Voice of America, 97-07-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] CLINTON / NATO (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

[02] COMPUTER CRIME BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

[03] DEBATE ON NATO EXPANSION BY FRANK RONALDS (WASHINGTON)

[04] E-U / LUXEMBOURG (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

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

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

[07] TADIC PROSECUTION (L-ONLY) CQ BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

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

[09] U-S/BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[10] U-S / BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[11] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] CLINTON / NATO (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS HOLDING FIRM IN ITS POSITION TO LIMIT NATO EXPANSION TO THREE FORMER WARSAW PACT NATIONS WHEN THE WESTERN ALLIANCE HOLDS ITS SUMMIT IN MADRID NEXT WEEK. BUT U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE DOOR REMAINS OPEN TO OTHER EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPEAN NATIONS TO JOIN LATER. V-O-A WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT COMPROMISE ON ITS DECISION TO LIMIT THE FIRST ROUND OF NATO EXPANSION TO POLAND, HUNGARY, AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC -- DESPITE PRESSURE FROM EUROPEAN ALLIES TO ALSO INCLUDE ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA.

U-S NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR SAMUEL BERGER MADE CLEAR THE U-S POSITION HAS NOT CHANGED.

WITH RESPECT TO ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA, I THINK THERE IS A DIVIDED VIEW. OUR VIEW IS THE ANSWER IS NOT 'NO', BUT 'NO, AT THIS TIME'.

FRANCE AND ITALY ARE PRESSING NATO TO ADMIT ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA IN AN EFFORT TO BOLSTER THE SOUTHERN FLANK OF THE ALLIANCE.

BUT U-S OFFICIALS WANT TO SEE THE ROMANIAN AND SLOVENIAN GOVERNMENTS MAKE FURTHER PROGRESS IN ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND MILITARY REFORMS BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO JOIN NATO.

MR. BERGER SAYS THE ISSUE WILL LIKELY GENERATE 'SOME LIVELY DISCUSSION' WHEN THE NATO SUMMIT OPENS TUESDAY.

IT IS QUITE CONCEIVABLE THAT THERE WILL BE DISCUSSION ON TUESDAY THAT WILL ENABLE OTHERS TO ARTICULATE THE RATIONALE FOR OTHER COUNTRIES, AND I THINK THAT WILL BE A HEALTHY THING. AT THE END OF THE DAY, OBVIOUSLY, THERE WILL HAVE TO BE A CONSENSUS DECISION.

BECAUSE AGREEMENT ON NEW NATO MEMBERS MUST BE UNANIMOUS, OFFICIALS HERE BELIEVE THE U-S POSITION WILL PREVAIL.

IN THE MEANTIME, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT SOUGHT TO ASSURE SLOVENIA AND ROMANIA THE DOOR REMAINS OPEN FOR THEIR MEMBERSHIP.

IF ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA STAY ON THE RIGHT TRACK THAT THEY ARE NOW ON, THERE IS EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THEY ARE VERY CREDIBLE CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERSHIP IN NATO IN DUE COURSE.

NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR BERGER SUGGESTED A SECOND ROUND OF CANDIDATES WOULD BE INVITED TO JOIN NATO AT A SUMMIT SCHEDULED FOR 1999.

AT THAT MEETING, THOSE FORMER WARSAW PACT NATIONS CHOSEN IN THE FIRST ROUND OF NATO EXPANSION WILL ATTEND AS FULL ALLIANCE MEMBERS FOR THE FIRST TIME -- PROVIDING THEIR MEMBERSHIP IS RATIFIED, AS EXPECTED, BY ALL 16 NATO COUNTRIES.

[02] COMPUTER CRIME BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

INTRO: THE GROWTH OF THE INTERNET COMPUTER NETWORK IS CREATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR CRIMINALS AROUND THE WORLD. V-O-A'S JOE CHAPMAN REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE INTERNET WAS ALWAYS INTENDED TO BE AN EASY-TO-USE AND COMPLETELY OPEN GLOBAL COMPUTER NETWORK. EXPERTS SAY SECURITY WAS NOT A MAJOR CONCERN WHEN IT STARTED IN THE 1970S BECAUSE THE INTERNET WAS CONSIDERED A TOOL FOR ACADEMICS.

BUT COMPUTERS LINKED BY THE INTERNET NOW STORE HIGH TECH PLANS, OFFICIAL AND BUSINESS SECRETS, FINANCIAL DATA AND MAILING LISTS. COMPUTERS CONTROL NUCLEAR POWER GENERATING STATIONS AND TELEPHONE SYSTEMS. ALL ARE VALUABLE AND A POTENTIAL TARGET TO SOMEONE .

TOM NEWNAN, HEAD OF COMPUTER SECURITY FIRM IN ATLANTA, SAYS TODAY'S DIVERSE INTERNET APPLICATIONS ARE SIMPLY LAYERED OVER THE OLD, INSECURE ACADEMIC FRAMEWORK. MR. NEWNAN SAYS THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MAJOR CRIMINALS.

COMPUTER CRIME IS CHANGING RATHER DRAMATICALLY WITH THE RAPID ADOPTION OF THE INTERNET. COMPUTER CRIME USED TO BE CRIME CONDUCTED ON THE INSIDE. THAT HAS MOVED FAIRLY DRAMATICALLY TO INTERNATIONAL SECURITY OPERATIVES. THERE IS A CLEAR INDICATION THAT A STRUCTURED THREAT HAS EMERGED.

COMPUTER USERS KNOWN AS HACKERS AT ONE TIME BROKE INTO COMPUTER SYSTEMS JUST TO PROVE THEY COULD. ESSENTIALLY IT WAS A GAME. BUT HACKERS ARE NO LONGER PLAYING. SECURITY CONSULTANT TOM NEWNAN SAYS ON A RECENT TRIP TO CHINA, LEADERS TOLD HIM OF THEIR NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS ABOUT THE INTERNET.

THEIR BORDERS THEY CAN CONTROL. THE INTERNET THEY CANNOT. IT'S A REAL INTERNATIONAL ISSUE, ESPECIALLY PROTECTING THOSE INDUSTRIES VITAL TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY LIKE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, TRANSPORTATION, BANKING AND (ELECTRICAL) POWER.

MR. NEWNAN SAYS ORGANIZED CRIME, GOVERNMENTS AND INDUSTRIES USE THE INTERNET FOR ESPIONAGE. AND, WHILE SOME COMPUTER VIRUSES DO NO DAMAGE, MR. NEWNAN SAYS OTHERS ARE INTENDED TO DESTROY DATA AND SOME CAN ACT, IN EFFECT, AS INTELLIGENCE AGENTS.

MR. NEWNAN SAYS SECURITY SOFTWARE ON INDIVIDUAL COMPUTERS IS NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH OR FAST ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH COMPUTER CRIMINALS. HE SAYS THE NETWORK ABOVE ALL MUST BE MADE SECURE.

WHAT'S NEEDED IS SYSTEMS THAT DETECT VULNERABILITIES ON THE NETWORK IN REAL TIME AND AUTOMATICALLY RESPOND MUCH LIKE THE CONTROL SYSTEMS ON A JET AIRCRAFT WOULD RESPOND TO CHANGING CONDITIONS FAR MORE QUICKLY THAN A PILOT WOULD EVER EVEN KNOW WHAT TO DO.

COMPUTER EXPERTS SAY COMPUTER VIRUSES NEED ATTENTION, BUT THAT TOO MANY OTHER POTENTIAL CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES ARE NEGLECTED. EXPERTS AGREE COMPUTER CRIME INVOLVES AN INSIDE EMPLOYEE -- SOMEONE WORKING FOR THE COMPUTER'S ORGANIZATION -- 70 PERCENT OF THE TIME. SOMETIMES, PHYSICAL THEFT IS THE REAL PROBLEM. AN EMPLOYEE CAN WALK OUT WITH DATA ON THE COMMONLY AVAILABLE FLOPPY DISK. OR A DISHONEST EMPLOYEE CAN STEAL ONE-THOUSAND TIMES AS MUCH DATA ON A CARTRIDGE ABOUT THE SAME SIZE AS A FLOPPY DISK. FAXES, E-MAIL AND OTHER PARTS OF AN OVERALL OFFICE SYSTEM CAN BE USED IN A DATA THEFT SCHEME. MR. NEWNAN SAYS COMPUTER THEFT IS EASIER THAN THE DAYS WHEN GOVERNMENTS TRIED TO PROTECT SECRET PLANS, ON PAPER, FOR THE LATEST AIRCRAFT OR WARSHIP.

MOST OF THE DATA THAT'S BEING WALKED OUT OF CORPORATIONS AND GOVERNMENT TODAY IS DATA THAT THOSE USERS SHOULD NEVER HAVE ACCESS TO IN THE FIRST PLACE.

SECURITY WAS EASIER WHEN ROOM-SIZED COMPUTERS DOMINATED THE INDUSTRY AND EACH KEYSTROKE AT A TERMINAL COULD BE TRACED BY SOMETHING KNOWN AS "TRACKING SOFTWARE." THAT TRACKING ABILITY IS MORE DIFFICULT WHEN COMPUTER SYSTEMS INCLUDE MANY POWERFUL INDIVIDUAL COMPUTERS ON A NETWORK.

WE ARE AT LEAST 20 YEARS BEHIND WHERE WE WERE 20 YEARS AGO IN THAT PERSPECTIVE. THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT WHAT WE HAVE TRADED OFF AS A COMMUNITY FOR FLEXIBILITY, PRODUCTIVITY, AND EASE OF USE IS SECURITY FIRST AND COST SECOND.

MR. NEWNAN SAYS MANY FIRMS CAN PROVIDE COST-EFFECTIVE COMPUTER SECURITY SOLUTIONS. A SECURITY AUDIT IS MADE AND NETWORK SOFTWARE INSTALLED. AFTER THAT, HE SAYS, AN ANNUAL CHECKUP IS AMPLE PROTECTION AGAINST COMPUTER CRIMINALS.

WHAT IS CRITICAL, MR. NEWNAN SAYS, IS THAT SENIOR MANAGEMENT UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF SECURITY.

WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO IS FOCUS ON MINIMIZING THEIR RISK AND BUILDING SECURITY INTO THE BUSINESS PROCESS AND NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE.

MR. NEWNAN SAYS COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE IS USUALLY SOLD ON THE BASIS OF FEATURES OR PRICE ... NOT SECURITY. HE SAYS A GOOD SENIOR MANAGER WILL CONSIDER ALL ASPECTS OF SECURITY AND BALANCE THE MONETARY COST AGAINST THE REAL RISK. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/JMC/LSF/PT
02-Jul-97 4:51 PM EDT (2051 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] DEBATE ON NATO EXPANSION BY FRANK RONALDS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE DEBATE FOR AND AGAINST NATO EXPANSION HAS HEATED UP IN THE UNITED STATES, WITHIN DAYS OF THE NATO SUMMIT SET TO BEGIN TUESDAY (7/8) IN MADRID, WHERE A DECISION ON ADMITTING THREE NEW MEMBERS -- POLAND, HUNGARY, AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC -- IS EXPECTED. ABOUT 50 FOREIGN POLICY EXPERTS HAVE SENT A LETTER TO PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON ARGUING AGAINST EXPANSION, AIMING TO PREVENT RATIFICATION BY THE SENATE IF THE DECISION TO INVITE NEW MEMBERS IS MADE IN MADRID. FRANK RONALDS LOOKS AT THE ISSUE.

TEXT: ONE OF THE GREATEST CONCERNS OF THOSE OPPOSING NATO EXPANSION IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT IT WOULD LEAD TO REJECTION OF DISARMAMENT MEASURES, PARTICULARLY FOR FURTHER REDUCTION IN STOCKPILES OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS, BY THE DUMA, THE LOWER HOUSE OF THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRACY IN EASTERN EUROPE AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN WASHINGTON, D-C, JAMES MILLAR, FEARS THIS MAY WELL BE THE CASE, IN PART FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL REASONS.

THEY HAVE LOST THEIR EMPIRE. AND RUSSIA, UNLIKE THE OTHER COUNTRIES, EITHER THE FORMER REPUBLICS OR THE EAST/CENTRAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, WHICH ARE REESTABLISHING THEIR IDENTITIES OR CREATING NEW IDENTITIES, RUSSIA HAS LOST ITS IDENTITY. AND WHILE I THINK THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION, ACCORDING TO THE POLLS, INDICATES THERE'S NOT THAT MUCH CONCERN ABOUT NATO, AMONG THE ELITE THERE DEFINITELY IS CONCERN.

PROFESSOR OF DIPLOMACY AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY IN WASHINGTON, ANTHONY LAKE, DISAGREES. MR. LAKE SERVED AS NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON THROUGHOUT HIS FIRST FOUR-YEAR TERM IN OFFICE.

I WOULD ARGUE THAT IN THE END NATIONS GENERALLY DO WHAT IS IN THEIR INTEREST. AND IT IS CLEARLY IN THE INTEREST OF RUSSIA AND OF THE DUMA TO RATIFY ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENTS THAT PROVIDE RUSSIA WITH STRATEGIC NUCLEAR PARITY.

IN PROFESSOR MILLAR'S VIEW, JOINING NATO WOULD ACTUALLY IMPEDE THE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL REFORMS WHICH POLAND, HUNGARY, AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC HAVE BEGUN SUCCESSFULLY, BUT MUST CONTINUE FURTHER.

THE MILITARY EXPENDITURES THAT POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY WILL HAVE TO UNDERTAKE IN ORDER TO MODERNIZE AND BE PART OF NATO IS GOING TO SLOW REFORM IN THESE COUNTRIES.

ANTHONY LAKE ARGUES THAT THE PROSPECT OF JOINING NATO HAS ALREADY FOSTERED REFORM AND LED TO COOPERATION NOT ONLY BETWEEN THE THREE COUNTRIES SLATED TO JOIN IN THE FIRST ROUND, BUT AMONG THOSE WHO EXPECT TO BE ADMITTED LATER.

IN FACT, OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE PROSPECTS OF NATO MEMBERSHIP HAS REINFORCED THE DEMOCRATIC CENTER IN COUNTRIES ACROSS THE REGION, AND HAS LED TO REACHING MORE THAN HALF A DOZEN AGREEMENTS SETTLING BORDER AND ETHNIC DISPUTES THROUGHOUT THE REGION. SO IT IS ALREADY WORKING, AND I THINK THE EVIDENCE WOULD ARGUE THAT NATO ENLARGEMENT ENHANCES STABILITY, SECURES DEMOCRACY, ENHANCES CIVILIAN CONTROL OF THE MILITARY, AND REINFORCES HABITS OF PEACE THROUGHOUT THE REGION.

TWICE IN THIS CENTURY, PROFESSOR LAKE POINTS OUT, ISOLATIONISM IN AMERICA HAS HAD DIRE CONSEQUENCES.

NATO SHOULD VERY MUCH BE AT THE CENTER OF THIS PROCESS, BOTH BECAUSE NATO IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE SECURITY ORGANIZATION IN THE REGION AND ALSO BECAUSE NATO IS THE CENTRAL STRAND IN THE AMERICAN RELATIONSHIP WITH EUROPE.. WE HAVE LEARNED TO OUR SORROW OVER THE PAST CENTURY THAT WHEN THE UNITED STATES PULLS BACK FROM EUROPE, IN THE END WE CAN PAY A TERRIBLE PRICE.

IT WOULD TAKE ONLY ONE-THIRD OF THE VOTES IN THE SENATE TO DEFEAT RATIFICATION OF NATO EXPANSION. BUT MR. LAKE IS CONFIDENT THE ACTION HAS WIDESPREAD POPULAR SUPPORT, AS WELL AS THE NECESSARY TWO/THIRDS MAJORITY OF SENATORS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RAE
02-Jul-97 2:36 PM EDT (1836 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] E-U / LUXEMBOURG (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION'S SMALLEST COUNTRY -- LUXEMBOURG -- THIS WEEK TAKES OVER THE E-U PRESIDENCY, AS THE 15-NATION BLOC PREPARES FOR THE ADMISSION OF ITS FIRST NEW MEMBERS FROM EASTERN EUROPE. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS ALL 20 MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION -- THE E-U'S EXECUTIVE -- WILL TRAVEL THURSDAY TO LUXEMBOURG TO MEET THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE LUXEMBOURG GOVERNMENT.

TEXT: LITTLE LUXEMBOURG, WHOSE ENTIRE NATIONAL POPULATION IS JUST ONE-THIRD OF THAT OF A CITY LIKE BRUSSELS, IS TAKING ON A BIG RESPONSIBILITY. THE NEXT SIX MONTHS WILL BE CRUCIAL IN PREPARING THE GROUND FOR THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, AND ALL KEY MEETINGS WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE LUXEMBOURGERS.

THE E-U'S AMSTERDAM SUMMIT IN JUNE GAVE THE POLITICAL GREEN-LIGHT FOR THE LAUNCH OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH APPLICANT MEMBERS FROM CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE.

THIS MONTH, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION WILL BE PRESENTING ITS ADVICE ON WHICH OF THE CANDIDATES FROM CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE WHO WANT TO JOIN THE E-U SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO SO. TO QUALIFY, THEY MUST OBSERVE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS AND ALSO MUST HAVE ECONOMIES WHICH ARE SUFFICIENTLY ADVANCED, AND WHICH FOLLOW THE FREE MARKET, CAPITALIST MODEL.

BUT THE E-U ITSELF ALSO HAS TO ADAPT TO ADMIT THE NEW MEMBERS, BY REFORMING ITS TWO MOST EXPENSIVE PROGRAMS -- AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES AND HELP FOR EUROPE'S POORER REGIONS.

WITHOUT SUCH REFORM, THE EUROPEAN UNION'S BUDGET WOULD SPIRAL UPWARDS, AS THE SAME BENEFITS ARE EXTENDED TO ALL NEW MEMBERS.

THE AMSTERDAM SUMMIT FAILED TO REFORM E-U VOTING RULES, AND TO PUT A CURB ON THE NUMBER OF E-U COMMISSIONERS, AND THESE ISSUES STILL NEED TO BE SORTED OUT BEFORE ANY NEW MEMBERS CAN BE ADMITTED. HOWEVER, BOTH PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN PUT OFF FOR SOME TIME, AND WILL NOT NEED TO BE RESOLVED UNDER THE SIX-MONTH LUXEMBOURG PRESIDENCY.

ONE KEY PRIORITY FOR LUXEMBOURG'S PRESIDENCY WILL BE TO CONTINUE PREPARATIONS FOR THE LAUNCH OF EUROPE'S SINGLE CURRENCY, THE EURO.

A MAJOR EFFORT IS BEING PLANNED BY E-U COMMISSIONERS TO CONVINCE A SKEPTICAL PUBLIC, AND EVEN MORE SKEPTICAL FINANCIAL MARKETS, THAT THE EURO IS ON TRACK FOR ITS LAUNCH ON JANUARY FIRST 1999.

THERE ARE PARTICULAR WORRIES THAT FRANCE -- WHICH IS SEEN AS A KEY EURO MEMBER WILL NOT MEET THE TOUGH ECONOMIC CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP. THE NEW SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT IS PROVING RELUCTANT TO MAKE THE SPENDING CUTS TO ENABLE FRANCE TO MEET THE E-U'S TARGET OF A LOW BUDGET DEFICIT.

LUXEMBOURG IS ALSO TO CONVENE A SPECIAL SUMMIT MEETING OF EUROPE'S LEADERS TO DISCUSS UNEMPLOYMENT. THE ISSUE IS LESS OF A WORRY FOR THE LUXEMBOURGERS THAN FOR THEIR PARTNERS. THE E-U'S TINIEST NATION IS ALSO ITS RICHEST, WITH EUROPE'S LOWEST JOBLESS RATE. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/JWH/EH
02-Jul-97 8:33 AM EDT (1233 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: IT WAS A MIXED DAY FOR STOCK PRICES IN THE KEY MARKETS OF WEST EUROPE WEDNESDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES FROM OUR OFFICE IN LONDON.

TEXT: THE POSSIBILITY OF NEW TAXES IN FRANCE CAUSED THE PARIS "CAC 40" INDEX OF STOCKS TO SHARPLY REVERSE DIRECTION AT MIDDAY, OFF FROM WHAT WAS A RECORD HIGH TO A CLOSING PRICE DOWN 34-AND-ONE-HALF POINTS.

IN BRITAIN, INVESTORS WERE CAUTIOUS FOR WORD ON POSSIBLE NEW TAXES UNVEILED BY CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, GORDON BROWN, IN THE BUDGET HE UNVEILED LATE IN THE DAY. MR. BROWN WAS ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF HIS BUDGET AT THE TIME THE MARKETS CLOSED. BY THEN, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 STOCK INDEX HAD POSTED A 23-POINT GAIN. BUT SOME ANALYSTS BELIEVE THE PROPOSED BRITISH BUDGET MAY ULTIMATELY REQUIRE HIGHER TAXES TO FINANCE, AND PERHAPS ANOTHER RISE IN INTEREST RATES. THAT, SAY ANALYSTS, COULD MAKE INVESTORS SKITTISH ON THURSDAY.

THE BRITISH POUND HIT A FIVE-YEAR HIGH AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK. FRANKFURT'S INVESTORS LIKED THE ECONOMIC NEWS THEY HEARD WEDNESDAY, PROMPTING THE KEY "DAX 30" INDEX OF STOCKS TO GAIN ALMOST 35 POINTS AT THE CLOSE -- A NEW RECORD HIGH. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/RAE
02-Jul-97 2:22 PM EDT (1822 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AS THE U-S CENTRAL BANK LEFT INTEREST RATES UNCHANGED. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 77 HUNDRED 95, UP 73 POINTS JUST SHORT OF THE HIGH. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 904, UP 13 POINTS.

GOVERNORS OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK ENDED A TWO-DAY MEETING WITHOUT TAKING ANY ACTION ON SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES. ALTHOUGH THE DECISION WAS EXPECTED, TRADERS DID GO ON A BUYING SPREE AFTER THE INTEREST RATE ANNOUNCEMENT. THE REACTION OF BILL DUDLEY OF THE GOLDMAN SACHS INVESTMENT FIRM IS TYPICAL OF MANY ANALYSTS.

NO CHANGE IN POLICY WAS EXPECTED BUT THE OUTLOOK FOR MONETARY POLICY LOOKING FORWARD OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS REMAINS HIGHLY UNCERTAIN.

SOME ANALYSTS BELIEVE AN INTEREST RATE INCREASE IS LIKELY AFTER THE NEXT CENTRAL BANK MEETING IN AUGUST.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED FACTORY ORDERS IN MAY WERE DOWN SEVEN-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT. WEAKER DEMAND FOR AIRCRAFT AND AUTOS WERE AMONG THE MAIN REASONS FOR THE DECLINE.

GENERAL MOTORS REPORTED A U-S SALES DECLINE OF MORE THAN 13 PERCENT IN JUNE. BUT G-M SAYS MUCH OF ITS SALES DECREASE WAS THE RESULT OF STRIKES AT AUTO AND TRUCK ASSEMBLY PLANTS.

TWO HUGE FOOTWEAR AND SPORTS APPAREL FIRMS WERE IN THE NEWS. THE STOCK OF THE NIKE COMPANY FELL AFTER A LESS THAN EXPECTED PROFIT INCREASE. AND THE GERMAN-BASED ADIDAS COMPANY HAS SIGNED A MARKETING ALLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES. STET, THE NATIONAL TELEPHONE COMPANY OF ITALY, HAS ANNOUNCED A STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH A-T AND T OF THE UNITED STATES. THE ALLIANCE WILL FOCUS ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS VENTURES IN LATIN AMERICA. ANALYSTS SAY THE DEAL WILL PUT STET IN A STRONGER POSITION FOR PRIVATIZATION WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR THIS OCTOBER. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/LWM
02-Jul-97 5:05 PM EDT (2105 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] TADIC PROSECUTION (L-ONLY) CQ BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: PROSECUTORS AT THE UNITED NATIONS' YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAVE RECOMMENDED A SENTENCE OF LIFE IN PRISON FOR BOSNIAN-SERB DUSAN TADIC, WHO WAS FOUND GUILTY OF 11 COUNTS OF WAR CRIMES. JUDGES HAVE BEEN HEARING EVIDENCE ABOUT HIS CHARACTER -- EVIDENCE USED TO HELP THEM MAKE THEIR DECISION -- AS GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS.

TEXT: PROSECUTOR GRANT NIEMAN TOLD JUDGES THAT DUSAN TADIC HAD SHOWN AN UTTER LACK OF REMORSE ABOUT THE CRIMES FOR WHICH HE HAS BEEN CONVICTED. TADIC HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF ETHNIC PERSECUTION AND IN CONNECTION WITH BRUTAL BEATINGS IN THREE PRISON CAMPS IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA.

THESE CRIMES, SAID MR. NIEMAN, WERE NOT THE MOST SERIOUS LIKELY TO BE HEARD BY THE TRIBUNAL, BUT THEY WERE CERTAINLY NOT MINOR. IT WAS PART OF THE TRIBUNAL'S JOB, HE SAID, TO CONTRIBUTE TO PEACE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, AND THAT -- IN TADIC'S CASE -- MEANT LIFE IN PRISON.

HE ENTHUSIASTICALLY PARTICIPATED IN THIS EVIL PLAN OF THE STATE AS A WILLING WORKER. ONE OF (RADOVAN) KARADZIC'S HENCHMEN. AND IN HIS DEPRAVITY, HE SOUGHT RECOGNITION, EXPECTED TO BE ENDOWED WITH GIFTS AND FAVORS BY CORRUPT BUT GRATEFUL OFFICIALS OF AN EVIL ADMINISTRATION.

THERE WERE, MR. NIEMAN SAID, NO MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES TO BE CONSIDERED. TADIC HAD KNOWN WHAT HE WAS DOING AND HAD BEEN MOTIVATED BY GREED AND JEALOUSY. HE HAD NOT COOPERATED IN ANY WAY WITH THE TRIBUNAL AND HAD SHOWN NO APPRECIATION OF WHAT HE HAD DONE.

LIFE IN PRISON MAY, OF COURSE, MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT SYSTEMS. COUNTRIES AS DIVERSE AS FINLAND AND IRAN HAVE OFFERED PRISON SPACE, AND THIS IS SOMETHING THE JUDGES WILL CERTAINLY NEED TO CONSIDER.

THE DEFENSE MAKES ITS SUBMISSION THURSDAY, AND TADIC WILL BE SENTENCED JULY 14TH. (SIGNED)
NEB/GS/PCF/RAE
02-Jul-97 2:07 PM EDT (1807 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: TURKEY'S NEW SECULAR GOVERNMENT HAS LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ACTIVITIES OF A SENIOR INTELLIGENCE OFFICIAL WHO IS ACCUSED OF SPYING ON THE TURKISH MILITARY. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA THE FORMER CHIEF OF POLICE INTELLIGENCE (BULENT ORAKOGLU) IS ACCUSED OF PROVIDING SENSITIVE MILITARY INFORMATION TO THE FORMER ISLAMIST-LED GOVERNMENT.

TEXT: INTERIOR MINISTER MURAT BASESGIOGLU SAID HE ORDERED THE FORMER CHIEF OF POLICE INTELLIGENCE TO RETURN HOME FROM THE UNITED STATES IN ORDER TO FACE QUESTIONING. HE IS BEING ACCUSED OF ORGANIZING THE PHONE TAPPING OF SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIALS.

MOUNTING TENSIONS BETWEEN TURKEY'S PRO-SECULAR ARMED FORCES AND THE ISLAMISTS CULMINATED IN THE RESIGNATION LAST MONTH OF FORMER PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN.

ANALYSTS SAY THE INVESTIGATION OF THE POLICE CHIEF IS A SURE SIGN TURKEY'S NEW SECULAR COALITION, LED BY MESUT YILMAZ, WILL KEEP UP PRESSURE BOTH ON HIS ISLAMIST PREDECESSOR AS WELL AS ON TANSU CILLER, MR. ERBAKAN'S JUNIOR PARTNER IN THE FORMER COALITION. TUESDAY, TURKEY'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR ASKED A SPECIAL SECURITY COURT TO INVESTIGATE CHARGES BY A LEFT-WING POLITICIAN THAT MRS. CILLER DURING HER TERM IN OFFICE -- HAD ACCEPTED MONEY FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS IN EXCHANGE FOR FORMULATING POLICIES AGAINST TURKEY'S INTERESTS. MRS. CILLER, WHO BECAME TURKEY'S FIRST WOMAN PRIME MINISTER IN 1993, DENIED THE CHARGES.

PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ, WHO PLEDGED TO CRACK DOWN ON CORRUPTION WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE LAST WEEK, IS EXPECTED TO REVIVE A SERIES OF PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRIES AGAINST MRS. CILLER.

THE CHARGES AGAINST MRS. CILLER, WHO WAS DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER IN THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT, RANGE FROM THE USE OF A GOVERNMENT SLUSH FUND TO FINANCE HER PARTY, TO THE USE OF PUBLIC MONEY TO BUY FOOD FOR HER PET SIAMESE CAT. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/RAE
02-Jul-97 11:09 AM EDT (1509 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] U-S/BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AMIDST A POWER STRUGGLE AMONG BOSNIA SERB LEADERS IN THE SELF-PROCLAIMED REPUBLIKA SERPSKA (SERB REPUBLIC), THE UNITED STATES HAS DEMANDED THEY FULLY COMPLY WITH THE 1995 DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS. BUT AS VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS A U-S SPOKESMAN, SUGGEST THAT INDICTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECT AND FORMER BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC STILL WIELDS POWER, AND SHOULD REFRAIN FROM POLITICAL ACTIVISM:

TEXT: BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC HAS VOWED TO FIGHT TO STAY IN POWER EVEN AS HARDLINERS SEEK HER OUSTER OVER POLICY DISAGREEMENTS. MS. PLAVSIC ACCUSES MR. KARADZIC, WANTED FOR ON CHARGES OF GENOCIDE AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, OF STILL RUNNING BOSNIAN SERB POLITICAL AFFAIRS.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JOHN DINGER SAYS MANY OF THE BOSNIAN SERB'S PROBLEMS ARE DUE TO THEIR LACK OF COMPLIANCE WITH DAYTON ENDING THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT:

FRANKLY, MRS. PLAVSIC AND THE PEOPLE OF THE REPUBLIKA SERPSKA ARE PAYING A PRICE, A PRICE IN TERMS OF CONFUSION AND CHAOS, PERHAPS, AND THE LACK OF RULE OF LAW THROUGH THEIR FAILURE TO FULLY IMPLEMENT DAYTON.

ONE OF THE PROVISIONS OF DAYTON IS THE APPREHENSION OF WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS FOR TRIAL AT THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL AT THE HAGUE.

MR. DINGER SAYS HE IS NOT SURPRISED THAT MR. KARADZIC IS TRYING TO BREAK HIS PROMISE OF REFRAINING FROM SEEKING POLITICAL OFFICE. THE U-S SPOKESMAN SAYS MR. KARADZIC BELONGS AT THE HAGUE.

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZERS OVERSEEING LOCAL BOSNIAN ELECTIONS SCHEDULED IN SEPTEMBER HAVE BARRED ALL INDICTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS FROM TAKING PART IN THE VOTE. (SIGNED)
NEB/VB/LWM
01-Jul-97 10:58 PM EDT (0258 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] U-S / BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ARE DISMISSING SUGGESTIONS OF DISCORD WITH NATO OVER THE ALLIES' JUNE 1998 WITHDRAWAL PLAN FROM BOSNIA. BOSNIA WILL BE AMONG AGENDA ISSUES FOR NATO LEADERS AT THEIR MADRID SUMMIT NEXT WEEK. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THERE HAVE BEEN EXPRESSIONS OF CONCERN BY ANALYSTS IN BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE THAT FIGHTING COULD FLARE UP AGAIN IN BOSNIA IF NATO-LED PEACEKEEPERS WITHDRAW ON SCHEDULE. BUT SENIOR (CLINTON) ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS INSIST THERE IS NO SPLIT WITHIN NATO OVER THE WITHDRAWAL PLAN -- OR ON THE NEED FOR ACTION NOW TO IMPLEMENT LAGGING CIVILIAN ASPECTS OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS.

BRIEFING REPORTERS ON THE MADRID SUMMIT, DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAID WITHDRAWING NEXT JUNE IS AN ALLIED -- NOT A UNILATERAL U-S POSITION -- AND THAT EVEN DISCUSSING A LONGER PRESENCE UNDERMINES THE PEACE PROCESS.

WE'RE GOING TO CONCENTRATE ALL OUR EFFORT BETWEEN NOW AND THEN TO FULFILL THE DAYTON ACCORDS. AND ANY SPECULATION BEYOND JUNE OF 1998, WHEN WE EXPECT THE "S-FOR" MISSION TO END AS NATO HAS SAID IT WOULD END, WOULD BE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE AND UNDERMINE THE ENERGIES THAT WE THINK NEED TO BE DEVOTED TO FULFILLING DAYTON NOW.

WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER SAMUEL BERGER SAID THE MORE EFFORT THERE IS NOW ON IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES -- SUCH AS REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT, ECONOMIC REBUILDING AND CREATION OF AN EFFECTIVE POLICE FORCE -- THE GREATER THE CAPACITY WILL BE FOR A SELF-SUSTAINING PEACE. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/RRM
02-Jul-97 2:39 PM EDT (1839 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE FORMER BRITISH CROWN COLONY OF HONG KONG CONTINUES TO RECEIVE ATTENTION AS IT SETTLES INTO ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA THIS WEDNESDAY.

OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION IN THE NATION'S PRESS INCLUDE: DEALING WITH NORTH KOREA; SORTING OUT WAR CRIMES IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA; REBUILDING ALBANIA; TURKEY'S POLITICAL CONFUSION; AND FINALLY, SOME THOUGHTS ON THE PENDING U-S INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY.

NOW, HERE IS ____________________WITH A QUOTE OR TWO AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: CALLING IT "HIGH DRAMA" THE KANSAS CITY STAR SUGGESTS THAT THE "CHANGE FROM BRITISH TO CHINESE RULE OFFERS GOOD OPPORTUNITIES."

VOICE: "BEIJING HOPES SUCCESS IN HONG KONG WILL LURE TAIWAN, RUN BY THE RIVAL NATIONALIST GOVERNMENT, INTO TALKS ON REUNIFICATION. THE ISLAND'S DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT HAS REFUSED TO SURRENDER AUTONOMY TO THE UNELECTED COMMUNISTS. ..... THERE IS NO DOUBT WHAT CHINA'S GOALS ARE, BUT THERE IS SIGNIFICANT CONCERN THAT THE COMMUNISTS UNDERSTAND HOW DANGEROUS IT WOULD BE TO TAMPER WITH THE FREEDOMS THAT HAVE UNDERGIRDED HONG KONG'S PHENOMENAL ECONOMIC SUCCESSES. .... CHINA HAS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG IF ITS LEADERS CAN MANAGE TO RESIST THEIR URGE TO INTERFERE IN HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES. THE WORLD CAN ONLY WAIT TO SEE HOW WELL CHINA MANAGES THIS OPPORTUNITY."

TEXT: TODAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR IS ADVISING ITS READERS TO "STAY TUNED" AS FAR AS FIGURING OUT WHAT IS AHEAD FOR HONG KONG, UNDER CHINESE CONTROL.

VOICE: "DOES THE HANDOVER BY BRITAIN SIGNAL THE START OF A NEW 'CHINESE CENTURY'? CHINA HAS ALREADY SHOWN A PENCHANT FOR CAPITALIST COMMERCE, AND THE ACQUISITION OF HONG KONG COULD BE A CATALYST TO SPEED THAT EVOLUTION AWAY FROM THE MOAIST PAST. .... ULTIMATELY, THE REAL TEST FOR CHINA .... WILL BE WHETHER CHINA PROPER, WITH ITS ONE-POINT-TWO BILLION PEOPLE, CAN LEARN FROM HONG KONG THE VALUE OF GREATER POLITICAL AND INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS AND ERECT ITS OWN STRUCTURE OF LAW AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT."

TEXT: THE WALL STREET JOURNAL CONTINUES TO TAKE A SUSPECT VIEW OF RELATIONS BETWEEN BEIJING AND ITS NEW ACQUISITION, AFTER CRITICIZING BOTH FRANCE AND GERMANY FOR PLACING COMMERCIAL INTERESTS AHEAD OF DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES IN DEALINGS WITH CHINA.

VOICE: "BEIJING'S HANDLING OF HONG KONG TO DATE CERTAINLY CALLS FOR CIRCUMSPECTION FROM ANY SELF-RESPECTING DEMOCRACY. THE FATE OF HONG KONG'S FREEDOMS ARE UNCLEAR AS THE BEIJING-APPROVED PROVISIONAL LEGISLATURE BEGINS REPEALING LAWS ENACTED BY THE ELECTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AS FOUR-THOUSAND CHINESE TROOPS DESCEND, AND AS FREE EXPRESSION IS CURBED BY BEIJING. IT IS AT THIS CRUCIAL JUNCTURE THAT EUROPE SENDS ITS RATHER CRASS MESSAGE: IN THE SLIPPERY QUEST TO WOO CHINA, DEMOCRATIC IDEALS DON'T DESERVE EVEN LIP SERVICE."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK POST TALKS OF "CHINA'S NATIONAL PRIDE" AS EVIDENCED IN THE TURNOVER CELEBRATIONS.

VOICE: "NO ONE CAN PREDICT WITH ANY ASSURANCE WHETHER CHINA WILL CHANGE HONG KONG BY CUTTING BACK ON THE CITY'S FREE-WHEELING CAPITALISM OR WHITTLING AWAY AT ITS LEGACY OF POLITICAL FREEDOMS - - OR WHETHER THE INFLUENCE WILL FLOW THE OPPOSITE WAY...... BUT HOWEVER THIS QUESTION MAY TANTALIZE WESTERN COMMENTATORS, IT HAS NOT BEEN OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO MOST CHINESE: THEY ARE CELEBRATING IN THE STREETS WITH BANNERS AND AT PRIVATE FESTIVITIES. IN EVERY TELEVISION BROADCAST, IT SEEMS, BE IT FROM BEIJING, HONG KONG OR NEW YORK'S CHINATOWN, ONE HEARS EXPRESSIONS OF NATIONAL PRIDE. .... THE OUTBURST OF NATIONALISTIC SENTIMENT - - EVIDENT AMONG CHINESE PEOPLE EVERYWHERE - - IS SOMETHING OF WHICH AMERICANS SHOULD TAKE CAREFUL NOTE. .....AT A MOMENT WHEN AMERICA IS GOING TO CONSIDERABLE LENGTHS TO DENIGRATE GREAT SLICES OF ITS OWN NATIONAL HISTORY .... OTHER PEOPLES IN THE WORLD ARE IN THE MIDST OF NATIONAL REVIVALS."

TEXT: STILL IN ASIA, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SAYS THERE IS NO EASY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS OF NORTH KOREA, WHICH THE PAPER STILL VIEWS WITH SUSPICION, THOUGH IT APPLAUDS RESUMPTION OF FOUR-PARTY TALKS.

VOICE: "TWO EVENTS HAVE MOVED NORTH KOREA TO AGREE TO MEET NOT JUST WITH THE UNITED STATES, WHICH IS HAS LONG BEEN READY TO DO, BUT ALSO ON AN EQUAL BASIS WITH THE SOUTH KOREAN ENEMY IT HAS FOR SO LONG SCORNED. THE FIRST WAS THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION, WHICH COST PYONGYANG THE SUBSIDIES THAT HAD SUSTAINED IT. THE OTHER IS THE RISING THREAT OF FAMINE THAT COULD AFFECT MILLIONS OF ITS CITIZENS. ..... WHETHER THEIR INTEREST IN MAKING PEACE WILL REMAIN IF THE FOOD PROBLEMS ARE AMELIORATED IS THE CRUCIAL QUESTION."

TEXT: ADDS THE BOSTON GLOBE:

VOICE: "SO DESPERATE HAVE CONDITIONS BECOME IN NORTH KOREA THAT THE PENTAGON HAS BEGUN INTENSIVE PLANNING FOR RELIEF OPERATIONS IN THE EVENT OF A COLLAPSE. THESE OPERATIONS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT UNDER INTERNATIONAL AUSPICES, WITH THE U-S MILITARY PROVIDING LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATIONS, AND LOGISTICAL COORDINATION BUT LIMITING THE USE OF GROUND TROOPS IN NORTH KOREA. .......WASHINGTON HAS BEEN WISE TO DO ITS UTMOST TO ARRANGE A PEACE TREATY THAT WOULD BE FOLLOWED BY INTERNATIONAL AID FOR THE NORTH AND A GRADUAL MOVEMENT TOWARD REUNIFICATION."

TEXT: AROUND THE GLOBE TO ANOTHER WORLD TROUBLE SPOT, THE WAR-SCARRED BALKANS, AND THE ISSUE OF BRINGING WAR CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE THERE, THE WASHINGTON POST TODAY APPLAUDS THE ARREST FOR WAR CRIMES OF THE FORMER MAYOR OF VUKOVAR.

VOICE: "A NEW WAY HAS BEEN FOUND AROUND THE RELUCTANCE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THE NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA TO ARREST WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS. INVESTIGATORS OF THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AT THE HAGUE ......PICKED UP SLAVKO DOKMANOVIC .... ACCUSED, ALONG WITH THREE YUGOSLAV ARMY OFFICERS PUBLICLY ACCUSED, OF REMOVING 260 MOSTLY CROAT CIVILIANS WHO HAD TAKEN REFUGE IN A VUKOVAR HOSPITAL IN 1991 AND MURDERING THEM. IT WAS THE FIRST ARREST CARRIED OUT ON THE TERRITORY OF A FORMER WARRING BALKAN STATE WITHOUT ITS KNOWLEDGE OR COOPERATION. .... THE DOKMANOVIC ARREST SHOWS ... THAT THERE IS STILL SOME SPACE FOR BOLD INITIATIVES."

TEXT: AND RIGHT NEXT DOOR, IN ALBANIA, WHERE ELECTIONS HAVE JUST BEEN HELD, THE NEW YORK TIMES LAUDS THE VOTE, AND TALKS ABOUT THE REBUILDING TASK.

VOICE: "INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS COULD NOT CALL THE ELECTIONS FREE OR FAIR, BUT EVEN 'ADEQUATE' ELECTIONS ARE AN ACHIEVEMENT. NOW, HOWEVER, THE REAL WORK OF REINVENTING ALBANIA BEGINS. THE RESULTS ARE INCOMPLETE ...... BUT VOTERS HAVE CLEARLY REJECTED PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA AND HIS INAPTLY NAMED DEMOCRATIC PARTY. ..... FOR ALBANIA TO HAVE A CHANCE AT NORMALCY, MR. BERISHA MUST FOLLOW HIS CONCESSION OF HIS PARTY'S DEFEAT BY QUICKLY RESIGNING THE PRESIDENCY TO LEAD A CONSTRUCTIVE OPPOSITION. [OPT] .... THE WEST SHOULD ALSO LEARN ITS LESSON FROM ALBANIA. THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE BACKED MR. BERISHA LONG AFTER HIS DICTATORIAL GOVERNANCE BECAME A PROBLEM." [END OPT]

TEXT: AS WE MOVE EASTWARD, THE ISSUE OF POLITICAL INSTABILITY IN TURKEY, IN THE WAKE OF THE ISLAMIST PRIME MINISTER ERBEKAN'S RESIGNATION, HOLDS THE ATTENTION OF THE SUN IN BALTIMORE WHICH NOTES:

VOICE: "THE CALL FOR MESUT YILMAZ OF THE MOTHERLAND PARTY TO FORM TURKEY'S NEW GOVERNMENT REFLECTS THE WILL OF THE ARMY HIGH COMMAND AND OF THE VOTERS AS EXPRESSED IN THE DECEMBER 1995 ELECTION. IT IS THE LEAST UNDEMOCRATIC OUTCOME, ALTHOUGH THE ROUTE TO IT WAS HARDLY TIDY DEMOCRACY. ..... NO TRUE DEMOCRAT CAN BE HAPPY WITH THE MUSCLING THAT PUSHED THIS RESULT. FEW COUNTRIES OF ISLAMIC HERITAGE HAVE FOUND A MIDDLE WAY BETWEEN MANDATING OR FORBIDDING RELIGIOUS PRACTICE. BUT TURKEY'S PRESENT ALIGNMENT IS AS CLOSE TO WHAT THE VOTERS COLLECTIVELY SOUGHT AS CAN BE FOUND AND MR. YILMAZ' PROMISE OF EARLY ELECTIONS CAN ONLY BE WELCOMED."

TEXT: LASTLY, AMERICANS ARE PREPARING FOR THE INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY, MARKING THE COUNTRY'S SEVERING TIES WITH BRITAIN. THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR REMINDS ITS READERS OF THE COMMON BONDS BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE U-S REVOLUTION, CELEBRATED THIS FRIDAY.

VOICE: "FOR BRETHREN ..... ARE WHAT BRITONS AND AMERICANS WERE AND ARE. THEY SHARE THE 'NATIVE JUSTICE AND MAGNANIMITY' THAT THE DECLARATION ATTRIBUTES TO BRITONS, AND THEY HOLD EACH OTHER 'AS WE HOLD THE REST OF MANKIND, ENEMIES IN WAR, IN PEACE, FRIENDS.' AND HOW LONG THE PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP HAVE LASTED AFTER SUCH FIERCE MILITARY CONFLICT! THE THOROUGHNESS OF RECONCILIATION ADDS REALISM TO HOPE FOR HEALING TODAY'S INTRACTABLE DIVISIONS AROUND THE GLOBE, FROM NORTHERN IRELAND TO THE MIDDLE EAST TO KOREA."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM WEDNESDAY U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/EH
02-Jul-97 10:27 AM EDT (1427 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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