Voice of America, 97-08-21

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] FRANCE POPE (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

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

[04] TENSION BUILDING IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[05] THURSDAY EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[06] TURKEY / PRESS BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[07] U-S / BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY REBECCA MCMENAMIN (PENTAGON)

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES ON THE MAJOR BOURSES OF WESTERN EUROPE CLOSED MIXED THURSDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: EARLY TRADING INDICATIONS FROM WALL STREET HAD A DAMPENING EFFECT ON PRICES HERE IN EUROPE THURSDAY, KEEPING ADVANCES IN TRIM IN LONDON AND FRANKFURT. MEANWHILE, IN PARIS, PROFIT-TAKING WAS THE RULE OF THE DAY, WHERE THE "CAC 40" INDEX WAS DOWN 22 POINTS AT THE CLOSE. THE GERMAN "DAX 30" INDEX OF STOCKS IN FRANKFURT POSTED A GAIN OF MORE THAN 30 POINTS -- DUE LARGELY, SAY ANALYSTS, TO INDICATIONS THE CENTRAL BANK WILL NOT RAISE INTEREST RATES SOON. AND HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF STOCKS ADVANCED ALMOST 20 POINTS AT THE CLOSE.

THE DOLLAR WAS TRADING LOWER AGAINST THE MARK THURSDAY ON EUROPEAN MONEY MARKETS, BUT HIGHER AGAINST THE POUND. (SIGNED)
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21-Aug-97 2:23 PM EDT (1823 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] FRANCE POPE (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: POPE JOHN PAUL THE SECOND HAS ARRIVED IN PARIS ON A FOUR-DAY VISIT TO ATTEND A CATHOLIC YOUTH FESTIVAL. BUT AS HE MAKES HIS ARRIVAL, AN OPINION POLL SHOWS THAT MANY OF THE FRENCH THINK THE PONTIFF IS OUT OF TOUCH WITH MODERN PROBLEMS. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: FOR THE FRENCH CATHOLIC CHURCH, THE VISIT BY POPE JOHN PAUL IS SOMETHING OF A GAMBLE.

AIMED AT REINVIGORATING THE CHURCH, IT LOOKED FOR A WHILE AS THOUGH THE YOUTH FESTIVAL THAT STARTED MONDAY WOULD BE A FAILURE, WITH FAR FEWER PEOPLE THAN THE CHURCH HAD HOPED TO GATHER. HOWEVER, THE EVENTS SO FAR HAVE BROUGHT TOGETHER SOME 300-THOUSAND BELIEVERS, INDICATING THAT THE POPE'S VISIT WILL HAVE ITS DESIRED EFFECT.

AS IS USUALLY THE CASE WHEN THE POPE TRAVELS, THE VISIT IS THE SUBJECT OF SOME NEGATIVE DEBATE. AS THE POPE CELEBRATED HIS FIRST MASS IN THE SHADOW OF THE EIFFEL TOWER, AN OPINION POLL SHOWED THAT MOST OF THE FRENCH ARE INDIFFERENT TO HIS PRESENCE ON FRENCH SOIL. IT SHOWED THAT MANY PEOPLE THINK HE IS OUT OF TOUCH WITH MODERN PROBLEMS.

THE POPE'S VISIT HAS ALREADY PROMPTED SOME CONTROVERSY BECAUSE HE PLANS TO VISIT THE GRAVE OF JEROME LEJEUNE, A GENETICS PROFESSOR WHO WAS THE MAIN INSPIRATION BEHIND MODERN ANTI-ABORTION MILITANCY IN FRANCE. MR. LEJEUNE, A FRIEND OF THE POPE, DIED IN 1994.

ON SATURDAY, WHEN THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE YOUTH FESTIVAL -- WHO HAVE COME FROM AROUND 150 COUNTRIES -- ARE DUE TO LINK UP IN "A CHAIN OF PEACE" AROUND PARIS, OTHER EFFORTS ARE UNDER WAY TO BREAK UP THE CHAIN. BUT, IF THE POPE'S LAST VISIT TO FRANCE -- IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR -- IS ANY GUIDE, THEN THE PROTESTS ARE LIKELY TO BE SMALL.

DURING THIS VISIT, THE AILING PONTIFF WILL CONSECRATE THE NEW EVRY CATHEDRAL SOUTH OF PARIS, SEE PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC AND HOLD SEVERAL RELIGIOUS SERVICES. ON SUNDAY, HE WILL CELEBRATE MASS AT THE LONGCHAMP RACECOURSE, WHERE THE FRENCH CHURCH HOPES MORE THAN 600-THOUSAND WORSHIPERS WILL GATHER. (SIGNED)
NEB/JN/PCF/EH
21-Aug-97 8:51 AM EDT (1251 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (THURSDAY) IN A HEAVY WAVE OF PROFIT-TAKING. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 78 HUNDRED 93, DOWN 127 POINTS OR ABOUT ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. THE BROADER STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 925, DOWN 14 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY THAT, AFTER THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE ROSE BY MORE THAN 100 POINTS ON EACH OF THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS, IT WAS ABOUT TIME FOR STOCK MARKET TRADERS TO TAKE SOME PROFITS. OTHERWISE, ANALYSTS SEEM TO AGREE THERE WAS NO FUNDAMENTAL ECONOMIC REASON FOR THE SELL-OFF.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS CLAIMING JOBLESS BENEFITS ROSE BY 20 THOUSAND LAST WEEK, HIGHER THAN EXPECTED.

THE STOCK OF THE M-C-I TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY FELL SHARPLY AFTER INDICATIONS THAT ITS PLANNED MERGER WITH BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS MAY BE IN JEOPARDY. M-C-I CONFIRMED IT IS RENEGOTIATING TERMS OF THE PLANNED 29 BILLION DOLLAR DEAL AND COULD NOT GUARANTEE THE OUTCOME. THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT WAS MADE BEFORE M-C-I ANNOUNCED IT EXPECTS TO SUFFER AN 800 MILLION DOLLAR LOSS THIS YEAR.

THE U-S COMMERCE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT HAS DETERMINED THAT N-E-C AND FUJITSU, TWO JAPANESE COMPANIES, HAVE BEEN "DUMPING" SUPERCOMPUTERS IN THE U-S MARKET. "DUMPING" MEANS SELLING A PRODUCT IN THE UNITED STATES AT LESS THAN MARKET VALUE. THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT MAY SOON IMPOSE HEAVY DUTIES ON THE JAPANESE COMPANIES.

THE HEAD OF THE LARGEST U-S TOBACCO COMPANY SAYS IT IS POSSIBLE THAT CIGARETTE SMOKING LEADS TO DEATH FOR SOME PEOPLE. THE STATEMENT, BY PHILIP MORRIS CHAIRMAN GEOFFREY BIBLE, IS VIEWED BY ANTI-TOBACCO ACTIVISTS AS A RARE ADMISSION BY AN INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE THAT CIGARETTES CAN BE DANGEROUS.

THE UNITED PARCEL SERVICE HAS OPENED A MAJOR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN TO GET ITS BUSINESS BACK. U-P-S, WHICH IS RECOVERING FROM A 16-DAY STRIKE, SAYS IT MAY TAKE A WHILE TO GET ALL OF ITS CUSTOMERS BACK, MANY OF WHOM USED RIVAL PACKAGE DELIVERY SERVICES DURING THE STRIKE.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
21-Aug-97 5:00 PM EDT (2100 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] TENSION BUILDING IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: WITHIN THE PAST FEW WEEKS, SOME FOREIGN JOURNALISTS SAY, THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN U-S POLICY TOWARD SOME OF THE SERBIAN FORCES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, SPECIFICALLY A TOUGHENING OF ATTITUDE SPECIFICALLY TOWARD RADOVAN KARADZIC.

WE GET A SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT ON THIS PERCEIVED CHANGE NOW FROM __________________ IN THIS WEEK'S WORLD OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: WHETHER OR NOT THE UNITED STATES IS TAKING A TOUGHER LINE TOWARD THE INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL AND FORMER SERBIAN LEADER IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, MR. KARADZIC, THIS WEEK HEAVILY ARMED TROOPS SURROUNDED AND THEN TOOK OVER SEVERAL POLICE SANCTIONS IN BANJA LUKA. THESE FACILITIES WERE SAID TO HOUSE POLICE WHO ARE SUPPORTING MR. KARADZIC IN HIS POWER STRUGGLE WITH THE CURRENT BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT, BILJANA PLAVSIC.

WHEN TROOPS TOOK OVER THE POLICE BUILDINGS, WHICH THEY STILL HOLD, THEY FOUND A LARGE SUPPLY OF WEAPONS FAR IN EXCESS OF WHAT THE POLICE NEEDED FOR THEIR DUTIES. IT APPEARED TO CONFIRM REPORTS THAT NEW FIGHTING MAY HAVE BEEN ABOUT TO BREAK OUT BETWEEN SUPPORTERS OF MR. KARADZIC AND MRS. PLAVSIC, WHO HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN A POWER STRUGGLE FOR WEEKS.

SOME COMMENTATORS SUGGEST THAT AFTER A YEAR AND A HALF IN WHICH THE U-S DID LITTLE TO IMPLEMENT THE DAYTON ACCORD ON THE GROUND, WASHINGTON HAS BEGUN TO INCREASE THE PRESSURE.

OTHER JOURNALISTS TOOK THE MOVES AS STEPPED-UP 'PSYCHOLOGICAL' PRESSURE ON MR. KARADZIC, WHOM SOME ARE DESCRIBING AS "A STUMBLING BLOCK" TO THE PEACE PROCESS AND THE EVENTUAL U-S WITHDRAWAL FROM BOSNIA.

WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING IN SARAJEVO, WITH THE INDEPENDENT DAILY, WHICH PUBLISHED ALL THROUGHOUT THE CIVIL WAR, "OSLOBODJENIE." THE PAPER SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "THERE IS SOMETHING ABSURD IN THE U-S POLICY TOWARD BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA AND THIS IS MOST OBVIOUS DURING SPECTACULAR VISITS LIKE THE ONE LED BY THE ARCHITECT OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS. NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY SUPPORT A DEMOCRATIC AND MULTI-ETHNIC BOSNIA, AFTER EVERY U-S ACTION THE DIVISIONS ARE DEEPER. [MR. RICHARD] HOLBROOKE [THE U-S SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE COUNTRY] CAN ALWAYS SAY THAT THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY ARE TO BE BLAMED BECAUSE THEY ELECTED THE NATIONAL PARTIES AND LEADERS BUT, IN SPITE OF INTENTIONS, U-S POLICY IS STRENGTHENING THEIR POSITIONS."

TEXT: ACROSS THE WAR-SCARRED CITY, IN THE DAILY "VECERNJI LIST" THERE WAS THIS ASSESSMENT.....

VOICE: "IF THE AMERICANS SUCCEED IN IMPOSING THEIR INTERPRETATION OF DAYTON - - AND CONSIDERING THEIR DOMINANCE IN THE WORLD, IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THEY WON'T SUCCEED - - BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WILL HAVE EVERY PROSPECT OF STAYING AND SURVIVING."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, IN WHAT IS NOW YUGOSLAVIA, FORMED BY SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO, BELGRADE'S "BORBA," RAN THIS TANJUG [YUGOSLAV NEWS SERVICE] EDITORIAL THAT SAID IN PART:

VOICE: "IF THE U-S ADMINISTRATION CARED ABOUT BOSNIA'S RECOVERY AND REVIVAL OF JOINT AUTHORITIES AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATION IN THE TWO ENTITIES, THE EMPHASIS WOULD BE LAID ON COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ISSUES. THIS PRIMARILY MEANS AN EQUAL TREATMENT OF ALL SIDES AND ESPECIALLY AN EQUAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE THAT WOULD STIMULATE A SPEEDIER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS .....WASHINGTON'S UNSUCCESSFUL POLICY, WHICH MOSTLY APPLIES FORCE AND PRESSURE, SHOWS THAT THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO ACHIEVE STABILITY IN THE REGION. MAYBE NOW, AFTER [MR.] HOLDBROOKE'S LATEST MISSION, THIS WILL BECOME CLEAR TO THE U-S ADMINISTRATION WHOSE POLICY IN THE BALKANS HAS ALWAYS BEEN GUIDED BY NARROW NATIONAL INTERESTS INSTEAD OF THE REGION'S WELFARE."

TEXT: IN WESTERN EUROPE, THE OPINION OF A LEADING GERMAN DAILY, "THE FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG" RUNS THIS WAY.

VOICE: "THE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS STANDS ON THE BRINK OF ABYSS .... THE CRISIS IN THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS IS REFLECTING ONLY THE DESOLATE STATE OF THE SERBIAN PART OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA .... THE PROPAGANDA CLAIM THAT THE FUTURE OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS LIES ONLY IN THE STATE UNITY OF ALL SERBS HAS NOW SURFACED AS A GREAT LIE. NOT EVEN THE BOSNIAN SERBS AGREE AND NOTHING SEEMS TO UNIFY THE SERBS AS MUCH AS THE ROW OF EVERYBODY AGAINST EVERYBODY. ... NOT TODAY AND NOT TOMORROW, BUT SOME DAY IN THE FUTURE, EVEN THE MAJORITY OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS WILL REALIZE THAT THEIR FUTURE LIES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA - - NOT IN SERBIA OR IN AN IMAGINARY GREATER SERBIAN STATE."

TEXT: IN BRITAIN, "THE OBSERVER" SEES THINGS THIS WAY.

VOICE: "AFTER NEARLY TWO YEARS OF PUSSYFOOTING [INDECISIVE ACTION] BY NATO AND ITS POLITICAL MASTERS, THE NET IS FINALLY CLOSING ON BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS RADOVAN KARADZIC AND RATKO MLADIC - - PUPPET MASTERS OF BOSNIA'S CARNAGE. PRESIDENT CLINTON SUMMONED SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT AND SPECIAL ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE TO THE WHITE HOUSE FRIDAY NIGHT 8/15) TO TELL THEM IT WAS 'VERY IMPORTANT' THAT [MR] KARADZIC BE ARRESTED."

TEXT: IN PARIS, A SIMILAR VIEW IS HELD BY THE FRENCH DAILY, "LIBERATION."

VOICE: "U-S IMPATIENCE WITH BOSNIA IS GROWING. WHILE THE EUROPEANS, AND ESPECIALLY THE FRENCH, HAVE ALWAYS PLAYED FOR TIME, THE U-S TEAM WOULD LIKE TO GET RID OF [MR.] KARADZIC. HIS CONTINUED PRESENCE IS A STUMBLING BLOCK FOR THE PEACE PROCESS AND A U-S WITHDRAWAL FROM BOSNIA. HENCE THE POLITICAL AND MILITARY ASSISTANCE GRANTED TO BILJANA PLAVSIC ... THE QUESTION WHICH REMAINS IS THE REACTION OF THE SERBIAN POLICE SURROUNDING [MR.] KARADZIC IN THE EVENT OF AN ATTACK."

TEXT: IN COPENHAGEN, THE LARGE DANISH DAILY "BERLINGSKE TIDENDE" HAS A SIMILAR OPINION.

VOICE: "TIME IS RUNNING OUT AND IT LOOKS LIKELY THAT NEW CONFLICTS, NEW EXAMPLES OF ETHNIC CLEANSING, ADDITIONAL DEATHS, WOUNDINGS AND RAPES COULD OCCUR. THIS IS WHY THE UNITED STATES HAS CHOSEN TO INITIATE A NEW DIPLOMATIC OFFENSIVE. ONE WAY OR OTHER, THE UNITED STATES HOPES TO NEUTRALIZE [MR.] KARADZIC. THAT FITS WELL WITH RUMORS THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS OFFERED TO LET [MR.] KARADZIC GO INTO EXILE IN A THIRD COUNTRY WHILE AMERICAN TELEVISION MAINTAINS THAT AN ELITE UNIT IS IN TRAINING TO CARRY OUT A MISSION TO ARREST HIM. THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN WOULD BE THAT [MR.] KARADZIC WAS BROUGHT BEFORE THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAUGE; HOWEVER, THIS SEEMS TO BE IMPOSSIBLE."

TEXT: AND AGAIN, A LIKE APPRAISAL FROM THE BIG DUTCH DAILY "NRC HANDELSBLAD.

VOICE: "THE ARREST OF [MR.] KARADZIC IS NOW ONLY A MATTER OF TIME ..... THE ARREST OF KARADZIC AND GENERAL MLADIC HAS NOW, AFTER A YEAR AND A HALF OF HESITATION, BECOME A PRIORITY ISSUE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY."

TEXT: IN ASIA THERE IS WORRY ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE NATO TROOPS DO TRY TO ARREST MR. KARADZIC. IN JAPAN, HERE IS HOW THE BIGGEST TOKYO DAILY "YOMIURI" SEES THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.

VOICE: "OUR CONCERN IS THAT IF PRESIDENT PLAVSIC LOSES TO THE HAWKS, WAR CRIME SUSPECT [MR.] KARADZIC IS MORE LIKELY TO REGAIN LEADERSHIP .... HOWEVER, THE ARREST OF [MR.] KARADZIC, WHO IS PROTECTED BY ARMED GUARDS, WILL PROBABLY LEAD TO BLOODSHED AND MASSIVE REPRISALS AGAINST SFOR TROOPS ..... IT IS, THEREFORE, IMPORTANT FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO LOOK SQUARELY AT THE WORSENING BOSNIA SITUATION AGAIN AND PROMOTE DISCUSSIONS ON HOW TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS TO PEACE."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, IN SOUTH ASIA, INDIA'S "HINDU" RAN THIS SOMEWHAT GLUM COMMENTARY, WHICH SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: "THE BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA THAT [THE DAYTON AGREEMENT] CREATED IS AN ARTIFICIAL ENTITY, AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO CONCEIVE OF IT STAYING TOGETHER WITHOUT A CONTINUING INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE. THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION HELPED GIVE BIRTH TO THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. NOW THEY FIND THEMSELVES SADDLED WITH LOOKING AFTER AND RAISING AN ORPHAN THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO WANT."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF INTERNATIONAL OPINION ON THE LATEST TURN OF EVENTS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IN THE SEARCH FOR PEACE.
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21-Aug-97 2:49 PM EDT (1849 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] THURSDAY EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S EDITORIALS WRITERS ARE CONTINUING TO COMMENT ON TWO OF THIS WEEK'S MAJOR DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS; THE END OF THE UNITED PARCEL SERVICE STRIKE AND THE REVELATIONS OF HOW THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION CONTRIBUTED TO THE CRASH OF THAT VALUJET AIRLINER IN THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES LAST YEAR.

OTHER TOPICS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE OF NEWSPAPER OPINION THIS DAY INCLUDE U-S TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS TO CUBA; THE DEBATE OVER ENDING LAND MINES; AND THE PROBLEMS OF WOULD-BE REFORMERS IN LATIN AMERICA.

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

TEXT: THE UNITED PARCEL SERVICE [U-P-S] IS BACK IN ALMOST FULL OPERATION THIS THURSDAY, TWO DAYS AFTER A NATIONWIDE STRIKE BY TEAMSTER DRIVERS CRIPPLED ITS OPERATION. THE 15-DAY WALKOUT WAS BEGINNING TO ADVERSELY AFFECT THE U-S ECONOMY, SINCE THE HUGE DELIVERY SERVICE HANDLES MORE THAN 11-MILLION PACKAGES EACH DAY, OR ABOUT 80 PER-CENT OF THE NATION'S PACKAGED FREIGHT. YOU COULDN'T ASK FOR TWO MORE DIVERSE VIEWS OF THE STRIKE THAN FROM TODAY'S BALTIMORE SUN AND WASHINGTON TIMES. FIRST THE SUN.

VOICE: "ORGANIZED LABOR WON A MAJOR VICTORY IN THE TEAMSTERS STRIKE AGAINST UNITED PARCEL SERVICE. THE UNION GAINED ASSURANCES THAT THE COMPANY WILL CREATE 10-THOUSAND FULL-TIME JOBS, RAISE THE PAY OF PART-TIME AND FULL-TIME WORKERS AND INCREASE ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE EMPLOYEE PENSIONS. THE COMPANY'S ONLY MAJOR SUCCESS IS THE LENGTH OF THE CONTRACT - FIVE YEARS - - WHICH COULD PROMISE CUSTOMERS A LONG PERIOD OF STABILITY, PROVIDED THAT A SEPARATE SETTLEMENT WITH THE INDEPENDENT PILOTS ASSOCIATION IS SIGNED LATER THIS YEAR. ..... TEAMSTERS STRIKING U-P-S SUCCEEDED AT THE BARGAINING TABLE AND IN THE PUBLIC ARENA BECAUSE THEY CONFRONTED LEGITIMATE ISSUES THAT ARE RELEVANT TO MOST PEOPLE. THIS IS A GOOD FORMULA FOR THE LABOR MOVEMENT TO FOLLOW AS IT STRUGGLES TO REMAIN RELEVANT."

TEXT: NOT SO AT ALL, SAYS THE WASHINGTON TIMES, WHICH IN ITS EDITORIAL HEADLINE CALLS THE STRIKE "THE TEAMSTERS' HOLLOW VICTORY ..."

VOICE: "..... IT MAY VERY WELL TURN OUT THAT U-P-S TEAMSTERS WOULD HAVE DONE BETTER AVOIDING THE STRIKE ALTOGETHER AND ACCEPTING THE COMPANY'S FINAL PRE-STRIKE OFFER. FOR OPENERS, [TO BEGIN WITH] IF U-P-S TEAMSTERS WERE COUNTING ON THE PROPOSED PROFIT-SHARING PLAN TO REPLACE THE WAGES THEY LOST DURING THE STRIKE, THEY WILL NOT BE HAPPY TO LEARN THAT IT WAS DROPPED IN THE NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT. U-P-S'S PRE-STRIKE OFFER INCLUDED A 3-THOUSAND-60-DOLLAR PROFIT SHARING BONUS FOR FULL-TIME WORKERS ..... UPON RATIFICATION. .... INTERESTINGLY, WHEN MR. CAREY WAS FIRST ELECTED TEAMSTER PRESIDENT IN 1991, THE STANDARD TEAMSTER CONTRACT NEVER EXCEEDED THREE YEARS, AND THE IDEA OF A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT - - A U-P-S DEMAND TO WHICH MR. CAREY ACCEDED - - WOULD HAVE BEEN VIEWED AS A SELLOUT OF THE WORKERS BY THEIR UNION LEADERS. NOW FULLTIME WORKERS ARE LOCKED INTO AN AVERAGE YEARLY INCREASE OF THREE PERCENT, WHICH IS LESS THAN LAST YEAR'S INFLATION RATE."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES GOES ON TO SAY THAT THE STRIKE WILL ALMOST SURELY LEAD TO A LOSS OF BUSINESS FOR U-P-S WHICH COULD EASILY MEAN FEWER JOBS FOR THE UNION'S MEMBERS.

THE WEEK'S OTHER MAJOR DEVELOPMENT DRAWING COMMENT IS THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD'S ASSESSMENT OF CAUSES FOR LAST YEAR'S VALUJET CRASH IN THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES THAT TOOK 110 LIVES. THE FACT THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION TAKES SOME OF THE BLAME IN THE REPORT DRAWS THIS COMMENT FROM THE WASHINGTON POST.

VOICE: "THE HIDEOUS, FLAMING NOSE-DIVE CRASH OF VALUJET FLIGHT 592 LAST YEAR WAS THE RESULT OF SUPERVISORY FAILURES 'ALL UP AND DOWN THE LINE, FROM FEDERAL REGULATORS TO AIRLINE EXECUTIVES IN THE BOARD ROOM TO WORKERS ON THE SHOP ROOM FLOOR.' THIS IS THE CHILLING CONCLUSION OF THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD, WHOSE INVESTIGATORS FOUND, AMONG MUCH ELSE, THAT THE ... DISASTER ..... MIGHT NOT HAVE OCCURRED HAD THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION FOLLOWED A DECADE-OLD RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD TO REQUIRE FIRE DETECTION AND SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS IN AIRCRAFT CARGO HOLDS. ..... STONEWALLING, [REFUSING TO DISCUSS] HEDGING [CIRCUMVENTING THE FACTS] AND STATISTICS ABOUT THE RELATIVE SAFETY OF AVIATION WON'T WASH WITH [WILL NOT CONVINCE] A PUBLIC THAT NOW RELIES ON AIR TRAVEL AS ANOTHER FORM OF MASS TRANSIT."

TEXT: TODAY'S OMAHA [NEBRASKA] WORLD-HERALD SINGLES OUT THE AIRLINE MAINTENANCE COMPANY, WHICH PLACED OXYGEN CANISTERS CAPABLE OF BURSTING INTO FLAMES IN THE PLANE'S CARGO AREA, FOR ITS SEVEREST CRITICISM.

VOICE: "FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS FOUND THAT SABRETECH PUT THE TANKS ABOARD FLIGHT 592 TO CLEAR OUT A WAREHOUSE THAT WAS ABOUT TO BE INSPECTED. ALTHOUGH THE BOARD SAID IN GENERAL THAT VALUJET SHOULD HOLD ITS CONTRACTORS MORE ACCOUNTABLE, INVESTIGATORS SAID IT WAS REASONABLE, UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR VALUJET TO ACCEPT THE SHIPMENT OF THE TANKS WITH SABRETECH'S ASSURANCE ... THEY WERE PROPERLY INSPECTED AND PACKAGED. SABRETECH'S RECORD INDICATED ... THE TANKS WERE EMPTY. THEY WERE NOT EMPTY. OXYGEN IN THE TANKS FUELED THE FIRE. ..... WERE SABRE TECH EMPLOYEES PURPOSELY CUTTING CORNERS AND TURNING BLIND EYES TO SAFETY VIOLATIONS? WHERE THEY UNTRAINED, AND, IF SO, WHY? THE VICTIMS' FAMILIES AWAIT ANSWERS."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES HAS SOME THOUGHTS ON THE REPORT AS WELL.

VOICE: "AIR TRAVEL THAT IS 100 PERCENT RISK-FREE IS IMPOSSIBLE. BUT AMERICANS SHOULD BE ABLE TO COUNT ON A VIGILANT FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION TO INSURE THE HIGHEST PRACTICABLE LEVELS OF AVIATION SAFETY. THAT STANDARD WAS NOT MET IN THE VALUJET AFFAIR."

TEXT: TURNING TO INTERNATIONAL ISSUES, TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES IS CALLING ON WASHINGTON TO EASE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS SO MORE U-S ROMAN CATHOLICS CAN GO TO CUBA FOR THE POPE'S IMPENDING VISIT.

VOICE: "THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI HAS ASKED THE WHITE HOUSE TO MAKE AN EXCEPTION TO THE U-S TRAVEL BAN SO MORE THAN 1-THOUSAND AMERICAN CATHOLICS CAN GO TO HAVANA FOR THE JANUARY VISIT OF POPE JOHN PAUL THE SECOND. MORE THAN RELIGIOUS COMFORT COULD BE ACHIEVED IF WASHINGTON GRANTS THAT REQUEST. STANDING IN THE WAY ARE THE RIGID AND LARGELY OUTDATED U-S RESTRICTIONS ON CITIZENS VISITING CUBA, RULES THAT FORM PART OF THE 34-YEAR-OLD ECONOMIC EMBARGO AGAINST PRESIDENT ..... CASTRO'S GOVERNMENT. AMERICANS ARE A FREE PEOPLE AND SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL WHEREVER THEY PLEASE. ..... THE UNITED STATES SHOULD NOT SOUR THIS OPPORTUNITY."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST IS DISCUSSING THE U-S CHANGE OF POSITION ON THE QUESTION OF AN INTERNATIONAL BAN ON LAND MINES, AS PROPOSED BY CANADA, NOTING:

VOICE: "NOW THE WEIGHT OF OPINION WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION IS SHIFTING APPROPRIATELY TOWARD A BAN, AND TOWARD THE ARGUMENT THAT MOST MILITARY FUNCTIONS ASSIGNED TO MINES CAN BE ASSUMED BY OTHER WEAPONS AND REVISED TACTICS. THIS WEEK THE ADMINISTRATION TOOK A USEFUL STEP TOWARD ABOLISHING LAND MINES WHEN IT AGREED TO PARTICIPATE ... IN A DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE SPONSORED BY CANADA. THIS .... NON-BINDING, ONE-COUNTRY-AT-A-TIME EFFORT [IS] INTENDED TO BUILD MOMENTUM TOWARD A MINE-FREE WORLD AND TO SHAME THOSE NATIONS THAT WON'T AT FIRST PARTICIPATE. ... MEANWHILE, THE UNITED STATES WILL RIGHTLY CONTINUE PRESSING IN GENEVA FOR A MORE FORMAL, BINDING, VERIFIABLE TREATY. .... THE UNITED STATES IS RIGHT TO PURSUE BOTH TRACKS."

TEXT: IN THE CASE OF THE HAITIAN IMMIGRANT, ALLEGEDLY SODOMIZED AND BADLY BEATEN IN A NEW YORK CITY POLICE STATION, THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS THE INCIDENT SHOULD BE USED AS THE BEGINNING OF A MOVE FOR PERMANENT POLICE REFORM IN THE CITY.

VOICE: "POLICE VIOLENCE AND CORRUPTION ARE CYCLICAL PLAGUES IN NEW YORK CITY AND CAN BE DEALT WITH ONLY THROUGH INTENSIVE VIGILANCE AND OPEN DISCUSSION. EVEN SO, THE MAYORAL CANDIDATES NEED TO REFRAIN FROM DISTORTING EITHER THE NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT'S RECENT CRIME-FIGHTING ACCOMPLISHMENTS OR THE CHALLENGES THE DEPARTMENT FACES IN THE EFFORT TO WEED OUT RENEGADE COPS. ..... IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE TO MISS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PERMANENT REFORM."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE PROBLEMS OF THE RUSSIAN SPACE STATION MIR, THE BOSTON GLOBE HAS THIS ASSESSMENT.

VOICE: "RUSSIAN MANAGERS AND ASTRONAUTS HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY CLEVER IN DEALING WITH A LONG RUN OF MINOR GLITCHES THAT HAVE DISRUPTED MIR IN THE 11 YEARS OF ITS SPACE CAREER, AND THEY MAY YET COPE WITH THE LATEST ROUND. THEY HOPE THEY CAN COAX FIVE MORE YEARS OF LIFE OUT OF MIR, UNTIL THE U-S INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION IS FULLY IN OPERATION. BUT THEY SHOULD GIVE ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION TO THE FACT THAT MINOR ACCIDENTS SEEM TO KEEP PILING UP. .... MIR'S CAREER IS A TRIBUTE TO THE BEST IN RUSSIA'S SPACE EFFORTS. RETIREMENT NOW WOULD BE NO DISCREDIT."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, A LAMENT IN THE NEW YORK TIMES FOR SOME HONEST MILITARY OFFICERS IN LATIN AMERICA WHO TRIED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY TELLING THE TRUTH, ONLY TO FIND THAT WAS A BIG MISTAKE.

VOICE: "FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS, GENERAL JOSE FRANCISCO GALLARDO HAS BEEN IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT IN A MEXICAN MILITARY BARRACKS. HE IS NOW IN HIS FOURTH YEAR OF PRISON AFTER ACCUSING SOLDIERS OF INVOLVEMENT IN KILLINGS, TORTURE AND DRUG DEALS. SENIOR OFFICERS IN PERU AND COLOMBIA HAVE ALSO BEEN IMPRISONED OR DISCIPLINED FOR BLOWING THE WHISTLE [INFORMING] ON MILITARY ABUSES. THE REPRISALS AGAINST THEM REVEAL THE TRUE CHARACTER OF THREE GOVERNMENTS THAT CLAIM TO PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS. ..... BY PUNISHING WHISTLE-BLOWERS .... THE MILITARIES DISHONOR THEMSELVES."

TEXT: ON THAT PHILOSOPHICAL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF REVIEW OF EDITORIALS FROM SOME OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/EH
21-Aug-97 10:24 AM EDT (1424 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] TURKEY / PRESS BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: THE TRIAL HAS RESUMED IN TURKEY FOR 11 POLICE OFFICERS CHARGED WITH THE MURDER OF A TURKISH JOURNALIST LAST YEAR. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE TRIAL BEGAN LAST YEAR, SEVEN OF THE OFFICERS ACCUSED OF BEATING LEFT WING JOURNALIST METIN GOKTEPE TO DEATH APPEARED IN THE COURT IN THE WESTERN TURKISH TOWN OF AFYON.

TEXT: IT WAS ONLY AFTER TURKEY'S NEW SECULARIST PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ ORDERED THE IMMEDIATE CAPTURE OF THE OFFICERS THAT SEVEN OF THEM FINALLY APPEARED IN COURT . DURING THE SIX PREVIOUS HEARINGS, THE TRIAL COULD NOT BEGIN BECAUSE THE OFFICERS ACCUSED OF CLUBBING AND KICKING METIN GOKTEPE TO DEATH NEVER SHOWED UP.

ISTANBUL POLICE SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE DEFENDANTS BECAUSE THEY DID KNOW THEIR ADDRESSES -- A CLAIM THAT EVEN SOME TURKISH OFFICIALS PRIVATELY DESCRIBED AS RIDICULOUS.

TWO OF THE ACCUSED ARE STILL HIDING AND TWO OTHERS CITED HEALTH REASONS FOR NOT APPEARING IN COURT THURSDAY. THE OFFICERS FACE UP TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON IF FOUND GUILTY AS CHARGED.

THE GOKTEPE CASE IS WIDELY VIEWED AS A TEST OF PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ'S WILLINGNESS TO LIVE UP TO HIS PROMISE OF CRACKING DOWN ON HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES, INCLUDING VIOLATIONS OF PRESS FREEDOMS, EVEN IF THESE ARE CARRIED OUT BY MEMBERS OF TURKEY'S POWERFUL SECURITY FORCES.

INDEPENDENT HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS SAY TURKEY IS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD FOR THE PRESS. RIGHTS GROUPS SAY TURKEY HAS MORE THAN 70 JOURNALISTS CURRENTLY IN JAIL FOR EXPRESSING VIEWS DEEMED HARMFUL TO THE TURKISH STATE, AND AT LEAST 20 OTHERS HAVE BEEN KILLED DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS UNDER MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.

RIGHTS ACTIVISTS SAY THERE IS MOUNTING OPTIMISM THAT MR. YILMAZ IS GENUINELY COMMITTED TO REFORMS. LAST WEEK THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT APPROVED LEGISLATION AIMED AT EASING CURRENT CURBS ON PRESS FREEDOMS. PASSAGE OF THE LAW HAS PAVED THE WAY FOR THE RELEASE OF SEVEN REPORTERS AND EDITORS SO FAR. BUT CRITICS OF THE BILL CHARGE THAT IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE PLIGHT OF SCORES OF JOURNALISTS JAILED UNDER THE SO-CALLED ANTI-TERROR LAW.

THIS LAW COVERS CRIMES THAT TARGET THE UNITY OF THE TURKISH STATE. THESE INCLUDE THE NON-VIOLENT EXPRESSION OF SEPARATIST VIEWS. MANY OF THOSE JAILED UNDER THE LAW ARE ACCUSED OF PROMOTING THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR P-K-K. THE KURDISH REBEL GROUP HAS BEEN FIGHTING TURKISH SECURITY FORCES FOR THE PAST 13 YEARS TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE IN TURKEY'S SOUTHEAST REGION. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/EH
21-Aug-97 12:21 PM EDT (1621 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-S / BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY REBECCA MCMENAMIN (PENTAGON)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SAY A CRACKDOWN BY NATO TROOPS ON POLICE INSTALLATIONS IN THE BOSNIAN SERB TOWN OF BANJA LUKA IS IN LINE WITH EFFORTS TO UPHOLD THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS. REBECCA MCMENAMIN REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON THAT OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO PLAY DOWN THE IDEA THAT THIS IS A SHIFT IN POLICY TOWARD A TOUGHER NATO LINE.

TEXT: U-S AIRCRAFT ARE STILL PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THE MOSTLY BRITISH TROOPS CONDUCTING SEARCH OPERATIONS ON THE GROUND IN BANJA LUKA. BUT OVERALL, THE NATO PRESENCE IS BEING SCALED BACK.

WHEN THE TROOPS MOVED IN WEDNESDAY, THEY UNCOVERED A HUGE CACHE OF WEAPONS -- INCLUDING RIFLES, GRENADE LAUNCHERS AND EXPLOSIVES. PENTAGON SPOKESMAN MIKE DOUBLEDAY SAYS THIS FAR EXCEEDS THE NEEDS OF A CIVILIAN POLICE FORCE.

THE RAID TARGETED UNITS LOYAL TO WAR CRIMES SUSPECT RADOVAN KARADZIC. BUT CAPTAIN DOUBLEDAY REFUSED TO BE DRAWN IN ON WHETHER IT SIGNALS A NEW, MORE AGGRESSIVE NATO POLICY TOWARD MR. KARADZIC.

I DON'T WANT TO PREDICT ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT S-FOR (THE STABILIZATION FORCE), THEIR MANDATE IS TO IMPLEMENT THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT ON ALL FRONTS. WHEREVER THEY SEE INFRACTIONS OF THE PEACE ACCORD THAT NEED TO BE CORRECTED, THEY'LL TAKE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO CORRECT THEM.

CAPTAIN DOUBLEDAY ALSO REFUSED TO SPECULATE ON WHETHER SUCH ACTIONS COULD EVENTUALLY INCLUDE MOVING AGAINST POLICE UNITS PROTECTING MR. KARADZIC IN THE TOWN OF PALE. BUT HE DID STRESS THAT THE WAR CRIMES SUSPECT HAS NO RIGHT UNDER THE PEACE ACCORD TO RECEIVE SUCH PROTECTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/RM/RRM
21-Aug-97 4:14 PM EDT (2014 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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