Editorials
Monday, November 24, 1997THE squabbling between the Croats, Muslims and Serbs that has stymied the United Nations' efforts to reunite Bosnia is only too familiar. Add to that corruption that is undermining the world community's attempts to rebuild the country after three years of civil war in the former Yugoslavia. Corruption cripples efforts in Bosnia
Muslim officials in Bosnia have diverted millions of dollars through fraud and tax evasion, the Los Angeles Times reports. Some of the money may have been used to help pay for illegal operations, including an internal spy network trained by Iran. Western investigators have also reported that smuggling by Muslim, Croat and Serb officials who evade payment of customs duties is widespread.
The investigators found "systematic and almost routine" fraud and tax evasion totaling about $25 million, but even this is believed to be only a fraction of the money diverted from government control to well-connected individuals and the ruling political factions. Strategic goods, including up to 100,000 tons of fuel oil, were imported duty-free, then resold for a profit estimated at $13 million.
Corruption has become a public issue in the Serbian part of Bosnia. Bosnian Serb President Biljana Plavsic has accused her predecessor, Radovan Karadzic, of making millions of dollars from smuggling. However, the Muslim-Croat government in Sarajevo has dismissed the corruption findings, claiming that the investigations were flawed.
The situation can only discourage international donors and investors. The reunified, peaceful Bosnia envisaged in the Dayton accords is still a distant dream. The reality is continued strife - and large-scale, unchecked corruption. That is another argument against extending the U.S. peacekeeping mission beyond its scheduled expiration date next spring.
RATHER than risk an adverse ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on affirmative action, civil rights groups donated money to a New Jersey school board to pay 70 percent of a $433,500 settlement with a white teacher. Faced with the need to drop one teacher, the Piscataway, N.J., board in 1989 had decided to lay off the white teacher, Sharon Taxman, and retain a black teacher, Debra Williams. The two were hired on the same day and were considered equally qualified. The reason given for the decision was to promote diversity. Affirmative action
Civil rights advocates had feared that the Supreme Court would have issued a ruling restricting racial and gender-based preferences if it had taken up the case. The court has been unsympathetic to some affirmative action programs. Recently it refused to review a decision upholding the California law banning affirmative action in hiring, contracting and education. The settlement meant the New Jersey case would be withdrawn from high court review.
The situation has been difficult for both teachers. Williams has said the stress of the case and the perception that her only qualification was her race had caused her great pain. Taxman was rehired when another vacancy appeared but pursued the case for income lost after the layoff.
Even though an adverse ruling has been avoided, the case has been damaging for affirmative action advocates. Although the financial blow to the school district was reduced by the donation, the board's decision to negotiate a settlement with the white teacher will have a chilling effect on other school boards and other organizations faced with comparable decisions.
An opponent of affirmative action, Clint Bolick of the conservative Institute for Justice, said the settlement "demonstrates the panic within the civil rights establishment."
Affirmative action programs can be useful when carefully crafted to avoid injury to the rights of the majority. But even the best programs are threatened in the current climate of public and judicial opinion.
WE usually think of Oahu in connection with international educational activities in Hawaii, but the Big Island is getting into the act. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources has approved the transfer of 38 acres of state land to the University of Hawaii-Hilo for an educational center to promote U.S. relations with China. Chinese studies
The land in question lies between the college campus and Waiakea High School. Plans call for classroom and office buildings, an auditorium, exhibition hall, student quarters and a commercial complex. A U.S.-China graduate program might be housed there, as well as studies of Buddhism, Taoism and Chinese arts. Financial support is expected from Taiwan and Hong Kong businesses, government and cultural groups.
The university has one of the nation's most extensive academic programs in Asian studies, but most of the activity is on the Manoa campus. The Hilo China project would provide learning opportunities for Big Island youth.
ECONOMIC turmoil in East Asia is of more than casual concern to Hawaii. It could hurt tourism. Ernest Watari, who monitors the local industry, points out that hotel occupancy dropped in October - the six straight month in which occupancy has been lower than last year. He warns of a disaster unless the industry and the state take strong action. Threat to tourism
One positive development: The new convention center is nearly ready for business. It looks great and could provide a needed boost.
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
