Voice of America, 97-03-06 (1 of 2)

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CONTENTS

[01] U-S / GREECE ALBANIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[02] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[03] EDITORIAL: U.S.-TURKEY ECONOMIC COOPERATION

[04] ALBANIA ACCORD (L) BY BARRY WOOD (TIRANA)

[05] ALBANIA HUMAN RIGHTS (L-RERUN) BY BARRY WOOD (TIRANA)

[06] ALBANIA TEETERS ON THE BRINK BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] U-S / GREECE ALBANIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS MET GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER THEODHOROS PANGALOS TO DISCUSS CYPRUS, GREEK PROBLEMS WITH TURKEY IN THE AEGEAN SEA, AND THE POLITICAL TURMOIL IN ALBANIA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE TWO MINISTERS AGREED ON THE NEED FOR A POLITICAL SOLUTION IN ALBANIA.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THIS IS A CRITICAL STAGE OF EVENTS IN ALBANIA TO DECIDE WHETHER ALBANIA DISSOLVES INTO CIVIL WAR OR REMAINS AN INSURRECTION IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE COUNTRY. SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT AND GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER THEODHOROS PANGOLOS ARE REPORTED TO HAVE REACHED A MEETING OF THE MINDS ON THE NEED FOR THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT TO REACH A PEACEFUL, POLITICAL SETTLEMENT WITH ITS OPPOSITION.

FOR GREECE, THE POTENTIAL FOR MORE REFUGEES FROM NEIGHBORING ALBANIA IS THE MAIN PROBLEM. FOREIGN MINISTER PANGOLOS TELLS REPORTERS GREECE IS WORRIED ABOUT EVENTS IN ALBANIA GETTING OUT OF CONTROL.

WE HAVE A GREAT CONCERN ABOUT THE EVENTUAL SITUATION THAT WILL GET OF CONTROL AND WILL CREATE A TREND OF REFUGEES THAT WILL INCREASE THE PRESENT POPULATION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM ALBANIA IN GREECE. THERE ARE MORE THAN 300-THOUSAND. THAT IS VERY CLOSE TO OUR TOLERANCE POINT AND WE ARE VERY MUCH CONCERNED ABOUT PROTECTION OF THE GREEK COMMUNITY IN ALBANIA.

BOTH COUNTRIES ARE DEPENDING ON A MISSION LED BY FORMER AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR FRANZ VRANITSKY THAT IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE SATURDAY IN TIRANA. SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS THE UNITED STATES SHARES GREECE'S CONCERN.

WE BELIEVE IT IS HIGHLY IMPORTANT THAT THERE BE A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE WHOLE ISSUE. WE ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE O-S-C-E MISSION THAT IS HEADED BY MR. VRANITSKY THAT IS GOING THERE. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVE ON THAT, CONGRESSMAN (ELLIOTT) ENGEL. WE THINK THAT THAT MISSION WILL SERVE A VERY IMPORTANT PURPOSE.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS CALLS FOR ALBANIAN PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA TO BE RECEPTIVE TO THE VRANITSKY MISSION. THE SPOKESMAN REMEMBERS THE O-S-C-E MISSION OF FORMER SPANISH PRIME MINISTER FELIPE GONZALEZ TO BELGRADE THAT WAS SUCCESSFUL IN RESOLVING THE SERBIAN POLITICAL CRISIS.

ON OTHER U-S-GREEK ISSUES, MR. BURNS SAYS THE SECRETARY OF STATE ASKED FOR MR. PANGOLOS TO RESPOND TO AMERICAN SUGGESTIONS FOR CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES ON THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS.

HOW ARE GREECE AND TURKEY GOING TO GET A HOLD OF THESE ISSUES?. BECAUSE IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN DYNAMICS IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS. WE CAN JAWBONE (PRESSURE) ALL WE WANT AND WE CAN COME UP WITH 10-BILLION CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES, BUT THEY ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE GOT TO MAKE THE DECISIONS.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS THIS IS THE YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY TO RESOLVE THE CYPRUS PROBLEM, SINCE CYPRUS IS NEGOTIATING ITS POTENTIAL MEMBERSHIP INTO THE EUROPEAN UNION. (SIGNED)
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06-Mar-97 1:10 PM EST (1810 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE U-S PRESS IS DEALING WITH A WIDE ARRAY OF TOPICS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS, INCLUDING A CONGRESSIONAL HEARING FOR C-I-A DIRECTOR DESIGNATE ANTHONY LAKE; THE SITUATION IN ALBANIA; THE PERUVIAN HOSTAGE CRISIS; THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT LOSING IN CONGRESS; THE NEW JEWISH HOUSING PLANNED FOR EAST JERUSALEM; AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE SOARING STOCK MARKET. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: FOR MORE THAN A MONTH, AS OTHER CLINTON APPOINTEES GOT SPEEDY APPROVAL BY THE SENATE, ANTHONY LAKE, THE PRESIDENT'S FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER HAS SAT WAITING FOR A CONFIRMATION HEARING TO BE APPROVED AS THE NEW HEAD OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY. BUT HIS PAST ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING A CONTROVERSIAL DECISION TO TACITLY APPROVE - - BY IGNORING - - IRANIAN ARMS SALES TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA DURING THE CIVIL WAR, HAS CAUSED SOME IN CONGRESS TO REMAIN SKEPTICAL ABOUT HIS QUALIFICATIONS. TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES IS PLEASED THAT FINALLY MR. LAKE WILL GET HIS DAY BEFORE THE SENATE COMMITTEE.

VOICE: "THE TOO-LONG DELAYED HEARINGS ON THE NOMINATION OF ANTHONY LAKE TO BE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE ARE FINALLY SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK, GIVING PRESIDENT CLINTON'S FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR THE CHANCE TO DEAL PUBLICLY WITH CONCERNS RAISED BY THOSE ON THE SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE AND ELSEWHERE WHO DISAPPROVE OF SOME OF HIS FOREIGN POLICY VIEWS. BARRING MAJOR SURPRISES, THE COMMITTEE IS EXPECTED TO SEND [MR.] LAKE'S NOMINATION TO THE FLOOR FOR CONFIRMATION."

TEXT: [BEGIN OPT] THE MIAMI HERALD IS ALSO PLEASED THAT THE HEARING HAS FINALLY BEEN SCHEDULED, AND GLAD THAT THE AGENCY IS NOT WAITING FOR MR. LAKE TO BEGIN A BASIC HOUSECLEANING.

VOICE: "....THE DELAYS HAVE PERPETUATED A LEADERSHIP VOID AT THE C-I-A. DESPITE THAT, THE C-I-A - - AFTER A TWO-YEAR STUDY OF ITS USE OF INFORMANTS ABROAD - - HAS PURGED ABOUT 100 OF THEM FROM ITS PAYROLL FOR THE BEST OF REASONS: THE QUALITY OF THEIR WORK DIDN'T JUSTIFY CONTINUED C-I-A ASSOCIATION WITH THEM, MANY OF WHOM ARE KNOWN THIEVES AND MURDERERS. THIS IS THE SORT OF NECESSARY REFORM THAT BEST CAN BE LED WHEN A PERMANENT DIRECTOR IS ON BOARD. THE JUSTICE REVIEW OF THE MORE-SERIOUS ISSUES RAISED BY THE SENATORS FOUND MR. LAKE GUILTY OF POOR DECISION MAKING BUT NO WRONGDOING."

TEXT: STILL WITH THE C-I-A, TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE FOCUSES ON THE HOUSE CLEANING OF DISREPUTABLE AGENTS RATHER THAN THE LAKE HEARING AS IT NOTES:

VOICE: "THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON DRUG CARTELS, TERRORISTS, AND DANGEROUS DICTATORS ARE OFTEN IN THE ENTOURAGES OF TRAFFICKERS, BOMBERS, AND INTERNATIONAL BULLIES. THE C-I-A-PAID INFORMER WHO HELPED CATCH THE WORLD-CLASS TERRORIST CARLOS 'THE JACKAL,' FOR EXAMPLE, HAD HIMSELF BEEN INVOLVED IN A TERRORIST BOMBING. BUT ALL TOO OFTEN THE CRIMES AGENTS COMMIT OUTWEIGH THE INFORMATION THEY PROVIDE, AND THEY CAN PROVE TO BE MAJOR EMBARRASSMENTS AS WELL. ..... IN THE JARGON OF INTELLIGENCE, WHAT THE C-I-A IS DOING IS SIMPLY GOOD TRADECRAFT. IT IS WEIGHING VALUE FOR RISK..." [END OPT]

TEXT: TURNING OVERSEAS, TO THE TINY TROUBLED EUROPEAN NATION OF ALBANIA, THE WASHINGTON POST POINTS OUT THAT UNTIL RECENTLY, THE PRESIDENT THERE, SALI BERISHA, HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE WEST DESPITE A TAINTED ELECTION.

VOICE: "LAST YEAR, WHEN ALBANIAN LEADER SALI BERISHA WON A TAINTED PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION AND THEN CRACKED DOWN ON PEACEFUL OPPOSITION, NEITHER THE UNITED STATES NOR THE EUROPEAN UNION COMPLAINED MUCH. ..... THE WEST OPTED FOR STABILITY OVER DEMOCRACY. THIS WEEK, WITH ALBANIA SPINNING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO CIVIL WAR, IT'S BECOMING CLEAR ONCE AGAIN THAT STABILITY WITHOUT DEMOCRACY OFTEN ISN'T WORTH MUCH. "

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, THE MIAMI HERALD IS SUGGESTING READERS NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE PERUVIAN HOSTAGE CRISIS, NOW AT "DAY 78 AND COUNTING."

VOICE: "AFTER 78 DAYS OF DREADFUL WAITING, A RAY OF LIGHT SHINES FOR THE 72 HOSTAGES HELD BY TUPAC AMARU REBELS IN LIMA. THE HOPE COMES AFTER PERUVIAN PRESIDENT ALBERTO FUJIMORI WENT TO HAVANA FOR AN UNANNOUNCED - - THOUGH NOT UNEXPECTED - - CHAT WITH FIDEL CASTRO. AFTER ALL, WHAT BETTER SAFE HAVEN FOR MARXIST GUERRILLAS IF NOT IN THE WARM EMBRACE OF CUBA'S COMMUNIST PARADISE, INVITED BY NONE OTHER THAN THE GODFATHER OF ALL REVOLUTIONARIES, FIDEL HIMSELF? .... EVEN AS THE WORLD PRAYS FOR THE HOSTAGES' SAFE RELEASE, LET THE PLAYERS REMAIN WARY OF HIDDEN STRINGS ATTACHED TO [PREMIER] CASTRO'S ATTACK OF ALTRUISM."

TEXT: [BEGIN OPT] THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD NOTES THE FAILURE, BY ONE VOTE IN THE SENATE THIS WEEK OF THE BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT. IT WOULD HAVE CHANGED THE CONSTITUTION, WITH APPROVAL OF THE STATES, TO FORCE THE NATION TO BALANCE THE FEDERAL BUDGET.

VOICE: "THOSE SUPPORTING A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT ..... MAY HAVE LOST ANOTHER BATTLE THIS WEEK, BUT THE WAR IS FAR FROM OVER. ..... CONGRESS AND THE ADMINISTRATION MUST PRODUCE A BALANCED BUDGET DURING THEIR CURRENT TERMS IN OFFICE. IF THEY DO NOT, ACCOUNTABILITY FLIES OUT THE WINDOW. ..... IF WE CANNOT BALANCE THE BUDGET NOW, WE NEVER WILL. WE WILL GO ON PILING UP DEBT AND INTEREST PAYMENTS THAT WILL WEIGH DOWN OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. THAT IS NEITHER FAIR NOR JUST." [END OPT]

TEXT: TURNING TO THE ISSUE OF NEW JEWISH SETTLEMENTS PLANNED FOR ARAB EAST JERUSALEM, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION TODAY ACCUSES ISRAEL OF TRYING TO "BULLY" THE PALESTINIANS WITH THE PLAN.

VOICE: "... BY BUILDING ... IN EAST JERUSALEM, PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU IS TRYING TO SETTLE THE STATUS OF THE HOLY CITY WITH BULLDOZERS AND CRANES RATHER THAN THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE PALESTINIANS. [MR.] NETANYAHU'S MANEUVER IS ILL-TIMED, ILL-CONSIDERED AND BRIMMING WITH ILL WILL. ONCE AGAIN, HE IS STRETCHING THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS TO A BREAKING POINT. ..... [PRESIDENT] CLINTON SHOULD MAKE CLEAR ... THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT ACCEPT A ONE-SIDED, ACCOMPLISHED FACT THRUST DOWN THE THROATS OF THE PALESTINIANS."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, ABOUT THE SOARING U-S STOCK MARKET AND FEARS THAT IT MAY BE OVERVALUED, AND THE EFFORTS OF FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN ALAN GREENSPAN TO CALM INVESTORS, USA TODAY SAYS:

VOICE: "[BEGIN OPT] WHEN .... CHAIRMAN ... GREENSPAN SPEAKS, PEOPLE HAVE GOT TO LISTEN. AFTER ALL, HE HAS CLOUT MERE MORTALS DON'T. AS HEAD OF THE NATION'S CENTRAL BANK, HE AND OTHER BOARD MEMBERS CAN CHANGE THE PRICE PEOPLE PAY TO BORROW MONEY BY CHANGING INTEREST RATES. THE ONLY HARD PART IS READING BETWEEN HIS LINES. [END OPT] .....AFTER BEING PUMMELED BY ECONOMIC PUNDITS AND SOME MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FOR VERBALLY MEDDLING IN THE MARKETS, [CHAIRMAN] GREENSPAN WEDNESDAY CHANGED HIS TUNE. SORT OF. HE SAID STOCKS AREN'T OVERVALUE 'IF THE EARNINGS FORECASTS .... ARE ACCURATE.' .... STILL, BE FOREWARNED: THE FED'S [THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD - - THE NATION'S CENTRAL BANK] GOT ITS EYE ON THE MARKET AND MAY RAISE INTEREST RATES IF IT GETS TOO CRAZY."

TEXT: ON THAT CAUTIONARY NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS COMMENTS ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS TO BE FOUND IN TODAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS.
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06-Mar-97 10:19 AM EST (1519 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EDITORIAL: U.S.-TURKEY ECONOMIC COOPERATION

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 UNITED STATES VALUES HIGHLY ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH TURKEY INCLUDING TURKEY'S ROLE AS A NATO ALLY AND RELIABLE PARTNER AMONG THE WORLD'S DEMOCRACIES. THE COMMERCIAL RELATIONSHIP IS ALSO IMPORTANT. AS ALAN LARSON, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS, SAID, U.S.-TURKEY COMMERCIAL RELATIONS NEED TO BE BASED ON THE SAME PRINCIPLES THAT HAVE SERVED THE U.S. AND TURKEY SO WELL IN REGARD TO SECURITY.

THANKS TO THE DYNAMISM OF TURKEY'S PRIVATE SECTOR, ECONOMIC GROWTH DURING THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF LAST YEAR WAS MORE THAN SEVEN PERCENT, DESPITE HIGH INFLATION. THE U.S. SUPPORTS THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO TACKLING ITS ECONOMIC PROBLEMS, BEGINNING WITH DEFICIT REDUCTION AND AN AMBITIOUS PROGRAM TO PRIVATIZE STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES AND ASSETS. AS THE DECEMBER DECLINE IN INTEREST RATES SHOWS, THE REACTION OF FINANCIAL MARKETS HAS BEEN POSITIVE. THE U.S. ENCOURAGES TURKISH OFFICIALS TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE ECONOMIC REFORM.

A REALISTIC APPROACH IS ESPECIALLY CRUCIAL IN REGARD TO ENERGY. TURKEY MUST DECIDE WHETHER IT DARES TO PUT ITS ENERGY FUTURE IN THE HANDS OF COUNTRIES THAT DO NOT SHARE TURKEY'S RESPECT FOR DEMOCRATIC TRADITIONS, THAT USE THE PROCEEDS OF ENERGY SALES TO FOSTER TERRORISM, THAT SEEK TO ACQUIRE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND THAT FOMENT REGIONAL INSTABILITY. THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES THAT COULD MEET TURKEY'S NEEDS IN A MORE SECURE AND COST-EFFECTIVE FASHION. ONE IS THE PROPOSED PIPELINE FOR CASPIAN SEA OIL FROM BAKU, AZERBAIJAN, TO CEYHAN, TURKEY. A COMPANION LINE TO CARRY NATURAL GAS FROM AZERBAIJAN, AND EVENTUALLY FROM TURKMENISTAN AND KAZAKSTAN, WOULD APPEAR TO BE A NATURAL ADJUNCT TO THE OIL LINE. THE U.S. IS PREPARED TO WORK WITH TURKEY ON SUCH PROJECTS TO ADVANCE ITS ENERGY SECURITY.

THE SUCCESS OF THE U.S.-TURKEY ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP MUST BE BASED ON RESPECT, REALISM AND RESOLVE. AS ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE LARSON SAID, "EACH SIDE MUST RESPECT THE ROLES, CAPABILITIES AND VALUES OF THE OTHER. EACH SIDE MUST BASE ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE PARTNERSHIP ON A CLEAR APPRECIATION OF THE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL REALITY OF THE OTHER. AND EACH SIDE MUST SUMMON THE RESOLVE TO MAKE THE PARTNERSHIP WORK, DESPITE COMPLICATIONS THAT ARE SURE TO ARISE."

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.
06-Mar-97 3:50 PM EST (2050 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] ALBANIA ACCORD (L) BY BARRY WOOD (TIRANA)

INTRO: IN ALBANIA, THERE HAS BEEN A BREAKTHROUGH THAT COULD RESOLVE THE POLITICAL CRISIS BROUGHT ON BY A REBELLION AGAINST GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY IN KEY TOWNS IN SOUTHERN ALBANIA. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM TIRANA.

TEXT: LEADERS OF TEN POLITICAL PARTIES MET WITH PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA FOR OVER FIVE HOURS THURSDAY AND REACHED A SEVEN POINT AGREEMENT. THE KEY PROVISIONS ARE THE PROMISE OF AMNESTY FOR THOSE WHO TURN IN LOOTED WEAPONS DURING A 48 HOUR PERIOD. THE ARMY PROMISES TO HALT MILITARY OPERATIONS DURING THAT TIME.

THE TEN PARTIES FURTHER DECLARE THAT THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER AND A GUARANTEE OF PUBLIC ORDER IS A TOP PRIORITY. THE PRESIDENT PROMISES TO BEGIN CONSULTATIONS WITH THE OPPOSITION ON NOMINATING A NEW PRIME MINISTER WHO IS BROADLY ACCEPTABLE TO ALL PARTIES. A COMMISSION OF EXPERTS IS BEING ESTABLISHED TO EXAMINE THE COLLAPSE OF FRAUDULENT INVESTMENT INSTITUTIONS WHICH COST THOUSANDS OF ALBANIANS THEIR LIFE SAVINGS. ALL PARTIES PLEDGE A CONTINUING DIALOGUE.

UNMENTIONED IN THE DECLARATION IS THE IMPLICIT PROMISE OF NEW PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS LIKELY TO BE HELD WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS. NERITAN CEKA, THE HEAD OF THE OPPOSITION DEMOCRACIC ALLIANCE, TOOK PART IN THURSDAY'S NEGOTIATIONS. MR. CEKA REGARDS THE ACCORD AS A STEP FORWARD, BUT REMAINS SCEPTICAL ABOUT PRESIDENT BERISHA'S INTENTIONS.

NO, I HAVE A VERY BAD EXPERIENCE FROM ALBANIAN POLITICS AND I CAN'T BE SURE FOR ANYTHING IN THIS KIND OF POLITICS.

NONETHELESS, MR. CEKA HAILS THE ACCORD AS A NEW POLITICAL BEGINNING FOR ALBANIA.

PRESIDENT BERISHA HAS BEEN UNDER SEVERE CRITICISM FROM HIS WESTERN ALLIES FOR HIS HANDLING OF THE PROTESTS IN THE SOUTH. WESTERN EMBASSIES HAVE COMPLAINED BITTERLY ABOUT THE REPRESSIVE MEASURES THAT ACCOMPANIED THE DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY LAST SUNDAY. THE PRESIDENT HAS ALSO BEEN EMBARASSED BY THE GENERAL REFUSAL OF HIS ARMY TO FIGHT IN THE SOUTH AND ITS HASTY WITHDRAWAL FROM ARSENALS THAT WERE SUBSEQUENTLY LOOTED BY PROTESTERS. MOST ARMY PERSONNEL LOST MONEY IN THE INVESTMENT SCHEMES AND SOLDIERS ARE BADLY EQUIPPED AND RECEIVE SALARIES OF LESS THAN FIVE DOLLARS PER MONTH.

THE ACCORD COMES JUST AS SEVERAL IMPORTANT OUTSIDE OBSERVERS ARE DUE TO ARRIVE IN TIRANA. THE EUROPEAN UNION IS SENDING A DELEGATION FRIDAY, AND THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE FOLLOWS SOON AFTER. THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND HAS CANCELLED A PLANNED VISIT BY ITS FINANCIAL STAFF NEXT WEEK. WESTERN DIPLOMATS ALL DAY THURSDAY EXPRESSED GUARDED OPTIMISM THAT A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS WAS AT HAND. (SIGNED)
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06-Mar-97 1:12 PM EST (1812 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] ALBANIA HUMAN RIGHTS (L-RERUN) BY BARRY WOOD (TIRANA)

INTRO: HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN ALBANIA HAVE VOICED VIGOROUS CRITICISM OF WHAT THEY CONSIDER REPRESSIVE ACTIONS BY THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT SINCE THE DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY ON SUNDAY. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM TIRANA.

TEXT: WESTERN GOVERNMENTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES ARE PROTESTING VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THE HEAVY HANDED MEASURES THAT ARE STIFLING DISSENT AND INDEPENDENT EXPRESSION IN ALBANIA.

THE HEAD OF THE HELSINKI HUMAN RIGHTS FEDERATION IN ALBANIA, ARBEN PUTO, SAYS A PROMINENT STUDENT LEADER WAS ARRESTED BY THE AUTHORITIES WEDNESDAY. HE SAYS FOLLOWING THE BURNING OF THE EDITORIAL OFFICES OF THE COUNTRY' LEADING NEWSPAPER SUNDAY NIGHT, REPORTERS ARE TERRIFIED FOR THEIR SAFETY AND MANY HAVE GONE INTO HIDING.

MR. PUTO SAYS THE SUPPRESSION OF THE INDEPENDENT MEDIA IS A GRAVE VIOLATION OF A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.

YOU HAVE PROBABLY SEEN THERE IS A BLACKOUT OF THE PRESS IN THIS COUNTRY. WE WERE USED TO MANY NEWSPAPERS, TO VARIOUS NEWSPAPERS OF VARIOUS POLITICAL ORIENTATIONS. NOW WE ARE SEEING ONLY ONE NEWSPAPER, THAT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN POWER.

ANOTHER HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE SAYS THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY REPRESSIVE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

AARON RHODES IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS BASED IN VIENNA. HE APPEALS TO PRESIDENT BERISHA TO SEEK A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT AND NOT TO INCREASE TENSION BY RATCHETING UP REPRESSIVE MEASURES.

MR. RHODES SAYS MR. BERISHA HAS MADE A SERIOUS MISTAKE BY TURNING ASIDE AN OFFER OF MEDIATION FROM THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE.

THERE IS A MILITARY CONFRONTATION THAT IS LOOMING IN THE FUTURE AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT NOT TO PURSUE THIS IMPULSIVE, REACTIONARY TENDENCY THAT YOU FIND ALL OVER THE BALKANS TO RATCHET UP THE CRISIS. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TRY TO DO ITS PART IN DIFFUSING THIS CRISIS INSTEAD OF ESCALATING THE CRISIS.

MR. RHODES EVEN CALLS MR. BERISHA'S GOVERNMENT ILLEGITIMATE AS A RESULT OF WHAT HE BELIEVES WAS WIDESPREAD FRAUD IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS LAST MAY.

BUT DESPITE COMPLAINTS ABOUT REPRESSIVE GOVERNMENT MEASURES, THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNERS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE GOVERNMENT FACES AN UNLAWFUL CHALLENGE TO ITS AUTHORITY IN THE SOUTH. THEY CONCEDE THAT ALBANIA IN CONFRONTED WITH THE THREAT OF ANARCHY AND THAT MOB RULE PREVAILS IN SARANDE AND VLORE. HOWEVER, THEY SAY THAT THE CLEAR IMPERATIVE FOR THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT IS TO AVOID MILITARY CONFRONTATION AND SEEK A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT THAT WOULD DEFUSE THE POLITICAL CRISIS. (SIGNED)
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06-Mar-97 10:53 AM EST (1553 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] ALBANIA TEETERS ON THE BRINK BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE CIVIL STRIFE IN ALBANIA, ONE OF EUROPE'S SMALLEST AND POOREST NATIONS, APPEARS TO BE GROWING WORSE, AND THE U-S PRESS HAS PLENTY TO SAY ABOUT THE SITUATION.

WE GET A SAMPLING NOW FROM _______________IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: OBSERVERS SAY THAT ONE OF THE TRAGEDIES FOLLOWING THE FALL OF COMMUNISM IN EASTERN EUROPE WAS THAT MANY PEOPLE DID NOT UNDERSTAND CAPITALISM, MAKING THEM EASY PREY FOR UNSCRUPULOUS BUSINESSMEN WHO OFFERED A VARIETY OF GET-RICH-QUICK SCHEMES.

ONE OF THE WORST EXAMPLES IS ALBANIA, WHERE INSTITUTIONS KNOWN AS "FOUNDATIONS" HAVE USED PYRAMID SCHEMES TO DEFRAUD HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OF THEIR LIFE SAVINGS. SO-CALLED PRYMAID SCHEMES ATTRACT INVESTORS THROUGH PROMISES OF HUGE RETURNS ON THEIR DEPOSITS. EARLY INVESTORS DO EARN EXHORBITANTLY HIGH RETURNS WHCIH ARE PAID FOR WITH THE MONEY OF THE NEWEST INVESTORS. BUT IF NEWER INVESTORS ARE NOT ATTRACTED TO CONTINUE THE HIGH PAYMENTS, THE ENTIRE ENTEPRISE COLLAPSES.

IN ALBANIA, RUMORS HAVE CIRCULATED THAT SOME OF THE LARGEST PYRAMID FUNDS THAT DUPED THE MOST PEOPLE WERE OWNED BY FRIENDS OF HIGH-RANKING ALBANIAN OFFICIALS.

NOW, THE NATION APPEARS ON THE BRINK OF CIVIL WAR AND IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA AND HIS MILITARY FORCES, WHICH HAVE BEGUN ATTACKING ARMED RIOTERS IN THE SOUTH OF THE COUNTRY, WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL.

THE AMERICAN PRESS IS WATCHING AND WORRYING ABOUT THE WORSENING TURMOIL AND ITS POTENTIAL INTERNATIONAL IMPLICATIONS. WE BEGAN OUR SAMPLING OF COMMENT IN CALIFORNIA'S CAPITAL, WHERE THE SACRAMENTO BEE SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: "UNFOLDING DISASTER IN TINY ALBANIA THREATENS TO SPREAD DISORDER TO OTHER PARTS OF EUROPE'S VOLATILE BALKAN PENINSULA. THE UNITED STATES AND ITS EUROPEAN ALLIES MUST INCREASE PRESSURE ON THE COUNTRY'S PRESIDENT, SALI BERISHA, TO SHOW RESTRAINT IN DEALING WITH VIOLENT UNREST ORIGINALLY TRIGGERED BY THE LOSS BY MOST ALBANIAN FAMILIES OF ALL OR MOST OF THEIR ASSETS IN AN INVESTMENT SWINDLE THEY NOW BLAME ON THE GOVERNMENT. SO FAR [MR.] BERISHA HAS SHOWN ANYTHING BUT RESTRAINT.... [OPT] A NEW LEVEL OF INTENSITY WAS REACHED YESTERDAY [2/5] AS SPORADIC FIGHTING BROKE OUT IN SOUTHERN AREAS AND, ACCORDING TO EYEWITNESS REPORTS DENIED BY THE GOVERNMENT, MILITARY PLANES BOMBED AT LEAST ONE VILLAGE..... [END OPT] ALBANIA'S INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE LIES IN THE PRESENCE OF LARGE ETHNIC ALBANIAN COMMUNITIES IN NEIGHBORING MACEDONIA, GREECE AND IN KOSOVO, A PROVINCE OF SERBIA WITH A HUGE ALBANIAN MAJORITY. ....EUROPE, WHOSE AID PROVIDES A MAJORITY OF ALBANIA'S GOVERNMENT BUDGET, MUST USE ITS LEVERAGE BOTH TO HELP DEFUSE AN IMMEDIATE CRISIS AND TO PROMOTE LONG-TERM STABILITY."

TEXT: MEANWHILE, THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE EXAMINES THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE SITUATION.

VOICE: "WAR, FAMINE AND CORRUPTION ARE FAMILIAR REASONS FOR OVERTHROWING A GOVERNMENT, BUT TINY, DIRT-POOR ALBANIA HAS PRODUCED A BIZARRE EXCUSE FOR RIOTS AND POLITICAL TURMOIL. THOUSANDS OF NEOPHYTE INVESTORS, WHO STUMBLED INTO THE FREE MARKET AFTER DECADES OF COMMUNIST ISOLATION, HAVE LOST AN ESTIMATED ONE BILLION DOLLARS IN PYRAMID SCHEMES. [OPT] ..... LURED BY TALL TALES OF 50 PERCENT INTEREST PER MONTH, GULLIBLE CITIZENS SUNK THEIR SAVINGS INTO THE SO-CALLED 'FOUNDATIONS' THAT PAID OFF A FEW WITH MONEY SUPPLIED BY NEW ENROLLEES. [END OPT] ..... HOW COULD A NATION BE ENGULFED BY SUCKER BETS? [TOTALLY UNWISE INVESTMENTS] THE POVERTY OF ALBANIA AND HIGH HOPES OF CATCHING UP WITH BETTER-OFF EUROPEAN NEIGHBORS SUCH AS GREECE AND ITALY ARE PART OF THE STORY. NOW THE GOVERNMENT MAY FALL AND RIOTING COULD CONTINUE. WAITING IN THE WINGS ARE OUT-OF-WORK COMMUNIST PARTY MEMBERS, WHO MAY RECLAIM THEIR OLD JOBS."

TEXT: IN THE PACIFIC ISLAND STATE OF HAWAII, THE HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN EXPRESSES SYMPATHY FOR THE PEOPLE AND A NOTE OF SURPRISE AT THE EXTENT OF THE TROUBLE.

VOICE: "ONE OF THE SADDEST STORIES TO FOLLOW THE COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM IN EASTERN EUROPE IS THE CASE OF ALBANIA. FOR DECADES THE POOREST COUNTRY IN EUROPE, ALBANIA HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS SINCE COMMUNIST RULE ENDED IN 1992. BUT NOW THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN THRUST INTO CHAOS BY THE BACKLASH AGAINST FRAUDULENT INVESTMENT SCHEMES. ..... AFTER DECADES OF AUTHORITARIAN RULE, ALBANIANS WERE ILL PREPARED TO MAKE THEIR OWN FINANCIAL DECISIONS AND WERE EASY MARKS [PREY] FOR THE UNSCRUPULOUS. BUT NO ONE COULD HAVE ANTICIPATED THAT THE FRAUDS WOULD REACH SUCH A GIGANTIC SCALE."

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES IS ALSO DISGUSTED WITH THE LATEST TURN OF EVENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT IN TIRANA.

VOICE: "SIX WEEKS OF ESCALATING PROTESTS AND INCREASINGLY HEAVY-HANDED RESPONSES FROM A REGIME THAT HAS SHOWN LITTLE RESPECT FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES HAVE BROUGHT ALBANIA CLOSE TO CIVIL WAR. ..... ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF ALBANIA'S BUDGET COMES FROM WESTERN FOREIGN AID. THE POLITICAL LEVERAGE IMPLICIT IN THAT VITAL RESOURCE SHOULD BE USED NOW TO FORESTALL A NEW BALKANS CRISIS."

TEXT: WAIT JUST A SECOND, SAYS [TODAY'S] (3/6) [THE] WASHINGTON POST. THE PAPER SAYS THAT WESTERN DEMOCRACIES COULD HAVE, AND SHOULD HAVE, SEEN THE PRESENT TROUBLE COMING MONTHS AND MONTHS AGO. THE POST NOTES THAT THE WEST CHOSE TO REMAIN SILENT EVEN WHEN THE BERISHA GOVERNMENT WON HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS.

VOICE: "LAST YEAR, WHEN ALBANIAN LEADER SALI BERISHA WON A TAINTED PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION AND THEN CRACKED DOWN ON PEACEFUL OPPOSITION, NEITHER THE UNITED STATES NOR THE EUROPEAN UNION COMPLAINED MUCH. ..... THE WEST OPTED FOR STABILITY OVER DEMOCRACY. THIS WEEK, WITH ALBANIA SPINNING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO CIVIL WAR, IT'S BECOMING CLEAR ONCE AGAIN THAT STABILITY WITHOUT DEMOCRACY OFTEN ISN'T WORTH MUCH. [OPT] .... THE UNREST IN ALBANIA UNDERLINES AN EMERGING DIVIDING LINE IN THE FORMERLY COMMUNIST WORLD. EVEN AS NORTHERN COUNTRIES SUCH AS POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC EMBRACE DEMOCRACY AND BECOME MORE PROSPEROUS, SOUTHERN STATES SUCH AS ALBANIA, BULGARIA, RUMANIA AND SERBIA FALL BEHIND. 'WE ALL FEEL LIKE WE BELONG TO THE EUROPEAN LOSERS' CLUB,' A BELGRADE THINK-TANK DIRECTOR, PREDRAG SIMIC, RECENTLY TOLD POST CORRESPONDENT LEE HOCKSTADER. THAT'S A DANGEROUS SITUATION. BULGARIA AND RUMANIA NOW ARE WORKING HARD TO RIGHT THEMSELVES, HAVING FINALLY ELECTED PROREFORM GOVERNMENTS, AND THEY DESERVE WESTERN SUPPORT. MR. BERISHA IS GOING THE OTHER WAY ....."[END OPT]

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM THE U-S PRESS ON THE CURRENT TURMOIL IN ALBANIA.
NEB/ANG/NL
06-Mar-97 12:19 PM EST (1719 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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