Voice of America, 97-05-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIAN REFUGEES BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[02] BRITISH ELECTION (S-6TH UPDATE) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[03] BRITISH GOVERNMENT (S-ALT) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[04] CLINTON / BLAIR (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

[05] EAST EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (LONDON)

[06] EDITORIAL: E-U ACTS ON IRAN

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

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

[09] LABOR'S LANDSLIDE VICTORY BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[10] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

[11] NEWSMAKER: BRITAIN'S TONY BLAIR (L-ONLY) BY CHRISTINE FURNELL (LONDON)

[12] TOP TEN ENEMIES OF THE PRESS (L-ONLY-CQ) BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

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

[14] WHY LABOUR WON BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[01] BOSNIAN REFUGEES BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: TENS OF THOUSANDS OF BOSNIAN REFUGEES IN GERMANY FACE AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE AS THEY COME UNDER INCREASING PRESSURE TO RETURN HOME. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS THE INITIAL GERMAN OUTPOURING OF SYMPATHY FOR THE REFUGEES APPEARS TO HAVE WORN THIN, BUT LITTLE HAS BEEN DONE AT HOME IN BOSNIA TO HELP THOSE WHO FLED EUROPE'S WORST CONFLICT SINCE WORLD WAR TWO.

TEXT: SIXTY-YEAR-OLD RASIM KASAPOVIC AND HIS WIFE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT FOR TAKING THEM IN AFTER THEY WERE DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOME DURING THE WAR IN BOSNIA.

BUT WITH JUST A FEW WEEKS TO GO UNTIL HIS REFUGEE STATUS IN GERMANY RUNS OUT, MR. KASAPOVIC SAYS HE IS NOT HAPPY ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING.

WE LOST EVERYTHING IN THE WAR AND NOW WE ARE COMING UNDER STRONG PRESSURE TO LEAVE, MR. KASAPOVIC SAYS. BUT WE HAVE NO WHERE TO GO. GERMANY, WHICH TOOK IN MORE BOSNIAN REFUGEES THAN ALL OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES COMBINED, SAYS WHATEVER THE PROBLEMS, IT IS TIME FOR THEM TO LEAVE NOW THAT THE WAR IS OVER.

IN RECENT WEEKS, SOME GERMAN STATES HAVE BEGUN DEPORTING SMALL NUMBERS OF REFUGEES. THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED THEIR PERMISSION TO STAY IN GERMANY WILL END THIS MONTH.

UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY (U-N-H-C-R) OFFICIALS SAY MANY BOSNIANS HAVE ALREADY BEGUN RETURNING HOME VOLUNTARILY AND MANY MORE ARE EXPECTED TO DO SO THIS SUMMER.

BUT U-N-H-C-R REPRESENTATIVE JUDITH KUMIN SAYS THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE FOR THE RETURNEES IS COMPLETELY INADEQUATE.

IT'S INADEQUATE BECAUSE AT LEASE HALF OF OUR REFUGEES, AND PROBABLY MORE, MAYBE THREE-QUARTERS OF THEM CAN'T GO BACK TO THE PLACES WHERE THEY LIVED BEFORE THE WAR. SO THEY DON'T HAVE THE BASIC SUPPORT OF GOING BACK TO THE TOWN WHERE THEY USED TO LIVE. EVEN IF THEIR HOUSE IS DESTROYED, AT LEAST GOING BACK TO A PLACE WHERE THEY HAVE FRIENDS HAVE FORMER NEIGHBORS, THAT MIGHT HELP THEM OUT. THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY BEING FORCED TO RELOCATE TO SOMEWHERE ELSE, AND FREQUENTLY INTO A RATHER HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN AID ARE BEING SPENT IN BOSNIA, BUT THE MONEY GOES MAINLY FOR LARGE SCALE PROJECTS LIKE ROADS, ELECTRIC POWER, WATER AND SEWERS. BUT THEY SAY LITTLE IS BEING SPENT TO HELP REFUGEES GO HOME.

AID WORKERS LIKE SENAD SARENKAPA, WHO WORKS FOR AN ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS BOSNIAN REFUGEES, SAY MANY GROUPS ARE FRUSTRATED BY A SEEMING LACK OF INTEREST IN THE PROBLEM ON THE PART OF BOSNIAN OFFICIALS.

THE FACT IS THAT MANY HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS ARE DISAPPOINTED IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND THEY LEAVE BOSNIA, BECAUSE THERE IS NO GOOD INTELLIGENT CONCEPT ON HOW TO HELP THE PEOPLE IN BOSNIA. FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO LEAVE GERMANY THERE IS NO CONCEPT.

JUDITH KUMIN OF THE U-N-H-C-R SAYS PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THE ATTITUDE SOME PEOPLE HAVE TOWARD REFUGEES WHO FLED THE WAR.

THERE IS, I THINK INCREASINGLY, A SENSE IN BOSNIA THAT CITIZENSHIP IS SOMETHING THAT YOU EARNED BY STAYING THERE DURING THE WAR BY TOUGHING IT OUT. IF YOU WERE IN GERMANY FOR FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, YOU ARE PERCEIVED, RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY, OF HAVING HAD AN EASY LIFE, HAVING EARNED A LOT OF GERMAN MARKS, NOT HAVING GONE THROUGH THE SUFFERING AND HORRORS THAT PEOPLE HAD TO GO THROUGH, AND THERE IS A SENSE IN MANY TOWNS THAT YOU SHOULD NOT BE GETTING A SHARE OF WHAT IS A PRETTY SMALL PIE.

OPPOSITION GROUPS AND MANY PUBLIC FIGURES IN GERMANY HAVE CRITICIZED GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO FORCE THE REFUGEES TO GO HOME.

THEY SAY REFUGEES, ESPECIALLY THE ELDERLY AND SICK, SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN GERMANY WHILE CONDITIONS IN THE BOSNIA SLOWLY IMPROVE.

BUT EXPERTS SAY THAT PROCESS IS BEING SLOWED BY THE RELUCTANCE OF BOSNIAN OFFICIALS TO SPEND MONEY ON THOSE WHO FLED THE WAR.

IN ADDITION, EXPERTS SAY DONOR NATIONS ARE RELUCTANT TO POUR LARGE SUMS OF MONEY INTO RESETTLEMENT PROJECTS IN A COUNTRY WHERE THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE POLITICAL PROGRESS IN OVERCOMING ETHNIC DIVISIONS.

THEY SAY DONORS ARE TURNED OFF BY LOCAL OFFICIALS WHO SHOW NO DESIRE TO LET REFUGEES FROM OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS RETURN TO THE HOMES THEY FLED. (SIGNED)
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02-May-97 12:03 PM EDT (1603 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BRITISH ELECTION (S-6TH UPDATE) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITAIN'S LABOUR PARTY HAS SWEPT TO POWER IN THE COUNTRY'S GENERAL ELECTION, CASTING AWAY 18 YEARS OF CONSERVATIVE PARTY RULE. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE SHEER SIZE OF THE LABOUR PARTY VICTORY HAS STUNNED CONSERVATIVES AND BAFFLED MANY POLITICAL ANALYSTS.

LATEST FIGURES GIVE THE LABOUR PARTY 45 PERCENT OF THE VOTES CAST AND THE CONSERVATIVES 31. BRITISH TELEVISION ESTIMATES WHEN THE FINAL TALLY IS IN, THE LABOUR PARTY WILL HAVE A 180-SEAT MAJORITY THE LARGEST LABOUR MAJORITY IN HISTORY.

AS DAWN BROKE OVER LONDON, LABOUR PARTY LEADER TONY BLAIR ADDRESSED A LARGE CROWD GATHERED OUTSIDE A CONCERT HALL.

AND IT IS WITH REAL PRIDE, THAT WE, ALL THE PEOPLE HERE, YOUNG AND OLD FROM EVERY PART OF THE COUNTRY, FROM EVERY BACKGROUND, WE SAY TONIGHT -- YOU THE BRITISH PEOPLE HAVE GIVEN US THE CHANCE TO SERVE YOU. YOU HAVE PUT YOUR TRUST IN US AND WE SAY TO YOU -- WE SHALL REPAY THAT TRUST FOR YOU. WE GOVERN FOR YOU.

SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE, PRIME MINISTER JOHN MAJOR TELEPHONED MR. BLAIR CONGRATULATING HIM ON HIS VICTORY. ADDRESSING HIS CONSTITUENCY, MR. MAJOR VOWED THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY WILL BE VIGOROUS IN OPPOSITION -- AND WILL BOUNCE BACK FROM THIS DEFEAT. (SIGNED)
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02-May-97 2:48 AM EDT (0648 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BRITISH GOVERNMENT (S-ALT) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: LABOUR PARTY LEADER TONY BLAIR HAS OFFICIALLY BECOME BRITAIN'S NEW PRIME MINISTER, FOLLOWING HIS PARTY'S LANDSLIDE VICTORY OVER THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT:

HUNDREDS OF LABOUR PARTY SUPPORTERS CHANTED TONY BLAIR'S NAME AS BRITAIN'S NEW PRIME MINISTER ARRIVED AT TEN DOWNING STREET FOLLOWING AN AUDIENCE WITH QUEEN ELIZABETH.

I HAVE JUST ACCEPTED HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN'S KIND OFFER TO FORM A NEW ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT IN THIS COUNTRY.

WITH THOSE SIMPLE WORDS 18 YEARS OF CONSERVATIVE PARTY RULE CAME TO AN END. EARLIER, OUTGOING PRIME MINISTER JOHN MAJOR TENDERED HIS RESIGNATION AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE AND DECIDED TO STEP DOWN AS LEADER OF THE CONSERVATIVES, AFTER THE PARTY REGISTERED ITS POOREST GENERAL ELECTION SHOWING IN 150 YEARS. SIX CABINET MINISTERS -- INCLUDING THE SECRETARIES OF DEFENSE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS -- WERE DEFEATED. THE CONSERVATIVES LOST MORE THAN 175 SEATS AND NOW HAVE NO MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FROM EITHER SCOTLAND OR WALES.

AS FOR THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY, IT MORE THAN DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. IT NOW HAS MORE THAN 40 SEATS -- ITS BEST SHOWING IN 70 YEARS. (SIGNED)
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02-May-97 9:50 AM EDT (1350 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CLINTON / BLAIR (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS CONGRATULATED THE LEADER OF BRITAIN'S LABOR PARTY, TONY BLAIR, ON WINNING A LANDSLIDE VICTORY IN THURSDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. U-S OFFICIALS DO NOT EXPECT ANY CHANGE IN THE CLOSE RELATIONS THE UNITED STATES HAD WITH BRITAIN UNDER PRIME MINISTER JOHN MAJOR'S CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS MR. CLINTON CALLED TO CONGRATULATE MR. BLAIR LATE THURSDAY NIGHT WASHINGTON TIME.

MR. MCCURRY SAYS THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT EXPECT ANY CHANGE IN U-S BRITISH RELATIONS AS A RESULT OF THE CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP. HE SAYS HE EXPECTS MR. CLINTON WILL HAVE -- IN HIS WORDS -- AS CLOSE AND COOPERATIVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH MR. BLAIR AS HE ENJOYED WITH MR. MAJOR.

MR. BLAIR IS SAID TO HAVE PATTERNED HIS CAMPAIGN AFTER MR. CLINTON'S FIRST PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IN 1992 -- TAKING TIGHT CONTROL OF HIS PARTY'S MESSAGE, ESTABLISHING A TEAM TO RAPIDLY RESPOND TO THE OPPOSITION, AND USING CAREFULLY REHEARSED TELEVISION APPEARANCES.

MR. CLINTON TRIED WITHOUT SUCCESS THURSDAY NIGHT TO CONTACT MR. MAJOR. HE WILL TRY AGAIN LATER FRIDAY TO EXPRESS HIS APPRECIATION FOR THE FORMER PRIME MINISTER'S WORK ON THE PEACE PROCESS IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND HIS SUPPORT FOR EFFORTS TO BRING PEACE TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND FOR PLANS TO EXPAND NATO. (SIGNED)
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02-May-97 11:03 AM EDT (1503 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] EAST EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (LONDON)

INTRO: THERE WAS (MAY DAY) HOLIDAY-SHORTENED TRADING IN MOST EAST EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS THIS WEEK, WITH ONLY BUDAPEST CONTINUING TO REGISTER SHARP GAINS. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM PRAGUE.

TEXT: HIGH-FLYING BUDAPEST SET MORE RECORD HIGHS ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY BEFORE TRADING ENDED FOR A TWO-DAY HOLIDAY. THE "BUX" INDEX GAINED ANOTHER 181 POINTS, OR THREE PERCENT, TO 59-HUNDRED-85. WARSAW LOST MORE GROUND WITH THE "WIG" INDEX OFF 122 POINTS TO 16-THOUSAND-546. PRAGUE CONTINUES TO LOSE AS THE CZECH REPUBLIC IS STILL BEING JOLTED BY FINANCIAL SCANDALS THAT UNDERMINE THE CREDIBILITY OF THE CAPITAL MARKETS. THE "P-X 50" INDEX LOST 19 POINTS, OR TWO PERCENT, TO 527. THIS WEEK, THE TWO TOP EXECUTIVES OF ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S FOUR BIGGEST BANKS WERE ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF EMBEZZLEMENT.

THE BUCHAREST MARKET CONTINUED TO MOVE HIGHER WITH THE INDEX GAINING 41 PERCENT. ONLY A FEW STOCKS ARE TRADED. LJUBJANA WAS HIGHER. ZAGREB REGISTERED SOLID GAINS. AND BRATISLAVA FOLLOWED PRAGUE LOWER WITH THE MARKET INDEX DOWN 10 POINTS. (SIGNED)
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02-May-97 1:35 PM EDT (1735 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] EDITORIAL: E-U ACTS ON IRAN

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 GOVERNMENTS OF THE FIFTEEN EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES RECENTLY SUSPENDED THEIR "CRITICAL DIALOGUE" WITH IRAN. THROUGH THIS APPROACH THEY HAD HOPED TO MODERATE IRAN'S BEHAVIOR. IN A RECENT MEETING, E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS DECLARED THAT ALL HIGH-LEVEL CONTACTS WILL REMAIN SUSPENDED UNTIL THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT SHOWS THAT IT IS WILLING TO "RESPECT THE NORMS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND REFRAIN FROM ACTS OF TERRORISM, INCLUDING AGAINST IRANIAN CITIZENS LIVING ABROAD, AND COOPERATE IN PREVENTING SUCH ACTS." THE E-U WILL ALSO CONTINUE ITS BAN ON ARMS TRANSFERS TO IRAN AND WILL PROHIBIT IRANIAN INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY PERSONNEL FROM TRAVELING IN E-U COUNTRIES.

THE EUROPEAN UNION ACTED IN THE WAKE OF A GERMAN COURT VERDICT LAST MONTH IN WHICH IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MOST SENIOR LEVELS OF THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT ORDERED THE SEPTEMBER 1992 MURDERS OF AN IRANIAN KURDISH LEADER AND THREE ASSOCIATES IN BERLIN. AFTER THE VERDICT WAS ANNOUNCED, E-U GOVERNMENTS RECALLED THEIR AMBASSADORS FROM TEHRAN.

THE UNITED STATES WELCOMED THE DECLARATION BY THE E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS THAT THERE IS NO BASIS FOR CONTINUATION OF THE "CRITICAL DIALOGUE" BETWEEN THE E-U AND IRAN. AS STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAID, WHEN THE E-U AMBASSADORS RETURN TO TEHRAN, "THEY WILL GO BACK WITH THIS VERY TOUGH MESSAGE THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE BUSINESS AS USUAL ANY LONGER BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER STATES AND THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAN."

IN ADDITION TO SPONSORING INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT HAS ATTEMPTED TO UNDERMINE THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS AND SOUGHT TO ACQUIRE NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS AND THE MISSILES TO DELIVER THEM. FOR THESE REASONS, THE U.S. HAS PROHIBITED VIRTUALLY ALL TRADE WITH IRAN BY AMERICAN COMPANIES. THE U.S. CONTINUES TO URGE OTHER COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, TO JOIN IN THIS POLICY. AS STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN BURNS SAID, IRAN NEEDS TO BE CONTAINED AND ISOLATED, "BECAUSE IT IS A DANGEROUS STATE, A STATE THAT PRESENTS A THREAT TO ALL OF ITS NEIGHBORS AND TO THE REST OF US WELL BEYOND IRAN'S BORDERS."

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.
02-May-97 11:31 AM EDT (1531 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE FRIDAY CLOSED THE WEEK'S TRADING ON THE POSITIVE SIDE. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS CLOSING FIGURES FROM OUR OFFICES IN LONDON.

TEXT: FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS ALL ENDED THE WEEK ON A HIGH NOTE, WITH LONDON'S "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX POSTING A NEW RECORD HIGH. WHEN THE LONDON MARKET OPENED FRIDAY, THURSDAY'S STUNNING ELECTION VICTORY BY THE BRITISH "LABOUR" PARTY CAUSED SOME MARKET RETREAT, BUT BY THE END OF TRADING, THE "FOOTSIE" INDEX POSTED A GAIN OF ALMOST 11 POINTS.

IN FRANKFURT, THE KEY "DAX 30" INDEX OF STOCKS CLOSED UP MORE THAN 22 POINTS AND IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" ENDED THE DAY JUST SHY OF A 16 POINT GAIN.

ON THE LONDON MONEY MARKET, THE POUND MADE UP FOR AN EARLY RETREAT AGAINST THE DOLLAR, AND CLOSED DOWN JUST A FRACTION OF A CENT AGAINST THE GREENBACK. THE DOLLAR GAINED ALMOST A HALF CENT AGAINST THE MARK.

GOLD LOST 75 CENTS AN OUNCE IN THE LONDON CLOSING FIX, AND WAS PRICED AT 340-DOLLARS-FIVE CENTS.
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02-May-97 1:46 PM EDT (1746 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE ELECTION OF A NEW LABOR PARTY GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IS A POPULAR TOPIC IN THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF FRIDAY'S PAPERS. OTHER SUBJECTS INCLUDE COMMENTS ON THE FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL RUGS IN MEXICO, THE DEDICATION OF A MEMORIAL TO PRESIDENT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT; AN EDITORIAL CRITICIZING A VOTE ON THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS TREATY AND A COMMENT ON THE RETIRING HEAD OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.

NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND A COMMENT OR TWO, IS _______________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE LANDSLIDE VICTORY FOR TONY BLAIR AND BRITAIN'S LABOR PARTY IN THURSDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS DRAWS A GOOD DEAL OF COMMENT, INCLUDING THIS FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES, WHICH PUTS THE RESULT IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.

VOICE: "WHEN LABOR LAST RULED, FOR THOSE AMERICANS WHO MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN, RONALD REAGAN WAS NOT YET PRESIDENT, MICHAEL JORDAN WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND 'THE DEER HUNTER' WON TOP HONORS AT THE ACADEMY AWARDS. THAT WAS 1979, THE YEAR MARGARET THATCHER'S CONSERVATIVES SWEPT INTO OFFICE, PRESAGING MR. REAGAN'S VICTORY IN AMERICA A YEAR LATER...... HAVING SURPRISED DOUBTERS WITH HIS SUREFOOTEDNESS AS A CAMPAIGNER, [LABOR PARTY LEADER] TONY BLAIR MAY PROVE AN EFFECTIVE LEADER ..... [OPT] WITHIN HIS PARTY HE HAS SHOWN IMPRESSIVE SKILL IN BUILDING AS WELL AS EXPRESSING A FRESH CONSENSUS. THAT IS PRECISELY THE SKILL HE NEEDS IF HE IS TO RESTORE HOPE AND A CEASE-FIRE IN NORTHERN IRELAND, REALIZE GREATER SELF-RULE IN SCOTLAND AND WALES, AND ABOVE ALL, REDEFINE BRITISH PURPOSES AND INTERESTS WITHIN A UNITING EUROPE MOVING TOWARD A SINGLE CURRENCY." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SUMS UP ITS VIEW IN THIS EDITORIAL HEADLINE: "A WARY PUBLIC SINKS THE TORIES [CONSERVATIVES]" AND CALLS ATTENTION TO LONDON'S YOUNGEST PRIME MINISTER SINCE 1812 THIS WAY:

VOICE: "HOW MUCH OF THE LABOR LANDSLIDE WAS DUE TO A POSITIVE RESPONSE TO ITS PROGRAM AND LEADERSHIP CAN BE ARGUED. CLEARLY, THERE WAS ABOVE ALL ELSE A PALPABLE PUBLIC WEARINESS AND DISGUST WITH A TORY PARTY THAT HAD BECOME NOISILY DIVIDED OVER EUROPEAN UNION ISSUES AND INCREASINGLY WEIGHED DOWN WITH THE SLEAZY BAGGAGE OF SEXUAL AND FINANCIAL SCANDALS. WHATEVER THE REASON FOR LABOR'S TRIUMPH, IT CAN RIGHTLY CLAIM TO HAVE WON A STRONG MANDATE TO GOVERN FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. [OPT] ..... NOW IT MUST SHOW THAT IT CAN GOVERN. BRITAIN TODAY HAS A HEALTHY ECONOMY AND UNEMPLOYMENT THAT IS LOW BY EUROPEAN STANDARDS. IT ALSO HAS IRISH TERRORIST BOMBERS, GROWING CLASS AND ETHNIC TENSIONS AND FRICTIONS WITH ITS EUROPEAN PARTNERS. [MR.] BLAIR'S TASK IS TO MOBILIZE THE IDEAS AND THE ENERGY TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES." [END OPT]

TEXT: AND IN BALTIMORE, THE SUN SAYS WHILE THE FACES ARE NEW, THE POLICIES WILL MOSTLY REMAIN. "THE LABOR PARTY'S .... SPLENDID VICTORY ... THIS TIME, MEANS NO IDEOLOGICAL REVOLUTION BUT [MERELY] A CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT."

TURNING TO EVENTS CLOSER TO HOME, THE WAR ON DRUGS IN MEXICO, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES NOTES:

VOICE: "IN A SWEEPING, POLITICALLY AUSPICIOUS MOVE, THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT THIS WEEK BEGAN DISMANTLING ITS NOTORIOUSLY CORRUPT NATIONAL INSTITUTE TO COMBAT DRUGS, A FOUR-YEAR-OLD AGENCY THAT HAD BECOME A NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT. IN ITS PLACE IS BEING ESTABLISHED THE NEW SPECIAL PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE FOR ATTENTION TO DRUG CRIMES, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S FOURTH ANTI-DRUG AGENCY SINCE 1990. WE HAVE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT THIS WON'T BE JUST ANOTHER CHANGE OF NAME. [OPT] ..... MEXICO APPEARS EAGER TO IMPROVE ITS RECORD FOR MANY REASONS, INCLUDING NATIONAL PRIDE, IMPROVED RELATIONS WITH WASHINGTON AND DUMPING THE HEAVY WEIGHT OF CORRUPTION." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST SEES THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT AS RELATED TO A FORTHCOMING PRESIDENTIAL VISIT.

VOICE: "THE ANNOUNCEMENT NO DOUBT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH WARMING UP THE ATMOSPHERE FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON'S IMMINENT MEXICO TRIP. THAT'S GOOD TOO: AMERICANS NEED TO KNOW THAT MEXICANS UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO THE UNITED STATES TO SEE MEXICO STEPPING UP TO THIS ISSUE."

TEXT: MORE THAN 20-THOUSAND PEOPLE GATHERED FRIDAY (5/2] AT THE TIDAL BASIN IN WASHINGTON TO DEDICATE A MEMORIAL TO FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT, THE LONGEST-SERVING PRESIDENT IN U-S HISTORY. USA TODAY NOTES THE OCCASION WITH THESE THOUGHTS:

VOICE: "IT IS HARD FOR AMERICANS BORN DURING WORLD WAR TWO AND SINCE TO COMPREHEND WHAT A DIFFERENT NATION WE ONCE WERE - - AND WHAT A DESPERATE NATION WE WERE WHEN [MR.] ROOSEVELT ASSUMED THE PRESIDENCY IN 1933. A QUARTER OF THE COUNTRY WAS OUT OF WORK. IN SOME CITIES THE JOBLESS RATE TOPPED 50 PERCENT. MILLIONS WERE HUNGRY. BREAD LINES SNAKED AROUND CITY BLOCKS, WHILE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, CHILDREN STARVED. FARMERS AIMED GUNS AT CREDITORS TO KEEP THEIR LAND. FORTY PERCENT OF HOME MORTGAGES WERE IN DEFAULT. THE BANKING SYSTEM HAD SIMPLY CEASED TO FUNCTION. ..... AND THEN CAME [MR,] ROOSEVELT: BUOYANT, CHARMING, RESOURCEFUL, ENERGETIC. WITH A REASSURING VOICE AND A JAUNTY SMILE. 'THE ONLY THING WE HAVE TO FEAR IS FEAR ITSELF,' HE PROCLAIMED IN HIS INAUGURAL. AND A FRIGHTENED NATION TOOK HEART. .... THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL PRESIDENT OF THE 20TH CENTURY IS ALSO THE ONE WHO DEFINED AMERICA AS IT IS TODAY. THE NEW MEMORIAL IS A MONUMENT TO AN ERA THAT RADICALLY CHANGED A NATION AND ITS PEOPLE, AS WELL AS TO THE MAN WHO FORCED THOSE CHANGES."

TEXT: TODAY'S ATLANTA CONSTITUTION CRITICIZES GEORGIA'S SENIOR SENATOR, REPUBLICAN PAUL COVERDELL, FOR VOTING AGAINST THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS TREATY.

VOICE: "[SENATOR] COVERDELL'S TRANSFORMATION FROM THOUGHTFUL MODERATE TO PARANOID CONSERVATIVE WAS NEVER MORE EVIDENT THAN IN HIS VOTE ON [AGAINST] THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION. AS A FORMER PEACE CORPS DIRECTOR IN THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION, [MR.] COVERDELL CAME INTO THE SENATE ... AS AN INTERNATIONALIST ..... BUT ONCE IN OFFICE, [SENATOR] COVERDELL SOUGHT THE POLITICAL PROTECTION OF SENATOR JESSE HELMS (REPUBLICAN OF NORTH CAROLINA) AND ..... WAS ONE OF ONLY 25 SENATORS TO FOLLOW [MR.] HELMS' LEAD IN VOTING AGAINST THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS TREATY. ..... MOST EXPERTS DEEM IT [THE TREATY] CRITICAL TO RESTRICTING THE SPREAD OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS. BUT IT'S AN ARTICLE OF FAITH TO THE PARANOID RIGHT THAT ALL [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] TREATIES INFRINGE ON U-S SOVEREIGNTY."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK POST, HOWEVER, OPPOSED THE TREATY, AND AGREES WITH SENATOR COVERDELL. TODAY, IT CALLS THE TREATY'S PASSAGE, "CLINTON'S CHEMICAL-WEAPONS FOLLY," AND ADDS:

VOICE: "THE FIRST RESULTS ARE IN ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION, RATIFIED BY THE SENATE JUST LAST WEEK: SYRIA HAS ARMED SOME OF ITS GROUND-TO-GROUND BALLISTIC MISSILES WITH A DEADLY NERVE GAS. OF COURSE, SYRIA NEVER SIGNED THE CWC .... SO IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT THE THREAT OF CHEMICAL WARFARE IS ONLY INCREASING. ..... DAMASCUS' CHEMICAL-WEAPONS BUILD-UP RAISES SERIOUS QUESTIONS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION. ..... AS FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON, HE RESISTED A SENSIBLE AMENDMENT TO THE TREATY WHICH WOULD HAVE ALLOWED AMERICA TO JOIN ONLY AFTER COUNTRIES LIKE SYRIA AND NORTH KOREA SIGNED ON."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, SOME STRONG CRITICISM FROM THE WASHINGTON POST OF THE OUTGOING HEAD OF THE U-N'S WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, DOCTOR HIROSHI NAKAJIMA. SAYS THE POST:

VOICE: "IT IS HARD TO THINK OF ANY SINGLE PERSON IN THE UNITED NATIONS CONSTELLATION WHO HAS DONE MORE HARM TO THE EFFECTIVENESS AND REPUTATION OF THE WORLD ORGANIZATION THAT DR. .... NAKAJIMA ..... [WHO] ... BROUGHT TO THIS ONCE-PROUD AGENCY NOTORIETY FOR BAD MANAGEMENT, A MARKED DETERIORATION OF ITS PROGRAMS AND A MEASURE OF CRONYISM AND FAVORITISM VERGING ON THE CORRUPT."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM FRIDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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02-May-97 10:35 AM EDT (1435 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] LABOR'S LANDSLIDE VICTORY BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE U-S PRESS HAS BEEN QUICK TO RESPOND TO THE LANDSLIDE VICTORY OF BRITAIN'S LABOR PARTY IN THURSDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, AND WE CALL ON ___________________ FOR A SAMPLING IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THE VICTORY THAT PUT "NEW LABOR" PARTY LEADER TONY BLAIR INTO THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICIAL RESIDENCE AT 10 DOWNING STREET IS BEING CALLED ONE OF HISTORIC PROPORTIONS. MR. BLAIR'S PARTY HAS THE BIGGEST PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY OF ANY LABOR GOVERNMENT IN HISTORY, HAVING WON AT LEAST 179 SEATS MORE THAN ALL OTHER PARTIES IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS COMBINED.

LABOR CANDIDATES WON 45 PERCENT OF THE VOTE, TO JUST 31 PERCENT FOR THE CONSERVATIVES, WHO MADE THEIR WORST SHOWING SINCE 1 8 3 2. MR. BLAIR HAS ALREADY ARRIVED AT THE DOWNING STREET RESIDENCE TO THE CHEERS OF A CROWD, AND HAS NAMED SEVERAL SENIOR LABOR PARTY FIGURES TO KEY POSTS IN HIS GOVERNMENT.

THE DEFEATED PRIME MINISTER, JOHN MAJOR, ANNOUNCED HE RESIGNED AS CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN WHEN HE TENDERED HIS RESIGNATION TO THE QUEEN.

FOR AN IDEA OF HOW THE U-S MEDIA IS REACTING TO NEWS OF LABOR'S LANDSLIDE VICTORY, WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING WITH THE THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, WHICH COMMISERATES WITH THE TORIES.

VOICE: "NO DOUBT IT'S A LITTLE FRUSTRATING TO LOSE TO THE LIKES OF TONY BLAIR OR BILL CLINTON, BUT UNDER OUR THEORY OF DEMOCRACY, ONE HAS TO CONCLUDE THAT THE VOTERS ARE TRYING TO SEND THE DECENT WETS (BRITISH TERM: MEANING "M O D E R A T E " CONSERVATIVES) OF THE WORLD [JOHN MAJOR, BOB DOLE, GEORGE BUSH - - BASICALLY CONSERVATIVE, DECENT MANAGERS (BUT) ALL LOSERS] .... A MESSAGE ABOUT THEIR POLITICS. PARTIES OF THE RIGHT PROSPER BY SHARPENING DIFFERENCES, BY OFFERING CHANGE. IF THEY ARE ONLY GOING TO MANAGE THE STATUS QUO, THEY OPEN TO THE LEFT THE TACTIC OF STEALING THE TORIES' CLOTHES, WHICH MR. BLAIR LIKE MR. CLINTON BEFORE HIM DEVELOPED INTO AN ART FORM. ..... IT'S FINE BY US IF A LABOR CANDIDATE WISHES TO OFFER A LARGELY PRO-CAPITALIST, IF MODERATE, PLATFORM. YET IT ALSO SEEMS CLEAR THAT THE PARTY HAS NOT ABANDONED ITS INTERVENTIONIST INSTINCTS. [OPT] ..... MOREOVER, AS IN THE U-S ELECTION, THE TRADE UNIONS THAT STILL BANKROLL [FINANCIALLY SUPPORT] THE LABOR PARTY SURELY WILL BE EXPECTING SOME KIND OF REWARD, AND MPS WHO HAVE BEEN SO DOCILE IN NODDING THEIR HEADS TO MR. BLAIR'S DEFINITIONS OF WHAT 'NEW LABOR' IS ALL ABOUT MAY NOW EMERGE TO OFFER A VARIETY OF LESS 'MODERATE' REDEFINITIONS ONCE IN POWER. .... THE TORIES, FOR THEIR PART, HAVE SOME RETHINKING TO DO." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE, WRITING ON THE EVE OF THE BRITISH ELECTION, WHEN THE OUTCOME WAS FAIRLY CERTAIN, DISCUSSED MR. BLAIR'S SUCCESSFULLY TRANSFORMATION OF THE LABOR PARTY INTO A WINNER. ITS ASSESSMENT DIFFERS FROM THAT OF THE JOURNAL.

VOICE: "AFTER ATROPHYING IN OPPOSITION FOR NEARLY A GENERATION, LABOR APPEARED TO MOST VOTERS AS A PARTY CONTROLLED BY DICTATORIAL UNION BOSSES AND OUTMODED SOCIALIST DOCTRINES, 'A DIVISIVE AND ANACHRONISTIC FORCE, A COAL MINERS' PARTY IN THE INFORMATION AGE,' AS NEW YORKER WRITER JOE KLEIN PUT IT. ONE OF [MR.] BLAIR'S FIRST ACTS IN HIS MARCH TO THE MIDDLE WAS TO PERSUADE LABOR TO JETTISON CLAUSE FOUR - - ONE OF THE SACRED CANONS OF THE PARTY, WHICH ASSERTED THE RIGHT OF WORKERS TO CONTROL THE MEANS OF PRODUCTION. [OPT] CLAUSE FOUR HAD BEEN A LABOR PARTY PLANK SINCE THE EARLY YEARS OF THE BOLSHEVIK TRIUMPH IN RUSSIA [END OPT] ..... [MR.] BLAIR ALSO CUT THE UMBILICAL LINK OF LABOR UNIONS TO PARTY POLICY, PROMISED NOT TO RAISE TAXES, AND COMMITTED TO STAYING WITHIN THE SPENDING LIMITS OF THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. IN SHORT, [PRIME MINISTER ] BLAIR HAS NO INTENTION OF UNDOING MARGARET THATCHER'S PRIVATIZATION OF INDUSTRY OR HER DISMANTLING OF UNION POWER - - MEASURES THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO BRITAIN'S HAVING SOME OF THE HIGHEST GROWTH AND LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT IN EUROPE. [OPT] ..... IF BRITAIN CAN HAVE A LABOR GOVERNMENT WITHOUT THE SHACKLES OF NATIONALIZATION AND SOCIALISM, THEN [MR.] BLAIR WILL DESERVE THE GRATITUDE OF HIS COUNTRYMEN." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES FIRST MARVELS AT JUST HOW LONG THE TORIES HAVE BEEN IN POWER, THEN DISCUSSES HOW MR. BLAIR TRIUMPHED.

VOICE: "WHEN LABOR LAST RULED, FOR THOSE AMERICANS WHO MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN, RONALD REAGAN WAS NOT YET PRESIDENT, MICHAEL JORDAN WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND 'THE DEER HUNTER' WON TOP HONORS AT THE ACADEMY AWARDS. THAT WAS 1979, THE YEAR MARGARET THATCHER'S CONSERVATIVES SWEPT INTO OFFICE, PRESAGING MR. REAGAN'S VICTORY IN AMERICA A YEAR LATER...... HAVING SURPRISED DOUBTERS WITH HIS SUREFOOTEDNESS AS A CAMPAIGNER, [LABOR PARTY LEADER] TONY BLAIR MAY PROVE AN EFFECTIVE LEADER ..... WITHIN HIS PARTY HE HAS SHOWN IMPRESSIVE SKILL IN BUILDING AS WELL AS EXPRESSING A FRESH CONSENSUS. THAT IS PRECISELY THE SKILL HE NEEDS IF HE IS TO RESTORE HOPE AND A CEASE-FIRE IN NORTHERN IRELAND, REALIZE GREATER SELF-RULE IN SCOTLAND AND WALES, AND ABOVE ALL, REDEFINE BRITISH PURPOSES AND INTERESTS WITHIN A UNITING EUROPE MOVING TOWARD A SINGLE CURRENCY."

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SUMS UP ITS VIEW IN THIS EDITORIAL HEADLINE: "A WARY PUBLIC SINKS THE TORIES [CONSERVATIVES]" AND CALLS ATTENTION TO LONDON'S YOUNGEST PRIME MINISTER SINCE 1812 THIS WAY:

VOICE: "HOW MUCH OF THE LABOR LANDSLIDE WAS DUE TO A POSITIVE RESPONSE TO ITS PROGRAM AND LEADERSHIP CAN BE ARGUED. CLEARLY, THERE WAS ABOVE ALL ELSE A PALPABLE PUBLIC WEARINESS AND DISGUST WITH A TORY PARTY THAT HAD BECOME NOISILY DIVIDED OVER EUROPEAN UNION ISSUES AND INCREASINGLY WEIGHED DOWN WITH THE SLEAZY BAGGAGE OF SEXUAL AND FINANCIAL SCANDALS. WHATEVER THE REASON FOR LABOR'S TRIUMPH, IT CAN RIGHTLY CLAIM TO HAVE WON A STRONG MANDATE TO GOVERN FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. ..... NOW IT MUST SHOW THAT IT CAN GOVERN. BRITAIN TODAY HAS A HEALTHY ECONOMY AND UNEMPLOYMENT THAT IS LOW BY EUROPEAN STANDARDS. IT ALSO HAS IRISH TERRORIST BOMBERS, GROWING CLASS AND ETHNIC TENSIONS AND FRICTIONS WITH ITS EUROPEAN PARTNERS. [MR.] BLAIR'S TASK IS TO MOBILIZE THE IDEAS AND THE ENERGY TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES."

TEXT: AND IN BALTIMORE, THE SUN SAYS WHILE THE FACES ARE NEW, THE POLICIES WILL MOSTLY REMAIN THE SAME. BUT THE PAPER IS BRACING FOR A FEW EARLY ERRORS.

VOICE: "THE LABOR PARTY'S .... SPLENDID VICTORY ... THIS TIME, MEANS NO IDEOLOGICAL REVOLUTION BUT [MERELY] A CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT. ....AMERICANS CAN EXPECT TO SEE CONTINUITY IN THE ANGLO-AMERICAN SHARED VIEW OF WORLD AFFAIRS, IN THE ANGLO-IRISH SEARCH FOR PEACE AND CONSENT IN NORTHERN IRELAND, AND IN EUROPEAN ECONOMIC INTEGRATION PURSUED WITH LESS ENTHUSIASM THAN IS SHOWN IN BONN AND PARIS. MR. BLAIR IS AT 43 THE YOUNGEST RECENT BRITISH PRIME MINISTER. (THE YOUNGER WILLIAM PITT MADE IT AT 24 IN 1783.) HE IS A GLIB, EDUCATED, MAN ON THE MAKE WITH A GRIN WIDER THAN HIS FACE. DETRACTORS CONSIDER HIM A CLINTON CLONE. .... MR. BLAIR WAS NOT IN PARLIAMENT WHEN LABOR LAST RULED. MOST OF HIS CABINET WILL HAVE HAD NO GOVERNING EXPERIENCE. [HOWEVER,] THE BRITISH SYSTEM OF A STRONG CIVIL SERVICE ALLOWS GOVERNMENTS TO COME IN AS POLICY-SETTERS. EVEN SO, THE BLAIR GOVERNMENT MUST BE EXPECTED TO MAKE EARLY MISTAKES. IT HAS WON A STRONG MANDATE AND WILL BE AROUND FOR A LONG TIME."

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EARLY EDITORIAL REACTION TO THE OVERWHELMING LABOR PARTY VICTORY IN THE BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS.
NEB/ANG/NL
02-May-97 4:27 PM EDT (2027 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (FRIDAY) AS TRADERS CELEBRATED MUCH GOOD NEWS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED UP 94 POINTS AT SEVEN THOUSAND 71, JUST 14 POINTS SHORT OF ITS ALL TIME HIGH. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 333 POINTS OR FIVE PERCENT. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 812, UP 14 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY IT WAS A DAY IN WHICH THE U-S ECONOMIC NEWS WAS ALL GOOD. THE LATEST U-S EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS PLEASED WALL STREET. THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF FOUR POINT NINE PERCENT WAS THE LOWEST IN 23 YEARS. BUT THE NUMBER OF NEW JOBS CREATED LAST MONTH WAS UNDER WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS, INDICATING THAT ECONOMIC GROWTH IS MODEST. A WIDELY FOLLOWED INDEX OF LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS WAS ALSO UP VERY MODESTLY. ANALYSTS SAY SLOWER GROWTH PROBABLY MEANS SUSTAINABLE GROWTH WITH LITTLE INFLATION.

LATE IN THE DAY, WALL STREET WAS ALSO CHEERED BY NEWS THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON AND THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED CONGRESS HAD REACHED AGREEMENT ON A PLAN TO BALANCE THE FEDERAL BUDGET BY THE YEAR 2002.

IN BUSINESS NEWS, UNILEVER, THE ANGLO-DUTCH CONSUMER PRODUCTS COMPANY, REPORTED A 16 PERCENT QUARTERLY PROFIT INCREASE, THANKS LARGELY TO HUGE SALES INCREASES IN ASIA.

CHEVRON HAS BECOME THE FIRST MAJOR AMERICAN OIL COMPANY TO OFFER DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS INCLUDING HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE COVERAGE TO ITS HOMOSEXUAL EMPLOYEES. CHEVRON SAYS THE EXTENSION OF EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS WILL PUT IT IN A BETTER COMPETITIVE POSITION TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN WORKERS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
02-May-97 5:09 PM EDT (2109 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] NEWSMAKER: BRITAIN'S TONY BLAIR (L-ONLY) BY CHRISTINE FURNELL (LONDON)

INTRO: THE BRITISH LABOR PARTY'S RESOUNDING VICTORY IN THURSDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, ENDING 18 YEARS OF CONSERVATIVE RULE, HAS GIVEN THE COUNTRY ITS YOUNGEST PRIME MINISTER FOR MORE THAN 180 YEARS. FROM LONDON, V-O-A'S CHRISTINE FURNELL HAS A PROFILE OF THE NEW BRITISH LEADER.

TEXT: AGED 43, TONY BLAIR HAS LED THE LABOUR PARTY SINCE 1994, 11 YEARS AFTER BEING ELECTED TO PARLIAMENT. IN THAT TIME, MR. BLAIR HAS SUCCESSFULLY MOVED LABOR AWAY FROM THE SOCIALIST LEFT TO THE VOTE-WINNING POLITICAL CENTER.

MR. BLAIR COMES FROM A COMFORTABLE, MIDDLE-CLASS HOME. HE GRADUATED FROM OXFORD UNIVERSITY WHERE HE STUDIED LAW, BECOMING A BARRISTER SPECIALIZING IN TRADE UNION AND INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES. HE MARRIED FELLOW BARRISTER, CHERIE BOOTH, IN 1980. THEY HAVE THREE CHILDREN.

TONY BLAIR IS WIDELY SEEN AS A REVITALIZING FORCE WITHIN THE LABOR PARTY. HE LOOSENED THE PARTY'S TIES WITH THE TRADE UNIONS AND SUCCESSFULLY REMOVED ITS (THE PARTY'S) TAX-AND-SPEND IMAGE, WHICH DAMAGED ITS PREVIOUS ELECTION BIDS. COINING THE PHRASE "NEW LABOR," MR. BLAIR GAVE HIS PARTY ITS FIRST WIN SINCE 1974 WITH PRO-BUSINESS AND LOW TAXATION POLICIES. A KEY ELEMENT TO LABOR'S SUCCESS HAS BEEN HIS MESSAGE THAT LABOR IS THE PARTY FOR ALL.

I KNOW WELL WHAT THIS COUNTRY HAS VOTED FOR TODAY. IT IS A MANDATE FOR NEW LABOR, AND I SAY TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY: WE RAN FOR OFFICE AS NEW LABOR; WE WILL GOVERN AS NEW LABOR. THIS WAS NOT A MANDATE FOR DOGMA OR FOR DOCTRINE OR A RETURN TO THE PAST, BUT IS A MANDATE TO GET THOSE THINGS DONE IN OUR COUNTRY THAT DESPERATELY NEED DOING FOR THE FUTURE OF BRITAIN. THIS NEW LABOR GOVERNMENT WILL GOVERN IN THE INTEREST OF ALL OUR PEOPLE, THE WHOLE OF THIS NATION, THAT I CAN PROMISE YOU.

BUT AFTER NEARLY TWO DECADES IN OPPOSITION, A LABOR GOVERNMENT MAY BE SOMETHING OF AN UNKNOWN QUANTITY TO BOTH BRITAIN AND THE WORLD. THERE ARE QUESTIONS WHETHER IT (THE LABOR PARTY) WILL REMAIN COMMITTED TO ITS NEW, MORE CENTRIST POLICIES. BUT WITH THE CONSERVATIVES SHARPLY DIVIDED ON MANY KEY ISSUES, IT IS CLEAR THE ELECTORATE HAS SAID, "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH." (SIGNED)
NEB/CEF/PCF/RRM
02-May-97 10:53 AM EDT (1453 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] TOP TEN ENEMIES OF THE PRESS (L-ONLY-CQ) BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

INTRO: GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL LEADERS IN 10 NATIONS -- INCLUDING CHINA, NIGERIA, BELARUS, INDONESIA AND ALBANIA -- ARE ON A LIST OF THE WORLD'S ENEMIES OF THE PRESS ... A LIST RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE NEW YORK-BASED "COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS" TO MARK WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY ON SATURDAY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE LIST INCLUDES LEADERS FROM MOST REGIONS OF THE WORLD. AMONG THEM ARE CHINESE PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN, BURMA'S SENIOR GENERAL THAN SHWE AND INDONESIAN LEADER SUHARTO IN ASIA. AFRICA IS REPRESENTED BY THE HEAD OF ALGERIA'S MILITANT ARMED ISLAMIC GROUP, NIGERIA'S MILITARY LEADER SANI ABACHA AND THE PRIME MINISTER OF ETHIOPIA. OTHERS ON THE LIST INCLUDE THE LEADERS OF TURKEY, ALBANIA, BELARUS AND CUBA.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS, WILLIAM ORME, SAYS THESE LEADERS SHARE WHAT HE DESCRIBES AS A RELENTLESS HOSTILITY TO THE CONCEPT OF A FREE AND INDEPENDENT PRESS.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE EITHER SYSTEMATICALLY JAILED JOURNALISTS OR PRESIDED OVER MURDERS OF JOURNALISTS, WHO HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO SUPPRESS INDEPENDENT REPORTING WITHIN THEIR COUNTRY OR WITHIN THEIR AREA OF INFLUENCE AND WHO DO SO WITHOUT APOLOGY.

THE LEADERS FALL INTO THREE CATEGORIES IN TERMS OF THEIR MOTIVATION FOR SUPPRESSING THE MEDIA. MR. ORME SAYS IN THE TOTALITARIAN COUNTRIES OF CUBA AND CHINA, CONTROL OF INFORMATION IS A PART OF THE GOVERNING PHILOSOPHY. HE SAYS LEADERS OF THOSE COUNTRIES FEEL CONTROL OF THE PRESS IS PART OF THEIR JOB.

MR. ORME SAYS THE LEADERS OF SEVERAL OTHER COUNTRIES, TURKEY AMONG THEM, ARE ENGAGED IN INTERNAL WARFARE AGAINST SECESSIONIST GROUPS AND FIND THE SUPPRESSION OF INDEPENDENT INFORMATION A USEFUL WEAPON.

OTHERS LEADERS SUCH AS GENERAL SANI ABACHA OF NIGERIA -- MR. ORME SAYS -- ARE SIMPLY AFRAID THAT A FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION WILL EXPOSE THEIR LACK OF PUBLIC SUPPORT.

SANI ABACHA IS A MILITARY DICTATOR WHO CORRECTLY PERCEIVES INDEPENDENT PRESS AS A THREAT TO HIM AND HIS SURVIVAL IN POWER AND HE HAS RESPONDED WITH A VICOUS CAMPAIGN OF TERROR AND JAILING AGAINST INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM IN LAGOS.

MR. ORME SAYS HE HOPES THE LIST, FROM HIS PRIVATELY SPONSORED GROUP, THE COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS, WILL HELP PUT PRESSURE ON LEADERS TO BE LESS HOSTILE TOWARD THE MEDIA. BUT HE SAYS HE REALIZES SOME LEADERS CARE LITTLE ABOUT INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC OPINION AND ARE UNLIKELY TO CHANGE.

IN THE CASE OF CHINA, HE HOPES THE INCLUSION OF PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN WILL HELP DRAW ATTENTION TO THE COMING REVERSION OF HONG KONG TO CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT TERRITORY'S VIBRANT PRESS.

WHAT HAPPENS TO HONG KONG WILL, WE THINK, SET A TONE FOR THE COURSE OF PRESS INDEPENDENCE IN AS MUCH AS HALF OF THE WORLD FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE CENTURY, AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE LEADERSHIP IN BEIJING HAS MADE IT QUITE CLEAR THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO TOLERATE THE KIND OF FREE-WHEELING, CRITICAL PRESS THAT HONG KONG HAS ENJOYED UP TO NOW.

THIS YEAR'S LIST IS THE THIRD RELEASED BY THE COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS. THE NEWCOMERS THIS YEAR INCLUDE THE PRESIDENT OF ALBANIA, THE LEADING GENERAL OF BURMA, AND PRESIDENT ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO OF BELARUS, WHO MR. ORME DESCRIBES AS ARGUABLY THE SINGLE MOST HOSTILE ENEMY OF PRESS FREEDOM IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/RRM
02-May-97 12:54 PM EDT (1654 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS WELCOMES PEACE TALKS ON ZAIRE AND CALLS ON THE REBELS NOT TO MISTREAT RWANDAN HUTU REFUGEES; DIPLOMACY STIRS ONCE AGAIN IN A NEW BID TO RESOLVE THE LONG-STANDING DISPUTE ON CYPRUS, WITH CAUTIOUS HOPES FOR PROGRESS; AND, AUSTRALIA'S CHIEF DELEGATE TO THE UNITED NATIONS IS NAMED THE NEW TOP ARMS CONTROL OFFICIAL FOR IRAQ. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK:

TEXT: U-N OFFICIALS ARE HOPING ZAIRE WILL SETTLE ITS POLITICAL FEUD PEACEFULLY. THEY WELCOMED THE NEWS THAT LONG-TIME RULER MOBUTU SESE SEKO AND REBEL LEADER LAURENT KABILA AGREED TO MEET. THE REBELS HAVE VOWED TO TOPPLE PRESIDENT MOBUTU AND HAVE WARNED THEY ARE PREPARED TO DO IT MILITARILY IF NECESSARY.

U-S AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON IS IN ZAIRE SEEING BOTH SIDES. HE IS SAID TO HAVE EXERTED PRESSURE FOR THE TALKS. U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IS GRATIFIED THAT THOSE COUNTRIES THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE REGION ARE GETTING MORE INVOLVED:

A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT FROM THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S POINT OF VIEW. HE'S BEEN TALKING TO THE AMERICANS AND THE EUROPEANS ABOUT BRINGING THEIR FULL WEIGHT TO BEAR ON THE PARTIES. A NUMBER OF THE ACTORS IN EASTERN ZAIRE HAVE BEEN SAYING POSITIVE THINGS WHILE THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND JUST CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE.

CONCERN ESCALATED THIS PAST WEEK OVER THE FATE OF RWANDAN HUTU REFUGEES IN REBEL AREAS IN EASTERN ZAIRE, AS REPORTS OF MASSACRES EMERGED. ZAIRE'S REBEL LEADER GAVE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY 60 DAYS TO RETURN THE HUTU TO RWANDA. U-N OFFICIALS CALLED IT UNREALISTIC.

U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, SADAKO OGATA, SAYS SHE TOO WANTS TO BRING THE REFUGEES HOME, BUT IN AN ORGANIZED MANNER:

WE AGREE -- THE ZAIREAN GOVERNMENT, THE REBEL ALLIANCE -- WE ALL FEEL THAT RETURN OF THE REFUGEES IS THE BEST SOLUTION. THERE WE ALL AGREE. BUT IT IS HOW, IN WHAT MANNER, HOW SAFELY.

MR. KABILA LATER SOFTENED THE HARD DEADLINE INTO WHAT HE TERMED A TARGET TIME-FRAME FOR REPATRIATION.

-0-

SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNAN SAYS HE WANTS TO HOST FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS OF THE GREEK AND TURKISH COMMUNITY LEADERS ON CYPRUS -- PERHAPS STARTING IN JUNE. HIS ADVISORS AND KEY MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL MET THIS PAST WEEK TO DISCUSS THE PROSPECTS.

SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD WARNS AGAINST TOO MUCH OPTIMISM. THE CYPRIOTS HAVE BEEN FEUDING FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND DIVIDED ETHNICALLY FOR MORE THAN 20:

I DON'T THINK ANYONE HAS ANY ILLUSIONS ABOUT THE COMPLEXITY OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM. THE HOPE IS THAT SOMETHING MIGHT START GETTING MOVING. EVEN IF THE ATMOSPHERICS IMPROVE AS A RESULT OF THESE MEETINGS -- IF THEY SHOULD TAKE PLACE -- THAT WOULD BE WORTH THE EFFORT.

THE GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT WANTS TO BRING THE ENTIRE COUNTRY INTO THE EUROPEAN UNION. THE E-U IS DEMANDING A POLITICAL SOLUTION ON CYPRUS FIRST.

A U-N PLAN AIMS AT RE-UNITING CYPRUS UNDER A NEW SYSTEM OF POWER-SHARING.

-0-

AFTER SIX YEARS OF TRACKING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION IN IRAQ THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY HAS A NEW CHIEF. SWEDISH DIPLOMAT ROLF EKEUS IS LEAVING HIS JOB AS CHIEF ARMS INSPECTOR TO BECOME SWEDEN'S AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON. THE SECRETARY-GENERAL NAMED AUSTRALIA'S U-N ENVOY AS HIS REPLACEMENT. AMBASSADOR RICHARD BUTLER TAKES OVER ON JULY FIRST.

THE AUSTRALIAN DIPLOMAT -- A DISARMAMENT EXPERT -- IS KNOWN FOR HIS TOUGHNESS AND BLUNT APPROACH.

-0-

THE U-N GENERAL ASSEMBLY FRIDAY OBSERVED PRESS FREEDOM DAY. SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNAN CALLED ON THE WORLD'S GOVERNMENTS TO ABIDE BY THEIR COMMITMENTS UNDER THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS -- WHICH UPHOLDS A FREE PRESS:

WE CELEBRATE THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD TO FREEDOM OF OPINION AND EXPRESSION. WE REAFFIRM THAT NO DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY CAN EXIST WITHOUT A FREE, INDEPENDENT AND PLURALISTIC PRESS.

A GROUP MONITORING THE PRESS HAS REPORTED 185 JOURNALISTS WERE IMPRISONED IN 24 COUNTRIES LAST YEAR -- A RECORD NUMBER. 26 WERE MURDERED OUTRIGHT IN THE LINE OF DUTY. (SIGNED)
NEB/EJ/KL
02-May-97 3:06 PM EDT (1906 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[14] WHY LABOUR WON BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITAIN'S LABOUR PARTY HAS SCORED A RESOUNDING VICTORY IN THE COUNTRY'S GENERAL ELECTION, SWEEPING THE RULING CONSERVATIVE PARTY FROM THE GOVERNMENT. IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS AT THE REASONS WHY THE LABOUR PARTY ACHIEVED SUCH A DRAMATIC RESULT AFTER BEING OUT OF POWER FOR 18 YEARS.

TEXT: POLITICAL ANALYSTS AND EXPERTS PREDICTED A LABOUR PARTY WIN WELL BEFORE THURSDAY'S GENERAL ELECTION. BUT VERY FEW OF THEM EXPECTED THE VICTORY TO BE SO MASSIVE -- A VICTORY WHICH ESSENTIALLY HAS REDRAWN BRITAIN'S POLITICAL MAP.

EXPERTS DO AGREE THERE ARE SEVERAL KEY FACTORS WHICH HAVE CONTRIBUTED THIS TIME AROUND TO A LABOUR PARTY WIN.

GEORGE JONES IS PROFESSOR OF POLITICS AT THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS. HE SAYS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS FOR THE LABOUR PARTY'S VICTORY IS THAT BRITISH VOTERS NO LONGER PERCEIVED IT AS A THREAT -- AS WAS THE CASE IN THE 1992 GENERAL ELECTIONS.

PROFESSOR JONES SAYS LABOUR LEADER TONY BLAIR COMPLETELY REVITALIZED THE PARTY SINCE HE BECAME LEADER IN JULY 1994 -- MOVING IT AWAY FROM THE LEFT TO THE POLITICAL CENTER.

THE BIG DIFFERENCE IS THAT THE LABOUR PARTY IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IT WAS LAST TIME. AFTER ALL IT IS A "NEW" LABOUR PARTY. IT HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED UNDER A NEW LEADER TONY BLAIR WHO HAS GOT RID OF SOCIALISM -- AND THE FIRST PART OF THEIR CAMPAIGN WAS VERY SHREWD -- IT WAS REASSURING VOTERS THAT LABOUR HAD CHANGED. IT WAS CONCENTRATING ON PRAGMATIC ISSUES THAT HAD AN APPEAL, A RESONANCE WITH VOTERS -- ABOUT OFFERING SPECIFIC PROPOSALS TO GET THE SIZES OF CLASSES IN SCHOOLS DOWN, TO REDUCE THE TIME IT TOOK FOR YOU TO GET AN OPERATION IN A HOSPITAL, TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS OF DEALING WITH JUVENILE CRIMINALS -- SPECIFIC, PRACTICAL PROMISES, GETTING RID OF THE DOCTRINE AND ALL THE DOGMA OF SOCIALISM. REASSURING THE VOTERS.

PROFESSOR JONES SAYS AFTER REASSURING VOTERS, THE LABOUR LEADER SPENT THE SECOND PART OF THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN ATTACKING SPECIFIC CONSERVATIVE PARTY POLICIES -- AN APPROACH WHICH ALSO SCORED POINTS WITH VOTERS.

THE BRITISH EXPERT SAYS ANOTHER REASON FOR THE STRONG LABOUR PARTY SHOWING IS THAT THE CONSERVATIVES WERE NOT ABLE TO PUT THE MESSAGE ACROSS THAT THE ECONOMY WAS PROSPERING UNDER THEIR STEWARDSHIP AND THAT LABOUR MAY RUIN IT.

INSTEAD OF PLAYING THE ECONOMIC CARD, THEY PLAYED THE EUROPEAN CARD. THEY HAVE GONE ON AND ON, WEEK AFTER WEEK ABOUT EUROPE. NOW THE THING ABOUT EUROPE IS IT MAY INTEREST THE ELITES, THE CHATTERING CLASSES, BUT IT DOES NOT IMPACT DIRECTLY ON THE DAILY LIVES OF THE BRITISH PEOPLE. I THINK THERE HAS BEEN A FAILURE BY THE CONSERVATIVES TO GET ACROSS THE SUCCESS THAT THEY HAVE HAD WITH THE ECONOMY. THEY HAVE GONE ON ABOUT EUROPE, AND WHEN THEY GO ON ABOUT EUROPE, THEY IDENTIFY THE BASIC WEAKNESSES IN THE CONSERVATIVE POSITION -- NAMELY THAT THEY ARE DIVIDED AND THAT THEY HAVE A WEAK, DITHERING LEADERSHIP.

EVEN CONSERVATIVE PARTY FAITHFUL SAY THE INTERNAL BICKERING OVER EUROPE COST THEM VOTES. FORMER PRIME MINISTER MARGARET THATCHER'S SPOKESMAN -- BERNARD INGHAM -- SAYS THE QUARRELING DISTRACTED ANY ATTENTION FROM POSITIVE ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENTS.

IF THEY HAD NOT BEEN QUARRELING AMONG THEMSELVES, THEN THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CHANCE OF THE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMING THROUGH. BUT I THINK THAT THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS, IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT PARTY -- THE CONSERVATIVES -- HAVE ALLOWED THEIR CRITICS TO GET AWAY WITH THE ARGUMENT THAT THE ECONOMY HAS COME GOOD IN SPITE OF THEM, AND NOT BECAUSE OF THEM. THIS FRANKLY IS BUNKUM AND BALDERDASH.

EXPERTS AGREE SEVERAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO THE LABOUR PARTY VICTORY. BUT THEY SAY IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DUE TO A SIMPLE REALIZATION THAT AFTER 18 YEARS OF CONSERVATIVE RULE, THE COUNTRY NEEDED A CHANGE. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/JWH
02-May-97 6:37 AM EDT (1037 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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