Voice of America, 97-07-31

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA AID (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[02] ALBANIA AID UPDATE (L/S) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[03] ATHENS '97 PREVIEW (L) BY STEVE SCHY (ATHENS, GREECE)

[04] CYPRUS/ACCORD (L-ONLY) BY CHRIS DRAKE (NICOSIA)

[05] EDITORIAL: SERBIA: PRESS FREEDOM UNDER ATTACK

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

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

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

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

[01] ALBANIA AID (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: ITALY IS HOSTING A MEETING OF DONOR NATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO DISCUSS AID FOR ALBANIA. ITALY'S FOREIGN MINISTER HAS EMPHASIZED THAT PROGRESS IN ALBANIA DEPENDS ON IMPROVING THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY SITUATIONS, AS WELL AS THE ECONOMIC. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS MONITORING THE MEETING FROM OUR BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: FOREIGN MINISTER LAMBERTO DINI URGED ALBANIA TO STRENGTHEN ITS DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND RESTORE SECURITY AS DONORS PROVIDE AID TO HELP REBUILD THE COUNTRY.

THE CRISIS IN ALBANIA BEGAN EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN THE COLLAPSE OF FRAUDULENT INVESTMENT SCHEMES COST MANY ALBANIANS THEIR LIFE SAVINGS. THAT TRIGGERED VIOLENCE AND ANARCHY, AND LED TO THE OUSTER OF THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT IN ELECTIONS A MONTH AGO.

THE NEW PRIME MINISTER, FATOS NANO, HAS PLEDGED TO REBUILD THE ALBANIAN ECONOMY, WHICH EVEN BEFORE THE CRISIS WAS THE WEAKEST IN EUROPE.

SPEAKING AT THE DONORS' CONFERENCE, ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DINI SAID A "PACKAGE APPROACH" IS NEEDED FOR ALBANIA. HE SAID DEMOCRATIZATION, SECURITY, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GO HAND-IN-HAND.

AID AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICIALS IN ALBANIA AGREE. SHEILA GUNDEM OF THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE IN TIRANA SAYS THERE ARE 10-MILLION DOLLARS IN U-N DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ON HOLD NOW, BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY IN GETTING AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THE GANGS AND BANDITS ARE BASICALLY HINDERING THE MOVEMENT OF PERSONNEL IN THE COUNTRY, AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IF WE CAN'T MOVE FROM POINT A TO POINT B.

MS. GUNDEM ADDS THAT BECAUSE OF THE CRISIS, MANY WORKERS ARE FOCUSING ON SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY PROJECTS, RATHER THAN ON LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL BE NEEDED TO HELP THE COUNTRY IN THE YEARS AHEAD. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/JWH/RRM
31-Jul-97 10:11 AM EDT (1411 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBANIA AID UPDATE (L/S) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL DONOR COMMUNITY TODAY (THURSDAY) PLEDGED SUPPORT FOR ALBANIA'S REBUILDING EFFORT AT AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ROME. //OPT// BUT DEVELOPMENT WORKERS IN ALBANIA EMPHASISE THAT PROGRESS IN ALBANIA DEPENDS ON IMPROVING THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY SITUATIONS, AS WELL AS THE ECONOMIC. //END OPT// V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES HAS BEEN MONITORING THE MEETING FROM OUR BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAMBERTO DINI AFFIRMED THE COMMITMENT OF HIS COUNTRY AND THE REST OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO WORK TOWARD REBUILDING ALBANIA. AT THE SAME TIME, HE URGED ALBANIA TO STRENGTHEN ITS DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND RESTORE SECURITY AS DONORS PROVIDE AID TO HELP REBUILD THE COUNTRY. //OPT// HE SAID DEMOCRATIZATION, SECURITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GO HAND-IN-HAND. //END OPT//

THE CRISIS IN ALBANIA BEGAN EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN THE COLLAPSE OF FRAUDULENT INVESTMENT SCHEMES COST MANY ALBANIANS THEIR LIFE SAVINGS. THAT TRIGGERED VIOLENCE AND ANARCHY, AND LED TO THE OUSTER OF THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT IN ELECTIONS A MONTH AGO.

ALBANIA'S NEW PRIME MINISTER, FATOS NANO, HAS PLEDGED TO REBUILD THE ALBANIAN ECONOMY, WHICH EVEN BEFORE THE CRISIS WAS THE WEAKEST IN EUROPE.

SECURITY IS AN ISSUE THAT IS KEY TO REBUILDING THE COUNTRY, ACCORDING TO AID AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICIALS IN ALBANIA. SHEILA GUNDEM OF THE U-N OFFICE IN TIRANA SAYS THERE ARE 10-MILLION DOLLARS IN U-N DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ON HOLD NOW, BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY IN GETTING AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THE GANGS AND BANDITS ARE BASICALLY HINDERING THE MOVEMENT OF PERSONNEL IN THE COUNTRY, AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IF WE CAN'T MOVE FROM POINT A TO POINT B.

MS. GUNDEM ADDS THAT BECAUSE OF THE CRISIS MANY WORKERS ARE FOCUSING ON SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY PROJECTS, RATHER THAN ON LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL BE NEEDED TO HELP THE COUNTRY IN THE YEARS AHEAD. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/ENE/RRM
31-Jul-97 5:11 PM EDT (2111 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] ATHENS '97 PREVIEW (L) BY STEVE SCHY (ATHENS, GREECE)

INTRO: THE SIXTH INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR ATHLETIC FEDERATION (I-A-A-F) WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAPIONSHIPS GET UNDER WAY IN GREECE FRIDAY. AS V-O-A'S STEVE SCHY REPORTS FROM OLYMPIC STADIUM IN ATHENS, THIS WILL BE THE BEST ATTENDED SPORTING EVENT IN HISTORY.

TEXT: NEARLY TWO-THOUSAND ATHLETES FROM A RECORD 200 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD HAVE COME TO ATHENS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS. OPENING CEREMONIES ARE SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST FIRST (FRIDAY), WITH THE ACTUAL COMPETITION GETTING UNDERWAY ON SATURDAY, AUGUST SECOND.

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AT THE I-DOUBLE-A-F CHAMPIONSHIPS, MEDALISTS WILL ALSO EARN MONETARY AWARDS. IN THE INDIVIDUAL EVENTS, GOLD MEDAL WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED 60-THOUSAND DOLLARS, WITH SILVER MEDALISTS WINNING 30-THOUSAND, AND BRONZE MEDALISTS TAKING HOME 20-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

RELAY TEAMS WILL WIN 80-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE GOLD, 40-THOUSAND FOR SILVER AND 30-THOUSAND FOR BRONZE MEDALS. IN ADDITION, A PREMIUM OF 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS WILL BE PAID TO ATHLETES BREAKING WORLD RECORDS.

AMERICAN MICHAEL JOHNSON SET A WORLD RECORD TIME OF 19-POINT-THREE-TWO SECONDS IN THE 200 METERS AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN ATLANTA LAST YEAR. BUT BEFORE LEAVING FOR GREECE, JOHNSON SURPRISED SOME PEOPLE WHEN HE SAID HE WOULD NOT DEFEND HIS 200-METER TITLE.

I WILL BE RUNNING THE 400-METERS AND POSSIBLY THE FOUR-BY-400 METER RELAY. AS I SAID BEFORE, TRAINING IS GOING VERY WELL FOR THAT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO COMPETING IN THE 400 AND DEFENDING MY 400-METER TITLE THERE, AND I'M NOT GOING TO RUN THE 200 THIS YEAR.

JOHNSON SAYS HIS INJURIES EARLIER THIS YEAR AND THE FACT THAT HE ALREADY WON THE 400- AND 200-METER EVENTS AT THE 1995 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS CONTRIBUTED TO HIS DECISION. BUT JOHNSON'S COACH, CLYDE HART, SAYS THE AMERICAN SPRINTER MIGHT DECIDE TO RUN THE 200-METERS, DEPENDING ON HOW HE FEELS.

IN OTHER NEWS, THE I-DOUBLE-A-F CONGRESS DECIDED THURSDAY TO REDUCE SUSPENSIONS FOR SERIOUS DOPING OFFENSES FROM FOUR YEARS TO TWO YEARS. SEVERAL ATHLETES WILL HAVE THEIR SUSPENSIONS REDUCED BY THE NEW RULING. (SIGNED)
NEB/SS/TMD/RRM
31-Jul-97 12:35 PM EDT (1635 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[04] CYPRUS/ACCORD (L-ONLY) BY CHRIS DRAKE (NICOSIA)

INTRO: THE GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMUNITY LEADERS HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT THAT COULD LEAD TO THE OPENING OF MASS GRAVES ON THEIR RIVAL SIDES OF THE ISLAND TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF MORE THAN TWO-THOUSAND PEOPLE STILL LISTED AS MISSING 23 YEARS AFTER THE TURKISH INVASION. PRESIDENT GLAFCOS CLERIDES FOR THE GREEK CYPRIOTS AND TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADER RAUF DENKTASH REACHED THE AGREEMENT DURING A 90-MINUTE MEETING AT THE NICOSIA HOME OF THE U-N RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE ON THE ISLAND, GUSTAVE FEISSEL. CHRIS DRAKE REPORTS FROM NICOSIA.

TEXT: THE PLIGHT OF THOSE MISSING AND UNACCOUNTED FOR IS CONSIDERED ON OF THE MOST EMOTIVE HUMANITARIAN ISSUES LET UNRESOLVED. SO FOR BOTH LEADERS TO PLEDGE PUBLICLY TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION IS REGARDED HERE AS A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH.

ON THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE, RELATIVES HOLDING PICTURES OF THEIR LOVED ONES ARE A FAMILIAR SIGHT AT PROTEST RALLIES, DEMONSTRATIONS AND DURING VISITS BY FOREIGN DIPLOMATS. THEY LIST MORE THAN 16-HUNDRED PEOPLE AS UNACCOUNTED FOR SINCE 1974.

THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS LIST ABOUT 500 DURING THAT PERIOD AND A FEW HUNDRED MORE WHO WERE KILLED IN INTERCOMMUNAL VIOLENCE DURING THE PREVIOUS 11 YEARS.

MR. DENKTASH SAID LONG AGO THAT HIS SIDE ACCEPTED THAT ALL THOSE MISSING WERE DEAD, BUT THE GREEK CYPRIOTS HAVE NOT BEEN PREPARED TO DO THE SAME.

MR. FEISSEL ANNOUNCED THE BREAKTHROUGH AS BOTH MEN STOOD BEHIND HIM AFTER THEIR MEETING. HE SAID THEY AGREED THAT NO POLITICAL EXPLOITATION SHOULD BE MADE BY EITHER SIDE, AND THAT A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM WAS LONG OVERDUE TO END THE AGONY AND UNCERTAINTY OF THE FAMILIES.

THEY ALSO RECOGNIZED THE RIGHT OF THOSE FAMILIES TO HAVE, WHERE POSSIBLE, THE REMAINS OF THEIR LOVED ONES RETURNED FOR PROPER BURIAL.

THIS WOULD MEAN OPENING THE MASS GRAVES KNOWN TO EXIST ON BOTH SIDES -- AN EXTREMELY SENSITIVE MOVE, BUT ONE THE LEADERS ARE NOW PREPARED TO TAKE. (SIGNED)
NEB/CD/GKT-T/RRM
31-Jul-97 4:43 PM EDT (2043 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[05] EDITORIAL: SERBIA: PRESS FREEDOM UNDER ATTACK

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

PRESS FREEDOM IS AGAIN UNDER ATTACK IN SERBIA-MONTENEGRO. THE U.S. HAS LONG BEEN CONCERNED THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC MIGHT CLOSE RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS AND CONFISCATE THEIR EQUIPMENT IF THEY CONTINUED TO OPERATE WITHOUT OFFICIAL AUTHORIZATION. WHILE A GOVERNMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REGULATE BROADCASTING SYSTEMS, IT HAS NO RIGHT TO ABUSE THAT AUTHORITY AND QUASH THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDEPENDENT MEDIA.

ACCORDING TO RECENT REPORTS, A NUMBER OF SERBIAN T-V AND RADIO STATIONS HAVE BEEN CLOSED. IT IS ESPECIALLY TROUBLESOME THAT THESE ACTIONS WERE TAKEN JUST BEFORE SERBIAN PARLIAMENTARY AND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. THE U.S. STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDEPENDENT MEDIA. RESTRICTING THE OPERATION OF RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS IS A STEP AWAY FROM DEMOCRATIZATION.

SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT STRESSED TO PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC THAT HIS GOVERNMENT MUST ALSO MAKE PROGRESS ON OTHER ISSUES BEFORE THERE CAN BE ANY IMPROVEMENT IN RELATIONS WITH THE U.S. MR. MILOSEVIC MUST USE HIS INFLUENCE WITH THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO ENSURE FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. THAT INCLUDES COOPERATING WITH THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. AS A SIGNATORY, PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC IS OBLIGATED TO TURN OVER FOR TRIAL INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS. IN ADDITION, THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO, WHERE ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE DENIED BASIC RIGHTS, MUST BE RESOLVED.

THE U.S. URGES PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO PERMIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY, LIVE UP TO HIS INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS AND RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF ALL THOSE LIVING IN SERBIA-MONTENEGRO. IT IS THE ONLY WAY SERBIA-MONTENEGRO CAN BECOME A PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
31-Jul-97 3:53 PM EDT (1953 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

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

TEXT: STOCK PRICES WERE OFF IN LONDON, BUT ROSE TO NEW RECORD CLOSING HIGHS IN BOTH PARIS AND FRANKFURT.

THE BIGGEST GAIN WAS IN FRANKFURT. THE DAX-30 INDEX ENDED THE FLOOR TRADING DAY AT A NEW HIGH -- FOUR-THOUSAND-438 -- UP 17 POINTS, ABOUT FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT. FRANKFURT PRICES FELL IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING.

THE PARIS MARKET ALSO SET A NEW HIGH. THE CAC-40 INDEX CLOSED AT THREE-THOUSAND-75 -- UP ALMOST SIX POINTS, ABOUT TWO-TENTHS PERCENT.

BUT PRICES WERE OFF IN LONDON. THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX FELL ALMOST 20 POINTS, ABOUT FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED IN VALUE AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN AND THE GERMAN MARK. BUT IT LOST VALUE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.
NEB/JWH/RRM
31-Jul-97 2:02 PM EDT (1802 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: SOLDIERS AND VOLUNTEERS ALONG THE GERMAN SIDE OF THE RAIN-SWOLLEN ODER RIVER ARE TRYING TO REINFORCE A SECTION OF DIKE THAT OFFICIALS SAY COULD GIVE WAY AT ANY MOMENT. VOA'S KYLE KING HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: THE WATER LEVEL ALONG THE ODER RIVER IN EASTERN GERMANY HAS NOW STABILIZED, BUT OFFICIALS SAY THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THE SOGGY DIKES WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE THE PRESSURE MUCH LONGER. A 20-METER-LONG BREAK IN THE DIKE NEAR THE EASTERN GERMAN CITY OF FRANKFURT ON THE ODER WAS DISCOVERED LATE WEDNESDAY AND SOLDIERS HAVE BEEN WORKING FEVERISHLY TO REINFORCE THE SPOT.

ONE OFFICIAL SAID IT IS A WONDER THE EARTHEN DIKE HAS LASTED SO LONG. HE SAID THERE WAS LESS THAN A 50 PERCENT CHANCE THE DIKE WOULD HOLD, BUT HE SAID SOLDIERS WILL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT THEY CAN TO SAVE IT.

OFFICIALS EVACUATED ABOUT 10-THOUSAND PEOPLE FROM LOW LYING AREAS NEAR THE DIKE LATE WEDNESDAY AND CONSTRUCTION OF BACK-UP BARRIERS HAS ALREADY BEGUN.

ENGINEERS ARE HOPING THE SECONDARY DIKES FURTHER BACK FROM THE SWOLLEN RIVER WILL HELP CONTAIN ANY WATER THAT BREAKS THROUGH THE MAIN LEVEE. MEANWHILE, MEDICAL EXPERTS SAY THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE OUTBREAKS OF HEPATITIS AND OTHER DISEASES BECAUSE OF MOSQUITOES AND THE ROTTING BODIES OF DROWNED ANIMALS. OFFICIALS HAVE ALREADY BEGUN EFFORTS TO INOCULATE PEOPLE AGAINST THE DISEASES.

THE HEAD OF THE EASTERN GERMAN STATE OF BRANDENBURG HAS BEEN MEETING WITH POLISH OFFICIALS IN WARSAW TO DISCUSS THE FLOODING, WHICH KILLED MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE IN POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC.

MANY PEOPLE HAVE NO FLOOD INSURANCE AND THEY FEAR THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES FOR MONTHS. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/WFR
31-Jul-97 10:13 AM EDT (1413 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED TODAY (THURSDAY) AMID SOME PROFIT-TAKING IN LARGE INDUSTRIAL STOCKS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 82-HUNDRED-22, DOWN 32 POINTS. BUT, THE BROADER STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED UP TWO POINTS AT A RECORD HIGH 954.

ANALYSTS SAY THERE SEEMED TO BE SOME PROFIT-TAKING IN SOME OF THE LARGE COMPANY STOCKS THAT MAKE UP THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE. BUT OTHERWISE, THEY SAY OPTIMISM CONTINUED AMONG STOCK TRADERS. THERE WAS SOME CAUTION, HOWEVER, IN ADVANCE OF FRIDAY'S U-S EMPLOYMENT REPORT.

THE GOVERNMENT CONFIRMED A SLOWING OF U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR. THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT REPORTED THE ECONOMY GREW AT A TWO-POINT-TWO PERCENT ANNUAL RATE FROM APRIL THROUGH JUNE, LESS THAN HALF THE RATE OF GROWTH IN THE FIRST QUARTER.

THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS FILING NEW CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FELL LAST WEEK TO ITS LOWEST POINT IN MORE THAN 23 YEARS.

A THREATENED STRIKE AT "UNITED PARCEL SERVICE" COULD CAUSE HAVOC IN THE AMERICAN PACKAGE DELIVERY SYSTEM. UNION AND MANAGEMENT REMAINED FAR APART JUST HOURS BEFORE THE STRIKE DEADLINE (12:01 A-M FRIDAY). THE UNITED PARCEL SERVICE DELIVERS 12-MILLION PACKAGES DAILY. VOLVO, THE SWEDISH AUTO COMPANY, HAS SOLD ITS REMAINING STAKE IN FRENCH AUTOMAKER RENAULT (REN-OH) FOR 740-MILLION DOLLARS.

THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAYS RESPONSE TO ITS NEW "LINCOLN NAVIGATOR" SPORTS UTILITY VEHICLE HAD BEEN WELL AHEAD OF EXPECTATIONS. THE NAVIGATOR, PRICED AT MORE THAN 40-THOUSAND DOLLARS, WENT ON SALE JUST FOUR WEEKS AGO AND THE COMPANY HAS ALREADY RECEIVED ALMOST 20-THOUSAND ORDERS FOR IT.

THE TENET CORPORATION, A FOR-PROFIT HOSPITAL CHAIN, HAS SETTLED 700 LAWSUITS BROUGHT BY FORMER PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS WHO SAID THEY WERE HELD WITHOUT CAUSE SIMPLY SO THE COMPANY COULD COLLECT MEDICAL INSURANCE PAYMENTS. A TENET SPOKESMAN REFUSED TO REVEAL HOW MUCH THE SETTLEMENTS COST AND SAID THE DECISION TO SETTLE THE LAWSUITS IS NOT AN ADMISSION OF GUILT. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/RRM
31-Jul-97 5:05 PM EDT (2105 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE MOST POPULAR TOPIC AMONG U-S EDITORIAL WRITERS IN THURSDAY'S EDITIONS IS THE TERROR BOMBINGS IN ISRAEL AND WHAT EFFECT THEY WILL HAVE ON THE PEACE PROCESS.

OTHER ISSUES UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE THE BUDGET DEAL; THE SENATE HEARINGS ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE WRONG-DOING; THE DEAF MEXICANS RECENTLY FOUND IN SLAVERY IN NEW YORK; AND THE FIGHT OVER THE AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE TO MEXICO.

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

TEXT: REVULSION FLOWS FROM MANY EDITORIAL COLUMNS OVER THE SUICIDE BOMBING OF A JERUSALEM MARKET WEDNESDAY, BUT IN MANY PAPERS, THERE IS ALSO THIS CALL, AS FROM THE LEAD HEADLINE IN TODAY'S ORLANDO SENTINEL: "RISE ABOVE TERRORISM."

VOICE: "HORRIFIC EXPLOSIONS IN A JERUSALEM MARKET ..... SENT SEVERAL MESSAGES: EVEN WHEN THEY'VE BEEN QUIET FOR A TIME, TERRORISTS LURK JUST BENEATH THE SURFACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, SEARCHING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO CARRY OUT THEIR LOATHSOME AGENDAS. AN IDEAL TIME FOR TERRORISTS TO STRIKE IS ON THE EVEN OF PROGRESS TOWARD SETTLING POLITICAL DIFFERENCES ..... THERE CAN BE NO LETUP IN EFFORTS - - COLLECTIVELY AND BY INDIVIDUAL GOVERNMENTS - - TO COMBAT TERRORISM. ONLY BY DEVELOPING A GREATER SENSE OF URGENCY IN MIDDLE EAST PEACE TALKS CAN MOMENTUM BE REGAINED AND THE ISSUES THAT PROMPT TERRORISM BE RESOLVED."

TEXT: IN NEW YORK, THE DAILY NEWS ASKS IN ITS HEADLINE "WHAT KIND OF PEACE IS THIS?:"

VOICE: "AFTER THE SUICIDE BOMBERS' ATTACKS ..... YASSER ARAFAT OPENED ANOTHER CAN OF RITUALISTIC OUTRAGE. OF COURSE, HE CONDEMNED THE ATTACK, SAYING HIS FORCES WILL DO THEIR BEST 'TO FACE THESE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES AS WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST AND WILL DO IN THE FUTURE.' LET'S HOPE NOT. BECAUSE WHAT [MR.] ARAFAT HAS DONE SO FAR IS NOTHING. OR NEXT TO IT. ...."

TEXT: "ALL TERRORISM IS VILE," BEGINS THE BOSTON GLOBE EDITORIAL, WHICH GOES ON TO CASTIGATE THIS PARTICULAR ACT BECAUSE OF ITS LOCATION.

VOICE: "THAT THE RADICAL ISLAMICIST GROUP HAMAS PROUDLY TOOK CREDIT FOR INFLICTING SUCH CRUELTY ON CHILDREN, PARENTS, AND GRANDPARENTS SERVES ONLY TO ILLUMINATE HOW TWISTED THE LEADERS OF THAT EXTREMIST ORGANIZATION MUST BE. .....[PRIME MINISTER] NETANYAHU AND [MR.] ARAFAT ..... NEED TO COUNTERATTACK ..... HAMAS. ..... IF THEY WANT TO PREVENT HAMAS FROM HAVING ITS WAY, THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO NEGOTIATE THE PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE THAT HAMAS'S BOMBS ARE MEANT TO DESTROY."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES IS ANGRY BECAUSE THE BOMBINGS WERE SO WELL TIMED TO INTERRUPT THE PERILOUS PEACE PROCESS ONCE AGAIN.

VOICE: "THE MIDDLE EAST'S TERRORIST BOMBERS KNOW ALL TOO WELL WHEN VIOLENCE IS MOST LIKELY TO DISRUPT THE DELICATE POLITICAL CHEMISTRY REQUIRED TO MOVE THE PEACE EFFORT AHEAD. THE ..... BOMBINGS .....YESTERDAY WERE CLEARLY TIMED NOT ONLY TO BLOCK THE PLANNED RESUMPTION OF NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS BUT TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR PRIME MINISTER ... NETANYAHU TO TAKE THE RISKS REQUIRED TO MAKE A PERMANENT PEACE."

TEXT: TURNING TO DOMESTIC AFFAIRS, THE BIG NEWS IS STILL THE BUDGET DEAL BETWEEN THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS, DRAWING THIS RESPONSE FROM THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD.

VOICE: "WHILE THE PLAN DOESN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF LOOMING SHORTFALLS IN THE MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAMS, IT MAKES A DOWN PAYMENT ON LONG-TERM FISCAL HEALTH FOR THE NATION. AS THE CREDIT IS BEING PARCELED OUT, THOUGH, A BRIEF HISTORY LESSON IS IN ORDER. AS REMARKABLE AS THE BUDGET DEAL WAS, LAWMAKERS GOT PLENTY OF HELP FROM AN ECONOMY THAT HAS GROWN SOLIDLY, IF NOT SPECTACULARLY, FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS. ....... [ALSO] NOT A SINGLE REPUBLICAN VOTED FOR THE 1993 BUDGET, WHICH ALSO RAISED TAXES AND CUT SPENDING, AND DEMOCRATS LIKELY LOST CONTROL OF CONGRESS AS A RESULT. THAT ACCORD, HOWEVER, SET UP THE CURRENT ECONOMIC EXPANSION."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK POST CALLS THE BUDGET "MIXED PROGRESS....."

VOICE: "THE BIPARTISAN BACK-PATTING [MUTUAL CONGRATULATIONS] OVER THE FEDERAL BUDGET ... IS A BIT OVERDONE. ..... IT TAKES LITTLE POLITICAL COURAGE TO BALANCE THE BOOKS DURING AN ECONOMIC BOOM, WHEN THE TREASURY IS FLUSH WITH CASH. ..... [OPT] [HOWEVER] THE 94-BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF TAX CUTS CONTAINED IN THE AGREEMENT ARE A SALIENT REPUBLICAN ACCOMPLISHMENT - - THE FIRST NET REDUCTION IN FEDERAL LEVIES SINCE [RONALD] REAGAN'S PRESIDENCY." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE SENATE COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING POTENTIALLY ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS DURING RECENT PAST ELECTIONS CONTINUES TO COME UP WITH INFORMATION DAMAGING TO THE CLINTON WHITE HOUSE. REGARDING THE TANGLED RELATIONSHIP OF CHINESE-AMERICAN RESTAURANT OWNER CHARLIE YAH LIN TRIE, WHICH HAS NOW BEEN EXPLAINED AT THE HEARINGS, THE NEW YORK TIMES NOTES:

VOICE: "HAD HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON AND HAROLD ICKES LISTENED TO MICHAEL CARDOZO, THE WHITE HOUSE MIGHT HAVE AVOIDED AT LEAST ONE FUND-RAISING EMBARRASSMENT LAST YEAR. MR. CARDOZO, THE DIRECTOR OF THE CLINTONS' LEGAL DEFENSE FUND, WARNED THEM THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING FISHY [QUESTIONABLE] ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT YAH LIN (CHARLIE) TRIE HAD OFFERED THE FUND. YET THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE CONTINUED TO EXPLOIT MR. TRIE'S MONEY-RAISING SKILLS FOR THE CLINTON RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN, AND THE WHITE HOUSE ACTUALLY NAMED HIM TO A FEDERAL ADVISORY BOARD. ....[OPT] ANYONE WHO DOUBTS THAT CAMPAIGN LAWS WERE VIOLATED NEED ONLY STUDY THE CASE OF MR. TRIE AND [HIS WEALTHY ASIAN BENEFACTOR, NG LAP SENG] MR. NG. THEIR LAUNDERING OPERATION NOT ONLY DESERVES FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY THE THOMPSON COMMITTEE BUT THE CLOSEST POSSIBLE SCRUTINY FROM THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE KANSAS CITY STAR IS DISGUSTED WITH THE HEARINGS, AND SAYS THAT "WITHOUT STRONG PUBLIC DEMANDS FOR CHANGE, CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORMS ARE UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN." THE MISSOURI PAPER SAYS DUE TO THE DEMOCRATS BLURRING THE PICTURE OF THEIR ABUSES, AND DELAYS BY THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IN GIVING GRANTS OF IMMUNITY TO PROSPECTIVE WITNESSES:

VOICE: "ALL OF THIS CREATES AN UNEASY FEELING. IF OPPONENTS OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORMS WERE ORCHESTRATING THE THOMPSON SHOW [SENATE HEARINGS] IT WOULD RUN PRETTY MUCH AS IT HAS BEEN RUNNING, AT LEAST UNTIL NOW. THERE IS CERTAINLY NOT MUCH INSPIRATION FOR CHANGE."

TEXT: REGARDING THOSE DEAF MEXICAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FORCED TO WORK AS VIRTUAL SLAVES IN NEW YORK, SELLING TRINKETS ON THE SUBWAYS, USA TODAY OFFERS IDEAS FOR CRACKING DOWN ON THE SLAVE RING OPERATORS:

VOICE: "BORDER CONTROLS; WORKPLACE INSPECTIONS; ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IN SOURCE COUNTRIES. BUT MORE IMMEDIATELY, PART OF THE SOLUTION IS SIMPLE: CONGRESS SHOULD ORDER THE INS [IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE] TO ISSUE A GREEN CARDS TO ANY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO BLOWS THE WHISTLE ON A SMUGGLER OR SLAVER. ..... IF OFFERING AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT A PLACE AT OUR TABLE IS WHAT IT TAKES TO PENETRATE A SLAVERY OR SMUGGLING RING, IT'S WORTH IT."

TEXT: LASTLY, ON THE ANTICIPATED BATTLE OVER THE NOMINATION OF FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR WILLIAM WELD TO BE THE NEXT AMBASSADOR TO MEXICO, WHICH IS OPPOSED BY SENATOR JESSE HELMS, CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION CHIDES THE SENATOR.

VOICE: "THE PROBLEM IS THIS: [SENATOR] HELMS SAYS HE WILL EXERCISE HIS POWER, AUTHORIZED BY SENATE RULE, TO DENY [GOVERNOR] WELD ANY HEARING BEFORE THE FOREIGN RELATIONS PANEL. THAT MEANS THAT EVEN THOUGH [MR.] WELD ENJOYS WIDE SUPPORT AMONG REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC SENATORS, HE CAN'T CLEAR THE FIRST HURDLE ON THE WAY TO CONFIRMATION. .....THAT SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED. ....[OPT] IF [SENATOR] HELMS TRULY BELIEVES [MR.] WELD IS UNFIT FOR THE JOB BECAUSE HE IS SUPPOSEDLY SOFT ON DRUGS POLICY, LET [MR.] HELMS DOCUMENT [GOVERNOR] WELD'S FAULTS IN AN OPEN HEARING. .... FOR HIM TO MERELY BLACKBALL [MR.] WELD IS UNDEMOCRATIC AND DISHONORABLE."[END] OPT]

TEXT: WITH THOSE HARSH WORDS FOR A U-S SENATOR NOT UNACCUSTOMED TO CONTROVERSY, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RRM
31-Jul-97 10:17 AM EDT (1417 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article