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Voice of America, 97-06-06Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] ALBRIGHT / CYPRIS (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)DATE=6/6/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-215389 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS MET WITH CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER IAONNIS KASOULIDES TO DISCUSS THE APPOINTMENT OF RICHARD HOLBROOKE AS THE AMERICAN SPECIAL ENVOY TO NEGOTIATE A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THE CYPRUS PROBLEM. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT. TEXT: THE UNITED STATES IS PUTTING MORE EMPHASIS ON A CYPRUS SETTLEMENT BECAUSE OF THE PERSONAL INTEREST OF SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT AND THE APPOINTMENT OF RICHARD HOLBROOKE AS THE AMERICAN SPECIAL NEGOTIATOR. SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT TOLD REPORTERS WHAT THE UNITED STATES WANTS TO SEE AS THE OUTCOME OF THE HOLBROOKE MISSION. // ALBRIGHT ACT //THE UNITED STATES' GOAL REMAINS TO ENCOURAGE A CYPRUS SETTLEMENT THAT ESTABLISHES A STABLE, BI-ZONAL FEDERATION WITH ADEQUATE SECURITY GUARANTEES FOR ALL. THAT IS A TASK FOR THE PEOPLE OF CYPRUS THEMSELVES TO ACCOMPLISH BUT THE UNITED STATES WILL DO ALL IT CAN TO HELP THEM FIND THE RIGHT PATH. // END ACT //MR. KASOULIDES WELCOMES THE APPOINTMENT OF AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE AND SUGGESTS TALKS NEXT MONTH BETWEEN THE GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADERS COULD BRING A CYPRUS SETTLEMENT CLOSER. // KASOULIDES ACT //THE COMMITMENT OF PRESIDENT (GLAFCOS) KLERIDES TO GO TO THE FORTHCOMING NEGOTIATIONS IN NEW YORK, THE FACE TO FACE NEGOTIATIONS WITH MR. (RAUF) DENKTASH, WITH AN OPEN MIND, WITH A POSITIVE SPIRIT, A SPIRIT TO BE CONSTRUCTIVE AND DISCUSS THE COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT OF THE CYPRUS QUESTION IN A SPIRIT OF GIVE AND TAKE AND TO EXPRESS THE HOPE THAT IF MR. DENKTASH COMES TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE WITH A SIMILAR POLITICAL WILL, THEN PEACE IS IN SIGHT. // END ACT //THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE WILL NOT JOIN THE UNITED NATIONS SPONSORED TALKS BETWEEN THE CYPRIOT LEADERS. SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS MR. HOLBROOKE WILL BEGIN HIS MISSION SEVERAL WEEKS LATER TO FOLLOW UP ON THE UNITED NATIONS TALKS. IN THE 40 MINUTE MEETING BETWEEN THE TWO MINISTERS, SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT RENEWED AMERICAN OPPOSITION TO CYPRUS GOING AHEAD WITH THE PURCHASE OF RUSSIAN S-A-10 MISSILES. MR. KASOULIDES DEFENDS THE PURCHASE AS A DEFENSIVE MEASURE. CYPRUS HAS DELAYED RECEIVING PARTS FOR THE MISSILES UNTIL NEXT
YEAR. THE STATE DEPARTMENT REPEATED THE AMERICAN POSITION THAT
DEPLOYMENT OF THE RUSSIAN MISSILES ON CYPRUS IS CERTAIN TO
PRODUCE A COUNTER-MEASURE BY TURKEY. (SIGNED)
[02] TURKEY KURDS (L-ONLY) BY ANBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=6/6/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-215374 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE TURKISH ARMED FORCES FRIDAY OPENLY ACCUSED IRAN OF SUPPLYING ARMS AND BASES TO REBELS OF THE SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY OR "P-K-K." A TURKISH MILITARY SPOKESMAN SAID 15 CROSSBORDER RAIDS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT BY THE REBELS FROM IRAN AFTER TURKEY LAUNCHED ITS MASSIVE OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE P-K-K IN NORTHERN IRAQ THREE WEEKS AGO. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA. TEXT: SPEAKING AT A NEWS CONFERENCE, A MILITARY SPOKESMAN, GENERAL EROL OZKASNAK, ACCUSED IRAN, SYRIA, ARMENIA, GREECE AND CYPRUS OF PROVIDING THE P-K-K WITH SOPHISTICATED WEAPONS, INCLUDING RUSSIAN MADE S-A-7 HEAT SEEKING MISSILES. HE SAID THESE MISSILES SHOT DOWN TWO U-S MADE SUPER COBRA ATTACK HELICOPTERS BELONGING TO THE TURKISH AIR FORCE ON RECENT FLIGHTS OVER NORTHERN IRAQ. GEN. OZKASNAK SAID TURKEY HAS PROOF THAT P-K-K FIGHTERS WOUNDED DURING TURKEY'S ONGOING OPERATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ WERE BEING TREATED IN TWO SEPARATE HOSPITALS IN THE IRANIAN TOWN OF MEGADI. HE SAID ANKARA HAD RAISED THE ISSUE OF IRANIAN SUPPORT TO THE P-K-K WITH VARIOUS WESTERN GOVERNMENTS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. GEN. OZKASNAK ADDED THAT TURKEY WOULD REMAIN IN NORTHERN IRAQ UNTIL THE IRAQI-KURDISH CONTROLLED ENCLAVE WAS CLEARED OF THE P-K-K AND ITS BASES WERE HANDED OVER TO THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, OR K-D-P. THAT IS THE IRAQI KURDISH FACTION WHICH IS HELPING TURKEY IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST THE TURKISH KURD REBELS. GEN. OZKASNAK DENIED, HOWEVER, THAT TURKEY HAD ANY TERRITORIAL DESIGNS OVER IRAQ AND THAT ANKARA HAD FULL RESPECT FOR IRAQI SOVEREIGNTY. THE SPOKESMAN WAS RESPONDING TO CLAIMS IN THE ARAB MEDIA THAT TURKEY WANTS TO SET UP A BUFFER ZONE IN THE KURDISH ENCLAVE. ALLIED WAR PLANES HAVE PROTECTED THAT REGION SINCE THE END OF THE GULF WAR AGAINST POSSIBLE ATTACK BY IRAQI GOVERNMENT FORCES. GEN. OZKASNAK DESCRIBED THE TURKISH OPERATION AS HIGHLY
SUCCESSFUL. HE SAID TWO-THOUSAND-250 (2,250) P-K-K REBELS HAD
BEEN KILLED AND 287 WOUNDED DURING THE THREE-WEEK-OLD INCURSION.
HE ADDED THAT 95 TURKISH TROOPS, INCLUDING 13 OFFICERS, HAD DIED.
THIS MARKS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE TURKISH MILITARY HAS
OFFICIALLY DISCLOSED THE NUMBER OF TURKISH CASUALTIES SINCE THE
BEGINNING OF THE INCURSION. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF/
[03] FRANCE INTERNATIONAL (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)DATE=6/6/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-215372 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: FRANCE'S NEW SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN'S FIRST TRIP ABROAD -- TO A MEETING OF EUROPEAN LEFTWING HEADS OF GOVERNMENT IN SWEDEN -- STARTS A WAVE OF INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS AT WHICH THE NEW FRENCH GOVERNMENT'S FOREIGN POLICY INTENTIONS ARE EAGERLY AWAITED. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS. TEXT: FRENCH PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN WILL PLUNGE FULLY INTO DELICATE FOREIGN POLICY MATTERS -- PARTICULARLY ON FRANCE'S ATTITUDE TO THE PLANNED SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY -- NEXT WEEK. AT A MEETING OF LEFTWING HEADS OF GOVERNMENT IN MALMO, SWEDEN, MR. JOSPIN HAS ALREADY EXPRESSED HIS RESERVATIONS OVER THE CONDITIONS TO JOIN THE CURRENCY. THESE INCLUDE KEEPING THE STATE BUDGET DEFICIT DOWN TO THREE PERCENT OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT. HOWEVER AT THE SAME TIME, HE REPEATED HIS AMBITION TO MAINTAIN THE CALENDAR FOR THE FIRST INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW CURRENCY IN 1999. THIS IMPLIES THAT THE NEW SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER -- APPOINTED AFTER THE FRENCH LEFT WON PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS LAST SUNDAY -- HOPES THE ENTRY CONDITIONS WILL BE SOFTENED. MR. JOSPIN WILL BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN HIS VIEWS MORE FULLY TO CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL OF GERMANY WHEN FRANCE AND GERMANY HOLD ONE OF THEIR REGULAR SUMMIT MEETINGS IN THE FRENCH CITY OF POITIERS NEXT WEEK. GERMANY -- FACING ITS OWN INTERNAL SQUABBLES OVER THE CURRENCY -- HAS PARTICULAR REASON TO BE WORRIED BY ANY CHANGE OF COURSE IN FRANCE. (OPT ) ALTHOUGH THE CONSERVATIVE FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC WILL ALSO BE PRESENT AT THE SUMMIT WITH GERMANY, HE WILL BE TAKING A BACK SEAT SINCE HIS COALITION WAS DEFEATED LAST SUNDAY. (END OPT) ONE REASSURING ELEMENT FOR GERMANY IS THAT HUBERT VEDRINE, FRANCE'S NEW FOREIGN MINISTER, WAS ONE OF THE LATE PRESIDENT FRANCOIS MITTERRAND'S MAIN FOREIGN POLICY ADVISERS. AS SUCH, MR. VEDRINE HAD A DIRECT INFLUENCE ON THE MAASTRICHT EUROPEAN UNION TREATY THAT LAID DOWN THE CONDITIONS FOR CREATING THE EUROPEAN CURRENCY. OTHER SUPPORTERS OF THE CURRENCY FEAR THAT THE NEW FRENCH LEFT-WING GOVERNMENT'S ECONOMIC PLANS -- LIKELY TO BOOST PUBLIC SPENDING AND SLOW EASY REVENUE-MAKERS LIKE PRIVATIZATION -- COULD IN ANY CASE MAKE FRANCE INELIGIBLE FOR MEMBERSHIP. // REST OPTIONAL //LATER THIS MONTH, MR. JOSPIN WILL SEE ALL HIS EUROPEAN UNION
PARTNERS AT THE AMSTERDAM EUROPEAN SUMMIT.
THEN, IN JULY, FRANCE'S VIEWS ON DEFENSE WILL BE SOUGHT AT THE
NATO SUMMIT IN MADRID. MEMBERS OF MR. JOSPIN'S PARTY HAVE
CRITICIZED MOVES TO OPEN THE NORTH ATLANTIC ALLIANCE UP TO EAST
EUROPEAN MEMBERS. AND MR. JOSPIN HIMSELF HAS ATTACKED PRESIDENT
CHIRAC FOR SEEKING DEEPER FRENCH INVOLVEMENT IN NATO -- 30 YEARS
AFTER THE LATE CHARLES DE GAULLE WITHDREW FRANCE FROM ITS
MILITARY COMMAND STRUCTURE. (SIGNED)
[04] GERMANY / JOBLESS (L) BY KYLE KING (BONN)DATE=6/6/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-215365 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: UNEMPLOYMENT IN GERMANY WAS UP AGAIN IN THE MONTH OF MAY, RAISING FRESH DOUBTS ABOUT GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO QUALIFY FOR THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY A YEAR AND A HALF FROM NOW. FROM BONN, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS. TEXT: MONTHLY FIGURES FROM THE GERMAN LABOR OFFICE SHOW 56-THOUSAND MORE PEOPLE WERE OUT OF WORK IN MAY. THE LATEST FIGURES PUT THE GERMAN UNEMPLOYMENT AT MORE THAN FOUR-POINT-THREE MILLION. LABOR OFFICE OFFICIALS SAY GOVERNMENT FORECASTS OF AN IMPROVEMENT IN GERMANY'S JOBLESS RATE THIS YEAR ARE NO LONGER ATTAINABLE. THEY SAY THE ECONOMY IS NOT GROWING FAST ENOUGH TO CREATE NEW JOBS. THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN HOPING FOR AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE RECORD HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, WHICH FORCES UP SPENDING ON BENEFITS. WITHOUT A DROP IN UNEMPLOYMENT, SOME ECONOMISTS SAY THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET ITS DEBT DOWN TO THREE PERCENT OF THE NATION'S OUTPUT. WITHOUT MEETING THAT GOAL IN 1997, CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL'S GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY IN 1999. THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO HAD DIFFICULTY IMPLEMENTING ECONOMIC AUSTERITY MEASURES, AND EARLIER THIS WEEK WAS FORCED TO BACK DOWN FROM A CONTROVERSIAL PLAN TO LOWER ITS DEBT BY REVALUING GOLD RESERVES. SOME EXPERTS SAY THE DIFFICULTY OF MEETING THE TOUGH CRITERIA TO
JOIN THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY COULD EITHER FORCE A DELAY IN
THE STARTING DATE, OR AN EASING OF THE CRITERIA -- IDEAS
CHANCELLOR KOHL CONTINUES TO REJECT. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/
[05] GERMANY / SCIENTOLOGY (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)DATE=6/6/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-215375 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: GERMAN STATE INTERIOR MINISTERS SAY THEY WILL PUT THE CONTROVERSIAL U-S BASED "CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY" UNDER NATIONWIDE SURVEILLANCE. FROM BONN, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS. TEXT: A STATEMENT RELEASED BY THE STATE INTERIOR MINISTERS REPEATED THE GOVERNMENT'S POSITION THAT THE SCIENTOLOGISTS POSE A THREAT TO GERMAN'S DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM. THE INTERIOR MINISTERS SAID FEDERAL AND STATE ANTI-EXTREMIST WATCHDOG AGENCIES WOULD BE CALLED UPON TO CARRY OUT THE SURVEILLANCE. TWO GERMAN STATES HAVE ALREADY BEEN CONDUCTING SURVEILLANCE OF THE GROUP, WHICH GERMANY CONSIDERS TO BE A PROFIT MAKING ORGANIZATION THAT EXPLOITS ITS MEMBERS. THE GROUP, WHICH WAS FOUNDED BY THE LATE SCIENCE FICTION WRITER L. RON HUBBARD, HAS ACCUSED GERMANY OF CONDUCTING A HYSTERICAL CAMPAIGN OF HARASSMENT. IN ANNUAL REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS, THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT THIS
YEAR CRITICIZED GERMANY'S HANDLING OF THE ORGANIZATION. (SIGNED)
[06] GERMANY JOBLESS (S) BY KYLE KING (BONN)DATE=6/6/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-215363 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: UNEMPLOYMENT IN GERMANY IS UP AGAIN -- THE LATEST FIGURES FROM THE MONTH OF MAY. VOA BONN CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS THE NEW FIGURES RAISE FRESH DOUBTS ABOUT GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO QUALIFY FOR THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY. TEXT: THE LATEST FIGURES FROM THE GERMAN LABOR OFFICE SHOW 56-THOUSAND MORE PEOPLE WERE OUT OF WORK IN MAY. THAT MEANS A TOTAL OF MORE THAN FOUR-POINT-THREE MILLION PEOPLE ARE OUT OF WORK. LABOR OFFICE OFFICIALS SAY GOVERNMENT FORECASTS OF LOWER UNEMPLOYMENT ARE NO LONGER ATTAINABLE. THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN HOPING FOR AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE RECORD HIGH JOBLESS RATE, WHICH FORCES UP SPENDING ON BENEFITS. WITHOUT A DROP IN UNEMPLOYMENT, SOME ECONOMISTS SAY THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET ITS DEBT DOWN TO THREE PERCENT OF THE NATION'S OUTPUT. WITHOUT MEETING THAT GOAL THIS YEAR, GERMANY WOULD NOT QUALIFY
FOR THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY IN 1999, A KEY GOAL OF
CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL'S GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/
[07] IRISH ELECTION (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)DATE=6/6/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-215366 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IRISH VOTERS ARE CASTING BALLOTS FOR A PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION WHICH MAY BRING ABOUT A CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT. FROM LONDON, V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS. TEXT: IRISH PRIME MINISTER JOHN BRUTON'S COALITION GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING NO IRISH GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ABLE TO DO SINCE THE LATE 1960'S -- (NAMELY) BE RE-ELECTED AND REMAIN IN POWER. JUDGING BY THE LATEST PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS, MR. BRUTON WILL BE NO EXCEPTION, AS HIS FINE GAEL-LED COALITION TRAILS BERTIE AHERN'S CENTER-RIGHT ALLIANCE BY NINE PERCENTAGE POINTS. HOWEVER POLITICAL ANALYSTS CAUTION AGAINST DRAWING ANY QUICK CONCLUSIONS FROM THESE SURVEYS SINCE THEY ALSO INDICATE 14 PERCENT OF THE IRISH ELECTORATE REMAINED UNDECIDED PRIOR TO ELECTION DAY WHICH WAY TO VOTE. DURING THE THREE-WEEK ELECTION CAMPAIGN, NEITHER MR. BRUTON'S "FINE GAEL" PARTY NOR MR. AHERN'S "FIANNA FOIL" PARTY HAS CAPTURED THE VOTERS IMAGINATIONS. THEIR VIEWS ARE VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL WITH LITTLE DIFFERENCE ON POLICIES SUCH AS INCREASING JOBS, FIGHTING CRIME AND EVEN HOW TO PROCEED IN THE SEARCH FOR A LASTING PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. THE ISSUE OF NORTHERN IRELAND HAS NOT BEEN A MAJOR ONE IN THIS CAMPAIGN -- BUT IT IS NEVER FAR FROM THE POLITICAL SURFACE OR THE DAILY LIVES OF IRISH PEOPLE. //OPT// A VIVID REMINDER WAS THE FAILED ATTEMPT LAST WEEK BY A SMALL PRO-BRITISH PARAMILITARY GROUP TO DETONATE A BOMB IN DUNDALK -- A SMALL IRISH TOWN JUST SOUTH OF THE BORDER WITH NORTHERN IRELAND. //END OPT// MEANWHILE SINN FEIN -- THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY -- IS CONTESTING SEVERAL SEATS IN THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION. RICHARD SINNOTT -- PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT DUBLIN'S UNIVERSITY COLLEGE -- SAYS SINN FEIN'S ELECTION CHANCES ARE NOT THAT GREAT. // SINNOTT ACT //THEY HAVE A MODEST CHANCE OF WINNING A SEAT IN A PARTICULAR BORDER CONSTITUENCY AND I THINK THEY ARE PUTTING OUT AN ENORMOUS EFFORT TO DO SO. THEY HAVE HAD A SORT OF ELECTORAL BASE OF SORTS THERE AND THEY ARE CERTAINLY ATTEMPTING TO MOBILIZE THAT VOTE -- SO THAT IS A POSSIBILITY, BUT I WOULD THINK IT IS PROBABLY AN OUTSIDE POSSIBILITY. // END ACT //POLITICAL ANALYSTS BELIEVE NO SINGLE PARTY WILL BE ABLE TO GAIN
THE NECESSARY 84 SEATS TO GAIN A MAJORITY IN THE IRISH PARLIAMENT
AND THUS GOVERN ALONE. SO ANOTHER COALITION GOVERNMENT IS VERY
MUCH IN IRELAND'S FUTURE AND NEGOTIATIONS TO FORM SUCH A
GOVERNMENT ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN SHORTLY AFTER ALL THE RESULTS
ARE IN. SOME ANALYSTS SAY THOSE NEGOTIATIONS COULD TAKE WEEKS.
(SIGNED)
[08] ITALY-CHINA (L ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (BEIJING)DATE=6/6/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-215354 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: ITALY'S PRIME MINISTER ROMANO PRODI HAS ENDED A TWO DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO CHINA AND TOLD REPORTERS HIS COUNTRY WANTS TO ENLARGE ITS ECONOMIC TIES WITH CHINA. VOA'S GIL BUTLER REPORTS FROM BEIJING, THE ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER SUPPORTS CHINA'S EARLY ENTRY INTO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. TEXT: PRIME MINISTER PRODI MET WITH PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN, PREMIER LI PENG AND OTHER CHINESE LEADERS DURING HIS TWO DAYS AND CAME AWAY FEELING CHINA'S LONG-DELAYED ACCESSION TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION -- THE W-T-O -- IS NEAR. /// PRODI ACT ///I THINK IT WILL BE VERY SOON AND FROM MY POINT OF VIEW CHINA HAS FULL ITALIAN SUPPORT, BECAUSE I THINK IT IS DIFFICULT TO HAVE A WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION WITHOUT CHINA, WHICH IS SUCH A BIG PART OF THE WORLD. /// END ACT ///ITALY IS NOW CHINA'S SECOND LARGEST TRADING PARTNER IN EUROPE, AND IS SEEKING FURTHER EXPANSION. PRIME MINISTER PRODI TOLD REPORTERS ITALY HOPES TO EXPAND ITS ECONOMIC LINKS WITH CHINA BY ENCOURAGING SMALL, SKILLED ITALIAN BUSINESSES TO INVEST. THE ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER SAID HE HAD AN EXTENSIVE DISCUSSION OF
HUMAN RIGHTS WITH CHINESE LEADERS, BUT DID NOT RAISE ANY SPECIFIC
CASES. AS HAVE OTHER RECENT EUROPEAN VISITORS HERE, HE
EMPHASIZED THE NEED TO MAINTAIN A HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE WITH
CHINA, TO AVOID A CONFRONTATIONAL APPROACH THAT COULD, IN HIS
WORDS, BREAK UP THE INTERACTION. (SIGNED)
[09] EURO MARKETS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)DATE=6/6/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-215386 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A RASH OF CONFLICTING ECONOMIC INDICATORS SEEMED TO HAVE NO UNIFYING EFFECT ON MAJOR WESTERN EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS FRIDAY. ALL CLOSED HIGHER, AS VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS FROM LONDON. TEXT: FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS ALL POSTED HEFTY GAINS WHEN TRADING CLOSED FRIDAY, WITH THE BIGGEST INCREASE REGISTERED HERE IN LONDON. WHILE THE BANK OF ENGLAND ANNOUNCED ITS ANTICIPATED QUARTER-POINT RISE IN INTEREST RATES, STOCKS ON THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX SEEMED OBLIVIOUS TO THE NEWS, GAINING ALMOST 69 POINTS AT THE CLOSE. WHILE GOOD NEWS ON UNEMPLOYMENT SEEMED TO DRIVE STOCK PRICES HIGHER ON WALL STREET, NEGATIVE NEWS ABOUT JOBS IN GERMANY DID NOTHING TO KEEP STOCK PRICES DOWN ON THE "DAX 30" INDEX. IT CLOSED UP 22-AND-A-QUARTER POINTS -- A NEW RECORD HIGH. IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" INDEX OF STOCKS GAINED MORE THAN 28 POINTS FRIDAY, CLOSING A WEEK OF STEADY MARKET GAINS, DESPITE ANTICIPATED INVESTOR SKITTISHNESS OVER THE NEW GOVERNING FRENCH SOCIALISTS. //REST OPT//NEB/PCF/KL 06-Jun-97 2:13 PM EDT (1813 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America [10] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=6/6/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-215398 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (FRIDAY) WITH MAJOR INDEXES CLOSING AT RECORD HIGHS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 74 HUNDRED 35, UP 130 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 104 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY UP 14 POINTS AT 858, ALSO A RECORD HIGH. ANALYSTS SAY A RISING BOND MARKET LIFTED STOCK PRICES HIGHER. TRADERS IN BOTH MARKETS WERE ENCOURAGED BY THE LATEST U-S EMPLOYMENT REPORT. ALTHOUGH IT SHOWS THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE LAST MONTH WAS FOUR POINT EIGHT PERCENT, ITS LOWEST LEVEL IN 23 YEARS, THE NUMBER OF NEW JOBS CREATED WAS LESS THAN EXPECTED. THAT EASED INFLATION CONCERNS AND SPARKED NEW CONFIDENCE THAT THE U-S CENTRAL BANK WILL PROBABLY NOT RAISE INTEREST RATES AT ITS MEETING EARLY NEXT MONTH. ANOTHER REPORT SHOWS AMERICAN WHOLESALERS ARE TRIMMING THEIR INVENTORIES IN ANTICIPATION OF SLOWING SALES. /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///EXCEL COMMUNICATIONS SAYS IT WILL ACQUIRE THE TELCO COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY FOR ONE BILLION DOLLARS. THE ACQUISITION WILL SOLIDIFY EXCEL'S POSITION AS THE FIFTH-LARGEST LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES. MERRILL LYNCH, THE LARGEST U-S STOCK BROKERAGE FIRM, WILL KEEP ITS CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK CITY AND HAS PLEDGED TO INCREASE ITS LOCAL WORK FORCE FROM NINE THOUSAND TO 11 THOUSAND JOBS. IN EXCHANGE, MERRILL LYNCH WILL RECEIVE 27 MILLION DOLLARS IN TAX BENEFITS FROM NEW YORK CITY. A NEW REPORT SAYS ADVERTISING ON THE COMPUTER INTERNET IS
EXPECTED TO SOAR FROM ABOUT 450 MILLION DOLLARS THIS YEAR TO TWO
AND ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS BY THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND. HOWEVER, A
SURVEY BY A MEDIA CONSULTING FIRM SAYS THERE IS STILL A NEED FOR
BETTER INFORMATION ON THE SIZE AND DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE AUDIENCE
ON THE INTERNET'S WORLD WIDE WEB.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
[11] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=06/06/97TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-10200 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=NEAL LAVON CONTENT= INTRO: THE ISSUE OF ADULTERY IN THE MILITARY HAS EMERGED ON BOTH THE FRONT PAGES AND IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS THIS FRIDAY. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE SITUATION IN SIERRA LEONE; THE PRO-DEMOCRACY DEMONSTRATION IN HONG KONG; THE SITUATION IN BOSNIA; TIMOTHY MCVEIGH'S FATE; AND LASTLY, PROBLEMS IN THE F-B-I CRIME LAB. NOW HERE IS __________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND A QUOTE OR TWO IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM COHEN HAS BEEN PLUNGED INTO CONTROVERSY REGARDING THE MILITARY'S POLICIES TOWARD ADULTERY. ONLY WEEKS AFTER LT. KELLY FLINN, THE FIRST FEMALE B-52 BOMBER PILOT WAS FORCED OUT OF THE AIR FORCE FOR HAVING AN ADULTEROUS AFFAIR AND LYING ABOUT IT TO HER COMMANDER, THE TOP CONTENDER FOR CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, AIR FORCE GENERAL JOSEPH RALSTON HAS ALSO ADMITTED ADULTERY. HOWEVER IN HIS CASE, SECRETARY COHEN SAYS IT WILL N O T ELIMINATE HIM FROM CONTENTION FOR THE MILITARY'S TOP JOB. THAT HAS CAUSED OUTRAGE AMONG WOMEN IN CONGRESS AND FOR SOME EDITORIAL PAGE WRITERS WHO SAY THE MILITARY IS UNFAIRLY APPLYING ITS POLICY TOWARD SEXUAL TRANSGRESSIONS. HERE'S A VIEW FROM THE CENTER OF THE COUNTRY, IN THE TOPEKA [KANSAS] CAPITAL-JOURNAL. VOICE: "THE SEXUAL PURGE IN THE MILITARY HAS QUICKLY REACHED THE ABSURD STAGE ......THE INQUIRY INTO SEXUAL IMPROPRIETIES IN UNIFORM ......HAS TURNED FROM INQUIRY TO INQUISITION, AND IT NOW SHOWS SIGNS OF BEING A WITCH HUNT [AN UNCONTROLLED PURGE]. LET'S CALM DOWN...... CONTRARY TO LT. KELLY FLINN'S DALLIANCE WITH A FELLOW AIR FORCE WOMAN'S SPOUSE .... GENERAL JOSEPH RALSTON'S ....ROMANCE WHILE SEPARATED FROM HIS WIFE - - WHOM HE LATER DIVORCED - - HAD NO DISCERNIBLE IMPACT ON MORALE, ORDER OR DISCIPLINE. IF AN UNWISE, PREMATURE AFFAIR CARRIES MORE WEIGHT [INFLUENCE] THAN HIS 32 YEARS OF APPARENTLY DISTINGUISHED SERVICE, THEN WE TRULY HAVE PLUNGED INTO THE DEPTHS OF ABSURDITY." TEXT: THAT IS NOT THE WAY THE NEW YORK TIMES SEES IT. VOICE: "NOW THAT THE AIR FORCE HAS DRUMMED OUT LIEUTENANT KELLY FLINN FOR TRANSGRESSIONS STEMMING FROM ADULTERY WITH A CIVILIAN, DEFENSE SECRETARY ..... COHEN CAN'T SUDDENLY CHANGE THE RULES. .... THE MORE MR. COHEN AND HIS SPOKESMEN TRY TO EXPLAIN WHY GENERAL .... RALSTON'S CONDUCT IS MORE WORTHY OF FORGIVENESS THAN OTHER RECENT ADULTERY CASES IN THE MILITARY, THE MORE TORTURED THEIR REASONING SOUNDS. ..... SECRETARY COHEN AND PRESIDENT CLINTON CAN HARDLY PROMOTE GENERAL RALSTON AS IF NOTHING IMPORTANT HAD HAPPENED. THAT WOULD SEND THE DEMORALIZING MESSAGE THAT MILITARY JUSTICE IS NOT APPLIED EVENLY." TEXT: TURNING TO AFRICAN DEVELOPMENTS, THE NEW YORK TIMES ALSO HAS A COMMENT ON NIGERIA'S MILITARY EFFORTS TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY IN SIERRA LEONE, WHICH HAS SUFFERED A MILITARY COUP. VOICE: "THE RECENT MILITARY OVERTHROW OF SIERRA LEONE'S ELECTED GOVERNMENT DREW SWIFT AND JUSTIFIED CONDEMNATION ACROSS AFRICA. IT DEFIED THE CONTINENTAL TREND TOWARD DEMOCRACY AND THREATENED TO REIGNITE A CIVIL WAR IN WHICH AT LEAST 10-THOUSAND PEOPLE DIED ..... BUT AFRICAN LEADERS HAVE BEEN FAR TOO QUICK TO ENDORSE NIGERIA'S ATTEMPT TO REINSTALL PRESIDENT [AHMAD TEJJAN] KABBAH BY MILITARY FORCE. .... IN SIGNING ON TO THE DUBIOUS AGENDA OF THE NIGERIAN MILITARY REGIME, OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES RISK MAKING AN ALREADY BAD SITUATION EVER WORSE. ..... NIGERIA'S DICTATOR, GENERAL SANI ABACHA ..... SEEMS MAINLY INTERESTED IN ESTABLISHING HIS OWN COUNTRY AS WEST AFRICA'S DOMINANT MILITARY POWER AND REGIONAL POLICEMAN ..... IF HE REALLY WANTS TO BECOME A CHAMPION OF DEMOCRACY AND CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT, HE SHOULD BEGIN AT HOME." TEXT: IN A RELATED EDITORIAL, THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD TODAY CALLS FOR PLANNING A UNITED STATES OF AFRICA IN ORDER TO EXPLOIT THE CONTINENT'S VAST NATURAL WEALTH FOR ITS OWN PEOPLE, AND TO FINALLY OVERCOME THE ARTIFICIAL GEO-POLITICAL BOUNDRIES OF THE FORMER COLONIAL POWERS. VOICE: "A UNIFIED AFRICA, INVOLVING ESPECIALLY THE SUB-SAHARAN STATES, COULD CAPITALIZE ON THE CONTINENT'S STRENGTHS IN A WAY DEEPLY DIVIDED, ARTIFICIAL ENTITIES NEVER COULD. IT IS TIME THE WEALTH OF THE RICHEST CONTINENT BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE AFRICAN PEOPLE WHOSE BIRTHRIGHT IT IS." TEXT: THOUSANDS DEMONSTRATING IN HONG KONG NOTED THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHINESE MILITARY CRACKDOWN IN TIENANMEN SQUARE. THAT CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, WHICH SAYS: VOICE: "WEDNESDAY NIGHT, 50-THOUSAND HONG KONGERS MARCHED IN A CANDLELIGHT VIGIL TO MARK THE EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY (4 JUNE 1989) OF THE SACRIFICE OF THEIR CHINESE BRETHREN AT TIANANMEN, AND TO SEND A MESSAGE TO THE CHINESE OFFICIALS AND CADRES WHO WILL SOON TAKE UP THE REINS OF POWER IN WHAT REMAINS FOR LESS THAN FOUR WEEKS A BRITISH COLONY. THAT MESSAGE IS: MOVE SLOWLY, DO NOT BREAK FAITH WITH THOSE WHO BUILT HONG KONG INTO WHAT WILL BE CHINA'S ECONOMIC JEWEL." TEXT: NEWS OUT OF THE BALKANS IS NOT VERY ENCOURAGING THESE DAYS ACCORDING TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES. VOICE: "IT APPEARS THAT INSTEAD OF REBUILDING BOSNIA ACCORDING TO THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD, THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES ARE MAKING LITTLE HEADWAY AT RECONSTRUCTION AND IN FACT THE PROCESS MAY BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE CEMENTING OF EXISTING ETHNIC DIVISIONS. ..... AND, AS FOR THE PROSECUTION OF WAR CRIMINALS AT THE TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE, ONLY ONE PERSON HAS BEEN BROUGHT BEFORE THE COURT SO FAR, WHILE THE LEADERS, WHO CARRY THE LION'S SHARE [LARGEST PART] OF THE BLAME FOR ATROCITIES ..... REMAIN AT LARGE AND EVEN PROSPER. [OPT] SMALL WONDER THAT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE WILL HOLD." [BEGIN OPT] TEXT: MEANWHILE, SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT DRAWS PRAISE FROM THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR FOR HER TOUGH AND RATHER UN-DIPLOMATIC TALK IN HER RECENT VISIT TO THE BALKANS. VOICE: "SECRETARY ALBRIGHT WANTED TO FIRMLY PUT DOWN A MARKER - - THAT THE U-S STANDS BY THE 1995 DAYTON ACCORDS AND DEMANDS COMPLIANCE WITH SUCH PROVISIONS AS APPREHENSION OF WAR CRIMINALS AND RETURN OF REFUGEES TO THEIR HOMES. THE QUESTION, AS EVER, IS WHETHER ANYONE IS LISTENING." TEXT: THE PENALTY PHASE OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING TRIAL CONTINUES IN DENVER, WITH A JURY TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER TIMOTHY MCVEIGH, CONVICTED OF CONSPIRACY AND MURDER IN BLOWING UP A FEDERAL BUILDING, GETS LIFE IN PRISON OR THE DEATH PENALTY. THE DEBATE IS ALSO RAGING IN THE NATION'S PRESS. HERE'S USA TODAY'S ARGUMENT FOR GIVING HIM LIFE IN PRISON. VOICE: "KILLING HIM ISN'T THE WORST THING YOU COULD DO TO HIM. A SENTENCE OF LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE WOULD BE MORE PUNISHING ..... KILLING HIM WON'T MAKE US SAFER ..... EXECUTING HIM COULD ENERGIZE NEW THREATS BY CREATING A MARTYR ...... KILLING HIM WOULD ELIMINATE THE SINGLE BEST POTENTIAL SOURCE OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ..... BOMBING.... AND FINALLY, KILLING HIM WOULDN'T RESTORE HAPPINESS TO SURVIVORS ANY MORE THAN IT WOULD RESTORE LIFE TO THE DEAD." TEXT: COLUMNIST TONY SNOW, WRITING IN THE WASHINGTON TIMES, SAYS IF ANYONE DESERVES THE DEATH PENALTY, IT IS TIMOTHY MCVEIGH. VOICE: "AS A SOCIETY, WE HAVE DECIDED THAT SOME CRIMES DESERVE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. THE SUPREME COURT HAS UPHELD THE PRINCIPLE. SINCE LAW LOSES MEANING IF NOBODY APPLIES IT, OUR FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE VRITUALLYCLMPEL US TO CONDEMN THE ARCHITECT OF OUR WORST-EVER MASS MURDER...BECAUSE OF HIS CRIME--AND FOR THE SAKE OF A LEGAL SYSTEM MORE OFTEN FILLED WITH LOOPHOLES THAN JUSTICE--TIMOTHY MCVEIGH...OUGHT TO DIE." TEXT: AND FINALLY, SOME QUALMS ABOUT THE F-B-I'S NOW-FAULTED CRIME LAB FROM THE BOSTON GLOBE. VOICE: "THE F-B-I IS ACTIVELY OVERHAULING ITS CRIME LAB .... ANY PROBLEMS, IT BELIEVES, WILL BE DEALT WITH AS IT UNDERGOES AN AUDIT IN ITS PURSUIT OF ACCREDITATION BY THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CRIME LABORATORY DIRECTORS. WHAT'S MISSING AND STILL NEEDED, IS MORE DISCLOSURE FROM THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE F-B-I LAB. TO KEEP DEMOCRACY INTACT, PEOPLE MUST HAVE FAITH IN THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THAT INVESTIGATE ALLEGED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY ON THEIR BEHALF." TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM
FRIDAY'S U-S PAPERS.
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