Northeastern University - Cauldron Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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Nuclear Arms Race Escalates Although there was a decrease in unemployment and inflation rates during the past five years, the most important issue of our time continued to increase — the nuclear arms race. While there has been near unanimous, bi-partisan agreement that these weapons should never be used, the means to this end have been debated. Most Republicans argue for peace through strength, while most Democrats cry for an arms agreement to be settled. Politics aside, the effects of a nuclear war were dramatized to the American public in an ABC special during the fall of 1983. The Day After was a frightening depiction of the results of a nuclear attack. However, the most frightening aspect of the film was that it didn ' t show the full effects of an attack. The film indicated that there was a chance of survival following a full-scale attack. As most experts will tell you, this is nonsense. The Day After was only one part of the most important issue that we faced as NU students, and will face in the future. The nuclear arms question is more complicated that a simple matter of freeze v. escalation. The issue was debated during both the 1980 and 1984 Presidential elections, as well as on nearly every college campus throughout the country. While there is no easy path to a solution, the important point is that a solution must be reached. The Day After effectively brought this out, and should be applauded for its effort. 20

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Hostages Freed One of the worst chapters in American history came to a close on January 20, 1981, when 52 United States citizens were flown out of Iran after 444 days of captivity. Their release was the result of intense negotiations that resulted in an agreement calling for the U.S. to return $8 billion in frozen Iranian assets. The money had been held in U.S. banks when the embassy was seized by the Iranian students. Algerian diplomats escorted the hostages out of Iran. They were flown to Algiers, where they boarded two U.S. Air Force jets heading for Wiesbaden, West Germany. Upon landing, the hostages were debriefed, questioned, tested, and given physical examinations. Former President Jimmy Carter greeted the released Americans in West Germany. After several high level conferences, he reported that the hostages had undergone savage acts of cruelty. They were tortured, placed in solitary confinement, and endured other physical and mental mistreatment. The families of the hostages were flown to Washington on January 24 to prepare for their reunion. The hostages arrived in their Air Force VC 137, Freedom One, on January 25. They landed at Stewart International Airport, 17 miles away from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Families were reunited at this scene, and travelled to West Point where they remained until January 27. Nearly 20,000 people cheered the hostages as they were transported to the Academy. This was just the beginning of huge crowds throughout the country who welcomed the hostages back. On January 27, the hostages and their families were brought to Washington for a Presidential greeting from Ronald Reagan. President Ronald Reagan welcomed the hostages home and promised that the U.S. would never again face this type of situation. Falkland Islands Invaded On April 2, 1982, the Falkland Islands became the center point in a war between two important western powers, Argentina and Great Britain. The war was the product of years of diplomatic disputes over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. Negotiations over the fate of the Falklands had been held for more than 30 years. Argentina supported a sovereign Falklands, while Great Britain wanted to continue to hold onto the area as a colony. In February 1982, Argentina concluded that these negotiations were not producing any results. This set the stage for the subsequent invasion by Argentina on April 2. Argentine forces landed on the Falklands during the morning hours of April 2nd and quickly subdued the small contingent of British marines stationed on the island. The following day, they seized South Georgia and the South Sandwich area firmly establishing control of the islands. The United Nations requested a withdrawal of Argentine troops, but officials in Argentina refused this request. President Reagan attempted to prevent a major war from erupting between two friends of the United States. He ordered Secretary of State Alexander Haig to act as an intermediary between the two countries. However, as Haig attempted to negotiate, Britain was making preparations for war. A British task force was called together, including many merchant and luxury vessels. This force steamed its way south, while Argentina moved more than 10,000 men into positions on the islands. With an open conflict approaching, Reagan changed the United States position from impartiality to support for Britain. By early May, there were major naval and air battles. On May 2, a British submarine sank an Argentine cruiser killing hundreds of Argentine sailors. After two more weeks of diplomatic efforts, Britain finally made a large military move. On May 21, British troops landed on East Falkland Island and quickly established a beachhead near Port San Carlos. Although they were under persistent air attack, British troops were able to move south and take several settlements. As the two countries fought in the sub-Antarctic winter, British military superiority began to show its advantage. British forces surrounded the Falkland ' s capital, Port Stanley, on May 31. On June 14, the Argentine forces surrendered. While the British victory was cheered throughout Great Britain, there were many problems remaining with the Falklands. The protection of the islands was now more costly and hundreds of men were needed to safeguard the colony. The cost for these efforts were estimated at $1.7 billion. In addition, the diplomatic dispute has continued as Argentina remains persistent in its goal of Falkland sovereignty.