Voice of America, 97-11-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA / RECONSTRUCTION (L-ONLY) BY DOUG SCHWARTZ (SARAJEVO)

[02] DENMARK / ANTI-IMMIGRANT (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[03] E-U UNEMPLOYMENT (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[04] EDITORIAL: ALBRIGHT ON DEMOCRACY FIGHT IN EUROPE

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

[06] NY ECON WRAP (L ONLY) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

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

[08] YUGO / KOSOVO (S ONLY-CQ) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[01] BOSNIA / RECONSTRUCTION (L-ONLY) BY DOUG SCHWARTZ (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES IS IN BOSNIA AHEAD OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY IN THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC. HER TRIP AIMS TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON THE PROBLEMS OF MINORITIES HOPING TO RETURN TO THEIR PRE-WAR HOMES. MORE FROM REPORTER DOUG SCHWARTZ IN SARAJEVO.

TEXT: THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, SADAKO OGATA, ARRIVED IN BOSNIA WEDNESDAY FOR A THREE-DAY VISIT. WEDNESDAY MORNING, SHE MET WITH WESTERN-BACKED BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC.

THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED 800-THOUSAND DISPLACED PEOPLE IN BOSNIA AND ANOTHER 900-THOUSAND REFUGEES OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY. MANY OF THEM HOPE TO RETURN TO COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY WOULD NOW BE MINORITIES.

THE FOCUS OF THE VISIT CENTERS ON A U-S FUNDED PROGRAM CALLED "OPEN CITIES." THE IDEA IS TO OFFER RECONSTRUCTION FUNDS TO THOSE TOWNS THAT DECLARE THEMSELVES "OPEN" TO MINORITY RETURNS. MS. OGATA WEDNESDAY VISITED ONE OPEN CITY -- THE TOWN OF KONJIC (PRON: 'CONE-YITZ) -- WHICH SHE HELD UP AS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE DONE UNDER THE PROGRAM. DOZENS OF CROAT AND SERB FAMILIES HAVE RETURNED IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS TO THE MAJORITY-MUSLIM TOWN.

THE PROGRAM IS PROVING POPULAR BOTH WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND A GROWING NUMBER OF CITY LEADERS HERE IN BOSNIA SO MUCH SO THAT THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT PLANS TO MAKE IT A TOP PRIORITY IN THE COMING YEAR. THUS FAR, THE UNITED STATES HAS SPENT MORE THAN SIX-MILLION DOLLARS ON THE PROGRAM, AND IT HOPES TO INCREASE THE COMMITMENT NEXT YEAR.

THE LAST TWO WEEKS HAVE SEEN THE FIRST ORGANIZED RETURN OF MUSLIM FAMILIES TO A MAJORITY-SERB TERRITORY -- ALL DONE UNDER THE "OPEN CITIES" PROGRAM, AND ALL DONE WITH MS. PLAVSIC'S APPROVAL. AND WESTERN OFFICIALS HOPE THAT THIS WEEKEND'S ELECTIONS WILL BOLSTER SUPPORT FOR MS. PLAVSIC, PAVING THE WAY, THEY HOPE, FOR MORE MINORITY RETURNS. STILL, THE NUMBERS ARE SMALL. SO FAR, ONLY A SMALL FRACTION OF THOSE RETURNING HAVE BEEN MINORITIES, DUE TO CONTINUING FEAR OF VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION. WEDNESDAY, THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION TOWN OF GORAZDE BECAME THE FIFTH DECLARED "OPEN CITY." THE BESIEGED ENCLAVE THAT NEVER LIVED UP TO ITS U-N DECLARATION AS A "SAFE AREA" DURING THE WAR NOW SAYS IT'S SAFE FOR MINORITIES WHO WANT TO COME HOME. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/PCF/RRM
19-Nov-97 1:11 PM EST (1811 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] DENMARK / ANTI-IMMIGRANT (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: DENMARK'S RIGHT-WING "PEOPLE'S PARTY", WHICH CAMPAIGNED ON A POLICY OF CURBING IMMIGRATION, HAS CAPTURED ALMOST SEVEN-PERCENT OF THE VOTE IN LOCAL ELECTIONS. AS CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS, THE RESULTS HAVE PUT IMMIGRATION AT THE TOP OF DENMARK'S POLITICAL AGENDA

TEXT: ALTHOUGH NOT EXACTLY A LANDSLIDE WIN, THE ANTI-IMMIGRANT PEOPLE'S PARTY CAME FROM NOWHERE TO CAPTURE SIX-POINT-EIGHT PERCENT OF THE VOTE IN ITS FIRST ELECTION.

PEOPLE'S PARTY LEADERS, WHO SPLIT FROM ANOTHER RIGHT WING GROUP TWO-YEARS AGO, HAILED THE RESULT AS A BREAKTHROUGH IN DANISH POLITICS. THE PARTY, WHICH CAMPAIGNED TO LIMIT IMMIGRATION AND TIGHTEN POLICIES ON ASYLUM, WON MORE THAN 250 OF THE FIVE-THOUSAND LOCAL SEATS UP FOR ELECTION.

DESPITE DENMARK'S LONG-STANDING REPUTATION AS A TOLERANT SOCIETY WITH LITTLE POVERTY AND LOW UNEMPLOYMENT, ANALYSTS SAY THE PEOPLE'S PARTY HAS BENEFITED FROM A RECENT WAVE OF CRIMES COMMITTED BY FOREIGNERS.

POLITICAL ANALYST AND UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR SOREN THOMPSON, SAYS THE PARTY'S STRONG SHOWING IN LOCAL ELECTIONS WILL NOW FOCUS MORE ATTENTION ON THE ISSUE.

I THINK ITS A COMMON AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE GOT TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM IN SOME WAY, TO ASSURE THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE AGAINST IMMIGRATION, THAT ITS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE TAKE LIGHTLY, AND WE SHOULD DO SOOTHING TO INTEGRATE THESE PEOPLE WHO COME TO THIS COUNTRY.

OTHER ANALYSTS SAY ITS STILL TOO EARLY TO PREDICT IF GAINS MADE BY THE RIGHT-WING IN DENMARK WILL ALTER THE POLITICAL BALANCE IN GENERAL ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR.

SUPPORT FOR THE COUNTRY'S MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES, THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS AND THE LIBERALS, DROPPED ONLY A LITTLE IN TUESDAY'S VOTE. BOTH PARTIES SUFFERED LOSES OF LESS THAN TWO-PERCENT. BUT, ANALYSTS SAY THE DEBATE OVER IMMIGRATION HAS ALREADY HAD AN IMPACT. IN OCTOBER, THE "SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC" LED COALITION GOVERNMENT APPOINTED A NEW INTERIOR MINISTER WHO HAS VOWED TO TIGHTEN IMMIGRATION POLICIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/JWH/RAE
19-Nov-97 10:36 AM EST (1536 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] E-U UNEMPLOYMENT (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: LEADERS OF THE 15-NATION EUROPEAN UNION MEET THURSDAY IN LUXEMBOURG FOR A SPECIAL SUMMIT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF EUROPE'S 18-MILLION UNEMPLOYED. JOHN FRASER HAS THIS PREVIEW OF THE MEETING FROM EUROPEAN UNION HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS.

TEXT: ALL 15 EUROPEAN UNION HEADS OF GOVERNMENT AGREE UNEMPLOYMENT IS THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM THEY CURRENTLY FACE. THEY AGREED AT THEIR LAST SUMMIT MEETING IN AMSTERDAM IN JUNE PIOUS DECLARATIONS WERE NOT ENOUGH, SO THEY DECIDED TO HOLD THIS SPECIAL SUMMIT IN LUXEMBOURG, WHICH WILL BE ENTIRELY DEVOTED TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT CRISIS.

ALL ARE AGREED ON THE PROBLEM ... BUT THERE ARE DIFFERENCES OF APPROACH TO A SOLUTION.

FRANCE AND BRITAIN ELECTED SOCIALIST GOVERNMENTS THIS YEAR, AND BOTH WANT TO SEE THE EUROPEAN UNION PLAYING A BIGGER ROLE. THE GERMANS ARE VERY RELUCTANT TO GO DOWN THIS ROAD, AND ARE RESISTING SUGGESTIONS THAT THE E-U BUDGET SHOULD BE USED TO BOOST JOB CREATION.

AS A RESULT OF THIS DIFFERENCE, THERE IS LITTLE LIKELIHOOD MUCH NEW MONEY WILL BE SPENT AT THE EUROPEAN LEVEL -- ALTHOUGH EXISTING FUNDS MAY BE TARGETED MORE SHARPLY.

THERE IS LIKELY TO BE A CONSENSUS THAT EACH E-U GOVERNMENT CAN LEARN FROM ITS NEIGHBORS, AND EACH COUNTRY MUST DRAW UP NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT STRATEGIES, WHICH WILL BE DEBATED AND DISCUSSED BY ITS E-U PARTNERS.

A SPECIAL FOCUS WILL BE PLACED ON THE BIGGEST UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS -- THOSE OF THE YOUNG UNEMPLOYED, AND OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WITHOUT WORK FOR A YEAR OR MORE.

THERE IS ALSO AGREEMENT ON GREATER EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

GOVERNMENTS ARE BEING URGED BY THE E-U TO REVIEW THEIR TAXATION AND SOCIAL BENEFITS SYSTEMS TO MAKE THEM MORE IN LINE WITH THE AIM OF JOB CREATION, AND TO INSTILL MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THE LABOR MARKETS.

OFFICIALS OF THE E-U'S EUROPEAN COMMISSION SAY THIS SPECIAL JOBS SUMMIT MUST NOT RAISE FALSE EXPECTATIONS. THEY WARN IT WILL NOT LEAD TO THE OVERNIGHT CREATION OF MILLIONS OF JOBS. BUT, THEY HOPE IT WILL STIMULATE EACH OF THE 15 E-U STATES TO FOCUS MORE EFFECTIVELY ON JOB CREATION AT A NATIONAL LEVEL, WITH SOME EXTRA ASSISTANCE FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION'S OWN FUNDS.

IT COULD TAKE MONTHS, OR EVEN YEARS, TO SEE WHETHER WHAT HAPPENS IN LUXEMBOURG THIS WEEK REALLY MARKS A TURNING POINT IN BRINGING NEW HOPE TO THE EUROPEAN UNION'S 18-MILLION UNEMPLOYED. BUT AT THE VERY LEAST, THIS POLITICAL GATHERING WILL SEND OUT A MESSAGE POLITICIANS OF EUROPE ARE NO LONGER CONTENT WITH WORDS. THE TIME FOR ACTION HAS COME. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/PCF/RAE
19-Nov-97 11:55 AM EST (1655 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EDITORIAL: ALBRIGHT ON DEMOCRACY FIGHT IN EUROPE

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

THE MOST POWERFUL, UNIFYING AND REVOLUTIONARY IDEA IN THE WORLD IS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE JUDGED ACCORDING TO THEIR CHARACTER, NOT THEIR GENEALOGY. THIS IDEA IS AT THE HEART OF THE PURSUIT OF FREEDOM. AND DEMOCRACY IS THE ONLY FORM OF GOVERNMENT THAT LETS PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND CULTURES CHOOSE THEIR OWN WAY.

THERE ARE THOSE WHO ACCUSE THE UNITED STATES OF ATTEMPTING TO IMPOSE ITS VALUES ON OTHERS. BUT THE U.S. RESPECTS THE UNIQUENESS AND AUTONOMY OF OTHERS BY SUPPORTING THEIR RIGHT TO SHAPE THEIR OWN DESTINY AND SELECT THEIR OWN LEADERS. "IN ANY LANGUAGE AND FOR ANY CULTURE," SAID SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, "DICTATORSHIP IS AN IMPOSITION. DEMOCRACY IS A CHOICE."

DEMOCRACY WAS ALSO A PRECONDITION FOR THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL EUROPE TO UNDERTAKE THE WRENCHING REFORMS THAT WERE NECESSARY TO REINVIGORATE THEIR ECONOMIES. ONLY GOVERNMENTS WITH POLITICAL LEGITIMACY CAN EMBARK ON SUCH A DIFFICULT COURSE. THESE COUNTRIES ARE NOW STRONGER, AS IS RUSSIA FOR HAVING SUBMITTED ITSELF TO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE AS EXPRESSED THROUGH THE BALLOT BOX.

UNFORTUNATELY, SERBIA AND CROATIA HAVE NOT FULFILLED THE ASPIRATIONS OF THEIR PEOPLE FOR GREATER FREEDOM. BUT AS SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAID, THE U.S. IS "GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO HELP INDEPENDENT GROUPS [IN THESE COUNTRIES] TO FUNCTION OPENLY AND EFFECTIVELY. WE WILL DEFEND THEM WITH ALL THE LEVERAGE WE HAVE. IF THEIR GOVERNMENTS THINK WE WILL LOSE INTEREST IN THIS EFFORT, OR THAT WE NEED THEM TOO MUCH TO KEEP PRESSING SO HARD, THEY ARE WRONG. THEY WILL REJOIN EUROPE ONLY AS OPEN, DEMOCRATIC SOCIETIES."

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
19-Nov-97 3:52 PM EST (2052 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE BIG STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE WEDNESDAY SHOWED LITTLE SIGN OF DIRECTION, CLOSING MIXED. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE NUMBERS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE SHARP DECLINE EARLIER IN THE DAY IN TOKYO WAS OFFSET SOMEWHAT BY STRONGER NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET, WHEN NEW YORK OPENED LATE IN EUROPE'S TRADING DAY. FRANKFURT AND PARIS POSTED GAINS AT THE CLOSE. LONDON DECLINED.

THE GERMAN "DAX 30" STOCK INDEX ADDED 33 POINTS -- JUST UNDER ONE PERCENT IN VALUE -- WEDNESDAY. IN PARIS, THE GAIN ON THE "CAC 40" INDEX WAS WAS JUST UNDER EIGHT POINTS -- IN VALUE TERMS, ONLY ABOUT ONE-QUARTER OF ONE PERCENT. HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" INDEX OF 100 KEY BRITISH STOCKS WAS DOWN FOR A SECOND DAY IN A ROW, LOSING JUST OVER 15 POINTS.

ON THE CURRENCY MARKETS, THE U-S DOLLAR SHOWED LITTLE MOVEMENT AGAINST EITHER THE BRITISH POUND OR THE GERMAN MARK. GOLD, TOO, HELD STEADY IN LONDON, CLOSING AT JUST OVER 305 DOLLARS AN OUNCE -- AN INCREASE OF ABOUT A DOLLAR FROM TUESDAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/MMK
19-Nov-97 1:40 PM EST (1840 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] NY ECON WRAP (L ONLY) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN NEW YORK CLOSED UP TODAY (THURSDAY) IN VOLATILE TRADING DESPITE RENEWED CONCERNS ABOUT JAPANESE BANKING PROBLEMS. V-O-A'S JOE CHAPMAN REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE WIDELY-FOLLOWED DOW-JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED UP 74 POINTS AT 77-HUNDRED-25 -- ABOUT ONE PERCENT -- WHILE THE MORE REPRESENTATIVE S-AND-P 500 CLOSED UP SIX POINTS AT 944.

U-S STOCK PRICES OPENED LOWER ON NEWS OF A FALL IN TOKYO STOCK PRICES AND NEW CONCERNS ABOUT THE HEALTH OF JAPAN'S LARGEST BANKS. BUT U-S STOCK PRICES QUICKLY RECOVERED AND MOVED UP. JOHN LA WARE, A FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK, SAYS WALL STREET IS LOOKING NOT ONLY AT CORPORATE PROFITS, BUT AT HIGHER AMERICAN PRODUCTIVITY.

PART OF THAT MAY BE AS A RESULT OF THE HUGE INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY AND PLANT AND EQUIPMENT THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

A GOVERNMENT REPORT SAYS U-S BUILDERS STARTED CONSTRUCTION ON MORE HOMES, ESPECIALLY APARTMENTS, THAN ANY TIME IN THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS.

THE NUMBER OF NEW HOUSING STARTS SURPRISED PRIVATE ECONOMISTS WHO EXPECTED A DECREASE. ANALYSTS SAY THE HOUSING MARKETS ARE BENEFITING FROM BOOMING U-S JOB MARKETS AND OVERSEAS INVESTORS LOOKING FOR A SAFE U-S HAVEN FOR THEIR MONEY.

ON THE TOKYO STOCK MARKET, JAPANESE INVESTORS UNLOADED BANK STOCKS AFTER JAPANESE OFFICIALS DECLARED THEY WOULD NOT USE GOVERNMENT MONEY TO SUPPORT THE FINANCIAL SECTOR. FORMER U-S CENTRAL BANKER JOHN LA WARE SAYS HE BELIEVES THE JAPANESE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ACCEPT THE FAILURE OF AT LEAST SOME BANKS.

JAPAN IT SEEMS TO ME IS VERY VULNERABLE TO ALL OF THIS BECAUSE JAPANESE BANKS HOLD A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF THE DEBT OF THOSE FOREIGN COUNTRIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AS WELL AS SOUTH KOREA. THEY'RE ALREADY IN TROUBLE WITH THEIR BAD REAL ESTATE LOANS DOMESTICALLY. SO I THINK THE JAPANESE BANKING SYSTEM REALLY HAS SOME MAJOR PROBLEMS ON ITS HANDS.

MR. LA WARE SAYS NOW MIGHT BE THE RIGHT TIME FOR THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT TO ALLOW INVESTMENTS IN JAPANESE BANKS BY FOREIGN INTERESTS, INCLUDING AMERICANS. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/JMC/LSF/PT
19-Nov-97 5:05 PM EST (2205 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE MASSACRE OF NEARLY 60 TOURISTS IN LUXOR, EGYPT BY ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS CONTINUES TO DRAW HARSH CONDEMNATION FROM THE U-S PRESS. STILL IN THE REGION, DEALING WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN REMAINS ALSO A POPULAR TOPIC, WHILE HERE AT HOME, THE DEMISE OF TEAMSTER UNION REFORMER RON CAREY GETS LOTS OF ATTENTION.

THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS ALSO CONTAIN COMMENTS ON YESTERDAY'S DEFINITIVE ACCOUNT OF TWA FLIGHT 800'S EXPLOSION OFF LONG ISLAND; A HUMANITARIAN MOVE TOWARD CUBA; [OPT] ETHICAL PROBLEMS FOR A TOP KREMLIN OFFICIAL, [END OPT] AND A ANATOMICAL MAKEOVER FOR ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS DOLLS. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT THAT POTPOURRI OF REACTION IS _________________WITH TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE U-S MEDIA CONTINUES TO CASTIGATE THE KILLING OF UNARMED, INNOCENT, AND HELPLESS TOURISTS VISITING THE TEMPLE AT LUXOR MONDAY. "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" SAYS IN ITS HEADLINE, "TERRORISTS DO NOT SPEAK FOR NATIONS."

VOICE: WE IN THE WEST CAN ONLY SHAKE OUR HEADS IN SORROW AND HORRIFIED DISBELIEF AT THIS WEEK'S MASSACRE OF TOURISTS ... AT LAST WEEK'S AMBUSH OF AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN IN PAKISTAN, AT THE PERIODIC THROAT-CUTTINGS OF WESTERN WORKERS IN ALGERIA. WHAT KIND OF HOLY CAUSE TARGETS HARMLESS CIVILIANS FOR SLAUGHTER SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY COME FROM ANOTHER LAND OR CULTURE? IT IS IMPORTANT FOR OUTSIDERS TO UNDERSTAND THEY AREN'T THE ONLY ONES IN THE CROSS HAIRS OF THESE TERROR GROUPS. ... TOPPING THE FANATICS' HIT LISTS ... ARE THE LEADERS OF THEIR OWN RESPECTIVE GOVERNMENTS; EGYPT'S PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK; PAKISTAN'S NEW MODERNIST LEADERSHIP, ALGERIA'S MILITARY-BACKED REGIME.

... SO HOW DOES THE WEST, ESPECIALLY AMERICA, DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF THIS NON-TOO-INVITING REGION? WE START BY REALIZING THAT THE EXTREMISTS THERE DON'T SPEAK FOR THE ENTIRE POPULATION.

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" CALLS IT "LUNACY IN LUXOR."

VOICE: THE MASSACRE ... IN LUXOR ... BY RELIGIOUS FANATICS KNOWN AS THE ISLAMIC GROUP IS BUT THE LATEST PROOF THAT WHILE HUMANS ARE EASY TO KILL, IDEAS ARE NOT. THE IDEA HERE IS TO TOPPLE THE SECULAR EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENT AND INSTALL AN ISLAMIC-FUNDAMENTALIST REGIME AKIN TO THOSE IN IRAN AND AFGHANISTAN. ... THEY KILL -- MEN, WOMEN, BABIES, TO THEM IT MATTERS NOT -- BECAUSE IN THEIR WARPED BELIEFS, PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS ARE INFIDELS. AND THEY BLOW THEMSELVES UP TO KILL 'INFIDELS' BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THAT THEY'LL GO STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN AS MARTYRS. THIS IS A LETHAL COMBINATION FOR ANY GOVERNMENT, ANY PEOPLE, TO TRY TO CONTROL.

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES," HEADLINING ITS COMMENT: "MURDER IN GOD'S NAME" ADDS;

VOICE: "NO JUSTIFICATION FOR TERRORISM IS VALID, AND THAT INCLUDES RELIGION. ... IT'S IMPORTANT THAT EGYPT'S INDIGENOUS FANATICS KNOW THAT THE RELIGIOUS CONVICTIONS THEY ASSERT TO JUSTIFY THEIR OUTRAGES HAVE LITTLE SUPPORT OR APPROVAL IN THE LARGER ISLAMIC WORLD.

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, "THE SUN" CONSIDERS THE KILLINGS AN ACT OF DESPERATION BY A DYING GROUP, EXPLAINING:

VOICE: "SINCE MEMBERS OF THE ISLAMIC GROUP ASSASSINATED FORMER PRESIDENT ANWAR SADAT IN 1981, EGYPT'S GOVERNMENT HAD LARGELY DEMOLISHED IT. SOME 15-THOUSAND ADHERENTS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED. FOUNDING PROPHET SHEIK OMAR ABDEL RAHMAN SITS IN PRISON IN NEW YORK FOR INSPIRING THE BOMBING OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER. SIX LEADERS IMPRISONED IN EGYPT APPEALED IN JULY TO END VIOLENCE. ...SOME 66 ALLEGED ISLAMIC GROUP TERRORISTS ARE ON TRIAL. THIS WAS THE CONTEXT FOR MONDAY'S MURDEROUS ATTACK BY A FRAGMENT OF A MOVEMENT ON THE ROPES [EXHAUSTEDAS IN: "A BOXER ON THE ROPES"].

TEXT: MOVING ON TO ANOTHER SUBJECT IN THE MIDDLE EAST, THE CONFRONTATION BETWEEN IRAQ'S SADDAM HUSSEIN AND THE UNITED NATIONS OVER CONTINUED WEAPONS INSPECTIONS IN HIS COUNTRY, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" DEVOTES ALMOST ITS ENTIRE EDITORIAL COLUMN TO THAT TOPIC.

VOICE: LET US BE CLEAR ON WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE. SADDAM HAS TWO GOALS: TO GET THE U-N IMPOSED SANCTIONS LIFTED AND TO KEEP HIS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION SO HE CAN ONE DAY INTIMIDATE THE REGION -- OR TAKE HIS VENGEANCE WITH THE ULTIMATE TERRORIST TOOL. THE PROBLEM FOR THE UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD IS THAT WHEN IT COMES TO A CHOICE BETWEEN THE TWO, SADDAM HAS CHOSEN TO KEEP THE WEAPONS. IF HE HAD COOPERATED FULLY WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTORS, SANCTIONS WOULD HAVE BEEN LIFTED YEARS AGO. ...

THERE IS NO UNDERESTIMATING THE DIFFICULTIES THE UNITED STATES FACES IN THIS CRISIS. THE GULF WAR COALITION IS IN TATTERS. SOME FRAGMENTING WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN ONCE KUWAIT WAS FREED, BUT MUCH OF IT IS DUE TO THE INATTENTION OF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION. // OPT // ...SADDAM HUSSEIN IS 'NOT A THEORETICAL THREAT TO PEACE. HE IS A PROVEN ONE,' AS "THE ECONOMIST" MAGAZINE RECENTLY [PUT] IT. [END OPT] PERHAPS THE FRENCH AND THE RUSSIANS WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN PERSUADING SADDAM HUSSEIN TO CHANGE HIS WAYS. BUT HIS PAST PERFORMANCE LEAVES LITTLE REASON FOR OPTIMISM."

TEXT: ALSO IN NEW ENGLAND, MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" SAYS "PACIFYING SADDAM [IS] NOT THE WAY TO STOP HIM" AND TAKES A LESSON FROM RECENT HISTORY FOR ITS ARGUMENT.

VOICE: IF SADDAM HUSSEIN CAN BE STOPPED SHORT OF USING FORCE, THAT IS ALL WELL AND GOOD. THE SIGNS ARE NOT PROMISING, HOWEVER, ANY MORE THAN THEY WERE WHEN HITLER MARCHED INTO THE SUDENTENLAND IN 1938. HARSH WORDS AND DIPLOMATIC ANGUISHING DID NOT STOP HITLER THEN, AND THEY WON'T STOP SADDAM NOW.

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, MANY PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON THE DECISION OF A FEDERAL MONITOR TO DISQUALIFY TEAMSTER UNION PRESIDENT RON CAREY FROM RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION NEXT YEAR. THE ELECTION WAS CALLED BECAUSE THIS YEAR'S ELECTION, IN WHICH MR. CAREY BEAT JAMES HOFFA, SON OF THE MOST FAMOUS TEAMSTER PRESIDENT OF THE PAST, WAS RULED A FRAUD. SAYS "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" OF THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT:

VOICE: RON CAREY, WHO DE-MOBBED [DECRIMINALIZED] THE TEAMSTERS AND LED ITS SUCCESSFUL STRIKE AGAINST UNITED PARCEL SERVICE, HAS FALLEN INTO THE MUCK. (DISREPUTE) HE WAS SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF ILLEGALITIES THAT FUELED HIS REELECTION, SAYS A FEDERAL MONITOR. SO HE HAS BEEN BANNED FROM A REMATCH ...AGAINST JIMMY HOFFA'S SON. THIS IS A DISGRACE FOR MR. CAREY AND THE SCANDAL-PLAGUED TEAMSTERS -- AND A BODY BLOW TO THE RESURGENT LABOR MOVEMENT.

TEXT: ADDS "THE MIAMI HERALD:"

VOICE: THE MAN MOST CREDITED WITH TURNING A ROGUE UNION KNOWN FOR CORRUPTION INTO A GUIDING FORCE IN THE AFL-CIO [AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR - COUNCIL OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS] NOW APPEARS CAUGHT IN THE MUCK THAT HE SWORE TO ERADICATE. ... THE BEST HOPE NOW IS CONTINUED FEDERAL DILIGENCE TO STEER THE UNION TOWARD THE CLEAN IMAGE THAT IT ASPIRED TO UNDER MR. CAREY.

TEXT: AS REGARDS THE RELEASE OVER THE PAST WEEKEND OF LEADING CHINESE DISSIDENT WEI JINGSHENG, TODAY'S "DALLAS MORNING NEWS" COMMENTS:

VOICE: BEFORE PRESIDENT CLINTON AND PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN OF CHINA TAKE A BOW, IT'S TIME FOR A REALITY CHECK. THE REAL HEROES IN SATURDAY'S RELEASE OF CHINA'S MOST PROMINENT DISSIDENT WERE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. WE HOPE MR.. CLINTON'S POLICY OF ENGAGEMENT WITH CHINA PAID OFF. BUT IT IS THE POPULAR VOICE IN AMERICA THAT HAS KEPT INSISTING THAT MORE PRESSURE NEEDS TO BE EXERTED ON THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, ESPECIALLY AFTER MR. CLINTON UNLINKED HUMAN RIGHTS AND TRADE IN 1994. ...AS PRESIDENT CLINTON SEEKS GUIDANCE, HE COULD DO A LOT WORSE THAN CONTINUING TO LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

TEXT: IN RESPONSE TO YESTERDAY'S DETAILED F-B-I REPORT AND SIMULATED VIDEO TAPE, OF THE LAST MOMENTS OF TRANS WORLD AIRLINES FLIGHT 800, CLAIMING IT'S DESTRUCTION WAS N O T A CRIMINAL ACT, INCLUDING A MISSILE ATTACK, THE [NEW YORK] "DAILY NEWS" SAYS:

VOICE: PERHAPS THE WORLD WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE CRASH .... HOWEVER, AT LEAST THE MOST EMOTIONALLY DEVASTATING POSSIBILITIES -- TERRORISM OR FRIENDLY FIRE -- NOW HAVE BEEN RULED OUT. SUCH A CONCLUSION MAY APPEAR TO BE OF SCANT COMFORT TO THE FAMILIES OF THE 230 VICTIMS, BUT SCANT IS BETTER THAN NOTHING. AT LEAST THEIR LOVED ONES WERE NOT DELIBERATELY SLAUGHTERED.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" IS SUPPORTING A MOVEMENT IT CALLS "LONG OVERDUE" TO DROP THE PORTION OF THE GENERAL AMERICAN EMBARGO OF CUBA THAT RESTRICTS SALES OF FOOD, MEDICINE AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT. SAYS THE POST IN URGING PRESIDENT CLINTON TO RELENT:

VOICE: THERE CANNOT BE MANY AMERICANS LEFT WHO ARE VINDICTIVE ENOUGH TO CHOKE THE FLOW OF THESE NECESSITIES TO NEEDY CUBANS.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS TODAY, RELUCTANTLY CALLING ON RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN TO FIRE HIS LEADING ECONOMIC REFORMER AND TOP ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ADVISER ANATOLY CHUBAIS. MR. CHUBAIS IS CURRENTLY MIRED IN AN ETHICAL SCANDAL INVOLVING A 90-THOUSAND DOLLAR BOOK PUBLISHING ADVANCE, APPARENTLY TO BUY HIS INFLUENCE FOR A COMMUNICATIONS DEAL. SAYS "THE TIMES":

VOICE: RUSSIAN POLITICS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED, AND MR. CHUBAIS HAS OFTEN SERVED A LARGER INTEREST WITH HIS MANIPULATIONS. BUT REFORM HAS PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH IN RUSSIA THAT IT NEED NOT BE ADVANCED AT EVERY TURN BY UNETHICAL DEALS. ... MR. YELTSIN ... SHOULD DISCHARGE MR. CHUBAIS BEFORE THE CAUSE OF REFORM IS FURTHER TARNISHED.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS DOLLS IN THE WORLD, "BARBIE" GETS A BUST REDUCTION AND OTHER ANATOMICAL REMODELING BY ITS MAKER MATTEL, DRAWING THIS PHILOSOPHICAL RETORT FROM "NEWSDAY." "BARBIE GETS MORE REAL AS WE GET MORE PLASTIC," EXPLAINING:

VOICE: ...THE IRONY IS THAT BARBIE IS BECOMING MORE HUMAN AT THE VERY TIME THAT REAL HUMANS ARE BECOMING MORE SUPERHUMAN ... [AS] THE TREND TOWARD BODILY SELF-IMPROVEMENT IS SPREADING INTO THE LARGER CULTURE. GYMS AND JOGGERS PROLIFERATE; THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLASTIC ...SURGEONS COUNTED NEARLY 700-THOUSAND AESTHETIC OPERATIONS IN 1996. TEXT; ON THAT NOTE OF SOCIAL COMMENTARY, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM WEDNESDAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
19-Nov-97 12:05 PM EST (1705 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] YUGO / KOSOVO (S ONLY-CQ) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: AN ETHNIC ALBANIAN POLITICIAN LOYAL TO SERBIAN OFFICIALS IN THE VOLATILE KOSOVO PROVINCE HAS BEEN SHOT AND WOUNDED IN AN ATTACK THAT COULD ADD TO TENSIONS IN THE REGION. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS FOLLOWING THE STORY FROM OUR BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: NEWS REPORTS SAY GUNMEN SHOT CAMIL GASI ON THE ROAD BETWEEN PRISTINA AND PECH TUESDAY NIGHT. HE WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL IN THE KOSOVO CAPITAL, PRISTINA, WHERE DOCTORS SAY HE IS OUT OF DANGER.

HIS DRIVER ALSO WAS WOUNDED IN THE ATTACK.

MR. GASI IS A DEPUTY IN THE YUGOSLAV ASSEMBLY AND IS A LOCAL LEADER OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF FEDERAL PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. AS AN ETHNIC ALBANIAN LOYAL TO THE FEDERAL PRESIDENT, MR. GASI IS SOMETHING OF A RARITY IN KOSOVO, WHERE MOST ETHNIC ALBANIANS WANT TO BREAK AWAY FROM SERBIA AND YUGOSLAVIA.

THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE CLAIM OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ATTACK. A GROUP CALLED THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY HAS CLAIMED SIMILAR ATTACKS IN THE PAST. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/JWH/MMK
19-Nov-97 11:07 AM EST (1607 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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