Voice of America, 97-04-28

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] G-7/IMF/WORLD BANK UPDATE (S/L) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[03] GERMANY / PERU (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[04] GREECE / HARASSMENT (L ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (ATHENS)

[05] ITALY / ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY PEGGY POLK (ROME)

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

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

[08] THE U-K GOES TO THE POLLS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[09] TURKEY/SUMMIT (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES ON KEY WEST EUROPEAN MARKETS CLOSED MIXED MONDAY, WITH THE U-S DOLLAR TRADING MOSTLY HIGHER. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS CLOSING FIGURES FROM OUR OFFICES IN LONDON.

TEXT: ANALYSTS COULD NOT POINT TO ANY SINGLE FACTOR DRIVING THE MARKETS IN WEST EUROPE MONDAY, BUT MANY PREDICT CONTINUED VOLATILITY IN COMING WEEKS, ESPECIALLY IN FRANCE AND BRITAIN, WHERE GENERAL ELECTIONS ARE COMING UP SOON.

THE KEY MARKET INDEXES IN LONDON AND PARIS CLOSED HIGHER MONDAY, WITH THE "FINANCIAL TIMES 100" POSTING A 20-POINT GAIN AND THE "CAC 40" UP 14-POINTS AT THE CLOSE. BUT FRANKFURT'S "DAX 30" INDEX WAS OFF JUST MORE THAN 14-POINTS.

AFTER STARTING THE DAY STRONGER, THE U-S DOLLAR CLOSED WITH LITTLE CHANGE AGAINST THE MARK AND POUND IN LONDON CURRENCY TRADING. GOLD WAS DOWN TWO-DOLLARS-40-CENTS IN THE LONDON CLOSING FIX, SELLING AT 340-DOLLARS-FIVE CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
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28-Apr-97 1:32 PM EDT (1732 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] G-7/IMF/WORLD BANK UPDATE (S/L) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AND WORLD BANK GETS UNDERWAY LATER TODAY (MONDAY) AFTER FINANCE MINISTERS AND CENTRAL BANK EXECUTIVES FROM THE GROUP OF SEVEN (G-7) INDUSTRIAL POWERS WARNED (SUNDAY) AGAINST EXCESSIVE VOLATILITY IN CURRENCY MARKETS. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS DESPITE CONCERNS ABOUT THE STRENGTHENING DOLLAR A PRIVATE AMERICAN ECONOMIST DOUBTS CENTRAL BANKS WILL INTERVENE TO HALT THE DOLLAR'S RISE:

TEXT: FINANCE AND CENTRAL BANK OFFICIALS FROM BRITAIN, GERMANY, FRANCE, ITALY, CANADA, JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES SAID EXCESSIVE VOLATILITY IN EXCHANGE RATES IS UNDESIRABLE. THEY AGREED TO MONITOR DEVELOPMENTS AND COOPERATE APPROPRIATELY IN CURRENCY MARKETS.

THE CONCERN IS THE STRONG DOLLAR AND WEAKENING JAPANESE YEN AND GERMAN MARK. THE DOLLAR HAS GAINED 50-PERCENT IN VALUE AGAINST THE YEN AND 25-PERCENT AGAINST THE MARK IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.

CENTRAL BANKERS HAVE, IN THE PAST, JOINTLY PURCHASED OR SOLD DOLLARS IN AN EFFORT TO ADJUST EXCHANGE RATES. THE CONCERN, ACCORDING TO ECONOMIST DAVID WYSS, IS THAT A STRONG DOLLAR AND WEAK YEN AGGRAVATES TOKYO'S TRADE IMBALANCE AND ERODES CONFIDENCE IN ITS FINANCIAL MARKETS.

THE GROUP OF SEVEN DID NOT SAY WHETHER CURRENT RATES REFLECT A STABLE SITUATION. MR. WYSS SAYS HE DOUBTS THERE WILL BE ANY CENTRAL BANK INTERVENTION ANYTIME SOON:

THE BASIC PROBLEM IS THE U-S IS OUT OF PHASE WITH OTHER INDUSTRIAL COUNTRIES. WE'RE SIX YEARS INTO AN ECONOMIC EXPANSION. THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS STARTING TO RAISE INTEREST RATES TO SLOW THE ECONOMY DOWN. MOST OF THE OTHER COUNTRIES ARE TRYING TO LOWER INTEREST RATES TO KEEP THEIR ECONOMIES GOING.

MR. WYSS SAYS INTERVENTION WOULD ONLY BE A SHORT-TERM FIX AND SAYS THE DOLLAR WILL REMAIN STRONG AS LONG AS U-S CENTRAL BANK OFFICIALS RETAIN CURRENT MONETARY POLICY.

MR. WYSS SAYS IT COULD TAKE AWHILE FOR MARKET FORCES TO BRING THE DOLLAR BACK INTO LINE WITH THE WORLD'S OTHER MAJOR CURRENCIES. HE SAYS THE U-S CENTRAL BANK'S RAISING OF INTEREST RATES COULD LAST MOST OF THE YEAR:

MARKET FORCES ARE PUSHING THE OTHER CURRENCIES DOWNWARD RELATIVE TO THE DOLLAR AND AS LONG AS THOSE INTEREST RATES SPREAD REMAINS WIDE, THAT'S THE DIRECTION WE'LL BE GOING. EVENTUALLY, MARKET FORCES WILL BRING THINGS BACK TOGETHER, BUT EVENTUALLY PROBABLY MEANS SIX MONTHS FROM NOW, NOT NOW.

THE GROUP OF SEVEN STATEMENT SUNDAY CALLED ON JAPAN TO SPUR DOMESTIC DEMAND-LED GROWTH AND TAKE MEASURES TO AVOID INCREASING ITS TRADE SURPLUS WITH OTHER NATIONS. PRESIDENT CLINTON, IN TALKS LAST WEEK WITH JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER RYUTARO HASHIMOTO AGREED TO INTENSIFY TALKS ON JAPAN'S ECONOMIC DEREGULATION TO ALLOW A SUSTAINED ECONOMIC RECOVERY THAT AVOIDS A GROWING TRADE SURPLUS WITH OTHER NATIONS.

TOKYO'S TRADE SURPLUS WITH WASHINGTON HAS DECLINED SINCE 1991 ALTHOUGH IT ROSE OVER 11-PERCENT LAST MONTH, THE SIXTH STRAIGHT MONTHLY INCREASE. AMERICA'S BIG-THREE AUTOMAKERS HAVE URGED SECRETARY RUBIN TO PRESS JAPANESE OFFICIALS TO REVERSE THE YEN'S SLIDE WHICH MAKES JAPANESE IMPORTS MORE AFFORDABLE.

THE STATEMENT URGED THE UNITED STATES TO REMAIN WATCHFUL AGAINST A RESURGENCE OF INFLATION, THE UPWARD SPIRAL OF WAGES AND PRICES AND CONTINUE THE PROCESS OF REDUCING THE FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT AND INCREASE NATIONAL SAVINGS.

THEY ARE GENERALLY PLEASED THAT IN ALL MEMBER COUNTRIES, INFLATION REMAINS LOW AND GROWTH CONTINUES AT A SOLID AND SUSTAINABLE PACE. STILL, THEY ACKNOWLEDGE CHALLENGES REMAIN. THE STATEMENT SAYS NOT ALL COUNTRIES HAVE YET SEEN A SATISFACTORY RECOVERY IN JOB GROWTH AND MORE IS NEEDED TO IMPROVE STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE AND RESTORE SOUND, LONG-TERM FISCAL POSITIONS.

THEY PRAISED THE PROGRESS MADE IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA TOWARD ECONOMIC REFORM AND FINANCIAL STABILITY. THEY PLEDGED ENHANCED DEBT-FORGIVENESS AND ACCESS TO THEIR MARKETS FOR AFRICAN EXPORTS.

THE WORLD BANK/IMF ANNUAL MEETING GETS UNDERWAY LATER TODAY (MONDAY) FOLLOWING A CALL BY 24 MEMBERS, THE SO-CALLED GROUP OF 24 ASIAN, AFRICAN AND LATIN AMERICAN NATIONS, TO SPEED UP DEBT RELIEF TO COMPENSATE FOR DECLINING GOVERNMENTAL AID. AN IMF OFFICIAL SAYS SEVERAL COUNTRIES ARE BEING LINED UP TO BENEFIT FROM DEBT-RELIEF THIS YEAR. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN PROMISED TO UGANDA. HE SAYS DECISIONS ARE DUE SHORTLY ON BOLIVIA, BURKINA FASO AND IVORY COAST AMONG OTHERS.

IN A RELATED DEVELOPMENT, RUSSIAN FIRST DEPUTY PREMIER ANTOLY CHUBAIS SAID IN WASHINGTON (SUNDAY) HE HOPES MOSCOW WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION BY 1999 AND THE PARIS CLUB OF CREDITOR NATIONS BY YEAR'S END. (SIGNED)
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27-Apr-97 10:13 PM EDT (0213 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] GERMANY / PERU (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: GERMANY IS SEEKING TO BAN POLITICAL ACTIVITY BY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PERUVIAN REBEL GROUP INVOLVED IN PERU'S FOUR MONTH HOSTAGE DRAMA. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN.

TEXT: THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT HAS ACKNOWLEDGED ASKING AUTHORITIES IN THE CITY OF HAMBURG TO BAN POLITICAL ACTIVITY BY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TUPAC AMARU REBELS, ISAAC VELAZCO.

THE ACTION FOLLOWS STATEMENTS MR. VELAZCO MADE, THREATENING RETRIBUTION FOR PERU'S STORMING OF THE JAPANESE EMBASSY AND THE KILLING OF THE REBELS WHO HAD BEEN HOLDING DOZENS OF HOSTAGES.

PERU'S AMBASSADOR IS REPORTED TO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE REBEL SPOKESMAN'S ACTIVITIES IN GERMANY.

AUTHORITIES IN HAMBURG SAY THEY SUMMONED MR. VELAZCO TO DISCUSS HIS THREATS OF REPRISAL ATTACKS. BUT THEY SAY IT IS NOT CLEAR WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CURB SUCH STATEMENTS.

MR. VALAZCO WAS GRANTED POLITICAL ASYLUM IN GERMANY IN 1993. GERMAN OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE NO PLANS TO TRY TO CANCEL HIS ASYLUM STATUS. (SIGNED)
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28-Apr-97 11:50 AM EDT (1550 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] GREECE / HARASSMENT (L ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (ATHENS)

INTRO: A EUROPEAN UNION SURVEY SAYS THAT ONE IN TWO GREEK WOMEN SUFFER SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT WORK. ANTHEE CARASSAVA IN ATHENS REPORTS EXPERTS SAY THE RATE PROBABLY IS MUCH HIGHER, BUT GREEK GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES SEEM LITTLE CONCERNED.

TEXT: THE EUROPEAN UNION STUDY SHOWS THAT 52 PERCENT OF GREEK WOMEN HAVE FALLEN VICTIM TO SEXUALLY HARASSMENT AT THEIR PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. ALL VICTIMS REPORTED THEY WERE PURSUED BY THEIR MALE BOSSES OR COLLEAGUES AT WORK.

THE FIGURE RANKS GREECE AS THE FOURTH MOST SEXUALLY HARASSING NATION FOR WORKING WOMEN IN THE 15-MEMBER E-U.

SPAIN TOPS THE LIST WITH A RATE OF 84 PERCENT. GERMANY AND HOLLAND FOLLOW FAR BEHIND WITH FIGURES RANGING BETWEEN 58 AND 59 PERCENT.

NO MEMBER STATE FELL BELOW DOUBLE-DIGIT LEVELS. IRELAND WAS THE LOWEST, WITH SEXUAL HARASSMENT REPORTED BY JUST OVER 20 PERCENT OF WORKING WOMEN IN IRELAND.

DESPITE THE STARLING FIGURES, LITTLE REACTION AND CONCERN HAS BEEN EXPRESSED BY GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES IN GREECE.

EXPERTS HERE ARGUE SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT WORK IS MUCH MORE WIDESPREAD THAN THAT ESTIMATED BY THE E-U SURVEY. THEY SAY THE PHENOMENON IS BASED ON AN ARCHAIC GREEK PERCEPTION THAT THE WOMAN'S ROLE IS TO SERVE MAN IN EVERY EXPRESSION OF LIFE, EVEN AT WORK, EVEN AGAINST HER WILL.

ALTHOUGH NO LEGISLATION HAS BEEN PROPOSED TO SAFEGUARD THE COUNTRY'S WORKING WOMEN, A LOCAL POLL SHOWED PUBLIC WILLINGNESS TO TAKE ACTION. THE SURVEY SHOWED THAT THE IDEA OF A LAW TO PROTECT WORKING WOMEN ENJOYS THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT OF GREEK MEN. (SIGNED)
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28-Apr-97 7:55 AM EDT (1155 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] ITALY / ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY PEGGY POLK (ROME)

INTRO: ITALY'S GOVERNING CENTER-LEFT COALITION HAS SUFFERED SETBACKS IN LOCAL ELECTIONS THAT WERE HELD SUNDAY. AS PEGGY POLK REPORTS FROM ROME, THE OUTCOME OF THE FIRST ROUND OF VOTING LEAVES PRIME MINISTER ROMANO PRODI ALL THE MORE DEPENDENT ON SUPPORT FROM HIS COMMUNIST ALLIES.

TEXT: VOTING FOR MAYORS AND LOCAL COUNCILS IN MORE THAN 11-HUNDRED COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT ITALY WAS THE FIRST BIG TEST AT THE POLLS FOR MR. PRODI SINCE HIS ELECTION A YEAR AGO. HIS "OLIVE TREE COALITION" TRAILED CANDIDATES FIELDED BY FORMER PRIME MINISTER SILVIO BERLUSCONI'S CENTER-RIGHT "FREEDOM ALLIANCE" IN TWO KEY CITIES -- MILAN AND TURIN -- WHERE THE "RE-FOUNDED" COMMUNIST PARTY WON A SURPRISING 10 PERCENT OF THE VOTE. VOTERS, IT APPEARED, WERE NOT HAPPY WITH THE TAX INCREASES THE GOVERNMENT HAS IMPOSED TO QUALIFY ITALY FOR ENTRY INTO THE EUROPEAN SINGLE CURRENCY.

BUT THE NEWS WAS NOT ALL BAD FOR MR. PRODI. CENTER-LEFT CANDIDATES LED IN MAYORAL RACES IN A NUMBER OF OTHER CITIES FROM TRIESTE IN THE NORTHEAST TO REGGIO CALABRIA ON THE TOE OF THE ITALIAN BOOT, AS WELL AS IN THREE OF THE SIX ELECTIONS FOR PRESIDENT OF PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS.

BUT IF HE WANTS TO REGAIN GROUND IN RUNOFF VOTES ON MAY 11TH, MR. PRODI WILL HAVE TO COME TO TERMS WITH COMMUNIST LEADER FAUSTO BERTINOTTI, WHOSE PRICE IS THE PRESERVATION OF PENSIONS AND OTHER SOCIAL BENEFITS THAT MR. PRODI SEEKS TO CUT AS PART OF HIS ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING PROGRAM.

THE COMMUNIST LEADER'S COMMENT WAS SUCCINCT: "I HOPE THAT THE OLIVE TREE DOESN'T WANT TO COMMIT SUICIDE," HE SAID.

THE BIGGEST LOSER IN THE VOTING SUNDAY WAS THE SEPARATIST NORTHERN LEAGUE. ITS INCUMBENT MAYOR OF MILAN, MARCO FORMENTINI, CAME IN THIRD AND IS THEREBY OUT OF THE RUNNING. THE PARTY MADE LITTLE HEADWAY ELSEWHERE IN WHAT IT HAD CONSIDERED ITS BASTION IN THE NORTH. (SIGNED)
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28-Apr-97 1:53 PM EDT (1753 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS ARE DISSECTED THIS MONDAY IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF THE NATION'S NEWSPAPERS. SOME OF THE SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE: THE FRENCH ELECTIONS; THE VOLUNTEER SUMMIT IN PHILADELPHIA; RATIFICATIONOF THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS TREATY; AND DISQUIETING COMMENTS FROM A SENIOR NORTH KOREAN DEFECTOR. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS ________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES IS ALARMED AT THE RESURGENCE OF THE EXTREME RIGHT WING IN CROATIA, WHICH IT SAYS IS NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MAJORITY OF CROATIANS.

VOICE: "CROATIA, LIKE MANY OTHER COUNTRIES, HAS A NEO-NAZI FRINGE, COMPLETE WITH ETHNIC HATRED, NATIONALIST SYMBOLS AND A FASCIST SALUTE. THE DANGER IN CROATIA, HOWEVER, DOES NOT COME FROM THIS SMALL GROUP ..... BUT FROM THE MORE SOPHISTICATED LEADERS IN THE COUNTRY'S MAINSTREAM WHO SHARE THEIR DESIRE FOR A LARGER, ETHNICALLY PURE CROATIA. WHILE ATTENTION HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN SERBIA, CROATIAN NATIONALISM IS PROBABLY MORE DANGEROUS TO BALKAN PEACE."

TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE IS WRITING ABOUT THE UNEXPECTED CALL FOR A "SNAP" OR SUDDEN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION IN FRANCE.

VOICE: "WHEN ... FRENCH PRESIDENT, JACQUES CHIRAC, DISSOLVED PARLIAMENT AND CALLED FRESH ELECTIONS .... HE GAVE THREE REASONS FOR HIS AUDACIOUS MOVE. HE SAID HE COULD NOT WAIT UNTIL THE TERM OF THE CURRENT PARLIAMENT ENDED IN MARCH 1998 BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT NEEDED A NEW MANDATE TO TACKLE FISCAL REFORM. ...... AND HE WANTED TO DEFEND REPUBLICAN VALUES AGAINST THE EXCLUSIONARY IDEOLOGY OF THE FAR RIGHT NATIONAL FRONT. IN REALITY, [MR.] CHIRAC NEEDS A NEW MANDATE ONLY BECAUSE OF THE PAINFUL AUSTERITY MEASURES FRANCE WILL HAVE TO ADOPT TO MEET THE CRITERIA FOR THE EURO. HIS DECISION WAS DRIVEN BY THE CALENDAR AND BY POLITICAL NECESSITY."

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON JOINED FORMER PRESIDENTS, GEORGE BUSH, JIMMY CARTER AND GERALD FORD IN PHILADELPHIA FOR A SUMMIT TO FOCUS NATIONAL ATTENTION ON VOLUNTEERISM. USA TODAY COMMENTS:

VOICE: "IT'S EASY TO BE CYNICAL ABOUT THE SUMMIT. SOME HARD SOCIAL TRENDS MAKE ITS GOAL - - AIDING 15 MILLION POOR CHILDREN, INCLUDING PROVIDING TWO MILLION MENTORS - - DAUNTING. FIVE MILLION FEWER PEOPLE VOLUNTEERED IN 1995 THAN DID JUST SEVEN YEARS AGO, AND A FAR SMALLER PERCENTAGE THAN IN THE 1960'S. MORE TROUBLESOME, THE DECLINE'S CAUSE ISN'T A SUDDEN, TEMPORARY PROLIFERATION OF HARD HEARTS. IT'S LACK OF TIME. TWO-THIRDS OF AMERICANS WORK NOW, UP ELEVEN PERCENT SINCE 1970, AND THEY AVERAGE AN HOUR A WEEK MORE ON THE JOB. .... THE SUMMIT IS CERTAINLY TO SOME EXTEND AN EXERCISE IN FEEL-GOODISM. BUT IF IT .... ENCOURAGES MORE PEOPLE TO VOLUNTEER, THE NATION WILL BE THAT MUCH BETTER OFF."

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON LAST WEEK'S U-S RATIFICATION OF THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS TREATY WHICH GOES INTO EFFECT THIS WEEK AROUND THE WORLD. THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR SAYS, INSTEAD OF GLOATING OVER THE VICTORY, U-S OFFICIALS SHOULD NOW TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THE CONCERNS OF THOSE IN CONGRESS AND ELSEWHERE WHO OPPOSED U-S PARTICIPATION.

VOICE: "ONE CONCERN OF OPPONENTS HAS BEEN NON-RATIFICATION BY MAJOR SIGNATORIES, NOTABLY RUSSIA. ..... THIS IS A PRACTICAL HURDLE THAT REQUIRES INTERNATIONAL AND U-S ASSISTANCE. ANOTHER CONCERN IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT, LIKE CRIMINALS FLOUTING GUN LAWS, LIBYA, IRAN, AND OTHER 'ROGUE' STATES WOULD IGNORE AN INTERNATIONAL BAN ON CHEMICAL WEAPONS. .... AS FOR CONCERNS ABOUT VERIFYING COMPLIANCE WITH THE TREATY, EXPERIENCE IN POST-GULF-WAR IRAQ HAS SHOWN HOW DIFFICULT - - AND INTRUSIVE - - INSPECTION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS CAN BE. YET, WITH A TREATY IN PLACE .... THE U-S IS BETTER OFF TO BE IN IT AND THUS TO HAVE AMERICANS INCLUDED AMONG INTERNATIONAL INSPECTORS."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST IS UPSET AT THE EMERGING REFUGEE POLICY DISPLAYED BY ZAIRE'S REBEL LEADER LAURENT KABILA AGAINST THE RWANDAN HUTUS STILL TRAPPED IN EASTERN ZAIRE.

VOICE: "... THE KABILA FORCES ... HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ACT TOWARD CIVILIANS IN A WAY CONSISTENT WITH THE RULES OF WAR, AS DIFFICULT AS THAT IS UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF ETHNIC CONFLICT THAT EXIST IN ZAIRE AND CENTRAL AFRICA. .... MR. KABILA [SHOULD] HIMSELF .. BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE."

TEXT: [OPT] LASTLY, REGARDING FAMINE-PLAGUED NORTH KOREA, AND REVELATIONS MADE RECENTLY BY THE DEFECTING SENIOR PYONGYANG OFFICIAL, HWANG JANG-YOP, WHO HAS ARRIVED IN SEOUL, THE WASHINGTON POST COMMENTS:

VOICE: "... THE NEWS ABOUT MR. HWANG'S VIEWS COMING OUT OF SEOUL HAS CERTAINLY NOT BEEN REASSURING. ACCORDING TO A ..... PUBLISHED [REPORT] ....'THE NORTH CAN TURN THE SOUTH INTO A SEA OF FLAMES AND ANNIHILATE IT BY USING NUCLEAR AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND ROCKETS.' AS IF THAT NEWS REGARDING THE NORTH'S MILITARY CAPABILITIES WAS NOT BAD ENOUGH, ITS INTENTIONS SEEM EVEN WORSE. 'THE NORTH BELIEVES IF IT WAGES WAR IT WILL NO DOUBT WIN, AND IF THE UNITED STATES INTERVENES, IT PLANS TO SCORCH JAPAN' .... OBVIOUSLY, IF THE LEADERSHIP IN PYONGYANG REALLY BELIEVE THIS, THEY ARE MAD AS HATTERS. [EDS: TOTALLY CRAZY] [END OPT]

TEXT: [OPT] THE BOSTON GLOBE HAS SEIZED ON AN IMPORTANT, ANTI-POLLUTION MOVEMENT IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY FOR PRAISE, THE ADVENT OF THE HYDROGEN FUEL-CELL-DRIVEN CAR.

VOICE: "ENVIRONMENTAL DEMAND FOR CLEANER AIR HAS PUT A HEAVY BURDEN ON THE AUTOMOBILE, MUCH IMPROVED BY STRINGENT EXHAUST STANDARDS BUT STILL A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF POLLUTANTS. CALLS FOR A ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE HAVE BEEN BASED ON HOPE THAT BATTERY-POWERED ELECTRIC CARS WILL BECOME ECONOMICALLY PRACTICAL. NOW IT APPEARS THAT ANOTHER TECHNOLOGY - - THE FUEL CELL - - HAS CONSIDERABLE POTENTIAL. .... FUEL CELLS USE HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY. THE ONLY BYPRODUCT IS WATER ..... IF THE PROBLEMS CAN BE OVERCOME, FUEL CELL VEHICLES WILL BE CAPABLE OF MUCH GREATER RANGE THAN EXISTING ELECTRIC CARS, WHICH DEPEND ON BATTERIES THAT ARE PENALIZED HEAVILY BY COLD WEATHER, HILLY TERRAINS, AND SLOW RECHARGE RATES." [END OPT]

TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM MONDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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28-Apr-97 10:49 AM EDT (1449 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (MONDAY) IN AN APPARENT REBOUND FROM LAST WEEK'S SELLING PRESSURE. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 67 HUNDRED 83, UP 44 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 772, UP SEVEN AND ONE-HALF POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY STOCKS REBOUNDED FROM LAST WEEK'S SELL-OFFS AND THERE WAS ALSO STRENGTH IN THE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR AFTER A REPORT THAT WORLDWIDE COMPUTER SALES ROSE 16 PERCENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.

THE SALES OF NEW HOMES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN JUST SLIGHTLY IN MARCH. THE DROP WAS MUCH LESS THAN ANALYSTS HAD EXPECTED AND ANOTHER INDICATION OF STRONG CONSUMER CONFIDENCE.

THE STOCK OF THE BOEING AIRCRAFT COMPANY DROPPED BY ABOUT FIVE PERCENT AFTER THE COMPANY REPORTED QUARTERLY PROFITS WELL BELOW WALL STREET FORECASTS. INCREASED LABOR AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES AT BOEING WERE CITED AS THE REASONS FOR THE DISAPPOINTING EARNINGS.

AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY ANALYSTS ARE DISMISSING A REPORT (LONDON "TIMES") THAT THE LOCKHEED MARTIN AEROSPACE COMPANY OF THE UNITED STATES IS EXPLORING A MERGER WITH AIRBUS INDUSTRIES OF EUROPE. WHILE FINDING LITTLE CREDIBILITY IN THE MERGER TALK, SOME ANALYSTS SAY SOME JOINT VENTURES BETWEEN AIRBUS AND LOCKHEED MARTIN ARE POSSIBLE.

THE AMERICAN TOBACCO INDUSTRY SUFFERED YET ANOTHER SETBACK WHEN THE U-S SUPREME COURT RULED THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS DO HAVE THE RIGHT TO BAN BILLBOARD ADVERTISING OF CIGARETTES AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. THE COURT RULED SUCH BANS DO NOT VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEE OF FREE SPEECH. THE SUPREME COURT DECISION CAME ON TOP OF FRIDAY'S FEDERAL COURT RULING THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES HAVE THE RIGHT TO REGULATE SALES AND LABELING OF CIGARETTES. NEWS CORP, THE AUSTRALIAN CONGLOMERATE, HAS DELAYED A PLANNED ONE BILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN THE ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY. ECHOSTAR SAYS NEWS CORP HAS SET SOME NEW CONDITIONS ON THE DEAL INVOLVING THE TECHNOLOGY USED ON ECHOSTAR'S SATELLITE-DELIVERED TELEVISION SERVICES. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/LWM
28-Apr-97 5:11 PM EDT (2111 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] THE U-K GOES TO THE POLLS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED KINGDOM VOTES THIS THURSDAY, MAY 1, ON A NEW GOVERNMENT. VIRTUALLY ALL THE POLLS PREDICT THE CONSERVATIVES, OR TORIES, WILL LOSE POWER TO THE LABOR PARTY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1979.

AS ELECTION DAY NEARS, THE U-K, WHICH INCLUDES NORTHERN IRELAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES, HAS BEEN GETTING AN INCREASING AMOUNT OF ATTENTION IN THE U-S PRESS.

WE GET A SAMPLING NOW FROM _______________ IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: LABOR LAST RULED THE UNITED KINGDOM IN EARLY 1979 BEFORE MARGARET THATCHER LED THE TORIES TO VICTORY AND BECAME GREAT BRITAIN'S FIRST FEMALE PRIME MINISTER.

FEARING DEFEAT IN 1990, THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY TOPPLED HER AND THE ROLE OF PRIME MINISTER FELL TO JOHN MAJOR WHO WENT TO DEFEAT LABOR'S NEIL KINNOCK IN THE LAST NATIONAL ELECTION IN 1992.

CURRENTLY, LABOR HAS A CLEAR ADVANTAGE IN THE POLLS OF APPROXIMATELY 19 PERCENTAGE POINTS, AND MANY OBSERVERS FEEL THE LEAD IS SUFFICIENT TO WITHSTAND A LAST-MINUTE SURGE BY THE CONSERVATIVES.

SOME U-S NEWSPAPERS AND COLUMNISTS HAVE BEEN COMPARING THE COMING BRITISH ELECTION TO THE 1992 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION HERE, MAKING COMPARISONS BETWEEN LABOR'S CANDIDATE TONY BLAIR AND PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON, WHILE EXAMINING SIMILARITIES BETWEEN FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH AND JOHN MAJOR.

WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING WITH JANE EISNER, THE FORMER LONDON CORRESPONDENT OF THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, AND NOW THE PAPER'S EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR. SHE SAYS THE BRITISH HAVE PICKED UP SOME BAD HABITS FROM U-S POLITICIANS.

VOICE: "USED TO BE THAT POLITICAL PARTIES IN BRITAIN HAD REAL IDEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES, BOLD ALTERNATIVES TO ORGANIZING A SOCIETY. LABOR WAS SOCIALIST; THE TORIES DEFIANTLY FREE-MARKETERS. NOW A MUSHY MIDDLE HAS TAKEN HOLD - - CAUTIOUS, UNINSPIRING, UNDEFINED. THE GRAYNESS WAS EXPECTED OF JOHN MAJOR. BUT TONY BLAIR ALSO IS GOING AROUND THE COUNTRY ACTING AS IF THE ONLY WAY TO WIN IS TO APPROPRIATE THE OPPOSITION'S ISSUES AND SAY NOTHING SPECIFIC AT ALL. SOUND FAMILIAR? USED TO BE THAT ELECTIONS IN BRITAIN WERE SHORT AND RELATIVELY CHEAP. NOW, BECAUSE OF LOOPHOLES IN THEIR FLIMSY CAMPAIGN-FINANCE LAWS, BRITISH NATIONAL PARTIES ARE RECEIVING UNPRECEDENTED MISSIONS FROM INTEREST GROUPS AND BUSINESS EXECUTIVES, WITHOUT ANY REQUIREMENT TO DISCLOSE THE SOURCE. .....SOUND FAMILIAR? THERE'S A SERIOUS DANGER TO BLURRING THE LINE BETWEEN CAMPAIGNING AND GOVERNING, AS THE CLINTON YEARS HAVE TAUGHT. ....THERE'S ALSO HARM IN SO EAGERLY APPEALING TO THE BROAD MIDDLE THAT THE CHANCE FOR REAL DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ISSUES IS LOST IN A FUZZY CONSENSUS."

TEXT: IN THE NEW YORK TIMES, COLUMNIST ANTHONY LEWIS, WRITING FROM LONDON, TRIES TO EXPLAIN EXACTLY -- TONY BLAIR - - THE MAN POLLS SAY WILL BE THE NEW BRITISH PRIME MINISTER.

VOICE: "THE BIOGRAPHICAL FACTS ARE STRAIGHTFOWARD. HE IS 43 YEARS OLD, WAS EDUCATED AT PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, OXFORD, BECAME A BARRISTER [LAWYER] ENTERED PARLIAMENT IN 1983 AND JUST 11 YEARS LATER WAS ELECTED LEADER OF THE LABOR PARTY. HIS WIFE, CHERIE BOOTH, IS A LEADING MEMBER OF THE BAR. THE QUESTION IS WHAT HE STANDS FOR. ARE THERE PRINCIPLES FOR WHICH HE WILL FIGHT AS A POLITICAL LEADER? IS THERE A BOTTOM LINE? .... MR. BLAIR UNDERSTANDS THAT THE PUBLIC IS ALSO AFRAID OF CHANGE - - IF IT MEANS GOING BACK TO OLD LABOR, TAX AND SPEND, UNION ABUSES. SO WHAT HE OFFERS IN THIS ELECTION IS REALLY A BETTER-MANAGED STATUS QUO. THAT IS WHY MANY PEOPLE WONDER WHETHER HE HAS ANY REAL BELIEFS. SOME ONE WHO HAS KNOWN HIM A LONG TIME SAYS: 'HE'S A BARRISTER WITH A BRIEF [A CAUSE TO REPRESENT]. AND THE BRIEF IS POWER'."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE MIDDLE WEST, WE GET THIS VIEW OF THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE.

VOICE: "WITH ONLY FOUR DAYS TO GO .....PRIME MINISTER JOHN MAJOR AND HIS CONSERVATIVE PARTY ARE SCRAMBLING TO GET BACK INTO CONTENTION BY STOKING THE ANXIETY MANY BRITONS FEEL OVER CLOSER INTEGRATION WITH THE REST OF EUROPE. IN THE FINAL WEEKS OF A FALTERING CAMPAIGN, [MR.] MAJOR HAS CLUMSILY GROPED HIS WAY CLOSER TO THE GROUSING EUROSKEPTICS ON HIS PARTY'S BACK BENCHES, [THE NEWER, LESS POWERFUL CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT] HOPING TO CASH IN ON GROWING ANXIETY THAT CHERISHED BRITISH VALUES AND CUSTOMS ARE AT RISK AS EUROPE EDGES TOWARD MONETARY UNION. .... IT'S NOT YET CLEAR WHETHER THIS STRATEGY IS GOOD FOR [MR.] MAJOR'S CHANCES. POLLS DISAGREE ..... BUT THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT THAT FEEDING FEARS OF A EUROPEAN BOGEYMAN IS BAD FOR BRITAIN."

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, THE SUN IS WORRIED OVER THE PROSPECT OF A LABOR VICTORY, BECAUSE IT FEELS BOTH MR. BLAIR, AND HIS CLOSEST AIDES ARE , "UNTESTED."

VOICE: "MR. BLAIR, 43, BEARS AN UNCANNY RESEMBLANCE TO BILL CLINTON. HE IS MARRIED TO ANOTHER LAWYER WIDELY THOUGHT TO BE SMARTER, AND IS AN ARTICULATE CHAMPION OF VALUES ASSOCIATED WITH THE OTHER PARTY. ..... HIS DETRACTORS DON'T KNOW WHAT MR. BLAIR STANDS FOR OR WOULD DO IN POWER. .... [HE] ENTERED PARLIAMENT IN 1983, FOUR YEARS AFTER THE LAST LABOR GOVERNMENT. A LABOR CABINET WOULD BE REMARKABLY INEXPERIENCED AT GOVERNING. IT IS A NEW AND UNTESTED GOVERNMENT THAT THE BRITISH, BARRING A MIRACLE OR CALAMITOUS SCANDAL, ARE DETERMINED TO PUT IN POWER."

TEXT: THIS FINAL WORD ON THE BRITISH ELECTION COMES FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES.

VOICE: "THE CONSERVATIVES APPEAR CAUGHT IN A PARADOX. THEY HAVE SO TRANSFORMED THE TERMS OF POLITICAL DEBATE THAT LABOR NOW COMPETES WITH THEM ON PROPOSALS FOR PRIVATIZATION, WELFARE REFORM AND TOUGHER LAW ENFORCEMENT. BUT BRITISH VOTERS SEE MR. MAJOR AS AN INEFFECTIVE LEADER AND HIS PARTY AS HAVING GONE STALE IN POWER."

TEXT: WITH THAT ASSESSMENT, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF U-S PRESS OPINION ON THE FORTHCOMING GENERAL ELECTIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN.
NEB/ANG/NL
28-Apr-97 1:28 PM EDT (1728 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] TURKEY/SUMMIT (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: A SUMMIT MEETING IN ISTANBUL OF SEVEN PRESIDENTS FROM THE BALKANS AND FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS HAS BEGUN (MONDAY) WITH THE AIM OF PROMOTING ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION IN THE BLACK SEA REGION. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS ON LIKELY DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED DURING THE THREE-DAY CONFERENCE.

TEXT: AROUND 600 BUSINESS EXECUTIVES FROM ACROSS THE WORLD WILL JOIN POLITICAL LEADERS AT THE CONFERENCE.

OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN THE TALKS SAY PROJECTS TO BUILD NATURAL GAS AND OIL PIPELINES TO WESTERN MARKETS ARE LIKELY TO DRAW THE MOST INTEREST, BOTH FOR ECONOMIC AND GEO-STRATEGIC REASONS. TURKEY, WHICH IS HOSTING THE SUMMIT, HAS BEEN ACTIVELY CAMPAIGNING TO BECOME THE MAIN TRANSIT ROUTE FOR EXPORTING AZERBAIJAN'S VAST OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES TO WESTERN CUSTOMERS. BUT ANALYSTS SAY ANKARA FACES STIFF OPPOSITION FROM RUSSIA, WHICH WANTS TO RETAIN ITS POLITICAL DOMINANCE OVER THE LANDLOCKED FORMER SOVIET REPUBLIC BY REMAINING THE SOLE OUTLET FOR AZERBAIJAN'S ENERGY RESOURCES.

COOPERATION IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT INDUSTRIES, ALONG WITH COMBATTING POLLUTION IN THE BLACK SEA, ARE TOPICS ALSO EXPECTED TO COME UP DURING THE TALKS. THE MEETING BRINGS TOGETHER THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF ALL 10 COUNTRIES OF THE -- BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION ORGANIZATION -- WHICH WAS FORMED FIVE-YEARS AGO.

ONE OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS FACING THE ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN RAISING FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT THE NUMEROUS PROJECTS AGREED UPON. ANALYSTS SAY TENSE RELATIONS BETWEEN SOME MEMBERS -- INCLUDING AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA, AND GREECE AND TURKEY -- HAVE ALSO BLOCKED PROGRESS.

OFFICIALS CLOSE TO THE TALKS SAY WHILE THE SUMMIT MAY NOT BRING SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN TERMS OF FINALIZING JOINT PROJECTS, IT WILL SERVE AS USEFUL VENUE FOR COUNTRIES IN THE REGION TO COME TOGETHER TO DISCUSS PROBLEMS. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF/RAE
28-Apr-97 10:30 AM EDT (1430 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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