Browse through our Interesting Nodes of Greek Radio & Television Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Friday, 19 April 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Voice of America, 97-06-26

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] ALBANIA ELECTION BY KYLE KING (TIRANA)
  • [02] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)
  • [03] KLEIN/CROATIA (L ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)
  • [04] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)
  • [05] OPPOSITION TO NATO EXPANSION (1) BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)
  • [06] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)
  • [07] TURKEY / KURDS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (DIYARBAKIR, TURKEY)
  • [08] TURKEY / KURDS ECON BY AL PESSIN (DIYARBAKIR, TURKEY)
  • [09] U-S INCOMES / EUROPE (S ONLY) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

  • [01] ALBANIA ELECTION BY KYLE KING (TIRANA)

    DATE=6/26/97
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-36799
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: FORMER AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR FRANZ VRANITZKY, THE SPECIAL EUROPEAN ENVOY FOR ALBANIA, SAYS LAST-MINUTE SOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN FOUND TO FINAL ISSUES THAT THREATEN TO DISRUPT ELECTIONS ON SUNDAY. FROM THE ALBANIAN CAPITAL, VOA'S KYLE KING HAS THIS BACKGROUND REPORT ON THE PREPARATIONS FOR ELECTIONS THAT COULD MAKE OR BREAK EFFORTS TO RESTORE ORDER AND STABILITY IN THE IMPOVERISHED AND STRIFE-TORN COUNTRY.

    TEXT: SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER TWO DAYS OF TALKS WITH LEADERS OF ALBANIA'S FEUDING POLITICAL PARTIES, MR. VRANITZKY SAID 500 FRESHLY TRAINED ELECTION OBSERVERS WOULD BEGIN FANNING OUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY ON FRIDAY. THEY WILL JOIN HUNDREDS OF OTHER LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS ALREADY PREPARING TO MONITOR THE VOTE, WHICH FOLLOWS MONTHS OF VIOLENCE AND ANARCHY TRIGGERED BY THE COLLAPSE OF HIGH-RISK INVESTMENT SCHEMES.

    MR. VRANITZKY, THE SPECIAL ENVOY OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, SAID A LAST MINUTE SOLUTION HAD ALSO BEEN FOUND TO THE TRICKY QUESTION OF WHAT TIMES THE POLLS WILL CLOSE ON SUNDAY.

    MANY OBSERVERS HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR POLLS TO CLOSE SEVERAL HOURS EARLY BECAUSE OF SECURITY CONCERNS AND TO PREVENT ELECTION FRAUD, BUT PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA HAS RESISTED THE IDEA, SAYING HE DID NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CHANGE THE TIMES.

    MR. VRANITZKY SAID HE WAS OPTIMISTIC A LAST-MINUTE ARRANGEMENT WOULD ALLOW ALBANIA'S ELECTION COMMISSION TO MAKE THE CHANGE.

    // VRANITZKY ACT //

    AND I THINK AND HOPE THAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED A BREAKTHROUGH TODAY IN THIS RESPECT.

    // END ACT //

    //OPT//

    WITH JUST THREE DAYS LEFT BEFORE ALBANIAN'S GO TO THE POLLS, //END OPT// EUROPEAN OFFICIALS ARE STILL FRANTICALLY TRYING TO SET THE STAGE FOR AN ELECTION THAT CAN REASONABLY BE CALLED FREE AND FAIR.

    BUT DESPITE THE PRESENCE OF SEVEN-THOUSAND TROOPS FROM AN ITALIAN-LED MULTINATIONAL FORCE AND HUNDREDS OF FOREIGN OBSERVERS, FEW EXPERTS BELIEVE THE VOTE WILL BE TROUBLE-FREE.

    VETERAN ELECTION OBSERVER ANNA HUSARSKA, OF THE ORGANIZATION CALLED THE INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP, SAYS THERE ARE SURE TO BE IRREGULARITIES DURING SUNDAY'S VOTE.

    // HUSARSKA ACT //

    I THINK EVERYBODY WILL CHEAT, PROBABLY, BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS GUNS. SO EVEN IF THE BIG LEADERS WILL GIVE THE ORDERS NOT TO CHEAT, I DON'T THINK IT WILL GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE LOCAL PEOPLE. AND WITH A KALASHNIKOV IN YOUR HAND AND A BIG WILL FOR YOUR PARTY TO WIN, I THINK ITS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THOSE PEOPLE NOT TO USE THE KALISHNIKOV. BUT I THINK THAT SINCE EVERYBODY WILL BE CHEATING, THE RESULT OF THE ELECTION WILL REFLECT THE BALANCE OF POWER IN THIS COUNTRY.

    // END ACT //

    //OPT//

    SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, MORE THAN 15-HUNDRED PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN ALBANIA. MILLIONS OF GUNS LOOTED FROM MILITARY WAREHOUSES REMAIN UNACCOUNTED FOR SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF PYRAMID INVESTMENT SCHEMES TRIGGERED AN EXPLOSION OF VIOLENCE AND RAGE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA.

    IN THE MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, POLICE STILL HAVE LITTLE IF ANY CONTROL. REPORTS OF ARMED GANGS ROBBING FOREIGNERS AND TERRORIZING ORDINARY CITIZENS ARE A DAILY OCCURRENCE. //END OPT//

    DESPITE A PLEDGE BY LEADERS OF THE COUNTRY'S MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES TO ENSURE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS, COMPLAINTS OF VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION CONTINUE.

    //OPT//

    OPPOSITION CANDIDATES COMPLAIN THEY HAVE BEEN BEATEN AND INTIMIDATED, AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET FAIR COVERAGE BY STATE-CONTROLLED TELEVISION.

    AT THE SAME TIME, LEADERS OF THE PRESIDENT BERISHA'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY SAY THEY ARE UNABLE TO TRAVEL TO THE SOUTH, WHERE THE UNREST BEGAN AND ANGER AT MR. BERISHA REMAINS INTENSE. //END OPT//

    AT A NEWS CONFERENCE IN TIRANA, DEMOCRATIC PARTY MEMBER LEONARD DEMI, SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, HINTED AT POSSIBLE COMPLAINTS TO COME.

    // TRANSLATOR IN ENGLISH //

    WE WOULD INVITE THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE O-S-C-E TO GO TO THE SOUTHERN PART OF ALBANIA AND SEE IF THE ELECTIONS CAN BE FAIR THERE OR NOT.

    // END ACT //

    ASKED IF HE BELIEVED ANY OF THE PARTIES MIGHT REJECT THE RESULTS OF THE VOTE, MR. VRANITZKY REMINDED REPORTERS THAT THE PARTIES THEMSELVES HAD ALREADY AGREED THEY WOULD ACCEPT THE OUTCOME.

    // SECOND VRANITZKY ACT //

    ALBANIANS, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, HAVE WORKED TO HELP TO DO ELECTIONS IN A WAY THAT THE RESULT WILL BE ACCEPTED BY A LARGE NUMBER OF THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE, AS LARGE AS POSSIBLE AND BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO WORK FOR THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY.

    // END ACT //

    WHILE THE ELECTION MAY NOT BE PERFECT BY WESTERN STANDARDS, MANY ORDINARY CITIZENS SAY IT WILL BE A CHANCE FOR THE COUNTRY TO BEGIN THE TASK OF REBUILDING.

    // ACT OF MAN ON STREET IN ALBANIAN, ESTABLISH AND FADE //

    "THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS THEIR LAST CHANCE TO MAKE A CHOICE," THIS MAN SAID DURING A RALLY IN TIRANA.

    FOR MANY ORDINARY VOTERS, THE REAL GOAL OF THE ELECTION IS TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF RE-ESTABLISHING STABILITY. WHAT THEY SAY THEY WANT MOST IS FOR POLITICIANS TO PUT THEIR DIFFERENCES ASIDE AND BEGIN WORKING TOGETHER. (SIGNED)
    NEB/KBK/PCF/EH
    26-Jun-97 12:36 PM EDT (1636 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=6/26/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216311
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE UP AGAIN IN TRADING THURSDAY IN MAJOR EUROPEAN EXCHANGES. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

    TEXT: STOCK PRICES WERE HIGHER THURSDAY IN WESTERN EUROPE, WITH BOTH PARIS AND FRANKFURT CLOSING AT RECORD HIGHS.

    ON THE FRENCH MARKET, THE CAC-40 INDEX ROSE MORE THAN 26 POINTS ALMOST ONE PERCENT OF THE MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE -- TO A RECORD-HIGH CLOSE OF MORE THAN TWENTY-EIGHT-NINETY-THREE.

    IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX EDGED UP SEVEN POINTS -- ONLY ABOUT TWO-TENTHS PERCENT, BUT STILL ENOUGH TO SET A NEW RECORD CLOSING HIGH OF THIRTY-EIGHT-OH-FIVE. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX ROSE FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE DAY, ENDING UP ALMOST 18 POINTS, ABOUT FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT.

    ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR LOST VALUE AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN AND THE BRITISH POUND, BUT HELD FIRM AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK.
    NEB/JWH/KL
    26-Jun-97 2:09 PM EDT (1809 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [03] KLEIN/CROATIA (L ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

    DATE=6/26/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216310
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS ADMINISTRATOR FOR EASTERN SLAVONIA, SAYS THE KEY ISSUE NOW -- BEFORE CROATIA REGAINS CONTROL OF THE TERRITORY -- IS THE RETURN OF DISPLACED SERBS AND THE COLLECTION OF REMAINING WEAPONS AMONG THE LOCAL POPULATION. THE U-N'S JACQUES KLEIN WAS IN NEW YORK THURSDAY TO BRIEF THE SECURITY COUNCIL. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

    TEXT: MR. KLEIN WARNS THAT UNLESS CROATIA ACCOMMODATES RETURNING SERBS, ZAGREB WILL FACE RESURGENT DISCONTENT AND REBELLION FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS. HE SAYS CROATIA'S ACTIONS WILL BE WATCHED CLOSELY BY THE REST OF EUROPE:

    //KLEIN ACT//

    AND I WOULD SAY THREE TO FIVE PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IS NOT A LARGE PERCENTAGE. AND IF CROATIA WHICH REPEATEDLY SAYS IT WANTS TO BE PART OF EUROPE -- PART OF BEING IN EUROPE IS BEING EUROPEAN. SO IF THE CROATIANS IN A SENSE WANT A HOME IN EUROPE, THE SERBS IN CROATIA HAVE TO FIND A HOME IN CROATIA FOR THEMSELVES.

    //END ACT//

    THE U-N ADMINISTRATOR ALSO REPORTED TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL THAT THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED TO RE-ASSURE LOCAL SERBS -- WHO DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES -- THAT THEY WILL HAVE THE FULL RIGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP AND PARTICIPATION .

    ANOTHER PROBLEM MR. KLEIN FACES IS TO MAKE SURE HE HAS RID THE AREA OF AS MANY WEAPONS AS POSSIBLE. SO FAR HE HAS GATHERED A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT BUT FEARS THERE MAY BE MORE OUT THERE. MR. KLEIN HAS STARTED A "BUY-BACK" PROGRAM -- THAT IS, HE PAYS THE SERBS FOR THE GUNS THEY SURRENDER:

    //KLEIN ACT//

    EVERY SUNDAY I GO TO CHURCH BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S WHERE PEOPLE MEET TO DISCUSS POLITICS AS WELL AS RELIGION. I GO TO A DIFFERENT VILLAGE AND I GENERALLY APPEAL TO THE GRANDMOTHERS AND THE MOTHERS, SAYING "LOOK, IF YOUR SON OR SON-IN-LAW OR GRANDSON HAS THIS AT HOME GET RID OF IT. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GET RID OF IT, AT LEAST REGISTER IT. BUT IF YOU GET RID OF IT NOW, THERE'S ACTUALLY SOME MONEY IN IT FOR YOU.

    //END ACT//

    U-N TROOPS -- SOME FIVE-THOUSAND -- ARE TO START A PHASED WITHDRAWAL FROM EASTERN SLAVONIA NEXT MONTH AS THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT BEGINS TO TAKE OVER. SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS RECOMMENDED MR. KLEIN RETAIN FULL AUTHORITY TO INTERVENE IN THE TRANSFER IF TROUBLE STARTS. CROATIA IS EXPECTED TO HAVE FULL CONTROL OVER EASTERN SLAVONIA BY MID-OCTOBER.

    EASTERN SLAVONIA IS PART OF THE SERB DOMINATED REGION OF CROATIA THAT BROKE AWAY WHEN CROATIA DECLARED ITS INDEPENDENCE FROM YUGOSLAVIA IN 1991. (SIGNED)
    NEB/EJ/EH
    26-Jun-97 1:58 PM EDT (1758 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=6/26/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216323
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (THURSDAY) THE RESULT OF CONTINUING WORRIES ABOUT U-S INTEREST RATES. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

    TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 76 HUNDRED 54, DOWN 35 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 883, DOWN FIVE POINTS.

    ANALYSTS SAY CONTINUED WEAKNESS IN THE BOND MARKET KEPT STOCK PRICES DOWN. THERE WAS ALSO SOME NERVOUSNESS AMONG TRADERS ABOUT NEXT WEEK'S MEETING OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK. HOWEVER, THE CONSENSUS ON WALL STREET REMAINS THAT THE CENTRAL BANK WILL NOT RAISE INTEREST RATES.

    THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS FILING NEW CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FELL LAST WEEK TO ITS LOWEST LEVEL IN A MONTH.

    /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///

    COMPANIES INVOLVED IN THE COMPUTER INTERNET WERE CHEERED BY THE U-S SUPREME COURT DECISION WHICH OVERTURNED A LAW BANNING SO-CALLED "INDECENT" MATERIAL FROM THE INTERNET. THE COURT RULED THE LAW VIOLATES THE U-S CONSTITUTION'S GUARANTEE OF FREE SPEECH.

    THE MICROSOFT COMPUTER SOFTWARE COMPANY HAS FORMED A JOINT VENTURE WITH THE FIRST DATA CORPORATION TO CREATE ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SYSTEMS ON THE INTERNET. THE COMPANIES SAY THE GOAL IS TO ENABLE CONSUMERS TO PAY VIRTUALLY ALL THEIR BILLS BY COMPUTER.

    THE U-S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND GOVERNMENT REGULATORS ARE WARNING LOCAL TELEPHONE COMPANIES THEY MUST ALLOW COMPETITION IF THEY ARE TO BE GRANTED THE RIGHT TO ENTER THE LONG DISTANCE BUSINESS. REGULATORS DENIED REQUESTS FOR LONG DISTANCE AUTHORITY FROM TWO REGIONAL TELEPHONE COMPANIES (S-B-C AND AMERITECH) UNTIL THEY OPEN THEIR LOCAL TELEPHONE MONOPOLIES TO COMPETITION.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
    26-Jun-97 5:03 PM EDT (2103 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [05] OPPOSITION TO NATO EXPANSION (1) BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=6/26/97
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-36806
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRODUCTION: OPPOSITION TO NATO EXPANSION IS GROWING IN THE UNITED STATES, AS DEMONSTRATED IN RECENT DAYS BY A CONFERENCE AT WASHINGTON'S CATO INSTITUTE AND BY A LETTER OF PROTEST SIGNED BY OVER FORTY FORMER TOP U-S OFFICIALS AND POLICY ANALYSTS. IN THE FIRST OF TWO SCRIPTS, VOA'S ED WARNER REPORTS ON THE MEDIA BRIEFING HELD BY THE OPPONENTS OF EXPANSION AND THE RESPONSE OF A SUPPORTER WHO ATTENDED.

    TEXT: ON A RECENT TRIP TO MOSCOW, FORMER U-S AMBASSADOR JACK MATLOCK MET FORMER SOVIET LEADER MIKHAIL GORBACHEV, WHOSE FIRST WORDS WERE: "JACK, WHAT ARE THEY DOING? THEY HAVE STARTED TO UNDO EVERYTHING WE DID."

    MR. GORBACHEV WAS REFERRING TO THE PLANNED EXPANSION OF NATO. IN HIS OPINION, IT VIOLATES AN AGREEMENT HE MADE WITH THE UNITED STATES: RUSSIA WOULD NOT OBJECT TO REUNITING THE TWO GERMANIES AS LONG AS NATO DID NOT EXPAND ANY FURTHER EASTWARD. AMBASSADOR MATLOCK AGREED THE NATO DECISION IS A BAD ONE.

    THE AMBASSADOR WAS ONE OF SOME FORTY FORMER TOP U-S OFFICIALS AND POLICY ANALYSTS WHO HAVE SIGNED A LETTER PROTESTING NATO EXPANSION.

    AT A PRESS BRIEFING IN WASHINGTON, THEY CONCEDED THEY WERE LATE IN GETTING STARTED AND FACE STRONG PRESSURES FAVORING EXPANSION. BUT THEY ARE DETERMINED TO STOP IT OR AT LEAST SLOW IT DOWN IF THEY CAN.

    AMBASSADOR MATLOCK SAID WHILE HE HAS ALWAYS SUPPORTED NATO, ITS ENLARGEMENT WILL DIVIDE EUROPE ONCE AGAIN AND CHANGE THE NATURE OF THE ORGANIZATION. WILL IT REMAIN A MILITARY ALLIANCE OR BECOME A MORE VAGUE COLLECTIVITY? HE SAID IT IS UNCLEAR:

    // MATLOCK ACT //

    IT BEGINS A PROCESS THE END OF WHICH IS NOT DEFINED. WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN THAT THE THREE COUNTRIES THE UNITED STATES CONSIDERS ELIGIBLE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR MEMBERS ARE NOT THE SAME AS THOSE OF SOME OF OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES. THIS WHOLE ISSUE HAS TAKEN NATO'S ATTENTION OFF THE PRIMARY SECURITY GOALS IN EUROPE. INSTEAD IT HAS BECOME A DEBATING FORUM AS TO WHO SHOULD BE THE NEXT MEMBER.

    // END ACT //

    THE SIGNERS EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR AN OVERALL SETTLEMENT IN EUROPE THAT INCLUDES RUSSIA. WEAK AS IT MAY BE AT THE MOMENT, THEY SAID IT IS TOO LARGE AND TOO WELL ARMED TO IGNORE OR HUMILIATE.

    RICHARD DAVIES, FORMER U-S AMBASSADOR TO POLAND, NOTED THE HUGE COST OF EXPANSION:

    // DAVIES ACT //

    THOSE BILLIONS WOULD BETTER BE SPENT TRYING TO ENSURE THE ESTABLISHMENT AND ENDURANCE OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND SOLID MARKET ECONOMIES THROUGHOUT THE FORMER SOVIET EMPIRE. AND THE FERVOR WITH WHICH THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS PURSUED THE EXPANSION OF NATO WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER EMPLOYED IN CONVINCING OUR WEST EUROPEAN ALLIES TO ACCELERATE MEMBERSHIP FOR THE CZECHS, HUNGARIANS AND POLES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION.

    // END ACT //

    RICHARD MCCORMACK, FORMER UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, SAID NATO EXPANSION WILL MAKE EUROPE LESS SECURE:

    // MCCORMACK ACT //

    IT IS MY VIEW THAT THE GREATEST THREAT TO POLITICAL STABILITY IN EASTERN EUROPE AND IN RUSSIA HAS TO DO WITH ECONOMIC PROBLEMS, NOT MILITARY PROBLEMS. AND WHAT THE EXPANSION OF NATO IS GOING TO DO TO THESE FRAGILE DEMOCRACIES, IS FORCE ALL OF THEM TO INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THEY ARE SPENDING ON MILITARY AFFAIRS. AT A TIME WHEN EMPLOYMENT IS HIGH, I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS MORE LIKELY TO UNDERMINE DEMOCRACIES THAN ANY BENEFIT NATO MEMBERSHIP WOULD HAVE IN PRESERVING THEM.

    // END ACT //

    BUT GERALD LIVINGSTON, A SENIOR VISITING FELLOW AT THE GERMAN HISTORICAL INSTITUTE IN WASHINGTON, SAYS THERE IS A PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTOR OPPONENTS OF EXPANSION OVERLOOK. THE PEOPLE OF POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC FEEL THEY HAVE BEEN ABANDONED BY THE WEST TOO MANY TIMES UNDER BOTH NAZI AND SOVIET AGGRESSION. THEY BADLY NEED REASSURANCE AFTER ALL THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH, AND NATO WILL GIVE IT TO THEM.

    MR. LIVINGSTON, WHO ATTENDED THE MEDIA BRIEFING, DOUBTS IT WILL HAVE MUCH EFFECT. THE OPPOSITION IS TOO LATE:

    // LIVINGSTON ACT //

    THE SENATE VOTE IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING BETWEEN SEVENTY-FIVE AND EIGHTY-ONE (MORE THAN THE REQUIRED TWO-THIRDS) THE WAY THINGS LOOK NOW FOR NATO EXPANSION. THERE IS SOME POLITICAL PRESSURE, PARTICULARLY IN STATES WHERE YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF POLISH AMERICAN AND SOME HUNGARIAN AMERICAN -- I DO NOT THINK THERE ARE TOO MANY CZECH-AMERICAN -- VOTERS. THERE IS RECOGNITION THAT THE FIRST ROUND HAS BEEN LOST.

    // END ACT //

    OPPONENTS SAY THEY HAVE JUST BEGUN TO FIGHT. (SIGNED)
    NEB/EW/KL
    26-Jun-97 5:13 PM EDT (2113 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=06/26/97
    TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-10224
    TELEPHONE=619-3335
    EDITOR=NEAL LAVON
    CONTENT=
    // EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS PERISHABLE MATERIAL AND BECOMES DATED AFTER 10 P-M E-D-S-T ON THURSDAY JUNE 26TH //

    INTRO: THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS OCEANOGRAPHER, JACQUES COUSTEAU, HAS DIED AND MANY PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON THE FRENCHMAN WHO BROUGHT THE WONDERS OF THE DEEP INTO MILLIONS OF LIVING ROOMS AROUND THE WORLD VIA TELEVISION.

    OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSING INCLUDE THE LATEST TURN IN THE WHITEWATER INVESTIGATION: THE EVOLVING REVOLUTION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (ZAIRE); THE FIGHT OVER TOUGHER CLEAN AIR STANDARDS; A NEW U-F-O REPORT FROM THE AIR FORCE AND THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AFTER ITS TURNOVER TO CHINA ON JULY 1.

    NOW HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IS ______________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

    TEXT: THE NEWS THAT JACQUES COUSTEAU HAS DIED IN PARIS SADDENED MANY WHO KNEW HIM AS THE BUOYANT SKIPPER OF THE EXPLORATION SHIP CALYPSO. HE SAILED THE SEVEN SEAS TO BRING THEIR MYSTERIES TO THE REST OF US. HERE ARE SOME OF THE TRIBUTES, BEGINNING WITH THE LOS ANGELES TIMES.

    VOICE: "AS ONE OF HIS SONS PUT IT, JACQUES COUSTEAU .... WAS 'THE BEST AMBASSADOR THAT FRANCE HAS EVER HAD.' BUT HE WAS ALSO THE OCEANS' BEST AMBASSADOR. FOR, WHILE MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF THE EARTH'S SURFACE IS WATER, WE KNEW RELATIVELY LITTLE ABOUT THAT PART OF THE PLANET BEFORE [MR.] COUSTEAU.

    TEXT: AND IN THE SUN, FROM BALTIMORE, THIS:

    VOICE: "IT WILL BE SAID THAT AQUATIC EXPLORATION LOST A SPECIAL FRIEND IN MR. COUSTEAU, THE CO-DISCOVERER OF THE AQUALUNG THAT MADE EXTENDED DIVES INTO THIS UNDERSEA UNIVERSE POSSIBLE. AND IT WILL BE SAID THAT THE WORLD'S SEALIFE LOST A FRIEND WITH MR. COUSTEAU'S DEATH. MORE TO THE POINT, HUMANITY LOST A FRIEND: JACQUES-YVES COUSTEAU WAS A TIRELESS AND BELOVED STEWARD FOR THE PLANET WE CALL HOME."

    TEXT: TURNING TO DOMESTIC ISSUES, THE LATEST PHASE OF THE WHITEWATER INVESTIGATION BY SPECIAL PROSECUTOR KENNETH STARR, WHICH IS REPORTEDLY LOOKING INTO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S INTIMATE CONDUCT--IS DRAWING SIGNIFICANT CRITICISM FROM MANY QUARTERS THIS THURSDAY. HERE'S NEWSDAY:

    VOICE: "SO NOW THE WHITEWATER INVESTIGATION HAS APPARENTLY SUNK TO THIS: INDEPENDENT COUNSEL KENNETH STARR'S GUMSHOES [SLANG FOR INVESTIGATORS] HAVE BEEN QUIZZING ARKANSAS STATE TROOPERS TO FIND OUT WHAT EXTRAMARITAL LIAISONS PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON MIGHT HAVE HAD WHILE HE WAS GOVERNOR. .... IF IT'S TRUE, THE INDEPENDENT COUNSEL'S INVESTIGATION IS IN A LOT WORSE SHAPE THAN EVEN ITS HARSHEST CRITICS THOUGHT. THIS GOES BEYOND AN ORDINARY FISHING EXPEDITION, OVER THE LINE INTO THE REALM OF SALACIOUS INTRUSIVENESS THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY CRIMINAL CHARGES."

    TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE IS EQUALLY UPSET.

    VOICE: "THE INDEPENDENT COUNSEL'S SNOOPING INTO THE PAST PRIVATE LIFE OF AN ELECTED OFFICIAL VIOLATES THE PROFOUNDLY AMERICAN VALUE OF FAIR PLAY. ..... IT IS POSSIBLE THAT [MR.] STARR TRULY BELIEVES THAT [PRESIDENT] CLINTON .... MIGHT HAVE SPICED HIS PILLOW TALK WITH CONFESSIONS ABOUT HIS OWN ABUSE OF THE PUBLIC TRUST. BUT NOBODY WITH ANY STREET SMARTS [COMMON SENSE] WOULD ENTERTAIN SUCH A THEORY."

    TEXT: BUT IN A NEWS REPORT, THE WASHINGTON TIMES SAYS MR. STATR'S PROBE IS NOT AIMED AT UNCOVERING SORDID DETAILS OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PRIVATE LIFE.

    VOICE: "MR. STARR, IN A TERSE ONE-PAGE STATEMENT...DISMISSED AS 'INCORRECT' A...STORY...THAT THE INDEPENDENT COUNSEL'S OFFICE HAD INTERROGATED STATE TROOPERS ABOUT MR. CLINTON'S SUSPECTED EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIRS...MR. STARR SAID HIS OFFICE HAD SOUGHT ONLY TO COLLECT AND EVALUATE EVIDENCE, AND TO IDENTIFY AND INTERVIEW PERSONS WHO MAY HAVE BEEN CLINTON ASSOCIATES. 'WE HAVE TO CONTROL OVER WHO THOSE PERSONS MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT BE,' HE SAID."

    TEXT: TURNING TO AFRICA AND THE EMERGING GOVERNMENT IN CONGO, FORMERLY KNOWN AS ZAIRE, THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS THESE ARE ITS "DECISIVE DAYS."

    VOICE: "A UNITED NATIONS TEAM HAS ARRIVED ..... TO INVESTIGATE REPORTED MASSACRES BY MR. [LAURENT] KABILA'S TROOPS EARLIER THIS YEAR. IF CONGOLESE OFFICIALS COOPERATE WITH THE INVESTIGATION, AS MR. KABILA HAS ASSURED THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION THEY WILL, WASHINGTON CAN PUT SOME FAITH IN THE NEW LEADER'S OTHER PROMISES. THESE INCLUDE AN END TO CORRUPTION, RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND EVENTUAL DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS. IF MR. KABILA LETS HIS LIEUTENANTS OBSTRUCT THE INVESTIGATION ..... WASHINGTON SHOULD SUSPEND THE TENTATIVE SUPPORT AND PROMISES OF ASSISTANCE IT HAS OFFERED ..."

    TEXT: THERE IS A GROWING CONTROVERSY OVER PROPOSED LEGISLATION IN CONGRESS TO STRENGTHEN THE NATION'S AIR POLLUTION STANDARDS WHICH DRAWS THIS COMMENT FROM TODAY'S MIAMI HERALD. THE HERALD SAYS THE U-S SHOULD LEAD THE FIGHT FOR CLEANER AIR RATHER THAN DELAY IT.

    VOICE: ".... DESPITE THE AGREEMENT OF 25-HUNDRED SCIENTISTS ..... THAT CARBON DIOXIDE AND OTHER GREENHOUSE GASES CONTRIBUTE TO THE RISE IN GLOBAL TEMPERATURES, THERE HAS BEEN NO STABILIZATION IN THOSE EMISSIONS. OF THE INDUSTRIAL NATIONS, ONLY GERMANY AND BRITAIN MANAGED TO ACHIEVE THE VOLUNTARY EMISSION GOALS SET IN RIO: U-S EMISSIONS INCREASED BY A WORRISOME - - AND SHAMEFUL - - 13 PERCENT. PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS MUCH TO EXPLAIN TODAY WHEN HE ADDRESSES THE U-N DELEGATES AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. .... THERE IS IMPLY NO NATIONAL PRIDE OR ECONOMIC FUTURE TO BE FOUND IN DIRTY AIR."

    TEXT: STILL ON THE GENERAL SUBJECT OF AIR, AND WHAT SOMETIMES FLIES THROUGH IT, SEVERAL PAPERS ARE RIDICULING A U-S AIR FORCE REPORT RELEASED THIS WEEK ABOUT AN INCIDENT ALLEGED TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO IN 1947.

    FOR YEARS, ADVOCATES FOR THE THEORY THAT UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS [U-F-OS] ARE REALLY ALIEN SPACECRAFT, SAY THAT SUCH A SHIP ACTUALLY CRASHED 50 YEARS AGO IN ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO. THEY SAY THE U-S AIR FORCE RETRIEVED THE CRAFT AND ITS DEAD CREW FOR STUDY WHILE MAINTAINING THE STRICTEST MILITARY SECRECY. OVER THE YEARS, THEY CLAIM, THE AIR FORCE AND THE U-S GOVERNMENT HAS CONSPIRED TO HIDE THE STORY FROM PUBLIC SCRUTINY.

    THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION SAYS [OPT] IN ITS HEADLINE THAT THE AIR FORCE'S NEWEST EXPLANATION OF ROSWELL "WON'T FLY." [SLANG: IN THIS CONTEXT, "WILL NOT BE BELIEVED."]

    [END OPT]

    VOICE: "EVEN DYED-IN-THE WOOL [EXTREMELY STRONG] DISBELIEVERS IN U-F-O'S MUST BE SHAKING THEIR HEADS AT THE AIR FORCE'S LIMP [WEAK] ATTEMPT TO EXPLAIN AWAY THE STRANGE HAPPENINGS OUTSIDE ROSWELL, N-M, HALF A CENTURY AGO. AFTER DECADES OF INTELLIGENCE-COMMUNITY STONEWALLING, HOW CAN THE AIR FORCE SERIOUSLY THINK ONE SPECULATIVE OFFICIAL REPORT WILL DEBUNK WHAT HAS BECOME A LEGEND OF EXTRATERRESTRIAL VISITS TO EARTH? ..... IN NO WAY CAN THIS REPORT BE CONSIDERED COMPREHENSIVE AND CONCLUSIVE. .... WASHINGTON OFFICIALDOM HAS NO ONE TO BLAME BUT ITSELF FOR THE DOUBTS ABOUT ITS VERSION OF EVENTS OUTSIDE ROSWELL."

    TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST COMMENTS ON THE TWO BILLS WORKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE CONGRESS, ONE IS THE FEDERAL BUDGET PLAN AND THE OTHER A TAX BILL. OF THE LATTER, THE POST SAYS:

    VOICE: "THE TAX BILL WILL BE THE GREAT ATROCITY. .....THE BILL IS ENORMOUSLY REGRESSIVE; MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF THE EVENTUAL BENEFIT WOULD BE CONFERRED ON THE HIGHEST-INCOME FIVE PERCENT OF ALL TAXPAYERS. IT POINTS IN THE WRONG DIRECTION FISCALLY AS WELL. IN THE LONG RUN, IT WOULD ADD TO THE DEFICIT THAT THE AUTHORS CLAIM TO WANT TO REDUCE, AND THEREBY PUT NEW PRESSURE ON THE ABILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT TO FULFILL ITS RESPONSIBILITIES."

    TEXT: FINALLY, SOME THOUGHTS ON THE TURNOVER OF HONG KONG TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, NOW JUST TEN DAYS AWAY. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, WHICH FIRST QUOTES THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION THAT SET THE CHANGEOVER IN MOTION, VOICES ITS MISGIVINGS THIS WAY:

    VOICE: "NO ONE EXPECTS THE RED ARMY TO ROLL TANKS ACROSS THE BORDER AND START ARRESTING PEOPLE NEXT WEEK. BUT IF HONG KONG IS TO REMAIN AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTER, AND AN ENGINE OF GROWTH FOR THE REST OF CHINA, IT WILL HAVE TO MAINTAIN THE RULE OF LAW. THIS REQUIRES AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY ENFORCING LAWS PASSED BY AN ACCOUNTABLE LEGISLATURE. UNHAPPILY, THE RECORD SINCE THE JOINT DECLARATION LAYS A BASIS FOR EROSION OF SUCH INSTITUTIONS."

    TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF THE EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
    NEB/ANG/NL
    26-Jun-97 11:12 AM EDT (1512 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [07] TURKEY / KURDS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (DIYARBAKIR, TURKEY)

    DATE=6/26/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216312
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY TURKEY'S SIX WEEK CROSS-BORDER OFFENSIVE AGAINST KURDISH REBELS IN NORTHERN IRAQ HAS VIRTUALLY ENDED. A TURKISH MILITARY SPOKESMAN SAID A LARGE NUMBER OF TURKISH TROOPS AND EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM THE IRAQI KURDISH-CONTROLLED ENCLAVE. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM DIYARBAKIR IN THE MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEASTERN REGION OF TURKEY.

    TEXT: BRIEFING REPORTERS ON THE OUTCOME OF TURKEY'S OFFENSIVE AGAINST REBELS OF THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, OR P-K-K, MILITARY SPOKESMAN SULEYMAN CANPOLAT SAID TURKISH FORCES HAD LARGELY SUCCEEDED IN ELIMINATING THE REBEL PRESENCE IN NORTHERN IRAQ.

    SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, COLONEL CANPOLAT SAID THE CROSS-BORDER ASSAULT HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT IN TWO SEPARATE PHASES.

    /// CANPOLAT INTERPRETER ACT ///

    IN THIS (FIRST) 15-DAY PERIOD, THREE LARGE AND TEN MEDIUM LEVEL OPERATIONS WERE CARRIED OUT AND 297 TERRORISTS WERE KILLED IN THE BEGINNING OF THE HAMMER OPERATION

    /// END CANPOLAT ACT ///

    IN ALL DURING THE SIX WEEKS, THE MILITARY SPOKESMAN SAID, MORE THAN THREE-THOUSAND P-K-K REBELS WERE KILLED DURING THE DRIVE, WITH 113 LOSSES ON THE TURKISH SIDE.

    HE SAID AGAIN THAT TURKISH TROOPS ENTERED NORTHERN IRAQ FOLLOWING WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS APPEALS FOR HELP FROM ONE OF THE MAIN IRAQ KURDISH FACTIONS IN THE REGION, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, OR K-D-P.

    THE K-D-P CONTROLS OVER HALF OF NORTHERN IRAQ, INCLUDING THE HARSH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN BORDERING TURKEY. THE P-K-K HAS LONG USED THE AREA TO LAUNCH CROSS BORDER ATTACKS AGAINST TURKISH SECURITY TARGETS.

    THE K-D-P HAS COMPLAINED THAT THE TURKISH KURD REBELS HAD BECOME A THREAT TO IRAQI KURDISH CIVILIANS AS WELL AND THAT THE TURKISH GROUP HAD FORCED HUNDREDS OF YOUNG IRAQI KURDS TO JOIN ITS RANKS.

    /// OPT ///

    THE P-K-K HAS BEEN FIGHTING TURKISH FORCES FOR NEARLY 13 YEARS. IT IS THE ONLY KURDISH GROUP TO ADVOCATE FULL INDEPENDENCE FOR ABOUT 30-MILLION ETHNIC KURDS SCATTERED ACROSS TURKEY, IRAN, IRAQ, AND SYRIA. /// END OPT ///

    COLONEL CANPOLAT SAID ALL THE MAJOR P-K-K CAMPS IN NORTHERN IRAQ HAD EITHER BEEN DESTROYED DURING THE OPERATION OR WERE HANDED OVER TO K-D-P FORCES. HE SAID SOME TURKISH FORCES REMAINED IN THE REGION TO PROVIDE LOGISTICAL BACKING TO THE K-D-P BUT HE DECLINED TO SAY HOW MANY.

    TURKEY'S ARAB NEIGHBORS HAVE ACCUSED ANKARA OF PLANNING THE LATEST CROSS BORDER OFFENSIVE WITH ITS REGIONAL ALLY ISRAEL AND OF SEEKING TO SET UP A PERMANENT MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE REGION. TURKEY DENIES THE ACCUSATIONS AND SAYS IT FULLY RESPECTS IRAQ'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY.

    IRAQ HAS LOST VIRTUAL CONTROL OVER ITS KURDISH NORTH SINCE THE END OF THE GULF WAR. THAT IS WHEN THE ALLIES SET UP A NO FLY ZONE OVER THE AREA TO PROTECT THE KURDS FROM POSSIBLE ATTACK BY IRAQI GOVERNMENT FORCES. (SIGNED)
    NEB/AZ/JWH/KL
    26-Jun-97 2:35 PM EDT (1835 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [08] TURKEY / KURDS ECON BY AL PESSIN (DIYARBAKIR, TURKEY)

    DATE=6/26/97
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-36800
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:
    /// EDS: THIS IS THE SECOND OF TWO REPORTS BY AL PESSIN BASED ON HIS RECENT TRIP TO EASTERN TURKEY. THE FIRST, "TURKEY / KURDS CONFLICT," (BACKGROUND REPORT 5-36787) WAS FILED WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25 ///

    INTRO: THE 13-YEAR CONFLICT BETWEEN KURDISH SEPARATISTS AND THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT HAS DEVASTATED THE ECONOMY OF EASTERN TURKEY, WHERE MOST OF THE FIGHTING HAS TAKEN PLACE. THE SITUATION IS STILL BAD, BUT RECENT ARMY SUCCESSES AGAINST THE REBELS HAVE RESULTED IN A PERIOD OF RELATIVE QUIET, WHICH THE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS ARE TRYING TO USE TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REBUILDING. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT AL PESSIN REPORTS FROM THE MAIN EASTERN TURKEY CITY, DIYARBAKIR.

    TEXT: IT'S JUST A HUGE VACANT FIELD NOW, DOTTED WITH SLEEPING COWS AND HERDS OF GRAZING SHEEP. BUT IT IS CRISSCROSSED WITH NEWLY CLEARED ROADS, BOULDERS HAVE BEEN GATHERED INTO PILES READY TO BE HAULED AWAY, AND IN THE DISTANCE, YOU CAN MAKE OUT A FEW PIECES OF CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT.

    /// CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT ACTUALITY ///

    THIS IS DIYARBAKIR'S NEW INDUSTRIAL ZONE, A SWATH OF TERRITORY BETWEEN FARM FIELDS 20 KILOMETERS FROM TOWN WHICH OFFICIALS AND THE LOCAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOPE WILL SOON BE HOME TO 80 FACTORIES, PROVIDING THOUSANDS OF JOBS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF INCOME FROM EXPORTS.

    MOST OF THE AMBITIOUS PLAN IS STILL ONLY ON PAPER. BUT MANY OF THE FACTORY PLOTS ARE ALREADY MARKED OFF WITH WOODEN STAKES, AND SIX OF THEM ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

    MEHMET ZEKI-AL IS THE OWNER OF ONE OF THEM.

    /// ZEKI-AL TURKISH ACTUALITY ///

    MR. ZEKI-AL SAYS THE GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED INDUSTRIAL ZONE IS JUST WHAT HE WAS WAITING FOR. HE IS A SUCCESSFUL FARMER AND BUSINESS OWNER, AND WAS PLANNING TO EXPAND INTO INDUSTRY. HE SAYS THE ZONE GAVE HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE HIS INVESTMENT CLOSE TO HOME (NUSAYBIN) AND HE EXPECTS TO BEGIN PRODUCING PLASTIC WINDOW FRAMES AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS WITHIN A FEW MONTHS.

    MR. ZEKI-AL ALSO SAYS HE IS PLEASED TO HAVE A CHANCE TO PROVIDE JOBS FOR SOME OF THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES -- HIS FELLOW-ETHNIC KURDS -- WHO HAVE HAD TO FLEE THEIR VILLAGES BECAUSE OF THE FIGHTING BETWEEN THE ARMY AND THE SEPARATISTS.

    /// OPT ///

    INVESTMENT IS DIFFICULT IN TURKEY, WITH INFLATION AT 85 PER CENT AND INTEREST RATES AROUND 100 PER CENT, AND EVEN MORE DIFFICULT IN THE SOUTHEAST WITH THE THREAT OF REBEL ATTACKS. MOST OF THE INDUSTRIAL ZONE'S PROJECTS ARE AWAITING GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE, WHICH HAS BEEN DELAYED FOR POLITICAL REASONS AND LACK OF FUNDS. /// END OPT ///

    OFFICIALS HOPE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WILL REDUCE SUPPORT FOR THE REBELS. AND FOR THE REGION'S PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY THE REFUGEES WHO HAVE QUADRUPLED DIYARBAKIR'S POPULATION SINCE 1990, THE FUTURE DEPENDS ON EASING THE CONFLICT AND CREATING JOBS THROUGH PROJECTS LIKE THE INDUSTRIAL ZONE.

    /// GATE ACTUALITY ///

    THIS IS THE GATE TO THE SMALL, BARREN YARD IN FRONT OF THE HOME OF JALAL TURK, A 41-YEAR-OLD FATHER OF SEVEN WHO HAS BEEN LIVING IN ONE OF DIYARBAKIR'S SQUATTER CAMPS FOR SIX YEARS. HIS VILLAGE (GULEC IN THE KULP REGION) WAS ONE OF AN ESTIMATED THREE THOUSAND WHICH HAVE BEEN DESTROYED OR FORCIBLY EVACUATED IN THE FIGHTING.

    /// TURK TURKISH ACTUALITY ///

    MR. TURK SAYS JOBS ARE HARD TO COME BY AND WHEN HE CAN FIND WORK AS A LABORER, IT PAYS ONLY ABOUT FIVE DOLLARS A DAY. HIS BROTHERS HELPED HIM BUILD HIS SIMPLE HOUSE, BUT HE HAS TROUBLE KEEPING FOOD ON THE TABLE.

    /// OPT ///

    AS HE SITS ON THE HARD GROUND OF HIS FRONT YARD AND SPEAKS TO VISITORS, SOME OF HIS CHILDREN RUN AROUND, SLAMMING THE GATE, AND PLAYING WITH WHATEVER THEY CAN FIND, INCLUDING A COLLECTION OF STICKS AND AN OLD, DULL RAZOR BLADE THEY JAB AT EACH OTHER. /// END OPT ///

    MANY OF THE REFUGEES USED TO WORK IN AGRICULTURE, AND THERE IS ALSO POTENTIAL TO INCREASE THE REGION'S MAIN EXPORT, COTTON, IF THE CONFLICT EASES. BUT ASIDE FROM FACTORIES AND JOBS, THE OTHER THING DIYARBAKIR NEEDS IS TOURISTS.

    /// MUSIC ACTUALITY ///

    ONE OF THE CITY'S MAIN HOTEL'S OFFERS DINNER AND A THREE-HOUR TURKISH AND KURDISH SHOW FOR UNDER 20 DOLLARS A PERSON. IT IS POPULAR AMONG DIYARBAKIR'S ELITE, BUT THERE ARE ALMOST NO FOREIGNERS TO FILL THE AUDIENCE, OR THE HOTEL'S ROOMS.

    CARPET MERCHANT SA'ID SANUK'S BUSINESS ALSO SUFFERS, AND HE KNOWS WHY.

    /// SANUK ACTUALITY ///

    W'ALLAH (BY GOD) BUSINESS THIS YEAR NOT VERY GOOD, NO TOURISTS. THESE THREE, FOUR YEARS SAME, YOU KNOW, NOT SO MANY TOURISTS CAME TO DIYARBAKIR, YOU KNOW. THEY ARE AFRAID, THEY DON'T COME.

    /// END ACTUALITY ///

    ALL BUT THE MOST ADVENTUROUS TOURISTS HAVE BEEN SCARED OFF BY BLOODY REBEL ATTACKS THROUGHOUT THE REGION, SOMETIMES IN DIYARBAKIR ITSELF, AND BRUTAL ARMY REPRISALS. BUT IN RECENT YEARS, THE ARMY'S TACTICS, INCLUDING THE CLEARING OF VILLAGES, HAVE HAD SOME EFFECT -- LOCAL PEOPLE SAY THE MAIN CITIES AND MOST OF THE ROADS ARE NOW SAFE.

    /// OPT // SANUK ACTUALITY ///

    IN THE CITY WE CANNOT SEE ANYTHING. HAVE YOU SEEN SOMETHING? NO. NO. IN THE CITY WE DON'T SEE A PROBLEM.

    /// END OPT // END ACTUALITY ///

    OF COURSE, THAT CAN CHANGE IN THE TERRIBLE FLASH OF A MOMENT. JUST A YEAR AGO ON THE EDGE OF TOWN, SUSPECTED REBELS ATTACKED LOCAL FAMILIES PICNICKING IN A PARK OWNED BY A PRO-GOVERNMENT BUSINESSMAN. THAT WAS 10 KILOMETERS CLOSER TO THE CENTER OF TOWN THAN THE NEW INDUSTRIAL ZONE.

    LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS AND WORKERS AGREE THE KEY TO THEIR FUTURE IS AN END TO THE CONFLICT. BUT THAT IS A COMPLEX CHALLENGE WITH DIFFICULT MILITARY AND POLITICAL ELEMENTS, AND IS NOT EXPECTED TO HAPPEN ANYTIME SOON. IN THE MEANTIME, LOCAL PEOPLE ARE TAKING THE FIRST STEPS, AND HOPING THE GOVERNMENT WILL HELP AND THE REBELS WILL NOT INTERFERE.

    /// CONSTRUCTION SOUND ACTUALITY ///

    (SIGNED)
    NEB/AWP/JWH/EH
    26-Jun-97 12:44 PM EDT (1644 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [09] U-S INCOMES / EUROPE (S ONLY) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

    DATE=6/26/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216305
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: A STUDY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) SHOWS THE UNITED STATES CONTINUES TO LEAD WESTERN EUROPE IN PER CAPITA INCOME BUT THAT EUROPEAN LABOR PRODUCTIVITY IS IMPROVING. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

    TEXT: THE STUDY SHOWS THAT THE ANNUAL PER CAPITA INCOME IN THE UNITED STATES -- 22 THOUSAND 800 DOLLARS -- IS ABOUT 20 PERCENT HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE OF WESTERN EUROPEAN NATIONS. HOWEVER, THE REPORT -- PREPARED BY THE CONFERENCE BOARD, A PRIVATE BUSINESS RESEARCH GROUP -- SHOWS LABOR PRODUCTIVITY IN WESTERN EUROPE IS GAINING, WITH PRODUCTIVITY IN FRANCE AND GERMANY ACTUALLY SURPASSING THAT OF THE UNITED STATES. HOWEVER, THE STUDY POINTS OUT THAT LIVING STANDARDS DEPEND NOT ONLY ON PRODUCTIVITY BUT ALSO ON NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED AND OVERALL LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION. THE RESEARCH CONCLUDES THAT EUROPE'S HIGHER UNEMPLOYMENT RATES AND GENERALLY SHORTER WORK-WEEKS ARE THE PRINCIPAL FACTOR IN KEEPING WESTERN EUROPE'S PER CAPITA INCOME BELOW THAT IN THAT UNITED STATES. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/KL
    26-Jun-97 12:25 PM EDT (1625 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    voa2html v2.03a run on Friday, 27 June 1997 - 0:17:17 UTC