COUNCIL BLUFFS. LINCOLN, OMAHA Omaha, Neb.. Fri., June 6,1980
Democatic Congressional Candidate Richard M. Fellman stresses the need for military preparedness during a meeting of B'nal B'rith Breadbreakers. At right Is Paul Davies, president of Breadbreakers.
Fellman Highlights Issues In Congressional Campaign The Democratic candidate for Itie Second Congressional District scat has singled out defense and the economy as two of the major campaign issues. "We are approaching a crisis in both conventional weapons and in military personnel," Richard M." Fellman said. Mr. Fellman, a county commissioner and a former slate senator, spoke May 28 during a combined meeting of B'nai B'rith Lodges at the Dreadbreakers Luncheon In the Children at the JCC Pre-School first peek at their new class members In the Incubator: baby Ranch Bowl. chicks named aleph Mr. Fellman said the perp and beth,, and then turn their attention to the camera. From left, Marti Finkel, TrnM Kirtlnr Dunn Frmnn Dona Conn and Joel Boehm. !-•• • centage of gross national Trad Kutler, Dana Erman, Dana Cohn and Joel Boehm.
Aleph, Beth . . . cluck, cluck!
product that the United States spends for military preparedness has gone down in the last decade. He called for a "massive" adjustment in personnel policies so that qualified people can be motivated to stay in the military service. He also urged the continuing development of conventional weapons "so that the rest of the world knows that we can defend ourselves." Mr. Fellman said that he is concerned about the upcoming transition in the makeup of Soviet leadership. He explained that the current leaders are of advanced
age and that there is no orderly system for political change in Russia. "They have major economic problems and major internal problems and the easiest way for them to rally their nation is to create external problems," Mr. Fellman said. "Unless we are to become a target of aggression, we and our allies must present a strong front throughout the world," Mr. Fellman added. The Democratic candidate also called for a reduction in deficit spending, Incentives for consumer savings, stimulation of jobs and productivity.
Weizman's nation Casts Shadow Over Likud-Led Government Coalition JERUSALEM (JTA) - The resignation of Defense Minister Ezer Weizman has cast a shadow over the future of Premier Menachem Begln's Likud-led coalition government. But while the extent of the political fall-out at home and abroad remains to be measured, the consensus In political circles was that the government Is in no Immediate danger. Weizman chaired a meeting of the General Headquarters Staff officers to render a final report on the military situation. Afterwards he had an emotional farewell meeting with his army colleagues. Weizman's not unexpected departure was generally welcomed by hardliners who resented his frequent public criticism of government policies, especially with regard to West Bank settlements. It was deplored by moderate elements In the Cabinet and Knesset who regarded Weizman as a force for moderation In dealIng with the Palestinian Issue and an asset In the normalization of relations with Egypt. There was no official reaction from Cairo, but Egyptian Foreign Minister Kama Hassan AH expressed his personal regrets. A battle loomed between Cabinet hawks and doves over Wcizman's possible success sor. But the first political casualty lo Likud was a relatively minor one — the announce-
ment by MK Hlllcl Seldel, a former Laboritc, that he would soon leave the coalition. This will reduce Begin's Knesset majority to 03 scats, still a sufficient margin to function effectively. Weizman Informed Begin of his Intention to quit before the weekly Cabinet session. He announced his resignation in a brief speech to his Cabinet colleagues and left immediately for the Defense Ministry offices In Tel Aviv to clear out his personal effects. Begin is expected to fill the defense post for the time being as he did the Foreign Ministry following the resignation of Moshe Dayan last October. Weizman had threatened to resign on several occasions in policy disputes with Begin and other ministers. His most recent altercation was with Finance Minister Ylgal Hurwitz over the latter's proposal to freeze the budget at its present level — a move approved by the economic cabinet last week — which would require cuts In defense expenditures. But he told his colleagues that while this was the immediate issue it was not the sole reason for his resignation. He made it clear that his decision grew out of cumulative dissatisfaction and frustration with the government. In fact, Welzman, in his peroration, lashed put at the government's performance in general, noting that yerlda (emigration) Is
running ahead of lion, inflation Is skyrocketing, policy on the economic front seemed arbitrary and improvised rather than planned and relations with the U.S. were suffering because of government policies. Weizman also delivered a bitter attack on Hurwitz and his economic policies. The Israel Defense Force Is stronger than any government, he said and would survive the injuries inflicted on it by such as Hurwitz. He accused the Finance Minister of trying to disguise his own failures by blaming the defense establishment for the country's economic woes. Despite the government's efforts, the army Is strong, he said. He noted that the exports of military industries netted $650 million this year and Is expected to earn over $1 billion next year. It has been an open secret for many months that Welzman was becoming increasingly disenchanted with Begln's policy toward the autonomy talks with Egypt and the U.S. In fact, he had little to do with them until the ill-fated round of talks of Herzllya three weeks ago, after which Anwar Sadat summarily suspended the negotiations. In unguarded moments — of which there have been more than a few of late — Weizman spoke disparagingly of the government as a whole and of several ministers In particu-
lar. He was said to feel that the Cabinet did not sufficiently value the peace with Egypt and that Its policy thinking was not sufficiently influenced by the need to build and preserve the peace. Many of Weizman's remarks, reported in the press, drew the wrath of Likud ' stalwarts, especially those in his own Herut faction. The most stinging comment on Weizman's resignation was made by Hurwilz after who accused the Defense Minister of "practically expressing non-confidence In the government of which he was a member" and likened him to "a tenant who strikes his neighbor. This is an unbearable situation. Ezer could not be a member of the Cabinet and attack It at the same time, condemn it, mock it, joke about . . . With all regret, I can live with his resignation," Hurwitz said. Haim Kaufman, chairman of the Herut Knesset faction, spoke In a similar vein. "Ezer could not face the pressures of Israeli politics," he said. "He has a different style of work, a different direction, and I believe It was very difficult for him to be a part of the leading team . . I would like to see Ezer Weizman as Defense Minister of Israel without trying to be the Prime Minister at the same tlme.j" Kaufman said. Education Minister Zevulun Hammer of the National Reli-
gious Party, expressed the view that Weizman's resignation was unnecessary especially as It came before the full Cabinet reached a decision on the budget freeze to which he objected. Deputy Premier Ylgael Yadin, leader of the Democratic Movement on the other hand, felt the crisis could not have been avoided. The matter was "much more complicated than it seemed," he said. Justice Minister Shmuel Tamlr, the No. 2 man in the DM, declared, "I'm sorry that he resigned. Obviously a government without Weizman is not a government with him." Haim Korfu, chairman of the Likud coalition, admitted that Wcizman's resignation weakened the government but observed that "the moment of truth between Weizman and Likud had to come. We now must heal the wounds and get back to work." Former Foreign Minister Abba Eban, a Labor MK, predicted that the government would fall as a result of Weizman's resignation. That view was shared by a few others In opposition ranks, but not in the coalition. Labor MK Yossi Sarid said Weizman's departure made early elections more likely. Shulamit Alonl of the Civil Rights Movement, claimed It was the final nail in the coffin of the Begin government. But MK Shlomo Lorlncz of the
Aguda faction, said his party would stay in the coalition. "The government could not have continued to function with Weizman undermining its authority," he said. According to political sources, Weizman will keep his Knesset seat — to which he was elected on the Herut ticket —' for the time being. But eventually, he Is expected to retire to private life and await a different political constellation where his popularity and leadership talents could find new expression, the sources said. Weliman hlmseU made it clear that his resignation did not mean the end of his political activities. Speaking In the parlance of a veteran combat pilot, he told reporters, "This is a touch-down for refueling and rearmament and then to take off once again." The question remained, in which direction he would take oil. He has reportedly expressed willingness to serve as Detense Minister in a Labor-led government headed by Shimon Peres. Peres, chairman of the Labor Party, has not foreclosed that possibility. But much depends on the public reaction to Weizman's resignation In the days ahead. If the ripples are small and the reactions undramatlc, the implication will be that the former fighter pilot and Air Force commander does not (Continued on P age 3 >