Voice of America, 98-12-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREECE / REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[02] KOSOVO REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (VRANOC)

[03] EUROPE / OIL (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[04] OIL INDUSTRY MERGERS CQ BY LINDA CASHDAN (WASHINGTON)

[05] GERMANY / FRANCE (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[06] PINOCHET/SPAIN (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

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

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

[09] EXTRADITING PINOCHET:THE CONTROVERSY CONTINUES BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[10] EXTRADITING PINOCHET:THE CONTROVERSY CONTINUES BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] GREECE / REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, HAS SHARPLY CRITICIZED THE GREEK GOVERNMENT FOR WHAT IT SAYS IS AN UNSATISFACTORY TREATMENT OF REFUGEES WHO ARE SEEKING POLITICAL ASYLUM. LISA SCHLEIN REPORTS FROM GENEVA.

TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY CRITICIZES WHAT IT SAYS IS THE POOR TREATMENT OF REFUGEES BY THE GREEK GOVERNMENT. IT SAYS IT IS RECEIVING AN INCREASING NUMBER OF REPORTS ABOUT REFUGEES BEING DEPORTED. AND IT SAYS SOME REFUGEES HAVE TO WAIT MORE THAN ONE YEAR FOR AN ASYLUM INTERVIEW.

U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI CALLS THE SITUATION DISTURBING. HE SAYS MANY OF THESE PRACTICES WOULD APPEAR TO VIOLATE A TREATY ON REFUGEES WHICH GREECE HAS RATIFIED.

OUR APPEALS TO THE GREEK AUTHORITIES -- SO FAR, WE HAVE WRITTEN TO THEM FROM BOTH ATHENS AND FROM HERE ALERTING THEM TO THE SITUATION AND ASKING THEM TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, SO FAR TO NO AVAIL.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS GREECE HAS ONLY ONE OFFICIAL RECEPTION CENTER WHICH CAN HOST UP TO 300 PEOPLE. HE SAYS THIS IS NOT ENOUGH TO COPE WITH THE NUMBER OF ARRIVALS, WHICH IS ABOUT 300 A MONTH.

THE REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS THAT LAST YEAR, MORE THAN FOUR-THOUSAND-300 PEOPLE, MOSTLY IRAQI KURDS APPLIED FOR ASYLUM IN GREECE. MR. JANOWSKI SAYS FEWER THAN HALF THE APPLICANTS WERE EXAMINED AND ONLY 130 WERE ACCEPTED. HE CALLS THAT ONE OF THE LOWEST RATES IN EUROPE.

HE SAYS A SIMILAR PICTURE IS EMERGING THIS YEAR. THE U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN SAYS AN ESTIMATED TWO-THOUSAND-200 PEOPLE HAVE APPLIED FOR ASYLUM THIS YEAR IN GREECE AND ONLY 140 WERE SUCCESSFUL. HE SAYS MANY ASYLUM SEEKERS ARE FORCED TO SLEEP ON THE STREETS IN APPALLING CONDITIONS BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH SHELTERS TO ACCOMMODATE THEM.

THE MOST SERIOUS PRACTICE IS THE PRACTICE OF DEPORTATION. IT CAME TO OUR ATTENTION THAT TWO ASYLUM SEEKERS FROM IRAQ WHO HAD BEEN RECOGNIZED BY U-N-H-C-R AS 1951 CONVENTION REFUGEES HAD BEEN RETURNED TO TURKEY.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS PEOPLE WHO SEEK ASYLUM IN GREECE ARE GENERALLY DEPORTED TO TURKEY, NO MATTER WHERE THEY COME FROM.

HE SAYS THE REFUGEE AGENCY UNDERSTANDS THE GREEK GOVERNMENT HAS FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. NEVERTHELESS, HE SAYS ASYLUM SEEKERS ARE IN A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION AND THE GREEK GOVERNMENT MUST FIND THE MONEY TO CARE FOR THEM.

EFFORTS TO REACH GREEK AUTHORITIES FOR COMMENTS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH/KL
01-Dec-98 9:53 AM EST (1453 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (VRANOC)

INTRO: NEARLY 75-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO HAVE RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES IN KOSOVO ARE FACING A GRUELING WINTER. PHILIP SMUCKER VISITED THE VILLAGE OF VRANOC WHICH WAS KNOWN IN THE PAST AS A CENTER OF GUERRILLA ACTIVITY AND FILED THIS REPORT.

TEXT: NEARLY 250-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS FLED THEIR HOMES IN KOSOVO TO ESCAPE THE FIGHTING BETWEEN SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES AND ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS ABOUT 175-THOUSAND OF THEM -- FEARING POLICE ROUND-UPS AND HARSH WINTER CONDITIONS -- HAVE NOT RETURNED HOME. THEY LIVE WITH RELATIVES OR ABROAD.

THE OTHER 75-THOUSAND HAVE RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES. BUT U-N REFUGEE OFFICIALS SAY THAT 50-MILLION DOLLARS IN ASSISTANCE FOR THE DISPLACED ETHNIC ALBANIANS IS NOT MEETING ALL THEIR NEEDS. IN VRANOC, NEARLY 850 OF THE TOWN'S ONE-THOUSAND RESIDENTS HAVE RETURNED. THEY ARE TRYING TO REBUILD AT LEAST ONE ROOM IN EACH HOUSE TO MAKE IT LIVABLE.

IN ONE HOME, THE KRASNIQI FAMILY HUDDLES AROUND A STOVE TO KEEP WARM WITH A SICK GRANDFATHER AND A NEWBORN CHILD.

A SON COMPLAINS THAT IF HE TRIES TO GO DOWN THE ROAD TO BUY MEDICINE FOR HIS FATHER'S CHRONIC BRONCHITIS, HE WILL BE ARRESTED AS A TERRORIST SUSPECT. ALREADY EIGHT VILLAGE MEN HAVE BEEN CHARGED AND ARE AWAITING TRIAL IN NEARBY PEC. THE SON, KADRI KRASNIQI, SAYS VILLAGERS FEEL DEFENSELESS AND ARE WAITING FOR NATO TO ARRIVE TO HELP THEM.

! /// KRASNIQI ACT - FADE UNDER ///

MR. KRASNIQI SAYS THE VILLAGERS NEED HELP FROM WESTERN COUNTRIES AND FROM NATO. HE SAYS THEY WANT NATO FORCES IN KOSOVO.

VRANOC WAS WELL-KNOWN AS A CENTER OF GUERRILLA ACTIVITY THIS PAST SUMMER. GUERRILLA FIGHTERS STILL LINGER IN THE NEARBY FORESTS, REGROUPING AND PLANNING FOR MORE FIGHTING.

SEVERAL FORMER VILLAGERS NOW LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES ARE KNOWN AS FIOANCIAL BACKERS OF THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, OR K-L-A. BUT VILLAGERS SAY THE BENEFACTORS ARE GIVING THEM HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN ADDITION TO HELP WITH THEIR SELF-DEFENSE FORCES. (SIGNED)
NEB/PS/JWH
01-Dec-98 1:22 PM EST (1822 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EUROPE / OIL (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE FRENCH OIL COMPANY "TOTAL" PLANS TO MERGE WITH THE BELGIAN REFINING COMPANY "PETROFINA," FORMING THE WORLD'S SIXTH LARGEST OIL GROUP. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS ON THE MERGER.

TEXT: JUST AS MOBIL AND EXXON PLAN TO FORM THE WORLD'S LARGEST INDUSTRIAL MERGER, EUROPE'S OIL CONCERNS ARE ALSO GETTING BIGGER. THE FRENCH OIL COMPANY TOTAL IS TAKING OVER BELGIUM'S PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY PETROFINA. //OPT// THE NEW COMPANY TO BE CALLED, TOTAL-FINA, WILL BE THE WORLD'S SIXTH LARGEST OIL COMPANY AND THE THIRD LARGEST IN EUROPE. //END OPT//

THE REASON FOR THE MERGER, SAYS A STATEMENT ISSUED BY PETROFINA, WILL BE TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE NORTH SEA, AND TO EXPAND ITS POSITIONS IN THE DEEP WATERS OFF ANGOLA AND THE UNITED STATES.

TOTAL SAYS THE TRANSACTION WILL ALLOW SUBSTANTIAL COST SAVINGS IN BOTH EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION, AS WELL AS IN REFINING AND MARKETING.

THERE ARE STILL SOME PROCEDURES TO CARRY OUT BEFORE THE MERGER BECOMES EFFECTIVE. SHAREHOLDERS NEED TO APPROVE THE DEAL IN JANUARY AND TRADE REGULATORS COULD ALWAYS DELAY IT. TOTAL-FINA EXPECTS, IF ALL GOES WELL, TO BE LISTED ON STOCK EXCHANGES IN PARIS, BRUSSELS AND NEW YORK BY THE MIDDLE OF 1999.

THE HEADQUARTERS FOR REFINING, MARKETING AND PETROCHEMICALS FOR TOTAL-FINA IS EXPECTED TO BE LOCATED IN BRUSSELS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/PCF
01-Dec-98 6:29 AM EST (1129 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] OIL INDUSTRY MERGERS CQ BY LINDA CASHDAN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S BASED OIL FIRMS EXXON AND MOBIL AGREED (TUESDAY, 12/1) TO A MERGER THAT WILL CREATE THE WORLD'S LARGEST OIL COMPANY. MEANWHILE, FRANCE'S OIL COMPANY, TOTAL, AND BELGIUM'S REFINER, PETROFINA, ARE MERGING TO CREATE THE WORLD'S SIXTH-LARGEST ENERGY GROUP. ECONOMICS CORRESPONDENT LINDA CASHDAN REPORTS GLOBAL OIL PRICES HAVE FALLEN 40-PERCENT IN THE PAST YEAR, AND DOWNTURNS FREQUENTLY BRING WITH THEM THE URGE TO MERGE.

TEXT: MERGERS ENABLE COMPANIES TO CUT COSTS BY SHEDDING DUPLICATE STAFF AND REDUCING CAPITAL SPENDING. U-S PETROLEUM INDUSTRY ANALYST LARRY GOLDSTEIN ESTIMATES EXXON AND MOBIL WILL SAVE ABOUT FOUR-BILLION DOLLARS IN SPENDING CUTS AND DOWNSIZING THAT WILL ACCOMPANY THEIR MERGER.

WHILE LOW OIL PRICES -- CAUSED BY THE ASIAN CRISIS AND THE RESULTING DECLINE IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY -- HAVE INTENSIFIED THE NEED FOR COST CUTTING THIS YEAR. MR. GOLDSTEIN SAYS, THE OIL INDUSTRY BEGAN MERGING AND DOWNSIZING ALMOST 15-YEARS AGO.

WE HAVE TODAY ABOUT 50-PERCENT LESS WORKERS (THAN 15-YEARS AGO) WORKING IN AN INDUSTRY THAT IS PRODUCING MORE, REFINING MORE, AND MARKETING MORE. AND UNFORTUNATELY FOR WORKERS THAT TREND NOW IS GOING TO PICK UP SOME STEAM, AND YOU ARE GOING TO SEE ENORMOUS ECONOMIES OF PEOPLE OVER THE NEXT THREE TO FIVE-YEARS.

THEIR WORK FORCES MAY BE DWINDLING, BUT THE COMPANIES' ECONOMIC RESOURCES ARE GROWING. MR. GOLDSTEIN SAYS AS PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES SOAR, THE MERGED OIL COMPANIES WILL HAVE MORE IN COMMON WITH COUNTRIES WITH NATIONALIZED PETROLEUM BUSINESSES, LIKE VENEZUELA AND IRAN, THAN WITH OTHER OIL COMPANIES. HE SAYS A MERGED EXXON-MOBIL RANKS BEHIND SAUDI ARABIA, BUT AHEAD OF KUWAIT IN A LINE UP OF THE WORLD'S TOP OIL PRODUCERS.

VINCENT FARRELL, CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER FOR THE WALL STREET FIRM SPEARS, BENZAK, EXPECTS TO SEE INCREASED BUSINESS ALLIANCES BETWEEN COMPANIES AND COUNTRIES. MR. FARRELL SAYS GIANTS LIKE EXXON-MOBIL WILL BE ABLE TO OFFER OIL PRODUCING NATIONS THE TECHNOLOGY AND CAPITAL THEY DESPERATELY NEED.

THE SAUDIS, A MONTH OR TWO AGO, SAID THEY WOULD WELCOME WESTERN TECHNOLOGY AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 25-YEARS. WELL, THIS WOULD BE THE COMPANY THEY WOULD LOVE TO DEAL WITH -- THE BIGGEST IN THE WORLD. EXXON AND MOBIL MAKE SENSE WHEN YOU FIGURE THE ECONOMIC POWER THEY CAN BRING HUNTING FOR THE BIG ELEPHANTS, BUT IT IS GOING TO BE THE BIG ELEPHANTS THEY GO AFTER AND A LOT OF THE LITTLE FIELDS WILL GET PUT ASIDE.

OIL COMPANIES MAY INSIST BIGGER IS BETTER IN TODAY'S OIL MARKET, BUT ANALYSTS AGREE U-S ANTITRUST REGULATORS WILL STUDY THE EXXON-MOBIL MERGER CLOSELY BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT IT VIOLATES U-S ANTITRUST LAWS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RAE
01-Dec-98 2:49 PM EST (1949 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] GERMANY / FRANCE (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER HAS HOSTED HIS FIRST SUMMIT MEETING WITH FRENCH LEADERS SINCE TAKING OFFICE IN LATE OCTOBER. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS THE GERMAN AND FRENCH LEADERS AGREE ON ECONOMIC POLICIES, BUT DISAGREE ABOUT HOW THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL BE FINANCED.

TEXT: FRANCE AND GERMANY AGREED TO PUT THE FIGHT AGAINST UNEMPLOYMENT AT THE TOP OF THEIR AGENDA AND TO HARMONIZE THEIR TAX SYSTEMS. HOWEVER, THEIR CENTER-LEFT GOVERNMENTS CANNOT AGREE ABOUT INTERNAL REFORM OF THE EUROPEAN UNION.

THE LONGER IT TAKES TO AGREE ON THE SO-CALLED AGENDA 2000, THE LONGER IT WILL TAKE THE EUROPEAN UNION TO DECIDE WHEN TO INVITE NEW MEMBERS FROM CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. GERMANY WANTS A REDUCTION IN ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION AND FAVORS A REDUCTION IN FARM SUBSIDIES TO PAY FOR IT. BUT ALL 15 GOVERNMENTS MUST AGREE, AND FRANCE MAKES IT CLEAR IT DOES NOT.

CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER AND FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC PUT THE BEST FACE ON THE DISAGREEMENT WHEN THEY MET IN POTSDAM, OUTSIDE OF BERLIN. THEY DID AGREE INTERNAL REFORMS SHOULD BE RESOLVED IN THE FIRST HALF OF NEXT YEAR WHEN GERMANY WILL HAVE THE ROTATING PRESIDENCY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION.

CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER TELLS REPORTERS HOW DO THAT IS NOT CLEAR.

MR. SCHROEDER SAYS HE AND FRENCH OFFICIALS AGREE THE CONTRIBUTION QUESTION NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED THAT IS CONTAINED IN THE (EUROPEAN) COMMISSION'S REPORT. HOW TO DO THAT, WE WILL SEE.

PRESIDENT CHIRAC SAYS REFORM OF THE EUROPEAN UNION IS NEEDED, BUT NO ONE SHOULD DOUBT PROGRESS TOWARD ENLARGEMENT WILL TAKE PLACE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER SAYS TIMELY NEGOTIATIONS ARE NEEDED FOR EXPANSION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND BOTH SIDES AGREE EUROPE CANNOT END AT GERMANY'S EASTERN FRONTIER. STILL, NEITHER LEADER WAS WILLING TO SET A DATE.

THE TWO LEADERS DISAGREE ABOUT NUCLEAR POWER. CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER'S GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO REDUCING GERMANY'S DEPENDENCE ON NUCLEAR POWER. FRANCE HAS NO SUCH PLANS AND MAKES MONEY FROM RE-PROCESSING FUEL FROM GERMAN NUCLEAR PLANTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/JWH/JO
01-Dec-98 12:22 PM EST (1722 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] PINOCHET/SPAIN (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: CHILE'S FOREIGN MINISTER IS IN MADRID, LOBBYING OFFICIALS TO DROP THE SPANISH EXTRADITION CASE AGAINST FORMER CHILEAN DICTATOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON THAT MR PINOCHET IS UNDER POLICE GUARD IN LONDON, AWAITING BRITAIN'S DECISION ON WHETHER TO APPROVE SPAIN'S REQUEST.

TEXT: CHILE'S FOREIGN MINISTER JOSE MIGUEL INSULZA HAS BEEN MEETING WITH TOP LEVEL OFFICIALS IN MADRID, INCLUDING PRIME MINISTER JOSE MARIA AZNAR, TO PERSUADE THEM TO BLOCK MR PINOCHET'S EXTRADITION FROM BRITAIN.

MR. INSULZA HAD NO LUCK IN HIS LOBBYING CAMPAIGN IN LONDON. BRITISH OFFICIALS TOLD HIM IT IS A LEGAL, NOT A POLITICAL MATTER. THE MESSAGE HAS BEEN THE SAME IN MADRID.

MR PINOCHET HAS BEEN UNDER POLICE GUARD SINCE HIS ARREST OCTOBER 16. UNTIL THIS WEEK HE HAS BEEN RECUPERATING FROM BACK SURGERY AT A PRIVATE LONDON CLINIC. NOW THE CLINIC SAYS HE IS WELL ENOUGH TO LEAVE, BUT MR PINOCHET MUST REMAIN IN BRITAIN UNTIL HIS CASE IS RESOLVED.

THE FORMER CHILEAN DICTATOR IS DUE TO APPEAR IN A LONDON COURT ON DECEMBER 11TH TO HEAR IF BRITAIN AGREES TO SPAIN'S EXTRADITION REQUEST. A SPANISH JUDGE WANTS HIM BROUGHT TO MADRID TO FACE CHARGES OF THE TORTURE AND MURDER OF SPANIARDS, CHILEANS AND OTHER NATIONALS DURING HIS 17-YEAR-RULE IN CHILE.

CHILE'S FOREIGN MINISTER WAS DISPATCHED LAST WEEK TO LONDON AND MADRID TO LOBBY FOR MR. PINOCHET'S RELEASE AFTER BRITAIN'S HOUSE OF LORDS RULED AGAINST GRANTING HIM IMMUNITY FROM EXTRADITION.

MR. INSULZA HAS ARGUED THAT THE 83-YEAR-OLD FORMER GENERAL WON'T GET A!FAIR TRIAL IN SPAIN AND SHOULD STAND TRIAL BACK HOME IN! CHILE!WHERE MORE THAN A DOZEN CASES HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST HIM.

HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN SPAIN SAY IF MR. INSULZA IS SERIOUS, THEN CHILE COULD FILE ITS OWN EXTRADITION REQUEST FOR MR PINOCHET. MOST ACTIVISTS SAY IT IS DOUBTFUL MR PINOCHET WOULD BE PROSECUTED IN CHILE BECAUSE HE ENJOYS IMMUNITY AS A SENATOR-FOR-LIFE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF
01-Dec-98 11:05 AM EST (1605 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES REBOUNDED TODAY (TUESDAY) FROM MONDAY'S SHARP SELL-OFF. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 91-HUNDRED-33, UP 17 POINTS. THE STANDARD-AND-POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11-HUNDRED-75, UP 11 POINTS.

IT WAS AN IMPRESSIVE RECOVERY FROM MONDAY'S 216-POINT DROP IN THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE, REFLECTING THE FACT THAT OVERALL INVESTOR CONFIDENCE REMAINS STRONG.

JAMES MAGUIRE OF THE HENDERSON BROTHERS INVESTMENT COMPANY SAYS THERE ARE STILL MANY INVESTORS WHO ARE EAGER TO BUY STOCKS IN ANY DOWNTURN.

THE MERGER OF THE EXXON AND MOBIL OIL COMPANIES WAS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED, WITH EXXON CHAIRMAN LEE RAYMOND SAYING THE DEAL WILL RESULT IN A SAVINGS OF ALMOST THREE-BILLION DOLLARS WITHIN THREE YEARS. THE 76-BILLION-DOLLAR DEAL CREATES THE LARGEST OIL COMPANY IN THE WORLD, WHICH WILL RIVAL GENERAL MOTORS AS THE WORLD'S LARGEST CORPORATION.

A BIG OIL MERGER WAS ANNOUNCED IN EUROPE. TOTAL OF FRANCE WILL BUY THE PETROFINA COMPANY OF BELGIUM. THAT COMBINATION WILL BE THE SIXTH LARGEST OIL COMPANY IN THE WORLD.

THE INDEX OF LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS WAS UP SLIGHTLY IN OCTOBER AFTER BEING UNCHANGED FOR TWO STRAIGHT MONTHS. ANALYSTS SAY THE INDEX POINTS TO MODERATE U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE FIRST HALF OF NEXT YEAR.

CONSTRUCTION SPENDING IN THE UNITED STATES ROSE SLIGHTLY IN OCTOBER, DESPITE A REDUCTION IN GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED PROJECTS. PRIVATELY-FINANCED HOME CONSTRUCTION REMAINS VERY STRONG.

A U-S DRUG ADVISORY PANEL IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF A NEW PAIN-KILLER FOR THE TREATMENT OF ARTHRITIS. THE DRUG, KNOWN AS CELEBREX, IS MADE BY THE G-D SEARLE COMPANY.

DESPITE THE VOLATILITY AND RISK, INVESTOR INTEREST IN INTERNET-RELATED STOCKS HAS APPARENTLY NOT WANED. SHARES IN THE WAVEPHORE COMPANY JUMPED 83 PERCENT AFTER IT ANNOUNCED PLANS TO OFFER A SHOPPING-MALL SERVICE ON THE INTERNET. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/WTW
01-Dec-98 5:03 PM EST (2203 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: A PAIR OF STORIES, THE IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION OF PRESIDENT CLINTON AND THE CASE OF FORMER CHILEAN DICTATOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET, ARE POPULAR TOPICS IN THE NATION'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS.

OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE: FINANCIAL AID FOR RUSSIA; THE JUST-ANNOUNCED AID PACKAGE FOR THE PALESTINIANS; AND THE SCOURGE OF AIDS REVISITED ON WORLD'S AIDS DAY. NOW, HERE IS ________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE DAILY PRESS CONTINUES TO COMMENT ON THE WORKINGS OF THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THAT IS TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT. MORE AND MORE PAPERS ARE SUGGESTING THAT SOME KIND OF PUNISHMENT, SHORT OF IMPEACHMENT, WOULD BE BETTER FOR THE COUNTRY. THE LATEST IS "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES."

VOICE: /// OPT /// THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, NEARING THE END OF ITS INQUIRY INTO WHETHER PRESIDENT CLINTON SHOULD BE IMPEACHED, PLANS TODAY TO QUESTION A NUMBER OF CONVICTED PERJURERS, SOME OF WHOM HAVE BEEN JAILED FOR THEIR CRIME. THE OBJECT OF THIS EXERCISE IS PRESUMABLY TO REMIND EVERYONE, AS IF AMERICANS DON'T KNOW IT, THAT LYING UNDER OATH IS A SERIOUS OFFENSE. /// END OPT /// ..... MOST AMERICANS ARE BORED BEYOND CARING WITH THE MONICA LEWINSKY AFFAIR AND THE WHOLE STARR INVESTIGATION. BUT MOST ALSO KNOW THAT THEIR PRESIDENT HAS BEHAVED WITH SELF-INDULGENT RECKLESSNESS THAT DISGRACES HIS OFFICE AND DEMONSTRATES A DISREGARD FOR TRUTH THAT DISHONORS THE RULE OF LAW. IMPEACHMENT BY THE HOUSE MAY FAIL .... BUT SOME FORM OF CHASTISEMENT IS PLAINLY REQUIRED TO BRING THIS SORDID MATTER TO A RESPONSIBLE CONCLUSION. /// OPT /// ... LET CONGRESS CENSURE, REBUKE, CONDEMN, DENOUNCE, REPROACH, WHATEVER. ..... AND THEN HAVE MERCY ON THE REST OF THE COUNTRY AND LET IT GO. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: IN A RELATED MATTER, THE DECISION BY ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO NOT TO ORDER AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE'S CAMPAIGN FINANCE ACTIVITIES, DRAWS THIS REBUKE FROM "THE MIAMI HERALD."

VOICE: TWICE NOW ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO, CONFRONTED WITH POSSIBLE ABUSES IN CAMPAIGN FUND RAISING DURING !PRESIDEOT CLINTON'S 1996 RELECTION CAMPAIGN, HAS DONE A BUFFALO SHUFFLE CROSS STAGE, EXITING LEFT [HAS DANCED HER WAY AROUND THE ISSUE, AND FAILED TO TAKE ANY ACTION]. THE TAP DANCE GROWS OLD. /// OPT /// LAST WEEK SHE COULDN'T FIND CREDIBLE EVIDENCE MERITING AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL'S INVESTIGATION OF VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE'S FUND RAISING. YESTERDAY SHE ASKED FOR SIXTY MORE DAYS TO CONSIDER WHETHER HAROLD ICKES, FORMER DEPUTY WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF, LIED ABOUT WHAT ASSISTANCE THE WHITE HOUSE GAVE TO THE ... TEAMSTERS [UNION] IN A STRIKE AGAINST DIAMOND WALNUT COMPANY. TEAMSTERS GAVE DEMOCRATS TWO-POINT-FOUR-MILLION DOLLARS IN 1992. /// END OPT /// ..... WE'LL SAY IT AGAIN: ABUSE OF CAMPAIGN-FINANCING AND ELECTION LAWS GOES TO THE HEART OF DEMOCRACY AND CANNOT BE TOLERATED. AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL WITH A MANDATE TO LOOK AT DEMOCRATIC ** AND** [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] REPUBLIC ABUSES IS NEEDED NOW. MS. RENO SHOULD ... MAKE IT HAPPEN.

TEXT: REGARDING THE 81 QUESTIONS THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ASKED MR. CLINTON TO ANSWER, "NEWSDAY" ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND SCOFFS:

VOICE: THERE WAS NOTHING NEW IN [MR.] CLINTON'S SLIPPERY ANSWERS TO THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE'S 81 QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS SEXUAL PECCADILLOS WITH [MONICA] LEWINSKY BECAUSE THERE ARE NO NEW QUESTIONS. HOUSE REPUBLICANS SHOULD ACCEPT THAT AFTER AN EXHAUSTIVE INVESTIGATION ..... CONFRONTED WITH QUESTIONS THAT COVERED THE SAME BASIC GROUND PLOWED BY INDEPENDENT COUNSEL KENNETH STARR BEFORE THE GRAND JURY, [MR.] CLINTON REITERATED THE SAME OLD UNSATISFYING ANSWERS. COMMITTEE MEMBERS COULDN'T REALLY HAVE EXPECTED ANYTHING MORE.

TEXT: ON TO ANOTHER CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE NOW, AUGUSTO PINOCHET, THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF CHILE WHO IS ACCUSED OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES DURING HIS MORE THAN 15 YEARS AS HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT. "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE WONDERS ABOUT THE LEGALITY OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST HIM.

VOICE: THE DISTRESS OF CHILE'S FORMER DICTATOR ... IS GOOD CHEER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT. HE WAS COMPLICITOUS IN MORE THAN 3-THOUSAND DEATHS AND DISAPPEARANCES, AS WELL AS TORTURES AND DEPRIVATIONS. BRINGING THE TYRANT TO JUSTICE WOULD MAKE OTHERS TREMBLE, OR AT LEAST REFLECT. SIMPLE AS THAT SOUNDS, THE REQUEST FOR THE SICK OLD GENERAL'S EXTRADITION FROM BRITAIN TO SPAIN IS NOT STRAIGHTFORWARD. ... TWO TROUBLING ASPECTS INTRUDE. ONE IS THAT THIS WOULD BE PRECEDENT FOR ANY MANNER OF LEGAL INTERVENTIONS IN THE AFFAIRS OF OTHER NATIONS. WHAT WOULD STOP SADDAM HUSSEIN [FOR EXAMPLE] FROM USING IT TO REQUEST PRESIDENT CLINTON'S EXTRADITION FOR BOMBING IRAQ IN 1993 AND 1996 WHEN MR. CLINTON VISITS GAZA? THE SECOND OBJECTION IS INTERFERENCE WITH CHILE'S SOVEREIGNTY. .... WHATEVER ONE THINKS OF THIS - - CHILEANS ARE BITTERLY DIVIDED - - IS IT FOR A SPANISH MAGISTRATE TO NULLIFY?

TEXT: IN THE RHODE ISLAND CAPITAL, "THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL" LOOKS AT ANOTHER EXTRADITION DILEMMA, THAT OF ITALY WHICH IS HOLDING TURKEY'S OUTLAWED KURDISH LEADER, ABDULLAH OCALAN, HEAD OF THE (P-K-K), THE KURDISH [KURDISTAN] WORKERS PARTY. THE P-K-K IS A MARXIST GROUP THAT IS ACCUSED OF WIDESPREAD TERRORISM AND MURDER IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. SAYS "THE JOURNAL":

VOICE: .(OCALAN'S) ARREST HAS PROVOKED A DISMAYINGLY COMPLICATED LEGAL, POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC UPROAR. IF THIS LETS HIM GET OFF THE HOOK [ESCAPE WITHOUT PUNISHMENT], IT WILL BE NOT ONLY A GRIEVOUS AFFRONT TO HIS VICTIMS, BUT ALSO A SOBERING DEFEAT IN THE BATTLE AGAINST INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM. ... USING ARREST WARRANTS ISSUED BY TURKEY AND GERMANY, ITALIAN OFFICIALS TOOK MR. OCALAN INTO CUSTODY WHEN HE LANDED IN ROME ON A FLIGHT FROM MOSCOW. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO SEND HIM TO TURKEY ON THE GROUNDS THAT ITALIAN LAW BARS EXTRADITING A PERSON TO A COUNTRY WHERE HE OR SHE MIGHT BE SUBJECT TO THE DEATH PENALTY ..... ITALY WOULD BE GLAD TO GET MR. OCALAN OFF ITS HANDS BY EXTRADITING HIM TO GERMANY, WHICH HAS NO DEATH PENALTY. BUT BONN DOESN'T REALLY WANT TO DEAL WITH HIM FOR FEAR THAT A TRIAL WOULD PROVOKE SERIOUS PROBLEMS BETWEEN GERMANY'S LARGE ETHNIC TURKISH AND KURDISH IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. IN ANY EVENT, SOME KIND OF COMPROMISE MUST BE FOUND ....

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" COMMENTS ON THE DESPERATE APPEAL BY RUSSIAN OFFICIALS FOR MORE MONEY FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND.

VOICE: /// OPT /// RUSSIAN OFFICIALS DESPERATE FOR MORE DOLLARS FROM THE [I-M-F] HAVE SETTLED ON TWO RATHER ODD TACTICS. ONE IS TO INSULT THE FUND, WHICH - - ACCORDING TO PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV - - EMPLOYS 'YOUNG KIDS WHO'VE SEEN ALMOST NOTHING IN LIFE' ....... IN ADDITION, RUSSIA HAS TAKEN TO THREATENING THE FUND - - WITH ALL THE TERRIBLE THINGS THAT RUSSIA WILL DO TO ITSELF IF MORE LOANS ARE NOT FORTHCOMING. ... PRESUMABLY I-M-F OFFICIALS WON'T MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON PERSONAL PIQUE. THEY CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THAT MR. PRIMAKOV, WITH HIS INSULTS, IS PLAYING TO A DOMESTIC AUDIENCE. BUT THE DAMAGE HE DOES IS NOT PRIMARILY TO I-M-F EGOS. HIS BLAMING OF OUTSIDERS IS CORROSIVE DOMESTICALLY BECAUSE IT FORESTALLS RUSSIAN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT RUSSIANS MUST DO TO SOLVE THEIR ECONOMIC PROBLEMS. /// END OPT

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK POST" RUNS THIS SARCASTIC HEADLINE OVER ITS COMMENTARY."THE PALESTINIANS NEED MONEY LIKE YASSER [ARAFAT] NEEDS CHUTZPAH [A HEBREW/YIDDISH WORD NOW COMMONLY USED IN AMERICAN SLANG: "EFFRONTERY"] AND BEMOANS THE LACK OF PROGRESS FOR THE COMMON PALESTINIAN, AS MENTIONED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON.

VOICE: THE AVERAGE PALESTINIAN HAS SEEN LITTLE IMPROVEMENT IN HIS DAILY LIFE SINCE THE CURRENT PEACE PROCESS BEGAN. BUT THE BLAME FOR THAT LIES SQUARELY WITH YASSER ARAFAT - - AND THE FESTERING PROBLEM WILL NEVER BE SOLVED BY SENDING BILLIONS MORE TO HIS HOPELESSLY CORRUPT REGIME.

BEFORE THE CONFERENCE DELEGATES PLEDGED ANY NEW SUMS TO [MR.] ARAFAT, THEY SHOULD HAVE READ A SECRET INTERNAL FINANCIAL-CONTROL REPORT BY EUROPEAN UNION AUDITORS THAT WAS REPORTED THIS WEEK BY THE SUNDAY TIMES OF LONDON. THE REPORT FOUND THAT MILLIONS IN EUROPEAN MONEY INTENDED TO BUILD LOW-INCOME HOUSING TO GAZA WAS INSTEAD TURNED INTO A LUXURY APARTMENT COMPLEX THAT WAS GIVEN OVER TO TOP P-A OFFICIALS AND [MR.] ARAFAT ACOLYTES. IN EFFECT, 20-MILLION DOLLARS HAS BEEN SPENT WITHOUT ANY ECONOMIC CONTROLS AND IS NOT RECOVERABLE,' THE E-U REPORT CONCLUDES. /// END OPT /// ..... UNTIL THE WEST STOPS PUMPING MORE AND MORE FUNDS INTO THE CESSPOOL OF PALESTINIAN CORRUPTION, [MR.] ARAFAT AND HIS CRONIES WILL BE THE ONLY ONES IN THOSE TERRITORIES WITH ANYTHING TO CELEBRATE.

TEXT: TODAY IS WORLD AIDS DAY, DRAWING THIS COMMENT FROM "THE [NEW YORK] DAILY NEWS."

VOICE: .WORLD AIDS DAY ... [IS] DEDICATED TO RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE DISEASE. IF YOU THINK THE WORLD IS AWARE ENOUGH, YOU ARE THE SORT OF PERSON WHO SHOULD ATTEND ONE OF THE PROGRAMS. WHEN IT COMES TO AIDS, IGNORANCE IS FATAL. .... ADVANCES IN TREATMENT HAVE, IRONICALLY, CREATED A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. AS PEOPLE WITH AIDS LIVE LONGER, THE UNAFFLICTED SEE A DIMINISHED THREAT. THAT PERCEPTION COULD NOT BE MORE WRONG.

IF SOME SORT OF FLU VIRUS WERE BLAMED FOR TWO-AND-ONE-HALF MILLION DEATHS THIS YEAR, THERE WOULD BE PANIC IN THE STREETS. BUT AIDS? THAT'S SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS ONLY TO SOMEONE ELSE. SOMEWHERE ELSE.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON THE REVOLT THAT BEGAN IN MEXICO, ON NEW YEAR'S DAY SEVERAL YEARS AGO, IN THE IMPOVERISHED, JUNGLE STATE OF CHIAPAS, "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS OF THE ZAPATISTA REBEL MOVEMENT:

VOICE: THE INSURGENTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SUSTAIN A LOCAL PHYSICAL PRESENCE,AND AN INTERNATIONAL MEDIA PRESENCE, BUT HAVE DONE LITTLE TO IMPROVE LIFE FOR THEIR CONSTITUENCIES AMONG THE POOR AND INDIGENOUS. THIS SUGGESTS THE TENACITY OF THE POPULAR GRIEVANCES ON WHICH THE MOVEMENT FEEDS. IT SUGGESTS AS WELL THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT. /// OPT /// ... THE ALIENATION OF THE 35-PERCENT MAYAN INDIAN POPULATION IN CHIAPAS IS CENTURIES OLD. BUT PRESIDENT ERNESTO ZEDILLO, STRUGGLING TO MODERNIZE, IS FORCED TO RELY ON THE SAME CORRUPT RULING PARTY, THE P-R-I, BLAMED FOR PARAMILITARY OUTBURSTS LIKE THE ONE THAT LEFT 45 INDIGENOUS DEAD, AND NO ONE PUNISHED, [IN THE VILLAGE OF] ACTEAL A YEAR AGO. /// END OPT /// ... THE ZEDILLO GOVERNMENT, WHICH SAYS THAT IN MEXICO POLITICAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE CANNOT BE ACHIEVED BY FORCE OF ARMS, NEEDS TO LISTEN TO ITS OWN ADVICE.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM TUESDAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/KL
01-Dec-98 12:01 PM EST (1701 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] EXTRADITING PINOCHET:THE CONTROVERSY CONTINUES BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE ON-GOING DETENTION OF FORMER CHILEAN LEADER GENERAL AUGUSTO PINOCHET IN BRITAIN CONTINUES TO DRAW EDITORIAL COMMENT IN THE U-S PRESS.

WE GET SOME SAMPLES FROM THE LATEST SERIES NOW FROM __________________ IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: GENERAL PINOCHET WAS UNEXPECTEDLY ARRESTED IN OCTOBER BY BRITISH AUTHORITIES ON AN INTERNATIONAL WARRANT FROM SPAIN ON ATROCITY CHARGES. GENERAL PINOCHET IS ACCUSED OF TORTURE, MURDER AND OTHER CRIMES AGAINST SPANISH CITIZENS IN CHILE DURING HIS LONG RULE.

IN NOVEMBER, BRITAIN'S HIGHEST COURT RULED THAT GENERAL PINOCHET MAY BE HELD AND THAT HIS ARREST DURING A MEDICAL VISIT TO LONDON WAS LEGAL. IT IS NOW UP TO BRITAIN'S HOME SECRETARY TO DECIDE IF HE WILL BE EXTRADITED TO SPAIN.

WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING OF THE U-S PRESS ON THIS ISSUE IN THE MIDWEST, WHERE THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH SAYS THE FORMER CHILEAN LEADER "IS NOT ABOVE THE LAW," AND CALLS THE HOUSE OF LORDS DECISION:

VOICE: ... A VICTORY FOR JUSTICE, FOR THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF THE EQUALITY OF ALL UNDER THE LAW. // OPT // 'IT HASN'T SUNK IN YET. MY STOMACH IS STILL KNOTTED. I NEVER IMAGINED THAT JUSTICE WAS GOING TO BE ON THE SIDE OF THOSE WHO SUFFERED,' CHILEAN EXILE RODRIGO FENICK TOLD A WIRE SERVICE. // END OPT // IT IS ALSO A WARNING TO TYRANTS THAT THE POSSESSION OF A DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT AND A SELF-CONFERRED TITLE MAY ALLOW THEM TO ESCAPE TO ANOTHER COUNTRY, BUT NOT TO ESCAPE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR TORTURE, MURDER, GENOCIDE AND OTHER CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. BEYOND THE PARTICULARS OF GENERAL PINOCHET'S CASE, IT IS ALSO A STEP IN THE EVOLUTION OF INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN RIGHTS.// OPT // ... 'MY FATHER HAS RECEIVED A SADISTIC AND CRUEL BLOW ON HIS BIRTHDAY THAT GOES BEYOND THE RIGHTS OF MANKIND,' [GENERAL] PINOCHET'S SON, ALSO NAMED AUGUSTO, SAID. THE YOUNGER PINOCHET'S CHOICE OF WORDS MOCKS THE SADISM AND CRUELTY THOUSANDS SUFFERED AT HIS FATHER'S BEHEST. A BLOW HAS INDEED BEEN STRUCK -- BUT ONE UNAMBIGUOUSLY IND DEFENSE OF THE RIGHT OF ALL HUMANITY.// END OPT //

TEXT: SYNDICATED COLUMNIST WILLIAM PFAFF, WRITING FROM PARIS IN BALTIMORE'S "THE SUN" IS PLEASED AT THE RULING, BUT POINTS OUT THAT MANY OTHER FORMER DICTATORS, PERHAPS WORSE THAN GENERAL PINOCHET, ARE LIVING OUT THEIR LIVES IN TRANQUILITY.

VOICE: THE GREAT SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RECENT DECISION CONCERNING FORMER CHILEAN DICTATOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET IS THAT THE MAJORITY OF BRITAIN'S LAW LORDS AFFIRMED UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION OVER CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. THEY IMPLICITLY HELD THAT ANY NATIONAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS COMPETENT TO PROSECUTE SUCH CRIMES. ... THE OUTCOME OF ALL THIS WILL BE MIXED. SOME EX-TYRANTS MAY BE PROSECUTED AND SOME NOT, JUST AS SOME POLITICAL TERRORISTS END UP IN PRISON, SUCH AS CARLOS THE JACKAL, AND SOME END UP AS HEADS OF NATIONS, SUCH AS YASSER ARAFAT, MENACHEM BEGIN AND EAMON DEVALERA. THERE ARE WORSE MEN THAN THE BENIGHTED AND REACTIONARY [MR.] PINOCHET WHO ENJOY TRANQUIL RETIREMENTS TODAY. ... [BUT] INTERNATIONAL LAW IS HEADED IN A NEW DIRECTION, AND A DESIRABLE ONE. /// OPT /// THE VIRTUAL IMMUNITY THAT CRIMINAL HEADS OF STATE HAVE ENJOYED UNTIL NOW HAS BEEN AN OUTRAGE TO JUSTICE. THE REMEDIES BEING ESTABLISHED BRING OBVIOUS PROBLEMS. THEY NONETHELESS REPRESENT PROGRESS IN THE INTERMINABLE EFFORT TO CIVILIZE MAN.

TEXT: NOT ALL THE OPINION IS IN FAVOR OF EXTRADITING GENERAL PINOCHET TO SPAIN TO STAND TRIAL. "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" WORRIES ABOUT THE PRECEDENT THAT IS BEING SET, MORE ACCORDING TO POLITICS, THE PAPER SAYS, THAN ACCORDING TO LAW.

VOICE: INTERNATIONAL LAW IS AN ELUSIVE PHENOMENON, NO EASY MATTER TO WRAP YOUR BRAIN AROUND EVEN IN THE BEST OF TIMES. RIGHT NOW IN EUROPE, IT SURE SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE MAKING IT UP AS THEY GO ALONG. EQUALLY TROUBLING, ONE GETS THE DISTINCT FEELING THAT THE ... CASE ... MAKING HEADLINES ALL OVER THE CONTINENT HA[S} MUCH LESS TO DO WITH LAW THAN THEY DO WITH POLITICS. ON THE ONE HAND, WE HAVE THE CASE OF ... GENERAL PINOCHET ... HAVING BEEN RULED EXTRADITABLE BY THE HIGHEST BRITISH COURT OF APPEAL LAST WEEK. ... THE FINAL WORD HAS NOT BEEN HEARD IN THE CASE YET, THOUGH. ... IT IS THE ARGUMENT OF THE CHILEAN GOVERNMENT THAT GENERAL PINOCHET AND HIS LEGACY, WHICH WAS INDEED VIOLENT AS HE RID THE WORLD OF THE COMMUNIST REGIME OF SALVADOR ALLENDE IN 1973, HAS ALREADY BEEN DEALT WITH IN CHILE TO THE SATISFACTION OF MOST CHILEANS. AFTER ALL, GENERAL PINOCHET STEERED THE COUNTRY ON A MARKET ORIENTED COURSE AND EVENTUALLY RELINQUISHED THE REIGNS OF AUTHORITARIAN RULE VOLUNTARILY, PAVING [THE] WAY FOR DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS.

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" HOWEVER SAYS IN ITS EDITORIAL HEADLINE "MAKE [GENERAL] PINOCHET FACE HIS PAST"

VOICE: JUSTICE DEMANDS THAT DICTATORS WHO TRAMPLE THE HUMAN AND LEGAL RIGHTS OF THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS OR FOREIGN NATIONALS SHOULD ULTIMATELY ANSWER TO THE LAW. THIS IS THE LESSON OF THE RULING BY BRITAIN'S HIGHEST COURT DENYING IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION FOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET, CHILE'S FORMER STRONGMAN. THE ATROCITIES COMMITTED BY THE CHILEAN ARMY AFTER PINOCHET'S 1973 COUP D'ETAT OUSTED THE CONSTITUTIONALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT OF SALVADOR ALLENDE HAVE BEEN AMPLY DOCUMENTED. ... JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED IF THE FORMER DICTATOR IS SENT TO MADRID TO FACE HIS ACCUSERS.

TEXT: IN SOUTH FLORIDA, WHERE "THE MIAMI HERALD" PAYS PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO LATIN AMERICAN AFFAIRS, THE PAPER WONDERS WHETHER THIS DECISION BY BRITAIN SPELLS THE END OF IMMUNITY FOR GUILTY WORLD LEADERS.

VOICE: IN A POLITICALLY UNEXPECTED, BUT HISTORIC RULING, BRITAIN'S HIGHEST COURT YESTERDAY UPHELD HIS [GENERAL PINOCHET'S] ARREST AND ORDERED HIM HELD PENDING A HEARING ON SPAIN'S EXTRADITION REQUEST. IN SPAIN, HE FACES CHARGES OF GENOCIDE, TERRORISM, AND TORTURE STEMMING FROM HIS 17-YEAR, IRON-FISTED RULE. ... NOW BRITISH LAW EMPOWERS HOME SECRETARY JACK STRAW TO DECIDE WHETHER TO RELEASE THE GENERAL, ON HUMANITARIAN OR OTHER GROUNDS. ... SO IT REMAINS FAR FROM CERTAIN THAT MR. PINOCHET WILL EVER BE TRIED. YET CLEARLY THESE WATERSHED RULINGS ON THE EVE OF THE DECEMBER 10TH -- 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS -- DRAW A NEW LINE OF JUSTICE. WHERE IT LEADS IS BY NO MEANS CLEAR. ... IT IS HEARTENING ... THAT ... THERE IS GROWING WORLD SUPPORT FOR ENFORCING THOSE [U-N DECLARATION] RIGHTS.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF THE LATEST COMMENT ON THE DETENTION FOR POSSIBLE EXTRADITION OF GENERAL AUGUSTO PINOCHET, THE FORMER LEADER OF CHILE.
NEB/ANG/JO
01-Dec-98 3:53 PM EST (2053 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[10] EXTRADITING PINOCHET:THE CONTROVERSY CONTINUES BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE ON-GOING DETENTION OF FORMER CHILEAN LEADER GENERAL AUGUSTO PINOCHET IN BRITAIN CONTINUES TO DRAW EDITORIAL COMMENT IN THE U-S PRESS.

WE GET SOME SAMPLES FROM THE LATEST SERIES NOW FROM __________________ IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: GENERAL PINOCHET WAS UNEXPECTEDLY ARRESTED IN OCTOBER BY BRITISH AUTHORITIES ON AN INTERNATIONAL WARRANT FROM SPAIN ON ATROCITY CHARGES. GENERAL PINOCHET IS ACCUSED OF TORTURE, MURDER AND OTHER CRIMES AGAINST SPANISH CITIZENS IN CHILE DURING HIS LONG RULE.

IN NOVEMBER, BRITAIN'S HIGHEST COURT RULED THAT GENERAL PINOCHET MAY BE HELD AND THAT HIS ARREST DURING A MEDICAL VISIT TO LONDON WAS LEGAL. IT IS NOW UP TO BRITAIN'S HOME SECRETARY TO DECIDE IF HE WILL BE EXTRADITED TO SPAIN.

WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING OF THE U-S PRESS ON THIS ISSUE IN THE MIDWEST, WHERE THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH SAYS THE FORMER CHILEAN LEADER "IS NOT ABOVE THE LAW," AND CALLS THE HOUSE OF LORDS DECISION:

VOICE: ... A VICTORY FOR JUSTICE, FOR THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF THE EQUALITY OF ALL UNDER THE LAW. // OPT // 'IT HASN'T SUNK IN YET. MY STOMACH IS STILL KNOTTED. I NEVER IMAGINED THAT JUSTICE WAS GOING TO BE ON THE SIDE OF THOSE WHO SUFFERED,' CHILEAN EXILE RODRIGO FENICK TOLD A WIRE SERVICE. // END OPT // IT IS ALSO A WARNING TO TYRANTS THAT THE POSSESSION OF A DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT AND A SELF-CONFERRED TITLE MAY ALLOW THEM TO ESCAPE TO ANOTHER COUNTRY, BUT NOT TO ESCAPE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR TORTURE, MURDER, GENOCIDE AND OTHER CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. BEYOND THE PARTICULARS OF GENERAL PINOCHET'S CASE, IT IS ALSO A STEP IN THE EVOLUTION OF INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN RIGHTS.// OPT // ... 'MY FATHER HAS RECEIVED A SADISTIC AND CRUEL BLOW ON HIS BIRTHDAY THAT GOES BEYOND THE RIGHTS OF MANKIND,' [GENERAL] PINOCHET'S SON, ALSO NAMED AUGUSTO, SAID. THE YOUNGER PINOCHET'S CHOICE OF WORDS MOCKS THE SADISM AND CRUELTY THOUSANDS SUFFERED AT HIS FATHER'S BEHEST. A BLOW HAS INDEED BEEN STRUCK -- BUT ONE UNAMBIGUOUSLY IND DEFENSE OF THE RIGHT OF ALL HUMANITY.// END OPT //

TEXT: SYNDICATED COLUMNIST WILLIAM PFAFF, WRITING FROM PARIS IN BALTIMORE'S "THE SUN" IS PLEASED AT THE RULING, BUT POINTS OUT THAT MANY OTHER FORMER DICTATORS, PERHAPS WORSE THAN GENERAL PINOCHET, ARE LIVING OUT THEIR LIVES IN TRANQUILITY.

VOICE: THE GREAT SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RECENT DECISION CONCERNING FORMER CHILEAN DICTATOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET IS THAT THE MAJORITY OF BRITAIN'S LAW LORDS AFFIRMED UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION OVER CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. THEY IMPLICITLY HELD THAT ANY NATIONAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS COMPETENT TO PROSECUTE SUCH CRIMES. ... THE OUTCOME OF ALL THIS WILL BE MIXED. SOME EX-TYRANTS MAY BE PROSECUTED AND SOME NOT, JUST AS SOME POLITICAL TERRORISTS END UP IN PRISON, SUCH AS CARLOS THE JACKAL, AND SOME END UP AS HEADS OF NATIONS, SUCH AS YASSER ARAFAT, MENACHEM BEGIN AND EAMON DEVALERA. THERE ARE WORSE MEN THAN THE BENIGHTED AND REACTIONARY [MR.] PINOCHET WHO ENJOY TRANQUIL RETIREMENTS TODAY. ... [BUT] INTERNATIONAL LAW IS HEADED IN A NEW DIRECTION, AND A DESIRABLE ONE. /// OPT /// THE VIRTUAL IMMUNITY THAT CRIMINAL HEADS OF STATE HAVE ENJOYED UNTIL NOW HAS BEEN AN OUTRAGE TO JUSTICE. THE REMEDIES BEING ESTABLISHED BRING OBVIOUS PROBLEMS. THEY NONETHELESS REPRESENT PROGRESS IN THE INTERMINABLE EFFORT TO CIVILIZE MAN.

TEXT: NOT ALL THE OPINION IS IN FAVOR OF EXTRADITING GENERAL PINOCHET TO SPAIN TO STAND TRIAL. "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" WORRIES ABOUT THE PRECEDENT THAT IS BEING SET, MORE ACCORDING TO POLITICS, THE PAPER SAYS, THAN ACCORDING TO LAW.

VOICE: INTERNATIONAL LAW IS AN ELUSIVE PHENOMENON, NO EASY MATTER TO WRAP YOUR BRAIN AROUND EVEN IN THE BEST OF TIMES. RIGHT NOW IN EUROPE, IT SURE SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE MAKING IT UP AS THEY GO ALONG. EQUALLY TROUBLING, ONE GETS THE DISTINCT FEELING THAT THE ... CASE ... MAKING HEADLINES ALL OVER THE CONTINENT HA[S} MUCH LESS TO DO WITH LAW THAN THEY DO WITH POLITICS. ON THE ONE HAND, WE HAVE THE CASE OF ... GENERAL PINOCHET ... HAVING BEEN RULED EXTRADITABLE BY THE HIGHEST BRITISH COURT OF APPEAL LAST WEEK. ... THE FINAL WORD HAS NOT BEEN HEARD IN THE CASE YET, THOUGH. ... IT IS THE ARGUMENT OF THE CHILEAN GOVERNMENT THAT GENERAL PINOCHET AND HIS LEGACY, WHICH WAS INDEED VIOLENT AS HE RID THE WORLD OF THE COMMUNIST REGIME OF SALVADOR ALLENDE IN 1973, HAS ALREADY BEEN DEALT WITH IN CHILE TO THE SATISFACTION OF MOST CHILEANS. AFTER ALL, GENERAL PINOCHET STEERED THE COUNTRY ON A MARKET ORIENTED COURSE AND EVENTUALLY RELINQUISHED THE REIGNS OF AUTHORITARIAN RULE VOLUNTARILY, PAVING [THE] WAY FOR DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS.

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" HOWEVER SAYS IN ITS EDITORIAL HEADLINE "MAKE [GENERAL] PINOCHET FACE HIS PAST"

VOICE: JUSTICE DEMANDS THAT DICTATORS WHO TRAMPLE THE HUMAN AND LEGAL RIGHTS OF THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS OR FOREIGN NATIONALS SHOULD ULTIMATELY ANSWER TO THE LAW. THIS IS THE LESSON OF THE RULING BY BRITAIN'S HIGHEST COURT DENYING IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION FOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET, CHILE'S FORMER STRONGMAN. THE ATROCITIES COMMITTED BY THE CHILEAN ARMY AFTER PINOCHET'S 1973 COUP D'ETAT OUSTED THE CONSTITUTIONALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT OF SALVADOR ALLENDE HAVE BEEN AMPLY DOCUMENTED. ... JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED IF THE FORMER DICTATOR IS SENT TO MADRID TO FACE HIS ACCUSERS.

TEXT: IN SOUTH FLORIDA, WHERE "THE MIAMI HERALD" PAYS PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO LATIN AMERICAN AFFAIRS, THE PAPER WONDERS WHETHER THIS DECISION BY BRITAIN SPELLS THE END OF IMMUNITY FOR GUILTY WORLD LEADERS.

VOICE: IN A POLITICALLY UNEXPECTED, BUT HISTORIC RULING, BRITAIN'S HIGHEST COURT YESTERDAY UPHELD HIS [GENERAL PINOCHET'S] ARREST AND ORDERED HIM HELD PENDING A HEARING ON SPAIN'S EXTRADITION REQUEST. IN SPAIN, HE FACES CHARGES OF GENOCIDE, TERRORISM, AND TORTURE STEMMING FROM HIS 17-YEAR, IRON-FISTED RULE. ... NOW BRITISH LAW EMPOWERS HOME SECRETARY JACK STRAW TO DECIDE WHETHER TO RELEASE THE GENERAL, ON HUMANITARIAN OR OTHER GROUNDS. ... SO IT REMAINS FAR FROM CERTAIN THAT MR. PINOCHET WILL EVER BE TRIED. YET CLEARLY THESE WATERSHED RULINGS ON THE EVE OF THE DECEMBER 10TH -- 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS -- DRAW A NEW LINE OF JUSTICE. WHERE IT LEADS IS BY NO MEANS CLEAR. ... IT IS HEARTENING ... THAT ... THERE IS GROWING WORLD SUPPORT FOR ENFORCING THOSE [U-N DECLARATION] RIGHTS.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF THE LATEST COMMENT ON THE DETENTION FOR POSSIBLE EXTRADITION OF GENERAL AUGUSTO PINOCHET, THE FORMER LEADER OF CHILE.
NEB/ANG/JO
01-Dec-98 4:04 PM EST (2104 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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