Voice of America, 97-09-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA; STILL TROUBLED AFTER ELECTIONS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[02] BOSNIAN SERB ECONOMY BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BANJA LUKA)

[03] EDITORIAL: ALBRIGHT TRIP TO MIDDLE EAST

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

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

[06] POLAND - ELECTION (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (WARSAW)

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

[08] U-S WALKS PUBLIC RELATIONS MINEFIELD IN OSLO BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[09] WELSH VOTE (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[01] BOSNIA; STILL TROUBLED AFTER ELECTIONS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: LAST WEEKEND'S ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WERE PEACEFUL, AND MANY SERBS, CROATIANS AND BOSNIAN MUSLIMS TURNED OUT TO VOTE.

THE U-N OBSERVERS, ALONG WITH NATO FORCES, WERE PLEASED THAT THERE WAS NO SECTARIAN VIOLENCE TO SPEAK OF, BUT OBSERVERS IN THE FOREIGN PRESS SUGGEST THAT DEEP TENSIONS AND SERIOUS PROBLEMS REMAIN FOR THE TROUBLED BALKAN STATE.

WE GET SOME GLOBAL REACTION TO THE PRESENT SITUATION NOW FROM _________________ IN THIS WEEK'S WORLD OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: OPINION ON WHAT IMPACT THE ELECTIONS WOULD HAVE ON THE WORN-TORN COUNTRY ARE MIXED. A FEW ANALYSTS WERE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE, INCLUDING BERLIN'S "DIE TAGESZEITUNG," WHICH SUGGESTED THAT "THE CHEERS OF ALL ... IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ... ARE INDEED WELL BOUNDED. EVERYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING ... THE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA, THE RULE OF THE NATIONALISTIC FORCES HAS BEEN SHAKEN -- IF NOT DESTROYED..."

THE MAJORITY OF PAPERS TEMPERED THEIR OPTIMISM HOWEVER, NOTING THAT WHILE THE ELECTIONS WERE IMPORTANT, THEY WERE BUT A SMALL STEP FORWARD TOWARD A TRUE MULTI-ETHNIC DEMOCRACY.

WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING IN THE CAPITAL OF NEARBY CROATIA, ZAGREB, WHERE THE LARGE DAILY VJESNIK CARRIED THIS FRONT PAGE COLUMN:

VOICE: "THE COUNTING OF ... VOTES AND THE PROCLAMATION OF ... OFFICIAL RESULTS ... WILL NOT BE AN OCCASION IN WHICH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND OF THE THREE SIDES INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT WILL FINALLY BE ABLE TO BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF. TO THE CONTRARY, AT THIS VERY MOMENT THEY WILL COME FACE TO FACE WITH THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE JOB, ABOVE ALL IN THOSE MUNICIPALITIES IN WHICH THE NEWLY ELECTED GOVERNMENTS WILL BE FORMED BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF PEOPLES WHO AT THE MOMENT ....... WILL REPRESENT A MINORITY ..."

TEXT: TURNING TO WHAT IS STILL CALLED, IN SOME CIRCLES, YUGOSLAVIA, THE FORMER REPUBLICS OF SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO, THERE WAS THIS FROM BELGRADE'S "NASA BORBA." IN A DISPATCH BY ITS WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT, THERE IS A DISCUSSION OF THE POSSIBLE REIMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS ON THE FORMER REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA.

VOICE: "THE U-S ENVOY FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, ROBERT GELBARD, WARNED THE BOSNIAN SERBS LAST WEEK THAT THEY WERE RISKING ..... THE 'MOST SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES' BY THEIR OBSTRUCTION OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT, WHILE THEIR COMPATRIOTS ON THE EASTERN BANK OF THE DRINA RIVER [SERBS] WOULD NOT HAVE A MUCH BETTER FUTURE, DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEIR IRREPLACEABLE PRESIDENT WAS IGNORING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S REQUESTS."

TEXT: IN THE REST OF EUROPE, THERE WERE ALSO MIXED REACTIONS, RANGING FROM ALMOST EUPHORIA, TO MORE CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM. IN THE FORMER CATEGORY, WE PLACE BERLIN'S DIE TAGESZEITUNG, WHICH WRITES:

VOICE: "THE FACT THAT THE OPPONENT OF ALL NATIONALISTS, THE MAYOR OF TUZLA, CAN COUNT ON 57 PERCENT OF THE VOTES .... IS RIGHTFULLY CREATING HOPES AMONG ALL CIVILIAN AND DEMOCRATIC FORCES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. ..... EVERYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING ... THE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA, THE RULE OF THE NATIONALISTIC FORCES HAS BEEN SHAKEN -- IF NOT DESTROYED. [OPT] SINCE THE NON-NATIONALISTIC OPPOSITION WILL NOW BE REPRESENTED IN ALL BIG CITIES, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MOSTAR AND BRCKO .... THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, WHICH HAS SO FAR ONLY NEGOTIATED WITH THE NATIONALISTS, WILL NOW HAVE TO SHOW CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POWER, [THE NON-NATIONALISTS] TOO." [END OPT]

TEXT: TAKING A MUCH MORE PESSIMISTIC VIEW IS JOHANNES DIETERICH IN THE WEEKLY "DIE WOCHE" FROM HAMBURG.

VOICE: ".... IF THE FIRST MUSLIMS SIT IN TOWN PARLIAMENTS OF THE REPUBLIK SRPSKA, THE FIRST SERBS MOVE TO THE TOWN HALLS IN CROATIAN-CONTROLLED TERRITORY, OR THE FIRST CROATS TO THE BODIES IN MUSLIM STRONGHOLDS, THE PROBLEMS WILL REALLY BEGIN. .... THUS THE TASKS OF THE INTERNATIONAL PROTECTIVE FORCE ARE -- CONTRARY TO WASHINGTON'S EXPECTATIONS -- BECOMING BIGGER AND NOT SMALLER."

TEXT: ACROSS THE BORDER IN FRANCE, LE MONDE SEEMED TO BE TAKING A MIDDLE VIEW.

VOICE: "THESE ELECTIONS ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY ARE A NECESSARY STEP TO IMPLEMENT THE DAYTON AGREEMENTS ... THE PRESSURE AND THE MEANS USED TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL UNDERSCORE THE DIFFICULTIES OF THIS HIGH RISK WAGER. EVEN IF THE ELECTIONS DO NOT RESOLVE EVERYTHING, THE IMMINENT WITHDRAWAL OF NATO TROOPS HAS FORCED THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO WORK FAST .... THIS DESIRE TO ADVANCE AT A QUICK PACE IS THE ONLY WAY TO IMPLEMENT THE PEACE AGREEMENTS. THE MOMENTUM ... MUST NOT LET UP."

TEXT: AT LEAST SOME IN THE RUSSIAN ARE NOT HAPPY, AS EXEMPLIFIED BY MOSCOW'S, "NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA" WHICH COMMENTED:

VOICE: "THE ... ELECTION CAN ONLY BARELY BE CALLED FREE. NATO'S PEACE MISSION IN BOSNIA IS SMOOTHLY TRANSFORMING INTO ACTUAL OCCUPATION OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA, MADE POSSIBLE BY A SEVERE GOVERNMENT CRISIS. NOW THAT THE ELECTION IS OVER, THE SITUATION .... WILL GROW WORSE BY THE DAY, WITH [RADAVON KARADZIC] AND [RADKO] MLADIC THE TARGETS OF ANOTHER WAVE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE. WITH AID FROM HER U-S PATRONS, [MRS.] PLAVSIC IS LIKELY TO COMPLETE HER COUP. HAVING NO SUPPORT FROM HER OWN PEOPLE, SHE WILL RELY ON NATO ..... THAT WILL GIVE THE AMERICANS A POCKET [PERHAPS THEY MEANT: "PUPPET"] PRESIDENT, AND REPUBILKA SRPSKA DE JURE OCCUPATION."

TEXT: FOR THE DUTCH VIEW, WE QUOTE "ALGEMEEN DAGBLAD," WHICH CARRIED AN OP-ED PIECE BY AN OFFICIAL OF A PEACE MOVEMENT:

VOICE: ".... DEMOCRACY IS FORCED UPON BOSNIA. THIS CAN ONLY WORK AS LONG AS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL REMAIN THERE IN LARGE NUMBERS IN THE FORM OF S-FOR TROOPS ..... THE ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA ARE ANYTHING BUT A CORRECTION OF ETHNIC CLEANSING .... ALL THIS HAS LITTLE TO DO WITHY REAL DEMOCRACY. BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE."

TEXT: TURNING LASTLY TO A COUNTRY FAR AWAY FROM THE AREA, THE MOST POPULUS MUSLIM NATION IN THE WORLD, INDONESIA, THE MAJOR DAILY "KOMPAS" THERE OBSERVES:

VOICE: "THE POWER STRUCTURE RESULTING FROM THE BOSNIAN ELECTIONS IS EXPECTED TO HELP CREATE SECURITY AND ORDER. BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAVE AN INTEREST IN RESTORING SECURITY IN BOSNIA BEFORE NATO FORCES WITHDRAW IN 1998. ..... NOT ONLY IS DEMOCRACY ITSELF AT STAKE, BUT ALSO THE PEACE AND FUTURE OF THE BOSNIANS, SHAKEN BY A CIVIL WAR FOR THREE AND A HALF YEARS .... MUSLIM BOSNIANS, VICTIMIZED IN THE SERB ETHNIC-CLEANSING, HAVE MADE MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THESE PEACE EFFORTS ... THE MUSLIM REJECTION OF RETALIATION ENABLED LAST WEEK'S ELECTION TO BE THE SUCCESS OSCE PRONOUNCED IT TO BE."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF THE WORLD PRESS AS REGARDS THE RECENTLY COMPLETED MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.
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18-Sep-97 4:11 PM EDT (2011 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIAN SERB ECONOMY BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BANJA LUKA)

INTRO: WHEN BOSNIAN-SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC DENOUNCED HER MENTOR, RADOVAN KARADZIC, AND OTHERS SERB LEADERS FOR PROFITING ON THE BLACK MARKET, IT STRUCK A DEEP CORD WITH MANY PEOPLE IN THE SERB REPUBLIC. INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC SANCTIONS HAVE CAUSED WIDESPREAD IMPOVERISHMENT, BUT ORDINARY PEOPLE IN THE BOSNIAN-SERB ENTITY HAVE LONG-SUSPECTED THEIR LEADERS WERE NOT AFFECTED. PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS FROM THE BOSNIAN-SERB TOWN OF BANJA LUKA.

TEXT:

THE SPRAWLING OPEN MARKET IN BANJA LUKA STRETCHES AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE. VENDORS HAVE SET UP MAKESHIFT STALLS TO SELL FOOD, CIGARETTES, ALCOHOL, AND ON CERTAIN DAYS, AUTOMOBILES -- MOST OF THEM STOLEN.

THE LOCAL PEOPLE KNOW YOU CAN LITERALLY FIND ANYTHING HERE -- INCLUDING WEAPONS. MOST OF THE ITEMS ARE CONTRABAND. THAT IS BECAUSE THE ECONOMY OF THE BOSNIAN-SERB ENTITY OPERATES LARGELY UNDERGROUND.

IVANA VENCL IS FROM NEIGHBORING SERBIA, WHERE SHE SAYS INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC SANCTIONS HAVE FORCED CREATION OF SIMILAR MARKETS.

AS WE WERE FORBIDDEN TO BUY ANYTHING LEGALLY THERE WAS A LOT OF SMUGGLING, BECAUSE (OF) INFLATION IN YUGOSLAVIA, SALARIES (WERE BETWEEN) ONE TO FIVE DEUTSCHE-MARKS PER MONTH SO (THE ONLY PLACE) YOU WERE ABLE TO (SHOP) WAS IN (THIS) MARKET. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE SHOPS, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

MS. VENCL EXPLAINED BANJA LUKA'S REGULAR SHOPKEEPERS ALSO HAVE KIOSKS IN THE OPEN MARKET BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE BECOME SO ACCUSTOMED TO SHOPPING THERE. THE PRICES REMAIN LOWER BECAUSE IT IS CHEAPER TO PAY ONE PERSON TO MIND A KIOSK THAN TO PAY RENT, SALARIES, AND TAXES FOR A SHOP IN TOWN.

BUT BECAUSE THE OPEN MARKETS DO NOT COLLECT SALES TAX, THERE IS LITTLE IN STATE COFFERS TO PAY FOR BASIC SERVICES.

CEDOMIR VUCOVIC HAS A SHOP IN TOWN WHICH SELLS IMPORTED KITCHEN WARES FROM FRANCE. HE SAYS PRESIDENT PLAVSIC'S SPEECHES DENOUNCING THE WAR PROFITEERS HAD THE SAME EFFECT AS THE STORY ABOUT THE LITTLE BOY WHO ANNOUNCED THE EMPEROR WORE NO CLOTHES.

SHE EXPLAINED WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND WHY PEOPLE HAVE NO MONEY. WHY TEACHERS HAVE NO MONEY, WHY PENSIONERS HAVE NO MONEY, WHY THE BUDGET IS EMPTY.

MR. VUCOVIC SAID THE EFFECT OF A POLITICIAN PUBLICLY TALKING ABOUT WHAT EVERYONE KNEW TO BE TRUE WAS ELECTRIFYING. BUT MR. VUCOVIC SAYS ENDING CRIME WILL NOT ALONE BRING PROSPERITY. HE SAYS HE SUPPORTS PRESIDENT PLAVSIC'S ATTEMPTS TO COOPERATE WITH THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS WHICH ALLOW TRAVEL. HE SAYS WITHOUT TRAVEL BUSINESS WILL REMAIN STAGNANT.

INDEPENDENT POLITICIAN MLADEN IVANIC RAN AGAINST MRS. PLAVSIC IN LAST YEAR'S GENERAL ELECTION. TODAY, HE SAYS HE SUPPORTS HER BECAUSE SHE IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER SERB NATIONALIST LEADERS OF THE RULING S-D-S PARTY IN ONE IMPORTANT WAY:

SHE IS REALLY AGAINST CRIME. BECAUSE OF THE WAR, BECAUSE OF SANCTIONS, THE STRUCTURE OF THE WHOLE S-D-S (PARTY) IS DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THAT (CRIME).

MR. IVANIC FIRMLY BELIEVES WHATEVER MRS. PLAVSIC'S OTHER DRAWBACKS AS A LEADER OF THE SERB REPUBLIC, SHE IS NOT PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN THE CRIME WAVE THAT HAS SWEPT THE BALKANS.

IN THE TOWN OF PALE, IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE BOSNIAN-SERB REPUBLIC, THE ECONOMY OPERATES ALMOST TOTALLY ON THE BLACK MARKET. AS THE HEADQUARTERS OF INDICTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECT RADOVAN KARADZIC AND HIS FOLLOWERS, THE FORMER SKI RESORT HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A SPRAWLING REFUGEE TOWN. WITH NO EMPLOYMENT AND VERY LITTLE INTERNATIONAL AID, SMUGGLING IN PALE HAS BECOME THE MAIN OCCUPATION -- OUT OF NECESSITY. (SIGNED)
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18-Sep-97 1:41 PM EDT (1741 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EDITORIAL: ALBRIGHT TRIP TO MIDDLE EAST

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

THIS MONTH, SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT VISITED THE MIDDLE EAST. THE TRIP CAME ONLY DAYS AFTER TERRORIST BOMBINGS IN JERUSALEM THAT KILLED SEVEN PEOPLE AND WOUNDED MANY OTHERS. THE PALESTINIAN TERRORIST GROUP HAMAS CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SEPTEMBER 4TH SUICIDE BOMBINGS.

AFTER VISITING SOME OF THE SURVIVING VICTIMS OF THE BOMBINGS, SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT POINTED OUT THAT THEY "WERE NOT THE ONLY TARGETS OF THESE HATEFUL ACTS. THE EXPLOSIONS WERE JUST AS SURELY DESIGNED TO DESTROY THE PALESTINIAN EXPERIMENT IN DEMOCRACY AND TO KILL HOPES FOR PEACE." AS MRS. ALBRIGHT SAID IN A RADIO ADDRESS TO PALESTINIANS, "THE BOMBERS WOULD RATHER SEE YOU SUFFER FOREVER IN ISOLATION THAN SUCCEED IN LIVING IN PEACE WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS. THEY WANT TO INTIMIDATE YOU INTO SILENCE OR COMPLICITY BECAUSE YOUR SUCCESS WOULD PROVE THAT THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO ENDLESS STRIFE. . . . THAT IS WHY THE AVERAGE PALESTINIAN HAS NO GREATER ENEMY THAN HAMAS OR ISLAMIC JIHAD. THAT IS WHY FIGHTING TERRORISM IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BOTH THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY AND THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE. AND THAT IS WHY ALL SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT THE BATTLE AGAINST TERROR IS A PRO-PALESTINIAN AND PRO-ARAB, AS WELL AS A PRO-ISRAELI, CAUSE."

AS SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAID, "DEFEATING TERROR IS PARAMOUNT, BUT IF MUTUAL CONFIDENCE IS TO BE RESTORED, BOTH SIDES MUST ALSO RENEW AND REINFORCE THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE [1993 OSLO ACCORDS]. THERE CAN BE NO BACKING OFF FROM OSLO COMMITMENTS OR FROM THE PRINCIPLE OF RECIPROCITY THAT IS INHERENT IN THEM. THIS MEANS," MRS. ALBRIGHT SAID TO ISRAELIS, "THAT ISRAEL SHOULD REFRAIN FROM UNILATERAL ACTS -- INCLUDING WHAT PALESTINIANS PERCEIVE AS THE PROVOCATIVE EXPANSION OF SETTLEMENTS, LAND CONFISCATIONS, HOME DEMOLITIONS AND CONFISCATION OF [IDENTITY DOCUMENTS]. SUCH ACTIONS APPEAR DESIGNED TO PREJUDGE THE OUTCOME OF NEGOTIATIONS AND THEY UNDERMINE PALESTINIAN CONFIDENCE IN ISRAELI INTENTIONS."

AS SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT STRESSED, "EVERY RESPECTED POWER IN THE WORLD WANTS TO SEE ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS DEVISE ARRANGEMENTS THAT WILL ENABLE BOTH TO LIVE IN SECURITY AND PEACE. AND THE UNITED STATES FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT AN OUTCOME THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF BOTH IS ACHIEVABLE IF OBLIGATIONS ARE MET AND ESSENTIAL COMPROMISES MADE."

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
18-Sep-97 2:14 PM EDT (1814 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: KEY STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE WERE UP BY A REMARKABLY SIMILAR SET OF POINTS THURSDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM OUR OFFICE IN LONDON.

TEXT: GOOD ECONOMIC NEWS BOTH IN EUROPE AND ABROAD GAVE INVESTORS CONFIDENCE IN FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS, WHERE KEY STOCK INDEXES ALL POSTED GAINS BY COMPARABLE FIGURES. IN FRANKFURT, THE "DAX 30" INDEX WAS UP BY 33 POINTS. THAT WAS ALSO THE POINT GAIN AT THE CLOSE OF TRADING HERE IN LONDON THURSDAY ON THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX. PARIS BEAT THE OTHER TWO BY A POINT, WITH THE "CAC 40" INDEX CLOSING UP 34.

ON THE CURRENCY MARKETS THE U-S DOLLAR REMAINED STRONG, CLOSING UP AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK BUT DOWN ALMOST A CENT AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.

GOLD SHOWED LITTLE SIGN OF CHANGE ON THE LONDON MARKET, WHERE THE PRICE IS HOLDING CLOSE TO THE 320-DOLLAR AN OUNCE MARK. (SIGNED)
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18-Sep-97 2:18 PM EDT (1818 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 (THURSDAY) ALTHOUGH THE GAINS WERE CUT CONSIDERABLY IN THE LAST HOURS OF TRADING. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 79 HUNDRED 22, UP 36 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 947, UP FOUR POINTS.

ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A SOLID GAIN AT THE CLOSE, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE HAD BEEN UP MORE THAN 130 POINTS BEFORE SELLING PRESSURES DEVELOPED IN THE FINAL HOURS OF THE SESSION.

RECORD U-S IMPORTS AND FALLING EXPORTS PUSHED THE U-S TRADE DEFICIT UP SHARPLY IN JULY. THE GOVERNMENT SAYS THE TRADE GAP WAS 10-POINT-THREE BILLION DOLLARS, WELL BEYOND WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS. ANALYSTS SAY THE STRONG U-S DOLLAR, WHICH MAKES AMERICAN GOODS MORE EXPENSIVE IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS, IS DEFINITELY A FACTOR IN FALLING U-S EXPORTS.

THE BANKERS TRUST COMPANY HAS DENIED RUMORS THAT IT IS ENGAGED IN NEGOTIATIONS TO MERGE OR SELL THE COMPANY. DESPITE THE DENIAL, THE VALUE OF THE INVESTMENT BANK'S STOCK ROSE ALMOST 10 PERCENT ON THE RUMORS.

GENERAL MOTORS SAYS IT WILL RESUME EXPORTING VEHICLES TO SOUTH AFRICA EARLY NEXT YEAR. G-M STOPPED DOING BUSINESS IN SOUTH AFRICA IN THE MID 1980'S BECAUSE OF THE RACIAL POLICIES OF THE THEN WHITE MINORITY GOVERNMENT.

B-A-T INDUSTRIES, ONE OF THE LEADING COMPANIES IN THE PROPOSED 368 BILLION DOLLAR SETTLEMENT OF TOBACCO LIABILITY CLAIMS IN THE UNITED STATES, SAYS IT WILL NOT GO ALONG WITH ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE ORIGINAL DEAL. PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS PROPOSED TOUGHENING THE AGREEMENT IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE SMOKING BY TEENAGERS. ALTHOUGH BASED IN BRITAIN, B-A-T IS A MAJOR FORCE IN THE U-S TOBACCO INDUSTRY THROUGH ITS BROWN AND WILLIAMSON SUBSIDIARY.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/WFR
18-Sep-97 4:58 PM EDT (2058 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] POLAND - ELECTION (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (WARSAW)

INTRO: POLISH VOTERS SUNDAY ELECT A NEW PARLIAMENT. IT IS LIKELY TO MEAN CONTINUED DOMINATION BY THE FORMER COMMUNISTS OR A RETURN TO POWER BY THE SOLIDARITY TRADE UNION WHICH IS HEADING THE LEADING OPPOSITION GROUP. BUT AS WE HEAR FROM V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPE CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES, THE NEW GOVERNMENT COULD BE SHAPED BY THE SMALLER PARTIES THAT ULTIMATELY MAKE UP THE GOVERNMENT.

TEXT: AS THE CAMPAIGN WINDS DOWN, THE MAJOR CONTENDERS THURSDAY WORKED AT PRESENTING THEIR MESSAGE TO THE VOTERS AND DISTINGUISHING THEMSELVES FROM THEIR OPPOSITION.

BUT ON MANY POINTS BOTH SIDES AGREE. THE RULING EX-COMMUNISTS OF THE DEMOCRATIC LEFT ALLIANCE AND THE SOLIDARITY-LED COALITION OPPOSING THEM BOTH FAVOR POLAND'S MEMBERSHIP IN NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION, AND BOTH HAVE SIMILAR VISIONS OF FREE MARKET ECONOMIES.

SOLIDARITY ACCUSES THE RULING PARTY OF REMAINING TOO TIED TO THE COMMUNIST PERIOD. THE RULING ALLIANCE TAKES CREDIT FOR POLAND'S ECONOMIC GAINS AND SAYS THAT SOLIDARITY IS LIVING IN THE PAST.

PRE-ELECTION SURVEYS GIVE THE TWO MAIN FACTIONS EACH ONLY ABOUT ONE-QUARTER OF THE VOTE. THAT MEANS THE SMALLER PARTIES COULD WIELD THE REAL POWER IN BUILDING A COALITION.

THE PEASANT PARTY REPRESENTS FARMERS AND IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE RATHER NARROW INTERESTS. IF THEY JOIN A NEW GOVERNMENT IT WOULD LIKELY BE IN EXCHANGE FOR POSTS IN THE CABINET OR SOMETHING OF DIRECT VALUE TO THEIR MAIN SUPPORTERS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.

ANOTHER PARTY TO WATCH IS THE FREEDOM UNION, A SOLIDARITY OFFSHOOT NOW REGARDED AS PARTY OF INTELLECTUALS. THE GROUP'S PLATFORM FOCUSES HEAVILY ON ECONOMIC REFORM INCLUDING LOWER INFLATION AND MORE JOBS. WESTERN FINANCIAL ANALYSTS LIKE WHAT THEY HEAR FROM THE FREEDOM UNION.

WESTERN OBSERVERS WILL BE WATCHING SUNDAY'S VOTE CAREFULLY. AS ONE OF THE FIRST FORMERLY-COMMUNIST COUNTRIES LIKELY TO JOIN NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION, POLAND'S ABILITY TO INSTALL A STABLE NEW GOVERNMENT WILL BE OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE. (SIGNED)
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18-Sep-97 5:44 PM EDT (2144 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE PRESIDENT'S POLICY STATEMENT ON WHAT SORT OF AN AGREEMENT HE WILL ACCEPT WITH THE U-S TOBACCO INDUSTRY IS THE FAVORITE TOPIC OF COMMENTARY IN THE NATION'S DAILY NEWSPAPERS THIS THURSDAY.

OTHER TOPICS IN THE EDITORIALS INCLUDE: THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE INVESTIGATION AND JANET RENO'S REACTION TO IT; THE LAND MINE TREATY SIGNING, ABSENT THE U-S; A DISSIDENT'S STRUGGLE IN CHINA; AND THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN BOSNIA.

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

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID WEDNESDAY THAT HE WANTS A TOUGHER AGREEMENT WITH THE NATION'S CIGARETTE MAKERS THAN THAT WORKED OUT EARLIER THIS YEAR BY ATTORNEYS GENERAL FROM ABOUT 40 STATES. THE PRESIDENT'S COMMENTS, DIRECTED MAINLY AT CURBING TEENAGE SMOKING, DREW MANY RESPONSES, INCLUDING THIS FROM THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION.

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON DIDN'T EXACTLY GIVE A THUMBS DOWN TO THE PROPOSED 368-BILLION DOLLAR TOBACCO LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT ..... RATHER, THE PRESIDENT GAVE THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY A HEADS UP -- A WARNING THAT THE FINAL DEAL MUST HAVE TOUGHER TERMS IF IT IS TO GET CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL. [OPT] ..... THE CHANGES SUGGESTED BY [MR.] CLINTON WOULD MAKE IT MORE LIKELY THAT THE DEAL WILL BRING ABOUT A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN SMOKING. .... NO DOUBT, THE PRESIDENT'S POSITION WILL DISPLEASE SOME OF THE ATTORNEYS GENERAL..... THEY MAY SEE IT AS A REJECTION OF THEIR EFFORTS. THAT'S NOT THE CASE."

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES CALLS THE PRESIDENT'S VERDICT ON THE PREVIOUS SETTLEMENT "NEGATIVE" BUT SAYS IT WAS NO SURPRISE.

VOICE: ".... WHILE HIS EVALUATION MAY PUT SOME DETAILS OF THE LANDMARK AGREEMENT BETWEEN CIGARETTE MANUFACTURERS AND 39 STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL IN LIMBO, THE PRESIDENT NONETHELESS EMPHATICALLY EMBRACED ITS MAJOR PRINCIPLES, NAMELY REGULATION OF THE NICOTINE CONTENT IN CIGARETTES AND STRONG STEPS AGAINST TEENAGE SMOKING. ....... GETTING CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL ON A [CIGARETTE] TAX HIKE ..... WILL NOT BE EASY, AND ACHIEVING CONSENSUS ON GRANTING THE FDA MUCH-NEEDED AUTHORITY OVER NICOTINE WILL BE EVEN HARDER. BUT BOTH GOALS ARE INDISPUTABLY NECESSARY.

TEXT: HERE IN THE CAPITOL, THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS "THE PRESIDENT HAS COME OUT IN THE RIGHT PLACE ON A POSSIBLE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT," WHILE USA TODAY AGREES, SUGGESTING THE PRESIDENT "HAS THE RIGHT PRIORITY..." THAT OF CURBING YOUTH SMOKING.

TURNING TO THE OTHER BIG WASHINGTON STORY, THE INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE CAMPAIGN FINANCING ILLEGALITIES DURING THE 1996 ELECTION, THE OREGONIAN IN PORTLAND SAYS:

VOICE: "AS THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE STENCH THICKENS OVER THE CAPITOL, THERE'S A SIGN OF SOME WILLINGNESS TO CONSIDER REFORM. .... THE TIME LEFT FOR THIS CONGRESS TO FACE THE SCANDAL OF OUR CAMPAIGN FINANCE SYSTEM IS NOW MEASURED IN WEEKS. IF NOTHING HAPPENS IN THIS SESSION, NOBODY EXPECTS THE SUBJECT TO COME UP IN 1998, [UNDERSTOOD: AN ELECTION YEAR FOR CONGRESS] WHEN MEMBERS' INTEREST IN CAMPAIGN FINANCE WILL BE LESS ABOUT REFORM AND MORE ABOUT RECEIPTS. ..... WE DON'T THINK VOTERS ARE GENERALLY CONTENT WITH THIS SYSTEM. IN FACT, WE CAN'T SEE HOW ANYONE COULD BE."

TEXT: IN A RELATED MATTER, THE SHAKE-UP IN THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S TEAM INVESTIGATING THE SAME ALLEGATIONS, OF CAMPAIGN FINANCIAL WRONGDOING, BY ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO, ELICITS THIS RESPNSE FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES.

VOICE: "[OPT] IN SHAKING UP THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S HAPLESS INVESTIGATION ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE SCANDALS, ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO MISTAKES EFFICIENCY FOR INTEGRITY. WHILE NEW, MORE EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP AND A LARGER STAFF OF INVESTIGATORS MAY ENERGIZE THE INQUIRY, THEY CANNOT RESTORE THE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE THAT HAS BEEN LOST. AT THIS POINT EVERYONE'S INTEREST, INCLUDING BILL CLINTON'S AND AL GORE'S, WOULD BE BEST SERVED BY AN ..... INDEPENDENT COUNSEL. [END OPT] ..... MS. RENO'S ACTIONS THIS WEEK CONFIRM THE OFT-REPEATED FEAR OF REPUBLICANS AND OTHERS THAT SHE HAS STUNTED THE INVESTIGATION ......."

TEXT: THE OTHER MAJOR TOPIC IS THE ABSTENTION BY THE U-S OF THE OSLO TREATY TO BAN THE MANUFACTURE AND USE OF LAND MINES, AS PROPOSED BY CANADA. THE WASHINGTON TIMES HAILS THE U-S REJECTION OF THE PACT, UNDER THE HEADLINE "SANITY PREVAILS ON LAND MINES."

VOICE: "COOLER HEADS FINALLY PREVAILED AT THE WHITE HOUSE, AND YESTERDAY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT BE PARTY TO THE BAN ON LAND MINES CURRENTLY BEING NEGOTIATED BY SOME 90 NATIONS IN OSLO ..... IT WAS TOUCH AND GO [CLOSE] FOR A WHILE, AS U-S NEGOTIATORS TRIED EVERY WAY THEY COULD TO PERSUADE OTHER NATIONS TO AGREE TO CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS AND MODIFICATIONS ..... BUT THE IMPERATIVE OF PROTECTING AMERICAN SOLDIERS WHERE THEY ARE DEPLOYED ABROAD, MOST SPECIFICALLY IN THE KOREAN PENINSULA, WON THE DAY."

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, ON THE OTHER HAND, SAYS REJECTING THE TREATY PUTS THIS NATION "IN QUESTIONABLE COMPANY," ADDING:

VOICE: "THE UNITED STATES IS NOT AMONG THE TREATY'S BACKERS, EVEN THOUGH THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ACCORD HAVE BROAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN CONGRESS. THIS COUNTRY INSTEAD FINDS ITSELF IN THE COMPANY OF, AMONG OTHERS, CHINA, RUSSIA, IRAN, IRAQ AND LIBYA, NOT THE BEST OF COMPANIONS WHEN MORAL ISSUES ARE INVOLVED."

TEXT: AND THE NEW YORK TIMES ANGUISHES:

VOICE: "MR. CLINTON REPEATEDLY IDENTIFIES HIMSELF WITH THE CAUSE OF BANNING LAND MINES ..... WITH APPROXIMATELY 100 NATIONS AGREED ON TREATY LANGUAGE AND MUCH OF WORLD OPINION BEHIND THEM, MR. CLINTON SHOULD RETHINK HIS POSITION AND MAKE AMERICA A LEADER, NOT A LAGGER, IN THIS IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN."

TEXT: REFERRING TO THE PLIGHT OF ONE OF CHINA'S BEST KNOWN DISSIDENTS, FORMER PARTY OFFICIAL ZHAO ZIYANG, TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE SAYS THE PARTY CONGRESS IN BEIJING WAS FOOLISH NOT TO LISTEN TO HIM.

VOICE: "[MR.] ZHAO .... IS NOW TRYING TO EXPLAIN SOMETHING SIMPLE AND TRUE TO THE PARTY THAT PURGED HIM. [AT] ... THE [CURRENT] PARTY CONGRESS, ...... HE TRIED TO WARN OLD COMRADES THAT IF THEY WISH TO MAINTAIN THEIR PRETENSE OF GOVERNING IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE, THEY MUST ABANDON A BIG LIE -- THEIR DESIGNATION OF THE 1989 PROTESTS AS A 'COUNTERREVOLUTIONARY REBELLION.' ..... THE PREMISE OF THIS SOUND ADVICE IS THAT THE TIANANMEN MASSACRE WAS AN ACT OF WAR AGAINST THE PEOPLE BY THE PARTY. .... EVEN IF THE PARTY WERE TO APOLOGIZE FOR TIANANMEN, IT LONG AGO FORFEITED THE MANDATE OF HEAVEN AND OF THE CHINESE PEOPLE."

TEXT: REGARDING LAST WEEK'S ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA, THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER SUGGESTS THEY WERE:

VOICE: "....... A BRACING REMINDER THAT THE DAYTON ACCORDS STOPPED THE FIGHTING, BUT STILL HAVEN'T BROUGHT PEACE. THE BALLOTING ..... SHOWED HOW DEEP ARE THE SCHISMS THAT LEFT BOSNIA SPLIT INTO THREE ETHNIC PARTS. ....BOSNIA IS, AND ALWAYS WAS, A TEST OF THE POST-COLD WAR STANDARDS OF AMERICA, EUROPE AND NATO. ..... IF NATO EXITS, AND LETS THE ETHNIC CLEANSERS WIN, THEN IT WILL HAVE LEGITIMIZED NATIONALIST AND ETHNIC VIOLENCE AS ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR IN POST-COLD-WAR EUROPE. IT WILL HAVE SIGNALED AS CLEARLY AS SKYWRITING THAT NATO HAS NO STOMACH TO STOP SUCH BEHAVIOR."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON THE SUBJECT OF THOSE RADICAL JEWISH SETTLERS WHO MOVED INTO HOUSES BOUGHT BY A WEALTHY FLORIDA JEW, IN A PREDOMINANTLY ARAB NEIGHBORHOOD IN JERUSALEM, NEWSDAY OPINES:

VOICE: "EVICT [THE] SETTLERS, SHOW [A] COMMITMENT TO [THE] PEACE PROCESS," ADDING:

VOICE: "WITH TENSIONS RUNNING AS HIGH AS THEY ARE TODAY IN JERUSALEM, [PRIME MINISTER] NETANYAHU MUST SHOW THAT HE PUTS THE PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE PEACE AHEAD OF THE MANEUVERS OF AN AMERICAN DEVELOPER AND EXTREMIST FACTIONS IN HIS OWN CAMP. IF HE DOESN'T [MR.] NETANYAHU WILL GIVE CONSIDERABLE WEIGHT TO SUSPICIONS THAT HE NEVER INTENDED THE PEACE PROCESS TO CONTINUE."

TEXT: ON THAT GLOOMY NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS EDITORIALS.
NEB/ANG/KL
18-Sep-97 11:05 AM EDT (1505 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S WALKS PUBLIC RELATIONS MINEFIELD IN OSLO BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS DECIDED TO WITHDRAW FROM NEGOTIATIONS CONCERNING A TREATY TO BAN LAND MINES IN OSLO, RATHER THAN CONTINUE TO TRY TO CONVINCE OTHER NATIONS TO GRANT IT SOME EXEMPTIONS IN THEIR USE.

PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ANNOUNCEMENT IN WASHINGTON WEDNESDAY HAS CAUSED A CONSIDERABLE REACTION IN THE NATION'S PRESS, WHICH IS CLEARLY DIVIDED ON THE ISSUE.

WE GET A SAMPLING NOW FROM ___________________ IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES HAD SUFFERED THROUGH A MAJOR PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN WHICH INCLUDED ADVERTISEMENTS IN NEWSPAPERS AND ON TELEVISION SHOWING CHILDREN MISSING LIMBS WHICH HAD BEEN LOST IN LAND MINE EXPLOSIONS.

ANTI-PERSONNEL LAND MINES ARE CONSIDERED ESPECIALLY NEFARIOUS, SINCE THEY REMAIN LETHAL LONG AFTER THE WARS FOR WHICH THEY WERE SOWN HAVE ENDED. CHILDREN AND FARMERS ARE AMONG THEIR MOST COMMON CIVILIAN VICTIMS.

HOWEVER PRESIDENT CLINTON'S MILITARY ADVISERS HAD TOLD HIM THE USE OF LAND MINES BY U-S FORCES IN CERTAIN SPECIFIC LOCATIONS, ESPECIALLY ALONG THE KOREAN D-M-Z IS ESSENTIAL. AND THE PRESIDENT SAID ENDANGERING U-S TROOPS WAS "A LINE I SIMPLY COULD NOT CROSS."

AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS ARE DIVIDED ON THE ISSUE, WITH SUPPORT FOR THE PRESIDENT COMING FROM MANY, INCLUDING THE CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.

VOICE: "AMERICA MAY LOOK LIKE THE BAD GUY [VILLAIN] IN THE WAKE OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S REJECTION OF AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT TO BAN LAND MINES. ..... BUT THE WHITE HOUSE ACTED WISELY. WITHOUT CONTESTING THAT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF MINES ARE PLANTED AROUND THE WORLD, MAIMING OR KILLING 25-THOUSAND PEOPLE-A-YEAR, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION NOTED THAT THE UNITED STATES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE BORDER BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA. ..... [MR.] CLINTON IS OPEN TO ENDING USE OF LAND MINES BUT, QUITE REASONABLY, NEEDS TIME TO DO IT. BUT A 'DEFERRAL-PERIOD' NEEDED TO COME UP WITH REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY OR MANPOWER IN KOREA WAS REJECTED BY THE AUTHORS OF THE ANTI-LAND MINE AGREEMENT. ..... SOME AROUND THE WORLD, AND IN OUR ... NATION, MAY TRY TO SAY [PRESIDENT] CLINTON'S BOW OUT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO LOSS OF LIFE. FROM HERE, IT IS OBVIOUS HE IS HELPING PROTECT 37-THOUSAND U-S SOLDIERS, 43-POINT-EIGHT MILLION SOUTH KOREANS AND THE STABILITY OF THAT PART OF THE WORLD."

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, ON THE OTHER HAND, SAYS REJECTING THE TREATY PUTS THIS NATION "IN QUESTIONABLE COMPANY," ADDING:

VOICE: "THE UNITED STATES IS NOT AMONG THE TREATY'S BACKERS, EVEN THOUGH THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ACCORD HAVE BROAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN CONGRESS. THIS COUNTRY INSTEAD FINDS ITSELF IN THE COMPANY OF, AMONG OTHERS, CHINA, RUSSIA, IRAN, IRAQ AND LIBYA, NOT THE BEST OF COMPANIONS WHEN MORAL ISSUES ARE INVOLVED."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES, HOWEVER, HAILS THE U-S REJECTION OF THE PACT, UNDER THE HEADLINE "SANITY PREVAILS ON LAND MINES."

VOICE: "COOLER HEADS FINALLY PREVAILED AT THE WHITE HOUSE, AND YESTERDAY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT BE PARTY TO THE BAN ON LAND MINES CURRENTLY BEING NEGOTIATED BY SOME 90 NATIONS IN OSLO ..... IT WAS TOUCH AND GO [CLOSE] FOR A WHILE, AS U-S NEGOTIATORS TRIED EVERY WAY THEY COULD TO PERSUADE OTHER NATIONS TO AGREE TO CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS AND MODIFICATIONS ..... BUT THE IMPERATIVE OF PROTECTING AMERICAN SOLDIERS WHERE THEY ARE DEPLOYED ABROAD, MOST SPECIFICALLY IN THE KOREAN PENINSULA, WON THE DAY."

TEXT: BUT THE NEW YORK TIMES ANGUISHES:

VOICE: "ABOUT 100 COUNTRIES AGREED YESTERDAY [9/17] ON A TREATY THAT WILL PROHIBIT THEM FROM PRODUCING, USING OR STOCKPILING ANTI-PERSONNEL LAND MINES AND REQUIRE THEM TO REMOVE MINES THEY HAVE ALREADY SOWN. REGRETTABLY, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, AFTER HAVING FAILED TO PERSUADE OTHER COUNTRIES TO AGREE TO SEVERAL LOOPHOLES SOUGHT BY THE PENTAGON, WITHHELD AMERICAN SUPPORT. THAT ELIMINATES PRESSURE ON OTHER HOLDOUT COUNTRIES, LIKE RUSSIA, CHINA AND INDIA, TO JOIN THE LAND MINE BAN. ....... MR. CLINTON REPEATEDLY IDENTIFIES HIMSELF WITH THE CAUSE OF BANNING LAND MINES ..... WITH APPROXIMATELY 100 NATIONS AGREED ON TREATY LANGUAGE AND MUCH OF WORLD OPINION BEHIND THEM, MR. CLINTON SHOULD RETHINK HIS POSITION AND MAKE AMERICA A LEADER, NOT A LAGGER, IN THIS IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, THE WASHINGTON POST SIDES WITH THE PRESIDENT, AFTER WEIGHING THE ISSUE, AND CONCLUDES:

VOICE: "EVERY GOVERNMENT SIGNING AND EMBRACING THIS TREATY EXPRESSES A HOPE THAT IT WILL REDUCE THE TERRIBLE EFFECTS OF LEFTOVER MINES ON CIVILIAN POPULATIONS.... THERE EXIST, HOWEVER, SITUATIONS WHERE THE USE OF ANTIPERSONNEL MINES IN A MILITARY CONTEXT IS STILL JUSTIFIED. ONE SUCH USE IS IN KOREA, WHERE FOR DECADES THESE MINES HAVE BEEN PART OF A DEFENSE LINE COMMISSIONED AND APPROVED BY INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS AND MANNED BY, AMONG OTHERS, 37-THOUSAND AMERICAN TROOPS. A CONCERN FOR THIS SECURITY OBLIGATION IN SOUTH KOREA AND FOR THESE SOLDIERS IS WHAT HAS LED THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO TRY TO CARVE OUT A KOREAN EXEMPTION AT THE TREATY TALKS."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM THE U-S PRESS ON THIS COUNTRY'S DECISION TO WITHDRAW FROM NEGOTIATIONS OVER A CANADIAN-SPONSORED TREATY BANNING LAND MINES.
NEB/ANG/KL
18-Sep-97 1:31 PM EDT (1731 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] WELSH VOTE (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: VOTERS IN WALES ARE DECIDING WHETHER TO GIVE THEMSELVES A SAY IN RUNNING THEIR OWN AFFAIRS. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: WELSH VOTERS ARE DECIDING WHETHER TO ESTABLISH AN ASSEMBLY OR PARLIAMENT -- WHICH WILL GIVE THEM A DEGREE OF AUTONOMY FROM LONDON.

IF VOTERS ACCEPT THE IDEA OF A PARLIAMENT, THEN IT WILL BE SET UP AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY IN THE WELSH CAPITAL -- CARDIFF. THE 60 MEMBER BODY WILL HAVE A BUDGET OF ABOUT 11-BILLION DOLLARS TO SPEND ON SUCH SERVICES AS HOUSING, EDUCATION, AND HEALTH. HOWEVER THE ASSEMBLY WILL HAVE NO LAWMAKING POWERS AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LEVY TAXES.

THE PROPOSAL IS STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR WHO SEES THIS AS ANOTHER STEP IN HIS PLAN TO MODERNIZE BRITISH INSTITUTIONS. LAST WEEK, VOTERS IN SCOTLAND OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED A PLAN TO SET UP A PARLIAMENT IN EDINBURGH WITH TAX-LEVYING POWERS. MR. BLAIR ALSO SUPPORTS THE IDEA OF AN ELECTED MAYOR FOR LONDON AND WANTS A REFORM OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS -- THE PARLIAMENT'S UPPER BODY.

IN A RECENT INTERVIEW WITH BRITISH RADIO, THE SENIOR MINISTER IN CHARGE OF WALES -- RON DAVIES -- SAID AN ASSEMBLY WOULD GIVE THE WELSH MORE POWER TO DETERMINE THEIR OWN AFFAIRS.

THE ASSEMBLY THAT WE ARE PROPOSING WILL TAKE OVER THE POWERS THAT ARE CURRENTLY DEVOLVED TO THE WELSH OFFICE. THAT WILL GIVE ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITY TO THE ASSEMBLY TO PROVIDE A REAL VOICE FOR WALES, TO MAKE SURE THAT IT THEN CAN FOCUS ON DOING THE THING THAT PEOPLE WANT: IN OTHER WORDS BUILDING UP OUR ECONOMY, PROVIDING WORK - PARTICULARLY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS, IMPROVING HOSPITAL SERVICES AND SO ON.

BRITAIN'S MAIN OPPOSITION CONSERVATIVE PARTY OPPOSES THE IDEA OF A WELSH ASSEMBLY. CONSERVATIVE PARTY LEADERS ARGUE THIS IS ANOTHER STEP LEADING TO THE BREAKUP OF THE UNITED KINGDOM -- AN ARGUMENT THEY USED IN OPPOSING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT.

LATEST PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS INDICATE A NARROW VICTORY FOR THOSE SUPPORTING A WELSH ASSEMBLY. BUT THOSE SURVEYS ALSO POINT TO MANY UNDECIDED VOTERS.

THE CAMPAIGN IN WALES HAD NONE OF THE NATIONALIST FERVOR ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEBATE OVER A SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT. MANY COMMENTATORS POINTED TO THE FACT THAT THE GENERAL FEELING IN WALES IS ONE OF APATHY. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/JWH
18-Sep-97 12:11 PM EDT (1611 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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