Voice of America, 97-05-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] BRITAIN / U-K / BLAIR (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[02] BRITAIN / U-S (S / 2ND UPDATE) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[03] CLINTON / BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (LONDON)

[04] CLINTON / NATO BY DEBORAH TATE (LONDON)

[05] EURO CURRENCY (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

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

[07] FRANCE / ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[08] GERMANY / MARSHALL PLAN BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[09] HISTORIC NATO EXPANSION AGREEMENT SIGNED BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

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

[11] NATO MEETING UPDATE (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (SINTRA, PORTUGAL)

[12] PRIVACY, INTERNET, SOFTWARE, ENCRYPTION, BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

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

[14] TURKEY / KURDS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[01] BRITAIN / U-K / BLAIR (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR HAVE ENDED THEIR ONE-DAY MEETING IN LONDON (THURSDAY) -- AND AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM THE BRITISH CAPITAL, VARIOUS EUROPEAN-RELATED ISSUES WERE HIGH ON THE AGENDA.

TEXT: THE JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE AT THE END OF THE DAY-LONG MEETING MADE IT CLEAR THE TWO LEADERS SHARE A COMMON OUTLOOK ON MANY ISSUES, SUCH AS BOSNIA, NATO EXPANSION AND EUROPEAN INTEGRATION.

FIELDING QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS IN THE GARDEN OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S 10 DOWNING STREET RESIDENCE, MR. BLAIR AND PRESIDENT CLINTON SEEMED AT EASE WITH EACH OTHER AS THEY TALKED ABOUT A NEW ERA OF COOPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING.

ON THE QUESTION OF NORTHERN IRELAND, PRESIDENT CLINTON ONCE AGAIN CALLED ON THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY TO ANNOUNCE A NEW CEASE-FIRE AND ALLOW ITS POLITICAL WING, SINN FEIN, TO JOIN TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF THE BRITISH PROVINCE.

OBVIOUSLY I THINK THAT SINN FEIN SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE TALKS AND I THINK THE I-R-A SHOULD MEET WHAT I THINK HAS TO BE THE PRE-CONDITION. YOU CANNOT SAY WE WILL TALK AND SHOOT -- WE WILL TALK WHEN WE ARE HAPPY AND SHOOT WHEN WE ARE NOT.

THE SO-CALLED "ALL-PARTY TALKS" ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND ARE SCHEDULED TO RESUME NEXT WEEK OUTSIDE BELFAST, BUT WITHOUT THE PARTICIPATION OF SINN FEIN -- EXCLUDED BECAUSE OF THE I-R-A'S CONTINUED TERRORISM CAMPAIGN.

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR SAID HE CAN VIVIDLY RECALL THE IMPACT OF MR. CLINTON'S TRIP TO NORTHERN IRELAND A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.

I REMEMBER, TOO, THE VISIT THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON MADE SOME 18 MONTHS AGO WHEN THE HUGE OPTIMISM AND HOPE THAT HE IGNITED THERE IN THE PROVINCE WAS TANGIBLE -- AND WE WANT THAT BACK AGAIN.

THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER SAID THE UNITED STATES HAS PLAYED, AND WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY, A HELPFUL ROLE IN THE SEARCH FOR A LASTING PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND.

ON THE WIDER ISSUE OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION, THE TWO LEADERS DISCUSSED MR. BLAIR'S NEW, MORE ACTIVIST ROLE IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH BRITAIN'S EUROPEAN PARTNERS -- A ROLE WELCOMED BY MR. CLINTON. THAT POLICY IS A CLEAR DEPARTURE FROM THE PREVIOUS CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT THAT ADVOCATED A MUCH MORE CAUTIOUS APPROACH TO A MORE FEDERAL EUROPE.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE U-S-A CENTER AT THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS -- MICHAEL HODGES -- SAYS THE AMERICANS HAVE ALWAYS URGED A MORE ACTIVIST BRITISH ROLE IN EUROPE.

ESSENTIALLY, THE UNITED STATES WOULD LIKE FOR EUROPE TO SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE AND CERTAINLY WOULD NOT MIND IF THE BRITISH -- WHOM THEY REGARD AS BASICALLY RELIABLE AND SOUND ON MOST OF THE ISSUES -- WERE THE MAJOR INTERLOCUTOR. BUT THE AMERICANS ARE REALISTIC ABOUT THIS. IF THE BRITISH MARGINALIZE THEMSELVES OR IF THEY CANNOT COMMAND THAT DEGREE OF INFLUENCE AS THE HONEST BROKER IN EUROPE, THEN AMERICA WILL TALK TO SOMEBODY ELSE.

AND THAT SOMEBODY ELSE, SAYS PROFESSOR HODGES, IS GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL. (SIGNED)
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29-May-97 1:32 PM EDT (1732 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BRITAIN / U-S (S / 2ND UPDATE) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON HAS HELD HIS FIRST OFFICIAL TALKS WITH NEWLY ELECTED BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR IN LONDON. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM THE BRITISH CAPITAL.

TEXT: DURING THEIR MEETING, THE TWO LEADERS DISCUSSED A VARIETY OF ISSUES, INCLUDING NATO EXPANSION, EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AND NORTHERN IRELAND.

AT A JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE, PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID HE BELIEVES BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR IS COMMITTED TO FIND A LASTING SOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT IN NORTHERN IRELAND. AND HE ONCE AGAIN CALLED ON THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY TO ANNOUNCE A NEW CEASE-FIRE TO ALLOW ITS POLITICAL WING, SINN FEIN, TO JOIN TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF THE BRITISH PROVINCE.

THE GOAL OF THIS PEACE PROCESS IS INCLUSIVE TALKS BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED. BUT I HAVE SAID BEFORE AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY AGAIN, THAT CAN ONLY SUCCEED IF THERE IS AN UNEQUIVOCAL CEASE-FIRE -- IN DEED AND IN WORD. AGAIN, I URGE THE I-R-A TO LAY DOWN THEIR GUNS FOR GOOD.

THE POLITICAL TALKS ON NORTHERN IRELAND RESUME NEXT WEEK OUTSIDE BELFAST -- BUT SINN FEIN IS EXCLUDED PENDING A NEW I-R-A CEASE-FIRE. (SIGNED)
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29-May-97 11:18 AM EDT (1518 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CLINTON / BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (LONDON)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT THE PACE OF THE CIVILIAN RECONSTRUCTION OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA UNDER THE TERMS OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS. AT A JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE WITH BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR THURSDAY, MR. CLINTON CALLED FOR STEPPED-UP EFFORTS TO GET THE PLAN BACK ON TRACK IN TIME FOR THE SCHEDULED WITHDRAWAL OF U-S TROOPS FROM BOSNIA IN JUNE OF NEXT YEAR. V-O-A'S WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SOME ASPECTS OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS ARE, AS HE PUT IT, NOT GOING AS FAST AS THEY SHOULD.

CIVILIAN COMPONENTS OF THE PLAN -- LIKE THE RESETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES -- HAVE BEEN MET WITH RESISTANCE WITHIN THE COUNTRY, RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER BOSNIA WILL BE STABLE ENOUGH TO ALLOW NATO PEACEKEEPING TROOPS TO LEAVE AS SCHEDULED NEXT YEAR.

MR. CLINTON SAYS IT IS STILL POSSIBLE, BUT EXTRAORDINARY EFFORT WILL BE NEEDED.

IF WE WORK LIKE CRAZY IN THE NEXT 13 MONTHS, DO I BELIEVE WE CAN FULFILL OUR MISSION AND THAT THEY CAN GO FORWARD? YES, I DO. BUT I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME VERY TOUGH DECISIONS.

ALTHOUGH SOME EUROPEAN OFFIIALS HAVE CALLED FOR NATO TROOPS TO STAY BEYOND THE JUNE 1998 DEADLINE, U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE IN THEIR WORDS -- NO INTENTION AND NO PLAN -- TO EXTEND THE MISSION OF AMERICAN TROOPS IN BOSNIA. (SIGNED)
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29-May-97 5:31 PM EDT (2131 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CLINTON / NATO BY DEBORAH TATE (LONDON)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS CONCLUDED A THREE-DAY TRIP TO PARIS, THE HAGUE AND LONDON THAT FOCUSED ON NATO'S PLANS TO EXPAND EASTWARD. BRINGING FORMER WARSAW PACT NATIONS INTO THE WESTERN ALLIANCE, HE ARGUED, WOULD HELP CREATE A STABLE, DEMOCRATIC AND PEACEFUL EUROPE IN THE 21ST CENTURY. AFTER RETURNING TO WASHINGTON, MR. CLINTON WILL STEP UP HIS CAMPAIGN TO WIN SUPPORT FOR NATO ENLARGEMENT FROM A REPUBLICAN-LED CONGRESS THAT HAS BEGUN TO QUESTION THE IDEA. V-O-A WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON'S EUROPEAN VISIT WAS AIMED AT SETTING THE STAGE FOR HIS NEXT OVERSEAS TRIP: A NATO SUMMIT IN MADRID IN JULY WHEN THE ALLIANCE PLANS TO INVITE A FEW FORMER WARSAW PACT NATIONS TO BECOME MEMBERS. POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC ARE SAID TO BE LIKELY CANDIDATES.

BUT THE U-S SENATE WILL HAVE TO APPROVE NEW NATO MEMBERS BY A TWO-THIRDS VOTE. U-S OFFICIALS ADMIT IT WILL BE A CHALLENGE TO SELL THE IDEA TO AMERICAN LAWMAKERS THAT U-S TROOPS MIGHT BE CALLED UPON TO DEFEND FORMER WARSAW PACT NATIONS.

STROBE TALBOTT IS DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE:

THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY. AND IT SHOULD NOT BE EASY, PRECISELY BECAUSE OF THE STAKES INVOLVED.

FOR EXAMPLE, AIDES TO SENATOR JESSE HELMS OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, SAY THE SENATOR WANTS ASSURANCES THAT ENLARGING NATO WILL NOT UNDERMINE THE ALLIANCE'S EFFECTIVENESS.

MR. CLINTON RESPONDED TO THOSE CONCERNS TUESDAY IN PARIS AT THE SIGNING OF A NATO-RUSSIA AGREEMENT THAT GIVES MOSCOW A FORMAL ADVISORY ROLE IN THE ALLIANCE.

BY REDUCING RIVALRY AND FEAR, BUT STRENGTHENING PEACE AND COOPERATION, BY FACING COMMON THREATS TO THE SECURITY OF ALL DEMOCRACIES, NATO WILL PROMOTE GREATER STABILITY IN ALL OF EUROPE, INCLUDING RUSSIA. IN TURN, THAT WILL INCREASE THE SECURITY OF EUROPE'S NORTH AMERICAN PARTNERS, THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, AS WELL.

THERE ARE ALSO CONCERNS THAT NATO EXPANSION COULD HURT ARMS CONTROL EFFORTS. RUSSIA'S TOP NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICIAL THIS MONTH SAID EASTWARD EXPANSION OF THE ALLIANCE HAS CAST DOUBT THAT THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT WILL APPROVE THE LATEST START TREATY NEGOTIATED WITH THE UNITED STATES.

DURING HIS TRIP, MR. CLINTON NOTED RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN GAVE HIS ASSURANCES OF PARLIAMENTARY RATIFICATION.

STILL ANOTHER CONCERN FOR SOME LAWMAKERS IS THE COST OF EXPANDING NATO, ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN DOMESTIC SPENDING IS BEING CURTAILED AND THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT IS CONSIDERING CLOSING ADDITIONAL MILITARY BASES.

SPEAKING IN LONDON FOLLOWING TALKS WITH BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR, MR. CLINTON ESTIMATED THE U-S COST AT ABOUT 150-MILLION TO 200-MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. HE SUGGESTED IT WAS A MODEST AMOUNT COMPARED TO WHAT WESTERN ALLIES WOULD BE PAYING.

FOR MOST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, THE RELATIVE COSTS WILL BE GREATER THAN FOR THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE WE HAVE ALREADY DONE SOME OF THE STRUCTURAL THINGS THAT EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAVE TO DO -- MOST OF THEM.

SOME SUPPORTERS OF NATO EXPANSION HAVE THEIR OWN QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PLAN. THEY WANT REASSURANCES THAT OTHER FORMER EASTERN BLOC NATIONS WILL NOT BE LEFT BEHIND AFTER THE FIRST ROUND OF INVITATIONS ARE ANNOUNED IN JULY.

SPEAKING AT CEREMONIES IN THE HAGUE MARKING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARSHALL PLAN, MR. CLINTON RESPONDED.

THE FIRST NEW MEMBERS WILL NOT BE THE LAST. NATO'S DOORS MUST AND WILL REMAIN OPEN TO ALL THOSE ABLE TO SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP.

NOW THAT HIS EUROPEAN TRIP IS OVER, MR. CLINTON WILL FOCUS HIS ATTENTION ON WINNING DOMESTIC SUPPORT FOR NATO ENLARGEMENT.

HIS FIRST OPPORTUNITY WILL COME SATURDAY, WHEN HE ADDRESSES THE ISSUE IN A COMMENCEMENT SPEECH TO GRADUATES OF THE WEST POINT MILITARY ACADEMY IN NEW YORK. (SIGNED)
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29-May-97 3:58 PM EDT (1958 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] EURO CURRENCY (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THERE HAVE BEEN ECONOMIC SHOCK WAVES ACROSS EUROPE WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE GERMAN BUNDESBANK THAT IT IS OPPOSED TO A KEY MEASURE WHICH WOULD HELP GERMANY QUALIFY FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE PLANNED EUROPEAN SINGLE CURRENCY. JOHN FRASER REPORTS E-U OFFICIALS IN BRUSSELS SAY THEY REMAIN OPTIMISTIC THE GERMANS WILL, NONETHELESS, QUALIFY.

TEXT: THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT WANTS TO CUT ITS BORROWING, WHICH IS ONE OF THE THINGS IT HAS TO DO TO QUALIFY FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE NEW EUROPEAN CURRENCY, THE EURO, WHICH IS DUE TO BE LAUNCHED JANUARY FIRST, 1999.

ONE WAY THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT WANTS TO ACHIEVE THIS CUT IN BORROWING IS BY REVALUING THE COUNTRY'S GOLD RESERVES, WHICH WOULD BRING EXTRA CASH INTO THE NATIONAL ACCOUNTS. THE GERMAN BUNDESBANK HAS STUDIED THIS PLAN, AND HIT THE HEADLINES WHEN IT ATTACKED THIS IDEA AS UNSOUND, THUS CAUSING A MAJOR CRISIS IN CONFIDENCE.

WORRIED E-U OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE AWAITING FULL DETAILS OF THE GERMAN PLAN. AFTER THAT, THEY SAY THEY WILL FORM AN OPINION. BUT THEY WARN THE GERMANS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO INDULGE IN WHAT THEY DESCRIBE AS -- FINANCIAL FIDDLES OR COOKING THE BOOKS (MANIPULATING THE FIGURES).

DESPITE THE BUNDESBANK'S SHOCK ANNOUNCEMENT, E-U FINANCE COMMISSIONER YVES DE SILGUY CLAIMS THE NEW SINGLE CURRENCY, THE EURO, WILL BE LAUNCHED ON TIME. HE SAYS THE PROCESS IS IRREVERSIBLE, AND HE FULLY EXPECTS GERMANY TO BE ABLE AND WILLING TO TAKE PART.

BUT PRIVATELY, E-U OFFICIALS SAY THE LAUNCH OF THE EURO WOULD NEVER BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT GERMAN PARTICIPATION, AS THE DEUTCHMARK IS SUCH A STRONG CURRENCY.

CRITICS OF THE BUNDESBANK SAY ONE REASON FOR ITS HOSTILITY TO THE PLANNED RE-VALUATION OF THE COUNTRY'S GOLD RESERVES IS ITS GENERAL FEAR ITS OWN IMPORTANCE IS UNDER THREAT. A NEW EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK WILL BE CREATED TO MANAGE THE NEW EUROPEAN SINGLE CURRENCY, AND WILL TAKE OVER MANY POWERS FROM THE BUNDESBANK. (SIGNED)
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29-May-97 10:44 AM EDT (1444 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE THURSDAY CLOSED LOWER. PAUL FRANCUCH IN OUR LONDON OFFICE HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES.

TEXT: IT WAS A MARKET HOLIDAY IN GERMANY, SO NO STOCKS WERE TRADED ON THE EXCHANGE FLOOR IN FRANKFURT. GERMAN INVESTORS, HOWEVER, CONTINUE TO WATCH WHAT EFFECT -- IF ANY -- THE TURF BATTLE BETWEEN THEIR GOVERNMENT AND THE CENTRAL BANK OVER PLANS TO REVALUE THE COUNTRY'S GOLD RESERVES MAY HAVE ON THE MARKETS AND CURRENCY.

THE GERMAN DISPUTE WAS CITED BY SOME MARKET ANALYSTS AS A FACTOR IN THE SLIGHT DOWNTURN THURSDAY ON THE LONDON MARKET. THE KEY "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX FELL JUST OVER FIVE POINTS. CONCERNS SEEMED TO EASE IN PARIS OVER THIS SUNDAY'S DECISIVE ROUND OF PARLIAMENTARY VOTING IN FRANCE. THE "CAC 40" INDEX OF STOCKS FELL AGAIN, BUT ONLY BY JUST UNDER FOUR POINTS.

THE DOLLAR WAS DOWN A FRACTION OF A CENT AGAINST BOTH THE MARK AND THE POUND IN EUROPEAN TRADING. GOLD WAS DOWN A DOLLAR IN THE CLOSING LONDON FIX, SELLING AT 344-DOLLARS-FIVE CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
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29-May-97 2:52 PM EDT (1852 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] FRANCE / ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: FRANCE'S POLITICAL PARTIES HELD THEIR FINAL CAMPAIGN RALLIES THURSDAY BEFORE THE SECOND ROUND OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS SUNDAY. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS THE UPCOMING VOTE IS CERTAIN TO BRING A CLOSE FINISH.

TEXT: FRANCE'S EMBATTLED CONSERVATIVE COALITION HAS SPENT THIS PAST WEEK SCRAMBLING TO REGAIN THE UPPER HAND AFTER IT TOOK ONLY 36 PERCENT IN THE FIRST ROUND OF VOTING IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS LAST SUNDAY -- A FULL SIX POINTS BEHIND THE SOCIALIST AND COMMUNIST OPPOSITION.

THE FIRST CONSEQUENCE WAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CONSERVATIVE PRIME MINISTER, ALAIN JUPPE, THAT HE WOULD NO LONGER HEAD THE GOVERNMENT, EVEN IF THE RIGHT-WING DOES FINALLY WIN.

SINCE ONLY 12 DEPUTIES TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OBTAINED AN OUTRIGHT MAJORITY IN THE FIRST VOTE, THE REST OF THE 577 PARLIAMENTARY SEATS WILL BE DECIDED IN THE FINAL RUN-OFF VOTE SUNDAY.

IF THE LEFT-WING WINS, THIS MEANS THAT THE SOCIALIST PARTY LEADER, LIONEL JOSPIN, WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY BECOME PRIME MINISTER. AS THE CONSERVATIVE PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC STILL HAS FIVE YEARS OF HIS MANDATE TO RUN, THIS MEANS THAT THE FRENCH COULD BE IN FOR WHAT THEY CALL "CO-HABITATION," AN UNEASY POWER-SHARING ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN LEFT AND RIGHT.

SINCE MR. JUPPE'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HE IS RESIGNING, MR. CHIRAC HAS VIRTUALLY HANDED THE CAMPAIGN OVER TO PHILIPPE SEGUIN, THE POPULAR SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT, AND ALAIN MADELIN, A FORMER FINANCE MINISTER AND SUPPORTER OF FREE-MARKET REFORMS. THE ASSUMPTION NOW IS THAT, IF THE RIGHT'S FORTUNES DO CHANGE AND THE CONSERVATIVES TAKE THE ELECTION, THEN MR. SEGUIN WILL BE NAMED PRIME MINISTER.

ALTHOUGH THE PUBLICATION OF OPINION POLLS IS BANNED IN THE LAST WEEK OF ANY ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN FRANCE, BANKS AND GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS STILL COMMISSION PRIVATE POLLS. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS WITH ACCESS TO THESE POLLS, THEY STILL POINT TO A LEFT-WING VICTORY, BUT THERE IS A DETECTABLE SWING BACK TO THE RIGHT -- MEANING THAT THE FINAL OUTCOME IS STILL WIDE OPEN.

THE BUSINESS WORLD FEARS A LEFT-WING VICTORY BECAUSE THE SOCIALISTS SAY THEY WILL SUSPEND SOME PRIVATIZATIONS, INCLUDING THAT OF THE TELEPHONE UTILITY "FRANCE TELECOM." IN ADDITION, THE LIKELY PARTICIPATION OF COMMUNISTS IN A LEFT-WING GOVERNMENT WOULD BRING A STRONGLY ANTI-EUROPEAN ELEMENT INTO GOVERNMENT JUST AS FRANCE IS PREPARING ITS ECONOMY FOR ENTRY INTO THE NEW SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY. (SIGNED)
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29-May-97 1:24 PM EDT (1724 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] GERMANY / MARSHALL PLAN BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: IN GERMANY -- PERHAPS MORE THAN ANY OTHER NATION IN EUROPE -- THE MARSHALL PLAN PROVIDED PEOPLE WITH A SENSE OF HOPE AS WELL AS THE MEANS TO REBUILD THEIR SHATTERED LIVES. THE U-S FUNDED SELF-HELP PLAN ALSO GAVE BIRTH TO WHAT WAS SURELY ONE OF THE GREATEST MARKETING CAMPAIGNS OF ALL TIME. AS V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS, THE RESULTS OF THAT EFFORT LIVE ON TO THIS DAY.

TEXT: DESPITE THE MARSHALL PLAN'S EARLY SUCCESS IN PROVIDING AID AND GETTING FORMER ENEMIES TO WORK TOGETHER, MANY PEOPLE AT THE TIME KNEW RELATIVELY LITTLE ABOUT THE EUROPEAN RECOVERY PROGRAM.

TO FIX THAT SHORTCOMING, MARSHALL PLAN ADMINISTRATORS CREATED A TRAVELING RAILROAD EXHIBITION, SHOW CASING THE PROGRAM AND HIGHLIGHTING ITS BENEFITS.

THE EUROPEAN TRAIN, OR "EUROPAZUG" AS ITS CALLED IN THIS OLD GERMAN NEWSREEL, EVENTUALLY TRAVELED THROUGH EIGHT COUNTRIES, TELLING NEARLY A MILLION VISITORS HOW THE PLAN WAS HELPING TO RESTORE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, ESTABLISH FINANCIAL STABILITY, AND EXPAND TRADE.

SEVENTY-FOUR YEAR OLD ERNST VILLISCH WAS A YOUNG STUDENT IN 1951, WHEN HE WAS ASKED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE TRAIN'S INTERNATIONAL CREW.

ALTOGETHER WE VISITED ALL THE BIG CITIES IN THE WESTERN PART OF GERMANY, MR. VILLISCH SAYS, -- THEN WE TRAVELED THROUGH THE SOVIET ZONE TO BERLIN, WHICH WAS NOT YET DIVIDED.

BY THE TIME THE TRAIN BEGAN ITS JOURNEY IN APRIL OF 1951, THE THREE-YEAR-OLD MARSHALL PLAN HAD ALREADY PUMPED BILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO EUROPEAN RECOVERY EFFORTS.

IN WEST GERMANY, THE FOURTH-LARGEST RECIPIENT OF MARSHALL AID, FACTORIES WERE BEING REBUILT AND A MEASURE OF STABILITY WAS RETURNING TO THE COUNTRY.

BUT AS MR. VILLISCH AND HIS CO-WORKERS FROM FRANCE, HOLLAND, ITALY, SWITZERLAND, AND THE UNITED STATES TOURED GERMANY, HE SAYS MANY PEOPLE WERE STILL SKEPTICAL OF THE PROGRAM.

FOR THE MOST PART, GERMANS REACTED VERY POSITIVELY TO THE PLAN, BUT THERE WAS ALSO SOME MISTRUST AND SKEPTICISM, MR. VILLISCH SAYS. PEOPLE ASKED ABOUT THE FUNDING AND HOW THE AID WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID BACK, AND FOR THIS REASON THE TRAIN WAS AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF INFORMATION.

AT THE GERMAN HISTORY MUSEUM IN BONN, A RECREATION OF THE TRAIN MR. VILLISCH ONCE RODE IS NOW PART OF AN ONGOING EXHIBITION ON THE COUNTRY'S POST WAR RECOVERY.

MUSEUM CURATOR STEFAN LEONARDS SAYS MANY VISITORS ARE FASCINATED BY THE LONG FORGOTTEN TRAIN AND THE HISTORY OF THE MARSHALL PLAN.

THERE IS STILL -- IF YOU TALK TO ELDER PEOPLE -- A BIG GRATITUDE FOR THE MARSHALL PLAN. IF YOU JUST ASK THEM, THEY WILL TELL YOU ABOUT IT. AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IT IS QUITE EXTRAORDINARY THAT JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AFTER THE WAR THAT THE UNTIED STATES HELPED US, SO IT IS VERY MUCH ALIVE IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE TIME.

MR. VILLISCH, WHO SPENT SEVERAL MONTHS ON THE EUROPE TRAIN DISCUSSING THE MARSHALL PLAN AS A YOUNG STUDENT, SAYS MANY PEOPLE COULD NOT BELIEVE THEN SECRETARY OF STATE GEORGE MARSHALL, A FORMER ARMY GENERAL, COULD BE SO FAR SIGHTED TO UNDERSTAND THAT EUROPE NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO FUNCTION AGAIN.

EVERYTHING WAS DESTROYED AFTER THE WAR, MR. VILLISCH SAYS, BUT WHEREVER WE WENT, THERE WAS A WILL TO REBUILD. HE SAYS IN CONTRAST TO TODAY THERE WAS AN OPTIMISM THAT THINGS WOULD GET BETTER. HE SAYS AS THE MARSHALL PLAN HELPED CREATE THAT OPTIMISM THE EUROPAZUG HELPED CREATE A SHINING EXAMPLE OF HOW EUROPEANS COULD WORK TOGETHER. (SIGNED)
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29-May-97 2:20 PM EDT (1820 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] HISTORIC NATO EXPANSION AGREEMENT SIGNED BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

(UNEDITED)

INTRO: HISTORY WAS MADE IN PARIS THIS WEEK WHEN RUSSIA, SUCCESSOR NATION TO MOST OF THE SOVIET UNION SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH NATO THAT FORMALLY ENDED THE COLD WAR AND ALLOWED FOR THE ALLIANCE'S EASTWARD EXPANSION.

FOR U-S PRESS REACTION TO THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION, WE TURN TO _______________AND TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: AS THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE'S RAY MOSELEY DESCRIBED IT, "IN A SCENE IMPOSSIBLE TO IMAGINE BEFORE THE BERLIN WALL COLLAPSED JUST SEVEN AND ONE HALF YEARS AGO, PRESIDENT CLINTON AND NATO'S 15 OTHER HEADS OF STATE WELCOMED RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN INTO THE ELYSEE PALACE TO SIGN THE LANDMARK ACCORD....." IT WAS OFFICIALLY TITLED THE "FOUNDING ACT ON MUTUAL COOPERATION, AND WITH IT GIVES RUSSIA IS AN ADVISORY ROLE IN FORMING NATO POLICY, BUT NOT, AS THE WEST HAS TAKEN PAINS TO POINT OUT, A VETO OVER NATO DECISIONS.

THE AGREEMENT REMOVES THE LAST FORMAL OBSTACLE FOR NATO TO EXPAND ITS MEMBERSHIP TO THE FIRST FORMER MEMBERS OF THE NOW-DEFUNCT WARSAW PACT, NATO'S OLD NEMESIS. THEY ARE WIDELY EXPECTED TO BE HUNGARY, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND POLAND, WITH OTHER NATIONS QUEUING UP BEHIND THEM FOR POSSIBLE LATER ADMISSION.

THE U-S PRESS IS STILL DIVIDED AS TO WHETHER NATO EXPANSION, AT THIS TIME IS NECESSARY, OR EVEN, A GOOD IDEA. WE BEGIN IN MAINE, WHERE THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD THINKS IT DEFINITELY IS.

VOICE: "BORIS YELTSIN PROVED TO BE THE MAN OF THE HOUR AT THE PARIS SIGNING OF THE FOUNDING ACT ON NATO .... TUESDAY. THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PRESENTED HIMSELF AND HIS NATION NOT AS DEFEATED SUBJECTS IN THE LONG COLD WAR THAT ENDED WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF SOVIET COMMUNISM. HE CAME AS A VICTOR INSTEAD, IN 'A VICTORY FOR REASON,' THAT 'WILL PROTECT EUROPE AND THE WORLD FROM A NEW CONFRONTATION.' ..... THE HISTORIC ACCORD BETWEEN RUSSIA AND NAT, SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNTHINKABLE TWO YEARS AGO, ALSO IS A POWERFUL TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT CLINTON. HE AND HIS INDEFATIGABLE SECRETARY OF STATE, MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, PERSEVERED AGAINST THE CRITICS, ALTHOUGH THE NAYSAYERS IN CONGRESS STILL MUST BE DEALT WITH. ..... JUST AS TIME PROVED [MARSHALL PLAN ARCHITECT GEORGE C.] MARSHALL RIGHT, SO IT WILL PROVE [PRESIDENT] CLINTON RIGHT. TIME IS ON [MR.] YELTSIN'S SIDE AS WELL. LIKE AN EARLIER RUSSIAN LEADER, PETER THE GREAT, HE HAS CHOSEN TO KEEP A WINDOW OPEN ON THE WEST, RATHER THAN TRYING TO SHUT IT OUT."

TEXT: OUT WEST, THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS IN DENVER SAYS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS AGREEMENT IN THAT BOTH SIDES SEEM TO HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT INTERPRETATION ABOUT TO WHAT - - EXACTLY - - THEY ARE ALL AGREEING.

VOICE: ".... BOTH SIDES HAVE DIFFERING VIEWS OF WHAT HAS BEEN AGREED. THE RUSSIANS SEEM TO FEEL THEY HAVE APPROVAL RIGHTS OVER ANY FUTURE NATO MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN THE TERRITORY OF THE NEW MEMBERS. THE UNITED STATES SAYS THE RUSSIANS HAVE A VOICE, NOT A VETO, AND WHILE THERE ARE 'NO PRESENT PLANS ' TO BUILD BASES OR STATION TROOPS THERE, NATO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DO SO. NATO IS ABOVE ALL A MILITARY ALLIANCE, AND SUCH ALLIANCES ARE MEANINGLESS WITHOUT TROOPS AND BASES. THE UNITED STATES HAS 100-THOUSAND TROOPS IN EUROPE NOW TO FILL OUR EXISTING NATO COMMITMENTS. THE WHITE HOUSE HAS BEEN VAGUE ABOUT THE EXACT MILITARY COSTS OF NATO EXPANSION, PREFERRING TO DWELL ON THE HAZIER POLITICAL BENEFITS - - COUNTRIES MUST BE DUE-PROCESS DEMOCRACIES TO JOIN. THE WHITE HOUSE WILL BOAST ON THE PRESIDENT'S BEHALF THAT EXPANDING NATO IS A FOREIGN POLICY ACHIEVEMENT ON THE SCALE OF THE MARSHALL PLAN. HARDLY. WE KNOW THE MARSHALL PLAN WORKED. WE KNOW NO SUCH THING ABOUT AN EXPANDED NATO - - AND INDEED, FAIL TO UNDERSTAND WHY AN EXPANSION (OR PERHAPS EVEN NATO ITSELF, NOW THAT THE SOVIET THREAT HAS VANISHED) IS NECESSARY."

TEXT: ALSO TAKING A SOMEWHAT PESSIMISTIC, VIEW, IS THE NEW YORK TIMES.

VOICE: "...THE PLEASANTRIES IN PARIS WERE A DISTRACTION. THE COMMON DENOMINATOR OF NATO EXPANSION AND A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY IS THE DIVISION OF EUROPE INTO TWO CAMPS, THE PROSPEROUS DEMOCRACIES AND THOSE NOT SO STRONG OR FORTUNATE. NATO EXPANSION WOULD GIVE THAT DECISION POLITICAL AND MILITARY FORM, AND THE COMMON CURRENCY WOULD REINFORCE IT ECONOMICALLY. RUSSIA, ON ALL COUNTS, WOULD BE LEFT SQUARELY IN THE EXCLUDED CAMP. ...... JUST AS THE SECURITY OF EUROPE AFTER WORLD WAR TWO DEPENDED ON THE TRANSFORMATION OF GERMANY INTO A PEACEFUL, DEMOCRATIC NATION, THE FUTURE STABILITY OF EUROPE NOW RESTS HEAVILY ON THE CONSOLIDATION OF DEMOCRACY AND FREE MARKETS IN RUSSIA. NEITHER NATO GROWTH NOR A COMMON CURRENCY WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR RUSSIA TO SEE ITSELF AS PART OF EUROPE."

TEXT: ON LONG ISLAND, NEWSDAY IS ALSO NOT IMPRESSED BY THE SIGNING, AND WARNS:

VOICE: "IF ANYTHING, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN TO EXPAND NATO EASTWARD IS MAKING IT LESS LIKELY THAT NUCLEAR WEAPONS THAT CAN BE AIMED AT THE WEST WILL BE DISMANTLED. EVEN AS [MR.] YELTSIN SIGNED THE NEW ACCORD, RUSSIAN SECURITY OFFICIALS WERE SAYING THAT NATO ENLARGEMENT WILL MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, TO GAIN RUSSIAN PARLIAMENTARY RATIFICATION OF THE START TWO TREATY - - AN AGREEMENT THAT DOES DISMANTLE NUCLEAR MISSILES. RUSSIA'S PREOCCUPATION WITH NATO ENLARGEMENT ALSO IS MAKING IT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH ANOTHER MAJOR CONCERN, THE SECURITY OF THOUSANDS OF NUCLEAR WARHEADS FROM DISMANTLED MISSILES THAT ARE STORED IN RUSSIA. TOP OFFICIALS IN BOTH RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES ARE SPENDING THEIR TIME DEALING WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF NATO ENLARGEMENT - - NOT THE MORE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM OF WHAT TO DO ABOUT 'LOOSE NUKES' IN RUSSIA.

..... IN FACT, GEORGE KENNAN, THE RETIRED DIPLOMAT AND HISTORIAN WHO WAS PRESENT AT THE CREATION OF NATO AND THE MARSHALL PLAN, HAS WRITTEN THAT THE ENLARGEMENT OF NATO IS THE BIGGEST SINGLE FOREIGN-POLICY ERROR SINCE THE END OF THE COLD WAR."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, IN BALTIMORE, THE SUN IS CONCERNED ON TWO POINTS: ONE, TAKING WHAT IT FEELS IS ADVANTAGE OF A WEAKENED RUSSIA WHICH HAS LITTLE CHOICE BUT TO ACQUIESCE TO THE EXPANSION.

AND THEN THE SUN REMINDS ITS READERS THAT WHILE THE HEADS OF STATE MAY HAVE ALL EAGERLY SIGNED THE AGREEMENT IN PARIS, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THE 16 NATO NATIONS MUST NOW TAKE IT HOME TO GET IT RATIFIED IN EACH OF THOSE 16 LEGISLATURES. AND THAT, SUGGESTS THE SUN, WILL BE N O EASY TASK, ESPECIALLY IN CONGRESS.

VOICE: "WHAT IS DANGEROUS IN WESTERN TRIUMPHALISM IS HOW MUCH IT SEEMS TO DEPEND ON THE FRAIL AND NONE-TOO-SECURE MR. YELTSIN. WHILE HIS OPPONENTS ARE NOW IN CHECK, HIS HOLD ON POWER HAS BEEN CHALLENGED BEFORE AND WILL BE CHALLENGED AGAIN. IN ADDITION, THE UNITED STATES HAS HARDLY BEGUN A NEEDED NATIONAL DEBATE ON THE COSTS AND RISKS OF COMMITTING ITSELF TO THE DEFENSE OF LARGE CHUNKS OF EASTERN EUROPE.

..... WHILE ALL THE DIPLOMATIC PAGEANTRY SUGGESTS NATO EXPANSION IS A FAIT ACCOMPLI, IT STILL MUST BE RATIFIED BY THE U-S SENATE. GIVEN THE CONCERNS OF INFLUENTIAL AMERICAN CRITICS, THIS WILL NOT BE A 'SLAM DUNK,' [IN THIS CASE "FOREGONE CONCLUSION"] ACCORDING TO UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT. NOR SHOULD IT BE."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EARLY U-S PRESS OPINION ON THE NATO EXPANSION AGREEMENT SIGNING THIS WEEK IN PARIS.
NEB/ANG/T-B-A
29-May-97 12:32 PM EDT (1632 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (THURSDAY) AS PROFIT-TAKING CONTINUED. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 73 HUNDRED 30, DOWN 27 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 844, DOWN THREE POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT NEWS TO MOVE STOCKS IN EITHER DIRECTION BUT THAT PROFIT-TAKING FROM THE RECENT STRONG RALLIES DOMINATED THE SESSION.

TECHNOLOGY STOCKS WERE SOMEWHAT DEPRESSED AFTER A LEADING BROKERAGE FIRM LOWERED ITS RATING FOR I-B-M, THE WORLD'S LARGEST COMPUTER COMPANY.

THE LATEST ECONOMIC STATISTICS WERE STABLE WITH NEW CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS UNCHANGED LAST WEEK AND A MONTHLY INDEX OF HELP WANTED ADVERTISING ALSO UNCHANGED.

THE HEAD OF GENERAL MOTORS SAYS THAT, ALTHOUGH THE COMPANY IS GAINING, IT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MEET ITS GOAL OF 33 PERCENT OF THE U-S MARKET THIS YEAR. G-M CHAIRMAN JACK SMITH SAYS RECENT STRIKES AT SEVERAL U-S PLANTS HAVE SLOWED THE COMPANY'S GROWTH.

THE STOCK OF THE NIKE FOOTWEAR AND APPAREL COMPANY DROPPED BY MORE THAN 10 PERCENT AFTER IT SAID ITS QUARTERLY PROFITS WILL BE LOWER THAN WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS IN 20 U-S STATES SAY THEY WILL CRACK DOWN ON SOME SMALL INVESTMENT FIRMS WHO USE MISLEADING AND HIGH PRESSURE TACTICS TO SELL LOW-PRICED AND LITTLE KNOWN STOCKS. MANY OF THOSE BROKERS OPERATE OUT OF WHAT ARE CALLED "BOILER ROOMS" FROM WHERE THEY CALL POTENTIAL INVESTORS ON THE TELEPHONE. SEAGRAM, THE CANADIAN-BASED BEVERAGE AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, HAS SOLD MORE THAN HALF OF ITS HOLDINGS IN THE TIME WARNER ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY FOR ONE-POINT FOUR-BILLION DOLLARS. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/LWM
29-May-97 5:04 PM EDT (2104 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] NATO MEETING UPDATE (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (SINTRA, PORTUGAL)

INTRO: NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE HELD A MEETING IN PORTUGAL THAT MAY DETERMINE WHICH COUNTRIES ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE AT A SUMMIT MEETING IN MADRID IN JULY. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM SINTRA, PORTUGAL, THE FIRST FORMAL DISCUSSION OF NEW MEMBERS HAS TAKEN PLACE.

TEXT: SINTRA IS THE WESTERN-MOST POINT ON THE EUROPEAN CONTINENT. IT IS HERE THAT THE NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE HAD THEIR FIRST FORMAL DISCUSSION OF WHICH CENTRAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES SHOULD BE INVITED TO JOIN THE WESTERN ALLIANCE IN THE FIRST ROUND AT MADRID.

THESE FOREIGN MINISTERS DO NOT MAKE THE FINAL DECISION, BUT SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA WILL USE THE DISCUSSION HERE TO TRY TO FORM A CONSENSUS FOR THE MADRID SUMMIT MEETING.

I AM SURE WE WILL REACH A CONSENSUS AND I AM IN CHARGE TO TRY TO WORK TO PREPARE THAT CONSENSUS AND OFFER THAT FOR A DECISION BY THE HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT AT THE SUMMIT IN MADRID. I DO NOT HAVE ANY DOUBT THAT WE WILL REACH A CONSENSUS, A CONSENSUS THAT WITHOUT ANY DOUBT WILL BE THE BEST FOR THE ALLIANCE, THE BEST FOR STABILITY ON OUR CONTINENT.

ACCORDING TO DIPLOMATS HERE, A MAJORITY OF NATO MEMBERS WOULD PREFER THE CONSENSUS BE FOR ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE NEW MEMBERS.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT INDICATED TO HER FELLOW MINISTERS PRIVATELY THAT THE UNITED STATES PREFERS A SMALLER NUMBER, NAMELY POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC.

IN HER REMARKS TO THE CLOSED SESSION OF THE NATO COUNCIL, SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT TOLD THE MINISTERS, THE ALLIANCE SHOULD ADMIT ONLY NEW DEMOCRACIES THAT HAVE CLEARED THE HIGHEST HURDLES OF REFORM. SHE TOLD REPORTERS LATER THE UNITED STATES IS STILL OPEN TO DISCUSSION DURING THE NEXT 40 DAYS.

THERE HAS BEEN NO FINAL DECISION ON THIS SUBJECT EITHER BY THE UNITED STATES OR BY THE PEOPLE THAT PARTICIPATED IN WHAT WAS THE FIRST FORMAL DISCUSSION THAT WE'VE HAD. THERE'S OBVIOUSLY BEEN A GREAT DEAL OF SPECULATION ABOUT THE COUNTRIES OR THE NUMBER OF COUNTRIES THAT ARE COMING IN, BUT THIS WAS THE FIRST FORMAL DISCUSSION OF THE SUBJECT AND THERE WILL BE OTHERS.

ACCORDING TO DIPLOMATS HERE, THE UNITED STATES WAS JOINED BY GERMANY AND NORDIC COUNTRIES IN STATING ITS PREFERENCE FOR A SMALLER NUMBER IN THE FIRST ROUND.

OTHER NATO MEMBERS WANT TO INVITE ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA AS WELL. INITIAL OBJECTIONS TO SLOVENIA SETTLE ON ITS LACK OF MILITARY READINESS TO HELP NATO. ON ROMANIA, A SENIOR AMERICAN OFFICIAL SAYS DURABILITY OF REFORMS SHOULD BE A CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP, NOT JUST REFORMS IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. THAT'S A CLEAR REFERENCE TO ROMANIA'S RECENT CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT, WHICH HAS MADE REFORM PROMISES BUT HAS NOT HAD TIME TO SHOW RESULTS.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS SHE WANTS NEW MEMBERS TO BE READY TO HELP NATO FROM THE BEGINNING AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROCESS LEADING TO A SECOND ROUND OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

IN OUR DISCUSSIONS, WE WERE GUIDED BY THE PRINCIPLES THAT I MENTIONED, THAT IS, THAT THE ENLARGED NATO NEEDS TO BE STRONG AND COHESIVE AND THAT THE PROCESS HAS TO BE ONE OF AN OPEN DOOR THAT THE FIRST SHALL NOT BE THE LAST.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT TOLD THE MINISTERS THE FIRST ROUND IS NOT A HALE-BOPP COMET THAT APPEARS ONCE IN A LIFETIME. IN FACT, THE UNITED STATES HAS SUGGESTED THAT GOOD CANDIDATES LIKE ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA WOULD MAKE A SECOND ROUND MORE POSSIBLE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

AT THE MEETING HERE IN PORTUGAL, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL SOLANA INITIALED AN AGREEMENT WITH UKRAINE'S FOREIGN MINISTER ON A CHARTER FOR PERMANENT CONSULTATIONS. THE AGREEMENT WILL BE SIGNED IN MADRID BY NATO LEADERS AND UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT LEONID KUCHMA.

NATO OFFICIALS SAY IT IS SIMILAR TO THE AGREEMENT RUSSIA SIGNED WITH ALLIANCE LEADERS IN PARIS THIS WEEK BUT DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR A JOINT COUNCIL WITH NATO AS THE ALLIANCE'S AGREEMENT WITH RUSSIA DOES. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/ENE/RRM
29-May-97 4:23 PM EDT (2023 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] PRIVACY, INTERNET, SOFTWARE, ENCRYPTION, BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ON THIS EDITION OF AMERICAN DIGEST:

CONCERN ABOUT HIGH-TECH PRIVACY,

THE FUTURE OF THE INTERNET,

THE AMERICAN SOFTWARE INDUSTRY,

AND, APPROVAL TO EXPORT ENCRYPTION PRODUCTS, *****

PRIVACY

TEXT: A VAST AMOUNT OF PERSONAL INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE VIA COMPUTER. SOME PEOPLE THINK THERE IS TOO MUCH DATA. TO TRY TO PREVENT ABUSE, U.S. SENATORS DIANNE FEINSTEIN AND CHARLES GRASSLEY INTRODUCED THE PERSONAL INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT OF 1997. THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD MAKE IT TOUGHER, IN THE UNITED STATES, "FOR BUSINESSES TO SELL SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, UNLISTED PHONE NUMBERS AND OTHER KINDS OF PERSONAL DATA." TIME MAGAZINE SAYS THAT SENATOR FEINSTEIN BECAME INTERESTED IN THE ISSUE WHEN STAFF MEMBERS SAID THEY FOUND HER SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON THE INTERNET IN LESS THAN THREE MINUTES. THE SENATOR SAYS THAT "PEOPLE ARE LOSING CONTROL OF THEIR IDENTITIES. OUR PRIVATE LIVES," SHE CONTINUES, "ARE BECOMING COMMODITIES WITH TREMENDOUS VALUE IN THE MARKETPLACE."

INTERNET

TEXT: MORE THAN 100 INTERNET EXPERTS GATHERED IN VIENNA, VIRGINIA, RECENTLY TO DISCUSS WAYS TO IMPROVE THE INTERNET. ROBERT KAHN, AN INTERNET PIONEER, NOW WITH THE CENTER FOR NATIONAL RESEARCH INITIATIVES, SAYS THAT HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES NEVER EXPECTED TODAY'S COMMERCIALIZED HIGH TECH HIGHWAY "TO EVOLVE FROM THE ORIGINAL RESEARCH NETWORKS THEY HELPED CREATE." MR. KAHN TOLD THE USA TODAY NEWSPAPER THAT "THE REAL MOTIVE BACK THEN WAS THE IDEA OF LINKING COMPUTERS." AMONG THE SUGGESTIONS FOR WHAT'S BEING CALLED THE NEXT GENERATION INTERNET, IS TO MAKE IT CAPABLE OF TRANSMITTING DATA "A HUNDRED OR MORE TIMES FASTER WHILE BEING MORE SECURE AND MORE RELIABLE." *****

SOFTWARE

TEXT: US NEWS & WORLD REPORT SAYS THAT FOR AMERICAN SOFTWARE MANUFACTURERS, JAPAN "IS ONE OF THEIR MOST LUCRATIVE MARKETS." THE MAGAZINE ADDS THAT U.S.-PRODUCED APPLICATION PROGRAMS FOR PERSONAL COMPUTERS ALONE "WERE $1 BILLION FOR 1996, A 27-PERCENT JUMP OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR." ACCORDING TO US NEWS: "THE PROWESS OF AMERICAN PROGRAMMERS IS PARTLY THE TRIUMPH OF A COWBOY TYPE OF APPROACH TO SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT, IN WHICH AN INSPIRED INDIVIDUAL, OR SMALL GROUP OF PROGRAMMERS, PRODUCES A PROGRAM FASTER THAN A 1,000-PERSON ARMY, AS IS THE CASE IN A JAPANESE SOFTWARE 'FACTORY'." *****

ENCRYPTION

TEXT: PRETTY GOOD PRIVACY, AN AMERICAN COMPANY PRODUCING ENCRYPTION PRODUCTS TOLD THE WALL STREET JOURNAL THAT IT HAD RECEIVED PERMISSION TO EXPORT ITS PRODUCT "TO OVERSEAS SUBSIDIARIES OF 100 LARGE U.S. COMPANIES." THE SOFTWARE IS DESIGNED "TO SCRAMBLE ELECTRONIC MAIL AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS SO THEY CAN'T BE READ EXCEPT BY THE INTENDED RECIPIENT." THE NEWSPAPER NOTES THAT EXPORT RESTRICTIONS ON STRONG ENCRYPTION TECHNIQUES "CONTAIN AN EXEMPTION FOR U.S. COMPANIES' OVERSEAS SUBSIDIARIES." WILLIAM REINSCH, UNDERSECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR EXPORT ADMINISTRATION, SAYS THAT "WE ARE TRYING TO FACILITATE THE USE OF STRONG ENCRYPTION FOR AMERICAN COMPANIES AND WE ARE CERTAINLY SUPPORTIVE OF AMERICAN COMPANIES PROTECTING THEIR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY." *****
29-May-97 11:37 AM EDT (1537 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE SUPREME COURT DECISION ALLOWING PAULA JONES TO PROCEED WITH HER SEXUAL HARASSMENT LAWSUIT AGAINST PRESIDENT CLINTON CONTINUES TO DOMINATE THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF U-S PAPERS.

IN OTHER COMMENTARIES, ONE CAN FIND DISCUSSIONS ON THE CHANGE OF PRESIDENTS IN IRAN; A NEW FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ASSAULT ON A POPULAR CIGARETTE ADVERTISING CHARACTER - - JOE CAMEL; FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT F.W. DE KLERK'S RECENT ACTIONS, AND FINALLY, FINANCIAL TROUBLES IN PRAGUE.

NOW, HERE IS ___________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND A QUOTE OR TWO, IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: MORE COMMENTS ON THE SUPREME COURT'S UNANIMOUS DECISION TO ALLOW PAULA JONES'S LAWSUIT TO PROCEED TODAY FROM THE NEW YORK POST, ATLANTA CONSTITUTION AND OTHERS. MS. JONES HAS ACCUSED THE PRESIDENT OF SEXUAL HARASSSMENT WHILE HE WAS GOVERNOR OF ARKANSAS, AND THE COURT HAS RULED THAT A PRESIDENT'S PERSONAL ACTIONS MAY TAKE HIM INTO COURT. THAT IS, HIS PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY DOESN'T EXTEND TO UNOFFICIAL ACTS. SAYS THE NEW YORK POST:

VOICE: "IT IS NO HAPPY EVENT WHEN A PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FINDS HIMSELF ON THE LOSING END OF A UNANIMOUS SUPREME COURT DECISION. ...... TRUE, THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION CANNOT FAIL TO GIVE SOME SENSE OF SATISFACTION TO THOSE FRUSTRATED BY THE UNRELENTING (AND THUS FAR SUCCESSFUL) WHITE HOUSE EFFORTS TO DELAY AND STIFLE LEGITIMATE INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE SCANDALS THAT HAVE SURROUNDED CLINTON & COMPANY FROM DAY ONE. .... BUT WE WOULD BE SURPRISED - - TO SAY NOTHING OF DISAPPOINTED - - IF THE PRESIDENT THINKS HE CAN DEFY THE SUPREME COURT."

TEXT: THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION SAYS THE SUPREME COURT "HAS RULED WISELY AND WITH APPROPRIATE CAUTION IN THE CASE" WHILE ADDING:

VOICE: "CLEARLY, THE LAWSUIT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FILED IF BILL CLINTON HAD NOT BEEN ELECTED PRESIDENT. FURTHERMORE, THE SUIT HAS BEEN FINANCED AND PUSHED BY SOME OF [PRESIDENT] CLINTON'S MOST STRIDENT POLITICAL FOES, PEOPLE WHO HAVE DISCREDITED THEMSELVES IN THE PAST WITH PERFECTLY OUTLANDISH AND GROUNDLESS ALLEGATIONS. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE CLAIMS BY PAULA JONES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR BY [MR.] CLINTON ARE SERIOUS, AND SOME TROUBLING DETAILS OF HER ALLEGATIONS HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED BY OTHER WITNESSES. GIVEN THAT EVIDENCE, IT WOULD SEEM HARD FOR A COURT TO RULE AT THIS POINT THAT THE CASE IS WITHOUT MERIT."

TEXT: THE [NEW YORK] DAILY NEWS IS HAPPY WITH THE DECISION, BUT PROFOUNDLY SADDENED BY WHAT MAY RESULT.

VOICE: "TO SEE THE PRESIDENCY - - NEVER MIND THIS PRESIDENT - - DRAGGED THROUGH THE MUD OF DOGPATCH [A FICTIONAL SOUTHERN SMALL TOWN FROM A POPULAR COMIC STRIP] DOES THE NATION NO HONOR OR GOOD. .... WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, HISTORY WILL REMEMBER THAT THE COURT HELD .... THE PRESIDENT IS FIRST AND FOREMOST A UNITED STATES CITIZEN, SUBJECT TO THE LAW LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. THE REST [OF THE STORY] WILL JUST SELL SOAP [AN ALLUSION TO THE SO-CALLED "SOAP OPERAS," AFTERNOON MELODRAMAS ON TELEVISION THAT OFTEN HAVE - - OR HAD - - SOAP AS SPONSORS]. CHEAP SOAP, AT THAT."

TEXT: AND IN THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, THERE IS A CALL FOR A FAST RESOLUTION OF THE CASE, EITHER IN COURT, OR VIA A SETTLEMENT, WITH THE PAPER FAVORING THE LATTER.

IN OTHER NEWS, THE NEW, "MODERATE" PRESIDENT-ELECT OF IRAN IS DRAWING THE ATTENTION OF NEWSDAY, WHICH URGES ITS READERS TO "APPLAUD" HIS VICTORY, "BUT NOT TOO MUCH." CALLING THE ELECTION LAST FRIDAY OF MOHAMMAD KHATAMI, THE FORMER MINISTER OF CULTURE, AN "EYE-OPENER [A SURPRISE]", THE PAPER CAUTIONS:

VOICE: "THE ELECTION WAS FREE AND THE TURNOUT - - CLOSE TO 90 PERCENT - - SHOULD PUT AMERICAN VOTERS TO SHAME. SO MUCH FOR THE IMAGE OF A MONOLITHIC, AUTHORITARIAN IRAN. HOW CAN THE UNITED STATES CAPITALIZE ON THIS ENCOURAGING RESULT? VERY CAUTIOUSLY, THAT'S HOW. [MR.] KHATAMI MADE IT QUITE CLEAR THIS WEEK THAT IMPROVING RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES IS NOT ONE OF HIS TOP PRIORITIES. ..... BESIDES, WHEN [MR.] KHATAMI TAKES OFFICE IN AUGUST, HE WON'T BE AT THE TOP OF IRAN'S GOVERNMENT PECKING ORDER [HIERARCHY]. THAT POSITION WILL STILL BE HELD BY THE MUCH MORE HARD-LINE AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMEINI, WHO IS DEEMED SUPREME LEADER BY VIRTUE OF THE MULLAHS' SUPPORT."

TEXT: THE SUN IN BALTIMORE AGREES, CALLING THE ELECTION "NO WATERSHED CHANGE IN IRAN," ADDING "THE U-S SHOULD PROBE FOR ANY POSSIBILITY OF IMPROVING RELATIONS, BUT NOT EXPECT SUCCESS."

BACK IN DOMESTIC AFFAIRS, "JOE CAMEL", THE CARTOON CHARACTER WHO ADVERTISES CAMEL CIGARETTES, IS UNDER ATTACK FROM CRITICS. THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION [F-T-C] HAS RULED THAT THE CHARACTER IS SPECIFICALLY TARGETTING CHILDREN AND ENCOURAGING THEM TO SMOKE. SAYS THE LOS ANGELES TIMES OF THE F-T-C DECISION:

VOICE: "IF THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION HAS IT WAY, JOE CAMEL WILL SOON BE AS EXTINCT AS THE DINOSAUR AND THE DODO [BIRD]. AND FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL BE GRATEFUL. [OPT].... JOE, THE SUPPOSEDLY COOL, [SOPHISTICATED] SUNGLASSES-WEARING CAMEL, APPEARS IN MAGAZINE ADS AND ON BILLBOARDS WITH A CIGARETTE DANGLING FROM HIS LIPS BUT OF COURSE IS NEVER SHOWN TO SNEEZE, COUGH OR SUFFER FROM TOBACCO-RELATED CORONARY OR PULMONARY DISEASES. [END OPT] WARINESS IS ALWAYS IN ORDER WHEN THE GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO REGULATE ADVERTISING CONTENT ..... BUT THERE ARE TIMES...... WHEN PUBLIC SAFETY IMPERATIVES DESERVEDLY TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES DISAGREES, CITING THE 1994 REFUSAL OF THE F-T-C TO BAN THE CHARACTER. THEN, THE F-T-C FOUND NO GROUNDS THAT "JOE CAMEL" LED CHILDREN TO SMOKE. SAYS THE PAPER:

VOICE: "THREE YEARS LATER, THERE IS LITTLE OR NO NEW EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST OTHERWISE - - ONLY A CHANGE IN THE POLITICAL CLIMATE THAT, AS THIS PAGE HAS SUGGESTED PREVIOUSLY, MEANS ANYTHING GOES WHEN IT COMES TO BRINGING DOWN ONE OF THE 'BLACK HATS' [BAD GUYS] OF INDUSTRY. ..... THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST TOBACCO HAS METASTASIZED. JOE CAMEL WON'T BE ITS LAST VICTIM."

TEXT: IN ASIA, AS REGARDS THE FAMINE IN NORTH KOREA, TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST NOTES THE CONTINUING FRUSTRATION OF THE WEST IN DEALING WITH XENOPHOBIC STATE.

VOICE: "BY RELIABLE ACCOUNTS, MILLIONS OF NORTH KOREANS ARE SUFFERING FROM MALNUTRITION AND FACE .... STARVATION, AND NORTH KOREA HAS ASKED SOUTH KOREA AND JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE FOR FOOD. YET THE STIFLING STALINIST DICTATORSHIP ....... ALSO CONTINUES TO FIND MONEY TO SUPPORT THE WORLD'S FOURTH-LARGEST STANDING ARMY AND AHUGE, IF BACKWARD, ARSENAL - - AIMED LARGELY AT ITS WOULD-BE BENEFACTORS IN THE SOUTH. .....SOUTH KOREA, THE EUROPEAN UNION, CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES ARE RIGHT TO GIVE FOOD WITHOUT CONDITIONS ..... BUT THE SOUTH KOREANS ALSO ARE CORRECT WHEN THEY ARGUE THAT NO AMOUNT OF CHARITY CAN COMPENSATE FOR NORTH KOREA'S STRUCTURAL PROBLEM."

TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES IS WATCHING DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA, SPECIFICALLY IN F-W DE KLERK'S NATIONAL PARTY WHICH HAS JUST DISBANDED A TASK FORCE TRYING TO MODERNIZE THE PARTY AND ATTRACT MORE BLACK MEMBERS.

VOICE: "WHEN HE SERVED AS SOUTH AFRICA'S LAST WHITE PRESIDENT, F-W DE KLERK COULD BE A MAN OF VISION AND PRAGMATISM. .... THIS MONTH, HOWEVER [HE] SEEMS TO HAVE PUT HIS BLINDERS BACK ON. IN DEALING WITH HIS NATION'S TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION AND WITH THE FUTURE OF HIS OWN NATIONAL PARTY, HE HAS RETREATED TO NARROW AND UNREALISTIC DECISIONS. HE IS DAMAGING HIS OWN REPUTATION, THE FORTUNES OF HIS PARTY AND THE CHANCE THAT SOUTH AFRICANS CAN LIVE TOGETHER IN PEACE."

TEXT: FINALLY, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, NOTING THE RECENT DROP IN THE CZECH CURRENCY, THE KORUNA, HAS SOME WORDS FOR CZECH PRIME MINISTER VACLAV KLAUS.

VOICE: "THE ... PRIME MINISTER OFTEN POINTED TO THE KORUNA'S STRENGTH AS A DEFENSE AGAINST CRITICS OF THE COUNTRY'S SLOWING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND GROWING TRADE DEFICIT. SO THE EXCHANGE-RATE CHANGE IS A SETBACK FOR HIM - AND UNFORTUNATELY JUST THE LATEST IN ALONG LOSING STREAK FOR EASTERN EUROPE'S MOST FAMOUS FREE MARKETS POSTER BOY [PUBLICITY FOCUS]. A NUMBER OF MR. KLAUS'S CABINET MEMBERS HAVE ALREADY DEPARTED AND MR. KLAUS MAY WELL BE WONDERING WHETHER TO JOIN THE QUEUE. MEANWHILE, SIGNS OF RECESSION IN THE CZECH ECONOMY ARE GROWING ALONG WITH PUBLIC DISCONTENT. ..... IT IS A SHAME TO SEE THE GOVERNMENT THAT OFFERED SO MUCH TO EMULATE LACKING THE ENTHUSIASM AND EDUCATION TO PERSEVERE THROUGH WHAT MAY BE THE MOST DIFFICULT OF THE CZECH TRANSITION PHASES."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/NL
29-May-97 11:03 AM EDT (1503 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[14] TURKEY / KURDS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKISH OFFICIALS HAVE RENEWED CLAIMS NEIGHBORING IRAN IS PROVIDING ARMS AND BASES FOR SEPARATIST REBELS OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, THE P-K-K. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA THE CLAIMS COINCIDE WITH REPORTS THAT A GROUP OF P-K-K REBELS STAGED A CROSS BORDER ATTACK AGAINST TURKISH SECURITY FORCES IN AGRI PROVINCE BORDERING IRAN.

TEXT: TURKISH MILITARY OFFICIALS SAID A GROUP OF 15 P-K-K REBELS STAGED THE ATTACK. THEY SAID ALL BUT ONE WERE KILLED IN THE ENSUING CLASHES WITH TURKISH SECURITY FORCES.

THE MILITARY OFFICIALS SAID TWO OF THE REBELS WERE IDENTIFIED AS IRANIANS WHILE ONE OTHER WAS DETERMINED TO BE OF SYRIAN ORIGIN. TURKEY ACCUSES BOTH SYRIA AND IRAN OF SUPPORTING THE REBELS AS A MEANS OF DESTABILIZING TURKEY.

BOTH OF TURKEY'S MIDDLE-EASTERN NEIGHBORS HAVE JOINED IRAQ'S CONTINUING DEMANDS THE TURKISH MILITARY END ITS TWO-WEEK ANTI-REBEL CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN IRAQ. NEARLY 50-THOUSAND TURKISH TROOPS ARE BELIEVED TO BE TAKING PART IN THE CROSS BORDER OFFENSIVE, WHICH IS AIMED AT DESTROYING ALL P-K-K BASES IN THE KURDISH-CONTROLLED ENCLAVE.

IRAQ LOST CONTROL OVER ITS KURDISH NORTH AT THE END OF THE GULF WAR, AFTER THE ALLIES LED BY THE UNITED STATES ESTABLISHED A "NO FLY" ZONE OVER THE AREA. IRAQ HAS ACCUSED TURKEY OF JOINING FORCES WITH THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL IN SEEKING TO UNDERMINE IRAQ'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY.

HUNDREDS OF IRAQIS DEMONSTRATED THURSDAY OUTSIDE THE TURKISH EMBASSY IN BAGHDAD TO PROTEST THE INVASION AND SHOUTED ANTI-ISRAELI AND ANTI-TURKISH SLOGANS. A SEPARATE GROUP OF IRAQIS STAGED ANOTHER DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE THE U-N HEADQUARTERS IN THE CAPITAL TO PROTEST THE INTERNATIONAL BODY'S INABILITY TO SECURE A TURKISH WITHDRAWAL FROM NORTHERN IRAQ.

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS REPEATED ASSURANCES THURSDAY ANKARA HAS NO INTENTION OF REMAINING PERMANENTLY IN THE AREA AND THAT THE OPERATION DOES NOT TARGET CIVILIANS OR IRAQ'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY.

TURKISH MILITARY SOURCES SAY NEARLY TWO-THOUSAND REBELS HAVE BEEN KILLED SO FAR IN THE INCURSION WHICH IS BEING CARRIED OUT WITH HUNDREDS OF TANKS, FIGHTER JETS, AND ATTACK HELICOPTERS.

ONE OF THE MAIN IRAQI KURDISH FACTIONS WHICH CONTROLS HALF OF NORTHERN IRAQ -- THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THE K-D-P -- IS TAKING PART IN THE ANTI-P-K-K OFFENSIVE. THE K-D-P HAS ACCUSED THE TURKISH KURD REBEL GROUP OF FORCING THOUSANDS OF YOUNG IRAQI KURDS TO JOIN ITS RANKS AGAINST THEIR WILL.

SOME MILITARY ANALYSTS REMAIN SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF THE TURKISH INCURSION. THEY POINT OUT THAT MANY OF THE P-K-K REBELS HAVE ALREADY FLED TO IRAN AND SYRIA. THE MAIN IRAQI OPPOSITION GROUP, THE IRAQI NATIONAL CONGRESS, REPORTED AT LEAST ONE-THOUSAND P-K-K REBELS HAD CROSSED INTO BAGHDAD-CONTROLLED TERRITORY DURING THE PAST FEW DAYS. MEANWHILE, THE DAMASCUS-BASED P-K-K LEADER, ABDULLAH OCALAN, VOWED TO RETALIATE AGAINST THE TURKISH OFFENSIVE WITH SUICIDE BOMB ATTACKS IN TURKISH CITIES. THE P-K-K -- THE ONLY ARMED KURDISH GROUP TO OPENLY ADVOCATE FULL INDEPENDENCE FOR AN ESTIMATED 35-MILLION KURDS SCATTERED ACROSS, IRAN, IRAQ, SYRIA AND TURKEY -- HAS CARRIED OUT SUICIDE BOMB ATTACKS IN THE PAST AND FREQUENTLY TARGETS CIVILIANS. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/RAE
29-May-97 12:09 PM EDT (1609 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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