Voice of America, 97-06-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIAN REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[02] BRITISH POL (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[03] BULGARIA'S FUTURE BY FRANK RONALDS (WASHINGTON)

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

[05] FRANCE POL (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[06] HAVE I-R-A KILLINGS SQUELSHED PEACE HOPES? BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

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

[08] RUSSIA/NATO (S ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

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

[10] TURKEY POLITICS (L) BY AL PESSIN (ANKARA)

[01] BOSNIAN REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES HOPES TO REPATRIATE 200-THOUSAND REFUGEES TO BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA BY THE END OF THE YEAR. SO FAR, 40-THOUSAND HAVE RETURNED. BUT AS LISA SCHLEIN REPORTS FROM GENEVA, THE U-N-H-C-R EXPECTS MANY MORE PEOPLE WILL RETURN DURING THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY ANTICIPATES AS MANY AS 80-THOUSAND REFUGEES MAY RETURN TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA DURING THE UPCOMING SUMMER MONTHS. MOST OF THEM ARE EXPECTED TO BE BOSNIAN SERBS, WHO CAN SAFELY GO BACK TO AREAS WHERE THEY ARE IN THE ETHNIC MAJORITY. ALTHOUGH 70-PERCENT OF BOSNIAN REFUGEES ARE MINORITY MUSLIMS AND CROATS, SPECIAL U-N ENVOY TO THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, (EDS: MR) CAROL FAUBERT, SAYS HE DOES NOT EXPECT MANY OF THEM WILL GO BACK TO BOSNIA RIGHT NOW.

MINORITY CASES ARE ESSENTIALLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF ETHNIC CLEANSING AND FIND THEMSELVES UNABLE UNDER THE CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES TO RETURN TO WHERE THEY USED TO LIVE, WHERE THEIR OWN GROUP IS NO LONGER IN THE MAJORITY.

WELL OVER ONE-MILLION PEOPLE FLED BOSNIA DURING THE RECENT CIVIL WAR. MORE THAN ONE-MILLION OTHERS HAVE BEEN INTERNALLY DISPLACED.

UNDER THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT, REFUGEES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO RETURN FREELY TO THEIR PLACES OF ORIGIN. BUT, IN MOST CASES, ETHNIC MINORITIES HAVE BEEN PREVENTED FROM RETURNING TO PLACES NOW CONTROLLED BY A DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUP.

MR. FAUBERT SAYS THE REFUGEE AGENCY IS TRYING TO PROMOTE MINORITY RETURNS BY SETTING UP SO-CALLED -- OPEN CITIES. HE EXPLAINS THESE ARE MUNICIPALITIES WHICH ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT PEOPLE WHO USED TO LIVE THERE, WHETHER THEY ARE MUSLIMS, CROATS, OR SERBS.

WE HAVE RECEIVED PROPOSALS SO FAR FOR 25 MUNICIPALITIES IN THE FEDERATION WHICH WE ARE ASSESSING BECAUSE WE DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY ACCEPT AT FACE VALUE A DECLARATION SAYING WE ARE PART OF IT. WE THINK ABOUT 50-PERCENT MIGHT QUALIFY.

THE U-S GOVERNMENT'S AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WILL FUND THE OPEN CITIES PROJECT. MR. FAUBERT SAYS MUNICIPALITIES HAVE TO MEET A STRICT SET OF CRITERIA TO QUALIFY. THIS INCLUDES ALLOWING MINORITIES TO BECOME PART OF THEIR POLICE FORCE AND ADMINISTRATION. MINORITIES MUST ALSO BE GIVEN ACCESS TO MEDICAL, SCHOOL AND OTHER SERVICES. MR. FAUBERT SAYS HE EXPECTS A DECISION WILL BE MADE TO ACCEPT TWO OPEN CITIES NEXT WEEK. (SIGNED)
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19-Jun-97 11:18 AM EDT (1518 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BRITISH POL (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: IN BRITAIN, A FORMER CABINET MINISTER -- WILLIAM HAGUE -- HAS BEEN ELECTED LEADER OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY, REPLACING FORMER PRIME MINISTER, JOHN MAJOR. AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON, MR. HAGUE NOW FACES THE TASK OF UNITING A VERY FRAGMENTED POLITICAL PARTY.

TEXT: THIRTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM HAGUE -- A FORMER CABINET MINISTER IN CHARGE OF WELSH AFFAIRS -- HAS BEEN ELECTED HEAD OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY AND NOW LEADS THE PARLIAMENTARY OPPOSITION TO PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR. // OPT // IN A VOTE LIMITED TO CONSERVATIVE PARTY MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, MR. HAGUE DEFEATED FORMER FINANCE MINISTER KENNETH CLARKE, 92 TO 70. // END OPT //

MR. HAGUE IS CONSIDERED TO BE RIGHT OF CENTER POLITICALLY AND IS STRONGLY OPPOSED TO A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY. HE DEFEATED MR. CLARKE -- WELL-KNOWN AS A STRONG SUPPORTER OF EUROPEAN UNITY.

MR. HAGUE NOW FACES THE TASK OF UNITING A VERY DIVIDED PARTY -- ESPECIALLY OVER THE ISSUE OF EUROPE. MINUTES AFTER THE RESULT WAS ANNOUNCED, HE TOLD REPORTERS HIS JOB IS NOT ONLY TO LEAD THE CONSERVATIVES, BUT TO HEAL THE INTERNAL DIVISIONS.

I AM GOING TO BRING THE PARTY TOGETHER. I AM GOING TO TAKE IT BACK ON THE ROAD TO UNITY, TO CONFIDENCE AND BACK TO POWER -- AND THE WHOLE CONSERVATIVE PARTY IS NOW GOING TO WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE THAT OBJECTIVE.

FOR HIS PART, MR. CLARKE SAID HE BELIEVES WILLIAM HAGUE WILL BE ABLE TO UNITE THE PARTY.

I AM SURE WILLIAM IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE SUCCESSFUL PRIME MINISTERS OF THIS CENTURY. HE IS GOING TO GET US BACK ON COURSE FOR CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT.

MR. CLARKE REJECTED MR. HAGUE'S OFFER OF A SENIOR POSITION IN THE SO-CALLED "SHADOW CABINET" -- THE OPPOSITION PARTY'S EQUIVALENT OF MINISTERIAL POSTS HELD AT THE GOVERNMENT LEVEL. EARLIER IN THE CAMPAIGN, MR. HAGUE SAID ANY MEMBER OF HIS "SHADOW CABINET" MUST AGREE WITH HIS POSITION OF OPPOSING THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY FOR THE NEXT FIVE TO TEN YEARS -- A VIEW STRONGLY OPPOSED BY MR. CLARKE.

WILLIAM HAGUE WAS ENDORSED BY FORMER PRIME MINISTER MARGARET THATCHER. MR. CLARKE GOT A BOOST WHEN ARCH EURO-SKEPTIC AND DEFEATED LEADERSHIP CONTENDER JOHN REDWOOD JOINED HIS TEAM -- A MOVE THAT STUNNED MANY BRITISH POLITICIANS. ANALYSTS SAY THAT MANEUVER HAS PROVEN TO BE A POLITICALLY-FATAL MISTAKE, SINCE MR. REDWOOD WAS UNABLE TO PERSUADE ENOUGH OF HIS FOLLOWERS TO BACK MR. CLARKE.

ANALYSTS SAY MR. HAGUE FACES A DAUNTING TASK IN HIS ATTEMPTS TO UNITE BRITAIN'S CONSERVATIVE PARTY. BEFORE THURSDAY'S RESULTS, MANY EXPERTS PREDICTED A GLOOMY FUTURE FOR WHOEVER BECAME CONSERVATIVE PARTY LEADER. (SIGNED)
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19-Jun-97 1:43 PM EDT (1743 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BULGARIA'S FUTURE BY FRANK RONALDS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NADEZHDA MIKHAILOVA, FOREIGN MINISTER OF BULGARIA'S NEW REFORM GOVERNMENT, HAS BEEN IN WASHINGTON, WHERE SHE MET WITH SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT AND OTHER U-S GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AS WELL AS WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. SHE SAYS THAT THE PROGRAM OF THE NEW BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT FEATURES A CURRENCY BOARD INTENDED TO REVERSE THE DRIFT AND MISMANAGEMENT WHICH HAS SAVAGED THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMY OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS. VOA'S FRANK RONALDS HAS A REPORT.

TEXT: IN HER TALKS IN WASHINGTON, THE 34-YEAR-OLD NADEZHDA MIKHAILOVA, WHO IS THE FIRST WOMAN FOREIGN MINISTER IN BULGARIA'S HISTORY, WAS CONCERNED ABOUT WINNING MEMBERSHIP FOR BULGARIA IN NATO, IF NOT AS ONE OF THE FIRST COUNTRIES TO BE NAMED NEXT MONTH AT A NATO'S SUMMIT IN MADDRID, THEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THEREAFTER. HOWEVER, SHE LISTED ECONOMIC REFORM AS THE COUNTRY'S TOP PRIORITY.

FIRST, FOR THE FINANCIAL STABILIZATION AND ECONOMIC STABILITY OF BULGARIA. NOW THE BULGARIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IS VOTING A LAW FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A CURRENCY BOARD IN BULGARIA.

STEVE HANKE, A PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AT JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, HAS BEEN AN ADVISER TO BULGARIAN PRESIDENT PETAR STOYANOV. HE IS A STRONG ADVOCATE OF CURRENCY BOARDS, INCLUDING THE ONE DUE TO GO INTO EFFECT IN BULGARIA ON JULY 1.

THE IDEA IS THAT THE LEV, WHICH IS THE LOCAL CURRENCY IN BULGARIA, WILL BE BACKED ONE HUNDRED PERCENT BY DEUTSCHE MARK RESERVES AND THE LEV WILL TRADE AT AN ABSOLUTELY FIXED EXCHANGE RATE OF 1,000 LEV FOR ONE DEUTSCHE MARK. SO THE LEV WILL BECOME AS GOOD AS THE DEUTSCHE MARK, BECAUSE IT IS LITERALLY BACKED 100 PERCENT, AND IF YOU HAVE LEVE DONOMINATED ASSETS, YOU CAN EXCHANGE THOSE FOR, ULTIMATELY, DEUTSCHE MARKS..

IN RECENT YEARS, PROFESSOR HANKE SAYS, SIMILAR CURRENCY BOARDS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES, WITH VERY GOOD RESULTS.

THE SITUATION IN BULGARIA IS SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO THE SITUATION IN 1991, WHEN WE PUT THE CURRENCY BOARD IN ARGENTINA, OR '92, WHEN WE PUT ONE IN ESTONIA, OR '94, WHEN WE PUT ONE IN LITHUANIA. BECAUSE BULGARIA HAS GONE THRU A VERY HIGH INFLATION RATE AND A MAJOR CURRENCY AND FINANCIAL CRISIS. AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE THOSE CRISES IN THE FUTURE, THE ECONOMY CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH VERY STRONG GROWTH AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE SAW IN ARGENTINA. THE GROWTH, AFTER WE PUT THE CURRENCY BOARD IN WAS ABOUT SEVEN PERCENT PER YEAR, (OPT) UNTIL THE MEXICAN PESO CRISIS, AND THEN WE HAD A SLUMP FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND NOW THE GROWTH RATE IS BACK UP TO ABOUT SEVEN PERCENT IN ARGENTINA. (OPT) AS FAR AS ESTONIA GOES, IT WAS THE FIRST REPUBLIC OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNTION THAT ACTUALLY REGISTERED POSITIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND IN LITHUANIA THE STORY IS MUCH THE SAME.

WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE EMPLOYEES IN THE STATE SECTOR WILL ACTUALLY GO, AND WHETHER THERE WILL ULTIMATELY BE A HIGHER RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT OR THE SAME RATES OR LOWER RATES OF UNEMPLOYMENT. THE ONE THING WE DO KNOW IS THAT WE WILL GET A LOT FASTER GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY AND LOWER INFLATION RATES IN THE ECONOMY OF BULGARIA.

AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO LOOP-HOLES IN THE CURRENCY BOARD LEGISLATION, PROFESSOR HANKE SAYS, IT SHOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF GREATLY REDUCING CORRUPTION.

IT HAS A GREAT IMPACT ON CORRUPTION. NUMBER ONE, THE GOVERNMENT CAN NO LONGER CORRUPT THE MONEY OF THE COUNTRY BECAUSE THEIR HANDS ARE TIED BY THE CURRENCY BOARD. SO YOU GET CORRUPTION OUT OF THE MONEY CIRCUIT. AND YOU TEND TO GET IT OUT OF THE CREDIT CIRCUIT IN THE ECONOMY, WHICH IS AN ENORMOUS START. THE SECOND THING, YOU TEND TO TIE THE HANDS OF THE POLITICIANS AND STOP THEM FROM MEDDLING SO MUCH IN THE ECONOMY. AND BY SO DOING, OF COURSE, YOU CUT DOWN ON THE CORRUPTION. SO I THINK IT'S JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED FOR A PLACE LIKE BULGARIA, WHICH HAS ALMOST ENDEMIC CORRUPTION.

BULGARIA IS LIKELY TO FACE A PERIOD OF AUSTERITY. BUT FOREIGN MINISTER MIKHAILOVA SAYS THAT THE UNION OF DEMOCRATIC FORCES, WHICH WON AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY IN THE ELECTIONS TO PARLIAMENT ON APRIL 19, HAS TAKEN STEPS TO WIN EVEN BROADER POPULAR SUPPORT.

BULGARIA HAS A DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT WHO HAS THE SUPPORT OF EIGHTY PERCENT OF THE BULGARIAN PUBLIC. IT HAS A DEMOCRATICLLY ELECTED PARLIAMENT WHERE MY PARTY, THE UNION OF DEMOCRATIC FORCES, HAS AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY BUT BECAUSE OF THE REFORMS AND TASKS BULGARIA IS FACING TODAY REQUIRE MUCH BROADER SUPPORT, THE UNION OF DEMOCRATIC FORCES WAS OPEN TO OTHER PARTIES AND ORGANIZATIONS INSIDE THE PARLIAMENT. I'M HERE TO SAY THAT THE POLITICAL TRANSITION IN BULGARIA IS OVER.

OBSERVERS AGREE THAT THE POLITICAL WILL AND THE POPULAR SUPPORT ARE THERE. NOW THE ECONOMIC REFORMS MUST BE PUT IN PLACE. PROFESSOR HANKE THINKS THAT THE CURRENCY BOARD IS A GOOD BEGINING. (SIGNED)
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19-Jun-97 10:01 AM EDT (1401 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: IT WAS A MIXED DAY FOR STOCKS ON THE MAJOR MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE THURSDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES FROM LONDON.

TEXT: GOOD NEWS ON THE AMERICAN ECONOMY HELPED DRIVE UP STOCK PRICES IN NEW YORK, AND THAT HAD A BIT OF A SPILL-OVER EFFECT IN EUROPE. BUT LOCAL POLITICAL CONCERNS SEEMED TO WEIGH ON INVESTORS' MINDS IN LONDON AND PARIS, WHERE MARKETS CLOSED LOWER. THE FRENCH "CAC 40" INDEX OF STOCKS LOST 12 POINTS FOR THE DAY, WHILE LONDON'S "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX CLOSED DOWN JUST OVER THREE POINTS. IN FRANKFURT, HOWEVER, THE "DAX 30" INDEX CLOSED WITH A 19 POINT GAIN.

ON THE CURRENCY MARKETS, THE DOLLAR WAS DOWN SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE MARK AND ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF A CENT AGAINST THE POUND. GOLD IN LONDON CLOSED AT 339-DOLLARS-75-CENTS -- DOWN ONE-DOLLAR-80-CENTS AN OUNCE FROM WEDNESDAY'S CLOSING FIX. (SIGNED)
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19-Jun-97 1:56 PM EDT (1756 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] FRANCE POL (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: IN HIS FIRST MAJOR POLICY SPEECH, FRANCE'S NEW SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER, LIONEL JOSPIN, SAID HIS COUNTRY IS COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF THE NEW SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY BY JANUARY 1999. HE ALSO PROMISED TO REVISE AND SOFTEN IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY LAWS. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: FRENCH PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN, LAYING DOWN THE OUTLINES OF HIS POLICY PROGRAM FOR THE NEXT FIVE-YEARS, PROMISED TO OBSERVE THE CURRENT CALENDAR FOR ESTABLISHING THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY.

THE PRIME MINISTER'S GENERAL POLICY STATEMENT BEFORE THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IS THE FIRST IMPORTANT OCCASION IN THE LIFE OF A NEW FRENCH GOVERNMENT. BUT, FOLLOWING HIS SURPRISE ELECTION JUNE FIRST, MR. JOSPIN PUT OFF SOME OF THE IMPORTANT ECONOMIC NEWS UNTIL LATER. HE SAID SOME DECISIONS WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMPLETED AN AUDIT OF PUBLIC FINANCES. THE RESULTS OF THIS ARE DUE IN MID-JULY.

DISCUSSING IMMIGRATION, MR. JOSPIN TOLD THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY THAT HIS GOVERNMENT WILL TABLE A NEW IMMIGRATION LAW. THE PREVIOUS CONSERVATIVE ADMINISTRATION TOUGHENED IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY RULES. MR. JOSPIN SAID HIS GOVERNMENT WILL RESTORE THE RIGHT TO FRENCH CITIZENSHIP FOR PEOPLE BORN ON FRENCH SOIL.

MR. JOSPIN'S VIEWS ON PRIVATIZATIONS WERE EAGERLY AWAITED, BUT HE SAID HE WOULD SPEAK AGAIN NEXT WEEK ON BROADER ECONOMIC ISSUES.

MR. JOSPIN IS DUE TO MAKE A SPEECH AT THE LE BOURGET AIRSHOW SATURDAY, IN WHICH HE IS EXPECTED TO UNVEIL HIS INTENTIONS FOR THE DEFENSE AND AEROSPACE INDUSTRY. THE PREVIOUS CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT HAD PLANNED TO SELL-OFF STATE-OWNED ARMS MANUFACTURERS. MR. JOSPIN SAYS HE OPPOSES THE SALE OF STRATEGIC FIRMS TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR. BUT, THE PROCEEDS FROM PRIVATIZATION COULD HELP THE GOVERNMENT MEET THE CONDITIONS FOR ECONOMIC CONVERGENCE -- AS LAID OUT BY THE MAASTRICHT EUROPEAN UNION TREATY.

MR. JOSPIN'S RE-ASSURANCE FRANCE WANTS TO BE IN THE FIRST WAVE OF COUNTRIES JOINING THE -- EURO -- THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY, WAS THE MOST EAGERLY AWAITED PART OF HIS SPEECH. DURING HIS CAMPAIGN, HE CRITICIZED THE SACRIFICES NEEDED TO ACHIEVE MONETARY UNION.

WHATEVER MR JOSPIN'S INTENTIONS FRANCE NEEDS TO TAKE SOME RAPID MEASURES TO IMPROVE ITS PUBLIC FINANCES IF IT IS TO HAVE ANY HOPE OF MEETING THE CURRENT CRITERIA TO JOIN THE SINGLE CURRENCY. (SIGNED)
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19-Jun-97 12:01 PM EDT (1601 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] HAVE I-R-A KILLINGS SQUELSHED PEACE HOPES? BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY (IRA), THE GUERRILLA FORCE AT WAR WITH BRITISH AUTHORITIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES, IS COMING UNDER MOUNTING INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE TO CEASE HOSTILITIES.

THE WORLD IS EXPRESSING OUTRAGE AT THE KILLING OF TWO NORTHERN IRELAND POLICE OFFICERS WALKING THEIR BEAT NEAR BELFAST BY A PAIR OF I-R-A GUNMEN.

IN THIS COUNTRY, THE PRESS IS ANGRY AT THE I-R-A FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE THROWING AWAY A BETTER CHANCE FOR PEACE NOW THAT GOVERNMENTS IN BRITAIN, THE IRISH REPUBLIC, AND NORTHERN IRELAND HAVE ALL CHANGED. WE BEGIN WITH A PLEA FROM THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE IN AN EDITORIAL HEADLINE READING:"DON'T DERAIL THE ULSTER PEACE TALKS."

TEXT: "SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFFICE IN MAY, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR EXTENDED AN INVITATION TO SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE TERRORIST IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY. 'THE SETTLEMENT TRAIN IS LEAVING,' HE TOLD SINN FEIN, REFERRING TO NEGOTIATIONS FOR A PEACEFUL POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IN BRITISH-CONTROLLED NORTHERN IRELAND. 'I WANT YOU ON THAT TRAIN.' FAR FROM JUMPING ABOARD, THE I-R-A ON MONDAY CAME CLOSE TO DERAILING THE TRAIN ENTIRELY WITH THE COLD-BLOODED EXECUTION OF TWO PROTESTANT POLICE OFFICERS IN THE NORTHERN IRELAND TOWN OF LURGAN. DESPITE THAT DESPICABLE ACT, AND DESPITE ANY MORE THAT MAY FOLLOW, IT IS CRITICAL THAT NEGOTIATIONS AIMED AT CREATING A STABLE POLITICAL FUTURE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND (ALSO KNOWN AS ULSTER) CONTINUE. TERRORISM SIMPLY CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO TRIUMPH OVER THE JUST CAUSE OF PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE FOR WHICH THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN NORTHERN IRELAND DESPERATELY YEARN."

TEXT: ELSEWHERE IN THE MIDWEST, THE [CLEVELAND, OHIO] PLAIN DEALER, WHICH HAS KEPT A CLOSE EYE ON DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NORTHERN IRELAND SITUATION FOR YEARS, WAS ONE OF THE FIRST MAJOR U-S NEWSPAPERS TO COMMENT.

VOICE: "OMINOUSLY, THE SLAYINGS NOT ONLY WERE A BRUTAL REJECTION OF PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON'S APPEAL FOR AN UNEQUIVOCAL CEASE-FIRE, BUT COULD BE VIEWED AS THE I-RA'S EFFORT TO PROVOKE A BLOODY RESPONSE BY PARAMILITARY FORCES THAT WISH TO PRESERVE NORTHERN IRELAND'S POLITICAL LINKS WITH GREAT BRITAIN. THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE PROVINCE IS EVEN MORE TENSE THAN USUAL BECAUSE PROTESTANT FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AREPREPARING FOR THE HEIGHT OF THEIR TRADITIONAL MARCHING SEASON, WHEN THEY COMMEMORATE ANCIENT BATTLE TRIUMPHS OVER ROMAN CATHOLIC FORCES. CATHOLICS, WHO CONSIDER THESE PROCESSIONS TRIUMPHALIST AND PROVOCATIVE, HAVE INTENSIFIED THEIR CAMPAIGN TO ROUTE THEM AWAY FROM THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS. [OPT] BUT SO VIOLENTLY PROTECTIVE OF THEIR MARCHING RIGHTS ARE SOME PROTESTANTS THAT A GROUP OF THEM RECENTLY KICKED TO DEATH A POLICEMAN, ALSO A PROTESTANT, WHO HAD BEEN A MEMBER OF A TRAFFIC-CONTROL UNIT THAT BLOCKED A MARCH IN A CATHOLIC VILLAGE. ..... [END OPT] THE NEW WESTMINSTER GOVERNMENT HAS BEGUN TO TAKE THE LEAD IN IMPOSING MARCHING SEASON ORDER IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND SHOULD CONTINUE TO DO SO. [OPT] ..... RESOLVING CONFLICTING RIGHTS AND SENSIBILITIES WILL BE DIFFICULT, BUT THE BRITISH MUST SHOW THEY ARE PREPARED TO ACT DECISIVELY AGAINST THOSE IN EITHER COMMUNITY WHO WOULD THREATEN THE PUBLIC SAFETY."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE NEW YORK TIMES, WHICH ALSO DEPLORES THE KILLINGS AND WORRIES THAT THEY MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE CHANCES FOR PEACE, THE PAPER HAS SOME ADVICE FOR THE NEW BRITISH LEADER. THE TIMES IS ALSO WORRIED THAT THE TRADITIONAL, AND UPCOMING PROTESTANT PARADES THROUGH CATHOLIC NEIGHBORHOODS, CELEBRATING THE PROTESTANT VICTORY IN 1690 AT THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE, WILL CAUSE EVEN MORE TROUBLE.

VOICE: "THIS YEAR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PARADE ROUTES [IN NORTHERN IRELAND] AND CROWD CONTROL STRATEGIES RATHER THAN LEAVING SUCH DECISIONS TO NORTHERN IRELAND'S POLICE. IT MUST ALSO ACT UPON AN INTERNAL BRITISH POLICE INVESTIGATION THAT CONCLUDED THAT NORTHERN IRELAND'S POLICE WERE POORLY TRAINED AND EQUIPPED DURING THE MARCHES.

PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR SHOULD ALSO BAN PLASTIC BULLETS, WHICH THE POLICE HAVE NOT USED ELSEWHERE IN BRITAIN. POLICE FIRED NEARLY 6-THOUSAND OF THESE POTENTIALLY DEADLY BULLETS DURING LAST YEAR'S MARCHES, NEARLY 90-PERCENT OF THEM AT [ROMAN] CATHOLICS. MR. BLAIR IS RIGHT TO REPUDIATE THE I-R-A'S MURDERS BY CUTTING OFF ALL FORMAL CONTACTS WITH SINN FEIN, THE I-R-A'S POLITICAL WING. THE I-R-A WILL HAVE TO EMBRACE THE PEACE PROCESS AND BEGIN A REAL CEASE-FIRE BEFORE SINN FEIN CAN TAKE A SEAT AT PEACE TALKS. BUT LONDON SHOULD COMBINE FIRMNESS ON THIS ISSUE WITH A MATURE POLICY TO PREVENT PARADE VIOLENCE."

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES ALSO OPPOSES THE LATEST VIOLENCE, EXCLAIMING:

VOICE: "BY KILLING TWO POLICEMEN IN AN AMBUSH OUTSIDE BELFAST, IT [THE I-R-A] ENSURED THAT THE PROSPECT OF TALKS WOULD BE DEAD. ..... WHY WOULD LONDON TALK TO SINN FEIN? GERRY ADAMS, ITS LEADER, SURELY MUST REALIZE HE IS BUT A PUPPET OF THE I-R-A'S HARD MEN [THE ONES COMMITTED TO CONTINUING THE VIOLENCE AT ALL COSTS]. [OPT] THE NATIONALIST POLITICAL ARM IS POWERLESS TO COMMAND THE UNDERSIDE [THE KILLERS]. PROGRESS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN MEASURED IN MILES WILL ONCE AGAIN BE COUNTED BLOCK BY BLOCK. HOPE IS DASHED." [END OPT]

TEXT: IN NEW YORK, THE POST, LAMENTS THE KILLINGS, CALLING THEM "A VIOLENT BLOW TO IRISH PEACE HOPES."

VOICE: " [OPT] THE HOPES THAT THE CONCILIATORY GESTURES OF BRITAIN'S NEW LABOR GOVERNMENT WOULD BRING ABOUT A RENEWAL OF THE PEACE PROCESS IN NORTHERN IRELAND WERE DEALT A SHATTERING BLOW ON MONDAY, WHEN IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY GUNMEN MURDERED TWO POLICEMEN. ..... [END FOPT] JUST AS SHOCKING AS THE COLD-BLOODED NATURE OF THE UNPROVOKED ATTACK WAS ITS TIMING IN RELATION TO DIPLOMATIC DEVELOPMENTS. ..... IN RECENT WEEKS BRITISH OFFICIALS MET TWICE WITH SINN FEIN TO LAY OUT A BASIS FOR POSSIBLE PEACE TALKS. THIS REACHING OUT BY [PRIME MINISTER TONY] BLAIR WAS A GESTURE OF GOODWILL THAT THE VIOLENCE-PRONE GROUP HAD DONE NOTHING TO EARN..... THIS WEEK'S KILLING HAVE NOT ONLY BROUGHT THE NEW ROUND OF TALKS TO A SWIFT END, THEY FOOLISHLY FRITTERED AWAY [WASTED] THE POSSIBILITIES FOR A FRESH START INHERENT IN THE CHANGE OF POWER IN LONDON."

TEXT: NEWSDAY SAYS THE REAL AMBUSH VICTIM WAS "NORTHERN IRELAND'S HOPES FOR PEACE."

VOICE: "HOPES THAT NEW GOVERNMENTS IN BRITAIN AND THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND WOULD BRING NEW IMPETUS TOWARD PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND HAVE BEEN DASHED ..... THE I-R-A AND ITS POLITICAL WING, SINN FEIN, HAVE LOST THEIR BEST CHANCE IN A LONG TIME TO BE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE PEACE PROCESS. ..... THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR: THE I-R-A WANTS THE GUNS TO SPEAK AGAIN."

TEXT: THE [NEW YORK] DAILY NEWS IS EQUALLY APPALLED.

VOICE: "..... THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY HAS ...... SHOT ITSELF IN THE FOOT. IS THERE NO END TO THE TERRORISTS' BARBARISM? OR THEIR STUPIDITY?"

TEXT: WITH THAT, WE BRING THIS SAMPLING OF U-S NEWSPAPER COMMENT TO AN END ON THE LATEST I-R-A KILLINGS IN NORTHERN IRELAND, AND WHAT THEY PORTEND FOR RESUMPTION OF THE PEACE TALKS.
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19-Jun-97 2:23 PM EDT (1823 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP SHARPLY TODAY, (THURSDAY) BOOSTING THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE TO A LEVEL JUST SHORT OF A NEW RECORD HIGH. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON HAS MORE FROM OUR NEW YORK BUREAU.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE ENDED THE DAY UP 58 POINTS AT 77-HUNDRED-77. THAT FALLS JUST FIVE POINTS SHORT OF ITS ALL-TIME HIGH REACHED LAST WEEK. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 898, UP NINE POINTS.

THE PHILIP MORRIS CIGARETTE COMPANY AND OTHER TOBACCO STOCKS WERE AMONG THE BIGGEST GAINERS. THEY WERE BOOSTED BY REPORTS OF PROGRESS TOWARD A SETTLEMENT IN LEGAL CHARGES CONCERNING THE HEALTH IMPACT OF CIGARETTES. PHARMACEUTICALS, INCLUDING THE MEDICAL GIANT MERCK, WERE ALSO UP SHARPLY. STOCKS IN AIRLINES AND OIL COMPANIES WERE DOWN.

THE REBOUND IN THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE FOLLOWS THREE DAYS OF LOSSES.

STRONGER THAN EXPECTED U-S TRADE FIGURES ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE LATEST UPTURN IN STOCK PRICES. THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT SAID THE U-S TRADE DEFICIT INCREASED ALMOST EIGHT PERCENT IN APRIL. BUT THAT WAS WELL BELOW FORECASTS. THE FIGURE REPRESENTS STRONG GROWTH IN U-S EXPORTS, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS AN EVEN BIGGER RISE IN IMPORTS, PARTICULARLY FROM CHINA AND JAPAN.

IN BUSINESS NEWS, THE EXXON OIL COMPANY IS APPEALING A FIVE-BILLION-DOLLAR JUDGMENT AGAINST IT FOR THE 1989 "VALDEZ" ALASKA OIL SPILL. THE APPEAL IS BASED ON CHARGES OF JUROR MISCONDUCT AND CONTENDS THAT THE PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARE EXCESSIVE. THE OIL SPILL WAS THE LARGEST EVER IN U-S WATERS.

AND THE UNITED STATES' TOP COMMUNICATIONS REGULATOR, REED HUNDT, ISSUED WHAT IS WIDELY BEING INTERPRETED AS A WARNING TO LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY A-T-AND-T CONCERNING REPORTS OF ITS PLANNED MERGER WITH S-B-C COMMUNICATIONS. MR. HUNDT SAID SUCH A MERGER WOULD BE UNTHINKABLE BECAUSE IT WOULD HURT COMPETITION. A MERGER BETWEEN THE TWO COMPANIES WOULD AMOUNT TO 50-BILLION DOLLARS -- MAKING IT THE LARGEST IN U-S HISTORY. NEITHER OF THE TWO COMPANIES HAS COMMENTED ON REPORTS THAT MERGER TALKS HAVE TAKEN PLACE. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/RRM
19-Jun-97 5:05 PM EDT (2105 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] RUSSIA/NATO (S ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: AS HE PREPARED TO LEAVE FOR THE "GROUP OF EIGHT" MEETING IN DENVER, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN SAID HE WILL NOT ATTEND NEXT MONTH'S NATO SUMMIT IN MADRID. VOA'S PETER HEINLEIN IN MOSCOW HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: MR. YELTSIN SAID THURSDAY HE HAS NO PLANS TO GO TO MADRID WHEN THE WESTERN ALLIANCE INVITES NEW MEMBERS TO JOIN. THE RUSSIAN LEADER MADE THE COMMENT TO A GROUP OF WESTERN JOURNALISTS JUST HOURS BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE UNITED STATES TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL SUMMIT OF THE WORLD'S LEADING INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS.

RUSSIA CONTINUES TO OPPOSE NATO'S EASTWARD EXPANSION, BUT ACCEPTED THE INEVITABILITY OF THE MOVE IN RETURN FOR SECURITY GUARANTEES. AN ACCORD MR. YELTSIN AND ALLIANCE LEADERS SIGNED IN PARIS LAST MONTH GIVES THE KREMLIN A SAY IN NATO DECISION-MAKING.

RUSSIA'S FORMER WARSAW PACT ALLIES -- HUNGARY, POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC -- ARE THE MAIN CANDIDATES FOR EARLY ADMISSION TO THE ALLIANCE. SOME NATO MEMBERS HAD PUSHED FOR INCLUSION OF ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA IN THE FIRST ROUND, BUT THE UNITED STATES OPPOSED THE PROPOSAL. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/PCF/EH
19-Jun-97 11:12 AM EDT (1512 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: A PAIR OF IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS THAT OCCURRED WEDNESDAY ARE ALREADY THE SUBJECT OF EDITORIAL COMMENT IN THURSDAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS. ONE IS THE RESIGNATION OF THE PRO-ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST TURKISH PRIME MINISTER, AND THE OTHER, THE REPORTED CAPTURE OF CAMBODIAN GUERRILLA LEADER POL POT.

OTHER TOPICS BEING DISCUSSED INCLUDE THE ARREST OF AN ALLEGED TERRORIST ACCUSED OF KILLINGS OUTSIDE THE OFFICES OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY; THE CONTINUING DEBATE OVER SEX IN THE MILITARY; THE POSSIBILITY OF A FORMAL APOLOGY FOR SLAVERY; THE LATEST EFFORT TO RESURRECT MIDEAST PEACE EFFORTS AND PRESIDENT CLINTON'S AFRICAN TRADE INITIATIVE.

NOW WE GET A QUOTE OR TWO AND A CLOSER LOOK AT THE DAY'S COMMENTARIES WITH __________________AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES HAS BEEN QUICK TO REACT TO THE RESIGNATION IN ANKARA, YESTERDAY, OF NECMETTIN ERBAKAN, THE NATION'S FIRST PRO-ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST LEADER, WHO HAD CLASHED REPEATEDLY WITH THE SECULAR-MINDED MILITARY. SAYS THE TIMES:

VOICE: "YESTERDAY'S RESIGNATION .... STEMS FROM A CONFLICT, NOW BEDEVILING MUCH OF THE MUSLIM WORLD, OVER HOW MUCH FREEDOM TO GRANT ISLAMIC EXPRESSION AND ISLAMIC POLITICAL PARTIES. IN TURKEY, THE SECULAR MILITARY PRESSURED MR. ERBAKAN, WHO HEADS AN ISLAMIST PARTY, TO CRACK DOWN ON DISPLAYS OF ISLAM, AND HAS NOW FORCED HIS RESIGNATION. MANY OTHER NATIONS, INCLUDING ALGERIA, TUNISIA AND EGYPT, BAN SOME ISLAMIC PARTIES OUTRIGHT. ....... BUT SUCH BANS CAN END UP CREATING REPRESSIVE POLICE STATES IN THE NAME OF PREVENTING THEM. ..... GOVERNMENTS CAN BLAME THEMSELVES FOR THE RISE OF ISLAMIC PARTIES. IN SOCIETIES INTOLERANT OF DISSENT, THE MOSQUE IS OFTEN THE ONLY PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN SPEAK FREELY AND ORGANIZE."

TEXT: TURNING TO ASIA, AND THE ANNOUNCED CAPTURE OF THE KHMER ROUGE LEADER POL POT, NEWSDAY HEADLINES ITS REMARKS:"THE EVIL OF POL POT FINALLY CATCHES UP WITH HIM."

VOICE: "GOOD RIDDANCE. THAT'S THE NATURAL FIRST RESPONSE TO THE NEWS OF THE DEATH OF SON SEN, THE NUMBER TWO MAN IN CAMBODIA'S MURDEROUS KHMER ROUGE REGIME. AND THE SAME GOES FOR POL POT, THE MASTERMIND OF CAMBODIA'S GENOCIDE IN THE 1970'S, WHO HAS BEEN HIDING IN THE JUNGLES THAT HE TURNED INTO KILLING FIELDS, SURROUNDED BY FOLLOWERS-TURNED-FOES, AWAITING THE CRACK OF DOOM. [OPT] BUT WHAT HAPPENED IN CAMBODIA FROM 1975-1979 IS SO ASTOUNDING THAT IT BEARS SERIOUS CONSIDERATION LONG AFTER THE LAST KHMER ROUGE KILLER GOES TO HIS GRAVE. AS SHAKESPEARE ASKS IN HIS GREAT BLOODY TRAGEDY 'MACBETH,' WHAT MAKES MEN EAT OF THE INSANE ROOT THAT TAKES REASON PRISONER? ..... [END OPT] IT MIGHT BE COMFORTING TO SOME TO THINK OF POL POT MERELY AS THE WORST COMMUNIST EVER, BUT SUCH AN EXPLANATION MISSES THE FACT THAT GENOCIDE TRANSCENDS IDEOLOGY - - AS THE RECENT MASSACRES IN RWANDA DEMONSTRATE. AND THAT'S WHAT SHAKESPEARE WAS GETTING AT WHEN HE WROTE 'MACBETH' IN 1606: WHEN EVIL HOLDS SWAY, BLOOD CAN ONLY BEGET MORE BLOOD."

TEXT: THE U-S LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY IS CELEBRATING THE ARREST AND EXTRADITION OF A PAKISTANI MAN ACCUSED IN THE DEATHS OF TWO C-I-A STAFFERS AND THE WOUNDING OF SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE IN A 1993 SHOOTING SPREE OUTSIDE THE AGENCY. ABOUT THE CAPTURE, TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST SAYS:

VOICE: "NOW, AFTER FOUR YEARS AND FIVE MONTHS, FEDERAL OFFICIALS HAVE CAPTURED ...MIR AIMAL KANSI ..... [OPT] MR. KANSI'S GUILT OR INNOCENCE REMAINS TO BE ESTABLISHED, AND OF COURSE HIS CAPTURE CANNOT UNDO THE LOSS FOR THE SURVIVORS OF THE .... ATTACK OR THE RELATIVES OF THOSE WHO DIED. BUT . [END OPT] HIS APPREHENSION ALREADY IS A RIGHTFUL SOURCE OF SATISFACTION FOR FEDERAL OFFICIALS, WHO NEVER DROPPED THEIR PURSUIT, AND FOR AMERICANS IN GENERAL. ..... THE OPERATION'S SUCCESS SENDS A MESSAGE TO EVERY POTENTIAL TERRORIST THAT THERE IS LITERALLY NOWHERE TO HIDE. IT SENDS AN EQUALLY IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO AMERICANS THAT THE UNITED STATES CAN DEFEND BOTH ITS LAW AND ORDER AND ITS PRINCIPLES."

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE SUGGESTS THE MILITARY CALL A RETREAT FROM METHODS IT USED RECENTLY TO INVESTIGATE THE SEX LIVES OF SOME OFFICERS.

VOICE: "RECENT STORIES OF SEX IN THE MILITARY LEAVE US WITH A TROUBLING SENSE THAT TALENTED PROFESSIONAL SOLDIERS ARE BEING DENIED THE CHANCE TO SERVE THEIR COUNTRY BECAUSE OF TRANSGRESSIONS THAT AT THEIR CORE HAVE LITTLE TO DO WITH MILITARY DISCIPLINE. THE BEST WAY TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM IS THE MOST DIRECT ONE - - TO HANDLE THE SEXUAL INCIDENTS THEMSELVES MORE SENSIBLY. .... THE MILITARY ITSELF WOULD BE BETTER SERVED BY TAPPING THE SKILLS OF ITS MOST TALENTED PEOPLE WITHOUT BEING FORCED BY THE MILITARY CRIMINAL CODE TO WORRY WHETHER EACH OF THEM MEETS AN ANTIQUATED - - AND NONMILITARY - - STANDARD OF MORAL PERFECTION."

TEXT: ON THE ISSUE OF A FORMAL GOVERNMENT APOLOGY BY THE PRESIDENT TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS FOR SLAVERY, AS IS BEING SUGGESTED BY A GROUP OF CONGRESSMEN, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL SAYS: AN "APOLOGY'S IN ORDER."

VOICE: "IS THERE ANY DECENT INDIVIDUAL WHO IS NOT SORRY THAT THIS COUNTRY PERMITTED THE BRUTAL, INHUMANE, MORALLY BANKRUPT PRACTICE OF SLAVERY? .... ALTHOUGH SLAVERY ENDED 134 YEARS AGO, ITS VESTIGES REMAIN. THE MYTH THAT WHITE PEOPLE ARE SUPERIOR TO BLACK PEOPLE, WHICH WAS USED TO RATIONALIZE SLAVERY, MANIFESTS ITSELF TODAY IN RACIAL DISCRIMINATION. THAT MYTH MUST BE PUT TO REST. AN APOLOGY - - NOT FROM ANY ONE INDIVIDUAL BUT RATHER FROM A NATION - - WOULD HELP DO THAT. [OPT] .... AMERICA MUST OVERCOME ITS RACIAL SCHISM OR EVENTUALLY SEE IT DIVIDE THE NATION IRRECONCILABLY. ..... AN APOLOGY WOULD BE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION." [END OPT]

TEXT: TURNING TO THE MIDDLE EAST, THE BOSTON GLOBE LAUDS A RECENT REPORT BY A COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS TASK FORCE ON THE BREAKDOWN IN THE OSLO ACCORDS--THE PEACE EFFORT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS. THE GLOBE SAYS:

VOICE: "....IT OFFERS A LUCID RECOGNITION OF THE DANGERS INHERENT IN THE CURRENT UNRAVELING OF THE OSLO PROCESS: A DRIFT TOWARD CHAOS THAT IMPERILS ISRAELIS, PALESTINIANS, AND THE ENTIRE REGION FROM BEIRUT TO BAHRAIN. ..... ...THE REPORT RECOMMENDS AN ACTIVE U-S ROLE, NOT IMPOSING A SOLUTION ON THE PARTIES BUT GIVING THEM AN AMERICAN ROAD MAP AND PRODDING THEM TO PROCEED TO THE SUGGESTED DESTINATION. THE INCREMENTAL APPROACH OF OSLO WOULD BE ABANDONED, AND FINAL-STATUS QUESTIONS OF SOVEREIGNTY, BORDERS, REFUGEES, AND JERUSALEM WOULD BE NEGOTIATED RIGHT NOW."

TEXT: LASTLY, SOME SUPPORT FROM MAINE'S PORTLAND PRESS HERALD FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON'S AFRICAN TRADE INITIATIVE TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE FORTHCOMING DENVER ECONOMIC SUMMIT.

VOICE: "IT IS NOT FOR AMERICA ALONE .... TO ENCOURAGE FREE MARKET REFORMS AND TURN AID-DEPENDENT AFRICAN STATES INTO FULL-FLEDGED TRADING PARTNERS. THE CHALLENGE, AND THE ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITY, IS THE WORLD'S TO SHARE, AND THE PLACE TO START IS WITH THE MAJOR INDUSTRIAL NATIONS. ..... IT IS TIME FOR AFRICA TO BECOME, IN FACT AS WELL AS PROMISE, THE CONTINENT OF OPPORTUNITY. THE ROAD TO REALIZATION OF THAT GOAL COULD BEGIN IN DENVER."

TEXT: ON THAT POINT, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM THURSDAY'S U-S DAILIES.
NEB/ANG/NL
19-Jun-97 10:42 AM EDT (1442 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] TURKEY POLITICS (L) BY AL PESSIN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKEY'S PRESIDENT IS CONSULTING WITH LEADERS OF THE COUNTRY'S MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES AND IS EXPECTED TO DECIDE QUICKLY WHICH OF THEM TO ASK TO FORM A NEW GOVERNMENT. V-O-A'S AL PESSIN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, WHERE ISLAMIST PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN RESIGNED ON WEDNESDAY.

TEXT: PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL'S FIRST MEETING THURSDAY WAS WITH THE LEADER OF THE SECOND-LARGEST PARTY IN PARLIAMENT, MESUT YILMAZ OF THE "MOTHERLAND PARTY." MR. YILMAZ SAYS HE TOLD THE PRESIDENT HE IS READY TO FORM A NEW GOVERNMENT. BUT FOR MR. YILMAZ, THAT WOULD BE AN UPHILL TASK. MR. ERBAKAN HAS AN AGREEMENT WITH THE OTHER MAIN PARTY AND A SMALL ONE TO FORM A NEW GOVERNMENT, WITH HIMSELF AS DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND HIS CURRENT DEPUTY, TANSU CILLER, AS PRIME MINISTER.

PRESIDENT DEMIREL HAS NOT HINTED AT WHICH WAY HE MIGHT GO. APPOINTING MRS. CILLER AND HER ISLAMIST PARTNERS WOULD ANGER THE MILITARY, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE PROMISED ELECTIONS LATER THIS YEAR. APPOINTING MR. YILMAZ WOULD EITHER LEAD TO A WEAK GOVERNMENT OR NONE AT ALL, LEAVING THE PRESIDENT TO NAME A TEMPORARY GOVERNMENT AND HOLD NEW ELECTIONS ANYWAY. MEANWHILE, TURKISH NEWSPAPERS QUOTE SENIOR ARMY OFFICERS AS SAYING THEY WOULD CLOSELY WATCH ANY NEW GOVERNMENT WHICH INCLUDES THE ISLAMISTS. THE ARMY HAS ACCUSED MR. ERBAKAN'S WELFARE PARTY OF TRYING TO MAKE TURKISH SOCIETY MORE ISLAMIC, IN VIOLATION OF THE COUNTRY'S CONSTITUTION. THE CONSTITUTION MAKES THE ARMY THE PROTECTOR OF TURKEY'S SECULAR DEMOCRACY, AND SENIOR OFFICERS HAVE RECENTLY PLEDGED TO USE FORCE, IF NECESSARY, TO DO THAT. TURKEY HAS HAD THREE MILITARY TAKEOVERS IN THE LAST FOUR DECADES, BUT EXPERTS DO NOT BELIEVE ANOTHER ONE IS IMMINENT.

AMONG THOSE EXPERTS IS VETERAN POLITICIAN KAMRAN INAN, FROM MR. YILMAZ'S MOTHERLAND PARTY. BUT ALTHOUGH HIS PARTY LEADER IS IN CONTENTION TO BE NAMED PRIME MINISTER, MR. INAN SAYS NONE OF THE CURRENT OPTIONS ARE REALLY WHAT TURKEY NEEDS.

OUR POLITICAL LEADERSHIPS HAVE NOT BEEN RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO GET TOGETHER AND TO FIND FORMULAS THAT WILL BE WORKABLE FOR THIS COUNTRY. WHAT WE NEED PRESENTLY IS NOT RENEWING ANOTHER KIND OF ERBAKAN-CILLER COOPERATION, BUT RATHER A NATIONAL CONSENSUS, A KIND OF RESTORATION GOVERNMENT ... SO THAT IS WHAT WE NEED, THAT IS WHAT THE PUBLIC OPINION IS EXPECTING. BUT IT IS NOT WHAT THE POLITICAL LEADERS PRESENTLY ARE TRYING TO WORK ON.

MR. INAN SAYS ONE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS THE LACK OF A STRONG LEADER WHO CAN UNITE TURKEY'S SECULAR CENTER AND END THE SPLINTERING OF VOTES AMONG MANY ROUGHLY SIMILAR PARTIES. LAST YEAR, TURKISH VOTERS GAVE ABOUT 20 PER CENT OF THE VOTE TO EACH OF THE THREE MAIN PARTIES AND THE REST TO SMALLER ONES. THE OTHER PROBLEM, MR. INAN SAYS, IS HOSTILITY AND SELFISHNESS AMONG THE COUNTRY'S PARTY LEADERS.

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