Voice of America, 98-04-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBRIGHT/MONTENEGRO (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

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

[03] FRANCE / EURO (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[04] GERMANY / EURO BY DAGMAR BREITENBACH (BONN)

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

[06] KOSOVO REFERENDUM BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

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

[08] TURKEY / ISLAMISTS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

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

[01] ALBRIGHT/MONTENEGRO (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS MET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO TO DISCUSS AMERICAN EFFORTS TO EXEMPT HIS REPUBLIC FROM THE SANCTIONS IMPOSED AGAINST SERBIA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, PRESIDENT MILO DJUKANOVIC IS THE KIND OF BALKAN LEADER THE UNITED STATES APPRECIATES.

TEXT: A LEADER FROM YUGOSLAVIA CAME TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT TO ANNOUNCE HIS SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION IN THE TALKS WITH KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS. THIS OF COURSE IS NO LEADER FROM SERBIA, BUT THE PRESIDENT OF THE YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO.

PRESIDENT MILO DJUKANOVIC TELLS REPORTERS TALKS WITH KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS SHOULD NOT LEAD TO INDEPENDENCE, BUT THEY SHOULD CHANGE THE STATUS QUO THAT LEAVES KOSOVO AS A SERBIAN PROVINCE.

THE SOLUTION ADVOCATED BY THE ALBANIAN EXTREMISTS OF EVOLVING KOSOVO AS AN INDEPENDENT STATE MUST BE RULED OUT, AND ON THE OTHER HAND THE POLITICAL SOLUTION INVOLVING RETAINING THE STATUS QUO IN KOSOVO MUST ALSO BE RULED OUT. THEREFORE WHAT MUST HAPPEN IS A DIALOGUE MUST START IN KOSOVO AND IT IS OUR OPINION THAT THIS DIALOGUE MUST INVOLVE THE PRESENCE OF A THIRD PARTY.

YUGOSLAV FEDERATION PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS RULED OUT THIRD-PARTY MEDIATION IN TALKS THAT HE WANTS TO START BETWEEN SERBIAN LEADERS AND KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS. PRESIDENT DJUKANOVIC SAYS THERE IS TOO MUCH DISTRUST BETWEEN THE SERBS AND ALBANIANS AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION IS NEEDED TO GET A DIALOGUE UNDERWAY.

SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS PRESIDENT DJUKANOVIC IS THE KIND OF LEADER THE BALKANS NEED.

HE HAS QUITE A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO WHAT HE SEES AS THE FUTURE OF MONTENEGRO AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE SPIRIT OF MONTENEGRO THROUGHOUT THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC BECAUSE HE, I THINK, REPRESENTS AN ABILITY TO SEE THE POSSIBILITY FOR POLITICAL DIALOGUE AND A DIFFERENT SENSE OF DIRECTION FOR THE PEOPLE OF A REGION THAT HAS SUFFERED SO MUCH.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP MEETING NEXT WEEK IN ROME TO CONSIDER ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA WILL TRY TO SHAPE THOSE MEASURES TO PUNISH SERBIA, WHILE LIMITING THE EFFECTS ON MONTENEGRO.

THE UNITED STATES GIVES MONTENEGRO NEARLY SIX-MILLION-DOLLARS WORTH OF AID DESIGNED TO PROMOTE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORMS, AS WELL AS A FREE MEDIA. PRESIDENT DJUKANOVIC DEFEATED AN ALLY OF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC LAST OCTOBER AND HE BELIEVES HIS POLICIES WILL PREVAIL INSIDE THE YUGOSLAV FEDERATION.

I AM CONVINCED THAT THIS IS THE ONLY POLITICAL PATH THAT YUGOSLAVIA MUST TAKE IF IT WANTS TO LEAVE THE ECONOMIC BACKWARDNESS AND ITS ISOLATION, AND IF MR. MILOSEVIC IN HIS CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF YUGOSLAVIA SHOULD BE WILLING TO ACCEPT THIS, THE EASIER IT WILL BE FOR US AND THE BETTER FOR HIM. IF MR. MILOSEVIC IS UNWILLING TO ACCEPT THIS, OR IF HE FAILS TO UNDERSTAND THIS, MONTENEGRO HAS SUFFICIENT ENERGY AND SUFFICIENT RESULTS TO PURSUE THIS PATH AND TRY TO ENSURE THE VICTORY OVER CONSERVATIVE POLICIES AND A NEW AND BETTER FUTURE FOR US AND OUR COMMUNITY.

WHILE THE UNITED STATES SUPPORTS YOUNG LEADERS LIKE PRESIDENT DJUKANOVIC AND BOSNIAN SERB PRIME MINISTER MILORAD DOKIC, STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS RECOGNIZE PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HOLDS THE POWER TO INFLUENCE EVENTS IN THE BALKANS. (SIGNED)
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22-Apr-98 1:35 PM EDT (1735 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE DOWN IN TRADING WEDNESDAY IN EUROPE. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: SHARE PRICES FELL IN ALL THREE MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS.

THE BIGGEST DROP WAS IN FRANKFURT. THE DAX INDEX WAS DOWN THROUGHOUT THE DAY, AND CLOSED AFTER COMPUTERIZED TRADING OFF ALMOST 62-POINTS, MORE THAN ONE-AND-ONE-TENTH-PERCENT. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX WAS DOWN MORE THAN 25-POINTS, MORE THAN SIX-TENTHS-PERCENT. AND, IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX CLOSED OFF 24 POINTS, FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR ROSE AGAINST MOST EUROPEAN CURRENCIES -- INCLUDING THE BRITISH POUND AND THE GERMAN MARK. BUT IT WAS DOWN AGAINST THE THE JAPANESE YEN. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWH/RAE
22-Apr-98 1:49 PM EDT (1749 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] FRANCE / EURO (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: THE LOWER HOUSE OF THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT -- THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY -- HAS VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY TO MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES TO ALLOW FRANCE TO ADOPT THE NEW SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY, THE EURO. JULIAN NUNDY IN PARIS REPORTS THE MAIN CONSERVATIVE OPPOSITION PARTY ABSTAINED IN THE VOTE.

TEXT: PASSAGE OF THE GOVERNMENT BILL -- MAINLY CHANGING THE STATUS OF THE BANK OF FRANCE TO MAKE WAY FOR THE NEW EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK -- WAS A FOREGONE CONCLUSION. BUT THE DEBATE SERVED TO UNDERLINE THE CONFUSION IN CURRENT FRENCH POLITICS.

WITH THE CONSERVATIVE OPPOSITION IN DISARRAY, THE GAULLIST RALLY FOR THE REPUBLIC PARTY, OR R-P-R, SAID EARLIER IT WOULD VOTE AGAINST THE SOCIALIST-LED GOVERNMENT. R-P-R LEADERS SAID THAT, WHILE THEY SUPPORT THE CREATION OF THE NEW CURRENCY, THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE SEEN TO SUPPORT THE SOCIALIST-LED GOVERNMENT'S ECONOMIC POLICIES.

THIS CAME JUST ONE WEEK AFTER THE GAULLIST FRENCH PRESIDENT, JACQUES CHIRAC, GAVE A CLEAR STATEMENT IN FAVOR OF THE CURRENCY. THEN, IN A CHANGE OF HEART, HIS PARTY DECIDED AT THE LAST MINUTE ON A LESS DRAMATIC OPTION AND SIMPLY ABSTAINED.

DEPUTIES FROM THE OTHER CONSERVATIVE PARTY VOTED HEAVILY IN FAVOR OF THE EURO.

IN THE END, 334 DEPUTIES VOTED FOR THE BILL WITH ONLY 49 VOTING AGAINST. THE BILL WAS THE LAST HURDLE FOR FRANCE BEFORE THE 11 COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING IN THE EURO MEET NEXT MONTH TO PUT FINAL TOUCHES TO THEIR PLANS.

AMONG THOSE WHO OPPOSED THE BILL WAS THE COMMUNIST GROUP IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. ALTHOUGH THE FRENCH COMMUNIST PARTY IS PART OF THE RULING LEFT-WING COALITION, IT HAS CONSISTENTLY ARGUED THAT THE SINGLE CURRENCY WILL BRING A LOSS OF NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY.

IN HIS SPEECH TO THE ASSEMBLY, THE SOCIALIST FINANCE MINISTER, DOMINIQUE STRAUSS-KAHN, SOUGHT TO REASSURE THE DOUBTERS. HE SAID THE EURO WILL MAKE EUROPE STRONGER AND THEREBY ENHANCE THE SOVEREIGNTY AND INFLUENCE OF ITS MEMBER COUNTRIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/JWH
22-Apr-98 2:01 PM EDT (1801 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] GERMANY / EURO BY DAGMAR BREITENBACH (BONN)

INTRO: IN LESS THAN NINE MONTHS, ON JANUARY FIRST, PEOPLE IN MOST OF THE 15 EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES WILL BEGIN TO USE A NEW SINGLE EUROPE-WIDE CURRENCY -- THE EURO. THE NEW MONEY EVENTUALLY WILL REPLACE MARKS, FRANCS, PESETAS, LIRA, SHILLINGS, AND GUILDERS. V-O-A'S DAGMAR BREITENBACH REPORTS MANY EUROPEANS ARE APPREHENSIVE ABOUT THE NEW CURRENCY, AND GERMANS ARE ESPECIALLY WARY ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF LOSING THEIR STRONG MARK.

TEXT: THE COUNTDOWN IS ON. IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR, EUROS AND CENTS WILL BEGIN TO REPLACE MARKS AND PFENNIGS IN GERMANY.

EXCHANGE RATES WILL BE SET, AND THE GERMAN CENTRAL BANK WILL GIVE UP SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE COUNTRY'S MONETARY POLICY IN FAVOR OF A EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK.

FOR A THREE-YEAR TRANSITION PERIOD, GERMANS WILL HAVE BOTH EUROS AND MARKS IN THEIR POCKETS. BUT BY THE YEAR 2002, THE MARK WILL HAVE BECOME HISTORY.

THE MARK CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR. TO GERMANS IT IS MORE THAN JUST CURRENCY. IT IS A SYMBOL FOR GERMAN RECONSTRUCTION AND THE ECONOMIC MIRACLE AFTER A DEVASTATING WORLD WAR TWO, IT STANDS FOR PROSPERITY AND -- MORE RECENTLY -- UNIFICATION WITH EAST GERMANY.

WHILE THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT HAS PUSHED AHEAD FOR THE SINGLE CURRENCY IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION, THE GERMAN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LESS THAN ENTHUSIASTIC.

INFORMATION -- BROCHURES, TELEVISION SPOTS, ADS -- ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE EURO HAS BEEN AVAILABLE FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW. BUT ONLY RECENTLY HAVE PEOPLE REALLY BEGUN TO LOOK AT WHAT THE EURO MIGHT MEAN FOR THEM.

GERMANY'S EURO TELEPHONE HOTLINE IS INCREASINGLY BUSY THESE DAYS ANSWERING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE UPCOMING CONVERSION AND ITS LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVES. LOCAL NEWSPAPERS ARE RUNNING SERIES ON THE EURO AND WHAT ITS INTRODUCTION WILL MEAN FOR INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS, AS WELL AS FOR ENTIRE CITY ADMINISTRATIONS, BUSINESSES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. FOR SOME, APPREHENSION REMAINS.

THIS BONN CITIZEN VOICES A COMMON FEAR, SAYING HE IS TOTALLY OPPOSED TO LOSING THE MARK, A GOOD AND SOLID CURRENCY, WHICH HE FEARS MIGHT HAVE TO MAKE UP FOR WEAKNESSES OF OTHER EUROPEAN CURRENCIES.

AN ELDERLY MAN COMPLAINS THAT HE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE BEEN ASKED IN A REFERENDUM BEFORE POLITICIANS DECIDED TO GO AHEAD WITH THE CURRENCY UNION.

BUT AS IT MOVES EVER CLOSER, THE EURO IS CLEARLY BECOMING AN INEVITABLE FACT IN PEOPLES' MINDS. THIS YOUNG MOTHER IN BONN IS OPTIMISTIC:

I THINK THE EURO IS A GOOD IDEA, SHE SAYS, AND IMPORTANT, TOO, AS IT STANDS FOR PROGRESS . EUROPE, SHE SAYS, MUST NOT ONLY GROW TOGETHER, BUT GROW STRONGER TOGETHER. (SIGNED)
NEB/DB/JWH
22-Apr-98 6:59 AM EDT (1059 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE DISBANDING OF GERMANY'S ONCE-FEARED "RED ARMY FACTION" TERROR GROUP IS BEING GREETED WITH A MIXTURE OF RELIEF, SKEPTICISM AND ANGER. FROM BONN, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: ONE LEADING GERMAN NEWSPAPER RESPONDED TO THE RED ARMY FACTION ANNOUNCEMENT WITH AN EDITORIAL QUESTIONING WHY THE GROUP HAD NOT APOLOGIZED FOR ITS ACTIONS?

THE RED ARMY FACTION -- ALSO KNOWN AS THE "BAADER-MEINHOF GANG" ANNOUNCED MONDAY THAT IT HAD DECIDED TO GIVE UP ITS ARMED STRUGGLE AND DISBAND. THE STATEMENT SAID THE GROUP HAD FAILED TO DEVELOP FROM ITS ORIGINS AS A PROTEST MOVEMENT AND ESTABLISH A POLITICAL BASE.

ONE MEMBER OF THE GERMAN PARLIAMENT WHO ACTED AS A DEFENSE LAWYER FOR THE GROUP IN THE 1960S, SAID HE DOUBTED THE SINCERITY OF THE GROUP'S PROMISE TO DISBAND.

FORMER GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT SCHMIDT SAID ANY LIVING MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE FOR THEIR REIN OF TERROR.

THE RED ARMY FACTION DEVELOPED FROM A GROUP FOUNDED BY ANDREAS BAADER AND ULRIKE MEINHOF IN THE LATE 1960'S. OVER THE YEARS ITS MEMBERS CARRIED OUT A WAVE OF BOMBINGS, KIDNAPPINGS AND ASSASSINATIONS THAT CLAIMED MORE THAN 50 LIVES, AND SHOOK THE GERMAN ESTABLISHMENT.

THE GROUP CAPTURED WORLD HEADLINES IN 1977 WHEN IT KIDNAPPED INDUSTRIALIST HANNS MARTIN SCHLEYER -- A FAILED ATTEMPT TO FORCE THE RELEASE OF SEVERAL JAILED R-A-F MEMBERS.

PALESTINIAN TERRORISTS THEN STAGED A SPECTACULAR AIRLINE HIJACKING TO BACK THE R-A-F DEMANDS, BUT THE HIJACKING ENDED WHEN GERMAN COMMANDO'S STORMED THE PLANE AT MOGADISHU AIRPORT. THE TERRORISTS LATER KILLED THE INDUSTRIALIST AND THE JAILED TERRORISTS WERE REPORTED TO HAVE COMMITTED SUICIDE.

WITH MOST OF ITS ORIGINAL MEMBERS EITHER DEAD OR IN JAIL, GERMAN AUTHORITIES SAID LAST YEAR THAT THEY BELIEVED THE GROUP HAD BECOME A SPENT FORCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF
22-Apr-98 10:21 AM EDT (1421 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO REFERENDUM BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: SERBIA IS HOLDING A REFERENDUM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) ON WHETHER TO ACCEPT OUTSIDE MEDIATION FOR THE DISPUTE OVER KOSOVO PROVINCE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS THE BALLOT IS NOT LIKELY TO HELP GET NEGOTIATIONS UNDERWAY BETWEEN THE SERBIANS AND THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO.

TEXT: STATE-RUN MEDIA ARE URGING SERBS TO VOTE "NO" IN THE REFERENDUM ON WHETHER TO HAVE INTERNATIONAL MEDIATORS FOR THE KOSOVO DISPUTE. THE OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN COMPARES WESTERN ATTEMPTS TO BROKER A PEACE DEAL FOR KOSOVO TO THE NAZI OCCUPATION AND SOVIET COMMUNISM. YUGOSLAVIA SAID "NO" TO HITLER AND STALIN, GOES THE CAMPAIGN, AND SERBS SHOULD ALSO SAY NO TO THE BIG POWERS WHO WANT TO MEDIATE IN KOSOVO.

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE KOSOVO DISPUTE ARE BEING MONITORED BY DIPLOMATS FROM EUROPE, RUSSIA AND AMERICA. WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE SIX-NATION "CONTACT GROUP" ON YUGOSLAVIA IS DUE TO MEET IN ROME NEXT WEDNESDAY (APRIL 29) TO DECIDE ON A COURSE OF ACTION. THEY ARE DEMANDING THAT SERBIA OPEN NEGOTIATIONS AIMED AT GREATER AUTONOMY FOR THE (MOSTLY ETHNIC ALBANIAN) PROVINCE.

SINCE LAST MONTH, DELEGATIONS OF SERBIAN NEGOTIATORS HAVE REPEATEDLY TRAVELED TO KOSOVO, BUT THE ALBANIANS HAVE STAYED AWAY. THEY INSIST ON INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION FOR THE TALKS, WHILE THE SERBS SAY IT'S STRICTLY AN INTERNAL MATTER. THE EXPECTED RESULT OF THURSDAY'S SERBIAN REFERENDUM -- NAMELY, AGAINST MEDIATION -- IS LIKELY TO STRENGTHEN BELGRADE'S RESOLVE.

IF THE STANDOFF CONTINUES, THE CONTACT GROUP WILL CONSIDER IMPOSING SANCTIONS ON BELGRADE. BUT GETTING AGREEMENT WILL BE DIFFICULT. FORMER YUGOSLAV PRIME MINISTER MILAN PANIC, NOW A CALIFORNIA BUSINESSMAN, SAYS SANCTIONS DON'T WORK.

I THINK SANCTIONS ARE AN ERROR. //OPT// THE CONCEPT OF SANCTIONS, IN GENERAL, IS THAT THE PEOPLE SUFFER UNDER SANCTIONS, GOVERNMENTS DON'T CHANGE. WE HAVE A REPETITION OF IRAQ-IRAN, LIBYA, AND OF COURSE OUR ISLAND OF CUBA. //END OPT// NOTHING CHANGES: PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING, GOVERNMENTS ARE NOT CHANGING. OUR CONCEPT OF SANCTIONS SHOULD BE ABOLISHED.

KOSOVO'S POPULATION IS 90-PERCENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN, AND THE ALBANIANS WANT THEIR PROVINCE TO BE INDEPENDENT. UNTIL 1989, KOSOVO ENJOYED CONSIDERABLE AUTONOMY, BUT NOW IT IS EFFECTIVELY RULED BY SERBIAN AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE.

MODERATE ALBANIANS WANT A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT, BUT A GUERRILLA GROUP CALLED THE "KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY" HAS STAGED ATTACKS ON POLICE TARGETS. IN RESPONSE, SERBIAN POLICE AND PARAMILITARY TROOPS LAUNCHED A CRACKDOWN LAST MONTH, KILLING ABOUT 80 KOSOVO ALBANIANS. AUTHORITIES SAY THEY WERE AFTER TERRORISTS, BUT MANY OF THOSE KILLED WERE WOMEN, CHILDREN AND OLD MEN.

MORE RECENTLY, SERB VILLAGERS IN KOSOVO HAVE BEEN FLEEING THEIR HOMES IN FEAR OF ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS WHO APPARENTLY CONTROL SOME PARTS OF THE PROVINCE. DIPLOMATIC SOURCES IN BELGRADE SAY SERB AUTHORITIES ARE EXPLOITING -- AND PERHAPS EVEN MANIPULATING -- THE SITUATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/PCF/JO
22-Apr-98 12:11 PM EDT (1611 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AND AN EFFORT IS BEING MADE AT FURTHER CONSOLIDATION IN THE U-S BANKING INDUSTRY. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 91 HUNDRED 76, DOWN EIGHT POINTS. BUT THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX WAS UP THREE POINTS, CLOSING AT 11 HUNDRED 30, A RECORD HIGH.

ANOTHER MAJOR BANK MERGER MAY BE IN THE WORKS BUT IT IS BY NO MEANS A SURE THING. THE BANK OF NEW YORK HAS MADE AN UNSOLICITED 24 BILLION DOLLAR TAKEOVER OFFER FOR THE MELLON BANK OF PITTSBURGH. BUT THE MELLON BANK HAS FLATLY REJECTED THE OFFER.

IF THE BANK OF NEW YORK - MELLON BANK COMBINATION DOES OCCUR, IT WOULD BE THE 10TH LARGEST BANK IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR COMPANY SAYS IT WILL ELIMINATE 10 PERCENT OF ITS WORLDWIDE WORK FORCE -- ABOUR 1400 PEOPLE -- DUE TO THE CURRENT SOFTNESS IN THE SEMICONDUCTOR MARKET.

THE MICROSOFT COMPUTER SOFTWARE COMPANY REPORTED QUARTERLY EARNINGS OF 50 CENTS PER SHARE. THAT IS TWO CENTS AHEAD OF WALL STREET ESTIMATES.

PRODUCTION PROBLEMS HAVE TAKEN THEIR TOLL ON PROFITS AT THE BOEING AIRCRAFT COMPANY. BOEING SAYS ITS QUARTERLY EARNINGS DROPPED BY MORE THAN 90 PERCENT.

BUT THE LARGEST AIRLINE IN THE UNITED STATES ENJOYED A FIVE PERCENT PROFIT INCREASE. U-A-L CORPORATION, THE PARENT OF UNITED AIRLINES, SAYS LOW FUEL PRICES HELPED TO LIFT EARNINGS ABOVE WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS.

IF OPENING DAY IS ANY INDICATION, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY'S NEW "ANIMAL KINGDOM" THEME PARK IN FLORIDA SHOULD BE A SUCCESS. THE PARK GATES OPENED AT SIX A-M BUT WERE CLOSED 75 MINUTES LATER TO PREVENT CROWDING AFTER MORE THAN 30 THOUSAND PEOPLE HAD BEEN ADMITTED.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GENERAL ELECTRIC CORPORATION SAYS INCREASED GLOBALIZATION WILL BE THE KEY TO CONTINUED GROWTH FOR HIS COMPANY. JACK WELCH TOLD THE ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETING THAT G-E'S REPUTATION FOR QUALITY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WILL PROPEL ITS EXPANSION IN EMERGING MARKETS. GENERAL ELECTRIC -- STARTED 120 YEARS AGO -- IS ONE OF THE OLDEST COMPANIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE ONLY SURVIVING COMPANY FROM THE ORIGINAL DOW JONES STOCK INDEX WHICH WAS DEVELOPED IN 1896.(SIGNED)
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22-Apr-98 5:00 PM EDT (2100 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] TURKEY / ISLAMISTS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: SEVERAL THOUSAND PROTESTERS HAVE DEMONSTRATED IN ISTANBUL IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY'S MAYOR. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, THE MAYOR, TAYYIP ERDOGAN, HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO 10 MONTHS IN PRISON ON CHARGES OF INCITING RELIGIOUS HATRED.

TEXT: THE ISTANBUL MAYOR LOOKED CALM AND RELAXED AS HE SMILED AT THE CROWDS GATHERED OUTSIDE HIS OFFICE. MR. ERDOGAN DENIED ANY WRONG DOING, AND SAID AUTHORITIES SHOULD PRAISE A SPEECH HE GAVE LAST YEAR WHICH FORMED THE BASIS OF THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM -- NOT PUNISH HIM FOR IT.

PROSECUTORS CHARGED THE SPEECH CONSTITUTED A CALL FOR A RELIGIOUS UPRISING. IN IT, MR. ERDOGAN -- QUOTING FROM A POEM BY TURKISH POET ZIYA GOKALP -- DESCRIBED MOSQUES AS BARRACKS AND BELIEVERS AS SOLDIERS.

SOME WESTERN DIPLOMATS HERE SAID MONDAYS CONVICTION WAS AN EXAMPLE OF THE CURBS ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN TURKEY. SCORES OF SCHOLARS, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS, AND JOURNALISTS ARE IN JAIL IN TURKEY FOR EXPRESSING VIEWS RULED TO BE A THREAT TO THE SECURITY OF THE STATE.

BUT MOST OBSERVERS SEE MR. ERDOGAN'S CONVICTION AS PART OF A MILITARY-LED CAMPAIGN TO SNUFF OUT TURKEY'S INCREASINGLY POWERFUL ISLAMIST MOVEMENT. TURKEY'S ARMED FORCES VIEW THEMSELVES AS THE CUSTODIANS OF THE COUNTRY'S PRO-SECULAR DEMOCRACY ESTABLISHED BY THE FOUNDER OF MODERN TURKEY -- KEMAL ATATURK.

SOME ANALYSTS SAY THE MILITARY PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN OUSTING THE NOW DEFUNCT ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY FROM POWER LAST JUNE. WELFARE, THE LARGEST PARTY IN THE 550-MEMBER TURKISH PARLIAMENT WAS SHUT DOWN BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT IN JANUARY AND ITS LEADER -- NECMETTIN ERBAKAN, WHO BECAME TURKEY'S FIRST ISLAMIST PRIME MINISTER IN 1996 -- WAS BARRED FROM POLITICS.

OTHER ACTIONS AGAINST ISLAMISTS INCLUDE THE DETENTION MONDAY OF 16 BUSINESSMEN ACCUSED OF CHANNELING MONEY TO PRO-ISLAMIC POLITICIANS. THEY ALSO INCLUDE THE CLOSURE OF HUNDREDS OF ISLAMIC CLERICAL TRAINING SCHOOLS AND THE DISMISSAL OF HUNDREDS OF STATE EMPLOYEES BELIEVED TO BE SPREADING ISLAMIC PROPAGANDA.

IF MR. ERDOGAN'S CONVICTION IS UPHELD BY AN APPEALS COURT, HE WILL LOSE HIS JOB AS MAYOR AND BE BARRED FROM POLITICS. THE ISTANBUL MAYOR WAS EXPECTED TO BECOME THE LEADER OF THE VIRTUE PARTY WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED TO REPLACE WELFARE.

ANALYSTS SAY MR. ERDOGAN'S CONVICTION WILL LIKELY SPARK A FRESH POWER STRUGGLE WITHIN THE NEW ISLAMIST VIRTUE PARTY. THEY SAY THE NEW PARTY POSSIBLY COULD THEN SPLIT INTO SMALLER GROUPS, REDUCING THE ISLAMISTS' CHANCES OF RETURNING TO POWER.
NEB/AZ/JWH
22-Apr-98 10:35 AM EDT (1435 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE RELEASE OF A PROMINENT CHINESE DISSIDENT CONTINUES TO ELICIT COMMENT FROM THE AMERICAN PRESS THIS WEDNESDAY. IN OTHER EDITORIALS, THE NATION'S DAILY PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON EARTH DAY WHICH IS TODAY, AS WELL AS THE LATEST ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE TALKS AHEAD. THERE ARE OTHER COMMENTS ON /// OPT /// THE TOBACCO CONTROL BILL NOW BEING DEBATED IN CONGRESS, AS WELL AS /// END OPT /// THE ISSUE OF THIS COUNTRY'S FAILURE TO PAY ITS BACK DUES TO THE UNITED NATIONS. AND FINALLY, SOME ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON THE CHILEAN TRADE SUMMIT. NOW, WE GET SOME QUOTES AND A CLOSER LOOK FROM ____________________ WHO JOINS US WITH TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE RELEASE OF LEADING CHINESE DISSIDENT AND TIANANMEN SQUARE DEMONSTRATION LEADER WANG DAN CONTINUES TO DRAW COMMENT. "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: THE WORLD IS RIGHTLY REJOICING OVER THE FREEDOM OF WANG DAN, THE LATEST CHINESE DISSIDENT RELEASED FROM JAIL AND SENT INTO EXILE. MR. WANG, WHO NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN SENT TO PRISON, AS HE BROKE NO CHINESE LAW, DESERVES THE ACCOLADES HE'S NOW RECEIVING. HE HAS FOUGHT VALIANTLY FOR DEMOCRACY IN HIS HOMELAND. HIS MOTHER, WANG LINGYUN, WHO WORKED TIRELESSLY FOR HIS FREEDOM AND ALSO SUFFERED INCARCERATION, CAN REST EASIER NOW THAT HE'S IN THE U-S, NOTWITHSTANDING THEIR FORCED SEPARATION. THIS IS NOT TO SAY, HOWEVER, THAT MR. WANG'S RELEASE ..... CAN BE INTERPRETED AS A SIGN THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IS BECOMING MORE OPEN-MINDED ABOUT DISSENT. ... [HOWEVER] ....UNDENIABLY THERE IS A THAW OF SORTS IN BEIJING. .... BUT SIGNS OF GENUINE ** POLITICAL** [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] CHANGE ARE DIFFICULT TO DISCERN .....

TEXT: AN EQUALLY -- OR PERHAPS EVEN MORE -- CYNICAL VIEW COMES FROM "NEWSDAY" IN LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, WHICH NOTES:

VOICE: ALTHOUGH THERE ARE HOPEFUL SIGNS OF GREATER OFFICIAL TOLERANCE IN CHINA FOR POLITICAL DISSENT, IT WOULD BE WISE NOT TO PUT TOO MUCH STOCK IN [MR.] WANG'S RELEASE. IT'S STANDARD WINDOW DRESSING [SUPERFICIALITY] FOR A MAJOR STATE VISIT. /// OPT /// AT THIS RATE, IF THE UNITED STATES COULD MANAGE TWO SUMMITS A YEAR IN CHINA, MOST OF BEIJING'S THREE-THOUSAND 'PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE' MIGHT BE FREED BY THE END OF THE NEXT MILLENNIUM. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: AMERICANS ARE JOINING WITH OTHER NATIONS AROUND THE GLOBE TO CELEBRATE "EARTH DAY," AN ENVIRONMENTAL CELEBRATION BORN IN THE 1970S AND CELEBRATED TO A LESSER EXTENT TODAY. "THE BOSTON GLOBE" TALKS ABOUT "CARRYING THE EARTH ON OUR SHOULDERS" IN ITS HEADLINE, ADDING:

VOICE: IT'S EARTH DAY -- THAT HOLIDAY FOR THE PLANET THAT MAKES LOTS OF PEOPLE SHRUG WITH UNCERTAINTY ABOUT WHAT TO DO. THERE IS NO GIFT-BUYING ROUTINE. .... INSTEAD, EACH EARTH DAY COMES WITH A NEW RAFT [LARGE AMOUNT] OF SCARY ENVIRONMENTAL FACTS ABOUT AIR POLLUTION, RAIN FORESTS AND THE GENERAL DESTRUCTIVENESS OF HUMANITY. ..... [HOWEVER] FROM LIGHT BULBS TO LATEX PAINT TO REFRIGERATORS TO CARS, CONSUMERS CAN SELECT NEW PRODUCTS BUILT TO BE MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT AND MORE EFFECTIVE. .... WHAT MAKES EARTH DAY SPECIAL IS THAT A GREAT PLACE [UNDERSTOOD: "TO START SAVING THE PLANET"] CAN BE ANYONE OR EVERYONE'S HOME.

TEXT: STILL IN NEW ENGLAND, MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" WORRIES ABOUT THE FORCES OPPOSING FURTHER CONSERVATION MEASURES.

VOICE: JUST AS MILLIONS WILL CELEBRATE EARTH DAY ACROSS THE NATION, THE SPECIAL INTERESTS ARE AT WORK IN CONGRESS TO BURY IT. TAKINGS LEGISLATION, [THAT IS THE FORCED "TAKING" OF LAND, FOR PAYMENT, FROM PRIVATE OWNERS BY THE GOVERNMENT] REGULATORY REFORM ... AND ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT REAUTHORIZATIONS, ALASKA NATIONAL LANDS AND ROAD-BUILDING IN THE NATIONAL FORESTS ALL INVITE ENVIRONMENTAL MISCHIEF. THE CRITICAL TASK OF PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT NEVER WILL END. EARTH DAY EVERY YEAR ASSURES WE NEVER WILL FORGET.

TEXT: TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IS APPLAUDING THE LATEST MOVE TO GET THE MID EAST PEACE TALKS BACK ON TRACK.

VOICE: YESTERDAY, NORTHERN IRELAND. TOMORROW, ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS. THE BLAIR-CLINTON MEDIATION DUO, FRESH FROM THEIR GOOD FRIDAY SUCCESS ON NORTHERN IRELAND, WILL NOW HAVE A GO AT THE EVEN TOUGHER RELIGIO-POLITICAL COLLISION IN THE MIDEAST. BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR WILL PLAY HOST IN LONDON. HE HAS A FRESH MANDATE ....... HE HOLDS THE ROTATING PRESIDENCY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. ..... MR. BLAIR HAS NO LEGAL TIE TO THE MIDEAST AS HE HAD TO NORTHERN IRELAND. BUT LONDON HAS PAST TIES -- BRITAIN'S PALESTINE MANDATE AND ITS 1917 BALFOUR DECLARATION THAT LED TO THE BIRTH OF ISRAEL EXACTLY 50 YEARS AGO. AND, AS E-U PRESIDENT, HE SPEAKS FOR A REGION WITH AS LARGE AN INTEREST AS THE U-S IN MIDEAST OIL AND TRADE.

TEXT: STILL IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS UPSET AT THE U-S DELAY IN PAYING ITS UNITED NATIONS DUES, AND DEPLORES CONSERVATIVE PRESSURE IN THE SENATE TO TIE PAYMENT TO A BAN ON USE OF THE MONEY FOR FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAMS OR ABORTIONS.

VOICE: THE UNITED STATES IS CONTRACTUALLY COMMITTED TO PAYING ITS FAIR PERCENTAGE OF U-N COSTS, BASED ON ITS SHARE OF THE WORLD'S WEALTH. SETTLEMENT OF THE U-N DEBT ISSUE OUGHT TO BE KEPT WHOLLY SEPARATE FROM THE ABORTION ISSUE, WHICH IS BEING USED AS A DEAL-KILLER BY THOSE WHO WANT THE DEBT TO REMAIN UNPAID. THIS POLITICAL LEVERAGING OF UNRELATED ISSUES IS NOT IN THE UNITED STATES' INTERNATIONAL INTERESTS.

TEXT: BACK DOMESTICALLY, "THE WASHINGTON POST" DECRIES THE WAY THE DEBATE ON TOBACCO LEGISLATION IN CONGRESS IS BEING TURNED AROUND.

VOICE: THE TOBACCO COMPANIES ARE TRYING TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT IN CONGRESS. THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE A DEBATE ABOUT TOBACCO, WHICH THEY CAN'T WIN. THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE INTRUSIVE REGULATION THE ISSUE INSTEAD. THE ADS TURN THE SUBJECT UPSIDE DOWN, DWELL NOT ON THE HARM TOBACCO DOES BUT ON THE HARM THAT WOULD BE DONE BY THE AMOUNT OF GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN PEOPLE'S LIVES THAT WOULD BE EMPLOYED TO CURB ITS USE. ....... THIS ISN'T AND OUGHT NOT BE CONVERTED INTO EITHER A POLITICAL OR IDEOLOGICAL ISSUE, AND NOT A BUDGET ISSUE, EITHER.

TEXT: ON ANOTHER VERY SENSITIVE DOMESTIC ISSUE, AIDS, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING RELENTLESS CRITICISM ON ITS LATEST DECISION, TO SUPPORT, BUT N O T PAY FOR, A CLEAN HYPODERMIC NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM FOR ILLEGAL DRUG USERS, TO CURB THE SPREAD OF THE ILLNESS. SAYS "NEWSDAY:"

VOICE: ON MONDAY, THE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED THAT -- YES, INDEED -- NEEDLE EXCHANGES CAN HELP RESTRICT THE SPREAD OF THE AIDS VIRUS WITHOUT PROMOTING THE USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS. ..... SOME CRITICS INSTANTLY LACED INTO [BEGAN CRITICIZING] [PRESIDENT] CLINTON FOR HYPOCRISY, BUT THEY'RE WRONG. THE PRESIDENT **ADMITS** [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] THAT NEEDLE EXCHANGES ARE AN EFFECTIVE AIDS-CONTROL MEASURE. HE JUST DOESN'T WANT TO FIGHT FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY SMELL LIKE [APPEAR TO BE] A CLEAR-CUT LOSER IN CONGRESS. SO PLEASE -- LET'S GET IT RIGHT: HE'S MORE COWARD THAN HYPOCRITE.

TEXT: LASTLY, ON THE JUST-CONCLUDED HEMISPHERIC TRADE SUMMIT IN CHILE, NEBRASKA'S "OMAHA WORLD-HERALD" SAYS "FAST-TRACK AUTHORITY [IS] ESSENTIAL AS [THE] IMPORTANCE OF TRADE GROWS" IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE, FOLLOWING UP WITH THESE THOUGHTS:

VOICE: BY WITHHOLDING .... FAST-TRACK .... AUTHORITY ... CONGRESS HAS RESERVED THE RIGHT TO REWRITE ANY PROPOSED TRADE AGREEMENT BEFORE VOTING ON IT. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR U-S NEGOTIATORS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DRAFTING OF AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT. THEIR NEGOTIATING PARTNERS AREN'T INCLINED TO MAKE CONCESSIONS IF THEY KNOW THAT ANYTHING THE AMERICANS SAY MIGHT BE REVISED BY THE HOUSE OR SENATE. .... TRADE IS INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT TO AMERICA'S ECONOMY. SAMUEL BERGER, THE PRESIDENT'S NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER, SAID THIS WEEK THAT INTERNATIONAL TRADE ACCOUNTED FOR ONE-THIRD OF THE GROWTH IN THE U-S ECONOMY SINCE 1993. ..... BECAUSE OF OPPONENTS OF FAST TRACK, [UNDERSTOOD: IN CONGRESS] WHEN [MR.] CLINTON WENT TO TALK ABOUT TRADE, HIS HANDS WERE TIED.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM THE PAGES OF SOME OF TODAY'S U-S DAILY NEWSPAPERS.
NEB/ANG/KL
22-Apr-98 11:08 AM EDT (1508 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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