Voice of America, 97-07-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA INVESTIGATION (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

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

[03] EUROPE ROYALTY BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[04] GERMANY / FLOODS (L) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

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

[06] NATO / RUSSIA (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

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

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

[09] US/AZERBAIJAN: 2) NAGORNO-KARABAKH BY JOAN BEECHER (WASHINGTON)

[01] BOSNIA INVESTIGATION (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: FORENSIC EXPERTS FROM THE UNITED NATION'S YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAVE BEGUN REMOVING HUMAN REMAINS FROM THE SITE OF AN ALLEGED MASS GRAVE NEAR THE NORTHEASTERN BOSNIAN TOWN OF BRCKO. THE GRAVE IS THOUGHT TO CONTAIN THE BODIES OF MUSLIM AND CROAT MEN WHO WERE MURDERED AT A NEARBY PRISON CAMP. AS GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE, THE TRIBUNAL HOPES THE EXHUMATION WILL BOLSTER EVIDENCE AGAINST TWO MEN CHARGED WITH COMMITTING ATROCITIES AT THE CAMP.

TEXT: TWENTY FIVE FORENSIC EXPERTS -- INCLUDING ARCHAEOLOGISTS, ANTHROPOLOGISTS AND PATHOLOGISTS -- HAVE BEGUN THE GRIM TASK OF PIECING TOGETHER EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MEN WHOSE REMAINS LIE IN THE GRAVE. WITNESSES SAY THE BODIES OF SOME OF THOSE MURDERED AT THE "LUKA" CAMP WERE TOSSED INTO THE NEARBY SAVA RIVER.

TWO BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE BEEN ALREADY BEEN INDICTED BY THE TRIBUNAL FOR THE SYSTEMATIC KILLING OF MUSLIM AND CROAT MEN FROM BRCKO AT THE LUKA CAMP. CAMP COMMANDER GORAN JELISIC IS CHARGED WITH GENOCIDE FOR HIS PART IN WHAT HAPPENED THERE. A SECOND MAN WHO ALSO HELD A SENIOR POSITION AT THE CAMP -- RANKO CESIC -- IS CHARGED WITH CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. NEITHER MAN IS IN CUSTODY.

TRIBUNAL INVESTIGATORS HAVE ALREADY BEEN WORKING AT THE SITE FOR SOME WEEKS NOW, CLEARING RUBBLE AND CHECKING FOR UNEXPLODED BOMBS AND MINES. SECURITY FOR THE OPERATION IS BEING PROVIDED BY NATO TROOPS.

ONCE INVESTIGATIONS AT THE BRCKO SITE ARE FINISHED, THE TEAM WILL MOVE ON TO OTHER LOCATIONS.

THE COST OF THE EXHUMATIONS THE TRIBUNAL WANTS TO CARRY OUT THIS YEAR IS OVER TWO-MILLION DOLLARS. SO FAR, IT HAS ONLY HALF OF THE MONEY IT NEEDS.

LAST YEAR TRIBUNAL INVESTIGATORS EXHUMED 650 BODIES FROM MASS GRAVES IN BOSNIA AND CROATIA. MOST HAD DIED FROM MULTIPLE GUNSHOT WOUNDS, SOME HAD THEIR HANDS TIED AND HAD BEEN BLINDFOLDED. (SIGNED)
NEB/GS/PCF/EH
29-Jul-97 8:56 AM EDT (1256 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES MADE MODEST GAINS IN TRADING TUESDAY IN MAJOR EUROPEAN EXCHANGES. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: STOCK PRICES ROSE -- BUT ONLY A LITTLE -- ON ALL THREE MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX ENDED THE DAY UP 14 POINTS, JUST THREE-TENTHS PERCENT OF THE MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE.

IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX ROSE 10 POINTS, JUST OVER TWO-TENTHS PERCENT.

AND IN PARIS, PRICES FINISHED SLIGHTLY HIGHER. THE CAC-40 INDEX WAS UP LESS THAN ONE-AND-ONE-HALF POINTS.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED IN VALUE AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN. BUT IT LOST VALUE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, AND WAS BASICALLY UNCHANGED AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.
NEB/JWH/EH
29-Jul-97 1:38 PM EDT (1738 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EUROPE ROYALTY BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: DESPITE THE HIGH-VISIBILITY PROBLEMS FACING BRITAIN'S ROYAL FAMILY, THE RESTORATION OF A MONARCHY SEEMS TO HAVE A CERTAIN APPEAL IN SOME PARTS OF THE FORMER EAST BLOC. BUT V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPE CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS THERE MAY BE LESS TO THIS TREND THAN IT MIGHT FIRST SEEM.

TEXT: SCHOLARS SUGGEST SEVERAL REASONS FOR THE APPEAL OF A MONARCHY IN A MODERN NATION-STATE. A KING OR QUEEN REPRESENTS THE STATE WITH SPLENDOR AND FLOURISHES THAT ADD TO THE NATIONAL STATURE. THE CONTINUITY OF THE STATE IS REFLECTED IN THE CONTINUITY OF THE MONARCHY, AS THE CROWN IS HANDED DOWN FROM PARENT TO CHILD. THERE IS EVEN A CERTAIN TOURIST VALUE IN PALACE GUARDS AND ROYAL PAGEANTRY.

IN THE EARLY 1980'S, POLITICAL SCIENTIST ZDENEK ZBORIL OF PRAGUE'S CHARLES UNIVERSITY SIGNED ON TO A TINY CZECH MONARCHIST PARTY EVEN THOUGH HE HAD NO PARTICULAR DESIRE TO SEE THE COMMUNISTS REPLACED BY A KING. BUT HE EXPLAINS HIS ACTION WAS NOT REALLY PRO-MONARCHY.

IT WAS AGAINST EVERYTHING. IT WAS AGAINST THE DEMOCRACY OF THE FIRST REPUBLIC, AGAINST THE GERMANS, AGAINST COMMUNISM. IT WAS THE MAIN REASON THESE PEOPLE HAD ORGANIZED THEMSELVES IN THE MONARCHIST PARTY, WITHOUT ANY GREAT IDEA.

ALMOST TWO DECADES LATER, THERE IS STILL A TINY MONARCHIST MOVEMENT IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC, BUT IT IS NOT TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY.

PROFESSOR ZBORIL SAYS THE CZECHS HAVE NO CRAVING FOR A KING. INSTEAD, HE SAYS, THEY USE THE PRESIDENCY FOR MUCH THE SAME SYMBOLIC PURPOSE. HE CITES PLAYWRIGHT-TURNED-PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVEL AS AN EXAMPLE.

BUT HIS CHARLES UNIVERSITY COLLEAGUE, JANA KLEPETAROVA, SAYS CZECHS HAVE VIEWED THEIR PRESIDENTS MUCH AS OTHER EUROPEANS HAVE VIEWED THEIR KINGS, AS BEING SOMEHOW DIFFERENT FROM MERE CITIZENS.

CZECHS WOULDN'T GO FOR A ROYALTY, BUT CZECHS WANT SOMETHING THAT'S ABOVE EVERYTHING. THAT'S WHY PRESIDENT HAS TO BE ABOVE THE PARTIES, PRESIDENT HAS TO BE TOTALLY UNBIASED, PRESIDENT HAS TO BE A DECORATIVE, IMPOSING, IMPRESSIVE FIGURE -- SOMETHING REALLY AND TRULY EXCEPTIONAL.

MRS. KLEPETAROVA SAYS THE FORMER CZECHOSLOVAKIA IS DIFFERENT THAN SOME OF ITS NEIGHBORS BECAUSE THE MONARCHY HERE LASTED ONLY UNTIL 1918, AND IN ANY EVENT THAT WAS THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN EMPIRE, RULED BY THE HABSBURGS IN VIENNA.

THEY HAD THEIR OWN KINGS WHILE WE HAD HABSBURG RULERS. SO IN THE CASE OF BULGARIA, ROMANIA, IT WAS A CONTINUOUS TRADITION, WHILE OURS WAS SEVERED IN THE 15TH-16TH CENTURY IN FACT. SO FOR US, ROYALTY IS KIND OF AN ETERNAL IDEA, A SYMBOL OF INDEPENDENCE, A SYMBOL OF CONTINUITY, BUT IT'S NOT AN EXISTING POWER.

SO WHAT ABOUT THE PRETENDERS WHO WANT THE THRONES IN SOFIA OR TIRANA OR BUCHAREST? ZDENEK ZBORIL IS SKEPTICAL.

EVERY CASE IS EXCEPTIONAL. ALBANIA AND ROMANIA SHOW TO US BOTH KINGS, OR THESE CANDIDATES FOR THE CROWN ONLY WANTED TO BE REHABILITATED, NOT POLITICALLY FUNCTION, NOT PROMOTE THE PRINCIPLE OF MONARCHISM. THEY WANTED TO REHABILITATE THEIR FAMILY.

WHATEVER THE MOTIVE, THE WOULD-BE RULERS OF BULGARIA, ROMANIA, AND ALBANIA ARE PRESSING THEIR CASE. SUCCESS, HOWEVER, IS DEFINITELY NOT ASSURED. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/JWH/EH
29-Jul-97 12:12 PM EDT (1612 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] GERMANY / FLOODS (L) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: NERVOUS RESIDENTS ALONG THE RAIN SWOLLEN ODER RIVER ARE ANXIOUSLY AWAITING A NEW SURGE OF WATER THAT COULD BRING MORE FLOODING TO GERMANY AND POLAND. FROM BONN, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: WATER LEVELS HAVE BEEN SLOWLY RECEDING ALONG THE ODER RIVER, BUT OFFICIALS SAY THERE IS STILL DANGER TO THE EARTHEN DIKES THAT PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR LOW LYING AREAS.

ON THE GERMAN SIDE OF THE RIVER, SOLDIERS AND RESCUE WORKERS HAVE BEEN WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO LAY SANDBAGS ON THE WEAKEST PARTS OF THE SATURATED DIKES.

OFFICIALS ARE WORRIED ABOUT A FINAL SURGE OF WATER THAT HAS BEEN FLOWING NORTHWARD TOWARD THE SEA FROM STREAMS IN POLAND.

ALTHOUGH THE WATER IS NOT FORECAST TO REACH OR SURPASS THE RECORD LEVELS OF LAST WEEK, THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS ALONG THE GERMAN SIDE OF THE RIVER HAVE BEEN WARNED THEY MAY STILL BE FORCED TO EVACUATE. OFFICIALS HAVE ALSO BEEN IMMUNIZING RESIDENTS AGAINST POSSIBLE OUTBREAKS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE.

GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL HAS VISITED THE FLOOD STRICKEN REGION FOR A SECOND TIME. HE PLEDGED ASSISTANCE FOR HARD-HIT RESIDENTS WOULD BE DELIVERED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IN POLAND, WHERE DAMAGE HAS BEEN EXTENSIVE, OFFICIALS ARE CONSIDERING HOW TO PAY THE ENORMOUS COST OF THE CLEANUP, WHICH HAS BEEN ESTIMATED IN THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/EH
29-Jul-97 12:21 PM EDT (1621 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH MAJOR INDEXES CLOSING AT RECORD HIGHS. CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 81 HUNDRED 74, UP 53 POINTS. THE BROADER STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 942, UP FIVE POINTS. BOTH INDEXES ARE AT RECORD HIGHS.

ANALYSTS SAY OPTIMISM CONTINUES ON WALL STREET WITH THE RELEASE OF POSITIVE ECONOMIC REPORTS. TRADERS WERE ALSO ENCOURAGED BY THE BALANCED BUDGET AGREEMENT BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND CONGRESS.

A WIDELY FOLLOWED INDEX OF CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IN THE UNITED STATES FELL FOUR POINTS THIS MONTH. HOWEVER, ECONOMISTS SAY THE INDEX IS STILL NEAR A RECORD HIGH AND INDICATES CONTINUED ECONOMIC GROWTH.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED AMERICAN WORKERS GAINED EIGHT-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT IN WAGES AND BENEFITS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR. THE GAIN IN EMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION WAS IN LINE WITH WALL STREET ESTIMATES.

TWO LEADING CRITICS OF THE U-S TOBACCO INDUSTRY ARE URGING CONGRESS TO REJECT THE AGREEMENT THE TOBACCO FIRMS MADE WITH A GROUP OF STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL. THAT AGREEMENT WOULD LIMIT THE LIABILITY OF THE TOBACCO FIRMS IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR PAYMENT OF ALMOST 370 BILLION DOLLARS. BUT EVERETT KOOP AND DAVID KESSLER, TWO FORMER U-S HEALTH OFFICIALS, SAY THE AGREEMENT IS NOT TOUGH ENOUGH ON THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY AND THAT CONGRESS SHOULD RENEGOTIATE THE DEAL.

THE NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR COMPANY WILL PAY 550 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE CYRIX (SIGH-RIX) CORPORATION, ANOTHER MICROPROCESSOR FIRM. THE COMBINED COMPANY PLANS TO DEVELOP CHIPS TO BE USED IN A NEW GENERATION OF VERY LOW COST (UNDER 500 DOLLARS) PERSONAL COMPUTERS.

THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION WILL SPEND ONE POINT TWO BILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD A NEW JEEP ASSEMBLY PLANT AND EXPAND ITS EXISTING FACILITIES IN THE CITY OF TOLEDO, OHIO. THE DECISION CAME AFTER THE STATE OF OHIO GRANTED CHRYSLER ABOUT 127 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF TAX BREAKS AND OTHER INCENTIVES. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/LWM
29-Jul-97 5:50 PM EDT (2150 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] NATO / RUSSIA (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

INTRO: THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF NATO, THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION, HAS DISMISSED AS UNFOUNDED CONCERNS THAT RUSSIA HAS BEEN GIVEN TOO MUCH INFLUENCE OVER THE SECURITY ALLIANCE. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS NATO HEAD JAVIER SOLANA MADE THE REMARKS TODAY (TUESDAY) IN A SPEECH AT NEW YORK'S COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY.

TEXT: MR. SOLANA SAYS HE IS AWARE THAT SOME OBSERVERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A RECENTLY FORMED JOINT PERMANENT COUNCIL OF RUSSIA AND NATO. THE COUNCIL HELD ITS FIRST MEETING EARLIER THIS MONTH AND HAS SCHEDULED A MINISTERIAL MEETING FOR SEPTEMBER IN NEW YORK.

I AM AWARE THAT SOME OBSERVERS HAVE VOICED CONCERNS THAT THIS NEW FORUM COULD GIVE RUSSIA TOO MUCH INFLUENCE OVER NATO'S POLICIES. LET ME ASSURE YOU THAT THESE CONCERNS ARE UNFOUNDED.

THE COUNCIL WITH RUSSIA WAS ESTABLISHED AFTER NATO INVITED THE CZECH REPUBLIC, HUNGARY AND POLAND TO START ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE 16 MEMBER ALLIANCE. RUSSIA HAS SPOKEN OUT AGAINST AN ENLARGED NATO. MR. SOLANA HOPES THE NEW COUNCIL WITH RUSSIA WILL HELP EASE TENSION BETWEEN NATO AND MOSCOW AND PREVENT THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ADVERSARIAL RELATIONSHIP.

SO RUSSIA CANNOT EXPECT TO BLOCK NATO'S OWN DECISION-MAKING. BUT WHAT IT CAN EXPECT IS THAT NATO WILL LISTEN AND TAKE RUSSIA'S LEGITIMATE CONCERNS SERIOUSLY.

MR. SOLANA, A FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER FROM SPAIN, DEFENDED NATO'S DECISION TO ENLARGE ITS MEMBERSHIP. HE SAID THE MOVE POSES RISKS BUT CLAIMED THAT NATO'S GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS IN IMPROVING EUROPEAN SECURITY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE RESULT OF RISK AND BOLD POLICIES. HE SAID THE DECISION TO ENLARGE NATO WAS MADE IN RESPONSE TO NEW PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM THE END OF THE COLD WAR.

WE HAVE TO SOLVE IT. WE HAVE TO SOLVE IT AS MEMBERS OF THE TRANSATLANTIC COMMUNITY FOR POLITICAL REASONS, FOR ECONOMIC REASONS AND, TO MY MIND I WOULD UNDERLINE THIS, FOR MORAL REASONS. WE DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED.

THE NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL SAID IN THE FUTURE NO DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM MEMBERSHIP CONSIDERATION. HE SAID THE OPEN DOOR POLICY WILL ADD TO THE COSTS OF THE ALLIANCE BUT WILL ALSO PROVIDE AN HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY FOR A STRONGER AND MORE STABLE COLLECTIVE DEFENSE SYSTEM. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/KL
29-Jul-97 3:20 PM EDT (1920 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE BATTLE OVER PRESIDENT CLINTON'S NOMINEE TO BE AMBASSADOR TO MEXICO IS A POPULAR TOPIC IN THE DAY'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS.

OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION IN THE U-S PRESS THIS FINAL TUESDAY IN JULY INCLUDE: THE BUDGET AGREEMENT; THE LATEST ON THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS INVOLVING ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS; THE LATEST UPDATE ON GULF WAR CHEMICAL WEAPONS EXPOSURE FROM THE PENTAGON; AND A WORD OF CAUTION ON THE WORLD OIL SITUATION.

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

TEXT: GOVERNOR WILLIAM WELD OF MASSACHUSETTS RESIGNED HIS OFFICE MONDAY TO DEVOTE FULL ENERGY TO BECOMING THE NEXT U-S AMBASSADOR TO MEXICO, A POSITION TO WHICH PRESIDENT CLINTON RECENTLY NOMINATED HIM. BUT HE FACES A DIFFICULT TASK, HAVING EARNED THE HOSTILITY OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, JESSE HELMS, WHO HAS SAID GOVERNOR WELD IS NOT "AMBASSADORIAL MATERIAL."

THERE ARE SEVERAL COMMENTARIES FOCUSING ON THE PENDING FIGHT IN TODAY'S PAPERS, INCLUDING THIS FROM THE BOSTON GLOBE.

VOICE: "GOVERNOR WILLIAM ... WELD HAS BEEN AN ORIGINAL IN A STATE KNOWN FOR QUIXOTIC, EVEN ECCENTRIC POLITICS. HIS DECISION TO CHALLENGE SENATOR JESSE HELMES, AND TO HOLD THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S FEET TO THE FIRE REGARDING THE AMBASSADORSHIP TO MEXICO, APPEARED TO MANY TO BE ALL OF THE ABOVE. WHETHER THE GOVERNOR'S HIGH-WIRE ACT [GAMBLE] WILL SUCCEED OR NOT, HIS DECISION TO RESIGN HIS OFFICE ...... THIS AFTERNOON IS THE RIGHT DECISION AT THE RIGHT TIME."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES, ON THE OTHER HAND, CONSIDERS HIM AUDACIOUS FOR MAKING SUCH A MOVE.

VOICE: "[OPT] MR. WELD'S GUMPTION IS ADMIRABLE, BUT SHOULD NOT BE MISTAKEN FOR PURE PRINCIPLE. HE HAS TIRED OF THE GOVERNORSHIP, AS HE DEMONSTRATED BY RUNNING UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR THE SENATE LAST YEAR, AND CLEARLY WOULD NOT MIND SERVING AS VICE PRESIDENT OR PRESIDENT SOMEDAY. [END OPT]..... BY TAKING ON [CONFRONTING] MR. HELMS, MR. WELD PUTS BOTH SENATE REPUBLICANS AND PRESIDENT CLINTON ON THE SPOT. WHILE MR. CLINTON MAY QUIETLY ENJOY WATCHING A REPUBLICAN SQUABBLE, HIS OWN AUTHORITY WILL BE DIMINISHED IF HE FAILS TO SUPPORT HIS NOMINEE VIGOROUSLY.... AS A FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR, HE CAN GIVE THE MEXICANS SOUND ADVICE ABOUT COMBATING CORRUPTION AND NARCOTICS, TWO PROBLEMS THAT THREATEN TO OVERWHELM MEXICAN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. MR. WELD'S SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICINAL USES OF MARIJUANA DOES NOT MAKE HIM SOFT ON DRUGS AND CRIME, AS MR. HELMS CHARGES."

TEXT: TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES SAYS, IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE THAT [GOVERNOR] WELD DESERVES A HEARING ON [THE] MEXICO NOMINATION," WHILE IN NEWSDAY, THE HEADLINE OVER THE WELD EDITORIAL READS:[PRESIDENT] "CLINTON SHOULD FIGHT FOR HIS PICK FOR AMBASSADOR."

TURNING TO THE OTHER BIG STORY OF THE DAY, THE BUDGET AGREEMENT REACHED MONDAY BETWEEN CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE, THE WASHINGTON POST REMARKS THAT ALL THE SELF CONGRATULATIONS ABOUT TO POUR FORTH FROM DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE DISINGENUOUS.

VOICE: "THE BALANCED BUDGET, ASSUMING ONE IS ACHIEVED, WILL OWE AS MUCH TO THE CONTINUING STRENGTH OF THE ECONOMY AS TO ANY POLICY CHANGES CONGRESS WILL VOTE THIS WEEK. [OPT] YOU COULD ARGUE - - WE WOULD - - THAT THE STRONG ECONOMY DERIVES IN PART FROM SOME OF THE POLICY CHANGES FOR WHICH THE PRESIDENT SUCCESSFULLY FOUGHT IN 1993. [END OPT] THE FACT IS THAT THIS BUDGET WOULD ACTUALLY UNDO SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THOSE CHANGES. IN TERMS OF FISCAL DISCIPLINE, IT IS LESS THE ADVANCE ITS SPONSORS CLAIM THAN A RETREAT FROM HIGH GROUND THAT THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF ONCE OCCUPIED OVER REPUBLICAN OBJECTIONS. .......THIS IS A LOST OPPORTUNITY THAT, ON BALANCE AND IN THE LONG RUN, WILL LIKELY DO A FAIRLY LARGE AMOUNT OF HARM - - THE TAX CUTS - - FOR RELATIVELY LITTLE GOOD."

TEXT: REGARDING THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL IS FURIOUS AT THE CONDUCT OF ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU.

VOICE: "MR. NETANYAHU - - WHO HAS A GROWING REPUTATION AS ONE OF THE BAD BOYS OF MIDDLE EAST POLITICS - - DESERVES A SOLID SCOLDING. WHY? LOOK NO FURTHER THAN LAST WEEK'S ABSURD AND POTENTIALLY DAMAGING VOTE IN ISRAEL'S LEGISLATURE, THE KNESSET. THAT BODY GAVE A TENTATIVE NOD TO MAKING IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TRADE PARTS OF THE ISRAELI-OCCUPIED GOLAN HEIGHTS TO SYRIA. ... MR. NETANYAHU THREW HIS SUPPORT BEHIND THAT POSITION. ..... NO ONE EXPECTS MIDDLE EAST PEACE DISCUSSIONS TO BE ALL BEER AND SKITTLES, [HAPPY AND EASY] .... BUT LAST WEEK'S VOTE WAS AKIN TO A NEIGHBOR WITH WHOM YOU HAD STRAINED RELATIONS CALLING YOU OVER, IMPLYING THAT HE WANTED TO SETTLE YOUR DIFFERENCES AND THEN STICKING HIS FINGER INTO YOUR EYE."

TEXT: TAKING A VERY DIFFERENT VIEW OF THE SITUATION, NEWSDAY COMMENTS IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL:

VOICE: "MIRACLES SOMETIMES HAPPEN, EVEN IN TODAY'S MIDEAST. IT SEEMS SOMETHING OF A MIRACLE - - CERTAINLY NOT THE RESULT OF ANY DISCERNIBLE INTERVENTION FROM WASHINGTON ..... THAT LED ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS TO ANNOUNCE THE RESUMPTION OF PEACE TALKS LATER THIS WEEK. NOW IT'S ESSENTIAL THAT BOTH SIDES CONCENTRATE ON SO-CALLED CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES ..... AND LEAVE FOR THE FUTURE THE CENTRAL, THORNIER ISSUES, SUCH AS THE FATE OF JERUSALEM. .....THE RESUMPTION OF NEGOTIATIONS COULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED WITHOUT A SIGNIFICANT GESTURE FROM ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER .... NETANYAHU, WHO BLOCKED AN ABSURDLY PROVOCATIVE PLAN BY A MIAMI DEVELOPER TO BUILD A 70-UNIT JEWISH APARTMENT COMPLEX IN A PALESTINIAN QUARTER OF EAST JERUSALEM."

TEXT: A RELIGIOUS SITUATION OF A VERY DIFFERENT KIND, INVOLVING A PEDOPHILIC ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST IN TEXAS, WHOSE ABUSE OF BOYS UNDER HIS CARE DREW A 120-MILLION DOLLAR DAMAGE SUIT AWARD AGAINST THE DALLAS ARCHDIOCESE, DRAWS THIS RESPONSE FROM THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION.

VOICE: "IN AWARDING THE LARGEST JUDGMENT EVER AGAINST THE [ROMAN] CATHOLIC CHURCH IN A SEXUAL MOLESTATION SUIT .... A DALLAS JURY VENTED ITS OUTRAGE THAT THE LOCAL DIOCESE HAD CONSPIRED TO CONCEAL ABUSES. THEIR OUTRAGE SHOULD BE SHARED BY ALL OF US. THE VIOLATION OF TRUST IS HORRIFIC ENOUGH WHEN A CLERGYMAN MOLESTS A CHILD. WHEN CHURCH LEADERS ARE INFORMED AND FAIL TO ACT, IT BECOMES AN UNCONSCIONABLE BETRAYAL OF THE MOST INNOCENT AND MOST VULNERABLE OF THEIR FLOCK."

TEXT: THE PENTAGON CONTINUES TO SUSTAIN CRITICISM FOR ITS FAILURE TO HONESTLY ASSESS THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS DAMAGE TO U-S TROOPS IN THE GULF WAR AS IT CONTINUES TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF TROOPS EXPOSED. USA TODAY SAYS OF THE LATEST MILITARY ANNOUNCEMENT THAT AT LEAST 99-THOUSAND TROOPS MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO SOME CHEMICAL AGENT:

VOICE: "THE PENTAGON'S LATEST ESTIMATE, ISSUED LAST WEEK, IS FIVE TIMES ITS ESTIMATE OF LAST FALL. AND THAT FOLLOWS A SERIES OF EARLIER REVISIONS AND SURPRISE DISCOVERIES THAT LEAVE ON WONDERING WHETHER THE CAUSE IS DECEPTION OR INEPTITUDE. EITHER WAY, THE PENTAGON'S CREDIBILITY RATING NOW RANKS SOMEWHERE BELOW BUNKER LEVEL. ..... EVEN NOW, AS THE PENTAGON CONCEDES THAT SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF TROOPS WERE EXPOSED TO LOW LEVELS OF CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION, IT CONTINUES TO DOWNPLAY THE IDEA THAT CHEMICALS MIGHT HAVE CAUSED GULF WAR ILLNESSES. ..... SIX YEARS AFTER THE WAR, TOO MUCH INFORMATION STILL IS MISSING."

TEXT: SPEAKING OF THE SENATE HEARINGS ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE ILLEGALITIES IN RECENT POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS, THE HARTFORD [CONNECTICUT] COURANT" SAYS THEY MUST EVENTUALLY PRODUCE REFORM.

VOICE: "CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS HAVE BEEN DRAGGING THEIR FEET [STALLING] ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, BUT OTHERS ARE TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE EXPOSURE THAT THE HEARINGS PROVIDE. LAST WEEK, FORMER PRESIDENTS GERALD FORD, JIMMY CARTER AND GEORGE BUSH URGED A BAN ON THE UNLIMITED CONTRIBUTIONS CALLED SOFT MONEY THAT CAN NOW BE MADE TO PARTIES. ..... THESE BIPARTISAN EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF REFORM NEED PUBLIC SUPPORT. LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES, CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS AND INVESTIGATING COMMITTEES WILL BE CONTENT TO POINT FINGERS OF BLAME, BUT DO LITTLE ELSE."

TEXT: WHILE IN OMAHA, THE WORLD-HERALD, IS PLEASED AT SENATE RESISTANCE TO THE UNITED NATIONS TREATY ON GLOBAL WARMING.

VOICE: "THE SENATE PUT OUT A BOLD HAND TO GUIDE THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AWAY FROM A UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL WARMING TREATY THAT APPEARS TO ENDANGER THE U-S ECONOMY. THE VOTE EXPRESSING DISAPPROVAL ..... WAS 95 TO NONE. THE SENATORS AGREED WITH SENATOR CHUCK HAGEL, REPUBLICAN OF NEBRASKA, THAT THE UNITED STATES SHOULD NOT BE A PARTY TO A TREATY THAT RESTRICTS ITS USE OF COAL, GAS AND OIL WHILE PUTTING NO SIMILAR LIMITS ON 130 DEVELOPING NATIONS, INCLUDING FAST GROWING NATIONS SUCH AS INDIA, MEXICO AND CHINA. ..... THE SENATE .... HAS ACTED WELL TO SHORT-CIRCUIT THE WARMING TREATY. THE ISSUE REQUIRED MORE SCIENTIFIC STUDY."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, SOME WORDS OF WARNING ABOUT THE WORLD OIL SUPPLY AND THE EVER-EXPANDING USE OF FOREIGN OIL IN THIS COUNTRY TO FUEL THE BUOYANT ECONOMY FROM THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR.

VOICE: "COMPLACENCY IS INSIDIOUS. ..... SO ITS HARDLY SURPRISING THAT TWO IMPORTANT WARNING NOTES ABOUT AMERICA'S CHIEF ENERGY SOURCE, PETROLEUM, SLID BY WITH LITTLE NOTICE FROM CITIZENS HAPPILY GASSING UP FOR SUMMER ON THE OPEN ROAD. FIRST, THERE WAS A SPEECH BY DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT WARNING THAT THE U-S ECONOMY COULD BE DAMAGED IF REFORMS TURN SOUR IN THE OIL-RICH REPUBLICS SOUTH OF RUSSIA. ..... THE SECOND WARNING BELL, BARELY HEEDED, CAME FROM THE U-S CONGRESS AND THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT. IN CONGRESS A MOVE IS AFOOT TO MAKE A FOURTH SALE OF OIL FROM THE STRATEGIC OIL RESERVE STORED AWAY AFTER THE SECOND OIL SHOCK OF THE 1970S. IN GERMANY, CHANCELLOR KOHL'S CABINET HAS AGREED TO SELL A PORTION OF SIMILAR RESERVES. BOTH MOVES COME UNDER THE LABEL OF HELPING TO BALANCE BUDGETS. ..... NO REASON FOR ALARM. JUST CAUTION. BARRING A MAJOR INTERRUPTION OF THE KIND [SECRETARY TALBOTT] HOPES TO WARD OFF, PRICE AND SUPPLY STABILITY SHOULD PERSIST FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS. BUT IN THESE FAT YEARS IT WOULD BE WISE TO LEAVE THE LEAN YEARS' STOCKPILE UNTOUCHED."

TEXT: ON THAT CAUTIONARY NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/KL
29-Jul-97 10:39 AM EDT (1439 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THOUSANDS OF PRO-ISLAMIC DEMONSTRATORS GATHERED IN ANKARA'S MAIN SQUARE TUESDAY TO PROTEST THE PROPOSED CLOSURE OF ISLAMIC CLERICAL TRAINING SCHOOLS IN TURKEY. FIFTY-FIVE DEMONSTRATORS WERE REPORTED ARRESTED AFTER THEY TRIED TO MARCH TOWARDS THE HEADQUARTERS OF TURKEY'S MILITANTLY PRO-SECULAR ARMED FORCES. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA'S "KIZILAY SQUARE."

TEXT: ///SOUNDS OF CHANTING -- FADE UNDER, BEGIN TEXT ///

THOUSANDS OF TURKS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY GATHERED HERE TODAY TO PROTEST PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO CLOSE DOWN ISLAMIC SCHOOLS. BEARDED MEN IN ISLAMIC SKULLCAPS FLANKED WOMEN SHROUDED IN CHADORS AND FLOWING HEADSCARVES CHANTED ANTI-GOVERNMENT SLOGANS AND CALLED FOR ISLAMIC RULE, AS HUNDREDS OF RIOT POLICE WITH ATTACK DOGS LOOKED ON.

IT WAS THE ISLAMISTS' GREATEST SHOW OF FORCE SINCE TURKEY'S FIRST ISLAMIST PRIME MINISTER, NECMETTIN ERBAKAN, WAS PRESSURED LAST MONTH BY THE COUNTRY'S PRO-SECULAR MILITARY TO RELINQUISH POWER.

THE SIZE OF THE CROWD, ANALYSTS SAY, SHOWS THAT MR. ERBAKAN'S REMOVAL FROM OFFICE HAS NOT DIMINISHED THE POLITICAL POWER OF ISLAM IN TURKEY. MANY COMMENTATORS BELIEVE IT WAS THE ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY LEADER'S REFUSAL TO COMPLY WITH THE MILITARY'S DEMANDS TO CURB RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN GENERAL, AND THE ISLAMIC CLERICAL TRAINING SCHOOLS IN PARTICULAR, THAT ACCELERATED MR. ERBAKAN'S DOWNFALL.

ACCORDING TO MILITARY OFFICIALS, THE ISLAMIC CLERICAL TRAINING SCHOOLS HAVE BECOME THE PRINCIPAL BREEDING GROUND FOR ISLAMIC RADICALS. BUT MANY OF THE DEMONSTRATORS HERE SAY THEY FULLY SUPPORT DEMOCRACY, AND THAT IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY THEY SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE THE KIND OF EDUCATION THEY WANT FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THIS, THEY SAY, INCLUDES TEACHING THEM ABOUT ISLAM.

THE EDUCATIONAL REFORM BILL DRAFTED BY TURKEY'S NEW SECULARIST PRIME MINISTER, MESUT YILMAZ, AND HIS LEFTIST ALLY, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BULENT ECEVIT, FORESEES CUTTING IN HALF THE AMOUNT OF TIME A CHILD CAN STUDY AT A RELIGIOUS TRAINING SCHOOL.

A FURTHER WAVE OF PRO-ISLAMIC DEMONSTRATIONS IS EXPECTED NEXT WEEK WHEN THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT CONVENES TO DEBATE THE BILL. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF/EH
29-Jul-97 11:30 AM EDT (1530 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] US/AZERBAIJAN: 2) NAGORNO-KARABAKH BY JOAN BEECHER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: PRESIDENT GEIDAR ALIYEV OF AZERBAIJAN IS IN THE UNITED STATES ON HIS FIRST VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES, AND IS SCHEDULED TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON FRIDAY. AMONG THE ISSUES THE TWO PRESIDENTS WILL DISCUSS IS A NEW PROPOSAL FOR SETTLING THE 10-YEAR-OLD CONFLICT OVER NAGORNO-KARABAKH, THE LARGELY ARMENIAN REGION WITHIN AZERBAIJAN THAT HAS DECLARED ITS INDEPENDENCE. VOA CORRESPONDENT JOAN BEECHER REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON.

TEXT: THE ARMED PHASE OF THE CONFLICT OVER THE REGION IS OVER, AT LEAST FOR NOW: A CEASE-FIRE HAS BEEN IN EFFECT FOR THREE YEARS.

BUT ARMENIAN KARABAKH FORCES CONTINUE TO OCCUPY SEVEN PROVINCES OUTSIDE NAGORNO-KARABAKH PROPER, INCLUDING THE SO-CALLED LACHIN CORRIDOR, LINKING THE REGION WITH ARMENIA. NO AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED ON THE ULTIMATE STATUS OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH. AND THE PEACE-MAKING EFFORTS OF THE SO-CALLED "MINSK GROUP," SET UP BY THE O-S-C-E -- THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE -- HAVE SO FAR COME TO NAUGHT.

THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION -- HOPING THE SITUATION WILL CHANGE RECENTLY LAUNCHED A NEW INITIATIVE FOR SETTLING THE CONFLICT.

JAYHUN MOLLA-ZADE, PRESIDENT OF THE U-S /AZERBAIJAN COUNCIL HERE IN WASHINGTON, POINTS OUT THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS A GROWING STAKE IN A NAGORNO-KARABAKH SETTLEMENT. U-S OIL COMPANIES HAVE ALREADY INVESTED HEAVILY IN DEVELOPING AZERBAIJAN'S VAST CASPIAN SEA OIL DEPOSITS, AND MORE CONTRACTS -- WITH U-S COMPANIES LIKE CHEVRON, EXXON, MOBIL OIL, AND CONOCO -- WILL BE SIGNED BOTH DURING PRESIDENT ALIYEV'S VISIT AND LATER, IN THE FALL.

IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT INVESTMENTS NEED STABILITY. AMERICAN CORPORATIONS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT CONFLICT BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN. THE U.S. GOVERNMENT AND OTHER EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS REALIZE THE POTENTIAL OF THE CASPIAN [SEA] WHICH AS MANY ENERGY OBSERVERS CLAIM, IS THE SECOND [LARGEST] OIL AND GAS RESERVES IN THE WORLD, AFTER THE PERSIAN GULF. SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SECURING WESTERN ENERGY SUPPLIES.

. //END ACT//

IN AN ADDRESS LAST WEEK, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT SAID THE THREE CO-CHAIRS OF THE MINSK GROUP HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY DISCUSSING THEIR NEW PROPOSALS WITH ALL SIDES

WHILE THE CEASE-FIRE IS WELCOME, IT IS ALSO PRECARIOUS, AND THE ABSENCE OF REAL PEACE HAS HURT BOTH AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA. THE UNITED STATES, THROUGH ITS INVOLVEMENT IN THE O-S-C-E, IS DETERMINED TO HELP FIND A SOLUTION IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH---A SOLUTION THAT, BY DEFINITION, WILL REQUIRE DIFFICULT COMPROMISES ON ALL SIDES.

ALTHOUGH THE NEW PEACE PLAN HAS NOT BEEN MADE PUBLIC, A FEW DETAILS HAVE LEAKED OUT. THUS, IN BROAD OUTLINES, IT APPEARS TO INVOLVE THE WITHDRAWAL OF ARMENIAN TROOPS FROM AZERI TERRITORIES ADJACENT TO NAGORNO-KARABAKH; THE STATIONING OF AN INTERNATIONAL PEACE-KEEPING FORCE THERE; AND, FINALLY, THE GRANTING OF BROAD AUTONOMY TO NAGORNO-KARABAKH WITHIN AZERBAIJAN.

IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEN ONLY THE KARABAKH ARMENIANS ARE BEING ASKED TO MAKE THE "DIFFICULT COMPROMISES," ACCORDING TO TIMOTHY JEMAL, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FOR THE ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA. AZERBAIJAN IS RECEIVING INTERNATIONAL ENDORSEMENT OF ITS TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY, MR. JEMAL SAYS, WHILE NAGORNO-KARABAKH IS BEING ASKED TO FORGET ABOUT ITS RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION, AS WELL AS ITS OWN TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY.

WE BELIEVE THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN AND IS ON THE WRONG COURSE. THEY ARE ESPOUSING A SOLUTION THAT IS ONE THAT WOULD BE IMPOSED ON THE PEOPLE OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH AGAINST THEIR WILL. THAT IS A RECIPE FOR FAILURE. IT WILL NOT WORK.

BUT THE FRENCH AND AMERICAN CO-CHAIRMEN OF THE MINSK GROUP HAVE SAID THAT THEY ARE NOT TRYING TO IMPOSE ANY SOLUTION ON ANYONE, AND THAT THEY ARE OPEN TO ADDITIONAL PROPOSALS. THE QUESTION, AS ALWAYS, REMAINS WHETHER ANY PROPOSALS CAN BE FOUND THAT WILL BE ACCEPTABLE TO ALL SIDES. [SIGNED]
NEB/JB/EH
29-Jul-97 11:16 AM EDT (1516 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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