Voice of America, 97-07-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS TALKS OPENER (L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (NEW YORK)

[02] CYPRUS TALKS OPENER (S) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (NEW YORK)

[03] NATO SUMMIT WRAP (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (MADRID)

[04] BOSNIA POL (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[05] CLINTON / BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (MADRID)

[06] ROMANIA/BOMB (S-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUCHAREST)

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

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

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

[01] CYPRUS TALKS OPENER (L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (NEW YORK)

INTRO: CALLING FOR COOL MINDS AND CLEAR HEADS TO PREVAIL -- UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN OPENED TALKS TODAY (WED) BETWEEN GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADERS IN A NEW BID TO SETTLE A DISPUTE THAT HAS LASTED FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES. CYPRIOT PRESIDENT GLAFKOS CLERIDES -- WHO REPRESENTS THE GREEK COMMUNITY -- AND TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADER RAUF DENKTASH ARE MEETING AT A REMOTE RESORT CALLED TROUTBECK -- 145 KILOMETERS NORTH OF NEW YORK CITY. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: WITH SPECIAL EMISSARIES FROM SEVERAL GOVERNMENTS IN ATTENDANCE -- SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNAN APPEALED TO THE CYPRIOTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BOTH THE SERENE ATMOSPHERE OF TROUTBECK AND HEIGHTENED INTERNATIONAL INTEREST TO FIND THEIR WAY TO A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT:

THIS IS A SETTING OF GREAT BEAUTY AND SERENITY. IT IS A PLACE WHERE, I AM SURE, COOL MINDS AND CLEAR HEADS WILL PREVAIL...I INVITED THE LEADERS OF THE CYPRIOT COMMUNITIES TO MEET HERE BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT A LASTING PEACE IN CYPRUS IS NOW WITHIN GRASP.

CYPRUS HAS BEEN DIVIDED ETHNICALLY SINCE TURKISH TROOPS INVADED IN 1974 IN RESPONSE TO A COUP IN NICOSIA BACKED BY THE FORMER MILITARY RULERS OF GREECE. THE UNITED NATIONS WANTS TO RE-UNIFY THE COUNTRY BY LOOSELY LINKING THE TWO COMMUNITIES UNDER A NEW FEDERAL SYSTEM.

MR. ANNAN PUT ON THE TABLE WHAT HE CALLED SUGGESTIONS FOR ORGANIZING THEIR WORK OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. WHILE NOT EXACTLY PROPOSALS FOR A SOLUTION, SOURCES SAY THEY TOUCH UPON THE MAJOR ISSUES ON CYPRUS THAT MUST BE RESOLVED FOR A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT:

IF YOU AGREE TO THESE SUGGESTIONS, YOU WILL BE SIGNALLING YOUR COMMITMENT AND DETERMINATION TO REACH A COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT -- FOR WHICH THE PEOPLE OF CYPRUS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR TOO LONG.

WITH THE GREEK CYPRIOTS PREPARED TO DEPLOY RUSSIAN MISSILES NEXT YEAR AND TURKEY ON FULL ALERT, THE SECRETARY-GENERAL WARNED THE CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE ARE LIKELY TO BE MORE DIRE THAN AT ANY TIME IN RECENT DECADES:

YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE ISLAND ARE GROWING UP UNDER AN EVER-PRESENT CLOUD OF UNCERTAINTY AND POTENTIAL INSTABILITY. THIS CANNOT CONTINUE THERE IS A SENSE OF GREATER URGENCY, MORE OF A CONSENSUS THAN EVER THAT THIS DISPUTE MUST BE BROUGHT TO AN END.

AFTER LUNCH, THE SECRETARY-GENERAL HANDED NEGOTIATIONS OVER TO HIS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE DIEGO CORDOVEZ OF ECUADOR -- THE MAN WHO HELPED ARRANGE FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF SOVIET TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN IN THE LATE 1980'S.

NO BREAKTHROUGHS ARE ANTICIPATED THIS WEEK. BUT U-N OFFICIALS WANT THE CYPRIOTS AT LEAST TO AGREE TO MEET AGAIN -- AS EARLY AS NEXT MONTH. (SIGNED)
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09-Jul-97 1:55 PM EDT (1755 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CYPRUS TALKS OPENER (S) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (NEW YORK)

INTRO: U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN OPENED SEVERAL DAYS OF TALKS WEDNESDAY AIMED AT MENDING MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF ETHNIC DIVISION ON CYPRUS. HE APPEALED TO GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADERS TO CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES OF CONTINUING INSTABILITY ON CYPRIOT YOUTH. CYPRIOT PRESIDENT GLAFKOS CLERIDES -- WHO REPRESENTS THE MAJORITY GREEK COMMUNITY -- AND RAUF DENKTASH, LEADER OF THE BREAKAWAY TURKISH CYPRIOT REPUBLIC, ARE MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE YEARS AT A SECLUDED RESORT 145 KILOMETERS NORTH OF NEW YORK CITY CALLED TROUTBECK. V-O-A CORRESPPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS.

TEXT: THE GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT PLANS TO DEPLOY RUSSIAN MISSILES NEXT YEAR. TURKEY -- WHICH HAS SOME 35-THOUSAND TROOPS ON CYPRUS -- IS ON FULL ALERT. SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TOLD THE CYPRIOTS IT'S TIME TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT A SETTLEMENT.

YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE ISLAND ARE GROWING UP UNDER AN EVER-PRESENT CLOUD OF UNCERTAINTY AND POTENTIAL INSTABILITY. THIS CANNOT CONTINUE.

THE ISLAND-NATION SPLIT INTO SEPARATE COMMUNITIES WHEN TURKEY INVADED IN 1974, AFTER GREECE ENGINEERED A COUP IN NICOSIA. THE UNITED NATIONS WANTS TO RE-UNIFY CYPRUS UNDER A FEDERAL SYSTEM.

DIEGO CORDOVEZ -- THE MAN WHO HELPED ARRANGE THE DEPARTURE OF FORMER SOVIET TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN -- WILL STEER THE CYPRIOT DISCUSSIONS. NO IMMEDIATE BREAKTHROUGHS ARE IN SIGHT. BUT THE UNITED NATIONS HOPES TO PROD THE PARTIES TOWARD MORE TALKS NEXT MONTH. (SIGNED)
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09-Jul-97 2:52 PM EDT (1852 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] NATO SUMMIT WRAP (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (MADRID)

INTRO: NATO LEADERS HAVE CONCLUDED THEIR TWO-DAY SUMMIT IN MADRID, WHERE THEY INVITED THREE FORMER SOVIET BLOC COUNTRIES TO JOIN NATO AND WHERE THEY SIGNED A SPECIAL, COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH UKRAINE. IN THIS REPORT FROM THE SPANISH CAPITAL, V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS BACK AT THE SUMMIT'S ACHIEVEMENTS.

TEXT: THIS WAS BY ALL ACCOUNTS, A HISTORIC SUMMIT. THE NATO ALLIANCE TOOK ITS FIRST, TENTATIVE STEPS TOWARD THE EAST BY INVITING THREE FORMER SOVIET BLOC NATIONS -- POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY -- TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS LEADING TO FULL MEMBERSHIP BY 1999, THE ALLIANCE'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY.

THE NATO DEBATE ON MEMBERSHIP -- TO QUOTE ONE SOURCE -- WAS "VIGOROUS."

THE LEADERS DID NOT QUESTION THE VALIDITY OF EASTWARD ENLARGEMENT -- EVERYONE AGREED ON THAT. THE PROBLEM WAS HOW MANY EAST AND CENTRAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES SHOULD JOIN -- A MINIMUM OF THREE OR A MAXIMUM OF FIVE.

THE UNITED STATES FAVORED THREE MEMBERS -- AND NO MORE. HOWEVER, OTHER COUNTRIES -- LED BY FRANCE -- WANTED FIVE MEMBERS, INCLUDING ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA. IN THE END, THE U-S POSITION PREVAILED. HOWEVER, IN ANNOUNCING THE DECISION TO INVITE POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY, NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA ANNOUNCED THE ALLIANCE'S "OPEN DOOR POLICY."

NATO WILL MAINTAIN AN ACTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE NATIONS THAT HAVE EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN NATO MEMBERSHIP, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO MAY WISH TO SEEK MEMBERSHIP IN THE FUTURE. THOSE NATIONS THAT HAVE PREVIOUSLY EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN BECOMING NATO MEMBERS BUT THAT WERE NOT INVITED TO BEGIN ACCESSION TALKS WILL REMAIN UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR FUTURE MEMBERSHIP.

SO THE EXPANSION OF NATO EASTWARD IS UNDERWAY AND THE LEADERS OF THE WESTERN ALLIANCE MADE CLEAR IT WOULD CONTINUE.

IN A NEWS CONFERENCE SUMMING UP THE SUMMIT'S ACHIEVEMENTS, PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON SAID THE NUMBER OF NEW MEMBERS ADMITTED THIS TIME WAS AS IMPORTANT AS THE POLICY OF ADMITTING OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE FUTURE.

IT WASN'T JUST HOW MANY COUNTRIES GOT IN. IT WAS ALSO HOW WE STATED WHAT WE WERE DOING, MAKING SURE THE DOOR WAS OPEN, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN EUROPE'S NORTHWEST AND EUROPE'S SOUTHEAST AND THAT WE WERE GOING TO KEEP THE DOOR OPEN OVER A PROTRACTED PERIOD OF TIME.

NATO OFFICIALS MADE CLEAR THAT INVITING PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS WAS ONLY THE FIRST STEP IN GETTING THEM INTEGRATED INTO NATO -- A PROCESS THAT WILL TAKE TWO YEARS. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH V-O-A, NATO'S SENIOR SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAID A LOT IS RIDING ON A SMOOTH TRANSITION.

WE BELIEVE THAT THE MORE WE MAKE A SUCCESS OF HANDLING THE FIRST ROUND OF ENLARGEMENT, THE MORE CREDIBILITY THIS PROCESS WILL HAVE -- AND, THEREFORE, THE EASIER AND FASTER IT WILL BE TO HAVE SUBSEQUENT ENLARGEMENTS.

AT THEIR SUMMIT HERE, NATO LEADERS ALSO SIGNED A CHARTER WITH UKRAINE -- A CHARTER SIMILAR TO THE ONE SIGNED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO BETWEEN THE NATO ALLIANCE AND RUSSIA. THE AGREEMENT TALKS ABOUT INCREASING COOPERATION IN A WIDE RANGE OF AREAS, INCLUDING CONFLICT PREVENTION, NUCLEAR SAFETY, POLITICAL AND SECURITY-RELATED SUBJECTS AS WELL AS ARMS CONTROL ISSUES AND DISARMAMENT QUESTIONS. HOWEVER, UNLIKE THE NATO-RUSSIA AGREEMENT, THE CHARTER WITH UKRAINE DOES NOT FORESEE A PERMANENT UKRAINIAN PRESENCE AT NATO HEADQUARTERS.

FOLLOWING THE SIGNING CEREMONY, ALL 16 NATO LEADERS EXPRESSED THEIR SATISFACTION WITH THE NEW AGREEMENT. ECHOING THE SENTIMENTS OF MANY, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR SAID THE CHARTER PUTS IN PLACE ANOTHER FOUNDATION STONE OF A NEW, SECURE AND UNDIVIDED EUROPE.

THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE HAVE SUFFERED MORE THAN MOST FROM WAR IN EUROPE. THIS CHARTER WILL HELP TO ENSURE THAT THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. IT IS ALSO ANOTHER GREAT STEP FORWARD IN UKRAINE'S RE-ENTRY INTO THE EUROPEAN MAINSTREAM, WHERE IT BELONGS. UKRAINE MAY BE YOUNG AS A COUNTRY BUT IT IS OLD AS PART OF THE CULTURAL AND POLITICAL LIFE OF EUROPE.

MR. BLAIR SAID UKRAINE FACES SERIOUS CHALLENGES IN THE YEARS AHEAD -- SUCH AS GETTING ECONOMIC REFORMS FIRMLY IN PLACE AND CLOSING THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER PLANT. BUT THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER SAID EUROPE IS READY TO HELP UKRAINE TACKLE THESE AND OTHER ISSUES. (SIGNED)
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09-Jul-97 5:48 PM EDT (2148 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA POL (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS RENEWED HIS OFFER TO MEDIATE WHAT HAS BECOME AN OPEN POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: MR. MILOSEVIC RENEWED HIS INVITATION TO THE FEUDING BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS TO COME TO BELGRADE JUST ONE DAY AFTER EMBATTLED BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC REJECTED AN EARLIER OFFER.

MS. PLAVSIC WAS DETAINED BY SERB POLICE THE LAST TIME SHE TRAVELED TO BELGRADE. AND SAID TUESDAY THAT SHE HAD NOTHING TO DISCUSS WITH THE SERB PRESIDENT.

FOR THE PAST WEEK, MS. PLAVSIC HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN A BITTER POWER STRUGGLE WITH BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIALS BELIEVED TO BE CLOSELY ALLIED WITH OUSTED PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC, WHO HAS BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES BY THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE.

ALLIES OF MR. KARADZIC HAVE REFUSED TO OBEY HER ORDER DISSOLVING THE BOSNIAN SERB PARLIAMENT OR HER DISMISSAL OF THE BOSNIAN SERB INTERIOR MINISTER.

MS. PLAVSIC HAS ACCUSED THE OFFICIAL AND OTHER POWERFUL ALLIES OF MR. KARADZIC OF ENRICHING THEMSELVES THROUGH CORRUPTION AND SMUGGLING AT THE EXPENSE OF THE BOSNIAN SERB POPULATION.

PRESIDENT CLINTON AND OTHER LEADERS AT THE NATO SUMMIT IN MADRID EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR MS. PLAVSIC AND WARNED BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIALS NOT TO USE FORCE OR VIOLENCE TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE. HOWEVER, OFFICIALS SAY THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW ORDERS TO ARREST MR. KARADZIC, DESPITE THE SPOTLIGHT THE DISPUTE HAS PUT ON HIS CONTINUED INFLUENCE.

WESTERN OFFICIALS SAY THE DISPUTE IS ALSO A SETBACK FOR EFFORTS TO FUNNEL RECONSTRUCTION AID TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, BECAUSE IT IS DELAYING THE CREATION OF A UNITED BOSNIAN FEDERATION ENVISIONED UNDER THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS. (SIGNED)
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09-Jul-97 12:48 PM EDT (1648 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] CLINTON / BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (MADRID)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS EXPRESSED HIS SUPPORT FOR BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT BILJIANA PLAVSIC IN HER BATTLE WITH HARD-LINERS IN HER PARLIAMENT. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE NATO SUMMIT MEETING IN MADRID, WHERE MR. CLINTON SPOKE AT A NEWS CONFERENCE.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS GIVEN HIS ENDORSEMENT TO THE BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT AS SHE TRIES TO DISMISS THE PARLIAMENT THAT IS TRYING TO REMOVE HER FROM OFFICE.

WE SUPPORT MRS. PLAVSIC AND WHAT SHE IS TRYING TO DO. WE OPPOSE THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL EFFORTS TO RESTRICT HER AUTHORITY. WE APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T AGREE ON EVERYTHING, SHE HAS STATED HER ADHERENCE TO THE DAYTON ACCORDS AND HAS TRIED TO FOLLOW THEM.

THE NATO SUMMIT MEETING HERE ALSO GAVE SUPPORT TO THE BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT IN HER POLITICAL CONFLICT WITH HARD-LINE ELEMENTS LOYAL TO FORMER PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC -- WHO HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH WAR CRIMES. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO CHANGE IN THE MANDATE OF NATO TROOPS ABOUT CAPTURING ACCUSED WAR CRIMINALS IN BOSNIA. AS FOR A (POSSIBLE) PARA-MILITARY EFFORT TO APPREHEND MR. KARADZIC, PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS ANY COMMENT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE -- (BUT HE ALSO DID NOT RULE OUT SUCH A MISSION). (SIGNED)
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09-Jul-97 1:09 PM EDT (1709 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] ROMANIA/BOMB (S-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUCHAREST)

INTRO: ROMANIAN OFFICIALS SAY AN EXPERIMENTAL SHRAPNEL BOMB EXPLODED WENESDAY DURING A TEST AT A MILITARY AIRFIELD KILLING AT LEAST 15 PEOPLE AND INJURING THREE MORE. STEFAN BOS REPORTS FORM BUDAPEST, THE EXPLOSION TOOK PLACE AT THE AIRFIELD IN CRAIOVA, ABOUT 230 KILOMETERS WEST OF THE CAPITAL BUCHAREST.

TEXT: THE ROMANINA STATE SECRETARY FOR DEFENSE , CONSTATIN DUDU IONESCU SAID IT WAS STILL UNCLEAR WHY AN EXPERIMENTAL SHRAPNEL BOMB EXPLODED AT THE CRAIOVA AIRFIELD. HOWEVER MR IONESCU TOLD REPORTERS THAT THE BLAST MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY TECHNICAL FAILURE.

INVESTIGATORS SAY THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AS THE ROMANIAN MILITARY TRAINING PLANE, THAT CARRIED THE BOMB, PREPARED TO TAKE OFF TO TEST THE NEW AMMUNITION.

LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS REPORTED THAT THE PLANE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE EXPLOSION.

AMONG THE MORE THAT DOZEN KILLED WERE DEFENSE INDUSTRY WORKERS AND MILITARY ENGINEERS. DESPITE THE ACCIDENT, DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAID THAT NEW TESTS WILL CONTINNE. THEY SAY THE TESTS ARE NECESSARY TO SECURE A LISENCE FOR THE DEVICE WHICH THEY DESCRIBED AS THE MOST MODERN TYPES OF AMMUNITION IN ROMANIA. (SIGNED)
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09-Jul-97 5:22 PM EDT (2122 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

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

TEXT: STOCK PRICES FINISHED THE DAY UP IN ALL MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS, WITH FRANKFURT REACHING A RECORD CLOSING HIGH.

IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX SURGED MORE THAN 49 POINTS, ABOUT ONE-AND-TWO-TENTHS PERCENT OF THE GERMAN MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX FINISHED UP ALMOST 21 POINTS, ABOUT SEVEN-TENTHS PERCENT.

THE GAIN WAS MORE MODEST IN LONDON, WHERE TRADERS STILL ARE CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE INTEREST RATE INCREASES. THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX WAS UP ABOUT FOUR POINTS, ABOUT ONE-TENTH PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED IN VALUE AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN, THE GERMAN MARK, AND THE BRITISH POUND.
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09-Jul-97 3:35 PM EDT (1935 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AS PROFIT-TAKING HIT WALL STREET. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 78 HUNDRED 42, DOWN 119 POINTS. THE MORE COMPREHENSIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 907, DOWN 11 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY A WAVE OF PROFIT-TAKING HIT THE STOCK MARKET AFTER THE RECENT STRONG RALLIES WHICH HAVE BROUGHT MAJOR INDEXES TO RECORD HIGHS. THERE WAS SPECULATION THAT MANY TRADERS WERE PLANNING TO SELL AS SOON AS THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE REACHED THE EIGHT THOUSAND LEVEL. IT CAME CLOSE ON TUESDAY AND MANY OF THOSE TRADERS DECIDED NOW WAS THE TIME TO TAKE SOME PROFITS.

ALTHOUGH STOCKS IN GENERAL WERE DOWN, MANY TECHNOLOGY ISSUES WERE STRONG INCLUDING THE MOTOROLA ELECTRONICS COMPANY, COMPAQ COMPUTER AND THE INTEL MICROPROCESSOR COMPANY.

THE PROPOSED NATIONAL SETTLEMENT OF TOBACCO INDUSTRY LIABILITY CLAIMS MAY BE IN JEOPARDY. PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS HE OPPOSES A KEY ELEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT WHICH WOULD PREVENT THE U-S FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION FROM REGULATING OR BANNING NICOTINE.

THE MCDONALD'S RESTAURANT CHAIN HAS ANNOUNCED A MAJOR CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE DESIGNED TO BRING DECISION-MAKING CLOSER TO LOCAL MARKETS. THE COMPANY'S U-S OPERATIONS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO FIVE SEMI-AUTONIMOUS GEOGRAPHIC DIVISIONS. ANALYSTS SAY MCDONALD'S HAS BEEN PLAUGED BY INEFFECTIVE MARKETING PROMOTIONS LATELY AND THE CHANGE WILL HELP LOCALIZE MARKETING EFFORTS.

BRITISH AIRWAYS IS TAKING A HARD LINE AGAINST THE 72-HOUR STRIKE BY CABIN CREWS WHICH HAS GROUNDED ABOUT HALF OF ITS FLIGHTS. BRITISH AIRWAYS SAY THE STRIKE IS ILLEGAL AND IS THREATENING TO TAKE THE UNION TO COURT. SOME OTHER COMPETING AIRLINES ARE ADDING EXTRA FLIGHTS FOR DISPLACED BRITISH AIRWAYS PASSENGERS.(SIGNED)
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09-Jul-97 5:06 PM EDT (2106 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE ENLARGEMENT OF NATO, MADE OFFICIAL IN MADRID TUESDAY, IS A LEADING TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION IN MANY EDITORIAL COLUMNS TODAY. THE OTHER TWO TOPICS ARE REPEATS OF YESTERDAY, WITH MORE NEWSPAPERS COMMENTING ON THE EPOCH MEXICAN ELECTION, AND THE SUCCESSFUL NASA PATHFINDER MISSION TO MARS.

OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE THE SENATE HEARING INTO FUND RAISING IRREGULARITIES IN LAST YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL RACE; SOME AFTERMATH OF THE HONG KONG CHANGEOVER; AND THOUGHTS ON THE NEW LEADER OF THE CONGO-ZAIRE.

NOW HERE IS _______________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, NOTING THE FORMAL INVITATION TO HUNGARY, POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC TO JOIN NATO, PROFFERED IN MADRID, TUESDAY, SAYS THE "HARD QUESTIONS CAN NO LONGER BE AVOIDED."

VOICE: "JUST WHAT MILITARY THREAT IS NATO EXPANSION RESPONDING TO? HOW WILL STABILITY IN EUROPE BE STRENGTHENED BY DRAWING A NEW LINE THAT BRINGS SOME NEW COUNTRIES WITH THE NATO FOLD WHILE CONTINUING TO EXCLUDE OTHERS? THROUGH EXTENSION OF THE PLEDGE THAT AN ATTACK ON ONE NATO STATE WILL BE TREATED AS AN ATTACK ON ALL, WILL THE UNITED STATES BE AT RISK OF BEING IN THE MIDDLE OF ETHNIC OR RELIGIOUS CONFLICTS? ..... THE TASK OF THE ADMINISTRATION IS TO RESPOND FULLY AND CREDIBLY TO THESE CONCERNS. IT HAS YET TO MAKE MUCH OF A START."

TEXT: TAKING THE OPPOSITE VIEW, THE SUN IN BALTIMORE OPINES:

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON CAN CLAIM A FOREIGN POLICY VICTORY OF HISTORIC MAGNITUDE IN THE UNANIMOUS INVITATION OF MEMBERSHIP BY THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION TO POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC, EFFECTIVE IN 1999. ONCE 'DEFENDED' BY THE SOVIET UNION AND WARSAW BLOC AGAINST WEST GERMANY AND THE UNITED STATES, THESE COUNTRIES WILL INSTEAD BE DEFENDED BY NATO AGAINST THEIR FORMER PROTECTORS, MOVING THE BORDER OF 'THE WEST' [MORE THAN 480 KILOMETERS] EASTWARD."

TEXT: AFTER CAREFULLY STATING THE PROS AND CONS, THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR CONCLUDES:

VOICE: "THE END RESULT COULD TURN OUT WELL - - IF [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] THE PARTNERSHIP WITH RUSSIA IS CAREFULLY NURTURED, AND IF [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] NEW MEMBERS REALIZE THE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE AT LEAST AS GREAT AS THE BENEFITS."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE OTHER MAJOR INTERNATIONAL STORY OF THE WEEK, THE HISTORIC OPPOSITION POLITICAL VICTORY IN MEXICO, THE MONITOR CALLS IT A "BREAKTHROUGH."

VOICE: "MEXICO'S VOTERS HAVE ANSWERED THE QUESTION WHETHER THEIR COUNTRY CAN TURN DECISIVELY TOWARD DEMOCRATIC REFORM. THE JULY 6TH ELECTION PROVES THAT COMPETITIVE POLITICS HAS ARRIVED. THE ONCE SACROSANCT INSTITUTIONAL REVOLUTIONARY PARTY (P-R-I) IS LEFT REELING. ..... MOST IMPORTANT, CONGRESS WILL BECOME AN ACTUAL PARTNER IN GOVERNMENT RATHER THAN THE PRESIDENT'S RUBBER STAMP [AUTOMATIC APPROVAL MECHANISM]. ... MEXICO HAS TURNED A CORNER."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES IS EQUALLY PLEASED.

VOICE: "NEARLY A DECADE AFTER THE BERLIN WALL COLLAPSED, A SEMBLANCE OF DEMOCRACY HAS FINALLY COME TO MEXICO. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, BUT CERTAINLY MOST WELCOME."

TEXT: AND IN NEW ENGLAND, THE BOSTON GLOBE, IN WEDNESDAY'S LEAD EDITORIALS, SALUTES THE VICTORY, BUT LOOKS AT THE DIFFICULT ROAD AHEAD.

VOICE: "THE CRUCIAL NEXT STEP IN THE DEMOCRATIZING OF MEXICO MUST BE TO EXPOSE AND ERADICATE THE CORRUPTING POWER OF THE DRUG CARTELS. NOW THAT THE P-R-I HAS BECOME A MINORITY IN MEXICO'S LEGISLATURE, THE OPPOSITION PARTIES ARE ABLE TO INVESTIGATE THE PAST AND PRESENT CRIMES OF THE KLEPTOCRATS. PRESIDENT ZEDILLO CAN SHOW HIMSELF A TRUE DEMOCRAT, AND A TRUE PATRIOT, IF HE COOPERATES IN THE DANGEROUS BUT INDISPENSABLE ILLUMINATION OF HIS OWN PARTY'S COMPLICITY WITH THE DRUG BARONS."

TEXT: IN SPACE, THE MARS EXPLORER PATHFINDER, AND ITS TINY SCIENTIFIC CART, SOJOURNER, CONTINUE TO SEND BACK PICTURES, CAUSING THE DENVER POST TO COMMENT:

VOICE: "THE MARS PATHFINDER HAS DONE MORE THAN PROVIDE REMARKABLE IMAGES OF THE RED PLANET. IT HAS REAWAKENED A PUBLIC PASSION FOR EXPLORATION. THAT RENEWED AWARENESS IS IMPORTANT, FOR IT SPOTLIGHTS THE FACT THAT TODAY HUMANS ARE MORE ACTIVE THAN EVER IN PURSUING THE EXPLORATION OF THE NEAR EDGE OF SPACE. ..... FOR NASA, PATHFINDER AND SOJOURNER ARE STUNNING SUCCESSES....."

TEXT: THE BIG DOMESTIC STORY CONTINUES TO BE THE SENATE HEARINGS ON ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES IN LAST YEAR'S POLITICAL CAMPAIGN FINANCING, WHICH BEGAN YESTERDAY. THE HARTFORD COURANT URGES THE LEGISLATORS TO AVOID A WITCH HUNT.

VOICE: "[SENATOR] JOHN GLENN OF OHIO HAS SET THE RIGHT TONE FOR SENATE HEARINGS ON ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN FUND-RAISING. HE WANTS A THOROUGH PROBE, BUT ONE THAT INVESTIGATES DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN WRONGDOERS. ..... MUCH OF THE PUBLIC ALREADY THINKS THAT THE ACCUSATIONS OF FUND-RAISING IRREGULARITIES ARE JUST POLITICS AS USUAL. ..... BUT FUND-RAISING ABUSES ARE SERIOUS. VIOLATORS SHOULD BE PUNISHED. ..... AS FOR THE INVESTIGATORS, LET THEM SIMPLY UNCOVER THE TRUTH. THE FACTS WILL SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS THE MAJOR ALLEGATION THAT CAME OUT OF THE OPENING HEARING, FROM ITS CHAIRMAN, THAT AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE SOURCES CLAIM THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT SPENT 'SUBSTANTIAL SUMS OF MONEY,' ILLEGALLY, TO INFLUENCE THE 1996 PRESIDENT AND LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS, IS KEY.

VOICE: "[TENNESSEE SENATOR FRED] MR. THOMPSON HAS AN OBLIGATION TO SUPPORT HIS CONCLUSION WITH PUBLIC TESTIMONY. IF HE DOES, THE UNITED STATES WILL HAVE TO REASSESS ITS DEALINGS WITH CHINA. THE EFFORT OF A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO TILT AN ELECTION IS A THREAT TO THE INTEGRITY OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY."

TEXT: BACK OVERSEAS, THE WASHINGTON POST PONDERS THE QUESTION: WHEN IS A COUP A COUP AND WHEN ISN'T IT, AS IT CONSIDERS THE SITUATION IN CAMBODIA.

VOICE: ".....THE LATEST COMBAT IN CAMBODIA'S CAPITAL MAY SEEM LIKE INEXPLICABLE INFIGHTING AMONG EQUALLY TAINTED POLITICAL FACTIONS. IT'S NOT. IT'S BASICALLY A COUP D'ETAT. .... THIS WEEKEND MILITARY FORCES LOYAL TO [CO-PRIME MINISTER] HUN SEN ATTACKED AND, AT LEAST IN THE CAPITAL, DEFEATED FORCES LOYAL TO THE OTHER CO-PRIME MINISTER, PRINCE NORODOM RANARIDDH, WHO HAS FLED TO PARIS. NOW HUN SEN'S TROOPS ARE SAID TO BE ROUNDING UP POLITICAL ENEMIES .......[OPT] IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, A CIVIL WAR MAY BE RESUMING. [END OPT] YESTERDAY U-S OFFICIALS PROPERLY CONDEMNED HUN SEN'S USE OF FORCE, WHILE STILL DECLINING TO LABEL IT A COUP - - BECAUSE THEN THE LAW WOULD REQUIRE A CUTOFF OF AID. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEEDS TO DO MORE.... BEFORE ALL HOPE IS LOST OF GETTING CAMBODIAN DEMOCRATIZATION BACK ON TRACK...."

TEXT: NOTING A SQUABBLE OVER POLICY BETWEEN FORMER HONG KONG GOVERNOR CHRIS PATTEN AND SOME OF HIS CRITICS IN BRITAIN, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL SAYS THIS WEDNESDAY:

VOICE: "THE ESSENCE OF CHRIS PATTEN'S CHARGE IS THAT THESE POLITICIANS, AND BY EXTENSION THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, COLLUDED WITH CHINA IN THE 1980S TO DENY HONG KONG'S PEOPLE THE FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY THEY CRAVED. WHILE MANY OF THESE CHARGES HAVE BEEN MADE BEFORE, MR. PATTEN MAKES THEM IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE IF BRITISH HONOR IS TO BE SALVAGED. LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC LEADER PADDY ASHDOWN'S CALL FOR DOCUMENTS TO BE RELEASED TO A COMMONS SELECT COMMITTEE IS A GOOD BEGINNING."

TEXT: REGARDING THE ALLEGED MASSACRE OF PEOPLE DURING THE CIVIL WAR IN CONGO-ZAIRE, NEWSDAY CALLS THE NEW PRESIDENT, LAURENT KABILA A "BULLY" AND SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS SHOULD NOT GIVE IN TO HIM.

VOICE: "IT'S ALWAYS A BAD IDEA TO GIVE IN TO BULLIES. ... UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS SET A BAD PRECEDENT IN HIS DEALINGS WITH A TYRANT-IN-THE-MAKING, PRESIDENT LAURENT KABILA OF CONGO. UNCONSCIONABLY, [MR.] ANNAN YIELDED TO PRESSURE FROM [MR.] KABILA TO REPLACE THE U-N'S OWN TEAM OF INVESTIGATORS LOOKING INTO ATROCITIES ALLEGEDLY COMMITTED BY [MR.] KABILA'S TROOPS AGAINST REFUGEES. ..... IF [MR.] KABILA CAN THUMB HIS NOSE [MOCK] THE U-N THIS WAY, WHY SHOULD ANY NATION HEED ITS CONDITIONS IN THE FUTURE?"

TEXT: ON THAT DISQUIETING NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM SOME OF TODAY'S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/EH
09-Jul-97 10:25 AM EDT (1425 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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