Voice of America Digest, 20 October 1995

From: yanni@ix.netcom.com (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] !!! VOA DIGEST - OCTOBER 20, 1995

NATO / CLAES -- NATO SECRETARY GENERAL WILLY CLAES SAYING HE IS 'AN ANGRY MAN, ANNOUNCED FRIDAY HIS RESIGNATION FROM THE NATO ALLIANCE. STRINGER JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS MR CLAES' DECISION FOLLOWED A VOTE IN THE BELGIAN PARLIAMENT THAT HE SHOULD BE TRIED FOR CORRUPTION. (10/20)

NATO / CLAES / OVERVIEW -- NATO SECRETARY GENERAL WILLY CLAES HAS RESIGNED AFTER THE BELGIAN PARLIAMENT VOTED TO REFER HIM TO THE COUNTRY'S HIGHEST COURT WHERE HE WILL ANSWER CORRUPTION AND BRIBERY CHARGES. IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON, CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS AT MR CLAES'S TENURE AS NATO'S HEAD AND THE REASON FOR HIS RESIGNATION. (10/20)

CLINTON / CLAES -- PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR DEPARTING NATO SECRETARY GENERAL WILLY CLAES. IN A STATEMENT ISSUED DURING MR CLINTON'S TRIP TO OHIO, THE WHITE HOUSE SAID MR CLAES PROVIDED GREAT LEADERSHIP TO THE ALLIANCE DURING ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PERIODS IN HISTORY. CORRESPONDENT ERIN BRUMMETT IS AMONG THE JOURNALISTS TRAVELLING WITH THE PRESIDENT AND HAS DETAILS. (10/20)

PERRY / NATO RESIGNATION -- US DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS HE IS SADDENED BY THE RESIGNATION OF NATO SECRETARY GENERAL WILLY CLAES. BUT HE SAYS THE AFFAIR WILL NOT AFFECT NATO'S PLANS FOR A BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING OPERATION. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON. (10/20)

YUGO TRIBUNAL -- THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA HAS ISSUED AN INTERNATIONAL ARREST WARRANT FOR THE COMMANDER OF A BOSNIAN SERB PRISON CAMP WHO IS ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES. DRAGAN NIKOLIC WAS THE FIRST INDIVIDUAL TO BE INDICTED BY THE TRIBUNAL BUT HAS REMAINED AT LARGE IN BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY SINCE 1994 WHEN THOSE CHARGES WERE BROUGHT. SO FAR THE TRIBUNAL, BASED IN THE HAGUE, HAS BROUGHT CHARGES AGAINST 43 PEOPLE BUT ONLY ONE OF THOSE IS IN CUSTODY. FROM THE HAGUE, STRINGER GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS. (10/20)

RUSSIA / YELTSIN / KOZYREV -- BEFORE LEAVING MOSCOW ON HIS TRIP TO FRANCE AND THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HINTED HE MAY KEEP FOREIGN MINISTER ANDREI KOZYREV IN HIS JOB AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING. AS CORRESPONDENT PETER COLLINS REPORTS FROM MOSCOW, THE FLAP OVER MR. KOZYREV UNDERSCORES RUSSIA'S ANGER OVER RECENT NATO ACTIONS IN BOSNIA AND ITS PLANS TO EXPAND INTO EASTERN EUROPE. (10/20)

RUSSIA / FRANCE -- RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS ARRIVED IN FRANCE FOR TWO DAYS OF TALKS THAT WILL CONCENTRATE ON RUSSIA'S ROLE IN THE PEACE PROCESS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. STRINGER JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS. (10/20)

SHEVARDNADZE / UN -- GEORGIAN LEADER EDUARD SHEVARDNADZE HAS CANCELLED A PLANNED TRIP TO NEW YORK, WHERE HE WAS TO ATTEND THE UNITED NATIONS 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS. CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS FROM MOSCOW. (10/20)

SHUTTLE LAUNCH -- AFTER SIX FRUSTRATING DELAYS, THE US SPACE SHUTTLE "COLUMBIA" HAS FINALLY TAKEN OFF FOR A 16-DAY RESEARCH MISSION WITH SEVEN ASTRONAUTS ON BOARD. SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT DAVID MCALARY REPORTS. (10/20)

IVORY COAST / ELECTION -- TENSIONS ARE MOUNTING AS IVORY COAST PREPARES FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS SUNDAY. FROM THE COMMERCIAL CAPITAL, ABIDJAN, CORRESPONDENT PURNELL MURDOCK REPORTS THE GOVERNMENT IS DEPLOYING TROOPS TO MEET OPPOSITION THREATS TO DISRUPT THE ELECTION. (10/20)

CHOPIN CONTEST -- FOR THE SECOND TIME RUNNING, THE 23-MEMBER JURY IN THE PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL CHOPIN PIANO COMPETITION IN POLAND HAS FAILED TO AWARD A FIRST PRIZE. CORRESPONDENT BARRY WOOD ATTENDED THE COMPETITION WHICH IS HELD EVERY FIVE YEARS AND FILED THIS REPORT. (10/20)

QUESTIONING US ECONOMIC GROWTH -- THE US ECONOMY CONTINUES TO GROW AT A HEALTHY RATE, OR DOES IT? THAT QUESTION IS BEING ASKED BY ECONOMISTS, ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND OTHERS WHO SAY SUPPOSED PROSPERITY HAS NOT MADE AMERICANS ANY HAPPIER. INDEED, MANY SEEM BESET BY GLOOM ABOUT THE FUTURE. AN ARTICLE IN THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY MAGAZINE CLAIMS ECONOMIC PROGRESS IS ILLUSORY BECAUSE IT IS NOT BEING PROPERLY MEASURED. CORRESPONDENT ED WARNER REPORTS ON THE ARTICLE AND A CRITIC'S RESPONSE. (10/20)

CONGRESS WEEK IN REVIEW -- BUDGET MATTERS WILL PREOCCUPY THE US CONGRESS THIS WEEK. CORRESPONDENT PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS THE RHETORIC IS GETTING HOTTER AS REPUBLICANS PUSH THROUGH LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO IMPLEMENT THEIR ECONOMIC POLICIES, SETTING THE STAGE FOR CONFRONTATION WITH THE WHITE HOUSE. (10/20)

CLINTON / MIDWEST ECON CONF -- PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS REAFFIRMED STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE REPUBLICAN PLAN TO CUT MEDICARE, GOVERNMENT HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE ELDERLY, CALLING THE PLAN A MISTAKE. MR CLINTON LAUNCHED THE CRITICISM WHEN HE CONVENED A MIDWEST ECONOMIC CONFERENCE IN COLUMBUS, OHIO. THE PRESIDENT IS ALSO ADDRESSING THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY BEFORE TRAVELLING TO THE NEARBY STATE OF IOWA FOR A DEMOCRATIC PARTY EVENT AND EAST EUROPEAN MUSEUM OPENING. CORRESPONDENT ERIN BRUMMETT IS AMONG THE JOURNALISTS TRAVELLING WITH THE PRESIDENT AND HAS THIS REPORT. (10/20)

EAST ASIA / PACIFIC REVIEW -- THE UNITED STATES, FRANCE AND BRITAIN PLEDGE TO SIGN A TREATY MAKING THE SOUTH PACIFIC A REAFFIRMED ZONE, AND A NORTH KOREAN INFILTRATOR IS SHOT AND KILLED IN SOUTH KOREA. THOSE STORIES HIGHLIGHT NEWS FROM THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION THIS WEEK, AS STRINGER DON BENSON REPORTS. (10/20)

NEW ORLEANS / ATLANTIC CITY -- IN 1800 ONLY ABOUT TWO PERCENT OF THE GLOBAL POPULATION LIVED IN CITIES. BY THE YEAR 2000, IT IS EXPECTED MORE THAN HALF THE WORLD'S PEOPLE WILL BE CITY DWELLERS. CURRENT AFFAIRS' TED LANDPHAIR AND ANDREW BAROCH EXAMINE TWO AMERICAN CITIES THAT HAVE SEEN BETTER TIMES AND WORSE TIMES: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA AND ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY, TWO CITIES PRESENTLY MAKING ECONOMIC COMEBACKS. (10/20)

SPOTLIGHT / MONTANA WAGON TRAIN ADVENTURE -- SOME MONTANA RANCHERS HAVE A SIDE BUSINESS RUNNING WAGON TRAINS AND CATTLE DRIVES FOR TOURISTS. CURRENT AFFAIRS' CAROL PEARSON MET ONE RANCHER WHO TAKES VISITORS TO AN OLD STAGECOACH STOP ON HIS LAND. (10/20)

MONTANA / THE FAMILY FARM GROWS UP -- FARMING ISN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE OUT OF SHEER NECESSITY. MONTANA FARMERS NANCY AND MARK PETERSON TALK TO CURRENT AFFAIRS' CAROL PEARSON ABOUT FARMING AS A BUSINESS AND AS A TRADITIONAL LIFESTYLE (10/20)

MONTANA / ORGANIC FARMING / WAY OF LIFE -- ONE WAY OF MAKING THE FAMILY FARM PROFITABLE IS TO CONVERT TO ORGANIC FARMING. BOB QUINN DID THAT AND STARTED A BUSINESS THAT HE HOPES WILL KEEP HIM AND OTHER FARMERS IN THE BUSINESS OF FARMING. CAROL PEARSON REPORTS. (10/20)

PROMISE KEEPERS -- ONCE A MONTH THIS YEAR, A GROUP OF MEN AND BOYS HAS FILLED A GIANT SPORTS STADIUM TO CAPACITY SOMEWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES. THESE ARE THE "PROMISE KEEPERS," A FIVE-YEAR-OLD CHRISTIAN MEN'S RENEWAL MOVEMENT THAT IS AMONG THE MOST TALKED-ABOUT PHENOMENA IN AMERICAN RELIGION. CURRENT AFFAIRS' TED LANDPHAIR REPORTS FROM A PK RALLY IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA. (10/20)

HEADACHE -- HEADACHES AFFLICT COUNTLESS MILLIONS OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. AMERICAN RESEARCHERS HAVE COME UP WITH WHAT MAY BE AN EXPLANATION FOR AT LEAST SOME OF THE SO-CALLED "TENSION," OR MUSCLE-CONTRACTION, HEADACHES. AS CURRENT AFFAIRS' BRIAN CISLAK REPORTS, THE ANSWER MAY BE A NEWLY-FOUND LINK BETWEEN THE MUSCLES OF THE NECK AND THE MEMBRANE COVERING THE BRAIN. (10/20)

MACBETH IN WASHINGTON -- THE SHAKESPEARE'S THEATRE IN WASHINGTON DC IS CURRENTLY SHOWING "MACBETH" STARRING THE POPULAR TV AND MOVIE STAR STACY KEACH. CURRENT AFFAIRS' ZLATICA HOKE SPOKE TO THE LEADING ACTORS. (10/20)

MONSTER MOVIE COLLECTOR -- AS HALLOWEEN APPROACHES IN THE UNITED STATES, MANY PEOPLE WILL GO TO THEIR LOCAL THEATER OR VIDEO RENTAL SHOP TO SEE A SCARY MOVIE. THE GENRE OF HORROR FILMS HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE VERY EARLIEST DAYS OF CINEMA, AND AS CORRESPONDENT GREG FLAKUS REPORTS FROM HOLLYWOOD, ONE MAN HAS MADE IT HIS LIFE'S WORK TO COLLECT MEMORABILIA FROM THESE MOVIES. (10/20)

INSIDE USA:

SHUTTLE / TURKISH SCIENTIST -- ONE OF THE SCIENTIFIC PROJECTS CARRIED TO THE SPACE ON BOARD SPACE SHUTTLE COLOMBIA, HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY A TURKISH SCIENTIST. STAFFER HAKKI OCAL INTERVIEWS PROFESSOR NURCAN BAC OF THE MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY'S CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT IN ANKARA. BAC EXPLAINS THAT HIS PROJECT INVOLVING PRODUCTION OF ZEOLIT CYRSTALS IN SPACE, WILL HELP REDUCE COST OF FILTRATION IN A WIDE RANGE OF AREAS FROM WATER PURIFICATION TO KIDNEY DIALYSIS MACHINES. (TURKISH 10/20)

CZECH-AMERICAN CELEBRATION / CLINTON -- CHICAGO CORRESPONDENT ZENNY SADLON PREVIEWS THE DEDICATION CEREMONIES OF THE NATIONAL CZECH AND SLOVAK MUSEUM AND LIBRARY IN CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, ON SATURDAY. PRESIDENTS CLINTON, VACLAV HAVEL, AND MICHAL KOVAC ARE THE SCHEDULED GUESTS. THE THREE LEADERS WILL ALSO MEET TO DISCUSS THE PROCESS OF INTEGRATING CENTRAL EUROPE'S DEMOCRACIES AND SUSTAINING MARKET ECONOMY REFORMS. (CZECH 10/19)

TURKEY / ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY -- MR. ARA GULER, A TURKISH-ARMENIAN, IS AN INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN PHOTOGRAPHER, THROUGH MAJOR EXHIBITIONS IN THE US, GERMANY AND FRANCE. STAFFER HAKKI OCAL INTERVIEWS ARA GULER IN ISTANBUL, ON HIS RECENTLY PUBLISHED PHOTO ALBUM, TITLED "VANISHED COLORS," DEPICTING THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF TURKEY'S LARGEST CITY. (TURKISH 10/20)

BARTOK / UCLA -- THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT OF UCLA HELD A TWO-DAY SYMPOSIUM ENTITLED 'BART?OK IN RETROSPECT.' LA STAFFER BELA SZKOPAL INTERVIEWS PARTICIPANTS OF THE SYMPOSIUM. (HUNGARIAN 10/18)

QUEBEC SECESSION -- REPORTER TERRY WING TALKS WITH MARK KASOFF, DIRECTOR OF THE CANADIAN STUDIES CENTER AT BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY IN OHIO, ABOUT THE OCTOBER 30TH VOTE IN QUEBEC ON WHETHER OR NOT TO BECOME A SOVEREIGN NATION, SEPARATE FROM CANADA. HE PREDICTS THAT DESPITE AN EVEN SPLIT IN THE POLLS, THE CITIZENS OF QUEBEC WILL VOTE AGAINST THE MOVE. HE SAYS FOR MOST VOTERS, LONG-STANDING ISSUES SUCH AS PROTECTION OF THE FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE WILL TAKE A BACK SEAT TO THE PROSPECT OF A WORSE LIVING STANDARD AND POSSIBLE ISOLATION FROM THE REST OF CANADA AND UNITED STATES IN OTHER ECONOMIC WAYS, INCLUDING THE LOSS OF FREE TRADE STATUS. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 10/19)

AMERICAN AND VIETNAMESE EDITORS PUBLISH BOOK -- WAYNE KARLIN, LE MINH KHUE AND TRUONG VU DISCUSS THE NEW BOOK THEY EDITED "THE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN," A COLLECTION OF FICTION AND VERSE BY AMERICAN AND VIETNAMESE WRITERS. THE GENERAL THEME IS THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE WAR ON PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES. WORKS BY U S WRITERS PHIL CAPUTO, WARD JUST, AND PULITZER PRIZE LAUREATE ROBERT OLEN BUTLER ARE INCLUDED. (VIETNAMESE 10/19)

NEW RESTRICTIONS ON IMMIGRATION -- STRINGER REPORT ABOUT VIETNAMESE, AFGHANI AND OTHER FOREIGNERS FINDING IT MORE DIFFICULT TO ACQUIRE REFUGEE STATUS OR POLITICAL ASYLUM. THE REPORT SAYS THAT RECENT CHANGES IN THE IMMIGRATION LAWS ARE AFFECTING VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN CANADA. (VIETNAMESE 10/19)

US / VIET STUDENTS -- STAFFER NHUNG NUYEN TALKS WITH MS. PHAN BACH NGOC, OF FAIRFAX PUBLIC SCHOOLS TRANSLATION SERVICES ABOUT THE PROBLEMS VIETS AND OTHER FOREIGN STUDENTS HAVE COMMUNICATING. (VIETNAMESE 10/19)

US / VIETNAM / TRAVEL -- STAFFER NGUYEN PHUONG LAN INTERVIEWED TRAVEL AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES IN SAN JOSE ABOUT THE RAPIDLY GROWING TWO-WAY TRAVEL BETWEEN THE US AND VIETNAM. (VIETNAMESE 10/19)

US / COMPUTERS -- FOR HIS COMPUTER SERIES, HAI VBAN CHU INTERVIEWED THE HEAD OF THE VIETNAMESE ASSOCIATION FOR COMPUTING, ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE. (VIETNAMESE 10/19)

INSIDE AFRICA:

GHANA / VOTER REGISTRATION -- VOTER REGISTRATION FOR NEXT YEAR'S GENERAL ELECTION IN GHANA HAS BEEN COMPLETED WITHOUT ANY SERIOUS GLITCHES. THE UNITED STATES IS AMONG THE DONOR NATIONS THAT HAVE EXPRESSED SATISFACTION WITH THE REGISTRATION PROCEDURES. STRINGER ABDULMALIK DANBIRNI REPORTS FROM ACCRA. (HAUSA 10/19)

NIGERIA / INDUSTRIAL WASTE -- STRINGER BABANGIDA JIBRIL REPORTS FROM ABUJA THAT THE DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT IS INVESTIGATING A REPORT THAT INDUSTRIAL WASTE HAS AGAIN BEEN DUMPED IN KOKO LOCAL GOVERNMENT. A SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCURRED IN 1986. (HAUSA 10/19)

NIGERIA / NEW SULEJA EMIR -- THE NIGER STATE GOVERNMENT IN NORTHERN NIGERIA HAS, AFTER AN EXTENDED COURT CASE, APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF ALHAJI BASHIR SULAIMAN AS THE NEW EMIR OF SULEJA. SUSTAINED CIVIL UNREST AND PROTESTS FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS OVER THE APPOINTMENT OF ALHAJI AWWAL IBRAHIM AS THE EMIR OF SULEJA CLAIMED SEVERAL LIVES IN THE NORTHERN TOWN. STRINGER BABANGIDA JIBRIN REPORTS THAT PEOPLE IN SULEJA SPENT THE DAY CELEBRATING THE APPOINTMENT. (HAUSA 10/20)

ETHIOPIA / DRUGS -- ETHIOPIAN POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A NUMBER OF PEOPLE FOR TRAFFICKING ILLEGAL DRUGS. FOLLOWING A DISPUTE RECENTLY AMONG THOSE INVOLVED IN SUCH TRADE, A FOREIGNER WAS KILLED. STRINGER TAFESSE KIFLE REPORTS. (AMHARIC 10/19)

ETHIOPIAN PRIME MINISTER / WASHINGTON -- THE ETHIOPIAN PRIME MINISTER, MR MELES ZENAWI WHO IS ALSO THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY (OAU), WAS A GUEST SPEAKER THURSDAY AT THE WASHINGTON CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (CSIS). HE DISCUSSED THE OUTLOOK FOR THE AFRICAN CONTINENT AS WELL AS THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN ETHIOPIA. STAFFER SOLOMON KIFLE REPORTS. (AMHARIC 10/20)

ETHIOPIA / ITALY / OBELISK -- THE ETHIOPIAN AND ITALIAN GOVERNMENTS ARE CLOSE TO REACHING A DEAL ON THE QUESTION OF THE AXUM OBELISK WHICH WAS LOOTED BY THE ITALIANS SOME SIXTY YEARS AGO WHEN THEY INVADED ETHIOPIA. DISMANTLED FROM THE NORTHERN ETHIOPIAN TOWN OF AXUM, THE OBELISK IS NOW DISPLAYED IN DOWNTOWN ROME. STRINGER TAFESSE KIFLE REPORTS. (AMHARIC 10/20)

ETHIOPIA / FILM PRODUCTION -- AMHARIC STAFFER MIMI SEBHATU INTERVIEWS MR DESTA WORKU, FILM DIRECTOR AND GENERAL MANAGER OF THE ETHIOPIAN FILM CORPORATION-PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT. HE IS ALSO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE ETHIOPIAN FILM MAKERS ASSOCIATION. HE TALKED ABOUT FILM IMPORT, DISTRIBUTION AND PRODUCTION IN ETHIOPIA. (AMHARIC 10/21)

IVORY COAST / POLITICS -- MORE DEMONSTRATIONS WERE HELD THURSDAY IN GAGNOA, IVORY COAST. PROTESTERS ERECTED BARRICADES AND SET CARS ON FIRE BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AT THE TIME OF BROADCAST. THE OPPOSITION IS VOWING TO DISRUPT SUNDAY'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AND CONTINUES TO ORGANIZE DEMONSTRATIONS DESPITE A BAN BY THE GOVERNMENT. IT IS PROTESTING THE NEW ELECTORAL CODE THAT DISQUALIFIED ITS MAIN CANDIDATE, ALASSANE OUATTARA. STRINGER MOHAMED ELBOU REPORTS. (FRENCH 10/19)

AFRICA / UNIVERSITIES -- STAFFER JESSICA HARTMAN REPORTS ON THE STATE OF UNIVERSITIES IN AFRICA TODAY. FIVE AFRICAN UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATORS, CURRENTLY VISITING THE US AS PART OF AN EXCHANGE PROGRAM, PARTICIPATED IN A ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION. THEY EXAMINED THE DIFFICULTIES AND CHALLENGES THAT AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES ARE FACING INCLUDING THE LACK OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES. THE PARTICIPANTS WERE: THEODORE NICOUE GAYIBOR, DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AT BENIN UNIVERSITY IN LOME, TOGO, LANSANA CONDE, HEAD OF THE LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE DEPARTMENT AT KANKAN UNIVERSITY IN GUINEA, CELESTIN MONTEIRO, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE LAW SCHOOL AT THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, SEKOU BOUGADARY TRAORE, DIRECTOR OF GUINEA'S ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEURE, AND AMBROISE ZAGRE FROM BURKINA FASO. (FRENCH 10/19)

TANZANIA / ELECTIONS -- THE SOCIETY OF MUSLIM STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM IS ASKING ALL MUSLIMS, NOT TO VOTE FOR CHRISTIAN CANDIDATES IN THE UPCOMING GENERAL ELECTIONS. REPORT BY EVEREST MWITUMBA FROM DAR ES SALAAM. (SWAHILI 10/19)

UGANDA / BURUNDI SOLDIERS -- THE BURUNDI GOVERNMENT HAS REQUESTED THE RETURN OF BURUNDIAN SOLDIERS RESIDING IN UGANDA WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE 1993 COUP ATTEMPT. LAWYERS FOR THE SOLDIERS ARE APPEALING THEIR REPATRIATION. REPORT BY STRINGER MICHAEL ARERENG. (SWAHILI 10/19)

ZANZIBAR / ELECTIONS -- STAFFER ABDUSHAKUR ABOUD SPOKE WITH MR. HAROUB OTHMAN, COORDINATOR OF AN NGO GROUP, ON THE LOGISTICAL PROBLEMS WITH, AND PREPARATIONS FOR, THE ELECTIONS IN ZANZIBAR THIS COMING SUNDAY. MR. OTHMAN WAS HOPEFUL THAT MOST PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AND THE ELECTIONS WILL PROCEED SMOOTHLY. (SWAHILI 10/19)

TANZANIA / ELECTIONS -- AT A PRESS CONFERENCE FRIDAY IN DAR ES SALAAM, NINE POLITICAL OPPOSITION PARTIES IN TANZANIA ANNOUNCED PLANS TO FIELD A CONSENSUS OPPOSITION CANDIDATE IN ORDER TO WIN THE UPCOMING GENERAL ELECTIONS IN MAINLAND TANZANIA. THE PARTIES SAY THEY COLLECTIVELY SUPPORT THE CUF PARTY IN ZANZIBAR. STRINGER PASCAL SHIJA REPORTS FROM DAR ES SALAAM. (SWAHILI 10/20)

KENYA / KENYATTA DAY CELEBRATIONS -- KENYA'S PRESIDENT DANIEL ARAP MOI ACCUSED TANZANIAN AND ZAMBIAN POLITICIANS OF TRIBALISM. MR. MOI, WAS ADDRESSING KENYANS DURING THE KENYATTA DAY CELEBRATION. STRINGER M G JOEL REPORTS FROM NAIROBI. (SWAHILI 10/20)

OAU / UN -- STAFFER ABDUSHAKUR ABOUD INTERVIEWED OAU'S SECRETARY GENERAL SALIM AHMED SALIM IN WASHINGTON. THE DISCUSSION FOCUSED ON THE POSSIBLE COOPERATIVE EFFORTS OF THE UN AND THE OAU. (SWAHILI 10/20)

SIERRA LEONE / HUNGER -- THE FRENCH AID GROUP ACTION INTERNATIONAL AGAINST HUNGER DESCRIBES THE FOOD SITUATION IN SOUTHERN SIERRA LEONE AS DISASTROUS, PARTLY AS A RESULT OF THE FOUR-YEAR-OLD CIVIL WAR. REPORTER KELVIN LEWIS SPOKE TO THE HEAD OF MISSION, FREDERICK MOUSSEAO. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/19)

RWANDA / TRIBUNAL REACTION -- THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL ON RWANDA HAS ANNOUNCED IT WILL ISSUE ITS FIRST INDICTMENT BY THE END OF THE YEAR. REPORTER JOE DECAPUA SPOKE WITH TRIBUNAL SPOKESMAN DONATO KINIGER-PASSIGLI IN THE HAGUE. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/20)

NIGERIA / HUMAN RIGHTS -- NIGERIA'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT SAYS IT HAS ISSUED A NEW DECREE SETTING UP A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION. HOWEVER, PRO-DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS SAY THE MOVE IS A CALCULATED EFFORT TO DIVERT ATTENTION FROM THE GOVERNMENT'S POOR HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD. REPORTER CHINEDU OFFOR HAS DETAILS FROM LAGOS. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/20)

ZAMBIA / KAUNDA -- ZAMBIA'S FORMER PRESIDENT, KENNETH KAUNDA, WAS EXPECTED TO REPORT TO THE POLICE STATION FRIDAY FOR QUESTIONING ABOUT HIS CITIZENSHIP. BUT POLICE TOLD MR. KAUNDA'S LAWYERS THEY WERE NOT GOING TO INTERROGATE THE FORMER PRESIDENT IN VIEW OF THURSDAY'S VIOLENCE IN LUSAKA. REPORTER KELLYS KAUNDA HAS DETAILS. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/19)

AFRICARE / AFRICAN LEADERS -- SEVEN AFRICAN HEADS OF STATE WERE HONORED THURSDAY NIGHT IN WASHINGTON FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY. REPORTER JAMES BUTTY WAS THERE AND HAS DETAILS. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/19)

CHRYSLER / SOUTH AFRICA -- AFTER A NEARLY 13 YEAR ABSENCE FROM SOUTH AFRICA, THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS ANNOUNCED IT WILL RETURN NEXT YEAR. REPORTER RODRICK MURRAY SPOKE TO CHRYSLER SPOKESMAN, MIKE ABERLICH. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/19)

AFRICA / BLINDNESS -- SIGHT SAVERS INTERNATIONAL IS A GROUP TRYING TO PROVIDE HELP AND EDUCATION TO AFRICANS ABOUT BLINDNESS. THE GROUP'S REGIONAL PROGRAM CONSULTANT, DR. M C CHIRAMBO, SPOKE WITH REPORTER RODRICK MURRAY. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/18)

MUSIC FEATURE / REGINA BELLE -- R&B SINGER REGINA BELL - BEST KNOWN FOR HER AWARD-WINNING POP DUET WITH PEABO BRYSON, A WHOLE NEW WORLD - HAS A NEW ALBUM. REPORTER VERLA WILEY INTERVIEWED HER AND PREPARED A FEATURE WITH VOICE INSERTS AND MUSIC. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/20)

INSIDE MIDEAST:

LEBANON / PRESIDENT / EXTENSION -- A MAJORITY OF THE LEBANESE PARLIAMENT APPROVED A BILL SUBMITTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO EXTEND THE TERM OF PRESIDENT HIRAWI FOR THREE MORE YEARS. STAFFER JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS. (ARABIC 10/19)

US / AMMAN SUMMIT -- ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE ROBERT PELLETREAU PRAISED THE AMMAN ECONOMIC SUMMIT AS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR OPENING THE DOOR TO INVESTMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST. STAFFER JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS. (ARABIC 10/19)

FAO / IRAQ / FOOD -- FAO HAS PUT A RECOMMENDATION TO THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL TO FREE FROZEN IRAQI ASSETS ABROAD TO HELP IRAQ FINANCE THE PURCHASE OF FOOD SUPPLY. STAFFER JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 10/19)

UN SANCTIONS / IRAQ -- THE IRAQI AMBASSADOR TO THE ARAB LEAGUE EXPLAINS THE IMPACT OF UN SANCTIONS ON THE IRAQI PEOPLE. STAFFER IMAN RAFI REPORTS FROM CAIRO. (ARABIC 10/19)

KABUL / CIVILIANS -- A FORMER AFGHAN DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION WHO JUST RETURNED TO CALIFORNIA FROM A TRIP TO AFGHANISTAN SAYS THE RESIDENTS OF KABUL ARE SICK AND TIRED OF THE FACTIONAL FIGHTING, AND WANT THE GOVERNMENT AND FACTIONAL LEADERS TO END THE DEVASTATING WAR. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER SPOZHMAI MAIWANDI, SEDIQ, WHO RUNS AN AFGHAN COMMUNITY RADIO IN SAN DIEGO, SAYS FOOD AND OTHER NECESSITIES ARE AVAILABLE IN KABUL BUT AT A VERY HIGH PRICE. (PASHTO, DARI 10/19)

JAMES BAKER / IRAN -- STAFFER MOHAMMAD RAZAVI ATTENDED A TALK BY FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE JAMES BAKER, AND WAS ABLE TO ASK SEVERAL QUESTIONS ON IRAN. THE FORMER SECRETARY SAID THAT HE SEES NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CLINTON AND BUSH POLICIES TOWARD IRAN. THE BUSH POLICY, SAID BAKER, WAS TO PUT INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE ON IRAN TO MODIFY ITS BEHAVIOR. AT THE SAME TIME, THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION, MADE IT CLEAR TO THE IRANIANS THAT IT WOULD BE WILLING TO TALK IN AN OFFICIAL AND OPEN FORUM. (FARSI 10/18)

MUSIC / IRAN -- THE FARSI SERVICE CONDUCTED A ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION ON THE ROLE OF MUSIC IN IRANIAN SOCIETY AND CULTURE BEFORE AND AFTER THE REVOLUTION OF 1979. FRIDAY'S GUESTS INCLUDED, CONDUCTOR AND MUSICOLOGIST, GOLNUSH KHALEGHI, AND MUSICOLOGIST DR MAHMOUD KHOSHNAM, FORMER EDITOR OF THE IRANIAN MAGAZINE, "MUSIC." STAFFER AHMAD BAHARLOO HOSTED THE PROGRAM. (FARSI 10/20)

INSIDE CENTRAL ASIA:

BUSINESSMAN KIDNAPPED IN BAKU -- STAFFER ALI B FARHOODI REPORTS THAT A LONDON-BASED, IRANIAN BORN BUSINESSMAN ALI TAVASOLI HAD BEEN KIDNAPPED BY IRANIAN AGENTS IN BAKU AND TAKEN TO IRAN. (FARSI 10/19)

INSIDE EAST ASIA:

CHINA / CORRUPTION -- TO STEM RAMPANT CORRUPTION, CHINA LAUNCHED AN ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN LAST YEAR. MANY OBSERVERS DO NOT BELIEVE THE CAMPAIGN CAN WEED OUT CORRUPTION. HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT INCREASED VIOLATIONS OF BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS RESULTING FROM ARBITRARY ARRESTS AND SUMMARY TRIALS AND SENTENCES IN THE CAMPAIGN. STAFFER QI FENG INTERVIEWS DR DALTAON WEST, PRESIDENT, US GLOBAL STRATEGY COUNCIL, CASEY KELSO, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, ROBERT DOWNEN, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, JEFFERSON WATERMAN INTERNATIONAL, AND LI YI, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, NINETIES MONTHLY, HONG KONG. (MANDARIN 10/20)

CHINA / LUCE SCHOLARS -- THREE LUCE FOUNDATION SCHOLARS WHO HAVE BEEN IN CHINA FOR A MONTH ON A ONE-YEAR ASSIGNMENT FOUND THAT CHINESE AND AMERICANS HAVE INACCURATE IDEAS OF EACH OTHER. INTERVIEWS WITH LUCE SCHOLARS MICHAEL DALBELLO, BEIJING UNIVERSITY, EDWARD RENWICK, CHONGQING, SICHUAN, AND AMIT SEVAK, FOREIGN AFFAIRS COLLEGE, BEIJING. (MANDARIN 10/20)

TAIWAN / REACTION TO JIANG ZEMIN'S SPEECH -- CHINESE LEADER JIANG ZEMIN RECENTLY EXPRESSED HIS DESIRE TO VISIT TAIWAN ANY TIME AS LONG AS TAIWAN'S PRESIDENT LEE TENG-HUI INVITED HIM. JIANG'S COMMENTS CAUSED QUITE A CONFUSION IN TAIWAN. SEVERAL DAYS AGO, CHINA'S OFFICIAL NEWS AGENCY DENOUNCED LEE TENG-HUI AS THE NUMBER ONE CRIMINAL TRYING TO MAKE TAIWAN AN INDEPENDENT STATE. STRINGER ZHANG YONGTAI IN TAIPEI INTERVIEWS ZHANG LINZHEN, TAIWAN UNIVERSITY, PROFESSOR CHEN YUJUN, TANKANG UNIVERSITY, AND PROFESSOR YANG KAIHUN, SOOCHOW UNIVERSITY. (MANDARIN 10/20)

CHINA BROADCASTERS / TAIWAN -- A RADIO BROADCASTING DELEGATION FROM MAINLAND CHINA VISITED TAIWAN SEVERAL DAYS AGO. THE HEAD OF THE DELEGATION EXPRESSED HOPE TO ENHANCE THE EXCHANGE PROGRAM BETWEEN MAINLAND AND TAIWAN. STAFFER TIEN KANGLIN IN TAIPEI INTERVIEWS AN JIANGLIN, HEAD OF MAINLAND DELEGATION, AND SONG SHIXUAN, CHAIR, CHINA BROADCASTING CORPORATION. (MANDARIN 10/20)

CHINA / HUMAN RIGHTS -- ON THE EVE OF JIANG ZEMIN'S ARRIVAL IN NEW YORK, TWELVE HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN ZHEJIANG PROVINCE MADE AN APPEAL TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF JAILED DISSIDENT WEI JINGSHENG. THE ACTIVISTS ACCUSED BEIJING OF GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, AND CALLED FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF CHINESE CITIZENS ACCORDING TO PRC CONSTITUTION. STAFFER RUOSI WU IN NEW YORK INTERVIEWS XIAO QIANG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA. (MANDARIN 10/20)

TAIWAN / MACAO / CIVIL AVIATION -- A TAIWAN-MACAO CIVIL AVIATION AGREEMENT HAS BEEN INITIALED WITH BOTH MAINLAND AND TAIWAN GOVERNMENTS INVOLVED IN THE NEGOTIATION. THE AGREEMENT WILL REMAIN EFFECTIVE AFTER CHINA'S TAKE-OVER OF THE PORTUGUESE COLONY. HOWEVER, AN OFFICIAL FROM TAIWAN'S TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY DENIED THAT THE AGREEMENT SIGNIFIES A DIRECT AIR LINK BETWEEN MAINLAND CHINA AND TAIWAN. STAFFER ZHANG YONGTAI IN TAIPEI INTERVIEWS CAI QINGYAN, DIRECTOR, TAIWAN CIVIL AVIATION BUREAU, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION. (MANDARIN 10/20)

HONG KONG / COMMERCE SECRETARY BROWN -- US COMMERCE SECRETARY RON BROWN ARRIVED IN HONG KONG AFTER HIS TWO-DAY VISIT TO BEIJING. BROWN SAID THAT THE UPCOMING MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND JIANG ZEMIN COULD REVERSE THE RECENT DOWNTURN IN RELATIONS BETWEEN THE US AND CHINA. OF CHINA'S TRADE PRACTICES, BROWN SAID CHINA HAS MOVED TOO SLOWLY IN IMPLEMENTING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF BUSINESS DEALS WITH US COMPANIES, AND SHOULD FURTHER OPEN ITS MARKET TO AMERICAN GOODS. STAFFER HE PING IN HONG KONG INTERVIEWS COMMERCE SECRETARY BROWN, JOHN NG, VICE PRESIDENT, ATT, AND FAN GANG, CHINA SOCIAL SCIENCE ACADEMY. (MANDARIN 10/19)

HONG KONG / DEMONSTRATION / CHEN ZIMING -- "THE ALLIANCE FOR SUPPORT OF THE DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT IN CHINA" DEMONSTRATED IN FRONT OF XINHUA NEWS AGENCY IN HONG KONG, AN OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. THE DEMONSTRATION WAS IN SUPPORT OF DISSIDENT CHEN ZIMING'S FAMILY IN BEIJING, WHO ASKED BEIJING AUTHORITIES TO ALLOW THEM TO DEMONSTRATE TO SHOW THEIR DESIRE TO HAVE CHEN RELEASED FROM PRISON AND RECEIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT. STAFFER CHOU YOUKANG IN HONG KONG INTERVIEWS SITU HUA, CHAIRMAN, ALLIANCE FOR SUPPORT OF THE DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT, AND LEGISLATORS LIU QIANSHI AND LI ZHUOREN. (MANDARIN 10/19)

CHINA / DISSIDENTS -- TWELVE ACTIVISTS IN ZHEJIANG PROVINCE ISSUED A LETTER OF APPEAL CALLING FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ALL CHINESE POLITICAL PRISONERS, REPORTS THE NEW YORK BASED GROUP HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA. BY QUOTING CHINA'S CONSTITUTION AND THE UN'S UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, THE ACTIVISTS CHALLENGED THE LEGALITY OF THE ARREST AND CONTINUED DETENTION OF DISSIDENTS WITHOUT TRIAL. MEANWHILE, THE FAMILIES OF DISSIDENTS CHEN ZIMING AND WANG DAN ARE CAMPAIGNING FOR THEIR RELEASE. STAFFERS QI FENG IN DC AND HE ZHICHENG IN BEIJING INTERVIEW WANG JINQING, SISTER OF DISSIDENT WANG DAN, AND XIAO QIANG, EXEC. CHAIRMAN, HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA. (MANDARIN 10/19)

CHINA / INTEREST RATES -- CHINA MAY LOWER INTEREST RATES FOR SAVINGS EARLY NEXT YEAR. TIGHT MONETARY POLICY HAS HELPED CHINA CONTROL THE INFLATION RATE, BUT TRIGGERED A RAPID INCREASE OF DEPOSITS AND DECLINE IN LOANS. ALMOST ALL COMMERCIAL BANKS HAVE SUFFERED LOSSES; MANY ENTERPRISES ARE IN URGENT NEED OF FUNDS FOR CONTINUED OPERATION. LOWERING INTEREST RATES IS BELIEVED TO BE THE BEST SOLUTION. STAFFER TIEN YE INTERVIEWS PROFESSOR HUANG WEIPING, BEIJING RENMIN UNIVERSITY, AND HUAN GUOCANG, VICE PRESIDENT, JP MORGAN. (MANDARIN 10/19)

TAIWAN / PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES -- TAIWAN'S NEW PARTY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE WANG JIAN-XUAN ASKED PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES LIN YANG-GANG AND CHEN LU-AN TO MAKE A COMBINED EFFORT IN COMPETING WITH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES FROM THE KMT AND DPP IN THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL RACE NEXT MARCH. STAFFER TIEN KANGLIN IN TAIPEI INTERVIEWS WANG JIANG-XUAN, WHO SAYS THE NEW PARTY OPPOSES TAIWAN INDEPENDENCE AND BELIEVES IN PEACEFUL REUNIFICATION OF THE MAINLAND AND TAIWAN. (MANDARIN 10/19)

HONG KONG LAWS TO BE OVERTURNED -- CHINESE OFFICIALS RAISED A STORM OF PROTEST IN HONG KONG BY ANNOUNCING CHINA WILL ABOLISH SIX LAWS REVISED IN RECENT YEARS BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO BRING THEM MORE IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS ON HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS. THE LAWS DEAL WITH FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION, RADIO AND TV CENSORSHIP, PUBLIC SECURITY AND EMERGENCY POWERS. GOVERNOR PATTEN, LEGISLATORS FROM MOST PARTIES INCLUDING THE PRO-BEIJING PARTY DAB, AND THE INDEPENDENT PRESS OPPOSED THE ANNOUNCEMENT. STRINGER LAWRENCE NG INTERVIEWED SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS NG WING FUI; DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEGISLATORS CHEUNG MAN KWONG AND CHENG PING LEUNG; DAB LEGISLATOR YIP KWOK HIM. (CANTONESE 10/18)

FORMER PRESIDENT / SECRET BANK ACCOUNTS -- THE SOUTH KOREAN GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THAT ITS PROSECUTORS WILL INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS THAT FORMER PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO HID 400 BILLION WON ($520 MILLION) IN ILLEGAL BANK ACCOUNTS WHILE HE WAS IN OFFICE FROM 1987 UNTIL EARLY 1993. THE ALLEGATIONS WERE MADE THURSDAY WITH EVIDENCE BY OPPOSITION LAWMAKER PARK KYE DONG DURING PARLIAMENTARY HEARINGS. PRIME MINISTER LEE HONG KOO AND OTHER CABINET MEMBERS INVOLVED DECIDED TO TAKE ACTION TO WIPE OUT PUBLIC SUSPICION ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS. CORRESPONDENT YONG KYUN LIM REPORTS THAT FORMER PRESIDENT ROH WAS QUOTED BY HIS AIDE AS SAYING THAT HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE SECRET ACCOUNTS. (KOREAN 10/20)

SOUTH KOREA / INFORMATION ON THE NORTH -- THE AGENCY FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AND PLANNING (NSP) SAID IT WILL GIVE BRIEFINGS ON THE LATEST SITUATION OF NORTH KOREA TO EXPERTS IN VARIOUS FIELDS ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTH KOREAN INTELLIGENCE AGENCY TOLD THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY THAT HIS AGENCY WILL PURSUE AN OPEN-DOOR POLICY IN REGARD TO INFORMATION ON NORTH KOREA. CORRESPONDENT YONG KYUN LIM REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 10/20)

SOUTH KOREA / INDEPENDENT DIPLOMACY -- SOUTH KOREAN RULING AND OPPOSITION LAWMAKERS URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO PURSUE FOREIGN POLICIES INDEPENDENT FROM INFLUENCES OF THE BIG POWERS SURROUNDING KOREA. SOME LAWMAKERS ASKED THE GOVERNMENT IF IT HAS PLANS TO DEVELOP NUCLEAR WEAPONS TO ASSURE A BALANCE OF POWER IN THE REGION. OTHERS ADVISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SAY NO TO THE U S. CORRESPONDENT YONG KYUN LIM REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 10/20)

INDONESIA / SCIENCE -- AN OFFICIAL OF LIPI, INDONESIA'S VERSION OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, ENDANG SRI HARTOMO, IS WINDING UP A MONTH-LONG TRIP TO THE UNITED STATES. SHE SPOKE WITH STAFFER LUDPHY ARGUBIE ABOUT HER VISITS TO WASHINGTON, CHICAGO, LAS VEGAS AND LOS ANGELES. (10/20)

HUMAN RIGHTS / UN ENVOY / BURMA -- AFTER HIS LATEST VISIT TO BURMA, UN HUMAN RIGHTS SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR YOZO YOKOTA SAID HE HAD OBSERVED SOME POSITIVE CHANGES, NOTABLY THE LIFTING OF RESTRICTIONS ON AUNG SAN SUU KYI. THE UN OFFICIAL ALSO NOTED HE HAD SEEN SOME ECONOMIC PROGRESS, WITH MARKETS FULL OF GOODS IN NORTHERN BURMA, THAT MIGHT INDICATE THAT THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE PEOPLE WAS IMPROVING. HE SAID, HOWEVER, HE IS STILL DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS AND CERTAIN CHANGES ARE YET TO BE SEEN. STRINGER MYINT ZAW LWIN IN RANGOON REPORTS THE UN ENVOY'S VISIT. (BURMESE 10/20)

BUDDHIST MONK / FUNERAL -- A SENIOR BUDDHIST MONK, THE MOST VENERABLE SHWEHINTHA SAYADAW -- HEAD OF ONE OF THE TWO MAJOR BUDDHIST SECTS IN BURMA -- PASSED AWAY RECENTLY, AT THE AGE OF 102, IN NORTHERN BURMA. THE MONK, WIDELY ACCLAIMED AS ONE OF EXEMPLARY MONKS, HAD A LARGE FOLLOWING BOTH IN PREDOMINANTLY BUDDHIST BURMA AND BURMESE COMMUNITIES ABROAD. STRINGER MYINT ZAW LWIN IN RANGOON REPORTS. (BURMESE 10/20)

AUNG SAN FOUNDATION -- STRINGER MYINT ZAW LWIN REPORTS ON AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AUNG SAN FOUNDATION TO IMPROVE THE SOCIAL, HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL WELFARE OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN BURMA. THE FOUNDATION IS IN HONOR OF SUU KYI'S FATHER, AUNG SAN, WHO AS THE LEADER OF THE COUNTRY'S STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE, BECAME A NATIONAL HERO. (BURMESE 10/20)

INSIDE EUROPE:

AMERICAN ENVOY / CROATIA -- CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN TOLD AMERICAN PEACE MEDIATOR RICHARD HOLBROOKE THAT CROATIA WILL NOT ENDANGER THE PEACE PROCESS BY TAKING MILITARY CONTROL OVER IT'S TERRITORY IN EASTERN SLAVONIA. STRINGER ?ZELJKO MATIC REPORTS FROM ZAGREB THE CROATIAN PRESIDENT HELD SEPARATE TALKS WITH SPECIAL RUSSIAN ENVOY IGOR IVANOV. (CROATIAN 10/19)

HOLBROOKE / SHATTUCK / TUDJMAN -- DURING THE TALKS WITH US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE R HOLBROOKE, CROATIAN PRESIDENT F TUDJMAN STRESSED THE NEED TO INCLUDE THE QUESTION OF EASTERN SLAVONIA IN THE FRAMEWORK OF PEACE TALKS ON BOSNIA TO BE HELD IN DAYTON, OHIO. AT THE SAME TIME, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS J SHATTUCK WARNED AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OF THE SERB MINORITY IN CROATIA. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 10/19)

AMERICAN DIPLOMAT / SERB WAR CRIMES -- US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN SHATTUCK DISCLOSED POSSIBLE NEW SERB WAR CRIMES COMMITTED DURING THE LATEST WAVE OF ETHNIC CLEANSING IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA. STRINGER ?ZELJKO MATIC SAYS THE US DIPLOMAT TOLD A NEWS CONFERENCE IN ZAGREB THAT MOST OF THOSE KILLED WERE IN SANSKI MOST AND BOSANSKI NOVI. (CROATIAN 10/19)

HOLBROOKE / MILOSEVIC -- AFTER TALKS WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT S MILOSEVIC, US ENVOY R HOLBROOKE SAID THAT THERE IS NO NEED FOR HIS RETURN TO THE BALKANS, ADDING THAT THE FORTHCOMING NEGOTIATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES WILL BE DIFFICULT. THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT ALSO MET WITH UN PEACE NEGOTIATOR T STOLTENBERG. STRINGER MILICA KUBUROVIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 10/19)

US ENVOY IN SERBIA -- US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE HELD TALKS IN BELGRADE WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. MR HOLBROOKE EXPRESSED HOPE THAT THE TALKS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN BY THE END OF THE MONTH IN DAYTON, OHIO WILL LEAD TO PEACE IN THE BALKANS. BELGRADE STRINGER JADRANKA KRONJA REPORTS. (CROATIAN 10/19)

BOSNIA CEASE-FIRE -- UNPROFOR REPORTS THAT THE CEASE-FIRE IN BOSNIA IS HOLDING. BUT, AS STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO, THE UNPROFOR GAVE THE GOVERNMENT TWENTY-FOUR HOURS TO ALLOW UN MONITORS INTO THE CRITICAL AREA OF NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA. (CROATIAN 10/19)

CEASE-FIRE / BOSNIA -- UNPROFOR OFFICIALS IN SARAJEVO SAY THE LATEST CEASEFIRE IN BOSNIA IS TAKING HOLD ON ALMOST ALL CONFRONTATION LINES. HOWEVER, THE WARRING SIDES ARE ACCUSING EACH OTHER OF SPORADIC FIGHTING IN THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY. STRINGER BORO KONTIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (SERBIAN 10/19)

GERMANY / BOSNIA -- GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL SAYS IT IS POSSIBLE THE SANCTIONS AGAINST SERBIA WILL BE EXTENDED. STRINGER IVICA LOVRIC IN BONN REPORTS THAT THE GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER ALSO CONDEMNED SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY SERBS, CROATS AND MUSLIMS. (CROATIAN 10/19)

US FORCES / BOSNIA -- WEST POINT PROFESSOR DON SNIDER PREDICTS THAT THE AMERICAN MILITARY MISSION TO BOSNIA WILL INCLUDE ONLY MONITORING OF BOSNIAN BORDERS, AND THAT IT WILL PRECLUDE HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS, AND DISARMAMENT. STAFFER DZENITA MEHIC INTERVIEWS PROFESSOR SNIDER ABOUT US MILITARY MISSION IN BOSNIA. (CROATIAN 10/19)

SEWEL / BOSNIAN FEDERATION -- GENERAL JOHN SEWEL, SPECIAL MILITARY ADVISER TO THE ALLIANCE BETWEEN BOSNIAN CROATS AND BOSNIACS, IS INTERVIEWED BY STAFFER DZEILANA PECANIN. HE ALSO TALKS ABOUT THE TRAINING OF THE BOSNIAN ARMY, AND THE GOAL TO REDUCE THE SERB HEAVY WEAPONRY. (CROATIAN 10/19)

KALVODA / CZECH POLITICS -- PRAGUE STRINGER ALENA KENCLOVA REPORTS ON A CAMPAIGN SPEECH BY CZECH VICE-PREMIER JAN KALVODA CRITICIZING PREMIER KLAUS AND OTHERS POLITICIANS FOR THEIR ALLEGED LACK OF SUPPORT FOR THE INTEGRATION OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC IN THE EUROPEAN UNION. WITHOUT NAMING NAMES, KALVODA SAID THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST INTEGRATION ARE PART OF SO-CALLED EURO-SCEPTICISM ESPOUSED MAINLY BY SOME BRITISH POLITICIANS, AND MAY HURT THE CHANCES OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC TO BECOME PART OF UNIFIED EUROPE. IT IS GENERALLY PERCEIVED THAT KALVODA? S SPEECH IS PART THE OF PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN, ALREADY UNDERWAY IN THE COUNTRY. (CZECH 10/17)

WORLD BANK / IMF / CZECH REPUBLIC -- STAFFER JARMILA M. CECH INTERVIEWS JIRI JONAS, ASSISTANT TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE WORLD BANK. THEY TALKED ABOUT THE RECENT ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WORLD BANK AND INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND IN WASHINGTON DC. BOTH INSTITUTIONS HAVE WELCOMED THE NEW CONVERTIBILITY OF CZECH CURRENCY. THE CZECH REPUBLIC HAS ALREADY REPAID ITS DEBTS TO IMF. HOWEVER, AS MR JONAS NOTED, THE NEW CROWN CONVERTIBILITY MAKES THE CZECH REPUBLIC MORE VULNERABLE TO FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC FLUCTUATIONS AND MAY NECESSITATE NEW IMF CREDITS IN THE FUTURE. (CZECH 10/19)

LATVIA / TRANSPORTATION -- THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION IN RIGA HAS UNVEILED AN AMBITIOUS TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM MODERNIZATION MASTER PLAN. STRINGER AIDIS TOMSONS REPORTS THE PLAN FORESEES THE FIRST PRIVATE HIGHWAYS AND FIRST TOLL ROADS IN LATVIA AND WILL REQUIRE EXTENSIVE INFUSIONS OF FOREIGN CAPITAL. MINISTER OF TRANSPORT GUTMANIS SPEAKS OPTIMISTICALLY ABOUT REVITALIZING THE RAILROADS. (LATVIAN 10/18)

SISTER CITIES -- STRINGER LAJOS BURGET INTERVIEWS THE CHIEF OF THE FOREIGN LIAISON OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF MISKOLC. THE INTERVIEW PROVIDES AN UPDATE ON THE SISTER CITIES PROGRAM BETWEEN CLEVELAND AND MISKOLC. (HUNGARIAN 10/18)

INSIDE EURASIA:

US / RUSSIA -- VLADIMIR NADEIN, WASHINGTON DC IZVESTIYA BUREAU CHIEF, DIMITRY SIMES, PRESIDENT OF THE NIXON CENTER FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM, LEON ARON OF THE AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE DISCUSS WITH STAFFER VLADIMIR MATLIN US-RUSSIAN RELATIONS ON THE EVE OF THE SUMMIT, PLUS THE POSSIBLE IMPACT ON US-RUSSIAN RELATIONS OF RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANDREY KOZYREV'S EXPECTED RESIGNATION (RUSSIAN 10/19)

US / RUSSIAN MEDICAL RESEARCH -- PATRICIA COCHRAN, FROM THE INSTITUTE FOR CIRCUMPOLAR HEALTH STUDIES IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA TALKS TO STAFFER GEORGE ZORIN ON COOPERATION IN MEDICAL RESEARCH BETWEEN ALASKA AND THE RUSSIAN FAR EAST. (RUSSIAN 10/19)

INSIDE LATIN AMERICA:

US / ARGENTINA'S VICE PRESIDENT -- VICE PRESIDENT OF ARGENTINA, CARLOS RUCKAUF, ON A VISIT TO WASHINGTON, HAS PROPOSED A PARLIAMENTARY INFORMATION HIGHWAY BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. STAFFER BETTY ENDARA REPORTS. MR RUCKAUF ALSO ADDRESSED THE OAS ABOUT TRADE INTEGRATION IN THE AMERICAS. (SPANISH 10/19)

ARGENTINA / ANTI-DRUG CZAR RESIGNS -- ALBERTO LESTELLE, CHIEF OF ARGENTINA'S ANTI-DRUG AGENCY RESIGNED UNDER PRESSURE AFTER ACCUSING MEMBER OF THE CONGRESS OF USING DRUGS BUT WAS UNABLE TO SUPPORT THE ALLEGATIONS. STRINGER GUSTAVO LEVENE REPORTS FROM BUENOS AIRES. (SPANISH 10/19)

NON ALIGNED / MEETING ENDS -- THE NON ALIGNED COUNTRIES SUMMIT IN CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA, ENDED AFTER DEBATING TWO CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES: CONDEMNATION OF NEO-INTERVENTION ACTS AND EFFORTS TO EXPAND THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL. STRINGER JUAN ALVARO CASTELLANOS REPORTS FROM BOGOTA. (SPANISH 10/19)

NICARAGUA / VICE PRESIDENT RESIGNATION -- VICE PRESIDENT VIRGILIO GODOY ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTION TO RESIGN THIS WEEK, IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO LAUNCH HIS CANDIDACY FOR THE PRESIDENCY IN NEXT GENERAL ELECTIONS IN NICARAGUA. STRINGER OSWALDO BONILLA REPORTS FROM MANAGUA. (SPANISH 10/19)

ROXANNE / GULF -- HURRICANE ROXANNE LOST STRENGTH TO BECOME A TROPICAL STORM AND THEN JUST A TROPICAL DEPRESSION IN THE GULF OF MEXICO, AFTER CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGES IN THREE COASTAL STATES IN MEXICO. CORRESPONDENT JORGE WEHBY REPORTS FROM MIAMI. (SPANISH 10/20) 20-Oct-95 8:07 PM EDT (0007 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America