Voice of America, 98-03-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] CONGRESS-BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

[02] E-U / CYPRUS (L UPDATE) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[03] KOSOVO DEMO (S ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

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

[05] THE KOSOVO QUANDARY BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

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

[07] U-N / YUGO EMBARGO (L) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[08] TURKEY / CYPRUS (L ONLY) BY TOM KANKKONEN (ISTANBUL)

[01] CONGRESS-BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN THE U-S CONGRESS SAY THEY FEAR THE WORLD WILL NEVER KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT THE 1995 MASSACRE OF BOSNIAN MUSLIMS IN SREBRENICA. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS THEY WANT AN ACCOUNTING OF THE DEAD....AND JUSTICE FOR THE SURVIVORS.

TEXT: CONGRESSMAN CHRIS SMITH SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FAILED THE PEOPLE OF SREBRENICA. HE IS CALLING ON THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO RELEASE DOCUMENTS THAT MIGHT SHED SOME LIGHT ON THE BLOODIEST CHAPTER OF THE BOSNIAN WAR.

I MAKE THESE REQUESTS NOT ONLY BECAUSE THE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE ENTITLED TO THE TRUTH --- NOT ONLY BECAUSE TRUTH AND JUSTICE ARE ESSENTIAL PREREQUISITES TO PEACE AND STABILITY --- BUT BECAUSE WE NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT WE DID WRONG AND MAKE SURE WE CHANGE IT IN THE FUTURE.

MR. SMITH -- THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS -- SAYS THE WORLD CAN NOT FORGET SREBRENICA. IF WE DO SO, HE WARNED, WE STAND THE RISK OF MAKING THE SAME MISTAKES AGAIN...AND AGAIN...AND AGAIN.

AT A HEARING ON THE MASSACRE, REPRESENTATIVES OF SEVERAL HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS ECHOED HIS COMMENTS. ERIC STOVER IS DIRECTOR OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY AND THE AUTHOR OF A NEW BOOK ON SREBRENICA. AFTER THE MASSACRE, HE WORKED WITH AN INTERNATIONAL TEAM OF FORENSIC SCIENTISTS -- DIGGING UP BODIES AND SEARCHING FOR CLUES. HE SAYS NATO TROOPS REFUSED, AT FIRST, TO PROTECT THE INVESTIGATORS, OR THEIR SITES.

IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT WORK FOR ALL OF THOSE INVOLVED. AND PARTICULARLY THERE WAS A GROWING SENSE THAT BECAUSE WE HAD NOT GOTTEN THE PROPER PROTECTION IN THE BEGINNING, THAT PERHAPS THIS WOULD NEVER COME TO JUSTICE OR THAT THE FAMILIES WOULD NEVER GET THE REMAINS IDENTIFIED.

ANOTHER WITNESS AT THE HEARING DESCRIBED THE EVENTS IN SREBRENICA IN VERY PERSONAL TERMS. HASAN NUHANOVIC SAYS MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY WALKED OUT OF A REFUGEE CAMP AND DISAPPEARED.

I REMAINED IN THE CAMP. AND I WATCHED MY PARENTS AND MY BROTHER BEING HANDED OVER TO SERBS AT THE GATE. NONE OF THEM HAVE BEEN SEEN SINCE.

MR. NUHANOVIC SAYS HE RECENTLY PROVIDED AMERICAN TROOPS IN BOSNIA WITH EVIDENCE A BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIAL, IN AN AREA UNDER THEIR JURISDICTION, PLAYED A PART IN THE MASSACRE. HE SAYS THE MAN FLED BY THE TIME INVESTIGATORS ARRIVED AT HIS DOOR. (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/JO
31-Mar-98 2:28 PM EST (1928 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] E-U / CYPRUS (L UPDATE) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS BRUSHED ASIDE PROTESTS FROM TURKEY AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS AND MET (TUESDAY) WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GREEK-CYPRIOT-LED GOVERNMENT ON CYPRUS TO BEGIN TALKS ABOUT POSSIBLE E-U MEMBERSHIP FOR THE ISLAND NATION. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM THE 15 E-U NATIONS BEGAN NEGOTIATIONS WITH CYPRUS -- AND WITH FIVE FORMER COMMUNIST COUNTRIES FROM EASTERN EUROPE -- WITH THE AIM OF EXPANDING THE 15-NATION ORGANIZATION EARLY IN THE NEXT CENTURY.

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER ISMAIL CEM HAS WARNED THAT THE E-U'S DECISION TO NEGOTIATE WITH CYPRUS COULD LEAD TO WAR ON THE ISLAND.

BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK, WHO CHAIRED THE E-U'S DISCUSSIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM CYPRUS, EXPRESSED REGRETS THAT THE TURKISH COMMUNITY ON THE ISLAND -- WHICH HAD BEEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NEGOTIATIONS -- HAS STAYED AWAY.

THE TURKISH-CYPRIOT COMMUNITY HAVE ACTUALLY GOT MORE TO GAIN FROM MEMBERSHIP THAN THE REST OF THE ISLAND. THEIR STANDARD OF LIVING IS ABOUT A QUARTER OF THAT OF THE GREEK-CYPRIOT COMMUNITY, AND THEY WOULD GAIN PROPORTIONATELY MORE FROM MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN UNION.

HE SAID THE EUROPEAN UNION BELIEVES IT IS IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE THE TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMUNITY IN THE NEGOTIATIONS -- AND THAT EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE TO SECURE THEIR PARTICIPATION. HOWEVER, HE SAID THE E-U WILL PRESS AHEAD WITH THE NEGOTIATIONS, AND HE LOOKS FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN CYPRUS WILL BE ADMITTED AS A MEMBER.

MR. COOK ALSO SAID THE EUROPEAN UNION SUPPORTS THE PEACE PROCESS ON CYPRUS, AND HOPES TO SEE A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME TO THE EFFORTS BY THE UNITED NATIONS TO GAIN A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE GREEK AND TURKISH COMMUNITIES ON CYPRUS.

EUROPEAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY HOPE THE PROSPECT OF E-U MEMBERSHIP WILL PUT PRESSURE ON BOTH COMMUNITIES IN CYPRUS TO SETTLE THEIR DIFFERENCES AND TO AGREE ON A NEW PEACEFUL FUTURE AS A FEDERAL NATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/JWH
31-Mar-98 11:26 AM EST (1626 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO DEMO (S ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: PART OF THE UNIVERSITY IN KOSOVO'S CAPITAL, PRISTINA, HAS REOPENED TO ETHNIC-ALBANIAN STUDENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SEVEN YEARS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER IN PRISTINA WENT TO THE SCHOOL, WHERE SERBIAN STUDENTS WERE EXPECTED TO PROTEST.

TEXT: IT'S THE FIRST OF THE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE TO OPEN TO ETHNIC-ALBANIANS AS PART OF AN EDUCATIONAL AGREEMENT WHICH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS PLACING GREAT HOPES IN AS BEING A STEP TOWARD ENCOURAGING NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT AND THE MAJORITY ETHNIC-ALBANIANS WHO LIVE IN KOSOVO.

THERE IS NO DEMONSTRATION, ALTHOUGH SOME HAD BEEN RUMORED EARLIER. -- BUT THERE ARE NO PROTESTS.

ALL THAT IS HAPPENING IS THAT SOME WORKMEN ARE CARRYING OUT THE SERBIAN EDUCATION MATERIALS THAT HAD BEEN USED DURING THE PAST YEARS AND MAKING ROOM FOR THE INSTITUTE TO BE USED BY THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS.

THE ONLY SIGN OF THE ANGER THAT SOME SERBIANS FEEL ABOUT THIS MOVE IS A BIG SIGN ON THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING THAT SAYS, "TREASON." (SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/JWH
31-Mar-98 6:10 AM EST (1110 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP MODESTLY TODAY (TUESDAY) IN A VERY VOLATILE SESSION. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 87 HUNDRED 99, UP 17 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ELEVEN HUNDRED ONE, UP ONE POINT.

IT WAS A VOLATILE SESSION WITH THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE RISING MORE THAN 100 POINTS BY MID-SESSION. THEN, AFTER GOVERNORS OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK ANNOUNCED THERE WOULD BE NO CHANGE IN SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES, STOCK PRICES BEGAN TO FALL. THE NEWS SHOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD FOR STOCK PRICES BUT IT WAS EXPECTED AND ANALYSTS SAY IT HAD NO REAL IMPACT.

SOME ANALYSTS SPECULATE THAT THE CENTRAL BANK MAY RAISE INTEREST RATES LATER THIS YEAR IN A PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE AGAINST INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.

THE FED IS TRYING TO BE PATIENT, WAITING TO SEE WHAT ALL THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THE DISTRESS IN ASIA IS ON THE U-S ECONOMY.

A WIDELY FOLLOWED INDEX ON CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IN THE UNITED STATES FELL MODESTLY THIS MONTH. HOWEVER, THE INDEX IS STILL AT AN HISTORICALLY HIGH LEVEL AND POINTS TO CONTINUED U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH.

THE PROCTER AND GAMBLE COMPANY SAYS IT EXPECTS ITS NEW SPRAY PRODUCT WHICH REMOVES ODORS FROM FABRICS TO BE A HUGE SUCCESS. THE COMPANY SAYS THE PRODUCT, NAMED FEBREZE, ACTUALLY REMOVES ODORS RATHER THAN JUST COVERING THEM UP.

THE TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY OF JAPAN WILL SPEND 500 MILLION DOLLARS TO EXPAND CAPACITY AT A TRUCK ASSEMBLY PLANT IN THE UNITED STATES. THE EXPANSION WILL ADD ONE THOUSAND NEW JOBS AT THE FACILITY IN THE MIDWESTERN STATE OF INDIANA.

THE GILLETTE PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS COMPANY WILL INVEST 40 MILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD A RAZOR BLADE FACTORY IN SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA.

AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANIES SAY THEY WILL GO TO COURT IF A DRAFT U-S SENATE BILL TO PENALIZE THE INDUSTRY BECOMES LAW. THE PROPOSAL NOW IN THE SENATE WOULD COST THE INDUSTRY MORE THAN 500 BILLION DOLLARS. LAST YEAR, THE MAJOR TOBACCO COMPANIES AGREED TO PAY THE GOVERNMENT 365 BILLION DOLLARS IN EXCHANGE FOR LIMITED IMMUNITY FROM HEALTH-RELATED LAWSUITS. THE INDUSTRY SAYS ELEMENTS IN THE CURRENT SENATE BILL ARE CLEARLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
31-Mar-98 5:08 PM EST (2208 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] THE KOSOVO QUANDARY BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: BY THE TIME YOU HEAR THIS U-S OPINION ROUNDUP DEALING WITH THE DIFFICULT QUESTION OF YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE, THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL MAY HAVE VOTED TO IMPOSE AN ARMS EMBARGO ON YUGOSLAVIA AS A WAY OF FORCING A HALT TO VIOLENCE IN THE VOLATILE AREA.

AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH COMMENTARY SINCE A SERBIAN POLICE OFFENSIVE EARLY IN MARCH AGAINST ALLEGED ALBANIAN TERRORISTS KILLED DOZENS OF PEOPLE AND CAUSED MANY ETHIC ALBANIANS TO FLEE THEIR HOMES. JOINING US NOW IS _____________________WITH A SAMPLING IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THERE WAS ANOTHER SIGN OF MODEST PROGRESS IN THE PROVINCE TUESDAY WHEN SERBIAN STUDENTS AND PROFESSORS VACATED A BUILDING AT PRISTINA UNIVERSITY IN THE CAPITOL OF KOSOVO, TO ALLOW THE RE-ENTRY OF ETHNIC-ALBANIAN STUDENTS AND FACULTY. THE TRANSFER OF THE BUILDING WAS BROKERED BY AN ITALIAN ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH GROUP AFTER THE ATTACK BY SERBIAN SECURITY POLICE THAT LEFT MORE THAN 80 PEOPLE DEAD.

HOWEVER THE SITUATION IN THE SMALL, SOUTHERN, AND SUPPOSEDLY AUTONOMOUS, PROVINCE IS STILL TENUOUS. SERBS HOLD KOSOVO IN AN ALMOST MYSTICAL REVERENCE SINCE THE 1389 BATTLE THERE, IN WHICH THE OTTOMAN TURKS DEFEATED THEIR LEGIONS, AND BEGAN A CENTURIES-LONG, MUSLIM CONQUEST OF THE AREA. COMPLICATING TODAY'S SITUATION IS THE FACT THAT A 90-PERCENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN POPULATION IS CONTROLLED BY THE TEN PERCENT SERBIAN MINORITY WHICH RUNS THE POLICE AND THE GOVERNMENT.

THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS CLAIM THEY HAVE BEEN BRUTALLY REPRESSED SINCE AT LEAST 1989 BY THE SERBIAN MINORITY, AND AN ETHNIC-ALBANIAN UNDERGROUND ARMY HAS BEGUN FIGHTING BACK AGAINST THE SERBS.

WITH THAT BACKGROUND, WE GET A SENSE OF HOW THE U-S PRESS SEES THE SITUATION NOW, BEGINNING WITH "THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND.

VOICE: THE UNITED STATES' POLICY OPPOSES BOTH THE KOSOVAN INDEPENDENCE EFFORTS AND THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT'S CRUELTY. AMERICAN AND ITS ALLIES SEEK AN ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST THE SERBS AND A NEGOTIATED, POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE GRIEVANCES OF THE KOSOVAN MAJORITY. SERBIA, WHICH REGARDS KOSOVO AS THE HISTORICAL CENTER OF ITS NATION, OFFERED ..... TO BEGIN TALKS WITH SEPARATISTS. THE GOVERNMENT ISN'T LIKELY TO ACCEDE TO THE DEMANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS THERE, SO IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE WHAT POLITICAL SOLUTION PRESENTS ITSELF. ..... THE WAR IN BOSNIA ENDED WHEN NATO JETS BOMBED THE BOSNIAN SERBS BESIEGING SARAJEVO AND NATO CRUISE MISSILES DESTROYED MOST OF THE COUNTRY'S MAJOR BRIDGES, CUTTING MILITARY SUPPLY LINES. IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD TAKE ANYTHING LESS TO END SERBIA'S REIGN OF TERROR IN KOSOVO.

TEXT: IN OHIO, "THE [CLEVELAND] PLAIN DEALER" RAN THIS COLUMN BY A RETIRED PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, ALEX DRAGNICH, WHO SAYS THE BEST SOLUTION IS TO DIVIDE UP THE PROVINCE.

VOICE: ..... KOSOVO IS THE CRADLE OF THE SERBIAN STATE ..... ITS MEANING TO SERBS IS NOT TOO DIFFERENT FROM JERUSALEM'S MEANING TO JEWS. ..... MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, I WROTE AN ESSAY THAT ARGUED THAT THE ONLY REALISTIC SOLUTION IS TO DIVIDE KOSOVO BETWEEN SERBIA AND THE ALBANIANS. THE LATTER WOULD GET THE BULK OF THE TERRITORY AND WOULD BE FREE TO FORM THEIR OWN TINY STATE OR TO JOIN ALBANIA. FOR THEIR PART, THE SERBS WOULD SEEK TO SAVE AS MANY OF THEIR CHRISTIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AS POSSIBLE. ONCE A LINE IS DRAWN THROUGH KOSOVO, THERE WOULD NEED TO BE AN EXCHANGE OF POPULATIONS, ELIMINATING MINORITIES ON BOTH SIDES. ..... THE SERBS IN SERBIA ARE DIVIDED. SOME FAVOR MY PROPOSAL, BELIEVING THAT OTHERWISE A POTENTIALLY MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM LOOMS ON THE HORIZON - - THE CONSQUENCES OF THE MOVEMENT OF MANY ALBANIANS INTO SERBIA PROPER. .... THE PROBLEM IS HOW TO FIND AND ASSIST THOSE KOSOVO ALBANIANS WHO WOULD WORK TOWARD FINDING COMMON GROUND WITH SERBIA'S LEADERS.

TEXT: "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" IS CONCERNED ABOUT A POSSIBLE EXPANDING U-S INVOLVEMENT IN WHAT THE PAPER CALLS YET ANOTHER "BALKAN QUAGMIRE."

VOICE: THE UNITED STATES DOESN'T NEED ANOTHER BALKAN INVOLVEMENT LIKE THE ONE IT ALREADY HAS. FOR THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO BECOME ENSNARED IN A BOSNIA-STYLE OPERATION IN KOSOVO WOULD BE A MISTAKE. ..... STAYING PUT IN BOSNIA WHILE EXPANDING U-S TROOP DEPLOYMENTS BEYOND THE 300 NOW IN MACEDONIA WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY ENSURE AN INDEFINITE U-S PRESENCE IN THE REGION. IT'S CALLED 'MISSION CREEP.' MISSION CREEP IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE KOSOVO IS A POWDER KEG WAITING TO EXPLODE. ...... CONGRESS TOO EASILY GAVE IN ON THE INITIAL DECISION TO GO INTO BOSNIA, AND IT MUST NOT COMPOUND THE ERROR BY GIVING THE PRESIDENT CARTE BLANCHE ON KOSOVO. A BALKAN QUANDARY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO BECOME A BALKAN QUAGMIRE.

TEXT: LASTLY, SOME CRITICISM FROM "THE BOSTON GLOBE," OF THE EUROPEAN NATIONS, WHO AFTER ALL, MAKE UP THE BULK OF NATO MEMBERSHIP, BUT WHO CANNOT SEEM TO AGREE ON A PRUDENT COURSE OF ACTION, ACCORDING TO PARIS-BASED COLUMNIST WILLIAM PFAFF.

VOICE: EUROPE'S REACTION TO THE SITUATION [IN KOSOVO] IS DEPRESSINGLY FAMILIAR. THERE IS EXACTLY THE SAME STALEMATE THAT PREVENTED CONSTRUCTIVE AND COLLECTIVE EUROPEAN ACTION WHEN THE OLD YUGOSLAVIA CAME APART. THERE IS NONETHELESS SOME REASON TO THINK THAT [YUGOSLAVIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN] MILOSEVIC WILL BACK OFF. HE TAKES CALCULATED RISKS AND SEEMS TO HAVE MISTAKENLY ASSUMED THAT THE UNITED STATES, AND THEREFORE EUROPE, WOULD IGNORE RENEWED REPRESSION IN KOSOVO. HOWEVER, HIS CAREER HAS RESTED ON PROVOKING NATIONALISM AND CREATING WARS. THIS TIME HE MAY HAVE STARTED SOMETHING HE CANNOT, OR WILL NOT, STOP AND THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS UNWILLING TO STOP.

TEXT: WITH THAT SOMEWHAT DISQUIETING ASSESSMENT, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT ON THE SITUATION IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE.
NEB/ANG/PLM
31-Mar-98 2:22 PM EST (1922 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: AMERICA'S NEWSPAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON A VERY WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS THIS FINAL DAY OF MARCH, INCLUDING THE STALLED MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS, AND THE FAILURE OF CONGRESS TO PASS MEANINGFUL CAMPAIGN FINANCING REFORM. OTHER SUBJECTS IN THE SPOTLIGHT INCLUDE THE COMMENTS NELSON MANDELA DELIVERED TO PRESIDENT CLINTON ABOUT EMBRACING THE COUNTRY'S ENEMIES; THE JAPANESE FINANCIAL SITUATION; THE DELICATE DANCE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND IRAN; AND MORE CRITICISM OF THE TRADE EMBARGO AGAINST CUBA. NOW, HERE IS ____________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" POINTS OUT THAT, AS DENNIS ROSS RETURNS FROM A FOUR-DAY AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC EFFORT THAT UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO MOVE THE MIDEAST PEACE PROCESS FORWARD, "IT TAKES TIME AND PATIENCE TO FORGE SOMETHING OF VALUE THAT WILL LAST FOR GENERATIONS."

VOICE: THE LATEST U-S MISSION TO THE MIDDLE EAST HAS FAILED TO BROKER ANY KIND OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY OVER DISPUTED LAND. THOUGH THAT IS THE LATEST DISAPPOINTMENT, IT IS NO REASON FOR ANY OF THE THREE PARTIES INVOLVED TO GIVE UP. THE STAKES ARE TOO HIGH: IF FUTURE GENERATIONS OF ... ISRAELIS AND ARABS ARE TO LIVE IN PEACE, A SOLUTION ISN'T OPTIONAL. NO ONE HAS EVER BELIEVED IT WOULD BE EASY TO GET THERE.

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, "THE SUN" SAYS THE PROCESS IS "STALLED ON [THE] WEST BANK," ADDING:

VOICE: ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU RESISTED A PLAN FOR HIS COUNTRY TO GIVE UP THIRTEEN-POINT-ONE PERCENT OF THE WEST BANK. MR. NETANYAHU IS NOT KEEPING AN AGREEMENT ON PULLBACKS ... HE SIGNED LAST YEAR. THE DAYS OF EXCITEMENT ABOUT JOINT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT FOLLOWED THE OSLO PEACE ACCORDS ENDED WITH THE MAY 1996 ELECTION IN ISRAEL THAT, BY AN EYELASH, [MEANING AN EXTREMELY CLOSE ELECTION] MADE THE ACCORD'S GREATEST CRITIC THE NATION'S LEADER. WHETHER YASSER ARAFAT ... WOULD HAVE KEPT THE ACCORD IN GOOD FAITH IS A FAIR QUESTION, BUT ONE WHICH MR. NETANYAHU HAS NOT ALLOWED TO BE TESTED.

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, THERE IS PLENTY OF CRITICISM OF THE DEATH IN CONGRESS OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, SOMETHING ON WHICH PRESIDENT CLINTON AND HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH SHOOK HANDS TO PROMOTE MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO AT A NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN MEETING. SAYS "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES," THE FOUR BILLS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION HAVE BEEN RENDERED "TOOTHLESS" BECAUSE NONE ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF SO-CALLED 'SOFT MONEY,' CONTRIBUTIONS GIVEN TO POLITICAL PARTIES AND NOT DIRECTLY TO CANDIDATES, WHICH IS OFTEN MISUSED. CONCLUDING, "THE TIMES" MUSES:

VOICE: IT'S NOT HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHY CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS ARE RESISTING REFORM: LAST YEAR THE GOP RAISED NEARLY 50-PERCENT MORE SOFT MONEY THAN DEMOCRATS. WHY SHOULD REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS WANT TO DISMANTLE A SYSTEM THAT HAS BENEFITED THEM SO DISPROPORTIONATELY?

TEXT: NOTING THE WEAKNESS OF THE REFORM BILLS PASSED BY THE HOUSE LATE MONDAY NIGHT, "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" CALLS MR. GINGRICH'S ACTION A SELL-OUT,

VOICE: LAST NOVEMBER, THE SPEAKER SAID THAT BY THE END OF MARCH, THERE WOULD BE A 'FAIR, BIPARTISAN PROCESS OF VOTING' ON CAMPAIGN-FINANCING REFORM. HE BETRAYED THAT PROMISE YESTERDAY.

TEXT: TURNING TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S AFRICAN TRIP -- PORTLAND'S "OREGONIAN" IS FASCINATED BY NELSON MANDELA'S MORALITY LECTURE TO THE PRESIDENT, IN WHICH HE URGED THE UNITED STATES TO SIT DOWN WITH ITS ENEMIES, INCLUDING LIBYA AND CUBA, AS HE [MANDELA] DID WITH THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT, AFTER LEAVING AN APARTHEID-ERA PRISON. "THE OREGONIAN" SUMS UP:

VOICE: /// OPT /// PRESIDENTS OF MOST SMALLER NATIONS DON'T HAVE THE STANDING OR THE MORAL AUTHORITY TO LECTURE A U-S PRESIDENT THIS WAY. BUT THE EXAMPLE [MR.] MANDELA SET UPON HIS RELEASE FROM ROBBENS ISLAND AND THE MAN'S CONTINUING GRACE AND GRACIOUSNESS HAVE THE CAPACITY TO OVERTURN POWER RELATIONSHIPS, JUST AS [MR.] MANDELA ONCE HELPED OVERTURN APARTHEID.... /// END OPT /// NELSON MANDELA MANAGED TO EMERGE FROM HIS JAIL CELL -- THE JAIL CELL HE SPENT 18 YEARS IN PHYSICALLY, AND THE JAIL CELL HE COULD HAVE SPENT A LIFETIME IN SPIRITUALLY. CAN WE EMERGE FROM OURS?

TEXT: "USA TODAY" STILL WORRIED ABOUT JAPAN'S ECONOMIC CONDITION, BREATHS A SIGH OF RELIEF THAT THE TOKYO STOCK MARKET, THE NIKKEI, STAYED ABOVE14-THOUSAND, ALLOWING JAPANESE BANKS TO CLOSE THEIR FISCAL YEAR AND MAKE GOOD ON ABOUT ONE-TRILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF BAD LOANS. BUT, THE PAPER ADDS:

VOICE: .... BUT THE WORLD HAS LITTLE CAUSE FOR CHEER. FOR JAPAN IS TAKING ACTIONS THAT THREATEN TO MAKE ITS PROBLEMS -- AND ITS BANKS' [PROBLEMS] -- WORSE.

TEXT: BOTH "THE BOSTON GLOBE" AND "NEW YORK TIMES" ARE NOTING THE EXTREMELY DELICATE, DIPLOMATIC DANCE NOW UNDERWAY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND IRAN. SAYS "THE GLOBE:"

VOICE: THUS FAR [PRESIDENT] CLINTON HAS BEEN SMART TO RESPOND IN KIND TO EACH GESTURE OF GOOD WILL FROM IRAN'S POPULAR ELECTED PRESIDENT, MOHAMMAD KHATAMI. THE SHREWD AND WORLDLY [MR.] KHATAMI SIGNALED IN HIS EXTRAORDINARY JANUARY APPEARANCE ON CNN [CABLE NEWS NETWORK] NOT ONLY THAT PRIVATE CULTURE EXCHANGES ARE THE PROPER WAY TO COMMENCE A DIALOGUE, BUT ALSO THAT HE NEEDED TIME AND UNDERSTANDING TO OVERCOME HARD-LINE RIVALS WHO HAVE A CONSIDERABLE STAKE IN PROMOTING HOSTILITY TO THE UNITED STATES.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" WARNS THAT:

VOICE: RECONCILIATION WILL NOT BE EASY, AND MAY PROVE IMPOSSIBLE IF IRAN DOES NOT END ITS SUPPORT OF TERRORISM AND ITS EFFORTS TO DEVELOP NUCLEAR WEAPONS. BUT THE INITIAL SIGNS ARE PROMISING AND SHOULD BE PURSUED. .... MENDING RELATIONS BETWEEN AMERICA AND IRAN IS WORTH SOME WORK AND SOME RISK FOR MR. KHATAMI AND MR. CLINTON.

TEXT: MORE PRAISE FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON FROM "THE HARTFORD [CONNECTICUT] COURANT" TODAY FOR EASING RESTRICTIONS ON CUBA, AS THE PAPER GOES ON TO NOTE THE "CUBA[N] EMBARGO DOESN'T WORK."

VOICE: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S EASING OF THE U-S EMBARGO AGAINST CUBA IS A SMALL STEP TOWARD A RATIONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH FIDEL CASTRO'S REGIME. ..... THE EMBARGO HASN'T WORKED. STRANGLING CUBA ONLY HURTS THE PEOPLE THAT THE UNITED STATES CLAIMS TO WANT TO HELP. BY NORMALIZING RELATIONS ..... MR. CLINTON WILL HASTEN THE DAY WHEN FREEDOM RETURNS TO THAT COUNTRY.

TEXT: "THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE" HOWEVER IS UPSET AT WHAT IT SEES AS "DANGEROUS CONTRADICTIONS IN U-S POLICY" TOWARD THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION. THE PAPER WANTS THE SENATE TO PASS THE TREATY, BUT REJECT PROVISIONS DEMANDED BY U-S NEGOTIATORS THAT GIVE THIS COUNTRY SPECIAL RIGHTS -- OR, SAYS "THE STAR TRIBUNE" "OTHER NATIONS ARE GOING TO DEMAND THE SAME -- AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE C.W.C. PROTOCOLS WILL BE DESTROYED". SUMMING UP, MINNESOTA'S LARGEST DAILY STATES:

VOICE: CHEMICAL WEAPONS ARE AN EVIL THE WORLD CAN SUPPRESS, WITH AMERICAN LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT. CONGRESS SHOULD STRIP OUT THE OFFENDING SPECIAL U-S PRIVILEGES AND PASS THE CWC IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION. IT'S TIME TO REAFFIRM STRONG AMERICAN SUPPORT FOR ..... A SAFER PLANET.

TEXT: FINALLY, A TRUE HERALD OF SPRING IN NORTH AMERICA, THE OPENING (TODAY) OF THE MAJOR LEAGUE PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL SEASON WITH TWO NEW TEAMS, "THE ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS," NAMED AFTER A RATTLESNAKE, AND "THE TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS," NAMED AFTER A FISH. WITH UNSEASONABLY WARM WEATHER THROUGHOUT THE EASTERN HALF OF THE NATION, "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE SAYS FANS OF ALL THE TEAMS, INCLUDING THE ORIOLES, CAN HAVE CHAMPIONSHIP DREAMS ON THIS SPECIAL DAY BECAUSE:

VOICE: ..... HOPES FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS -- AND GENTLE WINTERS -- SOMETIMES COME TRUE.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM SOME OF THE NATION'S DAILY NEWSPAPERS.
NEB/ANG/MMK
31-Mar-98 11:37 AM EST (1637 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-N / YUGO EMBARGO (L) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) IMPOSED AN ARMS EMBARGO ON YUGOSLAVIA, IN RESPONSE TO AN INCREASE IN VIOLENCE IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORT FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT: THE SANCTIONS WILL START IMMEDIATELY AND ARE AIMED AT PRESSING PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE VIOLENCE TO ENTER TALKS ON A POLITICAL SOLUTION.

U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON:

IN SO DOING, THE COUNCIL SENDS AN UNAMBIGUOUS MESSAGE THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL NOT TOLERATE VIOLENCE AND ETHNIC CLEANSING IN THE REGION OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. WE MUST AVOID THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST WHEN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WAITED TOO LONG BEFORE TAKING DECISIVE ACTION.

AN ESTIMATED 80 ALBANIANS HAVE DIED AS A RESULT OF A SERB POLICE CRACKDOWN IN KOSOVO OVER THE LAST MONTH. ALBANIANS SAY THE CRACKDOWN WAS MOTIVATED BY ETHNIC RIVALR, A CHARGE DENIED BY YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES.

APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION WAS DELAYED BY CALLS, PRIMARILY FROM RUSSIA, FOR THE REMOVAL OF A SECTION DESCRIBING THE VIOLENCE AS A THREAT TO INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY IN THE REGION. THE FINAL RESOLUTION DOES NOT INCLUDE THAT DESCRIPTION. RUSSIA HAS KEPT CLOSE TIES WITH THE YUGOSLAV LEADERSHIP AND CONSIDERS THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO AN INTERNAL ISSUE. RUSSIAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY SEE THE EMBARGO AS A MEANS FOR LIMITING VIOLENCE AND NOT AS PUNISHMENT FOR THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT.

THE RESOLUTION DOES CALL ON ALL PARTIES TO ENTER A DIALOG AND TO IMMEDIATELY STOP ALL ACTS OF VIOLENCE. BEFORE PASSING THE RESOLUTION, SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL DENOUNCED THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT FOR WHAT THEY DESCRIBED AS EXCESSIVE POLICE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. THEY ALSO CALLED FOR AN END TO TERRORIST ATTACKS BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN THE PROVINCE.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL ACTION FOLLOWS EXTENSIVE TALKS ON THE SITUATION LAST WEEK BY A SPECIAL CONTACT GROUP COMPRISED OF THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIA, FRANCE, BRITAIN, GERMANY AND ITALY. THE CONTACT GROUP GAVE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ONE MONTH TO END THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO OR FACE NEW SANCTIONS. THOSE SANCTIONS WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THE EMBARGO APPROVED TUESDAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/PT
31-Mar-98 5:58 PM EST (2258 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] TURKEY / CYPRUS (L ONLY) BY TOM KANKKONEN (ISTANBUL)

INTRO: TURKEY AND TURKISH-CYPRIOTS SAY THE EUROPEAN UNION'S MEMBERSHIP TALKS WITH CYPRUS COULD LEAD TO A PERMANENT DIVISION OF THE ISLAND. TOM KANKKONEN IN ISTANBUL REPORTS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TURKISH COMMUNITY ON CYPRUS HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT TO DISCUSS CLOSER TIES.

TEXT: TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY THE START OF TALKS BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT IS A "GRAVE MISTAKE." TURKEY'S MINISTER FOR CYPRUS (SUKRU SINA GUREL) SAID THE START OF THE TALKS IN BRUSSELS IS A SERIOUS SETBACK FOR THE PEACE PROCESS ON THE DIVIDED ISLAND.

A STATEMENT ISSUED AFTER TALKS (TUESDAY) IN ANKARA ACCUSES THE EUROPEAN UNION OF OPENING A WAY FOR UNIFICATION BETWEEN THE GREEK-CYPRIOT REPUBLIC AND GREECE. THE STATEMENT SAYS E-U WILL CARRY WHAT IT CALLS A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DIVISION OF THE ISLAND.

THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION (TANER ETKIN) SAID THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST NOW ACCEPT THAT THERE ARE TWO STATES ON THE ISLAND. TURKISH CYPRIOTS HAVE SET UP THEIR OWN REPUBLIC, BUT IT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED ONLY BY TURKEY, WHICH HAS MORE THAN 30-THOUSAND TROOPS IN THE NORTH OF THE ISLAND.

TURKEY AND THE TURKISH-CYPRIOTS SAY THE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED GREEK-CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE THE MANDATE TO NEGOTIATE ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF THE ISLAND. AND THEY SAY THE E-U DECISION TO OPEN TALKS IS A SERIOUS BREACH OF INTERNATIONAL LAW.

THE MEETING IN ANKARA WAS ATTENDED BY SEVERAL TURKISH CABINET MEMBERS AND MINISTERS FROM THE TURKISH-CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION. THE MINISTERS PROMISED CLOSER ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL TIES -- BUT WITHOUT PRESENTING ANY NEW CONCRETE MEASURES.

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER ISMAIL CEM HAS SAID THAT A UNIFICATION OF NORTHERN CYPRUS WITH TURKEY IS POSSIBLE IF THAT IS WHAT THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS WANT.

CYPRUS HAS BEEN DIVIDED SINCE 1974 WHEN TURKISH TROOPS INVADED THE NORTH OF THE ISLAND IN RESPONSE TO A GREEK INSPIRED MILITARY COUP. (SIGNED)
NEB/TK/JWH
31-Mar-98 7:58 AM EST (1258 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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