Voice of America Digest, 18 October 1995

From: yanni@ix.netcom.com (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] !!! VOA DIGEST - OCTOBER 18, 1995

CHRISTOPHER / AIR BASE -- THE BOSNIA PEACE TALKS ON OCTOBER 31ST WILL BE HELD AT THE WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE IN SOUTHWEST OHIO. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT ON THE SELECTION OF THE SITE. (10/18)

BOSNIA / SERBS -- A MAJOR NEW SPLIT APPEARED BETWEEN THE BOSNIAN SERB POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERSHIP. THE ARMY IS REFUSING TO ACCEPT THE FORCED RETIREMENT OF FOUR SENIOR OFFICERS. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS. (10/18)

BOSNIA / CEASE-FIRE -- UN OFFICIALS HAVE SHARPLY CRITICIZED BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND BOSNIAN CROAT OFFICIALS, SAYING THEY ARE NOT ACTING IN GOOD FAITH BY OBSTRUCTING UN OBSERVERS AND PEACEKEEPERS IN BOSNIA. MEANWHILE, AS STRINGER DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO, THE SENIOR US NEGOTIATOR, RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS MEETING WITH BOSNIAN OFFICIALS TO PREPARE FOR ALL-PARTY MEETINGS LATER THIS MONTH. (10/18)

YUGO / NEGOTIATIONS -- AMERICAN, RUSSIAN AND WESTERN EUROPEAN PEACE ENVOYS ARE IN BELGRADE FOR TALKS WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. AFTER THEY AND MR MILOSEVIC DISCUSS EFFORTS TO BRING PEACE TO THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, THE ENVOYS WILL TRAVEL ON TO SARAJEVO. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS. (10/17)

COMMONWEALTH / HUMAN RIGHTS -- A REPORT BY AN INFLUENTIAL PRESSURE GROUP, THE COMMONWEALTH HUMAN RIGHTS INITIATIVE (CHRI) SAYS IN MANY OF THE FIFTY ONE COMMONWEALTH MEMBER STATES THE RIGHTS TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND DEMOCRACY ARE NOT UPHELD. THE GROUP SAYS THERE IS NO ROOM FOR MILITARY DICTATORSHIPS AMONG THE COMMONWEALTH MEMBER STATES. FROM LONDON STRINGER CHRISTINE FURNELL REPORTS THE COMMONWEALTH HUMAN RIGHTS INITIATIVE IS MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO NEXT MONTH'S AUCKLAND SUMMIT TO BAR DICTATORIAL GOVERNMENTS FROM HIGH-LEVEL COMMONWEALTH MEETINGS. (10/18)

GRACHEV / LIBEL SUIT -- RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER PAVEL GRACHEV HAS POSTPONED A TRIP TO GREECE AFTER PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN ORDERED HIM TO TESTIFY IN A LIBEL TRIAL. CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN IN MOSCOW REPORTS MR. GRACHEV HAD EARLIER REFUSED TO APPEAR FOR A CASE HE HIMSELF FILED. (10/18)

US / CHINA SUMMIT -- RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA, SOME OBSERVERS SAY, HAVE SUNK TO ITS LOWEST POINT SINCE DIPLOMATIC TIES WERE ESTABLISHED 16 YEARS AGO. AS PRESIDENT CLINTON AND CHINESE PRESIDENT AND PARTY LEADER JIANG ZEMIN PREPARE TO MEET IN NEW YORK, A PANEL OF AMERICAN EXPERTS ON CHINA DISCUSSES THE PROBLEMS COMPLICATING DIPLOMATIC TIES BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND BEIJING. CURRENT AFFAIRS' STEPHANIE NEALER SUMS UP. (10/18)

TURKEY/ POLITICS --TURKISH PRESIDENT, SULEYMAN DEMIREL HAS ASKED PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER TO FORM A NEW GOVERNMENT, ENDING DAYS OF SPECULATION OVER TURKEY'S POLITICAL FUTURE. STRINGER AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS. (10/17)

RUSSIA / CRIME -- ANOTHER RUSSIAN BANKER HAS BEEN SHOT AND CRITICALLY WOUNDED IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN ATTEMPTED CONTRACT KILLING. CORRESPONDENT PETER COLLINS REPORTS FROM MOSCOW SUCH KILLINGS ARE NOW COMMONPLACE IN RUSSIA. (10/18)

NATO / CLAES -- A BELGIAN PARLIAMENTARY REPORT SAYS THERE ARE INDICATIONS OF GUILT, BUT NO FIRM PROOF AGAINST THE NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL WILLY CLAES. HE IS TO APPEAR THURSDAY BEFORE A CLOSED SESSION OF THE BELGIAN PARLIAMENT. THE LAWMAKERS ARE TO VOTE WHETHER HE SHOULD BE PUT ON TRIAL FOR CORRUPTION. STRINGER JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS. (10/18)

SWEDEN POLITICS -- SWEDEN'S PUBLIC PROSECUTOR IS TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER THE COUNTRY'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER MONA SAHLIN BROKE THE LAW BY USING HER OFFICIAL CREDIT CARD FOR PRIVATE PURCHASES. STRINGER FENELA CHILDS IN STOCKHOLM REPORTS THE DECISION FURTHER REDUCES MS. SAHLIN'S CHANCES OF BECOMING SWEDEN'S FIRST WOMAN PRIME MINISTER. (10/18)

AFGHAN FIGHTING -- IN AFGHANISTAN THE GOVERNMENT IS CONTINUING ITS EFFORTS TO PUSH THE TALIBAN ISLAMIC STUDENT MOVEMENT OUT OF THE HILLS SOUTH OF THE CAPITAL, KABUL. STRINGER TIM JOHNSTON REPORTS FROM KABUL THE GOVERNMENT LAUNCHED ANOTHER OFFENSIVE WEDNESDAY. (10/18)

INDIA / POLITICS -- THE INDIAN CABINET HAS DECLARED FEDERAL RULE OF INDIA'S LARGEST STATE, UTTAR PRADESH, AFTER THE LOW-CASTE CHIEF MINISTER RESIGNED IN A FALLING OUT WITH HINDU NATIONALISTS. NEW DELHI CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL DRUDGE REPORTS ABOUT THE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS. (10/18)

IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMITS -- IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMITS, WHICH BRING TOGETHER LEADERS FROM SPAIN, PORTUGAL, AND LATIN AMERICA, HAVE BECOME AN ESTABLISHED INSTITUTION. THE FIFTH ANNUAL SUMMIT ENDED TUESDAY IN THE SOUTHERN ARGENTINE CITY OF BARILOCHE. CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK FOUND THAT THE IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMITS HAVE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES. (10/18)

COSTA RICA / US SENATE -- COSTA RICA HAS EXPRESSED DEEP CONCERN OVER A MOVE BY SOME US SENATORS TO IMPOSE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST THE CENTRAL AMERICAN NATION FOR HAVING IMPLEMENTED A TRADE ACCORD WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION ON BANANA EXPORTS. CORRESPONDENT BILL RODGERS REPORTS TOP COSTA RICAN OFFICIALS HAVE REPUDIATED THE THREATENED SANCTIONS, SAYING THEY ARE UNCALLED FOR. (10/17)

ORANGE FARM / SAF ELECTIONS -- LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS AIMED AT SPREADING DEMOCRACY INTO LARGE AND SMALL COMMUNITIES ARE JUST TWO WEEKS AWAY IN SOUTH AFRICA. AND AS THE CAMPAIGNING HEATS UP, SO IS FRUSTRATION AND CONCERN ON THE PART OF SOME VOTERS. CORRESPONDENT MALLORY SALESON VISITED THE ORANGE FARM SQUATTER SETTLEMENT TO HEAR THE VIEWS OF VOTERS IN THAT COMMUNITY. (10/18)

LITERATURE / NOBEL -- CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA TALKED TO THE NEWEST NOBEL LAUREATE IN LITERATURE, SEAMUS HEANEY AND REPORTS ON HIS VIEWS ON POETRY, HIS CHILDHOOD IN NORTHERN IRELAND, AND WINNING THE NOBEL PRIZE. (10/18)

HOSTILE BANK BID -- THE AMERICAN BANKING INDUSTRY MAY SOON TAKE ANOTHER MAJOR STEP IN ITS ONGOING CONSOLIDATION. BUT, AS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK, THIS TIME A PROPOSED MERGER IS BEING STRONGLY RESISTED. (10/18)

OLYMPICS PREVIEW / THE PHYSICAL LEGACY -- ANY CITY THAT HOSTS AN OLYMPIC GAMES INVESTS A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY AND EFFORT FIXING UP THE CITY AND ADDING FACILITIES FOR THE ATHLETES AND VISITORS. CURRENT AFFAIRS' MARILYN SILVEY REPORTS ON WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ATLANTA'S OLYMPICS SITES AFTERWARDS, AND OTHER BENEFITS THE CITY EXPECTS TO BE ITS LEGACY FROM THE OLYMPICS. (10/18)

WITH A NAME LIKE SMUCKER'S -- STRINGER STEVE HIRSCHBERG VISITED THE HEADQUARTERS OF ONE OF AMERICA'S BEST-KNOWN MAKERS OF JAMS, JELLIES, PRESERVES AND FRUIT SYRUPS, THE JM SMUCKER COMPANY OF ORRVILLE, OHIO, FOR A LOOK AT HOW A 600 MILLION-DOLLAR-A-YEAR FOOD COMPANY TICKS. THE CENTURY-OLD FIRM IS STILL OWNED AND RUN BY THE SMUCKER FAMILY. (10/18)

COLORADO AVALANCHE -- THE QUEBEC NORDIQUES NATIONAL ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE TEAM IS NO LONGER BASED IN CANADA. THE CLUB HAS MOVED SOUTHWEST THIS SEASON TO THE U-S CITY OF DENVER, COLORADO. MOST TOP LEVEL PROFESSIONAL TEAMS THAT CHANGE CITIES HAVE FALLEN ON HARD TIMES, WITH LOSING YEARS LEADING TO DROPPING ATTENDANCE. BUT SPORTS REPORTER MARK JONSSON REPORTS THAT WAS NOT THE CASE WITH QUEBEC, WHICH FINISHED FIRST IN ITS DIVISION LAST SEASON. (10/18)

INSIDE USA:

MILLION MAN MARCH / ADL REACT -- REPORTER TOM CROSBY TALKS WITH THE NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE, ABRAHAM B. FOXMAN, WHO SAYS ONE CANNOT SEPARATE THE MESSENGER FROM THE MESSAGE IN THE CASE OF LOUIS FARRAKHAN, AND HE BELIEVES FARRAKHAN IS AN ANTI-SEMITE. (ENP 10/17)

MILLION MAN MARCH / AFTERMATH -- STAFFERS MAIMOUNA MILLS AND IDRISSA FALL REPORT ON THE AFTERMATH OF THE MILLION MAN MARCH HELD ON MONDAY. THEY REVIEWED THE DIFFERENT REACTIONS AND THE CONTROVERSIES SURROUNDING THE MARCH AND ITS ORGANIZER. THE REPORT INCLUDES A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF LOUIS FARRAKHAN AND A BACKGROUND ON THE NATION OF ISLAM. ALSO INCLUDED WERE SEVERAL INTERVIEWS WITH MARCH PARTICIPANTS. (FRENCH 10/17)

LOS ANGELES / CHINESE SMUGGLER SENTENCED -- A FEMALE CHINESE SMUGGLER OF ILLEGAL ALIENS WAS SENTENCED TO 14 MONTHS IN JAIL BY A FEDERAL JUDGE IN LOS ANGELES. THE COURT FOUND HER GUILTY OF PROVIDING SHELTER FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA. SHE WAS ALSO CHARGED WITH FORCING FEMALE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS INTO PROSTITUTION, BUT THE JUDGE RULED THAT THE EVIDENCE ON THAT CHARGE WAS INSUFFICIENT. STAFFER KUO-FU SHU INTERVIEWS DAVID LEVINE, US ASSISTANT ATTORNEY. (MANDARIN 10/18)

AMERICAN STATES --- IN HIS WEEKLY AMERICA PROGRAM, STAFFER WORK AFERAHU KEBEDE PRESENTED THE STATE OF NEW YORK, ITS HISTORY, ITS ROLE IN AND RELATION WITH THE REST OF THE UNITED STATES. (AMHARIC 10/17)

ETHIOPIANS / AMERICA -- STAFFER ADDISU ABEBE INTERVIEWED ISKINDER TAMIRAT, AN ETHIOPIAN RESIDENT IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. WHO ORGANIZED A TASTE OF ETHIOPIA, A CULTURAL SHOW THAT INTRODUCES THE COUNTRY TO AMERICANS AND US-BORN ETHIOPIANS. (AMHARIC 10/17)

NEW YORK / RUSSIAN YOUTH PAPER -- GENNADY KATSOV, PUBLISHER AND EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK YOUTH NEWSPAPER PECHATNY ORGAN TALKS TO STAFFER ALEC BATCHAN ABOUT HIS FUTURE PLANS FOR THE PAPER. (RUSSIAN 10/17)

HEROES / TALK TO AMERICA -- GENERAL COLIN POWELL, NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER ELIE WIESEL, AND THE REVEREND BILLY GRAHAM ARE A FEW OF THE INDIVIDUALS OUR 'TALK TO AMERICA' GUEST IDENTIFIES AS HEROES IN HIS NEW BOOK. DR ROBERT B PAMPLIN HAS ALSO CONDUCTED A NATIONAL SURVEY ON HEROISM AND ETHICS, AND IS JOINED BY PROFESSOR MICHAEL KAZIN. BOTH EXPERTS ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT MAKES A HERO. (ENGLISH 10/18)

INSIDE AFRICA:

NIGERIA / ALERT -- SECURITY IS TIGHT IN NIGERIA'S THREE NORTHERN STATES OF KANO, SOKOTO AND KADUNA AMID THREATS OF A PROTEST BY AN ANTI-GOVERNMENT, MILITANT ISLAMIC GROUP. REPORTER CHINEDU OFFOR REPORTS FROM LAGOS. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/18)

NIGERIA / POLITICS -- THE SECRETARY TO THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA, ALHAJI AMINU SALEH WAS REPORTED FIRED FROM THE JOB TUESDAY. A NEW SECRETARY HAS BEEN APPOINTED. HE IS ALHAJI IDIRIS GIDADO A FORMER DIRECTOR GENERAL IN THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE. HAUSA STINGER BABANGIDA JIBRIL REPORTS FROM ABUJA. (HAUSA 10/17)

NIGERIA / WILMOT REACT -- STAFFER AHMED YERIMA INTERVIEWED DR. PATRICK WILMOT OF THE INSTITUTE OF AFRICAN STUDIES IN LONDON, ON WHETHER THE RESIGNATION OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA WOULD HAVE ANY EFFECT ON POLICIES AND THE TRANSITIONAL PROGRAM OF THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT. (HAUSA 10/17)

TANZANIA / OBSERVERS -- AT LEAST 295 FOREIGN OBSERVERS ARE IN TANZANIA FOR THE COMING GENERAL ELECTIONS. THE OBSERVERS ARE FROM THE UNITED NATIONS, ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY AND NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS. SEVERAL OTHER LOCAL NON- GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN MAINLAND TANZANIA WILL PROVIDE OBSERVERS. STRINGER EVEREST MWITUMBA REPORTS FROM DAR ES SALAAM. (SWAHILI 10/18)

ZANZIBAR / ELECTIONS -- STAFFER ABDUSHAKUR ABOUD SPOKE WITH KHATIB HASSAN ONE OF THE CUF PARTY DELEGATES WHO TOOK PART IN TALKS BETWEEN THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION AND POLITICAL PARTIES. POLITICAL PARTIES THREATENED TO BOYCOTT THE ELECTIONS BUT HAVE NOW, SUBSEQUENT TO THE TALKS, AGREED TO PARTICIPATE. (SWAHILI 10/18)

UGANDA / MULTI PARTY POLITICS -- THE US AMBASSADOR IN UGANDA, MICHAEL SOUTHWICK HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE POLITICAL SYSTEM IN UGANDA. AMBASSADOR SOUTHWICK APPEALED TO THE NRM GOVERNMENT TO ALLOW POLITICAL PARTIES TO OPERATE FREELY IN UGANDA. HE SAID THE UNITED STATES WOULD NOT HELP FUND THE UPCOMING GENERAL ELECTION UNLESS UGANDA WAS WILLING TO LIFT THE BAN ON POLITICAL PARTIES' ACTIVITIES. STRINGER MIKE ARERENG REPORTS FROM KAMPALA. (SWAHILI 10/18)

KENYA / CLASHES -- THE SITUATION IN KIBERA, A SLUM AREA IN NAIROBI, WHERE TWO ETHNIC GROUPS, THE LUOS AND NUBIANS CLASHED, IS NOW CALM BUT POLICE CONTINUE TO PATROL THE AREA. STRINGER M G JOEL REPORTS FROM NAIROBI. (SWAHILI 10/18)

KENYA / CLASHES REACT -- STAFFER TOM ATANDI SPOKE WITH OPPOSITION MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR LANGATA CONSTITUENCY, (KIBERA DISTRICT) RAILA ODINGA, ON THE SITUATION IN THE AREA OF THE CLASHES AND ON A GOVERNMENT STATEMENT THAT ACCUSED HIM OF INCITING THE VIOLENCE. THE KENYAN GOVERNMENT DENIED THAT SEVEN PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND CONFIRMED ONLY THREE DEATHS. MR ODINGA DENIED THE ACCUSATION AND APPEALED TO NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE AID TO THE RESIDENTS OF KIBERA WHO RAN FROM THEIR HOMES AND ARE STAYING IN THE SURROUNDING HILLS. HE ACCUSED THE POLICE, DEPLOYED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO QUELL THE CLASHES, OF LOOTING AND SPREADING TERROR IN THE AREA. (SWAHILI 10/18)

ANGOLA / POLITICS -- UNITA'S LEADER JONAS SAVIMBI RECALLED HIS CHIEF OF STAFF, GENERAL ARLINO PENA BEN-BEN FROM LUANDA AFTER REPORTS OF AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT. THERE ARE REPORTS THAT THE POLITICAL COMMISSION OF UNITA WILL BE MEETING IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION. STAFFER LUIS COSTA REPORTS. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 10/18)

CAPE VERDE / ELECT -- CAPE VERDE'S NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION SENT A LETTER TO PRESIDENT MASCARENHAS MONTEIRO URGING HIM TO RESCHEDULE THE UPCOMING GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THAT COUNTRY. RECENTLY THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO APPLY THE 1990 ELECTORAL CODE INSTEAD OF THE MORE RECENT 1995 LAW WHICH GIVES LESS POWER TO THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION. STAFFER NELSON HERBERT REPORTS. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 10/18)

SAO TOME / POLITICS -- THE MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY IN SAO TOME SUSPENDED ITS PARTICIPATION IN TALKS OVER THE FORMATION OF A GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY PROPOSED BY PRESIDENT, MIGUEL TROVOADA. THE DEMOCRATIC CONVERGENCE PARTY SAID IN A COMMUNIQUE PUBLISHED WEDNESDAY THAT THE OTHER PARTIES TO THE TALKS ARE NOT SERIOUS ABOUT THE OUTCOME. STAFFER OVIDIO PEQUENO REPORTS. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 10/18)

BURKINA FASO / CAMEROON -- THE DEPORTATION OF TEN CAMEROONIAN STUDENTS FROM BURKINA FASO HAS BEEN CONDEMNED BY THE MBDHP, THE MAIN HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION IN BURKINA FASO. ITS PRESIDENT, HALIDOU OUEDRAOGO WAS INTERVIEWED BY STRINGER JULIUS BARTHSON. (FRENCH 10/17)

EUROPEAN COMMISSION / SOMALIA -- DESPITE THE LACK OF A FORMAL GOVERNMENT, CLAN WARFARE, AND THE DISRUPTION OF RELIEF OPERATIONS, SOME ARE HOPEFUL ABOUT SOMALIA'S FUTURE. AMONG THEM, AMBASSADOR SIGURD ILLING, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONS SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SOMALIA. HE SPOKE TO REPORTER JOE DECAPUA FROM NAIROBI. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/18)

SOUTH AFRICA / ARTS & POLITICS -- NOW THAT APARTHEID HAS ENDED, SOUTH AFRICA IS GETTING USED TO ITS NEW FREEDOMS. AMONG THE CHANGING AREAS ARE THE ARTS. REPORTER JOE DECAPUA SPOKE TO KENNETH GRUNDY, PROFESSOR OF POLITICS AT CASE-WESTERN UNIVERSITY IN CLEVELAND ABOUT THE ARTS IN SOUTH AFRICA. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/17)

GAMBIA / ARRESTS -- GAMBIA'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT ARRESTS 70 PEOPLE ALLEGED TO BE SUPPORTERS OF OUSTED PRESIDENT DAWDA JAWARA. REPORTER RICHARD KOTEY SPOKE WITH GAMBIAN POLITICAL ANALYST, PROFESSOR AMADOU JANNEH. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/18)

UN / WOMEN -- ONE OF THE RESULTS OF THE UNITED NATIONS FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN LAST MONTH WAS A CALL FOR A PERMANENT UN POST TO FOCUS EXCLUSIVELY ON WOMEN'S ISSUES. REPORTER CATHERINE MADDUX DISCUSSES PROGRESS TOWARDS EQUALITY FOR WOMEN, WITH GERTRUDE MONGELLA THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE BEIJING CONFERENCE. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/18)

INSIDE MIDEAST:

ISRAEL / LEBANON -- THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT SAYS IT IS GRANTING THE ISRAELI ARMY AND ITS LEBANESE MILITIA ALLIES THE FREEDOM OF ACTION NEEDED TO FIGHT AGAINST THE HEZBOLLAH. STAFFER JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 10/17)

ISRAEL / LEBANON / CLASHES -- THE RECENT HEZBOLLAH ATTACKS ON ISRAELI TROOPS IN SOUTHERN LEBANON ARE DISCUSSED BY DR SHEBLI TALHAMI OF BROOKINGS INSTITUTE IN AN INTERVIEW BY STAFFER MOHAMED EL-SETOUHI. (ARABIC 10/17)

ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS -- REPORTER ANDREW BAIRD INTERVIEWS FATI ZIAI, RESEARCHER WITH HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH MIDDLE EAST ON ISRAEL'S LIFTING OF THE CLOSURE OF THE WEST BANK AND GAZA TO CERTAIN PALESTINIANS WHO WANT TO CROSS INTO ISRAEL. (ENP 10/17)

KING HUSSEIN / IRAQ -- IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE BRITISH FINANCIAL TIMES, KING HUSSEIN OF JORDAN CRITICIZED THE IRAQI REFERENDUM AND CALLED FOR A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN IRAQ. STRINGER ALI MAAN REPORTS FROM VIENNA. (ARABIC 10/17)

LIBYA / UN -- LIBYA HAS WITHDRAWN ITS CANDIDACY FAR A TEMPORARY SEAT ON THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL, GIVING EGYPT A CHANCE TO PRESENT A BID INSTEAD. CORRESPONDENT IBRAHIM ABDIN REPORTS FROM CAIRO. (ARABIC 10/17)

ALGERIA / KILLINGS -- A FEMALE ALGERIAN JOURNALIST WAS ASSASSINATED IN ALGIERS YESTERDAY. STRINGER HAKEEM OULD KHALED REPORTS. (ARABIC 10/17)

MOROCCO / PAN-ARAB CONFERENCE -- MOROCCO HOSTED THE FIRST PAN-ARAB INVESTMENT CONFERENCE TO ENHANCE TRADE EXCHANGE AMONG ARAB COUNTRIES. STRINGER MOHAMED BENDSEDDOUCH REPORTS FROM RABAT. (ARABIC 10/17)

MOROCCO / WESTERN SAHARA -- MOROCCO HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE DELAY OF THE REFERENDUM TO DECIDE THE FUTURE OF WESTERN SAHARA. CORRESPONDENT MOHAMED ATTIA SAAD REPORTED FROM NEW YORK. (ARABIC 10/17)

PARIS / BLAST -- EGYPTIAN JOURNALIST IN PARIS, HAZEM FOUDAH, IS INTERVIEWED BY STAFFER MOHAMED EL-SETOUHI ABOUT THE BOMB ATTACK WHICH WOUNDED 28 PEOPLE ON A RUSH HOUR COMMUTER IN PARIS. (ARABIC 10/17)

OMAN / US -- STAFFER MANSOUR HATEFI REPORTS ON A MIDDLE EAST POLICY COUNCIL SYMPOSIUM ON OMAN. PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE PELLETREAU, RAND CORPORATION MIDDLE EAST SPECIALIST DR. RICHARD KESHISHIAN, AND MICHAEL DUNNE, EDITOR OF THE NATIONAL ESTIMATE. MR PELLETREAU DESCRIBED OMAN AS A CLOSE ALLY OF THE US, WITH AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN MAINTAINING SECURITY IN THE PERSIAN GULF. (FARSI 10/18)

WORLD UNITY -- STAFFER GUITTY SEDAGHAT REPORTS ON A THREE-DAY CONFERENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND ENTITLED, "TOWARDS A UNITED WORLD." AMIN GEMAYEL OF LEBANON AND PRINCESS RAHMA OF JORDAN TALKED ABOUT FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO WORLD UNIFICATION. (FARSI 10/16, 10/17)

INSIDE CENTRAL ASIA:

KAZAKHSTAN / JOURNALIST -- LUDMILA TIMOSHENKO, A RADIO JOURNALIST FROM ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN TALKS TO STAFFER AVIVA LEKUCH ABOUT HER IMPRESSIONS OF AMERICA, AND THE DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES IN RADIO JOURNALISM IN THE US AND KAZAKHSTAN. (RUSSIAN 10/17)

AZERBAIJAN / LAND REFORM -- STRINGER RAFAEL HUSAINOV INTERVIEWS TWO AZERI OFFICIALS, RAFIQ MAJIDOV AND ADALAT SULAYMANOV ON LAND PRIVATIZATION AND REFORM IN AZERBAIJAN. THEY ARE MEMBERS OF THE AZERI PARLIAMENT'S COMMITTEE FOR LAND REFORM, AND THEY RECENTLY VISITED CANADA TO LEARN FROM THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT'S EXPERIENCE ON REFORM. (AZERI 10/18)

US / AZERI WOMEN -- STAFFER HABIB AZARSINA HAS INTERVIEWED ANNE KAUZLARICH, THE WIFE OF THE US AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN ON HER ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO HELP THE NEEDY WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN AZERBAIJAN. MRS KAUZLARICH IS THE HEAD OF THE 'WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL CLUB' IN BAKU AS WELL AS THE 'FRIENDS OF AZERBAIJANI CULTURE SOCIETY.' SHE TALKS ABOUT THE CULTURAL AND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS. (AZERI 10/18)

INSIDE SOUTH ASIA:

PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN RELATIONS -- PAKISTAN HAS REJECTED AFGHAN GOVERNMENT CHARGES OF INTERFERING IN AFGHANISTAN'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS. DARI STRINGER ABDUL HAI WARSHAN REPORTS THAT THE PAKISTAN FOREIGN MINISTRY ADAMANTLY DENIED CHARGES THE AFGHAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER MADE LAST WEEK IN THE UNGA BLAMING PAKISTAN FOR HIS COUNTRY'S CONTINUED INTERNAL STRIFE. THE FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT ADDS THAT PAKISTAN DOES NOT SUPPORT ANY PARTICULAR FACTION IN THE AFGHAN CIVIL WAR. (DARI, PASHTO 10/18)

INSIDE EAST ASIA:

TAIWAN POLL / JIANG ZEMIN SUMMIT PROPOSAL -- ACCORDING TO LIANHE BAO'S LATEST SURVEY, 62 PERCENT OF PEOPLE IN TAIWAN THINK A SUMMIT WILL HELP CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS, 41 PERCENT FAVOR JIANG'S COMING TO TAIWAN FOR A SUMMIT, BUT ONLY 27 PERCENT THINK THE TIME IS NOW RIGHT FOR A SUMMIT. ONE EXPERT SAYS THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION IS NOT WHEN AND HOW A SUMMIT SHOULD TAKE PLACE, BUT WHERE THE CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONSHIP IS HEADING. STRINGER ZHANG YONGTAI INTERVIEWS PROFESSOR CAI WEI, UNIVERSITY OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, TAIWAN. (MANDARIN 10/18)

CHINA / STATE ENTERPRISES REFORM -- EVEN AFTER YEARS OF REFORM, MANY QUESTIONS STILL REMAIN ON THE PRIVATIZATION OF CHINA'S STATE ENTERPRISES. SOME ECONOMISTS SAY IT IS TIME FOR STATE ENTERPRISES TO BE OPENED TO SOME KIND OF PRIVATE OWNERSHIP; OTHERS DISAGREE, CITING THAT CHINA DOES NOT YET HAVE A SOUND MARKET MECHANISM. STAFFER HE PING IN HONG KONG INTERVIEWS ECONOMISTS LIN YINFU OF THE BEIJING UNIVERSITY, AND XIAO GEN OF HONG KONG UNIVERSITY. (MANDARIN 10/18)

HONG KONG / FOREIGN MINISTRY BUILDING -- THE GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY HONG KONG OFFICE BUILDING WAS HELD WEDNESDAY WITH MANY PRO-BEIJING DIGNITARIES PRESENT. JIANG ENZHU, VICE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CAME FROM BEIJING TO ADDRESS THE CEREMONY. JIANG STRESSED THE NECESSITY OF HAVING AN OFFICE BUILDING READY FOR THE FOREIGN MINISTRY WHEN CHINA RESUMES CONTROL OF HONG KONG IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS. STAFFER DING LI IN HONG KONG INTERVIEWS ELSIE TU, HONG KONG POLITICIAN, KS LEE, HONG KONG BUSINESSMAN AND CONTRACTOR FOR THE BUILDING, CHENG JINAN, SECRETARY GENERAL, DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE FOR A BETTER HONG KONG, AND JIANG ENZHU. (MANDARIN 10/18)

LAO OFFICIAL VISITS US -- LAO DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER H.E. KHAMPHOUY KEOBOUALAPHA IS ON HIS FIRST VISIT TO THE US. HE IS THE HIGHEST LAO OFFICIAL EVER TO VISIT THE US SINCE THE COMMUNIST PATHET LAO TOOK OVER LAOS IN 1975. STAFFER PHAYSARN INTERVIEWED THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER WHO SAID HE LOOKS FORWARD TO MORE COOPERATION WITH THE US ON MANY CENTRAL ISSUES IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP, NAMELY THE MIAS, NARCOTICS, INVESTMENT AND HUMANITARIAN AID. MR. KEOPOUALAPHA IS ATTENDING THE 50TH UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION IN NEW YORK. (LAO 10/18)

NORTH KOREA / INFILTRATORS -- SOUTH KOREA WARNED PYONGYANG THAT A HARSH PUNISHMENT WILL FOLLOW IF IT TRIES INFILTRATION OPERATIONS AGAIN. A DEFENSE MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAID NORTH KOREA'S SUCH PROVOCATIVE ACTS DAMPEN AN EFFORT TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE FOR NATIONAL RECONCILIATION THROUGH DIALOGUE AND EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE TWO KOREAS. MEANWHILE, THE SOUTH KOREAN AUTHORITIES SAID IT IS LIKELY A NORTH KOREAN INFILTRATOR, WHO HAS BEEN THE FOCUS OF A MASSIVE MANHUNT SINCE TUESDAY, RETURNED TO THE NORTH. EARLIER TUESDAY ANOTHER NORTH KOREAN INFILTRATOR WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY SOUTH KOREAN BORDER GUARDS ON THE SOUTH BANK OF THE IMJIN RIVER, NEAR THE BORDER AREA. CORRESPONDENT YONG KYUN LIM REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 10/18)

US CONGRESS / KOREA -- CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ASIA AND PACIFIC CONGRESSMAN BEREUTER SAYS THAT THE KOREAN PENINSULA IS CONSIDERED PERHAPS THE MOST SERIOUS RISK FOR FULL-SCALE CONFLICT INVOLVING US TROOPS, AND STRESSES THAT THE US MILITARY AND NAVAL PRESENCE AND SECURITY COMMITMENT TO THE REGION MUST BE SUSTAINED AND EVEN ENHANCED. HE SAYS HE WAS DISTURBED BY THE TREMENDOUS BACKLOG FORCED BY THE US CONSULAR SECTION IN SEOUL THAT HAS CREATED RESENTMENTS IN KOREA. THE CONGRESSMAN SAYS ADDITIONAL CONSULAR OFFICERS WILL BE DISPATCHED TO SEOUL DURING BUSY SPRING AND SUMMER MONTHS. HE ALSO CRITICIZES THE "CREATIVE LICENSE" THAT IS CURRENTLY IN VOGUE WITH THE KOREAN PRESS THAT HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS FOR AMERICAN MILITARY STATIONED IN KOREA. STAFFER JUNE SOH REPORTS. (KOREAN 10/17)

TIAN JIN UNIVERSITY / 100TH ANNIVERSARY -- OCTOBER 2 WAS THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF TIAN JIN UNIVERSITY, FORMERLY BEIYANG UNIVERSITY, THE FIRST ENGINEERING SCHOOL IN CHINA. STAFFER CHOU YOUKANG TALKED TO THE PRESIDENT OF TIAN JIN UNIVERSITY LI GUANGQUAN DURING HIS VISIT TO TIAN JIN EARLIER THIS MONTH. (MANDARIN 10/18)

INSIDE EUROPE:

SENATE / BOSNIA / US TROOPS -- SPECIAL REPORT ON THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE HEARING ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF UNITED STATES TROOPS TO BOSNIA, WITH SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM PERRY AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE UST JOINT CHIEF OF STAFF, GENERAL JOHN SHALIKASHVILI. (CROATIAN 10/17)

BOSNIA / CEASE-FIRE -- UNPROFOR REPRESENTATIVES IN SARAJEVO ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT THE LATEST CEASE-FIRE WILL HOLD IN SPITE OF SPORADIC FIGHTING IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA. THE BOSNIAN SERB MEDIA CLAIM THAT THE SITUATION WITH REFUGEES AROUND BANJALUKA IS REACHING ALARMING PROPORTIONS. STRINGER BORO KONTIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (SERBIAN 10/17)

BOSNIA / SHATTUCK VISIT -- STRINGER FROM SARAJEVO VLADIMIR BILIC REPORT ON THE UNITED STATES ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS JOHN SHATTUCK VISIT TO WESTERN BOSNIA. MR SHATTUCK VISITED SEVERAL MASS GRAVE SITES NEAR TOWN OF KLJUC. (CROATIAN 10/17)

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT / HELP FOR BOSNIA AND CROATIA -- STRINGER LADA STIPIC NISETEO REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS THAT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PLANS TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO REBUILD BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND CROATIA. (CROATIAN 10/17)

EU / BOSNIA -- EU COMMISSIONER HANS VAN DER BROOK SAID THAT THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY WOULD PROVIDE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA WITH AID WORTH BETWEEN FOUR AND FIVE BILLION DOLLARS. HE ALSO SAID THAT THERE IS STILL NO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT TO LIFT ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO. STRINGER DRAGAN BLAGOJEVIC REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS. (SERBIAN 10/17)

CROATIA / ELECTIONS -- STAFFER BOJAN KLIMA INTERVIEWS LES CAMPBELL, OFFICIAL OF THE WASHINGTON-BASED NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE WHO IS MONITORING THE CROATIAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. HE ASSESSED THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN AND CRITICIZED THE RULING PARTY FOR ITS CONTROL OF THE MEDIA. (CROATIAN 10/17)

CROATIA / EASTERN SLAVONIA -- TALKS BETWEEN CROATIAN GOVERNMENT AND SERBS FROM EASTERN SLAVONIA HAVE BEEN DELAYED FOR THE SECOND TIME. EU NEGOTIATOR T STOLTENBERG SAID THAT MORE TIME IS SPENT ON PROCEDURAL THAN ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 10/17)

SERB REFUGEES -- WHILE THE FIGHTING IN NORTHWESTERN PART OF BOSNIA IS SLOWING DOWN, THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN THE AREA OF BANJALUKA IS BECOMING CRITICAL. ACCORDING TO UNPROFOR, LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS ARE TRYING TO PROVIDE SHELTER FOR ALMOST 300 THOUSAND SERB REFUGEES. STRINGER MILICA KUBUROVIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 10/17)

CPJ / BOSNIA / TURKISH JOURNALISTS -- THE NEW YORK BASED COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS HAS CONDEMNED THE DETENTION OF TWO TURKISH JOURNALISTS BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS. AND THE CPJ DENOUNCED THE SERBS' OFFER TO RELEASE TURKISH JOURNALISTS IF TWO SERBIAN TV REPORTERS ALLEGEDLY HELD BY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT ARE ALSO RELEASED. STAFFER TANJU AKERSON INTERVIEWS AVNER GIDRON, RESEARCH DIRECTOR OF THE CPJ. (TURKISH 10/18)

MOSCOW / CONTACT GROUP -- THE CONTACT GROUP HELD ITS LAST MEETING IN MOSCOW BEFORE THE LEADERS OF YUGOSLAVIA, BOSNIA, AND CROATIA BEGIN THEIR NEGOTIATIONS NEAR WASHINGTON AT THE END OF THE MONTH. BUT, THE GROUP DID NOT RESOLVE THE QUESTION OF RUSSIA'S PARTICIPATION IN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN BOSNIA. STRINGER RISTO BAJALSKI REPORTS FROM MOSCOW. (SERBIAN 10/17)

RUSSIA / BOSNIA -- PROFESSOR CARMAN KARADAGHI, RUSSIAN EXPERT WITH AL-HAYAT NEWSPAPER IN LONDON, IS INTERVIEWED BY STAFFER MOHAMED EL-SETOUHI ABOUT RUSSIA'S ROLE IN THE BOSNIAN PEACE TALKS. (ARABIC 10/17)

SLOVAKIA / HUNGARIAN MINORITY -- A HUNGARIAN MINORITY PARTY IN THE SLOVAK PARLIAMENT, THE COEXISTENCE PARTY, COMPLAINED THAT MINORITY DEPUTIES HAVE NOT RECEIVED FOR REVIEW A NEW LANGUAGE LAW THAT IS BEING DISCUSSED BY THE SLOVAK GOVERNMENT. DEPUTY ELENA BAUEROVA SAYS SHE BELIEVES SLOVAKIA MAY HAVE BROKEN ARTICLE 18 OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON TREATIES OF 1969 WHICH RESTRICTS INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES, AFTER THE SIGNING BUT BEFORE THE RATIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS, FROM IMPLEMENTING ANY MAJOR CHANGES THAT COULD AFFECT THE TREATY AND ITS MEANING. THE SO-CALLED BASIC SLOVAK-HUNGARIAN TREATY WAS SIGNED EARLIER THIS YEAR. STRINGER I RAJECKY INTERVIEWED DEPUTY BAUEROVA. (SLOVAK 10/18)

LATVIA / REPATRIATION -- THE LATVIAN PARLIAMENT HAS PASSED A REPATRIATION LAW, WITH PROVISIONS TO EASE THE RETURN TO LATVIA OF THOSE LIVING IN THE WEST AS WELL AS FORMER DEPORTEES STILL REMAINING IN THE FORMER USSR. STRINGER GUNTIS STAMERS REPORTS FROM RIGA. (LATVIAN 10/17)

NATO EXPANSION / LITHUANIA -- NATO OFFICIALS ARE IN VILNIUS TO ACQUAINT LITHUANIAN LEADERS WITH THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION EXPANSION STUDY. STRINGER RITA MILIUTE REPORTS FROM THE LITHUANIAN CAPITAL ON THE STUDY AND REACTION BY LITHUANIAN OFFICIALS. (LITHUANIAN 10/16)

FREE SPEECH FUND / LITHUANIA -- INDEPENDENT LITHUANIAN NEWSPAPERS AND BROADCASTERS ARE BANDING TOGETHER TO FORM A 'FREE SPEECH FUND' TO SPONSOR, RATIONAL LEGISLATION DEALING WITH THE MASS MEDIA. STRINGER RITA MILIUTE SPOKE WITH ONE OF THE ORGANIZERS, RIMVYDAS VALATKA, DEPUTY EDITOR OF LIETUVOS RYTAS, WHO CLAIMS THAT THE LITHUANIAN GOVERNMENT IS TAKING SUBTLE STEPS TO CONTROL THE INDEPENDENT MEDIA. (LITHUANIAN 10/17)

INSIDE EURASIA:

US / RUSSIAN RELATIONS ROUNDTABLE -- US-RUSSIAN RELATIONS ON THE EVE OF THE CLINTON-YELTSIN MEETING IN NEW YORK AT THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UN ANALYZED BY RUSSIAN POLITICAL SCIENTIST ANDREY KORTUNOV, HERITAGE FOUNDATION SCHOLAR ARIEL COHEN AND STAFFER VLADIMIR MATLIN. (RUSSIAN 10/17)

INSIDE LATIN AMERICA:

ROXANNE / MEXICO -- TROPICAL STORM ROXANNE THREATENS MEXICO AGAIN, GATHERING STRENGTH IN THE CAMPECHE BAY. CORRESPONDENT JORGE WEHBY REPORTS FROM MIAMI. (SPANISH 10/18)

PUERTO RICO'S POLITICAL STATUS -- GOVERNOR PEDRO ROSELLO AND SEVERAL LAWMAKERS ADVOCATED FOR A NEW PLEBISCITE IN PUERTO RICO TO DEFINE ITS POLITICAL STATUS WITH THE UNITED STATES. STAFFER ZULIMA PALACIO REPORTS. (SPANISH 10/17)

FIRST LADIES SUMMIT -- FIRST LADIES OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE, INCLUDING HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON OF THE UNITED STATES, GATHERED IN A SUMMIT MEETING IN PARAGUAY. STRINGER MARCOS ALVAREZ REPORTS FROM ASUNCION. (SPANISH 10/17)

UN / BUDGET TROUBLES -- A WEAK ECONOMIC SITUATION ENDANGERS THE EXISTENCE OF SEVERAL UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES. CORRESPONDENT LUIS TAMAYO REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (SPANISH 10/17) 18-Oct-95 4:54 PM EDT (2054 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America