Voice of America, 97-09-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA / NATO (S&L) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (SARAJEVO)

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

[03] FRANCE PEDOPHILES (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[04] GERMANY / UNEMPLOYMENT (L-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

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

[06] NORTHERN IRELAND (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

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

[08] U-S/BOSNIA SERBS (L ONLY-CQ) BY PAULA WOLFSON (WASHINGTON)

[01] BOSNIA / NATO (S&L) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THERE WAS A CONFRONTATION OVERNIGHT (MONDAY NIGHT) IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE BOSNIAN SERB ENTITY BETWEEN NATO FORCES AND SEVERAL BUSLOADS OF SERBS LOYAL TO WAR CRIMES SUSPECT RADOVAN KARADZIC. VOA'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO:

TEXT: SEVERAL KARADZIC SUPPORTERS, INCLUDING THE SERB MEMBER OF THE JOINT (EDS: CROAT, MUSLIM, SERB) BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY, MOMCILO KRAJISNIK, ARE BEING HELD AT A HOTEL IN BANJA LUKA BY POLICE LOYAL TO BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC. THE EPISODE BEGAN OVERNIGHT WHEN SEVERAL BUSLOADS OF SERBS FROM THE EASTERN PART OF THE BOSNIAN SERB ENTITY TRIED TO ATTEND A PRE-ELECTION RALLY IN BANJA LUKA.

JOHN BLAKLEY, THE NATO SPOKESMAN IN SARAJEVO, SAID THE BUSES WERE STOPPED AND SEARCHED BECAUSE OF REPORTS THEY WERE TARGETING THE RALLY FOR VIOLENCE.

YOU QUITE FRANKLY DON'T BRING STICKS AND ROCKS TO A SUPPORT RALLY FOR DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS. NORMALLY IN DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES YOU BRING COLORED HATS, BALLOONS AND SIGNS. THESE PASSENGERS OBVIOUSLY HAD A DIFFERENT AGENDA.

MR. BLAKLEY SAID THE BUSES EVENTUALLY TURNED BACK TO THE EASTERN PART OF THE SERB REPUBLIC. SOME PASSENGERS THREW STONES AT THE NATO SOLDIERS. NO NATO TROOPS WERE INJURED IN THE FRAY ALTHOUGH ONE CIVILIAN POLICEMEN WAS WOUNDED BY GUNFIRE FROM THE CROWD.

NATO OFFICIALS WOULD NOT RESPOND TO REPORTS THAT THE INCIDENT FOILED A COUP ATTEMPT BY PRO-KARADZIC SUPPORTERS. ASKED ABOUT THE STATUS OF MR. KRAJISNIK, THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE TASK FORCE (EDS: I-P-T-F) ALEX IVANKO TOLD REPORTERS.

THE U-N MISSION BECAME AWARE THAT THE LOCAL POLICE WERE CONDUCTING A POLICE OPERATION AROUND THE HOTEL BOSNA AND WE HAVE DISPATCHED (I-P-T-F) MONITORS TO INSURE THAT THIS OPERATION IS CONDUCTED PROPERLY.

THE EASTERN AND WESTERN PARTS OF THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVELY DIVIDED EVER SINCE A POWER STRUGGLE EMERGED BETWEEN PRESIDENT PLAVSIC AND RADOVAN KARADZIC OVER WHO BEST REPRESENTS SERB INTERESTS. ALTHOUGH A HARDLINER HERSELF, MRS. PLAVSIC HAS RECEIVED THE BACKING OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY BECAUSE SHE SUPPORTS THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD FOR BOSNIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/PAM/PCF/KL
09-Sep-97 9:17 AM EDT (1317 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE FINISHED MAINLY LOWER IN TRADING TUESDAY. FROM OUR OFFICE IN LONDON, HERE IS PAUL FRANCUCH WITH THE CLOSING FIGURES.

TEXT: ONLY FRANKFURT OF THE BIG-THREE WESTERN EUROPEAN MARKETS CLOSED WITH A GAIN. THE KEY "DAX 30" INDEX ADDED ABOUT 26 POINTS AT THE CLOSE, BUT CONFLICTING ECONOMIC DATA RELEASED IN GERMANY TUESDAY DROVE PRICES DOWN WHEN COMPUTERIZED TRADING TOOK OVER FROM ACTIVITY ON THE FLOOR. HERE IN LONDON, INVESTORS TOOK PROFITS AND THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX LOST ALMOST 35 POINTS. IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" STOCK INDEX WAS DOWN AS WELL, CLOSING 21 POINTS LOWER.

THE U-S DOLLAR, WHICH FELL SHARPLY AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN IN EARLY DAY TRADING WAS ALSO MOSTLY LOWER AGAINST EUROPEAN CURRENCIES.

GOLD REMAINED WITHIN THE SAME NARROW TRADING RANGE OF AROUND 320 DOLLARS AN OUNCE -- A PRICE THE METAL HAS TRADED NOW FOR WEEKS. (SIGNED)
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09-Sep-97 2:04 PM EDT (1804 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] FRANCE PEDOPHILES (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: A PARIS COURT HANDED DOWN A THREE-YEAR JAIL SENTENCE TO THE HEAD OF A GROUP WHICH SOLD PORNOGRAPHIC VIDEO CASSETTES FEATURING CHILDREN. THE COURT HANDED DOWN LESS SEVERE SENTENCES TO THE OTHER 70 DEFENDANTS IN THE CELEBRATED TRIAL. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: THE PARIS JUDGES, WHO PRESIDED OVER THE BIGGEST TRIAL OF PEDOPHILES EVER HELD IN FRANCE, ONLY GAVE FIRM JAIL SENTENCES TO TWO OF THE ORIGINAL 71 DEFENDANTS.

JEAN-MANEL VUILLAUME, ACCUSED OF USING HIS HOUSE IN BOGOTA TO MAKE SOME OF THE CASSETTES WITH COLOMBIAN BOYS, WAS GIVEN A THREE-YEAR JAIL SENTENCE WITH ANOTHER ONE-YEAR SUSPENDED.

HE WAS ALSO FINED THE EQUIVALENT OF 10-THOUSAND DOLLARS AND DEPRIVED OF ALL HIS CITIZENS' RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND TO HOLD A PASSPORT FOR FIVE YEARS. HE HAD FACED A MAXIMUM TERM OF 10 YEARS IN JAIL.

GIVEN THAT HE HAS BEEN IN DETENTION SINCE JULY, 1995, MR. VUILLAUME HAS EFFECTIVELY SERVED HIS SENTENCE, ASSUMING THAT HE IS GIVEN THE USUAL PAROLE.

A SECOND DEFENDANT, DESCRIBED AS HIS MAIN ACCOMPLICE BY THE PROSECUTION, WAS ACQUITTED. A THIRD, MICHEL CAIGNET, RECEIVED A 30-MONTH JAIL TERM. HE, TOO, HAS ALREADY SERVED MOST OF THIS IN PRE-TRIAL DETENTION.

OF THE OTHERS, 58 DEFENDANTS WERE GIVEN VARIOUS SENTENCES INCLUDING SUSPENDED JAIL TERMS AND FINES, MAINLY FOR POSSESSING CASSETTES MADE BY THE PEDOPHILE RING THAT WAS CODE-NAMED "TORO BRAVO".

THE COURT DID NOT MEET A PROSECUTION REQUEST TO DEPRIVE MOST OF THE ACCUSED OF THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLAMP DOWN ON SEXUAL TOURISM IN THE WORLD'S POORER CITIES.

IN THE ATMOSPHERE PREVAILING SINCE THE MACABRE DISCOVERY OF THE BODIES OF TWO GIRLS IN THE HOME OF THE ALLEGED BELGIAN PEDOPHILE, MARC DUTROUX, LAST YEAR, THE TORO BRAVO TRIAL OPENED AT A UNIQUE TIME IN FRENCH POLICE HISTORY.

JUST AFTER THE TRIAL STARTED, POLICE ALL OVER FRANCE RAIDED THE HOMES OF MORE THAN 800 SUSPECTED PEDOPHILES.

THOSE SUSPECTS INCLUDED PRIESTS, TEACHERS AND DOCTORS. FOUR OF THOSE WHO WERE ROUNDED UP COMMITTED SUICIDE IN THE DAYS THAT FOLLOWED, PROMPTING HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS TO COMPLAIN THAT POLICE METHODS WERE SPECTACULAR AND AMOUNTED TO VICTIMIZATION. (SIGNED)
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09-Sep-97 12:24 PM EDT (1624 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] GERMANY / UNEMPLOYMENT (L-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: UNEMPLOYMENT IN GERMANY HAS JUMPED TO A NEW POST-WAR RECORD. AS VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS, THE SURPRISING NEW SURGE COMES AS THE GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO COME TO TERMS WITH A HOST OF OTHER ECONOMIC ISSUES.

TEXT: THE GERMAN FEDERAL LABOR OFFICE SAYS THE JOBLESS RATE JUMPED TO NEARLY FOUR-AND-ONE-HALF-MILLION IN AUGUST, THE HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE WORLD WAR TWO.

GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER THEO WAIGEL EXPRESSED SURPRISE AT THE INCREASE, WHICH WAS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT MANY ANALYSTS HAD PREDICTED.

THE NEW FIGURES CAME AS CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL'S GOVERNMENT UNVEILED ITS 1998 BUDGET, WHICH CONTAINS MORE THAN 80 BILLION DOLLARS IN UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS -- THE LARGEST ITEM IN THE BUDGET.

ECONOMISTS SAY THE HIGH COST OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS WILL MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR GERMANY TO MEET THE CRITERIA FOR THE PLANNED SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY, A KEY GOAL OF CHANCELLOR KOHL'S GOVERNMENT.

WITH NEW ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT YEAR AND HIS POPULARITY IN THE POLLS SAGGING, MR. KOHL HAS ALSO BEEN ENGAGED IN A POLITICAL DISPUTE OVER TAX REFORM. OFFICIALS SAY THE NEW STATISTICS MAKE IT IMPERATIVE FOR THE OPPOSITION SOCIAL DEMOCRATS TO AGREE TO THE GOVERNMENT'S TAX CUT PLANS, WHICH ARE AIMED AT SPURRING ECONOMIC GROWTH.

THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS, WHO HAVE BLOCKED TAX REFORM IN THE UPPER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT, SAY THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A NEW PLAN.

ANALYSTS SAY THE POLITICAL DEADLOCK IS, IN TURN, HURTING PROSPECTS FOR JOB CREATION. GERMAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE STILL EXPECTING A MAJOR ECONOMIC TURNAROUND IN THE COMING MONTHS. (SIGNED)
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09-Sep-97 1:41 PM EDT (1741 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 UP TODAY (TUESDAY) AFTER ANOTHER VOLATILE SESSION. CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 78 HUNDRED 51, UP 16 POINTS. THE MORE INCLUSIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 933, UP TWO POINTS.

STOCK PRICES ROSE STRONGLY THROUGH MID-AFTERNOON WITH THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE UP MORE THAN 50 POINTS. BUT SELLING PRESSURE DEVELOPED LATE IN THE SESSION, CUTTING THE GAINS.

THE ECONOMIC NEWS WAS GOOD. THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED THE PRODUCTIVITY OF AMERICAN BUSINESSES GREW AT ITS FASTEST RATE IN THREE AND ONE-HALF YEARS. AND, IN ANOTHER SIGN THAT INFLATION IS NO PROBLEM, LABOR COSTS IN THE UNITED STATES GREW BY JUST ONE-HALF PERCENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER, THE LOWEST IN THREE YEARS.

THE CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO SPIN OFF ITS FROZEN FOOD AND OTHER NON-CORE BUSINESSES INTO A NEW COMPANY. WALL STREET REACTED POSITIVELY AND CAMPBELL'S STOCK ROSE.

STARWOOD LODGING, THE LARGEST HOTEL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST IN THE UNITED STATES HAS SIGNED AN AGREEMENT TO BUY THE WESTIN HOTEL AND RESORT CHAIN. THE PRICE IS MORE THAN ONE AND ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS.

THE TROUBLES CONTINUE FOR COLUMBIA/-H-C-A, THE NATION'S LARGEST HOSPITAL CHAIN. THE COMPANY, WHICH IS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ALLEGED FRAUDULENT BILLING PRACTICES, SAYS ITS QUARTERLY EARNINGS WILL BE ABOUT ONE-HALF WHAT THEY WERE LAST YEAR.

UNITED AIRLINES IS ASKING THE U-S GOVERNMENT TO TAKE RETALIATORY ACTION AGAINST AEROFLOT, THE RUSSIAN AIRLINE. UNITED WANTS AEROFLOT FLIGHTS TO THE U-S RESTRICTED BECAUSE RUSSIAN AUTHORITIES TURNED DOWN REQUESTS WHICH WOULD HAVE BENEFITED UNITED. (SIGNED)
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09-Sep-97 5:08 PM EDT (2108 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] NORTHERN IRELAND (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: SINN FEIN -- THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY -- HAS SIGNED UP TO ABIDE BY PRINCIPLES OF NON-VIOLENCE AND ADHERENCE TO DEMOCRATIC MEANS. AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON, THIS WAS THE LAST REQUIREMENT NEEDED OF SINN FEIN TO ALLOW IT TO TAKE PART IN POLITICAL TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND, BEGINNING NEXT MONDAY.

TEXT: MORE THAN EIGHT WEEKS AFTER THE CEASEFIRE ANNOUNCED BY THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, ITS POLITICAL WING SINN FEIN TOOK A MAJOR STEP TUESDAY IN THE DIRECTION OF MAINSTREAM POLITICS.

A SINN FEIN DELEGATION -- LED BY ITS PRESIDENT GERRY ADAMS AND CHIEF NEGOTIATOR, MARTIN MCGUINNESS -- SIGNED UP TO PRINCIPLES OF NON-VIOLENCE AND DEMOCRACY. THESE INCLUDE A PLEDGE TO USE DEMOCRATIC AND EXCLUSIVELY PEACEFUL MEANS IN RESOLVING POLITICAL ISSUES, A RENUNCIATION OF THE USE OF FORCE AND A COMMITMENT TO THE TOTAL DISARMAMENT OF ALL PARAMILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.

THESE COMMITMENTS ARE KNOWN AS THE "MITCHELL PRINCIPLES," NAMED AFTER FORMER U-S SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL, CHAIRMAN OF THE TALKS ON NORTHERN IRELAND'S POLITICAL FUTURE. SPEAKING TO REPORTERS IN BELFAST FOLLOWING SINN FEIN'S ACCEPTANCE, MR. MITCHELL CALLED IT A TRULY HISTORIC EVENT.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN THE MODERN HISTORY OF NORTHERN IRELAND THAT THERE HAS BEEN IN PLACE AT THE SAME TIME BOTH NEGOTIATIONS AND A CEASEFIRE. I BELIEVE THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD ALTHOUGH I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE DIFFICULT STEPS REMAIN TO BE TAKEN. I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY EXISTS AND THE CHALLENGE NOW IS FOR THE LEADERSHIP TO SEIZE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

IT IS A DEFINING MOMENT. I CERTAINLY THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE PARTITION OF IRELAND, THAT THE TWO GOVERNMENTS ARE COMING TOGETHER AND THAT ALL OF THE PARTIES ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE AND WORKING OUT OUR FUTURE.

ALREADY TWO SMALL PRO-BRITISH -- OR "UNIONIST" PARTIES -- HAVE SAID THEY WOULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN NEGOTIATIONS BEGINNING MONDAY. THE LARGEST PARTY IN NORTHERN IRELAND -- THE PRO-BRITISH ULSTER UNIONISTS -- STILL HAS TO DECIDE WHETHER IT WILL TAKE PART. ITS LEADER, DAVID TRIMBLE, IS EXPECTED TO MEET BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR WEDNESDAY.

HOWEVER THE PARTY POURED SCORN ON SINN FEIN'S COMMITMENT TO NON-VIOLENT METHODS, SAYING ITS ADHERENCE TO "THE MITCHELL PRINCIPLES" IS, TO USE ITS WORD, A "CHARADE." (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF/KL
09-Sep-97 11:24 AM EDT (1524 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE TRIP BY SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT TO THE MIDDLE EAST -- HER FIRST SINCE TAKING ON THAT POSITION -- IS THE FAVORITE TOPICS OF EDITORIAL WRITERS (TUESDAY) AS THEY ASSESS HER PROSPECTS FOR THE VISIT. MORE THAN A WEEK AFTER THE DEATH OF DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES, IN A PARIS AUTO ACCIDENT, SHE IS STILL BEING WRITTEN ABOUT -- THIS TIME IN A COMPARISON OF HOW THE MEDIA REPORTED HER FUNERAL TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE COVERAGE OF MOTHER TERESA'S DEATH. OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE THE REINTRODUCTION OF A ONCE DISCREDITED DRUG, THALIDOMIDE, AND THE DEATH OF A FORMER AFRICAN DICTATOR, AS WELL AS SOME PROGRESS IN THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE TALKS.

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

TEXT: PROSPECTS FOR THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS AND MRS. ALBRIGHT'S FIRST VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST AS SECRETARY OF STATE LOOK PRETTY GRIM, COMING SO SOON AFTER THE LATEST TERRORIST ATTACK IN ISRAEL. THAT IS THE THEME OF MANY EDITORIALS, LIKE THIS LEAD COMMENTARY IN TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES.

VOICE: "MADELEINE ALBRIGHT COULD HARDLY HAVE FOUND A DICIER TIME TO MAKE HER FIRST VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST AS SECRETARY OF STATE. [OPT] NOT ONLY HAS THE PEACE EFFORT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS ALL BUT COLLAPSED, BUT REGIONAL POWERS LIKE SAUDI ARABIA AND IRAN ARE ASSERTING THEMSELVES IN WAYS THAT MAY UNDERMINE AMERICA'S LEADERSHIP IN THE AREA. [END OPT] .... MS. ALBRIGHT CANNOT UNTANGLE THE PROBLEMS IN ONE VISIT. BUT IF SHE FAILS TO BUDGE ANYONE, THE DECLINE OF THE PEACE EFFORT AND EROSION OF AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN THE MIDEAST COULD QUICKLY GET WORSE."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST, MEANWHILE, TALKS ABOUT WHAT IT FEELS IS "THE SALIENT FLAW IN AMERICAN MIDEAST POLICY," AND HOW THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD CHANGE IT, AS MS. ALBRIGHT DEPARTS.

VOICE: "THE POLICY IS EXPLICITLY POINTED AT DELIVERING TO ISRAEL ITS MAIN GOAL OF PEACE AND SECURITY, BUT IT MAKES NO SIMILAR DEFERENCE TO THE PALESTINIAN GOAL OF STATEHOOD. .... THE ISRAELIS ARE ASKED TO MAKE CONCESSIONS AND PROMISED WHAT THEY MOST WANT, EVEN WHILE THE PALESTINIANS ARE ASKED TO MAKE CONCESSIONS WITH NO COMPARABLE ASSURANCE THEY WILL GET WHAT THEY MOST WANT. THE REMEDY IS OBVIOUS: THE UNITED STATES SHOULD ENDORSE THE GOAL OF PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD. ..... THE VERY STATEMENT OF THE GOAL COULD GIVE THE NEGOTIATION THE IMPETUS IT NOW LACKS."

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, IN A RELATED ISSUE, IS QUESTIONING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ISRAELI-DECLARED MILITARY BUFFER ZONE IN SOUTHERN LEBANON, IN THE AFTERMATH OF A MILITIA AMBUSH IN WHICH SEVERAL ISRAELI COMMANDOS WERE KILLED.

VOICE: THE [14-AND-ONE HALF KILOMETER] DEEP SO-CALLED SECURITY ZONE HELD BY ABOUT ONE-THOUSAND ISRAELI TROOPS AND A 25-HUNDRED MAN LEBANESE MILITIA FINANCED BY JERUSALEM WAS SUPPOSED TO KEEP NORTHERN ISRAEL SAFE FROM ATTACK. IN FACT ROCKETS FIRED BY IRAN-BACKED LEBANESE FORCES FALL PERIODICALLY ON ISRAELI TOWNS AND SETTLEMENTS, CAUSING DAMAGE BUT FEW CASUALTIES. FAR HEAVIER HAVE BEEN ISRAELI TROOP LOSSES IN THE ZONE AND IN OTHER OPERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH LEBANON. ..... AS ISRAELI CASUALTIES HAVE INEXORABLY INCREASED, THE WISDOM OF THAT POLICY HAS BEEN INCREASINGLY QUESTIONED. ..... WHAT ONCE APPEARED TO BE A SOUND DEFENSIVE STRATEGY IS NOW INCREASINGLY SEEN AS A COSTLY TRAP."

TEXT: A WEEK AND TWO DAYS AFTER PRINCESS DIANA DIED IN A PARIS AUTO CRASH, U-S PAPERS CONTINUE TO EDITORIALIZE ON THE AFTERMATH OF HER DEATH, NOW FOCUSING ON HOW COVERAGE OF HER DEATH AND FUNERAL OVERSHADOWED THE PASSING AWAY OF MOTHER TERESA. THE TOPEKA [KANSAS] CAPITOL-JOURNAL SAYS:

VOICE: "THE OVERSATURATION OF NEWS ABOUT PRINCESS DIANA'S DEATH AND FUNERAL IS A BIT ODD, BUT CERTAINLY EXPLAINABLE. SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL, BELOVED, RICH AND FAMOUS AND SURELY TOO YOUNG TO DIE -- AND HER DEATH WAS SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED AND DRAMATIC IN EVERY WAY. STILL, THE WAY IN WHICH DIANA'S STORY ECLIPSED THE DEATH OF MOTHER TERESA IN RECENT DAYS WOULD HAVE EMBARRASSED AND MORTIFIED EVEN THE PRINCESS HERSELF."

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS, INCLUDING THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, ARE SUPPORTING EARL SPENCER'S REQUEST THAT HER SONS, HIS NEPHEWS, BE LEFT ALONE BY THE NEWS MEDIA.

VOICE: "[OPT] IN RESPONSE TO EARL SPENCER'S SEARING CRITICISMS THAT DIANA WAS HOUNDED TO HER DEATH, THE BRITISH PRESS MONDAY PROMISED TO RESPECT THE PRIVACY OF THE YOUNG PRINCES. [END OPT] BOTH HERE AND IN ENGLAND, PEOPLE ARE PLEDGING TO STOP BUYING SUPERMARKET TABLOIDS. BUT HOW SINCERE IS ALL THE SOUL-SEARCHING? THE 'RESPONSIBLE' MEDIA MORALIZE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE YOUNG PRINCES TO GRIEVE IN PRIVATE, AND THEN THEY RUN A PHOTO OF THE BOYS SHOT THROUGH A CAR WINDOW THE MORNING AFTER DIANA'S DEATH. HER SONS DESERVE BETTER. [OPT] .... THEY ARE ENTITLED TO MOURN, AND TO MATURE, WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE."

TEXT: THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, WHILE PRAISING MOTHER TERESA FOR HER WORKS, MAKES THIS OBSERVATION.

VOICE: "IT'S SIGNIFICANT THAT THE *INFLUENCE* [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] OF BOTH PRINCESS DIANA AND MOTHER TERESA HAS BEEN SO STRONG IN THE MINDS OF ORDINARY MEN AND WOMEN THAT QUEENS AND GOVERNMENTS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO TAKE NOTICE. THE OUTPOURING OF RESPECT, AFFECTION, AND INTROSPECTION IN BRITAIN, INDIA, AND THE LARGER WORLD FOR THESE TWO QUITE DIFFERENT WOMEN, WHO PRACTICED WHAT ALL TOO MANY JUST TALK, IS IMPORTANT."

TEXT: THE DEATH OF LONG-TIME CONGOLESE DICTATOR MOBUTU SESE SEKO FROM PROSTATE CANCER IS BEING NOTED IN SEVERAL PAPERS, AMONG THEM THE BOSTON GLOBE -- AND THE MIAMI HERALD, WHICH COMMENTS:

VOICE: "LIKE TOO MANY OF AFRICA'S POSTCOLONIAL RULERS, MOBUTU SESE SEKO WILL PASS INTO HISTORY AS A MAN WHO HAD AND MISUSED THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A POWERFUL NATION. ..... THE BEST THAT CAN BE SAID OF MR. MOBUTU'S 31-YEAR RULE IS THAT HE HELD ZAIRE TOGETHER UNTIL HE WAS FORCED INTO EXILE. .... [HOWEVER] HIS RAPACIOUS GREED BECAME A SYMBOL OF ALL WRONGS OF THIRD WORLD DICTATORSHIPS."

TEXT: THE MUCH MALIGNED DRUG, THALIDOMIDE, WHICH CAUSED HORRIFIC BIRTH DEFECTS IN HUNDREDS OF U-S BABIES DECADES AGO, IS MAKING A COMEBACK AS A TREATMENT FOR AIDS, CAUSING THE ORLANDO SENTINEL TO SUGGEST:

VOICE: "THERE IS NO CAUSE .... FOR UNDUE ALARM OVER THE RETURN OF THALIDOMIDE IF THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS ARE TAKEN TO PREVENT PREGNANT WOMEN FROM TAKING THE DRUG. .... THOUGH THALIDOMIDE NEVER HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR SALE IN THIS COUNTRY, IT NOW IS PROVIDED ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS TO SOME AMERICANS SUFFERING FROM LEPROSY. AND THAT HAS WORKED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. APPROVAL BY THE FDA [FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION] WOULD MAKE THALIDOMIDE AVAILABLE TO ALL PEOPLE WITH LEPROSY ..... [AND] COULD BE A REAL BLESSING TO PEOPLE AFFLICTED WITH .... DISEASES, SUCH AS AIDS."

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, COMMENTING ON THE SALE OF THE SECOND LARGEST INTERNET ONLINE SERVICE, COMPUSERVE, BY THE LARGEST PROVIDER, AMERICA ON LINE, [A-O-L] NOTES:

VOICE: "THIS IS THE SORT OF ACQUISITION AND SHAKEOUT THAT SHOULD ULTIMATELY BENEFIT USERS THROUGH FASTER ACCESS AND BETTER PATHWAYS TO CONTENT. .... A-O-L ALSO NEEDS TO FEND OFF EFFORTS TO CENSOR 'INDECENT SPEECH' ON THE INTERNET AND CHANGE THE PERCEPTION THAT ALL ONLINE SERVICES ARE SLOW AND UNFRIENDLY. ..... BUYING COMPUSERVE GIVES A-O-L A BOOST IN THIS DIRECTION. IT'S UP TO PEOPLE LIKE [AMERICA ON LINE OWNER] STEVE CASE TO EXPAND THE APPEAL OF THE INTERNET FROM THE WORLD OF THE NERDS [AMATEUR COMPUTER EXPERTS] TO THE WIDER PUBLIC."

TEXT: TALKING ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S CURRENT CAMPAIGN TO GET FAST TRACK AUTHORIZATION TO PUSH NEW TRADE LEGISLATION, INCLUDING ADDING CHILE TO THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT, THROUGH CONGRESS, THE WASHINGTON TIMES SAYS IN SUPPORT:

VOICE: THIS DEAL WOULD BE A NO-BRAINER. [TRANSLATION: NO BRAIN IS REQUIRED TO KNOW THIS IS A GOOD DEAL FOR U-S CITIZENS]. AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE, THE UNITED STATES SHOULD NOT BE IN THE BUSINESS OF 'PROTECTING' AMERICAN CONSUMERS FROM LOWER PRICES FOR GOODS AND SERVICES THAT COME OF FREE TRADE."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, OF THE FRAGILE PROGRESS BEING MADE TOWARD PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND, THE NEW YORK POST OPINES:

VOICE: "..... IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER THE PARAMILITARIES ON EITHER SIDE ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT THE AGONIZINGLY SLOW PACE AT WHICH MEANINGFUL TALKS NECESSARILY MUST PROCEED -- LET ALONE WHETHER THEY CAN ACCEDE TO ANY FINAL AGREEMENT THAT WOULD ALSO BE ACCEPTABLE TO LONDON, DUBLIN, AND THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND. ..... FOR THE MOMENT THOUGH, A PEACE PROCESS THAT MIGHT LEAD SOMEWHERE HAS BEGUN. WE HOPE ALL THE PARTIES INVOLVED GIVE IT A REAL CHANCE."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM TUESDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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09-Sep-97 11:15 AM EDT (1515 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S/BOSNIA SERBS (L ONLY-CQ) BY PAULA WOLFSON (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS SAY HARD-LINE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS HAVE LEARNED A LESSON IN THE LAST DAY OR TWO: THAT THEIR SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE CITY OF PALE -- PARTICULARLY IN BANJA LUKA -- IS THIN. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT A COUP ATTEMPT THAT ENDED IN FAILURE.

TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES FOLEY SAYS THE HARDLINERS THOUGHT THEY HAD BROAD SUPPORT....THAT THEY COULD BRING DOWN THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC WITH VIOLENCE.

I THINK EVENTS OF THE LAST 24 HOURS DEMONSTRATE ONCE AND FOR ALL THAT THEY ARE AN ISOLATED GROUP -- A GROUP WHICH WE BELIEVE IS CONDEMNED BY HISTORY.

AN EFFORT TO BUS HUNDREDS OF SUPPORTERS OF WAR CRIMES SUSPECT RADAVAN KARADZIC INTO BANJA LUKA FOR A RALLY ENDED IN CONFRONTATION. THE BUSES WERE STOPPED AND SEARCHED FOR WEAPONS, AND FORCES LOYAL TO PRESIDENT PLAVSIC SURROUNDED A BANJA LUKA HOTEL, WHERE TOP KARADZIC ALLIES WERE STAYING.

SENIOR NATO OFFICIALS ON THE SCENE, SPEAKING ON CONDITION OF ANONYMITY, INDICATED THE HARDLINERS PLANNED TO USE THE RALLY TO LAUNCH AN ASSAULT AGAINST PRESIDENT PLAVSIC. IN WASHINGTON, MR. FOLEY WAS FAR MORE DIRECT.

IN OUR VIEW, THIS IS TANTAMOUNT, REALLY, TO THE SECOND COUP ATTEMPT BY THE PALE CLIQUE IN RECENT WEEKS.

HE NOTED THAT IT WAS NOT THAT LONG AGO THAT NATO FORCES FOUND EVIDENCE OF WIRETAPS AND SECRET ARMS SUPPLIES. HE SAYS THE MOTIVE FOR THE HARDLINERS IN SETTING UP THE POLITICAL RALLY IN BANJA LUKA WAS VERY CLEAR.

THE PALE LEADERS BROUGHT IN HUNDREDS AND EVEN THOUSANDS OF AGITATORS WHO WERE FALSELY CLAIMING TO BE BANJA LUKA RESIDENTS. AND THEIR INTENT WAS CLEARLY TO TRY TO OVERWHELM THE LOCAL LEGITIMATE ELECTED AUTHORITIES OF BANJA LUKA.

MR. FOLEY SAYS NATO FORCES DESERVE PRAISE FOR THEIR CALM RESPONSE AT A TENSE TIME. (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/MMK
09-Sep-97 3:47 PM EDT (1947 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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