Voice of America, 97-06-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] EDITORIAL: UPCOMING ELECTIONS IN CROATIA

[02] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

[03] EUROPE /CURRENCY BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[04] FRANCE IMMIGRANTS (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

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

[06] TURKEY / POLITICS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[07] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] EDITORIAL: UPCOMING ELECTIONS IN CROATIA

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

VOICE:

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN CROATIA ARE SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON JUNE 15TH. UNFORTUNATELY, RECENT VIOLENCE THREATENS TO UNDERMINE WHAT THE U.S. HAD HOPED WOULD BE A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION. CROATIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND LEADER OF THE SOCIAL LIBERAL PARTY, VLADO GOTOVAC, SUFFERED A CONCUSSION LAST WEEK AFTER HE WAS STRUCK ON THE HEAD BY A MILITARY OFFICER WHILE ADDRESSING A CAMPAIGN RALLY. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN REPORTS THAT A SECOND OPPOSITION CANDIDATE, ZDRAVKO TOMAC, NARROWLY ESCAPED INJURY WHEN STONES WERE THROWN AT HIS CAMPAIGN VEHICLE.

THE U.S. DEPLORES THESE ATTACKS. WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO TRAVEL AND SPEAK FREELY, OPPOSITION CANDIDATES HAVE NO OPPORTUNITY TO CARRY THEIR MESSAGE TO THE ELECTORATE. THE U.S. URGES THE GOVERNMENT OF CROATIA TO PROSECUTE THE PERPETRATORS OF THESE ATTACKS; SUPPLY EFFECTIVE PROTECTION TO OPPOSITION CANDIDATES; AND CREATE A CLIMATE IN WHICH DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGNING CAN TAKE PLACE.

FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS, BY THEMSELVES, WILL NOT OPEN THE DOORS TO THE WEST. CROATIA MUST COMPLY WITH THE DAYTON ACCORDS THAT BROUGHT AN END TO THE WAR IN BOSNIA. THAT MEANS THAT PERSONS OF EVERY ETHNIC GROUP MUST BE ABLE TO RETURN HOME IN SAFETY, INCLUDING CROATIAN SERB REFUGEES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND SERBIA.

THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT MUST ALSO COOPERATE WITH THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN DID DECIDE TO TRANSFER ZLATKO ALEKSOVSKI TO THE HAGUE FOR TRIAL. BUT FURTHER ACTION IS ESSENTIAL. THE GOVERNMENT MUST ENSURE THAT INDICTED PERSONS CANNOT FIND A HAVEN IN CROATIA.

THE U.S. URGES CROATIA TO COMPLY FULLY WITH THE DAYTON ACCORDS AND DO ALL IT CAN TO ENSURE THAT THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS ARE FREE AND FAIR. AS SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAID, IT IS UP TO CROATIA TO PROVE THAT ITS FUTURE LIES WITH THE DEMOCRATIC COMMUNITY.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
11-Jun-97 3:00 PM EDT (1900 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE MIXED IN TRADING WEDNESDAY IN MAJOR EUROPEAN EXCHANGES. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: STOCK PRICES WERE DOWN IN LONDON, BUT CLOSED UP IN BOTH FRANKFURT AND PARIS. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX WAS OFF ALMOST 15-POINTS, JUST MORE THAN THREE-TENTHS OF ONE-PERCENT OF THE MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE.

BUT PRICES WERE UP IN FRANKFURT AND PARIS.

THE BIGGEST GAIN WAS IN PARIS, WHERE THE CAC-40 INDEX ROSE MORE THAN 32-POINTS, ABOUT ONE-POINT-TWO PERCENT.

IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX FINISHED THE TRADING DAY UP MORE THAN 12-POINTS, MORE THAN THREE-TENTHS OF ONE-PERCENT, THEN ROSE MORE IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING..

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED IN VALUE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND. BUT IT FELL TO A SEVEN-MONTH LOW AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN. IT ALSO LOST VALUE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND OTHER MAJOR EUROPEAN CURRENCIES.
NEB/JWH/RAE
11-Jun-97 2:11 PM EDT (1811 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EUROPE /CURRENCY BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: RECENT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN EUROPE HAVE RAISED QUESTIONS AS TO WHETHER THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY CAN BE INTRODUCED, ON SCHEDULE, IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS TIME. IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS AT THE PROSPECTS FOR EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION.

TEXT: FOR THOSE EUROPEANS DREAMING OF A SINGLE CURRENCY WITHIN AN ECONOMICALLY-UNIFIED CONTINENT, THE LAST FEW WEEKS HAVE BEEN A NIGHTMARE.

THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY -- OR "EURO" -- IS SCHEDULED TO BE LAUNCHED ON JANUARY FIRST, 1999. IN ORDER FOR COUNTRIES TO QUALIFY, THEY MUST MEET SPECIFIC ECONOMIC CRITERIA SPELLED OUT IN THE 1992 "MAASTRICHT TREATY", WHICH SETS RULES FOR ENTRY INTO THE SINGLE CURRENCY. THOSE INCLUDE STRICT PROVISIONS FOR CURTAILING BUDGET DEFICITS AND NATIONAL DEBTS, AND SPECIFIC LIMITS ON INFLATION AND LONG-TERM INTEREST RATES.

THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY HAS BEEN GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL. IN THE PAST, HE HAS BEEN HELPED IN HIS VISION TO FORGE AN ECONOMICALLY AND POLITICALLY UNIFIED EUROPE BY FRENCH LEADERS -- SUCH AS FORMER PRESIDENT FRANCOIS MITTERRAND AND THE CURRENT LEADER, JACQUES CHIRAC. BUT RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN FRANCE AND GERMANY HAVE CAST DOUBTS WHETHER A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY COULD INDEED BE LAUNCHED ON TIME.

FIRST OF ALL, CHANCELLOR KOHL WAS DEFEATED BY THE GERMAN CENTRAL BANK IN HIS ATTEMPT TO REVALUE THE COUNTRY'S GOLD RESERVES. THE EXTRA MONEY GENERATED BY SUCH A MOVE WOULD HAVE HELPED GERMANY REDUCE ITS BUDGET DEFICIT TO THE LEVEL PERMITTED TO JOIN THE SINGLE CURRENCY. BUT THE CENTRAL BANK REFUSED TO CONDONE WHAT IT DESCRIBED AS "CREATIVE BOOKKEEPING" PRACTICES. //OPT// MR. KOHL WILL NOW HAVE TO CONSIDER OTHER OPTIONS -- SUCH AS RAISING TAXES IN ORDER TO PLUG THE MASSIVE HOLE IN THE STATE'S FINANCES GENERATED BY PAYMENTS TO THE MORE THAN FOUR MILLION UNEMPLOYED GERMANS. //END OPT// SECONDLY, ELECTIONS IN FRANCE EARLIER THIS MONTH BROUGHT TO POWER A SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT WHOSE VIEWS ON MONETARY UNION DIFFER FROM THE PREVIOUS CONSERVATIVE ADMINISTRATION. FRENCH OFFICIALS IN PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN'S GOVERNMENT SAY TARGETS FOR JOINING A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY ARE NOT CAST IN CONCRETE AND SHOULD BE MORE FLEXIBLE. HOWEVER MANY EUROPEAN POLITICIANS BELIEVE RELAXING THOSE STRICT ECONOMIC LIMITS WOULD MEAN A WEAKER -- OR "SOFTER" -- EUROPEAN CURRENCY. GERMAN OFFICIALS HAVE MADE CLEAR SUCH AN OPTION IS UNACCEPTABLE.

DURING A RECENT EXCHANGE AT THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR TOOK A HARD STANCE ON THE ISSUE OF RELAXING ENTRY CRITERIA INTO A SINGLE CURRENCY.

WE HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE BELIEVE IT HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT BRITAIN WOULD WANT TO JOIN THE FIRST WAVE OF MONETARY UNION AND I ALSO MAKE IT CLEAR -- AS WE HAVE ALWAYS SAID -- THAT THE CRITERIA FOR MONETARY UNION SHOULD NOT BE FIDDLED OR FUDGED OR BOTCHED IN ANY WAY. AND IF THEY ARE, THEN THE ANSWER IS NOT TO DELAY, (RATHER) THE ANSWER IS NOT TO PROCEED.

WE SHOULD MAKE IT CLEAR THAT IF THEY DO NOT CHOOSE TO DELAY, WE SHOULD MAKE IT CLEAR WE WILL USE THE VOTE THAT WE HAVE AGAINST EACH AND EVERY COUNTRY INDIVIDUALLY THAT SEEKS TO ENTER SUCH A SINGLE CURRENCY IF THEIR OWN ECONOMIES ARE NOT SUITABLE TO MEET THE MAASTRICHT CRITERIA AND SUSTAIN THE MAASTRICHT CRITERIA IN THE YEARS LATER.

ANALYSTS BELIEVE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN FRANCE AND GERMANY MEAN EUROPEAN LEADERS WILL HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER IT IS WISE TO GO AHEAD WITH THE TARGET DATE OF JANUARY 1999 FOR A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY, OR TO DELAY IMPLEMENTATION FOR PERHAPS ONE OR TWO YEARS. MANY ANALYSTS BELIEVE IF THEY GO AHEAD WITH THE SINGLE CURRENCY AS PLANNED, EUROPEAN LEADERS WILL HAVE TO RELAX THE CRITERIA. BUT SUCH A MOVE, SAY MANY EXPERTS, COULD BRING ABOUT NEGATIVE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES FOR EUROPE AND UNDERMINE THE WHOLE IDEA OF A SINGLE CURRENCY.

PRIME MINISTER WIM KOK OF THE NETHERLANDS -- WHO HOLDS THE ROTATING PRESIDENCY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION -- TOLD REPORTERS MONETARY UNION WILL GO AHEAD -- WITH OR WITHOUT SWEDEN.

I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE INTERNAL AND POLITICAL REASONS FOR SWEDEN TO TAKE THE POSITION THAT HAS NOW BEEN PRESENTED. THAT IS A PITY, BECAUSE I REPRESENT NOT ONLY THE EUROPEAN UNION BUT ALSO A COUNTRY -- THE NETHERLANDS -- THAT HAS ALSO TAKEN VERY TOUGH MEASURES TO BRING OUR HOUSE IN ORDER FINANCIALLY. AND SO WE WOULD HAVE APPLAUDED HAVING SWEDEN WITH US. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, OF COURSE, WE REMAIN MOTIVATED TO CONTINUE AND TO INTRODUCE THE E-M-U (EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION) AND I HOPE THAT SWEDEN WILL REGRET ITS DECISION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

MR. KOK WAS DEFINITELY PUTTING ON A BRAVE FACE AT A TIME WHEN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS HAVE PLACED THE IDEA OF A SINGLE CURRENCY UNDER PRESSURE. THE QUESTION MANY EUROPEANS ARE ASKING IS WHETHER THE SINGLE CURRENCY WILL GO ON AS PLANNED AND -- MORE IMPORTANTLY AT WHAT PRICE? (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF/EH
11-Jun-97 9:22 AM EDT (1322 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] FRANCE IMMIGRANTS (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: AS A PRELUDE TO SOFTENING IMMIGRATION LAWS, FRANCE'S NEW SOCIALIST-LED GOVERNMENT HAS PROMISED TO EXAMINE THE CASES OF SEVERAL-THOUSAND IMMIGRANTS WHO DO NOT HOLD REGULAR RESIDENCE DOCUMENTS. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: ACCORDING TO SOME ESTIMATES, THERE ARE AS MANY AS 40-THOUSAND FOREIGNERS IN FRANCE WHO COULD BE ENTITLED TO REGULAR RESIDENCE PAPERS, BUT WHO DO NOT HAVE THEM. IN MANY CASES, THEY ARE CAUGHT IN A BUREAUCRATIC -- NO-MAN'S LAND (CAUGHT BETWEEN OPPOSING FORCES).

MARRIED TO FRENCH NATIONALS OR THE PARENTS OF FRENCH CHILDREN, THEY CANNOT BE LEGALLY EXPELLED, YET THEY CANNOT CLAIM REGULAR DOCUMENTS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT ENTER FRANCE LEGALLY.

IN OTHER CASES, THEY ARRIVED IN FRANCE TO REQUEST POLITICAL ASYLUM. EVEN THOUGH ASYLUM MAY HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY REFUSED, FRANCE RECOGNIZES THAT THEIR RETURN HOME COULD PUT THEM IN DANGER.

DURING HIS ELECTION CAMPAIGN LAST MONTH, PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN PROMISED TO REVIEW CONTROVERSIAL FRENCH IMMIGRATION LAWS THAT WERE TIGHTENED BY THE PREVIOUS CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT. NOW THAT HIS LEFT-WING COALITION HAS BEEN IN POWER FOR JUST OVER A WEEK, MR. JOSPIN'S OFFICE HAS TOLD REPRESENTATIVES OF IMMIGRANTS THAT A MEDIATOR IS BEING APPOINTED TO EXAMINE THOUSANDS OF BORDER-LINE CASES.

A FIRST CONSEQUENCE WILL BE THAT IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE RECEIVING MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR SERIOUS ILLNESSES, OR WHO ARE ENROLLED TO STUDY IN FRANCE, CAN NO LONGER BE EXPELLED.

THE FORMER CONSERVATIVE INTERIOR MINISTER, JEAN-LOUIS DEBRE -- WHO WAS THE OFFICIAL MOST RECENTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR TOUGHENING THE LAW -- SAID THE SOCIALIST PROPOSALS COULD SEND THE WRONG MESSAGE. HE SAID HE FEARS THEY WILL GIVE AMMUNITION TO THE EXTREME-RIGHT AND ANTI-IMMIGRATION -- NATIONAL FRONT -- PARTY. OPINION POLLS SHOW A MAJORITY OF THE FRENCH FAVOR TOUGH IMMIGRATION RULES. BUT, THE NEW SOCIALIST-LED GOVERNMENT SAYS IT SEES A BASIC INJUSTICE IN LAWS THAT SOMETIMES DIVIDED FAMILIES OR FORCE PEOPLE ENDANGERED BY SICKNESS OR THEIR POLITICAL OPINIONS TO LEAVE FRANCE. IT SAYS IT WILL DRAW UP NEW AND FAIRER LEGISLATION, LATER THIS YEAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/JN/PCF/RAE
11-Jun-97 8:03 AM EDT (1203 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WITH MAJOR INDEXES CLOSING AT RECORD HIGHS FOR THE FOURTH SESSION IN A ROW. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 75 HUNDRED 75, UP 36 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 869, UP FOUR POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY THE BUYING MOMENTUM CONTINUED BUT THERE WERE SOME SIGNS THAT THE LEVEL OF ENTHUSIASM IS STARTING TO WANE. WEAKNESS CONTINUED IN MUCH OF THE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR WHERE SOME COMPANIES HAVE ALREADY ISSUED WARNINGS THAT THEIR QUARTERLY EARNINGS MAY BE BELOW EXPECTATIONS.

IN BUSINESS NEWS, RUPERT MURDOCH'S NEWS CORPORATION HAS FINALLY GAINED ENTRY INTO THE U-S SATELLITE TELEVISION MARKET WITH A DEAL INVOLVING PRIMESTAR, WHICH HAS ALMOST TWO MILLION SUBSCRIBERS. LAST MONTH, NEWS CORPORATION'S PROPOSED A ONE BILLION DOLLAR DEAL WITH ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS BUT THE DEAL COLLAPSED WHEN THE TWO COMPANIES BEGAN SUING EACH OTHER.

THE REUTER NEWS SERVICE SAYS AN AGREEMENT TO END LITIGATION BETWEEN STATE GOVERNMENTS AND THE U-S TOBACCO INDUSTRY COULD COME AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK. REUTER QUOTES A SOURCE CLOSE TO THE TALKS AS SAYING NEGOTIATORS ARE OPTIMISTIC THEY CAN REACH AGREEMENT ON THE LAST MAJOR UNRESOLVED ISSUE WHICH IS HOW MUCH CONTROL THE GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE OVER NICOTINE LEVELS IN CIGARETTES.

ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND, THE U-S-BASED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, IS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ALLEGED PRICE-FIXING ACTIVITIES IN EUROPE. LAST YEAR, A-D-M PLEADED GUILTY TO PRICE-FIXING IN THE UNITED STATES AND PAID 100 MILLION DOLLARS IN FINES. STET, THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT-OWNED TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, SAYS IT IS IN TALKS TO CREATE A JOINT VENTURE WITH A-T AND T, THE GIANT AMERICAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS FIRM. ANALYSTS SAY A JOINT VENTURE MIGHT MAKE STET MORE VALUABLE WHEN IT IS PRIVATIZED LATER THIS YEAR. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/LWM
11-Jun-97 5:12 PM EDT (2112 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] TURKEY / POLITICS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKEY'S POWERFUL ARMED FORCES SAYS IT IS VESTED WITH THE RIGHT TO PROTECT THE NATION FROM BOTH EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL THREATS -- BY FORCE IF NECESSARY. THE STATEMENT WAS MADE DURING A BRIEFING FOR NEWS REPORTERS ABOUT WHAT MILITARY OFFICIALS CONSIDER THE THREAT POSED BY ISLAMIC RADICALISM. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS IT IS THE HARSHEST WARNING YET DELIVERED BY TURKEY'S GENERALS TO MUSLIM MILITANTS.

TEXT: MILITARY SPOKESMAN FEVZI TURKERI TOLD A NEWS CONFERENCE THAT WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS SUBVERSIVE ACTIONS BY ISLAMIST MILITANTS HAVE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN'S ISLAMIST-LED COALITION CAME TO POWER LAST YEAR.

GENERAL TURKERI ALSO CHARGED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED TO CARRY OUT A SET OF DIRECTIVES ISSUED LAST FEBRUARY BY THE MILITARY-DOMINATED NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL AIMED AT CURBING THE INFLUENCE OF POLITICAL ISLAM.

THE GENERAL SAID THERE ARE ABOUT 30 ILLEGAL MILITANT ISLAMIC GROUPS ACTIVE IN TURKEY, WHICH HE SAID COULD CARRY OUT TERRORIST ATTACKS.

TURKEY'S ARMED FORCES, WHO VIEW THEMSELVES AS THE CUSTODIANS OF THE SECULAR REPUBLIC FOUNDED BY KEMAL ATATURK, HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN AN INCREASINGLY BITTER WAR OF WORDS WITH PRIME MINISTER ERBAKAN AND HIS ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY, REFAH. THE GENERALS ACCUSE THE ISLAMISTS OF SEEKING TO STEER THE COUNTRY AWAY FROM ITS PRO-SECULAR AND PRO-WESTERN COURSE.

OBSERVERS SAY THAT FEAR PROBABLY IS SHARED BY THE MAJORITY OF TURKS -- SOME 80 PERCENT OF WHOM VOTED AGAINST THE ISLAMISTS IN GENERAL ELECTIONS HELD IN DECEMBER 1995. THE ISLAMISTS WON THAT ELECTION -- ALBEIT NARROWLY -- FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE COUNTRY'S MODERN HISTORY.

SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTS BY PRO-SECULAR PARTIES TO SHUT THE ISLAMISTS OUT OF POWER FAILED, PAVING THE WAY FOR MR. ERBAKAN'S ASCENT TO THE PREMIERSHIP OF TURKEY.

BACKED BY THE GENERALS, THE PRO-SECULAR OPPOSITION PARTIES, TRADE UNIONS, THE MAIN INDUSTRIAL GROUPS, AND THE NATIONAL MEDIA HAVE JOINED FORCES AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT, SAYING IT SHOULD RELINQUISH POWER IMMEDIATELY. MR. ERBAKAN AND HIS JUNIOR COALITION PARTNER, TANSU CILLER, LEADER OF THE CONSERVATIVE TRUE PATH PARTY, HAVE RESPONDED BY CALLING FOR EARLY GENERAL ELECTIONS.

A SENIOR ISLAMIST MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT (TEMEL KARAMOLLAOGLU) SAID (WEDNESDAY) THAT ELECTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PLACE IN OCTOBER. AND MRS. CILLER, WHO IS DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, SAID THERE WOULD BE A CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT WITHIN DAYS, BUT SHE DID NOT ELABORATE.

POLITICAL OBSERVERS SAY IT REMAINS UNCLEAR WHETHER PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS -- NORMALLY MEANT TO TAKE PLACE FOUR YEARS FROM NOW -- WILL BE HELD AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. PARLIAMENT NEEDS TO APPROVE ANY DECISION FOR EARLY POLLS.

SEVERAL RECENT DEFECTIONS FROM MRS. CILLER'S PARTY HAS ERODED THE NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED SEATS IN THE PARLIAMENT, LEAVING IT WITH ONLY A SMALL MAJORITY. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/KL
11-Jun-97 10:12 AM EDT (1412 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

(UNEDITED)

INTRO: CONGRESS AND A VARIETY OF BILLS BEFORE IT, FROM THE BUDGET TO FLOOD RELIEF, COME IN FOR A GOOD DEAL OF ATTENTION IN TODAY'S EDITORIALS. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE QUEST FOR A COMMON CURRENCY IN EUROPE; HOW TO FIGHT RACIAL PREJUDICE IN THIS COUNTRY; HOW MEXICO SILENCES INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS; THE NEW CONGOLESE LEADER IN KINSHASA AND THE GOVERNMENT REPORT ON CHURCH ARSON.

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

TEXT: ON LONG ISLAND, NEWSDAY IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE HOUSE VERSION OF THE TAX-CUT BILL THAT IS PART OF THE BUDGET PACKAGE. THE LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE IN THE TABLOID READS: "DUMB AND DUMBER" AND GOES ON TO SAY:

VOICE: "IT WOULD BE HARD TO COME UP WITH A TAX-CUT PROPOSAL MORE SKEWED TO THE WEALTHIEST AND MORE OVERFLOWING WITH SPECIAL-INTEREST FAVORS THAN THE NOW-DISCREDITED REPUBLICAN CONTRACT WITH AMERICA. BUT, SOMEHOW, HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN BILL ARCHER (REPUBLICAN OF TEXAS) HAS MANAGED TO DO IT IN THE TAX-CUT BILL HE DEVELOPED TO CARRY OUT THE BI-PARTISAN BALANCED-BUDGET AGREEMENT. [MR.] ARCHER'S PROPOSAL ....MAKES A MOCKERY OF THE NOTION THERE MIGHT BE BIPARTISAN COOPERATION. WORSE, [CONGRESSMAN] ARCHER HAS ABANDONED ANY PRETENSE THAT THE TAX CUTS WOULD BE FAIRLY TARGETED OR FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES, NOT HAPPY EITHER, SUGGESTS A PRESIDENTIAL VETO.

VOICE: "MR. CLINTON WILL HAVE PLENTY OF REASONS TO EXERCISE HIS VETO. THE ARCHER PLAN VIOLATES THE LEADERSHIP'S PLEDGE TO KEEP TAX CUTS STABLE OVER TIME. THE PLAN NEEDLESSLY TILTS THE TAX CODE IN FAVOR OF THE WEALTHY, AT THE PRECISE TIME THAT THE EARNINGS GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR HAS REACHED RECORD SIZE."

TEXT: AND ON ANOTHER KEY BILL IN CONGRESS, THAT WOULD PROVIDE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FLOOD AID FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE SPRING'S DISASTROUS FLOOD IN THE DAKOTAS AND MINNESOTA, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL IS FURIOUS THAT CONGRESS WOULD ATTACH SO MANY EXTRANEOUS PROVISIONS THAT THE PRESIDENT VETOED IT. THE FLORIDA DAILY SAYS:

VOICE: "LAWMAKERS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR DILLY-DALLYING [STALLING] ON THE DISASTER-RELIEF BILL. PLAYING POLITICS WHILE AMERICANS SUFFER IS UNCONSCIONABLE. .....NO MORE DELAYS ... CAN BE AFFORDED OR TOLERATED."

TEXT: TURNING TO A LEGISLATIVE FIGHT IN EUROPE, AS THE CONTINENT STRUGGLES TOWARD A COMMON CURRENCY AT THE END OF THE CENTURY, TODAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR SAYS OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

VOICE: "THE NEXT STAGE IN UNITING EUROPE, MONETARY UNION, WAS MOVING TOWARD ITS JANUARY FIRST, 1999, NUPTIAL DATE REASONABLY WELL UNTIL THIS MONTH. NOW THAT UNION .... FACES THE RISK OF DIVORCE. THAT'S [THE "DIVORCE"] A POLICY SPLIT BETWEEN ITS HERETOFORE STAUNCHEST CORE MEMBERS - - FRANCE AND GERMANY. .... MR. KOHL WAS REBUKED BY HIS CENTRAL BANK WHEN HIS GOVERNMENT TRIED CREATIVE BOOKKEEPING TO GET ITS DEFICIT IN ORDER FOR EMU. [AND MR.] KOHL'S THINK-ALIKE PARTNER IN BUILDING EUROPE, FRENCH PRESIDENT CHIRAC, WAS REBUKED BY FRENCH VOTERS. ..... THE CORE PROBLEM: HOW TO CREATE A NEW EURO CURRENCY WITHOUT FURTHER JOB LOSS."

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY AGAIN, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES WONDERS HOW PRESIDENT CLINTON'S RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CAMPAIGN AGAINST RACIAL PREJUDICE WILL SUCCEED. "THE TIMES," WARNS:

VOICE: "TO INSPIRE A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON RACE, [PRESIDENT] CLINTON REPORTEDLY WILL ANNOUNCE A PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORY BOARD. THIS RACIAL INITIATIVE MUST PRODUCE MORE THAN MEMORABLE PHRASES. ....THERE IS PLENTY OF EVIDENCE .... THAT DISCRIMINATION CONTINUES TO PLAGUE AMERICA. IT CAN BE FOUND NOT JUST IN HATE CRIME STATISTICS BUT IN THE BACKLOG OF 100-THOUSAND COMPLAINTS AT THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION ......"

TEXT: TODAY'S PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD IS OUTRAGED AT THE KILLING OF JOURNALISTS IN MEXICO, CALLING IT THE "ULTIMATE CENSORSHIP."

VOICE: "THEY WERE JOURNALISTS MERELY DOING THEIR JOBS IN CHILPANCINGO, CAPITAL OF THE STATE OF GUERRERO, IN THE SOUTH OF MEXICO. THE NEWSPAPERMEN WERE MURDERED 11 DAYS APART RECENTLY AND THEIR SLAYINGS ARE STILL UNSOLVED. [OPT] ABEL BUENO LEON, EDITOR .... OF SIETE DIAS, A WEEKLY .... IN CHILPANCINGO ..... [AND] LEONCINO PINTOR GARCIA, CORRESPONDENT OF EL SOL, [A] DAILY NEWSPAPER IN THE SAME CITY ..... THE BODIES OF BOTH VICTIMS SHOWED SIGNS OF TORTURE. [END OPT] BOTH MEN ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN KILLED IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR WORK. BOTH THUS ARE CONSIDERED VICTIMS OF THE ULTIMATE CENSORSHIP, DEATH AT THE HANDS OF ASSASSINS. THE INTER AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION HAS CALLED ON MEXICAN AUTHORITIES NOT TO LET THESE MURDERS GO UNPUNISHED."

TEXT: TURNING TO SENATOR JESSE HELMS' OPPOSITION OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S NOMINATION OF REPUBLICAN MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR WILLIAM WELD TO BE AMBASSADOR TO MEXICO, THE ASHEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES IN MR. HELMS OWN STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA SAYS TODAY:

VOICE: "[SENATOR] HELMS IS LESS IMPRESSED WITH [GOVERNOR] WELD'S LAW ENFORCEMENT CREDENTIALS THAN WITH HIS VIEWS ON A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE AND THE MEDICINAL USE OF MARIJUANA. [MR.] WELD'S ABILITY TO SPEAK SPANISH MAY NOT BE AS IMPORTANT TO THE SENATOR AS [GOVERNOR] WELD'S WILLINGNESS TO SPEAK KINDLY TO THE CLINTONS - - ESPECIALLY TO HILLARY, WITH WHOM THE GOVERNOR HAS WORKED IN THE PAST. [GOVERNOR] WELD HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF NOT BEING A TEAM PLAYER ON A NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN ISSUES - - THOUGHT IT SEEMS THAT ONCE AGAIN [SENATOR] HELMS IS THE ONE STEPPING AWAY FROM THE MAJORITY VOICE IN HIS OWN PARTY, WHICH SUPPORTS [GOVERNOR] WELD."

TEXT: IN AFRICAN AFFAIRS, THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS "BETTING ON MR. KABILA," THE NEW LEADER IN THE CONGO-KINSHASA, POSSIBLY AT ITS PERIL.

VOICE: "....THERE IS NO DENYING THAT WASHINGTON IS TAKING A SIZABLE CHANCE IN COZYING UP [SUPPORTING] SO QUICKLY TO CONGO PRESIDENT LAURENT KABILA. HE HAS YET TO SHOW THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR A LEADER SHIFTING FROM A WAR PHASE TO A PEACE PHASE: A READINESS TO ACCEPT AS FELLOW CITIZENS DESERVING OF HUMAN TREATMENT AND CIVIC RESPECT THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ON THE OTHER SIDE IN THE OLD ZAIRE'S SEVEN-MONTH CIVIL WAR. .... THE POST-MOBUTU TRANSITION MR. KABILA IS TRYING TO ORGANIZE IS BOUND TO BE UNEVEN IN THE BEST OF CIRCUMSTANCES. BUT HE MUST GENERATE A SENSE THAT HE IS MASTERING THE DISORDER AND RULING WITH FAIRNESS. OTHERWISE THE UNITED STATES HAS NO BUSINESS STRENGTHENING HIS RULE."

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, THE SUN TODAY SAYS THERE IS NEW HOPE FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND AFTER TWO ELECTIONS PROVIDE A "CLEAN SLATE" FOR PROGRESS.

VOICE: "EVERYTHING IN RECENT BRITISH, IRISH AND NORTHERN IRELAND ELECTIONS HAS GONE RIGHT FOR SINN FEIN, THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY'S POLITICAL ALTER EGO. THE BRITISH CONSERVATIVES LOST POWER. THE IRISH REPUBLIC'S PRIME MINISTER JOHN BRUTON, WHO REBUKED SINN FEIN, TUMBLED OUT OF POWER IN THE ELECTION LAST FRIDAY. IN BELFAST, A CATHOLIC AND NATIONALIST COALITION OF WHICH SINN FEIN IS PART WILL RUN CITY HALL FOR THE FIRST TIME. ..... NOW IS THE TIME TO DECLARE A PERMANENT CEASE-FIRE IN IRA TERRORISM, AGREE TO PROPOSALS OF FORMER U-S SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL ON 'DECOMMISSIONING' OF WEAPONS, AND GO INTO REAL POLITICS.

TEXT: FINALLY, BACK AT HOME, COMMENTING ON A RECENT STUDY OF CHURCH ARSON THAT SAYS RACIAL MOTIVATION WAS N O T THE KEY FACTOR, THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD SAYS:

VOICE: "A TASK FORCE NAMED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON REVEALED THIS WEEK ... THAT BLACK CHURCHES WERE NOT THE MAJORITY OF THOSE TORCHED. OF 429 FIRES INVESTIGATED, 162 WERE AT BLACK CHURCHES. NOR WAS THERE EVIDENCE OF A NATIONAL CONSPIRACY. THE ... TASK FORCE SAID THE ATTACKS 'AT BOTH AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND OTHER HOUSES OF WORSHIP WERE MOTIVATED BY A WIDE ARRAY OF FACTORS, INCLUDING NOT ONLY BLATANT RACISM OR RELIGIOUS HATRED BUT ALSO FINANCIAL PROFIT, BURGLARY OR PERSONAL REVENGE.' AMERICANS WILL NOT BE SATISFIED UNTIL THOSE WHO DID THESE EVIL DEEDS, FOR WHATEVER REASON, ARE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/EH
11-Jun-97 10:39 AM EDT (1439 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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