Voice of America Digest, 13 February 1996

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] !!! VOA DIGEST - FEBRUARY 13, 1996

BOSNIA / SERBS -- BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE STRONGLY CRITICIZED THE DELIVERY OF TWO SERBIAN ARMY OFFICERS TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. THEY SAY THE DETENTION THREATENS THE BOSNIAN PEACE PROCESS. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS. (2/13)

BOSNIA / WAR CRIMES -- TWO BOSNIAN-SERB OFFICERS HAVE BEEN FLOWN TO THE NETHERLANDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BY THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. THEIR DETENTION HAS PROMPTED THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO BREAK OFF CONTACTS WITH THE NATO-LED PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE. STRINGER GILLIAN SHARPE AT THE HAGUE REPORTS. (2/13)

BOSNIA / POLICING PROBLEMS -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS ON THE CIVILIAN ASPECTS OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD. THIS REPORT EXAMINES THE DILEMMA OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR ARRESTING INDICTED OR SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS, SHOULD IT BE LOCAL POLICE OR THE NATO IMPLEMENTATION FORCE (IFOR)? (2/13)

BOSNIA / FLIGHT -- TWO SENIOR SERB ARMY OFFICERS HAVE BEEN FLOWN OUT OF BOSNIA TO FACE CHARGES AS WAR CRIMINALS. THE TWO MEN ARE EXPECTED TO LAND ABOUT NOW IN THE NETHERLANDS WHERE THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS THEY WILL BE INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES BY THE HAGUE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. STRINGER DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (2/12)

IRA / PEACE PROCESS -- THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY'S BOMBING OF A HUGE OFFICE COMPLEX IN LONDON ON FRIDAY HAS CAST A DARK CLOUD OVER THE PROSPECTS OF REVIVING THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS. CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS THERE IS PLENTY OF FRUSTRATION, AND UNCERTAINTY, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DEBATE. (2/13)

BRITAIN / NORTHERN IRELAND -- BRITISH PRIME MINISTER JOHN MAJOR TOOK THE UNUSUAL STEP OF MAKING A TELEVISED ADDRESS TO THE NATION TO SAY HIS GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO WORK FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON. (2/12)

RUSSIA / TAJIKISTAN -- A MAJOR ATTACK BY ISLAMIC REBELS IN TAJIKISTAN THREATENS TO CUT THE MAIN HIGHWAY LINKING THE CAPITAL, DUSHANBE, WITH THE RESTIVE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY. CORRESPONDENT PETER COLLINS IN MOSCOW REPORTS MONDAY'S ATTACK LEFT MORE THAN 20 PEOPLE DEAD. (2/13)

RUSSIA / POLITICS -- A RUSSIAN TELEVISION NETWORK SAYS IT HAS BEEN BANNED FROM THE KREMLIN AFTER BROADCASTING A REVEALING INTERVIEW WITH A FORMER AIDE TO PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN. CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN IN MOSCOW HAS DETAILS OF THE NETWORK'S LONG-RUNNING FEUD WITH THE GOVERNMENT, WHICH DENIES THERE IS A FORMAL BAN. (2/13)

IOWA / TUESDAY -- US SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER BOB DOLE HAS WON A NARROW VICTORY IN THE IOWA PARTY CAUCUSES, THE FIRST IMPORTANT STEP IN THIS YEAR'S LONG ELECTION CAMPAIGN. CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN AT THE US SENATE REPORTS THE VOTING HAS CHANGED AND PERHAPS NARROWED THE FIELD OF CANDIDATES FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT TO RUN AGAINST PRESIDENT CLINTON. (2/13)

IOWA / RESULTS -- SENATOR BOB DOLE HAS WON THE IOWA REPUBLICAN PARTY CAUCUSES WITH A NARROW VICTORY OVER THE SURPRISING SECOND PLACE FINISHER, COMMENTATOR PAT BUCHANAN. CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE REPORTS ABOUT THE FIRST TEST OF CAMPAIGN '96. (2/13)

DOLE / IOWA -- KANSAS SENATOR BOB DOLE IS THE WINNER OF MONDAY'S REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CAUCUS IN IOWA. BUT THE RESULTS ALSO PRODUCED STRONG SHOWINGS FOR CONSERVATIVE NEWS COMMENTATOR PATRICK BUCHANAN AND FORMER TENNESSEE GOVERNOR LAMAR ALEXANDER. CORRESPONDENT PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS CAUCUS RESULTS FROM IOWA. (2/13)

IOWA / REACT -- US SENATOR BOB DOLE WON A BIG VICTORY MONDAY IN IOWA, BUT THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN NOW MOVES ON TO NEW HAMPSHIRE WHERE SENATOR DOLE HAS NOT FARED WELL IN THE PAST. CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE REPORTS COMMENTATOR PAT BUCHANAN AND FORMER TENNESSEE GOVERNOR LAMAR ALEXANDER ALSO HAD GOOD SHOWINGS IN IOWA. (2/13)

IOWA / IMPACT -- SENATOR BOB DOLE WON AN IMPORTANT VICTORY IN THE IOWA REPUBLICAN CAUCUSES MONDAY. CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE REPORTS SENATOR DOLE IS NOW SETTING HIS SIGHTS ON NEXT TUESDAY'S FIRST IN THE NATION PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE A STATE WHICH HAS DASHED HIS PRESIDENTIAL HOPES IN THE PAST. (2/13)

JAPAN / BUSINESS WRAP -- PRIVATE ECONOMISTS ARE QUESTIONING THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT'S ASSESSMENT JAPAN'S ECONOMY IS RECOVERING. STRINGER JACK RUSSELL REPORTS FROM TOKYO, THE ECONOMISTS SAY RECOVERY IS STILL SPOTTY. (2/13)

TUNNEL / RESCUE EFFORTS -- A THIRD ATTEMPT TO DISLODGE A BOULDER FROM A TUNNEL IN NORTHERN JAPAN HAS FAILED. STRINGER RUTH LIU REPORTS FROM TOKYO, FRIENDS AND RELATIVES OF THOSE TRAPPED INSIDE ARE BEGINNING TO LOSE HOPE. (2/13)

CHINA / OLYMPICS -- A CHINESE OFFICIAL SAYS CHINA INTENDS TO TAKE PART IN THE ATLANTA OLYMPIC GAMES AND SAYS, SO FAR, HE HAS SEEN NO CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WOULD LEAD TO A BOYCOTT. NEWS REPORTS LAST WEEK SAID CHINESE SPORTS OFFICIALS HAVE HINTED AT A BOYCOTT OF THE GAMES IF TAIWAN OFFICIALS SHOW UP IN ATLANTA. CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER REPORTS FROM BEIJING. (2/13)

CHINA / PIRACY -- CHINA SAYS IT HAS SUCCEEDED IN STOPPING MOST PRODUCTION OF ILLEGALLY COPIED COMPUTER PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTRY'S NEARLY THREE DOZEN KNOWN COMPACT DISC PLANTS. HONG KONG CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS THE CLAIM COMES ALMOST EXACTLY A YEAR AFTER BEIJING SIGNED AN AGREEMENT PROMISING INCREASED PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. (2/13)

SOUTH AFRICA / ECONOMY -- SOUTH AFRICAN OFFICIALS IN CHARGE OF ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL POLICY PREDICT STEADY GROWTH IN 1996. FROM CAPE TOWN, CORRESPONDENT MALLORY SALESON REPORTS MUCH EFFORT IS NEEDED TO BRING DOWN HIGH LEVELS OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND TO BOOST DEVELOPMENT. (2/13)

SIERRA LEONE / POLITICS -- SIERRA LEONE MILITARY LEADER JULIUS MAADA BIO HAS ACCEPTED A RECOMMENDATION BY A SPECIAL CONFERENCE TO HOLD PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS THIS MONTH. CORRESPONDENT PURNELL MURDOCK REPORTS, DELEGATES TO THE CONFERENCE DECIDED MONDAY TO GO AHEAD WITH THE FEBRUARY 26TH VOTE DESPITE CALLS FOR A POSTPONEMENT. (2/13)

RANDALL ROBINSON / NIGERIA -- THE PRINCIPAL OFFICER OF TRANS-AFRICA, HAS ACCUSED NIGERIA'S GOVERNMENT OF BEING A MILITARY TYRANNY THAT STEALS FROM ITS PEOPLE, OPPRESSES ITS POPULATION AND MEDDLES IN OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES. STAFFER YEHEYES WUHIB IN WASHINGTON INTERVIEWED RANDALL ROBINSON. (2/13)

RWANDA / REFUGEES -- ZAIREAN TROOPS CLOSED THE KIBUMBA REFUGEE CAMP THIS MORNING AS THE FIRST STEP IN ENCOURAGING VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION TO RWANDA. STRINGER CHRIS TOMLINSON REPORTS FROM GOMA. (2/13)

RWANDA / REFUGEES -- ZAIRE BEGAN DEPLOYING TROOPS AROUND A SPRAWLING RWANDAN REFUGEE CAMP NEAR THE EASTERN ZAIREAN BORDER TOWN, GOMA, EARLY TUESDAY. THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE ESTIMATED 250 SOLDIERS MARKS THE START OF AN OPERATION AIMED AT PERSUADING THE REFUGEES TO RETURN TO RWANDA VOLUNTARILY. CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTS. (2/13)

NIGER / POL -- NIGER'S NEW MILITARY RULER, COLONEL IBRAHIM BARE MAINASSARA, SAYS HE WILL RESTORE CIVILIAN RULE IN THE COUNTRY BY THE END OF THE YEAR. COLONEL MAINASSARA OUSTED CIVILIAN LEADER MAHAMANE OUSEMAN LAST MONTH IN A COUP. CORRESPONDENT PURNELL MURDOCK REPORTS FROM ABIDJAN. (2/12)

ISRAEL / POLITICS -- ISRAEL'S RULING LABOUR PARTY AND THE MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY, THE LIKUD, HAVE AGREED TO HOLD EARLY NATIONAL ELECTIONS ON MAY 28TH, FIVE MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. AGREEMENT ON THE DATE WAS REACHED MONDAY NIGHT FOLLOWING A MEETING BETWEEN THE TWO PARTY LEADERS. CORRESPONDENT AL PESSIN REPORTS FROM JERUSALEM. (2/12)

AFGHANISTAN / PAKISTAN -- AFGHANISTAN'S FORMER PRIME MINISTER SAYS THERE WILL BE FRESH FIGHTING IN THE COUNTRY IF PRESIDENT BURHANUDDIN RABBANI DOES NOT NEGOTIATE WITH THE OPPOSITION. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN REPORTS THE WARNING COMES AMIDST A THREE-DAY-OLD MEETING OF OPPOSITION LEADERS. (2/13)

AFGHANISTAN / THE WAR OF THE WARLORDS -- SEVEN YEARS AGO, THE LAST SOVIET SOLDIER LEFT AFGHANISTAN AS PART OF A UN BROKERED AGREEMENT. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE END OF THE SOVIET MILITARY OCCUPATION NOR THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET-INSTALLED COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT IN KABUL BROUGHT PEACE TO THE COUNTRY. BOTH INTERNAL MISTRUST AND FOREIGN INTERFERENCE ARE BLAMED FOR THE FAILURE OF PEACE EFFORTS. REPORTER ALI JALALI LOOKS AT THE ROOTS OF THE CURRENT AFGHAN POLITICAL CRISIS AND THE PROSPECTS FOR PEACE.

BANGLADESH / ELECTION -- BANGLADESHI PRIME MINISTER KHALEDA ZIA SAYS SHE WILL CRACK DOWN ON POLITICAL VIOLENCE AFTER THURSDAY ELECTIONS FOR A NEW PARLIAMENT, BUT SHE ALSO IS OFFERING TO RESUME NEGOTIATIONS WITH OPPOSITION PARTIES THAT ARE BOYCOTTING THE POLLS. CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL DRUDGE IS IN DHAKA. (2/13)

MEGATRENDS / ASIA -- THE ONCE ISOLATED NATION-STATES OF ASIA ARE RAPIDLY TRANSFORMING THEMSELVES INTO A REGIONAL ECONOMIC COLOSSUS THAT WILL SOON BECOME A DOMINANT GLOBAL FORCE. SO SAYS BEST SELLING AUTHOR JOHN NAISBITT IN HIS NEW BOOK, "MEGATRENDS ASIA." CURRENT AFFAIRS' LINDA CASHDAN REPORTS MR. NAISBITT PREDICTS THAT WITHIN FIVE YEARS, ASIA'S COMBINED GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT WILL REPRESENT ONE-THIRD OF THE ENTIRE WORLD ECONOMY. (2/13)

AUSTRALIA / FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY -- BEGINNING THIS YEAR, THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT IS REQUIRING ALL SCHOOL CHILDREN AGED SEVEN AND OLDER TO STUDY A FOREIGN LANGUAGE. THE MOTIVES ARE ECONOMIC. CURRENT AFFAIRS' STEPHANIE MANN REPORTS THE UNITED STATES IS NOT LIKELY TO FOLLOW SUIT. SHE TALKED TO AN AUSTRALIAN POLITICIAN WHO HELPED WRITE THEIR NEW LAW AND AN AMERICAN EDUCATOR WHO HELPED DRAFT NEW NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGES IN THE US. (2/13)

FRANCE / BISHOPS -- ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS IN FRANCE HAVE PUBLISHED A REPORT THAT EXPLICITLY APPROVES OF THE USE OF CONDOMS TO COMBAT THE SPREAD OF AIDS. STRINGER JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS. (2/12)

INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS -- IN JUST FOUR YEARS, IT WILL BE THE YEAR 2000. SEVERAL YEARS AGO, SOME YOUNG AMERICANS BEGAN PLANNING HOW TO CELEBRATE THE START OF A NEW ONE THOUSAND YEAR MILLENNIUM. THEY ENDED UP CREATING AN ORGANIZATION THAT GIVES SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. IT'S CALLED THE MILLENIUM SOCIETY. CURRENT AFFAIRS' MARILYN SILVEY REPORTS. (2/13)

BLACK POET NIKKI GIOVANNI -- NIKKI GIOVANNI, ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST CELEBRATED BLACK POETS, ROSE TO FAME IN THE 1960S AND CONTINUES TO BE POPULAR. CURRENTLY, SHE IS MAKING BLACK HISTORY MONTH APPEARANCES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND SELLING COPIES OF HER NEW BOOK. CURRENT AFFAIRS' MARILYN SILVEY ATTENDED HER TALK AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES IN WASHINGTON, DC. (2/13)

SHAKER VILLAGE OF PLEASANT HILL, KENTUCKY -- ABOUT TWO YEARS BEFORE THE 13 AMERICAN COLONIES DECLARED THEIR INDEPENDENCE FROM BRITAIN, A SMALL RELIGIOUS SECT LED BY A WOMAN NAMED ANN LEE ARRIVED IN NEW YORK CITY ON A JOURNEY THAT BEGAN IN MANCHESTER, ENGLAND. THE GROUP WAS OFFICIALLY CALLED "THE UNITED SOCIETY OF BELIEVERS IN CHRIST'S SECOND APPEARING." BUT BECAUSE OF THEIR ANIMATED MOVEMENTS WHILE WORSHIPPING, MEMBERS OF THE SECT BECAME KNOWN AS THE SHAKING QUAKERS AND, EVENTUALLY, THE SHAKERS. IN 1787, THE SHAKERS FOUNDED THEIR MOTHER COLONY IN NEW LEBANON, NEW YORK. THEY WENT ON TO ESTABLISH 19 SETTLEMENTS STRETCHING FROM THE NORTHEASTERN STATE OF MAINE TO THE MIDWESTERN STATE OF INDIANA. THE LARGEST OF ALL RESTORED SHAKER COMMUNITIES IN THE UNITED STATES IS LOCATED NEAR THE CITY OF LEXINGTON, IN THE SOUTHERN STATE OF KENTUCKY. THE SHAKER VILLAGE OF PLEASANT HILL, KENTUCKY HAS BEEN PRESERVED AS A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK AND A CENTER FOR EDUCATION, CULTURE AND RECREATION. RECENTLY, STEVE HIRSCHBERG VISITED PLEASANT HILL AND PREPARED THIS REPORT. (2/13)

WORLD WATER SUPPLY -- A NEW STUDY WARNS THE WORLD'S SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO KEEP PACE WITH A GROWING POPULATION FOR VERY LONG. SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT DAVID MCALARY IN WASHINGTON REPORTS SCIENTISTS ARE URGING POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT MODERATE HUMAN WATER CONSUMPTION. (2/13)

HOLLYWOOD TALENT AGENT /KIDS -- CREATIVE ARTISTS AGENCY CO-FOUNDER BILL HABER LEFT THE HOLLYWOOD SCENE LATE LAST YEAR TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER WITH THE CONNECTICUT-BASED SAVE THE CHILDREN FOUNDATION. CURRENT AFFAIRS' JANE HUGHES ASKS THE MULTIMILLIONAIRE MOGUL WHY HE MADE THE MOVE AND IF HE HAS ANY REGRETS. (2/13)

OSCAR / NOMINATIONS -- THE AMERICAN MOTION PICTURE ACADEMY HAS ANNOUNCED THE NOMINEES FOR THE OSCARS, HOLLYWOOD'S TOP ANNUAL HONORS. CORRESPONDENT ALAN SILVERMAN WAS AT ACADEMY HEADQUARTERS IN BEVERLY HILLS FOR THE PRE-DAWN ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FINALISTS FOR THE 68TH ACADEMY AWARDS. (2/13)

OSCAR / NOMINATION PREVIEW -- THE TOP PLAYERS IN HOLLYWOOD ARE UP BEFORE DAWN TUESDAY TO HEAR THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF NOMINEES FOR THE 68TH ACADEMY AWARDS. LOS ANGELES CORRESPONDENT ALAN SILVERMAN PREVIEWS MOVIES AND PERFORMANCES EXPECTED TO BE AMONG THE FINALISTS FOR AMERICAN FILM'S TOP ANNUAL HONORS. (2/12)

INSIDE USA:

NIXON MOVIE / TALK TO AMERICA -- RICHARD NIXON WAS THE FIRST COMMANDER IN CHIEF TO RESIGN HIS OFFICE, AND IN HIS WAKE HE LEFT UNANSWERED QUESTIONS AND UNSOLVED MYSTERIES ABOUT HIS PRESIDENCY. NOW A NEW CONTROVERSIAL MOVIE REOPENS THE NIXON CHAPTER IN AMERICAN HISTORY, AND MR JOHN DEAN AND MR JERRY ZEEFMAN JOIN 'TALK TO AMERICA' TO DISCUSS THE IMPACT OF THIS MOVIE. (ENGLISH 2/13)

IOWA PRIMARIES -- REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT SUPPORTERS GATHERED IN IOWA TO NOMINATE THEIR FAVORED CANDIDATES FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. MOHAMED ELSHINNAWI INTERVIEWS JAMAL SHAMI OF THE ARAB AMERICANS REPUBLICAN CLUB, VA. ON THE SUBJECT. (ARABIC 2/12)

US / ELECTIONS -- STAFFER MANSOUR HATEFI BEGINS A WEEKLY PROGRAM ON THE US ELECTION CAMPAIGN, WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO EARLY NOVEMBER. PROGRAM WILL COMBINE HOUSE AND ORIGINAL MATERIALS. BEGINNING FEB. 20, A WEEKLY FEATURE OF THE PROGRAM WILL BE A ROUND-UP CONVERSATION WITH JIM MALONE. (FARSI 2/13)

INDIAN FILM-MAN -- GULZAR, THE VERSATILE FILM MAN OF INDIA WHO IS EQUALLY KNOWN AS A DIRECTOR, WRITER AND LYRICIST OF SUCCESSFUL INDIAN MOVIES, CAME TO NEW JERSEY TO ATTEND CHILDREN FILM SOCIETY FESTIVAL. STRINGER AMBALIKA MISRA INTERVIEWED GULZAR. (HINDI 2/11)

ISLAMIC CALLIGRAPHY EXHIBIT -- AN EXHIBITION OF ISLAMIC CALLIGRAPHY IS FEATURED AT THE SACKLER GALLERY OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION IN WASHINGTON. STAFFER ZIAUR RAHMAN INTERVIEWS DR MASUME FARHAD, ASSOCIATE CURATOR OF THE SACKLER GALLERY. (BANGLA 2/13)

INSIDE AFRICA:

BURUNDI / EUROPEAN UNION -- A EUROPEAN UNION DELEGATION HAS JUST RETURNED FROM BURUNDI, WHERE IT HELD TALKS WITH TOP GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL LEADERS. REPORTER JOSIAH OBAT IN NAIROBI SPOKE WITH THE HEAD OF THE EU DELEGATION, MARCELLO RICOVERI. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 2/13)

BURUNDI / HATE REACTION -- THE BURUNDIAN AMBASSADOR TO KENYA HAS ACCUSED REBEL LEADER LEONARD NYANGOMA, OF PLANNING TO SLAUGHTER TUTSI. REPORTER SHAKA SSALI SPOKE WITH FORMER BURUNDIAN AMBASSADOR TO KENYA, JOSEPH BANGURAMBONA. HE CURRENTLY REPRESENTS THE CNDD IN EUROPE. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 2/13)

SIERRA LEONE / CONFERENCE -- SIERRA LEONE'S NATIONAL CONSULTATIVE CONFERENCE VOTED TO HOLD ELECTIONS FOR A CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT, ON SCHEDULE, FEBRUARY 26TH. THE MILITARY DID NOT SAY WHETHER IT WOULD SUPPORT THE DECISION. STRINGER KELVIN LEWIS REPORTS. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 2/12)

NIGER / TIMETABLE -- THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT THAT OUSTED THE DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT OF NIGER LAST MONTH HAS ANNOUNCED A TIMETABLE FOR HANDING OVER POLITICAL POWER TO CIVILIANS. THE MILITARY SAID IT WILL HOLD PRESIDENTIAL AND LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. STRINGER LAWAL BOUCAR REPORTS. (HAUSA 2/12)

RWANDA / MINISTER -- RWANDA'S MINISTER OF REHABILITATION, PATRICK MAZIMHANKA IS IN WASHINGTON TO MEET WITH DONOR COUNTRIES. HE SPOKE WITH REPORTER JOE DECAPUA ABOUT REFUGEES AND THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SITUATION. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 2/13)

RWANDAN REFUGEES / ZAIRE / KAMANDA -- STAFFER IDRISSA SEYDOU DIA INTERVIEWS ZAIREAN FOREIGN MINISTER GERARD KAMANDA WA KAMANDA ABOUT CONFLICTING REPORTS ON ZAIREAN GOVERNMENT INTENTIONS TOWARD THE RWANDAN REFUGEE CAMPS. MR KAMANDA SAID ZAIRE WOULD LIKE ALL REFUGEES TO EVENTUALLY RETURN TO RWANDA AND TO CLOSE DOWN THE CAMPS BUT HE REITERATED ALL REPATRIATION WILL BE VOLUNTARY. ZAIREAN INTERIOR AND DEFENSE MINISTERS ARE MEETING IN GOMA WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND UNHCR OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS AN INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ON VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION AND TO REMOVE THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE BLOCKING THE RETURN OF OTHER REFUGEES. (FRENCH 2/12)

RWANDA / REHABILITATION MINISTER -- STAFFER SAMUEL KIENDREBEOGO INTERVIEWS PATRICK MAZIMAKA, RWANDAN REHABILITATION MINISTER IN CHARGE OF THE REPATRIATION AND REINTEGRATION OF RETURNING REFUGEES. MR MAZIMAKA IS IN WASHINGTON MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF DONOR COUNTRIES TO EXPLAIN RWANDA'S CURRENT SITUATION. (FRENCH 2/12)

NIGERIA / TRADE UNION REACTIONS -- SOME TRADE UNION AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN NIGERIA HAVE CALLED ON THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT OF GENERAL SANI ABACHA TO RECONSIDER ITS DECISION TO HOLD LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS WITHOUT POLITICAL PARTIES NEXT MONTH. THE TRADE UNION AND HUMAN RIGHT ORGANIZATIONS WERE ALSO CRITICAL OF SHELL OIL COMPANY FOR ITS ROLE IN THE OGONI CRISIS. STRINGER BABANGIDA JIBRIL REPORTS FROM ABUJA. (HAUSA 2/12)

NIGERIA / HUMAN RIGHTS -- THE UN'S SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE INDEPENDENCE OF JUDGES AND LAWYERS, PARAM CUMARASWAMY, WANTS TO VISIT NIGERIA TO MEET WITH POLITICAL PRISONERS. FROM KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, HE SPOKE WITH REPORTER JOE DECAPUA. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 2/12)

NIGERIA / PLANE CRASH PROBE -- THE COMMITTEE SET UP BY THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE PLANE CRASH THAT KILLED THE ELDEST SON OF GENERAL SANI ABACHA HAS ORDERED A PROBE OF THE AVIATION FUEL DEPOT AT MURTALA MOHAMMED AIRPORT IN LAGOS. IT WANTS TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE FUEL WAS ADULTERATED BEFORE THE ILL-FATED FLIGHT FROM LAGOS TO KANO. STRINGER AHMED KWALAM REPORTS. (HAUSA 2/12)

ERITREA / MAYOR OF MENDEFERA -- STAFFER NEGUSSIE MENGESHA INTERVIEWS THE MAYOR OF MENDEFERA, ERITREA, MR DERAGON HAILE MELEKOT. THE MAYOR TALKED ABOUT THE NEW DEVELOPMENT PROJECT FOR HIS CITY AND ITS RELATION WITH A SISTER CITY IN STUTTGART, GERMANY. (AMHARIC 2/11)

NIGER / ELECTION SCHEDULE -- NIAMEY STRINGER LAWAL BOUCAR REPORTS THE NEW MILITARY REGIME IN NIGER HAS ANNOUNCED A TIMETABLE FOR A TRANSITION TOWARD CIVILIAN RULE. A REFERENDUM AND ELECTIONS HAVE NOW BEEN SCHEDULED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. (FRENCH 2/12)

NIGER / MOOSE -- US ASSISTANT STATE SECRETARY FOR AFRICA GEORGE MOOSE TOLD STAFFER SAMUEL KIENDREBEOGO THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE NIGER GOVERNMENT OF A CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM BY SEPTEMBER AND NEW ELECTIONS BY THE END OF THE YEAR DOES NOT ALTER IN ANY WAY US CONDEMNATION OF LAST MONTH'S COUP. THE US SUSPENDED ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO NIGER AFTER MILITARY OFFICERS OVERTHREW DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OUSMANE. SECRETARY MOOSE SAID IT WOULD STILL PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN AID TO NIGER. (FRENCH 2/12)

AFRICA / DEVELOPMENT FINANCING -- STAFFER ELIZABETH MONNAC INTERVIEWS GATIEN LANGUE OF DELPHOS INTERNATIONAL. MR LANGUE WHO IS FROM THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC SPOKE OF EFFORTS BY THE WASHINGTON-BASED DELPHOS INTERNATIONAL TO LOOK FOR FINANCING FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. (FRENCH 2/13)

INSIDE MIDEAST:

ARAFAT / OATH -- PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSER ARAFAT WAS SWORN IN A CEREMONY IN GAZA AS THE FIRST ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE PALESTINIAN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. STRINGER KHALIL ASSALI REPORTS FROM JERUSALEM. (ARABIC 2/12)

LEBANON / ISRAEL -- THE LEBANESE SHIITE HIZBULLA MOVEMENT HAS CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR A MONDAY EXPLOSION WHICH KILLED AT LEAST THREE MILITIAS IN THE ISRAELI DOMINATED SECURITY ZONE IN SOUTHERN LEBANON. STRINGER JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS. (ARABIC 2/12)

ISRAELI ELECTIONS -- ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER PERES SAYS HE IS ADVANCING THE GENERAL ELECTION TO LATE MAY. MOHAMED SETOUHI INTERVIEWS WALID SALEH, MEMBER OF THE ISRAELI KNESSET ON THE MEANING AND IMPLICATIONS OF THE DECISION. (ARABIC 2/12)

SYRIA / ISRAELI PARTIES -- SYRIA HAS STRONGLY CRITICIZED RIGHT WING ISRAELI PARTIES FOR BEING ADAMANT ABOUT NOT RETURNING THE OCCUPIED GOLAN HEIGHTS. MAHMOUD ZAWAWI SAYS SYRIA HOPES THAT EARLY ISRAELI ELECTIONS WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO BRINGING JUST PEACE TO THE REGION. (ARABIC 2/12)

HUSSEIN / SAUDI ARABIA -- KING HUSSEIN OF JORDAN HAS ENDED A TWO-DAY VISIT TO SAUDI ARABIA TO MEND RELATIONS WHICH SOURED OVER JORDAN'S SUPPORT OF IRAQ DURING THE GULF CRISIS. STRINGER MAHMOUD ZAWAWI REPORTS FROM AMMAN THAT THE KING IS SATISFIED WITH THE VISIT ALTHOUGH HE COULD NOT MEET WITH CONVALESCING KING FAHD. (ARABIC 2/11, 2/12)

MUBARAK / SAUDI ARABIA -- EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK PAID A TWENTY- FOUR HOUR VISIT TO SAUDI ARABIA TO MEET WITH CROWN PRINCE ABDULLA. STRINGER IBRAHIM ABDIN REPORTS FROM CAIRO THAT THE REASON FOR THE VISIT WAS NOT DISCLOSED, BUT IT PRECEDED A SIMILAR VISIT TO RIYADH BY KING HUSSEIN OF JORDAN. (ARABIC 2/11)

IRAQ OIL / OPEC -- MEMBERS OF OPEC HAVE INCREASED THEIR OUTPUT 1.5 MILLION BARRELS OVER THEIR DAILY PRODUCTION CEILING. STRINGER MAHMOUD ZAWAWI REPORTS. (ARABIC 2/11, 2/12)

BAHRAIN EXPLOSION -- BAHRAINI OFFICIALS SAY TERRORISTS BENT ON DESTABILIZING SECURITY IN BAHRAIN ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUNDAY EXPLOSION IN ON ONE OF MANAMA'S LUXURY HOTELS. STRINGER JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS. (ARABIC 2/12)

BAHRAIN EXPLOSION -- LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION ISLAMIC FRONT FOR THE LIBERATION OF BAHRAIN, LONDON, ABDELHAMID AL RADDI DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY OF HIS MOVEMENT IN THE BAHRAIN EXPLOSION. INTERVIEW BY STAFFER HAYAT ALKHATEEB. (ARABIC 2/12)

LEBANON / STRIKES -- FORMER LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER OMAR KRAMI WARNED AGAINST POTENTIAL CIVIL UNREST IF THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO IGNORE PUBLIC DEMANDS. STRINGER JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS THAT LEBANESE TRADE ORGANIZATIONS ARE CALLING FOR STRIKES TO PROTEST GOVERNMENT POLICIES. (ARABIC 2/12)

ALGERIA / BOMBING REACTION -- THE COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS HAS CONDEMNED THIS WEEK'S BOMBING IN ALGERIA THAT KILLED EIGHTEEN PEOPLE, INCLUDING THREE JOURNALISTS. THAT BRINGS THE NUMBER OF ALGERIAN JOURNALISTS KILLED TO FIFTY SEVEN SINCE MAY OF 1993. CPJ RESEARCHER AVNER GIDRON SPOKE TO REPORTER JOE DECAPUA IN NEW YORK. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 2/12)

AFGHANISTAN / IRAN -- IRANIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER, ALAUDIN BOROJERDI TOLD A NEWS CONFERENCE IN PESHAWAR THAT THE AFGHAN CONFLICT COULD BE SOLVED ONLY BY AFGHANS THEMSELVES. STRINGER EKRAM SHINWARAI QUOTED THE IRANIAN OFFICIAL AS SAYING THAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IRAN AND PAKISTAN OVER THE ISSUE OF TALEBAN IS STILL NOT SOLVED. COMMENTING ON A TRIP OF A US DELEGATION HEADED BY JOHN HOLZMAN, THE DCM IN ISLAMABAD, TO A NUMBER OF AFGHAN CITIES, BOROJERDI SAID HE HAS NO REASON TO BELIEVE THIS TRIP WAS AN ANTI IRAN MOVE. (PASHTO, DARI 2/9)

IRANIAN REVOLUTION / ANNIVERSARY -- ON THE OCCASION OF SEVENTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE IRANIAN REVOLUTION, STAFFER HABIB AZARSINA INTERVIEWS HASAN SHARIATMADARI, THE SON OF THE LATE AYATOLLAH SHARIATMADAR. HE TALKED ABOUT THE LAST DAYS OF HIS FATHER AND HOW AN IMPORTANT CENTER WAS CREATED IN TABRIZ FOR RESISTANCE AGAINST KHOMEINI IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE REVOLUTION. (AZERI 2/13)

IRANIAN REVOLUTION / INTERVIEW -- STAFFER BEHRUZ NIKZAT INTERVIEWS AYATOLLAH DR. MEHDI ROUHANI, AN IRANIAN CLERIC WHO NOW RESIDES IN PARIS. ON THE 17TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTION OF IRAN ROUHANI DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THE REVOLUTION ACHIEVED ITS GOALS, AND BELIEVES THAT IN THE LONG-RUN LOUIS FARAKHAN'S PRESENCE AT THIS YEAR'S CEREMONIES IN TEHRAN WILL NOT HELP THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT. (FARSI 2/13)

DEMONSTRATIONS / LA -- STAFFER MOHAMMAD RAZAVI COVERED DEMONSTRATIONS IN LOS ANGELES TO MARK THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN. PROGRAM INCLUDED ACTUALITY OF A YOUNG IRANIAN-AMERICAN TEENAGER, WHO READ A POEM SHE HAD COMPOSED ABOUT HER LOVE FOR HER HOMELAND. (FARSI 2/12)

INSIDE SOUTH ASIA:

BANGLA PRE-ELECTION VIOLENCE -- BANGLADESHI PRIME MINISTER KHALIDA ZIA SAYS SHE WILL CRACK DOWN ON POLITICAL VIOLENCE AFTER THURSDAY ELECTIONS FOR A NEW PARLIAMENT, BUT SHE IS OFFERING TO RESUME NEGOTIATIONS WITH OPPOSITION PARTIES THAT ARE BOYCOTTING THE POLLS. THE MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER SHEIKH HASINA SAYS SHE WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY MOB VIOLENCE THAT ERUPTS AND SHE WANTS THE ELECTION CANCELLED. MATIUR RAHMAN CHOWDHURY REPORTS FROM DHAKA. (BANGLA 2/13)

BANGLADESH / SITUATION -- DHAKA STRINGER ZAHURUL ALAM INTERVIEWED SEVERAL PROMINENT BANGLADESHIS, INCLUDING VETERAN LAWYER ISHTIAQ AHMED, WRITER SHAWKAT OSMAN, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST SIGMA HUDA, JOURNALIST HASAN SHAHRIAR AND THE PRESIDENT OF DHAKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MR. ALI HUSSAIN ON THEIR ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT POLITICAL SITUATION IN BANGLADESH. THEY ALL EXPRESSED THEIR CONCERN ABOUT THE PREELECTIONS VIOLENCE, UNREST AND TERRORIST ACTIVITIES IN BANGLADESH. THE MAJOR OPPOSITION PARTIES ARE BOYCOTTING THE ELECTIONS AND SAY THAT THE ZIA ADMINISTRATION CANNOT BE TRUSTED TO HOLD FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS. (BANGLA 2/13)

BANGLADESH / POLITICS -- REPORTER SUSAN YACKEE SPEAKS WITH HARRY BLAIR, A POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AT BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY, ABOUT THE POLITICAL PICTURE IN BANGLADESH. HE PREDICTS PRIME MINISTER KHALEDA ZIA'S APPEAL FOR VOTERS TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN THURSDAY'S ELECTION WILL GO UNHEADED. HE SAYS COMPROMISE IS CALLED FOR ON BOTH SIDES IF DEMOCRACY IS TO SUCCEED IN BANGLADESH. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 2/12)

INDIA / NEPAL -- NEPALESE PRIME MINISTER SHER BAHADUR DEUBA IS IN NEW DELHI ON HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT SINCE ASSUMING OFFICE. FIVE MINISTERS AND A GROUP OF LEADING NEPALESE BUSINESS LEADERS ARE ACCOMPANYING MR. DEUBA ON THIS WEEK LONG VISIT TO INDIA. SEVERAL AGREEMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE SIGNED DURING THE VISIT INCLUDING ONE ON COOPERATION IN DEVELOPING MAHAKALI RIVER BASIN. STRINGER REPORT. (HINDI 2/12)

KASHMIR / ELECTIONS -- INDIA'S HOME MINISTER CHAVAN HAS ASSURED THAT INTERESTS OF ALL AREAS OF THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR STATE WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN MAKING ANY DECISIONS ABOUT HOLDING ELECTIONS IN THE STATE. HE WAS RESPONDING TO CONCERNS OF THE JAMMU AREA RESIDENTS WHO ARE PREDOMINANTLY HINDUS. STRINGER NANDAN REPORTS THAT THE ASSURANCE WAS GIVEN TO BALRAJ PURI OF THE JAMMU AUTONOMY FRONT. (HINDI 2/12)

SAARC / INDIA -- INDIA IS PREPARING A LIST OF NEARLY ONE THOUSAND GOODS WHICH WILL BE GIVEN PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT IN TRADE AMONG THE MEMBERS OF SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION (SAARC). STRINGER NANDAN REPORTS THAT INDIA PLANS TO PRESENT THE LIST AT THE NEXT SAARC MEETING EXPECTED TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH IN COLOMBO, SRI LANKA. (HINDI 2/12)

NASA / EARTH SCIENCE -- DR. KAMLESH P. LULLA, CHIEF OF EARTH SCIENCE BRANCH AT THE JOHNSON SPACE CENTER IN HOUSTON, HELPS TRAIN SHUTTLE ASTRONAUTS IN EARTH SCIENCES AND IS INVOLVED IN ANALYZING SATELLITE DATA INCLUDING THAT OF THE WESTERN GHATS OF INDIA'S MAHARASHTRA STATE. STAFFER GULSHAN MADHUR INTERVIEWED MR. LULLA. (HINDI 2/12)

INSIDE EAST ASIA:

CHINA / TAIWAN / ARMS RACE -- ANALYSTS SAY TENSIONS IN THE TAIWAN STRAITS MAY ACCELERATE THE ARMS RACE IN THE REGION. CHINA HAS REPORTEDLY ALREADY PURCHASED A LICENSE FROM RUSSIA TO MANUFACTURE SU-27 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT, AN EFFORT THAT HAS RAISED CONCERN IN TAIWAN AND OTHER COUNTRIES. TAIPEI STRINGER CHANG YUNG-TAI INTERVIEWS MILITARY EXPERT LIN YUFANG, DIRECTOR OF THE STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF DANGJIANG UNIVERSITY. (MANDARIN 2/12)

HONG KONG / WORLD'S FREEST ECONOMY -- FOLLOWING LAST DECEMBER'S HERITAGE FOUNDATION SURVEY WHICH RANKED HONG KONG AS THE FREEST ECONOMY IN THE WORLD, A CANADIAN SURVEY IN JANUARY BY THE GRAZER GROUP ANNOUNCED THE SAME FINDINGS. CATEGORIES USED TO EVALUATE ECONOMIC FREEDOM INCLUDE FOREIGN INVESTMENT, TAXATION, TRADE, WAGE AND PRICE CONTROL, MONETARY POLICY, BLACK MARKET ACTIVITIES AND RULE OF LAW. HONG KONG SCORED THE HIGHEST IN MOST CATEGORIES. STAFFERS QIDE HE AND MICHELLE YEUNG INTERVIEW PAUL LAM, VICE PRESIDENT, CANDAIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN HONG KONG; RICHARD WONG, PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR, HK CENTER FOR ECONOMIC RESEARCH, HONG KONG UNIVERSITY; CHIN MAN HENG, LEGISLATOR. (CANTONESE 2/12)

NORTH KOREA / KIM'S WIFE -- THE ESTRANGED WIFE OF NORTH KOREAN DE FACTO LEADER KIM JONG IL HAS REPORTEDLY GONE INTO HIDING TO SEEK POLITICAL ASYLUM IN A THIRD COUNTRY. SOUTH KOREA'S INTELLIGENCE AGENCY SAYS SONG HYE-RIM, ALONG WITH HER SISTER AND NIECE, DISAPPEARED EARLY THIS MONTH IN SWITZERLAND WHERE SHE HAS A VACATION HOUSE. STRINGER TAE SOO KIM QUOTED THE SOUTH KOREAN AUTHORITIES AS SAYING THEY KNOW THE SONG GROUP'S WHEREABOUTS BUT WOULD NOT REVEAL OUT OF FEAR ABOUT THEIR SECURITY. A SOUTH KOREAN NEWSPAPER REPORTED THAT SONG'S SISTER HAS A SON WHO DEFECTED TO THE SOUTH IN THE 1980'S, AND SHE MENTIONED THEIR INTENTION TO DEFECT DURING HER RECENT TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH HER SON IN SEOUL. (KOREAN 2/13)

NORTH KOREAN DEFECTORS / PRESS CONFERENCE -- A NORTH KOREAN DIPLOMAT WHO DEFECTED TO THE SOUTH FROM ZAMBIA ALONG WITH HIS WIFE AND AN AGENT LAST MONTH SAID THAT EVERY NORTH KOREAN NOW CAN FEEL THAT THE KIM JONG IL SYSTEM FACES SERIOUS PROBLEMS AND VERY FEW THINK THAT THEIR FUTURE IS BRIGHT. MR. HYUN SAID THAT CONTRARY TO THE OUTLOOK OF A STABLE SOCIETY, SOMETHING UNUSUAL HAPPENS ALMOST EVERYDAY, LIKE POSTERS OF PROTEST PLACED IN SUBWAY STATIONS. HE SAID THE FIRST GREETING TO VISITORS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY IS "HOW IS THE FOOD SITUATION THERE?" HYON PREDICTS THAT KIM JONG IL IS FORMALLY EXPECTED TO ASSUME THE POWER WHEN A THREE-YEAR MOURNING PERIOD FOR HIS FATHER, KIM IL SUNG, ENDS NEXT YEAR. STRINGER KIM TAE SOO REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 2/13)

KOREA / JAPAN / TERRITORIAL DISPUTE -- SOUTH KOREA ANNOUNCED MONDAY THAT IT IS CONSIDERING CONDUCTING PREVIOUSLY-CANCELLED MILITARY EXERCISES AROUND INHABITANT, ROCKY ISLANDS WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF A TERRITORIAL DISPUTE WITH JAPAN. BOTH SOUTH KOREA AND JAPAN HAVE CLAIMED SOVEREIGNTY OVE THE DESOLATE ISLANDS, BUT THE LATEST DISPUTE ERUPTED FRIDAY WHEN THE JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER DEMANDED THAT SEOUL CANCEL PLANS TO BUILD A WHARF ON THE LARGEST OF THE ISLANDS. THE SOUTH KOREAN AMBASSADOR TO JAPAN IS TO FILE A STRONG PROTEST TO THE JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTRY UPON HIS RETURN TO TOKYO. IN THE MEANTIME, SOUTH KOREAN POLICE WILL REINFORCE ITS SECURITY FORCES TO GUARD THE ISLANDS. STRINGER TAE SOO KIM REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 2/12)

JAPAN / REACTIONS -- STRINGER CHOO KWANG HO REPORTS FROM TOKYO THAT THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT SEEMS BEWILDERED BY STRONG REACTIONS BY THE SOUTH KOREAN GOVERNMENT OVER THE DISPUTED ISLANDS, BUT STICKS TO ITS ARGUMENT THAT THE ISLANDS BELONG TO JAPAN IN TERMS OF BOTH HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL LAW. A PLAN TO VISIT SOUTH KOREA BY A DELEGATION FROM THE JAPANESE RULING COALITION PARTIES WAS PUT OFF INDEFINITELY. (KOREAN 2/12)

US OFFICIAL / NORTH KOREA -- MR. KENNETH QUINNONES, A NORTH KOREAN EXPERT AT THE US DEPARTMENT OF STATE, IS REPORTED TO ARRIVE IN PYONGYANG LAST WEEK FOR A TWO-WEEK VISIT TO NORTH KOREA. A SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIAL WAS QUOTED AS SAYING THAT MR. QUINNONES IS MAINLY ACTING IN NORTH KOREA AS A LIAISON OFFICER BETWEEN NORTH KOREAN OFFICIALS AND AMERICAN ENGINEERS WHO OVERSEE THE TREATMENT OF SPENT FUEL RODS IN THE YONGBYON NUCLEAR FACILITIES. BUT KOREAN STRINGER TAE SOO KIM NOTED THAT HIS VISIT IS CLOSELY WATCHED IN SEOUL BECAUSE OF THE TIMING THAT COINCIDES WITH FEBRUARY 16 BIRTHDAY OF NORTH KOREA'S DE FACTOR LEADER KIM JONG IL, US ANNOUNCEMENT OF $2 MILLION IN FOOD AID AND IMMINENT OPENING OF LIAISON OFFICES IN WASHINGTON AND PYONGYANG. (KOREAN 2/13)

KOREAN / BRITISH RELATIONS -- BRITISH PRIME MINISTER JOHN MAJOR WILL MAKE A TWO-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO SOUTH KOREA ON MARCH 4. A PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN SAID THAT HE AND SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT KIM YONG SAM WILL DISCUSS INTERNATIONAL AND BILATERAL TOPICS OF MUTUAL CONCERN INCLUDING WAYS OF PROMOTING ECONOMIC AND TRADE RELATIONS. STRINGER TAE SOO KIM REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 2/13)

INSIDE EUROPE:

HOLBROOKE / BOSNIA -- AFTER TALKS WITH OFFICIALS OF BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT, US PEACE NEGOTIATOR RICHARD HOLBROOKE SAID THAT TENSIONS CAUSED BY DETENTION OF TWO BOSNIAN SERB OFFICERS ARE DIMINISHING. HE ADDED THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COURT FOR WAR CRIMES SHOULD DECIDE THE FATE OF DETAINED SERBS. STRINGER BORO KONTIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (SERBIAN 2/12)

CROATIA / MOSTAR -- NATO GENERAL SECRETARY HAVIER SOLANA EXPRESSED SUPPORT TO THE EU PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OF MOSTAR. AT THE SAME TIME MOST CROATIAN OPPOSITION PARTIES BELIEVE THAT SO-CALLED KOSCHNIK PLAN FOR MOSTAR DOES NOT UNILATERALLY HARM NATIONAL INTEREST OF CROATIA. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 2/12)

SESELJ / THE HAGUE -- LEADER OF SERBIAN RADICAL PARTY, VOJISLAV SESELJ COULD BE SOON ARRIVING TO THE HAGUE, BUT NOT AT THE INVITATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT FOR WAR CRIMES IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. MR SESELJ SAID THAT HE REQUESTED A DUTCH VISA TO VISIT THE COURT'S HEADQUARTERS AND CLEAR HIS NAME. STRINGER DUSAN MASIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 2/12)

EU / CASESE -- PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT FOR WAR CRIMES, ANTONIO CASESE GAVE HIS SUPPORT TO A PROPOSAL BY US ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE THAT ANY FUTURE ACTION AGAINST SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA SHOULD BE FIRST VERIFIED WITH THE OFFICIALS OF THE HAGUE COURT. ACCORDING TO MR CASESE, THAT IS THE WAY TO ASSURE THE IMPARTIALITY OF THE COURTS AND THE CONTINUATION OF THE PEACE PROCESS. STRINGER DRAGAN BLAGOJEVIC REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS. (SERBIAN 2/12)

KOSOVO / EXPLOSIONS -- THE YUGOSLAV NEWS AGENCY HAS REPORTED A SERIES OF EXPLOSIONS IN A NUMBER OF SERB REFUGEE CAMPS IN KOSOVO. STRINGER IBRAHIM OSMANI REPORTS. (ALBANIAN 2/12)

KOSOVA / EXPLOSIONS -- YUGOSLAV POLICE IN THE TROUBLED KOSOVA REGION QUESTIONED ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN CONNECTION WITH SUNDAY'S EXPLOSIONS IN SEVERAL REFUGEE CAMPS. THE KOSOVA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE DENOUNCED THE POLICE ACTION, WHILE THE LEADER OF THE KOSOVA LIBERAL PARTY, GJERGJ DEDAJ, SAID THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT COULD USE THE EXPLOSIONS AS A PRETEXT FOR FURTHER REPRESSIVE MEASURES AGAINST THE REGION'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY. STRINGER AFERDITA SARACINI KELMENDI REPORTS. (ALBANIAN 2/13)

KOSOVA / ANNIVERSARY -- ON THE OCCASION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PUBLICATION OF 'RILINDJA,' THE FIRST ALBANIAN-LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER IN YUGOSLAVIA, STRINGER AFERDITA SARACINI KELMENDI INTERVIEWS THE PAPER'S EDITOR VELI BYTYCI. IN 1990, SERBIAN AUTHORITIES CLOSED DOWN 'RILINDJA,' BUT THE PAPER IS BEING PUBLISHED ABROAD. (ALBANIAN 2/12)

ALBANIA ,/ POLL -- THE ALBANIAN PRESS HAS PUBLISHED RESULTS OF A EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S EUROBAROMETER SURVEY. SOME 45 PERCENT OF THOSE ASKED SAID IF ELECTIONS WERE HELD TODAY THEY WOULD VOTE FOR THE RULING DEMOCRATIC PARTY, AND 22 PERCENT FOR THE SOCIALIST PARTY. STRINGER ILIRIAN AGOLLI INTERVIEWED LEADERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC, SOCIALIST, DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE, AND REPUBLICAN PARTIES. (ALBANIAN 2/12)

ALBANIA / EUROBAROMETER -- THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S REPRESENTATIVE IN ALBANIA HAS EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT OVER THE LEAK OF THE RESULTS OF THE EUROBAROMETER SURVEY ON ALBANIAN PUBLIC OPINION. ACCORDING TO THE POLL, WHICH WAS PUBLISHED BY THE ALBANIAN PRESS, FORTY FIVE PERCENT OF THOSE ASKED SAID THEY WOULD VOTE FOR THE RULING DEMOCRATIC PARTY, AND TWENTY TWO PERCENT FOR THE OPPOSITION SOCIALIST PARTY. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION WILL PUBLISH NEXT MONTH THE FULL EUROBAROMETER SURVEY OF PUBLIC OPINION IN EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AND FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS. STRINGER MERO BAZE REPORTS. (ALBANIAN 2/13)

ALBANIA / MEDIA -- NERITAN CEKA, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION ALBANIAN DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE, HAS SHARPLY CRITICIZED THE MANAGEMENT OF THE STATE RADIO AND TELEVISION FOR ALLEGEDLY DENYING THE OPPOSITION FORCES EQUAL TIME. AT A NEWS CONFERENCE IN TIRANA ON MONDAY, CEKA THREATENED THAT IF THE OPPOSITION WINS IN THE ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 1996, LEGAL MEASURES COULD BE TAKEN AGAINST THOSE NOW IN CHARGE OF RADIO AND TV. THE GENERAL MANAGER OF RADIO AND TV, BARDHYL POLLO SAID CEKA'S ALLEGATIONS ARE BASELESS. STRINGER MERO BAZE REPORTS. (ALBANIAN 2/13)

MACEDONIA / POLITICS -- THE PARTY FOR DEMOCRATIC PROSPERITY, THE LARGEST ETHNIC ALBANIAN POLITICAL PARTY IN MACEDONIA, HAS AGREED TO JOIN PRIME MINISTER BRANKO CRVENKOVSKI'S COALITION GOVERNMENT. THE PDP WILL RECEIVE FOUR PORTFOLIOS. STRINGER DIANA TOSKA REPORTS. (ALBANIAN 2/12)

ROMANIAN AMERICANS / WHITE HOUSE -- STAFFER ELENA LAZAR INTERVIEWS CONGRESS OF ROMANIAN AMERICANS (CORA) PRESIDENT ARMAND SCALA WHO MET WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON AND NSC ADVISER ANTHONY LAKE. SCALA SPOKE ABOUT THE TOPICS DISCUSSED, INCLUDING NATO EXPANSION IN EASTERN EUROPE AND THE PRESENCE OF RUSSIA'S 14TH ARMY'S IN MOLDOVA. (ROMANIAN 2/12)

INSIDE EURASIA:

RUSSIA / TERRORISM -- CONSTITUTIONAL COURT MEMBER ERNEST AMETISTOV TALKS ABOUT A NEW BOOK ON POLITICAL TERRORISM IN RUSSIA IN AN INTERVIEW WITH MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT ALEC BATCHAN. (RUSSIAN 2/12)

CRIMEA / TATAR REFUGEES -- MUSTAFA DZEMILEV, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CRIMEAN TATAR MEDJLIS (PARLIAMENT) TALKS TO RANO HABIB OF THE UZBEK SERVICE ABOUT HELP FROM THE CRIMEAN TATARS FROM TURKEY AND THE ABSENCE OF ASSISTANCE FORM UZBEKISTAN IN RESETTLING TATAR REFUGEES IN CRIMEA. (RUSSIAN 2/12)

AFGHAN / SOVIET INVASION -- A BRITISH AUTHOR AND PROFESSOR OF POLITICS SAYS AT THE EARLY STAGES THE US AND BRITISH REACTION TO THE SOVIET INVASION OF AFGHANISTAN WAS NOT THE SAME. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER ZAMEN MOHMAND GABRIELLA GRASSELLI, THE AUTHOR OF A BOOK ON BRITISH AND AMERICAN RESPONSE TO THE SOVIET INVASION OF AFGHANISTAN SAYS THE US WAS NOT SURE THAT THE SOVIETS COULD BE FORCED OUT OF AFGHANISTAN. BUT REMEMBERING ITS OWN EXPERIENCE, BRITAIN WAS SURE THAT SOVIETS COULD NOT STAY IN AFGHANISTAN. GRASSELLI SAYS THE SITUATION CHANGED LATER, AND THE RESPONSE TO THE SOVIET INVASION AND ALSO TO IRAN'S ISLAMIC REVOLUTION BROUGHT THE US AND BRITISH POLICIES CLOSER. (PASHTO 2/12) 13-Feb-96 5:25 PM EST (2225 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America