Voice of America, 97-01-24

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BRITAIN / BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

[03] E EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[04] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

[05] TURKEY / CYPRUS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[06] TURKEY / GERMANY (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[07] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

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

INTRO: AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS OFFER EDITORIALS TODAY ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SUBJECTS, INCLUDING THE MEDICAL CONDITION OF RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN, THE UPCOMING RETURN OF HONG KONG TO CHINA, AND THE CONTINUING HOSTAGE CRISIS IN PERU.

NOW, HERE IS _____________ WITH A FEW QUOTES IN FRIDAY'S EDITION OF U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES, IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL TODAY, COMMENTS ON THE HEALTH OF BORIS YELTSIN. THE NEWSPAPER SAYS THAT CALLS FOR THE RUSSIAN LEADER'S RESIGNATION ARE PREMATURE.

VOICE: "WEAKENED BY HEART PROBLEMS AND SLOWLY RECOVERING FROM (HEART) BYPASS SURGERY AND PNEUMONIA, PRESIDENT YELTSIN IS A FRAIL FIGURE TODAY. DESPITE A BRIEF RETURN TO WORK AND A FLURRY OF DECREES, HE CLEARLY CANNOT RUN THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT IN HIS CURRENT STATE. BUT RECOVERY FROM BYPASS SURGERY ORDINARILY REQUIRES SEVERAL MONTHS OF REST, AND THE ADDED COMPLICATION OF PNEUMONIA HAS SLOWED HIS CONVALESCENCE FROM HIS NOVEMBER OPERATION. HE HAS NOT HELPED HIMSELF BY RUSHING BACK TO THE KREMLIN.... RUSSIA CANNOT WAIT INDEFINITELY FOR ITS PRESIDENT TO HEAL. BUT PUSHING HIM OUT THE DOOR NOW WOULD DO MORE TO UNDERMINE DEMOCRACY THAN A FEW MORE MONTHS OF UNCERTAINTY ABOUT HIS HEALTH."

TEXT: ALSO COMMENTING ON MR. YELTSIN'S HEALTH, THE WASHINGTON TIMES POINTS OUT THAT "...TWO OF MR. YELTSIN'S FOREMOST RIVALS, RETIRED GENS. ALEXANDER LEBED AND ALEXANDER RUTSKOI, TURNED UP HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, LOOKING TO ESTABLISH CONNECTIONS AND SUPPORT FOR THE LEADERSHIP STRUGGLES AHEAD."

VOICE: "THE MOST IMPORTANT MEETING OF THE WEEK, HOWEVER, WAS THE FIRST FORMAL MEETING BETWEEN NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA AND RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER YEVGENI PRIMAKOV AT A GUEST HOUSE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF MOSCOW. THE SUBJECT OF THEIR DISCUSSION WAS A 'CHARTER' NATO HAS AGREED TO NEGOTIATE WITH RUSSIA DEFINING NATO-RUSSIA RELATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED EXPANSION OF THE ORGANIZATION. NEEDLESS TO SAY, EXACTLY WHAT THIS CHARTER WILL LOOK LIKE IS A MATTER OF INTENSE DISPUTE BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES. WHAT THE RUSSIANS (AND THE SOVIETS BEFORE THEM) HAVE WANTED FOR DECADES IS A CONCRETE ROLE IN EUROPE'S SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS AND IN NATO DECISION-MAKING. ANY SUCH ROLE ABSOLUTELY HAS TO BE REJECTED, AS AMERICAN OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO REITERATE."

TEXT: THE HOSTAGE CRISIS IN LIMA, PERU, IS NOW IN ITS SEVENTH WEEK. THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SAYS THAT "THE TUPAC AMARU GUERRILLAS HOLDING PERUVIAN AND FOREIGN OFFICIALS INSIDE THE JAPANESE AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE IN LIMA HAVE MANY DEMANDS, BUT NONE OF THEM STRIKE A STRONGER CHORD THAN THOSE REGARDING PRISONS."

VOICE: "PRESIDENT ALBERTO FUJIMORI HAS SAID HE WILL NOT YIELD TO THE REBELS' DEMANDS THAT THEIR JAILED COMRADES BE FREED. THAT IS COMMENDABLE. GOVERNMENTS SHOULD NOT NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS, CERTAINLY NOT THOSE HOLDING GUNS TO THE HEADS OF INNOCENT VICTIMS. BUT EPISODES LIKE THE ONE IN LIMA TEND TO SHINE LIGHT INTO OFFICIAL CORNERS, AND IN PERU, THAT LIGHT DISCLOSES SERIOUS DEFECTS IN POLICE AND MILITARY PRACTICES, SENTENCING AND THE TREATMENT OF PRISONERS."

VOICE: NEW YORK'S NEWSDAY HAS AN EDITORIAL ON AN UPCOMING EVENT IN ASIA.

VOICE: "IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, AS A RULE, IT IS. THE DEAL THAT CHINA MADE WITH BRITAIN ON HONG KONG APPEARS TO FALL SQUARELY IN THAT CATEGORY. ON THE FACE OF IT, THE 'ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS' AGREEMENT PROMISES TO MAINTAIN ALL THE MECHANISMS OF DEMOCRACY FOR THAT ASTONISHINGLY PROSPEROUS OUTPOST OF FREE-MARKET CAPITALISM AFTER LONDON FORMALLY TURNS CONTROL OVER TO BEIJING ON JUNE 30. BUT THE SWIFTNESS WITH WHICH THE CHINESE COMMUNIST COLOSSUS IS MOVING TO ABROGATE THOSE PROMISES JUSTIFIES THE MOST SKEPTICAL PREDICTIONS ABOUT BEIJING'S AIMS. ONE DAY THIS WEEK, AN EMISSARY OF HONG KONG'S PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT WAS IN NEW YORK TOUTING HONG KONG'S ROSY FUTURE UNDER CHINA'S BENEVOLENT GAZE. BUT ON THAT VERY SAME DAY, CHINA ANNOUNCED IT WOULD CANCEL BASIC FREEDOMS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES IN HONG KONG WHEN WHEN IT TAKES OVER, REIMPOSING TIGHTER COLONIAL CONTROLS OVER POLITICAL PROTESTS AND SUPPRESSING INDEPENDENT POLITICAL PARTIES."

TEXT: DEVELOPMENTS ELSEWHERE IN ASIA IS THE SUBJECT OF AN EDITORIAL IN TODAY'S WALL STREET JOURNAL.

VOICE: "THE HISTORY OF AGGRESSION AND WAR AROUND ASIA MAKES ALL THE REGION'S NATIONS WARY ABOUT THE INTENTIONS OF ANYONE WHO RAISES THE SUBJECT. BETTER, THOUGH, THAT THEY SHOULD THINK ABOUT IT BEFORE THE TIME TO THINK SERIOUSLY IS GONE. NOW, IT IS AN UNALTERABLE FACT OF ASIAN POLITICS THAT THE VICTIMS OF JAPAN'S WARTIME AGGRESSION ARE MADE NERVOUS BY ANY SIGN THAT THE ECONOMIC SUPERPOWER MAY BE GEARING UP TO TAKE A LEADING ROLE IN REGIONAL SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS. GIVEN THE FACT AND SERIOUS UNEASE AROUND THE REGION ABOUT A DECREASING U.S. MILITARY PRESENCE, IT SEEMS ODD THAT THE MEMBER STATES OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS APPEAR HESITANT TO DRAW JAPAN FURTHER INTO THEIR OWN FOLD. IN DOING SO, THEY COULD TAKE THE LEAD IN SHAPING THE RELATIONSHIP'S STRATEGIC BENEFITS WHILE CHECKING ANY IMPULSE TO RECIDIVISM. IT IS DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE A RETURN TO MILITARISM IN JAPAN. YET IF OTHER ASIANS REJECT JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER RYUTARO HASHIMOTO'S PROPOSAL FOR ANNUAL SUMMITS BETWEEN ASEAN AND JAPAN, THEY WILL LOSE THEIR BEST CHANCE TO BANISH ANY SUCH POSSIBILITY."

TEXT: MADELEINE ALBRIGHT WAS SWORN IN YESTERDAY AS SECRETARY OF STATE. SHE IS -- NOTES THE NEW YORK POST -- "THE FIRST WOMAN TO HOLD THE NATION'S TOP FOREIGN-POLICY JOB..." VOICE; "...MOREOVER, SHE'S EXPERIENCED TOTALITARIANISM FIRST HAND -- HAVING LIVED IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA UNDER BOTH NAZI AND SOVIET OCCUPATION. SHE'S GOING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY QUICKLY TO PROVE HER METTLE -- FOR THE FIRST OVERSEAS CRISIS OF THE SECOND CLINTON TERM IS AT HAND. BARELY 180 MILES SOUTHWEST OF FLORIDA, NEAR THE TOWN OF JURAGUA, CUBAN DICTATOR FIDEL CASTRO IS CLOSE TO COMPLETING TWO NUCLEAR-POWER REACTORS.... THE SOVIET-DESIGNED VVER-440 REACTORS DON'T COME CLOSE TO WESTERN SAFETY STANDARDS, EVEN WHEN PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED AND COMPETENTLY OPERATED -- NEITHER CONDITION BEING PRESENT IN THIS CASE.... (///OPT///) GIVEN THAT A SINGLE LEAK COULD EASILY SET IN MOTION A CALAMITY ON THE SCALE OF THE 1986 NEAR-MELTDOWN AT CHERNOBYL, THE RISK BECOMES CLEAR. SUCH AN ACCIDENT WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC FOR CUBA -- AND AN UNMITIGATED DISASTER FOR THE U.S., AS WELL." (///END OPT///)

TEXT: AND, FINALLY, THE WASHINGTON POST OFFERS THIS VIEW IN AN EDITORIAL HEADLINED "COMMERCE AND TERRORISM."

VOICE: "MANY PEOPLE MUST HAVE BEEN SURPRISED TO LEARN OF THE CLINTON ADMINSITRATION'S STEALTHILY GRANTED PERMISSION FOR U.S. INVESTMENT IN SUDAN, DESPITE PUBLIC U.S. CONTENTIONS THAT SUDAN IS A TERRORIST-SUPPORTING STATE. THOSE INTERESTED IN THE NEWS, REPORTED YESTERDAY BY THE POST'S DAVID B. OTTAWAY, MAY HAVE INCLUDED OFFICIALS IN SOUTH AFRICA, WHO HAVE JUST WITHSTOOD A U.S. TONGUE-LASHING FOR CONSIDERING THE SALE OF TANK GUNSIGHTS TO SYRIA, ANOTHER ALLEGED SPONSOR OF TERRORISM. AMERICAN OFFICIALS, YOU MAY RECALL, HAD WARNED SOUTH AFRICA THAT ALL U.S. AID WOULD BE CUT OFF IF IT WENT THROUGH WITH THE SALE, BECAUSE U.S. LAW REQUIRED SUCH AN ACTION -- NO IFS, ANDS OR BUTS. THERE IS, OF COURSE, A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SELLING WEAPONRY AND DEVELOPING OIL FIELDS, THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN QUESTION IN SUDAN. THERE CAN BE NO JUSTIFICATION FOR SOUTH AFRICA'S PROPOSED ARMS SALE TO SYRIA, AND NEWS OF RECONSIDERATION OF THE MATTER IS WELCOME. YET THE ELASTICITY OF THE LAW WHEN IT COMES TO U.S. ECONOMIC INTERESTS -- AND ESPECIALLY WHEN THOSE INTERESTS ALSO HAPPEN TO CONTRIBUTE GENEROUSLY TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE -- WILL NOT GO UNNOTICED IN PRETORIA, OR ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD. IT CAN ONLY UNDERCUT U.S. EFFORTS TO ISOLATE WHAT IT CONSIDERS -- OR SAYS IT CONSIDERS -- ROGUE STATES.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS TO BE FOUND IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
24-Jan-97 12:02 PM EST (1702 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BRITAIN / BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF BRITAIN'S DEFENSE FORCES HAS CAUTIONED AGAINST UNLIMITED NATO INVOLVEMENT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. V-O-A'S MAXIM KNIAZKOV REPORTS FIELD MARSHALL PETER INGE ISSUED HIS WARNING IN WASHINGTON FRIDAY, AT THE END OF HIS VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES.

TEXT: FIELD MARSHALL INGE SPOKE STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF RESPECTING THE TIMETABLE FOR NATO'S MILITARY PRESENCE IN BOSNIA, WHICH IS CURRENTLY LIMITED TO 18 MONTHS.

I THINK IT IS ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE DON'T BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A COMMITMENT THAT IS GOING TO GO ON AND ON AND, IF YOU LIKE, WILL BECOME ANOTHER CYPRUS. IF YOU DON'T SET YOURSELF SOME MILESTONES AND AT LEAST TRY TO ACHIEVE THOSE MILESTONES, IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO DEVISE AN EXIT STRATEGY, AND IT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO LET THINGS DRIFT.

BRITISH TROOPS HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED IN BOSNIA SINCE 1992. THE MORE THAN FIVE-THOUSAND BRITISH SOLDIERS NOW IN THE COUNTRY ARE PART OF THE NATO-LED STABILIZATION FORCE. IN A DEPARTURE FROM PREVIOUS STATEMENTS BY NATO OFFICIALS, FIELD MARSHAL INGE DID NOT EXPLICITLY RULE OUT A FUTURE NATO ROLE IN CATCHING BOSNIA'S INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS.

QUITE CLEARLY THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IS MOVING UP THE AGENDA. DON'T SEE HOW TWO NATIONS CAN GO AND DO IT ON THEIR OWN. IT HAS TO BE PART OF A COORDINATED POLICY.

[03] E EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER THIS WEEK, NOTABLY IN BUDAPEST, WARSAW, AND OTHER MARKETS IN EASTERN EUROPE. FOR DETAILS, HERE'S V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: THERE APPEARS TO BE A KIND OF BUYING FRENZY UNDERWAY IN BUDAPEST AND WARSAW. IN HUNGARY, THE MAIN STOCK MARKET AVERAGE SET RECORD HIGHS FOUR TIMES THIS WEEK, ENDING UP EIGHT PERCENT, OR 400 POINTS, AT 54-HUNDRED-38. THE HUNGARIAN OIL COMPANY, "MOL," WAS A BIG WINNER. IN WARSAW, THE "WIG" INDEX GAINED FOUR PERCENT ON THE WEEK, CLOSING UP 650 POINTS AT 16-THOUSAND-628. WARSAW TOUCHED FOUR SUCCESSIVE 33-MONTH HIGHS THIS WEEK.

PRAGUE WAS UP, BUT ONLY SLIGHTLY. THE "PX 50" INDEX GAINED TWO POINTS TO CLOSE AT 557.

ON THE SMALLER EXCHANGES, BUCHAREST CONTINUES TO GAIN CONFIDENCE AND MOMENTUM SINCE THE NEW PRO-BUSINESS GOVERNMENT TOOK POWER AT THE END OF LAST YEAR. STOCKS HAVE BEEN HIGHER IN ALL SIX TRADING SESSIONS THIS YEAR. BRATISLAVA WAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER, AS WAS ZAGREB. IN SLOVENIA, STOCK PRICES GAINED 12 PERCENT THIS WEEK. (SIGNED)
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24-Jan-97 1:34 PM EST (1834 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

INTRO: SHARE PRICES DROPPED SHARPLY FRIDAY ON WEST EUROPEAN EXCHANGES. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: STOCK PRICES CLOSED SHARPLY OFF IN FRANKFURT, LONDON, AND PARIS. THE THREE MARKETS SET RECORD CLOSING HIGHS THURSDAY -- BUT ALL WERE OFF ABOUT ONE-AND-ONE-QUARTER PERCENT FRIDAY. ANALYSTS SAID INVESTORS WERE SHAKEN BY THE WAVE OF SELLING ON WALL STREET.

IN FRANKFURT, THE TRADING DAY ENDED WITH THE DAX-30 INDEX DOWN MORE THAN 35 POINTS, THEN DROPPED EVEN MORE IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX WAS OFF MORE THAN 52 POINTS FOR THE DAY, ALTHOUGH IT STILL ENDED THE WEEK UP MORE THAN 11 POINTS. IN PARIS, PRICES ALSO WERE OFF FOR THE DAY -- ALMOST 31 POINTS -- BUT STILL CLOSED FOR THE WEEK UP MORE THAN FIVE POINTS.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY MARKET, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR DROPPED AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND THE JAPANESE YEN. BUT IT ROSE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND. (SIGNED)
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24-Jan-97 1:56 PM EST (1856 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] TURKEY / CYPRUS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKISH NAVY SHIPS SET OFF FRIDAY FOR TURKISH-CONTROLLED NORTHERN CYPRUS IN A NEW SHOW OF FORCE. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS THE MOVE IS AIMED AT REAFFIRMING TURKEY'S FULL SUPPORT, BOTH MILITARY AND DIPLOMATIC, FOR THE SELF-DECLARED TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS.

TEXT: IT WAS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF RESPONSES BY TURKEY TO WHAT IT VIEWS AS A SECURITY THREAT POSED BY THE GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO DEPLOY RUSSIAN SURFACE TO AIR MISSILES ON THE DIVIDED ISLAND.

TURKEY HAS MADE CLEAR ITS INTENTION TO TAKE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST THE GREEK CYPRIOTS IF AND WHEN THE MISSILES ARE DEPLOYED.

THE UNITED STATES HAS INTERVENED DIPLOMATICALLY TO HELP RESOLVE THE CRISIS, WHICH SOME ANALYSTS BELIEVE COULD SPARK A FRESH CONFRONTATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE. BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION HAVE ACCUSED BOTH SIDES OF RAISING TENSIONS UNNECESSARILY.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, TURKEY SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE TURKISH CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION -- WHICH IS RECOGNIZED ONLY BY ANKARA. THE AGREEMENT BOLSTERS EXISTING MILITARY GUARANTEES BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES. IT SAYS ANY ATTACK CARRIED OUT AGAINST THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS WOULD BE VIEWED AS AN ATTACK AGAINST TURKEY.

CYPRUS HAS BEEN DIVIDED SINCE 1974, WHEN TURKISH TROOPS INTERVENED IN THE WAKE OF AN ATTEMPTED COUP BY GREEK NATIONALISTS TO JOIN THE ISLAND TO GREECE. ABOUT 30-THOUSAND TURKISH TROOPS REMAIN ON THE ISLAND. THE GREEK CYPRIOTS SAY PEACE CANNOT BE ACHIEVED BEFORE THE TURKISH TROOPS LEAVE. (SIGNED)
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24-Jan-97 9:59 AM EST (1459 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] TURKEY / GERMANY (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: GERMAN OFFICIALS ARE RESPONDING CAUTIOUSLY TO TURKEY'S REACTION TO ALLEGATIONS FROM GERMANY THAT TOP TURKISH OFFICIALS WERE PROTECTING DRUG TRAFFICKERS. FROM BONN, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: THE ALLEGATIONS WERE MADE PUBLIC WHEN A JUDGE IN FRANKFURT SAID THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN PROTECTING A BELGIAN-BASED CRIME RING THAT SMUGGLES HEROIN INTO EUROPE. THE JUDGE, WHOSE COURT THIS WEEK CONVICTED THREE TURKISH NATIONALS OF TRANSPORTING DRUGS INTO GERMANY, SAID THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE DRUG RING HAD CLOSE TIES TO THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT AND PERSONAL CONTACTS WITH FOREIGN MINISTER TANSU CILLER.

THE TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY HAS STRONGLY CONDEMNED THE ALLEGATIONS, CALLING THEM BASELESS AND INAPPROPRIATE.

GERMAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY HOPE THE STATEMENTS BY THE FRANKFURT JUDGE WILL NOT HARM WHAT THEY CALL THE GOOD RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND GERMANY. BUT THEY SAY UNDER GERMAN LAW, THE COURTS ARE INDEPENDENT AND IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE TO COMMENT OR CRITICIZE THE JUDGE IN THE CASE.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS SAY TURKEY CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR SOURCE OF THE HEROIN SMUGGLED INTO EUROPE. SOME DRUG EXPERTS SAY FROM FOUR TO SIX TONS OF HEROIN ARE SHIPPED OUT OF TURKEY EVERY MONTH.

ONE EUROPEAN OFFICIAL WHO ASKED NOT TO BE IDENTIFIED, WAS RECENTLY QUOTED AS SAYING LITTLE IS BEING DONE TO HALT THE FLOW, BECAUSE OF THE INVOLVEMENT OF TOP GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS, WHO BRISTLE AT THE ALLEGATIONS, SAY THE GOVERNMENT IN ANKARA IS COMMITTED TO FIGHTING THE ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE. (SIGNED)
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24-Jan-97 5:07 AM EST (1007 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN -- ON HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO WASHINGTON -- TRIES TO PERSUADE CONGRESSIONAL CRITICS THE UNITED STATES NEEDS TO PAY ITS U-N DEBT; THE SECRETARY-GENERAL LAUNCHES A MAJOR DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVE TO END THE VARIOUS CONFLICTS IN CENTRAL AFRICA; AND CHINA DOES AN ABOUT-FACE AND AGREES TO SEND A PEACEKEEPING MISSION TO GUATEMALA. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK:

TEXT: THE NEW UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL WENT TO WASHINGTON AT THE INVITATION OF THE WHITE HOUSE. HE MET WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON AND KEY MEMBERS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION. THEY DISCUSSED REFORMS. KOFI ANNAN PLEDGED TO PURSUE A VIGOROUS PROGRAM TO ADAPT THE U-N TO A CHANGING WORLD.

BUT HIS CRITICAL VISITS WERE ON CAPITOL HILL. AMERICAN LEGISLATORS ARE HOLDING UP PAYMENT TO THE U-N OF OVER A BILLION DOLLARS IN BACK DUES. THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MET WITH LEADING U-N CRITICS . AMONG THEM, SENATOR JESSE HELMS -- THE POWERFUL REPUBLICAN WHO HEADS THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE AND A STRONG PROPONENT OF SLASHING BOTH THE U-N BUDGET AND U-N JOBS.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE BEFORE THE TRIP THAT HE CAN DO BUSINESS WITH MR. HELMS. BEFORE LEAVING THE U-S CAPITAL, HE INDICATED THEIR MEETINGS WERE GOOD:

SENATOR HELMS AND I GOT ON WELL. WE HAD VERY FRANK DISCUSSIONS AND I THINK THAT WE BOTH REALIZE IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE U-S TO BECOME CURRENT IN ITS PAYMENTS. IF THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN THE OTHER MEMBER-STATES WILL NOT BE HAPPY AND IT POSES A CREDIBILITY PROBLEM FOR THE U-S, AS IF WE CONSTANTLY SHIFT THE GOAL-POSTS. I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THIS TIME. I'VE HAD A WONDERFUL TRIP AND I'M GOING WITH GOOD FEELINGS. YES, SOME OF YOU MAY SAY I'M NAIVE BECAUSE I HAVEN'T GOT THE CHECK YET. BUT I'M CERTAIN IT WILL COME.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL WANTS TO FIX THE FRACTURED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE U-N AND WASHINGTON. MR. ANNAN SAYS HE HOPES HIS FIRST FEW MONTHS IN OFFICE WILL BE A TIME OF HEALING.

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BEFORE HIS WASHINGTON TRIP, THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNOUNCED A MAJOR INITIATIVE TO SETTLE PROBLEMS IN CENTRAL AFRICA. HE APPOINTED ALGERIAN DIPLOMAT MOHAMED SAHNOUN -- THE FORMER U-N ENVOY TO SOMALIA -- AS HIS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE. MR. SAHNOUN WILL SET UP A PERMANENT OFFICE IN KENYA AND TRAVEL EXTENSIVELY IN THE SO-CALLED GREAT LAKES REGION.

MR. SAHNOUN'S INITIAL TASK WILL BE TO TRY TO SETTLE PEACEFULLY FIGHTING BETWEEN REBELS AND GOVERNMENT TROOPS IN EASTERN ZAIRE AND TO STEM RISING ETHNIC UNREST IN BURUNDI.

MARTIN GRIFFITHS -- THE U-N COORDINATOR FOR HUMANITARIAN PROGRAMS IN THE GREAL LAKES -- HAS WELCOMED THE PROSPECT OF MR. SAHNOUN'S MEDIATION, ESPECIALLY IN THE ZAIREAN CONFLICT. SOME 400-THOUSAND REFUGEES ARE CAUGHT UP IN THE FIGHTING, POSING A REAL HUMANITARIAN CRISIS:

EVEN AS IT WERE IN THE BEST OF TIMES IT'S BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. WE'VE HAD TO FLY IN FOOD AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO THESE PEOPLE IN VERY INSECURE CONDITIONS AND AT GREAT COST. AND WE CANNOT TURN AWAY FROM THE FACT THAT THERE ARE CONTINUING NEEDS IN A SITUATION OF ACTUALLY DECREASING SECURITY.

MR. GRIFFITHS WAS IN NEW YORK TO BRIEF U-N OFFICIALS. HE PLANNED TO RETURN TO ZAIRE ON SUNDAY.

THE NEW ENVOY FOR THE REGION -- MR. SAHNOUN -- WILL BE AT U-N HEADQUARTERS THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE COMING WEEK TO GET DETAILS ON HIS ASSIGNMENT.

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CHINA DECIDED THIS PAST WEEK TO JOIN THE REST OF THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IN SUPPORTING A SMALL PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR GUATEMALA. IT USED ITS VETO 10 DAYS AGO TO BLOCK DEPLOYMENT OF 155 TROOPS TO MONITOR GUATEMALA'S NEW PEACE ACCORDS.

THE ISSUE WAS TAIWAN. CHINA OBJECTS TO GUATEMALA'S RELATIONS WITH A TERRITORY BEIJING CONSIDERS A RENEGADE PROVINCE. IT REMAINS UNCLEAR WHAT GUATEMALA PROMISED CHINA TO WIN ITS APPROVAL. IT DID NOT RENOUNCE ITS FRIENDSHIP WITH TAIWAN. BUT DIPLOMATS SUGGEST GUATEMALA SIGNALLED IT WOULD NOT ACTIVELY SPONSOR TAIWAN'S BID FOR U-N MEMBERSHIP.

GUATEMALA IS ONE OF A HANDFUL OF COUNTRIES THAT ROUTINELY ASK THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO CONSIDER GIVING TAIWAN A U-N SEAT. TAIWAN LOST ITS MEMBERSHIP WHEN IT WAS DISPLACED AT THE U-N BY THE MAINLAND IN 1971 AS THE SOLE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHINESE NATION.

GUATEMALA EXPRESSED GRATITUDE TO CHINA AND THE ENTIRE SECURITY COUNCIL. ITS PEACE ACCORDS ARE AIMED AT ENDING OVER THREE DECADES OF WAR -- THE LONGEST RUNNING CONFLICT IN CENTRAL AMERICA. (SIGNED)
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24-Jan-97 4:18 PM EST (2118 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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