Voice of America, 98-04-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] EURO MEETING BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

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

[03] FRANCE-U-S-BALKANS (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[04] I-R-A / ACCORD (S-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[05] KOSOVO - REACT (S/L VER) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

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

[07] NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE (PART THREE) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[08] ARGENTINA / CROAT (S ONLY) BY GEORGE MEEK (RIO DE JANEIRO)

[09] ROMANIA-NATO BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[10] RUSSIA COMMUNISTS/START TWO (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[11] SENATE-NATO (L) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[12] SERBIA - KOSOVO (L) BY ART CHIMES (BELGRADE)

[13] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[14] TURKEY/ISLAM BY LAURIE KASSMAN (ISTANBUL)

[15] TURKEY/KURDS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[01] EURO MEETING BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: LEADERS FROM THE 15-NATION EUROPEAN UNION ARE TO NAME THE 11 COUNTRIES WHICH WILL JOIN THE SINGLE CURRENCY, COME THE START OF NEXT YEAR. BUT AS CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON, THERE ARE GROWING SIGNS THE CREATION OF A EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION WORRIES MANY PEOPLE.

TEXT: EUROPEAN UNION LEADERS AT THEIR SUMMIT IN BRUSSELS THIS WEEKEND WILL OFFICIALLY LAUNCH WHAT HAS COME TO BE KNOWN HERE AS "EUROLAND" -- IN OTHER WORDS, THEY WILL NAME 11 E-U COUNTRIES MAKING UP THE FIRST WAVE OF A SINGLE CURRENCY ZONE.

NOT SURPRISINGLY, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION -- THE E-U'S EXECUTIVE BODY -- DESCRIBES THE UPCOMING EVENT AS "HISTORIC" AND PREDICTS A BRIGHT ECONOMIC FUTURE FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION UNDER THE SINGLE CURRENCY.

BUT THERE ARE INCREASING SIGNS EUROPEANS ARE BECOMING MORE SKEPTICAL. A RECENT SURVEY BY BRITAIN'S "DEMOS" RESEARCH ORGANIZATION SAID SUPPORT FOR EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION HAS FALLEN BELOW 50-PERCENT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE RECORDS ON THE SUBJECT BEGAN.

GERARD LYONS IS SENIOR LONDON ECONOMIST FOR THE JAPANESE BANK "D-K-B". HE SAYS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION -- OR E-M-U -- IS THAT IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY POLITICS, RATHER THAN BY ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS.

IN ITS UPBEAT ASSESSMENT OF THE SINGLE CURRENCY'S FUTURE, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SAYS -- INTRODUCTION OF THE EURO WILL REVITALIZE THE EUROPEAN ECONOMY AND THE SINGLE MARKET, FOSTER INVESTMENT, BOOST BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS, BENEFIT CONSUMERS AND SAVERS.

MR. LYONS IS SKEPTICAL ABOUT SUCH ROSY STATEMENTS.

IN RECENT YEARS, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMY HAS NOT DONE PARTICULARLY WELL: GROWTH HAS BEEN WEAK, BELOW TREND, UN-EMPLOYMENT HAS BEEN HIGH, PERSISTENTLY HIGH. THE ARGUMENT THE POLITICIANS HAVE TOLD THE ELECTORATE IS THAT ONCE A SINGLE CURRENCY IS INTRODUCED, THIS WILL ALLOW THE EUROPEAN SINGLE MARKET TO WORK PERFECTLY. AS THAT WORKS, THE ECONOMIES IN EUROPE WILL IMPROVE, UN-EMPLOYMENT WILL FALL AND "HEY, PRESTO," THE SINGLE CURRENCY BRINGS THE ECONOMIC GAINS THAT EVERYONE IS EXPECTING.

THE SENIOR BANK ECONOMIST SAYS THE CREATION OF A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY IS -- IN HIS WORDS -- FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED. HE SAYS IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO BIND TOGETHER A GREAT NUMBER OF COUNTRIES HAVING DIFFERENT ECONOMIC PERFORMANCES AND STRUCTURES. MR. LYONS FORESEES OTHER PROBLEMS.

UP TO NOW, OUTSIDE THE SINGLE CURRENCY, COUNTRIES CAN SET INTEREST RATES TO SUIT THEIR OWN DOMESTIC NEEDS. ONCE A SINGLE CURRENCY TAKES PLACE, THERE WILL BE ONE INTEREST RATE. THAT INTEREST RATE WILL BE TOO HIGH FOR SOME COUNTRIES AND TOO LOW FOR OTHERS. THAT WILL IMMEDIATELY PUT THE PRESSURE ON FISCAL POLICY. BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS REALLY THIS: THE LACK OF FLEXIBILITY. THE LACK OF FLEXIBILITY IN EUROPEAN LABOR MARKETS, THE POSSIBLE LACK OF FLEXIBILITY IN EUROPEAN FISCAL POLICY AND BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY, THE DANGER OF A LACK OF FLEXIBILITY IN MONETARY POLICY. YOU NEED TO HAVE FLEXIBILITY IN ANY ECONOMIC SYSTEM AND THERE IS NOT ENOUGH FLEXIBILITY BUILT INTO THE MONETARY UNION.

ECONOMIST GERARD LYONS SAYS MOST EUROPEAN LEADERS HAVE RUSHED TO EMBRACE THE SINGLE CURRENCY WITHOUT -- APPARENTLY -- LOOKING AT ALL THE POSSIBLE ECONOMIC PITFALLS. BUT SINCE MANY POLITICIANS ARE BEHIND THE IDEA, MR. LYONS SAYS IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP THE PROCESS. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF/RAE
30-Apr-98 8:30 AM EDT (1230 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: PRICES ON STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE SOARED THURSDAY ON WORD U-S INTEREST RATES WERE LIKELY TO STAY PUT. FOR THE CLOSING NUMBERS, HERE IS V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON.

TEXT: IN RECENT DAYS, WALL STREET AND THE CLOSELY-TIED EUROPEAN MARKETS TOOK A BEATING OVER FEARS LONG-STABLE INTEREST RATES IN THE UNITED STATES MAY SOON BE HEADING HIGHER. NOW THE THINKING IS THE RATES WILL HOLD STEADY. THAT NEWS WAS GOOD ENOUGH TO SEND INVESTORS BACK INTO THE MARKET TO BUY-UP STOCKS WHICH HAVE DECLINED SHARPLY IN PRICE OVER THE PAST WEEK. FRANKFURT, LONDON, AND PARIS ALL CLOSED HIGHER THURSDAY. IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF STOCKS CLOSED UP 95-POINTS -- A VALUE GAIN OF MORE THAN ONE-AND-ONE-HALF PERCENT.

THE GAIN WAS BETTER ON THE FRANKFURT "DAX," WHICH ADDED 157-POINTS AT THE CLOSE -- A GAIN OF JUST OVER THREE PERCENT. BUT THE BEST GAIN WAS HAD BY THE PARIS "CAC 40" -- UP 147-POINTS FOR THE DAY, WHICH WAS A GAIN OF JUST UNDER FOUR-PERCENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/RAE
30-Apr-98 2:18 PM EDT (1818 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] FRANCE-U-S-BALKANS (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: U-S AND FRENCH MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT UNREST IN THE YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO, WHERE 150 PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN RECENT CLASHES. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, THE DEFENSE MINISTERS OF FRANCE AND THE UNITED STATES SAY IT IS TIME TO PUT MORE PRESSURE ON SERBIA TO ALLOW GREATER AUTONOMY IN THE PROVINCE, WHERE ETHNIC ALBANIANS OUTNUMBER ETHNIC SERBS BY TEN TO ONE.

TEXT: FRENCH DEFENSE MINISTER ALAIN RICHARD SAYS OFFICIALS IN PARIS ARE CONCERNED BY KOSOVO BECAUSE OF "EXTREMIST PRESSURES AND RENEWED RISKS OF REPRESSION." AFTER MEETINGS AT THE PENTAGON AND ELSEWHERE, HE SAYS IT IS TIME TO PLACE NEW PRESSURES ON SERBIA FOR LESS VIOLENCE AND MORE AUTONOMY IN KOSOVO.

HE SAYS PARIS, WASHINGTON AND OTHER GOVERNMENTS SHOULD AGREE ON WAYS TO LIMIT BOTH TERRORIST ACTIONS AND GOVERNMENT ATTEMPTS TO RENEW VIOLENCE.

U-S SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM COHEN SAYS OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON SHARE THE FRENCH VIEW.

WE DON'T FAVOR AND SUPPORT KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE, BUT RATHER AUTONOMY, GREATER AUTONOMY -- AND TO BRING PRESSURE ON BOTH, AND NOT ENCOURAGE THE KOSOVARS. THAT THEY WILL HAVE OUR SUPPORT AS FAR AS INDEPENDENCE IS CONCERNED. SO WERE TRYING TO COOPERATE AND FIND WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN BRING SOME STABILITY, AND BRING SOME STABILIZING INFLUENCE IN THE REGION.

MINISTER RICHARD DID NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT NEWSPAPER REPORTS THAT A FRENCH OFFICER TOLD WAR CRIMES SUSPECT RADOVAN KARADZIC ABOUT A U-S LED OPERATION TO ARREST HIM AND HOLD HIM FOR TRIAL.

I WON'T COMMENT ANY MORE.

PUBLISHED REPORTS HAVE SAID U-S AND ALLIED MILITARY FORCES ABRUPTLY CANCELLED PLANS TO ARREST RADOVAN KARADZIC, THE FORMER BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT WHO HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES. ACCOUNTS SAY THE MISSION WAS CALLED OFF WHEN INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS DISCOVERED SOME MEETINGS HAD BEEN HELD BETWEEN MR. KARADZIC AND A FRENCH ARMY MAJOR. (SIGNED).
NEB/JR/WDC/MMK
30-Apr-98 2:43 PM EDT (1843 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] I-R-A / ACCORD (S-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: THE OUTLAWED SEPARATIST GROUP, THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, SAYS IT WILL NEVER SURRENDER ITS WEAPONS. THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS THE IRISH PREPARE FOR A REFERENDUM THREE WEEKS FROM NOW ON A LASTING PEACE SETTLEMENT. DETAILS FROM V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA IN LONDON.

TEXT: THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY REAFFIRMED ITS POSITION THAT IT WILL NEVER GIVE UP ITS ARSENAL OF WEAPONS OR BOMBS.

IN AN ARTICLE IN THE WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OF ITS POLITICAL WING, SINN FEIN, THE TERRORIST GROUP PLAINLY SAYS: "LET US MAKE IT CLEAR THERE WILL BE NO DECOMMISSIONING OF WEAPONS BY THE I-R-A."

AS FOR THE POLITICAL AGREEMENT REACHED SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, THE I-R-A DESCRIBES IT AS A SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT -- BUT SAYS IT FALLS SHORT OF PRESENTING A SOLID BASIS FOR A LASTING SETTLEMENT.

THIS WAS THE I-R-A'S FIRST REACTION TO THE ACCORD REACHED ON APRIL 10TH. THE STATEMENT COMES AS SINN FEIN PREPARES TO RESUME A SPECIAL CONFERENCE MAY 10TH TO DISCUSS THE PEACE AGREEMENT.

THE I-R-A ALSO COMMENDS ITS POLITICAL WING FOR ITS EFFORTS. SOME IRISH POLITICIANS SEE THE I-R-A STATEMENT AS PAVING THE WAY FOR SINN FEIN TO APPROVE THE AGREEMENT.

AS FOR PRO-BRITISH POLITICIANS IN NORTHERN IRELAND, THEY SAY THE I-R-A'S VOW TO KEEP ITS WEAPONS IS NOTHING NEW. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF/WTW
30-Apr-98 6:33 AM EDT (1033 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO - REACT (S/L VER) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: IN YUGOSLAVIA, SERBIA HAS REJECTED NEW WESTERN SANCTIONS AIMED AT PRESSURING THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT TO START TALKS WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS ON AUTONOMY FOR THE TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA.

TEXT: GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN BOSKO DROBNIAK SAID ON STATE TELEVISION THAT THE SANCTIONS ENCOURAGE (ETHNIC ALBANIAN) SEPARATISTS AND TERRORISTS. THE RULING SOCIALIST PARTY IN A STATEMENT ADDED THAT THE BIG POWERS ARE QUESTIONING THE YUGOSLAV'S ARMY'S LEGITIMATE RIGHT TO CONTROL THE COUNTRY'S BORDERS.

THE REACTION, THURSDAY, CAME ONE DAY AFTER THE SIX-NATION YUGOSLAV "CONTACT GROUP," MEETING IN ROME, GAVE BELGRADE 10 DAYS TO START TALKS -- OR RISK NEW ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. THE GROUP IS TRYING TO PROMOTE TALKS BETWEEN SERBIAN OFFICIALS AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADERS IN KOSOVO WITH THE HELP OF INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION. BELGRADE HAS REJECTED MEDIATION, SAYING KOSOVO IS AN INTERNAL MATTER.

EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN DIPLOMATS AGREED TO THE SANCTIONS, BUT NOT RUSSIA, WHICH HAS RELIGIOUS AND OTHER TIES TO SERBIA.

SERBIA SAYS IT IS WILLING TO DISCUSS INCREASED AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO -- WHICH IS ALSO THE GOAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. THE ALBANIANS, HOWEVER, SAY THEY WANT INDEPENDENCE. ETHNIC ALBANIANS OUTNUMBER SERBS IN KOSOVO BY ABOUT NINE TO ONE.

IN PRISTINA, MEANWHILE, SERBIAN AND ALBANIAN STUDENTS CLASHED AT PRISTINA UNIVERSITY THURSDAY -- THE DAY AN EDUCATION AGREEMENT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IMPLEMENTED. ALBANIAN STUDENTS WERE TO HAVE ACCESS TO UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS AT DIFFERENT TIMES THAN WHEN SERBIAN STUDENTS ARE IN CLASS. THIS, AT THE BEGINNING OF A PHASED REINTEGRATION OF THE TWO STUDENT BODIES. ALBANIAN STUDENTS WERE EXPELLED FROM THE UNIVERSITY AND HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING CLASSES IN HOMES AND OTHER MAKESHIFT FACILITIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/PCF/JO
30-Apr-98 2:07 PM EDT (1807 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP STRONGLY TODAY (THURSDAY) ON VERY POSITIVE U-S ECONOMIC NEWS. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT NINE THOUSAND 63, UP 111 POINTS, MORE THAN ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED 11, UP 17 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY TRADERS WERE EUPHORIC ABOUT THE LATEST U-S ECONOMIC STATISTICS. THE GOVERNMENT SAYS THE ECONOMY GREW BY A SURPRISINGLY STRONG FOUR POINT TWO PERCENT ANNUAL RATE IN THE FIRST QUARTER. AND THE EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX ROSE BY A VERY MODEST SEVEN-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER. TOGETHER, THE FIGURES SHOW STRONG GROWTH WITH LOW INFLATION, A GOOD ENVIRONMENT FOR STOCKS.

A COALITION OF STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL IS PLANNING A LAWSUIT WHICH SEEKS TO BLOCK THE MICROSOFT COMPANY FROM INTRODUCING ITS WINDOWS 98 COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEM. THE U-S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NEAR MONOPOLY MICROSOFT HAS ON PERSONAL COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEMS BUT HAS SO FAR NOT FILED ANY SUITS INVOLVING WINDOWS 98.

THE CHAIRMAN OF PHILIP MORRIS, THE LARGEST TOBACCO COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES, HAS CONDEMNED A SENATE PLAN TO IMPOSE HUGE PRICE INCREASES ON CIGARETTES, CALLING IT A, "PUNITIVE ASSAULT" ON THE INDUSTRY. AT THE ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING, COMPANY CHAIRMAN ALAN BIBLE ALSO SAID PHILIP MORRIS HAS NO PLANS TO MOVE TO ANOTHER COUNTRY, DESPITE THE CURRENT PROBLEMS FACING THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES.

ANOTHER STRATEGIC ALLIANCE IN THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY WAS ANNOUNCED. UNITED AND DELTA AIRLINES PLAN TO LINK THEIR WORLDWIDE RESERVATIONS SYSTEMS.

BANKRUPT PAN AM AIRWAYS SAYS IT MAY BE ABLE TO RESUME REGULAR SCHEDULED SERVICE. THE GUILFORD TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, WHICH OPERATES A RAILROAD IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, HAS OFFERED TO BUY PAN AM FOR 28 AND ONE HALF MILLION DOLLARS. THE DEAL MUST BE APPROVED BY A BANKRUPTCY COURT JUDGE. OLIVETTI, THE STRUGGLING ITALIAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, HAS FINALLY EARNED A MODEST PROFIT AFTER SIX STRAIGHT YEARS OF LOSSES. OLIVETTI SAYS A STRONG PERFORMANCE BY ITS COMPUTER SERVICES DIVISION MADE THE DIFFERENCE.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF
30-Apr-98 4:54 PM EDT (2054 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE (PART THREE) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: THE LARGEST POLITICAL PARTY IN NORTHERN IRELAND -- THE PRO-BRITISH "ULSTER UNIONISTS" -- IS IN FAVOR OF THE APRIL 10TH POWER-SHARING ACCORD WHICH FACES A REFERENDUM VOTE MAY 22ND. IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA DISCUSSES THE AGREEMENT WITH A SENIOR MEMBER OF THE "ULSTER UNIONISTS."

TEXT: THE PRO-BRITISH "ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY" IS POPULARLY KNOWN AS THE OFFICIAL VOICE OF UNIONISM -- REFLECTING THE MIDDLE-OF-THE ROAD VIEWS OF THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN NORTHERN IRELAND WHO WANT THE PROVINCE TO REMAIN BRITISH. BEING THE LARGEST POLITICAL ENTITY IN NORTHERN IRELAND, THE "ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY" HAS ALWAYS PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THE PROVINCE'S HISTORY. IT PROVIDED THE GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN IRELAND AT "STORMONT" FROM 1921 TO 1972, AFTER WHICH TIME DIRECT RULE FROM LONDON WAS IMPOSED.

THE POLITICAL ACCORD AGREED TO APRIL 10TH PROVIDES THE BRITISH PROVINCE WITH A MODICUM OF SELF-RULE THROUGH AN ELECTED ASSEMBLY AND THE "ULSTER UNIONISTS" WANT TO BE PART OF ANY POLITICAL STRUCTURE HAVING A SAY IN RUNNING NORTHERN IRELAND'S AFFAIRS. THAT IS WHY THE PARTY IS SUPPORTING THE ACCORD AND IS URGING THE NORTHERN IRISH TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF IT DURING THE MAY 22ND REFERENDUM.

KEN MAGINNIS IS THE SECURITY SPOKESMAN FOR THE "ULSTER UNIONISTS." AS A FERVENT DEFENDER OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S STATUS AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF GREAT BRITAIN, MR. MAGINNIS NEVERTHELESS DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT CLOSER LINKS BETWEEN THE BRITISH PROVINCE AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC -- AS ENVISAGED IN THE AGREEMENT -- WILL LEAD TO A UNITED IRELAND.

THAT IS ABSOLUTE AND UTTER NONSENSE. THE FIRST THING THAT I HAVE TO EMPHASIZE IS THAT UNIONISM HAS ACHIEVED THAT FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE THAT IT HAD ALWAYS SOUGHT -- AND THAT IS TO INSURE THAT THE IRISH REPUBLIC RECOGNIZED NORTHERN IRELAND AS A LEGITIMATE POLITICAL ENTITY. AND 'LEGITIMATE' IS THE WORD THAT IS WRITTEN INTO THE AGREEMENT. HAVING SAID THAT, THE TERRITORIAL CLAIM BY THE IRISH REPUBLIC ON NORTHERN IRELAND NO LONGER CAN EXIST AND NO LONGER DOES EXIST BECAUSE WE HAVE GOT CHANGES TO THE IRISH CONSTITUTION.

MR. MAGINNIS SAYS NEGOTIATORS HAVE ACHIEVED THE BEST POSSIBLE ACCORD, GIVEN THE DIVERGENT VIEWS OF THE PARTIES INVOLVED. DESPITE THE FACT THAT HE IS IN FAVOR OF THE AGREEMENT, THERE ARE CERTAIN ASPECTS THAT TROUBLE HIM.

ONE IS THE PROVISION DEALING WITH PRISONERS NOW SERVING SENTENCES BECAUSE OF TERRORIST ACTIVITIES. THE ACCORD CALLS ON THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS TO PUT IN PLACE MECHANISMS PROVIDING FOR AN EARLY RELEASE OF SOME PRISONERS.

IT BOTHERS ME GREATLY. IT CARRIES WITH IT A DEGREE OF INJUSTICE AS FAR AS THE VICTIMS ARE CONCERNED. IT IS ONE OF THE GREAT DIFFICULTIES ABOUT CIVIL STRIFE IN ANY COUNTRY : THERE ARE NEVER WINNERS AND LOSERS. EVERYBODY LOSES SOMETHING AND ON THIS OCCASION, I AM SAD AND DISAPPOINTED THAT THE VICTIMS APPEAR TO BE LOSING SO MUCH.

SOME OF THE ISSUES ADDRESSED IN THE POLITICAL AGREEMENT ARE SO CONTENTIOUS THAT THEY'VE DIVIDED THE UNIONIST COMMUNITY. SIX OF THE 10 BRITISH PARLIAMENT MEMBERS FROM THE "ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY" HAVE SERIOUS RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE ACCORD. AND TWO HARDLINE UNIONIST PARTIES ARE OPENLY OPPOSED TO IT, HAVING DECIDED NOT EVEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TALKS PROCESS.

THEY ARE PEOPLE WHO, I THINK, HAVE COMMITTED THEMSELVES TO BE PERPETUALLY IN OPPOSITION. BUT WE CANNOT ALLOW THEM TO INHIBIT MATTERS TO THE EXTENT THAT WE ARE PLUNGED BACK INTO VIOLENCE, AND KILLING, AND BLOODSHED. SOME OF THESE PEOPLE ARE DESCRIBED AS THOSE WHO WOULD FIGHT TO THE LAST DROP OF BLOOD -- YOURS AND MINE. I DO NOT INTEND, HAVING BEEN A SOLDIER AND HAVING PUT MYSELF BETWEEN THE LAW ABIDING COMMUNITY AND TERRORISM OVER A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF YEARS, TO ALLOW THESE PEOPLE TO PLUNGE THE NEXT GENERATION INTO THAT SORT OF CHOICE.

AS FOR THE MAY 22ND REFERENDUM, KEN MAGINNIS BELIEVES THE ACCORD WILL BE OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED BY IRISH VOTERS. HE SAYS ANYTHING LESS THAN A 75 PERCENT "YES" VOTE WOULD BE -- AS HE PUT IT -- SURPRISING. BUT HE SAYS AFTER THAT, THE REAL HARD WORK BEGINS: TO BRING INTO REALITY THE POLITICAL STRUCTURES CONTAINED IN THE ACCORD. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF/JO
30-Apr-98 11:44 AM EDT (1544 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] ARGENTINA / CROAT (S ONLY) BY GEORGE MEEK (RIO DE JANEIRO)

INTRO: POLICE IN ARGENTINA HAVE ARRESTED A CROATIAN EXILE ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES. THE ARREST OF 76-YEAR-OLD DINKO SAKIC FOLLOWS AN EXTRADITION REQUEST FROM CROATIA. WE HAVE MORE FROM V-O-A'S SOUTH AMERICA CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK.

TEXT: MR. SAKIC IS ACCUSED OF KILLING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SERBS, GYPSIES, AND JEWS WHEN HE WAS DIRECTOR OF THE JOSENOVAC CONCENTRATION CAMP OF CROATIA'S FASCIST GOVERNMENT FROM 1942 TO 1944.

MR. SAKIC HAS BEEN IN HIDING FOR THE PAST MONTH, BUT A FAMILY MEMBER SAID TWO WEEKS AGO HE WOULD SURRENDER WHEN THE ARREST ORDER WAS ISSUED BECAUSE HE WANTS TO PROVE HIS INNOCENCE.

THE SIMON WEISENTHAL CENTER -- WHICH TRACKS WAR CRIMINALS -- SAYS INMATES AT JOSENOVAC WERE KILLED AND CREMATED IN LARGE OVENS LIKE THOSE AT BELSEN AND AUSCHWITZ. IN A TELEVISION INTERVIEW BEFORE HE WENT INTO HIDING, MR. SAKIC SAID GUARDS AT JOSENOVAC NEVER LAID A HAND ON INMATES, AND ANY DEATHS WERE FROM NATURAL CAUSES. HE DENIED THE EXISTENCE OF OVENS FOR CREMATION.

MR. SAKIC HAS BEEN LIVING IN ARGENTINA FOR 51 YEARS UNDER HIS OWN NAME. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/ENE/PT
30-Apr-98 6:40 PM EDT (2240 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] ROMANIA-NATO BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: AS THE U-S SENATE VOTES ON WHETHER TO CONFIRM POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC AS THE NEXT NEW MEMBERS OF NATO, THE CANDIDATES FOR A SECOND ROUND OF ENLARGEMENT HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE THEIR CASE. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, ROMANIA IS TRYING TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION.

TEXT: WHEN ROMANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANDREI PLESU MET DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT FOR LUNCH AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, AMERICAN OFFICIALS SAY 85 PERCENT OF THE CONVERSATION CONCERNED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO.

THE AMERICAN OFFICIALS BELIEVE THIS FOCUS ON A REGIONAL EVENT IS MORE EVIDENCE THAT ROMANIA IS TAKING A WIDER INTEREST IN ITS NEIGHBORHOOD, TRYING TO IMPROVE ITS CREDENTIALS FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP WHEN THE ALLIANCE DECIDES TO ENLARGE AGAIN. THAT DECISION COULD BE MADE AS SOON AS APRIL, 1999, WHEN NATO CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY AND IS EXPECTED TO ADD POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC TO BRING THE ALLIANCE MEMBERSHIP TO 19.

ROMANIA FEELS IT CAME CLOSE TO MEMBERSHIP AT MADRID LAST YEAR, BUT FELL SHORT WHEN NATO DECIDED TO EXPAND BY ONLY THREE NATIONS TO START.

DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL JOHN BERRY SAYS ROMANIA'S ENTHUSIASM IS NOT THE PROBLEM.

IF EFFORT, DETERMINATION AND GOOD INTENTIONS WERE ENOUGH TO QUALIFY FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP, CLEARLY ROMANIA WOULD BE READY AND ELIGIBLE TODAY.

AS WELL-INTENTIONED, AS CLEARLY FOCUSED AS ROMANIA IS, THEY ARE HELD BACK BY A RESTRICTIVE DEFENSE BUDGET. THAT IS NOT CRITICISM; THAT IS SIMPLY REALITY. THESE ARE ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES THAT THE COUNTRY IS WORKING ASSIDUOUSLY TO OVERCOME, AND IT'S NOT A POLITICAL CHOICE TO DOWNPLAY DEFENSE.

ROMANIA'S DEFENSE BUDGET WAS CUT BY 10 PERCENT IN THE MIDDLE OF LAST YEAR. MR. BERRY SAYS THOSE REDUCTIONS WILL MAKE ROMANIA'S ROAD TO NATO THAT MUCH SLOWER.

STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL JONATHAN RICKERT, AT THE SAME CONFERENCE, SAYS NATO WILL HAVE TO ABSORB POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC, BEFORE IT CAN FOCUS ON ROMANIA WITH ITS WEAK ECONOMY.

THE ECONOMY OF ROMANIA, LET'S FACE IT, IT'S BELOW THE OTHER CURRENT NATO MEMBERS IN ECONOMIC TERMS, AND IT'S THE LEAST TRANSFORMED, AND THOSE ARE FACTORS THAT HAVE AN EFFECT -- A PRACTICAL EFFECT AND ALSO A PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT -- ON ALL THE CURRENT NATO MEMBERS WHEN THEY COME TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT WHO WILL BE NEXT.

ECONOMIC PLANNER KEITH CRANE SAYS ROMANIA WILL BE HARD PRESSED TO MAKE MILITARY IMPROVEMENTS, COMPARED TO POLAND AND HUNGARY, WITH THEIR HIGHER STANDARDS OF LIVING.

HUNGARY AND POLAND MADE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN MILITARY BUDGETS LAST AND ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR IN PREPARATION FOR NATO. AND AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE BIG PROBLEM IS THAT THEY NEED TO INVEST IN COMMUNICATIONS AND COMPUTERS SO THEY CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR FUTURE NATO ALLIES. AS WE HEARD BEFORE, THE ROMANIANS WERE FORCED TO CUT THE MILITARY BUDGET BY 10 PERCENT.

NATO IS NOT EXPECTED TO DISCUSS THE SECOND ROUND OF ENLARGEMENT BEFORE MINISTERS MEET IN BRUSSELS NEXT DECEMBER TO PREPARE THE 1999 WASHINGTON SUMMIT. THE PRINCIPAL LOSERS AT THE MADRID SUMMIT -- ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA -- ARE BUSILY WORKING TO IMPROVE THEIR PROFILES FOR ALLIANCE MEMBERSHIP, TO BE READY NEXT TIME NATO EXPANDS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/WDC /MMK
30-Apr-98 3:53 PM EDT (1953 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] RUSSIA COMMUNISTS/START TWO (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA'S COMMUNISTS ARE PROMISING A SERIES OF NATIONWIDE STRIKES AIMED AT BRINGING DOWN THE GOVERNMENT. CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN IN MOSCOW REPORTS COMMUNIST LEADER GENNADY ZYUGANOV IS ALSO THREATENING TO BLOCK RATIFICATION OF THE "START-TWO" ARMS CONTROL TREATY.

TEXT: ON THE EVE OF THE TRADITIONAL MAY FIRST HOLIDAY, MR. ZYUGANOV SAID THE TIME HAS COME TO ORGANIZE THE MASSES AGAINST PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN AND HIS NEWLY-APPOINTED GOVERNMENT.

MR. ZYUGANOV, EMBARRASSED BY HIS PARTY'S FAILURE TO BLOCK THE NOMINATION OF PRIME MINISTER SERGEI KIRIYENKO, CALLED ON ALL OPPOSITION FORCES TO UNITE IN SUPPORT OF NATIONWIDE STRIKES.

HE PREDICTED IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS, RUSSIANS WOULD BE HEARD, SAYING -- THEY HAVE GROWN TIRED OF LAWLESSNESS. SOME ARE STARVING. SOME ARE COMMITTING SUICIDE.

IN A CALL CLEARLY AIMED AT THE ANGER OF ECONOMICALLY-DEPRIVED RUSSIANS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, THE COMMUNIST LEADER SUGGESTED ROAD BLOCKADES TO CUT OFF FOOD SUPPLIES TO MOSCOW. OPINION POLLS HAVE INDICATED MOST RURAL RUSSIANS BELIEVE MOSCOW IS SIPHONING-OFF THE NATION'S WEALTH AT THE EXPENSE OF THE REGIONS.

BUT MR. ZYUGANOV'S COMMENTS, MADE AT A WIDE-RANGING NEWS CONFERENCE, WENT VIRTUALLY UNREPORTED IN RUSSIA'S MAINSTREAM MEDIA. ALL THREE MAJOR TELEVISION CHANNELS INSTEAD FOCUSED ON HIS CRITICISM OF NEW CABINET APPOINTMENTS.

THE COMMUNIST LEADER ALSO SAID HIS PARTY -- THE LARGEST IN PARLIAMENT -- WOULD OPPOSE RATIFICATION OF THE START-TWO ARMS TREATY. PRESIDENT YELTSIN HAS SAID HE WOULD WORK HARD TO GET LAWMAKERS TO ACCEPT THE 1993 ACCORD, BUT MR. ZYUGANOV RIDICULED THE IDEA, SAYING RATIFICATION MAKES NO SENSE AT A TIME WHEN RUSSIA HAS, IN HIS WORDS -- ZERO NATIONAL SECURITY. START-TWO, SIGNED BY PRESIDENT YELTSIN AND FORMER U-S PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH, CALLS FOR THE TWO COUNTRIES TO SLASH THEIR NUCLEAR ARSENALS FROM ABOUT SIX-THOUSAND EACH TO 35-HUNDRED BY THE YEAR 2007.

THE U-S SENATE APPROVED THE TREATY IN 1996, BUT THE OPPOSITION- DOMINATED RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT (DUMA) HAS CONSISTENTLY DELAYED ITS CONSIDERATION. MANY LAWMAKERS SAY THE TREATY IS UNREALISTIC BECAUSE RUSSIA DOES NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF ITS WEAPONS.

[11] SENATE-NATO (L) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: THE U-S SENATE HAS TURNED BACK ATTEMPTS TO HOLD UP OR FREEZE THE EASTWARD EXPANSION OF NATO, AS LAWMAKERS MOVE TOWARD A FINAL VOTE ON WHETHER TO ADMIT THREE NEW MEMBERS FROM THE FORMER COMMUNIST BLOC. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS, THAT DECISION COULD COME LATER IN THE DAY.

TEXT: AS EXPECTED, THE SENATE VOTED DOWN TWO AMENDMENTS OFFERED BY FOES OF ENLARGEMENT. ONE OF THEM, PROPOSED BY VIRGINIA REPUBLICAN JOHN WARNER, WOULD HAVE REQUIRED A THREE-YEAR PAUSE IN ANY SECOND PHASE OF EXPANSION.

THIS WAS PERHAPS THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL AMENDMENT TO THE PLAN. MR. WARNER DESCRIBED THE IDEA AS REASONABLE AND NECESSARY, TO HEAD OFF WHAT HE TERMED A STAMPEDE.

THE BUGLES WILL SOUND, THE MARCH WILL BEGIN TO BRING IN OTHER NATIONS, PERHAPS NUMBERING AS MANY AS NINE. I SAY TO MY COLLEAGUES: SHOULD NOT THE NEXT PRESIDENT BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY THE RECORD, MAKE AN ASSESSMENT?

WE'RE GOING TO SNATCH DEFEAT FROM THE JAWS OF VICTORY. WE'RE GOING TO SNATCH A DEFEAT OF PRINCIPLE AND SECURITY, FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY, FROM THE JAWS OF OUR VICTORY IN THE COLD WAR.

AFTER DEALING WITH MORE AMENDMENTS, THE SENATE DECIDES WHETHER TO RATIFY THE ADMISSION OF POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY. AT A WHITE HOUSE NEWS CONFERENCE, PRESIDENT CLINTON SOUGHT TO GIVE THE PROCESS A FINAL PUSH.

BECAUSE BY ADMITTING POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC WE COME CLOSER THAN EVER TO REALIZING A DREAM OF GENERATIONS - A EUROPE THAT IS UNITED, DEMOCRATIC AND SECURE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE RISE OF NATION-STATES ON THE EUROPEAN CONTINENT.

BUT OPPONENTS (OF NATO EXPANSION) SAY THE MOVE WILL ANTAGONIZE RUSSIA AND PLACE A HEAVY BURDEN ON THE AMERICAN DEFENSE BUDGET. SENATOR ROBERT TORRICELLI, WHO PLANS TO VOTE FOR ENLARGEMENT, SAYS THERE ARE STILL IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED.

WE ARE PLEDGING THE GOOD NAME OF THIS COUNTRY TO GO TO WAR, TO CONSUME THE LIVES OF OUR SONS AND OUR DAUGHTERS, FOR THE DEFENSE OF ANOTHER PEOPLE.

BECAUSE IT AFFECTS A TREATY, THE PLAN NEEDS A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY VOTE FOR APPROVAL. LEADERS OF BOTH PARTIES PREDICT THE SENATE WILL RATIFY EXPANSION. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/JO
30-Apr-98 5:09 PM EDT (2109 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] SERBIA - KOSOVO (L) BY ART CHIMES (BELGRADE)

INTRO: DIPLOMATS FROM EUROPE AND AMERICA HAVE AGREED ON SANCTIONS AIMED AT FORCING BELGRADE INTO NEGOTIATIONS ON SERBIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM BELGRADE, WHERE ANALYSTS DOUBT THE SANCTIONS WILL TIP THE BALANCE (HAVE A DECISIVE EFFECT).

TEXT: BELGRADE HAS 10 DAYS TO BEGIN A DIALOGUE ON AUTONOMY WITH THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS, OR RISK NEW ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. IF THEY DO BEGIN TALKS, THE BIG POWERS SAY THEY WILL IMMEDIATELY UN-FREEZE SERBIAN ASSETS ABROAD AND SUPPORT BELGRADE'S INTEGRATION INTO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVES HAVE FAILED TO MAKE MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE SO FAR. SOME ANALYSTS ARGUE THEY HAVE GIVEN THE SEPARATIST MILITANTS KNOWN AS THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY A CHANCE TO BUILD UP ITS FORCES.

AS THE FIGHTING CONTINUES, SO DOES THE BATTLE OF THE NEGOTIATING TABLE.

SERBIA HAS REPEATEDLY SENT DELEGATIONS TO KOSOVO FOR TALKS, BUT EACH TIME THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAVE REFUSED TO MEET WITH THEM. THE ALBANIANS, WHO WANT INDEPENDENCE, SAY THE DIFFICULT ISSUES REQUIRE THIRD-PARTY MEDIATION. THE SERBS INSIST KOSOVO MUST REMAIN INSIDE SERBIA, AND THAT IT IS AN INTERNAL MATTER WITH NO NEED FOR OUTSIDE MEDIATORS.

THE AUTHOR OF A RECENT BOOK ON KOSOVO, HISTORIAN DUSAN BATAKOVIC, SAYS YUGOSLAV FEDERAL PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION IF THE BIG POWERS WERE MORE EVEN-HANDED IN CONDEMNING ETHNIC ALBANIAN VIOLENCE, ALONG WITH SERBIAN EXCESSES.

HE SUGGESTS BELGRADE MIGHT ACCEPT MEDIATION HELP FROM THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE. YUGOSLAVIA WAS EXPELLED FROM THE O-S-C-E, AND AS A FORMER MEMBER YUGOSLAVIA MIGHT NOT REALLY CONSIDER THAT AS "OUTSIDE" MEDIATION.

AS THE FIRST STEP, WE NEED A KIND OF LOW-PROFILE INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE SOME COMMON GROUND. THEN, WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT STEP, WHICH WOULD BE CONNECTED TO THE CONTACT GROUP.

AFTER THAT, HE SAYS, NEGOTIATIONS COULD MOVE TO SOME SORT OF INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, INVOLVING NEIGHBORING BALKAN COUNTRIES.

AN OFFICIAL OF ONE SERBIAN OPPOSITION PARTY -- "CIVIC ALLIANCE" VICE CHAIRMAN GORAN SVILANOVIC -- SAYS SANCTIONS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO AN ECONOMIC COLLAPSE THAT COULD BRING DOWN THE GOVERNMENT -- BUT NOT FOR SOME TIME. MR. SVILANOVIC IS A SERB NATIVE OF KOSOVO, BUT HE SAYS BELGRADE IS FIGHTING A LOSING BATTLE: THAT WITHIN A FEW YEARS THE LAST SERBS WILL HAVE LEFT KOSOVO.

I SAID I BELIEVE THERE WILL BE NO SERBS IN KOSOVO IN FIVE YEARS, WHATEVER HAPPENS. THEREFORE, I DON'T SEE WHY THEY REALLY FIGHT FOR IT. AND ARE THEY REALLY ACHIEVING A GOAL THROUGH THIS KIND OF A WAR?

WITH DEADLY CLASHES ALMOST EVERY DAY, MR. SVILANOVIC SAYS A WAR MAY HAVE ALREADY STARTED. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART
30-Apr-98 4:09 AM EDT (0809 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE CELEBRATION OF ISRAEL'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY AS A STATE DOMINATES EDITORIALS IN THE U-S PRESS THIS THURSDAY, AS THAT MIDDLE EASTERN NATION CELEBRATES ITS BIRTHDAY. OTHER TOPICS UNDER REVIEW BY THE NATION'S NEWSPAPERS INCLUDE: NATO EXPANSION, DUE TO BE VOTED ON IN THE SENATE THIS WEEK; THE STRUGGLE FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM; AND A BILL TO PAY SOME OF THE COUNTRY'S BACK U-N DUES, WHICH IT SAYS MUST BE VETOED BY THE PRESIDENT. NOW, HERE IS ______________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND A SAMPLING OF QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: ISRAEL'S 50TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY IS DRAWING COMMENT FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE NATION. WE BEGIN IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, WHERE "THE OREGONIAN," IN PORTLAND SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: CONSIDERING THAT THE HISTORY OF THE PLACE GOES BACK ABOUT FOUR-THOUSAND YEARS, IT'S ASTOUNDING HOW MUCH ISRAEL HAS CHANGED IN JUST THE LAST 50. THE NATION THAT CAME INTO EXISTENCE HALF A CENTURY AGO TODAY HAS SEEN A DRAMATIC CHANGE IN BOTH ITS POPULATION AND BOUNDARIES -- AND THE SHADOW IT CASTS IN THE WORLD. ..... ALMOST ALONE AMONG THE POSTWAR NATIONS -- AND IN STRIKING CONTRAST TO ITS 1948 BIRTHMATES, INDIA AND PAKISTAN -- ISRAEL HAS NEVER WAVERED IN ITS COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY. IN 50 YEARS, IT'S NEVER MISSED AN ELECTION -- IN A REGION WHERE MOST OF ITS SURROUNDING STATES HAVE NEVER HELD A ONE [ELECTION] WORTHY OF THE NAME. BUT ISRAEL'S DEMOCRATIC TRADITION ALSO SHOULD ENABLE IT TO DEAL WITH ITS GREATEST CHALLENGE, TWO MILLION PALESTINIANS INSIDE ITS BORDERS, DEMANDING THEIR OWN DIRECTION.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" RUNS A HUGE EDITORIAL, TAKING UP THE ENTIRE COLUMN, WHICH USUALLY HAS AT LEAST THREE COMMENTARIES, AND NOTES THE OCCASION THIS WAY.

VOICE: THERE ARE FEW EVENTS OF THE 20TH CENTURY THAT CAN RIVAL THE CREATION OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL, WHICH TOOK PLACE 50 YEARS AGO. AND THERE ARE EVEN FEWER EXAMPLES OF REBIRTH, SURVIVAL, GROWTH AND SUCCESS. THE COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED OUT OF A DEEP YEARNING FOR A PLACE WHERE THE JEWISH PEOPLE COULD FINALLY HAVE A SAFE HAVEN, A HOME, A PROMISED LAND. AND IT WAS BORN OUT OF THE ASHES OF THE GRUESOME FIRE OF WORLD WAR TWO AND THE HOLOCAUST. IT IS A REMARKABLE ACCOMPLISHMENT TO WITNESS A DREAM REALIZED, AND TODAY MARKS THE CELEBRATION OF THAT REALITY .....

TEXT: TODAY'S "NEW YORK POST" CONCLUDES ITS LEAD EDITORIAL WITH THESE WORDS:

VOICE: ISRAEL IS A MIRACLE. BUT IT IS A NECESSARY MIRACLE. JUST AS THE CREATION OF THE UNITED STATES BEGAN A NEW ERA IN HUMAN FREEDOM, SO HAS ISRAEL'S CREATION BEGUN A NEW CHAPTER IN HUMAN HISTORY -- A CHAPTER OF HOPE OUT OF DESPAIR, GREATNESS OUT OF EVIL, FLOWERS OUT OF ASHES.

TEXT: IN SOUTH FLORIDA, WHERE THERE IS A LARGE JEWISH POPULATION, "THE MIAMI HERALD" TALKS ABOUT THE FUTURE AND THE QUEST FOR PEACE.

VOICE: MOST ISRAELIS -- JEW AND ARAB -- WANT PEACE. THE TWO GROUPS MAY DIFFER ON MUCH BUT THEY SHARE KNOWING WHAT IT IS TO BE WITHOUT HOME OR COUNTRY AND HAVING A VESTED INTEREST IN ISRAEL'S FUTURE. ISRAEL WAS FOUNDED UPON AN IDEA BORNE OF POWERFUL EMOTIONS AND THE WILL TO OVERCOME TRAGIC HISTORY. IT HAS SUCCEEDED BECAUSE OF ITS ABILITY TO ACT WITH PRAGMATIC SELF-INTEREST WHEN NECESSARY. IN THE NEXT 50 YEARS, MAY ISRAEL SEE LESS CONFLICT, FULFILL ITS PROMISE, AND FIND THE PRACTICAL ROAD TO PEACE.

TEXT: AS THE SENATE PREPARED TO VOTE, AS EARLY AS TODAY, ON EXPANDING NATO TO INCLUDE HUNGARY, POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC, THE DEBATE RAGES ON IN THE NATION'S PRESS. "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" THOUGHTFULLY AGREES THAT NATO SHOULD BE EXPANDED, WITH THE CAVEAT THAT EFFORTS BY BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE TO FURTHER THE DEMOCRATIZATION OF RUSSIA PROCEED WITH FULL, ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT. "THE MONITOR" PUTS IT THIS WAY:

VOICE: OUR POSITION FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS TAKES ACCOUNT OF BOTH (ONE) THE REASONS FOR WELCOMING BACK THE ARTIFICIALLY WALLED OFF EASTERN HALF OF EUROPE, AND (TWO) GENEROUSLY BOLSTERING DEMOCRACY AND PROSPERITY IN RUSSIA. WE WOULD HAVE PREFERRED THAT THE ORGANIC GROWTH OF ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL EUROPE PRECEDE THE MILITARY DEFENSE OF THAT ENLARGEMENT. .... BUT, HAVING SAID THAT, WE FEEL THAT CHEERING ON POLAND, HUNGARY, AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC -- COURAGEOUS TOPPLERS OF THE IRON CURTAIN -- AND THEN SLAMMING THE NATO DOOR IN THEIR FACES WOULD BE WRONG. HISTORICALLY FICKLE AND DANGEROUS.

TEXT: ACROSS TOWN, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" HEARTILY DISAGREES.

VOICE: THE SENATE SEEMS TO BE MOVING TOWARD AN UNNECESSARY GEOPOLITICAL BLUNDER -- RATIFICATION OF A FIRST STAGE OF NATO ENLARGEMENT THAT WOULD INCLUDE POLAND, HUNGARY, AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC. ..... THERE IS A DANGER .... THAT EXPANSION OF NATO WOULD NOURISH IN RUSSIA POLITICAL FORCES THAT COULD REVIVE OLD IMPERIAL IMPULSES. AND THERE IS ALSO A DANGER THAT NATO WOULD DRAW A NEW LINE ACROSS EUROPE [,] SEPARATING ALLIANCE MEMBERS FROM EXCLUDED STATES. SENATORS WHO VOTE AGAINST PRECIPITOUS NATO EXPANSION WILL BE VOTING FOR SECURITY AND STABILITY IN EUROPE.

TEXT: "NEWSDAY" CONTINUES TO LAMENT THE FAILURE OF LEADERS IN CONGRESS TO SUPPORT CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, WHICH IS NOW BEING FORCED TO THE FLOOR FOR DEBATE BY RANK AND FILE LEGISLATORS OF BOTH PARTIES.

VOICE: THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IS NO LESS HOSTILE TO REFORM THAN IT WAS WHEN IT BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR A CAMPAIGN BILL THAT WAS DESIGNED TO FAIL AND SURE TO WORSEN THE POLITICAL FUNDING MESS IF IT ACTUALLY BECAME LAW. FEW HOUSE MEMBERS ARE REALLY EAGER TO CHANGE THE CAMPAIGN-FINANCE SYSTEM THAT ALLOWED THEM TO GAIN OFFICE AND THAT GIVES INCUMBENTS AN EDGE OVER CHALLENGERS -- ALTHOUGH MANY WOULD HAPPILY CAST A VOTE FOR A REFORM BILL IF THEY COULD BE CERTAIN IT WOULDN'T BECOME LAW. BUT SUPPOSE THE HOUSE DOES .... PASS A BILL .... THAT STILL LEAVES THE SENATE, WHERE A FILIBUSTER ORCHESTRATED BY .... MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT (REPUBLICAN OF MISSISSIPPI) -- HAS ALREADY SNATCHED AWAY THE [ISSUE] ... ONCE THIS YEAR.

TEXT: THERE IS ANOTHER DEBATE, THIS ONE OVER CONGRESSIONAL ATTACHMENT OF AN ANTI-ABORTION FUNDING SECTION TO THE BILL THAT WOULD PAY PART OF THIS COUNTRY'S BACK-DUES TO THE UNITED NATIONS. IN NEBRASKA, "THE OMAHA WORLD-HERALD" SAYS OF THIS LATEST MOVE:

VOICE: THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN BEHIND IN ITS UNITED NATIONS DUES PAYMENTS SINCE THE 1980S. CONTINUED NONPAYMENT COULD MEAN THE LOSS OF U-S VOTING RIGHTS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. ..... THE CENSURE WOULD BE AN EMBARRASSMENT. WASHINGTON HAS LONG LECTURED OTHER NATIONS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MEETING THEIR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES. .... PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS SAID HE WILL VETO THE BILL. ... WHILE FURTHER DELAY IN PAYING THIS COUNTRY'S DEBT WOULD BE UNFORTUNATE, A VETO WOULD BE APPROPRIATE. ..... THE DEBATE OVER FUNDING INTERNATIONAL FAMILY PLANNING AGENCIES IS ONE THAT SHOULD BE SETTLED ON ITS OWN MERITS -- AFTER THIS COUNTRY PAYS THE PAST-DUE BILL IT OWES TO THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM SOME OF TODAY'S EDITORIALS IN AMERICA'S DAILY PAPERS.
NEB/ANG/KL
30-Apr-98 10:40 AM EDT (1440 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[14] TURKEY/ISLAM BY LAURIE KASSMAN (ISTANBUL)

INTRO: THE POPULAR PRO-ISLAMIST MAYOR OF ISTANBUL FACES A JAIL TERM OF UP TO 10 MONTHS, ON CHARGES OF INCITING RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS HATRED IN A SPEECH ALLEGED TO BE ANTI-SECULAR. IT IS THE LATEST CONFRONTATION IN THE SECULAR TURKISH STATE'S STRUGGLE TO DEAL WITH POLITICAL ISLAM. IN ISTANBUL, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN TAKES A LOOK AT THE BATTLE OF IDEOLOGIES.

TEXT:

HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS MARCH ON ISTANBUL'S CITY HALL TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE ISLAMIST MAYOR RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN (PRON.: REH-JEP TIE-YIP ER-DOH-AHN). THEY SHOUT TO ANKARA TO LISTEN TO THEIR VOICES AND THEIR FOOTSTEPS. // OPT // AND THEY CHANT THE VERSES OF A POEM THAT GOT THE MAYOR INTO TROUBLE DURING A SPEECH HE MADE IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY.

THE VERSE DESCRIBES THE MOSQUES AS BARRACKS AND THE MINARETS AS BAYONETS.

THE COURT CONSIDERS THE SPEECH AN ATTACK ON TURKEY'S SECULAR SYSTEM, AND HAS FOUND MR. ERDOGAN GUILTY. HIS LAWYERS ARE APPEALING THE VERDICT. // END OPT //

THE POPULAR MAYOR WELCOMES THOUSANDS OF SUPPORTERS EACH DAY AT HIS OFFICE IN THE HEART OF ISTANBUL. HE DEFENDS HIS WORK AS A SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY, BUT HE CALLS ON HIS ADMIRERS NOT TO PROVOKE THE AUTHORITIES.

IF THE VERDICT IS UPHELD, MR. ERDOGAN WILL LOSE HIS POLITICAL POST AND A CHANCE TO RUN IN NEXT YEAR'S ELECTIONS. THE 43-YEAR-OLD IS OFTEN DESCRIBED AS A POTENTIAL LEADER OF THE NEW ISLAMIST PARTY THAT WAS SET UP AFTER THE ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY WAS SHUT DOWN.

THE ATTACK ON MR. ERDOGAN AND SEVERAL OTHER ISLAMIST MAYORS AND BUSINESSMEN IS THE LATEST IN A MILITARY-LED CRUSADE TO SAFEGUARD TURKEY'S SECULAR TRADITIONS. // OPT // THE MILITARY AND MANY SECULAR TURKS SEE ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM AS A MAJOR THREAT TO STABILITY. // END OPT //

SOCIOLOGIST NILUFAR NARLI HAS TRACKED POLITICAL ISLAM IN TURKEY AND TALKS OF A DEEPENING POLARIZATION AS THE ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY GAINED AN INFLUENTIAL ROLE IN THE GOVERNMENT.

SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE A STRONG COMMITMENT TO SECULARISM, THEY HAD DIFFICULTY IN UNDERSTANDING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE WELFARE PARTY. FOR THEM, ALMOST ALL ACTIVITIES WERE SEEN AS A THREAT TO THE SECULAR STRUCTURE OF TURKEY, AND THEY WERE SUSPICIOUS OF ALMOST EVERYTHING.

WELFARE PARTY LEADER NECMETTIN ERBEKAN WAS OUSTED AS PRIME MINISTER LAST YEAR, AFTER A SERIES OF POLITICAL CONFRONTATIONS WITH THE MILITARY. A CRACKDOWN ON ISLAMIST ACTIVITIES HAS FOLLOWED -- FROM CLOSING DOWN THE ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY AND MID-LEVEL RELIGION SCHOOLS TO DISCOURAGING WOMEN FROM WEARING HEADSCARVES ON A UNIVERSITY CAMPUS.

TWENTY-YEAR-OLD AISHA SAYS SHE DOES NOT HAVE A STUDENT IDENTITY CARD, BECAUSE SHE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE OFF HER HEADSCARF FOR THE PHOTO -- SOMETHING SHE REFUSES TO DO.

PRO-ISLAMISTS SAY THE AUTHORITIES ARE GOING TOO FAR, BUT THE MILITARY COMPLAINS THE CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT IS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO FEND OFF RADICAL ISLAM.

MISS NARLI SAYS MOST TURKS TRADITIONALLY LOOK TO THE MILITARY TO PROTECT THE SECULAR SYSTEM IT HELPED ESTABLISH MORE THAN 70 YEARS AGO.

IN TURKEY, MOST OF THE PEOPLE RESPECT THE MILITARY, AND THIS IS PART OF TURKISH POLITICAL CULTURE. AND THEY BELIEVE AND TRUST THEM, AND THERE ARE SURVEYS SHOWING THAT THEIR CONFIDENCE IN THE POLITICAL PARTIES DECREASE -- BUT THE MILITARY IS THE MOST TRUSTED INSTITUTION IN TURKEY.

POLITICAL ANALYSTS BLAME WEAK POLITICAL LEADERSHIP FOR THE CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE AND THE GROWING DISCORD WITH THE MILITARY. BUT THE DILEMMA OF HOW TO DEAL WITH POLITICAL ISLAM IN A SECULAR STATE ALSO HAS RENEWED CRITICISM OF WHAT THE ANALYSTS CALL TURKEY'S "DIRECTED DEMOCRACY." (SIGNED)
NEB/LK/PCF/WTW
30-Apr-98 8:21 AM EDT (1221 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[15] TURKEY/KURDS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: THE TURKISH MILITARY SAYS IT HAS LAUNCHED THIS WEEK ITS BIGGEST OFFENSIVE EVER AGAINST KURDISH SEPARATIST REBELS, BASED IN TURKEY'S MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST PROVINCES. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY 38 REBELS WERE KILLED IN THE OPERATION SO FAR, ALONG WITH THREE TURKISH SOLDIERS.

TEXT: SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY 24 GENERALS ARE DIRECTING THE OPERATION DUBBED "MURAT" -- WHICH MEANS "DESIRED GOAL" IN TURKISH. THE OFFENSIVE COVERS AN AREA STRETCHING OVER 16-THOUSAND KILOMETERS AND IS CONCENTRATED IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PROVINCES OF MUS, BINGOL, ELAZIG AND DIYARBAKIR.

THE OPERATION -- WHICH WAS LAUNCHED EARLY IN THE WEEK -- INCLUDES AROUND 40-THOUSAND TURKISH TROOPS BACKED BY TANKS AND FIGHTER JETS. MILITARY OFFICIALS DESCRIBE IT AS THE FINAL BLOW TO THE OUTLAWED "KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY," THE "P-K-K."

THE OFFICIALS SAY SOME 500 P-K-K REBELS ARE HIDING IN THE TERRAIN FALLING WITHIN THE OPERATION ZONE, AND THAT SOME 120 REBELS ARE TRAPPED IN AN AREA ENCIRCLED BY TURKISH FORCES.

ACCORDING TO LATEST REPORTS FROM THE CONFLICT ZONE, 200 P-K-K SHELTERS CONTAINING FOOD SUPPLIES AND WEAPONS HAVE BEEN UNCOVERED. BRIEFING JOURNALISTS ON THE OFFENSIVE, THIRD ARMY COMMANDER GENERAL NAHIT SENOGLU SAID HE HAD CALLED ON ALL THE REBELS TO SURRENDER. HE SAID HE DID NOT WANT ANYONE TO DIE, EVEN IF, IN HIS WORDS, THEY WERE TERRORISTS.

THE P-K-K HAS BEEN WAGING A 14-YEAR-LONG ARMED INSURGENCY TO GAIN SELF RULE FOR THE COUNTRY'S ESTIMATED 12-MILLION KURDS. THE GROUP, WHICH MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY HAS AROUND FIVE-THOUSAND ACTIVE FIGHTERS, HAS SEEN ITS POPULARITY WANE IN RECENT YEARS. ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS FOR THIS, SAY SOME ETHNIC KURDISH MEMBERS OF THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT, IS THE P-K-K'S POLICY OF MURDERING THE FAMILIES OF KURDISH TRIBES FIGHTING ON THE SIDE OF THE TURKISH STATE. THE KILLINGS HAVE INCLUDED WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

IN RECENT YEARS, THE TURKISH MILITARY HAS LAUNCHED NUMEROUS LARGE-SCALE OFFENSIVES AGAINST THE P-K-K IN KURDISH-CONTROLLED NORTHERN IRAQ. THE MILITARY HAS ENJOYED THE ACTIVE SUPPORT OF ONE OF THE MAIN KURDISH FACTIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ -- MASSOUD BARZANI'S KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY -- IN ITS BATTLE AGAINST THE REBELS.

THE P-K-K HAS BEEN USING NORTHERN IRAQ TO LAUNCH CROSS-BORDER ATTACKS AGAINST TURKISH SECURITY TARGETS. EARLIER THIS MONTH, TURKISH SPECIAL FORCES CAPTURED THE P-K-K'S SECOND IN COMMAND -- SEMDIN SAKIK -- IN A COVERT OPERATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ. MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY MR. SAKIK'S CAPTURE DEALT A CRIPPLING BLOW TO THE P-K-K. BUT REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN DENIES CLAIMS SAYING MR. SAKIK WAS EXPELLED FROM THE GROUP MONTHS AGO FOR WHAT HE TERMED CRIMINAL AND TREACHEROUS BEHAVIOR. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF
30-Apr-98 9:35 AM EDT (1335 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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