Voice of America, 98-09-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO / BISHOP (L ONLY) BY VICTOR MORALES (WASHINGTON)

[02] KOSOVO FIGHTING (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

[03] KOSOVO FIGHTING (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

[04] U-N / KOSOVO WARNING (L) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[05] U-S/KOSOVO RESOLUTION (S ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (NEW YORK)

[06] GERMANY PREPARES TO VOTE AS THE WORLD WATCHES BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[07] GERMANY SCHROEDER (L-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (LUDWIGSHAFEN)

[08] TURKEY / ISTANBUL MAYOR (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[09] DATELINE: KURDISH RECONCILIATION BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

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

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

[12] EUROPE / SPANKING (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[01] KOSOVO / BISHOP (L ONLY) BY VICTOR MORALES (WASHINGTON)

(SERBIAN ACTUALITIES IN BUBBLE)

INTRO: WHEN NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS MEET IN PORTUGAL THIS WEEK (THURSDAY), THE VIOLENCE IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE IS EXPECTED TO BE HIGH ON THEIR AGENDA. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL PRESS THE ALLIES TO CONSIDER THE USE OF FORCE TO END THE STRIFE BETWEEN SERBS AND ETHNIC-ALBANIANS. BUT AT LEAST ONE GROUP FROM THE REGION BELIEVES THAT INTERNATIONAL MILITARY INTERVENTION IS NOT THE ANSWER. V-O-A'S VICTOR MORALES REPORTS ON THE VISIT TO WASHINGTON BY A LEADER OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN SERBIA.

TEXT: SERBIAN ORTHODOX BISHOP ARTEMY RADOSAVLJEVIC (AR-TAY-MEE-YEH RADO-SAV-LAY-VITCH) CREDITS THE UNITED STATES WITH TRYING TO BRING AN END TO THE VIOLENCE WHICH HAS CLAIMED MORE THAN 900 LIVES THIS YEAR IN KOSOVO. BUT HE FEARS THAT A NATO STRIKE WOULD ONLY PROLONG THE CONFLICT.

IN REMARKS TO REPORTERS ON WEDNESDAY, BISHOP RADOSAVLJEVIC, WHO IS FROM THE RASKA-PRIZEN (ROSH-KA PREEZ-RIN) REGION OF KOSOVO, SAYS THAT ALLIED MILITARY INTERVENTION WOULD BOLSTER SERB LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. ACCORDING TO THE CHURCH LEADER, MR. MILOSEVIC WOULD USE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TURN DOMESTIC PUBLIC OPINION AGAINST THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND BUILD SUPPORT FOR HIS POLICIES. AND THE BISHOP SAYS NATO INTERVENTION WOULD ALSO ENCOURAGE ETHNIC-ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS IN KOSOVO -- ULTIMATELY LEADING TO A BALKAN-WIDE CRISIS.

BISHOP RADOSAVLJEVIC IS IN WASHINGTON UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE ALLIANCE FOR CHANGE -- A POLITICAL MOVEMENT IN SERBIA LED BY FORMER YUGOSLAV PRIME MINISTER, MILAN PANIC. THE CHURCH LEADER IS HERE FOR A SERIES OF TALK WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS AND CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS.

THE BISHOP IS ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH THE SERBIAN DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT -- WHICH IS CONSIDERED A MODERATE ALTERNATIVE TO SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. HE SAYS THAT ONLY DIALOGUE BETWEEN SERBS AND ETHNIC-ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO CAN BUILD A LASTING PEACE.

BISHOP RADOSAVLJEVIC SAYS THAT POLITICAL EFFORTS TO END THE VIOLENCE IN THE REGION MUST BE PURSUED. AND HE CALLS ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO PRESSURE BOTH SIDES TO END THE CONFLICT THAT HAS FORCED SOME 300 THOUSAND PEOPLE TO FLEE THEIR HOMES IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/VM/KL
23-Sep-98 3:23 PM EDT (1923 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO FIGHTING (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: SERB SECURITY FORCES IN KOSOVO -- DEFYING INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE TO END A MILITARY OFFENSIVE -- HAVE SET FIRE TO SCORES OF HOMES IN THE CENTRAL DRENICA DISTRICT. PHILIP SMUCKER IN KOSOVO'S CAPITAL, PRISTINA, REPORTS THE SERB FORCES ARE ATTACKING VILLAGES NEAR CICE VICA MOUNTAIN WHERE THE CONFLICT BETWEEN SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS BEGAN SIX-MONTHS AGO.

TEXT: FIRES ARE SWEEPING THROUGH ETHNIC-ALBANIAN VILLAGES OFF THE MAIN NORTH-SOUTH HIGHWAY IN KOSOVO. SERB SECURITY FORCES ARE POUNDING VILLAGES THAT THEY SUSPECT ARE HARBORING GUERRILLA FIGHTERS FROM THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, K-L-A.

FLAMES LEAPED FROM HOMES AND FARMHOUSES JUST OFF THE MAIN HIGHWAY, AS SERB REINFORCEMENTS RACED TO THE FRONT LINE. U-N REFUGEE OFFICIALS SAID THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES HAVE BEEN TRAPPED IN THE HILLS BY THE FIGHTING.

SERB POLICE FORCES WERE SEEN GIVING WEAPONS TO SERB VILLAGERS TO PREVENT ANY SUSPECTED MEMBERS OF THE K-L-A FROM SLIPPING PAST A FOUR-CORNERED ATTACK IN THE CENTRAL DRENICA DISTRICT.

U-N REFUGEE OFFICIALS SAY THAT WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND OLD PEOPLE ARE DESPERATELY TRYING TO ESCAPE A CLOSING CIRCLE OF TANKS AND HEAVY ARMOUR.

KOSOVO'S GUERRILLA CONFLICT BROKE OUT IN THE DRENICA DISTRICT SIX-MONTHS AGO. LIGHTLY ARMED FIGHTERS FROM THE K-L-A ARE BATTLING SERB SECURITY FORCES OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

MR. MILOSEVIC IS UNDER INTENSE INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE TO CALL A HALT TO THE FIGHTING, BUT THE YUGOSLAV LEADER HAS SO FAR IGNORED SUCH CALLS. SERB OFFICIALS SAY THE OFFENSIVE IN THE DRENICA DISTRICT IS DESIGNED TO BLAST THROUGH K-L-A LINES AND -- IN THEIR WORDS -- LIQUIDATE THE ENEMY WITHIN DAYS.

WESTERN MILITARY ANALYSTS SAY THEY DOUBT SUCH TACTICS WILL SUCCEED AGAINST THE ETHNIC-ALBANIAN FIGHTERS WHO VOW TO FIGHT UNTIL KOSOVO WINS INDEPENDENCE FROM SERBIAN RULE. BUT THE ANALYSTS SAY WITH THE POSSIBLE THREAT OF NATO AIRSTRIKES, SERB FORCES MAY PRESS THE OFFENSIVE EVEN HARDER TO TRY TO WIPE OUT THE K-L-A BEFORE THEY CAN BE STOPPED. (SIGNED)
NEB/PS/JWH/RAE
23-Sep-98 1:47 PM EDT (1747 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO FIGHTING (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: SERB SECURITY FORCES IN KOSOVO -- DEFYING INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE TO END A MILITARY OFFENSIVE -- HAVE SET FIRE TO SCORES OF HOMES IN THE CENTRAL DRENICA DISTRICT. PHILIP SMUCKER IN KOSOVO'S CAPITAL, PRISTINA, REPORTS THE SERB FORCES ARE ATTACKING VILLAGES NEAR CICE VICA MOUNTAIN WHERE THE CONFLICT BETWEEN SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS BEGAN SIX-MONTHS AGO.

TEXT: FIRES ARE SWEEPING THROUGH ETHNIC-ALBANIAN VILLAGES OFF THE MAIN NORTH-SOUTH HIGHWAY IN KOSOVO. SERB SECURITY FORCES ARE POUNDING VILLAGES THAT THEY SUSPECT ARE HARBORING GUERRILLA FIGHTERS FROM THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, K-L-A.

FLAMES LEAPED FROM HOMES AND FARMHOUSES JUST OFF THE MAIN HIGHWAY, AS SERB REINFORCEMENTS RACED TO THE FRONT LINE. U-N REFUGEE OFFICIALS SAID THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES HAVE BEEN TRAPPED IN THE HILLS BY THE FIGHTING.

SERB POLICE FORCES WERE SEEN GIVING WEAPONS TO SERB VILLAGERS TO PREVENT ANY SUSPECTED MEMBERS OF THE K-L-A FROM SLIPPING PAST A FOUR-CORNERED ATTACK IN THE CENTRAL DRENICA DISTRICT.

U-N REFUGEE OFFICIALS SAY THAT WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND OLD PEOPLE ARE DESPERATELY TRYING TO ESCAPE A CLOSING CIRCLE OF TANKS AND HEAVY ARMOUR.

KOSOVO'S GUERRILLA CONFLICT BROKE OUT IN THE DRENICA DISTRICT SIX-MONTHS AGO. LIGHTLY ARMED FIGHTERS FROM THE K-L-A ARE BATTLING SERB SECURITY FORCES OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

MR. MILOSEVIC IS UNDER INTENSE INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE TO CALL A HALT TO THE FIGHTING, BUT THE YUGOSLAV LEADER HAS SO FAR IGNORED SUCH CALLS. SERB OFFICIALS SAY THE OFFENSIVE IN THE DRENICA DISTRICT IS DESIGNED TO BLAST THROUGH K-L-A LINES AND -- IN THEIR WORDS -- LIQUIDATE THE ENEMY WITHIN DAYS.

WESTERN MILITARY ANALYSTS SAY THEY DOUBT SUCH TACTICS WILL SUCCEED AGAINST THE ETHNIC-ALBANIAN FIGHTERS WHO VOW TO FIGHT UNTIL KOSOVO WINS INDEPENDENCE FROM SERBIAN RULE. BUT THE ANALYSTS SAY WITH THE POSSIBLE THREAT OF NATO AIRSTRIKES, SERB FORCES MAY PRESS THE OFFENSIVE EVEN HARDER TO TRY TO WIPE OUT THE K-L-A BEFORE THEY CAN BE STOPPED. (SIGNED)
NEB/PS/JWH/RAE
23-Sep-98 1:47 PM EDT (1747 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] U-N / KOSOVO WARNING (L) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IS INCREASING PRESSURE ON YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO AGREE TO A CEASEFIRE WITH KOSOVO ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS. BUT THE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) STOPPED SHORT OF THREATENING MILITARY INTERVENTION. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS BUREAU.

TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL APPROVED A RESOLUTION DEMANDING A CEASEFIRE IN KOSOVO AND AN IMMEDIATE START TO POLITICAL NEGOTIATIONS AIMED AT ENDING FIGHTING IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. THE RESOLUTION WARNS THAT THE COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER FURTHER MEASURES TO RESTORE PEACE AND STABILITY IF THE DEMANDS ARE NOT MET.

THE RESOLUTION STOPS SHORT OF THREATENING MILITARY INTERVENTION. DIPLOMATS SAY RUSSIA AND CHINA REJECTED CALLS FOR THE COUNCIL TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF FORCE AT THIS TIME. CHINA ABSTAINED IN THE VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION, DESCRIBING THE UNREST AS AN INTERNAL AFFAIR FOR YUGOSLAVIA.

SLOVENIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, DANILO TURK, DESCRIBED THE RESOLUTION AS A FORCEFUL MESSAGE TO THE WARRING PARTIES.

THIS RESOLUTION IS CERTAINLY A STEP FORWARD. IT INCREASES THE PRESSURE ON THE PARTIES TO COME TO A POLITICAL SOLUTION. IT, IN ITSELF, DOES NOT CONTAIN AN AUTOMATICITY SO FURTHER DECISIONS WOULD BE NEEDED AND I DO NOT WANT TO SAY THAT USE OF FORCE IS THE ONLY OPTION. THERE ARE OTHER POLITICAL MEANS WHICH SHOULD BE EMPLOYED IMMEDIATELY AND THE RESOLUTION SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED, SO I THINK THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RESOLUTION SHOULD BE THE FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA AFTER THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION.

PREPARATIONS FOR POSSIBLE MILITARY INTERVENTION ARE REPORTED UNDERWAY IN NATO, AMID GROWING CONCERN IN EUROPE THAT VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO COULD SPREAD AND CREATE INSTABILITY IN A MUCH LARGER AREA.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION BLAMES MR. MILOSEVIC FOR MUCH OF THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO, SAYING HIS FORCES ARE USING EXCESSIVE AND INDISCRIMINATE FORCE AGAINST CIVILIANS IN KOSOVO. THE RESOLUTION ALSO WARNS ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS NOT TO USE TERRORISM TO PURSUE THEIR GOALS. THE RESOLUTION SAYS THE COUNCIL SUPPORTS A SOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT THAT WOULD GIVE A GREATER DEGREE OF AUTONOMY AND SELF-ADMINISTRATION TO KOSOVO WITHIN YUGOSLAVIA.

APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION TAKES PLACE AMID GROWING U-N CONCERN ABOUT THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN THE KOSOVO REGION. U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS WARNED OF A HUMANITARIAN DISASTER INVOLVING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN LEFT HOMELESS IN THE FIGHTING. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THESE REFUGEES ARE FACING LIFE-THREATENING CONDITIONS WITH THE APPROACH OF WINTER. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/JO
23-Sep-98 4:38 PM EDT (2038 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] U-S/KOSOVO RESOLUTION (S ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (NEW YORK)

U-S EDITORIAL WRITERS HAVE BEEN KEEPING AN EYE ON THE VITAL GERMAN ELECTIONS, AND WE WELCOME ________________ TO THE MICROPHONE NOW WITH A SAMPLING IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: HE HAS OUTLASTED MARGARET THATCHER IN LONDON, AND RONALD REAGAN IN WASHINGTON, BUT SOME OBSERVERS FEEL THIS COULD BE THE END OF HELMUT KOHL'S LONG CAREER IN PUBLIC LIFE, THE LAST 16 YEARS OF WHICH HE HAS SERVED AS THE CHANCELLOR OF GERMAN.

THE FORMIDABLE MR. KOHL IS RUNNING FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED FIFTH FOUR-YEAR TERM AND MANY OF THE MOST SEASONED OBSERVERS ARE SUGGESTING IT WOULD PREMATURE TO CONSIDER HIS CANDIDACY A LOST CAUSE SINCE HE HAS COME FROM FAR BEHIND MANY TIMES BEFORE.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST QUESTIONS CONCERNS WHAT KIND OF LEADER MR. SCHROEDER WOULD BE. HE WAS RECENTLY PROFILED IN "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AS A MAN WHO APPEARS TO HAVE NO DEEPLY-FELT CONVICTIONS, BUT TENDS TO CHANGE HIS POSITION IN KEEPING WITH THE POLLS. IT IS SIMILAR TO A CRITICISM MADE OF PRESIDENT CLINTON.

WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING IN THE MIDWEST, WHERE "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE" SAYS THE ELECTION COMES DOWN THE KEY ISSUE OF "STABILITY VERSUS CHANGE."

VOICE: WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON'S FUTURE IN DOUBT, BORIS YELTSIN'S RUSSIA IN CHAOS AND ASIA'S MARKETS IN DISARRAY, GERMANY AND ITS STEADY LEADERSHIP LOOK ENVIABLE. EUROPE'S LONGEST-SERVING LEADER, CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL, HAS DOMINATED THE CONTINENT'S POLITICAL STAGE FOR MUCH OF THE LAST TWO DECADES. /// OPT /// HE PRESIDED OVER GERMANY'S HISTORIC REUNIFICATION IN 1990 AND ABLY LED EUROPE TOWARD POLITICAL AND MONETARY UNION. AS THE MILLENNIUM DRAWS NEAR ..... GERMANS ARE FEELING A NEW 'ZEITGEIST' OF SELF-ASSURANCE, NORMALCY AND ACCEPTANCE, MUCH OF IT ATTRIBUTABLE TO [MR.] KOHL. BUT THEY ALSO ARE FRUSTRATED WITH PROBLEMS OF DOUBLE-DIGIT UNEMPLOYMENT, HIGH TAXES, COSTLY LABOR PRACTICES AND AN INFLUX OF FOREIGNERS. ... THE LONGTIME CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC CHANCELLOR ..... [IS] IN A NECK-AND-NECK FIGHT FOR POLITICAL SURVIVAL ...... [WITH] GERHARD SCHROEDER ... LEADER OF THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY ...[WHO] HAS CAMPAIGNED AS A VOICE OF CHANGE AND INNOVATION ..... SUPPORTERS TOUT HIM AS A NEW POLITICIAN IN THE MOLD OF AMERICA'S BILL CLINTON OR BRITAIN'S TONY BLAIR, BUT HE HAS YET TO OUTLINE HIS PLATFORM BEYOND VAGUE PROMISES TO CUT TAXES, LOWER SUBSIDIES AND CREATE NEW JOBS. /// END OPT /// ... WORLD LEADERS HAVE COME TO RELY ON [MR.] KOHL AND HIS LONG STEWARDSHIP OF EUROPE'S LARGEST ECONOMY. YET [MR.] SCHROEDER MAY WIN VOTES WITH HIS SLOGAN, 'THANK YOU, HELMUT, BUT THAT'S ENOUGH.' IF SO, HISTORY SHOULD TREAT [MR.] KOHL WELL. HE DID MORE THAN HIS SHARE TO MAKE IT.

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND'S LARGEST DAILY "THE SUN" IS CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IT FEELS IS MR. SCHROEDER'S INEXPERIENCE RUNNING A COUNTRY.

VOICE: /// OPT /// EUROLAND, POISED TO UNIFY THE CURRENCIES OF ELEVEN COUNTRIES UNDER ONE CENTRAL BANK ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, EXPECTS SEASONED GOVERNMENT FROM THE DOMINANT MEMBER. IF THE POLLS BEFORE THE .....ELECTION ARE TO BE BELIEVED, GERMANY MAY NOT PROVIDE IT. /// END OPT /// NO POLITICIAN IN EUROPE HAS THE SOLID ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF GERMANY'S FOUR-TERM, 16-YEAR CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC CHANCELLOR, HELMUT KOHL, WHO UNIFIED GERMANY WHEN MUCH OF EUROPE WAS OPPOSED AND PUSHED THROUGH THE "EURO" WHEN MANY DOUBTED IT COULD BE DONE. FOR THIS, HIS COMPATRIOTS MAY CHUCK THE CONSERVATIVE MR. KOHL AND PICK INEXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP FROM THE LEFT. /// OPT /// GERMANS ARE UNHAPPY: OVER 10 PERCENT OF WORKERS ARE UNEMPLOYED, SOME 17 PERCENT IN FORMER EAST GERMANY. NO ONE WOULD UNDO REUNIFICATION .... BUT FEW GERMANS ARE HAPPY WITH THE WAY IT WORKED OUT. EAST GERMANS THINK THEY ARE COLONIZED, SECOND-CLASS CITIZENS. WEST GERMANS THINK THEY PAY TOO MUCH TO SUPPORT EAST GERMANS. /// END OPT /// GERHARD SCHROEDER, WHO WOULD REPLACE MR. KOHL, IS GOVERNOR OF LOWER SAXONY, WITH NO EXPERIENCE IN NATIONAL ISSUES OR FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUT A CHARISMATIC REPUTATION AS A WOMANIZER. /// OPT /// ... HE EXPECTS TO JOIN THE CENTER-LEFT TREND IN EUROPE THAT PRODUCED PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR IN BRITAIN AND PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPHIN IN FRANCE. /// END OPT /// ... MR. SCHROEDER WOULD NOT BE AN OUTSIDER'S CHOICE TO TAKE ON THIS FEARSOME RESPONSIBILITY. NEITHER WOULD MR. KOHL HAVE BEEN 16 YEARS AGO.

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" POINTS OUT THAT IT JUST MIGHT BE POSSIBLE, THAT NEITHER MAJOR CANDIDATE GETS A SUFFICIENT MANDATE IN THE VOTE TO GOVERN.

VOICE: THE OBVIOUS QUESTION FOR VOTERS IS HOW, AFTER 16 YEARS IN OFFICE, [MR.] KOHL CAN CHANGE A SYSTEM HE HELPED TO BUILD. AN EQUALLY GOOD QUESTION IS HOW A LIBERAL SOCIAL DEMOCRAT LIKE [MR.] SCHROEDER CAN EFFECT REFORMS WHILE MAINTAINING THE SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO BENEFIT FROM PUBLIC GENEROSITY. IF NONE OF THE TRADITIONAL PARTIES ARE ABLE TO BUILD COALITIONS THAT DELIVER A WORKABLE PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY, A RADICAL CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP MIGHT BE IN PROSPECT. /// OPT /// IN THE WINGS IS A NEW GENERATION OF POLITICIANS WHO DESCRIBE THEMSELVES AS FISCAL CONSERVATIVES WITH A LIBERAL SOCIAL AGENDA. THESE MEN AND WOMEN SAY THEY ARE PREPARED TO BREAK EGGS TO ACHIEVE THE HARD ECONOMIC REFORMS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN AND OTHER COUNTRIES. PAIN MIGHT BE INESCAPABLE. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: LASTLY, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" IS EVEN MORE SKEPTICAL OF WHAT LITTLE IT KNOWS OF THE SCHROEDER PLAN, AND AFTER COMMENTING ON MR. KOHL AS A KNOWN QUANTITY, IT CONCLUDES:

VOICE: ... WITH MR. SCHROEDER, THE STAKES ARE HIGH. HIS PLANS FOR DEALING WITH GERMANY'S ECONOMIC CRISIS ARE VAGUE AT BEST. CLAIMING TO BE A PART OF THE COUNTRY'S 'NEW CENTER,' HE SAYS HIS ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE SIMILAR TO MR. KOHL'S, ONLY BETTER. BUT MR. SCHROEDER - - WHO STARTED HIS POLITICAL CAREER 20 YEARS AGO WITH THE SOCIALIST PARTY AS A MARXIST - - ALSO PLANS TO UNDO MR. KOHL'S WELFARE CUTBACKS AND EMPLOYMENT REFORMS. THIS IS STRANGE FOR A MAN WHOSE CAMPAIGN PLATFORM HAS BEEN ADVOCATING PRIVATE BUSINESS. ENERGY TAXES AND TAXES ON THE RIGHT, HE SAYS, WILL PAY FOR THE REFORMS.

TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF U-S EDITORIAL COMMENT ON THE FORTHCOMING GERMAN ELECTION SET FOR SUNDAY.
NEB/ANG/GE
23-Sep-98 2:29 PM EDT (1829 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] GERMANY SCHROEDER (L-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (LUDWIGSHAFEN)

INTRO: GERHARD SCHROEDER -- STILL THE LEADING CANDIDATE FOR CHANCELLOR OF GERMANY IN THIS SUNDAY'S GENERAL ELECTIONS -- HAS BROUGHT HIS CAMPAIGN TO THE SOUTHWEST OF THE COUNTRY. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM LUDWIGSHAFEN THE CONFIDENT MR. SCHROEDER CAMPAIGNED (WEDNESDAY) IN HIS OPPONENT'S HOME TOWN.

TEXT: // OPT // LUDWIGSHAFEN IS BEST-KNOWN AS THE PLACE WHERE HELMUT KOHL SPENDS HIS WEEKENDS. IT IS THE PLACE HE HAS BROUGHT AMERICAN AND RUSSIAN LEADERS TO DINNER. THIS RHINE RIVER TOWN IS WHERE GERMANY'S LEADER GREW UP IN THE BLEAK YEARS FOLLOWING WORLD WAR TWO, AND WHERE HE STILL LIVES IN A SUBURB. // END OPT //

IT MIGHT SEEM A PECULIAR PLACE FOR HIS OPPONENT -- GERHARD SCHROEDER -- TO COME LOOKING FOR VOTES IN THE LAST DAYS OF AN ELECTION CAMPAIGN THAT POLLSTERS SAY IS TOO CLOSE TO CALL. ON THE OTHER HAND, THIS WORKING CLASS TOWN OF 170-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAS A CHEMICAL PLANT, WHERE HELMUT KOHL ONCE WORKED. FACTORY WORKERS STILL FORM THE BASE OF THE (OPPOSITION) SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S SUPPORT.

MR. SCHROEDER, THE 54-YEAR-OLD GOVERNOR OF THE NORTHERN STATE OF LOWER SAXONY, IS KEEPING A SHRINKING-BUT-PERSISTENT LEAD OVER CHANCELLOR KOHL IN THE OPINION POLLS. LUDWIGSHAFEN WAS PUT ON HIS SCHEDULE LAST MONTH WHEN MR. SCHROEDER'S LEAD WAS ESTIMATED AT MORE 10-POINTS.

UNTIL TWO-WEEKS AGO, LUDWIGSHAFEN WAS RUN BY A COALITION CITY GOVERNMENT SIMILAR TO THE ONE MR. SCHROEDER HOPES TO FORM ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL, IF HE WINS NEXT SUNDAY. IT WAS A SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC (PARTY) GOVERNMENT WITH THE "GREENS" PARTY -- A SO-CALLED "RED-GREEN" COALITION. UNFORTUNATELY FOR MR. SCHROEDER, THAT COALITION COLLAPSED HERE AFTER FOUR ARGUMENT-FILLED YEARS.

MR. SCHROEDER HAS TRIED TO BRING HIS FORMER LEFTIST PARTY CLOSER TO THE POLITICAL CENTER, AND TALKS OF COOPERATIVE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS WITH THE HELP OF THE GOVERNMENT.

HIS STRONG VOICE, HIS GOOD LOOKS AND HIS BLUE EYES HAVE CAPTURED GERMAN TELEVISION VIEWERS. AT THE SAME TIME, THE VOTERS HAVE SEEN HIM QUESTIONED ABOUT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN HIS OWN STATE NEARLY 11-PERCENT, THE HIGHEST IN THE WESTERN HALF OF GERMANY. THE GOVERNOR RESPONDS BY TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND THE IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ON HIS STATE BY EASTERN GERMANS LOOKING FOR WORK.

THE QUESTIONS HAVE THROWN HIM ON THE DEFENSIVE, AND CHANCELLOR KOHL HAS STARTED TO DO BETTER IN OPINION POLLS AMONG PEOPLE WHO WANT STABILITY.

MR. SCHROEDER WANTS TO KEEP HIS WORKING CLASS BASE, BUT REMINDS HIS AUDIENCES GERMANY MUST REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN THE WORLD AND CANNOT REMAIN THAT WAY BY PAYING THE HIGHEST WAGES AND BENEFITS. THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE HAS BEEN CAREFUL NOT TO CRITICIZE THE KOHL GOVERNMENT'S FOREIGN POLICY, OR ITS COMMITMENT TO A UNITED EUROPEAN MONETARY SYSTEM.

MR. SCHROEDER INSISTS HE IS A PRAGMATIST IN THE MODEL OF BILL CLINTON AND (BRITISH PRIME MINISTER) TONY BLAIR. HE APPEARS TO BE HOPING THAT AFTER 16 YEARS OF HELMUT KOHL, GERMANS ARE READY FOR CAREFUL CHANGE THAT WILL BRING CHANCELLOR KOHL BACK TO LUDWIGSHAFEN ON A PERMANENT BASIS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/PCF
23-Sep-98 12:07 PM EDT (1607 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] TURKEY / ISTANBUL MAYOR (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: AN APPEALS COURT IN TURKEY HAS UPHELD A TEN-MONTH JAIL SENTENCE FOR THE ISLAMIST MAYOR OF ISTANBUL, RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, WHO WAS FOUND GUILTY OF SEEKING TO INCITE A RELIGIOUS REBELLION. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

TEXT: A LOWER COURT IN APRIL FOUND MR. ERDOGAN GUILTY OF PROVOKING HATRED DURING A SPEECH TO SUPPORTERS BY READING A POEM THAT OFFICIALS SAID ENCOURAGED ISLAMIST EXTREMISM.

THE MAYOR HAS 15 DAYS TO ASK THE APPEALS COURT TO REVIEW THE CASE BEFORE HE BEGINS SERVING HIS SENTENCE. BUT FEW ANALYSTS BELIEVE THE VERDICT WILL BE REVERSED.

UNDER TURKISH LAW, THE RULING MEANS THAT MR. ERDOGAN -- TURKEY'S MOST POPULAR ISLAMIST POLITICIAN -- CAN NO LONGER RUN FOR OFFICE AND WILL MOST PROBABLY BE FORCED OUT OF OFFICE IN THE COMING WEEKS.

ANALYSTS DESCRIBE MR. ERDOGAN'S REMOVAL FROM THE POLITICAL SCENE AS A HUGE BLOW TO TURKEY'S ISLAMIST MOVEMENT, ESPECIALLY, THEY SAY, BECAUSE MANY OF HIS FELLOW ISLAMIST POLITICIANS LACK HIS YOUTH, DYNAMISM AND CHARISMA.

MR. ERDOGAN WAS WIDELY TIPPED TO TAKE OVER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE PRO-ISLAMIST VIRTUE PARTY. THE PARTY WAS FORMED TO REPLACE THE THE PRO-ISLAMIC WELFARE PARTY WHICH WAS BANNED EARLIER THIS YEAR ON CHARGES OF SEEKING TO INTRODUCE ISLAMIC RULE DURING ITS ONE-YEAR IN OFFICE IN 1995.

THE FOUNDER OF TURKEY'S ISLAMIST MOVEMENT, NECMETTIN ERBAKAN, WAS ALSO BANNED FROM POLITICS FOR THE COMING FIVE YEARS. HE AND AROUND 80 OTHER ISLAMIST POLITICIANS NOW FACE UP TO NINE YEARS IN PRISON ON CHARGES THEY ILLEGALLY DIVERTED PARTY FUNDS AND ISSUING FALSE RECEIPTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS.

TURKEY'S RIGIDLY PRO-SECULAR ARMED FORCES HAVE LED THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE ISLAMIST MOVEMENT WHICH MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY RANKS WITH KURDISH SEPARATISM AS THE MAJOR THREATS FACING THE COUNTRY. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/KL
23-Sep-98 11:48 AM EDT (1548 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] DATELINE: KURDISH RECONCILIATION BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: TWO LONG-TIME RIVALS REPRESENTING THE KURDISH PEOPLE IN IRAQ AGREED IN WASHINGTON LAST WEEK TO WORK TOWARD REGIONAL ELECTIONS. THE AGREEMENT FOLLOWED TWO DAYS OF FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS BETWEEN THE TWO LEADERS THAT WERE SPONSORED BY THE UNITED STATES. HERE'S PAMELA TAYLOR.

TEXT: MASSOUD BARZANI IS THE LEADER OF THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY -- OR K-D-P, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MAIN FACTIONS REPRESENTING THE KURDS OF NORTHERN IRAQ. JALAL TALABANI IS THE LEADER OF THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN -- THE P-U-K -- THE SECOND MAIN KURDISH FACTION IN NORTHERN IRAQ. A BLOODY POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE TWO MEN AND THEIR FACTIONS LED TO THE COLLAPSE OF U-S BACKED OPPOSITION MOVEMENT IN NORTHERN IRAQ IN 1996.

TO PAVE THE WAY FOR LAST WEEK'S MEETINGS, U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT FIRST MET WITH EACH OF THE KURDISH LEADERS SEPARATELY. THE EXPECTATION WAS THAT RECONCILING THE WARRING KURDISH FACTIONS COULD LEAD TO REVITALIZING U-S SUPPORT FOR IRAQI OPPOSITION MOVEMENTS AGAINST PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN. [OPT] VOA STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER HAS MORE ON WHAT THE TWO LEADERS AGREED TO LAST WEEK:

THEY WERE THE FIRST SUCH MEETINGS IN FOUR YEARS BETWEEN THE RIVAL LEADERS. THE MEETINGS WERE FOSTERED BY THE UNITED STATES AND A BEAMING SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT PRESIDED IN THE ORNATE TREATY ROOM OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT AS THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE.

THE RENEWED SPIRIT OF RECONCILIATION BETWEEN MR. BARZANI AND MR. TALABANI EXEMPLIFIED BY THEIR JOINT MEETING AND JOINT STATEMENT TODAY WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE UNITED STATES AND OTHERS TO HELP THEIR PEOPLE.

SHE SAID THERE CAN BE NO MORE IRAQI GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGNS TO ERADICATE WHOLE POPULATIONS SUCH AS SADDAM HUSSEIN LAUNCHED IN THE PAST. MS ALBRIGHT SAID THE THE UNITED STATES IS INTENSIFYING ITS EFFORTS TO HELP THE IRAQI PEOPLE -- ARAB AND KURD -- DEVELOP WHAT SHE CALLED A DEEPER SENSE OF COMMON PURPOSE AND TO DEVELOP A STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING A FUTURE DEMOCRATIC AND PLURALISTIC IRAQ.

MR. BARZANI, SPEAKING THROUGH A TRANSLATOR, SAID THE AGREEMENT WILL HELP INSURE A PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR THE KURDISH PEOPLE AND HE EMPHASIZED THAT HE IS NOT SEEKING TO BREAK UP IRAQ.

HERE I WOULD LIKE TO AFFIRM AND INTEREST FOR THE UNITY OF IRAQ. (KURDISH) WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS NOT AGAINST THE INTERESTS OF ANY COUNTRY IN THE REGION.

OFFICIALS HERE EXPLAIN THAT THE KURDISH REGION OF IRAQ ALWAYS HAD A DEGREE OF AUTONOMY AND THE KURDS FEEL SAFER WITH THAT SO LONG AS THE PRESENT REGIME IS IN POWER IN BAGHDAD. JALAL TALABANI SPOKE IN ENGLISH AND EXPRESSED SIMILAR FEELINGS.

OUR PEOPLE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING A UNITED, DEMOCRATIC FEDERATIVE IRAQ AND IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO ASSURE THAT WE ARE NOT A SEPARATIST FORCE, WE ARE A FORCE STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL UNITY OF IRAQ.

NO DETAILS OF THE KURDISH AGREEMENT WERE ANNOUNCED, BUT A SENIOR AMERICAN OFFICIAL TOLD REPORTERS IT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED AND WITNESSED. IT APPARENTLY SETS UP A MECHANISM FOR POWER AND REVENUE SHARING AND ELECTIONS BY NEXT SUMMER WITH A TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENT FOR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNTIL THEN.

TEXT: VOA CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER REPORTING FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT. [END OPT] [OPT] BUT WHO ARE THE KURDS AND WHAT DO THEY WANT? HISTORIANS [THE ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA] SAY THEY ARE A NOMADIC INDO-ARYAN PEOPLE WHO SETTLED IN THE MOUNTAINS OF WHAT WAS THEN CALLED MESOPOTAMIA ABOUT 4,000 YEARS AGO. THERE IS A SMALL PROVINCE IN IRAN CALLED KURDISTAN, BUT THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A COUNTRY BY THAT NAME. TODAY THERE ARE KURDISH MINORITY POPULATIONS IN IRAQ, TURKEY, IRAN & SYRIA -- WHO ARE UNITED MAINLY BE THE SAME BASIC LANGUAGE. IN THE 1970'S AND 80'S BOTH IRAN AND IRAQ BRUTALLY CRUSHED KURDISH INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENTS. AND TURKEY'S REPRESSION OF SIMILAR AMBITIONS CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. AT THE END OF THE 1991 GULF WAR, THE DEFEATED IRAQI ARMY CRUSHED A KURDISH REBELLION AND SENT ONE MILLION IRAQI KURDS FLEEING INTO THE MOUNTAINS AND INTO IRAN AND TURKEY. THE ALLIED FORCES CREATED A 'NO-FLY ZONE' OVER NORTHERN IRAQ TO GET FOOD & SUPPLIES TO THE ISOLATED KURDS. [END OPT]

A FEW DAYS BEFORE LAST WEEK'S FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS, K-D-P LEADER MASSOUD BARZANI TOLD VOA HIS PARTY HAS NEVER SOUGHT INDEPENDENCE FROM IRAQ BUT RATHER IS SEEKING SOME FORM OF FEDERALISM TO GIVE THE KURDISH PEOPLE GREATER AUTONOMY WITHIN IRAQ. SPEAKING THROUGH HIS INTERPRETER, MR. BARZANI SAID HE IS CONFIDENT HIS AGREEMENT WITH MR. TALABANI WILL HOLD AND NOT DEGENERATE INTO FURTHER INFIGHTING:

ITS VERY UNFORTUNATE [WHAT] THIS INFIGHTING HAS INFLICTED THE KURDISH PARTIES. ITS 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 A 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 THAT WE WILL OVERCOME THIS INFIGHTING TOO.

TEXT: MASSOUD BARZANI, LEADER OF THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY

WE ALSO SPOKE WITH JALAL TALABANI OF THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN -- THE P-U-K -- A FEW DAYS AFTER THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED. HE GAVE VOA A FEW MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE ACCORD HE SIGNED WITH MR. BARZANI:

TEXT: [OPT] MR. TALABANI ALSO SAID THAT THERE IS ANOTHER KURDISH FACTION OPERATING IN TURKEY. THE P-K-K -- OR KURDISTAN WORKER'S PARTY -- HAS BEEN WAGING A 14 YEAR ARMED CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT. CONSIDERED A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION BY THE UNITED STATES, THE P-K-K HAS BEEN DEMANDING SELF-RULE IN TURKEY'S MAINLY KURDISH POPULATED SOUTHEASTERN REGION. IN RECENT YEARS THE P-K-K SHIFTED ITS BASE OF OPERATIONS TO KURDISH-CONTROLLED NORTHERN IRAQ, WHICH HAS BEEN UNDER WESTERN MILITARY PROTECTION SINCE THE END OF THE GULF WAR. FROM THERE, THE P-K-K HAS STAGED CROSS-BORDER ATTACKS AGAINST TURKISH SECURITY TARGETS. TURKEY RESPONDED IN APRIL BY SENDING TANKS AND FIGHTER JETS TO DRIVE THE P-K-K OUT OF NORTHERN IRAQ.

THE GOVERNMENT IN ANKARA ALSO OPPOSES ANY AGREEMENT GIVING PERMANENT KURDISH RULE TO NORTHERN IRAQ. TURKISH OFFICIALS FEAR THE FORMATION OF ANY KURDISH GOVERNMENT IN NORTHERN IRAQ COULD FORM THE BASIS FOR AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE AND THAT THIS IN TURN COULD TRIGGER DEMANDS FOR INDEPENDENCE BY TURKEY'S OWN RESTIVE ETHNIC KURDISH POPULATION [ZAMAN # 2-238743]. WE ASKED MR. TALABANI ABOUT THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT'S OPPOSITION:

TEXT: JALAL TALABANI OF THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN -- THE P-U-K -- EXPLAINING THE AGREEMENT REACHED IN WASHINGTON LAST WEEK TO RECONCILE RIVAL KURDISH FACTIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ. (SIGNED) NEB/PAM/DA/WH/KL
23-Sep-98 1:07 PM EDT (1707 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP SHARPLY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A STUNNING DEMONSTRATION OF THE POWER OF U-S CENTRAL BANK CHAIRMAN ALAN GREENSPAN TO MOVE FINANCIAL MARKETS. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 81 HUNDRED 54, UP 257 POINTS, MORE THAN THREE PERCENT AND THE DOW'S FIFTH LARGEST ONE-DAY POINT GAIN. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 66, UP 36 POINTS.

STOCKS HAD BEEN UP ALL DAY AS A RESULT OF REPORTS THAT ALAN GREENSPAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK, WOULD HINT AT A CUT IN SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES. IN AFTERNOON TESTIMONY BEFORE THE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE, MR. GREENSPAN DID PROVIDE THOSE HINTS, SAYING U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH IS SLOWING AND INFLATION IS NOT A SIGNIFICANT RISK.

DETERIORATING FOREIGN ECONOMIES AND THEIR SPILLOVER TO DOMESTIC MARKETS HAVE INCREASED THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE SLOWDOWN IN THE GROWTH OF THE AMERICAN ECONOMY WILL BE MORE THAN SUFFICIENT TO HOLD INFLATION IN CHECK.

TEXT: THE REACTION IN MINNESOTA CAN, IN PART BY GAUGED BY THIS COMMENT FROM TODAY'S "THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE."

VOICE: IF REPUBLICANS WERE HOPING FOR A KNOCKOUT PUNCH ON MONDAY, THE BROADCAST OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S GRAND JURY TESTIMONY MUST HAVE COME AS A DISAPPOINTMENT. /// OPT

TEXT: /// OPT /// IN NEW ENGLAND, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" SAYS DO AWAY WITH THE INDEPENDENT COUNSEL LAW, UNDER WHICH THE PRESIDENT IS BEING INVESTIGATED.

VOICE: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS SABOTAGED HIS OWN PRESIDENCY WITH A MYSTERIOUS DISREGARD FOR THE TRUTH AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF RECKLESS PERSONAL BEHAVIOR. NONETHELESS, AMERICANS ARE ENTITLED TO WORRY ABOUT THE PRECEDENTS SET BY A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR WHO APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN LICENSED TO HUNT A PRESIDENT WITH NO RESTRICTIONS OF TIME OR RESOURCES. WHATEVER THE OUTCOME OF THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS [MR.] STARR HAS SET IN MOTION, THE COUNTRY HAS TO RECONSIDER THE INDEPENDENT COUNSEL STATUTE AS IT IS CURRENTLY WRITTEN. /// END OPT

TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR," SAYS "FOR TRUST TO BE REGAINED, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED TO SEE CLEAR ACTS OF REFORM BY THE PRESIDENT." WHILE IN NEW YORK, "THE DAILY NEWS" PLEADS WITH THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS TO AGREE ON SOME FORM OF PUNISHMENT OTHER THAN IMPEACHMENT AND THE LENGTHY HEARINGS THAT WOULD ENTAIL. THE PAPER'S EDITORIAL HEADLINE PLEADS: "SPARE THE NATION, CUT [AGREE ON] A DEAL."

VOICE: .... [MR] IBRAHIM ... [IS] NOW UNDER ARREST AFTER THE CIRCULATION OF BIZARRE AND UNSUBSTANTIATED CHARGES OF SEDITION AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT. ... FOR SEVERAL YEARS, MR. ANWAR, 51, COEXISTED WITH HIS MOST IMPORTANT ELDER, PRIME MINISTER MAHATHIR MOHAMAD, 72. BUT WHEN ASIA'S ECONOMIES BEGAN TO FALTER, THEIR DIFFERENCES ..... COULD NOT BE PAPERED OVER. ... WITH HIS HEAVY-HANDED INFLUENCE ON JUDICIARY AND PRESS, IT WASN'T DIFFICULT FOR MR. MAHATHIR TO ENGINEER HIS ONETIME PROTEGE'S DOWNFALL. ..... HIS LATEST SHOW OF CONTEMPT FOR THE RULE OF LAW AND FOR FAIR PLAY MAY HURT MALAYSIA NOT ONLY IN THE EYES OF POTENTIAL FOREIGN INVESTORS BUT ALSO AMONG MALAYSIANS ..... /// END OPT ///

TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IS STILL FEELING UNEASY ABOUT THE RECENT NORTH KOREAN MISSILE TEST, NOTING:

VOICE: /// OPT /// ..... WAVES FROM THAT FAILED EFFORT TO PUT A SATELLITE IN ORBIT - - AN EXPLANATION .... U-S INTELLIGENCE NOW SAYS IT ACCEPTS - - ARE STILL GROWING. QUICKEST TO FEEL THE IMPACT, OF COURSE, WAS JAPAN. /// END OPT /// NORTH KOREA'S DEMONSTRATION - - PERHAPS INTENTIONAL, PERHAPS UNWITTING - - OF ITS MILITARY REACH SPARKED AN UNACCUSTOMED WAR-CONSCIOUSNESS IN OFFICIALLY PACIFIST JAPAN. /// OPT /// TOKYO DEFENSE PLANNERS HAVE SINCE TALKED OF LAUNCHING THEIR OWN RECONNAISSANCE SATELLITES. /// END OPT /// ..... ISRAEL'S GOVERNMENT, MEANWHILE, HAS TOUTED THE SUCCESSFUL TEST OF ITS NEW ARROW-2 ANTIMISSILE MISSILE. PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU SUGGESTED THAT OTHER NATIONS SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN ISRAEL'S TECHNOLOGY, GIVEN THE THREAT FROM 'IMPOVERISHED, BACKWARD, FANATIC REGIMES.' THAT DESCRIPTION FITS NORTH KOREA ALL TOO WELL. /// OPT /// CONCERNING MISSILE DEFENSES, WE RETAIN DOUBTS ABOUT PLUNGING INTO THAT COSTLY, UNPROVEN TECHNOLOGY. THOUGH SORELY TESTED BY COUNTRIES LIKE NORTH KOREA, THE ALTERNATIVE OF VERIFIABLE TREATIES TO CONTROL THE SPREAD OF MISSILES AND WARHEADS IS THE BETTER WAY. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS BOTHERED BY WHAT IT FEELS WERE INFERIOR REASONS FOR THE U-S ATTACKING THE PHARMACEUTICAL FACTORY IN THE SUDAN.

VOICE: THE ADMINISTRATION INSISTED THAT THE FACTORY WAS PRODUCING NERVE GAS FOR TERRORISTS. BUT A REPORT IN MONDAY'S TIMES ..... REVEALS THAT THE DECISION TO ATTACK THE PLANT WAS BASED IN PART ON INCOMPLETE INFORMATION AND INFERENCE. ... THE LAUNCHING OF DEADLY AMERICAN MISSILES REQUIRES MORE SOLID AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAN WASHINGTON APPEARS TO HAVE HAD IN THIS CASE. /// OPT /// ... WITH AMERICA'S EMBASSY IN KHARTOUM CLOSED, UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION WAS SCARE. .... THE RECORD BADLY NEEDS TO BE CLARIFIED. WRONGLY, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS RESISTED CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION OF SOIL SAMPLES FROM THE PLANT. IT SHOULD AGREE TO SUCH REVIEW.

TEXT: THE PLANT WAS ATTACKED AS PART OF A REPRISAL FOR THE U-S EMBASSY BOMBINGS IN KENYA AND TANZANIA, WHICH BRINGS US TO THE QUESTION OF BUDGETING MORE MONEY FOR EMBASSY SECURITY. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS THAT EFFORT IS LANGUISHING.

VOICE: ... THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS SEEKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION OF ONE-POINT-EIGHT BILLION DOLLARS TO IMPROVE THE SECURITY AT HUNDREDS OF EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES. IT'S LATE BUT IT'S A START, AND CONGRESS SHOULD ACT QUICKLY TO GET THE PROGRAM LAUNCHED. /// OPT /// ..... EVEN WITH LOOMING BUDGET SURPLUSES, SOME BUDGET HAWKS IN CONGRESS SAY THEY'LL OPPOSE SPENDING MORE MONEY ON EMBASSY SECURITY UNLESS OFFSETTING CUTS ARE MADE IN OTHER PROGRAMS. /// END OPT /// .... IT WOULD BE UTTERLY IRRESPONSIBLE TO ELEVATE A FISCAL IDEOLOGICAL TENENT ABOVE WHAT ARE UNARGUABLE SECURITY NEEDS FOR AMERICANS SERVING THEIR COUNTRY ABROAD.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, THE NAGGING QUESTION OF THIS COUNTRY'S UNITED NATIONS DEBT ARREARS, ABOUT WHICH "NEWSDAY" ON LONG ISLAND SAYS:

VOICE: WHEN PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON .... AT THE UNITED NATIONS MONDAY ... SPOKE OF THE THREAT OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, HE GOT RESPECTFUL ATTENTION. BUT ANOTHER THREAT WENT UNSPOKEN - - THE VERY REAL POSSIBILITY THAT THE DELEGATES WILL STRIP THE UNITED STATES OF ITS GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTE BY YEAR'S END FOR FAILING TO PAY BACK DUES TOTALING MORE THAN ONE-POINT-FIVE BILLION DOLLARS. .... THE UNITED STATES - - THE MOST EGREGIOUS DEADBEAT AT THE U-N - - HAS NOW REACHED THE CUTOFF, JOINING THE LESS-THAN-AUGUST COMPANY OF BOSNIA, BURUNDI, CAMBODIA, COMOROS, SAO TOME AND SOMALIA. ..... LOOSING ONE'S VOTE IN THE ASSEMBLY IS AN EMBARRASSMENT THAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM TODAY'S U-S DAILY PRESS.
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23-Sep-98 11:22 AM EDT (1522 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] EUROPE / SPANKING (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS HAS CONDEMNED A BRITISH LAW THAT PERMITTED A MAN TO BEAT HIS STEPSON WITH A CANE. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: THE CASE WAS BROUGHT ON BEHALF OF A 14-YEAR-OLD BRITISH BOY WHO FIVE-YEARS AGO WAS BEATEN WITH A CANE BY HIS STEPFATHER, RESULTING IN SERIOUS BRUISING.

BRITISH POLICE ARRESTED THE MAN, BUT THE CASE WAS DISMISSED BECAUSE BRITISH LAW ALLOWS PARENTS TO BEAT THEIR CHILDREN -- ALTHOUGH SUCH BEATINGS ARE NOT LEGAL IN GOVERNMENT-RUN SCHOOLS.

WITH THE SUPPORT OF PRESSURE GROUPS WHICH ARE CAMPAIGNING FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS, THE CASE WAS TAKEN TO THE EUROPEAN HUMAN RIGHTS COURT, WHOSE RULINGS ARE LEGALLY BINDING ON THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.

IN A UNANIMOUS JUDGEMENT, THE PANEL OF EUROPEAN JUDGES RULED THAT THE BOY HAD SUFFERED DEGRADING AND INHUMAN TREATMENT. BUT THE JUDGES WERE CAREFUL NOT EXTEND THE IMPLICATIONS OF THEIR RULING BEYOND THIS SPECIFIC CASE.

WHAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IS WHETHER ALL PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT WILL BE RULED OUT, OR WHETHER PARENTS WILL STILL BE ABLE TO GIVE THEIR CHILDREN A MILDER SPANKING TO DISCIPLINE THEM.

BRITAIN'S NATIONAL CHILDRENS' BUREAU, A CHARITY WHICH CAMPAIGNS ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN, SAYS THAT PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT IN ANY FORM SHOULD BE ENDED. THE CHARITY SAYS THERE IS GROWING EVIDENCE THAT FAMILY LIFE IS IMPROVED IF CHILDREN CAN BE RAISED WITHOUT ANY PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT. AND IT HAS CALLED ON THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO RESPOND TO ITS DEFEAT IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS COURT BY INTRODUCING STRICT NEW LAWS TO OUTLAW THE BEATING OF CHILDREN IN ANY FORM.

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY INDICATED IT WILL CHANGE THE PRESENT LAW. BUT THE LEADER OF THE MAIN OPPOSITION CONSERVATIVE PARTY, WILLIAM HAGUE, COMPLAINED THAT THE WAY IN WHICH PARENTS RAISE THEIR CHILDREN IS A PRIVATE MATTER, AND THAT THE LAW SHOULD NOT INTERVENE, UNLESS CHILDREN SUFFER SERIOUS ABUSE. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/JWH
23-Sep-98 1:02 PM EDT (1702 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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