Voice of America, 97-11-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] BELARUS MEDIA BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[02] BOSNIA VOTE (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (SARAJEVO)

[03] CASPIAN PIPELINES & AFGHANISTAN BY JOAN BEECHER (WASHINGTON)

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

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

[06] YUGO APPEAL (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

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

[01] BELARUS MEDIA BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: AUTHORITIES IN BELARUS HAVE CLOSED THE COUNTRY'S MOST WIDELY READ INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER -- SVOBODA, OR FREEDOM. IT WAS ANOTHER SETBACK FOR PRESS FREEDOM IN THE FORMER SOVIET REPUBLIC. V-O-A'S PETER HEINLEIN RECENTLY VISITED BELARUS, AND FOUND A SMALL BAND OF INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS WILLING TO DEFY PRESIDENT ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO'S MEDIA CRACKDOWN.

TEXT: THE EDITORIAL OFFICES OF ONE BELARUS INDEPENDENT PAPER, SVOBODNOYE NOVOSTI, OR FREE NEWS, ARE TUCKED AWAY IN AN OLD CONCRETE SLAB BUILDING IN THE CAPITAL, MINSK.

IT IS NOT THAT THE PAPER IS TRYING TO HIDE. THE AUTHORITIES KNOW WHERE THE OFFICES ARE. BUT SVOBODNOYE NOVOSTI HAS RECENTLY MOVED TO SAVE ON RENT. IT HAD NO CHOICE.

THE PAPER'S OWNERS, WHO ARE ALSO THE JOURNALISTS, HAVE BEEN PUSHED TO THE BRINK OF BANKRUPTCY BY A COMBINATION OF STEEP TAX INCREASES AND HEAVY FINES.

EDITOR ALEXANDER ULITYONOK SAYS GOVERNMENT PRESSURE HAS ALSO SCARED MANY FORMER ADVERTISERS AWAY. HE SAYS AUTHORITIES HAVE MADE CLEAR THEY WANT TO DRIVE INDEPENDENT MEDIA OUT OF BUSINESS.

MR. ULITYONOK SAYS HE DOES NOT KNOW HOW THE PAPER HAS SURVIVED. HE SAYS "IT WAS A REAL ACT OF COURAGE." AND HE CALLS IT THE STRENGTH OF A SHIP THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO SINK.

MR. ULITYONOK SAYS THE OWNERS HAD TO HALT STREET DISTRIBUTION TO SAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY A 25-THOUSAND DOLLAR FINE. THAT CUT THE PAPER'S CIRCULATION BY ONE-HALF.

THE CLOSURE OF ANOTHER INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER, SVOBODA, OR FREEDOM, HAS AGAIN FOCUSED INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION ON THE PLIGHT OF BELARUS'S INDEPENDENT MEDIA. ALEXANDER ULITYONOK SAYS CONDITIONS FOR JOURNALISTS ARE WORSE TODAY THAN DURING SOVIET TIMES.

HE SAYS THE CURRENT AUTHORITIES ARE VERY STRICT. HE SAYS HE HAS BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME, AND THINKS IT IS HARDER NOW THAN IT USED TO BE.

OPPOSITION LEADER LEVON BARSHEFSKY SAYS THAT IN THE SMALL TOWNS AND VILLAGES WHERE MOST BELARUSSIANS LIVE, ANYONE SUBSCRIBING TO INDEPENDENT PAPERS IS SUBJECT TO HARRASSMENT.

IF SOMEBODY IN GRODNO REGION SUBSCRIBES TO SVOBODA, AT THE POST OFFICE THE K-G-B HAS INFORMATION THAT SO-AND-SO PERSON HAS READ THE PAPER, AND THE MAN OR WOMAN THEN HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTHORITIES.

DESPITE THE GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWN, INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS IN BELARUS SAY THEY WILL CARRY ON. THE EDITOR OF SVOBODA, IGOR GERMENCHUK, SAID HE WAS NOT DISCOURAGED BY HIS PAPER'S CLOSURE. HE ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING, "WE WILL TRY TO OPEN A NEW PAPER, OR PUBLISH ILLEGALLY. THEY WILL NOT SILENCE OUR VOICE." (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/JWH
25-Nov-97 12:22 PM EST (1722 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA VOTE (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OFFICIALS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ARE NOT COMMENTING ON PRELIMINARY UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS IN NEWS REPORTS FROM VOTING SATURDAY AND SUNDAY IN BOSNIA'S SERB REPUBLIC. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO

TEXT: THE ELECTION FOR A BOSNIAN-SERB NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WAS CONDUCTED BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, WHICH SAYS IT WILL NOT RELEASE PRELIMINARY RESULTS. NEVERTHELESS, SOME NUMBERS HAVE BEEN TRICKLING OUT, MUNICIPALITY BY MUNICIPALITY.

THE O-S-C-E WILL NOT COMMENT ON THOSE, BUT SPOKESMAN LUKE ZAHNER CAUTIONED THAT BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE CONSTITUTED ON A ENTITY-WIDE BASIS, IT DOES NOT MATTER WHO WINS IN A CERTAIN MUNICIPALITY.

IT REALLY DOESN'T SAY TOO MUCH IN THOSE TERMS BECAUSE YOU'RE COMPARING MUNICIPALITIES WITH VARYING NUMBERS OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS.

IN ADDITION, ONE OUT OF EIGHT ELIGIBLE VOTERS WERE REFUGEES LIVING ABROAD. MANY OF THOSE MAIL-IN BALLOTS HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN RECEIVED YET, AND THEY COULD HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON THE FINAL RESULTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/ARTJWH
25-Nov-97 7:43 AM EST (1243 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CASPIAN PIPELINES & AFGHANISTAN BY JOAN BEECHER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: LAST WEEK, TOP GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND OIL COMPANY EXECUTIVES FROM THE UNITED STATES, TURKEY, GREAT BRITAIN, RUSSIA, AZERBAIJAN, AND CENTRAL ASIA MET TO DISCUSS AN ISSUE OF GREAT MUTUAL CONCERN: PIPELINE ROUTES FOR CASPIAN OIL AND GAS. MANY EXPORT ROUTES FOR THE LANDLOCKED REGION'S ENERGY RESOURCES HAVE BEEN PROPOSED, AND THEY ALL HAVE SERIOUS DRAWBACKS AS WELL AS ADVANTAGES. AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT JOAN BEECHER REPORTS, SUPPORTERS OF A PROPOSED PIPELINE THROUGH AFGHANISTAN ARGUE THAT ITS ADVANTAGES OUTWEIGH ITS DRAWBACKS.

TEXT: THE MOST OBVIOUS DRAWBACK OF A PROPOSED PIPELINE FROM TURKMENISTAN, THROUGH AFGHANISTAN, TO PAKISTAN AND DOWN TO THE ARABIAN SEA IS THAT THERE IS STILL A CIVIL WAR GOING ON IN AFGHANISTAN.

NEVERTHELESS, ALL FACTIONS IN THE CIVIL WAR HAVE SIGNED AGREEMENTS SUPPORTING THE PROPOSED PIPELINE, ACCORDING TO BOB TODOR, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF UNOCAL, THE COMPANY THAT IS LEADING AN INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM TO CONSTRUCT THE CENTRAL ASIAN PIPELINE THROUGH AFGHANISTAN.

SPEAKING TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, MR. TODOR ARGUED THAT THE BASIC PROBLEM WITH THE EXISTING AND PROPOSED WESTERN ROUTES ACROSS NORTHERN RUSSIA, OR TO PORTS ON THE BLACK SEA, OR UNDER THE CASPIAN AND DOWN TO TURKEY -- IS THAT THEY ALL LEAD TO EUROPEAN MARKETS.

WESTERN EUROPE IS A TOUGH MARKET. IT IS CHARACTERIZED BY HIGH PRICES FOR OIL PRODUCTS, AN AGING POPULATION, AND INCREASING COMPETITION FROM NATURAL GAS. FURTHERMORE, THE REGION IS FIERCELY COMPETITIVE. IT IS NOW BEING SERVICED BY FIELDS OF COURSE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, THE NORTH SEA, SCANDINAVIA, AND RUSSIA... ALTHOUGH THERE IS ROOM FOR CENTRAL ASIA'S OIL, ON THE WHOLE, IT [WESTERN EUROPE] IS NOT A VERY ATTRACTIVE MARKET, BECAUSE SUBSTANTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE WILL HAVE TO BE DEVELOPED TO BRING THAT OIL FROM THE CASPIAN TO THE WESTERN EUROPEAN MARKET, AND THAT MARKET IS VERY COMPETITIVE.

MUCH THE SAME IS TRUE OF EASTERN EUROPE AND THE COUNTRIES OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION, ACCORDING TO MR. TODOR. BUT ASIA IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT STORY. MANY SPEAKERS, NOT JUST MR. TODOR, ARGUED THAT ASIA WILL BE THE FASTEST GROWING MARKET FOR CASPIAN OIL, EVEN IF THE REGION'S PRESENT FINANCIAL CRISIS SHOULD LEAD TO A PROLONGED ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN.

THREE ROUTES TO ASIAN MARKETS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED: THROUGH CHINA, THROUGH IRAN, AND THROUGH AFGHANISTAN TO PAKISTAN.

IN MR. TODOR'S VIEW, THE PROPOSED CHINA ROUTE IS TOO LONG, AND WILL PROBABLY PROVE TO BE PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE. THE MAJOR ARGUMENT AGAINST THE IRAN ROUTE IS, QUITE SIMPLY, THAT THE U-S GOVERNMENT OPPOSES IT.

AMONG THE MANY ADVANTAGES OF THE AFGHANISTAN ROUTE, ACCORDING TO MR. TODOR, IS THAT IT WOULD TERMINATE IN THE ARABIAN SEA, WHICH IS MUCH CLOSER THAN THE PERSIAN GULF OR NORTHERN CHINA TO KEY ASIAN MARKETS.

THERE IS TREMENDOUS INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL POLITICAL WILL BEHIND THE PIPELINE. THE PIPELINE IS BENEFICIAL TO CENTRAL ASIAN COUNTRIES BECAUSE IT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO SELL THEIR OIL IN EXPANDING AND HIGHLY PROSPECTIVE ASIAN MARKETS. THE PIPELINE IS BENEFICIAL TO AFGHANISTAN, WHICH WOULD RECEIVE REVENUES FROM TRANSPORT TARIFFS.... ON A REGIONAL LEVEL, THE PIPELINE WILL PROMOTE STABILITY AND ENCOURAGE TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN SOUTH ASIA AND CENTRAL ASIA. FINALLY, BECAUSE OF THE COMBINATION OF SHORT PIPELINE DISTANCE AND THE RELATIVELY LOW COST OF TANKERAGE, THIS SOUTHERN ROUTE WILL RESULT IN THE MOST COMPETITIVE EXPORT ROUTE TO THE ASIA/PACIFIC MARKET.

YET CONSTRUCTION OF THIS PROMISING ROUTE CAN ONLY BEGIN IF AND WHEN AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED GOVERNMENT IS FORMED IN AFGHANISTAN. A QUESTION FROM THE AUDIENCE BETRAYED A CERTAIN SKEPTICISM ABOUT THAT OUTCOME.

WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION FOR YOU, BOB. WHICH DO YOU THINK WILL OCCUR FIRST -- AN END TO THE CIVIL WAR, FOLLOWED BY WIDESPREAD INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF THE TALEBAN, OR [LAUGHTER] -- OR A CHANGE IN U.S. POLICY TOWARDS IRAN? [MORE LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE]

MR. TODOR RESPONDED THAT IT WAS NOT HIS BUSINESS TO SPECULATE ABOUT POLITICS. HE ADVISED CONCENTRATING ON THE MARKET, AND LETTING MARKET CONSIDERATIONS DICTATE THE BEST ROUTE FOR CASPIAN OIL. AND IN HIS VIEW, THAT ROUTE WILL PROVE TO BE THE ONE THROUGH AFGHANISTAN. [SIGNED]
NEB/JB/MMK
25-Nov-97 1:47 PM EST (1847 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

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

TEXT: TRADERS IN EUROPE APPEARED TO SHRUG OFF A FIVE PERCENT DROP IN THE TOKYO MARKET EARLIER IN THE DAY. BUT AFTER EARLY GAINS, THE EUROPEAN MARKETS WERE HURT BY THE FAILURE OF NEW YORK TO SUSTAIN ITS OPENING RALLY.

FRANKFURT -- WHICH CLOSES EARLY -- WAS THE ONLY MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKET SHOWING GAINS ON THE DAY. THE DAX-30 INDEX CLOSED UP ALMOST 19 POINTS, ABOUT ONE-HALF PERCENT OF THE FRANKFURT MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX ENDED THE DAY DOWN JUST OVER 35 POINTS, ABOUT SEVEN-TENTHS PERCENT.

AND IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX WAS OFF MORE THAN 16 POINTS, ABOUT SIX-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED IN VALUE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, THE JAPANESE YEN, AND THE BRITISH POUND.
NEB/JWH
25-Nov-97 1:38 PM EST (1838 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES ENDED THE DAY (TUESDAY) HIGHER, DESPITE CONCERNS ABOUT CONTINUING FINANCIAL PROBLEMS IN JAPAN. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON HAS THE LATEST FINANCIAL NEWS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE ENDED THE DAY UP 41 POINTS -- ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT -- AT 78-HUNDRED-NINE. THE BROADER STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX ROSE FOUR POINTS TO CLOSE AT 951.

THE RISE IN U-S SHARE PRICES CAME DESPITE WIDESPREAD CONCERNS ABOUT THE DROP IN ASIAN MARKETS -- PARTICULARLY IN JAPAN. BROKERS SAY INVESTORS WERE CAUTIOUS BUT GENERALLY SEEMED TO BELIEVE JAPAN'S PROBLEMS WOULD NOT HAVE A SERIOUS OR LASTING IMPACT ON U-S MARKETS.

THE RELEASE OF A MONTHLY CONSUMER SURVEY INDICATES CONFIDENCE IN THE U-S ECONOMIC SITUATION IS AT A 30-YEAR HIGH. THE INDEX, RELEASED BY A PRIVATE RESEARCH GROUP, THE CONFERENCE BOARD, SAYS CONFIDENCE IN EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS WAS THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTOR TO THAT OPTIMISM.

FEDERAL AUTHORITIES IN NEW YORK ANNOUNCED A SERIES OF INDICTMENTS AIMED AT FIGHTING ORGANIZED CRIME INVOLVEMENT IN U-S MARKETS. U-S ATTORNEY MARY-JO WHITE ANNOUNCED THE INDICTMENTS.

THE DEFENDANTS ARE CHARGED WITH RUNNING A RACKETEERING ENTERPRISE WHOSE MAIN PURPOSE WAS TO MAKE MONEY THROUGH THE MANIPULATION OF PUBLICLY TRADED SECURITIES, PUBLICLY TRADED ON THE NASDAQ SYSTEM FOR THE SMALL-CAP MARKETS.

THE DEFENDANTS ARE CHARGED WITH MANIPULATING THE MARKET AND ARTIFICIALLY PUSHING STOCK PRICES HIGHER BEFORE SELLING THOSE STOCKS TO UNSUSPECTING INVESTORS. ILLEGAL PROFITS FROM THE SCHEME ARE ESTIMATED TO TOTAL ONE-MILLION DOLLARS.

IN CORPORATE NEWS, THE COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY MOTOROLA ANNOUNCED THE COMPLETION OF AN ADVANCED DIGITAL CELLULAR TELEPHONE SYSTEM IN CHINA -- THE FIRST AND LARGEST OF ITS KIND IN THAT COUNTRY. MOTOROLA HAS INVESTED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES -- MUCH OF IT IN INDIA AND CHINA. AND, AS THE BIGGEST CONSUMER SEASON IN THE UNITED STATES APPROACHES -- THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS -- PUBLIC SERVICE GROUPS ARE WARNING PEOPLE ABOUT TOYS. A GROUP CALLED THE LION AND LAMB PROJECT URGES PEOPLE NOT TO BUY TOYS THAT GLORIFY VIOLENCE, BUT INSTEAD SELECT GIFTS THAT PROVIDE NONVIOLENT EXCITEMENT AND ENCOURAGE CREATIVITY. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/RRM
25-Nov-97 4:46 PM EST (2146 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] YUGO APPEAL (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS HAS ISSUED AN APPEAL FOR MORE THAN 400 MILLION DOLLARS TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN AND DEVELOPMENTAL ASSISTANCE NEXT YEAR TO THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA -- ESPECIALLY BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE MONEY IS TO BE DIVIDED AMONG 12 U-N AID AGENCIES.

TEXT: IN THE TWO YEARS SINCE THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED, NOTABLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN OVERCOMING THE RAVAGES OF WAR, BUT BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA REMAINS IN GREAT NEED OF REHABILITATION. U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SPOKESPERSON MAKI SHINOHARA SAYS THE U-N AID AGENCIES ARE SHIFTING HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS TO DEVELOPMENT ISSUES.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF 1998 IS TO CONTINUE TO PROMOTE DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DISPLACED. WE FEEL THAT IN ORDER FOR PEACE TO (BE) MAINTAIN(ED) ... AND TO BUILD, WE ... FEEL THAT PEOPLE DO NEED TO COME BACK TO THEIR HOMES.

MORE THAN ONE-AND-A-HALF MILLION PEOPLE REMAIN HOMELESS WITHIN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA OR CONTINUE TO LIVE AS REFUGEES IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES OF ASYLUM. TO INDUCE THESE PEOPLE TO COME HOME, THE U-N IS REBUILDING MANY OF THE HOMES DESTROYED DURING THE WAR.

THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY HAS ALSO LAUNCHED A PROJECT CALLED "OPEN CITIES." IT IS AIMED AT ALLOWING ETHNIC MINORITIES TO RETURN TO HOMES NOW UNDER THE CONTROL OF A DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUP. MS. SHINOHARA SAYS CITIES WHICH WANT TO BECOME PART OF THE PROJECT MUST DECLARE THEY WELCOME THE RETURN OF ALL ETHNIC GROUPS.

WE THEN VERIFY THAT, ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT CRITERIA SUCH AS THEY DO IN FACT HAVE JOINT POLICE FORCES, THEY DO IN FACT HAVE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE AREA.

EVERY YEAR, THE UNITED NATIONS MAKES A LARGE APPEAL FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. SO FAR, MS. SHINOHARA SAYS INTERNATIONAL DONORS HAVE CONTRIBUTED GENEROUSLY TO U-N HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS. BUT INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN THE COUNTRY MAY WANE. MS. SHINOHARA WARNS IF THAT HAPPENS, THE FRAGILE PEACE AGREEMENT FACES THE REAL POSSIBILITY OF FALLING APART. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/PCF
25-Nov-97 11:35 AM EST (1635 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THINGS SEEM TO BE GOING FROM BAD TO WORSE IN THE ECONOMIES OF MANY ASIAN COUNTRIES, AND THAT HAS CAPTURED THE ATTENTION OF THE MAJORITY OF U-S EDITORIAL WRITERS THIS TUESDAY.

OTHER SUBJECTS ELICITING COMMENT INCLUDE A REBUKE OF THE WASHINGTON TIMES FOR A STORY ON IMPROPER BURIALS AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY; THE PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE LAW IN OREGON; DEALING WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN; A POPULAR RETIREMENT FINANCIAL PLAN; AND FINALLY, THE DEATH OF A LEADING CUBAN EXILE, JORGE MAS CANOSA. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES, IS __________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" MAKES A METEOROLOGICAL ANALOGY, HEADLINING ITS LEAD EDITORIAL: "BATTENING THE HATCHES IN AN ECONOMIC TYPHOON" AND GOES ON TO COMPARE LAST YEAR'S FESTIVE MOOD AT THE ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC SUMMIT WITH THE GLOOM OVERLAYING THE CURRENT MEETING IN VANCOUVER.

VOICE: "AT THIS YEAR'S SUMMIT ...... THE MOOD IS WARY AS APEC LEADERS WRESTLE WITH ONCE THRIVING ECONOMIES GOING TOPSY-TURVY, [UPSIDE-DOWN] A TUMULT THAT HAS SENT THEIR CURRENCIES AND STOCK MARKETS PLUMMETING AND COMPANIES INTO BANKRUPTCY. ..... COMING UP WITH A CREDIBLE PLAN TO HALT THE CRISIS WILL REQUIRE MORE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT ECONOMIES, MORE IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS. THE PHENOMENAL GROWTH IN SOME NATIONS - - INDONESIA, THAILAND AND SOUTH KOREA- - MASKED THE CRONYISM AND CORRUPTION THAT FUNNELED MONEY AND RESOURCES INTO INDUSTRIES AND PROJECTS THAT COULD NOT SUSTAIN THEMSELVES IN OPEN, MARKET-DRIVEN ECONOMIES."

TEXT: "THUNDER OVER ASIA" WHAT "THE NEW YORK TIMES" CALLS IT.

VOICE: "THE PARADOX OF THE SUMMIT MEETING ....IS THAT THE BAILOUTS IN THAILAND, INDONESIA AND SOUTH KOREA, NOT TO MENTION THE FAILURE OF SOME BIG BANKS AND SECURITIES FIRMS IN JAPAN, ARE DRIVING HOME LESSONS OF FISCAL DISCIPLINE BETTER THAN THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION EVER COULD. [OPT] THE TURBULENCE MIGHT TEMPT SOME COUNTRIES TO BACK AWAY FROM HARSH MEASURES, BUT THEY SHOULD REALIZE THAT THE MARKETS ARE DEMANDING LONG-POSTPONED MOVES TO OPEN FINANCIAL SYSTEMS TO SCRUTINY AND COMPETITION, LOWER TRADE BARRIERS AND REDUCE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC REGULATION." [END OPT]

TEXT: IN BOSTON, HOWEVER, TUESDAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SAYS THE "CRISIS" MAY BE MORE IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER, THAN IN REALITY.

VOICE: "WHO'S RIGHT? PRESIDENT CLINTON .... CALLED ASIA'S ECONOMIC WOES 'A FEW LITTLE GLITCHES IN THE ROAD.' THE WORLD NEWS MEDIA, EVER READY TO ADOPT A CLICHE THAT CONVEYS ALARM CRISPLY, RESURRECTED 'DOMINO THEORY' AS THE METAPHOR OF CHOICE. THAT CONVEYS A VISION OF COUNTRY AFTER COUNTRY TUMBLED BY ITS NEIGHBORS' ECONOMIC PROBLEMS. OVER TIME, MR. CLINTON'S VIEW (ALTHOUGH OVERLY CASUAL) WILL LIKELY PROVE CORRECT. THE DOMINOES OF EAST ASIA DIDN'T FALL TO COMMUNISM. THEY ARE NOT LIKELY TO FALL TO ECONOMIC EXCESS."

TEXT: THERE IS CONSIDERABLE COMMENT HERE AT HOME ABOUT A MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY THE WASHINGTON TIMES, WHICH ACCUSED THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OF - - IN EFFECT - - SELLING CEMETERY PLOTS IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY TO KEY DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL CAMPAIGN DONORS. TODAY'S "ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" CALLS THE REPORT "A RIGHT-WING PLOT."

VOICE: "[OPT] TO WALK THE GROUNDS OF ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY IS TO FEEL THE WEIGHT OF TIME AND TO UNDERSTAND THE OBLIGATION THAT HISTORY IMPOSES ON THE LIVING. ..... SUCH A PLACE SHOULD NEVER BE SULLIED BY PETTY SQUABBLES FOR POWER AND ADVANTAGE. IT DESERVES BETTER. SO IT WAS SHOCKING WHEN ALLEGATIONS SURFACED LAST WEEK THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON HAD ARRANGED TO LET DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN DONORS BE BURIED AT ARLINGTON. [END OPT] ..... AS IT TURNED OUT, THE STORY WAS FALSE. THE DEEP RESPECT OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FOR ALL THAT ARLINGTON SYMBOLIZES HAD INDEED BEEN VIOLATED, BUT THE GUILTY PARTIES WERE THOSE WHO HAD CONCOCTED THE STORY AND THOSE WHO HAD WANTED SO VERY MUCH TO BELIEVE AND SPREAD THE TALE. THEY OWE APOLOGIES .... TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHOSE PROPER BURIAL AT ARLINGTON THEY HAD BEEN SO QUICK TO CALL INTO QUESTION."

VOICE: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS EQUALLY OUTRAGED BY THE REPORT.

VOICE: "IT BEGAN AS AN EXAMPLE OF SLOPPY JOURNALISM AND EXPLODED INTO AN INTENSELY EMOTIONAL OUTPOURING OF PATRIOTIC PROTEST, BEFORE BEING PUT TO REST BY A COLD RECITAL OF FACTS. "INSIGHT" MAGAZINE, PUBLISHED BY THE WASHINGTON TIMES [OPT] .... ALLEGED THAT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAD BENT THE RULES TO ALLOW FAVORED DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL CONTRIBUTORS TO BE BURIED IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY. ..... TALK RADIO QUICKLY SPREAD THE CLAIM AND SOME IN CONGRESS AND ELSEWHERE RUSHED TO REGISTER THEIR ANGER. ..... FROM START TO FINISH, THE STORY APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A CANARD [A FALSE, DELIBERATELY MISLEADING STORY]. ... INSIGHT MAGAZINE [END OPT] WAS IRRESPONSIBLE IN PRINTING UNVERIFIED RUMORS."

TEXT: TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" IS UPSET AT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACTIONS DESIGNED TO UNDERMINE OREGON'S FIRST-IN-THE-NATION PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE LAW. TWO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE AWAY THE DRUG-PRESCRIBING LICENSES OF DOCTORS WHO ADMINISTER LETHAL DOSES TO TERMINAL PATIENTS. SAYS "THE GLOBE" DISTAINFULLY:

VOICE: "IN ATTEMPTING TO STOP OREGON'S PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE LAW, SENATOR ORRIN HATCH OF UTAH AND REPRESENTATIVE HENRY HYDE OF ILLINOIS ARE FIRING AN ASSAULT RIFLE AT A TEACUP [GUILTY OF "OVERKILL" OR OVER RESPONSE.] CALLING IN THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE LICENSES AWAY FROM DOCTORS AND PHARMACIES FOR PRESCRIBING OR DISPENSING BARBITURATES FOR SUICIDE WOULD VIOLATE THE SPIRIT OF THE SUPREME COURT DECISION TO LET STATES DEAL WITH THIS DELICATE MORAL ISSUE. IT WOULD ALSO CHILL PHYSICIAN INVOLVEMENT AND PREVENT THE COUNTRY FROM SEEING HOW THE NATION'S FIRST SUCH LAW WORKS."

TEXT: BACK INTERNATIONALLY, "NEWSDAY" SAYS PRESIDENT CLINTON DID AS WELL AS HE COULD IN MANAGING THE CONFRONTATION WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN, BUT THE SETTLEMENT, BROKERED BY, MAY HAVE ACTUALLY LEFT THINGS WORSE THAN BEFORE.

VOICE: "...... THE REAL PROBLEM - - SADDAM HUSSEIN'S REFUSAL TO COOPERATE IN THE ELIMINATION OF HIS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION - - REMAINS UNRESOLVED. IN SOME WAYS, IT'S WORSE NOW THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE CRISIS FLARED UP. AND THE DILEMMAS IT POSES ARE NO MORE AMENABLE TO SOLUTION. ..... IN MAKING HIS AGREEMENT WITH RUSSIA TO ALLOW U-N INSPECTORS BACK ..... [MR.] HUSSEIN LABLED 63 SITES AS EITHER 'SENSITIVE' OR 'PRESIDENTIAL' PROPERTY NOT SUBJECT TO INSPECTION. THIS IS NEARLY DOUBLE THE NUMBER SO CLASSIFIED BEFORE THE CRISIS. ..... [PRESIDENT] CLINTON CANNOT ALLOW [MR.] HUSSEIN TO PLAY THIS GAME."

TEXT: "USA TODAY," AFTER AN INVESTIGATIVE SERIES ON RETIREMENT PLANS, EDITORIALIZES THAT NOT ENOUGH AMERICANS ARE PROPERLY COVERED FOR THEIR RETIREMENT YEARS.

VOICE: "A SURVEY OF THE 100 BIGGEST AND SUPPOSEDLY BEST 401(K) PLANS [A KIND OF DEFERRED-TAX-PAYMENT RETIREMENT BANK ACCOUNT] IN THE LAND SHOWS THEY'RE GOOD IN MANUFACTURING. BUT IN RETAIL AND SERVICE FIRMS, WHERE MOST NEW JOBS ARE, PLANS ARE FAR FROM GOLDEN. MOST FIRMS THAT HAVE THEM MATCH ONLY A SMALL FRACTION OF EMPLOYEES' CONTRIBUTIONS. AND MANY LIMIT THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS, TOO. THIS IS A SMALL BUT VITAL PIECE OF A BROADER PROBLEM: HALF OF ALL U-S WORKERS HAVE NO PRIVATE RETIREMENT PLAN, PERIOD [AT ALL]." ..... CONGRESS SHOULD SIMPLIFY THE RULES [FOR BUSINESS-RELATED RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS]."

VOICE: AND LASTLY, SOME COMMENTS ON THE DEATH OF THE NATION'S BEST-KNOWN CUBAN EXILE, JORGE MAS CANOSA, WHO DIED IN MIAMI OVER THE WEEKEND AT 58 OF LUNG CANCER. OF HIM, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS:

VOICE: "THE PASSING YEARS NEVER ERODED HIS BELIEF THAT CUBA'"S COMMUNIST DICTATORSHIP WAS RIPE FOR OVERTHROW. THAT DUBIOUS ASSUMPTION DROVE HIS CAMPAIGNS FOR SUCCESSIVE TIGHTENINGS OF WASHINGTON'S ECONOMIC EMBARGO ON CUBA, CULMINATING IN THE REGRETTABLE HELMS-BURTON LAW OF 1996. IN PRACTICE, HELMS-BURTON HAS DONE MORE HARM TO THE UNITED STATES THAN TO MR. CASTRO, AND WARRANTS AN EARLY RE-EXAMINATION BY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS. MR. MAS WOULD HAVE FIERCELY RESISTED ANY RETHINKING OF THE EMBARGO. BUT IT DOES HIS MEMORY NO DISHONOR TO LOOK FOR BETTER WAYS TO PROMOTE CUBAN FREEDOM."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF TODAY'S EDITORIALS FROM THE U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RRM
25-Nov-97 10:38 AM EST (1538 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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