Voice of America, 97-04-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA TROOPS (L) BY KYLE KING (DURRES, ALBANIA)

[02] IRAN / DIPLOMACY (S) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (CAIRO)

[03] IRAN/DIPLOMACY (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (CAIRO)

[04] TURKEY/IRAN (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[05] CROATIA ELEX (S) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (ZAGREB)

[06] CROATIA ELECTION UPDATE (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (ZAGREB)

[07] CROATIA / ELECTIONS RESULTS (S-ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (ZAGREB)

[08] U-S / RUSSIA / NATO (S-ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[09] RUSSIA/NATO BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (MOSCOW)

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

[11] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

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

[01] ALBANIA TROOPS (L) BY KYLE KING (DURRES, ALBANIA)

INTRO: ADVANCE UNITS FROM THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE NOW TAKING SHAPE IN ALBANIA ARE MAKING FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE FIRST MAJOR WAVE OF TROOPS AND EQUIPMENT TO ARRIVE ON TUESDAY. AS V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM THE PORT CITY OF DURRES, THE MISSION IS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE A MAJOR PSYCHOLOGICAL BOOST TO THE CRISIS-TORN BALKAN NATION, BUT ITS EXACT MISSION IS STILL UNCLEAR.

TEXT: // SOUNDS OF DOCK WORKERS, ESTABLISH AND FADE //

DOCK WORKERS AT THE PORT CITY OF DURRES WERE UNLOADING GRAIN AND WHEAT FROM AN ITALIAN FREIGHTER AS TROOPS FROM THE LONG-AWAITED MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE WERE STILL MAKING PREPARATIONS FOR THE BULK OF THE SIX-THOUSAND MEN TO COME ASHORE.

ALTHOUGH THE TROOPS WILL BE TOO LATE TO PROTECT ANY OF THESE GRAIN SHIPMENTS, WORKERS ON THE DOCK SAY THEY ARE GLAD THE ITALIAN-LED FORCE IS FINALLY LANDING.

THE COUNTRY, WHICH WAS PLUNGED INTO WEEKS OF VIOLENCE FOLLOWING THE COLLAPSE OF HIGH-RISK INVESTMENT SCHEMES, HAS BEEN SLOWLY EMERGING FROM THE CHAOS AND ANGER.

MORE GRAIN SHIPMENTS AND FRESH INTERNATIONAL AID ARE EXPECTED TO FLOW INTO THE ALBANIA THIS WEEK, ALONG WITH THE ARRIVAL OF TROOPS FROM ITALY, FRANCE, SPAIN, GREECE, AUSTRIA, DENMARK, ROMANIA AND TURKEY.

THE MAIN AIM OF THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE WILL BE TO PROVIDE A SENSE OF SECURITY FOR THE COUNTRY WHILE IT GETS BACK ON ITS FEET, AND TO HELP SET THE STAGE FOR ELECTIONS PLANNED FOR JUNE.

FRENCH ARMY MAJOR HERVE GOURMELON, A MEMBER OF THE ADVANCE TEAM PREPARING FOR TUESDAY'S LANDING, SAYS THE TROOPS ARE THERE FOR HUMANITARIAN REASONS.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS MISSION IS HUMANITARIAN. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE ARE HUMANITARIAN. WE ARE SOLDIERS AND WE WILL PROVIDE A SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT TO HELP HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS.

MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO HELP RE-ESTABLISH ORDER AND DETER AGGRESSION BY ARMED GANGS OR THIEVES WHO HAVE BEEN TERRORIZING PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THE TROOPS WILL RESPOND WITH FORCE IF THEY ARE ATTACKED. BUT IT IS STILL NOT CLEAR IF OR HOW THEY INTEND TO DEAL WITH THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF WEAPONS STILL IN THE HANDS OF THE ALBANIAN POPULATION.

TYPICAL OF THE PROBLEMS FACING ALBANIA IS THIS 51-YEAR-OLD FATHER WHOSE TEENAGE SON BROUGHT HOME TWO GUNS FROM A MILITARY WAREHOUSE.

AS HIS SON DEMONSTRATES THE LOADING AND UNLOADING OF AN A-K-47 ASSAULT RIFLE, THE MAN SAYS NEARLY ALL HIS NEIGHBORS ARE ARMED.

FOR MOST PEOPLE, LIKE THIS FATHER AND HUSBAND, THE GUNS PROVIDE A SENSE OF SECURITY AND PROTECTION FOR HIS FAMILY. HE SAYS HE WOULD GIVE UP THE WEAPONS IF THE SITUATION CHANGES.

DESPITE THE PROGRESS ALBANIA'S NEW EMERGENCY GOVERNMENT HAS MADE IN RESTORING ORDER, THE COUNTRY STILL HAS A LONG WAY TO GO. ANALYSTS SAY IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW ELECTIONS CAN BE HELD UNDER THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES. WITH REBELS STILL IN CONTROL OF PARTS OF THE SOUTH AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RIFLES, GRENADES AND MACHINE-GUNS LOOSE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, MANY PEOPLE WILL BE LOOKING TO THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE FOR THE ANSWER TO THOSE QUESTIONS. (SIGNED)
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14-Apr-97 1:27 PM EDT (1727 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] IRAN / DIPLOMACY (S) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (CAIRO)

INTRO: IRAN'S RIFT WITH EUROPE AND OTHER TRADING PARTNERS IS DEEPENING AFTER A GERMAN COURT LAST WEEK TIED IRAN'S LEADERSHIP TO THE ASSASSINATION OF IRANIAN DISSIDENTS IN BERLIN FIVE YEARS AGO. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN HAS MORE FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU.

TEXT: NEW ZEALAND IS THE LATEST GOVERNMENT TO SHUN IRAN, AND AUSTRALIAN MINISTERS ARE DISCUSSING THE POSSIBILITY OF A TRADE BAN, WHICH COULD AFFECT WHEAT SALES. EUROPEAN STATES ALREADY HAVE RECALLED THEIR AMBASSADORS FROM TEHRAN FOR CONSULTATIONS. STILL, GERMANY HAS NOT INDICATED ANY DESIRE YET TO CUT DIPLOMATIC OR TRADE LINKS WITH IRAN. IRAN'S PRESIDENT ALI AKBAR HASHEMI RAFSANJANI DESCRIBES THE DIPLOMATIC ROW AS A PASSING STORM. ON SUNDAY, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF IRANIANS MARCHED ON THE GERMAN EMBASSY IN TEHRAN TO PROTEST THE BERLIN COURT RULING AGAINST IRAN. SIMILAR DEMONSTRATIONS WERE HELD IN OTHER IRANIAN CITIES. THE STATE-RUN NEWS AGENCY SAYS IRANIAN PILGRIMS ALSO DEMONSTRATED DURING THE HAJ IN THE HOLY CITY OF MECCA IN SAUDI ARABIA, DEFYING SAUDI ORDERS AGAINST ANY POLITICAL RALLIES. (SIGNED)
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14-Apr-97 4:52 AM EDT (0852 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] IRAN/DIPLOMACY (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (CAIRO)

INTRO: PROTESTERS IN TEHRAN CLASHED WITH POLICE FOR A SECOND DAY (MONDAY) IN FRONT OF THE GERMAN EMBASSY. IRANIANS ARE UPSET BY A GERMAN COURT RULING LINKING IRAN'S LEADERSHIP TO THE ASSASSINATION OF IRANIAN DISSIDENTS IN BERLIN FIVE-YEARS AGO. V-O-A MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS THE RIFT BETWEEN IRAN, EUROPE, AND OTHER COUNTRIES IS DEEPENING.

TEXT: STUDENTS THREW STONES AT THE LINE OF RIOT POLICE WHO WERE STATIONED IN FRONT OF THE GERMAN EMBASSY TO PREVENT THE DEMONSTRATORS FROM STORMING THE COMPOUND. SEVERAL PROTESTERS WERE ARRESTED, SEVERAL MORE WERE INJURED. THE STUDENTS WERE SHOUTING ANTI-GERMAN SLOGANS AND TRYING TO PERSUADE POLICE GUARDS TO LET THEM TEAR DOWN THE GERMAN FLAG IN FRONT OF THE EMBASSY.

TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF PROTESTERS WERE OUT SUNDAY, BUT THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF VIOLENCE THEN.

IRAN'S DIPLOMATIC PROBLEMS APPEAR TO BE SPREADING, AS NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA JOINED THE EUROPEAN RECALL OF AMBASSADORS FOR CONSULTATIONS. IRAN HAS CUT OFF ITS TRADE WITH NEW ZEALAND TO PROTEST WHAT A STATEMENT CALLS -- NEW ZEALAND'S POLITICAL SHOW AGAINST IRAN. SUNDAY, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ALI AKBAR VELAYATI WARNED HE WOULD RECALL AMBASSADORS FROM EUROPEAN CAPITALS IF THE DIPLOMATIC SITUATION DETERIORATED. GERMANY -- IRAN'S CLOSEST EUROPEAN ALLY SAYS IT IS NOT READY TO CUT DIPLOMATIC OR TRADE LINKS. FRANCE ALSO SAYS AN EMBARGO DOES NOT SEEM APPROPRIATE AT THIS TIME.

THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS FOLLOWED GERMANY'S LEAD IN MAINTAINING WHAT IT CALLS A CRITICAL DIALOGUE WITH TEHRAN, DESPITE U-S CALLS FOR POLITICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY ISOLATING THE IRANIAN LEADERSHIP. WASHINGTON ARGUES THE ISOLATION IS THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH WHAT IT CALLS THE WORLD'S NUMBER-ONE TERRORIST-SPONSORING STATE.

IRAN'S DIPLOMATIC TROUBLES WITH EUROPE ERUPTED AFTER A BERLIN COURT RULING LAST WEEK LINKED IRAN'S LEADERSHIP TO THE 1992 ASSASSINATION OF IRANIAN DISSIDENTS THERE. MORE THAN 60 IRANIAN DISSIDENTS HAVE BEEN MURDERED IN EUROPE SINCE IRAN'S 1979 ISLAMIC REVOLUTION. IRAN'S PRESIDENT CALLS THE CURRENT DIPLOMATIC CRISIS A PASSING STORM. (SIGNED)
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14-Apr-97 10:44 AM EDT (1444 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] TURKEY/IRAN (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKEY SAYS ID ON MONDAY THAT A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR NATURAL GAS DEAL WITH IRAN WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BY LAST WEEK'S GERMAN COURT VERDICT LINKING IRAN TO THE KILLING OF KURDISH DISSIDENTS IN BERLIN. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

TEXT: SPEAKING AT A NEWS CONFERENCE IN ANKARA, FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN OMER AKBEL SAID THE GAS DEAL SIGNED WITH IRAN LAST YEAR WAS STILL VALID AND UNDER WAY.

MR. AKBEL DESCRIBED THE DEAL UNDER WHICH TURKEY WILL PURCHASE IRANIAN NATURAL GAS FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS STARTING IN 1998 AS A PURELY COMMERCIAL ONE. HE ADDED THAT TURKEY WOULD STUDY THE GERMAN COURT'S VERDICT BEFORE DECIDING ON A RESPONSE TO THE RULING.

ANALYSTS HOWEVER SAY RELATIONS BETWEEN TEHERAN AND ANKARA HAVE NEVER BEEN EASY, EVEN AT THE BEST OF TIMES. EARLIER THIS YEAR, TURKEY EXPELLED SEVERAL IRANIAN DIPLOMATS, INCLUDING THE IRANIAN AMBASSADOR, AFTER THEY PUBLICLY ATTACKED TURKEY'S PRO-SECULAR POLICIES. TEHERAN RETALIATED BY EXPELLING SEVERAL TURKISH DIPLOMATS IN IRAN.

YET ANKARA INSISTS THAT ECONOMIC TIES WITH ITS ISLAMIC NEIGHBOR SHOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BY POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS, AND THAT EXPANDING TRADE IS IN THE INTEREST OF BOTH SIDES -- A VIEW, WESTERN DIPLOMATS SAY, THAT IS NOT SHARED BY WASHINGTON, WHICH ACCUSES IRAN OF SPONSORING INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM.

TURKISH OFFICIALS CONFIRM THAT THE COUNTRY'S ISLAMIST LED GOVERNMENT IS UNDER MOUNTING PRESSURE FROM THE UNITED STATES TO CANCEL THE NATURAL GAS DEAL, WHICH U-S OFFICIALS SAY WILL BOLSTERS IRAN'S OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY.

THE U-S CONGRESS PASSED LEGISLATION LAST YEAR WHICH CALLS FOR LEVELING SANCTIONS AGAINST ANY COUNTRY OR COMPANY THAT INVESTS 40 MILLION DOLLARS OR OVER IN THE IRANIAN OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY AS PART OF THE UNITED STATES' POLICY OF ISOLATING IRAN ECONOMICALLY AND POLITICALLY. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE NOW STUDYING TURKEY'S DEAL WITH IRAN TO ASSESS WHETHER IT WARRANTS U-S SANCTIONS ON TURKEY OR NOT UNDER THE CONGRESSIONAL BILL. (SIGNED)
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14-Apr-97 12:12 PM EDT (1612 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] CROATIA ELEX (S) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (ZAGREB)

INTRO: PARTIAL RETURNS FROM SUNDAY'S ELECTIONS IN CROATIA SHOW THE RULING DEMOCRATIC UNION, THE "H-D-Z," HEADING FOR A BIG VICTORY IN THE UPPER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT. BUT OPPOSITION PARTIES FARED MUCH BETTER IN THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN SEVERAL OF THE COUNTRY'S MAIN CITIES. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN ZAGREB HAS BEEN MONITORING THE RETURNS.

TEXT: IT NOW LOOKS CERTAIN THAT THE H-D-Z WILL ADD TO ITS MAJORITY IN THE 63-SEAT UPPER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT. THE PARTY'S ONLY SETBACKS CAME IN TWO TOWNS ON THE ADRIATIC COAST.

BUT IN THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS, OPPOSITION CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING AHEAD IN SEVERAL KEY CONSTITUENCIES, INCLUDING THE PORT OF SPLIT AND ZAGREB.

THE OPPOSITION'S VICTORY IN THE CAPITAL DURING THE 1995 ELECTION SPARKED A PROLONGED POLITICAL STALEMATE HERE, WITH PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN REJECTING THE OPPOSITION'S CHOICE FOR MAYOR.

BUT CROATIAN ANALYSTS POINT OUT THAT THE OPPOSITION ALLIANCE HAS FRAGMENTED SINCE THEN, AND SOME BELIEVE THAT THE H-D-Z MAY WELL REGAIN CONTROL OF THE ZAGREB COUNCIL WITH SUPPORT FROM ONE OF THE SMALLER PARTIES. MEANWHILE, SERB VOTERS IN THE U-N ADMINISTERED ENCLAVE OF EASTERN SLAVONIA HAVE COMPLETED A SECOND, UNSCHEDULED DAY OF VOTING AFTER THE U-N REPORTED WIDESPREAD IRREGULARITIES.

LATE MONDAY, U-N OFFICIALS SAID THEY ARE NOW SATISFIED WITH ELECTION PROCESS IN THE ENCLAVE, WHICH IS DUE TO REVERT TO CROATIAN CONTROL NEXT JULY. (SIGNED)
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14-Apr-97 2:33 PM EDT (1833 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] CROATIA ELECTION UPDATE (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (ZAGREB)

INTRO: THE VOTE COUNT IS CONTINUING IN CROATIA FOLLOWING SUNDAY'S ELECTIONS FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES AND THE UPPER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT. DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN ZAGREB REPORTS THE RULING CROATIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION, THE "H-D-Z," IS RUNNING WELL AHEAD OF THE FIELD IN THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION, BUT ELSEWHERE THE RESULTS ARE MIXED.

TEXT:

AS THE HEAD OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION, IVAN MRKONJIC, ANNOUNCED THE LATEST RESULTS, IT QUICKLY BECAME APPARENT THE H-D-Z IS HEADED FOR A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY IN THE 63-SEAT UPPER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT.

THE H-D-Z'S ONLY SETBACKS IN THE PARLIAMENTARY VOTE CAME IN TWO TOWNS ON THE ADRIATIC COAST (EDS: PULA AND RIJEKA) THAT ARE TRADITIONAL OPPOSITION STRONGHOLDS. THE OPPOSITION FARED MUCH BETTER IN THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, OUT-POLLING THE RULING PARTY IN SOME KEY TOWNS, INCLUDING THE PORT OF SPLIT AS WELL AS ZAGREB.

THE OPPOSITION GAINED CONTROL OF THE CAPITAL IN THE LAST ELECTIONS IN 1995, BUT PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN SUBSEQUENTLY VETOED SEVERAL OPPOSITION CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR OF THE CITY, SPARKING A POLITICAL CONFRONTATION THAT LASTED MORE THAN SIX MONTHS.

IT APPEARS THIS YEAR'S VOTE COULD PRODUCE A SIMILAR STALEMATE. THE H-D-Z WAS THE LARGEST SINGLE VOTE-GETTER IN ZAGREB, BUT FELL SHORT OF A MAJORITY.

BUT CROATIAN POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAY IT IS BY NO MEANS CERTAIN THE OPPOSITION PARTIES WILL BE ABLE TO FORM A VIABLE COALITION. SOME BELIEVE THE H-D-Z WILL EVENTUALLY SECURE CONTROL OF THE COUNCIL THROUGH AN ALLIANCE WITH ONE OF THE SMALLER PARTIES. MEANWHILE, THERE WAS A SECOND, UN-SCHEDULED DAY OF VOTING IN THE U-N ADMINISTERED ENCLAVE OF EASTERN SLAVONIA -- THE FORMER REBEL SERB TERRITORY DUE TO REVERT TO CROATIAN CONTROL NEXT JULY.

U-N OFFICIALS REPORTED WIDESPREAD IRREGULARITIES DURING SUNDAY'S VOTING, AND THEY BLAMED THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT FOR A HOST OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS, RANGING FROM THE LATE DELIVERY OF BALLOTS AND BALLOT BOXES TO A FAILURE TO INCLUDE BONA-FIDE SERB VOTERS ON THE OFFICIAL LISTS.

THE U-N ADMINISTRATION RULED ALL SERB RESIDENTS WHO HAVE OBTAINED CROATIAN CITIZENSHIP DOCUMENTS WOULD BE ABLE TO CAST BALLOTS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEIR NAMES APPEARED ON THE VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS.

LATE MONDAY, THE CHIEF OF THE U-N ADMINISTRATION, AMERICAN DIPLOMAT JACQUES KLEIN, SAID THE SECOND DAY OF VOTING WENT WELL, AND HE ESTIMATED 90-PERCENT OF THE ELIGIBLE SERB VOTERS HAD GONE TO THE POLLS. MR. KLEIN ALSO SOFTENED THE EARLIER U-N CRITICISM OF THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)
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14-Apr-97 2:49 PM EDT (1849 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] CROATIA / ELECTIONS RESULTS (S-ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (ZAGREB)

INTRO: VOTE COUNTING IS UNDERWAY IN CROATIA AFTER SUNDAY'S NATIONWIDE ELECTIONS. INITIAL RESULTS INDICATE A VICTORY FOR THE RULING CROATIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION, THE H-D-Z, IN THE 63-SEAT UPPER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT. BUT, AS WE HEAR FROM V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN ZAGREB, ANALYSTS ARE EXPECTING A CLOSE RACE FOR CONTROL OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS IN SOME OF THE COUNTRY'S MAIN CITIES, INCLUDING THE CAPITAL.

TEXT: FIRST RETURNS RELEASED HERE IN THE EARLY HOURS OF MONDAY MORNING SHOW THE RULING H-D-Z RUNNING AHEAD OF THE TWO MAIN OPPOSITION COALITIONS IN VIRTUALLY ALL OF THE DISTRICTS THAT HAVE REPORTED (ELECTION RESULTS) SO FAR.

AS THE RESULTS WERE ANNOUNCED, THERE WERE CHEERS AND APPLAUSE AMONG THE H-D-Z LEADERS GATHERED AT PARTY HEADQUARTERS, AMONG THEM A SMILING PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN, SHOWN ON STATE TELEVISION NOTING DOWN THE RETURNS AS THEY CAME IN.

BUT ANALYSTS HERE CAUTION IT MAY BE TOO EARLY TO DETECT ANY DEFINITIVE TRENDS FROM THESE PARTIAL RESULTS, AND THEY SAY THE OPPOSITION COULD STILL WIN CONTROL OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS IN KEY CITIES, INCLUDING ZAGREB.

THE VOTING HAS BEEN EXTENDED INTO A SECOND DAY IN THE U-N ADMINISTERED ZONE OF EASTERN SLAVONIA, THE FORMER REBEL SERB TERRITORY SET TO REVERT TO CROATIAN CONTROL NEXT JULY.

U-N OFFICIALS REPORTED MANY IRREGULARITIES, WITH SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF SERBS UNABLE TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS BECAUSE THEIR NAMES WERE NOT ON THE VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS COMPILED BY THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT.

U-N OFFICIALS INSIST THAT ALL OF THE SERB RESIDENTS WHO HAVE OBTAINED CROATIAN CITIZENSHIP DOCUMENTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO VOTE. (SIGNED)
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13-Apr-97 8:07 PM EDT (0007 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S / RUSSIA / NATO (S-ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA MEETS FOR A FOURTH ROUND OF TALKS TUESDAY WITH RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV ON A CHARTER FORMALIZING MOSCOW'S RELATIONS WITH THE ALLIANCE. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS A U-S SPOKESMAN SAYS MORE WORK IS NEEDED ON THE DOCUMENT AHEAD OF A NATO MADRID SUMMIT EXPECTED TO FORMALIZE MEMBERSHIP WITH FORMER SOVIET BLOC NATIONS.

TEXT: THE TALKS ON THE PROPOSED CHARTER, WHICH BEGAN IN JANUARY, ARE EXPECTED TO BE HELD NEAR MOSCOW. AT ISSUE ARE PROPOSALS ON NUCLEAR SECURITY, TERRORISM, INTERNATIONAL CRIME AND PEACEKEEPING.

RUSSIA HAS PUBLICLY OPPOSED NATO ENLARGEMENT, CALLING IT A THREAT TO ITS SECURITY. LAST WEEK, MOSCOW DEMANDED WHAT IT CALLED "A FIRM UNDERTAKING" THAT NATO WILL NOT DEPLOY TROOPS, NUCLEAR ARMS OR OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE ONTO THE TERRITORY OF FORMER SOVIET BLOC COUNTRIES.

U-S STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS ACKNOWLEDGES MORE WORK IS NEEDED ON THE CHARTER. HOWEVER, MR. BURNS SAYS IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE FINALIZED PRIOR TO THE NATO SUMMIT -- WHICH BEGINS JULY SEVENTH.

THE FACT IS THAT WE WANT, AS PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS SAID, WE WANT TO NEGOTIATE A DOCUMENT, AN ARRANGEMENT WITH RUSSIA, THAT WOULD PROVIDE STABILITY BETWEEN RUSSIA AND NATO. WE'RE VERY HOPEFUL THAT THAT WILL HAPPEN BY THE MADRID SUMMIT, BUT MADRID IS NOT A DEADLINE.

MR. BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS HOPEFUL THE ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED PRIOR TO MADRID, BUT SAYS NATO ENLARGEMENT WILL PROCEED WITH OR WITHOUT A SIGNING OF THE CHARTER.

PRIOR TO THE LATEST ROUND OF TALKS, MR. SOLANA MET IN WASHINGTON LAST WEEK WITH U-S OFFICIALS. (SIGNED)
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13-Apr-97 8:46 PM EDT (0046 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] RUSSIA/NATO BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (MOSCOW)

INTRO: NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA TRAVELS TO MOSCOW TUESDAY FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF TALKS WITH RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER EVGENY PRIMAKOV. THEY WILL DISCUSS A SPECIAL CHARTER TO GOVERN RELATIONS BETWEEN MOSCOW AND THE WESTERN MILITARY ALLIANCE. IN THIS REPORT FROM THE RUSSIAN CAPITAL, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS AT THE STATUS OF THE CURRENT RUSSIA-NATO NEGOTIATIONS.

TEXT: THE 16-MEMBERS OF NATO PLAN TO INVITE SEVERAL FORMER COMMUNIST WARSAW PACT NATIONS TO JOIN THE WESTERN MILITARY ALLIANCE AT A JULY SUMMIT IN MADRID, SPAIN. THE MOST FREQUENTLY MENTIONED COUNTRIES TO MAKE UP NATO'S "EASTWARD EXPANSION" ARE POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC.

HOWEVER THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT STRONGLY OPPOSES NATO'S EXPANSION, WHICH IT SEES AS POSING A THREAT TO THE COUNTRY'S SECURITY. IN ADDITION, COMMUNIST PARTY AND NATIONALIST LAWMAKERS IN THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT HAVE CRITICIZED ANY MOVES WHICH THEY BELIEVE WOULD WEAKEN MOSCOW'S STRATEGIC MILITARY POSITION.

IN AN EFFORT TO ALLEVIATE RUSSIA'S FEARS, NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN TALKS WITH RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER EVGENY PRIMAKOV. THE TWO SIDES ARE TRYING TO WORK OUT A DEAL -- IN THIS CASE AGREE ON A SPECIAL CHARTER -- WHICH WOULD GOVERN NATO-RUSSIAN RELATIONS.

SENIOR NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS MOSCOW AND THE WESTERN ALLIANCE ARE CLOSE TO AGREEING ON THREE OF THE FOUR MAIN POINTS MAKING UP THE CHARTER. HE SAYS THEY HAVE PRACTICALLY AGREED ON A STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES GOVERNING RELATIONS BETWEEN MOSCOW AND NATO, AND ARE CLOSE TO AGREEING ON SPECIFIC AREAS OF COOPERATION. IN ADDITION, HE SAYS MOSCOW AND NATO SEE ALMOST EYE TO EYE ON THE NEED FOR A NATO-RUSSIAN JOINT COUNCIL WHERE BOTH SIDES COULD MEET REGULARLY AND TAKE JOINT DECISIONS -- IF NECESSARY.

BUT ONE AREA WHERE WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO IS THE FINAL AREA OF THE DOCUMENT, WHICH CONCERNS WHAT WE CALL "INFRASTRUCTURE" -- IN OTHER WORDS THE MILITARY ACTIVITIES THAT NATO WOULD BE CONDUCTING ON THE TERRITORY OF NEW MEMBER STATES.

MR. SHEA SAYS OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THE WESTERN ALLIANCE HAS PRESENTED MOSCOW WITH SPECIFIC ASSURANCES TO SHOW THAT NATO DOES NOT POSE A THREAT.

SOME TIME AGO, WE ALREADY PROPOSED ASSURANCES THAT WE WOULD NOT BE DEPLOYING NUCLEAR WEAPONS ON THE TERRITORY OF NEW MEMBER STATES. MORE RECENTLY, ON THE 14TH OF MARCH, WE MADE A SIMILAR ASSURANCE REGARDING THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN FORCES -- AND IN RECENT DAYS, THE ALLIANCE HAS BEEN WORKING ON SOME PROPOSALS FOR CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES WHICH WOULD MAKE IT CLEAR TO RUSSIA THAT NONE OF OUR ACTIVITIES COULD BE CONSTRUED AS THREATENING THEM.

MR. SHEA DID NOT SPECIFY WHAT THOSE CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES MIGHT BE -- BUT HE SAID NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA WILL BE SHARING SOME OF THOSE IDEAS WHEN HE MEETS TUESDAY WITH RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER EVGENY PRIMAKOV IN MOSCOW.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS AND NATO OFFICIALS SAY THE RUSSIANS ARE NOW INSISTING ON SPECIFIC GUARANTEES THAT NO EQUIPMENT OR TROOPS BE MOVED FROM THE CURRENT NATO COUNTRIES TO THE NEW MEMBERS. IT IS UNDERSTOOD MOSCOW HAS ALSO PRESENTED NATO WITH A SPECIFIC LIST OF MILITARY HARDWARE IT WANTS PROHIBITED ON THE TERRITORIES OF NEW NATO STATES -- AND A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF TROOP LEVELS TO BE DEPLOYED THERE.

CERTAINLY THE RUSSIANS WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE. BUT OF COURSE FROM THE NATO POINT OF VIEW, WE WANT TO NOT ONLY GIVE RUSSIA REASSURANCES, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO THE NEW MEMBERS OF NATO WHO ARE GOING TO BE CHOSEN IN MADRID IN JULY, THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE SECOND-CLASS MEMBERS OF THIS ALLIANCE, THAT THEIR SECURITY GUARANTEE IS NOT GOING TO BE LESS VALID OR LESS EFFECTIVE THAN THE EXISTING SECURITY GUARANTEE -- AND THAT MEANS OF COURSE THAT WE HAVE TO PRESERVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO LINK THEM UP MILITARILY TO NATO.

DURING A RECENT TRIP TO PARIS, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER PRIMAKOV SAID A RUSSIA-NATO CHARTER COULD BE READY FOR SIGNATURE AT THE END OF MAY -- BEFORE THE JULY NATO SUMMIT WHICH WILL INVITE NEW MEMBERS. SENIOR NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY WHETHER THAT WILL HAPPEN BECAUSE SOME TOUGH BARGAINING STILL LIES AHEAD. (SIGNED)
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14-Apr-97 12:38 PM EDT (1638 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: MANY STOCK MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE STARTED THE WEEK ON A SHARP DECLINE, BUT RECOVERED SOMEWHAT BEFORE THE CLOSE. STILL, THE MAJOR MARKETS ALL CLOSED LOWER MONDAY, AS V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS FROM OUR OFFICES IN LONDON.

TEXT: MARKETS IN EUROPE OPEN EARLIER IN THE DAY THAN NEW YORK, AND WHEN THE EURO MARKETS OPENED MONDAY, MEMORIES OF LAST FRIDAY'S 148-POINT DROP IN THE DOW PROMPTED INVESTORS TO SELL. THE BIGGEST DECLINE CAME IN FRANKFURT, WHERE THE "DAX 30" INDEX LOST 60 POINTS. DECLINES WERE LESS DRAMATIC IN PARIS AND LONDON. THE "CAC 40" INDEX OF FRENCH STOCKS WAS OFF EIGHT-AND-ONE-HALF POINTS AT THE CLOSE, WHILE THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF BRITISH STOCKS LOST 19-POINTS.

THE DOLLAR HELD ITS VALUE AGAINST BOTH THE GERMAN MARK AND BRITISH POUND, CHANGING ONLY A FRACTION OF A CENT. GOLD LOST 65-CENTS IN THE LONDON CLOSING FIX, WHERE IT SOLD AT 346-DOLLARS-55-CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/RAE
14-Apr-97 2:33 PM EDT (1833 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (MONDAY) AS LATE SESSION BUYING BOOSTED THE INDEXES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 64-HUNDRED-51, UP 60 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 743, UP SIX POINTS.

STOCK PRICES WERE DOWN MOST OF THE DAY, BUT REVERSED DIRECTION IN THE LAST HOUR OF TRADING WHEN FUTURES-RELATED BUYING ENTERED THE MARKET AND BOOSTED THE POPULAR AVERAGES. ANALYSTS SAY SOME TRADERS WERE CAUTIOUS IN ADVANCE OF THE LATEST CONSUMER INFLATION REPORT, WHICH WILL BE ISSUED TUESDAY. SOME UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN WHOLESALE PRICES UPSET TRADERS ON FRIDAY.

NUMEROUS QUARTERLY EARNINGS REPORTS WERE RELEASED AND MOST OF THEM WERE QUITE STRONG. THE COCA-COLA COMPANY ENJOYED A 38 PERCENT JUMP IN FIRST QUARTER PROFITS, GREATLY EXCEEDING WALL STREET ESTIMATES. THE INTEL MICROPROCESSOR COMPANY REPORTED A PROFIT OF TWO-DOLLARS-20 CENTS, ALMOST 10 PERCENT ABOVE ESTIMATES. GENERAL MOTORS SAID IT EARNED ONE-POINT-EIGHT BILLION DOLLARS IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, LARGELY BECAUSE OF A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT IN VEHICLE SALES IN THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET.

THE U-S-A WASTE SYSTEMS COMPANY WILL MERGE WITH THE UNITED WASTE SYSTEM FIRM IN AN ALL-STOCK DEAL WORTH ABOUT ONE-POINT-SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS. THE COMPANIES OPERATE LANDFILLS AND WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES IN NORTH AMERICA AND PUERTO RICO.

THE BOEING AIRCRAFT COMPANY MAY BE NEAR A THIRD AGREEMENT TO BECOME THE EXCLUSIVE PROVIDER OF JETLINERS. CONTINENTAL AIRLINES IS DISCUSSING A POSSIBLE DEAL. BOEING RECENTLY MADE EXCLUSIVE PROVIDER AGREEMENTS WITH AMERICAN AND DELTA AIRLINES. A-T AND T, THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS GIANT, SAYS IT PLANS TO BUILD A NEW UNDERSEA FIBER OPTIC CABLE NETWORK LINKING THE UNITED STATES AND SOUTHERN EUROPE. THE COMPANY SAYS A NEW CABLE, WHICH WILL SPAN ALMOST 11-THOUSAND KILOMETERS, IS NEEDED BECAUSE OF THE RAPID GROWTH OF DEMAND FOR HIGH SPEED TELECOMMUNICATIONS LINKS. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/RRM
14-Apr-97 5:04 PM EDT (2104 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: MANY OF THE NATION'S MAJOR DAILIES ARE WRITING ON A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS THIS MONDAY AS WE APPROACH THE MIDPOINT OF APRIL. AMONG THEM ARE; THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS TREATY; A POSSIBLE TAIWANESE ROLE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL FUNDRAISING CONTROVERSY; A COURT'S DECISION ON THE LINE ITEM VETO; COMBATTING RUSSIAN CORRUPTION AND THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY IN UKRAINE.

NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS ___________________AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TODAY'S PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE RATIFICATION DEBATE FOR THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS TREATY IN THE U.S. SENATE.

VOICE: "FEW RECENT WASHINGTON SPECTACLES HAVE BEEN AS BIZARRE AS THE ATTEMPT BY KEY SENATE REPUBLICANS TO PREVENT A RATIFICATION VOTE ON .....[THE] TREATY... THIS TREATY IS A BIPARTISAN EFFORT IF EVER THERE WAS ONE. IT WAS NEGOTIATED UNDER PRESIDENTS RONALD REAGAN AND GEORGE BUSH. PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS MADE A PRIORITY OF GETTING IT RATIFIED BY APRIL 29TH, THE DATE THE INTERNATIONAL TREATY GOES INTO FORCE. ..... BUT SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JESSE HELMS (REPUBLICAN, NORTH CAROLINA) REFUSES TO LET THE TREATY OUT OF HIS COMMITTEE. ..... THE LOSERS ARE AMERICAN'S CITIZENS AND MILITARY FORCES. [OPT] .... IF THE SENATE FAILS TO ACT BEFORE THE TREATY COMES INTO FORCE, AMERICA WILL BE DENIED A SEAT ON ITS OVERSIGHT BODY ..... AND IF WE DON'T JOIN THE 72 COUNTRIES THAT ALREADY HAVE RATIFIED, THE RUSSIAN DUMA WON'T DO SO EITHER. [END OPT] NO ONE CLAIMS THE TREATY IS PERFECT. BUT THE COUNTRY THAT DESIGNED IT SHOULDN'T ABANDON IT JUST BECAUSE IT GOES ONLY PARTWAY TO SOLVING THE PROBLEMS."

TEXT: TURNING TO YET ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL TREATY, THIS ONE OUTLAWING THE USE OF LAND MINES, THE WASHINGTON POST LAMENTS THAT EFFORTS TO IMPLEMENT THE TREATY ARE SPLINTERING.

VOICE: "THE GLOBAL CAMPAIGN TO BAN ANTI-PERSONNEL LAND MINES IS GETTING TO THE HARD PART - - THE TRANSITION FROM POPULAR ENTHUSIASM TO OFFICIAL POLICY. TWO TREATIES, REPRESENTING POTENTIALLY COLLIDING APPROACHES, ARE UNDER NEGOTIATION. .....THE CANADIANS WANT GOVERNMENT SIMPLY TO SIGN UP FOR A PROMPT COMPREHENSIVE BAN. ..... BUT ITS RIGIDITY EXCLUDES THE ROGUE STATES AND LOSES SUCH COUNTRIES AS THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIA AND CHINA, WHICH MAKE THEIR OWN STRATEGIC CALCULATIONS. .... THE OTHER APPROACH LIES IN THE AMERICAN EFFORT TO NEGOTIATE A LAND MINE BAN IN THE UNITED NATIONS' STANDING CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT IN GENEVA. ..... THE AMERICA AND CANADIAN FOCUS NOW IS TO SEE IF THE TWO APPROACHES CAN BE MADE TO REINFORCE EACH OTHER. .... IN THE END, THINGS MUST COME TO A TABLE. DIPLOMACY SEEMS A WICKEDLY SLUGGISH WAY TO TAME THE BLOODY SCOURGE ... BUT A NECESSARY WAY."

TEXT: TURNING TO ASIA, THE NEW YORK TIMES COMMENTS IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL ON AN ALLEGED CONNECTION BETWEEN TAIWAN AND THE PRESIDENTIAL FUNDRAISING CONTROVERSY.

VOICE: "FOR A SMALL ISLAND THAT HAS HAD NO DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES SINCE 1979, TAIWAN HAS PLAYED AN OUTSIZED ROLE IN THE FUROR OVER WHITE HOUSE FUND-RAISING AND THE MANAGEMENT OF AMERICAN POLICY TOWARD CHINA. MANY OF THE CONTESTED DONATIONS TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BEAR TAIWANESE CONNECTIONS AND THE HIGH TENSIONS IN RELATIONS BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND BEIJING LAST YEAR WERE TO A CONSIDERABLE DEGREE PRECIPITATED BY TAIWAN. ..... AS A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY LOCKED IN A DIFFICULT RELATIONSHIP WITH A COMMUNIST BEHEMOTH, TAIWAN DESERVES AMERICAN SYMPATHY AND SUPPORT. BUT AMERICAN POLICY MUST BE MEASURED AGAINST OTHER INTERESTS AND CANNOT BE SUSTAINED IF TAIWAN ABUSES WASHINGTON'S SUPPORT."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST ALSO COMMENTS ON A RECENT FEDERAL COURT DECISION INVOLVING THE LINE ITEM VETO. THE LINE ITEM VETO, PASSSED BY CONGRESS LAST YEAR, GIVES THE PRESIDENT POWER TO REMOVE SEPARATE "ITEMS" FROM THE OVERALL BUDGET WITHOUT HAVING TO VETO THE ENTIRE MEASURE. A FEDERAL JUDGE IN WASHINGTON RULED LAST WEEK THAT THE LINE ITEM VETO IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

VOICE: "HE SAYS IT VIOLATES THE SEPARATION OF POWERS. [BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND THE CONGRESS] THE RULING WILL BE APPEALED TO THE SUPREME COURT. IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHAT THE RESULT WILL BE; IT HAS NEVER BEEN CLEAR TO US THAT THE VERSION OF THE VETO CONGRESS PASSED WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. BUT A DUMB IDEA, BAD POLICY, A RETREAT FROM RESPONSIBILITY AND UNWISE? YES, YES, YES, AND YES."

TEXT: THE SUN IN BALTIMORE IS CONCERNED AT THE SCOPE OF CORRUPTION IN RUSSIA AND WONDERS WHETHER PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN WILL BE ABLE TO CLEAN IT UP.

VOICE: "RESPONDING TO PUBLIC SHOCK AND OUTRAGE OVER BRAZENLY OPEN OFFICIAL CORRUPTION, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS ... YELTSIN IS PLEDGING TO CLEAN HIS GOVERNMENT. THIS IS EASIER SAID THAN DONE. CORRUPTION IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN THE RUSSIAN PSYCHE. ..... 'CORRUPTION IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS THAT THE AUTHORITY OF THE RUSSIAN STATE IS LOW TODAY.' MR. YELTSIN SAID IN ANNOUNCING HIS ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE. HE WILL HAVE A TOUGH TIME CONVINCING HIS PEOPLE THAT HE IS SERIOUS, THOUGH."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST ALSO SAYS THAT AS GOES UKRAINE, PROBABLY SO GOES RUSSIA. FOR THAT REASON, U-S FOREIGN AID, AT ALMOST THE LEVEL RUSSIA GETS, IS A GOOD INVESTMENT FOR THE GOVERNMENT IN KIEV. BUT THE PAPER LAMENTS THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN THE HUGE, FORMER SOVIET REPUBLIC.

VOICE: "NEARLY SIX YEARS INTO INDEPENDENCE, UKRAINE HAS YET TO GET ITS INTERNAL REFORM PROCESS IN GEAR. THE LEVEL OF OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL CORRUPTION IN THE COUNTRY IS BREATHTAKING. IN RECENT DAYS, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER IN CHARGE OF ECONOMIC REFORM, ONE OF THE FEW TOP OFFICIALS WITH UNQUESTIONED REFORMIST CREDENTIALS, HAS RESIGNED IN FRUSTRATION. THE U-S COMMUNICATIONS GIANT MOTOROLA WALKED AWAY FROM A PLANNED 500-MILLION INVESTMENT BECAUSE, IT SAID, UKRAINE KEPT CHANGING THE RULES. ..... THE UNITED STATES HAS MORE THAN ENOUGH EXPERIENCE TO KNOW THAT POURING AID INTO DYSFUNCTIONAL REGIMES SOLVES NO PROBLEMS - - AND OFTEN EXACERBATES THEM. UKRAINE IS APPROACHING THAT POINT."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, SOME WORDS OF PRAISE FOR TIGER WOODS, THE YOUNG AFRICAN-AMERICA GOLFING SENSATION WHO WON THE PRESTIGIOUS MASTERS TOURNAMENT IN AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, YESTERDAY. MR. WOODS IS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN GOLFER TO WIN THE MASTERS. IN A FRONT PAGE COMMENTARY, THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER'S BILL LYON SAYS ITS SIGNIFICANCE, NO MATTER HOW STIRRING ATHLETICALLY, GOES WELL BEYOND GOLF.

VOICE: ".... THE SOCIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS ARE FAR MORE MEANINGFUL. TIGER WOODS WON A TOURNAMENT OF GREAT PRESTIGE IN ONE OF THE MOST EXCLUSIVE AND RESTRICTIVE ENCLAVES IN THE WORLD, A PLACE THAT, UNTIL RECENT YEARS, HE COULD HAVE GAINED ADMISSION TO ONLY BY WAY OF THE SERVANT'S ENTRANCE. THE GREEN-COATED AUTOCRATS OF AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOULD HAVE PERMITTED HIM TO CLEAN THEIR ASHTRAYS AND SHINE THEIR SHOES AND SERVE THEM ... BEVERAGES. BUT THE ONLY WAY HE WOULD HAVE SET A SHOE ONTO THOSE LUSH AND FRAGRANT FAIRWAYS WAS AS A TOTER OF BAGS. [A CADDY] [OPT].... IT WILL BE RECORDED THAT, TWO DAYS BEFORE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF JACKIE ROBINSON FIRST PLAYING IN A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME, [MR.] WOODS BECAME THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO WIN A MASTERS OR, INDEED, ANY MAJOR GOLF TOURNAMENT. [END OPT] .... WE CELEBRATE HIM, AND THIS, FOR WHAT THEY ARE - - A TRIUMPH FOR ALL HUMANKIND."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME EDITORIALS COMMENTS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/NL
14-Apr-97 10:42 AM EDT (1442 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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