Voice of America, 98-09-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA UNREST (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[02] ALBANIA UNREST (L) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (TIRANA)

[03] BOSNIA VOTE (L UPDATE) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[04] KOSOVO KIDS (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[05] SAFE HAVENS FOR KOSOVAR ALBANIANS? BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

[06] KURDS / BARZANI (L ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[07] TURKEY / ISLAM (L ONLY) CQ BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

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

[09] GERMAN ELECTION PREVIEW BY PAT BODNAR (WASHINGTON)

[10] EURO / VIAGRA (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

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

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

[13] SOROS ON WORLD ECONOMY (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

[01] ALBANIA UNREST (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: AFTER TWO DAYS OF VIOLENCE IN THE ALBANIAN CAPITAL, TIRANA, OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE REGAINED CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND OTHER FACILITIES. AT LEAST THREE PEOPLE DIED IN THE VIOLENCE AND MORE THAN A DOZEN OTHERS WERE WOUNDED. WHILE THE CITY IS NOW REPORTED CALM, OFFICIALS NERVOUSLY AWAIT THE START OF AN OPPOSITION RALLY (EDS: SCHEDULED 0900 UTC). V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS WATCHING DEVELOPMENTS FROM OUR REGIONAL NEWS BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: PRIME MINISTER FATOS NANO IS REPORTED SAFE AT AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION AFTER ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT FORCES PUT DOWN WHAT HE CALLED AN ATTEMPTED COUP.

CROWDS LOYAL TO OPPOSITION LEADER SALI BERISHA MONDAY BRIEFLY TOOK CONTROL OF THE TELEVISION STATION AND KEY GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, INCLUDING PARLIAMENT AND THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE, BEFORE BEING ROUTED BY POLICE AND SPECIAL FORCES.

LIFE IN TIRANA TUESDAY IS REPORTED TO BE NEAR NORMAL, THOUGH SPORADIC GUNFIRE COULD BE HEARD.

THE UNREST WAS TRIGGERED BY THE KILLING SATURDAY OF A POPULAR OPPOSITION POLITICIAN, AZEM HAJDARI. OPPOSITION LEADER BERISHA BLAMED PRIME MINISTER NANO, AND CALLED FOR HIS RESIGNATION.

THE VIOLENCE OF THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS WAS THE WORST SINCE THE WIDESPREAD ANARCHY LAST YEAR, WHICH FOLLOWED THE COLLAPSE OF FRAUDULENT INVESTMENT SCHEMES. (SIGNED)
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15-Sep-98 4:56 AM EDT (0856 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBANIA UNREST (L) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (TIRANA)

INTRO: THOUSANDS OF ALBANIANS HAVE PROTESTED PEACEFULLY IN TIRANA -- ONE DAY AFTER VIOLENT UNREST IN THE CAPITAL. BUT ANTHEE CARASSAVA IN TIRANA REPORTS TENSION REMAINS HIGH, AND OPPOSITION GROUPS SAY THEY MIGHT RESUME VIOLENT PROTESTS.

TEXT: WITH THEIR RIGHT HANDS RAISED IN THE AIR, FISTS CLINCHED, TWO-THOUSAND ALBANIANS MARCHED AROUND TIRANA'S CENTRAL SQUARE TO PROTEST AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT.

THE UNARMED DEMONSTRATORS WERE LED BY DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER AND FORMER ALBANIAN PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA WHO CHOSE TO DEFY A GOVERNMENT WARNING TO KEEP HIS SUPPORTERS OFF THE STREETS OR FACE GUNFIRE FROM ALBANIAN SECURITY FORCES. HOWEVER, THE PEACEFUL PROTEST CAUGHT POLICE BY SURPRISE AND ORDERS TO SHOOT WERE PUT ON HOLD. MR. BERISHA WARNS THAT HE WILL RESUME WITH VIOLENT PROTESTS IF ALBANIA'S INTERIOR MINISTER DOES NOT END THE BAN ON ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS BY WEDNESDAY.

VIOLENT UNREST BROKE OUT IN TIRANA DURING THE WEEKEND AFTER A SENIOR OPPOSITION DEPUTY, AZEM HAIDARI, WAS KILLED IN AN AMBUSH.

THE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT HAS REGAINED CONTROL OF KEY STATE FACILITIES AND MINISTRIES AFTER A VIOLENT RAMPAGE AND STRING OF LOOTINGS BY ARMED PROTESTERS ON MONDAY.

ALTHOUGH MR. BERISHA HAS DENIED GOVERNMENT ACCUSATIONS OF INSTIGATING A COUP D'ETAT, HE INSISTS ON THE RESIGNATION OF PRIME MINISTER FATOS NANO.

SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS REFUSE TO DISCLOSE THE WHEREABOUTS OF MR. NANO. BUT THEY SAY HE IS SAFE, WORKING AND PLANNING A CABINET RESHUFFLE THAT WOULD NOT INCLUDE HIS RESIGNATION.

EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS HAVE BEEN HOLDING CRISIS MEETINGS, HOPING TO PROPOSE A POLITICAL SOLUTION IN A BID TO EASE AN ALBANIAN CRISIS THAT THEY FEAR COULD EXACERBATE THE VOLATILE SITUATION IN NEIGHBORING KOSOVO.

NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES GREECE AND ITALY ALSO ARE SEEKING A QUICK POLITICAL SOLUTION TO ALBANIA'S LATEST CIVIL UNREST. THEY FEAR ADDITIONAL VIOLENCE IN ALBANIA COULD TRIGGER A NEW FLOOD OF REFUGEES.

MUCH OF ALBANIA'S WOES STEM FROM THE CIVIL UNREST THAT ROCKED THE COUNTRY LAST YEAR AFTER THE COLLAPSE OF HIGH-RISK INVESTMENT SCHEMES.

DESPITE THE DEPLOYMENT OF A SIX-THOUSAND MEMBER MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE, LAW AND ORDER HAS BEEN HARD TO RESTORE. ARMED GUNMEN CONTINUE TO ACT WITH IMPUNITY, WEAPONS CIRCULATE FREELY ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND FEW ALBANIANS HAVE BEEN COMPENSATED FOR THEIR 1997 LOSSES, AS PROMISED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

DIPLOMATS SAY THEY FEAR ALBANIAN COULD ONCE AGAIN SLIP INTO ANARCHY UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT ACTS QUICKLY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS. (SIGNED)
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15-Sep-98 8:57 AM EDT (1257 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA VOTE (L UPDATE) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: ELECTION OFFICIALS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAVE DECIDED NOT TO RELEASE PRELIMINARY VOTE RESULTS WHICH WERE EXPECTED TUESDAY AFTER WEEKEND ELECTIONS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM OUR REGIONAL NEWS BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: PRELIMINARY RESULTS WERE TO BE ANNOUNCED AT A NEWS CONFERENCE IN SARAJEVO. INSTEAD, ROBERT BARRY OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, THE O-S-C-E, TOLD SURPRISED JOURNALISTS THAT THEY WOULD DELAY THE ANNOUNCEMENT UNTIL A FINAL VOTE COUNT WAS AVAILABLE, PROBABLY SOMETIME NEXT WEEK.

SINCE THE POLLS CLOSED SUNDAY VARIOUS BOSNIAN POLITICAL PARTIES AND POLITICIANS HAVE BEEN CLAIMING VICTORY, AND AN O-S-C-E SPOKESMAN SAID RELEASING INCOMPLETE RESULTS WOULD ONLY ADD TO THE CONFUSION.

THE SPOKESMAN, DARDAN GASHI, SAID THE PRELIMINARY TALLY MAY NOT BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FINAL COUNT.

OF COURSE, EVERY DAY [DURING THE COUNT] THE RESULTS WOULD BE DIFFERENT, DEPENDING ON WHICH PART OF THE COUNTRY YOU COUNT THE VOTE, WHICH PART OF THE MUNICIPALITY YOU COUNT THE VOTE. AND SO WHAT WE ARE TELLING THEM IS ONLY THE RESULTS THAT ARE CERTIFIED BY THE O-S-C-E AND PROVISIONAL ELECTION COMMISSION ARE THOSE THAT ARE VALID. EVERYTHING ELSE IS JUST TALKING TO THE AUDIENCE.

TURNOUT IN TWO DAYS OF VOTING WAS AROUND 80 PERCENT, AND ELECTION SUPERVISORS WERE GENERALLY HAPPY WITH THE VOTING, WHICH TOOK PLACE LARGELY WITHOUT INCIDENT.

A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION MONDAY CRITICIZED A COMPUTER GLITCH THAT PRODUCED INACCURATE REGISTRATION LISTS AT SOME POLLING PLACES. BUT THE O-S-C-E SAYS THE PROBLEMS WERE MINIMAL AND THAT NO ONE WOULD BE DEPRIVED OF THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

THIS WAS THE SECOND GENERAL ELECTION IN BOSNIA SINCE THE WAR ENDED THERE IN 1995. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS HOPING THAT VOTERS WILL ELECT MORE MODERATE CANDIDATES, RATHER THAN THOSE FANNING THE FLAMES OF ETHNIC NATIONALISM.

MORE THAN 30-THOUSAND NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL TROOPS ARE SAFEGUARDING THE PEACE IN BOSNIA, WHICH IS DIVIDED INTO SEPARATE ETHNIC ENCLAVES -- A SERB REPUBLIC AND A MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION.

COMMON LICENSE PLATES, A NEW CURRENCY AND OTHER NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS HAVE HELPED GIVE BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA THE APPEARANCE OF BEING A UNIFIED COUNTRY AS ENVISAGED IN THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT. BUT IN FACT, THE THREE ETHNIC COMMUNITIES REMAIN DEEPLY DIVIDED, AND MOST BOSNIANS PROBABLY IDENTIFY THEMSELVES MORE WITH THEIR GROUP THAN WITH THEIR COUNTRY.

ONE OF THE MOST CLOSELY-WATCHED RACES IS FOR PRESIDENT OF THE SERB REPUBLIC. HARDLINERS (LED BY RADICAL PARTY CANDIDATE NIKOLA POPLASEN) HOPE TO UNSEAT BILJANA PLAVSIC, WHO BEGAN HER POLITICAL CAREER AS A HARDLINER HERSELF, BUT HAS MODERATED SOMEWHAT SINCE SHE ENDORSED THE DAYTON PRINCIPLES. (SIGNED)
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15-Sep-98 1:10 PM EDT (1710 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO KIDS (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: A U-N OFFICIAL SAYS INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE TO MONITOR THE SAFE RETURN HOME OF TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF DISPLACED PEOPLE WHO FLED WHEN THEIR VILLAGES CAME UNDER ATTACK. THE REMARK WAS MADE TUESDAY IN GENEVA BY THE U-N SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE ON CHILDREN AND ARMED CONFLICT, OLARA OTUNNU, WHO JUST RETURNED FROM KOSOVO. REPORTER LISA SCHLEIN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: MR. OTUNNU SAYS CHILDREN MAKE UP ABOUT 60-PERCENT OF KOSOVO'S DISPLACED POPULATION. HE SAYS SOME ARE DYING. HE SAYS URGENT ACTION IS NEEDED TO PROVIDE REFUGEES WITH FOOD, WATER, MEDICINE, AND BLANKETS. WITH WINTER APPROACHING, MR. OTUNNU SAYS THE ONLY SOLUTION IS FOR THE PEOPLE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES, BUT HE SAYS THEY ARE DESPERATELY AFRAID TO GO HOME. THEREFORE, HE RECOMMENDS INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS BE PLACED IN THE AREA.

NOT TO PROVIDE SECURITY, THAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF YUGOSLAVIA. BUT, TO PROVIDE CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES, A PRESENCE THAT WOULD REASSURE THE DISPLACED POPULATION AND SERVE AS A DETERRENT FOR FUTURE ABUSES BY THE SECURITY SERVICES.

MR. OTUNNU, VISITED SEVEN VILLAGES DURING HIS TWO-DAY VISIT TO KOSOVO. HE SAYS HE WAS SHOCKED AT THE LEVEL OF, WHAT HE CALLS, INDISCRIMINATE DESTRUCTION TARGETED AGAINST THE CIVILIAN POPULATION. HE SAYS HOUSES HAVE BEEN BURNED, GUTTED AND EMPTIED OF THEIR INHABITANTS.

MR. OTUNNU SAYS HE FOLLOWED TWO MOUNTAIN TRAILS AND WAS APPALLED BY WHAT HE SAW.

I FOUND A SPREAD OF POPULATION, LONG ENDLESS LINES OF POPULATION SIMPLY PERCHED ON THE MOUNTAIN SLOPES COMPLETELY EXPOSED, NO SHELTER, BARELY ANY FOOD, NO MEDICATION AND MEDICAL SERVICE TRULY AT THE EDGE OF SURVIVAL.

MR. OTUNNU SAYS HE WAS ENCOURAGED TO FIND NO EVIDENCE THAT CHILDREN WERE BEING USED AS SOLDIERS. BUT, HE WARNS THIS COULD CHANGE IF THE WAR GOES ON FOR A VERY LONG TIME. THE SPECIAL U-N REPRESENTATIVE SAYS RELIEF AGENCIES ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO ASSIST THE HOMELESS. BUT, HE SAYS HUMANITARIAN ACTION MUST NOT BECOME A SUBSTITUTE FOR POLITICAL ACTION TO END THE WAR. (SIGNED)
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15-Sep-98 9:33 AM EDT (1333 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] SAFE HAVENS FOR KOSOVAR ALBANIANS? BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KOSOVAR ALBANIANS ARE NOW HOMELESS, WITH THE MAJORITY INTERNALLY DISPLACED WITHIN KOSOVO. OTHERS HAVE FLED TO NEIGHBORING ALBANIA OR MONTENEGRO. ABOUT 40,000 REFUGEES HAD FOUND SHELTER IN MONTENEGRO, BUT LATE FRIDAY [9/11] MONTENEGRO CLOSED ITS BORDERS TO THE REFUGEES. ON SUNDAY [9/13], MONTENEGRO EVACUATED ABOUT 3,000 ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES WHO FLED THE VIOLENCE IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE TO ALBANIA. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, SERBIA PROPOSED ESTABLISHING REFUGEE CENTERS, OR SO-CALLED "SAFE HAVENS," WITHIN KOSOVO FOR THOSE MADE HOMELESS BY THE WAR. OFFICIALS FROM THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT AND THE U-S AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT INITIALLY APPROVED THE IDEA; HOWEVER, THE UNITED STATES IS NOW RECONSIDERING ITS

TEXT: JAMES HOOPER, DIRECTOR OF THE BALKAN ACTION COUNCIL IN WASHINGTON, D-C, SAYS THE SERBIAN PROPOSAL FOR SAFE HAVENS WOULD BE CENTERS WHERE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DISPLACED KOSOVARS COULD BE GATHERED TOGETHER AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE COULD BE DISTRIBUTED.

TAPE: CUT ONE -- HOOPER (1:06) "THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE SAFE HAVEN PROPOSALS IN BOSNIA, WHICH WERE A CONVENIENT WAY FOR THE SERBS TO USE THE WEST AND THE U-N TO ROUND UP PEOPLE, MANY OF WHOM WERE THEN ETHNICALLY CLEANSED OR DEALT WITH IN A VERY FORCEFUL MANNER, IF THEY WEREN'T KILLED. ACCORDING TO THESE PROPOSALS, SERBIA WOULD PROVIDE THE GUARDS FOR THESE CENTERS. I THINK THIS IS A TERRIBLE IDEA, AND THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMUNITY HERE IN WASHINGTON AND UP IN NEW YORK, THAT HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE WAR IN KOSOVO IS OUTRAGED BY THIS, THAT THE U-S WOULD EVEN CONSIDER SUPPORTING SUCH A THING. TO ENTRUST SERBIA, THE SERBIAN POLICE AND MILITARY, THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN DOING THE KILLING, TO ENTRUST THEM WITH PROVIDING SECURITY FOR THE WIVES, SONS, DAUGHTERS, RELATIVES OF THOSE THEY'VE BEEN KILLING TO COME BACK, I THINK IS COMPLETELY UNREALISTIC. I DON'T THINK THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS WILL ACCEPT THIS, AND IT SHOWS THE LEVEL OF DESPERATION IN WESTERN POLICY AND AMERICAN POLICY ON KOSOVO, WHEN IT IS PREPARED TO REACH OUT TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS."

TEXT: FORMER STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL JOHN FOX DIRECTS THE WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE. HE SAYS BELGRADE ORIGINALLY MANDATED 11 DISTRIBUTION CENTERS WITH SERBIAN SECURITY TO PROTECT THEM, AND THE UNITED STATES AGREED TO CHANNEL RESOURCES THROUGH THESE CENTERS, INCLUDING A LARGE PART OF MORE THAN $40 MILLION IN NEW FOOD AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE. ACCORDING TO MR. FOX, HUMANITARIAN AND HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS AND THE MEDIA WERE EXTREMELY CRITICAL OF THE PLAN, SO THE UNITED STATES IS NOW REPORTED TO BE SUBSTANTIALLY REVISING ITS PLAN FOR THESE CENTERS. A SEPTEMBER 7 "NEW YORK TIMES" EDITORIAL SAID THE U-S GOVERNMENT HAD "MADE A MISTAKE" IN AGREEING TO MR. MILOSOVIC'S PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH "11 'HUMANITARIAN CENTERS' TO FEED PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DISPLACED," AND IT WARNED THAT "SINCE BELGRADE IS NOT PROMISING TO STOP THE SHELLING, THE CENTERS MAY BE LURING PEOPLE TO THEIR DEATHS." JOHN FOX SAYS SERBIA'S ESTABLISHING COLLECTION CENTERS FOR DISPLACED KOSOVARS IS UNWORKABLE.

TAPE: CUT TWO -- FOX (1:21) "IT'S A DREADFUL IDEA. IT'S A PLACE HOLDER DURING A CRITICAL PERIOD WHEN SERIOUS IDEAS SHOULD BE PUT FORWARD TO MEET THIS HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE THAT HAS NOW BEEN WELL DESCRIBED BY MANY INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS. IT WOULD CUT THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL N-G-O'S, WHICH IS LONG-ESTABLISHED IN KOSOVO AND HAS BEEN AT THE CENTER OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY AND HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS THERE FOR YEARS. IT RISKS CUTTING THAT RELATIONSHIP AND SUBSTITUTING AS A PARTNER THE SERBIAN AUTHORITIES. INDEED, IT WOULD PUT THE U-S AND POTENTIALLY OTHER INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS AT THE MERCY OF THE SAME SERBIAN FORCES THAT HAVE CONDUCTED THIS WAR AGAINST CIVILIANS NOW FOR SO MANY MONTHS. SO, IT IS DAFT, IT IS IMMORAL, AND IT IS IMPRACTICAL. [OPT] AND, IT'S A DESPERATION MOVE ON THE PART OF PEOPLE WHO REFUSE TO ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING ISSUES. AND I THINK IT'S ALSO BEING REWORKED. IT COULD BECOME A SREBRENICA, IT COULD BECOME ESSENTIALLY AN INTERNMENT CAMP ARRANGEMENT, IT COULD BECOME ANY NUMBER OF THINGS, NONE OF THEM GOOD, AND ONE OF THE WORST THINGS ABOUT IT IS THAT IT WASTES VALUABLE TIME AND RESOURCES NOW WHEN SERIOUS INITIATIVES SHOULD BE PUT FORWARD." [END OPT]

TEXT: JANUSZ BUGAJSKI [YAHN-USH BOO-GYE-SKEE], DIRECTOR OF EAST EUROPEAN STUDIES AT THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IN WASHINGTON, D-C, SAYS WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY A "POLITICAL AND MILITARY" PROBLEM HAS NOW BEEN TURNED INTO A "HUMANITARIAN TRAGEDY."

TAPE: CUT THREE -- BUGAJSKI (0:32) "IF WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT MAKING SAFE HAVENS AND GIVING PROTECTION AS WELL AS HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES TO DISPLACED PEOPLE, THEN THIS SIMPLY CANNOT BE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT WHICH WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PLIGHT IN THE FIRST CASE. IT'S JUST COMPLETELY ILLOGICAL. THE PEOPLE CERTAINLY WOULDN'T FEEL SAFE, AND I'M AFRAID MANY OF THEM WOULDN'T RETURN TO THEIR HOME AREAS, IF THEY KNEW IT WAS A SERB SECURITY FORCE THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FATE, FOR THEIR FUTURE. SO, I THINK THE PROPOSAL IS LUDICROUS UNLESS THERE'S A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FORCE WILLING TO HELP THIS POPULATION WHICH IS FACING ENORMOUS TRAGEDIES OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS."

TEXT: FORMER STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL PAUL WILLIAMS IS PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN WASHINGTON, D-C. HE SAYS THAT, IF SAFE HAVENS ARE CREATED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF SERBIAN FORCES, THERE IS A SERIOUS RISK OF THEIR BECOMING ALBANIAN GHETTOS.

TAPE: CUT FOUR -- WILLIAMS (1:15) "IN A WORSE CASE SCENARIO YOU CREATE CONCENTRATION CAMPS THAT THE NATO FORCES ARE GOING TO PROVIDE LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR. THE ENTIRE STATE OF KOSOVO, THE ENTIRE AUTONOMOUS PROVINCE AS IT IS NOW, SHOULD BE A SAFE HAVEN. THE SERBIAN TROOPS SHOULD WITHDRAW, AND EITHER U-N, E-U, OR NATO TROOPS SHOULD GO IN AND PROTECT THESE INDIVIDUALS. AND THE DIFFICULTY THAT WE'RE HAVING HERE IS THAT THE U-S IS FALLING FOR [MR.] MILOSEVIC'S PLOY. WE SHOULD BE SAYING, 'WITHDRAW THE SERBIAN FORCES, IMPOSE A NO-FLY ZONE, AND THREATEN AIR STRIKES, CREATE AN ENTIRE SAFE HAVEN OF KOSOVO.' INSTEAD WE'RE ARGUING OVER WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ELEVEN OR FOUR SAFE HAVENS AND WHAT TYPE OF SUPPORT NATO IS GOING TO PROVIDE. [OPT] THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS HAVE A RIGHT TO LIVE IN THEIR HOMES, HAVE A RIGHT TO PLOW THEIR FIELDS, HAVE A RIGHT TO ENGAGE IN SELF-DETERMINATION, AND WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS THAT WE, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, WILL PAY $50 MILLION TO GATHER YOU UP IN LITTLE REFUGEE CAMPS AND PUT YOU UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE SERBIAN INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING ATROCITIES. IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE AT ALL. I FEAR THAT MIGHT HAPPEN BECAUSE THE U-S HAS NO POLICY FOR KOSOVO, AND WE NEED TO BE PERCEIVED AS DOING SOMETHING, GIVEN THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS THAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. BUT [END OPT] THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM DOES NOT LIE IN CREATING THESE GHETTOS FOR THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS. IT LIES IN A LASTING PEACE AND ALLOWING THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS TO EXERCISE THE RIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION."

TEXT: NEARLY ALL THE BALKAN ANALYSTS AGREE THAT THE PLIGHT OF THOSE DISPLACED BY THE WAR IN KOSOVO IS DESPERATE AND THAT, WITH THE APPROACH OF WINTER, THE PROSPECT OF A HUMANITARIAN TRAGEDY LOOMS LARGE. BUT, THE SPECIALISTS SAY WESTERN GOVERNMENTS HAVE NOT YET COME UP WITH A WORKABLE PLAN TO AVERT THE TRAGEDY.
15-Sep-98 10:45 AM EDT (1445 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KURDS / BARZANI (L ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE LEADERS OF THE TWO MAIN IRAQI KURDISH FACTIONS -- MASSOUD BARZANI OF THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY (K-D-P) AND JALAL TALABANI OF THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN -- ARE IN THE UNITED STATES. BOTH ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY ARE HERE AS PART OF AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE RELATIONS BETWEEN THEIR TWO FACTIONS. A BIG STEP TOWARD RECONCILIATION WILL COME LATER THIS WEEK, WHEN MR. BARZANI AND MR. TALABANI WILL ATTEND A MEETING PRESIDED OVER BY U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT. VOA'S PAMELA TAYLOR SPOKE WITH MR. BARZANI.

TEXT: SECRETARY ALBRIGHT HAS ALREADY MET SEPARATELY WITH THE TWO RIVALS TO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE FACE-TO-FACE MEETING. U-S OFFICIALS HOPE THE TWO MEN WILL AGREE TO A FORMAL RECONCILIATION BETWEEN THE TWO MAIN FACTIONS THAT REPRESENT THE KURDS OF IRAQ.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH VOA (TODAY/TUESDAY), MR. BARZANI SAID HIS PARTY WILL DO ITS BEST TO RECONCILE ALL KURDS. SPEAKING THROUGH A TRANSLATOR, HE EXPRESSED HIS WILLINGNESS TO END INFIGHTING BETWEEN THE FACTIONS:

IT'S VERY UNFORTUNATE [WHAT] THIS INFIGHTING HAS INFLICTED THE KURDISH PARTIES. IT'S VERY SAD IN FACT LOOKING BACK ON IT, BUT WHAT WE MUST DO IS LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE TO OVERCOME THESE DIFFICULTIES. WE LIVE IN VERY DIFFICULT AREA AND MANY NATIONS HAVE ALSO SUFFERED FROM INFIGHTING, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES DURING THE CIVIL WAR. THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO AND YOU'VE OVERCOME THAT. WE ARE CONFIDENT WE WILL OVERCOME THIS INFIGHTING TOO.

STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SAY THE FACT THAT MR. BARZANI AND MR. TALABANI HAVE AGREED TO MEET IS AN INDICATION THERE IS NOW A GREATER RECOGNITION BY THE KURDISH PARTIES THAT THEIR COMMON ENEMY IS IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN, WHOSE GOVERNMENT HAS LONG SUPPRESSED KURDISH ASPIRATIONS.

MR. BARZANI WAS ASKED ABOUT HIS PARTY'S CURRENT RELATIONS WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN BAGHDAD IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT THE K-D-P SOUGHT ASSISTANCE FROM IRAQ IN THE LATEST FIGHTING AGAINST HE PATRIOIC UNION:

THERE ARE CONTACTS BETWEEN US AND THEM (THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT), BUT THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY POLITICAL AGREEMENT OR UNDERSTANDING WHATSOEVER. IN FACT WE ASKED FOR IRAQI FORCES HELP AT A TIME WHEN THE UNITED STATES WAS SPONSORING A PEACE PROCESS AND DID NOTHING.

MR. BARZANI SAYS, THE K-D-P HAS NEVER SOUGHT INDEPENDENCE FROM IRAQ, BUT IS SEEKING SOME FORM OF FEDERALISM THAT WILL GIVE THE KURDISH PEOPLE GREATER AUTONOMY.

WHAT MR. BARZANI SEEKS FROM THE UNITED STATES, HE TOLD VOA, IS A CLEAR POLICY ON WHAT THE UNITED STATES WILL DO TO PROTECT THE KURDISH PEOPLE UNTIL THE BAGHDAD GOVERNMENT AGREES TO CHANGE ITS POLICY TOWARD THE KURDISH MINORITY. (SIGNED)
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15-Sep-98 2:56 PM EDT (1856 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] TURKEY / ISLAM (L ONLY) CQ BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKISH AUTHORITIES HAVE CHARGED THAT 78 ISLAMIST POLITICIANS WITHHELD MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN PARTY FUNDS THAT SHOULD HAVE GONE TO THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS THAT IF CONVICTED, THE ACCUSED COULD BE SENTENCED TO SEVEN-AND-ONE-HALF YEARS IN PRISON.

TEXT: IN AN INDICTMENT MADE PUBLIC TUESDAY, ANKARA'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR (MELIH TARI) ACCUSED 78 OFFICIALS OF THE BANNED ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY OF CONCEALING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT AFTER THE PARTY WAS BANNED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR. THE 78 ARE ACCUSED OF FRAUD AND FALSIFYING RECEIPTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS.

THE PROSECUTOR ALSO WANTS SEVEN ISLAMIST MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WHO ARE IMPLICATED IN THE CASE TO BE STRIPPED OF THEIR IMMUNITY SO THEY TOO CAN BE TRIED. THEY INCLUDE RECAI KUTAN, THE LEADER OF THE ISLAMIST VIRTUE PARTY THAT WAS SET UP TO REPLACE WELFARE.

TURKEY'S CONSTITUTIONAL COURT BANNED WELFARE IN JANUARY, SAYING IT HAD SOUGHT TO UNDERMINE TURKEY'S SECULAR SYSTEM DURING ITS YEAR IN POWER BETWEEN 1996 AND 1997. ITS LEADER, NECMETTIN ERBAKAN, WHO IS AMONG THOSE CHARGED WITH FRAUD, WAS BARRED FROM POLITICS FOR FIVE YEARS.

THE ISLAMISTS DENY ANY WRONGDOING AND SOME SAY THE CASE IS PART OF A CAMPAIGN INSPIRED BY TURKEY'S MILITARY TO REDUCE THEIR RISING INFLUENCE. THE TURKISH ARMED FORCES IS CONSTITUTIONALLY EMPOWERED TO DEFEND TURKEY'S SECULAR SYSTEM, AND THE MILITARY WAS INSTRUMENTAL LAST YEAR IN PRESSURING THE ISLAMISTS TO STEP DOWN FROM POWER.

THE NEW ISLAMIST PARTY, VIRTUE, IS SEEKING TO DISTANCE ITSELF FROM ITS PREDECESSOR'S MILITANT RHETORIC IN THE PERIOD PRIOR TO EARLY PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL. THE PARTY'S EFFORTS AT MODERNIZATION INCLUDES RECRUITING PROMINENT WOMEN ACADEMICS AND JOURNALISTS, WHO DO NOT COVER THEIR HEADS WITH THE ISLAMIC HEADSCARF.

RECENT OPINION POLLS SHOW THAT DESPITE THEIR CONTINUING LEGAL DIFFICUTLIES, ISLAMISTS CONTINUE TO COMMAND THE GREATEST SUPPORT AMONG TURKISH VOTERS. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/RAE
15-Sep-98 12:56 PM EDT (1656 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

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

TEXT: PRICES DROPPED AT EUROPEAN STOCK EXCHANGES -- AMID FADING HOPES FOR EARLY CUTS IN INTEREST RATES AROUND THE WORLD AND WORRIES ABOUT CORPORATE EARNINGS.

BUT THE MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS ALL TRIMMED THEIR LOSSES LATE IN THE DAY, AFTER WALL STREET OPENED WITH A SLIGHT GAIN. AND ONE MARKET, LONDON, ACTUALLY CLOSED UP. THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX ROSE 13 POINTS, ONE-QUARTER PERCENT.

BUT THE OTHER MAJOR MARKETS WERE DOWN. IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX INDEX WAS OFF 42 POINTS, NINE-TENTHS PERCENT. AND IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX FELL 17 POINTS, JUST UNDER ONE-HALF PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR WAS DOWN AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, UNCHANGED AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN, AND UP A BIT AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWH
15-Sep-98 1:43 PM EDT (1743 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] GERMAN ELECTION PREVIEW BY PAT BODNAR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: GERMANY HOLDS ITS NATIONAL ELECTION SEPTEMBER 27. THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS HOPING THAT ITS CANDIDATE FOR CHANCELLOR, GERHARD SCHROEDER, WILL BE ABLE TO DO WHAT NO SOCIAL DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DO IN THREE PREVIOUS ELECTIONS FOR CHANCELLOR: DEFEAT HELMUT KOHL. VOA'S PAT BODNAR SPOKE WITH TWO GERMAN JOURNALISTS WHO ARE NOW IN THE UNITED STATES ABOUT LAST WEEKEND'S ELECTION IN BAVARIA, WHERE CANDIDATES BACKING CHANCELLOR KOHL DID MUCH BETTER THAN EXPECTED, DEALING A BLOW TO THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS.

TEXT: THE CHRISTIAN SOCIAL UNION, THE SISTER PARTY IN BAVARIA OF MR. KOHL'S CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION, INCREASED ITS ABSOLUTE MAJORITY IN THE GERMAN STATE TO 52.9 PERCENT, A FAR HIGHER PERCENTAGE THAN EXPECTED. COMING SO CLOSE TO THE NATIONAL ELECTION, THE BAVARIAN RESULTS ARE VIEWED AS A MAJOR SETBACK FOR THE OPPOSITION SOCIAL DEMOCRATS, WHO WERE EXPECTED, JUDGING BY THE POLLS, TO DO MUCH BETTER.

WOLFGANG VICHTL IS A CURRENT AFFAIRS EDITOR WITH TELEVISION STATION BAYERN 3 IN MUNICH. HE SAYS THE RESULTS OF THE WEEKEND ELECTION IN HIS HOME STATE INDICATE THAT THE NATIONAL ELECTION WILL BE MUCH CLOSER THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT.

IF YOU HAD ASKED ME THREE WEEKS AGO, I WOULD HAVE SAID SCHROEDER WOULD BE OUR NEXT CHANCELLOR. THEY LOST TWO OR THREE POINTS IN THIS ELECTION AND THIS IS A BAD OMEN FOR THE ELECTIONS NEXT SUNDAY.

THE RESULTS CAST DOUBT ABOUT THE ACCURACY OF POLLS SHOWING MR. SCHROEDER BETWEEN THREE AND SIX PERCENTAGE POINTS AHEAD OF MR. KOHL NATIONALLY.

URSULA WISSEMAN, A JOURNALIST WITH "PHOENIX," A PUBLIC BROADCASTING TELEVISION STATION IN GERMANY, SAYS THE RESULTS SERVE AS A REMINDER THAT THE ONLY POLLS THAT CAN BE RELIED UPON ARE THE ONES THAT TAKE PLACE ON ELECTION DAY.

WE LEARNED ELECTION DAY IS THE DAY THE VOTES COME.

BOTH JOURNALISTS SAY THAT GERMANS WANT A CHANGE. BUT CONSIDERING CHANCELLOR KOHL'S SHOWING IN BAVARIA AND THE LARGE NUMBER OF GERMAN VOTERS WHO ARE STILL UNDECIDED, THEY SAY GERMANY MAY NOT BE IN FOR A CHANGE ON SEPTEMBER 27. (SIGNED)
NEB/PB/KL
15-Sep-98 5:18 PM EDT (2118 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] EURO / VIAGRA (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAS APPROVED THE SALE OF THE THE ANTI-IMPOTENCE DRUG, VIAGRA, THROUGHOUT THE EUROPEAN UNION'S 15 COUNTRIES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THIS DECISION DOES NOT MEAN THE DRUG WILL BE COVERED BY INSURANCE.

TEXT: THE DECISION TO PERMIT THE SALE OF VIAGRA IN EUROPE'S SINGLE MARKET DOES NOT COME WITHOUT CONDITIONS. THE MEDICINE TO TREAT IMPOTENCE CAN BE SUPPLIED ONLY WITH A MEDICAL PRESCRIPTION. IT IS NOT INTENDED FOR WOMEN. AND IT MUST NOT BE ADMINISTERED TO PATIENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 18. THE EUROPEAN WARNING SAYS THE DRUG CAN CAUSE PROLONGED AND PAINFUL SEXUAL AROUSAL.

E-U SPOKESMAN JOCHEN KUBOSCH, SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, SAYS THE DRUG WILL BE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE TO CONSUMERS IN WESTERN EUROPE -- BUT INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES MUST DECIDE IF THEIR NATIONAL HEALTH PLANS WILL PAY FOR VIAGRA.

AS FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), AFTER NOTIFICATION BY THE COMPANY, FREE CIRCULATION SHOULD APPLY ACROSS ALL MEMBER STATES. BUT THEN OF COURSE, YOU RUN INTO OBSTACLES WHICH MAY EXIST IN NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES OR IN OTHER SICKNESS INSURANCE SCHEMES.

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR INDUSTRY, MARTIN BANGERMAN, SIGNED THE AUTHORIZATION AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN STRASBOURG, FRANCE. HIS SPOKESMAN HERE IN BRUSSELS REFUSES TO COMMENT ON DECISIONS MADE BY INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES.

BRITAIN'S HEALTH SECRETARY HAS BANNED DOCTORS THERE FROM PRESCRIBING VIAGRA BECAUSE OF THE COST. EACH PILL COSTS THE EQUIVALENT OF SEVEN-DOLLARS-80 CENTS IN BRITAIN, AND THE CONCERN IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT-FUNDED NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE WILL BE BANKRUPTED WHEN THE DRUG GOES ON SALE.

VIAGRA HAS BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE MARCH IN THE UNITED STATES AND HAS SOLD OUT AT PHARMACIES. UNTIL NOW, RESIDENTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, HAVE HAD TO OBTAIN THE DRUG ON THE INTERNET OR TRAVEL TO A NON E-U COUNTRY SUCH AS SWITZERLAND. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/JWH/JO
15-Sep-98 10:10 AM EDT (1410 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (TUESDAY) ON SOME NEW CONFIDENCE ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT EIGHT THOUSAND 24, UP 79 POINTS OR ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 37, UP ALMOST EIGHT POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY THERE WAS A GENERAL FEELING OF OPTIMISM ON WALL STREET THAT U-S INTEREST RATES WILL SOON BE CUT AND THAT LEADERS OF INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS WILL NOT ALLOW FURTHER DETERIORATION IN THE ECONOMIES OF DEVELOPING NATIONS. STOCK MARKETS IN LATIN AMERICA RALLIED.

GEORGE SOROS, THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIER, WARNED THE U-S CONGRESS THAT THE UNITED STATES CAN NOT LONG REMAIN ISOLATED FROM GLOBAL ECONOMIC TURMOIL. MR. SOROS SPOKE OF WORLD ECONOMIC INTERDEPENDENCE.

THE GLOBAL CAPITALIST SYSTEM WHICH HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REMARKABLE PROSPERITY OF THIS COUNTRY IN THE LAST DECADE IS COMING APART AT THE SEAMS.

MR. SOROS URGED CONGRESS TO APPROVE 18 BILLION DOLLARS IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND. LEGISLATION FOR THE FUNDING WAS PASSED BY THE U-S SENATE BUT HAS SO FAR BEEN BLOCKED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS RETAIL SALES IN THE UNITED STATE ROSE BY A MODEST TWO-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT IN AUGUST. BUT AUTO SALES DROPPED BY MORE THAN FOUR PERCENT.

THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS GIVEN APPROVAL FOR THE SALE OF VIAGRA, THE ANTI-IMPOTENCE DRUG MADE BY THE PFIZER CORPORATION. HOWEVER, MANY EUROPEAN NATIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS WILL NOT PAY FOR THE DRUG, WHICH COSTS ABOUT 10 DOLLARS FOR EACH PILL.

UNION AND MANAGEMENT HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT TO END A MONTH-LONG STRIKE AT THE SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE CORPORATION WHICH PROVIDES LOCAL SERVICE IN THE NORTHEASTERN STATE OF CONNECTICUT.

TWO U-S SENATORS SAY RECENT PROPOSED MERGERS IN THE U-S TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY THREATEN TO CREATE NEW MONOPOLIES. THE SENATORS ARE MAKING A BI-PARTISAN APPEAL TO THE U-S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO DENY APPROVAL OF FUTURE MERGERS UNLESS THERE ARE GUARANTEES THAT THE COMBINATIONS WILL INCREASE COMPETITION.

THE READERS DIGEST COMPANY SAYS IT WILL AUCTION PART OF ITS CORPORATE ART COLLECTION, WORTH AN ESTIMATED 100 MILLION DOLLARS. INCLUDED ARE WORKS OF MONET, VAN GOGH AND CHAGALL. THE AUCTION IS PART OF THE MAGAZINE'S STRATEGY TO STRENGTHEN ITS FINANCIAL STABILITY.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/WFR
15-Sep-98 5:04 PM EDT (2104 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S TROUBLES CONTINUE TO DOMINATE THE U-S EDITORIAL PAGES. THIS TUESDAY, "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE," THE LARGEST BIG-CITY DAILY PAPER SO FAR IS CALLING FOR THE PRESIDENT TO RESIGN. SO TOO IS "THE TOPEKA CAPITOL-JOURNAL" IN THE KANSAS STATE CAPITAL.

SEVERAL PAPERS ARE REMEMBERING THE FORMER SEGREGATIONIST GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA, GEORGE WALLACE, WHO HAS DIED; OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: CUBAN SPIES UNCOVERED AND THE CONTROVERSY OVER PUERTO RICO'S FUTURE.

TEXT: THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE," ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL NEWSPAPERS IN THIS COUNTRY, IS CALLING ON PRESIDENT CLINTON TO RESIGN IN THE WAKE OF THE MONICA LEWINSKY SCANDAL. THE PAPER POINTS OUT THAT MR. CLINTON IS BY NO MEANS THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO HAVE A MISTRESS, NOR IS HE THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO BE CAUGHT TELLING A LIE. HOWEVER, THE PAPER GOES ON TO WHAT IT SAYS IS THE ESSENCE OF THE CASE AGAINST MR. CLINTON, COMMENTING:

VOICE: NECESSARY OR NOT, A CASE HAS, IN OUR VIEW, BEEN MADE THAT [MR.] CLINTON LIED UNDER OATH WHEN, IN HIS DEPOSITION IN THE PAULA JONES SEXUAL HARASSMENT LAWSUIT, HE DENIED HAVING HAD A SEXUAL AFFAIR WITH MONICA LEWINSKY. A CASE HAS BEEN MADE THAT HE TAMPERED WITH WITNESSES. AND A CASE HAS BEEN MADE THAT HE TRIED IN A VARIETY OF WAYS TO OBSTRUCT JUSTICE. ..... IT IS CLEAR ALREADY THAT [PRESIDENT] CLINTON HAS FORFEITED WHATEVER MORAL AUTHORITY HE ONCE POSSESSED. ... IF [MR.] CLINTON CONTINUES IN OFFICE, IT WILL BE AS A HOLLOW MAN, UNABLE TO COMMAND SUPPORT IN CONGRESS, AMONG FOREIGN LEADERS, MAYBE EVEN AMONG HIS OWN AIDES. .... AT THIS POINT, BILL CLINTON WOULD BEST SERVE THE UNITED STATES BY RESIGNING THE PRESIDENCY, AND THAT IS THE COURSE WE URGE UPON HIM.

TEXT: IN THE KANSAS CAPITAL, "THE TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL" JOINS "THE TRIBUNE," ADDING:

VOICE: MR. PRESIDENT, YOU DID SAY IN YOUR ADDRESS TO THE NATION AUGUST 17TH THAT, WITH REGARD TO YOUR FAMILY, 'I MUST PUT IT RIGHT, AND I AM PREPARED TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO DO SO.' /// OPT /// THAT WILLINGNESS TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT - - HOWEVER BELATED - - SHOULD ALSO BE TRUE OF YOUR EXTENDED FAMILY, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. /// END OPT

TEXT: ON LONG ISLAND, "NEWSDAY" AGREES AND CHIDES ITS FELLOW PUBLICATIONS INTO THE PROCESS.

VOICE: AT LEAST THREE DOZEN AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS HAVE CALLED FOR PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON'S RESIGNATION SINCE THE RELEASE OF KENNETH STARR'S .... REPORT .... THIS IS EXACTLY THE SORT OF HASTY JUDGMENT THE COUNTRY SHOULD BE AT PAINS TO AVOID. /// OPT /// ... SOME EDITORIAL WRITERS MAY BE AHEAD OF THE CURVE IN ABSORBING THE DETAILS OF THE ..... COUNSEL'S ... BRIEF FOR THE PROSECUTION. BUT IT'S STILL HARD TO SEE WHY ANY PRESIDENT SHOULD VOLUNTARILY LEAVE OFFICE WHEN POLLS ARE TELLING HIM THAT TWO-THIRDS OF THE ELECTORATE SAYS HE SHOULDN'T.

TEXT: AND IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, PORTLAND'S "OREGONIAN" SAYS:

VOICE: IF CONGRESS - - AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE - - REJECT IMPEACHMENT AND REMOVAL, THE FINAL RESOLUTION MIGHT BE SOME FORM OF CENSURE. BUT IT SHOULD BE A CONCLUSION, NOT A SHORT CUT. YES, AMERICA HAS BETTER THINGS TO DO RIGHT NOW. BUT IT MAY NOT HAVE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO. IT HAS BECOME CURRENT TO DESCRIBE ALL ... THIS AS A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS, BUT IT'S NOT THAT. IT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS. AND IT OUGHT TO CONTINUE.

TEXT: THE FORMER SEGREGATIONIST GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA, GEORGE WALLACE, WHO TRIED TO BLOCK THE INTEGRATION OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THAT STATE, HAS DIED AT THE AGE OF 79. MANY PAPERS ARE REMEMBERING THIS HISTORIC FIGURE, INCLUDING "THE NEW YORK TIMES."

VOICE: GEORGE WALLACE'S .... PASSING INVITES OUR THOUGHTS TO STRAY TO THE GOTHIC ERA IN SOUTHERN POLITICS, A TIME WHEN IT WAS SOMETIMES HARD TO DRAWS A LINE BETWEEN FACT AND FICTION. ..... MR. WALLACE BELIEVED IN BOOKS AND SCHOOLS, BUT HE HAD A DICTATOR'S HEART THAT REGARDED HIS STATE'S POLICE AND TREASURY AS PERSONAL ASSETS. ... HE BELIEVED THAT BECAUSE HE STOOD UP FOR THE DOWNTRODDEN, THE RULES OF POLITICAL MORALITY AND PERSONAL LOYALTY DID NOT APPLY TO HIM. .... RECALLED RAY JENKINS, THE FORMER EDITOR OF THE ALABAMA JOURNAL AND A PERCEPTIVE WALLACE CRITIC.... 'THE ONE THING THAT RULED [MR.] WALLACE'S LIFE MORE THAN ANYTHING WAS POLITICAL PRAGMATISM. THERE YOU HAVE THE TRAGEDY OF GEORGE WALLACE IN A NUTSHELL [COMPACT VERSION].

TEXT: "THE MIAMI HERALD" CALLS HIM "A RACIST WHO REPENTED," WHILE "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" IS WORRIED ABOUT HIS "HARMFUL LEGACY [THAT] LIVES ON," ADDING:

VOICE: ...[HE] WANTED TO BE REMEMBERED ... AS A POPULIST WHO USHERED IN THE MODERN CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT. HE WON'T BE. [MR.] WALLACE'S PLACE IN HISTORY WAS SEALED IN JUNE 1963, WHEN, AS THE NEWLY ELECTED GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA, HE DEFIED THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT JOHN ... KENNEDY AND MADE HIS INFAMOUS STAND IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE DOOR, A SYMBOLIC MOVE TO TRY TO PREVENT TWO BLACK STUDENTS FROM ENTERING THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA. THAT IS THE WAY HE WILL BE REMEMBERED: /// OPT /// AS A MAN WHO FOOLISHLY TOOK HIS STAND ON THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY, WHO GAINED NATIONAL PROMINENCE IN A BENIGHTED CRUSADE TO DENY FULL CITIZENSHIP TO BLACK SOUTHERNERS. .... [MR. WALLACE UNDERSTOOD, TOO LATE, THAT THE POLITICS OF ANTAGONISM WORKED FOR HIM IN THE SHORT TERM BUT WOULD HARM HIS STATE - - AND SCAR HIS SOUL - - IN THE LONG TERM. THAT IS A LESSON TOO FEW POLITICIANS HAVE LEARNED. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: THE F-B-I ARREST OF TEN PEOPLE IN SOUTH FLORIDA AS CUBAN SPIES DRAWS THIS REACTION FROM "THE MIAMI HERALD."

VOICE: AFTER A FOUR-YEAR INVESTIGATION, THE F-B-I DESCRIBES A SPY RING THAT TOOK ORDERS FROM AND SENT REPORTS TO CUBA. THE AGENTS AIMED TO INFILTRATE MILITARY OPERATIONS SUCH AS THE U-S SOUTHERN COMMAND, ... DISRUPT EXILE ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE, THE DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT, AND ALPHA 66; AND MANIPULATE PUBLIC OPINION. .... THE ACCUSED SPIES ARE ENTITLED TO THE SAME PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE AS ANY OTHER PERSON. THAT SAID, KUDOS TO THE F-B-I AND THE U-S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THEIR DILIGENT, FOUR-YEAR PURSUIT OF THIS BIZARRE NETWORK OF ALLEGED SPIES ....

TEXT: STILL IN THE CARIBBEAN, "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" SAYS SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT SHOULD ALLOW A SENATE VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION THAT WOULD GIVE PUERTO RICANS THE RIGHT TO VOTE ON THEIR FUTURE STATUS, MAINTAINING THEMSELVES AS A COMMONWEALTH, OR BECOMING INDEPENDENT, OR POSSIBLY, THE 51ST STATE.

VOICE: DESPITE MR. LOTT'S PROTESTATIONS, IT SHOULDN'T TAKE THE SENATE MORE THAN A FEW DAYS TO DEBATE AND VOTE ON IT. A WIN FOR COMMONWEALTH WOULD CHANGE NOTHING. STATEHOOD OR INDEPENDENCE NODS [VOTES] FROM PUERTO RICANS, THOUGH, WOULD BE LENGTHY AFFAIRS. ..... BUT IF MR. LOTT CONTINUES TO POSITION HIMSELF AS A ROCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD TO PUERTO RICO'S FUTURE, NOTHING WILL HAPPEN THIS YEAR - - EXCEPT THE NONBINDING PLEBISCITE.

TEXT: THAT COMMENT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM SOME OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/KL
15-Sep-98 11:50 AM EDT (1550 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] SOROS ON WORLD ECONOMY (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: FINANCIAL SPECULATOR AND PHILANTHROPIST GEORGE SOROS SPOKE TO THE U-S HOUSE BANKING COMMITTEE TUESDAY ON WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE WORSENING GLOBAL ECONOMIC SITUATION. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS MR. SOROS WARNS THAT THE CAPITALIST SYSTEM IS UNDER THREAT.

TEXT: MR. SOROS SAYS A GLOBAL CREDIT CRUNCH MAY BE IN THE MAKING WITH ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SLOWING IN MOST PARTS OF THE WORLD. A CREDIT CRUNCH OCCURS WHEN BANKS REFUSE TO LEND, EVEN THOUGH INTEREST RATES MAY BE LOW. THE NEW YORK BASED FINANCIER SAYS NEW METHODS MUST BE FOUND TO SOFTEN THE IMPACT OF RAPID MOVES OF MONEY AMONG DEVELOPING COUNTRY MARKETS.

MR. SOROS IS PESSIMISTIC ABOUT RUSSIA, BELIEVING THE PRIMAKOV GOVERNMENT IS MOVING BACKWARDS POSSIBLY TOWARDS SOVIET STYLE RESTRICTIONS ON WAGES, PRICES AND FOREIGN FINANCIAL DEALINGS. MR. SOROS BLAMES THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND FOR MAKING A GRAVE SITUATION IN RUSSIA WORSE.

BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT FINANCIAL MARKETS CAN LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES (AND HAVE NO REGULATION OR I-M-F). EVERY BODY LOOKING OUT FOR THEIR OWN SELF INTEREST DOES NOT LEAD TO EQUILIBRIUM (IN MARKETS...A BALANCE BETWEEN SUPPLY AND DEMAND). EVERYONE LOOKING OUT FOR HIM OR HERSELF LEADS TO WHAT ALAN GREENSPAN (U-S FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD CHAIRMAN) CALLS IRRATIONAL EXUBERANCE (WHERE MARKETS SOAR). AND LATER TO PANIC.

DESPITE HIS ASSERTION THAT THE I-M-F FAILED IN RUSSIA, MR. SOROS SAYS IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT CONGRESS APPROVE NEW U-S CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE I-M-F, WHICH HE BELIEVES OVERALL DOES MORE GOOD THAN HARM. MR. SOROS, WHOSE INVESTMENT FUND IS REPORTED TO HAVE LOST TWO BILLION DOLLARS IN RUSSIA THIS YEAR, FAVORS MORE REGULATION OF THE WORLD FINANCIAL SYSTEM. HE SAYS THE SEVEN LEADING INDUSTRIAL NATIONS, THE GROUP OF SEVEN, HAVE FAILED TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN RESTORING CONFIDENCE TO JITTERY FINANCIAL MARKETS.

FORMER U-S DEPUTY TREASURY SECRETARY ROGER ALTMAN AGREES THAT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO RESTORE MARKET CONFIDENCE.

THE WORLD IS CLEARLY FACING THE WORST INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND CURRENCY CRISIS SINCE THE BRETTON WOODS SYSTEM (OF FIXED EXCHANGE RATES) WAS FOUNDED IN 1944. IT IS BY FAR THE WORST. I AGREE WITH MR. SOROS THAT IS WORSE THAN MANY AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN WILLING TO ADMIT. THEY KNOW IT PRIVATELY BUT THEY'RE AFRAID OF SAYING IT PUBLICLY FOR FEARING OF TRIGGERING EVEN DEEPER CRISES.

MR. ALTMAN SPOKE ON C-N-B-C TELEVISION. PRESIDENT CLINTON THIS WEEK CALLED FOR A SPECIAL MEETING OF WORLD FINANCE MINISTERS TO DISCUSS THE WORLD FINANCIAL SITUATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/WFR
15-Sep-98 5:17 PM EDT (2117 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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