WORLD : One Count Against Captain Dropped

SUBIC BAY NAVAL BASE, Philippines — A U.S. Navy judge today dismissed one of three charges against the captain of a Navy vessel who is accused of abandoning Vietnamese refugees who later resorted to cannibalism to survive.

Capt. James A. Freyer, the presiding judge, said there was not enough evidence to support the charge that the USS Dubuque skipper, Capt. Alexander G. Balian, failed “to render assistance” to a Vietnamese refugee who allegedly drowned while trying to swim to the ship.

Balian, 48, of Los Angeles, also is charged with ordering crewmen to prevent refugees from climbing aboard the Dubuque. In a third charge containing 11 specifications, the judge today dropped one that alleged failure to provide necessary medical supplies.