Voice of America, 97-02-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA REACT (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[02] MOSTAR VIOLENCE (L-ONLY) BY COLIN SOLOWAY (SARAJEVO)

[03] SERBIA POL (S ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (BELGRADE)

[04] U-S / SERBIA (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPT.)

[05] EDITORIAL: RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION AND INTOLERANCE

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

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

[01] ALBANIA REACT (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AN AMERICAN ANALYST ON ALBANIA SAYS THE COUNTRY WILL LIKELY MOVE TOWARD GREATER INSTABILITY SPARKED BY ANGER OVER FAILED INVESTMENT SCHEMES RESULTING IN CLASHES BETWEEN ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATORS AND POLICE. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS JAMES CROSS, AUTHOR AND CONSULTANT ON ALBANIA, SAYS THE IMPOVERISHED COUNTRY HAS NO STRONG DEMOCRATIC TRADITION:

TEXT: MR. CROSS SAYS WHEN THE INVESTMENT SCHEMES WHICH PROMISED UP TO 300-PERCENT PROFITS COLLAPSED LAST MONTH, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE VENTED THEIR ANGER IN DEMONSTRATIONS. MR. CROSS SAYS A GOVERNMENT PLEDGE TO TRY TO RETURN THEIR INVESTMENTS HAS LED MANY ALBANIANS TO SUSPECT THE GOVERNMENT WAS BEHIND THE FAILED SCHEMES DESPITE OFFICIAL DENIALS:

IT'S A VERY UNSTABLE SITUATION AND THIS IS THE BASIS FOR REVOLUTION. THIS IS THE SORT OF THING WHEN PEOPLE NO LONGER HAVE ANY PROPERTY TO RELY ON, HAVE NO MEANS OF WEALTH, NO MEANS TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES, THEN THERE'S NOTHING TO LOSE AND THAT'S WHY I THINK MANY PEOPLE ARE TURNING TO THE STREETS TO VENT THEIR ANGER AND THEIR FEAR.

THE HEIDELBERG COLLEGE (OHIO) PROFESSOR SAYS ALBANIA, A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY ECONOMICALLY, HAS LITTLE UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE DEMOCRATIC:

BASIC THINGS LIKE PARTICIPATION, LOYAL OPPOSTION, THE CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE IS NOT WELL-ESTABLISHED, THERE ISN'T RESPECT FOR CONTRACTS YET. ALL OF THESE THINGS LEAD TO ENORMOUS INSTABILITY.

MR. CROSS SAYS, WITH POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS ELSEWHERE IN THE BALKANS, HE REMAINS PESSIMISTIC THE CURRENT BLOODSHED AND CONFUSION IN ALBANIA WILL GIVE WAY TO A PEACEFUL, DEMOCRATIC SOLUTION. (SIGNED).
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09-Feb-97 8:54 PM EST (0154 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] MOSTAR VIOLENCE (L-ONLY) BY COLIN SOLOWAY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: FIGHTING BROKE OUT BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND CROATS IN THE DIVIDED BOSNIAN TOWN OF MOSTAR LATE MONDAY, IN THE WORST VIOLENCE SEEN IN BOSNIA SINCE THE END OF THE WAR IN 1995. INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS REPORT AT LEAST FOUR DEAD AND DOZENS WOUNDED (EDS: REVISE AS NECESSARY). MORE FROM REPORTER COLIN SOLOWAY.

TEXT: INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS IN MOSTAR SAY THE FIGHTING BEGAN EARLY MONDAY AFTERNOON (LOCAL TIME), WHEN CROATS OPENED FIRE ON A LARGE GROUP OF MUSLIMS ATTEMPTING TO VISIT FAMILY GRAVES IN THE CROAT-CONTROLLED WESTERN SIDE OF THE DIVIDED CITY.

LATER IN THE DAY, MOBS OF MUSLIMS AND CROATS CLASHED IN FRONT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITIES' HEADQUARTERS NEAR THE ETHNIC DIVIDING LINE. NATO "S-FOR" (SECURITY FORCE) TROOPS HAVE SEALED THE BRIDGES BETWEEN THE MUSLIM AND CROAT SECTIONS OF THE TOWN, AND WEST MOSTAR IS UNDER CURFEW. // OPT // BUT OFFICIALS REPORT SPORADIC GUNFIRE AND GUNFIRE CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE CITY. // END OPT //

THE CLASHES ARE THE CULMINATION OF MONTHS OF RISING TENSIONS IN MOSTAR. RECENT WEEKS HAVE SEEN A NEW WAVE OF EXPULSIONS OF MUSLIMS FROM WEST MOSTAR, AND THE PAST FEW DAYS HAVE BEEN MARKED BY SMALL EXCHANGES OF GUNFIRE AND GRENADES.

THE MUSLIMS AND THE CROATS HAVE BEEN NOMINALLY ALLIED IN A FEDERATION SINCE THE END OF THEIR VICIOUS CIVIL WAR-WITHIN-A-WAR IN 1994. THE CROAT EXTREMISTS IN MOSTAR AND OTHER TOWNS IN THE REGION OF HERZEGOVINA HAVE CONSISTENTLY REFUSED TO ALLOW MUSLIMS TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS LAST YEAR CREATED UNIFIED CITY AND CANTON GOVERNMENTS IN MOSTAR, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN PARALYZED BY BITTER DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN CROATS AND MUSLIMS ON ALMOST EVERY SUBJECT. THE NEWLY-ELECTED MUNICIPAL ELECTION CHARGED WITH REUNIFYING MOSTAR HAS NO OFFICES BECAUSE CROAT NATIONALISTS HAVE OCCUPIED THE BUILDING WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO HOUSE IT.

IN SARAJEVO, CROAT DEPUTIES WALKED OUT OF A SESSION OF THE FEDERATION GOVERNMENT ON THURSDAY TO PROTEST PROPOSALS ON POWER-SHARING INSIDE THE FEDERATION.

BOTH CROAT AND MUSLIM FEDERATION OFFICIALS HAVE CONDEMNED MONDAY'S VIOLENCE. THE [U-N] DEPUTY HIGH REPRESENTATIVE, MICHAEL STEINER, AND BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILAJDZIC HAVE ARRIVED IN MOSTAR TO TRY AND CALM THE SITUATION, WHICH OFFICIALS ON THE GROUND DESCRIBE AS "CHAOTIC." THE [U-N] HIGH REPRESENTATIVE, CARL BILDT, DENOUNCED THE SHOOTINGS AS MURDER AND DEMANDED THAT THOSE RESPONSIBLE BE PUNISHED. (SIGNED)
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10-Feb-97 3:17 PM EST (2017 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] SERBIA POL (S ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (BELGRADE)

INTRO: SERBIA'S PARLIAMENT MEETS TUESDAY IN BELGRADE TO ADOPT SPECIAL LEGISLATION RECOGNIZING OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. OPPOSITION LEADERS HAVE PLEDGED TO CALL OFF THEIR DAILY STREET PROTESTS ONCE THAT LAW IS APPROVED. BUT V-O-A CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN BELGRADE REPORTS THE OPPOSITION LEADERS ARE VOWING TO CONTINUE THEIR STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRATIC REFORM.

TEXT: THE DEMONSTRATIONS CONTINUED HERE ON THE EVE OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SESSION, WITH OPPOSITION LEADERS SAYING THEY STILL HAVE STRONG DOUBTS THE GOVERNMENT WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR VICTORIES IN LAST NOVEMBER'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

BUT MOST INDEPENDENT ANALYSTS SAY THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT THAT PARLIAMENT, DOMINATED BY THE RULING SOCIALIST PARTY OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC WILL APPROVE THE SPECIAL LEGISLATION THAT HE PROPOSED GIVING THE OPPOSITION ZAJEDNO COALITION CONTROL OF 14 OF SERBIA'S LARGEST TOWNS AND CITIES, INCLUDING BELGRADE.

OPPOSITION LEADERS HAVE BEGUN TO FOCUS ON THEIR PLANS FOR GOVERNING THOSE CITIES AND THEY ALSO ARE VOWING TO KEEP UP THE PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT FOR FURTHER DEMOCRATIC REFORM HERE INCLUDING FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA.

ZORAN DJINDJIC, WHO IS SLATED TO BECOME MAYOR OF BELGRADE IN A ZAJEDNO ADMINISTRATION, SAYS THE GOVERNMENT MUST CEDE CONTROL OF THE CITY TELEVISION STATION. HE SAID THAT IF THAT DEMAND IS REJECTED, THE PROTESTERS WILL RETURN TO THE STREETS. (SIGNED)
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10-Feb-97 12:16 PM EST (1716 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] U-S / SERBIA (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPT.)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS URGED THE SERBIAN PARLIAMENT TO PASS LEGISLATION RECOGNIZING OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE SECRETARY OF STATE LEFT NO DOUBT IN THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT'S MIND THAT EXISITING AMERICAN SANCTIONS WILL STAY IN PLACE AGAINST SERBIA.

IN HER LETTER DELIVERED ON SATURDAY, SECRETARY ALBRIGHT URGED PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO QUICKLY PUT INTO EFFECT LEGISLATION RECOGNIZING OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN NOVEMBER'S LOCAL ELECTIONS.

THE SERBIAN PARLIAMENT CONSIDERS THAT LEGISLATION ON TUESDAY. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS BRIEFED REPORTERS ON THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S LETTER.

IN THAT LETTER, SECRETARY ALBRIGHT CALLED ON MR. MILOSEVIC AND THE SERBIAN AUTHORITIES TO PASS AND IMPLEMENT QUICKLY THE ELECTIONS LEGISLATION AND THEN TO OPEN A DIALOGUE, A FORMAL DIALOGUE, WITH THE POLITICAL OPPOSITION.

THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THE PARLIAMENT'S ACTION WILL ACTUALLY BE PUT INTO EFFECT. THE STATE DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS ITS SKEPTICISM.

IN ANY CASE, THE SPOKESMAN SAYS THE AMERICAN SANCTIONS -- INCLUDING BLOCKING INTERNATIONAL LOANS FOR SERBIA -- WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT. THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO AND SERBIA'S REFUSAL TO TRANSFER BOSNIA WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. (SIGNED)
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10-Feb-97 3:21 PM EST (2021 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] EDITORIAL: RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION AND INTOLERANCE

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 U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT RECENTLY ISSUED ITS ANNUAL REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. IN INTRODUCING THE REPORT, SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT EXPRESSED PARTICULAR CONCERN ABOUT RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION AND INTOLERANCE:

ACTUALITY #1 -- ALBRIGHT (ACTUALITY IN AUDIO SERVICES) "THESE ARE PLAGUES THAT, FROM ANCIENT TIMES, HAVE FOMENTED WAR AND DEEP-SEATED RESENTMENT. IN TOO MANY COUNTRIES, FROM SUDAN TO VIETNAM TO IRAN, THIS FORM OF REPRESSION PERSISTS. IN A FEW, INCLUDING CHINA, IT HAS INCREASED."

IN CHINA, THE REPORT SAYS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS INTENSIFIED ITS POLICY OF BRINGING UNDER OFFICIAL CONTROL ALL RELIGIOUS GROUPS, INCLUDING CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS AND BUDDHISTS. CHRISTIANS ARE SUBJECT TO DIFFICULTIES RANGING FROM INTERFERENCE TO OUTRIGHT PERSECUTION IN MANY COUNTRIES, INCLUDING IRAQ AND SUDAN. IN CUBA, PERSECUTION CONTINUES, DESPITE THE EASING OF SOME OF THE HARSHER MEASURES.

NON-MUSLIMS ARE OFFICIALLY PROHIBITED FROM PUBLIC WORSHIP IN SAUDI ARABIA, WHILE ELSEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, ANTI-JEWISH MATERIALS REGULARLY APPEAR IN GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED MEDIA. THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAN CONTINUES ITS REPRESSIVE PRACTICES AGAINST MEMBERS OF THE BAHA'I FAITH. IN VIETNAM, BOTH BUDDHISTS AND CHRISTIANS SUFFER FROM GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS.

ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, THE REPORT SAYS THAT RELIGIOUS GROUPS AND FIGURES ARE PLAYING SIGNIFICANT ROLES IN THE PREVENTION AND RESOLUTION OF CONFLICTS AND FOSTERING THE PEACEFUL EVOLUTION OF CIVIL SOCIETY. IN 1996, RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND GROUPS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PEACEMAKING ROLE IN VIRTUALLY EVERY REGION, FROM NORTHERN IRELAND TO NICARAGUA TO SOUTH AFRICA TO CAMBODIA. RELIGIOUS LEADERS SUCH AS THE POPE, THE DALAI LAMA, ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU OF SOUTH AFRICA, BISHOP CARLOS BELO OF EAST TIMOR AND MAHA GOSANANDA [MUH-'HAH GOZ-UH-'NAHN-DAH] OF CAMBODIA ARE ENGAGED IN EFFORTS AT MEDIATION AND THE PROMOTION OF TOLERANCE AND HUMAN RIGHTS.

AS SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAID, "WHATEVER YOUR CULTURE, WHATEVER YOUR CREED, THE RIGHT TO WORSHIP IS BASIC. BROADENING THE RECOGNITION OF THAT RIGHT AND PLACING THE SPOTLIGHT ON ITS DENIAL WILL BE A PRIORITY OF [UNITED STATES] HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY."

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.
10-Feb-97 3:10 PM EST (2010 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: MAJOR STOCK MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE MONDAY CLOSED MIXED WITH LONDON AND PARIS DOWN SLIGHTLY, BUT FRANKFURT POSTING A NEW RECORD HIGH. FOR THE CLOSING NUMBERS, HERE IS PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON.

TEXT: THE SLIGHTLY WEAKER DOLLAR, WHICH LOST A LITTLE MORE THAN ONE CENT TO THE GERMAN MARK, HELPED SEND STOCKS SOARING ON THE "DAX 30" IN FRANKFURT. THE KEY GERMAN STOCK BAROMETER ADDED MORE THAN 46 POINTS WHEN TRADING CLOSED MONDAY.

HERE IN LONDON, HOWEVER, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" INDEX OF 100 BRITISH STOCKS STAYED ESSENTIALLY WHERE IT WAS WHEN TRADING CLOSED FRIDAY. THE "FOOTSIE" WAS DOWN ONE-TENTH OF A POINT.

STOCK PRICES IN PARIS MONDAY WENT BACK AND FORTH, BUT ULTIMATELY THE "CAC 40" INDEX OF STOCKS CLOSED DOWN JUST A LITTLE OVER TWO POINTS FOR THE DAY.

THE U-S DOLLAR LOST ABOUT ONE CENT IN VALUE TO BOTH THE MARK AND THE BRITISH POUND ON THE LONDON MONEY MARKET. GOLD IN LONDON MONDAY GAINED 85 CENTS IN THE DAILY FIX, CLOSING AT 341-DOLLARS-30 CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
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10-Feb-97 1:31 PM EST (1831 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: A QUICK LOOK AT SOME OF THE MAJOR DAILY PAPERS THIS MONDAY SHOWS THAT MANY EDITORIALS ARE ABOUT LOCAL AND REGIONAL ISSUES. BUT AMONG THE BROADER SUBJECTS ARE THE ISRAELI SECURITY ZONE IN SOUTH LEBANON; THE NATO EXPANSION DEBATE; OPPOSITION IN THE U-S SENATE TO THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS TREATY; SOUTH AFRICA'S CONTINUING QUEST FOR JUSTICE; SEX HARASSMENT IN THE ARMY; AND THE LATEST WIN FOR DEMOCRACY IN SERBIA. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS __________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN TODAY'S PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER DEALS WITH THE ON-GOING DISPUTE WHETHER EXPANDING NATO TO INCLUDE SOME OF THE EASTERN EUROPEAN NATIONS FORMERLY UNDER THE SOVIET BLOC IS A GOOD IDEA. THE INQUIRER THINKS NOT.

VOICE: "WHY RUSH TO EXPAND A MILITARY ALLIANCE WHOSE PURPOSE WAS TO DEFEND AGAINST RUSSIAN INVASION? DOES ANYONE THINK THE RED ARMY IS COMING? [OPT] MOSCOW'S MILITARY IS IN DISARRAY, UNABLE TO BEAT RAGTAG GUERRILLAS IN CHECHNYA. MOREOVER, MOSCOW HAS BECOME A DE FACTO ALLY. SO WHAT NEW THREAT PROMPTS NATO'S EXPANSION EAST? [END OPT] ..... THE BAD FEELINGS STIRRED BY THE NATO ISSUE HAVE ALREADY CAUSED MISCHIEF IN THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT WITH RATIFICATION OF START TWO, THE ARMS TREATY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO CUT SUBSTANTIALLY THE NUMBER OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS AIMED AT AMERICA. ..... IT'S NOT TOO LATE FOR THE [CLINTON] ADMINISTRATION TO RECONSIDER A POLICY WITH A HUGE DOWNSIDE, AND FEW OBVIOUS GAINS."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS "JESSE HELMS MOCKS THE SENATE." NORTH CAROLINA SENATOR JESSE HELMS, CHAIRMAN OF THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, IS BLOCKING THE SENATE FROM RATIFYING THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS TREATY.

VOICE: "[OPT] TRENT LOTT [MISSISSIPPI REPUBLICAN AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER] AND HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS MAY FEEL A NEED TO HUMOR JESSE HELMS IN HIS ERRATIC MANAGEMENT OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, BUT THEY ONLY EMBARRASS THEMSELVES AND THE SENATE BY LETTING MR. HELMS HIJACK A TREATY THAT WOULD BAN CHEMICAL WEAPONS. MR. HELMS PLANS TO SET ASIDE CONSIDERATION OF THE TREATY UNTIL HE CAN FORCE THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND THE UNITED NATIONS TO REORGANIZE THEMSELVES. THAT COULD TAKE YEARS. [END OPT] ..... NO ONE EXPECTS MR. HELMS AND HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS TO FOLLOW THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS SLAVISHLY, BUT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REASONABLE DEBATE AND BLIND OBSTRUCTION. ON A MATTER OF SUCH CLEAR IMPORTANCE AND BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT, THE SENATE SHOULD NOT ALLOW ITSELF TO BE MANIPULATED BY MR. HELMS."

TEXT: UNDER A HEADLINE READING "A WAR THAT ISRAEL CANNOT WIN," TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES IS DISCUSSING THE HIGH PRICE BEING PAID FOR THE SECURITY ZONE ISRAEL MAINTAINS IN SOUTHERN LEBANON.

VOICE: "[OPT] ISRAEL CONTINUES TO PAY A HEAVY PRICE FOR ITS MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE 11-HUNDRED-44-SQUARE-KILOMETER 'SECURITY ZONE' IT MAINTAINS IN SOUTHERN LEBANON. IN THE LAST THREE YEARS NEARLY 70 ISRAELI SOLDIERS HAD BEEN KILLED THERE IN A SHADOWY WAR WITH HEZBOLLAH, THE IRANIAN-SUPORTED PARTY OF GOD. THIS TOLL MORE THAN DOUBLED LAST WEEK WHEN TWO ISRAELI HELICOPTERS COLLIDED OVER NORTHERN ISRAEL, KILLING 73 SOLDIERS BOUND FOR SOUTHERN LEBANON. [END OPT] ..... PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU .... VOWED THAT ISRAEL'S POLICY IN LEBANON WOULD NOT CHANGE. IN FACT, MOST ISRAELIS SEEM EAGER FOR A CHANGE THAT WOULD END ISRAEL'S MINI-OCCUPATION, IF EFFECTIVE SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE. THAT CONDITION REMAINS THE KEY OBSTACLE. ... AT A MINIMUM, LAST WEEK'S AIR DISASTER OUGHT TO PROMPT A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY REAPPRAISAL....."

TEXT: THE CONTINUING QUEST FOR JUSTICE FROM THE YEARS OF APARTHEID RULE IN SOUTH AFRICA HAS THE ATTENTION OF THE SUN IN BALTIMORE, WHICH SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: "THESE ARE TRYING TIMES FOR SOUTH AFRICA. THE COUNTRY IS EXPERIENCING RACIAL UNREST ON A SCALE UNPRECEDENTED SINCE THE ADVENT OF MAJORITY RULE IN 1994. [OPT] MEANWHILE, CONFESSIONS BY FIVE WHITE POLICEMEN THEY THEY BRUTALLY TORTURED AND MURDERED BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS ACTIVIST STEVE BIKO IN 1977 HAVE OPENED OLD WOUNDS. AND THE WHITE MINORITY IS INCREASINGLY RESTIVE BECAUSE RAMPANT CRIMES - - RANGING FROM BURGLARIES AND RAPES TO CAR-JACKINGS AND MURDERS - - HAVE INVADED THEIR PRIVILEGED NEIGHBORHOODS. IN ALL OF THESE CASES, THE PAST HAS COME TO HAUNT THE NEW SOUTH AFRICA. [END OPT] ..... UNDER PRESIDENT MANDELA, MAJORITY-RULED SOUTH AFRICA SO FAR HAS BEEN AN ASTONISHING SUCCESS STORY. BUT RECENT EVENTS UNDERSCORE THE FRAGILITY OF THE FABRIC OF ITS NEW SOCIETY."

TEXT: [OPT] DISCUSSING THE LATEST REVELATIONS IN A SERIES OF SEX HARASSMENT INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE U-S ARMY, USA TODAY SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: "THE CASES POINT OUT A HARD FACT: THE MILITARY'S SEXUAL HARASSMENT PROBLEMS REACH BEYOND HIGHLY PUBLICIZED ABUSES AT TRAINING BASES. YET SOME SENATORS ARE USING THE TRAINING CENTER SCANDALS TO URGE SEPARATION OF THE SEXES DURING TRAINING, A STEP SURE TO REDUCE WOMEN'S OPPORTUNITIES. ..... THE ANSWER TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT ISN'T SEPARATION OF THE SEXES. IT'S TO CATCH THOSE WHO COMMIT OR PERMIT IT AND PUNISH THEM." [END OPT]

TEXT: [OPT] TODAY'S MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE IS PRAISING THE RECENT DECISION BY THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION TO OPPOSE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT UNTIL THE SYSTEM IS PURGED OF WHAT THE A-B-A CALLS UNFAIRNESS.

VOICE: ".... THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION [IS] A PRETTY STAID, SERIOUS-MINDED GROUP, TILTED PERHAPS SLIGHTLY TOWARD THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE ..... SO WHEN THE A-B-A DENOUNCES AMERICAN ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEATH PENALTY AS A 'HAPHAZARD MAZE OF UNFAIR PRACTICES,' IT SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. WHEN IT CALLS FOR A MORATORIUM ON USE OF THE DEATH PENALTY UNTIL THE FLAWS ARE FIXED.... THE KILLING SHOULD STOP." [END OPT]

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ABOUT THE RECENT VICTORY OF THE PRO-DEMOCRACY DEMONSTRATORS IN SERBIA, THE WASHINGTON POST EXCLAIMS:

VOICE: "IN A STIRRING VICTORY, THE PEOPLE OF SERBIA HAVE FORCED PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO BACK DOWN AND RETURN THE LOCAL ELECTIONS HE HAD STOLEN. BEST OF ALL, THEY DID IT ENTIRELY BY MASSIVE PEACEFUL PROTEST. NOW THE STUDENT RESISTANCE AND POLITICAL OPPOSITION THAT COMBINED TO DO THE JOB MUST CONVERT TACTICAL INTO STRATEGIC SUCCESS."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM MONDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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10-Feb-97 10:40 AM EST (1540 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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