Voice of America, 10 May 1996

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From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>

CONTENTS

[01] !!! VOA DIGEST - MAY 9, 1996

[02] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[03] U-S / TURKEY TORTURE (L-ONLY) BY ERIN BRUMMETT (WASHINGTON)

[04] BOSNIA FEDERATION BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[05] BOSNIA SITREP (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[06] BOSNIA SITREP (S) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[01] !!! VOA DIGEST - MAY 9, 1996

INDIA / ELECTION -- INDIAN ELECTION RESULTS SHOW THE RULING CONGRESS PARTY IS LOSING ITS CONTROL OF PARLIAMENT. HOWEVER, NO OTHER PARTY IS DOMINATING THE VOTE COUNT. CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL DRUDGE REPORTED FROM NEW DELHI. (5/9)

INDIA ELECT / WINNERS AND LOSERS -- VOTE COUNTING IN INDIA'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS CONTINUES, AND THE FINAL RESULTS ARE EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND. CORRESPONDENT RAVI KHANNA IN NEW DELHI LOOKED AT THE PROMINENT WINNERS AND LOSERS, SOME ARE SURPRISES AND SOME ARE NOT. (5/9)

CHINA / US TRADE -- CHINA HAS RESPONDED TO THE THREAT OF US SANCTIONS WITH THREATS OF ITS OWN. AS BEIJING CORRESPONDENT STEPHANIE HO REPORTS, THE DISPUTE IS OVER CHINA'S ENFORCEMENT OF THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF AMERICAN MUSIC, VIDEOS AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE. (5/9)

CONGRESS / CHINA -- CHINA IS GETTING TRADE WARNINGS FROM BOTH THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE US CONGRESS. A BILL HAS BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT CALLS ON THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON BEIJING. CORRESPONDENT PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS. (5/8)

YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES -- AT THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIAL IN THE HAGUE, A BRITISH HISTORIAN HAS TESTIFIED THAT THE CONFLICT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WAS NOT A CIVIL WAR. THE HISTORIAN TESTIFIED AS A WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION IN THE CASE AGAINST BOSNIAN SERB DUSAN TADIC, A FORMER CAFE OWNER. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS. (5/9)

WAR CRIMES TRIAL / BOSNIAN -- THE FIRST BOSNIAN MUSLIM TO APPEAR BEFORE THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS PLEADED INNOCENT TO THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM. STRINGER GILLIAN SHARPE IN THE HAGUE REPORTS THE SUSPECT, ZEJNIL DELALIC, WAS A MILITARY COMMANDER IN CENTRAL BOSNIA AND IS HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF HIS SUBORDINATES AT A PRISON CAMP, INCLUDING MURDER, RAPE, AND TORTURE. (5/9)

YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES -- THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS BEGUN HEARING THE PROSECUTION EVIDENCE IN THE CASE AGAINST BOSNIA SERB DUSAN TADIC, ACCUSED OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. MEANWHILE, THE TRIBUNAL HAS ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT A BOSNIAN MUSLIM, ARRESTED IN GERMANY ON SUSPICION OF WAR CRIMES, HAS ARRIVED AT THE UN DETENTION CENTER IN THE HAGUE. STRINGER GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS. (5/8)

HONG KONG / US -- HONG KONG GOVERNOR CHRIS PATTEN HAS HELD A SURPRISE MEETING WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON AT THE WHITE HOUSE THURSDAY TO URGE HIM NOT TO REVOKE CHINA'S TRADE PRIVILEGES WITH THE UNITED STATES. CORRESPONDENT DAVID DYAR REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON. (5/9)

CLINTON / STEPHANOPOULOS -- PRESIDENT CLINTON IS MEETING WITH VISITING GREEK PRESIDENT CONSTANTINOS STEPHANOPOULOS AT THE WHITE HOUSE TO DISCUSS A VARIETY OF SUBJECTS, INCLUDING GREEK-TURKISH TENSION. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS THE GREEK PRESIDENT RECEIVED A WARM WELCOME AT THE WHITE HOUSE. (5/9)

RUSSIA / VICTORY DAY -- RUSSIA HAS STAGED AN OLD-FASHIONED MILITARY PARADE ON RED SQUARE TO OBSERVE THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE WORLD WAR II ALLIED VICTORY IN EUROPE. STRINGER PETER HEINLEIN IN MOSCOW REPORTS THE EVENT WAS FILLED WITH ELECTION-SEASON SYMBOLISM. (5/9)

US / BRITISH EXERCISE -- THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN ARE CONDUCTING THEIR LARGEST SET OF JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES SINCE THE GULF WAR OFF THE US ATLANTIC COAST. AIR, NAVAL, AND GROUND FORCES OF THE TWO NATO COUNTRIES ARE TAKING PART IN A MILITARY SCENARIO REMINISCENT OF THE 1991 CAMPAIGN THAT ROUTED IRAQ'S ARMY FROM KUWAIT. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST HAD DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON. (5/9)

CAMBODIA / SOUTH KOREA -- THE CAMBODIAN GOVERNMENT HAS SIGNALED IT WILL END A TWENTY-YEAR DIPLOMATIC GAP WITH SOUTH KOREA BY ANNOUNCING THAT THE TWO COUNTRIES WILL ESTABLISH RELATIONS AT THE MISSION LEVEL. STRINGER TRICIA FITZGERALD REPORTS FROM PHNOM PENH. (5/9)

ASEAN / SECURITY MEETINGS -- OFFICIALS OF THE ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM, A TWO-YEAR-OLD SECURITY GROUPING SPONSORED BY SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES, ARE MEETING IN INDONESIA. THE TALKS ARE PART OF PREPARATIONS FOR THE ANNUAL ARF MEETING IN JAKARTA THIS JULY. FROM JAKARTA, CORRESPONDENT DAN ROBINSON REPORTS A TOP US OFFICIAL IS IN INDONESIA FOR PREPARATORY TALKS. (5/9)

US / ISRAEL -- SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER MET WITH ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER EHUD BARAK TO DISCUSS WIDER US-ISRAEL DEFENSE TIES AS WELL AS THE MONITORING FORCE THAT WILL OBSERVE THE CEASE-FIRE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND LEBANON. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS. (5/8)

SAF POLITICS -- THE LEADER OF SOUTH AFRICA'S NATIONAL PARTY, F W DE KLERK HAS PULLED HIS PARTY OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY A DAY AFTER THE ADOPTION OF THE COUNTRY'S NEW CONSTITUTION. CORESPONDENT DELIA ROBERTSON IN CAPE TOWN REPORTS THE DECISION EFFECTIVELY ENDS MULTI-PARTY RULE IN THE COUNTRY. (5/9)

UGANDA / VOTE -- UGANDANS APPEAR TO HAVE TURNED OUT IN LARGE NUMBERS TO VOTE IN THE COUNTRY'S FIRST-EVER DIRECT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF VIOLENCE OR SERIOUS IRREGULARITIES DURING THE VOTING ALTHOUGH SOME DELAYS OCCURRED AND TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS INTERRUPTED THE PROCESS AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS. EAST AFRICA CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTS FROM KAMPALA. (5/9)

LIBERIA / PEACE TALKS -- WEST AFRICAN LEADERS HAVE DECLINED TO ATTEND EMERGENCY PEACE TALKS IN ACCRA AIMED AT FINDING A SOLUTION TO LIBERIA'S CRISIS. THE BREAKDOWN IN THE TALKS COMES AMID CONTINUED VIOLENCE IN THE LIBERIAN CAPITAL, MONROVIA DESPITE CALLS FOR A CEASE-FIRE. CORRESPONDENT PURNELL MURDOCK REPORTS. (5/8)

LIBERIA / MOOSE -- FACTIONAL FIGHTING CONTINUED WEDNESDAY IN LIBERIA'S CAPITAL DESPITE A DECLARED CEASE-FIRE BY REBEL LEADER CHARLES TAYLOR. WEST AFRICAN FOREIGN MINISTERS MET IN GHANA'S CAPITAL FOR TALKS AIMED AT RESTORING PEACE IN LIBERIA. ALTHOUGH ONLY ONE PRESIDENT SHOWED UP FOR A PLANNED SUMMIT OF REGIONAL HEADS OF STATE, THE SENIOR US DIPLOMAT FOR AFRICA SAYS THE ACCRA TALKS ARE MAKING PROGRESS. STRINGER SCOTT STEARNS REPORTS. (5/8)

MARZUK EXTRADITION -- A FEDERAL COURT JUDGE IN NEW YORK HAS RULED THAT MOUSA ABU MARZUK, THE HEAD OF THE POLITICAL BUREAU OF THE MILITANT PALESTINIAN GROUP, HAMAS, CAN BE EXTRADITED TO ISRAEL. CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS. (5/8)

CLINTON / POLITICS -- PRESIDENT CLINTON IS APPEALING TO SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADERS TO END PARTISAN GRIDLOCK, AND ABANDON WHAT HE CALLS THEIR STRATEGY OF VETO. THE APPEALS PROMPTED A PARTISAN EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND PRESUMPTIVE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BOB DOLE. CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS. (5/8)

INDONESIA / SNAPSHOTS -- RECENTLY A NUMBER OF EVENTS HAVE CAPTURED THE ATTENTION OF PEOPLE IN INDONESIA. THE SUDDEN DEATH TWO-WEEKS AGO OF THE WIFE OF LONG-SERVING PRESIDENT SUHARTO CONTINUES TO FUEL SPECULATION ABOUT HIS FUTURE PLANS. CORRESPONDENT DAN ROBINSON REPORTS THE BIGGEST HEADLINES CAME WITH THE SENTENCING OF A PROMINENT CRITIC OF THE GOVERNMENT AND A PRISON ESCAPE. (5/9)

SCIENCE TODAY / AIDS COFACTOR -- US GOVERNMENT SCIENTISTS SAY THEY HAVE DISCOVERED A CHEMICAL CLUE TO WHY THE AIDS VIRUS HIV IS INFECTIOUS. IN THEIR REPORT IN THE JOURNAL 'SCIENCE' THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED A LONG SOUGHT MOLECULE WHICH HELPS HIV ATTACK AND WEAKEN THE HUMAN IMMUNE SYSTEM. SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT DAVID MCALARY REPORTS THE DISCOVERY COULD BE A STEP TOWARD DEVELOPING DRUGS TO INTERFERE WITH THE MOLECULE'S ACTION AND BLOCK THE VIRUS. (5/9)

ATLANTA 96: SWIMMER GARY HALL JR -- HE DRIVES AROUND IN A VOLKSWAGEN MICROBUS, DREAMED OF FOLLOWING THE GRATEFUL DEAD MUSIC GROUP AROUND THE COUNTRY, WEARS 1970'S-ISSUE LEISURE SUITS AND PLAYS BASS GUITAR. HE MIGHT ALSO BE THE UNITED STATES' BEST HOPE FOR A GOLD MEDAL IN THE SWIMMING SPRINT RACES, THE FIFTY AND ONE HUNDRED METER FREESTYLE. STAFFER DAVID BYRD PROFILES GARY HALL JUNIOR. (5/9)

HONG KONG FILM -- IT COULD BE THE PERFECT SETTING FOR A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE: EAST MEETS WEST, TWO COUNTRIES WITH CONTRASTING CULTURES FIND COMMON GROUND. BUT AS STAFFER SARAH TOMS REPORTS FROM HONG KONG, ALTHOUGH THE STYLE OF ASIAN FILMS MAY BE INFLUENCING US MOTION PICTURES, THERE IS SOME QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER THE TWO MOVIE CAPITALS WILL EVER HAVE MUCH IN COMMON. (5/9)

CHINA / TAIWAN RELATIONS -- WHEN US SENATOR CRAIG THOMAS TALKED WITH CHINESE PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN DURING HIS RECENT VISIT TO BEIJING, JIANG QUOTED AN ANCIENT CHINESE POEM TO ILLUSTRATE THE CURRENT CHINA-TAIWAN SITUATION. HOWEVER, THE POEM WAS MISQUOTED BY ASIAN NEWSPAPERS. THE MISTRANSLATION PROVOKED A DISCUSSION AMONG CHINA OBSERVERS ON WHETHER THERE IS 'RAIN' OR 'SUNSHINE' OVER THE TAIWAN STRAIT. CURRENT AFFAIRS' FEI WANG REPORTS. (5/9)

OLDER AMERICANS / LEARNING IN RETIREMENT -- AN INCREASING NUMBER OF OLDER PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES ARE RE-ENTERING CLASSROOMS TO STUDY A WIDE VARIETY OF SUBJECTS. CURRENT AFFAIRS' MARILYN SILVEY REPORTS ON THE GROWING MOVEMENT OF 'LEARNING IN RETIREMENT INSTITUTES,' RUN FOR AND BY OLDER ADULTS. (5/9)

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AWARD -- THREE EUROPEAN SCIENTISTS (FROM DENMARK, SWITZERLAND AND FRANCE) RECEIVED THIS YEAR'S TYLER PRIZE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, WHICH IS ADMINISTERED BY USC IN LOS ANGELES. ONE OF THEM, WILLI DASGAARD OF DENMARK, BEGAN STUDYING ICE CORE SAMPLES FROM ANCIENT GLACIERS AS FAR BACK AS THE 1950'S TO INVESTIGATE HOW CLIMATE HAS CHANGED OVER THE MILLENNIA. CORRESPONDENT GREG FLAKUS SPOKE WITH THE SCIENTISTS IN OUR LOS ANGELES STUDIO. (5/9)

PEACE CORPS FELLOWS PROGRAM AT COLUMBIA TEACHERS COLLEGE -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' JUDITH LATHAM REPORTS ON A PROGRAM THAT ENABLES RETURNED PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS TO EARN A GRADUATE DEGREE IN EDUCATION AND QUALIFY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL CERTIFICATION WHILE THEY TEACH FULL TIME IN INNER CITY SCHOOLS. (5/9)

FOUNDATION FOR A CIVIL SOCIETY -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' JUDITH LATHAM REPORTS ON A NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION THAT WAS FOUNDED BY THE WIFE OF THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR TO CZECHOSLOVAKIA IN THE WAKE OF THE 'VELVET REVOLUTION.' THE FOUNDATION'S PROJECT ON JUSTICE IN TIMES OF TRANSITION, WHICH BEGAN AT THE REQUEST OF PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVEL, HELPS STATES EMERGING FROM REPRESSION OR CONFLICT TO ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE ACROSS NATIONAL, ETHNIC, AND IDEOLOGICAL BOUNDARIES. (5/9)

BOOK WORLD -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' DAN NOBLE REVIEWS A BOOK BY ROBERT M. GATES, A FORMER CIA DIRECTOR AND AUTHOR OF 'FROM THE SHADOWS: THE ULTIMATE INSIDER'S STORY OF FIVE PRESIDENTS AND HOW THEY WON THE COLD WAR.' (5/9)

ACROSS AMERICA / UNION STOCK YARDS -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' TED LANDPHAIR RECALLS THE HALCYON DAYS OF "CHICAGO'S PRIDE," THE GIANT, 172-HECTARE UNION STOCKYARDS, WHERE ONCE, 25-THOUSAND MEN AND WOMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS SLAUGHTERED 14 MILLION HOGS, CATTLE, AND SHEEP A YEAR. THE VAST YARDS ARE COMPLETELY GONE NOW, SAVE FOR THEIR ARCHED STONE GATEWAY. (5/9)

GOD HAS 99 NAMES -- JUDITH MILLER HAS BEEN COVERING THE MIDDLE EAST FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES SINCE THE 1970S. SHE WAS THE NEWSPAPER'S CAIRO BUREAU CHIEF AND REPORTED ON THE GULF WAR. MS. MILLER DRAWS ON HER 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN A COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY SURVEY OF THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN SECULARISM AND RESURGENT ISLAM IN HER BOOK, 'GOD HAS NINETY-NINE NAMES: REPORTING FROM A MILITANT MIDDLE EAST.' SHE SPEAKS WITH CURRENT AFFAIRS' DAN NOBLE. (5/9)

BOOK WORLD -- THE MYTH IS THAT FAMILIES WITH A BREADWINNER DAD AND HOMEMAKER MOM ARE BEST. THE FACT IS THAT THE MIDDLE CLASS TWO-INCOME COUPLE IN WHICH BOTH PARTNERS ARE WORKING FULL TIME ENJOYS GOOD MENTAL HEALTH AND CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR CHILDREN. CURRENT AFFAIRS' JANE HUGHES TALKS TO ROSALIND BARNETT, AN AUTHOR OF 'SHE WORKS/HE WORKS' A BOOK THAT COUNTERS GUILT-PRODUCING HYPE WITH SOLID DATA. (5/9)

INSIDE USA:

LOS ANGELES / AIR POLLUTION -- A STUDY BY THE COUNCIL FOR NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE SAYS LOS ANGELES IS THE FIRST US CITY IN PREMATURE DEATH CAUSED BY ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION. CORRESPONDENT HECTOR VELAZQUEZ MEJIA REPORTS. (SPANISH 5/8)

OLYMPICS / WEATHER -- WEATHER FORECASTERS WILL USE NEW TECHNIQUES TO HELP OLYMPIC ORGANIZERS SCHEDULE OLYMPIC EVENTS, ACCORDING TO NICK VISTA OF THE ATLANTA ORGANIZING COMMITTEE. HE TOLD ZULKARNAIN TAJIBNAPIS THAT, BECAUSE OF ANTICIPATED HEAT AND HUMIDITY, THE MEN'S MARATHON WILL BE HELD IN THE MORNING, NOT THE AFTERNOON. (INDONESIAN 5/8)

AMERICAN BESTSELLER -- JAN MIKOS, SLAVIC LANGUAGES PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, MILWAUKEE TALKS ABOUT 'QUO VADIS,' A NOVEL BY POLISH NOBEL PRIZE LAUREATE HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ, PUBLISHED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE US IN 1896. IT HAS SOLD SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND COPIES. INTERVIEW BY STAFFER JAROSLAW ANDERS. (POLISH 5/8)

CANCER RESEARCH -- STAFFER HAIDAR SAMADANI TALKS WITH UCLA CANCER RESEARCHER DR HABIB FAKHRAI, WHOSE WORK WAS FEATURED RECENTLY ON CBS NEWS. (FARSI 5/9)

TIME MANAGEMENT -- STEPHAN RECHTSCHAFFEN IS THE FOUNDER OF THE OMEGA INSTITUTE OF HOLISTIC HEALTH, AND AUTHOR OF THE NEW BOOK 'TIME SHIFTING.' HE JOINS 'TALK TO AMERICA' TO DEMONSTRATE HOW TO MAKE DAILY LIFE LESS HECTIC BY REASSESSING TIME. (ENGLISH 5/9)

US / ARMENIAN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA -- STRINGER MARIAM TER-GRIGORIAN REPORTS ON THE CONCERT PERFORMED BY ARMENIA'S PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA IN LOS ANGELES. THE ORCHESTRA WAS LED BY ARMENIAN-AMERICAN CONDUCTOR, LORIS CHGNAVORIAN AT THE PASADENA CIVIC AUDITORIUM. MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED MUSICIANS PARTICIPATED. (ARMENIAN 5/10)

WRITER PUBLISHER DIES -- STAFFER ABBASS MALAYERI FEATURES AN OBITUARY FOR IRANIAN WRITER AND PUBLISHER ALI ASGHAR MOHAJER, WHO DIED IN THE US THIS WEEK. MOHAJER WAS THE FOUNDER OF THE FRANKLIN PRESS IN TEHRAN, WHICH WITH USIA ASSISTANCE, TRANSLATED INTO FARSI AND PUBLISHED FOREIGN, PRIMARILY AMERICAN, BOOKS. (FARSI 5/9)

IRANIAN ACTOR -- STAFFER MOHAMMAD RAZAVI INTERVIEWS ACTOR AND SINGER REZA RUIDAD, WHO IS VISITING THE US FROM TEHRAN. (FARSI 5/9)

SAUDI POET -- STAFFER HESHMAT MOBASHER FEATURES THE WORK OF THE SAUDI POET, PRINCE ABDULLAH FAISAL, AND INCLUDES A POEM RECITED AND SUNG BY THE LATE EGYPTIAN SINGER, UM KULSUM. (FARSI 5/9)

INSIDE AFRICA:

LIBERIA / FIGHTING -- STRINGER MOHAMED ELBOU REPORTS THAT THE CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY IN ACCRA, GHANA BETWEEN LIBERIA'S WARRING FACTION LEADERS AND CEDEAO NEGOTIATORS HAS BEEN CANCELLED. PEACE TALKS DID NOT GET UNDER WAY AS WARRING LEADERS REFUSED TO TRAVEL TO THE CONFERENCE. MEANWHILE, FIGHTING IN THE LIBERIAN CAPITAL MONROVIA IS INTENSIFYING. (FRENCH 5/8)

LIBERIA / ECOMOG -- STRINGER ABDULMALIK DANBIRNI, REPORTS THAT THE SUMMIT MEETING IN ACCRA TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE LIBERIA CRISIS WAS NOT HELD DUE TO THE FAILURE OF ECOWAS LEADERS TO ATTEND. (HAUSA 5/8)

ECOWAS / SUMMIT -- THE SUMMIT MEETING TO BE HELD IN ACCRA ON THE LIBERIAN CRISIS APPARENTLY NEVER GOT UNDERWAY. THE SUMMIT WAS TO HAVE FOLLOWED A WEST AFRICAN FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING. HOWEVER, MOST HEADS OF STATE FAILED TO ATTEND. REPORTER RICHARD KOTEY CONTACTED LIBERIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER MOMOLU SIRLEAF AND ASKED HIM TO CHARACTERIZE THE FATE OF THE SUMMIT. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 5/8)

LIBERIA / SUMMIT -- THE ECOWAS SUMMIT ON LIBERIA WAS NOT BE HELD IN ACCRA BECAUSE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS FAILED TO ATTEND. REPORTER RICHARD KOTEY SPOKE WITH NIGERIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TOM IKIMI FROM ACCRA. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 5/8)

MONROVIA FIGHTING / INDIANS -- TWO INDIAN RESIDENTS IN MONROVIA DESCRIBE THE THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY AS FACTIONAL FIGHTING AGAIN FLARED UP IN THE LIBERIAN CAPITAL. MOST OF THE NEARLY FIVE HUNDRED INDIANS IN MONROVIA HAVE ALREADY LEFT THE CITY. HEMANT JI AND KARAM CHANDANI, TWO OF THE HANDFUL OF INDIANS STILL IN MONROVIA, PRAISED THE US EMBASSY FOR HELPING EVACUATE MEMBERS OF THE INDIAN COMMUNITY. REPORTER BHAGWAN PRAKASH INTERVIEWS THE TWO INDIANS. (HINDI 5/8)

ICRC / REFUGEES -- THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE SAID TO BE FLEEING THE MASISI AND RUTSHURU REGIONS OF EASTERN ZAIRE AND TRYING TO SEEK REFUGE IN RWANDA. STAFFER IDRISSA FALL ASKED JOSUE ANSELMO, SPOKESPERSON OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS IN BUJUMBURA, FOR DETAILS ON THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION. (FRENCH 5/8)

ZAIRE / DISPLACED PEOPLE -- THE NUMBER OF DISPLACED PEOPLE IN EASTERN ZAIRE HAS INCREASED DRASTICALLY IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS DUE TO ETHNIC STRIFE IN THE REGION. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS (ICRC) SAYS IT'S HAVING DIFFICULTIES IN ASSISTING DISPLACED FAMILIES. REPORTER LUISA PIETTE INTERVIEWS JOSUE ANSELMO, THE HEAD OF THE ICRC DELEGATION IN KIGALI. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 5/8)

UGANDA / ELECTIONS -- ON THE FINAL DAY BEFORE ELECTIONS, THE NATIONAL DEBATE BETWEEN CANDIDATES WAS CANCELLED. ABOUT EIGHT MILLION PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO CAST BALLOTS. SECURITY IS THE MAJOR CONCERN DURING AND AFTER THE ELECTIONS. STRINGER MIKE ARERENG REPORTS FROM KAMPALA. (SWAHILI 5/8)

UGANDA / PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE -- MANY UGANDANS CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN THEIR FIRST EVER PRESIDENTIAL POLL, BUT SOME IN THE OPPOSITION ARE ALREADY ALLEGING THE GOVERNMENT IS RIGGING THE VOTE. TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE ELECTION, REPORTER SHAKA SSALI SPOKE WITH OPPOSITION PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MUHAMED MAYANJA FROM KAMPALA. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 5/9)

NIGERIA / HIGH COURT -- PROMINENT NIGERIAN POLITICAL PRISONER, M K O ABIOLA HAS BEEN SUMMONED TO APPEAR BEFORE ABUJA HIGH COURT ON FRIDAY. JUSTICE CRISTOPHER SALLAU SAID THAT ABIOLA SHOULD BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO CLARIFY THE DISPUTE BETWEEN HIS DEFENSE TEAMS OF ROTIMI WILLIAMS AND CHIEF AJAYI. STRINGER BABANGIDA JIBIRIL REPORTS. (HAUSA 5/8)

NIGERIA / CAMEROON -- THE SPOKESMAN OF THE NIGERIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GENERAL FRED CHIJUKA, SAID THAT SEVENTEEN NIGERIAN SOLDIERS WERE HOSPITALIZED IN THE CITY OF CALABAR TUESDAY AFTER CAMEROONIAN AIR, NAVAL AND GROUND FORCES ALLEGEDLY ATTACKED NIGERIAN TROOPS IN THE BAKASSI PENINSULA. IN A STATEMENT IN LAGOS BRIG. CHIJUKA SAID THAT ALL CIVILIANS WERE ORDERED TO EVACUATE THE REGION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. HEAVY FIGHTING WAS REPORTED TUESDAY BETWEEN NIGERIA AND CAMEROONIAN FORCES IN THE DISPUTED PENINSULA. STRINGER AHMED MOHAMMED KWALAM REPORTS FROM LAGOS. (HAUSA 5/8)

NIGERIA / SULTAN -- THE MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR OF SOKOTO STATE, COLONEL YAKUBU MU'AZU, SAYS THE PANEL SET UP TO LOOK INTO THE STATE COUNCIL OF CHIEF'S FINANCES, IS NOT A WITCH-HUNT OF DEPOSED SULTAN IBRAHIM DASUKI. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STRINGER SANI ABDULLAHI, THE MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR SAID IT WAS ROUTINE TO INVESTIGATE FINANCES OF PUBLIC OFFICES AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF THOSE WHO HELD THE OFFICE IN ORDER TO LEAVE A CLEAN-SLATE FOR THOSE TAKING ON THE NEW RESPONSIBILITY. THE FAMILY OF THE DEPOSED SULTAN OF SOKOTO HAS INDICATED THAT THEY ACCEPT THE DECISION OF THE NIGERIA'S GOVERNMENT TO REPLACE ALHAJI IBRAHIM DASUKI WITH MUHAMADU MACCIDO. IN ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT, THE POLICE IN SOKOTO ARE NOT COMMENTING ON REPORTS THAT THE SULTAN'S PALACE WAS VANDALIZED SHORTLY AFTER DASUKI LEFT. (HAUSA 5/9)

SOUTH AFRICA / RAND -- THE NATIONAL PARTY HAS DECIDED TO QUIT THE COALITION GOVERNMENT. THE MOVE HAS CAUSED A SEVERE BATTERING OF THE RAND CURRENCY. FOR AN ANALYSIS, REPORTER JOE DECAPUA SPOKE WITH DAVID SHIPIRO, JOINT MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FRANKEL-POLLAK STOCKBROKERS IN JOHANNESBURG. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 5/9)

SAF / CONSTITUTION -- REPORTER TERRY WING SPEAKS TO TIM SISK OF THE US INSTITUTE OF PEACE ABOUT THE NEW SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTITUTION AND WHAT KIND OF IMPLICATIONS DISSENTING VOICES IN THE NATIONAL PARTY AND INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY MAY HAVE ON THE COUNTRY IN THE FUTURE. (ENP 5/8)

SAF / CONSTITUTION -- STAFFER MAHAMAT AHMAT ADAMOU REPORTS ON THE ADOPTION OF A NEW SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTITUTION. THE REPORT INCLUDED ACTUALITIES FROM SOUTH AFRICA'S PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA. MR ADAMOU INTERVIEWED EMMANUEL LAFFONT, A FRENCH-BORN CATHOLIC PRIEST WHO HAS LIVED IN SOUTH AFRICA FOR MANY YEARS, AND TALKED ABOUT LIVING IN SOWETO DURING THE APARTHEID AND THE CHANGES THE NEW CONSTITUTION IS FINALLY MAKING OFFICIAL. FATHER LAFFONT SAID THE CONSTITUTION IS THE CULMINATION OF THE STRUGGLE AND WILL OF THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICAN TO DO AWAY WITH APARTHEID. (FRENCH 5/8)

ZANZIBAR / FRANCE AID -- FRANCE ANNOUNCED ITS DECISION TO SUSPEND AID TO ZANZIBAR BECAUSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES. SUBSEQUENTLY FOURTEEN OTHER NATIONS ANNOUNCED SIMILAR DECISIONS DUE TO THE DETERIORATING HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN ZANZIBAR SINCE THE ELECTIONS LAST OCTOBER. STRINGER PASCAL SHIJA REPORTS FROM DAR ES SALAAM. (SWAHILI 5/8)

ZANZIBAR / CUF REACT -- STAFFER ABDUSHAKUR ABOUD SPOKE WITH SEIF SHARIF HAMADI, SECRETARY GENERAL OF CUF IN LONDON. HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF ZANZIBAR IS INTIMIDATING THE OPPOSITION BECAUSE THE CUF REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTIONS. MR HAMADI SAYS THAT HIS PARTY IS READY FOR NEGOTIATIONS, BUT ALSO STATED THAT FORMER TANZANIAN PRESIDENT NYERERE COULD PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS. (SWAHILI 5/8)

NIGER / ELECTION -- STRINGER LAWAL BUCKAR REPORTS THAT THE COUNTRY'S ELECTORAL COMMISSION IS FACING SERIOUS FINANCIAL CONSTRAINS. THE COMMISSION IS CALLING ON THE DONOR NATIONS TO SPEED UP PROMISED ASSISTANCE, OTHERWISE THE NATIONAL ELECTIONS MAY NOT TAKE PLACE AS SCHEDULED. (HAUSA 5/8)

ETHIOPIA / AMERICAN INVESTMENT -- AN AMERICAN INVESTORS' DELEGATION HAS TALKED WITH ETHIOPIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, MEMBERS OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND PRIVATE ENTREPRENEURS IN ADDIS ABABA. THE SPOKESPERSON OF THE CORPORATE COUNCIL FOR AFRICA, AN ADVOCACY GROUP WHICH ORGANIZED THE TRIP, SAID THAT THE DISCUSSION WENT VERY WELL AND THE PROSPECT OF INVESTMENT IN ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA SEEMS TO BE VERY ATTRACTIVE. STRINGER TAFESSE KIFLE REPORTS. (AMHARIC 5/8)

ETHIOPIA / TRIAL -- THE TRIAL OF FORMER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS INCLUDING MENGISTU HAILE MARIAM CONTINUES IN ADDIS ABABA. ANOTHER PRISON GUARD TOOK THE WITNESS STAND THURSDAY. HE TOLD OF SEEING THE MASS BURIAL OF ALL FIFTY NINE OFFICIALS EXECUTED IN THE PRISON COMPOUND. STRINGER TAFESSE KIFLE REPORTS FROM ADDIS ABABA. (AMHARIC 5/9)

INSIDE CENTRAL ASIA:

AZERBAIJAN / WORLD WAR II -- ON THE OCCASION OF THE FIFTY FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WORLD WAR II, STRINGER RAFAEL HUSAINOV INTERVIEWS THE VETERAN AZERBAIJANI NOVELIST AND WRITER HUSAIN ABBASZADEH. HE WAS WOUNDED IN GERMANY AND HAD RETURNED TO BAKU WHERE HE HEARD THE NEWS THAT THE WAR HAS ENDED. (AZERI 5/9)

KURDISH CONFERENCE IN RUSSIA -- STAFFER KHALAF ZEBARI TALKED WITH PARTICIPANTS OF THE CONFERENCE OF KURDS OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION, HELD NEAR MOSCOW, AND WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE RED KURDISTAN GROUP, WEKIL MISTEFA. THE CONFERENCE IS CALLING ON BOTH KDP AND PUK LEADERS IN IRAQI KURDISTAN TO FORM A KURDISH UMBRELLA GROUP AND EXPLORE WAYS TO RESTORE THE TERRITORY OF LACHIN BETWEEN ARMENIA AND NAGORNO-KARABAKH IN AZERBAIJAN TO ITS ORGINAL KURDISH INHABITANTS. A NEWLY ESTABLISHED COMMITTEE WILL ASK FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE OLD AUTONOMOUS REGION OF RED KURDISTAN. (KURDISH 5/8, 5/9)

INSIDE SOUTH ASIA:

INDIA / ELECTIONS -- THE EARLY RESULTS STARTED TO TRICKLE IN AS COUNTING GOT UNDERWAY IN INDIA AFTER A DELAY OF SEVERAL HOURS. FIRST RESULTS SHOWED RULING CONGRESS PARTY AHEAD IN TWICE AS MANY CONSTITUENCIES AS ITS NEAREST RIVAL BJP. BUT THIS IS NOT INDICATIVE OF CONGRESS VICTORY BECAUSE THE PARTY IS LOSING MANY SEATS WHICH IT WON DURING THE LAST ELECTIONS AND COUNTING FOR NEARLY TWO HUNDRED SEATS HAS NOT EVEN BEGUN. REPORTER RAVI KHANNA EXPLAINS THAT CONGRESS IN FACT, IS HEADED FOR A BIG DEFEAT IF THE PRESENT TREND HOLDS. (HINDI 5/8)

INDIA ELECTIONS / WEST BENGAL -- IN THE INDIAN STATE OF WEST BENGAL, ONLY PARTIAL RESULTS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ARE KNOWN. CONGRESS CANDIDATE FORMER CHIEF MINISTER AND FORMER AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES, S S RAY FELL FAR BEHIND HIS CPM OPPONENT IN THE BAHRAMPUR CONSTITUENCY. GANI KHAN CHOUDHURY, FORMER CENTRAL MINISTER UNDER PRIME MINISTER INDIRA GANDHI, IS LEADING IN THE MALDAH SEAT CONTEST, WHILE CPM LEADER SOMNATH CHATTERJEE IS AHEAD OF HIS CONGRESS OPPONENT. IN THE WEST BENGAL ASSEMBLY CONTEST, THE CONGRESS PARTY HAS WON ONLY TWO OUT OF TWENTY NINE SEATS AND THE CPM GOT NINETEEN. THE REST WENT TO THE LEFT FRONT COALITION PARTNERS OF CPM. STRINGER GAUTAM GUPTA REPORTS FROM CALCUTTA. (BANGLA 5/9)

INDIA ELECTIONS / NEXT GOVERNMENT -- POLITICAL PUNDITS BEGAN LOOKING INTO THEIR CRYSTAL BALLS FOR THE SHAPE OF THE NEXT GOVERNMENT IN INDIA, EVEN BEFORE THE FIRST RESULTS CAME OUT. MK SATHE, CHIEF OF THE INDIAN NEWS AGENCY 'UNIVARTA' SAYS THAT BJP, NATIONAL FRONT-LEFT FRONT ALLIANCE, AND THE CONGRESS PARTY ARE LIKELY TO BE EQUAL CLAIMANTS TO FORM THE NEXT GOVERNMENT. WHO ACTUALLY SUCCEEDS WILL DEPEND ON THE ABILITY TO MUSTER SUPPORT FROM OTHER PARTIES BECAUSE NO PARTY IS EXPECTED TO GET CLEAR MAJORITY. STAFFER BHAGWAN PRAKASH INTERVIEWS MR SATHE. (HINDI 5/8)

INDIA ELECTIONS -- STAFFER RAZI AHMAD RIZVI INTERVIEWS SHAHID SIDDIQI, THE CHIEF EDITOR OF THE DAILY 'AWAM,' WHO DESCRIBED THE INDIAN ELECTIONS AS THE LARGEST EXERCISE IN DEMOCRACY. RIZVI ALSO TALKED TO ASHOK BHAN, THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS PARTY IN THE INDIAN CONTROLLED KASHMIR, ABOUT THE ELECTIONS. HE SAYS THE SITUATION IN KASHMIR IS COMPLEX, AND HE BLAMED IT ON TERRORISTS AND MERCENARIES. HE SAID THE ONLY SOLUTION IS THE BALLOT, AND NOT THE BULLET. STAFFER MOHAMMAD ANWAR KHAN QUOTES STAFFER RAVI KHANNA IN NEW DELHI SAYING UNOFFICIAL RESULTS SHOW THE BJP AHEAD OF THE RULING CONGRESS PARTY. (URDU 5/8)

KASHMIR / STRIKE -- SRINAGAR STRINGER QAISER MIRZA REPORTS ON THE GENERAL STRIKE IN THE INDIAN KASHMIR TO PROTEST THE HOLDING OF ELECTIONS. THE STRIKE WAS CALLED BY THE ALL PARTIES FREEDOM CONFERENCE WHICH SAYS THAT A PLEBISCITE UNDER THE UNITED NATIONS SUPERVISION IS THE ONLY SOLUTION TO THE KASHMIR CONFLICT. (URDU 5/7)

INDIA ELECTIONS / KASHMIR -- WHILE VOTE COUNTING IS UNDERWAY FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, ELECTIONS FOR FOUR OF THE SIX SEATS IN KASHMIR ARE STILL TO BE HELD. THE POLLING IN THE TROUBLED AREAS OF THE STATE WAS DELAYED TILL LATE MAY TO PROVIDE EXTRA SECURITY. REPORTER BHAGWAN PRAKASH INTERVIEWS THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR, MAHENDRA SABBARWAL WHO EXPLAINS THE SECURITY MEASURES BEING PUT IN PLACE FOR CANDIDATES AND THE VOTERS. (HINDI 5/8)

BANGLADESH ELECTIONS -- FORMER PRIME MINISTER KHALEDA ZIA PREDICTS THAT HER PARTY WILL WIN A MAJORITY IN THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS NEXT MONTH AND WILL BE ABLE TO FORM THE GOVERNMENT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF ANY OTHER PARTY. BEFORE FORMALLY LAUNCHING HER ELECTION CAMPAIGN FROM SYLHET, BNP LEADER KHALEDA ZIA VISITED THE SHRINES OF SPIRITUAL LEADERS SHAH JALAL AND SHAH PARAN. MEANWHILE, THE JATIYA PARTY HAS ANNOUNCED ITS ELECTION MANIFESTO AND DEMANDED THE RELEASE OF ITS LEADER, FORMER PRESIDENT H M ERSHAD FROM JAIL. MAJOR GENERAL M A SALAM, A FORMER ARMY INTELLIGENCE OFFICER HAS JOINED THE AWAMI LEAGUE. STRINGER MATIUR RAHMAN CHOUDHURY REPORTS FROM DHAKA. (BANGLA 5/9)

PAKISTAN / HUMAN RIGHTS -- STAFFER RAZI AHMAD RIZVI INTERVIEWS PAKISTANI FOREIGN MINISTER SARDAR ASIF AHMAD ALI WHO DENIED STATE DEPARTMENT ASSERTION THAT THERE ARE CREDIBLE REPORTS OF OFFICIAL PAKISTANI SUPPORT FOR SEPARATISTS FIGHTING IN INDIAN KASHMIR. THE FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS PAKISTAN IS NOT PROVIDING ANY MATERIAL SUPPORT TO KASHMIRI INSURGENTS. (URDU 5/2)

VIOLENCE / IN KARACHI -- STRINGER QAISER MAHMOOD REPORTS THE DEATH OF SIX PEOPLE, INCLUDING A POLICE OFFICER IN KARACHI. MORE THAN TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WERE KILLED IN POLITICAL, SECTARIAN, AND SO CALLED POLICE ENCOUNTERS IN KARACHI LAST YEAR. (URDU 5/8)

HUMAN RIGHTS AND WOMEN -- STAFFER SAFIA KAZIM INTERVIEWS A PROMINENT PAKISTANI POETESS AND ADVOCATE OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS KISHWAR NAHEED WHO TOLD HER THAT SHE IS FIGHTING FOR THE ALLOCATION OF WOMEN SEATS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND LOCAL BODIES AND ALSO FOR THE CREATION OF JOBS FOR WOMEN. (URDU 5/6)

INSIDE EAST ASIA:

US / THAILAND MILITARY EXERCISE -- BANGKOK STRINGER KOU WEIYONG REPORTS ON US-THAILAND MILITARY RELATIONS. THE UNITED STATES AND THAILAND HAVE BEGUN AN ANNUAL MILITARY EXERCISE CALLED 'GOLDEN COBRA.' THAILAND HAS BEEN A KEY US MILITARY ALLY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA. (MANDARIN 5/8)

MALAYSIA / ECONOMIC PLAN -- MALAYSIA HAS UNVEILED THE SEVENTH MALAYSIA PLAN WHICH WILL GUIDE THE COUNTRY'S DEVELOPMENT FROM 1996 TO 2000. THE PLAN ANTICIPATES ECONOMIC GROWTH AT 8 PERCENT PER YEAR. STRINGER CHENG RONGNING IN MALAYSIA REPORTS THAT THE PLAN WILL FOCUS ON MORE SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH, HUMAN RESOURCES AND TECHNOLOGY INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES. (MANDARIN 5/8)

US / CHINA / MFN -- STAFFER WANG ZE COVERED A SPEECH BY DEMOCRATIC SENATOR MAX BAUCUS. SPEAKING TO A GROUP OF PRO-US CHINA TRADE BUSINESSMEN IN WASHINGTON, SENATOR BAUCUS SAID THAT THE US SHOULD NEITHER REVOKE NOR CONDITIONALLY RENEW CHINA'S MFN STATUS. HE SAID THAT THE MFN DEBATE HAS BECOME AN ARTIFICIAL ANNUAL CRISIS AND IT IS TIME TO CLOSE THE DEBATE FOR GOOD. HE URGED CHINA TO FURTHER OPEN ITS MARKET TO US BUSINESS PEOPLE. (MANDARIN 5/8)

US / CLINTON REAFFIRMS MFN RENEWAL FOR CHINA -- AT A WHITE HOUSE MEETING, PRESIDENT CLINTON REASSURED HONG KONG GOVERNOR CHRIS PATTEN OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S INTENTION TO RENEW CHINA'S MFN STATUS. PATTEN TOLD REPORTERS THAT HIS MEETING WITH CLINTON WAS VERY USEFUL. HE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT OPPOSITION IN CONGRESS TO RENEWING MFN STATUS WITHOUT CONDITIONS. STAFFER SHEILA TANG COVERED PATTEN'S TALK WITH REPORTERS AT THE WHITE HOUSE. (CANTONESE 5/9)

HONG KONG / SUBWAY MISHAP -- STRINGER LAWRENCE NG AND SHEILA TANG DISCUSS THE RECENT DEBACLE ON THE HONG KONG MTR (SUBWAY) DURING THE FLOODING SEVERAL DAYS AGO. DUE TO OVERCROWDING AND IMPROPER VENTILATION ABOUT FORTY FOUR PEOPLE WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AFTER BECOMING SICK WHILE TRAVELLING ON THE MTR. THE CORPORATION WHICH RUNS THE MTR WAS RELUCTANT TO TAKE THE BLAME FOR THE TROUBLE. INTERVIEW WITH ZACHARY WONG, TRANSPORTATION SPOKESMAN, DEMOCRATIC PARTY. (CANTONESE 5/9)

SOUTH KOREA / ASIA SOCIETY CONFERENCE -- PRESIDENT KIM YOUNG SAM URGED ASIAN NEIGHBORS TO OPEN THEIR DOORS WIDER TO SUCCESSFULLY MEET THE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES THE NEW 21ST CENTURY WOULD PROVIDE. KIM MADE THE REMARKS AT THE ASIA SOCIETY'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN SEOUL, BILLED FOR 'ASIA GOES GLOBAL: KOREA AND THE REGION.' THE SOUTH KOREAN LEADER STRESSED INCREASED COOPERATION AMONG ASIAN STATES AND THEIR STRENGTHENED RELATIONSHIP WITH AMERICAS AND EUROPE. HE URGED NORTH KOREA TO ACCEPT THE FOUR-WAY PEACE TALKS PROPOSAL, SAYING THAT IT WOULD GIVE THE ISOLATED COMMUNIST COUNTRY THE GREATEST BENEFITS. CORRESPONDENT NOH SI CHANG REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 5/9)

SOUTH KOREAN DIPLOMAT / NEW ZEALAND -- NEW ZEALAND THURSDAY DEPORTED CHOI SEUNG-JIN, A FORMER SOUTH KOREAN DIPLOMAT, AFTER REJECTING HIS REQUEST FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE KIMPO AIRPORT EARLY FRIDAY MORNING, CHOI WILL BE ESCORTED TO A SEOUL PROSECUTORS OFFICE WHERE HE WILL BE INTERROGATED ON CHARGES OF FORGING A GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT TO HELP THE OPPOSITION PARTY IN LAST YEAR'S LOCAL ELECTIONS. STRINGER KIM TAE SOO REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 5/9)

NORTH KOREA / POLITICS -- AN INDONESIAN POLITICAL SCIENTIST SAYS NORTH KOREA'S RELUCTANCE TO GIVE A DEFINITIVE RESPONSE TO CALLS FOR PEACE TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF KOREA IS MOTIVATED BY ECONOMICS. TRI TYAHYO UTOMO OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DIPONEGORO SPOKE BY PHONE WITH ZULKARNAIN TAJIBNAPIS. ANOTHER EXPERT, HUNTER COLLEGE'S DONALD ZAGORIA, SAID NORTH KOREA IS FACING A DILEMMA BECAUSE IT CAN NO LONGER RELY ON CHINA FOR SUPPORT. (INDONESIAN 5/9)

CHINA / INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS -- REPORTER SUSAN YACKEE SPEAKS WITH NEAL TURKEWIPZ, WITH THE RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, ABOUT CHINA'S ADHERENCE TO THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS ACCORD. MR TURKEWIPZ SAYS CHINA IS VIOLATING THE AGREEMENT. HE RECOMMENDS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION PUBLISH WHICH INDUSTRIES MAY HAVE SANCTIONS IMPOSED AGAINST THEM. HE SAYS SANCTIONS COULD BE TARGETED AGAINST SPECIFIC CHINESE PRODUCTS OR SERVICES WHILE MAINTAINING CHINA'S MOST FAVORED NATION TRADING STATUS. (ENP 5/8)

JAPAN / AUTO IMPORTS -- REPORTER SUSAN YACKEE SPEAKS WITH MIKE FLYNN, WITH THE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, ABOUT THE LATEST FIGURES ON JAPAN'S AUTO IMPORTS. JAPANESE OFFICIALS SAY THE NATION'S IMPORTS OF CARS INCREASED BY TWENTY FOUR PERCENT LAST MONTH. MR FLYNN SAYS HE IS OPTIMISTIC THAT THE JAPANESE MARKET IS OPENING UP TO US AND EUROPEAN MANUFACTURERS. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 5/8)

INSIDE EUROPE:

TADIC / WAR CRIMES TRIAL -- AN EXPERT WITNESS AT THE TRIAL OF BOSNIAN SERB, DUSAN TADIC TELLS OF A CAMPAIGN OF ETHNIC CLEANSING CONDUCTED AGAINST NON-SERBS DURING THE BOSNIAN WAR. PARTS OF THE BBC TV SERIES ABOUT THE FALL OF YUGOSLAVIA WERE ALSO PLAYED IN COURT. STRINGER DRAGAN BLAGOJEVIC REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE. (SERBIAN 5/8)

BLUIT / WAR CRIMES -- THE DEPUTY PROSECUTOR OF THE HAGUE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, GRAM BLUIT SAYS YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES MUST SOON DECIDE ON THE OPENING OF THE COURT'S OFFICE IN BELGRADE IF THEY WISH TO AVOID RENEWAL OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. MERE PROMISES ARE NO LONGER SUFFICIENT, HE SAID. STRINGER DUSAN MASIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 6/8)

OGATA / KASAGIC -- THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, SADAKO OGATA MET WITH BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RAJKO KASAGIC TO DISCUSS FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT IN BOSNIA. AFTERWARDS,THE UNHCR ANNOUNCED THE OPENING OF SEVERAL BUS ROUTES BETWEEN SERB CONTROLLED TOWNS AND THE REST OF THE BOSNIAN FEDERATION. STRINGER BORO KONTIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (SERBIAN 5/8)

OGATA / ZENICA -- SADAKO OGATA VISITED ZENICA, WHERE SHE MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL SERBIAN CIVIC COUNCIL. MEANWHILE, THE INDEPENDENT UNION OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS STAGED A PROTEST IN TUZLA BECAUSE THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES DETAINED AND QUESTIONED A FEMALE REPORTER OF TUZLA TV STATION. STRINGER KONSTANTIN JOVANOVIC REPORTS. (SERBIAN 5/8)

CROATIA / SERBS -- LEADER OF THE SERBIAN INDEPENDENT PARTY, MILORAD PUPOVAC SAYS THAT INTEGRATION OF EASTERN SLAVONIA INTO CROATIA DEPENDS ON THE STATUS OF SERBS IN OTHER PARTS OF CROATIA. MEANHWILE, CROATIAN SOURCES SAY THAT AMNESTY FOR SERBS FROM EASTERN SLAVONIA DOES NOT INCLUDE SERB LEADER GORAN HADZIC. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 5/8)

ELECTORAL LAW / YUGOSLAVIA -- THE OPPOSITION IN MONTENEGRO HAS DENOUNCED ATTEMPTS BY THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT TO CHANGE THE ELECTORAL LAW IN FAVOR OF RULING PARTIES. ACCORDING TO THE OPPOSITION, THE RULING PARTIES OF SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO ARE TRYING THROUGH DECEIT AND UNLAWFUL MEANS TO RETAIN POWER. STRINGER BOSKO DJUKIC REPORTS FROM PODGORICA. (SERBIAN 5/8)

ALBANIANS / MACEDONIA -- ALBANIAN POLITICAL PARTIES IN MACEDONIA TOOK ISSUE WITH THE STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT KIRO GLIGOROV REGARDING TETOVO UNIVERSITY. THEY CLAIM THAT THE UNIVERSITY IS SUPPORTED BY ALL CITIZENS OF ALBANIAN DESCENT, AND NOT ONLY FEW SEPARATISTS AS PRESIDENT GLIGOROV CALLS THEM. STRINGER ZELJKO BAJIC REPORTS FROM SKOPJE. (SERBIAN 5/8)

ALBANIA / US -- ALBANIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER ALFRED SERREQI MET WITH SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER WEDNESDAY. THEY DISCUSSED ALBANIA'S UPCOMING ELECTIONS AND THE SITUATION IN KOSOVA. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER ILIR IKONOMI, MR SERREQI SAID HE RECEIVED ASSURANCES FROM MR CHRISTOPHER THAT THE ISSUE OF KOSOVA REMAINS HIGH ON THE AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY AGENDA. (ALBANIAN 5/9)

ALBANIA / ACCIDENT -- ALBANIA HAS ANNOUNCED A DAY OF MOURNING FOR THIRTEEN SCHOOLCHILDREN AND A TEACHER WHO DROWNED AFTER THEIR BOAT CAPSIZED ON LAKE PRESPA DURING A SCHOOL TRIP. ALL CULTURAL AND SPORTS EVENTS WERE CANCELLED, AND POLITICIANS WERE ASKED TO SUSPEND CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES FOR THIS MONTH'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. REPORT BY STRINGER MERO BAZE. (ALBANIAN 5/8)

ALBANIA ELECTION / PRESS -- ALBANIA'S LEADING OPPOSITION AND PRO-GOVERNMENT EDITORS AND REPORTERS PARTICIPATED IN A USIS-SPONSORED PANEL ON THE MEDIA AND ELECTION CAMPAIGN COVERAGE. STRINGER MERO BAZE INTERVIEWS SOME OF THE PARTICIPANTS. (ALBANIAN 5/8)

POLAND / CHECHENYA / US -- A RIGHTIST GROUP IN WARSAW PROTESTED OUTSIDE THE AMERICAN EMBASSY AGAINST US POSITION ON THE CHECHEN-RUSSIAN CONFLICT WAR. CORRESPONDENT TADEUSZ WALENDOWSKI REPORTS FROM WARSAW. (POLISH 5/8)

INSIDE EURASIA:

RUSSIA / CIVIL RIGHTS -- DR GREGORY FREIDIN OF STANFORD UNIVERSITY, ALEXANDER SUNGUROV OF THE ST. PETERSBURG CENTER FOR HUMANITIES, PUBLISHER VALERY CHALIDZE, AND STAFFER NATALIE CLARKSON DISCUSS TEACHING CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIC DUTIES IN RUSSIA. (RUSSIAN 5/8)

VICTORY DAY / MOSCOW -- PRESIDENT YELTSIN ON THE EVE OF VICTORY DAY CELEBRATIONS IN MOSCOW, ADDRESSES WAR VETERANS, CALLING ON THEM TO DEFEND STABILITY AND PEACE. THE 51ST ANNIVERSARY OF VICTORY DAY WILL LIKELY BE USED BY YELTSIN IN HIS ELECTION CAMPAIGN, REPORTS MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT ALEC BATCHAN. (RUSSIAN 5/8)

RUSSIA / POLITICS -- DURING A CAMPAIGN STOP IN VOLGOGRAD, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MIKHAIL GORBACHEV SEEMED TO COME UNDER ATTACK AGAIN. A WOMAN APPROACHED HIM AND TRIED TO THROW A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS AT HIM, BUT MISSED, LEADING POLICE TO THINK SHE WAS ATTACKING HIM. PUBLIC OPINION POLLS INDICATE THAT GORBACHEV'S SUPPORT IN NEXT MONTH'S ELECTION IS ABOUT ONE PERCENT. CORRESPONDENT ALEC BATCHAN REPORTS FROM MOSCOW. (RUSSIAN 5/9)

INSIDE LATIN AMERICA:

LATIN AMERICA / ECONOMIC EXPANSION -- UNDER SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY JEFFREY SHAFER SAID LATIN AMERICA FINANCIAL MARKETS SHOULD BE FURTHER DEVELOPED IN ORDER TO EXPAND COUNTRY ECONOMIES IN THE REGION. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER ALEJANDRO ESCALONA, SHAFTER EXPLAINED THE US POSITION IN A WESTERN HEMISPHERE CONFERENCE OF FINANCE MINISTERS TO WORK ON A FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS, TO BE HELD IN NEW ORLEANS MAY 17-18. (SPANISH 5/8)

CUBA / FREEDOM OF THE PRESS -- THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION CONDEMNED THE LATEST ROUND OF EFFORTS BY FIDEL CASTRO'S GOVERNMENT AGAINST INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS IN CUBA. CORRESPONDENT JORGE WEHBY REPORTS FROM MIAMI. (SPANISH 5/8)

US / ISRAEL ATTACK ON LEBANON -- US OFFICIALS CRITICIZED A REPORT PREPARED BY THE UN MILITARY ADVISORS BLAMING ISRAEL FOR THE BOMBING OF A UN REFUGEE CAMP IN LEBANON. CORRESPONDENT LUIS TAMAYO REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (SPANISH 5/8)

HAITI / ARRESTS -- SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE UNDER ARREST IN THE NORTHEASTERN TOWN OF OUANAMINTHE AFTER THE NEW POLICE FORCE DISCOVERED AN ILLEGAL ARMED CIVILIAN GROUP IN THE WAKE OF US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE JOHN WHITE'S VISIT TO PORT-AU-PRINCE. CONRESSMAN SAMUEL MADESTIN DENIED THOSE ACCUSATIONS. STRINGER YVES MONTPREMIER REPORTS. (CREOLE 5/8)

HAITI / US -- US AMBASSADOR TO HAITI, WILLAM SWING, SAYS DEPUTY US DEFENSE SECRETARY JOHN WHITE IS IN HAITI TO DISCUSS SECURITY ISSUES WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS. MR WHITE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY LAWRENCE SUMMER FROM THE US TREASURY DEPARTMENT WHO PLANS TO MEET HAITI'S FINANCE MINISTER AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRAL BANK. HE IS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE TOMORROW IN PORT-AU-PRINCE. MEANWHILE, US EMBASSY SPOKESMAN, STANLEY SCHRAGER WAS CHOSEN BY PRESIDENT CLINTON AS THE NEW AMBASSADOR TO DJIBOUTI, IN EASTERN AFRICA. (CREOLE 5/7)

FARMERS PROTEST -- LARGE NUMBER OF FARMERS CONTINUE TO CAMP OUTSIDE THE BANCO DA AMAZONIA, IN ALTAMIRA, PA, PROTESTING AGAINST THE STATE? S POLICIES ON AGRICULTURE. STRINGER JOSE OIBANEZ REPORTS FROM SANTAREM, PA. (PORTUGUESE TO BRAZIL 5/8)

MUNICIPAL PARLIAMENTS MEET -- THE SEVENTH LATIN-AMERICAN CONGRESS OF THE MUNICIPAL PARLIAMENTS IS TAKING PLACE IN THE SOUTHERN CITIES OF CANELA, GRAMADO AND NOVA PETROPOLIS, RS. STRINGER JOSE TEODORO REPORTS FROM CAXIAS DO SUL, RS. (PORTUGUESE TO BRAZIL 5/8)

GUATEMALA NUN -- REPORTER TOM CROSBY TALKED WITH JOSE PERTIERRA, THE ATTORNEY FOR AMERICAN NUN DIANNA ORTIZ WHO WAS KIDNAPPED, RAPED AND TORTURED IN GUATEMALA IN 1989. TOM CROSBY ALSO TALKED TO FORMER US AMBASSADOR TO GUATEMALA THOMAS STROOCK WHO REFUTED MR PERTIERRA'S CLAIM OF INSENSITIVITY TO THE PLIGHT OF SISTER DIANNA. HE EXPLAINS IN SOME DETAIL HIS EFFORTS TO HELP HER AND HOW HE WAS REBUFFED. (ENP 5/8)
09-May-96 8:53 PM EDT (0053 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE NEW SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTITUTION COMES IN FOR A GOOD DEAL OF EDITORIAL COMMENT IN FRIDAY'S U-S PAPERS, ALONG WITH SEVERAL THOUGHTS ABOUT TRADE WITH CHINA. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE GROWING ETHNIC UNREST IN BURUNDI; A POSSIBLE END TO GUATEMALA'S CIVIL WAR; [OPT] MORE ON THE U-S GAS TAX REPEAL [END OPT], AND CONTROVERSY OVER WHETHER PRESIDENT CLINTON'S VIDEOTAPE TESTIMONY IN THE WATERGATE TRIAL SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC. NOW, HERE IS ___________________ WITH SOME QUOTES AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TODAY'S "PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" IS AMONG NUMEROUS PAPERS PRAISING THE CONTINUING GROWTH OF A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY IN SOUTH AFRICA.

VOICE: "NELSON MANDELA IS AS CLOSE TO A SAINT AS ANY WORLD LEADER. HE PROVED THAT ONCE AGAIN THIS WEEK, GUIDING HIS NATION AS IT CEMENTED ITS REINCARNATION AS A DEMOCRACY. THE DEVELOPMENT AND PASSAGE OF A NEW CONSTITUTION FOR POST-APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA WAS A STUNNING EXAMPLE OF HOW DEEP AND DURABLE CHANGE CAN BE ACHIEVED PEACEFULLY... MR. MANDELA LED HIS NATION ON WHAT MUST HAVE BEEN THE MOST INCLUSIVE CONSTITUTION-WRITING PROCESS IN HISTORY: FOUR- MILLION DRAFT COPIES WERE DISTRIBUTED; TWO-MILLION RESPONSES WERE LOGGED. [OPT] ... THROUGH HIS WORDS AND DEEDS, MR. MANDELA HAS CONSISTENTLY SHOWN THAT A TRUE DEMOCRACY HINGES ON ... RESPECT FOR THE HUMANITY OF 'ALL' [ITALICS] ITS CITIZENS, FORMER PRISONERS AND FORMER JAILERS ALIKE."[END OPT]

TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS WHILE THE NEW CONSTITUTION IS CAUSE FOR JOY, SOUTH AFRICANS STILL FACE MANY CHALLENGES.

VOICE: "WITH THE ADOPTION OF SOUTH AFRICA'S NEW CONSTITUTION, OFFICIALLY SANCTIONED LEGAL EQUALITY NOW EXISTS FOR ALL CITIZENS, REGARDLESS OF RACE... DESPITE ALL THE GOOD INTENTIONS, HOWEVER, THE ROAD AHEAD WON'T BE EASY. [PRESIDENT] MANDELA WILL HAVE TO WORK IMMEDIATELY TO RECONCILE THE COUNTRY'S MANY POLITICAL AND RACIAL GROUPS... THE NEW CONSTITUTION, RELEGATING THE EVILS OF APARTHEID TO THE PAST, IS INDEED GROUNDS FOR CELEBRATION. BUT SOUTH AFRICANS MUST NOW BUILD THEIR DEMOCRACY, DAY BY DAY."

TEXT: ON THE EAST COAST, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SUMS UP WITH AN EDITORIAL HEADLINE THAT PROCLAIMS: "SOUTH AFRICA, REBORN FREE:

VOICE: "THIS CROWNS A PEACEFUL TRANSITION UNDER THE INSPIRED LEADERSHIP OF NELSON MANDELA, WHO ELOQUENTLY MARKED THE MOMENT. 'AND SO IT COMES TO PASS,' HE SAID, 'THAT SOUTH AFRICA TODAY UNDERGOES HER REBIRTH, CLEANSED OF A HORRIBLE PAST, MATURED FROM A TENTATIVE BEGINNING, AND REACHING OUT TO THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE.' ... THE TRANSFORMATION OF SOUTH AFRICA HAS BEEN ASTONISHING."

TEXT: COMMENTING ON U-S RELATIONS WITH CHINA, "NEWSDAY" OF LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, SAYS IT IS TIME TO "CONFRONT CHINA OVER SOFTWARE PIRACY."

VOICE: "ONCE AGAIN, CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES ARE ON A COLLISION COURSE ON TRADE, THIS TIME OVER BLATANT CHINESE VIOLATIONS OF BILATERAL AGREEMENTS COVERING RIGHTS TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND SUCH). THE COST TO U-S COMPANIES: AN ESTIMATED TWO-POINT-FIVE BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. THAT PIRACY MUST STOP... [PRESIDENT] CLINTON IS RIGHT TO SLAP [PLACE] TWO-BILLION-DOLLARS IN PUNITIVE TARIFFS ON CHINESE GOODS UNLESS BEIJING STOPS CHINESE FACTORIES FROM PRODUCING AND SELLING UNAUTHORIZED COPIES OF AMERICAN COMPUTER SOFTWARE, COMPACT DISKS AND FILMS."

TEXT: U-S TRADE RELATIONS WITH CHINA HAS BECOME AN ISSUED IN THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, AT LEAST CONCERNING WHITE HOUSE RENEWAL OF CHINA'S MOST FAVORED NATION TRADE STATUS. "THE BALTIMORE SUN" SAYS REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CHALLENGER BOB DOLE IS TRYING TO SEIZE THE LEADERSHIP IN THAT DEBATE:

VOICE: "IN A SPEECH THAT CAN BE PROPERLY DESCRIBED AS PRESIDENTIAL, SENATOR BOB DOLE HAS HELD TO HIS BELIEF IN A POLICY OF NORMAL TRADING RELATIONS WITH CHINA. HIS CONSISTENCY WAS NOT WITHOUT POLITICAL PURPOSE, FOR HE CONTRASTED IT WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON'S 'COMPLETE REVERSAL' ON THE ISSUE... THE PRESUMPTIVE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE HELD THAT MR. CLINTON'S CONSPICUOUS SILENCE ON CHINA TRADE POLICY HAD CREATED A SITUATION IN WHICH M-F-N [MOST FAVORED NATION] WILL BE A 'TOUGH SELL' IN CONGRESS, WHERE IT IS OPPOSED BY PROTECTIONISTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN BOTH PARTIES."

TEXT: HERE IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL, "THE WASHINGTON POST" WAS ALSO FAVORABLY IMPRESSED BY SENATOR DOLE'S REMARKS.

VOICE: "THERE WAS A POLITICALLY COURAGEOUS ASPECT TO SENATOR ... DOLE'S ADDRESS ON CHINA YESTERDAY... FORTUNATELY, MR. CLINTON AND MR. DOLE SHARE A CORE CONSENSUS ON CHINA, THOUGH NOT ON SOME OTHER ASPECTS OF ASIA POLICY. THE UNITED STATES MUST DEAL AS BEST IT CAN WITH A COUNTRY WHOSE ARBITRARINESS UNDERCUTS PURSUIT OF COMMON GOALS BUT WHOSE SIZE, REACH AND PATH OF GROWTH MAKE IT A NECESSARY REGIONAL AND EVEN GLOBAL INTERLOCUTOR."

TEXT: IN NEW ENGLAND, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" VOICES ITS CONCERN OVER THE POSSIBILITY OF NEW TRIBAL WARFARE IN CENTRAL AFRICA:

VOICE: "DIPLOMATS ARE MEETING TODAY AS PART OF AN EFFORT TO DECIDE WHETHER THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL HELP THE PEOPLE OF BURUNDI IN CENTRAL AFRICA. TO GUIDE THEIR DECISION, THEY NEED ONLY LOOK TO NEIGHBORING RWANDA, WHERE INTERNATIONAL UNWILLINGNESS TO CONFRONT ETHNIC HATRED LED TO GENOCIDE. THIS FAILURE SHOULD NOT BE REPEATED IN BURUNDI, WHERE SIMILAR FRICTION THREATENS AN OUTBURST OF KILLING."

TEXT: TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD" IS HOPEFUL THE END MAY BE NEAR FOR WHAT IT CALL'S "THE WORLD'S LONGEST CIVIL WAR" -- IN GUATEMALA.

VOICE: "PEACE MAY BE BREAKING OUT IN GUATEMALA AFTER 35 YEARS OF CIVIL CONFLICT. MAYBE THE GUATEMALAN PEOPLE CAN BEGIN THINKING ABOUT PLANNING THE FESTIVITIES. ON MONDAY, BOTH SIDES SIGNED A PRELIMINARY BREAKTHROUGH ACCORD DEALING WITH AGRARIAN REFORM AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES. THIS SHOULD BE THE PRELUDE TO A FINAL PEACE AGREEMENT... AFTER 35 YEARS OF SENSELESS CARNAGE, THE GUATEMALAN PEOPLE SURELY DESERVE NO LESS."

TEXT: AMOND TODAY'S COMMENTS ON DOMESTIC ISSUES, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS THAT REPEALING THE FOUR-POINT-THREE-CENTS-A-GALLON FEDERAL TAX ON GASOLINE, WHICH CONGRESS IS CONSIDERING, MAY BE A BAD IDEA.

VOICE: "RETAIL GASOLINE PRICES IN CALIFORNIA ARE STARTING TO DRIFT DOWN FROM THEIR RECENT PEAK BECAUSE REFINERY OUTPUT HAS CAUGHT UP WITH DEMAND. THE WHOLESALE PRICE PAID BY DEALERS BEGAN TO DROP AT THE END OF APRIL, AND PUMP PRICES, WHILE THEY VARY ... ARE BEGINNING TO REFLECT THE LOWER COSTS... BARRING REFINERY MISHAPS OR, LESS LIKELY, SIGNIFICANT CRUDE OIL PRICE HIKES, THE WORST SEEMS OVER FOR CALIFORNIA AND THE REST OF THE NATION. ALL THE MORE REASON FOR CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS TO ABANDON THEIR ILL-CONCIEVED EFFORT TO REPEAL THE DEFICIT-LOWERING, FOUR-POINT-THREE-CENT-A-GALLON GASOLINE TAX ENACTED THREE YEARS AGO."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" TAKES ISSUE WITH A FEDERAL JUDGE FOR DELAYING A DECISION ON WHETHER TO RELEASE THE VIDEO TESTIMONY GIVEN BY PRESIDENT CLINTON AT THE WHITEWATER TRIAL IN ARKANSAS:

VOICE: "THE WHITE HOUSE OPPOSES RELEASE OF THE TAPE, SAYING IT CONTAINS NOTHING NEW AND WOULD BE USED BY POLITICAL OPPONENTS... BUT THE PRINCIPLE THAT TRIALS ARE PUBLIC EVENTS IS TOO IMPORTANT TO TAKE SECOND PLACE TO THE PRESIDENT'S POLITICAL CONVENIENCE... THE PRESIDENT AND THE COURTS NEED TO RECOGNIZE THE RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC AND BROADCASTERS TO THIS TAPE."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF REVIEW OF SOME EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/PCH
10-May-96 11:15 AM EDT (1515 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] U-S / TURKEY TORTURE (L-ONLY) BY ERIN BRUMMETT (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S-BASED SUPPORTERS OF TURKEY'S HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION HAVE CRITICIZED THE FOREIGN MINISTRY IN ANKARA FOR ATTEMPTING TO INTIMIDATE AND SUPPRESS THE WORK OF THE FOUNDATION'S FOUR INTERNATIONALLY-FUNDED TORTURE TREATMENT CENTERS. CONCERNS WERE EXPRESSED AT A WASHINGTON NEWS CONFERENCE (TODAY / FRIDAY) SPONSORED BY THE COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (C-S-C-E), A BI-PARTISAN U-S CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE THAT MONITORS SIGNATORIES OF THE 1976 HELSINKI ACCORD ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION.

TEXT: THE CAPITOL HILL NEWS CONFERENCE WAS HELD ON THE SAME DAY MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION WERE GOING ON TRIAL IN THE TURKISH COMMUNITY OF ADANA. THE DEFENDANTS ARE CHARGED WITH FAILING TO INFORM AUTHORITIES OF PEOPLE WHO SOUGHT TREATMENT AFTER ALLEGED POLICE ABUSE AND TORTURE.

C-S-C-E INTERNATIONAL POLICY DIRECTOR SAM WISE SAYS THE TRIAL IS PART OF AN ORGANIZED CAMPAIGN TO SHUT DOWN THE TREATMENT CENTERS.

THIS HARASSMENT IS PART OF CONCERTED OFFICIAL EFFORTS TO CLOSE THE FOUNDATION AND OTHER SIMILAR MINDED N-G-O'S (NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS).

MR. WISE WAS JOINED BY DOUGLAS JOHNSON, WHO DIRECTS A U-S CENTER (IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA) FOR TORTURE VICTIMS AND SUPPORTS THE TURKISH TREATMENT CENTERS. DOCTOR JOHNSON SAYS GOVERNMENT DEMANDS TO SEE CONFIDENTIAL CLIENT RECORDS AND INVESTIGATE ALLEGED VICTIMS HAVE INSTILLED FEAR AMONG THE FOUNDATION AND SURVIVORS OF TORTURE.

MORE SERIOUS, ACCORDING TO DOCTOR JOHNSON, IS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME THE FOREIGN MINISTRY IS APPARENTLY ACTING AGAINST THE FOUNDATION.

THE FOREIGN MINISTRY, INSTEAD OF BEING AN ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE AND AN ADVOCATE FOR FULFILLING OBLIGATIONS TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM TORTURE AND TO PROTECT OTHER BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS IN TURKEY, THAT INSTEAD THEY (THE FOREIGN MINISTRY) HAVE ABOUT-FACED (REVERSED ITS POSITION) AND WE HAVE AN INITIATION OF A STRATEGY OF REPRESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION BY THE FOREIGN MINISTRY ITSELF.

OTHER DOCTORS SPEAKING AT THE NEWS CONFERENCE RECOGNIZED THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT FOR INITIALLY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE PROBLEM OF POLICE TORTURE CONTINUES IN THE COUNTRY -- AND FOR PROVIDING HUMAN RIGHTS TRAINING TO POLICE OFFICERS. BUT THE PANEL SAYS THERE HAS BEEN A SETBACK WITH THE LATEST PROSECUTIONS OF FOUNDATION MEMBERS AND OTHER APPARENT EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE THE CENTERS.

A TURKISH EMBASSY SPOKESMAN IN WASHINGTON (LEVENT GUMRUKCU) HAD NO COMMENT ON THE MATTER, BECAUSE HE SAYS IT IS IN THE HANDS OF THE COUNTRY'S INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY. (SIGNED)
NEB/EKB/JM
10-May-96 1:30 PM EDT (1730 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA FEDERATION BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER MEETS NEXT TUESDAY WITH LEADERS OF THE BOSNIAN FEDERATION AT BLAIR HOUSE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT ON THE ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED AT THAT MEETING.

TEXT: EVER SINCE THEY STOPPED FIGHTING EACH OTHER IN 1994, BOSNIA'S MUSLIMS AND CROATS HAVE TALKED ABOUT FORMING A JOINT ARMY FOR THEIR FEDERATION. THEY WORKED TOGETHER AGAINST THEIR COMMON ENEMY, THE BOSNIAN SERBS DURING THE WAR, BUT IN PEACETIME THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE ACCOMPLISHED. THE OLD RIVALRIES KEEP COMING BACK.

SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER WILL BRING TOGETHER THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOSNIAN FEDERATION, KRESIMIR ZUBAK, WITH BOSNIA'S VICE PRESIDENT, EJUP GANIC, AND PRIME MINISTER HASAN MURATOVIC. THEY WILL MEET AT BLAIR HOUSE, THE MANSION ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

THE OBJECT OF THE MEETING, ACCORDING TO SENIOR U-S OFFICIALS, WILL BE TO DRAW UP A COMMON DEFENSE STRUCTURE FOR THE BOSNIAN FEDERATION. THE U-S OFFICIALS SAY ONE KEY PROBLEM HAS BEEN MILITARY CONSCIPTION. THE BOSNIAN CROATS HAVE BEEN DEMANDING THAT CROAT DRAFTEES SERVE ONLY IN CROAT-POPULATED AREAS. THE MUSLIMS INSIST THAT ALL DRAFTEES MUST SERVE IN ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY CONTROLLED BY THE FEDERATION.

EARLIER DISPUTES BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES OVER CUSTOMS REVENUES AND INFORMAL CHECKPOINTS HAVE BEEN RESOLVED BUT A COMMON DEFENSE STRUCTURE IS STILL OUTSTANDING. THE UNITED STATES HAS PLEDGED TO EQUIP AND TRAIN A BOSNIAN ARMY.

THAT PROGRAM HAS BEEN HELD UP FIRST OF ALL BECAUSE THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS NOT SATISFIED THE UNITED STATES THAT ALL IRANIAN FORCES HAVE LEFT THE COUNTRY. U-S OFFICIALS SAY A DISPUTE WITH BOSNIA ABOUT 100 REMAINING FIGHTERS MAY BE RESOLVED SHORTLY. HOWEVER, IF THERE IS NO COMMON ARMY BETWEEN THE MUSLIMS AND THE CROATS, THE UNITED STATES ALSO WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EQUIP AND TRAIN IT. IF THERE IS NO DEFENSE LAW, ONE OFFICIAL SAYS, THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF TWO ARMIES OR TWO DIFFERENT DEFENSE MINISTRIES.

THE BLAIR HOUSE MEETING WILL GO THROUGH THE REMAINING GAPS IN THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION AND RECOMMEND WAYS TO FIX THEM. THE UNITED STATES IS ALSO PUTTING THE MAJOR EMPHASIS ON PREPARATION FOR ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA.

AMBASSADOR ROBERT FROWICK, THE U-S DIPLOMAT IN CHARGE OF THE ELECTION PROCESS, IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE JUNE 14TH WHEN ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE OCCASION WILL BE A MID-YEAR REVIEW OF THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT IN FLORENCE, ITALY, THAT WILL BRING TOGETHER THE 43 COUNTRIES INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS.

A SENIOR U-S OFFICIAL SAYS THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF AN ELECTION DATE, PROBABLY IN SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER, DOES NOT MEAN THAT ALL PROCEDURES ARE SET IN PLACE. INSTEAD, THE INTERVENING TIME WILL BE USED TO SET UP POLLING PLACES, ELECTION MONITORS AND SECURITY SO THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CAN BE SURE ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA ARE REALLY FREE AND FAIR. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/CF
10-May-96 12:05 PM EDT (1605 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] BOSNIA SITREP (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS HAVE ENDED A SERIES OF VISITS TO THE SERB TOWN OF BANJA LUKA IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. BY ESTABLISHING OFFICES IN BANJA LUKA AND BY COURTING SENIOR SERB OFFICIALS THERE, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HOPES TO ISOLATE AND WEAKEN THE HARD-LINE SERB LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. KARADZIC MAY FEEL LONELY AND NEGLECTED THESE DAYS IN HIS HEADQUARTERS AT PALE, A FORMER SKI RESORT OUTSIDE SARAJEVO. INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS HAVE REFUSED TO MEET WITH HIM FOR MONTHS, BECAUSE HE IS AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL. THIS WEEK, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S STRATEGY NOT TO SIMPLY IGNORE MR. KARADZIC BUT TO WEAKEN HIS GRIP ON POWER HAS BECOME MORE CLEAR.

THE STRATEGY IS TO ESTABLISH A SIGNIFICANT INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE IN BANJA LUKA, THE LARGEST SERB TOWN IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

BANJA LUKA IS WHERE SERB PRIME MINISTER RAJKO KASAGIC HAS HIS OFFICE. MR. KASAGIC IS BELIEVED TO BE A MODERATE AND IS CLOSE TO THE POWERFUL SERBIAN PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

AFTER SPENDING MOST OF THIS WEEK IN BANJA LUKA, THE TOP INTERNATIONAL CIVILIAN OFFICIAL IN BOSNIA, CARL BILDT, AND MR. KASAGIC HAVE ISSUED A JOINT STATEMENT.

IT SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE IN BANJA LUKA DEMONSTRATES THE BENEFITS THE SERBS CAN GAIN FROM CONTACTS WITH EUROPE AND THE REST OF THE WORLD.

IN AN INDIRECT BUT OBVIOUS REFERENCE TO RADOVAN KARADZIC, MR. BILDT AND THE PRIME MINISTER ALSO SAY ALL BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS MUST FULLY SUPPORT AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES AIMED AT ECONOMIC PROGRESS, RECONCILIATION AND DEMOCRACY. THIS, THEY SAY, IS THE ONLY WAY FOR THE SERBS TO BUILD A PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS FUTURE TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER PEOPLE OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

THESE COMMENTS BY PRIME MINISTER KASAGIC IN BANJA LUKA DRAMATIZE HIS POLICY DIFFERENCES WITH THE SERB LEADER IN PALE. ALL INDICATIONS NOW ARE OF A MAJOR SPLIT WITHIN THE SERB LEADERSHIP.

WHILE MR. KASAGIC IS GETTING MORE AND MORE INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION, IT IS NOT KNOWN HOW MUCH SUPPORT HE HAS WITHIN THE BOSNIAN SERB ARMY.

THE POSITION OF THE ARMY COMMANDER, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, COULD BE CRUCIAL IN DETERMINING THE COURSE OF THE EMERGING POWER STRUGGLE WITHIN THE SERB POLITICAL HIERARCHY. (SIGNED)
NEB/WC/MH/MMK
10-May-96 11:09 AM EDT (1509 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] BOSNIA SITREP (S) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: A SENIOR BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIAL HAS JOINED THE TOP INTERNATIONAL CIVILIAN OFFICIAL IN BOSNIA IN CALLING ON ALL SERB LEADERS TO FULLY IMPLEMENT THE BOSNIAN PEACE PLAN. V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS THE JOINT CALL IS CLEARLY AIMED AT THE HARDLINE SERB LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC.

TEXT: THE DEMAND FOR ALL SERB LEADERS TO IMPLEMENT THE BOSNIAN PEACE PLAN WAS ISSUED IN BANJA LUKA BY THE BOSNIAN SERB PRIME MINISTER, RAJKO KASAGIC, AND CARL BILDT OF SWEDEN.

IN A JOINT STATEMENT, MR. KASAGIC AND MR. BILDT SAY ECONOMIC PROGRESS, RECONCILIATION, AND DEMOCRACY ARE VITAL FOR THE SERBS TO HAVE A PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS FUTURE TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER PEOPLE OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

THE JOINT STATEMENT IS CLEARLY AIMED AT THE HARDLINE SERB LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC, WHO HAS BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES. HE IS BASED IN PALE, A FORMER SKI RESORT NEAR SARAJEVO.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS TRYING TO WEAKEN HIS GRIP ON POWER BY ISOLATING HIM AND BY DEALING WITH PRIME MINISTER KASAGIC, WHO IS CLOSE TO THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

TO STRENGTHEN MR. KASAGIC'S INFLUENCE, THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN BOSNIA HAVE ESTABLISHED A PRESENCE IN BANJA LUKA.

THE INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY IS TO REWARD SERB MODERATES AND TO ENCOURAGE ORDINARY SERBS TO VOTE FOR THEM IN ELECTIONS DUE TO BE HELD IN BOSNIA LATER THIS YEAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/WC/JWH/GPT
10-May-96 12:21 PM EDT (1621 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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