Voice of America, 97-01-08

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

[02] EDITORIAL: SERBIA MUST RECOGNIZE ALL ELECTIONS

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

[04] ROMANIA POL BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[05] SERBIA BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

[06] TURKEY/HUMAN RIGHTS (L) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[07] U-S/CYPRUS (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[08] U-S/SERBIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: YESTERDAY [TUESDAY], CONGRESSMAN NEWT GINGRICH, A REPUBLICAN FROM GEORGIA, WAS RE-ELECTED TO THE POST OF SPEAKER OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MISTER GINGRICH'S VICTORY IS THE SUBJECT OF A NUMBER OF EDITORIALS IN THE AMERICAN PRESS.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE FINDINGS OF A PANEL APPOINTED TO REVIEW MYSTERIOUS ILLNESSES AFFECTING SOME VETERANS OF THE PERSIAN GULF WAR, AND DEVELOPMENTS IN KOREA.

NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME OF TODAY'S COMMENTARIES, IS ___________________AND WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TWO YEARS AGO, NEWT GINGRICH BECAME THE FIRST REPUBLICAN HOUSE SPEAKER IN 40-YEARS. HIS RE-ELECTION, TUESDAY, WAS CONTROVERSIAL. IN HIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH, MISTER GINGRICH APOLOGIZED TO THE MEMBERS, SAYING THAT -- IN HIS WORDS -- "TO WHATEVER DEGREE, IN ANY WAY, THAT I BROUGHT CONTROVERSY OR INAPPROPRIATE ATTENTION TO THE HOUSE, I APOLOGIZE." THE LOS ANGELES TIMES ASKS: "...HOW EFFECTIVE WILL HE BE IN THE 105TH CONGRESS WITH QUESTIONS LINGERING ABOUT HIS CONDUCT AND TRUTHFULNESS?"

VOICE: "[BEGIN OPT] BEFORE THE SWEARING-IN, [MR.] GINGRICH APOLOGIZED TO THE HOUSE FOR BEING TOO BRASH AND TOO PUSHY.... HE ALSO APOLOGIZED FOR THE CONTROVERSY HE BROUGHT ON THE INSTITUTION AND HIMSELF IN THE FORM OF AN UNFINISHED ETHICS COMMITTEE INVESTIGATION INTO HIS MISUSE OF TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES IN CONNECTION WITH A COLLEGE COURSE HE TAUGHT. [END OPT] HIS NEW CIVILITY WILL MEAN MORE IF IT TRANSLATES INTO PRODUCTIVE ATTENTION TO THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNMENT. THE UNCERTAINTY ABOUT HIS WEAKENED LEADERSHIP WILL CONTINUE AT LEAST UNTIL THE ETHICS COMMITTEE ACTION IS COMPLETED IN A FEW WEEKS."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST NOTES IN ITS EDITORIAL THAT THE ETHICS COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS "ARE EXPECTED TO RESULT IN AN ADVERSE FINDING AND POSSIBLE PENALTY OF SOME SORT."

VOICE: "IT'S HARD TO BE SURE HOW THEY [THE COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS] WILL PLAY OUT, EVEN HARDER TO GUESS HOW THE CONGRESS WILL PLAY OUT MORE GENERALLY. THE PRESIDENT AND REPUBLICAN LEADERS ALIKE CONTINUE TO TALK INTERMINABLY ABOUT BIPARTISANSHIP. THE SPEAKER TOOK SOME COMFORT IN THE CONCEPT AGAIN YESTERDAY. [BEGIN OPT] SOME LARGE PART OF THE TALK STRIKES US AS BEING A PLOY INTENDED TO MAKE IT SEEM, WELL, UN-HIGH-MINDED AND TACKY TO PROCEED WITH THE INVESTIGATIONS INTO WRONGDOING AT BOTH ENDS OF PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE -- INVESTIGATIONS THAT SHOULD NOT BE DERAILED BY GLOWING INVOCATIONS OF BIPARTISANSHIP OR ANYTHING ELSE. [END OPT] BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THERE ISN'T SOME BIPARTISAN BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED. THEY HAVE THE BUDGET BEFORE THEM, WITH ALL IT EMBRACES, AND HAVE WORKED THEMSELVES INTO SIMILAR ENOUGH POSITIONS THAT, IF THEY WANT TO CUT A DEAL, THEY OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO DO SO EASILY."

TEXT: AN EDITORIAL IN WEDNESDAY'S EDITION OF THE WASHINGTON TIMES, ARGUES THAT THE OPPOSITION TO MR. GINGRICH "IS MAINLY PARTISAN."

VOICE: "THE REPUBLICAN LEADER OF THE HOUSE WAS UNDER FIRE IN A VICIOUS AND PERSONAL POLITICAL ATTACK, ORCHESTRATED BY HIS POLITICAL ENEMIES FOR THEIR OWN GAIN. THE DEMOCRATIC ATTACK STROVE MIGHTILY TO CREATE AND NURTURE REASONS, MOST NOTABLY PERTAINING TO ETHICS, FOR REPUBLICANS TO TURN THEIR BACKS ON MR. GINGRICH. BUT OVERWHELMINGLY, THEY REJECTED THE PRETEXTS OFFERED THEM. MR. GINGRICH IS NO SAINT, BUT IN THIS MATTER, HE IS MORE SINNED AGAINST THAN SINNING. (///OPT///) HE HAS PAID A TERRIBLE PRICE, IN TERMS OF PERSONAL VILIFICATION, FOR HIS EFFORTS TO MAKE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY A MAJORITY PARTY. YESTERDAY, HOWEVER, HIS PARTY STOOD BY HIM. AND WHILE IN A BETTER WORLD, LOYALTY OF THAT KIND MIGHT BE A MATTER OF COURSE AND SOMETHING THAT SHOULD PASS WITHOUT SO MUCH AS NOTE BEING TAKEN, LET ALONE PRAISE OFFERED, IN THIS WORLD, IT'S NOTEWORTHY AND PRAISEWORTHY. SOMETHING MORE THAN MR. GINGRICH HAS SURVIVED." (///END OPT///) TEXT; THE WAR IN THE PERSIAN OCCURRED ALMOST SIX YEARS AGO. SINCE THEN, A NUMBER OF VETERANS OF THAT CONFLICT HAVE COME DOWN WITH A VARIETY OF ILLNESSES RANGING FROM MEMORY LOSS TO MUSCLE AND JOINT PAIN. A PRESIDENTIAL PANEL WAS APPOINTED TO STUDY THE PROBLEM. ON TUESDAY, THE GROUP ISSUED ITS REPORT. HERE IS HOW THE NEW YORK TIMES LOOKS AT THE FINDINGS.

VOICE: "IT FOUND LITTLE EVIDENCE YET THAT PERSIAN GULF WAR VETERANS HAVE BEEN SICKENED BY EXPOSURE TO ANY OF NINE POTENTIAL HAZARDS, BUT PLENTY OF EVIDENCE THAT THE PENTAGON'S INVESTIGATION INTO ONE OF THOSE HAZARDS -- POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS -- HAS BEEN SO INEPT THAT IT HAS LOST CREDIBILITY. THE PANEL QUITE WISELY URGED THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO CHEMICAL WEAPONS BE CONDUCTED BY, OR AT LEAST OVERSEEN BY, A GROUP INDEPENDENT OF THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT. PRESIDENT CLINTON RESPONDED BY ASKING THE PANEL ITSELF TO CONTINUE ITS OVERSIGHT FOR NINE MORE MONTHS. [BEGIN OPT] HE ALSO URGED THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION TO CONSIDER EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY TO COLLECT DISABILITY PAYMENTS FOR AILMENTS POSSIBLY RELATED TO SERVICE IN THE GULF WAR. THE ONLY PITY IS THAT NEITHER THE PRESIDENT NOR THE PANEL WENT FURTHER AND ENDORSED A LONGER-LASTING, MORE POWERFUL INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY TO RUN THE WHOLE INVESTIGATION INTO GULF WAR ILLNESSES. [END OPT]"

TEXT: AN EDITORIAL IN THE USA TODAY NEWSPAPER AGREES THAT "MORE STUDY OBVIOUSLY IS NEEDED."

VOICE: "MORE ALARMING, THOUGH NOT SURPRISING, ARE THE PANEL'S CONCLUSIONS ON THE PENTAGON'S PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR IN THE YEARS SINCE THE WAR. THAT BOTTOM LINE: THE PENTAGON FLUBBED ITS MISSION. [BEGIN OPT[ DR. JOYCE LASHOF, COMMITTEE CHAIR AND FORMER DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY, OFFERED A DAMNING INDICTMENT. [END OPT] THE PANEL'S RESEARCH CONFIRMED THAT: THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT'S INITIAL EFFORTS TO INVESTIGATE VETERANS' COMPLAINTS ABOUT POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS WERE 'SUPERFICIAL AND LACKED CREDIBILITY'. [BEGIN OPT] ITS FAILURE TO INVESTIGATE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DECISIONS ON THE FUNDING OF RESEARCH INTO THE HEALTH AFFECTS OF LOW-LEVEL EXPOSURE TO CHEMICAL WARFARE, RESULTING IN A DELAY OF YEARS RATHER THAN MONTHS. THE DEPARTMENT'S 'SLOW AND ERRATIC' RELEASE OF INFORMATION ERODED PUBLIC TRUST. [END OPT]"

TEXT: TURNING TO THE MIDDLE EAST, THE NEW YORK POST TELLS READERS THAT "IT'S EASY TO UNDERSTAND BENJAMIN NETANYAHU'S FRUSTRATION THESE DAYS."

VOICE: "IN THE MEDIA AND DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES, ISRAEL'S PRIME MINISTER IS PORTRAYED AS AN ENEMY OF PEACE WHOSE INTRANSIGENCE HAS RESULTED IN THE COLLAPSE OF THE HEBRON NEGOTIATIONS. ACTUALLY, [MR.] NETANYAHU'S COMMITMENT TO THE OSLO ACCORDS HAS BEEN CALLED INTO QUESTION SINCE THE DAY HE WAS ELECTED. CURIOUSLY, EVEN STRONG PROPONENTS OF THE PEACE PROCESS -- PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SPECIAL MIDDLE EAST ENVOY DENNIS ROSS, AMONG OTHERS -- HAVE MADE IT PLAIN THAT BLAME FOR THE STALEMATE RESTS WITH YASSER ARAFAT. THE PLO CHIEF'S APPARENT DETERMINATION CONTINUALLY TO ISSUE NEW DEMANDS AS A CONDITION FOR AN AGREEMENT ON ISRAELI REDEPLOYMENT FROM HEBRON -- THE LAST MAJOR WEST BANK CITY STILL UNDER JERUSALEM'S CONTROL -- HAS MADE THE UNDERTAKING A NIGHTMARE. (///OPT///) IRONICALLY, FOR ALL THE NEGATIVE CHARACTERIZATIONS OF [MR.] NETANYAHU, THE ISRAELI PREMIER HAS MADE CONCESSIONS THAT HAVE COST HIM DEARLY WITHIN HIS OWN PARTY." (///END OPT///)

TEXT: [BEGIN OPT] AN EDITORIAL IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR MAKES THE POINT THAT "SOUTH KOREA HAS UNDERGONE REMARKABLE POLITICAL CHANGE OVER THE PAST DECADE." BUT, SAYS THE PAPER, "TWO CLOUDS HANG OVER THE COUNTRY'S FUTURE: CONTINUING TENSIONS WITH COMMUNIST NORTH KOREA, AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT AUTHORITARIAN TRADITIONS COULD RESURFACE IN THE SOUTH." THE NEWSPAPER GOES ON TO WRITE:

VOICE: "THE FIRST CLOUD LIGHTENED A LITTLE LAST WEEK WHEN THE NORTH PUBLICLY REGRETTED THE SPY SUBMARINE INCIDENT OF LAST SEPTEMBER.... THAT OTHER CLOUD, THE AUTHORITARIAN IMPULSE IN THE SOUTH, DARKENED A BIT WITH THE LEGISLATIVE MANEUVERINGS THAT LED TO A COSTLY NATIONAL STRIKE BY SOUTH KOREA'S LABOR MOVEMENT. [BEGIN OPT] MEETING SECRETLY, BECAUSE OPPOSITION LAWMAKERS HAD BLOCKED ENTRANCE TO THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBERS, SUPPORTERS OF PRESIDENT KIM PASSED LAWS THAT GIVE COMPANIES GREATER FREEDOM TO LAY OFF WORKERS, THUS ENRAGING UNIONS.... [END OPT] THAT SAID, SOUTH KOREA HAS COME A LONG WAY FROM THE TIME WHEN CITIZENS DIDN'T DARE CRITICIZE THEIR GOVERNMENT. DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES ARE FUNCTIONING, AND MISTAKES CAN BE CORRECTED." [END OPT]

TEXT: [BEGIN OPT] THE ORLANDO SENTINEL HAS AN EDITORIAL ON US POLICY TOWARD CUBA. THE FLORIDA NEWSPAPER SAYS THAT "CARE AND COHERENCY CLEARLY ARE LACKING."

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON DIDN'T CONTRIBUTE MUCH TO THE DEBATE FRIDAY BY WAIVING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A DISRUPTIVE PROVISION OF U.S. CUBA-SANCTIONS LAW FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS. THAT LEAVES PEOPLE GUESSING HOW THE UNITED STATES WILL BEHAVE IN THE FUTURE. WHY IS ONE SEEMINGLY SMALL PROVISION SO NETTLESOME? BECAUSE IT TWISTS U.S. FOREIGN POLICY IN A CONFUSING AND CONTRADICTORY WAY. THE GIST OF THE PROVISION IS THAT AMERICANS WHO LOST PROPERTY DURING THE CUBAN REVOLUTION MAY SUE CURRENT OWNERS, WHO INCLUDE BUSINESS PEOPLE FROM CANADA, MEXICO AND EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. IN OTHER WORDS, U.S. ALLIES.... THE ONLY SAVING GRACE IS THAT THE PRESIDENT CAN WAIVE THE PROVISION EVERY SIX MONTHS UNTIL THE END OF TIME. SHORT OF THE LAW BEING CHANGED, WHICH APPEARS UNLIKELY, IT'S THE ONLY DECENT OPTION MR. CLINTON HAS. THAT'S A HECK OF A WAY TO MAKE FOREIGN-POLICY DECISIONS." [END OPT]

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE BRING TO A CLOSE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE EDITORIAL TOPICS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
08-Jan-97 11:32 AM EST (1632 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] EDITORIAL: SERBIA MUST RECOGNIZE ALL 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:

THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE RECENTLY CALLED ON THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT TO RESPECT THE OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN ELECTIONS HELD IN NOVEMBER. THIS MONTH, THE GOVERNMENT OF SERBIA ACKNOWLEDGED OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN SOME BELGRADE MUNICIPALITIES AND SEVERAL OTHER CITIES. BUT THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT FAILED TO RECOGNIZE ALL OF THE ELECTION RESULTS. INSTEAD, IT OFFERED HOLLOW ASSURANCES OF ITS COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY.

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SERBS CONTINUE TO DEMONSTRATE IN BELGRADE AND OTHER CITIES DEMANDING THAT THE NOVEMBER 17TH ELECTIONS BE RESPECTED. THE DEMONSTRATORS SHOULD BE HAILED FOR THEIR STEADFAST ADHERENCE TO PEACEFUL PROTEST. THE U.S. COMMENDS THEM FOR THEIR COURAGEOUS DEFENSE OF THEIR RIGHT TO EXPRESS THEIR WILL THROUGH FREE ELECTIONS DESPITE POLICE INTIMIDATION.

THE PRO-DEMOCRACY DEMONSTRATORS HAVE RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH. IN A STATEMENT, CHURCH LEADERS ACCUSED PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC OF "STRANGLING POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS. . .AND FALSIFYING PEOPLE'S VOTES." THEY SAID PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC "HAS ALREADY PLACED US AGAINST THE WHOLE WORLD, AND NOW HE WANTS TO SET US AGAINST EACH OTHER. . .JUST TO PRESERVE POWER." SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIALS HAVE PLEDGED NEUTRALITY IN THE CONFRONTATION AND INDICATED THAT THEY WILL HAVE NO PART IN VIOLENCE AGAINST THE DEMONSTRATORS.

JOHN SHATTUCK, U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOR, CALLED ON PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO ACCEPT THE ELECTION RESULTS:

ACTUALITY #1 -- SHATTUCK (ACTUALITY IN AUDIO SERVICES) "THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO GO FORWARD. THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE TO PEACEABLY ASSEMBLE AND PRESS THEIR CASE AS THEY HAVE DOING SO COURAGEOUSLY SHOULD BE WELCOMED, AND PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS GOT TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF HE WANTS TO PLAY ANY ROLE IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, TO SAY NOTHING OF WITHIN SERBIA, HE HAS GOT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE FORCES OF DEMOCRACY ARE VERY STRONG."

THE U.S. CALLS ON THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT TO ACCEPT IMMEDIATELY ALL THE RESULTS OF THE NOVEMBER 17TH ELECTIONS, OPEN A MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE WITH THE OPPOSITION, ALLOW FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA AND UNDERTAKE TO BUILD DEMOCRACY IN SERBIA.

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.
08-Jan-97 3:48 PM EST (2048 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE MAJOR STOCK MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE WEDNESDAY ALL REPORTED HIGHER PRICES ON KEY TRACKING INDEXES. PAUL FRANCUCH IN OUR LONDON OFFICE HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES.

TEXT: THE BIGGEST GAINS WERE REGISTERED ON MARKETS IN FRANKFURT AND PARIS WEDNESDAY. IN GERMANY, STOCK SPECULATION CENTERED AROUND NEWS THAT HIGHER JOBLESS FIGURES MAY FORCE THE GOVERNMENT TO LOWER INTEREST RATES. THAT HELPS BUSINESSES WHICH, IN TURN, MAKE STOCKS MORE ATTRACTIVE. THE "DAX 30" INDEX OF GERMAN STOCKS REFLECTED THAT OPTIMISM BY CLOSING UP JUST MORE THAN 20-POINTS FOR THE DAY. IN PARIS, THE STRONG DOLLAR GAVE INVESTORS CONFIDENCE IN FRENCH EXPORTS, WHICH HELPED BOOST THE "CAC 40" STOCK INDEX UP ALMOST 30-POINTS. STOCK PRICES ROSE ON LONDON'S "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX AS WELL, BUT SOME ANALYSTS SAY AN ANTICIPATED HIKE IN BRITISH INTEREST RATES LIMITED THE UPWARD MOVE ON THE "FOOTSIE" INDEX. IT CLOSED WITH A GAIN OF JUST LESS THAN NINE POINTS.

GOLD IN LONDON LOST ANOTHER THREE-AND-ONE-HALF DOLLARS IN VALUE. THE U-S DOLLAR WAS UP MORE THAN A CENT AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, AND UP A HALF-CENT AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/RAE
08-Jan-97 3:05 PM EST (2005 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[04] ROMANIA POL BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: TWO MONTHS AGO ROMANIA CHANGED ITS GOVERNMENT THROUGH DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER 50 YEARS. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS ON THE EARLY ACHIEVEMENTS OF ROMANIA'S NEW CENTER-RIGHT GOVERNMENT, WHICH TOOK OVER FROM THE FORMER COMMUNISTS WHO HAD RULED SINCE THE 1989 REVOLUTION.

TEXT: ROMANIA HAS A NEW PRESIDENT AND A NEW PRIME MINISTER. THEY BOTH COME FROM THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION OF ROMANIA, A COALITION OF CENTER-RIGHT PARTIES WHICH IS NOW EASILY THE COUNTRY'S BIGGEST POLITICAL GROUPING.

PRESIDENT EMIL CONSTANTINESCU HAS BEEN IN OFFICE LESS THAN TWO MONTHS. NEXT WEEK HE MAKES HIS FIRST FOREIGN VISIT AS PRESIDENT, A TWO DAY JOURNEY TO POLAND WHERE HE WILL CONSULT WITH PRESIDENT ALEXANDER KWASNIEWSKI. EARLIER THIS WEEK THE 57-YEAR-OLD MR. CONSTANTINESCU MADE HIS FIRST STATEMENT ON REGIONAL AFFAIRS, WHEN HE CALLED ON SERBIA'S PRESIDENT TO OVERTURN THE ANNULMENT OF LOCAL ELECTIONS LAST NOVEMBER WON BY THE ANTI-COMMUNIST OPPOSITION.

THE NEW PRIME MINISTER IS VICTOR CIORBEA, A 42-YEAR-OLD LAWYER AND FORMER MAYOR OF BUCHAREST. WHILE IN OFFICE, MR. CIORBEA QUICKLY ESTABLISHED A REPUTATION AS A HARD WORKING MANAGER WHO COULD ACHIEVE RESULTS. HE WON POPULARITY BY HAVING A LARGE SUGGESTION BOX PLACED OUTSIDE HIS OFFICE AND WAGING A VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN AGAINST CORRUPTION.

BOTH OF THESE TOP POLITICIANS CAMPAIGNED ON THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION'S CONTRACT WITH ROMANIA, WHICH SET A 200-DAY DEADLINE FOR IMPLEMENTING MAJOR REFORMS. MR. CIORBEA HAS ACTED QUICKLY TO RESTORE ECONOMIC DISCIPLINE AND HALT THE DECLINE OF THE ROMANIAN CURRENCY, THE LEI.

SINCE TAKING OFFICE LAST MONTH, MR. CIORBEA HAS DOUBLED FUEL PRICES AND OPENED NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND ON A LONG TERM STABILIZATION LOAN. ROMANIA HAD BEEN CUT OFF FROM I-M-F LENDING BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT WAS ATTEMPTING TO MANIPULATE THE FOREIGN CURRENCY MARKET.

THE CONTRACT WITH ROMANIA IS MODELED AFTER THE CONTRACT WITH AMERICA DEVELOPED TWO YEARS AGO BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN THE UNITED STATES. THE ROMANIAN CONTRACT CALLS FOR THE RETURN OF LAND TO RIGHTFUL OWNERS, THE ANNULMENT OF FARM TAXES, HOUSING CREDITS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, MODERNIZATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE, MORE MONEY FOR HEALTH AND EDUCATION -- AND EFFORTS TO BOOST FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT.

OUTSIDE OBSERVERS CREDIT THE NEW GOVERNMENT WITH STRONG INITIAL MOVES TO MAKE GOOD ON ITS PROMISES. HOWEVER, THEY CAUTION IT WILL TAKE TIME FOR ROMANIA TO IMPROVE ITS TARNISHED IMAGE ABROAD. BANKERS SAY ROMANIA SUFFERS FROM A REPUTATION FOR CORRUPTION, BUREAUCRACY, AND THE ABSENCE OF A SOUND LEGAL STRUCTURE.

PRESIDENT CONSTANTINESCU SAYS ROMANIA'S FOREIGN POLICY OBJECTIVES ARE MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND NATO -- ALTHOUGH FEW EXPERTS BELIEVE ROMANIA WILL BE AMONG THE FIRST FORMER COMMUNIST COUNTRIES TO JOIN THE WESTERN ALLIANCE.

[05] SERBIA BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: IN RECENT DAYS, THOUSANDS OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTERS HAVE TAKEN TO THE STREETS OF BELGRADE. THE DEMONSTRATORS WANT THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO THROW OUT THE RESULTS OF LOCAL ELECTIONS CONDUCTED LAST YEAR AND HOLD NEW ONES. THEY SAY THE RESULTS OF THE PREVIOUS VOTING WERE RIGGED.

WE GET A SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL REACTION TO EVENTS IN SERBIA FROM ____________________ IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS THAT "THE MOST URGENT PROJECT IN EUROPE IN THE NEW YEAR IS TO ENSURE THE PEOPLE OF SERBIA THE LEADERSHIP OF THEIR DEMOCRATIC CHOICE."

VOICE: "THIS RESULT WOULD NOT JUST BRING RELIEF TO THE 10 MILLION PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED THE LAST TOTALITARIAN REGIME ON THE CONTINENT. THE EXAMPLE AND POLICY OF DEMOCRACY IN SERBIA ALSO WOULD OPEN THE SUREST AND SHORTEST ROAD -- IF STILL A STEEP AND ROCKY ONE -- TO RESOLVING TENSIONS THROUGHOUT THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA AS A WHOLE. BUT, IS IT SENTIMENTAL, OR AT LEAST REGRETTABLY PREMATURE, TO EXPECT THE STREET DEMONSTRATIONS OF 40-PLUS DAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? MR. MILOSEVIC HAS DEPLOYED HIS WELL-ARMED AND WELL-PAID POLICE TO HARASS THE DAILY PROTESTERS. HE IS TENDING TO HIS POLITICAL BASE AMONG WORKERS AND FARMERS -- BY PAYOFFS THAT MOCK ECONOMIC REFORM. HE IS SKILLFULLY PLAYING THE NATIONALIST CARD AND THROTTLING INDEPENDENT SERBIAN MEDIA VOICES."

TEXT: BUT, NOTES THE DESERET (UTAH) NEWS/UNION, "LIKE SO MANY DICTATORS BEFORE HIM, SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS LEARNING THE HARD WAY HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO RULE WITH AN IRON FIST IN THE LATE 20TH CENTURY."

VOICE: "THE INFORMATION AGE IS ANATHEMA TO TOTALITARIANISM. DICTATORS CAN'T EFFECTIVELY CONTROL PEOPLE WITHOUT CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF INFORMATION. DESPITE HIS BEST EFFORTS TO CRACK DOWN ON OFFICIAL BROADCASTS, MILOSEVIC IS NO MATCH FOR SATELLITES, FAX MACHINES AND THE INTERNET, ALL OF WHICH HAVE SERVED TO SWELL AND ENCOURAGE THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS WHO NOW MARCH REGULARLY AGAINST HIM IN BELGRADE. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE WELL TO GIVE VERBAL SUPPORT TO THE HEROIC EFFORTS OF THE OPPOSITION, AS HAVE THE LEADERS OF OTHER NATIONS. A COALITION OF EUROPEAN NATIONS IS THE LATEST TO TELL THE DICTATOR HE MUST YIELD TO DEMOCRACY."

TEXT: NEW YORK'S NEWSDAY IS CONCERNED THAT SERBIA IS -- IN THE NEWSPAPER'S WORDS -- "ON THE VERGE OF FULL SCALE REBELLION."

VOICE: "ANY DAY NOW, A PLAZA OR AVENUE IN BELGRADE COULD BECOME THE NEXT TIANANMEN SQUARE. BUT WHETHER THE COMING CLASH BETWEEN TYRANNY AND DEMOCRACY WILL TURN INTO A BLOODY SPASM OF REPRESSION LARGELY DEPENDS ON HOW MILOSEVIC PERCEIVES HIS ACTIONS WILL BE MET BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. WILL EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES MERELY EXPRESS OUTRAGE OR WILL THEY ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING THAT COULD LOOSEN HIS AUTHORITARIAN GRIP ON SERBIA? (///OPT///) WASHINGTON AND ITS NATO ALLIES MUST NOT CONTINUE TO BE AMBIGUOUS ABOUT SERBIA. THEY MUST SEND OUT CLEAR SIGNALS THAT THEY WILL NOT STAND BY TO WATCH A NASCENT DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT BE SMOTHERED IN BLOOD. THEY MUST TELL MILOSEVIC THEY WILL TIGHTEN AN ECONOMIC AND DIPLOMATIC TOURNIQUET ON SERBIA, ISOLATING HIS REGIME TO THE POINT OF STRANGULATION -- AN EVENTUALLY HE DREADS."

TEXT: TRUDY RUBIN, A COLUMNIST FOR THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER SHARES THE VIEW THAT THE WEST NEEDS TO BE MORE FORCEFUL IN BACKING SERB OPPOSITION LEADERS.

VOICE: "WHY HAS THE WEST BEEN SO SLOW TO REACT? WESTERN DIPLOMATS ARGUE THAT SERB OPPOSITION GROUPS ARE TOO DISORGANIZED TO CARRY OFF A RERUN OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA'S PEACEFUL 1989 'VELVET REVOLUTION'. THEY WORRY THAT THE SERB OPPOSITION CONTAINS MANY ULTRANATIONALISTS. THEY SAY SERBS ARE MORE VIOLENT THAN THE CZECHS.... I SAY THAT KIND OF THINKING IS OSTRICH-ISM (FAILING TO SEE WHAT IS CLEAR TO EVERYONE) AT WORST. MILOSEVIC HAS SO RUINED SERBIA'S ECONOMY THAT HE IS BOUND TO FALL, LATER IF NOT SOONER. SO WESTERN COUNTRIES SHOULD BE PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO SERB OPPOSITION LEADERS, AND FIGURING OUT HOW TO HELP THEM."

TEXT: THE BALTIMORE SUN, ON ITS EDITORIAL PAGE, DISCUSSES THE OPPOSITION TO MR. MILOSEVIC'S RULE. THE PAPER SAYS THAT THOSE OPPOSED TO SERBIA'S GOVERNMENT ARE WINNING SUPPORT FROM "UNLIKELY ALLIES."

VOICE: "THE SYNOD OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, A TRADITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE SERBIAN LEADERS, DENOUNCED PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC FOR 'IGNORING THE WILL OF THE ELECTORATE' IN LOCAL ELECTIONS. FAR FROM DISSIPATING, THE OPPOSITION PUT THE MOST PROTESTERS YET, 200,000 INTO REPUBLIC SQUARE ON THE ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS EVE, MONDAY. THE BACKBONE OF PROTEST IS STUDENTS.... GEN. MOMCILO PERISIC, YUGOSLAV ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF, ASSURED STUDENT LEADERS THE ARMY WOULD NOT CRACK DOWN AND FAVORS DEMOCRATIC SOLUTIONS. (///OPT///) THE ARMY HIGH COMMAND'S STRENGTH WAS DISSIPATED BY PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC IN FAVOR OF A POLICE FORCE LOYAL TO HIMSELF.... (///END OPT///) THE GROWTH OF OPPOSITION REFLECTS A PERCEPTION THAT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC AND HIS COMMUNIST WIFE, MIRJANA MARKOVIC, ARE A SPENT FORCE. THE FEAR OF OPPOSITION IS VANISHING. WITHOUT FEAR, THEY HAVE LITTLE MYSTIQUE. THIS IS IS NOT TO SUGGEST WHO MIGHT REPLACE THEM OR WHAT POLICIES WOULD BE PURSUED."

TEXT: WILLIAM PFAFF, WHOSE COMMENTARY IS PUBLISHED IN A NUMBER OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS, INCLUDING THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE, BELIEVES THAT THE KEY TO CHANGE IN SERBIA "IS THE DEMAND THAT THE RULE OF LAW BE RESPECTED."

VOICE: "THE OPPOSITION IS NOT CALLING FOR REVOLUTION, BUT FOR THE RULE OF LAW. MILOSEVIC WOULD BE IN AN EASIER SITUATION IF THE OPPOSITION DEMANDED HIS VIOLENT OVERTHROW. IT IS HARDER TO RESIST THEIR DEMAND TO RESPECT THE LAW. THAT IS THE KEY TO LASTING CHANGE, NOT ONLY IN SERBIA BUT IN CROATIA AND BOSNIA."

TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF OPINION REGARDING SERBIAN PROTESTS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.
08-Jan-97 10:39 AM EST (1539 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] TURKEY/HUMAN RIGHTS (L) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: SCORES OF TURKISH SECURITY OFFICIALS WERE CHARGED WEDNESDAY WITH MANSLAUGHTER IN THE DEATHS OF 10 PRISONERS DURING RIOTS LAST YEAR IN A PRISON IN THE MAINLY KURDISH PROVINCE OF DIYARBAKIR. FROM ANKARA, AMBERIN ZAMAN HAS THE DETAILS.

TEXT: TURKISH GOVERNMENT SOURCES CONFIRMED A TOTAL OF 65 SECURITY OFFICIALS FACE UP TO 16 YEARS IN PRISON IF CONVICTED ON CHARGES OF USING EXCESSIVE FORCE WHILE TRYING TO QUELL THE RIOTS.

THE OFFICIALS -- WHO INCLUDE POLICE OFFICERS, PRISON WARDENS AND SPECIAL PARAMILITARY FORCES -- ALSO HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH DERELECTION OF DUTY DURING THE DISTURBANCES AT THE DIYARBAKIR PRISON WHICH BEGAN LAST SEPTEMBER.

THE RIOT WAS REPORTED TO HAVE STARTED AFTER THE PRISONERS TOOK ONE OF THE WARDENS HOSTAGE TO PROTEST LIVING CONDITIONS AT THE MAXIMUM SECURITY JAIL. HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIALS SAY 10 PRISONERS - ALL ETHNIC KURDS -- DIED AND SEVERAL OTHERS WERE SEVERELY BEATEN.

A PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE FORMED TO INVESTIGATE THE RIOTS ALSO ACCUSED THE SECURITY FORCES OF CAUSING THE DEATHS OF THE INMATES. MOST OF THEM WERE SERVING SENTENCES FOR PROMOTING KURDISH SEPARATISM OR BEING LINKED TO THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY -- THE P-K-K. THE REBEL GROUP HAS BEEN FIGHTING SINCE 1984 FOR A KURDISH HOMELAND CARVED MAINLY OUT OF SOUTHEAST TURKEY.

HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS HAVE WELCOMED THE COURT'S DECISION TO CHARGE THE SECURITY OFFICIALS. THEY SAY IT IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE STATE OFFICIALS GET PUNISHED FOR ABUSES AND HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIALS SAY SUCH VIOLATIONS ARE COMMON, ESPECIALLY IN THE MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST REGION.

[07] U-S/CYPRUS (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: IN THE WAKE OF A GREEK-CYPRIOT DEAL TO PURCHASE SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILES FROM RUSSIA, A U-S DIPLOMAT IS BEING SENT TO CYPRUS TO TRY TO PROMOTE A SETTLEMENT ON THE DIVIDED ISLAND. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS DESPITE CYPRIOT AND RUSSIAN REJECTION OF U-S CONCERNS ABOUT THE SALE, WASHINGTON REMAINS OPPOSED TO A SALE IT BELIEVES COMPLICATES EFFORTS TO REACH A SETTLEMENT ON THE ISLAND:

TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN GLYN DAVIES SAYS U-S ENVOY CAREY CAVANAUGH (MALE) TRAVELS TO CYPRUS SUNDAY IN AN EFFORT TO ARRANGE PEACE TALKS BETWEEN THE ISLAND'S TURKISH AND GREEK CYPRIOT COMMUNITIES, DIVIDED SINCE A 1974 TURKISH INVASION:

HE'S GOING IN THE SAME CONTEXT HE'S GONE IN THE PAST WHICH IS TO LOOK AT WAYS TO BRING IDEAS TO THE PARTIES ON CYPRUS IN AN ATTEMPT TO LOWER TENSIONS AND BRING AN END TO THE CONFLICT THAT'S EXISTED THERE FOR DECADES.

MR. DAVIES SAYS MR. CAVANAUGH WILL TRY TO PERSUADE THE GREEKS AND TURKS TO DECREASE MILITARY EXERCISES AND PROMOTE SAFETY ALONG THE U-N/PATROLLED CEASE-FIRE LINE.

MR. CAVANAUGH WILL ALSO MAKE STOPS IN ANKARA AND ATHENS DURING A TRIP THAT BEGINS THURSDAY WITH A STOP IN THE HAGUE FOR TALKS WITH EUROPEAN UNION OFFICIALS ABOUT CYPRUS.

MR. DAVIES SAYS THE U-S DIPLOMAT WILL, AT EACH OF HIS STOPS, EXPLAIN U-S CONCERNS ABOUT THE ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILE SALE:

OUR BELIEF (IS) THAT THE MISSILE PURCHASE THREATENS TO RAISE TENSIONS IN THE REGION (AND) UNDERMINE PEACE EFFORTS.

TURKEY SAYS IT WILL NOT TOLERATE A CHANGE IN THE MILITARY BALANCE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. DEFENDING THE SALE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT SAYS IT IS NECESSARY BECAUSE OF WHAT HE CALLS CONTINUED PROVOCATIONS BY THE TURKISH SIDE. (SIGNED)
NEB/VB/KL
08-Jan-97 1:42 AM EST (0642 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S/SERBIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES WELCOMES STATEMENTS BY SERBIA'S MILITARY COMMANDER THAT HE FAVORS A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO DAILY OPPOSITION PROTESTS AND WILL REMAIN NEUTRAL IN THE DISPUTE OVER LAST NOVEMBER'S ANNULLED ELECTIONS. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS A U-S SPOKESMAN ALSO PRAISED THE DEMOSTRATORS FOR THEIR EXPRESSION OF DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS P/E/A/C/E/F/U/L/Y:

TEXT: U-S STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN GLYN DAVIES SAYS THE UNITED STATES VIEWS THE STATEMENT MONDAY BY YUGOSLAV ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF GENERAL MOMCILO PERISIC AS BOTH A POSITIVE AND SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT:

WE COMMEND RECENT STATEMENTS BY MILITARY OFFICIALS THAT THEY WILL REMAIN NEUTRAL IN THE CONFRONTATION AND WILL REFUSE TO USE VIOLENCE AGAINST PEACEFUL PROTESTERS. WE THINK THE SERBIAN PEOPLE WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THESE DEMONSTRATIONS SHOULD BE SALUTED FOR THEIR STEDFAST ADHERENCE TO PEACEFUL FORMS OF PROTESTS AND WE COMMEND THEM FOR THEIR COURAGEOUS DEFENSE OF THEIR RIGHTS TO EXPRESS THEIR DEMOCRATIC WILL THROUGH FREE ELECTIONS.

MR. DAVIES REPEATED THE LONGSTANDING U-S VIEW THAT THE ELECTION RESULTS, INVALIDATED BY THE GOVERNMENT, SHOULD BE RESPECTED AND THE G/O/V/E/R/N/M/E/N/T S/H/O/U/L/D OPEN A MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE WITH THE OPPOSITION AND U/N/D/E/R/T/A/K/E REFORM. LAST WEEK, SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER SENT A LETTER TO PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC WARNING HIS GOVENRMENT FACES FURTHER ISOLATION UNLESS THE DEMOCRATIC WILL OF THE SERBIAN PEOPLE IS RESPECTED. AN INTERNATIONAL TEAM SAYS IT FOUND EVIDENCE OF ELECTION FRAUD AND THAT THE OPPOSITION WON RACES IN 14 KEY CITIES. (SIGNED).
NEB/PT
07-Jan-97 7:35 PM EST (0035 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article