Voice of America, 98-08-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRIOT PROPOSAL (L-ONLY) BY CHRIS DRAKE (NICOSIA)

[02] EDITORIAL: U.S. CONDEMNS THE REAL I-R-A

[03] EDITORIAL: DEMOCRATIC CHANGE IN NIGERIA?

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

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

[06] KOSOVO RIGHTS (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

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

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

[01] CYPRIOT PROPOSAL (L-ONLY) BY CHRIS DRAKE (NICOSIA)

INTRO: ON THE DIVIDED MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND OF CYPRUS, TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADER RAUF DENKTASH MONDAY PROPOSED FORMATION OF A CONFEDERATION OF TWO EQUAL STATES WITH THE GREEK CYPRIOTS AS A WAY OF SOLVING THE 24-YEAR-OLD DISPUTE. BUT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, THE PROPOSAL WAS REJECTED BY BOTH THE GREEK CYPRIOTS AND GREECE ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT SOUGHT TO LEGITIMIZE TURKEY'S INVASION AND CONTINUING OCCUPATION OF THE NORTHERN PART OF CYPRUS IN 1974. INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO REUNITE THE ISLAND HAVE BEEN DEADLOCKED FOR MANY MONTHS NOW, AND AS CHRIS DRAKE REPORTS FROM NICOSIA, MONDAY'S EVENTS ARE CERTAIN TO MAKE PROGRESS MORE DIFFICULT.

TEXT: SITTING NEXT TO RAUF DENKTASH AT A NEWS CONFERENCE WAS TURKEY'S OWN FOREIGN MINISTER, WHO HAD FLOWN IN SPECIALLY TO GIVE THE PROPOSALS THE MAINLAND'S OFFICIAL BACKING.

THE PLAN IS A RADICAL DEPARTURE FROM PREVIOUS ONES WHICH HAVE FORMED THE BASIS FOR NEGOTIATIONS SINCE THE 1970S. THE MAIN DIFFERENCE IS THAT INSTEAD OF A STRONG CENTRAL GOVERNMENT FOR BOTH COMMUNITIES, A CONFEDERATION WOULD MEAN TWO SEPARATE STATES WITH THEIR OWN GOVERNMENTS.

RAUF DENKTASH SAID HIS PROPOSAL WAS A LAST CHANCE TO SOLVE THE CYPRUS PROBLEM AND PREVENT PERMANENT PARTITION OF THE ISLAND.

THIS IS A GOODWILL MEASURE BY US AS A FINAL PROPOSITION IN ORDER TO STOP THIS NONSENSE THAT GREEK CYPRIOTS ARE THE MASTERS OF CYPRUS AND THAT THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO IMPOSE THEMSELVES UPON CYPRUS. THEY HAVE NO SUCH RIGHT. WE ARE NOT THEIR SUBJECTS. THEY ARE NOT OUR MASTERS AND THEY ARE NOT OUR GOVERNMENT. THIS IS THE RULE OF LAW. //OPT// THIS IS THE 1960 AGREEMENT THIS IS THE REALITY. WE ARE PROPOSING THAT WE SETTLE THE CYPRUS PROBLEM ON THE BASIS OF A REALITY. //END OPT//

EVEN BEFORE THE PROPOSALS HAD BEEN FORMALLY CONVEYED TO THEM, THE GREEK CYPRIOTS AND THEIR ALLIES IN ATHENS HAD REJECTED THE PLANS.

ACTING CYPRUS PRESIDENT SPYROS KYPRIANOU SAID THEY AMOUNTED TO LEGITIMIZING THE TURKISH OCCUPATION AND THE PRESENT PARTITION OF THE ISLAND, AND WERE IN CONTRAVENTION OF ALL U-N RESOLUTIONS.

[02] EDITORIAL: U.S. CONDEMNS THE REAL I-R-A

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:

ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 15TH, AT ABOUT THREE IN THE AFTERNOON, THE QUIET VILLAGE OF OMAGH, IN NORTHERN IRELAND, WAS A SCENE OF HORROR. A POWERFUL CAR BOMB DEVASTATED A CROWDED SHOPPING AREA. TWENTY-EIGHT PEOPLE WERE KILLED. MORE THAN TWO-HUNDRED OTHERS WERE WOUNDED. IT WAS THE DEADLIEST BOMB ATTACK IN THE HISTORY OF A REGION THAT HAS KNOWN DECADES OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE. THE PERPETRATORS OF THIS SAVAGE ACT OF TERRORISM BELONG TO A SPLINTER GROUP OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY THAT CALLS ITSELF THE REAL I-R-A.

IN A TELEPHONE STATEMENT, THE REAL I-R-A CLAIMED TO EXPRESS SYMPATHY FOR THE VICTIMS. BRITISH NORTHERN IRELAND SECRETARY MARJORIE MOWLAM CALLED THE APOLOGY "A PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR MASS MURDER." SHE SAID THAT, "RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ATROCITY RESTS ENTIRELY WITH THE BOMBERS."

IRELAND'S PRIME MINISTER BERTIE AHERN VOWED THAT HIS GOVERNMENT WOULD "CRACK DOWN RUTHLESSLY" ON TERRORISTS. THE REAL I-R-A IS ESTIMATED TO CONSIST OF ABOUT ONE-HUNDRED I-R-A EXTREMISTS WHO ARE DETERMINED TO WRECK THE PEACE PROCESS THAT HAS OVERWHELMING PUBLIC SUPPORT BOTH IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC. THE PROVISIONAL I-R-A HAS SUSPENDED ITS PARA-MILITARY OPERATIONS FOR THE PAST THIRTEEN MONTHS WHILE ITS POLITICAL WING, SINN FEIN, HAS NEGOTIATED OVER NORTHERN IRELAND'S FUTURE.

THE REAL I-R-A HAS REVEALED ITSELF TO BE THE REAL ENEMY OF ALL PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL. LIKE OTHER TERRORISTS, THE REAL I-R-A MUST BE RESOLUTELY OPPOSED. PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON CONDEMNED WHAT HE CALLED THE "BUTCHERY" IN OMAGH AND EXPRESSED THE DETERMINATION OF THE U.S. TO "STAND WITH THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND AGAINST THE PERPETRATORS OF VIOLENCE."

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.
31-Aug-98 4:13 PM EDT (2013 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EDITORIAL: DEMOCRATIC CHANGE IN NIGERIA?

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:

CHANGE IS UNDERWAY IN NIGERIA. TWO MONTHS AFTER THE DEATH OF MILITARY DICTATOR SANI ABACHA, THERE IS RENEWED HOPE THAT THE COUNTRY WILL RETURN TO CIVILIAN RULE. PLANS ARE BEING MADE FOR ELECTIONS EARLY NEXT YEAR.

NIGERIA'S NEW RULER, GENERAL ABDULSALAM ABUBAKAR, HAS REASSIGNED OR FORCED THE RETIREMENT OF SEVERAL MILITARY OFFICERS WHO WERE CLOSE TO THE FORMER DICTATOR ABACHA. HE HAS REPEALED ABACHA-ERA DECREES BANNING INDEPENDENT POLITICAL PARTIES AND LABOR UNIONS. GENERAL ABUBAKAR HAS ALSO ANNULLED THE RESULTS OF CONTRIVED ELECTIONS HELD OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. AND HE HAS APPOINTED AN ELECTION COMMISSION HEADED BY A RESPECTED FORMER JUDGE.

WHILE GENERAL ABUBAKAR HAS FREED SCORES OF PROMINENT POLITICAL PRISONERS, MANY OTHERS REMAIN IN DETENTION, ACCORDING TO HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS. MOREOVER, GENERAL ABUBAKAR HAS RETAINED SEVERAL REPRESSIVE DECREES, INCLUDING DECREE NUMBER TWO, WHICH PERMITS POLICE TO DETAIN PEOPLE INDEFINITELY WITHOUT CHARGE.

THE UNITED STATES WELCOMES THE POSITIVE CHANGES GENERAL ABUBAKAR HAS BROUGHT ABOUT. AT THE SAME TIME, THE U.S. URGES THE GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA TO RELEASE REMAINING POLITICAL PRISONERS. THE U.S. IS COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF NIGERIA TO ENSURE A TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN RULE.

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.
31-Aug-98 4:13 PM EDT (2013 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE BEGAN THE TRADING WEEK MONDAY WITH MORE DECLINES. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE FIGURES FROM LONDON.

TEXT: CONTINUING CONCERN ABOUT RUSSIA'S FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL FUTURE DEPRESSED MARKET PRICES FURTHER MONDAY AND DECLINES OF BETWEEN ONE-AND-ONE-HALF TO NEARLY THREE-PERCENT FOR THE DAY WERE COMMON IN WESTERN EUROPE.

PRICES ON SOME BOURSES SWUNG BETWEEN GAINS AND LOSSES, BUT ENDED LOWER.

EUROPE'S BIGGEST MARKET, LONDON, WAS CLOSED FOR A HOLIDAY MONDAY, BUT TRADING ON THE GERMAN "DAX" IN FRANKFURT ENDED IN A LOSS OF MORE THAN 114-POINTS -- MORE THAN TWO-PERCENT -- AND ON THE PARIS "CAC 40" INDEX, THE GROUP OF STOCKS WAS OFF 57-POINTS, OR ALMOST ONE-AND-ONE-HALF PERCENT.

GOLD IN EUROPE CONTINUES TO TRADE AT ABOUT 275-DOLLARS AN OUNCE CLOSE TO THE METAL'S LOWEST PRICE IN ABOUT TWO DECADES. (SIGNED)
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31-Aug-98 2:37 PM EDT (1837 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: WESTERN EUROPE'S STOCK MARKETS OPEN TUESDAY WITH HOPES RUSSIA'S ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SYSTEM WILL SHOW SOME SIGNS OF STABILITY -- WHICH MAY EASE THE NERVES OF INVESTORS. MORE FROM V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON.

TEXT: WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ARRIVAL IN MOSCOW TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN, INVESTORS WILL LOOK FOR SIGNS IN THE SUMMIT THAT MAY BOOST CONFIDENCE THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL IN RUSSIA'S ECONOMY WILL SOON END.

BUT FEW MARKET ANALYSTS ARE HOPEFUL THE MOSCOW SUMMIT WILL MAKE AN IMMEDIATE DIFFERENCE, AND MANY ARE PESSIMISTIC ABOUT PROSPECTS FOR ANY IMMEDIATE MARKET REVERSALS.

ALL OF WESTERN EUROPE'S STOCK EXCHANGES CLOSED LOWER MONDAY.

THE GERMAN "DAX" INDEX WAS OFF 114-POINTS AND STANDS AT 48-11. THE FRENCH "CAC 40" STOCK INDEX MONDAY LOST 57-POINTS AND OPENS LATER TODAY AT 36-51.

LONDON'S STOCK MARKET WAS CLOSED MONDAY FOR A HOLIDAY. (SIGNED)
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31-Aug-98 2:41 PM EDT (1841 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO RIGHTS (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THE SENIOR POLITICAL CHIEF OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN "KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY," OR "K-L-A" SAYS HIS ARMY DID NOT COMMIT ATROCIES -- INCLUDING THE KILLING OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN -- AS ALLEGED BY THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT. BUT A VISITING U-S SENATOR, LOOKING AT WAYS TO END THE FIGHTING IN KOSOVO, SAYS THAT THE PROBLEM OF KNOWING WHOM TO TALK TO IN THE K-L-A COMMAND STRUCTURE IS GETTING IN THE WAY OF WESTERN PEACE-MAKING EFFORTS. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM PRISTINA.

TEXT: THE NEWLY-APPOINTED POLITICAL CHIEF OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY SAYS THAT HIS FORCES HAD NO MOTIVATION TO ENGAGE IN THE ALLEGED ATROCITIES.

SERB OFFICIALS ALLEGED ON SATURDAY THAT 22 KIDNAPPED SERBS HAD BEEN EXECUTED NEAR THE VILLAGE OF KLECKA BY MEMBERS OF THE K-L-A.

BUT ADEM DEMACI, WHO WAS APPOINTED POLITICAL CHIEF OF THE K-L-A IN AUGUST BY THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WING OF THE ORGANIZATION, CALLED THE ALLEGATIONS "NONSENSE." IN AN INTERVIEW WITH V-O-A, MR. DEMACI SAID HE DOES NOT BELIEVE THE K-L-A KILLED CIVILIANS, INCLUDING WOMEN AND CHILDREN, AS ALLEGED BY SERBIAN SECURITY OFFICIALS.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE K-L-A HAD ANY MOTIVE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT. BECAUSE WE ARE NOT FIGHTING AGAINST SERBIAN PEOPLE. WE ARE FIGHTING AGAINST THE SERBIAN REGIME. THE FIGHTER OF THE K-L-A HAS ENOUGH POLICEMEN AND SOLDIERS TO FIGHT -- (AND) NOT TO FIGHT AGAINST THE SERBIAN PEOPLE.

THE EVIDENCE AT KLECKA -- IF PROVEN THROUGH INTERNATIONAL FORENSIC TESTING -- COULD PROVE TO BE DAMNING FOR THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS, FIGHTING FOR INDEPENDENCE FROM SERBIAN RULE.

SERB SECURITY FORCES OUSTED REBELS FROM THEIR KLECKA BASE LAST FRIDAY AND CALLED IN JOURNALISTS TO LOOK AT HUMAN BONES IN A BRICK KILN THEY CLAIMED WAS USED TO BURN DEAD SERB CIVILIANS.

BUT EVIDENCE IS STILL MISSING TO PROVE THE SERB ALLEGATIONS -- INCLUDING THE NAMES OF PERSONS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN KILLED.

MR. DEMACI CALLED FOR INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS TO EXAMINE THE EVIDENCE AT KLECKA AND OTHER SITES WHERE ALBANIAN HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIALS SAY THE SERBS EXECUTED ALBANIANS.

KOSOVO'S FRAGILE PEACE PROCESS HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY ALLEGATIONS AND COUNTER-ALLEGATIONS OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. BUT WESTERN OFFICIALS HAVE ALSO BEEN IMPEDED BY THEIR INABILITY TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE MOST INFLUENTIAL MILITARY COMMANDERS IN THE K-L-A.

U-S SENATOR JOHN WARNER (REPUBLICAN OF VIRGINIA), VISITING KOSOVO MONDAY IN HIS CAPACITY AS A SENIOR MEMBER OF THE SENATE'S ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, SAID THAT U-S OFFICIALS HAD BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE MOST INFLUENTIAL LEADERS IN THE K-L-A.

CLEARLY, THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND IT'S COMPLICATED BY THE INABILITY TO IDENTIFY WITHIN THE K-L-A RANKS THE LEADERS AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY CAN SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THEIR FOLLOWING WITH A UNIFIED THEME.

WESTERN OFFICIALS ADMIT THAT WITHOUT THE K-L-A GETTING INVOLVED IN THE PEACE PROCESS, KOSOVO'S GUERRILLA WAR IS LIKELY TO DRAG ON INDEFINITELY. (SIGNED)
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31-Aug-98 3:42 PM EDT (1942 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: RUSSIA'S FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL TURMOIL CONTINUE TO FIND PLENTY OF ATTENTION IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF THE U-S PRESS. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S TROUBLES; THE NEW WAR AGAINST TERRORISM; THE NUCLEAR BOMB AFTERMATH IN SOUTH ASIA; THE CONTINUING BATTLE TO REFORM CAMPAIGN SPENDING PRACTICES; AND REMEMBERING PRINCESS DIANA BECOMES A BUSINESS. NOW, HERE IS ________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: NEBRASKA'S "OMAHA WORLD-HERALD" IS EXPRESSING CONCERN FOR THE CONTINUING WOES IN RUSSIA, NOTING:

VOICE: A REGRETTABLE TRUTH HAS BECOME EVIDENT IN RUSSIA. GIVING LIP SERVICE [PROCLAIMING SOMETHING, WHILE NOT REALLY BELIEVING IT] TO THE IDEA OF A FREE-MARKET ECONOMY IS NOT ENOUGH TO BRING ECONOMIC HEALTH TO A NATION. AFTER THE FALL OF THE COMMUNIST SOVIET REGIME IN 1991, BORIS YELTSIN CAME TO POWER AS A CHAMPION OF FREE-MARKET REFORM. BUT HE AND HIS GOVERNMENT LACKED THE EXPERTISE - - AND, SOME SAY, THE WILL - - TO BUILD AN AUTHENTIC CAPITALIST SYSTEM. .... SO THERE IS NO TRULY COMPETITIVE ECONOMIC MARKET OPERATING IN RUSSIA. /// OPT /// THE ECONOMY IS EXPLOITED BY A SMALL, POWERFUL ELITE. PEOPLE WITH CONNECTIONS WERE DOING VERY WELL - - AT LEAST UNTIL THE RECENT PLUNGE IN .... THE RUBLE. ALMOST EVERYBODY ELSE IS SCRAPING BY FROM PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK - - IF THE PAYCHECKS COME AT ALL. ... /// END OPT /// PEOPLE WHO WERE BRUTALIZED FOR MOST OF THIS CENTURY BY STALIN AND THE OTHER ARCHITECTS OF THE DISASTROUS SOVIET SYSTEM ARE NOW CRUELLY BEING SUBJECTED TO FURTHER, EXCRUCIATING CONDITIONS BY THE POST-SOVIET REGIME. THERE APPEARS TO BE LITTLE PROSPECT OF RELIEF FOR THEM ANY TIME SOON.

TEXT: IN "USA TODAY" THERE IS SUPPORT FOR THE CLINTON-YELTSIN SUMMIT DESPITE THE DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES BOTH MEN ARE IN.

VOICE: WHY BOTHER? THE UNDENIABLE ANSWER: BETTER TO ENGAGE RUSSIA THAN TO IGNORE ITS PROBLEMS. [MR.] YELTSIN'S HOLD ON POWER MAY BE GOSSAMER [FRAGILE], AND RUSSIA'S ECONOMY A WRECK, BUT NEITHER VULNERABILITY NEGATES THE POWER RUSSIA RETAINS. /// OPT /// ... RUSSIA'S PEOPLE NEED REASSURANCE THAT THEIR PAINFUL TRANSITION FROM THE STATE-CONTROLLED SOVIET ECONOMY TO A FREE MARKET HAS JUST BEGUN - - THAT INFLATION, PITIFUL WAGES AND BANKING TURMOIL REPRESENT A MIDDLE AND NOT AN END. AT THIS SUMMIT, [PRESIDENT] CLINTON CAN PROVIDE THAT MUCH.

TEXT: AS PRESIDENT CLINTON LEAVES FOR THE SUMMIT, HE REMAINS IN TROUBLE HERE AT HOME AS REGARDS THE MONICA LEWINSKY AFFAIR. MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" SUGGESTS THE HOUSE WAIT FOR ALL THE EVIDENCE FROM KENNETH STARR'S INVESTIGATION BEFORE MAKING AN IMPEACHMENT DECISION. BUT, NOTES THE PAPER:

VOICE: UNFORTUNATELY, THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP IS NOT UNITED IN THIS RESPONSIBLE AND MATURE APPROACH TO THE SEX SCANDAL. HOUSE MAJORITY WHIP TOM DELAY HAS TURNED HIS OFFICE INTO THE DUMP-CLINTON HEADQUARTERS. HIS AIDES CONTINUALLY CALL FOR THE PRESIDENT'S RESIGNATION AND PROVIDE A STEADY STREAM OF ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF [PRESIDENT] CLINTON NOT FINISHING OUT HIS TERM. [CONGRESSMAN] DELAY'S TACTICS ARE HARMFUL TO THE NATION. THEY DEMEAN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY. ... [HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT] GINGRICH HAS THE RIGHT IDEA. WAIT FOR KEN STARR'S REPORT AND SET A HIGH STANDARD FOR UPSETTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'S CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE TOPIC OF TERRORISM, IN THE WAKE OF THE EMBASSY BOMBINGS, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" TALKS OF THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA OF TERROR, AND URGES A MORE COORDINATED, MULTI-NATIONAL EFFORT TO THWART IT.

VOICE: FOR DECADES, THERE HAS BEEN SOME DEGREE OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGAINST TERRORISM, THOUGH ITS EFFECTIVENESS HAS VARIED DEPENDING ON THE COURAGE OR CRAVENNESS OF NATIONAL LEADERS. ..... THE UNITED STATES HAS DEMONSTRATED ITS READINESS TO ACT UNILATERALLY AGAINST TERRORISTS IF NEED BE, EXERCISING ITS RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENSE. BUT THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM IS SURE TO GO MUCH BETTER IF IT IS FOUGHT AS AN ALLIANCE INVOLVING MANY COUNTRIES.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" WONDERS, IN CONSIDERING THE NEWLY EMERGED NUCLEAR POWERS ON THE ASIAN SUBCONTINENT, WHETHER PAKISTAN MAY BE RE-THINKING ITS REFUSAL TO RATIFY THE NUCLEAR TEST BAN AND NON-PROLIFERATION TREATIES.

VOICE: A FARFETCHED IDEA? IN THE FIRST FLUSH OF ITS FEAR AND ITS NATIONALISM [AFTER THE INDIAN BOMB] LAST MAY, PAKISTAN COULD NOT COUNTENANCE NUCLEAR REVERSAL. BUT IT HAS HAD A BITTER HEAP OF REASONS TO RECONSIDER. THE TWO COUNTRIES' TESTS LED ... TO INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. INDIA CAN ... AFFORD THEM BUT PAKISTAN CANNOT. THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING. THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IS FLAILING. THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT YET SIGN THE TEST BAN TREATY. BUT ... BECAUSE OF ISLAMIST REACTION TO AMERICAN MISSILE ATTACKS IN AFGHANISTAN AND SUDAN, PUBLIC OPINION IS RISING AGAINST ANYTHING THAT LOOKS LIKE COLLUSION WITH THE UNITED STATES. SIGNING THE TEST BAN HAS BECOME EVEN HARDER.

TEXT: THE CONGRESS IS STILL BEING PRESSURED BY RANK AND FILE MEMBERS AND THE PRESS TO CONSIDER CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM IN THE WANING DAYS OF THIS SESSION, AND TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" TRIES TO PUSH THAT IDEA ALONG.

VOICE: THERE IS ONE VERY BIG THING THAT CONGRESS CAN DO TO RESTORE VOTER CONFIDENCE, AND THAT IS TO FINISH THE JOB OF OVERHAULING THE CAMPAIGN FUND-RAISING SYSTEM, ELIMINATING 'SOFT MONEY' AND OTHER ABUSES THAT UNDERMINE THE INTEGRITY OF AMERICAN POLITICS. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A MORE FAVORABLE MOMENT FOR REFORM. THE PUBLIC WANTS IT.

TEXT: LASTLY, AS THE BRITISH, AND MUCH OF THE REST OF THE WORLD MARK THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF PRINCESS DIANA'S DEATH, THERE ARE FEARS THAT HER REMERBERANCE IS BECOMING TOO COMMERCIALIZED. NOTES "THE WASHINGTON POST:"

VOICE: FROM ALL INDICATIONS, THE REAL LONG-TERM KEEPERS AND SHAPERS OF THE PRINCESS'S MEMORY WILL BE THE MAKERS OF SOUVENIRS BEARING HER IMAGE - - A BEWILDERING ASSORTMENT INCLUDING MARGARINE TUBS AND CANDLESTICKS - - AND THE LAWYERS NOW FIGHTING OVER WHO OWNS THE COPYRIGHT TO HER FACE, FIGURE, NAME AND / OR SIGNATURE. ... AS GUARDIANS OF THE PRINCESS'S MEMORY, THOUGH, THE SOUVENIR PEOPLE AREN'T SO FAR REMOVED FROM THE PLAYERS WHO MOLDED AND CONTROLLED DIANA'S IMAGE DURING HER LIFE: THE WOMAN WHO LIVED AS AN IMAGE AND EMBLEM, FIRST OF TRADITION AND LATER OF ASSORTED TYPES OF SOCIAL AND FAMILIAL UPHEAVAL, NEVER FAILED TO GIVE SATISFACTION TO THE MANY FOLKS WHO SOUGHT COMMERCIAL RETURNS ON THAT EMBLEM.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF OPINIONS FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF MONDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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31-Aug-98 11:03 AM EDT (1503 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: TURKISH POLICE DETAINED MORE THAN 120 PEOPLE IN ISTANBUL MONDAY AS THEY GATHERED TO CALL FOR A PEACEFUL END TO 14-YEAR KURDISH CONFLICT IN THE COUNTRY'S SOUTHEASTERN REGION. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS THAT AMONG THOSE DETAINED WERE MEMBERS OF THE TURKISH HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION AND THE PRO-KURDISH PEOPLE'S DEMOCRACY PARTY.

TEXT: TURKISH POLICE WIELDING BATONS AND SHIELDS FORMED A CIRCLE AROUND THE PROTESTERS IN ISTANBUL AND THEN DRAGGED THEM INTO POLICE BUSES PARKED NEARBY.

THE PROTESTERS WERE PLANNING TO TRAVEL BY BUSES TO THE MAIN SOUTHEASTERN CITY OF DIYARBAKIR. THEY WERE HOPING TO TAKE PART IN PRO-PEACE DEMONSTRATION TO BE HELD IN DIYARBAKIR ON TUESDAY, WORLD PEACE DAY. LAST YEAR, THE POLICE PREVENTED A SIMILAR ATTEMPT BY DEMONSTRATORS TO BOARD WHAT THEY CALLED A PEACE BUS.

THE DEMONSTRATORS BELONG TO A SMALL BUT INCREASINGLY VOCAL GROUP OF TURKS WHO ARE PRESSING THE GOVERNMENT TO FIND A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE COUNTRY'S FESTERING KURDISH PROBLEM.

AS FAR AS THE GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED, THERE IS NO KURDISH PROBLEM -- ONLY A TERRORIST PROBLEM WHICH CAN BE DEALT WITH ONLY BY MILITARY FORCE.

SCORES OF ACADEMICS, JOURNALISTS, AND INTELLECTUALS ARE SERVING VARYING JAIL SENTENCES FOR QUESTIONING THE ARMY'S CAMPAIGN AGAINST REBELS OF THE SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, OR P-K-K. MORE THAN 30-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE REBELLION WHICH HAS RESULTED IN THE FORCED DISPLACEMENT OF NEARLY THREE-MILLION KURDISH CIVILIANS IN THE REGION.

P-K-K LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN DECLARED A UNITLATERAL CEASEFIRE TO GO INTO EFFECT TUESDAY. AND HE CALLED FOR A "POLITICAL SOLUTION" TO THE KURDISH PROBLEM, SAYING HIS GROUP IS NOT SEEKING INDEPENDENCE FROM TURKEY BUT MERELY FIGHTING FOR RECOGNITION OF THE KURD'S CULTURAL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS AS AN ETHNIC GROUP.

TURKISH PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ DESCRIBED MR. OCALAN'S CEASEFIRE OFFER, BROADCAST ON A PRIVATE KURDISH TELEVISION CHANNEL, AS AN ACT OF DESPERATION TRIGGERED BY WHAT HE CALLED THE P-K-K'S DEFEAT BY THE TURKISH ARMY.

MR YILMAZ SAID HE WOULD WELCOME AN OFFER OF UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER BY THE REBELS. BUT OTHERWISE, THE PRIME MINISTER SAID, THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT HAD NOTHING TO DISCUSS WITH -- IN HIS WORDS -- TERRORISTS. (SIGNED)
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31-Aug-98 9:55 AM EDT (1355 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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