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Voice of America, 98-03-04Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] CLINTON / BOSNIA (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=3/4/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227633 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS FORMALLY NOTIFIED CONGRESS OF HIS DECISION TO EXTEND THE U-S PRESENCE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA BEYOND THIS YEAR'S JUNE DEADLINE. BUT MR. CLINTON SAYS THE NUMBER OF AMERICAN TROOPS IN BOSNIA WOULD BE REDUCED. V-O-A'S WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS. TEXT: IN A LETTER TO CONGRESS RELEASED WEDNESDAY, MR. CLINTON ARGUES THAT U-S PARTICIPATION IN NATO'S PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN BOSNIA MUST CONTINUE IN AN EFFORT TO SUSTAIN THE PROGRESS TOWARD PEACE MADE UNDER THE DAYTON ACCORDS. THE LETTER SAYS THE NUMBER OF U-S TROOPS IN BOSNIA -- CURRENTLY ABOUT EIGHT-THOUSAND -- WOULD BE REDUCED BY 20 PERCENT AS ALLIES SHOULDER MORE OF THE BURDEN. THE SIZE OF THE OVERALL NATO FORCE WOULD REMAIN AT ABOUT 31-THOUSAND. NATO'S DECISION NOT TO CUT THE SIZE OF ITS PEACEKEEPING FORCE IS SEEN AS A REFLECTION OF THE WIDELY-HELD CONCERNS THAT NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA SCHEDULED FOR MID-SEPTEMBER COULD SPARK A NEW ROUND OF ETHNIC VIOLENCE. IN HIS LETTER, MR. CLINTON DOES NOT PROPOSE A FIXED END-DATE FOR THE AMERICAN PRESENCE IN BOSNIA, BUT HE SAYS IT IS NOT OPEN-ENDED. INSTEAD, HE SAYS NATO AND U-S FORCES WILL BE REDUCED OVER TIME AS CERTAIN GOALS ARE MET -- SUCH AS THE REFORM OF THE POLICE AND MEDIA, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FRAMEWORK FOR THE RETURN OF REFUGEES. MR. CLINTON HIGHLIGHTS THE PROGRESS MADE TOWARD PEACE SINCE THE DAYTON ACCORDS WERE SIGNED IN 1994 -- FROM THE CREATION OF A STABLE MILITARY ENVIRONMENT TO THE HOLDING OF DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS. BUT HE WARNS THAT MANY OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS ARE STILL REVERSIBLE. THE PRESIDENT IS ALSO ASKING CONGRESS FOR MORE THAN TWO BILLION
DOLLARS IN EMERGENCY FUNDS FOR U-S OPERATIONS IN BOSNIA THROUGH
NEXT YEAR (487 MILLION DOLLARS IN 98, ONE-POINT-86 BILLION
DOLLARS IN 99). (SIGNED)
[02] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)DATE=3/4/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227603 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES CLOSED DOWN IN TRADING WEDNESDAY IN EUROPE. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON. TEXT: EUROPEAN MARKETS CLOSED LOWER ON WEDNESDAY, AMID WORRIES ABOUT INTEREST RATES AND AFTER A SLOW START ON WALL STREET. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX WAS DOWN ALMOST 75 POINTS, ONE-AND-THREE-TENTHS PERCENT. IN FRANKFURT, PRICES FIRST ROSE TO NEW HIGHS, BUT THEN FELL SHARPLY, WITH THE DAX INDEX CLOSING AFTER COMPUTERIZED TRADING DOWN 69 POINTS, ALMOST ONE-AND-ONE-HALF PERCENT. AND IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX ENDED OFF ALMOST 34 POINTS, ONE PERCENT. ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR ROSE
A BIT AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN, THE GERMAN MARK, AND THE BRITISH
POUND. (SIGNED)
FROM THE V-O-A OFFICE IN THE CITY OF LONDON, I'M JACK HUIZENGA
[03] GERMANY / GREENS BY KYLE KING (BONN)DATE=3/4/98TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-39144 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: WITH JUST SEVEN MONTHS TO GO BEFORE NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN GERMANY, THE ENVIRONMENTAL GREENS PARTY HAS WHAT MANY ANALYSTS CONSIDER ITS BEST CHANCE EVER OF TAKING PART IN THE NEXT GERMAN GOVERNMENT. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN. TEXT: THE GREENS HAVE LONG BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO THE POLITICAL SIDELINES, WHERE THEY PLAY THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATE AND OPPOSITION PARTY. BUT NOW, 18 YEARS AFTER THEY ENTERED THE GERMAN POLITICAL SCENE, THE GREENS ARE MOVING TOWARD THE POLITICAL MAINSTREAM. ALTHOUGH NOT NEARLY AS LARGE AS GERMANY'S RULING CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY OR THE OPPOSITION SOCIAL DEMOCRATS, THE GREENS ARE THE FOURTH LARGEST POLITICAL PARTY IN GERMANY. THEY HAVE 49 SEATS IN THE LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT, AND IN SOME STATES HAVE TEAMED UP WITH THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS TO CREATE WHAT IS COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS RED-GREEN COALITIONS. SO THIS WEEK, WHEN THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS NOMINATED THE POPULAR GERHARD SCHROEDER AS THEIR CANDIDATE TO CHALLENGE CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL IN SEPTEMBER, THERE WAS IMMEDIATE SPECULATION ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A RED-GREEN COALITION ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL. THE CO-LEADER OF THE GREENS PARTY, JUERGEN TRITTIN, TOLD REPORTERS EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT MR. SCHROEDER HAD A GOOD CHANCE OF UNSEATING CHANCELLOR KOHL. /// TRITTIN ACT - IN GERMAN - FADE UNDER ///IT IS CLEAR, MR. TRITTIN ,SAID THAT MR. SCHROEDER CAN BECOME CHANCELLOR ONLY WITH THE BACKING OF THE GREENS PARTY IN PARLIAMENT. BUT HE SAID SUCH A COALITION CAN COME ONLY IF MR. SCHROEDER WANTS TO TAKE GERMANY IN A NEW POLITICAL DIRECTION AND HIS POLICIES ARE REALLY BETTER THAN THOSE OF THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT. OTHER GREENS PARTY OFFICIALS SAY MR. SCHROEDER'S MODERATE PRO-BUSINESS VIEWS MAY ACTUALLY COMPLEMENT THE GREEN'S PRO-ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND THE DESIRE TO PROMOTE SMALL BUSINESS. WHAT IS NOT CLEAR IS WHETHER THE GREENS WILL MODERATE SOME OF THEIR STATED GOALS, WHICH INCLUDE THE SCRAPPING OF NATO, SHARP CUTS IN THE GERMAN ARMY, AND THE ABANDONMENT OF NUCLEAR POWER. MR. SCHROEDER SAYS HE RECOGNIZES THE POSSIBILITY THAT HE WILL PROBABLY NEED SUPPORT FROM THE GREENS TO FORM A COALITION GOVERNMENT IF HE DEFEATS CHANCELLOR KOHL IN SEPTEMBER. BUT HE SAYS SOME OF GREENS POLICY GOALS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE, INCLUDING A CONTROVERSIAL PLAN FOR SHARP HIKES IN THE GASOLINE TAX TO FUND ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS AND CURB AUTO USE. NEVERTHELESS, ANALYSTS SAY THE FACT THAT RED-GREEN COALITIONS IN
FIVE GERMAN STATES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OVERCOME SUCH PROBLEMS, IS A
SIGN THAT COMPROMISE IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE. (SIGNED)
[04] KOSOVO / U-S REACT (S&L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=3/4/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227618 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE CHIEF U-S BALKAN ENVOY SAYS YUGOSLAVIA FACES SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES IF OFFICIAL VIOLENCE CONTINUES AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO PROVINCE. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, THE COMMENTS RESTATE A FIRM, BUT LONGSTANDING U-S POLICY IN THE TROUBLED PROVINCE. TEXT: RECENT CLASHES BETWEEN THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY AND SERBIAN POLICE IN KOSOVO LEFT AT LEAST 28 PEOPLE DEAD. THE VIOLENCE PROMPTED U-S OFFICIALS, INCLUDING ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD, TO SAY THE UNITED STATES IS DEEPLY CONCERNED. MR. GELBARD SAYS SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT WILL JOIN FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM EUROPEAN ALLIES AT A SPECIAL MEETING IN LONDON MONDAY THAT WILL REVIEW DEVELOPMENTS IN KOSOVO. ONE OPTION FOR POLICY MAKERS IS TO IMPOSE NEW SANCTIONS ON YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED ECONOMY UNLESS PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC RESOLVES TENSIONS IN KOSOVO PEACEFULLY. /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///THE GROUP INCLUDES BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY, RUSSIA, AND THE UNITED STATES. THE SO-CALLED CONTACT GROUP HAS ALREADY CALLED ON BOTH SIDES IN THE KOSOVO TO RESOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS PEACEFULLY. NEWSPAPERS IN KOSOVO HAVE PUBLISHED A STATEMENT FROM THE MILITANT KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY THREATENING RETALIATION FOR THE DEATHS. MR. GELBARD, WHO SPOKE WITH A GROUP OF PRINT REPORTERS IN WASHINGTON, SAID THE PROSPECT FOR VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO HAS BEEN BUILDING FOR SOME TIME. HE SAID PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC "HAS BEEN WARNED" AND WILL HAVE TO FACE THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS ACTIONS. OFFICIALS AT THE PENTAGON SAY THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY CHANGE
IN U-S POLICY TOWARD KOSOVO, OR OF ANY PLANS TO TAKE MILITARY
ACTION IN THE PROVINCE. (SIGNED).
[05] KOSOVO CONFLICT BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)DATE=3/4/98TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-39152 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AN UNEASY CALM PREVAILS IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE AFTER DEADLY VIOLENCE OVER THE WEEKEND. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM THE KOSOVO CAPITAL, PRISTINA, THAT A POLITICAL SOLUTION IS AS REMOTE AS EVER. TEXT: U-S ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD WAS IN THE REGION LATE LAST MONTH AND BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK IS COVERING MUCH OF THE SAME GROUND NOW. BUT WESTERN INTERVENTION HAS SO FAR FAILED TO BRING THE PARTIES TOGETHER. KOSOVO IS A MAJORITY ALBANIAN PART OF SERBIA WHICH HAS ENJOYED CONSIDERABLE AUTONOMY IN THE PAST. IN 1989 HOWEVER, KOSOVO WAS EFFECTIVELY STRIPPED OF ITS AUTONOMY AND EVER SINCE THEN THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS HAVE BEEN LOOKING TO REGAIN SELF-RULE, IF NOT INDEPENDENCE. A MODERATE LEADER, IBRAHIM RUGOVA, HAS CALLED FOR A NON-VIOLENT CAMPAIGN TO WIN INDEPENDENCE FOR KOSOVO, BUT HE HAS BEEN LOSING SUPPORT RECENTLY TO MORE RADICAL FACTIONS, INCLUDING THE SHADOWY KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. THE CLANDESTINE GROUP HAS CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR LETHAL ATTACKS ON SERB POLICE. THE ATTACKS HAVE GOTTEN BELGRADE'S ATTENTION WHILE THE MODERATES HAVE FAILED TO WIN ANY MAJOR CONCESSIONS. THE SELF-PROCLAIMED KOSOVO REPUBLIC IS HOLDING ELECTIONS LATER THIS MONTH. THEY COULD BE A REFERENDUM ON MR. RUGOVA'S MODERATE POLICIES, BUT NEITHER HE NOR HIS ONLY OPPONENT OFFERS THE VOTERS A TRULY RADICAL CHOICE. IN ANY EVENT, THERE IS WIDESPREAD TALK OF POSTPONING THE VOTE. THE WESTERN POWERS ARE TRYING TO WIN SOME FLEXIBILITY FROM YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC USING A CARROT AND STICK COMBINATION OF SOME MODEST CONCESSIONS AND DIPLOMATIC WARNINGS. WHILE REJECTING AN INDEPENDENT KOSOVO, THE UNITED STATES HAS URGED ALL SIDES TO SHOW RESTRAINTS. MANY ANALYSTS SEE YUGOSLAV FEDERAL PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC AS THE KEY MAN IN KOSOVO. ACCORDING TO ONE RESPECTED OBSERVER, THE WESTERN POWERS ARE LETTING MR. MILOSEVIC OFF TOO LIGHTLY. VETON SURROI IS THE EDITOR OF KOHA DITORE, AN INDEPENDENT ALBANIAN NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN PRISTINA. /// SURROI ACT ///WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, I THINK, IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS THAT THE INTERNATIONAL FACTORS -- OR THE BIG POWERS -- NEED TO TAKE OFF THE LIMITS THEY HAVE SELF-IMPOSED IN DEALING WITH MILOSEVIC. AND DO WHAT? AND THREATEN MR. MILOSEVIC. HE NEEDS TO SEE SPECIFIC THREAT AND HE UNDERSTANDS THAT KIND OF LANGUAGE. /// END ACT ///OBSERVERS BOTH IN AND OUT OF YUGOSLAVIA ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE
POSSIBILITY THAT KOSOVO COULD ERUPT INTO ANOTHER BALKAN WAR,
POSSIBLY DRAGGING IN MACEDONIA, WHERE ONE-QUARTER OF THE
RESIDENTS ARE ETHNIC ALBANIANS, AS WELL AS ALBANIA ITSELF. TO
HEAD OFF THAT POSSIBILITY, SOME GROUPS ARE CALLING FOR AN
INTERNATIONAL PEACE CONFERENCE, LIKE THE ONE IN DAYTON TWO YEARS
AGO THAT ENDED THE WAR IN FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. THE INTERNATIONAL
HELSINKI FEDERATION, A HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP, IS AMONG THOSE CALLING
FOR A MEETING. BUT SERBIA REJECTS THAT KIND OF BLATANT
INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT AS IT INSISTS THAT THE KOSOVO CONFLICT
IS STRICTLY AN INTERNAL AFFAIR. (SIGNED)
[06] KOSOVO/VIOLENCE (CQ) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)DATE=3/4/98TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-39147 CONTENT= VOICED AT: // RERUNNING TO ADD WORDS, 1ST GRAF AFTER 1ST ACT //INTRO: THE RECENT VIOLENCE IN SERBIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE HAS ONCE AGAIN RAISED THE POTENTIAL FOR A BALKAN TINDERBOX TO SPARK A WIDER CONFLICT DRAWING IN ALBANIA, BULGARIA -- AND NATO MEMBERS SUCH AS GREECE, AND TURKEY. THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO IS SOMETHING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS SEEN COMING FOR AT LEAST NINE YEARS, AS V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR EXPLAINS: TEXT: // OPT // IN 1989, THE SERB PEOPLE CELEBRATED THE 600TH ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR DEFEAT BY THE OTTOMAN TURKS ON THE FIELD OF BLACKBIRDS IN THE REGION OF KOSOVO. IN 1989, KOSOVO WAS AN AUTONOMOUS PROVINCE WITHIN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. BUT THE FOLLOWING YEAR, THE NEW SERBIAN PARLIAMENT ABOLISHED AUTONOMY FOR THE PROVINCES OF KOSOVO AND VOJVODINA. // OPT //// OPT //AT A RECENT WASHINGTON CONFERENCE ON THE BALKANS, AN ETHNIC ALBANIAN JOURNALIST FROM KOSOVO WARNED THAT KOSOVO ALBANIANS ARE LOSING PATIENCE WITH THE POLICY OF NON-VIOLENCE. VETON SURROI OF THE RESPECTED NEWSPAPER 'KOHE DITORE' SAYS THE RECENT VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO SHOULD COME AS NO SUPRISE, SINCE NON-VIOLENT METHODS HAVE OBVIOUSLY FAILED: // ACT ONE / SURROI //THE MESSAGE THAT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED TO ALBANIANS LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR (IS) THAT "VIOLENCE IS BAD AND WILL NOT GET YOU TO YOUR POLITICAL GOALS OR GET INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION". YET IN THE PERVERSE WAY THAT THIS WORLD FUNCTIONS, IT IS EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE -- VIOLENCE HAS ATTRACTED ATTENTION. // END ACT //VETON SURROI SAYS THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT FURTHER VIOLENCE IS FOR THE UNITED STATES TO LEAD AN INTERNATIONAL EFFORT TO MEDIATE THE TENSIONS BETWEEN SERBIA AND KOSOVO'S ***ALBANIAN COMMUNITY***. HE SAYS NEITHER THE SERBS NOR THE KOSOVARS HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHANGE THINGS BY THEMSELVES. THE U-S SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE REGION, ROBERT GELBARD, TOLD V-O-A WASHINGTON SUPPORTS UNCONDITIONAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES. MR. GELBARD SAYS ANY CONTINUED USE OF SERB POLICE AND ARMY UNITS IN KOSOVO WILL RESULT IN DIRE CONSEQUENCES FOR PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND HIS GOVERNMENT: // ACT TWO / GELBARD //I JUST ANNOUNCED IN BELGRADE LAST WEEK THAT WE WERE PROVIDING FOR MEASURES AS A RESULT OF COOPERAITON WE HAD GOTTEN FROM (SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN) MILOSEVIC IN THE (BOSNIAN) SERB REPUBLIC. BUT THESE MEASURES CAN BE REVOKED AND SERIOUS SANCTIONS CAN BE CONTINUED, WHICH I DON'T THINK THEY WANT IN LIGHT OF THE DIRE ECONOMIC SITUATION THERE (SERBIA). // END ACT //MR. GELBARD ALSO WARNS KOSOVO ALBANIAN EXTREMIST GROUPS AGAINST RESORTING TO VIOLENCE. HE SAYS SUCH ACTIONS ARE CONDEMNED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND ONLY PLAY INTO PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S HANDS. SERBIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE ISSUED A DEFIANT MESSAGE TO THE WEST NOT TO INTERFERE IN AN INTERNAL MATTER. SERBIAN-AMERICAN JOURNALIST MILAN ANDREJEVICH SAYS THE AUTHORITIES HAVE A POINT, SINCE KOSOVO HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PART OF SERBIA AND IS THE SITE OF SERBIA'S MOST REVERED MONASTARIES AND CHURCHES. STILL, MR. ANDREJEVICH AGREES THAT INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION IS THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT KOSOVO FROM ERUPTING INTO THE BALKAN FLARE-UP DIPLOMATS HAVE BEEN PREDICTING SINCE THE EARLY 1990'S: // ACT THREE / ANDREJEVICH //MEDIATION IS THE ONLY WAY. FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO AGREE KOSOVO IS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM FOR SERBIA -- WHICH IN A WAY IT IS -- BUT SERBIA NEEDS ASSISTANCE IN THIS. THEY NEED HELP. VIOLENCE IS GOING TO CONTINUE, IT'S GOING TO BE WORSE THAN NORTHERN IRELAND. THIS IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. // END ACT //MILAN ANDREJEVIC, WHO LIVES IN CHICAGO, SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY, LED BY THE UNITED STATES, MUST DO IN KOSOVO WHAT IT
FAILED TO DO IN BOSNIA -- BRING THE DISPUTING PARTIES TO THE
CONFERENCE TABLE BEFORE ANOTHER WAR BREAKS OUT IN THE BALKANS.
(SIGNED)
[07] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=3/4/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227624 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (WEDNESDAY), ENDING A SUCCESSION OF RALLIES. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 85 HUNDRED 39, DOWN 45 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 47, DOWN FOUR POINTS. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME IN SIX SESSIONS THAT THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE HAS NOT CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH. SOME ANALYSTS, SUCH AS EUGENE PERONI OF THE JANNEY MONTGOMERY SCOTT INVESTMENT FIRM, EXPECT A DOWNWARD CORRECTION IN STOCK PRICES. ///PERONI ACT///WE ARE A BIT CAUTIOUS OVER THE NEAR TERM BUT STILL QUITE BULLISH (OPTIMISTIC) OTHERWISE. WE THINK THE MARKET CERTAINLY IS DUE FOR A PULLBACK THAT COULD EXTEND TO ABOUT THREE PERCENT BELOW CURRENT LEVELS. ///END ACT///THE HEAD OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK SAYS IT WILL BE HARD TO MATCH LAST YEAR'S ALMOST FOUR PERCENT GROWTH IN THE NATION'S ECONOMY. ALAN GREENSPAN ALSO CAUTIONED THE U-S CONGRESS NOT TO BECOME TOO OPTIMISTIC ABOUT PROJECTED GOVERNMENT BUDGET SURPLUSES. ///REST OPT///SHARES OF THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY FELL SHARPLY AFTER TWO BROKERAGE FIRMS DOWNGRADED THE STOCK. THE INVESTMENT COMPANIES SAY THE EL NINO-RELATED RAINS HAVE CAUSED A DROP IN THEME PARK ATTENDANCE AND THAT DISNEY'S A-B-C TELEVISION NETWORK IS FACING INCREASINGLY TOUGH COMPETITION. THE FIRST UNION BANK CORPORATION IS AIMING TO BECOME THE LARGEST HOME MORTGAGE LENDER IN THE UNITED STATES. FIRST UNION WILL ACQUIRE THE MONEY STORE CORPORATION IN A TWO POINT ONE BILLION DOLLAR STOCK DEAL. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAS BEGUN A FULL-SCALE REVIEW OF THE
PROPOSED 37 BILLION DOLLAR TAKEOVER OF THE M-C-I
TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY BY THE WORLDCOM CORPORATION. ALTHOUGH
BOTH COMPANIES ARE BASED IN THE UNITED STATES, THEY HAVE ENOUGH
BUSINESS IN WESTERN EUROPE TO TRIGGER EUROPEAN COMMISSION
INVOLVEMENT. (SIGNED)
[08] NORTHERN IRELAND (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)DATE=3/4/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227597 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: POLITICAL LEADERS IN BRITAIN HAVE CONDEMNED THE KILLING OF TWO MEN IN A SMALL TOWN IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND HAVE CALLED FOR INCREASED EFFORTS IN FINDING A LASTING, PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE NORTHERN IRELAND PROBLEM. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON. TEXT: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR TOLD PARLIAMENT THE MURDER OF THE TWO MEN -- ONE A CATHOLIC, THE OTHER A PROTESTANT WAS "SENSELESS" AND DESCRIBED IT AS AN "EVIL ATROCITY." /// BLAIR ACT ///THESE TWO MEN WHO WERE MURDERED LAST NIGHT, TWO FRIENDS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY DIVIDE, IN A SENSE SYMBOLIZED THE FUTURE IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THOSE GUNMEN, IN THE EVIL ATROCITY THEY COMMITTED, THEY SYMBOLIZED THE PAST. AND WE HAVE NOW GOT TO MAKE PROGRESS IN THESE TALKS -- REAL PROGRESS. THAT SHOULD BE OUR MISSION, SO THAT THE HOPES OF THE FUTURE DRIVE OUT THE DEMONS OF THE PAST. /// END ACT ///THE TWO MEN WERE KILLED BY MASKED GUNMEN TUESDAY NIGHT AS THEY WERE ENJOYING A DRINK AT A LOCAL PUB IN THE SMALL TOWN OF POYNTZPASS -- JUST ACROSS THE BORDER FROM THE IRISH REPUBLIC. THE TOWN OF 300 INHABITANTS -- WHERE CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANTS LIVE PEACEFULLY -- HAS BEEN SHOCKED BY THE KILLINGS WHICH POLICE OFFICIALS BLAME ON A PRO-BRITISH TERRORIST SPLINTER GROUP. POLITICIANS IN NORTHERN IRELAND CALLED FOR RESTRAINT, SAYING THE MURDERS ARE MEANT TO DESTABILIZE THE CURRENT TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND. MANY OF THEM WARNED THAT AS THE MAY DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION OF THE TALKS APPROACHES, TERRORIST GROUPS OUTSIDE THE POLITICAL PROCESS WILL STEP UP THEIR ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO WRECK THE NEGOTIATIONS. IN A RECENT V-O-A INTERVIEW, MARTIN MCGUINNESS -- SENIOR NEGOTIATOR FOR SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY -- SAID THOSE WHO ADVOCATE VIOLENCE MUST NOT SUCCEED IN DESTROYING THE CHANCE FOR PEACE. /// MCGUINNES ACT ///I THINK THEY ARE BADLY AND SERIOUSLY MISGUIDED. I THINK THAT THEY DO A GREAT DISSERVICE TO THEMSELVES, TO THE PEOPLE THAT THEY CLAIM TO REPRESENT -- ALBEIT IN VERY TINY NUMBERS. AND I THINK THEY ARE DOING A GREAT DISSERVICE TO IRELAND AND TO BRITAIN, BECAUSE I BELIEVE WE ARE FACING THE BEST OPPORTUNITY IN OVER 70 YEARS TO GET AN AGREEMENT. /// END ACT ///SINN FEIN HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FROM THE NEGOTIATIONS ON
THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND BECAUSE OF WHAT POLICE SAY IS
I-R-A INVOLVEMENT IN TWO RECENT KILLINGS IN BELFAST. SINN FEIN
OFFICIALS ARE EXPECTED TO DECIDE WHETHER TO TAKE THEIR PLACE AT
THE NEGOTIATING TABLE WHEN THEIR SUSPENSION EXPIRES NEXT MONDAY.
(SIGNED)
[09] PYRAMID SCHEMES/ALBANIA (L ONLY) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=3/4/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227613 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT OF FIVE LARGE FINANCIAL PYRAMID SCHEMES IN ALBANIA REVEALS THEIR LIABILITIES OUTWEIGH THEIR ASSETS BY MORE THAN SEVEN TO ONE. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE AUDIT, CONDUCTED BY THE DELOITTE AND TOUCHE ACCOUNTING AND CONSULTING FIRM, SHOWS THE FIVE LARGEST PYRAMID FUNDS IN ALBANIA HAVE ASSETS WORTH ABOUT 50 MILLION DOLLARS BUT OWE INVESTORS MORE THAN 370 MILLION DOLLARS. DELOITTE AND TOUCHE WAS HIRED BY THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO TO AUDIT THE FINANCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE PYRAMID OPERATIONS. THE COLLAPSE LAST YEAR OF MANY ALBANIAN PYRAMID SCHEMES CAUSED CIVIL DISORDERS WHEN PEOPLE REALIZED THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RECOVER THE MONEY THEY HAD INVESTED. A CLASSIC PYRAMID SCHEME, ILLEGAL IN MOST WESTERN COUNTRIES, INVOLVES PAYING INVESTORS DIVIDENDS THAT COME FROM MONEY OBTAINED FROM NEW INVESTORS. OPERATING MUCH LIKE A CHAIN LETTER, THESE SCHEMES INEVITABLY COLLAPSE BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH NEW INVESTMENT MONEY TO PAY PAST OBLIGATIONS. HOWEVER, THE SURVIVING PYRAMID FUNDS IN ALBANIA DO HOLD SOME TANGIBLE ASSETS SUCH AS REAL ESTATE AND INTERESTS IN FACTORIES. EVEN SO, THE DELOITTE AND TOUCHE REPORT SAYS THE IMMEDIATE LIQUIDATION OF ALL THE ASSETS WOULD STILL LEAVE THE FUNDS MORE THAN 300 MILLION DOLLARS SHORT OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO INVESTORS. OFFICIALS AT ONE OF THE FUNDS, NAMED VEFA HOLDINGS, DISPUTE THE REPORT, SAYING ITS ASSETS ALONE AMOUNT TO MORE THAN 300 MILLION DOLLARS. THE CONSULTING FIRM IS RECOMMENDING THAT THE ASSETS OF THE
PYRAMID FUNDS BE SOLD IN AN ORDERLY WAY SO AS TO MAXIMIZE THE
AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT COULD BE DISTRIBUTED TO INVESTORS.(SIGNED)
[10] U-S/BOSNIA FORCE (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=3/4/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227596 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED STATES AND IT NATO ALLIES HAVE DECIDED TO KEEP THE INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA AT ITS CURRENT SIZE -- ABOUT 31-THOUSAND TROOPS -- AT LEAST THROUGH THE END OF THIS YEAR. THERE WOULD BE A MODEST REDUCTION IN THE AMERICAN CONTINGENT. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. TEXT: OFFICIALS HERE SAY THE NATO ALLIES HAVE DECIDED AGAINST ANY EARLY REDUCTION IN THE BOSNIA STABILIZATION FORCE, S-FOR -- A DECISION DRIVEN IN PART BY CONCERN THE BOSNIAN ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER COULD SPARK NEW ETHNIC CLASHES. NATO DECIDED IN PRINCIPLE LATE LAST YEAR TO CONTINUE ITS PRESENCE IN BOSNIA AFTER THE CURRENT MANDATE FOR S-FOR EXPIRES IN JUNE. BUT IT HAD BEEN WIDELY EXPECTED THE FORCE WOULD BE SCALED BACK, AND PERHAPS RENAMED, TO REFLECT A MILITARY ROLE EVOLVING FROM DETERRENCE TO POLICE OPERATIONS. BUT, ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY BECAUSE OF THE FRAGILITY OF THE PEACE IN BOSNIA AND THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE ELECTIONS, THE STRUCTURE, MILITARY MISSION, AND THE NAME OF THE FORCE WILL BE UNCHANGED FOR THE TIME BEING. THIS WILL BE SUBJECT TO A REVIEW BY NATO MINISTERS IN DECEMBER, WHO COULD DECIDE AT THAT TIME TO WITHDRAW HEAVIER ARMORED UNITS IN FAVOR OF MORE MOBILE FORCES. WHILE S-FOR WILL CONTINUE AT ROUGHLY ITS PRESENT SIZE, PLANS CALL FOR THE AMERICAN CONTINGENT -- NOW JUST UNDER EIGHT-THOUSAND TROOPS -- TO BE PARED BACK BY ABOUT ONE-THOUSAND IN A GESTURE APPARENTLY AIMED AT CONGRESSIONAL CRITICS CONCERNED THE UNITED STATES IS BECOMING PERMANENTLY MIRED IN BOSNIA. NATO FIRST SENT TROOPS INTO BOSNIA IN DECEMBER 1995 TO IMPLEMENT THE DAYTON ACCORDS. ITS MILITARY ROLE, IN SEPARATING AND DEMOBILIZING THE CIVIL WAR COMBATANTS, HAS BY ALL ACCOUNTS BEEN A MAJOR SUCCESS. BUT THE COUNTRY REMAINS POLITICALLY TENSE, AND CIVIL RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS HAVE LAGGED FAR BEHIND THE MILITARY ELEMENTS OF THE DAYTON PEACE PROCESS. CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS HAVE ALREADY SIGNALED A WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT THE CONTINUATION OF S-FOR OPERATIONS BEYOND JUNE, BUT THERE ARE COMPLAINTS THE MOUNTING COSTS OF BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING MAY BE UNDERMINING U-S MILITARY READINESS. THE ADMINISTRATION SAID THIS WEEK IT WILL BE ASKING CONGRESS FOR
NEARLY 500-MILLION DOLLARS IN ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR BOSNIAN
OPERATIONS FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR ENDING OCTOBER FIRST AND
IS PROJECTING NEARLY TWO-BILLION DOLLARS IN OUTLAYS FOR BOSNIA
NEXT YEAR (EDS: FY-1999.). (SIGNED)
[11] WAR CRIMES / RAPE (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)DATE=3/4/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227602 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A BOSNIAN SERB CHARGED WITH THE SYSTEMATIC RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT OF MUSLIM WOMEN HAS SURRENDERED AND WILL FACE TRIAL AT THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AT THE HAGUE THE SUSPECT, DRAGOLJUB KUNARAC, IS THE FOURTH SERB TO SURRENDER IN RECENT WEEKS. AS GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE, THE CHARGES FACING MR. KUNARAC ARE CONSIDERED HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT. TEXT: PROSECUTORS SAY THAT AFTER THE SERB TAKEOVER OF THE SOUTHERN BOSNIAN TOWN OF FOCA IN APRIL 1992, THE WOMEN OF THE CITY WERE SUBJECTED TO A BRUTAL REGIME OF GANG RAPE, TORTURE, AND ENSLAVEMENT. THEY SAY THE WOMEN LIVED IN CONSTANT FEAR AND SOME BECAME SUICIDAL. MANY ARE STILL PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY TRAUMATIZED BY WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM. THE LEGAL AND MORAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FOCA INDICTMENT IS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME -- RAPE IS CHARGED NOT AS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT DURING WAR-TIME, BUT AS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY. THIRTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DRAGOLJUB KUNARAC IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN A PARAMILITARY COMMANDER AND THEREFORE RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS OWN ACTIONS AND THOSE OF HIS TROOPS. HE IS CHARGED WITH PERSONALLY COMMITTING A NUMBER OF RAPES, THE YOUNGEST ON A GIRL OF 15. IN ONE CHARGE, HE AND ANOTHER MAN ARE SAID TO HAVE RAPED A WOMAN, TELLING HER WHEN THEY HAD FINISHED SHE WOULD HAVE SERB BABIES. MR. KUNARAC IS THE FOURTH SERB TO SURRENDER DURING RECENT WEEKS,
A HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT FOR THE TRIBUNAL. NATO
SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA HAS CALLED ON OTHERS TO FOLLOW
SUIT. OF THE MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES WHO
STILL ARE FREE, THE MAJORITY ARE SERBS (SIGNED)
[12] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=03/04/98TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-10600 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= ///// EDS: DATED AFTER 10 P-M E-S-T /////INTRO: THE LATEST ON THE INDIAN ELECTIONS, AND THE DYNAMICS OF WHAT THE VOTE MEANS FOR THE WORLD'S LARGEST DEMOCRACY IS OCCUPYING A HIGH PLACE IN U-S EDITORIAL COLUMNS THIS WEDNESDAY. OTHER TOPICS BEING DISCUSSED IN THE PRESS INCLUDE THE CONGRESSIONAL VOTE ON PUERTO RICO'S FUTURE; THE AGREEMENT WITH IRAQ; POTENTIAL TROUBLE IN YUGOSLOVIA'S AUTONOMOUS KOSOVO PROVINCE; /// OPT /// BILL GATES TESTIFIES BEFORE THE SENATE /// END OPT /// AND THE CIA'S MEA CULPA ON THE BAY OF PIGS. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _____________AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: THE INDIAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION HAS RESULTED IN A HUNG PARLIAMENT WITH NEITHER THE B-J-P HINDU NATIONALIST PARTY OR THE CONGRESS PARTY WINNING A MAJORITY OF SEATS. BOTH PARTIES ARE NOW JOCKEYING FOR POWER AS INDIA'S PRESIDENT DECIDES WHICH PARTY HE WILL CALL ON TO FORM THE NEXT GOVERNMENT. TODAY"S BOSTON GLOBE" LOOKING AT THE ELECTIONS SAYS THIS NEXT CHAPTER IN INDIAN HISTORY WILL BE -- A TEST OF PRINCIPLES. VOICE: THERE IS NOTHING SMALL OR BORING ABOUT ELECTIONS IN INDIA -- A VAST CONGLOMERATE OF INTERESTS, ETHNICITIES, RELIGIONS, AND CASTES, SPEAKING 16 [MAJOR] LANGUAGES, COMPETING ON A HEROIC SCALE. PASSION RUN HIGH. THERE ARE 620-MILLION VOTERS, 350-MILLION OF WHOM WENT TO THE POLLS DURING A STAGGERED, FOUR-WEEK PERIOD TO ELECT MEMBERS TO A 537-SEAT PARLIAMENT. ... THE POLLS CLOSED SATURDAY, AND THE COUNT GOES ON, BUT IT IS CLEAR NOW THAT POLITICAL STABILITY WILL PROVE ILLUSORY. ONCE AGAIN THE RIGHT-WING HINDU NATIONALIST, ANTI-MUSLIM BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY IS EMERGING WITH AN ELECTION VICTORY BUT SEEMS DESTINED TO FALL SHORT OF AN OUTRIGHT MAJORITY -- AS HAVE ALL POLITICAL PARTIES SINCE 1984. ... INDIA WILL BE THE BETTER FOR IT IF THE BJP CAN ONCE AGAIN BE KEPT FROM POWER. BESIDES PREACHING HINDU NATIONALISM IN A COUNTRY WITH A MUSLIM MINORITY OF 95 [ED'S NOT: THIS FIGURE IS WRONG ... THERE ARE AT LEAST 120-MILLION MUSLIMS ACCORDING TO V-O-A'S S. ASIA DESK] MILLION PEOPLE -- MAKING INDIA THE FOURTH-LARGEST MUSLIM COUNTRY IN THE WORLD -- THE BJP ADVOCATES ECONOMIC PROTECTIONISM AND STATE CONTROL THAT WOULD HINDER INDIA'S ENTRY INTO A FREE-MARKET FUTURE THAT WOULD BENEFIT ALL. TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" CONSIDERS THE ELECTION'S POSSIBLE OUTCOME A "NEW PERIL IN INDIA," AS ITS EDITORIAL HEADLINE SAYS. THE PAPER ADDS: VOICE: INDIA IS ONCE AGAIN ENTERING A DELICATE AND DANGEROUS POLITICAL PERIOD. AFTER ANOTHER TUMULTUOUS CAMPAIGN, THE MAIN HINDU NATIONALIST PARTY HAS FALLEN JUST SHORT OF A PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY, BUT STILL WON MORE SEATS THAN ANY OTHER PARTY. WHETHER IT WILL BE ABLE TO FORM A GOVERNMENT, OR EVEN BE INVITED TO DO SO BY PRESIDENT K. R. NARAYANAN, IS AN OPEN QUESTION. AS COMPETING FACTIONS SEEK TO ROUND UP MAJORITIES, THE CLASH OF IDEOLOGIES AND JOCKEYING OVER SPOILS IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS WILL PROBABLY TEST INDIA'S STABILITY AND COHESION. /// OPT ///TEXT: TURNING TO THE CARIBBEAN, THE LONG TIME-U-S COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO IS COMING UP FOR A VOTE IN CONGRESS ON ITS FUTURE, PROMPTING THESE COMMENTS FROM "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL." VOICE: PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE THEIR FORM OF GOVERNMENT LONG HAS BEEN A CHERISHED PRINCIPLE IN THE UNITED STATES AND, TO A LARGE EXTENT, IN MUCH OF THE REST OF THE WORLD. THAT RIGHT ALSO SHOULD EXTEND TO THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO. /// OPT /// AND WHAT BETTER YEAR FOR THAT TO HAPPEN THAN THIS, THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES' WRESTING OF THAT ISLAND FROM SPAIN IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR? /// END OPT /// THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS PREPARING TO CONSIDER GIVING ITS BLESSING TO AN OFFICIAL VOTE BY PUERTO RICANS ON PUERTO RICO'S STATUS. A HOUSE DECISION COULD COME AS EARLY AS TODAY. THE U-S SENATE WILL TAKE UP THE ISSUE LATER. A CONGRESSIONAL NOD FOR PUERTO RICANS TO VOTE ON THEIR STATUS SHOULD BE AS UNCOMPLICATED AS POSSIBLE, ALLOWING THEM TO DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES WHAT THEIR FUTURE WILL BE. TEXT: THE U-N AGREEMENT WITH IRAQ THAT FORESTALLED U-S-LED MILITARY ACTION OVER THE QUESTION OF BLOCKED WEAPONS INSPECTION, REMAINS IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS, WITH WEDNESDAY'S NEW YORK'S "DAILY NEWS" CRITICIZING THE DEAL. VOICE: ONCE AGAIN, THE UNITED NATIONS HAS PROVEN TO HAVE THE BACKBONE OF AN AMOEBA. AND THE LONG-YTERM MEMORY OF SAME. IN APPROVING SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN'S WEAPONS-INSPECTION DEAL WITH IRAQ, THE SECURITY COUNCIL THREATENED THE 'SEVEREST CONSEQUENCES' IF SADDAM HUSSEIN VIOLATED THE AGREEMENT. BUT IT REFUSED TO APPROVE IMMEDIATE MILITARY RESPONSE IF SUCH A VIOLATION TAKES PLACE. IN U-N PARLANCE, 'SEVEREST CONSEQUENCES' MUST MEAN IT WILL TRY TO TALK SADDAM TO DEATH. ... THE CRAFTILY WORDED RESOLUTION IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF DOUBLETALK (NONSENSE) ... TEXT: "NEWSDAY" MEANWHILE SAYS -- [PRESIDENT] CLINTON MUST BE PREPARED TO FOLLOW UP WITH ACTION IF [MR.] HUSSEIN BLOCKS U-N [WEAPONS] INSPECTORS, ADDING: VOICE: ONLY IF HE SES THAT [MR.] CLINTON REMAINS STEADY IN HIS RESOLVE WILL [MR.] HUSSEIN THINK TWICE ABOUT GOING BACK ON HIS WORD. TEXT: AS REGARDS THE RECENT DEATHS AND OTHER VIOLENCE IN THE AUTONOMOUS KOSOVO PROVINCE OF YUGOSLAVIA, WHERE THE MINORITY SERBS CONTROL AN ALBANIAN POPULATION NUMBERING ABOUT 90 PERCENT, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SUGGESTS: VOICE: .....THE TIME FOR A DECISIVE INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE HAS COME. KOSOVO ISN'T A LOCAL, SERB MATTER. THE VOLATILE PROVINCE COULD DRAW A WIDE CAST OF BALKAN PLAYERS INTO VIOLENT CONFRONTATION. NEIGHBORING MACEDONIA HAS A LARGE ALBANIAN POPULATION. GREECE, TURKEY, AND BULGARIA ALL HAVE INTERESTS. AND ALBANIA PROPER IS VITALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE WELLBEING OF ITS KIN IN KOSOVO. /// OPT ///TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, MICROSOFT'S BILLIONAIRE-OWNER BILL GATES APPEARED BEFORE A SENATE COMMITTEE TUESDAY TRYING TO EXPLAIN THAT HIS HUGE SOFTWARE [SOFTWARE ARE THE COMPUTER PROGRAMS THAT DRIVE PERSONAL COMPUTERS] COMPANY IS NOT A PREDATORY MONOPOLY IN THE BUSINESS. "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR MR. GATES AND CONTEMPT FOR THE SENATE. VOICE: BILL GATES ... THE WORLD'S RICHEST MAN SAT THROUGH A SENATE HEARING YESTERDAY IN WHICH POLS [POLITICIANS] WHO HAVE NEVER CREATED A JOB IN THEIR LIVES TREATED HIM LIKE THE WORLD'S RICHEST PINATA. ... THE REAL GOAL WAS TO GIVE SENATORS AND MICROSOFT'S COMPETITORS A CHANCE TO PORTRAY MR. GATES AS A MODERN-DAY ROBBER BARON. ... WE HOLD NO SPECIAL BRIEF FOR MICROSOFT, OR MR. GATES, WHO FRANKLY STRUCK US AS TOO TIMID IN HIS OWN DEFENSE. OUR CONCERN IS THAT THE WEALTH CREATION AND INGENUITY OF MICROSOFT AND SILICON VALLEY [THE AREA AROUND SAN FRANCISCO WHERE HUNDREDS OF COMPUTER SOFTWEAR FIRMS HAVE LOCATED] ARE ABOUT TO BE DIVERTED INTO THE REDISTRIBUTION MILLS OF POLITICS. TEXT: THE RECENT SUPREME COURT RULING FAVORING BANKS OVER CREDIT UNIONS, A TYPE OF FINANCIAL COOPERATIVES THAT PROVIDE SOME BANKING SERVICES LIKE CHECKS AND LOANS ONLY TO MEMBERS, DRAWS THIS RESPONSE FROM "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION." THE CREDIT UNIONS HAD WANTED TO EXPAND THEIR MEMBERSHIP BEYOND SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE BANKS FELT THREATENED BY THAT. SAYS GEORGIA'S BIGGEST PAPER: VOICE: HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH ... HAS DECIDED TO JOIN SOME 160 CO-SPONSORS OF A BILL TO STRENGTHEN CREDIT UNIONS, ADDING IMPORTANT MOMENTUM TO CONGRESSIONAL EFFORTS TO OVERTURN A SUPREME COURT RULING FAVORING BANKS OVER FINANCIAL COOPERATIVES. ... THAT RULING COULD REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL SETBACK FOR THE 62-MILLION AMERICANS WHO DEPEND ON THE NONPROFIT COOPERATIVES FOR LOW-COST LOANS AND OTHER BANKING SERVICES. THE NEED FOR CREDIT UNIONS HAS GROWN AS BANKS CONTINUE TO MERGE AND ENLARGE THEMSELVES, LEAVING MANY CONSUMERS FACING HIGHER FEES AND LESS PERSONALIZED SERVICE. ... BY ALLOWING CREDIT UNIONS TO CONTINUE TO GROW, CONGRESS CAN HELP THE 'LITTLE GUY' COMBAT RISING BANK FEES, HIGH LOAN RATES AND OCCASIONALLY RUDE SERVICE. //// END OPT ///TEXT: LASTLY, ON THE RECENT ADMISSION IN A LONG-CLASSIFIED REPORT BY THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY ABOUT ITS OWN INVOLVEMENT IN THE ILL-FATED BAY OF PIGS INVASION OF CUBA, TODAY'S "OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND SAYS: VOICE: THIRTY-SEVEN YEARS LATER, THE CIA'S BAY OF PIGS DISASTER -- THE ILL-ADVISED, ILL-PLANNED INVASION OF CUBA -- OFFERS LESSONS TO THE UNITED STATES ON HOW NOT TO UNDERTAKE A FOREIGN ADVENTURE. INDEED, AS THE ADMINISTRATION, INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES, MILITARY AND CONGRESS ALL DELIBERATE ON WHAT REALLY TO DO ABOUT IRAQ'S SADDAM HUSSEIN, THE FAILED AND EMBARRASSING EFFORT TO TOPPLE 1961'S TOP NEMESIS, FIDEL CASTRO, IS PARTICULARLY WORTH A SECOND LOOK. ... THE MESSAGE OF THIS CANDID REPORT IS NOT DO NOTHING IN THESE SITUATIONS. RATHER, IT IS KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, MAKE SURE IT WILL WORK AND THEN DO IT WELL. TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENTS
FROM WEDNESDAY U-S PRESS.
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