Voice of America, 13 May 1996

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

CONTENTS

[01] !!! VOA DIGEST - MAY 13, 1996

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

[03] TURKMAN RAIL (S&L) BY DOUG BAKSHIAN (ASGABAT, TURKMENISTAN)

[04] KARADZIC INTERVIEW (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[05] YUGO / WAR CRIMES (S) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[06] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

[07] YUGO SITREP (L UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[08] YUGO/DEMO (L ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[01] !!! VOA DIGEST - MAY 13, 1996

VALUJET CRASH / RECOVERY -- AVIATION SAFETY INVESTIGATORS HAVE YET TO AGREE ON HOW TO RECOVER WHAT REMAINS OF THE 'VALUJET' AIRLINER WHICH CRASHED IN THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES SATURDAY, KILLING ALL ONE HUNDRED NINE PEOPLE ON BOARD. MIAMI CORRESPONDENT JIM TEEPLE REPORTS DIFFICULT CONDITIONS AT THE CRASH SITE ARE COMPLICATING THE RECOVERY EFFORT. (5/13)

VALUJET CRASH -- IN FLORIDA, FEDERAL AND STATE INVESTIGATORS ARE SEARCHING THE EVERGLADES FOR THE BODIES OF VICTIMS OF SATURDAY'S CRASH OF A 'VALUJET' AIRLINER, WHICH KILLED ONE HUNDRED NINE PASSENGERS AND CREW. CORRESPONDENT JIM TEEPLE REPORTS AUTHORITIES ARE ALSO TRYING TO LOCATE THE PLANE'S FLIGHT DATA RECORDERS WHICH WILL HELP THEM DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE CRASH. (5/12)

CLINTON / PLANE CRASH -- PRESIDENT CLINTON IS DIRECTING THE TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY AND THE HEAD OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) TO INSPECT THE SCENE OF A CRASH OF A PASSENGER PLANE IN A MARSHY AREA NEAR MIAMI SATURDAY. THE FLORIDA 'VALUJET' DC-9 WENT DOWN WITH ONE HUNDRED NINE PEOPLE ON BOARD. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS. (5/11)

US / CHINA TRADE -- IN RETALIATION FOR CHINA'S PIRACY OF US INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, THE UNITED STATES IS THREATENING TO IMPOSE TWO BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF SANCTIONS ON CHINESE GOODS ENTERING THE US. CHINA SAYS IT WILL RETALIATE BY IMPOSING SANCTIONS ON US GOODS ENTERING TO CHINA. CURRENT AFFAIRS' LINDA CASHDAN TAKES A LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES SUCH "DOUBLE SANCTIONS" MIGHT HAVE FOR CHINA, FOR THE UNITED STATES, AND FOR OTHER NATIONS AS WELL. (5/13)

CHINA / ECON ROUND-UP -- A TOP US TRADE NEGOTIATOR IS IN BEIJING TO DISCUSS CHINA'S PROTECTION OF THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF AMERICAN PRODUCTS. CHINA'S STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES CONTINUE TO DOMINATE THE COUNTRY'S MAIN INDUSTRIES. CORRESPONDENT STEPHANIE HO HAS THESE AND OTHER STORIES IN THIS ROUND-UP OF ECONOMIC NEWS FROM BEIJING. (5/13)

HONG KONG / VIETNAMESE BACKLASH -- CHINA SAYS BRITAIN IS TO BLAME FOR INCREASING UNREST AND VIOLENCE IN HONG KONG'S DETENTION CENTERS FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE. BEIJING'S CHARGES FOLLOW SOME OF THE WORST UNREST EVER SEEN IN THE CENTERS AND COME AMID GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE BOAT PEOPLE FROM LOCAL HONG KONG RESIDENTS. CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS MORE FROM HONG KONG. (5/13)

HONG KONG / VIETNAMESE CLASHES -- A SECOND DAY OF CLASHES BROKE OUT IN HONG KONG BETWEEN POLICE AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM VIETNAM. CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON SAYS THE UNREST TOOK PLACE AS A MASSIVE SEARCH CONTINUED FOR ABOUT THREE DOZEN VIETNAMESE WHO ESCAPED FROM A DETENTION CENTER FRIDAY. (5/11)

INDIA / ELECTION -- INDIA IS WAITING FOR PRESIDENT SHANKAR DAYAL SHARMA TO DECIDE WHICH PARTY HE WILL INVITE TO FORM THE NEXT GOVERNMENT AFTER INCONCLUSIVE GENERAL ELECTIONS. CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL DRUDGE LOOKS AT THE OPTIONS OPEN TO THE PRESIDENT. (5/13)

INDIA / ELECTION -- INDIA'S DEFEATED CONGRESS PARTY HAS BEGUN A CRUCIAL ROUND OF MEETINGS TO DECIDE ITS STANCE ON FORMING A NEW GOVERNMENT AND TO DEAL WITH A LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE TO OUTGOING PRIME MINISTER PV NARASIMHA RAO. CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL DRUDGE HAD DETAILS FROM NEW DELHI. (5/12)

INDIA ELECTION -- INDIAN POLITICAL PARTIES ARE JOCKEYING FOR AN INVITATION FROM PRESIDENT SHANKAR DAYAL SHARMA TO FORM THE NEXT GOVERNMENT. AN INTENSE ROUND OF CLOSED DOOR LOBBYING IS UNDERWAY FOLLOWING THE RESIGNATION OF PRIME MINISTER PV NARASIMHA RAO. CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL DRUDGE REPORTS FROM NEW DELHI. (5/11)

BRITAIN / RUSSIA / SPIES -- THE LATEST ROW BETWEEN RUSSIA AND BRITAIN OVER ALLEGED SPYING BY BRITISH DIPLOMATS IN MOSCOW IS A STARK REMINDER ESPIONAGE IS VERY MUCH ALIVE, DESPITE THE END OF THE COLD WAR. CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS AT POSSIBLE REASONS FOR RUSSIA'S DECISION TO TARGET BRITISH DIPLOMATS AND DISCUSSES SOME OF THE MAIN TASKS OF INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES IN THE POST-COLD WAR ERA. (5/13)

LIBERIA / REFUGEES -- A NIGERIAN SHIP WITH THOUSANDS OF LIBERIAN REFUGEES ON BOARD HAS BEEN FORCED BACK TO SEA AFTER A BRIEF STOP AT A PORT IN GHANA. CORRESPONDENT PURNELL MURDOCK REPORTS. (5/12)

US / LIBERIA -- THE UNITED STATES IS CALLING ON WEST AFRICAN NATIONS TO RESPECT INTERNATIONAL RULES ON ACCEPTING REFUGEES. THOUSANDS OF LIBERIAN REFUGEES ARE ON SHIPS OFF THE AFRICAN COAST AFTER HAVING FLED THE FIGHTING IN MONROVIA. REPORTER VICTOR BEATTIE SAYS US OFFICIALS EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE REFUGEES' SITUATION. (5/10)

ISRAEL / LEBANON -- AMBASSADORS FROM THE FIVE COUNTRIES TAKING PART IN THE MONITORING GROUP FOR THE ISRAELI-LEBANESE BORDER HAVE MET FOR THREE HOURS AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS THEY ARE DECIDING ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE GROUP. (5/10)

RUSSIA / POLITICS -- RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS BEEN GIVEN A BOOST IN HIS BID FOR RE-ELECTION, WITH THREE NEW OPINION POLLS SUGGESTING HE LEADS OTHER CANDIDATES. BUT AS CORRESPONDENT ELIZABETH ARROTT REPORTS FROM MOSCOW, MR YELTSIN STILL FACES SEVERAL MAJOR HURDLES. (5/13)

UGANDA / ELECTION -- UGANDANS HAVE HANDED INCUMBENT YOWERI MUSEVENI A RESOUNDING VICTORY IN THE COUNTRY'S FIRST DIRECT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS SINCE IT GAINED INDEPENDENCE IN 1962. EAST AFRICA CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTS ON THE OUTCOME OF THURSDAY'S VOTING. (5/11)

US / KOREA MIA'S -- THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS WELCOMING THE ACCORD REACHED WITH NORTH KOREA THURSDAY ON RECOVERING THE REMAINS OF MORE THAN EIGHT THOUSAND AMERICANS MISSING SINCE THE KOREAN WAR. HOWEVER, OFFICIALS SAY AN EASING OF US ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST THE NORTH IS NOT IMMINENT. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS. (5/10)

IRAN / ECO -- FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE ECONOMIC COOPERATION ORGANIZATION ARE GATHERING IN ASHGABAT, TURKMENISTAN FOR A MEETING THAT IS TO BEGIN TUESDAY. IRAN, A LEADING MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION, SAYS A NEW RAIL LINK IN THE REGION IS PROOF THAT US EFFORTS TO ISOLATE IRAN HAVE NOT WORKED. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN REPORTS. (5/11)

HELMS BURTON / TREASURY -- A SENIOR OFFICIAL OF THE US TREASURY DEPARTMENT SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS GEARING UP TO ENFORCE A NEW LAW WHICH TIGHTENS THE US TRADE EMBARGO ON CUBA. CORRESPONDENT JIM TEEPLE REPORTS. (5/10)

US / WHEAT HARVEST -- THE US AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE WINTER WHEAT HARVEST COULD BE THE SMALLEST SINCE 1978 DUE TO A SIX MONTH DROUGHT THAT PARCHED MUCH OF THE US MID WEST. STAFFER VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS, WORLDWIDE PRODUCTION OF GRAIN CONTINUES TO SURGE AHEAD AND US EXPORTS, AND DOMESTIC PRICES WILL HINGE ON A GOOD SPRING WHEAT HARVEST. (5/11)

US / HEARTLAND EXTREMISTS -- THE STANDOFF BETWEEN THE FBI AND MEMBERS OF THE SO-CALLED FREEMEN IN MONTANA HAS FOCUSED RENEWED ATTENTION ON EXTREMIST POLITICAL GROUPS IN THE UNITED STATES. THE POTENTIAL DANGER POSED BY SUCH GROUPS WAS MADE EVIDENT LAST YEAR WITH THE BOMBING OF THE FEDERAL BUILDING IN OKLAHOMA CITY. CORRESPONDENT GREG FLAKUS HAS SPENT THE PAST YEAR TRYING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE GROUPS AND THE DANGER THEY POSE. HE TRAVELLED TO MONTANA AND OKLAHOMA FOR THIS REPORT. (5/13)

MONGOLIA / A PROGRESS REPORT -- MONGOLIA, WHICH HAS MANAGED A SMOOTHER TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY AND A MARKET ECONOMY THAN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES AND HAS EXPERIENCED MUCH LESS TURBULENCE THAN EITHER OF ITS GIANT NEIGHBORS (RUSSIA AND CHINA), HOLDS ITS THIRD DEMOCRATIC PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS NEXT MONTH. CURRENT AFFAIRS' STEPHANIE MANN REPORTS ON MONGOLIA'S ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL PROGRESS SINCE IT ABANDONED COMMUNIST-LED SOCIALISM SIX YEARS AGO. INTERVIEWS WITH US AMBASSADOR TO MONGOLIA AND MONGOLIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE US. (5/13)

US / FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION / ASYLUM -- THE NATION'S HIGHEST IMMIGRATION COURT IS CONSIDERING WHETHER TO MAKE FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION GROUNDS FOR ASYLUM IN THE UNITED STATES. CURRENT AFFAIRS' ANDREW BAROCH EXAMINES THE CASE OF THE 19-YEAR OLD TOGO WOMAN WHOSE PERSONAL PLIGHT HAS BROAD REPERCUSSIONS FOR US IMMIGRATION POLICY. (5/13)

SMITHSONIAN / CRAFT SHOW -- ONE HUNDRED-TWENTY OF THE MOST TALENTED CRAFTSMEN IN THE NATION GATHERED IN WASHINGTON TO PARTICIPATE IN AN EVENT THAT ATTRACTS THOUSANDS OF VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. THE 14TH ANNUAL SMITHSONIAN CRAFT SHOW WAS SPONSORED BY THE SMITHSONIAN WOMEN'S COMMITTEE. IT'S GOALS ARE TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF AMERICAN CRAFTS AND RAISE MONEY TO BENEFIT RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROJECTS WITHIN THE SMITHSONIAN. CURRENT AFFAIRS' ROBIN RUPLI REPORTS. (5/13)

JOAN CHEN / THE LONELY ROAD FOR ASIAN ACTORS -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' KEMING KUO INTERVIEWED ACTRESS JOAN CHEN DURING HER WASHINGTON VISIT TO ACCEPT AN AWARD FROM AN ASIAN AMERICAN BUSINESS GROUP. ALTHOUGH MS CHEN HAS STARRED IN SEVERAL MAJOR FILMS NOTABLY, "THE LAST EMPEROR," "HEAVEN & EARTH," AND THE HIT TV SERIES "TWIN PEAKS," SHE SAYS ASIAN AMERICAN ACTRESSES FACE SPECIAL CHALLENGES IN HOLLYWOOD. (5/13)

VIETNAM MEMORIAL / GEORGE BILGERE -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' CAROLYN WEAVER TALKED WITH POET GEORGE BILGERE, WHO INTRODUCES AND READS HIS POEM, "AT THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL." (5/13)

NEW ORLEANS / GOURMAND'S PARADISE -- IN WASHINGTON, PEOPLE TALK POLITICS. IN CHICAGO, IT'S OFTEN SPORTS. ELSEWHERE, IT'S USUALLY THE WEATHER. BUT YOU BE SURE, IF YOU'RE IN THE OLD CREOLE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, THAT THE TOPIC WILL QUICKLY TURN TO FOOD. CURRENT AFFAIRS' TED LANDPHAIR PROFILES THREE OF THE CITY'S -- AND WORLD'S -- TOP RESTAURANTS THAT IN AND OF THEMSELVES HAVE BECOME TOURIST ATTRACTIONS. (5/13)

AGRICULTURE TODAY -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' ROB SIVAK PROFILES THE TWO YOUNG AFRICAN SCIENTISTS WORKING THIS SPRING AS "COMMUNICATORS" AT WALT DISNEY'S NEW GARDENING FOR FOOD AROUND THE WORLD EXHIBIT, WHERE THEY ARE OFFERING VISITORS A HOPEFUL MESSAGE ABOUT AFRICAN AGRICULTURE. (5/13)

INSIDE USA:

ALLERGIES / TALK TO AMERICA -- DR PETER CRETICOS IS AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE AT JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY. HE JOINS 'TALK TO AMERICA' TO DISCUSS ALLERGIES AND WAYS TO TREAT THEM. (ENGLISH 5/13)

US / IMMIGRATION / CULTURE -- STAFFER MAIMOUNA MILLS INTERVIEWS DR MARILYN SEPHOCLE OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY. THE MARTINIQUE-BORN PROFESSOR WHO EMIGRATED TO THE US SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO AS A STUDENT TALKED ABOUT THE CULTURAL DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE CARIBBEAN AND THE US AND HER INVOLVEMENT IN THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY IN WASHINGTON. (FRENCH 5/10)

CONFERENCE REPORT -- STAFFER FARAH JAHANGIRI GIVES AN OVER-VIEW OF LAST WEEKEND'S 'SISTERHOOD IS GLOBAL' POST-BEIJING CONFERENCE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN A CONVERSATIONAL FORMAT WITH STAFFER MOLOUD ATEFI. THE MESSAGE OF THIS YEAR'S CONFERENCE WAS FOR WOMEN IN MUSLIM COUNTRIES TO THINK LOCAL, ACT GLOBAL. (FARSI 5/13)

GENETICS AND CANCER -- NIH CANCER RESEARCHER, DR NASSER PARSA, AN INTERNATIONAL LEADER IN THE STUDY OF GENETICS AND CANCER, WAS THE GUEST ON THE CALL-IN SHOW, 'ROUNDTABLE WITH YOU.' SEVERAL CALLERS WERE PHYSICIANS THEMSELVES, WITH TECHNICAL QUESTIONS FOR THE EXPERT. STAFFERS AHMAD BAHARLOO AND GUITTY SEDAGHAT HOSTED THE PROGRAM.. (FARSI 5/10)

MOTHER'S DAY PROGRAM -- STAFFER MOLOUD ATEFI PREPARED A MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL, WHICH INCLUDED A HISTORY OF THE HOLIDAY IN THE US, AND A FARSI POEM MOTHER'S DAY BY PRVIN DAWLATABADI. IN HONOR OF AMERICAN MOTHER'S DAY, STAFFER FEREIDOUN FARAHANDOUZ RECITED A POEM (GREEN TRUTH) BY WRITER M EGAH. (FARSI 5/13)

IRANIAN PAINTER / PHOTOGRAPHER -- STAFFER KATAYOUN BEGLARI INTERVIEWS NEW YORK BASED PHOTOGRAPHER AND PAINTER, IRAN NESHAT, WHOSE WORK DEPICTING WOMEN IN BLACK CHADORS OR VEILS, HAS WON CRITICAL ACCLAIM. NESHAT TALKS ABOUT HER UNIQUE TYPE OF WORK WHICH INCORPORATES PHOTOGRAPHY AND PERSIAN CALLIGRAPHY. (FARSI 5/11 5/12)

IRANIAN ARTIST -- STAFFER INTERVIEWS PLAYWRITE, DIRECTORS, AND SINGER, REZA ROYGAR, WHO WAS VISITING LOS ANGELES. PROGRAM INCLUDED AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF HIS SONGS. (FARSI 5/13)

IRANIAN ARTIST EXHIBITS -- MOHAMMAD RAZAVI REPORTS ON AN EXHIBITION OF DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS BY THE IRANIAN BORN ARCHITECT FEREIDOUN RASOUI. (FARSI 5/11)

ROAD TO ATLANTA -- VETERAN IRANIAN SPORTSCASTER HABIB ROWSHANZADEH TALKS WITH STAFFER LIDA FIROUZI ABOUT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN OLYMPIC STAR, JESSE OWENS (FARSI 5/12)

BOXING / TRIPLE HEADER -- THERE'S A HEAVYWEIGHT TRIPLE HEADER COMING UP AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN IN NEW YORK. ALL SIX FIGHTERS NEED TO WIN TO KEEP THEIR TITLE HOPES ALIVE. REPORTER BARRY MAUGHAN TALKS ABOUT EACH FIGHT WITH NIGERIAN BOXING MANAGER AND EXPERT, NNAMDI MOWETA. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 5/10)

VIET POETRY / SAN JOSE -- STRINGER THANH PHUONG TALKED WITH POET DUONG HUE ANH AT THE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF THE FOUNDING OF THE LAC VIET POETRY SOCIETY, ORGANIZED TO GET VIET-AMERICAN POETS A WIDER HEARING. (VIETNAMESE 5/11)

US / PRESERVING VIET CULTURE -- STAFFER GEORGE TRAN INTERVIEWED OFFICERS OF LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS ON THEIR EFFORTS TO PASS ALONG VIETNAMESE CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS TO YOUNG VIET-AMERICANS IN THE WASHINGTON AREA. (VIETNAMESE 5/11)

VIET FILM DIRECTOR / NEW RELEASE -- SAN JOSE STRINGER THANH PHUONG TALKS TO VIET FILM DIRECTOR THI MINH HA, WHOSE LATEST PICTURE IS "TALE OF LOVE." (VIETNAMESE 5/12)

INSIDE AFRICA:

LIBERIA / SHIP -- IVORIAN AUTHORITIES FORCED BACK TO OPEN WATERS A FREIGHTER OVERLOADED WITH LIBERIAN REFUGEES DESPITE CONCERNS IT IS NOT SEAWORTHY. REPORTER RICHARD KOTEY SPOKE WITH THE REGIONAL COORDINATOR OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM IN AFRICA, JAMIE WICKENS FROM ABIDJAN. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 5/10)

LIBERIA / REFUGEES -- REPORTER JAMES BUTTY INTERVIEWS GHANAIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMED IBN CHAMBAS ABOUT GHANA'S POSITION ON THE FATE OF THOUSANDS OF LIBERIAN REFUGEES BELIEVED TO BE HEADING TOWARD GHANAIAN WATERS. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 5/11)

LIBERIA / PEACE -- REPORTER JAMES BUTTY INTERVIEWS LIBERIAN REBEL LEADER GENERAL ROOSEVELT JOHNSON ON THE PROSPECTS FOR LASTING PEACE IN LIBERIA. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 5/11)

LIBERIA / PRESS UNION -- LIBERIA'S PRESS UNION HAS ISSUED A STATEMENT ON THE RECENT MEETING ON THE LIBERIAN CRISIS IN ACCRA. PRESIDENT J-SIAKA KONNEH SPOKE TO REPORTER JOE DECAPUA FROM MONROVIA. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 5/10)

SIERRA LEONE / EXILES -- REPORTER KELVIN LEWIS, IN FREETOWN, TALKS WITH A PROMINENT LEBANESE BUSINESSMAN JAMIL SAHID MOHAMMED WHO, AFTER TEN YEARS IN EXILE, HAS RETURNED TO SIERRA LEONE. HE DISCUSSES CHARGES OF CORRUPTION AND UNETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES AGAINST HIM AND DISCLOSES HIS PLANS TO HELP REVIVE THE FISHING INDUSTRY IN SIERRA LEONE. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 5/12)

NIGERIA / OGONI CRISIS -- PLANS BY SHELL'S PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES TO RESUME OPERATIONS IN OGONILAND HAVE SUFFERED A SETBACK. OGONI LEADERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS HAVE SET CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THEY WILL ALLOW THE COMPANY'S RETURN TO THE AREA. REPORTER CHINEDU OFFOR HAS DETAILS. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 5/13)

NIGERIA / ABIOLA COURT -- FOR THE SECOND TIME, NIGERIAN POLICE HAVE DEFIED A COURT ORDER TO PRESENT JAILED OPPOSITION LEADER, MOSHOOD ABIOLA, TO APPEAR IN COURT. HE WAS ORDERED TO APPEAR TO CHOOSE BETWEEN TWO ATTORNEYS WHO ARE FIGHTING EACH OTHER TO REPRESENT HIM IN HIS TRIAL ON TREASON CHARGES. STRINGER BABANGIDA JIBRIN REPORTS FROM ABUJA. (HAUSA 5/10)

BURUNDI / SHATTUCK -- STAFFER FERDINAND FERELLA REPORTS FROM BUJUMBURA ON THE VISIT TO BURUNDI BY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS JOHN SHATTUCK. THE TWO-DAY VISIT FOCUSSED ON THE NEED TO PUT AN END TO THE VIOLENCE WHICH TOO OFTEN VICTIMIZES THE CIVILIAN POPULATION. (FRENCH 5/13)

BURUNDI / CONFLICT RESOLUTION -- STAFFER FERDINAND FERELLA REPORTS ON THE ISSUE OF CIVILIAN SELF-DEFENSE GROUPS. BURUNDI'S PRIME MINISTER ANTOINE NDUAYO HAD CALLED FOR MILITIA TO BE ORGANIZED TO DEFEND AGAINST HUTU REBELS, WHILE POLITICAL LEADER CHARLES MUKASSI SUGGESTED THE UNIVERSITY OF BURUNDI IN BUJUMBURA BE CLOSED AND STUDENTS MOBILIZED. MR FERELLA ORGANIZED A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH STUDENTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY AND STUDENTS IN CAMPS FOR DISPLACED PERSONS IN GATUMBA, NEAR THE ZAIREAN BORDER. (FRENCH 5/10)

UGANDA / POLL REACTION -- PRESIDENT YOWERI MUSEVENI WAS SWORN IN AS UGANDA'S ELECTED CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. HE PROMISED MANY OF HIS SUPPORTERS THAT HE WOULD CONTINUE WITH REFORMS THAT HAVE TURNED THE COUNTRY INTO ONE OF AFRICA'S FASTEST GROWING ECONOMIES. FOR REACTION, REPORTER SHAKA SSALI REACHED VETERAN UGANDAN JOURNALIST HENRY GOMBYA IN LONDON. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 5/13)

UGANDA / PRESIDENT -- UGANDAN PRESIDENT YOWERI MUSEVENI STARTED A NEW FIVE YEAR TERM IN OFFICE AFTER A RESOUNDING VICTORY IN THE COUNTRY'S FIRST-EVER DIRECT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. STRINGER MIKE ARERENG REPORTS ON THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY WITH ACTUALITIES. ACCORDING TO THE STRINGER, UGANDANS VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY FOR MUSEVENI BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THAT MUSEVENI WILL ENSURE CONTINUED SECURITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. (SWAHILI 5/13)

TANZANIA / POLITICS -- STRINGER PASCAL SHIJA REPORTS THAT TANZANIAN PRIME MINISTER FREDERICK SUMAYE IS VISITING PEMBA ISLAND WHICH IS FACING POLITICAL TURMOIL. AT THE SAME TIME, THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION PARTY, CUF, WHO IS FROM PEMBA ISLAND, APPEALED TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO STOP ALL AID AND LOANS TO ZANZIBAR UNTIL THE ISLAND GOVERNMENT IMPROVES ITS HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY. (SWAHILI 5/13)

KENYA / SUPERMARKET COLLAPSE -- STAFFER JOSIAH OBAT INTERVIEWS JOHN KINGORE, MAYOR OF NAIROBI, AT THE SITE OF A SUPERMARKET WHICH COLLAPSED, KILLING SIX AND INJURING EIGHT PEOPLE. (SWAHILI 5/13)

SWAZILAND / PRIME MINISTER -- THE SWAZILAND FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS, SFTU, REACTS TO THE FIRING OF PRIME MINISTER PRINCE MBILINI. REPORTER RICHARD KOTEY SPOKE WITH THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE SFTU, JANI SITHOLE FROM MBABANE. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 5/13)

MOZAMBIQUE / ARRESTS -- MOZAMBICAN POLICE HAVE ARRESTED SIX OFFICIALS FOR THE MISUSE OF NORWEGIAN AID MONEY. NORWAY DONATED MORE THAN TWO MILLION DOLLARS FOR DESTITUTE PEASANT FAMILIES TO IMPROVE AGRICULTURE. SWEDEN ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROGRAM. BUT AUDITS LAST YEAR SHOWED THE MONEY COULD NOT ALL BE ACCOUNTED FOR. CORRESPONDENT TERESA LIMA REPORTS. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 5/13)

MOZAMBIQUE / PRIVATIZATION -- CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE RULING PARTY, FRELIMO ARE MEETING IN MAPUTO. THEY ARE DISCUSSING THE PRIVATIZATION PROGRAM ADOPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT. STAFFER JOAO SANTARITA REPORTS. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 5/13)

CAPE VERDE / PORTUGAL -- PORTUGUESE PRESIDENT JORGE SAMPAIO IS PAYING AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO CAPE VERDE, HIS FIRST VISIT ABROAD SINCE HIS ELECTION. STRINGER ALVARO LUDGERO REPORTS. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 5/13)

SAO TOME / PORTUGAL -- SAO TOMEAN PRIME MINISTER, ARMINDO VAZ DALMEIDA MET WITH HIS PORTUGUESE COUNTERPART, ANTONIO GUTERRES IN LISBON. ON FRIDAY HE ALSO MET PORTUGUESE PRESIDENT JORGE SAMPAIO. IN HIS STATEMENT AFTER THE MEETING, MR DALMEIDA CONFIRMED THAT HIS GOVERNMENT MOST LIKELY WILL INVITE INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS FOR THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD JUNE 30. SOME POLITICAL OPPOSITION PARTIES HAVE DEMANDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD INVITE INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS BECAUSE OF THE ONGOING RUMORS OF VIOLENCE DURING THE ELECTION PROCESS. STAFFER OVIDIO PEQUENO REPORTS. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 5/13)

ANGOLA / AMNESTY UNITA -- UNITA SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION, MARCIAL DASHALA SAID IN A INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER, LUIS COSTA, THAT THE UNITA LEADERSHIP IS CONFUSED ABOUT THE MEANING OF THE AMNESTY LAW PROMULGATED BY ANGOLAN PRESIDENT EDUARDO DOS SANTOS. THE AMNESTY WAS GRANTED LAST WEEK IN ORDER TO PAVE THE WAY FOR NATIONAL RECONCILIATION. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 5/13)

MALAWI / AIDS / MILITARY -- EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA MILITARY LEADERS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONCERNED BY THE SPREAD OF HIV AND AIDS AMONG SOLDIERS. STRINGER JULIUS KALIYA REPORTS FROM BLANTYRE. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 5/10)

NIGER / REFERENDUM -- STRINGER LAWAL BOUCAR REPORTS A LOW VOTER TURNOUT SUNDAY IN THE REFERENDUM ON NIGER'S NEW CONSTITUTION. THE COUNTRY'S MILITARY LEADER IBRAHIM MAINASARA MADE A LAST-MINUTE APPEAL TO VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS. THE LOW TURNOUT IS ATTRIBUTED TO APATHY ON THE PART OF VOTERS. (HAUSA 5/13)

NIGER / REFERENDUM -- STRINGER LAWAL BOUCAR REPORTS ON THE REFERENDUM ON THE CONSTITUTION HELD THIS PAST SUNDAY IN NIGER. LAST WEEK, AUTHORITIES IN NIGER SAID THAT REGARDING THE ORGANIZATION OF THE REFERENDUM, SERIOUS FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES AND OTHER PROBLEMS REMAINED. VOTER TURN-OUT WAS REPORTEDLY LIGHT. (FRENCH 5/13)

SOUTH AFRICA / ART -- TWO SOUTH AFRICAN ARTISTS, ONE BLACK AND ONE WHITE, HOLD A JOINT ART EXHIBIT IN WASHINGTON, AN INDICATION PERHAPS OF THE RECONCILIATION TAKING PLACE IN THEIR COUNTRY. REPORTER ABDUSHAKUR ABOUD DISCUSSES THE ISSUE WITH ARTISTS PETER SIBEKO AND WILMA SHEIN. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 5/11, 5/12)

SOUTH AFRICA -- STAFFER WILLIAM CHIEN INTERVIEWED MENG XUAN, DEPUTY CHIEF EDITOR OF THE WORLD JOURNAL, FOR A REPORT ON SOUTH AFRICA. MENG XUAN COMMENTED ON THE NATIONAL PARTY'S BREAK FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND MADE PREDICTIONS FOR THE NEXT ELECTION. HE ALSO DISCUSSED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA. (MANDARIN 5/11)

INSIDE MIDEAST:

ISRAEL / LEBANON FIGHTING -- FIVE ISRAELI SOLDIERS WERE INJURED IN TWO BOMB ATTACKS LAUNCHED BY HEZBOLLAH IN SOUTH LEBANON. STRINGER MAHMOUD ZAWAWI REPORTS FROM AMMAN THAT ISRAEL RETALIATED WITH SHELLING HEZBOLLAH STRONGHOLDS IN THE REGION. (ARABIC 5/12)

MIDEAST / TRI-SUMMIT -- KING HUSSEIN OF JORDAN, EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT MUBARAK, AND PALESTINIAN LEADER ARAFAT CONCLUDED A ONE-DAY SUMMIT IN CAIRO TO DISCUSS PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST. STRINGER IMAN RAFI REPORTS THAT THEY AGREED TO MEET AGAIN IN JORDAN NEXT MONTH. (ARABIC 5/12)

IRAQ / LIBYA -- AN OFFICIAL IRAQI DELEGATION FROM THE RULING BAATH PARTY TRAVELLED TO LIBYA TO EXPRESS IRAQI SOLIDARITY WITH LIBYA AGAINST THE UNITED STATES. STRINGER MAHMOUD ZAWAWI REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 5/12)

ALGERIA / CAR BOMB -- THE NUMBER OF CASUALTIES IN THE CAR-BOMB EXPLOSION SOUTH OF THE ALGERIAN CAPITAL SATURDAY HAS RISEN TO THREE DEAD AND SEVENTY INJURED. STRINGER IMAN RAFI REPORTS FROM CAIRO. (ARABIC 5/12)

FUTURE OF JERUSALEM -- GHADA AL KARMI, PRESIDENT OF THE LONDON-BASED 'CAMPAIGN FOR JERUSALEM,' SAYS THE US HAS A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE STABILITY OF THE SITUATION IN JERUSALEM AND THE MIDDLE EAST. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER HAYAT ALKHATEEB, HE CALLED FRO A SOLUTION TO THE JEWISH SETTLEMENTS IN JERUSALEM BEFORE NEGOTIATING THE FINAL STATUS OF THE CITY. (ARABIC 5/11)

SUDAN / STUDIES CONFERENCE -- A THREE-DAY CONFERENCE ON SUDANESE ARTS AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY CONCLUDED IN WASHINGTON. STAFFER ELMIGDAD GEBRIL REPORTS THAT A NUMBER OF SUDANESE AND SUDANESE-AMERICAN EXPERTS AND ARTISTS ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE ORGANIZED BY THE SUDAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION. (ARABIC 5/12)

KUWAIT / BRITISH ARMS -- THE KUWAITI PRESS SAYS THE GULF STATE IS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF BRITISH NAVY MISSILES. STRINGER JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS THAT KUWAIT BELIEVES THE BRITISH MISSILES ARE SUPERIOR TO THEIR FRENCH COUNTERPARTS. (ARABIC 5/12)

BEIJING AND BEYOND -- STRINGER WASSILA BELDI REPORTS ON THE WASHINGTON FOLLOW-UP TO THE BEIJING WOMEN CONFERENCE LAST YEAR. SHE INTERVIEWS SEVERAL PARTICIPANTS, INCLUDING THE EGYPTIAN AMBASSADOR TO TOKYO, AND AN ALGERIAN ACADEMICIAN. (ARABIC 5/11)

IRAN / GERMANY -- STAFFER GUITTY SEDAGHAT REPORTS ON GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL COMMENTS ABOUT GERMANY'S IRAN POLICY, MADE IN WASHINGTON LAST WEDNESDAY. KINKEL SAID GERMANY OPPOSES SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN AND WILL CONTINUE CRITICAL DIALOGUE. (FARSI 5/10)

IRAN /INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM -- STAFFER IRAJ ARIANPOUR REPORTS ON THIS YEAR'S STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM. AMONG THE FINDINGS WAS THE FACT THAT ASSASSINATIONS OF IRANIAN OPPOSITION FIGURES ABROAD HAD INCREASED IN 1995. (FARSI 5/10)

INSIDE CENTRAL ASIA:

AZERBAIJAN OIL / IRAN -- AZERBAIJAN HAS SIGNED OVER 10 PERCENT OF ITS 20 PERCENT STAKE IN THE OFFSHORE SHAH DENIZ OIL AND GAS FIELD IN THE CASPIAN SEA TO TO IRAN. THE OTHER PARTNERS ARE BRITISH, NORWEGIAN AND TURKISH OIL COMPANIES. STRINGER HABIB AZARSINA INTERVIEWED ROBERT EBLE OF THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES ON THE ISSUE. MR EBLE SAYS THAT THE US DOES NOT FAVOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PIPELINE THROUGH IRAN FOR AZERI OIL AND WILL TRY TO SEE TO IT THAT FINANCING WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE. (AZERI 5/13)

ARMENIAN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA / CARNEGIE HALL -- NY STRINGER ANASTASIA BOUDAGIAN REPORTS ON THE ARMENIAN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA'S PERFORMANCE AT THE CARNEGIE HALL. PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR IS LORIS CHEKNAVORIAN, AN ARMENIAN-AMERICAN, WHO CURRENTLY RESIDES IN YEREVAN AND HAS BEEN THE DRIVING FORCE FOR THE UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESSES OF THE ARMENIAN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA. (ARMENIAN 5/13)

KIEV / VICTORY DAY OBSERVANCE -- STAFFER ISRAEL KLEINER INTERVIEWS AUTHOR, CIVIC ACTIVIST AND FORMER POLITICAL PRISONER YEVHEN SVERSTIUK ON THE 51ST ANNIVERSARY OF NAZI GERMANY'S CAPITULATION. SVERSTIUK DISCUSSES WHAT VICTORY DAY IN 1945 MEANT FOR THEN SOVIET UKRAINE, HOW IT HAS SHAPED HISTORY AND WHAT MEANING IT HAS IN AN INDEPENDENT UKRAINE TODAY. (UKRAINIAN 5/11)

UNESCO / ECOLOGY / UZBEKISTAN -- ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES DOMINATED A ONE-DAY CONFERENCE SPONSORED BY THE SHAKHRISABZ CITY COUNCIL WITH THE COORDINATION OF UNESCO. MORE THAN FIFTEEN COUNTRIES WERE REPRESENTED SAYS ALISHER IKRAMOV, UNESCO OFFICIAL IN TASHKENT IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER ABDUL MANNAN KAISKEN. (UZBEK 5/11)

INSIDE SOUTH ASIA:

INDIA ELECTIONS / BJP -- BHARTIYA JANATA PARTY (BJP) LEADER ATAL BEHARI VAJPAYEE APPEARED ON NATIONAL TELEVISION TO URGE THAT HIS PARTY, AS THE LARGEST PARTY IN THE NEW PARLIAMENT, BE INVITED TO FORM THE NEXT GOVERNMENT. STRINGER VIJAY KRANTI REPORTS AND GIVES LATEST TALLY OF ELECTION RESULTS AS VOTE COUNTING ENTERS THE FINAL STAGE. (HINDI 5/11)

INDIA / ELECTION RESULTS -- PRIME MINISTER PV NARASIMHA RAO TENDERS HIS RESIGNATION AFTER THE DEVASTATING DEFEAT OF HIS CONGRESS PARTY IN THE ELECTIONS, THOUGH FINAL RESULTS WERE STILL TO COME. THE BHARTIYA JANATA PARTY (BJP) EMERGED AS THE LARGEST PARTY IN THE NEW PARLIAMENT, THOUGH IT LACKS A CLEAR MAJORITY. THE NATIONAL FRONT-LEFT FRONT (NF-LF) ALLIANCE, WHICH IS IN THIRD PLACE ACCORDING TO RESULTS SO FAR, IS PROJECTED TO MOVE TO THE SECOND PLACE, AHEAD OF CONGRESS BUT STILL BEHIND BJP. CORRESPONDENT RAVI KHANNA REPORTS. (HINDI 5/10)

INDIA ELECTIONS / CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS -- WHEN NO PARTY WINS A CLEAR MAJORITY IN AN ELECTION, THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA IS EXPECTED TO INVITE THE LEADER OF THE LARGEST PARTY TO FORM THE GOVERNMENT. BUT THAT PARTY IS THEN REQUIRED TO PROVE ITS WORKING MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT. IF IT FAILS TO DO SO, THE NEXT PARTY IS GIVEN A CHANCE. STRINGER KL NANDAN EXPLAINS THAT THESE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS ARE THE REASON WHY NF-LF IS ALSO BUSY SEEKING COALITION GOVERNMENT PARTNERS ALONG WITH THE LARGEST PARTY BJP. (HINDI 5/10)

INDIA ELECTIONS / JAGMOHAN -- FORMER KASHMIR GOVERNOR JAGMOHAN IS ONE OF THE WIDE SPECTRUM OF CANDIDATES WHO HAVE WON THE ELECTION ON THE BJP TICKET. HE DEFEATED POPULAR MOVIE STAR RAJESH KHANNA IN THE SOUTH DELHI CONSTITUENCY. STAFFER SUBHASH VOHRA INTERVIEWS MR JAGMOHAN WHO CREDITS THE POLICIES OF HIS PARTY FOR ITS IMPRESSIVE SHOWING AT THE POLLS. (HINDI 5/10)

ELECTION RESULTS / BUSINESS REACT -- LEADERS OF INDIAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY, THOUGH CONCERNED AT THE PROSPECT OF A COALITION GOVERNMENT WHICH MAY COLLAPSE PREMATURELY, ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE ECONOMIC LIBERALIZATION PROCESS WILL NOT BE REVERSED. STRINGER NANDAN REPORTS THAT GOPICHAND HINDUJA OF THE LONDON BASED HINDUJA BUSINESS HOUSE EXPRESSED SAME VIEWS. (HINDI 5/10)

INDIA ELECTIONS / WEST BENGAL -- IN THE INDIAN STATE OF WEST BENGAL, INCOMPLETE RESULTS OF TEN OUT OF FORTY TWO PARLIAMENT SEATS WERE ANNOUNCED. THE CONGRESS PARTY HAS WON ONLY ONE SEAT. THE CPM, OR COMMUNIST PARTY MARXIST, HAS CAPTURED SEVEN SEATS AND TWO SEATS WENT TO FORWARD BLOCK. IN THE STATE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS, RESULTS OF ONE HUNDRED THIRTY SEVEN CONSTITUENCIES WERE ANNOUNCED. CONGRESS GOT ONLY THIRTY THREE SEATS AND CPM CAPTURED SEVENTY THREE SEATS. MOST OTHER SEATS WENT TO LEFT FRONT PARTNERS OF CPM. CHIEF MINISTER JYOTI BASU IS EXPECTED TO WIN FROM HIS AREA WHEREAS FORMER CHIEF MINISTER S S RAY IS LOSING IN THE LOK SABHA ELECTIONS. IN THE CITY OF CALCUTTA, MAMATA BANERJEE, A POPULAR CONGRESS LEADER IS AHEAD OF HER OPPONENTS AND IS EXPECTED TO WIN. STRINGER GAUTAM GUPTA REPORTS FROM CALCUTTA. (BANGLA 5/10)

BANGLADESH ELECTIONS -- ONE OF THE TWO LEADING POLITICAL PARTIES IN BANGLADESH, THE AWAMI LEAGUE, HAS ANNOUNCED ITS ELECTION MANIFESTO. THE PARTY WILL NOT RENEW THE TWENTY-FIVE-YEAR FRIENDSHIP TREATY WITH INDIA. THE AWAMI LEAGUE ALSO SAYS IT WILL NOT NATIONALIZE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIES IN BANGLADESH. BNP LEADER KHALEDA ZIA, AWAMI LEAGUE PRESIDENT SHEIKH HASINA, AND JAILED LEADER HM ERSHAD WILL EACH CONTEST FROM FIVE CONSTITUENCIES. THE BNP HAS ANNOUNCED THE NAMES OF THEIR CANDIDATES FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS. STRINGER ZAHURUL ALAM REPORTS FROM DHAKA. (BANGLA 5/10)

JUNIOR HOCKEY / INDIA -- DESPITE TWO GOALS BY RAJNISH MISRA AND ONE BY SARBJIT SINGH, INDIA'S JUNIOR HOCKEY TEAM LOST ITS LAST LEAGUE MATCH AGAINST AUSTRALIA IN THE AZLANSHAH CUP TOURNAMENT IN MALAYSIA. AUSTRALIA WILL NOW FACE SOUTH KOREA IN THE FINAL MATCH. STRINGER REPORT. (HINDI 5/11)

ATLANTA / INDIA / HOCKEY -- THE HOCKEY TEAM WHICH WILL REPRESENT INDIA AT THE ATLANTA OLYMPICS HAS BEEN SELECTED. STRINGER JASDEV SINGH REPORTS THAT PRAGAT SINGH WILL LEAD THE INDIAN TEAM WHICH WILL PARTICIPATE IN A FOUR-COUNTRY COMPETITION IN AUSTRALIA BEFORE COMING TO ATLANTA. (HINDI 5/11)

INSIDE EAST ASIA:

CHINA / THREE GORGES DAM / FOREIGN INVESTMENT -- STAFFER HE PING IN HONG KONG REPORTS ON FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN CHINA'S CONTROVERSIAL THREE GORGES DAM PROJECT. INTERVIEWS WITH DAI QING, A JOURNALIST AND ACTIVIST OPPOSED TO THE PROJECT, AND FINANCIAL EXPERT HUAN GUOCANG, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF BARCLAYS BANK. (MANDARIN 5/10)

CHINA / REACTION TO US THREAT OF TRADE SANCTIONS -- IN A REACTION TO POSSIBLE US SANCTIONS, BEIJING SAID ON FRIDAY IT HAD DRAFTED A LIST OF US IMPORTS THAT COULD BE HIT WITH SANCTIONS AS A CROSS-PACIFIC TRADE WAR LOOMS OVER RAMPANT COPYRIGHT PIRACY IN CHINA. STAFFER CHEN JIAN INTERVIEWED DR MICHAEL RYAN, PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, ON THE LIKELIHOOD OF A TRADE WAR. (MANDARIN 5/10)

US / DOLE'S SPEECH / US CHINA POLICY -- STAFFER WANG ZE INTERVIEWED RAMON MYERS, SENIOR FELLOW AT THE HOOVER INSTITUTE, ON SENATOR BOB DOLE'S SPEECH CRITICIZING THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S INDECISIVE ASIAN POLICY, INCLUDING POLICY TOWARD CHINA. (MANDARIN 5/10)

CHINA / HONG KONG CORPORATIONS -- THE BANK OF CHINA CONSORTIUM RECENTLY ACQUIRED PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS ON THE RAILROAD LINES SERVING THE NEW HONG KONG AIRPORT. IN APRIL, CHINA'S CNAC CONSORTIUM ACQUIRED CONTROL OF HONG KONG'S DRAGON AIR. A WEEK AGO, CHINA'S CITIC CONSORTIUM WAS REPORTED INTERESTED IN ACQUIRING A GREATER SHARE OF THE STOCKS OF THE TELECOMMUNICATION GIANT HONG KONG TELECOM. WONG CHEN YA, DEMOCRATIC SPOKESMAN, BELIEVED THE INCREASING CONTROL BY CHINESE INVESTMENT CONSORTIA WILL AFFECT FOREIGN INVESTORS' CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG. BUT POON KWOK WAH, SPOKESMAN OF THE PRO-BEIJING DAB, AND LAU CHEUNG KWOK, MEMBER OF ADPL, HELD THE CONTRARY VIEW. STRINGER LAWRENCE NG REPORTS. (CANTONESE 5/13)

NORTH KOREA / TRIPARTITE TALKS -- POLICYMAKERS FROM SOUTH KOREA, THE US AND JAPAN MONDAY BEGAN TWO-DAY TALKS IN CHEJU, SOUTH KOREA, TO COORDINATE THEIR EFFORT TO PRESS PYONGYANG TO JOIN FOUR-WAY PEACE TALKS. AT A BILATERAL MEETING PRIOR TO THE TWO ROUNDS OF THREE-WAY TALKS, SOUTH KOREA AND THE US REPORTEDLY AGREED MONDAY NOT TO ACCEPT ANY NORTH KOREAN COUNTER-PROPOSAL THAT WOULD MAKE DRASTIC CHANGES IN THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL INITIATED BY PRESIDENTS CLINTON AND KIM YOUNG SAM LAST MONTH. SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIALS STRESSED THE NEED TO SHOW NORTH KOREA A SET OF BENEFITS IT WOULD GET IF IT ACCEPTS THE PROPOSAL. THE BENEFITS MAY INCLUDE ITS NORMALIZED RELATIONS WITH THE US AND JAPAN, DISARMAMENT ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA, FOOD AID AND THE RELAXATION OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST PYONGYANG, THEY SAID. CORRESPONDENT NOH SI CHANG REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 5/13)

OPENNESS HAS LIMITS IN VIETNAM -- IN HIS WEEKLY "FOCUS ON ASIA" REPORTER NGUYEN HO LOOKS AT EVIDENCE CITED IN THE US AND FOREIGN PRESS REGARDING EFFORTS BY PARTY LEADERS IN HANOI TO TIGHTEN UP RESTRICTIONS ON PRINT AND ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SOURCES IN THE SRV. (VIETNAMESE 5/11)

INSIDE EUROPE:

BOSNIAN FEDERATION / PRIME MINISTER -- IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER IVICA PULJIC IZUDIN KAPETANOVIC, PRIME MINISTER OF THE BOSNIAN FEDERATION STATES THE GOALS TO BE ACHIEVED DURING HIS DELEGATION'S VISIT TO WASHINGTON. (CROATIAN 5/12)

EU / BOSNIA -- IN A WEEKLY REPORT FROM BRUSSELS, STRINGER LADA STIPIC NISETEO REPORTS THAT THE UNION WANTS TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION WITH BANJA LUKA IN ORDER TO OVERRIDE THE ISOLATIONISM FROM PALE, SELF-PROCLAIMED BOSNIAN SERB GOVERNMENT'S STRONGHOLD. (CROATIAN 5/12)

BOSNIA / MASS GRAVE -- STRINGER LINDA MILISA REPORTS ON AN EXHUMATION OF A NEWLY DISCOVERED MASS GRAVE NEAR SANSKI MOST. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THIRTY FIVE MEN ARE BURIED IN THE GRAVE. MANY OTHERS KILLED ON THE BRIDGE ON MAY 31, 1992 WERE THROWN INTO THE RIVER, WHILE WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE EXPELLED AND DETAINED IN A CONCENTRATION CAMP. THERE MAY BE THREE MORE MASS GRAVES IN THAT AREA, OFFICIALS SAY. (CROATIAN 5/12)

IFOR / ARRESTS -- NATO TROOPS HAVE ARRESTED SEVEN ARMED FIGHTERS NEAR ZVORNIK, IN SERB-HELD EASTERN BOSNIA. SARAJEVO STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS THAT UNITED NATIONS POLICE TRANSFERRED THEM TO SERB POLICE. (CROATIAN 5/11)

UN / MEDIA REACT -- IN TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS IN THE SECTOR "NORTH" NEAR TUZLA, SEVERAL IFOR SOLDIERS WERE INJURED. MEANWHILE, BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT SECURITY CENTER DENIED REPORTS ABOUT DETAINING AND QUESTIONING STUDENTS AND JOURNALISTS IN TUZLA. STRINGER KONSTANTIN JOVANOVIC REPORTS. (SERBIAN 5/10)

YUGOSLAVIA / HUMAN RIGHTS -- UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS ENVOY JOSE AYALLA LASSO TELLS YUGOSLAVIA TO IMPROVE ITS MINORITY-RIGHTS RECORD, AND START COOPERATING WITH THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. BELGRADE STRINGER BRANKA VUJNOVIC REPORTS. (CROATIAN 5/11)

CROATIA / BOSNIAN FEDERATION -- ZAGREB STRINGER ZELJKO MATIC REPORTS THAT LEADERS OF CROATIA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA HAVE AGREED ON A PILOT PROGRAM TO RETURN REFUGEES TO CENTRAL BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA. THEY ALSO REACHED A DEAL TO ALLOW BOSNIA ACCESS TO THE SEA AT THE CROATIAN PORT OF PLOCE. (CROATIAN 5/11)

BOSNIA / FEDERATION -- SARAJEVO STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS THAT BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC, HAS RETURNED FROM HIS MEETING WITH PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN, AND SAID THAT THE ZAGREB AGREEMENT STRENGTHENS THE BOSNIA-CROAT FEDERATION. (CROATIAN 5/11)

BOSNIA / FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT -- INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS URGE BOSNIAN SERBS TO STRONGLY ENFORCE PROVISIONS OF DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT DEALING WITH FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT. THE SUBJECT WAS DISCUSSED AT SEVERAL MEETINGS IN SARAJEVO, PALE, BANJALUKA, AND MOSTAR. STRINGER BORO KONTIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (SERBIAN 5/10)

AVRAMOVIC / JOURNALISTS -- THE EMBATTLED GOVERNOR OF THE YUGOSLAV CENTRAL BANK, DRAGOSLAV AVRAMOVIC TALKS TO JOURNALISTS ABOUT HIS TROUBLES WITH THE GOVERNMENT. HE TOLD THEM TO GO ON STRIKE IF THEY ARE PREVENTED TO PUBLISH TRUTHFUL INFORMATION. STRINGER DUSAN MASIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 6/9)

CROATIA / EASTERN SLAVONIA -- MAIL SERVICE BETWEEN CROATIA AND EASTERN SLAVONIA, WHICH IS STILL UNDER SERB CONTROL, RESUMES FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE BREAKUP OF YUGOSLAVIA. MEANWHILE, A DEFENSE LAWYER FOR THE ACCUSED BOSNIAN CROAT GENERAL, TIHOMIR BLASKIC SAYS THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE AGAINST HIS CLIENT. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 5/10)

BOSNIA BRIEFING / CONGRESS -- CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE HELD A HEARING ON THE ROLE OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA. THE MAIN WITNESS WAS BRIAN ATWOOD, HEAD OF US AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. MR ATWOOD SAID THAT US GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SPEND $410 MILLION DOLLARS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HUMANITARIAN AID TO BOSNIA. STAFFER DRAGANA MILIC REPORTS. (SERBIAN 5/10)

JOVANOVIC / WAR CRIMES -- YUGOSLAV UN REPRESENTATIVE VLADISLAV JOVANOVIC TALKS ABOUT HIS GOVERNMENT COOPERATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COURT FOR WAR CRIMES IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STRINGER DRAGISA BOSKOVIC. MR JOVANOVIC CLAIMS THAT THE YUGOSLAV FEDERAL CONSTITUTION WOULD HAVE TO BE CHANGED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXTRADITION OF THREE MILITARY OFFICERS ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES. (SERBIAN 5/10)

HAGUE TRIBUNAL / DEFENSE -- STRINGER LADA STIPIC-NISETEO REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE THAT THE DEFENSE IN THE WAR CRIMES TRIAL OF DUSKO TADIC TRIED TO PROVE THAT WAR IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA WAS A CIVIL WAR AND NOT AN INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT, AND THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COURT DOES NOT HAVE JURISDICTION OVER THEIR CLIENT. (CROATIAN 5/10)

HAGUE TRIBUNAL / FIRST WEEK -- STRINGER LADA STIPIC-NISETEO SUMMARIZED DEFENSE AND PROSECUTION ARGUMENTS IN THE TRIAL OF DUSKO TADIC, BOSNIAN SERB CHARGED WITH CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY AND POINTING OUT THAT THIS IS THE FIRST OF MANY FUTURE TRIALS ON WAR CRIMES COMMITTED IN FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. (CROATIAN 5/10)

CROATIA / POLITICAL CONTROVERSY -- STRINGER ZELJKO MATIC REPORTS FROM A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD IN THE ZAGREB CITY ASSEMBLY, AFTER THE CROATIAN CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OVERTURNED THE DECISION OF THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT TO DISSOLVE THE OPPOSITION-DOMINATED CITY ASSEMBLY. (CROATIAN 5/11)

CROATIAN CONSTITUTIONAL COURT / MUNICIPAL CRISIS -- ZAGREB STRINGER SLAVICA LUKIC REPORTED THAT CONSTITUTIONAL COURT HAS OVERTURNED THE GOVERNMENT DECISION TO DISSOLVE THE ZAGREB CITY COUNCIL. (CROATIAN 5/10)

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT / REACTION -- MAIN OPPOSITION SOCIAL-LIBERAL PARTY OFFICIAL VLADIMIR PRIMORAC COMMENTED ON CONSTITUTIONAL COURT'S DECISION TO OVERTURN CROATIAN GOVERNMENT'S ORDER TO DISSOLVE THE ZAGREB CITY COUNCIL. IN THE INTERVIEW WITH ZAGREB STRINGER ZELJKO MATIC, MR.PRIMORAC SAID THAT THIS DECISION ENHANCES THE RULE OF LAW IN ZAGREB MUNICIPALITY. (CROATIAN 5/10)

EASTERN SLAVONIA / MAIL -- STRINGER VLADIMIR BENIC REPORT ON RENEWAL OF POSTAL SERVICES BETWEEN CROATIA AND SERB-HELD EASTERN SLAVONIA. UNITED NATIONS ADMINISTRATOR JACQUES KLEIN SAID THAT THIS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO STABILITY IN THE REGION AND PEACEFUL REINTEGRATION OF EASTERN SLAVONIA. (CROATIAN 5/10)

MOSTAR / MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS -- REPRESENTATIVES OF FIVE OPPOSITION PARTIES IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN MOSTAR..IN THE INTERVIEW WITH SARAJEVO STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC, SEJFUDIN TOKIC, PRESIDENT OF BOSNIAN SOCIAL-DEMOCRATS, SAID THAT MOSTAR IS STILL A DIVIDED CITY AND THAT FAIR ELECTIONS ARE NOT POSSIBLE. (CROATIAN 5/10)

BOSNIA / ELECTIONS -- FORMER BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILAJDZIC DENIED ALLEGATIONS THAT HIS NEWLY-FORMED PARTY FOR BOSNIA IS HOSTILE TO BOSNIAN-CROAT INTERESTS. MR SILAJDZIC CRITICIZED THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CROATIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, SAYING THAT IT IS NOT A SINCERE PARTNER IN ESTABLISHING BOSNIAC-CROAT FEDERATION. REPORT BY STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC. (CROATIAN 5/10)

NIS / CITY BLOCKADE -- NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE CITY NIS AND GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES ARE IN PROGRESS, BUT THE MAYOR OF NIS SAID THAT HE WILL PREVENT WITH ALL POSSIBLE MEANS, ANOTHER RALLY OF THE WORKERS ON THE CITY STREETS. STRINGER DUSAN MASIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 5/12)

MACEDONIA / YUGOSLAVIA RELATIONS -- ONE MONTH AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN BELGRADE AND SKOPJE NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT NEGOTIATING MUTUAL BORDERS. STRINGER ZELJKO BAJIC REPORTS FROM SKOPJE. (SERBIAN 5/12)

MONTENEGRIN OPPOSITION / PRIVATIZATION -- THE MONTENEGRIN OPPOSITION IS DISSATISFIED WITH THE GOVERNMENT ACTION ON PRIVATIZATION IN THE COUNTRY. THEY HAVE ASKED THAT THE MORE EFFICIENT AND JUST CZECH MODEL OF PRIVATIZATION BE FOLLOWED. STRINGER BOSKO DJUKIC REPORTS FROM PODGORICA. (SERBIAN 5/12)

GERMANY / VIET REFUGEES -- STRINGER VAN TRANG INTERVIEWED MR NGUYEN HONG QUANG ABOUT THE SITUATION OF THE 40,000 VIET ILLEGALS IN GERMANY WHOM VIETNAM HAS AGREED TO TAKE BACK IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. (VIETNAMESE 5/11)

INSIDE EURASIA:

RUSSIA / ELECTION'S / YELTSIN -- RUSSIAN PRESIDENT YELTSIN EXPRESSED HIS WILLINGNESS TO 'UNITE' WITH ANOTHER LIBERAL REFORMIST CANDIDATE IN ORDER TO IMPROVE HIS CHANCE OF WINNING A SECOND TERM AS THE RACE FOR NEXT MONTH'S ELECTION HEATS UP. STAFFER XIAO HUA INTERVIEWS A RUSSIAN AFFAIRS COMMENTATOR FOR THE REPORT. (MANDARIN 5/11)

RUSSIA / POLITICS -- ALEXANDER GOMELSKY, ATTACHE OF THE RUSSIAN OLYMPIC TEAM TALKS TO STAFFER ENVER SAFIR ABOUT THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN RUSSIA, AND WHY YELTSIN SHOULD WIN. IF THE COMMUNISTS WIN, HE SAID, THERE WILL NEVER BE ANY FUTURE ELECTIONS. (RUSSIAN 5/10)

RUSSIA / SOUTH KOREA -- MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT ALEC BATCHAN REPORTS ON THE FOUR DAY RUSSIAN TRIP OF SOUTH KOREA'S FOREIGN MINISTER, DURING WHICH HE CONDUCTED TALKS ON ECONOMIC COOPERATION. (RUSSIAN 5/10)

HUMAN RIGHTS -- STRINGER LYUDMILA ALEXEYEVA ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE MOSCOW HELSINKI GROUP REMINISCES ABOUT THE EARLY DAYS OF THIS HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION, WHICH CELEBRATED ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY ON MAY 12, AND TALKS ABOUT ITS CURRENT ACTIVITIES. (RUSSIAN 5/12)

RUSSIA / BRITAIN / ESPIONAGE -- THE LATEST SPY SCANDAL HAS STIRRED DEBATE ABOUT THE ROLE OF ESPIONAGE IN THE POST-COLD-WAR ERA. A GLIMPSE INTO SUCH ESPIONAGE WAS PROVIDED FOR STAFFER ZDENEK SADLON BY KEITH MELTON, AUTHOR OF A NEW BOOK ON TOOLS OF THE TRADE: 'TECHNICAL DEVICES EMPLOYED IN INTELLIGENCE GATHERING.' (CZECH 5/10)

RUSSIA / BALLET -- RUSSIAN BALLERINA MAYA PLISETSKAYA TALKS ABOUT HER UPCOMING US TOUR AT A PRESS CONFERENCE IN MOSCOW ATTENDED BY MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT ALEC BATCHAN. SHE WILL TAKE PART IN A GALA CONCERT AT NY CITY CENTER AND WILL BE A PRESENTER AT THE SECOND BALLET CONTEST NAMED FOR HER--MAYA 96. (RUSSIAN 5/10)

INSIDE LATIN AMERICA:

HAITI / CANADA / UN -- LESS THAN FORTY-EIGHT HOURS AFTER THE UN REPRESENTATIVE FOR HAITI ENRIQUE TER HORST RECOMMENDED THAT UNITED NATIONS TROOPS AND CIVILIAN POLICE STAY IN HAITI AT LEAST UNTIL THE END OF THIS YEAR TO "PREVENT A SERIOUS BACKSLIDING" IN THE COUNTRY'S DRIVE FOR STABILITY, CANADA'S MINISTER OF DEFENSE ACCOMPANIED PRESIDENT PREVAL ON A TOUR OF THE FOREIGN MILITARY FRONT LINE FACILITIES. PRESIDENT PREVAL CONFIRMED THAT HIS GOVERNMENT WAS NEGOTIATING AN EXTENSION OF THE UN PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN HIS COUNTRY. SPEAKING FOR CANADA, AMBASSADOR FRANCIS FILLEUL SAID HIS GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED THE DECISION TO MAINTAIN "A STRONG MILITARY PRESENCE TO SECURE LONG-TERM STABILITY BECAUSE CRIMINAL GANGS" ARE REPORTED TO BE CHALLENGING LOCAL POLICE AUTHORITY. (CREOLE 5/10)

HAITI / VIOLENCE -- EMPLOYEES AT THE REGIONAL LABOR AND SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN THE NORTHERN CITY OF GONA?IVES BURNED TIRES IN THE YARD OF THE BUILDING AND WARNED THAT THEY WILL BURN DOWN THE OFFICE IF THEY ARE NOT SOON PAID THEIR BACK WAGES. (CREOLE 5/10)
13-May-96 4:55 PM EDT (2055 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: SOUTH AFRICA'S NEW CONSTITUTION IS A POPULAR TOPIC IN MONDAY'S U-S EDITORIALS COLUMNS. OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION ARE IRAQI OIL SALES TO BUY EMERGENCY CIVILIAN SUPPLIES; THE CRASH OF A JETLINER IN FLORIDA; PROBLEMS IN U-S EDUCATION; THE IDEA OF TESTING BABIES FOR AIDS; AND THE INDIAN ELECTIONS.

NOW, HERE IS ______________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IS PRAISING SOUTH AFRICA FOR APPROVING ITS NEW CONSTITUTION, CALLING THE MOVE "A BIG STEP FOR MANKIND" IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL HEADLINE.

VOICE: ".... SOUTH AFRICA IS RUNNING THE MOST DRAMATIC EXPERIMENT IN MULTIRACIAL SOCIETY ON EARTH - - FAR LARGER THAN THOSE OF HAWAII, MIAMI, AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. IT'S AN EXPERIMENT IN WHICH THE BLACK MAJORITY AND WHITE AND COLORED MINORITIES HAVE SET OUT TO LEARN TO LIVE, WORK, BATTLE, AND SOMETIMES PLAY, TOGETHER. IN ITS SEARCH FOR MULTIRACIAL HARMONY, SOUTH AFRICA COMES CLOSER THAN WHITE-MAJORITY AMERICA TO BEING A MICROCOSM OF THE PLANET'S POPULATION. SO WHAT HAPPENS IN ITS HISTORIC EXPERIMENT SHOULD BE OF ABIDING INTEREST TO THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE."

TEXT: IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL, "THE WASHINGTON POST" ALSO PRAISES SOUTH AFRICA WHILE ALSO LOOKING AT THE DAUNTING CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD FOR NELSON MANDELA'S GOVERNMENT.

VOICE: "SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT ... MANDELA HAILED THE ADOPTION OF A NEW CONSTITUTION ..... AS A MOMENT OF REBIRTH. 'CLEANSED OF A HORRIBLE PAST,' HE SAID, AND 'MATURED FROM A TENTATIVE BEGINNING,' SOUTH AFRICA WAS NOW 'REACHING OUT TO THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE. ..... THAT OPTIMISM CANNOT OBSCURE TOUGH CHALLENGES AHEAD, SOME OF WHICH WERE FORESHADOWED IN THE EMOTIONAL DEBATE OVER THE CONSTITUTION ITSELF. WHILE THE APARTHEID SYSTEM HAS BEEN UNDONE, ITS ECONOMIC HERITAGE REMAINS, IN LAND OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF CAPITAL. BALANCING BLACK DESIRES TO UNDO PAST ECONOMIC INJUSTICE WITH THE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF THE WHITE MINORITY WILL NOT BE EASY."

TEXT: WHILE ON LONG ISLAND, "NEWSDAY" CALLS IT A "NEW BEGINNING," ADDING:

VOICE: "..... NO SOONER WAS THIS STEP [THE CONSTITUTION RATIFIED] TAKEN THAN DEEP CRACKS APPEARED IN SOUTH AFRICA'S UNITY GOVERNMENT, REFLECTING FAULT LINES THAT WILL SHAPE THE NATION'S POLITICAL LANDSCAPE FOR YEAR TO COME. THE PASSAGE OF THE CONSTITUTION CAME OVER RANCOROUS OBJECTIONS BY ZULU NATIONALISTS BELONGING TO THE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY OF MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI..... FOR ALL THAT, THE NEW SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTITUTION IS AN IMPRESSIVE DOCUMENT, VESTED WITH THE HOPES OF A NATION THAT'S BECOME AFRICA'S ROLE MODEL."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE ISSUE OF EASING THE U-N BOYCOTT OF IRAQI OIL SO THAT FOOD AND OTHER EMERGENCY SUPPLIES CAN BE BOUGHT BY THE BAGHDAD GOVERNMENT, TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "NEARLY SIX YEARS OF STRICT INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS HAVE PREVENTED IRAQ FROM SELLING OIL. THE EMBARGO HAS CRIPPLED IRAQ'S MILITARY, WHICH WAS THE INTENTION, BUT HAS ALSO CAUSED HARDSHIP FOR THE PEOPLE..... NOW THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THAT INJURY CAN BE EASED. BUT FIRST BAGHDAD MUST ACCEPT SOME REASONABLE CHANGES IN THE PLAN IT IS WORKING OUT WITH THE UNITED NATIONS ..... THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN WANT TO TIGHTEN IT [THE PLAN] TO PREVENT IRAQ FROM MANIPULATING THE FOOD AID OR DIVERTING THE OIL REVENUES FOR ILLICIT ARMS PURCHASES. ..... THE AMERICAN AND BRITISH DEMANDS ARE FULLY JUSTIFIED."

TEXT: TURNING TO DOMESTIC ISSUES, A VALUJET AIRLINER CRASHED SATURDAY IN THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES, APPARENTLY KILLING ALL 109 PEOPLE ABOARD. THE CRASH OCCURRED ON THE EVE OF MOTHER'S DAY IN AMERICA. IT DREW THIS RESPONSE FROM "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION."

VOICE: "FOR MANY FAMILIES, INCLUDING SEVERAL IN METRO ATLANTA, MAY ELEVENTH WILL NEVER AGAIN PASS WITHOUT TWINGES OF PAIN. THE CELEBRATION OF MOTHER'S DAY IN THOSE FAMILIES WILL NEVER COME WITHOUT A SHADE OF SORROW. .....WHILE COMMERCIAL AIRPLANE CRASHES REMAIN MERCIFULLY INFREQUENT, THEY STILL MAKE US SHUDDER - - PERHAPS BECAUSE THEY BRING TRAGEDY TO SO MANY FAMILIES AT ONCE."

TEXT: PROBLEMS AND THE PERCEPTION OF PROBLEMS WITH AMERICAN EDUCATION, BOTH NATIONALLY AND IN ONE ESPECIALLY TROUBLED PHILADELPHIA-AREA SCHOOL SYSTEM, ARE NOTED IN TODAY'S EDITORIALS. FIRST, "USA TODAY" SAYS A SURVEY IT CONDUCTED FINDS THE NATION'S SCHOOLS ARE DOING MUCH BETTER THAN PEOPLE THINK.

VOICE: "IT'S TIME TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT. SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN GETTING A BAD RAP [UNFAIR CRITICISM] OVER THE PAST DECADE OR SO, FUELED BY SOME MYTHS THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND SO LONG THEY'RE OFTEN ACCEPTED AS FACT. ..... A USA TODAY SURVEY OUT TODAY SHOWS MOST PARENTS AND STUDENTS ARE PLEASED: 73 PERCENT ARE SATISFIED WITH THEIR SCHOOLS' ACADEMIC STANDARDS, AND 83 PERCENT WOULD RECOMMEND THEIR SCHOOLS TO OTHERS. ..... SCHOOLS HAVE IMPROVED SINCE 1983. THEY STILL HAVE ROOM FOR MUCH MORE IMPROVEMENT. LET'S DISPEL THE MYTHS, THEN GET ON WITH MAKING SCHOOLS BETTER."

TEXT: RUNNING COUNTER TO THAT TREND IS THE CHESTER-UPLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT, NEAR PHILADELPHIA, WHICH TODAY'S "'PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" CALLS THE STATE'S MOST CHAOTIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, ADDING:

VOICE: "A SPECIAL MASTER APPOINTED BY A FEDERAL JUDGE TO OVERSEE CHESTER'S ABYSMAL SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM HAS ASKED THE STATE TO TAKE OVER THE PROGRAM - - AND EVENTUALLY, THE ENTIRE DISTRICT. .... 'ABSENT TOUGH DECISIONS AND EVEN TOUGHER APPROACHES, CHESTER STUDENTS WILL CONTINUE TO LANGUISH IN AN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM WITH LITTLE RELEVANCE AND SUCCESS."

TEXT: DEALING WITH A CONTROVERSIAL FEDERAL LAW ABOUT TO BE IMPLEMENTED WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY MANDATE THE TESTING OF ALL NEWBORN BABIES FOR THE AIDS VIRUS, "THE MIAMI HERALD," SAYS IT'S ABOUT TIME TO TREAT THE ILLNESS AS A MEDICAL, AND NOT A POLITICAL PROBLEM:

VOICE: "..... A POSITIVE HIV TEST INDICATES THAT THE MOTHER IS POSITIVE, TOO, SO TESTING INVADES HER PRIVACY. NOT TO TEST, THOUGH, DEPRIVES A BABY OF EARLY TREATMENT. THE DECISION TO ALLOW HIV TESTING OF ANY PERSON ONLY WITH EXPLICIT CONSENT (EXCEPT FOR LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES) IS PART OF A WEB OF PROTECTIONS OF PRIVACY SPUN AROUND AIDS FOR GOOD REASON."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON THE RECENT ELECTION IN INDIA, RESULTING IN A SCRAMBLE TO FORM A COALITION GOVERNMENT, TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL" WARNS ITS READERS: "DON'T CRY FOR INDIA."

VOICE: "WHY IS IT THAT PEOPLE WHO DON'T BAT AN EYE [IGNORE] WHEN THEIR OWN COUNTRY CHANGES LEADERSHIP EVERY FEW YEARS PANIC AT THE THOUGHT OF INDIANS CHUCKING OUT A PARTY THAT'S BEEN RUNNING THEIR LIVES FOR NEARLY FIVE DECADES? THE MOST COMMON ANSWER IS THAT INDIA, BEING SO HUGE AND DIVERSE, IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER DEMOCRACIES AND SO NEEDS STABILITY ABOVE ALL ELSE. ..... WE DON'T THINK SO. WHAT INDIANS APPARENTLY WANT IS BELIEF IN THE POSSIBILITY OF CHANGE, AND IN THAT SENSE THE VOTE WAS A MESSAGE OF HOPE AND OPTIMISM. ..... INDIANS ARE NOW SAYING ... THEY WANT TO GROW UP."

TEXT: WITH THAT NOTE ON THE INDIAN ELECTION, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE DAY'S EDITORIALS.
NEB/ANG/NL
13-May-96 11:02 AM EDT (1502 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] TURKMAN RAIL (S&L) BY DOUG BAKSHIAN (ASGABAT, TURKMENISTAN)

INTRO: IRAN AND TURKMENISTAN HAVE INAUGURATED A HISTORIC RAIL LINE THAT WILL OPEN A VITAL TRADE ROUTE TO CENTRAL ASIA. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN VISITED THE IRAN / TURKMENISTAN BORDER NEAR SARAKHS, IRAN AND FILED THIS REPORT.

TEXT:

THE TRAIN STARTED ROLLING AFTER A CEREMONY ON A BRIDGE AT THE IRAN-TURKMENISTAN BORDER. TEN PRESIDENTS OF REGIONAL NATIONS THAT WILL BENEFIT FROM THE RAIL SERVICE CUT A RIBBON TO MARK THE OCCASION. EARLIER, IRANIAN PRESIDENT ALI AKBAR HASHEMI RAFSANJANI, IN A SEPARATE CEREMONY, SAID THE DISSOLUTION OF THE SOVIET UNION HAS OPENED A NEW ERA OF RELATIONS TO THE REGION. HE SPOKE IN THE IRANIAN BORDER TOWN OF SARAKHS, WHERE IRAN IS SETTING UP A HUGE FREE TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ZONE TO HANDLE BUSINESS THAT IS EXPECTED TO BE GENERATED BY THE RAIL LINE.

THE RAIL LINK GIVES TURKMENISTAN DIRECT ACCESS TO IRAN'S THRIVING INTERNATIONAL SEAPORT OF BANDAR ABBAS, WHERE GOODS RANGING FROM CANNED FOOD TO TELEVISIONS ARE BROUGHT IN--MERCHANDISE THAT OFTEN HAS NOT BEEN TRANSPORTED TO LANDLOCKED CENTRAL ASIA. THE RAIL LINK ALSO CONNECTS CENTRAL ASIA TO EUROPE THROUGH TURKISH AND RUSSIAN TRAIN SYSTEMS THAT TIE INTO IRAN.

[04] KARADZIC INTERVIEW (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE HARDLINE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC, SAYS ELECTIONS SHOULD BE HELD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA SO HE CAN BE RE-ELECTED. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. KARADZIC HAS NOW OPENLY SAID WHAT HE ONLY HINTED AT BEFORE -- HE WANTS TO BE A CANDIDATE IN ELECTIONS DUE TO BE HELD NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

THE SERB LEADER TOLD THE MAGAZINE "U-S NEWS AND WORLD REPORT" HE IS ANXIOUS TO SEEK WHAT HE CALLS A NEW LEGITIMACY. HE SAYS THE BOSNIAN-SERB PEOPLE COULD VOTE FOR SOMEONE ELSE, BUT HE APPEARS CONFIDENT THEY WOULD VOTE FOR HIM.

THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT BARS PEOPLE, LIKE MR. KARADZIC, INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES FROM COMPETING IN ELECTIONS AND HOLDING POSITIONS OF POWER. BUT, MR. KARADZIC AGAIN DENIES HE IS A WAR CRIMINAL. HE ARGUES THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE HAS NO EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM.

THE MAJOR POWERS REGARD THE SERB LEADER AS A SERIOUS OBSTACLE TO PEACE AND STABILITY IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THEY HOPE TO STRENGTHEN THE INFLUENCE OF SERB PRIME MINISTER RAJKO KASAGIC, WHO THEY BELIEVE IS A MODERATE. (SIGNED)
NEB/WC/JWH/RAE
13-May-96 12:28 PM EDT (1628 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] YUGO / WAR CRIMES (S) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: ANOTHER ACCUSED BOSNIAN WAR CRIMINAL HAS BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS THE SUSPECT, A SERB, WAS INDICTED BY THE TRIBUNAL FOR ALLEGEDLY KILLING, BEATING, AND TORTURING MUSLIMS AND CROATS IN A SERB-RUN PRISON CAMP.

TEXT: TWENTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD GORAN LAJIC WAS EXTRADITED FROM GERMANY TO THE HAGUE TO FACE TRIAL FOR WAR CRIMES AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY HE IS ALLEGED TO HAVE COMMITTED IN 1992.

MR. LAJIC IS CHARGED WITH PARTICIPATING IN THE MURDER, BEATING, AND TORTURE OF NON-SERBS IN THE SERB PRISON CAMP AT KERATERM IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. HE WAS AN INTERROGATOR AT THE CAMP.

IN ONE INCIDENT AT KERATERM, SERB GUARDS AND SOLDIERS ARE SAID TO HAVE FORCED ABOUT 140 PRISONERS INTO A ROOM AND THEN SHOT THEM WITH MACHINE-GUNS AND LARGE-CALIBER WEAPONS. THE INDICTMENT OF MR. LAJIC DOES NOT MAKE IT CLEAR IF HE WAS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THAT MASSACRE.

THE WAR CRIMES TRIAL OF DUSAN TADIC, ANOTHER SERB LINKED TO THE KILLING AND TORTURE OF PRISONERS AT KERATERM, IS CONTINUING IN THE HAGUE.

MR. TADIC IS THE FIRST SUSPECT TO FACE AN INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIAL SINCE THE TRIALS OF NAZIS AND JAPANESE IN NUREMBERG AND TOKYO SOON AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/WC/JWH/RAE
13-May-96 10:18 AM EDT (1418 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS BEGUN HEARING PROSECUTION EVIDENCE OF WIDESPREAD SERB HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA. THE TESTIMONY COMES IN THE SECOND WEEK OF THE TRIAL OF BOSNIAN SERB DUSAN TADIC WHO IS ACCUSED OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. GILLIAN SHARPE IN THE HAGUE REPORTS THE PROSECUTION IS ATTEMPTING TO PROVE THE BEHAVIOR WAS PART OF A PATTERN.

TEXT: DRAGAN LUKAC IS A FORMER HIGH-RANKING POLICE OFFICER IN THE NORTHERN BOSNIAN TOWN OF BOSANSKI SAMAC. AFTER REBEL SERBS TOOK CONTROL OF THE AREA IN 1992, HE AND MANY OTHERS WERE ARRESTED.

KEEPING HIS HEAD BOWED AND NEVER ONCE LOOKING AT DUSAN TADIC SITTING OPPOSITE HIM IN THE DOCK, MR. LUKAC TOLD THE COURT THAT HE HAD BEEN SO BADLY BEATEN THAT HIS SKULL WAS FRACTURED. ONE MAN, HE SAID WAS BEATEN, UNTIL HE WAS HALF DEAD, THEN SHOT IN THE BACK.

THEY WOULD TAKE OUT MEN INTO THAT YARD AND PHYSICALLY HARRASS THEM, HITTING THEM, BEATING THEM WITH ANYTHING THAT WAS AT THEIR DISPOSAL, WITH RIFLE BUTTS, METAL PIPES AND VARIOUS OTHER OBJECTS THEY FOUND IN THE YARD. AND THEN ON THE THIRD OR FOURTH DAY OF THAT WEEK THEY ENTERED AND STARTED ASKING US TO SING CHETNIK (EDS. SERB) SONGS.

DRAGAN LUKAC SPEAKING THROUGH A TRANSLATOR. THIS TESTIMONY DOES NOT DIRECTLY RELATE TO DUSAN TADIC HIMSELF, ALTHOUGH THE ALLEGED CRIMES ARE DEALT WITH IN ANOTHER TRIBUNAL INDICTMENT.

BUT NONE OF THE SIX SERBS CHARGED WITH WAR CRIMES IN BOSANSKI SAMAC IS IN TRIBUNAL CUSTODY. THE AIM OF THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED BY THE PROSCUTION TO THE TRIBUNAL MONDAY IS TO BOLSTER THE PROSECUTION'S ARGUMENT THAT THERE WAS INDEED A SYSTEMATIC PATTERN OF ATROCITIES IN BOSNIA.

IF PROSECUTORS FAIL TO DO THAT, THEN DUSAN TADIC CANNOT BE CHARGED WITH CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.

EARLIER IN THE DAY THE TRIBUNAL ANNOUNCED THAT ANOTHER BOSNIAN SERB, ALSO CHARGED WITH CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE HAGUE. TWENTY-EIGHT-YEAR OLD GORAN LAJIC WAS ARRESTED IN GERMANY IN MARCH AND HANDED-OVER TO THE TRIBUNAL EARLY ON MONDAY. AS A GUARD OR INTERROGATOR AT THE KERATERM PRISON CAMP IN BOSNIA, HE IS SAID TO HAVE TAKEN PART IN THE BEATING, TORTURE AND MURDER OF SEVERAL CAMP DETAINEES AND TO HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE KILLING OF FIVE PRISONERS.

THE U-N INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL NOW HAS FIVE ALLEGED WAR CRIMINALS IN CUSTODY -- TWO SERBS, TWO CROATS AND ONE MUSLIM. BUT 52 OTHERS CHARGED WITH WAR CRIMES REMAIN FREE. (SIGNED)
NEB/GS/MH/CF
13-May-96 2:03 PM EDT (1803 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] YUGO SITREP (L UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE BOSNIAN-SERB LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC, SAYS HE WANTS TO BE A CANDIDATE IN ELECTIONS DUE TO BE HELD IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER. HE AGAIN DENIES HE IS A WAR CRIMINAL AND SAYS IF THE SERB PEOPLE ARE AGAINST HIM, THEY COULD VOTE FOR SOMEONE ELSE. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. KARADZIC TOLD THE MAGAZINE "U-S NEWS AND WORLD REPORT" HE IS POPULAR AMONG THE BOSNIAN-SERB PEOPLE AND HAS THE BACKING OF THE SERB'S SELF-DECLARED PARLIAMENT.

HE SAYS HE WANTS ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO HE CAN SEEK A NEW LEGITIMACY. IF HE AGREED TO STEP DOWN NOW, AS THE MAJOR POWERS DEMAND, HE SAYS THAT WOULD RESULT IN NOTHING -- EXCEPT MAYBE CONFUSION.

THIS APPEARS TO BE THE FIRST TIME THE HARD-LINE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER HAS OPENLY SAID HE INTENDS TO COMPETE IN ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

AS AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL, HE IS BANNED FROM COMPETING IN ELECTIONS BY THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT.

BUT IN THE MAGAZINE INTERVIEW, MR. KARADZIC AGAIN DENIES HE IS A WAR CRIMINAL. HE CLAIMS THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE HAS NO EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM.

THE MAJOR POWERS ARE TRYING TO ISOLATE AND WEAKEN MR. KARADZIC BY DEALING WITH THE SERB PRIME MINISTER, RAJKO KASAGIC, WHO IS BELIEVED MORE MODERATE. MR. KARADZIC SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS WASTING ITS TIME TRYING TO FIND MODERATE SERBS AND HE CANNOT BE IGNORED.

THE SERB LEADER AND THE HARD-LINE SERB-ARMY COMMANDER, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, ALSO AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL, ARE CONSIDERED SERIOUS OBSTACLES TO THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT. THEY REMAIN AS DEFIANT AS EVER NEARLY HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR-LONG NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL PEACE MISSION IN BOSNIA.

IN BELGRADE, YUGOSLAV AND CROATIAN OFFICIALS HAVE HELD MORE TALKS ON IMPROVING RELATIONS BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA AND CROATIA. THE RESTORATION OF AIR TRAFFIC BETWEEN BELGRADE AND ZAGREB IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED. MEANWHILE, THOUSANDS OF YUGOSLAV WORKERS HAVE PROTESTED IN BELGRADE AND IN THE SERBIAN TOWN OF NIS AGAINST THE LACK OF JOBS OR OVERDUE PAY.

DEMONSTRATORS IN THE YUGOSLAV CAPITAL WERE JOINED BY THE CONTROVERSIAL CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR, DRAGOSLAV AVRAMOVIC. HE STRONGLY CRITICIZED GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC POLICIES WHICH HE BLAMES FOR YUGOSLAVIA'S SERIOUS ECONOMIC PROBLEMS. (SIGNED)
NEB/WC/MH/RAE
13-May-96 3:03 PM EDT (1903 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] YUGO/DEMO (L ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE YUGOSLAV CAPITAL, BELGRADE, HAS EXPERIENCED ONE OF ITS BIGGEST ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS IN YEARS. DEMONSTRATORS DEMANDED JOBS OR BACK PAY, AND THEY WERE BACKED BY YUGOSLAVIA'S CONTROVERSIAL CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY REPORTS.

TEXT: THOUSANDS OF WORKERS GATHERED IN BELGRADE AND IN THE TOWN OF NIS, TO THE SOUTH, TO PROTEST YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC POLICIES.

POLICE DID NOT INTERFERE AS UNEMPLOYED WORKERS DEMANDED JOBS. WORKERS WITH JOBS DEMANDED OVERDUE PAY.

THE DEMONSTRATORS IN BELGRADE WERE JOINED BY YUGOSLAVIA'S CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR DRAGOSLAV AVRAMOVIC WHO IS CREDITED WITH ENDING THE COUNTRY'S HYPER-INFLATION.

MR. AVRAMOVIC SAID GOVERNMENT PRESSURE ON THE CENTRAL BANK TO PRINT MORE MONEY COULD ONLY LEAD TO A NEW INFLATION CATASTROPHE WITHIN TWO WEEKS.

HE IS URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO RE-INSTATE HIM AS CHIEF NEGOTIATOR IN YUGOSLAVIA'S ATTEMPTS TO RE-JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND.

MR. AVRAMOVIC WAS REPLACED LAST WEEK AS NEGOTIATOR BY AN ALLY OF SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. HE SAYS HE NOW EXPECTS TO LOSE HIS JOB AS CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR.

HE WAS SIDELINED FROM THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE I-M-F BECAUSE OF POLICY DIFFERENCES WITH THE RULING SOCIALIST PARTY IN BELGRADE. HE THOUGHT YUGOSLAVIA SHOULD ACCEPT THE I-M-F'S MEMBERSHIP TERMS. THE SOCIALIST PARTY DISAGREED.

THERE WERE ALSO DIFFERENCES OVER PRIVATIZING YUGOSLAVIA'S INEFFICIENT STATE-RUN INDUSTRY.

THE CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR BELIEVES PRIVATIZATION SHOULD BE MANDATORY AND RAPID. THE SOCIALIST PARTY FAVORS GRADUAL AND VOLUNTARY PRIVATIZATION.

DESPITE THE SUSPENSION OF INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMY IS STAGNATING. INFLATION AND UN-EMPLOYMENT REMAIN AT HIGH LEVELS.

THE SERIOUS ECONOMIC PROBLEMS DO NOT THREATEN THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT'S HOLD ON POWER. BUT, ANALYSTS SAY HIS ECONOMIC POLICIES DISCOURAGE FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND CAN ONLY PROLONG YUGOSLAVIA'S ECONOMIC MISERY. (SIGNED)
NEB/WC/MH/RAE
13-May-96 1:38 PM EDT (1738 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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