Voice of America, 97-01-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

[02] BELGRADE PROTESTS (L) BY LAURA ROSEN (BELGRADE)

[03] E EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[04] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[05] THE BUSINESS OF CHANGE IN EASTERN EUROPE BY GREG FLAKUS (LOS ANGELES)

[06] TURKEY / CYPRUS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[07] U-S TURKEY-CYPRUS (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[01] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ON WEDNESDAY, THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT HEARD ARGUMENTS ON WHETHER AMERICANS HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO MEDICALLY ASSISTED SUICIDE IF THEY ARE TERMINALLY ILL.

SEVERAL NEWSPAPERS OFFER THEIR OPINION ON TODAY'S EDITORIAL PAGES. THERE ARE OTHER TOPICS AS WELL, INCLUDING THE ISSUE OF DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY. 0NOW, HERE WITH SOME QUOTES IS ____________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE SUPREME COURT SESSION LASTED APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS. THE LOS ANGELES TIMES NOTES THAT "JUSTICE AFTER JUSTICE ASKED QUESTIONS THAT STRONGLY SUGGESTED THAT THE COURT WILL REVERSE TWO LOWER COURT DECISIONS UPHOLDING PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDES. SUCH A REVERSAL WOULD LEAVE THE MATTER TO BE DECIDED BY INDIVIDUAL STATES."

VOICE: "BUT HOWEVER THE COURT RULES IN THESE CASES -- THE DECISION IS EXPECTED BY EARLY SUMMER -- TWO THINGS ARE ALREADY EVIDENT. FIRST, THE ISSUE OF WHETHER TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS SHOULD BE GRANTED ASSISTANCE IN ENDING THEIR LIVES IS PAINFUL AND FRAUGHT WITH COMPLEX AND LEGITIMATE LEGAL CONCERNS. QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT AND WHO SHOULD NOT PREOCCUPIED THE JUSTICES, AS DID CONCERNS ABOUT THE ROLE OF PHYSICIANS IN ASSISTING PATIENTS WHO WISH TO DIE.... SECOND, THE VERY REAL SUFFERING THAT LED DOCTORS AND TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS TO CHALLENGE CRIMINAL PROHIBITIONS AGAINST ASSISTED SUICIDE IN THE STATES OF WASHINGTON AND NEW YORK ARE IN NO SMALL MEASURE A RESULT OF THE EXTRAORDINARY ADVANCES IN MEDICAL SCIENCE THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN RECENT DECADE.... REGARDLESS OF HOW THE HIGH COURT RULES, THE ANGUISHED SUFFERING OF TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES -- AND OF AMERICANS OVER THE QUESTION OF ASSISTED SUICIDE -- IS UNLIKELY TO END ANY TIME SOON."

TEXT: ON ITS EDITORIAL PAGE, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL SAYS THAT EVEN BEFORE THE COURT ANNOUNCES ITS DECISION "IT IS ALREADY CLEAR THAT EUTHANASIA -- AND THE MORAL DILEMMAS IT RAISES -- IS DESTINED TO SHADOW THE DYING DAYS OF THIS CENTURY NOT JUST IN THE UNITED STATES BUT AROUND THE WORLD."

VOICE: "THE WORD 'SHADOW' IS APT HERE, BECAUSE NO MATTER HOW MOVINGLY AND COMPASSIONATELY ADVOCATES PUT THEIR CASE FOR ASSISTED SUICIDE, THE DARK SIDE OF THE DEBATE INEVITABLY SURFACES. FOR INSTANCE, IN PUBLIC OPINION POLLS ALMOST ANYWHERE ON EARTH, A MAJORITY OF RESPONDENTS ROUTINELY ANSWERS IN THE AFFIRMATIVE WHEN ASKED WHETHER A TERMINALLY ILL PERSON HAS A RIGHT 'TO DIE WITH DIGNITY' AT A TIME OF THEIR OWN CHOOSING. BUT WHEN THE MOMENT FOR ACTION COMES, MANY RECOIL FROM THE DEED AND SHUDDER AT ITS IMPLICATIONS."

TEXT: AND, TODAY'S EDITION OF THE BOSTON GLOBE URGES MORE SUPPORT FOR THOSE TERMINALLY ILL.

VOICE: "...THE SAME PEOPLE WHO PROLONG LIFE OFTEN UNWITTINGLY CONSPIRE TO MAKE THE LAST DAYS MORE DIFFICULT THAN THEY NEED BE. THIS WEEK A COALITION OF 40 HEALTH AND RELIGIOUS GROUPS DEVISED 10 PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE CARE FOR THE DYING. THEY EMPHASIZE THE NEED FOR THE PHYSICIANS, NURSES AND OTHER CAREGIVERS TO COMMUNICATE WITH PATIENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS TO ENSURE THAT MEDICAL TREATMENT PROMOTES PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING WHILE ENCOURAGING A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE. CONTROLLING PAIN AND RESPECTING THE PATIENT'S AUTONOMY ARE AMONG THE PRINCIPLES. MANY OF THESE GROUPS OPPOSE ASSISTED SUICIDE WHICH WAS ARGUED BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT THIS WEEK. MOST PEOPLE, NO MATTER WHAT THEIR AGE OR CONDITION, DO NOT WANT TO KILL THEMSELVES. WHATEVER AN INDIVIDUAL'S DECISION, IT MAKES SENSE TO MAKE THE PROCESS OF DYING MORE HUMANE FOR EVERYONE."

TEXT: LAST MONTH, TWO DIPLOMATS FROM THE RUSSIAN AND BELARUS MISSIONS TO THE UNITED NATIONS GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT WITH SOME NEW YORK POLICE OFFICERS WHO WERE TICKETING THE CAR FOR ILLEGAL PARKING. NEW YORK'S NEWSDAY OFFERS THIS VIEW:

VOICE: "MAYOR GUILIANI DEMANDED THE ENVOYS' RECALL OR EXPULSION AS WELL AS APOLOGIES AND PAYMENT BY THE TWO MISSIONS FOR HUNDREDS OF OUTSTANDING PARKING SUMMONSES. THE FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS COMPLAINED THAT THE POLICE ROUGHED UP THEIR GUYS. THE DIPLOMATIC SCOFFLAW PROBLEM IS CHRONIC IN NEW YORK, AND MORE NATIONS OUGHT TO EMULATE BRITAIN AND CANADA, WHICH PAY THEIR FINES. A GEORGIAN DIPLOMAT'S ALLEGED OFFENSE IN WASHINGTON LAST WEEK IS MORE GRIEVOUS. THE CAR HE WAS DRIVING STARTED A CHAIN ACCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF A 16-YEAR OLD MARYLAND GIRL. SPEEDING AND ALCOHOL MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED. NORMALLY A DIPLOMAT WOULD BE RECALLED OR EXPELLED FOR SUCH AN OFFENSE, BUT IN THIS CASE WASHINGTON WANTS GEORGIA TO WAIVE IMMUNITY SO THE MAN CAN STAND TRIAL."

TEXT: AN EDITORIAL IN THE USA TODAY NEWSPAPER ARGUES THAT IN LIGHT OF RECENT CRIMES -- INCLUDING THE TRAFFIC DEATH OF JOVIANE WALTRICK, IN WASHINGTON, "IT'S TEMPTING TO PULL THE RUG OUT FROM UNDER DIPLOMATS."

VOICE: "IF A COUNTRY REFUSES TO WAIVE IMMUNITY AND THE CRIME IS SERIOUS, THE STATE DEPARTMENT ASKS THE DIPLOMAT TO LEAVE -- IN A HURRY. THE RUSSIANS DID THAT IN 1993 WHEN A U.S. DIPLOMAT STRUCK A MOTHER AND HER TWO DAUGHTERS AS THEY CROSSED A STREET, KILLING THE 11-YEAR OLD GIRL. BANISHMENT MAY NOT SEEM ENOUGH TO THOSE VICTIMIZED BY RECKLESS ACTS OF DIPLOMATS. BUT IT IS VITAL INSURANCE FOR U.S. DIPLOMATS OVERSEAS WHO WOULD BE AT THE MERCY OF THEIR HOST COUNTRIES WITHOUT IT. JUST LAST YEAR, ROBIN MEYER, A U.S. HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER IN HAVANA WAS ACCUSED BY CUBAN AUTHORITIES OF 'SUBVERSIVE' ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS PROVIDING HISTORY BOOKS TO HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS AND JOURNALISTS. MEYER WAS EXPELLED, BUT HAD THERE BEEN NO DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY SHE COULD HAVE FACED A CUBAN TRIAL ON TRUMPED-UP CHARGES. THAT TRADEOFF GIVES NO SOLACE TO THE FAMILY OF YOUNG JOVIANE, BUT IT IS THE UNAVOIDABLE PRICE OF ASSURING THAT OUR DIPLOMATS CAN SERVE ABROAD FREE OF INTIMIDATION."

TEXT: VIOLETA CHAMORRO BECOMES THE FIRST FREELY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF NICARAGUA TO BE SUCCEEDED BY ANOTHER. HER SUCCESSOR IS ARNOLDO ALEMAN. THE MIAMI HERALD OFFERS THESE WORDS:

VOICE: "...DO?NA VIOLETA, AS SHE IS AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN, CAN CLAIM A FAIR NUMBER OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING SIX YEARS IN OFFICE.... MRS. CHAMORRO HAS CRITICS ENOUGH, WHO GIVE FAIR REASONS FOR THEIR DISCONTENT. SHE WAS NOT AN ENERGETIC LEADER, THEY SAY; SHE WAS INSECURE, AWKWARD IN PUBLIC, AND SOMETIMES ALOOF IN MANNER; SHE WAS TOO DEPENDENT ON HER SON-IN-LAW, ANTONIO LACAYO, HER CHIEF OF STAFF; SHE LEAVES A STILL-WEAK ECONOMY. BUT IN FACT PRESIDENT CHAMORRO IN 1990 INHERITED A COUNTRY THAT WAS CLOSE TO BANKRUPT AND NEARLY UNGOVERNABLE, REELING FROM YEARS OF WAR AND POOR PLANNING. SHE WAS ELECTED NOT BECAUSE OF HER TRAINING OR POLITICAL EXPERIENCE BUT BECAUSE SHE WAS A SYMBOL -- OF HEALING, OF GENTLENESS, OF HOPE -- A NEEDED ANTIDOTE TO WAR.... TODAY ALL NICARAGUANS LIVE AND WORK TOGETHER -- CONTENTIOUSLY SOMETIMES, IN LIVELY DISAGREEMENT -- BUT TOGETHER AND AT PEACE. IN LARGE MEASURE, THEY HAVE DO?NA VIOLETA TO THANK FOR THAT."

TEXT: AN EDITORIAL IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR MAKES THE POINT THAT A RECENT SURVEY FINDS THAT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC BELIEVES THAT PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GRINGRICH ARE NOT HONEST. AN EVEN GREATER MAJORITY OF THOSE POLLED "SAY THE TWO ARE NO LESS HONEST THAN OTHER OFFICIALS." THE NEWSPAPER ASKS THIS QUESTION:

VOICE: "IS THERE A WAY THAT REELECTED PRESIDENT CLINTON AND REELECTED SPEAKER GINGRICH CAN SOMEHOW JUSTIFY THE SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO VOTED FOR THEM AND LIFT THE PUBLIC'S PERCEPTION OF THE INTEGRITY OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN GENERAL? THE SHORT ANSWER IS TO COOPERATE FULLY AND UNGRUDGINGLY AND UNEVASIVELY WITH THE ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS OF ETHICAL AND LEGAL QUESTIONS."

TEXT: AND, THE PORTLAND (MAINE) PRESS HERALD REMINDS READERS THAT TONIGHT MARKS THE BEGINNING OF RAMADAN, "THE HOLIEST MONTH IN THE MUSLIM CALENDAR."

VOICE: "WITH THE MUSLIM POPULATION OF BOTH PORTLAND AND THE NATION GROWING, AMERICANS OF ALL FAITHS SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH THE BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OF ISLAM. MANY OF THEM AREN'T ALL THAT DIFFERENT FROM CHRISTIAN OR JEWISH PRACTICES.... ISLAM IS A MONOTHEISTIC RELIGION FIRST PREACHED BY THE PROPHET MOHAMMED TO ARABS IN THE 7TH CENTURY. TODAY THE FAITH HAS MORE THAN A BILLION FOLLOWERS, MOST CONCENTRATED IN NORTH AFRICA, THE MIDEAST AND SOUTHERN ASIA, WITH SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND BELIEVERS IN THE UNITED STATES. TODAY WE CAN CALL SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE OUR FELLOW PORTLANDERS -- AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE AMERICAN MOSAIC."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT FROM THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF REVIEW OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
10-Jan-97 10:52 AM EST (1552 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BELGRADE PROTESTS (L) BY LAURA ROSEN (BELGRADE)

INTRO: A TEAM OF U-S CONGRESSMEN HAVE STOPPED IN THE SERBIAN CAPITAL, BELGRADE, TO URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO RECOGNIZE ANNULLED ELECTION RESULTS. THE VISIT COMES AFTER AN ALL NIGHT STUDENT PROTEST IN WHICH SERBIAN RIOT POLICE BACKED DOWN. LAURA ROSEN REPORTS FROM BELGRADE.

TEXT: A TEAM OF SIX UNITED STATES CONGRESSMEN STOPPED IN THE SERBIAN CAPITAL ON ITS WAY TO MONTENEGRO FRIDAY. REPRESENTATIVE BRUCE BANTO OF MINNESOTA SAYS THE DELEGATION IS HERE TO URGE THE GOVERNMENT'S RECOGNITION OF LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS THAT SHOWED THE OPPOSITION WINNING IN 14 CITIES.

THE SERBIAN SUPREME COURT ON THURSDAY RESTORED THE OPPOSITION'S WIN IN THE NORTHERN CITY OF VERSACE.

EARLIER IN THE WEEK, THE GOVERNEMNT CONCEEDED VICTORY TO THE OPPOSITION IN SERBIA'S SECOND LARGEST CITY, NICHE. OPPOSITION LEADERS SAY, HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT SATISFIED. THEY DISPUTE THE NUMBER OF SEATS THE GOVERNMENT SAYS THEY WON.

PRO DEMOCRACY SUPPORTERS ARE CELEBRATING THE SUCCESS OF THEIR LATEST PROTESTS. BLOCKED FOR WEEKS BY THE RIOT POLICE FROM MARCHING, STUDENTS VOWED EARLY FRIDAY TO HOLD THEIR GROUND UNITL THE POLICE LET THEM PAST. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENT PROTESTORS FACED OFF WITH CORDONS OF RIOT POLICE, AFTER WHICH THE POLICE RETREATED.

TIRED FROM LAST (THURSDAY) NIGHT'S PROTEST, STUDENTS HAD VOWED TO TAKE FRIDAY OFF. BUT THEY SAID THEY PLAN TO BE BACK ON THE STREETS SATURDAY. THE OPPOSITION VOWS TO CONTINUE PROTESTING UNTIL ALL THE DEMANDS ARE MET. (SIGNED) NEB/LR/GKT/T/MMK
10-Jan-97 2:40 PM EST (1940 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] E EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: EASTERN EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS SURGED HIGHER THIS FIRST WEEK OF TRADING IN THE NEW YEAR. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS THE NEW MARKETS OF POST-COMMUNIST EUROPE HAVE BEEN AMONG THE BEST PERFORMING STOCK MARKETS IN THE WORLD.

TEXT: THE EMERGING MARKETS OF THE NEW EUROPE BEGAN 1997 WHERE THEY ENDED THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THERE WERE RECORD HIGHS IN BUDAPEST AND A TWO AND A HALF YEAR HIGH IN WARSAW. THERE WAS A POWERFUL SHOWING IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA WHERE A DEFECTION FROM THE OPPOSITION IN PARLIAMENT APPEARS TO GIVE THE LONG SERVING PRIME MINISTER A SECURE FUTURE.

IN WARSAW POLISH STOCK PRICES GAINED SIX PERCENT ON THE WEEK TO CLOSE AT A 15 THOUSAND 419. THAT IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL FOR THE WIG INDEX IN 33 MONTHS. IN BUDAPEST THE BUX INDEX TOUCHED ITS 14TH CONSECUTIVE ALL TIME HIGH THURSDAY. THE MARKET CLOSED AT 47 HUNDRED 14. IN PRAGUE STOCK PRICES WERE UP A STRONG THREE PERCENT WITH THE PX 50 INDEX AT 558. BRATISLAVA WAS HIGHER AS WERE BUCHAREST AND ZAGREB.

ANALYSTS SAY THAT EASTERN EUROPE IS ATTRACTING MORE FOREIGN PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT SINCE THE REGION'S ECONOMIC GROWTH PROSPECTS ARE BETTER THAN IN WESTERN EUROPE. (SIGNED)
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10-Jan-97 5:28 PM EST (2228 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: THE BIG STOCK MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE FRIDAY CLOSED DOWN, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FRANKFURT -- WHICH ROSE IN THE WAKE OF DISAPPOINTING NEWS ON THE GERMAN ECONOMY. MORE FROM V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH IN OUR LONDON OFFICE.

TEXT: WHILE GERMANY'S ECONOMIC NEWS WAS DISAPPOINTING, THE NEWS FROM WASHINGTON WAS THE AMERICAN ECONOMY WAS GAINING STRENGTH. WHILE THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR MOST PEOPLE, INVESTORS ON WALL STREET IN NEW YORK SEE A STRONG ECONOMY BEING ONE WHICH RAISES FEARS OF HIGHER INFLATION. THAT SPARKED INVESTORS TO SELL STOCKS, AND THE DROP MAY HAVE PROMPTED INVESTORS IN LONDON AND PARIS TO SELL AS WELL. THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" INDEX OF 100 LEADING BRITISH SHARES LOST JUST OVER 30 POINTS FRIDAY. THE FRENCH "CAC 40" INDEX SHED 21-AND-A-HALF POINTS. SIGNS OF A CONTINUING SLUGGISH ECONOMY IN GERMANY, HOWEVER, SUGGESTED TO SOME INVESTORS THAT INTEREST RATES THERE WOULD FALL. THAT ENCOURAGING SIGN MAY HAVE PROMPTED THE FRANKFURT "DAX 30" INDEX TO GAIN ALMOST 41 POINTS FOR THE DAY.

THE DOLLAR FRIDAY HIT ITS HIGHEST LEVEL IN ALMOST TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS AGAINST THE MARK. GOLD GAINED MORE THAN THREE DOLLARS AN OUNCE IN THE LONDON FIX, CLOSING AT 359-DOLLARS-FIVE CENTS. (SIGNED)
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10-Jan-97 1:37 PM EST (1837 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] THE BUSINESS OF CHANGE IN EASTERN EUROPE BY GREG FLAKUS (LOS ANGELES)

INTRO: THE POLITICAL CRISIS IN BELGRADE IS BEING FOLLOWED WITH SPECIAL INTEREST BY ONE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BUSINESS LEADER WHOSE COMPANY HAS ESTABLISHED A STRONG PRESENCE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA AND IN OTHER PARTS OF EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE. AS V-O-A'S GREG FLAKUS REPORTS FROM LOS ANGELES, FORMER YUGOSLAV PRIME MINISTER MILAN PANIC REMAINS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE ENTIRE REGION.

TEXT: AS THE STREET PROTESTS CONTINUE IN BELGRADE, MILAN PANIC FOLLOWS DEVELOPMENTS FROM HIS OFFICE IN COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA AND PLANS FOR THE LONG TERM. AS CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO) OF I-C-N PHARMACEUTICALS, MR PANIC HAS SOUGHT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE REGION ONCE REFERRED TO AS "THE EASTERN BLOC." HE VIEWS THE GOVERNMENT OF SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AS A LINGERING REMNANT OF THE OLD COMMUNIST SYSTEM THAT WILL SOON HAVE TO YIELD. HE SEES THE CURRENT STRIFE AS ONLY AN UNFORTUNATE, BUT TEMPORARY, IMPEDIMENT TO FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN HIS FORMER HOMELAND.

IT WILL POSTPONE THE INFLUX OF FOREIGN CAPITAL, WHICH IS ESSENTIAL FOR RECOVERY OF YUGOSLAVIA SUBSEQUENT TO SANCTIONS. I BELIEVE THAT IN YUGOSLAVIA WE NEED AN INFLUX OF BETWEEN ONE BILLION AND THREE BILLION DOLLARS TO CHANGE THE ECONOMY. THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN IF THE SITUATION POLITICALLY DOES NOT IMPROVE, HOWEVER, I TRULY BELIEVE THAT IT WILL AND I THINK IT IS JUST A MATTER OF DAYS BEFORE MR MILOSEVIC WILL GIVE IN TO THE DEMANDS OF THE OPPOSITION.

MR PANIC SAYS THE TRANSFORMATION OF FORMER COMMUNIST NATIONS IN EASTERN EUROPE IS INEXORABLE. HE SAYS THE HOSPITALIZATION OF RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN, BUT HE MAINTAINS, THE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CHANGES IN RUSSIA WILL ALSO GO FORWARD REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS TO THE RUSSIAN LEADER.

THE TREND TOWARD DEMOCRATIZATION, PRIVATIZATION AND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION WILL OCCUR WITH MR YELTSIN OR WITHOUT HIM. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT HE COULD MAKE IT A LITTLE FASTER. BUT NO PERSON CAN CHANGE THE PRESENT TREND IN EASTERN EUROPE.

IN THE CASE OF POLAND AND HUNGARY WHERE THE COMMUNISTS TOOK OVER THE GOVERNMENT, EVERYBODY EXPECTED THE RETURN TO COMMUNISM AND NOTHING LIKE THAT HAPPENED. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THEY IMPROVED THE ECONOMIES AND THEY BECAME, AS IT IS CALLED, "REBORN CAPITALISTS." SO, IN POLAND WE HAVE NOW THE BEST PERFORMANCE OF ALL COUNTRIES AND IN HUNGARY AS WELL. SO, COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT, SO CALLED "REBORN CAPITALISTS" ARE REALLY DOING REASONABLY WELL. MANY OF THEM WENT INTO BUSINESS AND CREATED CAPITAL FOR THEMSELVES. THAT WILL HAPPEN. NOT ALL OF THIS WILL BE JUST. BUT ANY CHANGE BROUGHT BY PRIVATIZATION WILL BE BETTER THAN WHAT THEY HAD BEFORE.

MILAN PANIC IMMIGRATED TO THE UNITED STATES IN 1956 AND BECAME A U-S CITIZEN. HE SERVED AS PRIME MINISTER OF YUGOSLAVIA FROM 1992 TO 1993 AND RETAINED HIS U-S CITIZENSHIP UNDER SPECIAL PERMISSION GRANTED BY PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH. HIS COMPANY, I-C-N PHARMACEUTICALS OPERATES IN 60 NATIONS, INCLUDING SERBIA AND RUSSIA. (SIGNED).
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09-Jan-97 7:34 PM EST (0034 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] TURKEY / CYPRUS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER TANSU CILLER HAS WARNED TURKEY WOULD ATTACK ANY MISSILE SYSTEMS THE GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT MIGHT DEPLOY ON THE DIVIDED ISLAND OF CYPRUS. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

TEXT: TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER TANSU CILLER TOLD REPORTERS TURKEY WOULD HIT THE MISSILES, SHOULD THEY BE DEPLOYED. SHE WAS REFERRING TO RUSSIAN MADE S-300 SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILES PURCHASED BY THE GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT FROM MOSCOW LAST WEEK TO BOOST ITS DEFENSIVE CAPABILITY.

THE MULTI MILLION DOLLAR DEAL HAS SPARKED A WAR OF WORDS AMONG TURKEY, GREECE, CYPRUS AND RUSSIA. THE PURCHASE ALSO TRIGGERED CALLS FROM WASHINGTON AND EUROPE TO WARN AGAINST RAISING TENSIONS ON THE DIVIDED ISLAND.

MRS. CILLER'S COMMENTS FOLLOW EARLIER WARNINGS BY TURKEY'S DEFENSE MINISTER TURHAN TAYAN THAT TURKEY WOULD -- IN HIS WORDS DO EVERYTHING NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE MISSILES, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS UNDERMINING PEACE IN THE REGION.

ADDING PRESSURE ON THE GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT, TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADER RAUF DENKTASH THREATENED FRIDAY TO TAKE OVER VAROSHA, A TURKISH HELD SEASIDE RESORT, THAT HAS REMAINED NO MAN'S LAND SINCE THE ISLAND WAS DIVIDED IN 1974. THE BULK OF THE PROPERTY THERE IS OWNED BY GREEK CYPRIOTS.

MR. DENKTASH WENT ON TO SAY HIS ADMINISTRATION WAS SUSPENDING ITS APPROVAL OF A UNITED NATIONS INITIATIVE TO REVIVE PEACE TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO COMMUNITIES, WHICH HAVE REMAINED SUSPENDED SINCE 1994. HE SAID THE GREEK SIDE'S DETERMINATION TO PURSUE THE MISSILE PURCHASE SHOWED -- IN HIS WORDS -- THE GREEK CYPRIOTS WERE NOT IN FAVOR OF A SETTLEMENT BUT IN FAVOR OF WAR. EARLIER, WASHINGTON URGED THE GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT TO CANCEL THE DEAL AND IS TO SEND AN ENVOY TO THE ISLAND OVER THE WEEKED IN ORDER TO REDUCE MOUNTING TENSIONS BETWEEN THE SIDES. AT THE SAME TIME, WASHINGTON HAS WARNED TURKEY AGAINST ANY MILITARY ACTION AGAINST THE GREEK CYPRIOTS.

THE CYPRUS ISSUE IS WIDELY VIEWED AS A POTENTIAL TRIGGER FOR WAR BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE. THE TWO NATO MEMBERS ARE ALSO AT LOGGERHEADS ABOUT TERRITORIAL LIMITS IN THE AEGEAN SEA AND THE USE OF AIRSPACE OVER ITS WATERS. (SIGNED)
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10-Jan-97 10:48 AM EST (1548 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-S TURKEY-CYPRUS (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS CALLED ON TURKEY TO STOP THREATENING MILITARY ACTION AGAINST CYPRUS AND TO LOWER ITS RHETORIC. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, AN AMERICAN DIPLOMAT WILL VISIT THE REGION THIS WEEKEND TO TRY TO REDUCE TENSIONS.

TEXT: DESPITE PREVIOUS WARNINGS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, TURKEY'S FOREIGN MINISTER HAS JOINED THE TURKISH DEFENSE MINISTER IN THREATENING MILITARY ACTION IF CYPRUS DEPLOYS A RUSSIAN ANTI-AIRCRAFT SYSTEM.

THE UNITED STATES IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE ESCALATING RHETORIC AND STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL CAREY CAVANAUGH ARRIVES IN NICOSIA SUNDAY AND TRAVELS NEXT WEEK TO ATHENS AND ANKARA TO CALM TENSIONS. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS REJECTS THE LATEST THREAT BY TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER TANSU CILLER ABOUT POSSIBLE MILITARY ACTION.

WE BELIEVE SUCH DRAMATIC STATEMENTS FROM HER OR ANY OTHER TURKISH OFFICIAL ARE UNCALLED FOR, AND ARE MOST UNWISE.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS CALLED ON TURKEY TO PULL BACK FROM AGGRESSIVE PUBLIC RHETORIC AND TO RE-ENGAGE IN NEGOTIATIONS FOR A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT IN CYPRUS. (SIGNED)
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10-Jan-97 4:30 PM EST (2130 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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