Voice of America, 96-11-07

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] EDITORIAL: BULGARIAN ELECTIONS

[03] BOSNIA-IFOR (L-ONLY) BY LAURA ROZEN (SARAJEVO)

[04] E-U/ZAIRE (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[05] EAST EURO REACT (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

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

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

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

INTRO: THE U-S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CONTINUES TO DOMINATE THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF MOST MAJOR DAILIES AS THEY CONSIDER THE CLINTON VICTORY AND THE PROSPECTS FOR THE PRESIDENT'S SECOND TERM.

POTENTIAL CHANGES IN THE CABINET ARE VERY MUCH IN THE NEWS THIS MORNING AND THEY ARE ALSO DRAWING COMMENTS. [OPT] IN OTHER NEWS; THE POLITICAL UPHEAVAL IN PAKISTAN IS DRAWING MORE COMMENT, AS IS THE REFUGEE CRISIS IN CENTRAL AFRICA. [END OPT] NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND A QUOTE OR TWO IS ______________________AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE NATION'S LARGEST TABLOID, THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, HAS THIS REACTION ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER THE TUESDAY'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

VOICE: "ANYONE NOT SCORING TUESDAY'S VOTING ON PURELY PARTISAN TERMS - - THAT IS, MOST AMERICANS - - SHOULD COUNT THE RESULTS AS A HISTORIC DOUBLE VICTORY FOR THE NATION. BY RETURNING BILL CLINTON TO THE WHITE HOUSE AND KEEPING BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS IN GOP HANDS, AMERICANS OPTED FOR A MIDDLE-OF-THE ROAD FORMULA WITH A TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS."

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL SAYS IT IS "TIME TO WORK TOGETHER," ADDING:

VOICE: "IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS TO STOP CRITICIZING AND COME TOGETHER IF THE NATION IS TO MOVE FORWARD. .... PRESIDENT CLINTON, OF COURSE, DESERVES CONGRATULATIONS FOR HIS VICTORY. BUT THE LOSING SIDES CAN FIND IT DIFFICULT TO RATCHET DOWN THEIR EMOTIONS, HIDE THEIR DISAPPOINTMENT AND RALLY AROUND THE PRESIDENT. [OPT] THE WINNING SIDE, ON THE OTHER HAND, SHOULD REMEMBER THAT TWO-FIFTHS OF THE VOTERS PICKED BOB DOLE AND, FURTHER, THAT MORE THAN HALF OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS DIDN'T PARTICIPATE. IN LIGHT OF SUCH RESULTS, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF A MANDATE FOR A HUGE CHANGE." [END OPT]

TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SAYS THE SECOND CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS NO TIME TO WASTE IN ACHIEVING ITS GOALS.

VOICE: "A PRESIDENT'S SECOND TERM SELDOM GOES AS WELL AS HIS FIRST, AND ANY LEGISLATIVE SUCCESSES A SECOND TERM PRODUCES USUALLY COME EARLY ON, BEFORE CREEPING LAME-DUCKISM SAPS THE PRESIDENTIAL POLITICAL CLOUT. IF HISTORY IS A GUIDE, PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS JUST ABOUT TWO YEARS TO STAMP A LEGISLATIVE MARK ON HIS FINAL TERM.

..... THERE IS URGENT PUBLIC BUSINESS YET TO BE DONE. IT WILL TAKE THE COOPERATION AND GOODWILL OF BOTH THE PRESIDENT AND THE CONGRESS TO SEE IT THROUGH."

TEXT: IN BOSTON, THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR EXHORTS THE PRESIDENT TO STOP CAMPAIGNING, AND START GOVERNING:

VOICE: "..... BECAUSE THE COUNTRY NEEDS PRECISELY THE LEADERSHIP QUALITIES THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON APPARENTLY OFFERS - - ECONOMIC PRUDENCE, SOCIAL SENSITIVITY, INTERNATIONAL RESOLVE. AND NOW HE HAS NO REELECTION EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO FOLLOW HIS BEST PRINCIPLES. MR. CLINTON CAN BE A NEW KIND OF COMEBACK KID, RETURNING TO THE HIGH STANDARDS OF ETHICS AND SINCERITY PROMISED IN '92. ...... PERHAPS BEFORE THE 53RD INAUGURATION DAY, [MR.] CLINTON WILL NOT ONLY CONTINUE HIS GENUINE AND ADMIRABLE EFFORTS TOWARD HUMANE AND EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT BUT ALSO ACT TO DISPEL THE LEGAL CLOUDS SHADOWING THESE EFFORTS."

TEXT: "NOW," AS TODAY'S PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER SAYS, IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL, "COMES THE HARD PART".

VOICE: "IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] IN CONGRESS. ..... NEITHER MR. CLINTON NOR THE CONGRESS HAS A MANDATE, EXCEPT NOT TO GO OVER THE CLIFF IN ANY DIRECTION. SO THE CHALLENGE IS TO SPEND THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS RESISTING THE TEMPTATION TO SNIPE, STONEWALL, MANIPULATE AND PREVARICATE. INSTEAD, THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS NEED TO USE THE INEVITABLE TENSIONS CREATIVELY TO MAKE PROGRESS ON SIX ESSENTIAL GOALS: BALANCE THE BUDGET, HUMANELY BUT QUICKLY. .... MAKE MEDICARE SOLVENT. ... HELP IMPROVE AMERICA'S SCHOOLS .... GROW MORE JOBS AND IMPROVE JOB TRAINING. ... REFORM THE DISGRACEFUL, DESTRUCTIVE WAY THAT CONGRESSIONAL AND PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS ARE FINANCED. .... FOCUS AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY."

TEXT: AND SPEAKING OF FOREIGN POLICY, THE PAPERS ARE FULL OF NEWS THAT SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER AND SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM PERRY ARE AMONG CABINET MEMBERS EXPECTED TO RESIGN SOON. THAT DRAWS THIS REMARK FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES.

VOICE: "MR. CHRISTOPHER BROUGHT MATURITY, TENACITY AND REFLECTION TO THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S FOREIGN POLICY. ..... MR. CHRISTOPHER SAFELY GUIDED A PRESIDENT INEXPERIENCED IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS THROUGH AN UNCERTAIN PERIOD OF INTERNATIONAL REALIGNMENT IN THE WAKE OF THE COLD WAR. ..... MR. PERRY'S RECORD WAS BLOTTED BY THE JUNE TERRORIST BOMBING IN SAUDI ARABIA THAT KILLED 19 AMERICAN SERVICEMEN. THE DEFENSE SECRETARY AND HIS TOP AIDES FAILED TO PUT A PREMIUM ON SECURITY AT AMERICAN INSTALLATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. MR. PERRY SHOULD ALSO HAVE BEEN MORE AGGRESSIVE IN CUTTING BLOATED WEAPONS PROCUREMENT BUDGETS. [HOWEVER] .......MR. CLINTON WILL BE HARD PRESSED [FIND IT DIFFICULT] TO FIND STEWARDS OF AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY MORE DEPENDABLE AND SELF-EFFACING THAN MR. CHRISTOPHER AND MR. PERRY."

TEXT: FINALLY, IN NEW ENGLAND, THE BOSTON GLOBE LAMENTS THE EXTREMELY LOW TURNOUT OF LESS THAN 50 PERCENT OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS, THE LOWEST NUMBER SINCE 1924. PONDERS THE GLOBE:

VOICE: "ONE WONDERS WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF THE NONVOTING 50-PLUS PERCENT HAD GONE TO THE POLLS. ONE WONDERS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF PEOPLE FOLLOWED GOVERNMENT AS CLOSELY AS THEY FOLLOW SPORTS, GETTING EXERCISED ABOUT SUBCOMMITTEE VOTES, VETOES AND SPEECHES AND DEMANDING THAT GOVERNMENT PERFORM OR BE TRADED [AS PROFESSIONAL SPORTS PLAYERS OFTEN ARE.]"

TEXT: AMERICA IS NOT THE ONLY NATION WHOSE CURRENT NATIONAL POLITICS IS FOOD FOR EDITORIAL THOUGHT. THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS OF THE UPHEAVAL IN PAKISTAN'S POLITICS:

VOICE: "PAKISTAN'S PRIME MINISTER BENAZIR BHUTTO, HAS BEEN DISMISSED. SHE WAS CHARGED WITH BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR MUCH OF THE MISMANAGEMENT AND CORRUPTION CITED IN HER OUSTER. THIS MAY ALL BE TRUE. BUT IN A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY, ELECTORAL POLITICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT - - NOT SUMMARY DISMISSAL - - ARE THE REMEDIES OF CHOICE FOR THESE OFFENSES."

TEXT: AND STILL MORE ELECTION NEWS AS COMMUNISTS LOSE POWER IN BULGARIA AND ROMANIA. THOSE DEVELOPMENTS DREW THIS RESPONSE FROM THE SUN IN BALTIMORE.

VOICE: "AFTER THE FALL OF COMMUNISM THROUGHOUT EASTERN EUROPE, BULGARIA AND ROMANIA WENT ON AS THOUGH LITTLE HAD HAPPENED. THE COMMUNISTS, SAYING THEY WERE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS, CONTINUED RULING. PEOPLE VOTED FOR THEM BY CHOICE OR FROM FEAR. ALL THAT ENDED LAST SUNDAY. IN BULGARIA'S ELECTION, THE ANTI-COMMUNIST PETAR STOYANOV WON A LANDSLIDE VICTORY FOR THE CEREMONIAL PRESIDENCY, DEFEATING A FORMER COMMUNIST. .... IN ROMANIA, THE COMMUNIST ION ILIESCU, WHO PICKED UP THE PIECES AFTER THE FALL OF NICOLAE AND ELENA CEAUSESCU IN 1989, EKED OUT A MARGINAL PLURALITY SUNDAY OVER THE OPPOSITION LEADER, EMIL CONSTANTINESCU, AND A THIRD CANDIDATE. MR. CONSTANTINESCU MAY WELL WIN THE PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFFS IN TWO WEEKS, SETTING THE STAGE FOR A REFORMIST COALITION GOVERNMENT REPLACING THE CRYPTO-COMMUNISTS."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN EASTERN ZAIRE OF THE DEADLY HUTU-TUTSI RIVALRY, NEWSDAY SAYS:

VOICE: "CLEARLY, SOLVING THE ZAIRE MESS SHOULD BE AN ALL-AFRICAN AFFAIR IF AFRICAN NATIONS CAN PUT ASIDE THEIR DIFFERENCES LONG ENOUGH TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE HELP. BUT THEY DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME BEFORE THE FOUR APOCALYPTIC HORSEMEN - - FAMINE, PESTILENCE, WAR AND DEATH - - FROM FROM A CANTER TO A GALLOP THROUGH CENTRAL AFRICA."

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SUMMARY OF EDITORIAL COMMENTS FROM THURSDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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07-Nov-96 10:36 AM EST (1536 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] EDITORIAL: BULGARIAN ELECTIONS

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

BULGARIAN OPPOSITION CANDIDATE PETAR STOYANOV WON A DECISIVE VICTORY OVER SOCIALIST IVAN MARAZOV IN THIS MONTH'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RUN-OFF. MR. STOYANOV WON ABOUT SIXTY PERCENT OF THE VOTE AND MR. MARAZOV RECEIVED ABOUT FORTY PERCENT. MR. STOYANOV OF THE UNION OF DEMOCRATIC FORCES PLEDGED TO BRING HIS COUNTRY CLOSER TO THE EUROPEAN UNION AND NATO. THE UNITED STATES WELCOMES THIS EXERCISE IN DEMOCRACY AND LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH PRESIDENT STOYANOV.

VOTER TURNOUT WAS ESTIMATED AT SIXTY-ONE PERCENT. OBSERVERS FROM THE U.S. EMBASSY, ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, AND INTERNATIONAL REPUBLICAN INSTITUTE FOUND MINOR ELECTION IRREGULARITIES IN THE RUN-OFF. THEY DID NOT NOT AFFECT THE VALIDITY OF THE ELECTION RESULTS.

PRESIDENT-ELECT STOYANOV WILL HAVE TO ADDRESS THE CRITICAL ECONOMIC NEEDS OF THE BULGARIAN PEOPLE. FEW STATE INDUSTRIES HAVE BEEN PRIVATIZED. OF THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN, MOST OF THE PROFITS HAVE GONE TO BUSINESS GROUPS CLOSE TO THE SOCIALISTS. BULGARIA HAS FAILED TO ATTRACT MUCH FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND A QUARTER OF ITS BANKS ARE IN RECEIVERSHIP. PRICES HAVE SOARED, THERE ARE FOOD SHORTAGES AND THE VALUE OF THE CURRENCY HAS PLUMMETED. CRIMINAL BANDS ARE TURNING TO VIOLENCE. LAST MONTH, FORMER SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER ANDRE LUKANOV WAS MURDERED.

THE UNITED STATES ENCOURAGES BULGARIA'S NEW PRESIDENT TO PURSUE THE ECONOMIC REFORMS NECESSARY TO PUT THE COUNTRY ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY. IF HE DOES, BULGARIA WILL BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME BENEFITS OF THE FREE MARKET THAT ARE ENJOYED BY OTHER PEOPLE IN EASTERN EUROPE.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
07-Nov-96 3:03 PM EST (2003 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA-IFOR (L-ONLY) BY LAURA ROZEN (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: NATO FORCES IN BOSNIA RECEIVED A NEW COMMANDER THURSDAY. GENERAL WILLIAM CROUCH ARRIVED IN SARAJEVO TO OVERSEE COMPLETION OF THE NATO IMPLEMENTATION FORCE MISSION, AND POSSIBLY A FOLLOW-ON FORCE TO BOSNIA AS WELL. LAURA ROZEN REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: FOUR-STAR GENERAL WILLIAM CROUCH SUCCEEDED ADMIRAL T. JOSEPH LOPEZ AS THE NEW COMMANDER OF NATO'S IMPLEMENTATION FORCES TO BOSNIA, KNOWN AS "IFOR" ("EYE-FOR").

ANALYSTS SAY THE CHANGE IN COMMAND SO LATE IN THE ONE-YEAR "IFOR" MISSION TO BOSNIA SUGGESTS THAT NATO PLANS TO BE IN BOSNIA WELL INTO NEXT YEAR.

NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANO, IN SARAJEVO FOR THE TRANSFER CEREMONY THURSDAY, WAS AMONG THOSE HINTING THAT NATO TROOPS WILL LIKELY STAY ON IN BOSNIA NEXT YEAR.

LET ME TELL YOU ALSO THAT NATO WILL NOT ABANDON BOSNIA. AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOW STUDYING POSSIBLE OPTIONS IN ORDER TO CONTINUE COOPERATING AT THE END OF THE MISSION, THAT MEANS NEXT YEAR. BUT NO DECISION HAS BEEN TAKEN UNTIL NOW (YET).

WITH THE U-S ELECTIONS OVER, THE RE-ELECTED CLINTON ADMINISTRATION MAY NOW BE WILLING TO ANNOUNCE PUBLICLY THAT U-S TROOPS WILL STAY ON IN BOSNIA AS PART OF A NATO FOLLOW-ON FORCE. BOTH BRITAIN AND FRANCE SAID THEY WILL PULL THEIR TROOPS OUT OF BOSNIA IF THE U-S DOES.

U-S OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THAT IT WOULD BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO COMPLETE THE BUILDING OF BOSNIA'S POST-WAR COMMON INSTITUTIONS WITHOUT THE SECURITY PRESENCE PROVIDED BY NATO TROOPS HERE. BUT JUST WHAT ROLE NATO PLANS TO PLAY IN BOSNIA NEXT YEAR IS NOT CLEAR.

THE TOP CIVILIAN DIPLOMAT TO BOSNIA, CARL BILDT, WOULD LIKE TO SEE NATO'S MANDATE IN BOSNIA EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE ARREST OF INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS. BUT NATO OFFICIALS HERE SUGGEST THAT IS NOT LIKELY, AND THAT NATO WILL PROBABLY KEEP ITS CURRENT MANDATE AND RULES OF ENGAGEMENT. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE ABOUT 48-THOUSAND NATO TROOPS IN BOSNIA.

SOURCES HERE SAY THAT NUMBER WILL BE REDUCED OVER THE COMING MONTHS TO BETWEEN 15-AND-30-THOUSAND TROOPS. MR. SOLANO SAID THAT MEMBERS OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL WOULD BE MEETING IN BRUSSELS ON MONDAY, AND COULD REACH A DECISION ON A NATO FOLLOW-ON FORCE TO BOSNIA AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK. (SIGNED)
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07-Nov-96 2:29 PM EST (1929 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] E-U/ZAIRE (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: DEVELOPMENT MINISTERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION THURSDAY DEMANDED THE UNITED NATIONS SPEED UP EFFORTS TO CREATE CONDITIONS FOR CONTINUED EMERGENCY AID DELIVERIES TO REFUGEES IN ZAIRE. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, THE E-U ALSO AGREED TO SEND A MINISTERIAL TEAM TO THE REGION THIS COMING WEEKEND.

TEXT: THE 15 EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT MINISTERS GAVE THEIR FULL BACKING TO EFFORTS TO OPEN UP A CORRIDOR FOR THE DELIVERY OF VITAL AID TO REFUGEES IN ZAIRE, WARNING THE ALTERNATIVE IS A POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC HUMANITARIAN DISASTER. THEY STRESSED THAT THIS IS A MATTER FOR THE UNITED NATIONS.

E-U COMMISSIONER EMMA BONINO SAID AID COULD BE DELIVERED IN ZAIRE OVERNIGHT, BUT THE EUROPEAN UNION IS BEING FORBIDDEN FROM ACTING BECAUSE IT IS AWAITING A UNITED NATIONS ACCORD.

THIS VIEW WAS ECHOED BY BRITISH MINISTER LYNDA CHALKER, WHO SAID SHE HOPES THE EUROPEAN UNION CAN CONVINCE THE UNITED NATIONS OF THE URGENCY OF ACTION. SHE CLAIMED THAT THIS MAY BE EASIER, NOW THAT THE UNITED STATES' PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ARE OVER. THE 15 E-U MINISTERS MET IN BRUSSELS WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MAJOR AID AGENCIES -- INCLUDING THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE RED CROSS. ALL E-U GOVERNMENTS PLEDGED THEIR HELP.

THE EUROPEAN UNION IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST AID DONOR, AND IS READY TO HELP ASSIST THE REFUGEES, ONCE THE CORRIDOR FOR DELIVERING FOOD AID CAN BE OPENED. IN PARALLEL, THE E-U ALSO WANTS A SECURE CORRIDOR TO BE OPENED TO ALLOW REFUGEES TO RETURN TO RWANDA.

THE E-U IS SEEKING UNITED NATIONS ACTION BASED ON THE FORMULA WORKED OUT BY AFRICAN NATIONS THEMSELVES AT THE RECENT NAIROBI SUMMIT.

AID EXPERTS TOLD THE E-U MEETING THAT NOT ONLY IS THERE A SECURITY THREAT FROM FURTHER CONFLICT, BUT THERE IS AN ALARMING CONCERN OF EPIDEMICS BREAKING OUT AMONG THE REFUGEES. THEY ALSO STRESSED THE URGENCY OF CREATING THE RIGHT CONDITIONS, BOTH INSIDE ZAIRE AND OUTSIDE, FOR THE REFUGEES TO RETURN.

A STATEMENT AFTER THE MEETING EXPRESSED DEEP CONCERN AT CONDITIONS IN ZAIRE, WARNED OF THE POTENTIAL FOR A DISASTER, AND CALLED FOR EARLY AND SUBSTANTIVE DIALOGUE AMONG THE PARTIES INVOLVED. IT EXPRESSED FULL SUPPORT FOR UNITED NATIONS AND ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE CONFLICT. THE EUROPEAN UNION ALSO BACKED CALLS FOR AN IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE. THE E-U ALSO AGREED TO SEND A SPECIAL MISSION TO THE REGION, INCLUDING COMMISSIONER EMMA BONINO AND MINISTERS FROM IRELAND, HOLLAND AND ITALY. (SIGNED)
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07-Nov-96 1:57 PM EST (1857 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] EAST EURO REACT (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: LEADERS IN EASTERN EUROPE HAVE APPLAUDED THE RE-ELECTION OF PRESIDENT CLINTON, STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUITY IN U-S POLICY TO THE REGION. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM PRAGUE.

TEXT: HERE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC BOTH PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVEL AND PRIME MINISTER VACLAV KLAUS SENT CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES TO PRESIDENT CLINTON. THE CZECH PRESIDENT SAID HE WAS DELIGHTED WITH THE RESULT AND CREDITS MR. CLINTON WITH HAVING MADE A PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING RELATIONS BETWEEN PRAGUE AND WASHINGTON.

PRIME MINISTER KLAUS SPOKE OF WHAT HE CALLED THE EXTRAORDINARILY GOOD RELATIONS BETWEEN CZECHS AND AMERICANS AND WELCOMED THE CONTINUITY IN U-S POLICY. IN POLAND, PRESIDENT ALEXANDER KWASNIEWSKI PRAISED PRESIDENT CLINTON'S LEADERSHIP IN DEVELOPING PLANS TO EXPAND THE NATO DEFENSE ALLIANCE. MR. KWASNIEWSKI MADE REFERENCE TO MR. CLINTON'S COMMITMENT IN A SPEECH IN DETROIT LAST MONTH TO ENLARGE NATO BEFORE THE YEAR 2000. THE POLISH PRESIDENT SAID THAT PLEDGE GIVES AN HISTORIC DIMENSION TO THE U-S LEADER'S SECOND FOUR YEAR TERM IN OFFICE.

IN HUNGARY, THE FOREIGN MINISTRY LIKEWISE DREW ATTENTION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF MR. CLINTON'S COMMITMENT TO EXPAND THE NATO ALLIANCE. A FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT SAID HUNGARY LOOKS FORWARD TO A CONTINUED STRONG U-S PRESENCE IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. IT PRAISED PRESIDENT CLINTON STRONG SUPPORT FOR HUNGARIAN MEMBERSHIP IN NATO.

SLOVAK PRIME MINISTER VLADIMIR MECIAR SENT CONGRATULATIONS TO PRESIDENT CLINTON EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR THE GOOD RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES AND THANKING THE AMERICANS FOR THEIR SUPPORT FOR SLOVAKIA'S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION.

NEWSPAPER IN THE REGION HAVE SIMILARLY STRESSED THE CONTINUITY OF U-S POLICY, PARTICULARLY AS IT APPLIES TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S COMMITMENT TO EXPAND NATO. THE CZECH DAILY DNES SAID HIS RE-ELECTION IS GUARANTEE OF THE CONTINUITY OF U-S POLICY. IN SLOVAKIA, THE LEFT WING NEWSPAPER PRAVDA SAID MR. CLINTON'S VICTORY SHOWED THAT AMERICAN VOTERS DISLIKED WHAT IT CALLS THE AGGRESSIVE POLITICS OF THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT CANDIDATE. THE OPPOSITION NEWSPAPER SME SAID THE LOW VOTER TURNOUT IN THE UNITED STATES MEANT THAT AMERICANS WERE CONTENT WITH A WELL PERFORMING DOMESTIC ECONOMY. (SIGNED)
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07-Nov-96 11:48 AM EST (1648 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: ANALYSTS SAY A WEAKER U-S DOLLAR IN CONTINENTAL EUROPE AND THE PROSPECT OF HIGHER INTEREST RATES IN BRITAIN WERE FACTORS DRIVING STOCK PRICES LOWER ON MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS THURSDAY. DETAILS FROM LONDON AND VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH:

TEXT: STOCK MARKETS IN FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS ALL REGISTERED DECLINES THURSDAY, ALTHOUGH A TURNAROUND ON WALL STREET LATE IN THE TRADING DAY HERE HELPED BRING SHARE PRICES ON THE PARIS "CAC-40" UP A BIT FROM EARLIER TRADING BEFORE THE CLOSE. THAT INDEX, NEVERTHELESS, CLOSED DOWN ONE-AND-A-HALF (EDS: DOWN 1.56) POINTS.

IN FRANKFURT, THE DEPRESSED U-S DOLLAR LOST MORE GROUND TO THE GERMAN MARK, AND THAT APPARENTLY WORRIED GERMAN INVESTORS. FRANKFURT'S "DAX 30" INDEX LOST ALMOST 16 POINTS AT THE END OF TRADING.

HERE IN LONDON, FEARS OF INFLATION COUPLED WITH PROSPECTS OF AN INTEREST RATE HIKE WERE CITED AS KEY FACTORS IN DRIVING DOWN THE INFLUENTIAL "FINANCIAL TIMES" "FOOTSIE 100" INDEX. IT CLOSED DOWN JUST OVER 35 POINTS THURSDAY. (SIGNED)
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07-Nov-96 1:45 PM EST (1845 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: A TRIAL RESUMES FRIDAY FOR TWO TURKISH HUMAN RIGHTS WORKERS ACCUSED OF HELPING KURDISH GUERRILLAS. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS OBSERVING THE TRIAL ACCUSE THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT OF DELIBERATELY DETERRING ACTIVISTS AND LAWYERS FROM INVESTIGATING -- AND EXPOSING -- WHAT THEY DESCRIBE AS WIDESPREAD HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN TURKEY.

TEXT: THE TRIAL IS OF MUSTAFA CINKILIC, THE REPRESENTATIVE WHO HEADS THE INDEPENDENT TURKISH HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION IN THE SOUTHERN PROVINCE OF ADANA, AND THAT OF A MEDICAL DOCTOR, TUFAN KOSE, WHO WORKS AT A TORTURE VICTIMS REHABILITATION CENTER THERE. FRIDAY'S RESUMPTION WILL BE UNDER THE GLARE OF THE INTERNATIONAL NEWS MEDIA.

THE ADANA PENAL COURT IS SEEKING UP TO SIX MONTHS IN PRISON FOR MR. CINKILIC, WHILE DOCTOR KOSE IS EXPECTED TO BE FINED FOR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF ALLEGED TERRORIST GROUPS.

THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT CLAIMS THE HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION HAS BEEN ACQUIRING FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES ON THE PRETEXT OF RUNNING "IMAGINARY TREATMENT CENTERS" FOR TORTURE VICTIMS AND OF DISSEMINATING WHAT IT DESCRIBES AS FALSE PROPAGANDA CONCERNING HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN TURKEY.

GULBAHAR GUNDUZ, AN ETHNIC KURD FROM TURKEY'S EASTERN PROVINCE OF TUNCELI, IS ONE OF THE MANY TORTURE VICTIMS BEING TREATED BY THE HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION. SHE WAS PARALYZED FROM THE WAIST DOWN AFTER BEING SEVERELY BEATEN DURING A PROLONGED INTERROGATION SESSION BY THE SECURITY FORCES.

MRS. GUNDUZ, WHO WAS LATER CLEARED OF CHARGES OF BEING A MEMBER OF AN OUTLAWED LEFT-WING GROUP, SAYS THE REHABILITATION CENTER PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN HELPING HER REGAIN PARTIAL CONTROL OF HER LEGS -- ALBEIT THROUGH THE USE OF CRUTCHES.

AS PART OF ITS CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION, THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT IS DEMANDING THAT THE GROUP HAND OVER ALL ITS DOCUMENTATION PERTAINING TO TORTURE VICTIMS. INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS EXPECTED PRESENT FOR FRIDAY'S TRIAL SAY CONFIDENTIALITY BETWEEN DOCTORS AND PATIENTS WILL BE A KEY ELEMENT OF THEIR CASE.

THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS ADD THAT VICTIMS WOULD LIKELY BE DETERRED FROM SEEKING HELP, IF THEY FELT THEIR IDENTITY WAS REVEALED BY PHYSICIANS TO THE AUTHORITIES WHOM THEY HOLD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR TORTURE.

IN A REPORT RELEASED THURSDAY, A U-S BASED HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP SAID TURKISH AUTHORITIES OFTEN PROSECUTE AND THREATEN LAWYERS DEFENDING SUSPECTS ACCUSED OF INVOLVEMENT IN LEFT-WING AND KURDISH MILITANT ACTIVITY.

TURKISH OFFICIALS DECLINED TO COMMENT, SAYING SAID THEY HAD NOT YET EXAMINED THE REPORT PREPARED BY THE GROUP CALLED "LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS." (SIGNED)
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07-Nov-96 12:31 PM EST (1731 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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