Voice of America, 98-11-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO / U-N (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[02] E-U / ASIA (L-ONLY) BY AMY BICKERS (HONG KONG)

[03] U-S/GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER (L ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

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

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

[01] KOSOVO / U-N (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, SAYS ETHNIC-ALBANIAN REBELS IN KOSOVO HAVE BEEN HARASSING SOME OF THE AGENCY'S RELIEF WORKERS. LISA SCHLEIN REPORTS FROM GENEVA.

TEXT: U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS MEMBERS OF THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY (K-L-A) STOPPED RELIEF WORKERS THREE TIMES ON MONDAY. THE U-N-H-C-R WORKERS WERE ON THEIR WAY TO ETHNIC ALBANIAN VILLAGES WHICH WERE RECENTLY VACATED BY SERB POLICE.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THE REBELS DEMANDED TO SEE THE AID WORKERS' IDENTIFICATION CARDS. HE SAYS THE WORKERS REFUSED, AND ALSO REFUSED DEMANDS THAT THEY GO TO SEE THE LOCAL K-L-A COMMANDER.

THE KOSOVO REBELS BACKED OFF THEIR DEMANDS. BUT MR. JANOWSKI CALLS THE INCIDENTS "ALARMING DEVELOPMENTS." HE SAYS THEY BRING BACK MEMORIES OF THE WAR IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA WHEN U-N AID WORKERS WERE FREQUENTLY HASSLED BY THE WARRING FACTIONS.

MR. JANOWSKI ALSO SAYS MORE KOSOVO REBEL FIGHTERS ARE RETURNING TO VILLAGES WHICH HAD BEEN HELD BY SERB FORCES. HE SAYS SOME SERB POLICE STILL ARE PRESENT IN MANY OF THESE VILLAGES. AND THIS, HE SAYS, IS INCREASING TENSIONS AND COULD LEAD TO AN EXPLOSIVE SITUATION.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME SHOOTING. WE ARE TOLD THAT IN ONE OF THE VILLAGES, WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS ALBANIAN SOURCES, A POLICE MORTAR HIT A BUILDING YESTERDAY. SO THERE'S STILL SHOOTING AND THERE'S A LOT OF TENSION.

SINCE A CEASEFIRE WENT INTO EFFECT IN KOSOVO, U-N OFFICIALS SAY MOST OF THE 10-THOUSAND PEOPLE WHO WERE LIVING IN THE OPEN HAVE RETURNED TO THEIR VILLAGES OR FOUND SHELTER WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS. OFFICIALS SAY ONLY A FEW HUNDRED PEOPLE -- TOO AFRAID TO GO HOME -- REMAIN CAMPED OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS.

IN ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT, U-N SPOKESMAN JOSE DIAS SAYS THE U-N'S TOP HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIAL, MARY ROBINSON, EXPECTS TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT ON FRIDAY WITH THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT THAT OFFICIALLY PERMITS U-N HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICERS TO OPERATE IN THE COUNTRY.

WHAT THIS AGREEMENT PRACTICALLY MEANS, ONCE IT IS SIGNED ON FRIDAY WHICH WE EXPECT, IS THAT THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER CAN STRENGTHEN ITS PRESENCE IN THAT COUNTRY. THE AGREEMENT WILL CALL FOR THE STAFF AND MONITORS TO HAVE FULL ACCESS TO SOURCES OF INFORMATION, TO HAVE FREEDOM TO TRAVEL THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, TO MONITOR THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION AND REPORT ON IT.

MR. DIAS SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS WILL OPEN AN OFFICE IN KOSOVO'S CAPITAL, PRISTINA, AND MAINTAIN SUBSIDIARY OFFICES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE PROVINCE. HE SAYS THE HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE HOPES TO SEND 10 TO 12 MONITORS TO KOSOVO IN THE COMING WEEKS. (SIGNED)
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03-Nov-98 8:09 AM EST (1309 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] E-U / ASIA (L-ONLY) BY AMY BICKERS (HONG KONG)

INTRO: THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TUESDAY WRAPPED UP A SIX-DAY VISIT TO MAINLAND CHINA AND HONG KONG. AS AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM HONG KONG, JAQUES SANTER OFFERED SUPPORT ON SEVERAL FRONTS, BUT HE WAS ALSO LOOKING FOR ACCEPTANCE FOR EUROPE'S NEW CURRENCY.

TEXT: EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER AND OTHER E-C OFFICIALS VISITED BEIJING, SHANGHAI AND HONG KONG DURING THEIR TOUR OF CHINA. AT EACH STOP, THEY PRAISED MAINLAND AUTHORITIES FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC STABILITY, AS THE ASIAN CRISIS CONTINUES TO TAKE ITS TOLL. IN HONG KONG, THE OFFICIALS DECLARED THE HANDOVER FROM BRITISH TO CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY A SUCCESS, AND SAID THAT THE TERRITORY'S BUSINESS-FRIENDLY CLIMATE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED.

THEY ALSO SPOKE OF EUROPE'S ASSISTANCE TO ASIA DURING THE REGION'S WORST FINANCIAL CRISIS IN MODERN TIMES. MR. SANTER, THE COMMISSION'S PRESIDENT, SAID EUROPE GIVES MORE MONEY TO THE ASIAN RESCUE EFFORT THAN THE UNITED STATES OR JAPAN. HE SAID EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES PROVIDE MORE THAN 30-PERCENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND'S RESOURCES. HE ADDED THE COMMISSION IS SETTING UP A NETWORK OF EUROPEAN EXPERTS TO HELP THE REGION REVAMP ITS FINANCIAL MARKETS.

WHILE MR. SANTER OFFERED HELP AND ADVICE TO CHINA AND THE REST OF ASIA, HIS VISIT WAS ALSO ABOUT GAINING SUPPORT FOR THE NEW SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY --THE EURO -- WHICH LAUNCHES ON JANUARY FIRST, 1999. HE PREDICTED THE CURRENCY WOULD EASE TRADE AND INVESTMENT FLOWS BETWEEN CHINA , HONG KONG AND EUROPE, SINCE EXCHANGE COSTS WILL BE DECREASED.

IN OUR VISIT TO CHINA AND ALSO HERE, WE WERE ASKED BY MANY BUSINESSMEN ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EURO. THERE IS A REAL INTEREST IN THE EURO. IT WOULD BE A FACTOR OF STABILIZATION IN INTERNATIONAL MONETARY RELATIONS.

THE EUROPEAN OFFICIALS ALSO UNDERSCORED THE VITAL TRADE LINKS BETWEEN CHINA, HONG KONG AND EUROPE. THEY POINTED OUT THAT CHINESE EXPORTS TO EUROPE GREW BY 25-PERCENT IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS.

SIR LEON BRITTAN, THE COMMISSION'S VICE PRESIDENT, CALLED FOR CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT CHINA IS KEEPING ITS MARKETS OPEN AND THAT EUROPEAN BUSINESSES ARE GAINING BETTER ACCESS TO CHINA'S ONE-POINT-TWO BILLION CONSUMERS. HE VOWED TO KEEP EUROPE'S MARKETS OPEN AND ENCOURAGED CHINA TO OPEN ITS MARKET WIDER.

CHINA HAS LONG MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE PACE OF LIBERALIZATION WOULD BE DETERMINED BY WHAT THE TRAFFIC WOULD BEAR IN TERMS OF CHINESE DOMESTIC ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SITUATIONS, AND THAT CHINA FACES ENORMOUS DIFFICULTIES IN HANDLING STATED OWNED ENTERPRISES. I BELIEVE THE PROPERLY CONDUCTED LIBERALIZATION IN AREAS SUCH AS FINANCIAL SERVICES WOULD HELP CHINA TO DEAL WITH ITS PROBLEMS RATHER THAN THE REVERSE.

THE E-U OFFICIALS SAY THEY HOPE CHINA WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR, BUT ADD BEIJING FIRST NEEDS TO ESTABLISH A TIMETABLE FOR THE REMOVAL OF A NUMBER OF OBSTACLES TO W-T-O MEMBERSHIP. (SIGNED)
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03-Nov-98 5:48 AM EST (1048 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] U-S/GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER (L ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAD A LONG MEETING AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH GERMANY'S UNTRADITIONAL NEW FOREIGN MINISTER, JOSCHKA FISCHER--HEAD OF GERMANY'S GREEN PARTY. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS A REPORT ON THE ENCOUNTER.

TEXT: AT A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S ORNATE TREATY ROOM THAT WAS FILLED TO OVERFLOWING WITH GERMAN AND AMERICAN REPORTERS--THE TWO TALKED ABOUT WHAT MS. ALBRIGHT DESCRIBED AS "THE ROCK-SOLID U-S-GERMAN RELATIONSHIP."

MR. FISCHER SPOKE OF AMERICA'S AID IN BRINGING DEMOCRACY TO POST-WAR GERMANY AND WHAT HE CALLED THE DECISIVE IMPORTANE OF THE U-S ROLE IN GERMAN UNIFICATION. THE NEW FOREIGN MINISTER DESCRIBED A SOLID FOUNDATIN OF JOINT VALUES AND JOINT INTERESTS BETWEEN AMERICA AND GERMANY.

IT WAS A DISPLAY OF CORDIALITY THAT COULD HELP OVERCOME DOUBTS ABOUT MR. FISCHER AS GERMANY'S FOREIGN MINISTER. HE IS THE LEADER OF THE GREEN PARTY, WHICH BEGAN AS A PACIFIST, ECOLOGICAL MOVEMENT IN THE LATE SIXTIES. THE MINISTER HIMSELF HAS BEEN A FACTORY HAND, A TAXI DRIVER, A SIDEWALK ARTIST, A HITCH-HIKER. HE WAS KNOWN FOR WEARING BLUE JEANS AND SNEAKERS. BUT FOR HIS VISIT TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT, MR. FISCHER WORE A GREY BUSINESS SUIT AND A VEST--WHICH PARTIALLY COVERED A SILK TIE--GREEN,OF COURSE.

SECRETARY ALBRIGHT--HERSELF ATTIRED IN A GREEN SUIT--JOCULARLY ADDRESSED GERMANY'S FIRST GREEN PARTY CABINET MINISTER.

THIS SATURDAY IN KENTUCKY, THEY WILL HOLD THE BREEDER'S CUP, WHICH IS EQUIVALENT TO THE WORLD CUP FOR THE SPORT OF HORSE RACING. AND I HAPPENED TO NOTICE, MR. MINISTER, THAT ONE OF THE HORSES SCHEDULED TO RUN IS NAMED, "IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN". (LAUGHTER)

IN HIS RESPONSE, MR. FISCHER JOKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OUTCOME OF SATURDAY'S RACE.

LET ME SAY THAT I OBVIOUSLY WISH THAT THIS HORSE MAY WIN THAT PARTICULAR RACE, SO ITS EFFORTS WILL BE CROWNED WITH SUCCESS. WE THINK THIS IS A VERY GOOD KIND OF PRE-CONDITION FOR RELATIONS BETWEEN OUR TWO GOVERNMENTS--INDEED A NEW CHAPTER HAS BEEN OPENED UP IN GERMAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS (LAUGHTER).

THOUGH HE IS KNOWN FOR STRAIGHT--OFTEN BLUNT--SPEECH, JOSCHKA FISCHER--DECLINED AN OFFER TO COMMENT--EVEN OBLIQUELY ABOUT THE AMERICAN ELECTIONS WHICH COINCIDED WITH HIS VISIT. ASKED WHETHER AMERICANS SHOULD ADOPT A THIRD WAY--BETWEEN REPUBLICAN CONSERVATISM AND DEMOCRATIC LIBERALISM--HE SAID THAT WAS A SPECIAL DEBATE WITHIN EUROPEAN SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTIES AND, SAID THE GREEN MR. FISCHER--I AM NOT A SOCIAL DEMOCRAT.(SIGNED)
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03-Nov-98 5:13 PM EST (2213 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE NOT MUCH CHANGED TODAY (TUESDAY) AS MANY TRADERS PAUSED AFTER THE RECENT STRONG RALLY. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED UNCHANGED AT 87-HUNDRED-SIX. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11-HUNDRED-10, DOWN A FRACTION OF ONE POINT.

STOCK PRICES IN GENERAL DID NOT MOVE MUCH, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS WEAKNESS IN SOME TECHNOLOGY ISSUES. ANALYSTS SAY IT WAS PROBABLY TIME FOR A PAUSE AFTER THE RECENT STRONG RALLY. THERE WAS ALSO SOME CAUTION IN ADVANCE OF U-S ELECTION RESULTS, ALTHOUGH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WAS EXPECTED TO RETAIN CONTROL OF BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS.

A MONTHLY INDEX OF LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS IN THE UNITED STATES WAS UNCHANGED IN SEPTEMBER. ANALYSTS SAY THAT PROBABLY MEANS SLOWER GROWTH AHEAD BUT NO DANGER OF A RECESSION.

THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION SAYS ITS U-S SALES OF CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS JUMPED 20 PERCENT TO A RECORD IN OCTOBER. CHRYSLER IS SCHEDULED TO COMPLETE ITS MERGER WITH DAIMLER-BENZ OF GERMANY LATER THIS MONTH.

THE BRITISH PETROLEUM COMPANY REPORTED A 40 PERCENT PROFIT DROP IN THE THIRD QUARTER AND ISSUED A GLOOMY OUTLOOK ON OIL PRICES. HOWEVER, B-P'S STOCK ROSE AFTER THE COMPANY SAID ITS 49-BILLION-DOLLAR MERGER DEAL WITH THE AMOCO OIL COMPANY OF THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

THE DOLE FOOD COMPANY, THE WORLD'S LARGEST PRODUCER OF FRESH AND PACKAGED FRUITS, SAYS HURRICANE MITCH WIPED OUT ABOUT 25 PERCENT OF THE COMPANY'S CENTRAL AMERICAN BANANA CROP. DOLE SAYS IT WILL TAKE A 70-MILLION DOLLAR CHARGE FOR HURRICANE DAMAGE.

AN ADVISORY PANEL TO U-S DRUG REGULATORS IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL FOR A NEW DRUG TO FIGHT THE DISEASE AIDS. ZIAGEN (ZYE-UH-JIN), MADE BY THE GLAXO-WELLCOME COMPANY, IS SAID TO BE EFFECTIVE IN LESS FREQUENT DOSES THAN MANY OF THE CURRENTLY APPROVED AIDS DRUGS.

THE COCA-COLA COMPANY IS REPORTEDLY READY TO ENTER THE RAPIDLY GROWING MARKET FOR BOTTLED WATER IN THE UNITED STATES. THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL" SAYS COKE WILL SELL PURIFIED WATER STARTING NEXT YEAR. PEPSICO, COKE'S CHIEF RIVAL IN THE UNITED STATES, HAS BEEN SELLING BOTTLED WATER SINCE 1994. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/RRM
03-Nov-98 5:04 PM EST (2204 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THIS IS ELECTION DAY IN THE UNITED STATES, AND MANY NEWSPAPERS USE THEIR EDITORIAL COLUMNS TO SUMMARIZE THE ENDORSEMENTS FOR CANDIDATES THEY HAVE BEEN RUNNING FOR WEEKS.

THE MAIN SUBJECT -- ASIDE FROM POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS -- IS WHAT SOME PAPERS ARE CALLING THE "AUDACIOUS DEFIANCE" OF IRAQ'S SADDAM HUSSEIN, WHO IS NOW REJECTING ALL UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTION AND OVERSIGHT.

TEXT: "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND IS JUST ONE OF SEVERAL PAPERS OUTRAGED BY THIS LATEST ACT OF DEFIANCE BY IRAQ'S DICTATOR.

VOICE: SADDAM HUSSEIN'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT IRAQ WOULD NOW STOP ALL COOPERATION WITH WEAPONS INSPECTION AT LEAST SIMPLIFIES THE ISSUE. UNITED NATIONS MONITORING OF IRAQ'S WEAPONS PROGRAMS, MORE OR LESS IN PLACE SINCE THE END OF THE GULF WAR, HAS FLATLY COLLAPSED. A REGIME THAT HAS REPEATEDLY DEMONSTRATED ITS RUTHLESSNESS AND DECEPTION NOW SAYS IT WILL ACCEPT NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF ITS WEAPONS-MAKING FACILITIES AT THE SAME TIME THE WORLD HAS FURTHER EVIDENCE OF ITS WEAPONS CAPACITIES. /// OPT /// ... IT IS INDEED AN OUTRAGE THAT, EIGHT YEARS AFTER THE WAR'S END, IRAQ IS STILL UNDER CRUSHING ECONOMIC SANCTIONS, DESTROYING A GENERATION OF IRAQIS. BUT IT'S AN OUTRAGE LARGELY OF SADDAM'S MAKING, BOTH IN HIS BLOCKING INSPECTIONS AND IN LIMITING DIRECT OIL-FOR-FOOD AND MEDICINE SWAPS. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK POST" SEES THIS LATEST ACTION BY SADDAM HUSSEIN AS A FAILURE OF U-S FOREIGN POLICY, NOTING:

VOICE: /// OPT /// POOR BILL CLINTON. EVEN SADDAM HUSSEIN WON'T COOPERATE WITH HIM. THE IRAQI DICTATOR HAS JUST PROVOKED HIS LATEST CRISIS WITH THE WEST OVER INTERNATIONAL ARMS INSPECTIONS, AND THE WHITE HOUSE HAS RESPONDED WITH THREATS OF MILITARY ACTION. /// END OPT

TEXT: IN DOMESTIC MATTERS, THE ELECTION IS FOREMOST ON THE MINDS OF EDITORIALS WRITERS /// OPT ///, WITH SEVERAL THEMES, INCLUDING HOW UGLY MANY CAMPAIGNS WERE, HOW SOME VOTES COUNT MORE THAN OTHERS, AND HOW FEWER PEOPLE VOTING, MEANS A WEAKER COUNTRY. /// END OPT /// "USA TODAY" HAS SOME CONCERNS ABOUT VOTING PATTERNS.

VOICE: /// OPT /// THE RESULT IN THIS YEAR'S 435 RACES FOR THE [U-S] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 94 CANDIDATES HAVE NO MAJOR PARTY OPPOSITION; IN NEARLY 300 MORE, THE OUTCOME IS A FOREGONE CONCLUSION. SO VOTERS IN THE REMAINING DISTRICTS WILL PICK NOT ONLY THEIR OWN REPRESENTATIVE BUT ALSO THE LEADERSHIP THAT WILL SET PRIORITIES AND DETERMINE THE NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS. /// END OPT /// ... THIS ELECTION'S LACK OF COMPETITION ALSO CONTRIBUTES TO ANOTHER SORRY TREND: VOTERS STAYING HOME. SCARCELY MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF VOTING AGE CITIZENS ARE EXPECTED TO VOTE TODAY, POSSIBLY THE LOWEST TURNOUT RATE SINCE 1 7 9 4. BACK THEN, WOMEN, MOST BLACKS AND MORE THAN A FEW WHITE MEN WHO DIDN'T OWN PROPERTY COULDN'T VOTE EVEN IF THEY WANTED TO. THAT LEAVES CONTROL OF DEMOCRACY FAR TOO MUCH IN THE HANDS OF NARROW-INTEREST ACTIVISTS WHO DO VOTE. THEY'LL HOLD SWAY TODAY OUT OF PROPORTION WITH THEIR NUMBERS.

TEXT: VOTER FRAUD IS A PRIME CONCERN FOR "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL."

VOICE: WHILE EVERYONE WRINGS THEIR HANDS A LOT THESE DAYS ABOUT VOTER TURNOUT, THERE IS A REAL AND PRESENT DANGER THAT VOTER FRAUD IS SLOWLY UNDERMINING THE LEGITIMACY OF MORE AND MORE ELECTIONS. /// OPT /// 'VOTER FRAUD IS MUCH MORE COMMON THAN PEOPLE BELIEVE, BECAUSE THEY THINK IT NO LONGER EXISTS,' SAYS THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA'S LARRY SABATO. ... SECURITY PROCEDURES HAVE NOT KEPT PACE WITH EFFORTS TO MAKE VOTING EASIER. /// END OPT /// SINCE ALMOST ALL STATES OPERATE ON THE HONOR SYSTEM AND DON'T REQUIRE PHOTO ID, IT'S FAIRLY EASY TO VOTE IN THE NAME OF DEAD PEOPLE, VOTE IF YOU'RE AN ILLEGAL ALIEN, FALSIFY AN ABSENTEE BALLOT OR VOTE MORE THAN ONCE. /// OPT /// ... NO DOUBT FURTHER EVIDENCE OR VOTER FRAUD WILL EMERGE AFTER TODAY'S ELECTION. CONGRESS MAY HOLD HEARINGS, BUT IT'S HARD TO FORCE THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO FOCUS ON THE ISSUE SO LONG AS PRESIDENT CLINTON WIELDS HIS VETO PEN. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: RESPONDING TO THE LATEST ANTI-DEMOCRACY CRACKDOWNS IN CHINA, TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SAYS:

VOICE: WE CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT WIDE CONTACT AND COMMERCE WITH CHINA WILL HASTEN THE EMERGENCE OF FREEDOM. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN MUFFLING CRITICISM OF OFFICIAL POLICY THERE, OR BEING LESS THAN FULL-THROATED (I.E. OUTSPOKEN) IN OUR SUPPORT FOR CHINA'S HUMAN-RIGHTS PIONEERS. THE DOCUMENT SIGNED A MONTH AGO ...THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS ... SETS A COURSE, WHETHER COMMUNIST PARTY DIEHARDS IN BEIJING LIKE IT OR NOT.

TEXT: "USA TODAY" IS HORRIFIED BY THE TOLL OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION ACROSS CENTRAL AMERICA CAUSED BY HURRICANE MITCH.

VOICE: CENTRAL AMERICA TODAY IS COUNTING THE CORPSES LEFT BY HURRICANE MITCH. THE SINGLE WORST DISASTER OCCURRED IN NICARAGUA, WHERE PART OF THE CASITAS CRATER ... COLLAPSED. /// OPT /// MUD AND STONE GUSHED DOWN THE MOUNTAIN, WIPING FOUR TOWNS OFF THE MAP. ABOUT TWO-THOUSAND PEOPLE MOSTLY SUBSISTENCE FARMERS ... LIVED THERE. AS OF MONDAY, FEWER THAN 100 HAD BEEN FOUND ALIVE. /// END OPT /// IN HONDURAS, OFFICIALS PLACE THE DEATH TOLL ABOVE FIVE-THOUSAND. .... IN THESE TWO NATIONS, AND IN DOZENS OF OTHERS AROUND THE WORLD WHERE NATURAL DISASTERS CAUSE UNNATURAL LOSS, THE COMMON CULPRIT IS POVERTY. ... THE BEST SOLUTION IS MORE WEALTH. THE BEST REALISTIC SOLUTION IS THE KIND OF LONG-TERM INVESTMENT THAT HELPS BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY.

TEXT: NEW SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE THAT SUGGESTS OUR THIRD PRESIDENT, THOMAS JEFFERSON, PRINCIPAL AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, MAY HAVE FATHERED AT LEAST ONE CHILD BY HIS BLACK SLAVE SALLY HEMMINGS, DRAWS THIS RESPONSE FROM "THE [NEW YORK] DAILY NEWS."

VOICE: AT A TIME WHEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FACES IMPEACHMENT BASED LARGELY ON A FACT SUBSTANTIATED BY DNA EVIDENCE, IT IS MORE THAN IRONIC THAT THE SAME SCIENTIFIC ADVANCE HAS PUT ONE OF HIS GREATEST PREDECESSORS - - HIS NAMESAKE AND HERO - - ON TRIAL IN THE COURT OF AMERICAN HISTORY. NO ONE WILL EVEN CONFUSE THE 43RD PRESIDENT, WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON ... WITH THE THIRD, THOMAS JEFFERSON ... BUT NOW THEY WILL BE WRIT ON THE SAME PAGE, LINKED BY SCIENCE AND BY SEX. /// OPT /// ... JEFFERSON'S FALL IS FAR GREATER THAN THAN OF [MR.] CLINTON. [PRESIDENT] JEFFERSON, AFTER ALL, IS A FOUNDING FATHER (A PHRASE SUDDENLY FRAUGHT WITH IRONY). HE ALSO WAS A PHILOSOPHER, INVENTOR, ARCHITECT, LINGUIST AND SCIENTIFIC FARMER. HE WAS, IN SUM, A GREAT MAN. AND HE ALSO WAS A HYPOCRITE. FOR WHILE PROCLAIMING BLACKS AS 'INFERIOR TO WHITES IN THE ENDOWMENTS BOTH OF BODY AND MIND,' JEFFERSON ALSO DECLARED THAT 'ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL' AND CITED LIBERTY AS ONE OF MANKIND'S 'INALIENABLE RIGHTS.'

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM SOME OF TODAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS.
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03-Nov-98 11:12 AM EST (1612 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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