Voice of America, 98-04-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] AFGHAN E-U (L-O) BY SARAH HORNER (ISLAMABAD)

[02] BELGIUM CRISIS (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[03] BOSNIAN REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[04] EURO HEARING (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

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

[06] KOSOVO - CONTACT GROUP (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

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

[08] NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE (PART I) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[09] SENATE-NATO (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[10] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[11] TURKEY/KURDS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[01] AFGHAN E-U (L-O) BY SARAH HORNER (ISLAMABAD)

INTRO: A EUROPEAN UNION MISSION HAS COMPLETED A FIVE-DAY VISIT TO AFGHANISTAN BY SAYING THERE MUST BE CHANGES IN THE COUNTRY OR AID WILL BE CUT. AS SARAH HORNER REPORTS, THE MISSION'S ASSESSMENT COMES A WEEK BEFORE A MEETING OF DONOR COUNTRIES IN LONDON.

TEXT: THE LEADER OF THE E-U MISSION, MUKESH KAPILA, CRITICIZED THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION UNDER THE TALEBAN'S VERSION OF ISLAMIC LAW THAT LARGELY STOPS FEMALES FROM WORKING OR BEING EDUCATED, AND FORCES MEN TO GROW LONG BEARDS. HE ALSO CRITICIZED THE LAWLESSNESS IN AREAS CONTROLLED BY THE NORTHERN ALLIANCE.

MR. KAPILA -- WHO HEADS THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S CONFLICT AND HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT -- SAID HIS MISSION HAS NOT OBTAINED NEW ASSURANCES FROM THE TALEBAN.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE IN THE PAKISTANI CAPITAL, ISLAMABAD, MR. KAPILA SAYS THE EUROPEAN UNION CAN NOT MAINTAIN ITS ANNUAL DONATION OF ABOUT 150-MILLION DOLLARS TO AFGHANISTAN WITHOUT SOME CHANGE IN THE COUNTRY.

IT DEPENDS ON WHAT HAPPENS OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE UNITED NATIONS IS UNABLE TO RESUME ITS FULL SCOPE OF OPERATIONS AND SECURITY IN THE NORTH CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE, AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET INTO THE HAZAJARAT AREA...THEN CLEARLY THE VOLUME OF AID IS GOING TO GO DOWN.

MR. KAPILA SAYS IT IS NOT RIGHT THAT ORDINARY AFGHANS BE HELD HOSTAGE TO THE FORTUNES OF WAR. HE HIGHLIGHTED THE CASE OF PEOPLE IN HAZARAJAT WHERE TENS-OF-THOUSAND PEOPLE FACE STARVATION DUE TO A TALEBAN BLOCKADE. THE TALEBAN SAY AID WILL BE USED TO FEED THE SOLDIERS THEY ARE FIGHTING IN THE AREA.

THE E-U ENVOY SAYS THE PROBLEMS FACING AID AGENCIES IN AFGHANISTAN BOIL DOWN TO A DIFFICULTY ACCESSING THOSE IN MOST NEED. HE SAID THE E-U MISSION IS PLANNING TO FOCUS MORE AID IN RURAL AREAS. UP TO NOW, MOST AID HAD FOCUSED ON URBAN AREAS WHERE MOST FIGHTING HAS TAKEN PLACE.

MOST AID ACTIVITY IN AFGHANISTAN HAS BEEN SUSPENDED. THE UNITED NATIONS SUSPENDED ACTIVITY IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN AFTER ALLEGED ASSAULTS ON ITS STAFF BY A TALEBAN OFFICIAL, AND U-N AND OTHER AID AGENCIES HAVE ALSO SUSPENDED OPERATIONS IN AREAS CONTROLLED BY THE NORTHERN ALLIANCE, DUE TO SECURITY CONCERNS.

MR. KAPILA SAYS AID AGENCIES -- AND THE DONOR COUNTRIES WHICH FUND THEM -- DO NOT WANT TO DIS-ENGAGE FROM AFGHANISTAN, BUT THEY MUST OPERATE UNDER CERTAIN CRITERIA.

THE LINE THAT HAS BEEN DRAWN IS THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WHEREVER WE CAN IN AFGHANISTAN...BUT ACCORDING TO HUMANITARIAN PRINCIPLES. NOW, THAT LINE HAS NOT BEEN DRAWN BEFORE. THIS IS NOT A CONDITIONALITY ON OUR PART. WHETHER OR NOT AID IS ABLE TO DELIVERED IN A PRINCIPLED MANNER DEPENDS A GREAT DEAL ON LOCAL CONDITIONS.

MR. KAPILA SAYS HIS MISSION FULLY SUPPORTS THE U-N POLITICAL AND AID EFFORTS IN AFGHANISTAN. HE SAYS HE WILL BE PRESENTING HIS FINDINGS TO A MEETING OF THE AFGHAN SUPPORT GROUP -- CO-CHAIRED BY BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES -- WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO MEET MAY FIFTH IN LONDON. (SIGNED)
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28-Apr-98 10:17 AM EDT (1417 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BELGIUM CRISIS (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE BELGIAN GOVERNMENT HAS DEFEATED A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN THE BRUSSELS PARLIAMENT. THE VOTE WAS CALLED AFTER THE COUNTRY'S MOST NOTORIOUS CRIMINAL, CHILD RAPIST MARC DUTROUX, ESCAPED FROM POLICE CUSTODY LAST WEEK. JOHN FRASER HAS MORE FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: EVER SINCE MARC DUTROUX OVERPOWERED AN ARMED POLICEMAN AND ESCAPED FROM CUSTODY ON THURSDAY LAST WEEK, BELGIUM HAS BEEN IN A STATE OF POLITICAL TURMOIL.

IN THE THREE-AND-A-HALF HOURS BEFORE HIS RECAPTURE BY A FOREST RANGER, TWO SENIOR MINISTERS RESIGNED.

THE QUESTION BEFORE THE BELGIAN PARLIAMENT (TUESDAY) WAS WHETHER THESE RESIGNATIONS OF THE INTERIOR AND JUSTICE MINISTERS WERE ENOUGH TO SAVE THE GOVERNMENT.

MINISTERS WERE CERTAINLY HELPED BY NEWS OF ANOTHER RESIGNATION - THAT OF THE HEAD OF THE POLICE FORCE, WILLY DE RIDDER.

GENERAL DE RIDDER SAID THE HE DOES NOT BELIEVE HE HAS ANYTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF, BUT NONETHELESS, HE HAD DECIDED TO GIVE IN TO GROWING CALLS FOR HIS RESIGNATION.

PRIME MINISTER JEAN-LUC DEHAENE GAVE THE NEWS OF THE RESIGNATION DURING A TENSE DEBATE IN THE BELGIAN PARLIAMENT.

HE ASSURED THE ASSEMBLY THAT THE REFORM OF THE POLICE AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN BELGIUM REMAINS ONE OF THE KEY PRIORITIES OF HIS GOVERNMENT -- ALONGSIDE THE FIGHT AGAINST UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE LAUNCH OF THE NEW EUROPEAN SINGLE CURRENCY.

TO HIS EVIDENT RELIEF, MR. DEHAENE'S COALITION GOVERNMENT WON THE SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY -- DEFEATING A CONFIDENCE MOTION BY 81 VOTES TO 64, WITH ONE ABSTENTION.

THE BELGIAN NEWPAPERS HAVE SPOKEN OF SHAME, INCREDULITY AND ANGER AT THE ESCAPE LAST WEEK OF MARC DUTROUX.

HE IS AWAITING TRIAL FOR THE KIDNAPPING, RAPE AND TORTURE OF SIX YOUNG GIRLS, FOUR OF WHOM WERE KILLED BEFORE THE POLICE MANAGED TO TRACK DOWN THE PAEDOPHILE RING.

IT IS WIDELY BELIEVED THAT THE POLICE TOOK SO LONG TO HUNT DOWN DUTROUX IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO HIS ARREST IN AUGUST 1996 -- BECAUSE HE WAS BEING HELPFUL TO THEM AS A POLICE INFORMER.

NEWS OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PAEDOPHILE RING LED TO A CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE IN THE BELGIAN POLICE, THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM, AND THE BELGIAN POLITICAL WORLD.

ORDINARY BELGIANS, AND EVEN KING ALBERT II, HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR CONCERN AT THE WAY IN WHICH THE DUTROUX AFFAIR HAS LAID BARE (EXPOSED) THE CLIMATE OF CORRUPTION AND INCOMPETENCE OF THE AUTHORITIES.

THIS AFFAIR CAME SOON AFTER A MAJOR CORRUPTION SCANDAL INVOLVING BRIBES TO SENIOR SOCIALIST POLITICIANS, WHICH LED TO THE EVENTUAL RESIGNATION OF FORMER NATO-SECRETARY GENERAL WILLY CLAES, AND SEVERAL OF HIS FORMER COLLEAGUES IN THE BELGIAN GOVERNMENT.

OBSERVERS SAY PRIME MINISTER DEHAENE HAS WON THE CONFIDENCE OF HIS POLITICAL COLLEAGUES, BUT THERE IS SOME WAY TO GO BEFORE HIS GOVERNMENT WINS THE CONFIDENCE OF THE BELGIAN PEOPLE.

RECENT PUBLIC OPINION POLLS SHOW THAT A MAJORITY OF BELGIANS BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE RESIGNED OVER THIS LATEST CRISIS.

OPPOSITION PARTIES ARE PREDICTING THE DEFEAT OF THE GOVERNMENT AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION, UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT CAN DELIVER THE REFORMS IT HAS PROMISED, AND THE AUTHORITIES CAN SUCCEED IN KEEPING MARC DUTROUX BEHIND BARS. (SIGNED)
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28-Apr-98 2:30 PM EDT (1830 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIAN REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, OR U-N-H-C-R, VOWS IT WILL NOT ALLOW ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA TO THREATEN THE RETURN OF NEARLY TWO MILLION REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PEOPLE. A CONFERENCE DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM IS BEING HELD TODAY IN THE SERB-CONTROLLED TOWN OF BANJA LUKA. MORE FROM GENEVA REPORTER LISA SCHLEIN.

TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS LAST FRIDAY'S ATTACK BY BOSNIAN CROATS AGAINST SERBS IN THE TOWN OF DRVAR IS A SETBACK TO ITS REPATRIATION PROGRAM. BUT, THE AGENCY SAYS, IT WON'T ALLOW ETHNIC VIOLENCE TO JEOPARDIZE ITS PLANS TO RETURN THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PEOPLE TO THEIR ORIGINAL HOMES THIS YEAR. U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS THE SERBS WHO WERE CHASED OUT OF DRVAR BY A MOB OF CROATS SAY THEY TOO WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED ABOUT RECLAIMING THEIR HOMES.

THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY DETERMINED TO GO BACK TO DRVAR. WE HAVE ALSO SPOKEN TO A NUMBER OF SERBS IN VILLAGES SURROUNDING DRVAR, SINCE THERE ARE ALSO RETURNEES IN VILLAGES IN THAT AREA AND THEY'RE ALL QUITE ADAMANT ABOUT STAYING IN THE AREA AND WEATHERING IT OUT.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS MORE THAN 100 SERBS WHO FLED DRVAR ARE LIVING TEMPORARILY IN BANJA LUKA. HE SAYS A SERIES OF ARSON ATTACKS BY CROATS HAVE ALMOST DEVASTATED DRVAR. WHILE THE U-N SPOKESMAN SAYS THE SERBS CAN RETURN ANYTIME THEY WANT, HE DOESN'T EXPECT TOO MANY TO GO BACK BEFORE THE BURNT DOWN HOUSES ARE REBUILT AND SECURITY CAN BE ENSURED.

IT'S VERY MUCH A GAME OF "MUSICAL CHAIRS," (CHANGING PLACES) AS IT WERE, WHICH INVOLVES ALL THE COUNTRIES, VIRTUALLY ALL THE COUNTRIES OF FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. YOU'VE GOT SERB REFUGEES FROM CROATIA IN SERBIA OR IN KOSOVO. YOU'VE GOT CROAT REFUGEES FROM BOSNIA IN CROATIA. YOU'VE GOT MUSLIMS FROM BOSNIA IN CROATIA AND IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF BOSNIA. AND, ESSENTIALLY THE IDEA OF THE CONFERENCE IS TO LOOK AT ALL THE REGIONAL IMPLICATIONS AND TRY TO APPROACH THE RETURN ISSUE WITH A REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE.

U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS REGIONAL COOPERATION IS ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESSFUL RESOLUTION OF THE ENTIRE REFUGEE ISSUE. HE DOESN'T EXPECT ALL THE PEOPLE WILL RETURN TO THE HOMES THEY FLED DURING THE WAR. BUT THE MORE PEOPLE WHO GO BACK, HE SAYS, THE BETTER THE CHANCE OF RETURNING THESE WAR-TORN COUNTRIES TO NORMALITY AND STABILITY. (SIGNED)
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28-Apr-98 8:01 AM EDT (1201 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EURO HEARING (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TUESDAY FOCUSED ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION'S PLANNED INTRODUCTION OF A SINGLE COMMON CURRENCY AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS.

TEXT: MEMBERS OF A HOUSE BANKING SUB-COMMITTEE EXPRESSED SURPRISE AT THE IMMENSITY OF EUROPE'S COMMON CURRENCY PROJECT. A PANEL OF EXPERTS INCLUDING A GERMAN BANKER AND A WASHINGTON SCHOLAR SAID THEY WERE GENERALLY OPTIMISTIC THAT MONETARY UNION WILL SUCCEED.

A SPECIAL E-U SUMMIT THIS WEEKEND WILL FORMALLY DESIGNATE THE 11 COUNTRIES WHICH WILL TAKE PART. WHAT WILL BE CALLED THE EURO WILL COME INTO EXISTENCE NEXT JANUARY ALTHOUGH EURO NOTES WILL NOT REPLACE THE GERMAN MARK, FRENCH FRANC AND OTHER CURRENCIES UNTIL 2002.

KLAUS FRIEDRICH, CHIEF ECONOMIST AT GERMANY'S DRESDNER BANK, SAYS MONETARY UNION IS LIKELY TO MAKE THE EUROPEAN UNION MORE EFFICIENT BY BOOSTING COMPETITION. THE PANELISTS EXPECT THE EURO TO GRADUALLY ERODE THE USAGE OF THE DOLLAR IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE. MR. FRIEDRICH SAYS THE EURO WILL EVENTUALLY EQUAL BUT NOT SURPASS THE DOLLAR AS AN INTERNATIONAL CURRENCY. MR. FRIEDRICH CONCEDES THAT 70 PERCENT OF GERMANS OPPOSE GIVING UP THEIR CURRENCY IN FAVOR OF A EURO THEY FEAR WILL BE WEAKER THAN THE MARK.

RANDALL HENNING, A RESEARCHER AT THE INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS, SAYS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS THERE IS LIKELY TO BE MORE VOLATILITY ON WORLD CURRENCY MARKETS AS THE EURO STRUGGLES TO ESTABLISH ITS CREDIBILITY. MR. HENNING SUGGESTS THAT THE ARRIVAL OF THE EURO SHOULD LEAD TO REDUCTION IN THE E-U'S OVER-REPRESENTATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AND WORLD BANK. HE SAYS SINCE THE 11 EURO COUNTRIES WILL HAVE ONLY ONE MONETARY POLICY, GERMAN, FRENCH, ITALIAN AND OTHER EURO REPRESENTATION IN THE I-M-F SHOULD BE SUBSUMED WITHIN A SINGLE E-U MEMBERSHIP.

MR. FRIEDRICH, A SUPPORTER OF MONETARY UNION, WAS ASKED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF ONE OF THE 11 COUNTRIES WITHDRAWS FROM PARTICIPATION. HE REPLIED THAT THE MAASTRICHT TREATY WHICH SETS OUT THE PROCEDURES OF MONETARY UNION HAS NO PROVISION FOR WITHDRAWAL. (SIGNED)
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28-Apr-98 5:29 PM EDT (2129 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: MAJOR STOCK MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE TUESDAY WERE ACTIVELY SHOPPED BY BARGAIN HUNTERS. FOR THE CLOSING NUMBERS, HERE IS V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON.

TEXT: WITH CONCERNS EASING SOMEWHAT OVER REPORTS INTEREST RATES IN THE UNITED STATES MAY SOON BE HEADING UPWARD, THE DOWNWARD TREND ON EUROPEAN MARKETS REVERSED TUESDAY WITH FRANKFURT, LONDON, AND PARIS ALL CLOSING SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER.

IN LONDON -- EUROPE'S BIGGEST STOCK MARKET -- THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" INDEX OF 100 KEY BRITISH STOCKS ENDED THE DAY UP 84-POINTS A VALUE GAIN ALMOST ONE-AND-A-HALF PERCENT.

BIGGER GAINS WERE POSTED IN FRANKFURT AND PARIS. THE GERMAN "DAX" INDEX CLOSED THE DAY'S TRADING UP 108-POINTS -- A GAIN OF JUST MORE THAN TWO-PERCENT, AND THE FRENCH "CAC 40" STOCK INDEX SOARED MORE THAN 91-POINTS -- A GAIN OF ALMOST TWO-AND-ONE-HALF-PERCENT.

IN EUROPEAN CURRENCY TRADING, THE U-S DOLLAR ADVANCED AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK BY THREE-QUARTERS OF A PFENNIG AND BY ONE- HALF CENT AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND. (SIGNED)
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28-Apr-98 2:39 PM EDT (1839 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO - CONTACT GROUP (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: DIPLOMATS FROM EUROPE, RUSSIA AND AMERICA MEET IN ROME TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO SEE IF THEY CAN PERSUADE THE GOVERNMENT OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO OPEN MEANINGFUL TALKS ON SERBIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS WATCHING THE SITUATION FROM OUR BUREAU IN PRAGUE, AND HE HAS THIS PREVIEW OF THE MEETING.

TEXT: DIPLOMATS AND OTHER OBSERVERS ARE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING IN KOSOVO. EFFORTS BY THE SIX-NATION "CONTACT GROUP" HAVE SO FAR FAILED TO STOP THE VIOLENCE AND BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS.

IN THE ABSENCE OF NEGOTIATIONS, SEPARATIST GUERRILLAS KNOWN AS THE "KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY" HAVE BEEN INCREASING IN STRENGTH, AND CLASHES HAVE BECOME MORE FREQUENT BETWEEN THE GUERRILLAS AND SERBIAN FORCES, INCLUDING UNITS OF THE YUGOSLAV ARMY.

AMERICAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL TRY TO GET THE OTHER CONTACT GROUP MEMBERS TO AGREE ON A PACKAGE OF INCENTIVES AND SANCTIONS, AND SAY THEY WILL GO IT ALONE -- IF THEY CAN'T PERSUADE THE OTHERS TO JOIN.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL ASK THE CONTACT GROUP TO ADOPT ECONOMIC SANCTIONS THAT WILL GO INTO FORCE AUTOMATICALLY, IF YUGOSLAV FEDERAL PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC CONTINUES TO AVOID MEANINGFUL NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS, AIMED AT GREATER AUTONOMY. ON THE OTHER HAND, IF HE COMPLIES, THE AMERICANS SAY THEY WILL REWARD HIM WITH INCENTIVES, INCLUDING ACCESS TO LOANS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND.

THE CONTACT GROUP HAS MET ON KOSOVO TWICE RECENTLY, AND A U-S STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN MONDAY POINTED OUT THAT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS FAILED TO DO MUCH, IF ANYTHING, TO WITHDRAW SPECIAL SECURITY FORCES OR ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION, AS THE CONTACT GROUP HAS DEMANDED.

IT'S UNCLEAR WHY OFFICIALS BELIEVE THIS LATEST APPROACH WILL SUCCEED -- WHERE PREVIOUS DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVES HAVE FAILED.

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (TUESDAY) IN A VOLATILE SESSION. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 88 HUNDRED 98, DOWN 18 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 85, DOWN ONE POINT.

STOCKS WERE UP STRONGLY IN THE MORNING BUT SOLD OFF JUST AS STRONGLY IN THE AFTERNOON BEFORE FINALLY RECOVERING MOST OF THE LOSSES LATE IN THE SESSION. ANALYSTS SAY TRADERS ARE UNSURE IF MONDAY'S ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT DROP IN THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE WAS A ONE-DAY EVENT OR THE START OF A SIGNIFICANT DOWNWARD CORRECTION.

A MONTHLY SURVEY SHOWS CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IN THE UNITED STATES IS UP THIS MONTH, SIGNALING CONTINUED ECONOMIC GROWTH. A SEPARATE REPORT SHOWS ORDERS FOR DURABLE GOODS -- PRODUCTS EXPECTED TO LAST THREE YEARS OR LONGER -- WERE UP MODESTLY IN MARCH AFTER A DROP IN FEBRUARY.

A GOVERNMENT REPORT SAYS THE STRONG U-S ECONOMY MEANS THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM WILL NOT GO BANKRUPT UNTIL THE YEAR 2032, THREE YEARS LATER THAN HAD BEEN ESTIMATED. HOWEVER, PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS THE NEW PROJECTIONS PROVIDE NO EXCUSE TO DELAY REFORMS IN THE GOVERNMENT RETIREMENT PROGRAM TO ENSURE ITS SOLVENCY THROUGH THE NEXT CENTURY.

WARNER-LAMBERT, THE DRUG AND CONSUMER PRODUCTS COMPANY, ANNOUNCED A 37 PERCENT JUMP IN QUARTERLY PROFITS. THE COMPANY SAYS ITS EARNINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN EVEN HIGHER HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE STRONG U-S DOLLAR WHICH INHIBITED INTERNATIONAL SALES.

THERE WAS GOOD NEWS FOR I-B-M SHAREHOLDERS. THE DIRECTORS OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST COMPUTER COMPANY HAVE APPROVED A THREE AND ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLAR STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM AND RAISED THE QUARTERLY STOCK DIVIDEND BY 10 PERCENT.

THE WOOLWORTH COMPANY HAS PUT ITS HISTORIC CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING UP FOR AUCTION. THE BUILDING, IN DOWNTOWN NEW YORK CITY, WAS THE TALLEST IN THE WORLD WHEN COMPLETED IN 1913. LAST JULY, WOOLWORTH ANNOUNCED THE CLOSING OF VARIETY STORES THAT BORE ITS NAME IN FAVOR OF SPECIALIZED RETAIL CHAINS. THIS JUNE WOOLWORTH WILL PASS INTO HISTORY WHEN THE COMPANY CHANGES ITS NAME TO THE VENATOR CORPORATION.(SIGNED)
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28-Apr-98 4:52 PM EDT (2052 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE (PART I) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: VARIOUS POLITICAL PARTIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND ARE ALREADY CAMPAIGNING "FOR" OR "AGAINST" THE POLITICAL AGREEMENT REACHED APRIL TENTH, DESIGNED TO BRING AN END TO DECADES OF SECTARIAN STRIFE. IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS AT THE VIEWS OF THE NON-SECTARIAN "ALLIANCE" PARTY.

TEXT: AFTER 22 MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS -- CHARACTERIZED BY WALKOUTS, SUSPENSIONS, THREATS AND PUBLICITY STUNTS -- LEADERS OF VARIOUS PARTIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND AGREED APRIL 10TH ON A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT FOR THE BRITISH PROVINCE.

THE ACCORD CALLS FOR -- AMONG OTHER THINGS -- THE CREATION OF A NEWLY ELECTED NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, STRONG EXECUTIVE INSTITUTIONS BETWEEN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC, AS WELL AS INCREASED TIES BETWEEN LONDON AND DUBLIN.

JOHN ALDERDICE IS LEADER OF THE NON-SECTARIAN "ALLIANCE" PARTY. HE HAS BEEN A PARTICIPANT IN ON-AGAIN OFF-AGAIN NEGOTIATIONS ON NORTHERN IRELAND SINCE 1987. HE IS UPBEAT ABOUT THE ACCORD.

THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT IS PERFECT. CERTAINLY THERE ARE THINGS THERE, PARTICULARLY IN TERMS OF DEALING WITH PRISONERS AND THE DISMANTLING OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS AND SO ON, THAT ARE NOT PERHAPS EXACTLY WHAT WE WOULD HAVE WANTED TO SEE. BUT OVERALL, I THINK IT IS A VERY GOOD AGREEMENT AND I THINK IT IS AN HONORABLE COMPROMISE. //OPT// I THINK THAT MANY OF OUR PEOPLE ARE RATHER SHOCKED THAT WE HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT, BECAUSE UP UNTIL A FEW DAYS BEFOREHAND, I THINK THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITIES JUST DID NOT BELIEVE THAT AGREEMENT WAS ACHIEVABLE. BUT WE HAVE GOT AGREEMENT. //END OPT//

THE DILEMMA FACING NEGOTIATORS WAS NOT ONLY TO DEVISE POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE NEEDS OF PRO-BRITISH UNIONISTS AND PRO-IRISH NATIONALISTS BUT IN DEFINING THOSE INSTITUTIONS -- TO FIND LANGUAGE ACCEPTABLE TO ALL. MR. ALDERDICE SAYS GIVEN THE DEEP MISTRUST AMONG MANY OF THE PARTICIPANTS, THE TASK WAS DAUNTING AND SOMETIMES SEEMED HOPELESS.

IT REALLY BECAME A KIND OF EMOTIONAL SWITCHBACK, BECAUSE EVERY TIME YOU BEGAN TO FEEL THAT PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE AND AGREEMENT WAS POSSIBLE, WITHIN HOURS -- SOMETIMES WITHIN MINUTES -- YOU WERE BACK IN THE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR AGAIN, BECAUSE ANOTHER PROBLEM SUDDENLY REARED ITS HEAD AND SEEMED SOMETIMES QUITE IMPOSSIBLE TO RESOLVE. BUT WE GOT TOGETHER, WE APPLIED OURSELVES. //OPT// BUT RIGHT DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE PLENARY STARTED -- THE PLENARY WHERE WE WERE GOING TO VOTE ON THAT FINAL DOCUMENT -- EVEN AT THAT VERY POINT, THERE THREATENED TO BE A BREAKDOWN AS THE (PRO-BRITISH) ULSTER UNIONISTS (NORTHERN IRELAND'S LARGEST PARTY) BEGAN TO HAVE DIFFICULTIES IN THEIR OWN TALKS TEAM.

BUT THOSE LAST MINUTE PROBLEMS WERE ALSO RESOLVED. //END OPT// "ALLIANCE" PARTY OFFICIALS ARE NOW ENGAGED IN PROMOTING THE ACCORD AND URGING PEOPLE IN NORTHERN IRELAND TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE AGREEMENT. MR. ALDERDICE BELIEVES IT WILL BE OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED IN THE MAY 22ND REFERENDUM.

AFTER SO MANY YEARS ... OF POLITICAL DISAPPOINTMENT AND LETDOWN, I THINK EVERYBODY CONSTRUCTIVELY INVOLVED IN POLITICS -- AND THAT MEANS OUR PEOPLE AS WELL AS OUR POLITICIANS -- FEEL A GREAT SENSE OF ANTICIPATION. I MYSELF FEEL THAT THAT WILL GROW BECAUSE EVEN YET, I THINK MOST PEOPLE HAVE NOT GRASPED THE ENORMITY OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT. ENORMITY, I USE THAT WORD IN A VERY POSITIVE SENSE: HUGE POSSIBILITIES AS WE COME INTO THE NEW MILLENNIUM.

IF VOTERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND ACCEPT THE POLITICAL AGREEMENT HAMMERED OUT APRIL 10TH, THE NEXT STEP WILL BE ELECTIONS TO THE ASSEMBLY, SCHEDULED JUNE 25TH. JOHN ALDERDICE AND HIS "ALLIANCE" PARTY WILL BE AMONG THOSE VYING FOR SEATS IN THIS NEW POWER-SHARING BODY WHICH COULD USHER IN A NEW ERA IN NORTHERN IRELAND'S HISTORY, MARRED BY SO MANY YEARS OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE. (SIGNED)
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28-Apr-98 12:39 PM EDT (1639 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] SENATE-NATO (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: THE U-S SENATE HAS TURNED BACK AN EFFORT TO HOLD DOWN AMERICA'S SHARE OF THE COST OF EXPANDING NATO, AS LAWMAKERS MOVE TOWARD A FINAL VOTE ON ACCEPTING POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS FROM CAPITOL HILL.

TEXT: OPPONENTS OF NATO ENLARGEMENT SAY THE PLAN WILL IMPOSE AN UNFAIR FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THE UNITED STATES. WHILE THE WHITE HOUSE ESTIMATES THE COST AT AROUND 400-MILLION DOLLARS, CRITICS WARN IT WILL BE MUCH HIGHER. DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TOM HARKIN IS ONE OF THOSE SEEKING TO LIMIT THE EXPENSE.

BUT TO JUST GIVE IT A BLANK CHECK (UNLIMITED FUNDS) NOW I THINK IS WRONG. AND I THINK IT WILL COST THE TAXPAYERS OF THIS COUNTRY UNTOLD BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

MR. HARKIN PUT FORTH AN AMENDMENT TO THE ENLARGEMENT TREATY, SAYING THE UNITED STATES WOULD PAY NO MORE THAN 25-PERCENT OF ALL SUBSIDIES GOING TO NEW MEMBERS. THAT FIGURE WOULD INCLUDE U-S LOAN GUARANTEES AND LEASES OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT.

BUT SUPPORTERS OF EXPANSION CHARGED THE PROPOSAL WOULD HAMSTRING THE PROCESS. REPUBLICAN SENATOR GORDON SMITH SUGGESTS IT WOULD ALSO SEND THE WRONG SIGNAL TO THE ALLIES.

DOES APPROVAL OF THIS AMENDMENT MEAN THAT THE UNITED STATES WOULD ONLY LEAD NATO 25-PERCENT OF THE TIME NO MATTER WHAT OUR SECURITY INTERESTS MAY BE? DOES IT MEAN THAT THE UNITED STATES IS INTERESTED IN 25-PERCENT OF NATO'S ACTIVITIES, EXERCISES?

THE AMENDMENT FAILED OVERWHELMINGLY (76 TO 24), IN THE WEEK'S FIRST VOTE ON THE ENLARGEMENT PLAN. THE SENATE MUST STILL DEAL WITH A LONG LIST OF OTHER AMENDMENTS, INCLUDING ONE THAT WOULD PLACE A THREE-YEAR HOLD ON ANY SECOND PHASE OF EXPANSION. A FINAL, AND FAVORABLE VOTE ON RATIFICATION IS EXPECTED WEDNESDAY NIGHT OR THURSDAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/TMD/PT
28-Apr-98 5:21 PM EDT (2121 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE DEBATE OVER NATO EXPANSION CONTINUES IN THE PRESS, AMONG THE EDITORIALS, AS THE SENATE PREPARES TO VOTE, LATER THIS WEEK. OTHER TOPICS TO BE FOUND DISSECTED IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS THIS TUESDAY INCLUDE: THE LATEST EXCESS OF NIGERIA'S MILITARY DICTATOR; THE FAILURE OF THIS COUNTRY TO ADEQUATELY PREPARE FOR BIOLOGICAL TERRORISM; HILLARY CLINTON GIVES MORE WHITEWATER TESTIMONY; THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN GERMANY; AND HAZARDOUS AIR CARGO STILL FINDING ITS WAY ABOARD PASSENGER JETLINERS. NOW, HERE IS _______________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TODAY'S "DENVER POST" IS URGING THE SENATE TO APPROVE THE EXPANSION OF NATO, AN ORGANIZATION IT SAYS MAY BE HISTORY'S MOST SUCCESSFUL MILITARY ALLIANCE.

VOICE: SINCE ITS FORMATION IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE COLD WAR, NOT ONE-SQUARE INCH OF ANY MEMBER COUNTRY HAS BEEN LOST TO EXTERNAL AGGRESSION. THAT RECORD HAS NOT BEEN LOST ON NATIONS THAT WERE ONCE MEMBERS OF THE RIVAL SOVIET-LED WARSAW PACT. THIS WEEK, THE U-S SENATE WILL VOTE ON WHETHER TO ADMIT THREE OF THOSE FORMER RIVALS -- HUNGARY, POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC -- TO NATO. THE [DENVER] "POST" BELIEVES ADDING THESE THREE NATIONS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO STABILITY IN EASTERN EUROPE AND THUS TO WORLD PEACE. BUT WE WOULD URGE THE ADMINISTRATION AND SENATE TO BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS ABOUT ANY MORE APPLICANTS, SOME OF WHOM SEEM LIKELY TO EMBROIL NATO IN THEIR OWN DOMESTIC DIFFICULTIES. ... THERE NEEDS TO BE A GREAT DEAL OF THOUGHT, DISCUSSION AND DIPLOMACY BEFORE ANY MORE INVITATIONS ARE ISSUED TO JOIN THIS EXCLUSIVE CLUB.

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" TAKES THE OPPOSITE VIEW, CALLING THE EXPANSION A RECKLESS RUSH ... ADDING:

VOICE: SUPPORTERS ... HAVE PRESSED THEIR CASE WITH SLOGANS RATHER THAN ARGUMENTS. /// OPT /// PRESIDENT CLINTON PROMISES THAT EXPANSION WILL MAKE NATO STRONGER, ALLOW EUROPEAN DEMOCRACY AND PROSPERITY TO FLOURISH, AND 'BRING EUROPE TOGETHER IN SECURITY, NOT KEEP IT APART IN INSTABILITY.' /// END OPT /// BUT EXAMINE THESE SOOTHING ASSURANCES AND THEIR LACK OF SUBSTANCE IS IMMEDIATELY APPARENT. THERE IS NO HINT HERE OR ANYWHERE ELSE OF WHAT MISSION WOULD BE PLAYED BY A STRONGER NATO ... NOR IS ANY REASON GIVEN WHY A MILITARY COALITION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED THE BEST OR EVEN A USEFUL VEHICLE FOR SPREADING PROSPERITY AND DEMOCRACY IN EUROPE. CERTAINLY AN EXPANDED EUROPEAN UNION WOULD SEEM TO OFFER GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT ... /// OPT /// IS NATO EXPANSION AN IRREDEEMABLY BAD IDEA? NO. BUT IT REMAINS AN IDEA FOR WHICH NO CONVINCING CASE HAS YET BEEN MADE. /// END OPT

TEXT: QUICKLY TO AFRICA, WHERE TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" CALLS THE LATEST ATTEMPT AT A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN NIGERIA "A SHAM TRANSITION."

VOICE: TO NO ONE'S SURPRISE,NIGERIA'S FIVE LEGAL POLITICAL PARTIES, ALL GOVERNMENT-FINANCED, HAVE CHOSEN THE COUNTRY'S DICTATOR AS THEIR NOMINEE IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AUGUST FIRST. GENERAL SANI ABACHA IS THE SOLE LEGAL CANDIDATE, ALTHOUGH HE HAS NOT YET FORMALLY ANNOUNCED WHETHER HE WILL RUN. IT IS NOW CLEAR THAT THE ELECTION, WHICH WAS BILLED AS THE CENTERPIECE OF NIGERIA'S RETURN TO DEMOCRACY AFTER FIVE YEARS OF MR. ABACHA'S IRON FIST, WILL ONLY WHITEWASH HIS RULE. /// OPT /// NIGERIANS MADE THEIR VIEWS CLEAR LAST WEEKEND, AS PRACTICALLY THE ENTIRE COUNTRY BOYCOTTED ELECTIONS FOR A NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. /// END OPT /// ... IT IS NOW CLEAR THERE WILL BE NO TRANSITION. THE IDEA OF AN OIL EMBARGO SHOULD BE REVIVED.

TEXT: BACK DOMESTICALLY, "NEWSDAY" ON LONG ISLAND WORRIES THAT THIS NATION IS SIMPLY NOT WELL ENOUGH PREPARED FOR BIOLOGICAL TERRORISM.

VOICE: FEDERAL OFFICIALS ARE CONCEDING OPENLY WHAT MILITARY AND SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS HAVE KNOWN FOR SOME TIME: THE NATION'S TOP EMERGENCY, MEDICAL AND INVESTIGATIVE AGENCIES ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE TERROR ATTACKS WITH ADVANCED BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS. THAT IS THE BAD NEWS. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON HAS BECOME AWARE OF THE DANGER FROM POTENTIAL EPIDEMICS SPREAD BY GENETICALLY ENGINEERED VIRUSES OR BACILLI. HE HAS MADE IT A PRIORITY FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL TO FOCUS ON THIS THREAT. ... [PRESIDENT] CLINTON IS RIGHT TO WORRY. SO SHOULD ALL LOCAL AND STATE OFFICIALS WHO WOULD HAVE TO COPE WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH AN ATTACK. /// OPT /// IT IS NOT TOO SOON TO ASK FOR WHOM THIS BELL TOLLS. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: AS REGARDS THE ON-GOING WHITEWATER INVESTIGATION OF PRESIDENT CLINTON AND HIS WIFE, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" NOTES THAT SPECIAL COUNSEL KENNETH STARR HAS ONCE-AGAIN QUESTIONED HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, COMMENTING:

VOICE: IT WAS NOT HER FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH PROSECUTORS /// OPT

TEXT: THINGS ARE NOT GOING WELL FOR GERMANY'S LEADER HELMUT KOHL, EITHER, AND THAT DRAWS THIS RETORT FROM MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD."

VOICE: THE LONGEST-SERVING LEADER OF A MAJOR WESTERN COUNTRY SUFFERED A HARD BLOW ON SUNDAY: THE GERMAN STATE OF SAXONY-ANHALT, STRONGLY REJECTED CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL'S CENTER -RIGHT CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION. THE CENTER-LEFT SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY, OR SPD, TOOK 39-PERCENT OF THE VOTE TO THE CDU'S 22-PERCENT. IF [MR.] KOHL'S PARTY LOSES THE NATIONAL ELECTION SEPTEMBER 27TH, IT COULD BE THE BIGGEST REJECTION SINCE THE BRITISH TURNED OUT WINSTON CHURCHILL IN 1946.

... IN ADDITION, A FAR-RIGHT PARTY, THE GERMAN PEOPLE'S UNION, WON 13-PERCENT OF THE VOTE. THAT WORRISOME DEVELOPMENT CASTS A DARKER SHADOW OVER GERMANY. ITS FUTURE -- AND BY EXTENSION, EUROPE'S -- IS NOW MORE OF AN OPEN QUESTION THAN AT ANY POINT IN NEARLY TWO DECADES.

TEXT: TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" SAYS THE ELECTION OF SERGEI KIRIYENKO BY THE RUSSIAN DUMA [LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT] WAS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE REALITIES OF LIFE. IT QUOTES A DEPUTY OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY, WHICH OFFICIALLY OPPOSED THE 35 YEAR-OLD POLITICAL NEOPHITE IN A CONFRONTATION WITH PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN, AS EXPLAINING HOW LIFE'S REALITIES INFLUENCES HIS VOTE.

VOICE: A DEPUTY LIVES IN DECENT CONDITIONS, WITH A CAR AND A MOSCOW APARTMENT AND UNLIKE MOST RUSSIAN WORKERS,HE GETS HIS SALARY ON TIME. ... THE PARTY TELLS HIM TO VOTE 'NO.' BUT HIS MOTHER IN-LAW IS STANDING OVER HIS SHOULDER, TELLING HIM SHE DOES NOT WANT TO MOVE BACK TO GHELYABINSK. SO THE QUESTION FOR EACH DEPUTY IS, DO I LISTEN TO THE PARTY, OR DO I LISTEN TO MY MOTHER-IN-LAW?.' THERE IT IS, THE FINAL HUMILIATION OF THE [COMMUNIST] DIALYTIC ... ANNULLED BY THE POWER OF THE RUSSIAN MOTHER-IN-LAW.

TEXT: LASTLY, A NAGGING DOMESTIC QUESTION, ABOUT THE SAFETY OF AIR TRAVELERS WHEN HAZARDOUS CARGO IS LOADED ON COMMERCIAL PASSENGER JETS AGAINST REGULATIONS. SAYS "USA TODAY" AFTER ITS INVESTIGATIVE REPORT FOUND NUMEROUS VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL LAW:

VOICE: EACH DAY, AIRLINE PASSENGERS AND THEIR CARRY-ON BAGS MUST PASS THROUGH A SUCCESSION OF SECURITY CHECKS BEFORE BOARDING PLANES. BUT BETWEEN 25-THOUSAND AND 50-THOUSAND HAZARDOUS-MATERIAL SHIPMENTS -- SOME ILLEGAL -- ARE LOADED ROUTINELY INTO PLANES WITH FAR LESS PRECAUTION. THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE DANGER FOR DECADES. ... BUT ONLY AFTER HAZARDOUS CARGO CAUSED THE CRASH TWO-YEARS AGO OF VALUEJET FLIGHT 592, KILLING 110 ON BOARD, DID THE SAFETY AGENCY MAKE AN AGGRESSIVE MOVE TO DIMINISH THIS RISK. ... THE FAA HAS MADE A START ON THE PROBLEM. BUT HAZARDOUS CARGO DESERVES AT LEAST AS MUCH SCRUTINY EACH DAY AS THE PASSENGERS WHO RIDE ON THE PLANES AT RISK.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM EDITORIALS IN TODAY U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
28-Apr-98 10:41 AM EDT (1441 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] TURKEY/KURDS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: IN TURKEY, THE TRIAL OF SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE PRO-KURDISH "PEOPLE'S DEMOCRACY PARTY" -- EACH ACCUSED OF PROMOTING KURDISH SEPARATISM -- BEGAN TUESDAY IN A SPECIAL SECURITY COURT IN THE MAINLY-KURDISH SOUTHEASTERN PROVINCE OF DIYARBAKIR. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, THE PROSECUTION IS DEMANDING UP TO 22 YEARS IN PRISON, IF CONVICTED, FOR THE KURDISH POLITICIANS -- INCLUDING THE PARTY'S CHAIRMAN.

TEXT: APPEARING BEFORE THE COURT, PARTY CHAIRMAN MURAT BOZLAK DENIED THE CHARGES, SAYING ALL HIS PARTY AIMED TO DO WAS PROMOTE A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE KURDISH CONFLICT.

ACCUSATIONS BEING LEVELED AGAINST THE PEOPLE'S DEMOCRACY PARTY OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "HADEP" -- INCLUDE ACTING AS THE POLITICAL WING OF THE OUTLAWED SEPARATIST "KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY" -- THE "P-K-K." THE 33-PAGE INDICTMENT AGAINST THE HADEP OFFICIALS ALSO INCLUDED ALLEGATIONS THAT THE PARTY HAD ACTED TO RECRUIT FIGHTERS FOR THE P-K-K.

A VERDICT HAS YET TO BE REACHED.

POLICE IN ANKARA ARRESTED 130 HADEP SUPPORTERS MONDAY WHO TOOK PART IN A DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE THE STATE SECURITY COURT TO PROTEST THE TRIAL.

HADEP OFFICIALS IN ANKARA DESCRIBED TUESDAY'S TRIAL AS PART OF A BROADER STATE-SPONSORED CAMPAIGN TO SHUT DOWN THEIR PARTY. HADEP WAS FORMED AFTER TWO OF ITS PREDECESSORS -- "DEP" AND AND "OZDEP" WERE BANNED ON CHARGES OF ACTING AS THE POLITICAL WING OF THE P-K-K.

ACCORDING HADEP ANKARA BRANCH CHAIRMAN KEMAL BULBUL, 160 PARTY MEMBERS WERE KILLED UNDER MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES SINCE 1990 AND SCORES OF OTHERS REMAIN IN JAIL FOR THE NON-VIOLENT EXPRESSION OF PRO-KURDISH VIEWS.

IN A RELATED DEVELOPMENT, SEMDIN SAKIK -- THE SECOND IN COMMAND OF THE P-K-K, WHO WAS CAPTURED BY TURKISH FORCES IN NORTHERN IRAQ EARLIER THIS MONTH -- SUPPORTED PROSECUTOR'S CLAIMS THAT HADEP SERVED AS THE POLITICAL MOUTHPIECE OF THE P-K-K. DURING HIS INTERROGATION, MR. SAKIK WAS QUOTED BY THE LOCAL PRESS AS SAYING THAT VARIOUS TURKISH JOURNALISTS, AS WELL AS THE ANKARA-BASED "HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION" WERE IN THE PAY OF THE P-K-K.

SOME WESTERN OBSERVERS SAY IF HADEP IS ALSO SHUT DOWN, THIS WILL ONLY SERVE TO STRENGTHEN THE P-K-K. THEY SAY ETHNIC KURDS WILL CONTINUE TO TURN TO THE REBEL GROUP, IF ONLY BECAUSE IT WILL BE SEEN AS THE ONLY ORGANIZATION TO PROMOTE KURDISH RIGHTS -- ALBEIT THROUGH VIOLENCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF
28-Apr-98 10:35 AM EDT (1435 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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