Cable briefs

Press, 31 October 1981, Page 8

Cable briefs

‘Racist’ bill passes The British Government’s controversial Nationality Bill completed its passage through Parliament after an unsuccessful attempt to reinstate provisions for appeal on grounds of race, colour, or religion for anyone refused citizenship. The measure sets up three different categories of British subjects and an estimated 4.5 million people in former and present British colonies will be deprived of the right to full British citizenship. Only people who themselves, their parents or' grandparents were born, naturalised, adopted or registered in Britain will be full citizens with right of abode. The bill has been criticised as racist by immigration leaders, the European Parliament, and Church leaders. The Labour Party has said it would repeal the new law when it next comes to power. — London. ‘Cretin’ uproar

An Opposition Labour member of Parliament yesterday triggered an uproar in the House of Commons by referring to President Reagan as a “cretin” with a finger on the nuclear button. The remark during the period reserved for questions for the Prime Minister was made by Andrew Faulds, who was apparently upset about the American leader’s recent comments on a limited nuclear war in Europe. “Will European governments be free to choose or veto the push of that final button by that incoherent cretin President Reagan?". Mr Faulds asked. The comment drew a cool rebuke. from Mrs Thatcher, who said, “I greatly deplore the, discourtesy and total futility of your remarks.” - London.

War victim A decorated Vietnam veteran who confessed to two armed robberies has been acquitted by a jury in Birmingham, Alabama, on the grounds that his war experiences rendered him incapable of telling right from wrong. A Jefferson County circuit court jury deliberated about 2Va hours before finding Louis Lowe, aged 31, not guilty by reason of insanity. Lowe’s counsel argued that the former Marine was mentally scarred by his war experiences and committed the crimes because he had “a death wish,” and thought he would be killed in commit--: ting the crimes. — Birmingham. Doctor praised A drug-abuse expert has testified that Dr George Nichopoulos provided “exemplary and courageous” medical care when he prescribed drugs for the late Elvis Presley and other patients. And a bodyguard for Presley said Nichopoulos, on trial for allegedly overprescribing drugs for Presley and others, tried to prevent the rock ’n roll star from abusing drugs, saying Presley “would have died a lot sooner” without the doctor’s efforts. The bodyguard said that Nichopoulos flushed cocaine down a toilet and substituted harmless saline solutions for narcotics in an attempt to curb Presley’s drugs use. — Memphis. Economy sinks A broad gauge of future United States economic strength fell by the biggest amount in 17 months in September, all but ending any hopes the American economy might rebound before next year, Commerce Department officials have said. The department’s index of leading indicators dropped 2.7 per cent during the month, a fall characterised as “an especially steep plunge” by Robert Dedrick, an assistant commerce secretary. — Washington. Sanctions drive The United Nations committee against apartheid has adopted a report to the General Assembly recommending that it proclaim next year as the international year of mobilisation for sanctions against South Africa. The aim would be to urge governments, intergovernmental organisations, trade unions, religious bodies, students and other segments of world opinion to implement a declaration issued at the end of an international conference on sanctions against South Africa, held in Paris last May. The only United Nations body empowered to enact sanctions is the Security Council and it has so far only approved an arms embargo. — New York.

Animal-lover exr pelled

The man who criticised the Princess of Wales for shooting a stag has been expelled from the R.S.P.C.A. Officially he was kicked out of the animal lovers’ society for. “betraying a trust” in taking a confidential auditor’s report out of a meeting, but Richard Course alleges he was victimised for his views on the Royal stag hunt. Mr Course, executive director of the League Against Cruel Sports, said he would not retract a word of his criticism of the Princess. — London.