TIME: Almanac 1995

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<text id=92TT2879> <title> Dec. 28, 1992: Grapevine </title> <history> TIME--The Weekly Newsmagazine--1992 Dec. 28, 1992 What Does Science Tell Us About God? </history> <article> <source>Time Magazine</source> <hdr> GRAPEVINE, Page 11 </hdr><body> By Janice Castro It's the Nuclear Missiles, Stupid Senior Russian military officers say Ukraine is going all out to break the launch codes for the 1,650 nuclear warheads in its possession, especially for its 500 air-launched cruise missiles and nuclear gravity bombs. The Russians calculate that it will take the Ukrainians six months to a year to decipher the complex electronic codes. There no longer seems to be much doubt that Ukraine has decided to become a nuclear power. It has refused to go along with the START treaty and no longer allows Russian engineers to perform routine maintenance on the 130 SS-19 (six-warhead) nuclear missiles and 46 SS-24 (10-warhead) missiles based in Ukrainian territory. The Russians are worried that the missiles are deteriorating. Even more worrisome: those short-range nukes of intense interest to the Ukrainians are the ones that could hit Russia. Whose Job Is It, Anyway? Team spirit in the Clinton camp is showing strains as the key players jockey for positions in Washington. DEE DEE MYERS had been mentioned for press secretary, but insiders say that George Stephanopoulos has become very fond of TV exposure and the mountains of fan mail he attracts. And what about Paul Begala and Mark Gearan? Transition Central has really cleared things up by telling all four that they will be part of Clinton's Office of the President. Staff members have been sniping that Myers "doesn't look the part of a White House press secretary." Translation: she's a she. Dear George: He's making his list and checking it twice. President Bush, that is; and the list includes Caspar Weinberger, Clair George and others hoping that Bush will invoke executive clemency to pardon them before he leaves office next month. Add JONATHAN JAY POLLARD, now in his eighth year of a life term in Marion, Illinois, for spying for Israel. Pollard's attorney has asked for a commutation of sentence, arguing that his client's life term was much harsher than those meted out to other recently convicted spies. President-elect Clinton has said he favors a review of the sentencing. Extremely Hazardous Duty Combat reporting is always dangerous, but Yugoslavia is setting grisly records. While 45 journalists died covering Vietnam over 15 years, for example, at least 27 have been killed in Yugoslavia in just 18 months. To help reduce the casualties, the COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS is distributing an unusual handbook called How to Survive and Still Get the Story. Says Anne Nelson, executive director of the committee: "This conflict is different. Instead of two sides, there are many sides, and often the troops are drunken paramilitaries. They shoot on sight, and they carry grudges against reporters." Among the tips in the handbook: Wear body armor. Never wear anything that looks military-issue (so much for Dan Rather's safari shirts). Never rush up to people with guns. Ask before taking pictures or notes. Carry a supply of sanitary napkins: they make great bandages in emergencies. And memorize this phrase: "Ne pucaj!" (Don't shoot!) </body></article> </text>