Voice of America, 97-05-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA POL (L-UPDATE) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

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

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

[04] FRANCE / ELECTIONS (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

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

[06] GERMANY FOREIGNERS BY KYLE KING (BONN)

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

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

[09] U-S-CYPRUS (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[01] ALBANIA POL (L-UPDATE) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: EUROPEAN ENVOY FRANZ VRANITZKY SAYS POLITICAL PARTIES IN ALBANIA HAVE REACHED A COMPROMISE AGREEMENT ON PROCEDURES FOR A NEW PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS THE ELECTION WILL BE HELD LATE IN JUNE.

TEXT: MR. VRANITZKY ANNOUNCED THE AGREEMENT FRIDAY AFTERNOON AFTER TWO DAYS OF TALKS WITH LEADERS OF ALBANIA'S MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES.

THE FORMER AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR CALLED THE SIX-POINT DEAL SIGNED BY 10 POLITICAL PARTIES A BREAKTHROUGH THAT WILL ASSURE THAT NEW PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS TAKE PLACE BEFORE THE END OF JUNE.

THE DOCUMENT COMMITS THE PARTIES TO A MIXED SYSTEM OF PROPORTIONAL AND MAJORITY REPRESENTATION. IT SPECIFIES THAT INFORMAL CITIZENS' MILITIAS IN THE SOUTH WILL BE DISBANDED ON OR BEFORE THE ELECTION, AND IT SAYS ONLY FORMER TOP OFFICIALS IN THE PREVIOUS COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT WILL BE BARRED FROM SEEKING ELECTORAL OFFICE.

THE DEAL WAS PRAISED BY PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA AND BY THE LEADER OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY, FATOS NANO. THE ELECTION IS EXPECTED TO BE HELD JUNE 29TH AND WILL BE SUPERVISED BY INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS WHILE THE MULITI-NATIONAL PROTECTION FORCE LED BY ITALY IS STILL IN PLACE. MEANWHILE, INTERIM PRIME MINISTER BASHKIM FINO LEAVES SATURDAY FOR TALKS IN WASHINGTON. HE WILL STOP BRIEFLY IN ROME TO CONFER WITH ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAMBERTO DINI. HE WILL THEN GO ON TO WASHINGTON FOR TALKS MONDAY WITH SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT.

MR. FINO WILL MEET WITH OFFICIALS OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AND WORLD BANK CONCERNING EMERGENCY HELP FOR ALBANIA AND PLANNING FOR AN INTERNATIONAL AID CONFERENCE.

MR. FINO SAYS THE VISIT TO WASHINGTON IS A SIGN OF U-S SUPPORT FOR ALBANIA'S NATIONAL RECONCILIATION GOVERNMENT, A NINE-PARTY COALITION SET UP MARCH 9TH TO PULL ALBANIA BACK FROM ANARCHY. THE COUNTRY WAS TORN APART BY ANTI-GOVERNMENT RIOTS FUELED BY THE COLLAPSE OF INVESTMENT SCHEMES THAT WIPED OUT THE SAVINGS OF THOUSANDS.

THE PROTESTERS CALLED FOR PRESIDENT BERISHA'S RESIGNATION. HE CONTINUES TO HOLD OFFICE BUT DID YIELD TO OPPOSITION CALLS FOR AN INTERIM GOVERNMENT AND FRESH ELECTIONS.

THE PRIME MINISTER, A SOCIALIST, PLANS TO BE BACK IN TIRANA BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK WHEN THE CABINET IS EXPECTED TO PRESENT ITS THE ELECTORAL PROPOSALS TO THE OUTGOING PARLIAMENT, WHICH MUST BE DISBANDED 45 DAYS BEFORE THE NEW ELECTION. (SIGNED)
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09-May-97 12:43 PM EDT (1643 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK MARKETS IN EASTERN EUROPE WERE MOSTLY LOWER THIS WEEK, WITH PRAGUE BEING PARTICULARLY HARD HIT, FALLING TO NEW 1997 LOWS. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS.

TEXT: WARSAW, BUDAPEST AND PRAGUE WERE ALL LOWER THIS WEEK BUT THE MOST DAMAGE WAS DONE IN PRAGUE. THE P-X 50 INDEX FELL FOUR-AND-ONE-HALF PERCENT, OR 24 POINTS, TO 503. THAT IS THE LOWEST LEVEL OF THE YEAR AND A FULL 25 PERCENT BELOW THE MARKET'S 1997 PEAK SET BACK IN MARCH.

WARSAW WAS ALSO LOWER, WITH THE WIG INDEX DOWN 122 POINTS TO 16-THOUSAND-424. IN BUDAPEST, THE HIGH FLYING STOCK MARKET RETREATED THIS WEEK LOSING 40 POINTS TO 59 HUNDRED 44.

ON THE SMALLER MARKETS, BRATISLAVA WAS LITTLE CHANGED, AND THERE WAS LITTLE ACTION AS WELL. IN SLOVENIA SHARES WERE UP SHARPLY AS THERE WERE SIGNS OF INTEREST FROM FOREIGN PORTFOLIO INVESTORS. CROATIAN STOCKS CLOSED LOWER AND AGAIN ACTIVITY WAS SUBDUED. IN BUCHAREST, THE MARKET RETREATED AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF IMPRESSIVE GAINS. (SIGNED)
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09-May-97 12:14 PM EDT (1614 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES CLOSED MIXED ON THE MAJOR MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE FRIDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE NUMBERS FROM OUR OFFICES IN LONDON.

TEXT: THE WEEK-LONG MARKET RALLY IN THE CITY OF LONDON CONTINUED FRIDAY WITH THE KEY "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX CLOSING ON ANOTHER RECORD HIGH -- THIS TIME UP 50-AND-ONE-HALF POINTS. PRICES CLOSED HIGHER IN FRANKFURT AS WELL, WHERE THE "DAX 30" INDEX POSTED A TEN-AND-A-HALF POINT GAIN. BUT IN PARIS, INVESTOR WORRIES OVER OPINION POLLS SHOWING A NARROW LEAD FOR THE RULING CONSERVATIVES IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION, HELPED DRIVE DOWN THE "CAC 40" INDEX BY JUST UNDER NINE-AND-A-HALF POINTS.

THE DOLLAR CONTINUED ITS RETREAT AGAINST THE MARK, CLOSING DOWN ALMOST TWO CENTS ON THE LONDON MONEY MARKET. BUT THE DOLLAR WAS UP FRACTIONALLY AGAINST THE POUND.

GOLD PRICES ADVANCED TWO-DOLLARS-30-CENTS AN OUNCE. THE LONDON CLOSING FIX PRICE WAS 346-DOLLARS-20 CENTS. (SIGNED)
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09-May-97 1:20 PM EDT (1720 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] FRANCE / ELECTIONS (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: A NEW OPINION POLL PREDICTS THAT FRANCE'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION AT THE END OF THIS MONTH WILL BE A CLOSE BATTLE. JULIAN NUNDY IN PARIS ALSO REPORTS THERE ARE SIGNS OF A SPLIT IN THE OPPOSITION LEFT-WING ALLIANCE OF SOCIALISTS AND COMMUNISTS.

TEXT: IF THE FRENCH ARE AGREED ON ANYTHING, IT IS THAT THE CURRENT CAMPAIGN FOR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS STARTING MAY 25TH HAS SO FAR BEEN UNINSPIRING.

DURING THE PAST WEEK, THE MAIN EVENT HAS BEEN AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE PRESS BY PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC, WHO CALLED THE ELECTIONS NINE MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, MATCHED BY A REPLY BY THE SOCIALIST PARTY LEADER, LIONEL JOSPIN.

MR. CHIRAC, WHOSE OWN POSITION IS NOT AT RISK SINCE HE STILL HAS FIVE YEARS OF HIS TERM TO SERVE, PROMISED A NEW IMPETUS FOR THE ECONOMY. MR. JOSPIN ASSURED THE FRENCH THAT HIS SOCIALIST PARTY HAS LEARNED THE LESSONS FROM MISTAKES MADE DURING THE 14-YEAR RULE OF THE LATE SOCIALIST PRESIDENT FRANCOIS MITTERRAND.

FOR THE LEFT-WING DAILY LIBERATION, BOTH LEADERS FAILED TO SOUND CONVINCING OR COME UP WITH PROPOSALS LIKELY TO WIN THEM SUPPORT.

AS MR. JOSPIN'S ARTICLE APPEARED IN PRINT, CONSERVATIVE PRIME MINISTER ALAIN JUPPE PUT FOUR QUESTIONS TO THE SOCIALIST LEADER. FIRST, HE ASKED HOW THE SOCIALISTS INTEND PAYING FOR A PROGRAM THAT PROMISES THE CREATION OF 700-THOUSAND NEW JOBS FOR THE YOUNG AND A SHORTER WORKING WEEK WITH NO CUTS IN SALARIES.

MR. JUPPE ALSO ASKED HOW THE SOCIALISTS' NEW ALLIANCE WITH THE COMMUNIST PARTY WILL WORK, GIVEN THAT THE COMMUNISTS ARE AGAINST THE PLANNED EUROPEAN SINGLE CURRENCY AND THE SOCIALISTS SUPPORT IT. HOW, MR. JUPPE ASKED, CAN THE LEFT AVOID PROVOKING A CRISIS THROUGHOUT THE EUROPEAN UNION?

MR. CHIRAC DISSOLVED THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY THREE WEEKS AGO -- IN PART TO HEAD OFF AN ELECTION CAMPAIGN AT THE NORMAL END OF THE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD HAVE COINCIDED WITH THE CREATION OF THE SINGLE CURRENCY. AT THAT TIME, HIS CONSERVATIVE COALITION LOOKED CERTAIN TO WIN.

THE LATEST OPINION POLL, HOWEVER, GIVES IT A MEAGER FOUR-SEAT LEAD IN THE 577-MEMBER PARLIAMENT. A RISE OF JUST ONE PERCENT FOR THE SOCIALISTS WOULD GIVE THE LEFT A WORKING MAJORITY.

TO TAKE POWER, THE SOCIALISTS, WITH A PROJECTED 38 PERCENT OF THE VOTE, NEED THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNISTS WHO CAN MUSTER ABOUT 10 PERCENT. AS THE OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN THAT STARTED MONDAY ENDED ITS FIRST WEEK, HOWEVER, THERE WERE SIGNS THAT THIS ALLIANCE MAY BE IN DANGER.

COMMUNIST PARTY LEADER ROBERT HUE HAS TOLD THE SOCIALISTS THEY SHOULD NOT TRY TO IMPOSE THEIR PROGRAM ON ALL THE LEFT. HE SAID THE SOCIALISTS MUST RESPECT COMMUNIST VIEWPOINTS IF THEIR ALLIANCE IS TO REMAIN INTACT. (SIGNED)
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09-May-97 9:05 AM EDT (1305 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: MORE CRITICISM OF THE SWISS FOR THEIR FINANCIAL HELP TO THE NAZIS DURING WORLD WAR TWO CAN BE FOUND AMONG THE EDITORIALS IN FRIDAY'S U-S PAPERS.

OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE THE BOSNIAN WAR CRIME TRIAL; THE NEW MAN FOR THE CIA AND WHETHER HE IS THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB; CHARGES OF TORTURING PRISONERS IN ISRAEL; THE FUTURE STATE OF THE WORLD'S HEALTH, AND AIR SAFETY, ONE YEAR AFTER A PAIR OF DISASTROUS CRASHES.

NOW, HERE IS _________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND A QUOTE OR TWO.

TEXT: SEVERAL MORE NEWSPAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON A NEW U-S STUDY OF HOW THE SWISS GOVERNMENT AND BANKS AIDED THE NAZI GOVERNMENT IN GERMANY. TODAY'S MIAMI HERALD SUMS UPS ITS FEELINGS IN THIS LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE: "HOLOCAUST PROFITEERS," ADDING

VOICE: "OUT OF THE HOLOCAUST, THE GREATEST OF THOSE CRIMES, HAS COME A GRIEVOUS MORAL OFFENSE INVOLVING THE FAILURE OF SEVERAL NATIONS - - OUR OWN INCLUDED - - TO DEMAND THE RETURN TO HOLOCAUST VICTIMS OF GOLD THAT THE NAZIS STOLE FROM THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE CHILLING STORY OF THIS BREACH OF SIMPLE HUMANITY - - ESPECIALLY BY SWITZERLAND - - IS TOLD IN A NEW, 256-PAGE STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT. .....THE REPORT'S FINDINGS ARE SCATHING EVEN THOUGH ITS LANGUAGE IS STRAIGHTFORWARD, AT TIMES EVEN RESERVED. ..... ALL TOLD, THE NAZIS STOLE SOME 580-MILLION DOLLARS IN CENTRAL-BANK GOLD, WORTH FIVE-POINT-SIX BILLION DOLLARS TODAY, PLUS UNTOLD MILLIONS MORE IN OTHER BOOTY, INCLUDING GOLD DENTAL FILLINGS."

TEXT: ANOTHER LEAD EDITORIAL, IN THE WASHINGTON POST, ADDS:

VOICE: "[OPT] THE CHAPTER NOW BEING BELATEDLY ADDED TO THE HISTORY OF WORLD WAR TWO IS TAWDRY. IT CENTERS ON SWITZERLAND BUT TOUCHES A DOZEN OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES SIMILARLY ACCUSTOMED TO THINKING OF THEMSELVES AS REPOSITORIES OF THE WEST'S HIGHER VALUES. [END OPT] ..... THE TERRIBLE TRUTH NO LONGER CAN BE IGNORED. THE HEART OF IT IS THAT THE SWISS WERE THE 'PRINCIPAL BANKERS AND FINANCIAL BROKERS' FOR THE NAZI WAR MACHINE. ..... THIS IMPRESSIVE REPORT SUGGESTS IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO TAKE UP THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF THE WAR. THIS REQUIRES GOVERNMENTS HOLDING NAZI GOLD TO USE IT TO COMPENSATE THE LINGERING AND UNTIL-NOW LARGELY UNCOMPENSATED VICTIMS OF THE WAR ...."

TEXT: AND IN BALTIMORE, THE SUN ALSO ADDRESSES THE REPORT'S FINDINGS, NOTING:

VOICE: "SWISS OFFICIALS PROCLAIMED THEMSELVES SHOCKED - - SHOCKED [ITALICS FOR (MOCKING) EMPHASIS] BY THE REVELATION THAT SOME OF THE GOLD BARS DEPOSITED IN THEIR BANKS BY THE NAZIS CONTAINED GOLD RIPPED FROM THE TEETH OF CONCENTRATION CAMP INMATES, DEAD OR ALIVE. YET THIS CAN HARDLY BE SURPRISING TO ANYONE WITH EVEN A CASUAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE METICULOUS WAY IN WHICH THE NAZIS WENT ABOUT THEIR 'FINAL SOLUTION' TO ERADICATE EUROPEAN JEWRY."

TEXT: THESE EDITORIALS LEAD INTO A MORE RECENT CHAPTER OF ARMED CONFLICT, THE CIVIL WAR IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE FIRST DEFENDANT FROM THAT STRUGGLE WAS FOUND GUILTY OF WAR CRIMES IN THE HAGUE THIS WEEK. THAT EVENT DRAWS THIS COMMENT FROM NEWSDAY WHICH CALLS IT HISTORIC, BUT ADDS:

VOICE: ".....THE CONVICTION OF DUSAN TADIC, AN OBSCURE CAFE OWNER, ALSO POINTS TO AN UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTH ABOUT THE PROSECUTION OF WAR CRIMES IN MODERN CONFLICTS: THE PROCESS OF JUSTICE MAY BE AS MUCH TO SATISFY A COLLECTIVE HUNGER FOR SYMBOLIC ACCOUNTABILITY AS A QUEST TO FERRET OUT THE REAL CULPRITS."

TEXT: ALSO SPEAKING OF THIS CONVICTION, THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS:

VOICE: "THE FIRST CONVICTION OF A SERB WAR CRIMINAL ..... MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN OCCASION FOR SATISFACTION, A SIGN THAT THOSE WHO HAD VOWED TO PUNISH THE PERPETRATORS OF ATROCITIES IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA WERE MAKING GOOD ON THEIR WORD. UNDER PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, THOUGH, IT SERVES MORE AS A REMINDER OF THE PARTIES' FAILURE TO DO SO ..... MOST ALLEGED WAR CRIMINALS - - INCLUDING LEADERS SUCH AS RODOVAN KARADZIC [PRESIDENT OF THE BOSNIAN SERB "STATE" DURING THE WAR] - - REMAIN AT LARGE."

TEXT: THERE IS A NEW NOMINEE TESTIFYING BEFORE THE SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE WHO SEEKS APPROVAL TO HEAD THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY. TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES TALKS ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE OF ACTING C-I-A HEAD GEORGE TENET, AND HOW THE SENATE TREATED HIS PREDECESSOR, ANTHONY LAKE.

VOICE: "THE SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE MANHANDLED ANTHONY LAKE WHEN IT FINALLY HELD HEARINGS ON HIS NOMINATION ...... SO BRUISINGLY THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR WITHDREW HIS NAME IN FRUSTRATION.... WITH DIRECTOR-DESIGNATE GEORGE ... TENENT, BY CONTRAST, THE COMMITTEE HAS ENGAGED IN A VIRTUAL LOVE FEST. .... [MR.] TENET SHOULD BECOME THE THIRD HEAD OF INTELLIGENCE CHOSEN BY [PRESIDENT] CLINTON AND THE FIFTH DIRECTOR IN THE LAST SIX YEARS. THOSE NUMBERS TELL A TROUBLING STORY OF A LACK OF CONTINUITY AT THE APEX OF U-S INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES AND OF PROFOUND INTERNAL PROBLEMS AT THE C-I-A."

TEXT: SPEAKING OF INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES, TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES HAS A COMMENTARY ON ALLEGATIONS OF TORTURE BY SOME OF ISRAEL'S SECURITY FORCES.

VOICE: "NO DEMOCRACY IS AS STALKED BY TERRORISM AS ISRAEL. BECAUSE OF THAT THREAT, ISRAEL LAW ALLOWS ITS SECURITY SERVICE TO USE WHAT IT CALLS 'A MODERATE MEASURE OF PHYSICAL PRESSURE' WHEN INTERROGATING PALESTINIANS. THESE MEASURES .... INCLUDE VIOLENT SHAKING AND HANGING SHACKLED PRISONERS IN PAINFUL POSITIONS, [AND] CLEARLY COME UNDER THE DEFINITION OF TORTURE IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS THAT ISRAEL HAS SIGNED. ISRAEL MUST VIGOROUSLY PROTECT ITS SECURITY, BUT NOT BY THE USE OF TORTURE. .... THE CHARACTER OF A COUNTRY IS DETERMINED IN SOME MEASURE BY HOW IT TREATS ITS ENEMIES AND PRISONERS. ISRAEL HARMS ITS INTERNATIONAL STATURE BY TORTURING ITS FOES."

TEXT: NOTING A NEW STUDY BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION THAT PREDICTS A SHARP RISE IN SO-CALLED "WEALTHY COUNTRY" DISEASES SUCH AS HEART DISEASE AND CANCER, THE SUN IN BALTIMORE SAYS:

VOICE: "AS DEVELOPING COUNTRIES SEE IMPROVEMENTS IN HEALTH CARE AND LIVING CONDITIONS, MORE CHILDREN ARE SURVIVING INFANCY AND ADULTS ARE LIVING LONGER THAN THEIR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS. THAT IS GOOD NEWS. AT THE SAME TIME, LONGER LIFE SPANS COMBINE WITH HABITS ASSOCIATED WITH AFFLUENCE CREATE NEW MEDICAL CHALLENGES. .....AS THE W-H-O REPORT NOTES, IF [CIGARETTE] SMOKING RATES CONTINUES TO RISE, THE EPIDEMIC OF SMOKING RELATED DEATHS 'HAS MANY YEARS TO RUN, AND WILL SURELY BE JUDGED BY FUTURE GENERATIONS TO HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST HEALTH TRAGEDIES THAT HAS EVER OCCURRED IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND.'"

TEXT: AND LASTLY, FROM USA TODAY, SOME MORE THOUGHTS ON THE RESPONSE BY THE U-S GOVERNMENT'S CHIEF AVIATION AGENCY, THE F-A-A, TO LESSONS LEARNED FROM TWO OF LAST YEAR'S MOST NOTORIOUS AIR CRASHES. SPECIFICALLY, THE PAPER IS UPSET THAT SMOKE DETECTORS HAVE N O T BEEN INSTALLED IN THE CARGO HOLDS OF ALL AIRLINERS EVEN THOUGH A CARGO-HOLD FIRE BROKE OUT ABOARD VALUJET FLIGHT 592 WHICH CRASHED INTO THE EVERGLADES, KILLING ALL 110 PEOPLE ABOARD.

VOICE: "SWEEPING SAFETY REVIEWS FOLLOWED; [THE CRASH] REFORMS WERE PROMISED. THE F-A-A VOWED TO ENSURE NO SUCH CRASH COULD OCCUR AGAIN. THAT PROMISE REMAINS UNKEPT. DESPITE THE PASSAGE OF A YEAR, HAZARDOUS CARGO CONTINUES TO FLY ON BOTH PASSENGER AND CARGO PLANES, AND FIRES STILL CAN GO UNDETECTED UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE. ..... AS A RESULT ....SAFETY LANGUISHES - - ABROAD PLANES AND, MORE TELLINGLY, AT THE F-A-A."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE EDITORIALS IN TODAY'S AMERICAN PAPERS.
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09-May-97 10:40 AM EDT (1440 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] GERMANY FOREIGNERS BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: IN GERMANY, CALLS FOR A CHANGE IN CITIZENSHIP RULES HAVE IGNITED A DEBATE THAT COULD LEAD TO NEW LAWS MAKING IT EASIER FOR CHILDREN OF FOREIGN-BORN PARENTS TO BECOME GERMAN CITIZENS. AS VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN, THE DEBATE MAY ALSO SPELL THE END OF AN IMPERIAL GERMAN PRINCIPAL THAT NATIONALITY IS BASED ON BLOOD-LINES.

TEXT: ALTHOUGH SHE WAS BORN AND RAISED IN GERMANY, 26-YEAR-OLD PERCEM PEKPAK STILL HAD TO GO THROUGH A COMPLICATED YEAR-LONG PROCESS TO BECOME A GERMAN CITIZEN. NOW, DESPITE HER WESTERN CLOTHES, HER GERMAN PASSPORT, EDUCATION AND FLAWLESS GERMAN LANGUAGE, SHE SAYS SHE STILL FEELS LIKE AN OUTSIDER.

ALTHOUGH GERMANY IS HOME TO MORE THAN SEVEN-MILLION FOREIGNERS, MANY OF THEM FROM TURKEY -- LIKE MS. PEKPAK AND HER FAMILY -- ASSIMILATION INTO GERMAN SOCIETY HAS BEEN DIFFICULT.

EXPERTS SAY PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THE IMPERIAL GERMAN CITIZENSHIP PRINCIPAL THAT DATES BACK TO 1913. UNLIKE OTHER WESTERN INDUSTRIAL NATIONS, CITIZENSHIP IN GERMANY IS INHERITED THROUGH BLOOD LINES. EVEN IF YOU ARE BORN, RAISED AND WORK YOUR ENTIRE LIFE IN GERMANY, YOU CAN NOT AUTOMATICALLY BECOME A GERMAN.

SOME MEMBERS OF THE GERMAN PARLIAMENT, LIKE REPRESENTATIVE PETER ALTMAIER, SAY IT'S TIME TO CHANGE THAT.

THE CHALLENGE FOR US IS HOW TO INTEGRATE THESE PEOPLE, HOW TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO BECOME GERMAN CITIZENS. THEREFORE WE HAVE PRESENTED SOME CONCRETE PROPOSALS WHICH REPRESENT A COMPROMISE BETWEEN THE AMERICAN LEGAL SYSTEM ON CITIZENSHIP AND THE OLD FASHIONED GERMAN LEGISLATION.

MR. ALTMAIER HAS CALLED FOR A SYSTEM THAT WOULD GRANT DUAL CITIZENSHIP TO CHILDREN BORN IN GERMANY OF FOREIGN PARENTS ... CITIZENSHIP WOULD BE ACQUIRED AT BIRTH.

OTHER PROPOSALS CURRENTLY BEING DISCUSSED CALL FOR CHILDREN OF FOREIGN PARENTS TO BE GRANTED CITIZENSHIP WHEN THEY START SCHOOL, OR IF THEIR PARENTS APPLY FOR CITIZENSHIP.

MR. ALTMAIER SAYS THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO GRADUALLY CHANGE THE RULES SO ATTITUDES TOWARD FOREIGNERS CAN SLOWLY CHANGE TOO.

AND THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT IN A CERTAIN SENSE GERMAN SOCIETY WILL BECOME -- AND IT ALREADY IS -- A MULTI-CULTURAL SOCIETY WITH ALL THE INHERENT PROBLEMS AND DIFFICULTIES. BUT WE CAN'T NEGLECT THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE TO FACE THE CHALLENGE IN ORDER TO AVOID SERIOUS CLASHES AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN THE COMING YEARS.

EXPERTS SAY GERMANY'S FAILURE TO INTEGRATE THE MILLIONS OF FOREIGNERS LIVING IN THE COUNTRY CONTRIBUTED TO THE WAVE OF ATTACKS AGAINST FOREIGNERS FOLLOWING UNIFICATION OF THE EAST AND WEST.

MS. PEKPAK AGREES, CHANGING ATTITUDES WILL TAKE TIME.

BUT NEARLY EVERYONE IN GERMANY AGREES ON ONE THING -- A CHANGE IN ATTITUDES CAN ONLY COME THROUGH OPEN DISCUSSION IN THE SOCIETY, SOMETHING THE CURRENT ROUND OF PROPOSALS ON CITIZENSHIP COULD WELL TRIGGER. (SIGNED)
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09-May-97 10:24 AM EDT (1424 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (FRIDAY) AS TRADERS WERE ENCOURAGED BY COMMENTS FROM THE HEAD OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 71 HUNDRED 69, UP 32 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 98 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 824, UP FOUR AND ONE-HALF POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY MANY TRADERS WERE ENCOURAGED BY ALAN GREENSPAN'S COMMENT THURSDAY EVENING THAT HE EXPECTS THE RATE OF U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH TO SLOW. MR. GREENSPAN, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK, SAID THE CENTRAL BANK'S MODEST INTEREST RATE INCREASE IN MARCH WAS A FORM OF INSURANCE AGAINST INFLATION. SOME TRADERS BELIEVE MR. GREENSPAN WAS SIGNALING THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A FURTHER INTEREST RATE INCREASE LATER THIS MONTH. BUT OTHERS POINT OUT HE DID NOT SPECIFICALLY SAY THAT.

UNION WORKERS AT A CHRYSLER CORPORATION ENGINE PLANT HAVE OVERWHELMINGLY RATIFIED A NEW CONTRACT. THE VOTE ENDS A MONTH-LONG STRIKE WHICH STOPPED PRODUCTION OF MANY OF CHRYSLER'S BEST SELLING VEHICLES.

THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS MOVING TO BOOST SALES BY OFFERING ONE POINT NINE PERCENT INTEREST RATE LOANS ON MOST OF ITS CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. FORD SAYS CUSTOMERS WHO DO NOT WANT LOANS WILL BE GIVEN CASH REBATES OF BETWEEN 500 AND ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS.

A PLANNED PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE NEWS CORPORATION AND THE ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY IS TURNING NASTY. LAST WEEK, NEWS CORPORATION INSISTED THAT ECHOSTAR USE A SPECIFIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR THEIR PLANNED SATELLITE TELEVISION VENTURE. ECHOSTAR RESISTED THAT AND NOW ECHOSTAR IS SUING NEWS CORPORATION, CLAIMING NEWS CORPORATION IS OBLIGATED TO LOAN ECHOSTAR 200 MILLION DOLLARS. ZENITH, THE LAST AMERICAN TELEVISION MAKER, SAYS IT WILL LAUNCH A MAJOR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FIVE YEARS. ALTHOUGH THE COMPANY HAS SUFFERED FINANCIAL PROBLEMS IN RECENT YEARS, MARKET RESEARCH SHOWS ZENITH IS STILL ONE OF THE BEST-KNOWN BRAND NAMES IN THE UNITED STATES. WILLIAM SIMS WHO HEADS THE COMPANY'S DOMESTIC SALES DIVISION SAYS IT IS TIME TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT BRAND RECOGNITION.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
09-May-97 5:16 PM EDT (2116 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS DEFENDS ITS POLICY ON REPATRIATING RWANDAN REFUGEES IN ZAIRE AGAINST NEW ACCUSATIONS FROM KIGALI; A MAJOR U-N FOOD AGENCY APPEALS TO GOVERNMENTS TO PROVIDE BILATERAL ASSISTANCE TO NORTH KOREA IN THE WAKE OF TWO YEARS OF UNPRECEDENTED FLOODING; AND, U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN VISITS CHINA. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK.

TEXT: THE UNITED NATIONS -- IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS -- HAS LASHED OUT AT RWANDA, DENYING CHARGES THAT IT IS MISMANAGING THE REPATRIATION OF RWANDAN HUTU FROM ZAIRE. RWANDAN OFFICIALS BLAME THE UNITED NATIONS FOR THE RECENT DEATHS OF 92 REFUGEES IN A PACKED TRAIN THAT WAS TAKING THEM FROM BIARO TO KISANGANI IN NORTHEAST ZAIRE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY -- SOREN JESSEN-PETERSEN CALLED THE CHARGES OUTRAGEOUS. HE SAID U-N PERSONNEL HAVE LIMITED ACCESS TO THE REFUGEES:

WE CONSIDER THESE ALLEGATIONS UNJUSTIFIED, UNFAIR AND DEMONSTRABLY FALSE. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS WAS A RESULT OF LACK OF COOPERATION, (AND A) VIOLATION OF AGREEMENTS THAT UNHCR SHOULD BE GIVEN ACCESS, SHOULD COORDINATE THE TRANSPORT TO KISANGANI. WE WERE NOT PRESENT. WE WERE NOT INFORMED. AND WE WERE IN NO POSITION TO INTERVENE -- UNFORTUNATELY.

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, SADAKO OGATA, SAYS THE DISPATCH OF THE TRAIN WAS NOT CLEARED WITH U-N STAFF. EYEWITNESSES SAY THE DEATHS WERE THE RESULT OF THE REFUGEES RUSHING TO BOARD AFTER AN ATTACK BY LOCAL ZAIREAN VILLAGERS.

THE REFUGEES FLED RWANDA IN 1994 AFTER TUTSI REBELS SEIZED POWER. THE FORMER HUTU GOVERNMENT IS BLAMED FOR THE MASSACRE OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MOSTLY TUTSI RWANDANS DURING THE COUNTRY'S CIVIL WAR. ZAIREAN REBELS ARE DEMANDING THE REFUGEES GO BACK HOME -- QUICKLY.

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THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM HAS CALLED ON GOVERNMENTS TO STEP IN WITH DIRECT FOOD ASSISTANCE TO NORTH KOREA. IT SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS CANNOT HANDLE THE AID BY ITSELF.

NORTH KOREA IS SAID TO NEED MORE THAN TWO-MILLION TONS OF GRAIN. THE FOOD AGENCY HAS REQUESTED ONLY 200-THOUSAND TONS BECAUSE IT SAYS THIS IS ALL IT CAN REASONABLY MONITOR. THE REST WOULD PASS THROUGH NORTH KOREA'S PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM -- WHERE GOVERNMENT-APPOINTED PERSONNEL WOULD BE IN CHARGE.

WORLD FOOD PROGRAM DIRECTOR CATHERINE BERTINI SAYS NORTH KOREA'S RESPONSE TO INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE AT THE OUSET WAS VERY GOOD. BUT SHE SAYS THE PROCESS HAS SLOWED DOWN CONSIDERABLY:

FROM THEN ON, OUR WORK HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED WITH THE GOVERNMENT EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. WORKING WITH INTERNATIONAL MONITORS AND WITH A LARGE PROGRAM FROM AN INTERNATIONAL AGENCY IS A NEW EXPERIENCE THERE AND WE ARE CONSTANTLY WORKING WITH THEM TO UNDERSTAND OUR NEEDS.

U-N OFFICIALS ADMIT PRIVATELY U-N AGENCIES CANNOT RISK LOSING CONTROL OVER A HIGH-PROFILE OPERATION, SUCH AS THE ONE IN NORTH KOREA. THE UNITED NATIONS IS UNDER INTENSE SCRUTINY BY THE U-S CONGRESS AND OTHER CRITICS.

THE FOOD AGENCY RUNS A TIGHTLY TARGETED PROGRAM IN NORTH KOREAN SCHOOLS AND SURROUNDING VILLAGES. HOWEVER, STARVATION FROM FLOOD-INDUCED FAMINE IS SAID TO BE SPREADING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

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SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TRAVELED TO CHINA THIS PAST WEEK. HE PRAISED CHINA'S ECONOMIC PROGRESS -- ONE OF THE BEST GROWTH RATES IN ASIA. AND HE EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT BEIJING WOULD SUPPORT HIS AGENDA FOR U-N REFORM.

THE UNITED STATES -- WHICH PAYS THE HEFTIEST SHARE OF THE U-N BUDGET AT 25 PERCENT -- IS TRYING TO LOWER ITS PERCENTAGE. ON THE OTHER HAND, CHINA -- ONE OF THE FIVE PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL -- CONTRIBUTES LESS THAN ONE PERCENT. WASHINGTON IS CAMPAIGNING TO INCREASE THE CHINESE ASSESSMENT. DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE IN NEW YORK. BUT RE-ALLOCATING FINANCIAL RESPONSIBLITY IS A CONTENTIOUS ISSUE.

WITH U-S PAYMENTS LOCKED UP IN THE CONGRESS -- WASHINGTON REMAINS THE U-N'S LARGEST DEBTOR. JAPAN, THE SECOND LARGEST CONTRIBUTOR, PAID UP IN FULL THIS PAST WEEK FOR THE PRESENT YEAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/EJ/RRM
09-May-97 11:22 AM EDT (1522 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] U-S-CYPRUS (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS PRAISED CYPRUS, GREECE AND TURKEY FOR AGREEING TO AVOID OVERFLIGHTS OF CYPRUS DURING MILITARY MANEUVERS ON THE ISLAND. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT WHERE THE AGREEMENT WAS ANNOUNCED.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN PUSHING GREECE AND TURKEY NOT TO SEND MILITARY FLIGHTS OVER CYPRUS AS A CONFIDENCE BUILDING STEPTOWARD NEGOTIATIONS FOR A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT ON THE DIVIDED ISLAND. THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS CYPRUS HAS AGREED NOT TO INVITE GREEK JETS TO OVERFLY THE ISLAND DURING MANENVERS AND TURKEY HAS AGREED NOT TO SEND TURKISH PLANES OVER CYPRUS IF THE GREEK PLANES DO NOT FLY.

SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS EXPRESSES HOPE THE INITIAL STEP WILL BE CONTINUED IN THE NEGOTIATIONS.

WE THINK THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD. WE HOPE THIS WILL IMPROVE THE CLIMATE FOR THE NEGOTIATIONS THAT WE HOPE WILL COME THIS YEAR TO HELP RESOLVE THE CYPRUS PROBLEM.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE BAN ON FLIGHTS CAN LEAD THE WAY TO NEGOTIATING THE MORE DIFFICULT ISSUES DIVIDING THE GREEK AND TURKISH COMMUNITIES ON CYPRUS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
09-May-97 3:10 PM EDT (1910 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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