Voice of America, 97-10-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA / T-V (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[02] E-U / JOBS (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[03] E-U / TREATY SIGNING (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

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

[05] HUNGARY/E-U (L-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

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

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

[08] U-S / SERBIA (S-ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

[01] BOSNIA / T-V (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: WESTERN POWERS TODAY (THURSDAY) DELIVERED A WARNING TO BOSNIAN-SERB NATIONALISTS WHOSE TELEVISION BROADCASTS WERE TAKEN OFF THE AIR EARLIER THIS WEEK -- MAKE CHANGES DEMANDED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OR STAY OFF THE AIR. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS FOLLOWING THE STORY FROM OUR BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: BOSNIAN SERB TELEVISION HAD BEEN ALTERNATING BETWEEN BROADCASTS FROM TWO RIVAL CENTERS -- BANJA LUKA, HEADQUARTERS OF THE RELATIVELY MODERATE PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC, AND PALE (PAH-LAY), HOME OF HARDLINERS LOYAL TO INDICTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECT RADOVAN KARADZIC.

A PALE BROADCAST EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT DISTORTED COMMENTS BY A WAR CRIMES PROSECUTOR PROMPTED NATO-LED TROOPS TO SEIZE TRANSMITTERS, HANDING ALL AIR TIME OVER TO BROADCASTERS IN BANJA LUKA. NOW, THE WESTERN POWERS SAY THE HARDLINERS IN PALE WILL HAVE TO MEET CERTAIN CONDITIONS -- INCLUDING REPLACING SOME STAFF -- IF THEY WANT TO GET BACK ON THE AIR.

THE WEST WANTS BOSNIAN SERB BROADCASTS TO SUPPORT THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT. PRESIDENT PLAVSIC IN BANJA LUKA HAS COMMITTED TO THE DAYTON DEAL, BUT THE KARADZIC LOYALISTS IN PALE CONTINUE TO OPPOSE IT. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/JWH
02-Oct-97 12:02 PM EDT (1602 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] E-U / JOBS (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAS CALLED ON EUROPE'S GOVERNMENTS TO PLACE JOB CREATION AT THE TOP OF THE POLITICAL AGENDA, BY CREATING 12-MILLION NEW JOBS IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE CALL COMES AS FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM THE 15-NATION BLOC MET TO SIGN A NEW TREATY THAT WILL PROVIDE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR COORDINATING POLICIES TO TACKLE UNEMPLOYMENT.

TEXT: THE SOCIALIST-LED GOVERNMENT IN FRANCE HAS BEEN THE DRIVING FORCE IN PLACING THE PROBLEM OF EUROPE'S 18-MILLION UNEMPLOYED AT THE TOP OF THE E-U'S POLITICAL AGENDA.

FRANCE SAID IT WOULD NOT AGREE TO THE NEW EUROPEAN TREATY OF AMSTERDAM WITHOUT A COMMITMENT FROM THE OTHER 14 E-U STATES TO EUROPE-WIDE ACTION IN JOB CREATION.

EUROPEAN OFFICIALS SAY THE AMSTERDAM TREATY MARKS A WATERSHED IN DEALING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT, AS IT CONTAINS AN ACCEPTANCE THAT THE PROBLEM IS ONE OF COMMON CONCERN, WHICH MUST BE TACKLED BY COORDINATED ACTION.

E-U COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER TOLD THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT THIS WEEK THAT THERE IS LITTLE NEW MONEY TO CREATE NEW JOBS. HE SAYS THAT IS THE APPROACH OF THE PAST. INSTEAD, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IS CALLING ON EACH OF THE 15 E-U GOVERNMENTS TO DRAW UP ITS OWN PLAN FOR REFORMING THE LABOR MARKET, UNDER NEW GUIDELINES THAT WILL BE DEBATED AT A SPECIAL SUMMIT MEETING OF E-U LEADERS IN LUXEMBOURG AT THE END OF NEXT MONTH.

EACH NATION'S STRATEGY TO CREATE JOBS WILL BE DISCUSSED AND SCRUTINIZED BY ITS E-U PARTNERS, AND THEY WILL OFFER ADVICE AND CRITICISM IF THEY FEEL ANY MEMBER OF THE BLOC IS DOING TOO LITTLE, OR GETTING IT WRONG.

MR. SANTER SAYS THAT THIS APPROACH WILL LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT PSYCHOLOGICAL AND MORAL PRESSURE ON POLITICIANS TO TAKE THE UNEMPLOYMENT CRISIS SERIOUSLY.

HE SAYS AN EARLIER CALL FOR EUROPE'S JOBLESS TOTAL TO BE HALVED CAME TO NOTHING -- PARTLY BECAUSE OF SLOW ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND PARTLY BECAUSE GOVERNMENTS HAVE FAILED TO TAKE THE STEPS REQUIRED TO CREATE THE RIGHT CLIMATE FOR JOB CREATION.

OFFICIALS SAY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S PROPOSALS CONTAIN A LOT OF IDEAS WHICH WILL NEED TO BE FLESHED OUT AND DEVELOPED. THEY ALSO SAY SOME GOVERNMENTS ARE MORE ADVANCED THAN OTHERS IN REFORMING THEIR LABOR MARKETS.

THE APPROACH BEING ADVOCATED INVOLVES FREEING UP LABOR MARKETS -- MAKING IT EASIER TO HIRE AND FIRE PEOPLE BY CHANGES IN THE TAXATION AND SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEMS. THERE WILL ALSO BE A NEW EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION AND TRAINING, AND A SPECIAL FOCUS ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN WORKERS.

E-U OFFICIALS SAY THAT THEIR TARGET OF CREATING 12-MILLION NEW JOBS IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS IS A REALISTIC ONE -- BUT ONLY IF ALL 15 E-U GOVERNMENTS ARE PREPARED TO UNDERTAKE RADICAL REFORMS.

THEY SAY THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT ENOUGH TO NEGOTIATE THE E-U'S NEW TREATY OF AMSTERDAM. BUT THEY SAY IT WILL BE EVEN HARDER TO FULFILL THE PLEDGES CONTAINED IN THAT TREATY TO BRING UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN TO MORE ACCEPTABLE LEVELS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/JWH/KL
02-Oct-97 7:27 AM EDT (1127 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] E-U / TREATY SIGNING (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE SIGNED A NEW TREATY AIMED AT PAVING THE WAY FOR EXPANSION OF THE E-U. AS GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS, THE SO-CALLED AMSTERDAM TREATY IS A COMPROMISE DOCUMENT AND THERE ARE STILL MANY PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED.

TEXT: EUROPEAN UNION OFFICIALS ARRIVING AT AMSTERDAM'S ROYAL PALACE WERE GREETED BY A CROWD OF PROTESTERS WHISTLING AND SHOUTING ANTI-E-U SLOGANS -- ONE INDICATION THAT THE WAY AHEAD FOR THE AMSTERDAM TREATY MAY NOT BE A SMOOTH ONE.

ELEVEN NATIONS -- MOSTLY IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE -- ARE SEEKING TO JOIN THE E-U DURING THE NEXT TEN YEARS. THE AMSTERDAM TREATY WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE STREAMLINED E-U DECISION-MAKING IN PREPARATION FOR THAT.

YET DESPITE TWO YEARS OF NEGOTIATION, THE TREATY SIDESTEPPED THE ENLARGEMENT ISSUE AND IS WIDELY SEEN AS AN UNSATISFACTORY COMPROMISE. MOST E-U COUNTRIES SAY REFORMING THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS IS ONE OF THE UNION'S BIGGEST UNRESOLVED QUESTIONS. MEANWHILE, COUNTRIES SUCH AS THE NETHERLANDS AND GERMANY -- WHICH CONTRIBUTE MOST TO THE E-U BUDGET -- WANT FINANCIAL REFORM. POORER COUNTRIES -- LIKE SPAIN AND PORTUGAL -- SAY THEY FEAR LOSING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN E-U SUBSIDES.

THESE ARE AMONG THE QUESTIONS FACING THE UNION IN THE YEARS AHEAD NONE OF WHICH ARE ADDRESSED BY THE AMSTERDAM TREATY.

THE TREATY NOW HAS TO BE RATIFIED BY ALL 15 COUNTRIES BEFORE IT COMES INTO EFFECT, A TASK THAT COULD TAKE YEARS TO COMPLETE. IN DENMARK THE TREATY WILL BE PUT TO VOTERS IN THE FORM OF A REFERENDUM. OBSERVERS SAY ANTI-E-U FEELING IS STRONG IN DENMARK AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE DANISH VOTERS WILL APPROVE THE DOCUMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/GS/JWH/KL
02-Oct-97 7:58 AM EDT (1158 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE TURNED IN A MIXED SHOWING THURSDAY. FOR THE CLOSING FIGURES, HERE'S PAUL FRANCUCH AT OUR LONDON BUREAU.

TEXT: ONLY THE FRANKFURT MARKET SHOWED STRONG MOVEMENT UPWARD -- AND THAT WAS IN EARLY-DAY TRADING. THE "DAX 30" INDEX OF GERMAN STOCKS POSTED A NEARLY 77-POINT GAIN AT THE CLOSE. BUT IN PARIS THE "CAC 40" INDEX OF STOCKS CLOSED LOWER BY JUST UNDER THREE POINTS, AND HERE IN LONDON, PROFIT-TAKERS CASHED IN STOCKS AFTER TWO CONSECUTIVE RECORD CLOSES. THE KEY "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX FELL 21 POINTS AT THE CLOSE.

THE U-S DOLLAR THURSDAY SOLD AT VIRTUALLY THE SAME PRICE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND BRITISH POUND AS IT HAD ON WEDNESDAY. GOLD, HOWEVER, RETREATED FROM ITS SHARP GAINS OF RECENT DAYS, CLOSING DOWN FOUR-DOLLARS AN OUNCE IN LONDON, WHERE THE PRICE WAS FIXED AT 332-DOLLARS-75-CENTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/RRM
02-Oct-97 2:29 PM EDT (1829 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] HUNGARY/E-U (L-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

INTRO: FOLLOWING THURSDAY'S SIGNING IN AMSTERDAM OF A NEW EUROPEAN UNION CHARTER, AN OFFICIAL FROM HUNGARY -- ONE OF THE CANDIDATE COUNTRIES FOR EXPANDED E-U MEMBERSHIP -- SAID NEW MEMBER STATES MUST NOT BE RELEGATED TO SECOND-CLASS STATUS. THE COMMENTS WERE MADE IN BUDAPEST AND REPORTER STEPHAN BOS HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE HUNGARIAN OFFICIAL RESPONSIBLE FOR POLITICAL RELATIONS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION, SZOLT PATAKI, SAYS THE E-U TREATY DID NOT REMOVE CONCERNS BY FUTURE MEMBER STATES. MR. PATAKI TOLD V-O-A THE CONCERN FOCUSES ON VOTING RIGHTS BY FUTURE MEMBERS.

HE REGRETS WHAT HE CALLS THE APPARENT DISAGREEMENT OVER THIS ISSUE BY THE E-U COUNTRIES, WHICH HAVE DIFFERENT POSITIONS OVER HOW MUCH POLITICAL INFLUENCE NEW MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE ON THE UNION.

BUT MR. PATAKI SAYS HUNGARY, A FORMER COMMUNIST NATION, WANTS EQUAL TREATMENT WHEN IT GAINS E-U MEMBERSHIP.

THERE CAN NOT BE ANY KIND OF DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN NEW AND OLD MEMBER STATES. HUNGARY WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A MEMBER WITH FULL RIGHTS, AND OF COURSE, WITH ALL CONSEQUENCES AND COSTS OF MEMBERSHIP. BUT IT ALSO MEANS THAT WE PROPORTIONALLY WANT TO TAKE PART IN THE DECISION MAKING, AND IN THE INSTITUTIONS. SO WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AS MANY VOTES AND SEATS IN THE INSTITUTIONS AS MEMBER STATES OF A SIMILAR SIZE.

ELEVEN EUROPEAN NATIONS ARE CANDIDATES FOR EXPANDED E-U MEMBERSHIP. HUNGARIAN OFFICIAL SZOLT PATAKI SAYS HIS COUNTRY HAD HIGH HOPES FOR QUICK MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION SOON AFTER THE FALL OF COMMUNISM. BUT HE SAYS DIFFERENCES VOICED BY OFFICIALS IN AMSTERDAM MADE HIM REALIZE THIS PROCESS TAKES TIME.

IN THE HISTORY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE THAT RESULTS CAME WHEN TIME WAS RIGHT. SO IT MAY HAPPEN THAT OTHER INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS WILL BE SETTLED AT A LATER STAGE.

SOME EUROPEAN UNION OFFICIALS SAY THE CHARTER SIGNED IN AMSTERDAM WILL EVENTUALLY UNITE THE CONTINENT. BUT MR. PATAKI BELIEVES THIS MAY TAKE A LONG TIME. THE LATEST VERSION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TREATY SIGNED THURSDAY NEEDS RATIFICATION BY THE CURRENT 15 MEMBERS OF THE UNION. THE EARLIEST THAT IS EXPECTED TO HAPPEN IS THE YEAR 2003. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/PCF/MMK
02-Oct-97 2:45 PM EDT (1845 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (THURSDAY) AS WAS THE BOND MARKET. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT EIGHT THOUSAND 27, UP 12 POINTS. THE LARGER STANDARD AND POOR'S INDEX OF 500 STOCKS CLOSED AT 960, UP FIVE POINTS.

STOCKS WERE BOOSTED BY STRENGTH IN THE BOND MARKET. THE YIELD ON THE 30-YEAR U-S GOVERNMENT BOND WAS AT SIX POINT THREE PERCENT, ITS LOWEST THIS YEAR. A BOND'S YIELD MOVES DOWN WHEN ITS PRICE MOVES UP.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED U-S FACTORY ORDERS ROSE BY ONE POINT THREE PERCENT IN AUGUST. HEAVY DEMAND FOR ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS AND TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT FUELED THE RISE.

THE STOCK OF THE CIGNA CORPORATION DROPPED SHARPLY AFTER THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID IT EXPECTS TO REPORT LOWER-THAN-EXPECTED QUARTERLY EARNINGS. THE COMPANY CITED HIGHER COSTS IN SOME OF ITS HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS.

ANHEUSER-BUSCH, THE LARGEST BREWING COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES, SAYS IT WILL COOPERATE FULLY WITH A JUSTICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION INTO ITS DISTRIBUTION PRACTICES. THE INQUIRY FOCUSES ON ALLEGATIONS THAT ANHEUSER-BUSCH HAS ANTI-COMPETITIVE DEALS WITH DISTRIBUTORS WHICH PROHIBIT THE DISTRIBUTORS FROM CARRYING COMPETING BRANDS OF BEER. WITH ITS FLAGSHIP "BUDWEISER" BRAND, ANHEUSER-BUSCH CURRENTLY CONTROLS ALMOST 50 PERCENT OF THE U-S BEER MARKET.

THE U-S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS GIVEN PRELIMINARY APPROVAL TO THE PROPOSED TAKEOVER BY THE RAYTHEON CORPORATION OF THE DEFENSE BUSINESS OF THE HUGHES ELECTRONICS FIRM. BUT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT WILL GIVE FINAL APPROVAL TO THE DEAL ONLY IF RAYTHEON SELLS TWO OF ITS DEFENSE ELECTRONICS DIVISIONS.

A SHOWDOWN IS SHAPING UP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND SOUTH KOREA OVER AUTO IMPORTS. THE U-S IS THREATENING TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS AGAINST SOUTH KOREA FOR ALLEGEDLY CLOSING ITS MARKET TO AMERICAN CARS. SOUTH KOREA SAYS, IF SANCTIONS ARE IMPOSED, IT WILL MAKE A FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST THE UNITED STATES TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
02-Oct-97 5:04 PM EDT (2104 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: ALL ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, THE SUBJECT OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM CONTINUES TO NETTLE [BOTHER] THE NATION'S EDITORIALS WRITERS, THIS FIRST DAY OF THE NEW JEWISH YEAR, 5758. OTHER TOPICS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE OF PUBLIC OPINION INCLUDE: THE INCREASING GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR IN THIS COUNTRY; THE FRENCH APOLOGY TO THE JEWS FOR WORLD WAR TWO COMPLICITY; [OPT] A COMPLEX DIPLOMATIC DILEMMA OVER A SUSPECTED KILLER FROM MARYLAND; [END OPT] AND RADIATION AS AN ALLEGEDLY BETTER WAY TO SAFEGUARD THE NATION'S RED MEAT SUPPLY FROM BACTERIA.

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

TEXT: FROM PORTLAND, MAINE, IN THE EAST, TO PORTLAND, OREGON, MORE THAN 48-HUNDRED KILOMETERS TO THE WEST, EDITORIAL PAGES CONTINUE TO PRESS THE POINT ABOUT THE NEED FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. HERE'S WHAT PORTLANDERS ARE READING IN THURSDAY'S OREGONIAN.

VOICE: "THE NATURE OF THE OPPOSITION TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM WAS DRAMATIZED THIS WEEK WHEN STEVE FORBES, WHO SPENT 30-MILLION DOLLARS OF HIS OWN MONEY TO MAKE HIMSELF A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, DENOUNCED THE PROPOSED MCCAIN-FEINGOLD BILL ... [AS] ... DO LOTS OF INCUMBENTS.... SO ODDS ARE NOT STRONG FOR THE PASSAGE OF EVEN A REVAMPED, CUT-DOWN CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM BILL.... ON THE OTHER HAND ... AMERICAN VOTERS ... FEEL ... THE SYSTEM IS CORRUPT AND EMBARRASSING. THE CURRENT VERSION OF THE BILL ... [IS] MAYBE NOT A PERFECT FIX BUT ONE THAT MIGHT START TO UNDERMINE THE CASH-MACHINE POLITICS THAT NOW DOMINATES WASHINGTON."

TEXT: MAINE'S PORTLAND PRESS HERALD, EQUALLY FRUSTRATED BY CONGRESSIONAL INACTION, FOCUSES ON THAT STATE'S TWO SENATORS FOR ITS WRATH. NEITHER OF THE TWO WOMEN REPRESENTING MAINE HAVE YET COME OUT STRONGLY FOR THE REFORM PLAN.

VOICE: "THE ART OF LAWMAKING SOMETIMES REQUIRES TAKING A STAND AND SOMETIMES CALLS FOR WORKING A COMPROMISE. KNOWING WHEN TO DO WHICH DEFINES A LEADER. IN THE CASE OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, LEADERSHIP CLEARLY MEANS TAKING A FIRM POSITION, AND THAT'S WHAT [MAINE] SENATORS OLYMPIA SNOWE AND SUSAN COLLINS SHOULD DO.... IT IS TIME FOR MAINE'S SENATORS TO LEAD WITH FIRM BACKING FOR MCCAIN-FEINGOLD."

TEXT: BOTH THE NEW YORK TIMES AND WASHINGTON POST ARE COMMENTING ON A NEW CENSUS REPORT THAT SHOWS THE GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR IN THIS COUNTRY GROWING LARGER, EXPLAINING THAT THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SUCCESS IS NOT REACHING ALL INCOME LEVELS. SAYS THE POST:

VOICE: "AT FIRST GLANCE, THE LATEST FIGURES ON AMERICAN'S INCOMES SEEM TO HOLD MOSTLY GOOD NEWS.... BUT A SECOND LOOK GIVES GROUND FOR CONCERN. THE UNITED STATES IS SIX YEARS INTO AN ECONOMIC EXPANSION.... YET THE BENEFITS ... ARE NOT FILTERING DOWN AS MUCH AS MIGHT BE EXPECTED. [OPT] ..... THE NUMBER OF POOR PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES DID NOT DIMINISH IN 1996 FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR, THE POVERTY RATE IS STILL HIGHER THAN IN 1989 AND THE NUMBER OF THOSE CONSIDERED EVERY POOR ... ACTUALLY INCREASED.... NO MATTER HOW YOU DRAW AND QUARTER THE NUMBERS, THE OVERALL PICTURE OF A WIDENING GAP DOESN'T CHANGE; AND [END OPT] IT SEEMS TO US THAT MOST AMERICANS AREN'T LIKELY TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH AN ECONOMY THAT LEAVES ONE SECTOR FURTHER AND FURTHER BEHIND. IT'S NOT A RECIPE FOR ... A HEALTHY SOCIETY."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS THE FIGURES GIVE LIE TO THE OLD SAYING THAT "A RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL BOATS," ADDING:

VOICE: "... THE CHILLING LESSON FROM THE CENSUS DATA IS THAT EVEN A HEALTHY ECONOMY LEAVES THE POOR FIRMLY IN A DEPRESSING PLACE."

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON THIS WEEK'S APOLOGY BY THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN FRANCE TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY THERE FOR ITS ACTIONS, AND SOME INACTION, DURING WORLD WAR TWO. THE BOSTON GLOBE PRAISES THE APOLOGY, AND NOTES THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ITS SITE, THE TOWN OF DRANCY, FROM WHICH MANY JEWS WERE SHIPPED TO NAZI DEATH CAMPS.

VOICE: "THE APOLOGY WAS LUCID, UNAMBIGUOUS, CLEANSING.... THOSE WHO REPENT FOR THE PAST ARE LESS LIKELY TO REPEAT IT."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK POST CALLS THE STATEMENT ... "A WELCOME GESTURE THAT COULD HELP REMOVE A MALIGNANT IRRITANT FROM FRENCH POLITICAL LIFE." IN NEWSDAY, ANOTHER CONTROVERSY INVOLVING FRANCE, THE PLAN OF A FRENCH ENERGY COMPANY TO EXPLOIT AN IRANIAN NATURAL GAS FIELD DESPITE U-S LAWS BARRING COMMERCE WITH IRAN, DRAWS A WARNING THAT U-S POLICY IS "JUST NOT REALISTIC."

VOICE: "A FRENCH AGREEMENT WITH IRAN TO EXPLORE IRANIAN NATURAL GAS FIELDS IS NOT THE RIGHT SUBJECT, NOR IS THIS THE RIGHT TIME, FOR INVOKING AMERICAN LAWS AIMED AT ISOLATING IRAN.... THE FRENCH ARE BEING THEIR USUAL OBSTINATE, DIFFICULT SELVES.... BUT MANY MIDEAST EXPERTS BELIEVE THE SITUATION MAY BE CHANGING SO FUNDAMENTALLY IN IRAN THAT NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR A MAJOR CONFRONTATION, ESPECIALLY ONE THAT WOULD DAMAGE THE [WESTERN] ALLIANCE."

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES AGREES, SUGGESTING IN ITS EDITORIAL HEADLINE, THAT THE "U-S SHOULD BEND IN THE FACE OF PROTEST FROM ITS EUROPEAN ALLIES," TO AVOID "A NASTY CONFRONTATION" OVER THE FRENCH DEAL THAT "WILL BENEFIT NO ONE."

SWITCHING TO AFRICA, THE NEW YORK TIMES AGAIN LAMENTS THE POLITICAL REPRESSION IN NIGERIA, AS DIRECTED TOWARD THE DEPARTING AMERICAN AMBASSADOR WITH THESE WORDS.

VOICE: "THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT'S [OPT] RAMBO-LIKE [END OPT] ASSAULT ON A FAREWELL PARTY FOR THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR LAST MONTH, WHEN HEAVILY ARMED POLICE BURST INTO THE ROOM THREATENING TO SHOOT THE SPEAKERS, WAS JUST THE LATEST IN A STRING OF BIZARRE ACTS BY AN INCREASINGLY DESPERATE REGIME. THE TELEVISED SPEECH BY NIGERIA'S DICTATOR, SANI ABACHA, ON THE COUNTRY'S INDEPENDENCE DAY YESTERDAY OFFERED FURTHER EVIDENCE OF HIS PERSONAL AND POLITICAL WEAKNESS. .... MR. ABACHA IS FLOUNDERING.

TEXT: IN A COMPLEX DIPLOMATIC SITUATION OF ANOTHER SORT, THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL ARE INVOLVED IN TALKS ABOUT THE EXTRADITION OF A YOUNG MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING AND DISMEMBERING ANOTHER YOUTH IN A MARYLAND SUBURB OF WASHINGTON, DC, THEN FLEEING TO ISRAEL. THE AMERICAN TEENAGER, SAMUEL SHEINBEIN, MAY ALSO BE AN ISRAELI CITIZEN, AND IF HE IS, ISRAEL LAW FORBIDS HIS EXTRADITION. THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION SAYS THE MURDER SUSPECT IS "ABUSING ISRAELI LAW," ADDING:

VOICE: "THE CONTROVERSY STEMS FROM A LAW ISRAEL ENACTED TO SHIELD ITS CITIZENS FROM PERSECUTION IN OTHER COUNTRIES -- A WARRANTED CONCERN, CONSIDERING ISRAEL'S HISTORY.... WHEN THE LAW WAS WRITTEN, THOUGH, ITS DRAFTERS PROBABLY NEVER CONCEIVED OF A CASE SUCH AS SAMUEL SHEINBEIN'S.... IT PROMISES TO BE A TRAVESTY IF MARYLAND AUTHORITIES AND WITNESSES HAVE TO TRAVEL TO ISRAEL TO MAKE A CASE AGAINST [MR.] SHEINBEIN IN A COURT WITH UNFAMILIAR PROCEDURES AND STANDARDS. ISRAEL ... HAD BETTER THINK SERIOUSLY ABOUT AMENDING ITS INFLEXIBLE EXTRADITION LAW...."

TEXT: ON THE TOPIC OF FREE TRADE AND ITS LINKAGE WITH GLOBAL WARMING, TODAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR SAYS:

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON APPEARS TO BE FIDDLING [BACKING DOWN] ON FREE-TRADE EXPANSION WHILE HE CONCENTRATES ON EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT GREENHOUSE GASES. THE TWO SUBJECTS ARE ACTUALLY INTERLINKED. MR. CLINTON OUGHT TO USE HIS PULPIT TO SHOW THE LINKAGE, NOT HIDE IT.... MR. CLINTON SHOULDN'T BE SOFTPEDALING HIS POSITION THAT DEVELOPING NATIONS MEET THE SAME ENVIRONMENT STANDARDS AS INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS [ON GAS EMISSIONS SUCH AS CARBON DIOXIDE].... HE OUGHT TO ... ASSURE FELLOW DEMOCRATS THAT ENVIRONMENT MATTERS WILL BE TREATED SEPARATELY FROM TRADE."

TEXT: REGARDING THE SAFETY OF THE NATION'S RED MEAT SUPPLY, USA TODAY IS STRONGLY SUGGESTING THE USE OF IRRADIATION AS A WAY OF KILLING DEADLY BACTERIA SUCH AS E-COLI -- BUT NOTES THE CONTINUED RESISTANCE TO THIS TECHNOLOGY, DESPITE ITS PRIOR APPROVAL FOR SPICES, PRODUCE AND POULTRY.

VOICE: "HUNDREDS OF STUDIES SINCE THE 1940S HAVE FOUND NO CONVINCING DANGERS, YET CONSUMERS ARE CONDITIONED TO BE JUMPY [NERVOUS] ABOUT RADIATION OF ANY KIND.... THE FEARS ARE GROUNDLESS. IRRADIATED FOOD IS NOT RADIOACTIVE, AND THE MINUTE CHEMICAL CHANGES THAT RESULT ARE INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM THOSE THAT OCCUR GENERALLY WHEN FOOD IS COOKED.... REALISTIC ALTERNATIVES, MEANWHILE, ARE LACKING.... IRRADIATION IS PROVEN TO HELP PRESERVE FOODS AND MAKE THEM SAFER, AND IT HAS BEEN USED FOR DECADES ON OTHER PRODUCTS WITHOUT MISHAP. EASY CALL [DECISION ... (IMPLIED) FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO MAKE.]"

TEXT: AND LASTLY, AS JEWS WORLDWIDE WELCOME IN THEIR NEW YEAR 5758, THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD SAYS WE CAN ALL BENEFIT FROM THE ROSH HASHANAH HOLIDAY:

VOICE: "THIS ISN'T A BAD TIME FOR ALL PEOPLE TO PONDER PAST AND FUTURE.... ACCORDING TO THE CEREMONY, GOD AS KING SITS ON HIS THRONE TO WEIGH PEOPLE'S DEEDS OVER THE PAST YEAR.... THE HOLIDAY TAKES SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE AS THE NATION OF ISRAEL STRUGGLES TO COME TO A LASTING PEACE WITH ITS PALESTINIAN NEIGHBORS."

TEXT: AND SO ENDS THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM THE PAGES OF THURSDAYS U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/ MMK
02-Oct-97 11:23 AM EDT (1523 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S / SERBIA (S-ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS SENDING ITS SPECIAL ENVOY ON BOSNIA, AMBASSADOR ROBERT GELBARD, TO THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA TO DISCUSS PROGRESS MADE TOWARD IMPLEMENTING THE DAYTON ACCORDS. OFFICIALS SAY AMBASSADOR GELBARD WILL ALSO USE THE TRIP TO MAKE CLEAR U-S DISPLEASURE WITH SERBIA'S CRACKDOWN ON OPPOSITION DEMONSTRATORS. V-O-A WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: AMBASSADOR GELBARD WILL MEET WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN BELGRADE MONDAY TO EXPRESS U-S DISMAY OVER THE USE OF FORCE THIS WEEK BY SERBIAN AUTHORITIES TO DISPERSE ETHNIC ALBANIAN DEMONSTRATORS IN KOSOVO AND OPPOSITION PROTESTERS IN BELGRADE.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES FOLEY:

THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO WILL BE AT THE TOP OF HIS AGENDA WHILE HE IS MEETING WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS CONDEMNED THE USE OF FORCE AGAINST PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATORS AS 'UNACCEPTABLE', AND URGED THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT TO FULLY RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS TO PEACEFULLY ASSEMBLE.

WHILE IN THE REGION, AMBASSADOR GELBARD WILL ALSO FLY TO BOSNIA TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT ALIJA ITZEBEGOVIC, BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC, AND TO CROATIA FOR TALKS WITH PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN TO DISCUSS COOPERATION IN IMPLEMENTING THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/RRM
02-Oct-97 3:24 PM EDT (1924 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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