Voice of America, 98-04-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY / GREECE / COHEN (L ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (ANKARA)

[02] TURKEY-COHEN - L UPDATE BY JIM RANDLE (ANKARA, TURKEY)

[03] BOSNIA - REFUGEES (S-ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

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

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

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

[07] THE IRISH ACCORD BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] TURKEY / GREECE / COHEN (L ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (ANKARA)

INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN IS URGING TURKEY AND GREECE TO TONE DOWN RHETORIC IN THEIR DISPUTES OVER CYPRUS AND THE AEGEAN. MR. COHEN, WHO IS BEGINNING A FIVE-NATION TRIP IN ANKARA, SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS CONSIDERING WEAPONS SALES TO BOTH TURKEY AND GREECE, BUT DOES NOT WISH TO FUEL AN ARMS RACE IN THE AREA. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE TURKISH CAPITAL.

TEXT: MR. COHEN SAYS LONG-STANDING TENSIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE OVER THE DISPUTED ISLAND OF CYPRUS ARE DIMINISHING -- IN SPITE OF REPORTS THIS WEEK THAT TURKEY IS VOWING TO USE "ANY MEANS NECESSARY" TO REMOVE POWERFUL NEW ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILES ORDERED BY GREEK CYPRIOTS.

IN AN INTERVIEW ON HIS OFFICIAL PLANE ON THE WAY TO ANKARA, MR.COHEN SAYS THE TWO SIDES ARE SHOWING SOME WILLINGNESS TO DISCUSS THIS MATTER, AND HE URGED THE GREEK-LED GOVERNMENT ON CYPRUS NOT TO TAKE DELIVERY OF THE RUSSIAN-BUILT S-300 MISSILES. HE ALSO URGES THE TURKS TO USE LESS FIERY LANGUAGE IN DESCRIBING THE ISSUE. HE SAYS HE WILL TAKE EXACTLY THE SAME MESSAGE TO THE GREEK GOVERNMENT WHEN HE VISITS ATHENS IN A FEW DAYS.

I WILL TRY TO URGE THAT THEY EXERCISE RESTRAINT AND SEEK SOMEKIND OF MEDIATION ON THIS.

BOTH GREECE AND TURKEY ARE PLANNING TO MODERNIZE OR UPGRADE SOME OF THEIR MILITARY HARDWARE. TURKEY IS SHOPPING FOR NEW TANKS AND ATTACK HELICOPTERS, AND IS EXPECTED TO IMPROVE ITS AGING FIGHTER PLANES.

GREECE IS SAID TO BE SHOPPING FOR AIR-DEFENSE SYSTEMS AS WELL AS NEW FIGHTER AIRCRAFT. MR COHEN CONFIRMS THE U-S HAS SUPPLIED ATHENS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOP-OF-THE LINE (VERY CAPABLE) F-15 FIGHTER. BUT HE SAYS APPROVAL OF ANY ARMS SALE WOULD REQUIRE A CAREFUL EVALUATION OF THE POLITICAL AND MILITARY SITUATION, AS WELL AS ACTION BY THE U-S CONGRESS.

EACH COUNTRY HAS ITS OWN SECURITY INTERESTS THAT THEY NEED TO PROTECT. OUR POSITION IS THAT WE WILL ALWAYS BE WILLING TO EVALUATE WHAT THOSE NEEDS ARE. WE CERTAINLY DON'T WISH TO CONTRIBUTE TO ANY KIND OF ARMS ESCALATION IN THE REGION.

MR. COHEN SAYS TURKEY HAS BEEN A RELIABLE ALLY TO THE UNITED STATES, AND HE INTENDS TO THANK THE GOVERNMENT IN ANKARA FOR ITS SUPPORT OF U-S ACTIVITIES IN IRAQ.

MR. COHEN WILL VISIT THE TURKISH BASE, HOME TO 14-HUNDRED PEOPLE AND 45 WARPLANES FROM THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, AND TURKEY, ENFORCING THE NO-FLY ZONE IN NORTHERN IRAQ.

AFTER TURKEY, MR. COHEN WILL VISIT JORDAN, EGYPT AND ISRAEL, WHERE HE WILL CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS OF THE SITUATION IN IRAQ AND URGE ALL SIDES TO MOVETHE PEACE PROCESS ALONG FOR ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/WTW
17-Apr-98 5:44 AM EDT (0944 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] TURKEY-COHEN - L UPDATE BY JIM RANDLE (ANKARA, TURKEY)

INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN IS DEFENDING POSSIBLE U-S ARMS SALES TO BOTH TURKEY AND GREECE, EVEN THOUGH THE TWO NEIGHBORS -- AND NATO ALLIES -- HAVE TENSE RELATIONS. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE IS TRAVELING WITH THE SECRETARY AND REPORTS FROM THE TURKISH CAPITAL .

TEXT: MR. COHEN IS IN TURKEY FOR TALKS WITH THE PRESIDENT, MINISTER OF DEFENSE AND OTHER OFFICIALS. AT A NEWS CONFERENCE, HE SAID TURKEY AND GREECE HAVE LEGITIMATE WEAPONS NEEDS AS MEMBERS OF THE NATO ALLIANCE. BUT HE URGED BOTH SIDES TO TONE DOWN THE RHETORIC IN THEIR DISPUTE OVER THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS.

IT IS OUR HOPE AND EXPECTATION THAT THE TENSIONS THAT CURRENTLY EXIST BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE, WILL BE SETTLED PEACEFULLY, AND BE NEGOTIATED, AND BE SETTLED IN A WAY THAT IS RESPONSIBLE TO THE NATO ALLIANCE.

EARLIER THIS WEEK TURKEY VOWED TO USE "ANY MEANS NECESSARY" TO REMOVE POWERFUL NEW ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILES ORDERED BY GREEK CYPRIOTS. MEANTIME, BOTH GREECE AND TURKEY ARE PLANNING TO BUY SOME NEW WEAPONS. TURKEY WANTS NEW TANKS AND ATTACK HELICOPTERS. THE GREEKS ARE SAID TO BE SHOPPING FOR AIR DEFENSES AND A NEW FIGHTER PLANE.

MR. COHEN THANKED TURKISH OFFICIALS FOR THEIR HELP IN DEALING WITH IRAQ, AND SAYS HE SPOKE WITH THEM ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES, NATO EXPANSION, AND PLANS FOR SOME MAJOR OIL PIPELINES IN THE AREA. (SIGNED).
NEB/JR/WDC/JO
17-Apr-98 1:27 PM EDT (1727 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA - REFUGEES (S-ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: INTERNATIONAL AUTHORITIES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAVE FIRED LOCAL OFFICIALS IN A TOWN WHERE A RECENTLY-RETURNED REFUGEE COUPLE WAS KILLED THIS WEEK. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS FOLLOWING THE STORY FROM OUR BUREAU IN PRAGUE, WHERE HE REPORTS THE ACTION IS THE LATEST HANDS-ON MOVE TO MAKE THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT WORK.

TEXT: HIGH REPRESENTATIVE (THE TOP INTERNATIONAL OFFICIAL) CARLOS WESTENDORP FIRED THE DEPUTY MAYOR IN DRVAR, A CROAT-CONTROLLED TOWN, WHERE RETURNING SERB REFUGEES HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY HARASSED.

THE ACTION CAME ONE DAY AFTER NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING TROOPS DISCOVERED THE BODIES OF AN ELDERLY SERB COUPLE WHO WERE SHOT-DEAD AND THEIR HOUSE SET ON FIRE. DOZENS OF OTHER HOUSES IN DRVAR HAVE BEEN BURNED THIS YEAR.

THE UNITED NATIONS ORDERED TWO SENIOR SECURITY OFFICIALS FIRED AND SAID LOCAL AUTHORITIES MUST HIRE SERB POLICE.

BEFORE THE BOSNIAN WAR, DRVAR WAS ALMOST ALL SERB. CROAT FORCES DROVE THEM OUT, BUT NOW SOME SERBS ARE TRYING TO RETURN HOME.

THE SITUATION IN DRVAR ILLUSTRATES THE DIFFICULTIES FACING THE RETURN OF REFUGEES WHO WERE DISPLACED IN WAVES OF ETHNIC CLEANSING DURING THE BOSNIAN WAR. IT ALSO SHOWS THE INCREASING WILLINGNESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO ASSUME A GOVERNING ROLE IN BOSNIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/PCF
17-Apr-98 11:51 AM EDT (1551 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE FRIDAY ENDED THE TRADING WEEK MIXED. VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: SELLING IN ASIA AND LOWER NUMBERS ON WALL STREET THURSDAY WERE SOME FACTORS MARKET ANALYSTS CITED FOR EUROPE'S TENDENCY TO SELL. BUT BUYING PICKED UP LATER IN THE DAY IN FRANKFURT AND PARIS, WHERE THE KEY STOCK INDEXES THERE FINISHED HIGHER.

THE GERMAN DAX INDEX CLOSED UP ALMOST 34 POINTS AND THE PARIS "CAC 40" GAINED ABOUT 16 POINTS. HERE IN LONDON, HOWEVER, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX WAS OFF ALMOST 80 POINTS WHEN TRADING ENDED -- A VALUE DECLINE FOR THE DAY OF ONE-AND-A-THIRD PERCENT.

CURRENCY TRADING IN EUROPE SAW THE U-S DOLLAR HOLD FIRM AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND GAIN A HALF CENT AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.

GOLD PRICES HAVE CHANGED LITTLE AT ALL IN LONDON TRADING IN RECENT DAYS. THE CLOSING FIX ON FRIDAY WAS 307-DOLLARS-75 CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/PLM
17-Apr-98 2:03 PM EDT (1803 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: COMMENTS ON THE DEATH OF CAMBODIA'S FORMER COMMUNIST DICTATOR POL POT, ARCHITECT OF THE LARGEST GENOCIDE SINCE ADOLF HITLER, ARE FILLING THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF THE NATION'S NEWSPAPERS THIS FRIDAY. OTHER SUBJECTS DRAWING THE ATTENTION OF THE PRESS INCLUDE: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S LATIN AMERICAN TRIP; THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE PAULA JONES SAGA; ANGER AT THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION FOR RULING AGAINST ENDANGERED SEA TURTLES; AND THE IRISH PEACE ACCORD. NOW JOINING US IS __________________WITH A FEW QUOTES FROM A SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS RUNNING IN FRIDAY'S U-S PRESS.

TEXT: FROM ONE END OF THE NATION TO THE OTHER, THERE ARE EXPRESSIONS OF FRUSTRATION THAT POL POT, THE KHMER ROUGE LEADER WHO ENGINEERED THE GENOCIDE OF MORE THAN ONE MILLION CAMBODIANS DURING THE 1970'S HAS ESCAPED, BY DEATH, A TRIAL ON THE WORLD STAGE. "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND, SUMS IT UP THIS WAY: "THE BUTCHER OF HIS FELLOW CAMBODIANS ESCAPED THE TRIAL HE DESERVED."

VOICE: HE WAS INDEED, AS CAMBODIAN KING NORODOM SIHANOUK SAID RECENTLY, 'ONE OF THE MOST HORRIBLE MONSTERS EVER CREATED BY HUMANITY.' ..... FOR THE UNITED STATES, POL POT WAS AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE OF THE INVOLVEMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA. FOR CAMBODIANS, HE WAS A TERRIBLE PART OF THEIR HISTORY. FOR THE WORLD, HE WAS YET ANOTHER LESSON OF HOW ONE MAN CAN PRODUCE INCREDIBLE MISERY FOR MISSIONS.

TEXT: ONE THOUSAND KILOMETERS TO THE SOUTHEAST, "THE MIAMI HERALD" TITLES ITS COMMENTARY: "REST NOT IN PEACE," BUT POINTS OUT THAT THE WORLD SHARES SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR NOT INTERCEDING IN POL POT'S EXCESSES.

VOICE: MANY CLAIM THAT POL POT'S BLOODY REIGN WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT TURMOIL WROUGHT IN PART BY THE UNITED STATES -- INCLUDING VIA ITS OFT-DENIED BOMBING RAIDS OVER CAMBODIA DURING THE VIETNAM WAR. WHEN POL POT CAME TO POWER, THE UNITED STATES HAD NO TASTE FOR ANOTHER SOUTHEAST ASIA CONFLICT AFTER VIETNAM. NOR DID ANY MAJOR NATION. WHEN WORD OF MASS MURDERS EMERGED, THE WORLD SHRUGGED. SUCH APATHY BEGETS HISTORY'S MONSTERS.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK POST" SAYS IT ALL IN ITS EDITORIALS HEADLINE, WHICH READS: "ROT IN HELL, POL POT," ADDING: "AT MOMENTS LIKE THIS, EVEN ATHEISTS PRAY THERE IS A HELL." "THE BOSTON GLOBE" REFLECTS ON THE TOLL COMMUNISM IN GENERAL HAS TAKEN OF SOCIETY DURING THIS CENTURY.

VOICE: AT CENTURY'S END THE HORRENDOUS CLASS WARS OF REVOLUTIONARY COMMUNISM, BEGINNING WITH LENIN IN RUSSIA AND CARRYING ON THROUGH CHINA, VIETNAM, AND CULMINATING IN CAMBODIA, HAVE SLACKENED. MILLIONS OF LIVES WERE LOST THROUGH EXECUTIONS AND MASS STARVATION AND IN THE GULAGS, REEDUCATION CAMPS, AND KILLING FIELDS THAT ARE COMMUNISM'S AND POL POT'S ONLY LASTING LEGACY.

TEXT: LASTLY ON THIS TOPIC, "USA TODAY" ASKS A RHETORICAL QUESTION, PROMPTED BY THE DESPOT'S DEATH: "POL POT EVADED JUSTICE, BUT WHAT OF OTHER WAR CRIMINALS?"

VOICE: BOSNIA [-HERZEGOVINA] IS HOME TO MANY, MOST NOTABLY FORMER BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC. UNTIL RECENTLY, THE WELL-GUARDED [MR.] KARADZIC FLAUNTED HIS FREEDOM WHILE U-S AND OTHER NATO TROOPS LOOKED THE OTHER WAY. ..... THE REASON: FEAR THAT HIS CAPTURE MIGHT RESTART THE VIOLENCE THAT RIPPED BOSNIA APART. ..... POL POT'S UNTIMELY DEMISE ROBBED CAMBODIA OF JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS OF ITS KILLING FIELDS. THAT DOES NOT HAVE TO HAPPEN IN BOSNIA OR ANYWHERE ELSE WHERE MASS MURDERERS HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO ESCAPE JUSTICE.

TEXT: TURNING TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S TRAVEL TO THE LATIN AMERICAN SUMMIT, "THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD" APPLAUDS THE CREATION OF A HEMISPHERIC FREE TRADE ZONE, NOTING:

VOICE: /// OPT /// A FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS, EXTENDING IN A GRAND SWEEP FROM POINT BARROW [ALASKA] TO [THE ISLAND OF] TIERRA DEL FUEGO, [SHARED BY CHILE AND ARGENTINA] IS AT THE TOP OF THE AGENDA FOR THE SECOND SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS BEGINNING IN SANTIAGO, CHILE, THIS WEEK. THE LEADERS OF ALL 34 AMERICAN DEMOCRACIES WILL BE THERE TO LAUNCH HEMISPHERIC FREE-TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, ON THE PREMISE THAT OPEN MARKETS ENCOURAGE FREEDOM AND PROSPERITY, WHILE TRADE BARRIERS DISCOURAGE THEM. /// END OPT /// THE TRANSFORMATION OF CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA FROM A STRING OF BLOODY AND CORRUPT DICTATORSHIPS TO THE DEMOCRACIES THEY LARGELY ARE TODAY IS A POLITICAL MIRACLE. THEY NEED THE SUSTENANCE OF FREE TRADE, HOWEVER, IF THEY ARE TO PROSPER AND DEVELOP FURTHER.

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, THERE IS COMMENT ON NEWS THAT PAULA JONES WILL APPEAL THE DISMISSAL, IN FEDERAL COURT, OF HER SEXUAL HARASSMENT LAWSUIT AGAINST PRESIDENT CLINTON. SAYS "THE WASHINGTON POST," HER DECISION IS "NOT GOOD NEWS FOR THE PRESIDENT," ALTHOUGH THE PAPER GOES ON TO SAY THAT HER CHANCES OF VICTORY ON APPEAL ARE SLIM, ADDING: "UNLESS, MS. JONES' APPEAL ULTIMATELY IS SUCCESSFUL, HER CASE PROBABLY ALREADY HAS PASSED ITS PEAK OF PUBLIC ATTENTION."

TODAY'S ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" IS UPSET AT THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION FOR A DECISION ADVERSELY AFFECTING ENDANGERED AMERICAN SEA TURTLES THEY ARE PROTECTED BY A U-S LAW THAT FORCES SHRIMP FISHERMEN TO USE A TRAP DOOR [CALLED A TURTLE EXCLUDER DEVICE] IN THEIR NETS TO ALLOW TURTLES ACCIDENTALLY CAUGHT TO ESCAPE. THE U-S ALSO BANS SHRIMP IMPORTS FROM COUNTRIES NOT USING THE TRAP DOOR NETS. BUT, SAYS "THE CONSTITUTION;"

VOICE: THIS MONTH ... THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION DECLARED ... THE U-S IMPORT BAN ... ILLEGAL..... THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION WISELY SAYS ... IT WILL REFUSE TO HONOR THAT RULING..... [HOWEVER] THERE'S A LARGER ISSUE AT STAKE: INTERNATIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS ARE SUPPOSED TO RESPECT NATIONAL LAWS THAT ARE PASSED FOR LEGITIMATE PURPOSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION..... IF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION CANNOT PERSUADE THE W-T-O TO LOOK MORE FAVORABLY ON VALID ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, THE W-T-O WILL PUT THE UNITED STATES IN THE AWKWARD POSITION OF CHOOSING BETWEEN ... THE ENVIRONMENT AND PARTICIPATING IN FREE-TRADE AGREEMENTS. THERE'S NO REASON WE SHOULD BE FORCED TO MAKE THAT CHOICE.

TEXT: TODAY'S "SUN" IN BALTIMORE, LOOKS FORWARD BEYOND LAST WEEK'S HISTORIC PEACE ACCORD IN NORTHERN IRELAND, TO WHAT IT CALLS THE REALLY "HARD PART."

VOICE: THE NEXT OBSTACLE IN THE TORTUOUS ROAD TO PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND IS TWIN REFERENDUMS MAY 22ND. SIMPLE MAJORITIES FOR THE SETTLEMENT IN THE PROVINCE AND IN THE IRISH REPUBLIC ARE PROBABLE. THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH. THE KEY TO MAKING THE SETTLEMENT SUCCEED WOULD BE A DECISIVE MAJORITY IN ITS FAVOR AMONG PROTESTANT VOTERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND. SUCH AN OUTCOME IS NOT ASSURED. .... A BIG VICTORY FOR THE AGREEMENT WOULD GIVE PEACE A GIANT BOOST.

TEXT: FINALLY, SOME THOUGHTS ON THE STRIFE IN ALGERIA FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES."

VOICE: MORE THAN A MONTH HAS PASSED SINCE THE UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS BEGAN ITS ANNUAL MEETING IN GENEVA, AND NO ONE HAS INTRODUCED A RESOLUTION CRITICIZING ALGERIA. THE REPEATED MASSACRES IN VILLAGES THERE ARE AMONG THE WORLD'S WORST HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES, YET THE ALGERIAN GOVERNMENT HAS DEFIED INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO INVESTIGATE THEM. TODAY IS THE DEADLINE FOR INTRODUCING RESOLUTIONS IN GENEVA. THE UNITED STATES SHOULD CALL FOR A U-N SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON ALGERIA TO VISIT REGULARLY AND REPORT ON ABUSES. ..... REMINDING ALGERIA OF THE WORLD'S CONCERN IS THE POINT, AND THAT CAN BE DONE EVEN IF THE RESOLUTION FAILS. WASHINGTON'S SPONSORSHIP ITSELF WOULD SEND A STRONG MESSAGE.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENTS FROM SOME OF TODAY'S U-S DAILY NEWSPAPERS.
NEB/ANG/MMK
17-Apr-98 10:49 AM EDT (1449 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 UP TODAY (FRIDAY) WITH THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE AT A RECORD HIGH FOR THE THIRD TIME THIS WEEK. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 91 HUNDRED 67, UP 90 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 173 POINTS OR ALMOST TWO PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 11 HUNDRED 22, UP 14 POINTS.

STOCK PRICES ROSE STEADILY ALL DAY AS SOME TRADERS TRIED TO USE THURSDAY'S DROP IN STOCK PRICES AS A BUYING OPPORTUNITY. IN ADDITION, SOME OPTIONS AND FUTURES CONTRACTS EXPIRED FRIDAY, TRIGGERING A WAVE OF BUYING PRESSURE IN THE STOCK MARKET IN THE LAST HOUR OF TRADING.

U-S INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT WAS UP ONLY MODESTLY IN MARCH AND U-S MANUFACTURING PRODUCTION ACTUALLY DROPPED.

ECONOMIC RESEARCHER RAYMOND STONE SAYS THAT REFLECTS A DROP IN U-S EXPORTS.

THE OVERALL U-S TRADE DEFICIT GREW BY MORE THAN FOUR PERCENT IN FEBRUARY, APPROACHING THE RECORD LEVELS OF THE LATE 1980'S.

THE MCDONALD'S RESTAURANT CHAIN SAYS THE ASIAN FINANCIAL SITUATION HURT ITS FIRST QUARTER PROFITS. DESPITE THAT, MCDONALD'S DID REPORT A FIVE PERCENT QUARTERLY PROFIT INCREASE.

THE CATERPILLAR HEAVY EQUIPMENT COMPANY REPORTED A NINE PERCENT RISE IN EARNINGS. THE COMPANY SAYS STRONG DEMAND IN THE UNITED STATES MORE THAN OFFSET WEAKNESS IN ASIAN MARKETS.

GENERAL MOTORS REPORTED A FIVE PERCENT DROP IN QUARTERLY PROFITS. HOWEVER, G-M'S EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK ACTUALLY INCREASED FROM LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF A LARGE STOCK BUY BACK PROGRAM WHICH HAS REDUCED THE NUMBER OF G-M SHARES OUTSTANDING BY 12 PERCENT.

THE CONSOLIDATION IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY IS NOT CONFINED TO THE UNITED STATES. THE CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK WILL MERGE WITH THE TORONTO-DOMINION CORPORATION IN A 16 BILLION DOLLAR (U-S) DEAL. THE COMBINED FIRM WILL BE THE SECOND-LARGEST BANK IN CANADA BEHIND THE COMBINED ROYAL BANK-BANK OF MONTREAL WHICH ANNOUNCED THEIR MERGER IN JANUARY.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
17-Apr-98 6:07 PM EDT (2207 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] THE IRISH ACCORD BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE GLOBAL PRESS, ESPECIALLY IN THE BRITISH ISLES AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC, IS BUSILY COMMENTING ON THE AGREEMENT REACHED LAST FRIDAY - - GOOD FRIDAY FOR MANY CHRISTIANS - - THAT PROMISES TO BRING PEACE TO NORTHERN IRELAND IF APPROVED BY REFERENDUMS.

WE GET A SAMPLING OF INTERNATIONAL PRESS REACTION NOW FROM _________________ WHO JOINS US WITH THIS WEEK'S WORLD OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THE ACCORD WAS SIGNED BY THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS AND EIGHT OF THE MAIN PROTAGINISTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND, INCLUDING SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, AND THE LEADING PROTESTANT RELIGIOUS PARTY. IT CALLS FOR SEVERAL REFERENDUMS, BY THE PEOPLE OF BOTH NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC TO ACCEPT THE ACCORD, AND A VOTE IN THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT TO GIVE UP MOST LOCAL CONTROL OF NORTHERN IRELAND TO AN ELECTED ASSEMBLY.

THERE IS ALSO A PROVISION FOR A NORTH-SOUTH COUNCIL THAT WILL MEET TO DISCUSS ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE ENTIRE IRISH IRELAND, SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION, TOURISM AND AIR AND WATER POLLUTION. OF COURSE, MANY OBSERVERS WARNED THAT EXTREM HARD LINERS AMONG BOTH UNIONISTS, WHO WANT TO REMAIN A PART OF BRITAIN, AND REPUBLICANS WHO WANT TO SEVER ALL TIES WITH BRITAIN AND BE ANNEXED BY THE IRISH REPUBLIC, MAY STILL USE BOMBS TO TRY TO DERAIL THE AGREEMENT. THE OTHER THEME, REPEATED IN NEWSPAPER AFTER NEWSPAPER WAS PRAISE FOR FORMER U-S SENATE MAJORITY LEADER GEROGE MITCHELL OF MAINE, WHO CHAIRED THE TWO YEARS OF DIFFICULT TALKS, AND FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON WHO'S SUPPORT WAS CONSIDERED CRITICAL.

WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING IN THE AFFECTED AREA, TURNING TO "THE IRISH NEWS" OF BELFAST WHICH COMMENTED:

VOICE: YESTERDAY'S MEN: THERE IS NO BETTER PHRASE TO DESCRIBE THE ULSTER UNIONIST MPS WHO HAVE VOWED TO FIGHT THE AGREEMENT SIGNED ..... BY THEIR PARTY LEADER DAVID TRIMBOE .... IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ANY MEMBERS OF THE ULSTER UNIONIST COUNCIL .... TEMPTED BY THEIR NEGATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE AGREEMENT ASK THEM WHAT THE ALTERNATIVE TO THIS DEAL IS. ..... WHAT WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE IS THAT THIS AGREEMENT GIVES US THE BEST CHANCE OF BUILDING A LASTING PEACE.

TEXT: ACROSS TOWN, "THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH" COMMENTED:

VOICE: TODAY'S NORTHERN IRELAND STANDS ON THE THRESHOLD OF A BRIGHT NEW ERA. PRAYERS HAVE BEREN ANSWERED AND AFTER A PREDICTABLY TENSE AND FRAUGHT CLIMAX TO THE NEGOTIATIONS ..... AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED. ..... THE FACT THAT THE TWO PREMIERS WERE PREPARED TO GO THE EXTRA MILE UNDOUBTEDLY HELPED TO SALVAGE THE TALKS. THE PATIENCE AND SELFLESSNESS OF THE CHAIRMAN, GEORGE MITCHELL, WAS AN IMPRESSIVE EXAMPLE TO THIS COMMUNITY. AT THE END OF THE DAY, HOWEVER, IT WAS THE PARTY LEADERS WHO TOOK THE GREATEST RISKS FOR PEACE.

TEXT: SOUTH, NOW, TO THE IRISH REPUBLIC, AND ITS CAPITOL, DUBLIN, WHERE "THE IRISH INDEPENDENT" WROTE:

VOICE: WHEN THE IRISH AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS AND THE NORTHERN PARTIES MADE THEIR HISTORIC AGREEMENT ON GOOD FRIDAY, THEY REACHED NOT AN END, BUT A BEGINNING. IT WAS A BEGINNING IN THE SENSE THAT THEY CAST OFF THE SHACKLES OF HISTORY AND LOOKED TO A NEW CONCORD FOR THE WHOLE ISLAND. BUT IT WAS ALSO A BEGINNING IN THE SENSE THAT THE AGREEMENT HAS NO EFFECT UNTIL THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND, NORTH AND SOUTH, ENDORSE IT ..... AND THAT ENDORSEMENT IS STILL UNCERTAIN.

TEXT: ACROSS THE IRISH SEA NOW, TO ENGLAND, WHERE, IN LONDON, "THE TIMES" OPINED:

VOICE: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID LAST NIGHT (4/14) IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT HE SHOULD NOT DECIDE YET WHETHER TO VISIT BOTH PARTS OF IRELAND BEFORE THE (MAY) REFERENDUM, AS HAS BEEN WIDELY ANTICIPATED. HIS PUBLIC NOTE OF CAUTION REFLECTED SECOND THOUGHTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC. IF THE BUILD-UP TO THE BALLOT DID START TO GO BADLY, AN AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL TRIP IN SUPPORT OF THE PEACE DOCUMENT COULD BE SEEN AS INAPPROPRIATE INTERFERENCE .....

TEXT: STILL IN LONDON, "THE GUARDIAN" EDITORIALAIZED THAT:

VOICE: THE IMPORTANT TEST IS WHETHER THE EX-PARAMILITARIES ARE TRULY COMMITTED TO PEACE AND DEMOCRACY - - AND THAT WILL TAKE TIME. GRANTING THEM THAT TIME - - AS WELL AS A FACE-SAVING WAY TO HAND OVER ARMS WITHOUT THE APPEARANCE OF SURRENDER - - IS A RISK. BUT, FOR THE SAKE OF PEACE, IT'S SURELY A RISK WORTH TAKING.

TEXT: AND WHAT OF GERMAN REACTION. HERE'S PART OF A BROADCAST FROM DEUTSCHLANDFUNK IN COLOGNE:

VOICE: A GREAT DAY FOR THE IRISH AND A TRIUMPH FOR THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR, WHO PUSHED FOR THE AGREEMENT MORE THAN ANY OTHER. THERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT THIS PEACE AGREEMENT: IT PROVES THAT SUPPOSEDLY INSOLUBLE PROBLEMS CAN BE SOLVED.

TEXT: AND AS REGARDS THE SPREAD OF THIS KIND OF DIPLOMACY TO OTHER SO-CALLED INTRACTABLE PROBLEMNS, WE GET THIS COMMENT FROM "THE STUTTGARTER ZEITUNG."

VOICE: THE SIGNATURES ON THE AGREEMENT WERE BARELY DRY WHEN PALESTINIAN LEADER HYASSIR ARAFAT CALLED ON BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR TO TRY SOMETHING SIMILAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST. [MR.] BLAIR WILL SOON VISIT THER MIDDLE EAST. THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT, HOWEVER, POINTED OUT THAT THE SUCCESS WAS DUE TO THE UNTIRING EFFORTS OF U-S MEDIATOR GEORGE MITCHELL. WHICH MEANS: IF ANY COUNTRY HAS THE POWER TO NEGOTIATE, IT IS THE UNITED STATES. ..... THE EUROPEANS ARE CARRYING NO WEIGHT, NOT ONLY IN THE MIDDLE EAST. .... EVEN THE PEACE AGREEMENT ON THE IRISH ISLAND WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT U-S MEDIATION.

TEXT: THERE WAS MORE PRAISE FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON AND HIS ACTIVE ROLE IN THE TALKS, FROM "CORRIERE DELLA SERA" IN MILAN, ITALY, WHICH NOTED IN A FRONT PAGE EDITORIAL:

VOICE: THE LESSON IS AN EASY ONE: DON'T EVER STOP ..... IN THIS SENTENCE, THE HISTORIANS OF THE FUTURE WILL SEE THE 'CLINTON DOCTRINE' ..... ALL 'DOCTRINES ' IN THE POST- WORLD WAR TWO WERE BORN FROM CONFLICTS .... BILL CLINTON HAS BEEN ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THAT WORLD DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE. HE MEDIATED THE HAITI CRISIS HUMBLY ..... HE INTERVENED IN THE CIVIL WAR IN THE BALKANS WITHOUT FAVORING ANY PARTY AND ACCEPTING THAT THE TRIAL AGAINST THE WAR CRIMINALS IS MORE A DESIRE THAN A REALITY. IN THE MIDDLE EAST HE SUCCEEDED, WITH PATIENCE AND ABILITY, IN OBTAINING THE HISTORIC HANDSHAKE BETWEEN [PRIME MINISTER] RABIN AND [CHAIRMAN] ARAFAT ..... NOW HIS SUCCESS IN IRELAND, WHICH HAS BEEN OBTAINED BY USING HIS DOMESTIC DOCTRINE OF TALKING AND TALKING AND TALKING ONCE MORE .....

TEXT: AT LEAST ONE RUSSIAN DAILY , "NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA" CONSIDERED IT A "BIG VICTORY FOR [MR.] CLINTON."'

VOICE: TOWARD THE END OF THE TALKS, BILL CLINTON LITERALLY SAT BY THE TELEPHONE AND INTERVENED AT THE VERY LAST MINUTE, WHEN, AT TONY BLAIR'S REQUEST, HE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH ONE OF THE MOST INTRACTABLE MEMBERS OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S DELEGATION. FOR [MR.] CLINTON, IT IS A BIG VICTORY, BOTH ABROAD AND AT HOME, WITH PEOPLE OF IRISH DESCENT HAVING STRONG INFLUENCE IN AMERICA, ESPECIALLY IN THE SENATE.

TEXT: SUCCINCTLY PUT, BY CANADA'S "GLOBE AND MAIL" IN TORONTO, ONTARIO, WAS THIS ASSESSMENT:

VOICE: PEACE HAS NOT BEEN ACHIEVED. BUT IT HAS BEEN MADE THINKABLE. .... THE VICTORY OF POLITICS IS THE VICTORY OF WORDS, NEGOTIATION AND COMPROMISE OVER GUNS, INTIMIDATION AND ZEALOTRY .....

TEXT: TURNING BRIEFLY TO THE MIDDLE EAST, THERE WAS SOME HOPEFULLNESS OF BENEFICIAL FALLOUT IN THIS ISRAELI ASSESSMENT FROM "MAARIV."

VOICE: THE AGREEMENT IN IRELAND MAY HAVE PRACTICAL AND DIRECT REPERCUSSIONS ON THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS, IF ONLY BECAUSE IT WILL PROVIDE RENEWEE MOMENTUM TO THE INTERNATIONAL, ESPECIALLY AMERICAN, DESIRE TO SOLVE REGIONAL CONFLICTS. ..... THE DIPLOMATIC ACHIEVEMENT IN IRELAND WILL MAKE A HERO OF BRITISH PREMIER TONY BLAIR, WHO IS DUE HERE IN A FEW DAYS. ISRAELI POLITICIANS WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO TELL THE BRITONS: 'SORT OUT YOUR PROBLEMS IN NORTHERN IRELAND BEFORE YOU COME TO US, 'THE PUNCH LINE MOST RECENTLY USED WITH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK.

TEXT: IN SAUDI ARABIA, JEDDAH'S "AL-MADINA" EDITORIALIZED:

VOICE: ULSTER'S PEACE PACT .... HAS PROVEN THAT BILL CLINTON IS REALLY A POLITICAL HEAVYWEIGHT .....[MR.] CLINTON FOCUSED ON THE THREE MAJOR U-S ETHNIC GROUPS WITH POLITICAL INFLUENCE. THE FIRST MINORITY IS JEWS, WITH WHOM [MR.] CLINTON HAS ACQUIRED EXCEPTIONAL APPRECIATION AS THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT MOST SUPPORTIVE OF ISRAEL IN AMERICAN HISYTORY ...... THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT HAS SECURED THE INTENSE SUPPORT OF THE SECOND MINORITY, BLACK AMERICANS ... BY MAKING THE LONGEST TOUR TO AFRICA BY ANY SITTING AMERICAN PRESIDENT ... THE THIRD MINORITY ARE AMERICANS OF IRISH BACKGROUNDS, WHO NUMBER MORE THAN 40 MILLION. HE HAS WON THEIR SUPPORT ....THE ULSTER PEACE ACCORD MEANS THAT ARAB AMERICANS MUST GET READY TO DEAL WITH A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT AT THE WHITE HOUSE AFTERT THE YEAR TWO-THOUSAND.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDED THIS SAMPLING OF WORLD PRESS REACTION TO THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE ACCORD. (SIGFNED)
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16-Apr-98 7:13 PM EDT (2313 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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