Voice of America, 96-12-09

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] CHRISTOPHER/SERBIA (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[03] E-U / WILDLIFE (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

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

[05] GERMANY / FRANCE (L-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[06] GREECE / FARMERS (L-ONLY) BY ANNA KARENINA (ATHENS)

[07] NATO / RUSSIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[08] SERBIA / PROTESTS UPDATE (S) BY BARRY WOOD (BELGRADE)

[09] U-S/BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[10] U-S/SERBIA (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

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

INTRO: A QUICK GLANCE AT SOME OF THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPERS SHOWS A WIDE VARIETY OF EDITORIAL TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION THIS MONDAY, INCLUDING: A BANKING SUCCESS IN BANGLADESH; THE U-S WELFARE REFORM DEBATE; THE COST OF LIVING REVISION ARGUMENT, AND THE BUDGET SQUEEZE ON U-S DIPLOMACY. NOW, HERE IS _____________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: MONDAY'S BOSTON GLOBE LAUDS AN INNOVATIVE BANKING PROGRAM BEGUN IN BANGLADESH THAT LOANS COMPARATIVELY SMALL AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO PEOPLE, BUT GETS BIG RESULTS THAT, COLLECTIVELY, HELP THE WHOLE COUNTRY. THE GLOBE SAYS, IN PART:

VOICE: "THE MOVEMENT WAS LAUNCHED BY A BANGLADESHI BUSINESS LEADER, MUHAMMAD YUNUS, 20 YEARS AGO THROUGH THE GRAMEEN BANK. IT MADE CREDIT AVAILABLE TO BORROWERS, MOST OF THEM WOMEN, IN AMOUNTS THAT ARE TINY BY CONVENTIONAL ... STANDARDS -- AS LITTLE AS 50-DOLLARS -- BUT ENOUGH TO LAUNCH A WIDE VARIETY OF COMMERCIAL VENTURES ON A HOUSEHOLD SCALE. IN ITS FIRST 17 YEARS, THE BANK LOANED ONE-BILLION DOLLARS, WHICH ACCELERATED TO A SECOND ONE-BILLION DOLLARS IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS, THANKS TO AN ASTONISHING REPAYMENT RATE OF 98 PERCENT. FAR MORE SIGNIFICANT THAN THE NUMBERS IS THE FACT THAT THE MICROLOANS HAVE PROVIDED ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT FOR PEOPLE IN PLACES LIKE BANGLADESH, A COUNTRY THAT MANY ECONOMISTS HAD GIVEN UP AS A NEARLY HOPELESS CAUSE... AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MICROCREDIT WILL CELEBRATE THESE SUCCESSES IN FEBRUARY."

TEXT: ONE OF THE MAJOR AND CONTINUING DOMESTIC DISCUSSIONS IS ABOUT WELFARE REFORM, AND THE BILL ALREADY SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT. TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST IS AMONG THOSE CRITICAL OF THE LAW:

VOICE: "WHEN PRESIDENT CLINTON SIGNED THE WELFARE BILL IN AUGUST, HE SAID HE WAS DOING SO 'WITH STRONG OBJECTIONS TO CERTAIN PROVISIONS, WHICH I AM DETERMINED TO CORRECT.' BUT CORRECTING THEM WOULD REQUIRE SPENDING ADDITIONAL MONEY, AND THE PRESIDENT WOULD RATHER SPEND SUCH MONEY ON OTHER THINGS FIRST, SUCH AS THE TAX CUTS HE ALSO PROMISED IN THE CAMPAIGN. THE RESULT IS THAT THE WELFARE BILL WILL BE FIXED, IF AT ALL, ONLY ON THE MARGIN... AN UGLY FIGHT IS THUS UNDERWAY IN THE WHITE HOUSE. WHICH VICTIMS OF THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION TO SIGN THE BILL DOES THE ADMINISTRATION PROPOSE TO SAVE AND WHICH TO ABANDON? [OPT] ... THE VICTIMS OF THE WELFARE BILL ... WILL DISAPPEAR FROM THE ROLLS, BUT NOT BECAUSE THEY HAVE BECOME BETTER OFF. THEY WILL HAVE BEEN WRITTEN OFF. WHO CALLS THAT PROGRESS?" [END OPT]

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES IS ALSO FOCUSED ON WELFARE REFORM, AND HAS BOTH PRAISE AND CRITICISM FOR THE NEW YORK STATE VERSION EXPOUNDED BY GOVERNOR GEORGE PATAKI, WHICH, IN THE TIMES' WORDS...

VOICE: "... CONTAINS A CALLOUS PROPOSAL TO CUT CASH BENEFITS NEARLY IN HALF FOR LONG-TERM RECIPIENTS. BUT THE PLAN ALSO INCLUDES WORTHWHILE FEATURES THAT GO BEYOND WHAT OTHER STATES ARE LIKELY TO PROPOSE TO SOFTEN THE BLOW OF THE NEW FEDERAL WELFARE LAW. THE ENCOURAGING FACT IS THAT THE CRUEL FEATURES OF THE PATAKI PLAN CAN BE REMOVED WITHOUT WRECKING THE STATE BUDGET, LEAVING A WELFARE SYSTEM THAT WOULD SERVE AS AN ENVIABLE MODEL FOR OTHER STATES."

TEXT: STILL MORE ON THE TOPIC FROM THE SUN, IN BALTIMORE, WHICH IS PLEASED THAT MARYLAND LEGISLATORS ARE PLANNING TO INCLUDE A DRUG TEST FOR ALL WOMEN APPLYING FOR WELFARE BENEFITS. THE PAPER POINTS OUT:

VOICE: "THE CARROT-AND-STICK PLAN BEING PROPOSED IS FAR FROM PERFECT. FOR ONE THING, THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW WHETHER THE PROGRAMS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO WELFARE RECIPIENTS WILL BE LONG ENOUGH AND EFFECTIVE ENOUGH TO HELP THEM BREAK A DEADLY ADDICTION... EVEN SO, THIS INITIATIVE CAN SEND AN IMPORTANT SIGNAL WELL BEFORE THAT FIVE-YEAR LIFETIME LIMIT ON BENEFITS COMES DUE. DRUG ABUSE IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH GOOD PARENTING. ANY WOMAN WHO IS ABUSING DRUGS WHILE RECEIVING WELFARE PAYMENTS TO TAKE CARE OF HER CHILDREN NEEDS TO HEAR THAT MESSAGE LOUD AND CLEAR."

TEXT: ANOTHER MUCH-DISCUSSED U-S ISSUE IS THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT THAT VARIOUS GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC STATISTICAL REPORTS, ESPECIALLY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (C-P-I), ARE INACCURATELY CALCULATED. THAT CAUSES THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER TO PONDER THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS IF THE FIGURES ARE REVISED, ESPECIALLY ON RETIREES' COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCES IN THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS.

VOICE: "JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY WOULD TAKE A HIT [LOSE MONEY] IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CHANGED THE WAY IT ADJUSTS TAXES AND BENEFITS FOR INFLATION. WHILE THAT SCARES SOME FOLKS IN BOTH PARTIES, IT OUGHT TO STIFFEN THEIR BACKBONES. CHANGING THE FORMULA HELPS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GET ITS FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER, IN A WAY MORE DOABLE POLITICALLY THAN ZEROING IN ON THE WALLETS OF ANY ONE GROUP... TAXPAYERS AND RETIREES DESERVE TO BE PROTECTED FROM INFLATION, BUT NOT REWARDED FOR IT."

TEXT: ON ANOTHER ASPECT OF THE NATION'S ECONOMIC PLANNING, THE NEW YORK TIMES TODAY DECRIES ANY FURTHER CUTS IN STATE DEPARTMENT FUNDING.

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON, NOW PREPARING NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET REQUESTS, WILL HAVE TO FIGHT HARD TO PROVIDE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT WITH ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO REPRESENT AMERICA'S INTERNATIONAL INTERESTS AS SECRETARY OF STATE. DIPLOMACY IS AMERICA'S FIRST AND LEAST COSTLY LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT. YET FOR YEARS, CONGRESS HAS BEEN LETTING THAT LINE ERODE DANGEROUSLY... IT IS ALWAYS A GREAT DEAL LESS EXPENSIVE, IN LIVES AS WELL AS DOLLARS, TO HEAD OFF POTENTIAL THREATS BY TIMELY DIPLOMATIC ACTION THAN TO MOVE IN BELATEDLY WITH MILITARY FORCE."

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ANNOUNCEMENT LAST WEEK OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY TEAM IN HIS NEW CABINET, INCLUDING THE FIRST WOMAN SECRETARY OF STATE, MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, DRAWS THIS COMMENT FROM THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR.

VOICE: "CAN THIS TEAM, AS A WHOLE OR THROUGH THE GENIUS OF ANY ONE MEMBER, PROVIDE FRESH VISION AND PURPOSE? THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION WILL DEPEND TO A LARGE EXTENT ON THE FOREIGN POLICY COMMITMENT OF THE MAN WHO HAS SELECTED THEM."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF TODAY'S EDITORIALS FROM THE AMERICAN PRESS.
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09-Dec-96 10:46 AM EST (1546 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CHRISTOPHER/SERBIA (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: WHEN NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN BRUSSELS ON TUESDAY THEY ARE EXPECTED TO URGE SERBIA'S GOVERNMENT TO OPEN A DIALOGUE WITH ITS POLITICAL OPPOSITION. VOA'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER IS URGING PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO SHOW SOME FLEXIBILITY.

TEXT: ON WHAT HE EXPECTS TO BE HIS LAST FOREIGN TRIP AS SECRETARY OF STATE, WARREN CHRISTOPHER SAYS THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT SHOULD HAVE NO DOUBT ABOUT THE POSITION OF THE UNITED STATES ON THE CONTINUING PROTEST MARCHES IN THE STREETS OF BELGRADE. HERE IN BRUSSELS, HE HOPES TO PERSUADE RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER TO JOIN THE UNITED STATES IN URGING FLEXIBILITY IN SERBIA.

I WANT TO TALK TO FOREIGN MINISTER (EVGENY) PRIMAKOV ABOUT CONDITIONS IN SERBIA AND EMPHASIZE TO HIM THAT I BELIEVE THAT MILOSEVIC'S POSITION AT THE PRESENT TIME IS SELF DEFEATING AND HE (MILOSEVIC) SHOULD RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCEPTING THE ELECTION RESULTS AND HAVING A DIALOGUE WITH THE OPPOSITION AS BEING IN HIS OWN INTEREST.

MR. CHRISTOPHER SAYS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS SHOWN HIMSELF CAPABLE OF REVERSING LONG STANDING POSITIONS DURING PEACE TALKS IN DAYTON AND HE HOPES THE SERBIAN LEADER WILL DO SO AGAIN.

[03] E-U / WILDLIFE (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS APPROVED A NEW EUROPE-WIDE BAN ON IMPORTS OF CROCODILE-SKIN HANDBAGS, CORAL, BUTTERFLIES, AND A VAST ARRAY OF OTHER WILDLIFE PRODUCTS. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: EUROPEAN UNION MINISTERS ADOPTED A TOUGH NEW REGULATION ON THE TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES, DESIGNED TO STAMP OUT ILLEGAL IMPORTS

THE REGULATION WILL ENSURE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CITES CONVENTION ON THE TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES BY ALL 15 E-U NATIONS, AND WILL ALSO PROVIDE FOR STRICTER MONITORING OF TRADE IN SPECIES NOT COVERED BY THE CITES CONVENTION.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A ONE-MILLION DOLLAR INFORMATION CAMPAIGN NEXT YEAR, IN COORDINATION WITH THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND, TO ALERT TOURISTS, TRADERS, AND THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCEMENT - OF THE TIGHTENING OF THE LAW.

THE NEW REGULATION WILL COVER TRADE IN 27-THOUSAND PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES, INCLUDING RHINO, TIGERS, PARROTS, CROCODILES, CACTI, AND ORCHIDS.

THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND'S POLICY DIRECTOR, GORDON SHEPHERD, SAYS IT WILL PREVENT IMPORTS INTO EUROPE OF CROCODILE LEATHER SHOES OR HANDBAGS, IVORY AND CORAL, ORCHIDS AND BUTTERFLIES -- ALL OF WHICH TOURISTS OFTEN BUY ABROAD AND BRING BACK AS SOUVENIRS. HE SAYS THIS AGREEMENT IS GOOD NEWS FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES.

THIS REGULATIONS SET NEW STANDARDS, AND MR. SHEPHERD SAID HE HOPES EUROPE'S EXAMPLE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY OTHER TRADE BLOCS, SUCH AS THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT. HE SAYS IT ENABLES THE E-U TO BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION, RATHER THAN PART OF THE PROBLEM.

MR. SHEPHERD SAYS RESOURCES WHICH HAVE BEEN FREED UP WITH THE DISMANTLING OF BORDER CONTROLS BETWEEN E-U STATES SHOULD NOW BE DIVERTED INTO COMBATTING THE ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE.

HE SUGGESTS THAT THE E-U ACCOUNTS FOR ONE-THIRD OF WORLDWIDE TRADE IN WILDLIFE, AND THUS HAS A MAJOR ROLE TO PLAY IN ENDING ILLEGAL COMMERCE IN WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE PRODUCTS.

EUROPE'S ENVIRONMENT COMMISSIONER, BITT BJERREGAARD, SAYS THE E-U IS ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST CONSUMERS OF WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE PRODUCTS -- AND THUS HAS A SPECIAL OBLIGATION TO STAMP OUT THE ILLEGAL TRADE IN WILDLIFE. (SIGNED)
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09-Dec-96 10:39 AM EST (1539 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: MAJOR STOCK MARKETS IN EUROPE MONDAY CLOSED SHARPLY HIGHER -- BUT NOT HIGH ENOUGH TO MAKE UP FOR THE BIG LOSSES WHICH TOOK PLACE LAST FRIDAY. FOR THE CLOSING FIGURES, HERE'S VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON.

TEXT: MANY ANALYSTS SAY LAST FRIDAY'S MASSIVE SELL-OFF AROUND THE WORLD WAS TRIGGERED BY THE REMARKS OF U-S CENTRAL BANK CHAIRMAN ALAN GREENSPAN, WHO QUESTIONED WHETHER RECENT RECORD MARKET GAINS WERE POSSIBLY DUE TO WHAT HE TERMED "IRRATIONAL EXUBERANCE." ON MONDAY, SEVERAL TOP BANK LEADERS CALLED FRIDAY'S MARKET REACTION, IN ESSENCE, AN OVERREACTION. THE MARKETS, IN TURN, WENT ON A BUYING SPREE.

IN FRANKFURT, THE KEY "DAX 30" INDEX GAINED TWO-AND-A-HALF PERCENT IN VALUE, CLOSING UP MORE THAN 65 POINTS. PARIS CLOSED HIGHER AS WELL, BUT TRIMMED ITS GAIN FIGURES AFTER SOME LATE PROFIT-TAKING. THE "CAC-40" ENDED THE DAY UP JUST OVER 15 POINTS. HERE IN LONDON, STOCKS WERE BOLSTERED BY GAINS POSTED EARLIER IN THE DAY ON ASIAN MARKETS AND BY SIGNS OF RECOVERY ON WALL STREET. THE FINANCIAL TIMES INDEX OF 100 KEY BRITISH STOCKS CLOSED UP ALMOST 49 POINTS.

BUT ANALYSTS EXPECT FURTHER VOLATILITY IN THE MARKETS DURING COMING DAYS. (SIGNED)
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09-Dec-96 1:58 PM EST (1858 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] GERMANY / FRANCE (L-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL AND FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC HAVE WRAPPED UP DAY-LONG TALKS IN NUREMBERG, WITH A CALL FOR CLOSER EUROPEAN COOPERATION ON SECURITY AND FOREIGN POLICY. BUT AS VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS, THE TWO NATIONS HAVE APPARENTLY STILL NOT RESOLVED THEIR DIFFERENCES ON THE CREATION OF A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY.

TEXT: MR. KOHL AND MR. CHIRAC WERE ALL SMILES AS THEY WALKED AROUND NUREMBERG'S COLORFUL CHRISTMAS MARKET BEFORE GOING INTO THEIR REGULAR SIX-MONTH-SUMMIT. LATER, IN A JOINT LETTER, THE TWO URGED FELLOW EUROPEAN LEADERS TO ESTABLISH A SERIES OF NEW INSTITUTIONS DESIGNED TO HELP CREATE COMMON EUROPEAN FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICIES.

THE LETTER, WHICH COMES JUST FOUR DAYS BEFORE A EUROPEAN UNION SUMMIT IN DUBLIN, ALSO CALLS FOR GREATER COOPERATION ON DRUG AND ANTI-CRIME LEGISLATION AND THE CREATION OF A EUROPEAN POLICE AGENCY.

ALTHOUGH THE 10-PAGE LETTER CALLS FOR REFORM OF THE WAY COMMON EUROPEAN POLICIES ARE SET, THE TWO LEADERS FAILED TO SPELL OUT EXACTLY HOW THAT MIGHT BE DONE.

WHILE A UNANIMOUS VOTE BY E-U MEMBERS WOULD STILL BE REQUIRED TO SET POLICY AT SUMMIT MEETINGS, THE LETTER SAID QUALIFIED MAJORITY VOTING MIGHT BE USED TO IMPLEMENT POLICY.

ON THE SUBJECT OF EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION, MR. KOHL AND MR. CHIRAC BOTH SAID THEY WERE OPPOSED TO ANY RELAXATION OF THE CRITERIA NEEDED TO TAKE PART IN THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY.

SPEAKING TO A NEWS CONFERENCE AFTER THE MEETING, MR. KOHL SAID NEITHER FRANCE NOR GERMANY WANTS A WEAK EUROPEAN CURRENCY. THE COMMENTS CAME AS EUROPEAN FINANCE MINISTERS CONTINUE TO TRY TO WORK OUT THE DETAILS OF THE MONETARY UNION.

GERMANY HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR TOUGH PENALTIES FOR COUNTRIES THAT JOIN THE SINGLE CURRENCY AND THEN VIOLATE BUDGET AND SPENDING RULES. FRANCE AND OTHER E-U MEMBERS HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR LESS STRICT RULES.

THE NEW EUROPEAN CURRENCY IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED IN JANUARY OF 1999, BUT FEW COUNTRIES ARE EXPECTED TO MEET THE CRITERIA TO JOIN BY THAT DATE. (SIGNED)
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09-Dec-96 1:16 PM EST (1816 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] GREECE / FARMERS (L-ONLY) BY ANNA KARENINA (ATHENS)

INTRO: THOUSANDS OF GREEK FARMERS ARE CONTINUING TO BLOCK KEY ROADS AND RAIL LINES TO PROTEST GOVERNMENT AUSTERITY MEASURES. ANNA KARENINA IN ATHENS REPORTS THE PROTEST -- NOW IN ITS 12TH DAY -- IS FINANCIALLY CRIPPLING THE NATION. BUT BOTH GOVERNMENT AND FARMERS SHOW NO SIGN OF COMPROMISE.

TEXT: WHAT INITIALLY APPEARED TO BE A LIMITED PROTEST BY MAINLY COTTON PRODUCERS HAS MUSHROOMED INTO A NATIONWIDE FARMERS REVOLT THAT IS DAMAGING BOTH GREECE'S TRADE AND GOVERNMENT.

FARMERS HAVE PARKED MORE THAN TEN-THOUSAND TRACTORS AND TRAILERS ON HIGHWAYS AND OTHER ROADS AND ON RAILROAD TRACKS. HUNDREDS MORE ARE EXPECTED, AS FARMERS FROM THE ISLAND OF CRETE JOIN THE UPRISING.

AGRICULTURE FORMS ONE OF LARGEST WORK FORCES IN GREECE AND IS THE BIGGEST SOURCE OF SUPPORT FOR THE RULING SOCIALIST PARTY. THE FARMERS ARE DEMANDING CHEAP PETROL, HIGHER SUBSIDIES, AND A WRITE-OFF OF ONE-POINT-THREE-BILLION DOLLARS IN DEBTS OWED TO STATE BANKS.

PRIME MINISTER COSTAS SIMITIS HAS FLATLY REJECTED THE DEMANDS, CALLING THEM TOO EXPENSIVE FOR A COUNTRY TRYING TO MEET STRICT CRITERIA FOR EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION.

GREEK MEDIA -- CITING AIDES TO THE PRIME MINISTER -- REPORT MR. SIMITIS IS PREPARED TO RISK, AS THEY SAY, THE SURVIVAL OF HIS THREE-MONTH OLD GOVERNMENT RATHER THAN CHANGE HIS TIGHT ECONOMIC POLICY.

SINCE ERECTING THE BLOCKADES LAST WEEK, FARMERS HAVE SLICED THE NATION IN HALF AND SEIZED SEVERAL BORDER POSTS. HUNDREDS OF INTERNATIONAL TRUCKERS ARE TRAPPED IN THE BLOCKAGES. THE TRUCKERS -- IN RETALIATION -- HAVE SET UP COUNTERBLOCKADES TO BAR FARMERS FROM DRIVING MORE TRACTORS AND TRAILERS ONTO MAJOR HIGHWAYS.

OFFICIALS ESTIMATE THE PROTEST HAS COST THE GREEK ECONOMY MORE THAN 17-MILLION DOLLARS IN THE PAST WEEK.

SHOPOWNERS HAVE BECOME 1NCREASINGLY WORRIED ABOUT FOOD SHORTAGES. HOSPITALS HAVE ALREADY VOICED CONCERN ABOUT SHORTAGES IN MEDICINE. AND THREE MAJOR FACTORIES WERE FORCED TO SHUT DOWN IN CENTRAL GREECE BECAUSE OF A LACK OF FUEL AND RAW MATERIALS.

THE FARMERS VOW TO STAND BY THEIR DEMANDS AND SPEND THE HOLIDAY SEASON IN PROTEST. MANY HAVE DECORATED THEIR TRACTORS WITH COLORFUL HOLIDAY TRIMMINGS. (SIGNED)
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09-Dec-96 5:24 AM EST (1024 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] NATO / RUSSIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN BRUSSELS TUESDAY TO SET A DATE FOR THE ALLIANCE SUMMIT MEETING IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR THAT WILL START NEGOTIATIONS FOR EXPANSION TO NEW MEMBERS FROM CENTRAL EUROPE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, THE MINISTERS WILL TRY TO GET A PARALLEL PROCESS STARTED WITH RUSSIA AND TO MAKE A STATEMENT ON EVENTS IN SERBIA.

TEXT: AT THEIR WINTER MEETING THE NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS WILL BE SAYING FAREWELL TO SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER WHO IS HERE ON WHAT HE EXPECTS TO BE HIS LAST FOREIGN TRIP BEFORE HE LEAVES OFFICE IN JANUARY.

AT THIS MEETING, THE FOREIGN MINISTERS ARE SETTING IN MOTION EVENTS THAT WILL LEAD TO AN ALLIANCE SUMMIT MEETING NEXT JUNE THAT WILL BOTH START NEGOTIATIONS WITH PROSPECTIVE NEW MEMBERS FROM CENTRAL EUROPE AND ADOPT A NEW CHARTER REGULATING RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA.

RUSSIA HAS NOT YET ACCEPTED THIS NEW CHARTER. SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER EXPECTS HIS FELLOW FOREIGN MINISTERS TO MAKE A FORMAL OFFER.

MY OWN PREDICTION WOULD BE THAT THIS NATO MEETING WILL AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY GENERAL TO OPEN DISCUSSIONS WITH RUSSIA FORMALLY IN THE NAME OF THE ALLIANCE. THAT WILL BE A DECISION FOR RUSSIA TO MAKE. IT IS RUSSIA'S CHOICE REALLY AS TO WHETHER WE PURSUE THOSE DISCUSSIONS ON INTEGRATION AND I HOPE THAT CHOICE WILL BE POSITIVE ONE AND I THINK IT WILL BE.

RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER EVGENY PRIMAKOV WILL MEET SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER TUESDAY EVENING TO DISCUSS THE CHARTER THAT IS INTENDED TO ACCOMPANY NATO'S DECISION TO EXPAND EASTWARD. THE NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS WILL ANNOUNCE THE DATE FOR THE SUMMIT MEETING THAT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE PLACE IN JUNE OR JULY AT THE LATEST.

THE MINISTERIAL MEETING HERE WILL SET THE STAGE FOR DISCUSSIONS AMONG THE NATO COUNTRIES EARLY NEXT YEAR ON WHICH COUNTRIES TO INVITE TO START DISCUSSIONS ON MEMBERSHIP. POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY ARE THE MOST FREQUENTLY MENTIONED CANDIDATES.

THE NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO URGE SERBIA'S PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, TO RECOGNIZE THE VALIDITY OF THE NOVEMBER 17TH LOCAL ELECTIONS WON BY THE OPPOSITION AND TO OPEN A DIALOGUE WITH THE PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATORS IN THE STREETS OF BELGRADE.

SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER SAYS THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT SHOULD HAVE NO DOUBT WHERE THE UNITED STATES STANDS ON THE ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH MR. CHRISTOPHER HAS HAD NO RECENT CONVERSATIONS WITH MR. MILOSEVIC.

IN HIS MEETING WITH THE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER SAYS HE WILL URGE RUSSIA TO JOIN THE UNITED STATES IN URGING THE SERBIAN LEADER TO SHOW SOME FLEXIBILITY.

I WANT TO TALK TO FOREIGN MINISTER PRIMAKOV ABOUT CONDITIONS IN SERBIA AND TO EMPHASIZE TO HIM THAT I BELIEVE THAT MILOSEVIC'S POSITION AT THE PRESENT TIME IS SELF-DEFEATING AND HE SHOULD RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCEPTING THE ELECTION RESULTS AND HAVING A DIALOGUE WITH THE OPPOSITION AS BEING IN HIS OWN INTEREST, AND I HOPE TO PERSUADE FOREIGN MINISTER PRIMAKOV OF THAT.

A SENIOR AMERICAN OFFICIAL SAYS THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT WANT TO NEGOTIATE DIRECTLY WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC BUT IS PUBLICLY TELLING HIM WHAT THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT EXPECTS. THE U-S OFFICIAL SAYS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ACCEPTING THE AMERICAN SUGGESTIONS. AS THE OFFICIAL PUTS IT, PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC SHOULD CLEAN UP HIS ACT OR HE WILL BE IN DEEPER TROUBLE. (SIGNED)
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09-Dec-96 12:02 PM EST (1702 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] SERBIA / PROTESTS UPDATE (S) BY BARRY WOOD (BELGRADE)

INTRO: IN BELGRADE, LARGE SCALE STREET PROTESTS AGAINST GOVERNMENT-ANNULLED LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS CONTINUED MONDAY FOR A 20TH CONSECUTIVE DAY. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD IS THERE AND FILED THIS REPORT.

TEXT: ///ACT -- SOUND OF PROTESTERS ... UNDER AND FADE ///

THE MARCHERS WERE AGAIN OUT IN FORCE. THIS TIME STUDENTS PROTESTED THE BEATING BY POLICE OF A MARCHER ARRESTED SATURDAY FOR CARRYING AN EFFIGY OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

WITH LEGAL APPEALS NEARLY EXHAUSTED, THE OPPOSITION PLEDGES TO CONTINUE THE STREET DEMONSTRATIONS UNTIL PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RESIGNS. MONDAY'S MARCH WAS PEACEFUL AND THE POLICE AGAIN STAYED AWAY.

FOLLOWING THE LARGE RALLY ON "REPUBLIC SQUARE," OPPOSITION LEADER VUK DRASKOVIC TOLD V-O-A THAT HE EXPECTS THE UNITED STATES AND WESTERN EUROPE TO DO MORE TO SUPPORT THE PROTESTERS.

MY RIGHT IS TO EXPECT FULL SUPPORT FOR A PRO-EUROPEAN, PRO-AMERICAN PEACEFUL ORIENTED NEW SERBIA WHO FOUGHT FOR DAYTON BEFORE DAYTON. WHO FOUGHT ALL THE TIME AGAINST THE WAR.

OPPOSITION LEADERS SAY THE PROTESTS ARE GAINING SUPPORT IN PROVINCIAL CITIES, PARTICULARLY IN NIS AND NOVI SAD. (SIGNED)
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09-Dec-96 2:28 PM EST (1928 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] U-S/BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: INCOMING WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER SANDY BERGER SAYS THE UNITED STATES MUST DO MORE TO HELP TRACK DOWN INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS A LEADING CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICAN SAYS U-S TROOPS SHOULD BE OUT OF BOSNIA MUCH SOONER THAN THE ADMINISTRATION'S 18-MONTH TIMETABLE.

TEXT: MR. BERGER SAYS THE UNITED STATES REMAINS STRONGLY COMMITTED TO JUSTICE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. APPEARING ON A U-S TELEVISION INTERVIEW PROGRAM, (ABC'S "THIS WEEK") HE SAID IT IS NOT A PRIMARY MISSION OF U-S TROOPS TO TRACK DOWN SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS.

BUT, I THINK WE NEED TO FIND BETTER AND MORE EFFECTIVE WAYS TO HELP THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL DO ITS JOB, TO HELP THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL TO TRACK DOWN WAR CRIMINALS AND BRING THEM TO JUSTICE.

MR. BERGER DECLINED TO ELABORATE ON WHAT MORE EFFECTIVE WAYS WILL BE EMPLOYED.

U-S TROOP PRESENCE IN BOSNIA IS SLATED TO CONTINUE INTO 1998. HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JOHN KASICH, A REPUBLICAN, SAYS AMERICAN TROOPS SHOULD COME OUT SOONER.

MY SENSE IS THIS SPRING, AND I INTEND TO TALK TO (FUTURE C-I-A DIRECTOR) TONY LAKE AND WORK WITH A GROUP OF BIPARTISAN MEMBERS (IN CONGRESS) TO SAY, 'LOOK, WE DID OUR JOB OVER THERE. IT IS NOW UP TO THE EUROPEANS TO EXERCISE REAL BURDEN-SHARING AND AMERICAN FORCES OUGHT TO COME HOME IN A TIMELY MANNER.'

MR. KASICH SAYS HE IS CONCERNED THE U-S PRESENCE IN BOSNIA COULD BECOME PERMANENT, AS IT IS IN SOUTH KOREA. (SIGNED)
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08-Dec-96 9:52 PM EST (0252 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] U-S/SERBIA (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: HERE IN WASHINGTON, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS CANCELLED A HIGH-LEVEL MEETING WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN A SIGN OF GROWING U-S DISPLEASURE OVER POLITICAL REPRESSION IN BELGRADE. ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY THEY INTEND TO STEP UP PRESSURE ON THE SERBIAN LEADER TO ACCEPT DEMOCRATIZATION. DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KORNBLUM HAS SCRAPPED PLANS TO MEET MR. MILOSEVIC LATER THIS WEEK IN THE LATEST SIGN OF WORSENING U-S RELATIONS WITH BELGRADE.

MR. KORNBLUM, THE ADMINISTRATION'S POINT MAN FOR BOSNIA DIPLOMACY, HAD PLANNED TO GO TO BELGRADE LATE THIS WEEK TO BRIEF THE SERBIAN LEADER ON RESULTS OF THE NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IN BRUSSELS.

BUT THE OFFICIALS SAY MR. KORNBLUM DECIDED AGAINST THE BELGRADE VISIT BECAUSE HE DOES NOT FEEL IT USEFUL TO TALK TO MR. MILOSEVIC NOW. THEY SAID THE DECISION IS ABSOLUTELY LINKED TO HIS REFUSAL TO ACCEPT THE OUTCOME OF MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS WON BY THE OPPOSITION LAST MONTH.

PRESIDENT CLINTON DECIDED LAST FRIDAY TO EXTEND FOR ANOTHER YEAR A LIMITED FREEZE ON SERBIAN ASSETS IN THE UNITED STATES. SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER SAYS HE WILL SEEK RUSSIAN SUPPORT FOR RE-IMPOSING SANCTIONS ON BELGRADE LIFTED AFTER MR. MILOSEVIC SIGNED THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORDS.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN GLYN DAVIES SAID THE MOVES ARE PART OF A CONCERTED EFFORT TO INCREASE THE PRESSURE ON THE SERBIAN LEADER TO ACCEPT THE OPPOSITION VICTORY.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO RAISE THIS DIRECTLY WITH MILOSEVIC. WE'LL RAISE IT IN INTERNATIONAL FORUM. THE SECRETARY OF STATE, IN HIS PRESS CONFERENCE (IN BRUSSELS), SPOKE OUT AT LENGTH ON THE SITUATION IN SERBIA AND SAID HE WILL SEEK UNIFIED ACTION ON THE PART OF THE NATO ALLIANCE. SO WE ARE TURNING UP THE FLAME ON THE BUNSEN BURNER HERE ON SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND HIS PARTY. AND HE HE WILL EVENTUALLY FEEL THE HEAT.

MR. DAVIES SAID THE CHIEF OF MISSION IN BELGRADE -- RICHARD MILES MET WITH SERBIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MILAN MILUTINOVIC TO DEMAND AN EXPLANATION FOR THE BEATING OF A PROTESTER (DEJAN BULATOVIC) ARRESTED SATURDAY FOR CARRYING AN EFFIGY OF THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT IN PRISON GARB.

HE SAID THE PROTESTER REMAINS IN JAIL DESPITE THE NEED FOR URGENT MEDICAL CARE. HE SAID THE UNITED STATES HAS WARNED SERBIA REPRESSION OF THE PROTESTERS, MARCHING DAILY IN BELGRADE, WILL HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES AND INEVITABLY LEAD TO SERBIA'S FURTHER ISOLATION FROM THE WORLD COMMUNITY. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/CB/RAE
09-Dec-96 6:28 PM EST (2328 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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