Voice of America, 97-01-04

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] A SERBIAN CHESS GAME BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[03] ALBANIAN INVESTORS WORRY BY BARRY WOOD (DURRES, ALBANIA)

[04] ALBANIANS AWAIT PAYOUT (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (TIRANA)

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

[06] RUSSIA/NATO (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[07] SERBIA / POL (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (BELGRADE)

[08] TURKEY / MILITARY (L ONLY) (CQ) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

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

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

INTRO: A GLANCE AT THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF SOME MAJOR U-S DAILIES THIS TUESDAY FINDS SEVERAL OF THEM WRITING ON THE NEW REVELATIONS ABOUT THE DEATH OF SOUTH AFRICAN CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER STEVE BIKO. OTHERS ARE CONCERNED WITH SUCH TOPICS AS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH; HAZING IN THE MARINE CORPS; PERU'S HOSTAGE CRISIS; AND VOTING IN PAKISTAN. NOW, HERE WITH A QUOTE OR TWO IS _________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TODAY'S LEAD EDITORIAL IN THE NEW YORK TIMES CONCERNS THE RECENT ADMISSION BY SOME FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE OFFICERS THAT THEY KILLED FAMED BLACK ACTIVIST STEVE BIKO. SAYS THE TIMES:

VOICE: "WHEN SOUTH AFRICA'S TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION BEGAN WORK LAST APRIL, THE WIFE OF STEVE BIKO FEARED IT COULD GRANT AMNESTY TO THE PEOPLE WHO MURDERED HER HUSBAND IN 1977. LAST WEEK FIVE POLICEMEN SAID THEY HAD KILLED MR. BIKO, AND THEY WILL LIKELY GET AMNESTY IN RETURN. BUT MRS. BIKO GOT SOMETHING SHE HAD LONG BEEN DENIED - - THE TRUTH. FOR DECADES THE APARTHEID GOVERNMENT INSISTED ... HER HUSBAND HAD COMMITTED SUICIDE OR DIED ACCIDENTALLY IN A STRUGGLE WITH POLICE. HIS KILLERS WILL NOW CONFESS TO THIS AND SEVERAL OTHER NOTORIOUS MURDERS ON NATIONAL TELEVISION. ..... WITHOUT THE LURE OF AMNESTY, IT IS LIKELY THAT NO ONE WHO KNEW OF MR. BIKO'S MURDER WOULD HAVE TALKED, MAKING CONVICTIONS IMPOSSIBLE."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES ADDS THESE THOUGHTS.

VOICE: "THE CONFESSIONS IN RELATION TO [MR.] BIKO'S DEATH, ALONG WITH OTHERS CONCERNING THE DEATH OF OTHER WELL-KNOWN ACTIVISTS ..... MARK A HUGE VICTORY FOR THE TRUTH COMMISSION, WHICH IS HEADED BY BISHOP DESMOND TUTU. [OPT] SINCE ITS CREATION IN 1995 THE COMMISSION HAS STRUGGLED TO GET ANYONE TO COME FORWARD. MANY REFUSED TO BELIEVE THAT THEY COULD CONFESS TO A COMMISSION ESTABLISHED BY MR. MANDELA AND NOT BE PROSECUTED. BUT LAST YEAR, THE FIRST MAN WAS PARDONED - - A WHITE FORMER POLICE OFFICER WHO HAD BEEN CONVICTED OF ELEVEN POLITICAL MURDERS AND SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS IN PRISON. SINCE THEN THE COMMISSION HAS BEEN DELUGED WITH APPLICATIONS." [END OPT]

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL DELIVER THE ANNUAL STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH BEFORE A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS [EDS. 2 HOURS UTC]. THE ORLANDO SENTINEL HAS SOME IDEAS OF WHAT N O T TO INCLUDE.

VOICE: "..... WHAT'S LIKELY TO BE IN PRESIDENT CLINTON'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS ...? THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS TO LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE PRESIDENT'S CAMPAIGN SPEECHES. .... IF THAT'S THE CASE, THE SPEECH WILL BE DISAPPOINTING. ....AMERICANS ARE NOT INTERESTED IN CAMPAIGN SLOGANS. IN HIS ....SPEECH, PRESIDENT CLINTON SHOULD DETAIL CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS."

[BEGIN OPT]

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IS INVOLVED IN AN UGLY CONTROVERSY RESULTING FROM SOME VIDEO TAPE SHOWING PARATROOP TRAINEES BEING PAINFULLY GIVEN THEIR MEDALS BY HAVING THEM POUNDED, POINTS INWARD, INTO THEIR BARE CHESTS. THE HAZING HAS CAUSED A GENERAL OUTCRY, AND HERE'S WHAT THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SAYS ABOUT IT.

VOICE: "IF, AS SOME IN THE MILITARY SUGGEST, IT IS THE CULTURE THAT PROVIDES THE CONTEXT AND THE INCENTIVE FOR SUCH ABUSES, THEN THE CULTURE ITSELF MUST BE CHANGED. ..... THE MESSAGE THAT MUST ONCE AGAIN BE UNEQUIVOCALLY DRIVEN HOME IS THAT THE DELIBERATE INFLICTION OF PAIN ON ANOTHER PERSON IS NOT EVIDENCE OF STRENGTH OR MANLINESS, AND THE BARBARIC MISUSE OF AUTHORITY IS NOT PROOF OF LEADERSHIP."

TEXT: THERE IS A VIGOROUS DEBATE OVER WHETHER THE WELFARE BILL PASSED IN THE LAST CONGRESS NEEDS TO BE AMENDED CONTINUES, WITH THE NATION'S GOVERNORS IN THE FOREFRONT OF THE DISCUSSION. THE WASHINGTON POST, WHICH FELT LAST YEAR'S BILL WAS UNFAIR, NOW WONDERS ABOUT TODAY'S CRITICISM OF THE MEASURE FROM THE MAINLY REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS WHO LAST YEAR SUPPORTED IT.

VOICE: "NOW..... THE ... MAINLY REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS WHOSE STATES ARE LIKELY TO FEEL THE FIRST EFFECTS OF THE BILL ARE BACK APPEALING FOR RELIEF. THE TERMS ARE UNFAIR, THEY SAY. YOU WONDER TO WHOM? TO THE POOR PEOPLE WHOM THE BILL WILL STRAND? TO THE STATE'S TAXPAYERS WHO WILL HAVE TO TAKE UP THE SLACK AS FEDERAL AID RECEDES? OR TO THEMSELVES, WHO - - HAVING ENDORSED THE BILL LEST THEY BE ACCUSED OF UNDERMINING THEIR PARTY'S AGENDA - - NOW HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE ANTISOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF THAT AGENDA ....."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK POST SEES THE BILL DIFFERENTLY AND URGES "NO REWRITE ON WELFARE REFORM, ADDING:

VOICE: "CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS WERE RIGHT TO RESIST ANY WHOLESALE TINKERING IN THE WELFARE BILL, WHICH PROMISES A NEW ERA IN U-S SOCIAL POLICY."

TEXT: ON ANOTHER MATTER, THE NEW YORK POST WRITES:

VOICE: "IT WILL BE A VERY LONG TIME BEFORE WE SEE A GOVERNMENT MINISTER'S VISIT TO ANOTHER COUNTRY THAT IS AS PREGNANT WITH MEANING AS THE JOURNEY TO MOSCOW UNDERTAKEN LAST WEEK BY NATAN SHARANSKY. THE ONETIME DISSIDENT, NOW ISRAEL'S MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, CAME TO THE RUSSIAN CAPITAL TO SIGN A TRADE AGREEMENT. ..... [MR.] SHARANSKY ALSO PAID A RETURN VISIT TO HIS 'ALMA MATER' - - THE PRISON CELL WHERE HE WAS INTERROGATED FOR 16 MONTHS BEFORE HIS TRIAL AND SENTENCING ON TRUMPED-UP TREASON CHARGES 20 YEARS AGO."

TEXT: AS FOR THE PERUVIAN HOSTAGE CRISIS IN LIMA, THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS, IN PART:

VOICE: "THE BASIC RULE IN HOSTAGE NEGOTIATIONS IS TO KEEP LINES OPEN TO THE HOSTAGE TAKERS AND TO MAKE THEIR BEST OPTION LOOK TO BE A SAFE AND MINIMALLY COMPENSATED RELEASE OF THEIR INNOCENT CAPTIVES. PERU'S PRESIDENT, ALBERTO FUJIMORI, IS FOLLOWING THIS STRATEGY TO FREE THE .....72 ... HOSTAGES ...... IN JAPAN'S LIMA EMBASSY ..... AT ANY MOMENT THINGS COULD GO HORRIBLY WRONG, AND IF THAT HAPPENS THE RESPONSIBILITY WILL REST FIRST ON THE TERRORISTS WHO INITIATED THE CONFRONTATION. BUT FOR THE MOMENT, MR. FUJIMORI IS GIVING THE RIGHT STRATEGY A FAIR TEST."

[BEGIN OPT]

TEXT: THERE IS CONTROVERSY HERE OVER A FORTHCOMING TELEVISION DRAMA ABOUT A REAL LIFE MURDER CASE THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN TRIED, IN WHICH TWO CADETS, A MAN AND A WOMAN, AT THE AIR FORCE AND NAVAL ACADEMY, MURDERED A TEENAGE GIRL WITH WHOM THE MALE CADET HAD HAD A BRIEF SEXUAL ENCOUNTER. SAYS THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION:

VOICE: "... THE PURVEYORS OF 'FACT-BASED DRAMA' SUCH AS 'CADET MURDER' HAVE AN EVEN GREATER RESPONSIBILITY TO CONSIDER THEIR EFFECT ON JUSTICE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT PRETEND TO SEEK ACCURACY."

TEXT: THE CONSTITUTION GOES ON TO URGE VIEWERS TO TURN OFF THE PROGRAM AND SO SEND A MESSAGE TO THE NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMPANY WHICH IS TELEVISING IT.

VOICE: FINALLY, REGARDING THE MONDAY ELECTION IN PAKISTAN, IN WHICH FORMER PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF DEFEATED ANOTHER FORMER PRIME MINISTER, BENAZIR BHUTTO, THE SUN IN BALTIMORE HAS THESE THOUGHTS.

VOICE: "THIS WAS AN ELECTION ..... AN EXERCISE IN JADED DISILLUSION. THE REAL MESSAGE OF THE HISTORICALLY LOW TURNOUT, ESTIMATED AT ONE VOTER FOR FOUR ELIGIBLE, WAS THAT PAKISTANIS FEEL BETRAYED BY ALL POLITICIANS. THE REAL LOSER WAS PAKISTANI DEMOCRACY ITSELF, WHICH HAS BEEN RULED EITHER BY AUTOCRATIC GENERALS OR ELECTED BY DISCREDITED POLITICIANS. .... PAKISTAN'S POLITICAL LEADERS HAVE JUST GIVEN THE REST OF THIRD WORLD DEMOCRACIES AN OBJECT LESSON IN WHAT IT IS THEY SHOULD BE TRYING TO AVOID."

TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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04-Feb-97 10:45 AM EST (1545 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] A SERBIAN CHESS GAME BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: IN THE SPACE OF THREE DAYS SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS SWUNG FROM TRYING TO USE FORCE TO CRACKDOWN ON ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTORS TO INSTRUCTING HIS GOVERNMENT TO RECOGNIZE OPPOSITION ELECTION VICTORIES. THESE ABRUPT SWINGS IN TACTICS HAVE LEFT BALKAN WATCHERS SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS AS TO WHAT THE UNPREDICTABLE SERBIAN LEADER'S NEXT MOVE MIGHT BE. V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS.

TEXT: TWO NOTED BALKAN ANALYSTS ADDRESSED A GATHERING AT THE WOODROW INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR SCHOLARS IN WASHINGTON TODAY, TUESDAY (2/4) TO GIVE WHAT THEY CALLED THEIR BEST GUESS AS TO WHAT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MIGHT DO NEXT. ONE OF THEM WAS THE LAST U-S AMBASSADOR TO BELGRADE AND THE AUTHOR OF A NEW BOOK ENTITLED 'THE ORIGINS OF A CATASTROPHE'. WARREN ZIMMERMAN HAS PREDICTED BEFORE THAT MR. MILOSEVIC WILL COME TO A VIOLENT END ONE WAY OR THE OTHER AND HE SAYS HE HAS NOT CHANGED THAT VIEW:

I THINK IF HE IS TRUE TO FORM HE IS GOING FIGHT IT WITH ALL THE WEAPONS AT HIS DISPOSAL. THAT DOESN'T MEAN HE CAN'T MAKE CONCESSIONS AS HE APPARANTLY HAS JUST DONE BUT THESE WILL BE TACTICAL CONCESSIONS. HE CERTAINLY HAS NOT GIVEN UP. THIS IS A MAN WHO DEFINES HIMSELF BY THE POWER HE WEILDS.

BUT MR. ZIMMERMAN SAYS THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT HAS FEWER AND FEW WEAPONS AT HIS DISPOSAL NOW WITH PROFESSIONALS, STUDENTS, PENSIONERS, THE CHURCH AND UNITS OF THE ARMY SIDING WITH THE OPPOSITION. ONE WEAPON REMAINING IN HIS ARSENAL MR. ZIMMERMAN SAYS, IS KOSOVO -- THE ISSUE WHICH INITIALLY BROUGHT THE SERBIAN LEADER TO POWER. [OPT] SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE IS HOME TO THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX RELIGION'S MOST IMPORTANT CHURCHES AND MONESTARIES YET TODAY ITS POPULATION IS ONLY TEN PERCENT SERB, THE REST BEING ETHNIC ALBANIAN WHO ARE MOSTLY MUSLIM. [END OPT]

IF HE DOES THAT, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF BLOODSHED AND A LOT OF DAMAGE DONE IN A HUMAN SENSE BETWEEN NOW AND MILOSEVIC'S FINAL FALL.

AS EVIDENCE MR. MILOSEVIC MAY ALREADY BE PLAYING THE KOSOVO CARD, MR. ZIMMERMAN POINTED TO THE RECENT IMAGE ON STATE TELEVISION OF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC PRAISING MEMBERS OF HIS SECURITY APARATUS FOR ROOTING OUT TERRORISM IN KOSOVO.

FELLOW PANELIST, JOHN LAMPE, DIRECTOR OF EAST EUROPEAN STUDIES AT THE WILSON CENTER, RELATED HIS IMPRESSIONS OF BELGRADE AND THE OPPOSITION MOVEMENT FOLLOWING A WEEK-LONG VISIT THERE. HE SAID IT WAS CLEAR TO HIM THE PROTESTS NOW HAVE WIDE SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE SERBIAN POPULATION. HE QUOTED A PROTEST HANDBOOK AS CLAIMING THERE ARE IN FACT FEWER STUDENTS THESE DAYS AND MORE PROFESSIONALS, PENSIONERS AND EVEN A SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF WORKERS.

IN FACT THE (DEMONSTRATION'S) SPREAD, EVEN TO THE VILLAGES, MAY HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN THE REGIME'S DECISION TO IN FACT RECOGNIZE THE (ELECTION) RESULTS.

ADDED TO THIS, MR. LAMPE SAID IS THE FACT THAT 100 MILITARY OFFICERS HAVE JOINED THE PROTESTORS, INCLUDING ONE MEMBER OF THE ARMY'S GENERAL STAFF. BOTH MR. ZIMMERMAN AND MR. LAMPE BELIEVE PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WILL PROBABLY MAKE A DECISIVE MOVE BETWEEN NOW AND NATIONAL ELECTIONS NOT YET SCHEDULED FOR LATER THIS YEAR. THE SERBIAN LEADER, THEY SAY, KNOWS THERE IS NO QUESTION THE OPPOSITION WOULD WIN THIS TIME AROUND. PERHAPS NO ONE CAN SAY HOW MR. MILOSEVIC WILL RESOLVE HIS DILEMMA BUT MOST AGREE, AS MR. ZIMMERMAN PUT IT, THAT HE WILL NOT GO QUIETLY INTO THE NIGHT. (SIGNED)
NEB/PAM/PT
04-Feb-97 5:15 PM EST (2215 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] ALBANIAN INVESTORS WORRY BY BARRY WOOD (DURRES, ALBANIA)

INTRO: IN ALBANIA, OPPOSITION PARTIES AND ANGRY INVESTORS BLAME THE GOVERNMENT FOR ALLOWING FRAUDULENT AND RISKY GET-RICH-QUICK PYRAMID INVESTMENT SCHEMES TO ROB ALBANIANS OF ABOUT ONE-BILLION DOLLARS IN SAVINGS. IN THE ADRIATIC SEAPORT OF DURRES, ANXIOUS INVESTORS WAITED TUESDAY OUTSIDE THE CLOSED DOORS OF ALBANIA'S BIGGEST INVESTMENT COMPANY. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD VISITED DURRES AND TALKED TO SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO FEAR THEIR LIFE'S SAVINGS MAY BE GONE.

TEXT:

HERE IN THE CENTER OF ALBANIA'S MAIN SEAPORT, LIFE SEEMS TO BE PROCEEDING NORMALLY. THE STREETS ARE CHOKED WITH CARS, BICYCLES AND HORSE-CARTS. CHILDREN PLAY ON A DILAPIDATED SWING IN A DUSTY SCHOOL YARD.

BUT ACROSS THE POTHOLED MAIN STREET, A SIDEWALK VENDOR COMPLAINS THAT NO ONE IS BUYING HER CIGARETTES AND SOFT DRINKS. CITIZENS, SHE SAYS, ARE HOLDING ON TO THEIR REMAINING MONEY AMID WORRIES THAT THE SAVINGS THEY GAVE TO GET-RICH-QUICK SCHEMES MAY BE GONE FOREVER.

JUST A FEW PACES AWAY, A CROWD OF NEARLY 50 PEOPLE SPILLS OUT INTO THE TRAFFIC AS THEY WAIT OUTSIDE THE SHUTTERED STOREFRONT OFFICE OF "VEFA HOLDINGS," BY SOME ACCOUNTS ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPANIES IN ALBANIA. OUTWARDLY, THE MOOD IS RELAXED. BUT ANXIETY IS WRITTEN ON EVERY FACE.

AGIM IS A MAN IN HIS 40'S. HE WEARS A SUIT AND TIE AND IS EAGER TO TELL HIS STORY.

AGIM IS AN ENGINEER. HE MANAGED TO SAVE NINE-THOUSAND DOLLARS. ATTRACTED BY THE SOUND REPUTATION OF VEFA AND ITS PERSUASIVE NEWSPAPER ADS, HE INVESTED HIS ENTIRE SAVINGS WITH THE COMPANY ONE YEAR AGO. FOR SIX MONTHS, THINGS WENT WELL. HE CAME EACH MONTH TO THIS SAME OFFICE AND COLLECTED 700-DOLLARS INTEREST.

BUT IN EFFORT TO SURVIVE AND STILL SATISFY ITS INVESTORS, VEFA FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS HAS BEEN GRADUALLY REDUCING ITS INTEREST PAYMENTS FROM EIGHT PERCENT A MONTH TO THE CURRENT THREE PERCENT A MONTH.

AGIM SAYS HE DOES NOT LIKE THAT SINCE HE DEPENDED ON THE MONTHLY INTEREST OR COMMISSION TO MAINTAIN HIS LIFESTYLE. BUT, SIGNIFICANTLY, AGIM WANTS THE GOVERNMENT TO KEEP ITS HANDS OFF THE INVESTMENT COMPANIES. IN HIS VIEW, IT WAS GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE THAT TRIGGERED THE FINANCIAL PANIC.

BACK IN TIRANA, AN HOUR'S DRIVE AWAY ON A NARROW ROAD LITTERED WITH VEHICLES WRECKED IN CRASHES, ANDREA STEFANI, ONE OF ALBANIA'S LEADING JOURNALISTS, WORRIES ABOUT THE FUTURE.

MR. STEFANI, AN EDITOR WITH "GAZETA SHQIPTARE," SAYS UNLESS THE CRISIS IS HANDLED SKILLFULLY, THE FRAGILE PROSPERITY ALBANIA HAS ENJOYED FOR THREE YEARS COULD BE UNDONE.

I THINK THE POLITICAL FORCES IN THE COUNTRY ARE AGAIN USING THIS CATASTROPHE FOR THEIR POLITICAL GAINS. I THINK GOING IN SUCH A DIRECTION WILL RAISE THE RISKS, WILL RAISE THE DIMENSION OF THIS CATASTROPHE. IT IS GOING TO BE DISASTROUS. WE MAY REACH THE SITUATION (WHERE THE ECONOMY WAS HALTED AND ALBANIA WAS DEPENDENT ON FOOD AID) WE WERE IN 1990 AND 1991.

OTHER POLITICAL OBSERVERS SAY THE GOVERNMENT IS IN A DELICATE SITUATION. IT MUST PREVENT CIVIL UNREST AND SATISFY THE DEMANDS OF PEOPLE FOR SOME COMPENSATION. AT THE SAME TIME, THE AUTHORITIES HAVE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM IN A MANNER WHICH IS NOT SO FINANCIALLY GENEROUS AS TO UNDERMINE CONFIDENCE IN ALBANIA'S CAPACITY TO MAINTAIN STRICT ECONOMIC DISCIPLINE. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/JWH/RRM
04-Feb-97 2:58 PM EST (1958 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] ALBANIANS AWAIT PAYOUT (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (TIRANA)

INTRO: ALBANIAN PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA MET TUESDAY WITH SOME OPPOSITION POLITICAL LEADERS AND TRADE UNIONISTS. HE REPEATED HIS PROMISE OF SUBSTANTIAL GOVERNMENT COMPENSATION FOR SMALL INVESTORS WHO LOST MONEY IN TWO FAILED INVESTMENT COMPANIES. BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM ALBANIA'S CAPITAL, TIRANA.

TEXT: IT WAS A DAY OF HEIGHTENED ANXIETY IN ALBANIAN TOWNS AS CITIZENS AWAITED THE PROMISED FIRST PAYMENTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT TO INVESTORS WHO LOST THEIR SAVINGS. WEDNESDAY, THE STATE SAVINGS BANK IS TO PAY OUT 50 TO 60-PERCENT OF THE MONEY SOME PEOPLE INVESTED IN TWO GET-RICH-QUICK SCHEMES WHOSE ASSETS WERE EARLIER FROZEN BY THE AUTHORITIES. ABOUT 200-THOUSAND PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PAYMENTS.

BUT IN A COUNTRY WHERE KNOWLEDGE OF FINANCIAL REGULATIONS IS MODEST AT BEST, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS MORE PEOPLE MAY BE EXPECTING PAYOUTS. UP TO ONE-THIRD OF ALBANIA'S POPULATION OF MORE THAN THREE-MILLLION IS BELIEVED TO HAVE GIVEN MONEY TO INVESTMENT COMPANIES, SEVERAL OF WHICH HAVE FAILED.

PRESIDENT BERISHA SAYS THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT PAY OUT MORE MONEY THAN IT HAS. HE SAYS THE PAYOUTS MUST BE GRADUAL, IN ORDER NOT TO BOOST INFLATION.

ALSO TUESDAY, ANOTHER BIG INVESTMENT COMPANY DECLARED ITSELF BANKRUPT. THE GJALLICA COMPANY OPERATES MAINLY IN THE SOUTH WHERE THE PROTESTS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT'S HANDLING OF THE FINANCIAL CRISIS HAVE BEEN THE MOST INTENSE. THE FAILED COMPANY WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN TOURIST DEVELOPMENT, HOTELS, AND GAS STATIONS.

ORDINARY CITIZENS, NO MATTER THEIR POLITICS, BLAME THE GOVERNMENT FOR FAILING TO WARN INVESTORS ABOUT THE DANGER OF THE PYRAMID OPERATIONS. THE ABSENCE OF WARNINGS WAS INTERPRETED BY MANY AS GOVERNMENT ENDORSEMENT OF THE METHODS OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/JWH/RAE
04-Feb-97 1:58 PM EST (1858 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: SHARE PRICES WERE MIXED TUESDAY IN EUROPEAN TRADING. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: STOCK PRICES WERE A LITTLE HIGHER IN FRANKFURT AND LONDON, BUT A LITTLE LOWER IN PARIS. ANALYSTS SAID TRADERS WERE ANXIOUS FOR NEWS ABOUT U-S INTEREST RATES.

IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX CLOSED UP ALMOST FIVE POINTS, LESS THEN TWO-TENTHS OF ONE-PERCENT. IT ROSE AGAIN A TINY FRACTION IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX WAS UP A FRACTION, JUST OVER THREE POINTS.

BUT IN PARIS, SHARE PRICES WERE DOWN. THE CAC-40 INDEX FINISHED OFF MORE THAN FIVE POINTS, ABOUT TWO-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY MARKET, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR ROSE SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND THE JAPANESE YEN, BUT IT WAS DOWN IN VALUE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.
NEB/JWH/RAE
04-Feb-97 1:36 PM EST (1836 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] RUSSIA/NATO (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA HAS STEPPED UP ITS DIPLOMATIC OFFENSIVE AGAINST NATO'S PLAN TO EXPAND EASTWARD. MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS KREMLIN OFFICIALS ARE WARNING ENLARGEMENT OF THE ALLIANCE WILL STRENGTHEN RUSSIA'S ANTI-DEMOCRATIC FORCES.

TEXT: IN A CLEARLY COORDINATED CAMPAIGN, SOME OF RUSSIA'S MOST POWERFUL VOICES HAVE SPOKEN DARKLY IN RECENT DAYS OF THE NATO THREAT.

PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S CHIEF OF STAFF, ANATOLY CHUBAIS, WARNED THE ALLIANCE'S EASTWARD PUSH WOULD BOOST RUSSIA'S COMMUNISTS AND NATIONALISTS. AT A MEETING OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM IN SWITZERLAND, MR. CHUBAIS SAID A NATO DECISION TO ADMIT FORMER SOVIET BLOC COUNTRIES WOULD BE THE BIGGEST BLUNDER MADE BY THE WEST IN 50-YEARS, WITH CONSEQUENCES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

IN A SERIES OF HIGH-PROFILE INTERVIEWS, THE USUALLY LOW-KEY PRIME MINISTER VICTOR CHERNOMYRDIN ADDED HIS VOICE TO THE GROWING CHORUS.

SPEAKING ON A TOP-RATED TELEVISION PROGRAM, MR. CHERNOMYRDIN SAID RUSSIANS WOULD FIND IT HARD TO UNDERSTAND IF THE GOVERNMENT STOOD QUIETLY BY WHILE THEIR FORMER ENEMY ADVANCED TOWARD THEIR BORDER.

IN A SEPARATE INTERVIEW PUBLISHED TUESDAY IN "THE WASHINGTON POST" NEWSPAPER, THE PRIME MINISTER EXPRESSED CONCERN EVENTS IN RUSSIA COULD TAKE, WHAT HE CALLED -- AN OMINOUS TURN.

NEVERTHELESS, COMMUNIST AND NATIONALIST LEADERS HAVE SERVED NOTICE OPPOSITION TO NATO EXPANSION WILL BE THEIR NUMBER-ONE ISSUE THIS YEAR. AT A NEWS CONFERENCE TUESDAY, FORMER COMMUNIST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE GENNADY ZYUGANOV CHARGED THE KREMLIN'S CURRENT ANTI-NATO OFFENSIVE WAS SIMPLY A POLITICAL CHARADE.

MR. ZYUGANOV SAID THE YELTSIN/KOZYREV POLICY ORIGINALLY SUPPORTED NATO ENLARGEMENT. HE SAID THE POLICY WAS CHANGED ONLY TO PREVENT COMMUNIST AND NATIONALIST FORCES FROM COMING TO POWER.

THE COMMUNIST LEADER SAID IF THE ALLIANCE EXPANDS, IT WILL TRIGGER WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS AN INCREDIBLE NATIONAL MASS PROTEST IN RUSSIA.

THE ALLIANCE IS CURRENTLY TRYING TO WORK OUT DETAILS OF A CHARTER DESIGNED TO EASE RUSSIAN FEARS. BUT NATO OFFICIALS HAVE REACTED COOLLY TO KREMLIN CALLS FOR A LEGALLY-BINDING DOCUMENT, AND HAVE RULED OUT A RUSSIAN VETO OVER ALLIANCE DECISIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/PCF/RAE
04-Feb-97 11:35 AM EST (1635 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] SERBIA / POL (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (BELGRADE)

INTRO: SERBIA'S PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TUESDAY APPEARED TO SIGNAL A MAJOR CONCESSION TO OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTIES, IN A BID TO RESOLVE THE COUNTRY'S TEN-WEEK OLD CRISIS. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN BELGRADE REPORTS THE SERBIAN LEADER INDICATED IN A LETTER MADE PUBLIC IN BELGRADE THAT HE IS PREPARED TO ACCEPT OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN LAST NOVEMBER'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

TEXT: IN THE LETTER, MR. MILOSEVIC INSTRUCTS HIS PRIME MINISTER TO SUBMIT SPECIAL LEGISLATION TO THE SERBIAN PARLIAMENT THAT WOULD IN EFFECT RECOGNIZE THE OPPOSITION VICTORIES.

HE SAYS THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION SHOULD REFLECT THE FINDINGS OF THE EUROPEAN SECURITY ORGANIZATION. AN O-S-C-E MISSION THAT VISITED BELGRADE IN DECEMBER, AT THE PRESIDENT'S INVITATION, CONCLUDED THAT OPPOSITION CANDIDATES HAD WON A MAJORITY OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL SEATS IN 14 OF SERBIA'S LARGEST TOWNS AND CITIES, INCLUDING BELGRADE.

IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO ANNUL THE ELECTION RESULTS THAT PROVOKED THE WAVE OF DEMONSTRATIONS THAT HAVE CONTINUED FOR THE PAST TEN WEEKS.

IN TUESDAY'S LETTER, MR. MILOSEVIC SAYS THE CRISIS HAS HARMED SERBIA AND ITS INTERNATIONAL IMAGE, AND THE TIME HAS COME TO PUT AN END TO THE PROBLEM. HE SAYS THE INTERESTS OF THE STATE AND ITS RELATIONS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ARE FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN CONTROL OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.

THE CONTENTS OF THE PRESIDENT'S LETTER WERE FIRST BROADCAST HERE LATE TUESDAY AFTERNOON, AS OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS GATHERED FOR THEIR DAILY DEMONSTRATION IN BELGRADE'S REPUBLIC SQUARE.

OPPOSITION LEADERS TOLD THE CROWD OF MORE THAN 50-THOUSAND THEY WOULD MAKE NO SUBSTANTIVE COMMENT ON THE PRESIDENT'S MOVE UNTIL THEY HAVE HAD TIME TO STUDY THE TEXT OF HIS LETTER. BUT THEY LEFT NO DOUBT THEY REMAIN SKEPTICAL, AND THE CROWD RESPONDED WITH CHANTS DEMANDING THAT MR. MILOSEVIC RESIGN.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER ZORAN DJINDJIC TOLD REPORTERS GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION OF THE OPPOSITION'S ELECTION VICTORIES WILL NOT MEAN AN END OF THE PROTEST MOVEMENT. THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES, HE SAID, INCLUDING FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA AND DEMOCRATIC REFORM.

OPPOSITION LEADERS ARE ALSO DEMANDING ACTION AGAINST THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUNDAY'S POLICE CRACKDOWN AGAINST THE DEMONSTRATIONS THAT LEFT MORE THAN 100 PROTESTORS INJURED.

THERE WAS MORE VIOLENCE ON MONDAY. BUT TUESDAY'S RALLY WENT OFF PEACEFULLY. SEVERAL CORDONS OF RIOT POLICE WERE DEPLOYED WITHIN 100 METERS OF THE DEMONSTRATION. BUT THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INCIDENTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DBR/JWH/KL
04-Feb-97 1:00 PM EST (1800 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] TURKEY / MILITARY (L ONLY) (CQ) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKISH ARMY TANKS ROLLED THROUGH AN ISLAMIC-RUN MUNICIPALITY TUESDAY IN AN APPARENT SHOW OF FORCE THREE DAYS AFTER THE TOWN'S MAYOR CALLED FOR ISLAMIC RULE IN TURKEY. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

TEXT: EYEWITNESSES SAID SCORES OF TANKS AND ANTI- PERSONNEL CARRIERS PARADED THROUGH SINCAN, A SMALL TOWN WEST OF THE CAPITAL, ANKARA. MILITARY OFFICIALS SAID THE TANKS HAD CROSSED THROUGH THE TOWN ON THEIR WAY TO MILITARY EXERCISES IN A RURAL AREA.

BUT SOME POLITICAL OBSERVERS SAID THE MOVE WAS INTENDED TO SIGNAL THE MILITARY'S MOUNTING DISPLEASURE OVER WHAT THEY DESCRIBE AS RECENT ATTEMPTS BY THE RULING ISLAMIC WELFARE PARTY, REFAH, TO UNDERMINE SECULARISM.

THE MILITARY, WHICH HAS SEIZED POWER THREE TIMES IN THE PAST FOUR DECADES, VIEWS ITSELF AS THE PROTECTOR OF THE PRO-WESTERN PRINCIPLES WHICH HAVE GUIDED TURKEY SINCE THE REPUBLIC WAS FORMED MORE THAN 70-YEARS AGO.

TENSIONS FIRST ERUPTED SATURDAY AFTER SINCAN MAYOR BEKIR YILDIZ, FLANKED BY THE IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA, MOHAMMED REZA BAGHERI, CALLED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ISLAMIC RULE DURING AN ANTI-ISRAELI RALLY.

THE STATE SECURITY COURT HAS ISSUED AN ARREST WARRANT FOR THE MAYOR, WHO IS BELIEVED TO BE IN HIDING. THE TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY PRESENTED A FORMAL NOTE OF PROTEST TO THE IRANIAN AMBASSADOR (MONDAY) BECAUSE OF HIS REMARKS DURING THE RALLY. THESE INCLUDED CALLS PEOPLE -- HE DESCRIBED AS THOSE -- WHO COOPERATE WITH ISRAEL AND AMERICA BE PUNISHED BY ALLAH.

TENSIONS BETWEEN THE ISLAMISTS AND TURKEY'S FIRMLY PRO-SECULAR GROUPS CONTINUED TO RISE AFTER A WOMAN NEWS REPORTER SENT TO COVER THE EVENTS IN SINCAN WAS SEVERELY BEATEN BY A PRO-ISLAMIC GROUP.

THE COUNTRY'S FIRST ISLAMIC PRIME MINISTER, NECMETTIN ERBAKAN, HAS BEEN SEEKING TO INSTITUTE A SERIES OF CHANGES WHICH MANY PRO-SECULARISTS VIEW AS AN ATTEMPT TO ALTER TURKEY'S PRO-WESTERN COURSE. HE CAME TO POWER IN A COALITION WITH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER'S CONSERVATIVE "TRUE PATH PARTY" SIX-MONTHS AGO.

THESE INCLUDE PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO END CURRENT BANS ON THE ISLAMIC HEADSCARF IN STATE INSTITUTIONS AND A PROPOSAL TO ALLOW CIVIL SERVANTS TO TAKE TIME OFF FOR FRIDAY PRAYERS. (SIGNED) NEB/AZ/JWH/RAE/KL
04-Feb-97 12:31 PM EST (1731 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS RESERVING JUDGMENT ON THE LATEST ORDER BY THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT TO RESPECT THE RESULTS OF LAST NOVEMBER'S LOCAL ELECTIONS IN WHICH THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION WON 15 CONSTITUENCIES. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS WELCOMED THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM BELGRADE AS A FIRST STEP FORWARD BUT BASED ON PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM SERBIA THE UNITED STATES WILL REMAIN SKEPTICAL UNTIL PROVEN WRONG.

THE UNITED STATES WILL WAIT UNTIL OPPOSITION PARTIES ACTUALLY START TO GOVERN IN THE CITIES THEY WON BEFORE MAKING A FINAL JUDGMENT ON THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT RECOGNIZING OPPOSITION VICTORIES. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THEN STRIPS THE SERBIAN TOWNS OF CONTROL OF THE LOCAL MEDIA, THE UNITED STATES WILL CALL FOUL.

IF THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO PLAY GAMES HERE, AND SAY THEY ARE GOING TO RECOGNIZE THE ELECTIONS BUT THEN TAKE AWAY THE POWER, FROM THOSE WHO WIN THE SEATS, WELL THAT WOULD NOT BE FAIR PLAY AND THAT WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED.

THAT'S WHY THE UNITED STATES PLANS TO WATCH THE ACTIONS OF THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT RATHER THAN TO TAKE SERIOUSLY THE GOVERNMENT'S LATEST WELCOME WORDS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/BD/LWM
04-Feb-97 4:19 PM EST (2119 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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