Voice of America, 97-01-14

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BELGRADE ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

[03] BULGARIA ECONOMY BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[04] BULGARIA PROTESTS (L) BY KYLE KING (SOFIA)

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

[06] GREECE/CYPRUS (L-ONLY-CQ-RERUN) BY ATHINA KAZAZA (ATHENS)

[07] SERBIA NEW YEAR (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

[08] U-S / SERBIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

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

INTRO: NEWS THAT TWO FEMALE CADETS AT THE STATE-RUN, FORMERLY ALL-MALE CITADEL MILITARY COLLEGE IN SOUTH CAROLINA ARE LEAVING THE INSTITUTION BECAUSE OF DEATH THREATS AND OTHER HARASSMENT IS A COMMON TOPICS IN THE NATION'S EDITORIAL PAGES THIS TUESDAY. OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION ARE THE DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY OF THE GEORGIAN DIPLOMAT ACCUSED IN A FATAL WASHINGTON AUTO ACCIDENT; THE PAULA JONES CASE GOES BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT; THE LATEST CONTROVERSY IN THE NEWT GINGRICH ETHICS AFFAIR; AND PROTESTS AGAINST BULGARIA'S GOVERNMENT. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS __________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE CITADEL IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, A PREVIOUSLY ALL-MALE, STATE-SUPPORTED MILITARY COLLEGE, COMES IN FOR A GOOD DEAL OF CRITICISM FOR APPARENTLY ALLOWING ABUSE AGAINST TWO OF ITS FIRST FEMALE STUDENTS. A FEDERAL COURT HAD PREVIOUSLY ORDERED THE COLLEGE TO ADMIT WOMAN IF IT WAS TO RETAIN STATE FUNDING. SEVERAL PAPERS ARE DEALING WITH THE NEWS THAT TWO OF THE FIRST FEMALE CADETS ARE LEAVING, CITING VIOLENT HARASSMENT. HERE'S SOME OF WHAT THE LOS ANGELES TIMES HAS TO SAY.

VOICE: "[MS.] MESSER AND [MS.] MENTAVLOS [THE TWO DEMALE CADETS] SAY MALE CADETS DAMPENED THE FRONTS OF THEIR SWEATSHIRTS WITH NAIL POLISH REMOVER AND SET THEM AFIRE. .... IN OTHER INCIDENTS OF ALLEGED ABUSE, A CADET PUT CLEANSER IN THE WOMEN'S MOUTHS AND ANOTHER RUBBED HIS PELVIS AGAINST MESSER AS SHE STOOD IN FORMATION. ..... THESE ARE NOT THE GOOD-NATURED HIGH JINKS OF COLLEGE FRATERNITY RITES."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES HAS THIS TO SAY IN ITS EDITORIAL:

VOICE: "[OPT] WHEN THE CITADEL BECAME COEDUCATIONAL, IT LOOKED AS IF IT HAD GOTTEN THE MESSAGE, DELIVERED BY THE SUPREME COURT, THAT ITS MALES-ONLY POLICY WAS UNTENABLE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION AND INCOMPATIBLE WITH TODAY'S MILITARY. YET THE ADMINISTRATORS STOOD BACK AND ALLOWED THE FIRST FEMALE FRESHMEN TO BE SUBJECTED TO HARASSMENT AND PHYSICAL ASSAULT BY UPPERCLASSMEN. [END OPT] ..... UNLESS THEY [THE COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION] TAKE STEPS TO CHANGE AN INSTITUTIONAL CULTURE SO AT ODDS WITH AMERICAN SOCIETY, CITADEL GRADUATES WILL FIND THEY ARE UNPREPARED FOR THE REAL WORLD AFTER PLAYING SADISTIC GAMES FOR FOUR YEARS."

TEXT: [BEGIN OPT] AND IN NEIGHBORING GEORGIA, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, SAYS OF THE RESIGNATION:

VOICE: "THIS COULD HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT ON OTHER WOMEN WHO WANT TO ATTEND THE CITADEL. THAT IS WHAT THE DEFENDERS OF ITS MALES-ONLY TRADITION WANT. IF THAT HAPPENS, THE BULLIES AND MISOGYNISTS WILL HAVE WON. THE SCHOOLS'S ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO SEE THAT THEY DON'T." [END OPT]

TEXT: ANOTHER POPULAR TOPIC IN TODAY'S COMMENTARY SECTIONS IS THE CASE OF A DIPLOMAT FROM THE REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA WHO IS ACCUSED OF CAUSING A CAR ACCIDENT THAT TOOK THE LIFE OF A YOUNG WOMAN IN WASHINGTON. THE U-S ASKED THE GOVERNMENT IN TIBLISI TO WAIVE THE DIPLOMAT'S DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY SO HE CAN BE PROSECUTED AND, AFTER SOME WAVERING, PRESIDENT EDWARD SHEVARDNADZE AGREED. THE PAPERS ARE DIVIDED ON THE ISSUE OF WAIVING THE SPECIAL IMMUNITY. THE BOSTON GLOBE SAYS FLATLY:

VOICE: "IT IS NOT THE APPROPRIATE STEP FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF GEORGIA TO TAKE, NOR SHOULD THE UNITED STATES HAVE ASKED [PRESIDENT] SHEVARDNADZE TO TAKE SUCH AN UNUSUAL STEP. ..... CAVING IN TO THE EMOTIONS OF THE MOMENT AND BREAKING SUCH AN IMPORTANT RULE AS DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY SETS A BAD PRECEDENT THAT WILL COME BACK TO HAUNT THIS COUNTRY."

TEXT: IN GEORGIA, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, DISAGREES, SAYING THAT SOME CASES OF DIPLOMATIC CONDUCT ARE SO BLATANT, EXCEPTIONS ARE WARRANTED.

VOICE: "THE ..... INCIDENT .... WAS TOO BLATANT TO BE TREATED IN THE USUAL WAY. SKID MARKS INDICATE HIS CAR WAS DOING ALMOST 129 KILOMETERS-PER-HOUR BEFORE IT HIT A CAR AT A BUSY WASHINGTON TRAFFIC CIRCLE ... KILLING A 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL. POLICE REPORT [MR.] MAKHARADZE WAS DRUNK..... CONTRARY TO POPULAR MISCONCEPTION, DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY IS NOT INTENDED TO LET PRIVILEGED FOREIGNERS THUMB THEIR NOSES AT U-S LAW. A DIPLOMAT CAN BE BROUGHT TO ACCOUNT IN A FOREIGN LAND WHEN HIS GOVERNMENT DEEMS IT APPROPRIATE."

TEXT: THE ISSUE OF WHETHER PRESIDENT CLINTON CAN BE BROUGHT TO CIVIL TRIAL IN THE PAULA JONES SEXUAL HARASSMENT SUIT WHILE HE IS PRESIDENT IS DRAWING A GOOD DEAL OF ATTENTION. LAWYERS ARGUED THE CASE BEFORE SUPREME COURT MONDAY. THE SUN IN BALTIMORE SAYS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE:

VOICE: "PAULA JONES' CASE IS NOT ONLY A THREAT TO BILL CLINTON BUT A THREAT TO THE PRESIDENCY ITSELF. [BEGIN OPT] IF A CIVIL SUIT LODGED AGAINST A CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR ALLEGED MISCONDUCT THAT OCCURRED BEFORE HE BECAME PRESIDENT IS ORDERED TO TRIAL WHILE HE IS IN OFFICE, WOE BETIDE HIS SUCCESSORS. ENEMIES .... WILL HAVE THE SUPREME COURT'S IMPRIMATUR TO SUE, HOWEVER FRIVOLOUS THEIR CASE WILL BE. [END OPT] ..... TO POSTPONE THE CASE ..... UNTIL MR. CLINTON LEAVES OFFICE WOULD .... PROTECT THE PRESIDENCY - - THE OFFICE, NOT THE OFFICE-HOLDER - - FROM WHAT THE SUPREME COURT CALLED 'UNIQUE RISKS TO THE EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF GOVERNMENT."

TEXT: IN SUMMING UP ITS VIEW, THE NEW YORK POST PUTS IT THIS WAY:

VOICE: ".... WHILE CIVIL SUITS BASED ON PRIVATE CONDUCT BY THE OCCUPANT OF THE OVAL OFFICE ARE TRICKY BUSINESS, WE LEAN TOWARD KEEPING THE FLOODGATES SHUT. PAULA JONES SHOULD HAVE HER DAY IN COURT. BUT IT NEEDS TO BE SCHEDULED FOR A DATE AFTER ...... BILL CLINTON LEAVES THE WHITE HOUSE."

[BEGIN OPT]

TEXT: ANOTHER TOPIC RECEIVING A LOT OF ATTENTION IS THE ETHICS CONTROVERSY SWIRLING AROUND THE HEAD OF HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH. SAYS TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST:

VOICE: "THE SCHEDULE OF THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP HAS SET FOR REACHING A JUDGMENT IN THE ETHICS CASE AGAINST SPEAKER ... GINGRICH IS UNWORKABLE. MEMBERS WILL BE CALLED UPON TO MAKE A FINAL DECISION WITHOUT THE FULL AIRING OF THE FACTS ON WHICH SUCH A DECISION WOULD BE BASED. THE JUDGMENT DATE SHOULD BE EXTENDED."

TEXT: USA TODAY CLOSES TODAY'S EDITORIAL WITH THIS LAMENT.

VOICE: "AS [MR.] GINGRICH HIMSELF PREACHED IN AN EARLIER TIME, CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS SHOULD NOT BE A POLITICAL GAME. THE BITTERNESS EVIDENT IN BOTH PARTIES' MACHINATIONS UNDERMINES THE HOUSE'S CREDIBILITY IN DISCIPLINING ITS MEMBERS. AND IT RISKS POISONING THE ATMOSPHERE AT THE START OF THE NEW CONGRESS, DESTROYING ANY HOPE OF SUCCESSFUL BIPARTISAN GOVERNMENT IN THE WAKE OF NOVEMBER'S SPLIT-DECISION ELECTION."

TEXT: AND LASTLY ON THE ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS IN BULGARIA, BROUGHT ABOUT IN PART BY THE NATION'S STAGNANT ECONOMIC SITUATION, THE SUN IN BALTIMORE MAKES A COMPARISON TO THE UNREST TO SERBIA:

VOICE: "[BEGIN OPT] BASICALLY, THE SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT IGNORED PROMISES TO PRIVATIZE, LET INFLATION SOAR AND WELSHED ON [BACKED OUT OF] PROMISES MADE FOR INTERNATIONAL LOANS. THE STRIKES HAVE BY NO MEANS REACHED SERBIAN PROPORTIONS, BUT APPARENTLY THAT IS NOT NECESSARY IN BULGARIA. ..... IF A GENERAL ELECTION IS CALLED EARLY IN BULGARIA, AS NOW SEEMS LIKELY, IT WOULD HAVE A GREAT IMPACT ON [SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN] MR. MILOSEVIC. [END OPT] ROMANIA, BULGARIA AND SERBIA HAVE CONSTITUTED A BALKAN BLOC OF UNREPENTANT COMMUNISTS IN POWER MAKING AS LITTLE REFORM AS NECESSARY. IF ROMANIA AND BULGARIA DEFECT FROM THAT BLOC, MR. MILOSEVIC WILL FIND IT THAT MUCH HARDER TO HOLD OUT."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/GE
14-Jan-97 11:13 AM EST (1613 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BELGRADE ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

INTRO: A FRESH INDICATION CAME ON TUESDAY THAT SERBIAN AUTHORITIES MAY BE PREPARED TO RECOGNIZE LOCAL OPPOSITION WINS OF ELECTIONS HELD NOVEMBER 17TH, WHEN NIS AND BELGRADE ELECTORAL COMMISSIONS ANNOUNCED VICTORY FOR THE OPPOSITION IN THOSE TOWNS. FROM BELGRADE, REPORTER JULIA GLYN-PICKETT HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE NIS ELECTORAL COMMISSION, ACTING ON A WARNING FROM THE SERBIAN MINISTRY OF JUSTICE, CONFIRMED ON TUESDAY THAT THE "ZEJEDNO" OPPOSITION COALITION HAD WON 41 OF THE 70 SEATS IN THE CITY'S ASSEMBLY. THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL NUMBER OF SEATS THAT THE OPPOSITION CLAIMED NEARLY TWO MONTHS AGO.

IN BELGRADE, THE LOCAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION ALSO ANNULLED ALL COURT DECISION AND RESULTS FROM SUBSEQUENT ROUNDS AFTER THE NOVEMBER 17TH ELECTIONS, THUS REINSTATING THE ORIGINAL 60 OUT OF 110 OPPOSITION SEATS IN THAT TOWN.

AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, PRESIDENT OF THE BELGRADE ELECTION, RADOMIR LAZAREVIC, DENIED THAT HE HAD BEEN PRESSURED BY THE GOVERNMENT INTO MAKING TUESDAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT.

HE SAID THAT NO DECISIONS HAD BEEN TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES OR MINISTERS, OR THAT ADVISE HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THE COMMISSION BY ANYONE. HE THEN STRESSED THAT THE ONLY BODY ENTITLED TO DECIDE ON THE ELECTION RESULTS WAS THE LOCAL ELECTION COMMISSION, AND THAT IT HAD ACTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW.

[03] BULGARIA ECONOMY BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: LAST MONTH, BEFORE THE MASS DEMONSTRATIONS BEGAN IN THE STREETS OF BULGARIA'S CAPITAL, SOFIA, THE MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES AGREED TO A RADICAL FINANCIAL PLAN DESIGNED TO STABILIZE THE BATTERED CURRENCY AND RESTORE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC CONFIDENCE. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD HAS DETAILS ABOUT THE ONGOING PLAN TO SET UP WHAT IS CALLED A CURRENCY BOARD IN BULGARIA.

TEXT: THE PLAN IS SIMPLE. FIRST, BULGARIA'S CENTRAL BANK WOULD BE STRIPPED OF ITS INDEPENDENCE. THEN NEW MONEY -- LINKED AT A FIXED RATE TO A MAJOR FOREIGN CURRENCY -- WOULD BE PUT INTO CIRCULATION. BUT, MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE AMOUNT OF NEW BANKNOTES ISSUED AND CIRCULATED COULD ONLY EQUAL THE VALUE OF FOREIGN RESERVES HELD BY THE CENTRAL BANK. IT IS CALLED A CURRENCY BOARD SYSTEM, AND ITS AIM IS TO LIMIT THE MONEY IN CIRCULATION, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SPEND MORE THAN IT HAS.

ECONOMIST STEVE HANKE IS A PROFESSOR AT AMERICA'S JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY. HE HAS HELPED SET UP CURRENCY BOARD SYSTEMS IN ARGENTINA, ESTONIA, LITHUANIA, AND, SOON, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. MR. HANKE SAYS BY IMPOSING FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE, A CURRENCY BOARD CAN BRING DOWN INFLATION IN BULGARIA AND RESTORE SHATTERED BUSINESS AND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE.

YOU CAN NOT CREATE CREDIT IN A CURRENCY BOARD SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW FOR IT. SO THERE WILL BE NO MORE BAILOUTS BY THE MONETARY AUTHORITIES AFTER THE CURRENCY BOARD IS PUT IN PLACE. SO THAT MEANS THAT THE BULGARIANS WILL HAVE TO SET TO WORK TO CLEAN UP THE MESS THEY HAVE IN BULGARIA. AND IT IS THAT SECOND STEP THAT I'M WORRIED ABOUT. BECAUSE I THINK THE BULGARIANS ARE ALMOST COMPLETELY INCOMPETENT IN THE POLITICAL ECONOMY SPHERE.

THE WASHINGTON-BASED INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND, OFTEN VIEWED AS A LENDER OF LAST RESORT, SAYS IT WILL PROVIDE FOREIGN RESERVES TO BULGARIA, BUT ONLY IF A CURRENCY BOARD IS SET UP.

MR. HANKE SAYS SETTING UP THE CURRENCY BOARD IS NOT THE HARD PART. IT IS THE FOLLOW-ON MEASURES, HE SAYS, THAT ARE POLITICALLY UNPOPULAR.

THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THEY WILL BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THE POLICIES NECESSITATED BY THIS TOUGH, DISCIPLINED MONETARY SYSTEM. WHETHER THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DISCIPLINE THEMSELVES IN THE SECOND STAGE -- THAT IS, REFORMING THE ECONOMY, PRIVATIZING THE ECONOMY, OPENING IT UP AND GETTING IT MOVING. THAT IS THE QUESTION IN BULGARIA. MY JUDGMENT IS THAT THE BULGARIANS AFTER THE COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM TALKED A GOOD LINE ABOUT FREE MARKETS AND REFORM AND ALL THESE OTHER THINGS. IN FACT, IT WAS SUPERFICIAL TALK. // OPT // IT SOUNDED GOOD, BUT IN REALITY THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE FIREPOWER (POLITICAL STRENGTH) TO DO THE THING. // END OPT //

SOME ANALYSTS SAY IT WAS ECONOMIC INEPTITUDE BY BULGARIA'S SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT THAT LED TO A CURRENCY COLLAPSE, SOARING INFLATION AND THE SUBSEQUENT POLITICAL CRISIS. WITH DEFAULT ON ITS FOREIGN DEBT INCREASINGLY POSSIBLE, BULGARIA'S MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES ARE HAVING TO COME TO TERMS WITH THE URGENT NEED TO STABILIZE THE ECONOMY. ONLY THEN, SAY ANALYSTS, WILL BULGARIA HAVE ANY PROSPECT FOR THE GROWTH IT NEEDS TO TRANSFORM ITSELF INTO A TRUE MARKET ECONOMY. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/PCF/MMK
14-Jan-97 2:07 PM EST (1907 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BULGARIA PROTESTS (L) BY KYLE KING (SOFIA)

INTRO: TENS OF THOUSANDS OF BULGARIANS HAVE AGAIN MARCHED THROUGH THE STREETS OF THE CAPITAL IN ANGRY PROTESTS AGAINST THE COUNTRY'S RULING SOCIALISTS. AS V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM SOFIA, THE POST-COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT HAS SO FAR REFUSED OPPOSITION DEMANDS FOR NEW ELECTIONS.

TEXT: // ACT OF PROTEST MARCH, ESTABLISH AND FADE //

ONLOOKERS AND PEDESTRIANS CHEERED AND BLEW WHISTLES AS THRONGS OF STUDENTS MARCHED INTO THE CENTER OF THE BULGARIAN CAPITAL, WHERE THEY JOINED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS CALLING FOR NEW ELECTIONS AND THE END OF SOCIALIST PARTY RULE.

THE WEEK-LONG PROTESTS ACROSS BULGARIA HAVE FOCUSED ON THE POLITICAL GOAL OF OUSTING THE COUNTRY'S POST-COMMUNIST RULERS, BUT MANY OF THE DEMONSTRATORS SAY IT IS ECONOMICS THAT FUEL THEIR ANGER.

PEOPLE GO INTO THE STREETS (TO PROTEST) BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO EAT, OR TO BUY BREAD. BECAUSE THE SALARY FOR PEOPLE IS ONLY ABOUT TEN, 12, OR 15 DOLLARS MAXIMUM.

WITH AN INFLATION RATE ESTIMATED AT MORE THAN 300 PERCENT LAST YEAR, MANY PROTESTERS SAY DAILY LIFE IN THE COUNTRY HAS BECOME UNBEARABLE.

OPPOSITION LEADERS AND MEMBERS OF THE SOCIALISTS HAVE SO FAR FAILED TO COME UP WITH A COMPROMISE THAT WOULD END THE PROTESTS. THE SOCIALISTS, WHICH HOLD A MAJORITY IN THE PARLIAMENT, SAY THEY HAVE AGREED IN PRINCIPAL TO HOLD NEW ELECTIONS, BUT OPPOSITION LEADERS SAY THEY WANT A FIRM DATE -- SOMETHING THAT HAS NOT BEEN AGREED TO.

THE COMMUNISTS TOOK POWER BY BLOOD, 48 OR 50 YEARS AGO, AND I THINK THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO GIVE UP THE POWER WITHOUT BLOOD.

UNION LEADERS REPRESENTING ABOUT ONE-FOURTH OF BULGARIA'S EIGHT MILLION PEOPLE ARE VOWING TO INTENSIFY PRESSURE ON THE SOCIALISTS. THEY HAVE CALLED FOR NATIONWIDE STRIKES ON WEDNESDAY. // OPT // THE PROTESTS, WHICH BEGAN A WEEK AGO, APPEAR TO BE GETTING LARGER EACH DAY. // END OPT //

ONE MAN SAID HE CAME ALL THE WAY FROM HIS JOB IN GERMANY JUST TO TAKE PART IN THE DEMONSTRATIONS.

I AM BULGARIAN AND I AM COMING JUST FOR THIS MOMENT ... I AM FOR DEMOCRACY IN BULGARIA, AND I WANT THE PEOPLE TO LIVE AS WELL AS THE PEOPLE IN OTHER COUNTRIES AND OTHER PEOPLE.

IN AN INTERVIEW, OUTGOING BULGARIAN PRESIDENT ZHELYU ZHELEV HAS WARNED THAT THE COUNTRY IS IN DANGER OF EXPLODING IF THE FORMER COMMUNISTS REMAIN IN POWER. HIS SUCCESSOR, (EDS: PETAR STOYANOV), WHO TAKES OFFICE LATER THIS WEEK, HAS APPEALED TO THE SOCIALISTS AND THE OPPOSITION TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE AND SEARCH FOR A COMMON WAY TO SAVE THE COUNTRY.

OPPOSITION LEADERS SAY THE ONLY WAY THEY ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH THE SOCIALIST LEADERSHIP IS IF IT FORMS A GOVERNMENT THAT IS WILLING TO PURSUE VIGOROUS ECONOMIC REFORMS. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/MMK
14-Jan-97 1:57 PM EST (1857 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN LONDON AND PARIS SOARED TO NEW RECORD HIGHS ON TUESDAY -- BUT IN FRANKFURT, THERE WAS A MODEST RETREAT. V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE CLOSING MARKET FIGURES FROM WESTERN EUROPE.

TEXT: POSITIVE ECONOMIC DATA FROM BOTH DOMESTIC SOURCES AND THE UNITED STATES WAS CITED AS THE KEY REASON DRIVING THE STOCK MARKETS IN LONDON AND PARIS TO NEW RECORD HIGHS ON TUESDAY. HERE IN LONDON, THE KEY "FINANCIAL TIMES" INDEX OF 100 BRITISH SHARES CLOSED UP ALMOST 61 POINTS FOR THE DAY, WHILE IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" INDEX GAINED NEARLY 41 POINTS.

ECONOMIC NEWS FROM THE UNITED STATES CAME TOO LATE IN THE DAY TO HELP PROPEL STOCKS ON THE "DAX 30" INDEX IN FRANKFURT. IT LOST JUST OVER SIX POINTS IN TRADING ON TUESDAY.

ON THE MONEY MARKETS, THE DOLLAR CLOSED UP MORE THAN HALF A CENT AGAINST THE MARK AND UP ONE-THIRD OF A CENT AGAINST THE POUND. GOLD LOST ONE-DOLLAR-60 CENTS AN OUNCE IN LONDON TRADING. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/MMK
14-Jan-97 1:47 PM EST (1847 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] GREECE/CYPRUS (L-ONLY-CQ-RERUN) BY ATHINA KAZAZA (ATHENS)

INTRO: UNITED STATES ENVOY, CAREY CAVANAUGH, HAS VOICED CONFIDENCE THAT CONTROVERSIAL RUSSIAN MISSILES WOULD NOT BE DEPLOYED ON WAR-DIVIDED CYPRUS. FROM ATHENS, ATHINA KAZAZA REPORTS ON THE ENVOYS REMARKS DURING A STOP IN THE GREEK CAPITAL.

TEXT: MR. CAVANAUGH VOICED HIS OPTIMISM AFTER A TWO-HOUR MEETING IN ATHENS WITH GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER THEODHOROS PANGALOS AND THREE SENIOR GREEK DIPLOMATS.

THE U-S ENVOY SAID HIS TALKS IN CYPRUS REDUCED TENSION "THAT HAD SOARED," AS HE SAID, AS A RESULT OF THE MISSILE CRISIS.

GREEK CYPRIOTS OPTED FOR THE RUSSIAN MISSILES TO BOLSTER THEIR DEFENSE AGAINST 30-THOUSAND TURKISH TROOPS STATIONED ON THE ISLAND'S NORTH.

U-S OFFICIALS DEPLORED CYPRUS' MOVE, SAYING IT WOULD ADD MORE WEAPONS ON THE HEAVILY-ARMED ISLAND, ALREADY ONE OF THE MOST MILITARIZED POINTS ON THE GLOBE.

THE RUSSIAN MISSILE IN QUESTION IS CAPABLE OF SHOOTING-DOWN ENEMY AIRCRAFT FROM A DISTANCE OF UP TO 150 KILOMETERS. THE GREEK PLAN FOR THE MISSILES ENRAGED TURKEY, WHICH THREATENED TO USE FORCE TO BLOCK THE DEPLOYMENT.

DIPLOMATS IN ATHENS SAY A 16-MONTH DELAY AGREED TO BY CYPRUS WAS ENOUGH TIME TO PROMOTE NEW EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE CYPRUS DISPUTE. STILL, DIPLOMATS WARN OF DANGEROUS DAYS AHEAD IF EFFORTS ONCE AGAIN FAIL.

[07] SERBIA NEW YEAR (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

INTRO: IN BELGRADE LATE MONDAY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE GATHERED TO CELEBRATE SERBIAN ORTHODOX NEW YEAR. BUT JULIA GLYN-PICKETT REPORTS THAT PEOPLE IN SERBIA ENTERED THE NEW YEAR WITH MORE CONCERN FOR THE COUNTRY'S POLITICAL FUTURE.

TEXT: HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF BELGRADE CITIZENS MASSED IN THE CENTER OF TOWN ON MONDAY NIGHT TO DANCE AND SING AT THE ROCK CONCERT HELD ON THE EVE OF SERBIAN ORTHODOX NEW YEAR. BANNED BY COMMUNISTS IN PRE-1991 YUGOSLAVIA, CELEBRATIONS OF THAT STILL UNOFFICIAL NATIONAL HOLIDAY MARKED 57 DAY OF CIVIC PROTEST AT THE ALLEGED THEFT OF OPPOSITION ELECTORAL WINS BY THE RULING SOCIALISTS LAST NOVEMBER.

BUT WHILE THE CROWD WAS JUBILANT, LETTING OFF HUNDREDS OF FIRE CRACKERS AND BLOWING KAZOOS, THE DOUBT SURROUNDING THE OUTCOME OF THE CURRENT POLITICAL CRISIS WAS NEVER FAR FROM THEIR MINDS. EARLIER, BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE LENT CAUTIOUS SUPPORT TO A JOINT STATEMENT ISSUED BY MEMBERS OF THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT AND STUDENTS TWO DAYS AGO. APART FROM RECOGNIZING STUDENT DEMANDS THAT THE UNIVERSITY DEAN BE REQUESTED TO RESIGN, THE JOINT STATEMENT ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO FULLY RESPECT THE WILL OF CITIZENS EXPRESSED AT THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS.

REACTING TO DEMANDS THAT HE LEAVE THE UNIVERSITY, DEAN DRAGUTIN VELICKOVIC STRESSED THAT THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DECISIONS ABOUT HIS FUTURE LAY WITH THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL, A BODY MADE UP OF MEMBERS OF THE RULING SOCIALISTS AS WELL AS ACADEMICS

MR. VELICKOVIC DENIED THAT STUDENTS HAD ASKED HIM TO RESIGN AND THAT HE WOULD STEP DOWN OF HIS OWN FREE WILL. HE ADDED THAT THE FINAL DECISION LAY IN THE HANDS OF THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL WHICH WAS SCHEDULED TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY.

ALTHOUGH STUDENT DEMANDS OVERLAP WITH THOSE OF THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION, THEY HAVE BEEN CAREFUL TO KEEP THEIR PROTEST SEPARATE AND ANALYSTS SAY THAT STUDENTS COULD STILL OFFER THE GOVERNMENT A POSSIBLE EXIT FROM THE CURRENT CRISIS WITHOUT EXPLICITLY SUPPORTING THE OPPOSITION.

AT THE SAME TIME OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS MAY HAVE HAD NEW CAUSE FOR CONCERN. EVEN THOUGH RIOT POLICE WERE NOT PRESENT AT THE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS, INDEPENDENT MEDIA REPORTS THAT A MEETING WAS HELD ON FRIDAY BETWEEN THE RULING SOCIALISTS AND THEIR COALITION PARTNER --THE YUGOSLAV UNITED LEFT -- TO DISCUSS THE CURRENT SITUATION IN SERBIA. THAT MEETING WAS REPORTEDLY ATTENDED BY TOP PARTY CADRE AS WELL AS PRESIDENT OF THE YUGOSLAV UNITED LEFT AND WIFE OF SERBIAN PRESIDENT, MIRA MARKOVIC. PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WAS NOT PRESENT.

THE REPORTS CITED DEMANDS FROM MEMBERS OF THE RULING PARTIES THAT THEY SHOULD HOLD ON TO POWER AT ANY COST AND THAT THERE BE STRONGER POLICING OF OPPOSITION DEMONSTRATIONS. ATTACKS WERE ALSO MADE ON OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS WHERE THEY WERE ACCUSED OF BEING IN THE SERVICE OF FOREIGN ENEMIES OF SERBIAN NATION.

THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION REACHED TO THESE REPORTS WITH A REQUEST TO TOP OFFICIALS OF THE SERBIAN ARMY AND POLICE TO STATE CLEARLY THEIR POSITION SHOULD THEY BE ORDERED TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THEIR SUPPORTERS DURING DEMONSTRATIONS.

RECENT SPECULATION THAT THE GOVERNING SOCIALISTS WERE PREPARING FOR A SPEEDY RECOGNITION OF THE NOVEMBER OPPOSITION VICTORIES, MAKING WAY FOR AN END TO EIGHT WEEKS OF PROTESTS, HAS GIVEN WAY TO A NEW UNCERTAINTY AT HOW THE CRISIS WILL BE RESOLVED. (SIGNED)
NEB/JP/CB-T/PT
13-Jan-97 8:02 PM EST (0102 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S / SERBIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS REMAINING SKEPTICAL ABOUT SIGNS THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT MAY BE READY TO RECOGNIZE THE RESULTS OF LOCAL ELECTIONS IN SERBIA'S TWO LARGEST CITIES. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT WILL WAIT UNTIL THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION COALITION CALLED ZAJEDNO TAKES ITS SEATS IN THE CITY GOVERNMENTS OF BELGRADE AND NIS BEFORE REVERSING THE MEASURES THE AMERICANS HAVE TAKEN AGAINST SERBIA.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS RESERVED JUDGMENT ON THE ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM NIS AND BELGRADE, RECALLING EARLIER PROMISES FROM THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FULFILLED. SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS NOTES PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC CAN STILL APPEAL THE RULING IN BELGRADE.

UNFORTUNATELY, WHAT WE'VE SEEN OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST TWO MONTHS -- AND WE'RE ALMOST RIGHT AT THE TWO-MONTH MARK FOR THESE ELECTIONS -- IS THAT THE MILOSEVIC GOVERNMENT WILL PERIODICALLY OFFER WHAT SEEMS TO BE AN OLIVE BRANCH TO THE ZAJEDNO COALITION ONLY TO WITHDRAW IT. AND I THINK WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR AS WE LOOK AT TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT. WE'RE A LITTLE BIT SKEPTICAL HERE AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

THE UNITED STATES HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO CUT OFF ALL HIGH LEVEL VISITS TO SERBIA, TO CANCEL ALL BILATERAL TRADE DEALS AND TO FINANCE NON-PARTISAN GROUPS IN SERBIA AS WAY TO PRESSURE THE MILOSEVIC GOVERNMENT. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KORNBLUM HAS VISITED THE BALKANS FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE NOVEMBER WITHOUT STOPPING IN SERBIA.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THOSE PUNITIVE MEASURES WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT -- AND PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WILL NEED TO MAKE SURE THE PROMISES TO THE OPPOSITION ARE CARRIED OUT IF HE WANTS TO AVOID THEM.

I KNOW THAT HE IS IN A HOLE. HE'S DUG HIS OWN HOLE. HE'S GOT TO FIND A WAY TO CLIMB OUT OF THAT HOLE TO ACHIEVE ELEMENTARY THINGS -- RESPECTABILITY INTERNATIONALLY, A DECENT POLITICAL RELATIONSHIP WITH EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA, AN ECONOMY THAT PERHAPS CAN IMPROVE BY FURTHER TRADE, ALL OF THOSE THINGS I THINK ARE IN PERIL AND IN MUCH DOUBT IF MR. MILOSEVIC CONTINUES TO ACT LIKE AN AUTOCRAT AND NOT LIKE A DEMOCRAT.

MR. BURNS SAYS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MAY FIND A RIGHT ANSWER IN THE SERBIAN COURT SYSTEM FOR THE LOCAL ELECTIONS THAT HE DID NOT FIND THE FIRST TIME. IF HE WANTS TO RESPECT THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAYS, MR. MILOSEVIC WILL FIND A WAY TO DO THAT. (SIGNED)
NEB / RP / BD / RRM
14-Jan-97 3:24 PM EST (2024 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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