Voice of America, 98-02-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] BULGARIA ECONOMY (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

[02] CLINTON/BULGARIA ONITER (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[03] CYPRUS ELECTION (L ONLY) BY CHRIS DRAKE (NICOSIA)

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

[05] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

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

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

[01] BULGARIA ECONOMY (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: BULGARIAN PRESIDENT PETAR STOYANOV IS IN THE UNITED STATES WHERE HE IS SEEKING FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT TO ASSIST IN THE FREE MARKET TRANSFORMATION. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS THE BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT RECENTLY HAS BEEN GETTING SOME HIGH MARKS FOR ECONOMIC PROGRESS.

TEXT: THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND SAYS BULGARIA IS MAKING BETTER THAN EXPECTED PROGRESS ON BRINGING DOWN INFLATION AND REDUCING ITS BUDGET DEFICIT. THE I-M-F OFFICIAL RESPONSIBLE FOR BULGARIA SAID IN SOFIA LAST WEEK THAT WITH THE ECONOMY STABILIZED, THERE IS A NEED NOW TO FORCEFULLY MOVE AHEAD WITH PRIVATIZATION, PARTICULARLY OF THE BANKS.

ONE YEAR AGO BULGARIA'S ECONOMY SPUN OUT OF CONTROL WITH 200 PERCENT MONTHLY INFLATION, FOOD SHORTAGES, AND STREET PROTESTS. THE CENTER-RIGHT COALITION SWEPT TO POWER IN APRIL'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION TOOK TOUGH ACTION TO STABILIZE THE CURRENCY BY LINKING IT AT A FIXED RATE WITH THE GERMAN MARK. MONTHLY INFLATION HAS RECENTLY DECLINED TO ONE PERCENT.

ANOTHER FAVORABLE REPORT COMES FROM THE PLANECON RESEARCH AGENCY HERE IN WASHINGTON. PLANECON EXPERTS LIKEWISE CREDIT THE GOVERNMENT WITH MAKING PROGRESS ON THE BUDGET AND INFLATION. BUT PLANECON ECONOMISTS SAY ORGANIZED CRIME AND CORRUPTION ARE THE TWO BIGGEST PROBLEMS THAT HAVE YET TO BE OVERCOME.

PRESIDENT STOYANOV, IN AN INTERVIEW WITH V-O-A (ONE WEEK AGO) SAID FOREIGN INVESTMENT IS WELCOME IN BULGARIA. THE PRESIDENT SPOKE THROUGH AN INTERPRETER.

IF TWO YEARS AGO, AMERICANS OR ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER, HAD ASKED ME WHETHER IT WAS WORTH INVESTING IN BULGARIA I WOULD HAVE SAID IT IS EARLY. DON'T RISK IT. WAIT. BUT NOW MY MESSAGE IS, IT IS A STABLE COUNTRY. RUN. COME AND INVEST.

THE PLANECON CONSULTANCY SAYS AFTER MAKING INITIAL PROGRESS IN ECONOMIC REFORM THE FORWARD MOMENTUM HAS BEEN LOST. IT SAYS THE POLITICAL CONSENSUS IN FAVOR OF REFORM WILL BE LOST UNLESS DECISIVE ACTION IS TAKEN TO FIGHT CORRUPTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/PT
09-Feb-98 6:16 PM EST (2316 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CLINTON/BULGARIA ONITER (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON MEETS AT THE WHITE HOUSE LATER TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH BULGARIAN PRESIDENT PETAR STOYANOV. THEY WILL DISCUSS BOSNIA AND BULGARIAN EFFORTS TO MORE FULLY INTEGRATE WITH THE REST OF EUROPE. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS SAY THE MEETING WILL UNDERLINE U-S SUPPORT FOR REFORMS UNDERTAKEN IN BULGARIA SINCE MR. STOYANOV'S COALITION CONSOLIDATED POWER LAST YEAR -- AND TO EXPRESS BACKING FOR BULGARIA'S DRIVE FOR MEMBERSHIP IN EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING THE EUROPEAN UNION.

THE PRESIDENT'S UNION OF DEMOCRATIC FORCES COALITION WON A LANDSLIDE VICTORY IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS LAST APRIL AND EMBARKED ON AN AMBITIOUS REFORM PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE SALE OF MONEY-LOSING STATE ENTERPRISES.

THE PLAN HAS STABILIZED THE ECONOMY AND PUT BULGARIA ON, AS ONE OFFICIAL HERE PUT IT, THE RIGHT TRACK. THE TWO LEADERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS PLANS FOR A CONTINUING NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING PRESENCE IN BOSNIA, AND BULGARIA'S ASPIRATIONS TO EVENTUALLY JOIN THE ALLIANCE.

PRESIDENT STOYANOV WILL ALSO MEET WORLD BANK DIRECTOR JAMES WOLFENSOHN AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS BEFORE DEPARTING FOR HOME LATE THURSDAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/WDC/RRM
09-Feb-98 3:38 PM EST (2038 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CYPRUS ELECTION (L ONLY) BY CHRIS DRAKE (NICOSIA)

INTRO: GREEK CYPRIOTS WILL VOTE AGAIN ON SUNDAY AFTER THE FIRST ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS FAILED TO PROVIDE AN OUTRIGHT WINNER. THE TWO FRONT-RUNNERS -- INCUMBENT GLAFCOS CLERIDES AND FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER GEORGE IACOVOU -- EACH GAINED ABOUT 40 PERCENT OF THE VOTE. AND, AS CHRIS DRAKE REPORTS FROM NICOSIA, THE TWO MEN NOW ARE TRYING TO WIN SUPPORT FROM THE FIRST ROUND'S FIVE LOSING CANDIDATES.

TEXT: IN NEXT SUNDAY'S RACE, IT IS WHICHEVER OF THE TWO GAINS THE MOST VOTES, WITH NO MINIMUM REQUIRED. SINCE VOTING IS COMPULSORY IN CYPRUS, THERE WILL AGAIN BE NEARLY 450-THOUSAND GREEK CYPRIOTS TAKING PART.

THE POWER BROKERS ARE THE OTHER FIVE CANDIDATES. FOR ITS FROM THE 19 PER CENT THEY GAINED THAT THE CRUCIAL VOTES MUST COME TO ELECT EITHER MR. CLERIDES OR MR. IACOVOU.

THAT MEANS THEY WILL HAVE TO BE OFFERED INCENTIVES, SUCH AS MINISTERIAL POSTS IN A COALITION GOVERNMENT, BEFORE THEY RECOMMEND TO THEIR OWN SUPPORTERS WHICH MAN TO SUPPORT. THE WOOING IS ALREADY IN FULL SWING, BUT IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO PREDICT THE LIKELY OUTCOME.

THE MOST IMPORTANT MAN IS VASSOS LYSSARIDES, THE 78-YEAR-OLD SOCIALIST PARTY LEADER, WHO CAME THIRD AND IS NOW BEING DUBBED HERE AS THE "KING-MAKER."

APART FROM VOTES, HIS ATTRACTION IS DR. LYSSASRIDES' CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH EUROPE. CYPRUS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN FORMAL MEMBERSHIP TALKS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION NEXT MONTH. AND SINCE 12 OF THE 15 E-U MEMBER COUNTRIES HAVE SOCIALIST GOVERNMENTS, DR LYSSARIDES IS REGARDED AS HAVING AN INFLUENTIAL ROLE TO PLAY.

NEXT MONTH ALSO SEES THE RESUMPTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO REUNITE THE GREEK CYPRIOTS WITH THEIR TURKISH COUNTERPARTS IN THE NORTH OF THE ISLAND.

THE EFFORT IS LED BY THE UNITED NATIONS AND IS FIRMLY BACKED BY THE UNITED STATES. PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUS, RICHARD HOLBROOKE, OS STANDING BY TO VISIT.

PROSPECTS FOR A SETTLEMENT DO NOT LOOK GOOD, HOWEVER. AND WITH THE THREAT OF MILITARY CONFLICT HANGING OVER NOT JUST CYPRUS, BUT GREECE ARID TURKEY AS WELL, WHOEVER BECOMES THE NEXT CYPRIOT PRESIDENT WILL FACE AN IMMEDIATE CHALLENGE. (SIGNED)
NEB/CD/JWH
09-Feb-98 9:21 AM EST (1421 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE MIXED IN TRADING MONDAY ON EUROPEAN MARKETS. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: PRICES STARTED UP ON ALL THREE MAJOR EUROPEAN EXCHANGES, BUT THEN FELL BACK AFTER A SLOW OPENING ON WALL STREET TO CLOSE AT THE DAY'S LOWEST LEVELS.

IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX ENDED THE FLOOR-TRADING DAY UP MORE THAN 67 POINTS, ABOUT ONE-AND-ONE-HALF PERCENT. BUT THE GERMAN MARKET THEN DROPPED BACK ABOUT FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX CLOSED DOWN ALMOST 29 POINTS, ABOUT ONE-HALF PERCENT.

THE EXCEPTION WAS PARIS. THE CAC-40 INDEX ENDED UP MORE THAN FOUR POINTS, ONE-TENTH PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR ROSE SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND AND THE GERMAN MARK. IT WAS UNCHANGED AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWH/MMK
09-Feb-98 12:55 PM EST (1755 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A GROWING FEUD BETWEEN THE WHITE HOUSE AND KENNETH STARR, THE MAN APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE THE WHITEWATER REAL ESTATE DEAL IN ARKANSAS WHO IS NOW ALSO PROBING THE PRESIDENT'S ALLEGED AFFAIR WITH A WHITE HOUSE INTERN, IS PROVIDING MATERIAL FOR MANY EDITORIALS THIS MONDAY. OTHER TOPICS TO BE FOUND IN THE PAPERS INCLUDE: THE ASIAN ECONOMIC CRISIS; THE NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY; TURMOIL IN ARMENIAN POLITICS; AND THE NEED FOR A NEW SURGEON GENERAL IN THIS COUNTRY. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IS ___________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE MAN IN CHARGE OF THE WHITEWATER INVESTIGATION, KENNETH STARR HAS RECENTLY BEEN GIVEN PERMISSION TO EXPLORE QUESTIONS OF CHARACTER AND POSSIBLE ILLEGALITY INVOLVING PRESIDENT CLINTON AND A WHITE HOUSE INTERN, MONICA LEWINSKY. WITHIN THE PAST FEW DAYS, MR. STARR HAS BEEN ATTACKED BY THE WHITE HOUSE FOR ALLEGEDLY ALLOWING BITS OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION FROM HIS PROBE TO FIND THEIR WAY INTO THE PRESS -- SO CALLED "LEAKS." SEVERAL PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE SEEMINGLY ENDLESS WHITEWATER SPECIAL COUNSEL'S INVESTIGATION, INCLUDING "USA TODAY."

VOICE: HELL HATH NO FURY LIKE A PRESIDENT ACCUSED, AND ACCUSED AND ACCUSED. ACCORDINGLY, THE PRESIDENT'S NEWEST LINE OF DEFENSE IS TO ACCUSE HIS INVESTIGATORS. .... NO ONE SHOULD BE CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE. [MR.] STARR RESPONDED TO THE CLINTON ASSAULT BY CHARGING THAT THE PRESIDENT IS TRYING TO TURN THE TABLES AS A DIVERSIONARY TACTIC ..... FURTHER, [MR.] CLINTON AND COMPANY LAUNCHED THEIR STARR WARS [A PLAY ON WORDS, REFERRING TO THE VERY POPULAR MOTION PICTURE "STAR WARS,"] WITH INNUENDO, NOT FACT -- THE VERY ABUSE THEY SAY THE PROSECUTOR HAS COMMITTED.... AS A LAWYER, [PRESIDENT] CLINTON KNOWS THE RULES. IF HE TRULY WANTS THIS SCANDAL TO GO AWAY, MORE ANSWERS AND FEWER DODGES [DIVERSIONARY TACTICS OR FEINTS] WOULD MAKE HIS CASE STRONGER.

TEXT: IN MAINE, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" REMINDS READERS THAT ASIDE FROM THE SEXUAL ALLEGATIONS; "CAMPAIGN FINANCE IS A MORE SERIOUS ISSUE."

VOICE: ... WE URGE ATTENTION BE PAID TO A MORE SUBSTANTIAL STORY OF POSSIBLE WRONGDOING.... A CENTRAL FIGURE IN THE PROBE OF DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN FUND RAISING TACTICS HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. WHILE THE INTERN MATTER SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, IT SHOULDN'T OVERSHADOW THE CRITICAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE PROBE. YAH LIN (CHARLIE) ... TRIE'S ARREST SHOWS AGAIN THE NEED FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO TO APPOINT AN INDEPENDENT SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE MESS.... AMERICANS SHOULD NOT LET THE STORY OF THE PRESIDENT AND THE INTERN DISTRACT THEM FROM THE SERIOUS POSSIBILITY THAT HIGH-RANKING OFFICIALS VIOLATED A PUBLIC TRUST.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" IS WARNING READERS THAT ALTHOUGH THINGS HAVE IMPROVED SLIGHTLY AMONG ASIA'S HARD HIT ECONOMIES, IT WOULD BE FOOLISH FOR ANYONE INCLUDING CONGRESSMEN, TO THINK THE FINANCIAL CRISIS HAS ABATED.

VOICE: ..... IT IS TOO SOON TO RELAX. FOR MILLIONS OF WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN INDONESIA, THAILAND, SOUTH KOREA AND ELSEWHERE, TROUBLE IS JUST BEGINNING. EVEN IF THEIR NATIONS' CURRENCIES AND STOCK MARKETS HAVE BOTTOMED OUT, THE CONSEQUENCES OF RISING UNEMPLOYMENT, SLOWED ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DECLINING STANDARDS OF LIVING HAVE YET TO UNFOLD. TO SOME EXTENT, SUCH CONSEQUENCES ARE UNAVOIDABLE. BUT AMERICANS HAVE MORE THAN A HUMANITARIAN INTEREST IN MITIGATING ASIA'S PAIN.... THE FINANCIAL SITUATION REMAINS PRECARIOUS. /// OPT /// THIS IS ESPECIALLY SO IN INDONESIA, WHERE THE DICTATORIAL PRESIDENT SUHARTO REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR MORE DEMOCRACY OR TO PREPARE THE GROUND FOR A POLITICAL TRANSITION. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: "THE POST" CALLS ON CONGRESS TO SUPPORT THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND WITH MORE MONEY TO HELP STABILIZE THE SITUATION, AS DIRECTLY IN AMERICA'S INTEREST.

POLITICAL TURMOIL IN ARMENIA, CULMINATED BY THE FORCED RESIGNATION LAST WEEK OF ARMENIA'S PRESIDENT, LEVON TER-PETROSIAN, HAS CAPTURED THE ATTENTION OF SEVERAL PAPERS, INCLUDING "THE BOSTON GLOBE."

VOICE: [MR.] TER-PETROSIAN'S DEMISE WAS CAUSED BY ACUTE DIFFERENCES OVER TERMS FOR A SETTLEMENT OF THE 1988-94 WAR IN WHICH ARMENIA CAPTURED NOT ONLY NAGORNO-KARABAKH, BUT ALSO PARTS OF AZERBAIJAN PROPER. ARMENIA'S INTERNAL POLITICAL DISPUTE CANNOT BE SEPARATED FROM AN ISSUE OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO THE ENTIRE REGION OF THE TRANSCAUCASUS .....[MR.] TER-PETROSIAN WAS FORCED OUT BY MEMBERS OF HIS OWN GOVERNMENT WHO TAKE A HARD LINE ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH AND DID NOT WANT HIM TO ACCEPT A PHASED PEACE ARRANGEMENT EMANATING FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MEDIATORS OF THE MINSK GROUP. ....[MR.] TER-PETROSIAN TOOK THE REALISTIC VIEW THAT ARMENIA'S POSITION WOULD ONLY GET WEAKER OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND THAT IT WAS IN ARMENIA'S INTEREST TO OVERCOME PASSION AND SEEK A COMPROMISE. THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER CONCERNED PARTIES SHOULD ENCOURAGE HIS SUCCESSOR TO BE AS CLEARHEADED.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS ALSO CONCERNED, CALLING THE RESIGNATION "A DISTURBING DEVELOPMENT FOR PEACE AND ETHNIC HARMONY IN THE CAUCASUS."

VOICE: MR. TER-PETROSSIAN WAS ALREADY UNPOPULAR, LARGELY DUE TO SUSPICIONS THAT HE WON THE 1996 ELECTION THROUGH FRAUD. BUT HIS PEACE PLAN, SEEN BY MANY ARMENIANS AS A SELLOUT, IS THE ONLY REALISTIC SOLUTION TO THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH WAR, WHICH ... THREATENS THE STABILITY OF THE OIL-AND-GAS-RICH CASPIAN SEA REGION. .... THE SPONSORS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS ... MUST SCRAMBLE TO KEEP THE PEACE EFFORT FROM COLLAPSE."

TEXT: TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO RATIFY THE COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY SIGNED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON IN 1996, CURRENTLY HELD UP IN THE SENATE.

VOICE: RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HOLDUP FALLS ON SENATOR JESSE HELMS, REPUBLICAN OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAIRMAN OF THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, WHO HAS YET TO SCHEDULE HEARINGS ON THE TREATY. HIS INACTION THREATENS TO PREVENT THE UNITED STATES FROM HAVING A SEAT AT THE TABLE NEXT YEAR WHEN A SPECIAL CONFERENCE OF NATIONS THAT HAVE RATIFIED THE TREATY MEETS TO CONSIDER HOW THE ACCORD CAN BE MORE QUICKLY PUT INTO FORCE. THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE WORLD'S LEADING NUCLEAR POWER WILL BE WITHOUT A VOICE AT THAT IMPORTANT MEETING IS AS EMBARRASSING AS IT IS ABSURD.

TEXT: LASTLY, CONCERN ON THE PART OF BOTH "THE WASHINGTON POST" AND "THE NEW YORK TIMES" ON THE NEED FOR A NEW SURGEON GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES, A POST THAT HAS BEEN VACANT FOR THREE YEARS SINCE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S LAST NOMINEE WAS DEFEATED BY CONSERVATIVES IN CONGRESS AND WITHDREW HIS NOMINATION. SAYS "THE NEW YORK TIMES:"

VOICE: ..... IF A BAND OF CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN SENATORS HAS ITS WAY, THE WAIT [FOR A NEW SURGEON GENERAL] WILL CONTINUE. THEY WANT TO BLOCK CONFIRMATION OF A HIGHLY RESPECTED NOMINEE BECAUSE OF HIS MILDLY STATED VIEWS ON ABORTION. SOME CRITICS ARE EVEN WILLING TO ELIMINATE THE OFFICE. THE ATTACKS ARE GROTESQUELY OVERSTATED AND DESERVE A SHARP REBUFF WHEN THE ISSUE COMES TO THE FLOOR OF CONGRESS THIS WEEK. THE OFFICE IS WORTH KEEPING, AND DR. DAVID SATCHER IS SUPERBLY QUALIFIED TO FILL IT.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE END THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM THE DAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/MMK
09-Feb-98 10:38 AM EST (1538 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (MONDAY) IN SOME APPARENT PROFIT-TAKING. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 81 HUNDRED 80 DOWN NINE DOWN POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 10, DOWN ALMOST TWO POINTS.

ANALYSTS EXPECTED SOME PROFIT-TAKING AFTER THE STRONG RALLIES OF LAST WEEK WHEN THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED MORE THAN THREE PERCENT. THERE WAS ALSO NO MAJOR ECONOMIC NEWS TO MOVE STOCK PRICES IN GENERAL.

THE STOCK OF GENERAL MOTORS ROSE AFTER THE COMPANY ANNOUNCED A FOUR BILLION DOLLAR STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM. G-M WILL BE BUYING ABOUT 10 PERCENT OF ITS OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK AND IT'S THE COMPANY'S LARGEST STOCK BUYBACK EVER.

THE C-V-S CORPORATION SAYS IT WILL ACQUIRE THE ARBOR DRUG CHAIN IN A ONE AND ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLAR STOCK DEAL. THE DEAL WILL MAKE C-V-S THE LARGEST DRUG STORE CHAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.

A CONSOLIDATION IN THE WATER TREATMENT INDUSTRY WAS ANNOUNCED. THE U-S FILTER CORPORATION WILL BUY THE CULLIGAN COMPANY IN A ONE AND ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLAR STOCK DEAL.

THE PAGING NETWORK COMPANY, THE LARGEST TELEPHONE PAGING SERVICE IN THE UNITED STATES, SAYS IT WILL CUT 18 HUNDRED JOBS OR ABOUT 30 PERCENT OF ITS TOTAL WORK FORCE. THE PAGING INDUSTRY HAS FACED INCREASING COMPETITION FROM CELLULAR TELEPHONE COMPANIES.

THE RECENT GROWTH OF THE AMERICAN CIGAR INDUSTRY IS DRAWING SCRUTINY FROM THE U-S GOVERNMENT. FEDERAL REGULATORS ARE DEMANDING THAT CIGAR COMPANIES REPORT THEIR TOTAL ADVERTISING AND MARKETING EXPENDITURES AND HOW THOSE MIGHT RELATE TO THE INCREASE IN SALES. THE REGULATORS ARE SAID TO BE CONCERNED THAT CIGAR SMOKING IS RISING AMONG AMERICAN ADOLESCENTS. THE 95TH ANNUAL TOY FAIR OPENED IN NEW YORK CITY WITH PREDICTIONS OF ANOTHER STRONG YEAR. LAST YEAR, ABOUT 23 BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF TOYS WERE SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES, AN ALMOST EIGHT PERCENT INCREASE FROM 1996. AS ALWAYS, NEW PRODUCTS ARE EXPECTED TO STIMULATE DEMAND. THIS YEAR, THERE IS MUCH TALK ABOUT "TELETUBBIES." FROM THE HASBRO TOY COMPANY. "TELETUBBIES" ARE DOLLS MODELED ON CHARACTERS IN A BRITISH TELEVISION SHOW WHICH WILL SOON BE REGULARLY BROADCAST IN THE UNITED STATES.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF
09-Feb-98 4:55 PM EST (2155 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: TURKISH NEWSPAPERS REPORT THOUSANDS OF TURKISH TROOPS HAVE CROSSED INTO NORTHERN IRAQ. BUT AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS TURKISH OFFICIALS DENY THAT ANY TROOPS CROSSED INTO THE WESTERN-PROTECTED KURDISH ENCLAVE.

TEXT: TURKISH NEWSPAPERS REPORT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TURKISH TROOPS BACKED BY TANKS CROSSED INTO KURDISH-CONTROLLED NORTHERN IRAQ. THE REPORTS SAY THE ACTION IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT AN INFLUX OF KURDISH REFUGEES FROM CROSSING INTO TURKEY IN CASE OF U-S AIR STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ.

EYEWITNESSES SAID THE TROOPS WERE ACCOMPANIED BY MEDICAL TEAMS AND KURDISH GUIDES FROM THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, K-D-P -- ONE OF THE MAIN KURDISH FACTIONS CONTROLLING THE ENCLAVE.

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN NECATI UTKAN DENIED THERE WERE ANY TROOP MOVEMENTS. BUT, MILITARY OFFICIALS CONFIRMED THAT TURKISH FORCES WERE BEING MASSED ALONG THE BORDER WITH IRAQ IN PREPARATION FOR A POSSIBLE INCURSION.

TURKEY SAID LAST WEEK IT WOULD SEND TROOPS INTO NORTHERN IRAQ TO STOP A POSSIBLE WAVE OF IRAQI KURDISH REFUGEES IN CASE OF U-S AIR STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ.

NEARLY ONE-MILLION KURDS MASSED ALONG THE TURKISH BORDER AND TRIED TO CROSS INTO TURKEY AFTER THE 1991 GULF WAR WHEN THEIR REBELLION AGAINST THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT FAILED. TURKEY SAYS IT DOES NOT WANT A REPEAT OF THAT SITUATION.

TURKISH OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN QUOTED BY TURKISH NEWSPAPERS AS SAYING TURKISH TROOPS WOULD SET UP A BUFFER ZONE INSIDE NORTHERN IRAQ TO PREVENT A POSSIBLE NEW INFLUX.

TURKISH TROOPS FREQUENTLY STAGE CROSS BORDER OPERATIONS INTO NORTHERN IRAQ IN PURSUIT OF SEPARATIST KURDISH GUERRILLAS OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, P-K-K. THE TURKISH KURD GROUP HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR SELF-RULE IN TURKEY'S MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST REGION FOR NEARLY 14YEARS AND HAS BASES IN NORTHERN IRAQ.

IRAQI KURDISH OFFICIALS SAY UP TO EIGHT-THOUSAND TURKISH TROOPS ARE PERMANENTLY BASED IN NORTHERN IRAQ. MANY BELIEVE TURKEY IS SENDING FURTHER TROOPS INTO THE ENCLAVE BECAUSE IT FEARS WESTERN GOVERNMENTS LED BY THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN WANT TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE IN NORTHERN IRAQ IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE PLANNED STRIKES. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH
09-Feb-98 8:46 AM EST (1346 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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