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Voice of America, 98-01-02

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)
  • [02] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY GARY EDQUIST (WASHINGTON)
  • [03] KURDS / GERMANY (S-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)
  • [04] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)
  • [05] NORTHERN IRELAND VIOLENCE (L-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)
  • [06] IRAN / KURDS CORRECTION BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ERBIL, IRAQ)

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

    DATE=1/2/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-224735
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE STARTED 1998 TRADING ON A HIGH NOTE. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS MORE FROM OUR LONDON BUREAU.

    TEXT: MANY STOCK BROKERS FRIDAY REMAINED ON NEW YEARS HOLIDAYS, AND HERE IN LONDON, THE TRADING DAY ENDED EARLY. ELSEWHERE, THE VOLUME OF TRADING WHICH DID TAKE PLACE WAS RELATIVELY THIN.

    NEVERTHELESS, INVESTORS WERE IN A BUYING MOOD, AND MAJOR STOCK INDEXES IN FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS ALL ADDED ONE PERCENTAGE POINT OR MORE IN VALUE WHEN THE TRADING DAY ENDED.

    IN POINT TERMS, THE GERMAN "DAX 30" CLOSED UP ALMOST 66 POINTS, THE FRENCH "CAC 40" WAS UP MORE THAN 41 POINTS, AND THE BRITISH "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX WAS UP AN EVEN 58 POINTS.

    THE U-S DOLLAR WAS UP SUBSTANTIALLY AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN AND UP FRACTIONALLY AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND BRITISH POUND IN LONDON CURRENCY TRADING.

    GOLD IN LONDON CLOSED UP 55 CENTS, AT 288-DOLLARS-FIVE CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PCF/MMK
    02-Jan-98 12:50 PM EST (1750 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [02] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY GARY EDQUIST (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=1/2/98
    TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-10513
    TELEPHONE=619-3940
    EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS
    CONTENT=

    // BECOMES DATED (OLD) AFTER 10 P-M E-S-T TODAY //

    INTRO: NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES ARE WRITING ABOUT A RANGE OF TOPICS, INCLUDING ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FACING SOUTH KOREA; THE ETHNIC SITUATION IN KOSOVO; THE WISDOM OF FASTENING THE SEATBELT WHEN FLYING; AND THE RAMADAN OBSERVANCE IN THE UNITED STATES. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES, IS __________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

    TEXT: TWO RECENT ECONOMIC EVENTS HAVE THE NEW YORK TIMES WRITING THAT "FINALLY, SOME OF THE NEWS FROM SOUTH KOREA IS GOOD." FIVE U-S INVESTMENT BANKS AGREED MONDAY (DEC. 29) TO WORK WITH WORLD FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO EASE THE COUNTRY'S DEBT CRISIS. THE SAME DAY, SOUTH KOREA'S PARLIAMENT APPROVED FINANCIAL LEGISLATION TO SPEED UP FISCAL REFORMS THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND IS REQUIRING IN RETURN FOR A 60-BILLION DOLLAR FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE. THE NEW YORK TIMES WRITES:

    VOICE: THE DECISION BY THE LARGE BANKS TO ROLL OVER SHORT-TERM LOANS WAS HARDLY ALTRUISTIC. THEY KNEW FULL WELL THAT HAD THEY COLLECTIVELY DEMANDED REPAYMENT, SOUTH KOREA WOULD HAVE RUN OUT OF DOLLARS AND DEFAULTED, IMPOSING HUGE LOSSES ON THEM AND, IN THE BARGAIN, FREEZING SOUTH KOREA OUT OF INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL MARKETS. BUT BY GIVING SOUTH KOREA THE TIME TO RECOVER, THEY CAN EXPECT TO RETRIEVE MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF THEIR ORIGINAL INVESTMENT.... (THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND'S) CONDITIONS CLAMP DOWN HARD ON THE ECONOMY AND THREATEN TO SHOVE IT INTO RECESSION. THE FUND'S TERMS NEED TO BE EASED.... THE FUND PROMISES TO REMAIN VIGILANT AND RENEGOTIATE TERMS IF THE KOREAN ECONOMY NEEDS RESUSCITATION. THAT IS A PROMISE THAT THE UNITED STATES AND SOUTH KOREA'S OTHER TRADING PARTNERS OUGHT TO MAKE SURE IT FULFILLS.

    TEXT: SERBIAN POLICE USED CLUBS TO BREAK UP A STUDENT DEMONSTRATION IN KOSOVO TUESDAY (DEC. 30), INJURING MORE THAN A DOZEN PEOPL. ETHNIC ALBANIAN STUDENTS HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR MORE FREEDOM OF CHOICE IN THE SERBIAN-DOMINATED EDUCATION SYSTEM.

    // OPT //

    THE MOVE BY SERBIAN POLICE LED THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE TO CONDEMN THE VIOLENCE.

    // END OPT //

    THE SUN OF BALTIMORE, MARLYAND, WARNS IN ITS EDITORIAL THAT "KOSOVO GROWS RESTLESS."

    VOICE: WHILE MUCH OF FORMER YUGOSLAVIA SEEMS QUIET AS LONG AS FOREIGN TROOPS PATROL, THE ETHNIC QUESTION IN KOSOVO PROVINCE OF SERBIA WAS NEVER SETTLED. // OPT // THE DEMONSTRATION OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN STUDENTS DEMANDING PLACES BACK AT THE UNIVERSITY IN THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL OF PRISTINA, FROM WHICH THEY WERE EXPELLED IN 1989, WAS SUPPRESSED BY SERBIAN RIOT POLICE. IT SERVED AS REMINDER THAT THIS PIECE OF THE PUZZLE WAS NOT EVEN ADDRESSED IN THE DAYTON PEACE CONFERENCE.... // END OPT // PRESENT POLICIES WILL LEAD TO AN EXPLOSION. KOSOVO NEED NOT ADHERE TO ALBANIA, BUTS ITS REGIME SHOULD TREAT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE AS FIRST-CLASS CITIZENS WITH LEGITIMATE TIES OF KINSHIP ACROSS THE BORDER. ON THAT BASIS, KOSOVO SHOULD REMAIN A PROVINCE OF SERBIA WITHIN THE YUGOSLAV FEDERATION.

    TEXT: INVESTIGATORS (FROM THE U-S NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD) DETERMINED THAT SEVERE TURBULENCE CAUSED A UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT TO DROP SUDDENLY LAST SUNDAY (DEC. 28). ONE PASSENGER WAS KILLED AND MORE THAN 100 HURT ON THE TOKYO TO HONOLULU FLIGHT. THE WASHINGTON POST WRITES THE INCIDENT IS "ONE OF THE WORST NIGHTMARES FOR PILOTS, AND MORE COMMON THAN ONE MIGHT EXPECT."

    VOICE: ALMOST ALL INJURIES (FROM SEVERE TURBULENCE) ARE TO PEOPLE NOT WEARING (SEAT) BELTS. THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT RECEIVES AN AVERAGE OF 58 REPORTS OF TURBULENCE RELATED PASSENGERS INJURIES A YEAR FROM THE AIRLINES.... THE F-A-A CAN AND SHOULD ORDER THAT ALL PASSENGERS BE BUCKLED WHENEVER THEY ARE IN THEIR SEATS AND THAT THEY BE SEATED IMMEDIATELY WHEN TOLD BY FLIGHT ATTENDANTS TO DO SO.

    TEXT: "FOR MORE THAN ONE-BILLION MUSLIMS AROUND THE WORLD," WRITES THE PORTLAND, MAINE PRESS HERALD, "THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN BEGAIN THIS WEEK." THE NEWSPAPER CONTINUES:

    VOICE: MUSLIMS NUMBERED FIVE-POINT-FOUR-MILLION IN NORTH AMERICA IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS DECADE, AND THE NUMBER UNDOUBTEDLY IS GROWING IN BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. PORTLAND AND OTHER MAINE CITIES HAVE SIZABLE MUSLIM POPULATIONS NOW, ADDING TO THE CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL DIVERSITY THAT MAKES THIS A BETTER STATE. IN THIS HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN, LET US BE THANKFUL FOR THIS GIFT.

    TEXT: WITH THAT FROM THE PORTLAND, MAINE PRESS HERALD, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF TODAY'S EDITORIALS FROM THE U-S PRESS.
    NEB/GE/MMK
    02-Jan-98 11:13 AM EST (1613 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=1/2/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-224724
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: FIFTY KURDISH ASYLUM-SEEKERS HAVE BEGUN A HUNGER STRIKE IN GERMANY, AFTER MOST OF THEM WERE REFUSED PERMISSION TO STAY IN THE COUNTRY. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN.

    TEXT: ORGANIZERS SAY THE HUNGER STRIKE WILL CONTINUE FOR 10 DAYS AT A CHURCH IN THE SOUTHWESTERN GERMAN CITY OF SAARBRUECKEN.

    THE KURDS SAY THEY ARE PROTESTING GERMAN DEPORTATION ORDERS THAT WERE ISSUED AFTER THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR ASYLUM WERE REJECTED.

    ORGANIZERS SAY THE KURDS ARE ALSO PROTESTING GERMAN MILITARY SUPPORT FOR TURKEY, WHICH HAS BEEN WAGING A LONG-RUNNING BATTLE AGAINST KURDISH REBELS. ABOUT 400-THOUSAND KURDS NOW LIVE IN GERMANY, WHERE THEY HAVE FREQUENTLY STAGED PROTESTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS IN SUPPORT OF KURDISH REBEL DEMANDS FOR AUTONOMY IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. (SIGNED)
    NEB/KBK/PCF/RRM
    02-Jan-98 9:54 AM EST (1454 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=1/2/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-224741
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: ON THE FIRST DAY OF TRADING OF 1998, STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (FRIDAY) IN WHAT SOME TRADERS HOPE IS A POSITIVE OMEN FOR THE NEW YEAR. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

    TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 79 HUNDRED 65, UP 56 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 286 POINTS OR ALMOST FOUR PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 975, UP FOUR POINTS.

    MANY ON WALL STREET WERE PLEASED TO SEE STOCKS RISE ON THE FIRST TRADING DAY OF THE NEW YEAR, HOPING IT MIGHT BE A POSITIVE OMEN FOR THE REST OF 1998. BUT ANALYSTS SEEMED RELUCTANT TO ATTACH MUCH SIGNIFICANCE TO THE RALLY, SAYING THERE WAS NOT MUCH NEWS AND MANY MARKET PARTICIPANTS WERE ABSENT, TAKING A LONG WEEKEND AFTER THE NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY.

    A REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PURCHASING MANAGEMENT INDICATES SLOWER GROWTH FOR THE U-S ECONOMY. THE ASSOCIATION'S INDEX OF MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY FELL TWO POINTS LAST MONTH.

    /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///

    A SURVEY OF 55 AMERICAN ECONOMISTS SHOWS A CONSENSUS THAT, WHILE THE U-S ECONOMY WILL CONTINUE TO GROW THIS YEAR, FINANCIAL PROBLEMS IN ASIA MAY HURT THE PROFITS OF MANY AMERICAN CORPORATIONS. THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED BY THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL" ALSO FORECASTS RISING WAGES BECAUSE OF THE TIGHT JOB MARKET IN THE UNITED STATES.

    FEDERAL REGULATORS SAY THEY PLAN A QUICK APPEAL OF A JUDGE'S RULING WHICH THREW OUT A KEY PROVISION OF THE U-S TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW. JUDGE JOE KENDALL RULED THE LAW IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE IT PREVENTS LOCAL TELEPHONE COMPANIES FROM ENTERING THE LONG DISTANCE MARKET.

    THE STOCK OF SYBASE, A COMPUTER SOFTWARE COMPANY, TUMBLED TO A SIX-YEAR LOW AFTER THE FIRM ANNOUNCED IT MAY REPORT A LOSS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER. SYBASE SAYS IT IS HAVING TROUBLE FINDING NEW CUSTOMERS.

    THE NATIONSBANK CORPORATION SAYS IT WILL ELIMINATE SIX THOUSAND JOBS. THE LAYOFFS ARE A RESULT OF NATIONSBANK'S PENDING ACQUISITION OF BARNETT BANKS BOTH BANKS OPERATE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
    02-Jan-98 5:07 PM EST (2207 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [05] NORTHERN IRELAND VIOLENCE (L-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

    DATE=1/2/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-224733
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: IN BRITISH-RULED NORTHERN IRELAND, POLICE HAVE INCREASED PATROLS IN THE WAKE OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE WHICH HAS LEFT THREE PEOPLE DEAD IN THE PAST WEEK. V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS OFFICIALS FEAR ADDITIONAL VIOLENCE AHEAD.

    TEXT: A MEETING FRIDAY BETWEEN NORTHERN IRELAND'S TOP POLICE OFFICER AND THE BRITISH CABINET OFFICIAL CHARGED WITH OVERSEEING THE PROVINCE ENDED WITH ANTICIPATION OF MORE VIOLENCE AND PLANS TO TAKE PREVENTATIVE ACTION.

    THE MOVE FOLLOWS TWO SECTARIAN KILLINGS LAST SATURDAY AND A FOLLOW-UP RETALIATORY ATTACK ON A CROWDED TAVERN WEDNESDAY EVENING -- NEW YEARS EVE -- WHICH LEFT ONE PERSON DEAD AND FIVE OTHERS WOUNDED. ///OPT///

    FOR THE PAST THREE DECADES, NATIONALIST PARAMILITARY GROUPS SUCH AS THE "IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY" -- WHICH ADVOCATE A UNITED IRELAND -- HAVE WAGED AN UNDECLARED CIVIL WAR WITH PARAMILITARY UNIONIST GROUPS IN THE PROVINCE WHO FAVOR STAYING PART OF BRITAIN. THE NATIONALISTS ARE MOSTLY ROMAN CATHOLIC -- THE UNIONISTS, MOSTLY PROTESTANTS. /// END OPT ///

    AFTER AN EMERGENCY MEETING WITH BRITISH NORTHERN IRELAND SECRETARY (MS) MO MOWLAM, CHIEF CONSTABLE RONNIE FLANAGAN TOLD REPORTERS MORE POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE ON THE STREETS OF THE PROVINCE AND IN PARTS OF THE CAPITAL, BELFAST, THE MILITARY WILL RESUME DAYTIME PATROLS. MR. FLANAGAN SAYS THE ACTIONS ARE APPROPRIATE.

    ///FLANAGAN ACT///

    I WOULDN'T WANT THIS TO BE TAKEN OUT OF PROPORTION. WE'VE HAD DREADFUL MURDERS IN RECENT DAYS AND, SADLY, I CANNOT SAY THAT THAT'S THE LAST MURDER WE'RE GOING TO WITNESS. BUT IT MUST BE KEPT IN PROPORTION. AND IF WE ALL WORK TOGETHER, IF PEOPLE REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY NO MATTER HOW TRIVIAL IT MIGHT APPEAR TO THEM, THEN WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO THWART THIS THREAT.

    ///END ACT///

    PARAMILITARY GROUPS HAVE CALLED A CEASEFIRE WHILE THEIR POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVES HOLD TALKS AIMED AT FINDING A LASTING PEACE SETTLEMENT FOR NORTHERN IRELAND, BUT EXTREMISTS ON BOTH SIDES HAVE THREATENED TO CARRY ON THEIR BATTLES.

    THE PEACE TALKS ARE SCHEDULED TO RESUME IN BELFAST ON JANUARY 12TH. THE RECENT KILLINGS HAVE PUT PROSPECTS FOR QUICK SUCCESS IN GRAVE DOUBT. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PCF/MMK
    02-Jan-98 12:31 PM EST (1731 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [06] IRAN / KURDS CORRECTION BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ERBIL, IRAQ)

    DATE=1/2/98
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-38584
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    // BECAUSE OF INCORRECT OR DISPUTED MATERIAL, THIS DELETES ALL OPT MATERIAL BEGINNING IN 6TH GRAF AND ENDING IN 8TH GRAF //

    INTRO: THE RECENT ELECTION OF MOHAMMED KHATAMI AS IRAN'S NEW PRESIDENT HAS RAISED HOPES OF A MORE LIBERAL CLIMATE IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC. BUT AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ERBIL IN IRAQI KURDISTAN, IRAN'S KURDISH MINORITY REMAINS PESSIMISTIC ABOUT THEIR FUTURE UNDER THE AYATOLLAHS.

    TEXT: THE MOOD IS SOMBER IN THIS SMALL BUT IMMACULATELY KEPT VILLA IN THE CENTER OF ERBIL, WHERE THE "KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF IRAN" MAINTAINS ONE ITS MAIN OFFICES IN KURDISH-CONTROLLED NORTHERN IRAQ. ALI MEHRPARWAR, A MEMBER OF THE POLITBURO OF THE IRANIAN KURDISH REBEL GROUP, SAYS THE K-D-P-I HAS LOST THREE SENIOR MEMBERS DURING THE PAST MONTH. THEY WERE ALL ASSASSINATED, HE SAYS, BY MEN WHO HE DESCRIBES AS TERRORIST AGENTS OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN.

    THE LATEST ATTACK, HE SAYS, TOOK PLACE LAST MONTH NEAR THE IRANIAN BORDER.

    /// FIRST MEHRPARWAR ACT IN KURDISH -- ESTABLISH AND FADE UNDER ///

    MR. MEHRPARWAR SAYS IRANIAN GUNMEN OPENED FIRE ON A VEHICLE CARRYING A SENIOR K-D-P-I MEMBER AND HIS GUARDS AS IT WAS WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN THE IRAQI KURDISH PROVINCE OF SULAYMANIYAH TO THE TOWN OF KOYSINJAQ, WHERE THE IRANIAN KURDISH REBEL GROUP HAS ITS MAIN HEADQUARTERS. THE K-D-P-I OFFICIAL WAS KILLED. HIS GUARDS WHO MANAGED TO ESCAPE WERE LATER KILLED FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD IN A SEPARATE AMBUSH.

    MR. MEHRPARWAR SAYS THE KILLINGS AMPLY DEMONSTRATE THAT THE NEW IRANIAN GOVERNMENT, LED BY PRESIDENT KHATAMI, IS NO DIFFERENT FROM PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS.

    ///SECOND MEHRPARWAR ACT IN KURDISH--ESTABLISH AND FADE UNDER///

    MR. MEHRPARWAR SAYS PRESIDENT KHATAMI'S LIBERAL IMAGE IS NOT MATCHED BY ANY CONCRETE ACTIONS, AND THAT THE IRANIAN LEADER'S POWERS ARE SERIOUSLY CURTAILED BY THE CONSERVATIVE CLERGY WHO RESIST ANY MOVES TOWARD GREATER RIGHTS FOR IRAN'S ESTIMATED NINE-MILLION KURDS.

    IRAN IS WHERE THE KURDISH NATIONALIST STRUGGLE WAS BORN WELL OVER 50 YEARS AGO.

    IN RECENT YEARS, THE K-D-P-I HAS BEEN COORDINATING ITS RESISTANCE MOVEMENT MAINLY FROM NORTHERN IRAQ, WHERE THE ALLIED WESTERN POWERS DECLARED A NO-FLY ZONE AT THE END OF THE GULF WAR -- THIS TO PROTECT THE IRAQI KURDS FROM POSSIBLE ATTACK BY IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN AFTER THEIR FAILED REBELLION AGAINST BAGHDAD. INITIALLY, THE K-D-P-I WAS ABLE TO USE ITS BASES ALONG THE IRANIAN BORDER TO LAUNCH CROSS-BORDER ATTACKS AGAINST IRANIAN GOVERNMENT FORCES AND TO BROADCAST ITS OWN PROGRAMS FROM A RADIO STATION AT ITS HEADQUARTERS IN THE SMALL VILLAGE OF BOLEH. BUT NOW, THE K-D-P-I FINDS ITSELF CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOUR-YEAR-LONG FACTIONAL FEUD BETWEEN THE MAIN IRAQI KURDISH FACTIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ. //OPT// THEY ARE MASSOUD BARZANI'S KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, K-D-P, AND JALAL TALABANI'S PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN, OR P-U-K.

    THE K-D-P-I'S MEHRPARWAR SAYS IRAN IS SUPPORTING THE P-U-K IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST MR BARZANI'S FORCES. IN EXCHANGE FOR IRANIAN SUPPORT, MR. MEHRPARWAR SAYS THE P-U-K HAS BEGUN TO PUT PRESSURE ON HIS GROUP WHOSE MAIN BASES ARE IN AREAS UNDER MR. TALABANI'S CONTROL. AS A RESULT, THE K-D-P-I'S MILITARY OPERATIONS WITHIN IRAN HAVE VIRTUALLY CEASED.

    ///THIRD MEHRPARWAR ACT IN KURDISH -- EST. AND FADE UNDER///

    MR. MEHRPARWAR SAYS UNDER P-U-K INSTRUCTIONS, THEY WERE FORCED TO MOVE THEIR BASES AWAY FROM THE BORDER AND TO HALT THEIR BROADCASTS. WORSE, HE SAYS, P-U-K FIGHTERS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE KILLINGS OF SEVERAL K-D-P-I FIGHTERS LAST MONTH. //END OPT//

    AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, MANY K-D-P-I OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE IN NEED OF HELP. MR. MEHRPARWAR SAYS SUCH HELP FROM THE UNITED STATES IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY WELCOME.

    ///FOURTH MEHRPARWAR ACT -- ESTABLISH AND FADE ///

    K-D-P-I LEADER ABDULLAH HASANZADE TRAVELED TO WASHINGTON LAST YEAR, BUT MR. MEHRPARWAR SAYS TALKS WITH U-S OFFICIALS PROVED INCONCLUSIVE. IF THE UNITED STATES IS REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS IN IRAN, SAYS MR. MEHRPARAWAR, THEN IT IS TIME WASHINGTON PAID GREATER ATTENTION TO THE IRANIAN KURDS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/AZ/PCF/RRM
    02-Jan-98 12:37 PM EST (1737 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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