Voice of America, 97-09-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA CONTACT GROUP (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (NEW YORK)

[02] BOSNIA CONTACT GROUP (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (NEW YORK)

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

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

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

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

[07] TURKEY / IRAQ (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[08] WORLD COURT / DANUBE (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

[01] BOSNIA CONTACT GROUP (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (NEW YORK)

INTRO: THE FIVE MINISTERS OF THE BOSNIA CONTACT GROUP HAVE MET IN NEW YORK TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION IN THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NEW YORK, THEY THREATEN INCREASINGLY STRONG MEASURES AGAINST OPPONENTS OF THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT.

TEXT: THE MINISTERS OF THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIA AND THREE WEST EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS DO NOT SPECIFY WHAT ADDITIONAL MEASURES THEY ARE PREPARED TO TAKE. A SENIOR CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL SAYS CONTINUED ECONOMIC PRESSURE IS BEGINNING TO PUSH THE BOSNIAN SERBS TOWARD BETTER COMPLIANCE WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT.

THE MINISTERS HAVE DIRECTED THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN VIENNA (THURSDAY) TO APPROVE INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION OF THE ELECTIONS THAT BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC HAS CALLED TO REPLACE THE HARDLINE PARLIAMENT THAT SHE DISMISSED EARLIER THIS YEAR. THOSE ELECTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 23RD. RUSSIA HAS NOW AGREED TO ALLOW INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION OF THE ELECTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN RESISTED BY RUSSIA'S ALLIES IN PALE.

SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT TOLD THE MINISTERS SHE UNDERSTANDS RUSSIA'S CONCERN THAT HOLDING THE ELECTIONS IS RISKY BUT SHE SAYS LEAVING THEM TO PALE'S MERCY WOULD BE RISKIER.

NOT DISCUSSED IN THE CONTACT GROUP MEETING BUT A SUBJECT FOR BILATERAL MEETINGS HERE IS THE FUTURE OF THE NATO-LED TROOPS IN BOSNIA PAST JUNE OF NEXT YEAR. RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER EVGENY PRIMAKOV SAYS RUSSIA DOES NOT OBJECT TO EXTENDING THOSE TROOPS EVEN FURTHER. FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER HUBERT VEDRINE SAYS ALL THE COUNTRIES IN THE CURRENT BOSNIA PEACE FORCE SHOULD REMAIN PAST NEXT JUNE. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS SENDING SIGNALS THAT THE CONTINUED PRESENCE OF AMERICAN TROOPS IN BOSNIA IS STILL AN OPEN QUESTION. SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS SHE GIVES THE MINISTERS THE SAME MESSAGE IN PRIVATE THAT SHE GIVES PUBLICLY.

WE HAVE SAID THAT THERE WILL BE AN INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE IN THE REGION, POLITICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY, BECAUSE WE HAVE INTERESTS IN THE REGION FOR STRATEGIC AS WELL AS HUMANITARIAN REASONS. NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AS FAR AS THE PRESENCE OF U-S FORCES OR NATO FORCES FOLLOWING THE TERMINATION OF THE S-FOR MISSION IN JUNE, 1998.

THE DECISION IS DELICATE BECAUSE MANY IN THE U-S CONGRESS WANT TO HAVE THE AMERICAN TROOPS WITHDRAWN BY A DATE CERTAIN NEXT JUNE. THE FORMER BOSNIA NEGOTIATOR FOR THE UNITED STATES, RICHARD HOLBROOKE,BELIEVES IT IS A MISTAKE TO PREMATURELY WITHDRAW THE AMERICAN TROOPS.

THOSE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO WANT AN ABSOLUTE CUT OFF AND TAKE OUR FORCES FROM THEIR CURRENT LEVELS WHICH ARE QUITE LOW, EIGHT THOUSAND TROOPS DOWN TO ZERO WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES ARE IN THE POSITION THAT WOULD BE THE SAME AS TAKING OUR TEAM OFF THE FOOTBALL FIELD IN THE FOURTH QUARTER WHEN THE GAME IS GOING WELL FOR US. WE'RE BEHIND SCHEDULE BUT WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS CROATIA AND YUGOSLAVIA CONTINUE TO STONEWALL, RESIST AND EVADE THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. THE UNITED STATES HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE TAKE ACTION AGAINST CROATIA BECAUSE OF ITS LACK OF COOPERATION WITH THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AND FOR ITS REFUSAL TO ALLOW MINORITY SERBS TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES.

ON YUGOSLAVIA, THE CONTACT GROUP MINISTERS UNITED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WARNING OF THE POTENTIAL FOR TROUBLE NEXT WEEK IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO WITH ITS MAJORITY POPULATION OF ALBANIANS. SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SPOKE FOR THE MINISTERS.

WE ARE ALL CONCERNED WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS VIOLENCE IN CONNECTION WITH STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS SET FOR OCTOBER FIRST AND WE URGE ALL SIDES TO SHOW RESTRAINT.

A SENIOR AMERICAN OFFICIAL CALLED THE GROUP'S STATEMENT A SHOT ACROSS THE BOW OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
24-Sep-97 9:15 PM EDT (0115 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA CONTACT GROUP (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (NEW YORK)

INTRO: THE FIVE MINISTERS OF THE BOSNIA CONTACT GROUP HAVE MET IN NEW YORK TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION IN THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NEW YORK, THEY THREATEN INCREASINGLY STRONG MEASURES AGAINST OPPONENTS OF THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT.

TEXT: THE MINISTERS OF THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIA AND THREE WEST EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS DO NOT SPECIFY WHAT ADDITIONAL MEASURES THEY ARE PREPARED TO TAKE. A SENIOR CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL SAYS CONTINUED ECONOMIC PRESSURE IS BEGINNING TO PUSH THE BOSNIAN SERBS TOWARD BETTER COMPLIANCE WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT.

THE MINISTERS HAVE DIRECTED THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN VIENNA (THURSDAY) TO APPROVE INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION OF THE ELECTIONS THAT BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC HAS CALLED TO REPLACE THE HARDLINE PARLIAMENT THAT SHE DISMISSED EARLIER THIS YEAR. THOSE ELECTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE HELD IN NOVEMBER. RUSSIA HAS NOW AGREED TO ALLOW INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION OF THE ELECTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN RESISTED BY RUSSIA'S ALLIES IN PALE.

SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT TOLD THE MINISTERS SHE UNDERSTANDS RUSSIA'S CONCERN THAT HOLDING THE ELECTIONS IS RISKY BUT SHE SAYS LEAVING THEM TO PALE'S MERCY WOULD BE RISKIER.

NOT DISCUSSED IN THE CONTACT GROUP MEETING BUT A SUBJECT FOR BILATERAL MEETINGS HERE IS THE FUTURE OF THE NATO-LED TROOPS IN BOSNIA PAST JUNE OF NEXT YEAR. RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER EVGENY PRIMAKOV SAYS RUSSIA DOES NOT OBJECT TO EXTENDING THOSE TROOPS EVEN FURTHER. FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER HUBERT VEDRINE SAYS ALL THE COUNTRIES IN THE CURRENT BOSNIA PEACE FORCE SHOULD REMAIN PAST NEXT JUNE. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS SENDING SIGNALS THAT THE CONTINUED PRESENCE OF AMERICAN TROOPS IN BOSNIA IS STILL AN OPEN QUESTION. SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS SHE GIVES THE MINISTERS THE SAME MESSAGE IN PRIVATE THAT SHE GIVES PUBLICLY.

WE HAVE SAID THAT THERE WILL BE AN INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE IN THE REGION, POLITICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY, BECAUSE WE HAVE INTERESTS IN THE REGION FOR STRATEGIC AS WELL AS HUMANITARIAN REASONS. NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AS FAR AS THE PRESENCE OF U-S FORCES OR NATO FORCES FOLLOWING THE TERMINATION OF THE S-FOR MISSION IN JUNE, 1998.

THE DECISION IS DELICATE BECAUSE MANY IN THE U-S CONGRESS WANT TO HAVE THE AMERICAN TROOPS WITHDRAWN BY A DATE CERTAIN NEXT JUNE. THE FORMER BOSNIA NEGOTIATOR FOR THE UNITED STATES, RICHARD HOLBROOKE,BELIEVES IT IS A MISTAKE TO PREMATURELY WITHDRAW THE AMERICAN TROOPS.

THOSE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO WANT AN ABSOLUTE CUT OFF AND TAKE OUR FORCES FROM THEIR CURRENT LEVELS WHICH ARE QUITE LOW, EIGHT THOUSAND TROOPS DOWN TO ZERO WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES ARE IN THE POSITION THAT WOULD BE THE SAME AS TAKING OUR TEAM OFF THE FOOTBALL FIELD IN THE FOURTH QUARTER WHEN THE GAME IS GOING WELL FOR US. WE'RE BEHIND SCHEDULE BUT WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS CROATIA AND YUGOSLAVIA CONTINUE TO STONEWALL, RESIST AND EVADE THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. THE UNITED STATES HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE TAKE ACTION AGAINST CROATIA BECAUSE OF ITS LACK OF COOPERATION WITH THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AND FOR ITS REFUSAL TO ALLOW MINORITY SERBS TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES.

ON YUGOSLAVIA, THE CONTACT GROUP MINISTERS UNITED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WARNING OF THE POTENTIAL FOR TROUBLE NEXT WEEK IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO WITH ITS MAJORITY POPULATION OF ALBANIANS. SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SPOKE FOR THE MINISTERS.

WE ARE ALL CONCERNED WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS VIOLENCE IN CONNECTION WITH STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS SET FOR OCTOBER FIRST AND WE URGE ALL SIDES TO SHOW RESTRAINT.

A SENIOR AMERICAN OFFICIAL CALLED THE GROUP'S STATEMENT A SHOT ACROSS THE BOW OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
25-Sep-97 12:24 AM EDT (0424 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE GENERALLY DOWN IN TRADING THURSDAY ON EUROPEAN EXCHANGES. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE SLOW START ON WALL STREET IS BLAMED FOR THE DIP IN PRICES ON EUROPEAN MARKETS.

IN FRANKURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX DID END THE FLOOR TRADING DAY WITH AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN 46 POINTS, MORE THAN ONE PERCENT OF THE MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE. BUT FRANKFURT PRICES THEN FELL BY MORE THAN ONE PERCENT IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX CLOSED DOWN MORE THAN 18 POINTS, ABOUT SIX-TENTHS PERCENT.

AND IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX FELL ALMOST 12 POINTS, ABOUT TWO-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR WAS DOWN IN VALUE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, THE JAPANESE YEN, AND THE BRITISH POUND.
NEB/JWH/MMK
25-Sep-97 1:50 PM EDT (1750 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: A WIDE RANGE OF EDITORIAL TOPICS GREETS READERS OF THE NATION'S MAJOR NEWSPAPERS THIS THURSDAY, INCLUDING: STRONG CRITICISM OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE [I-R-S] FROM TAXPAYERS AT A SENATE HEARING; HOW TO EXIT GRACEFULLY FROM BOSNIA; THE POLISH ELECTION; THE RECENT POLITICAL CHANGES IN VIETNAM; AND THE MIDDLE EAST ACCORDING TO MADELEINE ALBRIGHT.

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

TEXT: A GROUP OF U-S CITIZENS WITH VARIOUS HORROR STORIES TO TELL ABOUT ABUSE AT THE HANDS OF FEDERAL TAX COLLECTORS TOLD THEIR TALES TO A SENATE COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, AND TODAY THERE IS A GOOD DEAL OF COMMENT ABOUT WHAT THEY SAID. THE MIAMI HERALD SAYS:

VOICE: "... THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SAD STORIES OF ABUSED TAXPAYERS, DRACONIAN FINES AND COMPOUNDING INTEREST, MISMANAGEMENT AND SYSTEMS GONE AWRY, ZEALOUS AUDITORS, EVEN EGREGIOUS BREACHES OF ETHICS. NO ONE SHOULD BE PUT THROUGH AN AUDIT JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE THOUGHT THAT THEY COULD BE BULLIED WITH IMPUNITY OR BECAUSE - - AS IN TIMES BEFORE THE I-R-S WAS DECLARED 'INDEPENDENT' - - OF POLITICAL VIEWS. AS THE HORROR STORIES ARE LAID OUT, HOWEVER, TAXPAYERS MUST ASK: WHAT WILL CONGRESS DO TO CORRECT THESE EXCESSES?"

TEXT: USA TODAY IS EQUALLY UPSET, SETTING OUT THIS HEADLINE ABOVE ITS LEAD EDITORIAL: "ABUSES, MISMANAGEMENT SHOW I-R-S NEEDS SHAKEUP," [OPT] AND ADDING:

VOICE: "A POLL NOT LONG AGO SHOWED MOST AMERICANS WOULD RATHER GET MUGGED [HELD UP BY A CRIMINAL] THAN UNDERGO A TAX AUDIT. THAT'S SOUND REASONING, JUDGING FROM THE TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES WEDNESDAY AT A SENATE HEARING INTO I-R-S PRACTICES. THE WOUNDS FROM A MUGGING CAN BE LESS SEVERE. ..... THERE'S AMPLE EVIDENCE THAT THE I-R-S IS A MANAGEMENT MESS WITH A HISTORY OF BUNGLING AND TAXPAYER INTIMIDATION."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES IS CONCERNED THAT THERE IS "STILL NO EXIT STRATEGY ON BOSNIA, AS ITS EDITORIAL IS HEADLINED." THE PAPER WRITES:

VOICE: "HAVING ALREADY STRETCHED AMERICA'S TROOP COMMITMENT IN BOSNIA FROM 12 TO 30 MONTHS, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS BEGUN AN EFFORT TO PREPARE PUBLIC OPINION FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF AN EVEN LONGER STAY. ..... EVERYONE WANTS A UNIFIED, DEMOCRATIC AND PROSPERING BOSNIA [-HERZEGOVINA]. BUT CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS ARE RIGHT TO WARN THAT AMERICAN SOLDIERS CANNOT REMAIN DEPLOYED UNTIL THAT GOAL IS FULLY ACHIEVED."

TEXT: ADDING ITS CONCERN ON THE TOPIC IS FLORIDA'S ORLANDO SENTINEL WHICH SAYS:

VOICE: "SOMETIMES YOU CAN TOLERATE WASHINGTON DOUBLE-SPEAK. WHEN IT INVOLVES PLACING AMERICAN TROOPS AT RISK NEEDLESSLY, THOUGH - - AS IS GOING ON IN BOSNIA - - IT BECOMES DOWNRIGHT MADDENING. PRESIDENT CLINTON'S NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER, SANDY BERGER, TALKED THIS WEEK ABOUT PEACE TAKING ROOT IN BOSNIA, WHICH PROBABLY WAS WISHFUL THINKING. .... BUT THEN MR. BERGER ADDED THAT FOREIGN COUNTRIES WILL HAVE TO BE INVOLVED FOR 'A GOOD WHILE TO COME.' WHAT ABOUT NEXT SUMMER'S DEADLINE FOR ENDING INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING IN BOSNIA. .... IT'S TIME FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON TO BE UP FRONT [CANDID] , INSTEAD OF QUIETLY TRYING TO BUILD SUPPORT, THEN DUMPING A NEW COMMITMENT ON AMERICANS."

TEXT: POLAND'S ELECTION SUNDAY COMES IN FOR MORE COMMENT, THIS TIME FROM THE WASHINGTON POST, WHICH NOTES:

VOICE: "IF POLAND IS SOON TO BECOME A NATO ALLY LIKE GERMANY OR SPAIN - - AND WE HOPE IT WILL - - ITS INTERNAL POLITICS ARE OF MORE THAN PASSING INTEREST TO AMERICANS. IN THAT CONTEXT, SUNDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION IS ENCOURAGING. THIS IS SO IN PART BECAUSE DEMOCRACY HAS BECOME ENTRENCHED ....... THE ELECTIONS ARE ENCOURAGING, TOO, BECAUSE THEY SEEM UNLIKELY TO AFFECT THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF POLISH POLICY: THE DESIRE TO JOIN NATO AND THE WEST AND THE COMMITMENT TO FREE MARKETS AND A CIVIL SOCIETY."

TEXT: THE SUN IN BALTIMORE, LOOKING TOWARD ASIA, COMMENTS ON THE RECENT POLITICAL CHANGES IN VIETNAM AND ENDS WITH A QUESTION:

VOICE: "THE LONG-AWAITED LEADERSHIP CHANGE FOR VIETNAM WENT THROUGH WITHOUT A HITCH. BUT CAN THAT COUNTRY SUSTAIN A COMMUNIST POLITICAL SYSTEM A N D [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] A CAPITALIST ECONOMY, ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS CAPITALIST NEIGHBORS ARE GOING THROUGH BANKING AND CURRENCY CRISES?

TEXT: TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE IS ALSO FOCUSED ON ASIA, NOTING WHAT IT CALLS "PROGRESS FOR INDIA AND PAKISTAN...."

VOICE: "NOTHING SUBSTANTIAL HAS YET COME OF THE TALKS BETWEEN THE LEADERS OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN, BUT AFTER THREE WARS AND 50 YEARS OF HOSTILITY, THE VERY FACT OF THEIR DIALOGUE CONSTITUTES AN ENCOURAGING SIGN THAT BOTH SIDES FEEL COMPELLED TO ALTER OLD HABITS. IT IS THE BEST WAY THEIR SOCIETIES CAN BENEFIT FROM THE PROFOUND TRANSFORMATIONS TAKING PLACE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. ...... [OPT] KASHMIR EPITOMIZES THE KIND OF CONFLICT THAT COMMONLY IMPASSIONED NATION-STATES IN THE PAST. BUT IN THE AGE OF THE INTERNET, WHEN STATES AND FRONTIERS HAVE LOST THEIR OLD SIGNIFICANCE AND ENORMOUS SUMS OF PRIVATE CAPITAL FLIT AROUND THE GLOBE, ATTRACTED BY STABILITY AND HUMAN RESOURCES, THE OLD, PRIDEFUL ARGUMENTS ABOUT SOVEREIGNTY AND SUBVERSION IN A PLACE LIKE KASHMIR SERVE ONLY TO HARM THE INTERESTS OF BOTH DISPUTANTS."

TEXT: IN ANOTHER EDITORIAL, THE GLOBE LOOKS BACK TO 1957, WHEN NINE BLACK STUDENTS BECAME THE FIRST OF THEIR RACE TO INTEGRATE THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL IN LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, AGAINST THE WISHES OF THE GOVERNOR ORVAL FAUBUS, AND A JEERING CROWD, BUT GUARDED BY FEDERAL TROOPS. THE PAPER REMEMBERS:

VOICE: "SADLY, IN 1997 SCHOOL SEGREGATION PERSISTS. LOCAL INTEGRATION EFFORTS ARE FLAGGING. AND, SOME OBSERVERS WARN, SEGREGATION IS INCREASING. ..... NEWS REPORTS NOTE THAT THE 'LITTLE ROCK NINE,' NOW IN THEIR MID-50S, HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR OTHERS AND MOVED INTO THE FUTURE. THEY WILL MEET TODAY IN LITTLE ROCK FOR A HISTORIC REUNION. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE YOUNG WHITE PEOPLE, TODAY ALSO IN THEIR 50S, WHO SPIT, WEPT, SCREAMED, AND ATTACKED WHEN BLACK STUDENTS SHOWED UP ALL THOSE DECADES AGO? NEWS STORIES HAVE PAID LITTLE ATTENTION TO THEIR CURRENT LIVES AND BELIEFS. .... THAT THE COUNTRY HAS NOT COME FARTHER IS LESS A CAUSE FOR DESPAIR THAN A CHALLENGE TO ACT - - "

TEXT: TURNING BACK OVERSEAS, THE WASHINGTON TIMES HAS THIS TO SAY ABOUT MADELEINE ALBRIGHT'S FIRST VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST AS SECRETARY OF STATE.

VOICE: "IT IS PROBABLY NOT TOO MUCH TO SAY THAT SECRETARY OF STATE ..... ALBRIGHT HAS ADOPTED A DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT APPROACH TO MIDDLE EAST PEACEMAKING FROM THAT OF HER PREDECESSOR, WARREN 'HIT-ME-AGAIN' CHRISTOPHER, WHO SPECIALIZED IN FRUITLESS MISSIONS TO THE COURT OF SYRIAN DICTATOR HAFEZ ASSAD. ON THE CONTRARY ..... MRS. ALBRIGHT .... DECLARED, THAT SHE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE AREA UNLESS SHE BELIEVES SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE BY THE PARTIES TO THE SO-CALLED PEACE PROCESS. ..... MRS. ALBRIGHT IS WILLING .... TO RECOGNIZE THAT WHILE ISRAEL IS AN EASY TARGET .....RESPONSIBILITY FOR CURRENT DISARRAY IN THE PEACE PROCESS LIES PRIMARILY WITH THE PALESTINIANS AND WITH SURROUNDING ARAB COUNTRIES, WHO SPONSOR TERRORISM AIMED AT ..... ISRAEL."

TEXT: LASTLY, THURSDAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR SAYS THE CURRENT HEARINGS INTO CAMPAIGN FUND RAISING ABUSES DURING LAST YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN POINT UP THE NEED FOR REFORM.

VOICE: "THE SENATE'S PROBE OF CLINTON-GORE CAMPAIGN PRACTICES HAS UNEARTHED A LOT, BUT IT HASN'T DETERMINED BLAME OR RESPONSIBILITY. THAT TASK SHOULD FALL TO THE INDEPENDENT COUNSELS THAT APPEAR EVER MORE LIKELY TO PICK UP THE TRAIL WHERE THE SENATORS AND THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT LEAVE OFF. ........ THIS SCENT OF CORRUPTION - - WHETHER IN THE ADMINISTRATION OR IN CONGRESS - - CLINGS TO THE SYSTEM AND DRIVES REFORM. THAT'S THE BEST ARGUMENT FOR CONTROLS ON THE FLOW OF DOLLARS.'

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF TOPICS FROM AMONG TODAY'S EDITORIALS IN THE U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/KL
25-Sep-97 10:12 AM EDT (1412 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (THURSDAY) AS NEW INFLATION WORRIES HIT WALL STREET. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 78-HUNDRED-48, DOWN 58 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 937, DOWN SIX POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY INFLATION FEARS AMONG MANY TRADERS WERE SPARKED BY THE LATEST GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC STATISTICS.

THOSE STATISTICS INCLUDE A REPORT THAT ORDERS FOR COSTLY MANUFACTURED GOODS IN THE UNITED STATES SURGED IN AUGUST FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT MONTH. IN ADDITION, THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS FILING CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS DROPPED LAST WEEK TO ITS LOWEST LEVEL IN TWO MONTHS.

U-S TRADE REGULATORS ARE INVESTIGATING "INTEL," THE WORLD'S LARGEST PRODUCER OF COMPUTER CHIPS. THE INVESTIGATION IS REPORTEDLY FOCUSING ON ALLEGATIONS THAT INTEL IS ATTEMPTING TO MONOPOLIZE THE MARKET FOR MICROPROCESSORS. INTEL, WHICH SAYS IT IS FULLY COOPERATING WITH THE INQUIRY, NOTES THAT A SIMILAR INVESTIGATION IN 1991 WAS DROPPED FOR LACK OF EVIDENCE.

EASTMAN KODAK, THE GIANT PHOTOGRAPHIC SUPPLY COMPANY, SAYS IT WILL ELIMINATE 200 MANAGEMENT JOBS. THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES ONE WEEK AFTER KODAK WARNED THAT ITS THIRD-QUARTER PROFITS WILL BE DISAPPOINTING.

THE CANYON RESOURCES COMPANY WILL PAY ALMOST 150-MILLION DOLLARS TO BUY OUT THE PHELPS DODGE CORPORATION'S STAKE IN THEIR JOINT MINING VENTURE IN THE WESTERN STATE OF MONTANA. THE PROJECT IS BELIEVED TO INCLUDE ONE OF THE LARGEST UNDEVELOPED GOLD RESERVES IN THE UNITED STATES.

EFFORTS TO DISCOURAGE CIGARETTE SMOKING IN MANY NATIONS ARE APPARENTLY HAVING AN EFFECT ON THE SALES OF NICOTINE REPLACEMENT PRODUCTS. PHARMACIA AND UPJOHN, THE U-S-SWEDISH DRUG COMPANY, SAYS SALES OF ITS SMOKING SUBSTITUTE PRODUCTS, INCLUDING CHEWING GUMS, PATCHES AND INHALERS, JUMPED 23 PERCENT IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/RRM
25-Sep-97 4:49 PM EDT (2049 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: SUBSTANTIVE TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND CAN BEGIN IN EARNEST, NOW THAT THE ISSUE OF HOW TO DEAL WITH WEAPONS HELD BY PARAMILITARY GROUPS -- DECOMMISSIONING -- HAS BEEN ADDRESSED TO THE SATISFACTION OF MOST OF THE PARTICIPATING POLITICAL PARTIES. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: FOR YEARS, THE ISSUE OF HOW TO GET PARAMILITARY GROUPS TO SURRENDER THEIR WEAPONS HAS STALLED PROGRESS IN POLITICAL TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND. THE LAST ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS -- WHICH LASTED 16-MONTHS -- ENDED IN FAILURE BECAUSE OF PROCEDURAL WRANGLING OVER THAT THORNY ISSUE.

NOW NEW TALKS ARE UNDERWAY, PARTIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND HAVE AGREED ON A FORMULA SEPARATING THE POLITICAL TALKS FROM THE DECOMMISSIONING PROBLEM. IN A MAJOR STEP FORWARD, THE MAIN PARTIES DECIDED TO HAND OVER THE ISSUE OF WEAPONS HELD BY PARAMILITARY GROUPS TO AN INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION, HEADED BY CANADIAN GENERAL JOHN DE CHASTELAIN. IT WILL LOOK AT WAYS TO ACHIEVE PARAMILITARY DISARMAMENT.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE NORTHERN IRELAND POLITICAL PARTIES PASSED A MOTION SAYING THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME HANDOVER OF PARAMILITARY WEAPONS DURING THE PRESENT DISCUSSIONS. THE ONLY PARTY VOTING AGAINST THAT MOTION WAS SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY.

BUT SINN FEIN'S CHIEF NEGOTIATOR -- MARTIN MCGUINNESS -- TOLD REPORTERS SUBSTANTIVE POLITICAL TALKS CAN NOW BEGIN.

I HAVE TO SAY THAT I AM VERY PLEASED THAT THE UNREALISTIC AND UNREALIZABLE DEMAND FOR DECOMMISSIONING AS AN OBSTACLE TO PROGRESS HAS FINALLY BEEN REMOVED, AND WE CAN ALL NOW GET DOWN TO THE REAL BUSINESS OF NEGOTIATING A FUTURE FOR OUR PEOPLE.

SEPARATING THE DECOMMISSIONING ISSUE FROM OVERALL DISCUSSIONS PAVES THE WAY FOR POLITICIANS TO CONCENTRATE ON MAJOR ISSUES -- SUCH AS DETERMINING HOW NORTHERN IRELAND SHOULD BE GOVERNED AND ESTABLISHING THE EXACT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BRITISH PROVINCE AND THE REST OF IRELAND. POLITICIANS WILL BEGIN TACKLING THOSE ISSUES NEXT WEEK.

THE ULSTER UNIONISTS' SPOKESMAN ON SECURITY AFFAIRS -- KEN MAGINNIS -- SAYS HE WAS NOT SURPRISED BY LONDON'S DECISION.

GOVERNMENTS ARE WEAK AND SADLY, MY GOVERNMENT IS PROBABLY THE WEAKEST OF ALL WESTERN GOVERNMENTS IN RESPECT TO ITS ATTITUDE TOWARDS TERRORISM. YOUR OWN GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED STATES WOULD NOT CONTEMPLATE EITHER BRINGING IN THE OKLAHOMA BOMBERS TO THE TABLE OF DEMOCRACY, NOR WOULD THEY CONTEMPLATE BRINGING DRUG BARONS INTO A CONCLAVE DEDICATED TO THE ERADICATION OF DRUGS -- AND THAT IS THE COMPARABLE, IF MORE "CIVILIANIZED" EXAMPLE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING TO US.

KEN MAGINNIS SAYS DESPITE SINN FEIN'S PRESENCE, HIS PARTY WILL PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE POLITICAL TALKS ON NORTHERN IRELAND'S FUTURE. BUT HE SAID AT THIS TIME, HE DOES NOT EXPECT HIS PARTY'S LEADERSHIP TO TALK TO SINN FEIN REPRESENTATIVES FACE-TO-FACE. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF/RAE
25-Sep-97 8:30 AM EDT (1230 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] TURKEY / IRAQ (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKEY IS KEEPING UP ITS OFFENSIVE AGAINST KURDISH SEPARATIST REBELS IN NORTHERN IRAQ. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS TURKISH OFFICIALS ARE DESCRIBING THE OPERATION AS LIMITED IN SCOPE.

TEXT: TURKISH WARPLANES ARE POUNDING KURDISH REBEL BASES IN NORTHERN IRAQ AS AN ESTIMATED 15-THOUSAND TROOPS KEEP UP THEIR BATTLE AGAINST REBELS OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, THE P-K-K, ON THE GROUND.

THE OFFENSIVE IS BEING CARRIED OUT JOINTLY WITH FORCES FROM MASSOUD BARZANI'S KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, OR K-D-P. THE K-D-P IS THE DOMINANT GUERRILLA FACTION IN NORTHERN IRAQ WHICH TOGETHER WITH ITS RIVAL, THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN, HAS RETAINED NOMINAL CONTROL OVER THE KURDISH AREA SINCE THE END OF THE GULF WAR.

IN RECENT YEARS, THE K-D-P HAS HELPED THE TURKISH MILITARY FIGHT AGAINST THE P-K-K. LOCAL SOURCES SAY THIS IS PARTLY BECAUSE THE TURKISH KURD REBELS HAVE BEGUN TO POSE A THREAT TO MR. BARZANI'S AUTHORITY IN THE REGION.

THE LATEST ANTI P-K-K DRIVE IS THE SECOND MAJOR CROSS-BORDER OFFENSIVE BY TURKEY THIS YEAR. IRAQ HAS STRONGLY CONDEMNED THE ATTACK SAYING IT VIOLATES ITS SOVEREIGNTY. IN MAY, ABOUT 50-THOUSAND TURKISH TROOPS POURED INTO THE WESTERN PROTECTED ENCLAVE IN AN OPERATION THAT PROVOKED A STORM OF PROTEST FROM THE ARAB WORLD. A NEWS BLACK OUT IMPOSED BY TURKISH AUTHORITIES AT THE TIME STILL REMAINS IN EFFECT. TURKEY IS THE MAIN ACCESS ROUTE FOR AID AGENCIES AND JOURNALISTS TRAVELLING TO THE KURDISH ENCLAVE.

MILITARY OBSERVERS SAY THE CURRENT OFFENSIVE WILL NOT HAVE ANY MORE IMPACT ON THE P-K-K THAN PREVIOUS OPERATIONS WHICH HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERALDED BY TURKISH AUTHORITIES AS BEING -- IN THEIR WORDS -- THE FINAL BLOW TO THE TURKISH KURD REBELS. THE P-K-K HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE FOR THE PAST 13 YEARS. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH
25-Sep-97 10:30 AM EDT (1430 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] WORLD COURT / DANUBE (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE HAS RULED THAT HUNGARY AND SLOVAKIA VIOLATED INTERNATIONAL LAW IN THEIR LONG-RUNNING DISPUTE ABOUT DAMMING THE DANUBE RIVER ALONG THEIR BORDER. GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE.

TEXT: IN THE FIRST ENVIRONMENTAL CASE TO BE DECIDED BY THE WORLD COURT, JUDGES SAID BOTH COUNTRIES WERE AT FAULT.

HUNGARY AND THE THEN CZECHOSLOVAKIA AGREED IN 1977 TO BUILD A JOINT SERIES OF LOCKS AND DAMS TO HARNESS THE HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER OF THE DANUBE RIVER. PROTESTS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE PROJECT CAUSED HUNGARY TO SUSPEND ITS PART IN 1989 AND LATER PULL OUT ALTOGETHER.

HUNGARY HAD ARGUED THAT THE WORK WOULD HAVE DEPLETED VITAL WATER RESOURCES AND FUNDAMENTALLY HARMED PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE IN THE AREA. HUNGARY SAID IT WAS ACTING UNDER WHAT IT CALLED AN "ECOLOGICAL STATE OF NECESSITY." THIS, SAID PRESIDING JUDGE STEPHEN SCHWEBEL, WAS SOMETHING NOT TO BE UNDERESTIMATED.

THE ENVIRONMENT IS NOT AN ABSTRACTION BUT REPRESENTS THE LIVING SPACE, THE QUALITY OF LIFE, AND THE VERY HEALTH OF HUMAN BEINGS INCLUDING GENERATIONS UNBORN. THE EXISTENCE OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATION OF STATES TO ENSURE THAT ACTIVITIES WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTION AND CONTROL RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT OF OTHER STATES IS NOW PART OF THE CORPUS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW.

YET IN THIS CASE, THE JUDGES SAID HUNGARY HAD NOT PROVED THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT WAS -- IN LEGAL TERMS -- GRAVE AND IMMINENT.

CZECHOSLOVAKIA -- AND LATER SLOVAKIA -- COMPLETED ITS PART OF THE PROJECT, SAYING THAT IT STOOD TO SUFFER HUGE ECONOMIC LOSSES. AS PART OF THE PROJECT, SLOVAKIA DAMMED THE DANUBE RIVER IN 1992.

THE JUDGES SAID THE DAM WAS ILLEGAL AND UNJUSTIFIED. BOTH COUNTRIES WERE ORDERED TO RE-NEGOTIATE, AND EACH MUST COMPENSATE THE OTHER FOR LOSSES INCURRED. (SIGNED)
NEB/GS/JWH/KL
25-Sep-97 9:00 AM EDT (1300 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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