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siTuesday, Feb. 14, 1984
Vol. 84, No. 121 20 pages University Park, Pa. 16802
daily Published by students of The Pennsylvania State. University
• - •
©1984 Collegian Inc.
' .
Chernenko takes
Soviet reins,
vows to keep up
military strength
By ROXINNE ERVASTI
Associated Press Writer
MOSCOW Konstantin U.
Chernenko, a pillar of the
Kremlin's old guard, was named
leader of the Soviet Union
yesterday. He vowed in his first
speech to maintain the country's
military strength as a counter to
"the hot heads of militant
adventurists."
But the 72-year-old successor to
the late Yuri V. Andropov said he
supported the Soviet policy of
seeking "peaceful coexistence"
with the West.
Vice President George Bush, in
Moscow for Andropov's funeral,
has said the Kremlin power shift
could be a "turning point" in
Soviet-American relations.
But some Washington officials
expected little change, despite
p'ublication Sunday of a •comment
by Chernenko that "it is more
important than ever I?efore to
multiply our efforts toward
mutual understanding." The
statement was written before
Andropov's death.
In his first speech as party
secretary, before the Central
Committee yesterday, Chernenko
said, `•`The U.S.S.R. will cooperate
in full measure with all states
which are prepared to assist
through practical deeds to
lessening international tensions
and creating an atmosphere of
trust in the world."
U.S.-Soviet relations have
deteriorated badly. The Soviets
broke off two sets of arms
reduction talks last fall over
deployment of new NATO missiles
in Europe. The United States has
been urging resumption.
Soviet foreign policy altered
little during the brief tenure of
Andropov and because Chernenko
was so closely identified with
Brezhnev it seemed unlikely he
would make radical changes.
Chernenko, lifelong ally of the
late President Leonid I. Brezhnev,
is the oldest man ever to become
general secretary of the
Communist Party.
When Brezhnev'died in
November 1982, it was widely
believed that Chernenko was
Andropov's rival for the party
leadership. After Andropov won it
. ,
N o -f au lt h a lt .
~~® .
Thornburgh repeals law, makes insurance optional
By BEVERLY IVENS support the fund. will be eliminated under new law. Because of
Collegian Staff Writer , The unlimited medical benefits required under this, opponents of the bill say courts will be
no-fault would no longer be required. Instead, the clogged with petty suits. Thornburgh said in a
Gov. Dick Thornburgh yesterday formally new law mandates a minimum of $lO,OOO in prepared statement the lack of a threshold is a
announced he signed legislation repealing personal injury coverage. "deficiency which warrants future legislative
Pennsylvania's no-fault auto insurance law and There is some concern among opponents of the action." .
making automobile insurance optional for legislation that the gap between the $lO,OOO Two groups representing insurance companies
consumers. required coverage and the $lOO,OOO minimum to have taken a strong stand on the law. The
Thornburgh had until Stinday to sign Senate qualify for the catastrophic loss fund could create Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, the
• Bill 942, repealing the state's no-fault insurance problems. However, supporters of the legislation largest trade association for Pennsylvania
law. Thornburgh also signed companion Senate say that medical insurance will fill the gap. insurance companies, supports the repeal. •
Bill 300 amending the original repeal bill as part The third party coverage required under no- Making insurance affordable, controlling
?. of a compromise between legislative leadership fault will remain the same $15,000 per person escalating premium costs and addressing the
and the governor. and $30,000 per accident. Work loss benefits of at, problem of uninsured motorists are the three
Under the new law, effective 0ct..1, auto least $5,000 and funeral expense benefits of at major concerns of the federation, Director of
insurance coverage will no longer be mandatory. least $1,500 are also included in the new law. Insurance Information Lee Feibinger said.
However, uninsured drivers must prove to the The procedure for implementing insurance "It (no-fault coverage) is a fine package it's
Department of Motor Vehicles they have assets rate changes will be modified under the new law. an expensive package but when people can't
worth at least $47,500 in case of liability. Insurance companies currently must file . afford it then it doesn't work," he said.
Uninsured drivers are currently eligible for requests with the state and wait for state review However, the American Insurance Association
unlimited medical benefits through the assigned and approval before implementing the change. the second largest representative of
claims fund. The new law replaces that fund with For a one year period, the state will be required Pennsylvania insurance companies opposes
a catastrophic loss fund which will not be to approve or reject the request within a 45-day repeal of no-fault, spokesman Loudon Campbell
available to uninsured drivers. The new fund will period. If within that time no decision is made, said.
provide benefits to insured motorists suffering insurance companies will be free to implement "We think it (the repeal law) is going to reduce
damages of more than $lOO,OOO and less than $1 the rate change. benefits without a corresponding reduction in
million. An annual $5 fee from every motorist will The $750 threshold for pain and suffering suits costs," he said. ,
appeared that Chernenko's
political future was in doubt, but
he retained enough influence in
the top party ranks to grasp the
top party post.
Chernenko was chosen by his 11
fellow members of the ruling
Politburo. Unanimous approval
yesterday by the Central
Committee was announced by the
official news media at 2 p.m. (6
a.m. EST), as heads of state and
government leaders from around
the world gathered to attend
Andropov's funeral.
The new general secretary does
not yet have the additional title of
president, with which Andropov
and Brezhnev consolidated their
power. The presidency probably
will remain vacant until the
Supreme Soviet or parliament
next meets, and elections for
the new. Parliament are scheduled
for March 4.
Tass said Chernenko opened
yesterday's special session of the
Central Committee, which praised
Andropov as an "outstanding
leader of the Communist Party
and the Soviet state, an ardent
patriot, Leninist, a tireless fighter
for peace."
Premier Nikolai A. Tikhonov,
78, made the official nominating
speech.
Chernenko's career has been a
slow and steady climb up the party
ladder, alongside his mentor and
friend of 30 years, Brezhnev.
Tikhonov took note of the decades
of party work in his nomination:
"Konstantin Ustinovich . . .
knew the hard peasant labor, the
service as a soldier, and everyday
activities of a regional party
committee in the countryside."
He called Chernenk a "talented
organizer of the masses, an ardent
propagandist of Marxist-Leninist
ideas, an unshakeable fighter for
putting into life the policy of our
great party."
In his own speech, Chernenko
made no specific proposals for
resumption of U.S.-Soviet
dialogue, and sounded the
standard line in foreign policy,
saying, "we can very well see the
threat created today to
humankind by the reckless,
adventurist actions of
imperialism's aggressive forces."
London visions
Amid the fog that rolled through Happy Valley on Sunday night, two people wait for a bus at , College Avenue and South Allen Street
.•
Budget effects on PSU hard to predict
•
More money may not mean more aid to students, Brugel says
•
By ANITA J. KATZ more awards to University Direct Student Loans. far as education is concerned."
Collegian Staff Writer students. • ... Brugel said although he does not The budget calls for a 7 percent
"It may mean students will be believe Congress will approve increase in funding to community
While, the proposed state budget awarded higher amounts, or it may Reagan's proposals, the proposed colleges, state-related universities
calls for increased student aid, make awards available to a increases to PHEAA would not and the Pennsylvania Higher
officials say it is too early to different population of students, compensate for the federal cuts if Education Assistance Agency.
estimate what effects the proposals such as part-time students." they were approved. Whitmer said she does not expect
will have on University students. Although the governor's budget "But we have better any major battles this year over the
John Brugel, director of the proposes increases to student circumstances this year (with the education part of the budget "but
University Office of Student Aid, financial aid programs, President proposed 7 percent increase in one never knows for sure."
said the Pennsylvania Higher Reagan's budget for the 1985 fiscal funding) than if PHEAA were to However, legislators will continue
EdUcation Assistance Agency year calls for cuts in student aid. have zero funding," he said. to battle over Thornburgh's
considers a number of factors each Reagan's budget proposals The governor's budget proposals proposal to sell the state liquor
year when determining aid include increases in funding for for higher education and financial system to private owners, she said.
distributions, and it is impossible to Guaranteed Student Loans and aid should be passed by the state The governor has proposed to use
know how a proposed increase in College Work-Study programs, but , general assembly without revision, the money from the sale -
funding would be distributed. also call for the elimination of a spokeswoman for the state estimated to be between $l5O and
Brugel, who has not yet seen a Supplemental Education Department of Education said. $2OO million —to upgrade science
copy of the budget, said, "More Opportunity Grants, State Student Ann Whitmer, press secretary, and computer courses and
money to PHEAA may not. mean Incentive Grants and National said the budget is "outstanding as equipment.
-
E
inside
• .The reaction of authority figures to a case of child molestation has a
great deal to do with the psychological impact the incident has on the
victim Page 2
• About 45 students have applied to reside in the interest community that
would allow students from various campus groups to live in a self
governing setting, a project sponsor said yesterday Page 4
• .Konstantin U. Chernenko takes over as Soviet Communist Party chief at
a time of severe strain in U.S.-Soviet relations, and American officials do •
not believe the leadership change foreshadows an easing of tensions over
the short term Page 6
index
Classifieds 4
Free Lance 3
Opinions 8
Sports 11
State/nation/world 6
•
weather
Cloudy today and tonight with rain and fog. The rain may be heavy at times
with a high today of 48 and a low tonight of 42. Showers will end tomorrow
with some clearing late in the afternoon. The high will be near 52..
by Glenn Rolph
fyi
Lovelines appear on Page 13.