Voice of America, 97-06-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] CLINTON/NATO (L-UPDATE) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[02] CONGRESS-NATO (L ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

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

[04] EUROPEAN TURMOIL:IS THE EURO DEAD FOR NOW? BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[05] FRANCE / PARLIAMENT (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[06] FRANCE AIRSHOW (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

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

[08] NORTHERN IRELAND BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[09] NORTHERN IRISH PEACE:TIME FOR A NEW EFFORT BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[10] ROBINSON/HUMAN RIGHTS (S & L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

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

[01] CLINTON/NATO (L-UPDATE) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED ITS INTENTION TO SUPPORT THE ADDITION OF ONLY THREE NEW NATO MEMBERS -- POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC -- WHEN ALLIANCE LEADERS MEET NEXT MONTH IN MADRID. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS MORE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY THEY MADE AN EARLY ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE U-S POSITION IN PART TO QUELL A HIGH-PROFILE SQUABBLE WITHIN NATO OVER THE EXPANSION ISSUE.

A MAJORITY OF THE ALLIES -- LED BY FRANCE AND ITALY -- HAD ALSO FAVORED ADDING SLOVENIA AND ROMANIA IN THE FIRST STAGE OF NATO EXPANSION. THESE, IN ADDITION TO POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC, WHICH HAD LONG BEEN CONSIDERED THE FRONT RUNNERS.

WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAID THE U-S POSITION ON LIMITING THE INVITATION TO THREE IS FIRM -- AND WILL EVENTUALLY CARRY THE DAY -- SINCE NATO DECISIONS MUST COME BY CONSENSUS:

WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT, AS WE WORK WITH OUR ALLIANCE PARTNERS, THE UNITED STATES POSITION WILL PREVAIL. BUT REMEMBER -- BECAUSE NATO OPERATES IN A CONSENSUS FORMAT AND BECAUSE ALL 16 GOVERNMENTS HAVE TO ACCEDE TO THE DECISIONS -- IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THERE IS CONSENSUS ALREADY AROUND THREE. IT'S CLEAR THAT IN THE DISCUSSIONS WE'VE HAD SO FAR THAT THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS TO THESE THREE ENTRANTS. THERE IS NO CONSENSUS ACROSS THE ALLIANCE WITH RESPECT TO ADDITIONAL MEMBERS, EVEN THROUGH THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF SYMPATHY FOR THE POSITIONS OF ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA. IN FACT THE THE UNITED STATES ITSELF RECOGNIZES THE PROGRESS THEY'VE MADE. WE JUST THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE ADDITIONAL PROGRESS.

THE NINE NATO MEMBERS WHO HAVE BACKED MEMBERSHIP FOR ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA CONTEND IT IS IMPORTANT NOW FOR NATO EXTEND ITS SOUTHERN FLANK AND EXTEND ITS INFLUENCE TO THE TROUBLED BALKANS REGION. BUT SPOKESMAN MCCURRY SAID SLOVENIA HAS TO DO MORE TO DEMONSTRATE IT HAS THE CAPACITY TO FULFILL THE MILITARY REQUIREMENTS OF JOINING THE ALLIANCE, WHILE ROMANIA NEEDS ADDITIONAL PROGRESS ON POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORMS.

THE WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN EMPHASIZED THE ADMINISTRATION'S SUPPORT FOR AN EVENTUAL SECOND ROUND OF NATO EXPANSION, AND THE THREE BALTIC STATES -- IN ADDITION TO SLOVENIA AND ROMANIA -- WILL BE STRONG CONTENDERS AND THAT NO ONE IS EXCLUDED FROM CONSIDERATION:

ALL THREE BALTIC COUNTRIES ARE ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE AND HAVE BEEN REGULAR PARTICPANTS IN SOME OF THE JOINT TRAINING ACTIVITIES. AND IN THE AREA OF POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORM THAT HAVE BEEN MAKING SUBSTANTIAL STRIDES AND THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF PROGRESS THERE. WE ARE NOT RANK-ORDERING, YOU KNOW, THE SECOND GROUP IN LINE. BUT THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF CANDIDATES THAT WILL MOST LIKELY PROVE VERY ATTRACTIVE TO AN EXPANDED ALLIANCE.

DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN OFFICIALLY INFORMED HIS COLLEAGUES OF THE DECISION AT THE NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS MEETING IN BRUSSELS, AND U-S DIPLOMATS IMMEDIATELY BEGAN A ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS WITH INTERESTED GOVERNMENTS.

THESE INCLUDED RUSSIA, WHICH HAS OPPOSED NATO EXPANSION BUT HAS GIVEN AT LEAST GRUDGING ASSENT TO THE PROCESS WITH THE SIGNING LAST MONTH OF THE NATO-RUSSIA FOUNDING DOCUMENT.

PRESIDENT CLINTON ACTED AFTER MEETING LATE WEDNESDAY WITH KEY MEMBERS OF THE SENATE, WHICH MUST EVENTUALLY APPROVE EXTENDING U-S DEFENSE GUARANTEES TO NEW NATO MEMBERS. SENATORS HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST OF NATO EXPANSION AND THE WISDOM OF EARLY ACCEPTANCE OF SOUTHERN FLANK CANDIDATES WHERE DEMOCRACY IS LESS WELL-ESTABLISHED.

SPOKESMAN MCCURRY SAID THE DECISION TO LIMIT EXPANSION TO THREE COUNTRIES REFLECTS WHAT IS ACHIEVABLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION IN TERMS OF CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT. (SIGNED)
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12-Jun-97 4:01 PM EDT (2001 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CONGRESS-NATO (L ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS WEIGHING IN WITH ITS THOUGHTS ON NATO EXPANSION. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON SAYS THE HOUSE HAS PASSED LEGISLATION (F-Y-I: BY A VOICE VOTE -- THERE IS NO VOTE COUNT) URGING THE ALLIANCE TO KEEP THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERSHIP ALIVE FOR ALL THE EMERGING DEMOCRACIES OF EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE.

TEXT: THE MADRID NATO SUMMIT IS JUST WEEKS AWAY. AND THE HOUSE IS SENDING A STRONG MESSAGE.

THE SUMMIT IS EXPECTED TO EXTEND MEMBERSHIP INVITATIONS TO THREE COUNTRIES: POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC. THE BILL PASSED BY THE HOUSE SAYS THEY SHOULD NOT BE THE LAST -- THAT OTHER NATIONS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

THE BILL IS DESIGNED TO GIVE THESE COUNTRIES BOTH MORAL AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT. IT ADDS ROMANIA, LITHUANIA, LATVIA AND ESTONIA TO THE LIST OF THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR U-S ASSISTANCE UNDER THE NATO PARTICIPATION ACT OF 1994. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE THAT OVERSEES U-S INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES -- REPUBLICAN PORTER GOSS OF FLORIDA -- SAYS THE DOOR TO MEMBERSHIP MUST REMAIN OPEN.

IN THE END, THE EUROPEAN SECURITY ACT IS ABOUT CONSOLIDATING THE PROCESS OF DEMOCRATIZATION IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE, ABOUT ENSURING THAT THOSE COUNTRIES THAT SHARE OUR VALUES AND TOOK THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CASTING OFF THE SOVIET UNION WILL BE PART OF THE NEW EUROPEAN SECURITY ORDER AND ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF FREEDOM.

THERE WAS STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE BILL IN THE HOUSE, BUT IT WAS NOT UNANIMOUS. CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN DANA ROHRABACHER SAID AMERICA'S INVESTMENT IN NATO EXPANSION IS A WASTE OF MONEY. HE SAID THE COLD WAR IS OVER, U-S SECURITY NEEDS HAVE CHANGED, AND NATO IS A THING OF THE PAST.

WE NEED NOT SPEND OUR LIMITED DEFENSE DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE TODAY FOR THE STABILITY OF OUR EUROPEAN FRIENDS. THEY CAN PAY FOR THEIR OWN STABILITY. WHY WE WERE IN NATO WAS BECAUSE THE SOVIET UNION -- AND A WAR WITH THE SOVIET UNION -- WAS A THREAT TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY. STAYING IN NATO NOW WASTES LIMITED DOLLARS THAT SHOULD BE SPENT ON AMERICAN WEAPONS SYSTEMS THAT WILL ENABLE THE UNITED STATES TO PROJECT POWER FROM THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES.

THE HOUSE DID AGREE TO ADD LANGUAGE TO THE BILL URGING THE EUROPEAN ALLIES TO PAY A GREATER SHARE OF THE COST OF EXPANSION. BUT MR. ROHRABACHER'S COLLEAGUE IN THE CALIFORNIA DELEGATION -- DEMOCRAT TOM LANTOS -- SAID CONGRESS'S COMMITMENT TO THE ALLIANCE REMAINS FIRM.

NATO HAS BEEN THE ESSENCE OF OUR DEFENSE STRATEGY VIS-A-VIS OUR MOST FORMIDABLE OPPONENT SINCE THE END OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR, THE SOVIET UNION. AND IT TAKES A GREAT DEAL OF NAIVETE TO ASSUME THAT NEW THREATS MIGHT NOT RE-EMERGE ON THE EURASIAN CONTINENT AIMED AT OUR ALLIES AND INDEED AT THE UNITED STATES.

THE BILL ALSO STRESSES THE OPPOSITION OF THE HOUSE TO ANY REVISIONS IN THE TREATY ON CONVENTIONAL FORCES IN EUROPE DEMANDED BY RUSSIA. AND IT SAYS THERE IS NO NEED TO EXPAND THE ANTI-BALLISTIC MISSILE TREATY BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND MOSCOW TO BRING IN OTHER FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS.

THIS MAY BE ONE OF THE LAST MAJOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE HOUSE TO HAVE A SAY IN U-S POLICY REGARDING NATO EXPANSION. IT IS THE SENATE THAT BEARS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY IN CONGRESS FOR RATIFYING THE TREATIES AND AGREEMENTS REQUIRED TO ENLARGE THE ALLIANCE. (SIGNED)
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11-Jun-97 8:00 PM EDT (0000 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

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

TEXT: STOCK PRICES SOARED TO RECORD HIGHS IN LONDON, AND WERE ALSO UP SHARPLY IN BOTH PARIS AND FRANKFURT. ANALYSTS SAID TRADERS WERE ENCOURAGED BY U-S FIGURES THAT SHOW A REDUCED THREAT OF INFLATION. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX WAS UP MORE THAN 32 POINTS, ABOUT SEVEN-TENTHS PERCENT OF THE MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE, TO A NEW RECORD CLOSING HIGH OF SLIGHTLY MORE THAN FOUR-THOUSAND-757 POINTS. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX ROSE MORE THAN 64 POINTS, ABOUT TWO-POINT-FOUR PERCENT.

AND IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX FINISHED THE TRADING DAY UP MORE THAN 30 POINTS, ABOUT EIGHT-TENTHS PERCENT, THEN ROSE EVEN MORE, ABOUT TWO PERCENT, IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING..

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR ROSE SHARPLY IN VALUE AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN. IT ALSO GAINED AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND AND THE GERMAN MARK.
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12-Jun-97 2:27 PM EDT (1827 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EUROPEAN TURMOIL:IS THE EURO DEAD FOR NOW? BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE RECENT ELECTION OF LEFT-OF-CENTER POLITICAL LEADERS IN FRANCE AND BRITAIN HAVE CAST A CLOUD OVER THE CONTINENT'S LONG-HELD QUEST FOR A COMMON CURRENCY CALLED, THE EURO. THE SINGLE CURRENCY WAS REQUIRED IN THE MAASTRICHT TREATY AND HAS BEEN STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY THE FRENCH AND GERMAN GOVERNMENTS, WHICH, OBSERVERS SAY, HAVE BEEN FORCED TO BEGIN RE-THINKING THEIR STRATEGY.

WE GET A SAMPLING OF HOW THE SITUATION IS VIEWED ELSEWHERE NOW, IN THIS WEEK'S WORLD OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: HAVING TO TRANSLATE MONEY WITHIN 16 DIFFERENT CURRENCIES SLOWS DOWN TRADE AND MAKES COMMERCE WITHIN WESTERN EUROPE COMPLICATED. SO, FOR YEARS, THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY HAS BEEN MOVING, UNEASILY AT TIMES, TOWARD A COMMON CURRENCY AS SPELLED OUT IN THE MASTRICHT TREATY OF 1992. [THE TREATY, WHICH WENT INTO EFFECT IN NOVEMBER OF 1993, CALLS FOR EACH OF THE MEMBER STATES TO HAVE SIMILAR INFLATION RATES, INTEREST RATES, AND OTHER ECONOMIC CONDITIONS BEFORE THE EURO CAN COME INTO EXISTENCE. IT ALSO AUTHORIZES A COMMON CENTRAL BANK FOR ALL THE EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES TO REGULATE A COMMON MONETARY POLICY.]

HOWEVER THE RECENT ELECTIONS IN BRITAIN OF LABOR PARTY LEADER TONY BLAIR, AND MORE RECENTLY, IN FRANCE OF A SOCIALIST, LIONEL JOSPIN, HAS THROWN PLANS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE EURO INTO TURMOIL.

FOR ONE THING, MR. JOSPIN, THE NEW PRIME MINISTER OF FRANCE, HAS SAID HE NEEDS MORE TIME TO STUDY THE SITUATION, AND MAY NOT BE READY BY THE 1999 DEADLINE TO COMMIT HIS COUNTRY TO THE CURRENCY, DESPITE THE PRO-EURO POSITION OF PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC. ACCORDING TO U-S COLUMNIST WILLIAM PFAFF, THE RIGHT IN EUROPE IS IN DISARRAY, AND HE NOTES THAT AT PRESENT, THE LEFT HAS TAKEN POWER IN FIVE OF THE SEVEN LEADING INDUSTRIAL NATIONS, KNOWN AS THE G-7 GROUP. AND MR. PFAFF SUGGESTS THAT GERMANY'S CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL'S HOLD ON POWER IS, AS HE PUTS IT, "DISTINCTLY INSECURE."

GIVEN THAT CHANCELLOR KOHL, GERMANY'S LONGEST RULING LEADER SINCE WORLD WAR TWO, IS A MAJOR SUPPORTER OF THE EURO, THAT LENDS EVEN MORE CREDENCE TO THE IDEA THAT THE COMMON CURRENCY IS, INDEED, IN TROUBLE. AND THAT THEME IS COMMON AMONG THE WORLD'S PRESS THIS WEEK, AS WE HEAR NOW, BEGINNING IN PARIS WITH "LE MONDE."

VOICE: "THE REASON THE ARRIVAL OF THE LEFT IN FRANCE HAS HAD THE EFFECT OF A SMALL EARTHQUAKE IN EUROPE ..... IS BECAUSE IT OCCURRED JUST WHEN EUROPE'S CONSTRUCTION IS GOING THROUGH SOME SOUL SEARCHING ..... ONE CAN RIGHTFULLY WONDER IF ALL GERMANS SHARE CHANCELLOR KOHL'S CONVICTIONS [ABOUT THE EURO] ..... AS FOR GREAT BRITAIN, DOUGLAS HURD JUST DECLARED: 'IF THE RESULTS OF THE FRENCH ELECTIONS MEANS THAT THE EURO WILL BE DELAYED, THEN IT IS A GOOD THING FOR EUROPE' .... EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THERE WILL BE NO EURO WITHOUT GERMANY AND FRANCE .... AND LIONEL JOSPIN CAN DECIDE TO LEAD AN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL POLICY THAT WOULD BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE STANDING CRITERIA .... BUT FRANCE'S INTERNATIONAL CREDIBILITY, IF IT REVERSED ITS POSITION, WOULD GREATLY SUFFER."

TEXT: MEANWHILE, ACROSS PARIS, "LE FIGARO" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "AMERICA IS DISCOVERING THAT FRANCE IS A CAPRICIOUS AND CHANGING PARTNER .... WHILE THE WHITE HOUSE MESSAGE IS 'BUSINESS AS USUAL,' THE VICTORY BY FRANCE'S LEFT HAS CAUGHT WASHINGTON OFF GUARD.... THE UNITED STATES FEARS THAT THESE ELECTIONS COULD BECOME A MAJOR STUMBLING BLOCK TO ITS 'ECONOMIC IMPERIALISM.' ...PRESIDENT CLINTON'S IDEA OF A MORE 'ATLANTIC' EUROPE WHICH HE PREACHED IN PARIS LAST WEEK MAY BE AT RISK .... "

TEXT: IN GERMANY, THERE WAS A PESSIMISTIC ASSESSMENT FROM THE WEEKLY, "DIE WOCHE" OF HAMBURG, WHICH SAYS:

VOICE: "[CHANCELLOR] HELMUT KOHL MUST NOW DECIDE WHETHER HE HARROWS HIS VIEWS WITH THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT BY ACCEPTING AN EMPLOYMENT PACKAGE IN THE MAASTRICHT [TWO] FOLLOW-ON TREATY .... IF HE WERE NOT WILLING TO DO SO, HIS LIFE'S WORK, THE EURO, WOULD DIE IN HIS HANDS, AND HE SHOULD NOT EVEN DARE TO RUN IN THE 1998 ELECTIONS. THE CONSEQUENCE WOULD BE THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE EURO WITH THE HIGHLY UNCERTAIN PROSPECTS OF ITS REVIVAL. BUT IF [CHANCELLOR] KOHL ACCEPTS A 'SOFT' EURO, HE IS RISKING ..... A NEW CONFRONTATION WITH THE BUNDESBANK - - AND HIS OWN PUNISHMENT BY OUTRAGED VOTERS WHO WANT A STABILITY-ORIENTED ECONOMY. "

TEXT: IN EVEN MORE SUCCINCT TERMS, THE "MAIN-POST" OF WUERZBURG SAYS:

VOICE: "THE COALITION GOVERNMENT IN BONN SHOULD NOW KEEP ONE THING IN MIND: THE DISASTER OF THE CENTER-RIGHT GOVERNMENT IN FRANCE IS MAINLY BASED ON THE FACT THAT .... PEOPLE ARE FED UP WITH THE FORCED MARCH TOWARD THE EURO AND THE CLOSELY LINKED RIGID AUSTERITY POLICY."

TEXT: THINGS WERE EVEN MORE GLOOMY IN ITALY, WHERE ROME'S "IL MESSAGGERO" CARRIED A PIECE FROM ITS NEW YORK CORRESPONDENT:

VOICE: "THE FRENCH SLOWDOWN ON THE STABILITY PACT AND THE IMMINENCE OF THE ELECTORAL BATTLE IN GERMANY ARE MAKING EUROPE TREMBLE WELL BEYOND CONCERNS ABOUT THE EURO. WHAT IS AT RISK IS ALSO E-U EXPANSION TOWARD EASTERN EUROPE AND NATO."

TEXT: WHILE NOT MUCH MORE ENTHUSIASM FOR THE PROJECT COULD BE MUSTERED BY "LA REPUBBLICA" WHICH DREW UPON A NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE THAT CONCLUDED THE GOAL OF THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY IS 'UNOBTAINABLE.' "LA REPUBBLICA" ADDS:

VOICE: "WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT THE ATLANTIC IS GETTING WIDER AGAIN, CONSIDERING THE INTENTIONS, THE FEELINGS, THE DIFFERENT ANSWERS TO THE PROBLEMS OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM. FOR NOW, THE [UNDERSTOOD:ECONOMIC] FACTS AND THE FIGURES ARE PROVING AMERICA RIGHT ..."

TEXT: IN BRITAIN, "THE FINANCIAL TIMES" OF LONDON HELD THAT:

VOICE: "THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK IN FRANCE AND GERMANY HAVE SHAKEN THE EUROPEAN SINGLE CURRENCY PROJECT TO ITS FOUNDATIONS. IT IS STILL POSSIBLE TO IMAGINE MONETARY UNION TAKING PLACE ACCORDING TO THE MAASTRICHT SCHEDULE. IT IS STILL POSSIBLE TO SEE IT HAPPENING IN LINE WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE CONVERGENCE CRITERIA. BUT IS IS GETTING VERY HARD TO IMAGINE THAT IT COULD MANAGE BOTH AT THE SAME TIME."

TEXT: TURNING QUICKLY TO ASIA, JAPAN'S DAILY "YOMIURI SHIMBUN" IN TOKYO HAS THIS REACTION.

VOICE: "THE FRENCH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION FOCUSED ON GOVERNMENT AUSTERITY MEASURES TO MEET CONDITIONS FOR THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY TO BE ESTABLISHED A YEAR AND SEVEN MONTHS FROM NOW. SKEPTICAL ABOUT THEIR COUNTRY'S EFFORT TO JOIN THE MONETARY UNION, FRENCH VOTERS OBVIOUSLY FELT THAT THE AUSTERITY MEASURES TAKEN BY CONSERVATIVE PRESIDENT CHIRAC WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THEM, AND RESPONDED WITH A CLEAR-CUT NO."

TEXT: THERE IS AN ELEMENT OF "I-TOLD-YOU-SO" IN MAX SOLIVEN'S COLUMN IN "THE PHILIPPINE STAR" FROM MANILA. VOICER: "NONE OF THE MEMBERS ..... OF THE STRUGGLING EUROPEAN UNION NOW HAVE SOCIALIST GOVERNMENTS ..... WHAT HAS BROUGHT THE RIGHTISTS DOWN .... IS THE MAASTRICHT TREATY WHICH SET THE DEADLINE FOR THE ADOPTION OF A COMMON EUROPEAN CURRENCY .... IN 1999. AT THE TIME THE MAASTRICHT TREATY WAS SIGNED, I SIGNED [PERHAPS: "I WROTE A SIGNED COLUMN"] IN THIS CORNER THAT IT WOULD NOT WORK - - FOR IT FORGOT ONE VITAL THING: NATIONALISM. IT WENT AGAINST HUMAN NATURE. AND AS EXPECTED, IT IS COMING UNRAVELLED ...."

TEXT: FINALLY, FROM LATIN AMERICA, ARGENTINA'S DAILY, "PAGINA 12", PRESENTS THIS BUENOS AIRES COMMENTARY:

VOICE: "THE EURO IS ALREADY IN SERIOUS TROUBLE BEFORE ITS BIRTH, AND THIS IS NOT BECAUSE OF DENMARK OR SWEDEN - - AS IN THE PAST - - OR AS A CONSEQUENCE OF COUNTRIES WITH LESS FISCAL DISCIPLINE - - SUCH AS GREECE, SPAIN OR ITALY - - BUT DUE TO THOSE WHICH WERE SUPPOSED TO BE THE LOCOMOTIVES FOR CHANGE: GERMANY AND FRANCE .... IN FRANCE, THE NEWLY-ELECTED COALITION OF SOCIALIST-COMMUNIST AND GREEN PARTIES RESISTS AUSTERITY AND PROPOSES AN INCREASER IN THE DEFICIT ABOVE THE ACCEPTED AND FAMOUS THREE PERCENT LIMIT. BUT DOING THIS IS QUITE SIMILAR TO DEPRIVING THE EURO OF A GOOD PART OF ITS SERIOUSNESS, A CURRENCY WHICH SUPPOSEDLY WOULD BE STRONGER THAN THE GERMAN MARK BUT WHICH NOW, WITH ITS OWN FUTURE AT STAKE, THREATENS TO DRAG THE SAME D-MARK TO ITS DOWNFALL. [OPT] .....STEPPING BACK [FROM THE EURO] NOW NOT ONLY IMPLIES RETURNING TO THE DAYS BEFORE [THE] MAASTRICHT [TREATY] BUT IMPLIES ENTERING A DYNAMIC ... WHICH COULD LEAD TO INTER-CONTINENTAL TRADE WARS AND TO THE BEGINNING OF THE DISSOLUTION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION." [END OPT]

TEXT: ON THAT PREDICTION FROM LATIN AMERICA, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM AROUND THE WORLD ON THE FATE OF THE EUROPEAN COMMON CURRENCY, THE EURO.
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12-Jun-97 3:39 PM EDT (1939 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] FRANCE / PARLIAMENT (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: FRANCE'S NEW NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MET FOR THE FIRST TIME THURSDAY. JULIAN NUNDY IN PARIS REPORTS THE ASSEMBLY'S FIRST BUSINESS WAS TO ELECT A NEW SPEAKER. HE IS LAURENT FABIUS, A FORMER SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER.

TEXT: WITH ONE-TENTH OF ITS 577 MEMBERS WOMEN, IT WAS A NEW-LOOK NATIONAL ASSEMBLY THAT CONVENED FOR THE FIRST TIME THURSDAY. AMONG THE NEW MEMBERS ARE EIGHT ECOLOGISTS WHO WON PARLIAMENTARY SEATS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

AS THE NEW PARLIAMENT MET, SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN CONSULTED HIS CABINET ON THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAM THAT HE IS DUE TO PRESENT TO THE FRENCH NATION IN ONE WEEK'S TIME.

MR. JOSPIN HAS THE DELICATE TASK OF RULING FRANCE ALONGSIDE THE CONSERVATIVE PRESIDENT, JACQUES CHIRAC, WHOSE GOVERNMENT WAS DEFEATED IN THE JUNE FIRST ELECTION. MR. CHIRAC HAS FIVE YEARS OF HIS PRESIDENTIAL MANDATE STILL TO RUN.

IN MR. CHIRAC'S OWN PARTY, THE GAULLIST RALLY FOR THE REPUBLIC, THE FORMER PRIME MINISTER, ALAIN JUPPE, HAS ALREADY PAID THE PRICE FOR HIS DEFEAT.

MR. JUPPE IS THE PARTY'S PRESIDENT AND MANY CONSERVATIVE POLITICIANS HOLD HIM RESPONSIBLE FOR LOSING THE ELECTION.

AT A PARTY MEETING, MR. JUPPE SAID HE WILL NOT STAND FOR RE-ELECTION AS HEAD OF THE PARTY WHEN IT CHOOSES A NEW LEADERSHIP NEXT MONTH.

THIS OPENS THE WAY FOR PHILIPPE SEGUIN, THE FORMER NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER AND THE ONLY OTHER CANDIDATE, TO TAKE HIS PLACE.

MR. SEGUIN IS KNOWN FOR HIS OUTSPOKEN VIEWS. HE IS PARTICULARLY REMEMBERED FOR HIS CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE MAASTRICHT EUROPEAN UNION TREATY IN 1992. THAT CAMPAIGN NEARLY SUCCEEDED AND SINCE THEN, MR. SEGUIN HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE FRENCH POLITICAL SCENE.

NOW ALMOST CERTAIN TO BECOME HIS PARTY'S PRESIDENT, MR. SEGUIN IS SET TO BECOME THE OPPOSITION'S MAIN SPOKESMAN. WITH PRESIDENT CHIRAC WEAKENED BY THE ELECTORAL DEFEAT, MR. SEGUIN IS NOW IN A GOOD POSITION TO PREPARE HIS OWN BID FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF FRANCE. (SIGNED) NEB/JN/JWH/RRM/EH
12-Jun-97 1:16 PM EDT (1716 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] FRANCE AIRSHOW (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: PARIS' LE BOURGET AIR SHOW, ONE OF THE WEST'S BIGGEST AVIATION MARKETPLACES, OPENS SATURDAY. JULIAN NUNDY IN PARIS REPORTS THE AIR SHOW THIS YEAR WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE NEW SOCIALIST-LED FRENCH GOVERNMENT TO EXPLAIN ITS PLANS FOR FRANCE'S DEFENSE INDUSTRY.

TEXT: THE LE BOURGET AIR SHOW WILL, AS ALWAYS, BE AN OCCASION FOR AIRCRAFT MAKERS THE WORLD OVER TO SHOW OFF THEIR GOODS AND SEEK NEW ORDERS. THIS YEAR, THE MAIN COMMERCIAL INTEREST WILL COME FROM SAUDI ARABIA AND OTHER ARAB COUNTRIES. THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF MODERNIZING THEIR AIR FORCES AND ARE EXPECTED PARTICULARLY TO RENEW THEIR FLEETS OF FIGHTER AIRCRAFT. AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS ARE TIPPED TO BE THE MAIN BENEFICIARIES, BUT BRITISH AND FRENCH PLANE-MAKERS WILL BE FIGHTING HARD FOR A SHARE.

BUT IT IS PRECISELY THE FUTURE OF FRENCH AIRCRAFT FIRMS AND, MORE GENERALLY, OF EUROPEAN COMPANIES, THAT WILL BE ONE OF THE MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST OF THIS YEAR'S LE BOURGET SHOW.

AT ITS END IN A WEEK'S TIME, FRANCE'S NEW SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN IS DUE TO WIND UP THE SHOW WITH A SPEECH OUTLINING HIS POLICY ON FRANCE'S DEFENSE INDUSTRY.

UNDER THE LAST CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT THAT WAS DEFEATED IN ELECTIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MONTH, FRANCE WAS DUE TO MERGE ITS TWO MAIN PLANE-MAKERS, DASSAULT AVIATION AND AEROSPATIALE. LATER, IT WAS DUE TO PRIVATIZE THE NEW COMPANY AS PART OF A GENERAL DEFENSE INDUSTRY REFORM.

THE NEW LEFT-WING GOVERNMENT, HOWEVER, IS THEORETICALLY OPPOSED TO HAVING DEFENSE COMPANIES IN PRIVATE HANDS. BUT IT HAS NOT YET MADE CLEAR ITS FINAL POSITION ON THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE PLANE-MAKERS OR OF OTHER COMPANIES LIKE THE THOMSON C-S-F DEFENSE ELECTRONICS FIRM.

AEROSPATIALE AND DASSAULT HAD BEEN MAKING ALLIANCES WITH OTHER EUROPEAN COMPANIES, LIKE BRITISH AEROSPACE OR GERMANY'S DAIMLER-BENZ AEROSPACE. THE BRITISH AND GERMAN FIRMS ARE ALREADY LINKED TO AEROSPATIALE THROUGH THE EUROPEAN AIRBUS CONSORTIUM. ALTHOUGH THE CONSORTIUM MAKES HIGHLY COMPETITIVE AIRLINERS, INDUSTRY ANALYSTS SAY ITS COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE IS CUMBERSOME AND IN NEED OF AN OVERHAUL.

MANY INDUSTRY EXPERTS SAY CROSS-FRONTIER ALLIANCES ARE ESSENTIAL IF EUROPE'S AIRCRAFT AND DEFENSE INDUSTRIES ARE TO SURVIVE AS A HIGH-TECHNOLOGY ALTERNATIVE TO THE GIANTS OF THE UNITED STATES. FOR THIS REASON, MANY OF FRANCE'S PARTNERS FEAR THAT A REFUSAL BY THE NEW SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT TO PRIVATIZE ITS AIRCRAFT FIRMS COULD DAMAGE NOT ONLY THE PLANE-MAKERS OF FRANCE BUT OF ALL OF EUROPE. (SIGNED)
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12-Jun-97 1:01 PM EDT (1701 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP SHARPLY TODAY (THURSDAY) AMID HEAVY TRADING VOLUME, AND MAJOR INDEXES CLOSED AT THEIR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE RECORD HIGHS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 77-HUNDRED-11, UP 136 POINTS, A RISE OF ALMOST TWO PERCENT. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 883, UP 14 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY THE RELEASE OF MAY RETAIL FIGURES FOR THE UNITED STATES TRIGGERED THE RALLY. THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT SAYS RETAIL SALES FOR THE MONTH WERE DOWN ONE-TENTH OF ONE PERCENT. IT MARKS THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN 15 YEARS THAT RETAIL SALES HAVE WEAKENED FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE MONTHS.

THAT WAS TAKEN BY INVESTORS AS A SIGN THAT THE U-S ECONOMY IS SLOWING DOWN, THEREBY TAKING PRESSURE OFF THE U-S FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD -- THE CENTRAL BANK -- TO RAISE INTEREST RATES, IN ORDER TO CONTROL INFLATION.

ONE THE BIGGEST GAINERS ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE WAS THE COMPANY RALPH LAUREN -- IN ITS FIRST DAY OF TRADING. IT WAS THE SECOND LARGEST PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE YEAR, RAISING AN ESTIMATED 760 MILLION DOLLARS. ANALYSTS EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE IN THE CLOTHING COMPANY, SAYING ITS FOUNDER, FASHION DESIGNER RALPH LAUREN, HAS A REPUTATION AS AN ASTUTE BUSINESSMAN, IN ADDITION TO HIS DESIGNING TALENTS.

IN HIGH TECHNOLOGY, COMPUTER CHIP MAKER INTEL WAS DOWN AMID PREDICTIONS OF A SLUMP IN COMPUTER SALES. AND XEROX WAS UP ON NEWS THAT IT HAS A NEW PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, RICHARD THOMAN. MR. THOMAN IS RESIGNING AS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF I-B-M, WHERE HE IS CREDITED WITH IMPROVING THAT COMPANY'S PERSONAL COMPUTER BUSINESS.

AND U-S LAWMAKER HENRY WAXMAN, A CALIFORNIA DEMOCRAT, RELEASED INFORMATION THAT COULD FURTHER COMPLICATE THE LEGAL PROBLEMS FACED BY U-S TOBACCO COMPANIES.

THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY, USING THE ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGE, MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN FRAUD AND CRIMINAL CONDUCT.

MR. WAXMAN'S CHARGES ARE BASED ON CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS FROM THE LIGGETT TOBACCO COMPANY WHICH HE SAYS SHOW THAT CIGARETTE MAKERS INTENTIONALLY DECEIVED THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE HEALTH RISKS OF SMOKING. THE INFORMATION IS EXPECTED TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN LEGAL ACTION NOW BEING TAKEN BY THREE DOZEN STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL IN THE UNITED STATES AGAINST TOBACCO COMPANIES. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/LWM
12-Jun-97 4:59 PM EDT (2059 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] NORTHERN IRELAND BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: THE SO-CALLED "MARCHING SEASON" IN NORTHERN IRELAND IS GEARING UP AND THERE IS -- ONCE AGAIN -- THE POSSIBILITY OF VIOLENT CLASHES BETWEEN PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS. IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS AT HOW TWO BELFAST NEWSPAPERS REPRESENTING OPPOSING VIEWS ARE TRYING TO DEFUSE TENSIONS SURROUNDING ONE PARTICULAR CONTENTIOUS PARADE SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN EARLY JULY.

TEXT: EVERY YEAR THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED THREE-THOUSAND MARCHES HELD THROUGHOUT NORTHERN IRELAND, MOST OF THEM DURING THE MONTHS OF JULY AND AUGUST. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE PARADES INVOLVE PROTESTANTS MARCHING ALONG WELL-KNOWN ROUTES, PLAYING FIFES AND DRUMS AND WEARING ORANGE SASHES -- COMMEMORATING THE VICTORY OF PROTESTANT WILLIAM OF ORANGE OVER ENGLAND'S CATHOLIC KING JAMES THE SECOND IN 1690.

MOST OF THESE PARADES ARE PEACEFUL. BUT A HANDFUL TURN VIOLENT -- ESPECIALLY IF THE MARCH TAKES PROTESTANTS THROUGH A PREDOMINANTLY CATHOLIC AREA.

ON JULY SIXTH PROTESTANTS IN THE SMALL TOWN OF PORTADOWN -- ABOUT 40 KILOMETERS SOUTHWEST OF BELFAST -- WILL PARADE FROM THE LOCAL CHURCH TO AN ASSEMBLY HALL, TAKING THEM THROUGH A CATHOLIC NEIGHBORHOOD. LAST YEAR FOR FIVE DAYS, HEAVILY ARMED POLICE PREVENTED PROTESTANTS FROM MARCHING. THEY WERE EVENTUALLY ALLOWED TO WALK SILENTLY PAST CATHOLIC RESIDENTS. THE SITUATION IN PORTADOWN SPARKED SOME OF THE WORST VIOLENCE SEEN IN THE BRITISH PROVINCE FOR YEARS.

IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID A REPEAT OF LAST YEAR'S BLOODSHED, TWO BELFAST NEWSPAPERS -- THE PROTESTANT "BELFAST NEWSLETTER" AND THE CATHOLIC "IRISH NEWS" -- ARE CALLING ON BOTH SIDES TO COMPROMISE.

GEOFFREY MARTIN -- EDITOR OF THE "BELFAST NEWSLETTER" -- SAYS THE YEARLY PROBLEM AT PORTADOWN STEMS FROM TWO APPARENTLY IRRECONCILABLE VIEWS.

ONE IS THAT THE ORANGEMEN WANT TO WALK ALONG THE GARVAUGHEY ROAD, WHICH DOES CUT THROUGH A NATIONALIST AREA. THE OTHER IS THAT THE NATIONALISTS WANT THE ORANGE PARADE REROUTED AWAY FROM THE NATIONALIST AREA AND NOT ALONG THE TRADITIONAL ROAD. SO WE ARE SAYING STRIKE A TWO-YEAR DEAL, OR BARGAIN -- WHATEVER YOU WISH TO CALL IT -- AND WHERE IT HAPPENS EACH WAY IN EACH OF THOSE TWO YEARS. SO EFFECTIVELY, THE ORANGEMEN WILL WALK DOWN THE GARVAUGHEY ROAD ONE YEAR AND THE RESIDENTS WOULD PERHAPS MAKE A PEACEFUL PROTEST -- AND ON THE FOLLOWING YEAR THE ORANGEMEN WOULD AGREE FOR THE MARCH TO BE REROUTED AND THEY COULD PERHAPS MAKE SOME SYMBOLIC PROTEST IN THAT CONTEXT.

MR. MARTIN SAYS THE TWO-YEAR DEAL WOULD HOPEFULLY GIVE BOTH SIDES TIME TO WORK OUT A DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT AND THUS PERMANENTLY DEFUSE A VERY TENSE SITUATION.

NOWELL DORAN -- DEPUTY-EDITOR OF THE CATHOLIC "IRISH NEWS" -- SAYS THE PROPOSAL PUT FORTH BY BOTH NEWSPAPERS GOES BEYOND THE MERE ISSUE OF A PARADE ROUTE.

WE ARE ALSO SAYING THAT BOTH SIDES SHOULD MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THEY RESPECT EACH OTHER'S TRADITIONS AND THAT THEY ALSO RESPECT EACH OTHER'S RIGHT TO PROTEST. AND WE ARE HOPING THAT THROUGH THAT RECOGNITION -- THAT EACH SIDE RECOGNIZES THAT THE OTHER EXISTS AND HAS RIGHTS AND HAS SENSITIVITIES AND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN FAULTS IN THE PAST ON BOTH SIDES -- WE ARE HOPING THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.

OBSERVERS SAY THE PORTADOWN PARADE COULD BE AN EARLY INDICATION OF HOW THIS YEAR'S MARCHING SEASON WILL PROCEED. IF AN AGREEMENT IS REACHED, IT COULD HELP DEFUSE OTHER CONTENTIOUS MARCHES. BUT IF IT IS ALLOWED TO GO ON WITHOUT AN ACCORD, IT COULD BRING ABOUT MORE VIOLENCE WITH UNFORESEEN CONSEQUENCES FOR NORTHERN IRELAND AND ITS FRAGILE PEACE PROCESS. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF/KL
12-Jun-97 1:16 PM EDT (1716 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] NORTHERN IRISH PEACE:TIME FOR A NEW EFFORT BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S NEWSPAPERS ARE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT PROSPECTS FOR A NEW ROUND OF PEACE TALKS ON THE DIFFICULT QUESTION OF NORTHERN IRELAND NOW THAT ELECTIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, AND THE NORTH, HAVE DELIVERED A NEW SET OF LEADERS TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE.

WE GET A SAMPLING OF THOUGHT NOW FROM _________________ IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: BRITISH RULE IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND ROMAN CATHOLIC RESIDENTS' OPPOSITION TO THAT RULE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE WORLD'S INTRACTABLE PROBLEMS FOR MANY DECADES.

MOST RECENTLY, TALKS CAME TO A STANDSTILL OVER THE ISSUE OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY (IRA) LAYING DOWN ITS WEAPONS BEFORE HIGH-LEVEL PEACE TALKS WOULD BEGIN. A RESUMPTION OF IRA BOMBING AND BOMBING THREATS IN BRITAIN WITHIN THE PAST YEAR, APPEARED TO SPELL THE END OF THIS LATEST PEACE BID, NEGOTIATED AT TIMES BY FORMER U-S SENATE MAJORITY LEADER GEORGE MITCHELL OF MAINE.

BUT THE RECENT ELECTION OF TONY BLAIR AS LABOR PARTY PRIME MINISTER IN BRITAIN, COUPLED WITH A NEW IRISH PRIME MINISTER, EVEN MORE RECENTLY ELECTED, HAS SOME U-S EDITORIAL WRITERS THINKING THE TIME HAS COME FOR A RENEWED PEACE EFFORT. WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING IN BALTIMORE WITH THE SUN'S VIEW THAT "A CLEAN SLATE" HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO START OVER WITH THE EFFORT.

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 ..... FRIDAY. (5/30) IN BELFAST, A CATHOLIC AND NATIONALIST COALITION OF WHICH SINN FEIN IS PART WILL RUN CITY HALL FOR THE FIRST TIME. FOR THE IRA 'MILITARY' GROUP AND SINN FEIN, THIS REPRESENTS A HIGH POINT. THEY CAN CLAIM TO REPRESENT SEVEN PERCENT OF ALL VOTERS IN IRELAND. 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' WEAPONS, AND GO INTO REAL POLITICS."

TEXT: CALIFORNIA'S SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE SAYS THAT ONE OF THE KEY PSYCHOLOGICAL TURNING POINTS IN IMPROVING THE PROSPECTS FOR PEACE WAS A LONG OVERDUE APOLOGY FROM THE BRITISH TO THE IRISH.

VOICE: "BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR, WHO ALREADY HAS SHOWN HIMSELF TO BE AN ADROIT POLITICAL LEADER, SEEMS DETERMINED TO ADVANCE THE CAUSE OF A LASTING PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. [MR.] BLAIR RECENTLY EXPRESSED HIS WRITTEN REGRET FOR GREAT BRITAIN'S TEPID RESPONSE TO THE GREAT POTATO FAMINE, WHICH WIPED OUT ONE-POINT-FIVE-MILLION IRISH, OR TWENTY PERCENT OF THE POPULATION, IN THE MID 19TH CENTURY. IT ALSO PROMPTED MORE THAN TWO MILLION MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN TO FLEE IRELAND IN SEARCH OF A BETTER LIFE. [MR.] BLAIR'S UNEXPECTED GOODWILL GESTURE WAS TIMELY BECAUSE IT CAME AS THE IRISH REPUBLIC COMMEMORATED THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEADLIEST YEAR .... OF THE SIX-YEAR FAMINE THAT BEGAN IN 1845. .... WHETHER ONE DEFINES BRITAIN'S RESPONSE TO THE POTATO FAMINE AS A SIN OF COMMISSION OR OMISSION, LONDON WAS LARGELY TO BLAME FOR THE TOLL IN HUMAN SUFFERING. WHICH IS PRECISELY WHY IT WAS ALTOGETHER FITTING FOR THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TO EXPRESS HIS GOVERNMENT'S REGRET, HOWEVER BELATEDLY."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES, TAKING STOCK OF ALL THESE DEVELOPMENTS, SUGGESTS THAT THIS TIME, SINN FEIN LEADER "GERRY ADAMS RUNS OUT OF EXCUSES."

VOICE: "GERRY ADAMS, THE PRESIDENT OF SINN FEIN, CANNOT COMPLAIN ABOUT RECENT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND. HIS OWN PARTY ....POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, DID WELL IN THE RECENT IRISH AND BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. MORE SIGNIFICANTLY, THE NEW BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, TONY BLAIR, AND THE PROBABLE NEW IRISH PRIME MINISTER BERTIE AHERN, ARE LIKELY TO PUSH FOR A NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE SETTLEMENT. WITH BILL CLINTON IN THE WHITE HOUSE, ALL THREE GOVERNMENTS SPONSORING THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE EFFORT ARE NOW LED BY MEN WITH WHOM MR. ADAMS HAS DECLARED HE CAN WORK. THAT AUSPICIOUS ALIGNMENT PUTS A POWERFUL BURDEN ON MR. ADAMS TO DELIVER PROMPTLY THE UNEQUIVOCAL IRA CEASE-FIRE HE HAS LONG PROMISED IF THE SPONSORING GOVERNMENTS DEMONSTRATE GOOD FAITH. ....NOW IS THE TIME FOR MR. ADAMS TO SHOW HE CAN DELIVER A CEASE-FIRE."

TEXT: THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS ALSO APPLAUDS MR. BLAIR'S ADMISSION OF CULPABILITY [BEGIN OPT] AND PROVIDES A LITTLE-KNOWN FOOTNOTE TO THE FAMINE STORY [END OPT].

VOICE: "THE POTATO FAMINE OF 1845 TO 1849 IS SEARED INTO THE MEMORY OF THE IRISH NATION. IT WAS AS MUCH A DEFINING MOMENT IN IRISH HISTORY AS THE CIVIL WAR WAS IN AMERICA'S. ...... SO, IT WAS RIGHT AND DECENT OF BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR TO EXPRESS REGRET FOR HIS COUNTRY'S ROLE IN THE CATASTROPHE. WORDS CANNOT UNDO THE TRAGEDY, CANNOT BLUNT ITS ENDURING IMPACT ON IRELAND'S PSYCHE. BUT THEY CAN PROVOKE HEALING, WHICH IS A WELCOME GOAL FOR TWO PEOPLES ETERNALLY BOUND BY FATE, GEOGRAPHY AND CENTURIES OF CONFLICT...

[BEGIN OPT]

AN UPLIFTING HISTORICAL FOOTNOTE IS THE SYMPATHY OF THE CHOCTAW INDIANS OF WHAT WOULD LATER BE CALLED OKLAHOMA. IN 1847, THE FAMINE'S WORST YEAR, THEY SENT IRELAND 170-DOLLARS IN RELIEF AID. JUST 16 YEARS EARLIER, THEY HAD BEEN FORCED TO EMIGRATE FROM THEIR ANCESTRAL LANDS IN MISSISSIPPI, LOSING NEARLY HALF OF THEIR POPULATION ON A 804-KILOMETER OVERLAND JOURNEY CALLED THE 'TRAIL OF TEARS.'

TEXT: LASTLY, A MORE PESSIMISTIC OUTLOOK FROM THE PLAIN DEALER IN CLEVELAND, OHIO, WHICH WATCHES THE IRISH SITUATION CLOSELY.

VOICE: "IF THE IRA CONTINUES TO BALK [AT A TRUCE] , IT IS HARD TO SEE HOW A RELAPSE INTO WIDESPREAD VIOLENCE CAN BE AVOIDED. FORMER SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL, [PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SPECIAL ENVOY IN CHARGE OF MULTIPARTY TALKS, GAVE HIS WORD ..... THAT HE WILL 'STICK WITH IT AND DO WHAT I CAN.' BUT THOUGH THE BRITISH HAVE SAID THE TALKS WILL CONTINUE WITHOUT SINN FEIN - - A CORRECT DECISION IN PRINCIPLE - - TERRORISTS ON BOTH SIDES COULD SET A DIFFERENT AGENDA, FRUSTRATING THE HOPES OF THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND."

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF U-S EDITORIAL REACTION TO A NEW SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT APPEAR PROMISING IN THE SEARCH FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND.
NEB/ANG/NL
12-Jun-97 1:30 PM EDT (1730 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] ROBINSON/HUMAN RIGHTS (S & L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS NAMED IRISH PRESIDENT MARY ROBINSON TO THE U-N'S TOP HUMAN RIGHTS POST. SHE REPLACES JOSE AYALA LASSO OF ECUADOR, WHO RESIGNED TO BECOME HIS COUNTRY'S FOREIGN MINISTER. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: MARY ROBINSON'S TERM AS PRESIDENT OF IRELAND DOES NOT RUN OUT UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR. BUT SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNAN HAS ASKED HER TO ASSUME HER NEW JOB AS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS BEFORE THE NEXT SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN SEPTEMBER.

PRESIDENT ROBINSON IS EXPECTED TO VISIT NEW YORK IN JULY.

THE IRISH PRESIDENT IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S FIRST CHOICE FOR THE JOB. HER LEADING RIVAL WAS SONIA PICADO -- COSTA RICA'S AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON. BOTH WOMEN ARE CONSIDERED TO HAVE STRONG CREDENTIALS IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS FIELD.

PRESIDENT ROBINSON IS A LAWYER. SHE WAS THE FIRST HEAD OF STATE TO VISIT RWANDA IN THE WAKE OF THE 1994 GENOCIDE. SHE WAS ALSO THE FIRST NATIONAL LEADER TO VISIT THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA.

IN MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT, SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNAN UNDERSCORED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE JOB -- ESTABLISHED ONLY THREE YEARS AGO:

I THINK IT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT APPOINTMENTS THAT I WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF MAKING DURING MY TERM. IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT AREA FOR THE ENTIRE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. AND I HAVE IDENTIFIED SOMEONE WHO IS AN EXTRAORDINARY LEADER, WHO HAS DONE LOTS OF WORK IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS FIELD AND WHO WILL BRING DYNAMISM, CREDIBILITY AND LEADERSHIP TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER.

THE POST OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER WAS BORN IN CONTROVERSY. WESTERN DEMOCRACIES WANTED SOMEONE WHO WOULD RIGOROUSLY INVESTIGATE REPORTED ABUSES. MANY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ARGUED FOR LIMITS TO THE COMMISSIONER'S PROBING POWER. THE RESULT WAS A DELIBERATELY VAGUE MANDATE. WESTERN COUNTRIES AGREED THE IMPORTANT FIRST STEP WAS TO CREATE THE JOB. THEY BELIEVED THE POSITION WOULD EVOLVE BY FORCE OF THE PERSONALITY WHO OCCUPIES IT.

PRESIDENT ROBINSON IS NOT CONSIDERED TIMID. SHE ALSO HAS INTERNATIONAL STATURE, WHICH HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES FEEL WILL WORK TO HER ADVANTAGE WHEN DEALING WITH REPRESSIVE GOVERNMENTS.

HER APPOINTMENT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. THE SECRETARY-GENERAL APEARS CONFIDENT IT WILL GO THROUGH. PRESIDENT ROBINSON WAS OPPOSED BY MANY IN THE THIRD WORLD BECAUSE SHE IS A EUROPEAN. HOWEVER, MR. ANNAN SAID HE WILL CHOOSE A DEPUTY COMMISSIONER SHORTLY, WHO WOULD COME FROM A DEVELOPING COUNTRY. (SIGNED)
NEB/EH
12-Jun-97 1:30 PM EDT (1730 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE DAILY NEWSPAPERS IN THE UNITED STATES THIS THURSDAY ARE FOCUSING ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS, MANY OF THEM LOCAL OR REGIONAL.

AMONG THE MORE INTERESTING OF THE MAJOR ISSUES DISCUSSED ARE: THE FATE OF OKLAHOMA BOMBER TIMOTHY MCVEIGH; SOME CRITICISM OF SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT'S VISION OF U-S FOREIGN POLICY; PAYING AMERICA'S DEBTS TO THE U-N; LAURENT KABILA'S LEADERSHIP IN THE CONGO; THE CONTROVERSY OF NEW STANDARDS FOR AIR QUALITY; [BEGIN OPT] HOW TO BEST USE SEAT BELTS [END OPT] AND THE PRESIDENT'S EFFORTS AT RACIAL HARMONY.

NOW, HERE IS __________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: AS A JURY BEGINS DELIBERATING IN DENVER, COLORADO, ON THE FATE OF OKLAHOMA BOMBER TIMOTHY MCVEIGH, TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES COMES DOWN HEAVILY IN FAVOR OF PUTTING HIM TO DEATH.

VOICE: "TIMOTHY MCVEIGH SHOULD RECEIVE THE ULTIMATE PENALTY FOR COMMITTING THE MOST INFAMOUS ACT OF TERRORIST MURDER TO EVER TAKE PLACE ON AMERICAN SOIL. HIS COLDLY PREMEDITATED CRIME, SETTING OFF A HUGE BOMB AT A FEDERAL BUILDING IN OKLAHOMA CITY, KILLED 168 MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN. [MR.] MCVEIGH COULD GET THE DEATH PENALTY EITHER FROM A FEDERAL JURY NOW DELIBERATING HIS PUNISHMENT OR IN AN OKLAHOMA STATE TRIAL YET TO BEGIN. ..... HIS REPORTED OUTRAGE OVER THE WACO AND RUBY RIDGE EPISODES ASIDE, THERE ARE NO EXCUSES, NONE, FOR HIS HEINOUS ACT. ..... THE PUNISHMENT IN THIS CASE SHOULD BE AS SEVERE AS THE LAW ALLOWS, AND THAT MEANS DEATH."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE PURSUIT OF FOREIGN POLICY, NEWSDAY (LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK) IS CONCERNED THAT THIS COUNTRY'S NEW SECRETARY OF STATE MAY BE BITING OFF MORE THAN SHE - - OR THE NATION - - CAN CHEW.

VOICE: "MADELEINE ALBRIGHT'S CALL FOR AN ACTIVIST U-S FOREIGN-POLICY AGENDA IS BREATHTAKINGLY AMBITIOUS - - PERHAPS TOO MUCH SO. AS EXPRESSED IN HER HARVARD COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS, THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISION OF AMERICA'S ROLE IN A WORLD LEFT UNSETTLED BY THE END OF THE COLD WAR AND THE RISE OF A GLOBAL ECONOMY IS MESSIANIC. IT APPEARS TO BE UNTEMPERED BY A PRAGMATIC ASSESSMENT OF OUR VITAL NATIONAL INTERESTS AND WHAT WE MUST DO TO PROTECT THEM. [OPT] .... [MS] ALBRIGHT HAD LITTLE TO SAY ABOUT THE CHALLENGES POSED BY CHINA'S EMERGENCE AS A GLOBAL POWER AND EVEN LESS TO SAY ABOUT THE GRAVE PROBLEMS FACING RUSSIA AS IT TRIES TO EVOLVE INTO A DEMOCRACY - - ONE OF THE GREAT ISSUES OF OUR TIME."

TEXT: TURNING TO U-S FUNDING OF THE UNITED NATIONS BY PAYING THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OWED THE WORLD BODY IN BACK DUES, THE WASHINGTON POST IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE COMPROMISE DEMANDED BY SENATOR JESSE HELMS [R-N.C.], CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE.

VOICE: "YOU DO NOT HAVE TO CHEER EVERY U-N OFFICE, PROGRAM AND EMANATION ..... TO REALIZE THE HEAVY COSTS THAT WENT INTO THE EFFORT TO SAVE THE WORLD BODY FROM THE FULL FORCE OF THE ..... CHAIRMAN .... NOT ONLY DID SENATOR HELMS PRUNE THE ORGANIZATION BEYOND THE DIMENSIONS WHERE CHANGE HAD BEEN FAIRLY INDICATED [,] HE DID IT IN A WAY - - BY UNILATERAL IMPOSITION - - THAT FLOUTS THE COLLECTIVE PROCEDURES THE UNITED STATES HAD ACCEPTED IN JOINING THE UNITED NATIONS ... IN THE FIRST PLACE. .... FOR INSTANCE, IT [THE U-S] WILL PAY DELINQUENT FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS, BUT .... INCOMPLETELY, ONLY BY ANNUAL INCREMENTS AND ACCORDING TO SPECIFIC 'BENCHMARKS' OF U-N PERFORMANCE IN RETURN. .... A MORE LIKELY WAY TO ENSURE CONTINUING INTERNATIONAL RESENTMENT OF THE AMERICAN IMPERIAL STYLE, AND TO TEMPT ITS EMULATION, IS HARD TO IMAGINE."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE IMPORTANT STORY IN AFRICA, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW GOVERNMENT IN CONGO, THE NEW YORK TIMES SUGGESTS FOREIGN AID FOR THE LAURENT KABILA GOVERNMENT BE CONDITIONAL ON HUMAN RIGHTS IMPROVEMENTS. THE PAPER CONCEDES THAT WASHINGTON'S PAST SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT MOBUTU PUTS THE UNITED STATES IN A DIFFICULT POSITION.

VOICE: "CONCERNS HAVE ALREADY EMERGED ABOUT THE KABILA REGIME'S INVOLVEMENT IN REFUGEE KILLINGS AND ITS COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY. TROOPS LOYAL TO MR. KABILA REPORTEDLY CARRIED OUT DELIBERATE MASSACRES OF HUTU REFUGEES FROM RWANDA. THE NEW GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO RESTRICTED POLITICAL RIGHTS, DEFERRED ELECTIONS FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS AND FAILED TO INCORPORATE LONGTIME POLITICAL OPPONENTS OF THE MOBUTU DICTATORSHIP IN ITS ADMINISTRATION. AFTER DECADES OF WINKING ["BASICALLY IGNORING"] AT MR. MOBUTU'S AUTHORITARIANISM, CORRUPTION AND VIOLATIONS OF HIS NEIGHBORS' SOVEREIGNTY, WASHINGTON WOULD SEEM AWKWARD PREACHING CIVIC VIRTUE TO MR. KABILA. BUT THAT IS WHAT IS MUST DO. CONDONING NEW ABUSES WILL NOT HELP CONGO RECOVER FROM MR. MOBUTU'S DISASTROUS MISRULE."

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, THE BOSTON GLOBE IS SUPPORTING THE TOUGHER--BUT CONTROVERSIAL--NEW STANDARDS ESPOUSED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOR CLEANER AIR. THESE RULES ARE WORKING THEIR WAY THROUGH CONGRESS, AND THE GLOBE WONDERS WHY THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT HAVEN'T BEEN MORE OUTSPOKEN IN THEIR SUPPORT.

VOICE: "THE NEW CLEAN-AIR STANDARDS FOR SOOT AND SMOG BEING PREPARED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WILL NOT OUTLAW BACKYARD BARBECUES. NOR WILL THEY BAN FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS. THESE ARE JUST TWO OF THE SPURIOUS CLAIMS OF INDUSTRY-BACKED OPPOSITION GROUPS HOPING TO UNDERMINE THE CLEAN AIR ACT WITH RADIO AND TELEVISION ADS THAT ONLY FUEL IGNORANCE ABOUT THIS CRUCIAL PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE. ..... PRESIDENT CLINTON AND HIS GREENER-THAN-THOU [ENVIRONMENTALLY SUPPORTIVE] VICE PRESIDENT, AL GORE, HAVE BEEN STRANGELY SILENT WHILE [E-P-A ADMINISTRATOR CAROL] BROWNER STRUGGLES WITH OPPOSITION CLAIMS THAT THE COSTS OF COMPLIANCE WOULD BE PROHIBITIVE AND THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE NEW RULES IS SOFT. ..... 270 PEER-REVIEWED STUDIES SUPPORT THE NEW STANDARDS. ..... THE PREPONDERANCE OF EVIDENCE POINTS TO A LINK BETWEEN EXPOSURE TO THESE POLLUTANTS AND THE PREMATURE DEATHS OF AT LEAST 15-THOUSAND PEOPLE A YEAR."

[BEGIN OPT]

TEXT: NOW TO SOME OTHER SOCIAL AND HEALTH ISSUES SUCH AS THE NEW STUDY RECOMMENDING WIDER USE OF AUTOMOBILE SEAT BELTS AND THAT CHILDREN RIDE ONLY IN BACK SEATS. SAYS THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD:

VOICE: "SUPPOSE WE DISCOVERED A SINGLE, SIMPLE THING DRIVERS COULD DO TO MAKE THE CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THEIR CARS THREE TIMES SAFER THAN THEY ARE NOW. WOULDN'T EVERYONE DO IT, WITHOUT ANY QUESTION AT ALL? WELL, THERE IS SUCH A THING, BUT UP TO 90 PERCENT OF CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF FIVE AND 12 ARE RIDING AROUND WITHOUT THE PROTECTION IT OFFERS. THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD THIS WEEK CALLED FOR STATES TO REQUIRE THAT CHILDREN UNDER AGE 13 RIDE BELTED IN THE BACK SEAT, WHERE THEIR CHANCES OF ESCAPING INJURY IN A COLLISION INCREASE 300 PERCENT. CHILDREN UNDER FOUR ARE REQUIRED TO BE IN CAR SEATS ALREADY, BUT THEY BELONG IN THE BACK AS WELL."

TEXT: NOW SOME THOUGHTS FROM THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S INITIATIVE ON IMPROVING RACE RELATIONS.

VOICE: "NOTHING IS MORE WORTHY OF A NATIONAL LEADER'S TIME AND EFFORT THAN HARMONY AMONG PEOPLE. SUCCESS IN THIS REALM COULD GIVE PRESIDENT CLINTON A LEGACY OVERARCHING HIS SECOND-TERM SEA OF TROUBLES. SIGNS HAVE KEPT COMING THAT HE MAY TRY FOR SUCH A GOAL BY USING THE FULL RESOURCES OF THE WHITE HOUSE TO REPAIR RACE RELATIONS, THE MAIN NEED FOR MAKING WHOLE A COUNTRY THAT IS POWERFUL, CONSTRUCTIVE, BUT OFTEN DIVIDED. ..... ALREADY THE CRY IS [IMPLIED HERE: THAT HE IS ONLY DOING THIS TO GAIN ADVANTAGE IN] POLITICS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS. SO WHAT? USING A HIGH-MINDED APPEAL TO AMITY FOR POLITICAL MILEAGE IS BETTER THAN USING A CYNICAL APPEAL TO DIVISIVENESS, A GAMBIT NOT EXACTLY UNKNOWN IN THE POLITICS OF OUR TIME."

TEXT: BUT THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS REMINDS THE PRESIDENT THAT GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS TO RACIAL PROBLEMS OFTEN BRING WITH THEM UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

VOICE: "MR. CLINTON IS RIGHT TO PUT THE ISSUE OF RACIAL/ETHNIC RELATIONS AT THE TOP OF THE NATION'S AGENDA, BUT FOR ALL HIS GOOD INTENTIONS, HE MUST BE MINDFUL THAT GOVERNMENT HAS OFTEN BEEN COUNTERPRODUCTIVE IN ATTEMPTS TO HELP...THE PRESIDENT SHOULD BE LEERY OF CREATING MORE BIG GOVERNMENT ENTITLEMENTS OR MANDATES AND FIND WAYS TO SUPPORT LOCAL INITIATIVES TO SPOTLIGHT SIGNS OF RACIAL PROGRESS, TO CONTINUE MAKING APPOINTMENTS THAT REFLECT THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC MAKEUP OF AMERICA...IN THE LONG RUN, USING THE PRESIDENTIAL PULPIT TO ARTICULATE THE WISDOM OF OPENING HUMAN HEARTS MAY PROVE MOST EFFECTIVE IN CHANGING PREJUDICIAL ATTITUDES."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/NL
12-Jun-97 11:12 AM EDT (1512 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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