Voice of America, 98-02-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] CLINTON / BLAIR / IRAQ (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

[02] CLINTON / ITALY (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[03] CLINTON N-IRELAND (S ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

[04] CLINTON/BLAIR ONITER (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

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

[06] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

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

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

[09] THE JET ACCIDENT IN ITALY BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] CLINTON / BLAIR / IRAQ (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON AND BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR HAVE MADE CLEAR THEY ARE PREPARED TO USE FORCE AGAINST IRAQ IF DIPLOMACY FAILS TO END THE STANDOFF OVER U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. THE TWO LEADERS MADE THEIR COMMENTS AT A WHITE HOUSE NEWS CONFERENCE. V-O-A WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: IRAQ DOMINATED TALKS BETWEEN MR. CLINTON AND MR. BLAIR, AS THEIR TWO COUNTRIES STEPPED UP MILITARY POWER IN THE GULF IN RECENT DAYS.

AT A JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE FRIDAY, THE TWO LEADERS REPEATED THEIR HOPE THAT THE SHOWDOWN CAN BE RESOLVED PEACEFULLY. BUT THEY MADE CLEAR THEY ARE PREPARING FOR MILITARY ACTION IF IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN CONTINUES TO BLOCK U-N ARMS INSPECTORS FROM HAVING FULL ACCESS TO SUSPECTED WEAPONS SITES.

MR. CLINTON -- USING A RHETORICAL QUESTION -- SAID THE USE OF FORCE WOULD CURB THE IRAQI PRESIDENT'S ABILITY TO USE CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS IN THE REGION.

COULD ANY MILITARY ACTION -- IF ALL ELSE FAILS -- SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE OR DELAY SADDAM HUSSEIN'S CAPACITY TO DEVELOP WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND DELIVER THEM ON HIS NEIGHBORS? THE ANSWER TO THAT, I AM CONVINCED, IS YES.

THE PRESIDENT AND PRIME MINISTER PLAYED DOWN RUSSIAN AND FRENCH OPPOSITION TO USING FORCE AGAINST IRAQ, EMPHASIZING INSTEAD THAT THEIR ALLIES ALL AGREE BAGHDAD MUST COMPLY WITH U-N RESOLUTIONS.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S COMMENTS THIS WEEK THAT MILITARY ACTION COULD LEAD TO WORLD WAR, MR. CLINTON SUGGESTED THERE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE MUCH BASIS FOR THE REMARKS.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD LEAD TO THAT DEVELOPMENT. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WOULD HAPPEN.

MR. CLINTON SAID THERE IS A CLEAR MANDATE FOR THE WORLD COMMUNITY BASED ON U-N RESOLUTIONS THAT ENDED THE GULF WAR IN 1991 AND THREATS POSED BY IRAQ'S WEAPONS PROGRAM -- TO WEAKEN SADDAM HUSSEIN'S ABILITY TO USE THOSE WEAPONS ON HIS NEIGHBORS.

MR. BLAIR ARGUED THAT IN THE CASE OF IRAQ, DIPLOMACY SUCCEEDS WHEN IT IS BACKED UP BY THE THREAT OF FORCE.

WE TAKE THE VIEW -- AND I THINK EXPERIENCE TEACHES US -- THAT THIS IS THE ONLY REALISTIC VIEW OF SADDAM HUSSEIN, THAT UNLESS YOU BACK UP WHATEVER (DIPLOMATIC) INITIATIVES YOU ARE TAKING WITH SAYING QUITE CLEARLY, 'WELL IF DIPLOMACY DOESN'T WORK, THE OPTION OF FORCE IS THERE,' THEN THOSE DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVES ARE UNLIKELY TO SUCCEED.

MR. CLINTON VOWED TO CONTINUE CONSULTING WITH MR. YELTSIN AND FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC ABOUT THE IRAQI SITUATION. (SIGNED)
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06-Feb-98 1:40 PM EST (1840 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CLINTON / ITALY (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON PROMISED A FULL INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CABLE CAR DISASTER IN ITALY TUESDAY CAUSED BY A LOW-FLYING U-S WARPLANE. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON SAYS HE IS "HEARTSICK" ABOUT THE INCIDENT, WHICH KILLED 20 CABLE CAR PASSENGERS AND HAS CAUSED A CRISIS IN U-S / ITALIAN RELATIONS. U-S MILITARY OFFICIALS HAVE ALREADY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE MARINE JET WAS FLYING BELOW ITS PROPER ALTITUDE WHEN IT CLIPPED A CABLE AND SENT THE GONDOLA PLUNGING ONTO A MOUNTAINSIDE. THE PRESIDENT TOLD HIS NEWS CONFERENCE HE HAS ASSURED ITALIAN LEADERS THERE WILL BE A "NO-HOLDS-BARRED" INVESTIGATION:

I WILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED AND TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION, AND TO SATISFY THE PEOPLE OF ITALY THAT WE HAVE DONE THE RIGHT THING. I UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ARE HURT AND HEART-BROKEN AND ANGRY. AND THEY ARE ENTITLED TO ANSWERS. AND WE'LL TRY TO GIVE THEM TO THEM.

THE INCIDENT HAS SPARKED A PUBLIC OUTCRY IN ITALLY, INCLUDING CALLS TO BANISH U-S AIRCRAFT FROM THE NATO BASE AT AVIANO, FROM WHICH THE FLIGHT IN QUESTION ORIGINATED. (SIGNED)
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06-Feb-98 2:16 PM EST (1916 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CLINTON N-IRELAND (S ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS CONDEMNED THE LATEST VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND, AND URGED THE PARTIES TO FOCUS ON PEACE TALKS. V-O-A'S WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: AT A JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE WITH BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR, MR. CLINTON UNEQUIVOCALLY CONDEMNED RECENT KILLINGS AND BEATINGS IN NORTHERN IRELAND -- SAYING NOTHING WORTH HAVING THERE CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH VIOLENCE.

HE CALLED ON THE PARTIES TO RECOMMIT THEMSELVES TO THE PEACE PROCESS.

THE MULTIPARTY TALKS PROVIDE THE BEST CHANCE FOR REAL SOLUTION TO THAT CONFLICT. I URGE ALL THE PARTIES TO SHOW THE VISION AND FORBEARANCE AND DETERMINATION TO SUCCEED.

MR. CLINTON VOWED TO CONTINUE DOING WHAT HE CAN TO FURTHER THE PEACE PROCESS IN NORTHERN IRELAND, AND HE WELCOMED MR. BLAIR'S EFFORTS TO -- IN HIS WORDS -- PROMOTE A CLIMATE OF CONFIDENCE AND HOPE.

THE PRIME MINISTER THANKED THE PRESIDENT FOR HIS SUPPORT OF PEACE IN THE REGION, AND EXPRESSED OPTIMISM THAT WITH GOODWILL, PROPER COOPERATION AND SOME TRUST, PEACE CAN BE SECURED. (SIGNED)
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06-Feb-98 4:02 PM EST (2102 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CLINTON/BLAIR ONITER (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON AND BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR TODAY (SATURDAY) COMPLETE A THREE-DAY SET OF TALKS CENTERING ON THE IRAQ CRISIS. ON FRIDAY, THE BRITISH LEADER GAVE MR. CLINTON A HIGH-PROFILE SHOW OF SUPPORT IN THE MIDST OF THE WHITE HOUSE SEX SCANDAL. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. BLAIR STOOD SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH THE PRESIDENT AS MR. CLINTON HELD HIS FIRST FULL-SCALE NEWS CONFERENCE SINCE THE CONTROVERSY -- CENTERING ON CHARGES HE HAD A SEXUAL LIAISON WITH A YOUNG INTERN -- ERUPTED IN THE PRESS TWO WEEKS AGO. AND THE BRITISH LEADER, WHO SHARES MR. CLINTON'S CENTRIST POLITICS, WAS UNRESERVED IN HIS PRAISE FOR THE EMBATTLED PRESIDENT:

I'VE WORKED WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON NOW FOR SOME NINE MONTHS AS BRITISH PRIME MINISTER. I HAVE FOUND HIM THROUGHOUT SOMEONE I COULD TRUST, SOMEONE I COULD RELY UPON. SOMEONE I AM PROUD TO CALL NOT JUST A COLLEAGUE BUT A FRIEND.

MR. BLAIR SAID ORDINARY PEOPLE IN BOTH COUNTRIES HAVE LESS INTEREST THAN DO THE NEWS MEDIA IN THEIR LEADERS' PERSONAL LIVES, AND ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER THEY DELIVER ON ISSUES SUCH AS JOB SECURITY AND EDUCATION. MR. CLINTON SAID HE IS GRATIFIED BY MR. BLAIR'S SUPPORT -- AT A TIME WHEN, IN HIS WORDS, "IT WOULD BE JUST AS EASY TO WALK AWAY." (SIGNED)
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06-Feb-98 4:10 PM EST (2110 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE CLOSED OUT THE WEEK MIXED FRIDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM OUR BUREAU IN LONDON.

TEXT: BOTH LONDON AND PARIS ENDED THE WEEK WITH NEW RECORD HIGHS ON THEIR KEY STOCK INDEXES. FRANKFURT CLOSED LOWER FRIDAY, BUT REGISTERED AN OVERALL GAIN FOR THE TRADING WEEK.

THE LONDON "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX ADDED 23 POINTS AT THE CLOSE FRIDAY -- A GAIN OF NEARLY A HALF PERCENT FOR THE DAY. PARIS'S "CAC 40" INDEX POSTED A RECORD WITH A 27 POINT INCREASE. BUT IN FRANKFURT, THE PROFIT TAKERS DROVE THE "DAX 30" INDEX DOWN 52 POINTS -- OR A LITTLE MORE THAN A PERCENT. BUT THE DAX WAS STILL UP A PERCENTAGE POINT FOR THE WEEK.

ON CURRENCY MARKETS, THE U-S DOLLAR WAS UP A PFENNIG AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND MORE THAN A HALF-CENT AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.

GOLD PRICES INCREASED IN LONDON BY TWO DOLLARS AN OUNCE. THE CLOSING FIX WAS SET AT 298-DOLLARS-95 CENTS. (SIGNED)
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06-Feb-98 1:39 PM EST (1839 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S NEWSPAPERS ARE FILLED WITH CRITICISM OF THE MARINE PILOT WHO FLEW SO LOW HE CLIPPED THE CABLE OF A GONDOLA CARRYING SKIERS IN THE DOLOMITES OF NORTHERN ITALY, CAUSING THE DEATHS OF 20 PEOPLE. OTHER COMMENTARIES RELATE TO THE CONFRONTATION WITH IRAQ AND SOME COMMENTS ON THAT DISPUTE FROM BORIS YELTSIN; THE CONTINUING WHITE HOUSE SEX SCANDAL; THE EMBARGO OF FOOD TO CUBA; THE CONTROVERSY OVER A PAST SURGEON GENERAL'S BURIAL PERMISSION; AND FINALLY, THE U-S AND THE REST OF THE WORLD PREPARES FOR THE OPENING OF THE WINTER OLYMPICS.

TEXT: EARLIER THIS WEEK, A U-S MARINE JET PLANE ON A TRAINING FLIGHT OVER NORTHERN ITALY CUT THE CABLE OF A SKIERS CABLE CAR AND SENT IT HUNDREDS OF METERS TO THE VALLEY BELOW. NOW THE U-S PRESS IS JOINING ITALIAN NEWSPAPERS IN CONDEMNING THE EVENT AND HOW IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE KANSAS CAPITAL, FRIDAY'S "TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL" SAYS THESE TRAGEDIES COME WITH THE BURDEN OF PRESERVING THE WORLD'S FREEDOM.

VOICE: AS ANGRY AS ITALIANS MUST RIGHTFULLY BE, PRIME MINISTER ROMANO PRODI WAS CLEAR-HEADED ENOUGH TO SUMMARIZE THE INCIDENT PERFECTLY AND CONCISELY. IT WAS, INDEED, 'AN ACT OF TRAGIC RECKLESSNESS.' .... PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS ASSURED ITALIAN LEADERS THAT THE INCIDENT WOULD BE FULLY INVESTIGATED. INHERENT IN THAT PROMISE IS THAT IF CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT IT -- AND THEY CERTAINLY SEEM TO -- THE PILOT WILL BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. .... OF COURSE, TRUE ACCIDENTS WILL ALWAYS OCCUR. .... THE U-S MILITARY IS PROVIDING AN INVALUABLE SERVICE OVERSEAS, AT GREAT RISK TO THOSE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WEARING THIS NATION'S UNIFORM. BUT THAT FACT IS UNDERSTANDABLY OBSCURED RIGHT NOW BY AN APPARENTLY RECKLESS TRAGEDY.

TEXT: "USA TODAY" WHICH CALLS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST THE PILOT, ASKS READERS TO IMAGINE HOW THIS COUNTRY WOULD REACT IF THE ROLES WERE REVERSED AND THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED HERE.

VOICE: PICTURE THE SNOWY SERENITY OF A VERMONT VALLEY OR A COLORADO CANYON RENT BY THE SCREAMING ARRIVAL OF A FOREIGN MILITARY JET. SKIMMING THE CLIFF SIDES SCARCELY ABOVE TREETOP LEVEL, THE PLANE APPEARS TO BE TRYING TO SLIP UNDER THE CABLES OF A SKI LIFT AT ALMOST 12-HUNDRED 80-KILOMETERS-AN-HOUR. BUT IT CLIPS THE WIRES, SENDING 19 VACATIONERS AND A CABLE-CAR OPERATOR TO A TANGLE OF DEATH ON THE ROCKS 91 METERS BELOW. OUTRAGE? THE WORD IS SCARCELY ADEQUATE. .... PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LYNCHED [LYNCHING IS: "THE ILLEGAL HANGING OF A PRISONER BY A MOB] FOR LESS.

TEXT: "NEWSDAY" ON LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, CALLS FOR GROUNDING THE MARINE PILOT PERMANENTLY, WHILE "THE NEW YORK TIMES" ADDS:

VOICE: MARINE CORPS RULES FOR THIS AIRCRAFT REQUIRE ALTITUDES OF AT LEAST 304 METERS ON TRAINING FLIGHTS. ITALIAN REGULATIONS CALL FOR ALMOST 580 METERS OF CLEARANCE ABOVE WIRES OR OTHER OBSTACLES. YET THE JET SLICED THROUGH A CABLE BARELY A FEW CENTIMETERS LESS THAN 183 METERS ABOVE THE VALLEY FLOOR. ..... IF TUESDAY'S TRAGEDY RESULTED FROM SUCH DELIBERATE FLOUTING OF THE ALTITUDE REGULATIONS, THE PENTAGON MUST PUNISH THOSE GUILTY OF SUCH DEADLY GAMESMANSHIP.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE CONFRONTATION BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE UNITED NATIONS OVER THE FREEDOM OF WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO DO THEIR WORK, BORIS YELTSIN'S COMMENT THAT AN ATTACK BY THE U-S AND BRITAIN MIGHT BEGIN WORLD WAR THREE, IS DRAWING A GOOD DEAL OF COMMENT. SAYS "THE NEW YORK TIMES:"

VOICE: WITH THE UNITED STATES GEARING UP FOR WARFARE AGAINST IRAQ, IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT RHETORIC ABOUT THE CRISIS IS ESCALATING. BUT LOOSE TALK AMONG REPUBLICAN LEADERS ABOUT REMOVING SADDAM HUSSEIN AND BORIS YELTSIN'S REFERENCES TO A NEW WORLD WAR ARE NOT HELPFUL. THIS CONFRONTATION IS DANGEROUS ENOUGH WITHOUT POLITICAL GRANDSTANDING. ..... FOR NOW, THE EMPHASIS IN WASHINGTON AND MOSCOW SHOULD BE ON GAINING IRAQI COOPERATION BY DIPLOMATIC MEANS, BACKED BY THE THREAT OF FORCE. ..... BY IRRESPONSIBLY WARNING OF A WIDER WAR, MR. YELTSIN ONLY MAKES THE WORK OF HIS DIPLOMATS HARDER.

TEXT: ACROSS TOWN, "THE DAILY NEWS" AGREES, NOTING:

VOICE: WHEN TALK IS BOTH SINCERE AND FIRMLY ROOTED IN MORAL/ETHICAL CONVICTION, AND IS BACKED BY THE PROVERBIAL BIG STICK, THE ADVANTAGES TO BE GAINED ARE MYRIAD. WHEN IT IS RECKLESS, BASED IN ERROR AND HYPERBOLE, IT CAN UNDERMINE EVEN THE MOST DETERMINED EFFORTS TOWARD RESOLUTION OF THE MATTER AT HAND. FALLING INTO THE RECKLESS CATEGORY IS BORIS YELTSIN'S WORLD WAR THREE WARNING TO THE U-S. SOME MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO DISMISS THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT'S REMARKS AS RAMBLINGS BORN IN A VODKA BOTTLE, BUT THAT ATTITUDE WOULD BE AS DANGEROUS AS [MR.] YELTSIN'S OWN SABER-RATTLING.

TEXT: TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" HAS A LEAD EDITORIAL CALLING ON MR. CLINTON TO PROVIDE MORE ANSWERS ABOUT HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH WHITE HOUSE INTERN MONICA LEWINSKY.

VOICE: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SCHEDULED PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY IS CERTAIN TO INCLUDE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FORMER WHITE HOUSE INTERN MONICA LEWINSKY. SOME OF THEM WILL LIKELY BE JUDGED BY MANY AMERICANS AS OUT OF BOUNDS OR IRRELEVANT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE PRESENCE OF BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR GIVING THE EVENT A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE. YET SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WILL BE ENTIRELY JUSTIFIED -- AND THE ANSWERS OVERDUE. IT IS IMPORTANT IN THIS OVERHEATED STORY TO DELINEATE WHICH QUESTIONS ARE THE SUBJECT OF VALID PUBLIC INQUIRY AND WHICH ARE MERE VOYEURISM. .... A LOT OF QUESTIONS ARE STILL VERY LEGITIMATE.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE CARIBBEAN, "THE WASHINGTON POST" COMMENTS ON THE LATEST PROPOSALS BY SENATOR JESSE HELMS AND OTHERS TO AMEND THE EMBARGO IN ORDER TO BEGIN PROVIDING FOOD AND MEDICINE TO CUBA

VOICE: THE POLITICIANS AND EXILE GROUPS WHO ENDORSE THIS CHANGE DESERVE CREDIT. IMPLICITLY, THEY ARE ADMITTING THAT AN EMBARGO BEARING DIRECTLY ON THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF INNOCENT CUBANS IS A CRUEL PRACTICE THAT SUBVERTS AMERICAN IDEALS AND RETARDS CHANGE. .... THE DELIBERATE INFLICTION OF PAIN ON PEOPLE AMERICANS SUPPOSEDLY WISH TO HELP IS AN UNSUSTAINABLE POLICY.

TEXT: "THE POST" GOES ON TO SUGGEST CHANGES IN THE PLAN THAT WILL MAKE IT MORE PALATABLE TO PREMIER CASTRO WHO HAS TURNED DOWN THE ORIGINAL OFFER. ON ANOTHER DOMESTIC ISSUE, THE CONTROVERSY OVER WHETHER A FORMER SURGEON GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES, DR. C. EVERETT COOP SHOULD BE HONORED WITH BURIAL IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, TODAY'S OMAHA [NEBRASKA] WORLD-HERALD NOTES:

VOICE: DR. ... KOOP MAY HAVE SPARED CONGRESS AN UNPLEASANT AND UNNECESSARY FIGHT BY GRACIOUSLY DECLINING A WAIVER THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED HIM TO BE BURIED AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY. .... BURIAL IN ARLINGTON ... HAS BECOME A HOT TOPIC. A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HAS BEEN LOOKING INTO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION MAY HAVE GRANTED WAIVERS ALLOWING POLITICAL CRONIES TO BE BURIED THERE. .... THE ARMY HAD [ALSO] OPPOSED THE WAIVER, [FOR DR. KOOP] IN PART BECAUSE OF THE PRECEDENT SET BY GRANTING IT TO SOMEONE WHO WAS STILL ALIVE.

TEXT: AND FINALLY, SOME PRAISE AND EXPECTATION FOR THE WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES WHICH BEGIN WITHIN HOURS IN NAGANO, JAPAN, FROM "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE.

VOICE: THE ... WINTER GAMES THAT BEGIN TONIGHT MARK THE END OF AN OLYMPIC CENTURY. FRENCHMAN BARON PIERRE DE COUBERTIN'S CAMPAIGN TO REVIVE THE SPIRIT OF THE ANCIENT FOOT AND CHARIOT RACES OF OLYMPIC, GREECE, TOOK HOLD ON THE EVE OF THIS CENTURY WITH THE FIRST 'MODERN OLYMPICS' IN ATHENS IN 1896. WINTER OLYMPICS WERE ADDED IN 1924 IN CHAMONIX, FRANCE. AS THE PAGEANTRY OF THE OPENING CEREMONIES UNFOLDS LIKE A LOTUS BLOSSOM, THE 18TH WINTER GAMES MAY COME CLOSE TO ACHIEVING [MR.] DE COUBERTIN'S VISION OF AN OLYMPICS FOCUSED ON COMPETITION AND ATHLETIC APPRECIATION, PURE AND SIMPLE. .... /// OPT /// [HE] ... USED TO SPEAK OF A GLOBAL VILLAGE, ONLY HE FORESAW IT LINKED BY TELEGRAPH AND RAIL. TELEVISION AND THE INTERNET ALLOW US TO PARTAKE OF THE SPECTACLE AS HE COULD NOT IMAGINE. ///OPT /// ENJOY, AND LET THE GAMES BEGIN.

TEXT: ON THAT HOPEFUL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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06-Feb-98 11:55 AM EST (1655 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: GERMANY'S UPPER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT HAS APPROVED CONTROVERSIAL NEW LEGISLATION THAT WILL ALLOW POLICE TO PUT LISTENING DEVISES IN PRIVATE HOUSES FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE NAZI ERA. FROM BONN, VOA'S KYLE KING HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: THE NEW LEGISLATION, WHICH REQUIRED A CHANGE IN THE GERMAN CONSTITUTION, PASSED THE UPPER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT FOLLOWING A SOMETIMES EMOTIONAL DEBATE.

CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS AND SOME OPPOSITION LAWMAKERS HAVE SHARPLY CRITICIZED THE NEW LAW, SAYING IT WILL INFRINGE ON THE RIGHTS OF JOURNALISTS, LAWYERS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS, WHOSE CONVERSATIONS HAD BEEN PROTECTED UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION.

ARGUING IN FAVOR OF THE NEW LAW, THE MINISTER PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTHERN STATE OF BAVARIA, EDMUND STOIBER, SAID THE PUBLIC DEMANDED SOMETHING BE DONE TO CURB A GROWING CRIME WAVE.

CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL'S RULING COALITION, WHICH NEEDED THE SUPPORT OF THE OPPOSITION SOCIAL DEMOCRATS TO WIN THE REQUIRED TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY IN THE UPPER HOUSE, DID CONCEDE SOME GROUND TO CRITICS.

IN EXCHANGE FOR ITS VOTE, THE SMALL NORTHERN STATE OF BREMEN, DEMANDED A MEDIATION COMMITTEE LOOK FOR WAYS TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF PROFESSIONALS, LIKE DOCTORS AND JOURNALISTS.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BREMEN SENATE, HENNING SCHERF SAID HE WANTED THE COMMITTEE TO REACH A COMPROMISE THAT WOULD PROTECT PEOPLE'S RIGHTS AND PROVIDE AUTHORITIES WITH THE TOOL THEY NEEDED.

UNDER EXISTING GERMAN LAW, WHICH WAS SHAPED TO GUARD AGAINST THE ABUSES COMMITTED BY THE FORMER THE NAZI GOVERNMENT, POLICE WERE BARRED FROM ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE EXCEPT IN THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES.

UNDER THE NEW LAW, WHICH HAS ALREADY PASSED THE LOWER HOUSE, POLICE INVESTIGATING SERIOUS CRIMES WILL BE ABLE TO BUG (EAVESDROP ON) PRIVATE HOMES WITH THE APPROVAL OF A JUDGE. CONVERSATIONS OF PRIESTS AND LAWMAKERS ARE PROTECTED.

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THE END OF A VERY POSITIVE WEEK IN THE MARKET. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 81-HUNDRED-89, UP 72 POINTS, ABOUT ONE PERCENT. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 283 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT ONE-THOUSAND-12, UP NINE POINTS AND ANOTHER RECORD HIGH.

ANALYSTS SAY MONEY FROM STOCK MUTUAL FUNDS KEEPS POURING INTO THE MARKET. THEY SAY THAT, WITH ONLY MODEST PROFIT-TAKING AFTER THE BIG RALLIES OF MONDAY AND TUESDAY, MANY MUTUAL FUND MANAGERS FEEL COMPELLED TO BUY MORE STOCK.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED THE U-S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED STEADY AT FOUR-POINT-SEVEN PERCENT IN JANUARY, WITH 358-THOUSAND NEW JOBS CREATED. THE NEW JOBS NUMBER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY ABOVE WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS.

THERE ARE REPORTS THAT DONALD TRUMP, THE NEW YORK REAL ESTATE ENTREPRENEUR, IS TRYING TO SELL HIS HOTEL AND CASINO COMPANY. SOURCES SAY MR. TRUMP BELIEVES THE STOCK MARKET HAS SERIOUSLY UNDERVALUED THE COMPANY AND THAT ANOTHER CASINO FIRM WOULD PAY AN ABOVE-MARKET PRICE.

COLUMBIA H-C-A, THE EMBATTLED HOSPITAL CHAIN THAT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR FRAUD, SAYS IT EXPECTS TO REPORT A QUARTERLY LOSS OF AS MUCH AS ONE-POINT-THREE BILLION DOLLARS. THE COMPANY CITES HUGE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH CLOSING HOSPITALS AND OTHER DISCONTINUED BUSINESSES.

A CONTROVERSY HAS BROKEN OUT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA OVER HOW THE MONEY FROM THE SETTLEMENT OF A SECOND-HAND SMOKE LAWSUIT WILL BE DIVIDED. AIRLINE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS HAS SUED THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY, CLAIMING TO HAVE SUFFERED HEALTH PROBLEMS AS A RESULT OF SECOND-HAND SMOKE. THE CASE WAS SETTLED WHEN THE TOBACCO COMPANIES AGREED TO PAY 349-MILLION DOLLARS. OF THAT MONEY, 300-MILLION WILL GO TO CREATE A RESEARCH FOUNDATION, 49-MILLION WILL GO TO THE PLAINTIFFS' LAWYERS AND NOTHING WILL GO TO THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/RRM
06-Feb-98 4:52 PM EST (2152 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] THE JET ACCIDENT IN ITALY BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE FUROR CONTINUES OVER THE ACCIDENT IN NORTHERN ITALY EARLIER THIS WEEK IN WHICH A U-S MILITARY JET CUT A SKI LIFT CABLE, CAUSING A GONDOLA CAR TO CRASH, KILLING ALL 20 PEOPLE ABOARD. U-S OFFICIALS NOW SAY THE MARINE E-A-6B ELECTRONIC WARFARE "PROWLER" WAS FLYING WELL BELOW ITS PROPER ALTITUDE. MEANWHILE, IN BOTH ITALY AND THE UNITED STATES, NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS ARE FILLED WITH COMMENTARY, MUCH OF IT CRITICAL ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND ITS EFFECT ON U-S- ITALIAN RELATIONS. JOINING US IN THE STUDIO NOW IS __________________ WITH THE LATEST SAMPLING FROM THE AMERICAN PRESS IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: EARLIER, ITALY'S PRIME MINISTER ROMANO PRODI SAID THE U-S MARINE CORPS JET VIOLATED ITALIAN AIR-SAFETY REGULATIONS WITH WHAT HE CALLED AN 'EARTH-SHAVING FLIGHT' ACROSS A SNOWY HILLSIDE. SEVERAL INFLUENTIAL ITALIAN LAWMAKERS HAVE SAID U-S BASES IN ITALY SHOULD BE CLOSED.

THE CABLE CAR, CARRYING 19 SKIERS AND THE CAR OPERATOR, WAS ON ITS WAY DOWN CERMIS MOUNTAIN AT A POPULAR SKI RESORT IN ITALY'S DOLOMITE MOUNTAINS, WHEN THE JET, APPARENTLY FLYING ONLY 183 METERS UP, HIT ITS SUPPORT CABLE, SENDING IT PLUNGING TO THE VALLEY FLOOR ABOUT 91 METERS BELOW.

THE U-S PRESS IS SHOWING LITTLE SYMPATHY FOR THE MARINE AVIATOR, WITH SEVERAL PAPERS CALLING FOR HIS PERMANENT GROUNDING AND OTHER SUGGESTING HE MAY BE PROSECUTED BY THE ITALIANS FOR ON CRIMINAL CHARGES. HERE'S PART OF WHAT "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" HAS TO SAY.

VOICE: THE OUTRAGE EXPRESSED BY ITALIAN OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS OF THE MOUNTAIN AREA WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IS CERTAINLY UNDERSTANDABLE. VILLAGERS HAVE COMPLAINED FOR YEARS ABOUT ZOOMING U-S MILITARY JETS FLYING TOO LOW OVER THEIR HOMES ON TRAINING ASSIGNMENTS. SEVERAL ACCUSED THE PILOTS OF 'HOTDOGGING,' TAKING UNNECESSARY RISKS AND ENDANGERING THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON THE GROUND BELOW. U-S MILITARY OFFICIALS SHOULD MOVE FIRMLY AND SWIFTLY TO UNCOVER THE TRUTH CONCERNING TUESDAY'S SAD INCIDENT AND THE CHARGES THAT JET PILOTS ARE NOT FOLLOWING PROPER FLIGHT PROCEDURES. .... CALLS BY SOME ITALIAN OFFICIALS FOR THE PILOT TO BE PROSECUTED FOR MANSLAUGHTER WILL REQUIRE A MORE THOROUGH INVESTIGATION. .... AT A TIME WHEN THIS NATION ALREADY IS FEELING ALONE REGARDING A POSSIBLE CONFRONTATION WITH IRAQ, THE UNITED STATES CAN HARDLY AFFORD TO BE AT ODDS WITH ONE OF OUR NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION ALLIES.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE SOUTH, "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" SAYS THE PILOT MUST BE MADE TO FACE THE CONSEQUENCES.

VOICE: ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER ROMANO PRODI BLAMED THIS WEEK'S DISASTER ..... ON 'TRAGIC RECKLESSNESS.' 'WE CANNOT DISPUTE THAT, ' A PENTAGON SPOKESMAN RESPONDED. THAT REMARK DOESN'T BODE WELL FOR THE U-S MARINE PILOTING THAT JET. FINAL JUDGMENT, OF COURSE, AWAITS A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION, A PROCESS TO WHICH U-S OFFICIALS HAVE PLEDGED THEIR FULL COOPERATION WITH ITALIAN AUTHORITIES. CONCEIVABLY, THEY MAY FIND THE PLANE HAD TECHNICAL FAILURES THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT. ANY FAILURES WILL HAVE TO BE SUBSTANTIAL. ..... IF THE PILOT IS SHOWN TO HAVE ACTED IRRESPONSIBLY, IT IS CRUCIAL THAT U-S AUTHORITIES HANDLE HIS CASE IN SUCH A WAY THAT MOST ITALIANS ARE SATISFIED THAT JUSTICE WILL BE DONE.

TEXT: ON LONG ISLAND, "NEWSDAY" IS NOT WAITING FOR THE BOARD OF INQUIRY, INSISTING IN FRIDAY'S [2/6] PAPER THE PILOT BE "GROUNDED FOR GOOD."

VOICE: IT'S HORRIFYING, EVEN IN THE MIND'S EYE, TO SEE A CABLE CAR FILLED WITH PASSENGERS PLUNGING HUNDREDS OF FEET ONTO A SKI SLOPE. BUT THE REALITY IN ITALY'S DOLOMITE MOUNTAINS ON TUESDAY WAS EVEN MORE APPALLING: TWENTY PEOPLE DIED WHEN THE TAILFIN OF AN AMERICAN MILITARY JET SHEARED THROUGH THE CABLE THAT CARRIED THE CARS UP AND DOWN THE SLOPE. IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THE MARINE CORPS PLANE ..... SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ANYWHERE NEAR THAT CABLE. YES, IT WAS AN AUTHORIZED LOW-LEVEL TRAINING MISSION, AND REPORTEDLY THE PILOT HADN'T FLOWN IN THE REGION BEFORE. BUT HE CERTAINLY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN WHERE THE CABLE WAS: IT HAD ALREADY BEEN HIT BY A CIVILIAN PLANE IN 1987, WHEN 24 PASSENGERS WERE RESCUED AS THEIR CAR DANGLED ABOVE THE VALLEY. ..... UNLESS THE INVESTIGATION TURNS UP MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS PILOT DESERVES TO BE GROUNDED FOR GOOD. .... HIS PUNISHMENT SHOULD SEND A MESSAGE TO OTHER MILITARY PILOTS THAT RISKS LIKE THESE ARE SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE.

TEXT: AS TERRIBLE AS THE ACCIDENT WAS, "THE TOPEKA [KANSAS] CAPITAL-JOURNAL" SAYS SOME TRAGEDIES MUST BE EXPECTED AS THIS COUNTRY SENDS ITS FORCES FAR AND WIDE TO PRESERVE THE WORLD'S FREEDOM.

VOICE: AS ANGRY AS ITALIANS MUST BE, PRIME MINISTER ROMANO PRODI WAS CLEAR-HEADED ENOUGH TO SUMMARIZE THE INCIDENT PERFECTLY AND CONCISELY. IT WAS, INDEED, 'AN ACT OF TRAGIC RECKLESSNESS.' .... PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS ASSURED ITALIAN LEADERS THAT THE INCIDENT WOULD BE FULLY INVESTIGATED. INHERENT IN THAT PROMISE IS THAT IF CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT IT -- AND THEY CERTAINLY SEEM TO -- THE PILOT WILL BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. .... OF COURSE, TRUE ACCIDENTS WILL ALWAYS OCCUR. .... THE U-S MILITARY IS PROVIDING AN INVALUABLE SERVICE OVERSEAS, AT GREAT RISK TO THOSE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WEARING THIS NATION'S UNIFORM. BUT THAT FACT IS UNDERSTANDABLY OBSCURED RIGHT NOW BY AN APPARENTLY RECKLESS TRAGEDY.

TEXT: "U-S-A TODAY" WHICH CALLS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST THE PILOT, ASKS READERS TO IMAGINE HOW THIS COUNTRY WOULD REACT IF THE ROLES WERE REVERSED AND THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED HERE.

VOICE: PICTURE THE SNOWY SERENITY OF A VERMONT VALLEY OR A COLORADO CANYON RENT BY THE SCREAMING ARRIVAL OF A FOREIGN MILITARY JET. SKIMMING THE CLIFF SIDES SCARCELY ABOVE TREETOP LEVEL, THE PLANE APPEARS TO BE TRYING TO SLIP UNDER THE CABLES OF A SKI LIFT AT ALMOST 12-HUNDRED 80-KILOMETERS-AN-HOUR. BUT IT CLIPS THE WIRES, SENDING 19 VACATIONERS AND A CABLE-CAR OPERATOR TO A TANGLE OF DEATH ON THE ROCKS 91 METERS BELOW. OUTRAGE? THE WORD IS SCARCELY ADEQUATE. .... PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LYNCHED [LYNCHING IS: "THE ILLEGAL HANGING OF A PRISONER BY A MOB] FOR LESS.

TEXT: LASTLY, IN FLORIDA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" SAYS THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR MILITARY FLIGHTS NEAR SKI LIFTS IN THE ITALIAN ALPS.

VOICE: ONE WOULD LIKE TO FIND A REASON - - IF NOT SOME JUSTIFICATION - - FOR A U-S MARINE WARPLANE TO FLY SO LOW IN THE ITALIAN ALPS THAT ITS TAIL COULD SEVER TWO THICK STEEL CABLES, SENDING A GONDOLA PLUNGING TO EARTH ... KILLING 20 EUROPEANS. TRAGICALLY, THERE SEEMS TO BE NEITHER REASON NOR JUSTIFICATION. NO COMPLAINTS OF EQUIPMENT FAILURE. JUST AN UNIDENTIFIED PILOT AND THREE CREW MEMBERS, NOW SEQUESTERED, ON A 'ROUTINE' TRAINING MISSION FROM THE AVIANO AIR BASE IN NORTHERN ITALY. ..... HOT-DOGGING [TO FLY "IN A DANGEROUS MANNER:" "TO SHOW OFF"] IN POPULATED, ESPECIALLY ALPINE, TERRAIN INVITES JUST THE SORT OF TRAGEDY THAT OCCURRED HERE. AMERICANS THUS CAN UNDERSTAND, AND SHARE, ITALIANS' OUTRAGE. ...... A FULL INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY, BUT IT MUST BE FOLLOWED BY A FULL ACCOUNTING - - TO THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT, TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO DIED, AND TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

TEXT: WITH THOSE COMMENTS WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT CONCERNING THIS WEEK'S ACCIDENT IN WHICH A U-S MARINE JET CLIPPED A CABLE, SENDING AN ITALIAN SKI LIFT GONDOLA CRASHING TO THE GROUND, KILLING ALL 20 PEOPLE ABOARD.
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06-Feb-98 2:01 PM EST (1901 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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