Voice of America, 99-02-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO PEACE TALKS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[02] KOSOVO TALKS (S&L)(CQ) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[03] DEBATING NATO'S FUTURE BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[04] FRANCE AIDS BLOOD (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[05] SCOTTISH SLUDGE (L-ONLY) BY TREVOR GRUNDY (EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND)

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

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

[01] KOSOVO PEACE TALKS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE WORLD WATCHES AND WAITS FOR DEVELOPMENTS AT THE KOSOVO PEACE TALKS, UNDERWAY AT A VILLA OUTSIDE PARIS, BUT THERE IS LITTLE NEWS.

SOME OF THE GLOBE'S DAILIES MAKE THE POINT THAT AT LEAST THE TALKS BY THEIR VERY EXISTENCE ARE PROGRESS. ONE QUOTED AN OLD PROVERB THAT SAYS "AS LONG AS THEY ARE TALKING, THEY WILL NOT SHOOT AT EACH OTHER." HOWEVER, MANY JOURNALISTS REMAIN SKEPTICAL THAT TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES, WHICH WILL NOT MEET EACH OTHER FACE TO FACE, HAVE LITTLE LIKELIHOOD OF BEARING CONSTRUCTIVE FRUIT.

FOR A SAMPLING OF INTERNATIONAL COMMENT, WE WELCOME ___________ TO OUR VOA MICROPHONE WITH THIS WEEK'S WORLD OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: WE BEGIN OUR SURVEY OF THE WORLD'S PRESS IN THE CAPITOL OF THE DISPUTED PROVINCE ITSELF. PRISTINA'S MAIN ALBANIAN-LANGUAGE DAILY "KOHA DITORE" SUGGESTS THAT ALTHOUGH THE TALKS HAVE MOVED INTO A THIRD DAY, THEY ARE GOING NOWHERE. IT SPECULATED ON THE NEED FOR HIGHER-RANKING OFFICIALS SUCH AS BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK.

VOICE: MR. COOK, EVEN AT HIS FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER THE OPENING OF THE RAMBOUILLET CONFERENCE, HAS SAID THAT HE IS READY TO COME HERE ANY TIME, WHENEVER THERE IS NEED FOR HIM TO INTERVENE TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS.

TEXT: ELSEWHERE IN THE PAPER, "KOHA DITORE" SPECULATED IN THIS COLUMN:

VOICE: THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO IS CYCLIC. IT'S NOT ONLY THE PRODUCT OF BAD POLICY OF A REGIME, SUCH AS THIS ONE, THAT IS IDENTIFIED WITH THE NAME SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, BUT OF A STRATEGY OF STATE NATIONALISM, OF SERBIAN HEGEMONY.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE BRITISH PRESS, IN LONDON, "THE TIMES" HAD THIS REACTION TO THE LATEST NEWS.

VOICE: ROBIN COO, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, DASHED THE HOPES OF ALBANIAN DELEGATES AT THE KOSOVO PEACE CONFERENCE YESTERDAY [2/09] BY TELLING THEM FACE-TO-FACE THAT NATO TROOPS WOULD NOT ENTER THE PROVINCE UNTIL AN AGREEMENT WAS REACHED THAT INCLUDED BELGRADE. ... CHRISTOPHER HILL, THE AMERICAN MEDIATOR, URGED BOTH SIDES TO STOP SPINNING THEIR NEGOTIATING POSITIONS.

TEXT: ACROSS THE CHANNEL, IN FRANCE, "LE FIGARO" FROM PARIS SPECULATED:

VOICE: THE AMERICAN CHRISTOPHER HILL IS SUFFERING FROM 'CASTLE FEVER.' THE EUROPEAN [MR.] PETRISH SAYS THAT IS IS BETTER TO SHUTTLE BETWEEN THE TWO DELEGATIONS IN THE CASTLE THAN BETWEEN BELGRADE AND PRISTINA. FOR THE THIRD MAN, THE RUSSIAN [MR.] MAYORSKI, 'THINGS ARE MOVING.' BUT NOTHING MORE WILL BE SAID ABOUT THE TALKS ...

TEXT: THERE IS NOT MUCH MORE ENTHUSIASM IN ROME, WHERE ITALY'S "L'UNITA" PROCLAIMS:

VOICE: AT THE MOMENT, NO SOLUTIONS ARE IN SIGHT ... THE YUGOSLAV EMBASSY IN PARIS SENT OUT A PRESS RELEASE ACCUSING THE ALBANIAN DELEGATION OF NOT WANTING TO SIGN THE BASIC TEN POINTS INDICATED BY THE CONTACT GROUP ... ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE ALBANIANS INSIST THAT A CEASE-FIRE SHOULD BE SIGNED AS A PRELIMINARY CONDITION.

TEXT: IN ONE OF THE SHARPEST COMMENTS ON THE BALKANS THIS WEEK, WE TURN TO RUSSIA AND MOSCOW'S "IZVESTIYA" WHICH FRONT-PAGED A COMMENT BY MAKSIM YUSIN ON A TELEPHONE CALL MADE BY SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT TO THE PRESIDENT OF MACEDONIA KORO GLIGOROV, OFFERING PROTECTION FROM YUGOSLAV INTERFERENCE. SAYS THE IZVESTIYA" COLUMNIST:

VOICE: THAT IS A BAD MISTAKE. [MRS.] ALBRIGHT DOES NOT MAKE MANY. ANYWAY, IT IS CLEAR NOW THAT SHE IS NOT QUITE COMPETENT, MILDLY SPEAKING, AS FAR AS THE BALKANS ARE CONCERNED. ... DESPITE THE EMBARRASSMENT, THE AMERICANS, SURE OF THEIR INFALLIBILITY, CONSIDER THEMSELVES THE ULTIMATE ARBITER IN THE BALKAN CONFLICT AND ARE DETERMINED TO FORCE THE SERBS AND ALBANIANS INTO ACCEPTING THE 'PEACE PLAN' WHICH HAS BEEN PUT TOGETHER BY THOSE VERY AIDES WHO HAVE NOT BOTHERED TO EXPLAIN TO MRS. ALBRIGHT THAT MACEDONIANS ARE NOT EXACTLY THE SAME AS CROATS AND BOSNIANS.

TEXT: FOR THE POLISH VIEW, WE GO TO WARSAW, WHERE THE WEEKLY "TYGODNIK POWSZECHNY," SUGGESTED :

VOICE: THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ... HAS WAVERED IN TAKING DECISIVE STEPS EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE STRONGLY VOICED ASSERTIONS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC THAT 'WE WILL NOT LET ANOTHER BOSNIA HAPPEN.' BUT BOSNIA IN FACT HAS BEEN REPEATED. ... [FURTHERMORE] NO ONE IN THE ALBANIAN DELEGATION I S STRONG ENOUGH TO RESIGN FROM THE OVERALL 'INDEPENDENCE-OR-NOTHING' STANCE. UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE OUTCOME OF THE ... TALKS MIGHT BE A CRIPPLED AGREEMENT INTERPRETED DIFFERENTLY ON EACH SIDE WHICH WILL DECREASE THE INTENSITY OF THE CONFLICT BUT NOT ELIMINATE IT.

TEXT: TO ASIA NOW, WHERE IN CHINA, BEIJING'S ENGLISH LANGUAGE "CHINA DAILY," SEES THINGS THIS WAY:

VOICE: PRESSURE WAS BUILDING AT THE KOSOVO PEACE TALKS YESTERDAY [2/9] AS CO-ORGANIZERS FRANCE AND BRITAIN STRIVED TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM OF THE NEGOTIATIONS GOING.

TEXT: IN THE SUB-CONTINENT, INDIA'S REGIONAL DAILY, THE BANGALORE-BASED "DECCAN HERALD" FROM KARNATAKA STATE, SUGGESTS:

VOICE: THE AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE BETWEEN THE SERBS AND KOSOVO'S ALBANIAN REPRESENTATIVES AT THE TALKS IN RAMBOUILLET TO END THE ... FIGHTING ... REFLECTS INCREMENTAL PROGRESS ... IT IS CLEAR THAT NEGOTIATING THE DETAILS WILL PROVIDE THE REAL PROBLEM. ... IF THEY FAIL, BOTH SIDES WILL HAVE TO FACE ULTIMATUMS LIKE THE SERBS AND THE BOSNIANS DID AT DAYTON ... THE DRAWBACK OF THE POST-DAYTON SITUATION IN BOSNIA WERE THAT SOME EUROPEAN TROOPS BETRAYED PARTIALITY FOR THE SERBS, AND SOLDIERS WERE NOT EMPOWERED TO DEAL WITH HARD SITUATIONS. NEGOTIATORS ARE ANTICIPATED ... AT RAMBOUILLET TO ENSURE THAT PEACE-KEEPERS ARE LESS PARTIAL AND BETTER EQUIPPED TO MEET EMERGENCIES.

TEXT: ELSEWHERE IN THE REGION, DHAKA'S "SANGRAM" OPINES:

VOICE: WESTERN LEADERS, FOR UNINTELLIGIBLE REASONS, ARE NOT YET READY TO LISTEN TO THE DEMAND FOR INDEPENDENCE. THEREFORE, THERE IS DOUBT WHETHER THEY WILL GIVE SUPPORT TO IT IN THE MEETING. WE THINK ANY EFFORT TO SOLVE THE CRISIS BY GRANTING AUTONOMY AT THE PEACE MEETING WILL BE TEMPORARY. ONLY INDEPENDENCE OF THE TERRITORY CAN ESTABLISH A PERMANENT PEACE IN KOSOVO.

TEXT: HERE IN THIS HEMISPHERE, THE FRENCH CANADIAN "LA PRESSE" IN MONTREAL IS NOT AT ALL ENCOURAGED BY THE INDICATIONS SO FAR:

VOICE: THE CHANCES OF COMING TO A CONSTRUCTIVE ACCORD ARE RATHER SMALL ... ANY RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN RAMBOUILLET AND DAYTON ... IS SUPERFICIAL. ... IN THE LONG TERM, IT IS ONLY ONE ACCORD BETWEEN SERBS AND KOSOVARS THAT WILL BRING AN END TO THIS CONFLICT. RAMBOUILLET CAN BE A FIRST STEP IN THAT DIRECTION, ONE WHICH WILL NEED CONTINUING PRESSURE AND CONCESSIONS ...

TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF THE WORLD PRESS ON THE PROGRESS - - OR LACK THEREOF - - OF THE KOSOVO PEACE TALKS UNDERWAY AT A VILLA OUTSIDE PARIS, FRANCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/ANG/PT
11-Feb-99 4:51 PM EST (2151 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO TALKS (S&L)(CQ) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: WITH TALKS AIMED AT BRINGING PEACE TO THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO IN THEIR FIFTH DAY (THURSDAY), THERE ARE FEW SIGNS OF PROGRESS. THE BRITISH AND FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE PAID ANOTHER VISIT TO THE TALKS NEAR PARIS, TO ENCOURAGE NEGOTIATORS TO MAKE CONCESSIONS. DETAILS FROM JULIAN NUNDY:

TEXT: WHEN THE KOSOVO NEGOTIATIONS FORMALLY OPENED LAST SATURDAY, THE BRITISH AND FRENCH MINISTERS -- JOINTLY PRESIDING OVER THE SIX-NATION "CONTACT GROUP" ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA -- SAID THEY WOULD NOT RETURN UNTIL THE NEXT WEEKEND. THEY SAID THEY WOULD ONLY INTERVENE BEFORE THAT IF THERE WAS AN URGENT NEED.

THEIR APPEARANCE THURSDAY AT THE CHATEAU OF RAMBOUILLET, NEAR PARIS, WAS THEIR SECOND THIS WEEK, INDICATING THE SITUATION MAY BE GROWING SERIOUS. SO FAR, THERE IS LITTLE EVIDENCE OF ANY REAL PROGRESS IN THE TALKS.

IN YUGOSLAVIA THURSDAY, STATE TELEVISION REPORTED THE SERBIAN DELEGATION HAD SIGNED A 10-POINT STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES LAID DOWN BY THE CONTACT GROUP. BUT THE MEDIATORS AT THE RAMBOUILLET TALKS SAID THOSE PRINCIPLES WERE A PRECONDITION FOR THE TALKS, AND WERE THEREFORE ALREADY ACCEPTED BY BOTH SIDES A WEEK AGO.

SERBIA'S PRESIDENT MILAN MILUTINOVIC WAS IN RAMBOUILLET THURSDAY FOR CONSULTATIONS WITH THE BELGRADE DELEGATION. HE ALSO MET WITH THE VISITING BRITISH AND FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTERS MEANWHILE, IN A FRENCH TELEVISION INTERVIEW, AMERICAN SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT UNDERSCORED WASHINGTON'S POSITION THAT IF THE PEACE TALKS FAILED, THE UNITED STATES WILL BACK IMMEDIATE NATO MILITARY INTERVENTION IN AN EFFORT TO BRING PEACE TO KOSOVO.

TIME IS GROWING SHORT BECAUSE THE "CONTACT GROUP" HAS SET THE END OF NEXT WEEK AS A DEADLINE FOR COMING UP WITH A PEACE ACCORD. FIGHTING BETWEEN SERBIAN FORCES AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS HAS TAKEN AN ESTIMATED TWO-THOUSAND LIVES IN KOSOVO OVER THE PAST YEAR.

IF THE TALKS FAIL, THEN NATO SAYS IT WILL START AIR STRIKES AGAINST MILITARY TARGETS IN AND AROUND THE SERBIAN PROVINCE.

THIS COMING WEEKEND, THE CONTACT GROUP -- COMPRISING THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIA, BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY AND ITALY -- IS DUE TO REVIEW PROGRESS SO FAR AND DECIDE IF IT IS WORTH EXTENDING THE TALKS INTO A SECOND WEEK. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/PCF/WTW
11-Feb-99 3:14 PM EST (2014 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] DEBATING NATO'S FUTURE BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AS NATO EXPANDS, ITS POST COLD WAR ROLE IS UNDER INTENSE DEBATE. SOME BELIEVE IT SHOULD CONFINE ITS ACTIVITIES TO EUROPE; OTHERS FORESEEE A GLOBAL ROLE. STILL OTHERS QUESTION WHETHER NATO SHOULD HAVE ANY ROLE NOW THAT THE SOVIET THREAT IS GONE. A RECENT WASHINGTON CONFERENCE (WED., FEB. 10) DREW STRONG SUPPORTERS OF NATO WHO WERE NEVERTHELESS DIVIDED ON WHERE THE ALLIANCE SHOULD GO FROM HERE. VOA'S ED WARNER REPORTS.

TEXT: STICK TO EUROPE OR TAKE ON THE WORLD? THESE CHOICES FOR NATO WERE DISCUSSED AT A CONFERENCE OF THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IN WASHINGTON.

NATO MUST EXPAND OR DIE, SUGGESTED FORMER U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY, WHO WANTS THE ALLIANCE TO TACKLE NEW GLOBAL PROBLEMS:

PREVENTING THE REEMERGENCE OF A THREAT OF GLOBAL WAR, PREVENTING THE PROLIFERATION AND USE OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND DETERRING REGIONAL AGGRESSION ANYWHERE THAT SUCH AGGRESSION THREATENS THE SECURITY INTEREST OF MEMBER NATIONS. I BELIEVE THAT NATO CAN BE THE PRIMARY SECURITY INSTITUTION FOR CARRYING OUT THESE NEW MISSIONS, BUT IT HAS TO BE RECONCEIVED AND RESTRUCTURED.

ROBERT ZOELLICK, PRESIDENT OF C-S-I-S, NOTED SOME OF THE REGIONAL CONFLICTS THAT MIGHT INVOLVE NATO, ALONG WITH THE UNITED STATES:

IT TURNS OUT THAT THE UNITED STATES, FROM FISCAL YEAR 1990 TO 1997, HAS DEPLOYED IN 45 SO-CALLED SMALL SCALE CONTINGENCIES DEALING WITH THESE SORT OF PROBLEMS, AND THIS COMPARES WITH ONLY SIXTEEN IN THE COURSE OF THE COLD WAR. DURING THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, WE HAVE ON AVERAGE ENGAGED IN A NEW DEPLOYMENT EVERY NINE WEEKS.

IT IS CRUCIAL TO MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM OF NATO EXPANSION, SAID JEREMY ROSNER, A FORMER ADVISER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON ON NATO ENLARGEMENT. HE EXPECTS NEW MEMBER NATIONS TO BE ADMITTED SOON AFTER THE (U-S) PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN 2000 SINCE THERE IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR EXPANSION.

ZBIGNIEW BRZEZINSKI, FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER TO PRESIDENT (JIMMY) CARTER, SAID HE, TOO, LOOKS FORWARD TO NEW MEMBERS, BEGINNING WITH SLOVENIA AND LITHUANIA. BUT HE OPPOSED GLOBAL ASPIRATIONS FOR NATO:

I SHARE THE RECOGNITION OF THE NEED TO DEFINE A NEW BROADER MISSION FOR NATO, BUT I DO APROACH IT WITH A SENSE OF CONCERN AND CAUTION. I FEEL THAT WE HAVE TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL NOT TO OVERLOAD AN ENLARGING ALLIANCE WITH EXCESSIVELY AMBITIOUS GLOBAL OBJECTIVES. THE ALLIANCE IS AND SHOULD REMAIN IN MY VIEW A EURO-ATLANTIC ALLIANCE. THAT IS ITS CENTRAL MISSION.

AND THAT IS THE QUESTION THAT WILL HAVE TO BE DECIDED AS NATO APPROACHES ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY IN APRIL AND A SUMMIT MEETING IN WASHINGTON. MR. BRZEZINSKI FEARS INVOLVEMENT IN TOO MANY CONTROVERSARIES COULD WEAKEN AND DIVIDE NATO, WHICH IS AFTER ALL, MADE UP OF INDIVIDUAL NATIONS WITH THEIR OWN PARTICULAR INTERESTS.

STEPHEN WALT, PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, WRITES IN "THE NATIONAL INTEREST" THAT EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES ARE MOVING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, AND NATO WILL NOT HOLD THEM TOGETHER, THOUGH ITS LARGE BUREAUCRACY AND MANY FORMER OFFICIALS WILL CONTINUE TO LABOR ON ITS BEHALF.

AS THE C-S-I-S CONFERENCE INDICATES, NATO SUPPORTERS DO NOT SHARE THIS PESSIMISM. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
10-Feb-99 8:15 PM EST (0115 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] FRANCE AIDS BLOOD (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: FORMER FRENCH PRIME MINISTER LAURENT FABIUS HAS APPEARED IN A FRENCH COURT. HE IS ACCUSED OF MANSLAUGHTER FOR HIS ALLEGED ROLE IN FRANCE'S SO-CALLED "TAINTED BLOOD" SCANDAL, CAUSED WHEN BLOOD PRODUCTS CONTAMINATED WITH THE AIDS VIRUS WERE PRESCRIBED EVEN AFTER AIDS TESTING WAS AVAILABLE. BUT THE FORMER FRENCH LEADER EMPHATICALLY DENIED THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST HIM, AS JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: DURING THREE-AND-A-HALF HOURS OF TESTIMONY (THURSDAY), LAURENT FABIUS, WHO WAS FRANCE'S PRIME MINISTER DURING THE CRUCIAL MONTHS IN 1985 WHEN AIDS TESTING BECAME POSSIBLE, ONLY RAISED HIS VOICE ONCE.

APPEARING BEFORE THE 15-JUDGE PANEL OF THE SPECIAL COURT CREATED TO TRY THE CASE, MR. FABIUS REFUTED ALLEGATIONS ECONOMIC INTERESTS HAD INFLUENCED HIS HANDLING OF THE SPECIFIC PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES POSED BY AIDS. DURING 1985, FRANCE WAITED FOUR MONTHS AFTER AN AMERICAN-MADE TEST BECAME AVAILABLE TO INTRODUCE AIDS TESTING FOR BLOOD DONORS. THE GOVERNMENT ONLY MADE TESTING COMPULSORY WHEN A FRENCH-PRODUCED TEST WAS READY. BUT MR. FABIUS SAID THAT PROTECTIONISM -- OR, FAVORING THE FRENCH TEST -- DID NOT AFFECT HIS JUDGMENT.

EVEN AFTER TESTING WAS INTRODUCED, STOCKS OF BLOOD THAT HAD NOT BEEN TESTED WERE STILL USED IN FRANCE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. AND DOCTORS CONTINUED TO PRESCRIBE BLOOD CONCENTRATES FOR TREATING HEMOPHILIACS THAT, ACCORDING TO INTERNAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE CIRCULARS, WERE KNOWN TO CARRY THE AIDS VIRUS.

MR. FABIUS AND TWO LOWER-RANKING MINISTERS IN HIS FORMER SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT FACE MANSLAUGHTER AND OTHER CHARGES WITH JAIL TERMS UP TO THREE YEARS, IF CONVICTED. THE TRIAL, WHICH BEGAN TUESDAY, IS LIKELY TO ESTABLISH WHAT WERE THE POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOLLOWING WHAT MANY VIEW AS THE MOST SERIOUS PUBLIC HEALTH SCANDAL EVER IN FRANCE.

ALTHOUGH ONLY SEVEN CASES OF ACTUAL CONTAMINATION ARE BEING CITED IN THE TRIAL, AN OFFICIAL REPORT PUBLISHED LAST YEAR ESTIMATED THAT 300 PEOPLE DIED OF AIDS, PROBABLY BECAUSE THEY WERE INFECTED BY THE TAINTED BLOOD IN QUESTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/PCF/RAE
11-Feb-99 2:11 PM EST (1911 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] SCOTTISH SLUDGE (L-ONLY) BY TREVOR GRUNDY (EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND)

INTRO: THE PRACTICE OF DISPOSING SLUDGE AT SEA WAS MADE ILLEGAL THROUGHOUT THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AS OF LAST DECEMBER 31ST. WHILE MOST APPLAUDED THE MOVE BROUGHT BY AN E-U DIRECTIVE, THE PROBLEM OF WHAT TO SO WITH SLUDGE AS SEWAGE CONTINUES TO GROW. ONE COUNTRY -- SCOTLAND -- PROVIDES A CASE IN POINT. WHILE ITS SEA-BOUND SLUDGE IS NOW HISTORY, NEW WASTE AWAITS A FINAL DESTINATION. IT'S AN ITEM OF KEY CONCERN IN SCOTLAND, AS TREVOR GRUNDY REPORTS FROM EDINBURGH:

TEXT: CONSUMER GROUPS, ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND EVEN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FOOD RETAIL INDUSTRY IN SCOTLAND ARE COMPLAINING THAT AN EFFECTIVE SOLUTION FOR DISPOSING OF SLUDGE HAS YET TO BE FOUND. THEY SAY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS KNOWN FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS THAT THE EUROPEAN DIRECTIVE WOULD MEAN A RADICAL CHANGE FROM ITS NEARLY CENTURY-OLD PRACTICE OF DUMPING SLUDGE AT SEA. //OPT// FOR MOST OF THAT TIME, ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF ALL SLUDGE WAS EITHER PUMPED DIRECTLY INTO THE SEA, OR CARRIED BY SHIP INTO DEEP WATERS AND DUMPED. BUT DESPITE THE 1998 DEADLINE TO CHANGE, CRITICS COMPLAIN OF LACK OF CLEANER DISPOSAL METHODS. //END OPT//

EXPERTS SAY THE MOST ECONOMICAL WAY TO DISPOSE OF SLUDGE IS TO BURN IT AT INCINERATORS. SCOTLAND'S LARGEST WATER COMPANY, THE "WEST OF SCOTLAND WATER AUTHORITY," IS SEEKING THE EQUIVALENT OF MORE THAN 80-MILLION U-S DOLLARS TO BUILD A SLUDGE DRYING UNIT OUTSIDE GLASGOW, WHICH SHOULD BE READY AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

THE OTHER WAY TO TREAT SLUDGE IS BY REMOVING DISEASE-CAUSING PATHOGENS AND BACTERIA, THEN SPREAD IT ACROSS THE LAND AS FERTILIZER. WHILE SLUDGE CONTAINS BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL USEFUL FOR GROWING PLANTS, IT ALSO CONTAINS METALS SUCH AS ZINC AND COPPER WHICH, IF ALLOWED TO BUILD UP IN THE LAND, CAN CAUSE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE.

IN THE MEANTIME, SLUDGE IN SCOTLAND IS BEING DUMPED IN LANDFILL SITES. SOME ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND FARM GROUPS SAY THESE WASTE WAYSIDES PUT NEARBY COMMUNITIES AT A HEALTH RISK.

SCOTTISH FARMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE RISK THE UNTREATED SLUDGE POSES TO THEIR LAND AND GROUND WATER SUPPLIES. THEY SAY AFTER THE RECENT "MAD COW DISEASE" OUTBREAK WHICH HAS DEVASTATED FARMERS WHO RAISE CATTLE AND SHEEP, THE LAST THING THEY NEED NOW IS TO WORRY ABOUT SLUDGE POLLUTING THEIR LAND AND POSING A NEW DANGER TO THE FOOD SUPPLY.

HENRY MURDOCH IS THE LEGAL AND COMMERCIAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL FARMERS' UNION OF SCOTLAND.

PEOPLE ARE A BIT MORE JITTERY THAN THEY USED TO BE ABOUT FOOD -- IN FACT, I'D SAY ALMOST PARANOID. WE AS FARMERS HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH STABILIZED SEWAGE SLUDGE -- ITS NATURAL VALUE IS EXCELLENT AND COULD WELL REPLACE MANY INORGANIC CHEMICALS THAT WE USE TO BOOST OUTPUT. BUT THE PROBLEM HERE IS THAT SOME OF THE MAJOR RETAILERS (SUPERMARKETS) ARE FLAGGING UP A PERCEIVED RESISTANCE THAT PEOPLE MIGHT BE FRIGHTENED -- TAKING FOOD THAT HAS BEEN TREATED WITH SEWAGE SLUDGE.

SOME FARMERS GROUPS SAY UNLESS FOOD RETAILERS ARE CONVINCED THERE'S A SAFE WAY OF TREATING THE SLUDGE AS FERTILIZER, CONSUMERS WILL BE SKITTISH ABOUT FOOD THAT'S GROWN IN IT.

RICHARD DIXON HEADS RESEARCH AT SCOTLAND'S BRANCH OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP "FRIENDS OF THE EARTH." HE'S CALLING FOR AN AWARENESS CAMPAIGN TO REASSURE SHOPPERS THAT WHEN SEWAGE IS SPREAD OVER FARMLANDS, THEY HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR, IF SLUDGE IS TREATED PROPERLY. THE KEY TO THE SOLUTION IS TO CONVINCE MAJOR FOOD RETAILERS THAT SLUDGE-GROWN FOOD CAN BE PERFECTLY SAFE.

THE SUPERMARKETS REALLY ARE THE KEY PLAYERS IN THIS.IF THE SUPERMARKETS SAID -- NO, WE WILL NEVER TAKE PRODUCE FROM A FIELD THAT HAS BEEN TREATED WITH SLUDGE THAT WOULD BASICALLY BE THE END OF IT BECAUSE NO FARMER WOULD EVER TOUCH IT.

BUT MR. DIXON SAYS HE KNOWS OF EFFORTS QUIETLY UNDERWAY TO CONVINCE RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS THAT SLUDGE CAN BE JUST AS SUITABLE AS SOIL FOR GROWING CROPS SAFELY.

SO SLUDGE IS GOING TO BE ACCEPTABLE -- PROVIDED IT IS TREATED TO THE RIGHT DEGREE AND IT'S APPLIED TO THE RIGHT KIND OF CROPS AND WITH THE RIGHT KIND OF SAFEGUARDS. AND WE ARE VERY HAPPY THAT IS THE WAY FORWARD, BECAUSE WE NEED GOOD QUALITY CONTROL AND GOOD CONTROL OF NUTRIENTS.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS LIKE RICHARD DIXON AND FARMERS LIKE HENRY MURDOCH ARE WATCHING KEENLY TO SEE HOW SCOTLAND SOLVES ITS SLUDGE DISPOSAL PROBLEM. SCOTLAND'S PROBLEMS ARE MORE DIFFICULT TO SOLVE THAN IN ENGLAND AND WALES, PARTLY BECAUSE BECAUSE IN THOSE COUNTRIES, THE WATER UTILITIES HAVE LONG SINCE BEEN PRIVATIZED AND MONEY IS MORE READILY AVAILABLE TO BUILD MODERN, ALMOST POLLUTION-FREE INCINERATORS. BUT IN SCOTLAND, WATER UTILITIES ARE STILL PUBLICLY OWNED AND PRIVATE MONEY FOR IMPROVEMENTS IS HARDER TO FIND.

THE BIG CONCERN IN SCOTLAND NOW IS THAT UNTIL THERE'S A SOLUTION ON WHAT TO DO WITH SLUDGE, CAREFUL PROGRAMS TO MONITOR THIS SEWAGE MUST BE PUT INTO PLACE. IF NOTHING IS DONE SOON, EXPERTS WARN THE CONSEQUENCES FOR THE SCOTTISH ENVIRONMENT AND THE FARMING COMMUNITY COULD BE SEVERE. (SIGNED)
NEB/TG/PCF
11-Feb-99 9:02 AM EST (1402 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (THURSDAY) IN AN EXPLOSIVE RALLY. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 93 HUNDRED 63, UP 186 POINTS OR TWO PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 12 HUNDRED 54, UP 30 POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX SOARED BY MORE THAN FOUR PERCENT, REFLECTING A STRONG REBOUND FOR MANY TECHNOLOGY STOCKS WHICH HAVE BEEN DEPRESSED RECENTLY.

ANALYSTS SAY ONE REASON FOR THE RALLY WAS WHAT THE HEAD OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK DID NOT SAY. WHILE TESTIFYING BEFORE CONGRESS ABOUT BANKING LAW REFORM, ALAN GREENSPAN SAID NOTHING TO INDICATE THE CENTRAL BANK WILL SOON RAISE INTEREST RATES.

THE REBOUND IN TECHNOLOGY STOCKS GENERATED ENTHUSIASM FOR TWO NEW INTERNET-RELATED STOCKS. ON ITS FIRST DAY OF TRADING, THE STOCK OF VERTICALNET, WHICH SPECIALIZES IN ONLINE COMMERCE FOR BUSINESS, GAINED 300 PERCENT. AND THE STOCK OF PRODIGY COMMUNICATIONS, AN INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER WHICH PLANS TO FOCUS ON THE HISPANIC POPULATION, ALMOST DOUBLED.

DESPITE THE STRENGTH OF THE RALLY, SOME ANALYSTS, SUCH AS DAVID BRAVERMAN OF THE STANDARD AND POOR'S RESEARCH FIRM, SAY THERE IS STILL SOME SKEPTICISM ABOUT THE VALUE OF MANY STOCKS.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS SORT OF A TUG OF WAR BETWEEN MOMENTUM INVESTORS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE SELLING INTO THIS RALLY WHO ARE FRANKLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE VALUATIONS.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS RETAIL SALES IN THE UNITED STATES ROSE IN JANUARY FOR THE SIXTH STRAIGHT MONTH. A SEPARATE REPORT SAYS NEW CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS DROPPED TO AN 18 MONTH LOW.

THE FEDERATED DEPARTMENT STORE COMPANY WILL PAY ONE POINT SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE FINGERHUT, THE CATALOG AND INTERNET RETAILER. ANALYSTS SAY THE DEAL WILL GIVE FEDERATED THE BENEFIT OF FINGERHUT'S EXPERTISE IN DIRECT SALES MANAGEMENT AND ACCESS TO THAT COMPANY'S LOWER INCOME CUSTOMER BASE THAT DOES NOT TYPICALLY SHOP IN FEDERATED STORES SUCH AS BLOOMINGDALE'S AND MACY'S.

AMERICAN AIRLINES IS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS DESPITE A FEDERAL COURT ORDER THAT PILOTS STOP CALLING IN SICK AS PART OF A JOB ACTION. SOME PILOTS SAY THEY ARE STILL SICK AND AMERICAN CANCELLED ALMOST HALF ITS DAILY FLIGHTS. THE DISPUTE CENTERS ON UNEQUAL PAY SCALES FOR PILOTS. SEAGRAM, THE CANADIAN-BASED BEVERAGE AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, REPORTED A 226 MILLION DOLLAR QUARTERLY LOSS, LARGELY BECAUSE OF COSTS INVOLVED IN ITS RECENT ACQUISITION OF THE POLYGRAM MUSIC AND FILM COMPANY.

NEW YORK CITY OFFICIALS WANT TO SPEND THEIR SHARE OF THE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR TOBACCO SETTLEMENT BEFORE THEY RECEIVE IT. THE SETTLEMENT, WORTH ALMOST SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS TO NEW YORK CITY, IS TO BE PAID OVER A PERIOD OF 25 YEARS. NEW YORK WANTS TO ISSUE 25-YEAR MUNICIPAL BONDS BACKED BY PROCEEDS FROM THE SETTLEMENT. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/WFR
11-Feb-99 5:20 PM EST (2220 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: AS IT HAS FOR MONTHS, THE PRESIDENT'S IMPEACHMENT MAINTAINS ITS PLACE AT THE HEAD OF MANY EDITORIAL COLUMNS IN THURSDAY'S U-S PAPERS. NOW, THE EDITORIALS ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT COMES AFTER THE SENATE VOTES TODAY OR TOMORROW.

MOST OF THE OTHER EDITORIALS DEAL WITH DOMESTIC ISSUES, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SOME THOUGHTS ON THE BAD BLOOD TRIAL IN FRANCE. OTHER COMMENTARIES CONCERN: THE WIDENING OLYMPIC GAMES SCANDAL; A POSSIBLE FEDERAL TAX CUT BECAUSE OF THE BUDGET SURPLUS; AND A CHANGE IN THE RIGHTS OF CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS. NOW HERE IS _______________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE CALLING FOR THE PRESIDENT TO BE ACQUITTED, BUT THEN CENSURED BY THE SENATE. ONE OF THEM IS "NEWSDAY" ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND.

VOICE: ...THE UNITED STATES SENATE WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY ACQUIT PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON OF THE TWO IMPEACHMENT CHARGES BROUGHT AGAINST HIM BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ... BUT ONCE THOSE VOTES ARE RECORDED, THE ... SENATE WILL STILL BE LEFT WITH A CRUCIAL QUESTION ... SHOULD THEY LEAVE IT AT THAT, OR SHOULD THEY FORMALLY EXPRESS THEIR COLLECTIVE DISMAY OVER [MR.] CLINTON'S ... ASSORTED TRANSGRESSIONS SURROUNDING HIS DALIANCE WITH MONICA LEWINSKY? "NEWSDAY" STILL BELIEVES THAT A FORMAL CENSURE BY THE SENATE IS THE APPROPRIATE OUTCOME FOR THIS TORTURED CASE.

TEXT: "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" IS ALSO CALLING FOR CENSURE AFTER THE SENATE VOTE, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: ... SENATORS ... SHOULD UNITE TO MAKE IT CLEAR HOW SERIOUS MR. CLINTON'S MISDEEDS WERE. THAT MEANS A BLUNT CENSURE, WITH NO WIGGLE WORDS. ... THE PRESIDENT SHOULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE BECAUSE HIS LOW CRIMES DID NOT THREATEN THE NATION'S CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM. YET THE PRESIDENT SHOULD NOT BE EXONERATED EITHER. HE DESERVES A STINGING CENSURE THAT WOULD MAKE IT HARDER FOR ... HISTORIANS TO CALL THESE MATTERS MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL", ACKNOWLEDGING THE SENATE WILL VOTE TO ACQUIT, CHIDES DEMOCRATS FOR A 'FAUSTIAN BARGAIN,' KNOWING THE PRESIDENT IS, IN FACT, GUILTY AS CHARGED, BUT STILL VOTING "NOT GUILTY."

VOICE: SENATE DEMOCRATS ... WILL HAVE VOTED TO ACQUIT A MAN WHO THEIR OWN DRAFT CENSURE RESOLUTION ASSERTS HAS 'BROUGHT SHAME AND DISHONOR TO HIMSELF AND TO THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT' ... FOR HOWEVER MUCH PAIN IMPEACHMENT HAS CAUSED HOUSE REPUBLICANS, AT LEAST THEY CAN LOOK THEMSELVES IN THE MIRROR EACH MORNING. THEY WILL HAVE LOST, BUT THEY STOOD FOR SOMETHING LARGER THAN THEIR OWN CAREERS OR PARTISAN GAIN. THEY FOUGHT FOR THE RULE OF LAW.

TEXT: LASTLY ON THIS CENTRAL TOPIC, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" PLAINTIVELY REMINDS ALL:

VOICE: IT IS, OF COURSE, NOT TOO LATE. SENATORS STILL HAVE TIME TO CHANGE THEIR MINDS TODAY, AND ONE WOULD LIKE TO HOPE AGAINST HOPE THAT THE CONSCIENCE OF A FEW COULD STILL BE REACHED.

TEXT: MEANWHILE, A SPECTACULAR TRIAL IS BEING HELD IN PARIS. TWO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND FORMER PRIME MINISTER LAURENT FABIUS STAND ACCUSED OF ALLOWING BLOOD, POSSIBLY TAINTED WITH THE AIDS VIRUS, TO BE USED BY DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS. "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" NOTES:

VOICE: THE RARE ACT OF PUTTING FORMER HIGH-LEVEL FRENCH OFFICIALS IN THE DOCK IS A MEASURE OF THE PUBLIC'S OUTRAGE. /// OPT /// FRANCE IS ONE OF A LONG LIST OF COUNTRIES -- A LIST TO WHICH THE UNITED STATES SURELY WILL SOON BE ADDED -- WHERE POWER AND ACCOUNTABILITY HAVE DEVELOPED AN INVERSE RELATIONSHIP. /// END OPT /// ... YOU CAN GET UP A GOOD, SERIOUS DEBATE OVER WHETHER PUBLIC OFFICIALS SHOULD BE HELD CRIMINALLY LIABLE FOR POLICY ERRORS. ... FRANCE ... HAS DECIDED AFTER LONG, ARDUOUS DEBATE THAT THERE IS SOMETIMES JUSTIFICATION FOR TRYING THOSE ACCUSED OF PARTICULARLY ATROCIOUS MALFEASANCE.

TEXT: ANOTHER REPORT ON OLYMPIC SITE-SELECTION-BRIBERY IS OUT, REGARDING THE CHOICE OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, AS THE HOME FOR THE NEXT WINTER OLYMPICS. THE REVELATIONS ARE DRAWING A GOOD DEAL OF REACTION. "THE NEW YORK POST" SAYS THERE IS A LESSON TO BE LEARNED:

VOICE: ORGANIZATIONS THAT HOLD THEMSELVES SUPERIOR BECAUSE OF THEIR SUPPOSED COMMITMENT TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF HUMANKIND ARE PRONE TO CORRUPTION AND SCANDAL, IN PART BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THEIR MOTIVES ARE SO PURE.

TEXT: ACROSS THE COUNTRY, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS CALLING FOR A REBUILDING OF THE ENTIRE OLYMPIC SYSTEM.

VOICE: [INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE] PRESIDENT [JUAN ANTONIO] ... SAMARANCH OF SPAIN HAS PROMISED TO REFORM THE PROCESS [OF] OLYMPIC [SITE SELECTION]. BUT IT IS OBVIOUS NOW THAT FAR MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE. THE VERY STRUCTURE OF THE OLYMPICS MUST BE REORGANIZED OR RE-CREATED AND THE HYPER-COMMERCIALIZATION OF THE GAMES NEEDS TO BE REEXAMINED.

TEXT: REPUBLICANS APPEAR TO BE DIVIDED ON THEIR PROPOSAL FOR A TAX CUT BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL BUDGET SURPLUS, WHICH IS PROJECTED TO CONTINUE INTO THE FUTURE. "THE WASHINGTON POST" IS AGAINST A LARGE CUT, EXPLAINING:

VOICE: THEY [CONGRESS] OUGHT NOT TOSS AWAY A SURPLUS THAT DOES NOT YET EXIST AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS FOR A LIST OF OTHER PURPOSES THAT ONLY BEGINS WITH THE BABY BOOMERS' RETIREMENT. BUT THE POLITICS ARE SUCH THAT THERE PROBABLY WILL BE A TAX CUT OF SOME KIND.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THURSDAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
11-Feb-99 11:01 AM EST (1601 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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