Voice of America, 97-07-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA PARLIAMENT (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

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

[03] BOSNIA DONORS CONF O'NITER (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[04] E-U / BOEING (S) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

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

[06] GERMANY / FLOODS (S) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[07] GERMANY / NAZI (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

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

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

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

[11] U-S/EURO AVIATION (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

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

[13] YELTSIN VETO OF LAW ON RELIGION BY FRANK RONALDS (WASHINGTON)

[14] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENCY (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

[01] ALBANIA PARLIAMENT (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: ALBANIA'S RECENTLY-ELECTED PARLIAMENT IS TO OPEN ITS FIRST SESSION (WEDNESDAY), BUT PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY -- WHICH LOST BADLY AT THE POLLS -- SAYS IT WILL STAY AWAY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS MONITORING DEVELOPMENTS FROM OUR BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: SEVERAL-WEEKS AGO ALBANIAN VOTERS HANDED THE INCOMING SOCIALIST PARTY A DRAMATIC VICTORY. THEY WON AN OVERWHELMING 60-PERCENT OF THE VOTE, WHILE PRESIDENT BERISHA'S DEMOCRATS GOT ONLY ONE-QUARTER OF THE VOTES.

THE SOCIALISTS PROMISED TO REPAY INVESTORS MONEY THEY LOST IN THE SO-CALLED PYRAMID SCHEMES, WHICH DEFRAUDED MANY ALBANIANS OF THEIR LIFE SAVINGS. EXACTLY HOW THE POOREST COUNTRY IN EUROPE WOULD PAY BACK THE MONEY WAS NOT MADE CLEAR.

VETERAN ALBANIA-WATCHER TOM MELIA OF THE WASHINGTON-BASED NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE SAYS THE SOCIALISTS HAVE A TOUGH JOB AHEAD OF THEM.

I THINK THEY REALIZE THAT THE VOTE THEY RECEIVED IN THIS ELECTION WAS INFLATED. THEY ARE NOT REALLY AS POPULAR AS THE VOTE AND THE PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY SUGGEST. AND THEY KNOW THAT THEY WILL BE EVEN LESS POPULAR [IF] THEY START TRYING TO RESTORE ORDER AND GET THE ECONOMY BACK ON TRACK.

SPEAKING BY PHONE FROM TIRANA, MR. MELIA ADDS THE SOCIALISTS KNOW THEY WILL NOT REMAIN IN POWER INDEFINITELY, AND THEREFORE THEY WILL HAVE TO MAKE QUICK PROGRESS ON POLITICAL REFORMS AND ON RESTORING PUBLIC ORDER.

IN MUCH OF ALBANIA, PARTICULARLY IN THE SOUTH, THERE IS CHAOS AND ANARCHY. CIVIC AUTHORITY IS NEARLY NON-EXISTENT, AND DURING MONTHS OF FIGHTING EARLIER THIS YEAR GOVERNMENT ARMORIES WERE LOOTED OF EXPLOSIVES AND WEAPONS.

THE OUTGOING DEMOCRATS SAY THEY DID NOT GET A FAIR CHANCE DURING THE ELECTIONS BECAUSE OF REBEL CONTROL IN 30 OF THE COUNTRY'S ELECTION ZONES.

PRESIDENT BERISHA AND OTHER LEADERS OF HIS PARTY SAY THAT THIS IS -- THERE ARE 30-ZONES THAT ARE KALISHNIKOV ZONES -- AND THAT THIS IS THEREFORE A KALISHNIKOV PARLIAMENT, THAT IT IS NOT FULLY LEGITIMATE. WHILE THEY SAY THEY ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION, THEY SAY IT IS NOT A FULLY LEGITIMATE PARLIAMENT BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY OF THEIR PARTY TO CAMPAIGN IN THESE 30 ZONES.

THE DEMOCRATS ARE STAYING AWAY FROM THE OPENING SESSION OF PARLIAMENT. THEY CAREFULLY ARE NOT CALLING IT A BOYCOTT, JUST A PROTEST. BUT IF THEY STAY AWAY LONGER THAN A COUPLE OF DAYS THEY RUN THE DANGER OF DENYING THE ONE-IN-FOUR ALBANIANS WHO VOTED FOR THEM A PARLIAMENTARY VOICE. (SIGNED)
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23-Jul-97 7:03 AM EDT (1103 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: SALI BERISHA RESIGNED AS ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT WEDNESDAY TO TAKE A SEAT AS AN OPPOSITION MEMBER OF THE COUNTRY'S NEW PARLIAMENT. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS MONITORING DEVELOPMENTS.

TEXT: MR. BERISHA ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION JUST AN HOUR BEFORE THE NEW PARLIAMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO CONVENE. HE WILL JOIN THE OTHER DEPUTIES FROM HIS DEMOCRATIC PARTY, WHICH WAS SOUNDLY DEFEATED IN CONTROVERSIAL ELECTIONS SEVERAL WEEKS AGO.

THE RIVAL SOCIALIST PARTY WON 60 PERCENT OF THE VOTE IN THE WAKE OF CHAOS AND ANARCHY SPAWNED BY "PYRAMID" INVESTMENT SCHEMES. MANY ALBANIANS LOST THEIR LIFE SAVINGS IN THE SCHEMES AND BLAMED THE GOVERNMENT. INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS SAID THE ELECTION WAS FLAWED BUT REASONABLY FAIR, CONSIDERING THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

AMONG THE NEW GOVERNMENT'S FIRST TASKS WILL BE TO RESTORE ORDER IN THE COUNTRY. ALTHOUGH THE WIDESPREAD VIOLENCE EARLIER THIS YEAR HAS SUBSIDED, THE GOVERNMENT HAS LITTLE EFFECTIVE CONTROL THROUGHOUT THE SOUTH, WHERE REBELS REMAIN ARMED WITH WEAPONS TAKEN FROM GOVERNMENT ARMORIES.
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23-Jul-97 11:28 AM EDT (1528 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA DONORS CONF O'NITER (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A TWO-DAY DONORS CONFERENCE GETS UNDERWAY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN BRUSSELS AIMED AT GENERATING ANOTHER ONE-POINT-FOUR BILLION DOLLARS IN POST-WAR RECONSTRUCTION AID FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIALS ARE LIKELY TO FACE HARD QUESTIONS OVER THEIR LACK OF COOPERATION IN TURNING OVER SUSPECTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS.

TEXT: THIS SECOND DONORS PLEDGING CONFERENCE IS DESIGNED TO BUILD ON THE ONE-POINT-EIGHT BILLION PLEDGED DURING THE FIRST MEETING LAST YEAR. WORLD BANK SPOKESMAN DAVID TICE SAYS BOSNIA WILL NEED ABOUT FIVE-BILLION IN EMERGENCY AID OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WITH TOTAL RECONSTRUCTION LIKELY TO REACH UP TO 20-BILLION:

UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS ARE SO GREAT THERE. THE WAR HAD A DEVASTATING EFFECT ON BUSINESSES AS WELL AS HOMES. THERE ARE STILL BETWEEN FOUR AND SIX-MILLION LAND MINES IN BOSNIA. THEY NEED HOSPITALS TO BE REBUILT, THEY NEED SCHOOLS TO ALL FUCTION AGAIN.

MR. TICE SAYS PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE WITH RAIL LINES RUNNING AGAIN AND THE SARAJEVO AIRPORT OPEN TO LIMITED COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC. HE SAYS HEAT IS NOW RESTORED IN SOME 32-THOUSAND APARTMENTS WITH MANY DWELLINGS RENOVATED.

WHILE THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION HAS RECEIVED MOST OF ITS AID THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE RECEIVED ONLY A TRICKLE BECAUSE THEY ARE ACCUSED OF RENEGING ON THEIR DAYTON PEACE COMMITTMENTS. THE EUROPEAN UNION EARLIER THIS MONTH SUSPENDED MOST OF ITS AID TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS OVER THEIR LACK OF COOPERATION. (SIGNED).
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22-Jul-97 8:53 PM EDT (0053 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] E-U / BOEING (S) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD FOR THE CREATION OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST AVIATION FIRM, WITH THE MERGER OF THE U-S GIANTS BOEING AND MCDONNELL DOUGLAS. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE DECISION ENDS THE THREAT OF A SERIOUS TRADE WAR BETWEEN EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES.

TEXT: BOEING MADE A SERIES OF CONCESSIONS, CHANGING DETAILS OF THE MERGER.

IN PARTICULAR, BOEING AGREED TO END EXCLUSIVE SALES CONTRACTS WITH AIRLINES, AND IT WILL SUSPEND EXISTING ACCORDS WITH DELTA, AMERICAN AIRLINES, AND CONTINENTAL.

THERE IS ALSO AN AGREEMENT THAT THE RESULTS OF MILITARY RESEARCH WILL BE SHARED WITH RIVAL FIRMS, ALTHOUGH THE MERGED COMPANY WILL BE ABLE TO CHARGE A FEE FOR THIS.

AND AFTER NO BUYER COULD BE FOUND FOR THE CIVIL AIRCRAFT DIVISION OF MCDONNEL DOUGLAS, BOEING AGREED THAT IT WILL BE KEPT AS A SEPARATE LEGAL ENTITY.

EUROPEAN OFFICIALS HAD FEARED THAT THE PLANNED MERGER WOULD CREATE A FIRM WHICH WOULD COMPETE UNFAIRLY WITH RIVALS, MOST NOTABLY THE EUROPEAN MANUFACTURER AIRBUS. HOWEVER, THEY SAY THAT, FOLLOWING THE CONCESSIONS FROM BOEING, THE MERGER IS NOW ACCEPTABLE. (SIGNED)
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23-Jul-97 8:10 AM EDT (1210 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES TRACKED BY THE GERMAN DAX 30 INDEX SOARED ANOTHER FOUR PERCENT IN VALUE WEDNESDAY, ENDING WITH A RECORD HIGH. SEVERAL EUROPEAN EXCHANGES ALSO CASHED IN ON GOOD ECONOMIC NEWS WITH RECORD-HIGH CLOSINGS, AS PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS FROM OUR LONDON OFFICE.

TEXT: THE GERMAN "DAX" AND THE FRENCH "CAC 40" INDEX JOINED EXCHANGE INDEXES IN THE NETHERLANDS, AUSTRIA, ITALY AND BELGIUM IN CLOSING AT RECORD HIGHS. THE "DAX 30" IN FRANKFURT WAS UP ALMOST 176 POINTS AT THE CLOSE -- THIS FOLLOWING TUESDAY'S DRAMATIC RISE OF OVER 122 POINTS. BANKING STOCKS LED THE GERMAN RALLY. IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" INDEX SOARED MORE THAN 82 POINTS TO A RECORD CLOSE, AND HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX ADDED ALMOST 28 POINTS IN VALUE.

THE DOLLAR GAINED ALMOST A PFENNIGE AGAINST THE MARK, BUT WAS DOWN ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF A CENT AGAINST THE POUND.

GOLD RETREATED IN THE LONDON CLOSING FIX TO 324-DOLLARS-75-CENTS AN OUNCE -- A LOSS OF THREE-DOLLARS-30-CENTS FROM TUESDAY'S CLOSE. (SIGNED)
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23-Jul-97 2:10 PM EDT (1810 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] GERMANY / FLOODS (S) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: OFFICIALS IN EASTERN GERMANY ARE EVACUATING MORE PEOPLE FROM LOW-LYING AREAS ALONG THE RAIN SWOLLEN ODER RIVER, WHERE THOUSANDS HAVE ALREADY BEEN FORCED FROM THEIR HOMES. FROM BONN, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: SOLDIERS, EMERGENCY WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN FURIOUSLY TRYING TO REINFORCE LEVEES AND PROTECTIVE BARRIERS ALONG RAIN SWOLLEN RIVERS.

BUT OFFICIALS SAY WATER IS GUSHING THROUGH ONE DIKE JUST SOUTH OF THE EASTERN CITY OF FRANKFURT ON THE ODER, AND THERE IS LITTLE HOPE OF REPAIRING THE BREAK.

EMERGENCY WORKERS HAVE EVACUATED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND THEY SAY MANY MORE MAY BE FORCED FROM THEIR HOMES.

WEEKS OF RAIN HAVE BROUGHT RIVERS IN THE AREA TO THEIR HIGHEST LEVELS IN MORE THAN A HALF A CENTURY, FLOODING CROPS, STREETS, SEWERS AND HOMES.

THE FLOODING IS BLAMED FOR THE DEATHS OF MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND POLAND. DAMAGE ESTIMATES THERE HAVE ALREADY SOARED TO MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS. (SIGNED)
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23-Jul-97 10:14 AM EDT (1414 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] GERMANY / NAZI (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: GERMAN JUSTICE MINISTRY OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK THE EXTRADITION OF FORMER NAZI S-S OFFICER ERICH PRIEBKE, WHO ON TUESDAY WAS CONVICTED OF WAR CRIMES IN ITALY. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN.

TEXT: GERMAN PROSECUTORS SAY AN ITALIAN COURT'S CONVICTION OF 83-YEAR-OLD ERICH PRIEBKE IS NOT THE END OF THE CASE AS FAR AS GERMANY IS CONCERNED.

JUSTICE MINISTRY OFFICIALS SAY GERMANY STILL WANTS ITALY TO EXTRADITE PRIEBKE AND FORMER GERMAN ARMY MAJOR KARL HASS, WHO ALSO WAS CONVICTED OF WAR CRIMES.

AN ITALIAN MILITARY COURT SENTENCED PRIEBKE, A FORMER NAZI S-S CAPTAIN, TO FIVE YEARS IN JAIL FOR HIS ROLE IN THE KILLING OF 335 CIVILIANS IN A CAVE NEAR ROME IN 1944. THE COURT ORDERED THE RELEASE OF THE 85-YEAR-OLD HASS BECAUSE OF MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES AND TIME ALREADY SERVED.

PROSECUTORS HAD ASKED FOR LIFE TERMS FOR THE TWO MEN.

GERMAN OFFICIALS ACKNOWLEDGE THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FORCE ITALY TO EXTRADITE THE TWO, BUT THEY SAY THEY SEE NO REASON TO WITHDRAW THE REQUEST. (SIGNED)
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23-Jul-97 8:41 AM EDT (1241 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 TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WITH MAJOR INDEXES AT RECORD HIGHS FOR THE SECOND DAY IN A ROW. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT EIGHT THOUSAND 88, UP 26 POINTS. THE LARGER STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 936, UP TWO POINTS. BOTH INDEXES ARE AT RECORD HIGHS.

ANALYSTS SAY TRADERS WERE PLEASED WHEN THEY HEARD U-S CENTRAL BANK CHAIRMAN ALAN GREENSPAN BASICALLY REPEAT HIMSELF DURING HIS SECOND DAY OF TESTIMONY BEFORE CONGRESS. MR. GREENSPAN SAID AGAIN THAT THE RATE OF U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH SEEMS TO BE SLOWING AND WALL STREET INTERPRETS HIS COMMENTS TO MEAN THE CENTRAL BANK WILL NOT BE RAISING INTEREST RATES AT ITS MEETING NEXT MONTH.

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAS GIVEN TENTATIVE APPROVAL TO THE PLANNED 15 BILLION DOLLAR MERGER BETWEEN U-S AIRCRAFT MAKERS BOEING AND MCDONNELL DOUGLAS.

EUROPEAN AUTHORITIES SEEM SATISFIED THAT CONCESSIONS BY BOEING WILL MEAN THE COMBINED COMPANY WILL NOT PROVIDE UNFAIR COMPETITION TO EUROPE'S AIRBUS INDUSTRIES, THE ONLY OTHER MAJOR INTERNATIONAL PRODUCER OF COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT.

GENERAL MOTORS IS SEEKING TO END ANOTHER STRIKE. THIS TIME WORKERS AT A TRANSMISSION PLANT IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN HAVE WALKED OFF THEIR JOBS. G-M HAS BEEN STRUCK SIX TIMES THIS YEAR AT VARIOUS LOCAL PLANTS.

A YEAR LONG LEGAL BATTLE BETWEEN THE TIME WARNER COMPANY AND RUPERT MURDOCH'S NEWS CORPORATION HAS ENDED WITH A NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT. TIME WARNER WILL CARRY NEWS CORPORATION'S FOX NEWS CHANNEL ON TIME WARNER'S CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM. IN RETURN, FOX PROMISES TO CARRY TIME WARNER CHANNELS ON FOX'S INTERNATIONAL SATELLITE SYSTEM. DUPONT, ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST CHEMICAL COMPANIES, REPORTED RECORD QUARTERLY PROFITS OF MORE THAN ONE POINT ONE BILLION DOLLARS. DUPONT INDICATED THAT PROFITS MIGHT HAVE BEEN EVEN HIGHER HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE STRONG U-S DOLLAR WHICH CAUSED IT TO LOWER PRICES IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
23-Jul-97 5:04 PM EDT (2104 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: POLITICIANS IN NORTHERN IRELAND WHO FAVOR CONTINUED UNITY WITH BRITAIN REJECTED WEDNESDAY A JOINT BRITISH-IRISH PROPOSAL ON THE CONTENTIOUS ISSUE OF "DECOMMISSIONING" -- THE PROCESS OF GETTING PARAMILITARY GROUPS TO SURRENDER THEIR WEAPONS. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE NEGATIVE VOTE ON DECOMMISSIONING WAS NOT UNEXPECTED. THE LARGEST POLITICAL PARTY IN NORTHERN IRELAND -- THE ULSTER UNIONISTS -- SAID THE PROPOSALS WERE TOO VAGUE. ULSTER UNIONIST LEADER DAVID TRIMBLE SAID IF THEY WERE NOT AMENDED, HE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO VOTE AGAINST IT -- AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HE DID WHEN THE PROPOSALS CAME UP FOR DEBATE DURING POLITICAL TALKS OUTSIDE BELFAST. TWO SMALLER PRO-BRITISH POLITICAL PARTIES ALSO REJECTED THE PROPOSALS.

HOW TO GET PARAMILITARY GROUPS -- INCLUDING THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY -- TO SURRENDER GUNS, AMMUNITION AND BOMBS IS AN ISSUE WHICH HAS PLAGUED CURRENT TALKS ON NORTHERN IRELAND'S FUTURE.

IN AN EFFORT TO FIND A SOLUTION, LONDON AND DUBLIN PRESENTED A JOINT DOCUMENT SAYING ALL SIDES MUST MAKE "DUE PROGRESS" ON THE ISSUE OF DECOMMISSIONING. BUT MR. TRIMBLE SAID THOSE WORDS ARE OPEN TO ALL SORTS OF INTERPRETATIONS AND HE WANTED FIRM GUARANTEES FROM THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT THAT WEAPONS WILL BE SURRENDERED WHILE POLITICAL TALKS ARE UNDERWAY. SEVERAL MEETINGS BETWEEN MR. TRIMBLE AND BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR FAILED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.

KEN MAGINNIS -- SECURITY SPOKESMAN FOR THE ULSTER UNIONISTS -- SAYS THE NEGATIVE VOTE DOES NOT MEAN HIS PARTY WILL WALK OUT OF THE ONGOING TALKS -- WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT TWO OTHER SMALL PRO-BRITISH PARTIES DID.

WALKING OUT IS MAYBE A DRAMATIC GESTURE BUT IT DOES NOT HELP THINGS ALONG. AND THE ONE THING OUR RECORD SHOWS IS THAT THE ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY -- THE LARGEST POLITICAL PARTY IN NORTHERN IRELAND -- HAS NEVER ABDICATED ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO ITS OWN ELECTORATE OR TO SOCIETY AS A WHOLE -- AND WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF DOING SO NOW. IT MAY MAKE THINGS EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT FOR US -- BUT AS I SAY, WE HAVE GOT TO BE AT THE GAME. WE SIMPLY ARE NOT GOING TO PICK UP THE BALL AND GO OFF IN A HUFF.

THE CURRENT ROUND OF POLITICAL TALKS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MORE THAN A YEAR NOW WITH LITTLE PROGRESS. THESE TALKS DO NOT INCLUDE SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY.

NOW WITH THE I-R-A CEASEFIRE IN PLACE, SINN FEIN WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER NEW, SUBSTANTIVE TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND, SCHEDULED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 15TH -- BUT ONLY IF THE I-R-A TRUCE HOLDS.

BRITISH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ADMIT THE VOTE AGAINST THE DECOMMISSIONING PAPER IS A SETBACK. BUT THEY ALSO SAY THE FOCUS NOW SHIFTS ON SETTING THE GROUND RULES FOR THE SEPTEMBER TALKS -- AND BETWEEN NOW AND THEN, THEY HOPE SOME SORT OF AGREEMENT ON THE SURRENDER OF PARAMILITARY WEAPONS WILL BE WORKED OUT. (SIGNED)
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23-Jul-97 12:28 PM EDT (1628 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: NON-ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS ARE CELEBRATING RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S REJECTION OF A LAW RESTRICTING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. V-O-A'S ELIZABETH ARROTT REPORTS FROM MOSCOW.

TEXT: "THANK GOD," WAS ONE CHURCHWOMAN'S REACTION TO THE NEWS.

SHE WAS JOINED BY COUNTLESS THOUSANDS ACROSS RUSSIA IN REJOICING OVER THE DEFEAT OF THE CONTROVERSIAL LAW, WHICH WOULD HAVE PLACED STRICT LIMITS ON NON-ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN RELIGIONS AND OTHER SMALLER SECTS AND CULTS. THESE GROUPS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO HOLD PUBLIC SERVICES OR OWN PROPERTY.

PRESIDENT YELTSIN REJECTED THE PARLIAMENT'S DRAFT, POPULAR WITH NATIONALISTS AND THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, SAYING IT WAS A DIFFICULT DECISION. BUT HE ARGUED THE LAW WOULD HAVE INFRINGED ON CONSTITUTIONAL FREEDOMS AND VIOLATED INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS.

THE VATICAN AND THE U-S SENATE WERE AMONG OPPONENTS OF THE LAW AND HAD PUT PRESSURE ON THE RUSSIAN LEADER TO REJECT IT.

AT THE SAME TIME, MR. YELTSIN CONTINUED TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE SPREAD OF RADICAL RELIGIOUS GROUPS, SAYING LEGISLATION TO DEFEND THE MORAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH OF THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE IS STILL NEEDED. (SIGNED)
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23-Jul-97 8:21 AM EDT (1221 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] U-S/EURO AVIATION (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS WELCOMED THE LAST-MINUTE DEAL IN BRUSSELS THAT HEADED OFF AN AVIATION TRADE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPEAN UNION. U-S OFFICIALS SAY BOTH SIDES MADE CONCESSIONS TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE OVER THE PLANNED MERGER OF THE TWO LARGEST U-S AIRCRAFT MAKERS. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE PLEASED WITH THE AGREEMENT THAT PRODUCED TENTATIVE APPROVAL BY THE EUROPEAN UNION FOR THE MERGER OF U-S AIRLINER MANUFACTURERS BOEING AND MCDONNELL-DOUGLAS.

THE EUROPEANS HAD FEARED THAT CREATION OF A SINGLE U-S AVIATION GIANT WOULD THREATEN THE EXISTENCE OF EUROPE'S AIRBUS CONSORTIUM AND WERE THREATENING RETALIATION FOR THE MERGER.

BUT BOEING OFFERED LAST MINUTE CONCESSIONS, INCLUDING A PROMISE TO DROP EXCLUSIVE CONTRACTS WITH THREE MAJOR U-S AIRLINES, AND EUROPEAN COMMISSIONERS GAVE THE MERGER DEAL APPROVAL IN PRINCIPLE PENDING A DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE ACCORD.

WELCOMING THE ACCORD, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAID BOEING HAD GONE THE "EXTRA MILE" TO EASE EUROPEAN CONCERNS, BUT THAT THE E-U HAD ALSO MADE CONCESSIONS THAT WILL PRESERVE THOUSANDS OF U-S AVIATION JOBS.

MR. MCCURRY SAID PRESIDENT CLINTON HELPED EXPEDITE THE DEAL WITH TELEPHONE CALLS TO EUROPEAN LEADERS, AND NOW HOPES THE E-U WILL GIVE THE MERGER SPEEDY FINAL APPROVAL:

WE BELIEVE THIS MERGER WILL, IN THE LONG RUN, MAKE ECONOMIC SENSE FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, AS A QUESTION OF COMPETITION WITHIN THE AIR-MANUFACTURING SECTOR GLOBALLY, IT MAKES SENSE AS WELL. AND THAT WAS THE CRITERIA, AND THE ONLY CRITERIA, THAT THE PRESIDENT FELT WAS RELEVANT TO THE CONSIDERATION -- JUST AS IT WAS WHEN OUR OWN INDEPENDENT FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION REVIEWED THE TRANSACTION.

AT A WASHINGTON NEWS CONFERENCE, THE CHAIRMAN OF BOEING -- PHIL CONDIT -- SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD NOT PRESSURED THE COMPANY TO CONCLUDE THE DEAL. HE ALSO SAID THE EUROPEANS MADE A KEY CONCESSION WHEN THEY DROPPED A DEMAND THAT THE ECONOMICALLY TROUBLED AIRLINER DIVISION OF MCDONNELL DOUGLAS REMAIN SEPARATE FROM BOEING:

WE THOUGHT THAT THAT WOULD BE EXTREMELY DISADVANTAGEOUS, BOTH TO OUR CUSTOMERS AND TO THE 14-THOUSAND PEOPLE THAT MAKE UP DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT. WE REACHED AN AGREEMENT WHICH WE THINK WAS VERY POSITIVE. THERE WAS GIVE-AND-TAKE ON BOTH SIDES. AND I THINK THAT IN THIS CASE, BOTH SIDES DID WHAT YOU DO IN A NEGOTIATION -- WHICH IS, MAKE SOME COMPROMISES AND MEET IN THE MIDDLE.

THE E-U COULD NOT HAVE ACTUALLY BLOCKED THE MERGER BUT COULD HAVE MADE IT IMPRACTICAL BY IMPOSING HUGE FINES AND MARKET RESTRICTIONS AGAINST U-S AIR CARRIERS.

BOEING CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF THE WORLD AIRCRAFT MARKET AND AIRBUS ABOUT 30 PER CENT. THE MCDONNELL-DOUGLAS MARKET SHARE HAS DWINDLED TO JUST A FEW PERCENT AND ACCORDING TO U-S TRADE OFFICIALS ITS ACQUISTION BY BOEING WILL HAVE NO SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON GLOBAL COMPETITION.

FINAL APPROVAL OF THE MERGER BY THE E-U IS EXPECTED IN ANOTHER WEEK AND THE TWO U-S AEROSPACE COMPANIES EXPECT TO BEGIN JOINT OPERATIONS AS THE NEW BOEING COMPANY BY THE FIRST WEEK IN AUGUST. (SIGNED)
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23-Jul-97 2:53 PM EDT (1853 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND IS DISCUSSED ON THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF AT LEAST THREE MAJOR U.S. NEWSPAPERS TODAY. EDITORIAL COMMENT ALSO IS BEING DIRECTED AT THE POLITICAL TROUBLES OF U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH. A NEW U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT ON RELIGIOUS TYRANNY IS DISCUSSED BY THE NEW YORK TIMES AND A NUMBER OF NEWSPAPERS PROFFER OPINIONS ON A NEW WHITE HOUSE PROPOSAL FOR DRUG SENTENCING, AS WE HEAR FROM_____________ IN THIS SAMPLING OF U-S EDITORIAL OPINION FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 23RD.

TEXT: DESPITE THE LATEST CEASEFIRE CALLED BY THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, THE BOSTON GLOBE QUESTIONS WHETHER THE I-R-A WILL PERMANENTLY RENOUNCE VIOLENCE.

VOICE: "THE QUESTION WILL NEVER BE ADDRESSED UNLESS NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN ON A COMPROMISE THAT FORCES THE I-R-A TO MAKE A DECISION BETWEEN PEACE AND WAR. TALKS ON A COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT NEED TO BEGIN ON SCHEDULE ON SEPTEMBER 15 AND INVOLVE ALL MAJOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE NORTHERN IRELAND CONFLICT."

TEXT: THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR POINTS OUT THAT EACH TIME A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION IS FOUND FOR ENDING THE VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND, THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION -- A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT -- APPEARS TO RECEDE.

VOICE: "ONCE MORE, THAT FRUSTRATING -- AND TANTALIZING -- PICTURE FACES THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS AS THEY GET ONE SIDE, SINN FEIN, NEAR THE BARGAINING TABLE ONLY TO SEE THE OTHER, PROTESTANT UNIONSTS, BALK IN SUSPICION. BUT TO GIVE IN TO PESSIMISM WOULD BE AS FOOLHARDY AS LIVING BY THE OLD MATH CONUNDRUM THAT IF YOU REPEATEDLY WALK HALF THE DISTANCE TO A DOOR YOU WILL NEVER GET THROUGH IT. TOO MUCH IS AT STAKE FOR THAT KIND OF THINKING. NAMELY:NORMALITY OF LIFE FOR ONE POINT SEVEN MILLION PREDOMINANTLY PEACEABLE PEOPLE IN NORTHERN IRELAND, THE LIVES OF INNOCENTS RANDOMLY HIT BY BOMBS IN BRITAIN, AND THE ABILITY OF LONDON AND DUBLIN TO GET ON WITH NORMAL TRADE, GROWTH, AND SHAPING EUROPEAN UNION."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS OBSERVES THAT THE KEY TO LASTING PEACE IS COMPROMISE.

VOICE: "THANKFULLY, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR CONTINUES TO HAVE CONVICTIONS, AND THE COURAGE OF THEM. MAY HE NOT GIVE UP THE CAUSE, AS TEMPTING AS THAT MIGHT BE IN THE FACE OF INSINCERITY, PARTISAN POSTURING, BLATHER AND PLAIN OLD BULL. THE SUFFERING PEOPLE OF ULSTER, NO MATTER WHAT THEIR RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION, DESERVE A SERIOUS CHANCE AT SETTLING DIFFERENCES. AND SAVING LIVES."

TEXT: RELIGIOUS TYRANNY IS THE TOPIC OF THE NEW YORK TIMES' LEAD EDITORIAL TODAY. THE NEWSPAPER COMMENTS ON A NEW U-S STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT ON PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIAN GROUPS ABROAD.

VOICE: "THE STUDY'S EMPHASIS ON RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE IS HEARTENING. BUT THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT HAS LESS TO DO WITH CHANGING AMERICAN POLICY TOWARD REPRESSIVE COUNTRIES THAN SCORING POLITICAL POINTS AT HOME. THE SUPPRESSION OF CHRISTIAN GROUPS IS AN IMPORTANT PROBLEM THAT HAS RECEIVED INSUFFICIENT ATTENTION FROM WASHINGTON. AS THE REPORT MAKES CLEAR, THE EXERCISE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, AND CHRISTIAN BELIEFS IN PARTICULAR, IS DISCOURAGED IN NUMEROUS COUNTRIES. CHINA IS A LEADING OFFENDER, BUT THE ROLL CALL OF NATIONS THAT LACK FULL RELIGIOUS RIGHTS INCLUDES RUSSIA, CUBA, EGYPT, SAUDI ARABIA, PAKISTAN AND INDONESIA, TO NAME ONLY A FEW. UNFORTUNATELY, THE WHOLE EXERCISE IS DIMINISHED BY THE TRANSPARENT POLITICKING THAT SURROUNDS IT. THE REVIEW WAS ORDERED BY CONGRESS TO SATISFY POLITICALLY INFLUENTIAL CHRISTIAN GROUPS. WASHINGTON'S HUMAN RIGHTS REPORTS ARE THEMSELVES A FORM OF PRESSURE ON ABUSIVE GOVERNMENTS, BUT THEY CANNOT SUBSTITUTE FORM MORE DIRECT ACTION. IT IS QUITE ANOTHER MATTER TO USE AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC AND ECONOMIC LEVERAGE TO PRESS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE, SOMETHING THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT ALWAYS DONE."

TEXT: COMMENTARY ON THE POLITICAL WOES OF HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH TOPS THE EDITORIAL PAGE OF TODAY'S BALTIMORE SUN.

VOICE: "AS THE SPEAKER TRIES TO BOLSTER HIS POSITION AT THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS TODAY, HE FACES A DELICATE BALANCING ACT. CONSERVATIVES ARE ANGRY OVER HIS FAILURE TO SEIZE THE POLITICAL INITIATIVE FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON. THE SPEAKER HAS BEEN OUT MANEUVERED BY MR. CLINTON AT EVERY TURN SINCE THE GOP GRAVELY MISCALCULATED THE PUBLIC'S RESPONSE TO SHUTTING DOWN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 1995 OVER A BUDGET DISPUTE. THE IMAGE BEING TRANSMITTED BY HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO VOTERS IS ONE OF DIVISION AND DISARRAY. UNLESS MR. GINGRICH CAN REIN IN THE HARD-LINERS, REPUBLICANS COULD BE PUTTING CONTROL OF THE HOUSE IN JEOPARDY COME NOVEMBER 1998."

TEXT: TWO WEEKS OF SENATE HEARINGS ON THE DEMOCRAT'S 1996 CAMPAIGN FINANCES PRODUCED AMPLE SMOKE -- BUT NO GUN, SO SAYS TODAY'S LEAD EDITORIAL IN NEWSDAY.

VOICE: "THEY CONFIRMED THAT JOHN HUANG, AN ASIAN AMERICAN ONCE EMPLOYED BY AN INDONESIAN FINANCIAL CONGLOMERATE WITH TIES TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, WAS A DEMON FUND-RAISER WITH FEW QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE JOB HE LATER HELD AT THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT. BUT THE HEARINGS DIDN'T PROVE THAT CHINA HAD COVERT PLAN TO INFLUENCE LAST YEAR'S ELECTIONS, AS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN FRED THOMPSON PROCLAIMED -- MUCH LESS THAT SUCH A PLAN WAS ACTUALLY CARRIED OUT OF THAT HUANG WAS INVOLVED IN IT."

TEXT: A WASHINGTON POST EDITORIAL TODAY COMMENTS ON THE NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA.

VOICE: "LIBERIANS HAVE CHOSE A STRANGE WAY TO END -- IF IT IS ENDED -- THE SEVEN-YEAR CIVIL WAR THAT HAS SHREDDED THEIR 150 YEAR OLD WEST AFRICAN COUNTRY. THEY HAVE OVERWHELMINGLY ELECTED PRESIDENT THE SINGLE PERSON MOST RESPONSIBLE FOR LIBERIA'S TRAGEDY. CHARLES TAYLOR, A WARLORD, BROKE OUT OF A MASSACHUSETTS JAIL WHERE HE WAS BEING HELD ON EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGES, INVADED HIS COUNTRY ON CHRISTMAS EVE 1989 AND SOON TOPPLED THE GOVERNMENT OF SAMUEL DOE. IMMENSE ETHNIC HORRORS FOLLOWED. HE DID NOT FINALLY SUCCEED IN ESTABLISHING HIS FULL CONTROL, THANKS IN PARTICULAR TO A WEST AFRICAN PEACEKEEPING FORCE LED BY NIGERIA. BUT NOW, EN ELECTIONS THAT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN FREE AND FAIR, HE HAS WON POLITICAL POWER OVER THE WHOLE, RECEIVING THREE OR FOUR TIMES THE VOTE OF HIS PRINCIPAL CHALLENGER, ELLEN JOHNSON-SIRLEAF."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT COMMENT FROM THE WASHINGTON POST, WE END THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL OPINION FROM U.S. NEWSPAPERS THIS WEDNESDAY, JULY 23RD.
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23-Jul-97 10:50 AM EDT (1450 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] YELTSIN VETO OF LAW ON RELIGION BY FRANK RONALDS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS REJECTED A BILL THAT WOULD SHARPLY CURTAIL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND SENT IT BACK TO PARLIAMENT WITH PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT HAD PREVIOUSLY ISSUED A REPORT ON THE PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIAN GROUPS AROUND THE WORLD AND URGED PRESIDENT YELTSIN TO VETO THE BILL. WITH BACKGROUND, HERE IS V-O-A'S FRANK RONALDS.

TEXT: ADRIAN KARATNYCKI, PRESIDENT OF FREEDOM HOUSE, A HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION IN NEW YORK, SAYS THAT THE BILL PASSED BY THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT IS ESPECIALLY TROUBLING IN THAT IT REFLECTS AN APPROACH SIMILAR TO THAT OF COMMUNIST AUTHORITIES IN CHINA.

IN MOST DEMOCRACIES, THE STATE DOESN'T INTERVENE IN THIS KIND OF ISSUE, BECAUSE IT WOULD CONSTITUTE AN ABRIDGEMENT OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH AS MUCH AS FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE AND FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS BELIEF. IT REALLY CHARACTERIZES A KIND OF A NATIONALISTIC OR, MAYBE AT ITS WORST INSTANCE, A XENOPHOBIC ATTITUDE. IN SOME SENSE, IT VERY MUCH MIRRORS WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN CHINA, WHERE THERE IS NOT SIMPLY A WHOLESALE PERSECUTION OF RELIGIOSITY OR RELIGIOUS BELIEF, THERE IS A REPRESSION TARGETED ON THOSE CHURCHES THAT HAVE PARTICULARLY STRONG CONNECTIONS OUTSIDE THE BORDERS OF CHINA.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT, WHICH WAS MANDATED BY CONGRESS, IS THE FIRST COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIAN GROUPS AROUND THE WORLD. IT DEALS HARSHLY WITH CHINA, WHERE CONSTITUTIONAL PROMISES OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ARE REGULARLY VIOLATED. IT FINDS THAT, THIS YEAR, THE BEIJING GOVERNMENT HAS CRACKED DOWN ON UNREGISTERED CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT MOVEMENTS, RAIDING AND CLOSING HUNDREDS OF GROUPS THAT WORSHIP IN MEMBERS HOMES AND IMPRISONING ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS.

BESIDES EXPRESSING CONCERN ON THE PROPOSED RUSSIAN LAW, THE STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT DOCUMENTS DISCIMINATION AGAINST RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN MANY OTHER FORMERLY COMMUNIST COUNTRIES. THIS INCLUDES HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE AGAINST BAPTISTS AND GREEK CATHOLICS IN ROMANIA AND DENIAL OF FREEDOM OF WORSHIP TO NON-ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS IN BULGARIA.

IN ARMENIA, DENOMINATIONS OTHER THAN THE ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH FACE LEGAL RESTRICTIONS; IN AZERBAIJAN, THE STATE DEPARTMENT REPORTS SAYS, A LAW FORBIDDING RELIGIOUS PROSELYTIZING BY FOREIGNERS IS DISCRIMINATORY AND LEADS TO HARASSMENT OF CHRISTIANS.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT DOES NOT LIMIT ITSELF TO POINTING OUT RESTRICTION ON CHRISTIAN GROUPS. IN CHINA, IT ALSO INCLUDES THE BUDDHISTS OF TIBET. IN IRAN, A NUMBER OF BAHAIS REMAIN IN PRISON UNDER SENSTENCE OF DEATH, CONVICTED OF APOSTACY. IN ISRAEL, JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES HAVE BEEN HARASSED AND ATTACKED. IN SAUDI ARABIA, FREEDOM OF RELIGION DOES NOT EXIST.

AS FAR AS RUSSIA IS CONCERNED, ADRIAN KARATNYCKI OF FREEDOM HOUSE TAKES SOME CONSOLATION FROM THE FACT THAT INDIVIDUALS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN RUSSIA HAVE PROTESTED THE LEGISLATION PASSED BY PARLIAMENT.

I THINK THAT THE MOST ENCOURAGING THING IS THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF VOICES WITHIN RUSSIA, WITHIN THE PRESS AND SO ON, THAT ARE ENGAGED IN SOMETHING OF A DEBATE AND DISCUSSION ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS KIND OF LEGISLATION, WHICH MEANS THAT THERE IS A KIND OF NORMAL GIVE AND TAKE OF DEMOCRATIC DISCOURSE. I THINK THAT IS VERY HEALTHY FOR RUSSIA, AS A NEW DEMOCRACY. NOT SIMPLY TO HAVE THESE ISSUES DEBATED ONCE AND FOR ALL, BUT REALLY TO HAVE A VERY INFORMED DEBATE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE EVOLUTION OF A LIBERAL AND OPEN SOCIETY.

NOT EVERONE IS SO OPTIMISTIC. SERGEI SHAKRAI, PRESIDENT YELTSIN'S REPRESENTATIVE ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT, SAYS THAT OUTSIDE PRESSURE ON THE PRESIDENT TO VETO THE BILL, ESPECIALLY FROM THE U-S SENATE, MAY FURTHER ENCOURAGE PARLIAMENT TO OVERRIDE HIS VETO. SINCE THE RUSSIAN CONSTITUTION STATES THAT "ALL RELIGIONS ARE EQUAL," THIS COULD LEAD TO AN APPEAL TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO STRIKE THE LAW DOWN. (SIGNED)
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23-Jul-97 2:05 PM EDT (1805 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[14] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENCY (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

INTRO: SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC -- PROHIBITED LEGALLY FROM SERVING ANOTHER TERM AS SERBIA'S PRESIDENT -- WAS SWORN-IN WEDNESDAY AS YUGOSLAVIA'S NEW FEDERAL PRESIDENT. AS JULIA GLYN-PICKETT REPORTS FROM BELGRADE, THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS GREETED MR. MILOSEVIC'S NEW LEADERSHIP POSITION WITH A DISPLAY OF ANGER AND FRUSTRATION.

TEXT: SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TOLD AN AUDIENCE OF FELLOW SOCIALISTS WEDNESDAY THAT NOW IS THE TIME FOR CITIZENS TO UNITE AND BUILD A STRONG, HUMANE AND ECONOMICALLY POWERFUL YUGOSLAVIA. OUTSIDE THE PARLIAMENT, A FEW HUNDRED SOCIALIST SUPPORTERS WERE WAITING TO SALUTE THE NEW PRESIDENT. BUT THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS WERE GATHERED AS WELL, AND THEY BOOED THE NEW YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT AS HE LEFT IN HIS BLACK LIMOUSINE.

DESPITE A CORDON OF RIOT POLICE, THE STUDENTS MANAGED TO THROW OLD SHOES AT THE PRESIDENT AS HIS CAR SPED PAST. //OPT// ONE STUDENT -- MIOMIR MILOSAVLJEVIC -- TOLD V-O-A THAT EACH PAIR OF SHOES SYMBOLIZES SOMEONE WHO HAS LEFT THE COUNTRY SINCE MR. MILOSEVIC CAME TO POWER EIGHT YEARS AGO.

THAT SHOE REPRESENTS EVERYTHING HE HAD DONE TO PEOPLE.

STUDENTS WERE THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND SERBIA'S MASS DEMONSTRATIONS EARLIER THIS YEAR. SINCE THEN THE OPPOSITION COALITION THEY SUPPORTED HAS COLLAPSED. CEDOMIR ANTIC, WHO LED THE STUDENTS TO VICTORY DURING THOSE PROTESTS, SAYS THAT NOW IT IS UP THEM TO FILL THE SPACE LEFT OPEN BY THAT OPPOSITION.

MR. ANTIC CALLED THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION INCAPABLE OF ASSUMING ITS ROLE AS KEY POLITICAL ACTOR. HE SAYS THAT THE STUDENTS SHOWED THEIR POLITICAL STRENGTH DURING FOUR MONTHS OF MASS PROTEST EARLIER THIS YEAR. MR. ANTIC SAYS HE BELIEVES THAT IS WHY THE STUDENTS ARE NOW THE STRONGEST POLITICAL OPTION HERE.

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