Voice of America Digest, 17 October 1995

From: yanni@ix.netcom.com (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] !!! VOA DIGEST - OCTOBER 17, 1995

US / BALKANS -- THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS SENT ITS TOP OFFICIALS TO BRIEF THE US SENATE ON THE PROSPECTS FOR A PEACE AGREEMENT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA THAT WILL REQUIRE THE STATIONING OF AMERICAN TROOPS IN THE BALKAN REPUBLIC. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE OFFICIALS ENCOUNTERED A SKEPTICAL SENATE. (10/17)

CHRISTOPHER / CROATIA -- SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER IN TESTIMONY BEFORE A SENATE COMMITTEE IS WARNING CROATIA AGAINST USING MILITARY FORCE TO GAIN CONTROL OF SERBIAN-OCCUPIED EASTERN SLAVONIA. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT. (10/17)

BOSNIA / UN -- THE UNITED NATIONS IS STEPPING UP DELIVERY OF EMERGENCY RELIEF SUPPLIES TO THOUSANDS OF BOSNIAN SERBS WHO FLED THEIR HOMES IN THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY BEFORE THE BOSNIAN CEASE-FIRE WENT INTO EFFECT LAST WEEK. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS OFFICIALS OF THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR) IN GENEVA SAY CONDITIONS AT MAKESHIFT REFUGEE CAMPS THROUGHOUT THE REGION ARE RAPIDLY DETERIORATING. (10/17)

BOSNIA CEASEFIRE -- SPORADIC FIGHTING IS REPORTED IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA, BUT UN OFFICIALS SAY THE CEASE-FIRE IS TAKING HOLD. STRINGER DAVID FOLEY IN SARAJEVO REPORTS ALL SIDES HAVE NOW SUBMITTED MAPS OF THE MILITARY CONFRONTATION LINE TO THE UN, AND OFFICIALS SAY THERE IS BROAD AGREEMENT ON THIS KEY ISSUE. (10/17)

CHRISTOPHER / CONGRESS -- THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION MAKES ITS CASE TO THE SENATE FOR US INVOLVEMENT IN A BOSNIA PEACEKEEPING FORCE. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT ON THE ARGUMENT SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER PLANS TO MAKE. (10/16)

RUSSIA / BOSNIA TALKS -- MEMBERS OF THE FIVE-NATION CONTACT GROUP ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA ARE TO LEAVE SHORTLY FOR TALKS WITH BOSNIAN AND SERBIAN LEADERS. PETER HEINLEIN IN MOSCOW REPORTS THE VISITS FOLLOW A TWO-DAY CONTACT GROUP MEETING IN THE RUSSIAN CAPITAL. (10/17)

KOREA / SHOOTING -- SOUTH KOREA SAYS ITS TROOPS SHOT AND KILLED A SUSPECTED NORTH KOREAN SOLDIER TUESDAY NEAR THE HEAVILY-FORTIFIED BORDER BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS SOUTH KOREA'S MILITARY HAS BEEN PUT ON ALERT AND A SEARCH IS UNDERWAY FOR OTHER NORTH KOREANS WHO MAY HAVE CROSSED INTO THE SOUTH. (10/17)

NORTH KOREAN SHOT -- SOUTH KOREAN BORDER GUARDS HAVE SHOT AND KILLED A MAN BELIEVED TO BE A NORTH KOREAN SOLDIER. STRINGER JANE LEE REPORTS FROM SEOUL, THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE 40 KILOMETERS NORTH OF SEOUL NEAR THE WESTERN PORTION OF THE DEMILITARIZED ZONE, SEPARATING NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA. (10/17)

KOREA / SPY -- THE SOUTH KOREAN MILITARY HAS LAUNCHED A MANHUNT FOR SUSPECTED NORTH KOREAN SPIES FOLLOWING THE SHOOTING OF AN ARMED MAN NEAR THE BORDER EARLY TUESDAY. CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON SAYS SOUTH KOREAN SOLDIERS FOUND GRENADES AND TWO ASSAULT RIFLES NEAR THE SITE WHERE THE SUSPECTED NORTH KOREAN AGENT WAS SHOT AND KILLED. (10/17)

RON BROWN IN CHINA -- US COMMERCE SECRETARY RON BROWN IS IN CHINA FOR TWO DAYS OF MEETINGS HE SAYS WILL BE IMPORTANT AS THE CHINESE AND US PRESIDENTS PREPARE FOR A SUMMIT MEETING IN NEW YORK NEXT WEEK. CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER REPORTS FROM BEIJING. (10/17)

CHINA / US / SUMMIT -- CHINA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES IS HEADING BACK TO WASHINGTON THIS WEEK, IN ADVANCE OF AN OFFICIAL MEETING BETWEEN THE PRESIDENTS OF BOTH COUNTRIES IN NEW YORK NEXT WEEK. CORRESPONDENT STEPHANIE HO REPORTS THE CHINESE SIDE SAYS IT HOPES THE SUMMIT WILL LEAD TO IMPROVED BILATERAL RELATIONS. (10/17)

US / CHINA SUMMIT -- RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA, SOME OBSERVERS SAY, HAVE SUNK TO ITS LOWEST POINT SINCE DIPLOMATIC TIES WERE ESTABLISHED 16 YEARS AGO. AS PRESIDENT CLINTON AND CHINESE PRESIDENT AND PARTY LEADER JIANG ZEMIN PREPARE TO MEET IN NEW YORK, A PANEL OF FIVE AMERICAN EXPERTS ON CHINA DISCUSSES THE PROBLEMS COMPLICATING DIPLOMATIC TIES BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND BEIJING. CURRENT AFFAIRS' STEPHANIE MANN SUMS UP. (10/17)

FRANCE / BLAST -- TWO EXPLOSIONS RIPPED THROUGH A PARIS SUBWAY TRAIN DURING THE MORNING RUSH HOUR TUESDAY. FIRST REPORTS SAY 13 PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. IT IS THE SEVENTH BLAST TO CAUSE CASUALTIES IN FRANCE SINCE JULY. STRINGER JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS. (10/17)

WORLD FOOD PRIZE -- AN INNOVATIVE, 15-YEAR CAMPAIGN TO RESCUE AFRICA'S CASSAVA CROP FROM A DEVASTATING INSECT PLAGUE WITHOUT THE USE OF CHEMICAL PESTICIDES, HAS EARNED SWISS ENTOMOLOGIST HANS HERREN THE 1995 WORLD FOOD PRIZE. AS CORRESPONDENT ROB SIVAK REPORTS, PRIZE OFFICIALS AT MONDAY'S AWARD CEREMONY IN WASHINGTON SAID MR. HERREN'S WORK IN BIOLOGICAL PEST CONTROL HELPED AVERT A CONTINENT-WIDE CROP FAILURE DURING THE 1980S AND SAVED MILLIONS OF AFRICANS FROM ALMOST CERTAIN FAMINE. (10/16)

ARAB LEAGUE -- THE ARAB LEAGUE HAS AGREED TO SEND OBSERVERS TO ALGERIA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS NEXT MONTH AMID CONTINUED VIOLENCE THAT THREATENS TO DISRUPT THE VOTE. TWO ALGERIAN JOURNALISTS ARE AMONG THE LATEST VICTIMS. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM CAIRO ALGERIAN EXTREMISTS ARE ALSO BEING BLAMED FOR A WAVE OF TERRORIST ATTACKS IN PARIS. (10/17)

IRAQ / POLITICS -- IRAQ'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TAREK AZIZ SAYS IRAQ IS PLANNING TO HOLD PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS EARLY NEXT YEAR. THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES TWO DAYS AFTER VOTERS GAVE SADDAM HUSSEIN SUPPORT FOR ANOTHER SEVEN-YEAR TERM IN A REFERENDUM CALLED A SHAM BY IRAQ'S NEIGHBORS AND WESTERN GOVERNMENTS. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN HAS MORE FROM CAIRO. (10/17)

ISRAEL / LEBANON -- ISRAEL'S CABINET ANNOUNCED TUESDAY IT WOULD GIVE THE ISRAELI ARMY A FREER HAND IN DEALING WITH GUERRILLAS IN SOUTHERN LEBANON, AFTER TWO DEADLY ATTACKS ON ISRAELI SOLDIERS IN RECENT DAYS IN THE BORDER ZONE ISRAEL CONTROLS. CORRESPONDENT AL PESSIN REPORTS FROM JERUSALEM. (10/17)

US / BAHRAIN / PLANES -- THE UNITED STATES AND BAHRAIN ARE CLOSE TO REACHING AGREEMENT ON A PROPOSAL TO TEMPORARILY BASE US MILITARY AIRCRAFT IN THE PERSIAN GULF STATE. ABOUT 30 US AIRCRAFT WOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE ARRANGEMENT. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON. (10/16)

UN / PALESTINIANS -- THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES REPORTS CONDITIONS ARE DETERIORATING AT A MAKESHIFT CAMP ON THE EGYPTIAN-LIBYAN BORDER FOR AS MANY AS 1,000 PALESTINIANS EXPELLED BY THE LIBYAN GOVERNMENT DURING THE PAST FEW WEEKS. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS FROM GENEVA. (10/17)

ISRAEL / US / TRADE -- THE UNITED STATES HAS GRANTED FREE TRADE STATUS TO THE SOON-TO-BE EXPANDED TERRITORY UNDER THE PALESTINIAN AUTONOMY AUTHORITY. THE ARRANGEMENT WAS FINALIZED THROUGH AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS TUESDAY. CORRESPONDENT AL PESSIN REPORTS FROM JERUSALEM, WHERE THE US TRADE REPRESENTATIVE, MICKEY KANTOR, IS VISITING. (10/17)

ARMS CONTROL / SOUTH ASIA -- THE POTENTIAL THREAT OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN THE HANDS OF EITHER INDIA OR PAKISTAN AGGRAVATES THE ALREADY HIGH TENSION IN SOUTH ASIA. CURRENT AFFAIRS' DEBORAH COOPER REPORTS ON THE POTENTIAL FOR MORE CONFLICT IN THE REGION. (10/17)

KENYA / TURKANA AID -- IN THE FAR NORTH OF KENYA, THE TURKANA PEOPLE ARE INCREASINGLY THREATENED BY THE TWIN PROBLEMS OF DROUGHT AND INSECURITY. THEY ARE A PEOPLE IN NEED OF HELP. BUT, MUCH OF THE AID THAT HAS GONE INTO THIS REMOTE AND BARREN DISTRICT HAS GONE TO WASTE. EAST AFRICA CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTS WHAT HE LEARNED WHILE TOURING TURKANA WITH HISTORIAN AND AUTHOR NIGEL PAVITT. (10/17)

NATO / CLAES -- THERE IS A STRONG CHANCE THAT THE BELGIAN PARLIAMENT WILL VOTE THIS WEEK TO LIFT THE IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION OF NATO SECRETARY GENERAL WILLY CLAES. MR. CLAES FACES CHARGES OF FORGERY AND CORRUPTION, DATING BACK TO WHEN HE WAS A BELGIAN CABINET MINISTER. AND, AS STRINGER JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, THE RACE IS ALREADY ON TO FIND A SUCCESSOR TO MR. CLAES AS THE NATO CHIEF. (10/17)

PERRY / NATO / CLAES -- US DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS HE HOPES NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL WILLY CLAES WHO IS UNDER DOMESTIC ATTACK IN BELGIUM FOR ALLEGED CORRUPTION, WILL NOT HAVE TO STEP DOWN. THE CONTROVERSY ENVELOPING THE NATO CHIEF COMES AS THE ALLIANCE IS TRYING TO ASSEMBLE AN UNPRECEDENTED PEACE FORCE FOR BOSNIA. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST HAS A REPORT FROM THE PENTAGON. (10/16)

AFGHANISTAN / BAMIYAN -- THE AFGHAN GOVERNMENT HAS SUFFERED ANOTHER BLOW IN ITS BATTLE AGAINST OPPOSITION GROUPS IN THE COUNTRY. AS TIM JOHNSTON REPORTS FROM KABUL, THE GOVERNMENT HAS LOST THE TOWN OF BAMIYAN IN THE CENTER OF THE COUNTRY. THIS LATEST LOSS COMES ON THE HEELS OF A SERIES OF DEFEATS FOR THE GOVERNMENT. (10/17))

AFGHAN DRUGS -- A WESTERN DRUG OFFICIAL SAYS AFGHANISTAN REMAINS ONE OF THE WORLD'S LEADING OPIUM PRODUCERS, DESPITE A UN SURVEY PROJECTING A LARGE DROP IN OPIUM PRODUCTION THIS YEAR. ISLAMABAD CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN HAS MORE ON THE STORY. (10/17)

KOREAN PRESIDENT / CANADA -- THE PRESIDENT OF SOUTH KOREA ARRIVED IN CANADA FOR A SIX-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO PROMOTE TRADE TIES. THE FIRST STOP ON THE TOUR IS THE WEST COAST CITY OF VANCOUVER, WHERE STRINGER CRAIG MCCULLOCH HAS THE STORY. (10/16)

AUSTRIA / POLITICS -- THE OUTGOING GOVERNMENT IN AUSTRIA HAS SET DECEMBER 17TH AS THE DATE FOR NEW PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, THREE YEARS AHEAD OF TIME. AUSTRIA'S RULING TWO-PARTY COALITION COLLAPSED LAST WEEK IN DISAGREEMENT ABOUT A NATIONAL BUDGET. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS FROM VIENNA. (10/17)

RUSSIA / CHECHNYA -- A TOP RUSSIAN OFFICIAL SAYS MOSCOW WILL INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF RECENT AIR STRIKES IN CHECHNYA. CORRESPONDENT ELIZABETH ARROTT IN MOSCOW REPORTS IF THERE WERE RUSSIAN RAIDS ON CHECHEN VILLAGES THEY WOULD BE IN GROSS VIOLATION OF A REGIONAL CEASE-FIRE. (10/17)

AUSTRIA / LETTER BOMBS -- TWO LETTER BOMBS HAVE EXPLODED IN AUSTRIA, INJURING TWO PEOPLE. A THIRD LETTER BOMB WAS DISCOVERED AND DEFUSED. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY IN VIENNA REPORTS ANTI-IMMIGRANT RIGHT-WING EXTREMISTS ARE BELIEVED RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INCIDENTS. (10/16)

SENATE / CUBA -- US SENATE REPUBLICANS WILL TRY AGAIN TUESDAY TO PASS A BILL THAT WOULD TIGHTEN THE GOVERNMENT'S TRADE EMBARGO ON CUBA. CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN REPORTS MOST DEMOCRATS OPPOSE THE PLAN BUT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STOP IT THIS TIME. (10/16)

CLINTON / RACE -- PRESIDENT CLINTON IS CALLING ON BLACK AND WHITE AMERICANS TO BRIDGE THE RACIAL DIVIDE BETWEEN THEM. HE SPOKE IN TEXAS ON THE DAY THAT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS ATTENDED A RALLY IN WASHINGTON TO PROMOTE GREATER SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AMONG BLACK MEN. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBBIE TATE REPORTS. (10/16)

BANGLA / STRIKE -- BANGLADESH REMAINED PARALYZED BY VIOLENT CLASHES FOR THE SECOND DAY OF A NATION-WIDE STRIKE CALLED BY THE OPPOSITION AWAMI LEAGUE. THE OPPOSITION PARTY IS DEMANDING PRIME MINISTER KHALEDA ZIA STEP DOWN BEFORE THE GENERAL ELECTIONS, SCHEDULED FOR NEXT MARCH. JENNIFER MORROW REPORTS FROM NEW DELHI. (10/17)

JAPAN / BUSINESS WRAP -- JAPAN IS PREPARING TO SPEND LAVISHLY ON PUBLIC WORKS IN ITS NEW FISCAL BUDGET. AS STRINGER JACK RUSSELL REPORTS FROM TOKYO, THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES MORE SPENDING IS NEEDED TO END THE RECESSION. (10/17)

ALBANIA INVESTMENT -- ALBANIA'S ECONOMIC REFORMS ARE ABOUT THREE-YEARS OLD AND THE COUNTRY IS MAKING PROGRESS IN SHIFTING FROM DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN AID TO RELIANCE ON FOREIGN AND DIRECT INVESTMENT. CORRESPONDENT BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM TIRANA. (10/17)

MILLION MAN MARCH / POLITICAL REACT -- THE REACTION TO MONDAY'S MILLION-MAN-MARCH IS GENERALLY POSITIVE, WITH SUPPORTERS AND CRITICS SAYING THE RALLY WAS A VITAL START FOR AMERICAN BLACK MEN TO ACHIEVE ULTIMATE GOALS OF SPIRITUAL ATONEMENT, AND CIVIC AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY. CORRESPONDENT IMANI CROSBY GIVES A SAMPLE OF THE REACTION TO THE MARCH IN THIS REPORT. (10/17)

MILLION MAN MARCH -- POLICE ESTIMATE THAT MONDAY'S MASSIVE RALLY OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN IN WASHINGTON DREW ABOUT 400-THOUSAND PARTICIPANTS. MARCH ORGANIZERS SAY THAT FIGURE IS LOW AND THAT MORE THAN ONE MILLION PEOPLE TOOK PART IN WHAT IS BEING CALLED THE MILLION MAN MARCH. CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE REPORTS THE RALLY WAS BROUGHT TO A CLOSE WITH A TWO-HOUR SPEECH BY NATION OF ISLAM LEADER LOUIS FARRAKHAN. (10/16)

AFRICAN AMERICAN RALLY -- HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF BLACK MEN HAVE TAKEN PART IN A DAY-LONG RALLY AT THE STEPS OF THE US CAPITOL IN WASHINGTON IN ONE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST DEMONSTRATIONS OF BLACK UNITY EVER. THE MILLION MAN MARCH, AS IT IS CALLED, WAS ORGANIZED BY THE SECT KNOWN AS THE NATION OF ISLAM, A BLACK AMERICAN MUSLIM GROUP LED BY THE FLAMBOYANT LOUIS FARRAKHAN. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE HAS DETAILS ON THE EVENT AND THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING ITS KEYNOTE SPEAKER. (10/16)

IVORY COAST / POLITICS -- IVORY COAST PRESIDENT HENRI KONAN BEDIE HAS THREATENED TO CRACK DOWN ON DEMONSTRATORS WHO ARE STEPPING UP PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT AHEAD OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS THIS WEEKEND. SPORADIC VIOLENCE BROKE OUT IN AND AROUND THE IVORIAN COMMERCIAL CAPITAL, ABIDJAN, MONDAY AFTER POLITICAL OPPOSITION LEADERS CALLED FOR NATIONWIDE PROTESTS TO BEGIN. CORRESPONDENT PURNELL MURDOCK REPORTS. (10/17)

ZAMBIA / KAUNDA -- NEWSPAPERS IN ZAMBIA TUESDAY REPORTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO DEPORT FORMER PRESIDENT KENNETH KAUNDA BECAUSE HE IS NOT A ZAMBIAN CITIZEN AND IS, IN FACT, STATELESS. STRINGER LAWRENCE BARTLETT REPORTS FROM HARARE. (10/17

MANDELA / DIVORCE -- THE DIVORCE CASE OF SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA AND HIS ESTRANGED WIFE WINNIE HAS BEGUN IN JOHANNESBURG. CORRESPONDENT MALLORY SALESON REPORTS THE PROCEEDINGS ARE EXPECTED TO LAST MONTHS. (10/17)

LATAM SUMMIT -- LEADERS FROM SPAIN, PORTUGAL, AND LATIN AMERICA ARE EXCHANGING VIEWS ON EDUCATION POLICY AND OTHER ISSUES AT THE FIFTH ANNUAL IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT. THE TALKS, WHICH END TUESDAY, ARE TAKING PLACE IN THE SOUTHERN ARGENTINE CITY OF BARILOCHE. CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK HAS DETAILS. (10/16)

ROXANNE BARGE SINKING -- RESCUE EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY IN THE GULF OF MEXICO FOR 23 PEOPLE MISSING FROM A BARGE THAT SANK IN ROUGH SEAS AND HIGH WINDS BROUGHT ON BY HURRICANE ROXANNE. MORE THAN 200 OTHERS WERE RESCUED. CORRESPONDENT JIM TEEPLE REPORTS. (10/16)

OLYMPICS PREVIEW / INTERNATIONALIZING ATLANTA -- ATLANTA, GEORGIA, WAS A SLEEPY SOUTHERN TOWN JUST A FEW YEARS AGO, BUT NOW IT'S TRYING TO CHANGE ITS IMAGE AND BECOME MORE INTERNATIONAL. DURING A VISIT TO ATLANTA, CURRENT AFFAIRS' MARILYN SILVEY TALKED WITH ETHNIC SHOP OWNERS AS WELL AS STATE TRADE OFFICIALS ABOUT HOW THE CITY IS CHANGING. (10/17)

OLYMPICS PREVIEW / SELLING THE RIGHTS -- WHEN THE OLYMPIC GAMES TAKE PLACE IN ATLANTA NEXT JULY AND AUGUST, PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD WILL BE ABLE TO LISTEN TO THE GAMES ON RADIO AND WATCH THEM ON TELEVISION. BUT BEHIND THAT SIMPLE STATEMENT, CURRENT AFFAIRS' MARILYN SILVEY REPORTS, ARE A LOT OF DETAILS, AND A LOT OF DOLLARS. (10/17)

US / TOURISM INDUSTRY -- THE TOURISM AND TRAVEL INDUSTRY ACCOUNTS FOR MORE THAN ELEVEN PERCENT OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE UNITED STATES, ABOUT ONE OUT OF EVERY NINE JOBS. THE INDUSTRY ALSO IS A MAJOR EXPORT "PRODUCT:" LAST YEAR MORE THAN 45 MILLION INTERNATIONAL VISITORS CONTRIBUTED NEARLY 78 BILLION DOLLARS TO THE AMERICAN ECONOMY, CREATING A TRADE SURPLUS OF 22 BILLION DOLLARS. BUT DESPITE THE SIZE AND ECONOMIC VITALITY OF THE US TOURISM AND TRAVEL INDUSTRY, IT RECEIVES LITTLE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT, ESPECIALLY COMPARED TO THE MARKETING EFFORTS OF OTHER COUNTRIES. CURRENT AFFAIRS' KEMING KUO REPORTS ON HOW ONE SMALL GOVERNMENT AGENCY IS TRYING TO DO ITS PART TO EXPAND THE AMERICAN TOURISM INDUSTRY. (10/17)

HALLOWEEN / GHOST STORIES -- AROUND THIS TIME EVERY YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES, AS HALLOWEEN (OCTOBER 31) APPROACHES, YOU WILL NOTICE STOREFRONTS DISPLAYING MACABRE PICTURES OF MONSTERS, WITCHES AND GHOSTS. YOU MAY ALSO HEAR STORIES BEING TOLD OF SUPPOSEDLY REAL GHOSTLY ENCOUNTERS. CORRESPONDENT GREG FLAKUS REPORTS FROM LOS ANGELES ABOUT ONE MAN WHO HAS PRODUCED AN ALBUM OF SUCH EERIE TALES. (10/17)

CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL -- IN AN EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE HOLLYWOOD TO PRODUCE MORE FAMILY-ORIENTED FILMS, THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CITY OF THOUSAND OAKS HELD A CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL OCT 11-12. CORRESPONDENT GREG FLAKUS SPOKE TO PARTICIPANTS AND BERNARD WILETS, A FILMMAKER WHO WON AN AWARD FOR HIS EDUCATIONAL FILM "THE LILITH SUMMER." THE FEATURE FILM AWARD WENT TO "THE LITTLE PRINCESS." (10/17)

LUCKY PIERRE -- CORRESPONDENT PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS ON A CONVERSATION HE HAD WITH JOURNALIST AND FORMER JFK PRESS SECRETARY PIERRE SALINGER, WHO HAS JUST PUBLISHED "P.S.--A MEMOIR." (10/17)

POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' MARILYN SILVEY REPORTS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME, AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN HAS WON THE POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD. (10/17)

INSIDE USA:

MILLION MAN MARCH -- MAN IN THE STREET INTERVIEWS WITH PARTICIPANTS IN THE MILLION MAN MARCH ON THE MALL WERE GARNERED BY STAFFER BILL SKUNDRICH. HE TALKED TO MARCHERS FROM ALL OVER THE US GATHERED ON THE MALL WHO TOLD HIM WHY THEY WERE THERE. MOST SAID THEY WERE THERE TO SEND A MESSAGE TO AMERICA THAT BLACK MEN ARE UNITED AND THAT THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT TIME FOR BLACK MEN IN AMERICA TO COME TOGETHER TO RENEW THEIR COMMITMENT TO THEIR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY. (RUSSIAN 10/16)

WASHINGTON / MARCH -- FORMER KABUL UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR HAFIZ KARZAI BELIEVES THE MILLION MAN MARCH HAD BOTH SOCIAL AND POLITICAL IMPACTS. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER ZEBA ZAHER, KARZAI SAID HE BELIEVES IT WAS A GOOD WAY TO TURN THE ATTENTION TOWARD THE FACT THAT AFRICAN AMERICANS CAN HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE 1996 ELECTIONS AND THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS. IN A SEPARATE INTERVIEW, ASHRAF GHANI, A PROFESSOR OF ANTHROPOLOGY AT JOHNS HOPKINS SAYS AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES FACE MANY PROBLEMS INCLUDING MAJOR ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES AND HE BELIEVES THE MARCH WAS A MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNMENT NOT TO END THE DOMESTIC AID PROGRAMS, OTHERWISE IT WILL FACE SIMILAR POLITICAL DEMONSTRATIONS. (PASHTO 10/17)

THE MILLION MAN MARCH -- STAFFER OLCAY RACHED REPORTS ABOUT THE MARCH WITH COMMENTS FROM FIVE AFRICAN-AMERICANS ABOUT THEIR VIEWS AND THE REASONS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE MARCH. (AZERI 10/17)

MILLION MAN MARCH / BANGLA -- STAFFERS IQBAL BAHAR CHOUDHURY AND ZIAUR RAHMAN REPORT IN DETAIL ON THE WASHINGTON MILLION MAN MARCH. IT INCLUDES INTERVIEWS WITH TIMOTHY TROY OF THE NATION OF ISLAM, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA; GLORIA WINDER OF SAVANA, GEORGIA; SAROJA DAS OF THE HARE KRISHNA MOVEMENT, POTOMAC ISHKON TEMPLE, MARYLAND; EDIE SMITH, PASTOR OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST CHURCH, CUNNINGHAM, TENNESSEE; AND JIMMY JONES, A NINE-YEAR-OLD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENT FROM WASHINGTON, DC, ABOUT THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE MARCH. (BANGLA 10/16)

MILLION MAN MARCH / A TURKISH VIEW -- THE MILLION MAN MARCH HAD VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH ISLAM AND RELIGION IN GENERAL, SAYS DR. UGUR AKINCI, WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT OF THE "DAILY NEWS," TURKEY'S ONLY ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER. INTERVIEWED BY TURKISH STAFFER HULYA POLAT, MR. AKINCI THINKS LOUIS FARRAKHAN'S MESSAGE INCLUDED POSITIVE CALLS FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SOLIDARITY AMONG BLACKS BUT AT THE SAME TIME CARRIED RACIST AND SEPARATIST TONES. (TURKISH 10/17)

MILLION MAN MARCH -- HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN TOOK PART IN A RALLY ON THE NATIONAL MALL IN WASHINGTON, IN A DAY OF PRAYER AND ATONEMENT. STAFFER ANA GUEDES WAS AT THE MALL DURING THE PRAYER VIGIL. SHE TALKED WITH PARTICIPANTS ABOUT THE EVENT AND RECORDED THE RELIGIOUS PRAYERS. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 10/17)

MILLION MAN MARCH / PARTICIPANTS -- REPORTER VERLA WILEY SPOKE WITH SOME OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE MILLION MAN MARCH. THEY TOLD HER ABOUT THE MEANING THEY'RE FINDING IN THE OCCASION. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/16)

MILLION MAN MARCH / HAUSA -- STAFFERS AHMED YERIMA AND MOHAMMED USMAN TALKED TO VARIOUS PARTICIPANTS ANDREPORTED ON THE SPEECHES AT THE DEMONSTRATION. THEY ALSO DISCUSSED THE CONTROVERSY LEADING UP TO AND CONTINUING DURING THE MARCH. (HAUSA 10/16)

MILLION MAN MARCH -- STAFFERS MAIMOUNA MILLS AND IDRISSA FALL WITH INTERN GAEDIG BONABESSE AND STRINGER JULIUS BARTHSON REPORTED ON THE MARCH AND SPOKE WITH SOME OF THE PARTICIPANTS. STAFFERS ALSO REPORTED ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SPEECH THAT TOUCHED ON THE MARCH, THE ORIGINS OF THIS RALLY AND ITS CONTROVERSIAL ORGANIZER. (FRENCH 10/16)

MILLION MAN MARCH -- STAFFER TIZITA BELACHEW REPORTS FROM THE WASHINGTON MALL WHERE THE MARCH WAS HELD. SHE ALSO INTERVIEWED AN ETHIOPIAN STUDENT, DAGMAWI ANDARGACHEW, WHO CAME FROM SAN JOSE, CA., REPRESENTING THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY WHICH HE ATTENDS. (AMHARIC 10/16)

CLINTON SPEECH / RACE -- IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, PRESIDENT CLINTON GAVE A SPEECH ON RACE RELATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. HE CALLED ON BOTH BLACKS AND WHITES TO SPEAK HONESTLY AND LISTEN TO EACH OTHER. HE SAID BOTH RACES MUST CLEAN THEIR HOUSES OF RACISM. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/16)

CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY -- REPORTER SUSAN CLARK TALKS TO RICHARD SWEENEY, PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, ABOUT CURRENCY CONVERTIBILITY--THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INTERNAL AND COMPLETE CONVERTIBILITY AND WHAT THEY MEAN FOR A COUNTRY AND ITS ECONOMY. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 10/13)

UN LAND MINES / REACT -- REPORTER TOM CROSBY TALKS WITH DR. ANN GOLDFELD OF THE HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL AND THE DANA FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE, A LEADER IN THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION FOR REFUGEE WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND THE US CAMPAIGN TO BAN LAND MINES. SHE SAYS SHE IS DISAPPOINTED IN THE FAILURE OF THE UN VIENNA WEAPONS CONFERENCE TO COME WITH AN AGREEMENT TO BAND LAND MINES AFTER THREE WEEKS OF TALKS. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 10/13)

AGRESSION / GENETICS / TALK TO AMERICA -- RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM PROVIDES SOME EVIDENCE THAT IMPULSIVE AND AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR CAN BE LINKED TO A CONDITION CAUSED BY GENETIC FACTORS. DAVID GOLDMAN AND DR. ADRIENNE ASCH JOIN 'TALK TO AMERICA' TO DISCUSS HOW THEY REGARD IT AS ANOTHER EFFORT TO UNRAVEL THE COMPLEX HUMAN GENETIC CODE, WHILE OPPONENTS QUESTION WHETHER THE RESEARCH MIGHT BE USED TO SUPPORT RACIAL STEREOTYPES AND JUSTIFY REPRESSIVE SOCIAL CONTROLS. (ENGLISH 10/17)

RUSSIAN DISSIDENT ART / RUTGERS -- ART COLLECTOR NORTON DODGE, WHO DONATED HIS COLLECTION OF RUSSIAN DISSIDENT ART TO RUTGERS UNIVERSITY TALKS TO STAFFER ALEC BATCHAN ABOUT THE COLLECTION, WHICH IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST OF RUSSIAN DISSIDENT ART. PHILIP CATE, THE RUTGERS MUSEUM DIRECTOR ALSO TALKED TO ALEC BATCHAN ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS COLLECTION. (RUSSIAN 10/16)

INDIAN ENTERTAINER -- RAMESH PANDEY, AN INDIAN ENTERTAINER, TV SHOW HOST IN LA AND SO-CALLED HOLLYWOOD YOGI, TELLS ABOUT A FILM PROJECT BEING UNDERTAKEN IN HOLLYWOOD ON THE INDIAN EPIC RAMAYAN WITH INTERNATIONAL CAST. PANDEY IS HIMSELF INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT AS AN ACTOR. HE WAS INTERVIEWED BY STAFFER KEDAR SHARMA. (HINDI 10/17)

INSIDE AFRICA:

ANGOLA / INVESTIGATION -- POLICE AUTHORITIES IN LUANDA ARE INVESTIGATING WHAT UNITA LEADERS CONSIDER COULD HAVE BEEN AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AGAINST UNITA CHIEF OF STAFF, GENERAL ARLINO PENA BEN BEN ON OCTOBER 14TH IN LUANDA. STAFFER LUIS COSTA INTERVIEWED THE POLICE COMMANDER IN LUANDA, FERNANDO PIEDADE NANDO, WHO EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 10/17)

CAPE VERDE / HUMAN RIGHTS -- FORMER EDUCATION MINISTER OF CAPE VERDE, MANUEL FAUSTINO CREATED A NEW HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION IN THAT COUNTRY. NELSON HERBERT INTERVIEWED MR. FAUSTINO WHO ALSO SAID THAT HE MIGHT BE A CANDIDATE FOR THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN THAT COUNTRY. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 10/17)

MOZAMBIQUE / WORLD BANK -- A MOZAMBICAN DELEGATION IS DISCUSSING WITH THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AND WORLD BANK, THE DISBURSEMENT OF ANOTHER PORTION OF MONEY TO IMPLEMENT A STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM. CORRESPONDENT TERESA LIMA REPORTS. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 10/17)

TANZANIA / ELECTIONS -- OAU ELECTION OBSERVERS HAVE ARRIVED IN TANZANIA. BOTH THE TWO MAJOR PARTIES CCM AND NCCR MAGEUZI CLAIM THEY WILL BE THE WINNERS OF THE ELECTIONS. CCM CANDIDATE MKAPA SAID HE WOULD CHOOSE PERSONS FOR HIS GOVERNMENT WHO ARE EXPERIENCED IN PROBLEM SOLVING. REPORT BY PASCAL SHIJA FROM DAR ES SALAAM. (SWAHILI 10/17)

KENYA / ETHNIC FIGHTING -- LUO AND NUBIAN ETHNIC GROUPS IN NAIROBI'S KIBERA DISTRICT CONTINUED FIGHTING. SWAHILI STRINGER M G JOEL REPORTS FROM NAIROBI. (SWAHILI 10/17)

UGANDA / CONSTITUTION -- THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT UGANDA'S NEW CONSTITUTION. REPORTER RICHARD KOTEY SPOKE WITH THE US AMBASSADOR TO UGANDA, MICHAEL SOUTHWICK. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/17)

UN / LIBERIA -- TREVOR GORDON-SOMMERS WAS THE FIRST UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR LIBERIA. HE SPOKE IN WASHINGTON ABOUT THE NEW TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT AND THE NEED FOR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT. REPORTER SCOTT STEARNS HAS DETAILS. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/16)

WORLD BANK / ZAMBIA -- ZAMBIA IS AMONG 28 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN NATIONS WHICH, THIS YEAR, HAVE RECEIVED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN LOANS FROM THE WORLD BANK AND THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND. DURING LAST WEEK'S ANNUAL MEETING IN WASHINGTON, REPORTER CATHERINE MADDUX DISCUSSED THE SUCCESS OF STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT PROGRAMS IN ZAMBIA WITH DONALD CHANDA, ZAMBIA'S SPECIAL ASSISTANT FOR ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AFFAIRS. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/17)

AFRICAN LANGUAGES STUDIES / MADISON -- REPORTER IBRAHIM ALFA AHMED HAS DETAILS ON THE AFRICAN LANGUAGES STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, WHERE HAUSA IS THE PRINCIPAL OF THE FOUR LANGUAGES TAUGHT AT THE DEPARTMENT. AHMED INTERVIEWED THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT, LINDA HUNTER, WHO SPEAKS FLUENT HAUSA AND TEACHES THE LANGUAGE. (HAUSA 10/17)

IVORY COAST / DEMONSTRATIONS -- IVORIAN OPPOSITION PARTIES HELD MASSIVE DEMONSTRATIONS THROUGHOUT IVORY COAST MONDAY THAT LEFT ONE PERSON DEAD AND SEVERAL INJURED. DJENI KOBINA, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE RDR OPPOSITION PARTY EXPLAINED TO STAFFER ROGER-GUY FOLLY WHY THESE DEMONSTRATIONS WERE ORGANIZED DESPITE A BAN BY THE GOVERNMENT. STRINGER MOHAMED ELBOU REPORTS FROM THE SCENE OF THE DEMONSTRATIONS IN ABIDJAN WITH STREET INTERVIEWS. (FRENCH 10/16)

HAUSA/ NIGER SPORTS -- THE NEW "SPORTS YEAR" HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN IN THE NIGER REPUBLIC. STRINGER LAWAL BOUCAR REPORTS THAT THE COUNTRY'S SPORTS MINISTER STATED IN A NATIONAL BROADCAST THAT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON SIGNIFIES THE COMMENCEMENT OF VARIOUS SPORTING ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. (HAUSA 10/17)

FAO / PRIZE / HERREN -- PROFESSOR HANS HERREN, THE DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR FOR THE STUDY OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY IN NAIROBI, KENYA, WAS AWARDED THIS YEAR'S WORLD FOOD PRIZE BY THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION. MR. HERREN RECEIVED THIS PRIZE FOR HIS WORK ON NATURAL WAYS TO FIGHT THE CASSAVA MEALYBUG. HE SPOKE WITH STAFFER ELIZABETH MONNAC. (FRENCH 10/17)

BEIJING WOMEN'S FORUM -- STAFFER AIKA ELINEWINGA INTERVIEWED THE DAR ES SALAAM REGION'S PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATE, ADDY LYAMUYA ON HOW TO ENSURE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS AGREED UPON AT THE BEIJING CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN. (SWAHILI 10/17)

INSIDE MIDEAST:

IRAQ / REFERENDUM / RESULTS -- THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED MONDAY THAT IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN HAS WON A NEAR-UNANIMOUS VICTORY IN A NATIONAL REFERENDUM THAT WILL KEEP HIM IN POWER FOR ANOTHER SEVEN YEARS. STAFFER JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 10/16)

IRAQI / WEAPONS -- TERRY WING TALKS TO DAVID KAY, FORMER UN NUCLEAR WEAPONS INSPECTOR IN IRAQ ABOUT THE NEW REVELATIONS ABOUT THE SCOPE OF IRAQ'S PAST WEAPONS PROGRAMS UNVEILED BY ROLF EKEUS THIS WEEK. MR. KAY, NOW A PRIVATE CONSULTANT ON NUCLEAR ISSUES IN WASHINGTON D.C., SAYS WHEN DEALING WITH IRAQ, NOTHING CAN BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 10/13)

IRANIAN WOMEN / IN EXILE -- IN THE SECOND PROGRAM OF A SERIES, STAFFER FARAH JAHANGIRI INTERVIEWS MS. SHAHIN HAJIAN OF VIENNA, VA. MS. HAJIAN, A SOCIOLOGY GRADUATE OF TEHRAN UNIVERSITY, HAS LIVED IN THE WASHINGTON AREA SINCE SHORTLY AFTER THE IRANIAN REVOLUTION. SHE IS A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS WOMAN WITH HER OWN PASTRY SHOP AND A CATERING COMPANY WHICH PROVIDES LUNCHES TO A NUMBER OF LOCAL FIRMS. IN ADDITION SHE ESTABLISHED THE FIRST AFTER-HOURS AND WEEK-END SCHOOL WHERE CHILDREN OF IRANIAN ANCESTRY CAN LEARN FARSI AND FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH IRANIAN HISTORY AND CULTURE. (FARSI 10/17)

IRANIAN REFUGEES / TURKEY -- FARSI STAFFER AKBAR NAZEMI INTERVIEWED KEYVAN JAVID, A MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK-BASED IRANIAN REFUGEES' COUNCIL. JAVID TALKED ABOUT THE LATEST STATUS OF IRANIAN REFUGEES IN TURKEY, THE UN AND REFUGEES, AND THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT'S VIEWS ABOUT THEM. HE SAID THAT ABOUT 170 IRANIAN REFUGEES WHO ARE IN DANGER OF BEING REPATRIATED CONTINUE TO SEEK REFUGE IN THE OFFICE OF A TURKISH POLITICAL PARTY IN ANKARA. THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE REPORTED AND THEY WANT THE UNHCR TO TAKE UP THEIR CASE AND TRANSFER THEM TO THIRD COUNTRIES AS REFUGEES. (FARSI 10/14)

SOUTH LEBANON / CLASHES -- FOLLOWING ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER YITZHAK RABIN'S VISIT TO SOUTH LEBANON WHERE NINE ISRAELI SOLDIERS WERE KILLED IN THE PAST FEW DAYS, HEZBOLLAH FIGHTERS LAUNCHED ANOTHER ATTACK AGAINST THE SAME AREA OF SOUTHERN LEBANON OCCUPPIED BY ISRAEL. STAFFER JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTED FROM AMMAN, AND STRINGER KKALIL ASSALI REPORTED FROM JERUSALEM. (ARABIC 10/16)

LEBANON / PRESIDENT -- LEBANESE PRESIDENT ELIAS HRAWI, WHOSE TERM ENDS NEXT MONTH, HAS ACCEPTED A CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSAL BY HIS CABINET TO EXTEND HIS PRESIDENCY, WITHOUT HOLDING ELECTIONS. STAFFER JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 10/16)

PLO / HAMAS -- PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY FREED ONE HAMAS LEADERS AS A STEP TOWARD SOME SORT OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THEM. STRINGER KHALIL ASSALI REPORTS FROM JERUSALEM. (ARABIC 10/16)

ARAB LEAGUE / ALGERIA / ELECTIONS -- THE ARAB LEAGUE AND ALGERIA SIGNED AN AGREEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING TODAY THAT REPRESENTATIVES FROM SEVERAL ARAB COUNTRIES WILL OBSERVE THE ALGERIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. CORRESPONDENT IBRAHIM ABDIN REPORTS. (ARABIC 10/16)

EGYPT / INDIA / RAO -- DURING HIS SHORT VISIT TO EGYPT, INDIA'S PRIME MINISTER NARASIMHA RAO TALKED TO HIS COUNTERPART AND OTHER EGYPTIAN OFFICIALS ABOUT THE MIDDLE EAST PROCESS, CORRESPONDENT IBRAHIM ABDIN REPORTS. (ARABIC 10/16)

INSIDE CENTRAL ASIA:

AZERBAIJAN / ELECTIONS -- THE EARLY STAGE OF THE AZERBAIJANI ELECTIONS FOR THE PARLIAMENT IS ENDING. SOME OPPOSITION PARTIES ARE CLAIMING IRREGULARITIES IN THE ELECTIONS. STRINGER RAFAEL HUSAINOV REPORTS ABOUT THE CANDIDACY OF MAHMUD MEMEDOV, ONE OF THE OPPOSITION LEADERS, WHOSE CANDIDACY IS BEING CHALLENGED BY THE GOVERNMENT. (AZERI 10/16)

AZERBAIJAN / JOURNALISM -- STAFFER HABIB AZARSINA INTERVIEWS HAJI HAJIEV, HEAD OF THE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION OF AZERBAIJAN, ON THE STATE OF FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND THE PROBLEMS THAT AZERI JOURNALISTS EXPERIENCE TODAY. (AZERI 10/17)

CHINA / XINJIANG-UIGHUR -- IN A LETTER SENT TO THE CHINESE PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN, THE ASSOCIATION OF UIGHURS LIVING IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN HAS DEMANDED THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO STOP ALL NUCLEAR TESTING IN LOP NUR, TO RESPECT THE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS AND SUSPEND FORCED ABORTIONS AND STERILIZATION IN THE REGION, IMMEDIATELY. STAFFER RANO HABIB INTERVIEWS THE HEAD OF THE ASSOCIATION, YUSUFBEK MUKHLISI. (UZBEK 10/14)

US / UZBEKISTAN -- NIMET BEGIS, THE HONORARY PRESIDENT OF THE TURKISTANIAN-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION TOLD STAFFER FIRDEVS MAMUR THAT BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL STABILITY IN THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN, MANY FOREIGN BUSINESSMEN ARE MOVING THEIR OFFICES FROM OTHER CENTRAL ASIAN STATES TO UZBEKISTAN. A DELEGATION OF THE TURKISTANIAN-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION VISITED THE FORMER SOVIET REPUBLIC RECENTLY. (UZBEK 10/17)

INSIDE SOUTH ASIA:

UP GOVERNMENT FALLS -- THE TWO AND ONE HALF MONTH OLD MAYAWATI GOVERNMENT IN THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH HAS FALLEN WHEN THE BHARTIYA JANTA PARTY WITHDREW ITS SUPPORT. PRESIDENTIAL RULE IS EXPECTED TO BE IMPOSED ON THE STATE AS EARLY AS WEDNESDAY. STRINGER KV RAO REPORTS FROM THE STATE CAPITAL OF LUCKNOW. (HINDI 10/17)

BHATIA / EGYPT / PLO -- INDIAN MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, RAGHUNANDAN LAL BHATIA, WHO ACCOMPANIED PRIME MINISTER RAO TO EGYPT, TALKS ABOUT TOPICS DISCUSSED BETWEEN THE INDIAN PRIME MINISTER AND PRESIDENT MUBARAK. MR BHATIA GOES TO TUNIS TO MEET PLO CHIEF YASSER ARAFAT. STAFFER BHAGWAN PRAKASH INTERVIEWS HIM. (HINDI 10/17)

INDIA / EGYPT -- INDIAN PRIME MINISTER RAO HAS SIGNED THREE MAJOR AGREEMENTS WITH EGYPT DURING HIS VISIT THERE. THEY COVERED AN EXTRADITION TREATY,AGREEMENTS ON SCIENCE AND TECNOLOGY, AND ON EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. STRINGER REPORT. (HINDI 10/16)

SANJAY DUTT / BAIL -- POPULAR INDIAN ACTOR SANJAY DUTT, WHO WAS JAILED FOR SUSPICION OF INVOLVEMENT IN THE BOMBAY BLASTS, WAS GRANTED BAIL FOR RELEASE FROM PRISON. FELLOW ACTOR RAJ BABBAR, WHO WAGED A CAMPAIGN TO GET THE CRIME PREVENTION LAW KNOWN AS TADA REPEALED UNDER WHICH DUTT WAS DETAINED, IS INTERVIEWED BY STAFFER BHAGWAN PRAKASH FOR HIS REACTION. (HINDI 10/16)

INDIA / US -- THE CHIEF MINISTER OF INDIAN STATE OF BIHAR LALOO PRASAD YADAV OUTLINED THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF BIHAR INDUSTRY IN HIS ADDRESS AT A LUNCHEON ORGANIZED BY CONFEDERATION OF INDIAN INDUSTRY AND US INDIA BUSINESS COUNCIL IN WASHINGTON. MR YADAV HAS COME TO WOO POTENTIAL INVESTORS IN HIS STATE. HE CAME TO WASHINGTON AFTER VISITING SEVERAL US CITIES. STAFFER BHAGWAN PRAKASH REPORTS. (HINDI 10/16)

INDIAN RAILWAY MINISTER -- INDIAN RAILWAY MINISTER ZAFAR SHARIF HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM HIS POST BY PRIME MINISTER RAO AS A RESULT OF DISPUTE BETWEEN THE TWO. MR. SHARIF WILL REMAIN IN THE CABINET AS A MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO. STRINGER REPORT. (HINDI 10/13)

INDIAN COMMUNIST PARTY -- THE INDIAN COMMUNIST PARTY HAS ENDED ITS ANNUAL SESSION AMIDST SIGNS OF DISSENT. THE SEVENTY FIVE YEAR OLD PARTY SEEMS TO BE MOVING AWAY FROM SO-CALLED STEEL FRAME DISCIPLINE AS THEY ELECTED NEW OFFICIALS. STRINGER REPORT. (HINDI 10/13)

HINDI POET OBIT -- POPULAR HINDI POET RAMESHWAR SHUKLA ANCHAL, WHO DIED IN INDIA AT THE AGE OF 80, IS REMEMBERED AT A MEETING OF UK HINDI COMMITTEE IN MANCHESTER, ENGLAND. STRINGER NANDAN HAS THIS OBITUARY. (HINDI 10/17)

BANGLA STRIKE -- THE OPPOSITION AWAMI LEAGUE, JAMATE ISLAMI AND JATIYO PARTY OBSERVED FIRST DAY OF THEIR 4-DAY GENERAL STRIKE THROUGHOUT BANGLADESH IN AN EFFORT TO FORCE PRIME MINISTER KHALEDA ZIA TO RESIGN AND ACCEPT DEMAND FOR A CARETAKER GOVERNMENT. THREE PEOPLE DIED AND SEVERAL OTHERS WERE INJURED IN CLASHES DURING THE STRIKE. STRINGER MATIUR RAHMAN CHOUDHURY REPORTS FROM DHAKA. (BANGLA 10/16)

BANGLA STRIKES / PROTEST -- TRADERS, SHOP-KEEPERS AND NGO LEADERS URGED OPPOSITION LEADERS TO WITHDRAW THEIR CALL FOR STRIKE AND USE OTHER MEANS TO EXPRESS PROTESTS AND RESENTMENT AS THE NATIONS' ECONOMY IS BADLY SUFFERING DUE TO FREQUENT STRIKES. DHAKA STRINGER ZAHURUL ALAM REPORTS. (BANGLA 10/15)

BANGLA / POLITICAL IMPASSE -- FIVE LEADING INTELLECTUALS OF BANGLADESH: A FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, A SENIOR LAWYER, AN ECONOMIST, A FORMER DIPLOMAT AND A JOURNALIST,MET WITH PRIME MINISTER KHALEDA ZIA IN AN EFFORT TO RESOLVE CURRENT POLITICAL IMPASSE. THE PRIME MINISTER SAID THAT ANY SOLUTION MUST BE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE CONSTITUTION. FROM DHAKA STRINGER MATIUR RAHMAN CHOUDHURY REPORTS. (BANGLA 10/14)

INSIDE EAST ASIA:

NORTH KOREA / INFILTRATORS -- SOUTH KOREA SAYS THAT ITS SOLDIERS SHOT AND KILLED A NORTH KOREAN ARMED SPY AND ARE SEARCHING FOR MORE SUSPECTED INFILTRATORS. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOUTH KOREAN DEFENSE MINISTRY SAID THE INCIDENT BEGAN EARLY TUESDAY NEAR FREEDOM BRIDGE IN THE BORDER AREA WHEN TWO BORDER GUARDS HEARD SOUNDS AND OBSERVED UNIDENTIFIED PEOPLE MOVING. THE SOUTH KOREAN SOLDIERS THREW TWO HAND GRENADES AND FIRED THEIR RIFLES. A FEW HOURS LATER, THE BODY OF A INFILTRATOR WAS FOUND ALONG WITH TWO KNAPSACKS, TWO M-16 AUTOMATIC RIFLES AND MORE THAN ONE SETS OF FOOTPRINTS, INDICATING THAT THERE WAS MORE THAN ON INFILTRATOR. STRINGER TAE SOO KIM SAID THE SOUTH KOREAN AUTHORITIES DISPLAYED FOR REPORTERS ALL THE EQUIPMENT FOUND AT THE SCENE, MOST OF WHICH ARE MADE IN JAPAN. (KOREAN 10/17)

CHINA / BROWN VISIT -- SOME BUSINESS COMMUNITY LEADERS HAVE SAID THAT CONTRACTS SIGNED DURING COMMERCE SECRETARY BROWN'S AUGUST VISIT TO CHINA HAVE NOT MADE MUCH PROGRESS, BUT PAUL JENSEN, PRESIDENT OF JENSEN INTERNATIONAL, TOLD STAFFER LI SU THAT IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR HIGH-RANKING OFFICIAL'S TRIPS TO BE MORE FOCUSED ON PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLICITY. HOWEVER, THERE IS CONCERN IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT, LIKE THE SITUATION WITH JAPAN, THE CURRENT US TRADE DEFICIT WITH CHINA COULD DEVELOP INTO POLITICAL CONFLICT. (MANDARIN 10/17)

CHINA / MILITARY -- NEWS REPORTS SAY THAT CHINA WILL HAVE A MILITARY EXERCISE IN THE YELLOW SEA THIS MONTH AND THAT CHINESE PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN WOULD OBSERVE. THE EXERCISE WILL BE FAR AWAY FROM TAIWAN, YET ITS AIM IS THOUGHT TO BE ONE THAT INFLUENCES TAIWAN POLITICS. BRETT LIPPENCOTT, CHINA EXPERT AT THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION, WASHINGTON, DC, TOLD STAFFER CHEN JIAN THAT A MILITARY EXERCISE IS POSSIBLE BUT LIKELY WILL NOT OCCUR BEFORE THE CLINTON-JIANG SUMMIT IN NEW YORK. LIPPENCOTT SAID CHINA'S MILITARY EXERCISES WILL NOT HAVE MUCH INFLUENCE ON TAIWAN POLITICS. (MANDARIN 10/17)

CHINA / BOOK / THE FIRST FAMILY -- GAO XIN AND HE PIN, TWO CHINESE VISITING SCHOLARS IN THE US, JUST PUBLISHED A BOOK TITLED "THE FIRST FAMILY OF CHINA." THE BOOK DISCUSSES DENG XIAOPING AND HIS FAMILY. IT ALSO REVEALS SOME SECRETS ABOUT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT'S HANDLING OF THE JUNE 4, 1989 INCIDENT AT TIANANMEN SQUARE, ESPECIALLY THE CASE OF BAO TONG, ZHAO ZIYANG'S POLITICAL SECRETARY. STAFFER RUOSI WU IN NEW YORK INTERVIEWS GAO XIN AND BAO PU, SON OF BAO TONG, WHO SAID THAT THE CHAPTERS ABOUT HIS FATHER WERE TRUE. (MANDARIN 10/17)

US / CHINA / COMPARISON IN LEGAL SYSTEMS -- ON THE CHINA FORUM CALL-IN SHOW, PANELISTS MR HAIBIN QI, JSD CANDIDATE, YALE UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CHINESE LEGAL PROFESSIONALS IN USA, AND MR GUOWEI HU, ATTORNEY, DISCUSSED THE DIFFERENCES IN THE CHINESE AND US LEGAL SYSTEMS, USING THE OJ SIMPSON CASE AS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL SYSTEM WORKS. (MANDARIN 10/16)

SOUTH KOREA / LAW PROFESSORS -- MORE THAN 100 LAW PROFESSORS FROM UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY INCLUDING THE SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY ISSUED A LETTER REBUKING THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION NOT TO INDICT THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BLOODY CRACKDOWN OF THE DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT IN KWANGJU 15 YEARS AGO. THE LAW PROFESSORS SAID THAT UNJUSTIFIABLE COUP DE TAT THAT COST A NUMBER OF LIVES LIKE THE KWANGJU INCIDENT, MUST BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE, WHETHER IT WAS SUCCESSFUL OR FAILED. STRINGER KIM TAE SOO REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 10/17)

INSIDE EUROPE:

US / BOSNIA -- THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT ONCE THE PEACE ACCORD IS REACHED, THE US WILL NOT WAIT UNTIL BOSNIAN WINTER IS OVER TO SEND ITS TROOPS TO BOSNIA. A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS WILL BE A MATTER OF DAYS, NOT MONTHS. STAFFER IVANA KUHAR REPORTS. (CROATIAN 10/16)

SENATE / US TROOPS / BOSNIA -- SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER, DEFENSE SECRETARY PERRY, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF JOHN SHALIKASHVILI ARE TESTIFYING AT THE SENATE ARMS COMMITTEE ON THE NEED TO SEND 20 THOUSAND TROOPS TO BOSNIA UPON CONCLUSION OF A PEACE AGREEMENT. THEIR DEPLOYMENT WOULD LAST A YEAR. DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY EXPLAINS THAT US EXPECTS BOSNIAN SERBS TO REDUCE THEIR ARSENAL DURING THE YEAR. STAFFER IVANA KUHAR REPORTS. (CROATIAN 10/17)

BOSNIA / CEASE-FIRE -- ACCORDING TO BOSNIAN AND SERBIAN SOURCES, THE LATEST CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT IN BOSNIA IS TAKING HOLD. AT THE SAME TIME, BOSNIAN SERB MEDIA REPORT THAT THE MEETING OF THEIR ASSEMBLY IN BANJALUKA WAS VERY DIFFICULT, BUT FAR REACHING IN TERMS OF RESULTS. STRINGER BORO KONTIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (SERBIAN 10/16)

CROATIA / EASTERN SLAVONIA -- REPRESENTATIVES OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ARE TRYING TO RENEW TALKS BETWEEN CROATIAN GOVERNMENT AND SERBS FROM EASTERN SLAVONIA. IN THE MEANTIME, CROATIAN DEFENSE MINISTER G. SUSAK BELIEVES THAT THE ARRIVAL OF US TROOPS WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE REENFORCEMENT OF CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT IN BOSNIA. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 10/16)

UN / BOSNIA -- THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL RECEIVES A REPORT ABOUT INTERNATIONAL CONTROL OF YUGOSLAV-BOSNIAN BORDER. YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES HAVE INCREASED CONTROL AT ALL BORDER CROSSINGS AND THE TRANSPORT OF GOODS REMAINS COMPLETELY BLOCKED. STRINGER REPORT. (SERBIAN 10/16)

ALBANIA / KOSOVA -- PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA HAS REQUESTED THAT THE PREDOMINANTLY ALBANIAN-INHABITED REGION OF KOSOVA BE INCLUDED IN ANY PEACE SETTLEMENT IN FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. HE TOLD A NEWS CONFERENCE IN TIRANA TUESDAY THE KOSOVO ISSUE IS NOT JUST AN ALBANIAN-SERB PROBLEM, IT IS A REGIONAL ISSUE. THE ALBANIAN LEADER ALSO DEFENDED THE PARLIAMENT'S DECISION TO REMOVE THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT. THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAD CRITICIZED THE MOVE, SAYING IT BRINGS INTO QUESTION ALBANIA'S COMPLIANCE WITH THE HELSINKI FINAL ACT. STRINGER ILIRIAN AGOLLI REPORTS. (ALBANIAN 10/17)

ALBANIAN MINISTER / US -- ALBANIAN DEFENSE MINISTER SAFET ZHULALI CONTINUES HIS OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES. AFTER THE SIGNING OF AN AGREEMENT FOR THE SHARING OF INFORMATION, ZHULALI HAS MET WITH OTHER ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS. STAFFER AGIM FETAHAJ REPORTS. (ALBANIAN 10/17)

TURKEY / EU / POLITICS -- DENIZ BAYKAL, LEADER OF TURKEY'S SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN PEOPLE'S PARTY IS IN BRUSSELS TO MEET WITH LEADERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE SOCIALIST GROUP. STRINGER NUSRET OZGUL INTERVIEWS MR. BAYKAL ON HIS TALKS AND THE IMMINENT ANNOUNCEMENT IN ANKARA ABOUT THE FORMATION OF A NEW COALITION GOVERNMENT BETWEEN BAYKAL'S PARTY AND THE CONSERVATIVE TRUE PATH PARTY, LED BY THE CARE-TAKER PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER. (TURKISH 10/17) 17-Oct-95 6:19 PM EDT (2219 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America