News stories from Friday October 27, 1978

Meanwhile, other economic statistics were published suggesting inflationary pressures may be abating slightly. The Labor Department said that unit labor costs rose at an annual rate of 5.1 percent last quarter, well below the rates earlier this year. These labor costs per unit of production are an important part of the so-called underlying rate of inflation. The administration announced at the same time that it now expects the federal budget deficit for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1 to be $38.9 billion, $10 billion less than estimated in July. [Washington Post]

A fistful of Republican Party regulars used national television tonight to condemn Carter administration economic programs, with G.O.P. National Chairman Bill Brock calling the President's policies little more than a "quick fix." In introducing the taped broadcast, Brock said, "Inflation isn't a partisan problem." But he joined President Ford and former California Governor Ronald Reagan in labeling the 95th Congress and Carter as big-spending Democrats. [Washington Post]

Carter was also nominated for the prize, but well after the February deadline for formal nominations had passed, Aase Lionaess, head of the Nobel committee, told reporters in announcing the award in Oslo. The announcement triggered mixed reaction around the globe. It brought elation in Israel. But in a more subdued Egyptian response, Cairo radio failed to mention that Sadat would have to share his long-coveted award with Begin. Egyptian editors voiced disappointment over the split prize. [Washington Post]

The two chief Egyptian negotiators, Defense Minister Kemal Hassan Ali and acting Foreign Minister Boutros Ghali, who were meeting with Secretary of State Cyrus Vance when the Cairo announcement was made, sent word to waiting reporters that they had not received any instructions to return home. However, the expectation was that official word of their recall would reach them during the night and that they would leave Washington tomorrow for what Khalil said would be two or three days of talks in Cairo. The Egyptian action came as the Carter administration worked to prevent a dispute over Israel's announced intention to expand its settlements on the West Bank of the Jordan River from becoming an obstacle to completion of the peace treaty. [Washington Post]

Instead, Hamill said, the Cuyahoga's commanding officer suddenly reversed engines, causing Hamill to throw his vessel to the left in an effort to turn away from the cutter at the last moment. Hamill also testified that had he made an earlier course change to avoid the cutter -- which was rammed by the freighter and sank, killing 11 crewmen -- he would have violated the nautical "rules of the road" and therefore would have relinquished his position as the vessel with the right of way.

"I knew what my duty was," Hamill said. "In the last seconds, I had the impression he was gaining more speed . . . getting across. He probably would have made it. If the Cuyahoga had stayed full, I would have missed her." "I can't make decisions for both ships," he said. "I have to feel the other one is competent." Today's appearance by Hamill, a seven-year veteran with 700 trips in the area where the collision occurred, bolstered earlier testimony describing questionable actions taken by the Cuyahoga crew as it crossed crowded shipping lanes. [Washington Post]