Voice of America, 97-07-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA DEMO (L-ONLY) BY BETH POTTER (TIRANA)

[02] CLINTON/ SENATE/ NATO (L ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

[03] CLINTON/BOSNIA (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[04] CLINTON/NATO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

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

[06] GERMANY / RACISM (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[07] HISTORY OF NATO EXPANSION BY FRANK RONALDS (WASHINGTON)

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

[09] NORTHERN IRELAND (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[10] RUSSIA / AZERBAIJAN (S) BY ELIZABETH ARROTT (MOSCOW)

[11] SCOTUS EXTENDS SPEECH FREEDOM TO THE INTERNET BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[12] SENATE-NATO EXPANSION BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

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

[01] ALBANIA DEMO (L-ONLY) BY BETH POTTER (TIRANA)

INTRO: VIOLENCE ERUPTED IN THE ALBANIAN CAPITAL OF TIRANA ON THURSDAY AFTER A RALLY TURNED DEADLY IN FRONT OF THE CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION BUILDING. MORE FROM REPORTER BETH POTTER IN TIRANA.

TEXT: UNOFFICIAL REPORTS FROM A TIRANA MILITARY HOSPITAL SAY A 15-MINUTE GUNFIGHT BETWEEN HEAVILY-ARMED MONARCHIST SUPPORTERS AND POLICE GUARDING ALBANIA'S CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION LEFT ONE PERSON DEAD AND SEVERAL OTHERS WOUNDED. ALTHOUGH OBSERVERS SAID MOST SHOTS WERE FIRED INTO THE AIR, AT LEAST TWO SECOND-FLOOR WINDOWS OF THE COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS BUILDING WERE BROKEN BY THE BULLETS.

AFTER A NOON RALLY IN TIRANA'S SKANDERBEG SQUARE, AS MANY AS 300 SUPPORTERS MARCHED WITH LEKA ZOG, HEIR TO THE ALBANIAN THRONE. THEY MARCHED TO THE ELECTION COMMISSION BUILDING LESS THEN TWO KILOMETERS AWAY. WHEN THEY REACHED IT, LEKA ZOG REPORTEDLY CALLED TO BE LET IN. WHEN HE WAS REFUSED, MONARCHISTS STARTED SHOOTING, OBSERVERS SAID. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES, THEY SAY, THE DEMONSTRATORS RAN AWAY.

LEKA ZOG SAID AT THE RALLY THAT BE BELIEVED THE CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION CHEATED HIM OF HIS RIGHTFUL SEAT AS HEAD OF AN ALBANIAN CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY. HE SAID AT LEAST 54 PERCENT OF VOTERS APPROVED RESTORING THE MONARCHY IN A REFERENDUM QUESTION, HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH LAST SUNDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN ALBANIA. BUT UNOFFICIAL REPORTS FROM THE CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION SAY THE MONARCHY QUESTION FAILED. (SIGNED)
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03-Jul-97 1:04 PM EDT (1704 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CLINTON/ SENATE/ NATO (L ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON PREPARES TO TRAVEL TO MADRID FOR THE NATO SUMMIT NEXT WEEK, WHEN THREE FORMER WARSAW PACT NATIONS -- POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC -- ARE EXPECTED TO BE INVITED TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE. BUT THERE ARE A GROWING NUMBER OF CRITICS TO NATO EXPANSION IN THE U-S SENATE, WHICH ALONG WITH THE PARLIAMENTS OF OTHER NATO MEMBER STATES, WILL BE CALLED UPON TO APPROVE NEW ALLILANCE MEMBERS. MR. CLINTON THURSDAY SOUGHT TO EASE SOME OF THEIR CONCERNS. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: AS MR. CLINTON PREPARES TO TRAVEL TO MADRID, THERE ARE GROWING CONCERNS IN THE U-S SENATE THAT THERE HAS BEEN TOO LITTLE CONSIDERATION OF THE POLITICAL AND STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS OF NATO EXPANSION.

SOME ARE RELUCTANT TO SUPPORT THE IDEA THAT U-S TROOPS COULD BE CALLED UPON TO DEFEND FORMER WARSAW PACT NATIONS.

SPEAKING TO VETERANS' GROUPS WHO ENDORSE NATO EXPANSION, MR. CLINTON ARGUED THAT ENLARGING THE ALLIANCE IS IN THE U-S INTEREST.

A NATO THAT EMBRACES EUROPE'S NEW DEMOCRACIES WILL BE MORE CAPABLE OF CARRYING OUT ITS MISSIONS, DEFENDING THE TERRITORY OF ITS MEMBERS, ADDRESSING CONFLICTS THAT THREATEN OUR COMMON PEACE.

HE SAID EXPANDING NATO WOULD PROVIDE THE KIND OF CLIMATE NECESSARY FOR FREEDOM AND PROSPERITY TO SURVIVE AND GROW.

MR. CLINTON ALSO RESPONDED TO CONCERN THAT THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES COULD BECOME EMBROILED IN BORDER CONFLICTS AMONG NEW MEMBERS. HE ARGUED THAT EXPANDING NATO WOULD REDUCE THE CHANCES OF FURTHER CONFLICTS IN EUROPE BY ENCOURAGING PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS TO RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCE PEACEFULLY.

ALREADY THE VERY PROSPECT OF NATO MEMBERSHIP HAS HELPED CONVINCE COUNTRIES IN CENTRAL EUROPE TO IMPROVE TIES WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS, TO SETTLE BORDER AND ETHNIC DISPUTES, ANY ONE OF WHICH COULD HAVE LED TO A CONFLICT IN A DIFFERENT TIME AND UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES.

IN ADDITION, THE PRESIDENT DISPUTED CRITICS' CLAIMS THAT NATO EXPANSION WOULD RESULT IN A NEW LINE OF DIVISION ACROSS EUROPE.

ENLARGING NATO WILL ERASE THE ARTIFICIAL LINE IN EUROPE DRAWN BY STALIN AT THE END OF WORLD WAR TWO, AND NATO WILL NOW HELP EUROPE IN SECURITY, NOT BE KEPT APART IN INSTABILITY. NATO'S DOORS WILL REMAIN OPEN TO ALL THOSE WILLING TO SHOULDER THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP SO WE DO NOT REPLACE AN OLD DIVISION OF EUROPE WITH A NEW ONE.

AND WHILE SOME IN CONGRESS FEAR THAT ADMITTING EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPEAN NATIONS TO NATO WOULD WEAKEN THE ALLIANCE, MR. CLINTON ARGUED OTHERWISE.

THE NATIONS WE ARE CONSIDERING FOR MEMBERSHIP SHARE OUR VALUES AND OUR ASPIRATIONS, THEY HAVE SHOWN THAT TIME AND AGAIN. THEY ALSO HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO WHAT IS REQUIRED OF NATO MEMBERS.

THERE ARE ALSO CONCERNS AMONG LAWMAKERS ABOUT THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF NATO EXPANSION -- ALTHOUGH MR. CLINTON DID NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THE ADMINISTRATION ESTIMATES THE COST AT BETWEEN 15O MILLION TO 200 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR OVER 12 YEARS. OTHERS HAVE SAID THE COST WOULD BE MUCH HIGHER.

ALTHOUGH OPPONENTS OF NATO ENLARGEMENT ARE MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD, THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH VOTES NOW TO PREVAIL IN THE SENATE.

MR. CLINTON WILL CONTINUE MAKING HIS CASE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WITH THE HOPE THAT THOSE CRITICS WILL NOT SUCCEED WHEN THE SENATE IS SCHEDULED TO VOTE ON NEW NATO MEMBERS NEXT YEAR. (SIGNED)
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03-Jul-97 6:40 PM EDT (2240 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CLINTON/BOSNIA (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON, ON THE EVE OF HIS DEPARTURE FOR THE MADRID SUMMIT, SAYS THE NATO PARTNERS ARE SEEKING WAYS TO EXPEDITE THE ARREST OF INDICTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS STILL AT LARGE IN BOSNIA. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON WELCOMED LAST WEEK'S ARREST OF AN ETHNIC-SERB FORMER CITY MAYOR IN CROATIA WANTED IN THE KILLING OF MORE THAN 250 CROATS, AND SAID THE NATO ALLIES ARE SEEKING WAYS TO, AS HE PUT IT, "ACCELERATE" THE PROCESS OF BRINGING WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS TO JUSTICE.

BUT HE SAYS THE FACT THAT PROMINENT WAR CRIMES FIGURES ARE STILL AT LARGE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THE LAGGING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CIVILIAN ASPECTS OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS.

IN A V-O-A INTERVIEW, THE PRESIDENT AGAIN STRESSED THE DETERMINATION OF THE ALLIANCE TO END PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS -- AT LEAST IN THEIR PRESENT FORM -- ONE YEAR FROM NOW.

AS WE GET ALONG TOWARD THE END OF THE YEAR, WE CAN TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AND SEE, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S THE SECURITY SITUATION GOING TO BE NEXT JUNE. AND HOW CAN WE BEST TAKE CARE OF IT. BUT I DON'T THINK THAT THIS PARTICULAR MISSION, AT THIS LEVEL, SHOULD CONTINUE. WE CANNOT OCCUPY THIS COUNTRY FOREVER.

MR. CLINTON SAID HE DOES NOT THINK THE WAR-WEARY BOSNIAN PARTIES WANT A RETURN TO CONFLICT, BUT HE SAID NATO AND OTHER CONCERNED PARTIES HAVE TO DO MORE NOW TO "GET THEM TO BUILD A BETTER PEACE." (SIGNED)
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03-Jul-97 4:10 PM EDT (2010 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CLINTON/NATO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON -- ON THE EVE OF HIS DEPARTURE FOR THE NATO SUMMIT IN MADRID -- SAYS THE PROCESS OF NATO EXPANSION IS ONGOING AND WILL NOT STOP WITH THE EXPECTED ADMISSION OF POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON SAYS THE NATO ALLIES WILL TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT EXPANSION AT THEIR SUMMIT TWO YEARS FROM NOW. AND HE SAYS THAT THE SUCCESSFUL ABSORPTION OF THE INITIAL THREE NEW MEMBERS MAY EVENTUALLY MAKE IT EASIER -- POLITICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY -- FOR N-A-T-O TO GO AHEAD WITH A SECOND ROUND OF EXPANSION IN 1999.

IN A V-O-A INTERVIEW, THE PRESIDENT SAID ROMANIA, SLOVENIA AND OTHER COUNTRIES LIKELY TO BE PASSED OVER AT MADRID WILL GET MORE FROM THE ALLIANCE THAN EXPRESSIONS OF CONDOLENCE:

WE DO JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES. THEY'RE INVOLVED WITH US IN BOSNIA. THIS IS A HUGE DEAL. SO THESE COUNTRIES ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BECOME MORE SECURE AND MORE INVOLVED WITH NATO NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS. BUT THEY'RE GETTING A CLEAR SIGNAL TOO THAT THIS IS NOT THE LAST DECISION ON MEMBERSHIP AND THAT IT IS NOT THE LAST DECISION FOR A LONG TIME -- THAT WITHIN TWO YEARS WE ARE GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THIS.

MR. CLINTON REJECTED THE NOTION THE UNITED STATES IS BEING HEAVY-HANDED WITH THE ALLIES IN STANDING FIRM AGAINST A BROADER FIRST-ROUND EXPANSION. HE SAID THE LIKELY INVITEES AT MADRID -- POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC -- ARE THE ONLY THREE THAT ARE "CLEARY READY" IN TERMS OF THE STABILIITY OF THEIR DEMOCRACY AND ABILITY TO FULFILL THE MILITARY REQUIREMENTS OF MEMBERSHIP.

AS TO CONCERN IN THE BALTIC STATES AND ELSEWHERE ABOUT A RETURN TO AUTHORITARIANISM AND EMPIRE BUILDING IN RUSSIA, THE PRESIDENT SAID ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN -- BUT THAT SUCH A SCENARIO IS UNLIKELY WITH PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S SIGNING IN MAY OF THE N-A-T-O / RUSSIA FOUNDING DOCUMENT.

THE PARTNERSHIP WITH RUSSIA IS A CLEAR SIGNAL THAT, AT LEAST AS LONG AS THIS GOVERNMENT IS THERE AND THAT PRESIDENT IS THERE, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DEFINE THEIR GREATNESS IN TERMS OF THEIR TERRITORIAL DOMINANCE. KEEP ON MIND, IT WAS PRESIDENT YELTSIN THAT WORKED WITH US TO WITHDRAW THE TROOPS FROM THE BALTICS. SO THE RUSSIANS HAVE LEFT THE BALTICS IN THE TENURE OF MY SERVICE HERE.

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

INTRO: STOCK MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE THURSDAY AGAIN TESTED THE QUESTION, "HOW HIGH IS UP?" TWO NEW MARKET RECORDS WERE POSTED, AS VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS.

TEXT: AFTER STARTING THE DAY ON A QUICK SLIDE IN RESPONSE TO FEARS OF HIGHER INTEREST RATES, THE LONDON "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF STOCKS SWITCHED DIRECTIONS IN MID-DAY, TURNING SHARPLY HIGHER AS INVESTOR CONFIDENCE REBOUNDED. THE "FOOTSIE" CLOSED THE DAY UP OVER 80 POINTS -- A NEW RECORD. THE OLD MARKET RECORD WAS BROKEN IN FRANKFURT AS WELL THURSDAY, WITH THE "DAX 30" INDEX OF STOCKS CLIMBING ALMOST 33 POINTS AT THE CLOSE. THE PARIS "CAC 40" STOCK INDEX WAS UP AS WELL BY 27-AND-A-HALF POINTS.

CURRENCY MARKETS IN EUROPE SAW THE DOLLAR DECLINE. HERE IN LONDON, THE DOLLAR LOST A QUARTER OF A PFENNIGE AGAINST THE MARK. THE BRITISH POUND SOARED AGAINST THE MARK AND THE DOLLAR -- GAINING THREE-AND-A-HALF CENTS AGAINST THE AMERICAN CURRENCY. GOLD CONTINUED ITS DECLINE, CLOSING IN LONDON DOWN 80 CENTS AT 331-DOLLARS-55 CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
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03-Jul-97 2:24 PM EDT (1824 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] GERMANY / RACISM (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: THE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL HAS OUTLINED WHAT IT CALLS A WORRYING PATTERN OF GERMAN POLICE BRUTALITY AGAINST FOREIGNERS. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN.

TEXT: THE AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT DESCRIBES MANY OF THE SAME TYPES OF ILL TREATMENT OF FOREIGNERS THAT IT FIRST LISTED TWO YEARS AGO. THE REPORT DETAILS CASES OF BROKEN BONES AND EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE BY GERMAN POLICE, WHICH IT SAYS ARE PART OF A WORRYING PATTERN.

THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF ALLEGED CASES OF POLICE BRUTALITY ARE AGAINST FOREIGNERS. BUT AMNESTY SPOKESMAN MICHAEL BUTLER SAYS IT IS DIFFICULT TO PROVE RACIST MOTIVATION.

BUT THE FACT THAT IN MANY CASES THE ALLEGED VICTIMS SAY THEY WERE SUBJECTED TO RACIST INSULTS, FOR EXAMPLE, FOR US IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF EVIDENCE AND ONE WHICH WE THINK THE GERMAN AUTHORITIES SHOULD TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY AS WELL.

AMNESTY SAYS IT HAS INVESTIGATED A NUMBER OF CASES OUTLINED IN ITS FIRST REPORT. THE GROUP SAYS MANY OFFICERS WHO ALLEGEDLY COMMITTED ACTS OF BRUTALITY HAVE ESCAPED PROSECUTION AND FEW HAVE FACED DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

AMNESTY SAYS NONE OF THOSE WHO LODGED COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN COMPENSATED FOR THEIR INJURIES.

WE CRITICIZE INVESTIGATIONS FOR NOT BEING PROMPT AND NOT BEING IMPARTIAL IN ALL CASES. WE CRITICIZE THE AUTHORITIES REALLY FOR NOT HAVING DEVELOPED A CLEAR ENOUGH STRATEGY FOR THE WHOLE OF GERMANY TO COMBAT THE PROBLEMS OF ALLEGED POLICE ILL TREATMENT.

AMNESTY ACKNOWLEDGES GERMAN OFFICIALS HAVE LAUNCHED PROBES INTO ALL THE ALLEGATIONS OF POLICE BRUTALITY. BUT THE GROUP IS CALLING ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO LAUNCH AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO THE PROBLEM.

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAD NO IMMEDIATE COMMENT ON THE FINDINGS OF THE NEW REPORT, WHICH WERE BACKED UP BY A RECENT REPORT BY THE UNITED NATIONS. (SIGNED)
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03-Jul-97 9:42 AM EDT (1342 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] HISTORY OF NATO EXPANSION BY FRANK RONALDS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: WITH THE PROPOSED ADMISSION TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION OF THREE MORE COUNTRIES -- POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC -- (EXPECTED) AT THE NATO SUMMIT IN MADRID (NEXT WEEK / JULY 8-9), FOREIGN POLICY EXPERTS POINT OUT THAT THIS IS BY NO MEANS THE FIRST TIME THAT NATO HAS BEEN EXPANDED. THE ORIGINAL 12 MEMBERS WHO SIGNED THE TREATY IN 1949 INVITED GREECE AND TURKEY TO JOIN IN 1952, GERMANY IN 1955 AND SPAIN IN 1982. WITH BACKGROUND, HERE IS V-O-A'S FRANK RONALDS.

TEXT: MANY EUROPEANS WHO HAD SUFFERED UNDER NAZI GERMAN OCCUPATION DURING WORLD WAR TWO OPPOSED THE INCLUSION OF GERMANY WITHIN THE ALLIANCE. BUT LIEUTENANT GENERAL JORG KUEBART SAYS THAT THE INTEGRATION OF GERMANY INTO THE ALLIANCE HELPED HIS COUNTRY TO OVERCOME THE LEGACY OF TOTALITARIANISM, AS WAS LATER THE CASE WHEN SPAIN JOINED NATO IN 1982.

A FORMER GENERAL IN THE GERMAN AIR FORCE, JORG KUEBART IS NOW THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE MARSHALL CENTER IN GARMISCH, GERMANY. THE CENTER HAS TRAINED THOUSANDS OF MILITARY OFFICERS -- LIEUTENANT COLONEL AND ABOVE -- FROM THE COUNTRIES OF EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION, INCLUDING RUSSIA ITSELF, THAT HAVE JOINED THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE. THERE, THEY LEARN HOW THE MILITARY OPERATES WITHIN A DEMOCRACY, AND HOW THE ARMED FORCES OF VARIOUS COUNTRIES CAN COOPERATE TOGETHER.

IN NATO, WE ARE USED FROM THE VERY EARLY DAYS TO THINK INTERNATIONALLY. WE HAVE NEVER BEEN THINKING IN NATIONAL TERMS. WHAT WE DO HERE IS TO TRY TO CONVINCE PEOPLE THAT THE WAY WE DO IT IN NATO IS THE BEST WAY TO DO IT: TO COOPERATE BETWEEN ARMED FORCES AND TO COOPERATE BETWEEN GOVERNMENTS. (BEGIN OPT) WE DO NOT HAVE HERE ONLY MILITARY PEOPLE. WE DO HAVE YOUNG DIPLOMATS AND WE DO HAVE YOUNG PARLIAMENTARIANS. (END OPT) AND WHAT WE TEACH AND WHAT WE TALK ABOUT AND WHAT WE DISCUSS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE LEARNED FROM NATO: HOW TO COOPERATE AND HOW TO BE GOOD PARTNERS AND TRUST EACH OTHER.

NATO IS NOW INVOLVED -- TOGETHER WITH MILITARY UNITS FROM SOME PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE NATIONS, INCLUDING RUSSIA -- IN A PEACE-KEEPING EFFORT IN BOSNIA, IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. GENERAL WILLIAM ODOM DOES NOT THINK THAT ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION CAN EFFECTIVELY STOP BLOOD-LETTING IN THAT TORTURED LAND. THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE U-S NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, GENERAL ODOM IS NOW THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL SECURITY STUDIES AT THE HUDSON INSTITUTE IN WASHINGTON.

THE ONLY REASON THAT THE COALITION WORKED FAIRLY EFFECTIVELY IN THE PERSIAN GULF WAR WAS THAT THE U-S LED COALITION THERE DEPENDED ALMOST ENTIRELY ON 20 OR 30 YEARS OF STANDARDIZED AGREEMENTS FOR MULTINATIONAL COORDINATION WITHIN NATO. NATO IS THE ONLY INSTITUTION IN THE WORLD THAT HAS DEVELOPED A FAIRLY EFFECTIVE SYSTEM OF MANAGING MODERN MILITARY INSTITUTIONS IN A MULTI-NATIONAL COALITION. THEREFORE, IT IS REALLY THE ONLY WAY WE CAN OPERATE EFFECTIVELY ON A MULTINATIONAL BASIS TO STABILIZE THESE REGIONS AND AVOID THE SPREAD OR EXPANSION OF CONFLICTS THAT BREAK OUT.

SOME CRITICS OF NATO EXPANSION HAVE PROPOSED THAT, AS AN ALTERNATIVE, THE PARNERSHIP FOR PEACE, SET UP IN 1993 TO INCLUDE THE 16 NATO COUNTRIES PLUS THE 24 NATIONS OF EAST/CENTRAL EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION, BE FURTHER STRENGTHENED. BUT ANTHONY LAKE, NOW A PROFESSOR OF DIPLOMACY AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY IN WASHINGTON, SAYS THAT THE P-F-P HAS BEEN IN A CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF STRENGTHENING. MR. LAKE WAS THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON THROUGHOUT HIS FIRST FOUR-YEAR TERM OF OFFICE.

FROM THE START, THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE, WHICH HAS BEEN VERY, VERY EFFECTIVE AND VERY USEFUL, IN BOSNIA AND ELSEWHERE, HAS ALSO BEEN EXPLICITLY A PATH TO MEMBERSHIP IN NATO. ONE OF THE ATTRACTIONS OF THE PARNERSHIP FOR PEACE, ONE OF THE REASONS WHY SO MANY GOVERNMENTS HAVE SOUGHT TO JOIN IT, HAS BEEN PRECISELY BECAUSE THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE IS NOT AN ALTERNATIVE TO NATO OR NATO MEMBERSHIP; IT IS A POTENTIAL PATH TO NATO MEMBERSHIP. IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN.

THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT CLINTON TAKES THE POSITION THAT NATO -- PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE -- HUES TO THE PURPOSE EXPRESSED BY PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN AT ITS FOUNDING IN APRIL 1949.

WE BELIEVE IT IS POSSIBLE FOR NATIONS TO ACHIEVE UNITY ON THE GREAT PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN FREEDOM AND JUSTICE, AND AT THE SAME TIME, TO PERMIT, IN OTHER RESPECTS, THE GREATEST DIVERSITY OF WHICH THE HUMAN MIND IS CAPABLE. WE REDEDICATE OURSELVES TO THAT OBLIGATION, AND PROPOSE THIS NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY AS ONE OF THE MEANS TO CARRY IT OUT.

THERE ARE MANY FOREIGN POLICY SPECIALISTS, IN THE WEST AS WELL AS IN MOSCOW, WHO OPPOSE FURTHER EXPANSION OF NATO. BUT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES THAT IT WILL BE MOST EFFECTIVE IN CARRYING OUT ITS ORIGINAL PURPOSE IF IT CONTINUES TO EXPAND ON THESE SAME PRINCIPLES. (SIGNED)
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03-Jul-97 2:50 PM EDT (1850 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 UP STRONGLY TODAY (THURSDAY), SETTING NEW RECORDS AS TRADERS CELEBRATED THE LATEST U-S EMPLOYMENT REPORT. CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 78 HUNDRED 95, UP 100 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 208 POINTS OR ABOUT TWO AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX WAS UP 12 POINTS CLOSING AT 916, ALSO A RECORD HIGH.

IT WAS THE FINAL DAY OF TRADING FOR U-S FINANCIAL MARKETS THIS WEEK BECAUSE OF THE INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY ON FRIDAY.

ANALYSTS SAY TRADERS WERE VERY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE LATEST EMPLOYMENT REPORT. IT SHOWED THAT THE RATE OF NEW JOB CREATION IN THE U-S ECONOMY IS SLOWING. THAT IS ANOTHER SIGN THAT INFLATION WILL BE KEPT IN CHECK.

THE LOCKHEED MARTIN AND THE NORTHRUP GRUMMAN AEROSPACE COMPANIES HAVE ANNOUNCED PLANS TO MERGE IN A DEAL WORTH 11 POINT SIX BILLION DOLLARS. IT IS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF MERGERS IN THE U-S DEFENSE INDUSTRY. THE TWO COMPANIES WHICH ARE MERGING ARE THE RESULT OF MERGERS THEMSELVES.

U-S TOBACCO COMPANIES HAVE SETTLED A LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY THE SOUTHERN STATE OF MISSISSIPPI IN WHICH THE CIGARETTE MAKERS AGREED TO PAY THREE BILLION DOLLARS OVER 25 YEARS. MISSISSIPPI IS AMONG 40 U-S STATES WHICH HAVE SUED TOBACCO COMPANIES IN AN EFFORT TO RECOVER THE COSTS OF TREATING SMOKING-RELATED ILLNESSES. A BROADER SETTLEMENT, WHICH WOULD END ALL THE LAWSUITS, MUST BE APPROVED BY CONGRESS.

THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS THE LONE BRIGHT SPOT AMONG THE BIG THREE U-S AUTOMAKERS WHEN IT COMES TO TOTAL SALES DURING JUNE. FORD SAYS ITS SALES IN THE UNITED STATES ROSE BY ALMOST FIVE PERCENT LAST MONTH. GENERAL MOTORS AND CHRYSLER EARLIER REPORTED SALES DECLINES. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/LWM
03-Jul-97 4:21 PM EDT (2021 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] NORTHERN IRELAND (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: IRISH PRIME MINISTER BERTIE AHERN TRAVELLED TO LONDON THURSDAY TO DISCUSS THE TROUBLED SITUATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND WITH HIS BRITISH COUNTERPART, TONY BLAIR. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: A BRITISH GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN PROVIDED FEW DETAILS ABOUT THE ONE-AND-HALF-HOUR MEETING -- THE FIRST BETWEEN THE TWO MEN SINCE BOTH BECAME PRIME MINISTERS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES. THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TWO LEADERS FOCUSED ON THE ISSUE OF HOW TO GET PARAMILITARY GROUPS IN NORTHERN IRELAND TO GIVE UP THEIR WEAPONS -- AN ISSUE KNOWN AS DECOMMISSIONING.

LAST WEEK MR. BLAIR PRESENTED A PROPOSAL TO THE VARIOUS POLITICAL PARTIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND TO SET UP AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION TO OVERSEE THE HANDING IN OF PARAMILITARY WEAPONS. THAT COMMISSION WOULD WORK AT THE SAME TIME AS NEW MULTI-PARTY TALKS ON NORTHERN IRELAND ARE BEING HELD. THE PROPOSAL WAS WORKED OUT WITH THE IRISH GOVERNMENT, AND THE BRITISH SPOKESMAN SAID BOTH MEN RESOLVED THURSDAY TO WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS ON TRACK.

THE LONDON MEETING CAME AT A TIME WHEN TENSIONS ARE HIGH IN THE BRITISH PROVINCE, DUE TO THE SO-CALLED "MARCHING SEASON" WHEN PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS HOLD PARADES. MOST ARE PEACEFUL, BUT SOME ARE EXTREMELY CONTENTIOUS.

ONE SUCH MARCH TAKES PLACE THIS SUNDAY IN THE SMALL TOWN OF PORTADOWN -- ABOUT 40 KILOMETERS SOUTHWEST OF BELFAST. PROTESTANTS WILL MARCH FROM A LOCAL CHURCH TO AN ASSEMBLY HALL, TAKING THEM THROUGH A CATHOLIC NEIGHBORHOOD. LAST YEAR'S PARADE SPARKED VIOLENCE THROUGHOUT NORTHERN IRELAND, RESULTING IN SEVERAL DEATHS.

IN AN EFFORT TO AVERT VIOLENCE THIS YEAR, BRITAIN'S SENIOR MINISTER IN CHARGE OF NORTHERN IRELAND -- MO MOWLAN -- HAS BEEN MEETING SEPARATELY WITH PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC LEADERS. BUT MISS MOWLAN TOLD BRITISH RADIO SHE HAS MADE LITTLE PROGRESS.

THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS COMPETING RIGHTS. THERE IS THE RIGHT TO MARCH, WHICH I SUPPORT, AND THE RIGHT FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE FREE OF FEAR, OF INTIMIDATION AND INSECURITY IN THEIR OWN HOMES WHICH I AGAIN SUPPORT. EVERYBODY WOULD IN A CIVILIZED SOCIETY. BUT WITH THOSE COMPETING RIGHTS, ONE HAS TO TRY AND GET AN ACCOMMODATION BECAUSE IF NOT, VIOLENCE IS MOST LIKELY.

MISS MOWLAN EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT BETWEEN NOW AND SUNDAY, SOME SORT OF COMPROMISE MIGHT BE REACHED TO AVOID BLOODSHED. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF/EH
03-Jul-97 2:20 PM EDT (1820 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] RUSSIA / AZERBAIJAN (S) BY ELIZABETH ARROTT (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS REVEALED PLANS TO BRING AN END TO A LONG-STANDING TERRITORIAL DISPUTE BETWEEN THE FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS, ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN. V-O-A'S ELIZABETH ARROTT REPORTS FROM MOSCOW.

TEXT: PRESIDENT YELTSIN SAID AN INTERNATIONAL EFFORT WILL BE LAUNCHED TO HAVE THE LEADERS OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH.

THE ARMENIAN-DOMINATED TERRITORY INSIDE AZERBAIJAN HAS BEEN THE SOURCE OF A BITTER NINE-YEAR CONFLICT. A TENSE TRUCE HAS FAILED TO BRING THE TWO SIDES CLOSER.

MR. YELTSIN, QUOTED BY THE INTERFAX NEWS AGENCY AFTER TALKS IN MOSCOW WITH AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT HAIDAR ALIYEV, SAID HE HAD AGREED WITH LEADERS IN FRANCE AND THE UNITED STATES TO ARRANGE A PEACE SUMMIT. HE REVEALED NO SPECIFIC TIMETABLE FOR THE TALKS.

THE RUSSIAN AND AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENTS ALSO ANNOUNCED PROGRESS ON A LUCRATIVE BUSINESS DEAL THAT WOULD SEE OIL FROM THE CASPIAN SEA FLOWING FROM AZERBAIJAN TO RUSSIA IN THE COMING MONTHS. (SIGNED)
NEB/EA/JWH/RAE
03-Jul-97 12:41 PM EDT (1641 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] SCOTUS EXTENDS SPEECH FREEDOM TO THE INTERNET BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

(UNEDITED)

INTRO: IN A FLURRY OF IMPORTANT DECISIONS ANNOUNCED IN THE FINAL WEEK OF ITS TERM, THE U-S SUPREME COURT HAS LEFT EDITORIAL WRITERS SCRAMBLING TO CATCH UP AND COMMENT ON THESE MOMENTOUS RULINGS.

NOW, MANY PAPERS ARE GIVING THEIR VIEWS ON THE DECISION THAT EXTENDED THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS OF FREE SPEECH TO THE INTERNET. WE GET A SAMPLING OF HOW THEY FEEL NOW FROM ________________ IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THE COURT WAS ASKED TO DECIDE WHETHER THE 1996 COMMUNICATIONS DECENCY ACT THAT MADE IT ILLEGAL FOR ANYONE TO SEND WHAT THE LAW CALLED "INDECENT" MATERIAL OVER THE INTERNET. THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS HAD BEEN REACTING TO PARENT'S COMPLAINTS THAT THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN, OPERATING HOME COMPUTERS, OFTEN WITHOUT SUPERVISION, WERE ABLE TO BRING UP GRAPHIC SEXUAL IMAGES AND MESSAGES.

THE LAW WAS DESIGNED TO DECREASE THE AMOUNT OF EROTIC OR PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER LINK-UP KNOWN AS THE INTERNET. HOWEVER, THE COURT RULED THAT BY RESTRICTING SUCH MATERIAL IN AN EFFORT TO PROTECT CHILDREN, CONSENTING ADULTS WERE ALSO BARRED FROM SEEING IT AND THAT WAS AN INFRINGEMENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT OF FREE SPEECH.

SO THAT PORTION OF THE LAW WAS STRUCK DOWN. THE U-S PRESS GENERALLY AGREED WITH THE COURT, ALTHOUGH MANY POINTED OUT THAT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO SOMEHOW PROTECT CHILDREN USING HOME COMPUTERS FROM GRAPHIC SEXUAL MATERIAL. HERE'S HOW THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE FEELS ABOUT THE DECISION.

VOICE: "THAT RULING WAS ONE OF THE MOST WELCOME AND SIGNIFICANT DEFENSES OF FREE SPEECH THE COURT HAS EVER ISSUED, A RULING THAT PROTECTS THE USE OF THAT DAZZLING NEW TOOL OF MASS COMMUNICATION, THE INTERNET. THE CDA [COMMUNICATIONS DECENCY ACT] WAS POORLY CONCEIVED FROM THE START. THE SENATE DIDN'T EVEN HOLD HEARINGS, REFLECTING THE ASSUMPTION OF LAWMAKERS THAT IT WAS ENOUGH TO KNOW THEY WERE VOTING AGAINST PORNOGRAPHY - - NEVER MIND THAT THE MEDIUM BEING ADDRESSED WAS ONE FEW OF THEM WERE FAMILIAR WITH. .... THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION CRAVENLY WENT ALONG RATHER THAN BUCK THE POLITICAL WINDS. .......CONGRESS IGNORED THE FACT THAT SOFTWARE PROVIDERS OFFER DEVICES THAT BLOCK ACCESS TO SEXUALLY ORIENTED SITES..... ANY NEW COMMUNICATIONS MEDIUM RAISES FEAR OF ITS UNKNOWN POWER. BUT IT IS ALMOST ALWAYS A MISTAKE TO LET SUCH FEAR JUSTIFY SUPPRESSION."

TEXT: ON LONG ISLAND, NEWSDAY AGREES.

VOICE: "IT'S NOT EXACTLY A SURPRISE THAT THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED THE PART OF THE 1996 COMMUNICATIONS DECENCY ACT THAT BARS USE OF THE INTERNET TO SEND INDECENT MATERIAL TO CHILDREN. LOWER [FEDERAL] COURTS HAD PREVIOUSLY RULED THAT THE LAW UNDULY INFRINGED ON ADULTS' CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED FREE-SPEECH RIGHTS. BUT THE DECISION WAS STILL WELCOME, BACKED AS IT WAS BY ALL NINE JUSTICES (ALTHOUGH TWO LEFT A DOOR OPEN TO LESSER RESTRICTIONS). THAT MAKES IT AUTHORITATIVELY CLEAR THAT CONGRESS CAN'T REGULATE THE FAST-EVOLVING COMMUNICATIONS FREE-FOR-ALL THAT IS THE INTERNET, THE WAY IT DOES THE FEDERALLY LICENSED BROADCAST MEDIA. THE RULING PROPERLY LEFT IN PLACE THE LAW'S BANS ON OBSCENITY AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY."

TEXT: THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, WHILE REMINDING READERS OF THE VARIOUS SOFTWARE PRODUCTS THAT CAN MAKE IT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT FOR CHILDREN TO ACCESS INTERNET PORNOGRAPHY, CHEERS THE COURT'S DECISION.

VOICE: "GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE INTERNET, THERE WAS NO WAY TO GUARANTEE ACCESS TO ONE GROUP [ADULTS] WHILE DENYING IT TO ANOTHER [CHILDREN]. NOTING THAT DRAWBACK, THE ... SUPREME COURT LAST WEEK THREW OUT THE COMMUNICATIONS DECENCY ACT, FINDING IT A VIOLATION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH. IT WAS AN APPROPRIATE AND NECESSARY RULING. AS THE JUSTICES NOTED, THE PROBLEM ... THE LAW WAS MEANT TO CORRECT WAS TEMPORARY; THE DAMAGE IT WOULD HAVE DONE TO THE INTERNET, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY TO THE RIGHT OF FREE SPEECH, WOULD HAVE BEEN PERMANENT."

TEXT: THE DOMINANT PAPER IN NEW ENGLAND, THE BOSTON GLOBE, IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE INTERNET DECISION, BUT IN A BROADER LOOK AT THE COURT, CHIDES THE JUSTICES FOR WHAT THE PAPER TERMS THEIR "INDECISIONS."

VOICE: "THE FLOOD OF END-OF-TERM OPINIONS HANDED DOWN BY THE U-S SUPREME COURT ..... PROMISES FRESH ROUNDS OF LITIGATION AS THE COUNTRY THREADS ITS WAY THROUGH THICKETS OF DISPUTES OVER HIGHLY CONTENTIOUS ISSUES. NARROWLY DIVIDED ON SEVERAL IMPORTANT CASES ...... THIS HAS BEEN A SITUATIONAL COURT, DECIDING ISSUES MORE ON DAY-TO-DAY PRACTICALITIES THAN ON SWEEPING CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES. .....IN STRIKING DOWN A PORTION OF THE COMMUNICATIONS DECENCY ACT .... THE JUSTICES INVITED LEGISLATION THAT MORE SUCCESSFULLY ADDRESSES THE OBJECTIVE OF SHIELDING CHILDREN FROM SUCH MATERIAL. IT IS SAFE TO PREDICT THAT THIS EFFORT, TOO, WILL PROMPT FRESH LITIGATION, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS DIFFICULT TO AVOID THE SUSPICION THAT CONGRESS PASSED THE MEASURE WITH LITTLE CAREFUL THOUGHT ABOUT FIRST AMENDMENT ISSUES ....."

TEXT: THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR IS CONCERNED ABOUT ALL EXCESSES ON THE INTERNET, FROM PORNOGRAPHY, TO TERRORIST BOMB-MAKING INFORMATION, AND TO U-S COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO GET ALREADY-WRITTEN EXAMINATION PAPERS FROM IT.

THE PAPER APPLAUDS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S MOVE TO INCREASE WAYS OF SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN IN THE WAKE OF THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION, AND THEN TALKS ABOUT AN EVEN MORE SERIOUS INTERNET PROBLEM THAN SEX, IN GERMANY.

VOICE: "[IN] GERMANY, WHERE STATE REGULATORS HAVE FEWER CONSTITUTIONAL BRAKES [THAN IN THE U-S] AND A GRIM DETERMINATION TO GUARD THE PUBLIC MORALITY..... THE HOTTEST CASE AT THE MOMENT INVOLVES A DUTCH WEB SITE CALLED 'XS4ALL.' [A CODE FOR THE ENGLISH WORDS:EXCESS FOR ALL.] THIS SITE MAKES AVAILABLE AN ASSORTMENT OF RADICAL PUBLICATIONS, TERRORIST HOW-TO- MANUALS, ETC. THE GERMAN POLICE .... ARE TRYING TO CRACK DOWN ON INDIVIDUALS WHOSE HOME PAGES ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB INCLUDE LINKS TO THE OFFENDING SITE. ..... THE GERMANS ARE RIGHT, NONETHELESS, TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT ACCESS TO THIS KIND OF EXCESS."

TEXT: ON THAT DISQUIETING NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENTARY ON THE RECENT SUPREME COURT DECISION CONCERNING FREE SPEECH ON THE INTERNET.
NEB/ANG/EH
03-Jul-97 1:42 PM EDT (1742 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] SENATE-NATO EXPANSION BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: AT NEXT WEEK'S NATO SUMMIT, THE WESTERN ALLIANCE IS EXPECTED TO OFFER MEMBERSHIP TO THREE OF ITS FORMER EASTERN BLOC ENEMIES -- THE CZECH REPUBLIC, POLAND, AND HUNGARY. A TREATY WILL LIKELY BE SIGNED IN DECEMBER AND MUST THEN BE RATIFIED BY LAWMAKERS IN MEMBER STATES. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS ON THE OUTLOOK IN THE U-S SENATE.

TEXT: THOUGH THE VOTE MAY BE ALMOST A YEAR AWAY, THE ARGUMENTS ARE STARTING ALREADY. A GROUP OF 46 FORMER OFFICIALS AND FOREIGN POLICY EXPERTS RECENTLY URGED PRESIDENT CLINTON TO STOP THE EXPANSION. JOHN RHINELANDER, WHO WORKED ON THE SALT-ONE NUCLEAR TREATY, PREDICTS A STRUGGLE ON CAPITOL HILL OVER ANY NEW NATO ACCORD.

ANYBODY WHO THINKS A TREATY WHICH HAS NOT EVEN BEEN NEGOTIATED -- IN FACT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THREE AGREEMENTS; WITH THE POLES, THE CZECHS, THE HUNGARIANS, NOT YET NEGOTIATED -- IS GOING TO WALK THROUGH THE SENATE IN THAT EXTRAORDINARY PROCESS WE HAVE, AND WE SAW MOST RECENTLY WITH THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION, DOES NOT UNDERSTAND OUR CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM. IT IS GOING TO BE A BATTLE ROYAL.

CONGRESS HAS LAID SOME GROUNDWORK FOR ENLARGEMENT BY PROVIDING MONEY AND SURPLUS EQUIPMENT TO POLAND, SLOVENIA, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, AND HUNGARY, TO HELP THEM GET READY FOR MEMBERSHIP. THIS YEAR, THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE LIKELY TO OFFER AID TO ROMANIA, THE BALTIC STATES, AND PERHAPS BULGARIA.

DEMOCRATIC SENATOR RICHARD DURBIN, WHO RECENTLY VISITED THE BALTICS, SAYS THEIR LEADERS ARE ANXIOUS TO JOIN NATO AND DESERVE U-S SUPPORT.

I SAID TO THEM AT THAT POINT, THAT WHEN I RETURNED TO THE SENATE I WOULD DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO INFORM AND EDUCATE MY COLLEAGUES ABOUT THIS DEEP, HEARTFELT, FEELING IN THE BALTICS THAT THEIR MEMBERSHIP IN NATO IS WHERE THEY WANT TO BE IN THE NEXT CENTURY, LOOKING TO THE WEST, LOOKING TO DEMOCRACY.

BUT ACTUALLY CHANGING THE MAKEUP OF A CRUCIAL MILITARY ALLIANCE IS A DIFFERENT, FAR MORE COMPLICATED ISSUE. SOME SENATORS ARE INCLINED TO MOVE SLOWLY, IF AT ALL. REPUBLICAN TED STEVENS, CHAIRMAN OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, WONDERS ABOUT THE EXPENSE OF NEW MEMBERS.

I SEE THAT THE NEW MOVE TO ENLARGE NATO AS OPENING UP THE DOORS TO A NEW MARSHALL PLAN OF SORTS. AND I THINK PEOPLE OUGHT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE SPENDING NOW, ALREADY, BEFORE WE TAKE ON ADDITIONAL OBLIGATIONS OF ANY SUBSTANTIAL SIZE.

FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS ARE NOT THE ONLY CONCERN. THE ORIGINAL NATO TREATY DECLARES AN ATTACK ON ONE MEMBER AN ATTACK ON ALL. THIS MEANS U-S SOLDIERS MIGHT SOMEDAY BE CALLED TO DEFEND PRAGUE, BUDAPEST OR WARSAW -- AND LAWMAKERS ARE WARY OF SUCH INVOLVEMENT. REPUBLICAN SENATOR KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, ONE OF THE LEADING CRITICS OF EXPANSION, SAYS THE ALLIES COULD BE DRAGGED INTO BORDER CONFLICTS OR FLAREUPS AMONG NEW MEMBERS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THERE IS A BORDER DISPUTE OR SOME SORT OF INTERNAL DISPUTE WITHIN A COUNTRY, OR BETWEEN TWO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES OR BETWEEN ANY TWO COUNTRIES THAT ARE MEMBERS OF NATO, THAT WE HAVE A DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS.

DESPITE THESE CONCERNS, NATO EXPANSION STILL ENJOYS BACKING FROM MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES. MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT SAYS THE PROSPECTS FOR RATIFICATION LOOK GOOD. DEMOCRAT JOSEPH BIDEN EXPECTS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND MOST OF THEIR SENATORS TO SUPPORT THE PLAN ONCE THE CASE IS MADE. HE ALSO WARNS THE UNITED STATES MUST BE READY FOR A LONG, POTENTIALLY COSTLY COMMITMENT, IF NATO IS TO AVOID THE FISCAL CHAOS THAT PLAGUES THE UNITED NATIONS.

AS WE VOTE, THERE WILL BE FEW SENATORS WHO WILL VOTE NO ON POLAND. BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN THEY VOTE YES, THEY ALSO RAISE THEIR HAND AND SAY "AND I UNDERSTAND THAT COMMITS ME FOR THE NEXT 10-YEARS TO APPROPRIATE ANOTHER COUPLE-HUNDRED-MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR."

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

INTRO: ONE OF THE DAY'S TOP NEWS STORIES IS THE DEATH, IN HOLLYWOOD, OF ACTOR JIMMY STEWART, CERTAINLY ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR FILM STARS EVER. A FEW PAPERS HAVE ALREADY REACTED TO HIS PASSING, AT AGE 89, AND WE'LL HAVE THAT A BIT LATER ON IN THIS SAMPLING.

OTHER COMMENTARIES ARE DEALING WITH SUCH THINGS AS THE NORTH KOREAN FAMINE: TROUBLE IN NICARAGUA; MAKING THE INTERNET SAFE FOR CHILDREN;THE MCDONNELL DOUGLAS - BOEING MERGER; THE CAMPAIGN FINANCING MESS; AND THE NEW MARS VISIT.

NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT THESE AND SOME OTHER ISSUES IS __________________WITH TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: IN AN EDITORIAL HEADLINE NEWSDAY, ON LONG ISLAND, SAYS THE "WORLD MUST HELP FEED [THE] STARVING NORTH KOREANS."

VOICE: "FACING A DEVASTATING FAMINE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A POLITICAL IMPLOSION, THE SECRETIVE REGIME OF NORTH KOREA FINALLY HAS AGREED TO BEGIN FORMAL TALKS TOWARD A PEACE TREATY WITH SOUTH KOREA, THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA. WITH THAT COMMITMENT OUT OF THE WAY, WASHINGTON NOW MUST START MARSHALING AN INTERNATIONAL RELIEF EFFORT TO AVERT THE RISK OF STARVATION FACING FIVE MILLION NORTH KOREANS. ..... [OPT] THE POTENTIAL FOR FAMINE IS NOT SIMPLY A HUMANITARIAN CONCERN. WIDESPREAD STARVATION COULD DESTABILIZE THE REGION AS BADLY AS ANOTHER WAR, SENDING HORDES OF HUNGRY REFUGEES ACROSS NORTH KOREA'S BORDERS IN DESPERATION. SOUTH KOREAN AND U-S COMMANDERS ALSO FEAR THAT SABOTEURS AND INTELLIGENCE OPERATIVES COULD INFILTRATE THE REFUGEES." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES IS TROUBLED BY THE LATEST POLITICAL TURMOIL IN NICARAGUA, STILL RECOVERING FROM A DEVASTATING CIVIL WAR, WHERE FORMER SANDINISTA LEADER DANIEL ORTEGA IS THREATENING TO TAKE UP ARMS AGAIN TO OPPOSE A BILL IN CONGRESS.

VOICE: "OBVIOUSLY THE COMMANDANTE [ITALICS FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE] HAS YET TO GET THE HANG OF [TOTALLY UNDERSTAND] WHAT WE CALL DEMOCRACY, WHICH IS WHAT HIS SANDINISTA MOVEMENT SAID IT WAS FIGHTING FOR 20 YEARS AGO. ..... SHAME ON [MR.] ORTEGA FOR RUNNING OFF THE DEMOCRATIC RAILS AGAIN."

VOICE: A MAJOR DOMESTIC CONTROVERSY FOLLOWS A SUPREME COURT DECISION ALLOWING EROTIC MATERIAL ON THE INTERNET. HOW TO MAINTAIN FREEDOM OF SPEECH ON THE COMPUTER CONNECTION HIGHWAY, WITHOUT ALLOWING CHILDREN TO BE HARMED BY PORNOGRAPHY. TODAY'S ATLANTA CONSTITUTION SALUTES THAT DECISION.

VOICE: THE INTERNET IS A POWERFUL NEW FORCE OF VAST POTENTIAL, PROVIDING THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE ALMOST ANYTHING TO ALMOST ANYONE. [OPT] ..... AMONG THE FIRST TO RECOGNIZE THE INTERNET'S VALUE WERE PURVEYORS OF PORNOGRAPHY. ..... LIKE THE VCR [VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER] THE INTERNET OFFERED THE PORN INDUSTRY A WAY TO DECENTRALIZE, TO MOVE OUT OF BOOKSTORES AND MOVIE HOUSES .... AND INTO PRIVATE HOMES.... [END OPT] THE FEAR THAT KIDS WOULD USE THE NET TO GAIN ACCESS TO PORNOGRAPHY GREW SO INTENSE THAT IN 1996, CONGRESS AND PRESIDENT CLINTON MADE IT A FEDERAL CRIME TO PUT 'INDECENT' MATERIAL ON THE INTERNET WHERE CHILDREN MIGHT SEE IT. BUT THAT CAUSED A PROBLEM: IF CHILDREN COULDN'T SEE IT, ADULTS COULDN'T EITHER. NOTING THAT DRAWBACK, THE U-S SUPREME COURT LAST WEEK THREW OUT THE COMMUNICATIONS DECENCY ACT, FINDING IT A VIOLATION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH. IT WAS AN APPROPRIATE AND NECESSARY RULING."

TEXT: THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR IS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT ALL EXCESSES ON THE INTERNET, FROM PORNOGRAPHY, TO TERRORIST BOMB-MAKING INFORMATION AND TO U-S COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO GET ALREADY-WRITTEN EXAMINATION PAPERS FROM IT.

THE PAPER APPLAUDS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S MOVE TO INCREASE WAYS OF SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN IN THE WAKE OF THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION, AND THEN TALKS ABOUT AN EVEN MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM IN GERMANY.

VOICE: "[IN] GERMANY, WHERE STATE REGULATORS HAVE FEWER CONSTITUTIONAL BRAKES [THAN IN THE U-S] AND A GRIM DETERMINATION TO GUARD THE PUBLIC MORALITY..... THE HOTTEST CASE AT THE MOMENT INVOLVES A DUTCH WEB SITE CALLED 'XS4ALL.' [A CODE FOR THE ENGLISH WORDS:EXCESS FOR ALL.] THIS SITE MAKES AVAILABLE AN ASSORTMENT OF RADICAL PUBLICATIONS, TERRORIST HOW-TO- MANUALS, ETC. THE GERMAN POLICE .... ARE TRYING TO CRACK DOWN ON INDIVIDUALS WHOSE HOME PAGES ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB INCLUDE LINKS TO THE OFFENDING SITE. ..... THE GERMANS ARE RIGHT, NONETHELESS, TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT ACCESS TO THIS KIND OF EXCESS."

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S DECISION NOT TO BLOCK THE HUGE MERGER BETWEEN AIRCRAFT COMPANIES BOEING AND MCDONNELL DOUGLAS, WHICH CLEARS THE WAY FOR A GIANT AIRPLANE AND WEAPONS CORPORATION. THE WASHINGTON POST EXAMINES WHY THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION [F-T-C] DECIDED NOT TO BLOCK THE DEAL.

VOICE: "SO WHY DID THE F-T-C .... SAY YES? SIMPLY PUT, THE COMMISSION DECIDED THAT MCDONNELL DOUGLAS, WITH LESS THAN TEN PERCENT OF THE WORLD'S AIRPLANE BUSINESS, WASN'T VIABLE ENOUGH TO CONSTITUTE REAL COMPETITION. ..... BUT A THIRD COMPETITOR, EVEN ONE WITH VERY LITTLE MARKET SHARE, CAN EXERT STRONG DOWNWARD INFLUENCE ON PRICES. TWO RIVALS - - NOW ONLY BOEING AND EUROPE'S AIRBUS ARE LEFT - - CAN EASILY ENTER UNSPOKEN AGREEMENTS NOT TO COMPETE ON PRICE, ESPECIALLY IN AN INDUSTRY SUCH AS THIS, IN WHICH NEW ENTRANTS ARE EFFECTIVELY BARRED BY COST OF ENTRY."

TEXT: TAKING A SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT VIEW IS THE BOSTON GLOBE, WHICH NOTES:

VOICE: "WHILE THE BOEING-MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MARRIAGE WOULD UNITE THE LARGEST AND THIRD-LARGEST PRODUCERS OF BIG PASSENGER AIRPLANES, IT CONSTITUTES FAR LESS CONCENTRATION THAN THOSE RANKINGS SUGGEST. MCDONNELL DOUGLAS ACCOUNTS FOR ONLY ABOUT FOUR PERCENT OF THE WORLD MARKET AND IS IN DANGER OF DISAPPEARING ENTIRELY UNLESS IT CAN ACHIEVE LOWER COSTS AND BETTER OPERATIONS THROUGH MERGER."

TEXT: THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER HAS BEEN RUNNING A SERIES OF SCATHING EDITORIALS ON THE SUBJECT OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. TODAY IT TALKS ABOUT THE FORTHCOMING CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS INTO THE SHORTCOMINGS OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM, AS EXPERIENCED IN LAST YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. THEY WILL BE CHAIRED BY SENATOR FRED THOMPSON OF TENNESSEE.

VOICE: "IDEALLY, THIS FRESHMAN SENATOR WILL DRAMATIZE WHAT'S FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG WITH THE CURRENT SYSTEM ..... IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE. THE SYSTEM GIVES INCUMBENTS SO MUCH MONEY THAT MOST CAMPAIGNS ARE MISMATCHES, CHEATING THE PUBLIC OUT OF AN ISSUE-ORIENTED DEBATE INVOLVING TWO OR MORE STRONG CANDIDATES. AND BY JOINING INCUMBENTS AT THE HIP WITH THE SPECIAL INTERESTS THAT WRITE THE CHECKS, THE SYSTEM SEDUCES ELECTED OFFICIALS AWAY FROM THE PUBLIC INTEREST."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES LEADS ITS THURSDAY EDITORIAL COLUMN WITH COMMENTS ON THE SAME SUBJECT, SAYING IN PART:

VOICE: "OUR REAL HOPE IS THAT THE HEARINGS [RUN BY SENATOR THOMPSON] WILL AWAKEN THE SLUMBERING JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO ITS RESPONSIBILITIES TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FOREIGN CONNECTION IN THE CAMPAIGN LAST YEAR. THIS PAGE HAS REPEATEDLY CALLED FOR AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL, WHICH ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT DESPITE THE FLAGRANT CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN HER HEADING AN INVESTIGATION THAT HAS ARRIVED AT THE WHITE HOUSE DOOR. ..... IN THE WEEKS AHEAD THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO EXPECT A CLEARER LOOK AT THE [CAMPAIGN MONEY] PIPELINE, ITS OPERATORS AND THEIR FOREIGN SOURCES."

TEXT: IF ALL GOES WELL, THIS NATION'S LATEST MARS EXPLORATION VEHICLE, SOJURNER, WILL LEAVE ITS LANDING CRAFT AND ROLL DOWN A RAMP ONTO THE SURFACE OF THE PLANET MARS SOMETIME LATE FRIDAY EVENING, U-S TIME. USA TODAY WONDERS WHETHER THIS LATEST PROBE WILL REKINDLE AN INTEREST IN HUMAN DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION.

VOICE: "WHEN, IF EVER, WILL HUMANS STEP ON THE RED PLANET? THE ANSWER: LATER THAN MANY THOUGHT AFTER THE FIRST MOON LANDING 28 YEARS AGO, BUT POSSIBLY SOONER THAN MOST THINK TODAY. .... THE SPACE RACE THAT BOOSTED SUPPORT FOR [PRESIDENT] KENNEDY'S VISION DISAPPEARED WITH THE COLD WAR. ..... SOON, THOUGH, A CONFLUENCE OF FORCES MAY LEAD PEOPLE TO LOOK TO THE HEAVENS AGAIN. .... FOR, WHILE A ROBOT'S PICTURES CAN AMAZE, NONE CAN INSPIRE LIKE A PERSON'S WORDS."

TEXT: AND LASTLY THE FIRST TRIBUTES TO FILM STAR JIMMY STEWART, WHO DIED IN HOLLYWOOD YESTERDAY AT THE AGE OF 89. IT COMES FROM THE OREGONIAN IN PORTLAND, WHICH TALKS ABOUT THE CHARACTER OF THE MAN WHICH ENDEARED HIM TO SO MANY AMERICANS.

VOICE: "WHEN WORLD WAR TWO BROKE OUT, IT ALREADY WAS CLEAR THAT [MR.] STEWART'S ACTING CAREER WAS READY TO TAKE OFF. HE WAS OLD ENOUGH, AT 33, TO MAKE A CASE FOR STAYING OUT OF THE SERVICE, LIKE JOHN WAYNE. HE WAS PROMINENT ENOUGH TO ASK FOR AND GET DUTY AS A U-S-O [UNITED SERVICE ORGANIZATION] PERFORMER OR PROPAGANDA ACTOR, LIKE RONALD REAGAN. HE CHOSE INSTEAD TO VOLUNTEER AS A PRIVATE, ENTER FLIGHT SCHOOL AND BECOME A B-24 PILOT. HE FLEW 20 MISSIONS OVER GERMANY AND WON THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, THE AIR MEDAL AND THE CROIX DE GUERRE. HE EMERGED FROM THE WAR AS A COLONEL. ..... THE CENTER OF [MR.] STEWART'S APPEAL AS AN ACTOR AND AS A PUBLIC FIGURE WAS THAT HE WAS JUT LIKE A LOT OF OTHER FOLKS, AND HE NEVER SEEMED TO LET THE WHOLE THING [OF BEING A VERY FAMOUS FILM ACTOR] GO TO HIS HEAD."

TEXT: WITH THAT PRAISE FOR A TRUE FILM LEGEND, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF THURSDAY EDITORIALS FROM THE U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/EH
03-Jul-97 11:02 AM EDT (1502 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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