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Voice of America, 98-11-25Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] YUGOSLAVIA / GENERAL (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)DATE=11/25/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-242141 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS FIRED THE ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF IN THE LATEST SHAKEUP IN BELGRADE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS FROM OUR REGIONAL NEWS BUREAU IN PRAGUE. TEXT: A BRIEF REPORT BY THE TANJUG NEWS AGENCY DID NOT SAY WHY GENERAL MOMCILO PERISIC HAD BEEN DISMISSED. HE HAD BEEN CHIEF OF STAFF IN THE ARMY SINCE 1993, AND ENJOYED A CERTAIN REPUTATION FOR INDEPENDENCE. IN RECENT MONTHS HE HAS VOICED DIFFERENCES WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC ON BELGRADE'S POLICY IN KOSOVO, WHERE ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS HAVE BEEN BATTLING ARMY TROOPS AND OTHER SECURITY FORCES IN A BID FOR INDEPENDENCE. TANJUG SAYS GENERAL PERISIC WILL BE REPLACED BY HIS DEPUTY, DRAGOLJUB OJDANIC, WHO HAS BEEN THE COMMANDER OF YUGOSLAVIA'S FIRST ARMY. THIS IS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF SHAKEUPS IN BELGRADE'S SECURITY
FORCES. THE AIR FORCE COMMANDER AND THE HEAD OF SERBIA'S
SECURITY SERVICES HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY. (SIGNED)
[02] NATO-ROMANIA (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=11/25/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-242148 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: ROMANIAN PRESIDENT EMIL CONSTANTINESCU HAS MET (IN BRUSSELS WEDNESDAY) WITH NATO'S AMBASSADORS. HE CAME TO PLEAD HIS COUNTRY'S CASE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE NEXT GROUP OF MEMBERS ADMITTED UNDER THE ALLIANCE'S ENLARGEMENT PLANS. AS RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS, ROMANIA WILL BE A LEADING CANDIDATE, BUT THE ALLIANCE MAY NOT BE READY. TEXT: THERE HAVE BEEN STATEMENTS FROM BRITAIN, GERMANY AND MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE THAT NATO SHOULD INCLUDE POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND TAKE ITS TIME BEFORE EXPANDING ANY FURTHER. THE WASHINGTON NATO SUMMIT MEETING NEXT APRIL WILL CELEBRATE THE THREE NEW MEMBERS -- BUT THERE ARE SIGNS THE DOOR WILL REMAIN CLOSED TO ADDING ANY MORE. GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSCHKA FISCHER HAS SUGGESTED TWO OR THREE YEARS PASS BEFORE NATO ENLARGES AGAIN. PRESIDENT CONSTANTINESCU CAME HERE TO URGE NATO AMBASSADORS TO CONSIDER HIS REFORM EFFORTS. THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, HE TELLS REPORTERS HE RECEIVED ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM THE NATO AMBASSADORS BUT NO PROMISES. ///CONSTANTINESCU ACT W/ INTERPRETER///I UNDERSTOOD THAT ROMANIA IS A CREDIBLE AND SERIOUS CANDIDATE FOR THE ALLIANCE AND NOW THE PROBLEM IS NOT IF ROMANIA WILL OR WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED INTO THE ALLIANCE, BUT OF THE TIME WHEN THE ALLIANCE IS PREPARED TO ACCEPT ROMANIA. ///END ACT///PRESIDENT CONSTANTINESCU SAYS ROMANIA HAS BEEN ACTING AS IF IT WERE A MEMBER OF NATO -- TAKING PART IN MISSIONS IN BOSNIA, ALBANIA AND NOW IN KOSOVO. ROMANIA IS FLYING AIR MISSIONS OVER KOSOVO, TAKING PICTURES TO SEE WHETHER A CEASEFIRE IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE IS BEING CARRIED OUT. // OPT //SECRETARY-GENERAL SOLANA TELLS REPORTERS NOT TO PAY ANY ATTENTION TO THE STATEMENTS OF DELAY IN NATO EXPANSION FROM LONDON, BONN AND WASHINGTON. ///SOLANA ACT///MINISTERS -- EVEN PRIME MINISTERS -- ARE FREE TO SAY WHAT THEY THINK. LET ME SAY VERY CLEARLY FOR THIS OR FOR ANY OTHER QUESTION YOU MAY ASK LATER ON, IN THIS HOUSE, IN THE ALLIANCE, ALL OF THE DECISIONS ARE TAKEN BY CONSENSUS. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY -- THIS IS THE BEAUTY OF THIS ORGANIZATION -- EVERYBODY FINDS A COMMON POSITION WHICH WILL MOVE FORWARD. BUT AT THE SAME TIME EVERYBODY FEELS COMFORTABLE WITH THE DECISION TAKEN. ///END ACT///PRESIDENT CONSTANTINESCU DESCRIBED FOR THE AMBASSADORS RECENT
STEPS ROMANIA HAS TAKEN TO PUT BANKS AND OIL REFINERIES INTO
PRIVATE HANDS AND TO MAKE MILITARY REFORMS IN PREPARATION FOR
NATO MEMBERSHIP WHENEVER IT HAPPENS. (SIGNED)
[03] TURKEY / OCALAN (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=11/25/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-242135 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: TURKEY SEEMS TO BE EASING ITS DEMAND THAT ITALY HAND OVER KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN TO FACE TRIAL IN TURKEY. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS THAT A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAYS TURKEY WOULD BE SATISFIED IF THE KURDISH LEADER WERE PUT ON TRIAL IN ANOTHER COUNTRY. TEXT: TURKEY AND ITALY HAVE BEEN EMBROILED IN A DIPLOMATIC DISPUTE BECAUSE ITALY IS REFUSING TO EXTRADITE KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. TURKISH AUTHORITIES SAY THE KURDISH LEADER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS OF NEARLY 30-THOUSAND PEOPLE. ABDULLAH OCALAN -- THE LEADER OF THE SEPARATIST GROUP KNOWN AS THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, OR P-K-K -- WAS ARRESTED MORE THAN TWO WEEKS AGO AS HE ARRIVED IN ROME AFTER A FLIGHT FROM MOSCOW. BUT ITALY REJECTED TURKEY'S EXTRADITION DEMANDS BECAUSE ITALIAN LAW FORBIDS EXTRADITION TO A COUNTRY WITH THE DEATH PENALTY. TURKISH GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN AHAD ANDICAN SAID THAT IDEALLY, TURKEY WANTS ABDULLAH OCALAN TO FACE TRIAL IN TURKEY WHERE HE IS WANTED ON TREASON CHARGES. BUT THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IF THIS DID NOT HAPPEN, TURKEY WOULD BE SATISFIED IF THE P-K-K LEADER IS PUT ON TRIAL FOR TERRORISM IN A THIRD COUNTRY. OBSERVERS SAY MR. ANDICAN'S COMMENTS SHOW THAT TURKEY WOULD BE WILLING TO SEE THE KURDISH LEADER PROSECUTED IN GERMANY. ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER MASSIMO D'ALEMA HAS SAID HE EXPECTS GERMANY TO ASK ITALY TO HAND OVER THE P-K-K LEADER. GERMAN AUTHORITIES ISSUED A WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST IN 1990 IN CONNECTION WITH HIS ALLEGED ROLE IN THE SLAYING OF SEVERAL REBEL DESERTERS IN GERMANY. BUT GERMAN AUTHORITIES APPEAR RELUCTANT TO OFFICIALLY SEEK THE KURDISH REBEL LEADER'S EXTRADITION. THERE ARE NEARLY THREE-MILLION TURKS IN GERMANY -- ABOUT ONE-HALF-MILLION OF THEM ETHNIC KURDS. SOME GERMAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY FEAR AN OUTBREAK OF VIOLENCE IF THE THE P-K-K LEADER WERE PUT ON TRIAL IN THEIR COUNTRY. THE P-K-K HAS BEEN WAGING A 14-YEAR ARMED CAMPAIGN FOR SELF RULE
IN TURKEY'S MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEASTERN REGION. (SIGNED)
[04] TURKEY GOVERNMENT (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=11/25/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-242131 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: TURKEY'S PARLIAMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IS EXPECTED TO APPROVE A MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT -- FORCING THE RESIGNATION OF THE COALITION CABINET LED BY PRIME MINISTER MESUI YILMAZ. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS TURKEY'S LEADING OPPOSITION PARTIES ARE EXPECTED TO JOIN FORCES TO BRING DOWN THE GOVERNMENT. TEXT: WITH THE FALL OF THE GOVERNMENT ALMOST A FOREGONE CONCLUSION, ANALYSTS ARE FOCUSING ON WHO WILL BE ASKED TO FORM THE NEW GOVERNMENT. UNDER THE TURKISH CONSTITUTION, IT IS UP TO TURKISH PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL TO ASK A POLITICAL LEADER TO TRY HIS HAND. TRADITIONALLY THIS WOULD BE THE HEAD OF THE LARGEST PARTY IN PARLIAMENT. WITH 144 SEATS, MORE THAN ANY OF ITS PRO-SECULAR RIVALS, THE ISLAMIST VIRTUE PARTY QUALIFIES. BUT OBSERVERS SAY STIFF MILITARY OPPOSITION TO THE ISLAMISTS MAKE IT UNLIKELY THAT PRESIDENT DEMIREL WILL ASK VIRTUE PARTY LEADER RECAI KUTAN TO FORM THE NEW GOVERNMENT. THEY ADD THAT FOR THE SAME REASON, NONE OF THE PRO-SECULAR PARTIES WOULD WANT TO FORM A COALITION WITH THE ISLAMISTS. TURKEY'S FIRST ISLAMIST-LED GOVERNMENT WAS PRESSURED BY THE MILITARY TO STEP DOWN LAST YEAR AMID ACCUSATIONS THAT IT WAS SEEKING TO INTRODUCE ISLAMIC RULE. POLITICAL COMMENTATORS SAY THE MOST LIKELY SCENARIO IS THAT MR. YILMAZ AND HIS COALITION PARTNER -- LEFT WING LEADER BULENT ECEVIT -- WILL TEAM UP AGAIN. BUT THIS TIME THEY WILL INCLUDE RIGHT WING LEADER TANSU CILLER IN THEIR GOVERNMENT. TOGETHER THE THREE PARTIES WOULD HAVE A COMFORTABLE MAJORITY. ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE FOR PRESIDENT DEMIREL TO APPOINT A NEUTRAL CARETAKER GOVERNMENT TO CARRY THE COUNTY THROUGH UNTIL ELECTIONS THAT ARE SCHEDULED HELD NEXT APRIL. MR. YILMAZ'S COALITION EFFECTIVELY ENDED AFTER LEFT WING LEADER
DENIZ BAYKAL WITHDREW HIS SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNMENT OVER CHARGES
THAT IT WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR CORRUPTION SCANDAL. MR. BAYKAL'S
SUPPORT HAD BEEN CRUCIAL TO THE MINORITY COALITION. (SIGNED)
[05] TURKEY GOVERNMENT (L UPDATE) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=11/25/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-242149 CONTENT= VOICED AT: ///// ED'S: THIS REPORT UPDATES CR 2-242131. /////INTRO: TURKEY'S MINORITY COALITION GOVERNMENT COLLAPSED WEDNESDAY AFTER THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT APPROVED A MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE IN THE CABINET OF PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA. TEXT: TURKEY'S LEADING OPPOSITION PARTIES JOINED FORCES, AND AS EXPECTED, THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT EASILY APPROVED THE MOTION OF NO-CONFIDENCE IN THE CENTER-LEFT COALITION GOVERNMENT -- 314 TO 214. AFTER THE VOTE, PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ SPOKE BRIEFLY. /// YILMAZ ACT - IN TURKISH - FADE UNDER ///MR. YILMAZ THANKED THE LAWMAKERS FOR WHAT HE TERMED THEIR COOPERATION DURING HIS 16-MONTHS IN OFFICE. MR. YILMAZ'S COALITION EFFECTIVELY ENDED AFTER LEFT-WING LEADER DENIZ BAYKAL WITHDREW HIS SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNMENT UNDER CHARGES IT WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR CORRUPTION SCANDAL. MR BAYKAL'S SUPPORT HAD BEEN CRUCIAL TO THE MINORITY COALITION. ATTENTION TURNS NOW TO POTENTIAL CANDIDATES TO REPLACE MR. YILMAZ. UNDER THE TURKISH CONSTITUTION, IT IS UP TO PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL TO ASK A POLITICAL LEADER TO TRY HIS HAND. TRADITIONALLY THIS WOULD BE THE HEAD OF THE LARGEST PARTY IN THE PARLIAMENT. WITH 144 SEATS MORE THAN ANY OF ITS PRO-SECULAR RIVALS, THE ISLAMIST "VIRTUE PARTY" QUALIFIES. BUT OBSERVERS SAY STIFF MILITARY OPPOSITION TO THE ISLAMISTS MAKE IT UNLIKELY PRESIDENT DEMIREL WILL ASK VIRTUE PARTY LEADER RECAI KUTAN TO FORM THE NEW GOVERNMENT. THEY ADD THAT EVEN IF HE DID, NONE OF THE PRO-SECULAR PARTIES WOULD WANT TO FORM A COALITION WITH THE ISLAMISTS FOR THE SAME REASON. TURKEY'S FIRST ISLAMIST-LED GOVERNMENT WAS PRESSURED BY THE MILITARY TO STEP DOWN LAST YEAR AMID ACCUSATIONS IT WAS SEEKING TO INTRODUCE ISLAMIC RULE. POLITICAL COMMENTATORS SAY THE MOST LIKELY SCENARIO IS THAT MR. YILMAZ AND HIS COALITION PARTNER -- LEFT-WING LEADER BULENT ECEVIT -- WILL TEAM UP AGAIN. BUT THIS TIME THEY WILL INCLUDE RIGHT-WING LEADER TANSU CILLER IN THEIR GOVERNMENT. TOGETHER, THE THREE PARTIES WOULD HAVE A COMFORTABLE MAJORITY. ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE FOR PRESIDENT DEMIREL TO APPOINT A
NEUTRAL CARETAKER GOVERNMENT TO CARRY THE COUNTRY UNTIL ELECTIONS
SCHEDULED FOR NEXT APRIL. (SIGNED)
[06] E-U CONGO (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)DATE=11/25/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-242153 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: CONGO PRESIDENT LAURENT KABILA LEFT THE BRUSSELS HEADQUARTERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION WEDNESDAY WITH A WARNING THAT THE ALLIANCE WILL NOT RESTORE AID TO HIS GOVERNMENT UNTIL THE CURRENT CIVIL WAR IS ENDED, AND HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY IS RESTORED IN THE COUNTRY. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS. TEXT: IN WHAT MANY OBSERVERS HAVE SEEN AS A SNUB TO THE AFRICAN VISITOR, PRESIDENT KABILA WAS NOT INVITED TO MEET EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER. THE CONGOLESE LEADER WAS RECEIVED BY THE E-U'S DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONER, JOAO DE DEUS PINHEIRO. // OPT // MR. KABILA HAS MEETINGS THURSDAY WITH THE BELGIAN KING, ALBERT THE SECOND, AND WITH PRIME MINISTER JEAN-LUC DEHAENE. // END OPT // THE MEETING WITH MR. PINHEIRO LASTED OVER AN HOUR LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED, WITH BOTH SIDES KEEN TO GET THEIR VIEWS ACROSS. MR. PINHEIRO CALLED FOR A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS OF CONGO, AND WELCOMED THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE KABILA GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO HOLD ELECTIONS, TO WHICH EUROPEAN UNION MONITORS ARE BEING INVITED. // OPT //// END OPT //PRESIDENT KABILA STRESSED THAT HIS COUNTRY NEEDS INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP RESTORE ITS DAMAGED ECONOMY, TO HELP WITH THE MOVE TO DEMOCRACY AND ALSO FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS, SUCH AS ROAD-BUILDING. HOWEVER, HE SAYS THE WAR BETWEEN HIS FORCES AND REBEL TROOPS IS THE FAULT OF WHAT HE CALLS INVADING ARMIES. DESPITE SEVERAL QUESTIONS FROM JOURNALISTS ABOUT ALLEGED HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND GENOCIDE IN CONGO, PRESIDENT KABILA REPEATEDLY DENIED THERE ARE ANY SUCH PROBLEMS. HE CLAIMS REPORTS OF HUMAN-RIGHTS ABUSES ARE A FABRICATION, PUT AROUND BY SUPPORTERS OF THE FORMER REGIME OF ZAIREAN PRESIDENT MOBUTU SESE-SEKO. THE CONGOLESE LEADER ALSO SAYS THAT WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN MASSACRES, THESE WERE CARRIED OUT BY RWANDAN TROOPS, NOT BY HIS FORCES. PRESIDENT KABILA FLIES TO PARIS LATER THURSDAY TO ATTEND A MEETING OF LEADERS FROM THE FRENCH-SPEAKING WORLD. HE SAYS HE IS KEEN TO PUT OVER HIS POINT OF VIEW -- THAT HIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN ILLEGALLY INVADED BY FOREIGN FORCES, WHILE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY DOES NOTHING TO STOP IT. /// REST OPT ///IN ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT, A GROUP CALLED THE BELGIAN EMPLOYERS'
FEDERATION RELEASED A STATEMENT SUGGESTING THAT IF PRESIDENT
KABILA WANTS TO ATTRACT NEW FOREIGN INVESTMENT, HE SHOULD TREAT
EXISTING INVESTORS A LOT BETTER. (SIGNED)
[07] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=11/25/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-242164 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP MODESTLY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN LACKLUSTER PRE-HOLIDAY TRADING. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 93 HUNDRED 14, UP 13 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED 86, UP FOUR POINTS. ALTHOUGH STOCKS DID CLOSE HIGHER, ANALYSTS SAY THERE WAS NOT MUCH CONVICTION AMONG TRADERS, MANY OF WHOM SEEMED MORE INTERESTED IN LEAVING WORK EARLY THAN IN TRADING STOCKS. U-S FINANCIAL MARKETS WILL BE CLOSED THURSDAY FOR THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY. ANALYSTS SAY IT MAY BE MONDAY BEFORE A CLEAR DIRECTION FOR STOCK PRICES IS DETERMINED. ///BEGIN OPT//////OPT///GOLDMAN ACT///THE OUTLOOK FOR THE ECONOMY NEXT YEAR, IN OUR OPINION, IS POSITIVE. THE OUTLOOK FOR INFLATION REMAINS POSITIVE. AND CORPORATE EARNINGS ARE GOING TO RISE NEXT YEAR, ALBEIT MODERATELY MAYBE SEVEN TO EIGHT PERCENT. AND THE DOMINANT MOOD OF THE MARKET IS ONE OF WANTING TO OWN STOCKS FOR THE LONG TERM AND THAT MOOD IS BACKED UP BY PLENTY OF MONEY. ///END ACT///END OPT///THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS AMERICANS SPENT MORE THAN THEY EARNED IN OCTOBER, THE SECOND MONTH IN A ROW THAT SPENDING OUTPACED INCOME. ANALYSTS SAY THE SPENDING SPREE SHOULD CONTINUE THROUGH THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON. /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///THE GOVERNMENT SAYS SALES OF EXISTING HOMES IN THE UNITED STATES ROSE LAST MONTH AND ARE EXPECTED TO HIT A RECORD LEVEL BY THE END OF THE YEAR. LOW UNEMPLOYMENT AND LOW MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES ARE CREDITED FOR THE HOUSING MARKET BOOM. THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS FILING CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS DROPPED LAST WEEK TO ITS LOWEST LEVEL IN ALMOST TWO MONTHS. BETTER WEATHER IN MUCH OF THE NATION MEANT FEWER LAYOFFS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. BRITISH PETROLEUM STOCKHOLDERS HAVE OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED THE COMPANY'S PLANNED TAKEOVER OF AMOCO OF THE UNITED STATES. THE COMBINED FIRM WILL BECOME THE THIRD-LARGEST OIL COMPANY IN THE WORLD BEHIND EXXON AND ROYAL DUTCH SHELL. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAYS IT WILL BUILD A NEW PLANT IN THE CITY OF DETROIT RATHER THAN CONTINUE TO ASSEMBLE ITS MOTORHOME FRAMES IN MEXICO. HOWEVER, FORD SAYS THE MOVE DOES NOT SIGNAL A MAJOR SHIFT OF OTHER MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY FROM MEXICO BACK TO THE UNITED STATES. DAIMLER CHRYSLER, THE GERMAN-AMERICAN AUTO COMPANY, SAYS IT WILL
INVEST MORE THAN 150 MILLION DOLLARS TO EXPAND ITS MERCEDES PLANT
IN SOUTH AFRICA. SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA WELCOMED
THE MOVE SAYING IT WILL HELP REDUCE HIS NATION'S UNEMPLOYMENT
RATE WHICH IS CURRENTLY RUNNING AT ALMOST 30 PERCENT.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
[08] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=11/25/98TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-11022 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= ////////INTRO: A GLANCE AT SOME OF THE NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL COLUMNS THIS DAY BEFORE THE GREAT AMERICAN HARVEST FESTIVAL OF THANKSGIVING, SHOWS A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION. THEY INCLUDE, DEALING WITH IRAQ; THE SHOWING ON TELEVISION OF WHAT SOME CALL A MERCY KILLING BY A CONTROVERSIAL MICHIGAN DOCTOR; THE MURDER OF AN IMPORTANT DEMOCRACY ADVOCATE IN RUSSIA; AND ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO'S DECISION NOT TO INVESTIGATE VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE FOR ALLEGED CAMPAIGN VIOLATIONS. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS IS ___________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: UNITED STATES PAPERS ARE ANGRY AT WHAT THEY PERCEIVE TO BE YET ANOTHER DELAYING TACTIC BY IRAQ'S SADDAM HUSSEIN IN COMPLYING TOTALLY WITH THE RE-INSTATED UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTIONS EFFORT. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" MAKES ITS OPINION KNOWN IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE TODAY, WHICH READS: "CLEAR CASE FOR HITTING IRAQ." VOICE: HOW MANY MORE TIMES WILL THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL, WITH AMERICAN CONCURRENCE, STERNLY ADMONISH IRAQ THAT IT MUST LIVE UP TO ITS OFTEN GIVEN AND JUST AS OFTEN BROKEN PROMISES TO COOPERATE FULLY WITH U-N INSPECTORS AS THEY TRY TO FIND THE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION SADDAM HUSSEIN CONTINUES TO HIDE? ... THE CASE FOR TAKING MILITARY ACTION DOES NOT HAVE TO BE JUSTIFIED AGAIN. IT DERIVES FROM IRAQ'S RECORD OF THE LAST SEVEN YEARS. ... THAT IS ALL THE JUSTIFICATION THE PRESIDENT NEEDS TO ORDER PUNITIVE AIRSTRIKES. TEXT: TURKEY HAS EASED ITS INSISTENCE THAT KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN STAND TRIAL IN TURKEY ON TREASON CHARGES. TURKEY AND ITALY HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN A DIPLOMATIC DISPUTE OVER THE KURDISH REBEL LEADER'S FATE SINCE HE WAS DETAINED IN ROME ON NOVEMBER 12TH. TURKEY PROMPTLY DEMANDED HIS EXTRADITION. BUT ITALY REFUSED, SAYING ITS LAWS PROHIBIT EXTRADITING SUSPECTS TO COUNTRIES THAT HAVE THE DEATH PENALTY. "THE BOSTON GLOBE" WRITES OF THE DILEMMA: VOICE: /// OPT /// THERE IS REPRESSION IN TURKEY. ... THE TURKS HAVE NOT HANDLED THE ASPIRATIONS OF THEIR KURDISH MINORITY AS WISELY AS THEY MIGHT. BUT ABDULLAH OCALAN'S KURDISH WORKERS' PARTY (P-K-K) IS NOT A MODEL OF JEFFERSONIAN VALUES. THE P-K-K MEMBERS ARE VICIOUS KILLERS , RESPONSIBLE FOR HUNDREDS - - PERHAPS THOUSANDS - - OF DEATHS, AND THEY HAVE EXTENDED THEIR WAR TO EUROPE AND BEYOND. GERMANY HAS TWO ARREST WARRANTS OUT FOR [MR.] OCALAN. /// END OPT /// THE UNITED STATES URGED ITALY TO RECONSIDER, [EXTRADITING HIM] BUT THE ANTI-AMERICANISM OF THE FORMER COMMUNISTS WHO NOW RULE IN ROME MAY HAVE BEEN A FACTOR IN ITALY'S REFUSAL. TO EXCUSE THE ACTIONS OF [MR.] OCALAN AND THE P-K-K BECAUSE OF THE OPPRESSION OF THE KURDISH PEOPLE IS TO SAY THAT HAMAS BOMBERS IN JERUSALEM SHOULDN'T BE ARRESTED BECAUSE ISRAEL HAS NOT ALWAYS TREATED THE PALESTINIANS WELL. TERRORISM, NO MATTER IN WHAT CAUSE .... SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED. TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, THE TELEVISED DEATH OF A MAN WITH AN INCURABLE ILLNESS [LOU GEHRIG'S DISEASE OR AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS] BY CONTROVERSIAL MICHIGAN DOCTOR JACK KEVORKIAN, IS CAUSING A FUROR ACROSS THE NATION. IN KANSAS, "THE TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL" COMMENTS: VOICE: /// OPT /// DR. JACK KEVORKIAN IS AN OUTRAGE. HE FLOUTS THE LAW, THUMBS HIS NOSE AT SOCIETY AND NOW BRAZENLY AND ARROGANTLY HAS PUT HIS OWN FINGER ON HIS DEATH MACHINE (OVER 120 SERVED) - - AND ON NATIONAL TELEVISION? YES, THE MAN IS INDEED AN OUTRAGE. AND HE'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. YES, QUESTIONS HIS MOTIVES /// END OPT /// .... WHATEVER HE IS, DR. ... KEVORKIAN IS SURE TO GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS A PIONEER - - AND PERHAPS EVEN A HERO. PRIMARILY BECAUSE HE IS RIGHT. AND BECAUSE SOCIETY IS WRONG. WE SIMPLY HAVE NOT EVEN BEGUN TO DEAL WITH THE LIFE-AND-DEATH ISSUES THAT [DR.] KEVORKIAN IS SHOVING IN OUR FACE ..... DEATH WITH DIGNITY. AN END TO UNENDING SUFFERING. SELF-DETERMINATION. COMPASSION. HUMANITY. ... SHAME ON US FOR ACTING MORE HUMANELY TOWARD CATS AND DOGS IN THE ANIMAL SHELTER THAN TOWARD OURSELVES AND OUR LOVED ONES. /// OPT ///TEXT: "THE MIAMI HERALD" PICKS UP THE SAME GENERAL THEME, THAT WHILE DR. KEVORKIAN IS VERY AGGRESSIVE IN HIS CAMPAIGN, THE ISSUES HE RAISES HAVE NOT YET BEEN PROPERLY DEALT WITH BY SOCIETY OR THE GOVERNMENT. VOICE: HE HAS GIVEN VOICE TO WHAT MANY OLDER AND CHRONICALLY ILL PEOPLE HAVE WHISPERED, THAT WATCHING ONESELF DIE BY DEGREES IS TORTURE. YET LAWMAKERS WERE SLOW TO ADDRESS EVEN THE LEGAL RIGHT OF THE DYING AND THEIR SURROGATES TO AVOID THE ARTIFICIAL PROLONGING OF LIFE. ... SO DR. DEATH'S NEW CHALLENGE TO MICHIGAN'S LAW MUST BE ANSWERED. BUT THE DEBATE SHOULDN'T END THERE .... TEXT: AND IN OREGON, WHICH HAS THE ONLY PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED- SUICIDE LAW IN THE NATION, "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND ADDS THAT DR. KEVORKIAN HAS MADE AN IMPORTANT POINT. VOICE: IN TERMS OF SHEER EFFICIENCY, ALLOWING DOCTORS TO KILL THEIR PATIENTS, AS OPPOSED TO FORCING PATIENTS TO DO IT THEMSELVES, IS PROBABLY THE BETTER - - AND MORE EFFICIENT - - COURSE. AS [DR.] KEVORKIAN DEMONSTRATED TO THE WORLD SUNDAY, [ON THE CBS TELEVISION PROGRAM 60 MINUTES,] SUCH A DEATH IS SURE AND FAST. THE SELF-ADMINISTERED POISONS UNDER OREGON'S LAW CAN BE LESS SURE AND LESS FAST. /// END OPT ///TEXT: TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" MOURNS THE MURDER OF RUSSIA'S LEADING WOMAN DEMOCRAT, GALINA STAROVOITOVA, WHO WAS BURIED IN ST. PETERSBURG YESTERDAY (TUESDAY). THE NEWSPAPER COMMENTS ON THE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT PATH FOR DEMOCRACY ADVOCATES IN RUSSIA TODAY: VOICE: A FOUNDER OF RUSSIA'S DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT WHO HAD SPOKEN OUT STRONGLY AGAINST THE INCREASINGLY ANTI-SEMITIC TONE IN PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES, [MS.] STAROVOITOVA WAS ..... THE SIXTH MEMBER OF THE RUSSIAN DUMA TO BE ASSASSINATED SINCE 1994. NONE OF THE MURDERS HAS BEEN SOLVED. ... RUSSIAN WORKERS ARE NOT PAID, THE ARMY HAS LOST ITS MORALE, THE DARK DEMONS OF NATIONALISM AND COMMUNISM GATHER IN THE SHADOWS. THE ONCE BRIGHT FORCES OF DEMOCRATIC REFORM LIE INERT AND UNHEEDED IN THE GUTTER. TEXT: ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO HAS DECIDED THERE IS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO APPOINT A SPECIAL COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED CAMPAIGN FINANCE ABUSES BY VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE DURING THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. "THE OMAHA WORLD-HERALD" IS NOT PLEASED. VOICE: THESE DAYS IT'S HARD TO OPEN A NEWSPAPER OR SWITCH ON A NEWS BROADCAST WITHOUT SEEING EVIDENCE OF THE ETHICAL DEFICIENCIES OF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION. ON TUESDAY, PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ATTORNEY GENERAL, JANET RENO, AGAIN LOOKED AT THE GROWING PILE OF EVIDENCE IN THE CLINTON-GORE FUND-RAISING SCANDAL AND, OVERRULING KEY ADVISERS, DECLINED TO RECOMMEND AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL'S INVESTIGATION TO PROVIDE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AN OBJECTIVE LOOK AT THE FACTS. /// OPT /// .... EVEN IF A MAJORITY OF PEOPLE .... CONTINUE TO SAY THAT THE PRESIDENT SHOULDN'T BE IMPEACHED, THE POLLS HARDLY CONSTITUTE A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE PRESIDENT'S INTEGRITY. A GALLUP SURVEY TAKEN FOR USA TODAY AND C-N-N [CABLE NEWS NETWORK] INDICATED THAT NO FEWER THAN 89 PERCENT OF THE RESPONDENTS CONSIDER IT DEFINITELY OR PROBABLY TRUE THAT [MR.] CLINTON LIED TO THE GRAND JURY INVESTIGATING THE LEWINSKY COVER-UP. /// END OPT /// AND THIS WAS THE PRESIDENT WHO PROMISED TO GIVE AMERICA THE MOST ETHICAL ADMINISTRATION IN ITS HISTORY. /// OPT ///TEXT: "THE MIAMI HERALD" CALLS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S MOVE, "A BAD CALL [DECISION] FROM JUSTICE." VOICE: GRANTED, MUCH OF AMERICA HAS HAD ITS FILL OF INDEPENDENT COUNSEL KEN STARR AND HIS ABUSES. HOWEVER, THAT DOESN'T JUSTIFY ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO'S BAFFLING REFUSAL TO SEEK APPOINTMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE'S FUND RAISING THE 1966 CLINTON-GORE REELECTION CAMPAIGN. .... WHAT SURPRISES IS THAT MS. RENO FINDS FAULTY MEMORIES TO BE A REASON NOT TO SEND THE MATTER TO AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL. IT SIMPLY BOGGLES THE MIND THAT MR. GORE, AN EXPERIENCED POLITICIAN, MIGHT SIT MUTE THROUGH A DISCUSSION THAT COULD MAKE OR BREAK HIS FUTURE. TEXT: IN DOMESTIC BUSINESS AND COMPUTER NEWS, THE PURCHASE OF NETSCAPE COMMUNICATIONS -- DEVELOPER OF THE NETSCAPE WEB BROWSER BY AMERICA ONLINE, THE WASHINGTON-AREA-BASED INTERNET INFORMATION AND CONNECTION COMPANY, DRAWS THIS COMMENT FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES." VOICE: AMERICA ONLINE'S EFFORT TO ACQUIRE NETSCAPE AND SET UP A PARTNERSHIP WITH SUN MICROSYSTEMS IS A REMINDER OF HOW RAPIDLY THE CORPORATE LANDSCAPE CAN CHANGE IN FAST-MOVING TECHNICAL FIELDS. BUT IT DOES NOT LESSEN THE NEED FOR THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO VIGOROUSLY PURSUE ITS ANTITRUST SUIT AGAINST MICROSOFT, THE DOMINANT PLAYER IN SOFTWARE. THE DEPARTMENT HAS PRESENTED SOLID EVIDENCE THAT MICROSOFT HAS USED ITS MONOPOLY IN [PERSONAL COMPUTER] OPERATING SYSTEMS TO MUSCLE [OVERPOWER] RIVALS AND PARTNERS SO AS TO HEAD OFF COMPETITION IN OTHER SOFTWARE REALMS. TEXT: MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" NOTES THE RESURGENCE OF THE U-S STOCK MARKET, SUGGESTING: VOICE: THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS THROUGH THE CANYONS OF WALL STREET CONTINUED ON MONDAY, WITH THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE RISING ... TO A RECORD HIGH ..... UNUM CORPORATION'S MERGER WITH PROVIDENT COMPANIES ... ANNOUNCED MONDAY, WAS A PART OF THE MERGER ACTIVITY THAT HELPED DRIVE THE DAY'S RECORD HIGH. AMERICA ONLINE ANNOUNCED IT WAS BUYING NETSCAPE COMMUNICATIONS IN A FOUR-POINT-TWO BILLION DOLLAR TRANSACTION ON TUESDAY, AND DEUTSCHE BANK AG SAID IT WAS ACQUIRING BANKERS TRUST CORPORATION FOR NINE BILLION DOLLARS ... WORLD MARKETS ARE OPERATING IN A NEW PARADIGM, IN SOME WAYS, WHERE MANY OF THE OLD RULES MAY OR MAY NOT APPLY. PREDICTIONS OF THE DOW PASSING THE TEN-THOUSAND MARK BY THE END OF THE YEAR SUDDENLY HAVE NEW CREDENCE. TEXT: AND LASTLY SOME THOUGHTS ON A VICTORY FOR DEMOCRATS IN SLOVAKIA FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES." VOICE: RECENT PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN SLOVAKIA HAVE FREED THE COUNTRY FROM THE HEAVY BOOT OF VLADIMIR MECIAR, ITS DOMINANT FIGURE SINCE THE END OF COMMUNISM. MR. MECIAR ENGINEERED THE BREAKUP OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA, TURNED SLOVAKIA'S INSTITUTIONS INTO HIS POLITICAL MACHINE AND ALLOWED HIS FRIENDS TO LOOT THE TREASURY. THE COALITION OF PARTIES THAT DEFEATED HIM HAS MADE A PROMISING START, BUT IT WILL NEED SUSTAINED UNITY AND HELP FROM THE WEST TO SOLVE THE MANY PROBLEMS MR. MECIAR LEFT BEHIND. /// END OPT ///TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL
COMMENT FROM WEDNESDAY'S U-S PRESS.
[09] FRANCE AFRICA (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)DATE=11/25/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-242150 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AFRICAN LEADERS HAVE BEGUN ARRIVING IN PARIS FOR THE 20TH FRANCO-AFRICAN SUMMIT MEETING. THE TWO-DAY MEETING OFFICIALLY OPENS FRIDAY BUT DELEGATES WILL HOLD A SERIES OF BILATERAL MEETINGS THURSDAY. THIS YEAR'S CONFERENCE, BRINGING TOGETHER REPRESENTATIVES FROM 49 AFRICAN STATES, IS LIKELY TO CONCENTRATE ON UNREST IN CONGO-KINSHASA. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS. TEXT: WHEN FRANCE HELD ITS FIRST SUMMIT MEETING WITH AFRICAN COUNTRIES IN 1973, THERE WERE ONLY 11 AFRICAN STATES REPRESENTED, ALL OF THEM FRENCH-SPEAKING. THIS YEAR, WITH FORMER BRITISH AND PORTUGUESE-RULED COUNTRIES ATTENDING, THERE WILL BE REPRESENTATIVES OF 49 AFRICAN STATES. THE LEADER LIKELY TO ATTRACT MOST ATTENTION WILL BE LAURENT KABILA, THE PRESIDENT OF CONGO-KINSHASA WHO LAST YEAR TOPPLED THE LEADER OF WHAT WAS FORMERLY CALLED ZAIRE, MOBUTU SESE SEKO. WITH A FOUR-MONTH REBELLION RAGING IN HIS COUNTRY, THE PARIS MEETING WILL BRING TOGETHER MANY OF THE MAIN PLAYERS IN THE CONFLICT. ONLY THE REBELS THEMSELVES, WHO HAVE NOT BEEN INVITED, WILL BE ABSENT. UGANDA AND RWANDA HAVE FORCES BACKING THE REBELS FIGHTING PRESIDENT KABILA WHILE ANGOLA, NAMIBIA, CHAD AND ZIMBABWE SUPPORT THE KINSHASA GOVERNMENT. WITH THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN ALSO ATTENDING THE PARIS CONFERENCE, DIPLOMATS SAY THE MEETING COULD HELP NUDGE THE WARRING PARTIES TOWARD PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. IF NOT, MANY ANALYSTS FEAR THAT THE CONGO CONFLICT COULD ERUPT INTO A MUCH WIDER WAR ACROSS AFRICA. VISITING BRUSSELS BEFORE ARRIVING IN PARIS, MR. KABILA TRIED TO SOFTEN EUROPEAN CRITICISM OF HIS POLICIES AND HIS HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD, PROMISING TO ALLOW POLITICAL PARTIES TO OPERATE FREELY WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS. FOR FRANCE, WHICH HAS HAD TENSE RELATIONS WITH KINSHASA SINCE THE FALL OF THE LATE PRESIDENT MOBUTU, THE PARIS MEETING REPRESENTS A CHANCE TO RENEW ITS INFLUENCE ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT. DURING THE WAR THAT BROUGHT MR. KABILA TO POWER AND IN THE MONTHS THAT FOLLOWED, FRANCE FEARED THAT ITS ONCE POWERFUL ROLE WAS DECLINING WITH THE UNITED STATES LIKELY TO TAKE THE ADVANTAGE. AFTER FRANCE GRANTED ITS COLONIES INDEPENDENCE IN THE 1960S, IT NONETHELESS MAINTAINED A NUMBER OF MILITARY GARRISONS ON THE CONTINENT AND FREQUENTLY INTERVENED TO SHORE UP FRIENDLY GOVERNMENTS THAT WERE THREATENED BY INTERNAL REBELLION OR INTERVENTION FROM OUTSIDE. SINCE THE ELECTION OF PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC IN 1995, HOWEVER,
FRANCE HAS SCALED DOWN ITS MILITARY PRESENCE AND PROMISED A NEW
APPROACH TO COOPERATION WITH AFRICA. (SIGNED)
[10] BRITAIN / PINOCHET (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)DATE=11/25/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-242130 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE BRITISH HOUSE OF LORDS WILL RULE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ON WHETHER BRITAIN CAN EXTRADITE FORMER CHILEAN LEADER AUGUSTO PINOCHET TO SPAIN. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON. TEXT: THE FIVE-JUDGE PANEL IS RULING ON WHETHER MR. PINOCHET ENJOYS DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY FROM EXTRADITION AS A FORMER HEAD OF STATE. THE CASE HAS FUELED EMOTIONAL REACTIONS IN CHILE, SPAIN, AND BRITAIN, ESPECIALLY AMONG CHILEAN EXILES AND RELATIVES OF VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES DURING MR. PINOCHET'S 17-YEAR RULE. BRITISH LAWYER JEFFERY BINDMAN REPRESENTS VICTIMS OF MR. PINOCHET'S GOVERNMENT. HE TOLD BRITISH RADIO MR. PINOCHET SHOULD NOT ESCAPE JUDGMENT. /// BINDMAN ACT ///IN INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW THERE IS NO IMMUNITY FOR ANYBODY WHO COMMITS CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. /// END ACT ///MR. PINOCHET'S LAWYERS HAVE ARGUED THAT HIS EXTRADITION COULD DESTABILIZE CHILE AND RUIN RELATIONS BETWEEN SANTIAGO AND LONDON. MR. PINOCHET WAS ARRESTED SIX WEEKS AGO WHEN HE CAME TO BRITAIN FOR BACK SURGERY. A SPANISH JUDGE REQUESTED HIS ARREST AND EXTRADITION TO FACE CHARGES FOR THE TORTURE, MURDER AND DISAPPEARANCE OF CHILEANS AND OTHER NATIONALS AFTER HE SEIZED POWER IN A BLOODY COUP IN 1973. THE FORMER GENERAL IS AWAITING THE FINAL RULING UNDER POLICE GUARD AT A PRIVATE LONDON CLINIC. A CHILEAN MILITARY AIRCRAFT IS WAITING TO TAKE HIM HOME IF THE HOUSE OF LORDS RULES IN HIS FAVOR. IF NOT, HIS EXTRADITION TO SPAIN BECOMES MORE PROBABLE. FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND HAVE ALSO FILED FORMAL EXTRADITION REQUESTS. THE RULING ON MR. PINOCHET'S FATE COINCIDES WITH THE GENERAL'S
83RD BIRTHDAY. (SIGNED)
[11] BRITAIN/PINOCHET (S-UPDATE) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)DATE=11/25/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-242152 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: FORMER CHILEAN LEADER AUGUSTO PINOCHET HAS LOST HIS LEGAL BATTLE IN THE BRITISH HOUSE OF LORDS, WHERE A LEGAL PANEL RULED THREE-TO-TWO AGAINST GRANTING HIM IMMUNITY FROM EXTRADITION TO SPAIN. THE CHILEAN GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT AGAINST MR PINOCHET'S EXTRADITION TO SPAIN. MORE FROM V-O-A'S LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON. TEXT: CHILEANS, EXILES AND VICTIMS OF MR. PINOCHET'S GOVERNMENT ARE CELEBRATING THE RULING AGAINST THE FORMER CHILEAN GENERAL. BUT CHILEAN AMBASSADOR MARIO ARTEZA SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT WILL FIGHT THE EXTRADITION REQUEST. ///ARTEZA ACT ///WE ARE CONSCIOUS THAT THIS CASE PRESENTED THE GOVERNMENT WITH A SITUATION IN WHICH THE COURSE OF ACTION COULD BE UNPOPULAR. WE DECIDED A LONG TIME AGO THAT IT WAS MUCH BETTER TO BE UNPOPULAR THAN WRONG. /// END ACT ///THE AMBASSADOR SAYS HE WILL DELIVER AN OFFICIAL MESSAGE TO THE BRITISH HOME OFFICE. CHILE'S FOREIGN MINISTER WILL VISIT LONDON AND MADRID SOON TO PRESENT HIS GOVERNMENT'S POINT OF VIEW ON THE EXTRADITION CASE. ///OPT THE REST ///A SPANISH JUDGE REQUESTED MR. PINOCHET'S ARREST AND EXTRADITION
TO FACE CHARGES OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES DURING HIS 17-YEAR-RULE IN
CHILE. (SIGNED)
[12] CHILE/PINOCHET REACT BY JONATHAN FRANKLIN (SANTIAGO)DATE=11/25/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-242163 CONTENT= VOICED AT: ///EDS: SPANISH ACT IN BUBBLE///INTRO: MANY CHILEANS WERE SHOCKED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE DECISION IN LONDON THAT PAVES THE WAY FOR THE EXTRADITION TO SPAIN OF FORMER CHILEAN LEADER, GENERAL AUGUSTO PINOCHET, TO FACE HUMAN RIGHTS CHARGES. AS JONATHAN FRANKLIN REPORTS FROM SANTIAGO, MANY CHILEANS HAD ASSUMED BRITAIN WOULD ALLOW THE FORMER DICTATOR, WHO RULED THE COUNTRY FOR 17-YEARS AFTER TAKING POWER IN A MILITARY COUP, TO RETURN TO HIS HOMELAND. TEXT: MANY CHILEANS EXPRESSED SHOCK FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY'S RULING BY BRITAIN'S HIGHEST COURT THAT GENERAL PINOCHET DOES NOT HAVE IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION FOR CRIMES COMMITTED WHEN HE WAS HEAD OF STATE. AFTER A ENJOYING VIRTUAL IMMUNITY INSIDE HIS OWN COUNTRY, FEW CHILEANS BELIEVED THAT JUSTICE WOULD EVER CATCH UP WITH THE 83-YEAR OLD FORMER DICTATOR. THE DECISION TO KEEP GENERAL PINOCHET IN BRITAIN, WHICH CAME ON HIS BIRTHDAY, SPARKED STREET PROTESTS, CELEBRATIONS AND GENERALIZED HAVOC IN DOWNTOWN SANTIAGO. SOME HUMAN RIGHTS SUPPORTERS OPENED CHAMPAGNE, DANCED CHILEAN FOLK DANCES, AND CRIED WITH JOY. AMONG THOSE WHO WELCOMED THE DECISION WAS SONIA BURGOS, WHO SPOKE TO V-O-A WHILE TAKING PART IN A JUBILANT STREET DEMONSTRATION. ///BURGOS SPANISH ACT///THE WHOLE COUNTRY WAS WAITING FOR THE DECISION, SHE SAID. NOW WE ARE HAPPY. IF JUSTICE HAS TO BE CARRIED OUT ABROAD THAT IS AN EMBARRASSMENT -- BUT WE KNOW WE CAN'T JUDGE HIM HERE. THE FORMER LEADER'S SUPPORTERS WERE BRIEFLY STUNNED BY THE NEWS AND SOME EVEN ATTACKED FOREIGN JOURNALISTS COVERING A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE NON-PROFIT PINOCHET FOUNDATION, LOCATED IN A WEALTHY SANTIAGO SUBURB. GENERAL PINOCHET'S SON, AUGUSTO PINOCHET, WAS ENRAGED -- AND YELLED A DEFIANT DEFENSE OF HIS FATHER. ///PINOCHET SPANISH ACT///THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THIS COUNTRY, HE SHOUTED, HAVE A RICH HISTORY -- WE HAVE NEVER BEEN DEFEATED AND THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE THE FIRST TIME. THERE WAS LITTLE VIOLENCE IN SANTIAGO WEDNESDAY, BUT AS GROUPS OF HUMAN RIGHTS SUPPORTERS ATTEMPTED TO MARCH ON THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE THEY WERE REPEATEDLY DRENCHED BY WATER CANNONS AND REPULSED BY RIOT POLICE. MEANWHILE, IN A BRIEF NATIONWIDE ADDRESS, PRESIDENT EDUARDO FREI VOWED TO RENEW EFFORTS TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF GENERAL PINOCHET AND ORDERED HIS FOREIGN MINISTER JOSE MIGUEL INSULZA TO FLY TO LONDON AND MADRID TO REPRESENT HIS GOVERNMENT'S POSITION. MR. FREI ALSO APPEALED FOR CALM. GENERAL PINOCHET SEIZED POWER IN A BLOODY COUP IN 1973, AND RULED
CHILE UNTIL 1990. HE RETAINED HIS POSITION AS ARMY COMMANDER
UNTIL LAST MARCH, WHEN HE RETIRED AND WAS SWORN IN AS
SENATOR-FOR-LIFE. (SIGNED)
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