TIME: Almanac 1995

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<text id=93TT0723> <title> Dec. 13, 1993: Chronicles:The Week </title> <history> TIME--The Weekly Newsmagazine--1993 Dec. 13, 1993 The Big Three:Chrysler, Ford, and GM </history> <article> <source>Time Magazine</source> <hdr> CHRONICLES, Page 23 THE WEEK:NOVEMBER 28--DECEMBER 4 </hdr> <body> NATION North Korea Strategies President Clinton met with Defense Secretary Les Aspin and General John Shalikashvili, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to discuss options for dealing with North Korea's refusal to allow international inspection of its nuclear facilities. Possible actions include sending an aircraft carrier and reinforcing Army troops on the Korean peninsula. The White House insisted that the review was only a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency stated that it could no longer guarantee that North Korea was not constructing nuclear weapons. Marking Another Year of AIDS On World AIDS Day, President Clinton defended his Administration's efforts to increase funding for AIDS research and to raise awareness of the disease. He responded to a heckler at a hospital by saying, "I'd rather have that man in here screaming at me than have him give up altogether." Earlier, Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala announced a plan to accelerate research, and Attorney General Janet Reno promised to fight for prosecution of doctors and nurses who refuse to treat AIDS sufferers. Pollution and Poverty A conference of black ministers received assurances from Vice President Al Gore that the Clinton Administration is eager to address the problem of pollution in poor, minority communities. A disproportionate number of waste dumps and chemical plants are located in black and Hispanic neighborhoods. Women Sailors President Clinton signed legislation lifting the ban against women serving aboard naval combat vessels. Women will be assigned to three aircraft carriers by the end of 1994. No Prosecution of Clifford A New York judge last week dismissed all criminal charges against Clark Clifford, the Washington eminence grise charged with fraud and bribery in connection with the B.C.C.I. scandal. The judge pointedly cited the 86-year-old's ill health, not "the interests of justice," as the reason for his decision. Clifford, however, claimed to have been vindicated. Rollins Case Abandoned Democrats will not pursue efforts to overturn the election of New Jersey's Republican Governor-elect, Christine Todd Whitman. The state's Democratic Committee said it had found no evidence to support the claims_since recanted_by Whitman's campaign manager Ed Rollins that he paid "street money" to keep black voters from the polls. Sad Break in Petaluma Local and federal officials last week arrested a man who may be linked to the Polly Klaas kidnapping case. Klaas, 12, was abducted from her home in Petaluma, California, during a slumber party two months ago. The suspect, an ex-convict arrested for a parole violation, resembles the description given to police by Klaas' friends. The girl has not yet been found. Seminary Scandal An inquiry commissioned by the Franciscan Order of the Roman Catholic Church found that sexual abuse took place at St. Anthony's Seminary in Santa Barbara for more than 20 years. The yearlong investigation uncovered proof that at least 34 boys were molested by 11 friars from 1964 to 1987. Prosecutions are not expected, however, as the six-year statute of limitations on sex crimes has run out. WORLD Escobar Killed by Authorities Billionaire cocaine kingpin Pablo Escobar was killed in a rooftop shoot-out with soldiers and police in Medellin, Colombia. Police found his hideout by tracing a phone call he made to his wife and two children the day after his birthday. The death of Escobar is not expected to reduce the flow of cocaine to the U.S., since his influence on the drug trade significantly diminished during his 16 months as a fugitive. The More Things Change... The statistics were reminiscent of the darkest days of intifadeh: about 90 Palestinians and three Israelis injured and a Palestinian and two Israelis killed in the worst violence in the Israeli-occupied territories since Israel and the P.L.O. signed their historic peace accord in Washington in September. Trying to End the Troubles Prodded by the disclosure of secret talks between London and the I.R.A., Irish Prime Minister Albert Reynolds met with his British counterpart, John Major, to discuss an end to 25 years of violence in Northern Ireland. "There was a strong exchange of views," said Reynolds. Somalis Plan Their Future Warring Somali factions met in neighboring Ethiopia to discuss the fate of Somalia. Chances for success in the negotiations were improved by the late arrival of powerful clan leader Mohammed Farrah Aidid, who boycotted a U.N.-sponsored humanitarian-aid meeting earlier in the week. Aidid, only recently the target of a manhunt by U.S. forces, flew to the conference aboard an American military plane. Bosnian Peace Goes Nowhere The three opposing factions in Bosnia met to discuss a resolution to the 19-month-old war. A possible breakthrough came when Bosnia's Muslim-led government briefly considered a plan to partition Sarajevo (where the Serbs' continuing siege killed seven more people last week) in exchange for Serb land concessions in eastern Bosnia. The Serbs, however, were unwilling to give up territory. Ukraine's Nuclear Extortion? Just one day after President Clinton telephoned him to express concern over the continued reluctance of Ukraine to turn over its nuclear weapons to Russia, Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk repeated his country's hard-line position regarding the 1,600-warhead arsenal it inherited from the former Soviet Union. Kravchuk said Ukraine would "demand material compensation" in exchange for giving them up. He wants $3 billion. Cuban Athletes Defect Forty Cubans, most of them members of Cuban sports teams, have defected to the U.S. at the Central American Caribbean Games taking place in Puerto Rico. BUSINESS Better and Better The economy is improving markedly, according to a number of new statistics. Personal income in October rose six-tenths of 1%, the third advance in a row, and consumer spending increased for the seventh consecutive month. The Commerce Department's Index of Leading Indicators increased 0.5%, the third major uptick in as many months. Consumer confidence as measured by the Conference Board jumped 11 points in November. Unemployment dropped from 6.8% in October to 6.4% in November, the best monthly improvement in 10 years. Another key indicator of economic health, existing-home sales, jumped 3.6% in October. Hope on GATT Once derided as "the General Agreement to Talk and Talk," the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, a hugely complex treaty that will lower trade barriers among 116 nations, now seems likely to be concluded by its crucial deadline next Wednesday. The GATT process began in 1947. SCIENCE Genes to the Rescue In a big step toward making gene therapy easier, researchers reported that they have enclosed DNA in microscopic bubbles of fat and injected the tiny globules directly into tumors. In another advance, scientists announced that they have isolated the rogue gene responsible for hereditary colon cancer. A Worm's Life A mutation in a single gene helps a tiny worm called Caenorhabditis elegans more than double its normal life span, from 18 to 42 days, says a report in Nature. The mutated gene allows the worm to sustain itself without food or water. Researchers speculate that the finding could lead to new understanding of how humans age. THE ARTS & MEDIA Clinton Goes Hollywood, Again A Beverly Hills fund raiser for the Democratic Party featuring President Clinton became the latest battle in Hollywood's talent-agency wars. Clinton was the star of a fund-raising reception thrown by the extremely powerful Creative Artists Agency, and the guest list was originally skewed heavily toward such CAA clients as Kevin Costner, Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman and Geena Davis. To soothe rival agents and performers, the Democratic National Committee made a last-minute effort to invite non-CAA talent. By Sophfronia Scott Gregory, Michael Quinn, Jeffery C. Rubin, Alain L. Sanders, Anastasia Toufexis, Sidney Urquhart HEALTH REPORT THE GOOD NEWS -- Scientists have identified the defective gene that causes Wilson's disease, a disorder that destroys the liver and brain. The gene prevents the liver from removing the excess copper that enters the body in food; eventually, the metal hurts the liver and leaks into the brain. The finding could lead to a screening test and more effective treatment. -- Researchers have also discovered the faulty gene responsible for a rare disorder (hyperekplexia) that causes sufferers to become stiff as a board when startled. Afflicted infants can choke or suffocate, and adults can break bones when they topple over. The gene affects sites in the brain and spinal cord that help control muscle reflex. THE BAD NEWS -- Diets high in fat not only promote heart disease, they also, surprisingly, raise the risk of lung cancer. A study of non-smoking women found that those who got 15% or more of their calories from saturated fats were six times more likely to develop lung cancer than those for whom fat made up 10% or less of their diet. -- Though the number of adults who are taking up smoking has dropped to almost zero, the number of teenagers who have begun to smoke has been rising steadily over the past five years, according to a researcher at the University of California at San Diego. In California, for example, 8% of 16-to-18-year-olds are smokers, whereas only 6% of that age group smoked in 1988. Sources--GOOD: Nature Genetics. BAD: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, AP. VATICAN GUESSING GAME Since Pope John Paul II fell and injured his shoulder last month, the inevitable speculation has begun about possible successors to the 73-year-old Pontiff. If the election were held this week, 105 Cardinals under age 80 would be eligible to vote for and serve as the next Pope. Among the most mentioned: -- CARLO MARIA MARTINI, 66, Italy Pluses: As Archbishop of Milan, he heads Europe's largest diocese. An intellectual heavyweight. Minuses: May be too liberal. Would be the first Jesuit Pope. -- ANGELO SODANO, 66, Italy Pluses: Vatican Secretary of State, nominally the No. 2 spot. Minuses: Lacks Martini's high profile. -- BERNARDIN GANTIN, above, 71, Benin Plus: Known for hard work, holiness. The church sees growth in Africa. Minuses: The Holy See may not be ready for a black Pope. -- FRANCIS ARINZE, 61, Nigeria Pluses: Heads Vatican's council for interreligious dialogue; familiar with the world of Islam. Minuses: Considered too young by some. -- JEAN-MARIE LUSTIGER, 67, France Pluses: A Jewish convert to Catholicism; intellectually brilliant. Minuses: A Frenchman. THE 10 MOST REQUESTED CELEBRITY-LOOK-ALIKES FROM RON SMITH'S L.A. LOOK-ALIKES FIRM* 1 MICHAEL JACKSON 2 BILL CLINTON AND HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON 3 SHARON STONE 4 HEIDI FLEISS 5 CINDY CRAWFORD 6 MADONNA 7 SYLVESTER STALLONE 8 ELIZABETH TAYLOR 9 BEVERLY HILLS 90210 CAST 10 ROBERT DE NIRO * November 1993 INSIDE WASHINGTON THE DAMAGE OF POLLARD'S ESPIONAGE As Israel presses the Clinton Administration to free Jonathan Pollard, the former U.S. Navy intelligence analyst sentenced in 1986 to life in prison for spying for the Israelis, Time has learned that one document Pollard is believed to have slipped to the Israelis--thought to have landed in Soviet hands, albeit unintentionally--was a huge National Security Agency compendium of frequencies used by foreign military and intelligence services. Gathering this information cost the U.S. billions of dollars, but Pollard rendered it useless. Officials assume countries that knew their frequencies had been discovered used them for disinformation. Additionally, officials fear the data in the book were so specific that its discovery may have cost informants their lives. WINNERS & LOSERS WINNERS ROBIN WILLIAMS Marry an ex-nanny, play a Scottish nanny, clean up at box office CLARK CLIFFORD Citing 86-year-old's infirmity, judge drops B.C.C.I. charges BERNARD MCCUMMINGS Top court OKs $4.3 mil award for mugger paralyzed by N.Y.C. cop LOSERS WALTER PAYTON Quest to own part of N.F.L. team dashed as Jacksonville gets nod WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TEXAS Antigay vote costs it an Apple Computer office and 1,500 jobs RONALD REAGAN Walsh gets last word; his Iran-contra report will be made public FOLKS, WE ARE BEING HELD ON THE LAUNCH PAD DUE TO METEORS The shuttle Endeavour's mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope is the 59th shuttle flight, and like so many before it, this one was delayed before getting started. On this occasion, high crosswinds caused a one-day postponement. Fortunately, the astronauts on Endeavour--and all the other shuttles that have failed to go up on time--are always offered free lodging for a couple of nights. DELAYED 41 missions Reasons for Delays: -- Bad weather at launch or landing sites 31 instances -- Electronic, mechanical or propulsion problems 57 instances -- Miscellaneous problems* 18 instances ESTIMATED COST OF ONE-DAY DELAY: -- When Large Fuel Tank Is Empty $250,000 -- When Large Fuel Tank Has Been Filled $650,000 AVERAGE DELAY 25 DAYS *(e.g., planes and ships in restricted zones, meteor shower, orbital path of Russian space station, problems with satellite cargoes, astronaut illness) THE SATANIC REVERSES "So today is like a huge public affirmation of America's support as a nation and as an Administration..." -- Salman Rushdie, describing his meeting with President Clinton to David Frost "To be frank, there was some division among our people about whether I should see Mr. Rushdie when he was here. He met with Mr. Lake, and then I was over in the Old Executive Building, and Mr. Lake brought him over there so I could see him and shake hands with him. We visited probably for a couple of minutes." -- President Clinton, describing the same meeting at a press conference TOY-RELATED DEATHS TOY CAUSE OF DEATH TOLL TRICYCLES & RIDING TOYS Rode into pool or pond 5 Hit by motor vehicle 2 Fell from toy 1 BALLOONS Choking 6 BALLS Choking 5 MARBLES Choking 1 TOY CHESTS Lid closed on head or neck 2 OTHER Choked on toy dart 2 Fell from toy rocking boat 1 Strangled on string of toy car 1 Strangled on loop of crib toy 1 Strangled on plastic jump rope 1 Trapped in toy basketball net 1 Suffocated under play tent 1 As reported by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Jan. 1992 to Sept. 1993 INFORMED SOURCES The Specter of VAT WASHINGTON--Senators Bob Kerrey and John Danforth, co-chairs of the Bipartisan Commission on Entitlement Reform--the group President Clinton agreed to back in order to win Democrat Kerrey's crucial vote on the budget--appear set to pick Fred Goldberg, the IRS chief under Bush, as their executive director. Goldberg is an advocate of shifting federal taxes away from income to consumption, as are--in a general way--Danforth and Kerrey. This worries Clinton economic advisers. Having been singed already this year by a VAT scheme, they don't want the President to be associated with any similar proposals--at least not during his first term--from a panel that he created. Rollins Flimflammed? NEW JERSEY--Some savvy black politicos in New Jersey are suggesting an explanation for why no one has found evidence that Edward Rollins attempted to suppress the black vote in the state's gubernatorial election. They say that Rollins probably did try to do what he originally boasted of, but got flimflammed by black con men who promised to help hold down the black vote, walked out with his cash and vanished. Chelsea Clinton Yuletide Privacy Roundup WASHINGTON--For its holiday window displays, the Macy's flagship store in Manhattan chose to create White House Christmas scenes, but one tableau, featuring Chelsea Clinton reading in bed, is missing: the White House objected to it, and the store had it removed. The Clintons have also decided that Chelsea will not appear on their Christmas cards. REASSURING NEWS "I'm not a Manson expert or anything, but the things he's done are something I don't believe in." -- AXL ROSE, IN A STATEMENT ON HIS DECISION TO RECORD A SONG BY CHARLES MANSON </body> </article> </text>