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Show 2 SIGNPOST - Tuesday, July 25, 1989 News National group aims to stop campus terrorism mm v i X (CPS) A nationwide campaign to stop terrorism on college campuses seems to be gaining momentum, although there have been no actual terrorist acts there. Thus far, "more than 50" students and campus groups have requested a "Stop Terrorism" kit from RAMBOC (Restore A More Benevolent Order Coalition), RAMBOC field rep James Bieber said. Bieber says RAMBOC aims to protest "pro-terrorist" speakers especially Maki Mandela, a University of Massachusetts student and daughter of imprisoned South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandala on the national campus lecture circuit. RAMBOC's kit includes ideas for what students can do to counteract the speakers and a flyer to be posted that warns 'Terrorist Supporter To Speak On Campus!" Although a "number" of speakers have terrorist agendas, there are "none with more notoriety than Maki Mandela," said Bieber, whose Califomia-based group is associated with Young Americans for Freedom and Family Protection Scoreboard, a conservative magazine that monitors public policy. "V Pass along AN HEIRLOOM MORE VALUABLE THAN GOLD. Life. When you make a be- . quest to the American Heart Association, von re passing along a precious legacy. The gift of life. That's because your contribution supports research that could save your descendants from America's number one killer. To learn more about the Planned Giving Program, call us today. It's the first step in making a memory that lasts beyond a lifetime. WE'RE FIGHTING FOR OJRLIFE American Heart Association This space provided as a public service Mandela, Bieber charged, improperly promotes the African National Congress (ANC), the banned South African party that her father helped lead and that the U.S. Dept. of Defense (DOD) officially labels as a terrorist group. "She's not a terrorist, but she speaks in support of terrorism and she gets paid $5,000 of taxpayers' money to do it," added RAMBOC founder David Balsiger. Terrorism, the DOD says, is any premeditated, politically motivated violence against noncombatant targets to coerce a government or its people to further political or social goals. Balsiger acknowledged that terrorist act haven't actually occurred on campuses, but, he said, "you just never know." The DOD and Federal Bureau of Investigation officials couldn't recall any incidents either. "I am not aware of any terrorist groups circulating speakers on campus," added Chip Berlet of Political Research Associates in Cambridge, Mass., a liberal watchdog group. Nevertheless, RAMBOC literature claims the ANC, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Forces (FMLN) have been "found operating on U.S. college campuses." In an interview, Balsiger couldn't name any specific campus chapters of the ANC, PLO or FMLN, but claimed numerous terrorism supporters are active at colleges and universities. He also credited RAMBOC for two "anti-terrorist" demonstrations when Mandela spoke at Arizona State University on April 6 and at Central State University in Ohio May 2. . .... 1 s L p i 4 to ...... . a 1 STUDENTBODY PRESIDENT Lane Alvey i State booth during the Ogden Street Festival takes a refreshing fund-raiser plung at a Weber ' last week. (Signpost photo: Clark Hurd) First student tried for lying about draft on aid forms (CPS) The first man to be prosecuted for lying on his federal student loan form about registering for the draft pleaded guilty June 29. . Carl Veilleux, who graduated this spring from Johnson State College in Vermont, was sentenced to 18 months probation, ordered to register immediately with the Selective Service and told to repay $5,088 in federal loans. Veilleux was not charged with failing to register for the draft. No one has been prosecuted for not registering for two years, said Gillam Kerley of the Committee Against Registration and the Draft (CARD). Kerley, who in 1987 spent four months in prison for not registering, said such prosecutions "backfired on the government politically." Veterans Affairs report lower home mortgage interest rates The department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a decrease in interest rates for veterans' guaranteed home loans from 10 percent to 9.5 percent effective July 17, 1989. Douglas Wadsworth, Director of the VA Regional Office in SaltLake City said that the change would mean a difference of $27.75 per month in a typical 30-year, $75,000 mortgage (principal and interest) financed at 10 percent. Wadsworth also noted that veteran-homeowners with loans at higher interest rates should consider refinancing at the 9.5 percent level. "Usually, it is to the veteran's advantage to refinance at a lower rate if there is at least a two percentage point difference. The reduction in interest rate comes as a result of the easing of credit and a slower rate of inflation. Lower interest rates are also reflected in conventional mortgage lending and should stimulate new home building. The last interest rate change came on June 5, 1989 when the rate was reduced from 10.5 percent to 10 percent. "Prosecuting a case like this leaves less likelihood of sparking the anti-draft movement," Kerley suggested. Since 1983, federal law has stipulated that eligible students - men ages 18 to 25-must register with the Selective Service to qualify for federal student aid. Additionally many states, including Illinois, Mississippi and Massachusetts, tie draft registration to state aid. In Ohio a man must be registered if he wants to be eligible for in-state tuition, and in Tennessee a man must be registered to even attend state-funded colleges and universities. The Selective Service claims that 99 percent of those between 20 and 25 years old do indeed register. Neither Veilleux nor his lawyer could be reached for comment. Peer counselor training offered Weber State College's Drug and Alcohol Program (DAHN) will be hiring peer counselors in September 1989. During the month of August, DAHN will offer four training seminars August 5, 12, 19, at 26 Attendance at all four sessions is a prerequisite for employment as a peer counselor at WSC. If you are interested in becoming a peer counselor, please contact Paula John between 12:30 and 4:30p.m. before August 4, in person at room 423 of the Union Building, or by telephone at 626-6860. Write, a letter to the editor TODAY! |