Voice of America Digest, 24 January 1996

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] !!! VOA DIGEST - JANUARY 24, 1996

CLINTON / STATE OF UNION -- PRESIDENT CLINTON IN HIS FOURTH STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS HAS DECLARED THE UNION STRONG. BUT HE SAYS TO IMPROVE IT FURTHER REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS MUST WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE THE NATION'S PROBLEMS, INCLUDING THE ONGOING BUDGET STALEMATE. CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA HAS THE HIGHLIGHTS. (1/24)

CONGRESS / STATE OF THE UNION REACT -- SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BOB DOLE DELIVERED THE OFFICIAL REPUBLICAN PARTY RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS. CAPITOL HILL CORRESPONDENT PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS HE FOCUSED ON DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO POLITICAL PARTIES. (1/24)

CLINTON / STATE OF UNION / FOREIGN -- PRESIDENT CLINTON IN HIS FOURTH STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS SAID THE UNITED STATES MUST NOT BE ISOLATIONIST OR THE WORLD'S POLICEMAN, BUT THAT IT CAN BE THE BEST PEACEMAKER. HIS SPEECH TO THE NATION FROM THE CHAMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TUESDAY, CALLED FOR BIPARTISANSHIP IN SOLVING THE NATION'S DOMESTIC PROBLEMS. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS. (1/24)

STATE OF THE UNION / DOMESTIC -- PRESIDENT CLINTON IN HIS FOURTH STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS APPEALED TO CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS TO WORK WITH HIM TO SOLVE THE BUDGET IMPASSE. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS. (1/24)

CONGRESS / CLINTON REACT -- REPUBLICANS HAVE GIVEN A POLITE BUT CRITICAL RECEPTION TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS. SENATE CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN REPORTS THE SPEECH HAS APPARENTLY DONE LITTLE TO BREAK THE DEADLOCK OVER THE FEDERAL BUDGET. (1/24)

CONGRESS / CLINTON REACT -- THE REPUBLICANS WHO RUN CONGRESS HAVE GIVEN PRESIDENT CLINTON'S STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH A CHILLY RECEPTION. DESPITE HIS PLEDGES, THEY SAY HE IS STILL NOT SERIOUS ABOUT BALANCING THE BUDGET OR CHANGING THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT. CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS. (1/24)

SOU / REACT -- A SMALL BUT VARIED GROUP OF CITIZENS HAD A MIXED REACTION TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ANNUAL STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS DURING THE ABC TELEVISION PROGRAM "NIGHTLINE." STAFFER VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THEIR VIEWS WERE SUPPLEMENTED BY A NETWORK TELEPHONE POLL SHOWING STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH. (1/24)

CHINA / THREAT? -- A SENIOR US DIPLOMAT SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS WATCHING CHINA'S MILITARY BUILDUP, BUT IS NOT OUT TO CONTAIN CHINA. THE REMARKS BY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE WINSTON LORD WERE MADE IN MANILA ON A DAY WHEN THE NEW YORK TIMES NEWSPAPER WAS REPORTING CHINA HAS ISSUED WARNINGS TO TAIWAN WHICH ARE SEEN AS AN EFFORT AT INTIMIDATION. CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER IN BEIJING REPORTS THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS. (1/24)

CHINA / THREAT -- AN AMERICAN NEWSPAPER REPORT SAYING CHINA HAS PREPARED A PLAN FOR A MISSILE ATTACK AGAINST TAIWAN HAS BEEN DENIED BY CHINESE OFFICIALS. CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER REPORTS FROM BEIJING. (1/24)

US / NORKOR FOOD -- US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE WINSTON LORD SAYS HE HOPES THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN, AND SOUTH KOREA WILL AGREE ON THE ISSUE OF HUMANITARIAN AID TO NORTH KOREA. CORRESPONDENT FRED COOPER REPORTS MR. LORD MADE THE COMMENTS AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN, AND SOUTH KOREA PREPARED TO MEET IN HAWAII TO DISCUSS POLICY TOWARDS NORTH KOREA. (1/24)

NORTH KOREA / FOOD SHORTAGE -- INTERNATIONAL AID AGENCIES SAY NORTH KOREA IS FACING WIDESPREAD STARVATION IF CONCERTED ACTION IS NOT TAKEN SOON. MEANWHILE, US, JAPANESE AND SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIALS ARE MEETING THIS WEEK IN HAWAII TO DISCUSS NORTH KOREA, IN PARTICULAR, HOW TO ADDRESS THE FOOD SHORTAGE. CURRENT AFFAIRS' STEPHANIE MANN REPORTS. (1/24)

BOSNIA / WAR CRIMES EVIDENCE -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS ON THE MISUNDERSTANDING OVER WHO SHOULD POLICE WAR CRIMES EVIDENCE AND INVESTIGATIONS: THE NATO IMPLEMENTATION FORCE, IFOR, OR LOCAL BOSNIAN AUTHORITIES? (1/24)

BOSNIA / PRISONERS -- THE TOP AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIAL HAS PUT STRONG PRESSURE ON THE MUSLIM-LED BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT IN SARAJEVO TO FREE ITS REMAINING WAR PRISONERS. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS. (1/23)

BOSNIA / SITREP -- UNDER STRONG AMERICAN PRESSURE, BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC HAS GIVEN ASSURANCES HIS GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO FREE SERB WAR PRISONERS. AS CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS, A DELAY IN THE RELEASE OF GOVERNMENT-HELD PRISONERS HELD UP A FINAL EXCHANGE OF ALL WAR PRISONERS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. (1/23)

BOSNIA / RECONSTRUCTION -- US COMPANIES HOPING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE RECONSTRUCTION EFFORT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAVE RECEIVED DETAILED BRIEFINGS TUESDAY ON THE NEEDS OF THE COUNTRY, AS WELL AS THE COMPLEX SECURITY SITUATION WHICH EXISTS THERE. CORRESPONDENT ANDREW BAIRD REPORTS. (1/23)

RUSSIA / CHECHNYA -- CHECHEN REBELS WHO ESCAPED A RUSSIAN ARMY SIEGE LAST WEEK SAY THEY ARE WILLING TO RELEASE ADDITIONAL HOSTAGES. AS CORRESPONDENT PETER COLLINS REPORTS FROM MOSCOW, THE REAPPEARANCE OF REBEL LEADER SALMAN RADUYEV HAS BECOME A DEEP EMBARRASSMENT TO THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT. (1/23)

RUSSIA POLITICS / YELTSIN -- PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN, A DAY AFTER SAYING HE WOULD PROBABLY RUN FOR RE-ELECTION, HAS SAID HIS HEALTH MAY FORCE HIM TO GIVE UP THE RACE. CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN IN MOSCOW REPORTS THE NEWS OF MR. YELTSIN'S PROBABLE CANDIDACY TOUCHED OFF A WAVE OF NEGATIVE REACTION. (1/23)

THE LEGACY OF CHERNOBYL -- ALMOST TEN YEARS AFTER A NUCLEAR REACTOR BLEW UP AT THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR PLANT IN UKRAINE, THE RADIATION-PLAGUED REGION CONTINUES TO ATTRACT SCORES OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD. THEY ARE EAGER TO FIND OUT WHAT EFFECT, IF ANY, STEADY RADIATION EXPOSURE HAS HAD ON THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT. RUSSIAN SERVICE'S MAXIM KNIAZKOV REPORTS. (1/24)

ISRAEL / SYRIA TALKS -- NEGOTIATORS FROM ISRAEL AND SYRIA RESUME TALKS WEDNESDAY AT THE WYE CONFERENCE CENTER IN MARYLAND, OUTSIDE OF WASHINGTON, ALONG WITH AMERICAN MEDIATORS IN THE SECOND ROUND OF TALKS THERE DESIGNED TO REACH A PEACE AGREEMENT THIS YEAR. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS THIS ROUND WILL FOCUS ON SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS. (1/23)

ISRAEL / SYRIA -- ISRAELI AND SYRIAN NEGOTIATORS RESUME PEACE TALKS WEDNESDAY AT A SECLUDED CONFERENCE CENTER NEAR WASHINGTON, WITH SECURITY ISSUES HIGH ON THE AGENDA. CORRESPONDENT AL PESSIN IN JERUSALEM REPORTS ISRAEL IS LOOKING FOR SOME PROGRESS AS OFFICIALS DECIDE WHETHER TO CALL EARLY ELECTIONS. (1/23)

ISRAEL / RABIN -- THE CONFESSED ASSASSIN OF ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER YITZHAK RABIN, SAID IN COURT TUESDAY HE CARRIED OUT THE SHOOTING FOR THE GLORY OF GOD, AND CLAIMED HE INTENDED ONLY TO WOUND MR RABIN TO FORCE HIM FROM OFFICE. CORRESPONDENT AL PESSIN REPORTS FROM JERUSALEM. (1/23)

BAHRAIN / UNREST -- AFTER THREE DAYS OF RIOTING IN BAHRAIN AND CLASHES BETWEEN POLICE AND PROTESTERS, EIGHT OPPOSITION LEADERS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE TRIED ON CHARGES OF INCITING THE RIOTS. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS THE GOVERNMENT OF BAHRAIN IS BLAMING THE UNREST ON SABOTAGE AND TERRORISM FUELED FROM OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY. (1/23)

TURKEY / POLITICS -- TURKISH PRIME MINISTER, TANSU CILLER, HAS OFFERED TO TAKE PART IN A REVOLVING PREMIERSHIP WITH MESUT YILMAZ, LEADER OF THE CONSERVATIVE MOTHERLAND PARTY. STRINGER AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS. (1/23)

TURKEY / WOMEN -- CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS ON TURKISH MUSLIM FUNDAMENTALISTS, ESPECIALLY WOMEN, ABOUT THEIR RECENT ELECTION VICTORY. (1/24)

POLAND / POLITICS -- IN POLAND, A MILITARY PROSECUTOR WILL DETERMINE THIS WEEK WHETHER TO PROCEED WITH A FORMAL INVESTIGATION OF SPY CHARGES AGAINST PRIME MINISTER JOZEF OLEKSY. CORRESPONDENT BARRY WOOD REPORTS THE PRIME MINISTER IS UNLIKELY TO KEEP HIS JOB IN LIGHT OF THE SENSATIONAL CHARGES HE WAS A RUSSIAN SPY FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS. (1/23)

EUROPE / HAVEL -- IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE FRENCH DAILY LE FIGARO, CZECH PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVEL SAYS THE ELECTION OF FORMER COMMUNISTS IN FORMER SOVIET BLOC COUNTRIES DOES NOT MEAN THE REVIVAL OF COMMUNIST REGIMES. STRINGER JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS. (1/23)

GERMANY / FIRE -- GERMAN POLICE INVESTIGATING THE FIRE THAT KILLED TEN ASYLUM SEEKERS LAST WEEK, HAVE DECLARED A NEWS BLACKOUT ON THE INVESTIGATION. AUTHORITIES, WHO ARE UNDER HEAVY PRESSURE TO SOLVE THE CRIME, HAVE STILL NOT DETERMINED THE MOTIVE FOR THE ARSON ATTACK. BUT AS CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS, MANY GERMANS APPEAR RELIEVED THE PROBE IS NOW FOCUSED ON A YOUNG LEBANESE MAN AND IS NO LONGER BEING INVESTIGATED AS A NEO-NAZI ATTACK ON FOREIGNERS. (1/23)

TAIWAN / VISA -- FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS MONTH, TAIWAN IS REQUESTING A TRANSIT VISA FROM THE UNITED STATES. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS THE REQUEST IS BEING TREATED ROUTINELY. (1/23)

BURUNDI / REFUGEES -- UN OFFICIALS HELD TALKS WITH BURUNDIAN AUTHORITIES FOLLOWING FRESH REPORTS OF ATTACKS BY GOVERNMENT SOLDIERS AGAINST RWANDAN HUTU REFUGEES. CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTS. (1/24)

BURUNDI / REFUGEES -- UN OFFICIALS SAY HUNDREDS OF RWANDAN REFUGEES WHO FLED THEIR CAMP IN NORTHEASTERN BURUNDI DURING THE WEEKEND ARE BEGINNING TO RETURN TO THE FACILITY, WHILE OTHERS ARE RETURNING TO RWANDA. EAST AFRICA CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTS RWANDAN REFUGEE REPRESENTATIVES ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE LATEST REPATRIATION EFFORT. (1/23)

BUDDHISM IN CRISIS? -- THE MURDER OF A YOUNG BRITISH TOURIST IN THAILAND ALLEGEDLY BY A FORMER BUDDHIST MONK HAS REIGNITED A DEBATE OVER PROBLEMS IN THE BUDDHIST CHURCH (CALLED SANGHA IN THE THAI LANGUAGE). BANGKOK CORRESPONDENT DAN ROBINSON REPORTS THAT INCIDENTS OF MISCONDUCT BY BUDDHIST MONKS DURING THE PAST YEAR HAVE LED TO CALLS FOR REFORM AND GREATER SUPERVISION BY THE GOVERNMENT. (1/24)

PAKISTAN / RELIGION -- HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS SAY THE GOVERNMENT LACKS THE POLITICAL WILL TO CONFRONT RELIGIOUS EXTREMISTS. THE CHARGE AGAIN RAISES LONG-STANDING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POWER OF RELIGIOUS PARTIES IN PAKISTAN. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN REPORTS FROM ISLAMABAD. (1/24)

BANGLA / KHALEDA -- BANGLADESH'S PRIME MINISTER KHALEDA ZIA SAID TUESDAY A PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 15 WILL GO AHEAD. THREE MAIN OPPOSITION PARTIES ARE NOT PARTICIPATING. STRINGER ATIQUL ALAM REPORTS FROM DHAKA. (1/23)

UN / NUKES -- THE UN DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE HAS BEGUN ITS WINTER SESSION IN GENEVA, AMID STEPPED-UP EFFORTS TO REACH AGREEMENT ON A COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR TEST BAN. DELEGATES FROM THE 38-MEMBER CONFERENCE WANT TO COMPLETE NEGOTIATIONS WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, SO THE TREATY CAN BE PRESENTED TO THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN SEPTEMBER. BUT, CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN GENEVA REPORTS SOME PROBLEMS REMAIN. (1/23)

COLOMBIA / DRUGS -- COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT ERNESTO SAMPER HAS REJECTED NEW CALLS FOR HIS RESIGNATION WHICH FOLLOWED AN ALLEGATION BY HIS FORMER CAMPAIGN MANAGER THAT THE PRESIDENT WAS AWARE OF POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DRUG TRAFFICKERS. CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK REPORTS. (1/23)

CUBA / MINING -- AN AUSTRALIAN MINING COMPANY HAS SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF CUBA TO DEVELOP A NICKEL MINE AND PROCESSING PLANT IN NORTHEASTERN CUBA. CORRESPONDENT JIM TEEPLE REPORTS IF PRODUCTION GOES FORWARD AS PLANNED IT WOULD BE THE LARGEST SINGLE SOURCE OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN CUBA. (1/23)

CUBANS INTERCEPTED -- FIVE MEN IDENTIFIED AS ANTI-CASTRO ACTIVISTS WERE ARRESTED IN FLORIDA AFTER THEIR BOAT WAS FOUND TO BE CARRYING WEAPONS AND EXPLOSIVES. HOWEVER CORRESPONDENT JIM TEEPLE REPORTS THE FIVE WERE RELEASED LATE TUESDAY AFTER BEING QUESTIONED BY THE US CUSTOMS SERVICE. (1/23)

US ECONOMY / GRAMLEY -- FORMER FEDERAL RESERVE GOVERNOR LYLE GRAMLEY SAYS THE US ECONOMY IN 1996 WILL BE POSITIVE, WITH A GROWTH RATE OF AROUND TWO PERCENT. HOWEVER, WHILE MANY INDICATORS SHOW THE ECONOMY IS IMPROVING, THERE IS STILL CONCERN OVER SHORT AND LONG TERM INTEREST RATES. CORRESPONDENT JILL GATHMANN REPORTS MR. GRAMLEY PREDICTS THE US CENTRAL BANK (THE FEDERAL RESERVE) WILL CUT INTEREST RATES WHEN IT MEETS LATER THIS MONTH. (1/23)

CONGRESS / BUDGET -- THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS MAY BE HEADED FOR ANOTHER SHOWDOWN OVER THE FEDERAL DEBT CEILING OR GOVERNMENT SPENDING -- WITH DEADLINES FOR ACTION ON BOTH APPROACHING FAST. CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN REPORTS. (1/23)

PEACE CORPS FUTURE -- THE DIRECTOR OF THE US PEACE CORPS, MARK GEARAN, SAYS THE ORGANIZATION WILL PLAY A GREATER ROLE IN SOUTH AFRICA AND HAITI. HE IS ALSO PLANNING A PEACE CORPS GROUP THAT CAN RESPOND TO MAJOR GLOBAL DISASTERS. CORRESPONDENT CHRIS SIMKINS REPORTS. (1/23)

TOLEDO COMEBACK / LABOR RELATIONS -- LOCATED JUST AN HOUR'S DRIVE FROM THE UNITED STATES' "CAR CAPITAL,"DETROIT, MICHIGAN, THE MIDWESTERN CITY OF TOLEDO, OHIO HAS ITS ECONOMIC FORTUNES TIED CLOSELY TO THOSE OF THE US AUTO INDUSTRY. WHEN US AUTO SALES PLUNGED IN THE 1980S, TOLEDO, OHIO'S ECONOMY PLUNGED TOO. TODAY, HOWEVER, AS CURRENT AFFAIRS' LINDA CASHDAN REPORTS, TOLEDO, OHIO SYMBOLIZES THE POSITIVE CHANGES US AUTO PLANTS HAVE MADE IN RECENT YEARS IN ORDER TO TURN THEIR FORTUNES AROUND. (1/24)

TOLEDO COMEBACK / TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER -- TOLEDO, OHIO, AN INDUSTRIAL CITY IN THE AMERICAN MIDWEST FALTERED ON THE BRINK OF ECONOMIC DISASTER IN THE 1980S WHEN ITS OLD LINE INDUSTRIES NO LONGER SEEMED CAPABLE OF MEETING INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION. TODAY, LINDA CASHDAN REPORTS, TOLEDO IS IN THE MIDST OF AN ECONOMIC COMEBACK, THANKS IN PART TO NEW TECHNOLOGY THAT IS BREATHING LIFE INTO OLD INDUSTRIES, AND CREATING NEW ONES. (1/24)

UTAH / EXECUTION -- AT MIDNIGHT THURSDAY UTAH TIME, THE STATE OF UTAH WILL EXECUTE A MAN BY FIRING SQUAD. THE CONDEMNED MAN, JOHN ALBERT TAYLOR, CHOSE THIS METHOD OF EXECUTION. MANY PEOPLE IN UTAH, INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR, WANT TO CHANGE THE LAW THAT ALLOWS THIS, BUT IT IS TOO LATE TO STOP THIS ONE. THE CASE HAS BECOME A MAJOR EMBARRASSMENT FOR THE STATE AS IT CELEBRATES ITS CENTENNIAL AND PREPARES FOR THE WINTER OLYMPICS IN 2002. CORRESPONDENT GREG FLAKUS REPORTS. (1/24)

CROP / PRICES AND CONSUMERS -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' ROB SIVAK REPORTS THAT DESPITE THE SOARING PRICES US FARMERS ARE ENJOYING FOR THEIR GRAIN AND SOYBEAN CROPS, US FOOD CONSUMERS HAVE NOT BEEN AFFECTED VERY MUCH YET. INTERVIEWS WITH USDA ECONOMIST ANNETTE CLAUSEN AND PRIVATE GRAIN ANALYST JOHN SCHNITTKER. (1/24)

DAIRY HORMONES / CANCER RISK -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' ROB SIVAK REPORTS ON A NEW STUDY THAT SUGGESTS PEOPLE FACE A HIGHER RISK OF COLON OR BREAST CANCER RISK IF THEY DRINK MILK FROM COWS TREATED WITH A NEW, GOVERNMENT-APPROVED BOVINE GROWTH HORMONE. BUT GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE MEDICAL EXPERTS SAY THE NEW STUDY IS FLAWED AND BGH ENHANCED MILK IS COMPLETELY SAFE. (1/24)

VOODOO PRIESTESS -- MAMA LOLA, A HAITIAN VOODOO PRIESTESS IS IN LOS ANGELES TO LECTURE ABOUT THIS AFRICA-DERIVED RELIGION, WHICH HAS MANY INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS AND INFLUENCES. CORRESPONDENT GREG FLAKUS REPORTS FROM LOS ANGELES. (1/24)

PUBLIC / PROFANITY -- IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID THE MEDIA HYPE AND SPECULATION THIS WEEK ABOUT SUNDAY'S SUPER BOWL GAME, WHEN THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS TAKE ON THE DALLAS COWBOYS IN TEMPE, ARIZONA. BUT IN RECENT DAYS, AMERICA'S PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS HAVE BEEN MAKING HEADLINES FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE ON THE AIR AS WELL AS ON THE PLAYING FIELD, UTTERING OBSCENITIES ON NATIONAL TELEVISION. CURRENT AFFAIRS' TERRI KEEFE REPORTS ON THE GROWING PROBLEM OF PUBLIC PROFANITY. (1/24)

VERMONT / SKI SLOPES -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' ZLATICA HOKE SHARES SOME IMPRESSIONS FROM A RECENT OUTING WITH CHILDREN ON THE SKI SLOPES OF VERMONT. (1/24)

INSIDE USA:

CLINTON / UNION ADDRESS -- PRESIDENT CLINTON DELIVERS HIS ANNUAL STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS TO A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS. 'TALK TO AMERICA' WELCOMES ROUNDTABLE GUESTS AND CORRESPONDENTS, PAULA WOLFSON, DAVID BORGIDA AND JIM MALONE, WHO DISCUSS THE RESPONSES TO THE SPEECH. (ENGLISH 1/23)

CLINTON / STATE OF UNION -- PRESIDENT CLINTON'S STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE AND THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE BY SENATOR ROBERT DOLE WAS SIMULTANEOUSLY TRANSLATED TO SPANISH BY EDITOR CESAR CARDOZA. (SPANISH 1/23)

CLINTON / STATE OF UNION -- PRESIDENT CLINTON'S STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH WAS BROADCAST LIVE AND IN FULL IN THE RUSSIAN BREAKFAST SHOW, AS WAS THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE DELIVERED BY SENATOR ROBERT DOLE. (RUSSIAN 1/23)

STATE OF UNION / REACTION -- PROFESSOR THOMAS REMINGTON OF EMORY UNIVERSITY, PRESIDENT OF THE NIXON CENTER FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM DIMITRY SIMES AND STAFFER VLADIMIR MATLIN ANALYZE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH AND SENATOR DOLE'S REPUBLICAN RESPONSE IN A ROUNDTABLE BROADCAST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SPEECHES. (RUSSIAN 1/23)

US / ILLEGAL ALIENS -- INS OFFICIALS BEGAN AN INTENSE CAMPAIGN AGAINST ILLEGAL ALIENS IN LOS ANGELES MAIN AIRPORT. CORRESPONDENT HECTOR VELAZQUEZ MEJIA REPORTS FROM LOS ANGELES. (SPANISH 1/23)

GLOBAL / NUCLEAR TEST BAN -- REPORTER SUSAN YACKEE SPEAKS WITH EVAN MEDERIOUS, A SENIOR ANALYST WITH THE ARMS CONTROL ASSOCIATION IN WASHINGTON, ABOUT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S CALL FOR A QUICK CONCLUSION OF NEGOTIATIONS ON A GLOBAL UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY. MR MEDERIOUS SAYS HIS ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS THE PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT, BUT FEELS IT IS A BIT OPTIMISTIC TO HAVE A PACT SENT TO THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY JUNE, AS THE PRESIDENT ASKS. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 1/23)

BLACK-OWNED ENTERPRISE / FLORIDA -- AN IMMIGRANT FROM NORTHERN NIGERIA HAS BECOME THE FIRST AND ONLY BLACK OWNER AND ADMINISTRATOR OF A RETIREMENT CENTER IN VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA. DURING A RECENT VISIT TO DAYTONA BEACH, STAFFER IBRAHIM AHMED INTERVIEWED HASSAN BASHIR JIBRIL, THE DIRECTOR OF THE FAMILY-RUN PINECASTLE RETIREMENT CENTER. (HAUSA 1/23)

ETHIOPIANS IN AMERICA -- THE ETHIOPIAN COMMUNITY IN THE WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA CELEBRATED EPIPHANY, COMMEMORATING THE BAPTISM OF JESUS CHRIST. THE ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ORGANIZED THE CELEBRATION WHICH INCLUDED TRADITIONAL ECCLESIASTICAL CHANT AND DANCE. STAFFER ADDISU ABEBE COVERED THE STORY. (AMHARIC 1/23)

LOCAL COMMUNITIES / FINANCES -- JOANNA REGULSKA OF RUTGERS UNIVERSITY IS INTERVIEWED BY STAFFER WITOLD SULKOWSKI ABOUT THE WAY IN WHICH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE US GET THEIR FINANCES. (POLISH 1/24)

SELECTING FOR THE OLYMPICS -- ANDRZEJ KRZESINSKI, THE HEAD COACH FOR THE NIKE WEST TRACK AND FIELD TEAM DESCRIBES HOW YOUNG AMERICAN ATHLETES ARE SELECTED FOR THE US NATIONAL TEAMS. INTERVIEW BY STAFFER MACIEJ WIERZYNSKI. (POLISH 1/24)

STEP FAMILIES -- THE NUMBER OF YOUNGSTERS BEING RAISED AS STEP CHILDREN IS GROWING IN AMERICA AND IMMIGRANT FAMILIES ARE NOT TOTALLY IMMUNE FROM THIS PHENOMENON. STAFFER SUMAN GUPTA INTERVIEWS INDIAN IMMIGRANT HEMA SHARMA OF CALIFORNIA ON THE EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF SUCH CHILDREN AND THE EXTRA CONSIDERATION REQUIRED FROM STEP PARENTS. (HINDI 1/23)

INDIAN COMMUNITY / SENATOR D'AMATO -- AMERICANS OF INDIAN ORIGIN LIVING IN NEW YORK GAVE A DINNER RECEPTION FOR SENATOR D'AMATO. THE SENATOR URGED INDIAN AMERICANS TO TAKE PART IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, AND GET INVOLVED IN US POLITICS. STRINGER ZAKIA KHAN REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (BANGLA 1/24)

IRANIAN SINGING STAR / ILLNESS -- STAFFER HOSSEIN KANGARLOO INTERVIEWS VIGEN, WELL-KNOWN IRANIAN VOCALIST, ABOUT HIS RECENT HEART ATTACK. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME NEWS OF HIS ILLNESS HAS BEEN REPORTED ANYWHERE. VIGEN, AN IRANIAN-AMERICAN OF ARMENIAN ANCESTRY, LIVES IN LOS ANGELES. (FARSI 1/24)

INSIDE AFRICA:

GAMBIA / ELECTIONS -- THE PRIVATE US-BASED GROUP THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE HAS SUSPENDED OPERATIONS SUPPORTING GAMBIA'S TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY. REPORTER JOE DECAPUA SPOKE WITH NDI OFFICIAL DR. CHRIS FOMUNYOH. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 1/22)

RWANDA / CENTRAL BANK REACTION -- FORMER RWANDAN DEFENSE MINISTER JAMES GASANA REACTS TO THE SELF-IMPOSED EXILE OF CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR GERARD NYETEGEKA. HE SPOKE TO REPORTER JOE DECAPUA FROM LAUSANNE. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 1/22)

RWANDA / DEFECTION -- THE HEAD OF RWANDA'S CENTRAL BANK HAS DEFECTED TO BELGIUM. HE SAYS HE FEARED FOR HIS SAFETY IN RWANDA, BUT HIS GOVERNMENT SAYS HE IS IMPLICATED IN A BANKING SCANDAL. REPORTER WILLIAM EAGLE SPOKE WITH GERARD NYETEGEKA IN LOUVAIN-LA-NEUVE, BELGIUM. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 1/22)

SIERRA LEONE / ELECTIONS -- SIERRA LEONE'S MILITARY RULER BRIGADIER JULIUS MAADA BIO CONFIRMS FEBRUARY 26TH AS THE DATE FOR NATIONAL ELECTIONS. REPORTER RICHARD KOTEY SPOKE WITH JAMES JONAH, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 1/23)

CARE / AFRICA FOOD CRISIS -- REPORTER JOHN PITMAN SPEAKS TO ANNE GODDARD, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CARE'S EAST AFRICA DIVISION, ABOUT THE UN FAO'S NEW REPORT WHICH SAYS AFRICA IS HEADED FOR ANOTHER FOOD CRISIS. MS GODDARD TALKS ABOUT HOW CARE IS GEARING UP TO DEAL WITH THE CRISIS, BROUGHT ON BY DECLINING INTERNATIONAL DONATIONS, RISING GRAIN PRICES AND A GENERAL INCREASE IN FOOD EMERGENCIES WORLDWIDE. (ENP 1/23)

GENERIC DRUGS / AFRICA -- STAFFER JEAN-CLAUDE ANDRE INTERVIEWS DR JACQUES SERVIER, CEO OF THE SERVIER PHARMACEUTICAL GROUP WHICH HAS RECENTLY AGREED TO WORK WITH HUNGARY'S EGIS PHARMACEUTICALS TO PRODUCE GENERIC DRUGS. DR. SERVIER TALKED ABOUT HOW THESE LESS EXPENSIVE DRUGS COULD IMPACT THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN AFRICA. SPEAKING ON THE SAME SUBJECT, WORLD BANK GENERIC PRODUCTS EXPERT DENIS BROUN TOLD STAFFER ELIZABETH MONNAC HOW THESE DRUGS CAN BE USEFUL WHEN MONETARY RESOURCES ARE LIMITED. CAROLE MOUAFFO WHO WORKS IN A GENERIC DRUGS DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN CAMEROON ALSO DISCUSSED THE SUBJECT. POTHIN PODA, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE GENERIC DRUGS BUYING PROGRAM IN BURKINA FASO'S HEALTH MINISTRY STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING THAT THESE DRUGS ARE UP TO THE SAME STANDARDS AS BRAND NAME DRUGS. (FRENCH 1/23)

MEDICINE / REMOTE DIAGNOSIS -- STAFFER ELIZABETH MONNAC INTERVIEWS LAURENT BREHERET OF THE FRENCH COMPANY SODIT WHICH SPECIALIZES IN DESIGNING COMPUTER SOFTWARE TO SUPPORT THE CARE OF MEDICAL EMERGENCIES AT SEA. SODIT'S TECHNOLOGY WHICH PUTS MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND PATIENTS ON BOATS IN CONTACT WITH DISTANT MEDICAL CENTERS CAN ALSO BE USED TO PUT PEOPLE IN REMOTE SETTINGS IN AFRICA IN TOUCH WITH MODERN MEDICAL FACILITIES THEY CANNOT REACH IN PERSON. (FRENCH 1/22)

ETHIOPIA / SPORTS -- ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS SOCCER CLUBS IN ETHIOPIA, ST. GEORGE, CELEBRATED ITS 60TH JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY IN ADDIS ABABA. THE CLUB HAS PRODUCED OUTSTANDING PLAYERS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR THE COUNTRY'S NATIONAL TEAM. AMHARIC STAFFER SOLOMON KIFLE INTERVIEWED ONE OF THE OFFICIALS OF THE CLUB, MR. TEFFERA WASSIHUNE. (AMHARIC 1/22)

INSIDE MIDEAST:

SYRIA / ISRAEL -- ON THE EVE OF THE RESUMPTION OF SYRIAN-ISRAELI PEACE NEGOTIATIONS IN WYE PLANTATION, DAMASCUS SAYS THAT RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PEACE PROCESS CONSTITUTE A POSITIVE STEP TOWARD PEACE. STRINGER MAHMOUD ZAWAWI REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 1/23)

ISRAEL / TUNISIA -- THE TUNISIAN AND ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE ANNOUNCED IN WASHINGTON THAT THEIR COUNTRIES WILL EXCHANGE LOW LEVEL DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS. STAFFER ZEINAB ABDELRAHMAN INTERVIEWS FAWAZ KAMAL OF THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE ON THE SUBJECT. (ARABIC 1/23)

TUNIS / ISRAEL / LIBYA -- LIBYA HAS STRONGLY ATTACKED TUNISIAN DECISION TO EXCHANGE LIMITED OFFICIAL REPRESENTATION WITH ISRAEL. STRINGER IBRAHIM ABDIN REPORTS FROM CAIRO THAT THE TUNISIAN PRESS WELCOMED THE MOVE. (ARABIC 1/23)

ARAFAT / PERES -- PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY PRESIDENT YASSER ARAFAT AND ISRAELI PRIMI MINISTER SHIMON PERES ARE EXPECTED TO MEET SOON TO DISCUSS THE PEACE PROCESS. REPORTER IBRAHIM ABDIN IN CAIRO SAYS THAT DISCUSSION WILL FOCUS ON THE RESULTS OF THE PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS. CORRESPONDENT MOHAMED ATTIA REPORTS FROM NEW YORK THAT THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL BOUTROS GHALI WELCOMED RESULTS OF THE ELECTIONS. (ARABIC 1/23)

KUWAIT / SAUDI BORDERS -- KUWAIT SAYS IT EXPECTS TO REACH AGREEMENT SOON WITH SAUDI ARABIA ON TERRITORIAL WATER LIMITS IN THE GULF. MAHMOUD ZAWAWI REPORTS THAT EXPERTS BELIEVE THE AREA HAS LARGE OFFSHORE OIL RESERVES. (ARABIC 1/23)

BAHRAIN / OPPOSITION -- BAHRAIN SAID TUESDAY IT WILL PUT EIGHT OPPOSITION LEADERS IT ARRESTED EARLIER ON TRIAL. STRINGER JUMANA TAMIM REPORTS FROM AMMAN THAT THE LEADERS WILL BE CHARGED WITH INCITING DEMONSTRATIONS AND DISTURBANCES. (ARABIC 1/23)

BAHRAIN UNREST -- SHEIKH MOHAMED ALI MAHFOUZ, LEADER OF THE ISLAMIC FRONT FOR THE LIBERATION OF BAHRAIN BLAMES THE RECENT UNREST IN HIS COUNTRY ON THE GOVERNMENT. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH MOHAMED SETOUHI, HE DEMANDED THAT SHIEIKH ABDEL AMIR AL JAMRI AND OTHER OPPOSITION LEADERS ARRESTED IN BAHRAIN BE RELEASED IMMEDIATELY. (ARABIC 1/23)

BAHRAIN UNREST -- STAFFER HESHMAT MOBASHER REPORTS ON THE UNREST IN BAHRAIN AND ARAB LEAGUE CHARGES THAT IRAN IS RESPONSIBLE. HE INTERVIEWS DR MANSOUR AL-JOMRI, LONDON-BASED SPOKESMAN FOR THE BAHRAIN LIBERATION FRONT. AL-JOMRI SAYS OPPOSITION TO THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT INCLUDES SUNNIS AS WELL AS SHIITES. HE SAID HE BELIEVES IRAN IS NOT BEHIND THE RIOTS, AND THE BAHRAIN GOVERNMENT IS USING IT AS AN EXCUSE. (FARSI 1/24)

LEBANON / SLA -- LEBANESE MILITARY AUTHORITIES DEMANDED THAT THE LEADER OF THE SOUTHERN BREAKAWAY MILITIA ANTOINE LAHAD BE SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR DEALING WITH ISRAEL AND FOR OTHER ACTS. JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS. (ARABIC 1/23)

IRAQ / OIL -- REPORTS FROM BAGHDAD QUOTE DIPLOMATS IN THE IRAQI CAPITAL THAT IRAQ IS CLOSER NOW THAN ANY OTHER TIME TO JOIN OIL EXPORTERS. JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS THAT IRAQ MAY SOON ANNOUNCE ACCEPTANCE OF A UN RESOLUTION TO SELL LIMITED QUANTITIES OF OIL. (ARABIC 1/23)

IRAQ / UN -- UN SECRETARY GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI EXPRESSED OPTIMISM ABOUT THE RESULTS OF NEGOTIATIONS TO ALLOW IRAQ TO SELL SOME OF ITS OIL AT INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. CORRESPONDENT LUIS TAMAYO REPORTS FROM NEW YORK CITY. (SPANISH 1/23)

IRAN / US CURRENCY COUNTERFEIT -- AN AMERICAN TELEVISION NETWORK QUOTES CIA OFFICIALS AS SAYING THAT IRAN IS FLOODING THE WORLD MARKETS WITH HUGE QUANTITIES OF COUNTERFEIT US CURRENCY IN $100 DENOMINATION. STAFFER ZEINAB ABDEL RAHMAN INTERVIEWS ALI NOURI ZADA OF THE ARAB-IRANIAN RESEARCH CENTER IN LONDON ON THE SUBJECT. (ARABIC 1/23)

AFGHAN / HUMAN RIGHTS -- THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR OF THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (UNHRC), CHOONG HYUN PAIK SAYS EDUCATED AFGHANS COULD MAKE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TOWARD THE IMPROVEMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN BY MONITORING THE SITUATION AND REPORTING TO THE UNHRC. STRINGER EKRAM SHINWARAI REPORTS THAT AFTER A VISIT TO KABUL AND THE CITIES OF HERAT AND KANDAHAR, PAIK MET WITH AFGHAN INTELLECTUALS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF AFGHAN REFUGEES IN PESHAWAR. (PASHTO, DARI 1/24)

INSIDE CENTRAL ASIA:

KYRGYZSTAN / JAILED OPPOSITION LEADER -- TOPCHUBEK TURGUNALIYEV, THE HEAD OF ERKIN KYRGYZSTAN WAS ARRESTED AND PUT IN JAIL SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE 24 DECEMBER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN KYRGYZSTAN ON CHARGES OF INSTIGATING ETHNIC HATRED BETWEEN KYRGYZ AND KAZAKHS. STAFFER RANO HABIB INTERVIEWS NATALIYA ABLOVA, DIRECTOR OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS BUREAU OF KYRGYZSTAN, AND ANATOLY MARISHEV, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE KYRGYZ PARLIAMENT ON THIS ISSUE. ACCORDING TO ABLOVA, TURGUNALIYEV DENIES THE CHARGES AND INSISTS THE CASE SHOULD BE SETTLED IN THE COURT OF LAW. (UZBEK 1/23)

INSIDE SOUTH ASIA:

BANGLADESH PM / ELECTION -- PRIME MINISTER KHALIDA ZIA HAS LAUNCHED HER RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN, FACING BITTER OPPOSITION AND A DAY LONG PROTEST STRIKE IN THE NORTHEASTERN CITY, SYLHET. HUNDREDS OF SECURITY TROOPS PATROLLED SYLHET WEDNESDAY CHASING PROTESTERS FROM A ROAD LINKING THE CITY'S AIRPORT TO THE BUSINESS DISTRICT. MORE THAN FIFTY PEOPLE WERE REPORTED INJURED. STRINGER MATIUR RAHMAN CHOWDHURY REPORTS. (BANGLA 1/24)

BANGLA / ELECTION COMMISSION -- THE ELECTION COMMISSION IN BANGLADESH ANNOUNCED THAT FORTY FOUR UNCONTESTED CANDIDATES WERE ELECTED TO THE NATIONAL PARLIAMENT. THOSE ELECTED INCLUDE 19 MINISTERS OF THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION. THE MAJOR OPPOSITION PARTIES ARE BOYCOTTING THE FEBRUARY 15TH ELECTIONS AS THEY BELIEVE THAT FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS ARE NOT POSSIBLE UNDER THE BNP ADMINISTRATION OF PRIME MINISTER KHALIDA ZIA. STRINGER REPORT BY MATIUR RAHMAN CHOWDHURY. (BANGLA 1/24)

INDIAN NOVELIST -- SHAKUN JOHRI, DAUGHTER OF HINDI NOVELIST VRINDAVAN LAL VERMA, DESCRIBES THE RIGOROUS RATIONING OF TIME BY HER FATHER TO WRITE NOVELS AND POETRY WHILE CARRYING ON HIS TIME CONSUMING PRACTICE OF LAW. MS JOHRI LIVES IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, AND WAS INTERVIEWED BY STAFFER KEDAR SHARMA. (HINDI 1/23)

INSIDE EAST ASIA:

SINGAPORE / PATRIARCH -- SINGAPORE'S PATRIARCH LEE KUAN YEW LEFT THE HOSPITAL AFTER TREATMENT FOR A NARROWED CORONARY ARTERY. SINGAPOREANS WERE CONCERNED BUT CALM AND THE STOCK MARKET WAS NOT AFFECTED. SINGAPORE STRINGER LIN GUANGHUI TOLD DC STAFFER FANG YUAN THIS WAS PARTLY BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE WELL-INFORMED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS TO LEE KUAN YEW'S HEALTH. IT ALSO SHOWS THAT LEE HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE LEADERSHIP TRANSFER IN SINGAPORE. (MANDARIN 1/24)

SINGAPORE / ADVANCED DEVELOPING COUNTRY -- MANY NEWS ORGANIZATIONS REPORTED THAT THE OECD CHANGED SINGAPORE'S STATUS FROM A DEVELOPING COUNTRY TO A DEVELOPED COUNTRY THIS YEAR. BUT LAST WEEK, BOTH THE OECD AND SINGAPORE OFFICIALS DENIED THE REPORT, INSISTING THAT SINGAPORE IS ONLY A "MORE ADVANCED DEVELOPING COUNTRY." STAFFER RUOSI WU AND SINGAPORE STRINGER LIN GUANGHUI REPORT. (MANDARIN 1/24)

CHINA / TAIWAN / INFORMATION SEMINAR -- AN ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY DELEGATION FROM THE MAINLAND IS VISITING TAIWAN. THE HEAD OF THE DELEGATION SAID CHINA IS BUILDING ITS ECONOMIC INFORMATION SYSTEM, AN ELECTRONIC MONEY APPLYING SYSTEM AND A NATIONAL FOREIGN ECONOMIC AND TRADE INFORMATION NETWORK. TAIPEI STRINGER CHANG YUNG-TAI INTERVIEWS LI WEI, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TAIWAN INFORMATION INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, AND LI BAOSHENG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ELECTRONIC INDUSTRY BRANCH, CHINA TRADE PROMOTION SOCIETY. (MANDARIN 1/24)

TAIWAN / MAINLAND COVERAGE -- A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION, TAIWAN MEDIA APPRAISAL COMMITTEE EVALUATED TAIWAN REPORTERS' MAINLAND COVERAGE. ACCORDING TO THEM TAIWAN'S COVERAGE OF MAINLAND AFFAIRS HAS GREATLY INCREASED SINCE 1987. TAIPEI STRINGER CHANG YUNG-TAI INTERVIEWS HAN JIANHUA, DIRECTOR OF MAINLAND NEWS OF LIANHEBAO, YANG QINGHUI, CHINA BROADCASTING CO. REPORTER, PROFESSOR SHI ZHIYU, TAIWAN UNIVERSITY, AND PROFESSOR YANG KAIHUANG, DONGWU UNIVERSITY. (MANDARIN 1/24)

TAIWAN / SEA TRANSPORT -- TAIWAN'S MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION HAS PROPOSED SIMPLIFYING REGISTRATION PROCEDURES FOR BOATS SAILING IN THE TAIWAN STRAITS; A SUGGESTION TO DROP NAMES INDICATING THE ORIGIN OF BOATS, E.G., THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA, IS ALSO ON THE TABLE. TAIWAN HOPES THESE MEASURES WILL HELP MAKE THE SOUTHERN PORT CITY OF KAOHSIUNG A REGIONAL OPERATIONAL CENTER, THUS FACILITATING DIRECT TRANSPORT LINKS WITH THE MAINLAND. TAIPEI STRINGER CHANG YUNG-TAI INTERVIEWS TAIWAN'S MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION LIU ZHAOXUAN, AND MA KAI, INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMIC RESEARCH, TAIWAN. (MANDARIN 1/23)

INFLATION DOWN -- INFLATION IN HONG KONG DROPPED BY 1.6 PERCENTAGE POINTS IN DECEMBER TO 6.6 PERCENT, THE LOWEST IN 23 MONTHS. SOME ECONOMISTS ATTRIBUTE THIS TO THE NEWSPAPER PRICE WAR AND THE LOWER PRICES OF VEGETABLES AND PRODUCE. OTHERS BELIEVE IT WAS CAUSED BY THE SLOWING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN CHINA AND THE RESULTING REDUCED MONEY SUPPLY IN HONG KONG. STRINGER LAWRENCE NG INTERVIEWED YIM OI KWAN, RESEARCH MANAGER, HANG SENG BANK; GEORGE LEUNG, CHIEF ECONOMIST, HONG KONG BANK; KWAN YUM KEUNG, LECTURER, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY. (CANTONESE 1/24)

SOUTH KOREA / FORMER PRESIDENTS -- PROSECUTORS TUESDAY INDICTED FORMER PRESIDENTS CHUN DOO HWAN AND ROH TAE WOO ON A CHARGE OF TREASON. THE TWO EX-PRESIDENTS WHO ALREADY FACE CHARGES OF MILITARY REVOLT FOR LEADING A 1979 MILITARY COUP, WILL NOW ALSO BE TRIED FOR TREASON FOR THEIR ROLES IN A MASSACRE OF PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS NEARLY 16 YEARS AGO. ALSO INDICTED ARE SIX RETIRED ARMY GENERALS WHO ALLEGEDLY PARTICIPATED IN THE MASSACRE. STRINGER TAE SOO KIM REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 1/23)

NORTH KOREA / HONOLULU MEETINGS -- BEFORE LEAVING FOR A TWO-DAY HONOLULU MEETING, SOUTH KOREAN CHIEF DELEGATE BAN KI MOON TOLD REPORTERS IN SEOUL THAT THERE IS NO CHANGE IN HIS GOVERNMENT'S POSITION THAT NO ADDITIONAL FOOD AID WILL BE PROVIDED UNLESS PYONGYANG AGREES TO HOLD DIALOGUE WITH SEOUL. IN HONOLULU, SOUTH KOREA, THE US AND JAPAN WILL DISCUSS THE WAY OF HELPING STARVING NORTH KOREA. STRINGER TAE SOO KIM REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 1/24)

SOUTH KOREAN MUSICIANS / CHINA -- PARK BO MOON, DIRECTOR OF SOUTH KOREA'S NATIONAL CLASSICAL MUSIC ORCHESTRA, WILL CONDUCT THE CHINESE CENTAL NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AT THE SYMPHONY HALL IN BEIJING. STRINGER TAE SOO KIM REPORTS THAT THE FEBRUARY 6 PERFORMANCE IS PART OF CHINA'S NEW YEAR MUSIC FESTIVAL, AND IT IS FIRST TIME THAT A FOREIGN MUSICIAN IS EVER INVITED TO CONDUCT THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FOR THE FESTIVAL. SEVERAL OTHER SOUTH KOREAN MUSICIANS WILL PLAY THEIR TRADITIONAL KOREAN MUSIC INSTRUMENTS WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE SYMPHONY. (KOREAN 1/24)

WINSTON LORD / US / VIETNAM -- CORRESPONDENT LE LAI REPORTS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY'S PRESS CONFERENCE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FROM HANOI. THE FOUR MAJOR ISSUES OF HIS TALKS THERE WERE THE MIA SEARCH, A BILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENT, HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE BOAT PEOPLE. (VIETNAMESE 1/23)

VIETNAM / LABOR PROBLEMS -- IN BANGKOK REPORTER LE LAI INTERVIEWED STAFF AT THE REGIONAL ILO HEADQUARTERS ABOUT THE LABOR SITUATION IN THE SRV. THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF SKILLED WORKERS BUT OVERALL UNEMPLOYMENT IS RISING AS ONE PRODUCT OF PROGRESS TOWARD A MARKET ECONOMY AS WELL AS FROM EX-SOLDIERS LOOKING FOR JOBS IN THE WAKE OF REDUCTIONS IN THE ARMED FORCES. (VIETNAMESE 1/24)

INSIDE EUROPE:

US / BRITAIN / BOSNIA -- MICHAEL PORTILLO, BRITISH MINISTER OF DEFENSE, DISCUSSED THE ANGLO-AMERICAN COOPERATION IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PEACE PLAN FOR BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA...MR.PORTILLO SAID THAT NATO-LED IMPLEMENTATION FORCE FOR BOSNIA WILL FULFILL ITS ONE-YEAR LONG MISSION, AND EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF REBUILDING CIVIL SOCIETY IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA. STAFFER BOJAN KLIMA REPORTS. (CROATIAN 1/24)

US / BOSNIA RECONSTRUCTION -- AT THE CONFERENCE "BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF BOSNIA", WORLD BANK AND EUROPEAN OFFICIALS DISCUSSED THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR REBUILDING OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA...MICHELE NOEL, OF WORLD BANK CENTRAL EUROPEAN DEPARTMENT AND ASLAM AZIZI, MEMBER OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION DELEGATION TO THE UNITED STATES, INFORMED REPRESENTATIVES OF AMERICAN CORPORATIONS ON THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN BALKANS. STAFFER BOJAN KLIMA REPORTS. (CROATIAN 1/24)

BOSNIA / UN / NATO -- NATO GENERAL SECRETARY JAVIER SOLANA SENT A REPORT ON IFOR DEPLOYMENT IN BOSNIA AND THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT TO UN SECRETARY GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI. STRINGER IVICA PULJIC SAYS THE REPORT WAS GENERALLY UNSPECIFIC, BUT MR SOLANA NOTES THAT NATO FORCES HAVE ESTABLISHED GOOD COOPERATION WITH ALL SIDES. (CROATIAN 1/24)

BOSNIA / WORLD BANK GRANT -- THE WORLD BANK DECIDED TO GRANT 150 MILLION DOLLARS TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF THE COUNTRY. STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC QUOTES RORY O'SULLIVAN, OFFICIAL OF THE BANK, AS SAYING THE GRANT WILL BE PRIMARILY USED TO REBUILD UTILITIES THROUGHOUT BOSNIA. (CROATIAN 1/24)

BOSNIA / SITREP -- US FORCES IN SARAJEVO ARE ON ALERT. STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS IFOR DISCOVERED NINE ARTILLERY PIECES IN THE SEPARATION ZONE. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS CALLED FOR THE RELEASE OF ALL PRISONERS. (CROATIAN 1/24)

BOSNIA / US TROOPS -- AMERICAN TROOPS ARE TIGHTENING SECURITY MEASURES AT THEIR CAMP IN TUZLA, AFTER A FORMER US SOLDIER, TURNED MUSLIM ACTIVIST, WAS SPOTTED IN THE AREA. STRINGER ZDRAVKO JAVOR ALSO REPORTS THAT RED CROSS OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE EVIDENCE THE MUSLIM GOVERNMENT RUNS A PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN PRISON IN TUZLA. (CROATIAN 1/24)

SHATTUCK / BOSNIA -- ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS JOHN SHATTUCK SAID IN HIS MEETING WITH BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC THAT BOSNIAN SERBS WERE COOPERATIVE DURING HIS VISIT TO THE SUSPECTED MASS GRAVE SITES AROUND SERB HELD SREBRENICA. MR SHATTUCK TALKED WITH THE BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ABOUT THE NEED TO CONTINUE THE RELEASE OF POWS. SARAJEVO STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS. (CROATIAN 1/23)

THE HAGUE / BOSNIAN WAR CRIMES -- STRINGER LADA STIPIC-NISETEO REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIME TRIBUNAL PLANS TO START SOON PUBLIC HEARINGS TO CONFIRM INDICTMENTS AS WELL AS ISSUING INTERNATIONAL WARRANTS OF ARREST. (CROATIAN 1/23)

THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL / SERBIA -- INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIME TRIBUNAL JUDGE ANTONIO CASSESE VISITED THE SERBIAN CAPITAL. STRINGER JADRANKA KRONJA REPORTS THAT VERY LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT THE ISSUES DISCUSSED. (CROATIAN 1/23)

WAR CRIMES / SERBIA -- THE PRESIDENT OF THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, ANTONIO CASSESE CONFERRED IN BELGRADE WITH YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTER MILUTINOVIC ABOUT COOPERATION WITH THE TRIBUNAL. STRINGER DUSKO MASIC REPORTS. (SERBIAN 1/23)

SHATTUCK / SERBIA -- AFTER VISITING SOME OF THE SUSPECTED MASS GRAVE SITES IN SERB-HELD TERRITORY OF BOSNIA, US SPECIAL ENVOY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS JOHN SHATTUCK TRAVELED TO BELGRADE FOR TALKS WITH PRESIDENT OF SERBIA MILOSEVIC. AFTERWARDS HE SAID IT IS A GOOD SIGN THAT MILOSEVIC WILL SOON RECEIVE THE HEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. STRINGER DUSKO MASIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 1/22)

SHATTUCK / POWS -- US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN SHATTUCK URGED BOSNIAN PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC TO RESUME THE RELEASE OF POW'S. MEANWHILE, CHAIRMAN OF THE SELF-PROCLAIMED BOSNIAN SERB PARLIAMENT MOMCILO KRAJISNIK CALLED ON FELLOW SERBS IN SARAJEVO NOT TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES WHEN AUTHORITY IS TRANSFERRED TO THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT. STRINGER KONSTANTIN JOVANOVIC REPORTS FROM TUZLA. (SERBIAN 1/23)

GOLDSTONE / SARAJEVO -- CHIEF PROSECUTOR FOR THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, RICHARD GOLDSTONE, DISCUSSED TODAY WITH NATO OFFICIALS IN SARAJEVO ASSISTANCE THE NATO FORCES WILL PROVIDE IN INVESTIGATING ALLEGED MASS GRAVES IN BOSNIA. MEANWHILE, THE MAYOR OF SARAJEVO VISITED A BOSNIAN SERB HELD SUBURB TALKING TO LOCAL RESIDENTS ABOUT THEIR FEARS OF TRANSITION TO THE MUSLIM-LED AUTHORITY. STRINGER KONSTANTIN JOVANOVIC REPORTS FROM TUZLA. (SERBIAN 1/22)

HELSINKI COMMISSION / BOSNIA WAR CRIMES -- ROBERT HAND, OFFICIAL WITH THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS HELSINKI COMMISSION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE DISCUSSED THE ROLE OF NATO IMPLEMENTATION FORCE IN THE INVESTIGATION OF WAR CRIMES THAT WERE COMMITTED IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER BOJAN KLIMA, MR HAND CRITICIZED I-FOR COMMANDERS FOR THEIR RELUCTANCE TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE SITES WHERE THE ALLEGED ATROCITIES WERE COMMITTED. (CROATIAN 1/23)

BOSNIA / PRIME MINISTER -- THE COLLECTIVE PRESIDENCY OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA APPOINTED FORMER PROFESSOR HASAN MURATOVIC TO SERVE AS PRIME MINISTER. APPEARING ON STATE TELEVISION, BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC TALKED ABOUT THE POLITICAL MOVES THAT LED TO THE RESIGNATION OF FORMER PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILAJDZIC. (CROATIAN 1/22)

GALBRAITH / CROATIA -- US AMBASSADOR TO CROATIA PETER GALBRAITH SAYS THE QUESTION OF THE DISPUTED PREVLAKA PENINSULA, ON THE SOUTHERNMOST TIP OF CROATIA, WILL HAVE TO BE TAKEN UP IN FUTURE TALKS. MEANWHILE, CROATIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAY MOST OF ETHNIC SERBS IN EASTERN SLAVONIA SUPPORT REINTEGRATION OF THEIR REGION WITH CROATIA. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 1/22)

SILAJDZIC / FIRING -- AFTER BEING SACKED FROM THE POST OF BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER, HARIS SILAJDZIC IS EXPECTED TO EITHER JOIN THE OPPOSITION OR FORM A NEW PARTY. STRINGER KONSTANTIN JOVANOVIC REPORTS. (SERBIAN 1/22)

OWEN / MOSTAR -- THE US ENVOY FOR THE DIVIDED EASTERN BOSNIAN TOWN OF MOSTAR, ROBERT OWEN, HELD A SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH LOCAL CROAT AND MUSLIM OFFICIALS TRYING TO BROKER AN AGREEMENT ON THE UNIFICATION OF THE TOWN. AT THE SAME TIME THE PRESIDENT OF THE SOROS FOUNDATION ARIA NAER TALKED WITH OFFICIALS ABOUT RESTRUCTURING THE COMMUNITY. SARAJEVO STRINGER BORO KONTIC REPORTS FROM MOSTAR. (SERBIAN 1/23)

CROATIAN DELEGATION / BANJA LUKA -- A CROATIAN PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATION LED BY ADVISOR FOR HUMAN RIGHTS SLOBODAN LANG VISITED THE SERB STRONGHOLD OF BANJA LUKA. THE MEETING FOCUSED ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES AS WELL AS ECONOMIC EXCHANGE. STRINGER ZELJKO MATIC REPORTS. (CROATIAN 1/23)

BRITAIN / BOSNIA -- BRITISH PRIME MINISTER MAJOR CONFIRMED IN LONDON THAT NATO FORCES IN BOSNIA WILL CONDUCT A SURVEILLANCE OF ALLEGED SITES OF MASS GRAVES. MEANWHILE, THE BRITISH PRESS SAYS BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER-DESIGNATE HASAN MURATOVIC IS LIKELY TO PURSUE MODERATE POLITICS. STRINGER RIALDA SEBEK REPORTS FROM LONDON. (SERBIAN 1/23)

SLAVONIA / PEACEKEEPERS -- UN OFFICIALS IN ZAGREB PREDICT THAT THE UN PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR EASTERN SLAVONIA WILL START DEPLOYING IN MARCH. MEANWHILE, CROATIAN OFFICIALS EXPRESSED INTEREST IN ESTABLISHING ECONOMIC AND OTHER CONTACTS WITH THE SELF-PROCLAIMED SERBIAN REPUBLIC IN BOSNIA. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 1/23)

NATO SG / UNSG -- NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA INFORMED UN SECRETARY GENERAL BOUTROS-GHALI ABOUT THE BOSNIAN NATO MISSION. THE REPORT NOW GOES TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL. STRINGER IVICA PULJIC REPORTS. (CROATIAN 1/23)

BOSNIA / PEACE AGREEMENT -- REPORTER SUSAN CLARK SPEAKS TO EILEEN BABBITT, A CONFLICT RESOLUTION SPECIALIST AT THE US INSTITUTE FOR PEACE, ABOUT THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION, WHAT'S GOOD AND NOT SO GOOD ABOUT IT, AND HOW IT'S LIKELY TO WORK. (ENP 1/23)

CONGRESS / KOSOVA -- TWENTY FOUR US LAWMAKERS HAVE URGED THE UNITED STATES TO TAKE MEASURES TO GUARANTEE THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND SELF-DETERMINATION OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED PROVINCE OF KOSOVA. THE SIGNATORIES URGED THE UNITED STATES TO KEEP REMAINING SANCTIONS ON YUGOSLAVIA UNTIL BELGRADE REACHES AN ACCORD WITH THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVA. REP. ELIOT ENGEL TOLD VOA THAT CONTINUED SERBIAN REPRESSION OF THE TWO-MILLION STRONG ETHNIC ALBANIAN COMMUNITY RISKS THE SPREAD OF THE BALKAN CONFLICT INTO KOSOVA. (ALBANIAN 1/24)

ALBANIA / EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT -- A DELEGATION OF SOCIALIST DEPUTIES OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT HAS SHARPLY CRITICIZED A LUSTRATION LAW APPROVED TWO MONTHS AGO BY THE ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT. AT A NEWS CONFERENCE IN TIRANA, MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION SAID THE LAW, WHICH PROHIBITS FORMER SENIOR COMMUNIST OFFICIALS FROM RUNNING FOR OFFICE, IS UNDEMOCRATIC AND GIVES ALBANIA A BAD IMAGE. STRINGER ILIRIAN AGOLLI REPORTS. (ALBANIAN 1/24)

ALBANIA / HUNGARY -- THE PRESIDENT OF HUNGARY IS ON A TWO-DAY VISIT TO ALBANIA FOR TALKS WITH PRESIDENT BERISHA AND OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. STRINGER MERO BAZE REPORTS. (ALBANIAN 1/24)

ALBANIA / ECONOMY -- AN AMERICAN EXPERT ON EASTERN EUROPE SAYS ALBANIA'S ECONOMY HAS MADE IMPRESSIVE GAINS SINCE 1992. PROF. DENNIS MCCONNELL, OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE, IS INTERVIEWED BY STAFFER ILIR IKONOMI. (ALBANIAN 1/24)

MACEDONIA / GREECE -- MACEDONIA GREETED THE CHANGE OF GREECE PRIME MINISTER WITH MILD OPTIMISM. NEVERTHELESS, MACEDONIANS EXPECT THE NEW GREEK PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS TO PUT ASIDE THE BIZARRE ISSUE OF THEIR STATE'S NAME FOR THE SAKE OF IMPROVED RELATIONS. STRINGER ZELJKO BAJIC REPORTS FROM SKOPJE. (SERBIAN 1/23)

WALESA CALLS FOR NEW ELECTION -- AFTER MEETING WITH LEADERS OF THE OPPOSITION FREEDOM UNION, FORMER POLISH PRESIDENT LECH WALESA CALLED FOR A NEW ELECTION AS THE ONLY SOLUTION TO THE CURRENT POLITICAL CRISIS IN POLAND. STRINGER MARIA BNINSKA REPORTS FROM WARSAW. (POLISH 1/24)

INSIDE EURASIA:

RUSSIAN / HOSTAGES AND ELECTION RESULTS -- FROM MOSCOW STRINGER HA GIANG SAMPLED MUSCOVITE FEELINGS ON THE HOSTAGES IN CHECHEN AND THE CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OF THE DUMA. (VIETNAMESE 1/24)

RUSSIA / POLITICS -- YEGOR STROYEV, FORMER MEMBER OF THE POLITBURO WAS ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF FEDERATION, THE UPPER HOUSE OF THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT ALEC BATCHAN, ST. PETERSBURG MAYOR ANATOLY SOBCHAK SAID HE WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES FOR THE COUNTRY OF THIS MOVE. (RUSSIAN 1/23)

RUSSIA / CHANGES -- ALEXANDER TSIPKO OF THE INSTITUTE FOR POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH OF THE RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES NOW AT THE KENNAN INSTITUTE, ARIEL COHEN OF THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION AND STAFFER NATALIE CLARKSON DISCUSS THE RECENT CHANGES IN RUSSIAN POLICIES AND PRESIDENT YELTSIN'S HARDENING LINE. (RUSSIAN 1/23)

KYIV / WASHINGTON POST -- STAFFER ADRIAN KARMAZYN REPORTS ON A LECTURE COVERING THE CURRENT SITUATION IN UKRAINE PRESENTED BY JAMES RUPERT, THE WASHINGTON POST'S CORRESPONDENT IN KYIV. THE EVENT WAS SPONSORED BY THE JOHNS HOPKINS SCHOOL OF ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL STUDIES. RUPERT SAID THAT ONE OF UKRAINE'S BIGGEST PROBLEMS IS ITS DEPENDENCE ON RUSSIA FOR ENERGY SUPPLIES, WHILE ONE OF ITS GREATEST POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES IS A STRONG EUROPEAN IDENTITY AND DESIRE TO BE A PROSPEROUS, DEMOCRATIC EUROPEAN STATE. (UKRAINIAN 1/21)

INSIDE LATIN AMERICA:

COLOMBIA / DRUG CRISIS -- PRESIDENT ERNESTO SAMPER FACES THE MOST SERIOUS INSTITUTIONAL CRISIS IN SEVERAL DECADES IN COLOMBIA DUE TO THE DRUG SCANDAL, WITH GROWING CALLS FOR HIS RESIGNATION. STRINGER JUAN ALVARO CASTELLANOS REPORTS FROM BOGOTA. (SPANISH 1/24)

NORIEGA / HEARING POSTPONED -- A US JUDGE POSTPONED UNTIL FEBRUARY 20 A HEARING TO DECIDE WHETHER FORMER PANAMANIAN STRONGMAN MANUEL ANTONIO NORIEGA SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO A NEW TRIAL FOR DRUG CHARGES. CORRESPONDENT JORGE WEHBY REPORTS FROM MIAMI. (SPANISH 1/23)

24-Jan-96 6:45 PM EST (2345 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America