Voice of America, 98-12-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO / MISSING PEOPLE (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (DRAGOBILJE)

[02] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

[03] YUGOSLAVIA/OPPOSITION (S & L) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[04] HUMAN RIGHTS ANNIVERSARY (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[05] PINOCHET EXTRADITION (L ONITER) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[06] ROBINSON/ PINOCHET (L-O) BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (UNITED NATIONS)

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

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

[01] KOSOVO / MISSING PEOPLE (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (DRAGOBILJE)

INTRO: A GROUP OF 150 SERB CIVILIANS MARCHED TO AN ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBEL HEADQUARTERS IN KOSOVO THURSDAY TO ASK FOR INFORMATION ABOUT DOZENS OF THEIR MISSING FAMILY MEMBERS. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM THE TOWN OF DRAGOBILJE THAT THE DEMONSTRATION RESULTED IN AN UNUSUAL FACE-TO-FACE MEETING BETWEEN SERBS AND KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIANS.

TEXT: ABOUT ONE-THOUSAND SERB DEMONSTRATORS SET OUT FROM THE TOWN OF ORAHOVAC EARLY THURSDAY.

BUT SERB POLICE AND INTERNATIONAL MONITORS CONVINCED MANY OF THEM TO TURN BACK FOR SAFETY REASONS. BRITISH PEACE MONITORS HAD BEEN TOLD BY COMMANDERS OF THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY (K-L-A) THAT IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS FOR THE SERBS TO MARCH TO DRAGOBILJE.

THE CROWD OF 150 SERBIAN CIVILIANS LED BY THE POLICE ARRIVED AT TWO O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON. K-L-A FIGHTERS POISED THEIR GUNS OVER STONE WALLS AS THE SERBS STOPPED ON TOP OF A HILL.

THE SERB POLICE UNITS LEFT THE CIVILIANS TO NEGOTIATE BETWEEN THEMSELVES. BRITISH AND AMERICAN MONITORS HELPED SHUTTLE SERB AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REPRESENTATIVES TO A BURNED OUT GASOLINE STATION A FEW HUNDRED METERS FROM A REBEL BASE.

SERB REPRESENTATIVES TOLD THE ALBANIANS THAT THEY BELIEVE SERB HOSTAGES ARE BEING HELD IN DRAGOBILJE.

THE ALBANIANS DENIED THAT ANY SERB CIVILIANS ARE BEING HELD. THEY ALSO SAID THAT ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAVE NOTHING AGAINST SERB CIVILIANS -- ONLY AGAINST THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT.

THE ALBANIAN REPRESENTATIVES ASKED ABOUT ONE-THOUSAND MALE ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO HAVE BEEN SEIZED BY SERBIAN POLICE AND REMAIN IN DETENTION.

THE FACE-TO-FACE MEETING ABOUT MISSING PEOPLE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN KOSOVO. AND A SENIOR BRITISH MONITOR CALLED THE MEETING A MAJOR STEP TOWARDS HELPING RESOLVE THE QUESTION OF DETAINED AND MISSING PERSONS IN THE SERB PROVINCE. (SIGNED)
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10-Dec-98 12:16 PM EST (1716 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: JUDGES AT THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL (THURSDAY) HAVE FOUND A BOSNIAN CROAT COMMANDER GUILTY OF FAILING TO STOP THE RAPE OF A WOMAN HE WAS INTERROGATING. LAUREN COMITEAU IN THE HAGUE REPORTS THE MAN WAS SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON.

TEXT: THE CASE AGAINST ANTO FURUNDZIJA CAME DOWN TO HIS WORD AGAINST THOSE OF A WOMAN KNOWN ONLY AS "WITNESS A." FURUNDZIJA WAS A LOCAL COMMANDER OF "THE JOKERS" -- A SPECIAL UNIT OF THE BOSNIAN CROAT ARMY. "WITNESS A" WAS TAKEN TO "JOKERS" HEADQUARTERS, INTERROGATED AND RAPED BY A SOLDIER FIVE YEARS AGO. FURUNDZIJA WAS NEVER ACCUSED OF RAPING THE WOMAN HIMSELF, BUT HE WAS FOUND GUILTY FOR STANDING BY AND DOING NOTHING WHILE THE WOMAN WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED. AS AN INTERROGATOR, THE JUDGES RULED, HE PLAYED A ROLE EVERY BIT AS GRAVE AS THE PERSON INFLICTING THE PAIN.

BUT FURUNDZIJA'S LAWYERS ARGUED THAT THEIR CLIENT WAS NOT PRESENT DURING THE INTERROGATION, AND THAT "WITNESS A'S" TESTIMONY WAS NOT RELIABLE BECAUSE SHE WAS SUFFERING FROM POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER -- OR P-T-S-D. IT'S AN ARGUMENT PRESIDING JUDGE FLORENCE MUMBA DISMISSED.

THE EXPERT EVIDENCE DEMONSTRATES THAT EVEN WHEN A PERSON IS SUFFERING FROM P-T-S-D, SHE OR HE MAY STILL BE A RELIABLE WITNESS AND ACCEPT WITNESS A'S TESTIMONY THAT SHE HAS SUFFICIENTLY RECOLLECTED THE MATERIAL ASPECTS OF THE RELEVANT EVENTS.

BUT DEFENSE LAWYER LUKA MISETIC SAID HE WOULD APPEAL BOTH THE JUDGMENT AND THE SENTENCE. HE CALLED THURSDAY'S RULING "SHOCKING."

WE BELIEVE FIRMLY THAT ULTIMATELY, WHENEVER THAT DAY COMES, IT WILL BE SHOWN THAT THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA ON THE TENTH OF DECEMBER, 1998, CONVICTED A MAN WHO WAS NOT GUILTY OF THE CRIMES FOR WHICH HE WAS CHARGED.

LUKA MISETIC SAYS HIS MAIN GOAL NOW IS TO CLEAR FURUNDZIJA'S NAME. HE HAS 15 DAYS TO FILE A NOTICE OF APPEAL.

PROSECUTORS, MEANWHILE, CALLED THE RULING AN IMPORTANT DECISION. THIS CASE WAS THE TRIBUNAL'S FIRST TO DEAL EXCLUSIVELY WITH RAPE AS A WAR CRIME. THEY SAY RAPE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. (SIGNED)
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10-Dec-98 12:49 PM EST (1749 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] YUGOSLAVIA/OPPOSITION (S & L) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: REPRESENTATIVES OF OPPOSITION MOVEMENTS IN YUGOSLAVIA TOLD A U-S CONGRESSIONAL HEARING IN WASHINGTON TODAY/THURSDAY THAT THE UNITED STATES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTINUING STRENGTH OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE HEARING WAS CALLED BY THE CONGRESSIONAL HELSINKI COMMISSION ON THE OCCASION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DAY. V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS:

TEXT: THE CONGRESSIONAL PANEL HEARD DRAMATIC APPEALS FOR THE UNITED STATES AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO STOP DEALING WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC AS THE LEGITIMATE LEADER OF YUGOSLAVIA. CALLING HIM A DICTATOR IN THE STALINIST MODE, SIX OPPOSITION LEADERS CALLED FOR U-S HELP IN SUPPORTING DEMOCRATIC EFFORTS TO UNSEAT HIM.

NEBOJSA COVIC, A FORMER MAYOR OF BELGRADE, TESTIFIED AS COORDINATOR OF SERBIA'S COALITION OF OPPOSITION PARTIES "THE ALLIANCE FOR CHANGE." MR. COVIC SAID THE YUGOSLAV LEADER USES CONFLICTS AND SUBSEQUENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO CONSOLIDATE HIS POWER. SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, MR. COVIC SAID SERBIA NEEDS HELP TO FIND ITS WAY OUT OF WHAT HE CALLED THE "HYPNOTIC DREAM" OF MR. MILOSEVIC'S LIES:

THE EVENTS WE EXPERIENCED DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS IN SERBIA WITH MR. MILOSEVIC IN POWER ARE PURE EVIL FOR ALL CITIZENS OF SERBIA. THE MAIN FIELD OF ACTION IN WHICH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MIGHT GIVE ITS CONTRIBUTION IS THE DEMOCRATIZATION OF SERBIA.

OTHER OPPOSITION LEADERS, INCLUDING ONE FROM SERBIA'S BREAKAWAY KOSOVO PROVINCE AND ANOTHER FROM MONTENEGRO (SERBIA'S SISTER REPUBLIC IN YUGOSLAVIA) PLEADED FOR THE UNITED STATES TO DO MORE TO SUPPORT DEMOCRACY IN YUGOSLAVIA. THEY SAID IT IS THE ONLY LONG-TERM SOLUTION FOR RESOLVING CONFLICTS LIKE THE ONE IN KOSOVO.

THE PUBLISHER OF THE INDEPENDENT BELGRADE NEWSPAPER "DNEVNI TELEGRAF," SLAVKO CURUVIJA, ALSO BLAMED WASHINGTON FOR HELPING MR. MILOSEVIC REMAIN IN POWER. MR. CURUVIJA SAID HE HAS EFFECTIVELY BEEN PUT OUT OF BUSINESS BY EXORBITANT FINES FOLLOWING MR. MILOSEVIC'S MEDIA CRACKDOWN -- SOMETHING HE SAYS WASHINGTON HAS NOT PROTESTED ENOUGH.

YOUR GOVERNMENT HAS WEAKENED DEMOCRATIC FORCES IN MY COUNTRY BY STRENGTHENING MILOSEVIC'S HAND. YOU HAVE PUNISHED THE POPULATION WITH RIGOROUS ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AND PERMITTED HIM TO USE THE KOSOVO CRISIS AS AN EXCUSE TO CRACK DOWN ON ANY OPPOSITION TO HIS REGIME. TO QUOTE (U-S) SENATOR RICHARD LUGAR, 'WHEN HIS VICTIMS IN SERBIA BEGGED THE WEST FOR SUPPORT, THEY HEARD MOSTLY SILENCE'.

THE HEAD OF MONTENEGRO'S CENTER FOR DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS WENT FURTHER, SAYING EACH CONFLICT BEGUN BY MR. MILOSEVIC HAS MADE HIM MORE POWERFUL. SRDJAN DARMANOVIC SAID EACH TIME THE YUGOSLAV LEADER FELT HE WAS LOSING PUBLIC SUPPORT, HE SPARKED ANOTHER CRISIS. FIRST THE WARS IN CROATIA AND BOSNIA, THEN KOSOVO. THE NEXT CONFLICT, MR. DARMANOVIC PREDICTS, WILL BE IN MONTENEGRO, YUGOSLAVIA'S SISTER REPUBLIC:

HIS (MILOSEVIC'S) NEXT MOVE IS KNOWN, HIS MONTENEGRIN LOYALISTS HAVE ANNOUNCED A PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF THE ORTHODOX NEW YEAR ON JANUARY 13TH NEXT YEAR. MANY BELIEVE THIS EVENT WILL IGNITE POSSIBLE VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS, RIOTS AND CLASHES THAT WILL LEAD TO A NEW CRISIS IN YUGOSLAVIA

MONTENEGRO'S MODERATE PRESIDENT MILO DJUKANOVIC WAS INAUGURATED ON JANUARY 15TH. MR. DARMANOVIC NOTES THAT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS NEVER RECOGNIZED THE ELECTION RESULTS THAT BROUGHT PRESIDENT DJUKANOVIC INTO OFFICE. MR. DARMANOVIC SAID IF BELGRADE SENDS THE ARMY INTO MONTENEGRO IT WILL MEAN THE FURTHER BREAKUP OF YUGOSLAVIA BECAUSE, HE PREDICTS, THE PEOPLE WILL RESIST. FINALLY, STUDENT LEADER BORIS KARAJCIC APPEALED TO THE CONGRESSIONAL PANEL NOT TO SUPPORT ONE SPECIFIC OPPOSITION LEADER OR MOVEMENT IN SERBIA BUT RATHER THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF DEMOCRATIZATION. HE COMPARED SERBIA TODAY TO POLAND IN THE MONTHS BEFORE POLAND'S OPPOSITION TO COMMUNIST CONTROL SPARKED THE SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT. MR. KARAJCIC REMINDED THAT SOLIDARITY WAS A MUCH LARGER THAN A SINGLE PARTY. (SIGNED)
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10-Dec-98 3:46 PM EST (2046 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] HUMAN RIGHTS ANNIVERSARY (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: CEREMONIES MARKING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN PARIS DREW TO A CLOSE THURSDAY WITH A TRIBUTE TO ELEANOR ROOSEVELT, THE WORLD WAR TWO AMERICAN FIRST LADY, AND RENE CASSIN, THE FRENCH AUTHOR OF THE ORIGINAL HUMAN RIGHTS TEXT ADOPTED BY THE UNITED NATIONS. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: IT WAS IN THE PALAIS DE CHAILLOT, JUST ACROSS THE SEINE RIVER FROM THE EIFFEL TOWER, THAT, EXACTLY 50 YEARS AGO, THE UNITED NATIONS ADOPTED THE TEXT OF THE DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DRAWN UP BY ITS FRENCH AUTHOR, RENE CASSIN.

IN THE SAME PLACE THURSDAY -- WITH A SATELLITE LINKUP TO THE UNITED NATIONS IN NEW YORK PERMITTING U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TO ADD HIS VOICE -- FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC APPEALED FOR WHAT HE CALLED "VULNERABLE POPULATIONS" TO BE GIVEN SPECIAL ATTENTION AS THE 20TH CENTURY DRAWS TO ITS END.

HE SAID THAT THOSE AT PARTICULARLY AT RISK TODAY INCLUDE MINORITIES SUBJECT TO RACISM OR XENOPHOBIA, WOMEN IN COUNTRIES WHERE EQUAL RIGHTS BETWEEN THE SEXES ARE NOT RESPECTED, OR CHILDREN WHERE THE RIGHTS OF JUVENILES ARE ABUSED.

MR. CHIRAC SAID THAT OPPRESSION OFTEN GOES HAND IN HAND WITH POVERTY. FOR THIS REASON, HE SAID, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WEALTHY COUNTRIES CONTINUE TO PROVIDE DEVELOPMENT AID TO THE DEVELOPING WORLD.

MR. CHIRAC WAS SPEAKING ON THE LAST DAY OF CEREMONIES IN PARIS THAT HAVE INCLUDED SPEECHES BY MR. ANNAN TO THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT AND THE FIRST EVER OFFICIAL RECEPTION BY A FRENCH PRESIDENT FOR THE DALAI LAMA, THE EXILED SPIRITUAL LEADER OF TIBET.

THE CEREMONIES ENDED WITH A ROCK CONCERT, STARRING THE SINGER PETER GABRIEL WHO HAS BEEN CAMPAIGNING ON BEHALF OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL FOR THE PAST 11 YEARS.

U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, WHO ATTENDED THE BEGINNING OF THE PARIS CEREMONIES, BROKE HER ORIGINAL SCHEDULE THURSDAY TO RETURN TO WASHINGTON EARLIER THAN FIRST PLANNED. BEFORE SHE LEFT, HOWEVER, SHE MET WITH THE LEADER OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO, IBRAHIM RUGOVA.

MR. RUGOVA AND THE DALAI LAMA WERE GIVEN AWARDS FOR THEIR WORK IN FAVOR OF HUMAN RIGHTS BY FRANCE'S SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN.

AT THE PALAIS DE CHAILLOT, A SPECIAL TRIBUTE WAS PAID TO ELEANOR ROOSEVELT, THE WIFE OF THE WORLD WAR TWO AMERICAN PRESIDENT, FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT, FOR HER SPECIAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT HUMAN RIGHTS BECAME A CORNERSTONE OF THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER DRAWN UP AFTER THE WAR.

MR. CHIRAC TOLD AN AUDIENCE THAT INCLUDED THE ROOSEVELTS' GRAND-DAUGHTER ANN THAT, DESPITE CONSTANT VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS DURING THE PAST HALF-CENTURY, THE 1948 DECLARATION REMAINS WHAT HE CALLS "THE MORAL LAW OF HUMANITY." (SIGNED)
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10-Dec-98 1:10 PM EST (1810 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] PINOCHET EXTRADITION (L ONITER) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: FORMER CHILEAN LEADER AUGUSTO PINOCHET IS DUE IN A LONDON COURT FRIDAY TO HEAR THE OFFICIAL RULING THAT HE CAN BE EXTRADITED TO SPAIN. BUT HIS LAWYERS HAVE ALREADY BEGUN THE LEGAL BATTLE TO BLOCK IT. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: MR. PINOCHET 'S ARRIVAL IN COURT WILL BE HIS FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE SINCE HE WAS ARRESTED LAST MONTH WHILE RECOVERING FROM BACK SURGERY IN A LONDON CLINIC. THE COURT WILL SET A DATE FOR THE EXTRADITION HEARING.

BUT THE LEGAL BATTLE TO BLOCK EXTRADITION HAS ALREADY BEGUN. MR. PINOCHET'S LAWYERS ARE APPEALING THE HOUSE OF LORDS' RULING TWO WEEKS AGO THAT THE FORMER CHILEAN LEADER IS NOT IMMUNE FROM PROSECUTION. IT WAS THAT DECISION THAT OPENED THE WAY FOR HIS POSSIBLE EXTRADITION TO SPAIN. IN MADRID, THE SPANISH JUDGE WHO ISSUED THE ARREST WARRANT HAS OFFICIALLY CHARGED THE 83-YEAR-OLD FORMER GENERAL WITH CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. HE ALSO HAS ASKED FOR A FREEZE ON MR. PINOCHET'S ASSETS WORLDWIDE TO PREVENT HIS FAMILY FROM HIDING FUNDS THAT COULD BE USED TO PAY FINES IF THE CASE DOES GO TO TRIAL.

RELATIVES OF VICTIMS OF MR. PINOCHET'S GOVERNMENT HAVE HAILED THE EXTRADITION PROCEEDINGS. CHILE HAS RECALLED ITS AMBASSADOR FROM LONDON IN PROTEST.

AUGUSTO PINOCHET SEIZED POWER IN A BLOODY COUP IN 1973 AND RULED CHILE WITH AN IRON GRIP FOR THE NEXT 17 YEARS. THE INDICTMENT AGAINST HIM CHARGES THAT HE WAS PART OF A WIDESPREAD ANTI-LEFTIST CONSPIRACY, CALLED OPERATION CONDOR, WHICH INVOLVED SECURITY FORCES FROM NEIGHBORING ARGENTINA AND OTHER LATIN AMERICAN DICTATORSHIPS. NEARLY FOUR THOUSAND CHILEANS AND OTHER NATIONALS WERE TORTURED, DISAPPEARED OR MURDERED DURING MR. PINOCHET'S RULE. (SIGNED)
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10-Dec-98 1:24 PM EST (1824 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] ROBINSON/ PINOCHET (L-O) BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: AT THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY (THURSDAY), THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, MARY ROBINSON, WELCOMED BRITAIN'S DECISION (WEDNESDAY) TO REJECT THE REQUEST OF FORMER CHILEAN DICTATOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET TO BE SET FREE. CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT: THE RULING BY BRITISH HOME SECRETARY JACK STRAW ALLOWS SPAIN TO CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO EXTRADITE GENERAL PINOCHET. HE FACES AN ARRAY OF CHARGES FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. MR. PINOCHET, WHO IS NOW 83 YEARS OLD, LED CHILE FROM 1973 UNTIL 1990. DURING THAT PERIOD, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE TORTURED, DIED OR FLED INTO EXILE.

MEETING WITH REPORTERS TO MARK THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, MRS. ROBINSON SAID BRITAIN'S DECISION HAS ENCOURAGED DEFENDERS OF HUMAN RIGHTS WORLDWIDE.

I NOTE THE RELIANCE ON INTERNATIONAL LAW, THE RELIANCE ON BINDING OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON EXTRADITION, AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS JURISPRUDENCE AND THE STATEMENT OF THE HOME SECRETARY -- WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE THE SUBJECT OF JUDICIAL REVIEW -- WILL IN ITSELF GREATLY STRENGTHENS THE RELEVANCE AND THE REALITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS LAW WHICH BREAKS IMPUNITY, BREAKS THAT CYCLE OF IMPUNITY AND SETS PRINCIPLE AND STANDARDS WHICH ARE SO IMPORTANT.

ON ANOTHER NOTE, MRS. ROBINSON SAYS SHE HAS FOUND THE JOB OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER MORE DIFFICULT THAN SHE ANTICIPATED. SHE SAYS WHEN SHE TOOK THE JOB SHE WAS SURPRISED BY THE GAP BETWEEN RESOURCES AND RHETORIC. BUT MRS. ROBINSON SAYS IT IS GOOD TO SERVE UNDER A SECRETARY-GENERAL LIKE KOFI ANNAN WHO SHE SAYS HAS SUCH A PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/BJS/LSF/JO
10-Dec-98 3:46 PM EST (2046 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 WERE DOWN SHARPLY TODAY (THURSDAY) ON FEARS THAT CORPORATE EARNINGS WILL FALL SHORT OF ESTIMATES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 88-HUNDRED-41, DOWN 167 POINTS, ALMOST TWO PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11-HUNDRED-65, DOWN 18 POINTS.

STOCKS WERE DOWN ALL DAY AND MANY ANALYSTS, SUCH AS JOE BARTHEL OF THE FAHNSTOCK INVESTMENT COMPANY, SAY CONCERNS ABOUT CORPORATE EARNINGS DROVE THE SELLING.

THIS IS THE PRE-ANNOUNCEMENT PERIOD IN WHICH COMPANIES THAT ARE EXPECTING DISAPPOINTING QUARTERLY EARNINGS IN JANUARY COME OUT AND ADVISE THE STREET (WALL STREET) THAT THE EARNINGS WILL BE DISAPPOINTING.

TWO COMPANIES ISSUING EARNINGS WARNINGS THURSDAY WERE MERCK, THE GIANT PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY, AND VALERO ENERGY, A LEADING INDEPENDENT OIL REFINER IN THE UNITED STATES. OTHER MAJOR U-S CORPORATIONS, SUCH AS UNION CARBIDE AND THE J-P MORGAN BANK, ISSUED EARNINGS WARNINGS EARLIER THIS WEEK.

THE STOCK OF THE COCA COLA COMPANY FELL AFTER TWO INFLUENTIAL BEVERAGE INDUSTRY ANALYSTS DOWNGRADED THE COMPANY'S GROWTH PROSPECTS.

ONE BRIGHT SPOT IN AN OTHERWISE DOWN DAY WAS THE STOCK OF THE INFINITY BROADCASTING COMPANY, THE RADIO AND OUTDOOR ADVERTISING UNIT OF C-B-S. IN ITS FIRST DAY OF TRADING, INFINITY STOCK ROSE 15 PERCENT.

THE AETNA INSURANCE COMPANY WILL PAY ONE BILLION DOLLARS IN CASH FOR THE HEALTHCARE BUSINESS OF THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEAL WILL MAKE AETNA THE LARGEST U-S PROVIDER OF HEALTH AND DENTAL BENEFITS.

ALTHOUGH AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANIES REACHED A SETTLEMENT WITH U-S STATE GOVERNMENTS WHICH ENDS THE THREAT OF STATE LAWSUITS, TOBACCO COMPANY LAWYERS MAY NOW BE BUSY ON THE INTERNATIONAL FRONT. THE GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA TODAY FILED A LAWSUIT SEEKING TO RECOVER THE COSTS OF TREATING SMOKING-RELATED ILLNESS AND THE GOVERNMENT OF BRAZIL SAYS IT WILL ALSO SUE.

THE HASBRO TOY COMPANY HAS SETTLED A LAWSUIT WITH AN AGREEMENT TO DONATE MORE THAN THREE AND ONE-HALF MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF TOYS TO NEEDY CHILDREN. HASBRO WILL ALSO PAY TWO POINT FOUR MILLION DOLLARS IN CASH TO THE PLAINTIFFS WHO HAD CHARGED THAT THE COMPANY ILLEGALLY WITHHELD TOYS FROM CERTAIN STORES. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/RRM
10-Dec-98 5:07 PM EST (2207 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE ISSUE OF WHETHER TO IMPEACH OR CENSURE PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR HIS ROLE IN THE MONICA LEWINSKY AFFAIR REMAINS THE MAJOR TOPIC IN MANY EDITORIAL COLUMNS THIS THURSDAY.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: MORE INTRANSIGENCE IN BAGHDAD OVER WEAPONS INSPECTIONS; /// OPT /// THE F-B-I FILES OF FAMED SINGER FRANK SINATRA; /// END OPT /// THE MERGER OF TWO BIG OIL COMPANIES; HELPING CENTRAL AMERICA REBUILD; AND CONTINUING THE DEBATE OVER GLOBAL WARMING. NOW, HERE WITH A QUOTE OR TWO AND A CLOSER LOOK IS _______________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE U-S PRESS CONTINUES A SERIES OF EDITORIALS ON THE TWO DAYS OF TESTIMONY BY PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DEFENDERS. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS AGAIN CALLING FOR CENSURE, NOT IMPEACHMENT, BUT CONCEDES "GETTING THE CENSURE RESOLUTION OUT OF ... COMMITTEE AND TO THE HOUSE FLOOR ...WILL BE DIFFICULT."

VOICE: /// OPT /// THE OBVIOUS ALTERNATIVE OF CENSURING MR. CLINTON AND MAKING HIM ACKNOWLEDGE THE CONDEMNATION WITH HIS SIGNATURE MUST BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE HOUSE MEMBERS. /// END OPT /// HISTORY WILL JUDGE A BIPARTISAN VOTE FOR CENSURE TO HAVE BEEN A REBUKE FAR MORE STINGING THAN A PARTISAN VOTE FOR IMPEACHMENT THAT HITS A DEAD END IN THE SENATE AND IS HEEDLESS TO ... CONSTITUTIONAL PROPORTION.

TEXT: THE NATIONAL DAILY, "USA TODAY," SAYS THE CONGRESS SHOULD DEAL FIRST WITH IMPEACHMENT, AND ONLY THEN WITH THE MOTION TO CENSURE THE PRESIDENT.

VOICE: ALL EXPECTATIONS ARE THAT THE [HOUSE] JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WILL VOTE OUT AT LEAST ONE ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT FOR PERJURY. IT SHOULD, AND THE FULL HOUSE SHOULD SETTLE THAT ISSUE FIRST. ONLY THEN SHOULD THE QUESTION OF CENSURE COME TO THE FLOOR.

TEXT: BUT IN TEXAS, "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" ALSO RECOMMENDS CENSURE AS THE BEST PUNISHMENT.

VOICE: THE COMBINATION OF CENSURE AND SELF-IMPOSED FINE SHOULD BE SUPPORTABLE BY THE PUBLIC AND SHOULD SATISFY ENOUGH LEGISLATORS TO PUT THE MATTER TO REST. IT IS NOT A PERFECT SOLUTION: IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER HAD BILL CLINTON SPARED THE COUNTRY THESE DECISIONS. HOWEVER, WE BELIEVE THIS COURSE IS AN APPROPRIATE OUTCOME, GIVEN THE FACTS OF THE CASE ..... AND THE IMPERATIVE TO HOLD THE PRESIDENT ACCOUNTABLE.

TEXT: MOVING OVERSEAS, THERE IS MORE TROUBLE ABOUT IRAQ NOT ALLOWING THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION TEAM TO SEE INSIDE A BUILDING IN BAGHDAD. A SENIOR OFFICIAL FROM IRAQ'S RULING BA'ATH PARTY SAYS U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE PARTY HEADQUARTERS THEY WERE BARRED FROM WEDNESDAY. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" COMMENTS:

VOICE: BY TURNING INTERNATIONAL WEAPONS INSPECTORS AWAY FROM THE HEADQUARTERS OF ITS RULING PARTY YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY), IRAQ SHOWED WHY THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL SHOULD MAKE NO MOVE TOWARD LIFTING ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. .... THE COUNTRY HAS DONE LITTLE TO MERIT A FAVORABLE REPORT. ITS RECORD ON ARMS, AS REPORTED IN OCTOBER BY THE U-N INSPECTION CHIEF, RICHARD BUTLER, IS POOR TO MIXED. /// OPT /// ... YESTERDAY'S INCIDENT WAS PERFECTLY CONSISTENT WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN'S SEVEN-YEAR RECORD OF OBSTRUCTION. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: HERE AT HOME, THERE IS CONSIDERABLE AGITATION OVER THE RELEASE OF THE F-B-I FILE ON SINGER AND ACTOR FRANK SINATRA WHO DIED EARLIER THIS YEAR. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: PARTS OF THE FILES SEEM TO BE SERIOUS ENOUGH, INCLUDING THE F-B-I'S LONG ATTEMPT TO DOCUMENT SINATRA'S ALLEGED ASSOCIATION WITH ORGANIZED CRIME FIGURES. BUT THE DOSSIER DOES NOT TELL US MUCH THAT WE DID NOT ALREADY KNOW. /// OPT /// ... AS WITH SO MUCH OF WHAT [FORMER F-B-I DIRECTOR J. EDGAR] HOOVER AND HIS AGENTS COLLECTED, THE SINATRA FILES ARE FILLED WITH UNSUBSTANTIATED REPORTS FROM UNIDENTIFIED INFORMANTS, PRESS CLIPPINGS AND OTHER TRIVIA. ... IT IS [MR.] HOOVER, NOT THOSE WHOSE CAREERS HE TRIED TO DESTROY ... WHOSE REPUTATION IS FOREVER TARNISHED.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE PROPOSED MERGER OF TWO GIANT U-S OIL COMPANIES, EXXON AND MOBIL, "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE SAYS, IN PART:

VOICE: WHILE COMPETITION WILL STILL EXIST NATIONWIDE, IN SOME INDIVIDUAL MARKETS, WHERE EXXON AND MOBILE DOMINATE RETAIL SALES, THE DANGER OF MONOPOLY ARISES. WHEN THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION REVIEWS THE MERGER, THE IMPACT ON LOCAL MARKETS SHOULD BE SCRUTINIZED. /// OPT /// AS LONG AS THE WORLDWIDE PETROLEUM MARKET IS GLUTTED, MOST CONSUMERS ARE UNLIKELY TO NOTICE THIS MERGER. AND WHILE THE WORLD IS AWASH IN OIL, ONE COMPANY - - EVEN AS LARGE AS EXXON-MOBIL - - CANNOT SET PRICES. ONCE DEMAND FOR PETROLEUM PICKS UP, HOWEVER, THIS MERGED GIANT WILL BE ABLE TO EXERT MORE LEVERAGE. /// END OPT

TEXT: TWO OF THE NATION'S MOST INFLUENTIAL PAPERS, THE NEW YORK TIMES" AND "THE WASHINGTON POST" ARE RECOMMENDING DEBT RELIEF FROM THE U-S AND WORLD BANKING COMMUNITIES TO HELP HEAL THE HUGE DISASTER HURRICANE MITCH HAS LEFT IN CENTRAL AMERICA, PRINCIPALLY IN HONDURAS AND NICARAGUA. "THE TIMES" PUTS IT THIS WAY.

VOICE: /// OPT /// NICARAGUA, ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST INDEBTED NATIONS, OWES SIX BILLION DOLLARS TO GOVERNMENTS AND INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND. .... HONDURAS OWES FOUR BILLION DOLLARS. /// END OPT /// WASHINGTON SUSPENDED FOR TWO YEARS THEIR [HONDURAS AND NICARAGUA'S] PAYMENTS ON DEBT OWED TO THE UNITED STATES, BUT THIS IS NOT ENOUGH. THE UNITED STATES SHOULD JOIN EUROPEAN NATIONS SUCH AS FRANCE IN FORGIVING THE DEBTS AND OFFERING SOME RELIEF TO EL SALVADOR AND GUATEMALA.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" AGREES, BUT CAUTIONS:

VOICE: THAT DEBT IS ITSELF A SYMBOL OF PAST FAILURES OF DEVELOPMENT AID, AND A REMINDER OF THE NEED TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY THIS TIME. ... WHAT BECAME OF ALL THAT MONEY? HURRICANE MITCH, AS TERRIBLE AS IT WAS, OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REBUILD IN A SMARTER WAY.

TEXT: STILL IN LATIN AMERICAN NEWS, "THE MIAMI HERALD" DISCUSSES FORMER PANAMANIAN LEADER GENERAL MANUEL NORIEGA'S REQUEST FOR A REDUCED PRISON SENTENCE, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: ... DRUG DEALING IS AN EVIL, CORRUPTING TRADE THAT HAS SAVAGED MANY LIVES AND FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS IN THIS COUNTRY. RELEASE [MR.] NORIEGA? SO THAT HE CAN PLY THE TRADE AGAIN? TURN HIM LOOSE ON PANAMA, A STILL-RECOVERING DEMOCRACY? POLITICALLY IT WOULD MAKE NO SENSE. LEGALLY, HOWEVER, [MR.] NORIEGA SHOULD HAVE THE SAME CONSIDERATION, THE SAME 'MERCY,' THE SAME SHOT [RIGHTS TO] AT PAROLE AS ANY OTHER DRUG DEALER IN THE FEDERAL PENAL SYSTEM. HE SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN ANY LESS - - BUT HE'S CERTAINLY NOT ENTITLED TO ANY MORE.

TEXT: THERE IS AN EDITORIAL WARNING REGARDING THE ELECTION SUNDAY OF HUGO CHAVEZ, AN ARMY PARATROOPER OFFICER, AND FORMER COUP LEADER IN VENEZUELA, FROM TODAY'S "ORLANDO SENTINEL:"

VOICE: MR. CHAVEZ IS USING CONCILIATORY RHETORIC TO PLAY DOWN INVESTORS' FEARS. HE DESCRIBES HIMSELF, THOUGH, AS A NATIONAL FEELING - - A LARGER-THAN-LIFE IMAGE THAT SMACKS OF MESSIANIC TENDENCIES. ALSO, HE CONTINUES TO TALK ABOUT THE COUP ATTEMPT AS A GOOD THING, AND HIS TIES TO [CUBA'S LEADER] MR. CASTRO RUN WARM AND DEEP. ... VENEZUELANS APPARENTLY SUPPORTED MR. CHAVEZ IN DROVES FOR A SIMPLE REASON: ECONOMIC TURMOIL. /// OPT

TEXT: TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" COMMENTS ON THE RECENT MEETING HERE IN WASHINGTON BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND PAKISTAN'S PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF, NOTING THE PRESIDENT DID NOT GET MR. SHARIF TO SPECIFY WHEN HE WOULD FORMALLY COMMIT HIS COUNTRY TO THE COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN TREATY. BUT THE NEWSPAPER WRITES THAT THE MEETING WAS HELPFUL.

VOICE: FINALLY, [MR.] SHARIF AND [PRESIDENT] CLINTON GINGERLY DEALT WITH A SUBJECT OF SOME EMBARRASSMENT TO THE U-S. PAKISTAN PAID FOR 28 AMERICAN F-16S BACK IN 1990. BUT DELIVERY WAS BLOCKED BECAUSE PRESIDENT BUSH COULD NOT CERTIFY, AS DEMANDED BY CONGRESS, THAT PAKISTAN WASN'T DEVELOPING A NUCLEAR WEAPON. SO A COUNTRY THAT HAD LONG BEEN A U-S ALLY WAS LEFT 658-MILLION DOLLARS IN THE HOLE (I.E. WITHOUT THE MONEY). THE U-S HAS PAID BACK A SMALL PART OF THAT BY SELLING PARTS OF THE F-16 PACKAGE TO OTHERS. A NEW PURCHASE ARRANGEMENT WITH NEW ZEALAND MAY FREE UP A BIT MORE. BUT THE FAIREST APPROACH WOULD BE TO FULLY REFUND PAKISTAN'S MONEY.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, SOME THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED NATION'S UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS. MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" COMMENTS:

VOICE: THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION PROCLAIMS ACROSS THE YEARS THAT: 'ALL HUMAN BEINGS ARE BORN FREE AND EQUAL INDIGNITY AND RIGHTS. THEY ARE ENDOWED WITH REASON AND CONSCIENCE AND SHOULD ACT TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER IN A SPIRIT OF BROTHERHOOD.' IN A SENSE, THE STRUGGLE TO MAKE REAL THOSE PROMISES HAD JUST BEGUN 50 YEARS AGO. ONLY RECENTLY HAVE MANY OF THE WORLD'S OUTLAW NATIONS BEEN HELD TO ACCOUNT. ..... BRITAIN'S AGREEING ON WEDNESDAY TO ALLOW SPAIN TO BEGIN EXTRADITION PROCEEDINGS AGAINST A VISITING GENERAL AUGUSTO PINOCHET IS THE LATEST EVIDENCE OF THAT. IF THE PROCEEDINGS ARE SUCCESSFUL, [GENERAL] PINOCHET WILL ANSWER FOR HIS CRIMES AGAINST THE CITIZENS OF SEVERAL COUNTRIES, INCLUDING HIS OWN, DURING HIS 17-YEAR DICTATORSHIP IN CHILE.

TEXT: WITH THAT WE COME TO THE END OF THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/GE
10-Dec-98 11:39 AM EST (1639 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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