Voice of America, 97-06-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBRIGHT / BULGARIA / NATO (L-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPT.)

[02] ALBRIGHT / CROATIA (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[03] CLINTON / MACEDONIA ONITER (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPT.)

[04] CROATIA ELECTION REACT BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[05] CROATIA O-S-C-E (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

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

[07] EURO SUMMIT (L-UPDATE) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[08] IRELAND / ALL-PARTY TALKS (L-ONLY) BY PAT BODNAR (WASHINGTON)

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

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

[11] NORTHERN IRELAND (S-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[12] U-S / N-IRELAND (S ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

[01] ALBRIGHT / BULGARIA / NATO (L-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPT.)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS MET WITH BULGARIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER, NADEZHDA MIKAYLOVA, FOR DISCUSSION OF BULGARIA'S POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORMS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE UNITED STATES IS NOT READY TO NAME CANDIDATES FOR THE SECOND ROUND OF NATO ENLARGEMENT.

TEXT: BULGARIA HAS BECOME THE LATEST OF THE DISAPPOINTED CANDIDATES FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP TO ASK THAT THE ALLIANCE SUMMIT MEETING IN MADRID CITE THEM AS CANDIDATES FOR THE SECOND ROUND OF ENLARGEMENT.

BULGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER NADEZHDA MIKAYLOVA URGED THE UNITED STATES TO NAME HER COUNTRY IN MADRID AT THE SAME TIME THAT POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC ARE INVITED TO JOIN IN THE FIRST ROUND.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE EXPECT THAT AT MADRID, BULGARIA SHOULD BE SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED AMONG THE INTERESTED COUNTRIES THAT THE ALLIANCE WOULD HELP PREPARE FOR MEMBERSHIP. THE U-S DECLARATION GIVES US EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT ANY FURTHER ENLARGMENT WOULD PROVIDE FOR A GEOGRAPHICAL BALANCE AND WOULD ENTAIL EQUAL TREATMENT FOR ASPIRING MEMBERS FROM THE BLACK SEA REGION.

SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SALUTES THE REFORMS PROMOTED BY BULGARIA'S NEW GOVERNMENT, BUT SHE SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS NOT INCLINED TO NAME COUNTRIES FOR A SECOND ROUND OF MEMBERSHIP.

IT IS NOT THE INCLINATION OF THE UNITED STATES TO NAME OTHER COUNTRIES. WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO KEEP MAKING CLEAR THAT THE PROCESS IS AN OPEN ONE AND THAT WE WILL BE REVIEWING THE POTENTIAL CANDIDACIES OF OTHER COUNTRIES. BUT OUR MAIN PRINCIPLE HERE IS TO KEEP RE-STATING THE FACT, WHICH IS THAT IT IS AN OPEN PROCESS, OPEN TO ALL DEMOCRACIES AND THAT MEMBERSHIP IN NATO IS NOT ONLY A PRIVILEGE BUT ALSO A RESPONSIBILITY.

A STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAYS HE DOES NOT EXPECT A CONSENSUS ON A SECOND ROUND AT MADRID OTHER THAN ON THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE THAT FURTHER ENLARGEMENT WILL TAKE PLACE AT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE. HE SAYS THE INTERVENING TIME WILL DETERMINE WHO ARE THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR THE SECOND ROUND.

THE UNITED STATES HAS ALREADY IDENTIFIED ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA AS LEADING CANDIDATES FOR A SECOND ROUND WHILE THEY, AND SOME OF THEIR EUROPEAN SUPPORTERS, HOPE THEY CAN STILL BE CANDIDATES FOR THE FIRST ROUND IN MADRID.

U-S OFFICIALS DEFEND NOT MAKING PREMATURE ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT A SECOND ROUND. THEY RECALL THAT IN 1994, SLOVAKIA WAS MENTIONED AS A POSSIBLE CANDIDATE FOR NATO ENLARGEMENT. BY THE TIME THE MADRID NATO SUMMIT MEETING WAS PREPARED, SLOVAKIA WAS NO LONGER A VIABLE CANDIDATE BECAUSE POLITICAL REFORM THERE HAD STAGNATED. (SIGNED)
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16-Jun-97 4:04 PM EDT (2004 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBRIGHT / CROATIA (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS ECHOED THE 'ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE' IN SAYING THAT CROATIA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WAS FREE BUT NOT FAIR. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL BE LOOKING AT CROATIA'S PERFORMANCE IN BOSNIA TO DECIDE ON FUTURE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS OPPOSITION CANDIDATES IN CROATIA DID NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE PART OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN AND SHE ACCEPTS THE O-S-C-E VERDICT THAT CROATIA'S ELECTION WAS FREE BUT NOT FAIR. HOWEVER, SHE TOLD REPORTERS HERE AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE UNITED STATES WILL CONSIDER FUTURE ASSISTANCE TO CROATIA BASED ON ITS PERFORMANCE IN CARRYING OUT THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT.

I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO COMPLY WITH DAYTON (PEACE AGREEMENT) AND FOR THEM TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO MAKE THE PROCESS OF INTEGRATION IN BOSNIA MOVE FORWARD SPEEDILY -- AND THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF ISSUES, THE GENERAL ATMOSPHERE, ETC., I WILL BE CONSIDERING AS WE TALK ABOUT FUTURE ASSISTANCE.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL CONTINUE A POLICY OF STICKS AND CARROTS (IMPOSING BOTH PUNISHMENTS AND REWARDS) WITH THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)
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16-Jun-97 2:58 PM EDT (1858 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CLINTON / MACEDONIA ONITER (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPT.)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON MEETS TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH MACEDONIAN PRESIDENT KIRO GLIGOROV FOR A DISCUSSION FOCUSING ON THE PRESENCE OF 500 AMERICAN TROOPS STATIONED IN MACEDONIA AS PART OF THE U-N FORCE PROTECTING ITS BORDERS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: U-S OFFICIALS SAY IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT WHEN THE AMERICAN TROOPS SERVING IN THE U-N FORCE IN MACEDONIA CAN BE WITHDRAWN. LAST MONTH, THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWED THE (MANDATE OF THE) FORCE THROUGH NOVEMBER -- AND BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND THE GOVERNMENT IN SKOPJE CONSIDER THE TROOPS TO BE A GUARANTEE OF THE BALKAN COUNTRY'S STABILITY.

THE EXTENSION WAS GRANTED BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL TURMOIL IN ALBANIA, MACEDONIA'S NEIGHBOR.

PRESIDENT GLIGOROV HOPES TO GET AMERICAN SUPPORT FOR PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED MACEDONIA -- BUT U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR EXPORT-IMPORT CREDITS. THEY SAY MACEDONIA WILL BE HARD-PRESSED TO PAY ITS (PARIS CLUB) DEBT TO THE UNITED STATES, A TECHNICAL REQUIREMENT FOR (FUTURE) AMERICAN CREDITS.

U-S OFFICIALS PRAISE MACEDONIA'S EFFORT TO REFORM ITS ECONOMY -- BUT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, WITHOUT A RELIABLE ROAD NETWORK THROUGH SERBIA, IT IS DIFFICULT FOR MACEDONIAN EXPORTS TO REACH TRADITIONAL MARKETS IN SLOVENIA AND CROATIA. (SIGNED)
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16-Jun-97 5:38 PM EDT (2138 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CROATIA ELECTION REACT BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE CALLED SUNDAY'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN CROATIA 'FREE' BUT NOT 'FAIR'. AND MOST ELECTION OBSERVERS CONCEDE THAT PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN WOULD PROBABLY HAVE BEEN RE-ELECTED IN ANY CASE. V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS:

TEXT: A LEADING BALKAN ANALYST, JUST BACK FROM THE REGION, SAYS NOT ONLY DID PRESIDENT TUDJMAN AND HIS PARTY TOTALLY CONTROL THE MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN BUT THERE WERE MANY SERIOUS ELECTION IRREGULARITIES. JANUSZ BUGAISKY OF THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (C-S-I-S) SAYS THE MOST SERIOUS OF THESE WAS THE NUMBER OF VOTES CAST BY CROATS HOLDING DUAL CITIZENSHIP -- NOTABLY THE HARD-LINE NATIONALISTS IN NEIGHBORING BOSNIA:

ONE OUT OF TEN VOTES FOR THE ELECTIONS WERE FROM OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY AND THERE ARE FEARS THAT THESE ARE PARTICULARLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO MANIPULATION IN ELECTION POSTS WHICH ARE DOMINATED BY RULING PARTY OFFICIALS WHO ARE IN CONTROL. THE BOSNIAN CROAT VOTE, I THINK IS APPROXIMATELY 300 THOUSAND PEOPLE AND THERE'S THE QUESTION WHY SHOULD THESE PEOPLE BE VOTING IN THE FIRST PLACE FOR ELECTIONS IN CROATIA? IT INDICATES TO ME AND A LOT OBSERVERS THAT THERE ARE STILL ASPIRATIONS BY THE TUDJMAN GOVERNMENT TOWARDS BOSNIAN TERRITORY.

MR. BUGAISKY IS ESPECIALLY CRITICAL OF ALLOWING VOTES BY BOSNIAN CROATS WHO HAVE NEVER LIVED IN CROATIA WHILE EXCLUDING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF FORMER SERB CITIZENS WHO FLED CROATIA IN 1995. HOWEVER, MR. BUGAISKY CONCEDES PRESIDENT TUDJMAN WOULD PROBABLY HAVE WON IN ANY CASE DUE TO HIS CONTROL OF THE MEDIA AND THE WEAKNESS OF THE OPPOSITION. AND HE THINKS THIS EXPLAINS THE LOW VOTER TURNOUT.

THERE IS A LOT OF FEELING OF RESIGNATION. IN OTHER WORDS THE MEDIA PAINTED SUCH A PICTURE THAT TUDJMAN WOULD WIN REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU VOTED FOR, THAT PEOPLE FIGURED WHAT'S THE POINT OF VOTING? AND INTRESTINGLY, BOTH TUDJMAN AND BOTH OPPOSITION LEADERS MAY HAVE LOST VOTES AS A RESULT BECAUSE PEOPLE BASICALLY STAYED AT HOME.

ONE OF MR. TUDJMAN'S LEADING CRITICS IN CROATIA IS IVAN CICAK [CHEE-CHAK], THE PRESIDENT OF CROATIA'S HELSINKI COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. MR. CICAK WAS IN THE UNITED STATES LAST WEEK TO PERSUADE U-S OFFICIALS THAT PRESIDENT TUDJMAN HAS NOT MODIFIED HIS POSITION ON SERB RIGHTS DESPITE HIS ASSURANCES TO SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT DURING HER RECENT VISIT TO THE REGION. MR. CICAK WAS ALSO HIGHLY CRITICAL OF A 13 MILLION DOLLAR DEVELOPMENT LOAN FROM THE UNITED STATES ANNOUNCED LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER SECRETARY ALBRIGHT'S RETURN FROM THE AREA. MR. CICAK SAYS PRESIDENT TUDJMAN USED MS. ALBRIGHT'S HARSH CRITICISM AND THE U-S LOAN TO AT THE SAME TIME APPEAL TO VOTERS WHO WANT CLOSER TIES WITH THE WEST AND THOSE WHO DO NOT:

IT (THE ALBRIGHT CRITICISM) WAS USED TO ENFORCE ANTI-WESTERN SENTIMENT IN CROATIAN SOCIETY. AS FOR THAT 13 MILLION CREDIT FOR CROATIA. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY DIRECT SUPPORT FOR THE TUDJMAN ELECTION CAMPAIGN. WE SAW ON THE (CROATIAN) NEWS BROADCASTS, THAT TEN MINUTES WAS ABOUT THAT (U-S LOAN). IT WAS LIKE A VICTORY FOR CROATIA.

MR. CICAK BELIEVES THE ONLY HOPE FOR A DEMOCRATIC CROATIA NOW IS FOR WESTERN LEADERS TO BE STRONGER IN LINKING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COMPLIANCE WITH THE BASIC NORMS OF DEMOCRACY, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF MINORITY RIGHTS.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAID LAST WEEK THE UNITED STATES RESERVES THE RIGHT TO BLOCK OTHER LOANS IF IT DOES NOT SEE A CONTINUATION OF THE POLICY OF ALLOWING SERBS TO RETURN TO THEIR FORMER HOMES IN EASTERN SLAVONIA. (SIGNED)
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16-Jun-97 5:44 PM EDT (2144 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] CROATIA O-S-C-E (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: SERIOUS SHORTCOMINGS IN SUNDAY'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN CROATIA WERE IDENTIFIED MONDAY BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, THE O-S-C-E. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD HAS MORE FROM OUR EAST EUROPEAN BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: AN O-S-C-E REPORT SAYS THE CROATIAN ELECTION DID NOT MEET DEMOCRATIC STANDARDS.

FORMER U-S SENATOR PAUL SIMON, WHO COORDINATED AN OBSERVER MISSION, SAID THE ELECTION WAS FREE BUT NOT FAIR. HE SAID THE ELECTION PROCESS AFFORDED ENORMOUS ADVANTAGES TO FRANJO TUDJMAN, THE WINNING CANDIDATE OF THE RULING PARTY.

MR. SIMON SAID WHILE THE TWO LOSING CANDIDATES WERE PERMITTED TO SPEAK FREELY, THEY WERE NOT GIVEN PROPER ACCESS TO STATE CONTROLLED MEDIA.

MR. SIMON SAID IN CONTRAST TO THE CAMPAIGN THE ACTUAL ELECTION WAS CONDUCTED EFFICIENTLY. //OPT// THE U-S AMBASSADOR TO ZAGREB SAID THE U-S GOVERNMENT ESSENTIALLY AGREED WITH THE O-S-C-E REPORT. //END OPT//

PRESIDENT TUDJMAN WON 61-PERCENT OF THE VOTE AND WAS ELECTED TO A SECOND FIVE-YEAR TERM. VOTER TURNOUT SUNDAY WAS LOW, WITH ONLY 57-PERCENT OF THOSE ELIGIBLE CASTING BALLOTS.

THE CROATIAN PRESIDENT IS GRANTED SUBSTANTIAL CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS, MORE THAN THOSE HELD BY MOST CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN PRESIDENTS.

THE O-S-C-E EXPRESSED CONCERN MORE THAN 300-THOUSAND PEOPLE IN NEIGHBORING BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAD VOTED IN THE ELECTION. IT SAID THE PARTICIPATION OF BOSNIAN-CROATS UNDERMINES ZAGREB'S COMMITMENT TO A UNIFIED BOSNIAN STATE. (SIGNED)
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16-Jun-97 2:17 PM EDT (1817 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: MAJOR STOCK MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE CLOSED MOSTLY ON THE DOWN SIDE MONDAY. BUT THERE WAS A RECORD HIGH AS WELL. PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES.

TEXT: EFFORTS BY LEADERS ATTENDING THE EUROPEAN UNION SUMMIT IN AMSTERDAM TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES OVER THE ANTICIPATED SINGLE CURRENCY FOR THE CONTINENT HAD LITTLE APPARENT EFFECT ON THE MARKETS -- EXCEPT IN GERMANY, WHERE THE CURRENCY STRENGTHENED AND THE FRANKFURT "DAX 30" INDEX POSTED A GAIN OF NEARLY 21 POINTS -- A RECORD HIGH.

IN LONDON ANALYSTS SAY FEARS OF NEW TAXES AND LOWER PRICES ON WALL STREET BROUGHT THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF STOCKS DOWN 38-POINTS FOR THE DAY. IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" INDEX LOST JUST UNDER TWO-AND-ONE-HALF POINTS.

THE DOLLAR WAS LOWER BY ALMOST A PFENNIG AGAINST THE MARK AND DOWN A FRACTION OF A CENT AGAINST THE POUND. GOLD WAS VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED FROM THE LONDON CLOSING FIX ON FRIDAY. MONDAY'S CLOSING PRICE WAS 341-DOLLARS-75 CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
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16-Jun-97 2:06 PM EDT (1806 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] EURO SUMMIT (L-UPDATE) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: EUROPEAN LEADERS ARE CONTINUING THEIR DISCUSSIONS ON A TREATY OUTLINING REFORMS THE 15-MEMBER EUROPEAN UNION HOPES TO IMPLEMENT AS IT MOVES INTO THE 21ST CENTURY. AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON, A DISPUTE BETWEEN GERMANY AND FRANCE OVER THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY HAS BEEN RESOLVED.

TEXT: THE PURPOSE OF THE TWO-DAY AMSTERDAM SUMMIT IS TO BRING TO AN END MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS ON A NEW TREATY. THE PACT WOULD REFORM E-U INSTITUTIONS AND INSURE THE EUROPEAN UNION CONTINUES TO BE VIABLE AFTER ITS EXPANSION INTO CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE.

THE E-U LEADERS ARE TACKLING SUCH ISSUES AS BORDER CONTROLS, COMMON DEFENSE AND FOREIGN POLICIES, AS WELL AS HOW TO INCREASE COOPERATION IN FIGHTING CRIME. BUT, THE SUMMIT COULD HAVE BEEN DERAILED BY A DISPUTE BETWEEN GERMANY AND FRANCE ABOUT HOW TO PROCEED WITH MEMBERSHIP FOR A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY, SCHEDULED TO BE LAUNCHED THE FIRST OF JANUARY, 1999.

FRANCE'S NEW SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT OF PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN IS CALLING FOR MORE JOB CREATION WITHIN THE EUROPEAN UNION -- JOB CREATION WHICH MR. JOSPIN SAYS SHOULD BE STIMULATED BY E-U MONEY. IN ADDITION, THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT IS CALLING FOR LESS STRINGENT CRITERIA WITHIN THE SO-CALLED -- STABILITY PACT -- THE RULE BOOK FOR MEMBERSHIP WITHIN THE EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION.

GERMANY -- ON THE OTHER HAND -- REFUSES TO WATER-DOWN (WEAKEN) THE CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP, SAYING STRICT ADHERENCE WILL GUARANTEE A STRONG CURRENCY. CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL IS ALSO VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED TO THE POLICY OF STIMULATING EMPLOYMENT BY MORE GOVERNMENT SPENDING.

IN A COMPROMISE DECISION, E-U LEADERS MONDAY AGREED ON A RESOLUTION DISCUSSING THE IMPORTANCE OF JOB CREATION AND CALLING FOR FLEXIBLE LABOR MARKETS. THE RESOLUTION ALSO CALLED ON THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK -- A WING OF THE EUROPEAN UNION -- TO SEARCH FOR PROJECTS TO CREATE JOBS. AT THE SAME TIME THERE IS NO MENTION OF DILUTING THE CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN CURRENCY.

GERARD LYONS IS CHIEF ECONOMIST FOR THE JAPANESE BANK D-K-B. HE SAYS THE SEARCH FOR EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION -- E-M-U -- HAS RESULTED IN INAPPROPRIATE POLICIES, SUCH AS TIGHT FISCAL POLICIES.

AT A TIME WHEN THE AMERICAN ECONOMY IS CREATING MANY JOBS AND THE U-S BUDGET DEFICIT IS COMING DOWN, WHAT WE HAVE THROUGHOUT MUCH OF EUROPE IS A COMBINATION OF WEAK, BELOW-TREND GROWTH, HIGH AND RISING UNEMPLOYMENT -- AND THAT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT GOOD. AS A RESULT, IN THE MINDS OF MOST EUROPEAN VOTERS, E-M-U AND THE MOVEMENT TOWARDS E-M-U HAS BECOME ASSOCIATED WITH DEFLATIONARY ECONOMIC POLICIES AND HIGH AND RISING UNEMPLOYMENT.

MR. LYONS SAYS HAVING 18-AND-ONE-HALF MILLION UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE THROUGHOUT EUROPE IS UN-ACCEPTABLE, AND EUROPEAN LEADERS MUST ADDRESS THAT ISSUE SQUARELY.

HE DOES NOT BELIEVE THE ANSWER LIES IN MORE GOVERNMENT SPENDING, AS ADVOCATED BY THE FRENCH. THE BANK ECONOMIST SAYS EUROPE MUST ADOPT MORE FLEXIBLE LABOR POLICIES IN ORDER FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO GENERATE MORE JOBS. (SIGNED)
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16-Jun-97 1:49 PM EDT (1749 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] IRELAND / ALL-PARTY TALKS (L-ONLY) BY PAT BODNAR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE SO-CALLED ALL PARTY TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND RESUME THIS WEEK (TUESDAY). AS VOA'S PAT BODNAR REPORTS, DESPITE SERIOUS SETBACKS, ONE PARTICIPANT HAS HOPE THE TALKS WILL MOVE TOWARDS A POSITIVE SOLUTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

TEXT: THE TALKS OUTSIDE BELFAST BRING TOGETHER ALL OF THE MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES EXCEPT ONE -- SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY. SINN FEIN IS EXCLUDED FROM THE TALKS UNTIL THE I-R-A COMMITS TO A NEW CEASEFIRE, ALTHOUGH THERE IS LITTLE SIGN OF A TRUCE ANYTIME SOON.

MONICA MCWILLIAMS IS THE WOMEN'S COALITION REPRESENTATIVE AT THE ALL-PARTY TALKS. SHE IS A CATHOLIC FROM NORTHERN IRELAND, AND ONE OF ONLY TWO WOMEN PARTICIPATING IN THE NEGOTIATIONS. SHE SPOKE TO VOA FROM HER HOME IN BELFAST.

MS. MCWILLIAMS SAYS IF THE GROUP CAN REACH A CONCENSUS, THIS WEEK'S DISCUSSIONS WILL FOCUS ON THE GOVERNING OF NORTHERN IRELAND.

IT'S LAUNCHING THE THREE STRANDS...AND THESE STRANDS ARE ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND, ABOUT THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND, AND ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND.

SINCE THE TALKS OPENED A YEAR AGO UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF FORMER U-S SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL, VERY LITTLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LARGEST PRO-BRITISH PARTY PARTICIPATING IN THE TALKS, HAS SAID THE THE PEACE PROCESS HAS BEEN MARRED BY A LACK OF TRUST AMONG THE VARIOUS PARTICIPANTS.

BUT MONICA MCWILLIAMS SAYS A RECENT SERIES OF MEETINGS INVOLVING SOUTH AFRICA AND ALL OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE NORTHERN IRELAND TALKS, HAS CONTRIBUTED TO CHANGING THE CLIMATE OF DISCUSSION.

WE WENT TO SOUTH AFRICA, WE LISTENED TO THEM. WE LEARNED ABOUT HOW TO RESOLVE ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE HURDLES. WE LEARNED ABOUT THE WORDS OF TRUSTS; HOW TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS; THE NEED FOR LEADERSHIP; ABOUT TAKING RISKS. THOSE THINGS HAVE GOT TO SINK IN.

MS. MCWILLIAMS SAYS ADDITIONAL FACTORS ARE CONTRIBUTING TO A CHANGE OF CLIMATE AT THE ALL-PARTY TALKS. SHE POINTS TO THE NEW BRITISH GOVERNMENT LED BY TONY BLAIR, AND A NEW IRISH GOVERNMENT, WHICH IS COMMITTED TO BRINGING THE PEACE TALKS FORWARD. HER HOPE IS FOR AN I-R-A CEASEFIRE BY THE FALL. (SIGNED)
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16-Jun-97 4:54 PM EDT (2054 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

(UNEDITED)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S WEEKEND SPEECH ABOUT IMPROVING RACE RELATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES IS GETTING A GOOD DEAL OF EDITORIAL ATTENTION THIS MONDAY.

OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION IN THE NATION'S EDITORIAL PAGES INCLUDE THE BUDGET AGREEMENT IN CONGRESS; THE DISASTER RELIEF BILL WHICH FINALLY PASSED; AID FOR AFRICA, THE CONVENTION ON ENDANGERED SPECIES UNDER WAY IN ZIMBABWE AND THE NEWS MEDIA COVERING CUBA.

NOW HERE IS ___________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES, IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES IS LEADING ITS EDITORIAL COLUMN WITH SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S NEW INITIATIVE.

VOICE: "IN PROPOSING A YEAR-LONG NATIONAL 'CONVERSATION' ABOUT RACE, PRESIDENT CLINTON PUT THE NATION'S MOST IMPORTANT SOCIAL PROBLEM WHERE IT BELONGS, AT THE TOP OF THE NATIONAL AGENDA. HIS SPEECH ....AT COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT SAN DIEGO WAS A SERMON WITH LITTLE SANCTIMONIOUS PREACHING. ..... FOR A PRESIDENT WITH A REPUTATION OF TRYING HARD TO PLEASE, IT TOOK POLITICAL AUDACITY TO STAND UP FOR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN THE VERY STATE AND UNIVERSITY SYSTEM THAT HAD BEGUN DISMANTLING THIS ESSENTIAL REMEDY AGAINST INJUSTICE. [OPT] ..... THE PRESIDENT SPOKE AT A TIME WHEN ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS CONFLICT HAS ERUPTED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. HE FORESEES A HISTORIC ROLE FOR THE UNITED STATES, LEADING THE WAY TO A NEW DEFINITION OF NATIONHOOD IN WHICH DIVERSITY IS A STRENGTH, NOT A WEAKNESS." [END OPT]

TEXT: USA TODAY IS PLEASED WITH THE PRESIDENT'S INITIATIVE, BUT SLIGHTLY SKEPTICAL OF HOW IT MAY PLAY OUT.

VOICE: "MUCH OF [MR.] CLINTON'S PLAN, FOR MORE STUDY AND TOWN HALL MEETINGS, HAS THE POTENTIAL OF TREADING WATER [IE: NOT MOVING FORWARD]. BUT A SERIOUS DEBATE THAT LEADS TO CONCRETE REDEFINING OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IS WORTH PURSUING. AND THERE'S NO BETTER CHAT ROOM THAN CALIFORNIA, WHERE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IS ON THE ENDANGERED LIST. ..... OVER THE PAST THREE DECADES, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION HORROR STORIES - - MOST NOTABLY ILLEGAL QUOTAS AND MISGUIDED SET-ASIDES - - HAVE BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED AND, IN MANY CASES, TERMINATED. AS WELL THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN. OFTEN OVERLOOKED HAVE BEEN THE SUCCESSES, UNTOLD THOUSANDS OF MINORITIES AND WOMEN WHO GOT A CHANCE ONLY AFTER RACE BECAME A PLUS RATHER THAN A NEGATIVE."

TEXT: IN THE WASHINGTON TIMES, HOWEVER, THERE IS SERIOUS SKEPTICISM ABOUT THE IDEA.

VOICE: "POOR BILL CLINTON. THE IDEALIST AND SELF-ANOINTED BEARER OF WHAT HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH CALLS 'TIRED OLD GOVERNMENT LIBERALISM' JUST DOESN'T GET THE POINT THAT TALK ISN'T EVERYTHING. FOR AS MUCH AS MANY PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO - - AND MORE THAN A FEW HAVE - - 265 MILLION AMERICANS CANNOT SIMPLY POP INTO THE LINCOLN BEDROOM AND HAVE THEIR 'EMOTIONS RUBBED RAW' WHILE DISCUSSING THEIR RACIAL DIFFERENCES. ...... IF MR. CLINTON REALLY AND TRULY WANTS TO HELP BRIDGE THE DIVIDE, THEN HE SHOULD SPEND LESS TIME CONJURING UP RHETORICAL BANTER, BERATING CALIFORNIANS FOR THEIR VOTE AGAINST RACIAL BEAN COUNTING [QUOTAS] (AS PER PROPOSITION 209), AND MORE TIME LISTENING TO PEOPLE WITH REAL SOLUTIONS."

TEXT: ON ANOTHER IMPORTANT TOPIC, BALANCING THE BUDGET, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL IS FURIOUS THAT CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT HAVE APPROVED TAX CUTS, WHILE THE BUDGET IS STILL OUT OF BALANCE.

VOICE: "AS PRESIDENT CLINTON AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS VIE FOR PEOPLE'S ATTENTION, THE MOST IMPORTANT DETAIL ISN'T EVEN IN CLEAR FOCUS: HOW THE TAX CUTS WOULD AFFECT THE NATIONAL ECONOMY. HELPING THE ECONOMY TO GROW SHOULD BE THE TOP PRIORITY. OTHERWISE, THERE'S NO REASON TO BE TALKING ABOUT TAX CUTS. AS EDITORIALS IN THIS SPACE HAVE INDICATED MANY TIMES, BALANCING THE FEDERAL BUDGET SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED FIRST. TAX CUTS, IF THEY ARE WARRANTED, COULD BE CONSIDERED LATER."

TEXT: FARTHER SOUTH IN FLORIDA, THE MIAMI HERALD IS FURIOUS AT THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED CONGRESS FOR DELAYING THE MIDWEST FLOOD RELIEF BILL SO LONG, CALLING IT A SICKENING SPECTACLE.

VOICE: "AS POORLY AS CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS UNDERSTOOD THE HUMAN SUFFERING OF THE FLOOD-RAVAGED MIDWEST, THEY WERE AT THE POLAR OPPOSITE IN THEIR ABILITY, BELATEDLY, TO UNDERSTAND THE POLITICAL DISASTER THAT IT [HOLDING UP THE AID] CREATED. A CNN [CABLE NEWS NETWORK]-USA TODAY POLL SHOWED THAT ADULTS BLAMED REPUBLICANS FOR THE STALEMATE."

TEXT: TURNING TO INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, THE WASHINGTON POST IS COMMENTING ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PROPOSED AID-TO -SUB-SAHARAN-AFRICA PROGRAM WHICH HE PLANS TO DISCUSS AT THE G-7 ECONOMIC SUMMIT IN DENVER.

VOICE: "THE FIRST POSITIVE THING TO SAY ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL IS THAT IT EXISTS. FOR U-S POLICYMAKERS, AFRICA WAS FOR MANY YEARS MAINLY AN OBJECT OF COLD WAR COMPETITION, AND LATER IT VIRTUALLY CEASED TO MATTER. BUT WITH ITS MORE THAN 600 MILLION PEOPLE, AFRICA DOES MATTER- - MORALLY, STRATEGICALLY AND AS A POTENTIAL MARKET AS WELL. THE INITIATIVE SEEKS TO BREAK THE STEREOTYPICAL VIEW OF SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA AS A BASKET CASE [ECONOMICALLY AND POLITICALLY BEYOND HOPE]. [HOWEVER] U-S AID LEVELS HAVE BEEN DECLINING AS A SHARE OF GNP, AND THIS INITIATIVE DOES NOTHING TO REVERSE THAT. IT IS A PROMISE THAT NEEDS TO BE FLESHED OUT."

TEXT: IN HARARE, ZIMBABWE, DELEGATES FROM 135 NATIONS ARE BUSY REVAMPING THE ENDANGERED SPECIES CONVENTION AND, AS THE SUN IN BALTIMORE SUGGESTS, THE DISPUTE OVER THE IVORY TRADE IN AFRICAN ELEPHANT TUSKS, DOMINATES THE DISCUSSION.

VOICE: ".....THIS IS A BATTLE BETWEEN TWO GROUPS OF ELEPHANT-INHABITED AFRICAN NATIONS HAVING OPPOSITE INTERESTS. BEFORE THE BAN, EAST AFRICAN NATIONS COULD NOT CONTROL POACHING, ORGANIZED CRIME KILLED GAME RANGERS, TOURISM PLUMMETED AND THE ELEPHANT NEARLY VANISHED FROM UGANDA. SINCE THE BAN, ELEPHANT POPULATIONS HAVE GROWN, EXPERIMENTS IN MANAGEMENT HAVE IMPROVED COEXISTENCE OF MAN AND BEAST, ..... TOURISM HAS REBOUNDED..... [AND] ELEPHANTS HAVE PROLIFERATED IN SOUTHERN AFRICAN COUNTRIES, TRAMPLING FARMS AND VILLAGES AND KILLING PEOPLE. .....THE MAJORITY OF NATIONS, WITHOUT DIRECT INTERESTS, SHOULD WORRY MORE ABOUT PERMANENTLY HARMING EAST AFRICA THAN DELAYING BENEFIT TO SOUTHERN AFRICA. THE TRADE SHOULD BE RESUMED WHEN SAFEGUARDS AGAINST POACHING AND ILLEGAL TRADE CAN BE GUARANTEED."

TEXT: WITH REGARD TO POLITICS IN A KEY EUROPEAN COUNTRY, THE SUN WONDERS WHETHER GERMANY WILL TURN TO THE LEFT POLITICALLY AS FRANCE AND BRITAIN HAVE RECENTLY DONE.

VOICE: "AS BRITAIN AND FRANCE GO, SO GOES GERMANY? NOT NECESSARILY. EUROPE'S MOST ENDURING POLITICIAN, CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL, MAKES THE DIFFERENCE. BRITAIN'S TORIES MAY HAVE LOST TO THE LABOR PARTY AND FRANCE, TOO, MAY HAVE SWUNG LEFT, BUT MR. KOHL REMAINS SERENELY CONFIDENT HE CAN WIN A FIFTH TERM NEXT YEAR DESPITE LOW MARKS IN THE POLLS AND PRESS PREDICTIONS OF DEFEAT. .....HIS GOAL IS TO BE ON HAND FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF A COMMON EUROPEAN CURRENCY AS THE CAPSTONE OF AN EXPANDED EUROPEAN UNION."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, AS REGARDS THE U-S NEWS MEDIA'S ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH BUREAUS IN CUBA, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES ASSERTS THE OBJECTIVITY OF AMERICAN JOURNALISM PRACTICED IN PREMIER CASTRO'S DICTATORSHIP COULD BE A PROBLEM.

VOICE: [MR.] CASTRO'S CONCERN NO DOUBT IS THAT HIS OWN STATE-CONTROLLED NEWS MEDIA, EVEN THE REDOUBTABLE DAILY GRANMA, MIGHT CATCH SOMETHING DANGEROUS FROM THE INTRUDERS, LIKE AMERICAN-STYLE OBJECTIVITY. THAT'S PROBABLY NOT AN IMMEDIATE PROBLEM, BUT ONCE THE JOURNALISTIC BUG IS LOOSE, WHO KNOWS?"

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/NL/EH
16-Jun-97 1:18 PM EDT (1718 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES ENDED THEIR SIX-DAY RALLY TODAY (MONDAY), AS THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE DROPPED SLIGHTLY. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON HAS THAT AND OTHER FINANCIAL NEWS FROM OUR NEW YORK BUREAU.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE WAS DOWN 10 POINTS CLOSING AT 77-HUNDRED-72, ITS FIRST DROP IN OVER A WEEK. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX WAS UP JUST OVER ONE-HALF OF ONE POINT TO A NEW RECORD HIGH OF 893.

STOCKS IN MAJOR COMPANIES WERE EITHER SLIGHTLY DOWN OR UNCHANGED. TOBACCO STOCKS WERE HEAVILY TRADED AND MANY TECHNOLOGY STOCKS WERE UP.

ANALYSTS SAY THE MODERATE DROP REFLECTS PROFIT TAKING, AS MANY STOCKS HAVE REACHED ALL-TIME HIGHS. THEY SAY THAT IS A PREDICTABLE RESPONSE FROM INVESTORS FOLLOWING LAST WEEK'S RECORD-BREAKING PERFORMANCE.

INVESTORS ARE CLOSELY WATCHING THE RELEASE OF ECONOMIC INDICATORS FOR SIGNS THAT COULD SIGNAL SUCH DEVELOPMENTS. ON TUESDAY, FIGURES WILL BE RELEASED FOR MAY HOUSING STARTS, BUILDING PERMITS, INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION AND THE CLOSELY WATCHED CONSUMER PRICE INDEX. INVESTORS ARE ALSO WATCHING FOR ANY INDICATORS THAT COULD PUT PRESSURE ON THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD - THE CENTRAL BANK -- TO INCREASE INTEREST RATES WHEN IT MEETS ON JULY SECOND.

IN BUSINESS NEWS, THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF COMPUTER ONLINE SERVICES IN THE UNITED STATES, AMERICAN ONLINE, SAYS IT HAS REACHED A NEW MILESTONE IN ITS INTERNATIONAL SUBSCRIPTION RATE. A-O-L SAYS IT NOW HAS MORE 750-THOUSAND MEMBERS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES, JUST 18 MONTHS AFTER LAUNCHING ITS FIRST INTERNATIONAL SERVICE. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/RRM
16-Jun-97 5:04 PM EDT (2104 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] NORTHERN IRELAND (S-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS ENDED ALL CONTACTS WITH SINN FEIN -- THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY -- FOLLOWING THE MURDER ON MONDAY OF TWO POLICEMEN IN NORTHERN IRELAND. ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY HAS CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE KILLING OF TWO POLICEMEN IN THE SMALL TOWN OF LURGAN.

THE TWO MEN WERE ON A ROUTINE FOOT PATROL WHEN THEY WERE AMBUSHED BY GUNMEN WHO SHOT THEM IN THE HEAD AT CLOSE RANGE. SEVERAL HOURS AFTER THE KILLINGS, A MAN USING A RECOGNIZABLE I-R-A CODE WORD TELEPHONED A BELFAST RADIO STATION SAYING THE GROUP CARRIED OUT THE MURDERS.

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR SAID THE KILLINGS WERE APPALLING ACTS OF BRUTALITY. HE SAID THEY WERE DONE DELIBERATELY TO FRUSTRATE THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS -- AND HE CALLED ON SINN FEIN PRESIDENT GERRY ADAMS TO CONDEMN THAT ACT OF VIOLENCE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MR. ADAMS FACE UP TO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CONDEMNING IT, CONDEMNING IT OUTRIGHT -- NO HESITATION, NO WEASEL WORDS BUT CONDEMNING IT LIKE ANY DECENT HUMAN BEING SHOULD DO.

MR. BLAIR ENDED ALL CONTACTS BETWEEN HIS GOVERNMENT AND SINN FEIN SAYING -- THERE CAN BE NO QUESTION OF TALKING IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF/RAE
16-Jun-97 2:00 PM EDT (1800 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] U-S / N-IRELAND (S ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS STONGLY CONDEMNED THE MURDERS OF TWO POLICEMEN IN NORTHERN IRELAND, AND -- NOTING THAT THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE KILLINGS ISSUED A VEILED WARNING IT MAY SUSPEND CONTACTS WITH THE I-R-A'S POLITICAL WING. V-O-A WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY CONDEMNED THE KILLINGS OF THE TWO POLICEMEN AS AN OUTRAGEOUS ACT OF COWARDICE AND TERRORISM, SAYING -- IN HIS WORDS -- NO ONE SHOULD EVER MAKE THE MISTAKE OF THINKING SUCH ACTIONS REPRESENT ANYTHING EQUATING TO PATRIOTISM.

HE EXPRESSED U-S UNDERSTANDING FOR BRITAIN'S DECISION TO SUSPEND CONTACTS WITH SINN FEIN, AND HINTED THE UNITED STATES MAY FOLLOW SUIT.

THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HAS HAD CONTACT WITH PARTIES THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED HAVE BEEN HELPFUL TO THE PEACE PROCESS, AND I WOULD SAY WE WOULD CONTINUE CONTACTS THAT WE BELIEVE ARE HELPFUL TO THE PROCESS, BUT SOONER OR LATER IT BECOMES CLEAR WHO IS WILLING TO HELP THE PROCESS AND WHO IS NOT.

MR. MCCURRY SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL CONTINUE WORKING WITH THOSE PARTIES THAT HE SAYS ARE CLEARLY COMMITTED TO PEACE.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO PRAISED AS ADMIRABLE THE RESTRAINT OF LOYALIST PARAMILITARY GROUPS, AND CALLED ON THEM TO AVOID ACTS OF RETALIATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/ENE/EH
16-Jun-97 3:25 PM EDT (1925 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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