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Voice of America, 97-02-11

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] INDIA-CYPRUS (L-O) BY MICHAEL DRUDGE (NEW DELHI)
  • [02] ALBANIA REACT (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)
  • [03] WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC UPSURGE BY FRANCIS RONALDS (WASH)
  • [04] ALBRIGHT-NATO (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)
  • [05] PRESS FREEDOM IN THE BALKANS (L-ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)
  • [06] U-S / SERBIA (S ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)
  • [07] SERBIA/POL UPDATE (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (BELGRADE)
  • [08] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)
  • [09] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

  • [01] INDIA-CYPRUS (L-O) BY MICHAEL DRUDGE (NEW DELHI)

    DATE=2/11/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-209932
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: CYPRUS PRESIDENT GLAFCOS CLEREDES IS MAKING AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO INDIA, WHICH HAS LONG SUPPORTED THE GREEK CYPRIOTS IN THEIR DISPUTE WITH TURKEY. CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL DRUDGE ATTENDED A NEWS CONFERENCE WITH MR. CLEREDES.

    TEXT: MR. CLEREDES' NEWS CONFERENCE WAS DOMINATED BY QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE DISPUTE BETWEEN GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS.

    HE WAS ASKED FOR HIS REACTION TO A STATEMENT BY BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY MALCOLM RIFKIND NEITHER GREECE NOR TURKEY HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL TO SOLVE THE CYPRUS ISSUE.

    MR. CLEREDES SAID FORMER U-N SECRETARY GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS GHALI HAD GIVEN A REPORT TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL LAYING THE BLAME ON THE TURKISH SIDE.

    /// INSERT ACT ///

    HE STATED THAT THE REASON THERE IS NO PROGRESS IN THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM IS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF POLITICAL WILL BY THE TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADERSHIP. HIS GOOD OFFICES COULD NOT PRODUCE A SOLUTION WHEN ONE SIDE -- THE TURKISH SIDE -- AND I WILL USE THE EXACT WORDS OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL -- "FLOUTS INTERNATIONAL OPINION AS EXPRESSED IN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS."

    /// END ACT ///

    MR. CLEREDES SAID CYPRUS WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION, DESPITE TURKEY'S OBJECTIONS.

    /// INSERT ACT ///

    WE BELIEVE THAT THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES SHOULD NOT GIVE THE TURKISH SIDE A VETO. BECAUSE IF THEY SAY UNLESS THERE IS A SOLUTION, YOU WILL NOT ENTER, THEN IT WOULD ENCOURAGE THE TURKISH SIDE TO REMAIN INTRANSIGENT SINCE THEY DO NOT WANT US TO GO IN BEFORE TURKEY AND THIS WOULD NOT BE CONSTRUCTIVE AND WOULD NOT BE CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM.

    /// END ACT ///

    MR. CLEREDES, WHOSE WIFE WAS BORN IN INDIA, TOLD REPORTERS HE IS VISITING NEW DELHI TO RENEW OLD TIES THAT GO BACK TO THE FIRST DAYS OF CYPRIOT INDEPENDENCE 40-YEARS AGO. (SIGNED).
    NEB/MWD/RAE
    11-Feb-97 9:04 AM EST (1404 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [02] ALBANIA REACT (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=2/10/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-209921
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: AN AMERICAN ANALYST ON ALBANIA AFFAIRS WARNS THE VIOLENT UNREST STEMMING FROM THE COLLAPSE OF A SERIES OF GET-RICH-QUICK INVESTMENT SCHEMES POSE A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE GOVERNMENT. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS NICHOLAS PANO SAYS THE UNREST COUPLED WITH THE FALLOUT FROM THE FAILED INVESTMENT SCHEMES WILL LIKELY SET BACK THE STRUGGLING ALBANIAN ECONOMY:

    TEXT: MR. PANO SAYS HE IS NOT SURPRISED AT THE VIOLENCE IN ALBANIA'S SOUTH-CENTRAL PORT CITY OF VLORE WHERE THERE IS POLITICAL OPPOSITION TO THE RULING DEMOCRATIC PARTY. HE ALSO SAYS MUCH OF THE CITY'S POPULATION SUFFERED FROM THE COLLAPSE OF A LOCAL PYRAMID SCHEME.

    THE WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY AUTHOR AND CONSULTANT SAYS THE UNREST POSES AN ECONOMIC THREAT TO THE SALI BERISHA GOVERNMENT:

    /// PANO ACTUALITY ///

    I DO NOT BELIEVE, HOWEVER, BASED ON INFORMATION I HAVE FROM ALBANIA REGARDING THE SITUATION, THAT THERE IS A GENERAL DESIRE AT THIS POINT TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT OR FORCE ITS RESIGNATION.

    /// END ACTUALITY ///

    MR. PANO SAYS, SO FAR, ELEMENTS OF THE OPPOSITION HAVE REFUSED GOVERNMENT OFFERS FOR COOPERATION IN REACHING A BIPARTISAN APPROACH TO THE CRISIS. HE SUSPECTS THESE ELEMENTS ARE PUSHING FOR A NEW, MULTI-PARTY GOVERNMENT RUN BY EXPERTS, A PROPOSAL REJECTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

    MR. PANO SAYS JUST LAST YEAR AN ALBANIAN STOCK MARKET WAS CREATED TO ENCOURAGE LEGITIMATE INVESTMENT, BUT SAYS OFFERS OF PROFITS UP TO 30-PERCENT A MONTH FROM PYRAMID SCHEMES OF PRIVATE BUSINESSES DIVERTED NEW-FOUND CAPITAL.

    HE SAYS THE ABILITY OF ALBANIA'S POLITICAL LEADERS TO FIND A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS IS A REAL TEST OF DEMOCRACY. (SIGNED)
    NEB/VB/LWM
    10-Feb-97 8:57 PM EST (0157 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [03] WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC UPSURGE BY FRANCIS RONALDS (WASH)

    DATE=2/11/97
    TYPE=CLOSE-UP
    NUMBER=4-09597
    TELEPHONE=619-3937
    EDITOR=NANCY SMART
    CONTENT= // ACTUALITIES IN AUDIO SERVICES //

    INTRO: THE ANNUAL WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, ATTENDED BY HUNDREDS OF POLITICAL LEADERS AND TOP ECONOMIC EXPERTS, HAS JUST ENDED IN THE SWISS RESORT TOWN OF DAVOS. THE CONSENSUS THERE WAS THAT 1997, DESPITE A RECESSION IN JAPAN AND HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN WESTERN EUROPE, WILL BE A YEAR OF STRONG GROWTH WORLDWIDE. FURTHERMORE, THERE WAS GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT THIS PERIOD OF PROSPERITY IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE FOR YEARS TO COME. ONE OF THE ECONOMISTS AT DAVOS WAS JEFFREY SACHS, DIRECTOR OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY'S INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. PROFESSOR SACHS HAS SHARED HIS REASONS FOR EXPECTING A SUSTAINED UPTURN IN THE WORLD ECONOMY WITH

    VOA'S FRANK RONALDS.

    HOST: THIS YEAR, PROFESSOR SACHS EXPECTS A WORLDWIDE PER CAPITA INCOME GROWTH OF ABOUT FIVE PERCENT, WITH WORLD TRADE RISING AT TWICE THAT AMOUNT AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT FLOWS OF AROUND TWENTY PERCENT. AND HE EXPECTS THIS PROGRESS TO CONTINUE:

    TAPE: CUT ONE -- SACHS "WHAT WE'VE HAD IN THE LAST FIFTEEN YEARS IS, OF COURSE, THE COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM AND A TURN TO MARKET-BASED ECONOMICS IN MOST OF THE REST OF THE DEVELOPING WORLD AS WELL. SO THAT COUNTRIES LIKE THE U-S THAT HAVE A LOT OF SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGY TO SELL ARE ENJOYING A MUCH WIDER SCOPE FOR OUR EXPORTS, AS WELL AS NOW TAKING IN MORE IMPORTS FROM THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, ESPECIALLY IMPORTS OF LABOR-INTENSIVE GOODS THAT THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES CAN EFFICIENTLY PRODUCE."

    HOST: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ALMOST A CENTURY, PROFESSOR SACHS SAYS, THE OUTLOOK IS FOR SYNCHRONIZED ECONOMIC GROWTH ON A WORLDWIDE SCALE:

    TAPE: CUT TWO -- SACHS "BEFORE WORLD WAR ONE WAS A PERIOD WHICH ECONOMISTS DATE GENERALLY FROM 1870 TO 1914, SOMETIMES CALLED THE GOLDEN AGE OF CAPITALISM -- SOMEWHAT RELATED TO OUR CURRENT PERIOD, WITH ONE VERY BIG DIFFERENCE. IT WAS AN AGE IN WHICH IMPERIAL POWERS IN EUROPE, AND TO A SMALLER EXTENT THE UNITED STATES, REALLY CONTROLLED THE WORLD SCENE. IT WAS VERY UNEQUAL, IN MANY WAYS -- A VERY UNFAIR AND UNSTABLE SYSTEM. WE ONCE AGAIN HAVE WORLD MARKETS, BUT NOW ON A VERY DIFFERENT BASIS: ON A BASIS OF NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY, IN WHICH INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES THAT ARE SOVEREIGN ARE AGREEING TO BE PART OF THIS WORLDWIDE SYSTEM AND ARE VOLUNTARILY JOINING INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, SUCH AS THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION, IN WHICH THEY ACT FREELY AS SOVEREIGN MEMBERS TO REACH VOLUNTARY AGREEMENTS ON MAINTAINING OPEN WORLD MARKETS." (BEGIN OPT)

    HOST: MOST SUCCESSFUL HAVE BEEN THE MAJORITY OF COUNTRIES IN EAST AND SOUTHEAST ASIA, ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES AND SOME FORMERLY COMMUNIST COUNTRIES ARE DOING VERY WELL, TOO. HOWEVER, PROFESSOR SACHS IS ALSO ENCOURAGED BY ECONOMIC POLICIES BEING ADOPTED IN MANY AFRICAN NATIONS:

    TAPE: CUT THREE -- SACHS "I'M VERY EXCITED BY MANY PARTS OF AFRICA RIGHT NOW, WHERE ECONOMIC POLICY IS IMPROVING, WHETHER IT'S SOUTH AFRICA -- MOZAMBIQUE, OR ZIMBABWE, OR MALAWI -- OR IN EAST AFRICA -- IN KENYA AND UGANDA -- OR IN WEST AFRICA -- IN GHANA, IN THE IVORY COAST -- WE'RE SEEING SOME REAL POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS, A TURN TOWARDS MARKETS, A REAL CHANCE FOR COUNTRIES THAT HAD BEEN WRITTEN OFF BY MANY PEOPLE. AND THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST PROMISING ASPECTS OF THE CURRENT SCENE." (END OPT)

    HOST: ENVIRONMENTALISTS, HOWEVER, WARN THAT THE VERY QUICKENING OF THE WORLD ECONOMY COULD BECOME A DANGER TO THE WORLD'S ECOSYSTEM. THE 1997 ISSUE OF THE WORLDWATCH'S INSTITUTE'S "STATE OF THE WORLD" REPORT SAYS THAT THERE ARE THREE TRENDS WHICH ARE SIMPLY "UNSUSTAINABLE": GLOBAL WARMING, THE DESTRUCTION OF PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES, AND THE RATE OF POPULATION INCREASE. CHRISTOPHER FLAVIN OF THE WORLDWATCH INSTITUTE, IN WASHINGTON, SAYS THAT LITTLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE SO FAR TOWARD THE GOALS SET AT THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT IN RIO DE JANEIRO FIVE YEARS AGO. GENERALLY SPEAKING, HOWEVER, THERE IS A TIME LAG IN MEETING THE GOALS AGREED UPON AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES, AND MR. FLAVIN IS CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC:

    TAPE: CUT FOUR -- FLAVIN "THERE ARE MANY SIGNS OF HOPE IF YOU LOOK AT IT AT A SMALLER SCALE. THERE ARE A LOT OF INDIVIDUAL EXAMPLES WHERE A PARTICULAR COUNTRY OR IN SOME CASE A PARTICULAR CITY OR PARTICULAR REGION ARE REALLY ACCOMPLISHING A GREAT DEAL. SOME OF THE EXAMPLES INCLUDE, ON POPULATION, DRAMATIC DECLINES IN FERTILITY IN MANY COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY IN ASIA AND IN SOME PARTS OF LATIN AMERICA. IN SOME CASES, LEVELS OF FERTILITY HAVE BEEN CUT BY MORE THAN HALF IN THE LAST TWENTY YEARS. IN TERMS OF NEW ENERGY SOURCES, THE WORLD IS NOW EXPERIENCING THE FASTEST GROWTH IT EVER HAS IN THE HARNESSING OF WIND POWER AND SOLAR ENERGY, PARTICULARLY IN EUROPE, WHERE YOU HAVE SOME STRONG POLICIES IN PLACE TO ENCOURAGE RENEWABLES, BUT ALSO IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. INDIA, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS RAPIDLY GROWING SOLAR AND WIND POWER INDUSTRIES. AND OF COURSE THERE ARE A HOST OF EXCITING NEW ELECTRONIC AND BIOTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS THAT HOLD OUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE HIGH STANDARDS OF LIVING, TO HAVE RAPID ECONOMIC GROWTH, BUT TO DO SO IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE WAY."

    HOST: HARVARD'S PROFESSOR JEFFREY SACHS AGREES THAT POLICIES MUST BE SET IN PLACE TO ASSURE ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. BUT HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES AT THE INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BELIEVE THAT HIGHER LIVING STANDARDS WILL PROMOTE, NOT RETARD, ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY TRENDS:

    TAPE: CUT FIVE -- SACHS "THE RAPIDLY GROWING COUNTRIES ARE THE ONES WHERE THE POPULATION TENDS TO GET UNDER CONTROL FASTEST AND WHERE HOUSEHOLDS MAKE THE TRANSITION TO LOWER FERTILITY, MORE JOB MARKET PARTICIPATION, MORE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN AND LESS PRESSURE ON THE ENVIRONMENT. WHAT IT TAKES MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IS A NEW WAY OF THINKING ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT, REALIZING THAT THE AIR AND THE WATER ARE NOT FREE GOODS, THAT, INDEED, ONE CAN EVEN APPLY MARKET PRINCIPLES TO MAKE SURE THAT POLLUTERS PAY, TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COSTS OF POLLUTION ARE REFLECTED IN COSTS OF OPERATIONS, SO THAT FIRMS CUT BACK ON THEIR POLLUTING ACTIVITIES AND LEAD TO CLEANER PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS THAT ARE MUCH MORE FAVORABLE TO THE ENVIRONMENT. AND WHEN APPROPRIATE POLICIES ARE PUT IN, OFTEN MARKET-BASED INCENTIVES FOR ENVIRONMETAL MANAGEMENT, THE RESULTS CAN BE FASTER GROWTH AND BETTER ENVIRONMENT COMBINED. SO IT IS NOT THE HARD TRADE-OFF THAT IS SOMETIMES BELIEVED, IN OUR OPINION AND IN OUR RESEARCH."

    HOST: ALL IN ALL, JEFFREY SACHS AND CHRISTOPHER FLAVIN AGREE THAT LIVING STANDARDS AROUND THE WORLD ARE RISING, AND THAT THIS TREND CAN BE EXTENDED FOR A LONG TIME, IF GOVERNMENTS INCREASINGLY ADOPT FREE MARKET POLICIES THAT PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT. (SIGNED)
    NEB/FSR/NES
    11-Feb-97 2:30 PM EST (1930 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [04] ALBRIGHT-NATO (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

    DATE=2/11/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-209974
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS MADE HER FIRST APPEARENCE BEFORE CONGRESS TO APPEAL FOR THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S REQUEST TO REVERSE THE SLIDE IN AMERICAN SPENDING ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS. SHE RECEIVED A MOSTLY SYMPATHETIC HEARING BEFORE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS ALSO URGED CONGRESS NOT TO DELAY NATO EXPANSION.

    TEXT: IT IS STILL TOO EARLY FOR THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO TELL CONGRESS HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO BRING THE NEW MEMBERS OF NATO UP THE STANDARDS OF MEMBERSHIP. THE ALLIANCE IS SCHEDULED TO INVITE NEW MEMBERS IN JULY AT THE NATO SUMMIT MEETING IN MADRID.

    IN TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HOUSE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT WARNED CONGRESS THAT THE CONTINUED TREND TOWARD FEWER DIPLOMATS AND OVERSEAS MISSIONS HAS TO STOP. IN JUSTIFYING A MORE THAN SIX PERCENT INCREASE IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPENDING, THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL HAVE TO MEET SEVERAL SECURITY CHALLENGES THIS YEAR, INCLUDING NATO EXPANSION.

    THE SECRETARY OF STATE WARNS THE CONGRESSIONAL PANEL THAT NATO EXPANSION CANNOT BE DELAYED.

    ///ALBRIGHT ACT///

    THERE ARE ONLY TWO REAL ALTERNATIVES TO ENLARGEMENT. WE CAN REPLACE THE ALLIANCE WITH THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR NATO THAT INCLUDES EVERYONE AND IMPOSES OBLIGATIONS ON NO ONE. OR WE COULD DELAY THE ENLARGEMENT INDEFINITELY, FREEZING NATO'S MEMBERSHIP ALONG UNJUST COLD WAR LINES. THESE ALTERNATIVES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE RIGHT APPROACH IS TO PROCEED WITH A CAREFUL AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS OF EXPANSION WHILE OFFERING TO RUSSIA THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A FULL PARTNER IN BUILDING A UNITED AND PEACEFUL EUROPE.

    ///END ACT///

    NATO ENLARGEMENT WILL BE A PRIME TOPIC FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S FIRST OVERSEAS TRIP BEGINNING SATURDAY THAT WILL INCLUDE STOPS IN ROME, BONN, BRUSSELS, PARIS, LONDON AND MOSCOW BEFORE SHE FLIES ON TO NORTHEAST ASIA.

    THE VALUE IN NATO EXPANSION, MRS. ALBRIGHT TELLS CONGRESS, IS IN RESOLVING AGE OLD ETHNIC CONFLICTS IN EUROPE. SHE CITES THE RECENT SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES BETWEEN GERMANY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC, BETWEEN HUNGARY AND ROMANIA AND BETWEEN POLAND AND UKRAINE. A LARGER NATO, MRS. ALBRIGHT PROMISES, WILL PREVENT FURTHER BOSNIAS AND WILL PROMOTE DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT.

    RUSSIA CONTINUES TO WARN OF THE DANGERS OF NATO ENLARGEMENT TO ITS FORMER ALLIES IN CENTRAL EUROPE. THE NEW MEMBERS HAVE NOT BEEN NAMED BUT THE MOST MENTIONED CANDIDATES ARE POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC. MRS. ALBRIGHT SAYS SHE DOES NOT EXPECT RUSSIAN OPPOSITION TO CHANGE BUT SHE SAYS RUSSIAN OPPOSITION WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO DELAY OR DERAIL THE DRIVE FOR A RE-UNITED EUROPE.

    CONGRESSMAN TOM LANTOS OF CALIFORNIA SUGGESTS TO MRS. ALBRIGHT THAT THE THREE FREQUENTLY MENTIONED CANDIDATES FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP BE EXPANDED TO FIVE, ADDING ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA. SINCE NATO HAS NOT MADE THE DECISION, THE SECRETARY OF STATE DID NOT RESPOND TO THE CONGRESSMAN'S SUGGESTION. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PT
    11-Feb-97 5:22 PM EST (2222 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [05] PRESS FREEDOM IN THE BALKANS (L-ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=2/11/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-209967
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE U-S GOVERNMENT'S CHIEF HUMAN RIGHTS ENVOY INDICATED AT A SYMPOSIUM IN WASHINGTON TODAY/TUESDAY THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS MOVING CLOSER TO AGREEMENT ON THE NEED TO ARREST INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS. THE COMMENTS WERE MADE AT A SYMPOSIUM ON FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IN THE BALKANS, SPONSORED BY VOICE OF AMERICA AND RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY. V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS. TEXT : THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT THE SYMPOSIUM WAS KATI MARTON, CHAIR OF THE NEW YORK BASED COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS. IN HER OPENING REMARKS SHE TALKED ABOUT THE SEVERE RESTRICTIONS ON THE MEDIA IN CROATIA AND SERBIA.

    MS. MARTON SAID SHE BELIEVES THE REPRESSIVE RULERS IN BOTH PLACES ARE ON THEIR WAY OUT, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER -- WHETHER BY ELECTIONS, PEACEFUL OVERTHROW OR ILLNESS. THIS, MS MARTON BELIEVES, WILL FINALLY PAVE THE WAY FOR A FREE AND INDEPENDENT MEDIA.

    SHE NOTED THAT THE INDEPENDENT BELGRADE NEWSPAPER NASA (NASHA) BORBA HAS SEEN ITS CIRCULATION JUMP 60 PERCENT. THIS IS HAPPENING, SHE SAID, JUST AS THE EVENING STATE-CONTROLLED TELEVISION NEWSCASTS -- ONCE SERBIA'S MAIN SOURCE OF NEWS -- ARE BEING DROWNED OUT EVERY NIGHT BY A CACOPHONY OF NOISE. FOR MORE THAN ONE MONTH, STREET DEMONSTRATORS AND RESIDENTS HAVE BEGUN BEATING POTS AND PANS THE MOMENT THE OFFICIAL EVENING NEWSCAST BEGINS.

    AS FOR BOSNIA, MS. MARTON SAID, THE PRESS HAS BECOME MORE DIVIDED ALONG ETHNIC LINES THAN IT WAS BEFORE OR DURING THE WAR. LATER, WHEN ADDRESSING COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE, SHE SAID THE BEST EFFORTS TO CREATE AN INDEPENDENT MEDIA IN BOSNIA WILL HAVE LITTLE EFFECT UNLESS ONE SPECIFIC ACTION IS TAKEN -- THE ARREST OF INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS:

    // MARTON ACT //

    I THINK THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT IMPEDIMENT IS THE CONTINUED PRESENCE OF WAR CRIMINALS. WHILE WE CONTINUE TO TURN A BLIND EYE TO (IGNORE) THE PRESENCE OF THESE WAR CRIMINALS, AND WITH THE PRESENCE OF AS MANY HEAVILY ARMED NATO AND AMERICAN FORCES ON THE GROUND THERE, I DON'T THINK WE CAN EXPECT THE REGION TO MOVE TOWARD THE NEXT STAGE. IT IS SIMPLY NOT POSSIBLE. IT COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED IN GERMANY AFTER THE WAR, AND IT WON'T HAPPEN IN THE BALKANS.

    // END ACT //

    MS. MARTON'S COMMENT WAS ADDRESSED TO FELLOW PANELIST, JOHN SHATTUCK, THE U-S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOR. MR. SHATTUCK HAS TRAVELLED EXTENSIVELY IN THE BALKANS TO MONITOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONDITIONS THERE.

    // SHATTUCK ACT //

    THIS ISSUE MUST BE RESOLVED, AND IT MUST BE RESOLVED OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT YEAR -- BECAUSE AS WE SEE MORE AND MORE EVIDENCE OF CRIMINAL ELEMENTS WHO ARE IN FACT DISRUPTING WHAT THERE IS OF THE PEACE PROCESS, THAT EVIDENCE POINTS DIRECTLY TO THE URGENCY OF BRINGING THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INDICTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES IN THE HAGUE TO JUSTICE. IT IS PROBABLY THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT WAY OF ADDRESSING THE SPIRAL OF VIOLENCE WHICH COULD EASILY START AGAIN.

    // END ACT //

    MR. SHATTUCK SAID THE QUESTION OF DETAINING WAR CRIMINALS WAS AT THE TOP OF THE AGENDA AT A NOVEMBER CONFERENCE ON BOSNIA IN LONDON. HE DID NOT SAY, HOWEVER, WHETHER THERE WAS AGREEMENT AMONG THOSE PRESENT ABOUT HOW AND WHEN SUSPECTS WOULD BE HANDED OVER -- NOR WHO WOULD DO IT. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PAM/MMK
    11-Feb-97 3:57 PM EST (2057 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [06] U-S / SERBIA (S ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

    DATE=2/11/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-209970
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TUESDAY CAUTIOUSLY WELCOMED THE SERBIAN PARLIAMENT'S PASSAGE OF A SPECIAL LAW RE-INSTATING OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN LOCAL ELECTIONS LAST NOVEMBER. SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC LAST WEEK ASKED LAWMAKERS TO APPROVE A BILL RECOGNIZING OPPOSITION GAINS IN AN EFFORT TO END THREE MONTHS OF DAILY STREET DEMONSTRATIONS BY OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL BE WATCHING TO SEE THAT THE NEW LAW IS IMPLEMENTED. V-O-A WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

    TEXT: WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY CALLS THE VOTE BY THE SERBIAN PARLIAMENT 'AN IMPORTANT STEP,' BUT HE SAYS THE LAW MUST NOW BE PUT INTO EFFECT.

    // MCCURRY ACTUALITY //

    WE ARE ENCOURAGED THAT THAT NECESSARY STEP TOWARD RECOGNIZING THE EXPRESSION OF FREE WILL BY THE PEOPLE OF SERBIA HAS OCCURRED. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THAT BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED, THAT THE DULY ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS TAKE THEIR SEATS, BEGIN THEIR WORK, AND FULFILL THE WISHES OF THOSE WHO DEMOCRATICALLY VOTED IN SERBIA.

    // END ACT //

    AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, OFFICIALS ARE URGING THAT THE POWERS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS NOT BE WEAKENED.

    SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT LAST WEEKEND CALLED ON SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO ENSURE THAT ELECTION RESULTS BE RE-INSTATED AND TO OPEN A DIALOGUE WITH HIS OPPONENTS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAT/RRM
    11-Feb-97 4:47 PM EST (2147 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [07] SERBIA/POL UPDATE (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (BELGRADE)

    DATE=2/11/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-209977
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: SERBIA'S PARLIAMENT LATE TUESDAY ADOPTED A SPECIAL LAW, REINSTATING OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN LAST NOVEMBER'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. SERBIAN OFFICIALS HOPE THE MOVE WILL PUT AN END TO NEARLY THREE MONTHS OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE STREETS OF BELGRADE AND OTHER TOWNS. BUT OPPOSITION LEADERS SAY THE PROTEST MOVEMENT WILL CONTINUE. FROM BELGRADE, V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS.

    TEXT: THE SPECIAL LEGISLATION, SPONSORED BY PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, WAS APPROVED AT THE END OF A NEARLY TWELVE HOUR SESSION OF PARLIAMENT TUESDAY.

    OPPOSITION LAWMAKERS BOYCOTTED THE SESSION EVEN THOUGH THEY STOOD TO BENEFIT FROM THE LAW. SOME OF THE PRESIDENT'S SUPPORTERS ALSO STAYED AWAY.

    DEPUTIES FROM THE ULTRA-NATIONALIST RADICAL PARTY DID ATTEND, BUT VOICED STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE MEASURE, AND SOUGHT TO DELAY THE VOTE.

    BUT IN THE END, THE RULING SOCIALIST PARTY WAS ABLE TO MUSTER ENOUGH SUPPORT TO ENSURE PASSAGE OF THE LAW. IT WILL GIVE THE OPPOSITION ZAJEDNO COALITION CONTROL OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS IN FOURTEEN OF SERBIA'S MAIN TOWNS AND CITIES, INCLUDING BELGRADE.

    AS THE LAW WAS ADOPTED, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TRIUMPHANT OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS CONVERGED ON BELGRADE'S REPUBLIC SQUARE, ON THE EIGHTY FOURTH DAY OF THE PROTEST MOVEMENT.

    OPPOSITION LEADERS ARE INDICATING THEY WILL HONOR THEIR PLEDGE TO CALL OFF THE DAILY DEMONSTRATIONS ONCE THE NEW LAW IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED. BUT THEY ARE LEAVING NO DOUBT THAT THE PROTEST MOVEMENT WILL CONTINUE

    OUR JOB IS NOT FINISHED YET, DECLARED OPPOSITION CO-LEADER VESNA PESIC AT TUESDAY NIGHT'S RALLY. WITH THE CROWD ROARING ITS APPROVAL, MS. PESIC SAID THE OPPOSITION MUST CONTINUE ITS STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRATIC REFORM HERE.

    ANOTHER OPPOSITION LEADER, ZORAN DJINDJIC, SAID THE NEXT OBJECTIVE OF THE PROTEST MOVEMENT WILL BE ENSURING FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA IN SERBIA. MR. DJINDJIC HAS ALREADY WARNED THERE WILL BE FRESH STREET DEMONSTRATONS IN BELGRADE UNLESS THE AUTHORITIES CEDE CONTROL OVER THE CITY'S TELEVISION STATION.

    THE OPPOSITION'S ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO DEFEAT THE RULING SOCIALISTS IN SERBIAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR LATER THIS YEAR. AND OPPOSITION LEADERS SAY THEY ARE CERTAIN MORE DEMONSTRATIONS WILL BE NECESSARY, TO ENSURE THAT THE AUTUMN VOTE IS BOTH FREE AND FAIR. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DBR/PT
    11-Feb-97 5:53 PM EST (2253 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=2/11/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-209957
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: STOCKS ON MAJOR WEST EUROPEAN MARKETS TUESDAY PUT IN A MIXED SHOWING. FOR THE CLOSING FIGURES, HERE'S PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON.

    TEXT: THE MOST PRONOUNCED SHIFT IN PRICES CAME IN THE PARIS "CAC 40" INDEX WHICH SHED JUST OVER 13 POINTS FOR THE DAY. MARKET ANALYSTS SAY WALL STREET'S DECLINE MONDAY SET THE TONE FOR TRADING IN PARIS ON TUESDAY. HERE IN LONDON, THE STRENGTH OF STERLING -- WHICH WORRIES BRITISH EXPORTERS -- WAS CITED AS A FACTOR IN PUSHING THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" INDEX OF 100 STOCKS DOWN ABOUT THREE-AND-A-HALF POINTS FOR THE DAY. GERMANY'S CURRENCY, THE MARK, CONTINUES TO RESIST PRESSURE BY FINANCIAL LEADERS TO TALK IT UP IN VALUE. IT LOST A CENT AND A HALF IN VALUE TO THE DOLLAR TODAY. FRANKFURT'S "DAX 30" INDEX OF GERMAN STOCKS ALSO GAINED JUST OVER THREE POINTS IN VALUE.

    ELSEWHERE ON THE CURRENCY MARKETS, THE DOLLAR LOST ANOTHER HALF CENT TO THE BRITISH POUND HERE IN LONDON. AND THE GOLD FIX HERE IN LONDON TUESDAY HAD THE PRECIOUS METAL DOWN A DOLLAR-75-CENTS, CLOSING AT 339-DOLLARS-55-CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PCF
    11-Feb-97 1:34 PM EST (1834 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [09] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=02/11/97
    TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-10016
    TELEPHONE=619-3335
    EDITOR=NEAL LAVON
    CONTENT=
    // EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS PERISHABLE MATERIAL AND BECOMES DATED AFTER 10 P-M E-S-T ON TUESDAY FEBRUARY ELEVENTH //

    INTRO: THE POLITICAL TURMOIL IN ECUADOR IS A FAVORITE TOPIC IN AMERICAN EDITORIAL COLUMNS ON "FAT TUESDAY" OR MARDI GRAS--THE DAY BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE CHRISTIAN HOLIDAY OF LENT.

    IT JOINS A COMMENT ABOUT THE COLLAPSING PYRAMID INVESTMENT SCHEMES IN ALBANIA AND THE U-S BUDGET DEBATE [OPT] AS WELL AS THE VERDICT IN A CIVIL RIGHTS TRIAL THAT SPRANG FROM A 1991 KILLING IN NEW YORK CITY'S BROOKLYN'S CROWN HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD. [END OPT]

    OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE DEBATE OVER CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND THE SOARING DOLLAR. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _____________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

    TEXT: THE CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS IN ECUADOR IS THE POINT OF SEVERAL U-S EDITORIALS. THREE PEOPLE CLAIMED TO BE THE RIGHTFUL LEADER OF THE COUNTRY AFTER ONE PRESIDENT WAS OUSTED, ANOTHER APPOINTED TEMPORARILY AND A THIRD IS AWAITING A CONGRESSIONAL VOTE (SCHEDULED FOR 2/11). THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, IN ITS HEADLINE, DESCRIBES THE THREE-PRESIDENTS SCENARIO AS A "CARNIVAL" AND CALLS IT "LEADERSHIP FOLLIES," BUT GOES ON TO WARN IT COULD "THREATEN ECONOMIC DISASTER."

    VOICE: "IN THE PRE-LENTEN CARNIVAL SEASON, LIFE TURNS UPSIDE DOWN FOR THREE FRANTIC DAYS. IN ECUADOR, IT TAKES LONGER. SOME MAY ARGUE THAT IN ECUADOR THE MADNESS BEGAN LAST JULY 7TH, THE DAY THAT ABDALA BUCARAM, BETTER KNOWN AS 'EL LOCO,' WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT. THAT POLITICAL CARNIVAL CONTINUES, AND AN EVEN LARGER CRISIS - - ECONOMIC DISASTER - - LOOMS UNRESOLVED ON THE HORIZON. AT ONE TIME LAST WEEK, THERE WERE THREE PEOPLE SIMULTANEOUSLY CLAIMING TO BE ECUADOR'S PRESIDENT. ..... EVEN WHEN THE CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS IS RESOLVED, THE PENDING ECONOMIC DISASTER WILL REMAIN. IT IS A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM THAT CAN ONLY BE ADDRESSED BY A DETERMINED PRESIDENT WILLING TO MAKE UNPOPULAR REFORMS."

    TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES CALLS WHAT HAPPENED "POLITICAL MADNESS" THEN GOES ON TO ASSESS THE SITUATION THIS WAY:

    VOICE: "......ALONG THE WAY, DEMOCRATIC LEGITIMACY WAS UNDERMINED, THE MILITARY DRAWN DEEPER INTO CIVILIAN POLITICS AND THE PROSPECT OF RESOLVING ECUADOR'S SERIOUS ECONOMIC PROBLEMS INDEFINITELY DEFERRED. ..... WHAT ECUADOR NEEDS MOST IS MORE HONEST DEBATE ON ITS ECONOMIC PROBLEMS, IN TIME FOR THE SPECIAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN CALLED FOR EARLY NEXT YEAR."

    TEXT: AND IN FLORIDA, THE MIAMI HERALD WORRIES ABOUT ECUADOR'S CONGRESS MAKING THE SITUATION EVEN MORE CONFUSED, DEPENDING ON HOW IT VOTES ON THE SITUATION TODAY (2/11).

    VOICE: "IT'S COMMENDABLE THAT ECUADOR'S LEADERS HAVE AVOIDED UNRESTRAINED VIOLENCE OR MILITARY INTERVENTION. SO FAR, A SEMBLANCE OF REASON HAS MAINTAINED A SEMBLANCE OF DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. CONGRESS COULD SUSTAIN - - OR THWART - - BOTH SEMBLANCES TODAY."

    TEXT: TURNING TO ANOTHER TROUBLED NATION, THE TINY EASTERN EUROPEAN STATE OF ALBANIA HAS SEEN SEVERAL PYRAMID INVESTMENT SCHEMES (PLANS WHICH OFFER INVESTORS UNUSUALLY HIGH RATES OF RETURN BUT NEED A CONTINUING SUPPLY OF INVESTORS TO PAY OFF EARLY CONTRIBUTORS. EARLY INVESTORS MAKE MONEY, THE REST TYPICALLY LOSE MONEY. THE POOL OF INVESTORS RESEMBLES A PYRAMID WITH A FEW AT THE TOP MAKING MONEY, THE MAJORITY AT THE BOTTOM LOSING IT) COLLAPSE RECENTLY, LEAVING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS PENNILESS, AND CAUSING THE LOS ANGELES TIMES TO REMARK:

    VOICE: "ALBANIA'S NEIGHBORS ARE NERVOUSLY WONDERING IF THEY MIGHT SOON BE FACING A NEW BALKAN CRISIS. ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS HAVE BEEN GROWING IN VIOLENCE, [PRESIDENT SALI] BERISHA'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS CLOSE TIES TO A NUMBER OF THE PROMOTERS OF THE PYRAMID SCHEMES, WHICH PULLED IN HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM GULLIBLE ALBANIANS BY OFFERING INTEREST RATES OF UP TO 50-PERCENT A MONTH. ..... THE PROTESTERS BLAME THE GOVERNMENT FOR NOT WARNING THEM OF THE FOLLY THEY WERE COMMITTING. THEY ARE DEMANDING THAT THE REGIME MAKE GOOD ON THEIR LOSSES. BUT ALBANIA REMAINS, AS IT WAS UNDER DECADES OF HARSH COMMUNIST RULE, EUROPE'S POOREST COUNTRY. ..... THE CHANCES OF A BAILOUT FOR VICTIMIZED INVESTORS SEEMS SLIM INDEED."

    TEXT: IN DOMESTIC MONEY MATTERS, THE DEBATE OVER PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL 1998 DRAWS THIS RESPONSE FROM THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, WHICH CALLS THE SPENDING PLAN "A USEFUL FIRST DRAFT."

    VOICE: "THE STAGE MAY BE SET FOR SOMETHING AMERICANS HAVEN'T SEEN IN A NUMBER OF YEARS: RELATIVELY CONSTRUCTIVE NEGOTIATION OVER THE NATIONAL BUDGET. WHILE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S 1998 SPENDING PLAN, UNVEILED LAST WEEK, GOT A TEPID RECEPTION ON CAPITOL HILL, EACH OF HIS PREVIOUS BUDGETS RECEIVED AN INSTANT THUMBS-DOWN. ..... CRITICS ARE RIGHT TO COMPLAIN THAT THE BULK OF ANTICIPATED SAVINGS COMES AFTER THE YEAR 2-THOUSAND, WHEN SOMEONE ELSE WILL BE AT THE HELM. STILL, THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET IS A HOPEFUL STARTING POINT."

    [OPT]

    TEXT: SIX YEARS AGO IN THE CROWN HEIGHTS SECTION OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CAR DRIVEN BY A HASIDIC JEWISH MAN IN A PARADE KILLED A YOUNG AFRICAN-AMERICAN BOY. NO CHARGES WERE FILED AGAINST THE DRIVER AND BLACKS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD RIOTED. IN THE RIOT, 29-YEAR-OLD YANKEL ROSENBAUM, A VISITING AUSTRALIAN HASIDIC JEWISH SCHOLAR, WAS STABBED TO DEATH. A BLACK MAN, LEMRICK NELSON JR., WAS CHARGED WITH THE CRIME. A CRIMINAL COURTS JURY FOUND HIM NOT GUILTY, BUT YESTERDAY A FEDERAL JURY FOUND MR. LEMRICK, AND AN ACCOMPLICE (CHARLES PRICE), GUILTY OF VIOLATING MR. ROSENBAUM'S CIVIL RIGHTS [UNDERSTOOD, BY KILLING HIM]. THE SECOND VERDICT DRAWS THIS REACTION FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES.

    VOICE: "CLEARLY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER HAD THE LOCAL POLICE AND PROSECUTOR GOT THINGS RIGHT THE FIRST TIME AROUND. THE FACT THAT IT TOOK SIX YEARS AND TWO TRIALS TO WIN A CONVICTION IN A PUBLIC ATTACK WILL INEVITABLY COMPLICATE THE PROCESS OF CIVIC HEALING, BOTH FOR THOSE WHO THOUGHT THE FIRST VERDICT WAS WRONG AND THOSE WHO THOUGHT A SECOND TRIAL UNFAIR."

    [OPT]

    TEXT: THE LONG ISLAND DAILY NEWSDAY ADDS:

    VOICE: "FOR YEARS, THE UNPUNISHED MURDER OF YANKEL ROSENBAUM HAS REMAINED AN UNDERSTANDABLE SOURCE OF PAIN AND ANGER IN CROWN HEIGHTS AND THROUGHOUT THE CITY. NOW, AT LAST, PERHAPS THE HEALING CAN BEGIN."

    [END OPT]

    TEXT: [OPT] THE CROWN HEIGHTS CASE LEADS US TO THE NEXT SUBJECT. [END OPT] ANOTHER CONTROVERSY HERE IN THE U-S IS CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, WHICH IS IMPOSED CURRETNLY IN THE U.S. FOR FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND A FEW OTHER VERY SERIOUS CRIMES. SOME LEGAL EXPERTS BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE SUSPENDED PENDING REVISIONS IN WHAT A LEADING LAWYERS' GROUP HAS CALLED, AN UNFAIR SYSTEM. THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR SAYS OF THIS DISPUTE:

    VOICE: "OPPONENTS OF THE DEATH PENALTY HAVE TO BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY RECOGNITION OF ITS INJUSTICE. ALL HONOR TO MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION (A-B-A) WHO VOTED TO ENDORSE AT LEAST A MORATORIUM ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT OVER THE OBJECTIONS OF THEIR PRESIDENT...... THE PROPOSED MORATORIUM WOULD HALT EXECUTIONS UNTIL DEFENDANTS ARE ASSURED GREATER FAIRNESS BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND NEARLY 40 STATES ALLOWING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT."

    TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, THE SUN WORRIES ABOUT THE VERY STRONG U-S DOLLAR AND THE POSSIBLE NEGATIVE EFFECTS IT MAY CAUSE IF IT GETS STRONGER.

    VOICE: "IT [THE ARGUMENT] GETS DOWN TO FUNDAMENTALS. THE U-S ECONOMY IS SO SOUND, IN CONTRAST TO THE TROUBLES OF JAPAN AND GERMANY, THAT INVESTORS THE WORLD OVER ARE FLOCKING TO THE GREENBACK [DOLLAR]. WITH THE U-S ENJOYING STEADY GROWTH AND LOW LEVELS OF UNEMPLOYMENT WITHOUT INFLATION, THERE IS LITTLE INCENTIVE TO LOWER INTEREST RATES SHARPLY. YET THAT IS PROBABLY WHAT IT WOULD TAKE - - ALONG WITH INTEREST RATE HIKES BY JAPAN AND GERMANY THAT THEY CAN SCARCELY AFFORD - - TO PREVENT THE DOLLAR FROM GETTING EVEN STRONGER. ..... AN OVERLY STRONG DOLLAR DOES HURT U-S MANUFACTURING EXPORTS, ESPECIALLY AUTOS, BUT IT ALSO KEEPS INFLATION IN CHECK AND HELPS U-S-CONTROLLED MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS WITH HEAVY INVESTMENTS ABROAD."

    TEXT: LASTLY, THIS ADMONITION FROM USA TODAY TO THE U-S SENATE TO RATIFY THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS TREATY.

    VOICE: "LIKE MOST TREATIES, THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION FALLS SHORT OF PERFECTION. BUT THIS BAN COULD CURTAIL PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS THE U-S DOESN'T NEED."

    TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF OPINION FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
    NEB/ANG/NL
    11-Feb-97 11:00 AM EST (1600 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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