Voice of America, 97-11-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA: EQUIP & TRAIN (L-ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[02] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: SERBIA'S ROMANI (GYPSY) MINORITY BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

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

[04] GERMANY / KURDS (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

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

[06] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[07] WORLD FINANCE (L-O) BY GORDON MARTIN (GENEVA)

[01] BOSNIA: EQUIP & TRAIN (L-ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A U-S OFFICIAL SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO JOIN A U-S SPONSORED MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAM. BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC WAS QUOTED (YESTERDAY/TUESDAY) AS SAYING SHE WANTS HER REPUBLIC TO JOIN THE PROGRAM. V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR SPOKE WITH THE HEAD OF THE U-S EQUIP-AND-TRAIN PROGRAM FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND FILED THIS REPORT.

TEXT: JAMES PARDEW SAYS CONTRARY TO PRESIDENT PLAVSIC'S CLAIM, THE SERB REPUBLIC HAS NOT BEEN INVITED TO JOIN THE EQUIP-AND-TRAIN PROGRAM FOR ONE REASON, BUT HE AGREED THAT REASON COULD CHANGE.

I HAVE SAID A NUMBER OF TIMES PUBLICLY AND PRIVATELY TO SERB LEADERS THAT EXTENDING THE EQUIP-AND-TRAIN PROGRAM TO THE SERBS IS A NATURAL EVOLUTION OF THE DAYTON PROCESS. HOWEVER, THIS PROGRAM WILL NOT BE EXTENDED WITHOUT FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE KEY PROVISIONS OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT.

AMONG THOSE PROVISIONS, MR. PARDEW LISTED: ALLOWING REFUGEES TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES; COMPLETE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT; PROGRESS ON JOINT NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS; AND ENSURING THAT INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS GO TO TRIAL IN THE HAGUE.

IN HER INTERVIEW WITH THE BOSNIAN-SERB NEWS AGENCY, PRESIDENT PLAVSIC ALSO SAID THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC SHOULD SEEK ITS PLACE IN REGIONAL AND GLOBAL INTEGRATION. SHE CRITICIZED THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR -- IN HER WORDS -- DISTORTING THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD. AND SHE CALLED FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC. ASKED IF THERE MIGHT BE A MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT JUST HOW MUCH SOVEREIGNTY THE DAYTON ACCORDS GIVE THE SERBS, MR. PARDEW REPEATED THE OFFICIAL U-S POSITION:

THE U-S VISION FOR BOSNIA IS THAT OF A SINGLE, UNIFIED AND MULTI-CULTURAL STATE. IT'S NATURAL FOR A SINGLE NATION TO HAVE AN INTEGRATED ARMED FORCE, NOT JUST AN ARMY FOR EVERY GROUP. SO WE SEE IN THE FUTURE AS BOSNIA TAKES ON A MORE NORMAL FORM THAT WE WOULD BE WILLING TO HELP BOSNIA AS A NATION DEVELOP A NORMAL MILITARY STRUCTURE.

THERE HAS BEEN CONSIDERABLE OPPOSITION TO THE U-S EQUIP-AND-TRAIN PROGRAM FROM RUSSIA AND EUROPEAN NATIONS WHO SEE TOTAL DISARMAMENT ON ALL SIDES AS A BETTER SOLUTION FOR THE BALKANS. MR. PARDEW AGREED THAT THE PROGRAM'S MAIN SUPPORTERS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES HAVE BEEN MUSLIM COUNTRIES, SOMETHING THE SERBS VIEW WITH INCREASING ALARM. BUT HE REMINDED THAT THE SERBS STILL HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE NEIGHBORING FEDERAL YUGOSLAV ARMY:

THE REASONING THE UNITED STATES IS LEADING THIS PROGRAM IS BECAUSE THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT IMBALANCE IN THE MILITARY CONDITION IN BOSNIA THAT LED TO THE WAR. ONE SIDE, THE SERBS, HAD A VERY POWERFUL PATRON IN THE F-R-Y (FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA) THAT PROVIDED THEM WITH THE RESOURCES THEY NEEDED TO PROSECUTE A VERY DESTRUCTIVE CONFLICT.

[02] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: SERBIA'S ROMANI (GYPSY) MINORITY BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: BECAUSE OF WORLDWIDE PUBLICITY SURROUNDING RECENT RIGHT-WING ATTACKS ON ROMA IN SERBIA AND LAST MONTH'S MURDER [10/18/97] OF A ROMANI BOY IN THE HEART OF BELGRADE, THERE IS GREATER ATTENTION ON THE SITUATION OF

TEXT: THERE IS LITTLE CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN OFFICIAL AND NONOFFICIAL VIEWS OF THE LIFE OF THE ROMANI MINORITY IN SERBIA. ACCORDING TO THE OPEN MEDIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE'S PUBLICATION "TRANSITIONS," EVEN THE NUMBERS "DEPEND ON WHOM YOU ASK." OFFICIALLY, THERE ARE ABOUT 150,000 ROMA IN SERBIA. BUT ROMANI LEADERS SAY THERE ARE ABOUT 800,000 ROMA, OUT OF AN ESTIMATED 1.2 MILLION IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. THERE ARE OTHER DIFFERENCES. SERBIA'S MINISTER OF INFORMATION RADMILA MILENTIJEVIC [MIL-LEN-TEE-YAY-VICH], THE SPOKESPERSON FOR SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, SAYS ROMA IN SERBIA ARE WELL-INTEGRATED INTO THE POPULATION AND THEY ARE ADMIRED FOR MANY OF THEIR SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS. WHEN SPEAKING ABOUT THE ROMA, HOWEVER, MS. MILENTIJEVIC CONSISTENTLY USES THE TERM, "GYPSY," WHICH ROMA CONSIDER EXTREMELY DEROGATORY. TAPE A: CUT ONE -- MILENTIJEVIC (1:28) "AFTER THE WAR THERE WAS A MAJOR EFFORT TO BRING THE GYPSY POPU- LATION INTO THE MAINSTREAM OF LIFE IN SERBIA. WHEN [FORMER YUGOSLAV LEADER JOSIP] TITO OPENED THE BORDERS OF YUGOSLAVIA, WHEN THE PEOPLE WERE ALLOWED TO GO TO GERMANY TO WORK, WHEN WESTERN EUROPE NEEDED A LABOR FORCE, MANY GYPSIES WENT OUT AND WORKED THERE. AND WHAT THEY DID WAS TO BRING BACK THAT MONEY AND INVEST THAT MONEY AND BUILD LARGE HOMES. SO YOU HAVE TODAY, THE GYPSY POPULATION DISPERSED THOUGHOUT SERBIA. WHEREVER THEY LIVE, THEY'RE TOTALLY INTEGRATED WITH THE POPULATION. THEY'RE REALLY ENGAGED IN BUSINESS, JUST AS THE SERBS ARE. THEY ARE OUR BEST MUSICIANS. BUT, AMONG THE GYPSIES, WE HAVE ALSO A PHENOMENON WHICH WE HAVE WITH THE ALBANIAN POPULATION -- A VERY HIGH RATE OF BIRTH. SO, YOU HAVE PARENTS WHO BEAR CHILDREN AND DO NOT FEEL A GREAT DEAL OF RESPONSIBILITY TO BRING THOSE CHILDREN UP, AND SO, THE RESULT IS, IF YOU GO DOWN THE STREETS OF BELGRADE, YOU SEE THE GYPSY KIDS WAITING AT STOPLIGHTS, WANTING TO CLEAN YOUR CAR WINDOWS. IT'S A JOB, BUT IT'S A NUISANCE. BUT THEY'RE EARNING MONEY. YOU FIND A LOT OF GYPSIES SELLING THINGS ON THE STREETS. IT'S A JOB, EARNING A BUCK, BUT YOU ALSO FIND HERE AND THERE, TO THE EXTENT THAT WE HAVE BEGGARS, MANY OF THEM ARE GYPSIES."

TEXT: THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION SAYS SERBIA'S POOR REPUTATION IN RECENT YEARS REGARDING THE TREATMENT OF ITS NON-SERB MINORITIES, ESPECIALLY THE ROMA, IS UNDESERVED. AND SHE CONSIDERS THE RECENT PERIOD OF ETHNIC STRIFE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA AS AN ABERRATION. TAPE A: CUT TWO -- MILENTIJEVIC (0:46) "PEOPLE JUST DON'T THINK IN THESE TERMS. [REGARDING] NATIONALITY -- I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW I'M A SERB, AND I KNOW THAT YOU'RE A GYPSY, AND I KNOW THAT YOU'RE ROMANIAN, AND YOU KNOW THAT I'M A SERB. THEY ABSOLUTELY DON'T THINK IN THESE TERMS, AND THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT I HAD TO CONFRONT TIME AND AGAIN IN THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE [OPT] WE HAVE A MUCH MORE SERIOUS ISSUE IN THIS RESPECT. AND WE [SERBS] DO NOT THINK YET IN TERMS OF BLACK [ROMA, WHO ARE OF SOUTH ASIAN ORIGIN] AND WHITE [CITIZENS OF EUROPEAN ORIGIN], AND I HOPE NEVER WILL. [END OPT] I HAVE A WHOLE FLOOR OF EMPLOYEES HERE. I AM SURE THAT HALF OF THEM ARE NOT SERBS, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHO IS SERB, WHO IS NOT. PEOPLE JUST DO NOT RELATE, OTHER THAN AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS HUMAN BEINGS."

TEXT: DUSAN JANJIC [DOO-SHAHN YAHN-YICH], A SERB AND DIRECTOR OF THE FORUM FOR ETHNIC RELATIONS, A NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION THAT DEALS WITH ETHNIC CONFLICTS, HAS A DIFFERENT VIEW. MR. JANJIC SAYS MANY ROMA IN SERBIA LIVE IN GHETTOS AND THEY ARE MARGINALIZED, OR "OUTSIDE THE SOCIETY," MUCH AS THE BLACKS IN SOUTH AFRICA USED TO BE. HE ESTIMATES ONLY 100,000 OUT OF NEARLY A MILLION ROMA ARE EMPLOYED OR HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE. TAPE A: CUT THREE -- JANJIC (0:34) "ALL OTHERS ARE WITHOUT ANY PROTECTION. AND THEY ARE WITHOUT EDUCATION. IT'S A REALLY BAD SITUATION. I WOULD SAY THEY'RE OUTSIDE THE SOCIETY. THERE ARE SOME NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES, AND THERE ARE SOME POSITIVE STEROTYPES. NEGATIVE MEANS THAT THEY DON'T LIKE TO WORK, AND THEY TRY TO ESCAPE ANY OBLIGATION. BUT POSITIVE STEREOTYPES ARE THAT THEY HAVE A SPECIAL CULTURE. THEIR MUSIC IS BEAUTIFUL, THAT THEY'RE REALLY GOOD IN THE ARTS. AND THAT THEY ARE QUITE CORRECT [FRIENDLY AND HOSPITABLE] NEIGHBORS."

TEXT: MR. JANJIC IS ALSO VICE-PRESIDENT OF SERBIA'S SOCIAL DEMOCRACY PARTY. HE SAYS HIS PARTY HAS A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NEW ROMANI CONGRESSIONAL PARTY, WHOSE PRESIDENT IS DRAGOLJUB ACKOVIC [DRAG-OL-YOOB AHS-KOH-VICH]. MR. ACKOVIC, WHO FOR 20 YEARS HAS BEEN A JOURNALIST, IS THE EDITOR OF THE ROMANY-LANGUAGE PROGRAM AT RADIO BELGRADE. HE'S ALSO PRESIDENT OF THE ROMANI CULTURAL FEDERATION, WHOSE MEMBERSHIP IS RESTRICTED TO UNIVERSITY GRADUATES. HE SAYS THE SITUATION OF ROMA IN SERBIA HAS "RAPIDLY DETERIORATED" SINCE 1991. TAPE B: CUT ONE -- ACKOVIC (ESTABLISH 5 SECONDS AND FADE UNDER) TAPE A: CUT FOUR -- ENGLISH TRANSLATION (0:46) "THE PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IS RAPIDLY DWINDLING. IT IS ALSO THE CASE FOR OTHER MINORITIES, BUT ESPECIALLY FOR ROMA. THE POLITICAL RIGHTS OF ROMA ARE ALSO CHANGING FOR THE WORSE. IN THE OLD YUGOSLAVIA, THE ROMANI PEOPLE HAD CERTAIN RIGHTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, AND THEY WERE CONSIDERED TO BE A NATIONALITY. NOW IN YUGOSLAVIA, UNDER THE NEW CONSTITUTION THEY'RE CONSIDERED TO BE JUST AN ETHNIC GROUP. THAT MEANS THEY HAVE RIGHTS AS INDIVIDUALS BUT NOT AS A GROUP. UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, ETHNIC GROUPS DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO OWN MEDIA IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE."

TEXT: MR. ACKOVIC SAYS THAT THE NEW ROMANI CONGRESSIONAL PARTY, WHICH WAS FORMED LAST APRIL, HAS THREE MAJOR GOALS. TAPE B: CUT TWO -- ACKOVIC (ESTABLISH 5 SECONDS AND FADE UNDER.) TAPE A: CUT FIVE -- ENGLISH TRANSLATION (0:31) "FIRST OF ALL, IT'S THE STRUGGLE TO GET THE STATUS OF A NATIONAL MINORITY IN YUGOSLAVIA. THE SECOND IS IN EDUCATION -- TO EXPAND THE EDUCATION OF ROMANI CHILDREN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND INFLUENCE BOTH PARENTS AND THE SCHOOLS. IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ARE ALSO WORKING TO SOLVE THE HOUSING PROBLEMS, TO SOLVE THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS, AND ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS THAT CONCERN ANY OTHER PEOPLE."

TEXT: MR. ACKOVIC SAYS THAT SERBIAN ROMA ARE THE "POOREST OF THE POOR" AND THEY LIVE IN GHETTOS -- PHYSICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND CULTURALLY. BUT, HE BELIEVES, THE MOST HOPEFUL SIGN IS THAT THE POLITICAL "CONSCIOUSNESS" OF YOUNG ROMA HAS BEEN RAISED BY THE ROMANI CIVIL RIGHTS STRUGGLE IN EUROPE. ROMA IN SERBIA ARE PARTICULARLY ALARMED BY THE RISING TIDE OF FASCIST-INSPIRED VIOLENCE, HE SAYS.

LJILJANA SMAJLOVIC, A SERB FROM SARAJEVO WHO NOW LIVES IN BELGRADE, IS THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS EDITOR OF THE INDEPENDENT WEEKLY "VREME" [VRAY-MAY]. SHE SAYS YUGOLAVIA HAD A "MUCH BETTER REPUTATION" WHERE THE ROMA ARE CONCERNED "THAN IT DESERVES." TAPE A: CUT SIX -- SMAJLOVIC (0:24) "PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT WERE SUPPRESSED BEFORE. SO NOW, WHAT'S COME TO THE FOREFRONT WITH ROMA IS ALSO THIS BLATANT PREJUDICE AND ALMOST RACIST ATTITUDES TO THE ROMA, WHICH ARE PARTICULARLY HURTFUL IN A SITUATION WHERE WE'VE SEEN HOW QUICKLY ONE GOES FROM WORDS AND PREJUDICES TO DEEDS AND BLOOD AND CRIME."

TEXT: ACCORDING TO VESNA PESIC [PES-ICH], LEADER OF SERBIA'S CIVIC ALLIANCE, WHO WAS IN THE UNITED STATES RECENTLY (11/6/97), THE VIOLENT ATTACK IN WHICH A 13-YEAR-OLD ROM IN SERBIA WAS KILLED IS NOT TYPICAL.

TAPE: CUT SEVEN -- PESIC (0:21) "IT'S QUITE EXTRAORDINARY THAT BOY WAS KILLED BY SKINHEADS. I HOPE THIS IS GOING TO BE AN INCIDENT AND NOT BECOME A RULE, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I THINK THE ROMA ARE USUALLY WELL ACCEPTED IN SERBIA. YOU COULD NEVER FIND SOMEONE SAYING, 'I HATE ROMA.' THEY HAVE A VERY LOW SOCIAL POSITION, AND THAT'S WHY PEOPLE DESPISE THEM."

TEXT: MS. PESIC SAYS THE POPULARITY OF DEMAGOGUES AND ULTRANATIONALISTS MAY BE GROWING BECAUSE THE ECONOMIC SITUATION IN SERBIA IS "GETTING WORSE" AND PEOPLE "SEE LITTLE HOPE." [NOTE: ACTUALITY FOR VESNA PESIC IS COURTESY OF PAMELA TAYLOR.]
12-Nov-97 3:35 PM EST (2035 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE DOWN IN TRADING WEDNESDAY ON EUROPEAN MARKETS. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: PRICES CLOSED OFF WEDNESDAY IN ALL THREE MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS. THE EUROPEAN DROP FOLLOWED A CONTINUED SLIDE EARLIER IN THE DAY IN ASIA.

THE BIGGEST DECLINE WAS IN FRANKFURT. THE DAX-30 INDEX ENDED THE DAY OFF ALMOST 72-POINTS, NEARLY TWO-PERCENT OF THE GERMAN MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX FELL MORE THAN 73-POINTS, ABOUT ONE-AND-ONE-HALF-PERCENT.

THE DROP WAS MUCH LESS IN PARIS. THE CAC-40 INDEX CLOSED DOWN JUST MORE THAN THREE-POINTS, ABOUT ONE-TENTH PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED VALUE AGAINST BOTH THE GERMAN MARK AND THE JAPANESE YEN. THE DOLLAR WAS UNCHANGED AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.
NEB/JWH/RAE
12-Nov-97 1:32 PM EST (1832 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] GERMANY / KURDS (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: A GERMAN COURT HAS HANDED DOWN A FOUR-YEAR PRISON TERM TO A MEMBER OF THE OUTLAWED "KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY." THE MAN'S NAME WAS NOT RELEASED, AS ALLOWED UNDER GERMAN LAW. DETAILS ON THE VERDICT FROM BONN, AND V-O-A'S KYLE KING.

TEXT: THE COURT CONVICTED THE 37-YEAR-OLD KURDISH MAN OF INVOLVEMENT IN SEVERAL ARSON ATTACKS AGAINST TURKISH ESTABLISHMENTS IN HANNOVER AND DORTMOND.

IN ADDITION TO A FOUR-AND-ONE-HALF YEAR JAIL TERM, HE WAS ALSO FINED NEARLY 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

COURT OFFICIALS SAY THE MAN, WHO WAS NOT IDENTIFIED, IS A LEADING MEMBER OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, ALSO KNOWN AS THE P-K-K.

THE ORGANIZATION, WHICH IS OUTLAWED IN TURKEY AND GERMANY, HAS BEEN WAGING A BLOODY STRUGGLE FOR AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH HOMELAND IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY.

THE GROUP HAS BEEN BLAMED FOR DOZENS OF ATTACKS AGAINST TURKISH TARGETS IN GERMANY. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/MMK
12-Nov-97 8:21 AM EST (1321 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCKS PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES ENDED THE DAY LOWER. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON HAS THE LATEST FINANCIAL NEWS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE ENDED THE DAY DOWN 157 POINTS, OR TWO PERCENT, CLOSING AT 74-HUNDRED-ONE. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 906, DOWN 18 POINTS.

BROKERS SAY DOWNTURNS IN EUROPEAN AND ASIAN MARKETS AND TENSION WITH IRAQ WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DROP.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD -- THE U-S CENTRAL BANK -- MET FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND DECIDED NOT TO CHANGE U-S INTEREST RATES. WHILE THAT WAS SEEN BY INVESTORS AS A GOOD SIGN, IT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO PUT THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE IN POSITIVE TERRITORY.

IN CORPORATE NEWS, THE TAKEOVER BATTLE BETWEEN LODGING GIANTS I-T-T AND HILTON MAY BE NEARING ITS END. I-T-T SHAREHOLDERS VOTED IN SUPPORT OF THEIR COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS, A MOVE LIKELY TO STYMIE (PREVENT) HILTON'S TAKEOVER ATTEMPT.

HILTON CHIEF EXECUTIVE STEPHEN BOLLENBACH WAS AMONG THOSE TO SPEAK AT THE I-T-T SHAREHOLDERS MEETING IN NEW YORK. HE URGED SHAREHOLDERS TO REPLACE THE CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITH A NEW ONE, SUPPORTIVE OF THE HILTON TAKEOVER BID.

ON THE CORPORATE SIDE, WE ALREADY HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE TO BRING ABOUT REAL COST SAVINGS AND SYNERGIES. WHAT IT ADDS UP TO IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE THE MOST POWERFUL LODGING AND GAMING COMPANY IN THE WORLD, TWICE AS BIG AS THE NEXT LARGEST HOTEL COMPANY, AND FOUR TIMES THE SIZE OF THE NEXT LARGEST GAMING COMPANY.

MOMENTS LATER, SHAREHOLDERS VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE CURRENT I-T-T BOARD, WHICH HAS ALREADY EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR A MERGER WITH THE REAL ESTATE HOLDING COMPANY STARWOOD LODGINGS, NOT HILTON.

IN OTHER NEWS, THE COMPUTER EQUIPMENT MAKER THREE-COM, WHICH EARLIER THIS YEAR PURCHASED THE MODEM MANUFACTURER U-S ROBOTICS, WAS AMONG THE BIGGEST LOSERS IN WEDNESDAY'S TRADING SESSION. THREE-COM IS REPORTED TO BE FACING PROBLEMS COORDINATING ITS PRODUCTION AND SALES EFFORTS.

BANKING STOCKS WERE ALSO DOWN, AMID CONTINUING CURRENCY INSTABILITY IN ASIA. THOSE WITH THE GREATEST EXPOSURE TO ASIA, SUCH AS NEW YORK-BASED CHASE MANHATTAN, SUFFERED THE MOST. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/RRM
12-Nov-97 4:55 PM EST (2155 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE CONTROVERSIAL COURT RULING IN THE CASE OF A BRITISH AU PAIR [LIVE- IN CHILD CARE WORKER] CONVICTED OF MURDERING A MASSACHUSETTS INFANT IN HER CARE CONTINUES TO ELICIT EDITORIALS IN THE U-S PRESS. SADDAM HUSSEIN AND HIS CONFRONTATION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTION TEAM IS ANOTHER POPULAR TOPIC, AS IS THE FAILURE OF PRESIDENT CLINTON TO GAIN "FAST TRACK" TRADE AUTHORITY IN THE CONGRESS.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: OREGON'S ASSISTED SUICIDE LAW; [OPT] OVERHAULING THE MILITARY, [END OPT] AND THE U-S PLAYS ITS WAY INTO THE WORLD FOOTBALL CUP. NOW, HERE'S _____________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: A MASSACHUSETTS JUDGE HAS FREED AN ENGLISH AU PAIR [CHILD'S NANNY / LIVE IN CARE GIVER] AFTER REDUCING HER SECOND-DEGREE MURDER CONVICTION TO MANSLAUGHTER, AND ALLOWING HER TO GO FREE, WITH CREDIT FOR THE JAIL TIME SHE SPENT AWAITING TRIAL. THE CASE OF LOUISE WOODWARD HAS CAUSED A SENSATION ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC AND THE EDITORIALS KEEP COMING. TODAY'S "OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND ENTITLES ITS COMMENTARY "A BABY DIED," ADDING:

VOICE: "MONDAY, A JUDGE GAVE AU PAIR LOUISE WOODWARD'S LIFE BACK TO HER. NO ONE CAN GIVE BABY MATTHEW EAPPEN'S LIFE BACK TO HIM. A CHILD DIED, AND A JURY FOUND THAT [MS.] WOODWARD, THE PERSON ENTRUSTED WITH HIS CARE, KILLED HIM. THE HAPPY HUGS IN MASSACHUSETTS AND POPPING CHAMPAGNE CORKS IN ENGLAND THAT GREETED THE JUDGE'S DECISION MOCK THAT FACE. CELEBRATING LOUISE WOODWARD'S RENEWED LIFE DENIES MATTHEW EAPPEN'S TRAGIC DEATH. ..... THE LAWYERLY CHESS GAME GOT OUT OF CONTROL, AND STILL IS. [MS.] WOODWARD IS THE PAWN. BUT SHE'S N O T THE VICTIM. MATTHEW EAPPEN .... WAS."

TEXT: IN THE EAST, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" TAKES THE OTHER SIDE, NOTING IN PART:

VOICE: "CUTTING THROUGH ALL THE OVERWROUGHT ATTENTION TO THE .... CASE, SEVERAL THINGS SEEM CLEAR: TO HAVE LET THE ORIGINAL, 'ALL OR NOTHING' VERDICT STAND WOULD HAVE BEEN, AS JUDGE HILLER ZOBEL RULED, 'A MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE.' ..... THE JURY SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN DENTED. IT HAS NEVER BEEN PERFECT. .... THE REASONED, ELOQUENT EXPLANATION JUDGE ZOBEL GAVE FOR HIS RULING CONTRASTED TELLINGLY WITH THE OVERWROUGHT PROSECUTION ATTEMPT TO EQUATE THE CASE WITH A GENUINE NATIONAL NEED TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE. .... THE LAW SHOULD .... LISTEN INTENTLY TO THE QUIET REMINDER OF CONSCIENCE: AB OVE ALL, BE FAIR."

TEXT: TODAY'S " ORLANDO SENTINEL" SAYS THERE ARE SEVERAL LOSERS IN THE CASE INCLUDING THE CHILD'S PARENTS AND LOUISE WOODWARD, WHO HAS A MANSLAUGHTER CONVICTION ON HER RECORD. BUT, "THE SENTINEL" ADDS:

VOICE: "THE BIGGEST LOSER IN THE WOODWARD CASE ... HAS BEEN THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF JUSTICE. ..... FAITH IN THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF JUSTICE HAS BEEN SHAKEN."

TEXT: TURNING OUR ATTENTION TO THE MIDDLE EAST, "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" HAS SOME THOUGHTS ON THE CURRENT STAND OFF BETWEEN SADDAM HUSSEIN AND THE UNITED NATIONS OVER WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.

VOICE: ".... INSTEAD OF CAVING IN [AND REDUCING ECONOMIC SANCTIONS] ... THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL SHOULD SQUEEZE IRAQ HARDER STILL. FAILING THAT, UNILATERAL MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ BY THE UNITED STATES COULD BECOME INEVITABLE. SADDAM HUSSEIN'S ONGOING REFUSAL TO ALLOW U-S EXPERTS TO ACCOMPANY U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION TEAMS REINFORCES FEARS THAT IRAQ IS STORING OR MANUFACTURING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. "

TEXT: "NEWSDAY" SAYS THE KEY TO THE PROBLEM IS MAINTAINING UNITY WITHIN THE SECURITY COUNCIL, A TASK FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON.

VOICE: "MAINTAIN THE UNITY OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL AND PRESS FOR TOUGHER SANCTIONS AGAINST SADDAM HUSSEIN FOR VIOLATING THE GULF WAR CEASE-FIRE PACT. HUSSEIN'S STRATEGY HINGES ON WIDENING THE RIFTS IN THE COUNCIL TO THE POINT OF PARALYSIS. IF HE CAN GET JUST ONE MEMBER WITH VETO POWER TO SPLIT WITH THE UNITED STATES, HE'S HOME FREE. [PRESIDENT] CLINTON MUST NOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN."

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S EMBARRASSING DEFEAT ON THE "FAST TRACK" TRADE AUTHORIZATION ISSUE AT THE HANDS OF HIS OWN PARTY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DRAWS THIS ADVICE FOR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE FROM "THE MIAMI HERALD."

VOICE: "THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION MUST COME TO TERMS WITH ITS OWN CORE CONSTITUENCY, THE DEMOCRATS OF THE LABOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENTS. THOUGH THE AMERICAN ECONOMY IS BOOMING, WITH UNEMPLOYMENT AT AN ALL-TIME LOW, MANY OF THOSE ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO FAST TRACK FEEL THAT THEY WERE BURNED [ IN THIS INSTANCE: "ECONOMICALLY INJURED"] BY THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WHEN PROMISED PROTECTIONS WERE SLOW OR DIDN'T MATERIALIZE. THOSE COMPLAINTS .... [ARE] BEING USED AS A PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE OVER RENEWAL OF A PROCESS.

.... THE GLOBAL ECONOMY IS NO FIGMENT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S IMAGINATION. IT IS A FACT. FOR THE GOOD OF THE AMERICAN ECONOMY, THE U-S PRESIDENT SHOULD BE IN THE ENGINE, HAND ON THROTTLE, NOT SIPPING COFFEE (IMPORTED, OF COURSE) IN THE CABOOSE."

TEXT: "THE BOSTON GLOBE" EXAMINES THE PROBLEMS CREATED BY THE DELAY, AS THE VOTE HAS BEEN PUT OFF UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

VOICE: "POSTPONING ACTION UNTIL NEXT YEAR EXPOSES THE ISSUE TO DEMAGOGIC TREATMENT DURING THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION CYCLE, FOLLOWED BY SIMILAR DANGERS IN THE ACCELERATING PACE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN. THE UNITED STATES RUNS THE RISK OF LAGGING BEHIND EUROPE, JAPAN, AND OTHER ECONOMIC CENTERS IF ITS HANDS ARE TIED IN NEGOTIATIONS."

TEXT: "USA TODAY" IS UPSET THAT EVEN THOUGH OREGON VOTERS LAST WEEK DEFEATED AN ATTEMPT TO OVERTURN THE NATION'S ONLY ASSISTED-SUICIDE LAW, NOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THE PERSON OF THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION IS ACTING TO THWART THE PUBLIC WILL.

VOICE: "SOME PEOPLE CAN'T BEAR TO SEE THE PUBLIC GET ITS WAY. EVEN ON LIFE'S MOST SENSITIVE MATTERS. TAKE, FOR INSTANCE, THE BUREAUCRATS OF THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION. THEY'VE DECIDED ..... TO .... REVOKE THE FEDERAL NARCOTICS LICENSES OF DOCTORS WHO PRESCRIBER DRUGS TO HELP TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS TAKE THEIR OWN LIVES. SO MUCH FOR LAST WEEK'S VOTE BY OREGONIANS TO KEEP THE NATION'S ONLY ASSISTED-SUICIDE LAW. AND SO MUCH FOR THE SUPREME COURT'S JUNE RULING ENCOURAGING STATES TO DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES HOW TO BALANCE COMPASSION FOR THE DESPERATELY ILL WITH RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE. .... THE [FEDERAL;] GOVERNMENT IS PUNISHING WELL-INTENTIONED OREGON DOCTORS FOR FOLLOWING THE LAW OF THEIR LAND."

TEXT: ACROSS THE CONTINENT, "THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD" SAYS THE CURRENT PLAN FOR REDUCING THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IS A GOOD ONE, TO CURB WASTEFUL SPENDING.

VOICE: "BESIDES CUTTING ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL, [SECRETARY OF DEFENSE] COHEN'S PLAN CALLS FOR GREATER USE OF CIVILIAN CONTRACTORS. THESE CONTRACTORS WOULD BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO BID ON WORK THROUGHOUT THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT AND WOULD BE GIVEN CONTRACTS ONLY IF THEY CAN SHOW THEY CAN DO THE JOB CHEAPER THAN THE GOVERNMENT CAN."

TEXT: LASTLY A WORD OF PRAISE FROM "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" FOR THE U-S FOOTBALL TEAM - - THAT IS "FOOTBALL" AS IN SOCCER - - AS IT IS KNOWN HEREABOUTS - - FOR BEATING CANADA 3-0, AND WINNING ITS WAY TO THE WORLD CUP IN FRANCE NEXT YEAR.

VOICE: "IF THE U-S TEAM CAN MAKE IT TO THE SECOND ROUND, AS IT DID IN 1994, THE SOCCER WORLD WILL GET A WAKE-UP. THE U-S NATIONAL PROGRAM WILL HAVE ACHIEVED THE TOP PLANE. RECOGNITION GOES TO STEVE SAMPSON, THE FIRST AMERICAN-BORN COACH TO QUALIFY A SOCCER TEAM FOR THE PRESTIGIOUS TOURNAMENT. ..... WE WISH THE U-S TEAM A WARM ** BONNE CHANCE** [ITALICS FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE] IN FRANCE."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF WEDNESDAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/EH
12-Nov-97 10:25 AM EST (1525 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] WORLD FINANCE (L-O) BY GORDON MARTIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: NEGOTIATORS SAY THEY HAVE REACHED A CRUCIAL STAGE IN TALKS AT THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (W-T-O) ON WAYS TO LIBERALIZE BANKING, INSURANCE, AND OTHER FINANCIAL SERVICES. GORDON MARTIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE NEGOTIATORS ARE TRYING TO REACH A DEAL BY DECEMBER 12TH.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES WALKED AWAY FROM EARLIER TALKS, SAYING OTHER COUNTRIES HAD NOT MADE SUFFICIENT OFFERS OF INCREASED ACCESS TO FINANCIAL MARKETS.

DEPUTY TRADE REPRESENTATIVE JEFFREY LANG SAID THE UNITED STATES WANTS THE TALKS TO SUCCEED. BUT HE SAID OTHER NATIONS MUST WORK TO MATCH THE COMPETITION THAT ALREADY EXISTS IN U-S FINANCIAL MARKETS.

OVER 400 FOREIGN INSURANCE COMPANIES ALREADY PARTICIPATE IN THE U-S MARKET. AND ONE-THOUSAND FOREIGN BANKS AND INVESTMENT HOUSES PARTICIPATE IN OUR FINANCIAL SERVICES MARKET. WE WELCOME THESE PROVIDERS IN OUR MARKET BECAUSE THEY PROVIDE COMPETITION FOR OUR DOMESTICALLY BASED PROVIDERS, AND OUR SOCIETY AS A WHOLE BENEFITS FROM THAT COMPETITION. ORDINARY PEOPLE HAVE A CHOICE OF WHERE THEY WANT TO SAVE AND INSURE THEMSELVES. SO DO OUR BUSINESSES.

AMBASSADOR LANG SAID THERE HAVE BEEN, WHAT HE CALLED, POSITIVE ELEMENTS IN OFFERS BY SOME COUNTRIES. BUT HE SAID MORE IS NEEDED.

FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS, AND PROBABLY LONGER THAN THAT, WE HAVE BASICALLY TAKEN THE SAME POSITION ON THIS NEGOTIATION. WE ARE COMMITTED TO REACHING A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION. BUT TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS, WE NEED TO SEE IMPROVED OFFERS FROM A CRITICAL MASS OF OUR TRADING PARTNERS, INCLUDING THE ADVANCED AND EMERGING ECONOMIES IN LATIN AMERICA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA AND ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD. WE HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS SINCE LAST APRIL. WE HAVE BEING SAYING IT SINCE 1995. WE SAID IT IN 1993. THE SAME THING IS STILL TRUE TODAY.

WE WANT A DEAL ON THE 12TH (OF DECEMBER). BUT WE HAVE NOT GOT ENOUGH TO SEE THAT A DEAL IS THERE YET. WE ARE OPTIMISTIC FROM TODAY'S ROUND, BUT THERE IS STILL A LONG WAY TO GO, AND NOT VERY MUCH TIME TO SEE IT. SO A MIXTURE OF CAUTION AND OPTIMISM, PERHAPS A LITTLE MORE OPTIMISM THAN CAUTION AT THE PRESENT TIME.

MUCH ATTENTION HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON SOUTHEAST ASIA WHICH HAS SEEN CONSIDERABLE MARKET TURBULENCE IN RECENT WEEKS. MALAYSIA IS ONE OF THE NATIONS MAKING NEW OFFERS, SAYING IT WILL INCREASE THE PERMITTED FOREIGN OWNERSHIP IN INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM 49-PERCENT TO 51-PERCENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/JWH/RAE
12-Nov-97 1:30 PM EST (1830 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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