Voice of America, 29 December 1995

From: "Ioannis V. Bousnakis" <ivb19@nfi.com>

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AS THE UNITED STATES HEADS INTO THE FINAL WEEKEND OF 1995, THE COUNTRY'S NEWSPAPERS ARE EDITORIALIZING ON A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS, INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN; THE RECENT RUSSIAN AND TURKISH ELECTIONS; AND SOME CHANGES IN THE CIA BUDGET PROMPTED BY THE HOUSE SPEAKER. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE LATEST FRENCH NUCLEAR TEST AND INDIA'S NUCLEAR BOMB PLANS. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _______________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: OBSERVING THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, NOW INTO ITS 14TH DAY, "NEWSDAY" ON LONG ISLAND CALLS THE CONGRESS "CALLOUS LAWMAKERS," ADDING:

VOICE: "..... THE APPALLING LACK OF URGENCY WITH WHICH POLITICAL LEADERS ARE TREATING THE LATEST GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN SHOWS THAT LAWMAKERS REALLY HAVE NO CLUE [IDEA] ABOUT HOW MOST PEOPLE LIVE. THE CALLOUSNESS OF THE LONGEST SHUTDOWN IN HISTORY SHOULD MAKE ALL AMERICANS WINCE - - AND DEMAND QUICK ACTION FROM CONGRESS, WHICH COULD END IT IN A SNAP. [OPT] ..... THE DESULTORY PACE OF BUDGET TALKS MUST QUICKEN - - NOW - - AND LAWMAKERS SHOULD BE CALLED BACK TO WASHINGTON TO PASS A TEMPORARY FUNDING MEASURE AND REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT." [END OPT]

TEXT: ON THE SAME SUBJECT, "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" SAYS WHILE FEDERAL WORKERS ARE THE OBVIOUS VICTIMS, THERE ARE OTHERS AS WELL.

VOICE: "LOOK IN THE MIRROR FOR A VICTIM LESS OBVIOUS, BUT NO LESS REAL. FOR EVERY AMERICAN IS AT RISK IF POLITICIANS CAN'T RESOLVE THE UNDERLYING ISSUE: BALANCING THE BUDGET. WHOPPING DEFICITS IN THE 1980S AND 1990S HAVE SIPHONED MONEY AWAY FROM INVESTMENT, HURT THE AMERICAN STANDARD OF LIVING AND STRUCK FUTURE GENERATIONS WITH A FIVE TRILLION-DOLLAR-TAB [BILL]."

TEXT: TURNING TO INTERNATIONAL NEWS, AND FIRST TO ELECTIONS, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS OF THE RECENT RUSSIAN BALLOTING IT WAS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS THE NEXT ELECTION.

VOICE: "THE ELECTION THAT WILL MOST DIRECTLY SHAPE RUSSIAN POLICY IN COMING YEARS - - INCLUDING ITS RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES .... IS THE PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST SCHEDULED FOR NEXT JUNE. [OPT] .... IT'S OF COURSE FAR TOO EARLY TO WRITE OFF THE POTENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACIES OF MODERATES ..... BUT [END OPT] THE CURRENT MOOD IN RUSSIA, AS THE DUMA [LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT] ELECTION UNDERSCORED, IS ONE OF WIDESPREAD POPULAR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE CHANGES BROUGHT BY YELTSIN-ERA REFORMS, NOT A GOOD SIGN FOR THOSE IDENTIFIED WITH [OPT] EFFORTS TO CREATE AN EFFECTIVE MARKET ECONOMY AND BROAD [END OPT] POLITICAL LIBERALIZATION."

TEXT: WHILE IN TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" THERE IS THIS ABOUT TURKEY'S RECENT ELECTION IN WHICH ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISTS SCORED A VICTORY:

VOICE: "[OPT] PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN TURKEY LAST WEEKEND MARK THE FIRST TIME AN AVOWEDLY FUNDAMENTALIST ISLAMIC PARTY HAS GRADUALLY RISEN TO ELECTORAL PROMINENCE THROUGH A SERIES OF DEMOCRATIC AND OPENLY CONTESTED ELECTIONS. [END OPT] ..... IN A COUNTRY IMPORTANT TO NATO, STRATEGICALLY LOCATED AND LONG ATTACHED TO ITS PRO-WESTERN AND SECULARIST FOUNDING IDEALS, THE RISE OF SUCH A PARTY BEARS WATCHING. IT IS IMPORTANT TO FIX ON EXACTLY WHAT IT IS THESE NEW-STYLE, ELECTORALLY SUCCESSFUL FUNDAMENTALISTS ARE SAYING TO VOTERS."

TEXT: AND STILL ON THE SUBJECT OF ELECTIONS, TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL" FEELS THAT "JAPAN NEEDS AN ELECTION," WHICH IS THE HEADLINE OF ITS SECONDARY EDITORIAL:

VOICE: "THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP CLEARLY LACKS A MANDATE. PRIME MINISTER TOMIICHI MURAYAMA HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FORGE A SOLUTION TO THE BANKING MESS. [OPT] A PRIME MINISTER THE JAPANESE PUBLIC HAS CONFIDENCE IN MIGHT FIND IT EASIER TO USE PUBLIC MONEY TO PURGE BAD LOANS FROM THE SYSTEM. THAT'S AN UNPLEASANT SOLUTION, BUT ULTIMATELY IT MAY BE THE ONLY ONE THAT WORKS. [END OPT] ..... GENERAL ELECTIONS AREN'T REQUIRED UNTIL JULY 1997. CONSIDERING THE SIZE OF JAPAN'S PROBLEMS, IT WOULD BE WISE FOR THE TWO NEW PARTY LEADERS TO HAVE IT OUT WELL BEFORE THEN ....."

TEXT: FROM FLORIDA, "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" IS UPSET WITH FRANCE FOR ITS NUCLEAR TESTING PROGRAM IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC.

VOICE: "THERE HE GOES AGAIN. FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC, STICKING TO HIS WRONGHEADED PLAN TO CARRY OUT A SERIES OF NUCLEAR TESTS, ALLOWED A FIFTH BLAST WEDNESDAY. ...... THIS RUSH TO SET OFF A HALF DOZEN NUCLEAR TESTS BEFORE NEXT YEAR'S GLOBAL TEST BAN IS IRRESPONSIBLE. [OPT] NOW IT'S ALMOST TOO LATE FOR MR. CHIRAC TO MAKE UP FOR HIS NUCLEAR EXCESSES. [END OPT] STILL, NOT CONDUCTING THE LAST PLANNED EXPLOSION WOULD BE PREFERABLE TO FRANCE'S COMPLETION OF THIS ODIOUS NUCLEAR-TEST SERIES."

TEXT: AND STILL ON THE SUBJECT OF BUILDING AND TESTING NUCLEAR BOMBS, TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" LOOKS TOWARD INDIA, AND SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "[OPT] WITH CHANCES IMPROVING FOR COMPLETION OF A NUCLEAR TEST-BAN TREATY NEXT YEAR, FRANCE AND CHINA HAVE ARROGANTLY DEFIED WORLD PUBLIC OPINION AND CONDUCTED MORE NUCLEAR TESTS TO GET IN UNDER THE WIRE [TO COMPLETE STUDIES BEFORE THE TIME LIMIT ENDS]. [END OPT] NOW COMES WORD THAT INDIA ..... IS CONSIDERING SOME TESTING OF ITS OWN. [OPT] EVEN WORSE, INDIA NOW SUGGESTS IT MAY NOT SIGN THE TEST-BAN TREATY, DESPITE LONGSTANDING SUPPORT FOR SUCH AN AGREEMENT. [END OPT] ..... A NUCLEAR TEST BY INDIA WILL ONLY ESCALATE THE NUCLEAR COMPETITION AND COULD SPILL OVER INTO THE FEROCIOUS TERRITORIAL DISPUTE OVER KASHMIR THAT HAS BEEN AT THE HEART OF THREE WARS SINCE INDEPENDENCE AND PARTITION IN 1947."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" DISPUTES THE IDEA IN THESE BUDGET CONSCIOUS TIMES THAT HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH IS PRESSING FOR MORE MONEY TO DESTABILIZE THE RELIGIOUS/POLITICAL LEADERSHIP OF IRAN.

VOICE: [SPEAKER] GINGRICH AND HIS COMPANEROS HELD UP AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE ON THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY'S ENTIRE 28-BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET UNTIL THEIR PROPOSAL TO FUND A COVERT ACTION PLAN AGAINST TEHRAN WAS ACCEPTED. ..... THE CIA DOESN'T WANT TO TOUCH THE PLAN. ..... THE EFFORT TO BUY THEM [THE MULLAHS] IS ALMOST GUARANTEED TO BOOMERANG POLITICALLY. SINCE THE CORRUPT MULLAHS ARE ALREADY DOING WELL ENOUGH DESTABILIZING IRAN ON THEIR OWN, THE SPEAKER'S EXPERIENCE IN GEOPOLITICS WILL NOT ONLY BE SUPERFLUOUS BUT COULD BECOME AN ANSWER TO THE MULLAHS' PRAYERS FOR A SCAPEGOAT."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL TOPICS IN THE NATION'S MAJOR DAILIES FOR THIS FINAL WEEKDAY OF THE YEAR.

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29-Dec-95 10:25 AM EST (1525 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA / NATO (L) BY KYLE KING (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: U-S TROOPS SAY THEY ARE JUST ABOUT FINISHED WITH WORK ON A BRIDGE THEY PLAN TO USE TO TRANSPORT MEN AND MATERIEL INTO BOSNIA FROM SOUTHERN HUNGARY. WORK ON THE PROJECT HAS BEEN SLOWED BY BAD WEATHER AND FLOODING, BUT OVERALL NATO OFFICIALS SAY THE PEACEKEEPING OPERATION IS GOING SMOOTHLY AND ACCORDING TO PLAN. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: U-S MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THE FIRST VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABLE TO ROLL OVER THE SAVA RIVER ON SATURDAY, WHEN THE CENTER OF THE PONTOON BRIDGE IS SET IN PLACE.

THE PROJECT, WHICH WAS DELAYED WHEN THE RIVER OVERFLOWED ITS BANKS, HAS BEEN A MAJOR HEADACHE FOR U-S COMMANDERS.

WITHOUT THE BRIDGE THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO MOVE THE BULK OF THEIR CONTINGENT TO THE MULTINATIONAL FORCE INTO BOSNIA.

ONCE THE LINK IS ESTABLISHED, U-S COMMANDERS EXPECT A SQUADRON OF BRADLEY FIGHTING VEHICLES TO IMMEDIATELY CROSS INTO BOSNIA AND SO THE FORCE CAN SET UP A HEADQUARTERS.

U-S TROOPS HAVE ALSO SAFELY AIRLIFTED A BLACKHAWK HELICOPTER OUT OF SERB HELD TERRITORY WHERE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS FORCED IT TO LAND EARLIER THIS WEEK.

NATO SPOKESMAN COLONEL MARK RAYNER SAYS THE OPERATION WENT OFF SMOOTHLY EXCEPT FOR ONE SMALL PROBLEM.

THE HELICOPTERS WHICH RETURNED TO COLLECT THE SOLDIERS WHO HAD BEEN GUARDING IT, ONE OF THEM, AN AH-64 APACHE, WHICH WAS ASSISTING IN THE RECOVERY, ACCIDENTALLY RELEASED A 70-MILLIMETER ROCKET WHILE IT WAS TAKING OFF.

FURTHER TO THE SOUTH, A FRENCH MILITARY CARGO PLANE HAS BECOME THE FIRST AIRCRAFT TO LAND AT THE BOSNIAN CITY OF MOSTAR SINCE 1992.

FRENCH OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAD TO REPAIR MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND METERS OF RUNWAY AND INSTALL A NEW NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND CONTROL TOWER AT THE AIRPORT, WHICH WAS BADLY DAMAGED IN THE WAR.

OVERALL NATO OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE PLEASED WITH THE PROGRESS OF THE OPERATION, WHICH IS NOW IN ITS SECOND WEEK.

BUT DESPITE THE SUCCESS NATO HAS HAD IN SEPARATING THE TWO SIDES FROM FRONT LINE POSITIONS AROUND SARAJEVO, THERE ARE GROWING CONCERNS ABOUT THE FATE OF THE SERB HELD SECTIONS OF THE CITY. BOSNIAN SERBS, HOPING TO DELAY THE TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY TO THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT, HAVE ASKED THE NATO COMMANDER, ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SMITH, FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE DEADLINE.

THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT IS OPPOSED TO ANY EXTENSION OF THE DEADLINE, AND SERB-HELD SECTIONS OF THE CITY MUST BE TRANSFERRED TO THEIR CONTROL.

SOME HARDLINE SERB LEADERS SAY SERBS WILL NEVER AGREE TO LIVE UNDER BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT CONTROL, AND THEY WANT TO BUILD A NEW SARAJEVO ON SERB-HELD LAND. THEY ARE HOPING THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL HELP FUND THE MOVE. (SIGNED)

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29-Dec-95 10:22 AM EST (1522 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] PERRY/BOSNIA. BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY AND MILITARY JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF CHAIRMAN GENERAL JOHN SHALIKASHVILI ARE PREPARING TO VISIT BOSNIA EARLY NEXT WEEK -- AND BECOME THE FIRST SENIOR U-S OFFICIALS TO SEE THE NEW PEACEKEEPING OPERATION FIRST-HAND. AS V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON, THE QUESTION OF BOSNIA VISITS HAS EMERGED AS A POLITICAL AS WELL AS MILITARY ISSUE.

TEXT: SECRETARY PERRY AND GENERAL SHALIKASHVILI LEAVE WASHINGTON MONDAY ON A MISSION THAT WILL TAKE THEM TO THE U-S MILITARY STAGING AREAS IN HUNGARY. THE TWO PENTAGON OFFICIALS THEN GO ON TO BOSNIA FOR TALKS WITH GOVERNMENT LEADERS IN SARAJEVO AND VISITS TO U-S SOLDIERS ALREADY DEPLOYED AROUND TUZLA.

WITH BAD WEATHER AND LOGISTICAL PROBLEMS PUSHING THE PEACEKEEPING DEPLOYMENT BEHIND SCHEDULE, U-S MILITARY COMMANDERS IN THE REGION HAVE BEEN DISCOURAGING HIGH-LEVEL VISITS. THE PENTAGON SAYS THE SECRETARY AND THE JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN INTEND TO KEEP THEIR VISIT BRIEF AND LOW-KEY.

AT THE URGING OF DEFENSE OFFICIALS, SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER AND PRESIEDENTIAL CANDIDATE BOB DOLE AND A GROUP OF SENATE COLLEAGUES SCRAPPED PLANS TO MAKE A HIGH-PROFILE CHRISTMAS VISIT TO THE U-S HEADQUARTERS AT TUZLA.

PRESIDENT CLINTON HIMSELF WANTED TO BE WITH THE TROOPS AT CHRISTMAS BUT DEFERRED TO MILITARY LEADERS WHO SAID HIS PRESENCE WOULD HAVE DISRUPTED THE OPERATION. AT A MEETING WITH REPORTERS AT THE PENTAGON, MR. CLINTON, SAID THE ISSUE OF TROOP VISITS SHOULD NOT BE A PARTISAN MATTER:

I'M TAKING THE ADVICE OF THE MILITARY COMMANDERS. I DO NOT WANT TO INTERRUPT THIS MISSION. THE MISSION'S SUCCESS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. AND THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE SHOULD GUIDE EVERYONE. THERE ARE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DISRUPTION THAT DIFFERENT TRIPS WOULD CAUSE. AND I THINK WE OUGHT TO JUST TRY TO KEEP IT NON-POLITICAL. I HOPE ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO GO THERE WHO HAS A REASON TO GO -- INCLUDING SENATOR DOLE -- WILL BE ABLE TO GO AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME AND THAT'S THE DETERMINATION THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE.

WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS SAY A PRESIDENTIAL VISIT TO BOSNIA IS UNLIKELY UNTIL LATE JANUARY. AIDES TO SENATOR DOLE -- WHO ENGINEERED A QUALIFIED EXPRESSION OF SENATE SUPPORT FOR THE BOSNIA MISSION -- SAY HE ALSO PLANS TO MAKE THE TRIP AT A LATER DATE.

DEFENSE SECRETARY PERRY, WHO WILL MEET IN SARAJEVO WITH PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS, GOES FROM BOSNIA TO UKRAINE FOR A TRILATERAL MEETING WITH HIS UKRAINIAN AND RUSSIAN COUNTERPARTS.

HIS WEEK-LONG OVERSEAS MISSION WILL ALSO INCLUDE DEFENSE MEETINGS WITH LEADERS IN OMAN, SAUDI ARABIA, ISRAEL AND JORDAN. (SIGNED)

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29-Dec-95 6:36 PM EST (2336 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] U-S / BOSNIA (S&L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, MOHAMED SACIRBEY, MET WITH U-S NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR ANTHONY LAKE FRIDAY TO DISCUSS PROGRESS TOWARD IMPLEMENTING A U-S - BROKERED PEACE AGREEMENT FOR HIS COUNTRY. MR. SACIRBEY EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT WHAT HE SEES AS BOSNIAN SERB TACTICS TO UNDERMINE THE ACCORD. V-O-A'S WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: FOREIGN MINISTER SACIRBEY SAYS HE TOLD NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR LAKE OF HIS GOVERNMENT'S CONCERN ABOUT BOSNIAN SERB DEMANDS TO DELAY THE HAND-OVER OF BOSNIAN SERB-HELD TERRITORY TO A CROAT-MUSLIM AUTHORITY. HE SAYS THE DEMANDS ARE AN EFFORT TO UNDERMINE THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT.

MR. SACIRBEY SAYS HE RECEIVED ASSURANCES ON THE ISSUE FROM MR. LAKE.

I THINK THERE WAS AGREEMENT THAT THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT WOULD NEED TO BE CONSULTED ON THIS ISSUE, AND I THINK THERE WAS AGREEMENT THAT ANY POTENTIAL DELAY SHOULD BE ONLY CONSIDERED IN THE CONTEXT OF IMPLEMENTING THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT AS PLANNED, AND NOT TO RENEGOTIATE IT.

A SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL WHO DOES NOT WANT TO BE IDENTIFIED SAYS ANY DELAY IN THE TRANSFER OF SERB-HELD AREAS OF SARAJEVO EARLY NEXT YEAR MUST BE DECIDED BY THE NATO COMMANDER THERE, U-S ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SMITH.

THE OFFICIAL ALSO SAYS MR. LAKE AND MR. SACIRBEY REVIEWED PLANS FOR ARMING THE BOSNIAN MILITARY TO ALLOW IT TO BETTER DEFEND THE COUNTRY WHEN NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCES WITHDRAW AT THE END OF THEIR MISSION.

MR. SACIRBEY SAYS HE HOPES ARMING HIS COUNTRY IS A STEP TOWARD BOSNIA'S INTEGRATION INTO NATO.

BOSNIA IS NOT ENGAGING IN EQUIP AND TRAIN TO PREPARE FOR A NEW WAR, BUT TO PREPARE FOR PEACE, AND PREPARING FOR PEACE MEANS BOSNIA BEING INTEGRATED INTO NATO AND OTHER WESTERN DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS, BECOMING PART OF NATO, PART OF THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE OF THE WESTERN DEFENSIVE SYSTEM, IS ALSO PART OF THE EXIT STRATEGY, BECAUSE AS TROOPS LEAVE, THERE NEEDS TO BE A FRAMEWORK TO ADDRESS BOSNIA'S FUTURE SECURITY NEEDS, AS WELL AS STABILITY IN THE REGION.

THE SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL SAYS IT IS UP TO NATO TO DECIDE WHETHER TO GRANT BOSNIA MEMBERSHIP, AND SAYS BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE ALLIANCE IS A LONG-TERM, STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS. (SIGNED)

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29-Dec-95 6:19 PM EST (2319 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] WORLD BANK REPORT (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: IN A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, THE WORLD BANK SAYS GLOBAL ECONOMIC GROWTH PER CAPITA WAS POSITIVE LAST YEAR (1994) FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1990. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS THE STUDY FINDS DEVELOPING COUNTRIES -- EXCEPT FOR THE FORMER SOVIET UNION -- AGAIN GREW AT A FASTER RATE THAN THE MATURE INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES.

TEXT: MANY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ARE GROWING FASTER THAN THE RICHER COUNTRIES, BUT THE THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES STILL RANK FAR BEHIND. WORLD BANK ECONOMIST MICHAEL WARD SAYS MANY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ARE WORKING HARD TO CLOSE THE GAP.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE YEARS WE ARE SEEING (IN 1994 AT LEAST) AN UPTURN IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE IN PER CAPITA INCOME. WE SUSPECT THESE HAVE CONTINUED THROUGH 1995 FROM WHAT EVIDENCE WE HAVE. THIS IS A GOOD SIGN. IT MEANS THAT SOME OF THE POORER, LOWER-INCOME COUNTRIES CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE EXPANSION IN WORLD MARKETS.

THE WORLD BANK PUBLISHES ITS COMPARATIVE SURVEY OF ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND OTHER INDICATORS EVERY YEAR. THE NEW EDITION OF THE "WORLD BANK ATLAS" IS BASED ON STATISTICS FOR 1994, THE MOST RECENT AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS OF ALL THE WORLD'S COUNTRIES.

MR. WARD SAYS INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA POSTED STRONG PERFORMANCE IN 1994, JOINED BY HIGH-GROWTH COUNTRIES IN OTHER REGIONS.

THIS TIME IT WAS THE O-E-C-D COUNTRIES -- THAT'S THE ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL COUNTRIES? -- WHICH PERFORMED WELL. THEY WERE, OF COURSE, OUTPERFORMED -- AS THEY HAVE BEEN FOR SOME YEARS NOW -- BY THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES, INCLUDING, FOR THE FIRST REALLY, INDIA AND CHINA. //

THE REPORT HIGHLIGHTS GROWTH IN CHILE AND URUGUAY IN LATIN AMERICA; IN THAILAND, MALAYSIA AND INDONESIA IN ASIA. WORLD BANK ECONOMIST MICHAEL WARD SAYS THERE ARE OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN RATHER DISMAL.

THE COUNTRIES WHICH REMAIN AT THE BOTTOM LEVEL AND ARE PERFORMING BADLY ARE MOST OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION AND A VERY LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THE FORMER AFRICAN COUNTRIES.

NOT ALL AFRICAN STATES ARE DOING BADLY, HOWEVER. NAMIBIA AND UGANDA BOTH SHOWED SIGNIFICANT GROWTH RATES. AND ANOTHER AFRICAN COUNTRY HAD THE FIFTH HIGHEST GROWTH RATE PER-CAPITA -- SIX-POINT-SIX PERCENT GROWTH IN 1994.

BOTSWANA RELIES VERY HEAVILY ON ITS MINERALS SALES. IT ALSO HAS A THRIVING TOURIST INDUSTRY.

MOST OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES ARE NOT SO LUCKY. ON THE OTHER HAND, ABUNDANT NATURAL RESOURCES DO NOT GUARANTEE PROSPERITY, AS SOME OF THE FORMER SOVIET STATES HAVE BEEN FINDING OUT.

THE WORLD BANK ATLAS ALSO REPORTS CONTINUING PROGRESS IN REDUCING INFANT MORTALITY, WHICH HAS BEEN CUT IN HALF SINCE 1970. IN GENERAL, AS YOU WOULD EXPECT, THE RICHER NATIONS HAVE LOWER INFANT DEATH RATES. BUT SOME MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES SUCH AS CHILE, KOREA AND SINGAPORE HAVE LOW RATES NOT MUCH HIGHER THAN SOME INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES. (SIGNED)

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29-Dec-95 10:40 AM EST (1540 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America