Pn a2_Castlegar News december 10, 1989 Siddon rejects inquiry VANCOUVER (CP) — Federal Fisheries Minister Tom Siddon has rejected a demand for an independent inquiry into allegations that large cor- portations are granted “immunity” from pollution laws. His officials investigated an internal memorandum written by Otto Langer, the department's head of habitat management for the Fraser River, B.C. and Yukon division, he said. “There's no need for a public inquiry," Siddon said in an interview at his constituency office in suburban Richmond A new coalition of fishermen, en- vironmentalists, native Indians and forestry workers had called for the inquiry. A dozen groups form the coalition, including the United Fishermen and Allied Workers’ Union, the B.C Federation of Labor, IWA-Canada, formerly known as the Intenational Woodworkers of America, Green: peace and the Pulp and Paper Workers of Canada The coalition says the leaked memo clearly exposed government com plicity in the pollution of the B.C coast."" . The group demands ‘‘an end to the environmental catastrophe facing us due to the continuing release of toxic substances from B.C. pulp mills and sawmills.” The coalition wants the government to take immediate action to enforce existing laws and develop new legislation to protect the environment and workers The coalition formed in the wake of Langer’s memo, which was leaked Dec. J Langer named nine corporations and described six examples of ‘‘ob- vious and very serious violations,”’ of the federal Fisheries Act-that didn't lead to prosecutions. Siddon refused to discuss the specific incidents outlined in the memo. His deputy minister assured him that large corporations are not being granted immunity, he said, When the memo was reported, the fisheries department asked for an RCMP investigation of how the memo was leaked The RCMP concluded its in- WATCHING THE CARS GO BY... Chris Elementary Parent Group, and Ailsha “een ‘of Coll (right), yat about pede survey. of the Gray, a group member, conduct a count of traftic bia Avenue and 24th Street to back their concerns rian safety in the area. Gray's son Sandy (left) tries to stay warm during the Parents continued from front page drivers more visibility, and that the city will narrow 24th Street at the intersec tion to two lanes from four next year, Blackman said The school board has provided a supervisor for the large number of children from Kinnaird elementary school — about 150 — who wait for buses in front of Kinnaird Hall each af- ternoon and the RCMP have told the parents they plan to monitor traffic on Columbia Avenue more next year, she said But there are other intersections that are hazardous in the area, parent group memiber Ailsha Gray said, such as the area around Columbia Avenue and 32nd Street where there is also a crosswalk and a bus stop. And truck traffic on the highway will increase when the Celgar Pulp Co. mill expansion goes into high gear, Blackman said, adding that residents need to get prepared now for the in- crease in industrial raffic The parents will again take their concerns,- along with the resalts of their survey and other data, to city and ministry officials in the new year, she said Poll gives ull slim edge VICTORIA (CP) — A Vancouver Province poll indicates NDP candidate Elizabeth Cull has a slim edge over Socred Susan Brice in Wednesday's provincial byelection in Oak Bay- Gordon Head. The poll, conducted by Mcintyre and Mustel Research Associates, says Cull is ahead with 49 per cent of decided voters. Brice is second at 44 per cent and Liberal Paul McKivett is a distant third at four per cent But nearly half those polled are either undecided or won’t say how they will vote, “*It really is too close to call,’’ said pollster Evi Mustel. ‘‘There’s a very large block of undecided voters.”* Conducted Wednesday and Thur- sday, the poll surveyed 350 voters and is considered accurate within five per cent, 19 times out of 20. However, 31 per cent said they are undecided and an additional 18.7 per cent refused to say who they would support. When the undecided and those who refuse to say how they will vote are in- cluded, the gap between Cull and Brice narrows. Cull leads with 24 per cent of those surveyed, with Brice behind at 22 percent VOTERS APATHETIC Mustel said the undecided total points to voter apathy in the riding that includes stately mansions, daffodil fields and the University of Victoria. The Socreds have lost five con secutive byelections since they won a large majority in the 1986 general elec tion. Premier Bill Vander Zalm has been blamed for the defeats because of his style of government and unpopular stands against abortion. The riding has been held by Social Credit since 1975. The byelection was called to replace Brian Smith, a former cabinet minister who resigned to betome chairman of CN Rail. ‘The NDP support for getting rid of Vander Zalm is firm, while the Socreds are split between the leadership issue and local issues,” said Mustel. Both‘candidates were encouraged by the results. Brice slams Harcourt olice file Castlegar RCMP seized about six grams of heroin, six grams of hashish and two grams of marijuana Thursday night during a search of a North Castlegar house, RCMP said Drug paraphernalia was also seized, police said Charges are pending against two Castlegar men and a Castlegar woman, all of whom are scheduled to appear in Castlegar provincial court Feb. 19, tinuing. Police said heroin seizures are ‘‘very rare’’ in Castlegar . 8 A Castlegar man will appear in Rossland provincial court Dec. 18 on charges of assault with a weapon and resisting arrest Roland Smith, 40, was arrested following an incident at the Crown Point Hotel in Trail at about 10 p.m., A Robson man has been charged with following another vehicle too closely after an accident Friday backed up southbound traffic on Columbia Avenue during the evening rush hour, RCMP said A vehicle driven by Curtis Schultz collided with a vehicle driven by Helen Doucet of Castlegar in the 1500 block of Columbia Avenue at about 4 p.m., police said VICTORIA (CP) — Social Credit Susan Brice took her turn Friday at criticizing a party leader in the Oak Bay-Gordon Head provincial byelection campaign by attacking NDP leader Mike Harcourt. With NDP candidate Elizabeth Cull focusing on Premier Vander Zalm's performance before Wednesday's vote, Brice rapped Harcourt’s leader- ship and questioned his commitment to residents and his interest in local issues. The Oak Bay mayor told a meeting of 100 invited businessmen that Har- court ‘‘not only avoids stating his position on issues, he avoids even iden- tifying what the issues are. “What I found on the doorsteps, and what Elizabeth Cull and Susan Brice have found, is that Susan Brice is running for the wrong party.”” Harcourt said the major issue is still whether Vander Zalm deserves a vote of confidence, not whether he deserves oneas leader of the New Democrats. Brice told the meeting the Socred party needs renewal and voters want a better Social Credit, not_a stand-pat NDP. Cull said she too believes Social Credit needs renewal, but it should be done while they are in Opposition. Liberal Paul McKivett said a Brice win ‘would just confirm the course the premier and others have been on: “p, terpret it as an en- sa), December 10, 1989 Castlegar News a3 Briefly EC leaders pledge support STRASBOURG, France (Reuter) — European Community leaders hailed the historic changes in Eastern Europe and offered Saturday to do everything possible to help those countries embracing democracy Overriding the objections of British Prime Minister Margaret That- cher, the other I leaders also agreed to accelerate the community's drive toward a single currency and political union With a once-monolithic Soviet bloc in turmoil as ‘people power’” ousts old-style Communism, further community integration is the only route to stability in Europe as a whole, they said Czech reforms continue PRAGUE (AP) =Czechoslovakia’s new Premier Marian Calfa says half of the new government he will propose may include people with no ties to the Communist party, and the Communists could become a minority for the first time in four decades. Calfa’s announcement, in a nationally televised address, was a major concession to opposition leaders who have set a Sunday deadline for the leadershipto name a new government that satisfies their demands. Opposition leaders ‘held their first formal talks Friday with the Communists and four other legal political parties and planned to continue the discussions. The opposition says it will call a countrywide strike Monday unless a new government is formed that breaks the Communist grip on power. Pro-democracy activists are demanding an interim government that will set free elections for next year and pave the way for a parliamentary democtacy Sexes divided in ruling TORONTO (CP) = A Univeristy of Toronto appeal board: split along gender lines Friday in its ruling that prolonged, lewd staring can be sexual harassment The three women on the appeal board voted to uphold an eatlier con- viction against engineering Prof. Richard Hummel, found guilty last March of using a snorkel, a mask and flippers to ogle women in the univer- sity pool But the two men on the panel, including retired Supreme Court judge Arthur Martin, voted to grant Hummel a new hearing. While the conviction was upheld, the board also found that banning the professor from Hart House — a large stone building that contains meeting rooms and a restaurant as well as the pool — for five years was ex- cessive punishment Hummel, 60, will be House banned only from the athletic wing of Hart Cuomo backs free trade TORONTO (CP) — Free trade is killing jobs on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border, says New York Governor Mario Cuomo. Canadians aren't the only ones suffering from industrial ‘‘adjust- ments,”” Cuomo said ina speech to about 700 people Friday. “‘L know you’ ve lost some jobs — so have we."" However, he added: ‘‘After these adjustments, this is going to be good foreverybody.”’ Cuomo was unable to list specific jobs lost in the United States, noting that the issue hasn’t generated much attention there Project ready togo With Trail Mayor Marc Marcolin looking on, Highways Min shovelful of sand during a ground-breal king ceremo | ny Friday the West Trail etween Trail and C better access b won the $3.3 million contract for the project. . Mag Co. Ltd. of jer Rita Johnston turns over a in Trail for the final phase of y will bypass Smelter Hill and provide c F Massacre victims mourned MONTREAL (CP) — Quiet anguish pervaded the stene Saturday at the University of Monteal’s hall of honor, set up for the young female students killed last week when rifle- toting Marc Lepine launched a reign of terror that ended only with his own suicide. The bodies of nine of the 14 victims are inclosed caskets in the hall to allow visits by the bereaved families. The hall is open to the public today On Saturday, hundreds of grieving family members gathered to share the burden of sorrow. Among the visitors Report is out on oil spills VANCOUVER (CP) — Exports of.crude oil from the Port of Vancouver should be phased out and provincial taxes on petroleum products increased, a provincially ap- pointed adviser on oil spills said Friday The suggestions were among 184 measures recom mended by David Anderson, who last May took on a $38,000 investigation into oil tankers and their impact on the environment. As well as releasing the recommendations, Environ ment Minister John Reynolds said British Columbia will sue companies involved in an oil spill off Washington state that fouled Vancouver Island beaches in January Reynolds said Anderson's call for a halt to oil tanker traffic out of Vancouver harbor isa federal matter “The federat government has jurisdiction over oil-ex- ports and they're going to have to deal with that,” said Reynolds, who with Anderson faced a packed room at government offices in downtown Vancouver. “I can only suggest that we have a lot of safety measures in place and there hasn’t been a major oil spill in vestigation —Friday—and decided criminal charges were unwarranted Former valley man sentenced By CasNews Staff A former Crescent Valley man has been sentenced in Kamloops to four years in prison for eight counts of in decent assault and four counts of sexual assault. He will serve his senten: ce in a federal penitentiary, a spokesman with the Kamloops Crown council office said Sam Alex Konkin, $9, was found guilty Oct. 12 in Kamloops county court of 12 charges involving three females. A 13th charge was dismissed and he was sentenced Nov. 23 Konkin pleaded not guilty Sept. 5 to the charges stemming from incidents that took place between January 1977 and June 1984 One of the incidents took place in Crescent Valley while the rest occurred at or near Kamloops and Vancouver, a Crown spokesman said Lottery numbers The winning numbers Thursday in the B.C. Keno lottery were 15, 19, 20, 21,29, 34,44 and 53 The winning numbers in Wed nesday’s Lotto 6/49 draw were 20, 24, 32, 36, 41 and 43. The bonus number was 30. The jackpot of $10,000,000 was divided into four prizes of $2,500,000. The four Extra winning numbers for British Columbia were 2, 12, 90, 92 The winning numbers in the B.C Keno lottery were 4, 12, 17, 18, 41, 42, 46,51 These numbers, provided by The Canadian Press, must be considered unofficial. Canada Sateway Fields Overwaitea Shoppers SuperValu Zellers Not all flyers receive full distribution Hf you did not receive one of these flyers and would like to do so, please phone our Circulation Department at 365-7266. RCMP said. The investigation is con Dec. 4, Trail RCMP said. “There were no injuries: Wife keeps hoping VANCOUVER (CP) Jean Fin- nigan, whose husband disappeared Nov. 4 on a hunting trip, is convinced he is still alive and is offering a $5,000 reward for information that will lead her tohim “I'm not looking forward to Christmas,"* she said, adding that fin- ding Wally Finnigan, $1, would be the best Christmas present she could hope for . Wally Finnigan, of suburban Surrey, was hunting with a companion about 16 kilometres north of the East Kootenay community of Creston but never returned to a pre-arranged meeting spot. The search was officially called off Nov. 12. But Finnigan said a woman saw her husband ‘dragging one foot and looking confused”’ as he walked down ‘a road the day after he was reported missing. “He had chest pains a few days before he left huntimg so he may have had a memory Finnigan said the witness, a Creston- area woman, didn’t immediately report the sighting because she thought the man was drunk She said her husband had about $500 cash in his wallet and credit car ds which haven't been used since his disappearance Creston RCMP Cpl. Bob Yaskiw said there is no evidence to indicate foul play stroke that affected his Premier in movie VANCOUVER (CP) — Premier Bill Vander Zalm, star of political stage, is set to make his movie debut at least on television — this Christmas. Vancouver TV station CKVU is planning to screen The Sinterklaas Fantasy, a semi-autobiographical film about Vander Zalm’s boyhood in the Netherlands, on Dec. 23 A nostalgic Christmas story, the movie was shot mostly in 1987 and supposed to be released the following year but production delays shelved it until now It includes scenes shot in Fantasy Garden World, the suburban Rich mond theme park run by Vander Zalm’s wife, Lillian, as well as a visit to Noordwykeroot, the premier’s Dutch birthplace The premier, says a CKVL release, will take viewers via his magic tulip rainbow to experience the joys and wonders of Sinterklaas, the Dutch version of Santa Claus. news BILL VANDER ZALM «.. movie stor Bluffs continued trom tront page continue and give crews time to clean up the debris each day, Matthews said, adding that some afternoon closures of up to 20 minutes may also be necessary on certain days. Morning closures have been used before and haven't caused problems for drivers in the past, he said. The schedules of chip trucks from the Slocan Forest Products mill in Slocan and logging trucks are not usually greatly disrupted, he noted Matthews said another extended road closure could be possible at a later date “We don’t anticipate (the need for such a closure) but we haven't ruled it out,’” he said Once the road reopens, the passenger ferry that bypasses the bluf fs on Slocan Lake will be discontinued despite the morning closures, Mat thews said. The ferry was added primarily to accommodate workers on the project, he explained Besides widening the highway, the project includes installing a concrete guardrail on the outside shoulder of the bluffs area and erecting a 90-metre long concrete retaining wall “Sail aboard the glistening white and gold fantasy ship through. the canals of Amsterdam where the Sin- terklaas parade is underway. Then it’s back to Canada where Bill and his friends will hop on a train to be taken to Vancouver’s Fantasy Garden World.”” Vander Zalm, who acts as narrator, got involved with shooting the one- hour movie before re-entering politics in 1986. He and Lillian shot the Dutch portions of the film during a 1987 holiday Logging deal reached VANCOUVER (CP) — The provin- cial govenment has completed a deal to prevent logging adjacent to Shannon Falls provincial park The agreement, announced Satur- day by Parks Minister Ivan Messmer, adds 77 hectares to the park, which is near Squamish about 55 kilometres north of Vancouver The agreement follows a tenative agreement reached in October and in- volves a land swap with property owner Robert Chang and compen- sation for Hodgson Bros. Logging, a ministry spokesman said. Chang had proposed clearcutting his timber stand over objections of Squamish town council. Council feared damage to the area's valuable tourist industry The addition to the 10-hectare park includes Chang’s 62-hectare property and 15-hectares adjoining it “In all my time as mayor, (he) never once contacted me or my office. Not a peep from him in almost three years.”” Although Vander Zalm_hasn’t set foot in the riding during the campaign Brice said Harcourt’s frequent visits are only to talk about fighting the premier “He acts like a self-conscious schoolboy trying to get the attention of the big kids.”” REJECTS CHARGE But Harcourt, who was raised in the riding adjacent to Victoria, said in an interview from Vancouver he is not the intertoper Brice makes him out tobe by campaigning for Cull “I go back a long way in that riding I attended Willows elementary, Lan- sdowne junior high and Oak Bay high school. dorsation and we'll get more of the same.”” Court news In Castlegar provincial court last week, John Alex Cheveldave Sr pleaded guilty|to driving with a blood alcohol level over .08 and was fined $300 and prohibited from driving for 12 months. om Raymond Paul Hallett” pleaded guilty_to-driving while_under_the in. fluence of alcohol or drugs and was fined $600 or, in default, sentenced to 12 days in jail. Hallett is also prohibited from driving for 12 mon ths. In memory age71 they moved to Robson Monday, Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. Rev has taken place munity Memorial Church Funeral Chapel neux of Vancouver follow. Funeral Chapel Ethel Ivy Salekin Ethel Ivy Salekin of Robson passed away Wednesday, Dec. 6, 1989 at Mrs. Salekin was born June 28, 1918, at St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England. She came to Toronto during the Second World War. In 1950, she moved to Kaslo.where she met and married William Salekin. In 1954, She was an active member of the Robson Community Church (United), involved in the Guiding movement, member of the Women’s In- stitute of Robson and was well known ds a caterer and cakegecorator Mrs. Salekin will be sadly missed by her husband William of Robson; son Ivan and daughter-in-law Shirley and their children Joshua, Daniel and Hailey of Robson; daughter Christine Thomlinson and son-in-law Brian and their children Kristy and Kelly of Vancouver; daughter Kathy Tarasoff and son-in-law Tom and their children Stacey Logan of Thrums; sisters Edna Bosnell of Port Hope, Ont., and Jessie Hemmingway and Dorothy Quirie-Beattie, both of England Funeral service will be held at the Robson Community Church on Ted Bristow will officiate. Cremation In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Robson Com: Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Castlegar Kevin James Sisson Kevin James Sisson, infant son of Kelly and Christine Sisson, passed away Friday, Dec. 8, 1989, at age three days Besides his parents, Kevin is survived by his sister, Kelli Ann; gran: dparents Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Sisson of Vancouver, and Mr. and Mrs Al Cranswick of Yuma, Ariz.; great-grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Gus Candido of Kamloops; and aunt and uncle Mr. and Mrs. Claude Bon- Funeral service will be held at the Castlegar Funeral Chapel on Mon: day, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Ted Bristow officiating. Cremation will Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Ryan and tlegar Forest group goes public PRINCE GEORGE (CP) — An independent group formed by the provincial government to help decide B.C. forest policies will hold provincewide public meetings next year “In January we'll discuss the exact timing, but I expect we'll start holding public meetings in early spring,’’ Sandy Peel, chairman of the forest resources commission, said Before the public meetings begin, the commission will release a discussion paper on how cutting rights are awarded “We have to look at what business the government is in and why,”” Peel said. Ohter issues include “‘recreation, wildlife and spiritual values, public perception, public participation in decision making, tenure (timber rights) and how we harvest the forest, plus the visual impact of what we do.” “We -need-what call vision of the forest,’ "* public policies and practices are not meeting public expectations Peel said. *‘It's clear Wilderness to be mined VICTORIA (CP) — Some mining may be allowed in wilderness areas in British Columbia, says Forests Minister Claude Richmond. A policy paper released by Richmond defines wilderness as an area generally greater than 1,000 hectares that retains its natural character Establishing wilderness areas is like zoning a forest to set up rules for the way it will be managed, he said Logging will not be allowed in designated wilderness areas, he said Some mining will be permitted, but the Forests Ministry will work with the Energy Ministry ‘‘to ensure these activities minimize impact on wilderness values,"’ Richmond said Hospital bans abortions NANAIMO (CP) — The chairman of the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital has defended the hospital board's decision to ban abor- tions at the facility “The members of this board have acted most responsibly in dealing with an emotional issue,’ board chairman Basil Hobbs said in a prepared statement. ‘‘No one can question the ‘sincerity and care given to this decision.”” The board voted 5-2 at a closed meeting on Thursday to discontinue abortions as of Jan. 1 No decision on Petro-Can OTTAWA (CP) — Petro-Canada’s future is still up in the air, Junior Finance Minister John McDermid said . McDermid, the minister responsible for privatization, said in the Commons the Conservative government is still studying whether to sell the Crown-owned oil company “There has been no decision yet on Petro-Canada,” said McDermid “If the decision is made by cabinet it will be announced in the usual man ner."* However, New Democrat MP-Steven Langdon said the government has been sending signals that it’s ready to sell the company despite a 1985 promise by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney to keep it in government han ds Socreds say joke not funny VANCOUVER (CP) — NDP Leader Mike Harcourt’s joke cam paign kit“that included a map of dentists’ offices in Oak Bay-Gordon Head has apparently touched a nerve with the Socreds Social Credit party president Hope Rust called the kit, the latest NDP move in the Dec. 13 byelection, a “‘sleazy campaign tactic.”” The joke campaign kit was aimed at Vander Zalm’s protestations that his busy schedule didn’t give him time to visit the riding, or even time tosee a dentist was Governor-General Jeanne Sauve, who spent more than an hour and a half with the victims’ families, trying tocomfort them Sauve told the families they are facing “the mystery of evil in the world.’” Meanwhile at a news conference Saturday morning, the University of Montreal students’ association called on Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa to declare Monday, the day of the vic- tims’ province-wide Student leaders said it is important to address the issue of sexism in society, but not until the pain of the smassacre has subsided. STUDENT GRIEVING Spokesmen for student association at polytechnique, where the killing ram. page last Wednesday left 14 women dead and 13 people wounded said they are still-trying to comfort one another in the aftermath of the tragedy “I will only speak for myself," said Heidi_Rathjen,- a—23-year-old- civil engineering student at the Ecole polytechnique, which is located on the University of Montreal campus and is affiliated with but independent of the university proper The day of mourning was proposed by the student association at the university, Rathjen said We at the polytechnique were very touched by it. We're not initiating this. But they are and we appreciate it It goes with all the support we've been getting so far, from all the public, from schools, individuals, student paces businesses. The faxes, cards, telegrams, flowers — they're just pouring in,’’ said Rahtjen in an inter view after the news conference. “It helps so much because we feel that we're not alone and that so many people really care. It goes to show how people .are capable of caring for one “another, something we need to know after an event like that.”” Alain Perreault, president of the Ecole polytechnique _ student association, said the tragedy’s after math indicates ‘‘that humans can also show love."* **What we want to do in the short term is help the — students psychologically, and participate in the funeral,"’ said Perreauilt funeral, one of mourning Ecole He said $00 places are reserved for polytechnique students at the funeral Monday at the city’s Notre Dame cathedral. Thousands are expec ted to attend Meanwhile in Ottawa, the Canadian Council of Professionat Engineers released a statement saying the Mon treal massacre could not have comeat a worse time The provincial government has filed suit Ore., court against Sause Bros. Ocean Towing Co. and BP-———Amterson—sait at S-cents-a-titre—tax—inerease—on——— petroleum products in the next few years is of possibility Nosth American Petroleum The barge Nestucca leaked 875,000 litres of oil at Grays Harbor, Wash. The oil drifted northward and covered beaches on western Vancouver Island The province is seeking $420,000 in cleanup costs and $1 million for environmental damages. Anderson, a former B.C environment *“MUSTSAY NO’ “The people I’ve talked to say we have to say no to cer tain things and not be so keen on the development of the Port of Vancouve: Anderson said “So Vancouver winds up With only eight million people 30 years hence as opposed to 10 (million). Does that really make a lot of difference? It's time for us to say notoa lot of things that destroy our lifestyle, environmentalist Anderson recommended no crude oil tankers be per mitted to loan for offshore destinations until a contingency plan for spill response is in place Liberal party leader, said some development inay have to be sacrificed to protect the na Portland, realm’ Burrard Inlet (Vancouver harbor) since these people went into business. Ships are a lot better than they used to be The Vancouver Port Corp. says 1,024,692 tonnes of crude oil were exported in 1988 WANTS INCREASE ‘within the The measure would be aimed at promoting conservation Among the recommendations Improve the structure and mechanics of oil tankers to make them safer Uperade onshore equipment such as radar in ship- ping areas. Implement a zero-tdlerance policy for drug and alcohol use on vessels entering Canadian waters — Improve spill training of tug and barge crews. equipment Require tankers to carry booms and oil recovery Improve communications during oil spill response. agency said the longtime ~ Establish a joint federal-provincial oil spill response Reynolds said he is happy with the recommendations and the province has implemented some already. He said 35 recommendations were accépted or will be passed on to the federal government and the rest are being reviewed He expects to meet with federal ministers soon to discuss the recommendations, he said East German Reds continue to fall EAST BERLIN (AP) — East Ger many{s Communists gave in t6 the for ces of reform today and elected Gregor Gysi, a lawyer for the pro-democracy opposition, as their new leader After his nomination, Gysi called for ‘‘a ful break with failed Stalinism.”* At a historic party congress, the Communists also voted to change the party's name but retain the entity that ha’ ruled East Germany for four decades. Party spokesman Brigitte Zimmer mann said earlier that Gysi was the only candidate to become the party's third leader in less than two months His election was announced later by the official news agency ADN In a statement, the party congress also apologized to the East German people because the former leadership “has led our country into this crisis threatening its existence.” The statement said the party wants to move to a democratic socialism “beyond Stalinist socialism and the rule of profits, ADN reported. ADN said all delegates except one voted for the communique, and six ab stained Gysi, 41, a bespectacled, blunt talking intellectual, has backed sweeping political and economic reforms and has acted as lawyer for the opposition group New Forum. He was a member of the interim party leader pseudo ship and is heading a committee in vestigating ousted leadership “We need a full break with failed Stalinism,’* Gysi told the 2,753 party delegates Friday night. He said past leaders had enjoyed “frightening” privileges while the country plunged into a deep political and economic corruption under the crisis The Communists have lost much of their control over society in recent weeks and have granted historic con cessions to the opposition, including opening the Berlin Wall and other bor- ders, in an effort to remain in power Reforms also are being made in Czechoslovakia, Poland and Hungary, which took up Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev's call to loosen restrictions and make economic changes. Tory's to talk on tax scheme MEECH LAKE, Que. (CP) — The federal government will make a major statement in the next few weeks about its proposed nine-per-cent goods and services tax, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney said The government has beenunder fire from business groups, consumer organizations and evn Tory backben chers for planning a tax ..12t, they say would be too high, boost inflation and damage the economy The prime minister said on his way into a meeting of the cabinet priorities and planning committee that Finance Minister Michael Wilson will soon spell out the government's plans for the tax. ‘There will be, without a doubt before the end of the year, an impor- ant statement from the minister con cerning the government’s intentions,” Mulroney said “Is there going to be legislation ift the next few days? I don't know," he said. ‘‘But there will surely be a statement from the government.”* The Financial Post said Friday that today’s meeting of the inner cabinet would deal with a plan to lower the tax rate to seven per cent by cutting federal spending That’s pure speculation,’’ the prime minister said “When the minister of finance will have a declaration about public finan- es, he will make it.”