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Voice of America, 97-10-01Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] ALBANIA DEAL (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)DATE=10/1/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-220704 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO; ALBANIA AND THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND THIS WEEK REACHED AGREEMENT ON A 12 MILLION DOLLAR LOAN THAT WILL HELP THE IMPOVERISHED BALKAN COUNTRY REGAIN ITS ECONOMIC FOOTING FOLLOWING MONTHS OF ANARCHY AND FINANCIAL PARALYSIS. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS. TEXT: THE AGREEMENT WAS REACHED WHEN PRIME MINISTER FATOS NANO VISITED I-M-F HEADQUARTERS ON MONDAY. THE SPECIAL SIX MONTH LOAN IS DESIGNED FOR COUNTRIES WHOSE ECONOMIES HAVE BEEN SHATTERED BY CIVIL UNREST. WHAT ARE CALLED POST-CONFLICT LOANS HAVE BEEN USED PREVIOUSLY BY BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND RWANDA. THE I-M-F ANTICIPATES MAKING A BIGGER THREE YEAR LOAN TO ALBANIA IF CURRENT PRO-MARKET POLICIES CONTINUE. THIS RELATIVELY SMALL I-M-F CREDIT FOR ALBANIA IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN IT MAY APPEAR. SINCE THE I-M-F IS THE PRINCIPAL INSTITUTION MONITORING TROUBLED ECONOMIES, LOAN APPROVAL IS A DECISIVE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE SOCIALIST LED GOVERNMENT THAT CAME TO POWER ONLY THREE MONTHS AGO. I-M-F ENDORSEMENT ALSO UNLOCKS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF LARGER AID PROGRAMS THAT WERE FROZEN AFTER ALBANIA DISSOLVED INTO ANARCHY LAST MARCH. REVISED AID PROGRAMS WILL BE UNVEILED DURING MEETINGS IN ROME (OCTOBER 17) AND BRUSSELS (OCTOBER 22) LATER THIS MONTH. THE I-M-F LOAN AGREEMENT IS EXPECTED TO BE SIGNED IN TIRANA NEXT WEEK. PRIME MINISTER NANO SAYS ALBANIA HAS COMPLIED WITH ALL ELEMENTS CONTAINED IN A RECENT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE I-M-F. IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THE LOAN ALBANIA HAS INCREASED ITS VALUE ADDED TAX, NARROWED THE BUDGET DEFICIT AND BROUGHT DOWN THE RATE OF INFLATION. MR. NANO SAYS THE I-M-F AND WORLD BANK ARE IMPRESSED. //NANO ACT//THIS PROGRAM WAS WIDELY APPLAUDED BY THE I-M-F AND WORLD BANK WHICH WILL ASSIST ALBANIA IMMEDIATELY. THEY PROMISE A PACKAGE OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE WORTH UP TO 170 MILLION DOLLARS AS AN INJECTION TO HELP THE RECOVERY. THEY ALSO LIFTED ALL THE INTERRUPTED CREDITS. //END ACT//MONETARY SOURCES SAY ALBANIA'S ECONOMY COULD CONSERVATIVELY GROW BY 12 PERCENT NEXT YEAR. THEY BELIEVE LIVING STANDARDS IN ALBANIA CAN RETURN TO PRE-CRISIS LEVELS AS EARLY AS THE END OF 1998. PRIOR TO THE FINANCIAL CRISIS ALBANIA'S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE HAD BEEN HAILED AS AMONG THE BEST IN EUROPE WITH GROWTH AVERAGING NINE PERCENT ANNUALLY OVER THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS. ANOTHER CONDITION FOR RECEIVING I-M-F SUPPORT IS THE CLOSURE OF
THE REMAINING PYRAMID INVESTMENT COMPANIES. THEIR FAILURE TO
HONOR THEIR OBLIGATIONS TRIGGERED PUBLIC UNREST AND THE
SUBSEQUENT COLLAPSE OF THE PREVIOUS CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT.
(SIGNED)
[02] BELGRADE / POL (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)DATE=10/1/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-220686 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: MEMBERS OF OPPOSITION GROUPS IN SERBIA HAVE URGED CITIZENS IN BELGRADE TO REVIVE LAST YEAR'S MASS CIVIC DEMONSTRATIONS -- AFTER POLICE CRACKED DOWN ON A PROTEST MARCH. JULIA GLYN-PICKETT REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. TEXT: IN DEFIANCE OF A SWIFT POLICE CRACKDOWN ON A PEACEFUL PROTEST MARCH THROUGH BELGRADE ON TUESDAY EVENING, SERBIA'S OPPOSITION "DEMOCRATIC PARTY" ORGANIZED MASS DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE CITY CENTER ON WEDNESDAY. A DECISION TO OUST THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S LEADER, ZORAN DJINDJIC, AS BELGRADE'S MAYOR SPARKED THE DAY-OLD PROTEST. MR. DJINDJIC SAYS THE DECISION ON TUESDAY TO REMOVE HIM USHERED IN A NEW PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY AND TURBULENCE. HE SAYS THE ONLY WAY OUT OF THIS IS A NEW ELECTION. BUT AFTER A FEUD OVER SERBIA'S RECENT POLLS (ELECTIONS) WITH HIS FORMER COALITION PARTNER, MR. DJINDJIC IS OUT IN THE COLD (ALL ALONE). WITH NO POLITICAL ALLIES LEFT, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SAYS IT WILL NEED MASSIVE POPULAR SUPPORT, IF IT IS TO FORCE THE GOVERNMENT TO HOLD A NEW ELECTION. POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAY THIS WILL TAKE TIME -- SOMETHING, THEY SAY, MR. DJINDJIC DOES NOT HAVE. MIODRAG PERISIC IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF MR. DJINDJIC'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY. HE TOLD V-O-A THAT HE BELIEVES THE SERBIAN AUTHORITIES ARE NEITHER WILLING NOR ABLE TO WAIT FOR THE PROTEST TO DIE OUT. //OPT// AFTER RIOT POLICE USED TEAR GAS AND BATONS TO CRUSH STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS IN SERBIA'S DISPUTED PROVINCE OF KOSOVO ON WEDNESDAY, MR. PERISIC SAYS HE IS AFRAID THAT POLICE WILL AGAIN INTERVENE IN BELGRADE. ///PERISIC ACT///I FEAR THAT THE POLICE FORCE IS VERY NERVOUS BECAUSE THEY NOW HAVE TWO NEUROTIC POINTS IN SERBIA -- ONE IS IN KOSOVO AND THE OTHER IS BELGRADE. SO I FEAR THAT TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY), BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE OUR GATHERING TONIGHT, I FEAR THAT THEY WILL USE BRUTAL FORCE, NOT AGAINST THE WALK BUT AGAINST THE GATHERING ON THE SQUARE OF THE REPUBLIC (CENTRAL BELGRADE). ///END ACT/////END OPT//SERBIA'S PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY POLLS (ELECTIONS) ONE WEEK AGO PRODUCED NO CLEAR WINNER. THEY ALSO LEAVE PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S SOCIALISTS WITHOUT A MAJORITY IN THE SERB PARLIAMENT. POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAY RENEWED TROUBLE ON THE STREETS WOULD
COMPOUND MR. MILOSEVIC'S EMBARRASSMENT OF HIS PARTY'S FAILURE TO
SCORE OUTRIGHT ELECTORAL VICTORIES. (SIGNED)
[03] BOSNIA - TV (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)DATE=10/1/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-220677 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO-LED TROOPS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAVE TAKEN CONTROL OF FOUR TELEVISION TRANSMITTERS USED BY BOSNIAN-SERB BROADCASTERS AFTER THEY AIRED A HEAVILY-EDITED TAPE THAT DISTORTED COMMENTS BY A WAR CRIMES PROSECUTOR. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS FOLLOWING THE STORY FROM OUR CENTRAL EUROPE BUREAU IN PRAGUE. TEXT: MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL FORCE IN BOSNIA SEIZED FOUR TRANSMITTERS IN THE SERB REPUBLIC ON THE ORDERS OF THE WESTERN POWERS' HIGH REPRESENTATIVE THERE, CARLOS WESTENDORP. MILITARY SPOKESMAN, MAJOR JAN JOOSTEN (YAHN YOH-STEN), SAYS THE ACTION WAS TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO PROVOCATIVE BROADCASTS BY SERB HARDLINERS. // JOOSTEN ACTUALITY //THE AIM IS THE PROPER RESTORING OF TELEVISION SERVICE TO THE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA (BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC), THAT REFLECTS THE GENERALLY-ACCEPTED INTERNATIONAL NORMS OF PROFESSIONAL MEDIA CONDUCT. AND THE REASON, ACTUALLY, FOR THESE (NATO) ACTIONS, RELATE DIRECTLY TO THE COVERAGE OF A PRESS CONFERENCE DONE BY JUSTICE ARBOUR (OF THE I-C-T-Y) BY S-R-T. // END ACT //IN THAT BROADCAST, S-R-T -- SERB TELEVISION -- SHOWED A HEAVILY-EDITED TAPE OF JUSTICE LOUISE ARBOUR, OF THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. THE BROADCAST DISTORTED HER COMMENTS TO MAKE HER SOUND ANTI-SERB. AT A NATO MEETING IN THE NETHERLANDS, CHIEF EUROPEAN COMMANDER GENERAL WESLEY CLARK SAID THE TAKEOVER OF THE TELEVISION TRANSMITTERS DEMONSTRATES THE DETERMINATION OF THE NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL FORCE IN BOSNIA TO REACT, IN HIS WORDS, "SWIFTLY AND ROBUSTLY" AGAINST THOSE WHO SEEK TO OBSTRUCT THE PEACE PROCESS. SARAJEVO NATO SPOKESMAN, MAJOR JOOSTEN, EMPHASIZED THAT THE
TRANSMITTERS REMAIN ON THE AIR, BROADCASTING NORMAL PROGRAMMING.
(SIGNED)
[04] BOSNIA / T-V (S) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)DATE=10/1/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-220671 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: INTERNATIONAL FORCES IN BOSNIA HAVE SEIZED FOUR TELEVISION TRANSMITTERS THEY SAY WERE USED TO DISTORT COMMENTS BY A MEMBER OF THE TRIBUNAL INVESTIGATION WAR CRIMES IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE STORY FROM OUR BUREAU IN PRAGUE. TEXT: THE MILITARY ACTION CAME ONE DAY AFTER THE BOSNIAN-SERB TELEVISION BROADCAST TAPE OF A NEWS CONFERENCE BY A MEMBER OF THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, LOUISE ARBOUR, THAT WAS EDITED TO DISTORT HER COMMENTS. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S HIGH REPRESENTATIVE, CARLOS WESTENDORP, ORDERED THE SEIZURE OF THE TRANSMITTERS.. THE TAKEOVERS WENT WITHOUT INCIDENT. SIMILAR OPERATIONS LAST MONTH PROMPTED PROTESTS BY BOSNIAN SERBS. FOR THE TIME BEING, NATO TROOPS ARE NOT INTERFERING WITH
PROGRAMMING, AND A SPOKESMAN DECLINED TO DISCUSS THEIR PLANS.
BUT THE CLEAR IMPLICATION IS THAT IF OBJECTIONABLE PROGRAMS ARE
BROADCAST, THE WESTERN POWERS ARE NOW IN POSITION TO PULL THE
PLUG AND STOP THE TRANSMISSION. (SIGNED)
[05] EDITORIAL: THE U.S. AND BOSNIADATE= OCTOBER 2, 1997TYPE= EDITORIAL NUMBER= 0-07463 CONTENT=THIS IS THE ONLY EDITORIAL BEING RELEASED FOR BROADCAST OCTOBER 2, 1997. 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: THE UNITED STATES HAS A STRONG INTEREST IN PEACE IN BOSNIA. THE BLUEPRINT FOR PEACE HAS BEEN THE DAYTON ACCORDS, SIGNED NEARLY TWO YEARS AGO. AT THAT TIME, THE WARRING PARTIES COMMITTED THEMSELVES TO ESTABLISHING A STABLE MILITARY BALANCE; REFORMING POLICE FORCES; STRENGTHENING POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE RULE OF LAW; ENABLING REFUGEES TO RETURN SAFELY; RE-ESTABLISHING FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT; BOOSTING ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION; AND HELPING BRING WAR CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE. THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THESE GOALS IS FAR FROM COMPLETE. THE LARGE MAJORITY OF REFUGEES REMAIN UNABLE TO RETURN HOME. THE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA IS IN THE GRIP OF A POWER STRUGGLE. INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS, MOST NOTABLY RADOVAN KARADZIC AND RATKO MLADIC, REMAIN AT LARGE. AND MUCH OF THE MEDIA IS NOT YET INDEPENDENT. NONETHELESS, THE DAYTON AGREEMENT HAS KEPT THE GUNS SILENT AND BOSNIA INTACT, AND REBUILDING HAS BEGUN IN SOME AREAS. MORE THAN THREE-HUNDRED SEVENTY THOUSAND TROOPS HAVE RETURNED TO CIVILIAN LIFE. HEAVY WEAPONS HAVE BEEN PUT UNDER INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION. AND THIS MONTH, OVER TWO-MILLION VOTERS CHOSE MAYORS, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND OTHER MUNICIPAL LEADERS FROM MORE THAN TWENTY-THOUSAND CANDIDATES WHO RAN FOR OFFICE. THE ELECTION PROCESS IN BOSNIA MAY VERY WELL BE A SIGN THAT BOSNIANS ARE BEGINNING TO APPRECIATE THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND BENEFITS OF SELF-GOVERNANCE AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION. BUT THESE GAINS ARE NOT IRREVERSIBLE. THAT IS WHY THE U.S. AND OTHER NATIONS MUST STAY ENGAGED IN BOSNIA FOR SOME TIME TO COME. THE U.S. BELIEVES THAT THE DAYTON ACCORDS ARE THE BEST WAY TO ACHIEVE A PEACEFUL, UNIFIED BOSNIAN STATE. BUT THESE ACCORDS CAN ONLY SUCCEED IF BOSNIA'S LEADERS TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR COUNTRY'S FUTURE. 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.
[06] EDITORIAL: THE U.S. AND BOSNIADATE= OCTOBER 2, 1997TYPE= EDITORIAL NUMBER= 0-07463 CONTENT=THIS IS THE ONLY EDITORIAL BEING RELEASED FOR BROADCAST OCTOBER 2, 1997. PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN FOURTH GRAPH, FIRST SENTENCE. 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: THE UNITED STATES HAS A STRONG INTEREST IN PEACE IN BOSNIA. THE BLUEPRINT FOR PEACE HAS BEEN THE DAYTON ACCORDS, SIGNED NEARLY TWO YEARS AGO. AT THAT TIME, THE WARRING PARTIES COMMITTED THEMSELVES TO ESTABLISHING A STABLE MILITARY BALANCE; REFORMING POLICE FORCES; STRENGTHENING POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE RULE OF LAW; ENABLING REFUGEES TO RETURN SAFELY; RE-ESTABLISHING FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT; BOOSTING ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION; AND HELPING BRING WAR CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE. THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THESE GOALS IS FAR FROM COMPLETE. THE LARGE MAJORITY OF REFUGEES REMAIN UNABLE TO RETURN HOME. THE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA IS IN THE GRIP OF A POWER STRUGGLE. INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS, MOST NOTABLY RADOVAN KARADZIC AND RATKO MLADIC, REMAIN AT LARGE. AND MUCH OF THE MEDIA IS NOT YET INDEPENDENT. NONETHELESS, THE DAYTON AGREEMENT HAS KEPT THE GUNS SILENT AND BOSNIA INTACT, AND REBUILDING HAS BEGUN IN SOME AREAS. MORE THAN THREE-HUNDRED SEVENTY THOUSAND TROOPS HAVE RETURNED TO CIVILIAN LIFE. HEAVY WEAPONS HAVE BEEN PUT UNDER INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION. AND LAST MONTH, OVER TWO-MILLION VOTERS CHOSE MAYORS, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND OTHER MUNICIPAL LEADERS FROM MORE THAN TWENTY-THOUSAND CANDIDATES WHO RAN FOR OFFICE. THE ELECTION PROCESS IN BOSNIA MAY VERY WELL BE A SIGN THAT BOSNIANS ARE BEGINNING TO APPRECIATE THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND BENEFITS OF SELF-GOVERNANCE AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION. BUT THESE GAINS ARE NOT IRREVERSIBLE. THAT IS WHY THE U.S. AND OTHER NATIONS MUST STAY ENGAGED IN BOSNIA FOR SOME TIME TO COME. THE U.S. BELIEVES THAT THE DAYTON ACCORDS ARE THE BEST WAY TO ACHIEVE A PEACEFUL, UNIFIED BOSNIAN STATE. BUT THESE ACCORDS CAN ONLY SUCCEED IF BOSNIA'S LEADERS TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR COUNTRY'S FUTURE. 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.
[07] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)DATE=10/1/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-220689 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES RALLIED ON THE MAJOR EXCHANGES OF WESTERN EUROPE WEDNESDAY AND GOLD CONTINUED ITS UPWARD MOVEMENT. FOR THE FIGURES, HERE'S PAUL FRANCUCH IN OUR LONDON BUREAU. TEXT: THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF STOCKS HERE IN LONDON POSTED ANOTHER RECORD WEDNESDAY, CLOSING UP ALMOST 73 POINTS. NEWS THAT THE COSTLY MERGER BETWEEN BRITISH TELECOM AND U-S LONG-DISTANCE CARRIER M-C-I MAY BE QUASHED BY A RIVAL BID SENT THE BRITISH PHONE COMPANY STOCKS SOARING, WHICH DROVE THE LONDON RALLY. STOCKS IN FRANKFURT AND PARIS ALSO FARED WELL. THE GERMAN "DAX 30" INDEX POSTED A 29-POINT GAIN AND THE FRENCH "CAC 40" CLOSED UP ALMOST 47 POINTS. THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED MORE THAN THREE-QUARTERS OF A PFENNIG AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, BUT LOST A HALF-CENT TO THE BRITISH POUND. GOLD CONTINUED ITS STRONG ADVANCE, WHICH BEGAN TUESDAY. THE
LONDON CLOSING FIX WAS SET AT 336-DOLLARS-75 CENTS AN OUNCE -- UP
THREE-DOLLARS-40 CENTS. (SIGNED)
[08] KOSOVO PROTEST (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)DATE=10/1/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-220670 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: RIOT POLICE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE HAVE BROKEN UP A PROTEST STAGED BY ETHNIC ALBANIAN STUDENTS IN THE CAPITAL, PRISTINA. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS FROM OUR CENTRAL EUROPEAN BUREAU IN PRAGUE. TEXT: REPORTS FROM KOSOVO SAY POLICE IN FULL RIOT GEAR CHARGED A CROWD OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS STAGING A PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION TO PRESS FOR ACCESS TO A SERB-CONTROLLED UNIVERSITY. POLICE BEAT SOME DEMONSTRATORS WITH BATONS AND SENT OTHERS RUNNING TO ESCAPE THE TEAR GAS. ETHNIC ALBANIANS MAKE UP 90 PERCENT OF KOSOVO'S POPULATION. THE ALBANIAN STUDENTS WANT TO ATTEND PRISTINA UNIVERSITY, WHERE SERBS CONTROL THE CURRICULUM, AND WHERE ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENROLL. KOSOVO HAD BEEN AN AUTONOMOUS PROVINCE WITHIN SERBIA. BUT IN
1989, BELGRADE TOOK CONTROL, INCREASING FRICTION BETWEEN THE
MINORITY SERBIANS AND THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS. (SIGNED)
[09] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=10/1/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-220705 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AND A STUNNING TAKEOVER BID IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY WAS ANNOUNCED. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT EIGHT THOUSAND 15, UP 70 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 955, UP EIGHT POINTS. ANALYSTS SAY STOCKS FOLLOWED BOND PRICES UP WITH SOME FUTURES-RELATED BUYING PRESSURE LATE IN THE SESSION. THE CENTER OF ATTENTION ON WALL STREET WAS THE HUGE AND TOTALLY UNEXPECTED 30 BILLION DOLLAR BID BY THE WORLDCOM COMPANY FOR M-C-I TELECOMMUNICATIONS. THE SIZE OF THE OFFER WAS ESPECIALLY SHOCKING IN LIGHT OF BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PENDING 18 BILLION DOLLAR BID FOR M-C-I. BUT WORLDCOM CHIEF EXECUTIVE BERNARD EBBERS TOLD REPORTERS HIS COMPANY'S BID MAKES SENSE. ///EBBERS ACT///WE ARE ABLE TO MAKE A SUPERIOR OFFER FOR M-C-I BECAUSE WE CAN REALIZE FAR GREATER SYNERGIES AND SAVINGS THAN B-T CAN. ///END ACT///THE TAKEOVER BID TOUCHED OFF A WAVE OF SPECULATION IN THE STOCKS OF OTHER TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES. /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///IN ECONOMIC NEWS, THE GROWTH IN THE U-S MANUFACTURING SECTOR SLOWED IN AUGUST AND NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WERE DOWN LAST MONTH. HOWEVER, AN INDEX OF LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS WAS UP MODESTLY IN AUGUST, POINTING TO CONTINUED U-S ECONOMIC EXPANSION. PILOTS AT THE UNITED PARCEL SERVICE HAVE OVERWHELMINGLY REJECTED A CONTRACT OFFER, SETTING UP THE POSSIBILITY OF ANOTHER STRIKE AT THE PACKAGE DELIVERY COMPANY. HOWEVER, FEDERAL MEDIATORS SAY THEY WILL USE THEIR AUTHORITY TO DELAY ANY STRIKE UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR. BUT PILOTS AT U-S AIRWAYS HAVE REACHED A TENTATIVE CONTRACT AGREEMENT. THAT MEANS U-S AIRWAYS WILL GO AHEAD WITH AN ORDER FOR 400 JETS FROM AIRBUS INDUSTRIES OF EUROPE. U-S AIRWAYS HAD SAID IT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE THE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT FOR THE NEW AIRCRAFT WITHOUT AN AGREEMENT WITH THE PILOTS. A SURVEY SHOWS THAT 84 PERCENT OF THE 500 LARGEST U-S
CORPORATIONS NOW HAVE WOMEN ON THEIR BOARDS OF DIRECTORS.
HOWEVER, THE RESEARCH SHOWS THAT LESS THAN HALF OF THOSE
CORPORATIONS HAVE MORE THAN ONE WOMEN ON THEIR BOARDS.(SIGNED)
[10] REFORMING THE UNITED NATIONS, PT. 1 BY AMIN FEKRAT (WASHINGTON)DATE=10/1/97TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-37677 CONTENT= NOT VOICED: INTRO: AT THE OPENING OF THE 52ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY, PRESIDENT CLINTON JOINED FORCES WITH KOFI ANNAN, THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS, TO URGE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO ADOPT A SWEEPING PACKAGE OF REFORMS. THE PROPOSED REFORMS HAVE REVIVED THE QUESTION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS AND THE RELEVANCE OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND PROMPTED DEBATE ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION'S ROLE IN THE POST-COLD WAR ERA. IN THIS REPORT (THE FIRST OF TWO), AMIN FEKRAT OF VOA'S FARSI SERVICE EXAMINES SOME OF THE PROPOSALS FOR CHANGING THE WORLD ORGANIZATION . TEXT: KOFI ANNAN, THE U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL, HAS SET AN AMBITIOUS GOAL FOR HIMSELF. HE IS PROPOSING WHAT HE CALLS A "QUIET REVOLUTION." HE WANTS TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD ORGANIZATION, NOW IN ITS 52ND YEAR, INTO A MODERN, SOLVENT INSTITUTION CAPABLE OF ACTING EFFICIENTLY IN THE POST COLD WAR WORLD. HIS REFORM PLANS ARE ON THE AGENDA OF THIS YEAR'S GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION (OPENED ON SEPTEMBER 18). MR. ANNAN HAS URGED THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO JUDGE THE UNITED NATIONS, NOT BY THE BUDGET CONSTRAINTS THE ORGANIZATION IS FACING, BUT BY THE RELIEF IT IS ABLE TO PROVIDE TO THE WORLD'S POOR. KENNETH ALLARD IS A SENIOR ASSOCIATE AT THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (IN WASHINGTON) AND AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR IN THE NATIONAL SECURITY STUDIES PROGRAM AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY. MR. ALLARD SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE SECRETARY GENERAL TRY TO FORGE A NEW ROLE FOR THE UNITED NATIONS, A ROLE THAT WILL PREPARE THE ORGANIZATION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY. //ALLARD ACT #1//I THINK IN A LOT OF RESPECTS, YOU ARE GOING FROM AN ORGANIZATION WHICH WAS VERY MUCH CAPTURED BY THE COLD WAR, WAS VERY MUCH A CREATURE OF THE COLD WAR SUPERPOWER RIVALRY WITH THE NONALIGNED MOVEMENT, AND THAT REALLY POLARIZED ACTION FOR A GREAT MANY YEARS. /// END ACT ///MR. ALLARD SAYS THAT THE UNITED NATIONS MUST ADJUST TO THE REALITIES OF THE POST COLD WAR ERA BY BEING ABLE TO TAKE ON NEW MISSIONS., ALBEIT WITHIN THE ABILITY OF THE DONOR NATIONS TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES TO FINANCE THOSE MISSIONS. FOR MR. ANNAN, THE MOST IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN THE POST COLD WAR WORLD IS TO PROVIDE RELIEF FOR THE POOR, THE SICK AND THE HUNGRY OF THE WORLD. MR. ANNAN'S PLANS TO TRANSFORM THE UNITED NATIONS HAVE STIRRED CONSIDERABLE CONTROVERSY. THE SECRETARY GENERAL, CRITICS SAYS, SEEMS TO BE CONCEDING THAT THE TRADITIONAL ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS AS A PEACEKEEPING ORGANIZATION IS NO LONGER VERY IMPORTANT. BUT SOME EXPERTS SAY THAT, REGARDLESS OF THE SCOPE OF THE U-N REFORMS, THE GREATEST DANGER FACING THE ORGANIZATION IS CREEPING IRRELEVANCE. OTHER EXPERTS, SUCH AS MR. ALLARD OF THE OF THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, SAY THAT, IF ANYTHING, THE UNITED NATIONS HAS A MORE IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY NOW THAN IT DID DURING THE COLD WAR. //ALLARD ACT #2//I THINK IT (THE U.N.) IS MORE RELEVANT NOW THAN IT WAS DURING THE COLD WAR ERA ITSELF. ESSENTIALLY WHAT IT DID DURING THE COLD WAR WAS THAT IT BECAME A FORUM FOR THE AIRING OF THE COLD WAR GRIEVANCES... IT WAS LARGELY A FUNCTION OF THE GREAT GAME OF NATIONS. I THINK WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS THAT MUCH GREATER ATTENTION IS BEING PAID TO THE FUNCTIONAL UTILITY OF THE U.N. AND TO ACTUALLY WHAT IT CAN DO TO ALLEVIATE THESE PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD -- SUFFERING, HUNGER, REFUGEES, DRUGS -- AND SO MANY OF THOSE ISSUES THAT GO FAR BEYOND A NATION STATE. /// END ACT ///ACCORDING TO SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN, ONE THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES TO REFORMING THE ORGANIZATION IS THE NEED TO BALANCE THE COMPETING AGENDAS OF ITS 185 MEMBER COUNTRIES. POWER IS DIFFUSED THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION, HE SAYS, AND THAT MAKES NEGOTIATION VERY IMPORTANT. SUCH NEGOTIATIONS ARE TAKING PLACE WITH AN INTENSITY UNPRECEDENTED IN RECENT U.N. HISTORY. ONE IMPORTANT TOPIC IS THE ISSUE OF EXPANDING THE SECURITY COUNCIL FROM 15 TO AS MANY AS 22 MEMBERS. SOME ANALYSTS VIEW THIS PROPOSAL AS A WAY TO BETTER BALANCE OF POWER IN THE WORLD BODY AND AS A WAY TO CURB WHAT IS PERCEIVED TO BE THE DOMINANCE OF THE UNITED NATIONS BY THE UNITED STATES. ACCORDING TO MR. ALLARD, THE ISSUE OF EXPANDING THE COUNCIL HAS ARISEN BECAUSE THE WORLD IS A VASTLY DIFFERENT PLACE THAN WHEN THE SECURITY COUNCIL WAS CREATED: // ALLARD ACT #3" //THAT IS AN AWFULLY INTERESTING QUESTION BECAUSE THE REASON FOR THE CREATION OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL WAS TO INSURE THAT, NO MATTER WHAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MIGHT DO, THAT ANYTHING THAT RAISED RELATED DIRECTLY TO THE MAINTENANCE OF INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY WAS GOING TO VERY MUCH BE A CREATURE OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL, SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THAT REFLECTED THE EXPERIENCE OF W.W.II, AND PARTICULARLY, THE VICTORIOUS ALLIES. THE QUESTION NOW, I THINK, FOR THE 21ST CENTURY IS TO WHAT EXTENT THE SECURITY COUNCIL, IN ITS DECISION- MAKING APPARATUS, TENDS TO REFLECT VARIOUS OF THE ECONOMIC REALITIES OF THE 21ST CENTURY WORLD. /// END ACT ///MR. ALLARD BELIEVES THAT AMONG THE POTENTIAL CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL, THE VANQUISHED WORLD WAR II ALLIES, GERMANY AND JAPAN, DESERVE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. SINCE THESE TWO COUNTRIES HAVE BECOME EXTRAORDINARILY IMPORTANT IN SOLVING MANY GLOBAL PROBLEMS, HE SAYS THERE IS A STRONG CASE TO BE MADE FOR PERMITTING THEM TO BECOME PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL. WHATEVER THE MERITS OF ALLOWING THESE TWO COUNTRIES TO JOIN THE
SECURITY COUNCIL, MR. ALLARD SAYS THAT THAT POLITICS WILL BE A
BIG FACTOR IN WHETHER THEY GAIN ADMISSION.
(OPT TO END) ANOTHER AUTHORITY ON THE U-N, STEPHEN MARKS, A
PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND DIRECTOR OF U.N. STUDY PROGRAM
AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, DOES NOT FIND THAT SURPRISING. HE SAYS
THAT POLITICS WILL ALSO BE A BIG FACTOR IN THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE
OF ALL OF SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN'S EFFORTS TO REFORM THE UNITED
NATIONS. (SIGNED)
[11] REFORMING THE UNITED NATIONS, PT. 2 BY AMIN FEKRAT (WASHINGTON)DATE=10/1/97TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-37678 CONTENT= NOT VOICED: INTRO: U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE WORLD ORGANIZATION NEEDS TO CHANGE TO REMAIN RELEVANT IN THE POST-COLD WAR WORLD. IN THIS REPORT (THE SECOND IN A TWO PART SERIES), AMIN FEKRAT OF VOA'S FARSI SERVICE DISCUSSES SOME OF THE ISSUES FACING THE UNITED NATIONS WITH A LONG-TIME OBSERVER OF THE ORGANIZATION. TEXT: MARTIN VAN HEUVEN IS A SENIOR CONSULTANT AT THE RAND CORPORATION, A RESEARCH INSTITUTE IN CALIFORNIA, AND A SENIOR ASSOCIATE AT THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IN WASHINGTON. HE IS A SCHOLAR WHO IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE UNITED NATIONS. TO MR. VAN HEUVEN, THE ISSUE THAT MERITS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION IS REFORMING THE SECURITY COUNCIL, WHICH HE SAYS IS OUTDATED: //VAN HEUVEN ACT #1//LET ME ARBITRARILY PICK ONE ISSUE THAT I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT, IF NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT, I.E., THE SECURITY COUNCIL REFORM. THE SECURITY COUNCIL WITH 15 MEMBERS AT PRESENT AND 5 PERMANENT MEMBERS, EACH OF WHOM HAVE A VETO, REFLECT THE WORLD OF 1945 AND PERHAPS FOR SOME TIME THEREAFTER. IT CLEARLY DOES NOT REFLECT THE WORLD OF TODAY. AND SO I DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO RESTRUCTURE THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO REFLECT TODAY'S REALITIES WHICH INCLUDE THE EMERGENCE OF BOTH GERMANY AND JAPAN AS MAJOR POWERS AND MAJOR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THE U.N. SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE U.N. (SECURITY COUNCIL) WILL HAVE TO BE SOMEWHAT ENLARGED. /// END ACT ///MR. VAN HEUVEN SAYS THAT EXPANDING THE SECURITY COUNCIL WILL NOT BE EASY, SINCE MANY COUNTRIES DO NOT BELIEVE THE ENLARGEMENT IS IN THEIR INTEREST. BUT HE BELIEVES IT CAN BE DONE, THANKS IN PART TO THE GOODWILL THE SECRETARY GENERAL HAS CREATED BY THE EFFORT HE HAS ALREADY MADE TO STREAMLINE THE UNITED NATIONS. MR. ANNAN HAS INTRODUCED A CABINET-STYLE ADMINISTRATION HAS GREATLY REDUCED WHAT MANY CONSIDERED A BLOATED U-N STAFF. BUT MR. ANNAN FACES OTHER CHALLENGES BESIDES STREAMLININING U-N STAFF. REACTING TO PRESSURE FROM THE U-S CONGRESS, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS DEMANDED CERTAIN REFORMS OF THE WORLD ORGANIZATION, INCLUDING A REDUCTION IN THE DUES THE UNITED STATES PAYS THE U-N EACH YEAR. THE U-S ULTIMATUM HAS ANGERED MANY U-N MEMBERS, QUITE A FEW OF WHOM ARE ALREADY UPSET BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES IS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ARREARS TO THE WORLD ORGANIZATION. MR. VAN HEUVEN SAYS THAT THE ISSUE OF THE U-S DEBT TO THE WORLD ORGANIZATION WILL BE SETTLED, BUT IT MAY TAKE TIME. AT PRESENT THE UNITED STATES IS REQUIRED TO PAY 25 PERCENT OF THE U-N'S BUDGET; THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION WANTS THE ASSESSMENT REDUCED TO AROUND 20 PERCENT, A POSITION MR. VAN HEUVEN SAYS IS REASONABLE. /// 2ND VAN HEUVEN ACT ////// END ACT ///THE FINAL QUESTION OF HOW MUCH THE UNITED STATES PAYS, MR. VAN HEUVEN SAYS, WILL BE DECIDED BY AGREEMENT OF ALL THE U-N MEMBERS. BUT THE ISSUE OF U-S DUES, WHILE IT HAS STIRRED UP A LOT OF CONTROVERSY AT THE UNITED NATIONS, DWARFS IN COMPARISON TO THE LARGER ISSUE OF REFORMING THE ORGANIZATION ITSELF. ANY REFORMS THAT TAKE PLACE, THE SECRETARY GENERAL HAS SAID,
DEPEND ON THE POLITICAL WILL OF THE U-N MEMBERS THEMSELVES. IF
THERE IS NO WILL, MR. ANNAN SAYS, NOTHING WILL CHANGE. (SIGNED)
[12] U-S / GREECE / CYPRUS / TURKEY (L ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (ATHENS)DATE=10/1/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-220666 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A U-S DIPLOMAT HAS ARRIVED IN ATHENS IN AN EFFORT TO EASE NEW TENSIONS BETWEEN NATO ALLIES GREECE AND TURKEY. ANTHEE CARASSAVA REPORTS FROM THE GREEK CAPITAL. TEXT: U-S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE MARK GROSSMAN BEGAN HIS DIPLOMATIC TOUR OF THE REGION, HOLDING TALKS WITH GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS. THE U-S ENVOY MADE NO STATEMENT ON ARRIVAL IN ATHENS. BUT DIPLOMATS SAY THE AGENDA OF HIS MISSION IS OBVIOUS -- TO TRY TO SOOTHE NEW TENSION THAT HAS SURFACED BETWEEN NATO ALLIES GREECE AND TURKEY. MR. GROSSMAN'S TRIP TO THE REGION COMES LESS THAN ONE WEEK AFTER TALKS BETWEEN THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF GREECE AND TURKEY FAILED TO PRODUCE ANY HEADWAY IN ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE AGE-OLD DIFFERENCES THAT HAVE BROUGHT THE TWO NATIONS TO THE BRINK OF WAR TWICE IN THE PAST DECADE. THE DANGEROUS DEADLOCK, AS DIPLOMATS CALL IT, HAS RE-IGNITED A WAR OF WORDS BETWEEN ATHENS AND ANKARA, EACH WARNING THAT A PROLONGED CRISIS MAY LEAD TO YET ANOTHER NEAR-WAR INCIDENT BETWEEN THEM. THE TWO NATO ALLIES CAME CLOSE TO MILITARY BLOWS LAST YEAR AFTER DISAGREEING ON THE OWNERSHIP OF A BARREN ISLE INHABITED ONLY BY GOATS, RABBITS, AND SHEEP. MUCH OF THE PRESENT CONTROVERSY, HOWEVER, CONCERNS CYPRUS. THE ISLAND'S GREEK-CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT HAS ANGERED TURKEY WITH A DECISION TO DEPLOY A NUMBER OF RUSSIAN MADE ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILES. EXPERTS SAY THE MISSILES -- CAPABLE OF DOWNING AIRPLANES WITHIN A RANGE OF 150 KILOMETERS -- POSE A MAJOR THREAT TO TURKEY'S MILITARY SUPERIORITY IN THE REGION. TURKEY HAS THREATENED MILITARY ACTION TO PREVENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE MISSILES THE UNITED STATES HAS SAID THE MISSILES SHOULD NOT BE BASED ON THE ALREADY OVER-MILITARIZED ISLAND. CYPRUS HAS BEEN DIVIDED SINCE 1974 WHEN TURKISH TROOPS INVADED THE ISLAND FOLLOWING A SHORT-LIVED COUP BACKED BY THE MILITARY OFFICERS THEN RULING GREECE. MORE THAN 30-THOUSAND TURKISH TROOPS REMAIN IN THE NORTHERN ONE-THIRD OF THE ISLAND. MR. GROSSMAN IS EXPECTED TO DISCUSS THE MISSILE ISSUE AT LENGTH
IN A VISIT TO CYPRUS. HE ENDS HIS DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN THE AREA
IN ANKARA LATER THIS WEEK. (SIGNED)
[13] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=10/01/97TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-10372 TELEPHONE=619-3335 CONTENT= INTRO: THE PLANS OF A FRENCH COMPANY TO DRILL FOR NATURAL GAS IN IRAN IS COMING IN FOR PLENTY OF COMMENT IN THE NATION'S EDITORIAL PAGES THIS FIRST DAY OF OCTOBER. OTHER TOPICS BEING EDITORIALIZED ON INCLUDE: IRAN'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM; TERRORISM IN ALGERIA; THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE EFFORTS; THE SMOKY PALL OVER SOUTH EAST ASIA; AND A FAREWELL TO POP ARTIST ROY LICHTENSTEIN. NOW HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS ___________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE FRENCH ENERGY COMPANY TOTAL, WITH RUSSIAN AND MALAYSIAN PARTNERS, HAS SIGNED A CONTRACT TO DEVELOP A NATURAL GAS FIELD IN IRAN, HAS AROUSED A NEGATIVE REACTION IN THE PAPERS. THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS THE DEAL IS "DOUBLY UNFORTUNATE," BUT SUGGESTS AIMING THE SANCTIONS AT IRAN, N O T FRANCE. VOICE: "IT [THE DEAL] WILL PROVIDE NEW FUNDS TO A GOVERNMENT THAT IS EXPORTING TERRORISM, DEVELOPING NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND DISRUPTING PEACE EFFORTS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE ARAB WORLD. THE CONTRACT COULD ALSO TRIGGER THE FIRST APPLICATION OF THE IRAN-LIBYA SANCTIONS ACT, AN ILL-ADVISED LAW THAT ATTEMPTS TO IMPOSE AMERICAN PENALTIES ON FOREIGN COMPANIES DOING ENERGY BUSINESS WITH IRAN OF LIBYA. ..... FRANCE HAS ... UNHELPFULLY APPOINTED ITSELF THE WORLD'S LEADING CHALLENGER OF AMERICAN DIPLOMACY AND ECONOMIC IDEAS." TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE ADDS THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, THE IRAN-LIBYA SANCTIONS ACT DESIGNED TO COUNTERACT JUST SUCH DEALS, IS A BAD AND UNENFORCEABLE LAW. VOICE: "AS A PRACTICAL MATTER, HOWEVER, TOTAL AND ITS RUSSIAN AND MALAYSIAN PARTNERS HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT THE U-S LAW HAS N O DETERRENT EFFECT. .....[HOWEVER] THE PERILS EMANATING FROM TEHRAN'S CLERICAL DESPOTISM ARE QUITE REAL. THE LEADERS' PURSUIT OF NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL, AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS ULTIMATELY THREATENS FRENCH INTERESTS NO LESS THAN U-S INTERESTS. THEIR MANY ACTS OF TERRORISM ON EUROPEAN SOIL OUGHT TO HAVE MADE [FRANCE'S SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER LIONEL] JOSPIN LESS GLEEFUL ABOUT DOING BUSINESS WITH THEM." TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S HAND WAS FORCED TO INVOKE THE PENALTY, BUT IT IS NO VICTORY. VOICE: IT WAS EITHER THAT OR, BY PULLING BACK, TO INVITE A PAINFUL BLOW TO [U-S] INTEREST AND PRIDE. TO MOVE AHEAD, THOUGH, MAY TURN OUT TO BE NO LESS STRESSFUL, SINCE IT INVOLVES INVOKING PUNITIVE SANCTIONS NOT AGAINST ADVERSARIES BUT AGAINST SOME OF WASHINGTON'S CLOSEST ALLIES. ....... THE DETERIORATION OF THIS DISPUTE INTO OPEN POLITICAL CONFLICT AMONG ALLIES IS A MAJOR MARK AGAINST AMERICAN DIPLOMACY." TEXT: IN RELATED DEVELOPMENTS, THE NEW YORK POST IS WORRIED ABOUT IRAN'S ONGOING NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM. VOICE: "[OPT] WITHIN THREE YEARS, IRAN WILL HAVE LONG-RANGE BALLISTIC MISSILES CAPABLE OF CARRYING NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL OR GERM WARHEADS, SAY AMERICAN AND ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS. THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS. THE B A D [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] NEWS IS THAT AMERICA HAS LESS THAN 18 MONTHS TO STEM THE FLOW OF MISSILE TECHNOLOGY FROM RUSSIA AND CHINA TO IRAN - - AFTER THAT, IRANIAN ENGINEERS WILL HAVE LEARNED ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO CONSTRUCT THE WEAPONS THEMSELVES. ..... WORSE YET, [END OPT] IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM CONTINUES APACE WITH ITS MISSILE SCHEMES. .... VERY SOON, AND NO ONE KNOWS EXACTLY WHEN, AMERICA MAY FIND ITSELF IN THE WORST HOSTAGE SITUATION IMAGINABLE: INSTEAD OF A GANG OF HIJACKERS WITH GUNS, A TERRORIST STATE BRANDISHING NUKES COULD BE HOLDING HOSTAGE THE WORLD'S PRINCIPAL SOURCE OF OIL. [OPT] BUT NOT ONLY HAS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION FAILED TO STEM THE FLOW OF EQUIPMENT AND EXPERTISE TO TEHRAN, AMERICA HAS BEEN INDIRECTLY F U N D I N G [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] RUSSIA'S EFFORTS TO BOLSTER THE IRANIAN BALLISTIC-MISSILE BUILDUP." [END OPT] TEXT: STILL IN THE REGION, MAINE'S PORTLAND PRESS HERALD LAMENTS THE CIVIL WAR IN ALGERIA, NOTING: VOICE: "THE BLOOD SPILLS AND SPILLS AND SPILLS IN ALGERIA. [OPT] THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE NORTH AFRICAN NATION TELLS OF 84 DEAD ON MONDAY, INCLUDING AN INFANT AND 51 OTHERS IN A SINGLE EXTENDED FAMILY. [END OPT] ..... ISLAMIC MILITANTS HAVE TERRORIZED THIS NATION NOW FOR FIVE YEARS IN PROTEST OF A GOVERNMENT DECISION TO CANCEL ELECTIONS IN 1992. THE DEATH TOLL TOPS [EXCEEDS] 60-THOUSAND. ....NOTHING CAN EXCUSE THE KILLING .... AND SUCH VIOLENCE SHOULD NOT BE REWARDED. .... [BUT] IF NEGOTIATING WITH THE ISLAMIC SALVATION FRONT TO POSSIBLY BRING ABOUT ELECTIONS WILL HELP TO END THE KILLING, THEN THOSE TALKS SHOULD COMMENCE AT ONCE. [OPT] .... WITHOUT A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION .... MANY THOUSAND MORE WILL DIE." [END OPT]" TEXT: AND ON THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN STAND-OFF, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL SAYS OF THE RESUMING PEACE TALKS: VOICE: "WILL THE NEW TALKS BE ABLE TO ENSURE THAT NO MORE PEOPLE WILL BE HURT? THAT WOULD BE TOO MUCH TO ASK. THIS IS A PERIOD OF SLOW-GOING, OF CONFIDENCE-BUILDING, OF RE-ESTABLISHING FAITH IN PEACE PROSPECTS. AND, DESPITE THE BEST EFFORTS OF BOTH ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS, TERRORISTS ALWAYS COULD STRIKE AND WREAK HAVOC. AS LONG AS ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS STAND TOGETHER IN THE FACE OF THAT VIOLENCE AND KEEP THEIR EYES FIXED ON PEACE, THOUGH, THEY SHOULD MAINTAIN THEIR MOMENTUM." TEXT: TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD, NOW, AND THAT GIANT SMOKE PALL HANGING OVER HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF SQUARE KILOMETERS IN INDONESIA; ANOTHER KIND OF PALL, AN INVISIBLE ONE, HANGS OVER THE REGIONS'S FINANCIAL CENTERS. THE SUN, IN BALTIMORE, REMARKS: VOICE: "GLOOM, AND SMOKE, SHROUD THE ECONOMIC MIRACLE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA AS BANK LOSSES AND CURRENCY RUNS IN THAILAND SPREAD TO INDONESIA AND MALAYSIA. THE CONSTRUCTION FRENZY, TYPIFIED BY COMPETITIVE SKYSCRAPER HEIGHTS, IS PETERING OUT. PEOPLE CANNOT SEE THE BUILDINGS OF KUALA LUMPUR AND SINGAPORE THROUGH THE THICKENING HAZE. WORST OF ALL, THEY HAVE TROUBLE BREATHING. ..... IN TIME, THE WINDS WILL SHIFT, RAIN WILL RETURN AND THE FIRES WILL DIE OUT. BUT WHEN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN BOOM RETURNS, ANY LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE DEBACLE WILL LIKELY BE FORGOTTEN. MEANWHILE, PEOPLE ARE COUGHING AND CHOKING, WHERE NATURE REFUSED ITS DESIGNATED ROLE AS ANTIDOTE TO HUMAN FOLLY." TEXT: AND FINALLY, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES BIDS ADIEU TO ONE OF THE ARTISTIC GIANTS OF THE LATTER HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY, ROY LICHENSTEIN, WHO DIED THE OTHER DAY. VOICE: "THE BEATLES, VIETNAM, THE PILL AND THE ASSASSINATIONS. THE 60'S DECADE WAS A TIME OF EXPLOSIONS, BUT NONE WAS LOUDER THAN POP ART. ROY LICHTENSTEIN, WHO DIED MONDAY IN NEW YORK AT 73, WAS THE MASTER OF A JOYFULLY INVENTIVE BAND OF ARTISTS WHO GAVE US AN IMAGE OF LIFE IN ONE OF AMERICA'S MORE CONVULSIVE ERAS. ..... LICHTENSTEIN FOUND A CERTAIN WONDERFUL CRAZINESS IN THE '60S AS DID HIS CONTEMPORARIES CLAES OLDENBURG AND ANDY WARHOL." TEXT: AND ON THAT CULTURAL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF
SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE DAY'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS.
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