Voice of America, 96-10-22

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BOSNIA / VOTE (S) BY JENNIFER GLASSE (SARAJEVO)

[03] CLINTON / NATO (S & L) BY DAVID BORGIDA (DETROIT)

[04] DOLE / NATO (L) BY JERRY MCKINNEY (FRANKENMUTH, MICHIGAN)

[05] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

[06] NATO ENLARGEMENT BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[07] U-S-BOSNIA ELECTION (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

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

INTRO: MONEY AND THE ELECTION PROCESS ARE FAVORITE TOPICS FOR AMERICAN EDITORIAL WRITERS THIS TUESDAY, AS THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE PRESIDENCY ENTERS ITS FINAL TWO WEEKS. OTHER TOPICS TO BE FOUND IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS INCLUDE: THE LEBED QUESTION IN RUSSIA; THE NICARAGUAN AND JAPANESE ELECTIONS; THE U-S ECONOMY AND THE BUDGET DEFICIT. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS ________________AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE BALTIMORE SUN HEADLINES ITS LEAD EDITORIAL, "AMERICA'S ONE-POINT-SIX BILLION-DOLLAR ELECTION," AND GOES ON TO CRITICIZE THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM THAT DEMANDS SUCH A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY, SOMETIMES FROM QUESTIONABLE SOURCES.

VOICE: "TO THE EXTENT THAT THE CURRENT FLAP [DISPUTE] OVER INDONESIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AWAKENS AMERICANS TO THE FACT THAT THEIR POLITICAL SYSTEM IS DROWNING IN MONEY, IT WILL SERVE A GOOD PURPOSE... THE SPECTACLE OF FOREIGN INTERESTS BUYING THEIR WAY INTO WASHINGTON'S CORRIDORS OF POWER IS BAD ENOUGH. BUT ACTUALLY, THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE PEANUTS [QUITE SMALL] COMPARED TO THE AVALANCHE OF MONEY COMING FROM DOMESTIC SOURCES... BOTH MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES ... ARE EQUALLY GUILTY OF SUSTAINING A SYSTEM THEY HYPOCRITICALLY DEPLORE."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES IS CALLING FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON TO ORDER A FULL-SCALE INVESTIGATION OF THE FUNDS THAT CAME FROM THE RIADY FAMILY OF INDONESIA AND OTHER ASIAN SOURCES.

VOICE: "THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE'S DECISION TO SUSPEND JOHN HUANG, THE MAIN LINK TO THE RIADYS AND OTHER ASIAN OR ASIAN-AMERICAN CONTRIBUTORS, WAS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. BUT ... ONLY A STEP. MR. CLINTON NEEDS TO ORDER A FULL PUBLIC REPORT ON ALL MR. HUANG'S ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE SUSPICIOUS COLLECTIONS FROM A SOUTH KOREAN COMPANY AND A BUDDHIST TEMPLE. THE REPORT SHOULD ... INCLUDE A NARRATIVE OF ALL CONTACTS BETWEEN THE RIADYS AND ANY OFFICIALS AT THE WHITE HOUSE, THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT AND THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST SUMS UP ITS FEELINGS ON THE FOREIGN CAMPAIGN FUNDS DISPUTE THIS WAY:

VOICE: "WE HAVE NO DESIRE IN THIS TO SMOOTH OVER WHAT THE DEMOCRATS DID, ANY MORE THAN WHAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN DOING IN MUCH THE SAME WAY. THE MORE THEY BEAT UP ON [ATTACK] ONE ANOTHER ON THIS ISSUE, THE BETTER. THE GOOD NEWS ... WOULD BE IF THE EGREGIOUSNESS AND GENERAL STENCH SURROUNDING THE [CAMPAIGN FINANCING] SYSTEM FINALLY HAVE CAUGHT UP WITH BOTH SIDES ENOUGH TO EMBARRASS THEM INTO ACTING."

TEXT: NOTING THE WEEKEND ELECTIONS IN NICARAGUA AND JAPAN, THERE ARE THESE REACTIONS -- FIRST FROM PORTLAND [MAINE'S] PRESS HERALD TO THE NICARAGUAN VOTE:

VOICE: "THE INJECTION OF GUNS AND RADICAL REVOLUTIONARY FERVOR INTO THE PEACE-LOVING NICARAGUAN CONSCIOUSNESS DID MORE THAN ANYTHING, PERHAPS, TO TURN NICARAGUANS OFF AND THE SANDINISTAS OUT SIX AND ONE HALF YEARS AGO. NICARAGUANS NOW HAVE UNDERSCORED THEIR REJECTION OF AN ALIEN MARXIST PHILOSOPHY BY VOTING FOR A CONTINUATION OF NICARAGUAN DEMOCRACY... THEY DESERVE A FUTURE OF PEACE, FREEDOM AND PROSPERITY, AND THE FREEDOM-LOVING NATIONS OF THE HEMISPHERE SHOULD HELP THEM SECURE IT."

TEXT: MOVING TO THE ELECTION RESULTS IN JAPAN, WHICH SAW THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THE LONG-TIME RULING GROUP, REGAIN POWER, THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: "... IT IS PREMATURE TO SAY THAT REFORM HAS FAILED IN JAPAN. THE PAST THREE YEARS OF OPPOSITION AND COALITION RULE WERE CONFUSING AND OFTEN DIRECTIONLESS, BUT THEY DID BRING CHANGE TO JAPAN'S ELECTORAL SYSTEM. SUNDAY'S VOTE WAS THE FIRST CONDUCTED WITH REAL LIMITS ON, AND DISCLOSURE OF, POLITICAL FUND-RAISING. THE NEW LAWS DID NOT ELIMINATE CORRUPTION ... BUT THEY INTRODUCED A LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY THAT MAY IN THE LONG RUN ALTER THE ROLE OF SPECIAL INTERESTS IN JAPANESE POLITICS."

TEXT: THE SACKING OF RUSSIAN GENERAL ALEXANDER LEBED BY BORIS YELTSIN CONTINUES TO DRAW ATTENTION, AS EVIDENCED BY THIS LEAD EDITORIAL IN TUESDAY'S PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER.

VOICE: "[OPT] WHAT ARE AMERICANS TO MAKE OF [HOW ARE THEY TO UNDERSTAND] THE NAKED POWER STRUGGLE THAT IS GOING ON INSIDE THE RUSSIAN KREMLIN? [END OPT] LAST WEEK'S ABRUPT OUSTER OF RUSSIAN'S CONTROVERSIAL SECURITY CHIEF, ALEXANDER LEBED, WAS PART OF A BITTER FIGHT OVER POLITICAL SUPREMACY IN THE VACUUM CAUSED BY PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S ILLNESS... IF [UNDERSTOOD: IT MEANS] ANYTHING, MR. LEBED'S CALM ACCEPTANCE OF HIS OUSTER -- AND HIS VOW THAT HE WOULD RESPOND ONLY BY 'CONSTITUTIONAL MEANS' -- INDICATES A GROWING AMOUNT OF RESPECT AND TOLERANCE FOR RUSSIA'S DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS. [OPT] ... WHAT IS CLEAR IS THAT ... MR. LEBED IS A MAN TO BE RECKONED WITH AND ONE WHO WON'T RESORT TO MILITARY VIOLENCE TO SEIZE POWER. BEYOND THAT, HIS BEHAVIOR CAN'T BE PREDICTED WITHIN WESTERN -- OR EVEN RUSSIAN -- POLITICAL NORMS." [END OPT]

TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES COMMENTS ABOUT THE EVACUATION FROM NORTHERN IRAQ OF KURDS AND OTHERS OPPOSED TO SADDAM HUSSEIN, AND THE AIRLIFT'S ATTENDANT PROBLEMS. THE TIMES WRITES:

VOICE: "THE HEADACHES OF EVACUATING THE KURDS ARE REAL, BUT THEY ARE VASTLY PREFERABLE TO KEEPING THE KURDS IN IRAQ AS DANGER MOUNTS. THE BACKGROUND [SECURITY] CHECKS SHOULD BE DONE WHEN THE KURDS ARE IN GUAM OR SOMEWHERE ELSE OUTSIDE IRAQ. INSURING THEIR SAFETY MUST COME FIRST."

TEXT: THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION IS TALKING ABOUT THE ONE FACET OF THE U-S ECONOMY THAT IS NOT DOING AS WELL AS THE OTHERS, FAMILY INCOME, AND HOW BOB DOLE IS TRYING TO USE IT AS A WEAPON IN HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.

VOICE: "WHEN [MR. DOLE] ... SAYS WORKERS' PAYCHECKS HAVE NOT BEEN RISING FAST ENOUGH, HEADS NOD. MILLIONS OF AMERICANS BELIEVE THEY ARE WORKING HARDER BUT STILL FALLING BEHIND INFLATION. EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THOSE PEOPLE ARE RIGHT. FAMILY INCOMES HAVE NOT BEEN GROWING AS QUICKLY AS ANYONE WOULD LIKE... PARENTS ARE WORKING HARDER AND HAVING FEWER CHILDREN IN ORDER TO STAY IN THE MIDDLE CLASS. BUT WOULDN'T IT BE NICE IF WE DIDN'T HAVE TO RUN IN PLACE?"

TEXT: AND LASTLY, SOME GOOD NEWS FOR A CHANGE ABOUT THE U-S GOVERNMENT'S OPERATING DEFICIT, ALTHOUGH THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR IS QUICK TO POINT OUT, NO PRESIDENT, INCLUDING BILL CLINTON, HAS MUCH EFFECT ON THE ECONOMY.

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL GET MORE GOOD NEWS TODAY. THE BUDGET DEFICIT FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS EXPECTED TO COME IN AT ABOUT 109-BILLION DOLLARS, EVEN LOWER THAN THE 116-BILLION PREVIOUSLY PROJECTED. THAT'S THE SMALLEST DEFICIT SINCE 1981. MEASURED AS A SHARE OF NATIONAL OUTPUT, THE SHORTFALL FOR THE FISCAL YEAR THAT ENDED SEPTEMBER 30TH WILL REPRESENT THE SMALLEST DEFICIT SINCE 1979, ONE-POINT-SIX PERCENT."

TEXT: WITH THAT COMMENT WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL OPINIONS FROM TUESDAY'S DAILY PAPERS.
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22-Oct-96 11:22 AM EDT (1522 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA / VOTE (S) BY JENNIFER GLASSE (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: LOCAL ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA WILL BE POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT YEAR. JENNIFER GLASSE IN SARAJEVO REPORTS THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT IS EXPECTED LATER IN THE DAY.

TEXT: BOSNIA'S LOCAL ELECTIONS ARE AGAIN BEING DELAYED.

THEY HAD BEEN POSTPONED ONCE BECAUSE OF VOTER REGISTRATION MANIPULATION, LARGELY BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS. A WESTERN OFFICIAL IN SARAJEVO SAYS ELECTIONS ARE BEING DELAYED AGAIN BECAUSE THE O-S-C-E DOES NOT HAVE THE FULL SUPPORT OF BOSNIA'S POLITICAL PARTIES.

IN RECENT WEEKS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOSNIAN-SERB REPUBLIC HAS SAID SHE DOES NOT WANT THE O-S-C-E TO HOLD THE ELECTIONS. SHE SAYS THE SERBS WILL DO IT THEMSELVES, WITH THE O-S-C-E ACTING AS AN OBSERVER.

THAT RAISES CONCERNS THE RULING NATIONAL PARTIES ON BOTH SIDES COULD MANEUVER THE LOCAL VOTE TO INSURE THEY WIN A MAJORITY.

THE OFFICIAL -- SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE O-S-C-E -- SAID THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S EFFORTS WILL NOW FOCUS ON EXTENDING THE ORGANIZATION'S MANDATE UNTIL NEXT YEAR, WHEN IT SAYS ELECTIONS CAN BE HELD. EXTENDING THE MANDATE WILL HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY THE PARTIES THAT SIGNED THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KORNBLUM IS IN BOSNIA TO TRY TO SECURE THAT EXTENSION. (SIGNED)
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22-Oct-96 8:02 AM EDT (1202 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CLINTON / NATO (S & L) BY DAVID BORGIDA (DETROIT)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION SHOULD EXPAND ITS MEMBERSHIP BY 1999, THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ALLIANCE. HIS CALL FOR NATO EXPANSION BY A TIME-CERTAIN WAS MADE AS HE CAMPAIGNED FOR RE-ELECTION IN (THE STATE OF) MICHIGAN JUST TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE NOVEMBER FIFTH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA IS TRAVELING WITH THE PRESIDENT.

TEXT: WITH NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IN DECEMBER, AND A SUMMIT ON EXPANSION EXPECTED SOMETIME NEXT YEAR, PRESIDENT CLINTON DECIDED TO LAY OUT THE TIMETABLE HE IS RECOMMENDING.

BY 1999 -- NATO'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY AND 10 YEARS AFTER THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL -- THE FIRST GROUP OF COUNTRIES WE INVITE TO JOIN SHOULD BE FULL-FLEDGED MEMBERS OF NATO. (APPLAUSE) /// OPT /// I ALSO PLEDGE -- FOR MY PART AND I BELIEVE FOR NATO'S PART AS WELL -- THAT NATO'S DOORS WILL NOT CLOSE BEHIND ITS FIRST NEW MEMBERS. NATO SHOULD REMAIN OPEN TO ALL OF EUROPE'S EMERGING DEMOCRACIES WHO ARE READY TO SHOULDER THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP. NO NATION WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY EXCLUDED. NO COUNTRY OUTSIDE NATO WILL HAVE A VETO. AND WE WILL WORK TO DEEPEN OUR COOPERATION, MEANWHILE, WITH ALL THE NATIONS IN THE "PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE" (PROGRAM). A GRAY ZONE OF INSECURITY MUST NOT RE-EMERGE IN EUROPE. (APPLAUSE) /// END OPT ///

AS FOR RUSSIAN SECURITY CONCERNS ABOUT EXPANSION, THE PRESIDENT URGED MOSCOW TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT NATO AND NOT VIEW IT THROUGH A COLD-WAR PRISM. NATO EXPANSION PROMOTES STABILITY THROUGHOUT EUROPE, HE SAID, AND RUSSIA BENEFITS FROM THAT.

THE PRESIDENT DID NOT NAME THOSE COUNTRIES MOST LIKELY TO BECOME NATO MEMBERS, BUT POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC ARE WIDELY REGARDED AS MOST LIKELY CANDIDATES.

SO FAR IN THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN, THE PRESIDENT AND REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE BOB DOLE HAVE FOCUSED MOSTLY ON DOMESTIC ISSUES. BUT THEY DO DIFFER ON NATO EXPANSION -- MR. DOLE WANTS IT TO OCCUR BEFORE 1999. SENIOR U-S OFFICIALS, HOWEVER, SAY THEY BELIEVE 1999 IS THE MOST REALISTIC YEAR BY WHICH EXPANSION COULD PRACTICALLY OCCUR.

THE PRESIDENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT IS VIEWED AS GOOD NEWS TO THE MANY EUROPEAN-AMERICANS LIVING IN THIS PART OF THE AMERICAN MIDWEST -- AND IT IS LIKELY TO HELP HIM POLITICALLY WITH THESE VOTERS.

MR. CLINTON'S FOREIGN POLICY SPEECH ALSO GAVE THE PRESIDENT THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE POWERS OF INCUMBENCY AND BE VIEWED AS PRESIDENTIAL.

BUT HE ALSO REMINDED VOTERS NATO EXPANSION IS NOT FREE OF COST. THE PRESIDENT SAID THIS MEANS EXTENDING TO ANY NEW MEMBERS WHAT HE CALLED NATO'S MOST-SOLEMN SECURITY GUARANTEE -- THAT AN ATTACK ON ONE IS THE SAME AS AN ATTACK ON ALL.

SENIOR U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE PRESIDENT ALSO HAD ANOTHER REASON FOR DELIVERING THIS SPEECH NOW, BEYOND SETTING OUT HIS TIMETABLE FOR NATO EXPANSION. THEY SAY HE WANTED TO UNDERSCORE WHAT HE VIEWS AS THE INDISPENSABLE U-S LEADERSHIP ROLE AROUND THE WORLD. IN HIS SPEECH, THE PRESIDENT DESCRIBED THAT AS BOTH A BURDEN AND AN OPPORTUNITY. (SIGNED)
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22-Oct-96 12:19 PM EDT (1619 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] DOLE / NATO (L) BY JERRY MCKINNEY (FRANKENMUTH, MICHIGAN)

INTRO: REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BOB DOLE REPEATED HIS PLEDGE TO MOVE QUICKLY TO EXPAND NATO IF ELECTED. AS NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT JERRY MCKINNEY REPORTS, MR. DOLE CAUTIONED VOTERS NOT TO LISTEN TO ANY SIMILAR PROMISES FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON.

TEXT: BOB DOLE SAYS HE EXPECTS PRESIDENT CLINTON TO MAKE PROMISES ABOUT EXPANDING NATO. BUT HE CAUTIONED SUCH PROMISES SHOULD BE VIEWED WITH SUSPICION. HE SAYS MR. CLINTON HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT NATO EXPANSION SINCE 1993 WITH NO RESULT.

AT THE TIME TO BEGIN EXPANSIONS FROM HUNGRY. POLAND AND THE CEZCH REPUBLIC IS NOW. AS I DECLARED IN PHILADELPHIA LAST JUNE, WHICH IT AT FIRM DEADLINE OF 1998 WITH EXPANSION OF NATO INCLUDE THESE COUNTRIES AND THIS MUST BE VIEWED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS AND NOT THE END.

MR. DOLE SAYS NATO IS A DEFENSIVE ALLIANCE THAT THREATENS NO ONE. HE SAYS THE ROLE OF NATO IS PEACE, AND AS HE PUTS IT THE FRAME WORK OF PEACE MUST INCLUDE ASSURANCES FOR THE BALTIC STATES AND UKRAINE.

HE SAYS THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN LIGHT OF WHAT HE DESCRIBES AS THE ONGOING INSTABILITY IN RUSSIA.

THE NATO COMMENTS CAME DURING A RALLY IN THE SMALL TOWN OF FRANKENMUTH, MICHIGAN WHICH WAS FOUNDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 19TH CENTURY BY SETTLERS FROM GERMANY. THE TOWN IS PATTERNED AFTER A BAVARIAN VILLAGE.

MR. DOLE IS ON A TWO-DAY BUS TOUR OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, THE STATE BILL CLINTON CARRIED IN 1992 AND LEADS IN 1996. THE TOUR HAS BEEN DRAWING FAIRLY SMALL, BUT ENTHUSIASTIC CROWDS. RALLIES HAVE BEEN HELD IN TOWN SQUARES, PARKS, AND SCHOOL SPORTS STADIUMS. MANY OF THE CROWDS HAVE BEEN MADE UP LARGELY OF CHILDREN LET OUT OF CLASS FOR THE OCCASION.

THE CAMPAIGN WILL GO NEXT TO IOWA BEFORE TAKING A SWING TO THE SOUTH WITH VISITS PLANNED FOR GEORGIA, FLORIDA, LOUISIANA, AND TEXAS. MR. DOLE ALSO PLANS TO RETURN TO CALIFORNIA BEFORE THE WEEK IS OUT. (SIGNED)
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22-Oct-96 2:48 PM EDT (1848 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES CLOSED DOWN SLIGHTLY TUESDAY IN MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES FROM OUR BUREAU IN LONDON.

TEXT: TRADERS BLAMED THE MARKET DROP -- ALBEIT A SMALL ONE -- ON PROFIT TAKING, WEAKER FUTURES PRICES, A CONTINUED DROP IN THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR, AND A CAUTIOUS OPENING ON WALL STREET. THE MARKETS IN LONDON, PARIS, AND FRANKFURT ALL SPENT THE ENTIRE DAY IN NEGATIVE TERRITORY. IN LONDON, THE FINANCIAL TIMES FOOTSIE 100 INDEX FAILED TO MATCH MONDAY'S RECORD-BREAKING RUN, ENDING THE DAY DOWN LESS THAN ONE-HALF PERCENT, ABOUT 16 POINTS, AT JUST ABOVE FOUR-THOUSAND-FIFTY-SEVEN.

IN FRANKFURT, THE GERMAN MARKET'S DAX 30 INDEX ALSO WAS DOWN A LITTLE, ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF A PERCENT. AND IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX ENDED THE DAY DOWN A BIT, ABOUT ONE-QUARTER PERCENT..

THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR WAS DOWN AGAIN AGAINST MOST EUROPEAN CURRENCIES. THE PRICE OF GOLD ROSE IN BOTH LONDON AND ZURICH. (SIGNED)
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22-Oct-96 1:40 PM EDT (1740 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] NATO ENLARGEMENT BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THE QUESTION OF NATO EXPANSION -- DISCUSSED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON IN HIS SPEECH TUESDAY IN DETROIT -- IS SEEN IN EUROPE AS A DIFFICULT AND DELICATE UNDERTAKING. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS ON THE COMPLEXITIES AND RISKS OF ENLARGING THE 16-NATION NATO ALLIANCE.

TEXT: IN WESTERN EUROPE, NATO ENLARGEMENT IS SEEN AS COMPLICATED AND CONTROVERSIAL. IN EASTERN EUROPE THE ISSUE IS MORE STRAIGHT FORWARD.

FEELING THEMSELVES VULNERABLE TO A FUTURE REASSERTION OF RUSSIAN POWER, MOST OF MOSCOW'S FORMER SATELLITE STATES IN THE REGION HAVE MADE MEMBERSHIP IN NATO THEIR TOP FOREIGN POLICY OBJECTIVE.

CZECH PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVEL SPEAKS OF THE DANGER OF A SECURITY VACUUM IN CENTRAL EUROPE. HE ARGUES THAT EUROPEAN SECURITY IS BEST SERVED BY A RAPID EXPANSION OF NATO TO INCLUDE THOSE COUNTRIES MOST EAGER TO JOIN.

THE DANGER OF A RENEWED RUSSIAN THREAT IS FELT MOST KEENLY IN THE THREE BALTIC STATES, WHICH UNTIL THE END OF 1991 WERE PART OF THE SOVIET UNION. BALTIC LEADERS HAVE PLEADED WITH WESTERN SECURITY CHIEFS THAT THEY NOT BE LEFT OUT OF NATO'S FIRST WAVE OF EASTERN EXPANSION. THE LITHUANIAN PRESIDENT SAID HIS COUNTRY WOULD FEEL BETRAYED IF IT WERE LEFT OUT.

NATO OBSERVERS SAY THE DEFENSE ALLIANCE IS IN THE MIDST OF A MULTI-FACETED EVOLUTION IN WHICH IT IS TRYING TO SIMULTANEOUSLY ACHIEVE SEVERAL OBJECTIVES. THESE INCLUDE THE RE-INTEGRATION OF FRANCE INTO NATO'S MILITARY STRUCTURE, THE INCORPORATION OF SEVERAL NEW MEMBERS FROM CENTRAL EUROPE, AND THE FORGING OF A NEW ACCOMMODATION WITH RUSSIA.

SOME OBSERVERS SEE THESE GOALS AS CONTRADICTORY. SWEDEN AND FINLAND, TWO NEUTRAL NORDIC COUNTRIES, COUNSEL THAT REGIONAL SECURITY IS BEST SERVED BY NATO NOT EXPANDING AT ALL AT THIS TIME. FINLAND'S PRIME MINISTER SAYS NATO EXPANSION TO INCLUDE ANY POST-COMMUNIST COUNTRIES RISKS ISOLATING THE THREE BALTIC STATES. RUSSIA OPPOSES THE BALTIC STATES JOINING THE WESTERN ALLIANCE, AND NATO HAS INDICATED THAT THEY WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE FIRST WAVE OF EXPANSION.

THE COUNTRIES MOST LIKELY TO BE IN THE FIRST WAVE ARE POLAND, HUNGARY, AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC. SLOVENIA, THE RICHEST, MOST WESTERN PART OF THE OLD YUGOSLAVIA, IS ALSO A POSSIBLE FRONT RUNNER.

BUILDING A CONSENSUS ON NATO EXPANSION WILL NOT BE EASY. PIERRE LELLOUCHE, A MEMBER OF THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT AND ADVISOR TO PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC, OPPOSES EARLY NATO EXPANSION ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT WILL PROVOKE RUSSIA.

I UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO STABILIZE THE CENTER OF EUROPE. BUT DOING IT THROUGH RAPID (NATO) EXPANSION, TO THE BORDERS OF RUSSIA, WITHOUT CLEARING THE SITUATION OF MOST OF CENTRAL EUROPE AND THEREFORE CREATING FOR OURSELVES A GREY AREA TO THE EAST OF POLAND, I DON'T LIKE IT ONE BIT. I THINK THIS THING SHOULD BE RE-THOUGHT. AND EVEN THOUGH I'M IN FAVOR OF IT IN PRINCIPLE, IF IT IS DONE IN OPPOSITION TO RUSSIA IT IS A BAD IDEA.

IN EASTERN EUROPE, VIEWS LIKE THOSE OF MR. LELLOUCHE ARE REGARDED AS APPEASEMENT TO RUSSIA, IN EFFECT GIVING MOSCOW A VETO POWER OVER NATO EXPANSION.

THE TIMETABLE FOR NATO EXPANSION WILL BE DEVELOPED OVER THE NEXT HALF YEAR. U-S OFFICIALS CONCEDE THE ENORMITY AND DIFFICULTY OF THE TASK. AND THEY CAUTIOUSLY ADMIT THAT A KEY PROBLEM IS WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE COUNTRIES NOT INCLUDED IN THE FIRST WAVE OF EXPANSION. (SIGNED)
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22-Oct-96 11:52 AM EDT (1552 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-S-BOSNIA ELECTION (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES SAYS THE DELAY IN BOSNIA'S MUNICIPAL ELECTION UNTIL NEXT YEAR COULD BE A FACTOR IN NATO'S DECISION TO KEEP MILITARY TROOPS IN BOSNIA. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THERE IS A WARNING TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS ABOUT FURTHER DELAY.

TEXT: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION WANTED THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS HELD IN SEPTEMBER AND AT THE LATEST NOVEMBER SO THEY COULD BE HELD WHILE NATO TROOPS WERE STATIONED IN THE COUNTRY AT FULL STRENGTH. PRESIDENT CLINTON WANTS TO KEEP HIS PLEDGE TO HAVE MOST AMERICAN SOLDIERS OUT OF BOSNIA BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. INDEED, THE PENTAGON SAYS AMERICAN TROOPS MAY EVEN SPEED UP THEIR WITHDRAWAL FROM THE BOSNIA PEACE FORCE. IF THERE IS ANY EFFECT OF THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE ELECTIONS, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS IT MAY COME IN NATO'S STUDY OF WHAT KIND OF MILITARY FORCE WILL BE NEEDED IN BOSNIA NEXT YEAR.

THIS DECISION TO POSTPONE THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IS CERTAINLY A FACTOR IN THE ON-GOING NATO STUDY TO DETERMINE WHAT KIND OF FOLLOW-ON SECURITY PRESENCE, IF ANY, WILL BE REQUIRED IN 1997.

NATO IS LIKELY TO MAKE THAT DECISION ON A NEW FORCE IN NOVEMBER OR EARLY DECEMBER. THE STATE DEPARTMENT SUPPORTED ELECTION ORGANIZERS IN THEIR RECOMMENDATION TO POSTPONE THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS UNTIL SOMETIME NEXT YEAR. HOWEVER, SPOKESMAN BURNS WARNS THE BOSNIAN SERBS, THE O-S-C-E WILL STILL BE IN CHARGE OF THE LOCAL ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR AND THEY BETTER COOPERATE.

THE UNITED STATES REGRETS VERY MUCH, THE ACTIONS OF THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS ON THIS ISSUE. THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT THE ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO BE HELPFUL TO THEM, ECONOMICALLY AND OTHERWISE, IS A DIRECT FUNCTION OF THEIR COOPERATION ON THIS ISSUE. THE O-S-C-E IS GOING TO ORGANIZE THESE ELECTIONS IN 1997.

THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAD THREATENED TO BOYCOTT LOCAL ELECTIONS ORGANIZED BY THE O-S-C-E, ONE OF THE REASONS THE VOTING HAS BEEN POSTPONED FOR THE SECOND TIME. AS FAR AS THE UNITED STATES IS CONCERNED, MR. BURNS SAYS THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE ON PROBATION,PENDING THEIR COOPERATION WITH ELECTION ORGANIZERS. (SIGNED)
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22-Oct-96 4:17 PM EDT (2017 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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