Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 18 June 1998 — Page 16

The Muncie Times, June 18, 1998, Page 16

CIVIL RIGHTS JOURNAL U.S. must lead boycott against Nigerian regime

When President Clinton visited Africa a few weeks ago in the first U.S. presidential visit to that continent in some two decades, he did not visit Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria. That is because Nigeria is a human rights debacle. And the news from Nigeria only gets worse. Headed by a military junta under the leadership of Gen. Sani Abacha, Nigeria continues to jail the democraticallyelected President Chief Moshood Abiola, who was never allowed to take office. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of others are also in prison, including a former head of state and other former high government officials. Indeed, Nigerian human rights activists and those who criticize the government are routinely questioned, harassed and imprisoned. In 1995 internationallyknown human rights activist and writer Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others were executed on trumped-up charges.

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Last December Shehu Musa Yaradua, a former general and vice president died, while in jail, from unknown causes. Now Nigeria’s former number two government official, Gen. Oladipo Diya, and five others have been found guilty of plotting a coup last December and have been sentenced to death. Four others were sentenced to life in prison and six were convicted of lesser crimes. Church and human rights groups have once again called upon Abacha to grant clemency to those sentenced to die. The government of South Africa has strongly warned

Nigeria of an “adverse reaction” should the alleged coup plotters be executed. The British Commonwealth, the United States and Britain all expressed unhappiness with the rulings. In addition. Amnesty International called the trial “grossly unfair” and a contravention of Nigeria’s own constitution and its international commitment. Abacha seized power after annulling the 1993 elections. He has been promising new elections ever since. It now looks like an election will be held this summer. But in the past several weeks, to no one’s surprise, Abacha has emerged as the only candi-

date of all the governmentapproved parties. Meanwhile, protests are continuing inside Nigeria. Millions of Nigerians boycotted the recent national assembly elections. A rally in Ibadan, a large city in the southwest of the county, ended in a riot and with police firing into a crowd. Two opposition politicians were arrested, as well as several dozen others. While the human rights violations, the murders and imprisonment of political opponents, the denial of a free press and of free, open democratic elections are present in Nigeria, just as they did in apartheid South Africa, the world has not yet placed significant economic pressures on the government of Nigeria for it to understand that it must change. Indeed, the U.S. government has been hesitant to call for oil sanctions. Such sanctions would end the dollars which fuel what is perhaps Africa’s most oppressive government.

Nigeria is one of the world’s largest oil producers, yet its people are starving and unable to get gasoline themselves. The government cannot explain where the oil revenue has gone. Those Nigerians whose communities have been given over to oil production have been at the forefront of the protests. The U.S. government can no longer waffle in its opposition to the tyranny of Nigeria. We must support oil sanctions against that country and must press that illegal government which laughs in our face while it kills and imprisons its own people. U.S. oil companies doing business in Nigeria can no longer pretend not to see what is going on around them in Nigeria. It is clear the Abaeha government has no intention of giving over its power. Let’s tell the world the emperor is wearing no clothes. Let’s begin an oil boycott—sooner rather than later.

From ‘A’ to ‘Z’ Minnetrista launches new exhibit on June 20

In honor of Minnestrista Cultural Center’s 10th Anniversary, many of the 20,000 items collected and archived since 1988 will become part of a new exhibit, “Minnetrista From A to Z.” The exhibit, which open June 20, features items from the entire collection. Everything from the ordinary to the unusual, from A to Z, will be on display. The Minnetrista

collection includes many items that paint a picture of local history-what people wore, where they worked, what they used in day-to-day life, and what they saw at the local theater. “With the Minnetrista From A to Z exhibit, we want to give representation to all of the areas the center’s mission addresses-art, science, industry and history,”

says Sue Clock, collections manager , ‘mnetrista Cultural Center. “We want to show the diversity of the collection we’ve been building over the past 10 years. It seems an excellent way to celebrate our anniversary, by displaying the many interesting archives and artifacts we have or people to enjoy. Each one of these object has a story

to tell.” Whether you’re an antique lover, a history buff, or someone who simply enjoys viewing an interesting exhibit, Minnetrista From A to Z has something for everyone. Located in Gallery 3, the exhibit will also showcase items representing different letters of the alphabet in the atrium and lobby display cases throughout the year.

Minnetrista’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free to Minnetrista Associates Members. For non-members, admission is $3 child/student/ senior; $5 adult; $15 family. For more information, call Minnetrista at (765) 2824848.

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