Voice of America, 97-06-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA POL REACT (S/L) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

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

[03] ALBANIA ELECT (S UPDATE) BY KYLE KING (TIRANA)

[04] ALBANIA ELECT (L) BY KYLE KING (TIRANA)

[05] ALBANIA ELECT-ALTERNATE (S-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (TIRANA)

[06] TURKEY POLITICS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

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

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

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

[01] ALBANIA POL REACT (S/L) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ALTHOUGH OFFICIALS RESULTS FROM ALBANIA'S CRUCIAL PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS MAY BE KNOWN LATER TODAY (MONDAY), ONE ANALYST SAYS IT COULD BE DAYS BEFORE INTERNATIONAL MONITORS PASS JUDGMENT ON THE LEGITIMACY OF THE BALLOT. VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS PRELIMINARY INDICATIONS FROM OBSERVERS SUGGEST THE BALLOT, CALLED EARLY AND AIMED AT ENDING MONTHS OF UNREST, WAS GENERALLY FREE AND FAIR:

TEXT: WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY ANALYST NICHOLAS PANO SAYS TURNOUT WAS A RESPECTABLE 60 TO 65-PERCENT WITH A HIGHER TURNOUT IN THE CITIES THAN THE COUNTRYSIDE. HE SAYS IT IS TOO EARLY TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT VOTER INTIMIDATION HAD ON THE OUTCOME OF THE BALLOT.

THE ANALYST SAYS THE COUNTRY'S MAJOR PARTIES WILL AWAIT THE ASSESSMENTS OF ELECTION MONITORS INCLUDING THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE TO DETERMINE IF THE BALLOT WAS SUFFICIENTLY FREE AND FAIR:

THESE REPORTS I THINK WILL BE THE DECISIVE FACTOR IN DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT THE PARTIES ABIDE BY THEIR AGREEMENT TO ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION.

U-S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN SHATTUCK DESCRIBES THE DISTRICTS HE TRAVELED IN TIRANA AND DURRES AS RELATIVELY CALM AND SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL SUPPORT THE O-S-C-E'S ASSESSMENT.

MR. PANO SAYS A KEY TEST OF THE BALLOT WILL BE THE ABILITY OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO FAIRLY CONTEST SEATS IN THE SOCIALIST AND REBEL-DOMINATED SOUTH.

ANOTHER ANALYST, ROBERT AUSTIN OF UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, SAYS THE ELECTION WAS HASTILY PUT TOGETHER AND A LONGER PERIOD OF NATIONAL RECONCILIATION, AT LEAST SIX MORE MONTHS, WAS NEEDED:

THE MOVE TO ELECTIONS WAS PRIMARILY DRIVEN BY A DESIRE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO GET OUT OF ALBANIA AS FAST AS POSSIBLE RATHER THAN MEETING THE DEMANDS OF ALBANIA PER SE. SO, ANYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF IT CAN EITHER HELP ALBANIA WHICH I DOUBT IS THE CASE OR IT CAN INSTILL EVEN MORE POLITICAL POLARIZATION.

MR. AUSTIN SAYS CAMPAIGNING WAS OFTEN CONFINED TO A PARTY'S STRONGHOLD BECAUSE OF THE THREAT OF VIOLENCE AND BELIEVES, UNLESS INTERNATIONAL MONITORS LOWER THEIR STANDARDS, A FREE AND FAIR BALLOT IS UNLIKELY. (SIGNED)
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29-Jun-97 10:20 PM EDT (0220 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE OPPOSITION SOCIALIST PARTY IN ALBANIAN IS CLAIMING VICTORY IN SUNDAY'S FIRST-ROUND ELECTIONS. BUT -- AS V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM TIRANA -- OFFICIALS OF PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY ARE REFUSING TO CONCEDE DEFEAT.

TEXT: SOCIALIST PARTY LEADERS SAY EARLY INDICATIONS SHOW THEY WON ABOUT 60 OF THE 115 DIRECTLY-ELECTED SEATS IN PARLIAMENT.

PARTY LEADER FATOS NANO SAID HE EXPECTS THE SOCIALISTS WOULD ALSO WIN ABOUT HALF OF THE 40 REMAINING SEATS CHOSEN ON THE BASIS OF VOTES FOR PARTIES.

OFFICIALS OF PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY SAY IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO PREDICT A WINNER. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THEY DID NOT DO AS WELL AS THEY HAD HOPED.

FIRST OFFICIAL RESULTS ARE NOT EXPECTED UNTIL LATER IN THE DAY. BUT INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS APPEARED HAPPY WITH THE WAY THE FIRST ROUND BALLOTING WAS CONDUCTED.

ONE ELECTION OFFICIAL WAS REPORTED KILLED DURING THE VOTE AND THERE WERE REPORTS OF ELECTION FRAUD. BUT THERE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY OF THE WIDESPREAD VOTE RIGGING THAT MARRED LAST YEAR'S ELECTIONS.

THE VOTE WAS CALLED MARCH TO TRY TO FIND A WAY OUT OF THE ANARCHY AND CHAOS THAT ERUPTED WHEN SEVERAL POPULAR HIGH RISK INVESTMENT SCHEMES COLLAPSED. (SIGNED)
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30-Jun-97 4:54 AM EDT (0854 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] ALBANIA ELECT (S UPDATE) BY KYLE KING (TIRANA)

INTRO: ALBANIAN PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA HAS CONCEDED HIS PARTY LOST PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS SUNDAY. FROM TIRANA, KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: SPEAKING ON STATE TELEVISION, MR. BERISHA SAID ALBANIAN VOTERS HAD DECIDED HIS "DEMOCRATIC" PARTY SHOULD BE IN THE OPPOSITION. HE THANKED HIS SUPPORTERS AND CALLED FOR THEM TO RESPECT THE RESULTS OF THE VOTE WITH DIGNITY.

THE SURPRISE CONCESSION CAME AS SOCIALIST PARTY LEADER FATOS NANO WAS HOLDING A NEWS CONFERENCE TO SAY PRELIMINARY RESULTS SHOWED THE SOCIALISTS AND THEIR ALLIES WON ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE SEATS IN THE NEW 155-MEMBER PARLIAMENT.

THE HEAD OF THE EUROPEAN OBSERVER MISSION SAID SUNDAY'S VOTE APPEARED TO BE FAIR, DESPITE SOME IRREGULARITIES AND THE SHOOTING DEATH OF ONE LOCAL ELECTION WORKER.

MR. BERISHA, WHO MANY PEOPLE BLAME FOR THE VIOLENCE AND ANARCHY THAT HAS LEFT MORE THAN 15-HUNDRED PEOPLE DEAD IN ALBANIA, HAD PROMISED TO STEP DOWN IF HIS PARTY LOST.

BUT IT IS STILL NOT CLEAR IF OR WHEN HE PLANNED TO RESIGN. (SIGNED)
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30-Jun-97 10:48 AM EDT (1448 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] ALBANIA ELECT (L) BY KYLE KING (TIRANA)

INTRO: ALBANIAN PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA HAS CONCEDED HIS PARTY LOST SUNDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING IN TIRANA REPORTS ALBANIANS ARE REACTING WITH A MIXTURE OF OPTIMISM AND RELIEF AT THE RESULTS OF THE VOTE.

TEXT: SPEAKING ON STATE TELEVISION, MR. BERISHA SAID ALBANIAN VOTERS HAD DECIDED HIS DEMOCRATIC PARTY SHOULD BE IN THE OPPOSITION.

LOOKING CALM AND RELAXED, HE THANKED HIS SUPPORTERS AND CALLED ON THEM TO RESPECT THE RESULTS OF THE VOTE WITH DIGNITY. HOWEVER, HE DID NOT SAY IF HE PLANNED TO HONOR AN EARLIER PLEDGE AND STEP DOWN.

THE PRESIDENT'S SURPRISE CONCESSION CAME AS SOCIALIST PARTY LEADER FATOS NANO WAS HOLDING A NEWS CONFERENCE TO SAY PRELIMINARY RESULTS SHOWED THE SOCIALISTS AND THEIR ALLIES WON ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE SEATS IN THE NEW 155-MEMBER PARLIAMENT.

SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, MR. NANO SAID HIS PARTY WOULD NOW WORK TO REBUILD THE COUNTRY'S INSTITUTIONS AND HE INDICATED HE EXPECTED MR. BERISHA TO STEP DOWN.

THERE DO EXIST THE CONSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENTS THAT WOULD ASSIST, NOT FORCE MR. BERISHA TO BE A MAN OF HIS WORD, THAT IS TO KEEP HIS WORD.

IF THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE VOTE DO GIVE THE SOCIALISTS A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT, THEY WILL HAVE THE VOTES TO REPLACE THE PRESIDENT.

THE HEAD OF THE EUROPEAN OBSERVER MISSION SAID A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT INDICATES THE ELECTION WAS FAIR, DESPITE SOME MINOR IRREGULARITIES AND A FEW SERIOUS PROBLEMS, INCLUDING THE SHOOTING DEATH OF ONE LOCAL ELECTION WORKER.

THE UNITED STATES WILL BE CALLING ON ALL PARTIES, IF THE ELECTIONS DO EXPRESS THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE, CALLING ON ALL PARTIES TO ABIDE BY THE RESULTS AND TO ENGAGE IN THE PROCESS OF GOVERNING ALBANIA IN AN EFFECTIVE MANNER THAT REFLECT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE THAT WAS EXPRESSED IN THE ELECTIONS.

AT THE CENTRAL MARKET IN TIRANA, MANY PEOPLE EXPRESSED OPTIMISM ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION.

GENERALLY ALL THE PEOPLE ARE OPTIMISTIC, THIS 22-YEAR-OLD WOMAN SAYS, AND ME TOO. IT WAS STRESSFUL BEFORE THE ELECTION. ITS BETTER NOW, BUT IT'S SOMETHING WE HAD TO GO THROUGH.

VENDORS AND MERCHANTS IN TIRANA SAY THE NEW GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO FOCUS ON RE-ESTABLISHING SECURITY AND GETTING THE ECONOMY GOING AGAIN.

IF THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT CREATE NEW JOBS, THIS FRUIT DEALER SAYS, IT WILL BE DIFFICULT. FOREIGNERS ARE AFRAID TO COME HERE. MY KALISHNIKOV IS DOWN HERE, HE SAYS, POINTING TO A LOADED ASSAULT RILE UNDER THE COUNTER.

BUT DESPITE THE ENORMOUS PROBLEMS FACED BY THE NEW GOVERNMENT, MOST PEOPLE EXPRESSED HOPE POLITICAL LEADERS WOULD FINALLY BEGIN WORKING TOGETHER TO FIND SOME SOLUTIONS. (SIGNED)
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30-Jun-97 11:48 AM EDT (1548 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] ALBANIA ELECT-ALTERNATE (S-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (TIRANA)

INTRO: ALBANIAN PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA HAS CONCEDED HIS PARTY LOST SUNDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, WHICH WERE WIDELY VIEWED AS A REFERENDUM ON HIS TERM IN OFFICE. FROM TIRANA, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: SPEAKING ON STATE TELEVISION, MR. BERISHA SAID ALBANIAN VOTERS HAD DECIDED HIS DEMOCRATIC PARTY SHOULD BE IN THE OPPOSITION. HE CALLED ON SUPPORTERS TO RESPECT THE RESULTS OF THE VOTE WITH DIGNITY.

THE CONCESSION CAME AS SOCIALIST PARTY LEADER FATOS NANO SAID PRELIMINARY RESULTS SHOWED THE SOCIALISTS AND THEIR ALLIES WON ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE SEATS IN THE NEW 155-MEMBER PARLIAMENT.

INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS SAID THE VOTE APPEARED TO BE FAIR, ALTHOUGH THERE WERE SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN SHATTUCK, THE HEAD OF A U-S DELEGATION, SAID HE MET WITH HEADS OF THE MAJOR PARTIES AND URGED THEM TO WORK TOGETHER.

ALL THE POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN THAT PROCESS.

THERE WAS NO WORD ON WHETHER PRESIDENT BERISHA -- WHO MANY PEOPLE BLAME FOR THE VIOLENCE AND ANARCHY THAT HAS PARALYZED THE COUNTRY WOULD STEP DOWN, AS HE HAS PROMISED. (SIGNED)
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30-Jun-97 2:50 PM EDT (1850 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] TURKEY POLITICS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKEY'S YEAR-LONG EXPERIMENT WITH ISLAMIST-LED RULE ENDED MONDAY AFTER THE COUNTRY'S FIRST ISLAMIST PRIME MINISTER, NECMETTIN ERBAKAN, HANDED OVER POWER TO MESUT YILMAZ, THE LEADER OF THE CENTER RIGHT MOTHERLAND PARTY. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

TEXT: SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER PRESIDENT DEMIREL APPROVED HIS CABINET, THE NEW PRIME MINISTER, MESUT YILMAZ, PLEDGED TO UPHOLD THE SECULAR TENETS OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC.

MR. YILMAZ SAID THE THE FORMATION OF THE NEW COALITION PROVED THAT TURKEY IS ABLE TO SOLVE ITS PROBLEMS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF DEMOCRACY.

HE WAS APPARENTLY REFERRING TO WIDESPREAD SPECULATION THAT TURKEY'S MILITANTLY PRO-SECULAR ARMED FORCES WOULD SEIZE POWER UNLESS THE ISLAMISTS STEPPED DOWN.

TURKEY'S GENERALS, WHO VIEW THEMSELVES AS THE CUSTODIANS OF THE SECULAR REPUBLIC FOUNDED BY KEMAL ATATURK HAVE BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF A CAMPAIGN TO UNSEAT MR. ERBAKAN, TURKEY'S FIRST ISLAMIST PRIME MINISTER AND LEADER OF THE PRO-ISLAMIC WELFARE PARTY REFAH.

MR. ERBAKAN'S PERCEIVED ATTEMPTS TO STEER TURKEY -- NATO'S ONLY PREDOMINANTLY MUSLIM MEMBER -- AWAY FROM ITS TRADITIONAL PRO-WESTERN COURSE HAD LED TO RISING TENSIONS BETWEEN THE MILITARY AND THE ISLAMISTS.

SUCH TENSIONS CULMINATED IN MR. ERBAKAN'S RESIGNATION TWO WEEKS AGO, CLEARING THE WAY FOR MR. YILMAZ, WHOSE CENTER-RIGHT MOTHERLAND PARTY HOLDS THE SECOND LARGEST NUMBER OF SEATS AFTER THE ISLAMISTS IN THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT.

MR. YILMAZ, WHO SERVED TWICE BEFORE AS PRIME MINISTER, IS A WEALTHY FORMER BUSINESSMAN FORM THE BLACK SEA PROVINCE OF RIZE. AT AGE 50, HE IS STILL YOUNG BY TURKISH POLITICAL STANDARDS. MR. YILMAZ IS WIDELY ACCLAIMED FOR HIS SCRUPULOUS HONESTY IF NOT FOR HIS CHARISMA.

THE NEW PRIME MINISTER HAS FORMED HIS GOVERNMENT WITH BULENT ECEVIT, THE LEADER OF THE LEFT-WING DEMOCRATIC LEFT PARTY, WHO IS BEST KNOWN INTERNATIONALLY AS THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER WHO ORDERED TURKEY'S MILITARY INTERVENTION IN CYPRUS IN 1974. A SMALL CONSERVATIVE PARTY, THE DEMOCRATIC TURKEY PARTY, IS ALSO TAKING PART IN THE NEW COALITION, WHICH FACES A CONFIDENCE VOTE IN THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT NEXT WEEK.

OBSERVERS SAY MR YILMAZ'S MOST CHALLENGING TASK WILL BE TO KEEP THE ALLIANCE TOGETHER. COALITION GOVERNMENTS IN TURKEY ARE NOTORIOUSLY SHORT-LIVED. BUT MR. YILMAZ EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT HIS GOVERNMENT WOULD LAST AND CARRY OUT URGENT REFORMS.

MR. YILMAZ SAID ONE OF HIS TOP PRIORITIES WOULD BE TO COMBAT CORRUPTION. MR. YILMAZ'S COMMENTS HAVE PROVOKED WIDESPREAD SPECULATION THAT HE WILL REVIVE A PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY INTO ALLEGATIONS OF MASSIVE ABUSE BY TANSU CILLER, HIS CONSERVATIVE RIVAL AND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER IN THE FORMER ISLAMIST-LED COALITION.

IT WAS A WAVE OF DEFECTIONS FROM MRS CILLER'S TRUE PATH PARTY WHICH ENABLED MR YILMAZ TO PATCH TOGETHER HIS ALLIANCE IN THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT WHERE THE ISLAMIST STILL CONTROL THE LARGEST NUMBER OF SEATS. (SIGNED)
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30-Jun-97 10:27 AM EDT (1427 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE ALL CLOSED LOWER MONDAY. FOR THE CLOSING FIGURES, HERE IS PAUL FRANCUCH IN OUR LONDON OFFICE.

TEXT: INVESTORS SEEMED TO HAVE A CASE OF THE "JITTERS" MONDAY, AS FRANKFURT, LONDON, AND PARIS ALL STARTED THE WEEK ON A NEGATIVE NOTE.

WEAKER PRICES ON WALL STREET HAD A DAMPENING EFFECT ON THE MARKETS ACROSS THE ATLANTIC. THE GERMAN "DAX 30" INDEX LOST JUST LESS THAN 10-POINTS FOR THE DAY. IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" INDEX OF STOCKS WAS DOWN ALMOST 33-POINTS AT THE CLOSE. IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF BRITISH STOCKS CLOSED ALMOST 36-POINTS LOWER.

IN CURRENCY TRADING, THE DOLLAR WAS UP A FRACTION OF A PFENNIG AGAINST THE MARK, AND DOWN A FRACTION OF A CENT AGAINST THE POUND.

GOLD LOST VALUE IN THE LONDON CLOSING FIX, DOWN TWO-DOLLARS-80 CENTS AN OUNCE FROM THE FRIDAY CLOSE. LONDON GOLD WAS PRICED AT 334-DOLLARS-35 CENTS. (SIGNED)
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30-Jun-97 2:20 PM EDT (1820 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (MONDAY) IN ANOTHER VOLATILE SESSION. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 76 HUNDRED 72, DOWN ALMOST 15 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 885, DOWN TWO POINTS.

STOCKS WERE DOWN MOST OF THE DAY, THEN UP, BEFORE FINALLY CLOSING DOWN. ANALYSTS SAY TRADERS WERE TAKEN OFF GUARD BY A REPORT THAT SALES OF NEW HOMES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UNEXPECTEDLY STRONG IN MAY. ALTHOUGH THERE IS STILL A CONSENSUS ON WALL STREET THAT THE U-S CENTRAL BANK WILL NOT RAISE INTEREST RATES, ANALYSTS SAY THERE WAS SOME NERVOUSNESS IN ADVANCE OF THE BANK'S TWO-DAY MEETING WHICH STARTS TUESDAY.

IN BUSINESS NEWS, THE NATIONSBANK CORPORATION WILL PAY ONE POINT TWO BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE MONTGOMERY SECURITIES, AN INVESTMENT BANKING FIRM. IT IS THE FOURTH COMBINATION OF A COMMERCIAL AND INVESTMENT BANK THIS YEAR.

THE OFFICE DEPOT AND THE STAPLES OFFICE SUPPLIES COMPANIES WILL APPARENTLY REMAIN INDEPENDENT. A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS UPHELD THE DECISION BY THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION TO BLOCK A PROPOSED MERGER. THE COMMISSION SAID A COMBINED STAPLES AND OFFICE DEPOT WOULD BE ANTI-COMPETITIVE.

MOST AMERICAN ANALYSTS WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH HONG KONG SAY THE RETURN OF THE BRITISH COLONY TO CHINA WILL HAVE NO EFFECT ON BUSINESS THERE. IN FACT, THE HONG KONG STOCK MARKET WAS BOOMING IN ADVANCE OF THE TAKEOVER. TIM TUTTLE, WHO MANAGES ALMOST ONE BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF ASSETS IN HONG KONG, IS VERY OPTIMISTIC.

THE HONG KONG MARKET WILL SERVE AS THE MECHANISM FOR THE PRIVATIZATION OF MAINLAND INDUSTRY. MAINLAND CHINESE INDUSTRY WILL BE PRIVATIZING THROUGH HONG KONG. SO ON A LONG TERM BASIS, WE SEE A HUGE OPPORTUNITY.

MR. TUTTLE, WHO WAS INTERVIEWED ON THE C-N-B-C BUSINESS NETWORK, EXPECTS HONG KONG WILL REMAIN THE PREMIER FINANCIAL MARKET OF ASIA.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
30-Jun-97 5:08 PM EDT (2108 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: AS EXPECTED, THE HONG KONG CHANGEOVER IS A VERY POPULAR TOPIC THIS MONDAY IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF U-S PAPERS. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE CONTINUING PROBLEM OF SADDAM HUSSEIN; THE SUPREME COURT DECISION'S ON HAND GUN REGISTRATION AND THE LINE ITEM VETO; THE TROUBLE WITH RUSSIA'S MIR SPACE STATION; AND THE AIR FORCE ATTEMPT TO PUT AN END TO U-F-O INTEREST IN THE ROSWELL INCIDENT.

NOW HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND A QUOTE OR TWO IS __________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL ROUNDUP.

VOICE: HONG KONG IS RETURNING / HAS RETURNED TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA TODAY AFTER 156 YEARS AS A BRITISH CROWN COLONY AND SEVERAL PAPERS HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THE EVENT.

THE OREGONIAN, IN PORTLAND, USES THE OCCASION TO COMMENT BROADLY ON DEALING WITH CHINA.

VOICE: "CHINA'S SUMMER ON THE WORLD STAGE SHOULD PROVE INSTRUCTIVE FOR AMERICAN AND OTHER WESTERN POLICY MAKERS AS THEY THINK ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS EMERGING INTERNATIONAL PRIMA DONNA. THE FIRST QUESTION IS WHETHER CHINA CAN BE TRUSTED TO LIVE UP TO ITS PROMISES - - IN A WHOLE RANGE OF AREAS. CERTAINLY THERE IS NO CLEAR EVIDENCE YET ON HOW CHINA WILL HANDLE HONG KONG AS THE BRITISH LEAVE. [OPT] BEIJING'S PROMISE OF 'ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS,' MAY OR MAY NOT APPLY TO HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC FREEDOMS. IT APPARENTLY DOES NOT APPLY, IN THE MINDS OF BEIJING'S POLICY MAKERS TO HONG KONG'S POLITICAL FREEDOM. AS CHINESE TROOPS MARCH ACROSS THE BORDER AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE MOMENT, FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT MARCH OUT." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE NEW YORK POST TRIES TO LOOK AHEAD, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: "IT WOULD NOT BE SURPRISING IF, AT THE OUTSET ANYWAY, CHINA STICKS CLOSELY TO ITS PROMISE TO MAINTAIN A 'ONE-COUNTRY, TWO-SYSTEMS' DOCTRINE. HONG KONG IS AN ASSET ONLY IF IT REMAINS AN ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE, AND THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC HAS LEARNED - - AT GREAT COST - - THAT SUBSTANTIAL PERSONAL FREEDOM GENERALLY UNDERGIRDS PROSPERITY. [BEGIN OPT] AT THE SAME TIME, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT BEIJING DOES INDEED PRESIDE OVER A QUARTER OF THE WORLD'S PEOPLE; THAT FAMINE, POLITICAL CHAOS AND, INDEED, CIVIL WAR HAVE INFORMED MUCH OF CHINA'S HISTORY IN THE 20TH CENTURY - - AND THAT A DESIRE FOR INTERNAL COHESION AND STABILITY RESONATES MORE STRONGLY IN THE MIDDLE KINGDOM AT THE MOMENT THAN DO WESTERN CONCEPTS OF DEMOCRACY AND INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE MIAMI HERALD CALLS THE CHANGEOVER "AN EPOCHAL MOMENT, ADDING:

VOICE: ".... THE MORE SO BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT .... WILL GIVE MEANING TO ITS SELF-DESCRIPTION 'ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS', IT ALSO COULD PRESAGE THE FUTURE OF TAIWAN; AND IT MAY DICTATE U-S CHINA POLICY WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY ...."

TEXT: USA TODAY SUMS UP ITS VIEW IN THIS EDITORIAL HEADLINE: "HONG KONG'S CHANGING OF GUARD BRINGS HOPE, UNEASE" ADDING:

VOICE: "TO MILLIONS OF CHINESE, THIS IS A DAY OF LIBERATION FROM BRITISH OCCUPATION THAT BEGAN WHEN CHINA RESISTED OPIUM SALES. TO SUPPORTERS OF DEMOCRACY WHO HAVE REVELED IN THE COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM OVER THE PAST DECADE, IT'S A DAY OF RETREAT TOWARD AUTHORITARIAN RULE THAT PORTENDS DISASTER. .....THE CHANGE ..... BEGINS HONG KONG'S STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE CHINA'S MANGLED VISION FOR ECONOMIC SUCCESS - - THRIVING CAPITALISM WITH LIMITED INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES WRITES THIS IN ITS COMMENTARY.

VOICE: "WHILE IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT MAINLAND CHINESE SHOULD BE CELEBRATING, IT IS RATHER HARD TO SEE WHY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD WANT TO. WOULD WEST BERLINERS HAVE CELEBRATED THEIR RETURN TO THE EAST GERMAN FATHERLAND IF THE WESTERN POWERS HAD PULLED OUT DURING THE COLD WAR? HARDLY. [BEGIN OPT] UNDER 150 YEARS OF BRITISH RULE, HONG KONG HAS BEEN A HAVEN OF FREEDOM FOR THOSE FLEEING OPPRESSION AND STARVATION IN THE PRC.... WHILE HONG KONG DID NOT HAVE DEMOCRACY MOST OF THOSE YEARS, IT DID HAVE THE PROTECTION OF THE BRITISH CIVILIZATION AND RULE OF LAW. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER AT A TIME WHEN WE ARE LIKELY TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THE EVILS OF THE OPIUM WARS ....." [END OPT]

TEXT: TURNING BRIEFLY TO OTHER TOPICS, THE NEW YORK TIMES IS CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IT CALLS "THE UNREPENTANT IRAQ."

VOICE: "SIX YEARS AFTER THE PERSIAN GULF WAR, SADDAM HUSSEIN REMAINS DETERMINED TO MANUFACTURE CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS AND THE MEANS TO DELIVER THEM. THE UNITED STATES MUST RALLY A WAVERING UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL TO MAKE SURE THAT THE IRAQI DICTATOR DOES NOT SUCCEED."

TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES IS UPSET THAT THE SUPREME COURT LAST WEEK STRUCK DOWN A PROVISION OF THE HANDGUN CONTROL LAW KNOWN AS THE BRADY ACT.

VOICE: "THE U-S SUPREME COURT'S DISAPPOINTING DECISION FRIDAY ON THE BRADY ACT NEED NOT HAMPER ENFORCEMENT OF THIS WORTHY AND POPULAR LAW GOVERNING HANDGUN SALES. [BEGIN OPT] INDEED, JUST HOURS AFTER THE COURT RELEASED ITS RULING, CONCLUDING ITS CURRENT TERM, THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WERE HUDDLING OVER HOW TO CONTINUE BACKGROUND CHECKS ON PROSPECTIVE GUN BUYERS. ..... IT IS CONSTANT POLITICAL PRESSURE BY A FED-UP POPULACE THAT WILL KEEP HANDGUNS OUT OF THE WRONG HANDS. THERE SHOULD BE NO ARGUMENT HERE." [END OPT]

TEXT: [BEGIN OPT] IN ONE OTHER SUPREME COURT DECISION, TO ALLOW THE PRESIDENT TO VETO PORTIONS OF MEASURES SENT TO HIM BY CONGRESS - THE SO-CALLED "LINE ITEM VETO" - TODAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR SAYS:

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON CAN NOW, IF HE CHOOSES, CANCEL SPECIFIC APPROPRIATIONS EARMARKED FOR ANY PURPOSE - - FROM PORK BARREL [FEDERAL FUNDING FOR QUESTIONABLE LOCAL PROJECTS INSERTED IN THE BUDGET TO GAIN FAVORABLE ATTENTION FOR THE LOCAL CONGRESS PERSON] TO FOOD STAMPS - - MERELY BY TELLING CONGRESS WITHIN FIVE DAYS AFTER SIGNING A TAX OR SPENDING BILL. ..... NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, ADVANTAGE THE PRESIDENT." [END OPT]

TEXT: AS REGARDS THE MIR SPACE STATION AND ITS PROBLEMS, THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS:

VOICE: "..... IT'S .... INDISPUTABLE THAT RUSSIA'S FINANCIAL WOES ARE RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT ITS USEFULNESS AS A SPACE PARTNER. [BEGIN OPT] IT'S LATE ON ITS PROMISED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SPACE STATION PROGRAM. AND THE COLLISION WAS ONLY THE LATEST - - THOUGH CLEARLY THE MOST SERIOUS - - IN A STRING OF MIR MISHAPS. [U-S ASTRONAUT MICHAEL] MR. FOALE'S PREDECESSOR ON BOARD, JERRY LINENGER, TWICE HAD TO PREPARE TO ABANDON SHIP - - INCLUDING ONCE WHEN AN OXYGEN CANISTER BURST INTO FLAMES, PRODUCING SMOKE THAT BLOCKED THE ESCAPE ROUTE TO THE SOYUZ. [END OPT] THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S OVERALL GOAL OF COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA IS SOUND. THE BIGGEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD IS AND WILL REMAIN AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN WORLD POLITICS ....... BUT POLITICS AND PRETENSE HAVE NO PLACE WHEN ASTRONAUTS' LIVES ARE AT RISK."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON THE AIR FORCE REPORT LAST WEEK, HOPING TO END SPECULATION ABOUT AN ALIEN SPACE CRAFT THAT SUPPOSEDLY LANDED OR CRASHED IN NEW MEXICO IN 1947, THE SUN IN BALTIMORE SAYS:

VOICE: "PERHAPS THE AIR FORCE SHOULD BLAME ITSELF FOR PERSISTENT TALES OVER THE PAST 50 YEARS THAT EXTRA TERRESTRIALS HAVE DROPPED IN ON EARTH FROM TIME TO TIME. UNTIL NOW, ATTEMPTS TO DESTROY SUCH MYTHS WERE FEEBLE. ..... THE AIR FORCE HAS ISSUED A NEW REPORT THAT HAS AN ANSWER FOR EVERY SIGHTING OF A FLYING SAUCER OR EXTRATERRESTRIAL, DEAD OR ALIVE, IN OR NEAR ROSWELL IN 1947. ..... OF COURSE, THE REPORT COMES TOO LATE TO KILL THE ROSWELL ALIENS STORY. CRITICS SAY TOO MANY OF THE AIR FORCE EXPLANATIONS ARE ABOUT EVENTS THAT OCCURRED AFTER 1947. THEY ALSO DON'T WANT TO THINK OF THEMSELVES AS ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM MONDAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/GE
30-Jun-97 10:55 AM EDT (1455 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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