Voice of America, 97-08-07

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA - HOLBROOKE 2ND UPDATE (S) BY ART CHIMES (SARAJEVO)

[02] CRUDE OIL:LURE OF THE CAUCASUS AND THE CASPIAN SEA BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[03] EDITORIAL: CLINTON MEETS AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT

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

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

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

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

[08] TURKEY/ISLAM (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[09] WORLD TRACK WED. WRAP BY STEVE SCHY (ATHENS)

[01] BOSNIA - HOLBROOKE 2ND UPDATE (S) BY ART CHIMES (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: AMERICAN NEGOTIATOR RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS CONTINUING HIS EFFORTS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO PUSH FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT, WHICH HE BROKERED. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS IN SARAJEVO, WHERE MR. HOLBROOKE HAS BEEN MEETING WITH BOSNIAN LEADERS.

TEXT: AT THE END OF WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HIS ONLY MEETING WITH THE THREE MEMBERS OF BOSNIA'S PRESIDENCY, MR. HOLBROOKE TOLD JOURNALISTS HE WOULD HAVE AN UNSCHEDULED, LATE-NIGHT MEETING WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF BOSNIA'S SERB, CROAT AND MUSLIM COMMUNITIES.

MR. HOLBROOKE IS PUSHING ALL SIDES TO DO WHAT THEY PROMSED TO DO AT DAYTON, TO CREATE A FUNCTIONING, MULTI-ETHNIC STATE. MR. HOLBROOKE SAID IT'S BEEN SLOW-GOING.

THIS IS A GRIND. WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS, BUT WE ARE WAY BEHIND SCHEDULE.

HIS COLLEAGUE, STATE DEPARTMENT ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD, EMPHASIZED THAT THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES IF THE PARTIES DO NOT MEET DEADLINES FOR THE MULTI-ETHNIC, UNIFIED BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT.

BUT HE DECLINED TO SPECIFY WHAT SANCTIONS THEY MIGHT FACE. FRIDAY, THE TWO MEN MEET BOSNIAN-SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC AND THEN GO TO BELGRADE TO MEET SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/ENE/RRM
07-Aug-97 3:18 PM EDT (1918 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] CRUDE OIL:LURE OF THE CAUCASUS AND THE CASPIAN SEA BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE RECENT VISITS TO WASHINGTON BY THE PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN AND GEORGIA HAVE FOCUSED WORLD ATTENTION ON THE FUTURE ROLE OF THE GREAT POWERS IN THE OIL AND GAS-RICH FORMER SOVIET CAUCASUS REGION AND CENTRAL ASIA.

WE SAMPLE SOME OF THE LATEST INTERNATIONAL COMMENTS NOW WITH _________________WHO BRINGS US THIS WEEK'S WORLD OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS FUELING EDITORIAL COMMENT WERE A JULY SPEECH ON THE AREA BY DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT AT JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, AND THE WORD THAT WASHINGTON WILL NOT OPPOSE A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PIPELINE CARRYING NATURAL GAS FROM TURKMENISTAN, THROUGH IRAN, AND ON TO A TURKISH PORT FOR EXPORT.

THE REGION AROUND THE CASPIAN SEA HOLDS THE WORLD'S NEXT MAJOR SUPPLY OF VIRTUALLY UNUSED CRUDE OIL AND NATURAL GAS, AFTER THE PERSIAN GULF. HOWEVER, THE REGION IS ALSO FILLED WITH ETHNIC STRIFE AND UNSTABLE GOVERNMENTS. FROM THE CHARRED REMAINS OF CHECHNYA'S WAR OF SECESSION WITH RUSSIA, TO THE ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST REGIME IN IRAN, AND INCLUDING THE STILL-UNRESOLVED DISPUTE BETWEEN AZERBAIJANIS AND ARMENIANS OVER THE ARMENIAN ENCLAVE OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH, AND INSIDE AZERBAIJAN, MANY EXPERTS STILL SEE THE CAUCASUS AS A POTENTIAL TINDERBOX.

HOWEVER, MANY EDITORIAL WRITERS WORLDWIDE ARE SPECULATING THAT THE LURE OF RICHES HAS REKINDLED THE SO-CALLED GREAT GAME OF THE 19TH CENTURY IN WHICH GREAT BRITAIN AND CZARIST RUSSIA PLAYED A GEO-POLITICAL CHESS GAME OVER THE REGION.

WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING OF WORLD PRESS REACTION TO THIS RENEWED INTEREST IN MOSCOW, WHERE WE READ IN "ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA:"

VOICE: "THE SOUTH CAUCASUS HAS BECOME A FOCAL POINT OF U-S STRATEGY, AS THE AMERICANS SEEK CONTROL OVER CASPIAN OIL ..... TALKING IN WASHINGTON ABOUT THE KARABAKH PROBLEM, THE AZERBAIJANIAN AND AMERICAN PRESIDENTS COULD NOT VERY WELL GO BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE LATEST PROPOSAL OF THE OSCE'S MINSK GROUP ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH, WHICH IS IN FACT AN ANALOGY OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS ON BOSNIA."

TEXT: WRITING IN THE BUSINESS-ORIENTED MOSCOW DAILY "KOMMERSANT DAILY," LEONID GANKIN AND GENNADY SYSOYEV SUGGEST THAT:

VOICE: "BAKU AND TBILISI INCREASINGLY COUNT ON WASHINGTON, NOT MOSCOW, TO HELP THEM SOLVE THEIR INTERNAL PROBLEMS. BUT THE AMERICAN ARE CAUTIOUS, AFRAID TO MAR RELATIONS WITH THE KREMLIN .... RUSSIAN DIPLOMATS TEND TO EXPLAIN THE GEORGIAN AND AZERBAIJANIAN LEADERS' INORDINATE EXPECTATIONS BY THE FACT THAT, FORMER COMMUNIST PARTY FUNCTIONARIES, THEY ARE IN THE THROES OF OLD STEREOTYPES. TRUE ENOUGH ..... BUT THE UNITED STATES, WHILE NOT MINDING PENETRATING INTO THE SOUTH CAUCASUS, WOULD RATHER DO SO BY ECONOMIC METHODS."

TEXT: AND FROM LONDON, THIS DISPATCH APPEARED IN PRAVDA-FIVE:

VOICE: "WASHINGTON DEMONSTRATES THAT IN ORDER TO STOP THE CRISIS-STRICKEN EX-SOVIET REPUBLICS' DRIFT TOWARD MOSCOW, IT IS WILLING TO FORGO EVEN ITS OWN ANTI-TEHRAN EMBARGO.ITS MAIN GOAL IS TO KEEP RUSSIA FROM RESTORING EVEN A PART OF ECONOMIC TIES IN WHAT USED TO BE THE USSR AND RENEWING HER UNIFYING MISSION IN THE VAST EXPANSE OF EURASIA."

TEXT: TURNING NEXT TO ARMENIA, YEREVAN'S DAILY "GOLOS ARMENII" RAN THIS COMMENT:

VOICE: "AGAINST ITS OWN RULES, AMERICA IS ASSISTING THE DICTATOR AND SERIOUS VIOLATOR OF THE RULE OF DEMOCRACY. LET ALONE [NOTWITHSTANDING] THE KGB AND COMMUNIST PAST OF [PRESIDENT] ALIYEV, WHO IN A VERY SHORT TIME HAS BECOME AN ORTHODOX MUSLIM."

TEXT: ACROSS TOWN, IN THE DAILY "HAIK" THERE WAS THIS ASSESSMENT.

VOICE: "IF BAKU WANTS TO MAKE THE OIL AGREEMENTS WORK, IT SHOULD MAKE COMPROMISES ON THE KARABAKH ISSUE INSTEAD OF TOUGHENING ITS POSITION EVEN MORE. LEADERS OF AZERBAIJAN SHOULD REALIZE THAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE OIL AGREEMENTS EXIST, OIL COMPANIES WILL NOT BE WILLING TO THROW AWAY THEIR MONEY JUST LIKE THAT ..... AFTER ALL .... U-S INTERESTS IN THE REGION ARE MUCH LARGER THAN JUST OIL."

TEXT: FOR THE VIEW FROM THE AZERBAIJAN CAPITOL, BAKU, WE PICK UP [OPT] "YENI MUSAVAT" AN OPPOSITION DAILY, AND READ:

VOICE: "ONE CAN EXPLAIN AMERICA'S ACTIVE INTERVENTION IN RUSSIA'S SPHERE OF INFLUENCE BY LOOKING AT THE PRESENT SITUATION IN RUSSIA. FACING ENORMOUS INTERNAL PROBLEMS OF ITS OWN, RUSSIA HAS BEEN UNABLE TO AGGRESSIVELY PROMOTE ITS INTERESTS ABROAD OR TO GET ACTIVELY AND DIVERSELY INVOLVED IN EVENTS EVOLVING IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA. UNWILLING TO MISS AN OPPORTUNITY, THE UNITED STATES IS FILLING THE GAP."

TEXT: HERE IS ANOTHER, EVEN WIDER VIEW FROM "[END OPT] AYNA ZERKALO."

VOICE: "AZERBAIJAN HAS BECOME A CENTRAL FIGURE IN A 'BIG GAME' INVOLVING IRAN, RUSSIA, THE UNITED STATES, CHINA, TURKEY, ARMENIA AND OTHERS. BUT FROM A WIDER PERSPECTIVE, THE RELATIONS AMONG THESE PLAYERS ARE FAR FROM STABLE. U-S - RUSSIAN BILATERAL RELATIONS ARE GROWING FROM DAY TO DAY AND, AT THE SAME TIME, THERE SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS POSSIBILITY THAT TIES BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND TEHRAN WILL BEGIN TO DEVELOP. ..... AZEBAIJAN'S USEFULNESS AND AT THE SAME TIME ITS SENSITIVE GEO-POLITICAL POSITION DEMAND SPECIAL CONSIDERATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS FOREIGN POLICY."

TEXT: NOW TO A CAPITOL FROM WHICH THIS PROGRAM RARELY GETS EDITORIAL COMMENT -- BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN, AND THE LARGEST DAILY THERE, "VECHERNY BISHKEK" WHICH COMMENTED, AT THE BEGINNING OF LAST MONTH [7/1]:

VOICE: "THE UNITED STATES IS NOT OBJECTING TO LAYING DOWN TURKMEN GAS PIPELINES THROUGH THE TERRITORY OF IRAN. THIS IS CONTRARY ... TO ANOTHER INITIATIVE ..... THE DECLARATION OF AN [AMERICAN] ECONOMIC EMBARGO ON IRAN. THIS SEEMINGLY ILLOGICAL STEP IS CAUSED BY A SERIES OF SERIOUS REASONS. CENTRAL ASIA IS A [TASTY] MORSEL AND PRACTICALLY UNDEVELOPED MARKET FOR WESTERN INVESTORS ... THE MAIN AIM (IN CENTRAL ASIA) OF INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES IS GOLD, OIL, GAS ...."

TEXT: AND WHAT OF TURKISH REACTION? HERE IS SOME FROM THE RELIGIOUS PAPER "TURKIYE":

VOICE: "THE POWER CENTERS IN THE WORLD CLOSELY FOLLOW ENERGY SOURCES. IT IS A FACT THAT INTERNAL UNREST, CIVIL WARS AND REGIONAL CONFLICTS ARE ALL INTENSIFIED IN THE COUNTRIES WHERE THERE ARE ENERGY SOURCES. AS FOR TURKEY, WE ARE SO MUCH INVOLVED IN DOMESTIC TURMOIL THAT WORLD ISSUES ARE MOSTLY IGNORED. ..... OUR FOREIGN MINISTRY DID NOTHING UNTIL THE NAME OF CEYHAN (TURKEY) WAS ADDED NEXT TO BAKU AS FAR AS THE PIPELINE ROUTE IS CONCERNED. PRESIDENT CLINTON SUPPORTS THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE WHICH WILL MAKE TURKISH ANATOLIA A MAIN TRANSIT FOR INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. ..... THE OIL RESOURCES OF THE CAUCASUS PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THE DECISION THAT THE PIPELINE ROUTE SHOULD GO THROUGH TURKEY. BOTH WASHINGTON AND MOSCOW REALIZE THE FACT THAT CENTRAL ASIA AND THE NEAR EAST WILL BE REGIONALLY VERY IMPORTANT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THEIR POLICIES DEPEND ON CONTROLLING THIS INFLUENCE."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, FROM EUROPE, AND THE COMMERCIAL HEART OF GERMANY, THESE THOUGHTS FROM "THE FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG."

VOICE: "IN THE GEO-STRATEGIC PICTURE OF U-S FOREIGN POLICY, THE TRANSCAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA HAVE DRAWN GREATER ATTRACTION THAN EVER. THE CATCHWORDS ARE NATURAL OIL AND ... GAS. AND IN THE CASPIAN SEA, THERE IS LOTS OF BOTH. THIS MEANS THAT TEHRAN WILL PLAY A MORE IMPORTANT ROLE. EXPLORATION, TRANSPORTATION AND MARKETING OF THESE OBVIOUSLY VAST RESERVES CAN HARDLY BE GUARANTEED BY CIRCUMVENTING IRAN .... WASHINGTON'S ELOQUENT SILENCE TOWARDS THE MEDIEVAL REGIME OF THE TALIBAN IN AFGHANISTAN HAS MAINLY BEEN BASED ON PLANS OF U-S OIL COMPANIES TO TRANSPORT NATURAL GAS FROM TURKMENISTAN VIA AFGHANISTAN TO THE OPEN SEA ALONG PAKISTAN'S COAST. BUT BECAUSE THE END OF THE CIVIL WAR IN AFGHANISTAN IS NOT IN SIGHT, (THE UNITED STATES) HAS NOW THOUGHT OF IRAN AGAIN.

HISTORICAL COMPARISONS ARE LAME BUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE NOW HAPPENING REMIND US OF THE 'GREAT GAME,' WHICH THE RUSSIANS AND THE BRITISH BEGAN IN THIS AREA IN THE PAST."

TEXT: ON THAT HISTORICAL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF MAINLY REGIONAL EDITORIAL COMMENTS ON THE INTENSIFYING INTEREST IN THE TRANSCAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA, AS SOME ARE CALLING IT, THE "PERSIAN/ARABIAN GULF OF THE 21ST CENTURY."
NEB/ANG/RRM
07-Aug-97 4:41 PM EDT (2041 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] EDITORIAL: CLINTON MEETS AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT

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:

PRESIDENT CLINTON RECENTLY MET WITH PRESIDENT HEYDAR ALIYEV OF AZERBAIJAN AT THE WHITE HOUSE. THE TWO LEADERS SIGNED A STATEMENT ON U.S.-AZERBAIJAN RELATIONS AS WELL AS AN INVESTMENT TREATY PROMOTING EXPANSION OF AMERICAN-AZERBAIJANI COMMERCIAL TIES.

AZERBAIJAN HAS VAST ENERGY RESOURCES AND THE CASPIAN SEA BASIN IS A VITAL REGION FOR NEW OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION. DURING PRESIDENT ALIYEV'S VISIT, FOUR AGREEMENTS WERE SIGNED WITH AMERICAN OIL COMPANIES. THE U.S. WELCOMES THE COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIP THAT HAS EMERGED BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND AMERICAN BUSINESSES, WHICH WILL BENEFIT BOTH COUNTRIES.

THE U.S. SUPPORTS A STABLE, PROSPEROUS AND PEACEFUL AZERBAIJAN AND HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN SEEKING A SETTLEMENT TO THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT. TOGETHER WITH RUSSIA AND FRANCE, THE U.S. IS WORKING WITH THE PARTIES TO FIND A SOLUTION. PEACE IN THE CAUCASUS WOULD ENCOURAGE BOTH POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GREATER REGIONAL COOPERATION.

THE U.S. SUPPORTS AZERBAIJAN'S TRANSITION TO AN OPEN MARKET AND PROGRESS ON STRUCTURAL ECONOMIC REFORM, PARTICULARLY PRIVATIZATION. AZERBAIJAN'S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR THE COUNTRY'S STABILITY AND CONTINUED GROWTH. THE U.S. URGES AZERBAIJAN TO PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS AND SPEED UP THE BUILDING OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS TO INCLUDE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN 1997 AND 1998.

AS PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID, THE U.S. WANTS TO WORK WITH AN AZERBAIJAN THAT RESPECTS HUMAN RIGHTS, IS SECURE IN ITS INDEPENDENCE, AND IS AT PEACE WITH ITS NEIGHBORS.

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.
07-Aug-97 3:51 PM EDT (1951 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE CLOSED TRADING THURSDAY ON A POSITIVE NOTE. LONDON STOCKS POSTED ANOTHER RECORD HIGH, AS PAUL FRANCUCH DETAILS FROM OUR OFFICES IN THE BRITISH CAPITAL.

TEXT: AS THE TRADING DAY BEGAN IN LONDON, THE BANK OF ENGLAND ANNOUNCED ITS FOURTH INCREASE IN INTEREST RATES SINCE THE MONTH OF MAY. NORMALLY SUCH NEWS DRIVES STOCK MARKETS DOWN AND THE VALUE OF CURRENCIES UP. INSTEAD, LONDON'S "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX SOARED MORE THAN 60 POINTS TO CLOSE AT A RECORD HIGH. THE POUND, MEANWHILE AT ONE POINT DROPPED ALMOST FIVE PFENNIGS AGAINST THE MARK AND LOST ALMOST TWO CENTS TO THE DOLLAR. MARKET ANALYSTS SAY THIS ATYPICAL BEHAVIOR FOLLOWED NEWS THE BANK OF ENGLAND PLANS NO ADDITIONAL INTEREST HIKES SOON, AND THAT SPURRED INVESTOR CONFIDENCE.

MARKETS IN PARIS AND FRANKFURT WERE HIGHER THURSDAY AS WELL. THE FRENCH "CAC 40" ADDED MORE THAN 19 POINTS AT THE CLOSE AND THE GERMAN "DAX 30" GAINED TWO PERCENT IN VALUE WITH A 79-POINT ADVANCE.

GOLD IN LONDON GAINED TWO-DOLLARS-30 CENTS IN THE CLOSING FIX, WHEN IT WAS PRICED AT 322-DOLLARS-15 CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/KL
07-Aug-97 1:54 PM EDT (1754 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: A FRENCH COURT HAS ORDERED A FORMER GOVERNMENT MINISTER TO SURRENDER HIS PASSPORT TO ENSURE THAT HE DOES NOT FLEE THE COUNTRY BEFORE HIS TRIAL FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IN OCTOBER. AS JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS, THE EX-MINISTER, MAURICE PAPON, IS ACCUSED OF A ROLE IN THE DEPORTATION OF FRENCH JEWS TO NAZI DEATH CAMPS DURING WORLD WAR TWO.

TEXT: THE APPEALS COURT IN THE CITY OF BORDEAUX ORDERED MAURICE PAPON, WHO WAS FRANCE'S BUDGET MINISTER IN THE 1970'S, TO SURRENDER HIS PASSPORT AND REPORT TO POLICE UNTIL HIS TRIAL.

THE COURT MADE ITS DECISION AT THE REQUEST OF THE STATE PROSECUTOR AND OF A LAWYER REPRESENTING THE FAMILIES OF MANY OF THE 16-HUNDRED JEWS WHO WERE DEPORTED TO NAZI DEATH CAMPS FROM BORDEAUX DURING WORLD WAR TWO. THEY SAID THEY FEARED MR. PAPON MIGHT TRY TO FLEE FRANCE BEFORE HIS TRIAL OPENS ON OCTOBER EIGHTH. MR. PAPON, WHO IS NOW 87, WAS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL IN BORDEAUX DURING THE WAR. HE IS ACCUSED OF SIGNING THE ORDERS FOR FOUR OF THE 12 RAILROAD CONVOYS THAT TOOK JEWS FROM BORDEAUX TO CONCENTRATION CAMPS.

MR. PAPON ALSO IS ACCUSED OF GOING FURTHER THAN THE GERMAN OCCUPIERS REQUESTED, ORDERING ROUNDUPS BEFORE THE NAZIS HAD ASKED FOR THEM. HE HAS ARGUED THAT HE DID NOT KNOW THAT THE JEWS WERE DESTINED FOR CAMPS IN GERMANY AND THAT HE, IN FACT, TRIED TO IMPROVE THEIR CONDITIONS OF TRANSPORT.

MR. PAPON IS THE FIFTH FRENCHMAN TO BE CHARGED WITH CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.

A FORMER PRO-NAZI MILITIAMAN ACCUSED OF EXECUTING JEWS, PAUL TOUVIER, WAS SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT IN 1994. TOUVIER DIED IN JAIL LAST YEAR. TWO OTHER FORMER OFFICIALS OF THE VICHY COLLABORATIONIST GOVERNMENT DIED BEFORE THEY COULD GO TO TRIAL. YET ANOTHER, RENE BOUSQUET, A FORMER VICHY POLICE CHIEF, WAS ASSASSINATED AT HIS PARIS HOME IN 1993, A FEW MONTHS BEFORE HE WAS DUE TO FACE TRIAL. IN 1987, FRANCE HELD ITS FIRST TRIAL ON THE CHARGE OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, WHICH CARRIES NO STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. THAT WAS AGAINST A GERMAN DEFENDANT, THE SO-CALLED NAZI "BUTCHER OF LYON," KLAUS BARBIE. HE WAS THE NAZI POLICE CHIEF IN THE CITY AT THE END OF THE WAR. BARBIE DIED IN JAIL IN 1991. ALTOGETHER, 76-THOUSAND FRENCH JEWS WERE DEPORTED AND ONLY 25-HUNDRED RETURNED.

AFTER THE WAR, MR. PAPON CONTINUED A CAREER AS A FRENCH PUBLIC SERVANT. BEFORE GOING INTO POLITICS, HE WAS THE CHIEF OF THE PARIS POLICE IN THE LATE 1950'S AND EARLY 1960'S.

WHILE HE WAS IN THAT POST, DOZENS OF ALGERIAN SUPPORTERS OF THE ALGERIAN FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE WERE FOUND DEAD IN ONE NIGHT IN 1961, MANY OF THEM FLOATING IN THE SEINE RIVER. POLICE UNDER MR. PAPON'S ORDERS WERE BLAMED FOR THE DEATHS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/JWH
07-Aug-97 12:05 PM EDT (1605 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (THURSDAY) ON A COMBINATION OF PROFIT-TAKING AND A WEAK BOND MARKET. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 81-HUNDRED-88, DOWN 71 POINTS. THE BROADER STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 951, DOWN NINE POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY THERE WAS SOME APPARENT PROFIT-TAKING AFTER WEDNESDAY'S RECORD HIGH CLOSINGS IN MOST MAJOR STOCK INDEXES. IN ADDITION, SOME WEAKNESS IN THE BOND MARKET HELPED DRAG STOCK PRICES DOWN.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED A SURPRISING TWO PERCENT RISE IN WHOLESALE INVENTORIES IN JUNE. BUT ANALYSTS SAY THE FIGURES ARE NOT ALARMING BECAUSE OF EVIDENCE THAT CONSUMER SPENDING IS PICKING UP AND STRONGER RETAIL SALES ARE EXPECTED.

THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS FILING NEW CLAIMS FOR JOBLESS BENEFITS ROSE LAST WEEK BUT THE INCREASE CAME A WEEK AFTER THE NUMBER OF SUCH CLAIMS FELL TO A 23-YEAR LOW.

NEGOTIATIONS AIMED AT ENDING THE FOUR-DAY-OLD STRIKE AGAINST THE UNITED PARCEL SERVICE RESUMED IN WASHINGTON WITH UNION LEADERS AGAIN EMPHASIZING THEIR DEMAND FOR MORE FULL-TIME, RATHER THAN PART-TIME JOBS. THE STRIKE IS ALREADY CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR MANY AMERICAN BUSINESSES WHO RELY ON U-P-S TO SEND AND RECEIVE MERCHANDISE.

U-S REGULATORS HAVE APPROVED NEW RULES WHICH WILL DRAMATICALLY LOWER THE PRICE OF INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE CALLS. OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD, THE AVERAGE PRICE OF AN INTERNATIONAL CALL PLACED IN THE UNITED STATES IS EXPECTED TO COME DOWN FROM 88 CENTS TO 20 CENTS A MINUTE.

THE NEW MANAGEMENT AT THE COLUMBIA H-C-A HOSPITAL CHAIN WILL TAKE DRAMATIC ACTION IN AN EFFORT TO REMOVE THE STIGMA OF FEDERAL CHARGES OF INSURANCE FRAUD. THE COMPANY WILL SELL ITS HOME HEALTH CARE DIVISION, TIGHTEN ITS BILLING PROCEDURES AND STOP THE APPARENT CONFLICT OF INTEREST OF ALLOWING DOCTORS TO INVEST IN ITS FACILITIES. COLUMBIA IS THE LARGEST FOR-PROFIT HOSPITAL CHAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/RRM
07-Aug-97 4:58 PM EDT (2058 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THIS THURSDAY, THE U-S PRESS IS FOCUSSING ON SEVERAL TOPICS IN ITS EDITORIAL COLUMNS, FOREMOST AMONG THEM, THE STRIKE BY THOUSANDS OF TEAMSTERS OF THE UNITED PARCEL SERVICE - - U-P-S - - THE NATION'S LARGEST SHIPPER OF PACKAGES.

ALSO UNDER THE MICROSCOPE OF PUBLIC OPINION IS MADELEINE ALBRIGHT'S MIDEAST SPEECH; THE HISTORIC AGREEMENT BETWEEN BILL GATES OF MICROSOFT AND FALTERING APPLE COMPUTER; SOME PROGRESS IN LEBANON IS RECOGNIZED; PEACE TALKS BETWEEN THE KOREAS; AND LIES THE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT TOLD THE PEOPLE.

NOW, HERE IS ______________________ WITH A FEW QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE STRIKE BY THOUSANDS OF UNITED PARCEL SERVICE (U-P-S) EMPLOYEES GOES INTO ITS THIRD DAY THIS THURSDAY, AND ALREADY BUSINESS IS BEGINNING TO FEEL THE EFFECTS, AS EVERYTHING FROM LIVE LOBSTER TO TINY PARTS FOR COMPUTER CIRCUIT BOARDS ARE NOT ARRIVING AT THEIR DESTINATIONS ON TIME. NORMALLY, THE COMPANY DELIVERS 80-PERCENT OF ALL DOMESTIC PARCELS, ALMOST 12 MILLION PER-DAY. THIS HAS CAUSED QUITE A FEW EDITORIAL WRITERS TO COMMENT ON THE STRIKE, INCLUDING THIS FROM USA TODAY WHICH SAYS THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT TOO MANY PART-TIME WORKERS AT U-P-S ARE NOT VALID.

VOICE: "THE STICKING POINT [MAIN AREA OF DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES] ISN'T WAGES. OR BENEFITS. OR EVEN A BAD EMPLOYER. ..... INSTEAD, THE IMPASSE IS OVER CONTROL OF THE UNION'S PENSION FUND AND THE MAKEUP OF THE WORK FORCE. NEARLY 60-PERCENT OF THE 301-THOUSAND U-P-S WORKERS IN THE U-S-A ARE PART-TIMERS. STRIKERS WANT NO MORE OF THEM AND DEMAND TENS OF THOUSANDS BE CONVERTED TO FULL-TIME JOBS. [HOWEVER] MOST ATTEMPTS BY UNIONS TO LIMIT WORKPLACE FLEXIBILITY HAVE ONLY COST UNION MEMBERS JOBS AND UNIONS THEIR CLOUT [INFLUENCE]. ...... THE BOTTOM LINE IS SIMPLE. UNIONS CAN HELP THEIR EMPLOYERS AND THEMSELVES. OR THEY CAN FLEX THEIR MUSCLE, WHICH CAN SCARE AWAY CUSTOMERS AND COST UNION MEMBERS THEIR JOBS. THE TEAMSTERS STRIKING U-P-S CHOSE THE WRONG COURSE."

TEXT: THE WALL STREET JOURNAL SAYS THE STRIKERS ARE FOOLISH BECAUSE THE REGIONAL TEAMSTER PENSION FUNDS THE UNION IS FIGHTING FOR, ARE INEFFICIENT.

VOICE: "AS U-P-S HAS BEEN TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO ITS TEAMSTER EMPLOYEES, THE COMPANY COULD BOOST THEIR PENSION PAYOUTS 50-PERCENT IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO SUBSIDIZE THE PENSIONS OF OTHER TEAMSTERS. [OPT] IF THIS WERE SWEDEN, WHERE FIRMS ARE DISCOURAGED FROM COMPETING WITH EACH OTHER ON THE LEVEL OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THEIR WORKFORCES, THERE MIGHT BE AN ISSUE HERE. BUT WE GOT TRUCKING DEREGULATION A WHILE BACK, AND [END OPT] IN EFFECT U-P-S WORKERS HAVE BEEN FUNDING THE PENSIONS OF COMPETING COMPANIES THAT HAVE PROVED LESS THAN PROVIDENT OR HAVE GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. ..... U-P-S EMPLOYEES ..... ARE MISSING OUT ON THE BENEFITS THAT COME FROM BEING SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYEES OF A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS IN AN INDUSTRY WHERE NOT ALL ARE SUCCESSFUL."

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON A SPEECH BY MADELEINE ALBRIGHT IN WHICH SHE OUTLINES CURRENT U-S POLICY TOWARD THE MIDDLE EAST, AND AS OFTEN HAPPENS, THERE ARE DIFFERING INTERPRETATIONS OF HER REMARKS. THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS:

VOICE: "MADELELINE ALBRIGHT ..... CAME UP TO THE BRINK OF A POLICY BREAKTHROUGH IN HER FIRST MAJOR SPEECH ON THE MIDDLE EAST YESTERDAY, AND FALTERED. AS A RESULT, THE PROSPECTS OF ESCAPING THE CURRENT MUTUAL 'CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE' BETWEEN ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS REMAIN MORE CLOUDED THAN THEY HAVE TO BE. ..... 'IF THE PARTIES HAVE A CLEAR, MUTUAL AND FAVORABLE SENSE OF THE ULTIMATE DIRECTION OF NEGOTIATION,' SHE SAID, THINGS WILL GO BETTER. BUT SHE STOPPED THERE, LEAVING UNFILLED AND UNEXAMINED A LONGTIME VOID IN AMERICAN POLICY: THE RELUCTANCE OF THE UNITED STATES TO STATE ITS OWN VIEW OF WHAT THE OBJECT OF THE NEGOTIATION OUGHT TO BE. .... FOR THE UNITED STATES NOT TO RECOGNIZE THIS PALESTINIAN CLAIM [TO POLITICAL SELF-DETERMINATION] IS TO ENCOURAGE THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT TO STICK TO AN ANNEXATIONIST, NO-STATE POSITION."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES, ON THE OTHER HAND, CALLS IT "A STRONG MIDEAST MESSAGE" AND GOES ON TO NOTE:

VOICE: "MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS BEEN TOO LITTLE ENGAGED WITH THE MIDDLE EAST SINCE BECOMING SECRETARY OF STATE .....BUT [SHE] OVERCAME HER HESITATIONS YESTERDAY, DELIVERING A BLUNT ASSESSMENT OF ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN CONDUCT AND DECLARING HER INTENTION TO PUSH BOTH PARTIES HARD TO RESUME AND THEN ACCELERATE NEGOTIATIONS. ..... IT WAS THE KIND OF CANDID SPEECH SECRETARIES OF STATE RARELY MAKE, FOR FEAR OF OFFENDING FOREIGN LEADERS OR UPSETTING DELICATE DIPLOMATIC DISCUSSIONS. ..... BY HER WORDS AND HER PROMISE TO VISIT THE REGION SOON, SHE HAS GIVEN THE PEACE EFFORT A NEEDED NUDGE."

TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, IGNORES THE SPEECH, BUT FOCUSES ON CURRENT ISRAELI POLICY, WITH WHICH IT DISAGREES.

VOICE: "[PRIME MINISTER] NETANYAHU'S RESPONSE TO THE JERUSALEM BOMBING HAS BEEN TO IMPOSE A COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT ON THE ARAB POPULATIONS OF THE WEST BANK AND GAZA STRIP AND TO BLAME [MR.] ARAFAT FOR DOING TOO LITTLE TO CURB PALESTINIAN EXTREMISTS. [MR.] ARAFAT HAS MUCH TO ANSWER FOR. BUT WITHOUT EVIDENCE THAT THE SUICIDE BOMBERS CAME FROM THE WEST BANK OR GAZA, IT IS STRETCHING A POINT TO CLAIM THAT [MR.] ARAFAT ABETTED THEIR CRIME. MEANWHILE, THE ECONOMIC PUNISHMENTS ISRAEL HAS PUT INTO EFFECT ARE WORKING MAINLY TO FUEL EXPLOSIVE TENSIONS, AS THE SHIN BET, ISRAEL'S DOMESTIC SECURITY SERVICE, HAS WARNED. ..... FOR ALL THE HIGH EMOTIONS OF THE MOMENT AND THE PROFOUND DISTRUST THAT EXISTS, ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN LEADERS STILL FACE THIS BASIC CHOICE: THEY CAN LET THE EXTREMISTS WIN OR THEY CAN TONE DOWN THEIR OWN RHETORIC, MODERATE THEIR ACTIONS AND AGAIN MADE A GOOD-FAITH EFFORT TO END THEIR BRUTAL AND STERILE CONFLICT."

TEXT: SOME BIG COMPUTER NEWS, THAT BILL GATES AND HIS MICROSOFT GIANT CORPORATION WILL PUT 150 MILLION DOLLARS INTO FALTERING APPLE COMPUTER, IN RETURN FOR THE RIGHT TO PLACE HIS WEBBROWSER ON NEW APPLE MACINTOSH COMPUTERS, DRAWS THIS RETORT FROM TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE.

VOICE: "THIS COMMITMENT TO APPLE MAY NOT BE ALL THAT MUCH TO [MR.] GATES .... WORTH MORE THAN 35-BILLION DOLLARS - - THE RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD - - .... FROM A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE. ..... BUT [MR.] GATES SEEMS TO BE MAKING A MOVE THAT MARKS ANOTHER FEATURE OF THE TRULY SUCCESSFUL: AVOIDING THE APPEARANCE OF RUTHLESSNESS. HE CAN AFFORD TO BE MAGNANIMOUS. THE TEST WILL COME IN WHETHER THE AFFILIATION LEADS TO FASTER APPLICATION OF MICROSOFT PROGRAMS TO MACINTOSH HARDWARE ..... ONE HOPES SO."

TEXT: THE PROGRESS LEBANON IS MAKING TO OVERCOME INTERNAL TERRORISM AND REBUILT FROM YEARS OF WARFARE IS RECOGNIZED IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR WITH THESE THOUGHTS:

VOICE: "LEBANON'S EFFORT TO DISTANCE ITSELF FROM ANARCHY AND VIOLENCE IS FAR FROM OVER. BUT RECENT YEARS HAVE SEEN SIGNIFICANT STRIDES. WASHINGTON HAS AT LAST RECOGNIZED THIS AND LIFTED ITS BAN ON TRAVEL TO LEBANON BY U-S CITIZENS. .... PERMITTING AMERICAN BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES TO TRAVEL THERE ON THEIR U-S PASSPORTS IS A BELATED BUT WELCOME STEP TO IMPROVE THAT FUTURE."

TEXT: THE SUN IN BALTIMORE IS PLEASED THAT, VERY QUIETLY, PEACE TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO KOREAS HAVE BEGUN IN NEW YORK, 43 YEARS AFTER THE SHOOTING STOPPED IN THE KOREAN WAR. SAYS THE BALTIMORE DAILY:

VOICE: ".... IT IS TIME FOR PEACE ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA. A GOOD-FAITH EFFORT IS THE LEAST THIS NATION OWES THE SERVICEMEN AND SERVICEWOMEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES THERE. [OPT] IT IS WHAT THE KOREAN PEOPLE NEED TO MAKE THEIR FAMILIES WHOLE AGAIN AND REALIZE THEIR INDUSTRIOUS POTENTIAL. IT IS WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF CATASTROPHIC WAR."

TEXT: AS REGARDS THE ON-GOING MOVE BY CHINA TO JOIN THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SAYS THIS THURSDAY:

VOICE: "BEIJING'S PIECEMEAL APPROACHED TO ADDRESSING TRADE PROBLEMS FALLS FAR SHORT OF WHAT THE UNITED STATES WANTS, WHICH IS A COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK FOR OPENING CHINESE MARKETS AND SCRAPPING GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES. ..... CHINA JUST DOESN'T GET IT [UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION]" ... IF IT WANTS TO BE ACCEPTED IN WORLD TRADE, IT HAS TO OBEY THE RULES..."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, NEBRASKA'S OMAHA WORLD HERALD SAYS IT IS NOT A GOOD POLICY FOR THE U-S GOVERNMENT TO LIE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AS HAS RECENTLY BEEN ADMITTED AGAIN.

VOICE: "THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S MODERN PRACTICE OF FIBBING [LYING] AND WITHHOLDING VITAL INFORMATION BEGAN WITH LIES ABOUT FLYING-SAUCER SIGHTINGS. IT REACHED ITS HEIGHT, OR DEPTH, WITH PRESIDENT DWIGHT EISENHOWER'S INITIAL DENIAL THAT FRANCIS GARY POWERS HAD FLOWN A U-2 JET RECONNAISSANCE PLANE OVER THE SOVIET UNION IN 1960. IKE RETRACTED HIS STATEMENT FIVE DAYS LATER. ..... ONE OF THE LATEST MANIFESTATIONS OF THIS BEHAVIOR WAS THE GOVERNMENT'S LONG-DELAYED ADMISSION THAT PEOPLE IN PARTS OF NEBRASKA, KANSAS, IOWA, MISSOURI AND MONTANA MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOSES OF RADIOACTIVE IODINE IN THE FALLOUT FROM ATOMIC TESTS IN NEVADA IN THE 1950S AND '60S. ..... IT IS DISTURBING WHEN THE GOVERNMENT WITHHOLDS VITAL INFORMATION IT SHOULD SHARE WITH THE PEOPLE WHOM IT SERVES."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM SELECTED U-S DAILY PAPERS.
NEB/ANG/KL
07-Aug-97 10:54 AM EDT (1454 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[08] TURKEY/ISLAM (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKEY'S PRO-ISLAMIC WELFARE PARTY, OR "REFAH," AS IT'S KNOWN -- HAS VOWED TO TAKE ITS BATTLE TO REMAIN OPEN BEYOND ITS BORDERS. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, THE PARTY FACES CLOSURE BY THE SUPREME COURT OVER CHARGES THAT IT SOUGHT TO IMPOSE ISLAMIC LAW IN SECULAR TURKEY DURING ITS 11 MONTHS IN POWER.

TEXT: WELFARE PARTY DEPUTY CHAIRMAN SEVKET KAZAN TOLD REPORTERS THURSDAY HIS PARTY WOULD SEEK SUPPORT FOR ITS FIGHT TO REMAIN OPEN, BOTH IN EUROPEAN AND OTHER NATIONS. MR. KAZAN DESCRIBED AS "UNDEMOCRATIC" WEDNESDAY'S DECISION BY TURKEY'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR TO SUBMIT THE CASE AGAINST WELFARE TO THE SUPREME COURT.

THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR VURAL SAVAS ACCUSED REFAH OF VIOLATING THE SECULAR PROVISIONS OF TURKEY'S CONSTITUTION. ACCORDING TO TURKISH PRESS REPORTS, MR. SAVAS SUBMITTED THE CASE TO THE SUPREME COURT WITHOUT EVEN READING A 215-PAGE LONG DEFENSE ARGUMENT, SUBMITTED BY THE WELFARE PARTY. WELFARE OFFICIALS ARGUE THAT THIS IS FURTHER PROOF THE CASE IS PURELY POLITICAL.

TURKEY'S PRO-SECULARIST ESTABLISHMENT -- LED BY THE MILITARY -- HAS BEEN KEEPING UP PRESSURE ON THE ISLAMISTS EVER SINCE THE WELFARE PARTY LEADER, NECMETTIN ERBAKAN, WAS FORCED TO RESIGN LAST JUNE. THE NEW SECULAR COALITION GOVERNMENT IS NOW PUSHING EDUCATIONAL REFORMS THAT WOULD RESULT IN CLOSING HUNDREDS OF STATE-RUN RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS, WHICH MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY HAVE BECOME THE MAIN BREEDING GROUND FOR ISLAMIC RADICALS.

POLITICAL OBSERVERS POINT OUT, HOWEVER, THAT WIDESPREAD PUBLIC OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED SCHOOL CLOSURE IS A SURE SIGN THE ISLAMISTS STILL COMMAND SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT. OVER RECENT WEEKS, THOUSANDS OF RELIGIOUS-MINDED TURKS HAVE TAKEN TO THE STREETS TO PROTEST THE EDUCATIONAL REFORMS. TURKISH OFFICIALS PRIVATELY EXPRESS FEARS THAT VIOLENCE MAY ERUPT DURING A MASS PRO-ISLAMIC RALLY, SCHEDULED TO BE HELD IN THE TURKISH CAPITAL ANKARA ON SATURDAY.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS SAY THAT IF THE WELFARE PARTY BE BANNED -- AND MANY BELIEVE IT WILL BE -- THIS WILL PUT A FURTHER DENT IN TURKEY'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD. THEY ALSO BELIEVE IT WILL FURTHER REDUCE WHAT THEY DESCRIBE AS TURKEY'S ALREADY DWINDLING CHANCES OF FULL MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION, FOR WHICH IT HAS APPLIED. WORSE, THEY ADD, THE CLOSURE WILL LIKELY DRIVE TURKEY'S ISLAMIC MOVEMENT UNDERGROUND, MAKING IT MORE DANGEROUS THAN BEFORE. BUT MILITARY OFFICIALS INSIST SHUTTING THE PARTY DOWN WILL WEAKEN THE ISLAMISTS AND BREAK THEM DOWN INTO SMALLER OPPOSING GROUPS. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF/EH
07-Aug-97 10:16 AM EDT (1416 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[09] WORLD TRACK WED. WRAP BY STEVE SCHY (ATHENS)

INTRO: FIVE GOLD MEDALS HAVE BEEN AWARDED DURING THE FIFTH NIGHT OF THE WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ATHENS, GREECE. STEVE SCHY REPORTS FROM OLYMPIC STADIUM.

TEXT: THE MEN WERE IN THE SPOTLIGHT WEDNESDAY AS GOLD MEDALISTS WERE DETERMINED IN THE HIGH JUMP, DECATHLON, THE 15-HUNDRED AND 10-THOUSAND METER RUNS, AND THE THREE-THOUSAND-METER STEEPLECHASE.

KENYA SWEPT THE STEEPLECHASE AS WILSON BOIT KIPKETER EDGED MOSES KIPTANUI FOR THE GOLD, AND COUNTRYMAN BERNARD BARMASAI WON THE BRONZE. THE 15-HUNDRED METER GOLD WENT TO HICHAM EL GURERROUJ OF MOROCCO, WITH SPANIARDS FERMIN CACAHO AND REYES ESTEVEZ TAKING THE SILVER AND BRONZE.

WORLD-RECORD HOLDER JAVIER SOTOMAYOR OF CUBA MAINTAINED HIS HOLD ON THE THE HIGH JUMP, CLAIMING THE GOLD MEDAL WITH A TWO-METERS-37 LEAP -- THE BEST IN THE WORLD THIS YEAR. ARTUR PARTYKA OF POLAND WAS THE SILVER MEDALIST AND AUSTRALIA'S TIM FORSYTH TOOK THE BRONZE.

ANOTHER WORLD-RECORD HOLDER, HAILE GEBRESELASSIE OF ETHIOPIA, WAS ALSO A GOLD MEDALIST WEDNESDAY AS HE WON THE 10-THOUSAND METERS. HE SAYS HE WORKED HARD FOR THE VICTORY.

THIS IS NOT EASY. THIS IS THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, IT IS VERY HARD.

PAUL TERGAT OF KENYA FINISHED WITH THE SILVER, AND THE BRONZE MEDAL WAS WON BY MOROCCAN SALAH HISSOU.

TOMAS DVORAK OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC PERFORMED WELL IN THE FINAL TWO EVENTS OF THE DECATHLON TO TAKE THE GOLD WITH A CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD OF 88-HUNDRED-37-POINTS. EDUARD HAMALAIANEN OF FINLAND WON THE SILVER MEDAL SEVEN POINTS BACK, AND THE BRONZE WENT TO GERMAN FRANK BUSEMANN.

IN QUALIFYING ACTION, COLIN JACKSON, RUNNING FOR GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND, HAD THE BEST TIME IN THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE MEN'S 110-METER HURDLES. WILSON KIPKETER OF DENMARK TOPPED THE 800-METER SEMI-FINALS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RAE
07-Aug-97 1:24 AM EDT (0524 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article