Voice of America, 97-06-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA REACT (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[02] E-U CURRENCY (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (LUXEMBOURG)

[03] E EURO WELFARE BY BARRY WOOD (KRAKOW, POLAND)

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

[05] GERMANY / HIJACK (S 5TH UPDATE) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[06] IRISH ELECTION (S-UPDATE) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

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

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

[01] ALBANIA REACT (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A LEADING AMERICAN ANALYST ON ALBANIAN POLITICS SAYS DESPITE FORMIDABLE PROBLEMS HE REMAINS OPTIMISTIC THE BALKAN COUNTRY'S OPPOSITION WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE JUNE 29TH ELECTIONS. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THE VIEWS OF NICHOLAS PANO OF WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY FOLLOW AN APPEAL BY EUROPEAN ENVOY FRANZ VRANITSKY FOR HEIGHTENED SECURITY IN ADVANCE OF THE EARLY BALLOT AIMED AT ENDING MONTHS OF UNREST:

TEXT: MR. PANO SAYS BASED ON HIS CONVERSATIONS WITH PROMINENT ALBANIAN POLITICIANS, SOME RUNNING FOR PARLIAMENT, AND THE ALBANIAN PRESS HE IS ENCOURAGED THE OPPOSITION WILL TAKE PART IN THE ELECTION. MR. PANO CAUTIONS THAT THE NEXT FEW DAYS WILL BE CRUCIAL IN DETERMINING WHETHER THE OPPOSITION REMAINS IN THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL RECONCILIATION AND COMMITTED TO THE JUNE 29 BALLOT AS WELL AS ITS RESULT.

HE SAYS THE SHORT-TERM TEST WILL BE THE EXTENT SECURITY IS RE-ESTABLISHED IN THE BALKAN COUNTRY AFTER MONTHS OF UNREST:

I THINK A KEY ELEMENT IN THE FUTURE STABILITY OF ALBANIA IS GOING TO BE THE ABILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT TO ENHANCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE POLICE FORCES AND MILITARY FORCES.

MR. PANO SAYS A KEY LONG-RANGE CHALLENGE WILL BE CREATION OF A DEMOCRATIC TRADITION THROUGH CIVIC EDUCATION. HE IS UPBEAT ABOUT THE COMMITMENT OF MANY POLITICIANS AND BUSINESSMEN TO DEMOCRATIC AND POLITICAL REFORM. (SIGNED)
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08-Jun-97 8:02 PM EDT (0002 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] E-U CURRENCY (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (LUXEMBOURG)

INTRO: THERE HAS BEEN ANOTHER SETBACK IN PREPARATIONS FOR A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY, CALLED THE EURO. THE NEW FRENCH FINANCE MINISTER, DOMINIQUE STRAUSS-HAHN, SHOCKED HIS EUROPEAN UNION COLLEAGUES IN LUXEMBOURG MONDAY WHEN HE WARNED THEM HIS GOVERNMENT CANNOT ACCEPT A KEY RULE FOR OPERATING THE PLANNED CURRENCY. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM LUXEMBOURG

TEXT: THE FRENCH ARE WORRIED ABOUT A MECHANISM CALLED -- THE STABILITY PACT -- UNDER WHICH COUNTRIES THAT ADOPT THE NEW EURO AND THEN FAIL TO KEEP GOVERNMENT SPENDING UNDER CONTROL WILL FACE STIFF FINES.

MR. STRAUSS-HAHN CALLED FOR REFLECTION ON THIS SYSTEM, SAYING IT MUST BE ADJUSTED TO ALSO ACCOMMODATE THE NEED FOR JOB CREATION. HE SAID HIS GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO THE TIMETABLE FOR LAUNCHING THE SINGLE CURRENCY ON JANUARY FIRST, 1999 -- BUT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR HIM TO GIVE THE GO-AHEAD UNTIL HIS CONCERNS HAVE BEEN MET.

GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER THEO WAIGEL ANGRILY RESPONDED THE STABILITY PACT CANNOT BE RE-NEGOTIATED, AND SAID HE WAS WORRIED THE FRENCH MOVE WILL CAUSE A DAMAGING DELAY IN PREPARATIONS FOR THE SINGLE CURRENCY, AS WELL AS DENTING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE.

IT IS NOW VERY UNLIKELY THE STABILITY PACT PROBLEM WILL BE RESOLVED AT NEXT WEEK'S E-U SUMMIT IN AMSTERDAM, AS HAD BEEN EXPECTED.

E-U OFFICIALS HAD HOPED FINAL AGREEMENT ON THE PACT COULD BE REACHED AT SUMMIT, AS THE STABILITY PACT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT AND CONTROVERSIAL ELEMENTS IN PREPARING FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE EURO.

THE DUTCH FINANCE MINISTER GERRIT ZALM, WHO CHAIRED THE E-U TALKS IN LUXEMBOURG, WARNED THERE IS A POLITICAL LINK BETWEEN AGREEMENT ON THE STABILITY PACT AND PARALLEL NEGOTIATIONS ON A NEW E-U TREATY -- WHICH ARE ALSO DUE TO BE CONCLUDED AT NEXT WEEK'S AMSTERDAM SUMMIT. HE VOICED CONCERNS THE TIMETABLE IS SLIPPING.

E-U COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER WILL THURSDAY VISIT FRENCH PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN, TO APPEAL FOR AN AGREEMENT TO BE REACHED AT THE AMSTERDAM SUMMIT. IN RETURN, MR. SANTER IS PROPOSING THE E-U TREATY WILL BE STRENGTHENED TO GIVE GREATER EMPHASIS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF JOB CREATION. HE IS ALSO SUGGESTING AN EMPLOYMENT CHAPTER IN THE PLANNED E-U TREATY WILL COME INTO FORCE AT ONCE, TO GIVE MORE URGENCY TO THE NEED FOR EMPLOYMENT CREATION.

THE CRISIS OVER THE STABILITY PACT IS JUST THE LATEST PROBLEM TO HIT THE EURO. THERE WAS ALSO THE RECENT PUBLIC DISPUTE BETWEEN THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT AND THE BUNDESBANK OVER PLANS TO BOOST THE NATIONAL BUDGET BY REVALUING GERMANY'S GOLD RESERVES.

BUT IN A MOOD OF OPTIMISM, E-U FINANCE MINISTERS HAVE CHOSEN THE COINS FOR THE NEW EUROPEAN CURRENCY -- IN A BID TO SHOW THAT THE EURO WILL BECOME A REALITY, DESPITE ALL THE RECENT SETBACKS. (SIGNED)
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09-Jun-97 12:23 PM EDT (1623 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] E EURO WELFARE BY BARRY WOOD (KRAKOW, POLAND)

INTRO: IN EASTERN EUROPE VOTERS HAVE GRADUALLY COME TO ACCEPT THE GENEROUS SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES OF COMMUNIST TIMES CAN NO LONGER BE AFFORDED. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS IN THE FAST REFORMING COUNTRIES THAT ARE LIKELY TO BE THE FIRST POST-COMMUNIST COUNTRIES TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION THERE IS A VIGOROUS DEBATE ABOUT HOW MANY BENEFITS SHOULD BE PROVIDED BY THE STATE.

TEXT: AN EAST EUROPEAN WORKER CAN ONLY DREAM OF THE RELATIVE WEALTH EVEN AN UN-EMPLOYED WORKER MAY HAVE IN GERMANY OR FRANCE. IN POLAND THE AVERAGE MONTHLY WAGE IS WELL BELOW 400-DOLLARS.

IT IS OFTEN SAID SINCE THE END OF COMMUNISM WAGES IN THE EAST HAVE REMAINED LARGELY UNCHANGED, WHILE PRICES SOARED TO WEST EUROPEAN LEVELS. UN-EMPLOYMENT, ONCE UN-HEARD OF IN THE EAST, IS AT THE HIGH LEVELS COMMON TO WESTERN EUROPE IN BOTH POLAND AND HUNGARY.

IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC JOBLESSNESS HAS RECENTLY RISEN TO FOUR-PERCENT. BUT THERE ARE STILL JOBS TO BE HAD FOR MOST OF THE THOUSANDS OF CZECHS WHO HAVE BEEN THE VICTIMS OF THE DOWNSIZING OF FORMER STATE-OWNED INDUSTRIES.

PARTIES THAT WOULD BE CALLED SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC IN THE WEST, WHICH OWE THEIR ALLEGIANCE MOSTLY TO WORKERS, ARE IN POWER IN BOTH POLAND AND HUNGARY. THE CENTER-RIGHT GOVERNMENT IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC IS UNDER IMMENSE PRESSURE, AND IT IS SUGGESTED IF EARLY ELECTIONS ARE HELD THEY WOULD BE WON BY THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS.

WHILE WAGES ARE LOW, EAST EUROPEAN WORKERS ENJOY MOST OF THE SOCIAL BENEFITS THEIR WEST EUROPEAN COUNTERPARTS ARE FIGHTING TO PRESERVE. MOST HUNGARIAN, POLISH, AND CZECH WORKERS GET MORE THAN FOUR-WEEKS OF PAID VACATION. MATERNITY LEAVE IS USUALLY FOR MORE THAN ONE-YEAR WITH FULL PAY WHILE A RETURN JOB IS GUARANTEED. THE STATE PICKS UP MOST OF THE BILL FOR MEDICAL CARE, AND THE RETIREMENT AGE IS LOW BY U-S STANDARDS -- USUALLY AGE 60 OR 62 FOR MEN, LOWER FOR WOMEN.

THE SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT IN HUNGARY IS TRYING TO CUT BACK ON THE GOVERNMENT'S SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS. THE HUNGARIAN WELFARE SYSTEM IS NEARLY BANKRUPT AND EVEN TRADE UNIONS ARE RECONCILED TO AT LEAST MODEST CUTBACKS. EMPLOYERS IN HUNGARY SAY THEY CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY 36-PERCENT OF EACH WORKER'S WAGE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY. THE EMPLOYEE PAYS ONLY SIX-PERCENT.

IN MOST OF EASTERN EUROPE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A DRAMATIC BACKLASH AGAINST THE POLICIES OF FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE AND PRIVATIZATION ADVOCATED BY CORPORATE MANAGERS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. UNLIKE IN SOME WESTERN COUNTRIES, PARTIES OF THE LEFT IN HUNGARY, POLAND, AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC SEE RAPID ECONOMIC GROWTH AS THE BEST REMEDY TO AN ERODING WELFARE STATE.

IN POLAND THE GOVERNMENT THAT IS DOMINATED BY FORMER COMMUNISTS HAS BEEN EVEN MORE RIGOROUS THAN ITS RIGHTWING OPPOSITION IN CALLING FOR DE-REGULATION, PRIVATIZATION, AND A REDUCED ROLE FOR THE STATE IN THE ECONOMY. (SIGNED)
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09-Jun-97 12:13 PM EDT (1613 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: DOUBTS OVER THE FUTURE OF A COMMON EUROPEAN CURRENCY CAUSED STOCK MARKETS IN PARIS AND FRANKFURT TO RETREAT MONDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE CLOSING WEST EUROPEAN MARKET FIGURES IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: FINANCE MINISTERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION GOT A SHOCK MONDAY DURING A MEETING IN LUXEMBOURG WHEN THEY HEARD THEIR NEW FRENCH COLLEAGUE CALLED FOR A POSSIBLE DELAY IN THE START OF THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY. THAT UNCERTAINTY WAS REFLECTED IN FRANKFURT AND PARIS.

THE GERMAN "DAX 30" INDEX MADE A SHARP TURN FROM MORNING ADVANCES AND FELL ALMOST 28-POINTS. THE FRENCH "CAC 40" DROPPED 33-POINTS. BUT LONDON TOOK ITS CUE FROM NEW YORK, AND THE KEY "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX POSTED A NEARLY 42-POINT GAIN FOR THE DAY.

IN CURRENCY TRADING, THE U-S DOLLAR LOST ALMOST TWO PFENNIGS AGAINST THE MARK AND NEARLY THREE-QUARTERS OF A CENT AGAINST THE POUND. GOLD PRICES WERE VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED FROM FRIDAY. (SIGNED)
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09-Jun-97 1:54 PM EDT (1754 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] GERMANY / HIJACK (S 5TH UPDATE) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: THE HIJACK OF AN "AIR MALTA" JETLINER EARLY MONDAY ENDED PEACEFULLY IN GERMANY, WHERE TWO TURKISH HIJACKERS GAVE THEMSELVES UP TO POLICE. FROM BONN, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: THE PLANE WAS ON ITS WAY FROM MALTA TO ISTANBUL WHEN ONE OF THE HIJACKERS FORCED HIS WAY INTO THE COCKPIT AND TOLD THE PILOT HE HAD A BOMB.

BUT JUST THREE HOURS AFTER LANDING AT THE COLOGNE BONN AIRPORT, THE HIJACKERS WALKED OFF THE BOEING-737 WITH THEIR HANDS IN THE AIR.

ALL OF THE PASSENGERS AND CREW WERE RELEASED UN-HARMED. THE BOMB TURNED OUT TO BE A FAKE.

POLICE SAY THE HIJACKERS MADE NO POLITICAL DEMANDS, BUT WANTED TO ATTRACT SYMPATHY FOR MEHMET ALI AGCA, WHO IS SERVING A LIFE SENTENCE IN ITALY FOR TRYING TO ASSASSINATE POPE JOHN PAUL IN 1981.

AUTHORITIES IN MALTA HAVE BEGUN AN INQUIRY INTO AIRLINE SECURITY IN THE WAKE OF THE HIJACK. (SIGNED)
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09-Jun-97 1:09 PM EDT (1709 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] IRISH ELECTION (S-UPDATE) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: IRELAND'S OPPOSITION FIANNA FAIL PARTY HAS GAINED CONTROL OF THE MOST SEATS IN THE IRISH PARLIAMENT WITH 81, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO GOVERN ALONE. AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON, IRELAND IS TO BE RUN BY ANOTHER COALITION GOVERNMENT.

TEXT: IRISH OPPOSITION LEADER BERTIE AHERN WILL BE GIVEN THE TASK OF FORMING A NEW GOVERNMENT AFTER HIS FIANNA FAIL PARTY GAINED THE LARGEST BLOCK OF SEATS IN THE IRISH PARLIAMENT.

BUT HIS PARTY -- ALLIED WITH THE SMALL PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS -- WILL NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY SEATS TO GAIN AN OVERALL MAJORITY. SO MR. AHERN IS EXPECTED TO SEEK THE HELP OF INDEPENDENT LAWMAKERS TO FORM A GOVERNMENT BEFORE THE PARLIAMENT RECONVENES IN LATE JUNE.

MR. AHERN HAS SAID HE WOULD NOT MAKE INDIVIDUAL DEALS TO GAIN THE SUPPORT OF INDEPENDENTS. BUT MANY ANALYSTS SAY SEVERAL INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES ALREADY ELECTED TO THE IRISH PARLIAMENT AT ONE TIME HAD CLOSE LINKS WITH MR. AHERN'S PARTY -- AND SEEM NATURAL ALLIES TO HELP HIM GAIN ENOUGH OVERALL SEATS TO GOVERN.

MEANWHILE CURRENT PRIME MINISTER JOHN BRUTON'S FINE GAIL PARTY REMAINS THE SECOND MOST POPULAR PARTY IN IRELAND -- TRAILING MR. AHERN'S FIANNA FAIL BY MORE THAN 20 SEATS. IN ADDITION, THE PRIME MINISTER'S MAJOR ALLY -- THE LABOUR PARTY, LED BY DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER DICK SPRING -- HAS SUFFERED A SERIOUS ELECTORAL SETBACK, ALL BUT PREVENTING ANOTHER COALITION GOVERNMENT LED BY MR. BRUTON. (SIGNED)
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08-Jun-97 8:31 PM EDT (0031 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE ONGOING CONTROVERSY REGARDING THE SEXUAL RELATIONS OF MILITARY PERSONNEL OUTSIDE THEIR MARRIAGES AND HOW IT AFFECTS THEIR CAREERS IS AGAIN A POPULAR TOPIC IN THE DAY'S EDITORIALS.

OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE A NEW MISSILE BUILDUP ON THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT; THE ALGERIAN ELECTION; CONTINUING QUESTIONS ABOUT NATO EXPANSION; AND THE UPCOMING G-8 MEETING IN COLORADO.

NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND A QUOTE OR TWO IS _________________AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE AIR FORCE GENERAL WIDELY CONSIDERED TO BE THE LEADING CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB OF CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, GENERAL JOSEPH RALSTON, IS MEETING WITH PENTAGON OFFICIALS TODAY AND MAY TAKE HIS NAME OUT OF CONSIDERATION. HE HAS ADMITTED AN ADULTEROUS AFFAIR WITH A CIVILIAN WOMAN SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WHICH MANY FEEL WILL DISQUALIFY HIM FROM THE TOP MILITARY JOB.

THE ISSUE OF ADULTERY IS VERY POLITICALLY CHARGED WITHIN THE MILITARY NOW AFTER SEVERAL RECENT PROCEEDINGS THAT SAW MALE AND FEMALE OFFICERS EITHER GO TO JAIL OR BE FORCED TO RESIGN FOR SEXUAL MISDEEDS. TODAY'S MIAMI HERALD SAYS OF THE LATEST CASE:

VOICE: "TALK ABOUT MIXED SIGNALS! ..... FROM THE NAVY'S TAILHOOK FIASCO TO THE ARMY'S ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND OUTRAGE TO THE AIR FORCE'S TRIAL OF LT. KELLY FLINN, AMERICA'S ARMED SERVICES HAVE BEHAVED AS THOUGH THEY'RE MARCHING OFF IN ALL DIRECTIONS AT ONCE. NOW IT GETS WORSE: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN'S EXCUSING OF AN ADULTEROUS AFFAIR BY GENERAL JOSEPH RALSTON, HIS FIRST CHOICE TO CHAIR THE JOINT CHIEFS ..... STRIKES MANY OBSERVERS AS EVIDENCE OF A DOUBLE STQANDARD. ..... ..... IT'S TIME FOR A CASE-FIRE, LEST IRREPARABLE HARM BE DONE TO MORE CAREERS, TO MORALE, AND - - ULTIMATELY - - TO THE NATION'S MILITARY READINESS."

TEXT: ON THE SAME TOPIC, THE SUN IN BALTIMORE SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "NATIONAL PROCCUPATION WITH SEX IN THE MILITARY HAS NOW REACHED THE POINT WHERE A GENERAL WHO WAS FIRST IN LINE TO BE THE NEXT CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF HAS BECOME UNACCEPTABLE. ..... REALITIES IN WASHINGTON, WHERE SENATE CONFIRMATION IS REQUIRED, PROBABLY DICTATE THAT HIS [GENERAL RALSTON'S] CAREER IS OVER. IT IS TIME FOR MR. COHEN TO ACCEPT THE FACE THAT THE NATION'S TOP MILITARY OFFICER CANNOT BER SUBJECT TO DERISION OR DEROGATION THAT WILL UNDERMINE HIS POSITION. .... THIS SAD BUSINESS MAY YET HAVE APURPOSE IF IT CAUSES THE NATION'S LEADERS TO DETERMINE THAT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH."

TEXT: TURNING TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AND INDIA'S RECENT STATIONING OF MISSILES ALONG ITS BORDER WITH PAKISTAN, THE WASHINGTON POST WORRIEDLY ASKS:

VOICE: "WHY DID INDIA MOVE MISSILES UP TO ITS BORDER WITH PAKISTAN? AMERICAN DIPLOMATS QUIETLY TRIED TO GET THE INDIANS TO UNDO THIS APPARENTLY UNPROVOKED INITIATIVE AND WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT STORAGE SPACE BACK AT THE PRODUCTION SITE. IT IS HARD TO TAKE THAT EXPLANATION AT FACE VALUE. THE INDIANS ARE WISE IN THE WAYS OF THE VOLATILE NUCLEAR POLITICS OF SOUTH ASIA. THEY HAD TO KNOW THE STEP WOULD BE RECEIVED IN PAKISTAN AS A PROVOCATION DEMANDING SOME SORT OF RESPONSE. .... THE .... MISSILES ..... WERE MOVED UP WITHOUT .... WARHEADS, AND WITHOUT FUEL AND PRESENT NO IMMEDIATE MILITARY THREAT. BUT .... THE MOVE IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE MIDDLE EAST, AND THE RECENT ELECTION IN ALGERIA, THE SUN IN BALTIMORE IS CONCERNED THAT IT WAS ONLY "SEMI-FREE," WITH NOT ALL PARTIES REPRESENTED.

VOICE: "PRESIDENT LIAMINE ZEROUAL'S IDEA WAS THAT A PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION IN ALGERIA WOULD CONFER CREDIBILITY ON HIS REGIME AND REPUDIATE THE DFISLAMIC EXTREMISTS WHOSE CIVIL WAR HAS TAKEN 60-THOUSAND LIVES IN FIVE YEARS. MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF ELIGIBLE ALGERIANS TURNED OUT LAST THURSDAY IN A DEMONSTRATION FOR LEGITIMACY AND AGAINST TERROR. ..... BUT THE ISLAMIC SALVATION FRONT (F-I-S), WHICH HAD WON THE ELECTION FIVE YEARS AGO ONLY TO BE OUTLAWED, WAS NOT ALLOWED TO RUN. IT CALLED FOR A BOYCOTT. THE SHADOWY ARMED ISLAMIC GROUP THREATEDNED WOULD-BE VOTERS WITH DEATH. AFTER THE VOTE, SEVERALDISPARATE OPPOSITION PARTIES PROTESTED VOTE FRAUD ....... THIS ELECTION , MORE OPEN THAN SOME, WAS NOT OPEN ENOUGH - - AND LIKELY FAILED TO DRIVE A WEDGE BETWEEN ISLAMIC ALGERIANS AND THE EXTREMISTS."

TEXT: WITH REGARDS TO THE PLANNED EXPANSION OF NATO, TODAY'S WASHINGTON TIMES SEES THE DEBATE CONTINUING RIGHT UP UNTIL THE MADRID SUMMIT IN JULY.

VOICE: "THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION IS A SUBJECT THAT WILL BE MUCH ON THE MINDS OF LAWMAKERS AND FOREIGN POLICY PUNDIST IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS ..... YESTERDAY, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE HENRY KISSINGER WEIGHED IN WITH A WARNING AGAINST THE DANGER INHERENT IN TRANSFORMING THE MILITARY ALLIANCE INTO A 'SYSTEM OF COLLECTIVE SECURITY' AS ENVISIONED IN THE SO-CALLED FOUNDING ACT SIGNED BY PRESIDENTS CLINTON AND YELTSIN IN PARIS, A FAIRLY WOOLLY ["VAGUE OR UNFOCUSED "IN THIS CONTEXT] CONCEPT OPEN TO VERY DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS BY THE TWO SIDES - - AS HAS INDEED ALREADY BECOME ABUNTANTLY CLEAR. .... THE QUESTION NOW BECOMES WHAT CONGRESS CAN DO TO DEFINE THE TERMS OF THE FOUNDING ACT IN WAYS THAT WILL PROTECT NATO'S DECISION-MAKING PROCESS FROM UNDUE RUSSIAN PRESSURE. ..... THERE IS MUCH WORK AHEAD BOTH FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND FOR CONGRESS ON THE QUESTION OF NATO. VIGILANCE, AS WELL AS COMMITMENT, WILL BE REQUIRED OF BOTH."

TEXT: TODAY NEW YORK TIMES CONTAINS AN EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK BY STEVEN WEISMAN, LOOKING AHEAD TO THIS MONTH'S MEETING IN DENVER OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST INDUSTRIALIZED DEMOCRACIES.

VOICE: "ALMOST ALONE AMONG THE SUMMIT MEMBERS, BILL CLINTON AND TONY BLAIR WILL COME TO DENVER WITH HEALTHY ECONOMIES, LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATES AND A CENTRIST POLITICAL DOCTRINE RECENTLY ENDORSED BY VOTERS. UNLIKE THEIR FELLOW LEADERS IN EUROPE AND JAPAN, THEY HAVE FASHIONED A FORMULA FOR CURBING GOVERNMENT SPENDING WHILE PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PRESERVING SOME REMNANTS OF A SAFETY NET. THEIR SUCCESS MAY PROVE CHIMERICAL, ESPECIALLY SINCE MR. BLAIR HAS BARELY STARTED GOVERNING. BUT FOR NOW, IT IS THE ENVY OF THE OTHER LEADERS. [OPT] ..... IT IS EASY TO DERIDE MR. CLINTON AND MR. BLAIR AS TORY DEMOCRATS, BUT THEY HAVE FOUND AN IDIOM WITH WHICH TO ARGUE THAT GOVERNMENT SPENDING RESTRAINTS AND DEREGULATION ARE NECESSARY AND TO MAKE IT LOOK HUMANE ON THE MARGINS. "

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF THE EDITORIALS IN MONDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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09-Jun-97 11:20 AM EDT (1520 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (MONDAY) WITH MAJOR INDEXES AGAIN CLOSING AT RECORD HIGHS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 74 HUNDRED 78, UP 42 POINTS. IT WAS THE SECOND STRAIGHT SESSION IN WHICH THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH AND THE 23RD RECORD HIGH THIS YEAR. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX ALSO CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH, 862, UP ALMOST FIVE POINTS.

TRADERS CONFOUNDED MANY ANALYSTS WHO HAD EXPECTED SOME PROFIT TAKING AFTER FRIDAY'S 130 POINT GAIN IN THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE. BUT OPTIMISM THAT THE U-S CENTRAL BANK WILL NOT RAISE INTEREST RATES APPARENTLY CONTINUED TO FUEL BUYING INTEREST.

THERE WAS ALSO A GENERALLY POSITIVE REACTION ON WALL STREET TO A REPUBLICAN PARTY PLAN TO CUT FEDERAL TAXES BY 250 BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS. OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO STOCK TRADERS IS THE PROPOSED REDUCTION IN CAPITAL GAINS TAXES.

THE MICROSOFT COMPUTER SOFTWARE COMPANY WILL INVEST ONE BILLION DOLLARS IN COMCAST, A LARGE AMERICAN CABLE TELEVISION OPERATOR. MICROSOFT CHAIRMAN BILL GATES SAYS THE DEAL WILL ADVANCE HIS COMPANY'S PLANS TO INTEGRATE TELEVISION AND COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES.

IN ANOTHER CABLE TELEVISION DEAL, CABLEVISION SYSTEMS WILL PAY ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS TO TELE-COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED FOR 10 CABLE T-V SYSTEMS IN THE SUBURBAN NEW YORK CITY AREA.

SOURCES CLOSE TO THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN U-S TOBACCO COMPANIES AND STATE GOVERNMENTS SAY THERE ARE SIGNS THE TALKS TO REACH A SETTLEMENT OF GOVERNMENT LAWSUITS MAY BREAK DOWN. THE SOURCES SAY ATTORNEYS GENERAL FROM SEVERAL U-S STATES ARE RESISTING TOBACCO INDUSTRY DEMANDS THAT THE COMPANIES BE GRANTED IMMUNITY FROM FURTHER LAWSUITS, IF THEY AGREE TO PAY A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY TO SETTLE SMOKING-RELATED CLAIMS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
09-Jun-97 5:01 PM EDT (2101 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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