Maroon

              The MAROON Vol. 65, No. 19 Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118 February 27,1987 U.S. lacks insight on Mexico By Raul X. Rosales, SJ. Editorial Editor When people in the United States think of a Mexican, they often imagine a short, slightly stooped and unshaven farmer, wearing huaraches and a zarape, leading a burro laden with farm products to market ■ A atAlVJ'flfcldfc • I This common perception illustrates a minimal understanding of the current political and economic problems in Mexico. One of the most serious problems facing Mexico is its large debt to banks in the United States and other western nations. This problem is common among thirdworld countries. To stem the tide of third-world debt, Brazil announced last week that it would suspend payments on the interest of its foreign debt to commercial banks. Brazil's unexpected action has caused many economic and politcal analysts to question the stability of debtor nations. Analysts are beginning to question the ability of these countries to pay back their loans at all, let alone the interest. The Eyes of Carnival Pho,° ** Mary De9naß The Krewe of Freret's Spanish Eyes float paraded down Freret Street behind campus Monday Panelists urge administration to fight racism By Jeff Slade Contributing writer Student panelists addressing racism on campus Tuesday questioned Loyola's willingness to confront racial questions and urged other students to get involved in issues regarding race. Black Student Union treasurer Gcrmayne Turner called for the "total eradication of racism at Loyola" following the sparsely attended panel discussion, "Students on Racism," held in Nunemakcr Hall. Panelists included Turner, independent moderator Kim Joseph, BSU President Wendell Armant and Byron Davis, chairman of the BSU's Committee for Cultural Development and Social Awareness. Panelists from the Student Government Association and the International Student Association were invited, but they were unable to attend. The mostly black audience discussed faculty racism and the relevance of the university's Christian mission to its dealings with racism. Joseph said the issue should be discussed independently of religion. When an audience member emphasized the Jesuit educational mission, Joseph said, "the Jesuits are probably more prejudiced than most Southern Baptist whites." Turner disagreed with this statement The Rev. Raymond Schroth, S J., associate professor of communications, said the BSU should bring racial problems to the attention of the Loyola community "so that it can face itself." Institutions should be confronted based on their ideals, Schroth said, citing the example of Martin Luther King Jr. When Armant expressed doubts about the willingness of the administration to act on racial issues. Dr. Cora Kissinger condemns Iran-contra arms scandal By Oliver P. Yandle Assistant News Editor The sale of arms to Iran in exchange for hostages was a mistake, but should not prevent the United States from dealing with current problems in foreign affairs, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said last Friday. Kissinger spoke in Tulane's McAlister Hall as part of the university's Direction '87 program. "I believe the sale of arms to Iran was a serious mistake, and to do it when our official policy states the opposite compounds the problem," he said. "But I believe now that event is over, and if we let it paralyze us we may suffer Iran twice." Kissinger said he believed that the arms deal seriously hurt the future of the Nicaraguan contras. The United States must either cut off aid to the contras completely or make a two- to three-year commitment to their cause, Kissinger said. "We are doing just enough to stay engaged but not enough to make a difference," he said. "We can't go in every six months and do a litmus test" He outlined two options the United States has in dealing with Nicaragua. "If we feel that the threat is the [Sandinista] government, then we must try to overthrow it," he said. But if the threat comes from the SovietSoviet Union, the United States should continue to use the contras to put pressure on the Nicaraguan government, in hopes of having the Sandinistas force the Soviet and Cuban troops out of the country. Kissinger blamed part of the problem with the arms deal on the National Security Council. "The tragedy was that it [the arms deal] was totally unnecessary," he said. The problem was not because of the structure of the NSC but because of the council's failure to screen options for the , president, he said. "Instead of acting as a screen of garbage, it becomes a generator of garbage. Many in the administration became superficialsuperficial and sloppy. When a crisis came, they didn't pull together to advise the president." Kissinger, referring to the recent spree of hostage-taking, said the only way to deal with terrorists is to ignore them. "It's very dangerous to negotiate the release of hostages at all," he said. fsdfsd See Racism/page 7 See Mexico/page 6 See Kissinger/page 7 1987 Mardi Gras poster inside