Voice of America, 97-01-31

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] ALBRIGHT-BOSNIA WAR CRIMES (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[03] BELGRADE OPPOSITION (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

[04] BULGARIA UNREST (S) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[05] COHEN-BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

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

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

[08] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

[09] ZAIRE / EUROPE (L) BY SCOTT STEARNS (NAIROBI)

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

INTRO: YESTERDAY, THE STATE DEPARTMENT RELEASED ITS ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT. THE DOCUMENT CRITICIZES CHINA FOR WHAT THE DEPARTMENT CALLS "WIDESPREAD AND WELL DOCUMENTED" ABUSES. AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS OFFER THEIR COMMENTS IN TODAY'S EDITIONS. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THIS WEEK'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN CHECHNYA, AND A POSSIBLE EXPANSION OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _______________ AND FRIDAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT, CHINA IS HOLDING "THOUSANDS" OF POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS PRISONERS. IT GOES ON TO SAY THAT "ALL PUBLIC DISSENT...WAS EFFECTIVELY SILENCED. NO DISSIDENTS WERE KNOWN TO BE ACTIVE AT YEAR'S END." THE WASHINGTON POST CALLS THE REPORT'S CHAPTER ON CHINA "GRIM READING."

VOICE: "THE REPORT LED PRESIDENT CLINTON TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HIS POLICY OF 'CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT' HAD SO FAR FAILED TO BRING PROGRESS ON HUMAN RIGHTS. HE WAS QUICK TO ADD THAT SOCIAL IMPULSES, ECONOMIC CHANGE AND THE AVAILABILITY OF FOREIGN INFORMATION WOULD 'INEVITABLY INCREASE THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY OVER TIME. THIS IS A REASSURING THEORY, BUT IT WILL TAKE YEARS TO PROVE OUT. IT CARRIES THE IMPLICATION THAT OUTSIDERS CAN MEANWHILE BACK OFF FROM PRESSING HUMAN RIGHTS. THIS WOULD BE A MISTAKE. THE RESULTS OF EITHER ENGAGING OR RETREATING ARE HARD TO PREDICT. NO MATTER, AMERICANS MUST BE TRUE TO THEMSELVES. THAT NEED NOT MEAN NEGLECTING EVERY OTHER CONSIDERATION, BUT IT DOES MEAN SPEAKING OUT ON THINGS THAT MATTER. IT IS PRESUMABLY WHAT CHINA-BOUND SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT MEANS WHEN SHE SAYS SHE WILL TELL IT LIKE IT IS."

TEXT: BUT, THE BALTIMORE SUN SAYS ON ITS EDITORIAL PAGE THAT "THE MOST CRUCIAL U.S. INTERESTS ARE NEITHER CHINA'S DOMESTIC HUMAN RIGHTS NOR U.S. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES BUT CHINA'S INTERNATIONAL CONDUCT."

VOICE: "CHINA HAS THE ABILITY TO INVADE NEIGHBORS, WRECK JAPAN, SEIZE THE SEABED FROM RIVAL CLAIMANTS, SELL MODERN WEAPONS TO ROGUE STATES AND ATTACK TAIWAN. CHINA'S GROWING RAPPROCHEMENT WITH RUSSIA WILL FREE ITS HANDS ON OTHER BORDERS. CHASTISING CHINA FOR HUMAN RIGHTS FEELS GOOD BUT DOES NOT DISSUADE CHINA FROM BEHAVING BADLY.... UNTIL THERE IS A TRANSITION TO A STABLE POST-DENG XIAOPING ERA, CHINA WILL BE A DANGEROUS GIANT. DEALING WITH IT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST CHALLENGES FACING THE CLINTON SECOND TERM."

TEXT: LESS THAN SIX MONTHS AGO, CHECHNYA -- IN THE WORDS OF THE NEW YORK TIMES -- "WAS A GHASTLY KILLING ZONE WHERE RUSSIAN TROOPS AND CHECHEN FIGHTERS ENGAGED IN A WAR THAT WAS DEVASTATING CHECHNYA AND DESTABLIZING RUSSIA." ALEKSANDR LEBED, A FORMER RUSSIAN GENERAL BROKERED A PEACE AGREEMENT THAT LED TO PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS HELD LAST WEEK. THE WINNER WAS ASLAN MASKHADOV WHO THE TIMES DESCRIBES AS "A MODERATE LEADER WHO SEEMS CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE DIFFICULT WORK OF SEALING SOME FORM OF SEPARATION FROM RUSSIA."

VOICE: "ALL 13 CHECHEN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES FAVORED FULL INDEPENDENCE, AND EVEN MR. MASKHADOV, AMONG THE MOST MODERATE, SAID FREEDOM SHOULD NOT BE DELAYED FOR THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD PROVIDED FOR IN THE LEBED PEACE DEAL. BUT HAVING GAINED INDEPENDENCE IN NEARLY EVERYTHING BUT NAME, THE CHECHENS CAN AFFORD TO BE PATIENT. CONDITIONS FOR PRODUCTIVE NEGOTIATION NOW EXIST. THE KREMLIN CAN NO LONGER CONTEND THAT ILLEGITIMATE LEADERS ARE MISREPRESENTING THE WILL OF THE CHECHEN PEOPLE. THERE OUGHT TO BE A WAY FOR RESPONSIBLE LEADERS ON BOTH SIDES TO WORK OUT AN ACCOMMODATION THAT SECURES CHECHNYA'S NEAR-INDEPENDENCE. CHECHEN LEADERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO CONSOLIDATE THEIR GAINS NOW THROUGH NEGOTIATION AND PATIENCE THAN CONFRONTATION. RUSSIA'S INFLUENCE IN CHECHNYA IS NOT GOING TO INCREASE AS TIME PASSES."

TEXT: WHILE ASLAN MASKHADOV, CHECHNYA'S NEW PRESIDENT SAYS THAT HE WANTS TO REOPEN TALKS WITH RUSSIA ON THE SOVEREIGNTY ISSUE, A SPOKESPERSON FOR RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN SAYS THAT RUSSIA REMAINS OPPOSED TO INDEPENDENCE. THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE OFFERS THIS VIEW:

VOICE: "BOTH SIDES SIMPLY MUST ADHERE TO A SENSIBLE TREATY WORKED OUT BY RATIONAL MINDS AMID THE SCORCHED RUINS OF A TRAGIC WAR. THE FULL INDEPENDENCE THAT CHECHENS DESIRE MUST BE ACHIEVED THROUGH A SIMILAR RATIONAL PROCESS OF NEGOTIATIONS BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE RECOGNIZED THE VALUE OF REASON OVER MADNESS. MEANWHILE, THE UNITED STATES CAN ONLY WATCH FROM THE SIDELINES AND WAIT -- PREPARED TO LEND ANY REASONABLE ASSISTANCE -- WHILE THIS MESSY, PAINFUL PROCESS WORKS ITSELF OUT."

TEXT: A RECENT NATIONAL POLL CONDUCTED IN THE UNITED STATES FINDS THAT APPROXIMATELY HALF OF THOSE SURVEYED WERE NOT THE LEAST BIT CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF NATO EXPANDING RAPIDLY. THE ORLANDO (FLORIDA) SENTINEL IS OF THE OPINION THAT THE ORGANIZATION'S EXPANSION "COULD CONTRIBUTE TO INSECURITY FOR EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES."

VOICE: "ON PAPER, THE REASONS TO SWELL NATO'S RANKS DURING THE SHORT TERM SEEM TO MAKE SENSE. BUT THEY DON'T HOLD UP TO SCRUTINY. THOSE WHO FAVOR RAPID EXPANSION OFFER VARIOUS REASONS FOR THEIR PUSH. THEY ARGUE THAT THEY WANT TO PROTECT EMERGING DEMOCRACIES IN THE FORMER SOVIET BLOC. FURTHER, THEY WISH TO GUARD AGAINST A RESURGENT RUSSIA. AT THIS POINT, THOUGH, DEMOCRACY IS ON TRACK IN MOST OF THOSE COUNTRIES. THE PLACE DEMOCRACY NEEDS BOLSTERING IS RUSSIA ITSELF. ALSO, IF A REAWAKENED RUSSIAN BEAR WERE TO START TO GROWL, IT WOULD POSE THE BIGGEST DANGER TO AREAS CLOSE TO RUSSIA, SUCH AS THE BALTIC STATES. IT'S WORTH RECALLING THAT NATIONS IN EASTERN EUROPE ALREADY HAVE THE OPTION TO COOPERATE WITH NATO THROUGH THE SO-CALLED PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE PROGRAM. MEANWHILE, THERE'S A CLEAR DOWNSIDE TO BEEFING UP NATO QUICKLY. MERE TALK ABOUT A RAPID EXPANSION OF NATO HAS STRAINED RELATIONS BETWEEN THE WEST AND RUSSIA. AS LONG AS DEMOCRACY IS STRUGGLING IN RUSSIA AND COMMUNISTS AND ULTRANATIONALISTS PLOT TO REGAIN CONTROL, THAT'S A SHORTSIGHTED TACK."

TEXT: ACCORDING TO SOME NEWS REPORTS, IRAQI TROOPS ARE GOING THROUGH "BATTALION-LEVEL TRAINING MANEUVERS," AND THE IRAQI AIR FORCE "HAS BEEN FLYING AS MANY AS 100 SORTIES A DAY" IN AN AREA NOT FAR FROM THE BORDER WITH KUWAIT. SAHD NASIR AL-SABAH, KUWAIT'S INFORMATION MINISTER, SAYS THAT "SADDAM DOES NOT WANT TO GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS DEFEATED BY THE UNITED STATES AND KUWAIT." THE WASHINGTON TIMES NOTES THAT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS THAT IT IS MONITORING EVENTS CAREFULLY. BUT, SAYS THE PAPER, MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE.

VOICE: "AMONG REASONS FOR CONCERN IS THE EVIDENT LEAKAGE OF THE WEAPONS EMBARGO AGAINST IRAQ, WHICH HAS ENABLED SADDAM TO REBUILD HIS TANKS AND HIS FIGHTER SQUADRONS. SOMEHOW HE HAS FOUND THE MONEY FOR SPARE PARTS AND COUNTRIES WILLING TO SUPPLY THEM.... AS FOR THE SIX-MONTH LIFTING OF THE U.N. OIL EMBARGO ON IRAQ FOR THE PURPOSE OF HUMANITARIAN RELIEF, THE KUWAITIS FEAR THAT UNLESS THE FLOW OF MONEY IS WATCHED WITH HAWK-EYED CARE, SOME OF IT MAY END UP DIVERTED TO MILITARY PURPOSES."

TEXT: THIS WEEK, THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE, ENDORSED THE MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA. THE WASHINGTON POST EDITORIALIZES THAT "WHEN A LEADING MEDICAL JOURNAL FINDS THERAPEUTIC VALUE IN MARIJUANA, IT MAY BE HARD FOR DRUG OFFICIALS TO CONTINUE BLOCKING MEDICAL USES PENDING CONCLUSIVE CLINICAL STUDIES SHOWING MARIJUANA TO BE BENEFICIAL."

VOICE: "THE JOURNAL ACKNOWLEDGES THAT MARIJUANA USE MAY CAUSE LONG-TERM ADVERSE EFFECTS AND LEAD TO SERIOUS ADDICTION. BUT IT ARGUES THAT THESE DISTANT RISKS ARE NOT RELEVANT ISSUES WHEN THE DRUG IS PRESCRIBED TO COMBAT INTRACTABLE NAUSEA AND PAIN IN SERIOUSLY ILL PATIENTS WITH AIDS, CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO PROHIBIT PHYSICIANS FROM PRESCRIBING MARIJUANA WHEN THEY ARE ALLOWED TO PRESCRIBE MORPHINE AND MEPERIDINE, WRONG DOSAGES OF WHICH MAY HASTEN DEATH, WHEN THERE IS NO RISK OF IMMEDIATE DEATH WITH MARIJUANA.... THE JOURNAL'S VOICE IS A WELCOME ADDITION TO THE WIDENING NATIONAL DEBATE OVER MARIJUANA AS MEDICINE. IT IS ROOTED IN COMPASSION FOR THE SERIOUSLY ILL WHO MAY BE SUFFERING NEEDLESSLY BECAUSE OF BROADER CONCERNS ABOUT SOCIETY'S DRUG PROBLEM."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS IN FRIDAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS.
31-Jan-97 11:11 AM EST (1611 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBRIGHT-BOSNIA WAR CRIMES (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS MET WITH LOUISE ARBOUR, THE PROSECUTOR OF THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNALS FOR RWANDA AND THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THEY EXPRESSED MUTUAL FRUSTRATION ABOUT THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL.

TEXT: MADELEINE ALBRIGHT IN HER PREVIOUS CAPACITY AS UNITED NATIONS AMBASSADOR WAS CALLED "MOTHER OF THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNALS." THIS COULD EXPLAIN THE NEW SECRETARY OF STATE'S FULL SUPPORT FOR LOUISE ARBOUR'S EFFORTS IN PROSECUTING THE SUSPECTS FROM THE WAR IN BOSNIA AND THE GENOCIDE IN RWANDA.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS SECRETARY ALBRIGHT SHARES THE PROSECUTOR'S FRUSTRATION THAT ONLY SEVEN SUSPECTS FROM THE BOSNIAN WAR ARE IN THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL'S CUSTODY.

I THINK SECRETARY ALBRIGHT AND JUSTICE ARBOUR AGREED THAT THERE HAD TO BE A GREATER EFFORT MADE TO DETAIN WAR CRIMINALS AND PROSECUTE THEM. WE HAVE BEEN SAYING THAT FOR WELL OVER A YEAR NOW, THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN FRUSTRATED FOR WELL OVER A YEAR BY THE FACT THAT PARTIES TO THE DAYTON ACCORDS (ON BOSNIA) HAVE FUNDAMENTALLY NOT KEPT THEIR COMMITMENTS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT.

MRS. ARBOUR THANKED THE UNITED STATES FOR ITS ASSISTANCE IN DETAINING AND TRANSFERRING FOUR SUSPECTS WANTED BY THE RWANDA TRIBUNAL. (SIGNED)
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31-Jan-97 3:03 PM EST (2003 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BELGRADE OPPOSITION (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

INTRO: THE ALLEGED THEFT OF OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS LAST NOVEMBER BROUGHT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OUT ON TO THE STREETS OF SERBIA. JULIA GLYN-PICKETT ASKED PEOPLE IN BELGRADE WHAT THEY THINK OF THAT OPPOSITION AFTER 11 WEEKS OF PROTESTS.

TEXT: BRANKO PETROVIC IS ONE OF THOUSANDS OF DEMONSTRATORS ATTENDING FRIDAY'S OPPOSITION RALLY IN BELGRADE. HE BLOWS HIS WHISTLE IN TIME TO THE MUSIC AND LAUGHS AT THE OLD LADIES BEHIND HIM WHO JOIN IN AND BANG SAUCEPANS. BRANKO TOLD VOA WHY -- AFTER 73 DAYS, THOUSANDS OF RIOT POLICE AND WINTER WEATHER -- HE WAS STILL HERE.

I THINK THAT THIS COALITION IS THE ONLY POWER THAT MAKES SENSE IN SERBIA ... SO THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.

THE ZAJEDNO OPPOSITION IS A COALITION OF THREE RATHER DISPARATE POLITICAL PARTIES. THE COALITION LEADERS, ZORAN DJINDJIC, VESNA PESIC AND VUK DRASKOVIC, HAVE ALL SHIFTED THEIR POLITICAL POSITIONS -- SOMETIMES FLIRTING WITH NATIONALISM -- IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

STATE MEDIA SAY THAT THE ONLY THING HOLDING ZAJEDNO TOGETHER IS ITS OPPOSITION TO SERBIAN PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND HIS SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT.

WE WANT TO SEE THE PRESENT SOCIALIST PARTY GO. WE WANT A CHANGE. AND AT THE MOMENT, THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. WHAT WE WANT IS A REPLACEABLE GOVERNMENT.

PROFESSOR VLADIMIR GOATI OF THE BELGRADE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH THE OPPOSITION IS STILL WEAK, THEY HAVE GROWN STRONGER IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS.

THE ENERGY OF MASS DEMONSTRATIONS IN BELGRADE AND OTHER CITIES WAS VERY USEFUL FOR THE DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL PARTY IN THE COALITION. AND I BELIEVE THAT NOW IN THESE DAYS THESE PARTIES ARE MUCH STRONGER THAN TWO OR THREE MONTHS AGO.

BUT WHILE MANY PEOPLE SUPPORT THE ZAJEDNO OPPOSITION, OTHERS BLAME THEM FOR BRINGING THE COUNTRY TO ITS KNEES.

ONE SUPPORTER OF THE GOVERNING SOCIALISTS, WHO WOULD NOT GIVE HIS NAME, CONDEMNED THE OPPOSITION:

HE SAID THE OPPOSITION IS STUPID AND HE ACCUSED THE DEMONSTRATORS OF DESTROYING THE COUNTRY. HE SAID THAT OPPOSITION LEADERS -- VUK, DJINDJIC AND PESIC -- SHOULD BE TRIED BEFORE AN INTERNATIONAL COURT FOR THE DAMAGE THEY HAVE DONE. (SIGNED)
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31-Jan-97 3:23 PM EST (2023 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BULGARIA UNREST (S) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS CONTINUE IN BULGARIA. BUT V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BARRY WOOD REPORTS THE COUNTRY'S PRESIDENT AND THE PRIME MINISTER-DESIGNATE ARE PRESENTING NEW PROPOSALS FOR ENDING THE POLITICAL DEADLOCK THAT HAS BLOCKED THE FORMATION OF A NEW GOVERNMENT'S TO DEAL WITH THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC CRISIS.

TEXT: PRESIDENT PETAR STOYANOV RETURNED FROM EMERGENCY TALKS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION SAYING THAT INTERIOR MINISTER NIKOLAI DOBREV SHOULD GIVE UP HIS EFFORTS TO FORM A NEW SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT.

WHILE PROTESTS AND STRIKES CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY FRIDAY, MR. DOBREV TOLD THE REUTERS NEWS AGENCY THAT HE IS WILLING TO STEP ASIDE SO THAT A COALITION GOVERNMENT COULD BE FORMED TO PULL BULGARIA OUT OF ITS ECONOMIC CRISIS.

MR. DOBREV COMMENDED THE PRESIDENT'S EFFORTS TO FIND A WAY OUT OF THE IMPASSE. BUT HE STILL OPPOSES HOLDING NEW ELECTIONS BEFORE JUNE. THE CONSERVATIVE OPPOSITION AS WELL AS THE PRESIDENT WANT IMMEDIATE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS.

LABOR UNION OFFICIALS SAY ONE-QUARTER-MILLION WORKERS HAVE HEEDED THE CALL FOR NATIONWIDE STRIKES. HUNDREDS OF COAL MINERS CAME TO SOFIA FRIDAY AND DEMONSTRATED FOR HIGHER PAY OUTSIDE THE MINISTRY OF ENERGY. PUBLIC TRANSPORT WORKERS WENT ON STRIKE IN PLOVDIV, THE SECOND LARGEST BULGARIAN CITY.

ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE EVERY DAY IN BULGARIA FOR NEARLY ONE MONTH. (SIGNED)
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31-Jan-97 7:52 AM EST (1252 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] COHEN-BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE NEW U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY -- WILLIAM COHEN -- SAYS U-S TROOPS SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN EFFORTS TO TRACK DOWN INDICTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS IN BOSNIA. MR. COHEN IS MAKING PLANS TO VISIT BOSNIA. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: MR. COHEN HAS FLATLY REJECTED SUGGESTIONS THAT THE UNITED STATES MIGHT SEND FORCES TO BOSNIA TO HUNT DOWN THE WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS. IN HIS FIRST FORMAL NEWS CONFERENCE SINCE TAKING OFFICE, THE DEFENSE CHIEF SAID THE TASK SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AT THE HAGUE:

WE HAVE TO HAVE THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL TO BECOME MUCH MORE ACTIVE IN THIS FIELD. THAT WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY REQUIRE SOME SORT OF INTERNATIONAL EFFORT. BUT IT'S VERY CLEAR FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AT LEAST THAT THAT SHOULD BE AN INTERNATIONAL EFFORT IN WHICH THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES ARE NOT INVOLVED.

MR. COHEN ALSO STRONGLY REITERATED THAT ALL U-S TROOPS SHOULD BE OUT OF BOSNIA WHEN THE MANDATE FOR THE CURRENT NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE EXPIRES IN JUNE OF NEXT YEAR. THE FORMER SENATOR -- THE ONLY REPUBLICAN IN THE CLINTON CABINET -- SAID HIS FIRST TRIP ABOARD AS PENTAGON CHIEF WILL BE TO BOSNIA, THOUGH HE GAVE NO DATE FOR THE JOURNEY. (SIGNED)
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31-Jan-97 5:49 PM EST (2249 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE HIGH FLYING EAST EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS FELL BACK THIS WEEK AFTER BUDAPEST AND WARSAW RETREATED FROM NEW HIGHS. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD HAS MORE.

TEXT: WARSAW AND BUDAPEST BOTH LOST OVER TWO PERCENT THIS WEEK AS MANY INVESTORS TOOK PROFITS FROM RECENT GAINS. ON FRIDAY, THE BUX INDEX IN BUDAPEST WAS AT 53-HUNDRED-33, A 100 POINT DROP ON THE WEEK. IN WARSAW THE WIG INDEX WAS DOWN NEARLY 500 POINTS AT 16-THOUSAND-168. THE PRAGUE MARKET WAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER. IT GAINED ABOUT FIVE POINTS TO 562.

THE SMALLER MARKETS WERE MIXED. IN BUCHAREST THE UNOFFICIAL INDICES WERE BOTH AT NEW 12 MONTH HIGHS. IN BRATISLAVA, SLOVAK SHARES WERE DOWN SLIGHTLY AMID SLOW TRADING. IN ZAGREB, MOST CROATIAN STOCK PRICES WERE LOWER ON THE WEEK. IN LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIAN SHARES WERE AGAIN SHARPLY HIGHER WITH THE MAIN INDEX UP NEARLY THREE PERCENT ON HEAVY TRADING. THE SOFIA MARKET REMAINS CLOSED AMID CONTINUING ECONOMIC TURMOIL. (SIGNED)
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31-Jan-97 8:41 AM EST (1341 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE FRIDAY, YET AGAIN, REGISTERED RECORD-HIGH CLOSING PRICES. FROM OUR LONDON OFFICE, VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE FIGURES.

TEXT: FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS ALL SET NEW ALL-TIME RECORDS WHEN EXCHANGES CLOSED FRIDAY, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO FACTOR IN PARTICULAR WHICH ANALYSTS COULD CITE FOR THE TRIPLE-MARKET RECORD. IN FRANKFURT, THE "DAX 30" INDEX OF GERMAN SHARES CLOSED UP NEARLY 18 POINTS. IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" INDEX OF FRENCH STOCKS ENDED FRIDAY 13-AND-A-HALF POINTS HIGHER. AND HERE IN LONDON, THE PRIME MARKET BAROMETER, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX, REGISTERED A SHARP GAIN UP JUST OVER 47 POINTS.

ON CURRENCY MARKETS, THE U-S DOLLAR REMAINED STRONG. IT TRADED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND WAS UP MORE THAN A CENT AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND. GOLD PRICES CONTINUED TO TUMBLE. THE LONDON FIX ON FRIDAY WAS 344-DOLLARS-60 CENTS AN OUNCE -- DOWN TWO-DOLLARS-75-CENTS FROM THURSDAY. (SIGNED)
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31-Jan-97 1:25 PM EST (1825 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE NEW UNITED NATIONS ENVOY FOR CENTRAL AFRICA CALLS FOR A MASSIVE INFUSION OF AID TO THE REGION AS HE PREPARES FOR INTENSIVE DIPLOMACY TO SETTLE THE VARIOUS CONFLICTS; SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN LAUNCHES A NEW INITIATIVE TO END THE DECADES-LONG FEUD ON CYPRUS; THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- FRESH FROM A VISIT TO WASHINGTON -- SAYS HIS PACE ON U-N REFORM WILL BE THOUGHTFUL, NOT HASTY; AND THE U-S CONGRESS GIVES A HEARING TO THE MAN WHO WILL BE THE NEW AMERICAN AMBASSADOR AT THE U-N. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK:

TEXT: ALGERIAN DIPLOMAT MOHAMED SAHNOUN SETS OUT FOR CENTRAL AFRICA WITH A CLEARLY DEFINED MISSION AIMED AT ENDING THE VARIOUS CONFLICTS IN THE REGION. HE WILL SET UP AN OFFICE IN KENYA BUT EXPECTS TO TRAVEL EXTENSIVELY. HE PLANS TO TALK TO EVERYONE IN THE REGION WHO HAS EITHER INFLUENCE OR A POLITICAL STAKE IN THE OUTCOME.

THE U-N ENVOY SAYS HE BELIEVES HE CAN DO A LOT TO CREATE STABILITY IN CENTRAL AFRICA IF THE SECURITY COUNCIL SUPPORTS HIM -- INCLUDING WITH MAJOR INFUSIONS OF ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE. MR. SAHNOUN SAYS CENTRAL AFRICA IS FULL OF DISPLACED OR OTHERWISE DESPERATE PEOPLE WHOSE NEEDS MUST BE MET BEFORE PEACE CAN BE A REALITY:

BUT ALSO FOR THIS DIALOGUE TO HAPPEN A NUMBER OF CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES HAVE TO BE DEVELOPED, WHICH NEED A VERY LARGE MOBILIZATION OF RESOURCES AND I APPEAL TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO MAKE THESE RESOURCES AVAILABLE.

ONE OF MR. SAHNOUN'S FIRST PRIORITIES WILL BE THE INTERNAL CONFLICT IN EASTERN ZAIRE. THE U-N ESTIMATES THERE ARE SOME 200-THOUSAND, PERHAPS MORE, RWANDAN REFUGEES CAUGHT IN THE CROSS-FIRE, DEPRIVED OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE.

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THREE DECADES OF FEUDING -- INCLUDING A WAR -- AND MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF SEPARATION MARK THE DISPUTE ON CYPRUS BETWEEN THE GREEK AND TURKISH COMMUNITIES. SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS SENT HIS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CYPRUS (FYI: HAN SUNG-JOO OF SOUTH KOREA) BACK TO THE ISLAND-NATION WITH FIRM INSTRUCTIONS TO PRESS FOR FACE-TO-FACE NEGOTIATIONS.

THE GREEK AND TURKISH COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN LIVING APART SINCE TURKISH TROOPS INVADED IN 1974 IN RESPONSE TO A COUP IN NICOSIA BACKED BY GREECE. THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS HAVE SET UP AN INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC IN THE NORTH -- RECOGNIZED ONLY BY ANKARA. THE U-N WANTS TO RE-UNITE CYPRUS UNDER A FEDERAL SYSTEM.

TENSIONS HAVE FIRED UP ON CYPRUS IN RECENT MONTHS. THE GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED PLANS TO DEPLOY RUSSIAN AIR DEFENSE MISSILES. TURKEY THREATENED ACTION TO PREVENT THE MISSILE DEPLOYMENT.

SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNAN SAYS HE WANTS A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ENTIRE CYPRUS DISPUTE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

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KOFI ANNAN -- IN OFFICE JUST ONE MONTH -- HAS ANNOUNCED A SERIES OF APPOINTMENTS TO TOP U-N POSITIONS. AMONG THE NEW FACES IS BERNARD MIYET, A FRENCHMAN WHO WILL HEAD THE PRESTIGIOUS OFFICE OF PEACEKEEPING. HOWEVER, MANY OF THE 23 U-N OFFICIALS WHOSE RESIGNATIONS MR. ANNAN HAD ASKED FOR HAVE BEEN RE-HIRED. HIS SPOKESMAN, FRED ECKHARD, SAYS THE SECRETARY-GENERAL IS TAKING A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO RE-STRUCTURING AND REFORM. HE SAYS MR. ANNAN WANTS CONTINUITY, AS WELL AS NEW TALENT:

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL FEELS THAT CHANGE NEEDS TO BE MANAGED. AS HE SAID TO ME, ROME WASN'T BUILT IN A DAY. HE WILL IMPLEMENT THESE CHANGES INCREMENTALLY THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR AND NEXT.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL IS UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE U-S CONGRESS TO CHANGE THE WAY THE UNITED NATIONS DOES BUSINESS. THE CONGRESS IS HOLDING BACK ON THE PAYMENT OF OVER ONE BILLION DOLLARS IN U-N DUES.

MR. ANNAN PLANS TO PRESENT PROPOSALS FOR REFORM LATER THIS YEAR TO THE ENTIRE U-N MEMBERSHIP.

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AMERICAN BILL RICHARDSON IS MOVING FROM THE U-S CONGRESS -- WHERE HE REPRESENTED HIS HOME STATE OF NEW MEXICO -- TO THE TOP JOB AT THE U-S MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS. HE WILL REPLACE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, WHO IS NOW SECRETARY OF STATE.

A CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE GAVE HIM A SMOOTH RIDE TOWARD CONFIRMATION THIS PAST WEEK. AMONG THE PLEDGES THE AMBASSADOR DESIGNATE MADE WAS A COMMITMENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS AND PURSUING THE APPROPRIATE RESOLUTIONS AT THE U-N:

I WOULD HOPE, SENATOR, THAT THE ROLE I HAD AS A POLITICIAN -- AND I'M PROUD TO SAY I'M A POLITCIAN, I'M A PUBLIC SERVANT AND I WAS DEPUTY WHIP IN THE HOUSE -- I THINK I'LL BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING IN TERMS OF VOTE-COUNTING AND PERSUASION. BUT ON BEHALF OF HUMAN RIGHTS, SENATOR, I'LL BE THERE.

THE NEW U-S AMBASSADOR IS EXPECTED TO TAKE UP HIS POST IN NEW YORK TOWARD THE END OF FEBRUARY. (SIGNED)
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31-Jan-97 5:08 PM EST (2208 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] ZAIRE / EUROPE (L) BY SCOTT STEARNS (NAIROBI)

INTRO: WITH REPORTS OF RENEWED FIGHTING IN EASTERN ZAIRE, THE EUROPEAN UNION'S SPECIAL ENVOY SAYS THERE CAN BE NO MILITARY SOLUTION. V-O-A EAST AFRICA CORRESPONDENT SCOTT STEARNS REPORTS REBELS ARE MOVING FARTHER WEST, AWAY FROM THE BORDER.

TEXT: ZAIRE'S LONG-AWAITED COUNTER-OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE REBELS SEEMS TO BE LOSING STEAM (STRENGTH). THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF SAYS FIGHTING HAS SPREAD TO WATSA, ABOUT 250 KILOMETERS INSIDE ZAIRE AND MORE THAN 700 KILOMETERS NORTH OF WHERE THE REBELS BEGAN THEIR OFFENSIVE LATE LAST YEAR.

REBEL LEADER LAURENT KABILA SAYS HE IS WILLING TO OPEN TALKS WITH THE GOVERNMENT, SOMETHING KINSHASA HAS RULED OUT. ZAIRE'S VICE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS HAS TOLD REPORTERS THAT TO NEGOTIATE WOULD BE TO BETRAY THE NATIONAL MEMORY.

THE EUROPEAN UNION'S SPECIAL ENVOY FOR THE GREAT LAKES REGION SAYS BOTH SIDES NEED TO FIND A POLITICAL SOLUTION BEFORE MORE FIGHTING MAKES THINGS WORSE. THE ENVOY, ALDO AJELLO, SAYS HE IS NOT CONVINCED GOVERNMENT TROOPS CAN REGAIN ALL THE TERRITORY THEY HAVE LOST IN EASTERN ZAIRE. IF THEY CONTINUE FIGHTING, HE SAYS THERE IS THE RISK OF THE WAR SPILLING OVER INTO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES, NAMELY UGANDA, RWANDA, AND BURUNDI.

IF THE GOVERNMENT ARMY DOES NOT REGAIN CONTROL, MR. AJELLO SAYS THERE IS THE RISK OF ZAIRE BREAKING APART AS SECESSIONISTS IN SHABA AND KASAI DECLARE THEIR INDEPENDENCE FROM KINSHASA. MR. AJELLO SAYS THIS "DISMEMBERMENT" OF ZAIRE WOULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM.

HE BELIEVES THE GOVERNMENT AND THE REBELS CAN AGREE ON CERTAIN PRE-CONDITIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION. THEY INCLUDE MAINTAINING ZAIRE'S BORDERS AND RECOGNIZING THE AUTHORITY OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND PRESIDENT MOBUTU SESE SEKO.

MR. AJELLO KNOWS ZAIRIAN REBELS WANT PRESIDENT MOBUTU TO GO, BUT HE SAYS THEY MUST AGREE TO DO THAT THROUGH THE BALLOT BOX, NOT THROUGH FORCE OF ARMS.

MR. AJELLO SAYS THESE THREE POINTS MUST BE AGREED UPON BEFORE TALKS CAN BEGIN. THEY WERE INCLUDED IN A PROPOSAL DRAFTED BY UGANDAN PRESIDENT YOWERI MUSEVENI AND DISTRIBUTED TO REGIONAL LEADERS AT A CONFERENCE IN NAIROBI LAST DECEMBER.

MR. AJELLO SAYS A GROUP OF REGIONAL LEADERS ORIGINALLY BROUGHT TOGETHER TO DISCUSS BURUNDI CAN BE THE BRIDGE TO AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ZAIRE, BUT ONLY IF THE GROUP IS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ZAIRE'S FRENCH-SPEAKING NEIGHBORS.

MR. AJELLO SEES AN EAST AFRICAN CONFERENCE ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION THAT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE SOURCE OF REGIONAL CONFLICT WITH A STRUCTURE IN PLACE TO FOLLOW-UP WHATEVER DECISIONS THE CONFERENCE MAKES.

MR. AJELLO SPOKE TO REPORTERS ON A FLIGHT TO NAIROBI AFTER MEETING IN KAMPALA WITH UGANDA'S PRESIDENT AND THE U-S SPECIAL ENVOY FOR BURUNDI, HOWARD WOLPE. (SIGNED)
NEB/SKS/JWH
31-Jan-97 10:09 AM EST (1509 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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