Voice of America, 97-08-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] ATHENS '97 - FINAL DAY WRAP (L) BY STEVE SCHY (ATHENS, GREECE)

[02] BOSNIA - HOLBROOKE BY ART CHIMES (SARAJEVO)

[03] CYPRUS TALKS (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

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

[05] GERMANY / ARMY ATTACK (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[06] GERMANY FLOODS (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

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

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

[09] SAF / TURKEY (S ONLY) BY ALEX BELIDA (JOHANNESBURG)

[10] TURKEY / KURDS (S/L) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[01] ATHENS '97 - FINAL DAY WRAP (L) BY STEVE SCHY (ATHENS, GREECE)

INTRO: THE WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN GREECE HAVE ENDED WITH THE UNITED STATES AT THE TOP OF THE MEDALS TABLE. STEVE SCHY REPORTS ON THE LAST NIGHT OF COMPETITION FROM OLYMPIC STADIUM IN ATHENS.

TEXT: PERHAPS IT WAS THE HEAT, BUT DESPITE THRILLING PERFORMANCES DURING THE NINE DAYS OF COMPETITION, NO NEW WORLD RECORDS WERE SET AT ATHENS '97. EVEN SO, THERE WERE NINE MORE GOLD MEDAL PERFORMANCES ON THE FINAL DAY, STARTING IN THE MORNING WITH THE MEN'S MARATHON.

ABEL ANTON OF SPAIN TOOK THE GOLD MEDAL, COVERING THE HILLY 42-PLUS KILOMETER COURSE IN A TIME OF TWO HOURS, 13 MINUTES AND 16 SECONDS. FELLOW SPANIARD MARTIN FIZ TOOK THE SILVER MEDAL FIVE SECONDS BACK, WITH THE BRONZE GOING TO AUSTRALIAN STEVE MONEGHETTI (2:14:16).

IN MEN'S EVENTS ON THE FINAL NIGHT OF ATHENS '97, LARS RIEDEL OF GERMANY WAS THE GOLD MEDAL WINNER IN THE DISCUS THROW WITH A TOSS OF 68-METERS-54. VIRGILIJUS ALEKNA OF LITHUANIA CAPTURED THE SILVER MEDAL (66.70), WITH GERMAN JURGEN SCHULT TAKING THE BRONZE (66.14).

SERGEY BUBKA OF UKRAINE WON HIS SIXTH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE POLE VAULT, WINNING THE GOLD WITH A CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD LEAP OF SIX-POINT-ZERO-ONE METERS.

OF COURSE I FOCUS FOR GOLD MEDAL, OTHERWISE FOR ME IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT I CAN DO. IT WAS NOT SO EASY, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY FOR THAT.

MAKSIM TARASOV OF RUSSIA WON THE SILVER (5.96), WITH THE BRONZE GOING TO DEAN STARKEY OF THE UNITED STATES (5.91).

IN THE FIVE-THOUSAND METERS, KENYAN DANIEL KOMEN LED FOR MOST OF THE RACE AS HE BREEZED TO THE GOLD IN 13 MINUTES AND SEVEN-POINT THREE-EIGHT SECONDS. KHALID BOULAMI OF MOROCCO FINISHED ALMOST TWO SECONDS BACK FOR THE SILVER (13:09.34), WITH THE BRONZE GOING TO KENYA'S TOM NYARIKI (13.11.09).

THE CANADIAN TEAM WON THE GOLD MEDAL IN THE FOUR-BY-100 METER RELAY EVENT IN A WORLD LEADING TIME OF 37-POINT-86 SECONDS. NIGERIA CAPTURED THE SILVER MEDAL (38.07) AND GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND FINISHED WITH THE BRONZE.

THE UNITED STATES RELAY TEAM ALSO RAN A WORLD LEADING TIME - TWO MINUTES, AND 56-POINT-FOUR SEVEN SECONDS - TO WIN THE GOLD MEDAL IN THE FOUR-BY-400 METERS. GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND WERE THE SILVER MEDALISTS (2:56.65), WITH THE BRONZE GOING TO JAMAICA (2:56.75).

IN WOMEN'S EVENTS, THE GERMAN FOUR-BY-400-METER RELAY TEAM SURPRISED THE FIELD WITH THE FASTEST TIME IN THE WORLD THIS YEAR THREE MINUTES AND 20-POINT-92 SECONDS TO CLAIM THE GOLD. THE UNITED STATES SETTLED FOR THE SILVER MEDAL (3:21.03), WHILE JAMAICA CLAIMED THE BRONZE (3:21.30).

LUDMILA ENGQUIST OF SWEDEN WAS THE GOLD MEDAL WINNER IN THE 100-METER HURDLES, CROSSING THE LINE IN A TIME 0F 12-POINT-FIVE-ZERO SECONDS. THE SILVER WENT TO BULGARIA'S SVETLA DIMITROVA (12.58) AND JAMAICAN MICHELLE FEEMAN WAS THE BRONZE MEDALIST (12.61)

IN THE HIGH JUMP, HANNE HAUGLAND TOOK HOME THE GOLD FOR NORWAY WITH A LEAP OF ONE-METER-99. AFTERWARDS, SHE TOLD V-O-A SPORTS SHE WASN'T SURPRISED AT HER VICTORY.

I THOUGHT I WAS JUMPING BETTER THAN THE OTHER GIRLS FROM THE BEGINNING AND I TRIED TO BE MORE RELAXED ON THE LAST JUMP AND I FINALLY SUCCEEDED.

RUSSIAN OLGA KALITURINA WON THE SILVER (1.96), WITH INGA BABAKOVA CLAIMING THE BRONZE FOR UKRAINE.

AFTER THE FINAL EVENT, THE HELLENIC AND INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR ATHLETIC FEDERATION FLAGS WERE LOWERED AS FIREWORKS LIT THE SKY OVER OLYMPIC STADIUM, SIGNALING THE END OF ATHENS '97. THE UNITED STATES ENDED THE GAMES AT THE TOP OF THE MEDALS TABLE WITH 18, INCLUDING SEVEN GOLD. GERMANY WAS IN SECOND PLACE WITH A TOTAL OF 10, FIVE OF THEM GOLD. (SIGNED)
NEB/SS/ENE/LWM
10-Aug-97 7:53 PM EDT (2353 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA - HOLBROOKE BY ART CHIMES (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE HAS JUST COMPLETED A TRIP TO YUGOSLAVIA, CROATIA AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WHERE HE MET WITH OFFICIALS IN AN EFFORT TO MOVE FORWARD ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS MR. HOLBROOKE RETURNED WITH LITTLE PUBLIC EVIDENCE THAT HIS TRIP HAS MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE BALKANS.

TEXT: MEETING WITH REPORTERS AFTER A MARATHON NEGOTIATING SESSION WITH BOSNIA'S THREE-MEMBER PRESIDENCY, MR. HOLBROOKE SEEMED ANNOYED THAT HIS MISSION WAS BEING PORTRAYED IN SOME REPORTS AS SOMETHING LESS THAN A COMPLETE SUCCESS. BUT IF HIS MEETINGS DIDN'T PRODUCE DRAMATIC PROGRESS, HE EMPHASIZED THE CHANGE IN TONE, PARTICULARLY IN RELATIONS BETWEEN THE SERB AND MUSLIM MEMBERS OF THE PRESIDENCY.

PRESIDENTS ITZEBEGOVIC AND KRIJISNIK TALKED TO EACH OTHER, PERSONALLY. THEY JOKED. THEY USED FIRST NAMES. THEY NEVER TALKED TO EACH OTHER IN 21 DAYS AT DAYTON.

THE MUSLIM, CROAT AND SERB MEMBERS OF THE PRESIDENCY AGREED ON SOME THINGS AND FAILED TO AGREE ON OTHERS. AND MR. HOLBROOKE, AND HIS STATE DEPARTMENT COLLEAGUE ROBERT GELBARD, NEVER EVEN BOTHERED TO TRY TO GET AGREEMENT ON A COMMON BOSNIAN FLAG -- SOMETHING THEY CONSIDERED TOO FAR OUT OF REACH TO EVEN DISCUSS.

ON THE ARREST OF WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS, THEY ALSO MADE LITTLE HEADWAY. THE MOST NOTORIOUS SUSPECT, FORMER BOSNIAN-SERB PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC, REMAINS AT LARGE, PROTECTED BY HEAVILY ARMED FORCES. MR. HOLBROOKE DID WIN ASSURANCES MR. KARADZIC WOULD GET OUT OF POLITICS, BUT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN BEFORE AND HE STILL CONTROLS MUCH OF BOSNIAN-SERB TERRITORY.

STATE DEPARTMENT NEGOTIATOR ROBERT GELBARD EMPHASIZED THAT THE TWO MEN CAME TO THE REGION TO DISCUSS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT REACHED AT DAYTON, THAT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR ANY NEW DEAL.

THE ANSWER IS, WE DON'T NEED ANYTHING NEW BECAUSE WE FUNDAMENTALLY BELIEVE IN THE DAYTON AGREEMENT, AND WE SAY THIS OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN: WE HAVE WHAT WE NEED, IN TERMS OF THE FRAMEWORK. AND THE HARD PART IS TO GET PROGRESS CONTINUOUSLY, TO GET IT IMPLEMENTED.

DESPITE THE POSITIVE SPIN, OBSERVERS IN SARAJEVO SAY THEY WERE DISAPPOINTED IN THE APPARENT LACK OF CONCRETE RESULTS OF THE VISIT. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS AGREEMENT BY THE OFTEN-BATTLING BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY ON SOME ISSUES, THEY SAY IT REALLY SEEMS A PRETTY THIN SET OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE EFFORT THAT WENT INTO IT.

MR. HOLBROOKE ESPECIALLY HAS A PERSONAL STAKE IN THIS. HE NEGOTIATED THE DAYTON AGREEMENT THAT STOPPED THE FIGHTING IN BOSNIA AND SET FORTH A FRAMEWORK FOR A PERMANENT PEACE -- MOST IMPORTANTLY A UNIFIED GOVERNMENT WITH MUSLIM, SERB AND CROAT AREAS BUT DEFINITELY ONE COUNTRY, NOT THREE. THE MUSLIMS AND CROATS CALL THEIR PART OF BOSNIA THE "FEDERATION," BUT THE SERBS CALL THEIR AREA "REPUBLIKA SRBSKA" AND FROM THE DIFFERENT CYRILLIC ALPHABET TO THE DISTINCTIVE LICENSE PLATES, IT STILL LOOKS LIKE A DIFFERENT COUNTRY. (SIGNED)
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11-Aug-97 5:43 PM EDT (2143 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CYPRUS TALKS (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: A NEW ROUND OF TALKS AIMED AT REUNITING THE MILITARILY DIVIDED MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND OF CYPRUS HAS BEGUN IN A SECLUDED SPOT NEAR MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND. REPORTER LISA SCHLEIN SAYS, HOWEVER THAT DIPLOMATS CLOSE TO THE TALKS DO NOT EXPECT A BREAKTHROUGH IN RESOLVING A CONFLICT WHICH HAS DIVIDED THE GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMUNITIES FOR MORE THAN 23 YEARS.

TEXT: FACE-TO-FACE TALKS BETWEEN THE LEADER OF THE GREEK CYPRIOT COMMUNITY -- GLAFKOS CLERIDES -- AND HIS TURKISH COUNTERPART -- RAUF DENKTASH -- ARE SCHEDULED TO LAST A WEEK. THESE TWO MEN HAVE BEEN FRIENDS AND ENEMIES FOR DECADES. THEY WERE INVOLVED IN THE VERY FIRST INTER-COMMUNAL TALKS HELD 29 YEARS AGO. THEY KNOW EACH OTHER AND THE ISSUES BEDEVILING THEIR ISLAND VERY WELL.

THESE U-N-MEDIATED TALKS ARE BEING HELD IN THE PLUSH, PEACEFUL SURROUNDINGS OF A SMALL ALPINE VILLAGE NEAR THE LUXURIOUS SWISS RESORT TOWN OF MONTREUX. THE UNITED NATIONS HAS ORDERED A NEWS BLACKOUT ON THE NEGOTIATIONS. IT BELIEVES IT HAS A BETTER CHANCE OF KEEPING INFORMATION FROM LEAKING OUT, IF THE TALKS TAKE PLACE FAR FROM THE PRYING EYES OF THE NEWS MEDIA.

THE TWO CYPRIOT LEADERS ARE EXPECTED TO GIVE THEIR RESPONSE TO U-N PROPOSALS WHICH WERE PRESENTED LAST MONTH AT THE FIRST ROUND OF TALKS IN NEW YORK. THE PROPOSALS DEAL WITH POLITICAL, INSTITUTIONAL AND JUDICIAL ISSUES. THE TWO SIDES ARE DEEPLY DIVIDED OVER ISSUES RELATING TO SOVEREIGNTY, SECURITY AND THE QUESTION OF CYPRUS' ACCESSION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION.

TURKEY IS ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO CYPRUS JOINING THE E-U. BEFORE THE START OF THIS ROUND OF TALKS, MR. DENKTASH DEMANDED A FREEZE ON DISCUSSIONS WITH THE E-U UNTIL THE CYPRUS WAS RESOLVED. ONE ISSUE OF GREAT CONCERN TO THE GREEK CYPRIOTS IS A RECENTLY CONCLUDED AGREEMENT WHICH AIMS AT THE PARTIAL INTEGRATION OF NORTHERN CYPRUS WITH TURKEY. THE ACCORD, WHICH WAS SIGNED LAST WEEK BETWEEN ANKARA AND TURKISH CYPRIOT OFFICIALS, CALLS FOR THE PARTIAL INTEGRATION OF TURKEY'S ECONOMIC AND DEFENSE SYSTEMS WITH THE BREAKAWAY TURKISH CYPRIOT STATE.

THE U-N MEDIATOR HAS CALLED THIS MOVE UNHELPFUL. THE GREEK CYPRIOT LEADER HAS ACCUSED TURKEY OF TRYING TO SCUTTLE THE TALKS.

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

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

TEXT: STOCK PRICES OPENED THE DAY DOWN SHARPLY -- ABOUT ONE PERCENT -- IN ALL THREE MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS. BUT ALL THREE REGAINED SOME GROUND LATER IN THE DAY. IN LONDON, THE MARKET ACTUALLY ENDED THE DAY WITH A SMALL GAIN. THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX CLOSED UP JUST OVER ONE-HALF POINT.

IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX LOST 21 POINTS, ABOUT ONE-HALF PERCENT OF THE MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE. AND, IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX WAS DOWN ALMOST 13 POINTS, ABOUT FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED IN VALUE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND THE JAPANESE YEN. BUT IT LOST VALUE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.
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11-Aug-97 1:43 PM EDT (1743 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] GERMANY / ARMY ATTACK (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: AUTHORITIES SAY TWO GERMAN SOLDIERS ADMITTED THAT HATRED OF FOREIGNERS WAS THE REASON THEY SET FIRE TO A BUILDING WHERE ITALIAN GUEST WORKERS LIVED. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN.

TEXT: THE TWO GERMAN SOLDIERS, AGES 18 AND 20, WERE ARRESTED SUNDAY IN THE EASTERN GERMAN CITY OF DRESDEN, ON SUSPICION OF STARTING THE FIRE AT THE GUEST WORKERS BUILDING.

NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THE BLAZE. BUT WITNESSES SAY THE ATTACKERS PAINTED NAZI SYMBOLS ON THE BUILDING AND SHOUTED "SIEG HEIL" AS THEY MARCHED THROUGH NEARBY STREETS.

FOLLOWING QUESTIONING, AUTHORITIES SAID THE TWO SOLDIERS ADMITTED THEY SET FIRE TO THE BUILDING BECAUSE THEY HATE FOREIGNERS.

IN ADDITION TO ARSON CHARGES, OFFICIALS SAY THE SOLDIERS WILL BE CHARGED WITH DISPLAYING OUTLAWED NAZI PROPAGANDA, A CRIME UNDER GERMAN LAW.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GERMAN MILITARY CALLED THE ATTACK AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. (SIGNED)
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11-Aug-97 9:42 AM EDT (1342 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] GERMANY FLOODS (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: FALLING WATER LEVELS ALONG GERMANY'S ONCE FLOODED ODER RIVER HAVE ALLOWED AUTHORITIES TO CALL OFF EVACUATION ORDERS THAT FORCED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO FLEE THEIR HOMES. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN.

TEXT: OFFICIALS SAY THE LAST OF THE EVACUATION ORDERS WERE ENDED EARLY TODAY (MONDAY), AS WATER LEVELS ALONG THE ODER RIVER DROPPED TO LESS THAN ONE METER ABOVE NORMAL.

MORE THAN SIX-THOUSAND GERMANS WERE FORCED TO FLEE THEIR HOMES IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS AFTER WHAT IS NOW COMMONLY REFEREED TO AS THE FLOOD OF THE CENTURY.

BUT DESPITE THE ENDING OF THE EMERGENCY MEASURES, OFFICIALS SAY MANY HOMES IN LOW-LYING REGIONS REMAIN UNDER WATER, AND THE DANGER HAS NOW TAKEN ON A NEW FORM.

IN GERMANY AND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER IN POLAND, OFFICIALS ARE WARNING PEOPLE TO AVOID ALL CONTACT WITH THE SLOWLY RECEDING WATERS BECAUSE OF FEAR OF DISEASE. EXPERTS SAY HOT SUMMER WEATHER IS ENCOURAGING THE GROWTH OF BACTERIA THAT CAUSE DIARRHEA AND OTHER ILLNESS. (SIGNED)
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11-Aug-97 9:34 AM EDT (1334 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

(UNEDITED)

INTRO: THE NAGGING QUESTION OF WHETHER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE [I-N-S] SHOULD BE DISBANDED IS A POPULAR TOPIC THIS MONDAY IN THE NATION'S EDITORIALS.

OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE: NEW ASSESSMENTS OF NAFTA; U-S PLANS FOR REMAKING THE UNITED NATIONS ARE A TOUGH SELL; THE APPLE COMPUTER AID PACKAGE FROM BILL GATES; AND THE CASE AGAINST LAND MINES.

NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK, IS ___________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: A NATIONAL COMMISSION ON IMMIGRATION REFORM RECENTLY SUGGESTED THE IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE BE BROKEN UP AND ITS VARIOUS TASKS GIVEN TO VARIOUS OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. WITH A FEW RESERVATIONS, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES AGREES.

VOICE: "..... THE I-N-S'S TWIN MISSIONS - - CONTROLLING THE NATIONAL BORDERS WHILE ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF MILLIONS OF VISITORS, IMMIGRANTS AND WOULD-BE IMMIGRANTS - ARE OFTEN IN CONFLICT. ...... DISMANTLING THE I-N-S BUREAUCRACY WOULD REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF CONGRESS AND INVOLVE A MASSIVE SHIFT OF FEDERAL RESOURCES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. BUT AS THIS COUNTRY'S NATIVE-BORN POPULATION LEVEL STABILIZES, A GREATER PERCENTAGE OF ITS POPULATION GROWTH WILL COME FROM IMMIGRATION. RETHINKING THE NATION'S IMMIGRATION AGENCIES AND STREAMLINING THEIR PROCEDURES TO BEST MANAGE THE SHIFT WOULD BE WORTH THE TROUBLE."

TEXT: THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR HAS MORE RESERVATIONS THAT THE BIG CALIFORNIA DAILY.

VOICE: "AT FIRST GLANCE, THIS IDEA HAS SOME APPEAL. ..... BUT A GOOD ARGUMENT CAN BE MADE FOR KEEPING MOST OF THE IMPORTANT BUSINESS OF ASSESSING APPLICANTS FOR CITIZENSHIP AND LEGAL RESIDENCE UNDER ONE ROOF. THE VARIOUS TASKS INVOLVED ALL INTERRELATE. ..... MORE IMPORTANT .... I-N-S HAS SHOWN THAT IT CAN RESPOND TO DEMANDS FOR REFORM. ..... HOWEVER IT'S ARRIVED AT BUREAUCRATICALLY, BETTER MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNTRY'S GROWING IMMIGRATION WORK LOAD IS A NECESSITY."

TEXT: IN ONE OTHER RELATED EDITORIAL, USA TODAY RELATES THE TALE OF AN AMERICAN CITIZEN OF HISPANIC DESCENT, RECENTLY DETAINED IN CHANDLER, ARIZONA AND ASKED TO PROVE HER CITIZENSHIP BECAUSE SHE WAS SPEAKING SPANISH TO HER CHILDREN. THE PAPER, IN AN EDITORIAL TITLED "IMMIGRANT PHOBIA," SAYS:

VOICE: "IS BILINGUALISM A GOOD ENOUGH REASON TO STOP AND QUESTION CITIZENS ON THE STREET? NOT IN THE POLYGLOT SOUTHWEST, NOR ANY PLACE ELSE. YET NATIONWIDE, THE FUROR OVER ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION CONTINUES TO INVITE OFFICIALS TO BEND THE CONCEPT OF CIVIL RIGHTS. .... THE I-N-S IS NO MODEL OF EFFICIENCY. BUT THAT'S NO EXCUSE TO TRUMP UP NEW LAW ENFORCEMENT POWERS AND ABRIDGE BASIC RIGHTS. EVEN AGAINST THE FLOOD OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, THAT'S TOO MUCH."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT, KNOWN AS NAFTA, WHICH IS INTERRELATED WITH IMMIGRATION ISSUES, THE PACE IS BEING REASSESSED AFTER ITS FIRST THREE YEARS. NEWSDAY SAYS: "THE TRADE PACT FELL SHORT OF ITS GOALS, BUT [MR.] CLINTON SHOULD BUILD ON ITS MODEST SUCCESSES."

VOICE: "THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT .... HAS FAILED TO MEET EXPECTATIONS - - FOR GOOD OR ILL. THERE HAS BEEN NO GREAT SUCKING SOUND OF JOBS FLEEING SOUTH, AS ROSS PEROT PREDICTED. BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO SURGE IN EXPORTS TO MEXICO EITHER, LARGELY BECAUSE THAT NATION'S ECONOMY IS WEAK. STILL, NAFTA SHOULD BE BUILT UPON, NOT SAVAGED. ..... TO CEDE AMERICA'S LEADERSHIP IN TRADE NEGOTIATIONS NOW WOULD HURT BOTH BUSINESS AND LABOR IN THE LONG RUN."

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SAYS ON BALANCE, THE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN POSITIVE, BUT SAYS A JOINT U-S MEXICAN PLAN TO AID WORKERS DISPLACED BY THE AGREEMENT, ESPECIALLY WOMEN, HAS BEEN TOO SLOW IN GETTING STARTED.

VOICE: ".... THE NORTH AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK .... WAS JOINTLY DEVELOPED BY THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO TO FUND ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ALONG THE BORDER AND TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITIES DEALING WITH HEAVY NAFTA JOB LOSSES. THE BANK, WHICH OPERATES ITS BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM OUT OF LOS ANGELES, HAS YET TO MAKE ITS FIRST LOAN OR LOAN GUARANTEE TO A BUSINESS WANTING TO PROVIDE NEW JOBS TO REPLACE THE LOST ONES. .... THERE HAVE BEEN POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REASONS FOR THE DELAYS .... [BUT] THAT IS NO CONSOLATION TO THE DISPLACED WORKERS."

TEXT: TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST COMMENTS ON THE CURRENT TRIP OF U-S UNITED NATIONS AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON WHO IS TRYING TO SELL THE AMERICAN PLAN FOR REFORMING THE WORLD BODY. THE POST SAYS IT IS A TOUGH JOB.

VOICE: "DO AMERICANS HAVE ANY TRUE SENSE OF HOW THE AMERICAN REFORM PLAN RANKLES MANY OTHER MEMBERS? BY THIS PLAN, SENSITIVE MATTERS WHICH THE UNITED STATES HAD A TREATY COMMITMENT TO BARGAIN OUT WITH THE OTHER 184 MEMBERS WERE UNILATERALLY IMPOSED BY WASHINGTON. CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW AMERICANS WOULD REACT IF, SAY, RUSSIA OR CHINA OR IRAQ OR IRAN - - YOU NAME IT - - STOOD UP AND ANNOUNCED THAT ON ITS OWN IT WAS CANCELING A GOOD SLICE OF OLD ARREARS, CUTTING FUTURE DUES AND PRESCRIBING A NEW SHRINKAGE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S BUREAUCRACY AS THOUGH IT WAS ENTIRELY ONE COUNTRY'S TO COMMAND? THE ADMINISTRATION'S EXPLANATION FOR THIS METHOD OF UNILATERAL DICTATION IS THAT, GIVEN THE POLITICAL REALITIES, THIS WAS 'THE BEST WE CAN DO.'"

TEXT: LAST WEEK'S FINANCIAL BAIL OUT OF APPLE COMPUTERS BY ARCH RIVAL BILL GATES, OF MICROSOFT, DRAWS THIS COMMENT FROM THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR.

VOICE: "THE MOVE IS GOOD FOR INVESTORS, HELPS APPLE, HELPS MICROSOFT, AND SHOULD BENEFIT MACINTOSH USERS. ...... BY POOLING SOME RESOURCES, THE COMPANIES WILL CREATE SUPERIOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES."

TEXT: WITH OVERSEAS ISSUES AGAIN, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL IS PLEASED THAT FINALLY, PEACE TALKS BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA, ALONG WITH CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES HAVE BEGUN.

VOICE: "LAST WEEK'S MEETINGS WERE PRELIMINARY, BUT THEY REPRESENTED ONE STEP CLOSER TO FORMAL PEACE TALKS, WHICH ARE PLANNED FOR LATER. SINCE THE KOREAN WAR IN 1950-53, AN UNEASY TRUCE HAS EXISTED, WITH A CONSTANT POTENTIAL FOR CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TWO KOREAS. THE UNITED STATES HAS A TREMENDOUS STAKE IN THAT IT MAINTAINS CLOSE DEFENSE TIES WITH SOUTH KOREA AND STATIONS U-S TROOPS THERE."

TEXT: CONCERNING AFRICA, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL COMMENTS ON THE GROWING TIDE OF DISSENT IN KENYA, NOW JOINED BY THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND WHICH HAS SUSPENDED A 220-MILLION-DOLLAR LOAN TO KENYA, AND WONDERS WHAT TOOK SO LONG FOR THE WORLD TO NOTICE THE REPRESSION.

VOICE: "KENYAN PRESIDENT DANIEL ARAP MOI IS FEELING THE HEAT [CRITICISM]. CLASHES BETWEEN KENYAN AUTHORITIES AND PRO-DEMOCRACY DEMONSTRATORS HAVE TURNED INCREASINGLY VIOLENT AND INTERNATIONAL AID-GIVERS HAVE FINALLY BEGUN TO HOLD THE PRESIDENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE CORRUPTION AND REPRESSION THAT HAVE MARKED HIS 19-YEAR-OLD RULE. ..... GIVEN KENYA'S HISTORY, IT SHOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN TELEVISION IMAGES OF STUDENTS BEING CLUBBED UNCONSCIOUS TO GET THE WORLD'S ATTENTION."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, THE WASHINGTON POST FEELS THE WORLD IS CLOSING IN ON A BAN AGAINST LAND MINES.

VOICE: "LAST SPRING THE WORD WAS THAT IF THE CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT AT GENEVA DID NOT SHOW SIGNS OF PRODUCING AN ALL-TOGETHER-NOW CONSENSUS INTERNATIONAL BAN ON LAND MINES, THEN THE UNITED STATES WOULD REVIEW ITS POLICY AND CONSIDER SWINGING ITS WEIGHT MORE TO THE SIMPLER ..... TREATY BEING NEGOTIATED AT OTTAWA. THIS IS NOW HAPPENING. ..... IT WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT DAY WHEN NO MORE LAND MINES ARE PRODUCED, USED AND SOLD ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. IF WE CANNOT EASILY DEAL WITH THE TERROR THAT EXISTS, WE CAN TRY TO KEEP IT FROM GETTING WORSE."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS COMMENTS FROM MONDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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11-Aug-97 10:56 AM EDT (1456 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 UP TODAY (MONDAY) AFTER ANOTHER VOLATILE SESSION. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT EIGHT THOUSAND 62, UP 30 POINTS. THE MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 937, UP THREE POINTS.

STOCK PRICES WERE VOLATILE THROUGHOUT THE SESSION. THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE WAS DOWN MORE THAN 60 POINTS BY EARLY AFTERNOON BEFORE BEGINNING A STRONG RECOVERY. ANALYSTS SAY THERE WAS SOME NERVOUSNESS AMONG TRADERS AFTER FRIDAY'S 156 POINT DROP IN THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE AND THERE WAS CONCERN ABOUT U-S INFLATION REPORTS WHICH ARE DUE OUT LATER THIS WEEK.

PHARMACEUTICAL STOCKS WERE GENERALLY WEAK AFTER A MAJOR INVESTMENT FIRM (MORGAN STANLEY) DOWNGRADED THE DRUG INDUSTRY BECAUSE OF EXPECTATIONS OF SLOWER PROFIT GROWTH.

TALKS AIMED AT ENDING THE WEEK-OLD STRIKE AT THE UNITED PARCEL SERVICE BROKE DOWN SUNDAY BUT U-S LABOR SECRETARY ALEXIS HERMAN MET SEPARATELY WITH BOTH SIDES MONDAY, URGING THEM TO RETURN TO NEGOTIATIONS. THE COMPANY IS AGAIN APPEALING TO PRESIDENT CLINTON TO INTERVENE IN THE STRIKE. THE UNION WANTS NO PRESIDENTIAL INTERVENTION.

JAMES SCHADT (SHOT) THE CHAIRMAN OF THE READERS DIGEST ASSOCIATION HAS RESIGNED. THE COMPANY, WHICH PUBLISHES THE WIDELY CIRCULATED '"READERS DIGEST" MAGAZINE, RECENTLY REDUCED ITS STOCK DIVIDEND AND THE VALUE OF ITS STOCK HAS FALLEN BY MORE THAN 30 PERCENT THIS YEAR. ANALYSTS SAY THE COMPANY'S PROBLEMS ARE PRIMARILY RELATED TO WEAKNESS IN ITS BOOK AND VIDEO DIVISIONS.

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL, THE WORLD'S LARGEST FUNERAL AND BURIAL COMPANY, IS CONTINUING ITS EXPANSION PROGRAM. SERVICE CORPORATION WILL BUY A CONTROLLING INTEREST IN ARBOR MEMORIAL SERVICE OF CANADA.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
11-Aug-97 5:02 PM EDT (2102 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] SAF / TURKEY (S ONLY) BY ALEX BELIDA (JOHANNESBURG)

INTRO: A LEADING SOUTH AFRICAN ARMS MANUFACTURER SAYS IT HAS NO PLANS TO SELL SOPHISTICATED NEW ATTACK HELICOPTERS TO TURKEY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTS FROM JOHANNESBURG.

TEXT: THE DENEL ARMS COMPANY SAYS IT HAS NEVER TRIED TO SELL TURKEY THE NEW HELICOPTER, KNOWN AS THE ROOIVALK OR RED HAWK, ALTHOUGH A FIRM SPOKESMAN SAYS IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE TURKEY IS IN THE MARKET FOR SUCH SOPHISTICATED ATTACK AIRCRAFT.

THE SPOKESMAN'S COMMENTS FOLLOW WORD FROM A TOP SOUTH AFRICAN OFFICIAL THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA HAS ALREADY DECIDED TO BLOCK ANY POTENTIAL SALE OF THE HELICOPTER TO TURKEY ON POLITICAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS GROUNDS.

THE CHAIRMAN OF SOUTH AFRICA'S ARMS EXPORT CONTROL PANEL, KADER ASMAL, TOLD THE "SUNDAY INDEPENDENT" NEWSPAPER THAT SOUTH AFRICA HAD TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE POSSIBILITY SUCH AIRCRAFT, IN HIS WORDS, "COULD BE USED IN CYPRUS AND IN TURKEY'S FORAYS INTO NORTHERN IRAQ."

SOUTH AFRICA IMPOSED AN ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST TURKEY IN 1995 BUT ENDED IT EARLIER THIS YEAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/BEL/JWH
11-Aug-97 7:13 AM EDT (1113 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] TURKEY / KURDS (S/L) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKEY'S SEMI-OFFICIAL ANATOLIAN NEWS AGENCY SAYS ABOUT 50 KURDISH REBELS WERE KILLED FOLLOWING CLASHES WITH TURKISH SECURITY FORCES IN THE PROVINCE OF HAKKARI, BORDERING IRAQ. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM TURKEY'S CAPITAL, ANKARA, THAT THE CLASHES TOOK PLACE AFTER MORE THAN 100 REBEL KURDS STORMED THE TOWN OF HAKKARI AND OPENED FIRE ON GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.

TEXT: IT WAS THE LARGEST ATTACK IN MONTHS BY REBELS OF THE OUTLAWED "KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY," OR "P-K-K." TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY SOME 50 P-K-K FIGHTERS WERE KILLED IN THE FIGHTING. THREE MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY FORCES ALSO DIED.

EYEWITNESSES QUOTED BY THE PRO-KURDISH MEDIA SAID SOME REBEL CORPSES WERE LATER PARADED AROUND HAKKARI IN THE BACK OF A GOVERNMENT PICKUP TRUCK. BUT DETAILS OF THE ATTACK -- WHICH TOOK PLACE IN THE REMOTE MOUNTAIN PROVINCE BORDERING IRAQ AND IRAN -- REMAIN SKETCHY.

THE REBEL ATTACK COMES JUST DAYS BEFORE THE P-K-K PREPARES TO CELEBRATE THE 13TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE START OF ITS ARMED CAMPAIGN TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT HOMELAND. NEARLY 30-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE CLASHES AND MILLIONS OF KURD CIVILIANS, CAUGHT BETWEEN THE MILITARY AND THE REBELS, HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES AND THEIR LIVELIHOODS.

TURKEY'S NEW SECULAR COALITION GOVERNMENT -- LED BY CONSERVATIVE PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ -- HAS PLEDGED TO ADDRESS THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE LONG-PLAGUED TURKEY'S MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST PROVINCES. BUT THE NEW GOVERNMENT HAS RULED OUT ANY DIALOGUE WITH P-K-K LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN, WHO HAS OFFERED TO DECLARE A CEASE-FIRE IN EXCHANGE FOR WHAT HE DESCRIBES AS "PEACE TALKS."

THE P-K-K CONTENDS IT IS THE LEGITIMATE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE KURDISH PEOPLE. BUT TURKEY AND ITS WESTERN ALLIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, DESCRIBE THE P-K-K AS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. THE REBELS' METHODS INCLUDE KILLING KURDISH CIVILIANS WHO SIDE WITH THE STATE. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF/RRM
11-Aug-97 11:12 AM EDT (1512 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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