Voice of America, 97-03-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] U-N APPEAL/ALBANIA (S ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

[02] ALBANIA (S UPDATE) BY KYLE KING (TIRANA)

[03] ALBANIA / MEDIATION (S / 2ND UPDATE) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[04] U-S / ALBANIA (L-UPDATE) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

[05] STATE ALBANIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[06] U-S/ALBANIA (S-OVERNIGHTER) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

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

[08] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

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

[01] U-N APPEAL/ALBANIA (S ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL LATE THURSDAY APPEALED FOR CALM AND POLITICAL DIALOGUE IN ALBANIA, WHERE A REBELLION HAS SURGED STEMMING FROM BAD INVESTMENT SCHEMES. THE COUNCIL ISSUED A FORMAL STATEMENT AFTER ALBANIA AND ITALY REQUESTED URGENT ACTION. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL EXPRESSED DEEP CONCERN ABOUT THE DETERIORATING SITUATION IN ALBANIA. IT URGED ALL PARTIES TO REFRAIN FROM VIOLENCE AND TO COOPERATE WITH DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS FOR A PEACEFUL SOLUTION.

THE COUNCIL CALLED ON ALBANIANS TO WORK TOGETHER TO STABILIZE THEIR COUNTRY. IT URGED THEM NOT TO INTERFERE WITH HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR CIVILIANS AND TO KEEP ALL COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES OPEN.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL ALSO STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY PLACES ON REGIONAL STABILITY.

ALBANIA AND ITALY PRESSED THE COUNCIL TO TAKE A POSITION, WARNING OF POSSIBLE MASSACRES IN THE BALKAN STATE. ALBANIA'S U-N AMBASSADOR SAID THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE NEED SOME REASSURANCE AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.

THE VIOLENCE WAS SPARKED INITIALLY BY SHADY INVESTMENT SCHEMES THAT DREW IN THE SAVINGS OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ALBANIANS. (SIGNED)
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13-Mar-97 8:51 PM EST (0151 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBANIA (S UPDATE) BY KYLE KING (TIRANA)

INTRO: THE U-S MILITARY HAS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED ITS EVACUATION FLIGHTS FROM ALBANIA, AFTER A U-S HELICOPTER APPARENTLY CAME UNDER ATTACK BY A SHOULDER FIRED MISSILE. THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF INJURIES IN THE INCIDENT. V-O-A'S KYLE KING IN TIRANA REPORTS HELICOPTERS HAVE CARRIED HUNDREDS OF FOREIGNERS TO SAFETY OUT OF THE ALBANIAN CAPITAL.

TEXT:

FOR MOST OF THE DAY, THE SKIES OVER TIRANA WERE BUZZING WITH THE SOUND OF ITALIAN, U-S, AND BRITISH HELICOPTERS THAT FERRIED HUNDREDS OF FRIGHTENED FOREIGNERS OUT OF THE CITY.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY MORE THAN 400 OF THE ESTIMATED TWO-THOUSAND AMERICANS IN ALBANIA WERE EVACUATED BEFORE U-S HELICOPTER FLIGHTS WERE SUSPENDED.

WITH HUNDREDS OF AMERICANS STILL STRANDED IN THE VIOLENCE-TORN CAPITAL, OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL ASSESS THE DANGER TO THE EVACUATION FLIGHTS BEFORE DECIDING WHEN THEY MIGHT RESUME.

EARLIER IN THE DAY, BRITISH AND ITALIAN HELICOPTERS PLUCKED MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE FROM A SPORTS FIELD IN THE CENTER OF THE CITY. ITALIAN OFFICIALS SAY THEIR EVACUATION HAS NOW BEEN COMPLETED.

THE STREETS OF TIRANA STILL RESOUND WITH GUNFIRE, AND WITH MOST SHOPS CLOSED FEW PEOPLE ARE VENTURING OUT INTO THE ANARCHY. (SIGNED)
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14-Mar-97 12:40 PM EST (1740 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] ALBANIA / MEDIATION (S / 2ND UPDATE) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN ENVOY WITH THE JOB OF MEDIATING AN END TO THE ANARCHY IN ALBANIA, FRANZ VRANITZKY, MET FRIDAY WITH VARIOUS ALBANIAN LEADERS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BARRY WOOD REPORTS THE TALKS WERE HELD ON AN ITALIAN WARSHIP NEAR THE COAST OF DURRES, ALBANIA.

TEXT: THE FORMER AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR SAYS HE WILL PROPOSE THAT AN INTERNATIONAL POLICE FORCE BE SENT TO ALBANIA TO RESTORE ORDER.

MR. VRANITZKY HELD A DAY OF TALKS ABOARD THE ITALIAN FRIGATE, FIRST WITH ALBANIA'S NEW PRIME MINISTER AND HIS TOP CABINET OFFICIALS, THEN WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF INSURGENT GROUPS FROM SEVERAL SOUTHERN ALBANIAN TOWNS.

MR. VRANITZKY SAYS THERE IS A CONSENSUS WITHIN HIS DELEGATION AND AMONG THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS THAT ORDER CANNOT BE RESTORED WITHOUT OUTSIDE HELP. THE ALBANIAN ARMY AND POLICE HAVE ESSENTIALLY COLLAPSED AS ORGANIZED UNITS.

MR. VRANITZKY SAYS HE WILL CONSULT CLOSELY WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION, WHOSE FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET SATURDAY IN THE HAGUE TO DISCUSS THE ALBANIAN CRISIS.

THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, WHICH MR. VRANITZKY REPRESENTS, WILL HOLD AN EMERGENCY MEETING IN VIENNA.

MR. VRANITZKY SAYS HIS SUGGESTION FOR OUTSIDE AID WOULD INVOLVE INDIVIDUAL NATIONS OF WHAT HE CALLS A COALITION OF THOSE WILLING TO HELP. THE NEW ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER, BASHKIM FINO, IS QUOTED BY THE ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY AS SAYING THOUSANDS OF MEN ARE URGENTLY NEEDED TO RESTORE ORDER IN ALBANIA. (SIGNED)
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14-Mar-97 1:20 PM EST (1820 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] U-S / ALBANIA (L-UPDATE) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS SUSPENDED ITS EVACUATION FLIGHTS FROM ALBANIA AFTER TWO SHOOTING INCIDENTS INVOLVING U-S MARINE HELICOPTERS OVER THE CAPITAL, TIRANA. THE MARINES RETURNED FIRE IN BOTH INCIDENTS. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: THE PENTAGON SUSPENDED THE EVACUATION OPERATION AFTER TWO MARINE HELICOPTERS CAME UNDER FIRE AT MID-AFTERNOON IN TIRANA.

IN THE FIRST INCIDENT, SEVERAL BURSTS OF FIRE FROM AN ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN WERE DIRECTED AGAINST A U-S COBRA GUNSHIP. AND IN THE SECOND, LESS THAN AN HOUR LATER, A SHOULDER-FIRED MISSILE WAS FIRED AT A MARINE HELICOPTER.

NEITHER AIRCRAFT WAS HIT. BUT THE PENTAGON'S MILITARY OPERATIONS CHIEF -- MARINE LT. GENERAL PETER CASE -- SAYS THE HELICOPTERS RETURNED FIRE IN BOTH INCIDENTS. HE SAID THE MARINES OBSERVED GUNMEN ON THE GROUND SCURRYING FOR COVER, BUT THERE WERE NO KNOWN ALBANIAN CASUALTIES.

GENERAL CASE, MINDFUL THAT HIS COMMENTS WOULD LIKELY HE HEARD IN ALBANIA, WARNED THAT THE MARINES HAVE STANDING ORDERS TO RESPOND TO HOSTILE ACTION WITHOUT HAVING TO GET PERMISSION FROM HIGHER AUTHORITIES.

STANDING RULES OF ENGAGEMENT FOR U-S FORCES ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ARE THAT IF YOU ARE THREATENED, YOU HAVE THE ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY TO TAKE WHATEVER MEASURES ARE NECESSARY TO INCLUDE LETHAL FORCE TO PROTECT YOURSELF. IT IS STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE THAT IF YOU THREATEN A U-S SOLDIER, SAILOR, AIRMAN OR MARINE, YOU ARE GOING TO GET A RESPONSE.

GENERAL CASE SAID THE EVACUATION OPERATION, WHICH HAS ALREADY TAKEN MORE THAN 400 AMERICANS OUT OF ALBANIA, WILL RESUME WHEN SECURITY CONDITIONS PERMIT. HE SAID ABOUT 170 MARINES HAD BEEN FLOWN IN TO SECURE THE U-S EMBASSY, AND THAT AS MANY ADDITIONAL TROOPS AS NEEDED WILL BE COMMITTED TO EXTRACT THOSE REMAINING AMERICANS WHO WISH TO LEAVE.

DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAID THE SITUATION IN ALBANIA APPEARS TO BE ONE OF TOTAL GOVERNMENT BREAKDOWN. HE SAID THE UNITED STATES IS DISCUSSING THE SITUATION WITH ITS ALLIES, BUT THERE ARE NO PLANS FOR AMERICAN INTERVENTION BEYOND THE EVACUATION EFFORT.

OUR SOLE MOTIVATION RIGHT NOW AND GOAL AND OBJECTIVE IS TO GET THE AMERICANS OUT OF THERE SAFELY. BEYOND THAT, THERE IS NO PLANNING FOR U-S INTERVENTION. WE ARE WATCHING IT VERY CLOSELY. WE ARE TALKING WITH OUR ALLIES. WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE DIPLOMATS WHO ARE IN THE REGION TRYING TO NEGOTIATE SOME SORT OF A PEACEFUL STATE OF BEING RIGHT NOW. AND WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE HOW IT UNFOLDS.

THE DEFENSE SECRETARY DOWNPLAYED CONCERNS THAT THE VIOLENCE IN ALBANIA COULD SPILL OVER TO NEIGHBORING BALKANS STATES -- THOUGH HE SAID THERE IS CONCERN THAT, WHAT HE TERMED, THE "ANARCHY" IN ALBANIA COULD TOUCH OFF A REFUGEE EXODUS. (SIGNED)
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14-Mar-97 1:36 PM EST (1836 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] STATE ALBANIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS CALLING ON ALBANIANS TO SUPPORT THEIR GOVERNMENT IF THEY EXPECT ANY WESTERN HELP TO RESOLVE THEIR GRIEVANCES. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT IS CLEAR PUBLIC ORDER IN ALBANIA HAS BROKEN DOWN. WHILE PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA REMAINS IN TIRANA, DIPLOMATS HERE SAY THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO AUTHORITY TO RESTORE ORDER.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS CALLS ON ALBANIANS TO SUPPORT THEIR NEW UNITY GOVERNMENT IF THEY EXPECT ANY WESTERN ASSISTANCE.

NOTHING GOOD WILL COME FROM TEARING DOWN ALBANIA. ALBANIA MUST BE PRESERVED AS A STATE -- AND THE GOVERNMENT, WE THINK THIS BROAD-BASED NATIONAL GOVERNMENT IS THE BEST CHANCE FOR ALL ALBANIANS TO TRY TO WORK OUT THEIR PROBLEMS. THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN UP ARMS SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT ONLY BY COMMITING THEMSELVES TO A DEMOCRATIC, POLITICAL PROCESS AND BY LAYING DOWN THEIR WEAPONS CAN THEY CREATE THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH ALL OF US, BEYOND ALBANIA, CAN BE HELPFUL TO THEM.

THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY, THE SPOKESMAN SAYS, THAT UNITED STATES, THE WORLD BANK AND THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND CAN HELP ALBANIA'S ECONOMIC CRISIS -- BUT NOT BEFORE PEACE IS RESTORED.

AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING FORMER AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR FRANZ VRANITZSKY WHO HAS BEEN NEGOTIATING OFF SHORE WITH ALBANIA'S PRIME MINISTER, FOREIGN MINISTER AND ARMY CHIEF. AT THE SAME TIME, THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT IS NOT AWARE OF MR. VRANITZSKY'S CALL FOR ONE THOUSAND INTERNATIONAL POLICE FORCES TO RESTORE ORDER.

SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT VISITED THE ALBANIA TASK FORCE HERE AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT THAT HAS BEEN COORDINATING THE EVACUATION OF AMERICANS. SHE TOLD REPORTERS ABOUT HER CONVERSATION WITH MR. VRANITZSKY.

THE SITUATION IN TIRANA ITSELF IS SOMEWHAT CHAOTIC IN TERMS OF NOT HAVING A GOVERNMENT THAT IS TOTALLY IN CONTROL. I THINK THAT IS THE SUBJECT THAT FORMER CHANCELLOR VRANITZSKY WAS TALKING TO ME ABOUT.

[06] U-S/ALBANIA (S-OVERNIGHTER) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THEY EXPECT THE EVACUATION OF U-S CITIZENS FROM ALBANIA TO RESUME TODAY (SATURDAY) AFTER THE OPERATION WAS SUSPENDED FRIDAY DUE TO HOSTILE FIRE. U-S HELICOPTERS OVER TIRANA RETURNED FIRE, BUT THERE ARE KNOWN CASUALTIES FROM THE INCIDENTS. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: OFFICIALS HERE ARE DOWNPLAYING THE FRIDAY'S SHOOTING INCIDENTS AND SAY THEY ARE CONFIDENT THE EVACUATION OPERATION CAN RESUME -- ALBEIT WITH INCREASED SECURITY. MORE THAN 350 AMERICANS AND OTHERS WERE AIRLIFTED FROM TIRANA FRIDAY BEFORE THE FLIGHTS WERE HALTED.

COLONEL EMERSON GARDNER, COMMANDER OF THE U-S MARINE UNIT CONDUCTING THE EVACUATION FLIGHTS, TOLD PENTAGON REPORTERS BY TELEPHONE FROM THE ADRIATIC THAT A HEAVY MACHINE GUN FIRED TWICE ON MARINE HELICOPTERS BEFORE IT WAS DESTROYED BY RETURN U-S GUNFIRE.

HE SAYS IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, A MAN ON THE GROUND AIMED A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE OR MISSILE AT A U-S HELICOPTER, BUT THAT HE DROPPED THE WEAPON AND FLED WHEN HE WAS FIRED ON. COLONEL GARDNER SAYS HE THINKS THE SHOW OF U-S FORCE WAS ENOUGH TO DETER OTHER WOULD-BE ATTACKERS:

WHEN WE TOOK A ROBUST POSTURE AGAINST THESE ASSETS, THE PEOPLE WOULD SCURRY FOR COVER, ACTUALITY WOULD COME OUT AND PUT COVERS OVER THE GUNS, DEMONSTRATING THAT THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN TAKING US ON.

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

INTRO: SHARE PRICES REBOUNDED IN TRADING FRIDAY IN MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: STOCK PRICES OPENED DOWN IN ALL THE MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS, CONTINUING A SLIDE THAT STARTED THURSDAY. BUT, THE MARKETS SLOWLY REGAINED GROUND -- BOOSTED BY ENCOURAGING ECONOMIC NEWS FROM THE UNITED STATES AND BY A STRONG OPENING ON WALL STREET.

IN FRANKFURT, WHICH HAD THE BIGGEST EUROPEAN DROP THURSDAY, PRICES ROSE FRIDAY. THE DAX-30 INDEX FINISHED THE DAY UP BY MORE THAN NINE POINTS, ABOUT THREE-TENTHS PERCENT.

PRICES ALSO ROSE IN LONDON. THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX CLOSED UP MORE THAN 26 POINTS, ABOUT SIX-TENTHS PERCENT.

AND IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX FINISHED UP MORE THAN 13 POINTS, ABOUT ONE-HALF PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR ROSE IN VALUE AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN, BUT IT LOST VALUE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND AND THE GERMAN MARK. (SIGNED)
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14-Mar-97 1:17 PM EST (1817 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF MANY MAJOR U-S DAILIES ARE FILLED WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS THIS FRIDAY, INCLUDING REACTION TO THE DEATHS OF SEVEN ISRAELI SCHOOL GIRLS KILLED BY A JORDANIAN SOLDIER. OTHER SUBJECTS INCLUDE: THE SITUATION IN ALBANIA; THE POSSIBLE EXPANSION OF NATO, THE CIVIL WAR IN ZAIRE, THE CONTROVERSY OVER ADJUSTING THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX; THE ANTHONY LAKE CONFIRMATION HEARINGS AND THE GROWING STRENGTH OF ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM IN TURKEY.

NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _____________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE REACTS WITH HORROR TO THE LATEST CARNAGE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

VOICE: "IN THE ANNALS OF HORROR AND HUMAN TRAGEDY, THERE IS LITTLE TO COMPARE TO THE MURDER OF CHILDREN. THE DEATHS OF SEVENTH-AND EIGHTH-GRADE SCHOOL GIRLS AT THE HANDS OF A JORDANIAN BORDER GUARD ..... YESTERDAY (3/13) WILL RANK HIGH ON THE LONG LIST OF ATROCITIES THAT HAVE SO BEDEVILED THE MIDDLE EAST. ..... WE MAY NEVER BE ABLE TO EXPLORE FULLY THE DEEPEST CAVERNS OF EMOTION AND MOTIVE, BUT IN THE FURNACE OF MIDDLE EAST HATE, THE FIERY CONVECTIONS OF OUTRAGE SEEM TO SUCK IN THE UNSTABLE, AND THEIR DEEDS, NO MATTER HOW INSANE, BECOME PART OF THE POLITICS OF REVENGE."

TEXT: IN THE SHOOTING'S WAKE, THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS IS WORRIED ABOUT THE MIDEAST PEACE PROCESS.

VOICE: "ALL THE RECENT DIFFICULTIES BETWEEN ARABS AND ISRAELIS LOOK PETTY COMPARED TO THIS HORRIBLE CRIME, WHICH IS WHY THE DIFFERENCES SUDDENLY HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE. IN THIS MOMENT OF GRIEF, ISRAELIS AND ARABS OF GOOD WILL COME TOGETHER. FOR THE SAKE OF PEACE, THEY MUST STAY TOGETHER LONG AFTER THE GIRLS ARE BURIED. THE ARABS AND ISRAELIS ALWAYS WILL BE NEIGHBORS. THEY CAN WORK THROUGH THEIR PROBLEMS TO LIVE IN PEACE, OR THEY CAN KILL EACH OTHER'S CHILDREN. TWO POSSIBLE FUTURES, BUT ONLY ONE REAL CHOICE."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK POST HAS A MUCH HARSHER REACTION TO THE KILLINGS.

VOICE: "WHILE KING HUSSEIN'S REGRET AT YESTERDAY'S TRAGEDY IS SURELY SINCERE, HIS OWN RHETORIC CAN'T BE SO EASILY ABSOLVED. JUST TWO DAYS AGO, THE KING WARNED ... ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER ..... NETANYAHU WOULD FACE 'INEVITABLE VIOLENT RESISTANCE' AS A RESULT OF HIS INSISTENCE ON BUILDING NEW HOMES [FOR JEWS] IN [PREDOMINANTLY ARAB EAST] JERUSALEM. WE DON'T YET KNOW WHETHER THE JORDANIAN KILLER-SOLDIER WAS SET OFF BY THE KING'S INTEMPERATE WORDS. BUT SURELY NO ONE CAN RULE OUT SUCH A CONNECTION."

TEXT: ON NOW TO THE INSURRECTION IN ALBANIA AND A NEW YORK TIMES COMMENT ON EUROPE'S ROLE.

VOICE: "FOR YEARS EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAVE TALKED ABOUT, AND TAKEN STUMBLING STEPS TO CREATE, NEW INSTITUTIONS CAPABLE OF CONTAINING DANGEROUS REGIONAL CRISES. THESE EFFORTS FAILED THE TEST OF BOSNIA'S DISINTEGRATION IN THE EARLY 1990'S. THIS TIME EUROPEAN LEADERS PROMISE TO PERFORM MORE EFFECTIVELY. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY DO SO."

TEXT: SPEAKING OF EUROPE AND ITS CAPABILITIES FOR A MILITARY RESPONSE BRINGS US TO THE ISSUE OF NATO'S PLANNED EASTWARD EXPANSION. THAT ELICITED THIS COMMENT ON DEFENSE SECRETARY BILL COHEN'S RECENT EUROPEAN TRIP FROM THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD.

VOICE: "SPEAKING IN BRUSSELS, THE HOME OF THE NATO ALLIANCE, HE [SECRETARY COHEN] SAID THAT ITS MEMBER NATIONS WERE THE BEST JUDGE OF THEIR OWN MEMBERSHIP. [SECRETARY] COHEN SAID THAT NATO .... SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY CONTINUALLY ABOUT RUSSIAN REACTION TO ITS PROJECTED EXPANSION. ..... DIALOGUE IS FINE, BUT RUSSIA SHOULD NEVER HAVE VETO POWER OVER THE SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE AFRICAN TROUBLE SPOT OF ZAIRE, THE SUN, IN BALTIMORE, SUGGESTS TWO STEPS IT FEELS WILL CURTAIL THE TRAGEDY NOW BUILDING IN THAT HUGE, MINERAL-RICH NATION.

VOICE: "THE FIRST IS FOR [PRESIDENT MOBUTU SESE SEKU] ..... TO ABDICATE AND HAND POWER TO AN INTERIM COALITION, INCLUDING PRESENT GOVERNMENT AND REBEL FIGURES, WHICH WOULD HOLD PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED ELECTIONS THIS YEAR. THIS IS BEST BROKERED BY AFRICAN REGIMES ....... SECOND, WESTERN GOVERNMENTS SHOULD SPEED HUMANITARIAN AID TO THE DESPERATELY FLEEING HUTU REFUGEES, SEPARATING THEM FROM THE ARMED MEN AND INSURING THEM A SAFE HAVEN IN CAMPS AND LATER IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY, RWANDA. BUT TRYING TO STOP MR. KABILA NOW WOULD BE ... FOLLY. [OPT] THE CORRUPT INCOMPETENCE OF THE MOBUTU REGIME HAS GUARANTEED HIM SUCCESS." [END OPT]

TEXT: ONE OF THE LEADING DOMESTIC ISSUES IS THE DISPUTE OVER REVISING THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, THE NATION'S LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATOR THAT A PANEL OF ECONOMISTS HAS SAID EXAGGERATES INFLATION. THIS COULD COST THE GOVERNMENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN AID PAYMENTS. THE WASHINGTON POST IS WORRIED THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON IS GIVING UP ON THE CONCEPT.

VOICE: "IT'S HARD AT THIS STAGE IN THE BUDGET-BALANCING NEGOTIATIONS TO TELL THE BARGAINING POSITIONS FROM THE REAL ONES. SO IT'S NOT CLEAR WHAT TO MAKE OF THE PRESIDENT'S REPORTED DECISION TO SHELVE, [PUT ASIDE] AT LEAST FOR NOW, THE NOTION OF LIMITING THE ANNUAL COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS THAT DO SO MUCH TO DRIVE THE DEFICIT. ... THE WORST CASE IS THAT, FOR THE USUAL POLITICAL REASONS, HE REALLY HAS ABANDONED THE IDEA AND WITH IT, ONCE AGAIN, THE RESPONSIBILITY TO LEAD."

TEXT: COMMENTING ON THE SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARINGS OF ANTHONY LAKE TO BE HEAD OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS THAT MR. LAKE HAS SPOKEN ELOQUENTLY ON THE ISSUE OF ACCOUNTABILITY AT THE C-I-A. BUT THE PAPER IS CONCERNED THAT HIS ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT ALLEGED CAMPAIGN-FUND RAISING ABUSES LAST YEAR, WHEN HE WAS NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER, HAVE BEEN "ANEMIC."

VOICE: ".... IT IS REMARKABLE THAT THEY [MR. LAKE AND HIS DEPUTY SAMUEL BERGER] DID NOT RAISE AN ALARM ABOUT CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES THAT WERE SO CLEARLY IMPINGING ON THEIR TERRITORY. IT IS HARD NOT TO CONCLUDE ... [THEY] ...WERE EITHER OUT OF TOUCH OR NEGLIGENT AS THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN SHOULDERED ITS WAY INTO THE SENSITIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND BEIJING."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, THE WASHINGTON POST WARNS TURKEY'S GENERALS THAT ALTHOUGH THE ISLAMIC TIDE IS RISING IN THEIR COUNTRY IS WORRISOME, MILITARY INTERVENTION IS STILL NOT JUSTIFIED.

VOICE: "THE DRAMA HAS YET TO BE PLAYED OUT. IT IS CERTAIN, HOWEVER, THAT ANOTHER COUP IS NOT THE ANSWER FOR TURKEY, NOTWITHSTANDING THE PREMATURE ENTHUSIASM BEING SHOWN FOR ONE IN SOME QUARTERS. SUCH AN INTERVENTION IN THE NAME OF PRESERVING SECULARISM MIGHT BE POPULAR, BUT IT WOULD BE UNDEMOCRATIC. THE RIGHT REMEDY IS ..... TO DEMAND BETTER FROM THE POLITICIANS, SPECIFICALLY FROM THE SECULAR PARTIES."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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14-Mar-97 10:31 AM EST (1531 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTES OVERWHELMINGLY AGAINST ISRAEL'S HOUSING PLANS IN MAINLY ARAB EAST JERUSALEM; THE SECURITY COUNCIL APPEALS FOR CALM IN ALBANIA, WHERE BOGUS INVESTMENT SCHEMES PROMPTED A REBELLION; THE U-N HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING IN GENEVA COMES UNDER CRITICISM FROM FRUSTRATED ACTIVISTS; AND LIBYA GETS NO RELIEF FROM U-N SANCTIONS. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK:

TEXT: VOTING 130 TO TWO, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CALLED ON ISRAEL TO ABANDON PLANS FOR NEW JEWISH HOUSING IN EAST JERUSALEM -- THAT PART OF THE CITY THE PALESTINIANS HOPE SOMEDAY TO MAKE THE CAPITAL OF A PALESTINIAN STATE. THE ASSEMBLY ACTION CAME NEARLY ONE WEEK AFTER THE UNITED STATES VETOED A SIMILAR RESOLUTION IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL.

ASSEMBLY DECISIONS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO VETO. THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL CAST THE ONLY DISSENTING VOTES.

ISRAELI REPRESENTATIVE DAVID PELEG CONTINUED HIS ATTACK ON U-N INTERVENTION ON MIDDLE EAST ISSUES, SAYING ONLY DIRECT TALKS BETWEEN THE PARTIES CAN SETTLE PROBLEMS:

NEEDLESS DEBATES, FAR REMOVED FROM THE REALITIES OF THE REGION, HAVE NEVER CONTRIBUTED TO SETTLING THE CONTENTIOUS ISSUES BETWEEN ISRAEL AND ITS ARAB NEIGHBORS.

THE PALESTINIAN DELEGATE URGED ISRAEL TO HEED THE MESSAGE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND CANCEL THE HOUSING PROJECT. OTHERWISE, HE WARNED, HE WOULD CONSIDER TAKING THE ISSUE BACK TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL.

THE ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION WAS SPONSORED BY NEARLY 50 COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE EUROPEAN UNION STATES.

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ALBANIA'S BELEAGUERED GOVERNMENT SOUGHT SECURITY COUNCIL HELP THIS PAST WEEK TO CALM TENSIONS RESULTING FROM A SURGING REBELLION. THE COUNCIL RESPONDED BY ISSUING A STATEMENT CALLING FOR A RETURN TO POLITICAL DIALOGUE AND A PEACEFUL SOLUTION.

THE COUNCIL ENCOURAGED EUROPEAN DIPLOMACY AND EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT REGIONAL STABILITY. DIPLOMATS HAD IN MIND THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF A PROTRACTED CRISIS ON THE ALBANIAN POPULATIONS IN NEIGHBORING SERBIA AND MACEDONIA.

ALBANIA'S U-N AMBASSADOR SAID THE COUNCIL'S STATED POSITION -- ISSUED IN A BRIEF FORMAL MEETING -- WOULD HELP TOWARD GIVING HIS PEOPLE SOME SENSE OF OPTIMISM FOR THE FUTURE. THE CRISIS WAS SPARKED BY SHADY INVESTMENT DEALS THAT ROBBED THE SAVINGS OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

THE U-N HAS URGED NEIGHBORS -- GREECE AND ITALY -- TO ACCEPT ALBANIAN REFUGEES AND EVALUATE THEIR STATUS FROM WITHIN THE SAFETY OF THEIR OWN BORDERS.

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LAST YEAR'S NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER -- JOSE RAMOS-HORTA OF EAST TIMOR -- PAID A VISIT TO U-N HEADQUARTERS THIS PAST WEEK TO DISCUSS U-N DIPLOMACY OVER EAST TIMPOR'S FUTURE. INDONESIA INVADED THE FORMER PORTUGESE COLONY IN 1975 AND INCORPORATED IT SEVERAL MONTHS LATER. THE U-N HAS NEVER RECOGNIZED INDONESIA'S ANNEXATION.

MR. RAMOS-HORTA EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION WITH THE U-N'S MAIN HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP -- THE COMMISSION NOW HOLDING ITS ANNUAL MEETING IN GENEVA. THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION HAS FAILED IN THE PAST TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION ON EAST TIMOR, DESPITE ACTIVE LOBBYING BY HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS:

NOT AT ALL SATISFIED WITH THE TOTAL LACK OF WILL, LACK OF ABILITY ON THE PART OF THE COMMISSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO ADDRESS SERIOUSLY THE GROWING HUMAN RIGHTS PROBLEMS IN EAST TIMOR AND IN INDONESIA ITSELF.

THE NOBEL LAUREATE CALLED THE COMMISSION'S FAILINGS A MAJOR EVASION OF RESPONSIBILITY.

INDONESIA'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD HAS BEEN UNDER INTENSE INTERNATIONAL SCRUTINY. ITS ANNEXATION HAS PROMPTED A GUERRILLA MOVEMENT ON EAST TIMOR AND CHARGES OF SYSTEMATIC ABUSES BY THE INDONESIAN ARMY.

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THE SECURITY COUNCIL ONCE AGAIN HAS DECIDED AGAINST EASING ITS LIMITED SANCTIONS ON LIBYA BECAUSE OF LIBYA'S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH DEMANDS FOR THE SURRENDER OF TWO SUSPECTS TIED TO THE 1988 BOMBING OF AN AMERICAN AIRLINER OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND. LIBYA IS ALSO OBLIGED TO COOPERATE WITH AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EXPLOSION OF A FRENCH AIRLINER OVER WEST AFRICA THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

FRANCE REPORTED TO THE COUNCIL THAT LIBYA HAS TURNED OVER SOME EVIDENCE POINTING TO SIX SUSPECTS LINKED TO THE FRENCH CRASH. FRANCE IS GIVING THOUGHT TO PROSECUTING THEM IN ABSENTIA, AS PERMITTED UNDER FRENCH LAW. HOWEVER, THE COUNCIL DECIDED LIBYA'S COOPERATION OVERALL HAS BEEN LIMITED AND ALMOST NON-EXISTENT IN THE CASE OF LOCKERBIE. SEVERAL HUNDRED PASSENGERS WERE KILLED IN THE TWO CRASHES. (SIGNED)
NEB/EJ/KL
14-Mar-97 3:11 PM EST (2011 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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