Voice of America, 97-08-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA / SERBS (S) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

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

[03] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[04] KURDS/SITREP BY LAURIE KASSMAN (WASHINGTON)

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

[06] NETANYAHU / AZERBAIJAN (L ONLY) BY RAFAEL HUSAINOV (BAKU)

[07] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[08] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

[01] BOSNIA / SERBS (S) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THE SITUATION APPEARS STABLE IN THE BOSNIAN-SERB TOWN OF BRCKO (BURCH-KO), AFTER SEVERAL-HUNDRED NATO-LED TROOPS WERE ATTACKED THURSDAY BY RESIDENTS THROWING BOTTLES AND ROCK. FROM THE BOSNIAN CITY OF BANJA LUKA, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN HARDLINE BOSNIAN-SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC AND BOSNIAN-SERB PRESIDENT BIJLANA PLAVSIC.

TEXT: THERE WERE INJURIES ON BOTH SIDES, AND NATO TROOPS USED TEAR GAS FOR THE FIRST TIME, AS SOLDIERS MOVED IN TO RESCUE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED NATIONS POLICE TASK FORCE. U-N POLICE OFFICIALS HAVE HAD SUCCESS ELSEWHERE IN THEIR ON-GOING PROGRAM TO PROFESSIONALIZE BOSNIAN POLICE, BUT IN BRCKO THEY MET ANGRY RESISTANCE THEY BELIEVE IS ORGANIZED BY FORCES LOYAL TO RADOVAN KARADZIC.

U-S BOSNIAN ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD IS REPORTED TO BE RETURNING TO THE REGION FRIDAY, POSSIBLY FOR TALKS WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, WHO COULD HAVE A KEY ROLE IN MEDIATING THE DISPUTE BETWEEN SERBS.

THE WESTERN POWERS SUPPORT PRESIDENT PLAVSIC MAINLY BECAUSE SHE SUPPORTS THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT. BUT IN A SPEECH TO SUPPORTERS THURSDAY, SHE STRESSED LINKS TO SERBS IN YUGOSLAVIA AND MADE NO MENTION OF A KEY PART OF THE DAYTON DEAL -- A UNIFIED BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. (SIGNED)
NEB/RAE
29-Aug-97 2:50 AM EDT (0650 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

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

TEXT: STOCKS ENDED A VOLATILE WEEK WITH ANOTHER STEEP DROP IN PRICES IN ALL THREE MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS.

THE BEST PERFORMANCE WAS IN LONDON. BUT EVEN THERE, THE KEY INDICATOR -- THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX -- ENDED THE DAY DOWN ALMOST 28 POINTS, ABOUT SIX-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT OF THE LONDON MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX FELL ALMOST 58 POINTS, ABOUT TWO PERCENT.

AND IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX WAS OFF MORE THAN 67 POINTS -- ONE-AND-SEVEN-TENTHS PERCENT. BUT PRICES IN FRANKFURT ROSE A BIT IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED IN VALUE AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN AND THE GERMAN MARK. BUT IT LOST VALUE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWH/MMK
29-Aug-97 1:20 PM EDT (1720 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE RESIGNATION OF FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT F-W DE KLERK AND THE DEFECTION OF A LEADING NORTH KOREAN AMBASSADOR CONTINUE TO PROVIDE GRIST FOR THE EDITORIAL MILLS OF THE NATION'S DAILY PAPERS AS AMERICA PREPARES TO CELEBRATE LABOR DAY. OTHER TOPICS UNDER SCRUTINY THIS FRIDAY INCLUDE THE INDICTMENT OF A FORMER AGRICULTURE SECRETARY; JOSEPH KENNEDY'S WITHDRAWAL FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR'S RACE AS SCANDALS TAKE THEIR TOLL, AND THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ZIONISM.

NOW, HERE IS _________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT EARLIER IN THE WEEK THAT FREDERICK W. DE KLERK, THE SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT WHO FREED NELSON MANDELA AND DISMANTLED APARTHEID, WAS STEPPING DOWN FROM HIS LEADERSHIP POST IN THE NATIONAL PARTY, CONTINUES TO DRAW COMMENT IN THE AMERICAN PRESS. THE MIAMI HERALD, CALLING HIM SIMPLY "PEACEMAKER", SAYS MR. DE KLERK HAD THE COURAGE TO CHANGE BOTH HIMSELF AND HIS COUNTRY.

VOICE: "F-W DE KLERK HOLDS A SPECIAL POSITION ALONGSIDE 20TH CENTURY PEACEMAKERS -- GANDHI, RABIN, KING, MANDELA. ....... AN AFRIKANER BY BIRTH, CONSERVATIVE RACIST BY REPUTATION, AND LEADER OF THE THEN-RULING NATIONAL PARTY, MR. DE KLERK HAD ALL TO LOSE AND NOTHING TO GAIN. BUT HIS VISION WAS FOR A FAIRER, MORE-JUST SOCIETY -- [OPT] A DEVELOPMENT THAT PROBABLY WAS INEVITABLE, BUT PERHAPS ONLY WITH MUCH BLOODSHED. [END OPT] MR. DE KLERK SEIZED THE MOMENT AND MADE IT HAPPEN **WITHOUT** [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] A BLOODLETTING. .... IN A SINGLE GLORIOUS MOMENT, AN EYE-BLINK BY HISTORY'S MEASURE, FREDERICK WILLEM DE KLERK SEIZED CENTER STAGE IN A COMPELLING DRAMA. .... HE IS TO BE RESPECTED FOR DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE."

TEXT: TAKING A SOMEWHAT MORE JAUNDICED VIEW OF HIS CAREER, THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "F. W. DE KLERK'S FINAL PLACE IN HISTORY IS UNSETTLED, BUT HE DESERVES PRAISE FOR HELPING END APARTHEID. .... STILL, THE DECADES HE SPENT AS A COG IN THE SCANDALOUS, WHITE-SUPREMACIST SYSTEM MUST BE WEIGHED AGAINST THE EPOCHAL FEW YEARS IN WHICH HE TEAMED WITH NELSON MANDELA TO BREAK THE CHAINS."

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE CONTINUING TO SPECULATE ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LATEST, HIGH-LEVEL DEFECTIONS FROM NORTH KOREA, OF THE AMBASSADOR TO EGYPT AND HIS TRADE OFFICIAL BROTHER FROM PARIS. THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS WHILE IT MAY OFFER INTELLIGENCE BENEFITS, IT ALSO COMPLICATES DIPLOMACY WITH NORTH KOREA.

VOICE: "THE DEFECTION OF NORTH KOREA'S AMBASSADOR TO EGYPT, CHANG (SIC) SUNG GIL, SHOULD PROVE AN INTELLIGENCE BONANZA TO THE UNITED STATES. BUT IT ADDS YET ANOTHER COMPLICATION TO THE DIPLOMATIC GAME THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN PLAYING WITH NORTH KOREA. DESPITE CRITICISM FROM SOUTH KOREA AND SOME CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS, THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD PERSEVERE IN ITS EFFORTS TO COAX NORTH KOREA OUT OF ITS DANGEROUS ISOLATION AND INTO NEGOTIATIONS ON ARMS CONTROL AND PEACE. [OPT] ..... CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS .... [WANT] TO BREAK OFF DISCUSSIONS, ABANDON THE NUCLEAR DEAL AND CONFRONT THE NORTH WITH MILITARY THREATS ALONE. THAT WOULD BE A RECKLESSLY ONE-SIDED STRATEGY, NEEDLESSLY ENDANGERING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN TROOPS AND MILLIONS OF SOUTH KOREAN CIVILIANS. THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD STICK WITH ITS ALTERNATELY FRUSTRATING AND ENCOURAGING EFFORTS TO NEGOTIATE ARMS RESTRAINTS AND A MORE DURABLE PEACE."

TEXT: SUGGESTING THE OPPOSITE COURSE IS THE WASHINGTON TIMES.

VOICE: "IF [FORMER AMBASSADOR CHANG SEUNG-IL] MR. CHANG CONFIRMS THE MISSILE SALES ...... TO ... SYRIA AND IRAN AS WELL AS SALES OF SCUD MISSILE TECHNOLOGY TO EGYPT .... IT MAY BE TIME .... TO REEVALUATE OUR RELATIONS WITH .... PYONGYANG. IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER ALL THE NASTY BUSINESS NORTH KOREA IS ACCUSED OF WILL BE SUBSTANTIATED BY THIS MAN ..... BUT IF IT IS, A DISCREET SILENCE WILL NOT BE AN ADEQUATE RESPONSE."

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, THE MULTI-COUNT INDICTMENT OF FORMER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE MIKE ESPY THIS WEEK DRAWS THIS RESPONSE FROM THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD.

VOICE: "IF THE CHARGES ..... HOLD UP, HE HAS GROSSLY MISUSED HIS OFFICE FOR PERSONAL GAIN. AS A FORMER CABINET MEMBER, HE IS THE HIGHEST-RANKING OFFICIAL IN THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO BE INDICTED FOR FEDERAL CRIMES. ..... IF THESE CHARGES ARE PROVED ..... A TRUSTED OFFICIAL HAS BETRAYED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THAT CANNOT GO UNPUNISHED."

TEXT: IN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS, THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY CONGRESSMAN JOSEPH KENNEDY THAT HE IS WITHDRAWING FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR'S RACE DUE TO SEVERAL FAMILY SCANDALS, GETS THIS SYMPATHETIC RESPONSE FROM THE BOSTON GLOBE.

VOICE: "DESPITE SIGNIFICANT PERSONAL DIFFICULTIES, [MR.] KENNEDY HAS REMAINED STEADFAST IN HIS POLITICAL LIFE TO ISSUES AND CONSTITUENCIES NO POLL WOULD HAVE LED HIM TO: THE POOR, THE HOMELESS, DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN, AND OTHERS SWAMPED IN THE CURRENT TIDE OF PROSPERITY. THE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES WHO REMAIN CANNOT LET THOSE CHALLENGES FADE TO FAINT ECHOES. ..... IF THEY DO .... THE STATE WILL HAVE LOST MUCH MORE THAN A CANDIDATE."

TEXT: IN THE MIDDLE EAST, THE WASHINGTON POST POINTS OUT, A CONTROVERSIAL DAM PROJECT IS STIRRING UP EVEN MORE TENSION BETWEEN ISRAEL AND SYRIA.

VOICE: "HAD YOU THOUGHT THINGS WERE QUIET ON THE ISRAELI-SYRIAN FRONT IN THIS OTHERWISE STRESSFUL SUMMER OF ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN DISCONTENT? THE ISRAELIS HAVE CHOSEN THIS INTERLUDE ..... FOR AN UNHELPFUL POLITICAL INITIATIVE INVOLVING A NEW DAM ON THE YARMUK RIVER. THE PREVIOUS LABOR GOVERNMENT HAD SELECTED ONE SITE IN UNDISPUTED TERRITORY. THE CURRENT LIKUD GOVERNMENT HAS CHOSEN A NEW SITE ABOUT ONE AND TWO-THIRDS KILOMETERS UPSTREAM IN ISRAELI-HELD TERRITORY CLAIMED BY SYRIA. .... BUT WHY A NEW DAM SITE, AND WHY NOW? IF ISRAEL IS SERIOUS ABOUT ... A PEACE WITH SYRIA WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES RIPEN, THEN IT CANNOT SIMPLY AND SUDDENLY CREATE NEW FACTS ON THE GROUND ON ITS OWN."

TEXT: ALSO [END OPT] REGARDING ISRAEL, THIS IS THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ZIONISM, THE WORLD-WIDE MOVEMENT OF JEWS THAT LED TO THE CREATIO OF THE NEW JEWISH STATE IN 1948. FRIDAY'S NEW YORK POST NOTES THE OCCASION:

VOICE: "... IT IS WELL WORTH STRESSING TODAY, AS THE EARLY ZIONISTS' VISIONARY GENIUS IS RECALLED, THAT ISRAEL SUCCEEDED, MUCH LIKE THE UNITED STATES, BECAUSE IT MARRIED PROPHECY TO PRACTICALITY -- AND TRANSCENDENT PURPOSE TO INDIVIDUAL OPPORTUNITY. IT IS AN ADMIRABLE LEGACY."

TEXT: WITH THAT HISTORIC NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE SUBJECTS AMERICA'S NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL WRITERS ARE COVERING TODAY.
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29-Aug-97 10:47 AM EDT (1447 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KURDS/SITREP BY LAURIE KASSMAN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ONE YEAR AFTER THE KURDISH DEMOCRATIC PARTY -- THE K-D-P CONSOLIDATED ITS CONTROL OVER MOST OF THE AUTONOMOUS KURDISH ZONE OF NORTHERN IRAQ, PEACE TALKS HAVE RESULTED IN LITTLE PROGRESS TOWARD RECONCILIATION WITH ITS RIVAL, THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN. V-O-A'S LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS THAT EACH SIDE BLAMES THE OTHER FOR THE IMPASSE.

TEXT: AFTER THE K-D-P FORCES OF MASSOUD BARZANI PUSHED THEIR POLITICAL RIVALS IN THE P-U-K OUT OF THE REGIONAL CAPITAL OF IRBIL, MR BARZANI CONSOLIDATED HIS AUTHORITY OVER MOST OF NORTHERN IRAQ AND RECONVENED PARLIAMENT.

MR BARZANI'S CALL TO BAGHDAD FOR MILITARY SUPPORT TO ACCOMPLISH THAT SPARKED AN INTERNATIONAL OUTCRY AND COMPLAINTS THAT HE WAS LETTING SADDAM HUSSEIN REGAIN A FOOTHOLD IN THE NORTH.

THE U-S ADMINISTRATION FINALLY HELPED EVACUATE HUNDREDS OF KURDS WHO WERE WORKING WITH AMERICAN RELIEF OPERATIONS, FOR FEAR THEY WOULD BE TARGETTED BY THE IRAQI LEADER.

WE DECIDE TO MOVE FROM THERE BECAUSE WE WERE AFRAID OF THE IRANIAN FORCES, AND WHEN WE COME TO IRBIL WE HEARD THAT THE FIGHTING STARTED BETWEEN K-D-P AND P-U-K, AND THEN WE MOVED TO ZAKHO.

THE IRAQI TROOPS QUICKLY PULLED BACK FROM THE LIMITS OF THE NORTHERN NO-FLY ZONE, WHICH IS PATROLLED BY U-S-ALLIED AIRCRAFT. THE K-D-P LEADERSHIP HAS INSISTED THAT BAGHDAD WOULD NOT INTERFERE AGAIN.

IN K-D-P HEADQUARTERS AT SALAHUDDIN, SENIOR OFFICIAL SAMI ABDULRAHMAN SAYS THE SITUATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ NOW IS STABLE.

ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS WELL. WHO IS NOW RULING IRBIL? IT IS AN ELECTED PARLIAMENT, A CHOSEN GOVERNMENT BY PARLIAMENT -- K-D-P AND SEVERAL KURDISH PARTIES -- WITH A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR REPAIR OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE, PAYING SALARIES REGULARLY. THERE IS ALSO GOOD SECURITY IN IRBIL, WHICH MAYBE HASN'T BEEN SEEN IN MANY YEARS.

AFTER NEARLY A YEAR OF U-S AND BRITISH EFFORTS TO TURN A SHAKY CEASEFIRE INTO A GENUINE POLITICAL RECONCILIATION, ABOUT THE ONLY THING BOTH SIDES AGREE ON IS THAT LITTLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE TOWARD THAT GOAL.

IN A RECENT V-O-A INTERVIEW, P-U-K LEADER JALAL TALABANI SPELLED OUT HIS CONDITIONS FOR POLITICAL RECONCILIATION.

FIRST THERE MUST BE A REGIONAL GOVERNMENT HEADED BY AN INDEPENDENT PERSONALITY. THIS REGIONAL GOVERNMENT MUST REPRESENT ALL IRAQI KURDISTAN PARTIES. THEY MUST UNITE ALL PARTS AND PREPARE THE GROUND FOR NEW ELECTIONS, WHICH WILL DECIDE THE FUTURE. AND WE ARE READY TO ACCEPT THE RESULT OF THAT ELECTION.

K-D-P OFFICIAL SAMI ABDULRAHMAN AGREES THAT A 50-50 POWER SPLIT IS NOT AN OPTION. THE LAST COALITION, WHICH WAS SET UP AFTER THE 1991 GULF WAR, DISINTEGRATED INTO BLOODY CLASHES. MR. ABDULRAHMAN SAYS THE K-D-P ALSO WANTS ELECTIONS TO DECIDE ON A LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION.

WE ARE NOT READY TO GO BACK TO THE 50-50 EQUATION THAT IS DIVISION OF GOVERNMENT -- 50 FOR EACH SIDE. THAT EQUATION FAILED. AND THE RECIPE OF MR. TALABANI IS A FAILURE. WE WOULD LIKE PEACE. WE WOULD LIKE THE SITUATION TO BECOME NORMAL AND AN ELECTION TO BE HELD UNDER INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION WITH THE GUARANTEE OF THREE GOVERNMENTS U-S, BRITISH AND TURKISH. THEY SHOULD GUARANTEE THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION.

THE CHALLENGE NOW IS TO GET BOTH SIDES BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE IN A MOOD TO TAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS IN ORDER TO LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR ELECTIONS AND ADVANCE RECONCILIATION EFFORTS. (SIGNED)
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29-Aug-97 11:36 AM EDT (1536 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (FRIDAY) AS TRADERS AGAIN WORRIED ABOUT INFLATION. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 76 HUNDRED 22, DOWN 72 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST 265 POINTS. THE LARGER STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 899, DOWN FOUR POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY IT WAS ANOTHER CASE OF GOOD ECONOMIC NEWS BEING BAD FOR STOCK PRICES. STATISTICS WHICH INDICATE ROBUST ECONOMIC GROWTH HAVE LED TO RENEWED INFLATION FEARS ON WALL STREET.

THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT REPORTED MORE SIGNS OF A STRONG U-S ECONOMY. CONSUMER SPENDING IN JULY JUMPED BY ITS HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE JANUARY AND NEW HOME SALES INCREASED LAST MONTH FOR THE THIRD MONTH IN A ROW.

IN ANOTHER SIGN OF CONSOLIDATION IN THE U-S BANKING INDUSTRY, NATIONSBANK CORPORATION WILL PAY 15 AND ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS FOR BARNETT BANKS OF FLORIDA. THE ACQUISITION WILL GIVE NATIONSBANK TOTAL ASSETS OF 290 BILLION DOLLARS.

ALAN GREENSPAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK, SAYS GOVERNMENTS MUST CREATE STRONG REGULATIONS AND EVEN OCCASIONALLY INTERVENE IN FINANCIAL MARKETS TO PREVENT MAJOR DISRUPTIONS. MR. GREENSPAN SPOKE TO AN INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF FINANCIAL POLICY MAKERS WHICH IS BEING HELD IN THE WESTERN STATE OF WYOMING.

MITSUBISHI MOTORS, THE U-S SUBSIDIARY OF THE JAPANESE COMPANY, HAS REACHED SETTLEMENTS WITH 27 WOMAN EMPLOYEES WHO HAD SUED OVER ALLEGED SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT THE COMPANY'S ASSEMBLY PLANT IN THE MIDWESTERN STATE OF ILLINOIS. HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI STILL FACES A LARGER LAWSUIT FILED BY THE U-S GOVERNMENT'S EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION. AIR SOUTH, A DISCOUNT AIRLINE, FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY LAW PROTECTION AND CEASED ALL OPERATIONS AFTER THE COMPANY WAS UNABLE TO MEET ITS PAYROLL. AIR SOUTH HAD LINKED CITIES IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES WITH CHICAGO AND NEW YORK CITY.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/WFR
29-Aug-97 5:07 PM EDT (2107 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] NETANYAHU / AZERBAIJAN (L ONLY) BY RAFAEL HUSAINOV (BAKU)

INTRO: ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ON HIS WAY BACK TO ISRAEL FROM HIS VISIT TO JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA, STOPPED BRIEFLY IN BAKU AND MET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN, HEYDAR ALIEV. RAFAEL HUSAINOV PREPARED THIS REPORT ON THE ISRAELI LEADER'S VISIT TO BAKU. .

TEXT: PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NATENYAHU ARRIVED IN BAKU EARLY FRIDAY MORNING AND MET WITH PRESIDENT HEYDAR ALIYEV A SHORT WHILE LATER. PRESIDENT ALIYEV SAID THAT THE ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT, ALTHOUGH BRIEF, WAS EXTREMELY SIGNIFICANT FOR BOTH COUNTRIES. THE TWO LEADERS, HE SAID, DISCUSSED MANY AREAS OF COOPERATION.

IN HIS REMARKS, THE ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER NOTED HOW MUCH THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL AND AZERBAIJAN HAVE IN COMMON:

WE ARE TWO ANCIENT PEOPLES WHO HAVE ACHIEVED INDEPENDENCE IN THE LAST DECADES AND NOW THE TASK FOR US AS INDEPENDENT NATIONS IS TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP OUR COUNTRIES.... I ALSO FIND GREAT HOPE IN THAT FACT THAT WE HAVE RELATIONSHIP AS WE DO WITH TURKEY, WITH JORDAN, WITH EGYPT, BETWEEN THE JEWISH STATE AND PREDOMINANTLY MUSLIM STATES.. THIS GIVES US HOPE THAT ALL THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM CAN FIND PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP UNDER THE SAME SUN THAT RISES OVER THE CASPIAN SEA AND SETS OVER THE MEDITERRANEAN.

IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, ISRAEL AND AZERBAIJAN HAVE DEVELOPED STRONG RELATIONS, AND MR. NETANYAHU'S VISIT WAS APPARENTLY INTENDED TO STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC TIES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. THE ISRAEL PRIME MINISTER SAID THAT HIS COUNTRY IS INTERESTED IN AZERI OIL., AND HE SAID HE DISCUSSED WITH MR. ALIYEV WAYS OF TRANSPORTING THAT OIL TO ISRAEL.

WHILE IN BAKU, MR. NETANYAHU ALSO DISCUSSED IRAN, ONE OF THE MOST OUTSPOKEN FOES OF ISRAEL. THE ISRAELI DREW ATTENTION TO THE WEAPONS' TECHNOLOGY HE SAID IRAN IS ACQUIRING:

WE ARE CONCERNED WITH THE FLOW OF BALLISTIC AND NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY TO IRAN. WE MAKE NO SECRET ABOUT IT WE ARE TAKEN CONCRETE STEPS, ESPECIALLY THROUGH THE UNITED STATES, TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS IN THE INTEREST OF ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN PEACE AND STABILITY.

END ACT. IRAN HAS, IN THE PAST, COMMENTED CRITICALLY ON AZERBAIJAN'S RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL. MR. NETANYAHU'S VISIT TO BAKU, HOWEVER BRIEF, IS SURE TO DRAW MORE ATTENTION FROM TEHRAN. (SIGNED)
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29-Aug-97 2:59 PM EDT (1859 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO INVITE SINN FEIN -- THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY -- TO TAKE PART IN SUBSTANTIVE TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND, SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN MID-SEPTEMBER. DETAILS FROM V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA IN LONDON.

TEXT: BRITAIN'S SENIOR MINISTER IN CHARGE OF NORTHERN IRELAND -- MO MOWLAN -- TOLD REPORTERS HER DECISION WAS BASED ON EVIDENCE FROM SECURITY EXPERTS IN THE BRITISH PROVINCE THAT THE CEASEFIRE ANNOUNCED BY THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY IN JULY WAS GENUINE.

I AM SATISFIED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A CESSATION OF I-R-A ATTACKS. MOREOVER, THERE HAS BEEN NO EVIDENCE OF ACTIVE TARGETING OF PARAMILITARY ASSAULTS WHICH CAN BE DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTED TO THE I-R-A. I HAVE ASSESSED CAREFULLY ALL THE INFORMATION RELEVANT TO WHETHER REQUIREMENTS SET OUT IN STATUTE HAVE BEEN MET. I HAVE DECIDED THAT SINN FEIN MEET THOSE REQUIREMENTS -- SO I HAVE WRITTEN TODAY TO INVITE SINN FEIN TO NOMINATE ITS NEGOTIATING TEAM.

HOWEVER MANY PRO-BRITISH -- OR UNIONIST -- POLITICIANS ARE VERY UNEASY ABOUT BRINGING SINN FEIN INTO THE POLITICAL PROCESS AT THIS TIME. THEY BELIEVE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS CAPITULATED TO I-R-A DEMANDS AND THEY FEEL SIX WEEKS IS TOO SHORT A TIME TO DETERMINE WHETHER A CEASEFIRE IS INDEED "GENUINE." THEY ALSO SAY SINN FEIN HAS NOT EXPRESSED -- TO THEIR SATISFACTION -- A GENUINE COMMITMENT TO EXCLUSIVELY PEACEFUL MEANS.

THE LEADER OF THE SMALL, HARDLINE DEMOCRATIC UNIONIST PARTY -- IAN PAISLEY -- WENT ONE STEP FURTHER. HE TOLD REPORTERS HIS PARTY WILL NOT SIT AT THE SAME TABLE AS SINN FEIN.

ANY NEGOTIATIONS WITH I-R-A/SINN FEIN ON THE BASIS OF A TACTICAL AND BOGUS CEASEFIRE DURING WHICH I-R-A/SINN FEIN MAINTAINS, INTACT, BOTH ITS TERRORIST ARSENAL AND ITS "MURDER MACHINE" ARE TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.

HOWEVER THE LARGEST PRO-BRITISH PARTY -- THE ULSTER UNIONISTS -- STILL HAS TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SEPTEMBER TALKS. THE PARTY IS CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN A CONSULTATIVE PROCESS THROUGHOUT NORTHERN IRELAND TO GAUGE THE FEELING OF ITS CONSTITUENTS ABOUT THE UPCOMING TALKS PROCESS. EXPERTS BELIEVE THAT IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, THE ULSTER UNIONISTS WILL TAKE PART -- ALBEIT GRUDGINGLY. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF/KL
29-Aug-97 9:16 AM EDT (1316 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCED SANCTIONS ON ANGOLA'S FORMER REBEL GROUP; IT DREW ATTENTION TO WHAT APPEAR TO BE OBSTACLES BLOCKING A U-N INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED MASSACRES IN CONGO, FORMERLY ZAIRE; AND THE COUNCIL CONTINUED TO CALL FOR CALM IN CAMBODIA. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK ON THE PAST WEEK'S EVENTS AT THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL APPROVED SANCTIONS AGAINST ANGOLA'S FORMER REBEL GROUP UNITA AFTER ISSUING NUMEROUS WARNINGS OVER A PERIOD OF MONTHS. THE COUNCIL SAYS UNITA HAS FAILED TO MEET ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE 1994 LUSAKA PROTOCOL, WHICH ENDED TWO DECADES OF CIVIL WAR IN ANGOLA.

THE SANCTIONS WILL NOT TAKE EFFECT UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30TH. COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHN WESTON SAYS HE HOPES UNITA WILL CHANGE ITS POSITION BY THAT TIME.

WE HOPE THAT THE MEASURES WILL NOT HAVE TO COME INTO FORCE, BUT UNITA HAS TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT MUST COMPLETE THE TRANSFORMATION FROM A MILITARY ORGANIZATION TO A LEGITIMATE OPPOSITION PARTY AND THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN DONE.

SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY THEY ARE PARTICULARLY DISTURBED BY SIGNS THAT UNITA IS REARMING ITS FORCES.

THE SANCTIONS INCLUDE A BAN ON TRAVEL TO AND FROM UNITA-CONTROLLED TERRITORY AND THE CLOSURE OF UNITA OFFICES ABROAD. THE SANCTIONS ARE BEING IMPOSED IN ADDITION TO AN EXISTING ARMS AND OIL EMBARGO ON THE FORMER ANGOLAN REBEL GROUP.

-0- IN CONGO, FORMERLY ZAIRE, THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS LOOKING INTO REPORTS THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF LAURENT KABILA MAY BE TRYING TO BLOCK A U-N INVESTIGATION INTO MASSACRES IN THAT COUNTRY. A TEAM OF INVESTIGATORS IS IN KINSHASA BUT IS APPARENTLY NOT RECEIVING THE COOPERATION HOPED FOR FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON VOICED HIS CONCERNS AFTER A SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION IN CONGO.

WE FEEL THAT THIS U-N INVESTIGATION INTO MASSACRES SHOULD BE UNIMPEDED. IF IT APPEARS NOT BE UNIMPEDED THEN THAT WILL AFFECT OUR POLICY TOWARDS MR. KABILA.

THE U-N TEAM IS LOOKING INTO CHARGES OF MASSACRES AGAINST RWANDAN HUTU REFUGEES, DATING AS FAR BACK AS 1993. IT ALSO HOPES TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS THAT MR. KABILA'S TROOPS AND SUPPORTERS MASSACRED HUTU REFUGEES DURING THEIR SEVEN MONTH EFFORT TO OVERTHROW FORMER ZAIRIAN LEADER MOBUTU SESE SEKO.

U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE IS SENDING A SPECIAL ENVOY TO KINSHASA TO HELP THE INVESTIGATIVE TEAM COMMUNICATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

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THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL CONTINUED TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT THE SITUATION IN CAMBODIA. PREVIOUS STATEMENTS HAVE CALLED FOR AN END TO FACTIONAL FIGHTING. THE COUNCIL'S LATEST CALL INVOLVES CONCERNS ABOUT THE SECURITY OF STAFFERS AT U-N HUMAN RIGHTS CENTERS IN CAMBODIA.

SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHN WESTON:

WE WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THAT IN OUR OPINION THE GOVERNMENT OF CAMBODIA HAS A DUTY TO PROVIDE THE FACILITIES AND THE WHEREWITHAL FOR THE UNITED NATIONS TO BE ABLE TO CARRY OUT ITS JOB IN CAMBODIA.

THE COUNCIL STATEMENT FOLLOWS CALLS BY CAMBODIAN CO-PREMIER HUN SEN FOR THE UNITED NATIONS TO REPLACE ITS HUMAN RIGHTS WORKERS IN THE COUNTRY. HUN SEN HAS ALSO CALLED ON THE UNITED NATIONS TO APOLOGIZE FOR REPORTING THAT DOZENS OF PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN FIGHTING BETWEEN HIS TROOPS AND THOSE LOYAL TO FORMER CO-PREMIER PRINCE NORODOM RANARIDDH. HUN SEN OUSTED NORODOM RANARIDDH IN JULY.

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AND THE UNITED NATIONS ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW COORDINATOR FOR ITS OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM WITH IRAQ. OUTGOING COORDINATOR STEFFAN DE MISTURA DESCRIBED THE PROGRAM AS A SUCCESS, SAYING ONE-POINT-THREE MILLION TONS OF FOOD AND MEDICINE HAVE BEEN DELIVERED SO FAR TO CIVILIANS IN IRAQ. HE REJECTED IRAQI SUGGESTIONS THAT THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN INEFFECTIVE.

THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ALLEVIATE THE IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS ON IRAQI CIVILIANS. SANCTIONS WERE IMPOSED ON IRAQ IN 1990 AFTER ITS INVASION OF KUWAIT. UNDER THE FIRST SIX-MONTH PHASE OF THE ACCORD, IRAQ WAS PERMITTED TO EXPORT TWO-BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF OIL IN RETURN FOR TWO MILLION TONS OF HUMANITARIAN AID. A SECOND PHASE STARTS IN SEPTEMBER. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/MPR/BA/PT
29-Aug-97 3:52 PM EDT (1952 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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