Voice of America, 98-03-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBRIGHT - KOSOVO (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BONN)

[02] E-U CURRENCY (L-S VER) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[03] EDITORIAL: PROGRESS IN MACEDONIA

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

[05] KOSOVO / WEDNESDAY (L) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

[06] KOSOVO DELEGATION RETURNS (L-ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[07] KOSOVO PROTEST (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[08] KOSOVO VIOLENCE (L) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

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

[10] ROMANIA WEAPONS AGREEMENT (S-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

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

[01] ALBRIGHT - KOSOVO (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BONN)

INTRO: THE SIX FOREIGN MINISTERS, CONCERNED WITH THE VIOLENCE IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO, HAVE AGREED TO IMPLEMENT AN ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA NEXT WEEK. BUT THE SO-CALLED CONTACT GROUP DELAYED ANY MORE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS FOR ANOTHER MONTH. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BONN.

TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT TOLD HER FELLOW MINISTERS THAT TIME IS NOT ON THE SIDE OF MODERATION. EVERY MOMENT OF HESITATION ON OUR PART, SHE SAYS, INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD THAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC WILL DELAY OPENING A DIALOGUE WITH KOSOVO'S (ETHNIC) ALBANIANS.

FACED WITH RUSSIAN OPPOSITION TO ANY ADDITIONAL ECONOMIC MEASURES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, THE CONTACT GROUP MINISTERS AGREED TO DELAY IMPOSING A FREEZE ON YUGOSLAV ASSETS ABROAD FOR ANOTHER FOUR WEEKS.

THE ONLY SIGN OF TOUGHNESS CAME WHEN THE MINISTERS AGREED TO PASS AN ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA BY NEXT MONDAY. RUSSIA HAD BEEN BLOCKING THE EMBARGO IN THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL -- AFTER IT HAD BEEN AGREED ON IN LONDON BY THE MINISTERS EARLIER THIS MONTH.

AMERICAN OFFICIALS SAY RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV TRIED TO LIMIT THE EMBARGO TO ONE MONTH, RATHER THAN LEAVING THE WEAPONS BAN OPEN ENDED. HOWEVER, HE REVERSED COURSE WHEN THE MINISTERS FROM THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, FRANCE, ITALY AND GERMANY LEFT RUSSIA ISOLATED WITHIN THE CONTACT GROUP.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS THE MINISTERS EXPECT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO OPEN THE POLITICAL DIALOGUE WITHOUT DELAY.

THE STANDARD WE EXPECT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO MEET IS VERY CLEAR. HE MUST EMBRACE THE DIALOGUE PUBLICLY, ENTER IT WITHOUT CONDITIONS, ACCEPT OUTSIDE PARTICIPATION AND TAKE POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAKING IT WORK.

AMERICAN OFFICIALS SAY ALL THE CONTACT GROUP COUNTRIES, EXCEPT RUSSIA, ARE READY TO IMPOSE A FREEZE ON YUGOSLAV FUNDS ABROAD IN FOUR WEEKS -- AS WELL AS A BAN ON PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN THE YUGOSLAV ECONOMY.

BUT SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT EXPRESSED AMERICAN FRUSTRATION THAT THE CONTACT GROUP SETTLED FOR A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON YUGOSLAVIA AT THIS TIME.

I DO NOT NEED TO TELL YOU THAT IN THE VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES, GIVEN BELGRADE'S RECENT ACTIONS, WE WOULD BE JUSTIFIED IN IMPOSING EVEN TOUGHER MEASURES. BUT I AM SATISFIED THE DECISIONS WE HAVE MADE ARE SUFFICIENT FOR NOW TO MAINTAIN THE CREDIBILITY AND UNITY OF THE CONTACT GROUP. WE HAVE SUSTAINED THE MINIMUM DEGREE OF PRESSURE NEEDED TO MOVE THE PROCESS FORWARD.

WHILE AMERICAN OFFICIALS ARE FRUSTRATED WITH THE LEAST COMMON DENOMINATOR APPROACH OF THE SIX COUNTRIES, THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THEY NEED UNITY OF THE SIX TO PASS MEASURES SUCH AS THE ARMS EMBARGO IN THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL.

THE CONTACT GROUP ALSO MET WITH THE SOUTHEAST EUROPE FOREIGN MINISTERS WHO AGREED TO ENDORSE EVERY MEASURE THE BIG POWERS TAKE AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
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25-Mar-98 12:41 PM EST (1741 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] E-U CURRENCY (L-S VER) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION (EDS: TODAY/WEDNESDAY) HAS PROPOSED THAT 11 OF THE 15 EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER STATES SHOULD JOIN THE LAUNCH OF EUROPE'S NEW SINGLE CURRENCY, THE "EURO," ON JANUARY FIRST. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: IN JUST OVER NINE MONTHS FROM NOW, THERE WILL BE A NEW CURRENCY IN EUROPE. THE FRENCH FRANC, THE GERMAN MARK, AND NINE OTHER NATIONAL CURRENCIES WILL BE ELIMINATED, AND IN THEIR PLACE WILL COME JUST ONE CURRENCY FOR ALL -- THE "EURO."

THE E-U COMMISSION HAS PUBLISHED ITS LATEST ECONOMIC FORECASTS AND ANALYSES TO SUPPORT THE CHOICE OF THE 11 COUNTRIES, WHO WILL BE KNOWN AS THE "EURO 11." THEY ARE BELGIUM, GERMANY, SPAIN, FRANCE, IRELAND, ITALY, LUXEMBOURG, HOLLAND, AUSTRIA, PORTUGAL AND FINLAND. BRITAIN, DENMARK AND SWEDEN HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT THEY DO NOT WANT TO JOIN FROM THE START. MEANWHILE, GREECE IS THE ONLY COUNTRY WHICH WANTS TO JOIN, BUT HAS FAILED TO MEET THE ECONOMIC CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP.

E-U LEADERS WILL MAKE THE FINAL DECISION ON WHICH STATES WILL JOIN AT A SPECIAL SUMMIT IN MAY, TO BE CHAIRED BY BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR. THEY ARE EXPECTED TO ENDORSE THE CHOICE OF THE "EURO 11."

THE EUROPEAN HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MUST ALSO TAKE THE DIFFICULT DECISION AT THAT MEETING ON WHO WILL BE THE PRESIDENT AND GOVERNORS OF THE NEW EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK, WHICH WILL RUN THE NEW CURRENCY.

WHILE ALL THE EURO 11 STATES MEET THE MAIN CRITERIA -- OF PUBLIC BORROWING AT OR BELOW THREE PERCENT OF NATIONAL INCOME -- ONLY THREE MEET THE SECOND TARGET, OF TOTAL PUBLIC DEBT BELOW 60 PERCENT OF NATIONAL INCOME.

ITALY AND BELGIUM HAVE PARTICULAR PUBLIC DEBT PROBLEMS, AS BOTH HAVE FIGURES OVER TWICE THE CEILING. HOWEVER, E-U COMMISSIONERS SAY THAT HIGH GOVERNMENT DEBT IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR THEM -- AS LONG AS THE COUNTRY CONCERNED IS MAKING EFFORTS TO RETURN TO BELOW THE 60 PERCENT FIGURE.

THERE ARE ALSO CONCERNS THAT ITALY AND FRANCE HAVE USED CREATIVE ACCOUNTING TO ARTIFICIALLY BRING DOWN THEIR GOVERNMENT BORROWING, AND THAT THE PRESENT LEVELS CANNOT BE SUSTAINED FOR LONG. HOWEVER, E-U COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER TOLD THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT THAT HE IS TAKING AN OPTIMISTIC STANCE. HE CLAIMS THAT THE ARRIVAL OF THE EURO ON JANUARY FIRST 1999 WILL BE A MAJOR EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF EUROPE. AND HE ARGUES THAT A EUROPE WHICH SUCCEEDS IN SUCH A PROJECT IS A EUROPE WHICH IS A WINNER, AND WHICH CAN LOOK TO THE ARRIVAL OF THE 21ST CENTURY WITH CONFIDENCE.

HE CONCLUDED THAT THE NEW EURO IS A REALITY -- AND ITS LAUNCH A CERTAINTY. (SIGNED)
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25-Mar-98 9:37 AM EST (1437 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EDITORIAL: PROGRESS IN MACEDONIA

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 FATE OF MACEDONIA IS INTIMATELY CONNECTED WITH THAT OF THE OTHER FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS. STABILITY IN MACEDONIA SERVES THE INTEREST OF STABILITY IN THE REGION AS A WHOLE. IT IS CRITICAL THAT MACEDONIA CONTINUE TO BUILD A POLITICAL SYSTEM BASED ON TOLERANCE AND THE RULE OF LAW.

MACEDONIA HAS HELD NATIONAL ELECTIONS TWICE, AS WELL AS LOCAL ELECTIONS. THE VOTING WAS JUDGED TO BE FREE AND FAIR. BUT THERE IS MORE TO DEMOCRACY THAN VOTING. DEMOCRACY REQUIRES THE EMERGENCE OF CIVIL SOCIETY. AND THAT DEPENDS ON THE GROWTH OF A MULTI-PARTY POLITICAL SYSTEM AND A NON-GOVERNMENTAL SECTOR PROTECTED UNDER LAW.

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IS ANOTHER HALLMARK OF A DEMOCRACY. SKOPJE, THE CAPITAL OF MACEDONIA, HAS THREE MAJOR NEWSPAPERS, HALF A DOZEN WEEKLY MAGAZINES AND FIVE TELEVISION STATIONS. NEW LAWS SHOULD PRESERVE PRESS FREEDOM. TO ENCOURAGE THE GROWTH OF A DIVERSE INDEPENDENT PRESS, THE U.S. HAS HELPED MEDIA OUTLETS BUY EQUIPMENT, PAY OPERATING COSTS, AND TRAIN JOURNALISTS.

ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT, MACEDONIA HAS MADE PROGRESS IN PRIVATIZING STATE-OWNED INDUSTRIES AND TAMING INFLATION. TO EXPAND ITS MARKETS, MACEDONIA HAS SIGNED TRADE AGREEMENTS WITH CROATIA, SLOVENIA, AND SERBIA-MONTENEGRO. BUT TOUGH CHALLENGES REMAIN. THEY INCLUDE SUSTAINING REAL GROWTH AND LOWERING UNEMPLOYMENT.

TENSIONS REMAIN CONCERNING CULTURE, ETHNICITY AND RELIGION IN MACEDONIA, BUT IN GENERAL VIOLENCE AND REPRESSION HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH DIALOGUE AND TOLERANCE. THE U.S. IS COMMITTED TO HELPING MACEDONIA REMAIN ON COURSE.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, V-O-A, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO COMMENT AT WWW-DOT-VOA-DOT-GOV-SLASH-EDITORIALS, OR FAX US AT (202) 619-1043.
25-Mar-98 3:00 PM EST (2000 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE UP IN TRADING WEDNESDAY IN EUROPE. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: SHARE PRICES CONTINUED UPWARD IN MOST EUROPEAN MARKETS, AFTER ANOTHER STRONG OPENING ON WALL STREET.

INDEXES CLOSED AT RECORD HIGHS IN SEVERAL MARKETS -- INCLUDING FRANKFURT, MADRID, MILAN, AND PARIS. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX ROSE MORE THAN 80-POINTS, TWO-AND-FOUR-TENTHS-PERCENT.

PRICES ALSO SET RECORDS DURING FRANKFURT'S SHORT FLOOR TRADING DAY. AND IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING, THE DAX INDEX FINISHED UP 50-POINTS, ONE-PERCENT.

LONDON WAS THE EXCEPTION. THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX CLOSED DOWN 16-POINTS, THREE-TENTHS-PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR WAS UP AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, THE BRITISH POUND, AND THE JAPANESE YEN. (SIGNED)
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25-Mar-98 1:48 PM EST (1848 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO / WEDNESDAY (L) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: AS THE INTERNATIONAL CONTACT GROUP MET IN GERMANY ON THE YUGOSLAV DISPUTE, IN PRISTINA, THE CAPITAL OF TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE, THERE WERE RIVAL DEMONSTRATIONS BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND SERBS. VOA'S GIL BUTLER HAS A REPORT FROM PRISTINA.

TEXT: SEVERAL THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIAN WOMEN MARCHED QUIETLY THROUGH THE STREETS OF PRISTINA BEFORE NOON TO PROTEST THE STATUS OF ALBANIANS UNDER SERB YUGOSLAV CONTROL. IN THE WORDS OF ONE, "WE WANT A DIVORCE FROM SERBIA."

SERBIAN STUDENTS LATER HELD A VIGIL TO EXPRESS SYMPATHY FOR POLICEMEN KILLED BY WHAT THEY CALL ALBANIAN TERRORISM. THE SECRETARIAT OF INFORMATION DISPLAYED WEAPONS IT SAID WERE CAPTURED IN THE FIGHTING THAT FLARED UP ON TUESDAY IN WESTERN KOSOVO.

ON THE DIPLOMATIC FRONT, IBRAHIM RUGOVA, LEADER OF THE DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE OF KOSOVO AND PRESIDENT OF THE SHADOW REPUBLIC OF KOSOVA, CALLED TOGETHER THE TEAM HE HOPES WILL REPRESENT THE ALBANIAN SIDE IF TALKS EVER GET UNDERWAY WITH SERBIA.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE MEETING REFUSED SUBSTANTIVE COMMENT, BUT ONE SAID AN INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR IS DEFINITELY NEEDED FOR ANY SUCH TALKS TO SUCCEED.

THE RESULTS OF THE CONTACT GROUP MEETING CAME TOO LATE IN THE DAY FOR REACTION FROM MR. RUGOVA'S PARTY, BUT A SPOKESMAN EXPECTED SOME OFFICIAL REACTION ON THURSDAY.

IT IS NOT CERTAIN WHAT THE NEW FOUR WEEK DEADLINE FOR THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE PROGRESS WITH THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS WILL MEAN FOR PEACE HERE. TUESDAY'S RENEWAL OF VIOLENCE IN WESTERN KOSOVO IS A REMINDER OF HOW QUICKLY THE SITUATION CAN DETERIORATE IN THIS UNEASY PLACE. (SIGNED)
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25-Mar-98 2:35 PM EST (1935 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO DELEGATION RETURNS (L-ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A 14-MEMBER BI-PARTISAN U-S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TOLD REPORTERS IN WASHINGTON, TODAY/WEDNESDAY, THEIR ELECTION MONITORING MISSION TO KOSOVO WAS MARRED BY OBSTRUCTION AND ARRESTS BY SERB AUTHORITIES. ONE MEMBER OF THE CONGRESSIONAL GROUP WAS DETAINED ELECTION WEEKEND (3/21-23) ALONG WITH SIX AMERICAN HUMANITARIAN WORKERS. VOA'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS:

TEXT: CONGRESSMAN ELIOT ENGEL (D-NY), CO-CHAIR OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ALBANIAN ISSUES CAUCUS, CONDEMNED WHAT HE CALLED THE WEAK JOINT RESOLUTION ISSUED IN BONN TODAY/ WEDNESDAY BY FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM SIX WESTERN COUNTRIES (THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, GERMANY, FRANCE, ITALY AND RUSSIA.):

SHAMEFULLY THE WEST, THE EUROPEANS, HAVE NOT LEARNED FROM BOSNIA. AND NOW, INSTEAD OF TAKING A STRONG STAND AGAINST GENOCIDE AND ETHNIC CLEANSING AND A STRONG STAND AGAINST WHAT THE SERB AUTHORITIES ARE DOING TO THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS, WE HAVE SEEN THE CONTACT GROUP MEETING AGAIN IN BONN, SHAKING ITS KNEES AND BEING JELLY (FLEXIBLE) INSTEAD OF TAKING A VERY STRONG STAND.

CONGRESSMAN ENGEL, HOWEVER, PRAISED U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT FOR HER COMMENTS THAT THE UNITED STATES 'IS NOT GOING TO STAND BY AND WATCH SERBIAN AUTHORITIES DO IN KOSOVO WHAT THEY CAN NO LONGER GET AWAY WITH IN BOSNIA.' THE CONGRESSMAN IS CO-AUTHOR OF A RECENT RESOLUTION CALLING FOR NEW SANCTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA AND A STRENGTHENED U-S PRESENCE IN KOSOVO. TODAY HE ALSO CALLED FOR THE IMPOSITION OF A NO-FLY ZONE OVER KOSOVO.

ALBERT CEVALLOS OF THE U-S INSTITUTE OF PEACE WAS ONE OF THOSE ARRESTED BY SERB POLICE ON SATURDAY ON CHARGES OF FAILING TO REGISTER PROPERLY TO MONITOR SUNDAY'S ELECTIONS. HE AND THE FIVE OTHER DETAINEES WERE RELEASED ON MONDAY FOLLOWING PRESSURE FROM THE U-S GOVERNMENT.

OUR DAILY EXPERIENCE IS JUST A FRACTION OF WHAT THE PEOPLE THERE EXPERIENCE. WE IN FACT, ON THE DAY WE WERE RELEASED, WERE PUT INTO A ROOM WITH A HANDFUL OF OTHER PRISONERS WHO WERE ALBANIAN, SERB AND ROMA AND THEY GOT ALONG FINE AND SAID THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE ON THE OUTSIDE DO NOT GET ALONG IS BECAUSE OF POLITICAL LEADERSHIP.

MR. CEVALLOS AND THE OTHER MALE MEMBERS OF THE GROUP OF DETAINEES HAD HAD THEIR HEADS SHAVED BY SERB AUTHORITIES. HOWEVER, STUDENT WORKER TERESA CRAWFORD OF SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY WAS SPARED THAT FATE:

AS YOU CAN SEE I WAS TREATED A LITTLE BETTER THAN THE MEN. I STILL HAVE ALL MY HAIR. THE TREATMENT THAT WE RECEIVED WAS JUST A DROP IN THE BUCKET COMPARED TO WHAT THE ALBANIANS HAVE BEEN RECEIVING THERE. WE SPENT 13 DAYS THERE MEETING BOTH ALBANIANS AND SERBIANS AND THE SITUATION FOR THEM IS WORSENING.

PREVENTED BY SERB AUTHORITIES FROM CARRYING OUT THEIR MISSION TO MONITOR THE KOSOVO ELECTIONS, THE U-S DELEGATION SAID IT INSTEAD RECEIVED HOURLY REPORTS ON SUNDAY FROM INDEPENDENT MEDIA SOURCES ACROSS KOSOVO. THE DELEGATION CONCLUDED THAT IN 29 VOTING DISTRICTS, THE ELECTIONS WERE 'FREE, FAIR AND DEMOCRATIC WITH MORE THAN ONE MILLION KOSOVARS -- OR 75 PERCENT OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS -- CASTING BALLOTS'. (SIGNED)
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25-Mar-98 5:17 PM EST (2217 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] KOSOVO PROTEST (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: AS THE (U-S AND EUROPEAN) FOREIGN MINISTERS WERE MEETING (IN BONN) TO DISCUSS KOSOVO, THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS DEMONSTRATED NEARBY TO DEMAND INDEPENDENCE FOR THE PROVINCE. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN.

TEXT: POLICE ESTIMATE AS MANY AS 40-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS TOOK PART IN THE DEMONSTRATION, MANY COMING LONG DISTANCES BY BUS OR CAR TO TAKE PART IN THE RALLY.

SPEAKERS AT THE DEMONSTRATION DENOUNCED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND TOLD THE CHEERING CROWD THAT INDEPENDENCE IS THE ONLY SOLUTION FOR KOSOVO.

PEACE IN EUROPE AND THE ENSLAVEMENT OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO CANNOT EXIST SIDE BY SIDE FOR LONG, ONE SPEAKER TOLD THE CHEERING CROWD.

BUT CALLS FOR FULL INDEPENDENCE FOR THE MOSTLY ALBANIAN PROVINCE ARE NOT LIKELY TO WIN MUCH FAVOR AMONG THE U-S AND EUROPEAN OFFICIALS TRYING TO DIFFUSE THE CRISIS.

NONE OF THE MAJOR NATIONS INVOLVED IN THE NEGOTIATIONS HAS EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR FULL INDEPENDENCE FOR KOSOVO. THE DISCUSSIONS IN BONN HAVE, INSTEAD, FOCUSED ON HOW TO PRESSURE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO RESTORE AUTONOMY TO THE PROVINCE. EVEN THAT GOAL HAS BEEN DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND ITS EUROPEAN PARTNERS IN THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP -- BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, AND RUSSIA.

ONE ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAN AT THE RALLY SAID HE HOPES FOR A PEACEFUL SOLUTION, BUT IS NOT OPTIMISTIC.

[08] KOSOVO VIOLENCE (L) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THERE WAS RENEWED VIOLENCE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE TUESDAY. A SERBIAN POLICEMAN AND AS MANY AS FOUR ETHNIC ALBANIANS WERE REPORTED KILLED IN GUN BATTLES IN WESTERN KOSOVO NEAR THE ALBANIAN BORDER. FROM KOSOVO, V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER REPORTS THE LATEST VIOLENCE COMES ONE DAY BEFORE AN INTERNATIONAL CONTACT GROUP ON KOSOVO IS TO MEET IN GERMANY.

TEXT: THE VIOLENCE CAME AS MAJOR POWERS ARE PREPARING TO MEET, IN BONN, ON WEDNESDAY, TO DECIDE IF FURTHER SANCTIONS WILL BE IMPOSED ON BELGRADE TO TRY TO FORCE AN ACCOMMODATION WITH KOSOVO'S MAJORITY ALBANIANS.

SOME STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO EASE TENSIONS - AN ETHNIC EDUCATIONAL AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED - BUT NOW THERE IS MORE TROUBLE.

AS USUAL HERE, THERE AT LEAST TWO VERSIONS OF THE STORY. THE YUGOSLAV NEWS AGENCY "TANJUG" SAYS A POLICE PATROL WAS ATTACKED BY TERRORISTS AND ONE SERB POLICEMAN WAS KILLED AND ANOTHER INJURED. THE NEWS AGENCY SAID ONE ATTACKER WAS CAPTURED AND REPORTED THAT AT LEAST PART OF THE AMBUSHING FORCE CAME ACROSS THE BORDER FROM ALBANIA. THE REPORT SAYS THE ATTACKERS TOOK UP POSITIONS IN NEARBY VILLIAGES AND A GUN FIGHT BEGIN. THE ATTACKERS REPORTEDLY USED ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADES AND AUTOMATIC WEAPONS.

OTHER REPORTS, FROM ALBANIAN SOURCES, SPOKE OF SERBIAN FORCES SWEEPING THROUGH ETHNIC ALBANIAN VILLAGES WITH AUTOMATIC WEAPONS FIRE AND HOVERING HELICOPTERS. WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE REPORTED FLEEING IN FEAR.

IT IS A SCENARIO THAT INEVITABLY RECALLS LAST MONTH'S SERBIAN POLICE ASSAULT ON A VILLAGE OF SUSPECTED KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY SUPPORTERS, IN WHICH UP TO EIGHTY PEOPLE WERE KILLED, INCLUDING WOMEN AND CHILDREN. FOREIGN JOURNALISTS HAVE BEEN PREVENTED FROM VISITING THE VILLAGES WEST OF PRISTINA WHERE THE LATEST VIOLENCE WAS REPORTED. NOW, PEOPLE HERE, WILL WAIT FOR THE DECISION OF THE CONTACT GROUP IN BONN, WHICH HAS NEW PROBLEMS IN KOSOVO TO CONSIDER, ALONG WITH THE EXISTING ISSUE OF WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT AND IT'S RESPONSE TO ETHNIC ALBANIAN DEMANDS. (SIGNED)
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24-Mar-98 7:31 PM EST (0031 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (WEDNESDAY), FRUSTRATING THOSE WHO HAD HOPED THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE WOULD BREAK THROUGH THE NINE THOUSAND MARK FOR THE FIRST TIME. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 88 HUNDRED 72, DOWN 31 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED TWO, DOWN THREE POINTS.

THE SESSION BEGAN WITH HOPES THAT THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE MIGHT MOVE ABOVE THE NINE THOUSAND LEVEL. BUT, AFTER A FEW HOURS, STOCK PRICES TURNED NEGATIVE.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS ORDERS FOR AMERICAN-MADE DURABLE GOODS -- PRODUCTS EXPECTED TO LAST THREE YEARS OR LONGER -- FELL BY ALMOST TWO PERCENT IN FEBRUARY. THERE WAS A HUGE DROP IN AIRCRAFT ORDERS AND ANALYSTS SAY THAT IS A REFLECTION OF THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS IN ASIA.

BUT HOUSING SALES IN THE UNITED STATES ARE STILL VERY STRONG. SALES, OF EXISTING HOMES LAST MONTH ROSE BY ALMOST NINE PERCENT.

THE STRONG HOUSING MARKET CAUSED SOME INFLATION WORRIES AND THE BOND MARKET WAS DOWN.

RICHARD HARRINGTON OF THE INTERSTATE JOHNSON SECURITIES FIRM SAYS THE WEAKNESS IN BONDS STOPPED THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE FROM MOVING TOWARD THE NINE THOUSAND LEVEL.

THE MOMENTUM OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE COULD VERY EASILY MAKE THAT LEVEL. BUT THE WEAKNESS IN THE BOND MARKET IS CAUSING THE HESITANCY.

ALTHOUGH STOCKS IN GENERAL WERE WEAK, MANY TECHNOLOGY ISSUES WERE FIRM OR HIGHER. THE STOCK OF THE MICROSOFT COMPANY JUMPED BY FIVE PERCENT AFTER FORECASTING BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED PROFITS FOR THE NEXT TWO QUARTERS.

ELEVEN EUROPEAN NATIONS HAVE BEEN DECLARED READY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE "EURO," THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY WHICH WILL BE INAUGURATED NEXT JANUARY FIRST. THE EUROPEAN UNION'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SAYS ALL 11 COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE EXPRESSED A DESIRE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NEW CURRENCY NOW HAVE STRONG ENOUGH ECONOMIES TO DO SO.

THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD SAYS THERE IS NO END IN SIGHT TO THE CHAOTIC CONGESTION WHICH HAS SLOWED FREIGHT TRAINS IN THE UNITED STATES TO A CRAWL AND COST SHIPPERS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THE RAILROAD HAS ALREADY SHUT DOWN ALL TRAFFIC TO MEXICO BECAUSE OF A BACKLOG OF FIVE THOUSAND FREIGHT CARS. THE PROBLEMS DEVELOPED AFTER THE UNION PACIFIC MERGED WITH THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD.(SIGNED)
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25-Mar-98 4:58 PM EST (2158 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] ROMANIA WEAPONS AGREEMENT (S-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES AND ROMANIA ARE SCHEDULED TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT DESIGNED TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON, THE AGREEMENT WILL HELP ROMANIA STRENGTHEN IT'S BORDER INSPECTIONS TO KEEP SUCH WEAPONS FROM CROSSING ROMANIAN TERRITORY.

TEXT: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THE AGREEMENT IS TO BE INITIALED MONDAY BY U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN AND ROMANIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER DURING A VISIT TO THE PENTAGON.

LT. COL. STEVE CAMPBELL, SPEAKING FOR THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT,SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL HELP TRAIN ROMANIAN CUSTOMS AND BORDER OFFICIALS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH SOME EQUIPMENT TO STOP THE SPREAD OF NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL OR CHEMICAL WEAPONS ACROSS ROMANIA'S BORDERS.

COL CAMPBELL SAYS THE EQUIPMENT WILL INCLUDE EVERYTHING FROM BINOCULARS TO RADIATION DETECTION GEAR. THE PLANNED AGREEMENT WITH ROMANIA IS SIMILAR TO ONES SIGNED WITH RUSSIA, UKRAINE, MOLDOVA, AND SOME OTHER NATIONS.

ROMANIA WAS ONCE A MEMBER OF THE SOVIET-LED WARSAW PACT, BUT IS NOW A MEMBER OF THE "PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE" AND IS SEEKING MEMBERSHIP IN NATO. (SIGNED)
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25-Mar-98 5:18 PM EST (2218 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: WHILE PRESIDENT CLINTON CONTINUES HIS TOUR OF AFRICA, A CONTROVERSY OVER WHETHER HE HAS THE RIGHT TO INVOKE EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE REGARDING THE WHITE HOUSE SEX SCANDAL BUILDS IN THIS COUNTRY. THE VISIT TO AFRICA AND THE QUESTION OF EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE ARE SUBJECTS OF SEVERAL EDITORIALS IN WEDNESDAY'S U-S PRESS.

OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE: THE POPE'S TRIP TO AFRICA; THE LATEST MOVES FROM SOME OIL PRODUCING NATIONS, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OPEC; THE LONG FIGHT TO PROSECUTE THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAN A,M 103'S EXPLOSION; AND CHANGES IN CUBAN POLICY. NOW, HERE IS ________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS APPARENTLY INVOKING EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE TO KEEP SOME WHITE HOUSE AIDES FROM HAVING TO TESTIFY BEFORE THE GRAND JURY, CONVENED BY INDEPENDENT COUNSEL KENNETH STARR, THAT IS INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT BY THE PRESIDENT. BUT EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE IS NORMALLY USED ONLY TO PREVENT AIDES FROM HAVING TO DIVULGE NATIONAL SECURITY OR OTHER SENSITIVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE NATION'S BUSINESS. WEDNESDAY'S "MIAMI HERALD" TITLES ITS EDITORIAL "PRIVILEGE, OR STONEWALLING?"

VOICE: BY INVOKING EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE, MR. CLINTON CLEARLY DOES DELAY THE CASE, FOR THE ISSUE NOW MUST BE RESOLVED IN COURT -- PERHAPS EVEN THE SUPREME COURT. MOREOVER, CLAIMING EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE CAUSES THE PRESIDENT LITTLE OR NO POLITICAL DAMAGE. MOST AMERICANS, POLLS SHOW, BELIEVE THAT IF THE CASE IS ONLY ABOUT SEX, THEN PRESIDENTIAL OBFUSCATION IS UNDERSTANDABLE AND ACCEPTABLE. BUT AMERICANS DESERVE MORE THAN THEATRICS. TO MOVE THIS CASE ALONG SPEEDILY, MR. STARR NEEDS TO SAY EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTS THE CLINTON AIDES TO TESTIFY ABOUT. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THIS INVESTIGATION ISN'T A TAXPAYER-CHARTERED FISHING EXPEDITION INTO THE PRESIDENCY'S PROTECTED WATERS.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" ALSO WONDERS WHETHER THE PRIVILEGE COVERS WHAT MR. CLINTON APPARENTLY WANTS IT TO.

VOICE: ... IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT THE RANGE OF VIABLE EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE CLAIMS THAT COULD ARISE OUT OF THE MONICA LEWINSKY CASE IS LIMITED. WHILE THE PARAMETERS OF THE PRIVILEGE ARE NOT PRECISELY DEFINED, IT CLEARLY PROTECTS ONLY THOSE COMMUNICATIONS RELATED TO THE DESIGNATED CONSTITUTIONAL FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH. IT EQUALLY CLEARLY DOES NOT PROTECT THE PRESIDENT'S CONDUCT IN HIS PERSONAL CAPACITY FROM DISCLOSURE BEFORE A GRAND JURY. IN OTHER WORDS, THE WHITE HOUSE CANNOT PLAUSIBLY CLAIM THAT MR. CLINTON'S ALLEGED IMPROPRIETIES THEMSELVES ARE COVERED .....WHY IS THE PRESIDENT FIGHTING THIS ONE AT ALL? .... IS THIS A PRESIDENTIAL EFFORT TO PUT OFF ANSWERING QUESTIONS FOR AS MANY MONTHS AS POSSIBLE?

TEXT: TURNING TO THE PRESIDENT'S TRIP TO AFRICA, "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" SAYS IN ITS EDITORIAL HEADLINE, THE TRIP "IS WORTHWHILE, BUT DON'T EXPECT MIRACLES." THE PAPER WRITES:

VOICE: IT WOULD BE SIMPLE TO DISMISS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S AFRICA TRIP AS A CYNICAL ATTEMPT TO DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM SCANDAL, TO MAKE HIMSELF SEEM MORE PRESIDENTIAL AND TO CURRY FAVOR WITH THE 12 PERCENT OF AMERICANS WITH BLOOD TIES TO THE CONTINENT. ACTUALLY, THERE ARE VERY SOUND REASONS TO GO. THE MOST IMPORTANT IS THE DESIRABILITY OF REWARDING THE RELATIVELY FEW AFRICAN LEADERS WHO HAVE CHOSEN DEMOCRACY AND FREE MARKETS (OR SEMBLANCES THEREOF) OVER TYRANNY AND STATISM. ..... APPROPRIATELY, MR. CLINTON HAS CHOSEN TO HIGHLIGHT THE POSITIVE, WITHOUT IGNORING THE NEGATIVE. HIS REMARKS UPON ARRIVING IN GHANA .... WERE A BALANCED INVENTORY OF AFRICA'S SUCCESSES AND ITS MANIFEST CHALLENGES. SINCE THE COLD WAR, [U-S] INTERESTS IN AFRICA HAVE BEEN ALMOST ENTIRELY HUMANITARIAN. IT'S TIME THAT CHANGED.

TEXT: THE PRESIDENT'S JOYOUS WELCOMES WHEREVER HE GOES IN AFRICA CAUSES "THE NEW YORK TIMES" TO THINK ABOUT HOW THE WORLD PERCEIVES THE PRESIDENCY, NO MATTER WHO HOLDS THE OFFICE.

VOICE: FOR AMERICANS ACCUSTOMED TO THE IDEA OF A DIMINISHED PRESIDENCY, THE SIGHT OF BILL CLINTON ADDRESSING A CHEERING CROWD OF HALF A MILLION PEOPLE IN GHANA AND BEING EFFUSIVELY WELCOMED IN UGANDA MUST SEEM A WONDER. IT SUGGESTS THAT THE MAJESTY OF THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER EVEN THOUGH THIS PRESIDENT IS ENGULFED BY TROUBLES IN WASHINGTON. ..... WHEN MR. CLINTON GOES ABROAD, HE DOES SO AS THE LEADER OF A NATION UNRIVALED IN ITS PROSPERITY, TECHNOLOGY, MILITARY MIGHT AND CULTURAL INFLUENCE. ..... AMERICA'S FREEDOMS AND SUCCESSES ARE ENVIED EVERYWHERE. MR. CLINTON CARRIES THAT STRENGTH WITH HIM WHEN HE TRAVELS, AND IT MAGNIFIES BOTH HIM AND THE OFFICE HE OCCUPIES. IT WILL NOT INOCULATE HIM FROM THE PROBLEMS THAT AWAIT HIS RETURN TO WASHINGTON, BUT AT A MOMENT OF PERIL IN HIS ADMINISTRATION MR. CLINTON IS ENJOYING THE RADIANCE OF THE NATION HE REPRESENTS.

TEXT: "NEWSDAY" AGREES WITH "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" NOTING THAT WHILE "THE TRIP LETS [MR.] CLINTON LEAVE SCANDAL BEHIND, .... IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT FOR AFRICA AND THE U-S":

VOICE: [MR.] CLINTON HAS CHOSEN TO VISIT NATIONS THAT EITHER HAVE ACHIEVED A STABLE FORM OF DEMOCRACY OR ARE STRUGGLING TO SUSTAIN IT DESPITE CIVIL WAR OR ECONOMIC DYSFUNCTION. THEY ARE FERTILE GROUND FOR FUTURE RELATIONS. HE'S STAYING AWAY FROM THE MOST CORRUPT AND TROUBLED OF AFRICA'S STATES.

TEXT: TODAY'S "PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD" TAKES NOTE OF THE POPE'S VISIT TO AFRICA THIS WEEK, MARVELING AT THE AUDACITY OF NIGERIAN STRONGMAN GENERAL SANI ABACHA.

VOICE: POPE JOHN PAUL ... HAS APPEARED FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR WITH A DICTATOR BY HIS SIDE. GENERAL ... ABACHA ... OUTDID EVEN FIDEL CASTRO, HOWEVER, BY NOT HAVING THE DECENCY TO CALL OFF HIS GOONS DURING THE POPE'S VISIT. THEY BEAT PEOPLE AT ONITSHA EVEN AS THE POPE WAS BEATIFYING THE BELOVED CYPRIAN MICHAEL IWENE TANSI. THE HOLY FATHER URGED RESPECT FOR 'EVERY HUMAN PERSON.' HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN THINKING OF MOSHOOD K.O. ABIOLA, WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN GREETING THE POPE AS PRESIDENT, HAVING WON THE 1993 ELECTION, BUT INSTEAD IS ROTTING IN ONE OF [GENERAL] ABACHA'S PRISONS. /// OPT /// JOHN PAUL['S] ..... CALL FOR NIGERIANS TO 'RID SOCIETY OF EVERYTHING THAT OFFENDS THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON OR VIOLATES HUMAN RIGHTS,' HOWEVER, MAY NOT OCCUR UNTIL NIGERIA IS RID OF [MR.] ABACHA HIMSELF.

TEXT: RUSSIA'S CABINET SHAKE-UP, IN WHICH PRESIDENT YELTSIN FIRED HIS ENTIRE CABINET ALONG WITH THE PRIME MINISTER, MONDAY, SHOWS HE IS TOTALLY IN CHARGE, SAYS "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR," BUT THE BOSTON PAPER ADDS:

VOICE: .... WHETHER ... THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT ... OR ANYONE ELSE, HAS YET GOT A FIRM GRIP ON THE ECONOMIC ISSUES BESETTING RUSSIA -- THAT'S ANOTHER MATTER. MR. YELTSIN SAID HE WANTED LESS POLITICAL INFIGHTING IN THE GOVERNMENT AND MORE EFFECTIVE ECONOMIC REFORM. .... NEW FACES IN KEY MINISTRIES COULD LESSEN BICKERING IN THE KREMLIN AND THUS MOVE REFORMS ALONG. ON THE OTHER HAND, REFORMS COULD BE BRIEFLY SIDETRACKED AS THE NEW TEAM SEEKS A VOTE OF APPROVAL FROM THE LARGELY ANTI-REFORM LEGISLATURE, THE DUMA.

TEXT: IN TEXAS, "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" SAYS:

VOICE: WHAT AMERICANS AND OTHERS SHOULD HOPE IS THAT MR. YELTSIN STILL POSSESSES THE WISDOM TO MAINTAIN THE ECONOMIC CHANGES THAT MARKET-ORIENTED REFORMERS LIKE NOW-DEPOSED FIRST DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ANATOLY CHUBAIS PURSUED. .... A CLOSED RUSSIAN WORLD ONLY AIDS THE NATION'S XENOPHOBES.

TEXT: A RECENT DECISION BY MAJOR OIL-PRODUCING NATIONS, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OPEC [ORGANIZATION OF PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES] DRAWS THIS RESPONSE FROM "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE WHICH CALLS THE MOVE "COLLUSION."

VOICE: THE LEADING MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION OF PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES (OPEC) PLUS NON-MEMBER MEXICO, AGREED SUNDAY TO CUT PRODUCTION QUOTAS, HOPING TO REDUCE WORLD PRODUCTION BY TWO-POINT-SIX PERCENT. THIS WAS A CHANGE FOR MEXICO. POWERFUL [EXPORTER] NORWAY HAS NOT DECIDED WHETHER TO GO ALONG. ..... BUT EVEN AT ITS MOST BENIGN, THIS DEAL IS UNLIKELY TO LAST. AS LONG AS POOR AND AMBITIOUS COUNTRIES SEE SALVATION IN OIL RESERVES, THE COMPULSION TO DEVELOP PRODUCTION IS UNSTOPPABLE, GOVERNED BY PRODUCER'S APPETITES, NOT CONSUMERS' DEMAND.

TEXT: IN DEALING WITH THE FRUSTRATION OF TRYING TO PROSECUTE THE LIBYAN AGENTS BELIEVED RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BOMBING OF PAN AM 103 OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND, "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS:

VOICE: FROM THE UNITED NATIONS COMES DOLEFUL EVIDENCE OF THE SHEER ENDURANCE REQUIRED TO FIGHT TERRORISM. IT IS NEARLY TEN YEARS SINCE A BOMB ALLEGEDLY PLANTED BY LIBYA'S INTELLIGENCE SERVICE BLEW UP PAN AM 103, KILLING 270 PASSENGERS ... AND PEOPLE ON THE GROUND ..... SINCE THEN MOAMMAR GADHAFI HAS NEVER FALTERED IN HIS SO-FAR SUCCESSFUL EFFORT TO BLOCK THE TRIAL OF HIS TWO OPERATIVES ACCUSED BY THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN IN THE CRIME. ..... TEN YEARS IS A LONG AND DISCOURAGING TIME TO BE STIFFED [DEFEATED] BY MOAMMAR GADHAFI. BUT TEN YEARS IS ALSO PROOF OF NECESSARY STAMINA TO STAY ENGAGED IN THE PURSUIT OF A TERRIBLE CRIME FOR HOWEVER LONG IT TAKES.

TEXT: "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" APPLAUDS THE RECENT RELAXATION OF SOME PARTS OF THE U-S ECONOMIC EMBARGO AGAINST CUBA, CALLING THEM "A MODEST STEP TOWARD A MORE EFFECTIVE CUBA POLICY,"

AND ADDING:

VOICE: THESE MEASURES WILL NOT EXTEND FIDEL CASTRO'S DICTATORSHIP A SINGLE DAY, NO MATTER WHAT HIS HARD-LINE ENEMIES IN THE U-S CONGRESS SAY. TO THE CONTRARY, THE MORE THE UNITED STATES HAS ISOLATED CUBA, THE EASIER [MR.] CASTRO'S TASK HAS BEEN IN KEEPING HIS COUNTRYMEN SUBJUGATED. AMERICA'S 36-YEAR-EMBARGO HAS SUCCEEDED IN MAKING ORDINARY CUBANS MISERABLE, BUT NOT MISERABLE ENOUGH TO RISE UP AGAINST [PREMIER] CASTRO.

TEXT: LASTLY, "THE MIAMI HERALD" IS CALLING FOR CONGRESS TO GIVE SOME HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS THE SAME LEGAL STATUS AS OTHERS WHO FLED CENTRAL AMERICAN HISPANIC OPPRESSION, BY ALLOWING THEM TO BECOME LEGAL ALIENS WITH GREEN CARDS.

VOICE: THE SOUTH FLORIDA HAITIANS WHO RODE ... BUSES TO WASHINGTON, D-C TO STAGE A LUNCHTIME RALLY ON THE CAPITOL STEPS MONDAY ARE FIGHTING THE CAUSE OF THEIR LIFE. THEY ARE ASKING CONGRESS TO GIVE THEM HOPE FOR A FUTURE IN THE COUNTRY WHERE THEY WORK, PAY TAXES, AND HAVE RAISED CHILDREN, SOME FOR A DECADE. ABOUT 15-HUNDRED HAITIANS RALLIED, ASKING CONGRESS TO LET THEM APPLY FOR GREEN CARDS - - AND THUS OPEN THE DOOR TO SEEKING CITIZENSHIP. LAST FALL CONGRESS OPENED THAT DOOR FOR THOUSANDS OF CENTRAL AMERICANS WHO IN THE 1980S FLED COMMUNISM AND CIVIL STRIFE. CONGRESS EXCLUDED HAITIANS [SWITCHING] ..... THE RULES ON THEM AND OTHER ALIENS THANKS TO A PERVASIVE NEW ANTI-IMMIGRANT MOOD. .... IT'S NONSENSE -- FROM HUMANE AND DIPLOMATIC STANDPOINTS -- TO DENY SO MANY WHO CALL THE UNITED STATES HOME A FAIR CHANCE TO MAKE THAT SENTIMENT LEGAL.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/KL
25-Mar-98 12:00 PM EST (1700 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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