Voice of America, 97-11-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] BRITAIN / GYPSIES BY LEE HUMPHREYS (LONDON)

[02] CLINTON / BALTICS (L ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

[03] CLINTON / FOREIGN AID (S&L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

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

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

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

[01] BRITAIN / GYPSIES BY LEE HUMPHREYS (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITAIN'S GOVERNMENT HAS LAUNCHED A THOROUGH REVIEW OF ITS POLICIES ON POLITICAL ASYLUM AND ITS TREATMENT OF PEOPLE CLAIMING REFUGE IN THE COUNTRY. LEE HUMPHREYS IN LONDON REPORTS THE GOVERNMENT ACTED AFTER THRONGS OF CZECH AND SLOVAK GYPSIES ARRIVED IN THE COASTAL CITY OF DOVER -- SUPPOSEDLY ENTICED TO BRITAIN BY A TELEVISION PROGRAM THAT SEEMED TO OFFER A BETTER LIFE.

TEXT: THE T-V PROGRAM -- CALLED "GYPSIES ON THEIR WAY TO HEAVEN" WAS A REPORT ABOUT A CZECH FAMILY LIVING IN DOVER ON BRITISH GOVERNMENT BENEFITS. IT WAS THIS PICTURESQUE IMAGE OF DOVER THAT SUPPOSEDLY PROMPTED THE MASS MOVEMENT OF EASTERN EUROPEANS TO THE BRITISH COSTAL TOWN.

THE FAMILIES OF GYPSIES SAID THEY WERE SEEKING ASYLUM FROM WHAT THEY DESCRIBED AS RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT IN THEIR HOME COUNTRIES. BUT BOTH THE CZECH AND SLOVAK GOVERNMENTS DENY ANY SUCH DISCRIMINATION.

BRITISH IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS SAY SUCH CLAIMS ARE NOT A LEGITIMATE REASON FOR SEEKING ASYLUM, AND THEY ARE DENYING THE GYPSIES A PERMANENT PLACE TO STAY. BRITISH IMMIGRATION MINISTER, MICHEAL O'BRIEN, SAYS HE IS DISCOURAGING GYPSIES FROM COMING TO DOVER.

WE'VE ADOPTED A VERY FIRM IMMIRGRATION CONTROL POLICY AND WE'VE MADE IT VERY CLEAR THROUGH MESSAGES VIA THE MEDIA IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND SLOVAKIA -- AND ALSO WITH, THANKFULLY, THE ASSISTANCE OF BOTH THE CZECH AND SLOVAK GOVERNMENT(S) -- THAT THE GYPSIES ARE BETTER OFF REMAINING WHERE THEY ARE. IT IS THE CASE, UNDOUBTEDLY, THAT THE GYPSIES FACE IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY LEVELS OF HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT, DISCRIMINATION, AND POVERTY. BUT THE ASYLUM SYSTEM IS THERE TO HELP PEOPLE WHO'VE GOT A WELL-FOUNDED FEAR OF PERSECUTION, AND BOTH THE CZECH AND THE SLOVAK GOVERNMENTS HAVE IN PLACE LAWS WHICH ARE INTENDED TO PROTECT THE GYPSIES AND OTHER ETHNIC MINORITIES.

THE FERRY COMPANIES THAT CARRIED MOST OF THE GYPSIES TO BRITAIN FROM FRANCE ARE FORCED BY LAW TO CARRY THE GYPSIES BACK. MR. O'BRIEN SAYS THIS HAS CAUSED TROUBLE FOR THE FERRY COMPANIES BECAUSE FRANCE WILL NOT ACCEPT THE GYPSIES. THIS FORCES THE COMPANIES TO FLY THEM BACK TO EASTERN EUROPE.

IN RESPECT TO THE FERRY COMPANIES WHO CARRY MOST OF THESE GYPSIES FROM FRANCE, THEY'VE SUDDENLY FOUND THAT THEY'RE INSTEAD OF JUST PUTTING THE GYPSIES BACK ON THE FERRIES WHICH IS RELATIVELY CHEAP, THEY'RE OBLIGED TO PAY FOR THE AIRFARE. THIS HAS CAUSED SOME OF THE FERRY COMPANIES TO AT LEAST INITIALLY REFUSE -- ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF THEM ARE NOW RECONSIDERING THEIR POSITION AFTER I TOLD THEM THAT SOME OF THE DIRECTORS OF THESE COMPANIES MIGHT END UP BEFORE A COURT CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL OFFENSES FOR REFUSING TO OBEY THE LAW.

SOME OF THE GYPSIES ARE NOT LEAVING DOVER AND ARE APPEALING THE DENIAL OF THEIR ASYLUM APPLICATION. THIS USUALLY IS A LONG PROCESS THAT CAN TAKE MANY MONTHS DURING WHICH TIME ASYLUM-SEEKERS CONTINUE TO RECEIVE BENEFITS FROM THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

MANY DOVER RESIDENTS RESENT THEIR TAX MONEY GOING TO THE GYPSIES ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN THE GOVERNMENT IS CUTTING SOME LOCAL SERVICES. MANY SAY THEY FEEL THE APPEALS PROCESS IS A WAY TO ABUSE THE BRITISH ASYLUM SYSTEM.

MR. O'BRIEN SAYS THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT NOW IS SEEKING WAYS TO REFORM THE ENTIRE ASYLUM SYSTEM.

WE WANT TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE ASYLUM SYSTEM SO THAT GENUINE REFUGEES DO GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME HERE. IT WAS NOTICEABLE WHEN MANY OF THE BOSNIANS CAME HERE THAT THERE WAS STRONG POPULAR SUPPORT FOR HELPING THEM, AND GREAT, GOOD WILL. HOWEVER, THE BRITISH PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO BE SEEN AS A SOFT TOUCH AND WHY SHOULD THEY BE SEEN AS A SOFT TOUCH? THEY THINK THAT GENUINE ASYLUM SEEKERS ARE ONE THING, THOSE WHO AREN'T GENUINE ARE ANOTHER.

MR. O'BRIEN SAYS THE GOVERNMENT IS SETTING UP A NUMBER OF TASK FORCES TO EXAMINE REFORM IDEAS. HE SAYS HE HOPES CHANGES CAN BE APPROVED TO QUICKEN THE APPEALS PROCESS AND REDUCE ABUSE OF THE ASYLUM SYSTEM. (SIGNED)
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26-Nov-97 9:57 AM EST (1457 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CLINTON / BALTICS (L ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS ANNOUNCED THE PRESIDENTS OF ESTONIA, LATVIA AND LITHUANIA WILL VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE EARLY NEXT YEAR TO SIGN A CHARTER BOOSTING THEIR COUNTRIES' COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED STATES. A SIGNING CEREMONY IS SCHEDULED JANUARY 16TH. V-O-A WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES AGREED TO NEGOTIATE A CHARTER WITH ESTONIA, LATVIA AND LITHUANIA AFTER THE BALTICS WERE NOT INVITED TO JOIN NATO AT THE WESTERN ALLIANCE'S SUMMIT IN MADRID IN JULY.

WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS THE DOCUMENT ADDRESSES SECURITY ISSUES, ALTHOUGH IT DOES NOT INCLUDE SECURITY GUARANTEES.

IT WILL INCLUDE WAYS WE CAN FURTHER OUR COOPERATION ON SECURITY, AND ENCOURAGE THE TYPE OF MILITARY-TO-MILITARY DISCUSSIONS WE HAVE HAD UNDERWAY WITH THE BALTICS.

MR. MCCURRY SAYS THE CHARTER IS MORE A POLITICAL STATEMENT ON INTEGRATING THE BALTICS INTO EUROPE.

THIS IS NOT THE SAME KIND OF CHARTER THAT NATO HAS ESTABLISHED WITH THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND UKRAINE. IT IS A BILATERAL BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE THREE BALTIC NATIONS, BUT IT IS A DEMONSTRATION OF THE ROLE WE BELIEVE THEY CAN PLAY IN AN INTEGRATED, DEMOCRATIC AND PEACEFUL EUROPE.

MR. MCCURRY SAYS THE CHARTER DOES NOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF FUTURE NATO MEMBERSHIP FOR THE BALTICS -- A GOAL THEY HAVE LONG SOUGHT.

THEY HAVE ALL BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN THE PARTNERSHIP-FOR-PEACE PROGRAM, AND HAVE BEEN INVOLVED CLOSELY WITH NATO AUTHORITIES IN JOINT PLANNING AND JOINT EXERCISING, I BELIEVE, AND I THINK THAT BODES WELL FOR THEIR FUTURE PARTICIPATION WITH NATO.

THE BALTICS WERE ANNEXED BY THE SOVIET UNION IN 1940 -- A MOVE NEVER RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED STATES. THEY REGAINED THEIR INDEPENDENCE IN 1991. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/GKT/RRM
26-Nov-97 3:34 PM EST (2034 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CLINTON / FOREIGN AID (S&L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS SIGNED INTO LAW A 13-BILLION-DOLLAR FOREIGN AID BILL FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. MR. CLINTON DID SO DESPITE HIS OPPOSITION TO A PROVISION THAT COULD RESTRICT AID TO RUSSIA. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE EXPLAINS.

TEXT: UNDER THE CONTROVERSIAL PROVISION, RUSSIA WOULD LOSE ALL OF ITS 200-MILLION DOLLARS IN AID IF IT STRICTLY ENFORCES A NEW (RESTRICTIVE) LAW ON RELIGIOUS MINORITIES. HALF THE ASSISTANCE WOULD BE WITHHELD IF MOSCOW IS FOUND TO BE HELPING IRAN BUILD MISSILES OR NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

WHILE EXPRESSING CONCERN THAT RUSSIA IMPLEMENT ITS LAW ON RELIGION IN A WAY THAT FULLY RESPECTS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, MR. CLINTON SAYS HE OPPOSES LEGISLATING LIMITS ON U-S ASSISTANCE.

IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT AFTER HE SIGNED THE FOREIGN AID BILL INTO LAW, THE PRESIDENT SAID AMERICAN ASSISTANCE TO RUSSIA SERVES IMPORTANT U-S INTERESTS.

HE ALSO WARNED THAT LEGISLATED AID CUTOFFS COULD HARM CURRENT TALKS BETWEEN U-S AND RUSSIAN OFFICIALS THAT ARE AIMED AT PRESSING MOSCOW TO ABANDON ITS TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE TO IRAN.

WHILE CRITICIZING ONE PROVISION OF THE BILL, MR. CLINTON PRAISED ANOTHER -- FUNDING FOR THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS.

IN AN UNUSUAL MOVE, AMERICAN ASSISTANCE TO JORDAN WAS INCREASED THIS YEAR ... WITH FUNDS INITIALLY EARMARKED FOR ISRAEL AND EGYPT, THE LARGEST RECIPIENTS OF U-S AID.

IT MARKED A DEPARTURE FROM WHAT HAD BEEN A LONGSTANDING PRACTICE IN CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE TO PROTECT (THE AMOUNT OF ANNUAL U-S) AID TO ISRAEL AND EGYPT.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE ISRAELI AND EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENTS EACH AGREED TO GIVE UP 50-MILLION DOLLARS FROM THEIR (U-S) AID PACKAGES SO THE FUNDS COULD BE USED FOR JORDAN (AS A REWARD FOR ITS MIDDLE EAST PEACE EFFORTS). THIS YEAR, (U-S) AID TO ISRAEL STANDS AT THREE-BILLION DOLLARS, WHILE TWO-POINT-ONE-BILLION DOLLARS IS EARMARKED FOR EGYPT. (SIGNED)
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26-Nov-97 6:45 PM EST (2345 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE ALL POSTED GAINS AT THE CLOSE OF TRADING WEDNESDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE FINAL FIGURES FROM LONDON.

TEXT: A STRONGER U-S DOLLAR, HIGHER STOCK PRICES IN TOKYO AND A GENERAL SENSE OF TEMPORARY RELIEF WERE AMONG THE FACTORS MARKET ANALYSTS CITED FOR WEDNESDAY'S ADVANCES.

ALL THREE TOP MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE CLOSED WITH GAINS. GERMANY'S "DAX 30" STOCK INDEX GAINED 67 POINTS, THE PARIS "CAC 40" WAS UP JUST OVER 25 POINTS, AND HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX ADDED ALMOST 28 POINTS WHEN TRADING ENDED.

THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED VALUE AS WELL. IT WAS UP ALMOST TWO PFENNIG AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND ALMOST THREE-QUARTERS OF A CENT AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND. GOLD, HOWEVER, SUNK TO ITS LOWEST PRICE LEVEL IN MORE THAN 12 YEARS. THE CLOSING FIX PRICE FOR GOLD IN LONDON WAS SET AT 297-DOLLARS-35 CENTS AN OUNCE. THAT'S MORE THAN FOUR-AND-A-HALF DOLLARS LOWER THAN THE CLOSING PRICE ON TUESDAY. (SIGNED)
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26-Nov-97 1:32 PM EST (1832 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN LACKLUSTER TRADING. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 77 HUNDRED 94, DOWN 14 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 951, UP ALMOST ONE POINT.

ANALYSTS SAY THERE WAS NO MAJOR NEWS TO MOVE STOCK PRICES IN EITHER DIRECTION. IN ADDITION, MANY TRADERS LEFT WORK EARLY IN ADVANCE OF THURSDAY'S THANKSGIVING DAY HOLIDAY IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS REVISED, SLIGHTLY DOWNWARD, THE RATE OF U- ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE THIRD QUARTER. THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT SAYS WEAKER U-S EXPORT VOLUME REDUCED THE GROWTH RATE FROM A THREE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT ANNUAL RATE TO A STILL RELATIVELY STRONG THREE POINT THREE PERCENT.

BUT THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT ALSO REPORTED A RATHER SURPRISING DROP IN ORDERS FOR COSTLY MANUFACTURED GOODS IN OCTOBER. THE THREE-TENTHS OF A PERCENT DECLINE IN DURABLE GOODS ORDERS WAS THE FIRST DROP IN THAT INDEX IN FIVE MONTHS.

THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS FILING CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FELL LAST WEEK TO ITS LOWEST LEVEL IN A MONTH. A-T AND T, THE GIANT TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, SAYS IT IS CONSIDERING THE SALE OF ITS TELEPHONE PAGING BUSINESS WHICH ANALYSTS SAY COULD BE WORTH ALMOST HALF A BILLION DOLLARS. A-T AND T SAYS IT WANTS TO FOCUS ON ITS CORE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE BUSINESS. EL AL, THE ISRAELI AIRLINE, SAYS IT WILL CONSIDER PROPOSALS FROM BOTH BOEING OF THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE'S AIRBUS INDUSTRIES FOR A 200 MILLION DOLLAR AIRCRAFT ORDER. EL AL'S CURRENT FLEET OF JETLINERS WAS MADE ENTIRELY BY BOEING.

THE MICROSOFT COMPUTER SOFTWARE COMPANY EXPECTS ITS LATIN AMERICAN BUSINESS TO DOUBLE TO MORE THAN ONE BILLION DOLLARS IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. MICROSOFT SAYS ITS PROSPECTS IN THE REGION HAVE BEEN STRENGTHENED BY TOUGHER ENFORCEMENT OF ANTI-PIRACY LAWS, ESPECIALLY IN MEXICO.

A SURVEY SHOWS AN ALMOST TWO PERCENT DROP IN SHOPLIFTING IN THE UNITED STATES, ALTHOUGH THEFT LOSSES WILL STILL COST AMERICAN RETAILERS ALMOST 26 BILLION DOLLARS. THE SURVEY ALSO SHOWS STORE EMPLOYEES STEAL FAR MORE MERCHANDISE THAN DO SHOPPERS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
26-Nov-97 4:41 PM EST (2141 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE FINANCIAL TROUBLE IN ASIA AND THE REMEDY COMING OUT OF THE APEC CONFERENCE IN VANCOUVER DOMINATE THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF WEDNESDAY'S U-S DAILIES, BUT MANY OTHER TOPICS ARE ALSO BEING ATTACKED.

THEY INCLUDE THE CONTINUING NEED FOR AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL TO PROBE CAMPAIGN FINANCE IRREGULARITIES AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND ELSEWHERE, IN LAST YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL RACE; RUSSIA'S NEW ROLE IN BROKERING FOR IRAQ; TURMOIL IN ISRAEL; WINNIE MANDELA ESSENTIALLY ON TRIAL AND THE DEATH OF THE NATION'S NUMBER ONE CUBAN EXILE, JORGE MAS CANOSA. NOW, HERE IS ________________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: FROM ONE COAST TO THE OTHER, THE NATION'S DAILY PAPERS ARE EXPRESSING THEIR FEELINGS ON THE ASIAN ECONOMIC SUMMIT'S PLAN TO SHORE UP ASIA'S FALTERING ECONOMIES. FIRST TO PORTLAND IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, WHERE TODAY'S "OREGONIAN" NOTES:

VOICE: PORTLAND HAS A CONSIDERABLE STAKE IN THE SUCCESS OF THE GROWING INTERNATIONAL RESCUE EFFORT FOR TROUBLED ASIAN ECONOMIES. THESE ARE IMPORTANT CUSTOMERS WHO ARE IN TROUBLE. THEY WILL NOT REMAIN RELIABLE CUSTOMERS, THOUGH, IF THEY CAN'T PAY THEIR BILLS. // OPT // ... NOT THAT PORTLAND IS UNIQUE AMONG WEST COAST PORTS. AS PRESIDENT CLINTON NOTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION ... ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF U-S EXPORTS ARE SOLD TO ASIA. THIS SIDE OF THE PACIFIC RIM HAS GOOD CAUSE TO WORRY JUST HOW MUCH THE OTHER SIDE WILL BREAK DOWN -- POLITICALLY AS WELL AS ECONOMICALLY -- BEFORE STABILITY IS RESTORED. // END OPT // ... IT WOULD BE TEMPTING, OF COURSE, TO LEAVE THESE COUNTRIES TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS THEMSELVES, TO DECLARE OURSELVES NOT INVOLVED IN WHAT THEY'VE GOTTEN THEMSELVES INTO OR RESPONSIBLE FOR INVESTORS' OR NATIONS BAD DECISIONS. THE TROUBLE IS, THOUGH, THAT WE ARE INVOLVED. ... LIKE IT OR NOT, CHAOS AMONG OUR CUSTOMERS IS OUR BUSINESS, TOO.

TEXT: FOUR-THOUSAND KILOMETERS AWAY, THE PORTLAND [MAINE] "PRESS HERALD" BEGINS WITH A QUOTE "GLOBALIZATION IS A FACT OF LIFE,' SAYS [CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER] JEAN CHRETIEN. HE'S RIGHT."

VOICE: ... THE 18 NATIONS OF APEC['S] ... ENDORSEMENT ... OF A 68-BILLION DOLLAR STABILIZATION PLAN, EXCEEDING THE 50-BILLION PACKAGE OF SUPPORT FOR MEXICO TWO YEARS AGO, WILL BE IN THEIR OWN SELF-INTEREST. // OPT // THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND ALREADY HAS EXTENDED EMERGENCY STABILIZATION SUPPORT TO INDONESIA, THAILAND AND THE PHILIPPINES, TOTALING 48-BILLION DOLLARS. // END OPT // THE 20-BILLION BEING SOUGHT BY SOUTH KOREA WOULD BE THE FINAL PIECE OF A PACKAGE TO START ASIA'S ECONOMIES BACK ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY. ... THE WISE NATIONS WILL MOVE WITH THE CURRENT ... TURNING PROBLEMS -- EVEN FINANCIAL CRISES -- INTO OPPORTUNITIES.

TEXT: IN GEORGIA, "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" SAYS THE ASIAN BAILOUT [IS] BEST FOR [THE] U-S, ADDING:

VOICE: IN EXCHANGE FOR U-S COOPERATION IN THE ASIAN BAILOUT EFFORT, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION MUST INSIST THAT ASIAN COUNTRIES LOWER THEIR BARRIERS TO FREE TRADE. FORTUNATELY, THOSE COUNTRIES APPEAR WILLING TO LISTEN.

THE APEC COUNTRIES HAVE AGREED TO PHASE OUT TARIFFS AND OTHER TRADE BARRIERS ON CHEMICALS, FOREST PRODUCTS, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, ENERGY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT. THAT IS GOOD NEWS FOR A NUMBER OF GEORGIA-BASED COMPANIES, AND IT MAKES U-S ASSISTANCE TO ASIA ALL THE MORE LOGICAL.

TEXT: TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" SAYS PRESIDENT CLINTON WENT TO VANCOUVER WITH HIS HANDS TIED BEHIND HIS BACK, SO TO SPEAK, BY CONGRESS WHO REFUSED HIM FAST-TRACK TRADE AUTHORITY.

VOICE: ...[MR.] CLINTON SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEIZE THIS MOMENT TO PRESENT THE UNITED STATES AS A LOYAL AND SAGE PARTNER READY TO LEAD EFFORTS TO STABILIZE TROUBLED ECONOMIES BY MEANS OF INTERNATIONAL RESCUE EFFORTS. ... AT A TIME WHEN REELING ASIAN ECONOMIES ARE SORELY TEMPTED TO EXPORT THEIR WAY OUT OF THEIR DIFFICULTIES WHILE LEAVING THEIR OWN PROTECTIONIST BARRIERS IN PLACE, [PRESIDENT] CLINTON OUGHT TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SAY THE UNITED STATES PRACTICES WHAT IT PREACHES ON FREE TRADE. BUT CONGRESS, WITH EXQUISITELY BAD TIMING, HAS REFUSED TO GRANT THE PRESIDENT FAST-TRACK AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE TRADE AGREEMENTS OR TO CONTRIBUTE NEW U-S FUNDS TO THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND. IN BOTH INSTANCES, CONGRESS DEPRIVED THE PRESIDENT OF THE PROPER MEANS TO LEAD.

TEXT: THE FAILURE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO TO ORDER A SPECIAL, INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED WHITE HOUSE ILLEGALITIES DURING LAST YEAR'S CAMPAIGN FINANCING, CAUSES "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" TO COMMENT:

VOICE: ... HAVING A JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TEAM, AS OPPOSED TO AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL, INVESTIGATE THE TOP ECHELONS OF THE WHITE HOUSE IS LIKE ASKING EMPLOYEES TO INVESTIGATE THEIR EMPLOYER. WHAT CLOUT [POWER] WOULD THAT TEAM HAVE? .... IN THE END, FACTS, NOT POLITICAL PARTISANSHIP OR ANTI-CLINTON VIRULENCE, MUST REIGN SUPREME. THAT IS WHY IT IS TROUBLING THAT MS. RENO MAY NOT APPOINT AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL. // OPT // IF THE NATION LOSES A CHANCE TO HAVE A SEASONED LAWYER EXAMINE THE LEGALITY OF A SERIES OF EYE-RAISING CAMPAIGN PRACTICES, JUSTICE WILL NOT BE SERVED. // END OPT //

TEXT: BACK OVERSEAS, RUSSIA'S NEW ROLE IN BROKERING AN AGREEMENT FOR IRAQ WITH THE UNITED NATIONS OVER THE ARMS INSPECTION ISSUE, DRAWS THIS COMMENT FROM TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES."

VOICE: // OPT // RUSSIA, ACTING THE PART OF SADDAM HUSSEIN'S LAWYER MORE OVERTLY THAN EVER, WANTS U-N ARMS INSPECTORS IN IRAQ TO SPEED UP THEIR WORK AND WANTS THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO DECLARE THAT IRAQ HAS ALREADY GONE FAR TOWARD COMPLYING WITH THE MANDATE THAT IT GIVE UP ALL OF ITS TERROR WEAPONS. // END OPT // ... WITH RUSSIA ARGUING ITS CASE, IRAQ WILL GO ON TRYING TO OUTWIT THE U-N INSPECTORS, ITS GOAL BEING TO HOLD ON TO ENOUGH OF ITS FORBIDDEN WEAPONS SO THAT IT CAN REMAIN A REGIONAL IF NOT A GLOBAL MENACE. ...RUSSIA TALKS ABOUT INTRODUCING MORE 'BALANCE' INTO THE IRAQ EQUATION. BUT BALANCE CAN HARDLY BE A SERIOUS CONCERN WHEN THE REAL ISSUE IS SURVIVAL.

TEXT: THE QUESTION OF WHOM IS A JEW, AND WHO GETS TO MAKE THAT DECISION, GOES TO THE HEART OF A SIMMERING DEBATE BREAKING INTO THE HEADLINES IN ISRAEL, AND DEALT WITH IN THIS "NEW YORK TIMES" LEAD EDITORIALS.

VOICE: THE GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL IS VEXED BY A DISPUTE WITH AMERICAN JEWS. THE CONFLICT SPRINGS FROM A CHALLENGE BY REFORM AND CONSERVATIVE JEWS TO THE ORTHODOX RABBINATE'S MONOPOLY OVER CONVERSIONS AND OTHER [RELIGIOUS] RITES IN ISRAEL. THE RANCOR RECENTLY PROMPTED PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU TO ASSURE AMERICAN JEWISH LEADERS THAT 'NO POWER ON EARTH CAN ROB ANY JEW OF HIS OR HER IDENTITY.' ... BECAUSE ISRAEL DOES NOT OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE NON-ORTHODOX CONVERSIONS, IMMIGRANTS WHO CONVERT UNDER REFORM OR CONSERVATIVE AUSPICES CANNOT BE REGISTERED AS JEWS ...[AND] FORFEIT CERTAIN RIGHTS TO OWN PROPERTY OR TO BE BURIED IN A JEWISH CEMETERY IN ISRAEL. ...ISRAEL'S UNIQUE ROLE AS A JEWISH STATE AND AN INSPIRATION TO JEWS AND NON-JEWS EVERYWHERE CAN ONLY BE ENHANCED BY A SPIRIT OF TOLERANCE.

TEXT: IN AFRICA, THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION ATTEMPTING TO REDRESS THE GRIEVANCES OF SOUTH AFRICA'S APARTHEID ERA ARE HEARING ELECTRIFYING, AND MOSTLY NEGATIVE, TESTIMONY ABOUT WINNIE MANDELA'S ACTIONS DURING THE HEIGHT OF HER POWER, BEFORE HER HUSBAND WAS RELEASED FROM JAIL. "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE SAYS OF THE REVELATIONS:

VOICE: WINNIE MADIKIZELA-MANDELA MAY REGRET THAT SHE OPTED FOR OPEN HEARINGS BEFORE THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION: THE FORMER WIFE OF NELSON MANDELA, WHO HOPES TO WIN THE NUMBER TWO SPOT IN THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, IS BEING DEPICTED AS A POWER-HUNGRY MURDERER.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, OF THE DEATH IN MIAMI, OVER THE WEEKEND OF NOTED CUBAN EXILE LEADER AND BUSINESSMAN JORGE MAS CANOSA, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS SAYS HIS DEATH:

VOICE: ...LEAVES A MAJOR VOID IN THE POLITICS AND DIPLOMACY OF U-S-CUBAN RELATIONS. BUT EVEN THOUGH HIS PASSING HERALDS CHANGE, THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THAT CHANGE REMAIN UP IN THE AIR. [UNSETTLED] ...IF ANYTHING, THE SUDDEN DEPARTURE FROM THE SCENE OF THE INDIVIDUAL WHO PERSONIFIED THE ANTI-CASTRO MOVEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES EVENTUALLY COULD MEAN A BUMP [IN THIS CASE: "AN ADVANCE"] FOR THE DIPLOMACY OF MODERATION.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL OPINION FROM THE PAGES OF WEDNESDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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26-Nov-97 10:36 AM EST (1536 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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