Voice of America, 97-04-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] BALKAN ECONOMIES (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[02] CROATIA/ELECTION (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (ZAGREB)

[03] EUROPEAN CUP SEMIS (S-ONLY) BY NEIL ROSENBERG (LONDON)

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

[05] MANCHESTER/DORTMOND SOCCER (S-ONLY) BY NEIL ROSENBERG (LONDON)

[06] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

[07] NEW BOSNIA ENVOY (S) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

[08] POET, CAMPUSES, LAPTOPS, APPLE, MOUSE BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

[09] TALBOTT ON NATO/BELARUS BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[10] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] BALKAN ECONOMIES (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: IN RECENT YEARS THERE HAVE RARELY BEEN OPTIMISTIC ASSESSMENTS OF ROMANIA AND BULGARIA, TWO OF THE WORST PERFORMING ECONOMIES IN THE BALKANS. BUT IN RECENT WEEKS BOTH COUNTRIES HAVE RENEWED THEIR COMMITMENT TO MARKET-BASED REFORM AND THIS WEEK THEY'VE BEEN REWARDED WITH SUPPORT FROM INTERNATIONAL LENDERS. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD HAS MORE.

TEXT: BULGARIAN PRESIDENT PETER STOYANOV SAYS THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT WEEK FOR THE BULGARIAN ECONOMY. HE IS HOPEFUL THAT ON FRIDAY THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND WILL VOTE IN WASHINGTON TO RELEASE THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF A BIG LOAN PACKAGE THAT WAS RECENTLY SIGNED. THE INTERIM PRIME MINISTER, STEFAN SOFIANSKI, SAYS BULGARIA HOPES TO GET AN INITIAL 175 MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE I-M-F AND AN EVEN BIGGER AMOUNT FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION. THE MONEY WILL GO TO MEET FOREIGN DEBT SERVICE AND SUPPORT THE DRASTIC ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING THAT HAS RECENTLY BEGUN.

ON WEDNESDAY THE ROMANIAN GOVERNMENT REACHED A SIMILAR LOAN AGREEMENT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND. LIKE BULGARIA, ROMANIA IS PROMISING TO BALANCE ITS BUDGET AND SELL OR CLOSE MANY LOSS-MAKING STATE ENTERPRISES. PARVOLETA SHTEREVA ANALYZES THE BULGARIAN AND ROMANIAN ECONOMIES FOR ING BARINGS BANK IN LONDON. MS. SHTEREVA APPLAUDS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR SUPPORTING NEW AND, SHE BELIEVES, CREDIBLE REFORM EFFORTS IN BULGARIA AND ROMANIA.

WHAT IS ENCOURAGING IS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR WE HAVE SEEN VERY STRONG COMMITMENT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO HELP THESE COUNTRIES NOT ONLY WITH MONEY BUT WITH GUIDANCE. BECAUSE NOW I THINK IT IS RECOGNIZED THAT STABILITY IN THE BALKANS IS VERY IMPORTANT. AND NOW THAT WE HAVE HAD THE POLITICAL CHANGE AND DEMOCRATIZATION IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE GET STRUCTURAL AND ECONOMIC REFORM TOO TO MAKE DEMOCRACY SUSTAINABLE.

BUT THE MONTHS AHEAD WILL NOT BE EASY FOR EITHER ROMANIA OR BULGARIA. DOZENS OF LOSS-MAKING STATE ENTERPRISES THAT CAN NOT BE SOLD TO FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC INVESTORS ARE TO BE CLOSED. THE PROMISE TO TAKE THAT PAINFUL ACTION, RATHER THAN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT, IS EXPLICITY WRITTEN INTO THE LOAN AGREEMENTS. ECONOMIC ANALYST SHTEREVA IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT BULGARIA AND ROMANIA BUT SHE FEARS SOCIAL UNREST STEMMING FROM THE CERTAINTY OF RISING UNEMPLOYMENT.

IT IS POSSIBLE THAT, BY THE END OF THE YEAR, SOCIAL TENSIONS (IN ROMANIA) WILL INCREASE, AND PROBABLY ALSO IN NEIGHBORING BULGARIA. BECAUSE SUCH (TOUGH AUSTERITY) MEASURES ENTAIL INCREASES IN UNEMPLOYMENT AND THEY ALSO HAVE NEGATIVE REPERCUSSIONS IN THE CLASS OF PEOPLE THAT DEVELOPED SINCE 1989 AS MANAGERS IN STATE ENTERPRISES THAT HAVE PROFITED FROM THE LACK OF REFORMS. SO THERE WILL BE RESISTANCE FROM THAT CLASS OF PEOPLE TOO.

OTHER INVESTMENT BANKERS SAY FOREIGN INVESTORS ARE INTERESTED IN PUTTING MONEY IN BULGARIA AND ROMANIA. IN BULGARIA, THERE IS INTEREST IN THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE PHONE COMPANY AND RESORT HOTELS ON BLACK SEA BEACHES. IMPORTANT CHEMICAL COMPANIES ARE ALREADY BEING PRIVATIZED. MS. SHTEREVA BELIEVES THAT IN THE CASE OF BULGARIA THE ECONOMY HAS REACHED BOTTOM AND THAT SOME REVITALIZATION OF NORMAL ECONOMIC LIFE IS ALREADY UNDERWAY. SHE BELIEVES THE ENCOURAGING START TO REFORM THAT HAS BEEN UNDERWAY FOR ONE MONTH BY THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE IF, AS EXPECTED, THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY (U-D-F) GETS A MAJORITY IN THE APRIL 19TH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION. (SIGNED)
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10-Apr-97 1:37 PM EDT (1737 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CROATIA/ELECTION (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (ZAGREB)

INTRO: CROATIAN VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS SUNDAY IN ELECTIONS FOR COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLIES, AND THE UPPER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT. MORE THAN 10-THOUSAND ELECTIVE OFFICES ARE AT STAKE, BUT MUCH OF THE ATTENTION IS LIKELY TO FOCUS ON THE CAPITAL, ZAGREB. OPPOSITION PARTIES WON A MAJORITY OF THE CITY ASSEMBLY SEATS IN THE LAST ROUND OF VOTING IN 1995, BUT PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN REPEATEDLY BLOCKED THE OPPOSITION'S CHOICE FOR MAYOR. FROM ZAGREB, V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS.

TEXT: THE 1995 VOTING LEFT ZAGREB IN A POLITICAL STALEMATE THAT LASTED MORE THAN SIX MONTHS.

A SEVEN-PARTY OPPOSITION ALLIANCE WON A CLEAR MAJORITY OF THE CITY ASSEMBLY SEATS. BUT ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, PRESIDENT TUDJMAN EXERCISED HIS CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY TO VETO THE OPPOSITION'S CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR OF THE CITY. IN RETURN, THE ASSEMBLY TWICE VOTED DOWN MR. TUDJMAN'S CHOICE FOR MAYOR. AND EVENTUALLY, THE PRESIDENT SIMPLY DISSOLVED THE ASSEMBLY.

ON THE SURFACE, IT APPEARS THAT A SIMILAR STALEMATE COULD ARISE FROM SUNDAY'S ELECTIONS HERE.

VOTER SURVEYS IN ZAGREB SHOW THE OPPOSITION PARTIES RUNNING AROUND 10 PERCENTAGE POINTS AHEAD OF THE PRESIDENT'S CROATIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION, THE "H-D-Z."

GORAN GRANIC OF THE OPPOSITION "SOCIAL LIBERAL" PARTY HAS NO DOUBT THAT THE H-D-Z IS AGAIN FACING DEFEAT IN THE CAPITAL.

HE SAYS HE IS CONVINCED THE OPPOSITION WILL WIN ANOTHER CLEAR MAJORITY IN THE CITY ASSEMBLY. AND HE BELIEVES THAT THIS TIME, PRESIDENT TUDJMAN WILL APPROVE THE OPPOSITION'S CHOICE FOR MAYOR.

BUT H-D-Z OFFICIALS APPEAR JUST AS CONFIDENT THAT THEY CAN BLOCK THE OPPOSITION'S BID FOR POWER IN THE CAPITAL.

DINKO CUTURA, AN H-D-Z CANDIDATE FOR THE ZAGREB ASSEMBLY, POINTS OUT THAT THE ONCE-SOLID OPPOSITION ALLIANCE HAS FRAGMENTED SINCE THE 1995 ELECTION. AND HE BELIEVES THAT WILL ALLOW THE H-D-Z TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE ASSEMBLY.

ZARKO PUHOVSKI, A ZAGREB UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR AND HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER, SHARES THAT ASSESSMENT. HE PREDICTS AN OPPOSITION TRIUMPH IN ZAGREB, BUT HE SAYS IT WILL ONLY BE A MATHEMATICAL VICTORY BECAUSE ONE OF THE OPPOSITION GROUPS, THE "PEASANTS PARTY," IS LIKELY TO THROW ITS SUPPORT TO THE H-D-Z'S CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR.

AND THEREFORE, I THINK THEY (THE H-D-Z) ARE GOING TO BE READY TO GIVE A LOT OF FAVORS TO THE PEASANTS PARTY IN RETURN, IF THEY WOULD THEN BACK THE H-D-Z CANDIDATE -- WHICH I THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

PEASANTS PARTY LEADERS HAVE DENIED ANY SUGGESTION OF A COALITION. MR. CUTURA, THE H-D-Z CANDIDATE IN ZAGREB, SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN NO FORMAL TALKS ON THE ISSUE, BUT HE ALSO SAYS HE BELIEVES THE PEASANTS PARTY WOULD BE A GOOD PARTNER FOR THE H-D-Z.

WHATEVER THE OUTCOME OF SUNDAY'S VOTING HERE, ALL SIDES AGREE THAT ZAGREB IS THE JEWEL IN CROATIA'S POLITICAL CROWN. THE CAPITAL IS HOME TO ONE-QUARTER OF THE COUNTRY'S FOUR-POINT-TWO MILLION PEOPLE. IT IS ALSO THE MAIN INDUSTRIAL AND FINANCIAL CENTER AS WELL AS THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

ANALYSTS HERE SAY THIS YEAR'S ELECTION CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN A LARGELY LACKLUSTER AFFAIR. BUT IT HAS BEGUN TO HEAT UP IN ZAGREB OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS, WITH MOST OF THE MAJOR PARTIES HOLDING BIG OUTDOOR RALLIES IN THE CAPITAL'S MAIN SQUARE. (SIGNED)
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10-Apr-97 1:24 PM EDT (1724 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EUROPEAN CUP SEMIS (S-ONLY) BY NEIL ROSENBERG (LONDON)

INTRO: ITALY'S "JUVENTUS" (YOO-VEN-TOOS) AND GERMANY'S "BORUSSIA DORTMOND" HAVE ADVANCED TO THE FINALS OF THE EUROPEAN CUP SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS. V-O-A'S NEIL ROSENBERG RECAPS WEDNESDAY'S SEMI-FINALS.

TEXT: JUVENTUS LOOKS MORE AND MORE LIKELY TO REPEAT AS EUROPEAN CUP CHAMPIONS. AFTER OBLITERATING ITALIAN RIVAL "A-C MILAN" 6-1 IN A LEAGUE GAME SUNDAY, JUVENTUS EASILY BEAT THE DUTCH CLUB AJAX AMSTERDAM 2-1 IN THE EUROPEAN CUP SEMI-FINALS.

VISITING JUVENTUS WAS ABLE GET THE LEAD AFTER JUST 14 MINUTES WHEN NICOLA AMORUSO SCORED, AND MADE IT 2-0 AFTER CHRISTIAN VIERI SCORED IN THE 41ST MINUTE. AJAX WAS ABLE TO SALVAGE ONE GOAL IN THE SECOND HALF WHEN JARI LITMANEN SCORED IN THE 65TH MINUTE OF PLAY.

IN THE OTHER SEMI-FINAL, BORUSSIA DORTMOND DOMINATED MUCH OF THE FIRST HALF AGAINST ENGLAND'S MANCHESTER UNITED, BUT NEITHER TEAM SCORED. MANCHESTER MANAGED TO GET SOME BETTER CHANCES IN THE SECOND HALF, BUT IT WAS DORTMOND'S RENE TRETSCHOK WHO WAS ABLE TO BREAK THE TIE IN THE 76TH MINUTE TO GIVE DORTMOND A 1-0 WIN.

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

INTRO: MAJOR STOCK MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE THURSDAY CLOSED MIXED, WITH THE DOLLAR LOSING SOME GROUND ON MONEY MARKETS. FOR THE FIGURES, HERE IS V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH FROM OUR OFFICES IN LONDON,

TEXT: AFTER HITTING ITS HIGHEST LEVEL IN YEARS AGAINST THE MARK EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE DOLLAR CLOSED DOWN A FRACTION OF A CENT AGAINST BOTH THE GERMAN CURRENCY AND THE BRITISH POUND ON THE MONEY MARKETS THURSDAY. THE LOWER DOLLAR MAY HAVE PROMPTED INVESTORS TO SELL SOME STOCKS IN FRANKFURT, WHERE THE KEY BAROMETER OF MARKET ACTIVITY -- THE "DAX 30" INDEX -- LOST EIGHT POINTS FOR THE DAY. IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" INDEX WAS ALSO DOWN, LOSING NINE-AND-A-HALF POINTS. BUT HERE IN LONDON, STOCKS WERE HIGHER BY 21 POINTS ON THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX, AFTER REPORTS SUGGESTED RECENTLY PRIVITIZED UTILITIES IN BRITAIN MAY NOT BE SUBJECTED TO A PUNISHING WINDFALL PROFITS TAX, IF THE OPPOSITION LABOUR PARTY HERE WINS THE MAY FIRST GENERAL ELECTION, AS IS WIDELY PREDICTED.

GOLD ON THE LONDON MARKET WAS UNCHANGED THURSDAY AND SOLD AT 347-DOLLARS-85 CENTS AN OUNCE AT THE CLOSE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF
10-Apr-97 1:58 PM EDT (1758 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] MANCHESTER/DORTMOND SOCCER (S-ONLY) BY NEIL ROSENBERG (LONDON)

INTRO: ENGLAND AND GERMANY MAY HAVE TWO OF THE BEST SOCCER LEAGUES IN THE WORLD, BUT BOTH COUNTRIES HAVE STRUGGLED IN THE EUROPEAN CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS NOW UNDERWAY. AS V-O-A'S NEIL ROSENBERG REPORTS FROM LONDON, ONE GERMAN CLUB MAY BE READY TO CHANGE THAT.

TEXT: ENGLAND'S "MANCHESTER UNITED" AND GERMANY'S "BORUSSIA DORTMOND" CAME INTO WEDNESDAY'S EUROPEAN CUP SEMI-FINAL WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT NO TEAM FROM EITHER COUNTRY HAS MADE IT TO THE FINALS SINCE 1988. BUT, IT LOOKS LIKE DORTMOND MAY BREAK THAT LOSING STREAK.

A DORTMOND SUCCESS WOULD MAKE IT THEIR FIRST TIME EVER IN THE FINALS. IF UNITED ADVANCES, IT WOULD BE THEIR FIRST TRIP TO THE EUROPEAN CUP FINAL SINCE THEY WON IT IN 1968. WITH MANY DORTMOND STARTERS OUT WEDNESDAY, UNITED LOOKED TO BE THE FAVORITE. HOWEVER, THE FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE FOR UNITED CAME WHEN STAR GOAL KEEPER PETER SCMEICHEL HAD TO SIT BECAUSE OF A BACK INJURY. THIS FORCED BACK-UP RAIMOND VAN DER GOUW TO PLAY INSTEAD.

UNITED'S FORTUNES DID NOT IMPROVE DURING THE GAME, AS THEY COULD NOT CAPITALIZE ON THREE EXCELLENT CHANCES TO TAKE THE LEAD. DORTMOND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO BREAK THE TIE IN THE 76TH MINUTE.

DORTMOND'S 1-0 WIN GIVES THEM THE EDGE GOING INTO THE SECOND SEMI-FINAL MATCH AT MANCHESTER IN TWO WEEKS. IT ALSO MEANS GERMANY'S BUNDESLIGA FINALLY HAS A CHANCE TO RETURN TO EUROPEAN GLORY. (SIGNED)
NEB/NR/PCF
10-Apr-97 9:14 AM EDT (1314 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (THURSDAY) AND THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT SOME INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS MAY BE LOSING THEIR ENTHUSIASM FOR STOCKS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 65 HUNDRED 40, DOWN 23 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 758, DOWN TWO POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY MANY TRADERS ARE SHOWING CAUTION IN ADVANCE OF A WAVE OF QUARTERLY CORPORATE EARNINGS REPORTS WHICH WILL BE RELEASED SOON.

SOME AMERICANS MAY BE LOSING THEIR ENTHUSIASM FOR THE STOCK MARKET. THE INVESTMENT COMPANY INSTITUTE SAYS NINE AND ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS WAS INVESTED IN STOCK MUTUAL FUNDS LAST MONTH, ABOUT HALF THE AMOUNT INVESTED DURING FEBRUARY.

THE NATION'S RETAILERS REPORTED MIXED RESULTS IN MARCH. THE EARLY EASTER HOLIDAY BOOSTED CANDY AND GENERAL MERCHANDISE SALES, HELPING MANY OF THE DISCOUNT STORE CHAINS. BUT MOST DEPARTMENT AND SPECIALTY APPAREL RETAILERS REPORTED ONLY MODEST SALES GAINS.

SEARS ROEBUCK, THE SECOND LARGEST RETAILER IN THE UNITED STATES, SAYS IT WILL REFUND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT IT MAY HAVE IMPROPERLY COLLECTED FROM BANKRUPT CUSTOMERS. SEARS CONCEDES IT EXERCISED "FLAWED LEGAL JUDGMENT" IN THE WAY IT COLLECTED DEBTS FROM CUSTOMERS WHO HAD FILED FOR FINANCIAL PROTECTION UNDER U-S BANKRUPTCY LAWS.

THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY RAISED ITS QUARTERLY STOCK DIVIDEND BY NINE PERCENT, THE SIXTH INCREASE IN FORD'S STOCK DIVIDEND IN THREE YEARS.

THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION REPORTED A RECORD FIRST QUARTER PROFIT OF MORE THAN ONE BILLION DOLLARS. HOWEVER, CHRYSLER IS FACING PROBLEMS NOW WITH A STRIKE AT A PLANT WHICH MAKES ENGINES FOR SOME OF ITS MOST POPULAR PICKUP TRUCKS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
10-Apr-97 5:07 PM EDT (2107 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] NEW BOSNIA ENVOY (S) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS APPOINTED A NEW ENVOY TO BOSNIA AND IMMEDIATELY DISPATCHED HIM TO THE REGION TO DISCUSS ASPECTS OF THE 1995 DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS THAT HAVE YET TO BE IMPLEMENTED. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS ROBERT GELBARD -- A CAREER DIPLOMAT WHO SUCCEEDS JOHN KORNBLUM -- WILL MEET WITH BALKAN LEADERS AND DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF APPREHENDING INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS.

TEXT: WITH JUST OVER A YEAR TO GO BEFORE NATO-LED PEACE-KEEPING TROOPS ARE SET TO LEAVE BOSNIA, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS CONCERNED THAT TERMS OF THE BALKAN PEACE ACCORDS MAY NOT FULFILLED BY THE TIME THE TROOPS PULL OUT. SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS AMBASSADOR GELBARD IS LEAVING FOR BOSNIA, CROATIA AND SERBIA TO DISCUSS OUTSTANDING ISSUES.

WE HAVE MUCH TO DO. BOSNIA HAS BEEN AT PEACE FOR ONE AND A HALF YEARS. IT IS TIME FOR THE PARTIES WITH OUR HELP AND WITHIN THE STRUCTURE OF DAYTON TO MAKE THE PEACE SELF-SUSTAINING.

THE ARREST OF INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS WHO STILL REMAIN AT LARGE IS A TOP PRIORITY. BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE REGION, AMBASSADOR GELBARD SEEMED TO SUGGEST AMERICAN PATIENCE ON THAT MATTER IS RUNNING OUT.

ALL THE PARTIES SIGNED THESE AGREEMENTS. WE INTEND TO HOLD THEM TO THE AGREEMENTS THAT THEY SIGNED.

AS HE PUT IT, WE WANT TO HELP THE PARTIES CARRY OUT THEIR OBLIGATIONS. (SIGNED)
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10-Apr-97 3:49 PM EDT (1949 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] POET, CAMPUSES, LAPTOPS, APPLE, MOUSE BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ON THIS EDITION OF COMPUTER DIGEST:

POETRY IN CYBERSPACE,

COMPUTERS ON CAMPUSES,

LAPTOPS VERSES DESKTOPS,

APPLE AND ITS CLONES,

AND, AN AWARD FOR A HIGH-TECH PIONEER. *****

POET

TEXT: ROBERT PINSKY IS AMERICA'S NEW POET LAUREATE. THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR REPORTS THAT MR. PINSKY IS THE FIRST PERSON TO OCCUPY THE POST AS THE NATION'S LEADING POET WHO IS ALSO AN ON-LINE POETRY EDITOR. HE WORKS FOR SLATE, AN ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE FOR USERS OF THE WORLD WIDE WEB. SOME OF MR. PINSKY'S POEMS CAN BE BOTH READ FROM A COMPUTER SCREEN AND HEARD WITH MACHINES EQUIPPED WITH SOUND CARDS. THE NEWSPAPER SAYS THAT THE POET LAUREATE "THINKS POEMS LIVE IN BREATH, IN THE SAYING AND THE HEARING, MORE THAN IN THE SILENT READING." *****

CAMPUSES

TEXT: THE "YAHOO! INTERNET LIFE" MAGAZINE SAYS THAT THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY IN CHICAGO AND EMERSON COLLEGE IN BOSTON, "ARE THE NATION'S MOST WIRED CAMPUSES." BARRY GOLSON, THE MAGAZINE'S EDITOR, SAYS THAT "NOT ONLY ARE COLLEGE STUDENTS THE MOST NET-FRIENDLY GROUP IN AMERICA...NET SKILLS ARE AN INCREASINGLY CRITICAL PART OF CAMPUS LIFE." A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE COMPUTER MAGAZINE RATED USE OF THE INTERNET IN A NUMBER OF AREAS, INCLUDING ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL USES. *****

LAPTOPS

TEXT: WHILE DESKTOP COMPUTERS CONTINUE TO OUTSELL SMALLER, NOTEBOOK MODELS, PC MAGAZINE SAYS THAT THE "NOTEBOOKS ARE IN THE MIDST OF A GROWTH SPURT." MIKE MCGUIRE, A MARKET RESEARCHER WITH DATAQUEST, SAYS THAT "THE MOMENTUM IS MOBILE." THE COMPANY PROJECTS "THAT WORLDWIDE SALES OF NOTEBOOKS WILL GROW 21 PERCENT NEXT YEAR, WHILE DESKTOP SALES WILL INCREASE 18 PERCENT." THE MAGAZINE ADDS THAT IN THE PAST THE LATEST AND FASTEST CHIPS WERE AVAILABLE TO DESKTOPS FIRST, AND LAPTOP VERSIONS CAME OUT APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER. NOW, HOWEVER, MANUFACTURERS LIKE INTEL ARE COMING OUT WITH CHIPS FOR BOTH SIZED COMPUTERS ON THE SAME DAY. *****

APPLE

TEXT: IN 1995, APPLE COMPUTER EMBARKED ON A STRATEGY TO SELL LICENSES TO OTHER MANUFACTURERS WHO WANT TO PRODUCE COPIES OF THE MACINTOSH COMPUTER. THE IDEA WAS TO EXPAND THE MAC MARKETPLACE. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORTS THAT APPLE, "WHICH EARLIER THIS YEAR DEMANDED STEEP INCREASES FROM COMPANIES MAKING CLONES...HAS MODERATED ITS POSITION IN TALKS ON THOSE LICENSING FEES, EASING FEARS IT WANTS TO DRIVE THE CLONE MAKERS OUT OF BUSINESSES." JOEL KOCH, PRESIDENT OF POWER COMPUTING, ONE OF THE LICENSEES, TOLD THE NEWSPAPER THAT "WE FEEL A LOT BETTER THAN WE DID 60 DAYS AGO." *****

MOUSE

TEXT: A COMPUTER PIONEER WAS HONORED THIS WEEK BY THE LEMELSON-MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY PRIZE PROGRAM. DOUG ENGLEBART WON $500,000 FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FIELD OF COMPUTING. MR. ENGLEBART IS CREDITED WITH INVENTING THE POINTING DEVICE KNOWN AS THE MOUSE, AND FOR DEVELOPING MULTIPLE WINDOW SCREENS AND ON-LINE PUBLISHING. USA TODAY NOTES THAT THE AWARD IS "THE WORLD'S LARGEST PRIZE FOR INVENTION AND INNOVATION." *****
10-Apr-97 2:59 PM EDT (1859 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] TALBOTT ON NATO/BELARUS BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH V-O-A -- D/E/P/U/T/Y SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT SAID THE UNITED STATES WOULD BE CONCERNED IF THE RUSSIA/BELARUS PACT WAS USED AS A COUNTERWEIGHT TO NATO EXPANSION. PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. TALBOTT SAID THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT EXPECT THE TREATY ON INTEGRATION BETWEEN THE TWO FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS TO AFFECT THE SOVEREIGNTY OR INDEPENDENCE OF ANY OTHER STATE. HE SAID PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN MADE THIS CLEAR WHEN HE SAID IT WOULD NOT BE GOOD FOR ANYONE TO HAVE A RETURN TO A POLARIZED AND DIVIDED EUROPE.

MR. TALBOT SAID THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT THE EXPANSION OF NATO IS ALL ABOUT AND WHY RUSSIA HAS NOTHING TO FEAR.

THE NEW NATO IS GOING TO BE A FORCE FOR BRINGING ABOUT AND CONSOLIDATING AN UNDIVIDED AND INTEGRATED EUROPE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THAT CONTINENT. AND IT IS A FUNDAMENTAL PREMISE OF OUR POSITION THAT A NEW RUSSIA, WORKING WITH A NEW NATO, IS GOING TO BE AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PART OF THAT PROCESS.

ASKED ABOUT A COMMENT BY A TOP KREMLIN OFFICIAL WHO SAID THE UNION WITH BELARUS COULD BE RUSSIA'S BEST RESPONSE TO NATO'S EXPANSION PLANS, MR. TALBOTT ANSWERED.

WHERE WE WOULD HAVE A VERY SHARP DISAGREEMENT WOULD BE WITH THE CONCEPT THAT ANYTHING WHICH HAPPENS AMONG THE COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES BE EXPLAINED OR JUSTIFIED AS IN SOME WAYS A COUNTERWEIGHT TO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE WEST AND WITH NATO.

THE DEPUTY SECRETARY SAID A MILITARY ALLIANCE SUCH AS NATO IS STILL NEEDED IN A POST-COLD WAR WORLD TO DETER POTENTIAL THREATS TO NATO FROM OUTSIDE OR WITHIN EUROPE. HE SAID WHAT THE UNITED STATES IS DOING IN ITS LEADERSHIP POSITION IN NATO IS TRYING TO DEFINE THE ALLIANCE'S POST-COLD WAR MISSIONS AND TASKS.

QUITE A NUMBER OF THOSE WE CAN DO, AND HOPE TO DO, IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH NON-MEMBER STATES, INCLUDING STATES THAT USED TO BE PART OF THE WARSAW PACT, THAT IS WITH FORMER ADVERSARIES.

MR. TALBOTT DISMISSED REPORTS OF WIDESPREAD OPPOSITION WITHIN RUSSIA TO NATO'S PLANS TO INCLUDE FORMER WARSAW PACT COUNTRIES SUCH AS POLAND, HUNGARY, AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC.

IT IS A QUESTION OF LINGERING PERCEPTIONS, OLD HABITS AND I WOULD SAY, OLD STEREOTYPES. IT IS INCUMBENT ON NATO AND ITS MEMBER STATES TO WORK VERY HARD TO MAKE CLEAR THAT NATO IS VERY SERIOUS ABOUT RE-DEFINING ITS AGENDA AND PURPOSE WHILE MAINTAINING ITS ESSENTIAL IDENTITY. BUT THAT IDENTITY IS NOT DIRECTED AGAINST A NEWLY DEMOCRATIC RUSSIA.

THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE SAID DURING THEIR MEETING IN HELSINKI PRESIDENT CLINTON AND PRESIDENT YELTSIN AGREED TO THE CONCEPT OF A MORE FORMAL ARRANGEMENT FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN NATO AND RUSSIA. THIS CONCEPT IS BUILT ON THE COOPERATION BETWEEN PEACEKEEPING PARTIES IN BOSNIA. HE SAID THIS KIND OF COOPERATION IS AS IMPORTANT FOR RUSSIA AS IT IS FOR THE WEST.

IF THERE WERE TO BE INSTABILITY AND CONFLICT OF ANY KIND, WHATEVER THE ORIGIN OF IT, IN CENTRAL, EASTERN EUROPE, IT WOULD BE A THREAT TO THE CONTINENT AS A WHOLE AND IT WOULD BE A THREAT IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, AS IT WERE. THAT IS, IT WOULD BE A THREAT NOT ONLY TO THE PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY INVOLVED, BUT ALSO THE COUNTRIES TO THE WEST, INCLUDING LONG-STANDING MEMBERS OF NATO. IT WOULD ALSO BE A THREAT TO THE REGION WHICH WOULD INCLUDE NEW MEMBERS OF THE ALLIANCE AND IT WOULD BE A THREAT TO THE COUNTRIES AND PEOPLES TO THE EAST, NOTABLY, RUSSIA, UKRAINE, AND OTHER STATES OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION.

MR. TALBOTT SAID EUROPE AND RUSSIA HAVE FACED THIS KIND OF THREAT TWICE IN THIS CENTURY, DURING TWO WORLD WARS, WHEN CONFLICTS WHICH BEGAN IN CENTRAL EUROPE SPREAD BOTH EASTWARD AND WESTWARD. HE SAID THIS IS THE KEY REASON FOR THE NATO-RUSSIA RELATIONSHIP TO BE A MECHANISM FOR INSURING THE REGION STAYS ON ITS CURRENT PEACEFUL AND DEMOCRATIC COURSE. (SIGNED).
NEB/PAM/RAE
10-Apr-97 5:58 PM EDT (2158 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE IMPASSE IN ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN RELATIONS CONTINUES TO OCCUPY A PROMINENT PLACE IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF U-S NEWSPAPERS AS THE WEEK DRAWS TO A CLOSE. IN OTHER COMMENTARIES, THE SUBJECTS COVERED INCLUDE THE SENATE'S CONSIDERATION OF THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS TREATY; PRESIDENT'S CLINTON'S ALLEGED FUNDRAISING IMPROPRIETIES AND HOW JUSTICE IS FARING IN POST-CIVIL WAR GUATEMALA.

TEXT: THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS BETWEEN THE ISRAELIS AND THE PALESTINIANS REMAINS THREATENED. THE ISSUE DRAWS EXTENDED COMMENT IN THE U-S PRESS. FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, HERE'S SOME OF TODAY'S OREGONIAN IN PORTLAND, WHICH HAS "RESERVATIONS ON [A] CAMP DAVID [STYLE SOLUTION]."

VOICE: "FROM PAINFUL EVIDENCE STRETCHING FROM WASHINGTON TO THE WEST BANK, IT SEEMS THAT THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE PROCESS MAY BE OVER. THE QUESTION IS WHETHER IT WILL BE REPLACED WITH AN AMERICAN PEACE PROCESS. ..... ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU NOW PROPOSES, IN THE MIDST OF RIOTING AND RISING ANGER, TO MOVE DIRECTLY TO FINAL STAGE TALKS..... FINAL TALKS WOULD BE MODELED ON THE CAMP DAVID AGREEMENTS ..... GIVEN THE ATMOSPHERE, THERE SEEMS LITTLE POINT IN WAITING. ON THE OTHER HAND HAND, ... [THEN] BOTH ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER ...BEGIN AND EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT .... SADAT BROUGHT ALONG A BOLD WILLINGNESS TO MOVE IN NEW DIRECTIONS .....UNTIL THESE CIRCUMSTANCES APPLY TO [MR.] NETANYAHU AND ....[MR.] ARAFAT, THERE MAY BE LITTLE POINT IN FLUFFING UP THOSE CAMP DAVID PILLOWS [MEANING: "READYING THE PRESIDENTIAL RETREAT IN THE MARYLAND MOUNTAINS FOR ANOTHER CAMP DAVID SUMMIT"]."

TEXT: RESPONDING TO PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU'S PROPOSAL FOR IMMEDIATE FINAL STATUS TALKS, THE WASHINGTON TIMES ASKS:

VOICE: "IS THIS A GOOD IDEA? THE ANSWER, UNFORTUNATELY, IS IRRELEVANT BECAUSE THIS 'CAMP DAVID' PROPOSAL WILL NEVER BE MORE THAN THAT, A PROPOSAL. WHILE THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT IS IN FAVOR, THE PALESTINIANS HAVE REJECTED IT OUT OF HAND, AND THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN SILENT. JUDGMENT HAS BEEN PASSED."

TEXT: MOVING ON TO WHETHER THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION TREATY WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE U.S. SENATE BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH, WHEN IT GOES INTO EFFECT, THERE ARE STILL DIVERGENT OPINIONS. NEWSDAY, FOR ONE, SAYS, SIGN IT.

VOICE: "IT'S TIME THE SENATE STOPPED ITS PROCEDURAL WRANGLING AND VOTED TO RATIFY A TREATY TO BAN CHEMICAL WEAPONS. .....IT TAKES EFFECT APRIL 29TH WITH OR WITHOUT U-S PARTICIPATION, AND WOULD SUBJECT AMERICAN COMPANIES TO STIFF SANCTIONS FOR EXPORTING MATERIALS USED TO MAKE CHEMICAL WEAPONS. .....THE USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS IS ABHORRENT TO CIVILIZED SOCIETIES. REGARDLESS OF ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS, A BAN SHOULD BE WELCOMED BY CONGRESS AND RATIFIED IN TIME TO GIVE THIS COUNTRY A VOICE IN THE WAY IT IS CARRIED OUT."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES ON THE OTHER HAND, QUOTING THE OPPOSITION OF THREE FORMER SECRETARIES OF STATE, FEELS THERE ARE INSUFFICIENT SAFEGUARDS FOR VERIFYING COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT, AND SUMS UP:

VOICE: "....IF THE VOTE GOES AHEAD, AND IF THE ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO STONEWALL [REFUSE TO EXPLAIN AND NEGOTIATE ON THE RESERVATIONS] ON THE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS ...... THE ONLY RESPONSIBLE COURSE FOR THE SENATE IS TO VOTE IT DOWN."

TEXT: REGARDING THE ESCALATING CRITICISM OF PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR ALLEGED WRONGDOING IN PRESIDENTIAL FUNDRAISING, USA TODAY RUNS A LONG EDITORIAL TODAY CALLING THE SITUATION A "WHITE HOUSE SCANDAL."

VOICE: "FIVE MONTHS AFTER PRESIDENT CLINTON'S RE-ELECTION, COUNTLESS QUESTIONS ABOUT ... HIS CAMPAIGN FUND-RAISING REMAIN. BUT TWO BROAD CONCLUSIONS ARE INESCAPABLE: THE WHITE HOUSE REPEATEDLY FUDGED, [TO TRY TO EVADE THE TRUTH WITH OBFUSCATORY ANSWERS] DISSEMBLED AND EVEN LIED ABOUT ITS ACTIONS. CONTRARY TO EARLY WHITE HOUSE ASSERTIONS, [PRESIDENT] CLINTON, NOT OVERZEALOUS SUBORDINATES, SPURRED THE FUND-RAISING FRENZY. THE RESULT: A LACK OF CREDIBILITY FOR THE LATEST ROUND OF EXPLANATIONS."

TEXT: TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE FOCUSES ON GUATEMALA, WHICH HAS ENDURED THE LONGEST OF THE LATIN AMERICAN CIVIL WARS. ACCORDING TO THE PAPER, GUATEMALA HAS A LESS-THAN-PERFECT COMMISSION DOING A TOO-SUPERFICIAL JOB ON DOCUMENTING THE DEATHS OF 150-THOUSAND GUATEMALANS ON BOTH SIDES. SAYS THE GLOBE:

VOICE: "A PANEL WITH THREE MEMBERS WILL HAVE SIX MONTHS TO CLARIFY THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CRIMES COMMITTED OVER 36 YEARS, AND THE TASK IS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED ON A BUDGET OF 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS. ..... A TRUE RECONCILIATION AMONG THE WARRING PARTIES IN GUATEMALA CANNOT BE EXPECTED WHEN CHILDREN, PARENTS, WIVES, AND HUSBANDS ARE TOLD THERE WILL BE NO ACCOUNTING OF THE CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST THEIR LOVED ONES. THIS OBSCURING OF THE TRUTH BECOMES ANOTHER ABUSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS."

TEXT: ON THE CHARGE THAT U-S FOOD AID IS INFLUENCED BY POLITICS, THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE ENCOURAGES EMERGENCY SUPPLIES FOR NORTH KOREA BUT CHIDES POLICY TOWARD ANOTHER NATION IN NEED OF FOOD--CUBA.

VOICE: "FOREIGN AID IS CLEARLY IN ORDER TO SAVE MILLIONS OF LIVES, AND THE U-S APPEARS READY TO PERMIT GRAIN SHIPMENTS TO ALLEVIATE HUNGER. SUFFERING WILL BE EASED, AND THE PLAIN ACCEPTANCE OF OUTSIDE AID WILL STAND AS A PUNISHING ADMISSION OF NORTH KOREA'S FAILURE TO MANAGE ITS OWN AFFAIRS. BUT THIS COUNTRY RESPONDS SELECTIVELY TO CRIES FOR HELP. ..... CONSIDER CUBA, ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL PARIAH IN WASHINGTON'S EYES. ON THE SAME DAY THAT NORTH KOREA'S WOES WERE DETAILED, PRESIDENT CLINTON RESTATED AGAIN HIS RESOLVE TO ISOLATE THE ....THREADBARE .... ISLAND NATION. .... NORTH KOREA, FOR ALL ITS FAULTS, BENEFITS FROM THIS HUMANE STREAK OF AMERICAN GENEROSITY ... CUBA REMAINS TRAPPED IN HISTORY, CUT OFF FROM AMERICAN CHARITY BY ANCIENT POLITICS."

TEXT: IN EUROPE, GERMANY IS GRAPPLING WITH THE QUESTION OF WHO AND WHAT IS A GERMAN, AND WHETHER, LIKE THE UNITED STATES, IT SHOULD GRANT CITIZENSHIP TO ANYONE BORN THERE, EVEN WITHOUT ETHNIC GERMAN PARENTS. INTO THIS DEBATE ENTERS THE NEW YORK TIMES, SAYING:

VOICE: "REDEFINING GERMANNESS BY BIRTH INSTEAD OF BLOOD COULD HELP ENCOURAGE GERMANS TO ACCEPT FOREIGNERS. IT WOULD PROVIDE RELIEF FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW DESTINED TO LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE THEY WILL NEVER FULLY BELONG. ON A CONTINENT WHERE ETHNIC CONFLICT IS COMMON, A STATEMENT THAT ETHNICITY IS NO MEASURE OF CITIZENSHIP WOULD BE PARTICULARLY WELCOME."

TEXT: TODAY'S SUN IN BALTIMORE TAKES AIM AT THE LATEST IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY'S (IRA) TERROR CAMPAIGN, A TELEPHONED BOMB SCARE AT THE GREAT ENGLISH HORSE RACE, THE GRAND NATIONAL, WHICH EMPTIED THE GROUNDS, COMMENTING THAT:

VOICE: "NO ONE WAS ANGRIER THAN THE IRISH IN IRELAND, IN WHOSE ALLEGED BEHALF THE IRA PULLED THIS CAPER, [STUNT] SINCE THEY ARE PER CAPITA GREATER RACING FANS EVEN THAN THE ENGLISH. ..... AND IT DID NOT PREVENT A 14-TO-ONE SHOT FROM WINNING UNDER A CATHOLIC JOCKEY FROM NORTHERN IRELAND. .... IRA BOMBING HAS BEEN SO COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE OF ITS CLAIMED OBJECTIVE OF DRIVING BRITAIN OUT OF NORTHERN IRELAND AND UNIFYING IRELAND THAT THIS CAN NO LONGER BE CLAIMED AS THE PURPOSE. .... IRA TERROR IS ITS OWN PURPOSE AND ITS OWN REWARD."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE BRING TO A CLOSE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF TODAY'S EDITORIALS FROM THE U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/NL
10-Apr-97 11:21 AM EDT (1521 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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