Voice of America, 98-09-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA / ELECTION O'NITER (S ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (VITEZ, BOSNIA)

[02] BOSNIA ELECTION (L) BY DOUG ROBERTS (VITEZ, BOSNIA)

[03] KOSOVO REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (ISTINIC)

[04] EDITORIAL: KURDISH LEADERS VISIT THE U.S.

[05] IRISH PEACE MOVES (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

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

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

[08] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

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

[10] HOLBROOKE U-N NOMINATION (L ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[01] BOSNIA / ELECTION O'NITER (S ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (VITEZ, BOSNIA)

INTRO: BOSNIAN VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS THIS WEEKEND TO ELECT THE LEADERS AND LEGISLATORS OF BOTH THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION AND BOSNIA'S SERB REPUBLIC. MORE THAN SIX THOUSAND CANDIDATES ARE VYING FOR OFFICE, BUT ANALYSTS SAY THE KEY CONTESTS ARE IN THE SERB ENTITY, WHERE A MODERATE ALLIANCE HEADED BY PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC IS FACING SUPPORTERS OF RADOVAN KARADZIC, THE INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL WHO LED THE SERBS DURING THE LONG BOSNIAN CONFLICT. DOUGLAS ROBERTS HAS A REPORT.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER NATIONS INVOLVED IN IMPLEMENTING THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD HAVE VOICED STRONG SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT PLAVSIC, AND WESTERN ANALYSTS PREDICT THESE ELECTIONS WILL MARK THE END FOR THE HARD-LINE SERB NATIONALISTS LOYAL TO KARADZIC.

BUT OTHERS SAY THE HARD-LINERS RETAIN CONSIDERABLE ELECTORAL CLOUT AND THERE COULD SOME SURPRISES WHEN THE VOTES ARE COUNTED. NO MAJOR CHANGES ARE ANTICIPATED FROM MUSLIM AND CROAT VOTERS. THE MAIN MUSLIM ALLIANCE, HEADED BY PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC, IS EXPECTED MAKE A STRONG SHOWING AND SO TOO IS THE LONG-DOMINANT CROAT NATIONALIST PARTY. AROUND 2.7 MILLION BOSNIANS ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE, MORE THAN A QUARTER OF THEM REFUGEES FROM THE LONG CONFLICT HERE. INITIAL RESULTS ARE EXPECTED SOME TIME MONDAY, BUT OFFICIALS SAY IT COULD BE SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE ALL THE VOTES ARE TALLIED. (SIGNED)
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11-Sep-98 4:14 PM EDT (2014 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA ELECTION (L) BY DOUG ROBERTS (VITEZ, BOSNIA)

INTRO: BOSNIAN VOTERS GO THE POLLS THIS WEEKEND TO CHOOSE THE LEADERS AND LEGISLATORS OF BOTH THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION AND THE SERB ENTITY. MORE THAN SIX THOUSAND CANDIDATES ARE VYING FOR OFFICE AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS MOUNTED A MAJOR OPERATION TO PREPARE FOR THE VOTING. NATO'S PEACEKEEPING FORCE WILL PROVIDE THE SECURITY AND MORE THAN THREE THOUSAND ELECTION MONITORS FROM THE OSCE AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS HAVE FANNED OUT AROUND THE COUNTRY TO OBSERVE AND CONTROL THE VOTING, BUT DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS, MANY SERB, MUSLIM AND CROAT VOTERS IN CENTRAL BOSNIA SEEM APATHETIC ABOUT THE ELECTION.

TEXT: IT HAS BEEN NEARLY THREE YEARS SINCE THE DAYTON ACCORD THAT ENDED THE LONG WAR HERE, AND THE BENEFITS OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT ARE NOW READILY APPARENT. HOUSES ARE BEING REBUILT AND ROADS AND BRIDGES REPAIRED ACROSS THE FORMER DIVIDING LINES, AND AT LEAST SOME REFUGEES ARE RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES.

FEW CAN HAVE A GREATER STAKE IN THE ACCORD THAN THE SERBS OF MRKONIC GRAD, SMALL TOWN SOUTHWEST OF THE REGIONAL CAPITAL. THEY ENDED THE WAR AS REFUGEES, THEIR TOWN IN CROAT HANDS. BUT THE DAYTON NEGOTIATIONS RESTORED MRKONIC GRAD TO SERB CONTROL AND VIRTUALLY ALL THE REFUGEES HAVE NOW RETURNED.. MANY FOUND THEIR HOMES LOOTED AND DESTROYED, BUT WITH INTERNATIONAL AID AND THE PASSAGE OF TIME, MOST HAVE BEGUN TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES.

THINGS ARE BETTER NOW, SAYS MILENA, WHO RUNS A SMALL NEWSSTAND ON ONE OF THE TOWN'S NARROW STREETS. THERE ARE STILL NO JOBS HERE, SHE SAYS, BUT WE CAN LIVE AGAIN, OR AT LEAST GET BY.

MILENA THOUGHT HER BUSINESS MIGHT PICK UP DURING THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN, WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS BUYING MORE NEWSPAPERS TO READ ABOUT THE PARTY PLATFORMS AND POSITIONS. BUT SHE SAYS THAT HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE. SHE THINKS THE ALLIANCE OF SOCIALISTS AND MODERATES LOYAL TO SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC IS LIKELY TO GARNER THE MOST VOTES, BUT SHE DOES NOT BELIEVE THE PEOPLE OF MRKONIC GRAD ARE REALLY MUCH INTERESTED IN THIS ELECTION. FEW OF US HERE, SHE SAYS, BELIEVE WHAT THE POLITICIANS SAY ANYMORE.

THAT VOTER APATHY IS ALSO APPARENT IN TRAVNIK, A MUSLIM TOWN SOME EIGHTY KILOMETERS TO THE SOUTHEAST. ARMIN, A WOUNDED WAR VETERAN, SAYS HE HAS NO INTEREST IN POLITICS ANYMORE AND HAS PAID NO ATTENTION TO THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN. HE PREDICTS THAT THE COALITION HEADED BY BOSNIA'S MUSLIM PRESIDENT, ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC, WILL WIN EASILY IN TRAVNIK BUT QUICKLY ADDS THAT HE SIMPLY DOES NOT CARE AND DOES NOT INTEND TO VOTE. NOTHING HAS CHANGED HERE SINCE THE WAR ENDED, HE SAYS. THERE ARE STILL NO JOBS AND MANY YOUNG PEOPLE ARE EMIGRATING. THE ONLY HOPE, HE ADDS, IS FOR A NEW, YOUNGER GENERATION OF LEADERS TO TAKE OVER. YADRANKA, A YOUNG CROAT SHOPKEEPER IN NEARBY VITEZ, VOICES A SIMILAR OPINION. OUR LEADERS MAKE PROMISES, SHE SAYS, BUT THEY DO NOT DELIVER. YADRANKA IS CERTAIN THAT THE CROAT NATIONALIST PARTY, THE H-D-Z, WILL WIN AGAIN IN VITEZ, DESPITE THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW OPPOSITION GROUP, LED BY KRESIMIR ZUBAK, THE CROAT MEMBER OF BOSNIA'S PRESIDENTIAL COUNCIL. THE PEOPLE HERE ARE ANGRY WITH ZUBAK, SHE SAYS, FOR SPLITTING THE CROAT CAMP AND WHEN THEY GO TO THE POLLS, SHE ADDS, THEY WILL REMEMBER THAT IT WAS THE H-D-Z THAT HELPED THEM SURVIVE DURING THE WAR.

SOME WESTERN ANALYSTS HAVE PREDICTED THAT THESE ELECTIONS WILL MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR THE NATIONALIST CROAT, MUSLIM AND SERB LEADERS WHO PROSECUTED THE WAR. BUT OTHER ARGUE THAT THE MEMORIES AND WOUNDS OF THE CONFLICT ARE STILL TOO FRESH AND IT IS TOO EARLY TO EXPECT ANY FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES. (SIGNED)
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11-Sep-98 3:21 PM EDT (1921 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (ISTINIC)

INTRO: SERB POLICE HAVE BLOCKED FOREIGN TELEVISION NEWS CAMERAS ACCESS TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES IN WESTERN KOSOVO. WESTERN AID WORKERS TOLD A SMALL GROUP OF REPORTERS WHO MANAGED TO VISIT THE REFUGEES THAT CONDITIONS ARE MISERABLE AND GETTING WORSE. PHILIP SMUCKER VISITED ISTINIC AND FILED THIS REPORT.

TEXT: EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN MEDICS SAID THAT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF STRANDED ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES ARE FACING DISEASE, HUNGER, AND PHYSICAL ABUSE IN WESTERN KOSOVO.

THE REFUGEES WERE DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES EARLIER THIS WEEK AND FORCED INTO VILLAGES SURROUNDED BY SERBIAN SECURITY TROOPS. A SENIOR SERBIAN POLICE OFFICER SAID HIS FORCES HAD RECOVERED 15-HUNDRED GUNS FROM THE REFUGEES. HE ALSO SAID MANY OF THE REFUGEES WERE ACCEPTING OFFERS TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES.

BUT WESTERN OFFICIALS VISITING THE SCENE SAID MANY OF THE REFUGEES HAVE NOWHERE TO GO AND NO HOMES TO RETURN TO.

THE REFUGEES SAID THAT SOME YOUNG MEN HAD BEEN SHOT WHILE TRYING TO ESCAPE INTO THE NEARBY HILLS.

ONE REFUGEE, NESBEDIN LEKAJ, SAID HIS HOME HAD BEEN BURNED. HE SAID HE HOPED TO MAKE IT TO KOSOVO'S CAPITAL AND TRY TO LEAVE FOR ANOTHER COUNTRY.

AS MR. LEKAJ SPOKE, SOME NEARBY CHILDREN BROKE INTO TEARS AND YOUNGER REFUGEES TRIED TO CARRY GRANDPARENTS TO WESTERN MEDICS FOR URGENT HEALTH CARE. ON FRIDAY, U-N UNDERSECRETARY-GENERAL OLARA OTUNNU VISITED WITH THE REFUGEES. THE U-N OFFICIAL IS IN KOSOVO TO LEARN ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF WAR ON CHILDREN. (SIGNED)
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11-Sep-98 12:14 PM EDT (1614 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EDITORIAL: KURDISH LEADERS VISIT THE U.S.

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

THIS MONTH, TWO KURDISH LEADERS FROM NORTHERN IRAQ ARE VISITING THE UNITED STATES. THEY ARE MASSOUD BARZANI, PRESIDENT OF THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, OR K-D-P, AND JALAL TALABANI, CHAIRMAN OF THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN, OR P-U-K. THE U.S. IS LOOKING TO THESE TWO LEADERS TO PROMOTE STABILITY AND RECONCILIATION AMONG THE PEOPLES OF NORTHERN IRAQ.

FOR YEARS, IRAQIS HAVE SUFFERED UNDER THE TERRIBLE REPRESSION OF DICTATOR SADDAM HUSSEIN. THE REPRESSION HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY HARSH IN NORTHERN IRAQ. IN THE LATE 1980S, SADDAM'S FORCES CONDUCTED A GENOCIDAL CAMPAIGN IN WHICH HUNDREDS OF KURDISH VILLAGES WERE DESTROYED AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE KILLED -- MANY WITH CHEMICAL WEAPONS. AFTER HIS OCCUPATION FORCES WERE DRIVEN OUT OF KUWAIT IN 1991, SADDAM WENT ON ANOTHER BLOODY RAMPAGE IN NORTHERN IRAQ. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KURDS FLED INTO NEIGHBORING TURKEY AND IRAN. BUT WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE U.S. AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COALITION, THEY WERE ABLE TO RETURN AND RESUME THEIR LIVES FREE FROM SADDAM'S FORCES.

FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS, THE K-D-P AND P-U-K WORKED TOGETHER IN ADMINISTERING NORTHERN IRAQ. BUT FIGHTING BROKE OUT BETWEEN THE TWO KURDISH PARTIES IN MAY 1994. THE CONFLICT INTENSIFIED AFTER AUGUST 1996, WHEN IRAQI FORCES INTERVENED ON THE SIDE OF THE K-D-P. THANKS IN PART TO U.S. MEDIATION EFFORTS, THE TWO KURDISH PARTIES HAVE BEEN AT PEACE WITH EACH OTHER SINCE NOVEMBER 1997. THEY MAY NOW BE READY TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS TOWARDS A PERMANENT RECONCILIATION.

THE U.S. IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT INTERNATIONAL AID CONTINUES TO GET THROUGH TO NORTHERN IRAQ AND THAT THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF KURDS AND OTHER MINORITY GROUPS ARE RESPECTED. THIS EFFORT IS FULLY CONSISTENT WITH THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND SOVEREIGNTY OF IRAQ. AS PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON SAID, THE U.S. WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS "TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRAQ FIND THE PERMANENT, STABLE SETTLEMENT THEY DESERVE."

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
11-Sep-98 12:13 PM EDT (1613 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] IRISH PEACE MOVES (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: IN YET ANOTHER STEP TOWARD PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND, SEVEN CONVICTED TERRORISTS WERE RELEASED FROM NORTHERN IRELAND JAILS ON FRIDAY, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF OUTLAWED LOYALIST AND REPUBLICAN PARA-MILITARY GROUPS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS THE RELEASE COMES AS BRITISH ARMY PATROLS END IN BELFAST.

TEXT: THE RELEASE OF THE CONVICTED TERRORISTS IS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF PRISON RELEASES AS REQUIRED BY THE GOOD FRIDAY PEACE AGREEMENT.

THE THREE CATHOLIC MEN WERE MEMBERS OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY. THE THREE PROTESTANT PRISONERS WERE MEMBERS OF THE ULSTER DEFENCE ASSOCIATION. THEY WERE MET BY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS, BUT AVOIDED REPORTERS ALSO WAITING FOR THEM OUTSIDE THE MAZE PRISON GATES.

A SEVENTH CONVICTED TERRORIST TO BE FREED HAD NO AFFILIATION WITH AN OUTLAWED PARA-MILITARY GROUPS BUT QUALIFIED FOR EARLY RELEASE UNDER THE PEACE AGREEMENT.

MOST OF THOSE RELEASED HAVE SERVED ABOUT HALF THEIR PRISON TERMS. THEY WERE ALLOWED OUT OF JAIL EARLY BECAUSE OF THEIR LINK TO GROUPS THAT SIGNED THE PEACE AGREEMENT. UNDER THE GOOD FRIDAY ACCORD, ABOUT 400 PRISONERS ARE EXPECTED TO WALK FREE BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

THE EARLY PRISONER RELEASE HAS STIRRED SOME CONTROVERSY AMONG CRITICS OF THE PEACE DEAL WHO ARGUE AGAINST ALLOWING CONVICTED TERRORISTS BACK ON THE STREET. THERE WERE NO HIGH-PROFILE REPUBLICAN OR LOYALIST FIGHTERS AMONG THE FIRST PRISONERS TO BE FREED.

THE RELEASE FRIDAY COMES ONE DAY BEFORE BRITISH ARMY PATROLS OF BELFAST ARE SET TO END, IN YET ANOTHER SIGNAL OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S MOVE TOWARD PEACE. OFFICIALS HAVE JUSTIFIED THE DECISION AS A RESPONSE TO THE REDUCED SECURITY THREAT FOLLOWING THE PEACE AGREEMENT.

DESPITE LAST MONTH'S CAR BOMBING IN OMAGH, WHICH CLAIMED 29 VICTIMS, THE PACE OF THE PEACE PROCESS HAS ACCELERATED. THE OUTLAWED GROUP RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TERRORIST ATTACK HAS ANNOUNCED A TOTAL CEASEFIRE. THE PROTESTANT FIRST MINISTER OF NORTHERN IRELAND HAS HELD HIS FIRST-EVER DIRECT TALKS WITH THE HEAD OF THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY. NORTHERN IRELAND'S NEW ASSEMBLY IS DUE TO MEET AS EARLY AS THIS COMING WEEK TO WORK ON THE POLITICAL STRUCTURES AS OUTLINE IN THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT.

BUT THERE IS STILL RESISTANCE AMONG PROTESTANT LOYALISTS TO LETTING THE REPUBLICAN SINN FEIN JOIN THE CABINET BEFORE IT STARTS DISARMING PARAMILIARIES. (SIGNED)
11-Sep-98 9:41 AM EDT (1341 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES CLOSED LOWER IN TRADING FRIDAY IN EUROPE. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS OPENED THE DAY DOWN SHARPLY -- CONTINUING A BIG SLIDE THAT STARTED EARLIER IN THE WEEK. BUT THEN WALL STREET OPENED FIRMLY, AND THE EUROPEAN MARKETS RECOVERED, ENDING THE DAY WITH LITTLE CHANGE.

ONE OF THE MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS ACTUALLY CLOSED UP. IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX INDEX ROSE 11 POINTS, MORE THAN TWO-TENTHS PERCENT. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX CLOSED OFF 18 POINTS, ALMOST FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT.

AND IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX FELL 11 POINTS, THREE-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR WAS DOWN AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, THE JAPANESE YEN, AND THE BRITISH POUND. (SIGNED)
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11-Sep-98 2:05 PM EDT (1805 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: IT WAS A VOLATILE WEEK ON EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS. AND ANALYSTS SAY THEY EXPECT MORE OF THE SAME IN THE WEEK AHEAD. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: ANALYSTS SAY THEY EXPECT MORE WILD SWINGS ON EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS DURING THE COMING WEEK. THEY NOTE ALL THE CONDITIONS THAT LED TO THE PAST WEEK'S VOLATILITY ARE STILL THERE -- CONCERNS ABOUT THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN THE UNITED STATES, ABOUT CORPORATE EARNINGS, AND ABOUT THE GLOBAL ECONOMY.

ALL THE MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS ENDED THE WEEK DOWN.

THE BIGGEST DROP WAS IN PARIS. THE CAC-40 INDEX FELL 112 POINTS, THREE PERCENT.

IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX INDEX LOST 110 POINTS DURING THE PAST WEEK, TWO-AND-THREE-TENTHS PERCENT. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX ENDED THE WEEK DOWN 48 POINTS, ABOUT NINE-TENTHS PERCENT. (SIGNED)
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11-Sep-98 2:11 PM EDT (1811 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: WASHINGTON AND MUCH OF THE NATION IS TRANSFIXED THIS FRIDAY BY THE UNFOLDING HIGH DRAMA OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S POTENTIAL IMPEACHMENT BECAUSE OF HIS AFFAIR, AND ALLEGED COVERUP, WITH A YOUNG WOMAN INTERN. AS THE STARR REPORT IS RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC BY CONGRESS, THE NATION'S NEWSPAPERS ARE FILLED TO THE BRIM WITH REACTION.

ELSEWHERE IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS, THERE ARE COMMENTS ON THE VOLATILITY OF THE WORLD'S STOCK MARKETS; A CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP IN MOSCOW; AND A CALL FOR NEW FUNDING FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND. NOW, HERE IS _____________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: MANY PAPERS ARE URGING THE COUNTRY TO TAKE A DEEP BREATH, READ THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THE STARR REPORT, AND MAKE NO RUSH TO JUDGMENT ON THE PRESIDENT. IN MINNESOTA, "THE [MINNEAPOLIS] STAR-TRIBUNE'S" LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE READS: "THE STARR REPORT - - AMERICANS NEED TO BE CALM, FOCUSED."

VOICE: THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN KEEPING CONGRESS FAIR AND HONEST AS THIS PROCESS GOES FORWARD. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, PLAYING THAT ROLE REQUIRES PERSPECTIVE AND AN ABILITY TO FILTER OUT ABUNDANT IDEOLOGICAL AND PARTISAN NOISE. /// OPT /// FOR EXAMPLE, COLUMNIST GEORGE WILL CALLS [MR.] CLINTON AMERICA'S 'FIRST PORNOGRAPHIC PRESIDENT.' .... BUT [MR.] WILL IS WRONG, AND TO AWARD [MR.] CLINTON THAT UNDESERVED LABEL COULD SET THE STAGE FOR IMPOSING UNDESERVED PUNISHMENT. ..... MANY RECENT NATIONAL LEADERS WHOM AMERICANS REVERE ENGAGED IN SEXUAL BEHAVIOR EVERY BIT AS UNSEEMLY AS [PRESIDENT] CLINTON'S. THEY INCLUDE FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT, LYNDON JOHNSON, JOHN KENNEDY AND THE REVEREND MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR. /// END OPT /// ..... IF AMERICANS CAN DEVELOP THE ABILITY TO PIERCE THROUGH TO THAT TRUTH, THEY WILL BE BETTER ABLE TO ANSWER THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS OF THIS PROCESS ... IS THIS WHAT THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS SHOULD BE ABOUT - - LYING OVER SEX?

TEXT: IN CONNECTICUT'S CAPITOL, "THE HARTFORD COURANT" CALLS MR. CLINTON "A HUMBLED, HUMILIATED PRESIDENT."

VOICE: ... IT WOULD TAKE A SPECIALLY CALLOUS PERSON NOT TO FEEL MR. CLINTON'S PAIN AND TO IGNORE THE FACT THAT THE HIGHEST ELECTED OFFICIAL IN THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN HUMBLED. HE HAS BEEN PUBLICLY HUMILIATED AS FEW PRESIDENTS HAVE. ... HOUSE MEMBERS' ... BIGGEST CHALLENGE [NOW] IS WHEN TO SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. IF THEY REALLY WANT TO RISE TO THE OCCASION, THEY WOULD CENSURE THE PRESIDENT AND RESUME PAYING SERIOUS ATTENTION TO SOCIAL SECURITY, HEALTH CARE ... CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, THE EMBATTLED FINANCIAL MARKETS, THE RUSSIAN CRISIS .... AND NORTH KOREA'S DEVELOPMENT OF LONG-RANGE MISSILES.

TEXT: HOWEVER, IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, "THE MANCHESTER UNION LEADER" SAYS IN ITS FRIDAY EDITORIAL HEADLINE, "[A] CLINTON IMPEACHMENT [IS] INEVITABLE, APPROPRIATE" ADDING:

VOICE: /// OPT /// LAST JANUARY 23RD ... AFTER THE MONICA LEWINSKY SCANDAL BURST UPON THE NATION, THIS NEWSPAPER SAID IN AN EDITORIAL THAT, IF THE ALLEGATIONS WERE TRUE ... THE AFFAIR MARKED THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF THE CLINTON PRESIDENCY. ... WE NOW KNOW THAT THE ALLEGATIONS WERE TRUE AND THAT FOR SEVEN MONTHS THE PRESIDENT BOLDLY LIED TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, HIS WIFE, DAUGHTER, FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS. ... IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS IN THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APPEAR INEVITABLE. /// END OPT /// ... IF THE PRESIDENT COMMITTED IMPEACHABLE CRIMES ... THEN CONGRESS MUST PROCEED WITH ITS DUTY. ... IMPEACHMENT ... IS NOT THE WORST OF THINGS THAT CAN BEFALL THE NATION. TOLERATING MORAL TURPITUDE IN HIGH OFFICE AMONG THOSE ELEVATED TO POSITIONS OF POWER IS WORSE.

TEXT: IT IS "A TIME FOR DECORUM," WRITES THE OMAHA [NEBRASKA] WORLD-HERALD" IT ITS LEAD EDITORIAL, BUT ADDS:

VOICE: ... THE COUNTRY IS ENTITLED TO FACTS. TOO MANY FACTS HAVE BEEN WITHHELD. WHILE ORDINARILY THERE MIGHT BE AN IMPULSE TO PRESERVE SOME SHRED OF PRIVACY FOR THE PRESIDENT AND LEWINSKY, [MR.] CLINTON MADE THAT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT WHEN HE DENIED HAVING SEX WITH THE FORMER WHITE HOUSE INTERN. .... THE SPECTACLE OF THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL NATION CONSIDERING THE REMOVAL OF ITS ELECTED LEADER AT A TIME OF INTERNATIONAL INSTABILITY CAN HARDLY BE REASSURING. NOR CAN THE EVIDENCE THAT AMERICANS HAVE HANDED THE REINS OF POWER TO A MAN WHO CANNOT ... KEEP HIS WORD. BUT THE FACTS ARE THE FACTS. THEY MUST BE CONSIDERED FULLY AND OBJECTIVELY. ... SOLEMNITY AND DECORUM ARE WARRANTED FROM HERE ON.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS CALLING FOR FAIRNESS, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE IN MR. CLINTON'S RECENT CONDUCT TO ADMIRE. BUT FAIRNESS DICTATES THAT HE BE GIVEN A FULL CHANCE TO REBUT THE ALLEGATIONS IN MR. STARR'S REPORT.

TEXT: AND LASTLY ON THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC, "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND SIGHS:

VOICE: NOW WHAT? PRESIDENT CLINTON AND ... KENNETH STARR HAVE IN THEIR SEPARATE WAYS BROUGHT US TO A PAINFUL POINT WHERE MANY OF US NEVER WANTED TO BE. BUT WITH [MR.] STARR'S REPORT .... DUE TO BE MADE PUBLIC TODAY, THERE'S NO GOING BACK TO THE WISTFUL IDEA THAT THE PRESIDENT'S PRIVATE LIFE ISN'T THE PUBLIC'S BUSINESS. .... BUT IF A LACK OF RESPECT FOR THE GREAT INSTITUTIONS OF OUR DEMOCRACY PLAYED SOME ROLE IN BRINGING THE NATION TO THIS PASS, THE OPPOSITE SENTIMENT MUST GUIDE US NOW. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PATH AND EVERYONE ON IT MUST WALK CAREFULLY.

TEXT: BRIEFLY TO OTHER TOPICS, MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" SAYS "WORLD GOVERNMENTS SHOULD WORK TOGETHER TO HEAD OFF A GLOBAL RECESSION," BEING AFFECTED IN PART BY THE CLINTON SCANDAL. IT ADDS:

VOICE: GYRATIONS IN FINANCIAL MARKETS THIS WEEK HAVE LEFT TRADERS DIZZY AND THE REST OF US WORRIED FOR THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD ECONOMY. ..... THIS INABILITY OF MARKETS TO TAKE NEWS IN STRIDE SUGGESTS A TOUGH TIME AHEAD FOR INVESTORS. ..... INDEED, THE MARKETS ARE SENDING CLEAR SIGNALS. GOVERNMENTS NEED TO ACT DECISIVELY TO CLEAR BAD DEBTS AND LOWER INTEREST RATES.

TEXT: IN A RELATED COMMENTARY, "THE MIAMI HERALD" TODAY PLEADS WITH CONGRESS TO APPROVE ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (I-M-F), WHICH IS TRYING TO PROP UP SOME OF THE MOST SHAKY ECONOMIES. THE PAPER POINTS OUT THE GROWING INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE.

VOICE: ... THE I-M-F IS SUPPORTED BY 182 NATIONS - - INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, ITS BIGGEST DONOR - - AND IS THE LENDER OF LAST RESORT TO AILING NATIONS. ..... [IT] IS NOT PERFECT, AND ITS SHOCK THERAPY MAY NOT BE THE IDEAL SOLUTION IN A WORLD OF HUGE DISPARITIES BETWEEN COUNTRIES RICH AND POOR. ... [BUT] CONGRESS MUST FUND THE I-M-F TO PROTECT THE UNITED STATES, ITS LATIN NEIGHBORS, AND THIS WORLD OF INTIMATELY INTERRELATED ECONOMIES.

TEXT: SPEAKING OF NATIONS IN TURMOIL, THERE IS THIS EDITORIAL QUESTION FROM "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" ABOUT YEVGENY PRIMAKOV, THE NEW RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER,.

VOICE: CAN [MR.] PRIMAKOV REIN IN THE VAST AND POLITICALLY TOXIC POWER OF THE ECONOMIC OLIGARCHS WHO CONTROL SO MUCH OF "RUSSIA'S POST-SOVIET WEALTHY, AND WILL HE EVEN TRY? ... FOR NOW, IT IS IN THE AREA OF ECONOMIC POLICY WHERE [MR.] PRIMAKOV'S PERFORMANCE WILL BE JUDGED. IF HE HAS ANY KIND OF COHERENT PLAN IN MIND HE HAS GIVEN NO HINT OF IT.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF OPINION FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF FRIDAY'S U-S DAILY PAPERS.
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11-Sep-98 11:06 AM EDT (1506 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP SHARPLY TODAY (FRIDAY) ON SOME BARGAIN HUNTING AND A LITTLE LESS WORRY ABOUT LATIN AMERICA. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: T HE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 77-HUNDRED-95, UP ALMOST 180 POINTS OR MORE THAN TWO PERCENT. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 155 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT ONE-THOUSAND-NINE, UP 28 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY A REBOUND WAS TO BE EXPECTED AFTER TWO STRAIGHT DAYS OF STEEP LOSSES. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS RELIEF THAT A RISE IN BRAZILIAN INTEREST RATES BOOSTED THE BRAZILIAN STOCK MARKET. OF COURSE, INTERNATIONAL UNCERTAINTIES REMAIN AND THERE IS SOME ANXIOUSNESS ABOUT HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE FOR CONGRESS TO DECIDE WHETHER TO HOLD AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY ON PRESIDENT CLINTON.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS WHOLESALE PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES DROPPED A SURPRISING FOUR-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT IN AUGUST. IT IS ANOTHER SIGN THAT THERE IS NO INFLATION PROBLEM IN THE U-S ECONOMY AND SOME ANALYSTS SAY IT WILL ALLOW THE CENTRAL BANK TO CUT INTEREST RATES.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY PRESIDENT ALEX TROTMAN SAYS HE WILL RETIRE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, ONE YEAR EARLIER THAN EXPECTED. MR. TROTMAN WILL BE SUCCEEDED BY WILLIAM CLAY FORD, THE GREAT GRANDSON OF COMPANY FOUNDER HENRY FORD.

IN A SEPARATE ANNOUNCEMENT, FORD SAYS IT WILL WITHDRAW FROM AN AUCTION OF KIA (KEY-AH) MOTORS OF SOUTH KOREA. THAT ACTION LEAVES THREE SOUTH KOREAN FIRMS TO BID FOR THE FINANCIALLY TROUBLED AUTOMAKER.

VOLKSWAGEN, THE GERMAN AUTOMAKER, HAS ESTABLISHED A 12-MILLION DOLLAR-FUND TO COMPENSATE SLAVE LABORERS WHO WERE USED DURING WORLD WAR TWO. MOST OF THE ELDERLY SURVIVORS NOW LIVE IN EASTERN EUROPE AND RUSSIA.

TENTATIVE AGREEMENTS HAVE BEEN REACHED TO END TWO NORTH AMERICAN AIRLINE STRIKES. A NINE-DAY WALKOUT AT AIR CANADA MAY BE OVER AND LEADERS OF THE PILOTS UNION AT NORTHWEST AIRLINES HAVE MADE A DEAL. NORTHWEST SAYS THE TWO WEEK STRIKE WILL CAUSE IT TO REPORT A QUARTERLY LOSS. (SIGNED)
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11-Sep-98 5:08 PM EDT (2108 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] HOLBROOKE U-N NOMINATION (L ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: RICHARD HOLBROOKE, PRESIDENT CLINTON'S CHOICE TO BE AMERICA'S UNITED NATIONS AMBASSADOR, WILL APPARENTLY NOT BE CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE OF A REVIEW OF HIS FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT. VOA'S GIL BUTLER REPORTS PRESIDENT CLINTON AND SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAVE ISSUED STATEMENTS PRAISING MR. HOLBROOKE'S DIPLOMATIC RECORD.

TEXT: MR. HOLBROOKE, BEST KNOWN FOR HIS PIVOTAL ROLE IN SETTLING THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT, WAS NAMED AS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S CHOICE FOR THE UNITED NATIONS JOB LAST JUNE. BUT HIS NOMINATION HAD NOT BEEN SENT TO THE U-S SENATE FOR CONFIRMATION. NOW, APPARENTLY, THE NOMINATION WILL NOT GO FORWARD UNTIL AFTER THE REVIEW BY THE JUSTICE AND STATE DEPARTMENTS IS COMPLETE.

ACCORDING TO WASHINGTON POST COLUMNIST AL KAMEN, AN ANONYMOUS LETTER HAD BEEN SENT TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT MR. HOLBROOKE'S CONTACTS WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN THE YEAR AFTER HIS GOVERNMENT SERVICE. THAT APPARENTLY LED TO A REVIEW OF MR. HOLBROOKE'S RECORD BY THE STATE AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENTS.

MR. HOLBROOKE'S SUPP0RTERS SEEM CONFIDENT THE REVIEW WILL FIND NOTHING WRONG IN HIS ACTIVITIES OR HIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT.

PRESIDENT CLINTON ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE HAS MADE REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICA'S SECURITY IN HIS AND PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS. HE SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED MR. HOLBROOKE'S ROLES IN THE BOSNIA, KOSOVO AND CYPRUS DISPUTES.

HE WENT ON TO NOTE THAT MR. HOLBROOKE HAS STATED HE IS COOPERATING WITH THE REVIEW OF HIS FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT AND HIS CONTACTS WITH STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS DURING THE YEAR HE LEFT GOVERNMENT SERVICE IN 1996. THE STATEMENT GOES ON TO SAY THE PRESIDENT LOOKS FORWARD TO A PROMPT RESOLUTION OF THE REVIEW AND SUBMISSION OF MR. HOLBROOKE'S NOMINATION TO THE SENATE.

FOR HER PART, SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAID AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE HAS MADE EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICA'S FOREIGN POLICY AND, LIKE THE PRESIDENT, SHE SAYS SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO A PROMPT RESOLUTION OF THE MATTER.(SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/KL
11-Sep-98 11:35 AM EDT (1535 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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