Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 8, 1994 TAG: 9412080058
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The Washington Post
DATELINE: WASHINGTON NOTE: BELOW LENGTH: Medium
Announcement of the proposed stamp, part of a set of World War II commemoratives, triggered protests in Japan and a formal objection from the Japanese government. Wednesday, the White House publicly urged the Postal Service to change the design.
``We agree that the atomic bomb helped speed the end of the war. But again, there could be more appropriate ways to depict that event,'' said White House press secretary Dee Dee Myers. White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta telephoned Postmaster General Marvin Runyon to convey the administration's concerns.
It is the second time in a month that the White House has sought to intervene in a stamp dispute. Earlier this month, the president complained when the Postal Service planned to abandon its popular Madonna and Child stamp series next year. A spokesman for Runyon said he had decided to resume the series before learning of Clinton's objection.
Late Wednesday, the Postal Service issued a brief statement, saying that it was ``mindful of the sensitivities on this issue'' and was weighing ``the views of the Department of State and the White House, as well as other groups and individuals. Our stamp program was designed to recognize significant people and events in American history - not designed to generate controversy.''
Those comments indicated that the agency would attempt to redesign the stamp, a source said.
The stamp, based on a painting by William Bond of Arlington, Va., depicts a mushroom-shaped cloud and carries the wording: ``Atomic bombs hasten war's end, August 1945.''
Myers said the White House did not object to the subject, but believed the design was inappropriate.
by CNB