campaigning for him, Simpson said. That seemingly cost Sullivan when he ran for U.S. Senate in 1994, when his opponent ran photos of Sullivan helping Clinton not a popular figure in Republican-dominated Wyoming. He toured America in a van after his defeat, then returned to practice law in Casper, his hometown.

"If there ever was a reward for loyalty, that's what this Is," Simpson said of the ambassadorial appointment, "but there's much more to it than that. This guy is remarkable." yet to bring action against any company Continued from Al re-applying In the next round of applications to fill supreme court vacancies. Gerlnger praised Hill for being an "excellent attorney and administrator" as well as a person of strong character, hardworking and possessing common sense. He said Hill also Is capable of "original thought" which Is valuable on an appellate court. In answer to a question, Gerlnger said he received no pressure from women's groups to select Guthrie to become the first woman named to Wyoming's supreme court.

He said he doesn't consider gender In appointments but pointed out he probably has named more women to government positions than any of his predecessors. He also said Hill's lack of bench experience shouldn't be a hindrance on the appellate court since he has breadth of other legal experience. Vlnlch critical But Gerlnger's Democratic opponent for governor In the Nov. 3 general election, state Sen. John Vlnlch of Hudson, said he is concerned about Hills' lack of "bench time" and the need to preserve the impartiality of the Judiciary.

Vlnlch, who is in his last year of law school at the University of Wyoming, said Hill will have to recuse himself from participating in a number of big cases involving the state that will come before the supreme court. He said he believes the Judicial selection process has been "politicized" by Hill's appointment. "1 think It gives the wrong impression to the public that you're paying off political debts," Vinich said. MOBIL: Wyoming Continued from Al subsidiaries. The government has not yet decided whether to intervene against those companies.

The suit charged that Mobil and the other companies engaged in a "pattern and practice of carefully coordinated schemes" to defraud government auditors. Those schemes allegedly Included falsifying the reported quality of oil production in order to pay lower royalties, engaging in exchanges that enabled them to hide the true value of the oil, and falling to report premiums they received for oil above the posted prices. The company issued a statement Friday denying any wrongdoing. Like other companies named in the suit, Mobil charged that the dispute arose out of an honest accounting disagreement over how to measure the value of oil produced on federal land. "Mobil did not pay any type of fine or penalty.

Mobil is pleased that It and the government have agreed to terms to end this long-standing contractual disagreement," the company said In a statement issued Friday from its northern Virginia headquarters. Mobil spokesman Bill Cum-mings said Friday that federal auditors knew exactly what the company was doing and didn't dispute it for more than a decade. "If we've been underreporting, it's been with the full knowl TODAY ONLY PINK TAG iOPislTtiltssiinFrti All Blue Tags 12 Price GLASS HOUSE 234 S.Oavtd 234-2013 Opmn Thvn -S1 19-4 would not remain powerful. The president would, among many other things, choose the prime minister, set economic and defense policy and remain the nation's representative to the world. But a consensus has emerged true or not that Yeltsin Is no longer In control of his fate, or that of his nation.

And there seems to be growing agreement, even among the country's squabbling political barons, that Chernomyrdin is Just about all that stands between Mother Russia and the abyss. Yeltsin effectively said Friday night that that is baloney. "It Is impossible to remove me, especially considering my character," he said In the interview. "I will not go anywhere. 1 will not resign.

I will work as long as the constitution allows. Elections for a new Parliament will be held in the year 2000, but I will not take part in them." disclose losses Index dropped 6.37, or 0.6 percent, to 1036.22. The Nadsaq Composite Index, dominated by large computer-related companies, slumped 30.32, or 1.8 percent, to 1656.09. The biggest banks fell for a third day. Some disclosed hundreds of millions of dollars In Russia-related losses this week.

BankAmerica Corp. fell 1 1516 to 71 1316 after revealing that It lost $220 million from trading this quarter, mostly in Russia. Credit Suisse First Boston, Republic New York Corp. and the hedge funds run by Investor George Soros have made similar disclosures. districts that had been allowed to keep additional local revenue greater than their entitlement under the old school finance system, only Lincoln County chose to levy all six of its additional mills.

The fact it has been a recapture district for many years has allowed it to accumulate $2.5 million in reserves, she added. Cone said th district: has refused to cut Its spending pattern to pre-splke level even though its enrollment has dropped 17 percent since 1994. "The time has come for Lincoln County No. 1 to face the fact that it's going to lose money," Cone said. But Steve Freudenthal, the district's attorney's, called the state's case "disingenuous" and "Irrational." "They want you to use these 6 mills as a way to punish people," he said, adding that the Legislature authorized districts to levy the additional tax as a way to protect them during the transition period.

Twenty-three districts levied all 6 optional mills, Freudenthal said, but only Lincoln County has been singled out for the revenue cap. Kalokathis said in deciding the complex case he must deal with the fact that If he declares the cap unconstitutional, it will effectively maintain a wealth-based school finance system that the Wyoming Supreme Court has previously rejected. "That's the thing that really bothers me," he said. The Judge also noted that while the Lincoln County district used Its "one-time shot" to raise property taxes for a year, it no longer has that ability so its local wealth now is actually "Irrelevant." Prime Rib of Beef Blackened Red Snapper Chicken Marinara Kansas City Strip Steak Liver Diavolo Dinner Served from Wpm Friday A Slurdy evening 19TH UQIB Continued from Al her expertise on Ireland when she started. But she is leaving as a popular figure famous for pushing along the peace process.

Early Clinton supporter Sullivan was the first Western governor to support Clinton before the 1992 presidential election. He is one of the few early supporters yet to be rewarded with a desirable post by the administration. The announcement followed more than a year of polite lobbying by Irish-Americans, most of whom had favorite candidates from Boston and other traditional bases of Irish Immigrants. Those whose names were floated included Paul S. bil production within their jurisdiction.

Mobil's decision to settle with Texas was only the latest in a string of settlements won by various state government for1' similar underpayments for royalty andseveCTctfxeron state land, The state of Wyoming virtually alone among states with significant oil production on state-owned land -has yt to bring any action against an oil company for those violations, U.S. Attorney Dave Freudenthal has reportedly convened a grand jury In Cheyenne to Investigate similar allegations in Wyoming, though Freudenthal has declined to say what, If any, evidence has come to light. Gov. Jim Geringer and other state officials have said that no evidence has been found of any underpayments. Gerlnger's Press Secretary Jimmy Orr said Friday afternoon that Geringer hadn't seen the settlement and couldn't comment on its implications for Wyoming or the state's own efforts to look Into the Issue.

PICK UP PALL CLASS SCHEDULES! Great selection of WOMEN'S WEAR wo timers 2271 FirttSt SHAMROCK TAX SERVICE "Personal Private Cotaidention" REGISTER NOW for BASICS? ADVANCED TAX SCHOOL COURSES Registration Deadline Aug. 31st Si For Tuitimn Cmstt mm edge of the (Minerals) Management Service. Our position was that what we did was appropriate," Cummings said. The Justice Department declined to talk about the specifics of the case Friday, but a spokesperson disputed Mobil's. Characterization of the suit.

"We usually don't enter into substantial settlements based on honest disagreements," said Chris Watney. Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt used the occasion to underscore what he said was the need to implement new regulations that would establish new procedures for valuing crude oil production on federal lands. Intense opposition to the new rules from the oil industry led Congress to block the administration's implementation of the new rules, a move that Babbitt has strongly criticized. "This is money that state governments, Native American tribes and all Americans are rightfully due for their mineral resources. This settlement underscores the immediacy and the need to move forward with publishing revised crude oil regulations to ensure proper valuation of crude oil for the future," Babbitt said.

Under the provisions of the False Claims Act, the original plaintiffs will receive a total of $8.1 million for their actions on behalf of the government. The remaining $36.9 million will be divided among the federal government, the tribes and states in proportion to the share of Mo CfwfsCoop BUTTERMILK PANCAKES, all vou can cat. 2 bucks. We generally don't brig, but well, ah shucks! Have all you ant of our delicious whipped butter. I hey syrups are great, trey II please your "Mutter!" BmaHftst Stmts A6 AM DHy Continued from Al rational way to reach its goal of moving to the new system as quickly as possible.

I Twelve of Wyoming's 48 school districts qualify for hold harmless payments, which ensure that a district will not lose more than 2 percent of Its previous year's funding for the next two years. But earlier this year the Leg-slature decided that for wealthy 'recapture" districts that were previously allowed to keep up to 9 percent above their state entitlement in local revenues per year, their hold harmless payments would be limited to $250,000 annually. The Lincoln County district would obtain $1.7 million in hold harmless funds this year if the Cap was not in place. Officials testified that the district will be forced to spend $1 million from Its reserves for the 1998-99 ichool year to maintain Its cur-fent staffing levels and programs. Dominique Cone, attorney for the state, said the magnitude of the district's loss "is a function bf their wealth and their choice.

It's not a function of any category in the (school finance) taw." Cone said the district chose to levy an additional 4 mills of roperty tax last year, bringing to the maximum of 6 mills for naintenance the Legislature for 1997-98. Joe Simpson, deputy state su-)erintendent of public said Lincoln County raised an additional $1.1 million in property taxes. Cone said by choosing to levy the optional mills the district tried to "spike" Its level bf revenue with the hope the state would be forced to maintain it. She also noted that of the fmwmwmm HOUSE 4 my 4 flLGOUfl OUEET conn IS NOW ready! Pick Year Own 12 ears far $150 in i'iiX MA I THANKS FOR VOTING! See you at the General! I JO SCOTT Paid for by Jo Scott DAV 801 1 Second Csspsr.WY 82881 (307)234-4893 Tired of having to Spend lots of money? Wait in line? Dressing up? Come to at the y. For the best American Food In townl No waiting In line! Casual dress! Friendly atmosphere! Otftk out the new menu! "The Best Food In Town' Wwna coll or being mod In lha Cotpar ond Natrona county area otcMng your auto gtcm txmnewt Tfet pert mt uJklnf dMM call arc tvm mmt ml atata mm im mm way cMctetJ tm WYOMING CLASS INC.

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