Voice of America, 98-11-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO / VERIFIER SCHOOL (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (KOSOVO)

[02] U-S / TURKEY /OCALAN (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[03] COHEN-GERMANY (L-OVERNITER) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[04] E-U MAD COW (L-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

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

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

[07] BRITAIN / IRAQ (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[01] KOSOVO / VERIFIER SCHOOL (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (KOSOVO)

INTRO: HUNDREDS OF INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS ARE ARRIVING IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE TO MONITOR THE SHAKY CEASEFIRE BETWEEN SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES AND THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. BUT FIRST, THE OBSERVERS WILL BE GOING TO SCHOOL. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM A VERIFIERS TRAINING SCHOOL ON BREZOVICA MOUNTAIN IN KOSOVO.

TEXT: INTERNATIONAL MONITORS WILL HAVE JUST FIVE DAYS OF TRAINING BEFORE TAKING ON THE DANGEROUS JOB OF MONITORING KOSOVO'S GUERRILLA CONFLICT.

A SCHOOL FOR THE MONITORS IS BEING SET UP ON BREZOVICA MOUNTAIN. THE SCHOOL -- RUN BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (O-S-C-E) -- WILL BEGIN ON TUESDAY TO TEACH THE UNARMED MONITORS HOW TO WORK WITH THE WARRING SIDES IN KOSOVO.

THE MONITORS -- OR VERIFIERS -- WILL LEARN HOW TO DEAL WITH CRISIS SITUATIONS.

ONE SUCH POTENTIAL DANGER IS THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING TAKEN HOSTAGE BY THE SERB FORCES OR THE REBEL ETHNIC ALBANIAN KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. THE SCHOOL'S DIRECTOR, MARIO RIGHELE, SAYS EACH HOSTAGE SITUATION CALLS FOR A DIFFERENT REACTION.

WHAT DO YOU DO EXACTLY? I MUST CHECK AND ASK MY INSTRUCTORS WHO ARE ABLE TO IMAGINE THE SITUATION IN PARTICULAR. THERE IS NOT ACTUALLY AN ANSWER VALID FOR ALL SITUATIONS.

THE SCHOOL'S INSTRUCTORS -- WITH EXPERIENCE IN BOSNIA -- WILL TELL THE PUPIL-VERIFIERS NOT TO OVER-REACT TO ANY THREAT FROM EITHER THE SERBS OR THE ALBANIANS.

ITALIAN POLICE INSPECTOR DAVIDE PIGAIANI SAYS THE MAIN THING IS NOT TO GET EXCITED AND TALK TOO MUCH.

WELL, THE MAIN PART ABOUT IT IS HOW TO BEHAVE IS DO NOT REACT, JUST STAY VERY, VERY CALM, VERY VERY QUIET, DO NOT OVER-REACT, NOT TALK TO THESE PEOPLE, LISTEN TO THEM, BUT DO NOT DO ANYTHING TO AGREE OR TO DISAGREE WITH THEM. MAKE THE POINT, YES, I DO UNDERSTAND, YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, BUT I HAVE NOT THE POWER TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, AND WAIT -- BECAUSE THERE WILL BE SOMEBODY THAT WILL TAKE CARE ABOUT THE PROBLEM.

THE VERIFIERS ALSO WILL BE TAUGHT HOW TO MEDIATE BETWEEN THE SERBS AND ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. THEIR TASK IS TO KEEP THE VIOLENCE TO A MINIMUM AND TO HELP TO PREPARE KOSOVO FOR ELECTIONS IN ANOTHER NINE MONTHS. (SIGNED)
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23-Nov-98 12:58 PM EST (1758 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] U-S / TURKEY /OCALAN (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT IS WORKING WITH THE GOVERNMENTS OF ITALY, TURKEY AND GERMANY TO TRY TO END THE LEGAL AND DIPLOMATIC TUG OF WAR OVER KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN WHO WAS ARRESTED IN ITALY EARLIER THIS MONTH. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES SAY IT WANTS TO SEE THE KURDISH REBEL LEADER BROUGHT TO JUSTICE IN A WAY THAT MEETS THE DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE COUNTRIES INVOLVED. TURKEY, WHICH WANTS TO PUT MR. OCALAN ON TRIAL FOR TERRORISM, HAS EXPRESSED OUTRAGE AT ITALY'S REFUSAL TO EXTRADITE THE KURDISH REBEL LEADER.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH ALL THREE COUNTRIES TO EXAMINE A FULL RANGE OF OPTIONS THAT WOULD RESOLVE THE ISSUE.

WE BELIEVE A CLIMATE HAS TO BE CREATED IN WHICH OCALAN CAN BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. WE KNOW THAT EMOTIONS ARE RUNNING VERY HIGH ON ALL SIDES IN A CASE AS SENSITIVE AND PAINFUL AS THIS.

DESPITE TURKISH ANGER AT ITALY, THE UNITED STATES HAS PRAISED ITALIAN AUTHORITIES FOR ACCEPTING INTERNATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ARRESTING MR. OCALAN.

MR. RUBIN SAID AGAIN THAT THE UNITED STATES CONSIDERS THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY -- OR P-K-K -- A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION, AND HE SAYS MR. OCALAN MUST BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE FOR HIS TERRORIST ACTIVITIES.

ITALIAN COURTS HAVE RULED THAT MR. OCALAN CANNOT BE EXTRADITED TO TURKEY BECAUSE THAT COUNTRY HAS THE DEATH PENALTY. HOWEVER GERMANY HAS NO DEATH PENALTY, AND IT DOES HAVE A LONG-STANDING ARREST WARRANT FOR MR. OCALAN.

ITALIAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE WAITING FOR GERMANY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE CASE OF MR. OCALAN, WHO IS NOW REPORTED TO BE AT A SECRET LOCATION IN ROME, AND HAS ASKED FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM FROM ITALY. (SIGNED)
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23-Nov-98 4:11 PM EST (2111 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] COHEN-GERMANY (L-OVERNITER) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: TWO OF NATO'S LARGEST NATIONS ARE ARGUING OVER WHEN AND HOW THE ALLIANCE SHOULD USE NUCLEAR WEAPONS. GERMANY'S NEW GOVERNMENT WANTS NATO TO PLEDGE IT WILL NOT BE THE FIRST TO USE NUCLEAR DEVICES IN A CONFLICT, WHILE THE UNITED STATES SAYS NATO'S CURRENT POLICY KEEPS POTENTIAL ENEMIES GUESSING. THIS ISSUE WILL PROBABLY BE RAISED WHEN GERMANY'S NEW DEFENSE MINISTER MEETS TUESDAY WITH HIS AMERICAN COUNTERPART, AS WE HEAR FROM PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT JIM RANDLE.

TEXT: TOP OFFICIALS IN GERMANY'S NEW SOCIAL-DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT SAY A 'NO FIRST USE' PLEDGE WOULD HELP PERSUADE OTHER NATIONS TO FORGO ATOMIC BOMBS. THE GERMANS SAY INDIA AND PAKISTAN, FOR EXAMPLE, WOULD SEE LESS NEED TO DEVELOP NUCLEAR WEAPONS IF THE MAJOR, DECLARED NUCLEAR POWERS PUT MORE LIMITS ON THE USE OF SUCH DEVICES. THE TWO SOUTH ASIAN RIVALS BOTH TESTED NUCLEAR BOMBS EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THE GERMANS SAY IT IS TIME FOR NATO TO REASSESS ITS FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE ORGANIZATION IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR OVERHAUL OF ITS STRATEGIC THINKING.

BUT U-S OFFICIALS SAY NATO MEMBERS FACE AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE AS MORE AND MORE NATIONS DEVELOP INCREASINGLY POWERFUL GERM AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS. U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE TO LIMIT NATO'S OPTIONS TO RETALIATE IN A DEVASTATING FASHION.

WE THINK THE AMBIGUITY INVOLVED IN THE ISSUE OF THE USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS CONTRIBUTES TO OUR OWN SECURITY, KEEPING ANY POTENTIAL ADVERSARY WHO MIGHT USE EITHER CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL UNSURE ABOUT WHAT OUR RESPONSE WOULD BE.

MR. COHEN IS TO MEET HIS GERMAN COUNTERPART, RUDOLF SCHARPING, TUESDAY AT THE PENTAGON FOR TALKS. FURTHER DEBATE IS EXPECTED ON THE ISSUE WHEN NATO LEADERS GATHER IN BRUSSELS DECEMBER 8TH AND 9TH. (SIGNED).
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23-Nov-98 4:30 PM EST (2130 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] E-U MAD COW (L-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: EUROPEAN UNION AGRICULTURE MINISTERS MONDAY VOTED IN FAVOR OF ALLOWING BRITAIN TO EXPORT BEEF AGAIN -- THIS AFTER A TWO-AND-HALF YEAR BAN. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, BRITISH BEEF EXPORTS WERE PUT ON HOLD FOLLOWING ITS CONTROVERSIAL LINK WITH SO-CALLED "MAD COW" DISEASE.

TEXT: IT WAS MARCH, 1996 WHEN BRITAIN ANNOUNCED A POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN MAD COW DISEASE AND A FATAL BRAIN AILMENT IN HUMANS. THE EUROPEAN UNION RESPONDED WITH AN EXPORT BAN ON BRITISH BEEF, SPELLING DISASTER FOR BRITISH FARMERS.

EUROPEAN UNION AGRICULTURE MINISTERS HAVE NOW AGREED THAT DE-BONED BEEF FROM CATTLE BORN AFTER AUGUST, 1996 CAN BE SAFELY EXPORTED. THAT'S THE DATE WHEN BRITAIN BANNED FEEDING CATTLE WITH ANIMAL REMAINS, THOUGHT TO CAUSE MAD COW DISEASE.

GERMANY WAS THE ONLY COUNTRY TO VOTE AGAINST LIFTING THE BAN ON BRITISH BEEF. FRANCE, AUSTRIA, SPAIN AND LUXEMBOURG ABSTAINED. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION WILL BE CHARGED WITH CONDUCTING A HEALTH INSPECTION IN BRITAIN. THE FIRST EXPORTS OF BRITISH BEEF ARE NOT EXPECTED BEFORE FEBRUARY OR MARCH.

EUROPEAN UNION AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER FRANZ FISCHLER DESCRIBES THE PROCEDURE.

THIS DEPENDS ON A REPORT FROM THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. AFTER THAT REPORT, WE WILL SEND AN INSPECTION MISSION TO THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THEN THE CONCRETE DATE WILL BE FIXED. BUT I THINK THIS WILL BE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

BEFORE THE EUROPEAN UNION BAN, BRITAIN EXPORTED 270-THOUSAND TONS OF BEEF (A YEAR), EARNING ONE BILLION DOLLARS. BRITISH AGRICULTURE SECRETARY NICK BROWN CALLS THE DECISION GOOD NEWS FOR THE BRITISH BEEF INDUSTRY, BUT NOTES IT WILL TAKE YEARS BEFORE THE INDUSTRY REGAINS ITS MARKET. //REST OPT// MR. BROWN CONTENDS BRITISH BEEF IS AMONG THE SAFEST IN THE WORLD.

LAST MONTH, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION BANNED BEEF EXPORTS FROM PORTUGAL CITING A CONTINUED RISE THERE IN CASES OF MAD COW DISEASE. (SIGNED)
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23-Nov-98 12:15 PM EST (1715 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (MONDAY) IN AN EXPLOSIVE RALLY WHICH BROUGHT THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE TO A RECORD HIGH FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOUR MONTHS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 93 HUNDRED 74, UP 214 POINTS OR MORE THAN TWO PERCENT. THAT IS 37 POINTS ABOVE THE OLD RECORD OF 93 HUNDRED 37 WHICH WAS SET ON JULY 17TH. IT WAS A FAST COMEBACK FOR THE STOCK MARKET SINCE THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE HAD SUNK TO THE 75 HUNDRED LEVEL IN EARLY SEPTEMBER. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED 88, UP 24 POINTS AND ALSO A RECORD HIGH.

MERGER TALK DOMINATED WALL STREET AND BIG MERGERS TYPICALLY SPARK OPTIMISM IN THE STOCK MARKET. ANALYSTS SAY MERGERS REFLECT CONFIDENCE AND ALSO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF STOCKS.

THE AMERICA ONLINE COMPUTER INTERNET SERVICE IS IN TALKS TO ACQUIRE NETSCAPE COMMUNICATIONS, THE PIONEER IN THE INTERNET BROWSER MARKET.

DEUTSCHE BANK, GERMANY'S LARGEST BANK, SAYS IT IS IN ADVANCED NEGOTIATIONS TO TAKE OVER THE BANKERS TRUST CORPORATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN A DEAL WORTH ABOUT NINE BILLION DOLLARS.

THE FLEET FINANCIAL GROUP OF THE UNITED STATES WILL BUY THE U-S CREDIT OPERATIONS OF THE SANWA BANK OF JAPAN. THAT DEAL IS ESTIMATED TO BE WORTH MORE THAN FIVE BILLION DOLLARS INCLUDING THE ASSUMPTION OF DEBT.

DOUG WILD OF THE MERRILL LYNCH INVESTMENT FIRM FORESEES EVEN MORE MERGERS IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY.

WE THINK THE ENTIRE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY IS LIKELY FOR THESE TYPES OF MERGERS. MERRILL LYNCH ITSELF HAS BEEN A TARGET AT TIMES. WE THINK THIS IS A GLOBAL TREND THAT WILL CONTINUE ACROSS THIS INDUSTRY.

A BIG MERGER IN THE U-S DISABILITY INSURANCE INDUSTRY WAS ANNOUNCED WITH THE COMBINATION OF THE THE UNUM (YOU-NUM) AND PROVIDENT COMPANIES. THAT DEAL IS WORTH ABOUT FIVE BILLION DOLLARS.

THE B-F GOODRICH COMPANY, A CHEMICAL AND AEROSPACE FIRM, WILL PAY TWO POINT TWO BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE THE COLTEC CORPORATION, A PRODUCER OF LANDING GEAR AND INDUSTRIAL SEALING PRODUCTS. ANALYSTS SAY THE DEAL WILL STRENGTHEN GOODRICH'S POSITION IN THE AEROSPACE BUSINESS.

GLENMARK INDUSTRIES, A U-S MEAT PROCESSING FIRM, IS RECALLING ALMOST 300 THOUSAND KILOGRAMS OF GROUND BEEF BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION WITH A DEADLY STRAIN OF E. COLI BACTERIA. THE U-S AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE TAINTED MEAT HAS CAUSED ONE ILLNESS BUT NO DEATHS.

THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS APPROVED THE EXPORT OF BRITISH BEEF WHICH HAD BEEN BANNED SINCE 1996 BECAUSE OF FEARS OF MAD COW DISEASE. EUROPEAN UNION OFFICIALS ARE NOW SATISFIED THAT TOUGH NEW BRITISH MEAT PROCESSING STANDARDS HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
23-Nov-98 5:14 PM EST (2214 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: NO SINGLE TOPIC DOMINATES MONDAY'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS. THERE ARE COMMENTS ABOUT THE U-S POLICY IN IRAQ AND THE LATEST WITHDRAWAL BY THE ISRAELIS IN THE WEST BANK. THERE ARE ALSO EDITORIALS ON THE ECONOMIC TROUBLES IN ASIA; THE MURDER OF A RUSSIAN DEMOCRATS; AND THE IMPEACHMENT DILEMMA FACING CONGRESS. NOW, HERE IS ________________ WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS QUESTIONING THE DIRECTION OF U-S POLICY TOWARD IRAQ, CALLING THE IDEA OF STRENGTHENING THE OPPOSITION TO SADDAM HUSSEIN IN HOPES OF BRINGING HIM DOWN"DUBIOUS." THE "TIMES" WRITES:

VOICE: /// OPT /// THREE MAJOR BARRIERS STAND IN THE WAY. FIRST, ANTI-HUSSEIN FORCES IN IRAQ ARE NOTORIOUSLY FRAGMENTED BY SECTARIAN, ETHNIC AND CLAN DIFFERENCES AND SUSPICIONS. THEY HAVE BEEN INCAPABLE OF UNITING IN THE PAST .... SECOND, HUSSEIN IS THE MOST RUTHLESS LEADER THE MODERN ARAB WORLD HAS KNOWN, EVEN WORSE THAN HIS RIVAL HAFEZ ASSAD IN ... SYRIA. ... HE HAS KILLED ANYONE HE SUSPECTED OF DISLOYALTY OR DISSENT. ... THIRD, NEARBY COUNTRIES WHOSE HELP WOULD BE ESSENTIAL IN SUSTAINING AN IRAQI ARMED OPPOSITION FEAR THE CONSEQUENCES OF A POSSIBLY DESTABILIZED IRAQ MORE THAN THEY FEAR HUSSEIN'S SURVIVAL. TURKEY, BATTLING ITS OWN RESTIVE KURDISH POPULATION, DOES NOT WANT TO SEE THE KURDS IN NORTHERN IRAQ GROW STRONGER. /// END OPT /// ... GENERAL ANTHONY ... ZINNI, THE U-S COMMANDER IN THE PERSIAN GULF, SPEAKS FOR MANY IN THE PENTAGON WHEN HE OBSERVES, 'I DON'T THINK THESE THINGS HAVE BEEN THOUGHT OUT.' CLEARLY THEY HAVEN'T BEEN. AND CLEARLY THE UNITED STATES COULD FIND ITSELF HEADED TOWARD A COSTLY BLUNDER IF IT DOESN'T STOP TO ASSESS RATIONALLY AND FULLY THE IMPLICATIONS OF ITS HASTILY CONCEIVED NEW IRAQ POLICY.

TEXT: THE LATEST PULLOUT OF ISRAELI TROOPS IN THE WEST BANK, AS AGREED TO IN THE WYE ACCORD, DRAWS THIS RESPONSE FROM "THE WASHINGTON POST."

VOICE: NOTHING IS QUITE SO DIFFICULT, DEFINITE AND IRREVERSIBLE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AS HANDING OVER TERRITORY -- ESPECIALLY HANDING OVER TERRITORY TO A FORMER BUT STILL DEEPLY DISTRUSTED FOE. THIS IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FIRST PULLBACK THAT ISRAEL IS NOW CONDUCTING ON THE OCCUPIED WEST BANK UNDER THE TERMS OF LAST MONTH'S U-S-BROKERED WYE AGREEMENT. ... SAID DEFENSE MINISTER YITZHAK MORDECAI, A REALIST AND A LEADING ADVOCATE AND NEGOTIATOR OF THE WITHDRAWAL, 'THE SLICING-UP OF THE LAND OF OUR FATHERS IS A DIFFICULT, PAINFUL STEP. BUT IN OUR RETURN TO OUR HOMELAND AFTER TWO-THOUSAND YEARS OF EXILE, THE RETURN TO THE BELOVED LAND OF ISRAEL, CHANGES HAD OCCURRED THERE, AND ANOTHER POPULATION DWELLED IN IT.'

TEXT: REFLECTING ON THE TENSIONS BOTH IN ISRAEL, AND ELSEWHERE IN THE REGION, AS ISLAMIC EXTREMIST TERRORISM CONTINUES, "THE HARTFORD COURANT" WORRIES TODAY THAT AMERICANS WILL HOLD A NEGATIVE VIEW, IN GENERAL, OF THE ARAB AMERICANS IN THEIR MIDST.

VOICE: ARAB AMERICANS NUMBER IN THE MILLIONS, AND MANY SIT AROUND THE TABLES OF POWER. PUBLIC FIGURES OF ARAB LINEAGE INCLUDE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY DONNA SHALALA, FORMER WHITE HOUSE ADVISER JOHN SUNUNU, ... CONSUMER ADVOCATE RALPH NADER .... AND FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER GEORGE MITCHELL, WHO MOST RECENTLY SERVED AS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S MEDIATOR IN NORTHERN IRELAND. OTHER AMERICANS TEND NOT TO BE AWARE OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH THOSE OF ARAB DESCENT ARE IN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FABRIC OF NATIONAL LIFE, MAYBE BECAUSE MANY ARAB AMERICANS DON'T WEAR THEIR ETHNICITY ON THEIR SLEEVES. [ARE NOT OVERTLY CONSPICUOUS ABOUT IT]

TEXT: "NEWSDAY" ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND COMMENTS ABOUT TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS IN ASIA, AND PRESIDENT CLINTON'S HANDLING OF THEM ON HIS TRIP.

VOICE: IN HIS VISIT TO JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA ... PRESIDENT ... CLINTON ADDRESSED TWO OF EAST ASIA'S MOST CRITICAL PROBLEMS: TOKYO'S FAILURE TO TAKE DECISIVE STEPS TO END ITS DEEPENING RECESSION AND NORTH KOREA'S RESUMPTION OF HOSTILE, AGGRESSIVE MOVES. THESE ARE NOT JUST REGIONAL PROBLEMS ..... JAPAN NOW IS THE UNITED STATES' TOP ECONOMIC WORRY. AND DEALING WITH AN INCREASINGLY BELLICOSE PYONGYANG MAY SHAPE UP AS [MR.] CLINTON'S NEXT FOREIGN-POLICY CRISIS. ... [PRESIDENT] CLINTON HAS LAID OUT CLEARLY AND FIRMLY WHAT THE PROBLEMS ARE AND WHAT HE EXPECTS BOTH NATIONS TO DO TO ADDRESS THEM IN COOPERATION WITH WASHINGTON. ... [MR.] CLINTON IS RIGHT TO HAVE ORDERED AN IMMEDIATE REVIEW OF U-S POLICY ON NORTH KOREA, AND TO DEMAND ACCESS TO THE SUSPECTED NUCLEAR SITE FOR INSPECTIONS. NORTH KOREA REMAINS EAST ASIA'S UNPREDICTABLE WILD CARD. IT CANNOT BE IGNORED FOR LONG.

TEXT: IN RUSSIAN AFFAIRS, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS LAMENTING THE MURDER OF AN IMPORTANT WOMAN DEMOCRAT, IN ST. PETERSBURG.

VOICE: THE RUSSIAN REFORM MOVEMENT HAS PRODUCED FEW LEADERS WITH AN UNCOMPROMISING DEDICATION TO DEMOCRACY. GALINA STAROVOITOVA WAS ONE, AND HER MURDER IN ST. PETERSBURG ON FRIDAY WAS A TERRIBLE LOSS FOR RUSSIA. IN A BLEAK SEASON OF ECONOMIC COLLAPSE AND POLITICAL TIMIDITY, THE KILLING CAN ONLY HEIGHTEN FEARS THAT RUSSIA IS SLIPPING INTO AN UGLY ERA OF INTOLERANCE AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE. ..... MS. STAROVOITOVA WAS A WOMAN OF IRREPRESSIBLE ENERGY AND INFECTIOUS ENTHUSIASM. BUT HER GOOD HUMOR AND QUICK SMILE BELIED A STEELY COMMITMENT TO COMBAT THE CORRUPTION AND ETHNIC DIVISIONS .... SHE CORRECTLY CONSIDERED TO BE THE ENEMIES OF RUSSIAN DEMOCRACY. ... HER COUNTRYMEN CAN HONOR HER MEMORY BY FOLLOWING HER EXAMPLE.

TEXT: TURNING TO A DOMESTIC ISSUE, THE CHANGING LEADERSHIP OF THE MAJORITY REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE, "THE TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL" IN THE KANSAS CAPITAL, WONDERS WHAT THE CHANGES WILL BRING.

VOICE: IT WILL BE FASCINATING TO SEE HOW MUCH OF A DEPARTURE THE NEW GOP HOUSE LEADERSHIP IS FROM THE GINGRICH REGIME THAT HAS FUMBLED AWAY MOST OF THE GAINS FROM THE 1994 REPUBLICAN REVOLUTION. .... IF NEW HOUSE SPEAKER BOB LIVINGSTON THINKS ALL THAT IS REQUIRED TO REVIVE THE REPUBLICAN IMAGE IS THE SOME OLD STUFF, ONLY MORE OF IT, THEN THIS REALLY HASN'T BEEN MUCH OF A CHANGE. .... IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW MUCH OF A HOUSE CLEANING THIS IS. ... IS THIS NEW TEAM CAPABLE?

TEXT: AND AS FAR AS THE IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON, OR SOME ALTERNATIVE FORM OF PUNISHMENT, WHICH WOULD BE METED OUT BY THE HOUSE, "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" COMMENTS ON WHAT IT CONSIDERS THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF KENNETH STARR'S TESTIMONY TO THE HOUSE COMMITTEE LAST WEEK.

VOICE: THE STARK TRUTH REMAINS: MR. CLINTON HAS CONFESSED - - TO 'INAPPROPRIATE' BEHAVIOR, TO LYING TO HIS FAMILY, HIS AIDES AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, TO TESTIMONY UNDER OATH IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZABLE AS PERJURY BY EVERYONE EXCEPT HIMSELF AND HIS LAWYERS. THIS OFFENSE, THIS BLOT, STANDS BEFORE US IN THE PUBLIC DOCK, WAITING FOR CLOSURE. A STRONG MAJORITY EXISTS ..... TO IMPOSE ** SOME ** [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] PUNISHMENT FOR THIS PERJURIOUS BEHAVIOR. THE ONE RIGHT PUNISHMENT IS IMPEACHMENT, AS DEFINED BY THE CONSTITUTION. /// OPT

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM MONDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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23-Nov-98 11:57 AM EST (1657 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] BRITAIN / IRAQ (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITAIN'S FOREIGN OFFICE HAS GATHERED REPRESENTATIVES FROM 16 IRAQI OPPOSITION GROUPS FOR A MEETING TO SEE IF THEY CAN BETTER COORDINATE THEIR EFFORTS TO OUST IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS THE DISSIDENTS ALSO WILL MEET WITH U-S OFFICIALS IN LONDON.

TEXT: BRITAIN'S SECRETARY OF STATE FOR MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS, DEREK FATCHETT, ASKED THE IRAQI OPPOSITION GROUPS TO COME UP WITH CONCRETE PROPOSALS TO SEE HOW BRITAIN CAN HELP.

THERE WAS A STRONG CONSENSUS ON THE WAY FORWARD, A RECOGNITION ON ALL PARTS THAT IT WAS INCONCEIVABLE TO THINK THAT IRAQ WITHOUT SADDAM HUSSEIN WOULD NOT BE BETTER THAN IT IS TODAY. AND I URGED THEM TO WORK TOGETHER ON GETTING ACROSS THE POLITICAL MESSAGES ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN IRAQ OVER THE PERIOD OF SADDAM HUSSEIN'S RULE, AND ALSO TO GIVE A CLEAR VISION AS TO WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE IF IRAQ IS WITHOUT SADDAM HUSSEIN'S LEADERSHIP.

MR. FATCHETT SHIES AWAY FROM COMMITMENTS OF FINANCIAL OR MILITARY ASSISTANCE, BUT SAYS BRITISH HELP WILL DEPEND ON THE DISSIDENTS' PROGRAM OF ACTION.

MR. FATCHETT AND IRAQI DISSIDENTS LIKE HAMID AL-BAYATI STRESS A NEW SENSE OF URGENCY FUELED BY SADDAM HUSSEIN'S LATEST CONFRONTATION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS. MR. BAYATI REPRESENTS THE SUPREME COUCIL OF ISLAMIC REVOLUTION IN IRAQ.

MR. FATCHETT EMPHASIZED THAT WE ARE IN A NEW STAGE AND EVENTS ARE DEVELOPING QUICKLY, AND WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER QUICKLY TO SEE A NEW IRAQ, A NEW GOVERNMENT IN IRAQ SHORTLY, AND WE HOPE THAT WILL BE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

NABIL MUSAWI OF THE IRAQI NATIONAL CONGRESS SAYS THE SHOW OF UNITY AMONG THE OFTEN-COMPETING KURDISH, SHIITE, AND SUNNI FACTIONS IS CRUCIAL TO THEIR PUSH TO OUST SADDAM HUSSEIN.

THE MAIN THRUST OF THE MEETING IS TO TRY TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD THE UNITY OF THE IRAQI OPPOSITION. EVERY SINGLE PARTY IN THAT MEETING MADE A STATEMENT TO THE EFFECT THAT WE ALL AGREE ON THE MAIN AGENDA FOR THE FUTURE OF IRAQ.

THE EXILED IRAQI DISSIDENTS ARE DUE TO MEET TUESDAY IN LONDON WITH THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT'S TOP OFFICIAL FOR MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS (MARTIN INDYK) . THE U-S CONGRESS HAS ALREADY APPROVED NEARLY 100-MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP THE IRAQI OPPOSITION. (SIGNED)
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23-Nov-98 11:32 AM EST (1632 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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