Editorials
Friday, July 19, 1996
Airliner crash casts cloud
over Olympics
THE crash of a TWA jumbo jet in the waters off Long Island, killing all 228 people aboard, sent tremors through Atlanta on the eve of the Olympic Games. No evidence exists at this point that the plane's explosion was tied to the Olympics, or even that it was caused by terrorists, but the timing was enough to cause concern. The tendency is to increase security at the Games, but it may be difficult to find ways to do that in view of the elaborate precautions already taken.
Terrorist activity has worried Olympic officials since Palestinian guerrillas shot dead 11 Israeli athletes inside the Olympic village in Munich, Germany, at the 1972 Games. Such an attack would be next to impossible in Atlanta, where the athletes' village is ringed with wire barricades. Only athletes and coaches are allowed inside. Passes are needed to enter any other building linked to the Olympics.
Organizers say a security force of more than 20,000 National Guardsmen, federal law enforcement agents and state and local police will make these Olympics the safest ever. The federal government is spending $250 million to provide soldiers for the security force. Troops have been using mirrors to check under cars entering central Atlanta garages for the past week.
Police foot patrols were increased at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport after the plane crash, but no other changes appear warranted. The Federal Aviation Administration had ordered an increased level of security at the nation's airports before the crash, but no system is foolproof.
Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell is confident of the security plan of the host city. "The thing is that you can only do so much because otherwise you become a prisoner of terrorism and people will not even be able to enjoy the presentation of these athletes, who have been working their entire lives for this one moment in the sun," Campbell said. Campbell feels the security plan provides participants utmost protection without turning the Games into a closed event. The threat of terrorism must not be allowed to destroy the Olympic spirit.
Alana's transplant
FEW children with life-threatening conditions have captured the hearts of Hawaii like 2-year-old Alana Dung. The phenomenal response here to the call for registration of potential bone marrow donors was evidence of that. Now Alana has received the bone marrow needed to rebuild her immune system from a donor in Taiwan.
Alana is reported doing well. But it will be weeks before it is known whether the transplant is successful and Alana can recover from her leukemia. Until then thousands of people here will be hoping and praying for her recovery.
Admiral Hays' warning
RONALD Hays, the retired Navy admiral and former commander-in-chief Pacific, is back in Honolulu from the latest of several trips to China, and he's worried about the deterioration of relations between Beijing and Washington.
Beijing must understand that the United States wants to cooperate with China in the interests of peace and prosperity for both countries - and for China's neighbors. Americans must take China more seriously and close the communications gap that developed after Tiananmen Square.
Published by Liberty Newspapers Limited Partnership
Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor