Voice of America, 98-06-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] NATO / E-U / KOSOVO (L UPDATE) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[02] U-S/KOSOVO (L AND S) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[03] HOLBROOKE IN KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY LAURA ROZEN (PRISTINA KOSOVO)

[04] SENATE-BOSNIA-KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[05] N. IRELAND / ELECTION (L-ONLY) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

[06] NORTHERN IRELAND BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[07] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY KEVIN LYNCH (LONDON)

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

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

[01] NATO / E-U / KOSOVO (L UPDATE) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE MODERATE LEADER OF THE ALBANIAN COMMUNITY IN KOSOVO, IBRAHIM RUGOVA, HAS APPEALED TO BOTH NATO THE EUROPEAN UNION TO HELP SECURE INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION FOR HIS PEOPLE. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS MR. RUGOVA ALSO SAYS PEACE TALKS CANNOT BEGIN UNTIL YUGOSLAV FORCES HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM KOSOVO.

TEXT: MR RUGOVA MET WITH NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA AND WITH E-U FOREIGN POLICY COMMISSIONER HANS VAN DEN BROEK TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEMS IN KOSOVO. HE ALSO MET WITH OFFICIALS IN BELGIUM'S GOVERNMENT.

MR. RUGOVA WARNED OF A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN KOSOVO, WITH ATTACKS BY SERB FORCES ON CIVILIANS. AND HE APPEALED FOR INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION FOR THE PROVINCE'S MAJORITY ALBANIAN POPULATION.

HE SAID EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES MUST PUT PRESSURE ON BELGRADE AND ON YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO PULL GOVERNMENT TROOPS OUT OF KOSOVO.TO SAVE THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO. HE SAID THAT UNTIL SERB FORCES ARE WITHDRAWN FROM KOSOVO, IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS TO SETTLE THE CRISIS.

MR. RUGOVA SAID KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS WANT INDEPENDENCE, WITH SOME FORM OF INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION BEING PROVIDED DURING THE TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENCE. HOWEVER, BOTH NATO AND EUROPEAN UNION LEADERS HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY DOES NOT SUPPORT CALLS FOR KOSOVO'S INDEPENDENCE.

E-U COMMISSIONER VAN DEN BROEK DID SAID HE SUPPORTS THE RESTORATION OF AUTONOMY TO KOSOVO. NATO TAKES A SIMILAR LINE. SERBIAN OFFICIALS REMOVED THE PROVINCE'S AUTONOMY IN 1989.

BOTH NATO AND THE E-U HAVE DEPLORED THE ATTACKS BY SERB FORCES ON ALBANIAN CIVILIANS, AS THE CONFLICT CONTINUES BETWEEN THE YUGOSLAV ARMY AND POLICE AND THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY.

NATO HAS MOUNTED A SHOW OF FORCE THROUGH AIR OPERATIONS OVER ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA, AND NATO AMBASSADORS HAVE ACCELERATED PREPARATIONS FOR POSSIBLE MILITARY ACTION IN KOSOVO ITSELF. AIR ATTACKS ON SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO HAVE NOT BEEN RULED OUT. HOWEVER, NATO IS CAUTIOUS ABOUT TAKING ANY HASTY DECISIONS, FOR FEAR THAT ITS INTERVENTION COULD GIVE EXTRA MUSCLE TO THOSE FORCES INSIDE KOSOVO WHICH ARE WAGING AN ARMED STRUGGLE TO SECURE INDEPENDENCE.

MR. RUGOVA ALSO CALLED FOR EXTRA INTERNATIONAL HELP FOR THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES WHO ARE FLEEING THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. THE EUROPEAN UNION SAYS IT IS ALREADY HELPING, BUT SAYS THERE ARE SERIOUS LOGISTICAL PROBLEMS IN GETTING ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WHO NEED IT. (SIGNED)
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24-Jun-98 11:47 AM EDT (1547 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] U-S/KOSOVO (L AND S) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

NEWS REPORTS SAY THE MEETING TOOK PLACED AS THE SPECIAL ENVOY TOURED JANIK, CLOSE TO KOSOVO'S BORDER WITH ALBANIA. HERE AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN PLAYED DOWN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MEETING, CALLING THE NEWS REPORTS WILDLY EXAGERATED.

IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE FIRST POLITICAL CONTACT BETWEEN THAT ENTITY AND THE UNITED STATES, I CAN ASSURE YOU IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN ON A RANDOM BASIS, BASED ON AMBASSADOR HOLBROOK RUNNING INTO SOMEBODY ON A PARTICULAR STREET CORNER. SO THIS HAS BEEN WILDLY EXAGERATED BY PEOPLE IN THE FIELD.

NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA MET ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADER IBRAHIM RUGOVA IN BRUSSELS AND REPEATED INTERNATIONAL OPPOSITION TO AN INDEPENDENT KOSOVO. HE ALSO URGED MR. RUGOVA TO RESUME NEGOTIATIONS IMMEDIATELY AND UNCONDITIONALLY. THE KOSOVA ALBANIAN LEADER SAID IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES ARE WITHDRAWN.

HERE AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT MR. RUBIN REPEATED AMERICA'S BELIEF THAT SUCCESSFUL DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS REQUIRE THAT THE SERBIAN FORCES WITHDRAW. HE EXPRESSED UNDERSTANDING OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN RELUCTANCE TO RESUME DIRECT TALKS.

WE BELIEVE THE ALBANIAN AUTHORITIES ARE JUSTIFIED IN HAVING THE VIEW THAT IT IS WRONG FOR THEM TO BE TALKING WHILE PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S FORCES ARE CRACKING DOWN ON THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS.

HE SAID THAT IS NOT A PRE-CONDITION TO TALKS BUT RATHER, IN HIS WORDS, A SITUATION IN WHICH SUCCESSFUL DIRECT TALKS REQUIRES A CHANGE IN THE MILITARY SITUATION--THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE SERBIAN FORCES.(SIGNED)
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24-Jun-98 3:55 PM EDT (1955 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] HOLBROOKE IN KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY LAURA ROZEN (PRISTINA KOSOVO)

INTRO: A DELEGATION LED BY THE NEWLY APPOINTED U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS RICHARD HOLBROOKE HAS TOURED KOSOVO - AND SEEN FIRST HAND SOME OF THE DESTRUCTION THAT VIOLENCE THERE HAS WROUGHT. LAURA ROZEN TOURED KOSOVO WITH THE HOLBROOKE DELEGATION AND HAS THIS REPORT FROM THE KOSOVO CAPITAL PRISTINA.

TEXT: MR. HOLBROOKE SAYS HE CAME TO KOSOVO TO PREVENT THE LOW LEVEL CONFLICT HERE FROM TURNING INTO A FULL SCALE WAR. MR. HOLBROOKE AND U-S DIPLOMATIC ENTOURAGE TOURED THE SITE OF SOME OF THE MOST INTENSE DESTRUCTION IN WESTERN KOSOVO - ALONG THE ROAD BETWEEN THE CITIES OF DJAKOVICA, DECANI AND PEC.

SURVEYING ONE DESTROYED AND ABANDONED VILLAGE NEAR DECANI- MR. HOLBROOKE COMPARED THE RUINS TO BOSNIA - AND SAID HE THINKS THE SERBS ARE TO BLAME.

LATER MR. HOLBROOKE MET WITH ETHNIC ALBANIAN VILLAGERS AND ARMED UNIFORMED GUERRILLAS IN THE VILLAGE OF JUNIK - ONLY A FEW KILOMETERS FROM THE ALBANIAN BORDER.

IN THE DISTANCE, ONE COULD HEAR ARTILLERY FIRE, MUFFLED SHELLING AND GRENADES. AT A SERBIAN POLICE CHECKPOINT WHERE JOURNALISTS WERE GATHERED - SOME FIVE KILOMETERS EAST OF WHERE HOLBROOKE'S DELEGATION WAS MEETING - A LOW FLYING YUGOSLAV ARMY HELICOPTER DREW FIRE FROM THE HILLS. ONE BULLET ENTERED A SERBIAN POLICE VEHICLE - NO ONE, HOWEVER, WAS INJURED, NOT EVEN THE POLICEMAN SLEEPING IN THE BACK SEAT.

AFTER HIS TOUR, MR. HOLBROOKE FLEW BACK TO BELGRADE FOR FURTHER TALKS WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. WASHINGTON WANTS SERBIA TO WITHDRAW ITS POLICE AND ARMY TROOPS TO BARRACKS - BEFORE THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS LAY DOWN THEIR ARMS. (SIGNED).
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24-Jun-98 6:03 PM EDT (2203 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] SENATE-BOSNIA-KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: THE SENATE IS URGING PRESIDENT CLINTON TO PULL U-S TROOPS OUT OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AS SOON AS HE CAN. BUT AS V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS, LAWMAKERS ARE NOT TRYING TO FORCE A WITHDRAWAL - AT LEAST FOR NOW.

TEXT: IN A SIGNAL OF GROWING IMPATIENCE, THE SENATE HAS DECLARED AMERICAN GROUND COMBAT SOLDIERS SHOULD NOT STAY IN BOSNIA INDEFINITELY. THE MEASURE CALLS ON THE PRESIDENT TO BRING THEM OUT IN A REASONABLE TIME AND SUGGESTS EUROPEAN NATIONS COULD FILL THE GAP. HOWEVER, THE LEGISLATION WOULD NOT SET BINDING LIMITS ON TROOP STRENGTH OR TIMETABLES FOR WITHDRAWAL, AS SOME SENATORS WANTED. THAT PROPOSAL HAS BEEN SET ASIDE IN PART BECAUSE OF STRONG OPPOSITION FROM MILITARY LEADERS. DEMOCRATIC SENATOR CARL LEVIN ECHOES THE PENTAGON'S ARGUMENT.

THAT WOULD UNDERMINE THE SAFETY OF OUR TROOPS. THAT WILL JEOPARDIZE THE WELL-BEING OF OUR TROOPS. THAT WILL PLAY INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE THAT WANT US OUT OF THERE BY ONE MEANS OR ANOTHER AND WILL USE FORCE IF NECESSARY TO GET US OUT OF THERE.

THE LANGUAGE THE SENATE APPROVED TOOK WEEKS OF NEGOTIATIONS BY THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE. STILL, ITS MEMBERS SAY THERE IS NO REAL CONSENSUS ABOUT THE U-S PRESENCE IN THE BALKANS. REPUBLICAN KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, ONE OF THOSE WHO FAVORS A GRADUAL CUTBACK IN TROOP LEVELS, SAYS SHE MAY RAISE THE ISSUE AGAIN.

WE DON'T NEED OUR BEST FIGHTING FORCES TO DO THE POLICE-KEEPING MISSION THAT WE ARE DOING IN BOSNIA WHICH CAN ABLY BE DONE BY MANY OTHER OF OUR ALLIES.

CRITICS SAY THE MEASURE PASSED WEDNESDAY SENDS THE WRONG MESSAGE TO SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, WHO IS WAGING A CRACKDOWN ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO PROVINCE. FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BOB DOLE IS AMONG THOSE CALLING FOR A TOUGH RESPONSE. MR. DOLE NOW HEADS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON MISSING PERSONS IN FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. IN A SENATE HEARING, HE CHARGED THE UNITED STATES AND THE WEST ARE VACILLATING ON KOSOVO AS THEY DID IN BOSNIA BEFORE.

SO THERE'S NO OTHER REALISTIC OPTION LEFT THAN TO THREATEN MILOSEVIC WITH FORCE AND BE PREPARED TO CARRY OUT THAT THREAT. THIS IS THE ONLY MESSAGE THAT I BELIEVE IS WORTH DELIVERING TO BELGRADE. AND I'M THEREFORE GRAVELY CONCERNED THAT THE ACTION TAKEN TO DATE IS NOT ENOUGH TO PREVENT ANOTHER BOSNIA.

A RESOLUTION JUST INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE LABELS THE SERBIAN LEADER A WAR CRIMINAL AND SAYS HE SHOULD BE PUBLICLY INDICTED BY AN INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL. (SIGNED)
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24-Jun-98 6:12 PM EDT (2212 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] N. IRELAND / ELECTION (L-ONLY) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: TWO DAYS BEFORE A KEY ELECTION IN NORTHERN IRELAND, THE PRESIDENT OF IRELAND PREDICTED THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA FOR THE IRISH NATION, IF THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE ACCORD IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED. PRESIDENT MARY MCALEESE IS ON A VISIT TO WASHINGTON IN HOPES TO BROADEN IRISH-AMERICAN TIES. MORE FROM V-O-A'S MAXIM KNIAZKOV.

TEXT: ON THURSDAY, NORTHERN IRISH VOTERS WILL GO TO THE POLLS TO ELECT A NEW ASSEMBLY INSTITUTED BY THE "GOOD FRIDAY" PEACE ACCORD.

IT WILL BE THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THE AGREEMENT DESIGNED TO END THREE DECADES OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE IN THE BRITISH-RULED PROVINCE.

SPEAKING TUESDAY AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY IN WASHINGTON, IRISH PRESIDENT MARY MCALEESE URGED TO PRAY FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE VOTE. SHE EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THE PEACE ACCORD HAS FIRMLY PUT NORTHERN IRELAND ON THE PATH OF DEMOCRATIC RULE.

THERE WILL, OF COURSE, BE DIFFICULTIES AHEAD. BUT THE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE, HOWEVER, IS THAT THE ROAD AHEAD IS NOW MAPPED OUT. THERE ARE RULES. WE NOW HAVE A MAP TO GUIDE US DOWN THAT ROAD. AND THOSE RULES HAVE BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY DEMOCRATICALLY ENDORSED. THAT PROFOUNDLY TRANSFORMS THE SITUATION.

THROUGH NORTHERN IRELAND FORMALLY REMAINS PART OF BRITAIN, THE 108-SEAT ASSEMBLY WILL TAKE OVER FROM BRITISH ADMINISTRATORS MANY OF THEIR CURRENT RESPONSIBILITIES. MORE IMPORTANT, IT WILL DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION BETWEEN THE PROVINCE AND THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND.

IRISH UNITY HAS BEEN A HISTORIC GOAL OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S CATHOLIC MINORITY. AND ITS REPRESENTATIVES IN THE ASSEMBLY ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE A FIRM PRO-IRISH STANCE. PRO-BRITISH PROTESTANT DEPUTIES WILL UNDOUBTEDLY RESIST THAT DRIVE.

THE PEACE ACCORD REQUIRES IRELAND TO REMOVE ALL CLAIMS TO NORTHERN IRELAND FROM ITS CONSTITUTION. PRESIDENT MCALEESE SAYS THESE AMENDMENTS WILL BE SOON ADOPTED. BUT SHE SAYS THE AMENDED CONSTITUTION WILL STILL EMPHASIZE A SPECIAL BOND BETWEEN THE IRISH -- REGARDLESS OF THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE.

WHEN THAT PROVISION COMES INTO FORCE, AS I EXPECT VERY SHORTLY, IT WILL REPRESENT THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE ENDORSEMENT BY THE IRISH PEOPLE OF THE GOAL OF STRENGTHENING THE BONDS OF SENTIMENT, OF PRIDE AND SOLIDARITY BETWEEN THE MANY DIFFERENT STRANDS OF TODAY'S GLOBAL IRISH FAMILY.

MRS. MCALEESE PRAISED THE UNITED STATES -- AND PRESIDENT CLINTON PERSONALLY -- FOR THEIR ROLE IN HELPING BRING ABOUT THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE ACCORD. SHE MADE IT CLEAR SHE SEES THE UNITED STATES AS THE GUARANTOR OF ITS FUTURE VIABILITY. SHE SAID NO PARTY TO THE DEAL CAN NOW BREACH IT -- WITHOUT RISKING TO FORFEIT THE GOODWILL OF THE MOST POWERFUL NATION ON EARTH. (SIGNED)
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23-Jun-98 8:23 PM EDT (0023 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] NORTHERN IRELAND BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: VOTERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND GO TO THE POLLS THURSDAY TO ELECT A NEW ASSEMBLY FOR THE PROVINCE, WHICH WILL GIVE THEM MORE SAY IN RUNNING THEIR OWN AFFAIRS. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE POLITICAL AGREEMENT OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED BY VOTERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND LAST MONTH PROVIDES FOR THE ELECTION OF A 108-MEMBER ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL TAKE OVER MANY OF THE FUNCTIONS NOW HELD BY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT AT WESTMINSTER.

JOHN ALDERDICE -- LEADER OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S NON-SECTARIAN "ALLIANCE" PARTY -- SAYS THE ASSEMBLY WILL BE, IN EFFECT, THE PROVINCE'S GOVERNMENT AND WILL HAVE MANY RESPONSIBILITIES.

THINGS LIKE HEALTH, EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE, THE ECONOMY -- THE LOCAL ECONOMY, THAT IS -- THE ENVIRONMENT AND OF COURSE, VERY IMPORTANTLY, CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND ON A WHOLE RANGE OF ISSUES. AND INDEED COOPERATION WITH THE NEW SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT TO BE ESTABLISHED FAIRLY SOON, THE NEW WELSH SENATE -- AND OF COURSE CONTINUING COOPERATION WITH WESTMINSTER. SO REALLY, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ALMOST 30 YEARS, NORTHERN IRELAND PEOPLE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR MOST OF THE MAJOR DAY-TO-DAY ISSUES OF NORTHERN IRELAND LIFE.

THE POLITICAL AGREEMENT SETTING UP THE ASSEMBLY WAS OPPOSED ESSENTIALLY BY PRO-BRITISH POLITICIANS WHO FELT THE NEW INSTITUTION WILL HELP BRING ABOUT A UNITED IRELAND. NOW MANY OF THOSE POLITICIANS ARE CANDIDATES AND THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT IF ELECTED, THEY WOULD TRY TO BLOCK THE ASSEMBLY'S WORK.

HOWEVER MR. ALDERDICE BELIEVES THE INFLUENCE OF THESE "ANTI-AGREEMENT" POLITICIANS IS WANING.

ALL THE SENSE FROM OPINION POLLS AND WHAT WE ARE GETTING FROM THE DOORSTEPS IS THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO GET A SUFFICIENT NUMBER TO BLOCK PROGRESS. THEY CERTAINLY WILL BE NOISY AND RAMBUNCTIOUS AND DIFFICULT -- THEY ALWAYS HAVE BEEN. BUT THE KIND OF NUMBERS THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO GET IN ORDER TO FRUSTRATE THE WORK OF THE ASSEMBLY IS PROBABLY SOMETHING LIKE 30 OR 40 PERCENT ABOVE WHAT THEY ARE LIKELY TO GET.

MR. ALDERDICE SAYS EVEN AFTER ALL THE RESULTS ARE IN, THE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BEGIN THEIR WORK RIGHT AWAY. HE SAYS THE FIRST REASON IS BECAUSE THE LEGISLATION GIVING IT SPECIFIC POWERS STILL HAS TO BE PASSED BY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

THE SECOND THING IS -- FRANKLY -- ALL OF US AS POLITICIANS HERE HAVE BEEN OPERATING EFFECTIVELY AS OPPOSITION POLITICIANS, WITHOUT OUR HAND EITHER ON THE LEVERS OF POWER OR INDEED WITH ALL THE INFORMATION THAT GOES WITH HAVING POWER -- AND THAT FOR MORE THAN A GENERATION. SO I THINK ALL OF US ACCEPT THAT THERE IS A STRONG CASE FOR A KIND OF 'RUNNING IN' PERIOD -- A PERIOD OF TIME WHERE WE WILL WORK WITH THE CURRENT MINISTERS AND WITH THE CIVIL SERVANTS AND INDEED WITH EACH OTHER IN PARTNERSHIP, BECAUSE THAT IS THE OTHER NEW EXPERIENCE THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE FACING.

JOHN ALDERDICE -- LEADER OF THE "ALLIANCE" PARTY -- BELIEVES IT WILL BE IN FEBRUARY OR MARCH OF NEXT YEAR WHEN THE NEW ASSEMBLY WILL BE FULLY IN CONTROL OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S AFFAIRS. (SIGNED)
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24-Jun-98 9:58 AM EDT (1358 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY KEVIN LYNCH (LONDON)

INTRO: THE MAJOR MARKETS IN EUROPE ENDED TRADING WEDNESDAY ON THE PLUS SIDE, THOUGH NOT AS HIGH AS THEY WERE EARLIER IN THE DAY. HERE IS KEVIN LYNCH WITH THE CLOSING FIGURES FROM LONDON.

TEXT: EUROPE'S BIG THREE MARKETS GOT OFF TO A STRONG START WEDNESDAY, BOOSTED BY WALL STREET'S SHOWING ON TUESDAY. BUT WALL STREET FALTERED WHEN IT OPENED THIS MORNING AND THAT HAD REPERCUSSIONS IN EUROPE, WHERE THE GAINS WERE TRIMMED, ESPECIALLY IN PARIS AND FRANKFURT.

HERE ARE THE CLOSING FIGURES. IN LONDON, EUROPE'S BIGGEST MARKET, THE FINANCIAL TIMES 100 SHARE INDEX FINISHED 33 POINTS HIGHER, AN INCREASE OF A HALF PERCENT. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX WAS UP 61 POINTS, A GAIN OF ONE POINT FIVE PERCENT. IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX JUMPED 36 POINTS, A LITTLE MORE THAN HALF A PERCENT.

THE PRICE OF GOLD CLOSED IN LONDON AT 293 DOLLARS 50 CENTS AN OUNCE -- DOWN 80 CENTS. (SIGNED)
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24-Jun-98 3:37 PM EDT (1937 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP STRONGLY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AND A DEAL WAS ANNOUNCED WHICH COULD SHARPLY INCREASE COMPETITION IN THE U-S LOCAL TELEPHONE SERVICE MARKET. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 89 HUNDRED 23, UP 95 POINTS OR ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED 32, UP 13 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY TRADING REFLECTED AN EXTENSION OF TUESDAY'S RALLY WITH CONTINUED STRENGTH IN HIGH TECHNOLOGY STOCKS.

A HUGE TAKEOVER WILL COMBINE A-T AND T AND T-C-I, TWO MAJOR U-S TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND CABLE TELEVISION COMPANIES. THE DEAL, WHICH IS WORTH ABOUT 50 BILLION DOLLARS IN STOCK AND DEBT, WILL GIVE A-T AND T, THE LEADING U-S LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY, ACCESS TO LOCAL TELEPHONE SERVICE MARKETS. A-T AND T WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO USE CABLE T-V CONNECTIONS TO PROVIDE HIGH SPEED COMPUTER INTERNET SERVICE.

ANALYSTS SAY THE DEAL COULD CAUSE TROUBLE FOR REGIONAL TELEPHONE COMPANIES IN THE UNITED STATES WHICH HAVE ENJOYED A VIRTUAL MONOPOLY ON LOCAL SERVICE.

THREE MOBILE TELEPHONE COMPANIES AND A COMPUTER COMPANY HAVE FORMED A JOINT VENTURE TO DEVELOP A HAND-HELD INTERNET ACCESS DEVICE. THE PROJECT INVOLVES MOBILE PHONE COMPANIES MOTOROLA OF THE UNITED STATES, NOKIA OF FINLAND, ERICSSON OF SWEDEN AND THE PSION (SYON) COMPUTER COMPANY OF BRITAIN.

OPEC NATIONS HAVE AGREED TO CUT OIL PRODUCTION BY ONE POINT THREE MILLION BARRELS A DAY IN AN EFFORT TO RAISE PRICES. HOWEVER, SOME INDUSTRY ANALYSTS SAY THE REDUCTION MAY NOT BE STEEP ENOUGH TO PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANT LIFT TO OIL PRICES

THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS REJECTED A PLAN BY REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS TO CUT THE CAPITAL GAINS TAX, THAT IS THE TAX LEVIED ON INCREASES IN ASSET VALUES SUCH AS STOCKS. PROPONENTS SAY A REDUCTION WOULD STIMULATE THE SALE OF STOCKS AND INCREASE REVENUE. BUT A WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN SAYS REDUCTION OF THE TAX WOULD NOT GENERATE ENOUGH NEW REVENUE TO JUSTIFY ITS COSTS.

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAS GIVEN APPROVAL TO THE PLANNED MERGER OF CITICORP AND THE TRAVELERS GROUP. THE COMMISSION SAYS THE COMBINATION OF THOSE U-S BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANIES WILL NOT THREATEN COMPETITION IN THE EUROPEAN MARKET. APPROVAL BY U-S REGULATORS IS STILL PENDING.

THE MICROSOFT COMPANY IS LAUNCHING A MAJOR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE "WINDOWS 98," THE LATEST VERSION OF ITS POPULAR COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEM. THE ADS ARE AIMED AT CONVINCING USERS OF OLDER "WINDOWS" PROGRAMS TO UPGRADE THEIR SYSTEMS.(SIGNED)
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24-Jun-98 5:33 PM EDT (2133 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S TRIP TO CHINA IS DRAWING MORE COMMENT IN THE U-S PRESS. OTHER TOPICS ARE THE MUNICIPAL EXPANSION OF JERUSALEM AND ITS AFFECTS ON THE PEACE PROCESS; COLOMBIA ELECTION RESULTS; THE BATTLE IN CONGRESS OVER CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM; AND A FIGHT IN THE SENATE OVER APPROVING A HOMOSEXUAL AS AMBASSADOR TO LUXEMBOURG. NOW, __________________________ JOINS US WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THERE IS BOTH CRITICISM AND SUPPORT FOR THE WAY THE PRESIDENT SET UP THIS TRIP, WHICH RECIPROCATES FOR A VISIT BY JIANG ZEMIN TO THE UNITED STATES LAST OCTOBER. AND THERE IS A GOOD DEAL OF COMMENT ON U-S POLICY TOWARD CHINA. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" CALLS THE TRIP "A 'GIFT' TO CHINA'S REGIME" BUT FAULTS THE WHITE HOUSE FOR NOT GETTING AGREEMENT TO DISCUSS MAJOR ISSUES OF INTEREST TO THIS COUNTRY BEFORE AGREEING TO THE TRIP.

VOICE: BILL CLINTON'S TRIP TO CHINA ....... IS LIKELY TO BE SHORT ON POLICY BREAKTHROUGHS AND LONG ON SYMBOLISM. THEREFORE THE PRESIDENT MUST STAND FIRM PUBLICLY AND PRIVATELY ON AMERICAN PRINCIPLES REGARDING HUMAN RIGHTS, TRADE AND ARMS NONPROLIFERATION. THE WHITE HOUSE SQUANDERED VITAL LEVERAGE BY COMMITTING TO THE TRIP BEFORE SECURING CHINA'S AGREEMENT TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF MAJOR INTEREST TO THE UNITED STATES. /// OPT /// .... CHINA IS COUNTING ON [MR.] CLINTON'S VISIT TO RAISE THE GLOBAL LEGITIMACY OF ITS LEADERS. WASHINGTON'S FAILURE TO SECURE A DIPLOMATIC QUID PRO QUO IS GIVING THE CHINESE JUST WHAT THEY WANT. THE WHITE HOUSE SHOULD HAVE DONE BETTER. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: "USA TODAY" SAYS THAT WHILE CHINA STILL HAS MANY PROBLEMS IN ITS EXTERNAL RELATIONS, PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE THAT SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED IN ASSESSING THE PRESIDENT'S VISIT, BEGINNING WITH ARMS CONTROL.

VOICE: /// OPT /// ONCE A POSTER CHILD [BIG SUPPORTER] FOR PROLIFERATION, /// END OPT /// CHINA HAS BEGUN TO RECOGNIZE THE WISDOM OF ARMS CONTROL. ..... THIS SUMMIT PROVIDES [MR.] CLINTON WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRESS CHINA FURTHER ON ITS CONTINUED SALE OF MISSILES AND DUAL-USE MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT TO COUNTRIES SUCH AS IRAN AND NORTH KOREA.

MAKE NO MISTAKE: CHINA REMAINS A TOTALITARIAN REGIME WHOSE SIGNATURE POLICY WAS ITS WILLINGNESS TO SLAUGHTER STUDENTS IN .....1989. ..... BUT MODERATION IS EVIDENT. THE PEACEFUL PASSING OF POWER IN HONG KONG AND CHINA'S AGREEMENT TO SIGN THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS ...... DEMONSTRATE THE POSSIBILITY OF CHANGE. ..... WITH ONE-FIFTH OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION AND A NUCLEAR ARSENAL, CHINA CAN BE NEITHER IGNORED NOR BULLIED. BUT OVER TIME, CHINA'S LEADERS CAN BE PERSUADED - - BY STEADY U-S PRESSURE AND ITS OWN RAPIDLY EVOLVING ECONOMY.

TEXT: BALANCING THE COMMENTS OF CRITICS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE VISIT, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" WRITES:

VOICE: MR. CLINTON IS NEITHER A KOWTOWING SUPPLICANT NOR A VISITING EMPEROR. MUCH OF HIS TRIP, LIKE THOSE OF PREVIOUS U-S PRESIDENTS, WILL SERVE AS EDUCATION FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE - - A DROP-IN TOUR OF HOW MUCH ENTREPRENEURIAL CHINA HAS PROGRESSED IN RECENT YEARS, PLUS PHOTOGENIC SHOTS OF THE GREAT WALL, OVER VAST TIANANMEN SQUARE, AND THE MYSTIC MOUNTAINS OF GUILIN. IT IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT OF WASHINGTON AND BE GRANDLY PRESIDENTIAL.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE MIDDLE EAST, THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A CHANGE IN THE BOUNDARIES OF JERUSALEM BY THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT, WHICH HAS INFURIATED THE PALESTINIANS, CONTINUES TO DRAW CONDEMNATION FROM SOME PAPERS AND PRAISE FROM OTHERS. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS MR. NETANYAHU "HAS CHOSEN AN AWKWARD MOMENT TO REDRAW THE BOUNDARIES OF JERUSALEM," ADDING:

VOICE: THE NEW BOUNDARIES WOULD EXPAND JERUSALEM'S TERRITORY BY 50 PERCENT, BY ANNEXING ISRAELI LAND TO THE WEST. ....... MR. NETANYAHU SHOULD NOT BE REDEFINING JERUSALEM'S BORDERS IN ADVANCE OF NEGOTIATIONS ABOUT ITS FUTURE. ........ [HE] FACES INCREASINGLY SHARP DIVISIONS WITHIN HIS OWN CABINET OVER WHETHER TO TAKE THE NEXT STEPS TOWARD PEACE. BY CAUSING NEW TENSION OVER JERUSALEM, HE MAY BE TRYING TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT.

TEXT: WITH A VERY DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW, "THE NEW YORK POST" HAS THIS COMMENT:

VOICE: THE STATE DEPARTMENT SEEMS UNILATERALLY TO HAVE DECIDED THAT ISRAEL IS NO LONGER AN AMERICAN ALLY. WHY? BECAUSE JERUSALEM HAS UNDERTAKEN POLICIES THAT ARE WHOLLY PERMISSIBLE UNDER BOTH INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THE OSLO ACCORDS - - BUT WHICH FOGGY BOTTOM [SLANG TERM FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT] BUREAUCRATS DON'T LIKE. ....... ISRAEL .... IS REDRAWING THE BORDERS OF JERUSALEM, ITS CAPITAL .... YASSER ARAFAT'S PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY, WHICH ASSETS CLAIMS TO JERUSALEM, DOESN'T LIKE THIS - - BUT IT HASN'T A LEG TO STAND ON [ITS POSITION IS UNJUSTIFIED]. ..... STATE'S HOTSHOTS [POLICY EXPERTS] THINK THAT THEY - - NOT THE PARTIES TO THE ACCORD ....... KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR THE MIDDLE EAST.

TEXT: /// OPT /// TODAY'S "ORLANDO SENTINEL" ADDS TO THE PAPERS THAT APPLAUD THE ELECTION OF ANDRES PASTRANA AS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF COLOMBIA, NOTING:

VOICE: GIVEN THE SCOPE OF ITS PROBLEMS, COLOMBIA CAN'T EXPECT IMMEDIATE SUCCESSES. BUT MR. PASTRANA'S INTENTIONS ALREADY APPEAR 100 PERCENT BETTER THAN THOSE OF HIS PREDECESSOR. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, THERE IS SUPPORT IN "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" FOR THE STILL LINGERING FORCES IN CONGRESS FIGHTING FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. THE PAPER SAYS THE EFFORTS OF A SMALL BAND OF REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS TO KEEP REFORM ALIVE SHOULD GET MORE PUBLIC SUPPORT. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" REBUKES A GROUP OF SENATORS FOR BLOCKING A VOTE ON NOMINEE JAMES HORMEL TO BE AMBASSADOR TO LUXEMBOURG BECAUSE HE IS A HOMOSEXUAL.

VOICE: ..... MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT (REPUBLICAN OF MISSISSIPPI) WHO OPPOSES [MR.] HORMEL, HAS GIVEN HIS OPINION THAT HOMOSEXUALITY IS BOTH A SIN AND A TREATABLE CONDITION, LIKE ALCOHOLISM ..... [MR.] LOTT AND HIS FELLOW ANTI-HORMEL CRUSADERS ARE ENTITLED TO THEIR BELIEFS ..... BUT [MR.] HORMEL IS ENTITLED TO HAVE HIS NOMINATION JUDGED BY THE ENTIRE SENATE, NOT VETOED BY A FEW SENATORS ON THE BASIS OF HOW THEY INTERPRET CERTAIN BIBLICAL PASSAGES.

TEXT: LASTLY, "NEWSDAY" MAKES THE POINT THAT A MAJOR STRIKE AT TWO GENERAL MOTORS PARTS PLANTS IN FLINT, MICHIGAN, THAT HAS SHUT DOWN MUCH OF THE HUGE AUTOMAKERS OPERATIONS THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA, IS JUST NOT AS BIG NEWS AS IT USED TO BE.

VOICE: NOT SO LONG AGO, A STRIKE AT THE BIGGEST OF THE BIG THREE AUTOMAKERS WOULD HAVE BEEN BIG NEWS. PRESIDENTS WOULD HAVE CONFERRED WITH CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY AND PRINCES OF LABOR, AND THE NATION WOULD HAVE WATCHED WORRIEDLY AS THE REVENUES OF ITS BIGGEST SINGLE INDUSTRY WITHERED AWAY. TODAY, THE AUTO STRIKE IS BEING COVERED BY THE PRESS, BUT LIFT GOES ON.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE BRING THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS TO A CLOSE.
NEB/ANG/GE
24-Jun-98 11:12 AM EDT (1512 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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