tl20030317-000 "The TOLUEP/iphb Baltimore's #1 College Paper - Published Twice-Weekly - www.thetowerlight.com Monday, 3/17/03 Thousands visit D.C. for protest 5 Crisis-response plan established 5 Irish pub to host St. Patty's party 15 'Willard' has no climax, suspense IG Departments Opinion 2 News 5 Campus Briefs 7 Nation 8 Arts 15 Entertainment Briefs 17 Sound Bites 18 Sports 24 Athlete of the Week 21 In This Corner 24 Classifieds 19 Bush stands firm on deadline Today is 'moment of truth for the world,' Bush says at summit as he readies U.S. for Iraqi war Scott Lindlaw Associated Press LAJES, Azores Islands � Poised for war with Iraq, President Bush and three allied leaders set a one-day deadline Sunday for the United Nations to demand immediate dis-armament of Saddam Hussein. ""Tomorrow is a moment of truth for the world,"" Bush said after a hurriedly called Atlantic island summit to discuss efforts to disarm a government long believed to main-thin weapons of mass destruction. ""Now we make a final appeal to make a strong, unified message on behalf of the international commu-nity,"" added British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who joined Bush and the leaders of Spain and Portugal for a few short hours of summitry. They gathered at a time when more than 250,000 troops, a naval armada and an estimated 1,000 combat aircraft are positioned in the Persian Gulf area, an American-led force ready to strike if and when the president gives the word. One administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Bush plans to address the nation shortly after the diplomatic window closes Monday � possibly as early as Monday night. Bush urged other nations to sup-port ""the immediate and uncondi-tional disarmament"" of Iraq. France, Germany and Russia have opposed an additional United Nations resolution to set an ultima-tum for the Iraqi leader to disarm � and the French have threatened to veto it. Efforts to win the votes of uncommitted nations at the U.N. Security Council have faltered in recent days. For his part, Saddam made clear he would resist. ""When the enemy starts a large-scale battle, he must realize that the battle between us will be open wherever there is sky, land and water in the entire world,"" the Iraqi leader told his military commanders in remarks carried by the official Iraqi news agency. And Hans Blix, the chief United Nations weapons inspector, said Today High 66 Low 46 inspections would continue on Monday, as planned, ""unless we call them back."" Bush and the leaders of the three allied nations met at an American air base in the Azores, Portuguese territory in the Atlantic Ocean. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar said the agreement among the leaders marked ""a last chance, one last attempt to reach the greatest possible consensus among ourselves."" Bush sounded as if he didn't expect reluctant countries to change their minds. Asked whether Monday was the day that would determine whether diplomacy could work, he replied, ""That's what I'm saying."" ""We hope tomorrow the U.N. will do its job,"" Bush said. Alternatively, he said, ""Saddam Hussein can leave the country if he's interested in peace."" One administration official, speaking on condition of anonymi-ty, said the diplomatic process would end on Monday, regardless of whether a U.N. resolution passed, failed or was withdrawn. The president was scornful of France's role in the diplomatic tug of war that has unfolded in recent months. Paws holds spicy contest Steve Lafferty The Towerhght After winning second place at Paws' wing eating contest, Brian Tiriolo said, ""I'm ashamed. I let my father down."" See story, page 10. Tuition increase bill sent to students Bills mailed nearly one month after originally anticipated due to USM lawsuit Sarah Breitenbach The Towerlight Mid-semester tuition increase bills were mailed to Towson stu-dents last Wednesday, almost a month later than originally planned. According to Thomas Ruby, direc-tor of the Bursar's Office, the University System of Maryland Tuesday High 59 Low 39 Wednesday High 55 Low 49 asked that the bills not be sent on the initial Feb. 17 date because of a class-action lawsuit brought on by seven USM students. Students from the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the University of Baltimore filed suit against the System in protest of the 5-percent tuition increase approved by the USM Board of Regents in late January. On March 3, a Baltimore Circuit Court judge refused to halt the mid-semester increase. He will formally rule on the students' suit in April. Ruby explained that bills were mailed last week and will be due April 30. In addition, the University adjusted its policy concerning fall registration in relation to a stu- Thursday High 62 Low 47 dent's balance with the Bursar's Office. Previously, if students had a bal-ance of $50 or more, they would be unable to register for the next semester's classes. In light of the increase, the allowable balance has See TUITION, page 11 Bursar Director Thomas Ruby Friday High 64 Low 40 ,��???�., "
