Voice of America, 99-02-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO TALKS (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[02] TURKEY / IRAQ (L) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[03] KURDISH WOMENS RIGHTS BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (DIYABAKAR)

[04] NORTHERN IRELAND / PEACE (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

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

[06] HUNGARY/NEO-NAZIS BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPES)

[01] KOSOVO TALKS (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: THE PRESIDENT OF SERBIA SAID MONDAY THAT BELGRADE REMAINS OPPOSED TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE IN KOSOVO, ONE OF THE KEY PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN PLANS FOR PEACE IN THE PROVINCE. THE SERBIAN LEADER MADE HIS REMARKS IN PARIS, WHERE JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS.

TEXT: JUST FIVE DAYS BEFORE AN INTERNATIONAL ULTIMATUM RUNS OUT FOR NEGOTIATORS AT KOSOVO PEACE TALKS BEING HELD SOUTH OF PARIS, SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILAN MILUTINOVIC REPEATED HIS COUNTRY'S OPPOSITION TO NATO PROPOSALS TO SEND IN A PEACE FORCE.

MR. MILUTINOVIC SAID THAT IF AN AGREEMENT ON A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IS REACHED BETWEEN ETHNIC ALBANIANS SEEKING SELF-RULE FOR KOSOVO AND A SERBIAN-LED DELEGATION REPRESENTING BELGRADE, THERE WILL BE NO NEED FOR FOREIGN TROOPS.

AFTER MORE THAN TWO-THOUSAND DEATHS IN KOSOVO OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ALBANIANS AT THE TALKS IN RAMBOUILLET SAY THEY NEED A PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR PROTECTION AND TO INSURE THAT ANY PEACE ACCORD IS RESPECTED. ON SUNDAY, AMERICAN SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT AND OTHER FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE "CONTACT GROUP" ON YUGOSLAVIA -- COMPRISING THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIA, BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY AND ITALY -- TOLD BOTH SIDES THEY MUST REACH AN AGREEMENT BY SATURDAY. IF THEY FAIL, THEN NATO SAYS IT WILL START AIR STRIKES AGAINST MILITARY TARGETS IN SERBIA.

MR. MILUTINOVIC SAID BOMBING WOULD SOLVE NOTHING AND WOULD AMOUNT TO WHAT HE CALLED "A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY."

RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV, WHO SPOKE WITH BOTH SIDES AT THE TALKS MONDAY, SAID THE FIRST PRIORITY OF THE NEGOTIATORS SHOULD BE TO REACH A POLITICAL AGREEMENT. THE RUSSIAN MINISTER REPEATED MOSCOW'S POSITION THAT A PEACEKEEPING FORCE COULD BE SENT ONLY IF BELGRADE ACCEPTS IT.

BUT MR. MILUTINOVIC SAYS HE TOLD CONTACT GROUP MINISTERS THAT SERBIA WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY FOREIGN SOLDIERS ON ITS SOIL.

WE ARE AGAINST ANY KIND OF FOREIGN TROOPS AND I EXPLAINED WHY. IF THE AGREEMENT IS SO GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION OF KOSOVO AND METOHIJA (EDS: PART OF KOSOVO), WHY ENFORCE THAT? WHY PRESS THE PEOPLE TO ACCEPT WHAT THEY ALREADY IN A VAST MAJORITY ACCEPT?

THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT, INSISTING THAT KOSOVO MUST REMAIN PART OF BOTH SERBIA AND THE YUGOSLAV FEDERATION, SAYS THE ONLY FORCE NEEDED IN YUGOSLAVIA WAS ONE TO FIGHT TERRORISM. AND, HE SAYS YUGOSLAVIA CAN DO THAT ALONE. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/PCF
15-Feb-99 10:22 AM EST (1522 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] TURKEY / IRAQ (L) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: IRAQ'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ MET MONDAY IN ANKARA WITH TURKISH LEADERS. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS BOTH MR. AZIZ AND TURKISH PRIME MINISTER BULENT ECEVIT DESCRIBED THEIR TALKS AS HIGHLY POSITIVE.

TEXT: SPEAKING AT A NEWS CONFERENCE FOLLOWING NEARLY THREE-HOURS OF TALKS, MR. ECEVIT SAID HE AND THE IRAQI DEPUTY PREMIER HAD FOCUSED ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS.

THESE INCLUDED THE NEED TO PRESERVE IRAQ'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND FOR IRAQ TO COMPLY WITH U-N RESOLUTIONS CALLING FOR IT TO DESTROY ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. THE TURKISH LEADER SAID THE EASING OF U-N ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON IRAQ SHOULD RUN PARALLEL TO THAT PROCESS.

MR. ECEVIT CONFIRMED THE IRAQI OFFICIAL ASKED TURKEY TO PREVENT U-S AND BRITISH WAR PLANES STATIONED AT A NATO BASE IN SOUTHERN TURKEY FROM CARRYING OUT ATTACKS AGAINST IRAQI TARGETS. TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY THE REQUEST WAS REJECTED.

MR. ECEVIT SAID HE ASSURED MR. AZIZ THE U-S AND BRITISH PLANES ARE NOT BEING PERMITTED TO CARRY OUT OFFENSIVE ACTION AGAINST IRAQ. HE SAID THE ALLIED FORCES ARE RESPONDING TO STEPPED UP IRAQI ATTACKS ON ALLIED AIR CRAFT PATROLLING THE NO-FLY ZONE OVER NORTHERN IRAQ.

PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SHRUGGED OFF CRITICISM THAT MR AZIZ'S VISIT WOULD DISRUPT TURKEY'S RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES, SAYING IT WAS "EXAGGERATED." MR. ECEVIT WAS RESPONDING TO U-S CONCERNS ABOUT THE TIMING OF MR AZIZ' VISIT. IT COINCIDES WITH STEPPED UP SUPPORT BY THE U-S GOVERNMENT FOR IRAQI OPPOSITION GROUPS SEEKING TO OVERTHROW IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN.

IN SEPARATE COMMENTS, MR. AZIZ SAID RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAQ WOULD IMPROVE IF -- AS HE PUT IT -- THERE WAS NO FOREIGN INTERFERENCE. HE SAID TURKEY AND IRAQ'S LEGITIMATE CONCERNS WERE RAISED DURING TALKS WITH THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER.

TURKISH PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT SAID BOTH COUNTRIES SHARE FEARS THAT CONTINUED KURDISH SELF-RULE IN NORTHERN IRAQ MIGHT RESULT IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE. MR. ECEVIT SAID HE HAD ADVISED THE IRAQI OFFICIAL TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES WITH THE IRAQI KURDS THROUGH DIALOGUE AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.

MR. ECEVIT ALSO SAID HE HAD GIVEN MR AZIZ A DOCUMENT PREPARED BY THE TURKISH MILITARY WHICH HE SAID CONTAINS EVIDENCE IRAQ IS PROVIDING SHELTER FOR REBELS OF THE OUTLAWED SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY. MR. ECEVIT SAID MR. AZIZ DENIED THE CHARGES AND INVITED TURKISH OFFICERS TO COME TO IRAQ TO CHECK THE FACTS FOR THEMSELVES. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/RAE
15-Feb-99 11:08 AM EST (1608 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KURDISH WOMENS RIGHTS BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (DIYABAKAR)

INTRO: IN TURKEY'S MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEASTERN PROVINCES, FEUDAL AND TRIBAL STRUCTURES CONTINUE TO SURVIVE WITH THE DOMINANCE OF MEN UNCHALLENGED -- ALMOST. AMBERIN ZAMAN VISITED THE MAINLY KURDISH PROVINCE OF DIYABAKIR AND FILED THIS REPORT.

TEXT: "FEMINISM" IS A DIRTY WORD IN TURKEY'S MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST PROVINCES, SAYS NEBAHAT AKKOC, A HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST WHO FOUNDED THE REGION'S FIRST WOMEN'S SELF-HELP GROUP LAST YEAR.

SITTING IN A RESTAURANT RUN BY BATTERED WOMEN TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE GROUP KNOWN AS THE "WOMEN'S CENTER" OR "KAMER," FOR SHORT, MRS. AKKOC EXPLAINS HER AIM IS TO MAKE WOMEN UNDERSTAND THAT THEY TOO HAVE RIGHTS.

MRS. AKKOC SAYS THAT OVER THE PAST YEAR, SHE AND HER CO-WORKERS HAVE GATHERED TOGETHER OVER 500 WOMEN FOR GROUP SESSIONS, WHERE PARTICIPANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SHARE AND DISCUSS THEIR PROBLEMS.

MANY WOMEN HERE ARE ILLITERATE. THEY ARE MARRIED OFF IN THEIR EARLY TEENS AND BECOME MOTHERS SHORTLY THEREAFTER. MRS. AKKOC SAYS THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINTS ARE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, INCEST, AND RAPE. MOST WOMEN, SHE SAYS, ARE CONDITIONED TO VIEW SUCH PROBLEMS AS ALMOST AN INEVITABLE PART OF MARRIED LIFE. AT KAMER, WOMEN ARE FIRST HELPED TO OVERCOME THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA OF THEIR BAD EXPERIENCES WITH THE HELP OF COUNSELORS. NEXT, THEY ARE TAUGHT WAYS TO AVOID ANY REPETITION. IN SHORT, MRS. AKKOC SAYS WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO CHALLENGE MEN'S SO-FAR UNQUESTIONED AUTHORITY AND TO DEMAND EQUAL TREATMENT AND RESPECT. THAT IS WHY MRS. AKKOC SAYS SHE AND HER GROUP HAVE BECOME EXTREMELY UNPOPULAR WITH MEN.

MRS. AKKOC SAYS WHEN THE DIYABAKIR CENTER FIRST OPENED IT DOORS SHE WAS FLOODED WITH THREATENING TELEPHONE CALLS FROM MEN. MOST WOMEN -- FEARING REPRISAL FROM THEIR SPOUSES -- WOULD COME SECRETLY, SHE SAYS. //OPT// TO FEND OFF POSSIBLE ATTACK, THE CENTER REPLACED ITS WOODEN DOOR WITH AN IRON ONE. //END OPT//

THAT WAS LAST YEAR. TODAY, HOWEVER, THE CENTER IS THRIVING. ITS GOOD WORK HAS ATTRACTED FUNDS FROM EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS. THE NEXT STEP, SAYS MRS. AKKOC, IS TO OPEN NEW CENTERS IN OTHER SOUTHEASTERN TURKISH PROVINCES.

MRS. AKKOC SAYS THE 14-YEAR-LONG CONFLICT IN THE SOUTHEAST BETWEEN TURKISH SECURITY FORCES AND THE OUTLAWED SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY HAS CREATED A CYCLE OF VIOLENCE THAT EXTENDS TO THE HOME. AS SUCH, WOMEN HERE, SHE SAYS, EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS NOT ENCOUNTERED IN THE REST OF TURKEY.

BUT FOR ALL THEIR CULTURAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL PECULIARITIES, ULTIMATELY, SAYS HUMAN RIGHTS WORKER NEBAHAT AKKOC, WOMEN'S PROBLEMS ARE MUCH THE SAME THE WORLD OVER. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF
15-Feb-99 8:38 AM EST (1338 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] NORTHERN IRELAND / PEACE (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: NORTHERN IRELAND'S ASSEMBLY IS DEBATING PLANS FOR A POWER-SHARING CABINET BEFORE BRITAIN HANDS OVER LIMITED SELF RULE NEXT MONTH. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON REPORTS THE DEBATE COULD BECOME THE FINAL SHOWDOWN IN THE DISPUTE OVER DISARMING PARAMILITARY GROUPS.

TEXT: THE KEY OBSTACLE TO AGREEMENT ON A JOINT PROTESTANT-CATHOLIC GOVERNMENT FOR NORTHERN IRELAND HAS BEEN THE ISSUE OF DISARMING PARAMILITARY GROUPS. THE 108-MEMBER ASSEMBLY IN BELFAST HAS TO APPROVE THE SET-UP OF A NEW GOVERNMENT THAT WILL INCLUDE A TEN-MINISTER CABINET AND SEVERAL CROSS-BORDER GROUPS TO STRENGTHEN TIES WITH THE IRISH REPUBLIC.

BUT NORTHERN IRELAND'S PROTESTANT FIRST MINISTER DAVID TRIMBLE HAS INSISTED THE I-R-A START HANDING OVER ITS WEAPONS BEFORE REPRESENTATIVES OF ITS POLITICAL WING, SINN FEIN, CAN JOIN THE NEW CABINET. SINN FEIN HAS ARGUED THE GOOD FRIDAY PEACE AGREEMENT DID NOT SET ANY PRE-CONDITIONS. A "YES" VOTE THIS WEEK IN BELFAST WOULD OPEN THE WAY FOR BRITAIN TO MARK ANOTHER STEP IN THE PEACE PROCESS BY HANDING OVER LIMITED SELF-RULE ON MARCH 10TH. THE NEW TEN-MINISTER ADMINISTRATION WOULD INCLUDE TWO POSTS FOR SINN FEIN.

CATHOLIC POLITICIAN AND DEPUTY MINISTER SEAMUS MALLON WARNED THE ASSEMBLY THAT EXCLUDING SINN FEIN FROM THE NEW ADMINISTRATION WOULD VIOLATE THE GOOD FRIDAY PEACE AGREEMENT AND MAKE DECOMMISSIOING EVEN MORE DIFFICULT.

DAMAGE THIS AGREEMENT AND WE DAMAGE THE PROSPECT OF ACHIEVING DECOMMISSIONING. LOSE THIS AGREEMENT AND WE LOSE ANY PROSPECT OF DECOMMISSIONING.

BUT PROTESTANT LEADER DAVID TRIMBLE INSISTS THAT SINN FEIN SHOULD BE BARRED FROM JOINING UNTIL THE I-R-A STARTS HANDING OVER ITS WEAPONS.

THEY MUST BE UNDER NO ILLUSION AS TO WHAT IS REQUIRED.

PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC POLITICIANS BOTH ARE PREDICTING THE DISPUTE WILL NOT BE RESOLVED ANY TIME SOON AND THE MARCH 10TH DEADLINE FOR THE TRANSFER OF LIMITED SELF-RULE PROBABLY WILL BE MISSED. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
15-Feb-99 11:45 AM EST (1645 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON'S IMPEACHMENT BEGINNING TO RECEDE INTO HISTORY, THE NATION'S EDITORIAL PAGES ARE TURNING TO OTHER ISSUES, THOUGH SEVERAL ARE STILL HAVING THOUGHTS ON THE SAGA.

OTHER TOPICS BEING DISCUSSED ON THIS HOLIDAY MONDAY, CELEBRATING TWO OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRESIDENTS, INCLUDE: SENDING U-S TROOPS TO KOSOVO; MEXICO'S FIGHT AGAINST ILLICIT DRUGS; THE BUILDING THREAT OF BIO-TERRORISM; AND MORE SABER RATTLING FROM CHINA. NOW, HERE WITH SOME EXCERPTS IS _____________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: ALTHOUGH MANY WEEKEND PAPERS DEALT WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ACQUITTAL ON IMPEACHMENT CHARGES, THERE ARE MORE EDITORIALS THIS MONDAY. ONE IS IN "THE [MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA] STAR TRIBUNE."

VOICE: AMERICANS, AND EVENTUALLY THE SENATE, SAW THIS SCANDAL FOR WHAT IT WAS: A VEHICLE DRIVEN BY [MR.] CLINTON'S OPPONENTS TO EMBARRASS HIM, AND PERHAPS EVEN DEPOSE HIM. ...THE PRESIDENT DID NOT, AS MANY REPUBLICANS HAVE FRETTED, GET AWAY SCOT-FREE. IT IS TRUE THAT FOR TWO-YEARS HE WILL REMAIN THE WORLD'S PARAMOUNT LEADER -- A PRESIDENT MOST AMERICANS STILL BELIEVE TO BE INTELLIGENT, EMPATHETIC AND EFFECTIVE. BUT HE MUST ALSO LIVE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY ARE NOT ALL THAT SURE THEY CAN TRUST HIM.

TEXT: "USA TODAY" WHICH DOES NOT PUBLISH OVER THE WEEKEND, SUGGESTS THE SAGA IS NOT ENTIRELY OVER.

VOICE: ...THE NATION IS FREE OF THE BILL CLINTON-MONICA LEWINSKY SCANDAL. OR IS IT? CERTAINLY...THE IMMEDIATE STORM HAS PASSED FOR THE PUBLIC. ...BUT THE MONSTER IS NOT QUITE SLAIN. LEGAL MATTERS INVOLVED IN THE CASE CONTINUE TO BEAT FAINTLY. ...THE INDEPENDENT COUNSEL (KENNETH STARR) IS NOT QUITE THE PARTISAN ZEALOT PAINTED BY THE WHITE HOUSE. MORE THAN A DOZEN CONVICTIONS, GUILTY PLEAS AND NUMEROUS FAVORABLE COURT DECISIONS ARE THE MARK OF AN ABLE PROSECUTOR UNCOVERING REAL ABUSES. BUT, IN A PIQUE AT THE RELENTLESS WHITE HOUSE ASSAULT ON HIM, HE HAS REPEATEDLY BLUNDERED AND LET HIMSELF BECOME AN ISSUE IN THE INVESTIGATION.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" SPECULATES ON "THE CLINTON LEGACY," AND MR. CLINTON VIEWS IT.

VOICE: ... THE PRESIDENT SEEMS TO THINK ... HIS PLACE IN HISTORY IS ALREADY SECURED -- AND FOR BETTER, NOT FOR WORSE. IN MR. CLINTON'S WORLD, HE IS NOT THE PRESIDENT WHO BROUGHT CONTEMPT ON HIMSELF AND SHAME ON HIS OFFICE. NO, HE IS THE MAN WHO STOOD UP TO THE WORST THAT ALL HIS POLITICAL FOES COULD DELIVER, AND WHUPPED [BEAT] THEM.

TEXT: MOVING ATTENTION OVERSEAS TO YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE, TODAY'S "HARTFORD COURANT" AGREES WITH SENDING A SMALL NUMBER OF U-S PEACEKEEPING TROOPS TO THE EFFORT.

VOICE: /// OPT /// ALREADY, THERE ARE SOME SIX-THOUSAND AMERICANS IN AN INTERNATIONAL MILITARY FORCE IN BOSNIA, MONITORING COMPLIANCE WITH THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS. SEVERAL HUNDRED U-S TROOPS ARE IN MACEDONIA, ACTING AS A HEDGE AGAINST AN OUTBREAK OF ETHNIC FIGHTING THERE. /// END OPT /// ... ALTHOUGH THE UNITED STATES IS THE WORLD'S ONLY REMAINING SUPERPOWER, IT CAN NOT BE THE WORLD'S POLICEMAN IN CHARGE OF PUTTING OUT EVERY BRUSH FIRE AND INSURRECTION. BUT IT SHOULD DO WHAT IT CAN DO TO SAVE LIVES. ... A NATO PRESENCE THAT INCLUDES U-S FORCES COULD BRING PEACE TO KOSOVO.

TEXT: BACK TO THIS HEMISPHERE, AND, WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON IN MEXICO FOR A TWO-DAY SUMMIT, "THE NEW YORK TIMES'" HAS THESE THOUGHTS ON "JUDGING THE MEXICAN DRUG WAR."

VOICE: LAST YEAR, GENERAL BARRY MCCAFFREY, THE WHITE HOUSE DRUG CZAR, NAIVELY CALLED MEXICAN COOPERATION 'ABSOLUTELY SUPERLATIVE.' THE SATE DEPARTMENT SAID LAST WEEK THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT ERNESTO ZEDILLO IS 'STRONGLY COMMITTED' TO FIGHTING DRUG TRAFFICKING. ... IF ANYTHING, MEXICO'S EFFORTS ARE SLIPPING. ...1998 SAW A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN SEIZURES OF DRUGS, AND...NEARLY ALL IDENTIFIED DRUG KINGPINS REMAIN AT LARGE. MEXICO HAS DECLINED TO EXTRADITE ALLEGED CRIMINALS TO THE UNITED STATES.

TEXT: SOME SABER RATTLING BY CHINA TOWARD TAIWAN, COMES IN FOR ATTENTION IN "THE WASHINGTON POST" WHICH CRITICIZES THE PLACEMENT OF HUNDREDS OF MISSILES CLOSEST TO THE DEMOCRATICALLY-GOVERNED ISLAND.

VOICE: THIS DEVELOPMENT SEEMS TO HAVE NO SPECIFIC TRIGGER BEYOND AN EVIDENTLY CONTINUING DESIRE TO INTIMIDATE TAIWAN AND KEEP IT FROM EVENTUALLY CREEPING UNDER AN AMERICAN ANTIMISSILE UMBRELLA AND THUS BE EVEN LESS LIKELY TO REUNIFY WITH THE MAINLAND. .... /// OPT /// NO SERIOUS TALKS SEEMS POSSIBLE WHILE CHINA IS FLEXING ITS MISSILES, STIRRING FRESH DOUBTS ABOUT ITS APPETITE FOR NEGOTIATION, HEATING UP A REGIONAL ARMS RACE AND ALARMING THE TAIWANESE PEOPLE WHOM IT OUGHT TO BE CONCILIATING.

TEXT: IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, "THE OREGONIAN" PONDERS MANY REQUESTS FOR DEBT FORGIVENESS TOWARD CENTRAL AMERICAN NATIONS DEVASTATED BY HURRICANE MITCH.

VOICE: THE REASONS TO GRANT A CLEAN SLATE [OF INTERNATIONAL DEBT] ARE COMPELLING, BUT NO UNCONDITIONAL RELIEF SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT. THERE IS NO DOUBT THESE COUNTRIES ARE IN GREAT NEED. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE HURRICANE-FED FLOODS, THEY REMAIN IN SHAMBLES. ... TOTAL DEBT FORGIVENESS MAY BE THE BEST ROAD TO RECOVERY FOR FLOOD-RAVAGED NATIONS AND THEIR CREDITORS, BUT IT OUGHT TO MAKE SENSE WITH OTHER CONTINGENCIES. IF DEBT RELIEF IS THE RIGHT ROAD, LET US BE SURE WHERE WE ARE GOING.

TEXT: TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" DEBATES THE POTENTIAL THREAT OF BIOLOGICAL TERRORISM TOWARD THIS COUNTRY IN ONE OF TODAY'S EDITORIALS.

VOICE: WHILE IT IS UNCLEAR THAT TERRORISTS HAVE THE SKILLS TO ACTUALLY USE BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS TO CAUSE MASS DESTRUCTION, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS RIGHT TO PROPOSE THAT CONGRESS SET ASIDE MONEY IN THE FISCAL 2000 BUDGET TO THWART SUCH A POSSIBILITY. ESPECIALLY WORTHWHILE WOULD BE FUNDS EARMARKED TO HELP STATES AND CITIES ACQUIRE LAB EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING TO RAPIDLY DIAGNOSE GENUINE DISEASE OUTBREAKS AND TO DETECT HOAXES WITHOUT HAVING TO SHUT DOWN BUSINESSES AND PUT POSSIBLE VICTIMS THROUGH AN ORDEAL.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM TODAY'S EDITORIAL PAGES IN THE U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
15-Feb-99 10:50 AM EST (1550 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] HUNGARY/NEO-NAZIS BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPES)

INTRO: HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS AND HUNGARIAN AUTHORITIES SAY THEY ARE CONCERNED OVER THE RISE OF A NEO-NAZI MOVEMENT IN HUNGARY FOLLOWING RIOTS IN BUDAPEST THAT LASTED UNTIL THE PRE-DAWN HOURS SUNDAY. AS STEFAN BOS REPORTS FROM BUDAPEST, SCORES OF PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED IN THE WAKE OF ULTRA RIGHT WING VIOLENCE.

TEXT: HUNGARIAN POLICE SAY THEY ARRESTED MORE THAN 30 NEO-NAZIS INVOLVED IN THE RIOTS, INCLUDING SLOVAKS, GERMANS, AND AUSTRIANS. THEY DESCRIBED THE DISTURBANCES AS THE MOST SERIOUS RIGHTWING VIOLENCE IN RECENT MEMORY.

POLICE SAID THE PROBLEMS BEGAN AFTER HUNDREDS OF NEO NAZIS ENDED A RALLY IN FRONT A WORLD WAR TWO MONUMENT IN BUDAPEST. MANY OF THEM THEN MARCHED TO A PUB WHERE THEY WERE MET BY POLICE. EYEWITNESSES SAY THE POLICE WERE PELTED WITH BEER BOTTLES, AFTER WHICH THEY CALLED FOR REINFORCEMENTS. SEVERAL POLICE OFFICERS WERE INJURED DURING THE CLASH THAT FOLLOWED.

HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS ARE CONCERNED BY WHAT THEY DESCRIBE AS GROWING ULTRA RIGHT WING MOVEMENTS IN HUNGARY. THEY POINT TO AN INCREASING NUMBER OF RACIALLY-MOTIVATED ATTACKS AGAINST GYPSIES AND FOREIGNERS -- INCLUDING REFUGEES FROM THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA AND NON-WESTERN COUNTRIES. ALSO, SOME HUNGARIAN POLITICIANS WORRY ABOUT AN ULTRA RIGHT WING PARTY WHICH, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE FALL OF COMMUNISM, WON A FEW SEATS IN PARLIAMENT IN LAST YEAR'S ELECTIONS. HOWEVER, HUNGARIAN PROSECUTORS HAVE PROMISED TO START CRIMINAL PROCEDURES AGAINST NEO NAZIS, WHO THEY SAY HAVE NO PLACE IN POST COMMUNIST HUNGARY. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/WFR
14-Feb-99 8:35 PM EST (0135 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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