Voice of America, 98-01-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] CZECH POL (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[02] EURO MARKETS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

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

[04] FRANCE RWANDA (L) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[05] GERMANY / HOLOCAUST (L) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[06] IRAQ / KURDS BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (SALAHUDDIN, NORTHERN IRAQ)

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

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

[09] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[01] CZECH POL (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THE CZECH REPUBLIC'S NEW CARETAKER GOVERNMENT HAS TENTATIVELY SET NEW ELECTIONS FOR MID-JUNE. BUT AS WE HEAR FROM V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IN PRAGUE, THE DATE STILL HAS TO BE APPROVED BY PARLIAMENT.

TEXT: THE CABINET SAYS IT AIMS TO HOLD ELECTIONS ON JUNE 19TH AFTER DISSOLVING THE LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT IN APRIL.

THE PARLIAMENT MUST BE DISSOLVED 60-DAYS BEFORE ELECTIONS.

THE PREVIOUS CZECH GOVERNMENT COLLAPSED IN NOVEMBER AMID A FUNDING SCANDAL IN THE "CIVIC DEMOCRATIC PARTY" OF FORMER PRIME MINISTER, VACLAV KLAUS. MR. KLAUS HAS SAID HE WANTS ELECTIONS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1998.

THE CARETAKER GOVERNMENT, HEADED BY FORMER CENTRAL BANK CHIEF JOSEF TOSOVSKY, HAS PROMISED TO HAND THE GOVERNMENT OVER TO A PERMANENT CABINET SOMETIME THIS YEAR.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE CARETAKER GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE TO SUBMIT ITSELF TO A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. MR. TOSOVSKY WAS QUOTED MONDAY AS SAYING HE IS NOT CERTAIN HE WILL WIN THE CONFIDENCE VOTE. (SIGNED)
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12-Jan-98 11:25 AM EST (1625 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] EURO MARKETS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: THE TUMBLE IN ASIAN STOCK PRICES HAS HAD A DOMINO-LIKE EFFECT ON MARKETS OF EUROPE. PAUL FRANCUCH IS WATCHING ACTIVITY FROM OUR LONDON OFFICE.

TEXT: PRICES ON THE MAJOR EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS OPENED SHARPLY LOWER MONDAY AND REMAINED THERE. MANY MARKETS LOST MORE THAN THREE-PERCENTAGE POINTS IN VALUE FOR THE DAY'S TRADING. FRANKFURT'S "DAX 30" INDEX SUFFERED THE SHARPEST DAILY DECLINE -- OFF JUST LESS THAN FOUR-PERCENT. FRIDAY'S MORE THAN 200-POINT DECLINE ON THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL INDEX IN NEW YORK ONLY ADDED TO INVESTOR WORRY. MEANWHILE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED STRENGTH AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN IN EUROPEAN TRADING TODAY.

THE STOCK MARKET DECLINES HAVE APPARENTLY LOWERED THE OUTLOOK FOR INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT. THAT, IN TURN, HAS AFFECTED OIL PRICES, WHICH FELL TO A NEARLY FOUR-YEAR LOW. (SIGNED).
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12-Jan-98 9:35 AM EST (1435 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE OPENED SHARPLY LOWER MONDAY, BUT SHOWED SOME SIGNS OF RECOVERY BY THE TIME TRADING ENDED. EDITOR PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE SHARP FALL IN ASIA PRECIPITATED THE STEEP DECLINES IN EUROPE. GERMANY'S "DAX 30" INDEX TOOK THE BIGGEST HIT, DOWN 150-POINTS -- OR MORE THAN THREE-PERCENT -- FOR THE DAY. AFTER-HOURS COMPUTER TRADING ON THE DAX DROPPED THAT INDEX BY ANOTHER TWO-AND-ONE-HALF PERCENT.

LESS DRAMATIC WAS THE 57-POINT FALL BY THE PARIS "CAC 40" INDEX A DECLINE OF JUST LESS THAN TWO-PERCENT FOR THE DAY. IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX CLOSED WITH A 69-AND-ONE-HALF POINT DECLINE -- A LOSS OF JUST MORE THAN ONE-PERCENT. BOTH PARIS AND LONDON SHOWED SIGNS OF RECOVERY WHEN EARLY WALL STREET TRADING INDICATED INVESTORS WERE BUYING.

THE U-S DOLLAR CHANGED LITTLE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND BRITISH POUND ON THE EUROPEAN MONEY MARKETS.

GOLD IN LONDON CLOSED DOWN THREE-DOLLARS-80-CENTS FROM FRIDAY, PRICED AT 279-DOLLARS-15 CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
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12-Jan-98 1:14 PM EST (1814 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] FRANCE RWANDA (L) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: NEARLY FOUR YEARS AFTER THE MASSACRES OF MOSTLY ETHNIC TUTSIS BY THE THEN-RULING HUTUS IN RWANDA, A LEADING FRENCH DAILY NEWSPAPER BLAMES FRANCE FOR THE TRAGEDY, CITING DOCUMENTS SHOWING THAT FRANCE WAS STILL SENDING THE HUTUS ARMS, EVEN AFTER THE EXTENT OF THE KILLINGS WAS KNOWN. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: AT LEAST 850-THOUSAND PEOPLE ARE ESTIMATED TO HAVE DIED DURING RWANDA'S THREE-MONTH LONG GENOCIDE. AT THE TIME, FRENCH OFFICIALS REACTED ANGRILY TO SUGGESTIONS IN FOREIGN MEDIA THAT FRANCE HAD ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN THE CRISIS. NOW, THE CONSERVATIVE DAILY "LE FIGARO," IN THE FIRST OF FOUR ARTICLES ON FRENCH POLICY IN RWANDA, BLAMES THE FORMER SOCIALIST PRESIDENT FRANCOIS MITTERRAND FOR BACKING A PRO-HUTU STANCE IN THE FORMER BELGIAN COLONY.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE NEWSPAPER SAYS THE CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE THEN PRIME MINISTER EDOUARD BALLADUR WAS EQUALLY TO BLAME, SINCE IT COMPLIED WITH THE PRESIDENT'S WISHES. //OPT// THE NEWSPAPER QUALIFIED THIS AS "SOLIDARITY BETWEEN DECISION-MAKERS." //END OPT//

LE FIGARO PUBLISHED A DOCUMENT ON HEADED NOTEPAPER OF THE "SOFREMAS" COMPANY, WHICH HANDLES FRENCH ARMS EXPORTS.

PROMISING "IMMEDIATE DELIVERY," THE DOCUMENT WAS DATED MAY 6, 1994, -- A GOOD MONTH AFTER THE BEGINNING OF THE GENOCIDE IN RWANDA AND AFTER INTERNATIONAL CALLS TO BAN ARMS SALES TO THE RWANDAN GOVERNMENT.

BY THE TIME FRENCH TROOPS IN THE COUNTRY TOOK PART IN A UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN JUNE OF THAT YEAR, LE FIGARO SAYS THE ORDER HAD BEEN GIVEN TO STOP ARMS SUPPLIES REACHING RWANDA.

BUT BY THAT TIME, THE NEWSPAPER SAYS, MOST OF THE KILLING HAD BEEN DONE. DESPITE THE ORDER, LE FIGARO SAYS ARMS WERE STILL BEING DELIVERED IN JULY 1994, BUT WERE TRANSITING THROUGH GOMA, IN WHAT WAS THEN ZAIRE.

IN LE FIGARO'S WORDS, "ACCUSED OF COMPLICITY, IMPLICATED IN ARMS SALES, SUSPECTED OF BACKING A REGIME THAT WAS COMMITTING GENOCIDE, THE HOMELAND OF HUMAN RIGHTS (FRANCE) OPTED TO KEEP QUIET." (SIGNED)
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12-Jan-98 8:18 AM EST (1318 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] GERMANY / HOLOCAUST (L) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: GERMANY HAS AGREED TO PAY MORE THAN 110-MILLION DOLLARS TO NAZI VICTIMS IN EASTERN EUROPE WHO HAD LONG BEEN DENIED COMPENSATION IN THE WAKE OF COLD WAR POLITICS. FROM BONN, V-O-A'S KYLE KING HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: GERMAN OFFICIALS SAY THE 110-MILLION DOLLARS WILL BE GIVEN TO A SPECIAL FUND THAT WILL BE ESTABLISHED TO ASSIST NEEDY HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS IN CENTRAL EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION.

AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH THE FUND FOLLOWS MORE THAN A YEAR OF NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN GERMANY AND THE NEW YORK-BASED "JEWISH CLAIMS CONFERENCE," WHICH WILL ADMINISTER THE FUND.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GROUP WELCOMED THE AGREEMENT AS A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT, BUT SOME ADVOCATES FOR NAZI VICTIMS HAVE CRITICIZED THE FACT THAT PAYMENTS WILL NOT START UNTIL 1999.

ONE GERMAN-BASED GROUP REPRESENTING SURVIVORS OF NAZI PERSECUTION ACCUSED THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT OF CONTINUING WHAT IT CALLED DELAYING TACTICS.

BECAUSE OF THE ADVANCED AGE OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS, GERMANY HAS COME UNDER GROWING INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE TO AID THE ESTIMATED 18-THOUSAND EASTERN EUROPEAN SURVIVORS WHO HAVE GONE EMPTY HANDED.

SINCE THE END OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR, GERMANY HAS PAID BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS, BUT COLD WAR POLITICS PREVENTED NEARLY ANYTHING FROM REACHING SURVIVORS IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE.

GERMAN OFFICIALS ESTIMATE THE NEW FUND WILL PROVIDE MODEST MONTHLY PAYMENTS TO THE SURVIVORS. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF
12-Jan-98 11:57 AM EST (1657 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] IRAQ / KURDS BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (SALAHUDDIN, NORTHERN IRAQ)

INTRO: FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS NOW, THE TWO MAIN KURDISH FACTIONS BASED IN NORTHERN IRAQ HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN A BLOODY POWER STRUGGLE FOR CONTROL OVER THE WESTERN-PROTECTED ENCLAVE. MEDIATION EFFORTS LED BY THE UNITED STATES TO END THE INTRA-KURDISH CONFLICT HAVE YIELDED FEW RESULTS, SO FAR. AMBERIN ZAMAN TRAVELED TO THE AREA RECENTLY AND FILED THIS REPORT.

TEXT: IN A DAMP, COLD TENEMENT IN THE HEART OF ERBIL -- THE MAIN CITY IN KURDISH-CONTROLLED NORTHERN IRAQ -- HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES ARE SQUEEZED INTO TINY DARK ROOMS. THEY HAVE NO RUNNING WATER, NO ELECTRICITY, NO HEATING AND SCARCELY ANY FOOD. THEY ARE REFUGEES KURDS WHO WERE KICKED OUT OF AREAS CONTROLLED BY JALAL TALABANI'S PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN -- P-U-K -- IN THE LATEST ROUND OF FIGHTING BETWEEN IT AND ITS RIVAL, THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, OR K-D-P, LED BY MASSOUD BARZANI.

SHE SAYS THE P-U-K TOLD HER TO LEAVE HER HOME IN THE PROVINCE OF SULAYMANIYAH FOR THE K-D-P-CONTROLLED CITY OF ERBIL, BECAUSE SHE SUPPORTED PARTY LEADER BARZANI. ACCORDING TO WESTERN AID OFFICIALS, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF IRAQI KURDS HAVE BEEN FORCIBLY DISPLACED BY BOTH PARTIES IN THEIR CONTINUING WAR FOR CONTROL OVER THE ENCLAVE. //END OPT//

THE LATEST ROUND OF FIGHTING BROKE OUT LAST OCTOBER WHEN P-U-K FORCES ATTACKED K-D-P POSITIONS ALONG THE FRONT LINE, WHERE THEY OCCUPIED THE KEY TOWN OF HAJ OMRAN ALONG THE IRANIAN BORDER. BUT THE P-U-K WAS FORCED TO WITHDRAW AFTER TURKISH TROOPS JOINED THE FIGHT ON THE SIDE OF MR. BARZANI'S K-D-P AND BEGAN BOMBING P-U-K TARGETS. ANKARA, HOWEVER, DENIES ATTACKING THE P-U-K, SAYING IT WAS ONLY TARGETING ANOTHER GROUP, THE P-K-K. BUT WESTERN OFFICIALS IN THE ENCLAVE SAY OTHERWISE.

BOTH TURKEY AND THE K-D-P ACCUSE MR. TALABANI OF JOINING FORCES WITH TURKISH KURD REBELS OF THE OUTLAWED P-K-K, THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY. THE P-K-K HAS BEEN WAGING A 13-YEAR-LONG WAR FOR SELF-RULE IN TURKEY'S MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEASTERN REGION AND HAS SEVERAL BASES IN NORTHERN IRAQ. THE P-U-K DENIES IT IS SUPPORTING THE TURKISH KURD REBEL GROUP.

DURING AN INTERVIEW AT HIS HEADQUARTERS IN THE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE OF SALAHUDDIN, K-D-P LEADER BARZANI INSISTED, HOWEVER, THAT THERE COULD BE NO PEACE BETWEEN HIM AND MR. TALABANI UNTIL THE P-U-K ENDED WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS ITS ALLIANCE WITH THE P-K-K.

THE P-K-K AND TURKEY'S INVOLVEMENT IS JUST THE LATEST TWIST IN THE LONG-RUNNING FEUD BETWEEN THE TWO KURDISH LEADERS. IN 1996, MR. BARZANI INVITED IRAQI TROOPS INTO THE ENCLAVE AFTER THE P-U-K ALLEGEDLY BACKED BY IRAN -- ATTACKED K-D-P FORCES. THE IRAQI INTERVENTION MARKED A TURNING POINT IN RELATIONS BETWEEN MR. BARZANI AND THE UNITED STATES. WASHINGTON EVACUATED ALL U-S NATIONALS -- BOTH MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL -- FROM NORTHERN IRAQ FOR GOOD.

MR. BARZANI'S UNEXPECTED MOVE FORCED THE U-S-BACKED COALITION OF IRAQI OPPOSITION PARTIES -- THE IRAQI NATIONAL CONGRESS -- TO FLEE THE ENCLAVE AS WELL. OBSERVERS SAY IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN HAS EXPLOITED THE FACTIONAL FIGHTING BETWEEN THE KURDS TO BEGIN TO REASSERT HIS INFLUENCE OVER NORTHERN IRAQ. THE ENCLAVE HAS REMAINED UNDER ALLIED MILITARY PROTECTION SINCE THE END OF THE 1991 GULF WAR.

THE IRAQI PRESIDENT RECENTLY BROUGHT REPRESENTATIVES FROM BOTH PARTIES TOGETHER IN BAGHDAD LATE LAST YEAR, BUT NO AGREEMENT WAS REACHED. YET, BOTH PARTIES SAY THEY CONTINUE TO WELCOME BAGHDAD'S OFFER TO MEDIATE.

DESPITE SUCH SETBACKS, THE UNITED STATES IS CONTINUING ITS EFFORTS TO REVIVE THE SO-CALLED ANKARA PEACE TALKS TO END THE WAR BETWEEN THE P-U-K AND K-D-P. ANALYSTS SAY THE KURDS REMAIN A KEY COMPONENT IN WASHINGTON'S CONTINUED POLICY OF ISOLATING IRAQI LEADER SADDAM.

SHAZAD SAIB IS A SENIOR P-U-K OFFICIAL WHO REPRESENTS HIS PARTY IN ANKARA. LIKE HIS FELLOW P-U-K MEMBERS, HE IS PESSIMISTIC ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF A U-S-BROKERED PEACE AND SAYS IT IS TIME TO FIND FRESH ALTERNATIVES FOR NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE K-D-P.

I THINK AS P-U-K -- WE THINK THAT OUR PROBLEM COULD BE SOLVED TOGETHER -- WE P-U-K AND K-D-P. IN FACT, (THE) ANKARA PEACE PROCESS, IT WAS FINISHED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR AND WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT NEW PROPOSALS.

NO MATTER THE OBSTACLES, OFFICIALS FROM BOTH PARTIES AGREE THAT PEACE IS THEIR GOAL. FAZIL MIRANI IS INTERIOR MINISTER OF THE K-D-P-LED KURDISH REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION.

WE AS THE K-D-P ... CONDEMN THIS FIGHTING BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HELP THE KURDISH NATIONALISTIC MOVEMENT. ALSO, SOONER OR LATER, WE HAVE TO HAVE INTERIOR PEACE. NEITHER K-D-P NOR P-U-K CAN KICK EACH OTHER OUT FOREVER. SO AS FAR AS THIS IS THE TRUTH, WHAT ALTERNATIVE (DO) WE HAVE MORE THAN PEACE?

EMMA CAINE IS A FIELD WORKER WITH THE BRITISH-BASED CHARITY "SAVE THE CHILDREN FUND." SHE SAYS CHILDREN HAVE BEEN ESPECIALLY AFFECTED BY THE INTERNAL CONFLICT.

CHILDREN HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE CONFLICT AS THEY ARE, ALL AROUND THE WORLD, THE MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. AND THEY ARE THE ONES MOST AFFECTED BY CONFLICT, FIGHTING, LANDMINES WHICH ARE LEFT BEHIND AFTER THE CONFLICT, THE BAD ECONOMIC SITUATION IN THE WAKE OF CONFLICT.

IRAQI KURDISH OFFICIALS ON BOTH SIDES AGREE THAT SHOULD THEIR LEADERS FAIL TO OVERCOME THEIR DIFFERENCES, THE KURDS WILL CONTINUE TO BE VIEWED BY THE REST OF THE WORLD AS UNFIT TO RULE THEMSELVES. (SIGNED)
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12-Jan-98 12:15 PM EST (1715 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE FINANCIAL TROUBLES IN ASIA CONTINUE TO PLAY CENTER STAGE IN MANY U-S EDITORIAL COLUMNS AS THEY KEEP UNFOLDING, AND TODAY IS NO EXCEPTION. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE STALLED PROGRESS MOVEMENT IN VIETNAM; THE GROWING NUCLEAR THREAT IN RUSSIA; LITHUANIA'S NEW AMERICAN PRESIDENT; THE OVERTURES FROM IRAN AND THE COMPLEX TRIAL OF THE MAN THEY CALL THE "UNABOMBER." NOW, HERE IN THE STUDIO IS ______________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE FINANCIAL TROUBLES OF SEVERAL ASIAN NATIONS, INCLUDING INDONESIA AND THAILAND CONTINUE TO WORRY BOTH THE FINANCIAL MARKETS IN THIS COUNTRY AS WELL AS THE NATION'S EDITORIALS WRITERS. TODAY'S LEAD EDITORIAL IN "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" IS ENTITLED "SAVING ASIA, 101, AND MAKES THE FOLLOWING POINT.

VOICE: THE FIRST CLUE TO SOLVING THE CRISIS IN ASIA IS TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS A MONETARY CRISIS. EXPELLING CRONY CAPITALISM AND RESCHEDULING LOANS AND PRIVATIZING STATE COMPANIES ARE ALL OF COURSE GOOD THINGS, BUT THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEM IS TO STABILIZE EXCHANGE RATES. BY NOW, CRISIS HAS BECOME A ROUTINE. AN ASIAN ECONOMY STARTS TO SINK, THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND STARTS TO BAIL, THE LOCAL CURRENCY -- BAHT, RUPIAH, WON -- HITS A RECORD LOW. THE IMF THEN BAILS SOME MORE. AND HEADLINE WRITERS WORLD-WIDE RUMMAGE DAILY FOR FRESH VERBS TO DESCRIBE ASIAN CURRENCIES CONTINUING TO TUMBLE ... THE PLUNGING CURRENCIES DEVASTATE WAGES AND GLOBAL BUYING POWER OF INDUSTRIOUS ASIAN CITIZENS, HALVE THE INCOME OF EXPORTING INDUSTRIES AND DOUBLE THE LIABILITY TO FOREIGN BANKS. // OPT // SO ALL OF SOUTH KOREA IS WORTH HALF OF WHAT IT WAS A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND INDONESIA A QUARTER [OF IT WORTH]. IT MAKES NO SENSE EXCEPT IN TERMS OF A SELF-FEEDING DOWNWARD SPIRAL. // END OPT //

TEXT: SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY OF INDONESIA, THE NATION APPARENTLY IN THE WORST TROUBLE, "USA TODAY" SAYS THE FAILURE OF PRESIDENT SUHARTO TO TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO CORRECT THE SITUATION WILL TEST THE METTLE OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND.

VOICE: // OPT // INDONESIA'S CURRENCY PLUNGED 22 PERCENT LAST WEEK AND DRAGGED SOME NEIGHBORING ASIAN MARKETS INTO ANOTHER NOSE DIVE AFTER [PRESIDENT] SUHARTO RENEGED ON ECONOMIC REFORMS PROMISED TO THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND LAST FALL IN EXCHANGE FOR AID. // END OPT // ... [MR.] SUHARTO'S UNREALISTIC BUDGET LAST WEEK, NOT IMF DEMANDS, LED HIS OWN PEOPLE TO LOSE FAITH IN THEIR ECONOMY AND HIS POLICIES. NOT ONLY DID THE BUDGET INCLUDE A WILDLY OPTIMISTIC EXPECTATION OF A 32 PERCENT REVENUE HIKE, BUT IT LAVISHED BILLIONS ON 15 WASTEFUL ENERGY PROJECTS AND A NATIONAL CAR PROGRAM RUN BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. ... SUCH CRONY CAPITALISM IS THE SOURCE OF MOST OF ASIA'S CURRENT WOES. ... ONLY BY HOLDING THE LINE IN INDONESIA CAN THE IMF ASSURE INVESTORS EVERYWHERE THAT ASIA'S PROBLEMS WILL END.

TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" AGREES WITH USA TODAY, CALLING FOR AN END TO CRONYISM AND MORE TRANSPARENCY IN ASIAN ECONOMIES.

VOICE: WHAT IS NEEDED IS GRATER "TRANSPARENCY" IN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN EMERGING NATIONS -- THAT IS, VALID, COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ON THEIR BORROWINGS. THE I-M-F HAS BEEN PUSHING THESE COUNTRIES TO OPEN THEIR BOOKS. IT IS SEEKING THE POWER TO BE A BIGGER SNOOP ON CAPITAL FLOWS. ... MORE ACCURATE STATISTICS ARE NEEDED IF PRIVATE LENDERS ARE TO MAKE WISER FOREIGN LOAN DECISIONS. THERE SHOULD BE NO SURPRISES, LIKE IN SOUTH KOREA, WHERE BILLIONS IN UNSUSPECTED LOANS TO BUSINESSES SUDDENLY SURFACED.

TEXT: TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" IS UPSET AT THE WAY ANOTHER ASIAN ECONOMY, THAT OF VIETNAM, SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING BACKWARD FROM PREVIOUS REFORMS, AND IT FAULTS THE RECENT CHOICE OF A CONSERVATIVE MILITARY MAN, GENERAL LE KHA PHIEU AS COMMUNIST PARTY CHIEF, AS A MOVE IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

VOICE: ..... IN RECENT YEARS, VIETNAM'S REFORMING IMPULSE HAS STALLED. THAT TREND WAS STRENGTHENED BY THE RECENT DESIGNATION OF GENERAL LE KHA PHIEU AS COMMUNIST PARTY CHIEF, VIETNAM'S HIGHEST POLITICAL POST. HE IS A MILITARY CONSERVATIVE MORE INTERESTED IN PRESERVING POLITICAL CONTROL THAN IN LIBERATING ECONOMIC ENERGIES. ... VIETNAM'S ECONOMIC REFORMS ARE FAR FROM COMPLETE AND HAVE NOT PROGRESSED NEARLY AS FAR AS CHINA'S. THE NEEDED NEXT STEP IS AN AGGRESSIVE SELLING OFF OF THE NEARLY SIX-THOUSAND REMAINING STATE-OWNED COMPANIES, MANY OF WHICH ARE CLOSELY LINKED TO THE ARMY, GENERAL PHIEU'S POWER BASE.

TEXT: ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD, THE NEW PRESIDENT-ELECT OF LITHUANIA, A FORMER U-S GOVERNMENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY OFFICIAL FROM THE MIDWEST, VAL ADAMKUS, IS BEING SALUTED BY "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE.

VOICE: IN MR. ADAMKUS, LITHUANIA IS GETTING A CHIEF EXECUTIVE WHO IS A TRUE OUTSIDER. HE IS MORE FAMILIAR WITH REPUBLICAN POLITICS IN ILLINOIS THAN WITH THE COUNTRY HE LEFT DURING WORLD WAR TWO. THOSE WHO KNOW HIM, THOUGH, SAY MR. ADAMKUS IS A TOUGH AND SKILLED ADMINISTRATOR. HE WILL BE HELPED BY HIS ABILITY TO SPEAK FIVE LANGUAGES, INCLUDING RUSSIAN AND GERMAN. ... IN LITHUANIA, MR. ADAMKUS WILL ENCOUNTER A NEW SET OF INTRIGUES. IF HE CAN KEEP HIMSELF ABOVE THE INSIGNIFICANT DAY-TO-DAY FRAYS, HE MAY BE EXACTLY THE KIND OF DETACHED LEADER THAT COUNTRY NEEDS AS IT RE-ENTER THE EUROPEAN FAMILY OF NATIONS.

TEXT: STILL IN THE AREA, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" VOICES RENEWED CONCERN OVER RUSSIA'S APPARENT GROWING RELIANCE ON IT NUCLEAR ARSENAL IN TIMES OF PERIL.

VOICE: WHEN THE COLD WAR ENDED, THE SOVIET UNION HAD ONE OF THE LARGEST LAND ARMIES IN THE WORLD, AN ABUNDANCE OF CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS AND A NUCLEAR STRIKE FORCE NEARLY EQUAL TO THAT OF THE UNITED STATES. SINCE THEN, DOMESTIC POLITICS, ECONOMIC PROBLEMS AND GENERAL NEGLECT OF THE MILITARY HAVE LEFT RUSSIA WITH A HOLLOW CONVENTIONAL FORCE. AS THAT FORCE HAS DETERIORATED, RUSSIAN MILITARY PLANNERS HAVE PLACED INCREASED EMPHASIS ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS, WHICH ARE LESS EXPANSIVE TO MAINTAIN. ... THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SHOULD ACT TO DEFUSE THIS GROWING NUCLEAR RISK.

TEXT: AS REGARDS THE CURRENT THAW IN RELATIONS BETWEEN IRAN AND THE UNITED STATES, THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER SAYS "AMERICA WOULD BE WISE TO EXPLORE ...FULLY" THE LATEST "SERIOUS OVERTURE" FROM THE IRANIAN PRESIDENT.

VOICE: IRANIAN PRESIDENT MOHAMMED KHATAMI, IN A CNN (CABLE NEWS NETWORK) INTERVIEW LAST WEEK, OPENED A CRACK IN THE WALL OF MISTRUST THAT HAS PLAGUED U-S-IRANIAN RELATIONS SINCE 1979. MR. KHATAMI CALLED FOR A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE AMERICAN AND IRANIAN PEOPLES, WHILE SAYING THE TIME WASN'T YET RIPE FOR A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE TWO GOVERNMENTS. ... IT IS A CHANCE THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS. // OPT // .... AND THE CLINTON TEAM SHOULD DELAY ANY SANCTIONS AGAINST FRENCH, RUSSIAN, AND MALAYSIAN FIRMS OVER A TWO-BILLION DOLLAR GAS DEAL SINGE WITH IRAN. ...THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY THE WRONG WAY TO TRY TO CHANGE OBJECTIONABLE IRANIAN BEHAVIOR. // END OPT //

TEXT: BACK AT HOME, "THE WASHINGTON POST" IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LATEST TWIST IN THE TRIAL OF THEODORE KACZYNSKI, THE MAN CALLED THE UNABOMBER, WHO MAILED MORE THAN A DOZEN BOMBS TO PEOPLE OVER TWO DECADES, KILLING AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE AND INJURING SEVERAL OTHERS. THE PAPER SAYS IT CREATES A CONFLICT BETWEEN TWO BASIC PRINCIPLES OF FAIRNESS IN A TRIAL; THE RIGHT TO CONTROL THE ELEMENTS OF HIS DEFENSE AND HIS RIGHT TO COMPETENT COUNSEL.

VOICE: THE TRIAL OF ACCUSED UNABOMBER THEODORE ... KACZYNSKI TOOK ANOTHER STRANGE TURN LAST WEEK WHEN THE DEFENDANT DECLARED HE WANTS TO REPRESENT HIMSELF AND -- DESPITE HIS LONGSTANDING AVERSION TO PSYCHIATRISTS -- AGREED TO A MENTAL EXAMINATION TO PROVE HIS COMPETENCY TO DO SO. THIS FOLLOWED AN EARLIER DECISION BY [THE] JUDGE ... THAT MR. KACZYNSKI'S LAWYERS COULD, AGAINST THEIR CLIENT'S WILL, INTRODUCE EVIDENCE REGARDING HIS MENTAL STATE. MR. KACZYNSKI, LIKE HIS PROSECUTORS, BELIEVES HE IS SANE. BUT [THE] JUDGE ... WOULD NOT ALLOW HIM TO FIRE HIS CURRENT LAWYERS IN FAVOR OF ONE WHO PROMISES NOT TO ARGUE HE IS MENTALLY DEFECTIVE.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, OF THE ON-GOING SLAUGHTER IN ALGERIA, "NEWSDAY" ASKS "CAN [THE] EUROPEAN UNION FIND A WAY TO HELP ALGERIA MAKE PEACE?"

VOICE: ALGERIA IS DEVOURING ITSELF THROUGH A CIVIL WAR OF APPALLING FEROCITY WHILE THE ALGERIAN GOVERNMENT REFUSES ALL OFFERS OF OUTSIDE HELP AND THE WORLD REMAINS IN THE DARK [UNINFORMED] ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON THERE. ... THE CAUSES OF THE REVOLT ARE INTERNAL, COMPLEX, AND UNIQUE TO ALGERIA. IT IS CLEAR NOW THAT THE REBELS CANNOT WIN MILITARILY, NOR CAN THE GOVERNMENT END THE REVOLT. A NEGOTIATED CEASE-FIRE AND THE SLIM POSSIBILITY OF A PARTIAL RECOVERY FOR ALGERIA'S ECONOMY IS THE BEST THAT CAN BE HOPED FOR."

TEXT: WITH THA TASSESSMENT, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF OPINION FROM MONDAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
12-Jan-98 10:58 AM EST (1558 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (MONDAY) AFTER AN EARLY SELL-OFF IN RESPONSE TO THE CONTINUING FINANCIAL CRISIS IN ASIA. CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 76-HUNDRED-47, UP 66 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 939, UP 11 POINTS.

THERE WAS WIDESPREAD CONCERN EARLY MONDAY THAT THE ONGOING FINANCIAL CRISIS IN ASIA AND THE BANKRUPTCY OF THE PEREGRINE INVESTMENT COMPANY IN HONG KONG WOULD CAUSE MAJOR SELLING IN NEW YORK. THAT WAS TRUE IN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF TRADING ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE WHEN THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE DROPPED 140 POINTS, ALMOST TWO PERCENT. BUT THEN A SLOW BUT STEADY RECOVERY BEGAN, BRINGING THE INDEX INTO POSITIVE TERRITORY BY MID-DAY.

ANALYSTS SAY FRIDAY'S 222-POINT LOSS IN THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE MAY HAVE LIMITED THE SELLING MONDAY. IN ADDITION, A GROWING NUMBER OF ANALYSTS SAY U-S STOCK TRADERS HAVE OVER-REACTED TO THE SITUATION IN ASIA AND THAT MANY STOCKS ARE NOW BARGAINS.

THERE WAS ALSO SOME OPTIMISM ON WALL STREET ABOUT THE SITUATION IN INDONESIA INDONESIAN PRESIDENT SUHARTO IS REPORTED READY TO GIVE HIS FULL SUPPORT TO ECONOMIC REFORM PROGRAMS BEING PUSHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND.

A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS ORDERED THE TYSON FOODS COMPANY TO PAY SIX MILLION DOLLARS IN PENALTIES. THE TYSON COMPANY PLEADED GUILTY TO CHARGES THAT IT GAVE ILLEGAL GIFTS TO FORMER U-S AGRICULTURE SECRETARY MIKE ESPY.

THE NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILROAD COMPANY IS SELLING ITS NORTH AMERICAN VAN LINES SUBSIDIARY TO A NEW YORK INVESTMENT FIRM FOR 200 MILLION DOLLARS. NORTH AMERICAN IS THE LARGEST MOVING VAN LINE IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE NATIONSBANK CORPORATION REPORTED AN ALMOST 30 PERCENT INCREASE IN FOURTH QUARTER PROFITS. THE BANK SAYS SEVERAL RECENT ACQUISITIONS HELPED BOOST EARNINGS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/RRM
12-Jan-98 4:53 PM EST (2153 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: FOLLOWING A HOLIDAY BREAK, POLITICAL TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND HAVE RESUMED OUTSIDE THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, BELFAST. AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON, THE PARTIES ARE LOOKING AT CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES WITHIN NORTHERN IRELAND AND FUTURE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE BRITISH PROVINCE AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC.

TEXT: POLITICAL LEADERS FROM NORTHERN IRELAND -- ALONG WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS -- RESUMED THEIR NEGOTIATIONS AFTER A THREE-WEEK HOLIDAY RECESS.

DURING THAT PERIOD, NORTHERN IRELAND WAS THE SCENE OF VIOLENCE BY EXTREMIST PARAMILITARY GROUPS NOT SUBSCRIBING TO CEASEFIRES CALLED BY EITHER SIDE. SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND THE RENEWED TERRORIST ATTACKS BROUGHT ON FEARS THAT THE POLITICAL PROCESS MIGHT BE OVERTAKEN BY THE MEN OF VIOLENCE.

BUT AS THE TALKS BEGAN AT "CASTLE BUILDINGS" OUTSIDE BELFAST MONDAY, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT POLITICIANS WERE NOT WILLING TO LET THE PEACE PROCESS SIMPLY SLIP AWAY.

BEFORE ENTERING THE TALKS, THE JUNIOR BRITISH MINISTER IN CHARGE OF NORTHERN IRELAND -- PAUL MURPHY -- TOLD REPORTERS IT IS TIME TO REDOUBLE EFFORTS AS THE (EDS: MONTH OF) MAY DEADLINE FOR AN AGREEMENT APPROACHES.

ALL THESE APPALLING MURDERS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE OVER THE HOLIDAY PERIOD DO CONCENTRATE THE MINDS. BUT WHAT THEY DO NOT DO IS DEFLECT FROM THE PURPOSE OF COMING TO AN AGREEMENT. AND THAT IS WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT ALL THE PARTIES WHO WERE HERE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, ALL OF THEM ARE NOW COMING BACK WITH THAT DETERMINATION TO GO AHEAD WITH BUSINESS.

DURING MONDAY'S TALKS, THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS PRESENTED THE VARIOUS PARTIES WITH A BROAD OUTLINE FOR A SETTLEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND.

THE BLUEPRINT INCLUDES PROPOSALS FOR AN ELECTED ASSEMBLY FOR THE BRITISH PROVINCE, INSTITUTIONAL BODIES TO WORK OUT RELATIONS BETWEEN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC -- AND A SO-CALLED "COUNCIL OF THE ISLANDS" WHICH WILL GOVERN RELATIONS BETWEEN IRELAND AND GREAT BRITAIN.

FOR SOME TIME, WE AS A PARTY HAVE BEEN ASKING THAT THE GOVERNMENTS CONCENTRATE THE MINDS OF THE TALKS, THAT THE TWO GOVERNMENTS TAKE ACTIONS TO CONCENTRATE THE MINDS OF THE TALKS ON THE CENTRAL ISSUES. WE ARE VERY PLEASED THAT THAT HAS HAPPENED AND WE NOW LOOK FORWARD TO ALL THE MINDS OF ALL THE PARTIES CONCENTRATING ON THESE ISSUES.

OTHER PARTIES ALSO GAVE THEIR QUALIFIED SUPPORT. MANY POLITICIANS SAID THE PROPOSALS HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. BUT THEY ALSO STRESSED THAT TO GET A FINAL AGREEMENT ACCEPTABLE TO ALL, EVERY PARTY WILL HAVE TO MAKE CONCESSIONS DURING THE TOUGH BARGAINING IN THE MONTHS AHEAD. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF/WFR
12-Jan-98 12:56 PM EST (1756 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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