Voice of America, 97-07-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA / REBUILDING BY KYLE KING (SARAJEVO)

[02] EDITORIAL: BASQUE TERRORISM

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

[04] MORE ARRESTS IN BOSNIA? BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

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

[06] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

[01] BOSNIA / REBUILDING BY KYLE KING (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: INTERNATIONAL AID OFFICIALS IN BOSNIA SAY THE CONTINUED INFLUENCE OF HARDLINE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS THREATENS TO UNDERMINE EFFORTS TO PUMP MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF RECONSTRUCTION AID TO THE REGION. CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING HAS THIS REPORT FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: /// MUSIC FROM BANJA LUKA MARKET, ESTABLISH AND FADE ///

AS MUSIC BLARES FROM THE TATTERED SPEAKER AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE SPRAWLING MARKET IN BANJA LUKA, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE SIT BEHIND RICKETY TABLES AND BLANKETS, HOPING TO MAKE ENDS MEET BY SELLING THEIR TIRES, FURNITURE, JEWELRY, PLUMBING FIXTURES, OR WHATEVER ELSE THEY MIGHT HAVE.

THE FEW PEOPLE WILLING TO BE INTERVIEWED IN THE ONCE PROSPEROUS CITY SAY THE ECONOMIC SITUATION HAS GROWN IMPOSSIBLE -- THEY SAY NOBODY HAS ANY MONEY.

THIS MAN SAYS IT IS JUST SURVIVAL, BUSINESS IS BAD AND THE OFFICIALS ARE ALL CORRUPT.

JUST DOWN THE STREET AT ANOTHER SMALL ROADSIDE STAND, THE OWNER SHAKES HER HEAD AND SAYS SHE CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THINGS ARE SO BAD.

SHE SAYS IT WAS BETTER BEFORE THE WAR, WE HAD JOBS AND WE HAD MONEY.

SINCE THE END OF THE WAR IN BOSNIA NEARLY TWO-YEARS AGO, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS PLEDGED FIVE-BILLION DOLLARS IN RECONSTRUCTION AID. THE MONEY WAS TO HELP REVIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN BOTH THE SERB REPUBLIC AND THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION, AND RE-INFORCE THE PEACE PLAN AGREED TO AT DAYTON.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUED INFLUENCE OF HARDLINE BOSNIAN SERBS ALLIED WITH FORMER PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC, THE SERB REPUBLIC HAS ONLY RECEIVED ABOUT FIVE-PERCENT OF THE MONEY DISBURSED SO FAR. THAT IS BECAUSE HARDLINERS HAVE BLOCKED ALL COOPERATION WITH THE DONORS.

BY CONTRAST, IN THE MUSLIM CROAT HALF OF BOSNIA, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT ON BRIDGE AND ROAD REPAIR, RE-OPENING HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS, AND RESTORING THE ECONOMY WHICH IS GROWING AT A RATE OF 50-PERCENT A YEAR.

OFFICIALS OF THE WORLD BANK, WHICH IS COORDINATING THE AID PROGRAM, SAY MONEY COULD BEGIN FLOWING TO THE BOSNIAN-SERB REPUBLIC IF OFFICIALS WOULD SIMPLY HONOR THE COMMITMENTS THEY MADE UNDER THE PEACE PLAN.

BUT WORLD BANK OFFICIAL SAUMYA MITRA SAYS THAT IS UNLIKELY, AS LONG AS RADOVAN KARADZIC AND HIS ALLIES CONTROL THE GOVERNMENT.

CERTAINLY THEY CANNOT BE FULFILLED IF DR. KARADZIC MAINTAINS HIS INFLUENCE ON THE GOVERNMENT. HE IS NOT A FORMAL MEMBER OF THE GOVERNMENT AND WE HAVE NO DEALINGS WITH HIM.

DESPITE THE FACT HE WAS FORCED TO RESIGN FROM THE GOVERNMENT, ALLIES OF MR. KARADZIC HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN AN OPEN POWER STRUGGLE WITH BOSNIAN-SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC, WHO HAS ACCUSED THEM OF CORRUPTION.

THE POWER STRUGGLE IS THREATENING TO FURTHER DELAY AID EFFORTS AT A TIME WHEN INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO ORGANIZE NEW DONORS.

THE ECONOMIC SITUATION HERE IS REALLY BAD. SOME DATA (SHOWS) MONTHLY WAGES ARE ABOUT 70 GERMAN MARKS PER MONTH. THE USE OF ECONOMIC CAPACITY IS ABOUT EIGHT PERCENT, SO THERE IS NO ECONOMIC ACTIVITY HERE. THE KEY PROBLEM IS THE MARKET. THIS ECONOMY LOST THE MARKETS FROM THE OLD TIME (EDS: LOST ITS OLD MARKETS IN YUGOSLAVIA), FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. (NOW THERE IS) NO POSSIBILITY TO HAVE (EXPAND INTO) NEW MARKETS IN THE WESTERN COUNTRIES. SO THE KEY PROBLEM FOR THIS ECONOMY IS THE MARKET, AND WITHOUT POLITICAL CHANGE THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY TO HAVE EXPORTS FROM THESE AREAS AND TO HAVE EXPORTS WE HAVE TO HAVE BETTER POLITICAL RELATIONS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION. FOR THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME POLITICAL CHANGES. SO THAT IS SOME KIND OF A CIRCLE.

THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE IN BOSNIA, SIMON HAZELOCK, SAYS OFFICIALS ARE HOPING THE CRISIS WILL BRING ABOUT CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.

SOMETIMES THINGS HAVE TO BE BROUGHT TO THIS CRISIS POINT TO GET THEM TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP FORWARD. SO WE WOULD TAKE THE VIEW THAT FROM THE MIDST OF THIS CRISIS, HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO ESTABLISH A GOVERNMENT IN THE REPUBLIC SRBSKA THAT ACCEPTS THAT IT HAS TO COMPLY COMPLETELY AND FULLY WITH DAYTON (PEACE ACCORDS) AND THE INFLUENCE OF PEOPLE LIKE RADOVAN KARADZIC IS REMOVED, AND THEY ENGAGE PROPERLY WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WITH EVERYTHING. THAT INCLUDES, OF COURSE, THE PROVISIONS THAT NEED TO BE PUT IN PLACE TO GAIN RECONSTRUCTION AID.

WORLD BANK OFFICIAL SAUMYA MITRA SAYS THOSE CONDITIONS ARE BASIC.

THIS IS THE CREATION OF A MARKET ECONOMY, A COMPETITIVE ECONOMY. IT REQUIRES A CLEAN, TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT WITH FULL ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PEOPLE. AND WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THESE CONDITIONS HAVE TO BE FULFILLED.

BUT HOW THEY CAN BE FULFILLED WHILE RADOVAN KARADZIC REMAINS AT LARGE WITH KEY ASSOCIATES CONTROLLING THE GOVERNMENT AND BLOCKING COOPERATION WITH THE PEACE ACCORDS, IS A QUESTION THAT -- FOR THE MOMENT -- NO ONE CAN ANSWER. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/RAE
16-Jul-97 5:35 AM EDT (0935 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] EDITORIAL: BASQUE TERRORISM

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISTS HAVE CLAIMED ANOTHER VICTIM: TWENTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD MIGUEL ANGEL BLANCO, A COUNCILMAN IN THE BASQUE TOWN OF ERMUA IN NORTHERN SPAIN.

BLANCO WAS KIDNAPPED THIS MONTH BY MEMBERS OF THE BASQUE FATHERLAND AND LIBERTY, OR E-T-A, TERRORIST GROUP. THE TERRORISTS DEMANDED THE TRANSFER OF SOME FIVE-HUNDRED E-T-A PRISONERS TO PRISONS WITHIN THE BASQUE REGION. THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT REFUSED TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE TERRORISTS. ON JULY 12TH, BLANCO WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD BY HIS CAPTORS. HE DIED THE NEXT DAY.

FOUNDED IN 1959 WITH THE AIM OF CREATING AN INDEPENDENT HOMELAND IN SPAIN'S BASQUE REGION, THE E-T-A IS A MARXIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. IT HAS WAGED A CAMPAIGN OF VIOLENCE AGAINST THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT. IN RESPONSE TO FRENCH COUNTER-TERRORIST OPERATIONS AGAINST THE GROUP, THE E-T-A HAS ATTACKED FRENCH INTERESTS AS WELL. IN 1995, SPANISH AND FRENCH AUTHORITIES IN MAJORCA FOILED AN E-T-A PLOT TO MURDER KING JUAN CARLOS OF SPAIN.

FINANCING ITS OPERATIONS CHIEFLY THROUGH KIDNAPPING, ROBBERY, AND EXTORTION, THE E-T-A HAS RECEIVED TRAINING AT VARIOUS TIMES IN LIBYA, LEBANON, AND NICARAGUA. IT ALSO APPEARS TO HAVE CLOSE TIES TO THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY TERRORIST GROUP. IN 1996, THE E-T-A CARRIED OUT FOURTEEN BOMBINGS OR ATTEMPTED BOMBINGS OF SPANISH TOURIST SITES, KILLING OR WOUNDING DOZENS OF MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN. SPANISH MILITARY, POLICE, AND ECONOMIC INTERESTS WERE ALSO ATTACKED. IN RESPONSE, THE SPANISH AND FRENCH GOVERNMENTS INCREASED COOPERATION AIMED AT BRINGING THE TERRORISTS TO JUSTICE.

THE UNITED STATES SUPPORTS THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT'S REFUSAL TO NEGOTIATE WITH OR MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE E-T-A TERRORISTS. THROUGH CONTINUED COOPERATION, DEMOCRATIC NATIONS CAN -- AND WILL WIN THE FIGHT AGAINST INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
16-Jul-97 4:20 PM EDT (2020 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

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

TEXT: STOCK PRICES REACHED NEW RECORD CLOSING HIGHS IN ALL THREE MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS.

THE BIGGEST INCREASE WAS IN FRANKFURT. THE DAX-30 INDEX ENDED THE DAY AT FOUR-THOUSAND-201 -- UP MORE THAN 80 POINTS, ABOUT ONE-AND-NINE-TENTHS PERCENT OF THE MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX'S NEW HIGH IS TWO-THOUSAND-988 -- UP MORE THAN 37 POINTS, ALMOST ONE-AND-THREE-TENTHS PERCENT. AND, IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX CLOSED AT A NEW HIGH -- FOUR-THOUSAND-964 -- A GAIN OF ALMOST 65 POINTS, ABOUT ONE-AND-THREE-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED IN VALUE AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN. BUT IT LOST VALUE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND THE BRITISH POUND.
NEB/JWH/RRM
16-Jul-97 1:28 PM EDT (1728 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] MORE ARRESTS IN BOSNIA? BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: WITH LESS THAN A YEAR TO GO BEFORE NATO TROOPS ARE SCHEDULED TO PULL OUT OF BOSNIA, PRESIDENT CLINTON CONTINUES TO INSIST THE AMERICAN PEACE KEEPING MISSION, AT LEAST AS IT'S COMPOSED NOW, WILL COME TO AN END BY JUNE 1998. BUT MANY PARTS OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS THAT ENDED THE BOSNIAN WAR ARE YET TO BE IMPLEMENTED AND NEARLY ALL OF THE REGION'S INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS REMAIN AT LARGE. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE HAS BEEN SAMPLING OPINIONS ON WHETHER IT IS TIME FOR NATO TO TAKE A MORE AGGRESSIVE APPROACH.

TEXT: DESPITE ALL THE QUESTIONS IN THE WAKE OF THE NATO RAID IN WHICH ONE INDICTED BOSNIAN SERB WAS CAPTURED AND ANOTHER KILLED, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AND ITS NATO ALLIES REFUSE TO BE PRECISE ON WHETHER MORE SUCH ARRESTS ARE BEING CONTEMPLATED. "WE WANT TO KEEP INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS GUESSING." IS ALL THE STATE DEPARTMENT WILL SAY WHEN REPORTERS ASK -- ALMOST DAILY -- WHETHER NATO MAY NOW HAVE ITS SIGHTS SET ON INDICTED BOSNIAN SERB RADOVAN KARADZIC. BUT IT'S CERTAINLY CLEAR THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO ENCOURAGE SPECULATION THAT NATO COULD BE CONSIDERING FUTURE MISSIONS.

THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF MAY HAVE HELPED FUEL SPECULATION ABOUT MORE SUCH ARRESTS WHEN HE TOLD REPORTERS RECENTLY THE U-S MISSION IN BOSNIA CAN NOT GO ON FOREVER. AT THE SAME TIME, NO ONE IN THE ADMINISTRATION IS PREPARED TO SAY THEY BELIEVE OTHER INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS WILL BE ARRESTED AND BROUGHT TO TRIAL IN THE TIME REMAINING. AT THE PENTAGON, SPOKESMAN KEN BACON REFUSES TO DISCUSS ANY FUTURE MILITARY MOVES IN BOSNIA.

WE ARE CONCENTRATING ON THE NEXT 11 MONTHS MAKING THE CURRENT MISSION SUCCEED. I THINK IT'S PREMATURE NOW TO TALK ABOUT JUNE OF 1998. WHAT WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT IS DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO HELP THE CURRENT MISSION BEING AS SUCCESSFUL AS POSSIBLE.

SO WITH THE CLOCK RUNNING ON THE BOSNIA PEACE MISSION, SOME INFLUENTIAL AMERICANS -- INCLUDING FORMER REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BOB DOLE AND FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE GEORGE SHULTZ -- HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON. IN IT, THEY ARGUE THE UNITED STATES NEEDS TO ACT ALONE, IF NECESSARY, TO ARREST ACCUSED WAR CRIMINALS. BOB DOLE SPOKE IN WASHINGTON AFTER A RECENT TRIP TO BOSNIA.

WHAT AMERICA DOES OR DOES NOT DO IN BOSNIA WILL SAY A LOT ABOUT OUR COUNTRY AND WHAT WE AS AMERICANS STAND FOR. DO WE STAND FOR LIBERTY AND DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS? OR DO WE STAND FOR AMORAL POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY? AND LET ME INDICATE THAT I HOPE MY CREDIBILITY IS FAIRLY GOOD BECAUSE WHEN THE PRESIDENT DECIDED TO SEND AMERICAN FORCES, I STOOD ON THE SENATE FLOOR AND SUPPORTED THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES EVEN THOUGH I DISAGREED WITH HIS PREVIOUS POLICY.

THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO INSIST THAT THE PRIME RESPONSIBILITY FOR HANDING OVER INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS RESTS IN THE CAPITALS OF CROATIA AND SERBIA. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO ARGUMENT WITH THAT VIEW FROM THE REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED SENATE, WHICH HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT ANY CHANGE IN THE NATO MISSION THAT WOULD PUT PEACE KEEPERS ON A MORE AGGRESSIVE FOOTING. REPUBLICAN SENATOR KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON IS A MEMBER OF THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, WHICH OVERSEES PENTAGON BUDGETS AND PLANNING.

LET'S MAKE SURE THAT AS WE GO FORWARD, WE DO IT IN A MEASURED, RESPONSIBLE WAY SO THAT WHAT WE DO IS HELPFUL, THAT WE KEEP THE DAYTON ACCORDS AND THAT WE DON'T HAVE MISSION CREEP WITH AMERICAN TROOPS THAT WOULD PUT THEM IN HARM'S WAY, IN A COMBAT SITUATION.

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP SHARPLY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) -- WITH THE WIDELY FOLLOWED DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE SETTING A CLOSING RECORD. THE DOW CLOSED ABOVE EIGHT-THOUSAND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD-HIGH EIGHT-THOUSAND-38, UP 63 POINTS. THE LARGER STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX ALSO CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 936, UP ALMOST 11 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY CONTINUED LOW INFLATION AND RISING CORPORATE PROFITS CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT FOR AN ALMOST INSATIABLE DEMAND FOR STOCKS. SOME ANALYSTS SAY STOCKS ARE NOW DANGEROUSLY OVERPRICED. BUT OTHERS POINT OUT THOSE ANALYSTS WERE SAYING THE SAME THING ONE- OR TWO-THOUSAND INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE POINTS AGO.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED CONSUMER PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP A TINY ONE-TENTH OF ONE PERCENT IN JUNE, MAKING THE ANNUAL INFLATION RATE FOR THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR THE LOWEST SINCE 1986.

GENERAL MOTORS AND FORD, THE WORLD'S TWO LARGEST AUTOMAKERS, BOTH REPORTED HEALTHY QUARTERLY PROFITS. G-M'S 11 PERCENT EARNINGS GAIN CAME DESPITE STRIKES AT TWO ASSEMBLY PLANTS. FORD'S PROFITS JUMPED 33 PERCENT TO A QUARTERLY RECORD.

LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES, THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT COMPANY, SAID ITS PROFITS TRIPLED IN THE SECOND QUARTER, WELL ABOVE WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS.

BUT THE EASTMAN KODAK PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPANY HAD A DISAPPOINTING REPORT, WITH A 14 PERCENT DROP IN PROFITS. THE VALUE OF KODAK STOCK PROMPTLY DROPPED BY MORE THAN 10 PERCENT.

THE I-T-T CORPORATION BELIEVES IT HAS FOUND A FOOL-PROOF WAY TO STOP A HOSTILE TAKEOVER BID FROM THE HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION. I-T-T WILL SPLIT ITSELF INTO THREE SEPARATE COMPANIES AND BUY BACK MORE THAN TWO-BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF ITS STOCK. THE IDEA IS TO CREATE NEW VALUE FOR I-T-T STOCKHOLDERS, WHICH WOULD MAKE THEM RELUCTANT TO GO ALONG WITH HILTON'S SIX-AND-ONE-HALF-BILLION DOLLAR OFFER FOR THE COMPANY. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/RRM
16-Jul-97 4:58 PM EDT (2058 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A VARIETY OF ISSUES ARE COMMENTED ON IN THE EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS. AMONG THE TOPICS DISCUSSED -- THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT, JUSTICE IN BOSNIA, POLITICAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ASIA, TWA FLIGHT 800 AND THE BRUTAL MURDER OF INTERNATIONALLY FAMED FASHION DESIGNER GIANNI VERSACE.

NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS ______WITH TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST AND THE ORLANDO (FLORIDA) SENTINEL ARE BOTH DEVOTING SOME EDITORIAL PAGE SPACE TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC FREE TRADE AGREEMENT, AND BOTH NEWSPAPERS POINT OUT SOME OF THE FLAWS OF THE AGREEMENT WHICH CONTINUE TO BE DEBATED. THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS THAT AFTER THREE YEARS EXPERIENCE WITH NAFTA NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO DIMINISH THE EMOTION OF THE DEBATE NOR TO BRIDGE THE CHASM THAT HAS SEPARATED THE AGREEMENTS PROPONENTS AND OPPONENTS.

VOICE: "THAT'S TRUE BECAUSE THE NAFTA DEBATE, NOW AS THEN, IS ABOUT FAR MORE THAN TRADE WITH MEXICO AND CANADA. IT UNFAIRLY BEARS THE BURDEN OF AMERICAN HOPES AND ANXIETIES RELATED TO ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION. THIS FALL IT WILL BE THE FOOTBALL THAT GETS KICKED AROUND AS CONGRESS DEBATES WHETHER TO EXTEND NAFTA TO CHILE AND BEYOND."

TEXT: THE ORLANDO SENTINEL SAYS THE ACCORD'S MOST NOTICEABLE SHORTCOMINGS FALL INTO FOUR AREAS -- TRADE DISPUTES, COMPLEX RULES, FOOD SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

VOICE: "NAFTA WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HELPFUL IN RESOLVING TRADE DIFFERENCES BUT IT HASN'T LIVED UP TO THAT EXPECTATION. ... AS NAFTA IS BEING REVIEWED IT'S A GOOD TIME TO CONSIDER HOW TO IMPROVE THE ACCORD'S DISPUTE RESOLUTION PRACTICES. .... NAFTA WAS DESIGNED TO BE A WORK IN PROGRESS, WITH PERIODIC FINE-TUNING EXPECTED....THE SO-CALLED RULES OF ORIGIN --WHICH OCCUPY 21 PAGES IN THE TRADE-AGREEMENT DOCUMENT -- PROVIDE AN EXAMPLE. IT'S OFTEN DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE IF A PRODUCT SHOULD CARRY NAFTA-COUNTRY LABEL OR ANOTHER NATION'S...AFTER SOME OUTBREAKS OF FOOD-BORNE ILLNESSES CAUSED BY FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, AMERICANS UNDERSTANDABLY SEEK ASSURANCES...POLLUTION AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS --ESPECIALLY ALONG THE U-S-MEXICO BORDER -- LONG HAVE BEEN A CONCERN. NAFTA CRITICS SAY THAT POLLUTION HAS GROWN WORSE. TENDING TO THOSE PROBLEMS AS NAFTA EVOLVES SIMPLY MAKES SENSE."

TEXT: THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION COMMENTS ON THE REACTION BY SOME BOSNIAN SERBS TO THE 20 YEAR PRISON TERM HANDED DOWN THIS WEEK TO THE FIRST CONVICTED BOSNIAN SERB WAR CRIMINAL. THE NEWSPAPER SAYS THAT PREDICTABLY DUSAN TADIC'S "COLLEAGUES IN GENOCIDE" ARE ANGERED.

VOICE: WHAT ROCKED THEM TO THEIR CORE, THOUGH, WAS LAST WEEK'S ENCOUNTER WITH NATO FORCES IN WHICH A BOSNIAN SERB ACCUSED OF RUNNING A DEATH CAMP WAS KILLED AND ANOTHER SUSPECT WAS WHISKED OFF TO FACE THE WAR-CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE NETHERLANDS. /// OPT/// IF BOSNIAN SERB WAR CRIMINALS NOW ARE QUEASY WITH FEAR, SO MUCH THE BETTER. THEY ARE PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDERMINING THE PEACE AGREEMENT IN THE SERB-RUN SECTOR OF THE BOSNIAN FEDERATION. BUT FORCING THESE OBSTRUCTIONISTS TO TAKE A LOWER PROFILE, NATO FORCES MAY MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO REVIVE CROSS-ETHNIC ECONOMIC LINKS, RESETTLE REFUGEES AND ACCOMPLISH OTHER GOALS NECESSARY TO STRENGTHEN A BOSNIAN PEACE." /// END OPT ///

TEXT: THE PORTLAND (OREGON) PRESS HERALD, ALSO COMMENTING ON THE SERBIAN RESPONSE, SAYS THE REACTION DEMONSTRATES ANEW WHY NATO'S MISSION MUST BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE TRACKING DOWN INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS AND ISOLATING THEN FROM A WAR-WEARY POPULACE.

VOICE: "AS LONG AS THE THUGS RESPONSIBLE FOR WAGING THE SAVAGE FOUR-YEAR WAR REMAIN UNACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR CRIMES AND FREE TO FOMENT NEW CONFLICT, PEACE CANNOT HOLD. BRITISH ACTION IN GOING AFTER TWO OF THE ARCHITECTS OF THE GRISLY POLICY OF ETHNIC CLEANSING WAS A SALUTARY INDICATOR THAT NATO COMMANDERS GRASP THIS FACT."

TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES NEWSPAPER COMMENTS ON THIS WEEK'S DISCLOSURE FROM THE SENATE COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING ILLEGAL POLITICAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE FROM INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS POTENTIALLY CONNECTED TO CHINA.

VOICE: "THERE IS A PATTERN HERE OF MONEY POURING IN FROM ASIA, SOME FROM CHINESE BANKS, THAT CALLS FOR A PUBLIC AIRING OF THE INFORMATION THAT LED SENATOR FRED THOMPSON TO SAY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAD A PLAN TO INFLUENCE THE ELECTION."

TEXT: IN AN EDITORIAL TITLED, "UNANSWERED QUESTIONS," NEWSDAY COMMENTS THAT THE SEARCH FOR THE CAUSES OF FLIGHT 800'S FATEFUL EXPLOSION STILL GOES ON ONE YEAR LATER.

VOICE: "FOR THE FAMILIES OF 230 PEOPLE WHO PERISHED WHEN TWA FLIGHT 800 PLUNGED INTO THE ATLANTIC OCEAN A YEAR AGO TOMORROW, THIS CATACLYSM LEFT A VOID THAT NOTHING CAN EVER QUITE FILL. EVEN IF INVESTIGATOR COULD NOW IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FIERY EXPLOSION WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY, THE VICTIMS' RELATIVES AND FRIENDS WOULD STILL BE ASKING, 'WHY? WHY MY CHILD?...MY HUSBAND....MY SCHOOLMATE?' GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATORS WILL NEVER HAVE ANSWERS FOR QUESTIONS LIKE THESE, WHICH BELONG TO THE REALMS OF FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY. BUT THOSE WHO GRIEVE ARE ENTITLED TO KNOW EVERYTHING THAT CAN BE LEARNED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED, EVEN IF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AND THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD CAN SHED NO LIGHT ON THE ULTIMATE WHY. ///OPT /// SO IT'S GOOD THAT THE PAINSTAKING, FRUSTRATING WORK GOES ON. PERHAPS THE BEST THAT CAN BE HOPED FOR FROM SUCH A DISASTER IS THIS: THAT IT MAKES SIMILAR DISASTERS LESS LIKELY, AND MARGINALLY LESS AGONIZING WHEN THEY DO HAPPEN." /// END OPT ///

TEXT: AND, FINALLY, FROM THE MIAMI HERALD IN FLORIDA, A COMMENT ON THE MURDER TUESDAY OF FASHION DESIGNER GIANNI VERSACE.

VOICE: "AT AGE 50, GIANNI VERSACE WAS TO THE WORLD OF FASHION WHAT A COMET IS TO A DARKENED SKY. HIS DESIGNS SHONE BRIGHTLY, THEIR SHAPE AND SIGNATURE AS SINGULAR AS A COMET'S TRAIL. HIS PRODIGIOUS TALENT ILLUMINED NOT JUST MEN'S AND WOMEN'S CLOTHING, BUT DESIGNS FOR THE STAGE AND INTERIORS AS WELL. YESTERDAY MORNING A GUNMAN EXTINGUISHED THAT COMET, CRUELLY AND SUDDENLY. AS MR. VERSACE UNLOCKED THE GATES TO HIS MANSION ON SOUTH BEACH'S OCEAN DRIVE, A MAN SHOT HIM TWICE IN THE HEAD, THEN FLED."

TEXT: THAT EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM THE MIAMI HERALD CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM THE PAGES OF WEDNESDAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS.
NEB/DC/EH
16-Jul-97 12:20 PM EDT (1620 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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