Voice of America, 97-01-05

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] ALBANIA PROTESTS (L) BY BARRY WOOD (TIRANA)

[03] ALBANIAN TOYSTORE BY BARRY WOOD (TIRANA)

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

[05] NATO AND RUSSIA BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[06] ROMANIA / TERRITORIES (S-ONLY) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

[07] SERBIA POL (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (GENEVA)

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

INTRO: U-S DAILIES ARE FILLED WITH LATE-BREAKING, FRONT PAGE NEWS THIS WEDNESDAY, INCLUDING REPORTS OF THE PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS AND A GUILTY VERDICT IN THE O-J SIMPSON WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT. SINCE BOTH EVENTS OCCURRED LATE IN THE EVENING, MANY PAPERS ARE STILL NOT YET EDITORIALIZING ON THEM. HOWEVER, WE DO HAVE A FEW EDITORIALS ON BOTH BIG STORIES. OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION IS THE SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, AND THE STEVE BIKO CONFESSIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _____________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: ONE PAPER THAT IS COMMENTING ON THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS IS THE [MINNEAPOLIS] STAR TRIBUNE, WHICH SAYS IN ITS HEADLINE, THE "NATION NEEDS MORE OF [MR.] CLINTON'S VISION."

VOICE: "IN HIS HOUR-PLUS SPEECH, THE PRESIDENT MANAGED TO WANDER FROM DEADBEAT DADS [MEN WHO FAIL TO PAY LEGALLY MANDATED CHILD SUPPORT AFTER DIVORCE] TO MEXICAN DEBT, STICKING FOR THE MOST PART TO GENERALITIES. BUT AT HIS BEST, DEPARTING FROM HIS TEXT FOR AN EXTEMPORANEOUS EXHORTATION, HE PLEDGED TO HELP CONGRESS 'TAKE THE TOUGH DECISIONS IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS THAT WILL CARRY OUR COUNTRY THROUGH THE NEXT 50 YEARS.' AMERICANS MIGHT .... WONDER, AFTER TUESDAY'S SPEECH, WHICH BILL CLINTON WILL LEAD THE NATION DURING THE NEXT FOUR YEARS - - THE IMPASSIONED POLICY WONK [A PERSON CONCERNED WITH MINUTE DETAILS OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES] ..... OR THE TIMID INCREMENTALIST WHO RETREATS IN THE FACE OF CRITICISM AND BUILDS AN ARCHITECTURE OF SMALL IDEAS."

TEXT: IN THE FAR PACIFIC NORTHWEST, THE OREGONIAN IN PORTLAND SAID "PRESIDENT CLINTON'S .... SPEECH REFLECTS CAUTIOUS PROPOSALS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN..." ADDING:

VOICE: "IT'S HARD TO ARGUE WITH 'A NATIONAL CRUSADE FOR EDUCATION STANDARDS' TO MAKE AMERICAN EDUCATION 'THE ENVY OF THE WORLD.' BUT RECALLING THE LONG-FORGOTTEN EDUCATION INITIATIVES OF PRIOR STATE OF THE UNION SPEECHES, YOU MIGHT WONDER JUST HOW FAR THIS CRUSADE IS GETTING. [OPT] ..... {MR.] CLINTON'S REQUEST FOR A 20 PERCENT INCREASE IN FEDERAL AID TO EDUCATION NEXT YEAR COULD PROVOKE YET AGAIN THE POLITICAL DEBATE OVER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S PROPER ROLE IN EDUCATION, WHICH REMAINS PRIMARILY A STATE RESPONSIBILITY." [END OPT]

TEXT: IN THE SOUTH, GEORGIA'S LEADING DAILY THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION SAID OF THE ADDRESS:

VOICE: "[OPT] IT'S TRUE THAT [MR.] CLINTON OFFERED NO GRAND PLANS FOR TRANSFORMING HEALTH CARE, NO STRIKING INITIATIVES FOR RESHAPING THE TAX CODES, NO BLUEPRINTS FOR ALTERING GLOBAL POLITICS. BUT EDUCATION IS KEY TO KEEPING THE NATION'S ECONOMY GROWING AND HELPING CITIZENS RENEW THEIR BELIEF IN THE AMERICAN DREAM. [END OPT] ..... FOR MOST AMERICANS, LISTENING TO THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH WAS SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE DISTRACTION OF THE CONTINUING SAGA OF ....THE O-J SIMPSON CIVIL TRIAL ..... A CASE THAT HAS STRAINED RACE RELATIONS IN THIS COUNTRY. IRONICALLY, JUST AS MILLIONS WERE WAITING FOR THE VERDICT, [PRESIDENT] CLINTON WAS CALLING FOR GREATER RACIAL HARMONY, DESCRIBING ETHNIC DIVERSITY AS 'OUR GREATEST STRENGTH.'

TEXT: THE DECISION IN THE CIVIL TRIAL OF O-J SIMPSON WAS CLOSELY FOLLOWED ON AMERICAN TELEVISION AND RADIO TUESDAY EVENING. WRITING ABOUT THE VERDICT THAT FOUND MR. SIMPSON RESPONSIBLE FOR CAUSING THE DEATHS OF HIS ESTRANGED WIFE AND HER FRIEND, RON GOLDMAN, THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER LAMENTS AT HOW THE DECISION MAY FURTHER POLARIZE RACE RELATIONS.

VOICE: "THE RESPONSE IN SOME QUARTERS TO YESTERDAY'S CIVIL JURY VERDICT .... IS A BITTER SIGH OF RELIEF: AT LAST, THE TRUTH IS CONFIRMED IN A COURT OF LAW. AND IN OTHER QUARTERS, THE REACTION IS A CYNICAL SHRUG: SO A WHITE JURY GAVE WHITES THE VERDICT THEY WANTED. BIG DEAL. IT'S TOO MUCH TO HOPE THAT THE NEWS FROM SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA WILL END THE NATION'S TACKY OBSESSION WITH THIS CASE. [OPT] BUT IT'S WORTH TRYING TO EXTRACT SOME HOPEFUL OBSERVATIONS. .... THE NATION AT TIMES STILL WINKS AT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. A CULT OF CELEBRITY CLOUDS IT JUDGMENT. ITS POLICE WORK IS NEITHER AS COMPETENT NOR FREE OF BIAS AS IT OUGHT TO BE. IT IS SEVERAL TIME ZONES BEHIND WHERE THE HOPEFUL [PEOPLE] THOUGHT IT WAS ON THE PATH TO RACIAL UNDERSTANDING. WEALTH CAN STILL TWIST ITS SYSTEM OF JUSTICE. ..... THIS CASE ... HAS NOW REACHED AN ENDING THAT'S MUDDLED IN GRAY. IT MAY NOT FEEL TO YOU LIKE JUSTICE. BUT IT MIGHT BE THE MOST THAT AMERICA TODAY CAN MANAGE." [END OPT]

TEXT: [OPT] REGARDING THE TWO TRIALS, THESE THOUGHTS FROM USA TODAY, THE NATIONAL DAILY.

VOICE: "FOR THOSE WHO FEEL [MR.] SIMPSON GOT AWAY TOO EASILY, IT'S USEFUL TO RECALL THAT IF THE SYSTEM ERRED, IT AT LEAST ERRED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THE CRIMINAL JURY'S JOB WAS TO HOLD THE STATE ACCOUNTABLE - - TO DECIDE IF [MR.] SIMPSON WAS GUILTY BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT. A LOWER STANDARD WOULD HAVE ALLOWED EASIER CONVICTION. BUT IT WOULD ALSO HAVE EXPOSED DEFENDANTS OF LESSER MEANS TO THE WHIMS OF CORRUPT POLICE AND ZEALOUS PROSECUTORS. THE CIVIL JURY, WITH LESS AT STAKE, NEEDED ONLY DECIDE WHICH SIDE WAS TRUTHFUL. SO [MR.] SIMPSON, UNLESS HE WINS ON APPEAL, WILL SUFFER A PENALTY, AND THE VICTIMS' FAMILIES WILL GET A MEASURE OF COMPENSATION."

TEXT: IN THE MIDWEST, THE CHICAGO SUN TIMES SAYS OF THE VERDICTS IN THE TWO CASES, CRIMINAL AND NOW, CIVIL:

VOICE: "SOAP OPERA TO SOME, A SYMBOL OF AMERICA'S RACE DIVIDE TO OTHERS, THE SIMPSON CASE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE GREAT COURT DRAMAS OF THE CENTURY. WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF APPEALS, IT MAY NOT BE OVER YET. ONE JURY - - MOSTLY AFRICAN AMERICAN - - FOUND [MR.] SIMPSON NOT GUILTY OF CRIMINAL CHARGES, AFTER AN IRRESPONSIBLY BRIEF STAY IN THE JURY ROOM. ANOTHER, WHICH INCLUDED ONE BLACK JUROR WITH MIXED HERITAGE, HAS ACCEPTED CIVIL CHARGES THAT [MR.] SIMPSON IS LIABLE FOR THE DEATHS ..... MANY BLACKS WILL NEVER BELIEVE [MR.] SIMPSON GUILTY. MANY WHITES WILL NEVER ACCEPT HE WAS NOT. NOW THAT THE LEGAL SYSTEM HAS PRODUCED TWO DIFFERENT VERDICTS, IT IS FUTILE TO TRY TO TEST THE RIGHTS AND WRONGS OF THE CASE ON THE STREETS. IT MAY SOUND CYNICAL, BUT THE PUBLIC DUTY NOW IS TO ACCEPT THE FINDINGS OF THE JURY - - BOTH OF THEM."

TEXT: TURNING BRIEFLY TO OTHER SUBJECTS, THE BOSTON GLOBE IS WRITING ABOUT THE NEW SECRETARY OF STATE.

VOICE: "MADELEINE ALBRIGHT'S BELATED DISCOVERY OF HER JEWISH ROOTS ILLUSTRATES HOW PROFOUND AND UNFORESEEABLE CAN BE THE DYNAMICS BETWEEN PRIVATE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE. [MRS.] ALBRIGHT'S JEWISH BACKGROUND WAS DISCOVERED IN THE COURSE OF RESEARCH FOR A PROFILE TO APPEAR IN THIS SUNDAY'S WASHINGTON POST MAGAZINE. ..... NOW THAT [MRS.] ALBRIGHT'S CONFIRMATION AS AMERICA'S CHIEF DIPLOMAT HAS CAUSED THAT VEIL TO BE LIFTED, HER CHALLENGE WILL BE TO CREATE A NEW EQUILIBRIUM BETWEEN THE HISTORY OF HER FAMILY AND HER OWN ROLE IN HISTORY."

TEXT: [OPT] ON ANOTHER STORY, THE CONFESSION BY FIVE RETIRED SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE OFFICERS OF MURDERING BLACK ACTIVIST STEVE BIKO TWENTY YEARS AGO, THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR COMMENTS THAT AMNESTY IS PROBABLY THE BEST, THOUGH A PAINFUL COURSE, FOR THE SELF- ACCUSED.

VOICE: "FOR MANY, INCLUDING THE FAMILIES OF VICTIMS, AMNESTY SEEMS A DENIAL OF JUSTICE. UNDERSTANDABLY, THEY'D LIKE TO SEE THE MURDERERS TRIED, CONVICTED, AND PUNISHED. ..... BEYOND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TRIALS, WHAT WOULD BE THE OUTCOME IF RETRIBUTION ECLIPSED RECONCILIATIONS AS A THEME IN SOUTH AFRICAN CIVIL LIFE? GUILT FOR THE HORRORS OF APARTHEID SPREADS WIDELY. ..... A SPIRIT OF FORGIVENESS, EMBODIED BY MR. MANDELA, IS CRUCIAL." [END OPT]

TEXT: [OPT] TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES IS NOTING A MOOD TO RESTRAIN THE BRITISH POLICE SHOULD GO FARTHER THAN IS CURRENTLY ANTICIPATED.

VOICE: "THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT IS ABOUT TO CHANGE THE RULES FOR POLICE USE OF EAVESDROPPING DEVICES. THIS SHOULD BE THE OCCASION TO INTRODUCE SOME RESTRAINTS. CHIEF CONSTABLES CAN PLANT BUGS [HIDDEN MICROPHONES AND TRANSMITTERS] WHEREVER THEY WANT, EVEN IN THE OFFICES OF LAWYERS FOR CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS. BUT PARLIAMENT SEEMS IN NO MOOD TO INSTITUTE ADEQUATE PROTECTIONS FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES. ..... THE HOUSE OF COMMONS SEEMS LIKELY TO COMPROMISE ON A BAD BILL INSTEAD OF ADVANCING THE CAUSE OF CIVIL LIBERTIES." [END OPT]

TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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05-Feb-97 10:31 AM EST (1531 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBANIA PROTESTS (L) BY BARRY WOOD (TIRANA)

INTRO: IN ALBANIA WEDNESDAY, THERE WERE VIOLENT ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS IN THE SOUTHERN SEAPORT OF VLORE, THE HEADQUARTERS OF A FAILED GET-RICH-QUICK INVESTMENT SCHEME. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD IN TIRANA REPORTS THAT AT LEAST THREE PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN CLASHES WITH POLICE.

TEXT: A CROWD OF ABOUT FIVE-THOUSAND GATHERED IN THE CENTRAL SQUARE IN VLORE, WHOSE PORT CONDUCTS A THRIVING TRADE WITH ITALY JUST HOURS AWAY ACROSS THE ADRIATIC SEA.

POLICE FIRED WATER CANNONS AND RUBBER BULLETS TO DISPERSE THE CROWD WHICH WAS ANGRY OVER THE COLLAPSE OF AN INVESTMENT COMPANY BASED IN THE TOWN. ROCKS WERE THROWN AND SOME PEOPLE WERE BEATEN BY POLICE.

THE ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY MINIMIZED THE SIZE OF THE CROWD, SAYING IT NUMBERED ONLY 200. SOLDIERS GUARDED GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND RIOT POLICE IN VEHICLES SWEPT THROUGH THE TOWN.

VLORE WAS THE SCENE OF UNREST LAST WEEK WHEN THOUSANDS OF INVESTORS LEARNED THAT THEIR MONEY WAS AT RISK AND MIGHT NOT BE RETURNED.

ON TUESDAY, THE HEAD OF VLORE'S LARGEST GET-RICH-QUICK SCHEME WENT ON TELEVISION TO SAY HIS FIRM WAS BANKRUPT AND DEPOSITORS COULD NOT BE PAID LATER THIS WEEK AS PROMISED. THAT ADMISSION SPARKED THE UNREST, WHICH HAD BEEN ANTICIPATED BY THE AUTHORITIES.

ELSEWHERE IN ALBANIA, NEARLY HALF ONE-MILLION INVESTORS IN TWO FUNDS WHOSE ASSETS WERE SEIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT BEGAN RECEIVING PARTIAL COMPENSATION. IN TIRANA, NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHED FULL PAGE ADS INDICATING WHERE AND WHEN INVESTORS COULD GO TO OBTAIN THEIR REFUNDS. THE OPERATIONS WENT OFF SMOOTHLY ALTHOUGH MANY INVESTORS WERE UNHAPPY THAT THEY ONLY 60 PERCENT OF THE MONEY THEY HAD INVESTED.

THE GOVERNMENT, SHORT OF CASH AND NOT WANTING TO TRIGGER INFLATION BY INJECTING LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY INTO THE ECONOMY, SAYS THE PAYOUTS WILL BE GRADUAL AND TAKE SEVEN MONTHS TO COMPLETE. INVESTORS ARE GIVEN THE CHOICE OF CASH OR SAVINGS DEPOSITS BUT MOST PEOPLE WEDNESDAY ASKED FOR CASH.

MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF ALBANIA'S THREE-AND-ONE-HALF-MILLION PEOPLE INVESTED IN THE SCHEMES WHICH TYPICALLY PAID FIVE TO EIGHT PERCENT INTEREST PER MONTH. THE FIRMS WERE WIDELY RESPECTED AND THOUGHT TO OPERATE WITH AT LEAST THE TACIT APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)
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05-Feb-97 1:42 PM EST (1842 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] ALBANIAN TOYSTORE BY BARRY WOOD (TIRANA)

INTRO: MOST FAMILIES IN ALBANIA SEEM TO HAVE A SAD STORY OF SAVINGS LOST TO FRAUDULENT INVESTMENT SCHEMES. BUT OTHER ALBANIANS, FOR WHATEVER REASON, RESISTED THE APPEAL OF THE FAST-TALKING OPERATORS WHO PROMISED, AND OFTEN PAID, GENEROUS RETURNS TO THOSE WHO HANDED OVER THEIR CASH. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD VISITED AN ENTREPRENEUR WHOSE FASHIONABLE TOY STORE STANDS OUT AMID THE SQUALID SHOPS AND STALLS OF DOWNTOWN TIRANA.

TEXT:

MIMI SHEHU'S TOY STORE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE CHAOTIC OPEN MARKET WHERE HUNDREDS OF MONEY CHANGERS CONDUCT THEIR RISKY AND OFTEN ILLEGAL BUSINESS. HIS SHOP, LIKE MOST IN TIRANA'S CENTER, HAS BEEN HASTILY CONSTRUCTED WITHIN THE PAST THREE YEARS. BUT IT IS WELL STOCKED WITH BRIGHTLY COLORED TRUCKS AND BUSES, DOLLS AND TRICYCLES, SPINNING TOPS AND ELECTRONIC GAMES. MR. SHEHU'S WIFE AND MOTHER ARE SEATED BEHIND THE COUNTER WHILE THE ENERGETIC ENTREPRENEUR DEMONSTRATES SEVERAL HORRIFIC FACE MASKS FOR A POTENTIAL CUSTOMER OF FIVE WHO SMILES NERVOUSLY AS HE CLUTCHES HIS FATHER'S HAND.

MR. SHEHU'S SHOP IS NOT LIKE THOSE ELSEWHERE ALONG THE RUTTED AND UNTIDY STREET, WHERE SKINNY DOGS BROWSE IN HEAPS OF TRASH LEFT NEXT TO A DEEP HOLE IN THE SIDEWALK. ON EITHER SIDE THERE ARE NARROW STALLS DISPLAYING WOMEN'S DRESSES, NEWSPAPERS AND ASSORTED PAPERBACK BOOKS IN SEVERAL LANGUAGES.

MR. SHEHU SPENT FIVE YEARS IN NEARBY GREECE WHERE HE SAVED ENOUGH MONEY TO START THIS BUSINESS. HE SAYS BUSINESS IS NOT AS GOOD AS IT WAS, BUT IS ALL RIGHT DESPITE THE FINANCIAL PANIC. MR. SHEHU SAYS HE IS HAPPY HE DID NOT PUT MONEY INTO THE INVESTMENT FUNDS.

WHAT CAN I SAY, IT IS A CRAZY THING. I NEVER BELIEVED IN THIS KIND OF SORCERY, YOU KNOW. LIKE YOU THINK, IF I GIVE YOU A HUNDRED DOLLARS, FOR EXAMPLE, AND AFTER TWO MONTHS TAKE 200 FROM YOU. THAT'S A LITTLE BIT CRAZY. SO I NEVER BELIEVED AND I NEVER PUT MONEY IN THIS KIND OF SORCERY. WHAT CAN I SAY, IT'S A PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

MR. SHEHU DOES FEEL STRONGLY THAT THE GOVERNMENT MADE A BIG MISTAKE BY NOT WARNING CITIZENS OF THE DANGERS OF THE PYRAMID INVESTMENT SCHEMES. THE 35-YEAR-OLD MR. SHEHU TAKES PRIDE IN PROVIDING A HIGH QUALITY PRODUCT TO HIS CUSTOMERS.

PEOPLE BUY THESE TOYS LIKE YOU SEE HERE. AND NOW FOR ALBANIAN PEOPLE, THEY ARE SEARCHING FOR MORE HIGH-QUALITY GAMES AND TOYS, FOR MATTEL, HASBRO AND SONY. THE CHILDREN STAY AROUND THE T-V ALL DAY AND WATCH THE PUBLICITY AND THEY KNOW ABOUT EVERYTHING ABOUT THESE TOYS.

SO WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR IN EUROPE'S NEWEST MARKET ECONOMY, WHICH DOESN'T HAVE A PROPER BANKING SYSTEM, WHERE ADVERTISING IS ITS INFANCY, AND WHERE THE VALUE OF THE CURRENCY CAN CHANGE RAPIDLY? MR. SHEHU SAYS HE CAN HANDLE THE LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT HE HAS A REAL PROBLEM WITH HIGH TAXES.

IT'S NOT ALL RIGHT HERE. I DON'T KNOW, YOU ARE FROM AMERICA. THERE A BARBIE DOLL COSTS, WHAT, 10 OR 20 DOLLARS. IN ALBANIA, ONLY BECAUSE I MUST PAY THE GOVERNMENT 60 PERCENT OF THE PURCHASE PRICE IN TAXES, THIS SAME DOLL COMES HERE FOR 30 DOLLARS.

BUSINESS IS NOT BRISK IN MR. SHEHU'S STORE. THERE ARE NO CUSTOMERS AT MID-DAY. OUTSIDE THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE ON THE SIDEWALK, WALKING QUICKLY AND NOT STOPPING IN THE TOY STORE. MANY MOVE ON TO THE MONEY MARKET, WHERE THEY ANXIOUSLY CHECK TO SEE IF THE FINANCIAL CRISIS HAS ERODED THE VALUE OF THE ALBANIAN CURRENCY. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/JWH/KL
05-Feb-97 2:59 PM EST (1959 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: SHARE PRICES ROSE TO NEW RECORD HIGHS WEDNESDAY IN EUROPEAN TRADING. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: STOCK PRICES ENDED THE DAY AT NEW RECORD HIGHS IN MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS. ANALYSTS SAID TRADERS APPEARED CONVINCED INTEREST RATES IN THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN WILL NOT GO UP.

IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX CLOSED AT A RECORD PEAK, UP ALMOST 31 POINTS, ABOUT ONE PERCENT, AND THEN ROSE ANOTHER 17 POINTS IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX WAS UP MORE THAN 20 POINTS, ABOUT ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT, TO A NEW CLOSING HIGH.

AND IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX FINISHED UP MORE THAN 38 POINTS, ABOUT ONE-AND-ONE-HALF PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY MARKET, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR ROSE SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND THE JAPANESE YEN. BUT IT WAS AGAIN DOWN IN VALUE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.
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05-Feb-97 1:28 PM EST (1828 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] NATO AND RUSSIA BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THERE IS GROWING DEBATE OVER THE QUESTION OF ENLARGING NATO TO INCLUDE SOME CENTRAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. V-O-A'S ED WARNER REPORTS BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE WERE DISCUSSED RECENTLY AT A CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON.

TEXT: ENLARGING NATO IS NOT INTENDED TO EXCLUDE ANYBODY. THAT POINT WAS EMPHASIZED BY OFFICIALS OF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AT A CONFERENCE HELD AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (THIS WEEK).

DANIEL HAMILTON OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S POLICY PLANNING STAFF SAID NATO IS JUST ONE OF SEVERAL INSTITUTIONS AIMED AT STRENGTHENING EUROPE. RUSSIA HAS NOTHING TO FEAR:

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO REDUCE THE QUESTION OF EUROPEAN SECURITY TO THE QUESTION OF NATO, AND SECONDLY, NOT TO REDUCE THE QUESTION OF NATO'S FUTURE TO THAT OF NATO ENLARGEMENT, BUT TO PUT BOTH IN A BROADER CONTEXT OF CHANGE IN EUROPE THAT HAS BEEN OCCURRING, PARTICULARLY SINCE THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL, BUT I WOULD ARGUE EVEN BEFORE THAT.

MR. HAMILTON ADDED THAT NATO HAS A ROLE IN RESOLVING CONFLICT WITHIN EUROPE. HE NOTED THAT MORE EUROPEANS HAVE DIED IN BATTLE SINCE THE BERLIN WALL CAME DOWN THAN IN THE PREVIOUS FOUR DECADES OF COLD WAR.

DANIEL FRIED OF THE U-S NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL SAID NATO ENLARGEMENT CANNOT BE HELD HOSTAGE TO RUSSIAN DOMESTIC POLITICS. IN HIS OPINION, MANY RUSSIANS OPPOSING NATO EXPANSION ARE ALSO HOSTILE TO DEMOCRACY. HE ADDED THAT RUSSIA HAS BEEN ASSURED NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS WILL BE PLACED IN THE TERRITORY OF NEW MEMBERS:

I REGRET THAT WE STILL HEAR LANGUAGE FROM THE RUSSIAN MEDIA SUGGESTING THAT NATO ENLARGEMENT WILL POSE A NUCLEAR THREAT TO RUSSIA. BY ALL MEANS, LET US ADDRESS RUSSIA'S LEGITIMATE CONCERNS, BUT LET US NOT CIRCUMSCRIBE THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACIES WHICH SUFFERED DISPROPORTIONATELY DURING THE COLD WAR AND WHOSE DEMOCRATIC EFFORTS BROUGHT THE COLD WAR TO AN END.

MR. FRIED SAID NATO AND RUSSIAN FORCES ARE COOPERATING IN BOSNIA WHY NOT ELSEWHERE?

THAT IS NOT REASSURING, REPLIED YULI VORONTSOV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES. HE SAID NATO WAS JUSTIFIED WHEN IT FACED SOVIET OFFENSIVE FORCES, BUT THEY HAVE ALL BEEN WITHDRAWN -- SO THERE IS NO THREAT TO EUROPE.

THE AMBASSADOR EMPHASIZED THAT EXPANDING NATO WILL STRENGTHEN RUSSIAN MILITARISTS, PROVOKE ANOTHER ARMS RACE AND PERHAPS ANOTHER COLD WAR, AND FOR WHAT? THE AMBASSADOR SAID HE HAS YET TO HEAR A PERSUASIVE EXPLANATION FOR NATO ENLARGEMENT:

I WOULD SAY THAT MOVEMENT OF NATO FORCES CLOSE TO THE RUSSIAN BORDERS IS BEING CONSIDERED GENERALLY BY ALL POLITICAL FORCES OF RUSSIA AS A THREAT. YOU ASK ANYBODY THERE -- YOU DO NOT ASK COMMUNISTS, WE KNOW WHAT THEY WILL SAY -- BUT ASK LIBERALS, ASK DEMOCRATS, ASK YOUNG AND ASK OLD, AND NOBODY IN RUSSIA IS APPLAUDING THIS MOVE, BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS AFRAID IT IS GOING TO BE A MILITARY THREAT.

PHILIP MERRILL, FORMER ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL OF NATO, SAID THIS RUSSIAN REACTION IS CRUCIAL. HE SAID NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN TO BRING RUSSIA, ALONG WITH CHINA, INTO A RELIABLE SECURITY SYSTEM:

I WOULD SAY THAT TO ADVANCE THIS CAUSE, THAT IS TO SAY THE CAUSE OF INTEGRATING RUSSIA AND CHINA INTO THE COMMUNITY OF CIVILIZED NATIONS, IS RETARDED BY A POLICY OF EXPANDING NATO -- BECAUSE IT GIVES ARGUMENTS, LEGITIMATE ARGUMENTS TO THE MOST XENOPHOBIC ELEMENTS INSIDE RUSSIA, AND THERE IS SIMPLY NO REASON FOR US TO DO THIS. IT IS A BAD POLITICAL CHOICE.

PHILIP MERRILL SAID THE UNITED STATES HAS NO REAL ARGUMENT WITH RUSSIA TODAY. MOSCOW IS NOT THREATENING EUROPE OR THE PERSIAN GULF OR ANY PART OF THE THIRD WORLD. THE COLD WAR IS OVER, HE SAID, LET'S KEEP IT THAT WAY. (SIGNED)
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05-Feb-97 11:24 AM EST (1624 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] ROMANIA / TERRITORIES (S-ONLY) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A TOP ROMANIAN OFFICIAL IS NOT RULING OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF HIS COUNTRY REUNIFYING WITH MOLDOVA AND OPENING DISCUSSIONS ON TERRITORIAL ISSUES WITH UKRAINE. PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER ION DIACONESCU MADE THE REMARKS WEDNESDAY IN WASHINGTON, WHERE HE CAME TO LOBBY FOR ROMANIA'S ADMISSION INTO NATO. V-O-A'S MAXIM KNIAZKOV HAS MORE.

TEXT: MOLDOVA AND SOME SOUTHWESTERN PARTS OF WHAT IS NOW UKRAINE BELONGED TO ROMANIA BEFORE 1939 BUT WERE ANNEXED BY THE SOVIET UNION UNDER A PACT WITH NAZI GERMANY.

MR. DIACONESCU RULED OUT USE OF FORCE OR PRESSURE IN SOLVING THESE ISSUES. BUT SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, HE MADE CLEAR THOSE LANDS HAVE NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN IN ROMANIA.

TO FORBID A NATION TO THINK OF SOLVING THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS WOULD BE ILLOGICAL.

MR. DIACONESCU SAID IT IS NORMAL FOR ROMANIANS TO THINK ABOUT REUNIFICATION WITH MOLDOVA, WHICH HE SAYS IS POPULATED MOSTLY BY ETHNIC ROMANIANS. THE SPEAKER COMPARED THE SITUATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES TO THAT OF GERMANY WHEN IT WAS DIVIDED. THE REUNIFICATION ISSUE IS ALSO UNDER DISCUSSION IN MOLDOVA. (SIGNED)
NEB/MAX/KL
05-Feb-97 11:40 AM EST (1640 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] SERBIA POL (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (GENEVA)

INTRO: ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS CONTINUED IN SERBIA WEDNESDAY DESPITE THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW PREPARED TO RECOGNIZE OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN LAST NOVEMBER'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN BELGRADE REPORTS OPPOSITION LEADERS ARE VOICING DOUBTS ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S PLEDGE.

TEXT: SERBIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAID WEDNESDAY THEY WILL MOVE RAPIDLY TO IMPLEMENT THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION, BY SUBMITTING DRAFT LEGISLATION TO PARLIAMENT RECOGNIZING OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN 14 OF THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST TOWNS AND CITIES.

THE STATE-CONTROLLED MEDIA HERE IS FULL OF MESSAGES OF SUPPORT FOR MR. MILOSEVIC, HAILING HIS INITIATIVE AS THE BEST WAY TO RESOLVE THE COUNTRY'S TWO-AND-ONE-HALF MONTH OLD POLITICAL CRISIS.

ONE OF THE PRESIDENT'S POLITICAL ALLIES -- ALEXANDER VULEN OF THE LEFT-WING "JUL" PARTY -- TOLD A LOCAL RADIO WEDNESDAY SERBIA'S OPPOSITION LEADERS SHOULD RESPOND TO THE INITIATIVE BY CALLING OFF THEIR STREET PROTESTS.

BUT SPOKESMEN FOR THE OPPOSITION SAY THE DAILY DEMONSTRATIONS WILL CONTINUE, AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING.

SLOBODAN VUKSANOVIC OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SAID OPPOSITION LEADERS REMAIN SKEPTICAL. HE SAID THE PRESIDENT'S INITIATIVE MAY BE NOTHING MORE THAN AN EFFORT TO BUY TIME, OR CURRY FAVOR WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

BECAUSE OF OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE SOCIALIST PARTY AND PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, WE CANNOT TRUST THEM, SO WE WILL CONTINUE OUR DEMONSTRATIONS UNTIL OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF ALL RESULTS IN ALL TOWNS IN SERBIA.

MR. VUKSANOVIC SAID OPPOSITION LEADERS WILL AGREE TO A DIALOGUE WITH GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES WHEN AND IF THE NOVEMBER ELECTION RESULTS ARE FORMALLY RECOGNIZED. BUT HE SAID THE OPPOSITION WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO PRESS ITS OTHER MAIN DEMANDS -- GREATER DEMOCRATIC REFORM, FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA, AND PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR LAST SUNDAY'S VIOLENT POLICE CRACKDOWN ON THE DEMONSTRATORS.

BELGRADE'S STRIKING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, WHO HAVE MAINTAINED THEIR OWN SEPARATE PROTEST MOVEMENT SINCE THE CRISIS BEGAN, SAY THEY, TOO, PLAN TO CONTINUE THE DEMONSTRATIONS.

SPOKESWOMAN DALBORKA ULJAREVIC SAID THE STUDENTS, LIKE OPPOSITION LEADERS, ARE SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE CRISIS.

WE SEE THAT (MILOSEVIC INITIATIVE) ONLY AS ONE OF THE PROMISES WHICH WILL NOT BE FULFILLED.

A CROWD OF MORE THAN 25-THOUSAND STUDENTS TOOK PART IN WEDNESDAY'S DEMONSTRATION HERE, MARCHING THROUGH THE STREETS OF CENTRAL BELGRADE AT MID-DAY. THE POLICE DID NOT INTERVENE DESPITE A FIVE WEEK OLD GOVERNMENT DECREE BANNING DEMONSTRATIONS THAT DISRUPT TRAFFIC. (SIGNED)
NEB/DBR/JWH
05-Feb-97 11:40 AM EST (1640 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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