Voice of America, 97-06-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA-GREECE (L-ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (SARANDE, ALBANIA)

[02] ALBANIA POL (S) BY KYLE KING (TIRANA)

[03] CLINTON/POLAND/ROMANIA (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[04] ENVIRONMENT WRAP (L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

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

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

[07] INTERNET, SECURITY, SOFTWARE, LIBRARIES, BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

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

[09] NORTHERN IRELAND BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[10] OPPOSITION TO NATO EXPANSION (2) BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[11] TURKEY KURDS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (DIYARBAKIR)

[01] ALBANIA-GREECE (L-ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (SARANDE, ALBANIA)

INTRO: ALBANIAN REFUGEES LIVING IN GREECE ARE RETURNING BACK TO THEIR TROUBLED HOMELAND TO VOTE VOTE THIS SUNDAY. BUT THE FLOW IS UNEVEN. ANTHEE CARASSAVA REPORTS FROM THE SOUTHERN ALBANIAN PORT CITY OF SARANDE, WHERE HUNDREDS OF REFUGEES ARE ARRIVING DAILY FROM NEIGHBORING GREECE.

TEXT: THE 10-KILOMETER JOURNEY MAY BE RISKY, BUT HUNDREDS OF ALBANIANS ARE TAKING THEIR CHANCE. SETTING SAIL FROM THE GREEK ISLE OF CORFU, ALBANIANS ARE HEADING BACK TO THEIR TROUBLED HOMELAND TO VOTE IN SUNDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS.

THEY SAY THEY ARE RETURNING TO THE VIOLENT COUNTRY THEY FLED FROM TO VOTE, AS THEY PUT IT, AGAINST THE PERSON WHO DROVE THEM OUT ALBANIAN PRESIDENT, SALI BERISHA. OVER 100-THOUSAND ALBANIANS ILLEGALLY FLED TO NEIGHBORING GREECE FOLLOWING THE COLLAPSE EARLIER THIS YEAR OF QUICK-PROFIT INVESTMENT SCHEMES. MANY OF THE REFUGEES WERE FROM THE SOUTHERN PORT CITY OF SARANDE -- ONE OF THE DANGEROUS "HOT SPOTS" OF THE ARMED INSURRECTION THAT GREW OUT OF MASS ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS MONTHS AGO.

AUTHORITIES SAY OVER 100 REFUGEES A MAKING THE CROSSING EACH DAY FROM CORFU TO SARANDE. THEY EXPECT THE NUMBER TO REACH NEARLY ONE-THOUSAND BY SUNDAY'S CRUCIAL VOTE.

BUT THE NUMBER IS TRIVIAL COMPARED TO THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS WHO FLED THE COUNTRY AND THE TENS OF THOUSANDS WHO REFUSE TO RISK THEIR LIVES FOR THE SAKE OF VOTING. ALBANIAN LAW REQUIRES THAT VOTERS CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN THEIR HOME LAND.

OVER ONE-THOUSAND-600 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN VIOLENCE SINCE THE START OF THE ALBANIAN CRISIS. BUT AS MANY REFUGEES FEARED VIOLENCE, OTHERS DREAD TRAVEL PROBLEMS. ALBANIANS SAY MANY OF THEIR RELATIVES REFUSED TO MAKE THE TRIP TO THE ALBANIAN BALLOT BOX IN FEAR THAT THEY MAY BE STRANDED IN SARANDE AND BE BARRED FROM RE-ENTERING GREECE. (SIGNED)
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27-Jun-97 7:48 AM EDT (1148 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBANIA POL (S) BY KYLE KING (TIRANA)

INTRO: ALBANIA'S FEUDING POLITICAL LEADERS HAVE BEEN MAKING LAST MINUTE APPEALS TO VOTERS AS THEY WRAPPED UP THEIR CAMPAIGNS AHEAD OF SUNDAY'S GENERAL ELECTION. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM TIRANA.

TEXT: THE OPPOSITION SOCIALISTS AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA BOTH HELD RALLIES IN TIRANA ON THE LAST DAY OF CAMPAIGNING FOR THE ELECTION.

SUNDAY'S VOTE COMES AFTER VIOLENCE AND ANARCHY THAT ERUPTED AFTER MUCH OF THE POPULATION WAS PLUNGED INTO BANKRUPTED BY THE COLLAPSE OF HIGH RISK INVESTMENT SCHEMES.

THE OPPOSITION SOCIALISTS, HOPING TO RIDE A WAVE OF ANGER AT PRESIDENT BERISHA'S, HAVE ALREADY OUTLINED THEIR GOALS SHOULD THEY WIN THE ELECTION.

THE DEMOCRATS, WHO SAY THEIR CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN BLOCKED BY GUNMEN FROM CAMPAIGNING IN LAWLESS REGIONS OF THE SOUTH, SAY THEY WILL ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF THE VOTE IF IT IS DEEMED FAIR.

HUNDREDS OF OBSERVERS PROTECTED BY A SEVEN-THOUSAND MEMBER INTERNATIONAL FORCE WILL MONITOR THE VOTE, WHICH ANALYSTS SAY COULD MAKE OR BREAK THE COUNTRY'S EFFORTS TO REESTABLISH STABILITY. (SIGNED)
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27-Jun-97 1:45 PM EDT (1745 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CLINTON/POLAND/ROMANIA (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL VISIT POLAND AND ROMANIA IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE NATO EXPANSION SUMMIT JULY 8TH AND 9TH IN MADRID. ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY THEY EXPECT HARMONY AT THE SUMMIT DESPITE U-S DIFFERENCES WITH THE ALLIES ON THE EXPANSION ISSUE. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THE PRESIDENT'S WARSAW VISIT WILL AMOUNT TO A CONGRATULATORY GESTURE TO POLAND OVER ITS VIRTUALLY CERTAIN INVITATION TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE. AND OFFICIALS SAY HE WILL STRESS TO ROMANIA -- WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE PASSED OVER IN THE FIRST ROUND OF EXPANSION -- THAT NATO WILL HAVE AN OPEN DOOR TO FURTHER ENLARGEMENT AND THAT ROMANIA IS A LEADING CANDIDATE FOR FUTURE ENTRY.

THE WHITE HOUSE DISCLOSED MR. CLINTON'S TRAVEL PLANS AS SENSITIVE DIPLOMATIC CONTACTS CONTINUED WITH THE NATO ALLIES AND CANDIDATE COUNTRIES ON THE EXPANSION ISSUE.

THE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED TWO WEEKS AGO THE UNITED STATES WILL ACCEPT ONLY POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC IN THE FIRST ROUND OF NATO EXPANSION -- DEFYING A MAJORITY OF THE ALLIES WHO ALSO SUPPORT ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA FOR IMMEDIATE ADMISSION.

SINCE NATO DECISIONS ARE MADE BY CONSENSUS, THE U-S STAND IS EXPECTED TO PREVAIL IN MADRID. BUT ALLIES FAVORING BROADER EXPANSION, NOTABLY FRANCE, HAVE NOT YET SAID THE ISSUE IS CLOSED.

UNDER QUESTIONING HERE, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAID PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS, QUOTE, "BENT OVER BACKWARDS" IN RECENT DAYS TO ACCOMMODATE THE CONCERNS OF THE ALLIES BUT SAID THAT IN THE END THE UNITED STATES HAS TO ASSERT IS LEADERSHIP IN THE ALLIANCE:

I THINK HE'S VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE WAY IN WHICH WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER ON THIS ISSUE. AND WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SOMETIMES THE UNITED STATES HAS TO SPEAK BLUNTLY AND CANDIDLY. BUT I THINK THEY WOULD ACKNOWLEGE -- EVEN IF IT'S PRIVATELY -- THAT SOMEWAY THAT'S THE WAY THINGS GET DONE IN THIS ALLIANCE.

SPOKESMAN MCCURRY SAID MR. CLINTON CHOSE TO VISIT POLAND BECAUSE IT HAS THE LARGEST ECONOMY OF THE THREE LIKELY NEW MEMBERS AND THE CLOSEST MILITARY TIES TO THE ALLIANCE. HE SAID HE WILL USE THE WARSAW VISIT IN PART TO STRESS NOT ONLY NATO'S COMMITMENT TO POLAND -- BUT ALSO THE HEAVY DEFENSE COSTS AND OBLIGATIONS THE NEW MEMBERS THEMSELVES WILL ASSUME.

THE ROMANIA VISIT WILL BE THE FIRST BY A U-S PRESIDENT SINCE RICHARD NIXON'S VISIT TO BUCHAREST IN 1969. SENIOR U-S ENVOYS, INCLUDING SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT WILL FAN OUT FROM THE MADRID MEETING TO CONSULT OTHER CONCERNED GOVERNMENTS INCLUDING SLOVENIA AND THE BALTIC STATES. (SIGNED)
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27-Jun-97 3:24 PM EDT (1924 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] ENVIRONMENT WRAP (L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: FIVE YEARS AFTER A LANDMARK EARTH SUMMIT IN RIO DE JANEIRO, A WEEK-LONG MEETING AT THE UNITED NATIONS TO REVIEW EFFORTS TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT ENDS (IS ENDING OR ENDED) WHERE IT BEGAN -- ON DISAGREEMENT. GOVERNMENTS WERE NOT ABLE TO FORGE A CONSENSUS ON A POLITICAL STATEMENT THAT COULD HAVE COMMITTED THEM TO CONCRETE MEASURES ON DIFFICULT ISSUES LIKE GLOBAL WARMING. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: AFTER A WEEK OF SPEECHES -- OFTEN IMPASSIONED -- BY GOVERNMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, DELEGATES TO THE SPECIAL RIO REVIEW SESSION COULD NOT AGREE ON TARGETS FOR REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS. DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WERE UNHAPPY WITH THE VAGUE COMMITMENT BY INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS TO INCREASE DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE. AND, FOREST WERE LEFT IN THE HANDS OF A PANEL OF GOVERNMENTS THAT MIGHT SOMEDAY CONSIDER THE IDEA OF NEGOTIATING A TREATY.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MEETING, GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT ISMAIL RAZALI, SAID THE RESULTS WERE NOT UNEXPECTED:

I THINK THIS IS THE KIND OF CONFERENCE THAT WAS DUE TO HAPPEN. FOR THE FIRST TIME WE ARE HONEST ENOUGH TO RECOGNIZE THE LIMITATIONS OF OUR PROMISES, OF OUR POLITICAL COMMITMENTS AND OUR CONTINUING INABILITY TO MEET WITH TARGETS.

THIRD WORLD GOVERNMENTS REPEATEDLY ACCUSED INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS OF FAILING TO FULFILL THEIR PLEDGES IN RIO IN 1992. INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES ARGUED SHRINKING NATIONAL BUDGETS AND COMPETING VIEWS AT HOME ON KEY ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES MUST BE CONSIDERED. PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SPEECH THURSDAY UNDERSCORED THE DIFFICULTY OF CREATING A NATIONAL POLICY WHEN BIG COMMERCIAL INTEREST ARE INVOLVED.

THE RICH NATIONS ALSO ARGUED AMONG THEMSELVES. THE EUROPEANS FOR EXAMPLE, CHALLENGED THE UNITED STATES TO DEAL AGGRESSIVELY ON THE GREENHOUSE GAS ISSUE.

ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT RAZALI BELIEVES THE ENVIRONMENT SESSION WAS MORE HONEST THAN MOST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES. HE TOLD REPORTERS IT COULD BE THE BEGINNING OF A NEW, MORE REALISTIC APPROACH.

WE DON'T WANT ANY MYOPIC VIEWPOINT ON ANYTHING IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT. WE MUST NOT GLOSS OVER THINGS. WE MUST NOT SWEEP THINGS UNDER THE CARPET. IF WE HAVE A PROBLEM, LET'S RECOGNIZE IT AS THAT. AND THAT'S WHAT THIS CONFERENCE HAS DONE.

BUT ENVIRONMENTALIST BELIEVE THE TIME IS WELL PASSED FOR THE WORLD TO BE CONTENT WITH SIMPLE HONESTY. GREENPEACE INTERNATIONAL DECLARED THE OUTCOME OF THE U-N MEETING AN ALMOST COMPLETE DISASTER FOR THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/EJ/ENE-T/PT
27-Jun-97 6:39 PM EDT (2239 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

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

TEXT: STOCK PRICES WERE OFF IN ALL MAJOR EUROPEAN EXCHANGES. ANALYSTS SAID TRADERS WERE CASHING IN ON THE PRICE GAINS OF RECENT DAYS.

ON THE FRENCH MARKET, THE CAC-40 INDEX FINISHED DOWN JUST UNDER THREE POINTS, LESS THAN ONE-TENTH PERCENT.

IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX WAS DOWN ALMOST 10 POINTS, ABOUT TWO-TENTHS PERCENT. AND, IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX CLOSED OFF 17 POINTS, ALMOST FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED IN VALUE AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN AS WELL AS AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, THE BRITISH POUND, AND ALL OTHER MAJOR EUROPEAN CURRENCIES.
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27-Jun-97 2:29 PM EDT (1829 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: A PAIR OF IMPORTANT SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ARE THE FOCUS OF A GOOD DEAL OF ATTENTION IN THIS FRIDAY'S U-S EDITORIALS COLUMNS ACROSS THE NATION.

IN OTHER MATTERS, PAPERS ARE GIVING THEIR VIEWS ON SUCH THINGS AS: THE PROBLEMS WITH THE RUSSIAN SPACE STATION MIR; THE NEW, TOUGHER CLEAN AIR STANDARDS ANNOUNCED BY THE PRESIDENT THIS WEEK; THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY SETTLEMENT; A NEW IRISH PEACE PLAN FROM TONY BLAIR AND THE PASSING OF FAMED OCEANOGRAPHER JACQUES COUSTEAU.

NOW, HERE WITH SOME QUOTES AND A CLOSER LOOK, IS ___________________AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE U-S SUPREME COURT IS NEARING THE END OF ITS SESSION AND SEVERAL IMPORTANT DECISIONS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK, WITH A FEW MORE TO COME. THURSDAY'S RULINGS AGAINST ASSISTED SUICIDE, AND FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH ON THE INTERNET, ARE BOTH DRAWING CONSIDERABLE COMMENT. FIRST, FROM PORTLAND, THE OREGONIAN RESPONDS TO THE ASSISTED SUICIDE RULING, IN A STATE THAT HAS PASSED, BUT NEVER USED, A LAW THAT ALLOWS SUCH ACTION IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES.

VOICE: "THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES COULDN'T HAVE BEEN CLEARER YESTERDAY: THERE IS NO RIGHT TO DIE TUCKED ANYWHERE IN THE U-S CONSTITUTION. THE HIGH COURT SAID SO UNANIMOUSLY, AND IT SAID SO IN TWO SEPARATE - - AND DISTINCTLY ARGUED - - CASES. CHIEF JUSTICE WILLIAM REHNQUIST WROTE BOTH OPINIONS, AND IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT THE CHIEF JUSTICE NEEDS NO LECTURING ON THE SPECIAL AGONIES OF TERMINAL ILLNESS AND DEATH. HIS WIFE DIED IN 1991 AFTER A LONG STRUGGLE WITH CANCER. ..... THE REHNQUIST OPINIONS CONTAIN SOUND INSTRUCTION ON WHY ASSISTED SUICIDE IS A CRIME IN ALMOST EVERY STATE - - AND WHY THE ONE EXCEPTION, OREGON, SHOULD DRAW BACK FROM THIS ABYSS WHEN VOTERS RECONSIDER [THE] ASSISTED SUICIDE LICENSE THIS FALL."

TEXT: NEWSDAY CALLS THE DECISION VERY SENSIBLE, BUT SAYS IT DOESN'T CLARIFY THE MATTER.

VOICE: "....THE COURT AGREED IN TWO LANDMARK CASES THAT THE CONSTITUTION DOESN'T GUARANTEE ANYONE THE RIGHT TO PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE. AH, IF ONLY IT WERE THAT SIMPLE. BUT DECIDING THAT NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON - - AND 33 OTHER STATES - - COULD CONSTITUTIONALLY PROHIBIT DOCTORS FROM HELPING TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS TO TAKE THEIR OWN LIVES DOESN'T EVEN COME CLOSE TO ENDING THE DEATH-WITH DIGNITY DEBATE."

TEXT: AS FOR THE OTHER SUPREME COURT DECISION OF SPECIAL NOTE, THAT CONSTITUTIONALLY GUARANTEED FREE SPEECH PROTECTS EROTIC PICTURES AND MESSAGES ON THE INTERNET - - THE VAST NETWORK OF MATERIAL PEOPLE WITH HOME COMPUTERS CAN CONNECT TO VIA THEIR TELEPHONE - - THERE IS THIS RESPONSE FROM THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER.

VOICE: "[OPT] ... THIS WAS A VICTORY FOR FREE SPEECH THAT WAS BORN, APPROPRIATELY, WITHIN A BLOCK OF THE LIBERTY BELL AND INDEPENDENCE HALL. [A THREE-JUDGE FEDERAL APPEALS COURT IN PHILADELPHIA HAD FIRST RULED THAT THE INTERNET WAS INCLUDED IN FREE SPEECH PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION, A RULING APPEALED TO THE SUPREME COURT, AND HANDED DOWN YESTERDAY/ THURSDAY.] [END OPT]IN COMING DOWN AGAINST [STRIKING DOWN] THE WRONGHEADED AND LIKELY INEFFECTIVE 1996 LAW MEANT TO SHIELD CHILDREN FROM ONLINE FILTH, THE SUPREME COURT .... SAID CONGRESS HAD OVERREACHED WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS DECENCY ACT (CDA), THREATENING MATERIAL THAT ADULTS HAD A PERFECT RIGHT TO VIEW ... FOR NOW, THE HIGH COURT HAS PRESERVED THE INTERNET - - NOT AS A PLACE TO POST SMUT - - BUT AS AN EVOLVING COMMUNICATIONS MEDIUM OF HUGE POTENTIAL."

TEXT: OUT IN SPACE, THERE IS TROUBLE IN THE MIR SPACE STATION AFTER A DOCKING ACCIDENT, AND THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SAYS PERHAPS THE PARTNERSHIP WITH RUSSIA MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUCH A GOOD IDEA AFTER ALL.

VOICE: ".......JUST AS TROUBLING AS THE CRACKUP IN SPACE IS THE POLITICAL EUPHORIA THAT RUSHED NASA INTO A HASTILY PLANNED PARTNERSHIP THAT DID LITTLE TO ENSURE SAFETY ABOARD MIR. .... THE COST OF FUTURE U-S INVOLVEMENT WITH MIR NOW SEEMS TO OUTWEIGH THE SCIENTIFIC RETURN: IN THE LAST FIVE MONTHS ALONE, THE AGING OUTPOST HAS HAD SEVERAL CRISIS, FROM EXPLODING OXYGEN CANISTERS TO COOLING SYSTEM LEAKS. THE UNITED STATES OUGHT TO END ITS INVOLVEMENT IN MIR, AFTER HELPING BRING ALL HOME SAFELY."

TEXT: THAT IDEA IS SECONDED BY THE NEW YORK POST WITH THIS EDITORIAL COLUMN HEADLINE: "TIME TO DISENGAGE FROM MIR," BUT THE ORLANDO SENTINEL COUNSELS PATIENCE, POINTING OUT:

VOICE: "THE LATEST SNAFU HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MIR'S ADVANCED AGE - - WHICH OFTEN IS RAISED AS A REASON TO SHUT IT DOWN. THE ACCIDENT STEMMED FROM HUMAN ERROR. ... THE EARLY PROMISE OF RUSSIA'S INVOLVEMENT WAS THAT IT WOULD MAKE THE PROJECT MORE EFFICIENT. THAT'S STILL POSSIBLE, ALTHOUGH RUSSIAN DELAYS HAVE MEANT STRETCHING OUT THE NEW SPACE STATION'S SCHEDULE. THE UNITED STATES CAN'T WAIT FOREVER FOR RUSSIA, BUT FOR NOW PATIENCE REMAINS IN ORDER. .... THIS IS NO TIME FOR AMERICA TO TURN ITS BACK ON THE SPACE STATION OR FUTURE EXPLORATION."

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DECISION TO SUPPORT TOUGHER CLEAN AIR STANDARDS PROPOSED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (E-P-A) GETS THE SUPPORT OF THE WASHINGTON POST.

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON DID THE RIGHT THING ON CLEAN AIR THE OTHER DAY. ..... THE PRESIDENT .... GAVE THE DECISION A HIGHER STATUS BY TAKING IT ON HIMSELF. IN ANNOUNCING IT AS HIS OWN, WHICH IT WAS, HE MADE HIMSELF THE DELIVERER NOT JUST OF THE GOOD NEWS TO THOSE WHO FAVORED IT BUT OF THE BAD TO THOSE .... WHO WERE OPPOSED. .... PRESIDENTS, INCLUDING MR. CLINTON, DON'T ALWAYS STEP UP TO THE HARD ONES [DECISIONS/ISSUES] THAT WAY."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES IS TALKING ABOUT ANOTHER ISSUE THAT COMES UNDER THE GENERAL HEADING OF CLEAN AIR, THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY SETTLEMENT WITH THE STATES AND LIABILITY LAWYERS FOR PEOPLE WITH SMOKING-RELATED ILLNESSES.

VOICE: "NOW THAT THE FULL TEXT OF THE TOBACCO DEAL IS CIRCULATING, ITS MOST GLARING DEFECTS LOOK EVEN WORSE THAN THEY FIRST APPEARED. [OPT]THAT DOES NOT MEAN THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT IS NOT A HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT. THE STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL HAVE PUSHED THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY INTO ACCEPTING SEVERE RESTRICTIONS ON MARKETING AND ADVERTISING AND HAVE WON SIZABLE REPARATIONS TO FINANCE ANTISMOKING CAMPAIGNS AND REGULATORY OVERSIGHT. ..... BUT ALL THE RESTRICTIONS AND EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS WILL BE FRUITLESS IF SMOKING RATES DO NOT FALL. [END OPT] ..... THERE IS MUCH TO ADMIRE IN THE DEAL. BUT THE NATION SHOULD NOT RELINQUISH THE THREAT OF STATE AND CLASS-ACTION LITIGATION WITHOUT INSURING THAT STRONG REGULATORY POWERS AND STIFF PENALTIES FOR NONPERFORMANCE ARE IN PLACE."

TEXT: IN ANOTHER EDITORIAL, THE NEW YORK TIMES PRAISES THE LATEST PEACE MOVE BY THE NEW BRITISH PRIME MINISTER.

VOICE: "AT A MOMENT OF DANGER AND DESPAIR IN NORTHERN IRELAND, BRITAIN'S NEW PRIME MINISTER, TONY BLAIR, HAS REMOVED A KEY OBSTACLE TO AN EVENTUAL NEGOTIATED PEACE. MR. BLAIR DROPPED HIS PREDECESSOR'S INSISTENCE THAT THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY AGREE TO A TIMETABLE FOR TURNING IN ITS WEAPONS BEFORE THE I-R-A'S POLITICAL WING, SINN FEIN, COULD BE ADMITTED TO PEACE TALKS. HE NOW AGREES THAT A SCHEDULE FOR DISARMING CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT PARAMILITARY GROUPS CAN BE NEGOTIATED WHILE TALKS PROCEED ON AN OVERALL SETTLEMENT, A SENSIBLE COMPROMISE ....."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, A LAMENT OVER THE PASSING OF OCEANOGRAPHER JACQUES COUSTEAU FROM THE MIAMI HERALD.

VOICE: "[OPT] THE MUSE OF JACQUES YVES COUSTEAU'S WONDERFULLY GRACEFUL LIFE WAS THE SEA. THIS NYMPH DELIGHTED AND DETAINED MR. COUSTEAU FAR LONGER THAN ODYSSEUS, AND LURED HIM INTO MANY MORE JOURNEYS. [END OPT]..... JACQUES COUSTEAU LIVED A RATHER EXTRAORDINARY LIFE BY HEEDING THE SEA'S SIREN CALL. FORTUNATELY, HIS GENEROSITY ALLOWED ALL OF US TO PARTAKE OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND SHARE IN THE ADVENTURE."

TEXT: WITH THAT TRIBUTE TO THE FRENCH EXPLORER WHO DIED THIS WEEK AT 87, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM FRIDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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27-Jun-97 10:33 AM EDT (1433 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] INTERNET, SECURITY, SOFTWARE, LIBRARIES, BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ON THIS EDITION OF COMPUTER DIGEST:

AMERICA'S HIGHEST COURT RULES ON A LAW AFFECTING THE INTERNET,

MAKING HIGH-TECH NETWORKS SECURE,

THE GROWING AMERICAN SOFTWARE INDUSTRY,

AND, PLACING COMPUTERS IN AMERICAN LIBRARIES, *****

INTERNET

TEXT: ON THURSDAY, THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN A FEDERAL LAW THAT MADE IT ILLEGAL TO MAKE "INDECENT" MATERIAL AVAILABLE TO MINORS ON THE INTERNET. THE 7-2 DECISION SAID THE LAW "EFFECTIVELY SUPPRESSES A LARGE AMOUNT OF SPEECH THAT ADULTS HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO RECEIVE AND TO ADDRESS TO ONE ANOTHER." THE RULING PRAISED THE "VAST DEMOCRATIC POTENTIAL OF CYBERSPACE," AND SAID THAT THE NEW MEDIUM "IS ENTITLED TO THE FULLEST POSSIBLE FREE-SPEECH PROTECTION." THE RULING HAS BEEN HAILED AS A VICTORY FOR THE FIRST AMENDMENT, WHICH GUARANTEES THE RIGHT OF FREE SPEECH.

SECURITY

TEXT: A GROUP OF PRIVATE COMPANIES HAS COME TOGETHER TO EXPLORE WAYS TO IDENTIFY AND PREVENT THREATS TO COMPUTER SECURITY FROM CRIMINALS OR TERRORISTS. (///OPT///) A RECENT SURVEY SHOWS THAT CLOSE TO 60-PERCENT OF 1000 FIRMS STUDIED, INDICATED THAT THEY HAD BEEN THE VICTIMS OF COMPUTER BREAK-INS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS. NEARLY 20-PERCENT SUFFERED LOSSES EXCEEDING ONE MILLION DOLLARS. (///END OPT///) THE USA TODAY NEWSPAPER REPORTS THAT THE CONSORTIUM'S NEW MANHATTAN CYBER PROJECT HAS AS ITS GOAL THE CREATION OF A NONPROFIT RESEARCH CENTER TO TEST PRODUCTS AND GIVE TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE INDUSTRY." ALAN FEDELI, A PROJECT MEMBER FROM IBM, TOLD THE NEWSPAPER THAT "IT'S WORKING TOGETHER, BREAKING DOWN COMPETITIVE BARRIERS AND INFORMATION SHARING WHICH IS THE REAL VALUE OF THIS CONSORTIUM." *****

SOFTWARE

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES REPORTS THAT THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE BUSINESS HAS RISEN RAPIDLY TO BECOME AMERICA'S THIRD-LARGEST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY -- JUST BEHIND AUTOMOBILES AND ELECTRONICS. AND, THE PAPER SAYS, SOFTWARE COMPANIES PAY WAGES TWICE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. A STUDY, CONDUCTED BY NATHAN ASSOCIATES, AN ECONOMIC CONSULTING FIRM IN ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, FINDS THAT MORE THAN 600,000 AMERICANS ARE NOW EMPLOYED IN THE SOFTWARE INDUSTRY, AND THEY EARN "AN AVERAGE OF $57,300 OR MORE THAN TWICE THE NORMAL AVERAGE OF $27,900." *****

LIBRARIES

TEXT: THE NEWLY FORMED GATES LIBRARY FOUNDATION PLANS TO DONATE $200 MILLION OVER FIVE YEARS TO HELP LIBRARIES IN POOR AREAS "DEVELOP COMPUTER RESOURCES FOR THEIR PATRONS." THE FOUNDATION IS NAMED FOR MICROSOFT CO-FOUNDER BILL GATES, AND HIS WIFE MELINDA. CRAIG BUTHOD, ACTING CITY LIBRARIAN FOR THE SEATTLE (WASHINGTON) PUBLIC LIBRARY, TOLD THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, THAT "THE SCALE OF THE COMMITMENT FROM A TECHNOLOGY LEADER INDICATES THAT LIBRARIES ARE THE PLACE FOR PUBLIC ACCESS TO SOPHISTICATED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, TO THE WORLD'S NETWORKS, TO INFORMATION RESOURCES AND TO LEARNING ABOUT TECHNOLOGY." (///OPT///) THE NEWSPAPER NOTES THAT THE CONTRIBUTION FROM THE GATES FAMILY "IS FAR LARGER THAN THE $41.5 MILLION THAT STEEL MAGNATE (ANDREW) CARNEGIE GAVE TO BUILD 1,600 AMERICAN PUBLIC LIBRARIES AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY...." (///END OPT///)
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27-Jun-97 11:37 AM EDT (1537 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 (FRIDAY) AS SOME STABILITY SEEMED TO RETURN TO THE MARKET. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 76 HUNDRED 87, UP 33 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST 109 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 887, UP THREE POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY SOME STABILITY SEEMS TO HAVE RETURNED TO THE STOCK MARKET AFTER THE VOLATILE TRADING OF EARLIER THIS WEEK.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED THAT U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR WAS STRONGER THAN ORIGINALLY ESTIMATED. THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT SAYS GROWTH WAS AT A FIVE POINT NINE PERCENT ANNUAL RATE, THE STRONGEST QUARTER IN NINE YEARS.

DESPITE THAT GROWTH REPORT, MOST ANALYSTS SAY THERE IS NOW SOLID EVIDENCE THAT THE U-S ECONOMY IS SLOWING AND IT IS UNLIKELY THAT GOVERNORS OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK WILL RAISE INTEREST RATES AT THEIR MEETING NEXT WEEK.

GENERAL MOTORS SAYS IT WILL RAISE VEHICLE PRICES IN THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET BY AN AVERAGE OF ONE POINT THREE PERCENT IN THE NEXT MODEL YEAR. IT IS G-M'S SMALLEST PRICE INCREASE IN MORE THAN A DECADE. ANALYSTS SAY U-S AUTO MAKERS ARE CONSTRAINED FROM RAISING PRICES MUCH BECAUSE OF FIERCE PRICE COMPETITION BY JAPANESE COMPANIES.

THE ZURICH GROUP, SWITZERLAND'S LARGEST INSURANCE COMPANY, WILL PAY TWO POINT FOUR BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE SCUDDER, STEVEN AND CLARK, THE U-S FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY.

THE ANHEUSER-BUSCH BREWING COMPANY OF THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT WILL INVEST 550 MILLION DOLLARS TO BUY A CONTROLLING INTEREST IN GRUPO MODELO OF MEXICO. MODELO IS ONE OF THE LARGEST BREWERS IN MEXICO AND ITS CORONA BRAND BEER IS VERY POPULAR IN THE UNITED STATES MARKET.

THE JOHNSON AND JOHNSON COMPANY SAYS IT WILL DISCONTINUE SALE OF ITS HOME AIDS TESTING KIT. THE PRODUCT, NAMED "CONFIDE" ALLOWS CONSUMERS TO SELF-TEST FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE VIRUS BELIEVED TO CAUSE THE DISEASE AIDS. IT HAS BEEN HEAVILY PROMOTED IN THE U-S MARKET FOR ONE YEAR, BUT THE COMPANY SAYS SALES HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTING. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/KL
27-Jun-97 5:25 PM EDT (2125 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] NORTHERN IRELAND BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS AWAITING RESPONSES FROM THE VARIOUS POLITICAL PARTIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND ON ITS PROPOSALS DEALING WITH THE DECOMMISSIONING OF WEAPONS -- IN OTHER WORDS, HOW TO GET PARAMILITARY GROUPS TO HAND IN ARMS. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS ON THE ISSUE WHICH HAS FOR YEARS BLOCKED ANY PROGRESS IN DISCUSSIONS ON NORTHERN IRELAND'S FUTURE.

TEXT: ALL THE MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND ARE STUDYING THE PROPOSALS PRESENTED BY BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR ON THE ISSUE OF DECOMMISSIONING PARAMILITARY WEAPONS.

IN A SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT EARLIER THIS WEEK, MR. BLAIR PROPOSED SETTING UP AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION TO OVERSEE THE HANDING IN OF PARAMILITARY WEAPONS. THAT COMMISSION WOULD WORK AT THE SAME TIME AS NEW MULTI-PARTY TALKS ON NORTHERN IRELAND ARE HELD.

MR. BLAIR SAID IF ALL POLITICAL PARTIES AGREE ON SUCH A FORMULA, SUBSTANTIVE TALKS COULD BEGIN AT THE LATEST IN EARLY SEPTEMBER AND END NEXT MAY. HOWEVER THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER MADE CLEAR THAT SINN FEIN -- THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM THOSE TALKS UNTIL A NEW I-R-A CEASEFIRE IS IN PLACE.

THE LARGEST IRISH-NATIONALIST PARTY IN NORTHERN IRELAND -- THE "SOCIAL, DEMOCRATIC AND LABOR PARTY" -- HAS WELCOMED MR. BLAIR'S PROPOSALS FOR DECOMMISSIONING. SINN FEIN HAS STILL NOT REACTED.

THE HARDLINE PRO-BRITISH "DEMOCRATIC UNIONIST" PARTY HAS REJECTED THEM, SAYING IT IS A SELLOUT TO SINN FEIN.

KEN MAGINNIS IS SECURITY SPOKESMAN FOR THE MODERATE "ULSTER UNIONISTS" -- THE LARGEST PRO-BRITISH POLITICAL PARTY IN NORTHERN IRELAND. HE SAYS VARIOUS PARTS OF MR. BLAIR'S PROPOSALS ARE VAGUE AND HAVE TO BE CLEARLY DEFINED -- SUCH AS THE EXACT MEANING OF POLITICAL TALKS HELD "IN PARALLEL" WITH THE DISARMING OF PARAMILITARY GROUPS.

NOW A PARALLEL PROCESS CAN ONLY BE ONE WHERE THE DISARMAMENT BEGINS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE POLITICAL NEGOTIATIONS. SO THAT ALMOST LITERALLY THE FIRST DAY THAT WE ENTER INTO THE NEW PHASE OF THE (TALKS) PROCESS -- IF NOT THE FIRST DAY, CERTAINLY WITHIN THE FIRST FEW DAYS -- WE HAVE GOT TO SEE SINN FEIN/I-R-A AND OTHER PARAMILITARY ORGANIZATIONS ACTUALLY SURRENDERING WEAPONS SO THAT THE POLITICAL PROCESS CAN TAKE PLACE. IF THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN, THEN OF COURSE WE ARE IN DIFFICULTY. BUT NOT ONLY HAS IT GOT TO START AT THAT STAGE, THERE HAS GOT TO BE A CONTINUOUS SCHEDULED PROCESS OF DISARMAMENT -- AND THE DISARMAMENT HAS GOT TO BE COMPLETED AS THE POLITICAL NEGOTIATIONS ARE COMPLETED. THAT MEANS BY NEXT MAY.

MR. MAGINNIS ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS IS THE MOST OPTIMISTIC SCENARIO. HE ADMITS ONE OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS TO DISARMING THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY IS ITS INSISTENCE THAT ANY HANDING OVER OF WEAPONS IS TANTAMOUNT TO SURRENDER -- SOMETHING IT CANNOT ACCEPT.

THE NORTHERN IRELAND POLITICIAN BELIEVES THE I-R-A WILL ULTIMATELY REJECT HANDING IN WEAPONS BECAUSE IT WILL MEAN TURNING ITS BACK ON TERRORIST ACTIVITIES AND RENOUNCING VIOLENCE. BUT HE IS STILL HOPEFUL SINN FEIN COULD TAKE PART IN POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS PROPOSED BY MR. BLAIR FOR LATER THIS YEAR.

IF WE CAN GET SINN FEIN INTO THE TALKS IN SEPTEMBER -- AND MIND YOU, I AM NOT TERRIBLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SITTING DOWN WITH THOSE WHO HAVE MURDERED MY FRIENDS, MY PERSONAL FRIENDS AND MY CONSTITUENTS. BUT IF IN FACT SINN FEIN/I-R-A ARE IN THE TALKS BY SEPTEMBER, THEN THERE WILL BE -- WITHIN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME -- SOME INDICATION WHETHER IN FACT THERE IS ANY SINCERITY. AND IF THERE IS AND IF THEY INTEND TO DISARM -- REMEMBER UP UNTIL NOW THEY HAVE ALWAYS SAID THEY WOULD NOT DISARM A SINGLE BULLET, A SINGLE OUNCE OF SEMTEX (PLASTIC EXPLOSIVE). BUT IF THEY HAVE CHANGED THEIR MIND, IF THEY HAVE DONE A U-TURN (REVERSE) ON THAT -- THEN OF COURSE THE WAY AHEAD WILL BE MUCH BRIGHTER FOR THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND. AND I BELIEVE A GREAT DEAL OF PROGRESS COULD BE MADE EVEN IN THAT SHORT PERIOD.

IN HIS SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT ANNOUNCING HIS DECOMMISSIONING PROPOSALS, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BLAIR CALLED ON THE I-R-A TO ANNOUNCE A NEW CEASEFIRE AND ALLOW SINN FEIN TO PARTICIPATE IN TALKS. HE WENT ON TO SAY IF NO CEASEFIRE IS FORTHCOMING, NEGOTIATIONS ON NORTHERN IRELAND'S FUTURE WILL PROCEED WITHOUT SINN FEIN. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF/KL
27-Jun-97 12:32 PM EDT (1632 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] OPPOSITION TO NATO EXPANSION (2) BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: FORMER TOP U-S OFFICIALS AND POLICY ANALYSTS STATED THEIR OPPOSITION TO AN ENLARGED NATO AT A RECENT CONFERENCE HELD BY THE CATO INSTITUTE IN WASHINGTON. IN THE SECOND OF TWO SCRIPTS ON THIS GROWING CRITICISM, VOA'S ED WARNER REPORTS SOME OF THE TALKS AND A RESPONSE FROM A SUPPORTER OF EXPANSION.

TEXT: HOW CAN EUROPE BE UNIFIED BY DIVIDING IT? THAT IS THE QUESTION THAT WAS ASKED AT A RECENT CONFERENCE HELD BY THE CATO INSTITUTE IN WASHINGTON. PARTICIPANTS EMPHASIZED THE GAP BETWEEN THE NATIONS ADMITTED TO AN ENLARGED NATO AND THOSE THAT ARE NOT.

WILLIAM HYLAND, WHO HAS BEEN EDITOR OF "FOREIGN AFFAIRS" JOURNAL AND A MEMBER OF THE U-S NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL, SAID CONFUSION AND RESENTMENT ARE SURE TO FOLLOW:

I THINK IT WILL CREATE SEVERAL CLASSES OF EUROPEANS: OLD MEMBERS OF NATO, NEW MEMBERS OF NATO, POTENTIAL MEMBERS OF NATO, SOME LEFT OUT ENTIRELY - TO SAY NOTHING OF RUSSIA AND UKRAINE, WHICH, CONTRARY TO SOME PEOPLE, I BELIEVE BOTH ARE PART OF EUROPE AND ARE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. THEREFORE, I THINK THE EFFECTIVE COALITION THAT WE CREATED, ALONG WITH THE BRITISH AND FRENCH IN 1949, WILL BEGIN TO ATROPHY, AND THE NET RESULT WILL BE A EUROPE THAT WILL BE LESS SECURE RATHER THAN MORE SECURE.

JONATHAN DEAN IS A FORMER U-S DIPLOMAT WHO SERVES AS AN ADVISER ON INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES TO THE UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS. AT THE CATO CONFERENCE, HE SAID THE FIRST ROUND OF ADMISSIONS TO NATO WILL LEAD TO STILL GREATER TURBULENCE:

THE DAY AFTER THE MADRID SUMMIT MEETING, THE AMBASSADORS OF THE THREE BALTIC REPUBLICS -- ESTONIA, LATVIA AND LITHUANIA -- WILL BE ON NATO'S DOORSTEP CLAMORING FOR ADMISSION IN ROUND TWO. THE PROSPECT OF NATO MEMBERSHIP FOR THESE THREE SMALL STATES, WHICH WOULD BRING THE ALLIANCE DIRECTLY TO THE BORDERS OF RUSSIA, WILL ACTIVATE RUSSIA'S WORST FEARS AND RENEW ACTIVE CONTROVERSY OVER THE ENTIRE ISSUE.

STRONG RUSSIAN NATIONALISTS, NOT DEMOCRATIC REFORMERS, WILL GAIN FROM NATO EXPANSION, SAID HUGH DE SANTIS, PROFESSOR OF NATIONAL SECURITY AT THE NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY, WHO FEARS THE STAGE IS BEING SET FOR A NEW COLD WAR FOR NO APPARENT REASON:

WE COULD NOT ONLY FACE AN AUTHORITARIAN NATIONALIST RUSSIA, BUT A RUSSIA THAT IS INTENT ON CONFRONTING WHAT IT PERCEIVES TO BE THE EXPANSION OF THE WEST IN ITS SPHERE OF INFLUENCE. WHAT THIS POLICY MIGHT INCLUDE IS A GREATER DIPLOMATIC OFFENSIVE IN EUROPE, AND INDEED MR. PRIMAKOV (RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER) IS URGING ANTI-WESTERN DEPUTIES IN THE DUMA, AS WE SPEAK, TO DO PRECISELY THIS ON NATO ENLARGEMENT; SOME DEGREE OF MILITARY MODERNIZATION. I WOULD EXPECT MORE RATHER THEN FEWER NUCLEAR WEAPONS DEPLOYED. THEY WILL NOT ALL END UP IN STORAGE, INCLUDING TACTICAL NUKE; AND THE SEARCH FOR NEW ALLIANCES.

NOT SO FAST, SAYS GERALD LIVINGSTON, A SENIOR VISITING FELLOW AT THE GERMAN HISTORICAL INSTITUTE IN WASHINGTON. IN RESPONSE TO THE CATO CRITICS, HE NOTES RUSSIA HAS BEEN PROMISED CONSIDERABLE INFLUENCE WITHIN THE ENLARGED NATO:

THE FACT IS THE RUSSIANS HAVE ALL SORTS OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO PLAY A ROLE IN EUROPEAN SECURITY MATTERS, AND THEY ARE DOING THAT. THE RUSSIANS ARE IN BOSNIA UNDER AN AMERICAN COMMANDER, INCIDENTALLY. AND OF COURSE, THE FOUNDING ACT, WHICH WAS SIGNED BY CLINTON AND YELTSIN IN PARIS LAST MONTH, PROVIDES FOR A SPECIAL SORT OF NATO COUNCIL IN WHICH THE RUSSIANS WILL BE REPRESENTED.

MR. LIVINGSTON ADDS THAT RUSSIA HAS ACQUIESCED IN EXPANDING NATO PARTLY BECAUSE IT NEEDS FINANCIAL AID FROM THE WEST. THAT MEANS GETTING ALONG WITH THE UNITED STATES, WHICH HAS A LEADING VOICE IN NATO.

HOW LEADING IS AMERICA TO BE? ASKED JAMES CHACE, EDITOR OF "WORLD POLICY JOURNAL:"

WHAT DOES THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SEE AS AMERICA'S FOREIGN POLICY GOALS IN LIGHT OF ITS ENORMOUS MILITARY AND BOOMING ECONOMIC POWER? IS NATO EXPANSION MERELY A REFLEX OF AMERICAN HEGEMONY? PERHAPS IT IS. REMEMBER THE PENTAGON PLANNING DOCUMENT OF 1992 WHICH BASICALLY SAID THAT THE UNITED STATES SHOULD DISCOURAGE ANY ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL NATION -- THAT IS, GERMANY AND JAPAN -- FROM CHALLENGING OUR LEADERSHIP AND OUR ROLE. IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT IS GOOD FOR AMERICA IS GOOD FOR THE WORLD.

IS THIS A CASE OF IMPERIAL OVER-STRETCH? ASKED ANOTHER SPEAKER, BENJAMIN SCHWARZ. HOW FAR DO AMERICAN COMMITMENTS GO AND WHERE DO THEY END? (SIGNED)
NEB/EW/KL
26-Jun-97 7:57 PM EDT (2357 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] TURKEY KURDS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (DIYARBAKIR)

INTRO: TURKEY HAS STEPPED UP ACCUSATIONS AGAINST NEIGHBORING IRAN, SYRIA, ARMENIA AND GREECE, SAYING THOSE COUNTRIES THAT THEY ARE TRAINING AND ARMING SEPARATIST REBELS OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY OR P-K-K. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM DIYARBAKIR IN THE MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST REGION OF TURKEY.

TEXT: WITH THEIR HEADS BOWED AND THEIR ARMS FOLDED, A ROW OF YOUNG TEENAGE GIRLS EXPLAIN IN CHOKED VOICES HOW THEY FOUGHT AGAINST THE TURKISH MILITARY -- THE SECOND LARGEST ARMY IN THE NATO ALLIANCE.

THESE ARE ETHNIC KURDISH AND ARAB GIRLS FROM SYRIA. THEY WERE RECRUITED BY THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, OR P-K-K, TO JOIN THE REBELS' 13-YEAR-LONG ARMED CAMPAIGN FOR AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE CARVED MAINLY OUT OF TURKEY. CIHAN IS 16-YEAR-OLD FORMER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT FROM THE SYRIAN TOWN OF ALEPPO. SHE WAS RECENTLY CAPTURED BY TURKISH FORCES.

CIHAN SAYS SHE JOINED THE P-K-K BECAUSE IT WAS FIGHTING AGAINST TURKEY, A COUNTRY WHICH SHE BELIEVES IS DENYING HER OWN COUNTRY, SYRIA, OF THE MUCH NEEDED WATER FROM THE EUPHRATES RIVER.

TURKISH MILITARY OFFICIALS HAVE LONG ACCUSED SYRIA OF USING THE P-K-K IN ORDER TO PRESSURE TURKEY INTO INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF EUPHRATES WATER IT RELEASES TO ITS DOWNSTREAM NEIGHBOR. DAMASCUS DENIES THE CLAIMS.

THE P-K-K LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN IS WIDELY KNOWN TO BE LIVING IN SYRIA, WITH THE FULL KNOWLEDGE OF SYRIAN AUTHORITIES -- A CLAIM THAT WAS ECHOED BY OTHER CAPTURED P-K-K REBELS WHO WERE INTRODUCED TO MEMBERS OF THE PRESS BY THE TURKISH MILITARY IN DIYARBAKIR.

DURING THE BRIEFING HELD IN A MILITARY BASE IN DIYARBAKIR, SENIOR TURKISH MILITARY OFFICIALS TOOK TURNS TO ACCUSE TURKEY'S NEIGHBORS OF HELPING THE REBELS. COLONEL OGUZ KALELI IS AMONG THE TURKISH OFFICERS COORDINATING TURKEY'S LATEST CROSS-BORDER ANTI-P-K-K OFFENSIVE IN NORTHERN IRAQ. SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, HE BRIEFED JOURNALISTS ON THE ANTI-REBEL CAMPAIGN.

IT IS KNOWN THAT SYRIA, IRAQ AND IRAN SUPPORT THIS TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. HOWEVER THIS SUPPORT IS NOT LIMITED TO PROVIDING THEM WITH MEN, BUT ALSO WITH MILITARY MATERIAL AND ARMS.

COLONEL KALELI ALSO ACCUSED IRAN, SERBIA, SYRIA, ARMENIA, GREECE AND CYPRUS OF PROVIDING THE P-K-K WITH RUSSIAN MADE S-A- 7 HEAT-SEEKING MISSILES. HE SAID IT WAS THESE MISSILES THAT HAD SHOT DOWN TWO U-S-MADE SUPER COBRA ATTACK HELICOPTERS BELONGING TO THE TURKISH AIRFORCE DURING RECENT FLIGHTS OVER NORTHERN IRAQ, KILLING 13 TURKISH MILITARY PERSONNEL.

COLONEL KALELI ADDED THAT TURKEY HAD PROOF THAT P-K-K FIGHTERS, WOUNDED DURING THE ONGOING TURKISH OPERATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ, WERE BEING TREATED IN IRAN. IRAN HAS REJECTED THE CLAIMS.

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