Voice of America, 97-11-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA ELECTION (L) BY ART CHIMES (SARAJEVO)

[02] CASPIAN PIPELINES & THE U.S. BY JOAN BEECHER (WASHINGTON)

[03] EDITORIAL: HUNGARY VOTES FOR NATO

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

[05] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY NEAL LAVON (WASHINGTON)

[06] HUMAN RIGHTS / TURKEY (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

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

[01] BOSNIA ELECTION (L) BY ART CHIMES (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: VOTERS IN THE SERB PORTION OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA VOTE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY TO ELECT A NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. IN MANY WAYS, THE ELECTION IS, IN EFFECT, A REFERENDUM ON THE TWO-YEAR OLD DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS IN BOSNIA AND PREVIEWS THE VOTE.

TEXT: BOSNIAN SERBS ARE SPLIT BETWEEN SUPPORTERS OF HARD-LINE INDICTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECT RADOVAN KARADJIC AND SERB REPUBLIC PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC, WHO IS A FERVENT NATIONALIST, BUT WHO HAS SIGNED ON TO SUPPORT THE DAYTON AGREEMENT.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S HIGH REPRESENTATIVE, CARLOS WESTENDORP, EXPRESSED OPTIMISM THAT BOSNIAN SERB VOTERS WOULD REGISTER THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE DAYTON PLAN WHEN THEY GO TO THE POLLS.

WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THIS WEEKEND'S ELECTION IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA WILL REINFORCE THE TREND TOWARD PLURALISM IN BOSNIA.

BUT OTHER OBSERVERS ARE NOT SO SURE. OFF-THE-RECORD, OFFICIALS AT MANY INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS HERE SAY THE VOTE WILL PROBABLY BE CLOSE, AND THAT THE HARD-LINERS HAVE A VERY GOOD CHANCE OF WINNING CONTROL OF THE NEW PARLIAMENT. THAT WORRIES THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, WHICH FEARS THAT RESULT COULD FURTHER SLOW IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT -- OR EVEN STOP IT ALTOGETHER.

AS WITH SEPTEMBER'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA, THE VOTING IS BEING CONDUCTED BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, AND O-S-C-E CHIEF ROBERT FROWICK ADMITS THAT, LIKE ANY ELECTION IN A DEMOCRACY, THERE ARE RISKS, BUT HE SAID THE RISKS ARE WORTH TAKING.

OUR VIEW IS THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING THROUGHOUT REPUBLIKA SRPSKA, ARE NO DOUBT SICK AND TIRED OF WAR AND EXTREMIST POLITICS, AND I THINK THE PEOPLE REALIZE THIS IS A CHANCE FOR CHANGE.

WITH DOZENS OF PARTIES AND INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES, THIS ELECTION IS FRAUGHT WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF STALEMATE. PERHAPS EVEN WORSE FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY -- IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE ELECTION WILL RESOLVE NOTHING, AND THAT THE STANDOFF BETWEEN THE TWO BOSNIAN SERB FACTIONS WILL CONTINUE. VOTING CONTINUES IN THE BOSNIAN SERB NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. (SIGNED)
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21-Nov-97 2:41 PM EST (1941 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CASPIAN PIPELINES & THE U.S. BY JOAN BEECHER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, MORE THAN 50 COMPANIES FROM 22 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, HAVE INVESTED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CASPIAN BASIN'S IMMENSE OIL AND GAS RESOURCES. THE MAJOR TASK THEY FACE NOW IS SELECTING VIABLE ROUTES TO GET THE OIL AND GAS OUT TO MARKET FROM THE LANDLOCKED CASPIAN REGION. U.S. ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS TOOK OIL COMPANY EXECUTIVES SOMETHING BY SURPRISE THIS WEEK, BY EMPHASIZING THEIR PREFERENCE FOR A NEW PIPELINE THROUGH TURKEY, AND STIFFENING THEIR OPPOSITION TO ANY IRANIAN OPTION. VOA CORRESPONDENT JOAN BEECHER REPORTS, IN THIS FIRST OF A SERIES ON CASPIAN OIL ISSUES.

TEXT: AT LEAST EIGHT ROUTES ARE BEING SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED AT THE MOMENT. SOME WOULD LEAD TO MARKETS IN ASIA, SUCH AS PROPOSED NEW PIPELINES FROM KAZAKHSTAN TO NORTHERN CHINA, AND FROM TURKMENISTAN THROUGH AFGHANISTAN TO PAKISTAN. THE CHEAPEST ROUTE TO ASIAN MARKETS WOULD BE THROUGH IRAN'S EXISTING PIPELINE SYSTEM.

OTHER ROUTES, WHICH WOULD TAKE THE OIL TO MEDITERRANEAN AND EUROPEAN MARKETS, INCLUDE RUSSIA'S EXISTING PIPELINE SYSTEM, LEADING DOWN FROM KAZAKHSTAN AND UP FROM AZERBAIJAN TO THE PORT OF NOVOROSSIYSK ON THE BLACK SEA. EARLY OIL FROM NEWLY DEVELOPED FIELDS IN AZERBAIJAN HAS ALREADY BEGUN TO FLOW TO NOVOROSSIYSK, AND IS ALSO SCHEDULED TO FLOW THROUGH A SECOND PIPELINE, THROUGH GEORGIA TO THE PORT OF SUPSA. TURKEY HAS THEREFORE PROPOSED A THIRD OPTION -- CONSTRUCTING A NEW PIPELINE DOWN TO THE PORT OF CEYHAN IN TURKEY'S SOUTH. NEXT YEAR, THE INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM DEVELOPING AZERBAIJAN'S OFFSHORE FIELDS WILL HAVE TO CHOOSE WHICH ROUTE WILL BE SELECTED FOR THE MAIN PIPELINE.

SPEAKING TO AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE CASPIAN PIPELINES QUESTION IN WASHINGTON WEDNESDAY, U.S. ENERGY SECRETARY FEDERICO PENA RESTATED THE U.S. COMITTMENT TO MULTIPLE PIPELINES, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME STRESSING ITS PREFERENCE FOR ONE OF THEM -- THE ROUTE TO CEJHAN. FURTHERMORE, HE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE U.S. PREFERS THAT ROUTE NOT JUST FOR AZERI OIL, BUT ALSO FOR KAZAKH AND TURKMEN OIL AND GAS, WHICH WOULD FIRST BE SHIPPED TO BAKU VIA TRANS-CASPIAN UNDERWATER PIPELINES. SECRETARY PENA HAD JUST RETURNED FROM A TOUR OF THE CASPIAN REGION.

THE BIGGEST STEP THAT WE TOOK WAS TO SECURE THE SUPPORT OF FOUR OF OUR TRADING PARTNERS -- TURKEY, AZERBAIJAN, GEORGIA, AND TURKMENISTAN -- FOR THE TRANS-CASPIAN-BAKU-CEYHAN ROUTES TO TRANSPORT CASPIAN OIL AND GAS THAT WILL BE CRITICAL IN ENSURING ENERGY DIVERSITY AND SECURING WORLD OIL SUPPLIES. THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS AGREEMENT CANNOT BE OVERSTATED. THESE PIPELINES WILL SERVE AS THE GLUE THAT HOLDS THIS REGION TOGETHER.

ACCORDING TO SECRETARY PENA, PRESIDENT NUSURLTAN NAZARBAYEV OF KAZAKHSTAN ALSO PLEDGED HIS SUPPORT FOR THIS ROUTE DURING HIS VISIT TO WASHINGTON EARLIER IN THE WEEK.

BOTH KAZAKHSTAN AND TURKMENISTAN, WHICH BORDER IRAN, HAVE BEEN CONSIDERING IRANIAN OPTIONS FOR THE EXPORT OF AT LEAST SOME OF THEIR OIL AND GAS. EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE UNITED STATES SAID IT WOULD NOT OPPOSE A PROJECT FOR TRANSPORTING TURKMEN GAS THROUGH IRAN TO TURKEY. BUT SECRETARY PENA INDICATED THAT THE U.S. POSITION HAS HARDENED.

A MAJOR PART OF THE AGREEMENT FOR THE BAKU-CEYHAN AND TRANS-CASPIAN ROUTES IS THAT THESE ROUTES WILL ALLOW PRODUCERS TO REACH INTERNATIONAL MARKETS WITHOUT GOING THROUGH IRAN. THE UNITED STATES' POSITION IS CLEAR: WE DO NOT SUPPORT CONDUCTING ORDINARY BUSINESS WITH A COUNTRY THAT FUNDS, TRAINS, AND SUPPORTS TERRORISM, OR SEEKS TO ACQUIRE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

I THINK PART OF THE DILEMMA HERE IS THAT SINCE THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT HAS NOT YET BEEN AS SPECIFIC AS IT CAN BE IN DESCRIBING ITS OWN TERMS FOR A POTENTIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A NUMBER OF COMPANIES, IT'S A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO TALK ABOUT COSTS AND BENEFITS AND FINANCIAL VIABILITY.

SOME PARTICIPANTS IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE THIS WEEK WERE HIGHLY CRITICAL OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S INSISTENCE ON EXCLUDING THE IRANIAN OPTION. BUT A REMARK BY JAMES NARAUSKEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE AMOCO EURASIAN PETROLEUM COMPANY, SEEMED TO SUM UP THE ATTITUDE OF AMERICAN OIL EXECUTIVES INVOLVED IN THE REGION. IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION ABOUT THE FEASIBILITY OF THE IRANIAN ROUTE, MR. NARAUSKEY SAID IT WAS VERY FEASIBLE. "BUT WHEN THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT SAYS IRAN IS OUT OF BOUNDS," HE ADDED, "BELIEVE ME, WHERE U.S. COMPANIES ARE CONCERNED, IRAN IS OUT OF BOUNDS." [SIGNED]
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21-Nov-97 11:03 AM EST (1603 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EDITORIAL: HUNGARY VOTES FOR NATO

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:

THIS MONTH, THE HUNGARIAN PEOPLE VOTED IN A REFERENDUM ON THEIR COUNTRY'S ENTRY INTO NATO. THE RESULTS WERE OVERWHELMING. MORE THAN EIGHTY-FIVE PERCENT SUPPORTED HUNGARY'S ENTRY INTO THE ALLIANCE. THE REFERENDUM SENDS AN UNMISTAKABLE SIGNAL OF THE HUNGARIAN PEOPLE'S DESIRE TO JOIN THE NORTH ATLANTIC COMMUNITY AND RECLAIM THEIR PLACE IN THE WESTERN FAMILY OF NATIONS.

LAST SUMMER, HUNGARY, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND POLAND WERE INVITED TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE. AS PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON STRESSED, AN ENLARGED NATO WILL BE BETTER ABLE TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES TO EUROPE'S SECURITY. A NATO THAT EMBRACES EUROPE'S NEW DEMOCRACIES WILL BE MORE CAPABLE OF CARRYING OUT ITS MISSIONS, DEFENDING THE TERRITORY OF ITS MEMBERS, AND PREVENTING CONFLICTS FROM BREAKING OUT. AN ENLARGED NATO IS THE LINCHPIN OF A STABLE, DEMOCRATIC EUROPE. IT OFFERS THE NEWLY FREE NATIONS OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE THE SAME BENEFITS IT HAS PROVIDED WEST EUROPEAN NATIONS FOR NEARLY HALF A CENTURY.

HUNGARY, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND POLAND HAVE SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER NEW DEMOCRACIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. THEY HAVE SHOWN A COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT AND MARKET REFORMS. THEIR MILITARY FORCES ARE UNDER CIVILIAN CONTROL. AND THEY HAVE DEMONSTRATED RESPECT FOR THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THEIR NEIGHBORS.

THE DOOR WILL BE LEFT OPEN FOR OTHER COUNTRIES TO JOIN NATO. THAT POSSIBILITY HAS ALREADY MOTIVATED NATIONS IN THE REGION TO SETTLE OLD DISPUTES, RECOGNIZE MINORITY RIGHTS, AND STRENGTHEN DEMOCRATIC REFORMS. THIS BODES WELL FOR THE FUTURE.

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.
21-Nov-97 11:37 AM EST (1637 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE ENDED THE WEEK ON A POSITIVE NOTE. PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS THE CLOSING FIGURES FROM OUR OFFICES IN LONDON.

TEXT: THE GAINS IN FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS VARIED FROM A FRACTION OF A PERCENT FOR THE DAY TO ALMOST A PERCENT-AND-A-HALF. TRADING VOLUME, HOWEVER, WAS THIN. HIGHER PRICES IN ASIA AND NEW YORK WERE CITED BY ANALYSTS FOR THE HIGHER CLOSING FIGURES IN EUROPE.

THOSE FIGURES WERE A GAIN OF MORE THAN 77 POINTS ON THE LONDON "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX ... IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" ADDED 40-AND-A-HALF POINTS ... AND IN FRANKFURT, THE "DAX 30" STOCK INDEX CLOSED WITH A GAIN OF ALMOST 44 POINTS.

THE U-S DOLLAR TRADED ALMOST A PFENNIGE HIGHER AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND A FRACTION OF A CENT HIGHER AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.

GOLD ADDED A DOLLAR-AND-A-HALF IN VALUE WHEN TRADING CLOSED IN LONDON. IT WAS PRICED AT JUST OVER 305 DOLLARS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
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21-Nov-97 1:27 PM EST (1827 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY NEAL LAVON (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE BIRTH OF SEPTUPLETS TO A FAMILY IN THE MIDWESTERN STATE OF IOWA AND AN AGREEMENT ON INSPECTING IRAQI WEAPONS DOMINATE THIS MORNING'S EDITORIAL PAGES IN THE U-S PRESS. NEWSPAPERS ARE ALSO COMMENTING ON THE METHOD OF COUNTING THE POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES AND A GOVERNMENTAL PANEL TO DISCUSS RACIAL RELATIONS.

TEXT: THE PREMATURE BIRTHS WEDNESDAY (11/19) OF FOUR BOYS AND THREE GIRLS TO 29 YEAR-OLD BOBBI MCCAUGHEY (MICK-KOY) CAPTURED THE ATTENTION OF THE ENTIRE NATION. THE SEPTUPLETS WERE DELIVERED BY CAESAREAN SECTION THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF A 40-MEMBER MEDICAL TEAM. IF ALL SEVEN LIVE, THEY WILL BECOME THE WORLD'S FIRST SURVIVING SEPTUPLETS.

MRS. MCCAUGHEY, WHO HAD DIFFICULTY CONCEIVING HER FIRST CHILD, HAD TAKEN FERTILITY DRUGS TO IMPROVE HER CHANCES OF BECOMING PREGNANT. WHILE THE AMERICAN PRESS GENERALLY PORTRAYED THE EVENT AS A JOYOUS OCCASION, THEY DID RAISE ETHICAL ISSUES ABOUT THE USE OF SUCH DRUGS AND THE COST OF MULTIPLE BIRTHS TO SOCIETY.

THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, FOR INSTANCE, SAYS THAT THE SEPTUPLETS' BIRTH RAISES "A SLEW OF ETHICAL AND MEDICAL ISSUES".

VOICE: "FERTILITY DRUGS THAT BOOST A WOMAN'S EGG PRODUCTION ARE EXPENSIVE. THEIR ADMINISTRATION IS COMPLICATED AND DEMANDING. THE TEMPTATION IS TO INDUCE THE PRODUCTION OF MULTIPLE EGGS, RAISING THE ODDS THAT AT LEAST ONE WILL RESULT IN PREGNANCY. TOO OFTEN, THERE ARE MORE.... THE MEDICAL COSTS, THE STRESS ON FAMILIES, AND PHYSICAL DANGER TO THE MOTHER OF EVEN TRIPLETS OR QUADRUPLETS ARE WELL DOCUMENTED.... FERTILITY SPECIALISTS NEED TO KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS OF THEMSELVES ABOUT THE PROMISES THEY MAKE, THE DRUGS THEY ADMINISTER, AND THE ULTIMATE COSTS OF RISING MULTIPLE BIRTHS."

TEXT: BUT USA TODAY WRITES THAT WHILE SUCH QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ASKED, NOW IS THE TIME TO REJOICE IN THE BIRTHS, NOT TO RAISE ARCANE MEDICAL ISSUES.

VOICE: "WHAT REALLY BOGGLES THE NATIONAL MIND ARE THE CONFUSING NEW QUESTIONS THESE SEVEN BLESSED EVENTS RAISE ABOUT OUR BRAVE NEW WORLD. ON A MACRO LEVEL, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SOCIETY NOW THAT WOMEN CAN HAVE THEIR BABIES SEVEN AT A CLIP? AND ON A MORE MICRO SCALE, HOW DOES A FAMILY GO ABOUT LOVING AND ENJOYING SEVEN INDIVIDUAL BUNDLES OF JOY?.... BUT GIVEN AN OPTION OF ABORTING SOME OF THE SEVEN FETUSES, THE MCCAUGHEYS MADE A CHOICE. AS FOR THE SEVEN RESULTING MCCAUGHEY BABIES, THERE ARE WORSE THINGS THAN BEING BORN TO A WELCOMING FAMILY AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITY -- EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO CELEBRATE EVERY RITE OF PASSAGE WITH SIX OTHER SIBLINGS."

TEXT: (OPT) THE BALTIMORE SUN PORTRAYS THE BIRTHS AS A JOYOUS OCCASION, HIGHLIGHTING A STRONG FAMILY WHICH LIVES IN A STRONG COMMUNITY.

VOICE: "THIS IS A HAPPY STORY. IF MOST PEOPLE DO NOT ENVY KENNY AND BOBBI MCCAUGHEY, THEY FEEL WARMLY ABOUT THE COUPLE'S MIRACLE BIRTH.... THEY SOUGHT NO PUBLICITY AND NEVER TRIED TO SELL THEIR STORY. THEY ASKED TOWNSPEOPLE TO KEEP QUIET; NEIGHBORS PROTECTIVELY COMPLIED.... TODAY, THE MCCAUGHEY BABIES ARE NEWS. TOMORROW, LET THEM BE SEVEN LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS, RAISED BY GOOD PARENTS IN A VILLAGE THAT KNOWS HOW TO TAKE OF ITS OWN." (END OPT)

TEXT: THIS WEEK'S ANNOUNCEMENT BY IRAQ THAT IT WILL PERMIT UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTORS BACK INTO THE COUNTRY IS THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN MANY PAPERS. IRAQ'S DECISION FOLLOWED AN INITIATIVE PROPOSED BY RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER, YEVGENY PRIMAKOV. OPINION IS MIXED ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS SURROUNDING IRAQ'S LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN, THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED NATIONS, RUSSIA, AND THE COALITION THAT WON THE GULF WAR. THE BALTIMORE SUN PROCLAIMED THAT "IRAQ BACKED DOWN", BUT WARNS:

VOICE: "IT MAY BODE DEFEAT FOR THE U.S. IT ELEVATES THE IMPATIENCE OF RUSSIA, AND OF FRANCE, WITH ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON IRAQ. THEY DEMAND LIGHT AT THE END OF THIS TUNNEL.... RUSSIA'S AND FRANCE'S DESIRE TO END IRAQ'S PARIAH STATUS SHOULD BE RESPECTED, BUT THEY MUST CONFRONT THE REASONS FOR THAT STATUS. U.N. SANCTIONS WERE IMPOSED IN 1991 TO COMPEL SADDAM HUSSEIN TO DESTROY HIS CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAMS. UNTIL THAT HAPPENS, THE U.N. SHOULD NOT RELENT."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES CALLS THE SETTLEMENT, "UNACCEPTABLE".

VOICE: "THE IRAQI DICTATOR HAS MANAGED TO MOVE THE GOALPOSTS (CHANGE THE TERMS OF THE DEBATE), FROM THE QUESTION OF THE INADEQUACY OF HIS COMPLIANCE IN GENERAL TO A DECLARATION OF ADEQUACY BASED ONLY ON THE RESUMPTION OF INSPECTIONS. THE WHITE HOUSE, MEANWHILE, ARGUES THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD IS BETTER OFF BECAUSE IT HAS REFOCUSED ITS ATTENTION ON IRAQ. WELL, IT SHOULD -- BECAUSE SADDAM IS MAKING GAINS, AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS LETTING HIM."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, THOUGH, SEES THE SETTLEMENT AS A TRIUMPH FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND FOR DIPLOMACY.

VOICE: "SADDAM HUSSEIN'S REVERSAL OF HIS BAN ON AMERICAN INSPECTORS IS A VICTORY FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON AND A REPROACH TO THE ARMCHAIR WARRIORS WHO INSISTED THAT 'BOMBS AWAY' WAS THE ONLY WAY TO TALK TO THE BUTCHER OF BAGHDAD. YESTERDAY'S APPARENT END TO THE THREE-WEEK STAND-OFF -- WHICH INVOLVES NO AMERICAN CONCESSIONS -- IS A REMINDER THAT EVEN WITH THE LIKES OF SADDAM, THERE IS A MIDDLE GROUND BETWEEN APPEASEMENT AND WAR. IT IS CALLED DIPLOMACY. IT NOT ONLY SAVES FACE, IT SAVES LIVES."

TEXT: (OPT) THE NEW YORK TIMES IS ALSO CAUTIOUS BUT HOPEFUL.

VOICE: "IT APPEARS THAT IRAQ WON NO CONCESSIONS OF PRINCIPLE FROM THE SECURITY COUNCIL, THAT NO SPECIFIC TIMETABLES WERE IMPOSED ON THE INSPECTION PROGRAM AND THAT THE U.N.'S MONITORING OF BAGHDAD'S MASS-DESTRUCTION WEAPONS PROGRAMS WILL BE NEITHER DIMINISHED NOR IMPEDED. IF ALL THIS HOLD TRUE, THEN THE AGREEMENT WILL BE A LARGE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION."

TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE WRITES THAT THE FORMER ALLIES OF THE COALITION THAT DEFEATED SADDAM IN THE GULF WAR ARE NOW HELPING HIM LIFT THE U.N. SANCTIONS ON IRAQ.

VOICE: "SADDAM ... HEARD [RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER YEVGENY] PRIMAKOV AND THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES ECHO BAGHDAD'S DELIBERATELY [PHRASED STATEMENT] ABOUT A 'LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL', A WAY OF SAYING THAT A DATE SHOULD BE SET FOR THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS, EVEN IF SADDAM HOLDS ON TO HIS ANTHRAX AND HIS VX CHEMICAL WEAPONS. WITH SUCH ALLIES, WASHINGTON HARDLY NEEDS ENEMIES." (END OPT)

TEXT: HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, A PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ESTABLISHED BY THE PRESIDENT TO ENGAGE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IN A "NATIONAL DIALOGUE" ON RACE HAS REFUSED TO INCLUDE CRITICS OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICIES IN ITS DELIBERATIONS. THE NEW YORK TIMES CAUTIONS THAT TO BE EFFECTIVE, THE PANEL MUST HEAR FROM ALL SIDES.

VOICE: "... THE PANEL HELD A HEARING ON DIVERSITY BUT DECLINED TO HEAR FROM OPPONENTS OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION. THAT DOES NOT MAKE FOR MUCH OF A DIALOGUE. THE RACE PANEL'S WORK SHOULD INVOLVE MORE THAN SHOUTING MATCHES AMONG ENEMIES AND ADVOCATES OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, OF COURSE. BUT IF THE PANEL IS TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEBATE ON RACE, IT MUST DO MORE THAN PREACH TO THE CONVERTED."

TEXT: FINALLY, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL WRITES THAT THE ADMINISTRATION'S CALL FOR A CENSUS OF THE POPULATION IN 2000 BASED ON STATISTICAL SAMPLING RATHER THAN ACTUAL ENUMERATION WILL INVARIABLY END UP BEING ENGULFED IN PARTISAN POLITICS.

VOICE: "ULTIMATELY, THE CENSUS IS INEXTRICABLY BOUND UP IN POLITICS. THE CAMPAIGN FUND-RAISING ABUSES MADE PUBLIC IN RECENT MONTHS HAVE HARDLY MADE REPUBLICANS COMFORTABLE WITH THE PROSPECT OF LETTING A DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATION, OR AT LEAST THIS ONE, OVERSEE A STATISTICALLY DERIVED 'HEAD COUNT'. THE COMPROMISE WORKED OUT IN THE BUDGET AGREEMENT MIGHT BE CALLED A FORWARD-MOVING STANDOFF, WHICH MAY BE THE BEST ONE COULD HOPE FOR IN THE CAPITAL'S CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT COMMENT FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, WE'LL CLOSE THIS EDITION OF THE U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST. (SIGNED)
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21-Nov-97 11:00 AM EST (1600 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] HUMAN RIGHTS / TURKEY (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: TWO TURKISH LAWYERS HAVE WON A PRESTIGIOUS AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD FOR HELPING THE KURDISH MINORITY AND FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS ON THE CEREMONY (THURSDAY) ON CAPITOL HILL.

TEXT: THIS YEAR'S ROBERT F. KENNEDY HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD, NAMED FOR THE LATE U-S SENATOR AND PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL, IS GOING TO SENAL SARIHAN AND SEZGIN TANRIKULU. BOTH ARE PROMINENT HUMAN RIGHTS ATTORNEYS WHO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, HAVE DEFENDED KURDS WHO ARE SEEKING GREATER FREEDOM FROM THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT.

SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, MR. TANRIKULU PAID TRIBUTE TO SOME OF THEM.

THE STRUGGLE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IS NEVER PURSUED FOR PERSONAL GAIN OR AMBITION. AS A LAWYER WHO LIVES IN A REGION EXPERIENCING A VIOLENT CIVIL WAR, I WOULD LIKE TO DEDICATE THIS AWARD TO SIX OF MY COLLEAGUES OF KURDISH ORIGIN WHO WERE ASSASSINATED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF TURKEY. THIS AWARD ALSO BELONGS TO 27 OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO ARE ON TRIAL FOR NOTHING OTHER THAN THEIR COURAGE TO DEFEND HUMAN RIGHTS.

THE ATTORNEYS HAVE ALSO TRIED TO CHANGE WHAT THEY CALL REPRESSIVE ANTI-TERRORIST LAWS AND PENAL CODES. MRS. SARIHAN HERSELF WAS IMPRISONED FOR THREE YEARS IN THE EARLY 1970'S AND MORE RECENTLY THREATENED WITH DEATH BY ISLAMIC RADICALS. SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY SAYS BOTH HONOREES SAYS ARE WORTHY HEIRS TO HIS BROTHER'S LEGACY.

ROBERT KENNEDY SHARED THEIR DEDICATION TO HUMAN RIGHTS AND SERVICE TO OTHERS. LIKE ALL OF US HERE, HE WOULD BE INSPIRED BY THEIR EXAMPLE, THEIR COURAGE, THEIR COMMITMENT AND THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS.

THE LAWYERS ARE NOW APPEALING THE CASE OF LEYLA ZANA, THE FIRST KURDISH WOMAN ELECTED TO TURKEY'S PARLIAMENT, WHO IS SERVING A PRISON TERM AFTER BEING CONVICTED OF TREASON. ONE OF HER OFFENSES WAS TESTIFYING BEFORE A HUMAN RIGHTS PANEL OF THE U-S CONGRESS. (SIGNED)
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21-Nov-97 9:56 AM EST (1456 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (FRIDAY) IN A VOLATILE SESSION. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 78-HUNDRED-81, UP 54 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 309 POINTS, ABOUT FOUR PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 963, UP FOUR POINTS.

STOCK PRICES WERE VOLATILE, UP STRONGLY, THEN DOWN BEFORE REBOUNDING LATE IN THE SESSION. ANALYSTS SAY THERE IS STILL CONCERN ON WALL STREET ABOUT FINANCIAL PROBLEMS IN ASIA. HOWEVER, THERE WAS SOME OPTIMISM ON WORD THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH KOREA HAD AGREED TO NEGOTIATE A LOAN FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND.

THERE ARE REPORTS THAT THE YAMAICHI SECURITIES FIRM OF JAPAN IS CLOSE TO COLLAPSE AND WILL SOON BE LIQUIDATED. JAPANESE NEWS SERVICES SAY THE LIQUIDATION OF YAMAICHI WOULD BE THE LARGEST POST-WAR CORPORATE FAILURE IN JAPANESE HISTORY.

LOU GERSTNER HAS AGREED TO ACCEPT A SECOND TERM AS CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF I-B-M, THE WORLD'S LARGEST COMPUTER COMPANY. THE DEAL MEANS THAT MR. GERSTNER, WHO IS WIDELY CREDITED WITH REVIVING I-B-M, WILL REMAIN AT THE COMPANY FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEARS.

THE HASBRO TOY COMPANY SAYS IT WILL LAY OFF 700 WORKERS AT A TEXAS PLANT AS IT SHIFTS MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS TO MEXICO AND OTHER AREAS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.

THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL UPGRADE AND EXPAND ITS ENGINE AND VEHICLE PAINTING FACILITIES AT ITS FAMOUS ROUGE COMPLEX IN SUBURBAN DETROIT. FORD IS EXPECTED TO SPEND ABOUT TWO-BILLION DOLLARS TO MODERNIZE THE ROUGE FACILITY THAT EMPLOYS APPROXIMATELY SEVEN-THOUSAND WORKERS.

THE U-S BUREAU OF PRINTING AND ENGRAVING IS SELLING MONEY FOR MORE THAN IT IS WORTH AND PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY BUYING IT. THE BUREAU, WHICH PRINTS U-S CURRENCY, IS OFFERING UNCUT SHEETS OF DOLLAR BILLS SUITABLE FOR FRAMING. BUT THEY ARE NOT CHEAP -- A SHEET OF 32 FIVE-DOLLAR BILLS IS PRICED AT 190 DOLLARS, 30 DOLLARS MORE THAN THE BILLS WOULD BE WORTH IF CUT. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/RRM
21-Nov-97 4:54 PM EST (2154 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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