DATE=03/26/02

TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST

TITLE=TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS

NUMBER=6-125618

BYLINE=ANDREW GUTHRIE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

INTERNET=YES

EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS

TELEPHONE=619-3335

CONTENT=

INTRO: The forthcoming Arab Summit in Lebanon and the chances it will advance the hope of peace in the Middle East captures the attention of many editorial writers in America this Tuesday. Trade is also on many agendas; as is President Bush's trip to Latin America; and a huge racial breakthrough in Hollywood. Other editorials touch on Zimbabwe's future; and the Iron Lady of Europe bows out. Now, here is _____________ with a closer look and some quotes in today's U-S Editorial Digest.

TEXT: At this writing, there is a question as to whether Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat will be allowed by Israel to attend the Arab Summit in neighboring Lebanon. The U-S press is divided on the issue. On New York's Long Island, Newsday says "Let Arafat Go."

VOICE: It would be a mistake to allow the enforced absence of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to become the focus of tomorrow's pivotal Arab summit… That's what will happen if Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon doesn't lift the travel ban he has imposed on [Mr.] Arafat, as he was requested to do by President George W. Bush. … For the sake of giving the summit a slim chance at advancing the resumption of a Mideast peace process, let's hope [Mr.] Sharon gives [Mr.] Arafat free passage to Beirut.

TEXT: In Michigan, The Detroit News takes the opposite view, suggesting that Mr. Arafat be kept home "until [the] violence ends."

VOICE: It makes sense for [Mr.] Arafat to be at the summit, since he is at the heart of the turmoil. But Israel has said it will not ease his travel restrictions until he agrees to a cease-fire that will enable peace negotiations to begin. The Bush administration is wrong to ask Israel to back away from that very reasonable condition. To do so would once again signal to [Mr.] Arafat that his actions carry no consequences.

TEXT: Today's New York Times can't help but note the irony of the decision facing Israel's leader.

VOICE: It doubtless seems bizarre to Ariel Sharon that 20 years after sending the Israeli Army to the edge of Beirut to force Yasser Arafat out, he is now expected to let Mr. Arafat return … to be toasted … at tomorrow's Arab summit … Bizarre and frustrating as this may be, letting him go is the smart thing to do.

TEXT: Today's Washington Post touches on peace in the region on the eve of the summit, noting:

VOICE: The sad fact is that despite the heavy loss of both Israeli and Palestinian lives in recent weeks, and the futility of pursuing military solutions, a substantial part of the leadership on both sides would prefer to escalate rather than stop …fighting.

TEXT: While in Boston, The Herald complains that the White House faces a mixed message in the Middle East. We don't want to reward [Mr.] Arafat, but we think the Israelis should. … [Chairman] Arafat's presence at the summit is symbolic. The violence racking Israel is a reality. If the Palestinian chairman wants his trip to Beirut, he knows the price of a ticket.

TEXT: Recent actions by President George W. Bush with respect to trade have also been assessed in the domestic media. The Detroit [Michigan] News writes:

VOICE: The cause of free trade is crumbling in the hands of President … Bush. He promised Latin American leaders last week … he would try his darndest to expand the North American free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to their hemisphere. At the same time, his administration imposed a 30 percent duty on Canadian lumber - - in violation of NAFTA. …[And this is not an isolated incident …coming] on the heels of massive tariff-hikes against foreign steel, something that is bringing the world to the brink of an ugly trade war …

TEXT: Musings from The Detroit News. In Tennessee, The Chattanooga Free Press says some of these trade decisions are really complex. It tells of the Life Savers candy plant in Holland, Michigan, a pillar of the local economy, closing after 35 years and moving to Canada where sugar is cheaper. Asks The Free Press:

VOICE: Did you know that American sugar is priced far higher than sugar in the world market, as a political and economic favor to American sugar producers? Not only the makers of Life Savers but you, and everyone else in the United States who buys products containing sugar, pay more because [our] government rigs the sugar market.

TEXT: Pittsburgh's [Pennsylvania] Post Gazette says there are two important loose ends remaining in the president's steel tariff decision. The U-S industry must both merge and modernize to become more efficient, the paper says, and the federal government must help out the industry with its huge burden of retiree health benefits.

Turning to the President's just-concluded trip to Latin America and Mexico, today's San Antonio Express-News says Mr. Bush:

VOICE: … began fulfilling his campaign promise of a greater focus on Latin America with his recently concluded trip to Mexico, Peru and El Salvador. …[giving] hope to millions who, despite anti-American protests, still look to the United States for leadership and help.

TEXT: As for the Economic Development summit he attended, Allentown's [Pennsylvania] Morning Call points out: "Mr. Bush recognizes helping poor nations as part of the war against terrorism. … It was a significant acknowledgement that the world's economic disparities play a major role in violence around the globe."

Here at home, the awarding of best actor and actress awards to a pair of African-American actors at the 74th Academy awards in Hollywood has touched off a cascade of editorials. In Texas, The Houston Chronicle says:"

VOICE: It was about time. Significantly and deservedly, Halle Berry and Denzel Washington were named the top leading actress and actor, respectively. No African-American woman had ever earned that accolade. The question for Hollywood, besides what took them so long, has now become whether racial barriers have fallen for good or for only one big night when global attention was focused.

TEXT: In other news, today's Chicago Tribune is upset by the poor care unaccompanied illegal immigrant children get entering this country when arrested by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Says the Tribune: "As these kids are moved around through a series of makeshift arrangements - - from orphanages to foster homes to juvenile jails - - their biggest problem is lack of legal representation… or anyone to look out for their interests."

In Southern Africa, Zimbabwe's year-long expulsion from the Commonwealth of nations for election irregularities is covered in today's Milwaukee [Wisconsin] Journal Sentinel:

VOICE: … it is not the British Commonwealth, or any other international organization led by Westerners, that is apt to deter [Mr.] Mugabe from his increasingly autocratic and destructive course … What must sway [Mr.] Mugabe, if he is to be moved at all, is collective action by responsible African leaders.

TEXT: And lastly, news that the Iron Lady of British politics, former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, is being forced to end her public life due to illness draws regrets from The Washington Times. It says: "We will miss you, Maggie." The Wall Street Journal adds:

VOICE: The decision is a great loss, but we console ourselves with the fact that few people in public life have left behind such a legacy … The dimmest left-wingers could see the wisdom of privatizing inefficient state industries…

TEXT: That concludes this editorial sampling of Tuesday's U-S press.

NEB/ANG/SAB