Voice of America, 97-05-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] BRITAIN / EUROPE BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

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

[03] MEMORIES OF NUREMBERG:A NEW WAR CRIMES CONVICTION BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[04] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

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

[06] NATO / BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[07] PUSH TECHNOLOGY BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

[08] TURKEY/OPPOSITION (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[09] U-S/ALBANIA O'NITER (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[10] U-S / ALBANIA (S-ONLY) BY VALONDA BRUINTON (WASHINGTON)

[01] BRITAIN / EUROPE BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITAIN'S NEW LABOUR PARTY GOVERNMENT APPEARS TO BE FAR MORE "EUROPE-FRIENDLY" THAN ITS CONSERVATIVE PARTY PREDECESSOR. IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON, V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS AT THE CHANGE IN STYLE -- IF NOT NECESSARILY IN SUBSTANCE -- OF THE NEW BRITISH GOVERNMENT.

TEXT: LESS THAN TWO WEEKS IN POWER AND EXPERTS SAY THE NEW BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS DEFINITELY CHANGED THE MOOD OF ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE E-U, THE EUROPEAN UNION.

WITH ITS LANDSLIDE VICTORY AT THE POLLS MAY FIRST, THE LABOUR PARTY SEES ITSELF AS HAVING A MANDATE TO PUSH THROUGH MANY OF ITS PROPOSALS. ON THE EUROPEAN FRONT, IT MEANS BEING FAR MORE CONCILIATORY IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION AND NOT AUTOMATICALLY OPPOSING EVERYTHING PROPOSED BY E-U HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS, WHICH THE PREVIOUS CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT TENDED TO DO.

ON A RECENT TRIP TO BRUSSELS, DOUG HENDERSON -- THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S NEW MINISTER FOR EUROPE -- DESCRIBED THE LABOUR GOVERNMENT'S POLICY AS "A FRESH START" TO BRITAIN'S RELATIONS WITH THE E-U.

WE HAVE A POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE APPROACH COUPLED WITH A CLEAR VIEW OF THE OBJECTIVES FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM. WE HAVE SIGNALED HOW WE INTEND TO NEGOTIATE HARD TO ACHIEVE THOSE OBJECTIVES. WE ARE CONFIDENT THIS APPROACH WILL SECURE A BETTER DEAL FOR OUR PEOPLE.

THE FIRST CONCRETE STEP IN THIS "FRESH START" WAS THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S ADHERENCE TO THE SO-CALLED E-U "SOCIAL CHAPTER" -- A BROAD PROTOCOL ON EMPLOYEES' RIGHTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS. JOHN MAJOR'S CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT REFUSED TO SIGN THE CHAPTER SAYING IT WOULD INCREASE UNEMPLOYMENT -- BUT TONY BLAIR'S NEW LABOUR GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL BE GOOD FOR BRITISH BUSINESS.

YET WHILE AGREEING TO SIGN THE SOCIAL CHAPTER, MANY OF THE LABOUR GOVERNMENT'S POLICIES TOWARDS EUROPE ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE PREVIOUS CONSERVATIVE ADMINISTRATION. BRITAIN IS STILL STANDING FIRM ON ITS RIGHT TO SAY NO ON ISSUES SUCH AS TAXATION AND COMMON EUROPEAN DEFENSE AND FOREIGN POLICIES. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT STILL DOES NOT WANT TO GIVE UP ITS BORDER CONTROLS AND IS CONTINUING TO STAND FIRM ON ISSUES SUCH AS ITS FISHING RIGHTS.

LABOUR WILL ADOPT A PRO-EUROPEAN POLICY THAT WILL BE AGNOSTIC TOWARDS THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY. HOWEVER IN ADOPTING A PRO-EUROPEAN POLICY -- AND IF THE REST OF EUROPE DECIDES TO JOIN AND GO AHEAD WITH THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY -- THAT MEANS THAT AT SOME STAGE LABOUR WILL HAVE TO MAKE A TOUGH DECISION ON THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY. SO AT THE MOMENT, IT IS PRO-EUROPE BUT ANTI SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY.

MR. LYONS SAYS WHILE MANY MEMBERS OF THE PREVIOUS CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT WERE TOTALLY OPPOSED TO THE IDEA OF A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY, THE LABOUR GOVERNMENT COULD BE PERSUADED TO SEE ITS MERITS. //END OPT//

BRITISH BUSINESSES ARE STILL WAITING TO SEE WHETHER THE NEW PRO-EUROPEAN LABOUR GOVERNMENT WILL BE GOOD FOR THEM IN THE LONG RUN. BUT ANDREW HAWKINS -- THE POLICY DIRECTOR FOR LONDON'S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY -- SAYS THAT SO FAR, THE REACTION HAS BEEN POSITIVE.

IT IS GOOD, IN THAT IT INSURES BRITAIN'S VIEW IS TAKEN MORE SERIOUSLY AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. BUT WE DO HAVE CONCERNS SIMPLY BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO EMERGE IN THE FUTURE AND IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO WHAT WE MAKE OF POLITICIANS' INSTINCTS. WHAT WE HAVE SEEN OF THEM SO FAR HAS BEEN GOOD, BUT LET'S JUST HOPE THAT CONTINUES. //OPT// BUSINESSES WILL LEND THEIR SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DAY. WE CAN LEND OUR SUPPORT TO MUCH OF WHAT LABOUR IS TRYING TO DO -- BUT IT IS ONLY LENDING IT. WE WILL TAKE IT AWAY AGAIN AS SOON AS WE GET CONCERNED THAT BRITISH BUSINESS WILL SUFFER -- BUT LET US HOPE IT DOES NOT COME TO THAT. //END OPT//

MR. HAWKINS SAYS BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR HAS TO WEIGH THE ADVANTAGES OF STEERING A PRO-EUROPEAN COURSE WITH THE DISADVANTAGES OF BEING SEEN AS GIVING AWAY BRITAIN'S SOVEREIGNTY. BRITISH OFFICIALS SAY MR. BLAIR WILL FIGHT FOR BRITISH INTERESTS BUT HE ALSO SAYS IT IS IN BRITAIN'S INTEREST TO BE IN EUROPE. (SIGNED)
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12-May-97 11:29 AM EDT (1529 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: MAJOR STOCK MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE BEGAN THE WEEK WITH PRICES POSTING SUBSTANTIAL ADVANCES. PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON HAS THE MONDAY CLOSING FIGURES.

TEXT: THE BIGGEST GAINS WERE IN PARIS AND LONDON, WHERE THE KEY "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX POSTED A HEFTY 39-POINT GAIN. THE RECORD CLOSE FOLLOWED POSITIVE REACTION TO THE LONDON ANNOUNCEMENT OF A PLANNED MERGER BETWEEN FOOD AND DRINKS GIANTS "GRAND METROPOLITAN" AND "GUINNESS." THAT DEAL IS ESTIMATED TO BE WORTH ABOUT 33-BILLION DOLLARS. IN PARIS, HIGHER PRICES ON WALL STREET WERE CITED AS A FACTOR IN DRIVING UP THE "CAC 40" INDEX 59-POINTS. FRANKFURT'S "DAX 30" INDEX CLOSED UP AS WELL -- BUT NOT AS DRAMATICALLY -- POSTING A 13-POINT GAIN. IT MARKED A NEW RECORD CLOSE FOR THE DAX.

THE DOLLAR WAS UP AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND DOWN SLIGHTLY AGAINST BRITISH POUND. GOLD IN LONDON WAS UP NEARLY FOUR-DOLLARS AN OUNCE FROM FRIDAY'S CLOSING PRICE FIX. (SIGNED)
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12-May-97 1:54 PM EDT (1754 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] MEMORIES OF NUREMBERG:A NEW WAR CRIMES CONVICTION BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: HISTORY WAS MADE IN THE NETHERLANDS LAST WEEK WHEN, IN THE FIRST WAR CRIMES TRIAL CONCLUDED SINCE THE END OF WORLD WAR TWO, A SERBIAN CAFE OWNER WAS CONVICTED OF "CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY."

MR. DUSAN TADIC BECAME THE FIRST PERSON FOUND GUILTY OF ATROCITIES COMMITTED IN THE BLOODY CIVIL WAR BETWEEN BOSNIAN SERBS AND MUSLIMS THAT DEVASTATED BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS.

THE U-S PRESS HAS PLENTY TO SAY ABOUT THIS EVENT AND WE GET A SAMPLING NOW FROM ________________ IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS, A UNITED NATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FOR BOSNIA[-HERZEGOVINA] OPERATING IN THE HAGUE HAS BEEN GATHERING EVIDENCE AND PREPARING TO TRY PEOPLE FOR ACTS COMMITTED DURING THE WAR.

MR. TADIC MADE HISTORY BY BEING THE FIRST PERSON CONVICTED OF ELEVEN OF 31 COUNTS OF WAR CRIMES AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. HE WAS ACQUITTED OF THE NINE MURDER CHARGES ALSO FACING HIM. MANY PAPERS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE MIXED IN THEIR REACTIONS. THEY APPLAUD THE CONVICTION. BUT THEY NOTE THAT BOTH RADOVAN KARADZIC, THE BOSNIAN SERB POLITICAL LEADER, AND HIS MILITARY COMMANDER, RATKO MLADIC, REMAIN AT LARGE. THE TWO ARE CONSIDERED ARCHITECTS OF THE INFAMOUS "ETHNIC CLEANSING" POLICY WHICH LED TO SOME OF THE WORST ATROCITIES SINCE WORLD WAR TWO.

WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING IN TEXAS, WHERE THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS SUGGESTS THAT "JUSTICE IS A NECESSARY PRELUDE TO HEALING."

VOICE: "THE ONLY THING MORE IMPORTANT TO BOSNIA'S FUTURE THAN THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD IS THE SUCCESS OF THE UNITED NATIONS WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FOR BOSNIA. ..... THERE WILL BE NO NATIONAL RECONCILIATION UNTIL THE PERPETRATORS OF 'ETHNIC CLEANSING' ARE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. THAT IS WHY THE TRIBUNAL'S INITIAL CONVICTION OF A WAR CRIMINAL .... IS SO SIGNIFICANT. THE THREE-JUDGE PANEL FOUND FORMER SERB CAFE OWNER DUSAN TADIC .... [GUILTY] OF ELEVEN OF 31 COUNTS OF WAR CRIMES AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. THOSE CHARGES STEMMED FROM HIS ROLE IN THE BEATINGS AND TORTURE OF CROATS AND MUSLIMS AT CAMPS WHERE THEY WERE HELD DURING THE WAR. .... PLAGUED WITH FUNDING PROBLEMS AND LACK OF AUTHORITY TO ARREST INDICTED SUSPECTS, THE TRIBUNAL'S TASK OF DISPENSING JUSTICE HAS BEEN DIFFICULT, TO SAY THE LEAST. IT HAS ISSUED 74 INDICTMENTS. ONLY EIGHT SUSPECTS ARE IN CUSTODY. NONETHELESS, ITS FIRST CONVICTION SENDS A STRONG SIGNAL TO THE VICTIMS OF ETHNIC CLEANSING THAT THOSE RESPONSIBLE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO WALK FREE."

TEXT: THE CONVICTION DRAWS THIS COMMENT FROM NEWSDAY (LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK) WHICH ALSO 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. THERE IS UNDENIABLE VALUE IN [MR.] TADIC'S STANDING AT THE DOCK FOR THE UNFORGIVABLE ATROCITIES COMMITTED IN THE SAVAGE TIME THAT CAME TO BE KNOWN AS THE 'ETHNIC CLEANSING' PHASE OF THE BOSNIAN CIVIL WAR. BUT THE SYMBOLISM IS MUTED BY THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE ARCHITECTS AND STRATEGISTS OF THAT BARBARIC PRACTICE, FORMER BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC AND HIS WARTIME MILITARY CHIEF, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, REMAIN AT LARGE. ... [MR.] TADIC IS NO INNOCENT .... BUT HE WAS HARDLY A POLICYMAKER AND STRATEGIST. IN BOSNIA, THOSE REMAIN SAFE, THANKS TO THE POLITICAL IMPERATIVES DEEMED NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN AN UNSTABLE PEACE."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST HAS SIMILAR BELIEFS.

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: FINALLY, SOME THOUGHTS ON THE VALUE OF THIS FIRST CONVICTION FROM THE BOSTON GLOBE.

VOICE: "THE VALUE OF THE VERDICT RESIDES IN THE DEFINITION OF PERSECUTION AS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY. THE PANEL [OF JUDGES] RULED THAT [MR.] TADIC COMMITTED HIS ATROCITIES AS PART OF A 'WIDESPREAD AND SYSTEMATIC' PERSECUTION OF BOSNIAN MUSLIMS BECAUSE OF RACE, RELIGION, OR POLITICS. AS THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR, LOUISE ARBOR, OBSERVED, [MR.] TADIC'S CONVICTION FOR PERSECUTION GOES TO 'THE HEART OF THE NUREMBERG CONCEPTION OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.' IT IS ALL TOO EVIDENT THAT THERE ARE OTHER, CRUCIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE THAT CONVICTED [MR.] TADIC, A LOWLY SERBIAN SADIST, AND THE TRIBUNAL IN NUREMBERG THAT PROSECUTED TOP GERMAN WAR CRIMINALS. THE MEN WHO BEAR ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CRIMES COMMITTED IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA ARE WELL KNOWN. THE POLITICAL LEADER OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS, RADOVAN KARADZIC, AND THE SERBS' FORMER MILITARY COMMANDER, GENERAL ... MLADIC, FLAUNT THEIR IMPUNITY BEFORE THE WORLD. MEANWHILE THE LEADING WAR CRIMINAL, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ... REMAINS IN POWER IN BELGRADE. THESE CRIMINALS ARE NOT ONLY AT LARGE; THEIR IMPUNITY THREATENS TO BE A NECESSARY CONDITION FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF AN IMPERFECT PEACE IN BOSNIA. NONETHELESS, A CIVILIZED PRINCIPLE, THE RULE OF LAW, WAS UPHELD IN THE VERDICT OF THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL."

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL REACTION TO LAST WEEK'S NEWS OF THE FIRST CONVICTION OF A BOSNIAN CIVIL WAR CRIMINAL BY THE U-N TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE.
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12-May-97 1:54 PM EDT (1754 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS FILLS THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF MANY U-S NEWSPAPERS THIS MONDAY, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT'S JUST-COMPLETED TRIP TO LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN; THE BUDGET DEAL BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS; AND THE U.S. ECONOMY.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE FIGHT OVER TEENAGE SMOKING; THE U-S ROLE IN SRI LANKA; NEW INITIATIVES TO COMBAT JUVENILE CRIME, AND OREGON'S ANSWER TO REFORMING THE FEDERAL ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM, SOCIAL SECURITY.

NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS __________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES HAS A MIXED REVIEW OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S FIRST TRIP TO LATIN AMERICA.

VOICE: "MEASURED IN TERMS OF DIPLOMACY AND POLITICAL SHOWMANSHIP, PRESIDENT CLINTON'S BELATED FIRST TRIP TO LATIN AMERICA WAS A SOLID SUCCESS. BUT WE SHOULD NOT BE TOO RELAXED, FOR NO SINGLE PERFORMANCE, HOWEVER PROFESSIONAL, CAN ASSURE A SMOOTH ROAD FOR THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO AND THE OTHER COUNTRIES OF LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN. SORE POINTS IN THE COMPLEX AND INTENSE RELATIONSHIPS CAN FLARE AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE, AND THE GOODWILL THAT WAS EVIDENT IN LAST WEEK'S MULTI-COUNTRY TRIP CAN LOSE ITS LUSTER BEFORE IMPROVED RELATIONS CAN BE BUILT UPON IT. OPT] ..... THIS PRESIDENTIAL TOUR LEAVES US WITH MEMORIES OF THE 1994 MIAMI SUMMIT AND ITS PROMISES OF COOPERATION AND A HEMISPHERIC FREED TRADE AGREEMENT STARTING WITH CHILE IN 1995. ..... NONE OF ITS GRAND PROMISES CAME TO PASS."

TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE SAYS THE UNITED STATES SHOULD TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN TRYING TO HALT THE BLOODSHED IN SRI LANKA. THE SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT HAS STEPPED UP ITS ATTEMPT TO LIQUIDATE THE SECESSIONIST LIBERATION TIGERS OF TAMIL MOVEMENT.

VOICE: "TO HELP END THE NIGHTMARE IN SRI LANKA, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SHOULD ACTIVELY SUPPORT NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE WARRING PARTIES, PREFERABLY WITH A BROKERING ROLE FOR AN INTERNATIONAL THIRD PARTY. THE GOAL SHOULD BE A FEDERAL CONSTITUTION PERMITTING CONSIDERABLE AUTONOMY FOR THE NORTHEAST PROVINCES WITHIN A UNITARY SRI LANKA."

TEXT: TURNING TO DOMESTIC ISSUES, THE WASHINGTON POST NOTES THE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED WITH GREAT FANFARE A BALANCED BUDGET DEAL WITH CONGRESS, BUT NOW IT APPEARS THERE WAS MUCH LEFT UNDECIDED.

VOICE: "THE WAY THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS FINALLY GOT A BUDGET DEAL WAS TO LEAVE A LOT OF ITEMS BLANK. THE BLANKS IN SOME RESPECTS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE PARTS .... THEY FILLED IN. DOES THE GOOD THIS PLAN MIGHT DO OUTWEIGH THE POSSIBLE HARM, OR THE OTHER WAY AROUND? ON BALANCE SHOULD IT BE SUPPORTED OR VOTED DOWN? AT THIS POINT, FOR ALL THE CELEBRATORY TRUMPETING OF THE DEAL ..... NO SERIOUS MEMBER OF EITHER PARTY CAN ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS CONFIDENTLY. THE PARTS STILL IN DISPUTE HOLD THE KEY."

TEXT: IN MAINE, THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD IS LOOKING CLOSELY AT THE LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES AND SAYS THEY DO NOT PRESENT A TOTALLY ACCURATE PICTURE OF THE ECONOMY'S ASSUMED HEALTH.

VOICE: "BEFORE POLITICIANS, BUSINESS AND LABOR LEADERS AND EVERYONE ELSE GIVE THEMSELVES A COLLECTIVE PAT ON THE BACK [PRAISE], THOUGH, LET'S THINK ABOUT THIS ALLEGEDLY ROBUST ECONOMY. ..... BEHIND THE ROSY [ENCOURAGING] UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS IS A GROWING DISPARITY BETWEEN THE RICH AND POOR, OR PERHAPS MORE ACCURATELY, EDUCATED AND UNEDUCATED. THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DOESN'T REFLECT UNDEREMPLOYMENT. IT DOESN'T SHOW THE IMPACT OF DOWNSIZING ON THE 50-YEAR-OLD EXECUTIVE WHOSE NEXT JOB PAYS HALF HIS OLD SALARY. ..... A LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DOES NOT .... GIVE CAUSE TO DECLARE THAT ALL IS RIGHT WITH OUR NATION, OR EVEN OUR ECONOMY. MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE ....."

TEXT: IN GEORGIA, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION DEVOTES ITS ENTIRE EDITORIAL SPACE TO THE VEXING PROBLEM OF TEENAGE CIGARETTE SMOKING, AND SAYS THAT "STORE CLERKS CAN SAVE LIVES." ADDING:

VOICE: "[OPT] CONTROLLING ACCESS [TO CIGARETTES] IS ONE KEY. THE F-D-A [FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION] WILL REQUIRE STORES TO CHECK IDENTIFICATION BEFORE SELLING TOBACCO TO ANYONE 26 YEARS OLD OR YOUNGER .... WITH AN ESTIMATED 70 PERCENT OF ADULT SMOKERS SAYING THEY STARTED SMOKING IN THEIR TEENS - - AND WITH ONE-THIRD OF THEM EXPECTED TO DIE FROM SMOKING - - THE STRATEGY MAKES SENSE. [END OPT] .....IF RETAIL STORES ARE DETERMINED TO BE VIGILANT IN AVOIDING CIGARETTE SALES TO MINORS, THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE."

TEXT: A NEW BILL PASSED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTAIVES TO MAKE FEDERAL LAWS TOUGHER ON JUVENILE CRIMINALS DRAWS THIS RESPONSE FROM USA TODAY.

VOICE: "THE BILL IS SO RIGID THAT MANY STATES ARE EXPECTED TO REJECT THE [FEDERAL] MONEY [CONGRESS ALLOCATED TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW LAW]. BUT OTHERS ALREADY ARE HEADING IN A SIMILAR DIRECTION. SINCE 1992, 40 [STATES] HAVE MADE TRYING ADOLESCENTS AS ADULTS EASIER. MORE THAN A DOZEN NOW TREAT JUVENILES WHO COMMIT SEVERAL SERIOUS CRIMES AS ADULTS. .... A UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA STUDY .... FIND A THAT INCARCERATING TEENS IN ADULT PRISONS ONLY CRATES MORE VICIOUS CRIMINALS WHEN THEY'RE RELEASED. A .... CALIFORNIA ... STUDY ... FINDS EDUCATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS MAY DETER MORE CRIME THAN TOUGHER SENTENCES. SUCH RESULTS SUGGEST THAT WHILE SELECTIVE TREATMENT OF JUVENILES AS ADULTS MAKES SENSE, A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL APPROACH WON'T MAKE SOCIETY SAFER."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST AGREES, NOTING THAT:

VOICE: "RIDGED RULES FOR DEALING WITH DIFFICULT YOUNGSTERS ARE NOT PRODUCTIVE. THE GENIUS OF THE JUVENILE SYSTEM IS THAT IT ALLOWS EACH CASE TO BE TREATED INDIVIDUALLY. .... FEDERAL MANDATES THAT RELY EXCLUSIVELY ON MORE PUNITIVE STEPS ARE NOT THE ANSWER."

TEXT: AND LASTLY IN OREGON, NOTES THE WASHINGTON TIMES, THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS SO CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IT BELIEVES IS THE MISMANAGEMENT OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM THAT IT WANTS TO LEAVE THE FEDERAL PENSION SYSTEM.

VOICE: "OREGON LAWMAKERS, LIKE MANY OTHER PEOPLE, ARE GETTING INCREASINGLY NERVOUS AS SOCIAL SECURITY'S DROP-DEAD DATE, APPROXIMATELY 2012, APPROACHES. THAT'S THE YEAR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION BEGINS PAYING OUT MORE BENEFITS THAN IT COLLECTS IN REVENUES, MEANING IT HAD TO DIP INTO THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND. BUT THERE IS NO TRUST FUND. THE FEDS HAVE ALREADY SPENT THE MONEY. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE TRUST FUND BUT IOUS."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE EDITORIALS IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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12-May-97 11:06 AM EDT (1506 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP STRONGLY TODAY (MONDAY) WITH THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSING AT A RECORD HIGH. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE WAS UP 123 POINTS -- NEARLY TWO PERCENT-- CLOSING AT 72 HUNDRED 93. IT WAS THE 18TH RECORD HIGH FOR THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE THIS YEAR. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED UP ALMOST 13 POINTS AT 837, ALSO A RECORD HIGH.

ANALYSTS SAY MANY TRADERS NOW BELIEVE THE U-S CENTRAL BANK WILL NOT RAISE SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES WHEN THE BANK'S GOVERNORS MEET NEXT WEEK. THERE WAS ALSO SOME OPTIMISM ABOUT THE RECENT WEAKENING OF THE U-S DOLLAR AGAINST OTHER MAJOR CURRENCIES. A WEAKER U-S DOLLAR HELPS BOOST SALES FOR U-S MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES.

TWO BRITISH-BASED FOOD AND BEVERAGE COMPANIES ARE MERGING IN A DEAL WORTH ALMOST 16 BILLION DOLLARS. THE GRAND METROPOLITAN COMPANY AND THE GUINNESS CORPORATION ARE COMBINING TO CREATE THE WORLD'S SEVENTH LARGEST FOOD AND DRINK COMPANY WITH ANNUAL SALES OF ABOUT 22 BILLION DOLLARS. IN THE UNITED STATES, TWO RETAIL CHAINS WILL COMBINE WITH THE ACQUISITION OF THE SMITH'S COMPANY BY THE FRED MEYER CORPORATION. THE COMBINED COMPANY WILL BE A MAJOR FORCE IN THE SUPERMARKET AND GENERAL RETAILING INDUSTRY IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES.

RONALD ALLEN SAYS HE WILL RESIGN AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE AT DELTA AIRLINES AT THE END OF JULY. UNDER MR. ALLEN, DELTA ACHIEVED RECORD PROFITS AND EXPANDED ITS PRESENCE IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.

THE PAXSON COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY WILL PAY ALMOST 260 MILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE A NEW YORK CITY TELEVISION STATION WHICH IS JOINTLY OWNED BY THE DOW JONES AND I-T-T COMPANIES. PAXSON, WHICH NOW OWNS 50 TELEVISION STATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES, SAYS IT PLANS TO FORM A NEW NATIONAL BROADCAST TELEVISION NETWORK. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/LWM
12-May-97 5:15 PM EDT (2115 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] NATO / BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE SUPREME COMMANDER OF NATO SAYS THE BOSNIA PEACE-KEEPING EFFORT MAY NEED ANOTHER THREE-THOUSAND TROOPS AS ELECTIONS APPROACH. U-S GENERAL GEORGE JOULWAN SAYS OFFICERS ARE STILL STUDYING THE NEED FOR THE TEMPORARY REINFORCEMENTS. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: GENERAL JOULWAN SAID AT A NEWS CONFERENCE THE PEACE-KEEPING FORCE MAY NEED ANOTHER FOUR TO SIX BATTALIONS OF TROOPS TO PROTECT POLLING PLACES AND THE ROUTES VOTERS WILL BE TAKING DURING THE ELECTION NEXT SEPTEMBER.

THE NATO-LED FORCE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA NOW HAS 31-THOUSAND TROOPS, ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THEM FROM OUTSIDE NATO.

GENERAL JOULWAN SAYS A CALL HAS GONE OUT TO THE 34 NATIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE SOLDIERS TO THE FORCE THAT THERE MAY BE A NEED FOR REINFORCEMENTS. HE SAID HE EXPECTS TO MAKE A DECISION NEXT MONTH.

THE GENERAL WAS ALSO ASKED ABOUT CRITICISM THAT THE NATO-LED FORCE IN BOSNIA IS NOT APPREHENDING PEOPLE ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA.

GENERAL JOULWAN TOLD REPORTERS THAT A MORE VIGOROUS ARREST EFFORT WOULD REQUIRE A STRONGER POLITICAL COMMITMENT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

WE ARE NOT OUT THERE AVOIDNG INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS. WHAT I WILL TELL YOU IS: THE MANDATE SAYS IF WE CONTACT THEM IN THE PERFORMANCE OF OUR DUTIES, WE WILL DETAIN THEM AND TURN THEM OVER TO PROPER AUTHORITIES, AND WE WOULD ENGAGE IF THE TACTICAL SITUATION PERMITS.

GENERAL JOULWAN SAYS CIVILIAN POLICE, NOT SOLDIERS, ARE THE PROPER PEOPLE FOR THIS KIND OF WORK. HE NOTED SOME PROGRESS IN TRAINING A PROFESSIONAL CIVILIAN POLICE FORCE IN BOSNIA, BUT HE SAID MORE PROGRESS IS NEEDED. (SIGNED)
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12-May-97 5:26 PM EDT (2126 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] PUSH TECHNOLOGY BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: USING THE INTERNET IS BECOMING A MAJOR WAY FOR PEOPLE TO SHARE INFORMATION. NEW TECHNOLOGY IS MAKING IT EVEN EASIER FOR COMPUTER USERS TO FIND WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR. DAN NOBLE HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: SEARCHING FOR MATERIAL ON THE INFORMATION SUPER HIGHWAY CAN TAKE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THERE IS A LOT OF MATERIAL OUT THERE. BUT, THANKS TO WHAT IS CALLED PUSH DELIVERY, IT IS POSSIBLE TO PROGRAM A COMPUTER SO THAT ELECTRONIC DATA IS LITERALLY CAPTURED AND DISPLAYED EITHER IMMEDIATELY OR AT A CONVENIENT TIME.

TAPE: CUT ONE -- MICHAEL KOLOWICH (0:13) "THE WAY I THINK ABOUT PUSH TECHNOLOGY IS THAT IT IS A WAY TO HAVE INFORMATION COME TO YOU, RATHER THAN HAVING YOU HAVE TO GO FIND THE INFORMATION YOURSELF EVERY TIME YOU NEED TO KNOW SOMETHING."

TEXT: THIS IS MICHAEL KOLOWICH, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF INDIVIDUAL, INCORPORATED, A LEADING PROVIDER OF CONTENT FOR PUSH DELIVERY. MR. KOLOWICH SAYS THAT THE NEW TECHNOLOGY AVOIDS -- WHAT HE CALLS -- THE GROWING PROBLEM OF "NEWS POLLUTION."

TAPE: CUT TWO -- MICHAEL KOLOWICH (0:45) "WE ARE ACTUALLY IN DANGER OF CREATING A GENERATION OF 'DESK POTATOES' WITH NEWS USERS CONTINUALLY WATCHING THEIR SCREENS, WATCHING FOR NEW THINGS TO HAPPEN. THAT'S WHY, IN AN ARENA OF THIS NEW PUSH TECHNOLOGY, THE KINDS OF SERVICES THAT INDIVIDUAL OFFERS, WHICH ARE HIGHLY SELECTIVE, HIGH RELEVANT, HIGHLY TARGETED NEWS BRIEFINGS, ARE VERY, VERY NECESSARY TO RELIEVE THE PROBLEM OF NEWS POLLUTION. OTHERWISE, PEOPLE GET OVERWHELMED WITH TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING."

TEXT: MR. KOLOWICH'S COMPANY COLLECTS APPROXIMATELY 20,000 ARTICLES A DAY FROM MORE THAN 700 PUBLICATIONS AND DELIVERS THE TEXT NATIONALLY, AND INTERNATIONALLY, TO OVER 500,000 USERS USING EITHER THE WORLDWIDE WEB OR E-MAIL.

TAPE: CUT THREE -- MICHAEL KOLOWICH (0:50) "MANY OF THESE APPLICATIONS ARE ACTUALLY BUSINESS APPLICATIONS WHERE PEOPLE, IN BUSINESS, NEED TO KNOW, DURING THE COURSE OF THE DAY, THAT THEY ARE NOT MISSING SOMETHING IMPORTANT THAT AFFECTS THEIR LIVES OR THEIR LIVELIHOODS. THE TECHNOLOGY CONSISTS, VERY TYPICALLY, OF TWO THINGS. ONE IS ON THE SERVER SIDE, AT THE ORIGINATOR OF THE CONTENT WHERE A CONTENT PROVIDER WOULD BE WATCHING FOR INFORMATION THAT IS RELEVANT, OR IMPORTANT, OR SELECTED BY A USER. THE OTHER END IS A PIECE OF CLIENT SOFTWARE THAT SITS ON EVERY PERSON'S MACHINE WHO IS USING THE TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THE SERVER."

TEXT: PUSH TECHNOLOGY PROVIDES A NUMBER OF SERVICES. AGAIN, MICHAEL KOLOWICH OF INDIVIDUAL, INCORPORATED.

TAPE: CUT FOUR -- MICHAEL KOLOWICH (1:36) "PUSH TECHNOLOGY IS MORE GENERIC, AND MORE BROAD, THAN JUST NEWS -- ALTHOUGH INDIVIDUAL ITSELF, USES IT FOR SELECTING PERSONALIZED, CUSTOMIZED NEWS BRIEFINGS. PUSH TECHNOLOGY CAN BE USED FOR A MUCH BROADER VARIETY OF APPLICATIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, FOR UPDATING SOFTWARE THAT IS ON YOUR PC (PERSONAL COMPUTER). EVERY TIME THERE IS A NEW VERSION YOU CAN GET THAT NEW VERSION. (///OPT///) A COMPANY, WHICH IS A LEADER IN THE WHOLE AREA OF VIRUS PROTECTION, USES PUSH TECHNOLOGY TO PUSH OUT TO END CUSTOMERS, THE VERY LATEST FILES THAT DETECT SPECIAL, NEW KINDS OF VIRUSES AS THEY ARE DISCOVERED. SO, THAT'S A WAY OF GETTING THAT INFORMATION OUT TO PEOPLE. (///END OPT///) IN THE NEWS FIELD, A COMPANY LIKE INDIVIDUAL, WITH ITS NEWS PAGE AND FIRST SERVICES, ALLOWS CUSTOMERS TO SELECT THE VERY SPECIFIC NEWS TOPICS THAT ARE OF INTEREST TO THEM: THE COMPANIES THAT THEY COVER. THE SPECIFIC FIELDS THAT THEY COVER. THE SERVER WATCHES THE STREAM OF INFORMATION AND IT COMPILES A DAILY NEWS BRIEFING FOR THAT CUSTOMER AND PUSHES THAT BRIEFING OUT TO THE CUSTOMER SO THAT THEY DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO GO TO OUR SITE TO GET THAT INFORMATION."

TEXT: THERE IS A VAST AMOUNT OF NEWS AND INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET. PUSH TECHNOLOGY MAKES IT SIMPLE TO FIND AND RETRIEVE WHAT'S USEFUL.
12-May-97 3:51 PM EDT (1951 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] TURKEY/OPPOSITION (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: RECENT ATTACKS AGAINST THE TURKISH NEWS MEDIA CONTINUED MONDAY, AS AN ISLAMIST STUDENT BROKE INTO THE HEADQUARTERS OF ONE OF TURKEY'S MOST MILITANTLY PRO-SECULAR NEWSPAPERS. FROM ANKARA, AMBERIN ZAMAN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: OFFICIALS AT THE MASS CIRCULATION DAILY "HURRIYET" SAID THE MAN -- A STUDENT AT THE ISLAMIC STUDIES FACULTY -- ATTACKED A GUARD AT THE NEWSPAPER'S ISTANBUL HEADQUARTERS WITH A TOY GUN AND A KNIFE. AFTER SEIZING THE POLICEMAN'S GUN, THE ASSAILANT WENT UP TO THE 13TH FLOOR OF THE BUILDING WHERE HE SHOT AT A CLEANER. BEFORE SURRENDERING TO POLICE, THE ASSAILANT SAID HE WAS LOOKING FOR NEWSPAPER OWNER AYDIN DOGAN WHOM HE ACCUSED OF DEALING A BLOW TO ISLAM. "HURRIYET" OFFICIALS AGREE THE ATTACK WAS LIKELY CARRIED OUT BECAUSE OF THEIR MILITANTLY PRO-SECULAR EDITORIAL STAND ON POLITICAL ISSUES AND OPPOSITION TO THE RULING ISLAMIST-LED COALITION.

IN RECENT WEEKS, LEADING MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT -- INCLUDING PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN AND HIS JUNIOR COALITION PARTNER DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER -- HAVE SHARPLY CRITICIZED THE MAINSTREAM PRESS FOR WHAT THEY CALL ATTEMPTS TO UNDERMINE TURKISH DEMOCRACY BY FANNING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRO-SECULAR TURKISH MILITARY.

JUSTICE MINISTER SEVKET KAZAN, FROM THE ISLAMIST WING OF THE GOVERNMENT COALITION, FILED COMPLAINTS LAST WEEK TO THE STATE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE AGAINST FIVE LEADING TURKISH JOURNALISTS HE ACCUSED OF ENCOURAGING A MILITARY TAKEOVER.

TENSIONS BETWEEN PRIME MINISTER ERBAKAN'S ISLAMIST "WELFARE" PARTY AND THE MILITARY HAVE ESCALATED IN RECENT WEEKS OVER THE GOVERNMENT'S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH A SET OF ANTI-FUNDAMENTALIST MEASURES HAMMERED OUT BY THE GENERALS. THE MILITARY VIEWS ITSELF AS CUSTODIAN OF THE SECULAR REPUBLIC SET UP BY THE FOUNDER OF MODERN TURKEY, THE LATE KEMAL ATATURK.

THE MEASURES INCLUDE CLOSING THE JUNIOR HIGH SECTIONS OF ISLAMIC CLERICAL TRAINING SCHOOLS -- WHICH SOME ANALYSTS SAY HAVE BECOME ONE OF THE PRIMARY BREEDING GROUNDS FOR ISLAMIC RADICALS. THE MILITARY IS ALSO DEMANDING STUDENTS UNDERGO EIGHT-YEARS OF CONTINUOUS EDUCATION IN SECULAR SCHOOLS BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO TRAIN FOR RELIGIOUS SERVICE.

MR. ERBAKAN HAS BEEN RESISTING THE MOVE, AND TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF HIS WELFARE PARTY SYMPATHIZERS GATHERED SUNDAY IN ISTANBUL TO PROTEST THE PROPOSED SCHOOL CLOSURE. MEANWHILE, THERE IS MOUNTING PRESSURE ON DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER TO WITHDRAW FROM THE GOVERNMENT IN ORDER TO BRING DOWN THE ISLAMIST FACTION. THE PRESSURE COMES FROM WITHIN HER SECULAR RIGHT-WING "TRUE PATH" PARTY AND FROM THE PRO-SECULAR ESTABLISHMENT AS A WHOLE.

BUT ANALYSTS SAY THERE ARE FEW SIGNS MRS. CILLER WILL LET GO OF POWER. THE ANALYSTS SAY THIS COULD FORCE A SHOWDOWN BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND TURKEY'S GENERALS, WHO SHARE THE DEEPENING FEAR AMONG MANY TURKS THAT THE FUTURE OF THEIR SECULAR REPUBLIC IS IN JEOPARDY. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF/RAE
12-May-97 9:01 AM EDT (1301 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] U-S/ALBANIA O'NITER (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ALBANIA'S PRIME MINISTER BASHKIM FINO MEETS WITH U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT LATER TODAY (MONDAY) IN A BID TO SECURE U-S SUPPORT OF THE BALKAN COUNTRY'S EARLY ELECTIONS. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS, AT THE SAME TIME, THE ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT TAKES UP A COMPROMISE AGREEMENT PAVING THE WAY FOR THOSE ELECTIONS NEXT MONTH:

TEXT: U-S STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE MEETING BETWEEN MR. FINO AND SECRETARY ALBRIGHT UNDERSCORES U-S SUPPORT FOR THE JUNE ELECTIONS:

SHE INVITED HIM (MR. FINO) TO COME TO THE UNITED STATES TO TALK ABOUT OUR HOPE THAT THE SITUATION IN ALBANIA CAN BE STABILIZED THROUGH ELECTIONS AND WE VERY MUCH SUPPORT THE ELECTORAL PROCESS THERE.

MR. FINO ALSO HOPES TO MEET WITH U-S LAWMAKERS AND BUSINESSMEN AS WELL AS OFFICIALS OF THE WORLD BANK AND INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND.

HIS VISIT COMES AS TIRANA'S PARLIAMENT CONSIDERS LEGISLATION STEMMING FROM A COMPROMISE AGREEMENT AMONG ALBANIA'S MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES DEALING WITH BALLOTING PROCEDURES. ANALYST NICK PANO OF WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY SAYS IT APPEARS THE AGREEMENT IS A SOUND BASIS FOR HONEST AND FAIR ELECTIONS:

AND, WHAT IS GOING TO BE NECESSARY IS THAT THE FOLLOWUP MACHINERY TO ENSURE THESE ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED FAIRLY IS ESTABLISHED.

MR. PANO SAYS THE ELECTIONS WILL ALSO NEED TO BE CAREFULLY MONITORED INCLUDING PARTICIPATION OF THE MULTI-NATIONAL PROTECTION FORCE IN ALBANIA TO PROTECT MONITORS. (SIGNED)
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11-May-97 7:55 PM EDT (2355 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] U-S / ALBANIA (S-ONLY) BY VALONDA BRUINTON (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER BASHKIM FINO -- ON A FIVE-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO WASHINGTON -- HELD TALKS WITH SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT MONDAY. A SPOKESMAN SAYS MS. ALBRIGHT SOUGHT THE MEETING TO EXPRESS HER STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE FORCES OF MODERATION IN ALBANIA AS THE COUNTRY PREPARES FOR EARLY PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS JUNE 29TH. V-O-A'S VALONDA BRUINTON HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER BASHKIM FINO WAS ACCOMPANIED TO THE MEETING WITH MS. ALBRIGHT BY A DELEGATION FROM THE COALITION GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL RECONCILIATION.

THE MAIN TOPIC ON THE SECRETARY'S AGENDA WAS HIGHLIGHTING THE INVESTMENT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS MAKING TO HELP THE COUNTRY RESOLVE ITS POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICK BURNS SAID THE SECRETARY ALSO WANTED THE ALBANIAN DELEGATION TO KNOW IT HAS U-S SUPPORT -- IF TROUBLE ARISES IN PREPARATION FOR THE ELECTIONS.

THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE WILL NOT TOLERATE ATTEMPTS BY ONE PARTY OR FACTION TO DELAY OR OBSTRUCT THE IMPORTANT PROCESS OF THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE ELECTIONS.

THE UNITED STATES AND OTHERS ARE HOPING THE ELECTIONS IN ALBANIA WILL HELP EASE TENSIONS AFTER MONTHS OF VIOLENCE AND NEAR-ANARCHY, WHICH WAS SPARKED BY THE COLLAPSE OF HIGH-RISK FINANCIAL SCHEMES. (SIGNED)
NEB/VB/RRM
12-May-97 5:52 PM EDT (2152 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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