Voice of America, 97-02-27

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] EDITORIAL: TIME FOR DEMOCRATIC REFORM IN SERBIA

[03] A BETTER PARTNERSHIP FOR NATO BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

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

[05] TURKEY/ISLAM (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

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

INTRO: NEW INFORMATION ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE STAYED OVERNIGHT AT THE WHITE HOUSE, INCLUDING MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S 1996 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, DOMINATES THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.

PRESIDENT CLINTON AND HIS STAFF ARE WIDELY CRITICIZED FOR WHAT APPEARS, TO MANY COMMENTATORS, TO BE POOR JUDGEMENT AT THE LEAST, AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW VIOLATIONS AT THE WORST.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE LATEST MOVE TO BUILD NEW JEWISH SETTLEMENTS IN JERUSALEM; THE ARGUMENT OVER MEXICO'S CERTIFICATION AS A VALID DRUG PARTNER; FINANCIAL AID TO RUSSIA AND A TRIBUTE TO A GREAT AMERICAN POET.

NOW HERE IS _________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE WHITE HOUSE RELEASED A LIST OF 938 PEOPLE WHO HAVE SLEPT OVERNIGHT AT THE WHITE HOUSE SINCE BILL CLINTON BECAME PRESIDENT IN 1993. WHILE MANY ARE FAMILY FRIENDS OF THE CLINTONS AND NOT FAMOUS, MANY OTHERS ARE WEALTHY PEOPLE WHO SUBSEQUENTLY CONTRIBUTED LARGE SUMS OF MONEY TO THE PRESIDENT'S ELECTION CAMPAIGNS. AND TODAY'S U-S PRESS IS OUTRAGED BY THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW INFORMATION. AT LEAST TWO MAJOR PAPERS HAVE TITLED THEIR EDITORIALS "MOTEL 1600" A REFERENCE TO THE WHITE HOUSE ADDRESS OF 16-HUNDRED PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE.

ON LONG ISLAND (NEW YORK), NEWSDAY'S LEAD EDITORIALS HEADLINE READS: "[PRESIDENT] CLINTON WAS SO RECKLESS IN RAISING MONEY HE MAY HAVE IMPAIRED HIS ABILITY TO GOVERN".

VOICE: "SOME OF THOSE GUESTS WERE RELATIVES; SOME WERE CHELSEA CLINTON'S SCHOOL FRIENDS. BUT SOME WERE PAYING FOR A WHITE HOUSE SLEEPOVER; THEY WERE HEAVYWEIGHT [MAJOR] CONTRIBUTORS TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. WHY SELL THE LINCOLN BEDROOM WHEN YOU CAN RENT IT OUT, AS ONE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN GIBED, LIKE 'A MOTEL 1600 FOR FAT CATS'? [SLANG FOR WEALTHY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTORS] ..... SO WHAT IF THIS ISN'T QUITE ILLEGAL? IT'S STILL OFFENSIVE. THE WHITE HOUSE IS NOT A PRIVATE RESIDENCE ... AND ITS OCCUPANTS ARE JUST TENANTS. ITS LANDLORDS ARE THE PEOPLE - - AND NOT JUST THE RICH ONES."

TEXT: NO LESS UPSET IS THE BOSTON GLOBE WHICH POSES THESE TWO "CRUCIAL" QUESTIONS.

VOICE: "DID DEMOCRATIC FUND RAISERS OVERSTEP THE LEGAL PROHIBITIONS AGAINST SOLICITING IN THE WHITE HOUSE OR REQUIRING PAYMENT FOR ACCESS TO THE PRESIDENT? AND WHAT WILL BE DONE TO PREVENT POLITICAL OPERATORS IN BOTH PARTIES FROM MAKING WASHINGTON LOOK LIKE THE CAPITAL OF A BANANA REPUBLIC? ....[MR.] CLINTON SHOULD APOLOGIZE TO THE VOTERS FOR TRANSFORMING THE WHITE HOUSE INTO A THEME PARK WHERE HIS PARTY COULD SHAKE DOWN [EXTORT] WEALTHY VISITORS."

TEXT: IN COMMENTING ON A HANDWRITTEN NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT TO HIS STAFF REGARDING THE SPECIFICS OF THE FUND RAISING AND THE CONNECTION TO WHITE HOUSE VISITS, THE WASHINGTON POST EXCLAIMS:

VOICE: "THE THING YOU DISCOVER FROM THE PRESIDENT'S HANDWRITTEN NOTES ON THE DOCUMENTS RELEASED THE OTHER DAY IS NOT THAT HE GAVE HIS ASSENT. IT'S HOW EAGERLY HE DID SO, HOW VORACIOUS HE SEEMED, HOW TOTALLY COMMITTED TO WHATEVER IT TOOK TO GET THE BUCKS. ..... YOU WONDER WHY NO ONE WAS SAYING: WAIT A MINUTE, WHAT ARE WE DOING, IS IT RIGHT TO HAVE THIS KIND OF IMPLICIT FOR-SALE SIGN ON THE PRESIDENT?"

[REST ON THIS TOPIC OPTIONAL]

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES REPEATS ITS ALMOST WEEKLY CALL FOR A NEW SPECIAL, INDEPENDENT COUNSEL TO PROBE THE FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES.

VOICE: "...... THE IMAGE OF GUESTS RACING IN AND OUT OF WHITE HOUSE BEDROOMS LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF A FEYDEAU FARCE MAKES IT CLEARER THAN EVER THAT MR. CLINTON WAS PRESIDING OVER AN OPERATION THAT WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND DEMEANING TO THE GOVERNMENT. WITH MR. CLINTON'S DIRECT INVOLVEMENT ..... ALL BUT UNMISTAKABLE, ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO HAS NO EXCUSE NOT TO ASK FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE..."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES CHIMES IN WITH THIS EDITORIAL:

VOICE: "IN HIS MOST SINCERE AND EMPHATIC DEMEANOR, THE PRESIDENT SHAMELESSLY ASSERTED TUESDAY, 'THE LINCOLN BEDROOM WAS NEVER SOLD.' BUT A NEW YORK TIMES COMPUTER ANALYSIS CALCULATED DONATIONS IN EXCESS OF TEN MILLION DOLLARS TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY FROM LINCOLN BEDROOM VETERANS. IF 'SOLD' IS TOO STRONG A WORD, PERHAPS 'RENT' WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD CALLS THE REVELATIONS "OUTRAGEOUS," WHILE THE BALTIMORE SUN, IN CALLING FOR AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE ALL POLITICAL FUND RAISING ALLEGATIONS:

VOICE: "THIS ADMINISTRATION LACKS THE CREDIBILITY TO INVESTIGATE ITSELF. AND THAT LACK OF CREDIBILITY BEGINS AT THE TOP."

TEXT: THE FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL TOPICS THIS THURSDAY SEEMS TO BE THE LATEST NEWS OF JEWISH SETTLEMENTS PLANNED NOW FOR EAST JERUSALEM BY THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT. SAYS THE WASHINGTON POST:

VOICE: "THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT RISKS BADLY OVERLOADING THE NEGOTIATING CIRCUITS BY ANNOUNCING PLANS TO BUILD 65-HUNDRED NEW HOUSING UNITS FOR JEWS IN ISRAELI-OCCUPIED AND-ANNEXED EAST JERUSALEM. ..... AS A UNILATERAL GESTURE IMPOSED BY ISRAELI ARMS, IT UNDERCUTS ISRAEL'S PROFESSED READINESS TO NEGOTIATE [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] THE FUTURE OF JERUSALEM AS PEACE TALKS TURN FROM INTERIM TO PERMANENT TERMS. [OPT] ... NOTHING SO SURELY INFLAMES PALESTINIAN OPINION AS TO SEE ISRAELIS 'CREATING FACTS' - - NEW SETTLEMENTS OR, IN THIS INSTANCE, NEW APARTMENTS - - ON LAND OSTENSIBLY INTENDED FOR COOPERATIVE DISPOSITION." [END OPT]

TEXT: ADDS THE NEW YORK TIMES:

VOICE: "MR. NETANYAHU'S TIMING IS UNFORTUNATE. ..... BEGINNING THIS CONSTRUCTION PROJECT NOW WOULD NEEDLESSLY IMPERIL THE HARD-WON RESUMPTION OF SERIOUS BARGAINING. ISRAEL SHOULD FREEZE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION INDEFINITELY. [OPT] .....MR. NETANYAHU, THE FIRST ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER DIRECTLY ELECTED BY VOTERS, HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO GIVE PRECEDENCE TO THE LARGER NEEDS OF ISRAEL AND TO THE GOAL OF PEACE WITH SECURITY HE WAS ELECTED TO ACHIEVE." [END OPT]

TEXT: TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST NOTES A 44-PERCENT INCREASE IN PLANNED AID TO RUSSIA AND THE OTHER FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: "THE PROPOSAL SEEMS TO REVERSE EARLIER PLANS TO PHASE OUT SUCH AID, AND IT SEEMS TO COLLIDE WITH GLOOMY NEWS FROM MOSCOW. BUT IT DESERVES A FAIR HEARING, BECAUSE THE ......GENERAL THESIS - - THAT PROMOTING DEMOCRACY IN RUSSIA HELPS BOTH US AND THEM - - IS AS RIGHT NOW AS EVER."

TEXT: WHETHER TO CERTIFY MEXICO AS A NATION DOING ENOUGH TO FIGHT THE ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE IS ANOTHER KEY TOPICS OF DISCUSSION. PRESIDENT CLINTON MUST DECIDE ON THE CERTIFICATION SOON, AND THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION SAYS:

VOICE: "THIS IS A DELICATE TIME IN THE WASHINGTON-MEXICO CITY RELATIONSHIP: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS REQUIRED TO CERTIFY BY MARCH FIRST WHICH COUNTRIES ARE COOPERATING IN THE WAR ON DRUGS AND WHICH AREN'T - - AND THOSE THAT AREN'T ARE SUBJECT TO ECONOMIC PENALTIES. ..... PUNISHMENTS AGAINST MEXICO .... WOULD DESTABILIZE ITS ECONOMY, DIMINISH IT AS A CONSUMER OF U-S GOODS AND SPUR NEW WAVES OF ILLEGAL MIGRATION NORTHWARD. THE WISEST COURSE FOR [MR.] CLINTON IS TO SHAKE THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT WITH DECERTIFICATION AND TEMPER THE SHOCK WITH A WAIVER ON ECONOMIC ACTIONS - - THIS TIME."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK POST AGREES WITH THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, CALLING THAT COMPROMISE "THE BEST CHOICE OF SEVERAL UNPALATABLE OPTIONS." HOWEVER THE LOS ANGELES TIMES IS UPSET AT THE WHOLE U-S CERTIFICATION EFFORT CALLING IT "AN UNPRODUCTIVE TEST."

VOICE: "NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE ANNUAL MARCH FIRST RITUAL OF CERTIFICATION HAS SPARKED ANTI-UNITED STATES FEELINGS IN LATIN AMERICA. IT RAISES THE QUESTION OF WHAT GIVES THE UNITED STATES THE MORAL GROUND TO JUDGE OTHER COUNTRIES WHEN IT IS AMERICANS WHO ARE THE NUMBER ONE CONSUMERS OF ILLEGAL DRUGS. IT'S TIME FOR A DIFFERENT TACK [APPROACH]."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, A WORD FROM THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD ON A GREAT AMERICAN POET WHOSE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY IS BEING CELEBRATED THIS WEEK.

VOICE: "ONLY A STURDY BOULDER, ITS BRASS PLAQUE LONG SINCE RIPPED OFF, MARKS THE SPOT .... AT THE FOOT OF PORTLAND'S MUNJOY HILL, WHERE THE MAN ONCE KNOWN AS THE GREATEST POET IN THE WORLD WAS BORN 190 YEARS AGO TODAY. HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW WAS BELOVED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC ..... LONGFELLOW WOULD BE PLEASED TO KNOW HE IS REMEMBERED ... IN THE CITY OF HIS BIRTH, A CITY HE LOVED DEARLY AND LATER VISITED OFTEN. ... AND PORTLAND IS PROUDER THAN EVER OF ITS MOST FAMOUS SON."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENTS FROM THURSDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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27-Feb-97 10:28 AM EST (1528 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] EDITORIAL: TIME FOR DEMOCRATIC REFORM IN SERBIA

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT HAS RECENTLY TAKEN STEPS TO RECOGNIZE THE OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN LAST NOVEMBER'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. THE U.S. WELCOMES THE PASSAGE OF THE SPECIAL ELECTION LAW AS AN IMPORTANT MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. BUT MUCH MORE REMAINS TO BE DONE. MUNICIPAL ASSETS, INCLUDING LOCAL BROADCAST MEDIA, MUST BE FAIRLY TRANSFERRED TO NEWLY ELECTED ENTITIES, AND THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT MUST WORK CONSTRUCTIVELY WITH THE NEW MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS TO ADDRESS URGENT LOCAL PROBLEMS. ONCE THE LEGISLATION IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED, THE U.S. EXPECTS THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT TO INITIATE A DIALOGUE WITH THE DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION TO BEGIN A PROCESS OF DEMOCRATIZATION IN SERBIA. THE AGENDA SHOULD INCLUDE INDEPENDENCE OF THE MEDIA AND JUDICIAL AND ELECTORAL REFORM.

IN AN EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE DEMOCRATIC PROGRESS, THE U.S. RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT IT IS EXPANDING ITS SUPPORT OF FREE SERBIAN MEDIA, DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATIONS AND INDEPENDENT TRADE UNIONS. MUCH OF THIS AID WILL BE PROVIDED THROUGH U.S. NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY.

THE U.S. HAS LONG PROMOTED DEMOCRATIC REFORM AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. THIS SUPPORT INCLUDES TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT FOR INDEPENDENT MEDIA AND FUNDING NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS TRAINING IN POLLING, CAMPAIGNING AND OPEN ELECTION PROCEDURES. THE U.S. HOPES THAT DEMOCRATIC REFORMS WILL BEGIN TO TAKE ROOT IN SERBIA AS THEY HAVE IN OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION, AND THE U.S. IS PREPARED TO HELP.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
27-Feb-97 2:14 PM EST (1914 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] A BETTER PARTNERSHIP FOR NATO BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: MOST OF THE DEBATE ON NATO FOCUSES ON ITS EXPANSION. BUT A GROUP OF FORMER U-S GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAY IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO REVISE THE ALLIANCE TO MAKE MORE OF A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES. V-O-A'S ED WARNER REPORTS.

TEXT: NATO IS GOING TO EXPAND, BUT WHAT EXACTLY IS IT GOING TO DO? THAT IS THE QUESTION ADRESSED BY A GROUP OF FORMER TOP LEVEL U-S GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AT A MEETING OF THE RAND RESEARCH ORGANIZATION IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEK.

THE WORLD'S STRONGEST MILITARY ALLIANCE LACKS A CLEAR STRATEGIC PURPOSE, SAID DAVID GOMBERT, A FORMER PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER ON EUROPE. HE BELIEVED NATO NO LONGER NEEDS TO PREPARE FOR AN ATTACK ON EUROPE, SO ITS MISSION IS TO HELP MAINTAIN PEACE AND STABILITY ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD.

MR. GOMBERT SAID THIS MEANS MORE POWER SHARING IN NATO BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES CANNOT ALWAYS TAKE THE LEAD. ITS ALLIES FROWN ON ANY KIND OF U-S UNILATERAL ACTION, AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC IS EQUALLY DUBIOUS.

IF WE ARE GOING TO BE ENGAGED IN THE WORLD BUT WE ARE NOT PREPARED TO ACT AS THE DOMINANT LEADER ON EVERY PROBLEM, THEN IT DOES CRY OUT FOR SOME FORM OF MULTILATERALISM. SINCE THE BROAD PARTICIPATORY U-N BASED MULTILATERALISM THAT HAS BEEN DEBATED FOR MANY YEARS DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE SUFFICIENT SUPPORT IN THIS COUNTRY, WE ARE LEFT WITH THE THOUGHT THAT IT IS REALLY PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OTHER ADVANCED DEMOCRACIES THAT REALLY STANDS OUT AS THE BEST STRATEGY FOR THE UNITED STATES IN THE NEW ERA.

BUT EUROPE MUST BEAR ITS SHARE OF THE NATO BURDEN, SAID MR. GOMBERT. AT PRESENT, IT DOES NOT. IF THERE WERE ANOTHER CRISIS IN THE PERSIAN GULF, EUROPE MIGHT PERFORM EVEN LESS CREDIBLY THAN IT DID AGAINST SADDAM HUSSEIN.

RAND PRESIDENT JAMES THOMSON NOTED EUROPE SENT LESS THAN TEN PER CENT OF THE FORCES CONTRIBUTED BY THE UNITED STATES IN THE GULF WAR. MOREOVER, THE EUROPEANS WERE NOT WELL EQUIPPED OR TRAINED AND HAD TO BE BOLSTERED BY THE AMERICANS:

IF WE HAD TO GO TO THE GULF TODAY OR SOME PLACE ELSE OUTSIDE OF EUROPE AND FELT FOR POLITICAL REASONS THE NECESSITY OF HAVING EUROPEAN PARTNERS, THE SITUATION WOULD NOT BE ANY BETTER, ARGUABLY WORSE. EUROPEAN DEFENSE BUDGETS HAVE SHRUNK MORE RAPIDLY THAN THOSE IN THE UNITED STATES. THE FOCUS OF EUROPEAN MILITARY PLANNING REMAINS ON TERRITORIAL DEFENSE, NOT POWER PROJECTION; THAT IS, THE ABILITY TO MOVE FORCES OVER GREAT DISTANCES. THE EUROPEANS ARE SLIPPING FURTHER AND FURTHER BEHIND US TECHNOLOGICALLY.

MR. THOMSON SAID A NEW MECHANISM IS NEEDED TO REVIVE THE SUCCESSFUL NATO OF THE COLD WAR. HE PROPOSES A POWER PROJECTION COMMAND THAT WOULD BE READY AND ABLE TO OPERATE OUTSIDE EUROPE, AND A EUROPEAN SHOULD BE PUT IN CHARGE.

A MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE ASKED IF A GENUINE PARTNERSHIP IS POSSIBLE SINCE THE UNITED STATES TENDS TO DOMINATE THE ALLIANCE. DAVID GOMBERT REPLIED THAT A DISTINCTION MUST BE MADE BETWEEN THE U-S FOREIGN POLICY ELITE AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC:

POLLS INDICATE THAT THE PUBLIC IS MORE INTERESTED IN SHARING THE BURDENS OF LEADERSHIP THAN MONOPOLIZING THOSE BURDENS. POLLS INDICATE THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL REASONS WHY AMERICANS WANT TO REMAIN ENGAGED IN THE WORLD ARE A RECOGNITION THAT WE ARE NOW MORE DEPENDENT THAN EVER, AND INCREASINGLY DEPENDENT, ON THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WORLD ECONOMY, AND THEY SEE NO WAY BACK. THEY DO NOT TRANSLATE FROM THAT INTO SOME REQUIREMENT FOR AMERICAN DOMINANCE OR FOR MAKING EVERY PROBLEM AN AMERICAN UNILATERAL PROBLEM.

IN CONTRAST, SAID MR. GOMBERT, THE AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY ELITE SEEKS OUT INVOLVEMENT OVERSEAS. IN HIS OPINION, THE PUBLIC RELUCTANCE IS RIGHT. SO PARTNERSHIP IS DEFINITELY NEEDED. (SIGNED)
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26-Feb-97 8:00 PM EST (0100 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: WHILE CAUTIOUS INVESTORS DROVE PRICES DOWN ON WALL STREET WEDNESDAY, THE MOOD WAS BUOYANT IN WESTERN EUROPE THURSDAY, PUSHING STOCK MARKETS UP. FOR THE CLOSING FIGURES, HERE IS PAUL FRANCUCH IN OUR LONDON OFFICE.

TEXT: A POSITIVE OUTLOOK FOR BUSINESS IN FRANCE AND GERMANY HELPED PROPEL STOCK MARKETS IN PARIS AND FRANKFURT. THE GERMAN "DAX 30" INDEX SET A NEW RECORD AT THE CLOSE, GAINING 39 POINTS FOR THE DAY. IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" ADDED MORE THAN 27 POINTS. HERE IN LONDON, THE KEY "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX GAINED JUST UNDER 10 POINTS AT THE CLOSE.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY MARKET, THE DOLLAR POSTED A FRACTION OF A CENT GAIN AGAINST THE MARK AND ALMOST HALF A CENT AGAINST THE POUND. A THREATENED STRIKE AT A RUSSIAN PLATINUM MINE HELPED PUSH THE PRICE OF THAT PRECIOUS METAL UP 10 DOLLARS AN OUNCE IN THE LONDON MORNING FIX. GOLD PRICES WENT ALONG FOR THE RIDE AND GAINED SIX DOLLARS AN OUNCE IN THE LONDON CLOSING PRICE FIX. (SIGNED)
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27-Feb-97 1:35 PM EST (1835 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] TURKEY/ISLAM (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: IN A MEETING SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY (EDS: TOMORROW), TURKEY'S TOP GENERALS ARE EXPECTED TO PRESENT THE COUNTRY'S ISLAMIST-LED GOVERNMENT WITH A DETAILED REPORT ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES OF ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, THE MEETING OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL FOLLOWS WIDESPREAD MEDIA REPORTS THAT TURKEY'S PRESIDENT SENT A LETTER TO THE COUNTRY'S ISLAMIST PRIME MINISTER, WARNING HIM AGAINST ANTI- SECULAR POLICIES.

TEXT: THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE SWIFTLY DENIED THE MEDIA REPORTS AND PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN DESCRIBED THEM AS A LIE. BUT POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAY REGARDLESS WHETHER THE PRESIDENT ACTUALLY WROTE A LETTER OR NOT, THE REPORTS WILL LIKELY FURTHER STOKE TENSIONS BETWEEN THE ISLAMISTS AND TURKEY'S SECULAR ESTABLISHMENT.

SUCH TENSIONS RECENTLY CAME TO A HEAD FOLLOWING MOVES BY MR. ERBAKAN AND HIS "ISLAMIC WELFARE PARTY," OR "REFAH" TO LEGALIZE WEARING THE ISLAMIC HEADSCARF IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND, TO PERMIT CIVIL SERVANTS TO TAKE TIME OFF FOR FRIDAY PRAYERS.

ANALYSTS SAY THAT FOR TURKEY'S SECULARIST MAJORITY, SUCH MOVES ARE WIDELY PERCEIVED AS A CLEAR ATTEMPT TO REVERSE THE PRO-WESTERN PRINCIPLES LAID DOWN BY THE FOUNDER OF MODERN TURKEY, KEMAL ATATURK.

BUT ACCORDING TO SECURITY EXPERTS, OF POTENTIALLY GREATER THREAT TO TURKEY'S SECULAR SYSTEM IS THE EMERGENCE IN RECENT YEARS OF ARMED ISLAMIC GROUPS. THE EXPERTS SAY THE GROUPS ARE FIGHTING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ISLAMIC RULE. THE TURKISH MILITARY IS EXPECTED TO PRESENT TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND OTHER SENIOR CABINET MEMBERS A DETAILED REPORT ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES OF ILLEGAL ISLAMIC GROUPS, DURING FRIDAY'S NATIONAL SECURITY MEETING.

THE STAUNCHLY PRO-SECULAR TURKISH MILITARY IS VIEWED BY MANY TURKS AS THE SOLE INSTITUTION THAT CAN EFFECTIVELY CURB THE ISLAMISTS' GROWING INFLUENCE.

THE LEADER OF THE MAIN OPPOSITION CONSERVATIVE "MOTHERLAND" PARTY, MESUT YILMAZ, CALLED ON WEDNESDAY FOR ALL TURKISH POLITICAL PARTIES, EXCLUDING THE PRIME MINISTER'S REFAH PARTY, TO FORM AN ALLIANCE TO PREVENT A POTENTIAL MILITARY COUP.

BUT MANY POLITICAL ANALYSTS AGREE THERE IS LITTLE CHANCE OF MILITARY INTERVENTION AT A TIME WHEN TURKEY IS ACTIVELY CAMPAIGNING TO BECOME A FULL MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. (SIGNED)
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27-Feb-97 11:10 AM EST (1610 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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