,PASTOR'S REPOR

PUBLISHED BY THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD

VOL. 2, NO. 19
.

0
-MAY 31, 1978

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA

Greetings f e l l o w ministers,
W e have h e l d u p t h i s P a s t o r ' s Report a n e x t r a d a y so s o m e t h i n g d e a l i n g w i t h r e c e n t d e v e l o p m e n t s c o u l d be i n c l u d e d . I a p o l o g i z e f o r n o t h a v i n g b e e n a b l e t o communicate more w i t h y o u s i n c e b e i n g i n t h i s p r e s e n t p o s i t i o n , b u t these h a v e n o t b e e n n o r m a l d a y s , t o s a y t h e least.

R i g h t now there a r e j u s t a f e w t h i n g s I would l i k e t o s a y w h i c h I hope y o u w i l l f i n d h e l p f u l d u r i n g o u r p r e s e n t circumstances. You f e l l o w s a r e t h e p a s t o r s o f t h e c h u r c h e s . You are t h e d a i l y You a r e t h e o n e s who c a n d i s c e r n most s h e p h e r d s of God's p e o p l e . a c c u r a t e l y r i g h t f r o m t h e grass r o o t s l e v e l , t h e h e a l t h , s t a b i l i t y , c o n c e r n s , f e a r s , d o u b t s , h o p e s a n d t r e n d s of t h e p e o p l e i n God's c h u r c h . Also, y o u a r e t h e o n e s who c a n h a v e a t r e m e n d o u s p e r s o n a l impact a n d i n f l u e n c e on t h e membership. A s a s h e p h e r d cares f o r h i s s h e e p , moves them t o new f e e d i n g g r o u n d s , w a t e r s them, w a t c h e s over them, e t c . , so t h i s a n a l o g y a p p l i e s t o you a s m i n i s t e r i n g s e r v a n t s t o God's p e o p l e . W e know w e c a n n o t , a n d s h o u l d n o t d r i v e p e o p l e i n o u r care. W e are n o t u l t i m a t e l y r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e a c t i o n s o f o t h e r s so l o n g a s w e h a v e d o n e - w e c a n do i n s e r v i c e t o them as n e e d e d . all But, any l o c a l p a s t o r who h a s d e d i c a t i o n t o God ( w h i c h i s p e r c e p t i b l e t o those a r o u n d h i m ) , a n d h a s a s i n c e r e , s e r v i c e - o r i e n t e d a t t i t u d e toward those God h a s p l a c e d i n h i s c a r e , does h a v e a v e r y p o w e r f u l impact o n t h o s e he serves. T h i s power of i n f l u e n c e , a n aspect o f l e a d e r s h i p , m u s t be used c a u t i o u s l y , d i s c r e e t l y and for t h e p r o p e r r e a s o n s . Human nature b e i n g w h a t i t i s , i t i s s o m e t i m e s e a s i e r f o r u s t o use o u r i n f l u e n c e t o d i s o r i e n t , create n e g a t i v i s m or confusion r a t h e r t h a n l i f t peopl? a b o v e d e s p a i r , d i s c o u r a g e m e n t , h o p e l e s s n e s s , e t c . W e a l l know t h i s , so I do n o t n e e d t o d w e l l o n t h i s a s p e c t o f my subject. B u t , f e l l o w s , a r e n ' t times o f s t r e s s , c h a n g e , u n c e r t a i n t y , a n d c r i s i s t h e t i m e s t h a t r e a l l y t e s t a m a n ' s s t r e n g t h of l e a d e r s h i p : t e s t h i s m e t t l e a n d p o s s i b l y t e s t t h e d e p t h of h i s own p e r s o n a l c o n v i c t i o n a n d l o y a l t y ? A famous w r i t e r o n c e wrote, " I t i s good f o r a man t o s t a n d a g a i n s t t h e w i n d . " S t a n d i n g a g a i n s t t h e wind i s b e i n g a b l e t o w i t h s t a n d p r e v a i l i n g forces -- s t r o n y e l e m e n t s capable o f moving h e a v y w e i g h t s , s t r o n g p r e s s u r e s a f f e c t i n g s u r r o u n d i n g c o n d i t i o n s .
What a r e our r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s a s m i n i s t e r s of t h e Worldwide Church ( i f [;od d u r i n g t i m e s of c r i s i s ? A r e t h e y n o t t o 1) s t a b i l i z e t h e church, 2 ) e s t a b l i s h and mair,tain c r e d i b i l i t y i n o u r s e l v e s , t h e

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institution and leadership as much as possible, and 3) to'work diligently to create, maintain and/or renew, as required, a sense of optimism, hope, and quiet resolve to look forward in faith?

Some of the elements we may be able to use in our efforts to fulfill these responsibilities might include an honest admission that 0 we as an institution are suffering problems and difficulties. But problems in the Work of God, both internally and externally, are not modern phenomena without precedence in God's Word. We don't need to be specific in such statements, but to deny the obvious certainly isn't going to make you very believable. Another element we need to bear down on is "be patient." Don't over-react. In time problems will be resolved. We need to wait for the resolution. And, while we wait f o r it we need to trust God for the answers to come His way. Often, I suspect God has answered a prayer or intervened In a matter, but His answer or act was not and not the way the requester His recognized because He answered had expected it.
I

We need to maintain faith and t r u e t in COD: God's ways are not man's ways (Isa. 55). God's ways are at times unsearchable past finding out (Rom. 11). God does not always act as we might expect. Taking sides, getting polarized, wanting some specific answer, deciding what is the "better solution" can become s. giant personal problem if God decides to do it some other way.

--

God expects us to respect and follow leadership. When God places someone in a position of responsibility in His Work, He expects us to acknowledge that position, submit to it and respond to it. We can 0 all preach powerful sermons dealing with specific examples on this subject. I believe deeply in the "mantle of authority" God gives to i servants. For me to repudiate this is for me to repudiate my !s own position. That "mantle" should be respected whenever and to whomever God may transfer it. But until such a transfer has been made, then there is no choice in one's loyalty, submission and response. This contains a very important lesson, I believe. Let none of us lose sight of the God who called us, gave us to Christ, imbued us with His Holy Spirit. Our faith is in Him. No problem, no challenge, no muddle is too great for-Him to s o l v e . My commitment, my surrender was and is to Him. My hope is to be a productive member of His Work. I may not always know where He is leading me. But, if I could always see where I was going then I'd be walking by sight rather than by m t h . (See I1 Cor. 5:7.)
So, in conclusion, fellow ministers, let us bear down in our sermons to God's people about the beautiful, excitinq, precious truths God has given us. Jesus said the Kingdom of God is like a "pearl of great price," something for which a man would sell all he had so he could purchase it. The meaning of the Kingdom of God -- the hope f o r ALL mankind throughout all ages (even though most have had "blinded eyes and deaf ears") -- is the glorious destiny, the fabulous potential of becoming born-again Son8 - o f . G o d . -This i s the very heart 0 and CORE of our teachings. We know ahd understand the mysteries that wise men, princes and philosophers have tried to grasp (See I Cor. 2.) Surely, when we focus on this message, this hope, this promise,

w e c a n w e a t h e r t h e s t o r m s of u n r e s t t h e wind. 'I

-- w e

can t r u l y " s t a n d a g a i n s t

The e l e m e n t s w e n e e d t o b e a r i n mind i n f u l f i l l i n g o u r r e s p o n s i 0 b i l i t i e s as m i n i s t e r s are: 1) Honesty, a d m i t t i n g problems w i t h o u t 2) Exercise F a i t h : Our f a i t h i s i n God. H e can move being s p e c i f i c . i n any way H e c h o o s e s w h e t h e r predictable o r m y s t e r i o u s . W e res ect t h o s e God a p p o i n t s as l e a d e r s and w e f o l l o w t h e i r a d m i n i s t r a t on. 3) Be-patient. In patience But, o u r c o n f i d e n c e and f a i t h i s i n GOD. w e p o s s e s s o u r own s o u l s . . . o u r v e r y l i v e s . P a t i e n c e w a s a v i r t u e God t a u g h t a n c i e n t I s r a e l as H e moved i n many s t r a n g e and m y s t e r i o u s ways. 4 ) D o n ' t expect p e r f e c t i o n among human b e i n g s . D i s i l l u s i o n m e n t and d i s a p p o i n t m e n t r e s u l t f r o m u n r e a s o n a b l e e x p e c t a t i o n s of t h o s e God u s e s i n l e a d i n g H i s Work. But r e g a r d l e s s , t h e Work o f God i s no less t h e Work o f God! 5) B e C h r i s t - c e n t e r e d . H e i s ' t h e " C a p t a i n of OUT salvation." H e w i l l l e a d u s t h r o u g h t h e "sea of a d v e r s i t y , " t h e rough p e r i o d s of l i f e . 6) Never lose HOPE! God w i l l complete t h e Work H e h a s begun i n e a c h o f us. (See P h i l . 1:6-7.) God wi.11 n e v e r f a i l nor f o r s a k e us. Our e v e r y h a i r i s numbered. C h r i s t i s t h e Rock...the mooring...the a n c h o r o f o u r l i f e . H e i s t h e a u t h o r and F i n i s h e r of our faith.

re_

God's p e o p l e need t o see and h e a r s t r o n f ! l e a d e r s . As God's leaders, w e have a n o b l e , h i g h , r e w a r d i n g c a l l i n g t o uphold.

I hope t h e s e remarks have been h e l p f u l . on t h e t e a m t o g e t h e r . Please s t a y i n t o u c h .

I l o v e a l l o f you.

We're

With Love I n J e s u s ' N a m e ,

\s

C . Wayne Cole
'

THE SCHOOL OF B I B L I C A L AND M I N I S T E R I A L STUDIES A s r e c e n t l y announced, M r . H e r b e r t W. Armstrong h a s e s t a b l i s h e d t h e Ambassador C o l l e g e S c h o o l of B i b l i c a l and M i n i s t e r i a l S t u d i e s on t h e Pasadena cainpus b e g i n n i n g

t h i s f a l l semester. The t h r e e programs o f f e r e d by t h e s c h o o l a r e d e s i g n e d t o m e e t t h e s p e c i f i c n e e d s o f t h e c h u r c h a t t h i s t i m e . . While t h e e n c l o s e d b r o c h u r e s g i v e many of t h e d e t a i l s of t h e t h r e e programs, 1 , w o u l d l i k e t o g i v e a l l of you t h e b r o a d overview r e g a r d i n g t h e s c h o o l . With t h e d i s c o n t i n u a t i o n of t h e f o u r - y e a r l i b e r a l arts u n d e r g r a d u a t e program, Ambassador C o l l e g e , a s t h e e d u c a t i o n a l arm of t h e c h u r c h , w i l l now f o c u s i t s a t t e n t i o n on t h o s e areas of b i b l i c a l , m i n i s t e r i a l , and p r o f e s s i o n a l s t u d i e s which are u n i q u e t o Ambassador and are m o s t r e l e v a n t t o t h e o b j e c t i v e s of t h e c h u r c h . W e would l i k e you t o announce t h e s e new programs t o y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n s and make t h e broc h u r e s a v a i l a b l e t o t h o s e who might b e i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e p a r t i c u l a r s .
You a r e a l r e a d y f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e C e r t i f i c a t e o f t h e M i n i s t r y program, which is n o t o n l y b e i n g c o n t i n u e d , b u t i s b e i n g made even more d i r e c t l y r e s p o n s i v e t o t h e c u r r e n t needs o f t h e m i n i s t r y . Beginning t h i s f a l l ,

-4-

t h i s program w i l l be open o n l y t o o r d a i n e d m i n i s t e r s . A number of t h e c o u r s e s (or c e r t a i n s e c t i o n s o f c o u r s e s ) w i l l be s p e c i f i c a l l y d e s i g n e d f o r t h e m i n i s t e r s e n r o l l e d i n t h e program. The f o l l o w i n g t w o new programs s h o u l d be of s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t t o t h e members of y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n s : The Diploma i n B i b l i c a l S t u d i e s
A one-year

0-

( t h i r t y u n i t ) u n d e r g r a d u a t e l e v e l (non-degree) program l e a d i n g t o a D i p l o m a i n B i b l i c a l S t u d i e s w i l l be open t o q u a l i f i e d h i g h s c h o o l g r a d u a t e s and c o l l e g e s t u d e n t s . T h i s program i s d e s i g n e d t o p r o v i d e b i b l i c a l u n d e r s t a n d i n g and t o promote s p i r i t u a l and p e r s o n a l development. S t u d e n t s w i l l a c q u i r e t h e e s s e n c e of t h e e d u c a t i o n a l e x p e r i e n c e which h a s been d i s t i n c t i v e t o Ambassador College. The diploma program i s p r i m a r i l y o r i e n t e d toward t h e young people of t h e c h u r c h ; t h a t i s , t h e c o l l e g e a g e men and women w h o t r a d i t i o n a l l y have a t t e n d e d Ambassador C o l l e g e . I n a d d i t i o n t o f o r m a l coursework, t h e r e w i l l be numerous e x t r a c u r r i c u l a r o p p o r t u n i t i e s i n c l u d i n g s o c i a l a c t i v i t i e s , men's and women's c l u b s , r e c r e a t i o n a l a t h l e t i c s , p e r s o n a l c o u n s e l i n g , and career g u i d a n c e . Q u a l i f i e d s t u d e n t s may e n t e r t h e program immediately a f t e r h i g h s c h o o l o r d u r i n g t h e i r c o l l e g e y e a r s ( e i t h e r i n summer s e s s i o n s o r r e g u l a r academic y e a r ) .
The Master o f A r t s i n R e l i g i o u s S t u d i e s
A two-year

( s i x t y u n i t ) g r a d u a t e l e v e l program l e a d i n g t o a Master of A r t s i n R e l i g i o u s S t u d i e s w i l l b e open t o q u a l i f i e d a p p l i c a n t s who h o l d a b a c h e l o r ' s d e g r e e from Ambassador C o l l e g e (any campus) o r o t h e r approved i n s t i t u t i o n s . T h i s program w i l l have s p e c i a l i z a t i o n s i n c h u r c h l e a d e r s h i p and development, m a r r i a g e and f a m i l y c o u n s e l i n g , j o u r n a l i s m , c h u r c h e d u c a t i o n a l programs, and y o u t h m i n i s t r y .

(3

The main p u r p o s e o f t h e master's program i s t o p r o v i d e a means whereby y o u , a s a pastor o f a c o n g r e g a t i o n , c a n b u i l d a team of f u l l y q u a l i f i e d men and women t o a s s i s t you i n d e v e l o p i n g and a d m i n i s t e r i n g t h e v a r i o u s programs and s u p p o r t s y s t e m s i n y o u r l o c a l a r e a .
.-

Anyone i n y o u r c o n g r e g a t i o n who m i g h t be i n t e r e s t e d i n e i t h e r program may w r i t e t o t h e Admissions O f f i c e f o r a p p l i c a t i o n forms and i n f o r m a t i o n .

T h o s e of u s who have been i n v o l v e d i n t h e p l a n n i n g and development of t h e s c h o o l are e x c i t e d a b o u t w h a t w e are g o i n g t o be able t o accomplish w i t h these programs and f e e l t h a t t h e new s c h o o l s h o u l d be a v e r y e f f e c t i v e means of u t i l i z i n g o u r e d u c a t i o n a l r e s o u r c e s . W e hope you w i l l convey o u r e n t h u s i a s m t o t h e b r e t h r e n . P e r h a p s you

can p o s t a copy o f e a c h b r o c h u r e o n y o u r c h u r c h b u l l e t i n b o a r d f o r a l l t h e b r e t h r e n t o see. --C. Wayne C o l e , V i c e C h a n c e l l o r

DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS--A PROGRESS REPORT Those o f US h a r d a t w o r k d e v e l o p i n g t h e programs and c u r r i c u l u m f o r who have been t h e S c h o o l o f B i b l i c a l and M i n s i t c r i a l S t u d i e s a r e q u i t e e n t h u s i a s t i c

- 5about our opportunity to implement Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong's policy decision dedicating Ambassador College to directly serve the Church. For well over a year now, Mr. Armstrong has been telling many of US that he is "not in the college business" and that Ambassador College must focus its educational activities on the development of biblically-0 trained and ministerial.personne1 (whether in our employ or not) who can then directly help in the building of the Church. Mr. Armstrong also instructed us that he wanted about 2 5 0 students in this program (with some flexibility allowed for the transitional period) in order to significantly shift dollars from our previous educational efforts into the Church's primary commission of preaching the gospel. (Although the specific number of 2 5 0 students is a more recent directive, it has been well known that Mr. Armstrong has desired to make these changes in the Church's educational activities for some time.) Presently, we are making excellent strides in planning and organizing what we trust will become the very best academic program in the history of Ambassador College -- with the finest faculty (dedicated to God's Work, professionally trained and all individually approved by Mr. Armstrong), a highly efficient utilization of space and financial resources and, most important, the firm intention to support Mr. Armstrong's decisions to develop a highly-focused educational program to benefit the Church, especially as it facilitates the training of Churchwide manpower, who can then effectively serve in the local congregations. The enclosed brochures represent the collective, intensive efforts of our leading administrators and faculty. They portray a conceptual overview that has become one of the primary goals of our institution: to concentrate on content rather than form, to emphasize instruction rather than administration, and to focus on those academic areas where we are expert and unique (biblical understanding, counseling, etc.). Ey fall, we should have a full catalog to send to prospective students fully explaining the programs, curriculum and social and recreational opportunities avai1abl.e at Ambassador. Though there is much work to be done, we fully expect the whole Church will become as excited as we are now about the School. On behalf of the entire faculty and administration, Dr. Geis and I would like to re-emphasize what Mr. Cole requested in his letter: Please communicate to your congregations a l l about Ambassador College's new School of Biblical and Ministerial Studies. Please emphasize our collective and enthusiastic support for Mr. Armstrong's policies regarding the College. Encourage interested members to apply, especially those who you feel would eventually be able to make positive contributions to the Church as a result of completing such a program. We really desire to develop the programs most relevant for helping 0 God's ministry build and strengthen the Church and serve the brethren. Let us know how we can be more effective. We appreciate your support. --Robert Kuhn, Director

-6* '

E D I T O R I A L SERVICES--RECENT DEVELOPMENTS M r . Herbert ~ o r l d w i d News The Good N e w s . T h i s change w i l l be c a r r i e d o u t n e x t a t least f o r t a b l o i d f o r m a t w i l l c o n t i n u e however Non-members w i l l n o t be renewed and t h e s u b s c r i p t i o n removed.

--

W. A d t r o n g e changed t o be i s s u e . The t h e t i m e being. price w i l l be

The o n l y basic change, o t h e r t h a n t h e l o g o change, w i l l be t h a t M r . Herbert Armstrong w i l l be c o n t r i b u t i n g r e g u l a r e d i t o r i a l s t o t h e p a p e r . The f i r s t i s t o e x p l a i n t h e k i n d of government s t r u c t u r e t h a t i s t o be used i n t h e church. O t h e r w i s e t h e r e g u l a r f e a t u r e s t o which you have become accustomed w i l l be r e t a i n e d . Any m i n i s t e r i n t e r e s t e d i n c o n t r i b u t i n g a r t i c l e s t o t h e Good N-e w s please s e n d u s your COPY. --Brian Knowles/Dexter F a u l k n e r , E d i t o r i a l S e r v i c e s
TWO NEW BOOKLETS B R I N G EXCELLENT RESPONSE

New p u b l i c a t i o n s are always r e c e i v e d w i t h e n t h u s i a s m by o u r s u b s c r i b e r s and m e m b e r s , and t h e s e t w o new b o o k l e t s w e r e no e x c e p t i o n : A T a l e of Two P r o p h e t s w r i t t e n by David J o n H i l l , and Coming--A N e w Age by B r i a n Knowles. A s you w i l l r e c a l l , t h e T a l e of Two P r o p h e t s b o o k l e t had appeared i n s e r i a l f o r m i n The PLAIN TRUTH, and d u r i n g p a s t months'we have r e c e i v e d numerous r e q u e s t s f o r i t t o a p p e a r i n b o o k l e t form.
The b o o k l e t s w e r e o f f e r e d t o co-workers and members i n a member/coworker l e t t e r from M r . T e d Armstrong, and t h u s f a r t h e r e s p o n s e h a s been e x c e l l e n t . O u r s t a t i s t i c s s h o w t h a t a b o u t a 50% r e s p o n s e w a s r e c e i v e d f r o m m e m b e r s , and a 2 5 % r e s p o n s e w a s r e c e i v e d f r o m co-workers. T h i s h a s been t h e h i g h e s t r e s p o n s e t o a b o o k l e t o f f e r which we've o b t a i n e d i n some t i m e .

Mail and WATS Update: A t o t a l of 1 1 8 , 0 0 0 l e t t e r s and 2 6 , 0 0 0 t e l e p h o n e r e g i s t r i e s have been r e c e i v e d t h r o u g h May 2 5 . T h i s b r i n g s t h e y e a r l y m a i l c o u n t t o a p p r o x i m a t e l y 8 0 2 , 0 0 0 , and phone r e g i s t r i e s t o around
214,000.

That's a l l for t h i s t i m e .
--Ri c ha rd Rice,

M a i l Processing Center

ON THE WORLD SCENE

NEW WORRY FOR WEST: ENCIRCLEMENT OF IRAN: T h i s w e e k ' s NATO c o n f e r e n c e h a s t u r n e d o u t t o b e a s o u n d i n g b o a r d f o r w i d e s p r e a d concern o v e r growing S o v i e t p e n e t r a t i o n i n areas of t h e world v i t a l t o Western interests. Recent e v e n t s i n A f r i c a and t h e Middle E a s t have drawn the m o s t attention.

in Zaire, and r e s u l t a n t F r e n c h - B e l g i a n c o u n t e r t h r u s t t o d r i v e o u t t h e Communist-trained i n v a d e r s have f i n a l l y a l e r t e d even is Washington t o t h e f a c t t h a t , i n d e e d , R u s s i a r e a l l y - up t o something.

The c a r n a g e

There i s a n o t h e r area of t h e w o r l d too, t h a t bears s e r i o u s w a t c h i n g . T h a t i s t h e s t r a t e g i c Near E a s t r e g i o n o f I r a n , A f g h a n i s t a n and Pakistan. "The I r a n i a n government, 'I r e p o r t s the L o s Angeles T i m e s , " i s d e e p l y w o r r i e d by r e c e n t e v e n t s i n A f g h a n i s t a n a n d P a k i s t a n , i t s n e i g h b o r s . t o t h e e a s t , f e a r f u l t h a t a l e f t i s t t a k e o v e r combined w i t h e t h n i c p r e s s u r e s a n d p o l i t i c a l i n s t a b i l i t y c o u l d produce a Soviet t o e h o l d on t h e Arabian Sea a s t r i d e I r a n ' s o i l r o u t e s .

i n t e r e s t i n t h e new regime i n A f g h a n i s t a n , and i t s p r e s s u r e on P a k i s t a n t o g e t i t s house i n order t o h e l p b l o c k e x p a n s i o n of Communist i n f l u e n c e . " The s h a h ' s s t a u n c h l y anti-Communist government w a s shocked by l a s t month's l e f t i s t coup i n ' A f g h a n i s t a n which b r o u g h t t o power a m i l i t a r y backed Marxist g r o u p t h a t s h u n s t h e l a b e l Communist, b u t appears t o be receptive t o S o v i e t i n f l u e n c e and a l l t h e s t r i n g s t o which it i s attached. Shah Mohammed Reza P h l a v i r e p o r t e d l y h a s t o l d P a k i s t a n ' s strongman G e n e r a l Zia ul-Haq t o d r o p t h e t h r e a t e n e d e x e c u t i o n o f former P r i m e M i n i s t e r Z u l f i k a r A l i Bhutto. Bhutto i s appealing a death sentence imposed a f t e r h e w a s c o n v i c t e d of o r d e r i n g t h e murder of a p o l i t i c a l opponent. The e x e c u t i o n of t h e p o p u l a r B h u t t o , I r a n i a n o f f i c i a l s b e l i e v e , c o u l d r e v i v e s m o l d e r i n g e t h n i c d i s p u t e s t h a t have been c o n s t a n t sources of t r o u b l e i n t h i s p a r t of t h e w o r l d . These l a t e n t troubles r e v o l v e around t w o P a k i s t a n e t h n i c g r o u p s -t h e P u s h t u n s ( a l s o called P a t h a n s ) and t h e B a l u c h i s . P u s h t u n s are found i n n o r t h w e s t P a k i s t a n a l o n g t h e b o r d e r w i t h A f g h a n i s t a n . In A f g h a n i s t a n , t h e y are t h e major e t h n i c g r o u p . For years, r e l a t i o n s between t h e t w o c o u n t r i e s w e r e s t r a i n e d by A f g h a n i s t a n ' s i n s i s t e n c e on autonomy f o r t h e P u s h t u n s i n P a k i s t a n , o r c r e a t i o n o f an independent Pushtunistan. The new r u l e r s of A f g h a n i s t a n might t r y t o push t h i s autonomy i s s u e t o t h e f o r e .
The B a l u c h i s occupy P a k i s t a n ' s s p a r s e l y s e t t l e d s o u t h w e s t e r n r e g i o n b o r d e r i n g I r a n , and they, b e l i e v e t h a t development i n t h e i r p r o v i n c e l a g s b e h i n d P a k i s t a n ' s more p r o s p e r o u s p r o v i n c e s .
" T h e s e seeds of r e g i o n a l d i s c o n t e n t , " s a i d t h e T i m e s report, " c o u l d s p r o u t i f P a k i s t a n ' s m i l i t ' a r y regime a l l o w s B h u t t o t o be e x e c u t e d .

fi

And t h e s h a h f e a r s , close i n f o r m a n t s s a y , t h a t t h e R u s s i a n s c o u l d c a p i t a l i z e on s u c h i n s t a b i l i t y t o promote movements f o r autonomy amonrj t h e P u s h t u n s and B a l u c h i s , which m i g h t l e a d t o p u p p e t s t a t e s i n what i s now P a k i s t a n , and t o t h e a c h i e v e m e n t of a R u s s i a n dream g o i n g back t o c z a r i s t d a y s -- access t o a w a r m - w a t e r p o r t on t h e Arabian Sea. "That would b r i n g Soviet i n f l u e n c e close t o t h e S t r a i g h t o f Hormuz,
t h e b o t t l e n e c k t h r o u g h which p a s s e s p r a c t i c a l l y a l l t h e o i l o f t h e

r i c h Gulf s t a t e s , i n c l u d i n g t h a t o f I r a n . "
T h e Afghan coup h a s o n l y added t o t h e I r a n i a n o b s e s s i o n t h a t t h e c o u n t r y i s b e i n g e n c i r c l e d by Communist enemies. I t h a s a 2,000-

k i l o m e t e r b o r d e r w i t h t h e S o v i e t Union, pro-MoscaJ and now A f g h a n i s t a n on t h e e a s t .

"If we don't,

Iraq to the south,

"We must s t o p them. a l l O f U S , " s a i d a s e n i o r o f f i c i a l i n Teheran. t h e y w i l l d e s t a b i l i z e t h e whole area."

But I r a n i a n l e a d e r s are s k e p t i c a l t h a t t h e United States i s capable

o f a p p r e c i a t i n g t h e i r d a n g e r and r e a c t i n g s e n s i b l y t o i t . --Gene H . Hogberg, N e w s Bureau