Voice of America, 98-11-24

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] COHEN / GERMANY - L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[03] E-U / TURKEY / ITALY (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[04] E-U / TURKEY / ITALY (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[05] U-S-GERMAN RELATIONS BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

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

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

[08] BRITAIN/PINOCHET (S ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[09] EDITORIAL: P-K-K TERRORIST -- JUSTICE MUST BE DONE

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

TEXT: ALBANIAN VOTERS HAVE APPARENTLY ENDORSED A PROPOSED NEW CONSTITUTION DESPITE CALLS FOR A BOYCOTT BY OPPOSITION LEADER SALI BERISHA.

MR. BERISHA, WHO IS THE FORMER PRESIDENT, WAS HOPING A LOW TURNOUT OR A REJECTION OF THE CONSTITUTION WOULD HELP HIM WIN EARLY ELECTIONS. THE NEW CONSTITUTION GUARANTEES FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA AND OF RELIGION, AND SEPARATION OF POWERS IN GOVERNMENT. HE CALLED THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTION "ANTI-ALBANIAN."

THE NEW CONSTITUTION WILL BE ALBANIA'S FIRST SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM ALMOST A DECADE AGO. FINAL, OFFICIAL RESULTS ARE EXPECTED NOT LATER THAN THURSDAY. ASSUMING THEY CONFIRM THE OUTCOME REPORTED SO FAR, PRESIDENT REXHEP MEIDANI IS EXPECTED TO SIGN THE NEW CONSTITUTION ON SATURDAY, ALBANIA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY. (SIGNED)
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24-Nov-98 10:10 AM EST (1510 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] COHEN / GERMANY - L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: GERMANY'S NEW DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT IS PURSUING A 'VISION OF A NUCLEAR-FREE WORLD' BUT WILL NOT MAKE ANY UNILATERAL DECISIONS THAT WILL HARM THE NATO ALLIANCE. THE COMMENTS FOLLOWED A MEETING AT THE PENTAGON WITH U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS.

TEXT: SOME MEMBERS OF GERMANY'S NEW CENTER-LEFT COALITION GOVERNMENT FAVOR NATO ADOPTING A 'NO FIRST USE POLICY' ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS. BUT GERMAN DEFENSE MINISTER RUDOLPH SCHARPING SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT WON'T QUESTION FUNDAMENTAL ALLIANCE POLICIES GOVERNING WHEN AND HOW TO USE NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

ANY CONCLUSION MUST BE DRAWN IN CONSENSUS. THERE IS NO INTENTION TO TAKE UNILATERAL DECISIONS WHICH HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE SECURITY OF THE ALLIANCE.

U-S OFFICIALS, INCLUDING DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN, SAY PROMISING NOT TO USE NUCLEAR WEAPONS FIRST IS A MISTAKE.

THE ALLIANCE'S NUCLEAR FORCES CONTINUE TO FULFILL AN ESSENTIAL ROLE BY ENSURING UNCERTAINTY IN THE MIND OF ANY AGGRESSOR ABOUT THE NATURE OF THE ALLIES' RESPONSE TO ANY MILITARY AGGRESSION. AND BECAUSE THE STRATEGY CONTINUES TO SERVE NATO'S INTEREST, THERE IS NO REASON TO CONSIDER CHANGING IT.

MR. COHEN SAYS AS MORE NATIONS ACQUIRE MORE POWERFUL BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS, NATO WOULD BE WISE TO KEEP OPEN THE OPTION FOR A SWIFT AND DEVASTATING RESPONSE TO SUCH WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE ISSUE IS EXPECTED WHEN NATO LEADERS GATHER IN BRUSSELS DECEMBER 8TH AND 9TH. (SIGNED).
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24-Nov-98 3:33 PM EST (2033 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] E-U / TURKEY / ITALY (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAS WARNED TURKEY NOT TO BOYCOTT ITALIAN GOODS BECAUSE ITALY HAS REFUSED TO EXTRADITE KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, WHERE ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER MASSIMO D'ALEMA DISCUSSED THE ISSUE WITH COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER.

TEXT: TURKEY HAS AN ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT AND A CUSTOMS UNION WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION, AND WOULD LIKE TO BECOME AN E-U MEMBER. HOWEVER, COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER, SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, PUT EUROPE FIRMLY BEHIND ITALY BY WARNING TURKEY NOT TO BOYCOTT GOODS FROM AN E-U MEMBER.

IF SUCH A BOYCOTT WERE OFFICIALLY DECIDED, AND I HOPE THAT THIS IS NOT THE CASE, OR IF A BOYCOTT BY PUBLIC COMPANIES WERE TO TAKE SHAPE, WHICH I AGAIN HOPE WOULD NOT BE THE CASE , IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO ORGANIZE CONSULTATIONS IMMEDIATELY UNDER ARTICLE 25 OF THE ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT. AND LET ME STATE THIS QUITE CLEARLY, IF SUCH CONSULTATIONS WERE NOT TO ACHIEVE RESULTS, THE COUNCIL COULD THEN DECIDE ON RETALIATORY MEASURES.

ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER MASSIMO D'ALEMA EXPRESSES GRATITUDE FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION'S

SUPPORT. MR. D'ALEMA, SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, SAYS HE HAS LITTLE DOUBT TURKEY'S BOYCOTT OF ITALY IS OFFICIALLY SANCTIONED.

OBVIOUSLY, THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT HAS A CERTAIN RESPONSIBILITY IN CREATING A SPIRIT OF AGITATION, EVEN VIOLENCE TOWARDS ITALIAN INTERESTS. NOW I THINK WE HAVE TO CHECK MORE CLEARLY, EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE FACING HERE. ARE THESE DECISIONS BY POLITICAL AUTHORITIES IN THAT COUNTRY? ARE THEY DELIBERATELY DECIDING TO BOYCOTT ITALIAN GOODS?

THE ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER CITES THE TURKISH MINISTRY OF DEFENSE FOR EXCLUDING ITALIAN COMPANIES FROM PARTICIPATING IN BIDS FOR TURKISH DEFENSE CONTRACTS. HE ALSO MENTIONS TURKISH TELEVISION'S DROPPING OF ITALIAN PROGRAMS FROM ITS CABLE OFFERINGS.

A EUROPEAN COMMISSION SPOKESWOMAN SAYS NEITHER DEFENSE NOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS IS COVERED BY TURKEY'S TRADE AGREEMENTS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS MADE IT CLEAR TURKEY WILL BE IN VIOLATION OF ITS INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS BY ORGANIZING A TRADE BOYCOTT OF AN E-U MEMBER. THAT WILL PUT AN END TO ANY TALK OF TURKEY BEING CONSIDERED FOR UNION MEMBERSHIP.

MR. D'ALEMA INSISTS ITALY IS A VICTIM OF WHAT HE CALLS "A RIDICULOUS CONFLICT" OVER THE FUTURE OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN.

HE SAYS THERE ARE NO SOFT OPTIONS FOR DEALING WITH MR. OCALAN, WHO IS BEING HELD IN ITALY WHILE HIS REQUEST FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM IS BEING CONSIDERED. AN ITALIAN COURT REJECTED TURKEY'S EXTRADITION REQUEST BECAUSE TURKEY HAS THE DEATH PENALTY.

ITALY IS WAITING FOR GERMANY TO REQUEST EXTRADITION OF MR. OCALAN. BUT GERMANY HAS GIVEN NO SIGN IT WANTS TO ENFORCE A WARRANT FOR THE KURDISH LEADER'S ARREST. (SIGNED)
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24-Nov-98 9:33 AM EST (1433 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] E-U / TURKEY / ITALY (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION IS THREATENING RETALIATION IF TURKEY BOYCOTTS ITALIAN GOODS BECAUSE ITALY HAS REFUSED TO EXTRADITE KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS WHERE ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER MASSIMO D'ALEMA WON SUPPORT FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION.

TEXT: EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER IS WARNING TURKEY IT WILL FACE RETALIATION FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION IF IT CARRIES OUT THREATS TO BOYCOTT GOODS FROM ITALY.

TURKEY IS NOT AN E-U MEMBER, BUT IT DOES HAVE TRADE AND CUSTOMS AGREEMENTS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION. ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER MASSIMO D'ALEMA SAYS TURKISH MEASURES AGAINST ITALIAN DEFENSE CONTRACTORS AND TELEVISION PROGRAMS APPEAR TO BE OFFICIALLY SANCTIONED.

I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT JUST BOYCOTTING ITALIAN SHOPS AS BEING NECESSARILY A GOVERNMENT DECISION. BUT THERE HAVE BEEN PUBLIC STATEMENTS WHICH WOULD TEND TO SUGGEST THAT THERE IS AN INTENTION TO BREAK EXISTING AGREEMENTS.

TURKEY WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER, BUT OFFICIALS HERE WARN A BOYCOTT OF ITALY WOULD PUT AN END TO THOSE HOPES. (SIGNED)
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24-Nov-98 9:46 AM EST (1446 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] U-S-GERMAN RELATIONS BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRODUCTION: AFTER 16 QUITE COMFORTABLE YEARS DEALING WITH GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL, THE UNITED STATES IS SOMEWHAT APPREHENSIVE ABOUT THE NEWLY-ELECTED GOVERNMENT IN GERMANY, A COALITION OF THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC AND GREEN PARTIES. ON A VISIT TO WASHINGTON, GERMANY'S NEW DEFENSE MINISTER HAS BEEN TRYING TO ALLAY AMERICAN FEARS ABOUT ANY ABRUPT SHIFT IN POLICY. V-O-A'S ED WARNER REPORTS.

TEXT: "HAIL TO THE CHIEF," THE ROUSING MARCH THAT INTRODUCES THE U-S PRESIDENT, WAS WRITTEN BY A GERMAN FROM THE RHINELAND. THAT IS ONE OF THE FACTS GERMAN DEFENSE MINISTER RUDOLF SCHARPING SAYS HE HAS BEEN TELLING PRESIDENT CLINTON AND OTHER AMERICAN OFFICIALS.

ON HIS CURRENT VISIT TO WASHINGTON, MR. SCHARPING HAS EMPHASIZED THE U-S-GERMAN CONNECTION, AND PLEDGED IT WILL NOT CHANGE.

TO BEGIN WITH, THERE IS A PERSONAL MATTER, HE SAID IN A SPEECH (MONDAY, 11/23) AT THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES. HIS TWO DAUGHTERS HAVE BOTH STUDIED IN THE UNITED STATES.

THEN THERE ARE BROADER CONSIDERATIONS:

THE UNITED STATES HAS GIVEN THE ATLANTIC COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, CONTINUITY, STABILITY AND STRENGTH. MORE THAN 50-MILLION U-S TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE BEEN STATIONED IN GERMANY. AS FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF RHINELAND-PALATINATE, WHICH HOSTED THE LARGEST AMERICAN COMMUNITY OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES, I KNOW THAT THE SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WERE FULLY INTEGRATED INTO OUR COMMUNITIES AND THAT THEY TOOK THEIR EXPERIENCES BACK HOME.

MR. SCHARPING SAYS GERMANY IS SOLIDLY EMBEDDED IN A GREATER EUROPE AND THE NATO ALLIANCE. NOW THAT NATO HAS WIDENED TO INCLUDE POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY, GERMANY IS FOR THE FIRST TIME SURROUNDED BY FRIENDLY POWERS.

THE DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS FUNDAMENTALS OF GERMAN FOREIGN POLICY WILL NOT CHANGE, BUT THERE WILL BE SOME SHIFTS OF EMPHASIS:

I AM SURE THAT WE WILL BE MORE ENGAGED, FOR EXAMPLE, IN PROMOTING DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS. I AM SURE THAT WE WILL BE MORE ENGAGED IN FIGHTING UNDER-DEVELOPMENT, ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE GLOBE. IN THAT VISION OF COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY, THESE ARE IMPORTANT TARGETS.

MR. SCHARPING'S COMMENTS SUGGEST THERE MAY BE SOME DIFFERENCES OF OPINION WITHIN THE NEW GOVERNMENT. FOREIGN MINISTER JOSCHKA FISCHER, LEADER OF THE ANTI-NUCLEAR GREENS PARTY, HAS PROPOSED THAT NATO ABANDON THE FIRST-USE POLICY OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE UNITED STATES, WHICH SAYS THE STRATEGY IS NEEDED TO KEEP AN AGGRESSOR NATION GUESSING. IF IT IS CONTEMPLATING AN ATTACK WITH WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, IT CAN NOT BE SURE THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT STRIKE FIRST.

MR. SCHARPING TAKES THE POSITION THAT GERMANY CAN NOT GIVE UP THE FIRST-USE POLICY ON ITS OWN. THAT DECISION RESTS WITH NATO.

JAMES TENT, PROFESSOR OF HISTORY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, SAYS MR. SCHARPING IS CORRECT IN FORESEEING NO SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE IN U-S-GERMAN RELATIONS:

THE GERMAN NATION IS VERY THOROUGHLY INTEGRATED INTO ITS COMMITMENT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION AND TO NATO, AND THEREFORE, THE AMOUNT OF WRIGGLE ROOM THAT THE NEW CHANCELLOR WOULD HAVE IS SEVERELY LIMITED, AND I DO NOT SEE ANY SIGNS OF A MAJOR CHANGE IN FOREIGN POLICY ON THE PART OF CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER ANYWAY. PROBABLY THINGS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE MUCH THE WAY THAT THEY WERE.

PROFESSOR TENT ADDS THAT NATO HAS BEEN TOO UNCERTAIN IN DEALING WITH THE CONFLICTS IN THE BALKANS. HE THINKS GERMANY IS GOING TO HAVE TO ASSUME MORE OF A LEADERSHIP ROLE IF THE ALLIANCE IS GOING TO TAKE THE ACTION THAT IS NECESSARY. (SIGNED)
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24-Nov-98 5:02 PM EST (2202 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (TUESDAY) IN WHAT ANALYSTS SAY WAS PREDICTABLE PROFIT-TAKING AFTER MONDAY'S STRONG GAIN. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 93 HUNDRED ONE, DOWN 73 POINTS, LESS THAN ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED 83, DOWN FIVE POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY THAT AFTER MONDAY'S 214 POINT GAIN IN THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE, PROFIT TAKING WAS INEVITABLE AND THAT THE SELLING WAS UNRELATED TO ANY FUNDAMENTAL FACTOR. IN FACT, THE ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS LOOK GOOD. THE GOVERNMENT REVISED UPWARD THE RATE OF U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE THIRD QUARTER. THE NEW FIGURE SHOWS GROWTH AT AN ALMOST FOUR PERCENT ANNUAL RATE INSTEAD OF THE THREE POINT THREE PERCENT ORIGINALLY ESTIMATED.

WITH STRONG JOB AND INCOME GROWTH, LOW UNEMPLOYMENT AND RELATIVELY HIGH CONSUMER CONFIDENCE AND NOW A REBOUND IN THE STOCK MARKET, CONSUMERS ARE VERY HAPPY AND CONTINUE TO SPEND VERY AGGRESSIVELY. THAT IS KEEPING THE ECONOMY MOVING FORWARD.

AMERICAN CONSUMERS MAY CONTINUE TO FUEL GROWTH. THE LATEST INDEX OF CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IS UP ALMOST SEVEN POINTS AFTER FOUR STRAIGHT MONTHS OF DECLINE.

IN BUSINESS NEWS, THE INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY WILL ACQUIRE RIVAL PAPER MAKER UNION CAMP IN AN ALL STOCK DEAL WORTH SIX POINT SIX BILLION DOLLARS.

SMURFIT-STONE, THE WORLD'S LARGEST PAPER PACKAGING COMPANY, WILL CUT UP TO 36 HUNDRED JOBS OR 10 PERCENT OF ITS GLOBAL WORK FORCE IN A CORPORATE REORGANIZATION.

GENERAL MILLS, THE SECOND-LARGEST CEREAL MAKER IN THE UNITED STATES, SAYS IT WILL ELIMINATE 200 JOBS AND TAKE A 32 MILLION DOLLAR CHARGE IN A RESTRUCTURING.

DEERE AND COMPANY, THE FARM EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER, REPORTED A 15 PERCENT DROP IN QUARTERLY EARNINGS. DEERE SAYS WEAK DEMAND IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS IS ALSO EXPECTED TO DEPRESS PROFITS NEXT YEAR.

MONEY MAY ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING FOR MANY AMERICANS THAT ALL THE HEALTH WARNINGS HAVE NOT. U-S TOBACCO COMPANIES ARE RAISING CIGARETTE PRICES BY 38 PERCENT, THE LARGEST SINGLE CIGARETTE PRICE HIKE IN HISTORY. THE COMPANIES NEED THE MONEY TO MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER A RECENT DEAL WITH STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL. ANALYSTS EXPECT THE PRICE HIKES WILL CAUSE AN IMMEDIATE 10 PERCENT DROP IN U-S CIGARETTE CONSUMPTION.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
24-Nov-98 5:28 PM EST (2228 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: SCANNING THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF SOME MAJOR UNITED STATES NEWSPAPERS THIS TUESDAY, ONE SEES MANY COMMENTARIES ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S LATEST DEALINGS WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN; THE MURDER OF A RISING DEMOCRATIC STAR IN RUSSIA; /// OPT /// AND WHAT SOME ARE CALLING A MERCY KILLING OF A TERMINALLY ILL MAN, WHOSE VIDEOTAPED DEATH SHOWN ON U-S NATIONAL TELEVISION HAS CAUSED A BIG CONTROVERSY. /// END OPT ///

OTHER COMMENTS FOCUS ON THE THREAT POSED BY NORTH KOREA; /// OPT

TEXT: ACROSS THE CONTINENT, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IN AN EDITORIAL ENTITLED "INCORRIGIBLE IRAQ" MAKES THE POINT THAT:

VOICE: /// OPT /// IRAQ HAS GOTTEN OFF TO A SHAKY START IN HONORING ITS LATEST PLEDGE TO COOPERATE WITH UNITED NATIONS ARMS INSPECTIONS. ..... SADDAM HUSSEIN SEEMS TO BE TRIMMING BACK THAT COMMITMENT. /// END OPT /// IRAQ IS IMPLAUSIBLY CONTENDING THAT IT DOES NOT HAVE MOST OF THE WEAPONS DOCUMENTS THE INSPECTORS HAVE ASKED TO SEE AND ITS WITHHOLDING THOSE IT HAS. ... IF BAGHDAD IS BACK TO ITS FAMILIAR GAME OF THWARTING THE SEARCH FOR BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND BANNED MISSILES ... WASHINGTON WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO REDUCE IRAQ'S ARSENAL .... BY MILITARY FORCE.

TEXT: "THE BOSTON GLOBE" SUGGESTS THAT IF PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN DOES NOT COMPLY QUICKLY WITH THE U-N REQUESTS, THE U-S SHOULD ATTACK, HITTING BOTH HIS WEAPONS FACILITIES AND ALSO THE MILITARY FORCES KEEPING HIM IN POWER.

VOICE: THIS IS WHAT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. AFTER SADDAM HUSSEIN'S RETREAT A LITTLE MORE THAN A WEEK AGO, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAID THAT, NEXT TIME, THERE WOULD BE NO MORE DICKERING AND PROCRASTINATING. .... YET HERE WE GO AGAIN. SADDAM IS REFUSING TO GIVE INSPECTORS THE DOCUMENTS THEY REQUIRE, AND THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS EQUIVOCATING. .... THIS IS A GAME THAT [MR.] CLINTON CANNOT GO ON PLAYING WITH SADDAM. THERE CAN NO LONGER BY ANY ILLUSIONS ABOUT SADDAM'S DETERMINATION TO RETAIN HIS STOCKS OF ANTHRAX, BOTULINUM TOXINS, V-X NERVE GAS, AND ..... NUCLEAR WEAPONS... UNLESS SADDAM HUSSEIN COMPLIES FULLY, AND RIGHT NOW, [PRESIDENT] CLINTON SHOULD ASK THE WEAPONS INSPECTORS AND ALL OTHER POTENTIAL HOSTAGES TO LEAVE IRAQ. THEN, THE UNITED STATES SHOULD AIM ITS SMART BOMBS AND MISSILES NOT ONLY AT ... SADDAM'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION BUT ALSO AT TARGETS CRUCIAL TO HIS CRIMINAL REGIME.

TEXT: CONCERNING THE MURDER IN ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA, OF GALINA STAROVOITOVA, A LEADING DEMOCRACY ADVOCATE, AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, THERE IS SPECIAL SORROW IN TOPEKA, KANSAS. UNDER THE HEADLINE, "HER STAR SHINES ON," "THE TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL" WRITES OF HER CONNECTION TO THE KANSAS STATE CAPITOL.

VOICE: HER VIOLENT END HAS PARTICULAR RESONANCE IN TOPEKA: FROM 1994 TO 1996, STAROVOITOVA WAS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF WOMEN OF THE WORLD, A TOPEKA-BASED ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS TRAIN WOMEN IN BURGEONING DEMOCRACIES HOW TO RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE. SHE HAD FRIENDS AND ADMIRERS HERE. 'GALINA STAROVOITOVA IS AN INSPIRATION,' WOMEN OF THE WORLD SAID .... MONDAY. 'HER SENSE OF FAIRNESS WAS LEGENDARY. HER LEADERSHIP WAS UNDAUNTED.' 'IN TOLSTOY'S WORDS, 'A LEADER IS THE WAVE PUSHED AHEAD BY THE SHIP.' GALINA STAROVOITOVA WAS A POWERFUL WAVE FOR CHANGE IN RUSSIA.' ... OTHER COURAGEOUS FREEDOM FIGHTERS MUST PUSH ON IN HER WAKE.

TEXT: HALF A CONTINENT AWAY, IN MAINE, "PORTLAND'S PRESS HERALD" ALSO MOURNS MS. STAROVOITOVA'S DEATH:

VOICE: WITH HER STRONG VOICE OF REASON IN THE STATE DUMA ARGUING PASSIONATELY FOR REFORM, RUSSIANS DARED HOPE THAT TODAY'S TRIALS AND DEPRIVATIONS WOULD LEAD THEM TO BETTER TIMES. WITHOUT IT, THEY ARE LESS CERTAIN THAN EVER THAT ALL THEIR SACRIFICES ARE WORTH IT. ... /// OPT

TEXT: "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" SAYS THE KILLING RAISES, AGAIN, THE TROUBLING QUESTION; "WHO'S IN CHARGE?"

VOICE: WITH PRESIDENT BORIS YELSTIN AILING AND PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV FLAILING, THIS PARTICULAR MURDER FEEDS THE IMPRESSION THAT NO ONE IS RULING IN MOSCOW. /// OPT

TEXT: THE ISSUE OF NORTH KOREA'S CONTINUED INTRANSIGENCE, REGARDING A HUGE UNDERGROUND SITE POSSIBLY BEING USED FOR NUCLEAR WEAPONS TECHNOLOGY, CAUSES "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" TO REMARK:

VOICE: THIS IS CLEARLY NOT THE TIME FOR NORTH KOREA TO BE FLAUNTING ITS HOSTILITY AND INVITING FURTHER ISOLATION. WITH FAMINE RAMPANT, THE COUNTRY NEEDS ALL THE HELP IT CAN GET. YET, EVEN AS IT PLEADS FOR FOOD AND MEDICINE TO SAVE ITS CHILDREN, NORTH KOREA PRESSES AHEAD WITH A POSSIBLE NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM AND WITH A LONG-RANGE MISSILE THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF REACHING ALASKA. IF THE NORTH KOREANS ARE INDEED DETERMINED TO GIVE PRIMACY TO THEIR THREATENING WEAPONS PROGRAMS, THE UNITED STATES HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO CHANGE COURSE IN ITS CURRENT POLICY AND ITS AID EFFORT.

TEXT: TURNING TO THIS HEMISPHERE, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" HAS SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE BAILOUT PACKAGE OF 41-POINT-FIVE-BILLION DOLLARS THAT THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND IS SENDING TO BRAZIL.

VOICE: THE I-M-F IS TAKING SEVERAL HUGE GAMBLES IN ITS BRAZILIAN GAMBIT. FOR ONE THING, BRAZIL MAY NOT BE NEARLY AS 'DESERVING' AS THE I-M-F AND MR. CLINTON INSIST IT IS. /// OPT /// BRAZIL'S PUBLIC SECTOR BUDGET DEFICIT IS EIGHT PERCENT OF ITS GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (G-D-P). ITS ENTRENCHED SOURCE IS NO MYSTERY. ... BRAZIL'S DEFICIT HAS SOARED BECAUSE OF AN EXPLOSION OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURES, WHICH HAVE INCREASED FROM 30 PERCENT OF G-D-P IN 1994 TO 40 PERCENT OF G-D-P THIS YEAR. BRAZIL'S REFORM PROGRAM EXPLICITLY INTENDS TO MAINTAIN THE VALUE OF ITS CURRENCY, THE REAL, WHICH MANY ECONOMISTS BELIEVE HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY OVERVALUED. THE I-M-F IS GAMBLING THAT BRAZIL CAN CLOSE ITS CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF AN EXPORT-EXPANDING DEVALUATION. .../// END OPT /// THE I-M-F IS ALSO GAMBLING THAT PRIVATE LENDERS, ESPECIALLY FOREIGN BANKS, WILL NOT USE THE AID PACKAGE AS AN AVENUE OF ESCAPE, AS THEY HAVE DONE ELSEWHERE. .... IF THE I-M-F LOSES ITS GAMBLE THAT FOREIGN BANKS WILL NOT CUT AND RUN, [PULL OUT OF THE COUNTRY WITH THEIR MONEY] THEN IT MAY NOT MATTER IF IT WINS ALL ITS OTHER BETS.

TEXT: IN THE ON-GOING INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGED LAW-BREAKING IN FINANCING THE 1996 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" WRITES:

VOICE: /// OPT /// ATTORNEY GENERAL ... RENO'S RESISTANCE TO THE OBVIOUS NEED FOR AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL ON THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S CAMPAIGN FUND-RAISING SCANDALS IS ABOUT TO BE PUT TO A SERIES OF TESTS. TODAY MS. RENO IS TO RULE ON WHETHER TO ASK FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE VICE PRESIDENT GORE'S FUND-RAISING CALLS. SOON SHE MUST ALSO DECIDE ON [FORMER HIGH CLINTON WHITE HOUSE AIDE] HAROLD ICKES'S ALLEGED MISSTATEMENTS ABOUT HIS OWN CAMPAIGN ROLE AND WHETHER THE DEMOCRATS ILLEGALLY USED THEIR 'SOFT MONEY' WAR CHEST. /// END OPT /// THE PUBLIC IS WEARY AFTER MONTHS OF IMPEACHMENT TALK, BUT THAT WEARINESS CANNOT BE AN EXCUSE FOR SHORTCHANGING THE RULE OF LAW. ... INACTION WILL DELIVER ANOTHER BLOW TO THE PUBLIC'S FAITH. IT COULD ALSO TEMPT CONGRESS TO ADD CAMPAIGN FINANCE TO THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY OR TO UNDERTAKE HEARINGS ON A MATTER THAT, UNDER LAW, BELONGS TO AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL.

TEXT: WITH THAT WE COME TO THE END OF THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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24-Nov-98 11:20 AM EST (1620 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] BRITAIN/PINOCHET (S ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: THE BRITISH HOUSE OF LORDS WILL RULE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ON WHETHER BRITAIN CAN EXTRADITE TO SPAIN THE FORMER CHILEAN DICTATOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET, ARRESTED IN LONDON MORE THAN A MONTH AGO. CHILE'S BROADCAST MEDIA PLAN TO COVER THE ANNOUNCEMENT LIVE. VOA CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON THAT MR. PINOCHET AWAITS THE VERDICT WHILE UNDER POLICE GUARD AT A PRIVATE LONDON CLINIC.

TEXT: THE FIVE-JUDGE PANEL IS RULING ON WHETHER MR. PINOCHET ENJOYS IMMUNITY FROM EXTRADITION AS A FORMER HEAD OF STATE. IT'S NOT ONLY SPAIN THAT WAITING FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT. FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND HAVE ALSO FORMALLY REQUESTED HIS EXTRADITION ON CHARGES OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES DURING HIS 17-YEAR RULE.

THE FINAL DECISION COMES ON GENERAL PINOCHET'S 83RD BIRTHDAY. HE HOPES TO CELEBRATE IT IN FREEDOM. A SPANISH JUDGE HOPES THE FORMER DICTATOR WILL BE EXTRADITED TO MADRID.

IF THE HOUSE OF LORDS OVERTURNS A LOWER COURT RULING ON MR PINOCHET'S IMMUNITY, THE EXTRADITION PROCESS WILL GO AHEAD. BUT A CHILEAN MILITARY PLANE IS WAITING TO TAKE HIM HOME, IF THE HOUSE OF LORDS UPHOLDS THE LOWER COURT'S DECISION. (SIGNED)
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24-Nov-98 1:14 PM EST (1814 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] EDITORIAL: P-K-K TERRORIST -- JUSTICE MUST BE DONE

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

VOICE:

THIS MONTH, ABDULLAH OCALAN ['AHB-DOOL-AH 'URJ-AH-LAHN] WAS ARRESTED IN ITALY. HE IS THE FOUNDER AND HEAD OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR P-K-K, A RUTHLESS TERRORIST GROUP ESTABLISHED IN 1974 WITH THE AIM OF SETTING UP AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. OCALAN HAS APPROVED AND DIRECTED TERRORIST ATTACKS AGAINST CIVILIAN TARGETS AND ASSASSINATIONS OF P-K-K DEFECTORS.

IN ADDITION TO INSURGENT OPERATIONS AGAINST TURKISH MILITARY AND SECURITY FORCES, THE P-K-K UNDER OCALAN'S CONTROL HAS CARRIED OUT SCORES OF TERRORIST ATTACKS ON TURKISH TEACHERS, VILLAGE GUARDSMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. OCALAN'S TERRORISTS HAVE CONDUCTED SEVERAL MASSACRES OF KURDISH CIVILIANS INCLUDING WOMEN AND CHILDREN -- IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKISH VILLAGES DEEMED HOSTILE TO THE P-K-K. TO WEAKEN THE TURKISH ECONOMY, THE P-K-K HAS CONDUCTED TERRORIST ATTACKS AGAINST INDUSTRIES IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY AND AGAINST TOURIST SITES IN MAJOR CITIES AND ALONG THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST. IN 1993 AND 1994, THE P-K-K STAGED A SERIES OF KIDNAPPINGS OF FOREIGNERS TO FRIGHTEN TOURISTS AWAY FROM TURKEY.

THE P-K-K HAS ALSO CONDUCTED VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS AND ARSON ATTACKS AGAINST TURKISH DIPLOMATIC, COMMERCIAL, AND CULTURAL FACILITIES IN GERMANY AND OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. ASSASSINATIONS OF P-K-K DEFECTORS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT IN SWEDEN, DENMARK, THE NETHERLANDS AND GERMANY.

THERE IS CLEAR EVIDENCE LINKING P-K-K LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN TO NUMEROUS TERRORIST ACTS. THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES THAT OCALAN, WHO IS NOW IN ITALY, SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE IN A WAY THAT MEETS THE DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE COUNTRIES INVOLVED IN THE CASE. THE U.S. IS WORKING WITH ITALY, TURKEY AND GERMANY TO REVIEW THE OPTIONS THAT WOULD ACHIEVE THIS GOAL.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, V-O-A, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO COMMENT AT WWW-DOT-VOA-DOT-GOV-SLASH-EDITORIALS, OR FAX US AT (202) 619-1043.
24-Nov-98 3:01 PM EST (2001 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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