Voice of America, 96-11-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

[02] BOSNIA-ARMS (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[03] DENMARK / RUSHDIE (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[04] EAST EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[05] EAST EURO SUMMIT (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[06] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[07] TURKEY / MINISTER RESIGNS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[01] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: RELATIONS BEEN A REPUBLICAN CONGRESS AND A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT ARE AMONG THE TOPICS DISCUSSED TODAY ON THE EDITORIAL AND OPINION PAGES OF SOME OF AMERICA'S MAJOR NEWSPAPERS. OTHER SUBJECTS INCLUDE: WHAT'S BEING DESCRIBED AS THE WORSENING CRISIS FOR AN ESTIMATED ONE-POINT-FIVE MILLION RWANDAN REFUGEES; DEVELOPMENTS IN BOSNIA, AND THE FUTURE OF JEWISH SETTLEMENTS ON THE WEST BANK. NOW, HERE IS ____________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN FRIDAY'S NEW YORK TIMES IS HEADLINED: "THE REPUBLICAN QUANDARY." THE PAPER COMMENTS ON HOW THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP SHOULD COME UP WITH "THE PROPER MIX OF COOPERATION AND INVESTIGATION IN DEALING WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS." THE TIMES SAYS "ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO SHOULD MOVE QUICKLY TO INVESTIGATE CAMPAIGN FUND-RAISING AMONG FOREIGN NATIONALS ... OR APPOINT ANOTHER INDEPENDENT COUNSEL TO TAKE OVER THE QUESTIONS SURROUNDING THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE'S CONTRIBUTIONS FROM BUSINESS INTERESTS IN INDONESIA AND OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES." THE EDITORIAL CONTINUES:

VOICE: "BUT IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE FOR CONGRESS TO USE ANY SUCH CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS, WHICH WILL RUN ON THEIR OWN SCHEDULES, AS AN EXCUSE TO ABANDON OVERSIGHT DUTIES OR AVOID A SYSTEMATIC LOOK AT THE ENTIRE CAMPAIGN-FINANCING SYSTEM... THERE IS PLENTY TO LOOK AT ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE. CONSIDER, FOR EXAMPLE, THE G-O-P ATTEMPTS TO OPEN UP PUBLIC LANDS TO DRILLING AND MINING, WEAKEN THE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AND PROTECT BUSINESSES FROM LAWSUITS. WAS THERE ANY CONNECTION BETWEEN THOSE ACTIONS AND SUBSEQUENT FUND-RAISING BY THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY AND OTHER BUSINESSES? [OPT] ABOVE ALL, THE EUPHORIA AND SELF-CONGRATULATION OF THE MOMENT IN BOTH PARTIES MUST NOT OBSCURE CONGRESS'S OBLIGATION TO REPAIR A SYSTEM THAT HAS HELPED PRODUCED VOTER DISGUST AND IMPATIENCE THIS YEAR. IF CONGRESS LOOKS BROADLY AND FAIRLY, IT CAN EDUCATE THE ELECTORATE AND ITSELF BEFORE DECIDING THE BEST WAY TO REPAIR THE SYSTEM." [END OPT]

TEXT: BUT, THE BALTIMORE SUN FINDS THAT "DESPITE THE ACRIMONY OF THE ELECTRON CAMPAIGN, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE REMARKABLY CLOSE IN THEIR ASSESSMENTS OF WHAT SHOULD BE TOP PRIORITIES ON THE NATIONAL AGENDA."

VOICE: "ONE RESULT OF TUESDAY'S ELECTION WAS TO GIVE SENATOR (TRENT) LOTT A BIGGER MAJORITY AND SPEAKER (NEWT) GINGRICH A SMALLER MAJORITY IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CHAMBERS. THIS WAS SYMBOLIC OF THE LARGER CLOUT NOW ENJOYED BY MR. LOTT, A MISSISSIPPI CONSERVATIVE WHO WAS CHIEFLY RESPONSIBLE FOR DEALS WITH THE WHITE HOUSE THAT LED TO A SPATE OF POPULAR LEGISLATION IN THE CLOSING WEEKS OF THE 104TH CONGRESS. MR. LOTT EMPHASIZES THAT THE COUNTRY WANTS BOTH PARTIES TO WORK TOGETHER. MR. GINGRICH, NOW A CHASTENED REVOLUTIONARY, IS CALLING FOR RECONCILIATION RATHER THAN CONFRONTATION. [OPT] WITH MR. CLINTON PROCLAIMING THAT THE ELECTION RESULTS STRENGTHEN 'THE VITAL CENTER', PERHAPS A 'COMMON GROUND' ERA IS AT HAND. THAT IS WHAT THE VOTERS WANT. AND IT IS WHAT THE COUNTRY NEEDS IF FUTURE GENERATIONS ARE NOT TO BE OVERBURDENED BY THIS GENERATION'S DEBTS." [END OPT]

TEXT: AL NEUHARTH, FOUNDER OF THE USA TODAY NEWSPAPER, OFFERS HIS VIEW OF WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S DEFEATED PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE. MR. NEUHARTH, WHO NOW WRITES A WEEKLY COLUMN, SAYS THAT "IF THE SAME TREATMENT BEFALLS BOB DOLE AS THAT OF OTHER FALLEN PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS, HE'LL BE OSTRACIZED BY HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS."

VOICE: "UNDERSTANDABLY, REPUBLICANS NOW ARE DOWN IN THE DUMPS. BUT THEY SHOULD NOT BE DOLEFUL ABOUT IT FOREVER. DOLE SIMPLY WAS NOT CUT OUT TO BE PRESIDENT, OR A NATIONAL CAMPAIGNER. THIS ELECTION WAS LOST THE DAY HE WAS NOMINATED. BUT DOLE'S SOLID SERVICE IN CONGRESS FOR 35 YEARS IS INDISPUTABLE. THOUGHTS ON WAYS HIS PARTY, OR THE COUNTRY, COULD USE THIS LATEST LOSER: AN ACTIVE, WORKING CHAIRMAN OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE. HEAD OF A BIPARTISAN COMMISSION TO REFORM CAMPAIGN FINANCING, MEDICARE, SOCIAL SECURITY OR SOME OTHER MAJOR NATIONAL PROBLEM THAT SHOULD TRANSCEND PARTY LINES. ANYONE WHO COLLECTS NEARLY 38-MILLION VOTES SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN AFTER HE'S GONE."

TEXT: LOOKING ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SAYS OF THE SITUATION IN ZAIRE: THE "WEST MUST NOT DITHER." THE CALIFORNIA NEWSPAPER IS CONCERNED THAT RWANDAN REFUGEES, DRIVEN FROM THEIR OWN COUNTRY, "ARE STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE AS WESTERN AND AFRICAN OFFICIALS DEBATE HOW TO DELIVER AID AND, ULTIMATELY, CONVINCE THE FRIGHTENED THRONGS TO RETURN HOME."

VOICE: "THE IMMEDIATE GOAL SHOULD BE A CEASE-FIRE AND DEPLOYMENT OF AID MISSIONS, GUARDED BY WHATEVER FOREIGN TROOPS ARE COMMITTED TO SEPARATING AND POLICING THE COMBATANTS. ULTIMATELY, REPATRIATION IS THE GOAL. BUT MORE THAN SAFE PASSAGE WILL BE NEEDED TO PERSUADE HUTU REFUGEES THEY WOULD BE SAFER AT HOME, WHERE THEIR OLD TUTSI ENEMIES ARE IN CHARGE. THE OUTSIDE WORLD CANNOT CHANGE HISTORY, BUT IT CAN HELP THE HELPLESS."

VOICE: LIONEL ROSENBLATT IS PRESIDENT OF REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL, A WASHINGTON, D-C-BASED INDEPENDENT HUMANITARIAN ADVOCACY GROUP." WRITING IN A COLUMN IN FRIDAY'S EDITION OF THE WASHINGTON TIMES, MR. ROSENBLATT SAYS OF THE ZAIRE CRISIS: "IF EVER THERE WAS A MOMENT FOR SWIFT, BOLD ACTION BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, THIS IS IT."

VOICE: "INDEED, IF PRESIDENT CLINTON DOES NOT ENGAGE PERSONALLY IN THE SEARCH FOR A SOLUTION, HE WILL HAVE LOST AN OPPORTUNITY TO SET A NEW AND HIGHER STANDARD FOR HIS SECOND TERM. WHAT IS NEEDED ABOVE ALL IS SECURITY TO PERMIT THE RESUMPTION OF AID AND TO OPEN UP A REPATRIATION CORRIDOR TO RWANDA FOR THOSE REFUGEES WHO CAN BE CONVINCED TO RETURN HOME... THERE IS NO TIME TO WASTE, AND THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR TOP PRIORITY INTERVENTION BY HEADS OF STATE IN THE REGION, IN OTHER CAPITALS, AND IN WASHINGTON."

TEXT: GEORGIA'S LEADING DAILY, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, SAYS THE PROPOSAL ANNOUNCED BY ISRAELI MINISTER OF INFRASTRUCTURE ARIEL SHARON TO BUILD TWO HUGE HOUSING PROJECTS ON THE OCCUPIED WEST BANK "COULD MEAN WAR."

VOICE: "FORTUNATELY THE HOUSING PROJECTS ARE NOT A DONE DEAL. THEY MUST BE APPROVED BY (PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN) NETANYAHU OR DEFENSE MINISTER YITZHAK MORDECHAI. NETANYAHU'S DOMESTIC OPPONENTS AND SEVERAL WESTERN EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS IMMEDIATELY CONDEMNED THE SETTLER EXPANSION PLAN, BUT HE PROBABLY PAID LITTLE ATTENTION TO THAT. WHAT HE IS BOUND TO HAVE NOTICED, HOWEVER, IS THAT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, PERHAPS DISTRACTED BY TUESDAY'S ELECTION, SAID MERELY THAT THE SHARON GAMBIT WAS 'UNHELPFUL'. IT'S FAR MORE THAN THAT. THE PROPOSAL IS DESTRUCTIVE AND IT SHOULD BE STOPPED DEAD IN ITS TRACKS."

TEXT: THE ORLANDO (FLORIDA) SENTINEL COMMENTS ON THE GENERAL STATE OF THE MIDEAST PEACE PROCESS, SAYING THAT IT SHOULD BE SPEEDED UP.

VOICE: "IT'S SHAMEFUL THAT PEACE EFFORTS ARE VIRTUALLY AT A STANDSTILL A YEAR AFTER FORMER ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER YITZHAK RABIN'S ASSASSINATION. MR. RABIN, WHO ALREADY HAS CEMENTED HIS PLACE IN HISTORY AS A NATIONAL HERO AND A PEACEMAKER, MUST BE SPINNING IN HIS GRAVE... IT SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING THAT EXISTING ISRAELI-ARAB ACCORDS MUST BE OBSERVED. EQUALLY IMPORTANT, THOUGH, IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PALESTINIAN STATE, PROVIDING FOR THE COMPLETE INDEPENDENCE OF LEBANON AND, YES, ENSURING PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND SYRIA... IF MR. CLINTON WANTS TO SECURE HIS PLACE IN HISTORY, THE MIDDLE EAST PROVIDES A TERRIFIC OPPORTUNITY."

TEXT: "WITH THE ONE-YEAR MANDATE FOR STATIONING AMERICAN TROOPS IN BOSNIA SOON TO EXPIRE," THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS THAT "THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS BELATEDLY INVITING PUBLIC DEBATE OVER WHAT SHOULD COME NEXT IN THE BALKANS."

VOICE: "WE HOPE THAT THIS IS MORE THAN A SHOW STAGED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS AND VOTERS WHO STILL REMEMBER PRESIDENT CLINTON'S INITIAL PROMISE OF A ONE-YEAR DEPLOYMENT. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE OWNED A CLEAR EXPOSITION OF THE CASE FOR AN EXTENDED MILITARY DEPLOYMENT... THE CASE FOR STATIONING SOLDIERS RESTS ON THE ROLE THEY MIGHT PLAY IN DETERRING NEW ETHNIC WARFARE. A MISSION CONCERNED PRIMARILY WITH DETERRENCE WOULD REQUIRE LESS FIREPOWER THAN THE ORIGINAL ASSIGNMENT OF SEPARATING THE WARRING ETHNIC ARMIES. ARGUABLY, THE JOB COULD BE DONE BY TROOPS STATIONED IN NEARBY COUNTRIES LIKE HUNGRY AND GERMANY. [OPT] IT IS FAR FROM CLEAR WHY AMERICANS WOULD HAVE TO BE AS HEAVILY REPRESENTED IN A DETERRENT FORCE AS THEY HAVE BEEN THIS YEAR, WHEN MILITARY STRENGTH WAS NEEDED TO ASSURE THE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE VARIOUS BOSNIAN ARMIES." [END OPT]

TEXT: ON THAT COMMENT FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGE OF FRIDAY'S NEW YORK TIMES, WE END THIS BRIEF LOOK AT TODAY'S EDITORIALS IN THE U-S PRESS.
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08-Nov-96 10:52 AM EST (1552 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA-ARMS (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS URGING AN INVESTIGATION INTO CHARGES THAT THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT IS SMUGGLING HEAVY WEAPONS INTO THE COUNTRY IN VIOLATION OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE UNITED STATES CANNOT CONFIRM THE ALLEGATIONS.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT CHARGES THAT THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS SMUGGLED HEAVY ARTILLERY DELIVERED BY MUSLIM COUNTRIES IN AN EFFORT TO BUILD UP A SEPARATE MUSLIM ARMY. SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS URGING THE BOSNIAN PEACE FORCE TO LOOK INTO ALLEGATIONS CARRIED IN FRIDAY'S NEW YORK TIMES BUT HE SAYS ANY SMUGGLING DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE LARGE-SCALE.

NEITHER IFOR (IMPLEMENTATION FORCE) NOR THE UNITED STATES HAVE ANY INFORMATION THAT WOULD BACK UP THESE CLAIMS BUT THEY ARE SERIOUS CHARGES SO IFOR IS LOOKING INTO THEM AND I THINK WE WILL BE VERY INTERESTED IN SEEING THE RESULTS OF THAT INVESTIGATION.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTS OUT THE BOSNIAN GOVERMNMENT IS ALLOWED TO IMPORT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF HEAVY WEAPONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ARMS CONTROL PROVISIONS OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT. THE UNITED STATES IS WITHHOLDING THE AMERICAN CONTRIBUTION OF HEAVY WEAPONS FOR THE BOSNIAN FEDERATION AWAITING THE DISMISSAL OF DEFENSE OFFICIALS THE STATE DEPARTMENT CHARGES ARE OPPOSED TO A UNIFIED BOSNIAN ARMY. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
08-Nov-96 4:55 PM EST (2155 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] DENMARK / RUSHDIE (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: DANISH OFFICIALS SAY AUTHOR SALMAN RUSHDIE WILL BE IN COPENHAGEN NEXT WEEK TO RECEIVE A EUROPEAN LITERARY AWARD. HE IS UNDER A DEATH THREAT FROM SOME MUSLIMS. V-O-A EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS DISPUTES ABOUT THE SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE VISIT NEARLY BROUGHT THE DANISH GOVERNMENT DOWN.

TEXT: A JOINT STATEMENT BY THE DANISH RUSHDIE COMMITTEE AND THE DANISH MINISTRY OF CULTURE SAID THE EXACT TIME AND VENUE FOR THE AWARD WOULD NOT BE MADE PUBLIC.

BUT THE STATEMENT SAID MR. RUSHDIE WOULD BE IN COPENHAGEN TO RECEIVE THE LITERARY AWARD.

DANISH OFFICIALS HAD ORIGINALLY TOLD MR. RUSHDIE THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY BECAUSE OF FEARS FOR HIS SAFETY.

THE INDIAN-BORN AUTHOR HAS BEEN LIVING UNDER GUARD SINCE 1989 WHEN IRANIAN REVOLUTIONARY LEADER AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI ISSUED A DEATH SENTENCE AGAINST HIM BECAUSE OF HIS NOVEL, THE SATANIC VERSUS.

DENMARK'S INITIAL RELUCTANCE TO ALLOW MR. RUSHDIE TO ATTEND THE AWARD CEREMONY NEXT WEEK NEARLY BROUGHT THE COLLAPSE OF THE MINORITY GOVERNMENT. BUT COALITION MEMBERS WHO HAD THREATENED A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE, AGREED THURSDAY THAT THEY WOULD NOT DO SO.

DENMARK'S GOVERNMENT HAS ACKNOWLEDGED IT MISHANDLED THE AFFAIR, WHICH OPINION POLLS INDICATE HAS CAUSED A SHARP DROP IN ITS APPROVAL RATING. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/JWH/CF
08-Nov-96 8:17 AM EST (1317 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EAST EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: SHARE PRICES WERE MIXED IN EASTERN EUROPE THIS WEEK. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM PRAGUE.

TEXT: THE BEST PERFORMER THIS WEEK WAS WARSAW WHICH ROSE SHARPLY WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. THE WIG INDEX ROSE 376 POINTS ON THE WEEK TO 13-THOUSAND-874. ANALYSTS SAY MARKET PARTICIPANTS ARE WATCHING THE POLISH SENATE WHICH NEXT WEEK VOTES ON NEW TAX RATES.

IN BUDAPEST, PRICES WERE ALSO HIGHER, WITH THE BUX INDEX UP 18 POINTS TO 36-HUNDRED-32. THE HUNGARIAN MARKET IS JUST BENEATH ITS 1996 HIGH. IN PRAGUE, PRICES REMAIN DEPRESSED, WITH THE PX 50 INDEX FALLING BELOW 500 FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE APRIL. THE INDEX WAS DOWN FIVE POINTS ON THE WEEK TO 498. THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY MINISTER SAID FRIDAY THE MARKET NEEDS MORE REGULATION.

IN ROMANIA, THERE WAS A SLIGHT GAIN AMID LOW VOLUME. THE CONSERVATIVE OPPOSITION WHICH WON LAST SUNDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION WANTS TO MOVE FASTER ON PRIVATIZATION. ELSEWHERE, BRATISLAV WAS LOWER, LJUBLJANA WAS UP SHARPLY, AND SOFIA WAS CLOSED FOR THE THIRD WEEK IN A ROW. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/JWH/MMK
08-Nov-96 12:20 PM EST (1720 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] EAST EURO SUMMIT (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: OFFICIALS FROM 15 CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ARE HOLDING A TWO DAY MEETING IN THE AUSTRIAN CITY OF GRAZ. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS THE MEETING FOCUSES ON RECONSTRUCTION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION.

TEXT: THE MEETING HAS BEEN ORGANIZED BY THE AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT AND IS REGARDED AS VERY IMPORTANT BY CHANCELLOR FRANZ VRANITSKY. THE CONFERENCE OF THE CENTRAL EUROPEAN INITIATIVE IN THE SOUTHEASTERN AUSTRIAN CITY OF GRAZ IS THE LATEST OF ANNUAL GATHERINGS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE SINCE 1990.

AT A PRESS BRIEFING FRIDAY, MR. VRANITSKY SAID THE AIM OF THIS YEAR'S MEETING IS TO BRING THE COUNTRIES OF THE CENTRAL EUROPEAN REGION CLOSER TOGETHER AND IMPROVE COOPERATION IN AREAS SUCH AS TRANSPORT AND ENERGY.

HE SAID MOLDOVA WILL BE ADMITTED AS THE 16TH MEMBER OF THE INITIATIVE AND THAT A 17TH AND FINAL SEAT IN THE ORGANIZATION IS BEING RESERVED FOR YUGOSLAVIA.

MR. VRANITSKY SAID RUSSIA IS SEEKING A DIALOGUE WITH THE CENTRAL EUROPEAN INITIATIVE. THE AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR CALLED FOR INCREASED CONSULTATION WITH RUSSIA.

THE CENTRAL EUROPEAN INITIATIVE AT THE BEGINNING INCLUDED ONLY AUSTRIA, ITALY, HUNGARY, AND THE OLD YUGOSLAV FEDERATION. SINCE THEN ITS MEMBERSHIP HAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL OF THE FORMER COMMUNIST COUNTRIES OF EASTERN EUROPE AND SOME PARTS OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION. UKRAINE AND BELARUS ARE MEMBERS, BUT THE THREE BALTIC STATES ARE NOT. ALL OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS EXCEPT FOR SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO ARE MEMBERS.

SEVERAL FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE JOINED HEADS OF GOVERNMENT IN ATTENDING THE MEETING AT GRAZ WHICH CONTINUES THROUGH SATURDAY. THE MEETING WILL EXAMINE ECONOMIC COOPERATION IN THE BALTIC AND BLACK SEA REGIONS AND RELATIONS WITH GREECE AND TURKEY. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/JWH/MMK
08-Nov-96 11:23 AM EST (1623 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: IT WAS A MOSTLY-HIGHER DAY FOR STOCK PRICES ON THE MAJOR BOURSES OF WESTERN EUROPE FRIDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH WRAPS-UP MARKET RESULTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: FRANKFURT'S "DAX-30" SET A RECORD AT THE CLOSE FRIDAY, GAINING ALMOST 27 POINTS ON THE HEELS OF WALL STREET'S RECENT EUPHORIA OVER THE RESULTS OF TUESDAY'S PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.

STOCKS ON THE PARIS "CAC-40" INDEX, HOWEVER, RETREATED SOMEWHAT FRIDAY, CLOSING DOWN ALMOST SEVEN POINTS. BUT THE PARIS EXCHANGE ENJOYED A PROFITABLE WEEK, WITH STOCKS GAINING SOME THREE PERCENT IN VALUE OVER THAT TIME.

HERE IN LONDON, THE KEY FINANCIAL TIMES INDEX OF 100 LEADING STOCKS POSTED A RESPECTABLE GAIN OF JUST OVER 10 POINTS ON FRIDAY. BUT FEARS OF RISING INTEREST RATES CAUSED THE "FOOTSIE" INDEX TO POST AN OVERALL DECLINE FOR THE WEEK.

GOLD IN LONDON HELD STEADY AT THE CLOSE FRIDAY, SELLING AT ABOUT 379 DOLLARS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/SP
08-Nov-96 1:34 PM EST (1834 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] TURKEY / MINISTER RESIGNS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKISH PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN SAYS HIS INTERIOR MINISTER, MEHMET AGAR, HAS RESIGNED. MR. AGAR WAS PRESSED TO STEP DOWN AFTER BEING LINKED TO A SCANDAL INVOLVING A NOTORIOUS GANGSTER, A WELL-KNOWN POLICE CHIEF, AND A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS THE AFFAIR HAS ONCE AGAIN FOCUSED ATTENTION ON ALLEGED LINKS BETWEEN THE TURKISH OFFICIALS AND ORGANIZED CRIME.

TEXT: MR. AGAR'S RESIGNATION WAS WIDELY EXPECTED. MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITION HAD BEEN PRESSING FOR THE INTERIOR MINISTER'S DISMISSAL AFTER A POLICE CHIEF DIED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT LAST WEEKEND ALONG WITH AN ISTANBUL MAFIA BOSS AND A FORMER BEAUTY QUEEN. ALL THREE WERE TRAVELLING IN A CAR WITH A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, FROM DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, TANSU CILLER'S CONSERVATIVE TRUE PATH PARTY, OR D-Y-P.

THE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, SEDAT BUCAK, SURVIVED THE CAR CRASH WHICH TOOK PLACE DURING THE WEEKEND NEAR THE WESTERN PORT CITY OF IZMIR.

MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITION HAVE BEEN DEMANDING AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT WERE IN THE SAME CAR AS A NOTORIOUS GANGSTER KNOWN TO BE INVOLVED IN HEROIN TRAFFICKING.

INTERIOR MINISTER AGAR ATTEMPTED TO PLAY DOWN THE INCIDENT, AND DESCRIBED IT AS A ROUTINE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. BUT OBSERVERS SAY IT FOCUSED ATTENTION ON POSSIBLE ALLEGED LINKS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND ORGANIZED CRIME.

MR. AGAR HAS DENIED ANY CONNECTION. BUT SEVERAL LEFT WING OPPOSITION PARTIES CLAIMED THIS WEEK TO THE PRESS THAT MR. AGAR IS AWARE OF DRUG TRAFFICKING AND EXTORTION RINGS BEING JOINTLY RUN BY THE TURKISH MAFIA AND MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY ESTABLISHMENT.

THE D-Y-P LAWMAKER WHO SURVIVED THE CRASH, SEDAT BUCAK, IS EXPECTED TO BE A KEY WITNESS. BUT HE SAYS HE NOW SUFFERS FROM AMNESIA AND CANNOT REMEMBER DETAILS OF THE CRASH.

ANALYSTS SAY THE SCANDAL -- THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF INCIDENTS LINKING TURKISH POLICE TO THE MAFIA -- COULD FURTHER WEAKEN THE ISLAMIST-LED COALITION BETWEEN PRIME MINISTER ERBAKAN AND MRS. CILLER'S D-Y-P.

MRS. CILLER, HERSELF, FACES CHARGES OF CORRUPTION, WHICH ARE BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE PARLIAMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH
08-Nov-96 11:10 AM EST (1610 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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