Voice of America, 97-12-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] CLINTON / BOSNIA / S-O BY DAVID GOLLUST (ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE)

[02] CLINTON/BOSNIA BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[03] CYPRUS / U-N PEACEKEEPING (S - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[04] E-U / U-S ICE CREAM (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[05] EDITORIAL: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S BOSNIA ADDRESS

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

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

[08] ROMANIA / RESIGN (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

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

[10] YEARENDER: NORTHERN IRELAND '97 BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[01] CLINTON / BOSNIA / S-O BY DAVID GOLLUST (ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS BACK IN WASHINGTON AFTER A ONE-DAY VISIT TO BOSNIA TO MEET AMERICAN TROOPS AND CONFER WITH SENIOR POLITICAL LEADERS THERE. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE NEAR WASHINGTON.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON SAYS HE RETURNED FROM THE VISIT -- HIS SECOND TO BOSNIA IN 23 MONTHS -- STRUCK BY THE EMOTIONAL WELCOME HE RECEIVED ON THE STREETS OF SARAJEVO AND BY THE PHYSICAL SCARS THAT STILL REMAIN IN THE CITY THAT WAS UNDER SEIGE BY SERB FORCES FOR MUCH OF THE CIVIL WAR.

THE PRESIDENT CONFERRED WITH TOP BOSNIAN POLITICIANS, INCLUDING THE MEMBERS OF THE JOINT PRESIDENCY AND BOSNIAN SERB LEADER BILJANA PLAVSIC. IN A TALK WITH REPORTERS ENROUTE BACK TO WASHINGTON, HE SAID HE CAME AWAY ENCOURAGED BY THE DISCUSSIONS. HE SAYS HE BELIEVES IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO KEEP UP MOMENTUM TOWARD IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON PEACE PROCESS.

MR. CLINTON -- WHO TOOK A LARGE BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL TEAM WITH HIM -- ALSO SAYS HE DOES NOT EXPECT A MAJOR FIGHT IN CONGRESS AGAINST HIS DECISION TO EXTEND THE U-S PEACEKEEPING PRESENCE PAST JUNE. BUT HE SAYS AMERICANS MUST BE CONVINCED THE UNITED STATES IS NOT SETTLING IN FOR A PERMANENT OCCUPATION. (SIGNED)
NEB / DAG / WD
23-Dec-97 1:24 AM EST (0624 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CLINTON/BOSNIA BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: HAVING ANNOUNCED HIS DECISION TO INDEFINITELY EXTEND THE U-S PEACEKEEPING PRESENCE IN BOSNIA, PRESIDENT CLINTON IS PRESSING BOSNIAN LEADERS TO RECONCILE AND MOVE MORE QUICKLY TOWARD BUILDING A STABLE SOCIETY THAT WILL ALLOW FOREIGN TROOPS TO LEAVE. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST TRAVELED WITH MR. CLINTON ON ONE-DAY BOSNIA MISSION AND FILED THIS REPORT.

TEXT: THE PRESIDENT'S MOTORCADE THROUGH A SARAJEVO THAT IS SLOWLY RISING FROM FOUR-YEARS OF WARFARE, SERVED AS A REMINDER OF HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED FOR THE BETTER IN BOSNIA SINCE NATO TROOPS ARRIVED TWO-YEARS AGO TO MONITOR THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS.

MR. CLINTON WENT TO THE RESTORED NATIONAL THEATER IN THE CAPITAL TO HEAR A CONCERT BY THE SARAJEVO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, WHICH INCLUDES MUSLIMS, SERBS, AND CROATS. THE ORCHESTRA NEVER STOPPED PERFORMING, DESPITE THE SIEGE WHICH LEFT LARGE PARTS OF THE CITY IN RUINS.

THE PRESIDENT WAS PRECEDED TO THE STAGE BY WHEEL-CHAIR BOUND 21-YEAR-OLD SARAJEVAN FARUK SABANOVIC, WHOSE WOUNDING AT THE HANDS OF A SNIPER IN 1995 WAS SEEN BY MILLIONS IN TELEVISION FOOTAGE. HE IS NOW PART OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS REHABILITATE WAR WOUNDED, AND SAID THE ARRIVAL OF NATO, AND PARTICULARLY AMERICAN, TROOPS, TRANSFORMED THE HOPES OF BOSNIA:

I WAS FEELING DESPERATE AND LOST, LIKE MY WHOLE COUNTRY, WHICH WAS COVERED BY HATRED AND KILLINGS. AND THE MOMENT OF MY INJURY WAS FILMED AND SHOWN ALL OVER THE WORLD. BUT NOBODY REACTED STRONG ENOUGH. SO WAR CONTINUED, TAKING THOUSANDS OF OTHER VICTIMS. AND THE WORLD STILL MIGHT BE WATCHING THE SAME SCENES OF HORROR FROM BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA IF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DID NOT DECIDE TO GET INVOLVED HERE. AMERICA DECIDED TO STOP THE WAR AND TO START BUILDING THE PEACE HERE. (APPLAUSE)

THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH WAS BROADCAST LIVE TO BOSNIANS BY LOCAL RADIO AND TELEVISION, BUT DIRECTED MORE AT THE COUNTRY'S POLITICIANS, WHO U-S OFFICIALS SAY HAVE BEEN LAGGING IN THEIR FULFILLMENT OF THE CIVILIAN ELEMENTS OF DAYTON. MR. CLINTON SAID HOPES FOR THE FUTURE OF BOSNIA REST WITH THEM -- NOT THE FOREIGN PEACEKEEPERS.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO TURN THE DOCUMENTS SIGNED IN DAYTON INTO A LIVING REALITY, TO MAKE GOOD ON THE PLEDGE TO BRING BOSNIA TOGETHER AS ONE COUNTRY, WITH TWO MULTI-ETHNIC PARTS SHARING A COMMON DESTINY. THOSE WHO RISE TO THAT RESPONSIBILITY WILL HAVE THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. THOSE WHO SHIRK IT WILL ISOLATE THEMSELVES. THE WORLD -- WHICH CONTINUES TO INVEST IN YOUR PEACE -- RIGHTFULLY EXPECTS THAT YOU WILL DO YOUR PART. MORE IMPORTANT, THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY EXPECT RESULTS, AND THEY DESERVE THEM.

WHITE HOUSE AIDES SAY THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE WAS SIMILAR BUT MUCH TOUGHER IN A PRIVATE MEETING THAT PRECEDED THE TELEVISED SPEECH. HE MET WITH BOSNIA'S THREE-MEMBER JOINT PRESIDENCY -- MUSLIM LEADER ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC, CROAT KRESIMIR ZUBAC, AND MOMCILO KRAJISNIK OF THE SERBS. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER SANDY BERGER SAID ALL THREE INSISTED THEY WERE INTENT ON IMPLEMENTING THE DAYTON AGREEMENT, WITH MR. ZUBAC SAYING THE STABLE SOCIETY ENVISAGED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON IS ACHIEVABLE:

HE SAID THAT BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IS POSSIBLE, CAN SURVIVE AND CAN BE A COUNTRY -- THIS IS FROM THE BOSNIAN CROAT PRESIDENT -- IF THE NATURAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PEOPLES ARE RESPECTED AND ARE SEEN AS AN ENRICHING REALITY. PRESIDENT KRAJISNIK, THE SERB CO-PRESIDENT, ALSO DESCRIBED THIS AN HISTORIC MOMENT, THANKED AMERICA FOR PRODUCING THE PEACE, WHICH WAS ABOVE ALL ELSE, HE SAID, THE TURNING POINT. HE SAID THAT DAYTON WAS A COMPROMISE. ALL THE PARTIES OBJECTED TO SOME PROVISIONS OF IT, BUT THEY ALL EMBRACED IT IN ITS TOTALITY.

CLINTON AIDES SAY MR. KRAJISNIK AND BOSNIAN-SERB REPUBLIC PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC, WITH WHOM THE PRESIDENT MET SEPARATELY, WERE SILENT WHEN MR. CLINTON REMINDED THEM OF THEIR DAYTON RESPONSIBILITY TO HAND OVER INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS -- THE MOST PROMINENT BEING THE WAR-TIME SERB PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC.

MS. PLAVSIC LATER TOLD REPORTERS SHE APPEALED TO MR. CLINTON FOR PATIENCE, SAYING CERTAIN THINGS CANNOT BE IMPLEMENTED QUICKLY.

MINDFUL HIS DECISION TO KEEP U-S FORCES IN BOSNIA WILL BE CONTROVERSIAL AT HOME, MR. CLINTON TOOK WITH HIM A LARGE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION OF BOTH PARTIES, INCLUDING SOME OUTSPOKEN OPPONENTS OF HIS BOSNIA POLICY. BUT THE MOST PROMINENT REPUBLICAN WHO ACCOMPANIED MR. CLINTON WAS FORMER SENATOR BOB DOLE -- HIS OPPONENT IN LAST YEAR'S ELECTION.

MR. DOLE HAS SAID REMOVING U-S TROOPS NOW WOULD BE LIKE PULLING A WINNING FOOTBALL TEAM OFF THE FIELD IN THE LAST MINUTES OF THE GAME. HE REITERATED HIS BACKING FOR THE U-S PRESENCE, WHILE APPEARING WITH THE PRESIDENT BEFORE HUNDREDS OF TROOPS AT THE MAIN U-S BASE CAMP AT TUZLA:

I AM HERE TO SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT IN THIS EFFORT. I BELIEVE IT IS WORTHWHILE, AND I HOPE YOU BELIEVE THIS EFFORT IN BOSNIA IS WORTHWHILE. AND THE PRESIDENT IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS -- HE IS JUST STATED -- TOLD THE THREE LEADERS TODAY THAT THEY NEEDED TO MOVE A LITTLE FASTER. I CAN NOT QUOTE THE EXACT WORDS. BUT THAT WAS SORT OF WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE TO ME (LAUGHTER) AND HE WAS CORRECT.

ON THE FLIGHT BACK TO WASHINGTON THE PRESIDENT TOLD REPORTERS HE THINKS THE PUBLIC AND CONGRESS WILL SUPPORT THE EXTENSION AS LONG AS THEY UNDERSTAND THERE IS A DEFINED MISSION, AND THAT U-S TROOPS ARE NOT SETTLING IN FOR A PERMANENT OCCUPATION OF BOSNIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/RAE
23-Dec-97 3:07 PM EST (2007 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CYPRUS / U-N PEACEKEEPING (S - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) RENEWED THE MANDATE OF ITS 12-HUNDRED MEMBER PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN CYPRUS. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY IN FAVOR OF THE RENEWAL, WHICH EXTENDS THE MANDATE OF THE U-N PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN CYPRUS UNTIL JUNE 30TH 1998. A COUNCIL STATEMENT EXPRESSES CONCERN AT WHAT IT DESCRIBES AS THE EXCESSIVE AND INCREASING LEVELS OF MILITARY FORCES AND ARMAMENTS IN CYPRUS. IT URGES ALL PARTIES TO LOWER DEFENSE SPENDING AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF FOREIGN TROOPS ON THE ISLAND.

CYPRUS HAS BEEN EFFECTIVELY PARTITIONED SINCE 1974, WHEN TROOPS FROM TURKEY TOOK OVER THE NORTH OF THE ISLAND IN RESPONSE TO A BRIEF COUP ENGINEERED BY GREECE. TURKEY CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 30 THOUSAND TROOPS IN THE NORTH OF THE ISLAND. THE SOUTH IS CONTROLLED BY AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED) NEB/U-N/MPR/LSF/PT
23-Dec-97 5:07 PM EST (2207 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] E-U / U-S ICE CREAM (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEN UNION IS BANNING IMPORTS OF ONE OF EUROPE'S FAVORITE AMERICAN FOODS -- BEN AND JERRY'S ICE CREAM. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE BAN IS PART OF A WIDER E-U BAN ON IMPORTS OF ALL U-S DAIRY PRODUCTS.

TEXT: ICE CREAM LOVERS IN EUROPE WILL SOON FACE AN END TO SUPPLIES OF THEIR FAVORITE FLAVORS -- CHUNKY MONKEY, MINT WITH CHOCOLATE COOKIE, AND ALL THE OTHER BEST SELLERS FROM THE GOURMET ICE CREAM MAKERS BEN AND JERRY.

THESE DESSERTS ARE MADE IN BURLINGTON, IN THE U-S STATE OF VERMONT, USING ALL THE THINGS THAT DIETERS LOVE TO HATE -- FRESH CREAM, LASHINGS OF SUGAR, AND "TO DIE FOR" CHOCOLATE AND COOKIE DOUGH.

BUT SINCE THE ICE CREAM IS MADE IN THE UNITED STATES, IT IS INCLUDED UNDER THE EUROPEAN UNION'S NEW BAN ON IMPORTS OF U-S DAIRY PRODUCTS.

IN THE PAST, EACH E-U GOVERNMENT HAS HAD ITS OWN TRADE AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES. BUT THESE AGREEMENTS WILL EXPIRE ON JANUARY FIRST.

A NEW TRANSATLANTIC ACCORD WAS MEANT TO REPLACE THE SEPARATE NATIONAL AGREEMENTS. BUT A DEAL ON THIS HAS STILL NOT BEEN REACHED.

THE UNITED STATES SUPPLIED THE E-U WITH A LIST OF DAIRY PRODUCTION PLANTS FROM WHICH DAIRY PRODUCTS WILL BE EXPORTED. IT ALSO PROVIDED A GUARANTEE THAT EACH PLANTS MEET E-U STANDARDS. HOWEVER, A MEETING OF EUROPEAN SCIENTISTS EARLIER THIS MONTH FAILED TO APPROVE THE LIST.

E-U OFFICES IN BRUSSELS HAVE NOW CLOSED FOR A LONG CHRISTMAS BREAK, MEANING A DAIRY DEAL IS NOT POSSIBLE BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

SO -- IMPORTS OF BEN AND JERRY'S ICE CREAM AND ALL OTHER U-S DAIRY PRODUCTS WILL HAVE TO STOP BEGINNING JANUARY FIRST. THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE TRADE AFFECTED IS ABOUT 300-MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

THE ICE CREAM PROBLEM IS THE LATEST FOOD DISPUTE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. THE UNITED STATES RECENTLY BANNED IMPORTS OF E-U BEEF AND LAMB. THE E-U IS THREATENING A SIMILAR BAN ON AMERICAN MEAT AND POULTRY. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/JWH
23-Dec-97 11:01 AM EST (1601 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] EDITORIAL: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S BOSNIA ADDRESS

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: "THIS IS A SEASON OF CELEBRATION, AND WE GIVE THANKS THAT THE WILL FOR PEACE HAS TRIUMPHED OVER THE WEAPONS OF WAR." THOSE ARE THE WORDS OF PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON, IN AN ADDRESS THIS WEEK TO THE PEOPLE OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

IN HIS SPEECH, MR. CLINTON SAID THAT THE UNITED STATES IS PROUD OF THE PART IT HAS PLAYED IN HELPING TO BRING PEACE TO THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. WHILE FULFILLMENT OF THE 1995 DAYTON ACCORDS IS FAR FROM COMPLETE, THE GUNS ARE SILENT, REBUILDING HAS BEGUN AND BOSNIA IS INTACT. BUT THESE GAINS ARE NOT IRREVERSIBLE. THAT IS WHY THE U.S. AND OTHER NATIONS MUST STAY ENGAGED IN BOSNIA. PRESIDENT CLINTON RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT U.S. FORCES WILL REMAIN IN THE REGION TO HELP KEEP THE PEACE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

PRESIDENT CLINTON CALLED ON THE LEADERS OF BOSNIA TO LIVE UP TO THE COMMITMENTS MADE IN THE DAYTON ACCORDS. "YOUR RESPONSIBILITY," SAID MR. CLINTON, "IS TO TURN THE DOCUMENTS SIGNED IN DAYTON INTO A LIVING REALITY; TO MAKE GOOD ON THE PLEDGE TO BRING BOSNIA TOGETHER AS ONE COUNTRY, WITH TWO MULTI-ETHNIC PARTS, SHARING A COMMON DESTINY. THOSE WHO RISE TO THE RESPONSIBILITY WILL HAVE THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. THOSE WHO SHIRK IT WILL ISOLATE THEMSELVES. THE WORLD WHICH CONTINUES TO INVEST IN YOUR PEACE RIGHTFULLY EXPECTS THAT YOU WILL DO YOUR PART."

PRESIDENT CLINTON CALLED ON THE PEOPLE OF BOSNIA TO PRESS FOR PEACE AND DEMOCRACY. "YOU HAVE SEEN WHAT WAR HAS WROUGHT," HE SAID. "NOW YOU KNOW WHAT PEACE CAN BRING. SO SEIZE THE CHANCE BEFORE YOU. YOU CAN DO NOTHING TO CHANGE THE PAST; BUT IF YOU CAN LET IT GO, YOU CAN DO EVERYTHING TO BUILD A FUTURE. THE WORLD IS WATCHING AND THE WORLD IS WITH YOU. BUT THE CHOICE IS YOURS. MAY YOU MAKE THE RIGHT ONE."

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, DC, 20547, USA. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
23-Dec-97 12:46 PM EST (1746 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE MIXED IN TRADING TUESDAY ON EUROPEAN MARKETS. EDITOR JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE MARKETS IN EUROPE WERE MIXED IN SLUGGISH TRADING IN THE LAST FULL DAY OF ACTIVITY BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

THE FRANKFURT MARKET WAS UP SHARPLY. THE DAX-30 INDEX ROSE ALMOST 79-POINTS, ABOUT ONE-AND-NINE-TENTHS-PERCENT OF THE FRANKFURT MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE.

LONDON ALSO CLOSED UP. THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX GAINED MORE THAN 31-POINTS, ABOUT SIX-TENTHS PERCENT.

BUT PARIS -- THE ONLY MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKET TO SHOW GAINS ON MONDAY -- WAS THE ONLY MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKET DOWN ON TUESDAY. THE CAC-40 INDEX LOST MORE THAN 11-POINTS, ABOUT FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR WAS DOWN SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, THE JAPANESE YEN, AND THE BRITISH POUND.
NEB/JWH/RAE
23-Dec-97 1:48 PM EST (1848 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (TUESDAY) AS CONCERN ABOUT ASIAN ECONOMIES RETURNED TO WALL STREET. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 76 HUNDRED 91, DOWN 127 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 939, DOWN 14 AND ONE-HALF POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY SOME TRADERS WERE UNNERVED BY THE RECORD ONE-DAY LOSS IN THE SOUTH KOREAN STOCK MARKET -- MORE THAN SEVEN PERCENT AND THE CONTINUED DECLINE OF THE KOREAN WON.

THE U-S MARKET WAS DOWN MOST OF THE DAY BUT SELLING ACCELERATED LATE IN THE SESSION WITH THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOSING ABOUT 100 POINTS IN THE LAST HOUR OF TRADING.

THE U-S GOVERNMENT REVISED DOWNWARD THE RATE OF THE NATION'S ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE THIRD QUARTER. THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE ECONOMY ACTUALLY GREW BY A THREE POINT ONE PERCENT ANNUAL RATE RATHER THAN THE THREE POINT THREE PERCENT ORIGINALLY REPORTED.

BUT ORDERS FOR EXPENSIVE DURABLE GOODS SHOT UP IN NOVEMBER. IT WAS THE BIGGEST INCREASE IN FIVE YEARS FOR ORDERS OF PRODUCTS SUCH AS AIRCRAFT, AUTOMOBILES AND REFRIGERATORS. LUFTHANSA, THE GERMAN AIRLINE, HAS ORDERED FIVE 747 JETLINERS FROM THE BOEING COMPANY OF THE UNITED STATES. THE DEAL IS WORTH 825 MILLION DOLLARS.

A-T AND T HAS TAKEN ANOTHER STEP TO ELIMINATE OPERATIONS NOT RELATED TO LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE SERVICE. IT WILL SELL ITS CUSTOMER RELATIONS UNIT TO THE CINCINNATI BELL COMPANY FOR 625 MILLION DOLLARS. LAST WEEK, A-T AND T SOLD ITS CREDIT CARD BUSINESS FOR THREE AND ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS.

THE EMBATTLED OXFORD HEALTH MAINTENANCE COMPANY RECEIVED SOME MORE BAD NEWS. NEW YORK STATE INSURANCE REGULATORS WILL FINE OXFORD THREE MILLION DOLLARS FOR SLOPPY RECORD KEEPING AND LATE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS. OXFORD HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED IT EXPECTS A QUARTERLY LOSS OF MORE THAN 50 MILLION DOLLARS.

MANY AMERICAN RETAILERS ARE HOPING THAT LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS WILL BOOST PROFITS. SO FAR, THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON IS FALLING SOMEWHAT SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS. BUT A SURVEY SHOWS THAT MORE THAN 60 PERCENT OF AMERICANS SAY THEY WILL NOT FINISH THEIR CHRISTMAS BUYING UNTIL LATE ON CHRISTMAS EVE.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
23-Dec-97 5:12 PM EST (2212 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] ROMANIA / RESIGN (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: ROMANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ADRIAN SEVERIN HAS RESIGNED IN A DISPUTE ABOUT HIS ALLEGATIONS THAT SOME POLITICAL LEADERS AND JOURNALISTS ARE SPIES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS FOLLOWING THE STORY FROM OUR BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: THE ROMANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER EMPHASIZED HE WAS NOT RETRACTING HIS ALLEGATIONS AS HE ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION AT A NEWS CONFERENCE IN BUCHAREST.

THREE WEEKS AGO, MR. SEVERIN SAID SEVERAL POLITICAL LEADERS AND JOURNALISTS WORKED FOR FOREIGN SECURITY SERVICES. HE REFUSED TO PROVIDE NAMES OR OTHER DETAILS, AND WOULD NOT GIVE THE SOURCE OF HIS INFORMATION.

HIS RESIGNATION CAME AFTER THE COUNTRY'S SUPREME DEFENSE COUNCIL ANNOUNCED (MONDAY) IT COULD FIND NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT MR. SEVERIN'S ALLEGATIONS.

MR. SEVERIN'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY INDICATES IT WILL SUGGEST THE NEXT FOREIGN MINISTER BE ANDREI PLESU, A WRITER, FORMER DISSIDENT, AND CULTURE MINISTER IN ROMANIA'S FIRST POST-COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/JWH
23-Dec-97 11:00 AM EST (1600 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: U-S NEWSPAPERS HEAD INTO THE LAST FEW HOURS BEFORE THE NATION EFFECTIVELY SHUTS DOWN FOR THE BIG CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY, COVERING A WIDE ARRAY OF TOPICS IN THEIR EDITORIAL COLUMNS.

NO SINGLE SUBJECT STANDS OUT AS ATTRACTING ATTENTION FOR MANY PAPERS, BUT AMONG THE ISSUES BEING DISSECTED ARE: THE SOUTH KOREAN ECONOMY AND THE NATION'S NEW PRESIDENT: HOW JAPAN IS DEALING WITH THE ASIAN ECONOMIC CRISIS; SOME HELP FOR HAITIAN BOAT PEOPLE; THE WHITE HOUSE FUND RAISING SCANDAL; AND OLD EQUIPMENT CONTINUES TO COMPROMISE SAFETY IN THE NATION'S AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM. NOW, HERE IS _______________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS IS NEVER FAR FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGES THESE DAYS, AND WITH NEWS THAT SOUTH KOREA'S GOVERNMENT DEBT IS DOWNGRADED BY WALL STREET RATERS, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" TALKS ABOUT HOW THE NATION'S NEW PRESIDENT-ELECT KIM DAE JUNG IS RESPONDING.

VOICE: ... SOUTH KOREANS MUST HOPE THAT THEIR NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT, KIM DAE JUNG, HAS WITHIN HIMSELF NOT ONLY THE DEDICATION TO PRINCIPLE AND THE STUBBORNNESS EVIDENT IN HIS LONG STRUGGLE AGAINST DICTATORSHIP, BUT ALSO THE POLITICIAN'S INDISPENSABLE GIFT -- A FLAIR FOR THE ART OF THE POSSIBLE. THE SIGNS SO FAR ARE PROMISING THAT [MR.] KIM CAN PERFORM IN HIS NEW ROLE AS MASTERFULLY AS HE DID WHILE BEING ARRESTED, TORTURED, AND THREATENED WITH DEATH BY THE OLD MILITARY REGIMES. ...[MR.] KIM COMES TO POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF A FRIGHTENING FINANCIAL CRISIS AND AT A TIME WHEN THERE APPEARS TO BE AN UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY FOR A DIALOGUE WITH NORTH KOREA ...

TEXT: FLORIDA'S "ORLANDO SENTINEL" IS ALSO PLEASED BY EARLY INDICATIONS OF PRESIDENT-ELECT KIM'S LEADERSHIP.

VOICE: LAST WEEK'S ELECTION ALSO MADE HISTORY IN HANDING THE REINS OF POWER FROM THE RULING POLITICAL PARTY TO THE MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY -- THE FIRST TIME THAT HAS HAPPENED IN MODERN SOUTH KOREA. BUT, SETTING POLITICAL ORIENTATIONS ASIDE, IT IS CLEAR THAT SOUTH KOREA'S ATTENTION SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON BOLSTERING THAT NATION'S ECONOMY. PROPERLY, PRESIDENT-ELECT KIM ... WASTED NO TIME IN TAKING UP THAT ISSUE DURING HIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH. TWO KEYS TO SUCCESS ARE WORKING WITH INTERNATIONAL LENDERS AND KEEPING SOUTH KOREA'S ECONOMY OPEN. ... MEANWHILE, IT'S JUST AS IMPORTANT TO PREVENT THE TEMPESTUOUS SOUTH KOREA-NORTH KOREA RELATIONSHIP FROM DISRUPTING PROGRESS. ... THE MOMENTUM THAT IS DEVELOPING SHOULD BE WELCOMED.

TEXT: ON A RELATED TOPIC, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS CONCERNED THAT JAPAN'S GOVERNMENT IS NOT RESPONDING FAST ENOUGH NOR EFFECTIVELY ENOUGH TO STEM THAT NATION'S FINANCIAL PROBLEMS, CALLING IT -- DANGEROUS INERTIA.

VOICE: WHETHER THE FINANCIAL TURMOIL IN EAST ASIA REMAINS A REGIONAL PROBLEM OR SPREADS ACROSS THE WORLD DEPENDS IN NO SMALL MEASURE ON JAPAN. SO FAR, JAPAN HAS BARELY BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN ITS OWN BALANCE. INSTEAD OF BOLD STEPS TO DEREGULATE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND DISCLOSE THE EXTENT OF JAPANESE PROBLEMS, TOKYO'S BUREAUCRATS HAVE EMPLOYED HALFMEASURES. JAPAN MUST SET AN EXAMPLE OF REFORM, OTHERWISE THE ROT IN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THROUGHOUT THE AREA IS NOT LIKELY TO BE EXCISED.

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, THE ALLEGATIONS OF ILLEGAL FUND RAISING PRACTICES BY THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE DEMOCRATS DURING LAST YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, STUDIED FOR A YEAR BY "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" DRAWS THIS EDITORIAL REACTION.

VOICE: AN ARTICLE IN SUNDAY'S EDITIONS SUMMARIZED HOW THE CLINTON POLITICAL OPERATION PRESSED FOR FUNDS FROM THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND IN DOING SO DANGEROUSLY FLIRTED WITH FOREIGN BUSINESS INTERESTS ANXIOUS TO WIN INFLUENCE WITH THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. WE LEARNED HOW THE CLINTON OPERATION SHAMELESSLY USED THE WHITE HOUSE ... INVITING BIG CONTRIBUTORS AND POTENTIAL GIVERS TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN THE HISTORIC EXECUTIVE RESIDENCE OR ATTEND COFFEE BRIEFINGS WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON. ... AN ANALYSIS OF [MR.] CLINTON'S SCHEDULE FOR JUST ONE WEEK SHOWS HE MUST HAVE DEVOTED A MINIMUM OF 20 HOURS TO FUND-RAISING. ...WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT FUTURE ABUSE ... ? THOSE WHO WANT CHANGE IN THE SYSTEM MUST WORK HARD FOR THE MCCAIN-FEINGOLD [CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM] MEASURE IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE CARIBBEAN, AND THE PLIGHT OF HAITIAN BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE IT TO U-S SHORES, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" LAUDS THE LATEST HELP FOR THEM FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

VOICE: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DECISION TO SHIELD THOUSANDS OF HAITIAN REFUGEES FROM IMMEDIATE DEPORTATION GIVES THEM THE PROTECTIONS THAT CONGRESS RECENTLY GRANTED TO REFUGEES FROM CENTRAL AMERICA. CONGRESS LEFT THE HAITIANS OUT LAST MONTH WHEN IT CORRECTED OVERLY STRINGENT PROVISIONS IN THE 1996 IMMIGRATION ACT THAT MADE IT MUCH HARDER FOR CENTRAL AMERICANS WHO HAD FLED CIVIL WARS TO FIGHT DEPORTATION EVEN THOUGH MANY HAD LIVED IN THIS COUNTRY FOR YEARS. ... BY INVOKING AUTHORITY TO EXEMPT SOME 20-THOUSAND HAITIANS WHO HAVE SOUGHT ASYLUM FROM DEPORTATION FOR AT LEAST A YEAR, MR. CLINTON CORRECTS THAT ERROR.

TEXT: A VERY SERIOUS POWER FAILURE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE U-S, THAT KNOCKED OUT A CRITICAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER IN KANSAS FOR 12-MINUTES, DRAWS THE IRE OF "USA TODAY", TOWARD THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION.

VOICE: PILOTS SCRAMBLED TO CONTACT CONTROLLERS IN OTHER REGIONS WHO COULD GUIDE THEM. AND CONTROLLERS AT THE KANSAS CITY CENTER GRABBED CELLULAR PHONES OUT OF THEIR [PERSONAL] CARS TO ALERT OTHER REGIONS ABOUT THE MASSIVE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO CONTINGENCY PLAN. ... A TECHNICIAN PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM APPARENTLY PULLED THE WRONG PLUG, SHUTTING DOWN BOTH PRIMARY AND BACKUP POWER. WHAT KIND OF SYSTEM ALLOWS ONE PERSON TO PULL ONE PLUG AND BRING DOWN ONE OF THE NATION'S 20 TRAFFIC CONTROL REGIONS? AND WHY ORDER ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT 9:00 A-M -- A BUSY AIR TRAFFIC TIME -- RATHER THAN DURING THE SLOWER NIGHT HOURS?

TEXT: LASTLY, ON THE SUBJECT OF SEPARATING MEN AND WOMEN DURING MILITARY BASIC TRAINING, AS ONLY THE U-S MARINES NOW DO, "NEWSDAY" ON LONG ISLAND COMMENTS:

VOICE: LAST SPRING'S APPALLING ACCOUNTS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND RAPE BY DRILL SERGEANTS AT ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND LED TO SIX MONTHS OF SOUL-SEARCHING BY A SPECIAL PENTAGON PANEL, WHICH HAS NOW COME UP WITH A LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO CHANGE THE WAY MEN AND WOMEN ARE TRAINED IN THE ARMED SERVICES. THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL ... CALLS ON THE ARMY, NAVY AND AIR FORCE TO SEPARATE MEN AND WOMEN FOR THEIR FIRST SIX TO NINE WEEKS OF BASIC TRAINING, AS THE MARINES ALREADY DO. ... THE PANEL ARGUED THAT INSTRUCTORS WILL FIND IT EASIER TO INSTILL MILITARY DISCIPLINE IF THE TASK IS NOT COMPLICATED BY YOUTHFUL HORMONES AND GENDER JEALOUSIES. WELL, MAYBE. BUT THE PANEL ALSO PUT ITS FINGER ON [IDENTIFIED] SEVERAL OTHER DEFICIENCIES IN THE TRAINING PROCESS THAT MIGHT ACCOUNT FOR SOME OF THE DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS WITH RECRUITS. FOR ONE THING, IT SAYS, THERE JUST AREN'T ENOUGH INSTRUCTORS TO HANDLE THE WORKLOAD ...

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS IN THE U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
23-Dec-97 10:46 AM EST (1546 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] YEARENDER: NORTHERN IRELAND '97 BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: THE SEARCH FOR A LASTING PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND GAINED MOMENTUM IN 1997 WITH ANOTHER CEASEFIRE BY THE TERRORIST GROUP, THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, AND THE BEGINNING OF SERIOUS TALKS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE BRITISH PROVINCE. IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS BACK AT THE YEAR IN NORTHERN IRELAND.

TEXT: /// OPT /// THE WORD "HISTORIC" IS USED SO OFTEN NOWADAYS THAT ITS TRUE MEANING HAS BEEN DILUTED AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE ALL BUT LOST. BUT IT IS FAIR TO SAY THAT LOOKING BACK AT THE EVENTS THIS PAST YEAR IN NORTHERN IRELAND, THEY HAVE BEEN TRULY "HISTORIC" -- AND IN A PEACE PROCESS WHOSE SUCCESS IS JUDGED BY SMALL, INCREMENTAL STEPS, 1997 MOVED AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT. /// END OPT ///

THE FIRST SEVERAL MONTHS OF THIS PAST YEAR AUGURED POORLY FOR THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS. THE TALKS WERE FLOUNDERING AND THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY WAS STILL VERY MUCH IN EVIDENCE.

BUT THINGS BEGAN TO CHANGE IN MAY WITH THE BRITISH GENERAL ELECTION, WHEN THE LABOUR PARTY CAME BACK TO POWER AFTER 18 YEARS IN OPPOSITION AND TONY BLAIR BECAME PRIME MINISTER. WITH A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, MR. BLAIR COULD NOW AFFORD TO TAKE RISKS IN THE SEARCH FOR A LASTING PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND -- SOMETHING HIS PREDECESSOR JOHN MAJOR COULD NOT DO BECAUSE OF HIS WAFER-THIN PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY.

IN NORTHERN IRELAND, THE ELECTION ALSO PRODUCED ITS SHARE OF EXCITEMENT. TWO SENIOR MEMBERS OF SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY -- ITS PRESIDENT GERRY ADAMS AND ITS CHIEF NEGOTIATOR MARTIN MCGUINNESS -- WERE BOTH ELECTED TO PARLIAMENT.

WITH A NEW BRITISH GOVERNMENT -- FOLLOWED BY A NEW ONE IN THE IRISH REPUBLIC -- THINGS BEGAN TO MOVE ON THE NORTHERN IRELAND FRONT. SINN FEIN WAS PROMISED A SEAT AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE IF THE I-R-A RESUMED ITS CEASEFIRE. IN JULY THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY DID JUST THAT. SIX WEEKS LATER, SINN FEIN ENTERED AS A FULL PARTICIPANT IN A NEW SET OF TALKS AIMED AT FINDING A LASTING POLITICAL SOLUTION FOR THE BRITISH PROVINCE. REPRESENTATIVES OF LOYALIST PARAMILITARY GROUPS WERE ALSO PRESENT BECAUSE OF A LOYALIST CEASEFIRE IN EFFECT SINCE OCTOBER 1994.

RUNNING PARALLEL TO THE POLITICAL TALKS IS AN INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION WHOSE JOB IT IS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE KNOWN AS "DECOMMISSIONING" -- HOW TO GET ALL PARAMILITARY GROUPS TO HAND IN THEIR WEAPONS AND EXPLOSIVES.

JOHN ALDERDICE IS LEADER OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S SMALL "ALLIANCE" PARTY WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANTS, NATIONALISTS AND UNIONISTS. HE SAYS THE POLITICAL TALKS HAVE MADE SOME HEADWAY -- BUT HE POINTS OUT THERE IS VERY LITTLE MOVEMENT ON THE "DECOMMISSIONING" ISSUE."

AT THIS STAGE THERE HAVE BEEN SOME INDICATIONS -- I THINK IT IS FAIR TO SAY FROM SOME OF THE LOYALIST ELEMENTS THAT THEY WOULD AT LEAST BE WILLING TO PUT THIS INTERNATIONAL BODY IN TOUCH WITH THOSE ON THE LOYALIST SIDE WHO CONTROL THE WEAPONS. THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE BEEN THAT KIND OF UNDERTAKING COMING FROM SINN FEIN, AND OF COURSE UNLESS THE INTERNATIONAL BODY AT SOME STAGE, REASONABLY SOON, GETS IN TOUCH WITH THE QUARTERMASTERS -- IN THE REPUBLICAN COMMUNITY AND IN THE LOYALIST COMMUNITY -- IT IS HARD TO SEE HOW THE DECOMMISSIONING THING CAN MOVE FORWARD. AND YET IF THE DECOMMISSIONING DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD, THEN YOU ARE GOING TO BE LEFT WITH A COMMUNITY THAT HAS ALL THE RESOURCES TO RUN BACK TO VIOLENCE.

MR. ALDERDICE SAYS THE POLITICAL TALKS HAVE EMPHASIZED THE DEEP DIVISIONS AND CONFLICTING DEMANDS OF BOTH SIDES OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND ISSUE.

CERTAINLY THERE IS A SENSE THAT ON BOTH SIDES, THEIR OWN PEOPLE WILL NOT GET FULL SATISFACTION. THEY WILL HAVE TO COMPROMISE. THEY WILL HAVE TO DEAL AND I DO NOT KNOW THAT THERE IS AN ENTIRE CONFIDENCE ALL AROUND ABOUT WHETHER THEY CAN BRING THEIR PEOPLE ALONG WITH THEM OR WHETHER THEY WILL BE ATTACKED BY DISSIDENTS. DO NOT FORGET THAT IN THE CONTEXT OF NORTHERN IRELAND AND IN THE CONTEXT OF NORTHERN IRELAND AS A WHOLE, DOING DEALS THAT SOME OF YOUR PEOPLE DO NOT LIKE, CANNOT ONLY MEAN THE END OF YOUR POLITICAL CAREER -- IT CAN MEAN THE END OF YOUR LIFE. SO ONE SHOULD NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE RISKS THAT EVERYBODY INVOLVED IS TAKING AND ONE SHOULD NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE ANXIETY THAT THAT KNOWLEDGE PROVOKES.

ONE MAN WHO MUST BE FULLY AWARE OF THOSE RISKS IS GERRY ADAMS, PRESIDENT OF SINN FEIN. IN DECEMBER HE MET TONY BLAIR AT TEN DOWNING STREET -- THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICIAL RESIDENCE.

THE LAST TIME A REPUBLICAN LEADER MET A BRITISH PRIME MINISTER IN LONDON WAS IN DECEMBER 1921 -- WHEN MICHAEL COLLINS MET DAVID LLOYD GEORGE. LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER, COLLINS WAS DEAD, KILLED BY THOSE WITHIN REPUBLICANISM WHO VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED HIS AGREEMENT WITH BRITAIN TO PARTITION IRELAND.

FOLLOWING HIS MEETING WITH MR. BLAIR, THE SINN FEIN PRESIDENT TOLD REPORTERS IT GAVE EACH SIDE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CLARIFY POSITIONS.

WE HAD A GOOD MEETING BECAUSE I THINK WE ENGAGED. I THINK WE FACED UP TO THE DIFFICULTIES. IN MANY WAYS THE ENGAGEMENT CAN BE DESCRIBED AS A MOMENT IN HISTORY AND WE CERTAINLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT OUR VIEW THAT ALL OF THE HURT AND GRIEF AND DIVISION WHICH HAS COME FROM BRITISH INVOLVEMENT IN OUR AFFAIRS HAS TO END.

BUT AS IS SO OFTEN THE CASE IN NORTHERN IRELAND AFFAIRS, WHEN THERE IS AN APPARENT BREAKTHROUGH -- ALBEIT SYMBOLIC - IT IS ATTACKED BY THE OTHER SIDE.

IN THIS INSTANCE, THE ADAMS-BLAIR MEETING WAS STRONGLY CRITICIZED BY PRO-BRITISH POLITICIANS. KEN MAGINNIS -- SECURITY SPOKESMAN FOR THE LARGEST PARTY IN NORTHERN IRELAND, THE ULSTER UNIONISTS SAYS MR. BLAIR EFFECTIVELY SHOOK THE HAND OF A TERRORIST -- A REFERENCE TO MR. ADAMS' CLOSE TIES WITH THE I-R-A.

CAN YOU IMAGINE THE "OKLAHOMA BOMBER" BEING TAKEN IN AND RECEIVED IN THE WHITE HOUSE -- OR SOME OF THE OUTLANDISH EXTREME ORGANIZATIONS THAT EXIST IN THE UNITED STATES? CAN YOU IMAGINE THE "BADER-MEINHOF" GROUP HAVING BEEN TAKEN INTO THE HEART OF DEMOCRACY IN GERMANY? OR THE "RED BRIGADE?" OR THE BASQUE TERRORISTS IN SPAIN? NONE OF THE WESTERN DEMOCRACIES HAS CONTEMPLATED THIS.

WHILE WE WILL NEVER SAY "NEVER," WE WILL NOT MEET TERRORISTS UNTIL THERE IS AN EXPRESSION OF REMORSE FOR PAST OUTRAGES, UNTIL THERE IS A DISMANTLING OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION AND DISARMAMENT, UNTIL THERE IS -- MOST IMPORTANTLY OF ALL -- AN INDICATION THAT THEY ACCEPT THE FUNDAMENTAL OF DEMOCRACY AND THAT IS THE BALLOT BOX AND THAT THE CONSENT OF THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND IS PARAMOUNT WITHIN THAT PROCESS.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 1998, EXPERTS SAY TENSIONS MAY RISE AS THE MAY DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION OF THE POLITICAL TALKS APPROACHES.

THE LEADER OF THE "ALLIANCE" PARTY - JOHN ALDERDICE - SAYS THE BEST THING ONE CAN HOPE FOR IS AN AGREEMENT ACCEPTABLE TO THE MAJORITY OF THE PARTIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND NOT VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED BY THE FRINGE ELEMENTS.

OF COURSE, THE BAD SCENE WOULD BE WHERE YOU GOT AN AGREEMENT BROUGHT ABOUT WITH HUGE COMMITMENT IN TERMS OF TIME AND ENERGY AND POLITICAL CAPITAL OVER A LONG TIME -- THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS, ALL OF OURSELVES, THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND SO ON -- AND THEN THOSE ON THE EXTREMES WOULD FEEL SO DISSATISFIED, EITHER ONE ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER, THAT THEY WOULD GO BACK TO THE VIOLENCE AND RIP THE COMMUNITY APART AGAIN. THAT IS A SCENARIO THAT ONE CANNOT FIND AT ALL APPEALING, AND YET IN REALITY, IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. SO WE HAVE GOT TO BE AWARE OF IT AND DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN -- IN OTHER WORDS GET THE BEST DEAL THAT BRINGS THE MOST PEOPLE IN AND LEAVES OTHERS ACQUIESCING, RATHER THAN OPPOSING.

BUT ANY MOVEMENT ON THE POLITICAL FRONT IN 1998 IS PREDICATED ON THE BELIEF THAT THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY AND LOYALIST PARAMILITARIES WILL ABIDE BY THEIR RESPECTIVE CEASEFIRES.

MR. ALDERDICE SAYS THOSE CEASEFIRES WILL COME UNDER SEVERE STRAIN AS HARD POLITICAL DECISIONS ARE MADE -- DECISIONS WHICH MAY NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO ALL. HE SAYS PRESSURE MUST BE EXERTED TO MAKE SURE PARAMILITARIES DO NOT REVERT TO VIOLENCE -- OTHERWISE, ALL THE HOPES BROUGHT ON BY EVENTS IN 1997 WILL GO UP IN SMOKE. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/JWH
23-Dec-97 11:48 AM EST (1648 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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