Trying for number 37
Hammond, Margo
is that from the Chinese viewpoint, Blumenthal is even less has acted with great restraint. As everyone tries to "save than a paper tiger; he is a paper tiger critic. ...
...If the administration Blumenthal's trip came from Sen...
...an empty gesture (after all, there isn't one person in the world will have only itself to blame...
...The first government formed after June 1976 was made promise solution just prior to his kidnapping are bound to possible by a Communist abstention...
...A return to a government Communists to condition the DC policies with the unfortunate formula that would include the Socialists and not the Comperiod of centro sinistra (center left government) when the munists has up until now been opposed by the Socialists who marriage of Christian Democrats and Socialists spelled disas- do not like the prospect of losing even more votes to the ter at the polls for the latter...
...In turn, this has meant that they have become part of the has been a good decision...
...parties of the majority to announce the PCI decision to pull out, Andreotti and his cabinet had been increasingly under fire the Red Brigades were gunning down Guido Rossa, a trade from those very parties (representing nearly 90 percent of the unionist and member of the PCI who had testified against a electorate) that composed the government majority...
...tic changes in our lives caused by the ten-year-old beside him at the official Commonweal: 136...
...ernment majority and everything to lose...
...The minority government which depended on support Commonweal: 134 from the Italian Communist Party for the first time in Italian The Communists were associating themselves with a govhistory lasted less than a year...
...When he was our national guest in against...
...after a careful examination of the facts, that our presence in the Even Andreotti's own party had been showing signs of majority that supports this government, has become impossirestlessness...
...Here we are, only such strange new departures in state hosago, but more or less abandoned it in the weeks-perhaps days away-from dras- pitality as the President's book-reading heady era of confrontation politics...
...should support them...
...The second Andreotti reappear...
...grave concern at the continued detention of tens of thousands A second policy which indicates the China tilt by the U.S...
...Many Christian Democrats were wary of An- ble...
...malizing relations with Vietnam just "fell through the cracks" But the U.S...
...By treating any offense . . . (they are still in camps) more than three years their country during the war as a Soviet satellite, the U.S...
...Everyone is speaking of the need for a "governAfter nearly 12 months of collaboration with the DC, the PCI ment of national unity," but the interpretations of that term seemed to have nothing to gain from its entrance in the gov- vary drastically...
...Vietnam, there would at least be a chance that-as in the But what is most crucial is that, to borrow a phrase from Mideast-the U.S...
...The smaller parties in particular fear an election shift in policy, but merely a substitution of one DC leader for would mean a further polarization of the country -and a sub- another...
...further compromising is preferable...
...could work meaningfully for peace if it would when China normalization began...
...Either nor- conflict takes on the possibility of becoming a worldwide one...
...It is perhaps possible to root it out play in our reaction to Mexico's response ministration he was pleasant and hopeful by a long and painful process of uncover- to our need to reduce our dependence on for better relations between our two ing it, examining it, educating against it...
...In recent months, the word crisis had been munists were facing an angry rank and file, a disturbing loss of heard with increasing frequency...
...If a third government is to be formed before...
...has snubbed Vietnam, it has meant that they tionably, in some small ways the U.S...
...face," it is a pleasant surprise that the Russians have not come Perhaps the most perspicacious comments on Secretary to the aid of Hanoi by attacking China...
...effectively breaking the Vietnam war...
...Even if this seems like Asia, Cam Ranh Bay, becomes a port for the Soviets, the U.S...
...But be- another Vietnam war, there should be "peace now...
...Mary- were really evenhanded (instead of still trying to seem tough land): "The Soviets may believe the U.S...
...evidence is now somewhat sketchy and circumstantial, one has Sadly, however, that is not the way the administration views to wonder at the coincidence of the U.S...
...As the Christian Democratic Party perfected its stalling Several hypotheses, some more probable than others, will techniques-over university reform, pension reform, police certainly be considerered before the ballot boxes are readied...
...He has served as legislative assisembargo and will not normalize...
...has since the change of Government in what was formerly South misunderstood (for a change) the Vietnamese and has invited Vietnam...
...Unquescause the U.S...
...What are the positions of the country's two only not receiving preferential treatment from Andreotti, but largest parties...
...Territorial boundaries should unquestionably be observed, goes the administration's thinking...
...now, to most of the world it appears that the two superpowers The real reason for this may be something for historians to have each taken one side...
...who has publicly suggested otherwise), given the way our But even before the China invasion, U.S.-Vietnam policy Presidents have acted in Southeast Asia, it is somewhat reashad taken a terrible turn for the worse...
...of people who, so far as is known, have not been charged with has been the way we have acted toward Vietnam...
...Secretary," he continued," has become part of the administra- I do not mean to suggest that the Vietnamese are pacifistic tion's misplayed `China card.' The administration's decision angels, the "victims" of "imperialistic" China and that, as a to go ahead with (his) trip to China is a serious mistake...
...will be exacerbated no matter what the government does to regularize their entry PREJUDICE is a word which has gone It seems to me that we must begin to and status...
...resorting to anticipated elections, the Communists will have to An eventual resort to elections may not substantially change be directly (or indirectly in the form of technicians) involved in the situation, however...
...For the first time since the war, Certain elements, particularly within the Christian Democ- the Christian Democrats found themselves in a position of rats, will be pushing for the ballot box solution...
...That is, if Vietnam were to go along with the U.S...
...reform, the agrarian contracts, the decentralization of the state 1) a government without the DC...
...The other parties, while not endorsing all the Communists' The most unhappy with the government formula-and the criticisms, also agree that it is time for a change...
...the Communists, of creating a de facto PCI-DC regime at their Now the Communists are saying basta (enough...
...official to Peking seems only to send for example, Amnesty International reports that "there is still another warning signal to a dangerously troubled region...
...Whereas six months ago suring...
...mentality...
...ures...
...Pointing to the DC gains in recent local made the government-with the Communist supportelections, some Christian Democratic members had been talk- possible, and of returning to an anti-Communist cold war ing openly about the advantages of anticipated elections...
...should be...
...off talks with Vietnam while, simultaneously, opening up PETER KOVLER relations with China...
...A stalemate that agreement...
...Even though the friends with China but we should also be friends with Vietnam...
...Indeed, if one of the most strategic bases in pledged not to get militarily involved...
...A highly unlikely prostelevision and the nominations of the heads of state pect, but one which is numerically possible...
...The smal- brigatista . A few days later a Milanese judge well-known for ler parties (PSDI, PRI and PSI) accused Andreotti of favoring his left-wing views was shot dead...
...Even within the PCI there are leaders -some say led government enjoyed the direct support of the country's second by Berlinguer himself-that believe an election rather than any largest party...
...continues to tilt toward China it can only make intervening period an anti-Vietnam mood prevailed in the Southeast Asia look like even more of a tinderbox...
...Charles Mathias (R...
...But at present there are two theories...
...Italy cannot be governed by pushing the that the Communists risk to lose heavily and the Christian Communist Party into opposition," admitted DC deputy Democrats to gain, these polls did not, of course, take into Guido Bodrato, "just as Italy cannot be governed without the DC„ consideration the effect this crisis may have on the electorate...
...A solution favored by the smaller emerge looking like an intransigent partner...
...Most Americans are countries (and accepted with equanimity We began that process a few decades faintly aggrieved...
...Or, perhaps, it was made relinquish partisanship for true evenhandedness: We should be part of the U.S.-China normalization deal...
...really want to see those bloodthirsty tyrants STALEMATE IN ITALY back in charge...
...But one must hope that the administra- Report from Italy tion is not entirely serious on this matter when one considers what the results would probably be...
...It is impossible to outlaw preju- cient knowledge...
...Several local and regional elec- Communists, who would most likely be reinfored by their tions in which the Communists lost considerable ground from return to the opposition...
...2) a DC government supported (either inside or out) by all Political observers began to compare the inability of the the lay parties except the PCI...
...The PCI has nounced Italy's'decision a few days later to enter that European insisted on the need for Communist ministers...
...For have had to go to the only ones offering assistance, the Rus- instance, leading the attempts to make the UN consider the war sians...
...The Republicans attacked Andreotti's economic opening remarks at the party summit meeting, Berlinguer policies, insisting that too many concessions had been made to outlined the PCI position: "We have come to the conclusion, the trade unions...
...With that development, a local discover...
...the parties of the former majority have voiced their opposition In the past the cabinet crises were often provoked by Christo anticipated elections and their willingness to find an alterna- tian Democratic infighting and the result was not a substantial tive solution...
...Communists...
...But whatever the reason, one thing is (Peter Kovler has written for the New York Times...
...A Communist party that has shown its teeth and refused further MARGO HAMMOND compromise with the DC may be in an attractive electoral (Margo Hammond, a frequent contributor, is an American position...
...agencies-the PCI continued to end up with egg on its face...
...But on the whole our moves have not been so sound...
...Does the U.S...
...With China, however, trade tant and speech writer for several Washington political figand diplomatic relations obviously could not be better...
...All been the same ball game...
...It's a mistake to believe that in East Asia there are them to oppose the U.S...
...More, the administration has Sino-Soviet fight...
...Although recent polls have indicated the government...
...If the U.S...
...room for compromise...
...The PCI, for example, opposed Italy's change in the government formula-except one that would entrance into the European Monetary System: Andreotti an- bring the PCI directly into the government...
...All three are apt to be at the euphoric first days of the Carter addice...
...rats (PSDI) and Republicans (PRI) as well-has led anything In return for supporting such a government, the Combut a tranquil life...
...Some have weakness: a DC government was forced to rely on the direct or never been happy with any form of collaboration with the indirect support of the Communists...
...Those differences are at the heart of the negotiations now Despite claims to the contrary, the Communists were not taking place...
...could bring the parties together...
...Groups like the "Gruppo di cento" that at- The 1976 elections represented a watershed in Italian politempted to block the efforts of Aldo Moro towards a com- tics...
...The Communists accuse the Christian Democrats of dreotti's rapprochement with the Communists and his seeming foot-dragging, of reneging on the original agreement that had indispensability...
...In his expense...
...has pushed for this...
...their great leap forward in the 1976 political elections seemed 3) a DC government of technicians composed of ministers to confirm that view...
...Perhaps not...
...Middle Eastern oil...
...has again portrayed itself as disinterested and evenhanded...
...As always, the ones to suffer out of fashion...
...ernment that had successfully blocked or sabotaged nearly From the moment of its dramatic birth only hours after the every social reform bill that reached the floor of parliament, a kidnapping of Aldo Moro by the Red Brigades on March 16, government that was backing an antiworkers' economic plan the Andreotti government-supported on the outside by not and (perhaps the last straw), a government that could not only Communists (PCI), but Socialists (PSI), Social Democ- control the wave of terrorism on the peninsula...
...As everyone tries to "save than a paper tiger...
...ments made on the basis of unwarranted dent Lopez Portillo's demands anything Such discrimination can be legislated assumptions, unjust grounds, or insuffi- new...
...The danger is that, as our situation HISTORY HOME TO ROOST tightens, the already somewhat irrational reaction to the problem of.illegal aliens MONTEZUMA'S REAL REVENGE...
...Italy has faced dozens of political crises before were not party members and not just those chosen by the (since 1963 the country has had one day without a government Communists...
...Each party, party that seemed to be losing the most ground electorally as a however, has a slightly different version of what that change result of that formula- have been, however, the Communists...
...The word "dis- examine it once again, if only because so will be the poor and helpless among them crimination" in its secondary or many of our present economic dangers and our own Chicano population...
...As it is administration...
...position and withdraw from Cambodia, TRYING FOR NUMBER 37 doubtless the group returning to power would be Pol Pot's...
...not be forced to bear the brunt of the economic crisis: Andreotti Although the country's big two seem to be offering solutions to boldly presented a three-year economic plan (balled the Pan- the political crisis that are mutually exclusive, there is still dolfi plan) that called for wage freezes...
...Even before the end of votes and a deteriorating public order situation in which they January when the Communists announced their withdrawal were becoming the number-one target for terrorist actions...
...who are not necessarily party members, but who enjoy the 16 March 1979: 135 confidence of all the parties...
...The be in order...
...While the USSR has ernment since the war following the collapse of the acted brutally in Eastern Europe and while it has been trying to all-Christian Democrat government led by Giulio Anexpand its power in parts of Africa, in Southeast Asia, so far, itdreotti...
...As a result, normalization was dispensed with...
...legal sense-"to make a difference in are rooted in our various prejudices- In the first place we should not have treatment or favor on a basis other than prejudices in the simple sense of judg- been surprised at, or have seen in Presiindividual merit"-has taken its place...
...On human rights, Dispatching a senior U.S...
...The clear With Vietnam, the U.S...
...Normally elections should not be held until 1980...
...As from the majority, the collapse of the monocolore (one-color) Communist party leader Enrico Berlinguer met with the other government was seen as inevitable...
...Outrageous...
...gave the Vice- toward the Russians for the sake of not appearing too dovish as Premier a `green light' for his attack on Vietnam, and China it prepares to sell the SALT treaty), the congratulations would may feel it can do anything and not risk our criticism...
...consequence, the U.S...
...directly...
...had relations with "good guys" and "bad guys...
...Of several minds: Abigail McCarthy lapse in the flow from Iran-and Mexico is treating us like any other customer, negotiating for its needs in return for filling ours...
...continues to impose a trade Nation and other journals...
...The Christian Democrats, on the other hand, may journalist based in Rome...
...parties, but opposed by the Communists since it seems to carry Elections in the end would be merely putting off the real an anti-Communist prejudice (ministers of other parties are question facing Italy since the 1976 elections: how to govern acceptable, but not Communist ministers...
...Finally, the Carter administration has failed to give credit NEGOTIATIONS are underway to form Italy's 37th govwhere it is deserved-to the Russians...
...for every eight days with one), but since June 1976 it has not The negotiations will be, however, long and arduous...
...the country without the direct or indirect approval of the The latter is in the end the most probable and perhaps the Communist party which represents an impressive one-third of Communist opposition would be overcome if all the ministers the nation...
...The Communists insisted that the working class will inevitably lead to anticipated elections...
...shift from one ally to another...
...we were close to normalizing relations with Hanoi, in the If the U.S...
...In considering the issue of withdrawal, the U.S...
...After the 1976 elections, the DC could not simply sequent elimination of themselves...
...were finding themselves continually at loggerheads with the The Christian Democrats say they are ready to discuss any Christian Democrats...
Vol. 106 • March 1979 • No. 5
