Voice of America, 98-11-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] E-U / ENLARGEMENT (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

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

[03] SPAIN / BASQUE POLITICS (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[04] E-U / U-S BANANAS (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

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

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

[07] HURRICANE / FRANCE (L ONLY)(CQ) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[01] E-U / ENLARGEMENT (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE MET WITH FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE SIX LEADING CANDIDATES FOR E-U MEMBERSHIP. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: THESE WERE THE FIRST NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE CANDIDATE COUNTRIES HELD AT THE FOREIGN MINISTER'S LEVEL. BUT THE TALKS WERE LIMITED TO SEVEN RELATIVELY EASY AREAS SUCH AS EDUCATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS.

THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS NOT SORTED OUT ITS OWN INTERNAL QUESTIONS ABOUT ENLARGEMENT. FOR INSTANCE, THE NETHERLANDS, GERMANY, AND FRANCE HAVE RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER CYPRUS SHOULD BE ADMITTED BEFORE THE ISLAND IS UNIFIED BETWEEN GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS.

THE CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER TOLD THE EUROPEAN UNION MINISTERS THEY SHOULD PUSH TURKEY INTO HELPING END THE ISLAND'S DIVISION. AND GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER GEORGE PAPANDREOU SAYS THAT IF CYPRUS IS BLOCKED FROM ADMISSION, THE OTHER FIVE LEADING CANDIDATES FROM CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE WILL NOT COME IN EITHER.

IF IN THE END, IF THIS IS PUT AS A PRE-SUPPOSITION, I CAN BE SURE THAT NO GREEK PARLIAMENT WILL RATIFY THE ACCESSIONS OF OTHER COUNTRIES IF THIS UNJUST PRINCIPLE IS KEPT FOR CYPRUS.

THE SEPARATE SIX MEETINGS WERE DESIGNED TO KEEP THE LEADING CANDIDATES ON THE REFORM ROAD.

POLISH FOREIGN MINISTER BRONISLAW GEREMEK SAID AFTER THE TALKS THAT HE BELIEVES POLAND WILL BECOME A MEMBER IN FOUR OR FIVE YEARS.

BEING REALISTIC, POLES ARE PREPARED TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AT THE END OF YEAR 2002. WE WILL BE READY AND WE HOPE THE EUROPEAN UNION ALSO WILL BE READY.

THE POLISH FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS ALL SIX COUNTRIES -- CYPRUS, HUNGARY, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, ESTONIA, SLOVENIA, AND POLAND -- HOPE THEY CAN JOIN THE UNION AT THE SAME TIME. BUT THE EUROPEAN UNION NEEDS TO REFORM ITSELF BEFORE IT CAN CONSIDER EXPANDING TO 20 OR 21 COUNTRIES.

SPAIN AND PORTUGAL ARE RECIPIENTS OF EUROPEAN UNION DEVELOPMENT AID AND THEY WORRY RESOURCES WILL HAVE TO BE DIVERTED EASTWARD IF EXPANSION TAKES PLACE TOO QUICKLY. GERMANY AND AUSTRIA ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ALLOWING THE FREE MOVEMENT OF LABOR COMING FROM POLAND.

THESE MEETINGS DO ENCOURAGE THE CANDIDATES TO REFORM THEIR LAWS AND PRACTICES.

THE CZECH REPUBLIC WAS HEAVILY CRITICIZED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR BACKSLIDING IN THE PAST YEAR. THE NEW CZECH FOREIGN MINISTER, JAN KAVAN, SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT WILL DO BETTER.

WE HAVE ACCEPTED THE CRITICISM OF THE COMMISSION THAT DURING THE LAST 18 MONTHS OR SO WE HAVE SLOWED DOWN THE PROGRESS IN CERTAIN FIELDS AND I MADE CLEAR THAT THE NEW CZECH GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO ACCELERATE THAT PACE AND IF POSSIBLE TRANSFER SOME OF THE LEGISLATION FOR THE YEAR 2000 TO NEXT YEAR SO THAT OPTIMISTICALLY BY THE TIME THE COMMISSION ISSUES THE NEXT EVALUATION REPORT WE WILL BE ABLE TO CATCH UP.

POLAND AND HUNGARY ARE CONSIDERED THE LEADERS AMONG THE SIX LEADING PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS. BUT THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SAYS NONE OF THE COUNTRIES IS READY NOW. (SIGNED)
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10-Nov-98 1:37 PM EST (1837 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THOUSANDS OF TURKISH TROOPS ARE KEEPING UP THEIR HUNT FOR SEPARATIST REBELS OF THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY (P-K-K) IN KURDISH CONTROLLED NORTHERN IRAQ. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS THE CROSS-BORDER OPERATION COINCIDES WITH THE VISIT TO TURKEY BY THE LEADERS OF THE MAIN IRAQI KURDISH FACTIONS.

TEXT: TURKISH PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ DESCRIBED THE CROSS-BORDER OPERATION INVOLVING AROUND 30-THOUSAND TROOPS AS LIMITED IN SCOPE. BUT MR. YILMAZ ADDED THAT IT WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL THE TURK KURD REBELS WERE COMPLETELY ELIMINATED IN NORTHERN IRAQ.

THE OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE P-K-K BEGAN FOLLOWING REPORTS THAT THE REBELS HAD SOUGHT REFUGE IN NORTHERN IRAQ AFTER BEING FORCED TO LEAVE SYRIA.

DAMASCUS IS BELIEVED TO HAVE ORDERED THE REBELS OUT OF SYRIA IN KEEPING WITH A SECURITY AGREEMENT IT SIGNED WITH ANKARA LAST MONTH. UNDER THE AGREEMENT, SYRIA PLEDGED TO PREVENT THE P-K-K FROM OPERATING OUT OF ITS TERRITORY. TURKEY EARLIER HAD THREATENED MILITARY ACTION AGAINST SYRIA IF IT DID NOT END ITS SUPPORT FOR THE P-K-K.

SOME ANALYSTS SAY, HOWEVER, THAT THE TIMING OF THE OPERATION WAS TIMED TO COINCIDE WITH THE VISITS TO ANKARA OF THE LEADERS OF THE MAIN KURDISH FACTIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ. THEY SAY THE MESSAGE FROM ANKARA IS THAT TURKEY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO GO IN AND OUT OF NORTHERN IRAQ TO COMBAT THE P-K-K AND THAT THE IRAQI KURD LEADERS HAVE NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER.

TURKEY WAS ANGERED BY A US-BROKERED PEACE AGREEMENT THE IRAQI KURD SIGNED IN WASHINGTON IN SEPTEMBER, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE IT WAS EXCLUDED FROM ITS PREPARATION BUT ALSO BECAUSE IT CONTAINED PROVISIONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A KURDISH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. TURKEY FEARS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH A GOVERNMENT WOULD BE THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS KURDISH INDEPENDENCE. TURKEY IS HOME TO AN ESTIMATED 12 MILLION ETHNIC KURDS.

MASSOUD BARZANI, THE LEADER OF THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY (K-D-P), AND JALAL TALABANI, THE LEADER OF THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN (P-U-K) HAVE BOTH SOUGHT TO ASSURE TURKISH LEADERS THAT THEY DO NOT SEE K INDEPENDENCE.

MR. TALABANI CONTINUED TALKS WITH TURKISH OFFICIALS TUESDAY IN ANKARA DURING WHICH HE PLEDGED TO HELP THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT IN ITS BATTLE AGAINST THE P-K-K.

RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND MR. TALABANI'S GROUP SOURED LAST YEAR FOLLOWING ALLEGATIONS THAT THE P-U-K WAS PROVIDING ARMS AND BASES FOR THE TURKISH KURD GUERRILLAS. THE P-U-K HAS ALWAYS DENIED SUCH CLAIMS. BUT UNLIKE THE K-D-P WHICH COLLABORATES WITH THE TURKISH MILITARY IN OPERATIONS AGAINST THE P-K-K, THE P-U-K HAS ALWAYS ENJOYED CORDIAL RELATIONS WITH THE TURKISH KURD REBELS. (SIGNED)
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10-Nov-98 10:51 AM EST (1551 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] SPAIN / BASQUE POLITICS (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BASQUE POLITICIANS ARE TOURING EUROPEAN CAPITALS TO RALLY SUPPORT FOR PEACE TALKS THEY HOPE WILL LEAD TO MORE SELF-DETERMINATION IN THE SPANISH PROVINCE. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: BASQUE NATIONALIST PERNANDO BARRENA SAYS THE VISIT TO LONDON AND OTHER KEY EUROPEAN CAPITALS IS AIMED AT PUTTING INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE ON SPAIN'S GOVERNMENT TO MOVE AHEAD WITH RECONCILIATION TALKS IN THE BASQUE REGION.

MR. BARRENA SAYS THERE SHOULD BE NO PRECONDITIONS OR LIMITS ON WHO PARTICIPATES OR WHAT SUBJECTS ARE ON THE AGENDA. HE SAYS THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT APPEARS READY ONLY TO TALK ABOUT DISARMING SEPARATIST REBELS.

WE THINK THAT THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT IS STILL IN A PHASE OF FACING THE PROBLEM ONLY ON THE SECURITY ISSUE. AND WE THINK THAT IF ANYTHING HAS ARISEN FROM THE LAST 20-YEARS IS THAT THE SECURITY WAY IS NOT THE WAY TO DEAL WITH THE BASQUE PROBLEM. WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THE ROOTS OF THE PROBLEM IN ORDER TO GET A PERMANENT SOLUTION.

MR BARRENA SAYS THE RESULTS OF THE LATEST BASQUE ELECTIONS SHOW AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY FAVOR A PEACEFUL SOLUTION.

FOR NATIONALISTS LIKE MR. BARRENA OF THE "HERRI BATASUNA PARTY", THE GOAL REMAINS BASQUE INDEPENDENCE, BUT HE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IS NOT SHARED BY EVERYONE.

THE PROBLEM AT THE MOMENT IS NOT -- INDEPENDENCE OR NOT? THE PROBLEM IS -- HAS THE BASQUE COUNTRY ENOUGH POWER TO DECIDE WHAT DO THE CITIZENS WANT FOR THE BASQUE COUNTRY IN THE FUTURE? AND THE ANSWER IS NO. AT THIS MOMENT IT IS TO REACH A POLITICAL SITUATION IN WHICH SELF-DETERMINATION RIGHTS WILL BE GUARANTEED BY THE STATE, IN THIS CASE THE SPANISH STATE OR THE FRENCH STATE.

MR. BARRENA POINTS TO NORTHERN IRELAND'S APRIL PEACE AGREEMENT AS A MODEL FOR BASQUE RECONCILIATION. HE SAYS BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER -- WHO PLAYED AN ACTIVE ROLE IN IRISH NEGOTIATIONS -- COULD HELP NUDGE SPAIN'S LEADERSHIP IN THE SAME DIRECTION. (SIGNED)
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10-Nov-98 11:36 AM EST (1636 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] E-U / U-S BANANAS (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION SAYS PROPOSED U-S TRADE SANCTIONS IN A DISPUTE ABOUT BANANA IMPORTS ARE THREATENING TRANS-ATLANTIC TRADE RELATIONS AND THE WORLD TRADING SYSTEM. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN IN BRUSSELS REPORTS ON THE E-U'S PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE AGAINST THE U-S SANCTIONS.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT GROW BANANAS. THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT EXPORT BANANAS. BUT IN WORLD TRADE IT WANTS TO OPEN EUROPEAN MARKETS FOR BANANA PRODUCERS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA.

THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS GIVEN PREFERENCE IN ITS BANANA QUOTAS TO FORMER COLONIES OF FRANCE AND BRITAIN IN AFRICA, THE CARIBBEAN, AND THE PACIFIC.

THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (W-T-O) RULED AGAINST THE E-U TRADE PREFERENCES. AND THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS NOW INTRODUCED CHANGES IN ITS TARIFF LAWS WHICH IT FEELS MEETS ITS OBLIGATIONS TO THE W-T-O WHILE MAINTAINING TRADE LINKS TO THE E-U'S TRADITIONAL PARTNERS.

THE UNITED STATES SAYS THE EUROPEAN UNION IS STILL TOO RESTRICTIVE AGAINST LATIN AMERICAN BANANA PRODUCERS. AND IT IS PLANNING TRADE SANCTIONS AGAINST EUROPE.

EUROPEAN UNION TRADE COMMISSIONER LEON BRITTAIN SAYS THE UNITED STATES SHOULD TAKE THE DISPUTE TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION INSTEAD OF IMPOSING UNILATERAL SANCTIONS.

NO W-T-O MEMBER HAS THE RIGHT UNILATERALLY TO JUDGE THE COMPLIANCE OF ANOTHER, NOR TO BE JUDGE AND JURY IN ITS OWN CAUSE. IN RESORTING TO UNILATERAL ACTION, THE UNITED STATES IS SETTING ITSELF ABOVE THE LAW AND RESORTING TO THE PRINCIPLE OF MIGHT IS RIGHT.

MR. BRITTAIN CONTENDS THAT CONGRESSIONAL PRESSURE IS BEHIND THE U-S TRADE SANCTIONS. BUT HE WARNS THE ACTION CAN DAMAGE THE NEWLY AGREED TRANS-ATLANTIC PARTNERSHIP. THIS PLAN IS DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE TRADE BARRIERS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. MR. BRITTAIN SAYS THE U-S SANCTIONS OVER BANANAS HURTS THEIR JOINT EFFORT TO SOLVE THE WORLD'S ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.

FOR THE UNITED STATES TO TAKE SUCH UNJUSTIFIED ACTION AGAINST THE EUROPEAN UNION IS A PARTICULARLY GRAVE ERROR OF POLITICAL JUDGMENT AT A TIME WHEN WE BOTH NEED TO GIVE STRONG, JOINT LEADERSHIP IN RESPONDING TO THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS IN THE WORLD. THIS IS THE WORST POSSIBLE MOMENT TO LAUNCH SANCTIONS ON AN ISSUE OF MINOR ECONOMIC INTEREST TO THE UNITED STATES AGAINST THEIR BIGGEST AND THEIR CLOSEST TRADE AND POLITICAL PARTNERS.

EUROPEAN OFFICIALS CHARGE THE U-S POSITION IS DESIGNED TO HELP ONE U-S COMPANY THAT TRADES LATIN AMERICAN BANANAS TO EXPAND ITS SHARE OF THE EUROPEAN MARKET. THE EUROPEAN UNION SAYS IT WILL NOT RETALIATE AGAINST AMERICAN TRADE SANCTIONS WITH ITS OWN MEASURES BUT WILL TAKE THE BANANA DISPUTE TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION FOR SETTLEMENT. (SIGNED)
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10-Nov-98 9:21 AM EST (1421 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (TUESDAY) AS LATE SELLING WIPED OUT THE DAY'S EARLIER GAINS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 88 HUNDRED 63, DOWN 34 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED 28, DOWN TWO POINTS.

STOCKS WERE UP FOR MOST OF THE DAY BUT SOME LATE SESSION SELLING PRESSURE BROUGHT THE MAJOR AVERAGES DOWN.

MANY INTERNET-RELATED STOCKS SOARED. E-BAY, AN ON-LINE AUCTION COMPANY, GAINED MORE THAN 30 PERCENT. K-TEL, WHICH SELLS RECORDED MUSIC ON THE INTERNET, AND AMAZON, WHICH SELLS BOOKS, WERE ALSO UP STRONGLY. WAL-MART, THE LARGEST RETAILER IN THE UNITED STATES, SAYS ITS QUARTERLY EARNINGS EXCEEDED ONE BILLION DOLLARS, WELL BEYOND WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS.

GENERAL MOTORS WILL INVEST ONE AND ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS TO CONSOLIDATE ITS ENGINEERING OPERATIONS IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. G-M SAYS THE REORGANIZATION WILL CUT DEVELOPMENT TIME FOR NEW VEHICLES FROM TWO YEARS TO 18 MONTHS. AIRBUS, THE EUROPEAN CONSORTIUM, SAYS ITS GROWTH IS ON TRACK. AIRBUS, WHICH HAS BEEN GAINING ON U-S BASED RIVAL BOEING, SAYS IT WILL DELIVER 232 AIRCRAFT THIS YEAR AND AT LEAST 290 NEXT YEAR. AIRBUS ALSO SAYS IT IS PROCEEDING WITH PLANS TO DEVELOP A JUMBO PASSENGER JET WHICH IS LARGER THAN THE BOEING 747. SEAGRAM, THE CANADIAN-BASED BEVERAGE AND ENTERTAINMENT FIRM, IS TRYING TO END SPECULATION THAT IT WILL BE SPLIT INTO TWO SEPARATE COMPANIES. IN A STATEMENT, SEAGRAM PRESIDENT EDGAR BRONFMAN SAYS THERE ARE NO PLANS TO SPIN-OFF THE BEVERAGE DIVISION WHICH NOW ACCOUNTS FOR ONE-QUARTER OF THE COMPANY'S REVENUE.

THE COMPAQ COMPUTER COMPANY IS CUTTING PRICES ON ITS POPULAR PRESARIO LINE OF PERSONAL COMPUTERS BY UP TO 17 PERCENT. COMPAQ SAYS IT WANTS TO MAKE THOSE PRODUCTS MORE COMPETITIVE FOR THE UPCOMING CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SEASON.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
10-Nov-98 5:13 PM EST (2213 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE LEADING TOPIC FOR EDITORIAL WRITERS THIS TUESDAY IS THE LIKELY SELECTION OF LOUISIANA REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN ROBERT LIVINGSTON TO BE SPEAKER OF THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION COVER A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES, INCLUDING THE HURRICANE MITCH DISASTER IN CENTRAL AMERICA; THE TRIAL OF THE FORMER DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER IN MALAYSIA; ///OPT /// DEALING WITH FORMER DICTATORS; /// END OPT /// [AND] THE ONGOING PROBLEM OF YUGOSLOVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE; /// OPT /// AND A CONTROVERSIAL SCHOOL VOUCHER PLAN SURVIVES A COURT CHALLENGE IN WISCONSIN. /// END OPT /// NOW, JOINING US AT THE V-O-A MICROPHONE IS ______________________ WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS, INCLUDING THE THREE LARGEST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL GENERAL, METROPOLITAN, DAILIES, ARE ALL ASSESSING THE CHANGES THAT LOUISIANA CONGRESSMAN BOB LIVINGSTON WILL MOST LIKELY BRING TO THE HOUSE IF -- AS EXPECTED -- AS HE ASSUMES HE BECOMES HOUSE SPEAKER. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SUGGESTS HE WILL BE A "NUTS-AND-BOLTS [BUSINESSLIKE] SPEAKER."

VOICE: THIS WILL BE A FAR DIFFERENT SPEAKERSHIP FROM THAT OF [MR.] GINGRICH, WHO LED THE G-O-P REVOLUTION IN THE HOUSE IN 1994 BY CAMPAIGNING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN BEHALF OF HIS 'CONTRACT WITH AMERICA.' [MR.] LIVINGSTON IS EXPECTED TO ADOPT THE MORE TRADITIONAL ROLE OF A SPEAKER WHO CONCENTRATES ON INTERNAL HOUSE MATTERS SUCH AS THE CRAFTING OF LEGISLATION, SCHEDULING VOTES AND TRYING TO MEDIATE DISPUTES WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN MEMBERSHIP. HE IS NOT THE TYPE TO CRUSADE NATIONALLY FOR THE REPUBLICAN CAUSE, OR FOR HIS PERSONAL VISION.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW HE GOVERNS THE LOWER HOUSE WITH ONLY A FIVE VOTE MAJORITY.

VOICE: THE QUESTION IS NOT JUST HOW MR. LIVINGSTON WILL PLAY HIS HAND NEXT YEAR BUT HOW THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP AND THE CONSERVATIVES WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS WILL PLAY THEIRS. WHO CAN SPLIT WHOSE CAUCUS? THAT WILL BE THE ART FORM IN THIS CONGRESS,AND PART OF THE TEST OF MR. LIVINGSTON'S LEADERSHIP.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS COOPERATION WITH AT LEAST SOME DEMOCRATS WILL PROVE ESSENTIAL IF GRIDLOCK IS TO BE AVOIDED.

VOICE: THE IRONY OF MR. GINGRICH'S DOWNFALL IS THAT THE HARD-RIGHT CONSERVATIVES WHO PUSHED HIM OUT FOR HIS FAILURE TO LEAD EFFECTIVELY WERE THE ONES MOST RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDERMINING HIS LEADERSHIP. IF MR. LIVINGSTON AND HIS NEW TEAM CANNOT ESTABLISH A RIGHT-OF-CENTER COALITION THAT INCLUDES SOME DEMOCRATS, EVEN IF IT COSTS HIM A CHUNK OF REPUBLICANS ON THE FAR RIGHT, HE WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THE HOUSE JUST AS MR. GINGRICH DID IN THE LAST SESSION.

TEXT: OVERSEAS, THE DAMAGE AND DEVASTATION FROM HURRICANE MITCH IN CENTRAL AMERICA DRAWS THIS RESPONSE FROM "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND.

VOICE: THE EXPANSE OF THE DEVASTATION IS BREATHTAKING. THE NUMBERS ARE MIND-NUMBING. OREGONIANS WHO SUFFERED DURING THE FLOODS TWO YEARS AGO MIGHT BE ABLE TO IMAGINE A NATION'S AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY BURIED UNDER A SEA OF MUD. BUT HOW TO CONCEIVE OF SEVEN-THOUSAND, NINE-THOUSAND, ELEVEN-THOUSAND SOULS, MISSING, PRESUMED DEAD. WHAT DOES ONE DO IN A COUNTRY THE SIZE OF OREGON THAT HAS NO CLEAN WATER?

TEXT: ON TO THE ORIENT AND THE TRIAL OF MALAYSIA'S FORMER DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, ANWAR IBRAHIM. "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" APPROVES PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DECISION TO AVOID ANY PRIVATE MEETINGS WITH MR. IBRAHIM'S ACCUSER, PRIME MINISTER MAHATHIR MOHAMAD, BUT THE NEWSPAPER URGES THE PRESIDENT TO DO MORE.

VOICE: [MR] CLINTON OUGHT TO MAKE A POINT OF VISITING [MR.] ANWAR IN JAIL. IF DENIED ACCESS TO THE PRISON, [MR.] CLINTON SHOULD STRIKE MALAYSIA FROM HIS ITINERARY AND LIMIT HIS FAR EAST TRIP TO SOUTH KOREA AND JAPAN.

TEXT: REGARDING THE MIDDLE EAST, THE PROSPECT OF SOME TYPE OF U-S MILITARY ACTION AGAINST SADDAM HUSSEIN FOR CANCELLING ALL U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS IN HIS COUNTRY, CAUSES "NEWSDAY" ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND TO COMMENT:

VOICE: SOONER RATHER THAN LATER: THAT'S WHEN PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON MUST ACT ON IRAQ. AND THIS TIME, HE MUST MEAN IT. ... [MR.] CLINTON HOW HAS ABANDONED THE FICTION THAT HE WOULD SUBORDINATE HIS DECISIONS TO A MULTILATERAL CONSENSUS AT THE UNITED NATIONS. .... WASHINGTON CANNOT STOP AT A SINGLE PUNISHING STRIKE. IT MUST EXACT FROM [MR.] HUSSEIN RENEWED COOPERATION WITH ARMS INSPECTIONS UNTIL THERE IS CONVINCING PROOF THAT ALL OF IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION ARE GONE.

TEXT: ON THE WEST COAST, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS "INACTION ON IRAQ IS UNACCEPTABLE," BUT CAUTIONS:

VOICE: IT'S QUITE POSSIBLE, TO BE SURE, THAT WHEN THE DUST [FROM AN ATTACK] CLEARED, [MR.] HUSSEIN WOULD STILL BE IN TOTAL CONTROL, THE U-N INSPECTION SYSTEM WOULD BE ENDED AND WORK ON SECRETLY DEVELOPING TERROR WEAPONS WOULD GO ON. IN SHORT, EXCEPT FOR WHAT COULD BE A LARGE DEGREE OF FRESH DESTRUCTION TO [MR.] HUSSEIN'S POLITICAL AND MILITARY INFRASTRUCTURE, NOTHING ESSENTIAL WOULD HAVE CHANGED. THAT IS A CLEAR RISK. BUT IT IS NOT AS GREAT A RISK AS DOING NOTHING ....

TEXT: IN CONNECTION WITH FORMER CHILEAN DICTATOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET, UNDER DETENTION IN LONDON ON A SPANISH ARREST WARRANT FOR ALLEGED CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, "THE MIAMI HERALD" SUGGESTS THAT ANOTHER LEADER SHOULD ALSO BE PUT ON TRIAL.

VOICE: WHAT A GLORIOUS THOUGHT: [CUBAN PRIME MINISTER] FIDEL CASTRO CALLED TO ACCOUNT IN A SPANISH COURT FOR THE DEATH OF THE 18-THOUSAND PEOPLE KILLED OR DISAPPEARED SINCE HE SEIZED POWER IN 1959, AND FOR VIOLATING THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF COUNTLESS OTHERS WHOM HE ORDERED TORTURED, IMPRISONED WITHOUT DUE CAUSE, OR FORCED OUT OF CUBA. WOULD THAT IT HAPPENS. WOULD THAT A SPANISH COURT WILL TAKE COGNIZANCE OF THE 'CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY' IN CUBA AND ASSIGN A JUDGE TO INVESTIGATE, AS IT DID WITH CHILE'S ... GENERAL ... PINOCHET.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE BALKAN TROUBLE SPOT OF YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SUGGESTS THAT "FOR TALKS TO WORK, THE VICIOUS NATIONALISM UNLEASHED BY [YUGOSLAVIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN] MILOSEVIC MUST BE TEMPERED."

VOICE: AS DIPLOMATS TALK TO ALL SIDES, ALBANIAN AND SERBS, THEY MUST OPEN MINDS TO THE PRAGMATISM OF PEACE AND POLITICAL EVOLUTION. THEY SHOULD ALSO LEAVE NO DOUBT THAT RENEWED VIOLENCE WON'T BE TOLERATED.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" SAYS OUR POLICIES TOWARD BOTH MR. MILOSEVIC AND SADDAM HUSSEIN ARE FINE AS WORDS, BUT ADDS:

VOICE: IT'S JUST THAT OUR POLICIES, AS IMPLEMENTED, ARE IRRESOLUTE AND FULL OF BLUSTER WITH REGARD TO HOW SERIOUS WE ARE. CLEARLY, THIS FACT HAS NOT GONE UNNOTICED BY SADDAM HUSSEIN AND MR. MILOSEVIC. EACH HAS NOT ONLY HIS OWN EXPERIENCE TO GUIDE HIM, BUT ALSO THAT OF HIS PARTNER IN INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIME. ... INTERNATIONAL TROUBLEMAKERS UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN WE ARE BLUSTERING ABOUT ATTACKING THEM, THEIR LEVERAGE IS GREATEST, SINCE WE WILL AGREE TO ALMOST ANYTHING IN ORDER NOT TO ACT.

TEXT: LASTLY, A SCHOOL VOUCHER PLAN, WHEREBY POOR FAMILIES ARE GIVEN WISCONSIN STATE FUNDS TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO PRIVATE INSTEAD OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO CONTINUE BY THE U-S SUPREME COURT. "THE NEW YORK POST" CHEERS THE COURT'S DECISION TO LET STAND THE LOWER COURT RULING:

VOICE: BY REFUSING TO TAKE A CASE ... THE U-S SUPREME COURT MAY HAVE IGNITED A NATIONAL EDUCATION REVOLUTION. .... THESE [MILWAUKEE] KIDS ARE ACTUALLY GETTING AN EDUCATION, RATHER THAN ROTTING AWAY IN SUB-STANDARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TUESDAY'S U-S PAPERS.
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10-Nov-98 11:47 AM EST (1647 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] HURRICANE / FRANCE (L ONLY)(CQ) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: FRANCE SAYS IT WILL CANCEL ALL THE DEBT OWED TO IT BY NICARAGUA AND HONDURAS, THE CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES HIT HARDEST BY HURRICANE MITCH. FRANCE ALSO IS WRITING OFF A PORTION OF ITS LOANS TO GUATEMALA AND EL SALVADOR. FROM PARIS, JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FRANCE AND BRITAIN ALSO WILL HELP THE CENTRAL AMERICAN NATIONS REPAY THEIR DEBTS TO INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

TEXT: ANSWERING QUESTIONS IN THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT, FRENCH FINANCE MINISTER DOMINIQUE STRAUSS-KAHN SAID FRANCE PLANS TO CANCEL DEBTS OWED TO IT BY THOSE COUNTRIES DEVASTATED BY HURRICANE MITCH.

THE MINISTER ALSO SAID HE AND THE BRITAIN'S FINANCE MINISTER, GORDON BROWN, HAVE AGREED TO SET UP A SPECIAL FUND TO HELP GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, NICARAGUA, AND EL SALVADOR COVER THEIR DEBTS TO INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AND THE WORLD BANK.

THE FRENCH MINISTER SAID THE COUNTRIES HIT BY THE HURRICANE NEED "TO REBUILD THEIR ECONOMY FROM ZERO." TO HELP THEM DO SO, HE SAID, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST EITHER CANCEL OR RESCHEDULE THEIR DEBTS.

MR. STRAUSS-KAHN SAID FRANCE WANTS NOT ONLY TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE RELIEF AID BUT ALSO TO HELP IN THE LONGER BUT EQUALLY CRUCIAL RECONSTRUCTION EFFORT. EARLIER, FRENCH PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN TOLD A MEETING OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE FRENCH CITY OF LYON THAT FRANCE IS SEEKING WAYS OF CONVERTING DEBT INTO A RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT. FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC IS TO START A VISIT TO THE AFFECTED COUNTRIES SATURDAY. FRANCE, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE SO-CALLED PARIS CLUB OF CREDITOR NATIONS, HAS ASKED ITS PARTNERS TO RESCHEDULE REPAYMENTS. ACCORDING TO PARIS CLUB OFFICIALS, THE EFFECTIVE MORATORIUM MEANS THAT HONDURAS CAN DELAY REPAYMENT OF ABOUT 500-MILLION DOLLARS WITH NICARAGUA DELAYING AROUND ONE-HALF THAT SUM.

MR. STRAUSS-KAHN SAID FRANCE AND OTHER INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS SHOULD GO FURTHER THAN JUST DEBT CANCELLATION. HE SAID FRANCE COULD SHOW IT HAS NATIONAL GRANDEUR BY LEADING THE WAY AND HELPING RESTORE HOPE TO THE STATES THAT HAVE SUFFERED. (SIGNED)
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10-Nov-98 2:45 PM EST (1945 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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