Voice of America, 97-10-10

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

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[03] HOLBROOKE / TURKEY (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

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

[05] TURKEY / POL BY KYLE KING (ANKARA)

[06] WALL STREET PREVIEW (S ONLY) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

[07] NOBEL / BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

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

INTRO: THE BIG STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE CLOSED MOSTLY LOWER FRIDAY AFTER A STEEP SELL-OFF ON THURSDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: TRADING WAS VOLATILE ON THE BIG EUROPEAN BOURSES FRIDAY, BUT THE WEEK CLOSED WITH SOME SIGNS OF RECOVERY. THE EARLY TRADING IN FRANKFURT REFLECTED JITTERS FROM THE PREVIOUS DAY, AND THE "DAX 30" INDEX OF STOCKS POSTED A LOSS OF 54-AND-A-HALF POINTS AT THE CLOSE. STOCK PRICES FINISHED LOWER IN PARIS AS WELL -- BUT NOT BY AS MUCH. THE "CAC 40" STOCK INDEX WAS DOWN FIVE-AND-A-HALF POINTS. HERE IN LONDON, HOWEVER, STOCKS TRACKED BY THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX CLOSED IN POSITIVE TERRITORY, WITH THE "FOOTSIE" UP NINE-AND-A-HALF POINTS.

THE U-S DOLLAR LOST GROUND AGAINST KEY EUROPEAN CURRENCIES DURING MOST OF THE TRADING DAY FRIDAY.

GOLD PRICES TOOK A TUMBLE, WITH AN OUNCE OF THE PRECIOUS METAL TRADING AT 328-DOLLARS-95 CENTS IN LONDON -- DOWN NEARLY FIVE DOLLARS FROM THURSDAY'S CLOSING FIX. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/WFR
10-Oct-97 2:18 PM EDT (1818 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE FEDERAL TAX COLLECTION AGENCY, THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, COMES IN FOR MORE CRITICISM IN THE NATION'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS THIS FRIDAY, JUST DAYS AFTER A SERIES OF SENATE HEARINGS REVEALED THE AGENCY'S MISDEEDS AGAINST TAXPAYERS.

OTHER TOPICS IN FRIDAY'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS INCLUDE: THE CAMPAIGN REFORM BATTLE; THE BUNGLED ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT IN ISRAEL; A DYNASTY CONTINUES IN NORTH KOREA; AND FRANCE TRIES A FORMER HIGH GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL FOR HIS ALLEGED ROLE IN KILLING JEWS DURING WORLD WAR TWO.

TEXT: THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE WAS THE SUBJECT OF STRONG CRITICISM FROM SOME OF ITS OWN EMPLOYEES BEFORE A SENATE COMMITTEE RECENTLY. THEY TOLD OF HOW THE AGENCY MISUSES ITS GREAT POWER TO SOMETIMES FORCE PEOPLE TO PAY TAXES THEY DO NOT ACTUALLY OWE, OR TO ILLEGALLY SPY ON THE TAX AND OTHER COMPUTERIZED RECORDS OF FAMOUS PEOPLE JUST FOR FUN. NOW THE AGENCY HAS APOLOGIZED, AND PROMISED REFORMS, AND THE PRESIDENT IS SET TO UNVEIL A NEW REFORM PLAN. BUT EVEN THAT IS ALREADY BEING CRITICIZED AS NOT STRONG ENOUGH. HOWEVER THE WASHINGTON POST PUTS IT ALL IN A GLOBAL PROSPECTIVE.

VOICE: "THE IRS HAS SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS. [OPT] ....THE AGENCY'S CONGRESSIONAL CRITICS HAVE PERFORMED A SERVICE IN FORCING RENEWED ATTENTION TO BE PAID TO THEM. ..... THE LIST OF PROBLEMS IS FAMILIAR. TAX COLLECTION WILL ALWAYS BE TO SOME EXTENT AN ADVERSARIAL PROCESS. THE AGENCY HAS BEEN GIVEN ENORMOUS POWER, WHICH IS SOMETIMES ABUSED. [END OPT] ..... YET THE RECORD OF VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE WITH THE TAX LAWS IN THIS COUNTRY IS ALSO THE ENVY OF MUCH OF THE REST OF THE WORLD. THAT HAS TO BE PART OF THE CONTEXT FOR JUDGING THE SERVICE. ..... IT COULD BE WORSE -- AS IN SO MANY OTHER PLACES IT MOST ASSUREDLY AND DRAMATICALLY IS."

TEXT: USA TODAY ADDS THIS PLEA FOR BETTER MANAGEMENT.

VOICE: "TODAY PRESIDENT CLINTON IS EXPECTED TO WEIGH IN WITH A PLAN FOR FIXING THE MESS. HE'LL PROPOSE MORE TREASURY DEPARTMENT OVERSIGHT OF THE AGENCY. [OPT] .... TREASURY HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE IRS' OVERSEER. IT'S BEEN UTTERLY INEFFECTIVE IN CURBING ABUSE. ..... THE CLINTON PLAN IS UNLIKELY TO WORK. [END OPT] .... A BETTER APPROACH WAS PROPOSED BY THE BIPARTISAN NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR RESTRUCTURING THE I-R-S. THE TREASURY SECRETARY WOULD HAVE A VITAL ROLE, BUT AS HEAD OF A BOARD STOCKED WITH NONPARTISAN, PRIVATE-SECTOR EXPERTS APPOINTED TO FIVE-YEAR STAGGERED TERMS. THOSE EXPERTS ..... WOULD SET THE AGENCY'S LONG-TERM GOALS, REVIEW ITS BUDGET AND HELP PICK A COMMISSIONER TO CARRY OUT REFORMS. ..... ONE THING IS CLEAR. DRASTIC CHANGES ARE NEEDED."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE OTHER MAJOR DOMESTIC TOPIC, CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, NEWSDAY IS UPSET THAT CONGRESS HAS AGAIN AVOIDED COMING TO TERMS WITH THE ISSUE.

VOICE: "[OPT] LIKE A PATIENT WHO IS GIVEN A FEW MORE MINUTES OF ELECTRIC-SHOCK THERAPY EVEN THOUGH DOCTORS KNOW THE CAUSE IS LOST, THE FEW SOULS TRYING TO REVIVE CAMPAIGN-FINANCE REFORM APPEAR TO BE WORKING IN VAIN. IN REALITY, [END OPT] THE BIPARTISAN MCCAIN-FEINGOLD MEASURE THAT WOULD HAVE BANNED UNLIMITED, UNREGULATED 'SOFT MONEY' AND LIMITED OTHER ABUSIVE FUND-RAISING PRACTICES IS EFFECTIVELY DEAD. IT WAS KILLED BY SENATE REPUBLICANS WHO FEAR DRYING UP A SOURCE OF MONEY THAT THEY HAVE A DISTINCT ADVANTAGE IN RAISING. ..... IN REFUSING TO CHANGE IT, LAWMAKERS HAVE SHOWN THEMSELVES TO BE PART OF THE PROBLEM."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES IS EQUALLY DISGUSTED, ESPECIALLY WITH THE REPUBLICAN SENATE LEADERSHIP, BUT HOLDS OUT HOPE FOR EVENTUAL VICTORY.

VOICE: "SENATOR TRENT LOTT'S ... OBSTINACY HAS PUT THE REPUBLICANS IN A PARADOXICAL POSITION WITH REGARD TO CAMPAIGN REFORM. WHILE THE REPUBLICAN-LED SENATE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE DOCUMENTS THE CORRUPTION OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM, MR. LOTT FIGHTS TO PRESERVE IT."

TEXT: THE SUN IN BALTIMORE IS STILL CONTEMPLATING ISRAEL'S BOTCHED ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AND ITS AFTERMATH.

VOICE: "THESE ARE TIMES OF REFLECTION AS WORLD JEWRY PREPARES TO CELEBRATE THE END OF THE HIGH HOLIDAYS WITH YOM KIPPUR, THE DAY OF ATONEMENT, STARTING TONIGHT AT SUNDOWN. LENDING POIGNANCY TO THIS OBSERVANCE IS A MESSY ASSASSINATION SCANDAL IN ISRAEL THAT RAISES MYRIAD SENSITIVE POLITICAL AND MORAL QUESTIONS. ...... PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU HAS BLUNDERED BADLY. HE SHOULD LEARN FROM HIS MISTAKES .... THAT ANY LASTING SOLUTIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST WILL HAVE TO COME AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE, NOT THROUGH ASSASSINATIONS."

TEXT: ELSEWHERE, A DYNASTY HAS PASSED FROM ONE GENERATION TO ANOTHER IN NORTH KOREA, WITH KIM IL SUNG'S SON KIM JONG IL ASSUMING CONTROL. THE NEW YORK TIMES HAS SOME ADVICE FOR HIM.

VOICE: "[OPT] LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE OPAQUE WORLD OF NORTH KOREAN POLITICS, THE FORMAL APPOINTMENT THIS WEEK OF KIM JONG IL AS HEAD OF THE COUNTRY'S COMMUNIST PARTY IS HARD TO READ WITH ANY CLARITY. IT SUGGESTS THERE HAS BEEN ORDERLY PASSAGE OF POWER TO MR. KIM, THE SON OF NORTH KOREA'S LONGTIME DICTATOR, KIM IL SUNG, WHO DIED THREE YEARS AGO. IT MAY ALSO MEAN THAT THE COUNTRY'S DOGMATIC MILITARY LEADERS WILL TAKE ORDERS FROM CIVILIAN AUTHORITIES. NEITHER DEVELOPMENT AUGURS ANY GREAT CHANGE IN THE NORTH'S SELF-IMPOSED ISOLATION. [END OPT] ..... MR. KIM'S TWO OVERRIDING CHALLENGES WILL BE TO ESTABLISH A REGIONAL ROLE FOR HIS COUNTRY THAT DOES NOT DEPEND ON MILITARY MIGHT, AND TO BEGIN OPENING UP THE ECONOMY."

TEXT: NEWSDAY POINTS OUT THAT HEADLINES ABOUT WARS AND VIOLENCE ALWAYS SEEM TO PUSH OUT QUIETER ONES ABOUT PROGRESS TOWARD PEACE. BUT THE PAPER NOTES, THERE I S SOME PROGRESS IN A LONG-FESTERING TROUBLE SPOT.

VOICE: "RUMORS OF WAR ALWAYS DROWN OUT MURMURS OF PEACE. BUT IN NORTHERN IRELAND TODAY, THOSE MURMURS GROW LOUDER. BITTER ENEMIES IN THE CONFLICT THAT HAS WRACKED ULSTER FOR NEARLY THREE DECADES FINALLY SAT DOWN FACE TO FACE THIS WEEK FOR PEACE TALKS IN BELFAST'S STORMONT CASTLE. IT PROMISES TO BE A LABORIOUS PROCESS, BUT PREFERABLE TO THE BLOODY DRAMA OF BOMBS AND GUNS. ..... DEMANDS AT THE OUTSET ARE PREDICTABLY AT POLAR OPPOSITES ..... BUT THAT'S A PART OF NEGOTIATIONS. MORE IMPORTANT NOW IS THE WILLINGNESS ON ALL SIDES TO KEEP MOVING TOWARD A COMPROMISE THEY CAN ALL LIVE WITH, INSTEAD OF REVERTING TO SLAUGHTER."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, SOME THOUGHTS ON ONE LAST, GHOSTLY REMINDER OF THE HORRORS OF WORLD WAR TWO AND THE MASSACRE OF THE JEWS, FROM FRANCE WHERE A ONCE-HIGH GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL IS ON TRIAL FOR COMPLICITY. THE BOSTON GLOBE NOTES:

VOICE: "IT MAY BE HARD FOR AMERICANS TO COMPREHEND THE DEPTH OF FRENCH FEELINGS ABOUT THE TRIAL OF MAURICE PAPON, A TOP OFFICIAL IN THE COLLABORATIONIST VICHY REGIME WHO .... SIGNED DEPORTATION ORDERS TO NAZI DEATH CAMPS FOR 1-THOUSAND-690 FRENCH JEWS, AMONG THEM SOME 200 CHILDREN. .... AMERICANS WERE SPARED THE NIGHTMARE OF BEING GOVERNED BY COMPATRIOTS WHO, UNDER COVER OF LAWFULNESS, CONSPIRED IN THE MURDER OF THEIR OWN CIVILIANS. THIS IS PRECISELY THE TORMENTING MEMORY STIRRED UP IN FRANCE BY THE PAPON TRIAL. .... [OPT] THE MAYOR OF BORDEAUX, FORMER PRIME MINISTER ALAIN JUPPE, CRYSTALLIZED THE MORAL OF THE TRIAL IN A LUCID EXHORTATION .... 'FRANCE MUST LOOK ITS PAST IN THE FACE.'" [END OPT]

TEXT: ON THAT HISTORIC NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM FRIDAY'S U-S EDITORIAL PAGES.
NEB/ANG/KL
10-Oct-97 10:39 AM EDT (1439 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] HOLBROOKE / TURKEY (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS SENDING PRESIDENTIAL ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE TO TURKEY TO SEE IF TALKS ABOUT A SETTLEMENT ON CYPRUS CAN BE ADVANCED. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE HELD EXTENSIVE TALKS WITH FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM GREECE, TURKEY AND CYPRUS IN NEW YORK LAST MONTH AND TO FOLLOW UP ON THOSE DISCUSSIONS HE WILL TRAVEL TO ANKARA SUNDAY AND MONDAY TO INVESTIGATE THE NEXT STEP.

THE SPECIAL PRESIDENTIAL ENVOY WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S CYPRUS COORDINATOR, TOM MILLER. MR. MILLER WILL ALSO TRAVEL TO GREECE. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS THERE IS NO POLITICAL SIGNAL IN THE FACT THAT AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE WILL ONLY TRAVEL TO TURKEY.

IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR AN AMERICAN OFFICIAL OF WHATEVER PROMINENCE TO GO TO GREECE AND TURKEY EVERY TIME THEY GO TO THE REGION AND WE WILL NOT ADOPT THE VIEW THAT FAILURE TO GO BOTH COUNTRIES IS INTENDED TO SEND ANY SIGNAL.

BOTH AMERICAN OFFICIALS INTEND TO MEET TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADER RAUF DENKTASH HERE LATER THIS MONTH. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/KL
10-Oct-97 3:05 PM EDT (1905 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 (FRIDAY) AS INFLATION CONCERNS EMERGED. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT EIGHT THOUSAND 45, DOWN 16 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED SEVEN POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 966, DOWN THREE POINTS.

TRADERS WERE NERVOUS FOR MUCH OF THE SESSION BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNMENT REPORT ON U-S WHOLESALE PRICES. THAT INDEX JUMPED BY ONE-HALF PERCENT, ITS LARGEST INCREASE SINCE LAST DECEMBER. BUT SOME ANALYSTS POINTED OUT THAT MUCH OF THE INCREASE INVOLVED TOBACCO AND ENERGY PRICES AND THAT THE INDEX WAS NOT A SIGN OF SERIOUS INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.

THE FIRST LAWSUIT INVOLVING THE ALLEGED DANGERS OF SECONDHAND CIGARETTE SMOKE ENDED ABRUPTLY IN A SETTLEMENT. THE TOBACCO COMPANIES AGREED TO PAY 300 MILLION DOLLARS TO A FOUNDATION WHICH WILL STUDY SMOKE-RELATED ILLNESSES. A GROUP OF NON-SMOKING AIRLINE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS HAD SUED THE COMPANIES, CLAIMING THEY SUFFERED HEALTH PROBLEMS AS A RESULT OF EXPOSURE TO CIGARETTE SMOKE.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THE M-C-I TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY SAYS IT HAS REQUESTED MORE INFORMATION ON THE SPECIFICS OF THE PROPOSED 30 BILLION DOLLAR TAKEOVER OF M-C-I BY THE WORLDCOM CORPORATION. M-C-I HAD EARLIER AGREED TO BE TAKEN OVER BY BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN A DEAL WORTH ABOUT 17 BILLION DOLLARS.

THE WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY SAYS IT WILL CUT TWO THOUSAND JOBS AS IT PREPARES TO SPIN OFF ITS INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS INTO A SEPARATE COMPANY. THE REMAINDER OF WESTINGHOUSE WILL CONSIST OF MEDIA PROPERTIES INCLUDING THE C-B-S TELEVISION NETWORK.

THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION REPORTED A 35 PERCENT DROP IN QUARTERLY EARNINGS. BUT THE DROP IN EARNINGS WAS NOT AS STEEP AS MOST ANALYSTS HAD EXPECTED.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
10-Oct-97 5:22 PM EDT (2122 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[05] TURKEY / POL BY KYLE KING (ANKARA)

INTRO: A NEW POLITICAL CRISIS IS BREWING IN TURKEY, WHERE THE ANTI-ISLAMIST COALITION GOVERNMENT LED BY PRIME MINISTER MESMUT YILMAZ IS NOW TRYING TO BAN THE PRO-ISLAMIST "WELFARE PARTY," THE NATION'S MOST POPULAR POLITICAL GROUP. FROM ANKARA, VOA'S KYLE KING HAS THIS BACKGROUND REPORT.

TEXT: TURKEY'S CONSTITUTION GIVES THE GOVERNMENT BROAD POWERS TO SAFEGUARD DEMOCRACY AND PROTECT THE COUNTRY'S SECULAR TRADITION. THOSE POWERS INCLUDE ALLOWING IT TO CLOSE DOWN POLITICAL PARTIES. "WELFARE" HAS BECOME THE LATEST.

BUT UNLIKE THE OTHER 13 PARTIES CLOSED SINCE 1983, THE PRO-ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY OF FORMER PRIME MINISTER MECMETTIN ERBAKAN, HOLDS MORE SEATS IN PARLIAMENT THAN ANY OTHER SINGLE PARTY. IN AN 80-PAGE INDICTMENT, PROSECUTORS ALLEGE MR. ERBAKAN AND OTHER WELFARE PARTY OFFICIALS MADE ANTI-SECULAR STATEMENTS THAT THREATEN THE STATE. IF TURKEY'S COURTS AGREE, THE PARTY WILL BE CLOSED, AND OFFICIALS DIRECTLY IMPLICATED IN THE CHARGES WILL BE BANNED FROM POLITICS FOR FIVE YEARS.

ANALYSTS SAY THEY DO NOT EXPECT ANY VIOLENT REACTION IF THE PARTY IS CLOSED, AND WELFARE PARTY LEADERS, WHO DENY THE CHARGES, HAVE ALREADY MADE PLANS TO REOPEN UNDER A NEW NAME.

BUT FORMER POLITICAL JOURNALIST GENCAY SAYLAN, NOW A PROFESSOR AT ANKARA'S MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY, SAYS THAT DOES NOT MEAN THE COUNTRY'S POLITICAL EQUILIBRIUM WILL NOT BE UPSET.

IF YOU ASK MY OPINION, THERE IS A CRISIS SITUATION, NOT BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE RELIGIOUS POLITICS OR POLICIES EXECUTED BY THE WELFARE PARTY, BUT BECAUSE OF THE VERY STRUCTURAL NATURE OF TURKISH POLITICS.

MR. SAYLAN SAYS TURKEY'S POLITICAL CRISIS HAS MOSTLY BEEN BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE INABILITY OF THE SYSTEM AND THE COUNTRY'S POLITICAL ELITE TO DEAL WITH THE RAPID PACE OF CHANGE. THE ONGOING DEBATE OVER THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN TURKISH SOCIETY HE SAYS, IS JUST ONE OF THE CHALLENGES FACING THE NATION.

NEVERTHELESS, MR. SAYLAN AND OTHER ANALYSTS SAY CLOSING THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST PRO-ISLAMIST PARTY WILL ALTER THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE, AS OTHER PARTIES VIE FOR THE LOYALTY OF WELFARE VOTERS.

SOME OBSERVERS QUESTION WHY THE GOVERNMENT IS EVEN TRYING TO CLOSE THE PARTY. THEY SAY SUCH A MOVE IS WRONG FROM A DEMOCRATIC POINT OF VIEW. THEY ALSO POINT OUT, IT MAKES NO SENSE BECAUSE WELFARE PARTY DEPUTIES IN PARLIAMENT WILL SIMPLY MOVE TO A NEWLY FORMED PARTY WITH A DIFFERENT NAME. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/WFR
10-Oct-97 1:41 PM EDT (1741 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] WALL STREET PREVIEW (S ONLY) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

INTRO: SOME ANALYSTS BELIEVE THE COMING WEEK COULD MARK A TURNING POINT FOR THE U-S STOCK MARKET. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE WILL START THE WEEK AT EIGHT THOUSAND 45 AFTER GAINING SEVEN POINTS LAST WEEK.

LAST WEEK WAS VOLATILE WITH STOCK PRICES STRONG EARLY IN THE WEEK BUT FALLING FROM WEDNESDAY ON BECAUSE OF CONCERNS ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF THE U-S ECONOMY.

ALAN GREENSPAN, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK SAID IT IS UNREALISTIC TO EXPECT STOCK PRICES WILL CONTINUE THEIR STRENGTH OF THE PAST FEW YEARS AND HE EXPRESSED CAUTION ABOUT POSSIBLE FUTURE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES. ON FRIDAY, THE U-S WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX WAS UP AN EXPECTEDLY HIGH ONE-HALF PERCENT.

SOME ANALYSTS SAY IT IS NOW TIME FOR A DOWNWARD CORRECTION, PERHAPS A FIVE OR SIX PERCENT DROP IN STOCK PRICES. OTHERS SAY THE ECONOMY AND CORPORATE EARNINGS ARE FUNDAMENTALLY SOUND AND THAT STOCK PRICES WILL SOON RESUME THEIR UPWARD MOMENTUM.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
10-Oct-97 5:27 PM EDT (2127 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] NOBEL / BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THE NOBEL COMMITTEE'S CHOICE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO BAN LANDMINES FOCUSES NEW ATTENTION ON THE DANGER POSED BY MILLIONS OF LANDMINES THAT REMAIN AROUND THE WORLD. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS THAT UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVNIA HOPE THE AWARD WILL LEAD TO INCREASED FUNDING FOR THEIR MINE REMOVAL ACTIVITIES.

TEXT: PEOPLE ARE STILL BEING WOUNDED AND KILLED BY LAND MINES LEFT OVER FROM THE WAR IN BOSNIA. IDENTIFYING AND REMOVING THE MINES IS DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE, AND THE WORK IS SLOW. THE UNITED NATIONS IS COORDINATING THE EFFORT, AND SPOKESMAN ALEX IVANKO SAYS HE HOPES THE NOBEL PRIZE AWARD WILL PERSUADE U-N MEMBERS TO GIVE MORE MONEY TO HELP SPEED UP MINE REMOVAL.

THIS IS EXTREMELY RELEVANT, ESPECIALLY IN BOSNIA WHERE THERE ARE OVER 30-THOUSAND MINEFIELDS AND OVER A MILLION MINES. AND WE'RE EXTREMELY SATISFIED THAT THIS ISSUE IS ONCE AGAIN IN THE LIMELIGHT, AND HOPEFULLY WILL HELP US WITH SECURING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR DE-MINING ACTIVITIES IN BOSNIA.

IN ITS CITATION, THE NOBEL COMMITTEE SAID 100-MILLION LANDMINES WORLDWIDE POSE A MAJOR THREAT TO CIVILIAN POPULATIONS AND TO ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/PCF

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