Editorials
Monday, August 31, 1998

U.S. sanctions against
Pakistan not working

ALTHOUGH that was certainly not the intention, the United States has pushed Pakistan closer to anarchy by imposing sanctions after Pakistan conducted nuclear weapons tests and then launching missile attacks against terrorist bases in neighboring Afghanistan.

Extremist Islamic groups have accused the beleaguered Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of cooperating with the United States. Evidently seeking to appease the extremists, Sharif proposed Friday to create a new Islamic order in Pakistan and establish a legal system based on the Muslim holy book, the Koran.

The constitutional amendment was condemned by human rights activists, opposition politicians and legal authorities. But it is likely to be approved by parliament with little difficulty, because Sharif controls a two-thirds majority.

Outside of the parliament, however, Sharif's hold is shaky. The economy is collapsing and the mainstream parties are discredited as hopelessly corrupt. The Islamic radicals, who advocate a repudiation of the foreign debt and establishment of an Iranian-style theocracy, are gaining strength. A military coup is also a threat.

Washington is trying through economic sanctions to force India and Pakistan to discontinue their nuclear weapons programs and abandon nuclear testing. But the U.S. has only succeeded in fanning the flames of nationalism and helping to bring Pakistan close to the brink of chaos. This is another example of the folly of passing laws making the imposition of sanctions automatic.

AIDS in the spotlight

MISS America 1998, Kate Shindle, may have had a more difficult time on the road than past queens because of the controversial nature of her platform. That is why, as her reign comes to an end, Shindle deserves commendation. Her forthrightness and tenacity in talking about AIDS has thrust it into a more public spotlight, especially important for young audiences who still need educating on the disease.

Shindle has been an enlightening ambassador. During her 200 appearances thus far this year, and while traveling an average 20,000 miles per month, she has used her crown as a means of getting into schools and encouraging a youthful audience to discuss AIDS.

Sometimes grown-ups haven't made it easy. Shindle has been forbidden by some school administrators to use the word "condom" and has been barred from distributing brochures and literature during her presentations. Nevertheless, Shindle's commitment kept her focused.

Since it's easier to drum up support for uncontroversial topics like promoting literacy or fighting cancer, Shindle's selection of AIDS prevention as a platform warrants special plaudits. Future Miss Americas could take a cue from her example.

Convention center

HAWAII taxpayers should be pleased to learn that the $350 million they are paying for the new state convention center could turn out to be a good investment. At least the report following the center's first experience handling a major convention -- the meeting of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees -- is favorable.

Officials say more than 40 trailer loads of goods were moved through the center in two days last week for the AFSME convention with no traffic problems and no complaints from residents.

The biggest job in setting up the convention was the construction of raised seating for 1,500 people in the ground floor exhibition area, which was used as the main meeting room. There were 6,000 people in the room at every working session.

The center catered a dinner at which 4,000 were expected but 7,000 showed up. Nine thousand gallons of coffee were served during the week. Everything seemed to run smoothly.

First impressions count, and these first impressions were favorable. That could pay off in future bookings.

McGwire’s drugs

SLUGGER Mark McGwire was understandably upset by news reports that he has been taking a so-called nutritional supplement called androstenedione in his quest to break Roger Maris' home-run record. After all, the substance is legal and its use is permitted under Major League Baseball's drug rules. But people can't help but wonder about androstenedione considering that it is banned by the National Football League and the International Olympic Committee.

The substance is supposed to build muscles, but there is considerable uncertainty about its benefits. There is no evidence that it improves eye-hand coordination, which is supposed to be the key to success in hitting. And it turns out that McGwire's chief rival, Sammy Sosa, uses another supplement, called creatine, an over-the-counter amino acid.

In the wake of the disclosures, baseball's top officials have announced a study of nutritional supplements, which seems to be necessary to clear the air. It would also be helpful if the various sports organizations got together on which substances are permitted and which are not.

It hardly seems fair that Mark McGwire can use androstenedione without sanctions while the shotputter Randy Barnes was recently suspended by the International Olympic Committee for using the same substance. If either McGwire or Sosa breaks the home run record, his achievement will be clouded by questions about whether these supplements gave him an unfair advantage.

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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