Voice of America, 97-06-24

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] EDITORIAL: 17 NOVEMBER TERRORISM

[03] ENVIRON/UN/NEWS CONFERENCE (L-ONLY) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

[04] ENVIRONMENT/ONITER (S ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

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

[06] GLOBAL WARMING (L ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

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

[08] NORTHERN IRELAND (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

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

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

[11] U-S/SERBIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[12] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

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

INTRO: ALBANIA'S MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE PLEDGED TO RESPECT THE OUTCOME OF SUNDAY'S ELECTIONS, IF THEY ARE FREE AND FAIR, AIMED AT ENDING MONTHS OF UNREST. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS ANALYST NICHOLAS PANO OF WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY SAYS, IF THE PACT SIGNED MONDAY IN ROME IS FULFILLED, IT WILL ENHANCE THE PROSPECTS OF STABILITY IN THE BALKAN COUNTRY:

TEXT: PARTY REPRESENTATIVES HAILED THE PACT AS AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARD RESOLVING THE ALBANIAN CRISIS BROUGHT ON BY THE COLLAPSE OF HIGH-RISK INVESTMENT SCHEMES. THE LOSS OF LIFE SAVINGS BY MANY ALBANIANS SPARKED VIOLENCE LEADING TO THE COLLAPSE OF THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT.

MR. PANO SAYS THE PACT OBLIGATES THE PARTIES TO ELECTION RESULTS ONCE INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS HAVE DEEMED THEM FREE AND FAIR:

THE AGREEMENT ALSO PLEDGES THAT THE RULING PARTY WILL INVITE MEMBERS OF THE ALLIED PARTIES TO SERVE IN A COALITION GOVERNMENT. THE ELECTION ALSO SPECIFIES THAT OPPOSITION PARTIES WILL HAVE A GREATER VOICE IN PARLIAMENT THAN HAS BEEN THE CASE UNDER THE PREVIOUS REGIME.

MR. PANO SAYS IF THE PROVISIONS ARE CARRIED OUT THEY WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARD GUARANTEEING POLITICAL STABILITY IN A POST-ELECTION ALBANIA. HE SAYS SOUTHERN ALBANIA, WHERE REBELS REMAIN ACTIVE AND COULD CAUSE TROUBLE, WILL BE A KEY TEST IN CONDUCTING A FREE AND FAIR BALLOT. MR. PANO PREDICTS THAT IF THE ELECTION RESULT IS CLOSE IT COULD BE CHALLENGED BY THE LOSERS. (SIGNED).
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23-Jun-97 8:57 PM EDT (0057 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] EDITORIAL: 17 NOVEMBER TERRORISM

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:

ATHENS, GREECE, 10:30 PM, DECEMBER 23RD, 1975. A CAR CARRYING AMERICAN OFFICIAL RICHARD WELCH AND HIS WIFE STOPS AT THE GATE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE COUPLE'S HOME. THREE ARMED MEN EMERGE FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE AND OPEN FIRE, KILLING MR. WELCH. A TERRORIST GROUP CALLING ITSELF REVOLUTIONARY ORGANIZATION 17 NOVEMBER CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MURDER.

FORMED IN 1975, THIS RADICAL LEFTIST TERRORIST GROUP WAS NAMED FOR THE NOVEMBER 17TH, 1973, STUDENT UPRISING AGAINST THE MILITARY REGIME THEN RULING GREECE. SINCE 1975, 17 NOVEMBER TERRORISTS HAVE KILLED OR WOUNDED THIRTY-TWO AMERICANS. THEY HAVE ATTACKED THE U.S. EMBASSY AND THE EMBASSY OF TURKEY. THEY HAVE ASSASSINATED GREEK LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS. AND THEY HAVE BOMBED OFFICES OF THE GREEK GOVERNMENT.

IN FEBRUARY 1985, THE 17 NOVEMBER TERRORIST GROUP ASSASSINATED GREEK NEWSPAPER EDITOR NIKOS MOMFERATOS AND HIS DRIVER. IN APRIL 1986, THE GROUP MURDERED A RETIRED GREEK INDUSTRIALIST NAMED DIMITRIOS ANGELOPOULOS. AND IN FEBRUARY 1987, IT CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAIMING ZAKHARIAS KAPSALAKIS, A PROMINENT PHYSICIAN.

THE U.S. HAS WORKED CLOSELY WITH GREECE IN AN EFFORT TO BRING TO JUSTICE THE PERPETRATORS OF THESE TERRORIST CRIMES. PART OF THAT EFFORT IS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE'S COUNTERTERRORISM REWARDS PROGRAM. REWARDS OF UP TO TWO-MILLION DOLLARS ARE BEING OFFERED FOR INFORMATION THAT LEADS TO THE ARREST OR CONVICTION OF THOSE WHO HAVE CARRIED OUT TERRORIST ATTACKS AGAINST AMERICAN CITIZENS OR INTERESTS. SINCE 1991, OVER FIVE-MILLION DOLLARS HAS BEEN PAID IN OVER TWENTY CASES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE HELPED TO PREVENT TERRORIST ATTACKS OR BRING TERRORISTS TO JUSTICE.

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON 17 NOVEMBER OR OTHER INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST GROUPS SHOULD CONTACT THE NEAREST U.S. EMBASSY OR CONSULATE. OR CALL 1-800-437-6371. INFORMATION MAY ALSO BE SENT TO THE FOLLOWING INTERNET ADDRESS: HTTP://WWW.HEROES.NET

THE U.S. GUARANTEES THAT ALL REPORTS WILL BE INVESTIGATED AND ALL INFORMATION KEPT CONFIDENTIAL. IF APPROPRIATE, THE U.S. IS PREPARED TO PROTECT INFORMANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES BY RELOCATING THEM.

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.
24-Jun-97 3:20 PM EDT (1920 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] ENVIRON/UN/NEWS CONFERENCE (L-ONLY) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

INTRO: GOVERNMENT LEADERS FROM FOUR CONTINENTS JOINED TODAY (MONDAY) IN NEW YORK TO CALL FOR A NEW INITIATIVE TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. V-O-A'S JOE CHAPMAN REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE GOVERNMENT LEADERS FROM GERMANY, SOUTH AFRICA, SINGAPORE AND BRAZIL SAY MUCH HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED SINCE THE 1992 EARTH SUMMIT IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BUT ADD THAT MILLIONS STILL LIVE IN POVERTY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION.

THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS MEETING IN A SPECIAL SESSION THIS WEEK TO CONSIDER PROGRESS SINCE THE CONFERENCE IN RIO, BUT THE SESSION BEGAN WITH RECRIMINATIONS AND ACCUSATIONS THAT RICH COUNTRIES HAVE BROKEN THEIR PROMISES.

THE FOUR LEADERS TOLD REPORTERS AT A NEWS CONFERENCE A STRONG UNITED EFFORT IS NEEDED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT. CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL OF GERMANY WAS JOINED BY PRESIDENT FERNANDO HENRIQUE CARDOSO OF BRAZIL, DEPUTY PRESIDENT THABO MBEKI OF SOUTH AFRICA AND PRIME MINISTER GOH CHOK TONG OF SINGAPORE.

BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT CARDOSO CALLED THE PROPOSALS IN THE INITIATIVE "MODEST," BUT EMPHASIZED THE SYMBOLIC IMPORTANCE OF THE PROPOSALS HAVING COME FROM FOUR COUNTRIES ON FOUR CONTINENTS.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSCORE THE SYMBOLIC VALUE OF THIS INITIATIVE, WHICH REMINDS US THAT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IS A GLOBAL CHALLENGE THAT MARSHALLS DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING NATIONS AROUND A COMMON EFFORT FOR WHICH WE MUST RENEW OUR COMMITMENT.

THE FOUR LEADERS URGED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO A CONFERENCE TO BE HELD LATER THIS YEAR IN JAPAN ON CLIMATE CHANGE. THAT MESSAGE, THEY SAID, SHOULD INCLUDE LEGALLY BINDING LIMITS ON EMISSIONS OF SO-CALLED "GREENHOUSE GASES" AND OTHER CONCRETE POLICIES.

CHANCELLOR KOHL AND HIS COLLEAGUES URGED AMENDING THE U-N CHARTER TO INCLUDE GOALS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. THE FOUR LEADERS ALSO URGED CREATION OF A NEW UMBRELLA GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION IN THE UNITED NATIONS BUT WITHIN A REFORM CONTEXT. THEY ALSO SAY STEPS MUST BE TAKEN IN THE RAPIDLY GROWING URBAN AREAS OF THE WORLD TO PREVENT ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE. (SIGNED)
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23-Jun-97 7:52 PM EDT (2352 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] ENVIRONMENT/ONITER (S ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES WILL LIKELY COME UNDER MORE PRESSURE AT THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY (TUESDAY) TO START NEGOTIATING A FORMAL TREATY ON PRESERVING THE WORLD'S FORESTS. THE ISSUE EMERGED SIGNFICANTLY MONDAY DURING THE START OF A FIVE DAY HIGH LEVEL REVIEW OF PROGRESS ON THE ENVIRONMENT SINCE THE FIRST EARTH SUMMIT IN RIO DE JANEIRO IN 1992. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: THE LEADERS OF CANADA AND COSTA RICA WILL ADDRESS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. BOTH COUNTRIES ARE STAUNCH ADVOCATES OF A TREATY ON FORESTS. THE UNITED STATES -- WHERE ONLY 30 PERCENT OF FORESTS ARE PUBLICLY OWNED -- IS NOT EXPECTED TO YIELD. VICE-PRESIDENT AL GORE -- IN OPENING REMARKS -- RULED OUT ANY POSSIBILITY OF NEGOTIATIONS.

THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES LESS FORMAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE BETTER BECAUSE TREATIES TAKE TOO LONG TO HAMMER OUT. MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS SUPPORT THE U-S POSITION. THEY FEAR THE LOGGING INDUSTRY WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE DELAY. ON MONDAY, THE EUROPEAN UNION AND RUSSIA MADE THEIR CASE. RUSSIA, WHICH HAS A FIFTH OF THE WORLD'S TREES WITHIN ITS BORDERS, CALLED THEM THE "LUNGS OF THE PLANET." IT WANTS THEM PROTECTED WITHIN A LEGAL FRAMEWORK.

FORESTS ARE CONSIDERED VITAL FOR CLIMATE CONTROL BY ABSORBING HARMFUL CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS. (SIGNED)
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23-Jun-97 7:38 PM EDT (2338 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: WALL STREET'S RECOVERY TUESDAY HELPED STOCK PRICES RECOVER ON KEY WEST-EUROPEAN MARKETS. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE MARKETS IN FRANKFURT, LONDON, AND PARIS OPENED WITH MODEST GAINS, THEN PICKED UP MOMENTUM AS THE DAY PROGRESSED. WALL STREET'S TURN-AROUND FROM MONDAY'S PLUNGE HELPED THE BIG WEST-EUROPEAN MARKETS HEAD INTO POSITIVE TERRITORY, BUT THE GERMAN "DAX 30" INDEX OF STOCKS FINISHED TRADING BEFORE WALL STREET'S RECOVERY BECAME APPARENT. THE DAX CLOSED UP JUST MORE THAN ONE-POINT.

MORE POSITIVE ECONOMIC SIGNS HELPED THE FRENCH "CAC 40" INDEX GAIN 22-AND-ONE-HALF-POINTS, WHILE HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF STOCKS REVERSED MORE THAN A WEEK OF DECLINES WITH A GAIN OF 20-AND-ONE-HALF POINTS.

THE DOLLAR WAS UP SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE MARK IN EUROPEAN CURRENCY TRADING, BUT DOWN AGAINST THE HIGH-FLYING POUND, WHICH ROSE TO ITS HIGHEST LEVEL IN NEARLY FIVE-YEARS AGAINST THE MARK. (SIGNED)
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24-Jun-97 2:18 PM EDT (1818 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] GLOBAL WARMING (L ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE SPECTER OF GLOBAL WARMING REACHED DRAMATIC EXPRESSION AT THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY (TUESDAY) AS THE PRESIDENT OF MALDIVES -- A LOW-LYING ISLAND-NATION IN THE INDIAN OCEAN -- WARNED HE MIGHT NOT BE AROUND MUCH LONGER UNLESS THE INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES START AGGRESSIVELY REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MONDAY BEGAN A FIVE-DAY REVIEW OF EFFORTS TO PREVENT ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION SINCE THE FIRST EARTH SUMMIT IN RIO DE JANEIRO IN 1992. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: MALDIVES PRESIDENT MAUMOON ABDUL GAYOOM WARNED OF RISING OCEAN LEVELS THAT ONE DAY WILL SUBMERGE 80 PERCENT OF ALL SMALL ISLAND-NATIONS, INCLUDING HIS OWN. HE CHARGED INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES -- WHERE MOST GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS OCCUR -- WITH NOT TAKING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY ENOUGH.

THE MALDIVES LEADER SAID IT IS NOT THEY WHO WILL DISAPPEAR. THEY WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, HE ADDED, TO PARTICIPATE IN FUTURE ENVIRONMENT REVIEWS LIKE THE PRESENT ONE -- WHICH DELEGATES HAVE NAMED "RIO PLUS FIVE":

I LEFT RIO CONFIDENT THAT WE HAD AN AGREED AGENDA THAT WOULD SAVE NOT ONLY US BUT THEWHOLE WORLD. BUT TODAY I LEAVE HERE WITH THE FEAR THAT UNLESS WE ALL ACT NOW AND WITH A RENEWED COMMITMENT MY COUNTRY AND MANY COUNTRIES LIKE US WILL NEITHER HAVE A VOICE NOR A SEAT AT A FUTURE RIO PLUS.

THE BURNING OF FOSSIL FUELS EMIT HEAT-TRAPPING CARBON DIOXIDE. SCIENTISTS WIDELY BELIEVE THESE EMISSIONS ARE WARMING THE EARTH'S TEMPERATURE, AND POTENTIALLY WILL CAUSE PROFOUND CLIMATE CHANGES. SEA LEVELS ARE ALREADY RISING.

MUCH OF THE CRITICISM HAS BEEN DIRECTED AT THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. BOTH ARE RESISTING THE REDUCTION TARGETS DEMANDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION.

CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER JEAN CHRETIEN CONCEDED CANADA WILL NOT MEET TARGETS FOR THE YEAR TWO-THOUSAND -- FOR ECONOMIC REASONS. BUT HE ASSURED THE ASSEMBLY OF PRESIDENTS AND MINISTERS HIS GOVERNMENT WILL ACCEPT NEW GOALS FOR THE POST-TWO THOUSAND PERIOD, PROVIDED THEY ARE REASONABLE:

IN CANADA, OUR EXPERIENCE IS THAT THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH A LARGE, INTRACTABLE PROBLEM IS TO WORK OUT A PRACTICAL, STEP-BY-STEP PLAN, WITH REALISTIC INTERIM, MEDIUM TERM TARGETS. CONFIDENCE BREEDS CONFIDENCE AND THE PROCESS MOVES FORWARD. WE BELIEVE THE SAME PRINCIPLE SHOULD APPLY WITH THE PROBLEM OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

GOVERNMENTS WILL BE HEADING TO KYOTO, JAPAN IN DECEMBER IN A PUSH FOR A FINAL AGREEMENT ON GREENHOUSE GASES.

DESPITE THE DIRE WARNINGS, DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ARE NOT ALWAYS UNITED ON THE ISSUE. CHINA, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS ENORMOUS COAL RESOURCES VITAL TO ITS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. OIL-EXPORTING COUNTRIES TEND TO WORRY ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF A REDUCTION IN OIL CONSUMPTION. MANY OF THE FAST-GROWING ECONOMIES IN ASIA -- THE SO-CALLED ASIAN TIGERS -- ARE WARY OF BEING NEXT IN LINE FOR EMISSION REDUCTION TARGETS. (SIGNED)
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24-Jun-97 12:45 PM EDT (1645 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES REBOUNDED STRONGLY TODAY (TUESDAY) AFTER MONDAY'S BIG DROP. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 77 HUNDRED 58, UP 153 POINTS, OR TWO PERCENT. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 896, UP 17 POINTS.

IT WAS A STUNNING REBOUND AFTER MONDAY'S ALMOST 200 POINT DROP IN THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE. ANALYSTS SAY BOTH STOCK AND BOND TRADERS WERE ENCOURAGED BY ASSURANCES FROM JAPANESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS THAT PRIME MINISTER HASHIMOTO HAD BEEN MISINTERPRETED. MR. HASHIMOTO SUGGESTED DURING AN APPEARANCE IN NEW YORK THAT JAPAN MIGHT CONSIDER SELLING ITS PORTFOLIO OF U-S GOVERNMENT DEBT SECURITIES. LATER HOWEVER, JAPAN'S FINANCE MINISTER SAID THERE ARE NO PLANS FOR SUCH A SALE.

A MONTHLY SURVEY SHOWS CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IN THE UNITED STATES IS AT ITS HIGHEST LEVEL IN ALMOST 28 YEARS.

BUT THE SURVEY ALSO SHOWS AMERICANS' FUTURE SPENDING PLANS ARE MODEST AND MANY ECONOMISTS SAY THAT MEANS THE HIGH CONFIDENCE LEVEL DOES NOT RAISE THE THREAT OF INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.

A BIG BANK MERGER WAS ANNOUNCED, WITH THE WACHOVIA (WA-COVE-IA) CORPORATION PAYING TWO POINT THREE BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE THE CENTRAL FIDELITY BANK. WHEN COMBINED, THE BANKS, WHICH OPERATE IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, WILL BECOME THE 17TH LARGEST IN THE NATION.

ANDREW YOUNG, THE FORMER U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SAYS WORKERS AT NIKE FOOTWEAR FACTORIES IN ASIA ARE NOT SUBJECT TO PHYSICAL ABUSE. HOWEVER, HE URGES NIKE TO IMPLEMENT BETTER COMMUNICATIONS, POINTING OUT THAT MANY PLANT MANAGERS IN ASIA DO NOT SPEAK THE LOCAL LANGUAGE. MR. YOUNG WAS HIRED BY NIKE TO CONDUCT AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF ITS ASIAN MANUFACTURING FACILITIES AFTER REPORTS OF SWEATSHOP CONDITIONS IN MANY FOOTWEAR FACTORIES.

BILL GATES AND HIS WIFE MELINDA ARE PLEDGING 400 MILLION DOLLARS IN CASH AND SOFTWARE TO PROVIDE AMERICAN AND CANADIAN LIBRARIES WITH ACCESS TO THE COMPUTER INTERNET. MR. GATES, THE FOUNDER OF THE MICROSOFT COMPUTER SOFTWARE COMPANY, IS BELIEVED TO BE THE WEALTHIEST PERSON IN THE UNITED STATES. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/LWM
24-Jun-97 5:27 PM EDT (2127 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] NORTHERN IRELAND (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR IS PRESENTING TO VARIOUS NORTHERN IRELAND POLITICAL PARTIES NEW IDEAS ON THE THORNY ISSUE OF DECOMMISSIONING WEAPONS -- IN OTHER WORDS, HOW TO GET RID OF ARMS HELD BY PARAMILITARY GROUPS. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE ISSUE OF DECOMMISSIONING WEAPONS IS THE MAIN STUMBLING BLOCK TO PROGRESS IN THE MULTI-PARTY TALKS ON THE POLITICAL FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND. THOSE TALKS INVOLVE ALL OF THE MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE BRITISH PROVINCE EXCEPT ONE -- SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY. SINN FEIN IS EXCLUDED PENDING A NEW I-R-A CEASEFIRE.

FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO WORK OUT AN AGREEMENT WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE ISSUE OF DECOMMISSIONING TO BE ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED. ANY ACCORD WOULD HAVE TO BRING TOGETHER APPARENTLY IRRECONCILABLE VIEWS OF PRO-BRITISH AND NATIONALIST-IRISH POLITICAL PARTIES.

PRO-BRITISH OR UNIONIST POLITICIANS HAVE BEEN ARGUING THAT PARAMILITARY GROUPS -- SUCH AS THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY -- MUST GIVE UP SOME OF THEIR WEAPONS BEFORE THEIR POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVES -- SUCH AS SINN FEIN -- COULD BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN TALKS ON NORTHERN IRELAND.

BUT NATIONALIST POLITICIANS HAVE SAID WEAPONS SHOULD BE GIVEN UP AS PART OF A FINAL DEAL ON NORTHERN IRELAND -- NOT BEFORE. AND THE I-R-A HAS ALWAYS EQUATED THE GIVING UP OF WEAPONS WITH SURRENDER.

NOW IT APPEARS AN AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED FOLLOWING TALKS IN NEW YORK MONDAY BETWEEN BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR AND IRELAND'S OUTGOING PREMIER JOHN BRUTON. SPEAKING TO REPORTERS, MR. BRUTON SOUNDED CONFIDENT.

WE REVIEWED THE PREPARATIONS FOR MOVING THE TALKS FORWARD IN BELFAST AND ONE OF THE KNOTTY ISSUES IS DECOMMISSIONING. AND WE HAVE REACHED EFFECTIVELY AN AGREEMENT ON THAT NOW -- HOW THAT IS GOING TO BE HANDLED -- AND THAT CREATES THE CONDITIONS, I THINK, FOR FAIRLY RAPID FORWARD MOVEMENT IN THE TALKS.

NO DETAILS OF THE ACCORD HAVE BEEN REVEALED. BUT IT IS UNDERSTOOD THE AGREEMENT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT PRINCIPLES SET FORTH BY FORMER U-S SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL, WHO IS CHAIRING THE NORTHERN IRELAND MULTI-PARTY TALKS.

THOSE PRINCIPLES INVOLVE DISCUSSING DECOMMISSIONG AT THE SAME TIME AS POLITICAL TALKS ARE GOING ON -- AND ESTABLISHING AN INTERNATIONAL BODY WHICH WILL VERIFY THE DISMANTLING OF WEAPONS HELD BY PARAMILITARY GROUPS. THE DETAILS OF THE ACCORD ARE EXPECTED TO BE PRESENTED TO THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT BY PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR WHEN HE ADDRESSES THE HOUSE OF COMMONS WEDNESDAY.

IN THE MEANTIME, MR. BLAIR IS WORKING TO GET THE APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSALS FROM THE MODERATE PRO-BRITISH ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY AND THE NATIONALIST SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC AND LABOR PARTY. AND THEN SINN FEIN MUST RESPOND.

ANALYSTS SAY IF THE DECOMMISSIONING ISSUE IS INDEED RESOLVED -- OR EVEN ON THE WAY TO BEING RESOLVED -- THEN THE I-R-A WILL HAVE RUN OUT OF EXCUSES NOT TO CALL A NEW CEASEFIRE THAT WOULD ALLOW SINN FEIN TO ENTER THE MAINSTREAM POLITICAL PROCESS. (SIGNED)
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24-Jun-97 10:23 AM EDT (1423 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: AN IMPORTANT SUPREME COURT DECISION INVOLVING THE WHITEWATER INVESTIGATION IS A POPULAR EDITORIAL TOPIC IN TUESDAY'S U-S DAILY PAPERS. ALSO UNDER DISCUSSION: THE DENVER ECONOMIC SUMMIT OF THE EIGHT; PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PLAN FOR EXPANDED AFRICAN TRADE; THE LATEST ON POL POT AND A NEW VOICE FOR REFUGEES AT THE U-N.

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

TEXT: FOR MONTHS, THE WHITE HOUSE HAS BEEN WAGING A BATTLE IN THE COURTS, REFUSING TO TURN OVER NOTES TAKEN AT TWO MEETINGS AT WHICH FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON TALKED WITH WHITE HOUSE LAWYERS ABOUT HER ROLE IN THE WHITEWATER INVESTIGATION.

ON MONDAY [6/23], THE SUPREME COURT HAS LET STAND A LOWER COURT RULING THAT THE WHITE HOUSE M U S T TURN OVER THOSE NOTES. THERE IS A GOOD DEAL OF COMMENT ON THIS LATEST TURN IN THE YEARS-LONG PROBE, BEGINNING WITH THE MIAMI HERALD, WHICH SAYS IN ITS HEADLINE: [THE] "FIRST LADY LOSES BIG."

VOICE: "WHITEWATER INDEPENDENT COUNSEL KENNETH STARR HAD URGED THE COURT NOT TO HEAR THE WHITE HOUSE'S APPEAL, SAYING THAT TO DO SO WOULD UNDULY DELAY HIS INVESTIGATION. .....BY LETTING THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT'S RULING STAND, THE SUPREME COURT MAY STRIKE TERROR INTO THE HEARTS OF FEDERAL OFFICIALS WHO MUST RELY ON GOVERNMENT LAWYERS FOR POLICY ADVICE. BUT CAUTION, NOT TERROR, IS THE PROPER REACTION."

TEXT: HERE IS HOW THE WASHINGTON POST VIEWS THE COURT'S ACTION.

VOICE: "THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS THE NOTES THEMSELVES ARE UNIMPORTANT BUT THAT THE CASE REPRESENTS A MAJOR DEFEAT FOR THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE ON WHICH SO MUCH OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM DEPENDS. WE DOUBT THE CASE IS THAT WEIGHTY BUT WISH THE SUPREME COURT HAD TAKEN IT NONETHELESS, AND RUBBED OFF SOME OF THE ROUGH EDGES OF THE LOWER COURT DECISION."

TEXT: AND IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, WHICH HAS FOLLOWED WHITEWATER CLOSELY, THERE IS THIS:

VOICE: "THESE COLUMNS THROUGH THE YEARS HAVE DEFENDED THE OFFICIAL CAPACITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGAINST UNWARRANTED INCURSIONS. BUT THE HIGH COURT'S DECISION YESTERDAY TO DENY CERTIORARI, [TO DECIDE NOT TO HEAR THE CASE] AND LAST MONTH'S UNANIMOUS DECISION TO ALLOW THE PAULA JONES CIVIL SUIT TO PROCEED, IS A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT THE JUSTICES UNDERSTAND THE GAME AT HAND. THE CLINTON APPEALS ARE NOT AT HEART ABOUT ISSUES OF PRINCIPLE, SUCH AS PRIVILEGE AND IMMUNITY. THEY ARE ABOUT DELAY. .... THE NOTES COULD PROVE IMPORTANT TO WHAT MAY BE MR. STARR'S CAREFUL CONSTRUCTION OF A BROAD OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE CASE."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE RECENTLY-COMPLETED DENVER SUMMIT OF THE EIGHT, NEWSDAY SAYS OF THE MEETING:

VOICE: ".... LIKE THE DOG THAT DIDN'T BARK, THE SUMMIT WAS MOST NOTABLE FOR WHAT WAS NOT SAID. FOR ONCE, THE UNITED STATES WAS NOT BERATED FOR FAILING TO BETTER MANAGE ITS ECONOMY. ON THE CONTRARY, WASHINGTON'S EUROPEAN PARTNERS FAILED TO MAKE ASSURANCES THAT THEY COULD TAKE STEPS TO GET THEIR OWN ECONOMIES OUT OF THE DOLDRUMS TO EMULATE AMERICA'S."

TEXT: THE SUN IN BALTIMORE, HOWEVER, TOOK OFFENSE AT MR. CLINTON'S COMMENTS CALLING THEM "HUBRIS."

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DELIGHT IN ENDLESS YAK-YAK [TALK], PRESENTED WITH AN OVERLAY OF BOASTFULNESS AT THE DENVER ECONOMIC SUMMIT, LEFT MOST OF HIS EUROPEAN PARTNERS LESS THAN IMPRESSED AND NOT JUST A LITTLE BIT IRKED. ..... EXAMPLES: BRITAIN'S NEW PRIME MINISTER, TONY BLAIR, LET IT BE KNOWN THAT WHEN HE HOSTS NEXT YEAR'S MEETING THE AGENDA WILL CONCENTRATE ON TWO ISSUES - - JOBS AND CRIME - - IN CONTRAST TO THE 90 ITEMS ON THE DENVER COMMUNIQUE. ..... GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL SARCASTICALLY WELCOMED AMERICA'S 'DISCOVERY OF AFRICA,' THEN SAID THE CLINTON EMPHASIS ON BOOSTING TRADE BUT NOT STRESSING DIRECT AID WAS 'PARTLY POSITIVE, PARTLY CATASTROPHIC.' .... THE UNITED STATES MAY PREEN ITSELF AS THE WORLD'S ONLY SUPERPOWER, BUT EVEN IN THE BIG LEAGUES THE STRONGEST TEAM DOESN'T ALWAYS WIN."

TEXT: HOWEVER THE ORLANDO SENTINEL SAYS "CRITICISMS OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ACTIONS AT THE ECONOMIC SUMMIT ARE OFF BASE [WRONG]. HIS MAIN MESSAGE WAS ABOUT EVERYONE WINNING."

VOICE: "AMONG THE COMPLAINTS: THAT MR. CLINTON'S REMARKS ABOUT U- S ECONOMIC PROWESS WERE HUMILIATING, THAT THE PRESIDENT TALKED DOWN TO THE OTHER NATIONS AND THAT HE PROVIDED UNSOLICITED ADVICE. ..... IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT THE UNITED STATES HOSTED THE SUMMIT, THAT THIS COUNTRY HOLDS THE STATUS OF SOLE REMAINING SUPERPOWER AND THAT THE U-S ECONOMY JUST HAPPENS TO BE PERFORMING AT AN IMPRESSIVE CLIP [RATE]. IT'S ALSO WORTH NOTING THAT MANY OF THE SUMMIT-MEETING PARTICIPANTS' NATIONS HAVE HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES AND OTHER ECONOMIC PROBLEMS. FOR ALL THOSE REASONS, MR. CLINTON TOOK AN APPROPRIATE STANCE."

TEXT: TODAY'S ATLANTA CONSTITUTION IS CELEBRATING MR. CLINTON'S ECONOMIC INITIATIVE FOR AFRICA WHICH WAS ALSO UNDER DISCUSSION AT DENVER.

VOICE: "RELUCTANT TO GET INVOLVED IN AFRICA SINCE ITS SEARING EXPERIENCE IN SOMALIA IN 1993, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AT LONG LAST HAS WORKED UP A STRATEGY TO ENCOURAGE STABILITY AND ECONOMIC PROGRESS ON THE CONTINENT. ..... IT IS A MODEST PROGRAM IN LINE WITH CURRENT FEDERAL BUDGET REALITIES, BUT IT OFFERS INVITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENTERPRISING AFRICANS AND AMERICANS ALIKE. .... NEWS OF AFRICAN COUPS AND DISASTERS, NATURAL AND MAN-MADE, CAN BE MISLEADING. PARTS OF THE CONTINENT, ESPECIALLY THE SOUTHERN END, ARE STABILIZING AND RAISING THEIR PRODUCTIVITY. WASHINGTON'S NEW APPROACH WOULD NURTURE THAT TURN OF EVENTS, TREATING AFRICANS LIKE PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS PARTNERS, NOT LIKE RECEIVERS OF HANDOUTS."

TEXT: AND IN MAINE, THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD ADDS:

VOICE: "ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ON THE DENVER AGENDA WAS OPENING AFRICA TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE. WHILE THE UNITED STATES PREFERS LESSENING TRADE BARRIERS AND EUROPEAN LEADERS AIM MORE AT DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT, BOT ARE NECESSARY TO BREAK THAT HUGE, SUFFERING CONTINENT OUT OF ITS ISOLATION AND EXPLOITATION."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES IS EXCITED ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF HOLDING AN INTERNATIONAL TRIAL FOR POL POT, THE MAN ACCUSED OF MASTERMINDING GENOCIDE DURING THE 1970S IN CAMBODIA.

VOICE: "A RARE CHANCE NOW EXISTS TO HOLD POL POT, ONE OF THIS CENTURY'S MOST NOTORIOUS MASS MURDERERS, ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY AND THE CAMBODIAN PEOPLE. MANY HURDLES MUST STILL BE OVERCOME ..... BUT CURRENT REALITIES OF CAMBODIAN POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY MAKE THIS AN OPPORTUNE MOMENT TO TRY. ..... NOT SINCE NUREMBERG HAVE THE MAIN ARCHITECTS OF SUCH WHOLESALE KILLING BEEN PUT BEFORE A COURT OF LAW."

TEXT: AT THE UNITED NATIONS, A NEW LEADER IS TAKING OVER AS HEAD OF ITS REFUGEE AGENCY, AND THE [BALTIMORE] SUN IS PLEASED.

VOICE: "WHEN MARY ROBINSON GIVES UP THE PRESIDENCY OF THE IRISH REPUBLIC TO BECOME THE UNITED NATIONS' SECOND HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, THE OPPRESSED WILL HAVE AN ADVOCATE AND A CHAMPION. THE WORLD WILL HEAR HER PLEADINGS,F THE CAMERAS WILL FOLLOW HER SPOTLIGHT AND THE POWERFUL WILL ACCORD HER POLITE ATTENTION. .... MARY ROBINSON WILL PROVIDE AN ELOQUENT VOICE FOR THE TORTURED AND DOWNTRODDEN, GIVING DISCOMFORT WHEN CALLED-FOR TO GOVERNMENTS SMALL AND LARGE."

TEXT: AND IN ONE MORE NOTE, RELATED TO THE IRISH, THE BOSTON GLOBE REMEMBERS THAT COUNTRY'S GREAT FAMINE OF THE 19TH CENTURY.

VOICE: "THE IRISH FAMINE, AN ENORMOUS HUMAN TRAGEDY 150 YEARS AGO, RESONATES TODAY. A CEREMONY SUNDAY THAT HONORED 850 OF THE MILLION PEOPLE WHO DIED WAS A REMINDER THAT PEOPLE THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP THEIR FELLOWS, CAUGHT UP IN THE CATACLYSMS OF THEIR TIMES. ..... CONOR O'RIORDAN, THE IRISH CONSUL GENERAL, SAID: 'THIS IS NOT A COMMEMORATION OF THE PAST, BUT A REASON TO REMEMBER THE TERRIBLE CHALLENGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED WHILE WE ARE ALIVE.' HE REFERRED SPECIALLY TO THE FAMINE AFFLICTING NORTH KOREA AND THE RECENT FOOD SHORTAGES IN SOMALIA AND RWANDA. ..... PEOPLE TODAY SHOULD NOT BE FORCED FROM THEIR HOMELANDS BY THE RAVAGES OF FAMINE AND CONDEMNED TO SPEND THEIR LAST DAYS OF LIFE IN SIGHT OF A FERTILE BUT UNWELCOMING LAND."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM SOME OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/NL/RAE
24-Jun-97 11:08 AM EDT (1508 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: TURKEY'S PREMIER-DESIGNATE, MESUT YILMAZ, FAILED TUESDAY TO FORM A SECULARIST COALITION GOVERNMENT WITH THE SUPPORT OF HIS POLITICAL ARCH-RIVAL, TANSU CILLER, LEADER OF THE CONSERVATIVE "TRUE PATH" PARTY. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

TEXT: SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER MEETING BRIEFLY WITH MR. YILMAZ, ACTING DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER CILLER SAID SHE WOULD BE PREPARED TO FORM A GOVERNMENT WITH THE PREMIER-DESIGNATE, ONLY IF SHE WERE MADE THE PRIME MINISTER. MRS. CILLER SAID SHE HAD TOLD MR. YILMAZ, WHO LEADS THE MAIN OPPOSITION CONSERVATIVE "MOTHERLAND" PARTY, TO IMMEDIATELY RETURN HIS MANDATE TO FORM A NEW GOVERNMENT TO TURKISH PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL. MR, YILMAZ WAS ASKED LAST WEEK BY PRESIDENT DEMIREL TO FORM A NEW GOVERNMENT, FOLLOWING THE RESIGNATION OF THE COUNTRY'S FIRST ISLAMIST PRIME MINISTER, NECMETTIN ERBAKAN.

MR. ERBAKAN'S RESIGNATION FOLLOWED MONTHS OF PRESSURE BY TURKEY'S MILITARY-LED PRO-SECULAR ESTABLISHMENT TO RELINQUISH POWER. THEY CLAIM MR. ERBAKAN WAS TRYING TO OVERTURN MORE THAN 70-YEARS OF RIGIDLY PRO-WESTERN AND PRO-SECULAR RULE.

MR. YILMAZ, WHO IS WIDELY REPORTED TO ENJOY THE SUPPORT OF TURKEY'S POWERFUL GENERALS, NEEDS A SIMPLY MAJORITY IN A CONFIDENCE VOTE ON HIS PROPOSED GOVERNMENT. THAT VOTE IS EXPECTED NEXT WEEK.

TWO LEFT-WING PARTIES IN TURKEY'S 550-MEMBER LEGISLATURE HAVE ALREADY DECLARED THEIR SUPPORT FOR MR. YILMAZ. BUT THE MOTHERLAND PARTY LEADER IS STILL A DOZEN VOTES SHORT OF A SIMPLE MAJORITY, AND IS WIDELY BELIEVED TO BE TRYING TO LURE SOME OF MRS. CILLER'S CLOSE DEPUTIES, WHO OPPOSE HER CONTINUING ALLIANCE WITH THE ISLAMISTS.

OBSERVERS SAY IF MR. YILMAZ FAILS TO FORGE A NEW COALITION, PRESIDENT DEMIREL WOULD MOST LIKELY HAND BACK THE MANDATE TO FORM A NEW GOVERNMENT TO EITHER ISLAMIST LEADER ERBAKAN OR TO MRS. CILLER. THEY, ALONG WITH A TINY ULTRA-NATIONALIST PARTY, CAN FORM A WORKING, COALITION GOVERNMENT.

BUT MANY ANALYSTS BELIEVE THAT OUTCOME WOULD BE MOST UNWELCOME -- BOTH FOR THE MILITARY AND FOR TURKEY'S PRO-SECULAR MAJORITY, WHO FEAR MR. ERBAKAN'S ULTIMATE GOAL FOR TURKEY IS TO ESTABLISH AN ISLAMIC STATE. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF/RAE
24-Jun-97 11:34 AM EDT (1534 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] U-S/SERBIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS DENOUNCED A MEASURE TO BE CONSIDERED NEXT WEEK BY THE SERB REPUBLIC ASSEMBLY THAT WOULD ALTER THE LOCAL ELECTION SYSTEM TO FAVOR THE RULING SOCIALISTS. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS A U-S SPOKESMAN SAYS THE MEASURE, IF ENACTED, WOULD ALSO RESULT IN A SERB VETO OVER THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY IN MUNICIPALITIES THROUGHOUT KOSOVO:

TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JOHN DINGER SAYS THE MEASURE, IF PASSED, WOULD REQUIRE NEW ELECTIONS BE HELD IN KEY OPPOSITION-CONTROLLED CITIES. MR. DINGER SAYS ENACTMENT WOULD EFFECTIVELY VIOLATE LAST DECEMBER'S REPORT BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE REAFFIRMING OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN LAST NOVEMER'S ELECTIONS.

MR. DINGER SAYS IT WOULD ALSO REPRESENT A SERIOUS BLOW TO DEMOCRATIZATION IN SERBIA:

THE LAW WOULD ALSO CREATE BI-CAMERAL LEGISLATURES ORGANIZED ALONG ETHNIC LINES IN 28 MUNICIPALITIES IN KOSOVO. THIS ARRANGEMENT WOULD ENSURE A LOCAL SERB VETO OVER MAJORITY ETHNIC ALBANIAN POPULATION IN THE MUNICIPALITIES AFFECTED.

THE U-S SPOKESMAN WARNS THAT PASSAGE OF THE BILL, ARRIVED AT UNILATERALLY BY THE RULING SOCIALISTS OF PRESIDENT SLOBODEN MILOSEVIC, WOULD UNDERMINE EFFORTS AT FURTHER RECONCILIATION. HE SAYS IT WOULD ALSO INHIBIT SERBIA'S INTEGRATION INTO THE WORLD COMMUNITY. (SIGNED).
NEB/PT
23-Jun-97 9:46 PM EDT (0146 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: THE TRIAL HAS BEGUN OF THE HIGHEST-RANKING MAN TO FACE CHARGES OF WAR CRIMES AT THE UNITED NATIONS' YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. BOSNIAN CROAT GENERAL TIHOMIR BLASKIC IS ACCUSED OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY FOR FAILING TO STOP HIS TROOPS FROM KILLING HUNDREDS OF MUSLIM CIVILIANS. GILLIAN SHARPE IS COVERING THE TRIAL AT THE HAGUE.

TEXT: TIHOMIR BLASKIC'S APPEARANCE IN COURT IS A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD FOR THE TRIBUNAL -- THE FIRST MILITARY COMMANDER TO ANSWER CHARGES OF WAR CRIMES. HE SURRENDERED MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, SAYING HE WANTED TO CLEAR HIS NAME.

PROSECUTORS ALLEGE THAT HIS TROOPS MURDERED AND PERSECUTED MUSLIM CIVILIANS IN CENTRAL BOSNIA, AND THAT HE, AS COMMANDER, SHOULD HAVE STOPPED THEM. THE METHODS USED, SAID LEAD PROSECUTOR MARK HARMON, WERE ONES THAT NO RESPONSIBLE MILITARY COULD CONDONE.

ALL MILITARY COMMANDERS HAVE A SOLEMN OBLIGATION TO INSURE THAT THE HORRORS OF WAR ARE NOT VISITED UPON INNOCENT CIVILIANS AND PRISONERS OF WAR, AND THEY MAY BE HELD CRIMINALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DERILECTION OF DUTY.

THE BOSNIAN CROAT FORCES, MR. HARMON TOLD THE COURT, HAD TORCHED VILLAGES, DETAINED MEN AND BOYS, USED CIVILIANS AS HUMAN SHIELDS, AND ON ONE NOTORIOUS OCCASION, 96 CHILDREN, WOMEN AND ELDERLY PEOPLE WERE KILLED. //OPT// SOME OF THE CRIMES, HE SAID, HAD TAKEN PLACE ONLY A FEW HUNDRED METERS AWAY FROM GENERAL BLASKIC'S HEADQUARTERS.

THE ILLEGAL METHODS USED BY HIS FORCES WERE CALCULATED TO ACHIEVE AN ETHNIC MAJORITY FOR THE BOSNIAN CROATS IN CENTRAL BOSNIA. THE EVIDENCE THAT THE PROSECUTORS OFFICE WILL PRESENT ... WILL SHOW THAT THESE ILLEGAL METHODS USED BY BLASKIC'S SUBORDINATES, WERE WIDESPREAD OVER TIME AND AREA AND WERE WELL-KNOWN TO GENERAL BLASKIC.

THE GENERAL HIMSELF SAYS HE'S NOT GUILTY. HIS DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ARGUE HE DID EVERYTHING IN HIS POWERS TO CONTROL HIS TROOPS.

THIS TRIAL IS EXPECTED TO BE A LONG PROCESS. PRESIDING JUDGE, CLAUDE JORDA, WARNED BOTH PARTIES TO DO THEIR BEST TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF WITNESSES CALLED. "JUSTICE WITHOUT END," HE SAID, "WOULD NOT MEET PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS FOR A FAIR AND SPEEDY TRIAL." (SIGNED)
NEB/GS/PCF/EH
24-Jun-97 9:05 AM EDT (1305 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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