Voice of America, 97-08-13

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS TALKS (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

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

[03] FRANCE BUDGET (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

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

[05] U-S/BOSNIA/NATO UPDATE (S&L) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[06] U-S / BOSNIA / S-O BY ERIN BRUMMETT (WASHINGTON)

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

[01] CYPRUS TALKS (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE LEADER OF THE TURKISH COMMUNITY ON CYPRUS HAS REJECTED PROCEDURAL PROPOSALS DRAFTED BY A U-N MEDIATORS. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THAT. DESPITE THE SETBACK, TALKS IN SWITZERLAND BETWEEN THE TURKISH-CYPRIOT AND GREEK-CYPRIOT LEADERS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE UNTIL SATURDAY.

TEXT: A SENIOR TURKISH OFFICIAL TOLD JOURNALISTS MONITORING THE TALKS THAT TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADER RAUF DENKTASH WILL NOT SIGN THE DOCUMENT PROPOSED BY THE UNITED NATIONS. BUT, THE OFFICIAL SAID MR. DANKTASH WILL STAY AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE.

GREEK CYPRIOT LEADER GLAFKOS CLERIDES REPORTEDLY IS HAPPY WITH THE PROPOSALS AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM APPROVED.

U-N MEDIATOR DIEGO CORDOVEZ PRESENTED THE PROPOSALS TO THE TWO CYPRIOT LEADERS ON TUESDAY. THEY REPORTEDLY WERE DESIGNED TO BRIDGE SOME OF THE DIFFERENCES THAT HAVE DIVIDED THE GREEK AND TURKISH COMMUNITIES SINCE TURKEY INVADED THE ISLAND IN 1974.

THE PROBLEMS INCLUDE THE AMOUNT OF TERRITORY EACH SIDE WOULD GET. OTHER DIFFERENCES INVOLVE THE RETURN OF REFUGEES, DEMILITARIZATION, AND SECURITY GUARANTEES.

DIPLOMATIC OFFICIALS CLOSE TO THE TALKS SAY ONE OF THE DOCUMENTS IS A REVISED VERSION OF A PAPER MR. CORDOVEZ PRESENTED DURING A MEETING LAST MONTH IN NEW YORK.

THE SOURCES SAY THE NEW DOCUMENT SUGGESTS CYPRUS REMAIN ONE FEDERALIST STATE WITH ONE SINGLE, INDIVISIBLE SOVEREIGNTY. PRESIDENT CLERIDES HAD OBJECTED TO PREVIOUS PROPOSAL WHICH GAVE SOVEREIGNTY TO EACH COMMUNITY. HE REPORTEDLY WAS AFRAID THAT FORMULA COULD OPEN THE WAY TO SECESSION BY THE TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMUNITY.

OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE U-N PROPOSALS INCLUDE A PROVISION FOR EACH COMMUNITY TO HAVE ITS OWN TERRITORIAL ADMINISTRATION AND FOR THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC TO RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS.

ONE OF THE BIG STICKING POINTS IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS IS CYPRUS' MOVE TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION. NEGOTIATIONS FOR ENTRY ARE SET TO BEGIN NEXT YEAR. DIPLOMATIC SOURCES SAY MR. DENKTASH HAS THREATENED TO PULL OUT OF THE NEGOTIATIONS IF THE CYPRUS / E-U TALKS GO AHEAD. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH
13-Aug-97 12:41 PM EDT (1641 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

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

TEXT: PRICES WERE OFF IN ALL THREE MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS.

THE BIGGEST FALL WAS IN PARIS. THE CAC-40 INDEX ENDED DOWN MORE THAN 74 POINTS, ALMOST TWO-AND-ONE-HALF PERCENT OF THE PARIS MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE.

STOCK PRICES ALSO DROPPED SHARPLY IN FRANKFURT. THE DAX-30 INDEX ENDED FLOOR TRADING OFF MORE THAN 84 POINTS, MORE THAN ONE-AND-NINE-TENTHS PERCENT. PRICES IN FRANKFURT FELL EVEN MORE IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING.

AND IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX FELL MORE THAN 72 POINTS, ABOUT ONE-AND-FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR LOST VALUE AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN, THE GERMAN MARK AND THE BRITISH POUND.
NEB/JWH/KL
13-Aug-97 1:32 PM EDT (1732 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] FRANCE BUDGET (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT HAS ORDERED SUBSTANTIAL CUTS IN THE COUNTRY'S DEFENSE BUDGET AS PART OF MEASURES TO BRING DOWN SPENDING AND MEET THE CRITERIA FOR JOINING THE NEW SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: IN LETTERS TO ALL HIS MINISTERS, FRENCH PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN THIS WEEK SET NEW BUDGET TARGETS TO ENABLE FRANCE TO BE AMONG THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE NEW SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY.

UNDER THE MAASTRICHT EUROPEAN UNION TREATY, THOSE NATIONS JOINING THE SINGLE CURRENCY, KNOWN AS THE EURO, MUST -- AMONG OTHER CONDITIONS -- BRING THEIR DEFICITS DOWN TO THREE PERCENT OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT BY JANUARY.

FOR FRANCE, THIS TARGET IS THE MOST DIFFICULT TO MEET. AND, SINCE HE WAS ELECTED IN JUNE, THE SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER HAS BEEN SEEKING WAYS OF SLASHING STATE SPENDING AT THE SAME TIME AS KEEPING ELECTION PROMISES TO CREATE MORE JOBS.

AFTER BREAKING HIS SUMMER VACATION LAST WEEK FOR FINAL MEETINGS WITH KEY MINISTERS, MR. JOSPIN DECIDED TO MAKE HIS MAIN CUTS IN FRANCE'S DEFENSE BUDGET.

ALREADY IN JULY, THE FINANCE MINISTRY ORDERED A REDUCTION IN THE DEFENSE BUDGET OF MORE THAN 600-MILLION DOLLARS. NOW, DEFENSE MINISTER ALAIN RICHARD HAS BEEN TOLD TO SLASH SPENDING EVEN FURTHER. THIS WILL MOSTLY AFFECT ORDERS FOR NEW ARMAMENTS.

IT WILL NOT, HOWEVER, CHANGE PLANS TO END 100 YEARS OF THE DRAFT AND AIM FOR A SMALLER AND SOLELY PROFESSIONAL ARMY.

THE MAIN IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF THE DEFENSE CUTS IS LIKELY TO FALL ON THE DASSAULT AIRCRAFT-MANUFACTURER. ORDERS FOR 48 OF ITS NEW RAFALE FIGHTERS ARE NOW EXPECTED TO BE SPREAD OUT OVER SEVERAL YEARS. ALREADY, DASSAULT HAD REDUCED THE PRICE OF THE PLANE BY AROUND 10 PERCENT IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT.

UNDER PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED DEFENSE REFORMS, DASSAULT WAS TO BE MERGED WITH THE STATE-OWNED AEROSPATIALE PLANE-MAKER WHICH WAS ITSELF SCHEDULED FOR PRIVATIZATION. NOW, HOWEVER, THE FUTURE OF THIS ALLIANCE IS IN DOUBT, ESPECIALLY SINCE MR. JOSPIN SAYS HE WANTS TO KEEP FRENCH ARMS-MANUFACTURERS UNDER STATE CONTROL. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/JWH/KL
13-Aug-97 11:12 AM EDT (1512 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AFTER A VERY VOLATILE SESSION. CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 79 HUNDRED 28, DOWN 32 POINTS. THE LARGER STANDARD AND POOR'S INDEX OF 500 STOCKS CLOSED AT 922, DOWN FOUR POINTS.

STOCK PRICES ROSE SHARPLY EARLY IN THE DAY AFTER THE GOVERNMENT RELEASED REPORTS SHOWING U-S WHOLESALE PRICES DOWN FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED SEVENTH STRAIGHT MONTH IN JULY AND RETAIL SALES RISING MODESTLY LAST MONTH. BUT AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF TRADING, STOCK PRICES REVERSED AND PLUNGED LOWER. ANALYSTS SAY THERE IS APPARENTLY PRESSURE FROM MANY TRADERS FOR A DOWNWARD CORRECTION AND THE ANALYSTS EXPECT TRADERS TO SELL WHENEVER PRICES MOVE UP, FOR AT LEAST A FEW DAYS.

THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION SAYS THE AVERAGE PRICES OF ITS 1998 MODEL CARS AND TRUCKS WILL BE SIX-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT LOWER THAN LAST YEAR. A FEW DAYS AGO, THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAID ITS PRICES WILL BE UNCHANGED AND GENERAL MOTORS ANNOUNCED ITS SMALLEST PRICE INCREASE IN MORE THAN 10 YEARS.

NAVISTAR INTERNATIONAL, A MAJOR U-S-BASED HEAVY TRUCK MANUFACTURER, HAS REACHED AGREEMENT WITH THE AUTO WORKERS UNION TO EXTEND THEIR WORK CONTRACT THROUGH THE YEAR 2002. THE COMPANY SAYS THE DEAL WILL ENABLE IT TO GO AHEAD WITH A PROGRAM TO DEVELOP A NEW MEDIUM DUTY TRUCK. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/LWM
13-Aug-97 5:18 PM EDT (2118 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[05] U-S/BOSNIA/NATO UPDATE (S&L) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SAYS NATO PEACEKEEPERS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAVE BEGUN INSPECTING THE PARAMILITARY FORCES OF THE BOSNIAN SERB POLICE. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THE PENTAGON IS DENYING U-S NEWS REPORTS U-S, FRENCH AND BRITISH COMMANDOS ARE TRAINING TO CAPTURE BOSNIAN WAR CRIMINALS:

TEXT: THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE INSPECTIONS FOLLOW LAST WEEK'S ANNOUNCEMENT POLICE UNITS FAILING TO REGISTER WITH INTERNATIONAL MONITORS WOULD BE PUT UNDER THE SAME STRICT CONTROLS IMPOSED ON RIVAL ARMIES.

PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS NATO STABILIZATION FORCES -- KNOWN AS S-FOR -- HAVE ALREADY BEGUN INSPECTING THE HEADQUARTERS, BARRACKS AND CANTONMENT AREAS OF THESE UNITS IN THE BOSNIAN SERB CAPITAL PALE:

THEY WILL ALL BE INSPECTED SOON AND THOSE THAT HAVE NOT DECLARED WEAPONS AND LIVED UP TO ANNEX ONE-A OF THE DAYTON (PEACE) ACCORDS WILL HAVE CERTAIN HEAVY WEAPONS TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM.

MR. BACON SAYS THE INSPECTIONS ARE DESIGNED TO MAKE SURE HEAVY WEAPONS ARE NOT BEING USED IMPROPERLY. HE SAYS THE UNITS ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO ARMS CONTROL LIMITS. MEANWHILE, THE PENTAGON SAYS AMERICAN FORCES ARE NOT PREPARING FOR ANY COMMANDO MISSION TO APPREHEND WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS. EARLIER, A-B-C AND C-N-N, QUOTING MILITARY SOURCES, SAID BRITISH, FRENCH AND AMERICAN COMMANDOS -- SEPARATE FROM NATO PEACEKEEPERS ARE TRAINING IN EUROPE AND COULD BE READY FOR USE LATER THIS YEAR.

PENTAGON SPOKESMAN BACON SAYS THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE COMMITTMENT OF NATO TO HELP THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL BRING SUSPECTS TO JUSTICE. HOWEVER, HE REPEATED A LONG-STANDING VIEW THE WARRING FACTIONS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TURNING INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS OVER TO THE TRIBUNAL.

THE SPOKESMAN ACKNOWLEDGES THE SPECIAL POLICE UNITS ARE PROTECTING SENIOR BOSNIAN OFFICIALS, INCLUDING SUCH SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS AS FORMER BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC AND FORMER MILITARY COMMANDER RATKO MLADIC. HE SAYS THE GOAL IS NOT TO DISBAND THESE UNITS, BUT TO END THEIR PARAMILITARY ACTIVITIES:

SOME OF THE SPECIAL POLICE BRIGADES ARE INVOLVED IN THE PROTECTION OF V-I-PS AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PROTECTION OF FORMER OFFICIALS IN THE SERB SECTION OF BOSNIA. BUT, THE DIFFERENCE HERE IS THAT THIS IS NOT SAYING THEY CAN NO LONGER PROVIDE BODYGUARD FUNCTIONS, IT'S THE ARMAMENTS THEY USE WHEN THEY PERFORM THEIR FUNCTIONS THAT WILL BE MORE TIGHTLY CONTROLLED AND REGULATED.

HE SAYS THE CRACKDOWN FOLLOWS A REVIEW OF U-S / BOSNIAN POLICY PRESIDENT CLINTON ORDERED EARLIER THIS YEAR TO IMPROVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS. MR. BACON SAYS ONCE NATO FORCES WERE HARASSED BY BOSNIAN SERBS AFTER LAST MONTH'S ATTEMPT TO ARREST TWO SUSPECTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS, THE PARAMILITARY GROUPS NEEDED TO BE PLACED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS. (SIGNED).
NEB / PT / WD
13-Aug-97 2:11 AM EDT (0611 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] U-S / BOSNIA / S-O BY ERIN BRUMMETT (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE PENTAGON IS DENYING REPORTS A SECRET INTERNATIONAL COMMANDO UNIT, INCLUDING U-S TROOPS, IS PREPARING TO CAPTURE AND ARREST INDICTED BOSNIAN WAR CRIMINALS. ERIN BRUMMETT REPORTS.

TEXT: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS -- CONTRARY TO U-S TELEVISION REPORTS -- U-S FORCES ARE NEITHER (NOW) TRAINING FOR NOR TAKING PART IN ANY UNILATERAL OR MULTINATIONAL COMMANDO OPERATION TO APPREHEND INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. STILL, HE REAFFIRMED U-S POLICY TO HELP THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL TO BRING INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE.

REPORTS QUOTE U-S MILITARY SOURCES AS SAYING THAT NO POLITICAL DECISION HAS BEEN MADE TO USE THE FORCE, WHICH IS TRAINING IN EUROPE AND SUPPORTED BY SEVERAL NATIONS. THE SOURCES SAY A GENERAL TARGET DATE HAS BEEN SET FOR LATE FALL.

EARLIER TUESDAY, MR. BACON SAID WASHINGTON REMAINS COMMITTED TO HELPING THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, BUT SAID IT IS THE JOB OF POLICE -- NOT TROOPS -- TO ARREST INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS. (SIGNED)
NEB / EKB / WD
13-Aug-97 12:34 AM EDT (0434 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: EDITORIALS WRITERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES ARE DELVING INTO A WIDE ARRAY OF TOPICS THIS WEDNESDAY, INCLUDING THE NEW U-S PEACE MOVES IN THE MIDEAST; THE LINE ITEM VETO; NEW WAR CLOUDS BUILDING IN ANGOLA; AND THE QUESTIONABLE CASE OF A POLITICAL DONATION FROM SOME POOR NATIVE AMERICANS.

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

TEXT: TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES IS SUGGESTING THAT AS THE U-S STEPS UP ITS EFFORTS TO BRING THE TWO SIDES BACK TOGETHER IN THE MIDDLE EAST, THE TIME HAS COME TO RAISE THE HARD ISSUES.

VOICE: "FEARING THAT THE SHAKY ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PARTNERSHIP COULD BE HEADED IRREVOCABLY TOWARD COLLAPSE, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS SIGNALED ITS READINESS TO MOUNT A NEW INITIATIVE, ONE LIKELY TO MAKE IT MORE A MEDIATOR THAN SIMPLY A FACILITATOR IN THE PEACE EFFORT. IT IS A HIGH-STAKES GAMBLE. ..... THE UNITED STATES NOW BELIEVES THAT FURTHER TIME-CONSUMING TALKS ON INTERIM MEASURES SHOULD GIVE WAY TO TAKING UP THOSE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT FOR THE PERMANENT STATUS TALKS: BOUNDARIES, REFUGEES, RESOURCES, JERUSALEM. THIS IS A BOLD UNDERTAKING GIVEN THE POLITICAL AND EMOTIONAL WEIGHT THESE ISSUES CARRY, BUT ESPECIALLY SO IN LIGHT OF THE BREAKDOWN IN TRUST AND THE BITTER ACCUSATIONS OF BAD FAITH RAISED BY BOTH SIDES. ..... THE UNITED STATES MAY BRING SOME NEW PROPOSALS FOR COMPROMISES TO THE PEACE PROCESS. WHETHER IT WILL FIND LEADERS WITH THE COURAGE TO CONSIDER AND ACCEPT THEM IS SOMETHING ELSE."

TEXT: THERE IS MORE COMMENTARY CONCERNING ONE OF THE WEEK'S PRIME DOMESTIC STORIES, PRESIDENT CLINTON'S HISTORIC FIRST USE OF THE LINE ITEM VETO, WHICH ALLOWS HIM TO STRIKE OUT SPECIFIC PARTS OF SPENDING BILLS WITHOUT VETOING THE ENTIRE BILL. THE MIAMI HERALD WONDERS WHETHER THIS IS "A POWER TOO GREAT?"

VOICE: "WITH A STROKE OF HIS PEN, BILL CLINTON THIS WEEK BECAME THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO USE THE LINE-ITEM VETO. PREDICTABLY, HIS AXING OF THREE PROVISIONS IN THE 1997 BALANCED-BUDGET BILL BROUGHT MUCH BALLYHOOING [LOUD CRITICISM] THAT THE VETO IS JUST 'PETTY POLITICS' OR , ON THE OTHER HAND, THAT IT REPRESENTS A 'JUDICIOUS' EXERCISE OF POWER. POLITICAL POSTURING ASIDE, THE OVERRIDING CONCERN NOW ISN'T HOW WELL OR ILL-ADVISEDLY MR. CLINTON HAS USED THE VETO, BUT RATHER WHETHER THE U-S CONSTITUTION ALLOWS THIS SHIFT OF POWER TO A N Y [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] PRESIDENT AT ALL. ..... ALTHOUGH CONGRESS APPROVED THAT AUTHORITY WHEN IT PASSED THE LINE-ITEM VETO IN 1996, IT SEEMS CONTRARY TO CONSTITUTIONAL INTENT."

TEXT: THE OREGONIAN, IN PORTLAND, IS ALSO INTERESTED IN HOW THE SUPREME COURT WILL RULE ON THIS EXTENSION OF PRESIDENTIAL POWER.

VOICE: "NOW THAT [PRESIDENT] CLINTON HAS ACTUALLY USED IT .... ITS CONSTITUTIONALITY CAN BE DIRECTLY TESTED. [OPT] THE SUPREME COURT DIDN'T ADDRESS THAT ISSUE IN JUNE WHEN IT TURNED BACK A PREVIOUS CHALLENGE BY SIX MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. THE COURT SAID THE LAWMAKERS DIDN'T HAVE LEGAL STANDING BECAUSE THEY HADN'T BEEN HURT BY THE UNUSED LAW. NOW, AT LEAST ONE STATE, SOME AGRI-BUSINESSES AND SOME FINANCIAL SERVICES INSTITUTIONS HAVE PRESUMABLY BEEN HURT AND COULD CHALLENGE THE LAW. [END OPT] THE SOONER, THE BETTER - - BECAUSE THE BIGGER HURT IS TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL BALANCE OF POWER."

TEXT: TURNING TO AFRICAN ISSUES, THE WASHINGTON POST IS WORRIED THAT ANGOLA, THE TROUBLED FORMER PORTUGUESE TERRITORY IN SOUTHERN AFRICAN, IS ONCE AGAIN HEADING FOR WAR, PRINCIPALLY BECAUSE OF THE RECALCITRANT UNITA GUERRILLA LEADER JONAS SAVIMBI.

VOICE: "WHAT IS MOST PAINFUL ABOUT ANGOLA, WHICH MAY BE ABOUT TO FALL INTO A NEW BOUT OF CIVIL WAR, IS THAT THE UNITED NATIONS AND KEY GOVERNMENTS WENT TO SUCH GREAT LENGTHS THERE TO BRING RELIEF AND PEACE. ANGOLA WAS THE SCENE OF ONE OF THE CLASSIC COLD WAR POWER STRUGGLES. IN TIME, TWO SUCCESSIVE PEACE ACCORDS WERE HATCHED; THE UNITED NATIONS PATIENTLY TRIED TO ENFORCE THE SECOND WITH ITS LARGEST AND MOST EXPENSIVE PEACEKEEPING FORCE EVER. THERE WERE FLAWS IN THE ... EFFORT, BUT IT WAS A WORTHY ONE. IT WILL BE A BITTER BLOW - - AND NOT JUST TO ONE SAD, TORN AFRICAN NATION -- IF THE EFFORT IS FINALLY SEEN AS A FAILURE. IT WILL BE TAKEN AS A WARNING AGAINST FRIENDLY INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTIONS IN LOCAL CONFLICTS ELSEWHERE."

TEXT: BACK AT HOME, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES IS CELEBRATING THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS LEARNED FROM EARLIER TRAIN WRECKS THAT KILLED 44 AND 12 PEOPLE RESPECTIVELY, THAT KEPT THE MOST RECENT AMTRAK ACCIDENT FROM BEING MUCH WORSE.

VOICE: "THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SUNDAY'S 144-KILOMETERS-PER-HOUR DERAILMENT OF THE SOUTHWEST CHIEF IN THE ARIZONA DESERT AND TWO OF THE WORST ACCIDENTS IN AMTRAK HISTORY. ..... THIS TIME THERE WERE N O FATALITIES AMONG THE 291 PASSENGERS AND 18 CREW ..... ABOUT 116 PEOPLE WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITALS, AND ALL BUT 16 HAD BEEN RELEASED BY THE NEXT DAY. THE SOUTHWEST CHIEF WAS PULLED BY STRENGTHENED LOCOMOTIVES, WHICH STAND UP [RESIST DAMAGE] BETTER IN WRECKS, AND THERE WERE ONLY MINOR FUEL LEAKS. SEAT POCKETS CONTAINED INSTRUCTION SHEETS INFORMING PASSENGERS OF EMERGENCY EXITS AND THEIR LOCATIONS, PLUS CHEMICAL STICKS THAT PROVIDED ILLUMINATION. PASSENGERS SAID BOTH HELPED THEM EXIT THE CARS SWIFTLY AFTER SOME EMERGENCY LIGHTS FAILED."

TEXT: THE STRIKE BY THE NATION'S LARGEST PARCEL DELIVERY SERVICE U-P-S IS INTO ITS SECOND WEEK, AND USA TODAY IS SIDING WITH THE COMPANY IN ITS DEMAND TO BE ALLOWED TO WITHDRAW FROM THE TEAMSTERS UNION PENSION FUND AND GIVE ITS WORKERS THEIR OWN, SEPARATE PENSION FUND.

VOICE: "WANT A PENSION DEAL FEW COULD MATCH? ASK FOR ONE LIKE UNITED PARCEL SERVICE IS OFFERING ITS STRIKING PART-TIME EMPLOYEES. IT MAKES PENSIONS PORTABLE, A RARITY IN AN ANTIQUATED PENSION SYSTEM THAT GENERALLY FAILS TO PROTECT TODAY'S MOBILE WORK FORCE. UPS PROMISES TO PAY PART TIMERS WHO LEAVE THE COMPANY THE CURRENT VALUE OF THE BENEFITS THEY'VE EARNED - - UP TO SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. PORTABILITY ISN'T A BIG ISSUE IN THE TEAMSTERS' NINE-DAY-OLD STRIKE AGAINST UPS. BUT IT HAS WIDER MEANING BECAUSE SO FEW WORKERS ELSEWHERE HAVE SUCH AN OPTION."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, THE NEW YORK TIMES IS DISCUSSING THE POLITICAL DONATIONS TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF A NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBE THAT THOUGHT IT WAS TRADING THE MONEY FOR HELP FROM THE GOVERNMENT IN GETTING THE RETURN OF SOME SCARED TRIBAL LAND.

VOICE: "THE TRIBES [CHEYENNE-ARAPAHO TRIBES] PLEDGED THE MONEY AND GOT TWO SEATS AT AN INTIMATE WHITE HOUSE LUNCH WHERE THE TRIBAL CHAIRMAN PRESENTED HIS CASE TO THE PRESIDENT. THE TRIBES LATER SATISFIED THE PLEDGE [OF 107-THOUSAND DOLLARS] ULTIMATELY RETURNED BY THE D-N-C WHEN THE STORY BROKE IN THE PRESS LAST MARCH - - BY TAPPING A WELFARE FUND MAINTAINED FOR TRIBAL MEMBERS FOR HEATING BILLS AND MEDICAL EMERGENCIES. OF COURSE THE TRIBES ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE GOOD NEWS THEY HOPED FOR, SINCE THE ADMINISTRATION CANNOT BE SEEN TO BE EXCHANGING POLICY FAVORS FOR THE MONEY IT SO PROMISCUOUSLY COLLECTED. BUT THIS IS ONE CASE WHERE THE RIGHTNESS OF THE CHEYENNE-ARAPAHO CLAIM OUGHT TO OUTWEIGH THE DESPERATION AND NAIVETE THAT MADE THE TRIBES' LEADERS PREY TO THE DEMOCRATS."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE EDITORIALS TO BE FOUND IN TODAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS.
NEB/ANG/KL
13-Aug-97 10:39 AM EDT (1439 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article