Voice of America, 97-05-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA CONFERENCE (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (ROME)

[02] ALBRIGHT / FRANCE (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (PARIS)

[03] ALBRIGHT OVERNIGHTER (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (PARIS)

[04] CLINTON / EUROPE SCENESET (S ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WASHINGTON)

[05] CLINTON / PARIS ONITER (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (PARIS)

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

[07] FRANCE / U-S RELATIONS (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[08] FRANCE ELECTIONS (L-2ND UPDATE) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

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

[10] TURKEY / MILITARY (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[01] ALBANIA CONFERENCE (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (ROME)

INTRO: REPRESENTATIVES OF NEARLY THREE-DOZEN COUNTRIES AND INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES MET MONDAY IN THE ITALIAN CAPITAL OF ROME TO DISCUSS RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN ALBANIA AND ASSESS THE NEEDS FOR AN INTERNATIONAL AID PACKAGE. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS THE CONFERENCE DECIDED THAT A PROMISED AID PACKAGE IS CONTINGENT ON ALL ALBANIAN PARTIES AGREEING TO PARTICIPATE IN FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS AT THE END OF JUNE.

TEXT: THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS DECIDED THAT THE FIRST PRIORITY IN ALBANIA IS HOLDING THE JUNE 29TH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. CONFERENCE CHAIRMAN AND ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAMBERTO DINI SAID MAXIMUM EFFORT IS BEING EXERTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ELECTION IS FREE AND FAIR, AND THAT ALL PARTIES PARTICIPATE AND HAVE ACCESS TO THE BROADCAST MEDIA. HE SAID THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, THE "O-S-C-E," WILL HELP TO ORGANIZE THE ELECTION AND MONITOR THE RESULTS.

O-S-C-E SPECIAL ENVOY FOR ALBANIA FRANZ VRANITZKY SAID HIS ORGANIZATION WILL PUT TOGETHER THE VOTER LIST, PRINT BALLOTS, ORGANIZE POLLING STATIONS, AND PROVIDE ELECTION MONITORS. MR. VRANITZKY SAID THE ELECTION MUST BE FREE AND FAIR SO THAT THE RESULTS ARE REGARDED AS LEGITIMATE.

THIS WAS ONE OF THE MAJOR PROBLEMS IN 1996 WHEN THERE WAS AN ELECTION AND THERE WAS THE SUSPICION OF MANIPULATION. AND MANY ALBANIANS SAID THIS WAS A FALSE ELECTION -- RIGHT OR WRONG -- BUT THEY WERE NOT CONVINCED IT WAS RIGHT. WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS NOT ONLY MAKE SURE THIS IS FREE AND FAIR, BUT THAT AFTER JUNE 29TH, IT IS ACKNOWLEDGED AFTER THAT.

MR. VRANITZKY SAID THE MULTINATIONAL PROTECTION FORCE NOW IN ALBANIA WILL REMAIN THERE DURING THE ELECTION, BUT THAT THE INFORMAL MILITIAS IN THE SOUTH WILL BE NOT BE DISARMED PRIOR TO THE ELECTION.

POLITICALLY, YOU HAVE TWO ALTERNATIVES -- ONE THEORETICAL AND ONE REALISTIC. THE THEORETICAL (ONE) WOULD BE YOU DISSOLVE ALL THE COMMITTEES, COLLECT ALL THE WEAPONS, AND RESTORE PUBLIC ORDER AND THEN HAVE ELECTIONS. THAT IS A THEORY. THAT WON'T WORK IN THIS COUNTRY (ALBANIA).

A PLANNED MINISTERIAL MEETING TO RATIFY THE DECISIONS MADE AT THIS PREPARATORY MEETING HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL JULY -- AFTER THE ALBANIAN ELECTION. THE PREPARATORY MEETING ADVISED THE ALBANIAN AUTHORITIES TO TAKE URGENT MEASURES TO DEAL WITH THE REMAINING PYRAMID INVESTMENT SCHEMES, WHICH TRIGGERED MUCH OF THE RECENT UNREST. IT SUGGESTS THAT ASSETS FROM THE SCHEMES BE SEIZED AND PUT UNDER THE CONTROL OF AN INDEPENDENT AUDITOR. (SIGNED)
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26-May-97 2:30 PM EDT (1830 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBRIGHT / FRANCE (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (PARIS)

INTRO: IN PREPARATION FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ARRIVAL IN PARIS EARLY TUESDAY, SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HELD TALKS WITH THE FRENCH AND RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM PARIS, THE UNITED STATES AND FRANCE HAD A FULL DISCUSSION ON WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE NATO-RUSSIA AGREEMENT.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES AND FRANCE SEE THE SIGNING WITH PRESIDENT YELTSIN AS REPRESENTING A FINAL BREAK WITH THE COLD WAR. THE TWO FOREIGN MINISTERS PREPARED FOR THE HISTORIC DAY BY DISCUSSING WHAT FOLLOWS. NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET LATER THIS WEEK IN PORTUGAL TO DISCUSS INVITING NEW MEMBERS FROM CENTRAL EUROPE.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT AND FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER HERVE DE CHARETTE DISCUSSED THE CHOICES TO BE MADE BY NATO LEADERS BEFORE THE JULY SUMMIT MEETING IN MADRID.

THE FIRST BIG ISSUE DISCUSSED TODAY AFTER NATO-RUSSIA WAS THIS QUESTION, AND A NUMBER OF SPECIFIC COUNTRIES WERE MENTIONED. (THERE WAS) A GOOD DEAL OF BACK AND FORTH ON ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CERTAIN COUNTRIES AND I THINK THE SECRETARY FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY HELPFUL DISCUSSION.

SINCE THE UNITED STATES HAS NOT TAKEN AN OFFICIAL POSITION ON THE NEW MEMBERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAYS THE DISCUSSION FOCUSSED ON A SEARCH FOR CONSENSUS. WHILE POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, AND HUNGARY DO NOT APPEAR TO BE CONTROVERSIAL AS NEW MEMBERS OF NATO, FRANCE HAS PUBLICLY SUPPORTED ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA TO BE AMONG THE FIRST COUNTRIES INVITED AT MADRID.

AS A GESTURE TO HER HOST, SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SPOKE IN FRENCH FOR THE ENTIRE MEETING WITH MR. DECHARETTE -- EXCEPT FOR A DIVERSION TO ENGLISH WHEN DISCUSSING TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ.

SHE TOLD REPORTERS, THE TWO COUNTRIES AGREE ON THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S NEW EMPHASIS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT.

I REVIEWED WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTER OUR OWN RE-DEDICATION TO THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS AND THE NECESSITY TO HAVE A MUCH MORE ROBUST CIVILIAN IMPLEMENTATION. AND WE SPOKE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING FULL SUPPORT TO THE I-P-T-F, THE POLICE TRAINING FORCE, SO THAT THE INDIGENOUS POLICE FORCES CAN BE TRAINED IN ORDER TO WORK ON PROVIDING A SECURE ENVIRONMENT.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS AGREEMENT WAS REACHED ON A SUCCESSOR TO CARL BILDT AS INTERNATIONAL HIGH REPRESENTATIVE IN BOSNIA, BUT SHE WOULD NOT REVEAL THE NAME. SPANISH DIPLOMAT CARLOS WESTENDORP HAS BEEN MENTIONED AS A CANDIDATE TO SUCCEED MR. BILDT, BUT DISCUSSION WILL CONTINUE FRIDAY IN PORTUGAL ABOUT WHETHER TO PROVIDE HIM WITH AN AMERICAN DEPUTY.

THE TWO MINISTERS DISAGREED ON THE U-S PROGRAM FOR TRAINING AND EQUIPPING THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT ARMY. THE AMERICANS HOPE THE PROGRAM WILL BRING THE ARMY TO THE ARMS LEVEL OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE WAS NO DISCUSSION OF FRANCE'S DESIRE FOR A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN NATO'S SOUTHERN COMMAND.

THERE WAS A BRIEF DISCUSSION OF DEVELOPMENTS IN ALBANIA, CONGO-KINSHASA, AND IRAQ, BUT THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE WAS NO DISCUSSION OF THE FIRST ROUND OF THE FRENCH ELECTION THAT DEALT A BLOW TO THE RULING CONSERVATIVES. FRANCE ALSO AGREED TO ATTEND A LONDON CONFERENCE LATER THIS YEAR WITH THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN TO DECIDE HOW TO DISPOSE OF THE REMAINING NAZI GOLD FROM WORLD-WAR TWO. (SIGNED)
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26-May-97 2:09 PM EDT (1809 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] ALBRIGHT OVERNIGHTER (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (PARIS)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS ARRIVED IN PARIS WHERE SHE WILL MEET FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER HERVE DE CHARETTE THIS AFTERNOON AND HAVE DINNER WITH RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER EVGENY PRIMAKOV. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM PARIS ON THE PREPARATIONS FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON'S VISIT ON TUESDAY.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL BE MEETING SEPARATELY WITH BOTH FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN WHEN HE ARRIVES HERE TUESDAY TO SIGN THE NATO-RUSSIAN AGREEMENT.

HIS SECRETARY OF STATE IS PREPARING THE WAY FOR BOTH MEETINGS BY SEEING THE FRENCH AND RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS. ONE THEME FOR BOTH MEETINGS WILL BE BOSNIA. MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS UNVEILED A NEW AMERICAN EMPHASIS ON GETTING THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT CARRIED OUT.

SHE WANTS TO GET FRANCE AND RUSSIA TO SUPPORT THAT EFFORT. BOTH COUNTRIES WILL TAKE PART IN A MEETING LATER IN THE WEEK WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE IN PORTUGAL WHERE A NEW HIGH REPRESENTATIVE TO REPLACE CARL BILDT IN BOSNIA WILL BE CHOSEN. AMONG THE CANDIDATES TO REPLACE MR. BILDT ARE FORMER BRITISH DEFENSE SECRETARY MICHAEL PORTILLO AND SPANISH DIPLOMAT CARLOS WESTENDORP. A STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS NO FAVORED CANDIDATE TO LEAD THE INTERNATIONAL EFFORT IN BOSNIA. (SIGNED)
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25-May-97 10:27 PM EDT (0227 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CLINTON / EUROPE SCENESET (S ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON LEAVES WASHINGTON LATER TODAY (MONDAY) FOR A THREE-DAY TRIP TO FRANCE, BRITAIN AND THE NETHERLANDS THAT IS EXPECTED TO FOCUS ON SECURITY ISSUES. V-O-A WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE HAS A PREVIEW.

TEXT: THE PRESIDENT'S FIRST STOP IS PARIS, WHERE HE WILL JOIN LEADERS OF OTHER NATO-MEMBER NATIONS AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN FOR THE SIGNING OF A NATO-RUSSIA CHARTER THAT WILL GIVE MOSCOW A VOICE, BUT NOT A VETO, IN THE ALLIANCE'S DECISION-MAKING.

MR. CLINTON WILL THEN FLY TO THE HAGUE FOR CEREMONIES MARKING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARSHALL PLAN, THE U-S - FUNDED AID PROGRAM THAT HELPED REBUILD EUROPE AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR.

MR. CLINTON IS EXPECTED TO USE THE OCCASION TO LOOK AHEAD TO NATO'S PLANS TO EXTEND MEMBERSHIP TO SEVERAL FORMER WARSAW PACT NATIONS AT ITS SUMMIT IN MADRID IN JULY.

NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR SAMUEL BERGER:

BY EMBRACING THE EMERGING DEMOCRACIES OF CENTRAL EUROPE IN AN ENLARGING NATO, WE CAN BEGIN TO HELP BUILD THE STABILITY IN THE EAST THAT NATO HAS IN THE WEST AND THAT THE MARSHALL PLAN DID IN THE WEST 50 YEARS AGO.

BEFORE RETURNING TO WASHINGTON THURSDAY NIGHT, MR. CLINTON WILL STOP IN LONDON TO MEET WITH NEW BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR. (SIGNED)
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25-May-97 7:49 PM EDT (2349 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] CLINTON / PARIS ONITER (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (PARIS)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON ARRIVES IN PARIS TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR A MEETING WITH FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC AND THE SIGNING OF THE NATO-RUSSIA AGREEMENT BEFORE A SEPARATE MEETING WITH BORIS YELTSIN. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM PARIS, WHERE POLITICS WILL BE PUT ASIDE TEMPORARILY FOR A HISTORIC SIGNING CEREMONY.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL ENCOUNTER A FRENCH PRESIDENT BUFFETED BY THE PRIME MINISTER'S RESIGNATION AND THE PROSPECTS OF THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT'S DEFEAT IN THE SECOND ROUND OF ELECTIONS NEXT WEEK. HOWEVER, JACQUES CHIRAC WILL PUT ASIDE BRIEFLY HIS POLITICAL WOES THIS MORNING FOR AN ELEGANT SIGNING CEREMONY AT THE ELYSEE PALACE.

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN WILL SIGN THE SO-CALLED "FOUNDING ACT" WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON, PRESIDENT CHIRAC AND THE OTHER NATO LEADERS. THE ACCORD (-- WHICH PAVES THE WAY FOR THE INCLUSION OF FORMER WARSAW PACT MEMBERS INTO NATO --) WILL INVOLVE RUSSIA IN NATO'S DECISIONS, BUT NOT GIVE IT A VETO ON WHAT THE ALLIANCE DECIDES TO DO IN THE FUTURE.

SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS BEEN IN PARIS MEETING WITH THE FRENCH AND RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS TO PREPARE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S MEETINGS WITH BOTH LEADERS. SHE TELLS REPORTERS NOT TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHANGES STARTING HERE IN PARIS AND CONTINUING IN JULY IN MADRID, WHEN NATO TAKES IN NEW MEMBERS FROM CENTRAL EUROPE.

I BELIEVE THAT WHAT IS GOING TO BE HAPPENING BOTH IN PARIS AND IN SINTRA (PORTUGAL) AND MADRID ARE HISTORIC ACTS, WHEREBY WE WILL ALL BE PARTICIPANTS IN HELPING TO PUT A DIVIDED EUROPE BACK TOGETHER. AND I HOPE THAT THE MOMENTOUSNESS OF THIS OCCASION IS NOT LOST ON EVERYBODY BECAUSE THESE ARE VERY IMPORTANT SIGNING CEREMONIES, THEY ARE A SIGNAL OF WHAT EUROPE WILL BE IN THE 21ST CENTURY AND WHAT THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE U-S TO EUROPE WILL BE AND WHAT THE RELATIONSHIP OF RUSSIA TO EUROPE WILL BE.

PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL TALK TO PRESIDENT YELTSIN SEPARATELY IN THE AFTERNOON ABOUT THE U-S / RUSSIAN RELATIONSHIP. IN DENVER, COLORADO NEXT MONTH, PRESIDENT YELTSIN WILL CONSULT WITH THE (LEADERS OF THE) SEVEN INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES (-- THE SO-CALLED G-SEVEN --) FOR THE FIRST TIME AS A VIRTUAL EQUAL PARTNER.

PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL NOT SPEND THE EVENING HERE. HE FLIES TO THE HAGUE TO HOLD ANOTHER SUMMIT ON WEDNESDAY WITH THE LEADERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. (SIGNED)
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26-May-97 3:12 PM EDT (1912 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE STOCK MARKET IN LONDON WAS CLOSED FOR A HOLIDAY MONDAY, BUT IN PARIS AND FRANKFURT, STOCK PRICES HEADED IN RADICALLY DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. FOR THE CLOSING FIGURES, HERE'S PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON.

TEXT: SUNDAY'S FIRST ROUND OF VOTING IN THE FRENCH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS -- WHICH ENDED WITH THE SOCIALIST-LED LEFT WING ON TOP POINTED TO NEW UNCERTAINTIES FOR INVESTORS. THAT PUT THE PARIS MARKET INTO A SHARP DIVE. THE "CAC 40" INDEX OF STOCKS TUMBLED MORE THAN 108 POINTS AT THE CLOSE -- A DROP IN VALUE OF NEARLY FOUR PERCENT. BONDS AND THE FRENCH FRANC ALSO CLOSED LOWER IN PARIS MONDAY. MEANWHILE, IN FRANKFURT, THE KEY "DAX 30" INDEX ADDED NEARLY 56 POINTS IN VALUE TO CLOSE AT A NEW RECORD HIGH. HOWEVER, ANALYSTS DESCRIBED TRADING IN FRANKFURT AS THIN AND VOLATILE, DUE TO A LACK OF DIRECTION FROM MARKETS IN NEW YORK AND LONDON, WHICH WERE CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS.

IN EUROPEAN CURRENCY TRADING MONDAY, THE DOLLAR WAS UP SLIGHTLY AGAINST BOTH THE MARK AND THE YEN. (SIGNED)
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26-May-97 1:57 PM EDT (1757 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] FRANCE / U-S RELATIONS (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: WHEN PRESIDENT CLINTON VISITS PARIS TUESDAY, HE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO ASSESS THE STATE OF AMERICAN RELATIONS WITH FRANCE AT A TIME OF TENSIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES OVER ZAIRE, NATO, AND THE AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC, REELING FROM THE FIRST ROUND OF FRANCE'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN WHICH HIS RULING CONSERVATIVE COALITION RECEIVED A SOUND BEATING, WILL BE ABLE TO TURN HIS ATTENTION FROM DOMESTIC TO INTERNATIONAL POLITICS WHEN HE RECEIVES PRESIDENT CLINTON TUESDAY. BUT, THE FOREIGN POLICY FRONT IS NO HAPPIER FOR THE FRENCH PRESIDENT. ALTHOUGH FRANCE PROBABLY HAS ITS MOST PRO-AMERICAN PRESIDENT OF MODERN TIMES, ITS RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES ARE TENSE.

THE MOST IMMEDIATE ISSUE IS THAT OF ZAIRE, NOW RE-NAMED THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO. AS THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT MOBUTU SESE SEKO WAS UNDER THREAT, FRENCH OFFICIALS LOOSELY BLAMED WHAT THEY CALL "THE ANGLO-SAXONS," A TERM DESIGNATING THE AMERICANS AND THEIR ENGLISH-SPEAKING ALLIES, FOR HITTING AT THE HEART OF FRENCH INFLUENCE IN AFRICA BY SUPPORTING THE REBELS UNDER LAURENT KABILA.

ALTHOUGH SOME FRENCH ANALYSTS OF AFRICAN AFFAIRS SAY POLICY DECISIONS MADE UNDER MR. CHIRAC'S PREDECESSOR, THE LATE FRANCOIS MITTERRAND, CREATED THE SITUATION THAT DRAINED FRANCE OF ITS INFLUENCE IN AFRICA'S GREAT LAKES REGION, IT IS STILL MORE COMMON FOR THE OUTSIDE WORLD TO GET THE BLAME.

NATO IS AMONG OTHER ISSUES MR. CLINTON AND MR. CHIRAC MAY REVIEW WHEN THE TWO PRESIDENTS HOLD A BRIEF MEETING DURING THE CEREMONIES TO MARK THE NATO-RUSSIA FOUNDING ACT, THE TREATY DEFINING MOSCOW'S RELATIONS WITH THE NORTH ATLANTIC ALLIANCE.

FRANCE HAS MOVED CLOSER TO NATO UNDER MR. CHIRAC THAN UNDER ANY OTHER FRENCH PRESIDENT SINCE CHARLES DE GAULLE WITHDREW FROM ITS MILITARY COMMAND 30-YEARS AGO AND FORCED THE ALLIANCE TO TAKE ITS HEADQUARTERS OUT OF PARIS. BUT, COMBINED WITH THIS RAPPROCHEMENT, THE FRENCH HAVE BEEN INSISTING THE COMMANDER OF NATO'S SOUTHERN FLANK BASED IN NAPLES SHOULD BE A EUROPEAN. ALTHOUGH MANY OF FRANCE'S EUROPEAN ALLIES ARGUE THIS IS UNREALISTIC -- FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THE ADMIRAL IN NAPLES COMMANDS THE U-S SIXTH FLEET IN THE MEDITERRANEAN -- FRANCE DOES NOT SEEM READY TO BACK DOWN.

ANOTHER MATTER OF CONTENTION IS EUROPEAN OPPOSITION TO THE MERGER BETWEEN THE AMERICAN AIRPLANE MAKERS BOEING AND MCDONNELL DOUGLAS. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN BRUSSELS ARGUES THIS WILL CREATE AN UNACCEPTABLE GIANT TO THE DETRIMENT OF EUROPE'S AIRBUS. HERE AGAIN, THE MAIN POLITICAL WEIGHT BEHIND THIS COMES FROM FRANCE. AND PRESIDENT CLINTON, DURING ALL OF HIS EUROPEAN TRIP THIS WEEK, IS EXPECTED TO EXPRESS HIS DISPLEASURE AT THE TALK OF TRADE SANCTIONS. (SIGNED)
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26-May-97 8:32 AM EDT (1232 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] FRANCE ELECTIONS (L-2ND UPDATE) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: IN THE FIRST ROUND OF FRANCE'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS SUNDAY, THE LEFT CAME OUT JUST AHEAD OF THE RULING CONSERVATIVE COALITION. EARLY RESULTS AND EXIT POLLS GAVE THE SOCIALISTS AND COMMUNISTS 40 PER CENT WITH THE CONSERVATIVES THREE AND A HALF POINTS BEHIND. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN BEGAN, POLLING INSTITUTES ARE PREDICTING A FINAL LEFT-WING VICTORY. IF THE LEFT IS ELECTED, THE COMMUNISTS, WHO HAVE AN ELECTORAL ALLIANCE WITH THE SOCIALISTS, SAY THEY EXPECT TO HAVE MINISTERS IN THE NEXT GOVERNMENT OF FRANCE.

FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC CALLED THE ELECTIONS SOME NINE MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE TO SEEK A NEW MANDATE TO PUSH THROUGH REFORMS, IN PARTICULAR TO PREPARE FRANCE TO ENTER THE NEW EUROPEAN SINGLE CURRENCY. NOW, EVEN POLITICIANS WHO SUPPORT MR. CHIRAC ARE DESCRIBING THE VOTERS' MESSAGE AS "A WARNING."

MR. CHIRAC'S GAMBLE WAS PLAINLY MORE RISKY THAN AT FIRST THOUGHT. ALTHOUGH A PRECISE INDICATION OF THE FINAL MAKEUP OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IS IMPOSSIBLE FROM THE FIRST-ROUND RESULTS, THEY DO POINT TO A HARD BATTLE IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

IN THOSE DISTRICTS WHERE THERE IS NO OUTRIGHT WINNER, THERE WILL BE A SECOND AND DECISIVE ELECTION IN ONE WEEK'S TIME.

THE EXTREME-RIGHT NATIONAL FRONT LED BY JEAN-MARIE LE PEN HAS PROMISED TO STAY IN THE RACE WHEREVER IT CAN. ANY CANDIDATE WHO TAKES ONE EIGHTH OF REGISTERED VOTERS CAN GO FORWARD TO THE SECOND ROUND. THE TRADITION, HOWEVER, IS FOR ONLY THE TOP TWO CANDIDATES TO STAY IN FOR THE LAST ROUND. ACCORDING TO EXIT POLLS, THE NATIONAL FRONT TOOK 15 PERCENT NATION-WIDE AND WILL QUALIFY FOR THE SECOND ROUND IN AROUND 100 DISTRICTS.

THE NATIONAL FRONT WANTS TO DIVIDE THE RIGHT-WING VOTE TO PUNISH THE CONSERVATIVES FOR REFUSING ELECTORAL ALLIANCES WITH THE ANTI-IMMIGRATION PARTY. THIS MEANS IT COULD TIP THE BALANCE IN FAVOR OF THE SOCIALISTS AND THEIR COMMUNIST ALLIES.

IF THE LEFT IS VICTORIOUS, THEN THE MOST LIKELY CANDIDATE TO BE PRIME MINISTER IS LIONEL JOSPIN, THE SOCIALIST PARTY LEADER WHO IS A FORMER DIPLOMAT AND ECONOMICS PROFESSOR. HE WOULD GOVERN ALONGSIDE MR. CHIRAC IN A LEFT-RIGHT POWER-SHARING ARRANGEMENT. FRANCE HAS KNOWN THIS SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT TWICE BEFORE OVER THE PAST DECADE. THEN, A CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT RAN FRANCE UNDER THE SOCIALIST PRESIDENT FRANCOIS MITTERRAND.

ONE THING IS NOW ALMOST CERTAIN. WHATEVER THE FINAL RESULT, FRANCE IS LIKELY TO HAVE A NEW PRIME MINISTER IN A FEW DAYS. DURING THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN THERE WERE REPORTS THAT MR. CHIRAC PLANNED TO REPLACE MR. JUPPE, WHO IS CONSISTENTLY LOW IN POPULARITY POLLS. NOW THE RIGHT'S BAD PERFORMANCE IS LIKELY TO SPEED MR. JUPPE'S POLITICAL FALL -- EVEN IF THE CONSERVATIVES DO FINALLY WIN. (SIGNED)
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25-May-97 7:33 PM EDT (2333 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: TODAY IS MEMORIAL DAY - - THE HOLIDAY TO HONOR THE AMERICAN MEN AND WOMEN WHO FOUGHT AND DIED FOR THIS COUNTRY'S IN ALL THE NATION'S WARS. DUE TO THE HOLIDAY, SEVERAL PAPERS DO NOT PUBLISH, BUT AMONG THOSE THAT DO, THERE ARE EDITORIALS INCLUDING: COMMENTS ABOUT THE IRANIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION; THE CONTINUING CONTROVERSY OVER AIR SAFETY IN THE WAKE OF THE VALUJET CRASH; THE REPUBLICAN ASSAULT ON ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION; AND SOME THOUGHTS ON THE NATION'S WAR DEAD WHOM WE HONOR THIS MEMORIAL DAY.

NOW FOR A CLOSER LOOK, HERE IS __________________AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: UNDER A HEADLINE HEADLINE "IRANIANS DEMAND CHANGE," THE NEW YORK TIMES TALKS ABOUT THE COMPARATIVELY MODERATE CLERIC WHO HAS WON THE PRESIDENCY IN IRAN.

VOICE: "IRAN HAS BEEN JOLTED BY A POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE AS POWERFUL AS THE GEOLOGIC UPHEAVALS THAT HAVE ROCKED IT IN RECENT YEARS. AGAINST THE WISHES OF THE RULING CLERGY, IRANIAN VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY ELECTED A NEW PRESIDENT DEDICATED TO RELAXING OR ELIMINATING THE POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS REPRESSION THAT HAS LONG DISFIGURED THEIR COUNTRY. THE QUESTION IS WHETHER IRAN'S CLERICAL LEADERS WILL GET THE MESSAGE AND ALLOW THE NEW PRESIDENT, MOHAMMED KHATAMI, TO CARRY OUT THE REFORMS OUTLINED IN HIS SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN. IRAN'S PRESIDENCY IS LESS POWERFUL THAN ITS RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENT, AND CLERICAL LEADERS HAVE SHOWN NO SIGN OF BACKING AWAY FROM THEIR COMMITMENT TO IMPOSE ORTHODOXY AT HOME AND SOW ISLAMIC REVOLUTION AND POLITICAL TERROR ABROAD."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST IS ALSO PLEASED, BUT COUNSELS CAUTION RATHER THAN APPLAUSE FOR THE TIME BEING.

VOICE: "[OPT] THE NEWS OUT OF TEHRAN IS THAT A 'MODERATE' HAS BEEN ELECTED PRESIDENT OF IRAN. THIS NEEDS TO BE READ WITH CAUTION. ...... AS THE ELECTED PRESIDENT, MOHAMMED KHATEMI WILL STILL BE NUMBER TWO TO THE SUPREME RELIGIOUS LEADER, AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI. ..... IT IS STILL VERY EARLY ... TO GO WITH THOSE IN EUROPE AND ELSEWHERE WHO SEEM READY TO GIVE IRAN CREDIT FOR POLICY CHANGES IT HAS NOT IN FACT MADE. HOSTILITY TO THE IRANIAN REVOLUTION IS NOT THE BASIS OF AMERICAN POLICY, AS HOSTILE TO THE 'GREAT SATAN' AS THE TEHRAN LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN. [END OPT] WHAT THE UNITED STATES OBJECTS TO, AND WHAT IT SHOULD OBJECT TO, ARE SPECIFIC DEEDS OF IRAN: ITS SUPPORT OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM AND SUBVERSION, ITS PROMOTION OF ARMED CHALLENGE TO THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS AND, MOST OMINOUSLY, ITS PURSUIT OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND OTHER WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION."

TEXT: ON ANOTHER TOPIC, THE POST IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SLOW PACE OF IMPROVEMENTS IN PASSENGER AIRCRAFT SAFETY AFTER THE VALUJET CRASH INTO THE EVERGLADES LAST YEAR. SPECIFICALLY THE PAPER WANTS THE INDUSTRY TO SPEED UP INSTALLATION OF SMOKE DETECTORS IN CARGO HOLDS OF PASSENGER PLANES. THE DEVICES MIGHT HAVE DETECTED THE FIRE STARTED BY, OR FUELED BY, IMPROPERLY STORED OXYGEN GENERATORS.

VOICE: "SHOULD HAZARDOUS MATERIALS BE CARRIED ON ANY PASSENGER FLIGHTS? AND ON ANY KIND OF FLIGHT, AREN'T PRECAUTIONS TAKEN TO PROTECT AGAINST CARGO-HOLD FIRES? THE SAFETY BOARD HAS ISSUED WARNINGS ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS, BUT NOT UNTIL NOVEMBER DID THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCE THAT IT WAS GOING TO ISSUE AN ORDER REQUIRING SMOKE ALARMS AND FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS FOR CARGO HOLDS SUCH AS THE ONE IN THE CRASH. [OPT] THE AGENCY THEN DID BAN THE TRANSPORTATION OF OXYGEN GENERATORS AS CARGO ON ANY PASSENGER FLIGHTS IN THIS COUNTRY. BUT LAST TUESDAY, CONTINENTAL AIRLINES DISCLOSED THAT A FLIGHT LAST MONTH ILLEGALLY CARRIED HAZARDOUS OXYGEN GENERATORS, APPARENTLY ALSO MISLABELED BY A CONTRACTOR - - AND ALSO IN A CARGO HOLD WITH NEITHER A SMOKE DETECTOR NOR ANY FIRE-SUPPRESSION SYSTEM. WHAT OVERSIGHT SYSTEM MISSED ALL THIS?" [END OPT]

TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, CIGARETTE SMOKE IS ON THE MIND OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES WHICH COMMENTS ON A NEW HEALTH STUDY ABOUT THE DANGERS OF SECOND-HAND SMOKE.

VOICE: "[OPT] BETWEEN THREE AND FOUR-THOUSAND AMERICANS WHO ARE NOT SMOKERS DIE OF LUNG CANCER EACH YEAR BECAUSE OF LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO SECONDHAND SMOKE. NOW, [END OPT] THE LARGEST STUDY OF ITS KIND EVER CONDUCTED FINDS THAT AS MANY AS 60-THOUSAND HEART ATTACK DEATHS A YEAR IN NONSMOKERS CAN SIMILARLY BE ATTRIBUTED TO PASSIVE SMOKING. .... THE NEW STUDY ESTABLISHES THAT THE LEVEL OF RISK FROM SUCH REGULAR EXPOSURE IS FAR HIGHER THAN THOUGHT.... ONE MORE POWERFUL SCIENTIFICALLY BASED ARGUMENT FOR BANNING ALL SMOKING IN THE WORKPLACE .... RESTAURANTS, BARS AND AIRLINERS."

TEXT: [OPT] STILL WITH THE ENVIRONMENT, THE NEW YORK TIMES IS ANGRY AT SOME WESTERN STATE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS.

VOICE: "OBLIVIOUS TO NATIONAL SENTIMENT, THESE WESTERNERS ARE STILL TRYING TO USE ALL THE LEGISLATIVE WEAPONS AT THEIR DISPOSAL TO REGAIN CONTROL OVER FEDERAL LANDS THEY THINK RIGHTFULLY BELONG TO THEM AND THEIR CONSTITUENTS. TWO WEEKS AGO, FOR EXAMPLE, WESTERN REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE TRIED TO USE AN OTHERWISE BLAMELESS EMERGENCY SPENDING BILL FOR MIDWESTERN FLOOD VICTIMS TO PUSH AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD HAVE UNDERMINED IMPORTANT PROTECTIONS IN THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT. THAT ACT IS RESENTED BY MANY IN CONGRESS, NOT JUST WESTERNERS, BECAUSE IT TENDS TO RESTRICT DEVELOPMENT. THE TACTIC FAILED .... HOWEVER ... OVER ON THE SENATE SIDE ... THAT SAME BILL HAS BECOME THE VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER DESTRUCTIVE MEASURE [TO] REVIVE AN ANCIENT CIVIL WAR STATUE GIVING STATES AND COUNTIES BROAD POWERS NOW RESERVED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON PUBLIC LANDS, INCLUDING NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDERNESS AREAS. THE NET EFFECT WOULD BE TO ENCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT ON THESE LANDS, MOST CONTROVERSIALLY HUGE SWATCHS OF ALASKA AND UTAH. .... PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS PROMISED TO VETO IT IF IT INCLUDES THE ROAD-BUILDING RIDER. HE SHOULD STICK TO THAT PROMISE." [END OPT]

TEXT: LASTLY, THERE ARE COMMENTS ABOUT MEMORIAL DAY. "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" IN A LONG EDITORIAL, SAYS THE SACRIFICE MADE BY THE NATION'S ONE-POINT-EIGHT MILLION WAR DEAD IS "AN UNPAYABLE DEBT."

VOICE: "HAVE YOU FOUND THE CAUSE YOU'D BE WILLING TO DIE FOR? IT'S WORTH FINDING A SPARE MOMENT TO PONDER THE QUESTION ON THIS DAY .... BECAUSE TODAY IS MEMORIAL DAY, WHEN GOVERNMENT FIAT SPARES MOST OF US FROM THE HURLY-BURLY OF WORK, SO THAT WE MIGHT REMEMBER MEN AND WOMEN WHO FOUND A CAUSE WORTH DYING FOR - - OR HAD IT FIND THEM. [OPT] HERE IS A ROUGH COUNT OF THE AMERICANS WHO HAVE DIED SERVING THEIR NATION IN WAR - - INCLUDING THE SHOELESS, GALLANT, MISGUIDED REBELS OF THE CONFEDERACY- - ONE-POINT-EIGHT MILLION. .... THINK OF THE MOUNTAIN OF LETTERS NEVER WRITTEN..... THE BABIES NEVER LIFTED JOYFULLY TO THE SKY BY A FATHER'S ARMS..... THE WIVES AND HUSBANDS, PARENTS, SIBLINGS, SONS AND DAUGHTERS IN WHOSE HEARTS WAR WRENCHED OPEN A VOID THAT NEVER CLOSES, THAT EVER THROBS WITH THE HURT OF WHY? ..... WE CAN'T CONSOLE OURSELVES THAT, IN THEIR [DEATH] THROES, THEY CONSOLED THEMSELVES WITH HIGH THOUGHTS, THAT THEY FOUND THEIR AGONY REDEEMED BY OUR PLATITUDES. WE DARE NOT ASK THE DEAD NOT TO BE BITTER. [END OPT] ALL WE CAN DO IS HONOR THE SALIENT, ELOQUENT, HUMBLING FACT: THEY DID THE HARDEST THING. THEY RISKED THEIR LIVES .... FOR THE CAUSE OF US: OUR CASUAL FREEDOM, OUR COMFORT, OUR RIGHT TO GRILL HOT DOGS IN PEACE ON THE LAST MONDAY IN MAY."

TEXT: ON THAT THOUGHTFUL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF THE MEMORIAL DAY EDITORIALS FROM THE U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/GE
26-May-97 12:20 PM EDT (1620 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] TURKEY / MILITARY (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKEY'S TOP GENERALS MET MONDAY TO DISCUSS NEW WAYS TO CRACK DOWN ON WHAT THEY CONSIDER ISLAMIC RADICALISM. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS THE GENERALS ARE EXPECTED TO ASK TURKEY'S ISLAMIST PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN TO ENDORSE THE EXPULSION OF NEARLY 100 PRO-ISLAMIC OFFICERS FROM THE ARMY.

TEXT: REPORTS SAY THE MEETING OF TURKEY'S SUPREME MILITARY COUNCIL IS LIKELY TO RESULT IN FURTHER HUMILIATION FOR TURKEY'S PRIME MINISTER ERBAKAN.

SINCE COMING TO POWER IN A COALITION WITH TANSU CILLER'S CONSERVATIVE TRUE PATH PARTY, THE COUNTRY'S FIRST ISLAMIST LEADER HAS HAD TO GO BACK ON ONE CAMPAIGN PROMISE AFTER ANOTHER. THESE INCLUDE PLEDGES TO TEAR UP A MILITARY COOPERATION DEAL WITH ISRAEL AND TO END BANS ON ISLAMIC HEAD SCARVES IN STATE INSTITUTIONS AND SCHOOLS. TODAY (MONDAY), MR. ERBAKAN IS EXPECTED TO HAVE TO BACK DOWN ON YET ANOTHER CAMPAIGN PROMISE -- BY ENDORSING THE EXPULSION OF ABOUT 100 PRO-ISLAMIC OFFICERS FROM THE MILITANTLY SECULAR TURKISH ARMED FORCES.

THE MOVE IS LIKELY TO FURTHER ANGER HIS MILITANT SUPPORTERS. YET, FOR ALL MR. ERBAKAN'S COMPROMISING, TURKEY'S SECULAR ESTABLISHMENT, LED BY THE MILITARY, ACCUSE THE PRIME MINISTER OF TRYING TO IMPOSE HIS WELFARE PARTY'S ISLAMIC AGENDA ON THE COUNTRY.

SUCH CHARGES HAVE BEEN FUELED BY MR. ERBAKAN'S REFUSAL, SO FAR, TO ACCEPT A SET OF MILITARY-INSPIRED MEASURES INTENDED TO CURB THE RISE OF POLITICAL ISLAM. THEY INCLUDE CLOSING DOWN SECTIONS OF ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS TRAINING SCHOOLS, WHICH CRITICS SAY HAVE BECOME A PRIME BREEDING GROUND FOR ISLAMIC RADICALS.

THE MILITARY HAS DEMANDED THAT STUDENTS UNDERGO EIGHT YEARS OF CONTINUOUS EDUCATION IN SECULAR SCHOOLS BEFORE MAKING THE CHOICE TO TRAIN FOR RELIGIOUS SERVICE.

MR. ERBAKAN'S REFUSAL TO ENFORCE THE MEASURES HAS CAUSED DISCONTENT WITHIN HIS COALITION PARTNER, THE TRUTH PATH PARTY. FOUR DEPUTIES FROM MRS. CILLER'S PARTY HAS RESIGNED TO PROTEST THE PARTY'S CONTINUED ALLIANCE WITH THE ISLAMISTS.

SOME POLITICAL COMMENTATORS SAY THE DEFECTIONS WILL CONTINUE, TRIGGERING THE COLLAPSE OF THE GOVERNMENT. THIS, IN TURN, COULD RESULT IN EARLY ELECTIONS. BUT OTHERS SAY THAT IN THE TURBULENT WORLD OF TURKISH POLITICS, THE ONLY CERTAINTY FOR NOW IS THAT NOTHING IS CERTAIN. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH
26-May-97 10:14 AM EDT (1414 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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