Voice of America Digest, 9 February 1996

From: "Ioannis V. Bousnakis" <ivb19@nfi.com>

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] !!! VOA DIGEST - 2/8/96

CHINA / NUKE EXPORT -- CHINA SAYS REPORTS THAT IT HAS EXPORTED NUCLEAR WEAPONS TECHNOLOGY TO PAKISTAN ARE GROUNDLESS. CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER REPORTS FROM BEIJING, A FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAYS IT HAS COOPERATED ON NUCLEAR ENERGY PROJECTS WITH PAKISTAN. (2/8)

CHINA / TAIWAN / USA -- CHINA SAYS THE ONLY WAY FOR TENSIONS OVER TAIWAN TO SUBSIDE IS FOR TAIWAN'S LEADERS TO STOP SEEKING INDEPENDENCE AND FOR THE UNITED STATES TO STOP EXPORTING WEAPONS TO TAIWAN. CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER IN BEIJING REPORTS A CHINESE SPOKESMAN REPEATED BEIJING'S ASSERTION THAT TAIWAN IS PURELY AN INTERNAL CHINESE ISSUE. (2/8)

US / CHINA -- A SENIOR US OFFICIAL SAYS CHINA DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE PLANNING TO ATTACK TAIWAN, THOUGH BEIJING HAS REPORTEDLY THREATENED A MISSILE ASSAULT. SENATE CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN REPORTS. (2/7)

BOSNIA / WAR CRIMES -- THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS DEFENDED THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT'S CONTROVERSIAL DETENTION OF SERB OFFICERS ALLEGEDLY LINKED TO WAR CRIMES. IN REACTION TO THE DETENTION, THE SERB ARMY IS REPORTED TO HAVE BROKEN OFF ALL CONTACTS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS FROM VIENNA. (2/8)

US / BOSNIA PRISONERS -- A SENIOR US DIPLOMAT IS TRYING TO EXPEDITE A SOLUTION TO THE DISPUTE OVER THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT'S ARREST OF EIGHT BOSNIAN SERBS, INCLUDING TWO SENIOR MILITARY OFFICERS, IN CONNECTION WITH ALLEGED WAR CRIMES. THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE BOSNIAN SERBS' DECISION TO BREAK OFF CONTACTS WITH THE GOVERNMENT IS OVERREACTION. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS. (2/7)

NATO / BOSNIA MISSION -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' ERICA BENIS WITH THE HELP OF THREE NATO EXPERTS EXAMINES THE US EFFORTS TO TURN NATO INTO THE PREFERRED ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY IN EUROPE. THE NEW NATO, AS IT IS EMERGING FROM THE BOSNIA MISSION, WILL MOVE AWAY FROM TERRITORIAL DEFENSE, ITS MAIN MISSION IN THE PAST, TO ONE OF CRISIS MANAGEMENT. (2/8)

RUSSIA / CHECHNYA -- POLICE HAVE SEALED OFF THE CENTER OF THE CHECHEN CAPITAL, GROZNY, WHERE SUPPORTERS OF REBEL LEADER DZHOKHAR DUDAYEV ARE IN THE FIFTH DAY OF AN ANTI-RUSSIAN DEMONSTRATION. STRINGER PETER HEINLEIN IN MOSCOW REPORTS THE PROTESTORS HAVE ERECTED BARRICADES IN DEFIANCE OF A GOVERNMENT ORDER TO DISPERSE. (2/8)

POPE / CENTRAL AMERICA -- POPE JOHN PAUL HAS ARRIVED IN EL SALVADOR THE LAST STOP IN A TRIP TO THREE CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES. CORRESPONDENT BILL RODGERS REPORTS FROM SAN JOSE. (2/8)

POPE / EL SALVADOR -- POPE JOHN PAUL TRAVELS TO EL SALVADOR THURSDAY, HIS LAST STOP BEFORE LEAVING CENTRAL AMERICA FRIDAY FOR VENEZUELA. AS CORRESPONDENT BILL RODGERS REPORTS, THE POLISH BORN PONTIFF WILL FIND A DIVIDED CHURCH IN EL SALVADOR. (2/8)

POPE / CENTAM -- POPE JOHN PAUL SAYS NICARAGUA NOW ENJOYS PEACE AND FREEDOM, COMPARED TO THE LAST TIME HE VISITED THE CENTRAL AMERICAN NATION IN 1983. THE POPE MADE THE COMMENT WEDNESDAY AT AN OUTDOOR MASS IN THE NICARAGUAN CAPITAL. CENTRAL AMERICA CORRESPONDENT BILL RODGERS REPORTS FROM SAN JOSE. (2/7)

NAVY / DOMINICAN CRASH -- THE US NAVY IS SENDING ADVANCED UNDERSEA DETECTION EQUIPMENT TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TO TRY TO LOCATE WRECKAGE FROM THE CHARTER JETLINER WHICH CRASHED INTO THE OCEAN NORTH OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC LATE TUESDAY. THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE SEARCH WILL BE THE PLANE'S COCKPIT FLIGHT RECORDER. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS. (2/8)

IRAN / PAKISTAN -- HIGH-LEVEL CONSULTATIONS ON THE AFGHAN CONFLICT ARE UNDERWAY IN PAKISTAN. A KEY AFGHAN MILITARY LEADER IS HOLDING SEVERAL DAYS OF MEETINGS WITH PAKISTANI LEADERS IN ISLAMABAD, WHILE IRAN HAS JUST CONCLUDED A ROUND OF TALKS. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN IN ISLAMABAD REPORTS. (2/8)

CHILD LABOR / PAKISTAN -- IN THE STREETS OF PAKISTAN'S CAPITAL, ISLAMABAD, CHILDREN WORK IN CAR REPAIR SHOPS; ON BUSES AS CONDUCTORS; AND EVEN WITH TRAVELING ANIMAL SHOWS. THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE ESTIMATED TEN MILLION CHILD WORKERS IN THE COUNTRY. ISLAMABAD CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN VISITED A BRICK KILN WHERE SOME CHILDREN HAVE SPENT MUCH OF THEIR LIVES. (2/8)

BANGLADESH / ELECTIONS -- DIPLOMATS IN DHAKA, BANGLADESH HAVE BEEN WARNED TO STAY AWAY FROM DOWNTOWN AREAS, AMID CONCERNS OVER VIOLENCE LEADING TO PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS NEXT WEEK. CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL DRUDGE REPORTS FROM NEW DELHI. (2/8)

PREVAL SWORN IN -- HAITI'S PRESIDENT-ELECT RENE PREVAL TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE WEDNESDAY SUCCEEDING PRESIDENT JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE. HAITI'S NEW PRESIDENT FACES DIFFICULT CHALLENGES AS HE BEGINS HIS FIVE-YEAR TERM. CORRESPONDENT JIM TEEPLE REPORTS FROM HAITI. (2/7)

CLINTON / IRELAND -- PRESIDENT CLINTON MET WITH IRISH FOREIGN MINISTER DICK SPRING AT THE WHITE HOUSE THURSDAY TO DISCUSS THE STATUS OF THE PEACE PROCESS IN NORTHERN IRELAND. THE TWO MEN ARE EXPECTED TO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL OFFERED BY MR SPRING TO MODEL NORTHERN IRELAND TALKS AFTER LAST YEAR'S SUCCESSFUL PEACE TALKS ON BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE PREVIEWS THEIR MEETING. (2/7)

GERMANY / UNEMPLOYMENT -- GERMAN UNEMPLOYMENT HAS SURGED TO A NEW POST-WAR HIGH. CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING IN BONN REPORTS GERMAN OFFICIALS ARE BLAMING COLD WINTER WEATHER FOR PART OF THE INCREASE, BUT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE FALTERING ECONOMY IS ALSO TO BLAME. (2/8)

GERMANY / SALES -- THE UPPER HOUSE OF GERMANY'S PARLIAMENT, THE BUNDESRAT IS EXPECTED FRIDAY TO ENDORSE A GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL AIMED AT RELAXING WHAT IS ONE OF EUROPE'S MOST RESTRICTIVE LAWS ON SHOP CLOSING HOURS. CORRESPONDENT DAGMAR BREITENBACH IN BONN REPORTS MANY PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE THIRTY YEAR OLD LAW CHANGED. BUT OTHERS, MOST NOTABLY THE LABOR UNIONS ARE PUTTING UP A FIERCE FIGHT. (2/8)

BURUNDI / DIALOGUE -- A SENIOR BURUNDIAN DIPLOMAT IS APPEALING TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO SHUT DOWN A CLANDESTINE RADIO STATION BEING USED BY EXILED HUTU EXTREMISTS TO BROADCAST MESSAGES OF ETHNIC HATRED. EAST AFRICA CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTS FROM NAIROBI. (2/8)

SAF BUSINESS -- A SOUTH AFRICAN OFFICIAL VISITED WASHINGTON WEDNESDAY AS PART OF THE COUNTRY'S CAMPAIGN TO ATTRACT FOREIGN INVESTMENT. THE PREMIER OF GAUTENG PROVINCE MET WITH VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE. STAFFER SCOTT STEARNS REPORTS HE ALSO SPOKE AT A MEETING OF THE US / SOUTH AFRICA BUSINESS COUNCIL. (2/7)

CAMPAIGN '96 STATUS -- THE FIGHT FOR THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION MOVES INTO HIGH GEAR THIS WEEKEND AS ALL NINE REPUBLICAN CONTENDERS PREPARE FOR MONDAY'S PARTY CAUCUSES IN IOWA. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE HAS A PREVIEW OF THE IOWA VOTE IN HIS WEEKLY STATUS REPORT ON CAMPAIGN '96. (2/8)

UN / REFORM -- OBSERVANCES MARKING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED NATIONS FOCUSED UNPRECEDENTED INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION ON THE WORLD BODY, ITS SUCCESSES, FAILURES AND SHORTCOMINGS. STAFFER AMIN FEKRAT SPOKE WITH MADELINE ALBRIGHT, THE US AMBASSADOR TO THE UN, AND INALL BATU, A FORMER TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO THE UN, ABOUT THEIR HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD ORGANIZATION, AND TO WHAT EXTENT REFORMS ARE NEEDED. (2/8)

PEGGY FLEMING / STILL SKATING -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' KEMING KUO INTERVIEWED PEGGY FLEMING ABOUT HER CAREER AND TRENDS IN FIGURE SKATING. IT WAS 28 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH THAT MS. FLEMING WON THE GOLD MEDAL AT THE GRENOBLE, FRANCE, WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES, WHEN TRIPLE OR EVEN DOUBLE JUMPS WERE LESS A FACTOR IN COMPETITION THAN GRACE AND ARTISTRY. (2/8)

US / SNOWBOARDING -- A SPORT THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR SEVERAL YEARS IS REALLY TAKING OFF THIS WINTER. ACCORDING TO SOME ESTIMATES THE NUMBER OF SNOWBOARDERS IN THE US HAS REACHED 2 MILLION AND THE SPORT CAN BE LEARNED AT A GROWING NUMBER OF SNOWBOARD PARKS. CURRENT AFFAIRS' ZLATICA HOKE REPORTS. (2/8)

US / INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' JUDITH LATHAM REPORTS ON AN AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL WHERE STUDENTS CAN EARN AN INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA THAT PREPARES THEM FOR ADMISSION TO UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE WORLD. INCLUDES INTERVIEWS WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE PROGRAM AND STUDENTS WHOSE FAMILIES ARE FROM PAKISTAN AND BOLIVIA. (2/8) UNITED STATES OF POETRY / FROM STREET CORNER RAPPERS AND BEAT POETS TO COWBOYS AND CHEERLEADERS, A NEW TELEVISION PROGRAM AND RECORDING TAKES IN ALL VARIETIES OF POETRY IN THE UNITED STATES. CORRESPONDENT GREG FLAKUS REPORTS ON THE PROGRAM "THE UNITED STATES OF POETRY" FROM LOS ANGELES. (2/8)

INSIDE USA:

US MILITARY / TALK TO AMERICA -- LT COL MICHAEL LEE LANNING HAS WRITTEN A BOOK CALLED "SENSELESS SECRETS: THE FAILURES OF US MILITARY INTELLIGENCE FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON TO THE PRESENT." HE JOINS 'TALK TO AMERICA' ALONG WITH PROF THOMAS NICHOLS TO DISCUSS THE PAST OF THE US MILITARY INTELLIGENCE AND UNCOVER HIDDEN SECRETS. (ENGLISH 2/8)

AFGHAN / US / MOVIE -- THE FIRST FEATURE-LENGTH AFGHAN MOVIE MADE OUTSIDE AFGHANISTAN HAS BEEN RELEASED IN CALIFORNIA. QASEM TAREEN, THE SCREEN WRITER AND PRODUCER OF 'TOMORROW' TOLD STAFFER JALIL GHANI THAT ALL ACTORS IN THE MOVIE WERE AFGHAN IMMIGRANTS IN THE US. THE FILM TRACES THE LIFE OF YOUNG IMMIGRANTS IN A WESTERN ENVIRONMENT WHICH OFFERS THEM OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH IN THEIR OWN CULTURE. (DARI 2/8)

LOUISIANA CAUCUS -- REPORTER TERRY WING TALKS WITH LSU POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR WAYNE PARENT ABOUT THE RESULTS OF CAUCUSES, THE FIRST TEST FOR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES IN THIS ELECTION YEAR. HE SAYS THE BUCHANAN VICTORY WAS NO REAL SURPRISE. HE SAYS MR BUCHANAN PUT TOGETHER A FIRST RATE CAMPAIGN AND SPOKE TO THE ISSUES THAT STRUCK A CHORD WITH THE CONSERVATIVES IN THE STATE. HE SAYS DOLE WOULD HAVE RUN STRONG IF HE HAD ENTERED AND THAT COME NOVEMBER, HE FEELS LOUISIANA WILL GO TO CLINTON. (ENP 2/7)

TOURISM IN CALIFORNIA -- MORE THAN 400 DELEGATES ATTEND THE ANNUAL TOURISM CONFERENCE IN CALIFORNIA. CORRESPONDENT HECTOR VELAZQUEZ MEJIA REPORTS FROM LOS ANGELES. (SPANISH 2/7)

A LOOK AT VIET-AMERICAN MEDIA -- ORANGE COUNTY STRINGER NAM ANH TALKS WITH NGUYEN MAN, MANAGER OF THE FREE VIETNAM" TV AND NEWSPAPER OPERATIONS THERE ABOUT THE VARIETY OF VIETNAMESE-LANGUAGE PRINT MEDIA IN THIS COUNTRY. (VIETNAMESE 2/8)

INSIDE AFRICA:

NIGERIA / MENINGITIS -- AN EPIDEMIC OF CEREBRAL MENINGITIS THAT BEGAN IN NIGERIA AT THE START OF THE YEAR CONTINUES TO SPREAD. IT IS FEARED THAT THE DISEASE IS NOW APPEARING IN BURKINA FASO, NIGER, MALI, AND IVORY COAST. STRINGER MOHAMED ELBOU REPORTS FROM ABIDJAN. (FRENCH 2/8)

NIGERIA / MENINGITIS -- AN OUTBREAK OF CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THE FOUR NORTHERN NIGERIA STATES OF BAUCHI, KANO, JIGAWA AND NIGER, KILLING MANY PEOPLE. STRINGER BABANGIDA JIBRIL REPORTS ON THE EPIDEMIC AND STAFFER KABIRU FAGGE ASKED DR. NUDU SANI OF JIGAWA STATE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE TO CONFIRM AND EXPLAIN THE OUTBREAK. (HAUSA 2/7)

NIGERIA / ELECTIONS -- THE NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF NIGERIA HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE DATE SET FOR THE COUNTRY'S LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS IS MARCH 16. NOMINATION FORMS FOR THE ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO INTERESTED CANDIDATES CONTESTING THE POSTS OF CHAIRMEN AND COUNCILLORS. THE ELECTIONS WILL NOT BE PARTY-BASED. HAUSA CORRESPONDENT IN ABUJA, BABANGIDA JIBRIL, ASKED ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE NIGERIAN ELECTORAL COMMISSION, AMBASSADOR MAHMOOD YAHYA, TO EXPLAIN DETAILS OF THE ELECTIONS GUIDELINES. (HAUSA 2/7)

RWANDAN REFUGEES / REPATRIATION -- RWANDAN REFUGEES IN TWO CAMPS IN ZAIRE ARE SCHEDULED TO BE REPATRIATED THIS WEEKEND AND THEIR CAMPS CLOSED. STRINGER INTERVIEW WITH AWANA SOMBO-DIBELE OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE IN KINSHASA ON THE SUBJECT. (FRENCH 2/8)

GUINEA COUP / AFTERMATH -- THERE IS CONTINUED UNREST AMONG GUINEA'S POPULATION, FOLLOWING WHAT SEEMED TO BE AN APPARENT COUP BY GUINEA'S ARMY LAST WEEK, DESPITE AN REPORTED SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ARMY. FROM CONAKRY, INTERVIEW WITH POUNTCHOUNE DIALLO OF THE WEEKLY NEWSPAPER, L'INDEPENDANT. (FRENCH 2/8)

SIERRA LEONE / REBEL GROUP -- FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE HEAD OF SIERRA LEONE'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT HAS SPOKEN WITH THE LEADER OF THE REVOLUTIONARY UNITED FRONT REBELS. STRINGER KELVIN LEWIS REPORTS FROM FREETOWN. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 2/7)

BURUNDI / REBELS -- A BURUNDIAN REBEL GROUP, THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACY, DENIES ITS RADIO STATION IS SPREADING MESSAGES OF ETHNIC HATRED. REPORTER SHAKA SSALI SPOKE WITH THE GROUP'S REPRESENTATIVE TO NORTH AMERICA, JAQUES BACAMURWANKO. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 2/8)

SUDAN / OPPOSITION -- SUDAN'S POLITICAL OPPOSITION IS BUSY ON THE DIPLOMATIC FRONT, PORTRAYING ITSELF AS A CREDIBLE ALTERNATIVE IN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS. IN PARIS, REPORTER GEORGE OLA-DAVIS TALKED WITH THE OPPOSITION'S SPOKESMAN, MANSOUR KHALED. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 2/8)

CONGO / JAILED UNIONISTS -- IN THE CONGO, THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO QUASI-PRIVATIZE A NUMBER OF PUBLIC SECTOR INDUSTRIES CONTINUES TO DRAW STRONG PROTEST. THE TRIAL OF FOURTEEN UNION LEADERS ARRESTED FOR PROTEST STRIKES HAS BEEN SET FOR FEBRUARY 14TH. FROM BRAZZAVILLE, STRINGER ALAIN NGONGO REPORTS. (FRENCH 2/8)

ANGOLA / UN REPORT -- THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO RENEW THE PEACEKEEPING MANDATE FOR ANGOLA. UN SECRETARY GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS GHALI REQUESTED AN EXTENSION FOR SIX MONTHS BUT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL WILL ONLY AUTHORIZE AN EXTENSION OF THREE MONTHS. UNITA'S LEADERSHIP COULD NOT FULLFILL THE PROMISE OF QUARTERING ABOUT 16,500 SOLDIERS BY THE END OF DAY. STAFFER OVIDIO PEQUENO REPORTS. (PORTUGUESE 2/8)

ANGOLA / UN -- THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE IT WILL EXTEND THE MANDATE OF ITS PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN ANGOLA FOR ONLY THREE MONTHS. REPORTER LUISA PIETTE TALKED WITH US ANGOLA EXPERT PROFESSOR GERALD BENDER. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 2/7)

SOUTH AFRICA / ANGOLA AND NIGERIA -- THE PREMIER OF GAUTENG PROVINCE, TOKYO SEXWALE, DISCUSSED SOUTH AFRICA'S FOREIGN POLICY REGARDING ANGOLA AND NIGERIA. MR. SEXWALE SPOKE AT A MEETING OF THE US-SOUTH AFRICA BUSINESS COUNCIL. REPORTER SCOTT STEARNS HAS DETAILS. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 2/6)

SEYCHELLES / MONEY LAUNDERING -- INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES SAY A NEW INVESTMENT LAW IN THE SEYCHELLES COULD TURN THE COUNTRY INTO A HAVEN FOR MONEY LAUNDERERS. REPORTER WILLIAM EAGLE SPOKE WITH THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTY, ROGER MANCIENNE. THE REPORT ALSO INCLUDES MATERIAL FROM FAXED REBUTTALS FROM THE SEYCHELLES AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES, MARC MARENGO. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 2/8)

INSIDE MIDEAST:

AFGHAN / TALEBAN -- TALEBAN SPOKESMAN WAKIL AHMAD HAS REJECTED AHMAD SHAH MASSOUD'S ALLEGATION THAT THE TALEBAN ARE ATTACKING KABUL AGAIN. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER ZEBA ZAHER, WAKIL AHMAD SAID THE TALEBAN ARE IN DEFENSIVE POSITION, WHILE THE GOVERNMENT HAS GATHERED WEAPONS AND MEN IN KABUL FOR A OFFENSIVE AGAINST TALEBAN. WAKIL AHMAD SAID TALEBAN ARE WAITING FOR A SOLUTION THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS BUT THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T HOLD TO ITS PLEDGES FOR A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT AND IS PREPARING FOR A WAR. (PASHTO, DARI 2/8)

AFGHAN / POLITICAL -- A SPOKESMAN OF HEKMATYAR'S HEZBE ISLAMI CONFIRMS THAT TALKS ARE GOING ON BETWEEN HEZBE ISLAMI AND GOVERNMENT IN LAGHMAN PROVINCE. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER ZEBA ZAHER, QAREEBU RAHMAN SAEED SAYS HIS PARTY BELIEVES THE AFGHAN CONFLICT CANNOT BE SOLVED UNLESS PRESIDENT RABBANI TRANSFERS POWER TO A NEUTRAL MECHANISM. COMMENTING ON AHMAD SHAH MASSOU'D INTERVIEW WITH AFP, SAEED SAID MASSOUD IS NOT RIGHT WHEN HE SAYS THE GOVERNMENT IS FIGHTING ONLY TALEBAN AND THE OTHERS ARE NEGOTIATING. SAEED SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT SINCERE ABOUT NEGOTIATIONS AND ONLY WHEN IT COMES UNDER MILITARY PRESSURE BY ONE GROUP IT STARTS NEGOTIATING WITH OTHERS. (PASHTO, DARI 2/8)

AFGHAN / HEZBE WAHDAT -- A SPOKESMAN OF THE KHALILI BRANCH OF HEZBE WAHDAT SAYS THERE IS NOT WRITTEN AGREEMENT BETWEEN HEZBE WAHDAT AND THE GOVERNMENT. MOHAMMAD RASUL TALEB TOLD STAFFER ZEBA ZAHER THAT TALKS WERE HELD IN BAMIYAN BUT THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT AN AGREEMENT. IN A SEPARATE INTERVIEW AN OFFICIAL OF THE AFGHAN CONSULATE IN PESHAWAR SAID PRESIDENT RABBANI, AHMAD SHAH MASSOUD AND RASUL SAYAF ARE STANDING ON THEIR COMMITMENTS FOR A POLITICAL SOLUTION BUT FIRST THERE SHOULD BE AN AGREEMENT. (PASHTO, DARI 2/8)

IRAN / AFGHANISTAN -- IRANIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER ALLAUDDIN BUROJERDI HELD TALKS WITH AFGHAN LEADERS IN KABUL, JALALABAD AND PESHAWAR ON WAYS TO END THE CIVIL WAR IN AFGHANISTAN. STRINGER ABDUL HAI WARSHAN REPORTS THAT BEFORE LEAVING KABUL, THE IRANIAN OFFICIAL SPOKE ABOUT HIS PEACE MISSION IN A PRESS CONFERENCE. MR BUROJERDI SAID HIS GOVERNMENT TRIES TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS IN AFGHANISTAN THROUGH CONSULTATION WITH THE KABUL GOVERNMENT AND LEADERS OF THE OPPOSITION GROUPS WHICH DEMAND THE RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT RABBANI. (DARI, PASHTO 2/8)

BANGLA / UAE / CHILD LABOR -- THE HIGH COURT OF BANGLADESH HAS ORDERED THE GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH TO SUBMIT A REPORT WITHIN THREE WEEKS ON THE KIDNAPPING OF BANGLADESHI CHILDREN FOR USE AS JOCKEYS IN CAMEL RACES IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. STRINGER ZAHURUL ALAM REPORTS FROM DHAKA. (BANGLA 2/8)

INSIDE CENTRAL ASIA:

AZERBAIJAN / MTV -- IN CONNECTION WITH TELEPIRACY AND REBROADCASTING MTV'S PROGRAMS IN AZERBAIJAN, THE EUROPEAN DIRECTOR OF MTV, IAN RENWICK IS IN BAKU. STRINGER RAFAEL HUSAINOV INTERVIEWS HIM AND VAHID NAKHSH, DIRECTOR OF ANS TV, WHICH BROADCASTS MTV PROGRAMS. (AZERI 2/8)

INSIDE SOUTH ASIA:

BANGLADESH / VIOLENCE -- ON THE SECOND DAY OF PRIME MINISTER KHALIDA ZIA'S CAMPAIGN TRIP TO FENI, UNREST AND TENSION CONTINUE IN BANGLADESH. THERE WERE REPORTS OF CLASHES BETWEEN OPPOSITION AND THE GOVERNMENT PARTY ACTIVISTS. IN DHAKA, A COMMISSIONER OF THE DHAKA MUNICIPAL CORPORATION WAS SHOT AND KILLED THURSDAY ON HIS WAY HOME AFTER THE ASAR PRAYER. THE OPPOSITION BLAMED THE GOVERNMENT PARTY FOR THE KILLING, BUT IT IS NOT KNOWN WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE. STRINGER ZAHURUL ALAM REPORTS. (BANGLA 2/8)

DOSTUM / PAKISTAN -- THE LEADER OF THE AFGHAN NATIONAL ISLAMIC MOVEMENT, GENERAL ABDUL RASHID DOSTUM IS IN ISLAMABAD. STRINGER EKRAM SHINWARAI REPORTS THAT DOSTUM IS THE GUEST OF THE PAKISTAN GOVERNMENT AND WILL MEET WITH PRESIDENT LEGHARI, PRIME MINISTER BHUTTO, AND OTHER LEADERS. DOSTUM IS ALSO EXPECTED TO DISCUSS THE CURRENT SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN WITH OF THE US EMBASSY OFFICIALS WHO HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM KABUL, KANDAHAR, AND JALALABAD. (PASHTO, DARI 2/7)

INDIA / SCANDAL -- CONTINUATION OF SPECIAL INTERVIEWS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF MAJOR INDIAN POLITICAL PARTIES WHOSE LEADERS HAVE BEEN NAMED IN A MULTI MILLION DOLLAR BRIBERY SCANDAL. STAFFER BHAGWAN PRAKASH INTERVIEWS LALOO PRASAD YADAV, THE NEWLY APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF JANATA DAL, THE THIRD FORCE IN INDIAN POLITICS, AFTER THE CONGRESS PARTY AND BJP. STAFFER BHAGWAN PRAKASH HAS ALSO INTERVIEWED LEADERS OF BJP AND CONGRESS PARTY. (HINDI 2/7)

CHINA / PAK / NUKE -- THERE WAS QUICK AND WIDESPREAD REACTION IN INDIA TO THE NEWS REPORTS THAT CHINA ILLEGALLY TRANSFERRED NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY TO PAKISTAN WHICH CAN BE USED TO MAKE NUCLEAR WEAPONS. STRINGER VIKAY KRANTI REPORTS. (HINDI 2/7)

INDIAN YOUTH / SHOW BUSINESS -- WRITER DALIP SINGH DISCUSSES THE IMPACT ON YOUTH OF THE MAKE-BELIEVE WORLD OF HUNDREDS OF FILMS PRODUCED IN INDIA EACH YEAR AND THE MULTIPLYING POPULAR TELEVISION PROGRAMS. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER ASHOK SARIN, MR SINGH POINTS OUT THAT YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN INDIA ARE WATCHING THESE IN GREATER NUMBERS AND FREQUENCY. (HINDI 2/7)

INSIDE EAST ASIA:

TAIWAN / AIT / JAMES WOOD -- STRINGER JILL KU INTERVIEWS JAMES WOOD, THE NEWLY-APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN TAIWAN, WHO IS VISITING TAIWAN TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC AND TRADE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE US AND TAIWAN. (MANDARIN 2/7)

TAIWAN / GREATER CHINA ECONOMIC SPHERE -- ECONOMISTS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE TAIWAN STRAIT ARE GATHERING IN TAIWAN TO DISCUSS THE PROSPECT OF A "GREATER CHINA ECONOMIC SPHERE" WHICH INCLUDES MAINLAND CHINA, HONG KONG, TAIWAN AND IN THE FUTURE, POSSIBLY OTHER PLACES IN SOUTH EAST ASIA. TAIPEI STRINGER FAN DAOZHUANG INTERVIEWS ECONOMISTS ZHENG ZHUYUAN, GAO XIJUN, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, WU ANJIA, TAIWAN UNIVERSITY, AND THE DONG CHENGXIANG, DIRECTOR, DALIAN OFFICE OF TAIWAN AFFAIRS. (MANDARIN 2/7)

ARMS SALE / TAIWAN -- STAFFER WILLIAM CHIEN INTERVIEWS TERRY TAYLOR, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE LONDON INSTITUTE OF STRATEGIC STUDIES, WHO COMMENTS ON CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SHEN GUOFANG'S REMARK THAT THE US MUST STOP SELLING ADVANCED WEAPONS TO TAIWAN IF IT WANTS TO EASE THE TENSION IN TAIWAN STRAITS. TAYLOR ALSO COMMENTS ON THE RECENT SALE OF 150 F-16 FIGHTERS TO TAIWAN, CLINTON'S DECISION TO ALLOW SALE OF ADVANCED SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY TO CHINA, AND THE TAIWAN-CHINA ARMS RACE. (MANDARIN 2/8)

CHINA / RUSSIA / CENTRAL ASIA / COOPERATIVE TIES -- AS CHINA AND RUSSIA CONTINUE TO IMPROVE BILATERAL RELATIONS, BOTH BEIJING AND MOSCOW REALIZE THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR GOOD RELATIONS WITH WASHINGTON; AS A RESULT, BOTH ARE CIRCUMSPECT AS THEY APPROACH EACH OTHER. CHINA AND RUSSIA ALSO SEE ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM AS A THREAT TO THEIR INTERNAL STABILITY. STAFFER CHOU YUNTING INTERVIEWS PROFESSOR XU KUI, PRESIDENT OF THE CHINESE ASSOCIATION FOR EAST EUROPEAN, RUSSIAN & CENTRAL ASIAN STUDIES, AND PROFESSOR ROBERT ROSS OF BOSTON COLLEGE AND JOHN KING FAIRBANKS CENTER AT HARVARD. (MANDARIN 2/8)

TAIWAN / THREAT -- ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE WINSTON LORD TOLD A SENATE EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC SUBCOMMITTEE THAT NEITHER THE US NOR TAIWAN FEELS TAIWAN IS FACING IMMINENT MILITARY THREAT FROM THE MAINLAND. HE SAID TAIWAN IS FULLY CAPABLE OF PROTECTING ITS OWN SECURITY. THE US WILL CONTINUE ITS DIPLOMATIC EFFORT TO URGE FOR A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM, HE SAID. FORMER AMBASSADOR TO CHINA JAMES LILLEY AND OTHER OFFICIALS ALSO TESTIFIED. STAFFER SHEILA TANG COVERED THE HEARING. (CANTONESE 2/8)

SOARING TUITION WORRIES STUDENTS --THE EDUCATION SECRETARY OF HONG KONG ANNOUNCED A 20+ PERCENT INCREASE IN TUITION IN UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES. THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN SPENDING MORE THAN HK$10 BILLION PER YEAR ON EDUCATION AND STUDENT SUBSIDIES, HE SAID. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE WORRIED ABOUT REDUCED OPPORTUNITIES TO GO TO COLLEGE. STAFFER SHEILA TANG AND STRINGER LAWRENCE NG, INTERVIEW WITH CHEUNG BING LEUNG, LEGCO'S EDUCATION COMMISSION, AND MR. SONG, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STUDENTS UNION AT BAPTIST UNIVERSITY. (CANTONESE 2/8)

CHINA / TAIWAN / INDONESIA -- IN A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW WITH ZULKARNAIN TAJIBNAPIS, JUSUF WANANDI, AN INDONESIAN EXPERT ON CHINA, SPOKE ABOUT GROWING TENSIONS BETWEEN CHINA AND TAIWAN. DR.WANANDI, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IN JAKARTA, SAID CHINA'S MILITARY EXERCISES NEAR TAIWAN ARE INTENDED TO WARN PRESIDENT LEE TENG HUI THAT BEIJING WILL NOT TOLERATE TAIWAN'S DRIVE FOR MORE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION. (INDONESIAN 2/8)

INDONESIA / TIMOR -- NINE EAST TIMORESE ENTERED THE AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY COMPOUND IN JAKARTA. FROM INDONESIA, YENNI DJAHIDIN REPORTS. (INDONESIAN 2/8)

WINSTON LORD / KOREA -- AMBASSADOR WINSTON LORD SAID THAT CONTRARY TO REPORTS FROM SEOUL, THERE IS NO DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN SOUTH KOREA AND THE US ON THEIR POLICY APPROACH TOWARD PYONGYANG, IN GENERAL, AND THEIR ASSESSMENT OF THE FOOD SHORTAGE SITUATION IN NORTH KOREA, IN PARTICULAR. HE ALSO EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF DIALOGUE BETWEEN SOUTH AND NORTH KOREA AND SAID IMPROVED RELATIONS BETWEEN THE WASHINGTON AND PYONGYANG WILL DEPEND ON PROGRESS IN INTER-KOREAN RELATIONS. STAFFERS SI CHANG NOH AND IN-SOP HAN REPORT. (KOREAN 2/7)

VIETNAM / TAIWAN RELATIONS -- FROM BANGKOK CORRESPONDENT LE LAI REPORTS ON THE CURRENT STATE OF HANOI-TAIPEI RELATIONS. THEY THRIVE; TAIWAN REMAINS THE SINGLE LARGEST FOREIGN INVESTOR IN THE SRV. (VIETNAMESE 2/8)

THAILAND / REFUGEE CAMPS -- REPORTER SUSAN YACKEE SPEAKS WITH DR DANIEL CITRON ABOUT HIS TOUR IN A THAILAND REFUGEE CAMP WITH DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS. DR CITRON SAYS CONDITIONS WERE FAIRLY GOOD UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT PULLED OUT ALL BUT ESSENTIAL SERVICES. HE SAYS THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF CONCERN ABOUT POSSIBLE FORCED REPATRIATION TO VIETNAM AND LAOS. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 2/7)

INSIDE EUROPE:

BOSNIA / WAR CRIMES / ARRESTS -- THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL SUPPORTS THE BOSNIAN-HERZEGOVINA GOVERNMENT IN ITS DETENTION OF TWO BOSNIAN SERB OFFICERS THIS WEEK. WHILE SOME OBSERVERS SPECULATE THAT DISCORD OVER THE ARRESTS COULD BECOME AN OBSTACLE TO FURTHER PROGRESS ON THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD, TRIBUNAL SPOKESMAN CHRISTIAN CHARTIER TOLD REPORTER CHARLENE PORTER THAT THERE CAN BE NO PEACE WITHOUT JUSTICE. (ENGLISH 2/8)

WAR CRIMES / BOSNIA -- THE INTERNATIONAL COURT FOR WAR CRIMES IN THE HAGUE HAS CALLED ON THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TO KEEP BOSNIAN SERB GENERAL DORDJE DJUKIC AND COLONEL ALEKSA KRSMANOVIC IN CUSTODY UNTIL THE INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN WAR CRIMES IS VERIFIED. STRINGER DRAGAN BLAGOJEVIC REPORTS FORM BRUSSELS. (SERBIAN 2/7)

WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL / BOSNIA -- RICHARD GOLDSTONE, THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL FOR WAR CRIMES IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA HAS ASKED FOR THE CONTINUED DETENTION OF TWO BOSNIAN SERB OFFICERS ARRESTED BY BOSNIAN AUTHORITIES. STRINGER LADA STIPIC NIZETEO REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE. (CROATIAN 2/7)

IFOR / BOSNIAN SERBS -- AFTER BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT DETAINED SEVERAL MEMBERS OF BOSNIAN SERBS ARMY, IFOR COMMANDERS HOLD PERMANENT CONTACTS WITH SERBIAN LEADERS. STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS THAT THIS EFFORT IS AIMED AT EASING THE TENSION BETWEEN SERBS AND THE GOVERNMENT. (CROATIAN 2/7)

SERB / ARRESTS -- BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS DECIDED TO CUT OFF THEIR RELATIONS WITH THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE BOSNIAN-CROAT FEDERATION UNTIL A GROUP OF DETAINED SERB OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS IS RELEASED. THEY CLAIM THAT THE ARRESTS AMOUNT TO A VIOLATION OF THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENTS. STRINGER MILICA KUBUROVIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 2/7)

YUGOSLAVIA / WAR CRIMES -- OPINION IN YUGOSLAVIA IS DIVIDED ON THE MISSION OF INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL FOR WAR CRIMES IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. STRINGER JADRANKA KRONJA REPORTS THAT YUGOSLAVS LEARNED FOR THE FIRST TIME ABOUT THEIR GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO COOPERATE WITH THE TRIBUNAL DURING THE BRIEF VISIT BY US SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER LAST WEEK. (CROATIAN 2/7)

BOSNIAN SERBS / VOGOSCA FACTORY -- BOSNIAN SERBS CUT SHORT THE VISIT OF THE UN COORDINATOR FOR SARAJEVO, WILLIAM EAGLETON, TO THE METAL FACTORY UNIS IN THE SARAJEVO SUBURB OF VOGOSCA. THE BOSNIAN SERBS INSIST THAT BEFORE MARCH NINETEENTH NOBODY IS AUTHORIZED TO VISIT THE FACTORY. STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (CROATIAN 2/8)

NATO / BOSNIA -- NATO AMBASSADORS EXPRESSED SATISFACTION OVER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT OF BOSNIA. STRINGER LADA STIPIC NIZETEO REPORTS FORM BRUSSELS THAT THE AMBASSADORS ALSO EXPRESSED THEIR HOPE THAT AGREEMENT ON EASTERN SLAVONIA, THE REGION OF CROATIA STILL UNDER SERBIAN CONTROL, WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AS SCHEDULED. (CROATIAN 2/7)

IFOR / BOSNIA -- IFOR REPRESENTATIVE IN SARAJEVO, US GENERAL WILLIAM CARTER EXPRESSED CONCERN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT, FOLLOWING THE DECISION BY BOSNIAN SERBS TO BREAK OFF RELATIONS WITH THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT. IN MOSTAR, BOSNIAN CROATS STAGED A DEMONSTRATION BECAUSE OF A DECISION BY EU ADMINISTRATOR HANS KOSCHNIK TO ADD A NEW DISTRICT TO THE CITY. STRINGER BORO KONTIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (SERBIAN 2/7)

BOSNIAN CROATS / MOSTAR -- BOSNIAN CROATS HAVE OBJECTED TO THE DIVISION OF THE CITY OF MOSTAR INTO SIX COMMUNITIES, CLAIMING THAT SUCH A DECISION VIOLATES THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. BOSNIAN CROATS AUTHORITIES INTRODUCED CURFEW IN WESTERN PART OF THE CITY. STRINGER LINDA MILISA REPORTS. (CROATIAN 2/8)

KOSCHNIK / MOSTAR -- A DECISION BY EU ADMINISTRATOR OF MOSTAR, HANS KOSCHNIK ABOUT THE FUTURE MAP OF THE CITY EVOKED BITTER REACTIONS FROM CROAT OFFICIALS. IN PROTEST, THEY IMMEDIATELY CANCELLED ALL CONTACTS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 2/7)

GERMANY / CROATIA -- THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF ITS MILITARY PLANES IN SURVEILLANCE MISSIONS OVER THE EASTERN SLAVONIA. STRINGER IVICA LOVRIC REPORTS FROM BONN THAT THE DECISION IS STILL TO BE APPROVED BY GERMAN PARLIAMENT ON FRIDAY. (CROATIAN 2/7)

UN / CROATIA -- THE SPECIAL UN ENVOY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, ELIZABETH REHN HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE IN ZAGREB. STRINGER ZELJKO MATIC SAYS MS REHN REVEALED THAT TERRIBLE CONDITIONS EXIST IN THE REFUGEE CAMP OF KUPLJENSKO, WHICH IS STILL HOME FOR MORE THEN TWENTY THOUSAND REBEL MUSLIMS. (CROATIAN 2/7)

AMERICAN EMBASSY / CROATIA -- THE AMERICAN EMBASSY IN ZAGREB HAS DENIED CROATIAN NEWSPAPER REPORTS THAT PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON PERSONALLY INFLUENCED THE DECISION TO REPLACE MIROSLAV TUDJMAN AS HEAD OF THE CROATIAN NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION AGENCY. STRINGER ZELJKO MATIC REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (CROATIAN 2/8)

PESIC / SERBIA -- VESNA PESIC, THE LEADER OF THE SERBIAN CIVIC ALLIANCE TALKS ABOUT THE SITUATION IN SERBIA WITH STRINGER DUSKO MASIC. MRS PESIC BELIEVES THAT NOTHING POSITIVE CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED IN SERBIA AS LONG AS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC STAYS IN POWER. (SERBIAN 2/7)

BOSNIA WAR CRIMES -- REPORTER TERRY WING TALKS WITH BALKANS EXPERT DAN NELSON ABOUT THE SLOW PACE OF GETTING THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL GOING. FIFTY SIX PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INDICTED, ONE IS IN CUSTODY, AND WITH NATO WITHDRAWAL LIKELY WITHIN A YEAR, HE SAYS IT'S CRITICAL TO GET THINGS GOING NOW. THERE MUST BE FUNDS TO TRACK DOWN THOSE WHO ARE INDICTED AND FUNDS GET THE TRIBUNAL ON THE TASK OF PROSECUTING AND SENTENCING THOSE WHO ARE GUILTY. UNLESS IT HAPPENS SOON, HE SAYS, WE RISK A PEACEFUL FUTURE IN THE BALKANS. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAM 2/7)

SREBENICA -- THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS BELIEVES THAT SOME THREE THOUSAND MUSLIMS, MISSING FROM SREBENICA SINCE LAST JULY, WERE KILLED BY BOSNIAN SERBS. FRENCH TO AFRICA STAFFER SPOKE WITH ICRC SPOKESMAN TONY BURGENER IN GENEVA. (FRENCH 2/8)

INSIDE EURASIA:

CHECHNYA / DEMONSTRATIONS -- DESPITE THE THREAT OF THE PRO-RUSSIAN LEADERSHIP IN CHECHNYA, HUNDREDS OF CHECHENS CONTINUED THEIR DEMONSTRATIONS AT THE PRESIDENT PALACE IN GROZNY. MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT ALEC BATCHAN REPORTS. (RUSSIAN 2/7)

RUSSIA / ECONOMY -- RUSSIAN ECONOMICS MINISTER EVGENIY YASSIN AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM IN DAVOS, SWITZERLAND, GAVE A GLOOMY FORECAST FOR THE SOLUTION TO THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CRISIS IN RUSSIA. STAFFER GEORGE ZORIN REPORTS. (RUSSIAN 2/7)

RUSSIA / ECONOMY -- OPIC PRESIDENT RUTH HARKIN TALKS TO STAFFER GEORGE ZORIN ABOUT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN RUSSIA. HAVING THE RIGHT PARTNER, SHE SAYS, MEANS SMOOTH SAILING IN RUSSIA. (RUSSIAN 2/8)

INSIDE LATIN AMERICA:

GUATEMALA / ECHOES TO POPE'S MESSAGE -- GUERRILLA GROUPS IN GUATEMALA, REACTING TO A PEACE MESSAGE FROM POPE JOHN PAUL II, URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO FULLY COMPLY WITH PEACE ACCORDS ALREADY AGREED. STRINGER DIETER ERLANGER REPORTS. (SPANISH 2/7)

NICARAGUA / POPE -- POPE JOHN PAUL II, DURING A ONE-DAY VISIT TO NICARAGUA, BROUGHT A MESSAGE OF PEACE AND RECONCILIATION TO THE DIVIDED NICARAGUAN SOCIETY. STRINGER OSWALDO BONILLA REPORTS FROM MANAGUA. (SPANISH 2/7)

LATIN AMERICA / HUMAN RIGHTS -- OAS SECRETARY GENERAL CESAR GAVIRIA SAID DURING AN ACADEMIC FORUM IN MIAMI THAT LATIN AMERICAN MILITARY NEEDS A FIRM POLICY TO AVOID HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES. CORRESPONDENT JORGE WEHBY REPORTS FROM MIAMI. (SPANISH 2/7)

IRAQI OIL / WORLD MARKETS -- THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF APPARENT PROGRESS IN TALKS TO ALLOW IRAQ TO RESUME ITS OIL SALES IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS CAUSES WORRIES TO OTHER OIL PRODUCERS, SEVERAL OF THEM IN LATIN AMERICA. CORRESPONDENT LUIS TAMAYO REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (SPANISH 2/7)

HAITI -- A SPECIAL REPORT ON THE CHALLENGES FACING HAITI'S NEW PRESIDENT RENE PREVAL. INTERVIEWS INCLUDE RAYMOND JOSEPH, PUBLISHER OF THE WEEKLY NEWSPAPER, "HAITI OBSERVATEUR"; RADIO METROPOLE JOURNALIST, CLARENCE RENOIS; DIRECTOR OF THE CIVIL PROGRAM OF THE THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE, SANDY SHUSTER AND AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL'S JOSE LUIS HERERO. (FRENCH 2/8)

MICHAEL JACKSON / BRAZIL -- A RIO DE JANEIRO JUDGE WHO ORDERED THAT FILMING FOR A VIDEOCLIP FEATURING POP STAR MICHAL JACKSON BE SUSPENDED FOR 20 DAYS HAS REDUCED THE EMBARGO TO FIVE DAYS. MICHAEL JACKSON AND MOVIE DIRECTOR SPIKE LEE WILL WORK ON A PRODUCTION OF A VIDEO IN A RIO SLUM, DONA MARTA. ANA GUEDES TALKED WITH REGINA COELI, NEWS DIRECTOR OF RADIO ALVORADA OF BRAZIL ON THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE VIDEOCLIP. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 2/8) 08-Feb-96 5:07 PM EST (2207 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America