Voice of America, 97-07-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA POLITICS (L-ONLY) BY BETH POTTER (TIRANA)

[02] ALBANIA REACT (S/L) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[03] DOLE / BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY JIM MALONE (WASHINGTON)

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

[05] INTERNET BUSINESS REACT BY LINDA CASHDAN (WASHINGTON)

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

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

[08] TURKEY/GREECE (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[01] ALBANIA POLITICS (L-ONLY) BY BETH POTTER (TIRANA)

INTRO: ALTHOUGH GUNFIRE STILL CRACKLES IN CELEBRATION OF SUNDAY'S GENERAL ELECTIONS, MUCH OF ALBANIA'S CAPITAL, TIRANA, ON TUESDAY HAD RETURNED TO NORMAL. HOWEVER, THE FUTURE STATUS OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA REMAINS IN QUESTION, AS BETH POTTER REPORTS.

TEXT: GENC POLLO TOLD A NEWS CONFERENCE IN TIRANA THAT HE ASSUMES PRESIDENT BERISHA WILL STEP DOWN FROM THAT POST, ALTHOUGH MR. BERISHA HAS YET TO PUBLICLY STATE HIS INTENTIONS. MR. POLLO, WHO IS GENERAL SECRETARY OF PRESIDENT BERISHA'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY, SAYS HE AND THE PARTY WILL CONTINUE THEIR POLITICAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ROLE AS MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITION.

MEANWHILE TUESDAY, ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION ENVOY FRANZ VRANITZKY CALLED FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC AID TO ALBANIA -- THE POOREST COUNTRY IN EUROPE -- URGING DONOR NATIONS TO CREATE A "WORKING GROUP" ON ALBANIA TO ASSESS THE COUNTRY'S NEEDS. MR. VRANITZKY MET IN TIRANA ON TUESDAY WITH SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER BASHKIM FINO AND PRESIDENT BERISHA. THE ENVOY TRAVELS TO WARSAW WEDNESDAY TO RELEASE A FINAL REPORT ON LAST SUNDAY'S ELECTIONS.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRMAN TRITAN SHEHU ANNOUNCED TUESDAY THAT HIS PARTY WON 23 OF THE 115 CONTESTED PARLIAMENTARY SEATS. THE SOCIALISTS CLAIM TO HAVE WON AT LEAST 70 SEATS. BUT AS OF LATE TUESDAY, ALBANIA'S CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION HAD ONLY COUNTED ABOUT ONE-FIFTH OF THE TOTAL VOTE.

[02] ALBANIA REACT (S/L) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AN ANALYST ON ALBANIAN POLITICAL AFFAIRS SAYS IT APPEARS TO BE TIME FOR THE SOCIALISTS AND THEIR ALLIES TO FORM AN AGENDA TO DEAL WITH THE BALKAN COUNTRY'S SERIOUS PROBLEMS FOLLOWING SUNDAY'S ELECTION. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS NICHOLAS PANO OF WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY ALSO BELIEVES IT IS TIME FOR PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA TO STEP DOWN:

TEXT: MR. PANO SAYS ONCE THE RESULTS ARE CERTIFIED THE SOCIALIST ALLIANCE, WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE CAPTURED NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF PARLIAMENT'S 155 SEATS, WILL NEED TO PUT TOGETHER A COHERENT AGENDA TO ADDRESS THE COUNTRY'S MASSIVE PROBLEMS:

IT'S ALSO GOING TO BE ESSENTIAL FOR THE SOCIALISTS TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM OF NATIONAL RECONCILIATION SO THAT THE PROCESS OF HEALING WHICH IS SO VITAL FOR THE STABILITY AND PROGRESS OF ALBANIA BEGIN.

MR. PANO SAYS PRESIDENT BERISHA, WHO HAS HINTED HE MAY RESIGN SHOULD HIS DEMOCRATIC PARTY LOSE THE ELECTION, MAY GIVE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO STEPPING DOWN:

I THINK HE ALSO HAS TO BE INFLUENCED BY THE STRONG VOTE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MONARCHY IN ALBANIA.

A SIDELIGHT OF THE ELECTION WAS A REFERENDUM ON RE-ESTABLISHING A MONARCHY NOT SEEN SINCE 1939. BY THE APPARENT STRONG VOTE FOR THE MONARCHY, MR. PANO SAYS VOTERS WERE EXPRESSING THEIR CONCERN OVER THE EXCESSES OF MR. BERISHA'S GOVERNMENT AND PARTISAN POLITICS.

ELECTION MONITORS IN ALBANIA, LED BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, VIEWED THE ELECTION AS ADEQUATE AND ACCEPTABLE. A SPOKESWOMAN SAYS THE BALLOT CAN BE VIEWED AS A FOUNDATION FOR A STABLE, DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM.

U-S STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESWOMAN JULIE RESIDE SAYS AMERICAN MONITORS VIEWED A STRONG TURNOUT SUNDAY AND CONCLUDED SPORADIC VIOLENCE DID NOT INDICATE WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS:

THE (U-S) DELEGATION ALSO OBSERVED THE VOTE COUNTING PROCESS WHICH WAS COMPLICATED AND SOMETIMES CONTENTIOUS, BUT WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF OVERALL INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.

MS. RESIDE SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL AWAIT THE O-S-C-E'S JUDGMENT ON THE QUALITY OF THE BALLOT, BUT SAYS WASHINGTON WELCOMES THE PEACEFUL PARTICIPATION OF THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE AND CALLS THE ELECTION A CRUCIAL FIRST STEP ON THE PATH TOWARD DEMOCRACY AND ECONOMIC REFORM. (SIGNED).
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30-Jun-97 8:51 PM EDT (0051 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] DOLE / BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY JIM MALONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: FORMER U-S SENATOR AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BOB DOLE SAYS HE OPPOSES SETTING A DEADLINE FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF U-S PEACEKEEPING TROOPS FROM BOSNIA. MR. DOLE HAS RETURNED FROM A VISIT TO BOSNIA AND HE SPOKE ABOUT HIS TRIP IN A SPEECH (TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS) HERE IN WASHINGTON ON TUESDAY. V-O-A NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE HAS A REPORT.

TEXT: MR. DOLE IS JUST BACK FROM A PRIVATE VISIT TO BOSNIA, ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA. HE SAYS THERE IS CONCERN IN BOSNIA ABOUT NEXT JUNE'S DEADLINE FOR THE REMOVAL OF U-S TROOPS. MR. DOLE SAYS HE OPPOSES A HARD AND FAST DEADLINE FOR THEIR WITHDRAWAL, ADDING THAT THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE CERTAIN THAT WHEN THE TROOPS LEAVE, THERE IS CONTINUITY AND PEACE IN BOSNIA.

NOW, THEY (BOSNIAN OFFICIALS) ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT AMERICAN TROOPS LEAVING THERE NEXT JUNE, THE END OF JUNE. I WOULD NOT SET A DEADLINE, MYSELF, BUT THAT IS NOT MY DOING. BECAUSE WHEN THEY SET A DEADLINE, THEN SOME PEOPLE WILL SAY, 'WELL, WE WILL JUST WAIT FOR THE DEADLINE AND THEN WE CAN GO OUT AND START THE SLAUGHTER AGAIN.' AND THAT IS THE BIG QUESTION, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE AMERICAN FORCES AND ALL THE OTHER WHAT THEY CALL SPECIAL FORCES LEAVE THIS COUNTRY, THE SERBIAN PART AND THE CROATIAN PART. WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN? ARE THEY GOING TO GO AT IT AGAIN? THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR CENTURES.

THE FORMER SENATOR AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SAYS HE WAS WELCOMED AS A FRIEND IN BOSNIA FOR HIS PAST EFFORTS IN CONGRESS SEEKING TO LIFT THE ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST BOSNIA. BUT MR. DOLE SAYS HE DID EXPRESS CONCERNS ABOUT THE INTEGRATION PROCESS IN BOSNIA WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

AND THE POINT I WANTED TO MAKE WITH THE PRESIDENT AND WITH THE PRIME MINISTER IS THAT THEY OUGHT TO BE SETTING AN EXAMPLE FOR THE REST, FOR THE CROATS AND THE SERBS AND EVERYBODY ELSE, THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO INTEGRATE, THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO LET THE SERBS MOVE BACK INTO THEIR HOMES, WHICH THEY ARE NOT DOING IN SOME CASES.

I THINK THE ONE REASON THAT THEY COME UP A LITTLE SHORT ON IS THE FACT THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE (WITH DEMOCRACY). THEY HAVE ONLY HAD THIS DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT SINCE NOVEMBER OF 1996. BUT TIME AFTER TIME AFTER TIME, WHAT THEY WOULD TELL US IS, 'THAT WE ARE NEVER GOING BACK TO COMMUNISM.'

MR. DOLE MET WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON PRIOR TO HIS EUROPEAN TRIP AND HE SAYS HE IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING A REPORT ON HIS FINDINGS FOR THE WHITE HOUSE. (SIGNED)
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01-Jul-97 12:26 PM EDT (1626 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE SOARED TUESDAY AMID REPORTS OF MORE GOOD ECONOMIC NEWS AHEAD. FOR THE CLOSING FIGURES, HERE IS PAUL FRANCUCH IN OUR LONDON OFFICE.

TEXT: THE PRICES KEPT CLIMBING TO THE END OF TRADING IN EUROPE, WITH TWO MARKETS -- PARIS AND FRANKFURT -- POSTING ALL-TIME RECORD HIGHS.

THE BIGGEST SINGLE GAINS WERE POSTED IN LONDON, WHERE THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX CLOSED UP NEARLY 124-POINTS -- A GAIN OF ALMOST THREE-PERCENT. A SIMILAR VALUE GAIN WAS POSTED BY THE PARIS "CAC 40" INDEX, WHICH CLOSED UP NEARLY 86-POINTS. FRANKFURT'S "DAX 30" WAS UP 34-POINTS AT THE CLOSE -- A GAIN OF ALMOST TWO-PERCENT.

IN CURRENCY TRADING, THE DOLLAR WAS UP SLIGHTLY AGAINST BOTH THE MARK AND THE POUND. GOLD FELL AGAIN IN THE LONDON CLOSING FIX, DOWN 70-CENTS AT 333-DOLLARS-65 CENTS AN OUNCE -- GOLD'S LOWEST PRICE IN MORE THAN FOUR YEARS. (SIGNED)
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01-Jul-97 2:38 PM EDT (1838 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] INTERNET BUSINESS REACT BY LINDA CASHDAN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS RECOMMENDED THE U-S GOVERNMENT TAKE A HANDS-OFF, TAX FREE APPROACH TO THE INTERNET, LETTING THE INDUSTRY REGULATE ITS OWN BUSINESS IN CYBERSPACE. AS LINDA CASHDAN REPORTS MANY U-S BUSINESSES WOULD LIKE THE ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE MORE AGGRESSIVE STEPS TO HELP U-S FIRMS COMPETE.

TEXT: DENNIS TSU, SPOKESMAN FOR SUN MICROSYSTEMS, AN EIGHT BILLION DOLLAR U-S COMPUTER COMPANY, SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS TOO SLOW IN CREATING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AGREEMENTS NEEDED TO FACILITATE INTERNET COMMERCE. IN ADDITION, MR. TSU SAYS, U-S RESTRAINTS -- FOR NATIONAL SECURITY REASONS -- ON THE EXPORT OF COMPUTER PROGRAMS THAT USE ENCRYPTION CODES MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR FIRMS LIKE HIS TO COMPETE.

MR. TSU SAYS OTHER NATIONS ARE ENCOURAGING INTERNATIONAL ONLINE BUSINESS MORE AGGRESSIVELY THAN THE UNITED STATES AND AS A RESULT U-S FIRMS ARE FALLING BEHIND.

SINGAPORE HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR BEING VERY ADVANCED IN BOTH ITS DEPLOYMENT OF TECHNOLOGY AND ITS ADVOCATION OF A WIDE OPEN FREE MARKET ECONOMY -- MUCH LIKE HONG KONG HAS BEEN. THE GOVERNMENT OF MALAYSIA HAS DECREED THAT THERE WILL BE NO NEW TAXES, THAT THERE WILL BE NO NEW BOUNDARIES AND THAT THEY ARE ENCOURAGING COMPANIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO RELOCATE TO MALAYSIA AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

MR. TSU SAYS, FRANCE HAS SURGED FAR AHEAD OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE ADOPTION OF "SMART CARD" TECHNOLOGY, WHICH ENABLES INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES AS WELL TO TRANSMIT MONEY IN ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS. (SIGNED)
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01-Jul-97 4:57 PM EDT (2057 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (TUESDAY) AFTER ANOTHER VOLATILE SESSION. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 77 HUNDRED 22, UP 49 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 891, UP FIVE POINTS.

THERE WAS CONTINUED VOLATILITY IN THE STOCK MARKET. THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE WAS UP MORE THAN 50 POINTS BEFORE FALLING INTO NEGATIVE NUMBERS AT MID-AFTERNOON AND THEN RECOVERING BEFORE THE CLOSE OF TRADING. ANALYSTS SAY THERE WAS SOME UNEASINESS ON WALL STREET ABOUT THE LATEST INDEX OF LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS WHICH WAS STRONGER THAN EXPECTED. HOWEVER, ANALYSTS ARE OVERWHELMINGLY CONVINCED THAT THE U-S CENTRAL BANK WILL NOT RAISE INTEREST RATES THIS WEEK. GOVERNORS OF THE BANK COMPLETE A TWO-DAY MEETING ON WEDNESDAY.

PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS HE WANTS AS FEW RESTRICTIONS AS POSSIBLE ON COMMERCE CONDUCTED ON THE COMPUTER INTERNET. MR. CLINTON SAYS HE WANTS TO CREATE AN INTERNATIONAL "FREE TRADE ZONE" FOR THE INTERNET.

U-S GOVERNMENT REGULATORS HAVE FORMALLY APPROVED THE PROPOSED 14 BILLION DOLLAR MERGER OF THE BOEING AND MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT COMPANIES. LATER THIS MONTH, EUROPEAN UNION AUTHORITIES WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO APPROVE THE MERGER.

THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION REPORTED A FOUR PERCENT DROP IN U-S AUTO AND LIGHT TRUCK SALES LAST MONTH. HOWEVER, THE DROP WAS LESS THAN MOST ANALYSTS HAD EXPECTED.

GENERAL MOTORS SAYS A 69-DAY STRIKE THAT ENDED IN LATE MAY AT AN AUTO ASSEMBLY PLANT WILL REDUCE ITS SECOND-QUARTER PROFITS BY ALMOST 500 MILLION DOLLARS. HOWEVER, G-M SAYS STEPPED UP PRODUCTION MAY ALLOW RECOVERY OF MOST OF THAT LOST PROFIT LATER IN THE YEAR.

THE COMPAQ COMPUTER COMPANY HAS ANNOUNCED A FIVE FOR TWO STOCK SPLIT EFFECTIVE ON JULY 14TH.

WESTINGHOUSE DENIES IT AND MICROSOFT DENIES IT BUT THE RUMOR PERSISTS THAT MICROSOFT IS CONSIDERING BUYING THE C-B-S MEDIA BUSINESS WHICH IS OWNED BY WESTINGHOUSE. SOME ANALYSTS SAY WHILE SUCH A DEAL MAY BE POSSIBLE, THEY DO NOT EXPECT IT TO HAPPENED ANYTIME SOON.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
01-Jul-97 4:51 PM EDT (2051 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE CHANGEOVER OF HONG KONG TO CHINESE ADMINISTRATION AND THE MOST CELEBRATED EAR INJURY SINCE VINCENT VAN GOUGH CUT OFF PART OF HIS, ARE THE TOPICS OF INTEREST IN U-S NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS THIS TUESDAY, THE FIRST DAY OF JULY.

OTHER SUBJECTS OF INTEREST INCLUDE A NEW POLL ON ATTITUDES TOWARD THE CARIBBEAN'S LAST REMAINING COMMUNIST STRONGHOLD; COLUMBIA'S ON-GOING CIVIL WAR; THE SUPREME COURT'S HAND-GUN REGISTRATION LAW DECISION; AND A FAREWELL TO MALCOM X'S WIDOW, BETTY SHABAZZ.

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

TEXT: MANY PAPERS ARE DIGESTING YESTERDAY'S EVENTS IN HONG KONG WHERE, IN COLORFUL CEREMONIES, BRITAIN HANDED BACK THE CROWN COLONY TO THE CHINESE AFTER 156 YEARS OF CONTROL. FROM NEAR THE CENTER OF THE LOWER 48-STATES, IN THE KANSAS CAPITOL OF TOPEKA, THE CAPITOL-JOURNAL WONDERS "WHO WILL CHANGE WHOM?"

VOICE: "IT WAS AN EXTRAORDINARILY PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY, THIS BRITISH GIVEBACK OF HONG KONG TO THE CHINESE. DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW TO FEEL ABOUT IT? NEITHER DO MANY IN HONG KONG, WHICH WAS SAID BY NEWS REPORTS TO BE 'TORN BETWEEN EXCITEMENT AND ANXIETY.' .... WHO KNOWS? MAYBE IT'S THE FREE, CAPITALIST HONG KONG THAT WILL OVERWHELM THE 'MOTHERLAND.' .... ON THE OTHER HAND, WHAT IF HONG KONG'S FREEDOMS BECOME A CANCER ON THE COMMUNIST SYSTEM? WHO KNOWS? PERHAPS 100 YEARS FROM NOW, THEY'LL BE RECALLING THAT ON JULY FIRST, 1997, IT WAS HONG KONG THAT SWALLOWED UP CHINA!"

TEXT: IN GEORGIA, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION SUGGESTS THAT "CHINA HAS MILES OF PROMISES TO KEEP" RE-WORKING A LINE FROM A FAMILIAR ROBERT FROST POEM.

VOICE: "THE WORLD IS WATCHING CHINA'S JUST-ACQUIRED PRIZE, HONG KONG, AND IS POISED TO PROTEST IF AND WHEN ITS NEW OVERLORDS IN BEIJING MAKE A MISSTEP. THAT'S AS IT SHOULD BE. CHINA'S OBTUSE LEADERS NEED TO UNDERSTAND THEY WILL BE UNDER INTENSE GLOBAL SCRUTINY TO MAKE CERTAIN THEY LIVE UP TO THE PLEDGES THEY MADE TO SECURE THE HANDOVER OF THE FORMER BRITISH COLONY. [OPT] ..... IF CHINA'S LEADERSHIP WERE ENLIGHTENED, IT WOULD WANT TO KEEP HONG KONG THE WAY IT IS BECAUSE A) THE REST OF CHINA WOULD PROSPER AND B) THAT MIGHT EVENTUALLY SOFTEN TAIWANESE ATTITUDES TOWARD REUNIFICATION. SAD TO SAY, VERY LITTLE EVIDENCE OF ENLIGHTENMENT CAN BE FOUND IN BEIJING." [END OPT]

TEXT: IN NEW ENGLAND, THE BOSTON GLOBE CALLS THE EVENT "A DIGNIFIED FAREWELL," WHILE THE NEW YORK TIMES COMMENTS ON THE END OF AN EMPIRE.

VOICE: "NOT JUST A COLONY CEASED TO EXIST AS HONG KONG REVERTED TO CHINA EARLY TODAY. AN ENTIRE IMPERIAL EPOCH ALL BUT CAME TO AN END, FITTINGLY AND WITH BRITAIN'S SURE SENSE OF CEREMONY. [OPT] THE PRINCE OF WALES SPOKE THE RIGHT WORDS AND SALUTED AS THE UNION JACK WAS LOWERED. THE COLONY'S LAST GOVERNOR TOOK THE PRESCRIBED FINAL RIDES AROUND GOVERNMENT HOUSE. DEFYING DRENCHING RAIN, BAGPIPES SKIRLED AND GURKHA OFFICERS BARKED THEIR COMMANDS FOR PARTING PRECISION DRILL. THE ECLIPSE OF EMPIRE INHERENT IN THE CEREMONY WAS FORESEEN WITH UNCANNY INTUITION A HUNDRED YEARS AGO IN A POEM OF HYPNOTIC CADENCES BY THE 32-YEAR-OLD RUDYARD KIPLING. .....

FAR CALLED, OUR NAVIES MELT AWAY;

ON DUNE AND HEADLANDS SINKS THE FIRE:

LO, ALL OUR POMP OF YESTERDAY

IS ONE WITH NINEVEH AND TYRE!" [END OPT]

TEXT: THE OTHER MAJOR TOPIC OF THE DAY IS THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT OVER THE WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS, DURING WHICH CHALLENGER AND FORMER CHAMP MIKE TYSON BIT OFF PART OF EVANDER HOLYFIELD'S EAR. USA TODAY EDITORIALIZES:

VOICE: "TRUTH TO TELL, MIKE TYSON'S NOW INFAMOUS BITES TO EVANDER HOLYFIELD'S EARS DURING THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT SATURDAY ..... MAY HAVE LESS TO DO WITH BOXING THAN ONE INDIVIDUAL'S DISTURBED MENTAL STATE. .... A FEDERAL BOXING SAFETY LAW THAT TAKES EFFECT TODAY MAY HELP PROTECT SOME FROM THE FIGHT GAME'S SYSTEMIC ABUSES ..... BUT TOO MUCH DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE, AND NEITHER NEW REGULATIONS NOR [MR.] TYSON'S APOLOGIES WILL PROVIDE A READY FIX. THE SPORT WILL BE HARD PRESSED [FIND IT DIFFICULT] TO RECOVER ....."

TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE WAS DISGUSTED, COMMENTING:

VOICE: "[OPT] MIKE TYSON'S COWARDLY OR CRAZY DECISION TO BITE OFF A PORTION OF EVANDER HOLYFIELD'S EAR IN THE THIRD ROUND OF THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT PROVIDED ONE MORE UNNECESSARY PROOF THAT PROFESSIONAL BOXING HAS BECOME A ONE-HUNDRED MILLION VARIATION ON A GAME OF THREE-CARD MONTE. [END OPT] PERFORMANCES LIKE [MR.] TYSON'S TRANSFORM THE SO-CALLED SWEET SCIENCE INTO A PERVERSE SYMBIOSIS BETWEEN CYNICAL PROMOTERS AND GULLIBLE CUSTOMERS."

TEXT: AND IN FLORIDA, THE MIAMI HERALD PROCLAIMS: "APOLOGY OR NO, [MR.] TYSON DESERVES BANISHMENT FOR LIFE." ON ANOTHER TOPIC, A NEW POLL ON ATTITUDES TOWARD CUBA AND THE POSSIBLE END OF ITS 39 YEAR-OLD COMMUNIST DICTATORSHIP, THE HERALD NOTES:

VOICE: "THE POLL .... SUGGESTS A GROWING PESSIMISM, UNLIKE IN THE HEADY DAYS AFTER THE IRON CURTAIN CAME CRASHING DOWN. THEN, CHRISTMAS TOASTS IN MIAMI WERE MADE TO THE NEXT NOCHEBUENA [ITALICS FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE] IN HAVANA. [A] ...SIMILAR POLL IN 1991 FOUND THAT 77 PERCENT OF THOSE QUESTIONED EXPECTED MAJOR POLITICAL CHANGE IN CUBA WITHIN FIVE YEARS. THIS LATEST POLL, THOUGH, SHOWS THAT ONLY 36 PERCENT BELIEVE THAT SUCH CHANGE IS LIKELY, WITH ANOTHER 38 PERCENT RESPONDING THAT CHANGE LIKELY NEVER WILL COME OR THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN IT MAY."

TEXT: STILL IN THE REGION, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SUGGESTS OUTSIDE MEDIATION AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE 40-YEAR-LONG CIVIL WAR IN COLUMBIA, SINCE SIMILAR MEDIATIONS HELPED GUATEMALA AND EL SALVADOR.

VOICE: "SOME COLOMBIAN SECTORS, ADMITTING THE INTRACTABILITY OF THE WAR, ARE LOOKING BEYOND THE BORDERS FOR SOLUTIONS. AT ISSUE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF AN APPEAL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO MEDIATE THE CONFLICT, ALONG THE LINES OF THE SUCCESSFUL PATTERN THAT BROUGHT AN END TO LONG-RUNNING CIVIL WARS IN GUATEMALA AND EL SALVADOR, A PACIFICATION PROGRAM WITH EACH SIDE GIVING WAY FOR THE SAKE OF THE WHOLE. FOR THE SAKE OF COLOMBIA, IT SHOULD BE TRIED."

TEXT: REACTING TO LAST WEEK'S SUPREME COURT DECISION, STRIKING DOWN AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL ONE PROVISION OF THE FEDERAL HAND-GUN REGISTRATION LAW, KNOWN AS THE BRADY LAW, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "THE .... COURT RULING INVALIDATING PART OF [THE] ..... LAW MAY HAVE MORE IMPACT ON CONSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARS THAN ON CRIMINALS TRYING TO BUY GUNS. THAT WILL BE TRUE IF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AROUND THE COUNTRY CONTINUE TO USE THE LAW TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CITIZENS AND THEIR OFFICERS [CONDUCTING BACKGROUND CHECKS OF POTENTIAL PURCHASERS TO WEED OUT CRIMINALS OR MENTALLY INCOMPETENT PERSONS]. ..... THE BRADY LAW HAS BEEN WOUNDED, NOT KILLED. LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES CAN CONTINUE TO USE IT TO HELP SAVE LIVES. THAT'S SOMETHING THEY SHOULD BE WILLING TO DO WITHOUT COERCION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT."

TEXT: LASTLY THE MIAMI HERALD PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE WIDOW OF MALCOM X, BETTY SHABAZZ WHO DIED RECENTLY OF BURNS.

VOICE: "THE LIFE OF BETTY SHABAZZ, WHO DIED AT AGE 61 LAST WEEK, WAS MEMORIALIZED SUNDAY IN A MANHATTAN CHURCH, WHERE THOUSANDS HONORED HER EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY OF FAITH, LOVE, FAMILY, CAREER, AND COMMITMENT TO AN ABIDING CAUSE. THE TRAGEDY OF HER DEATH FROM BURNS SUFFERED IN A FIRE ALLEGEDLY SET BY HER 12-YEAR-OLD GRANDSON MUST NOT OVERSHADOW HER LIFE. ..... SHE JUGGLED FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES, WORK, AND HER EDUCATION. SHE EARNED A DOCTORATE IN EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION. SHE SELFLESSLY PROMOTED EQUALITY AND CHILDREN'S EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM THE NATION'S DAILY PAPERS FOR THIS FIRST DAY OF JULY.
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01-Jul-97 10:46 AM EDT (1446 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] TURKEY/GREECE (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: THE TURKISH MILITARY ANNOUNCED TUESDAY IT WOULD TEMPORARILY LIMIT ITS ACTIVITIES IN THE AEGEAN SEA. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA THE ACTION COMES IN SUPPORT OF NATO'S RECENT EFFORTS TO REDUCE TENSIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE, BOTH MEMBERS OF THE WESTERN ALLIANCE.

TEXT: THE TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS ITS AIR FORCE AND NAVY WILL CONTINUE ROUTINE TRAINING AND RECONNAISSANCE ACTIVITIES IN THE AEGEAN SEA THROUGH AUGUST 15TH, BUT THAT ITS AIRCRAFT WILL NOT BE ARMED DURING THAT TIME.

THE FOREIGN MINISTRY DESCRIBES THE MOVE AS UNILATERAL, ADDING THAT IT IS AIMED AT BOLSTERING EFFORTS BY NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA TO REDUCE TENSION BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE. THE NATO SECRETARY GENERAL HAS PROPOSED A SET OF CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES WHICH TURKEY SAYS IT BOTH WELCOMES AND ACCEPTS.

THE TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS IT HOPES GREECE WILL RESPOND WITH A SIMILAR DECISION TO DISARM ITS MILITARY AIRCRAFT DURING THE STATED PERIOD. TURKISH MILITARY OFFICIALS FURTHER HINT THEY MIGHT BE PREPARED TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION WITH GREECE ON AIR OPERATIONS IN THE REGION, SHOULD ATHENS RESPOND POSITIVELY TO THE TURKISH INITIATIVE.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COINCIDES WITH MONDAY'S APPOINTMENT OF MESUT YILMAZ -- THE LEADER OF THE CENTER-RIGHT "MOTHERLAND" PARTY -- AS TURKEY'S NEW PRIME MINISTER. MR. YILMAZ, WHO HAS SERVED TWICE BEFORE AS PRIME MINISTER, HAS ALWAYS DISPLAYED A CONCILIATORY APPROACH TOWARDS GREECE. LAST YEAR, DURING HIS MOST RECENT TERM AS PRIME MINISTER, MR. YILMAZ EXPRESSED TURKEY'S READINESS TO INVITE THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE TO HELP MEDIATE IN ITS ONGOING DISPUTE WITH GREECE OVER THE AEGEAN, SHOULD THE TWO SIDES FAIL TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM THEMSELVES.

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