Voice of America, 97-07-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA BOMB (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[02] ALBANIA BOMB - UPDATE (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

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

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

[05] NORTHERN IRELAND BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

[06] SERBIA MEDIA (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

[07] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

[08] TURKISH POLITICS AND CYPRUS BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

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

[01] ALBANIA BOMB (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THREE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED AND TWO CAFES DESTROYED IN AN APPARENT BOMB ATTACK IN THE ALBANIAN CAPITAL, TIRANA. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS MONITORING DEVELOPMENTS FROM OUR BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: THE ATTACK CAME IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS, WHILE TIRANA WAS UNDER CURFEW. THE BLAST WAS NEAR THE ALBANIAN DEFENSE AND INTERIOR MINISTRIES. THE EXPLOSION DAMAGED BUILDINGS AND BROKE WINDOWS.

ALBANIA HAS BEEN IN CHAOS SINCE EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN MANY OF THE COUNTRY'S CITIZENS LOST A LOT OF MONEY IN FRAUDULENT INVESTMENT SCHEMES. MORE THAN 18-HUNDRED PEOPLE WERE KILLED DURING THE PERIOD OF UNREST, AND MANY ALBANIANS LOOTED WEAPONS AND EXPLOSIVES FROM GOVERNMENT ARMORIES AS POLICE AND SECURITY FORCES FAILED TO KEEP ORDER.

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS WERE HELD SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, BUT NO DATE HAS BEEN SET FOR THE NEW GOVERNMENT TO TAKE OFFICE. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/JWH
22-Jul-97 6:28 AM EDT (1028 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBANIA BOMB - UPDATE (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THREE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED IN AN APPARENT BOMB ATTACK WHICH DESTROYED TWO CAFES IN THE ALBANIAN CAPITAL, TIRANA. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS MONITORING DEVELOPMENTS FROM OUR BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: THE ATTACK CAME IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS, WHILE TIRANA WAS UNDER CURFEW. THE BLAST WAS NEAR THE ALBANIAN DEFENSE AND INTERIOR MINISTRIES. THE EXPLOSION DAMAGED BUILDINGS AND BROKE WINDOWS.

ALBANIA HAS BEEN IN CHAOS SINCE EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN MANY OF THE COUNTRY'S CITIZENS LOST A LOT OF MONEY IN FRAUDULENT INVESTMENT SCHEMES. MORE THAN 18-HUNDRED PEOPLE WERE KILLED DURING THE PERIOD OF UNREST, AND MANY ALBANIANS LOOTED WEAPONS AND EXPLOSIVES FROM GOVERNMENT ARMORIES AS SECURITY FORCES FAILED TO KEEP ORDER.

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS WERE HELD SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, AND PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA HAS CALLED ON THE NEW PARLIAMENT TO CONVENE WEDNESDAY. BUT HIS OWN DEMOCRAT PARTY -- WHICH LOST THE ELECTION -- SAYS IT WILL BOYCOTT THE SESSION TO PROTEST VOTING IRREGULARITIES. (SIGNED)
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22-Jul-97 1:24 PM EDT (1724 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCKS SOARED IN VALUE ON THE KEY EXCHANGES OF WESTERN EUROPE TUESDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH IN OUR LONDON OFFICE HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES.

TEXT: SPECULATION OF A MAJOR BANK MERGER IN GERMANY SENT STOCKS TRACKED BY THE "DAX 30" INDEX TO A NEW RECORD HIGH. THE INDEX GAINED THREE PERCENT IN VALUE -- SOARING MORE THAN 122 POINTS AT THE CLOSE OF TRADING. GAINS WERE ALSO POSTED ON THE KEY STOCK INDEXES IN PARIS AND HERE IN LONDON. THE "CAC 40" INDEX OF FRENCH STOCKS GAINED 47 POINTS TUESDAY, WHILE THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX ENDED UP 41 POINTS.

IN CURRENCY TRADING, THE DOLLAR GAINED ALMOST THREE PFENNIGS AGAINST THE MARK AND WAS UP A FRACTION OF A CENT AGAINST THE POUND.

GOLD CONTINUED ITS SLOW RECOVERY FROM 12-YEAR LOWS POSTED IN RECENT WEEKS. GOLD CLOSED UP ONE-DOLLAR-40 CENTS AN OUNCE IN LONDON TUESDAY, SELLING AT 328-DOLLARS-FIVE CENTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/KL
22-Jul-97 2:15 PM EDT (1815 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP SHARPLY TODAY (TUESDAY), WITH MAJOR INDEXES AT RECORD HIGHS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS TRADERS APPLAUDED REMARKS BY THE HEAD OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT EIGHT-THOUSAND-61, UP ALMOST 155 POINTS OR TWO PERCENT. THE MORE COMPREHENSIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 933, UP 21 POINTS. BOTH INDEXES CLOSED AT RECORD HIGHS.

THE STRONG GAINS FOLLOWED REMARKS BY ALAN GREENSPAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, THE U-S CENTRAL BANK, WHO TOLD CONGRESS THE RATE OF U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO SLOW.

MONETARY POLICY-MAKERS FORECAST A CONTINUATION OF LESS RAPID GROWTH IN COMING QUARTERS.

ANALYSTS SAY WALL STREET INTERPRETED THAT KEY STATEMENT TO MEAN THAT THE CENTRAL BANK WILL NOT RAISE INTEREST RATES IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

THERE ARE REPORTS AN AGREEMENT IS NEAR THAT WOULD END THE OPPOSITION BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO THE PROPOSED MERGER OF U-S AIRCRAFT MAKERS "BOEING" AND "MCDONNELL-DOUGLAS." WORD FROM BRUSSELS IS THAT BOEING HAS AGREED TO MAKE MAJOR MODIFICATIONS TO EXCLUSIVE SUPPLY CONTRACTS IT HOLDS WITH MANY AIRLINES. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION BELIEVES THOSE CONTRACTS, WHICH BIND THE AIRLINES TO BUY ONLY BOEING AIRCRAFT, THREATEN THE COMPETITIVE ABILITY OF EUROPE'S "AIRBUS INDUSTRIES."

CANADA'S IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE SAYS ITS BROKERAGE SUBSIDIARY WILL PAY 525-MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE OPPENHEIMER INVESTMENT FIRM OF THE UNITED STATES.

B-A-T INDUSTRIES, THE BRITISH-BASED TOBACCO AND INSURANCE COMPANY, WILL PAY ONE-POINT-SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE CIGARERRA LA MODERNA, THE LARGEST CIGARETTE MAKER IN MEXICO.

PHILIP MORRIS AND R-J-R NABISCO, TWO LARGE AMERICAN FOOD AND TOBACCO COMPANIES, REPORTED HEALTHY EARNINGS INCREASES IN THE LATEST QUARTER.

CATERPILLAR, THE FARM AND CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT MAKER, REPORTED RECORD EARNINGS IN THE SECOND QUARTER. CATERPILLAR SAID INCREASING SALES IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS WAS A BIG FACTOR IN THE PROFIT INCREASE. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/RRM
22-Jul-97 5:01 PM EDT (2101 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] NORTHERN IRELAND BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U.S. NEWSPAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON THE CEASE FIRE IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE EFFORTS OF BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR TO BRING ABOUT MEANINGFUL PEACE TALKS AIMED AT ENDING 30 YEARS OF FIGHTING IN THE BRITISH PROVINCE. THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, OR I-R-A, WHICH HAS WAGED BATTLE AGAINST BRITISH RULE, ORDERED A CEASEFIRE SUNDAY WHICH OPENS THE WAY TO FULL PARTICIPATION OF ITS POLITICAL WING, SINN FEIN, IN PEACE TALKS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER. MEANWHILE, PRIME MINISTER BLAIR HAS BEEN MEETING THIS WEEK WITH PROTESTANT LEADERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND TRYING TO CONVINCE THEM TO STAY WITH THE PEACE PROCESS NOW THAT SINN FEIN HAS BEEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE.

HERE NOW WITH A SAMPLING OF U-S PRESS OPINION ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND IS ____________.

TEXT: FORMER JUDGE AND U.S. SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL WILL CHAIR "ALL-PARTY" TALKS ON THE QUESTION OF NORTHERN IRELAND. HE HAS ENUNCIATED SIX PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY AND NONVIOLENCE THAT IN THE COMING WEEKS THE IRA MUST MEET. THE WASHINGTON POST POINTS OUT THAT THE ROAD TO PEACE IS LONG.

VOICE: "THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE IRA, WHOSE GOAL IS TO REJOIN BRITISH NORTHERN IRELAND TO INDEPENDENT IRELAND PROPER. THE IRA BROKE ITS FIRST CEASE FIRE IN DISPLEASURE AT BRITISH INSISTENCE ON ITS PROMPT DISARMING. BRITAIN THEN FOR VARIOUS REASONS, CHANGED GOVERNMENTS, ELECTING ONE PREPARED TO ACCEPT 'DECOMMISSIONING' PARALLEL WITH NEGOTIATIONS RATHER THAN PRIOR -- A SIGNIFICANT AND SO FAR UNREQUITED CONCESSION BY LABOR PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR. WHAT NOW WILL KEEP THE IRA FROM RESUMING ITS SAVAGERY OVER A FURTHER FRUSTRATION? THE ANSWER LIES IN THE CONTINUING TENSION BETWEEN THE IRISH PEOPLE'S MILITARY AND POLITICAL SELVES. IN THIS INTERNAL STRUGGLE FOR POWER, THE KILLERS HAVE SO FAR PREVAILED. THE OTHER MAJOR PROBLEM LIES WITH THE PROTESTANT NORTHERN IRISH MAJORITY DEMANDING CONTINUED UNION WITH BRITAIN -- A MAJORITY WITH ITS OWN TERRORIST CELLS. A PERVASIVE FEAR OF BRITISH ABANDONMENT DEFIES LONDON'S CONSTANT REASSURANCES OF FIDELITY TO THE MAJORITY WILL AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE HARD PROTESTANT LINE ON THE DISARMING OF THE IRA."

TEXT: NEWSDAY ALSO NOTES THAT THE PROTESTANT HARDLINERS WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT TO CONVINCE.

VOICE: "PROTESTANT UNIONISTS OBJECT TO THE DECOMMISSIONING FORMULA FOR DISARMING BOTH WARRING FACTIONS PROPOSED BY BLAIR AND FORMER U.S SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TALKS. TO PROTESTANTS, THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE. EVEN MODERATE PROTESTANT LEADER DAVID TRIMBLE OPPOSES THE PLAN, ARGUING IT'S TOO VAGUE. HIS PARTY -- THE MOST REASONABLE OF THE UNIONIST GROUPS -- REPRESENTS THE MAJORITY OF ULSTER PROTESTANTS. MILITANT PROTESTANT'S SIMPLY DEMAND THAT THE IRA GIVE UP ALL WEAPONS BEFORE PEACE TALKS BEGIN -- AN UNREALISTIC OBJECTIVE."

TEXT: THE BALTIMORE SUN EXPRESSES SKEPTICISM AT THE POTENTIAL FOR THE LATEST CEASE FIRE.

VOICE: "THE 1994 CEASE FIRE LASTED JUST 17 MONTHS, DURING WHICH NO MEANINGFUL NEGOTIATIONS OCCURRED, BEFORE TERROR RESUMED IN FEBRUARY 1996. AND DURING IT, THE IRA AND LOYALIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS IN THE PROTESTANT COMMUNITY TERRORIZED THEIR OWN SLUMS. NO GUARANTEES ARE GIVEN AGAINST THIS CEASE FIRE GOING THE SAME WAY. MOST OF THE PEOPLE WANT PEACE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TRANQUILITY WITHIN POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS THAT FAIRLY APPORTION POWER AND MAKE THEM FIRST-CLASS CITIZENS. THE OPPORTUNITY EXISTS TO CRAFT ARRANGEMENTS ON WHICH THE MAJOR PARTIES AGREE. BUT NO ONE IS EXPRESSING GREAT CONFIDENCE THAT THIS WILL BE ACHIEVED."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK POST EDITORIAL IS EQUALLY CAUTIOUS IN TONE ABOUT THE PROSPECTS FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND.

VOICE: "DESPITE THE LATEST IRA CEASE FIRE, THE GUNMEN HAVE GIVEN NO HINT OF BACKING AWAY FROM THEIR ONE HITHERTO IRREDUCIBLE DEMAND: AND EXPEDITIOUS, HONG KONG-STYLE HAND-OVER OF BRITISH AUTHORITY IN NORTHERN IRELAND TO CATHOLIC NATIONALISTS AND A UNITED--SOCIALIST--IRELAND...THERE IS CERTAINLY NO APPETITE IN DUBLIN FOR PICKING UP ANY OF THE COSTS -- NOW UNDERWRITTEN SOLELY BY LONDON -- ATTENDING THE SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS THAT FOR THE MOST PART NOW SUPPORT THE ECONOMICALLY UNDERNOURISHED NORTH. AND WHILE BRITAIN ITSELF MIGHT WELL WELCOME A RELEASE FROM THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF NORTHERN IRELAND -- THE 17,00 SOLDIERS NOW GARRISONED THERE ALONE COST MORE THAN ONE BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR -- FAR MORE IS AT ISSUE THAN MONEY. LONDON AND DUBLIN ALIKE ARE COMMITTED TO AN EVENTUAL SETTLEMENT THAT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE WISHES OF ALL ULSTER RESIDENTS -- THE CATHOLIC MINORITY AND THE PROTESTANT MAJORITY. AND THERE'LL BE NO UNIFICATION WITH THE REPUBLIC WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED THERE, AS WELL. WHICH IS TO SAY, A LONG AND ARDUOUS PROCESS IS UNDER WAY. IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER THE IRA HAS THE PATIENCE TO SEE IT THROUGH."

TEXT: THAT COMMENT FROM THE NEW YORK POST ENDS THIS ROUNDUP OF U.S. PRESS OPINION ON THE CEASE FIRE IN NORTHERN IRELAND.
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22-Jul-97 12:11 PM EDT (1611 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] SERBIA MEDIA (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

INTRO: YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES ARE "CLEANING UP" THE AIRWAVES BY CRACKING DOWN ON WHAT THEY CALL "PIRATE" BROADCASTING AHEAD OF SERBIA'S ELECTIONS LATER THIS YEAR (AUTUMN). BUT AS JULIA GLYN-PICKETT REPORTS FROM BELGRADE, A RECENT BAN ON THREE LOCAL NEWS STATIONS HAS SPARKED OFF FRESH PUBLIC PROTESTS.

TEXT: /// SOUNDS OF DEMONSTRATION -- ESTABLISH AND FADE ///

IN THE FIRST OF WHAT MAY TURN OUT TO BE AN ONGOING SERIES OF DEMONSTRATIONS, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TURNED OUT MONDAY NIGHT TO PROTEST A RECENT GOVERNMENT-IMPOSED BAN ON THEIR TELEVISION STATION IN TRSTENIK, A SMALL TOWN IN SOUTHERN SERBIA.

WHEN FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ON SUNDAY CLOSED THE INDEPENDENT LOCAL STATION, THE T-V MANAGEMENT DECIDED TO TAKE ITS BROADCASTS OFF THE AIR AND ON TO THE STREETS.

SIMILAR MEDIA PROTESTS HAVE ALSO BROKEN OUT IN NEARBY KRALJEVO AND CLOSE TO BELGRADE IN PANCEVO.

FEDERAL AUTHORITIES SHUT DOWN T-V TRSTENIK AS PART OF A WIDER CAMPAIGN TO BAN ALL STATIONS WITHOUT A VALID LICENSE. THE CLEAN-UP OPERATION HAS HIT GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION CONTROLLED BROADCASTERS ALIKE. THE FEDERAL MINISTRY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CLOSURES SAYS THAT THE CLEAN-UP IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT MEDIA REFORM.

AT PRESENT, SERBIA HAS MORE THAN 300 PIRATE STATIONS.

BUT OPPOSITION LEADERS HAVE ACCUSED THE GOVERNMENT OF BANNING FREE MEDIA AHEAD OF PARLIAMENTARY AND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS LATER THIS YEAR. THEY SAY THAT MEDIA CONTROL IS VITAL TO THE RULING SOCIALIST GRIP ON POWER.

THE MANAGER OF T-V TRSTENIK, MILAN MILETIC, SAYS HIS STATION'S FATE WILL REVEAL THE GOVERNMENT'S TRUE INTENTIONS ON MEDIA FREEDOM.

MR. MILETIC SAYS THAT THE STATION HAS A VALID LICENSE -- UNLIKE MANY OTHERS WHICH HAVE BEEN CLOSED. HE SAYS THE GOVERNMENT IS TESTING THE WATER (GAUGING REACTION) WITH HIS STATION TO SEE WHAT KIND OF PUBLIC REACTION IT WILL PROVOKE. HE SAYS THAT IF THE AUTHORITIES SUCCEED IN CLOSING HIS STATION DOWN ONCE AND FOR ALL, THEN THE SAME FATE AWAITS OTHER INDEPENDENT NEWS STATIONS.

MR. MILETIC HAS THE BACKING OF THE OPPOSITION PARTIES WHO LED SERBIA'S MASS DEMONSTRATIONS EARLIER IN THE YEAR. THEY PLEDGE TO CALL THE PEOPLE BACK ON TO THE STREETS IF THE CURRENT CRACKDOWN ON INDEPENDENT MEDIA CONTINUES. (SIGNED)
NEB/JGP/PCF/KL
22-Jul-97 12:42 PM EDT (1642 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE PEACE PROCESS IN NORTHERN IRELAND LEADS MANY EDITORIAL PAGES IN NEWSPAPERS ACROSS THE NATION THIS TUESDAY. ALSO BEING DISCUSSED BY U-S EDITORIAL WRITERS -- THE ABUSE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN THE UNITED STATES, THE SENATE HEARINGS ON ABUSES IN POLITICAL FUNDRAISING, BOSNIA AND THE U-S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TROUBLED RUSSIAN SPACE STATION MIR.

HERE IS ____________WITH A SAMPLING OF TODAY'S EDITORIAL OPINION.

TEXT: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR IS HOLDING MORE TALKS IN LONDON TODAY WITH NORTHERN IRELAND'S PROTESTANT LEADERS. HE'S TRYING TO URGE THEM TO CONTINUE THE PEACE PROCESS NOW THAT SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, HAS BEEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE. SINN FEIN'S INVITATION CAME ONCE THE I-R-A DECLARED A CEASEFIRE WHICH WENT INTO EFFECT SUNDAY. TUESDAY'S EDITORIAL IN THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER NOTES THAT ONLY WEEKS AFTER NORTHERN IRELAND WAS SLIDING TOWARD ALL-OUT VIOLENCE, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BLAIR MANAGED TO FORGE A COMPROMISE WITH THE I-R-A.

VOICE: THE BRITISH LEADER SWIFTLY ADDRESSED THE IRA'S MAIN COMPLAINT: BRITISH DEMANDS THAT THE IRA DECOMMISSION ITS ARMS BEFORE COMING TO THE BARGAINING TABLE. MR. BLAIR OFFERED A COMPROMISE THAT CALLS FOR THE PARTIES TO NEGOTIATE ON RELINQUISHING WEAPONS BY BOTH SIDES IN TANDEM WITH NEGOTIATIONS ON NORTHERN IRELAND'S FUTURE."

TEXT: THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER USA TODAY ALSO PRAISES THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER FOR HIS DIPLOMACY.

VOICE: "MANY IRISH CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANTS REMAIN DOUBTFUL, AS DO THEIR U.S. SUPPORTERS, AND UNDERSTANDABLY SO; THE LAST TANGO WITH PEACE ENDED WITH BOMBS AND BLOOD LAST YEAR. BUT CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE CHANGED. FOREMOST IS THE DRAMATIC SEA CHANGE IN BRITISH POLITICS. GONE IS PRIME MINISTER JOHN MAJOR, WHO NEEDED ULSTER UNIONISTS TO RETAIN A NARROW MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. IN HIS PLACE SITS BLAIR, WHOSE HUGE MAJORITY BUYS HIM MUCH MORE WIGGLE ROOM IN DEALING WITH THE WARRING SIDES. UNLIKE MAJOR, BLAIR WASTED NO TIME WADING INTO THE ULSTER BOG. BLUNTLY, HE TOLD THE IRA THAT NORTHERN IRELAND WOULD NEVER BECOME ONE WITH THE SOUTHERN IRISH REPUBLIC UNLESS AND UNTIL ITS PEOPLE CONSENTED. THEN THE PRIME MINISTER ORDERED TALKS RESUMED WITH SINN FEIN, THE IRA'S POLITICAL WING, BEFORE THE CEASEFIRE HAD BEEN DECLARED."

TEXT: A DISTURBING STORY ABOUT THE TREATMENT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HEADS THE NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIAL PAGE TODAY.

VOICE: "THE DEAF MEXICANS DISCOVERED LAST WEEKEND LIVING IN VIRTUAL SLAVERY IN TWO CRAMPED HOUSES IN JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS, WERE VICTIMS OF THE EVILS THAT CAN BE INFLICTED ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO LIVE IN CONSTANT FEAR OF DISCOVERY AND DEPORTATION. THESE MEN AND WOMEN WERE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE BECAUSE THEY ARE DEAF. MOST OF THEM SPENT 18 HOUR DAYS SELLING TRINKETS IN THE SUBWAYS, AFRAID TO RETURN HOME UNTIL THEY HAD SOLD THEIR QUOTA OF 100 KEY CHAINS AT A DOLLAR EACH. THEY WERE ALSO AFRAID OR UNABLE TO REVEAL THEIR CONDITION TO THE THOUSANDS OF RIDERS THEY ENCOUNTERED DAILY. INCIDENTS LIKE THE SICKENING ABUSE OF THE JACKSON HEIGHTS PEDDLERS ARE INCREASING. WHENEVER SUCH CASES COME TO LIGHT, MAXIMUM COMPASSION SHOULD BE SHOWN TO THE VICTIMS AND MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT DOLED OUT TO THE EXPLOITERS."

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES COMMENTS ON THE SENATE HEARING INTO CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING ABUSES. THE EDITORIAL FOCUSES ON JOHN HUANG A FORMER COMMERCE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL AND ONETIME DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE FUNDRAISER.

VOICE: "AT THE HEARING WE LEARNED THAT HUANG MADE 400 OR MORE TELEPHONE CALLS FROM THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT TO HIS FORMER EMPLOYER,THE INDONESIAN BASED LIPPO GROUP. HUANG ALSO VISITED THE WHITE HOUSE 52 TIMES AFTER PRESIDENT CLINTON TOOK OFFICE. ONCE, AFTER HE MOVED TO THE DNC HUANG WAS REGISTERED AT THE WORLD BANK SEMINAR AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF LIPPO. HUANG WAS RECEIVING 37 INTELLIGENCE BRIEFINGS FROM THE CIA AND PERUSING AS MANY AS 550 SECRET DOCUMENTS CONTAINING ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE ON TAIWAN AND CHINA. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN OF KEEN INTEREST TO LIPPO, WHICH WAS INVOLVED WITH A CHINESE GOVERNMENT-OWNED FIRM. ONE WONDERS WHAT HUANG DID IN HIS SPARE TIE. CLEARLY, HE WAS A CHAMPION HUSTLER. BUT WAS THERE SOMETHING MORE SINISTER TO IT AS REPUBLICANS ALLEGE. WAS HE SLIPPING SECRET ECONOMIC DATE TO LIPPO THAT MADE ITS WAY TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IN RETURN FOR SECRET CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS. WE DON'T KNOW BECAUSE THERE ARE MAJOR GAPS IN THE EVIDENCE."

TEXT: AND, FINALLY, RUSSIAN SPACE OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED MONDAY THE WOULD DELAY REPAIRS ON THE TROUBLED SPACE STATION MIR UNTIL A FRESH CREW ARRIVES IN AUGUST. THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION SAYS WITH THE OLD AND ACCIDENT-PRONE SPACE STATION, A CATASTROPHE SEEMS ALMOST PREDICTABLE.

VOICE: "TAKING EXCESSIVE RISKS IS NEITHER MORALLY JUSTIFIABLE NOR POLITICAL SENSIBLE. WHEN THE SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER BLEW UP IN 1986 AND KILLED SEVEN ASTRONAUTS, NASA SUFFERED A TREMENDOUS BLOW TO ITS REPUTATION AND ITS CLOUT WITH CONGRESS. IF (U-S ASTRONAUT) MICHAEL FOALE WERE TO DIE ABOARD THE CLEARLY TROUBLED MIR, NASA WOULD AGAIN SEE AN EROSION IN CONFIDENCE IN ITS COMPETENCY. PURSUING WORK ON MIR IS SIMPLY NOT WORTH THE RISK."

TEXT: WITH THAT EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION WE END THIS SAMPLING OF U-S PRESS OPINION FOR TUESDAY, JULY 22ND.
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22-Jul-97 10:49 AM EDT (1449 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] TURKISH POLITICS AND CYPRUS BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A SECULAR GOVERNMENT HAS REPLACED AN ISLAMIST ONE IN TURKEY AT THE SAME TIME THAT EFFORTS ARE INCREASING TO REACH A SETTLEMENT BETWEEN GREEKS AND TURKS ON THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS. BOTH DEVELOPMENTS AND THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THEM WERE DISCUSSED AT A MEETING OF THE U-S INSTITUTE OF PEACE IN WASHINGTON. VOA'S ED WARNER ATTENDED AND HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: POLITICS IN TURKEY MAY BE DANGEROUSLY POLARIZED AFTER THE REMOVAL OF THE ISLAMIST GOVERNMENT UNDER MILITARY PRESSURE. THAT WAS THE WARNING OF HENRI BARKEY AT A MEETING OF THE U-S INSTITUTE OF PEACE IN WASHINGTON.

A PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AT LEHIGH UNIVERSITY, MR. BARKEY SAID TURKEY'S GENERALS DID NOT EVEN KNOW THE LEADERS OF THE ISLAMIST PARTY, REFAH, BEFORE THEY CAME TO POWER:

IN GOVERNMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME, THEY CAME TO MEET THESE PEOPLE, TO TALK TO THEM, AND THEY WERE SHOCKED. I THINK THEY WERE SHOCKED BY THE CULTURAL DIFFERENCES THAT EXISTED BETWEEN THEM, THAT THIS IS A WALL BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT CULTURES, AN ISLAMIC CULTURE THAT REFAH BELIEVES IN, AND A QUASI-WESTERN ONE THAT THE MILITARY HAS ACQUIRED.

PROFESSOR BARKEY SAID FORMER ISLAMIST PRIME MINISTER, NECMETTIN ERBAKAN, TRIED TO REASSURE THE MILITARY, BUT HIS SUPPORTERS RESISTED COMPROMISE AND GREW MORE STRIDENT, ESPECIALLY OVER MILITARY COOPERATION WITH ISRAEL.

THE MILITARY, IN TURN, BRIDLED AT THE GROWING ISLAMIC INFLUENCE IN TURKISH DRESS AND SCHOOLS, AMPLIFIED BY A FAST SPREADING MEDIA. GENERALS IN THE PROVINCES URGED THEIR SUPERIORS IN ANKARA TO TAKE ACTION.

THE MILITARY PREVAILED, SAID PROFESSOR BARKEY, BUT AT WHAT COST TO TURKEY? ON A RECENT VISIT, HE WAS SURPRISED AT THE DEPTH OF HOSTILITY TO THE MILITARY. THE REMOVAL OF REFAH MAY HAVE PUSHED MODERATE ISLAMISTS INTO THE EXTREMISTS' CAMP:

THERE IS IN TURKEY A GROWING ISLAMIST MOVEMENT. SOME OF IT IS A REACTION TO THE FAILURES OF PAST SECULAR GOVERNMENTS. BUT THERE IS A GENUINE INCREASE IN BELIEVERS. AND IT IS NOT ALL RADICAL ISLAM. AND WHAT I FEAR IS THAT WE MAY HAVE SEEN THE BEGINNING OF A LONG TERM PROCESS WHERE ISLAM WILL BE RADICALIZED IN TURKEY.

CURRENT TURKISH POLITICS MAY NOT BE CONDUCIVE TO A SETTLEMENT OF DIVIDED CYPRUS, NOTED TOZUN BAHCHELI, PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT KING'S COLLEGE IN ONTARIO, CANADA:

BEAR IN MIND THAT THE (PRIME MINISTER MESUT) YILMAZ GOVERNMENT IS A WEAK, INSECURE COALITION THAT IS MUCH MORE FOCUSED ON DOMESTIC PRIORITIES AND THE ELECTIONS TO COME, AND THEY ARE ACUTELY SUSCEPTIBLE TO ACCUSATIONS OF A SELLOUT BY THE REFAH PARTY. AS FOR GREECE, THERE ARE SIMILAR DOMESTIC CONSTRAINTS. MR. SIMITIS (PRIME MINISTER) IS A VERY PRAGMATIC MAN. HE IS A REFORMIST, BUT HE HAS BEEN ATTACKED QUITE STRONGLY BY PEOPLE FROM WITHIN HIS PARTY FOR SELLING OUT. HE HAS GOT TO WATCH HIS POLITICAL POSITION, TOO.

PROFESSOR BAHCHELI SAID CYPRUS IS NOW ONE OF THE MOST HEVAILY ARMED PLACES ON EARTH. TENSIONS ON THE ISLAND HAVE INCREASED AS GREECE AND TURKEY SOUGHT NEW ALLIANCES IN THE REGION, CULMINATING IN TURKEY'S COOPERATION WITH ISRAEL:

THERE IS DEEP MISTRUST ON BOTH SIDES. TURKISH CYPRIOTS FEAR THAT IN A REUNIFIED ISLAND, THEY WILL BE DOMINATED BY GREEK CYPRIOTS WHO ARE FOUR TIMES MORE NUMEROUS AND FOUR TIMES RICHER. GREEK CYPRIOTS DO NOT FEAR TURKISH CYPRIOTS, BUT THEY ARE AFRAID OF TURKEY'S MILITARY AND FUTURE INTENTIONS.

BUT PROFESSOR BAHCHELI SAID CYPRUS IS NOW THE FOCUS OF CONSIDERABLE INTERNATIONAL CONCERN, INVOLVING THE EUROPEAN UNION, THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE UNITED STATES. THE E.U. PERSUADED GREECE AND TURKEY TO SET UP A GROUP TO DEAL WITH BILATERAL ISSUES.

THE UNITED NATIONS RECENTLY BROUGHT TOGETHER GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADERS IN NEW YORK FOR THEIR FIRST MEETING IN THREE YEARS. THEY AGREED TO TALK AGAIN NEXT MONTH IN SWITZERLAND. (SIGNED)
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22-Jul-97 6:47 PM EDT (2247 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT HOPES SOMETHING GOOD WILL COME FROM THE OUSTER OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE SELF-PROCLAIMED BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC (REPUBLIKA SRPSKA) FROM THE SERB DEMOCRATIC PARTY. VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THE U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, BILL RICHARDSON, ON A TOUR OF THE BALKANS, ALSO WARNED BOSNIAN SERBS AGAINST FURTHER HARASSMENT OF NATO AND U-N PERSONNEL:

TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE OUSTER OF BILJANA PLAVSIC, MADE BY WHAT HE CALLS THE "DINOSAURS" OF PALE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS, COMES AS NO SURPRISE. MRS. PLAVSIC, WHO HAS VOWED TO REMAIN IN OFFICE, HAS BEEN IN A POWER STRUGGLE WITH PARLIAMENTARY HARDLINERS OVER POLICY AND CHARGES OF CORRUPTION.

THE U-S SPOKESMAN SAYS HE HOPES GOOD COMES FROM HER OUSTER FROM THE S-D-S:

WE HOPE THAT, SOMEHOW, OUT OF THIS RUPTURE OVER THE WEEKEND SOMETHING GOOD WILL HAPPEN IN THE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA, BECAUSE THE BOSNIAN SERBS NEED A DECENT LEADERSHIP AND THEY'RE NOT GETTING IT CERTAINLY FROM THE PEOPLE IN PALE. WE THINK THEY HAVE A CHANCE OF GETTING IT FROM MRS. PLAVSIC IN BANJA LUKA.

MR. BURNS SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL URGE BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIALS TO RESPECT HER DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY.

AMBASSADOR RICHARDSON WARNED THAT BOSNIAN SERB RETALIATION FOLLOWING THE JULY 10TH NATO ATTEMPT TO ARREST TWO INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS IS INTOLERABLE AND DANGEROUS. HE SAYS THEY RISK LOSING INTERNATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION AID IF THEY FAIL TO ABIDE BY THE PEACE ACCORDS.

THE AMBASSADOR ALSO ANNOUNCED CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN AND THE MUSLIM CHAIRMAN OF THE BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY, ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC, WILL HOLD TALKS NEXT MONTH. (SIGNED)
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21-Jul-97 10:17 PM EDT (0217 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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