Voice of America, 97-07-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA / PRESIDENT BY PAT BODNAR (WASHINGTON)

[02] ALBANIA EMERGENCY (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[03] BOSNIA BLAST (S UPDATE) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

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

[05] NEW YORK ECON WRAP (S & L) BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

[06] THE CASE FOR NATO EXPANSION BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[07] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

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

[09] WORLD OPINION ROUNDUP BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

[01] ALBANIA / PRESIDENT BY PAT BODNAR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ALBANIA'S NEW PARLIAMENT HAS ELECTED SOCIALIST LEADER REXHEP MEJDANI (RAY-JEP MEH-DAN-EE) PRESIDENT, AS THE POLITICAL EFFORT TO RESTORE STABILITY TO THE NATION GATHERS MOMENTUM. V-O-A'S PAT BODNAR SPOKE WITH AN ALBANIA SPECIALIST WHO SEES THE MOVE AS A POSITIVE STEP TOWARD DEMOCRACY.

TEXT: THE SELECTION OF MR. MEJDANI CAME SHORTLY AFTER DELEGATES VOTED TO LIFT THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IMPOSED IN MARCH TO COMBAT WIDESPREAD VIOLENCE AND ANTI-GOVERNMENT UNREST.

MR. MEJDANI REPLACES EMBATTLED DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER SALI BERISHA, WHO RESIGNED SHORTLY BEFORE THE SOCIALIST-LED PARLIAMENT OPENED WEDNESDAY.

PETER DICKINSON IS A FORMER REPRESENTATIVE IN ALBANIA FOR THE REPUBLICAN INSTITUTE. HE SAYS THE CHOICE OF MR. MEDJANI, A PHYSICIST WHO JOINED THE SOCIALIST PARTY ONE YEAR AGO, IS A SIGN THAT PRIME MINISTER FATOS NANO IS LEADING THE COUNTRY IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION.

FORMER PRESIDENT BERISHA HAS BEEN WIDELY BLAMED FOR THE ANTI-GOVERNMENT UNREST, WHICH WAS SPARKED BY THE COLLAPSE OF SEVERAL POPULAR INVESTMENT SCHEMES. (SIGNED)
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24-Jul-97 4:12 PM EDT (2012 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBANIA EMERGENCY (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: ALBANIA'S NEW PARLIAMENT HAS ENDED THE COUNTRY'S FOUR-MONTH STATE OF EMERGENCY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS MONITORING DEVELOPMENTS FROM OUR BUREAU IN PRAGUE, AND REPORTS THE MEASURE IS AIMED AT RESTORING A SENSE OF NORMALCY TO ALBANIA.

TEXT: THE ACTION ALSO ENDS THE NIGHTTIME CURFEW THAT WAS IMPOSED ALONG WITH THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IN MARCH AS THE COUNTRY DESCENDED INTO ANARCHY AND VIOLENCE.

LAWMAKERS CANCELLED THE EMERGENCY BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER THE NEWLY-ELECTED PARLIAMENT MET FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THIS PARLIAMENT IS DOMINATED BY THE SOCIALIST PARTY, WHICH SWEPT ELECTIONS SEVERAL WEEKS AGO AS VOTERS EXPRESSED THEIR DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF FORMER PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA, WHO RESIGNED WEDNESDAY.

THE DEMOCRATS FAILED TO CONTROL FRAUDULENT INVESTMENT SCHEMES IN WHICH MANY ALBANIANS LOST THEIR LIFE SAVINGS. AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO STOP THE VIOLENCE THAT CONTINUES IN MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. (SIGNED)
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24-Jul-97 11:56 AM EDT (1556 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA BLAST (S UPDATE) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: A DUTCH SOLDIER HAS BEEN INJURED AND A U-N TRUCK DESTROYED IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS THAT THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS ARE PART OF A CAMPAIGN OF SERB HARASSMENT OF INTERNATIONAL PERSONNEL. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS MONITORING DEVELOPMENTS FROM OUR BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: THE SOLDIER WAS INJURED WHEN A PASSERBY THREW A HAND GRENADE AT DUTCH TROOPS WORKING ON A VEHICLE WHICH HAD OVERTURNED IN A ROAD ACCIDENT. IN THE OTHER INCIDENT AN APPARENT ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE BLEW UP A TRUCK.

BOTH ATTACKS TOOK PLACE IN SERB-CONTROLLED AREAS. THEY ARE THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF RELATIVELY MINOR ATTACKS ON INTERNATIONAL TARGETS TWO WEEKS AFTER NATO TROOPS TRIED TO ARREST TWO SERB WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS. ONE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND THE OTHER WAS KILLED RESISTING ARREST.

ANALYSTS SAY THE ATTACKS SEEM TO BE DESIGNED TO DETER NATO FROM ARRESTING ANY MORE WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS. WEDNESDAY, THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNED ATTACKS ON PEACEKEEPERS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL GROUPS. (SIGNED)
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24-Jul-97 9:32 AM EDT (1332 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: AFTER SPECTACULAR RISES EARLIER IN THE WEEK, MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE CLOSED THURSDAY ON THE DOWN SIDE. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES FROM OUR OFFICE IN LONDON.

TEXT: AFTER GAINING NEARLY 300 POINTS EARLIER THIS WEEK, FRANKFURT'S KEY "DAX 30" INDEX OF GERMAN STOCKS DROPPED ABOUT 70 POINTS AT THE CLOSE THURSDAY. SOME ANALYSTS SAY WORD OF A POSSIBLE INTEREST RATE INCREASE IN GERMANY TRIGGERED THE DECLINE. BUT THE RETREAT WAS ACROSS THE BOARD IN WESTERN EUROPE MARKETS THURSDAY. IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" INDEX OF STOCKS CLOSED DOWN 30 POINTS AND HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX WAS OFF NEARLY 12 POINTS.

ON EUROPEAN CURRENCY MARKETS, THE DOLLAR CONTINUED ITS GAINS AGAINST BOTH THE MARK AND POUND. GOLD, HOWEVER, APPEARS TO BE ON THE SLIDE AGAIN AFTER SHOWING RECENT SIGNS OF RECOVERY. THE PRECIOUS METAL CLOSED DOWN ONE-DOLLAR-85-CENTS AN OUNCE IN LONDON'S CLOSING FIX, WHERE IT WAS PRICED AT 322-DOLLARS-90 CENTS. (SIGNED)
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24-Jul-97 1:15 PM EDT (1715 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] NEW YORK ECON WRAP (S & L) BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

INTRO: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE REACHED A NEW RECORD HIGH TODAY (THURSDAY) AMID VOLATILE TRADING. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS THE LATEST FINANCIAL NEWS FROM OUR NEW YORK BUREAU.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE ENDED THE DAY ABOVE 81-HUNDRED FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. IT WAS UP 29 POINTS, CLOSING AT 81-HUNDRED-17. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX WAS ALSO UP -- FOUR POINTS -- CLOSING AT 940.

EARLY IN THE DAY, PROFIT TAKING TRIGGERED A SHARP DROP IN THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE WHICH FELL MORE THAN 80 POINTS. BUT BARGAIN HUNTERS HELPED STOCKS RALLY IN THE FINAL HOURS OF TRADING, AMID SIGNS OF CONTINUED STRONG ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE UNITED STATES.

THOSE SIGNS INCLUDE THE RELEASE OF LABOR DEPARTMENT FIGURES SHOWING A LARGER THAN EXPECTED DROP IN WEEKLY JOBLESS CLAIMS, AND THE RELEASE OF SOLID EARNINGS REPORTS FROM SEVERAL LARGE CORPORATIONS.

SHARES IN AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS BOEING AND MCDONNELL DOUGLAS CLOSED SLIGHTLY HIGHER FOLLOWING THE EUROPEAN UNION'S APPROVAL OF THEIR 14 BILLION DOLLAR MERGER.

AND STRIKING WORKERS FORCED THE WORLD'S LARGEST AUTOMAKER, GENERAL MOTORS, TO CLOSE AN ASSEMBLY PLANT IN MICHIGAN. IT IS THE SECOND PLANT G-M HAS CLOSED IN TWO DAYS, IN RESPONSE TO ITS GROWING LABOR PROBLEMS.

ANOTHER U-S AUTOMAKER, FORD, SAYS IT IS PLANNING TO EXPAND ITS OPERATIONS IN EASTERN EUROPE, BY OPENING A VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PLANT NEAR MINSK, THE CAPITAL OF BELARUS. FORD WILL HAVE A 51 PERCENT INTEREST IN THE 20 MILLION DOLLAR PLANT, WHICH WILL ASSEMBLE ABOUT SIX-THOUSAND CARS AND VANS EACH YEAR. IT WILL BE THE FIRST PLANT TO PRODUCE PASSENGER VEHICLES IN BELARUS, WHEN IT OPENS ON JULY 30TH.

THE U-S ENERGY COMPANY CHEVRON SAYS IT PLANS TO STRENGTHEN ITS OPERATIONS IN AFRICA, WHERE IT WILL INCREASE OIL PRODUCTION IN ANGOLA AND NIGERIA. CHEVRON WILL INVEST SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS IN THOSE COUNTRIES OVER THE NEXT THREE TO FIVE YEARS, IN ORDER TO INCREASE ITS OIL PRODUCTION THERE BY 50 PERCENT. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/PT
24-Jul-97 5:01 PM EDT (2101 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] THE CASE FOR NATO EXPANSION BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: SUPPORTERS OF NATO ENLARGEMENT MOUNTED AN ALL-DAY DEFENSE OF THEIR POSITION AT A MEETING HELD AT THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT (WED.) THEY EXPLAINED THEIR REASONS, REBUTTED THE OPPOSITION AND HEARD A FIRM DISSENT FROM THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR. V-O-A'S ED WARNER REPORTS.

TEXT: ALMOST EVERY POSSIBLE REASON FOR SUPPORTING NATO EXPANSION WAS ADVANCED AT AN ALL DAY CONFERENCE OF THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL IN THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT. EVEN SO, THE SECURITY OF EUROPE, VIOLATED SO MANY TIMES THIS CENTURY, WAS A RECURRING THEME. ROBERT HUNTER, U-S AMBASSADOR TO NATO, SAID EXPANSION WILL ASSURE A PERMANENT U-S PRESENCE IN EUROPE AND EXTEND THE REGION'S CIVIL SPACE TO THE COUNTRIES FURTHER EAST:

U-S LEADERSHIP, AS WAS TRUE THROUGHOUT THE COLD WAR, IS AGAIN INDISPENSABLE TO THE FUTURE OF THE ALLIANCE, AND I AM GRATIFIED TO SAY WE HAVE IT ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS. WHAT WE DID AT MADRID (NATO SUMMIT) BY AGREEING TO TAKE THE LEADERSHIP IN BRINGING IN THREE NEW COUNTRIES AND TO CREATE A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH RUSSIA, THE UNITED STATES GAVE UP THE OPTION OF ISOLATING ITSELF FROM EUROPE.

STANLEY SLOAN, A SPECIALIST IN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY POLICY AT THE CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE, SAID THERE IS NOT AN AUTOMATIC NATO COMMITMENT TO COME TO THE DEFENSE OF A MEMBER UNDER ATTACK. OTHER MEMBERS CAN USE THEIR DISCRETION.

NATO'S ACHIEVEMENT HAS BEEN TO DEFUSE CONFLICTS THAT CAN LEAD TO ATTACK:

YOU COULD SAY, FOR EXAMPLE THAT NATO'S ROLE IN PROVIDING PART OF THE COMFORTABLE HOME FOR GERMANY IN WESTERN EUROPE IS A CONTRIBUTION TO COLLECTIVE SECURITY. YOU CAN SAY THAT NATO'S ROLE IN HELPING MITIGATE THE CONFLICT BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE MADE A CONTRIBUTION TO COLLECTIVE SECURITY. AND YOU COULD SAY TODAY THAT NATO'S INFLUENCE ON COUNTRIES THAT WANT TO GET INTO THE ALLIANCE - TELLING THEM THAT YOU HAVE TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS BEFORE YOU ARE GOING TO GET INTO THIS ALLIANCE - MAKES A VERY IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO COLLECTIVE SECURITY.

CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS SAID OVER AND OVER AN EXPANDED NATO IS NOT DIRECTED AT RUSSIA, AS WAS THE CASE DURING THE COLD WAR. BUT RUSSIA'S AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON, YULI VORONTSOV, WAS NOT IMPRESSED. HE SAID MOSCOW HAS NO OBJECTION TO NATO AS PRESENTLY CONSTITUTED, BUT MOVING THIS WAR MACHINE CLOSER TO RUSSIA IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. HE RECOMMENDED TALKING TO ANY RECENT VISITOR TO RUSSIA:

YOU WOULD NOT HEAR ANY KIND OF WORD OF PRAISE OF THE ENLARGEMENT OF NATO FROM ANY QUARTER: DEMOCRATS, COMMUNISTS, ZHIRINOVSKYITES - HOWEVER YOU CALL THEM - AND THE OTHERS. THEY ALL ARE CRITICAL ABOUT THE ENLARGEMENT OF NATO. NOT A SINGLE WORD OF PRAISE, SATISFACTION OR APPROVAL IN THE RUSSIAN FREE PRESS. IT IS A FREE PRESS NOW. IT IS VERY FREE, VERY DEMOCRATIC AND VERY IRRESPONSIBLE. (LAUGHTER) EVEN THERE, YOU DO NOT HEAR ANYONE WHO SAYS, "IT IS A GREAT IDEA. IT IS A WONDERFUL THING. NATO COMING CLOSER TO OUR BORDERS. WE APPLAUD IT." NO ONE. NO ONE.

AMBASSADOR VORONTSOV SAID RUSSIA, WHICH HAS WITHDRAWN ITS OWN MILITARY MACHINE FROM EASTERN EUROPE, UKRAINE AND BELARUS, POSES NO THREAT. HE PLEADED FOR THE WEST NOT TO LOOK AT RUSSIA THROUGH THE BARREL OF A GUN BY EXPANDING NATO.

EXPANSION MUST STILL BE RATIFIED BY THE U-S SENATE, AS THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION PROVIDES. MICHAEL HALTZEL, A STAFF MEMBER OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS, CAUTIONED THAT AN INTENSE DEBATE LIES AHEAD OVER THE COST OF EXPANSION AND OTHER MATTERS:

IN THE SENATE, THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO FEEL THAT INCREASINGLY ASIA AND LATIN AMERICA SHOULD TAKE MORE OF OUR ATTENTION BECAUSE OF OBVIOUSLY, THE ECONOMIC CLOUT THAT THE PACFIC RIM HAS AND THE OPPORTUNITIES OF INVESTMENT THAT LATIN AMERICA AND THE PACIFIC RIM HAVE FOR THE UNITED STATES. I THINK THERE IS A FAIR AMOUNT OF RESENTMENT ABOUT THE COST-SHARING ISSUE.

MR. HALTZEL ESTIMATED ABOUT HALF THE ONE HUNDRED SENATORS STRONGLY FAVOR ENLARGEMENT. THAT MEANS CONVINCING ANOTHER SEVENTEEN FOR THE NEEDED TWO-THIRDS VOTE.

FAILURE TO RATIFY EXPANSION IS AN INTOLERABLE THOUGHT, SAID ROBERT HUNTER,U-S A/M/B/A/S/S/A/D/O/R TO NATO. CRITICS REPLY IT SHOULD BE GIVEN SOME THOUGHT, JUST IN CASE. (SIGNED)
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23-Jul-97 7:48 PM EDT (2348 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THREE NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS TODAY COMMENT ON THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT ON THE PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS AROUND THE WORLD. OTHER NEWSPAPERS ARE OFFERING EDITORIAL OPINION ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE ABUSES, LIBERIA'S ELECTION AND THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, AS WE HEAR NOW FROM ____________IN THIS SAMPLING OF U.S. EDITORIAL OPINION FOR THURSDAY, JULY 24TH.

TEXT: NEWSDAY, THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR AND THE MIAMI HERALD ALL LEAD THEIR EDITORIAL PAGES TODAY WITH COMMENTARY ON THE PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS AROUND THE WORLD. NEWSDAY SAYS CURBS ON CHRISTIANS, AS DETAILED IN A NEW STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT, ARE WORLDWIDE.

VOICE: "IN ISLAMIC SUDAN, THE FORCED CONVERSION OF CHRISTIAN MINORITIES IS ROUTINE. IN SAUDI ARABIA, A U.S. ALLY, CHRISTIAN WORSHIP IN PUBLIC OR PRIVATE IS PROHIBITED AND PUNISHED. IN IRAN, SEVERAL EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS ARE UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH FOR APOSTASY. IN RUSSIA, LEGISLATORS THREATEN TO OVERRIDE PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S WISE VETO OF A STATE BAN ON EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN GROUPS. BUT CHINA IS AMONG THE MOST FLAGRANT VIOLATORS. THERE, PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS HAS REACHED THE HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION. IT INVOLVES RAIDS ON WORSHIP GROUPS IN PRIVATE HOMES AND THE DETENTION AND TORTURE OF CHRISTIAN LEADERS. YET THE WHITE HOUSE AND EVEN MAINSTREAM RIGHTS GROUPS LIKE HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH HAVE MAINTAINED AN AWKWARD SILENCE ON THIS. THE SILENCE IS SHAMEFUL. TO CURB A BASIC FREEDOM IS WRONG, WHOMEVER THE VICTIM. ACKNOWLEDGING THE PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS MIGHT NOT -- AND SHOULD NOT NECESSARILY -- PROMPT A SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE IN U.S. POLICIES. BUT CLINTON SHOULD START USING HIS BULLY PULPIT TO PREACH RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE AMONG AMERICA'S ALLIES AND WOULD-BE FRIENDS."

TEXT: THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR COMMENTS ON THE TREATMENT OF CHRISTIANS IN MUSLIM COUNTRIES.

VOICE: "ATTACKS ON CHRISTIAN SECTS, OFTEN ANCIENT ONES LIKE EGYPT'S COPTS, HAVE RISEN WITH THE GROWTH OF RADICAL FUNDAMENTALISM AMONG MUSLIMS. GOVERNMENTS SHOULD BE URGED TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF ALL THEIR CITIZENS, REGARDLESS OF THE POLITICAL CLOUT OR TERRORIST TACTICS OF RADICALS. AND MUSLIM RIGHTS SHOULD BE PROTECTED IN THE PREDOMINANTLY CHRISTIAN WORLD."

TEXT: AND THE MIAMI HERALD SAYS THE UNITED STATES SHOULD LEAD BY EXAMPLE IF IT IS TO BE CREDIBLE ABROAD WHEN CRITICIZING RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION.

VOICE: "THE AMERICAN IDEAL OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, AS ENSHRINED IN THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE U-S CONSTITUTION, IS REALIZED IMPERFECTLY EVEN IN THE UNITED STATES. THE AMERICAN IDEAL OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IS STILL EVOLVING. CONTROVERSIES PERSIST EVEN THOUGH THIS DIVERSE SOCIETY, DESPITE ITS OCCASIONAL BLOWUPS, HISTORICALLY HAS BEEN FAR LESS POLARIZED ALONG RELIGIOUS LINES THAN THOSE SOCIETIES ABROAD WHERE BITTER ENMITIES HAVE PERSISTED FOR CENTURIES. WHEN IT LECTURES THE WORLD ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, THEN THE UNITED STATES MUST KEEP MIND THAT ITS MORAL STANDING TO DO SO MAY DEPEND IN PART ON THE STATUS OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THIS COUNTRY AND HOW IT'S PERCEIVED BY GROUPS AS DISPARATE AS ISLAMIC MULLAHS, SANTERIA PRIESTS, SCIENTOLOGISTS AND SIKHS."

TEXT: THE U-S SENATE HEARINGS INTO CAMPAIGN FINANCING TOPS TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIAL PAGE. THE TIMES EDITORIAL SAYS THAT THE MORE THAT IS LEARNED ABOUT FUND-RAISING EFFORTS, THE WORSE BOTH PARTIES LOOK.

VOICE: "BEFORE THE WEEK IS FINISHED, THE PUBLIC SHOULD GET A GOOD GLIMPSE INTO A SCHEME OPERATED BY THE REPUBLICANS THAT INVOLVED A SUPPOSEDLY INDEPENDENT PARTISAN THINK TANK THAT THEN RECEIVED COLLATERAL FOR LOANS AND EVENTUALLY OUTRIGHT GRANTS FROM A HONG KONG-BASED FAMILY. BOTH THE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ON THE COMMITTEE SHOULD JOIN IN A BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO PRESS HALEY BARBOUR, THE FORMER REPUBLICAN LEADER, TO DISCLOSE ALL THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE THE THINK TANK, NOT JUST THE ONES THAT HAVE COME OUT SO FAR. ONCE THE PUBLIC REALIZES THAT BOTH SIDES ENGAGED IN ABUSES, THE WAY WILL BE CLEARER FOR CONGRESS TO CURB THE FLOW OF LARGE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT CORRUPT THE POLITICAL SYSTEM."

TEXT: THE ELECTION OF CHARLES TAYLOR AS PRESIDENT IN LIBERIA IS COMMENTED ON BY THE BALTIMORE SUN TODAY. THE NEWSPAPER NOTES THAT MR. TAYLOR WAS LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR STARTING LIBERIA'S CIVIL WAR IN 1990.

VOICE: "CHARLES TAYLOR IS HARD TO STOMACH ON HUMAN RIGHTS GROUNDS. BUT THE WORLD HAS NO ALTERNATIVE TO ACCEPTING THIS ELECTION RESULT AND THEN HOLDING THE NEW GOVERNMENT TO STRICT HUMANITARIAN STANDARDS FOR RECONSTRUCTION AID. IF THE FIGHTING IS TRULY OVER AND THE SO-CALLED SOLDIERS OF MR. TAYLOR'S CHILD ARMY ARE DISARMED AND SENT TO SCHOOL, LIBERIA'S PEOPLE CAN BEGIN TO PUT THEIR LIVES AND COUNTRY BACK TOGETHER. INVESTMENT AND AID WOULD RETURN. IF THEY CAN DO THAT, MR. TAYLOR WOULD GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS A GOOD PRESIDENT, ESPECIALLY IF HE SHOULD STEP DOWN WHEN HIS TERM ENDS AND ALLOW YET ANOTHER FAIR ELECTION."

TEXT: AND, FINALLY, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL IN FLORIDA URGES CONGRESS TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE PLANNED INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.

VOICE: "ANYONE, WHO DOUBTS THE BENEFITS OF SPACE EXPLORATION HASN'T BEEN PAYING ATTENTION. ACCORDING TO ONE STUDY, FOR EVERY DOLLAR THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION HAS SPENT, MORE THAN TEN DOLLARS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE U-S ECONOMY FROM COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS OF SPACE TECHNOLOGY. THE BEST MAY BE YET TO COME. THE SPACE STATION -- SCHEDULED TO BEGIN OPERATING IN 2002 -- REPRESENTS AN INVESTMENT BY THE UNITED STATES AND ITS PARTNERS IN THE POTENTIAL OF THE 21ST CENTURY. IF YOU WERE TO TAKE THE LIFETIME COST OF THE SPACE STATION AND ASSUME THE AVERAGE RATE OF RETURN THAT U-S SPACE EXPLORATION HAS ENJOYED SO FAR, THE SPACE STATION COULD ADD ONE TRILLION DOLLARS TO THE U-S ECONOMY. THAT'S NOT CHICKEN FEED NOW. AND IT WOULDN'T BE IN THE 21ST CENTURY. RATHER, IT WOULD BE A SOLID, IMPRESSIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT BY ANY STANDARD. SPACE EXPLORATION COSTS A LOT, BUT AMERICANS ARE RECEIVING PLENTY OF BANG FOR THEIR BUCKS."

TEXT: AND THAT COMMENT FROM THE ORLANDO SENTINEL ENDS THIS SAMPLING OF U-S EDITORIAL COMMENT FOR THURSDAY, JULY 24TH.
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24-Jul-97 11:03 AM EDT (1503 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: HUNDREDS OF TURKISH JOURNALISTS GATHERED BEFORE A COURTROOM IN THE WESTERN PROVINCE OF AFYON THURSDAY TO SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH A COLLEAGUE WHO WAS ALLEGEDLY BEATEN TO DEATH LAST YEAR BY POLICE. BUT AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA THAT THE TRIAL OF FIVE OF THE OFFICERS CHARGED WITH KILLING THE LEFT-WING JOURNALIST METIN GOKTEPE WAS POSTPONED FOR A THIRD TIME, THIS AFTER THE DEFENDANTS FAILED ONCE AGAIN TO APPEAR IN COURT.

TEXT: HUNDREDS OF JOURNALISTS CHANTED ANTI-GOVERNMENT SLOGANS OUTSIDE THE PACKED COURTROOM AFTER THE PRESIDING JUDGE ANNOUNCED THAT THE TRIAL HAD BEEN ADJOURNED UNTIL NEXT MONTH. SHE SAID THE TRIAL COULD NOT BEGIN UNTIL THE OFFICERS WERE ARRESTED. UNDER TURKISH LAW THEIR PRESENCE IS NECESSARY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROSECUTION. EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE DEFENDANTS' TESTIMONIES HAS BEEN COMPLETED IN THE YEAR-LONG TRIAL, WHICH HAS BECOME A CELEBRATED CAUSE IN THE TURKISH MEDIA'S STRUGGLE FOR GREATER RIGHTS.

MR. GOKTEPE DIED AFTER BEING DETAINED DURING THE FUNERAL OF TWO LEFT-WING ACTIVISTS. HE WAS COVERING THE EVENT FOR THE DAILY LEFT-WING "EVRENSEL" NEWSPAPER, WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN BANNED FROM PUBLICATION. ACCORDING TO EYEWITNESSES, HE WAS BEATEN TO DEATH BY A GROUP OF POLICEMEN IN A GYMNASIUM THAT WAS BEING USED AS A DETENTION CENTER FOR THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO WERE ALSO PRESENT AT THE FUNERAL.

IRONICALLY, THURSDAY'S HEARING COINCIDED WITH TURKEY'S NATIONAL PRESS FREEDOM DAY. BUT WITH 27 JOURNALISTS KILLED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND 78 OTHERS CURRENTLY IN PRISON FOR EXPRESSING VIEWS DEEMED HARMFUL TO THE TURKISH STATE, MOST IN THE MEDIA BELIEVE THEY HAVE LITTLE CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION.

ACCORDING TO THE NEW-YORK BASED "COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS," OR C-P-J FOR SHORT, TURKEY HAS MORE JOURNALISTS IN JAIL THAN ETHIOPIA, CHINA, KUWAIT AND BURMA COMBINED. A C-P-J DELEGATION WHICH VISITED TURKEY EARLIER THIS MONTH EXTRACTED PROMISES FROM TURKEY'S NEW PRIME MINISTER, MESUT YILMAZ, THAT JOURNALISTS SERVING PRISON SENTENCES FOR SO-CALLED CRIMES OF THOUGHT WOULD BE RELEASED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

IN A WIDELY HAILED MOVE, THE NEW GOVERNMENT HAS SINCE DRAFTED LEGISLATION TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF SOME JOURNALISTS, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM. THOSE EXCLUDED FROM THE PROPOSED AMNESTY ARE JOURNALISTS CONVICTED UNDER TURKEY'S ANTI-TERROR LAW, WHICH EFFECTIVELY BANS THE NON-VIOLENT EXPRESSION OF SEPARATIST VIEWS. IT SPECIFICALLY TARGETS VIEWS AND PUBLICATIONS ADVOCATING KURDISH RIGHTS AND GROUPS DEEMED TO BE SYMPATHETIC TO REBELS OF THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR P-K-K. THE REBELS HAVE BEEN WAGING A 13-YEAR LONG ARMED CAMPAIGN FOR AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE CARVED MAINLY OUT OF TURKEY'S SOUTHEASTERN PROVINCES BORDERING IRAN, IRAQ, AND SYRIA. (SIGNED)
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24-Jul-97 11:15 AM EDT (1515 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] WORLD OPINION ROUNDUP BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: EUROPEAN EDITORIAL WRITERS BELIEVE THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S NOD YESTERDAY TO THE BOEING-MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MERGER STAVED OFF A U.S. - EUROPEAN TRADE WAR. BUT ANALYSTS ARE WONDERING IF BOEING'S CONCESSIONS ACTUALLY WOULD IMPROVE AIRBUS'S CHANCE AGAINST ITS SOLE REMAINING RIVAL IN THE COMMERCIAL AIRLINE FIELD. HERE IS _________WITH A SAMPLING OF WORLD OPINION ON THE MERGER.

TEXT: IN GERMANY, GERD PELLETIER COMMENTED ON NATIONAL ARD-TV THAT THE WORST IS NOT OVER FOR THE AIRBUS.

VOICE: "WE COULD GET THE IMPRESSION THAT THE EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE BOEING-MCDONNEL DOUGLAS MERGER HAS LESS TO DO WITH CIVIL AIRCRAFT BUT RATHER WITH THE FAILURE OF THE EUROPEAN PARTNERS TO MAKE AIRBUS A FUTURE-ORIENTED COMPANY. THE FRENCH ARE MAINLY TO BLAME FOR THIS, BECAUSE THEY ARE BLOCKING ALL MOVES IN THIS DIRECTION. BUT NOBODY SHOULD NOW THINK THAT THE WORST IS OVER FOR AIRBUS. ON THE CONTRARY, A PROFOUND REFORM OF EUROPE'S AEROSPACE INDUSTRY IS MORE URGENT THAN EVER AFTER THIS U-S MERGER."

TEXT: BRITAIN'S GUARDIAN NOTED THAT IT TOOK LAST MINUTE INTERVENTION FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON WITH EUROPEAN LEADERS TO CLOSE THE DEAL.

VOICE: "E-U COMPETITION COMMISSIONER KAREL VAN MIERT YESTERDAY CLAIMED VICTORY IN THE NAIL-BITING STAND-OFF WITH BOEING AND THE U-S GOVERNMENT OVER THE MERGER WITH MCDONNELL DOUGLAS. THE CASE LEFT BAD BLOOD BETWEEN THE E-U AND THE UNITED STATES, WHICH HAD PRESSED HARD FOR THE COMMISSION TO CLEAR THE DEAL."

TEXT: JACQUES AMALRIC COMMENTED IN LIBERATION THAT THE BOEING-MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MERGER IS A DIRTY TRICK FOR AIRBUS.

VOICE: "IT IS HUGE. IT IS TOO MUCH. ONCE CAN NOW UNDERSTAND WHY THE AMERICANS FOUGHT FOR THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION NOT TO HAVE AUTHORITY ON COMPETITION ISSUES. BUT WHY HASN'T THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SUBSTITUTED FOR THE W-T-O, AND DECLARED THE MERGER UNACCEPTABLE, IN RESPECT FOR COMPETITION? THE ANSWER IS SURPRISING BUT TRUE: BECAUSE NONE OF THE 15 MEMBERS OF EUROPE HAS ASKED FOR IT."

TEXT: ALSO FROM FRANCE, COMMENTING IN LA TRIBUNE PHILIPPE MUDRY SAYS EUROPE ASSERTED ITS AUTHORITY.

VOICE: "BY FORCING BOEING-MCDONNELL-DOUGLAS TO MODIFY THEIR MERGER, THE BRUSSELS COMMISSION, FOR THE FIRST TIME SUCCESSFULLY OPPOSED AN OPERATION THAT COULD HAVE DISTORTED COMPETITION IN A VITAL FIELD FOR EUROPE:THE AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY...EUROPE ASSERTED ITS AUTHORITY AS AN ECONOMIC POWER AND ITS STRENGTH WILL BE REINFORCED BY THE EURO. FOR ALL THAT, EUROPE SHOULD TAKE CARE NOT TO FEEL TRIUMPHANT."

TEXT: A DISPATCH FROM NEW YORK TO THE LEADING ITALIAN BUSINESS PUBLICATION IL SOLE 24-ORE SAID THIS.

VOICE: "EUROPE CROWS OVER BOEING'S SURRENDER...BUT U-S EXPERTS ARE CAUTIOUS ON THE REAL EFFECTS OF BOEING'S CONCESSIONS. ITS FORMAL CONCESSIONS IN PARTICULAR MIGHT TURN OUT BE A USELESS, PYRRHIC VICTORY FOR EUROPE AND AIRBUS. PERHAPS THIS IS THE REASON WHY THE WHITE HOUSE PRAISED BOEING'S SKILLED COUNTER-MOVES IN GETTING THE GREEN LIGHT FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION."

TEXT: AND FINALLY A COMMENT FROM ITALY'S IL FOGLIO SAYS THE MERGER DOES NOT HELP AIRBUS.

VOICE: "HAVING TAKEN AWAY THE EXCLUSIVE ON SUPPLYING THE THREE AMERICAN AIR CARRIERS DOES NOT MAKE SUCH A BIG DIFFERENCE AND ABOVE ALL DOES NOT HELP AIRBUS, THE EUROPEAN COMPETITOR, WHICH BRUSSELS TRIED TO PROTECT. INDEED, IN ORDER TO GET THOSE SUPPLY CONTRACTS, IT SHOULD BE CAPABLE OF OFFERING COMPETITIVE PRICES AGAINST THOSE OFFERED BY BOEING. AND THIS IS NOT AN EASY GAME."

TEXT: AND THAT COMMENT ENDS THIS LOOK AT WORLD PRESS OPINION ON THE MERGER OF THE AIR INDUSTRY GIANTS, BOEING AND MCDONNELL-DOUGLAS.
NEB/DC/EH
24-Jul-97 11:10 AM EDT (1510 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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