Voice of America, 97-05-16

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BOSNIA / U-N POLICE (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

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

[04] EDITORIAL: ALBRIGHT MEETS WITH ALBANIAN LEADER

[05] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

[06] FRANCE ELECTION (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

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

[08] KURDS/IRAQ/TURKEY BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

[09] MORE ON NATO-RUSSIAN ACCORD BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

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

[11] SOLANA/NATO/GERMANY (L-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[12] TURKEY / KURDS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[13] TURKEY / POL (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

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

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN ENVOY FOR ALBANIA, FRANZ VRANITZKY, HAS LEFT TIRANA EXPRESSING CONFIDENCE THE PLANNED ELECTION WILL TAKE PLACE ON JUNE 29TH DESPITE CONTINUING MISGIVINGS BY THE OPPOSITION SOCIALISTS. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. VRANITZKY ENDED TWO DAYS OF TALKS IN TIRANA APPEALING FOR COOPERATION AMONG POLITICAL PARTIES IN PLANNING THE LATE JUNE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION. THE FORMER AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR -- REPRESENTING THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE -- ALSO TOLD THE ALBANIAN PARTIES THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS CLOSELY MONITORING DEVELOPMENTS IN ALBANIA. HE SUGGESTED INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE IS CONTINGENT ON THE COOPERATION OF THE POLITICAL PARTIES AND THE JUNE 29TH ELECTION GOING AHEAD AS PLANNED. EARLIER, THE SOCIALISTS AGAIN THREATENED TO BOYCOTT THE ELECTION AND SAID THEY WERE NOT HAPPY WITH A REVISED ELECTION LAW APPROVED BY THE OUTGOING PARLIAMENT (DURING AN OVERNIGHT SESSION THAT ENDED EARLY FRIDAY).

THE SOCIALISTS -- THE SECOND LARGEST PARTY IN ALBANIA -- ARE DEEPLY DISTRUSTFUL OF PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY. THE SOCIALISTS AND SOME SMALLER PARTIES BELIEVE THE ELECTORAL LAW FAVORS THE DEMOCRATS. THE SOCIALISTS BOYCOTTED ALL BUT THE INITIAL STAGES OF LAST YEAR'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION -- JUDGED TO BE DEEPLY FLAWED BY INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS.

MR. VRANITZKY TOLD REPORTERS HE IS HOPEFUL THE ALBANIAN PARTIES WILL SOON REACH AN AGREEMENT ON ELECTION PROCEDURES. HE SAID THE O-S-C-E IS PREPARED TO MONITOR THE ELECTION TO INSURE IT IS CONDUCTED IN A PROPER MANNER. (OPT) ITALY, THE COUNTRY WITH THE GREATEST NUMBER OF TROOPS IN THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE IN ALBANIA, SAYS IT MAY WITHDRAW ITS FORCES IF THE ELECTION DOES NOT GO AHEAD AS PLANNED. (END OPT) (SIGNED)
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16-May-97 12:03 PM EDT (1603 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA / U-N POLICE (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE ADDITION OF 120 POLICE OFFICERS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE TASK FORCE IN BOSNIA. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK THE MOVE IS AIMED AT STEPPING UP UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS AND TRAINING DUTIES IN THE TROUBLED REGION.

TEXT: THE DECISION TO BOOST THE SIZE OF THE POLICE TASK FORCE IN BOSNIA COMES AMID CONCERNS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS CONDITIONS IN THE REGION. U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN RECOMMENDED THE INCREASE IN A REPORT ISSUED IN MARCH. IT FOLLOWS THE ADDITION OF ALMOST 200 POLICE TWO MONTHS AGO. THERE ARE ABOUT 17-HUNDRED POLICE MONITORS AND OTHER OFFICIALS IN THE TASK FORCE, WHICH WAS SET UP UNDER THE 1995 DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS.

THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE TASK FORCE IS IN BOSNIA TO INVESTIGATE HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES, MONITOR THE SITUATION THERE AND TRAIN LOCAL POLICE.

THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL, SOUTH KOREAN AMBASSADOR PARK SOO GIL, ANNOUNCED THE DECISION. HE SAID HE MET SEPARATELY AT THE UNITED NATIONS WITH THE AMBASSADORS OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND CROATIA TO DISCUSS SECURITY IN THE AREA, PARTICULARLY A POLICE SHOOTING INCIDENT IN WEST MOSTAR IN FEBRUARY IN WHICH ONE CIVILIAN DIED AND SEVERAL WERE INJURED.

MR. PARK SAID HE EXPRESSED HIS CONCERN ABOUT THAT INCIDENT IN A MEETING WITH THE AMBASSADOR FROM BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

I CONVEYED COUNCIL MEMBERS' CONCERN AT THE LACK OF IMPLEMENTATION BY THE MOSTAR AUTHORITIES OF THE DEMAND CONTAINED IN THE PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT INCLUDING THE ARREST AND PROSECUTION OF POLICE OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SHOOTING INCIDENT.

MR. PARK SAID HE ALSO EXPRESSED THE SECURITY COUNCIL'S FEELINGS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AT WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A GENERAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE SITUATION IN MOSTAR IN RECENT WEEKS. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/MMK
16-May-97 2:26 PM EDT (1826 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE MOSTLY LOWER THIS WEEK IN EASTERN EUROPE, WITH ONLY PRAGUE REGISTERING A SUBSTANTIAL GAIN. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS.

TEXT: THERE WAS LITTLE ACTION IN THE THREE BIG MARKETS IN POST-COMMUNIST EUROPE.

PRAGUE WAS THE ONLY WINNER, BOUNCING BACK FROM RECENT SHARP DECLINES. THE P-X 50 INDEX GAINED 11 POINTS OR TWO PERCENT TO 504. THE PRAGUE MARKET IS PRE-OCCUPIED BY INCREASING POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND A STEADY WEAKENING IN THE CZECH CROWN. THE CENTRAL BANK INTERVENED HEAVILY IN THE MARKET THURSDAY AND FRIDAY TO PREVENT THE CROWN FROM FALLING FURTHER.

IN BUDAPEST, STOCK PRICES WERE DOWN 64 POINTS, OR ONE PERCENT. THE BUX INDEX ENDED AT 58-HUNDRED-80. ANALYSTS SAID CORPORATE EARNINGS HAVE NOT BEEN AS GOOD AS EXPECTED.

WARSAW WAS ALSO LOWER WITH THE WIG INDEX DOWN 40 POINTS TO 16-THOUSAND-382.

LJUBLJANA LOST A BIG FOUR PERCENT THIS WEEK. BUCHAREST WAS DOWN ABOUT FIVE PERCENT. AND BRATISLAVA WAS UNCHANGED. (SIGNED)
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16-May-97 11:51 AM EDT (1551 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EDITORIAL: ALBRIGHT MEETS WITH ALBANIAN LEADER

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

THIS MONTH, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT MET WITH ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER BASHKIM FINO AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COALITION GOVERNMENT. MRS. ALBRIGHT EXPRESSED STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE FORCES OF MODERATION IN ALBANIA AS THE COUNTRY PREPARES FOR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS JUNE 29TH.

ALL MAJOR ALBANIAN POLITICAL PARTIES AGREE THAT ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD IN ACCORDANCE WITH A POLITICAL CONTRACT BROKERED BY EUROPEAN ENVOY FRANZ VRANITZKY. THE ACCORD COMMITS THE POLITICAL PARTIES IN ALBANIA TO A MIXED SYSTEM OF PROPORTIONAL AND MAJORITY REPRESENTATION. IT SPECIFIES THAT CITIZENS' MILITIAS IN THE SOUTH WILL BE DISBANDED. AND ONLY FORMER TOP OFFICIALS IN THE PREVIOUS COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT WILL BE BARRED FROM SEEKING ELECTORAL OFFICE. THE ELECTIONS WILL BE MONITORED BY AN INTERNATIONAL OBSERVER TEAM, WHILE THE MULTI-NATIONAL PROTECTION FORCE LED BY ITALY IS STILL IN PLACE. THIS PLAN HAS STRONG U.S. SUPPORT.

MRS. ALBRIGHT EMPHASIZED THE SUBSTANTIAL EFFORT THAT IS BEING MADE TO HELP ALBANIA RESOLVE ITS POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS. FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS WILL BE CRUCIAL TO RE-ESTABLISHING CONFIDENCE IN ALBANIAN INSTITUTIONS AND AVOIDING FURTHER UNREST. SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT STRESSED THAT THE U.S. AND ITS EUROPEAN ALLIES WILL NOT TOLERATE ATTEMPTS BY ONE PARTY OR FACTION TO DELAY OR OBSTRUCT THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.

ALBANIA HAS AN OPPORTUNITY IN JUNE TO RESTORE THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. THE U.S. URGES ALL POLITICAL PARTIES TO COOPERATE IN MAKING FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS POSSIBLE. ONLY THEN CAN ALBANIA BEGIN TO PUT THE CHAOS OF RECENT MONTHS BEHIND IT AND REBUILD SOCIETY ON THE BASIS OF DEMOCRATIC AND FREE MARKET PRINCIPLES.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
16-May-97 2:25 PM EDT (1825 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES ROSE IN TRADING FRIDAY IN MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: STOCK PRICES ENDED THE WEEK AT RECORD CLOSING HIGHS IN PARIS, LONDON, AND FRANKFURT..

THE BIGGEST GAIN WAS IN FRANKFURT. THE DAX-30 INDEX CLOSED UP MORE THAN 42 POINTS, ALMOST TWO-POINT-TWO PERCENT OF THE MARKET'S VALUE. IN LONDON, STOCKS CLOSED AT A NEW HIGH FOR THE NINTH TIME IN THE PAST 11 TRADING SESSIONS. THE FOOTSIE-100 ENDED THE DAY UP MORE THAN 12 POINTS, ABOUT TWO-TENTHS PERCENT. AND, IN PARIS, STOCKS ROSE TO A THIRD CONSECUTIVE RECORD CLOSING HIGH, THE CAC-40 INDEX WAS UP MORE THAN EIGHT POINTS, ABOUT THREE-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR DROPPED IN VALUE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND THE JAPANESE YEN. BUT IT ROSE A LITTLE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.
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16-May-97 1:23 PM EDT (1723 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] FRANCE ELECTION (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: JUST OVER ONE WEEK BEFORE FRANCE HAS PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, ALL THE POLLS SHOW THAT THE RULING CONSERVATIVE COALITION SHOULD WIN, ALTHOUGH WITH A MUCH REDUCED MAJORITY. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: UNDER FRENCH ELECTORAL LAW, THE PUBLICATION OF OPINION POLLS IS BANNED FOR THE LAST WEEK OF CAMPAIGNING, MEANING THAT NO MEDIA CAN PUBLISH NEW FINDINGS FROM MIDNIGHT SATURDAY.

ONE OF THE LAST OPINION POLLS, CARRIED IN THE WEEKLY LE POINT, SAYS THE RULING CONSERVATIVE COALITION THAT BACKS PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC SHOULD HAVE A LEAD OF 34 SEATS OVER THE LEFT IN THE 577-MEMBER NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. THIS COMPARES WITH ITS CURRENT, CRUSHING 80 PERCENT HOLD ON PARLIAMENT.

ALTHOUGH THIS WOULD GIVE THE CONSERVATIVE RIGHT A COMFORTABLE MARGIN TO GOVERN, IT MEANS THAT THE RACE COULD STILL BE CLOSE. ALL THE LEFT-WING OPPOSITION OF SOCIALISTS AND COMMUNISTS NEED TO WIN IS A TWO PERCENT SWING IN THEIR FAVOR BETWEEN NOW AND THE FIRST ROUND OF VOTING ON MAY 25TH.

AS THE CAMPAIGN ENTERS A CRUCIAL PHASE, THE SOCIALIST PARTY IS CONCENTRATING ON A SERIES OF CORRUPTION SCANDALS SHAKING PRESIDENT CHIRAC'S GAULLIST RALLY FOR THE REPUBLIC PARTY. THESE MAINLY CONCERN THE RUNNING OF PARIS AND AFFECT THE MAYOR OF THE CITY, JEAN TIBERI.

THE CONSERVATIVE PRIME MINISTER ALAIN JUPPE DISMISSED SOCIALIST CHARGES THAT HIS GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO PARDON CORRUPT POLITICIANS AFTER THE SECOND ROUND OF VOTING ON JUNE FIRST. MR. JUPPE SAID THIS WAS "PURE FABRICATION" AND PROMISED THAT JUSTICE WILL BE DONE.

ONE OF THE MAIN UNKNOWNS OF THIS CAMPAIGN IS THE FUTURE OF MR. JUPPE HIMSELF. MR. JUPPE HAS BEEN PRIME MINISTER FOR TWO YEARS BUT HE HAS CONSTANTLY HAD LOW POPULARITY RATINGS.

HE HIMSELF SAYS HE WILL NOT NECESSARILY BE PRIME MINISTER AFTER THE ELECTION. THE MOST LIKELY REPLACEMENT IS SAID TO BE PHILIPPE SEGUIN, THE CURRENT SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT. HOWEVER, MR. SEGUIN WOULD BE A CONTROVERSIAL CHOICE SINCE HE LED A NEARLY SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE MAASTRICHT EUROPEAN UNION TREATY IN 1992. PRESIDENT CHIRAC DECIDED TO CALL EARLY ELECTIONS IN ORDER TO HAVE A FREE HAND TO IMPLEMENT SOME OF THE MEASURES ESSENTIAL TO MAKE MAASTRICHT A SUCCESS.

MR. SEGUIN'S NOMINATION WOULD BE PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE IN BONN WHERE HE IS MISTRUSTED BY THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT. MR. SEGUIN'S VIEWS DIFFER RADICALLY FROM MANY GERMAN POLITICIANS' AMBITIONS FOR A FEDERAL EUROPE.

WHATEVER THE FINAL CHOICE, IT DOES LOOK AS THOUGH MR. JUPPE MAY NOT RETURN TO THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE. EVEN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS COME OUT AGAINST HIM. AN OPINION POLL PUBLISHED IN THE BUSINESS DAILY LA TRIBUNE SHOWED THAT ONLY 22 PERCENT OF BUSINESSMEN WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEE MR. JUPPE CONTINUE AS PRIME MINISTER. (SIGNED)
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16-May-97 10:31 AM EDT (1431 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: A SINGLE TOPIC, THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND NATO, DOMINATES MANY OF THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF MANY OF THE NATION'S LARGEST NEWSPAPERS AND THE REACTION IS DECIDEDLY MIXED. ELSEWHERE, THERE ARE COMMENTARIES OVER AIR SAFETY AND THE TWO DEADLY U-S AIR CRASHES LAST YEAR; COMING ELECTIONS IN INDONESIA AND IRELAND; WHAT TO DO ABOUT JUVENILE CRIME; AND SOUTH AFRICA'S AMNESTY PROGRAM MEETS A DEADLINE. NOW, A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME OF THESE COMMENTARIES WITH _________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: IN BOSTON, THE GLOBE CALLS THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND NATO A "RISKY EXPANSION," WHILE THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER HEADS ITS TOP COMMENTARY WITH THE ONE WORD "PURPOSELESS." HERE IS SOME OF WHAT THE INQUIRER IS WRITING.

VOICE: "THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT IN EUROPE SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION JUST TOOK PLACE. .... NATO IS EXPANDING, BUT WHY? WITHOUT CLEAR GOALS, IT COULD DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD. .... IT'S FAR FROM CERTAIN THAT THESE CHANGES WILL STRENGTHENED NATO OR HELP AMERICA AND ITS ALLIES COPE BETTER WITH FUTURE MILITARY DANGERS. [OPT] .... NOR DOES THE PRESENT AGREEMENT ADDRESS WHAT TO DO ABOUT OTHER NATO APPLICANTS FROM EASTERN EUROPE. IF POLAND IS ADMITTED, WHY NOT UKRAINE AND THE BALTICS, WHICH WOULD PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ALLIANCE RIGHT UP AGAINST THE RUSSIAN HEARTLAND? HERE'S WHY NOT: [END OPT] EXPANSION MUST HAVE A PURPOSE, AND IF THE PURPOSE OF NATO EXPANSION IS NOT TO PROTECT EASTERN EUROPEANS AGAINST THE RUSSIAN BEAR, JUST WHAT IS IT? [OPT] THE CURRENT MEMBERS OF NATO HAVE YET TO WORK OUT THAT NEW PURPOSE - - AFTER FAILING MISERABLY TO DEFINE IT IN BOSNIA. ADDING NEW MEMBERS, ALONG WITH A SHAM AGREEMENT WITH RUSSIA, JUST COMPLICATES THE TASK." [END OPT]

TEXT: FROM MAINE, TODAY'S PORTLAND PRESS HERALD CALLS THE AGREEMENT "A TWO-PART DIPLOMATIC COUP."

VOICE: "RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS FORMALLY AGREED NOT TO OPPOSE THE SECURITY ORGANIZATION'S EXPANSION TO INCLUDE FORMER MEMBERS OF THE SOVIET-LED WARSAW PACT. [OPT] THAT ALLOWS THE WORLD'S PRINCIPAL POSTWAR SECURITY PACT TO EXTEND ITS COVERAGE TO NEWLY DEMOCRATIC NATIONS [END OPT] ..... IT ALSO DRAWS RUSSIA INTO THE ORGANIZATION.... INSTEAD OF SHUTTING IT OUT. .... IT IS NOT ANTI-RUSSIAN. ONLY A UNIFIED EUROPE, STIFFENED BY CONTINUED NORTH ATLANTIC LEADERSHIP, CAN MEET THE CHALLENGES TO COME."

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES IS CONCERNED THAT THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN SUFFICIENTLY DEBATED HERE AT HOME BEFORE THE MOVE WAS MADE.

VOICE: "A NATO PREPARING ITSELF TO EXPAND EASTWARD AND A RUSSIA THAT VIEWS THAT PROSPECT WITH IMPOTENT ANGER HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT ON THEIR FUTURE RELATIONS, THOUGH HARDLY AN UNDERSTANDING. .... CONCERNS .... ARE EMERGING IN THE U-S SENATE, WHERE A TWO-THIRDS VOTE IS NEEDED FOR THE REVISION OF THE NATO TREATY THAT ENLARGEMENT WOULD REQUIRE. IF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS A GOOD CASE TO MAKE, IT HAD BETTER START ARGUING IT NOW."

TEXT: USA TODAY AGAIN CRITICIZES THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION FOR BEING SLOW IN FORCING IMPROVEMENTS AFTER TWO FATAL PASSANGER JET CRASHES LAST YEAR.

VOICE: "FOR MONTHS NOW THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY HAS ARGUED FIRE SAFETY IS ADEQUATE ABOARD PLANES. LAST YEAR'S VALUEJET FIRE AND CRASH COULDN'T BE REPEATED, OFFICIAL SAID. THEY'D BEEN WARNED. THEY WERE AWARE.

THEY WERE WRONG.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES REVEALED TUESDAY THAT A FLIGHT FROM LOS ANGELES TO HOUSTON LAST MONTH ILLEGALLY CARRIED HAZARDOUS OXYGEN GENERATORS LIKE THOSE SUSPECTED OF FUELING VALUJET'S FIRE. INCREDIBLY, THEY WERE MISLABELED BY A CONTRACTOR AND PLACED IN A CARGO HOLD WITH NO SMOKE DETECTOR OR FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM, JUST AS IN VALUJET'S CASE. ..... THE ERROR EARNED .... A ROASTING THURSDAY BY THE HOUSE AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE. [OPT] 'PATHETIC,' REPRESENT PETER DEFAZIO, DEMOCRAT OF OREGON, TOLD THE FAA AND THE INDUSTRY. THEY'RE DEAD RIGHT. [END OPT] ..... THE SAME DISASTER POTENTIAL EXISTS ON MORE THAN 28-HUNDRED PLANES. SHOULDN'T THIS REALITY PUSH THE FAA TO RESPOND WITH UNACCUSTOMED SPEED?"

TEXT: STILL ON THE TOPIC OF AIR SAFETY, NEWSDAY, NOTING THE EXHAUSTIVE FEDERAL INVESTIGATION, REMARKS ON THE CONCLUSION THAT NEITHER A BOMB NOR A MISSILE CAUSED THE CRASH OF TWA FLIGHT 800 OFF LONG ISLAND LAST YEAR.

VOICE: "THE TWA FLIGHT 800 CRASH ... LAST SUMMER IS NOW MORE THAN A TRAGEDY. IT IS A MYSTERY OF SCIENCE AS WELL. ..... FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE CRASH VICTIMS, IT IS NO COMFORT THAT THE HORRIFYING EXPLOSION MAY WELL BE FOLLOWED BY AN INCONCLUSIVE INVESTIGATION. BOTH MAY STAND AS ENDURING EXAMPLES OF HUMAN IMPERFECTION."

TEXT: TWO WIDELY SEPARATED NATIONS, INDONESIA AND IRELAND FACE NATIONAL ELECTIONS SOON, AND THEY BOTH DRAW COMMENTS TODAY. FIRST THE WASHINGTON POST ON INDONESIA.

VOICE: "THE WORLD'S FOURTH MOST POPULOUS COUNTRY, INDONESIA, IS HOLDING A GENERAL ELECTION MAY 29TH. THE RULING PARTY HAS ....... CRACKED DOWN HARD, ARRESTING LABOR ORGANIZERS AND POLITICAL OPPONENTS ALIKE. [OPT] MEGAWATI SUKARNOPUTRI, DAUGHTER OF A PREVIOUS PRESIDENT AND A POTENTIAL OPPOSITION FIGURE WITH POPULAR APPEAL, HAS BEEN ESSENTIALLY BANNED FROM PUBLIC LIFE. [END OPT] ..... IF [INDONESIAN PRESIDENT] MR. SUHARTO DOES NOT GIVE HIS NATION'S CIVIL SOCIETY A CHANCE TO BREATHE AND DEVELOP, THE NATION'S ECONOMIC PROSPECTS ALSO MUST BE CONSIDERED CLOUDY AT BEST."

TEXT: NOW TO IRELAND, AND THIS COMMENT FROM THE SUN IN BALTIMORE.

VOICE: "IF IT WAS JUST THE ECONOMY ... THE RIGHT-OF-CENTER JOHN MAJOR WOULD STILL BE PRIME MINISTER OF BRITAIN, AND THE SLIGHTLY LEFT-OF-CENTER JOHN BRUTON WOULD REMAIN PRIME MINISTER OF IRELAND. POLLS SUGGEST, HOWEVER, THAT THE JUNE 6TH ELECTION WILL HURL MR. BRUTON AFTER MR. MAJOR TO OBLIVION. .... THE REAL DIFFERENCE IN THIS ELECTION IS BETWEEN THE WELFARISM OF THE LABOR PARTY AND FREE ENTERPRISE ZEAL OF THE PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS."

TEXT: THE WORRISOME SPECTER OF JUVENILE CRIME AND VERY SERIOUS ACTS, INCLUDING MURDER, COMMITTED BY YOUNGER AND YOUNGER CHILDREN, IS ALSO DRAWING ATTENTION. SAYS THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR REGARDING A NEW HOUSE BILL ON THE SUBJECT:

VOICE: "HARSHER PUNISHMENT MAY BE ONE WAY TO DETER YOUTHFUL CRIME, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY NOT THE ONLY WAY. AND IT'S PROBABLY NOT THE BEST WAY IF THE GOAL IS TO KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE FROM EMBARKING ON A LIFE OF CRIME IN THE FIRST PLACE. YET MANY IN CONGRESS JUST CAN'T SEEM TO STRETCH THEIR POLICYMAKING VISION BEYOND COURTROOMS AND PRISON CELLS. ........PREVENTION IS THE BEST RESPONSE TO PREDICTIONS OF A COMING YOUTHFUL CRIME WAVE."

TEXT: THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION AGREES, ADDING:

VOICE: "ALTHOUGH THE HORRIFIC CASES GET PUBLICITY AND INSPIRE WIDESPREAD OUTRAGE, THEY MAKE UP ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF THE NATION'S JUVENILE CRIME PROBLEM. THE REPUBLICAN BILL PASSED BY THE HOUSE LEANS TOO MUCH TOWARD PUNISHING THE WORSE OFFENDERS AND PROVIDES TOO LITTLE TO HELP PREVENT JUVENILE CRIME."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, ON DEALING WITH CRIMES OF THE PAST, TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES TALKS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION AND THURSDAY'S DEADLINE FOR TELLING THE TRUTH.

VOICE: "ON THE LAST DAY THAT SOUTH AFRICANS COULD APPLY FOR AMNESTY FROM APARTHEID-ERA CRIMES, LEADERS OF THE GOVERNMENT AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS DISCLOSED THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN HUNDREDS OF MISDEEDS. ONE OF THOSE SEEKING AMNESTY IS DEPUTY PRESIDENT THABO MBEKI, WHO IS LIKELY TO BECOME SOUTH AFRICA'S NEXT PRESIDENT. HE AND HIS PARTY COLLEAGUES HAVE DONE THE RIGHT THING IN SO CLEARLY DEMONSTRATING THEIR RESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW. ..... BUT ONLY TWO APARTHEID-ERA CABINET MEMBERS HAVE APPLIED. F-W DE KLERK, THE LAST PRESIDENT UNDER APARTHEID, HAS CALLED APARTHEID-ERA OFFICIALS 'GOOD AND HONORABLE MEN' AND SAID HIS GOVERNMENT DID NOT APPROVE OR CONDONE THE CRIMES THAT TOOK PLACE. THIS SEEMS ODDLY MYOPIC FOR A MAN WHO ... HELPED MANAGE A PEACEFUL TRANSITION TO .... BLACK RULE... THE A-N-C ADMISSIONS STAND IN BRAVE CONTRAST."

TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE EDITORIALS IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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16-May-97 10:57 AM EDT (1457 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] KURDS/IRAQ/TURKEY BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THIS WEEK TURKISH TROOPS CROSSED INTO NORTHERN IRAQ IN PURSUIT OF KURDISH GUERRILLAS OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, OR P-K-K. FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, THE P-K-K HAS SOUGHT, OFTEN VIOLENTLY, POLITICAL AUTONOMY FOR THE KURDISH PEOPLE OF SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. TURKEY'S MILITARY INCURSION INTO NORTHERN IRAQ'S KURDISH ENCLAVE COINCIDES WITH THE RESUMPTION OF U-S SPONSORED PEACE TALKS BETWEEN THE LEADERS OF IRAQ'S RIVAL KURDISH GROUPS. VOA'S DEBORAH COOPER REPORTS THAT THE TALKS IN ANKARA BETWEEN THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, OR K-D-P AND THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN, OR P-U-K ARE NOT LIKELY TO PRODUCE MUCH PROGRESS.

TEXT: THE TWO RIVAL KURDISH FACTIONS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR YEARS FOR CONTROL OF NORTHERN IRAQ. BUT FOR A TIME AT THE END OF THE PERSIAN GULF WAR, THE TWO PARTIES MANAGED TO SET UP A DEFACTO AUTONOMOUS REGION -- A LONG TIME GOAL OF BOTH PARTIES. K-D-P LEADER MASSOUD BARZANI AND THE P-U-K'S JALAL TALABANI RAN THE ENTITY TOGETHER UNTIL THEIR LONGSTANDING RIVALRY ONCE AGAIN TOOK OVER WHEN ELECTIONS FOR THE LEADERSHIP WERE INCONCLUSIVE. AND UNTIL A U-S BROKERED CEASEFIRE TOOK HOLD IN OCTOBER, 1996 THE TWO FACTIONS HAD BEEN ENGAGED IN A CIVIL WAR. MERHDAD IZADY, PROFESSOR OF HISTORY AT THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK IN NEW YORK CITY, SAYS THE TWO PARTIES REPRESENT MORE THAN JUST TWO DIFFERENT POLITICAL VIEWS, BUT RATHER TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF PEOPLE.

TAPE: CUT 1 - IZADY "THE K-D-P REPRESENTS NORTHERN KURDS WHO SPEAK A DIFFERENT DIALECT, WHO PRACTICE PRETTY MUCH A DIFFERENT DENOMINATION OF RELIGION. THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT CULTURE AND ECONOMIC WAY OF MAKING THEIR LIVINGS. IN SHORT, THEY REALLY DO REPRESENT TWO GROUPS OF PEOPLE THAT IF THEY WERE NOT IDENTIFYING THEMSELVES AS KURDS, ALL OF THEM AS THEY DO, WE WOULD HAVE IDENTIFIED THEM AS DIFFERENT NATIONS. SO THE DIFFERENCE IS FAR MORE BASIC THEN JUST POLITICAL DIFFERENCES IN THE TWO."

TEXT: MR. IZADY ADDS THAT HE SEES LITTLE PROGRESS COMING OUT OF THE TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO RIVAL LEADERS. BUT GEORGE GRUEN, PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN NEW YORK CITY, SAYS IT IS IN BOTH PARTIES INTEREST TO TAKE THE PEACE TALKS SERIOUSLY.

TAPE: CUT 2 - GRUEN "THEY HAVE A GREAT DEAL THAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK OUT, NAMELY, IF THEY DON'T GET ALONG THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE SUBJECTED TO THE AMBITIONS OF THE IRANIANS ON THE ONE HAND AND THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT ON THE OTHER, AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET ANY KIND OF SUPPORT IF THEY CAN'T GET THEIR OWN ACT TOGETHER."

TEXT: AT THE END OF THE 1991 GULF WAR, THE UNITED STATES IN CONJUCTION WITH ITS WARTIME ALLIES SET UP A PROGRAM IN IRAQ'S KURDISH NORTH, KNOWN AS OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT. IT WAS AN EFFORT TO PROTECT THE POPULATION FROM SADDAM'S REVENGE. PROFESSOR GRUEN SAYS MUCH OF THE RIVALRY IS OVER THE LIMITED SUPPLY OF MONEY AND FOOD COMING INTO THE KURDISH ENCLAVE IN NORTHERN IRAQ.

TAPE: CUT 3 - GRUEN "THERE'S ONE THEORY THAT IF THE UNITED STATES HAD BEEN A LITTLE MORE GENEROUS AND INSTEAD OF GIVING 20 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR GAVE THEM MAYBE 50 OR 100 MILLION THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH TO GO AROUND FOR ALL OF THEM AND THEY WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO ARGUE OVER THE SPOILS AND THE CONTROL OVER THE BORDER."

TEXT: HOWEVER, MERHDAD IZADY SAYS EXTERNAL PRESSURES ACCOUNT FOR MUCH OF THE FIGHTING BETWEEN KURDISH FACTIONS. HE SAYS THE NATIONS OF THE REGION CAN BENEFIT FROM THE DISCORD AND DISUNITY AMONG THE KURDS.

TAPE: CUT 4 - IZADY "[OPT] THE KURDS NOW LIVE IN THREE MAJOR LUMPS [GROUPS] IN TURKEY AND IRAN AND IRAQ AND ANOTHER SEVEN LUMPS IN SYRIA AND MANY OTHER COUNTRIES FROM THE FORMER SOVEIT UNION. [END OPT] THESE COUNTRIES, OF COURSE, WOULD NOT ALLOW A UNIFIED KURDISH PLATFORM AND A UNIFIED KURDISH VIEW OR POLITICAL SYSTEM BETWEEN THEIR OWN KURDS AND THE KURDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BORDER IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE KURDS IN TURKEY HAVE VERY LITTLE CONNECTION, EXCHANGE OF IDEAS, EXCHANGE OF VIEW AND VERY DIFFERENT LIFESTYLES FROM THE KURDS IN IRAQ AND IRAN AND SYRIA."

TAPE: TURKEY, HOWEVER, SAYS THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT IN IRAQ'S KURDISH ENCLAVE HAS PERMITTED THE P-K-K TO SET UP BASES THERE TO LAUNCH ATTACKS INTO SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY'S GEORGE GRUEN SAYS AT ONE TIME THE TURKS WERE WORKING WITH IRAQ'S KURDS TO TRY TO PREVENT THE P-K-K FROM USING THE TERRITORY.

TAPE: CUT 5 - GRUEN "THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THE ESCALATION OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE GULF WAR, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS WERE FLEEING INTO TURKEY AND IT BECAME A REAL SERIOUS PROBLEM. THEN THIS "PROVIDE COMFORT" SAFE HAVEN WAS PROVIDED AND THAT AREA WAS RATHER LAWLESS AND UNGOVERNED AND THAT I THINK WAS A CONCERN OF BOTH THE TURKS AND TO SOME EXTENT THE IRAQIS THAT THIS MIGHT DEVELOP INTO AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE."

TEXT: SO FAR TURKEY HAS REJECTED CALLS THAT IT END THE FIGHTING BY OFFERING LIMITED AUTONOMY TO ITS KURDISH POPULATION. AGAIN, MIDDLE EAST EXPERT GEORGE GRUEN.

TAPE: CUT 6 - GRUEN "THERE'S A GREAT RELUCTANCE FOR THE MILITARY AND MOST TURKS, I THINK, TO GO ON TO LOOK AT THIS POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC OPTIONS UNTIL THERE'S A REALLY CLEAR CUT DISARMING OF THE P-K-K AND A DEFINITE RENOUNCING OF ARMED STRUGGLE. THE LEADER OF THE P-K-K HAS BEEN MAKING STATEMENTS LATELY THAT HE WANTS A POLITICAL SOLUTION. HE DOESN'T NECESSARILY WANT A STATE."

TEXT: MERHDAD IZADY OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK SAYS THERE WILL COME A TIME WHEN TURKEY HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO DEAL WITH ITS KURDISH PROBLEM JUST AS ISRAEL WAS FORCED TO COME TO TERMS WITH THE PALESTINIANS.

TAPE: CUT 7 - IZADY "ONCE ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM IN TURKEY GETS OUT OF HAND AND STARTS BECOMING AS THREATENING AS HAMAS WAS IN ISRAEL, THEN YOU WILL SEE THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT VERY WILLINGLY SITTING AND TALKING TO THE P-K-K AND OTHER KURDISH FORCES IN ORDER TO REACH SOME SORT OF MODUS OPERANDI BETWEEN THE TWO. AT THE PRESENT TIME, HOWEVER, THE OTHER THREAT, NAMELY THE ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM, IS NOT BIG ENOUGH. WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE A SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE KURDS AND THE TURKS UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT THE BIGGER ENEMY WOULD APPEAR."

TEXT: TURKEY CALLS ITS OPERATION INTO IRAQ LIMITED. BUT AT WEEK'S END TURKISH WARPLANES WERE STILL MAKING BOMBING RUNS AGAINST SUSPECTED CAMPS OF THE P-K-K. (SIGNED)
16-May-97 3:53 PM EDT (1953 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] MORE ON NATO-RUSSIAN ACCORD BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S PAPERS CONTINUE TO COMMENT ON THIS WEEK'S AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT AND NATO WHICH ALLOWS THE EASTWARD EXPANSION OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC ALLIANCE TO PROCEED.

AS PART OF THE ACCORD, RRUSSIA GETS A SEAT AT THE G-7 CONFERENCES, THE MEETING OF THE WORLD'S SEVEN LARGEST ECONOMIC POWERS, AS WELL AS OTHER CONSIDERATIONS, INCLUDING MEMBERSHIP IN A NEW COUNCIL TO HELP GOVERN NATO. THE WEST SAYS RUSSIA DOES NOT HAVE A VETO POWER IN THE COUNCIL BUT RUSSIAN OFFICIALS HAVE A DIFFERENT INTERPRETATION.

FOR A SAMPLING OF THE LATEST REACTION TO THE AGREEMENT, HERE IS __________________ WITH TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THE U-S PRESS IS DIVIDED ABOUT THE TIMING OR THE NECESSITY OF EXPANDING NATO. SOME PAPERS BELIEVE IT IS FOOLISH BECAUSE THE EXPANSION SERVES NO CLEAR PURPOSE, WHILE OTHERS FEAR THE BILLION-DOLLAR COST OF BRINGING THE NEW MEMBERS UP TO MILITARY PARITY WITH THE REST OF THE ALLIANCE IS NOT JUSTIFIED.

SEVERAL PAPERS, NOTABLY THE NEW YORK TIMES AND THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, BELIEVE THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SHOULD HAVE INITITIATED A DETAILED DEBATE ON THE ALLIANCE'S EXPANSION.

PAPERS THAT SUPPORT EXPANSION, SUCH AS THE WASHINGTON POST, PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD, USA TODAY, AND HOUSTON CHRONICLE, SAY IT WILL MAKE THE NEW EUROPE MORE SECURE. WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING IN NEW ENGLAND, WHERE THE BOSTON GLOBE CALLS IT "RISKY," ADDING:

VOICE: "[OPT] .... BORIS YELTSIN .... HAS AN ARMY HE CANNOT PAY, TRAIN, HOUSE, OR MOTIVATE. BY CONTRAST, THE NATO ALLIES ENJOY UNCHALLENGED MILITARY SUPERIORITY. THEY MADE [MR.] YELTSIN AN OFFER HE COULD NOT REFUSE. BEING A CLEVER POL, HE SPUN [EXPLAINED] HIS RELUCTANT ACCEPTANCE AS A GOOD DEAL UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. NOBODY SHOULD BE FOOLED. IN RUSSIA, NOBODY IS. [END OPT] THE GREAT DANGER IN THE FUTURE IS THAT [PRESIDENT] YELTSIN'S ABJECT SURRENDER TO CLINTON'S DIKTAT [ITALICS FOR FOREIGN WORD] WILL BECOME A NATIONALIST EMBLEM OF RUSSIA'S HUMILIATION AT A TIME WHEN IT WAS TOO ENFEEBLED TO DEFEND ITS OWN GREAT-POWER INTERESTS. MORE IMMEDIATELY, RUSSIAN NATIONALISTS RESENTFUL OF NATO'S EXPANSION CAN BE COUNTED ON TO RESIST THE PROCESSES OF DISARMAMENT, BOTH NUCLEAR AND CONVENTIONAL, THAT CAN PRODUCE TRUE SECURITY IN EUROPE. [OPT] ... ONCE NATO ENLARGEMENT HAS BEGUN, RUSSIA'S PURSUIT OF COUNTERVAILING PARTNERSHIPS [TEHRAN AND BAGHDAD] CAN BE EXPECTED TO ACCELERATE. ..... THE ENLARGEMENT OF NATO IS FERVENTLY DESIRED BY ADMIRABLE DEMOCRATS SUCH AS CZECH PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVEL. BUT HIS WISH TO ANCHOR HIS COUNTRY ONCE AND FOR ALL IN EUROPE COULD BETTER BE SATISFIED BY MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION. [END OPT] FOR THE CURRENT MEMBERS OF NATO, ENLARGEMENT IS AN UNNECESSARY LEAP INTO THE DARK."

TEXT: IN THE MIDWEST, THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH LOOKS BACK INTO HISTORY FOR A CHILLING, POTENTIAL COMPARISON, THEN ASKS:

VOICE: "WILL A NATO THAT CREEPS CLOSER TO RUSSIA'S BORDERS PROVE IN RETROSPECT TO BE A TREATY OF VERSAILLES, THE SYMBOL OF A HUMILIATING DEFEAT THAT WILL STOKE RUSSIAN MILITARISM AND ANTI-WESTERN SENTIMENT? OR WILL IT PROVE TO BE A VISIONARY DECISION, THE FIRST STEP TO ACHIEVING A UNIFIED, DEMOCRATIC, SECURE EUROPE? WHAT SPECIFICALLY ARE THE GOALS AND PURPOSES OF THE EXPANSION? OVER WHAT PERIOD OF TIME SHOULD IT TAKE PLACE? ..... FINALLY, IF NATO EXPANSION PROMISES SUCH EUROPEAN PEACE AND SECURITY, WHY DO NATO'S EUROPEAN MEMBERS SEEM SO UNENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE PROSPECT? [OPT] WHY HAVEN'T THEY BEEN SPEARHEADING THE PROCESS IF THEY HAVE SO MUCH TO GAIN? NATO, A CREATION OF THE COLD WAR, MUST CHANGE TO ADAPT TO EUROPE'S NEW CIRCUMSTANCES. ....... BUT THE UNITED STATES MUST LOOK MORE DEEPLY INTO THE QUESTIONS OF WHY, HOW AND WHEN BEFORE IT CAN PROCEED WITH CONFIDENCE." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE NATIONAL DAILY, USA TODAY, PUBLISHED IN SUBURBAN WASHINGTON, D-C, ALSO MENTIONS THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES AND YALTA (1945 CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE ALLIES ON HOW TO RESTRUTURE POST-WAR WORLD) BUT COMES TO A DIFFERENT CONCLUSION THAN THE POST-DISPATCH.

VOICE: "AT VERSAILLES AFTER WORLD WAR ONE, THE VICTORS IMPOSED PUNISHMENT THAT EXACERBATED ECONOMIC AND NATIONALIST TENSIONS AND HELPED CREATE THE ATMOSPHERE FOR NAZISM AND FASCISM TO THRIVE. AT YALTA AT THE CLOSE OF WORLD WAR TWO, A WEARY WEST GAVE STALIN THE CHANCE TO GRAB A ZONE OF INFLUENCE AND TYRANNY ACROSS EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE. ..... UNDER WEDNESDAY'S AGREEMENT .... THE U-S-LED ALLIANCE CAN EMBRACE APPLICANTS FROM FORMER COMMUNIST EUROPE WHILE EXTENDING COOPERATION AND ASSURANCE TO RUSSIA ITSELF. ..... THE BITTER FRUITS OF VERSAILLES AND YALTA DEMONSTRATE WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN STATESMEN FAIL TO RAISE THEIR SIGHTS TO THE FUTURE. [OPT] THE ROAD TO DEMOCRACY AND PROSPERITY FOR LONG-OPPRESSED PEOPLE OF EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET LANDS WILL BE DIFFICULT. BUT [END OPT] IN AN INTERCONNECTED WORLD, WHERE THEIR SECURITY IS ALSO OUR SECURITY, HELPING THEM ALONG THAT ROAD, AND HELPING THEM OVERCOME THEIR FEARS OF EACH OTHER - - AND OF THE WEST - - IS THE ONLY CHOICE. THE NEW NATO IS AN INVESTMENT IN PEACE."

TEXT: THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE, HOWEVER, IS WORRIED ABOUT HOW THE AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT RUSSIA'S INTERNAL POLITICS, AND SUGGESTS THAT LOTS OF ECONOMIC AND OTHER AID FOR THE RUSSIA IS CRITICAL AS AN ADJUNCT TO THIS NATO PACT.

VOICE: "WASHINGTON MUST CONTINUE TO PROD RUSSIA EVER FURTHER FROM ITS REPRESSIVE, HEGEMONISTIC PAST. .....BUT IT WOULD BE A BIG MISTAKE TO KICK RUSSIA WHEN IT IS DOWN. IN THE SHORT RUN, SUCH A POLICY WOULD PLAY INTO THE HANDS OF RABID RUSSIAN NATIONALISTS WHO HOPE TO INHERIT THE COUNTRY AFTER [PRESIDENT] YELTSIN DIES OR IS FORCED FROM THE POLITICAL STAGE. AND IN THE LONG RUN, IT COULD CREATE AN UGLY NEW ENMITY BETWEEN MOSCOW AND WASHINGTON THAT COULD CAST A PALL OVER THE CENTURY ABOUT TO DAWN. RUSSIA MAY BE DOWN ON ITS LUCK TODAY, BUT IT WILL RECOVER AND HAVE TO BE RECKONED WITH. [OPT] ... THE U-S MUST CONCENTRATE ON HELPING RUSSIA REBOUND AS A MODERN, ENLIGHTENED COUNTRY ..... EXERCISING WISDOM AND RESTRAINT IN THE EXPANSION OF NATO WOULD MAKE THAT GOAL MORE ATTAINABLE." [END OPT]

TEXT: IN TEXAS, THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE SAYS RUSSIA SHOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT THIS EXPANSION, IT IS A "GOOD DEAL" THAT "BENEFITS EVERYONE, EVEN THE RUSSIANS."

VOICE: "THE INCLUSION OF POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC IN THE ALLIANCE EXTENDS EUROPE'S ZONE OF POLITICAL STABILITY EASTWARD, REDUCING THE RISK OF CONFLICT IN CENTRAL EUROPE AND THE DANGER THAT THE UNITED STATES WOULD BECOME EMBROILED IN IT. WHEN IT LOST THE COLD WAR, RUSSIA ALSO LOST ITS EUROPEAN SATELLITES AND THEN THE FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS. HAVING TO GRUDGINGLY AGREE TO A PLAN THAT WILL NOURISH DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL STABILITY AMONG ITS WESTERN NEIGHBORS IS A SMALL PRICE FOR RUSSIA TO PAY FOR ITS PAST AGGRESSION AND IS, IF ANYTHING, A BLESSING, HOWEVER UNWANTED. [OPT] RUSSIAN LEADERS SAY RUSSIA DOES HAVE A VETO OVER NATO DEPLOYMENTS. THEY CAN SAY WHAT THEY WISH TO EASE THE PAIN OF RUSSIA'S CURRENT WEAKNESS, SO LONG AS THE WESTERN ALLIES MAKE SURE THE RUSSIANS KNOW THE REAL SCORE." [END OPT]

TEXT: FRIDAY'S [5/16] BALTIMORE SUN ECHOES CRITICISM OF BOTH THE NEW YORK TIMES AND LOS ANGELES TIMES, WHICH WANT A SPIRITED PUBLIC DEBATE ON THE QUESTION BEFORE THE EXPANSION AGREMENT IS SIGNED LATER THIS MONTH.

VOICE: "PERHAPS MOST TROUBLING IS THE LACK OF A NATIONAL DEBATE ON THE WISDOM OR UNWISDOM OF PUSHING NATO'S BORDERS EASTWARD. THIS WAS A POLICY THAT EVOLVED FULL-BLOWN FROM THE CLINTON WHITE HOUSE WITHOUT ANY THOROUGH AIRING OF DOUBTS WITHIN THE MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT OR THE ARMS-CONTROL FRATERNITY. IT WAS PRESENTED TO EUROPEAN ALLIES AS A MEANS OF MAINTAINING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR CONTINUED U-S DEPLOYMENTS IN THEIR CONTINENT. IT ATTRACTED LITTLE NOTICE FROM A CONGRESS DISTRACTED BY DOMESTIC AFFAIRS. YET IT PRESENTS DANGERS AND HOPES THAT OUGHT TO BE DISCUSSED AND DEBATED IN DETAIL. ....THE AIM IS TO MAKE EUROPE A SAFER PLACE. SUCH AN OUTCOME IS BY NO MEANS ASSURED."

TEXT: THAT CALL FOR MORE DEBATE CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF U-S EDITORIAL REACTION TO THIS WEEK'S AGREEMENT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND NATO OVER THE EASTWARD EXPANSION OF THE MILITARY ALLIANCE.
NEB/ANG/NL
16-May-97 1:18 PM EDT (1718 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN SHARPLY TODAY (FRIDAY) AS INFLATION FEARS REAPPEARED. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 71 HUNDRED 94, DOWN 138 POINTS, ALMOST TWO PERCENT. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 25 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 829, DOWN 12 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY RISING COMMODITY PRICES CAUSED SOME CONCERN ABOUT FUTURE INFLATION AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE U-S CENTRAL BANK WILL RAISE INTEREST RATES NEXT WEEK IN AN EFFORT TO HEAD-OFF INFLATION.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED HOUSING STARTS IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP BY TWO POINT SIX PERCENT LAST MONTH, SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS.

THE FACT THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON AND REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS REACHED AGREEMENT ON A BALANCED BUDGET PLAN WAS GOOD NEWS ON WALL STREET. BUT THAT GOOD NEWS WAS EXPECTED AND HAD NO EFFECT ON STOCK PRICES.

THE STOCK OF THE HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPUTER COMPANY TUMBLED MORE THAN 10 PERCENT AFTER THE COMPANY ANNOUNCED DISAPPOINTING QUARTERLY EARNINGS.

THE LOCKHEED MARTIN COMPANY IS THE NUMBER ONE DEFENSE CONTRACTOR IN THE UNITED STATES WITH CONTRACTS WORTH 12 BILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR. THE U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE MCDONNELL DOUGLAS CORPORATION IS IN SECOND PLACE WITH CONTRACTS WORTH THREE POINT TWO BILLION DOLLARS.

A CHICAGO MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH THREATENING TO KILL COMPUTER SOFTWARE EXECUTIVE BILL GATES IN AN EXTORTION PLOT. ADAM PLETCHER IS ACCUSED OF DEMANDING MR. GATES PAY HIM FIVE MILLION DOLLARS OR FACE DEATH. MR. GATES, FOUNDER OF THE MICROSOFT COMPANY, HAS AN ESTIMATED NET WORTH IN EXCESS OF 30 BILLION DOLLARS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
16-May-97 5:14 PM EDT (2114 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] SOLANA/NATO/GERMANY (L-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: IN GERMANY, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA HAILED THE ALLIANCE'S NEW SECURITY ACCORD WITH RUSSIA. FROM BONN, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: SPEAKING TO REPORTERS FOLLOWING TALKS WITH THE GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL SOLANA SAID THERE WERE NO WINNERS OR LOSERS UNDER THE NEW ACCORD BECAUSE BOTH SIDES ARE NOW MORE SECURE.

RESPONDING TO CRITICISM BY SOME ANALYSTS THAT THE NEW PACT WILL WEAKEN THE ALLIANCE, MR. SOLANA SAID IT WOULD NOT PREVENT THE ALLIANCE FROM ACTING IN NEW NATO COUNTRIES.

HE SAID NATO WILL BE ABLE TO UTILIZE ITS INFRASTRUCTURE TO CARRY OUT MUTUAL DEFENSE AND PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS.

RUSSIA'S CONCERNS ABOUT NATO MILITARY ACTIVITY CLOSE TO ITS BORDERS, MR. SOLANA SAID, WILL BE MET BY THE AGREEMENT'S CONSULTATION MECHANISMS.

THE NATO SECRETARY GENERAL ALSO PRAISED THE ROLE GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL PLAYED IN THE NEGOTIATION OF THE ACCORD.

ADDRESSING THE CONCERNS OF THE THREE BALTIC NATIONS WHO ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE AMONG THE FIRST NEW NATO MEMBERS, MR. KINKEL SAID NO AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED WITH RUSSIA TO PREVENT THEM JOINING NATO AT A LATER DATE.

MR. KINKEL SAID NATO DOES NOT ACCEPT THAT THE DOOR WILL BE CLOSED AFTER THE FIRST WAVE OF NEW MEMBERS IS ALLOWED TO JOIN. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/ADEN/KL
16-May-97 11:10 AM EDT (1510 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] TURKEY / KURDS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKISH KURD SEPARATISTS HAVE CALLED ON THE KURDISH PEOPLE AND SUPPORTERS OF THE KURDISH NATIONALIST MOVEMENT TO PREPARE FOR WHAT THEY DESCRIBE AS WAR AGAINST TURKISH FORCES IN NORTHERN IRAQ. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, THE APPEAL COMES ON THE THIRD DAY OF AN OFFENSIVE LAUNCHED BY THE TURKISH MILITARY AGAINST REBELS OF THE SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR P-K-K.

TEXT: TURKISH FIGHTER JETS CONTINUED TO POUND P-K-K BASES IN NORTHERN IRAQ AS THOUSANDS OF TURKISH TROOPS HUNT FOR THE REBELS ON THE GROUND. TURKISH MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY HEAVY FIGHTING IS CONTINUING IN THE SINAHT VALLEY EAST OF THE MAIN IRAQI BORDER TOWN OF ZAKHO.

TURKISH PRIME MINISTER, NECMETTIN ERBAKAN, DESCRIBED THE OFFENSIVE AS LIMITED AND EMPHASIZED THAT IT HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT FOLLOWING APPEALS FOR HELP FROM ONE OF THE MAIN KURDISH FACTIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ -- MASSOUD BARZANI'S KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY. MR. BARZANI'S FORCES ARE ALSO TAKING PART IN THE ANTI-P-K-K OFFENSIVE, BUT THE SCALE OF THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE FIGHTING REMAINS UNCLEAR.

MR. ERBAKAN ADDED THAT TURKEY WAS IN HIS WORDS ALWAYS RESPECTFUL OF IRAQ'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY. HIS COMMENT WAS IN APPARENT RESPONSE TO IRAQ'S DEMANDS THAT TURKISH FORCES WITHDRAW FROM THE KURDISH-CONTROLLED ENCLAVE IN NORTHERN IRAQ IMMEDIATELY.

IRAQ HAS VIRTUALLY LOST CONTROL OVER THE KURDISH NORTH SINCE THE END OF THE GULF WAR IN 1991, WHEN THE ALLIES LED BY THE UNITED STATES ESTABLISHED A NO-FLY ZONE OVER THE AREA. IRAQ HAS ALSO ACCUSED TURKEY OF INFLICTING CIVILIAN CASUALTIES DURING THE THREE DAY OLD OPERATION -- A CLAIM THAT HAS BEEN ECHOED BY THE P-K-K-DOMINATED FRONT FOR THE NATIONAL LIBERATION OF KURDISTAN. A FRONT SPOKESMAN DESCRIBED THE TURKISH ASSAULT AS INDISCRIMINATE, HITTING IRAQI KURDISH CIVILIANS AS WELL AS P-K-K FIGHTERS.

THE TURKISH KURD SEPARATIST GROUP HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR A KURDISH HOMELAND SINCE 1984. NEARLY 30-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE REBELLION, WHICH IS BELIEVED TO COST THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT MORE THAN ONE-MILLION U-S DOLLARS A DAY TO CONTAIN.

SOME ANALYSTS SAY THEY BELIEVE THE LATEST TURKISH OFFENSIVE WILL HAVE LITTLE IF ANY IMPACT ON THE P-K-K. THEY POINT OUT THAT MOST OF THE REBELS OPERATING OUT OF MOBILE MOUNTAIN BASES IN NORTHERN IRAQ HAD ALREADY FLED TO EITHER IRAQI-CONTROLLED TERRITORY, OR TO SYRIA AND IRAN, WELL AHEAD OF THE OPERATION.

TURKISH OFFICIALS HAVE LONG CLAIMED THAT ALL THREE OF ITS MIDDLE EASTERN NEIGHBORS PROVIDE ARMS AND BASES FOR THE KURDISH REBELS IN ORDER TO DESTABILIZE TURKEY. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWH/SP
16-May-97 11:07 AM EDT (1507 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] TURKEY / POL (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: MEMBERS OF THE TURKISH OPPOSITION HAVE FILED A CENSURE MOTION AGAINST THE RULING ISLAMIST COALITION. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS THE MOVE HAS HEIGHTENED TENSIONS BETWEEN THE COUNTRY'S PRO-SECULAR ESTABLISHMENT AND PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN'S ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY, REFAH.

TEXT: THE MOTION SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE MAIN OPPOSITION CONSERVATIVE MOTHERLAND PARTY AND TWO LEFT WING PARTIES IN THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT ACCUSED THE GOVERNMENT OF UNDERMINING THE COUNTRY'S PRO-WESTERN AND SECULAR POLICIES LAID DOWN BY THE FOUNDER OF MODERN TURKEY, KEMAL ATATURK.

MR. ERBAKAN HAS ANGERED TURKEY'S PRO-SECULAR MILITARY AND ITS NATO ALLIES BY ENCOURAGING CLOSER TIES WITH COUNTRIES SUCH AS LIBYA, IRAN, AND NIGERIA AND BY LOBBYING FOR LEGALIZING ISLAMIC STYLE HEADSCARVES IN GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND SCHOOLS.

THE PARLIAMENT WILL DEBATE THE MOTION, WHICH AMOUNTS TO A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT, IN TWO WEEKS TIME. AT LEAST 276 DEPUTIES IN THE 550-MEMBER TURKISH PARLIAMENT NEED TO SUPPORT THE MOTION IN ORDER TO BRING THE GOVERNMENT DOWN.

THE COALITION GOVERNMENT MADE UP BY PRIME MINISTER ERBKAKAN'S REFAH PARTY AND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER'S CONSERVATIVE TRUE PATH PARTY TOGETHER CONTROL MORE THAN HALF THE SEATS IN THE PARLIAMENT.

ANALYSTS SAY MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITION ARE BANKING ON DEFECTIONS FROM THE GOVERNMENT PARTIES IN ORDER TO PUSH THE CENSURE MOTION THROUGH THE PARLIAMENT. SOME MEDIA REPORTS SAY AT LEAST 20 MEMBERS OF MRS. CILLER'S PARTY WHO ARE OPPOSED TO REFAH'S FUNDAMENTALIST POLICIES ARE LIKELY TO BACK THE MOTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/KL
16-May-97 11:18 AM EDT (1518 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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