Voice of America, 97-04-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] BULGARIA POL (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[02] EURO SOCCER (S-ONLY) BY NEIL ROSENBERG (LONDON)

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

[04] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[05] POLITICAL ISLAM IN TURKEY BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[01] BULGARIA POL (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THE SOCIALISTS -- UNTIL RECENTLY THE RULING PARTY IN BULGARIA -- WITHDREW ITS SUPPORT MONDAY FOR THE CARETAKER GOVERNMENT WHICH HAS LAUNCHED ECONOMIC REFORMS AND IS PREPARING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS FOR APRIL 19TH. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS SUGGEST THE SOCIALISTS WILL DO POORLY IN THE ELECTION.

TEXT: THE MOST RECENT GALLOP POLL SUGGESTS THAT THE SOCIALISTS WILL GET ONLY 17 PERCENT OF THE VOTE, COMPARED TO OVER 60 PERCENT FOR THE "CONSERVATIVE UNION OF DEMOCRATIC FORCES," "U-D-F." IF THAT TREND HOLDS THE SOCIALISTS ARE HEADING FOR A HUMILIATING DEFEAT ONLY TWO YEARS AFTER WINNING GENERAL ELECTIONS WHICH GAVE THEM A CLEAR MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT. SURVEYS SHOW THAT THE SOCIALISTS ARE BLAMED FOR THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL DISASTER THAT PARALYZED BULGARIA AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR. MASSIVE STREET PROTESTS FORCED THE SOCIALISTS TO RESIGN AND AGREE TO NEW ELECTIONS.

OBSERVERS SAY THE WITHDRAWAL OF SOCIALIST SUPPORT FROM THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT IS UNLIKELY TO HAVE MUCH IMPACT. HEADED BY THE RESPECTED FORMER MAYOR OF SOFIA, THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY REACHED AGREEMENT FOR EMERGENCY LOANS AND BEGUN THE PROCESS OF SELLING-OFF STATE ENTERPRISES. THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED TO A STRINGENT INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND PLAN CALLED A "CURRENCY BOARD" WHICH WILL BE LAUNCHED IN JUNE. THE BULGARIAN CENTRAL BANK WILL LOSE MUCH OF ITS POWER AND THE BULGARIAN CURRENCY WILL BE LINKED TO THE U-S DOLLAR, WHILE THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE GREATLY RESTRICTED IN HOW MUCH MONEY IT CAN SPEND. THE AIM OF THE PROGRAM IS A DRASTIC DECLINE IN INFLATION AND RESTORATION OF BUSINESS CONFIDENCE.

IN ANNOUNCING THEIR BREAK WITH THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT, THE SOCIALISTS COMPLAINED THAT THE AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT RELEASED THE TEXT OF THE AGREEMENT WITH THE I-M-F. THE SOCIALISTS SAY AN END TO PRICE CONTROLS WILL LEAD TO HUGE INCREASES IN CONSUMERS COSTS OF ENERGY, TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS. THEY ALSO COMPLAIN THAT THE FORCED REMOVAL OF ENTERPRISE MANAGERS IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

[02] EURO SOCCER (S-ONLY) BY NEIL ROSENBERG (LONDON)

INTRO: THIS PROMISES TO BE A BUSY WEEK IN EUROPEAN SOCCER, WITH THREE INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS PLAYING SEMIFINAL GAMES. FOR DETAILS, HERE'S NEIL ROSENBERG IN LONDON.

TEXT: THE EUROPEAN SOCCER SEASON IS REACHING ITS FINAL STAGES, AND IT IS TIME TO SEE WHICH CLUBS ARE THE BEST.

FIRST UP IS THE "UEFA CUP" (EDS: YOU-'AYE-FAH) ON TUESDAY. THE SPANISH CLUB "TENERIFE" PLAYS GERMANY'S "SCHALKE." THE OTHER SEMIFINAL PITS "INTERNAZIONALE" FROM ITALY AGAINST MONACO.

THE BIGGEST OF THE CHAMPIONSHIPS IS THE EUROPEAN CUP, WHICH HAS ITS SEMIFINAL WEDNESDAY. IN A REMATCH OF LAST YEAR'S FINAL, ITALIAN POWER "JUVENTUS" MEETS ARCH-RIVAL "AJAX" IN THE NETHERLANDS. THE OTHER GAME SEES ENGLAND'S "MANCHESTER UNITED" TRAVEL TO GERMANY TO PLAY "BORUSSIA DORTMOND." FINALLY, THE CUP WINNER'S CUP HOLDS ITS SEMIFINAL THURSDAY. DEFENDING CHAMPION "PARIS SAINT GERMAIN" IS AT HOME AGAINST LIVERPOOL, AND BARCELONA GREETS ITALY'S "FIORENTINA."

TEAMS ADVANCE BASED ON THEIR TOTAL GOALS IN THE TWO-MATCH SEMIFINAL ROUND. (SIGNED)
NEB/NR/PCF
07-Apr-97 7:08 AM EDT (1108 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE WEEK STARTED OFF ON A HIGH NOTE FOR WESTERN EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS. EACH MAJOR EXCHANGE CLOSED WITH SUBSTANTIAL GAINS, AS PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS FROM OUR OFFICES IN LONDON.

TEXT: SIGNS OF RECOVERY FROM LATE LAST WEEK ON WALL STREET HAD A SPILL-OVER EFFECT IN WESTERN EUROPE WHEN MARKETS OPENED MONDAY, AND INVESTORS WENT ON A BUYING SPREE. AFTER WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE START OF A MARKET CORRECTION AROUND THE EASTER HOLIDAY, INVESTORS MARKED UP PRICES ON STOCKS IN FRANKFURT, LONDON, AND PARIS.

THE BIGGEST GAINS CAME IN FRANKFURT, WHERE THE "DAX 30" INDEX POSTED A HEFTY 68-POINT GAIN FOR THE DAY. PRICES WERE UP SMARTLY IN PARIS AS WELL, WITH THE "CAC 40" INDEX ADDING 53-POINTS IN VALUE. IN LONDON, A MORE MODERATE YET RESPECTABLE 35-POINT GAIN WAS POSTED MONDAY ON THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX.

THE DOLLAR CLOSED UP AGAINST THE POUND AND POSTED A THREE-WEEK HIGH AGAINST THE MARK. GOLD WAS UP TWO DOLLARS AN OUNCE FROM THE PREVIOUS FIX, CLOSING AT 349-DOLLARS-30 CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
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07-Apr-97 1:50 PM EDT (1750 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: MOST OF THE EDITORIALS IN THE MAJOR PAPERS ARE DEALING WITH EITHER LOCAL OR REGIONAL CONCERNS THIS MONDAY. HOWEVER, OF INTEREST TO AN INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE ARE COMMENTS ON THE INTERNET AND THE QUESTION OF FREE SPEECH; THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE U-S STOCK MARKET; SOUTH AFRICA'S CRIME WAVE; THE APPARENTLY SLOW PACE OF CONGRESS; AND THE NAGGING PROBLEM OF NUCLEAR WASTE. NOW, HERE IS ___________________ AND A CLOSER LOOK, TOGETHER WITH A QUOTE OR TWO IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TWO OF THE NATION'S MOST INFLUENTIAL DAILIES, THE NEW YORK TIMES AND THE WASHINGTON POST ARE DISCUSSING THE INTERNET, THAT COMPLEX COMPUTER LINKAGE OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD. THERE IS A CASE BEFORE THE U-S SUPREME COURT THAT WOULD MAKE IT A CRIME TO SEND INDECENT MATERIAL OVER THE INTERNET. HERE'S WHAT THE TIMES WRITES ABOUT THE CASE.

VOICE: "IS THE INTERNET A SERIOUS THREAT TO CHILDREN THAT JUSTIFIES GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP UNDER A CLUMSY CONGRESSIONAL CONCOCTION CALLED THE COMMUNICATIONS DECENCY ACT OF 1996? OR IS IT A DISTINCTIVE, DEMOCRATIZING FORUM FOR WORLDWIDE CONVERSATION WARRANTING MAXIMUM FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTION? THE SUPREME COURT IS NOW WEIGHING THESE QUESTIONS. IT OUGHT TO REJECT THE IDEA THAT THE TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET SHOULD BE LIMITED BY THE STATE. .... FORTUNATELY, THE JUSTICES HAVE A SOUND BLUEPRINT TO FOLLOW IN LAST YEAR'S ELOQUENT DECISION BY A THREE-JUDGE PANEL IN PHILADELPHIA THAT BLOCKED ENFORCEMENT OF THE 1996 ACT."

OPT

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST IS NOT DISCUSSING THE SUPREME COURT CASE SPECIFICALLY, BUT RATHER THE BROAD ISSUE OF GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE, OR CONTROL OF THE INTERNET, AND INDICATIONS THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION MAY BE PLANNING SOME KIND OF REGULATION.

VOICE: "THAT [THE LACK SO FAR OF GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE] COULD CHANGE, OF COURSE, IF PILEUPS, SNARLS OR OTHER WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS WERE TO THREATEN THE APPEARANCE OF A WORKING PAPER FROM AN F-C-C POLICY STAFFER, TITLED 'DIGITAL TORNADO' AND COUNSELING A CONTINUED LIGHT TOUCH ON INTERNET REGULATION, HAS BEEN GREETED WITH MORE THAN USUAL INTEREST BY THE NET'S INDEPENDENT-MINDED USERS - - NOT TO MENTION THE MANY BUSINESSES ..... THAT HOPE EITHER TO RIDE OR TO AUGMENT THIS DIZZY GROWTH FOR THEIR OWN PROJECTS. THOUGH NOT OFFICIAL .... POLICY, THE PAPER SIGNALS A GENERAL DIRECTION OF AGENCY THINKING AND, MORE GENERALLY, A USEFUL EXPLANATION OF HOW THE OVERLAPPING FUNCTIONS OF COMMUNICATION, BROADCASTING, TELEPHONY AND TECHNICAL INTERACTION APPEAR. ..... IN THIS CASE .... A GOVERNMENT THAT CREATED THE ORIGINAL INTERNET THROUGH PUBLIC INVESTMENT NONETHELESS HAS SENSIBLY SEEN THAT THE PRODUCT OF THAT INVESTMENT DOES BEST ON ITS OWN."

TEXT: IN GEORGIA, THE CONCERN OF TODAY'S ATLANTA CONSTITUTION IS THAT POOR PEOPLE, WITHOUT MONEY FOR A HOME COMPUTER, ARE DENIED ACCESS TO THE INTERNET AND ALL ITS INFORMATION. IT SAYS THE INSTITUTION BEST SUITED TO MEET THAT CHALLENGE IS THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

VOICE: "WHEN THEY FIRST OPENED MORE THAN TWO CENTURIES AGO, PUBLIC LIBRARIES OFFERED AMERICANS FREE ACCESS TO EXPENSIVE SOURCES OF INFORMATION: BOOKS. ..... NOW LIBRARIES MUST MEET THE NEXT CHALLENGE: PROVIDING PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE INTERNET, THE COMPUTER NETWORK THAT LINKS USERS TO AN INFINITE NUMBER OF DATA SOURCES. TO PROVIDE ACCESS AND TO HELP EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT THE INTERNET, PUBLIC LIBRARIES MUST OFFER ONLINE SERVICES, AS WELL AS TRAINED EMPLOYEES TO HELP PATRONS. ..... THEY MUST GRAPPLE WITH THE CHALLENGE OF SECURING FUNDS FOR COMPUTERS AND COMMUNICATING WITH PATRONS ABOUT HOW TO OFFER ACCESS."

END OPT

TEXT: TURNING NEXT TO WALL STREET, AND THE RECENT GYRATIONS OF THE STOCK MARKET, USA TODAY IS CALLING FOR RESTRAINT BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM [NATION'S CENTRAL BANK].

VOICE: "SINCE THE FED SENT THE STOCK MARKET TUMBLING TWO WEEKS AGO BY RAISING SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES A QUARTER POINT, CRITICISM HAS BEEN PICKING UP SPEED. HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH FRIDAY SAID IT WAS 'UNCONSCIONABLE' THE FED WOULD HOLD ECONOMIC GROWTH BELOW TWO-POINT-FIVE PERCENT. ..... SEVERAL DEMOCRATIC SENATORS ALSO COMPLAIN [MR.] GREENSPAN IS CHASING 'INFLATIONARY GHOSTS,' WHILE ECONOMISTS SUCH AS EDWARD YARDENI AND LESTER THUROW SAY HIS WORRIES ABOUT OVER EXUBERANT MARKETS ARE OFF BASE. CONSIDERING THE DOW'S AND THE ECONOMY'S PERFORMANCE UNDER [MR.] GREENSPAN, THE CRITICS MORE LIKELY ARE OFF THE MARK. [WRONG]"

TEXT: WITH REGARD TO INTERNATIONAL MATTERS, THE SUN IN BALTIMORE IS CONCERNED ABOUT A GROWING CRIME WAVE IN SOUTH AFRICA.

VOICE: "SOUTH AFRICA HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN EXTREMELY VIOLENT SOCIETY. UNDER APARTHEID RULE, MOST OF THAT VIOLENCE, THOUGH, WAS CONTAINED IN BLACK TOWNSHIPS. ..... DURING THE THREE YEARS SINCE THE END OF APARTHEID, CRIME HAS SPILLED OVER INTO THE FORMERLY WHITE AREAS. CAR HIJACKINGS ARE NOW SO COMMON THAT JOHANNESBURG'S TRAFFIC CHIEF SAYS IT IS PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE FOR MOTORISTS TO RUN RED LIGHTS IF THEY FEEL STOPPING WOULD MAKE THEM VULNERABLE TO HIJACKERS. SOUTH AFRICA'S MURDER RATE IS ESTIMATED TO BE NEARLY EIGHT TIMES THAT OF THE UNITED STATES; THE NUMBER OF RAPES IS THREE TIMES HIGHER. ..... UNLESS THE CRIME WAVE IS CHECKED, IT WILL THREATEN SOUTH AFRICA'S INTERNATIONAL IMAGE. [OPT] ALREADY MANY DECISION MAKERS ARE WORRIED THAT THE COUNTRY WILL LOSE ITS CHANCE TO BE THE FIRST AFRICAN HOST TO THE OLYMPICS (IN 2-THOUSAND-AND FOUR) DUE TO GROWING VIOLENCE. [END OPT] CRIME COULD ALSO DISCOURAGE MUCH-NEEDED FOREIGN INVESTMENT."

TEXT: BACK HERE AT HOME, THERE ARE SEVERAL EDITORIALS REGARDING THE FAILURE OF CONGRESS TO PRODUCE MUCH IN THE WAY OF LEGISLATION SO FAR THIS YEAR. ON LONG ISLAND, NEWSDAY COMMENTS;

VOICE: "CONGRESS CUSTOMARILY STARTS WORK SLOWLY, SO THERE'S NOTHING TOO UNUSUAL ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE LASSITUDE THAT HAS MARKED THE OPENING OF THIS ONE. THE WORRISOME DISTINCTION OF THE 105TH CONGRESS THUS FAR IS THAT, NOT ONLY HAS IT PRODUCED LITTLE OF SUBSTANCE, IT HAS SET NO CLEAR GOALS - - NOR HAS IT AGREED TO HELP PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON ACHIEVE HIS. .... A SLOW START HAS LEFT MUCH TO BE DONE. THE SOONER THE PACE QUICKENS, THE BETTER."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST TITLES ITS LEAD EDITORIAL: "THE DONE-NOTHING CONGRESS" AND IS A BIT MORE POINTED IN ITS CRITICISM.

VOICE: "THE MEMBERS COME BACK THIS WEEK FROM THEIR EASTER RECESS WITH THE YEAR A FOURTH OVER AND LITTLE TO SHOW FOR IT. [OPT] AS EVER, THE MAIN ITEM IS THE BUDGET, WHICH ENCOMPASSES MUCH MORE THAN JUST THE BUDGET. IT REQUIRES MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO MAKE HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, TAX AND ALL KINDS OF OTHER POLICY AS THEY WORK THEIR WAY TOWARD THE FISCAL RESULT THEY SEEK. ..... NOT A GREAT DEAL IS HAPPENING OUTSIDE THE FRAMEWORK OF THE BUDGET, EITHER. [END OPT] .....THEY MAY YET GET UNTRACKED, [ UNSTUCK] CUT [AGREE ON] A BUDGET DEAL THAT DOES MORE THAN TEMPORIZE AND MAKE MUCH OTHER PROGRESS. ..... BUT THE FIRST THREE MONTHS HAVE BEEN PRETTY BARREN."

TEXT: [OPT] LASTLY, TODAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR IS CONCERNED WITH THE NAGGING PROBLEM OF WHAT TO DO WITH THE NATION'S GROWING PILE OF NUCLEAR WASTE.

VOICE: "THE U-S HAS YET TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DISPOSE OF ITS NUCLEAR WASTE. PROPOSALS FOR A NATIONAL DISPOSAL SITE, PROSPECTIVELY AT YUCCA MOUNTAIN IN NEVADA, FACE STIFF POLITICAL OPPOSITION. WITH THESE PLANS ON HOLD, IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT THE NATION SHOULD NOT BE DOING ANYTHING TO ADD TO THE BILLIONS OF POUNDS OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS IN NEED OF SAFE DISPOSAL. YET THAT'S JUST WHAT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (D-O-E) HAS IN MIND. ..... D-O-E SHOULD STOP COMING UP WITH WAYS TO KEEP ITS NUCLEAR OPERATIONS GOING AND GET ON WITH THE TASK OF CLEANING UP AFTER THEM." [END OPT]

TEXT: WITH THAT WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/GE
07-Apr-97 12:21 PM EDT (1621 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] POLITICAL ISLAM IN TURKEY BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: TENSIONS ARE INCREASING BETWEEN TURKEY'S MILITARY AND THE GOVERNMENT-COALITION'S ISLAMIST REFAH PARTY. A SITUATION CAUSING SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A MILITARY TAKEOVER. TO TRY TO GAUGE THE INTENTIONS AND PROSPECTS OF TURKEY'S FUNDAMENTALIST MOVEMENT, THE ATATURK SOCIETY OF AMERICA HELD A DISCUSSION OF POLITICAL ISLAM LAST WEEKEND (SUNDAY) AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY. ED WARNER ATTENDED AND HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: DURING THE DISCUSSION AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, ASSOCIATE EDITOR OF "THE TURKISH TIMES" ORHAN TARHAN SAID ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM WOULD RETURN TURKISH POLITIC'S TO THE SEVENTH CENTURY.

MR. TARHAN, WHO IS ALSO VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ATATURK SOCIETY OF AMERICA, SAID ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM, AS REPRESENTED BY TURKEY'S REFAH PARTY, IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH DEMOCRACY. HE SAID IT IS ALSO A THREAT TO U-S SECURITY INTERESTS.

IF TURKEY WOULD FALL TO THE FUNDAMENTALISTS, THE TURKISH REPUBLIC WOULD EASILY FALL UNDER THE DOMINANCE OF IRAN. MR. ERBAKAN (TURKEY'S PRIME MINISTER) IS AN ADMIRER OF THE IRANIAN THEOCRACY: VIRULENTLY ANTI-WESTERN AND ANTI-ISRAEL. UNDERSTANDABLY, THE (U-S) STATE DEPARTMENT WANTS TO AVOID THE APPEARANCE OF INTERFERING IN THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF AN ALLY. BUT JUST AS IT MAKES STATEMENTS THAT THE U-S WOULD NOT SUPPORT A MILITARY REGIME, IT COULD JUST AS WELL STATE THAT THE U-S WOULD NOT SUPPORT A FUNDAMENTALIST REGIME.

BUT A FORMER DIRECTOR OF NEAR EAST ANALYSIS AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, GEORGE HARRIS, SAID IT WOULD NOT BE WISE FOR THE UNITED STATES TO INTERVENE IN TURKISH INTERNAL AFFAIRS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE HE SAYS AMERICANS ARE NOT WELL INFORMED ABOUT THE SITUATION.

HE EMPHASIZED THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAN:

I WOULD TAKE SOME ISSUE WITH THE IDEA THAT EVEN IF POLITICAL ISLAM BECOMES MORE IMPORTANT THAN IT IS IN TURKEY, THAT THAT WILL MEAN IRAN AND TURKEY WOULD MAKE SOME KIND OF COLLABORATION. IRAN IS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE. IRAN AS A SHIA COUNTRY IS "SUI GENERIS"(UNIQUE). I T IS A LAW UNTO ITSELF. IT IS NOT LIKE ITS NEIGHBORS. THE FACT IS THAT JUST BEING NEXT DOOR DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU SHARE THE VIEWS OF YOUR NEIGHBOR. IN FACT, OFTEN IT MAY INOCULATE YOU MORE FULLY TO WHAT IS GOING ON NEXT DOOR.

MR. HARRIS SAID THE ISLAMIC INFLUENCE IN TURKISH POLITICS HAS GROWN WITH THE MIGRATION OF PEOPLE FROM THE COUNTRY TO THE CITIES. THE NEWCOMERS ADHERE TO A MORE TRADITIONAL ISLAM AND ARE DRAWN TO THE REFAH, OR WELFARE PARTY, BECAUSE OF THE SERVICES IT PROVIDES THE POOR AND JOBLESS.

ALAN MAKOVSKY OF THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY SAID REFAH IS CAREFUL TO KEEP ITS AGENDA CONCEALED. HE THINKS IT WOULD, IF POSSIBLE, IMPOSE ISLAMIC LAW ON TURKEY TO THE DETRIMENT OF DEMOCRACY.

BUT HE ALSO SAID ISLAM IS NOT IN CONFLICT WITH DEMOCRACY. IN FACT, THERE IS A GROWING ISLAMIC CULTURAL CONSCIOUSNESS IN TURKEY WHICH GOES BEYOND REFAH.

CLEARLY SOMETHING IS GOING ON IN TURKISH SOCIETY REGARDING A NEED FOR SPIRITUAL VALUES, A NEED FOR ISLAMIC PRACTICE. I THINK THE DEBATE THAT REALLY HAS TO BE RESOLVED IN TURKEY IS HOW ISLAM CAN HAVE ITS FULL CULTURAL EXPRESSION, WHILE MAINTAINING A DETERMINEDLY SECULAR POLITICAL STRUCTURE.

LIKE GEORGE HARRIS, MR. MAKOVSKY BELIEVES POLITICAL COMPROMISE IS POSSIBLE IN TURKEY WITHOUT RESORTING TO A MILITARY TAKEOVER. HE SAID SUCH A MOVE WOULD NOT BE SUPPORTED BY THE UNITED STATES OR OTHER NATIONS IN TODAY'S MORE DEMOCRATIC-MINDED WORLD. (SIGNED)
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07-Apr-97 11:32 AM EDT (1532 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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