Voice of America, 98-08-03

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY HUMAN RIGHTS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[02] KOSOVO CONFLICT BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

[03] KOSOVO UNREST (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

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

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

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

[07] WORLD MEN BASKETBALL MONDAY (L-ONLY) BY DAVID BYRD (ATHENS GREECE)

[01] TURKEY HUMAN RIGHTS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: THE TRIAL OF 11 MEN ACCUSED OF TRYING TO KILL TURKEY'S LEADING HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER -- AKIN BIRDAL -- BEGAN IN A SPECIAL ANKARA SECURITY COURT MONDAY. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, THE DEFENDANTS -- ALL ALLEGED MEMBERS OF AN OBSCURE RIGHT-WING NATIONALIST GROUP OF EXTREMISTS CALLED THE "TURKISH REVENGE BRIGADE" -- DENY THE CHARGES.

TEXT: CENGIZ ERSEVER, A FORMER ARMY OFFICER AND ALLEGED RINGLEADER OF THE GROUP, DENIES CHARGES THAT HE HAD PLANNED THE MAY 12TH MURDER OF AKIN BIRDAL, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ANKARA-BASED TURKISH HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION. MR. ERSEVER SAYS HAD HE WANTED TO DO, SO HE WOULD HAVE -- IN HIS WORDS -- SPLATTERED BIRDAL'S BRAINS ALL OVER THE WALL. HE SAID HIS INSTRUCTIONS WERE TO KIDNAP BIRDAL AND THEN TO FORCE HIM DELIVER A PRESS STATEMENT IN WHICH HE WOULD APOLOGIZE FOR HIS SUPPORT FOR KURDISH SEPARATISTS.

MR. ERSEVER'S WORDS PROVOKED HARSH PROTESTS FROM BIRDAL'S LAWYERS. BIRDAL -- WHO ATTENDED THE HEARING IN A WHEELCHAIR -- MERELY SMILED. THE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER IS STILL RECOVERING FROM INJURIES HE SUSTAINED AFTER ARMED GUNMEN BURST INTO HIS ANKARA OFFICE AND SPRAYED HIM WITH BULLETS.

TELEVISION FOOTAGE OF BIRDAL LYING IN A POOL OF BLOOD SHOCKED MILLIONS OF TURKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND PROMPTED A FLURRY OF PROTESTS FROM WESTERN GOVERNMENTS.

BIRDAL'S LAWYERS SAID HE HAD RECEIVED NUMEROUS DEATH THREATS PRIOR TO THE ATTACK, BUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD FAILED TO RESPOND TO HIS REQUESTS FOR POLICE PROTECTION.

THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT WAS FURTHER EMBARRASSED AFTER IT EMERGED THAT A RIGHT-WING TERRORIST EMPLOYED BY THE TURKISH STATE TO KILL ITS PERCEIVED ENEMIES HAD PROBABLY MASTERMIND THE ENTIRE AFFAIR. THAT MAN, NICKNAMED "GREEN" BY THE TURKISH PRESS, IS STILL ON THE RUN.

BIRDAL HAS BEEN FREQUENTLY CRITICIZED BY THE TURKISH MEDIA FOR SPEAKING UP AGAINST THE TURKISH ARMY'S CRACKDOWN ON KURDISH SEPARATISTS WHILE FAILING TO CONDEMN ATTACKS CARRIED OUT AGAINST CIVILIANS BY THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY OR P-K-K. HE WAS RECENTLY SENTENCED TO SERVE TIME IN JAIL FOR A SPEECH THE GOVERNMENT SAYS PROVOKED HATRED IN CALLING FOR A PEACEFUL END TO THE KURDISH CONFLICT. BIRDAL IS APPEALING THE SENTENCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF
03-Aug-98 11:42 AM EDT (1542 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO CONFLICT BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: A MAJOR SERB OFFENSIVE DURING THE PAST WEEK IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE HAS APPARENTLY DEALT A SERIOUS SETBACK TO ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR AN INDEPENDENT KOSOVO. BUT V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS THE GUERRILLAS REMAIN DEFIANT, AND A CEASEFIRE, LET ALONG A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT, REMAINS ELUSIVE.

TEXT: IT IS ONLY ABOUT 25 KILOMETERS TO SEDLARE VILLAGE, BUT THE DRIVE FROM PRISTINA TAKES WELL OVER ONE HOUR, OVER RUTTED, DUSTY DIRT TRAILS. THERE ARE FEW RESIDENTS AROUND -- MOST HAVE FLED INTO THE SURROUNDING HILLS. SERBIAN GUNNERS IN THE AREA ARE ACTIVE, AND WE OCCASIONALLY HEAR THE "THWUMP" OF THE HEAVY WEAPONS.

WE ARE HERE TO MEET WITH THE LOCAL COMMANDER OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, THE REBEL FORCE WITH THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN MEN UNDER ARMS. AFTER UNIFORMED FIGHTERS CHECK OUR DOCUMENTS, THEIR CHIEF WALKS OUT TO US, OUT OF THE WOODS. HIS NOM DE GUERRE (PSEUDONYM), LUAN, MEANS "LION." SOME OF HIS MEN HAVE OLD, BOLT-ACTION RIFLES, BUT OTHERS HAVE KALASHNIKOVS, AND HIS LOOKS BRAND NEW.

SERB FORCES OVER THE PAST WEEK HAVE PUSHED THE REBELS OUT OF MANY AREAS THAT HAVE CONTROLLED. BUT COMMANDER LUAN DENIES THE REBELS HAVE SUFFERED A SETBACK IN THE OFFENSIVE.

WE DID NOT LOSE ANY GROUND, HE SAYS, BUT WE HAD TO PULL BACK OFF THE ROADS, ONLY THE MAIN ROADS, TO PROTECT OUR CIVILIANS. HIS COMMAND INCLUDES THE MAIN ROAD SOUTH OF PRISTINA TO PRIZREN, AND HE SAYS HE COULD BLOCK THAT ROAD ANY TIME HE WANTS.

OTHER ETHNIC ALBANIANS HERE AGREE WITH COMMANDER LUAN. BUT PRIVATELY, OTHERS WILL ADMIT THAT THE SERBS HAVE, IN FACT, MADE MAJOR ADVANCES.

JOURNALISTS HAVE DESCRIBED THE REBELS' GOAL AS AN INDEPENDENT KOSOVO. BUT THEIR SPOKESMAN (JAKUB KRASNIQI) WAS RECENTLY QUOTED AS SAYING THEY REALLY WANT A SO-CALLED GREATER ALBANIA -- INCLUDING KOSOVO, ETHNIC ALBANIAN PARTS OF MACEDONIA, AND OF COURSE ALBANIA ITSELF. COMMANDER LUAN AGREES WITH THE GOAL, BUT NOT THE NAME. FOR HIM, "GREATER ALBANIA" IS "REAL ALBANIA." THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE, HE SAYS, NATURALLY SHOULD LIVE IN THE SAME COUNTRY.

THOUSANDS OF ALBANIAN VILLAGERS HAVE FLED THEIR HOMES AS SERBS GUNNERS HAVE SHELLED SETTLEMENTS IN CENTRAL KOSOVO IN RECENT DAYS. THE GOAL APPEARS TO BE TO OPEN A CORRIDOR IN THE HEART OF REBEL-CONTROLLED TERRITORY. BUT THE CIVILIANS BELIEVE THEY ARE THE TARGETS, AND THEY OFTEN RAISE THE MEMORY OF THE ETHNIC CLEANSING OF THE BOSNIAN WAR.

SERB OFFICIALS ARE URGING THE VILLAGERS TO RETURN HOME. THE SERB GOVERNOR OF KOSOVO PROVINCE, VELJKO ODALOVIC, SAYS THE GOVERNMENT IS EVEN READY TO HELP THEM REBUILD HOUSES DESTROYED BY SERB GUNNERS.

THE ONLY ONES NOT HAPPY TO HAVE THE REFUGEES RETURN HOME, HE SAYS, ARE THE TERRORISTS -- WHICH IS WHAT THE SERBS CALL THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY GUERRILLAS. MR. ODALOVIC SAYS THE REBELS USE THE CIVILIANS AS HUMAN SHIELDS.

AMERICAN ENVOY CHRISTOPHER HILL HAS BEEN TRYING TO BRING THE SERBS AND THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. BUT THE EFFORT IS BOGGED DOWN -- IN PART BECAUSE THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS STILL HAVE FAILED TO PUT TOGETHER A NEGOTIATING TEAM REPRESENTING ALL THE POLITICAL FACTIONS, PLUS THE VARIOUS REBEL FACTIONS.

SERB OFFICIALS REFUSE TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE REBELS, AND THE GUERRILLAS DO NOT HAVE A POLITICAL WING. EDITOR AGRON BAJRAMI OF THE ALBANIAN LANGUAGE "KOHA DITORE" NEWSPAPER SAYS THAT UNLESS THERE ALL FACTIONS ARE REPRESENTED, AN AGREEMENT WOULD BE WORTHLESS.

EVERYBODY SHOULD BE THERE, FOR THE SAKE OF WHATEVER AGREEMENT IS REACHED, YOU HAVE TO MAINTAIN THEM. WHATEVER YOU SIGN YOU HAVE TO STAND AND BACK IT. SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE EVERYBODY INVOLVED.

PRESSURE IS MOUNTING TO END THE FIGHTING. BUT THE SERBS, WITH FRESH VICTORIES, CONTINUE TO PUSH THEIR ADVANTAGE. THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, WITH ITS BACK TO THE WALL, HAS INCREASED ITS RESOLVE.

AN ESTIMATED 150-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE FLED THEIR HOMES. MANY ARE LIVING OUT IN THE OPEN WITH THE TOUGH BALKAN WINTER FAST APPROACHING. DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO NEGOTIATE A CEASEFIRE SEEM FAR FROM SUCCESS. AND THE DEMANDS OF THE TWO SIDES -- THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS FOR INDEPENDENCE, THE SERBS FOR, AT MOST, AUTONOMY -- THE DEMANDS SEEM TOTALLY CONTRADICTORY. IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT ITS HARD TO FIND ANYONE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT REACHING A SETTLEMENT ANY TIME SOON. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART
03-Aug-98 8:16 AM EDT (1216 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO UNREST (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: SERBIAN FORCES CONTINUED TO PRESS THEIR OFFENSIVE AGAINST SEPARATIST ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS IN KOSOVO TODAY (MONDAY). THE ACTION CAME DESPITE ASSURANCES BY YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC LAST WEEK THAT THE OFFENSIVE HAD ENDED. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES HAS BEEN IN THE HILLS OF CENTRAL KOSOVO, WHERE HE REPORTS THE REBELS ARE APPARENTLY UNDETERRED BY THE LATEST SERB ADVANCES.

TEXT: DESPITE THE RECENT SERB ADVANCES, REBELS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY REMAIN IN CONTROL OF KEY PARTS OF KOSOVO. JUST 20 KILOMETERS WEST OF THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA, THE BACK ROADS ARE THOROUGHLY CONTROLLED BY REBELS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY.

AT THE FIRST CHECKPOINTS, REBELS BEHIND A SANDBAG WALL MOTION US TO STOP. THEIR APPEARANCE IS RAGTAG. THEY CHECK OUR DOCUMENTS AND PASS US ON.

WE DRIVE TO THE NEXT CHECKPOINT WHERE A 19-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WITH LONG DARK HAIR, PLATFORM SHOES AND A KALASHNIKOV MOTIONS US TO STOP. "FLORA" (HER NAME) HAD BEEN STUDYING TO BE A NURSE WHEN SHE JOINED THE REBELS.

THE LEADER OF THIS GROUP SAYS THERE ARE MANY WOMEN IN THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY -- THOUGH OF THE MANY FIGHTERS WE HAVE SEEN, FLORA IS THE FIRST. WE ASK THE LEADER -- HIS NOM DE GUERRE IS "BUDE" -- WHAT HAPPENS TO KOSOVO'S 10-PERCENT SERB MINORITY AFTER WHAT HE ASSUMES WILL BE A VICTORY FOR THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS?

TWENTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD IBRAHIM ZEQIRI HAS JUST LOST FOUR MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY. HIS MOTHER, TWO SISTERS AND A SISTER-IN-LAW HAVE DIED IN FIGHTING JUST THE DAY BEFORE. HE SEEMS REMARKABLY COMPOSED, CONSIDERING WHAT HAS HAPPENED. HE RETURNED FROM GERMANY A YEAR AGO WHERE HE HAD WON THE RIGHT OF ASYLUM. BUT WHEN HE CAME BACK TO YUGOSLAVIA, SERB POLICE TOOK HIS PASSPORT AT THE AIRPORT. NOW, HE WANTS A NEW PASSPORT.

KOSOVO PASSPORT, KOSOVO PASSPORT... (CONTINUES IN GERMAN, BUT FADE UNDER)

HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN AN INDEPENDENT KOSOVO WILL BE ABLE TO ISSUE ITS OWN PASSPORTS.

MR. ZEQIRI WANTS TO JOIN THE GUERRILLA FORCE. HE HAS THE MONEY TO BUY A GUN, BUT APPARENTLY MANY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME DESIRE. HE SAYS HE CAN'T FIND ONE FOR SALE. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/PCF
03-Aug-98 2:52 PM EDT (1852 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK MARKETS IN EUROPE TOOK THEIR CUE MONDAY FROM THE SHARP DROPS EARLIER IN THE DAY ON FAR EAST EXCHANGES. EUROPE'S MARKETS CLOSED AT THEIR LOWEST LEVELS IN SIX WEEKS, AS VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: DEPRESSED PRICES ON KEY ASIAN MARKETS -- NOTABLY HONG KONG AND TOKYO -- ALONG WITH THE FALLING YEN, PUT INVESTORS IN A SELLING MOOD THROUGHOUT WESTERN EUROPE MONDAY. DAILY VALUE DECLINES OF ANYWHERE FROM ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT TO JUST SHORT OF THREE PERCENT WERE THE ORDER OF THE DAY.

IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, THE ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT DECLINE ON THE LONDON "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX WAS THE SMALLEST DROP. THE "FOOTSIE" MONDAY CLOSED DOWN 27 POINTS. IN GERMANY, HOWEVER, THE FRANKFURT "DAX" CLOSED DOWN 87 POINTS -- OR ABOUT ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. THE PARIS "CAC 40" LOST ALMOST TWO PERCENT WITH A DECLINE OF 82 POINTS.

THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND AND THE JAPANESE YEN, BUT WAS OFF SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK.

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (MONDAY) AS TRADERS CONTINUED TO WORRY ABOUT JAPAN AND THE INVESTIGATION OF PRESIDENT CLINTON. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 87-HUNDRED-86, DOWN 96-POINTS, MORE THAN ONE-PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11-HUNDRED-12, DOWN EIGHT POINTS.

THERE WAS SOME BARGAIN HUNTING DURING THE SESSION BUT ANALYSTS SAY A MOOD OF CAUTION CONTINUES ON WALL STREET, WITH TRADERS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SLIDE IN THE JAPANESE YEN AND UNCERTAIN ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF THE INVESTIGATION OF PRESIDENT CLINTON.

BARRING ANY DEVALUATIONS OF ASIAN CURRENCIES, THE MARKET WILL PROBABLY TRADE IN A RANGE OF 86 HUNDRED 50 AND 92 HUNDRED ON THE DOW.

AN INDEX OF U-S MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY DROPPED IN JULY TO ITS LOWEST LEVEL IN TWO AND ONE-HALF YEARS. MUCH OF THE DECREASE IS BLAMED ON A DROP IN U-S EXPORTS. MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS THE PERSONAL INCOMES OF AMERICANS GREW BY JUST TWO-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT IN JUNE, THE SMALLEST INCREASE IN 14 MONTHS. ANALYSTS SAY THE STRIKES AT GENERAL MOTORS KEPT THE INCOME GROWTH DOWN.

BUT THE GOVERNMENT SAYS CONSTRUCTION SPENDING IN THE UNITED STATES JUMPED BY ONE-POINT-SEVEN PERCENT IN JUNE, THE BIGGEST INCREASE SINCE FEBRUARY OF 1997.

A HUGE ACQUISITION IN THE AMERICAN RETAIL INDUSTRY WILL CREATE THE NATION'S LARGEST SUPERMARKET AND DRUG STORE CHAIN. THE ALBERTSON'S COMPANY WILL ACQUIRE THE AMERICAN STORE COMPANY IN A DEAL WORTH ALMOST 12 BILLION DOLLARS. ANALYSTS SAY THE ACQUISITION COULD SPARK FURTHER CONSOLIDATION IN THE SUPERMARKET INDUSTRY.

I-B-M HAS ANNOUNCED A NEW COMPUTER CHIP TECHNOLOGY WHICH COULD BOOST THE PERFORMANCE OF COMPUTERS, CELLULAR TELEPHONES AND OTHER DEVICES BY 35-PERCENT. IN ADDITION, I-B-M SAYS THE NEW CHIPS WILL PROLONG BATTERY LIFE BY USING ONE-THIRD LESS ENERGY THAN CONVENTIONAL CHIPS.

THE KODAK FILM COMPANY WILL PAY 520 MILLION DOLLARS FOR CONTROLLING INTEREST IN IMATION, A LEADING PRODUCER OF X-RAY AND LASER MEDICAL IMAGING FILM. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/KBK
03-Aug-98 5:28 PM EDT (2128 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE AMERICAN NEWS MEDIA IS LOOKING AT THE RECENT DEATHS OF TWO CAPITOL POLICEMEN AT THE HANDS OF A DERANGED MAN AS POSSIBLY HAVING A POSITIVE EFFECT ON THE NATION'S HANDLING OF MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE. THERE ARE SEVERAL EDITORIALS ON THAT TOPIC IN MONDAY'S PAPERS. THERE ARE ALSO COMMENTARIES ON: THE CONTENTIOUS ISSUE OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, STILL ALIVE IN CONGRESS; THE U-S BUDGET SURPLUS AND WHAT TO DO WITH IT; THE SUFFERING IN SUDAN; VIOLENCE BREAKS OUT AGAIN IN KASHMIR AND ON-GOING PROBLEMS IN MEXICO'S IMPOVERISHED CHIAPAS STATE. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IS ______________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE SHOOTING OF TWO CAPITOL POLICE OFFICERS LAST MONTH HAS PROMPTED A RE-EXAMINATION OF HOW THIS COUNTRY, AND THE 50 STATES, DEAL WITH MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE. THE MAN ALLEGED TO HAVE KILLED THE TWO OFFICERS HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENIC WHO HAD STOPPED TAKING HIS MEDICINE, AND WAS UNREGULATED BY ANY CLINIC. IN AN EDITORIAL ENTITLED "FROM TRAGEDY, NEW HOPE" "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" CALLS FOR REFORMS IN THE MENTAL ILLNESS LAWS.

VOICE: RUSSELL EUGENE WESTON JUNIOR'S SLAYING OF TWO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ON CAPITOL HILL LAST MONTH WAS DRAMATICALLY, NATIONALLY PUBLIC. BUT DOZENS OF QUIETER TRAGEDIES OCCUR EVERY WEEK WHEN THE DELUSIONS OF PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENICS ARE LEFT UNTREATED AND ALLOWED TO ESCALATE. ... ABOUT 100-THOUSAND AMERICANS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA GO WITHOUT MEDICAL SUPERVISION ON ANY GIVEN DAY... THE LAWS IN MONTANA, LIKE THOSE IN CALIFORNIA AND MOST OTHER STATES, MAKE IT NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE FOR DOCTORS TO REQUIRE TREATMENT OR INSTITUTIONALIZATION UNLESS A PATIENT DISPLAYS CLEAR VIOLENT OR SUICIDAL INTENT. ... LAWMAKERS NEED TO VIEW SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESSES ... AS DISEASES THAT AFFECT A COMMUNITY TOO, FOR AS THE TRAGIC DEATHS ... ATTEST, SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE LIKE RUSSELL WESTON JUNIOR OFTEN DO NOT KEEP THEIR DISEASES TO THEMSELVES.

TEXT: /// OPT /// ON LONG ISLAND, "NEWSDAY" CONCURS, CALLING THE PROBLEM OF SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE FAILING TO TAKE THEIR MEDICATION -- ... A PROBLEM DESPERATELY IN NEED OF A SOLUTION.

SEVERAL PAPERS ARE APPLAUDING THE BI-PARTISAN EFFORT IN CONGRESS TO FORCE A VOTE ON A STRONG, CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM BILL. AMONG THEM IS "THE HARTFORD [CONNECTICUT] COURANT," WHICH SAYS:

VOICE: AS THE U-S HOUSE RESUMES WORK ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM TODAY, IT WOULD BE USEFUL TO CONSIDER WHAT'S AT STAKE: THE BUYING AND SELLING OF FEDERAL ELECTIVE OFFICES. /// OPT /// DURING THE PAST 18 MONTHS, THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PARTIES HAVE RAISED A RECORD 115-MILLION IN UNREGULATED SOFT MONEY [CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS THAT OFFICIALLY GO TO POLITICAL PARTIES FOR "INSTITUTIONAL" ADS, RATHER THAN DIRECTLY TO CANDIDATES, WHO'S CONTRIBUTIONS ARE MORE STRICTLY MONITORED]. THAT'S MORE THAN DOUBLE WHAT THEY RECEIVED IN THE PREVIOUS COMPARABLE PERIOD. /// END OPT /// ... UNDER THE CORRUPTING SYSTEM, DONORS MAY GIVE UNLIMITED AMOUNTS OF SOFT MONEY, WHICH IS BEING USED TO BYPASS THE LIMITS SET BY LAW ON CONTRIBUTIONS TO INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES. MUCH OF THE SOFT MONEY IS EVENTUALLY LAUNDERED TO BENEFIT INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES. THE BILL BEING VOTED ON WOULD PROHIBIT SOFT MONEY. ... HOUSE PASSAGE IS LIKELY IF ENOUGH LAWMAKERS HEAR FROM THEIR CONSTITUENTS. ... NOW IS THE TIME TO SEND THE MESSAGE TO WASHINGTON.

TEXT:/// OPT /// SIMILAR EDITORIALS CAN BE FOUND IN TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE," WHICH SAYS THE BILL "STILL HAS A LONG WAY TO GO," AND IN "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AND "WASHINGTON POST" WHICH LAUDS THE HOUSE EFFORT BUT SAYS -- IT IS PROBABLY TOO LATE IN THE YEAR TO FORCE THE BILL THROUGH THE SENATE AS WELL. /// END OPT ///

ON ANOTHER NATIONAL DEBATE, WHAT TO DO WITH THE COMING BUDGET SURPLUS, "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND COMMENTS THAT SPENDING SOME OF THE MONEY ON A TAX CUT WOULD BE FOOLISH, IN LIGHT OF THE PENDING SHORTFALL OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS PROGRAM.

VOICE: IF YOU WANT SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS LATER, YOU DO NOT WANT A FEDERAL TAX CUT NOW. ... THAT'S ... A MESSAGE ... CONGRESS NEEDS TO GET -- FROM THE PUBLIC IF SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES DO NOT GET IT ON THEIR OWN ... CRITICS OF THE TAX CUT PLAN, INCLUDING PRESIDENT CLINTON, ARE QUITE CORRECT THAT THE SOCIAL SECURITY PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE SOLVED BEFORE ANY SIGNIFICANT TAX CUT.

TEXT: MEANWHILE, "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" DEPLORES THE FAMINE NOW RAGING IN SOUTHERN SUDAN AS "MANMADE."

VOICE: A RADICAL ISLAMIST GOVERNMENT IN THE NORTH, WHICH SPONSORS TERRORISM AND ABUSES HUMAN RIGHTS, HAS BEEN TRYING SINCE THE '80'S TO IMPOSE MUSLIM LAW ON THE MOSTLY CHRISTIAN (AND ANIMIST) SOUTH. SOUTHERN REBEL GROUPS ARE DIVIDED; THE SOUTH IS ALSO PREY TO VICIOUS WARLORDS. THE KHARTOUM GOVERNMENT GAINS IF MORE SOUTHERNERS DIE, SO IT HASN'T HESITATED TO BAN RELIEF FLIGHTS OR RIP OFF [DIVERT] FOOD FOR ITS SOLDIERS. //// OPT /// ... A GROUP OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ... HAS SUGGESTED ... THE PRESIDENT ... APPOINT A SPECIAL U-S ENVOY, WHO WOULD ENERGIZE FALTERING NEGOTIATIONS .... A SPECIAL ENVOY MIGHT BE USEFUL IN RAISING THE PROFILE OF THE SUDAN CRISIS .... BUT ... MORE LIKELY, KHARTOUM WOULD TRY TO DUPE A MEDIATOR, AS IT DID JIMMY CARTER IN AN EARLIER EFFORT ... /// END OPT /// ONLY WHEN THE KHARTOUM REGIME FALLS WILL THERE BE A CHANCE TO END THE CIVIL WAR.

TEXT: THERE IS ALSO COMMENT ON ANOTHER TROUBLE SPOT, THE CONTESTED STATES OF KASHMIR AND JAMMU ON THE INDIAN-PAKISTANI-CHINESE BORDER, AND SCENE OF TWO PREVIOUS WARS BY THE SUB-CONTINENT NEIGHBORS. "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS RENEWED TALKS DO NOT COME A MOMENT TOO SOON IN THE DISPUTE THAT FLARED INTO VIOLENCE DURING THE WEEKEND:

VOICE: THE PROBLEM IS COMPLEX, AND INDIA, REGARDING KASHMIR AS ITS OWN AFFAIR, RESISTS EVEN TALKING ABOUT IT. YET THE ISSUE ACQUIRED A NEW URGENCY WHEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN WITH THEIR TESTS MOVED FROM A MANAGEABLE NUCLEAR AMBIGUITY TO AN ALARMING NEW CONDITION OF OPEN MUTUAL CAPABILITY AND THREAT. ... KASHMIRIS DEMAND[ING] SELF-DETERMINATION ... ARE PURSUING AN ARMED INSURGENCY WITH PAKISTAN'S SUPPORT. INDIA MEANWHILE TREATS KASHMIR AS AN INDIAN STATE BEING SUBVERTED BY A FOREIGN-PROMPTED REVOLT. ... PROPAGANDA THRUSTS AND GLIB FORMULAS ARE WORTH NOTHING. INDIANS, PAKISTANIS, AND KASHMIRIS MUST ADDRESS THEIR SHARED DILEMMA.

TEXT: IN THIS HEMISPHERE, TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" TAKES NOTE OF THE CONTINUING TROUBLE IN MEXICO'S POVERTY-RIDDEN CHIAPAS STATE, DECRYING THE RECENT ESCALATION IN VIOLENCE, BETWEEN THE ARMY AND ZAPATISTA GUERRILLAS, AND CHARGING -- PRESIDENT ERNESTO ZEDILLO HAS MISHANDLED RELATIONS WITH THE ZAPATISTAS SINCE PEACE TALKS COLLAPSED IN 1996 ...

VOICE: LAST CHRISTMAS, A PARAMILITARY FORCE ALIGNED WITH MR. ZEDILLO'S PARTY MASSACRED 45 INDIANS IN THE VILLAGE OF CHENALHO'. MR. ZEDILLO RESPONDED WITH A CREDIBLE INVESTIGATION AND REMOVED NEGLIGENT OFFICIALS. BUT IN JUNE, THE GOVERNMENT RAISED TENSIONS ANEW BY SENDING THE ARMY AND POLICE TO REASSERT CONTROL OVER ZAPATISTA-RUN COMMUNITIES. THE ZAPATISTAS, MEANWHILE, HAVE TURNED FROM GUERRILLA VIOLENCE TO POLITICAL ORGANIZATION, DEEPENING THEIR SUPPORT. MR. ZEDILLO MUST MAKE GREATER EFFORTS TO COAX THEM BACK TO THE BARGAINING TABLE.

TEXT: LASTLY, "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" TAKES EXCEPTION WITH SOUTH AFRICA'S TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION, WHICH, AS ONE OF ITS FINAL ACTS, PARDONED FOUR MEN WHO STABBED TO DEATH AMERICAN STUDENT AMY BIEHL IN 1993.

VOICE: BISHOP DESMOND TUTU'S COMMISSION THUS ENDS ON AN UNFORTUNATE NOTE OF DOUBLESPEAK -- A DENIAL OF THE FACTS AT HAND. EVEN IF ONE ACCEPTS THAT KILLING INNOCENTS IS A LEGITIMATE MEANS OF EXERTING POLITICAL PRESSURE, IT EXCUSE WOULD HAVE WORKED ONLY AS LATE AS THE SPRING OF 1993. BUT ONCE THE ELECTIONS HAD BEEN ANNOUNCED, IT BECAME BASELESS. ... THERE ARE, TO BE SURE, MANY NONWHITES WHO COMMITTED 'CRIMES' UNDER THE UNJUST LEGAL ORDER OF APARTHEID-ERA SOUTH AFRICA WHO DESERVE TO BE FREED. BUT IT SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING THAT SINCE THE UNPROVOKED MURDER OF A DEFENSELESS WOMAN IS ALWAYS AND EVERYWHERE WRONG, THE REGIME UNDER WHICH IT OCCURS IS A MATTER OF IRRELEVANCE -- UNLESS, OF COURSE, THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ITSELF HAS BEEN PERVERTED TO SERVE POLITICAL ENDS.

TEXT:THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF MONDAY'S U-S PAPERS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
03-Aug-98 10:57 AM EDT (1457 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] WORLD MEN BASKETBALL MONDAY (L-ONLY) BY DAVID BYRD (ATHENS GREECE)

INTRO: THE U.S. MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM HAS ASSURED ITSELF A PLACE IN THE QUARTER-FINALS OF THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN ATHENS, GREECE. AS V-O-A'S DAVID BYRD REPORTS THE AMERICANS NEEDED A HARD FOUGHT 75 TO 73 WIN OVER SPAIN TO GO TO THE TOP OF THE GROUP.

TEXT: THE AMERICAN MEN WERE TAKEN ON ONE OF THE UNDEFEATED TEAMS IN THE TOURNAMENT AND THE SPANISH SQUAD TOOK A 42-31 LED INTO HALF-TIME. HOWEVER THE U-S TEAM WAS ABLE TO COME BACK IN THE SECOND HALF AND WIN THE GAME IN THE FINAL MINUTES 75-73.

U-S COACH RUDY TOMJANOVICH SAID THAT THE CLOSE CALL WILL ONLY HELP THE U-S TEAM DRAW CLOSER TOGETHER AND PLAY BETTER.

AND WHAT IT DOES WHEN YOU HAVE SUCCESS, IT REALLY PULLS YOU TOGETHER, BECAUSE ALL THINGS THAT YOU TALK ABOUT MEAN MORE IN A TIGHT GAME SO I THINK THIS WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR OUR TEAM TO GO THROUGH AND COME OUT SUCCESSFUL.

WITH NINE POINTS FROM FIVE GAMES, THE AMERICANS NEXT PLAY AUSTRALIA WHICH SCORED A 75-63 WIN OVER BRAZIL. LITHUANIA ALSO HAS NINE POINTS AFTER A 84-75 WIN OVER ARGENTINA. MEANWHILE, IN THE OTHER GROUP, RUSSIA IS IN FIRST PLACE AFTER BEATING HOME TEAM GREECE 60-48 MONDAY, YUGOSLAVIA IS IN SECOND PLACE AFTER LOSING TO ITALY 61-60. THE ITALIAN TEAM NEXT PLAYS PUERTO RICO WHICH KEPT IT'S SLIM HOPES ALIVE WITH A 94-81 WIN OVER CANADA.

ONLY THE TOP EIGHT TEAMS MAKE IT TO THE QUARTER-FINALS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DB/WDC-T/PT
03-Aug-98 6:56 PM EDT (2256 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article