The record, 12 mars 1991, mardi 12 mars 1991

40 cents Provinces; Quebec moving ‘farther away’ Bourassa is a sovereigntist or a fe- By Donald McKenzie The Canadian Press Politicians in English Canada say they won't butt out of Quebec's constitutional dealings with the federal government.The Quebec Liberal party has declared it doesn’t want other provinces around when Quebec holds constitutional talks with Ottawa But the policy declaration on the weekend wasn't enough to silence provincial leaders like New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna "We have a very real stake in those talks and we are not prepared to abandon the interests of the people of New Brunswick," McKenna said Monday.“I think we've taken a step farther away from finding a resolution to this impasse.” Premier Robert Bourassa told the Quebec Liberals' policy convention that Quebec will negotiate only w ith Ottawa and will possibly hold discussions with provinces on a bilateral basis.That riled politicians in two pro vinces that declined to ratify the Meech Lake constitutional accord : Newfoundland Premier Clyde Wells and Manitoba Liberal Leader Sharon Carstairs.REJECT IDEA “Quebec has a perfect right to decide who will speak for Quebec, but Quebec does not have the right to decide who will speak on behalf of the other provinces,” said Wells."To suggest that they will talk only w'ith the federal government is.in my judgment, to effectively say that no discussions will take place.” Carstairs said excluding the provinces from future constitutional talks won t help break the current impasse."Without that negotiation, the process will simply be impos sible.” Carstairs said."The other nine provinces are not going to agree to any kind of a deal that's arranged only between Quebec and the federal government." Ontario Premier Bob Rae is on holiday this week and was unavailable for immediate comment, a spokesman in his office said.But former Ontario premier David Peterson, a close ally of Bou-rassa's on Meech Lake, warned Monday that "ultimately, every Canadian is going to have to be involved .' ' "At the end of the day.the only rules that exist to change the Constitution involve all the provinces.That is a fact of life."It cannot be done unilaterally, it cannot be done bilaterally.” said Peterson.TAKE CONTROL The policy adopted by Quebec Liberals on the weekend calls on the province to assume complete control in 22 fields, including energy.language and the environment.It recommends a referendum before the winter of 1992 — either on the Ottawa Quebec agreement transferring the hulk of powers to the province, or on Quebec sovereignty if no deal is reached.But Manitoba NDP Leader Gary Doer says the Allaire report, which was endorsed by the convention, is a "totally unworkable document." He noted that under the report.Ottawa would have sole jurisdiction in jus; four areas, including equalization payments and the debt "For us to (lay for medicare and for them not to be responsible for the debt is just a non-starter.” Doer said.Arch Pafford.leader of New Brunswick's Confederation of Ke gions Party, said he's still confu sed and can't figure out whether deralist.I just wonder if he's being truthful and clear with the rest of the country as to what he really wants I think there's mixed messages coming through as to where he reallx stands.Mr.Bourassa seems to want his cake and eat it too." Saskatchewan Justice Minister Gary Lane said his province would not accept the Allaire report or idea of Quebec holding constitutional talks with Ottawa without the other provinces getting involved.But Lane said he was "happy to see that still the first preference of the premier of Quebec is to stay in tin1 country." Jim Horsman.Alberta's minister of intergovernmental affairs, said he too is opposed to bilateral Ottawa Quebec talks.'We will not sit on the sidelines." TUESDAY March 12, 1991 Births, deaths .10 Classified .8 Comics .0 Kditorial .4 Farm & Business .5 Living .7 Science .6 Sports .II Townships .3 WEATHER Page 2 Photodynamic therapy eH Pointing to cancer cells grown in a special solution and killed by an experimental technique called photodynamic therapy, Sherbrooke University Hospital : scientist Johan van Lier investigates one possibility Ryan: It’s my party too By Sue Montgomery MONTREAL (CP) — Citing loyalty to his longtime colleague and friend, Claude Ryan says he will continue to serve in the Quebec government despite an embarrassing defeat at a weekend party convention.“Premier Robert Bourassa has always been extremely kind and loyal to me and we’ve had an excellent relationship over the past 25 years.I felt it would not have been correct on my part to appear as though 1 was abandoning him at this moment,” Ryan declared at a news conference Monday.for f uture cancer treatment.For the full story on this and other cancer research, \.turn to page 6.RK'0RIM>AN HAWAI.KSHKA | "I wanted him to know he could count on his true friends and colleagues." Ryan stormed out of the Quebec Liberals' policy meeting Saturday after an amendment he sponsored, calling for renewed constitutional negotiations with the provinces, was defeated.He said at the time he would have to reflect on his fu ture in the party "When assessing the overall work accomplished during the weekend I arrived at a more temperate conclusion." he said, adding there were no conditions atta ched to his staying in the party."I liked the emphasis that (Bourassa) put on the direction which the government will take in the next 12 months.” said the dour, craggy-faced Ryan, glancing at a doodle-covered note pad."(Bourassa) said the preferred choice for the Liberal party is for federalism in Canada."1 think the consensus which exists among the members of the government may be stronger and deeper than some people may be inclined to believe." NO CHANGE One of Bourassa's closest advisers.Ryan holds the demanding portfolios of public security and municipal affairs as well as responsibility for Quebec’s language law.He said he doesn't see those roles changing.Rvan refused to say whether he reignty it the rest of Canada doesn't come to an agreement with Quebec.Ryan's departure from the convention came after delegates defeated an amendment which would have made the Allaire report.the party's constitutional proposals.more palatable to English Canada hy including all the provinces m future constitutional negotiations.The amendment had been proposed by five riding associations, including Ryan’s.Ryan was angry because only three speakers were allowed to voice their opinions on the motion."1 thought to myself.‘If it's going to turn that way, it’s not good for anybody .” Ryan was unable to defend his position during the debate on the amendment because Bourassa had ordered his ministers lo stay away from the microphones and let party members express their opinions.READY TO CLASH Ryan, (iti, leader of the party between 1978 and 1982.laughed off his reputation of clashing with party hard-liners."I've always had a love-hate relationship with English Canada and it's the same with the party,” tie said, "Some days they say, This is a great guy', other days I'm not." In his closing speech to the convention.Bourassa made a nister.“I'm sorry the former leader was disappointed, but I want to reassure him it changes in no way the profound admiration we have for him and the exceptional work he has done for the party.” In a radio interview Monday, Bourassa said he also spoke to Ryan privately to urge him not lo resign.“1 told him he could play a very important role in cabinet.because of his expertise in constitutional matters." In the end.Bourassa’s hands are not tied by the policy adopted at the convention and cabinet will mould the government's final constitutional position.Claude Ryan.‘Love-hate rela- would eventually support sove- move to placate his angry mi- tionship.' would eventually support sove- iraci: Rebels claim SUCCCSS* Act on Gulf peace while there’s still time — Clark NICOSIA (AF)—- Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s troops shelled Shiite Muslim rebels in mosques in the besieged holy city of Karbala, and defected by the tens of thousands elsewhere, opposition leaders reported Monday.They said the Shiite fighters, as well as civilians trapped in the crossfire, were being slaughtered, and that 500 have been killed or •wounded since Friday.Government officials in Baghdad said Republican Guard troops have re-established control of the city, 160 kilometres south of the Iraqi capital, after several days of fierce combat.They gave no details.But Saddam's forces appear to have been isolating centres of resistance, such as Karbala and the southern port of Basra, and pounding them with artillery and tanks.Karbala, famed for its mosques, is revered by Shiites.It has a population of about 120.000.Leaders of 2.'! opposition parties met in Beirut on Monday to coordinate their campaign to oust Saddam.Ayatollah Taqi al-Mudaressi.leader of the Shiite Islamic Labor Organization, told reporters that Republican Guards are "ruthlessly and indiscriminately shelling the holy city of Kar bala.SENT LETTERS “They're massacring the people there." he said."1 have sent letters to the world's religious leaders, including the Pope, to prevent Saddam's criminal regime from massacring the Iraqi people” Ali Al-Adib of the Shiite Muslim Dawa party said the participants in the Beirut meeting intended to discuss the creation of an Iraqi parliament-in-exile and government in exile.There was no independent confirmation of the reports on the rebellions by the Shiites in the south and by Kurds in the north.Fighting also was reported in another Shiite holy city.Najaf.and low-income Shiite suburbs of Baghdad The Kurds have claimed major advances since the uprising began Pentagon denies commandos lost NEW YORK (AP) — Eleven Green Beret soldiers who entered Iraq on a sabotage and spy mission are missing in action but their di-sappearance has not been acknowledged by the military, a published report said.The soldiers were part of special operations forces that infiltrated Iraq during Operation Desert Storm to locate missile launchers, pinpoint air targets and steal enemy equipment.Newsweek reported in its March 18 issue.The magazine also said the Pentagon denied the existence of some covert operations even after they ended in U.S.deaths.Asked about the Newsweek re port, a Pentagon spokeswoman said "We have nothing on that, not even a rumor." The magazine also reported that seven crew members reported killed in the crash of a helicopter in Saudi Arabia were attempting to rescue three commando unit members stranded inside Iraq.Military officials say the helicopter was on a routine medical evacuation mis sion Military officials have said the helicopter crashed on Feb.21.but a similar incident reported Sunday by the British newspaper the Independent gave the date as Feb.2.The special forces operating in side Iraq "contributed more to the victory than any other members of the allied military.” the Indepen dent reported.P S special forces soldiers used hand held laser devices to target crucial radar stations for U.S.led coalition warplanes, the Indepen dent report said "The action cleared a corridor into Iraqi airspace, enabling the thousands of missions to he Inun died undetected." the newspaper said.March I following Saddam's crushing military defeat by the U.S.-led coalition that liberated Kuwait.Mudaressi said two army brigades.about 10.(KM) soldiers, “have joined the popular uprising " in the south since Sunday.He said the Shiites have captured 42 helicopter gunships and 11 surface-to-surface missiles since the revolt began.DIVISIONS DEFECT Jalal Talabani.leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, said in Beirut that at least three Iraqi army divisions .'{0.000 to36,000 men have "joined the people along with their tanks, artillery batteries and other weapons." Kurdish officials said the Patriotic Union and its ally, the Kurdistan Democratic parly, have seized large areas of the northern provinces and are poised to attack the key oil centre of Kirkuk.160 kilo metres north ot Baghdad Talabani and Mosul Barzani ot the Kurdish Démocratie party met secretly last week with Turkish of-ficials.Turkey announced Monday.The meeting apparently ropro sentod a change in Turkey's polie; ot li ving to block Kurdish autono my in northern Iraq.Turkey has feared that a Kurdish slate would encourage Kurdish separatists in Turkov Talabani said the opposition lorees meeting in Beirut agreed on a goal ot establishing a "domocra tie.federal Iraq." DAMASCUS (AP) — External Affairs Minister Joe Clark said Monday that Israel and Syria should move swiftly toward establishing a "degree of trust" while the "window" of opportunity created by the Persian Gulf War remains open.Clark was talking to reporters in Damascus after a three-hour meeting with President Hafez Assad, the lirst between a Syrian head of state and a Canadian cabinet mi nister since 1983.Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al Sharaa also attended the meeting.Clark later landed in Tehran on the last leg of a Mideast tour that has taken him to Saudi Arabia, Jordan Israel and Kuwait.Clark described his conversation with Assad as "direct, frank " He told the Syrians that movement was needed on both sides if they are to develop a relationship of confidence and trust with the Israelis, a sentiment he expressed in Israel last week “There was no indication that there was going to beany change in attitude, at least at this stage." he said I think it time passes without progress on this issue then it becomes less likely that we ll he able to use the opportunities created by thr extraordinary (joint* response to Iraq's aggression against Ku wait.” Canada and Syria were part of the 32-country U.S.-led coalition that united to force Iraq out of Kuwait.START QUICKLY “I emphasized Canada's view that .it’s important that the people w'ho were genuinely seeking movement be prepared to start that process of establishing trust quickly.” Clark said that, on the basis of his discussions in Israel, he does See PLACE, page 2./or ( lark." window ’ ’ of opportunity.4 4 2—The RECORD—Tuesday.March 12.mi Mohawks: Judge allows alternative to swearing on Bible who is co ordmatinu the defence ol 44 Mohaw ks and supporters facing charges arising out ol the 78-day armed standoff.When it comes time for Mohawk elders to testify on points of Mo- hawk law.they w ill have lo do so in the Mohawk language, he added After the hearing, prosecutor Pierre Teasdale explained that if he had allowed the rules of evidence to be bent on this point, he would have opened the door to even more demands to bend the law to conform to the Mohawks' wishes.Riopel is expected to rule on the Cross and Lazore bail applications.Tuesday.needs environmental assessment St JEROME (CPI — Mohawk witnesses who prefer to be sworn in according to native tradition instead of swearing an oath on the Bible may make a solemn declaration.a Quebec Superior Court judge ruled Monday.Justice Jean-Guy Riopel said the declaration — a procedure used when witnesses object to swearing on the Bible — is a practical option for Mohawks testifying in connection with last summer's Oka crisis.The issue was raised midway through a bail hearing for Mohawks Ronald (Lasagna) Cross, and Gordon (Noriega) Lazore.when native defence witnesses said they wanted to be sworn in by one of their spiritual leaders in the Mohawk language.On Friday.Riopel agreed that the Mohawk oath was valid but said the ceremony could not be carried out because it must be conducted by an officer of the court.There are no native officers at the courts of St-Jerome.north of Montreal Owen Young, lawyer for the Mohawks.said he was satisfied with Riopel s decision Monday.“Sometimes the theory of law must give way to practicality.” he said.But Young said the Canada Evidence Act violates freedom-of-religion guarantees in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms by insisting that the person who administers the oath be an of ficer of the court.During a break in the hearing.Young said he intends to make that argument Thursday at a pre-trial conference for Cross and Lazore."It is our position to make sure every cultural issue is respected throughout the trial.” said Young.Créé: JB MONTREAL (CP) — As part of their battle against the second phase of Quebec's massive James Bay hydroelectric project, the Cree who live in the area were back in Federal Court again Monday.They argued that the federal government is legally bound to carry out an environmental assessment of the project before work can begin The court challenge focuses on the James Bay and northern Quebec agreement which was signed by the Cree and Inuit of northern Quebec and the federal and provincial governments in 1975 before work on the first stage of the project could begin The Cree argued Monday that Ottawa is required to provide an administrator with specific po- wers to enforce the environmental aspect of the agreement Federal official Raymond Robinson now holds that position but the Cree argued that he is not fulfilling his duties.Diom Saganash of the grand council of the Cree said Robinson is aware of his duties but has chosen to ignore them."Even he himself recognized last year that the federal process recognized under the agreement applies to this project,” Saganash said in an interview.“He himself w rote a letter to Hydro Quebec saying that the whole federal process applies.” Lawyers for the federal government.the Quebec government, and Hydro-Quebec are opposing the Cree.Opposition: Ready By Daniel Sanger QUEBEC (CP) — After four months without its favorite bone to chew, the Parti Québécois is licking its chops at the prospect of digging in today when the legislature resumes sitting.“One thing that is certain is we won't go hungry — there's lots to feed on,” said spunky PQ house leader Guy Chevrette, predicting a banquet of questions on constitutional.economic and social issues.It will be the first time in four months that the PQ will get a chance to grill Premier Robert Bourassa face-to-face.Although the National Assembly broke just before Christmas.Bou-rassa missed the bulk of the last sitting as he underwent treatment Wait for Forum results — NDP OTTAWA (CP) — The federal government shouldn't engage in bilateral negotiations with Quebec before key constitutional committees have handed in their reports.NDP Leader Audrey McLaughlin insisted Monday.The NDP leader’s statement came on the heels of Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa's reiteration that Quebec will only deal with Ottawa on a one-to-one basis on constitutional matters.Bourassa made that promise Sunday to a Quebec Liberal party congress that voted overwhelmingly to endorse the controversial Allaire report.The party report demands a massive transfer of powers from Ottawa to the province if Quebec is to stay within Confederation.McLaughlin said Prime Minister Brian Mulroney shouldn't negotiate with Quebec until the Citizens’ Forum on Canada’s Future and the parliamentary committee studying ways of changing the constitutional amending formula have reported their findings.PREPARE REPORTS Both are due to report to the government by July 1.“I think it’s far too early .to talk about a process of bilateral negotiations,” McLaughlin said outside the Commons.“I believe the government should commit, on behalf of all Canadians, not to begin province-to-province negotiations with any one group of provinces until they’ve heard from the people of Canada, until all of the commissions and reports are in.” Acting Liberal Leader Sheila Copps said her caucus was relieved Bourassa at least would be talking with the federal government.But she said sooner or later constitutional change would require Quebec to sit down with the rest of the provinces at the bargaining table.“At the end of the day.constitution changes will have to be made with all the partners around the Troops: Three By Stephen Ward The Canadian Press Warships prepare to steam for Halifax and more soldiers hope to catch a flight home today as more Canadian military personnel are returning home from the Persian Gulf.Canada's three warships in the gulf, which left Halifax with 900 people last August, are expected to sail today from the port of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.The vessels — supply ship Protecteur and destroyers Atha-baskan and Terra Nova — should reach Halifax by mid-April.Also today, a Boeing 707 from Canadian Forces Base Lahr is scheduled to pick up more than 100 people in the gulf emirates of Qatar and Bahrain and fly them back to the military base in Germany.It’ll be the first of a dozen flights by 707 and Hercules aircraft out of Lahr as 1000 Canadians are moved out of Qatar and Bahrain by early-next week.A group will remain behind in both locations for several more weeks to complete the shipping of thousands of tonnes of equipment to Germany and Canada.VERY EMOTIONAL’ On Monday, 118 crew members from the warships flew into Canadian Forces Base Shearwater, near Halifax, from Dubai.A military band played as about 300 people flooded the tarmac, embracing the soldiers.“It's very emotional,” said Capt.Duncan Miller, fleet commander and father of three.‘Til never experience anything like this again.” In the weeks ahead, over2000Canadians will come home by air and sea in a complex lift that has military minds poring over schedules, priorities and lists of available aircraft.In Lahr.Maj.Norbert Cyr said a large airlift is being established.“It’s a very complicated plan right now.” said Cyr.“We’re looking at the total number of flights for the airlift — including cargo —-to be in the range of 80.90 almost 100.” Cyr said the schedule of flights to pick up soldiers in the gulf is flexible and soldiers can’t be given precise departure dates.In the meantime, they must pack boxes, fill out reports, wrap up any leasing contracts and generally table,” she said.That is something Quebec has refused to do since the failure of the Meech Lake constitutional accord last June.McLaughlin was particularly concerned about financial negotiations between Ottawa and the provinces.saying re negotiating fiscal arrangements with the provinces could be “a back-door way of doing constitutional talks.” But the government wasn't ready to give McLaughlin the promise she was looking for.“There will be no such commitment.” International Trade Minister John Crosbie said flatly.Cros-bie answered a number of constitutional questions in place of Mulroney.who was not in the House on Monday.Crosbie insisted the ongoing fiscal discussions with the provinces are normal business related to the transfer of funds from Ottawa to the provincial governments.“No one is suggesting any change in jurisdiction.” he said.ships, a clean up.“It s not funny when you don’t know for sure (when you’re going home).' said Cyr.“Somebody tells you your flight is tomorrow but stand by to stand by.” All but one of the 26 CF-18 fighter jets in Qatar have returned to CFB Baden-Soellingen.near Lahr in southwestern Germany.One fighter remained behind so a leak in one of its small fuel tanks could be repaired.A total of 17 fighters returned over the weekend.Eight jets flew back a week ago.along with more than 70 ground crew from Germany and Cold Lake.Alta.“Tearing down is a busy job.We've set up quite an infrastructure here and it doesn't disappear overnight." said Lieut.Caroline Bernais, a spokesman for Canadian military headquarters in Bahrain.“Headquarters will be the last to go.This is the beginning but I don't know where the end will be.” DECISIONS.DECISIONS In Qatar.Capt.Don Roy said many of the 7(K) Canadians were closing down the portable trailers with lots of questions for skin cancer They were lour very eventful months and Chevrette says he and the rest of the troops led by Jacques Parizeau will have a hard time choosing what to go after.“They're there for the picking,” he said.Quebec’s place in (or out of) Canada is the obvious issue, he said.During Bourassa’s absence the Bélanger-Campeau commission on the future of Quebec heard call after call for sovereignty or.at least, a quick referendum.Those were pleasing sounds to the PQ and Chevrette said the party will call on Bourassa to heed them.But he said the main questions will be based on last weekend’s Liberal party policy convention which saw rank-and-file heartily endorse a hardline proposal for Quebec to go after sweeping new constitutional powers.Bourassa.however, closed the conference with a strong federalist-leaning speech, leaving many in his own party confused about where they are headed.“It was a sovereigntist convention and a federalist speech : where they’re going is more a question than ever.” Chevrette said.“There’s this fake unanimity we ll have to expose.” But while constitutional considerations will take up much of ques- tion period.Chevrette said the plunging economic fortunes of the province — spiralling unemployment and high bankruptcy rates — will leaven the debate.MUNICIPALITIES ANGRY The PQ will also focus on the government's new policy of cutting grants to municipalities.Municipal taxes are expected to rise dramatically and anger over the reform has created an alliance between the PQ and hundreds of irate mayors."I think we ll score lots of points, especially with the municipalities issue.” said Chevrette.“With the Constitution we re already winning — we re up front and clear, they 're all fuzzy and the public appreciates the difference.” The English-rights Equality party.which has four members in the legislature, is also loooking forward to the resumption of the legislature, said leader Robert Libman.“For at least the first few weeks the Constitution will dominate discussion.But there is also the budget.the economy and the unemployment situation we ll work on,” he said.After a two-week break, the Bélanger-Campeau commission also resumes closed-door deliberations today to complete its report, due by March 28.With rifts increasingly apparent among nationalist and federalist members of the commission, and the feeling that the new Liberal policy has made it redundant.Lib-man said some of the commission members have lost heart.“There's just no more enthusiasm about it any more.” said Lib-man.who sits on the commission.”1 just don't know what we are going to do.Its importance seems so diminished.” Robert Libman.Bélanger-Campeau wasted?hundred planeloads to go they've lived in.Officials are deer ding what equipment must be returned and w hat can be left behind.Equipment for operating the CF-18s, such as spare parts and bombs, will be moved by aircraft.Other items, like trailers, may be sold to interests in Qatar or elsewhere.Large, low-priority items, like generators, will probably go home by ship.PEACE:- Continued from page one.not think an international peace conference to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict, including the Palestinian issue, “would be productive right now.” a view also shared by Washington.Syria and other Arab countries, however, are pushing for such a conference under United Nations auspices.Israel is opposed to any international conference.“(Assad's) view is that there has to be a quick direct recourse to an international conference.” said Clark, adding that “the issue of the regaining by Syria of territories."People here still have to work,” said Roy."There’s still security around the (Canada Dry One) camp, there’s still food to be prepared, boxes to be packed." Defence Minister Bill McKnight announced a week ago — after a ceasefire ended hostilities — that remaining Canadian military personnel in the gulf could begin returning home.From Qatar, the CF-18s protected warships in the gulf and escor- remains the central element in the Syrian position," SEIZED LANDS Israel occupies Syria’s strategic Golan Heights, which it seized during the 1967 Mideast war along with the West Bank from Jordan and the Gaza Strip from Egypt.The latter two territories are populated by Palestinians, who have re-¦ belled violently against Israeli rule in their campaign for an independent Palestinian state on the occupied lands.The Israeli government opposes the idea of giving up occupied land ted bombers into Iraq and Kuwait.Last month, during the final days of the Gulf War, the fighters flew their own bombing missions as a U.S.-led coalition drove Iraqi troops out of Kuwait.Pilots, ground crew and support staff in Qatar have been living at two camps in desert terrain around an air base in the capital of Doha.The warships helped impose a United Nations trade embargo against Iraq for invading Kuwait on Aug.2.for peace, fearing the Jewish state would be left vulnerable to attack.Clark said he did not sense that Israel and Syria were considering any bilateral arrangement on demilitarizing the Golan Heights.Clark flew to Damascus on Sunday from liberated Kuwait City, where he visited Canada’s newiy reopened embassy and called on the crown prince, Sheik Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah.In Tehran on Tuesday.Clark plans talks with his Iranian counterpart.Ali Akbar Velayati, on the situation in the region in the after-math of the Gulf War.#1_______________ftei HBC0XTI CIRCULATION DEPT.819-569-9528 KNOWLTON OFF.: 514-243-0088 FAX: (819) 569-3945 Randy Kinnear, Publisher.569-9511 Charles Bury, Editor .569-6345 Lloyd G.Scheib, Advertising Manager.569-9525 Richard Lesaard, Production Manager 569-9931 Mark Guillette, Press Superintendent.569-9931 Guy Renaud, Graphics .569-4856 Francine Thibault, Composition.569-9931 Subscriptions by Carrier: S1.80 weekly Subscriptions by Mail: Canada: 1 year- 6 monlhs-3 monlhs-1 month- U S.& Foreign: 1 year 6 months-3 months-1 month- Back copies of The Record are available at the following prices: Copies ordered within a month of publications 60c per copy Copies ordered more than a month after publication: $1 10 per copy.578.00 547.00 533.00 $16.00 5159.00 $97.00 565 00 $34 00 These prices do not include GST Established February 9, 1897, incorporating the Sherbrooke Gazette (est.1837) and the Sherbrooke Examiner (est.1879).Published Monday to Friday by The Record Division, Groupe Québécor Inc.Offices and plant located at 2850 Delorme Street, Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1K 1A1 Second class registration number 1064.Member of Canadian Press Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation Iraqis: Court frees couple suspected as terrorists Ol i AW A (CPi —The federal gQ- are opponents of Saddam Hus fugoe elaim on security grounds.couple "on the misniemnc, vernment has lailed to prove its sein s regime who fear persecution SEES HYSTERIA the lime ” f )’I TAWA (CR) — The federal go vernment has failed to prove its ease against an Iraqi couple detained as potential terrorists and must set them free, the Federal Court of Canada ruled Monday.Justice Bud Cullen ordered that the man and his pregnant wife, who arrived in Toronto in January travelling on forged Saudi Arabian passports, must lie allowed to pur sue a refugei claim that would let them slav in Canada.I he couple whose names been ordered withheld, sav have they are opponents of Saddam sein s regime who fear perse if they are relurned to Iraq.But security and immigrai ion of beers were suspicious when they arrived at Pearson International Airport on Jan.1).less than a week before the outbreak of host il beteween Iraq and the U S coalition in the Persian Gulf.Immigration Minister Barbara McDougall and Solicitor General Pierre Cadieux.acting on the advice of their officials, ordered (he couple detained and blocked the re ties led fugee claim on securitv grounds SEES HYSTERIA Clayton Ruby, the lawyer lor the couple, maintained they were the victims of incompetence by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service He suggested the agency was caught up in public hysteria sur founding (he Persian Gulf crisis and couldn’t tell the difference between pro-Saddam and anti Saddam Iraqis.Ray Boisvert, a spokesman for ( SIS.maintained the service acted in good faith in detaining the Weather Tuesday, cloudy with I reel tie nt breaks chance ol snow, High ol -2 ( Ritlook lor Wednesday : variable cloudiness.I ,OVV ol -10.High ol -2.Doonesbury BP0U6HT IN MAN.YOUV ANOTHER.EPM 7,mK THEY YEETERPAY.Au- ^OUl P \ HAVE GOTTEN THE MRP B Y NOW' * couple “on the suspicions we had the time ” When the couple was detained, the woman was carrying a notebook that listed firearms, ammuni-lion and prices.It also included a handwritten phrase in Arabic promising to "put the utmost terror in Hie hearts of the infidels.” Her husband said the list of weapons was five years old and dated Hom 1!)86 when he worked with Kurdish rebels against the government of Saddam Hussein.BY GARRY TRUDEAU ANY HOMERS STILE HOLEP UP IN K-CITY7 NOT THAT I'VE HEART] 1 THINK THE AREA'S BA- imiHEY NOT SO GOOPON THE POING ELECTRICITY ANP WHH (i/AlER, PUT GOME SERVICES?POPE'S A!REAP/ OTENEPUPA NiGirraw/ I ' JAM r ie«r.GENTIEMEN! WELCOME TO CWB5CUP! > A The Townships Hu- KKCOld) Tu»‘>da\.March 12.1W1- #1___fa-l KBCOra Nkolet: Ryan can take his plans and stick ’em By Scott Verity Stevenson SHERBROOKE-Claude Ryan may not ha- e resigned over Liberal constitu ional affairs last wee- Roger Nicole!.‘Totally outside the traditional municipal role.' kend.but Quebec's rural mayors are demanding that he quit over municipal policy.At an all day meeting Saturday, some tKK) municipal officials unanimously passed a resolution calling tor Ryan s resignation as minister of Municipal Affairs if he does not drop a highly unpopular proposal to transfer more spending — and therefore taxes — from the province to municipal governments.Ryan’s white paper "Towards a New Balance ' proposes that property owners pay more local taxes for the same services in policing, public transport and road maintenance.among other areas of taxation.But the plan calls for no cuts in provincial taxes.Property owners in areas without municipal police would pay at least 10c per $100 of property for provincial police services alone.For example Memphremagog regional municipality would have to pay Quebec an extra $l' i million in municipal taxes for the same police service it has now.according to Warden Roger Nieolet.Other tax transfers would add to that.For some municipalities the Ryan plan could mean a 30 per cent increase in taxes : for others the increase would be as high as 100 per cent.BLANK CHEQUE We are being asked to write a blank cheque over which we have no control." Nieolet said in an interview Monday night."It'stotally outside the traditional municipal role of being responsible for the money we raise Under Ryan s proposal, the extra tax dollars Quebec took would go to general spending — not ne- cessarily toward improved services.At the weekend meeting "members present told us with great vehemence and force that they will have no part of the government proposal.” said Nieolet.mayor of Austin and head of the Quebec union of MRCs.The mayors say they will oppose the reform in every way they can.Brome Missisquoi MRC mayors recently agreed to resign cn masse if the proposal is not changed.At the weekend meeting mayors chose to direct their attacks at their members of the National Vs sembly Nieolet said the mayors will collect the comments of MNAs on the proposal and publish them for voters.The MNAs will be "aware that they are being watched.” Nieolet said.SPRINli VOTE The National Assembly is due to vote this spring on Ryan's proposal It would take effect next January A second approach mayors will take will be to involve the public directly.Nieolet said, using referendums to sound out the electors on particular issues Municipal voters may go to the polls over the tax transfer within a year.Nieolet said "By bringing people into the debate.the government will have to seriously weigh what it is going to do." Earlier Nieolet was cautious about opposing the white paper, saying that counter proposals were needed if Ryan's plans were to be changed at all.One ot Nicolet’s solutions was a regional police force to avoid paying extra taxes toward the pro v incial force.But «>n the phone Monday Nieolet sounded defeated, indicating that making more counter proposals would be useless "One after another, avenues have been closed There's nothing t«> fall back on.The government is plowing ahead with the transter." Nieolet said that in private dis eussions with Ryan about two weeks ago.the minister closed the door on the police proposal, saying Quebec is interested only in higher revenues.Nieolet added that when the time were right he would support the mass resignation ot mayors to oppose Ryan."It may come to that by the end of the year, it nothing else prev ails." Nieolet said."We have to make sure such a play comes in at the critical time.' Alliance; Liberals in a dangerous dilemma SHERBROOKE - The Quebec Liberal party has betrayed its principles by voting to refuse to negotiate with the rest of Canada on the constitutional future of the country, says Alliance Quebec.Alliance president Robert Keaton said in a press release Monday that by adopting the Allaire proposal the Liberals have betrayed their federalist mandate.“The party has taken a dangerously intransigent position which will compromise any efforts to renew the Canadian federation,” Keaton said.The Allaire proposal, named after lawyer Jean Allaire who headed the committee which wrote it, would have Quebec negotiate sweeping new powers in a decentralized Canada.“The party had a chance this weekend to engage the rest of the country in serious and constructive negotiations aimed at finding a place for Quebec within Canada." Keaton said."They seriously undermined that chance." "The rest of Canada must be given a realistic opportunity to respond.” he added in the communiqué.“Instead, the party closed ranks with the nationalists, and shut out meaningful debate on the important work ahead." INTERPRET CONVENTION Keaton said Premier Robert Bourassa and his cabinet will have to "interpret” the directive given by party membership at the weekend biennial convention."Alliance Quebec and the rest of Canada will be waiting for a clear sign that the government of this province is serious about seeking its fut ure w ithin the Canadian federation." he said.Bourassa indicated Sunday that an economic and political union with the rest of Canada is the prefe-red Liberal option."Alliance Quebec will wait and see whether he demonstrates a clear willingness to promote that option over the coming weeks." he said."His party did little over the weekend to inspire optimism." Keaton said.The Liberals agreed to the continued application of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in Quebec and upheld the historic rights of the province's English-speaking community.But Keaton said they didn’t go far enough and the right of the English community to develop and grow is not nego- tiable.SMALL CONFORT "Statements about historic rights are small comfort." he said."A clear commitment to our future must be part of any new constitutional arrangement." Keaton also said the rest of Canada must join the constitutional debate."If the Quebec government must clarify its stand on Canada, the rest of the country must also show movement." he said."For there to be any hope for renewal, the federal and provincial governments must engage in this debate, and without delay." "We re at a critical point, and if the rest of the country doesn’t for- mulate some clear position of its own expectations for constitutional renewal, then Canada’s days are numbered." "The premier must ensure all Quebecers that they will continue Li have a voice in this government.’’ he added."Our community and all of Cana da will insist upon it ." Probation for knife threat By Teresa Pomerleau SHERBROOKE —Judge Michel Beauchemin of Quebec Court gave a 45-year old man two years proba- tion Monday for threatening to kill his ex-wife.On January 7.l!i!t().the man put a knife to his ex-wife's chest and threatened to kill her and then More details to come in Hydro Sherbrooke bills SHERBROOKE (RLl — Hydro Sherbrooke is responding to customer demands that it improve its billing system.The municipal utility announced Monday that its regular bills will now tell customers not only how much they have to pay this month.^v;i.f*pr Wm but how much they have paid over the previous year.Hydro Sherbrooke manager Gilles Veilleux said the detailed bills will make it easier for consumers to compare energy costs from month to month.However Veilleux warned that consumers must look at the number of days billed and kilowatts consumed before assuming their cost has risen or dropped.4H Billing periods average 60 days but range from 57 to 62.he said.TWO INCREASES Veilleux also said that comparisons should consider a 7.5 per cent hydro hike last May and another 7 per cent increase because of the Goods and Services Tax starting Jan 1.The move follows billing improvements eight months ago which gave customers more details on how much energy they were consuming.Veilleux said there are also plans for the municipal utlity to send out monthly bills and to average Hydro costs into 12 equal monthly payments.That issue was brought up during November's municipal election by a number of public interest and family budget planning groups.Sherbrooke council voted last Monday to begin studying to effects of 12-month equal billing.Kl (XmO CiRANT SIMKON (lilies V eilleux: RuUding better bills means happy customers.Beebe granny fingered Rock Island bad guy SHERBROOKE (TP) — André Belisle.34.of Rock Island was sentenced to two months in jail and two years probation Monday for breaking into the home of a 78-year old Beebe woman and stealing $39 from her.Belisle pleaded guilty to burglary and conspiring with Larry Stone.Stone is the woman’s grandson.On Sept.21 Belisle.who has no prior convictions, was accompanied by Stone.Belisle broke into the old woman's house through the patio doors and demanded money.He found $39 in her purse in the bedroom and left after ripping out the two telephone cords.The woman was able to identify Belisle when police showed her photos at the station.commit suicide.The couple were going through a messy divorce.Defence lawyer Jean-Pierre Rancour! told Judge Beauchemin the man was depressed not only because his marriage was falling apart, but also because his 18-year «>ld son had recently died, and a horse had broken his leg.The man told Judge Beauchemin he is now living with someone else and so is his ex-wife so he is completely over the divorce.The accused said he makes a de tour in his travels to avoid seeing his ex-wife.Judge Beauchemin ordered the man to avoid all contact with her.The man asked the judge how he could avoid his ex-wife at their daughter's soon-to-be wedding.The judge asked the accused if he drank.When the man answered no.the judge ruled that he may at-tend in the presence of his ex-wife.Farnham man molested child COWANSVILLE (JM) — James Gilmore.48.of Farnham was given 14 consecutive weekends in jail and ordered to perform 100 hours of community work once his time is served after he pleaded guilty to inciting an 11-year-old girl to caress him in early 1990.Crown attorney Henry Key-serlingk asked for a jail term, saying Gilmore's was a serious crime and the child had been traumatized.Defence lawyer Nathalie Houle said the victim had undergone counselling and recovered.She told the court Gilmore consulted psychiatrist Dr.Pierre Gagné and was following his prescribed treatment.Houle said Gilmore had been em ployed by the same firm for 26 years, and w as the sole support of his wife and two sons.“There was no rape, no penetration." Houle said.Gilmore stood staring at the floor during representations on sentencing.Quebec Court Judge Bernard Le-garé gave him 30 days in jail to be served on weekends, and placed him on two years probation during which he is forbidden any contact with children other than his own.unless accompanied by another adult.Cowansville: Cops want help COWANSVILLE — Municipal police here have asked for help from the public in their search for a man who attemped an armed robbery at the town’s Beigne-Bec doughnut shop at about 2:15 a m.on March 2.The wanted man spoke French with an English accent, police say.He is between 30 and 35 years old.stands between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall, weighs about 180 lbs., and has unkempt, wavy strawberry-blond hair.The man was wearing a dirty navy blue coat and was armed with a pocket knife during the robbery attempt.Anybody having any information on this man is asked to contact Sgt.-Det.Jacques Landry at (514) 263-2333.All information will be treated confidentially.Hold-up try., man'.' you Quick sentence for thief Drug addict goes to jail City blaze arson —cops COWANSVILLE (JM) — Frank Cummings of Farnham was thrown in jail for a year after he pleaded guilty to car theft, assault, failing to appear in court, and breach of probation.Crown attorney Henry Key serlingk told the court the car, worth $400, was stolen from a scrapyard and ditched.IJUlVJiV UCiUllUC Vinciv.v.Hamann could get a word in edgewise.Quebec Court Judge Jean-Pierre Bonin handed Cummings a year for the theft, 30 days for the assault, and seven days on each of the other charges.Bonin had been studying Cummings' record while the Crown was talking and as usual the associate chief judge lost no time.COWANSVILLE (JM) — Defence lawyer Claude Hamann failed to have Judge Pierre Bachand delay sentencing once again in the case of Richard "Ricky” Grenier.“This has being going on for seven or eight months and if he has further cases coming up they can be dealt with later on," Judge Bachand said in Quebec Court.Grenier had earlier pleaded guil ty to a series of frauds totalling more than $200,000 to feed his drug addiction during a two-year period.Crown attorney Henry Key-serlingk and Hamann made a common suggestion of 18 n.luths in jail.In addition Judge Bachand placed Grenier on three-years probation following his release SHERBROOKE (TP) — Police say a fir«‘ in a north end apartment building Monday was a case of arson.The blaze was reported at about 7:20 p.m.Monday in an two storey building containing two apartments at 16.9th Avenue North.The lire was started on the second storey and the crews of four city fire trucks were required to bring it under control.Police spokesman Cst.Serge Fournier said there were five sources of ignition in the upstairs apartment.Police investigators are looking into the fire which caused an esti mated $20,000 in damage.Fournier said.No one was home upstairs but ft remen evacuated residents of the ground floor They were able to reenter their home after the lire was put out.and Driving TAKE A STAND.Régie de l’assurance automobile du Québec \ 4—Thr RECORD—Tuesday.March 12.I'WI Editorial —____gyj Kocora The Voire of ih« Kastern lounships since Good intentions small gestures are not enough It's easy being green these days, at least on the surface.We re all aware of the little dos and don’ts of environmentally friendly living, from recycling newspapers to turning down the heat.We know we all have a part to play.But those are the easy things.They cause minor disruptions to our lives and we can live with them.At a certain point, however, the decisions and the actions we have to take become much harder.In order to prevent the massive deterioration of our environment, moves are necessary that will involve much more than minor disruptions.Take something like carbon dioxide emissions.This gas contributes to global warming, which we now know' has potentially disastrous implications.An easy solution?Encourage the use of public transit with good service and low' rates, and penalize the use of privately owned cars with higher gasoline taxes and registration costs.What could be Simpler?But consider the costs.For governments — provincial and municipal — it means putting a lot of money into a service that will never pay for itself, at least in dollar terms.For motorists, it means skyrocketing costs to operate their vehicle, and all that to subsidize a service they won’t or can’t use themselves.For many drivers, especially rural people, public transit simply does not exist as an option.Is it fair that they should carry the extra burden anyway?For good measure, throw in the current fiscal crisis that has the provincial government trying to pass on the costs of public transit to municipalities, and by extension local taxpayers.and you have all the elements of a no-win situation.What originally seemed like a good and simple idea now' involves high costs for many people.The point of all this is not that we shouldn’t make every effort to clean up our act, because we should.It is simply to point out that good intentions and small gestures are not enough.At some point we may all have to go through a period of self-examination that could make Canada’s constitutional crisis look like a cursory physical.We might decide that all the luxuries that technology has afforded us are not worth the price of a polluted world.Conversely, we may decide that the sacrifices which a clean environment require would be too costly.Whatever the outcome we have to start thinking bigger.This means a truly philosophical debate about the kind of society we want, and how we go about getting it.In the meantime, keep recycling.STEVE MEURICE Ryan has taken the heat in three touchy portfolios By The Canadian Press Claude Ryan , in the words of a veteran member of the Quebec legislature, was never really in second place in the sovernment.“Not No.2.'' Parti Québécois member Gérald Godin once said.“No.l-A." One of Premier Robert Bourassa s closest advisers — and touted as the likely interim leader had Bourassa quit due to health problems late last year — Ryan recently has taken heat in three touchy portfolios.As minister of public security, the craggy-faced white-haired former newspaper editor faced fallout from last summer s Mohawk crisis.He is also responsible for enforcing the controversial language law.And as minister of municipal affairs, he has been criticized by Quebec mayors for a plan to cut grants to cities and towns, Ryan stormed out of the Quebec Liberal party's convention on Saturday, after the defeat of an amendment he sponsored calling for renewed constitutional negotiations with the provinces as well as Ottawa Ryan considered leaving the government but on Monday he told a Montreal news conference that Bourassa had persuaded him to stay on Ryan.66.was first elected to the legislature in l!)7!i in the semi-rural riding of Argenteuil.northwest of Montreal.LOST ELECTION The year before, he was elected leader of the party and considered a shoo-in for premier But the Liberals were rebuffed at the polls in 1!)H1 and Ryan, who had taken overthe leadership after Bourassa s 1976election defeat, had to make way for Bourassa s return.Since Bourassa brought the Liberals back to power in 1985.Ryan has been constantly at his side.His first cabinet portfolio was education.Soon after he entered politics, Ryan's moral authority and patrician air won a nickname: the Pope.Others — who say he can be arbitrary, spiteful and plain cruel — have another label: the Ayatollah.As editor of Montreal Le Devoir from 1962 to 1978, Ryan developed a reputation for insisting that senior Quebec politicians consult him on any serious matter.If he was ignored, he retaliated Critics point to shifts in his position over the years.He ferociously condemned Quebec s language law when it was adopted in 1977 by the PQ government of René Lévesque.But when the Supreme Court of Canada struck down aspects of the law in 1988, Ryan threatened to quit if Bourassa did not use the constitutional notwithstanding clause to override the court s decision.Ryan has a reputation as a penny pincher and adver lises himself as a supreme rationalist although he was once ridiculed for saying he was guided by the hand of God in his decision to seek the party leadership Letters Animals feel h To the Editor: Who is this woman from Drum-mondville who so callously treats animals the way we saw on TV the other night and the others we've heard so much about lately?Who are these people?Are they from the same human race?You don't have to be an animal lover ilike I am i to treat animals with at least a little respect and consideration.They feel hunger and pain just like we do.There are many options if one doesn't have the financial resources to take care of these defenceless animals.Do these people have children and families?If they do.God forbid, for we are breeding another generation just like them.These people are criminals and should be treated as such.We incarcerate people for less.Fines are not enough punishment.Maybe these people are sick in the head — like rapists and murderers — and should be given the help they so obviously need.In my opinion they are of the same speaking.All are welcome.HANK ROTHERHAM KnuwUon Excellent care Dear Sir.On the 24th of December, during a snow storm.I had a heart attack at approximately 9:15 a.m.My wife phoned for the ambulance.It came within a remarkable short space of time.The driver and his companion could not have been better in the display of efficiency or care.They then had the job of transporting me to the Brome-Missisquoi Perkins Hospital.This was done in excellent time.At the hospital I received every care, and the ladies in the isolation ward were also excellent.Having been three days in the ward, at no time was there any room for complaint.This letter is just a way of saying thank you to the driver and his companion.the nurses and doctor with whom I made contact.Again I say thank you, ladies and gentlemen.Yours truly, ALEXANDER MURRAY St-Armand Ouest ^ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊk \wim mmm mm JÉ ’'Mm i»»» ' * ¦vt.IktricfTô Bap Hackett, Campbell and Bouchard 80 Peel Street, Sherbrooke 565-7885 ^THICK'S , m I* ____ Conway, Jacques, DoWney & Martel Courtiers d'assurance inc.L awrence J.Downey, c d’A Ass Vice président 2000, rue Prospect, C P 2060, Suce J Cartier Æk Sherbrooke (Québec) J1J 3YI WF (819)565-7676 Fax (819) 564-0797 ««« 4 «*« 4 444 *4 444 *4 Happp ê>t.Patrick’s Bap MONTHLY SPECIALS entree Osar salad or Cheesed parité bread at Pepper steak or Seallopine à la Roma at Special: each day from 4 p.m.to *1 p.r Spiiglielli or Higaloui or La>agiiii $>125 .1.1 at H FREE DELIVERY IN LENNOXVILLE 6o, A/ 4 PIZZAVILLE LENNOXVILLE 4 116 Queen St., Lennoxville * Tel.: 564-2400 564-2408 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 '(r>r * $225 $795 ?* 4 4