Voice of America, 97-09-22

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA / WAR CRIMES (L) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[02] BOSNIA / WAR CRIMES (S) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

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

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

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

[06] POLAND VOTE / MONDAY (S) BY ART CHIMES (WARSAW)

[07] POLAND VOTE MONDAY (L) BY ART CHIMES (WARSAW)

[08] SERBIAN ELECTION (S) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BELGRADE)

[09] SERBIAN RADICAL BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BELGRADE)

[10] SERBIAN RADICAL BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BELGRADE)

[11] SOROS (S) BY BARRY WOOD (HONG KONG)

[12] UNGA MONDAY WRAP (L ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

[13] WORLD BANK EASTERN EUROPE (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (HONG KONG)

[01] BOSNIA / WAR CRIMES (L) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: THE LAWYER FOR A BOSNIAN-SERB MAN ON TRIAL FOR WAR CRIMES AGAINST MUSLIMS HAS ASKED A GERMAN COURT TO SET THE SUSPECT FREE. FROM BONN, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: AFTER SEVEN MONTHS OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, THE LAWYER FOR 51-YEAR-OLD NIKOLA JORGIC USED HIS CLOSING ARGUMENTS TO QUESTION THE JURISDICTION OF THE GERMAN COURT HEARING THE CASE.

THE LAWYER FOR MR. JORGIC ALSO SAID HIS CLIENT SHOULD BE ACQUITTED BECAUSE THE COURT FAILED TO HEAR TESTIMONY FROM WITNESSES WHO ALLEGE MR. JORGIC WAS IN JAIL AT THE TIME THE WAR CRIMES TOOK PLACE IN 1992.

MR. JORGIC IS ACCUSED OF GENOCIDE AND 30 COUNTS OF MURDER -- INCLUDING THE BEATING DEATH OF AT LEAST ONE MUSLIM PRISONER -- DURING BOSNIA'S 43-MONTH WAR.

PROSECUTORS -- CITING THE TESTIMONY OF DOZENS OF WITNESSES WHO SAY MR. JORGIC COMMITTED THE CRIMES -- HAVE ASKED THE COURT FOR A LIFE SENTENCE. A VERDICT IN THE CASE IS EXPECTED ON FRIDAY.

THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL ASKED THE GERMAN COURT TO TRY THE CASE BECAUSE OF ITS OWN HEAVY WORKLOAD IN THE HAGUE AND BECAUSE THE SUSPECT WAS ARRESTED IN GERMANY.

IT IS THE SECOND BOSNIAN WAR CRIMES CASE TO BE TRIED IN GERMANY. IN MAY, A COURT IN MUNICH SENTENCED ANOTHER BOSNIAN-SERB MAN TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON AFTER HE WAS CONVICTED OF BEING AN ACCESSORY TO MURDER. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/RAE
22-Sep-97 12:42 PM EDT (1642 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA / WAR CRIMES (S) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: THE LAWYER FOR A BOSNIAN SERB MAN ON TRIAL FOR WAR CRIMES HAS ASKED A GERMAN COURT TO SET HIS CLIENT FREE. FROM BONN, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: THE LAWYER FOR 51-YEAR-OLD NIKOLA JORGIC USED HIS CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN THE CASE TO QUESTION THE JURISDICTION OF THE GERMAN COURT.

THE LAWYER ALSO SAID HIS CLIENT SHOULD BE ACQUITTED BECAUSE THE COURT FAILED TO HEAR TESTIMONY FROM WITNESSES WHO, SAY MR. JORGIC, WAS IN JAIL AT THE TIME THE WAR CRIMES TOOK PLACE.

MR. JORGIC HAS BEEN ON TRIAL IN GERMANY FOR THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS. HE IS ACCUSED OF GENOCIDE AND 30 COUNTS OF MURDER DURING BOSNIA'S 43-MONTH-LONG WAR.

PROSECUTORS, CITING THE TESTIMONY OF DOZENS OF WITNESSES TO THE CRIMES, HAVE ASKED THE COURT FOR A LIFE SENTENCE.

THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL ASKED THE GERMAN COURT TO TRY THE CASE BECAUSE THE SUSPECT WAS ARRESTED IN GERMANY. A VERDICT IS EXPECTED ON FRIDAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/RRM
22-Sep-97 12:30 PM EDT (1630 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

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

TEXT: STOCK PRICES WERE UP BY MORE THAN ONE-PERCENT IN ALL THREE MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS.

THE BIGGEST GAIN WAS IN FRANKFURT. THE DAX-30 INDEX ENDED THE DAY UP ALMOST 57-POINTS, ALMOST ONE-AND-FOUR-TENTHS-PERCENT OF THE MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE. PRICES IN FRANKFURT ROSE EVEN MORE IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX ROSE MORE THAN 40-POINTS, MORE THAN ONE-AND-THREE-TENTHS PERCENT. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX CLOSED UP ALMOST 52-POINTS, JUST MORE THAN ONE-PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED IN VALUE AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN, THE GERMAN MARK, AND THE BRITISH POUND.
NEB/JWH/RAE
22-Sep-97 1:12 PM EDT (1712 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: A SURPRISE GIFT OF ONE-BILLION DOLLARS TO THE UNITED NATIONS FROM U-S COMMUNICATIONS MAGNATE TED TURNER IS COMING IN FOR A GOOD DEAL OF COMMENT IN THE NATION'S NEWSPAPERS THIS MONDAY.

OTHER TOPICS TO THE FORE ON THE FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE INCLUDE MORE COMMENTS ON THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN FINANCING SCANDAL; SOME CONSTITUTIONALLY QUESTIONABLE DEMANDS FROM CONGRESS PROBING THE PROBLEM; TROUBLES WITH THE TEAMSTERS UNION; AND A POLLUTION PROBLEM IN MARYLAND'S WATERWAYS RAISES NATIONAL ALARMS ABOUT HEALTH.

NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE ANNOUNCEMENT LAST WEEK THAT CABLE TELEVISION MAGNATE TED TURNER PLANS TO GIVE THE UNITED NATIONS ONE-BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS STARTLED MANY PEOPLE AND IS CAUSING A GREAT DEAL OF COMMENT IN THE EDITORIALS PAGES. NEWSDAY WONDERS WHETHER IT MIGHT DEVELOP INTO A COMPETITION OF THE WORLD'S WEALTHIEST PEOPLE.

VOICE: "[OPT] TED TURNER, THE MULTI-BILLIONAIRE CABLE NEWS NETWORK FOUNDER WHO PRESIDES OVER A COLOSSAL MEDIA EMPIRE, HAS UPPED THE ANTE FOR PHILANTHROPY. ...... A COOL ONE BILLION, SPREAD OVER 10 YEARS, TO UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES TO FIGHT DISEASE, CARE FOR REFUGEE CHILDREN AND CLEAR MINEFIELDS. [END OPT] THE AMOUNT IS STAGGERING. IT'S ROUGHLY EQUAL TO THE U-N'S TOTAL YEARLY BUDGET, AND IT ECLIPSES THE GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT OF NOT A FEW SMALL NATIONS. ..... LET'S HAVE MORE OF THIS TYPE OF GRANDIOSE SWAGGER. .... LAST SPRING, [MR.] TURNER TOOK TO TASK [CRITICIZED] TWO OTHER MEMBERS OF HIS RAREFIED MULTI-BILLIONAIRES CLUB, MICROSOFT CYBER-CROESUS BILL GATES AND THE LEGENDARY INVESTOR, WARREN BUFFETT, FOR NOT DOING ENOUGH FOR CHARITY. HOW ABOUT IT, BILL? WARREN?"

TEXT: USA TODAY TRIES TO PUT THE GIFT MAN THE GIVER, IN PROSPECTIVE.

VOICE: " THE DONATION .... CASTS AN UNFLATTERING LIGHT ON WASHINGTON'S REFUSAL TO PAY ITS U-N DUES, NOW MORE THAN ONE BILLION IN ARREARS. SHAME DOESN'T WORK WELL IN POLITICS. SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS [MR.] TURNER'S GIFT WILL NOT INFLUENCE EFFORTS TO BARGAIN DOWN THE NATION'S DEBT. BUT THE MESSAGE HASN'T BEEN MISSED, EITHER. [OPT] ...... [MR.] TURNER IS NOT A PURE ALTRUIST. HE WILL RECEIVE TAX ADVANTAGES AND MUCH PUBLIC ACCLAIM. BUT BIG DEAL. THE MONEY IS FOR A GOOD CAUSE. THE ACCLAIM IS NOT UNDESERVED. AND, SOMETIMES, IT TAKES AN EGO TO SET AN EXAMPLE. FEW CAN AFFORD TO GIVE AWAY ONE BILLION. BUT DON'T YOU WISH YOU COULD?"

TEXT: THE ALLEGATIONS OF ILLEGALITY DURING LAST YEAR'S CAMPAIGN FUND-RAISING IS COMING CLOSER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON PERSONALLY. THE NEW YORK TIMES CONTINUES TO DEMAND THE APPOINTMENT OF A SPECIAL COUNSEL TO CONDUCT AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION.

VOICE: "THE NEED FOR AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL TO LOOK INTO WHITE HOUSE FUND-RAISING DURING THE 1996 CAMPAIGN HAS LONG BEEN OBVIOUS. BY ORDERING PRELIMINARY REVIEWS OF THE LEGALITY OF PHONE SOLICITATIONS MADE FROM FEDERAL OFFICES BY PRESIDENT CLINTON AND VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE, ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO IS FINALLY LURCHING IN THE DIRECTION OF DOING HER DUTY. BUT MS. RENO IS STILL MOVING WITH THE INEXCUSABLE LASSITUDE AND LACK OF PRECISE LEGAL FOCUS THAT HAVE BEEN TYPICAL OF HER TENURE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. ..... THERE IS NO NEED TO WAIT. MS. RENO HAS THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO APPOINT AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL IMMEDIATELY. ..... AT THIS POINT, NO ONE WILL TRUST A JUSTICE DEPARTMENT THAT ANSWERS TO MS. RENO AND MR. CLINTON TO DECIDE WHETHER ALL THIS INFORMATION CONTAINS 'CREDIBLE EVIDENCE' OF WRONGDOING BY TOP OFFICIALS."

TEXT: MEANWHILE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, THE [PORTLAND] OREGONIAN WORRIES THAT SOME ORGANIZATIONS ARE BEING IMPROPERLY FORCED TO DIVULGE INFORMATION TO CONGRESS IN THE PROBE.

VOICE: "[OPT] HAS THE GHOST OF SENATOR JOSEPH ... MCCARTHY TAKEN UP RESIDENCE IN THE SENATE HEARING ROOM WHERE THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE IS INVESTIGATING 1996 CAMPAIGN FINANCE ABUSES? NO. IT'S JUST THE ACLU RATTLING ITS CHAINS. THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION IS HELPING COORDINATE RESPONSE TO THE COMMITTEE'S SUBPOENAS TO A NUMBER OF ADVOCACY NONPROFITS SEEKING DOCUMENTATION ABOUT THEIR ACTIVITIES DURING THE LAST GENERAL ELECTION. [END OPT] .... VIRTUALLY ALL OF 31 NONPROFIT GROUPS THAT RECEIVED SUBPOENAS OBJECTED TO THE COMMITEE'S OVERLY BROAD DEMANDS. MOST HAVE PREVAILED IN GETTING THE COMMITTEE TO REDUCE THE SCOPE OF ITS NONESSENTIAL INFORMATION GATHERING AND HAVE PROVIDED AT LEAST SOME OF THE MATERIAL SOUGHT." [END OPT]

TEXT: TROUBLES AT THE TOP OF THE HUGE TEAMSTERS UNION ALSO RATES SOME ATTENTION THIS MONDAY. THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS THE PROBLEMS IN THE UNION ALMOST PARALLEL THE PROBLEMS INVOLVING THE WHITE HOUSE.

VOICE: "THE TEAMSTERS UNION'S OWN CAMPAIGN FINANCE SCANDAL CONTINUES TO UNFOLD AND TO ENSNARE. A FEDERAL PROSECUTOR IN NEW YORK NOW SAYS BOTH THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE AND AFL-CIO WERE USED IN EFFORTS TO LAUNDER AND TRANSFER MONEY ILLEGALLY FROM THE UNION'S TREASURY INTO THE RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN OF ITS PRESIDENT, RON CAREY. MR. CAREY, RUNNING AS THE REFORMIST CANDIDATE, WON A NARROW VICTORY EARLIER THIS YEAR OVER JAMES P. HOFFA, SON AND POLITICAL HERI OF JIMMY HOFFA, THE FORMER TEAMSTERS PRESIDENT WHO WAS A SYMBOL OF THE UNION'S LONGTIME CORRUPTION. FEDERAL OVERSEERS HAVE SINCE INVALIDATED MR. CAREY'S VICTORY, ORDERED A RETURN AND ARE CONSIDERING WHETHER HE SHOULD BE DISQUALIFIED FROM TAKING PART. ...... THE LOSSES IN THIS SAD AND COMPLICATED CASE HAVE ALREADY SPREAD BEYOND THE TEAMSTERS UNION."

TEXT: THE GROWING PROBLEM OF DEAD FISH IN RIVERS OF MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA FEEDING INTO CHESAPEAKE BAY, KILLED BY A DEADLY ORGANISM THAT FEEDS ON POLLUTION, DRAWS THIS COMMENT FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES.

VOICE: "MARYLAND'S DECISION TO CLOSE A THIRD WATERWAY ON THE STATE'S EASTERN SHORE TO FISHING AND RECREATION IS AN URGENT SUMMONS TO CONGRESS TO CLOSE ONE OF THE GAPING HOLES IN THE CLEAN WATER ACT, AN OTHERWISE SUCCESSFUL STATUTE THAT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE THREAT TO THE NATION'S STREAMS AND LAKES FROM AGRICULTURAL RUNOFF. IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THOUSANDS OF FISH HAVE BEEN KILLED BY PFIESTERIA PISCICIDA, A MICROBE THAT HAS BECOME THE LATEST ENVIRONMENTAL MENACE TO CHESAPEAKE BAY. .... IN 1994, PRESIDENT CLINTON TRIED TO STRENGTHEN THE CLEAN WATER ACT TO ADDRESS THE RUNOFF PROBLEM. ... BUT REPUBLICANS IN THE 104TH CONGRESS WERE DETERMINED TO CRIPPLE THE EXISTING CLEAN WATER ACT ...... PERHAPS THE PRESENT CRISIS ON MARYLAND'S EASTERN SHORE, ONLY AN HOUR'S DRIVE FROM THE CAPITOL, WILL EVEN INDUCE THEM TO IMPROVE IT."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, A FEW WORDS FROM THE WASHINGTON POST ABOUT ONE OF THE NATION'S FAVORITE COMICS, RED SKELTON, WHO DIED LAST WEEK, AT 84.

VOICE: "RED SKELTON MADE A SORT OF ONE-MAN ENTERPRISE OUT OF PROVING THAT PEOPLE IN THE LATE 20TH CENTURY STILL WOULD PLAY TO SEE BROAD SLAPSTICK, GOOFY FACES AND ENTERTAINERS WHO COULD MAKE THEM LAUGH WITHOUT TELLING DIRTY JOKES. .... HE WORKED IN MINSTREL SHOWS, ON A SHOWBOAT, IN BURLESQUE, VAUDEVILLE AND THEN RADIO AND TV, AND WHEN CBS CANCELED HIM IN 1971, HE TOOK HIS ACT BACK ON STAGE UNTIL JUST A FEW YEARS AGO. ..... HIS INSTINCTS WERE GOOD AND HIS RAPPORT WITH PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE REMARKABLE; HE WAS KNOWN FOR LAUGHING ALONG WITH THEM AND OCCASIONALLY CRYING, TOO. MOST IMPORTANT, HE NEVER TOOK THEM FOR GRANTED."

TEXT: ON THAT SENTIMENTAL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE TOPICS IN TODAYS NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS.
NEB/ANG/RRM
22-Sep-97 10:34 AM EDT (1434 UTC)
NNNN
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 (MONDAY) AND THE I-B-M COMPUTER COMPANY SAYS IT HAS MADE A BREAKTHROUGH IN TECHNOLOGY. CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 79 HUNDRED 96, UP 79 POINTS OR ONE PERCENT. THE LARGER STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 955, UP FIVE POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY STOCKS FOLLOWED BOND PRICES HIGHER AND MAJOR INDEXES WERE HELPED BY A STRONG REBOUND IN MANY HIGH TECHNOLOGY STOCKS.

THE I-B-M COMPUTER COMPANY SAYS IT HAS DEVELOPED A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR MANUFACTURING SEMICONDUCTORS WHICH USES COPPER INSTEAD OF ALUMINUM FOR ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS. THE COMPANY SAYS THE DEVELOPMENT WILL LEAD TO FASTER AND MORE POWERFUL CHIPS FOR COMPUTER SYSTEMS. I-B-M STOCK GAINED MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON THE NEWS.

THE SEAGRAM COMPANY WILL PAY ONE POINT SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS IN CASH TO BUY THE VIACOM COMPANY'S 50 PERCENT INTEREST IN THEIR JOINTLY-OWNED U-S-A CABLE TELEVISION NETWORK. VIACOM WILL USE THE MONEY TO REDUCE ITS DEBT.

THE GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY WILL PAY 600 MILLION DOLLARS IN CASH FOR THE GAS TURBINE ENGINE BUSINESS OF THE STEWART AND STEVENSON COMPANY.

A U-S AUTOMOTIVE TRADE GROUP (AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION) SAYS SOUTH KOREA AND JAPAN ARE MAINTAINING UNFAIR BARRIERS TO THE IMPORT OF AMERICAN CARS. THE GROUP SAYS JAPAN HAS FAILED TO LIVE UP TO A 1995 AUTO TRADE AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES. BUT THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT IS HONORING THE AGREEMENT AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT AMERICAN AUTOMAKERS ARE NOT PRODUCING ENOUGH PRODUCTS THAT JAPANESE CONSUMERS WANT TO BUY. "FORBES," THE AMERICAN BUSINESS MAGAZINE, HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL PUBLISH AN INTERNATIONAL EDITION EARLY NEXT YEAR. THE PUBLISHER OF "FORBES GLOBAL" WILL BE DOMINGO FELIPE CAVALLO, THE FORMER ECONOMICS MINISTER OF ARGENTINA. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/LWM
22-Sep-97 5:06 PM EDT (2106 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] POLAND VOTE / MONDAY (S) BY ART CHIMES (WARSAW)

INTRO: POLISH VOTERS HAVE APPARENTLY HANDED THE EX-COMMUNISTS OF THE THE RULING "DEMOCRATIC LEFT ALLIANCE" A MAJOR DEFEAT IN SUNDAY'S NATIONWIDE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. WHILE OFFICIAL RESULTS ARE NOT EXPECTED UNTIL WEDNESDAY, EXIT POLLS INDICATE POLAND IS IN FOR A CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT -- BUT NOT NECESSARILY A DRAMATIC CHANGE IN GOVERNMENTAL POLICY. V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPE CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM WARSAW.

TEXT: POLAND'S RULING EX-COMMUNISTS NOW APPEAR LIKELY TO LOSE POWER TO A COALITION LED BY THE "SOLIDARITY" TRADE UNION -- THE GROUP THAT HELPED TOPPLE THE COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT IN THE 1980S.

SOLIDARITY'S LIKELY COALITION PARTNER IS THE "FREEDOM UNION," A CENTRIST PARTY WHICH, LIKE SOLIDARITY, DID BETTER THAN EXPECTED.

A SOLIDARLITY-LED GOVERNMENT IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE MEMBERSHIP IN NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION, AND MAY BE MORE AGGRESSIVE THAN THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT IN PURSUING ECONOMIC REFORMS.

BUT SOME OBSERVERS EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT THE STABILITY OF A GOVERNMENT LED BY THE SOLIDARITY BLOC, WHOSE NUMEROUS MEMBERS ACROSS THE CENTER AND RIGHT OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM ARE DIVIDED ON MANY ISSUES. A COALITION LED BY A COALITION, THESE OBSERVERS FEAR, COULD UNRAVEL OVER POLICY DIFFERENCES. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/PCF
22-Sep-97 4:07 AM EDT (0807 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] POLAND VOTE MONDAY (L) BY ART CHIMES (WARSAW)

INTRO: AN ALLIANCE LED BY POLAND'S "SOLIDARITY" TRADE UNION APPEARS HEADED FOR VICTORY FOLLOWING ELECTIONS SUNDAY -- THIS, AFTER EXIT POLLS INDICATE VOTERS FAVORED SOLIDARITY OVER THE RULING EX-COMMUNISTS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM WARSAW WHERE NEGOTIATIONS WILL DETERMINE THE MAKEUP OF THE NEXT GOVERNMENT.

TEXT: PRE-ELECTION SURVEYS SAID THIS ELECTION WAS TOO CLOSE TO CALL, BUT IN THE EVENT, THE CENTER-RIGHT SOLIDARITY BLOC RAN SIX PERCENTAGE POINTS AHEAD OF THE RULING DEMOCRATIC LEFT ALLIANCE -- A MARGIN OF VICTORY THAT SURPRISED MANY OBSERVERS.

THE NUMBER-THREE PARTY, THE "CENTRIST FREEDOM UNION," ALSO DID BETTER THAN EXPECTED, AND IT IS CONSIDERED THE MOST LIKELY PARTNER FOR A SOLIDARITY-LED GOVERNMENT.

ACCORDING TO THE PRELIMINARY FIGURES, THE TWO PARTIES WOULD CONTROL MORE THAN 56-PERCENT OF PARLIAMENT.

COALITION NEGOTIATIONS ARE LIKELY TO BE DIFFICULT. ALTHOUGH THE FREEDOM UNION SHARES COMMON TRADE UNION ROOTS WITH SOLIDARITY, THE TWO GROUPS DO HAVE THEIR DIFFERENCES.

THERE ARE DIFFERENCES, TOO, WITHIN THE SOLIDARITY BLOC, WHICH INCLUDES NUMEROUS PARTIES SPREAD ACROSS THE CENTER AND RIGHT OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM. OBSERVERS, ESPECIALLY WESTERN BUSINESS AND FINANCE OFFICIALS, ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE STABILITY OF A SOLIDARITY-LED GOVERNMENT. BUT NEWSPAPER EDITOR ERNEST SKALSKI OF GAZETA WYBORCZA (VEE-'BORE-CHA) SAYS IT WILL BE IN THEIR INTEREST TO MINIMIZE THEIR DIFFERENCES.

A SOLIDARITY-LED GOVERNMENT FACES ANOTHER CHALLENGE: WORKING WITH POLISH PRESIDENT ALEKSANDER KWASNIEWSKI. HIS PARTY, THE "DEMOCRATIC LEFT ALLIANCE," MAY BE OUT OF POWER, BUT PRESIDENT KWASNIEWSKI WILL REMAIN IN OFFICE.

REGARDLESS OF THE FINAL MAKEUP OF THE GOVERNMENT, POLAND'S MAJOR POLICY DIRECTIONS ARE LIKELY TO REMAIN UNCHANGED. LIKE THE EX-COMMUNISTS, SOLIDARITY FAVORS POLISH MEMBERSHIP IN NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. AND BOTH PARTIES SUPPORT FREE MARKET ECONOMIC REFORMS, THOUGH A SOLIDARITY-LED GOVERNMENT MAY BE MORE AGGRESSIVE IN PRIVATIZING POLAND'S REMAINING STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/PCF
22-Sep-97 5:06 AM EDT (0906 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[08] SERBIAN ELECTION (S) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BELGRADE)

INTRO: PRELIMINARY RESULTS SERBIA SHOW THE RULING SOCIALIST PARTY OF SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TAKING THE LEAD IN SUNDAY'S PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY VOTES IN SERBIA, WITH THE EXTREME-NATIONALIST "RADICAL" PARTY CLOSE BEHIND. BUT WITH LESS THAT 50 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL VOTE FOR ANY SINGLE CANDIDATE, A RUN-OFF ELECTION FOR THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF SERBIA APPEARS LIKELY. DETAILS FROM BELGRADE AND VOA'S PAMELA TAYLOR.

TEXT: UNOFFICIAL RESULTS PUT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S PROTEGE IN THE LEAD IN THE RACE FOR THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF SERBIA. HIS HAND-PICKED SUCCESSOR, FORMER YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT, ZORAN LILIC, HAS AN EARLY LEAD WITH AROUND 40 PERCENT OF THE VOTE. HOWEVER, SERBIA'S ELECTION LAW REQUIRES 50 PERCENT FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF VOTING TO BE CONSIDERED VALID. A SECOND ROUND IS, THEREFORE, EXPECTED IN TWO WEEK'S TIME.

FOLLOWING CLOSE BEHIND MR. LILIC IS VOJISLAV SESELJ, AN EXTREME NATIONALIST KNOWN FOR HIS CAMPAIGN OF ETHNIC CLEANSING DURING THE WAR BETWEEN SERBIA AND CROATIA.

SERBIA'S OPPOSITION MOVEMENT -- KNOWN AS "TOGETHER" WHEN IT SUPPORTED THREE MONTHS OF MASS, ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS EARLIER THIS YEAR -- HAS COMPLETELY FRACTURED. TWO OF THE MAIN OPPOSITION LEADERS BOYCOTTED THE ELECTION ALTOGETHER, AND A THIRD VUK DRASKOVIC -- IS COMING IN WITH LITTLE MORE THAN 20 PERCENT OF THE VOTE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PAM/PCF
22-Sep-97 5:10 AM EDT (0910 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[09] SERBIAN RADICAL BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BELGRADE)

TEXT: UNOFFICIAL RETURNS FROM SUNDAY'S PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS SHOW GAINS BY SERBIAN RADICAL PARTY CANDIDATES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. THE PARTY'S PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, VOJISLAV SESELJ, IS ONLY A FEW PERCENTAGE POINTS BEHIND MR. MILOSEVIC'S HANDPICKED SUCCESSOR, ZORAN LILIC.

MR. DRASKOVIC ANNOUNCED HE WILL NOT FORM A COALITION WITH EITHER THE SOCIALISTS OR THE RADICAL PARTY AND HAS CALLED FOR A BOYCOTT OF THE SECOND ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ON OCTOBER 5TH. A SECOND ROUND WILL BE REQUIRED IF THE OFFICIAL RETURNS CONFIRM THAT NO CANDIDATE RECEIVED MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF THE VOTE LAST SUNDAY. // END OPT //

APART FROM SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, VOJISLAV SESELJ IS PROBABLY THE BEST KNOWN MAN IN SERBIA TODAY. DURING THE 1992 WAR WITH CROATIA, HIS INFLAMATORY RHETORIC ABOUT RECLAIMING SERB LANDS THROUGHOUT THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA INCITED A BRUTAL WAVE OF ETHNIC CLEANSING. BUT AT A CAMPAIGN VICTORY PARTY AT HIS HEADQUARTERS IN CENTRAL BELGRADE, MR.SESELJ APPEARED IN A BOUYANT MOOD AS HE JOKED WITH REPORTERS:

SURROUNDED BY ARMED BODYGUARDS, MR. SESELJ REFUSED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT HE STILL SUPPORTS THE GOAL OF A GREATER SERBIA.

DURING THE ELECTION, MR. SESELJ'S PARTY SLOGAN WAS A BENIGN CALL 'FOR A WELL MANAGED SERBIA', SOMETHING FEW COULD DISAGREE WITH. BUT HIS CAMPAIGN SPEECHES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE RANG WITH THE FAMILIAR CALLS FOR SERBS TO RECLAIM WHAT IS THEIRS. SLOBODANKA NEDOVIC OF THE CENTER FOR FREE ELECTIONS AND DEMOCRACY TRIED TO EXPLAIN MR. SESELJ'S APPEAL:

FOR ONE THING, HE IS WHAT YOUR MEDIA USED TO CALL MR. MILOSEVIC --HE'S AN EVIL GENIUS. HE'S AN EXTREMELY INTELLIGENT POLITICIAN, HE'S VERY SMART. HE'S VERY EDUCATED AND HE HAS THIS UNIQUE ABILITY TO SIMPLIFY THINGS. HE'S CAPABLE OF GIVING EXTREMELY SIMPLE SOLUTIONS FOR EXTREMELY COMPLICATED PROBLEMS.

AS AN EXAMPLE, MS. NEDOVIC TELLS HOW MR. SESELJ, AS THE MAYOR OF THE ONCE MULTI-ETHNIC COMMUNITY OF ZEMUN, RESOLVED THE TOWN'S REFUGEE HOUSING PROBLEM BY SIMPLY THROWING ALL NON-SERBS OUT OF THEIR HOMES.

VESNA KOSTIC, AN ECONOMICS REPORTER FOR THE WEEKLY MAGAZINE 'VREME', HAS ANOTHER EXPLANATION FOR MR. SESELJ'S POPULARITY WITH SERB NATIONALISTS:

THEY FEEL THAT MILOSEVIC DIDN'T CARRY OUT THE PROMISES HE MADE ON NATIONAL ISSUES SUCH AS A SEPARATE SERB STATE, TO TAKE PARTS OF CROATIA AND BOSNIA FOR SERBIA -- THIS GREATER SERBIA. SESLJ NEVER GAVE UP ON THIS DREAM.

[10] SERBIAN RADICAL BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BELGRADE)

INTRO: THE ELECTION LEAD OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S RULING PARTY HAS SUPRISED NO ONE. BUT THE STRONG SHOWING BY A HARDLINE NATIONALIST PARTY IN SERBIA'S PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION IS BEING VIEWED WITH ALARM BY PEOPLE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY. VOA'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS FROM BELGRADE:

TEXT: UNOFFICIAL RETURNS FROM SUNDAY'S PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS SHOW GAINS BY SERBIAN RADICAL PARTY CANDIDATES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. THE PARTY'S PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, VOJISLAV SESELJ, IS ONLY A FEW PERCENTAGE POINTS BEHIND MR. MILOSEVIC'S HANDPICKED SUCCESSOR, ZORAN LILIC.

MR. DRASKOVIC ANNOUNCED HE WILL NOT FORM A COALITION WITH EITHER THE SOCIALISTS OR THE RADICAL PARTY AND HAS CALLED FOR A BOYCOTT OF THE SECOND ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ON OCTOBER 5TH. A SECOND ROUND WILL BE REQUIRED IF THE OFFICIAL RETURNS CONFIRM THAT NO CANDIDATE RECEIVED MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF THE VOTE LAST SUNDAY. // END OPT //

APART FROM SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, VOJISLAV SESELJ IS PROBABLY THE BEST KNOWN MAN IN SERBIA TODAY. DURING THE 1992 WAR WITH CROATIA, HIS INFLAMATORY RHETORIC ABOUT RECLAIMING SERB LANDS THROUGHOUT THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA INCITED A BRUTAL WAVE OF ETHNIC CLEANSING. BUT AT A CAMPAIGN VICTORY PARTY AT HIS HEADQUARTERS IN CENTRAL BELGRADE, MR.SESELJ APPEARED IN A BOUYANT MOOD AS HE JOKED WITH REPORTERS:

SURROUNDED BY ARMED BODYGUARDS, MR. SESELJ REFUSED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT HE STILL SUPPORTS THE GOAL OF A GREATER SERBIA.

DURING THE ELECTION, MR. SESELJ'S PARTY SLOGAN WAS A BENIGN CALL 'FOR A WELL MANAGED SERBIA', SOMETHING FEW COULD DISAGREE WITH. BUT HIS CAMPAIGN SPEECHES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE RANG WITH THE FAMILIAR CALLS FOR SERBS TO RECLAIM WHAT IS THEIRS. SLOBODANKA NEDOVIC OF THE CENTER FOR FREE ELECTIONS AND DEMOCRACY TRIED TO EXPLAIN MR. SESELJ'S APPEAL:

FOR ONE THING, HE IS WHAT YOUR MEDIA USED TO CALL MR. MILOSEVIC --HE'S AN EVIL GENIUS. HE'S AN EXTREMELY INTELLIGENT POLITICIAN, HE'S VERY SMART. HE'S VERY EDUCATED AND HE HAS THIS UNIQUE ABILITY TO SIMPLIFY THINGS. HE'S CAPABLE OF GIVING EXTREMELY SIMPLE SOLUTIONS FOR EXTREMELY COMPLICATED PROBLEMS.

AS AN EXAMPLE, MS. NEDOVIC TELLS HOW MR. SESELJ, AS THE MAYOR OF THE ONCE MULTI-ETHNIC COMMUNITY OF ZEMUN, RESOLVED THE TOWN'S REFUGEE HOUSING PROBLEM BY SIMPLY THROWING ALL NON-SERBS OUT OF THEIR HOMES.

VESNA KOSTIC, AN ECONOMICS REPORTER FOR THE WEEKLY MAGAZINE 'VREME', HAS ANOTHER EXPLANATION FOR MR. SESELJ'S POPULARITY WITH SERB NATIONALISTS:

THEY FEEL THAT MILOSEVIC DIDN'T CARRY OUT THE PROMISES HE MADE ON NATIONAL ISSUES SUCH AS A SEPARATE SERB STATE, TO TAKE PARTS OF CROATIA AND BOSNIA FOR SERBIA -- THIS GREATER SERBIA. SESLJ NEVER GAVE UP ON THIS DREAM.

[11] SOROS (S) BY BARRY WOOD (HONG KONG)

INTRO: IN HONG KONG (SUNDAY), FINANCIER AND PHILANTHROPIST GEORGE SOROS SAYS IT WOULD BE DISASTROUS IF COUNTRIES ATTEMPTED TO BAN TRADING IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS MR. SOROS WAS RESPONDING TO AN ANGRY ATTACK ON CURRENCY SPECULATORS BY THE MALAYSIAN PRIME MINISTER.

TEXT: GEORGE SOROS AND MALAYSIAN PRIME MINISTER MAHATHIR MOHAMAD ARE PROVIDING DRAMA TO THE WORLD BANK AND INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND ANNUAL MEETING, HERE. IN FRONT OF A LARGE AUDIENCE OF BANKERS, MR. SOROS RIDICULED MR. MAHATHIR'S PROPOSAL TO BAN CURRENCY TRADING .

I AM CONVINCED THIS IS GOING TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. IT IS JUST GRAND-STANDING. IT SHOULDN'T BE TAKEN TOO SERIOUSLY. BUT, IF IT WERE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, THEN I THINK THE CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE DISASTROUS.

MR. SOROS -- ONE OF THE WORLD'S RICHEST MEN -- SAYS THE MALAYSIAN LEADER IS MAKING HIM A SCAPEGOAT FOR ASIA'S FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. THE MALAYSIAN PRIME MINISTER ACCUSES CURRENCY SPECULATORS, LIKE MR. SOROS, OF TRYING TO KEEP THIRD-WORLD COUNTRIES POOR BY DRIVING DOWN THEIR CURRENCIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/WD
21-Sep-97 8:59 PM EDT (0059 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[12] UNGA MONDAY WRAP (L ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: PRESIDENTS AND MINISTERS POSITIONED THEMSELVES ON KEY ISSUES LIKE UNITED NATIONS REFORM DURING THE OPENING DAY MONDAY OF FORMAL SPEECH-MAKING AT THE NEW SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: DURING A LUNCHEON FOR VISITING PRESIDENTS AND MINISTERS, SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN ASKED THEM TO DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT OUT OF THE UNITED NATIONS. HE SAID CHANGE IS COMING AND IT IS THEY WHO MUST DECIDE IN WHAT FORM:

WHATEVER YOUR ANSWER, YOU WILL NEED A UNITED NATIONS THAT WORKS TO ACHIEVE IT. TO REFORM OR NOT TO REFORM IS NOT THE QUESTION. REFORM IS OUR SURVIVAL. REFORM IS OUR FUTURE.

DRAMATIC WORDS -- PERHAPS. BUT GOVERNMENTS ATTENDING THIS NEW SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- WITHOUT EXCEPTION -- HAVE CONCEDED THE UNITED NATIONS IS AT A CROSSROADS AND THE FATE OF MULTINATIONAL COOPERATION IS IN THEIR HANDS. ALL 185 U-N MEMBERS OVER THE COMING MONTHS WILL TRY TO SET PRIORITIES FOR THE ORGANIZATION. FAVORITE PROGRAMS MAY BE CUT, OTHERS CONSOLIDATED. AND IF UNITED STATES DIPLOMACY WORKS, WASHINGTON WILL PAY LESS OF THE U-N BUDGET AS THE U-S CONGRESS IS DEMANDING. OTHER ECONOMICALLY STRONG COUNTRIES WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE. THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE MOMENT IS FINANCIALLY INSECURE, LARGELY BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES OWES IT OVER A BILLION DOLLARS IN PAST AND PRESENT DUES. MEANWHILE, THE QUEST FOR PEACE CONTINUES. PAKISTAN'S PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF, USED HIS U-N SPEECH TO OFFER TO NEGOTIATE A TREATY OF NON-AGGRESSION WITH ARCH-RIVAL INDIA. THE TWO HAVE NOT MADE MUCH PROGRESS IN RECENT TALKS.

SOUTH AFRICAN FOREIGN MINISTER ALFRED NZO PLEADED WITH AFRICAN COUNTRIES TO SETTLE THEIR INTERNAL CONFLICTS AND TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. MINISTER NZO MAKE A SPECIAL APPEAL TO CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE TO HOLD ON TO ITS SHAKY CEASEFIRE AS IT HEADS TOWARD ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR.

THE SPEECH-MAKING WILL GO ON FOR ANOTHER TWO WEEKS BEFORE DEBATES ON ISSUES, INCLUDING U-N REFORM, ACTUALLY BEGIN. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
22-Sep-97 6:58 PM EDT (2258 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[13] WORLD BANK EASTERN EUROPE (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (HONG KONG)

INTRO: THE WORLD BANK MONDAY SAID THE ECONOMIES OF EASTERN EUROPE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE BALKANS, ARE PERFORMING WELL AND THERE WILL BE GROWTH THIS YEAR IN RUSSIA, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM IN 1991. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM THE WORLD BANK/I-M-F MEETING IN HONG KONG.

TEXT: GERMAN ECONOMIST JOHANNES LINN SAYS THE BALTIC STATES AND CENTRAL EUROPE ARE DOING PARTICULARLY WELL, WITH GROWTH LIKELY TO EXCEED FOUR-PERCENT THIS YEAR.

MR. LINN IS IN CHARGE OF WORLD BANK OPERATIONS IN EASTERN EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION. HE SAYS THE RUSSIAN ECONOMY HAS AT LAST BEGUN TO GROW, BUT THERE IS STILL NO GROWTH IN UKRAINE. MR. LINN SAYS THE REGION IS BEGINNING TO ATTRACT MUCH LARGER FLOWS OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT.

WE HAVE HAD IN THE REGION VERY SIGNIFICANT INFLOWS OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT, IN THE VICINITY OF 13-BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS ON AVERAGE. OF WHICH TWO-THIRDS WENT INTO CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. ONLY A RELATIVELY SMALL --A ND ACTUALLY MUCH TOO SMALL -- AMOUNT WENT INTO RUSSIA AND UKRAINE. ALTHOUGH I SHOULD POINT OUT THAT FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN RUSSIA IS PICKING UP. AND THE INVESTMENT CLIMATE AS PERCEIVED BY FOREIGN INVESTORS AND PEOPLE WE TALK TO APPEARS TO BE MUCH IMPROVED.

MR. LINN SAYS THE WORLD BANK HAS LENT NEARLY 30-BILLION DOLLARS TO HELP ASSIST WITH THE TRANSFORMATION IN EASTERN EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION. HE SAID FUTURE LOANS WILL BE TARGETED ON THE SOCIAL SECTOR, PROJECTS THAT WILL ASSIST WITH OLD AGE PENSION SYSTEMS, HEALTH, AND EDUCATION.

MR. LINN SAID THE WORLD BANK IS PREPARED TO PROVIDE SUBSTANTIAL NEW LOANS TO ALBANIA ONCE THAT COUNTRY HAS CLOSED THE REMAINING PYRAMID INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

CONCERNING RECENT SPECULATION AGAINST THE CZECH CURRENCY, MR. LINN SAID THAT EXPERIENCE PLUS THAT OF THAILAND SHOWS POLICY MISTAKES BY GOVERNMENTS ARE VERY QUICKLY PUNISHED BY FINANCIAL MARKETS.

IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC, THE EXCHANGE RATE WAS PERCEIVED BY THE MARKET TO BE OVERVALUED. FOLLOWING A DAMAGING SPECULATIVE ATTACK ON THE CURRENCY IN MAY, CZECH AUTHORITIES ABANDONED THE CROWN'S LINK TO THE GERMAN MARK AND LET THE CURRENCY FLOAT FREELY ON THE MARKETS. IT PROMPTLY FELL ABOUT 20-PERCENT AGAINST THE DOLLAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/RAE
22-Sep-97 8:06 AM EDT (1206 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article