Voice of America, 99-07-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] U-S / GREECE (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (ATHENS)

[02] GREEK-TURK ARMS BY JIM RANDLE (ANKARA)

[03] KOSOVO DANGERS (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

[04] KOSOVO RADIO BY TIM BELAY (DJAKOVICA)

[05] KOSOVO WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[06] CHINA / U-S COMPENSATION (L-ONLY) BY STEPHANIE HO (BEIJING)

[07] COHEN/MOSCOW/ASIA (S) BY JIM RANDLE (TURKEY)

[08] EUROPE-FOOD BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[09] FRANCE CHIRAC (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[10] NORTHERN IRELAND (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[11] NORTHERN IRELAND ONITER(S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[12] N-Y ECON WRAP (S&L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (NEW YORK)

[13] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] U-S / GREECE (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (ATHENS)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND GREECE, STRAINED BY DISPUTES OVER KOSOVO, ARE GETTING BETTER. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM ATHENS.

TEXT: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN WAS GREETED BY A SMALL NUMBER OF ANTI-AMERICAN PROTESTORS ON HIS ARRIVAL IN THESSALONIKI, GREECE TUESDAY. POLLSTERS SAY 90 PERCENT OF GREEKS OPPOSE THE U-S LED NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST SERB TARGETS ACROSS YUGOSLAVIA. NATO MEMBER GREECE PLAYED NO MILITARY ROLE IN THE ATTACKS AND BRIEFLY DENIED THE USE OF THE PORT OF THESSALONIKI TO U-S MARINES HEADED FOR PEACEKEEPING DUTY IN KOSOVO.

MR. COHEN SAYS NOW THAT THE BOMBING CAMPAIGN HAS ENDED, 550 GREEK TROOPS HAVE JOINED NEARLY SEVEN-THOUSAND U-S SOLDIERS IN KOSOVO TO PREVENT RENEWED VIOLENCE BETWEEN SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS THERE.

MR. COHEN MET WITH GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER AKIS (AH KEES') TSOHATZOTOULOUS (SO HAH TAW' ZOO LUS) IN THESSALONIKI ON TUESDAY AND WITH GREEK PRIME MINISTER KOSTAS SIMITIS (SEH MEET EEZ') IN ATHENS ON WEDNESDAY.

AFTERWARDS MR. COHEN PRAISED GREEK OFFICIALS FOR HELPING KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING AND FOR MOVING TO DEAL MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH TERRORISM AND FOR MAKING PROGRESS IN RESOLVING LONG STANDING TENSIONS WITH RIVAL TURKEY.

MR. COHEN SAID TALKS BETWEEN THE GREEK AND TURKISH NAVIES ARE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

MR. COHEN IS NEARING THE END OF HIS WEEK-LONG SERIES OF CONSULTATIONS WITH DEFENSE MINISTERS AND OTHER OFFICIALS ACROSS EUROPE INCLUDING DENMARK , NORWAY , HUNGARY , BOSNIA, GREECE AND TURKEY. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/PLM
14-Jul-99 6:18 AM EDT (1018 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] GREEK-TURK ARMS BY JIM RANDLE (ANKARA)

INTRO: SENIOR PENTAGON OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING THAT U-S FORCES WITH ADVANCED WEAPONS DID TOO MUCH OF THE FIGHTING IN THE RECENT KOSOVO CONFLICT. THEY ARE PRESSING NATO ALLIES TO BUY MORE AND BETTER HIGH-TECH PLANES AND MISSILES, SO AMERICANS WILL NOT HAVE TO BEAR SO MUCH OF THE BURDEN IN FUTURE CONFLICTS. BUT CRITICS OF U-S POLICY SAY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS' WORTH OF ARMS HEADED FOR NATO ALLIES TURKEY AND GREECE COULD RAISE THE DEATH TOLL IF CONFLICT ERUPTS BETWEEN THOSE TWO LONG-TIME RIVALS. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE, WHO HAS BEEN TRAVELING WITH (U-S) DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN IN THE REGION, REPORTS FROM ANKARA, TURKEY.

TEXT: TURKEY AND GREECE HAVE LONG-STANDING TENSIONS OVER A STRING OF ISLANDS IN THE AEGEAN SEA, A SIMMERING DISPUTE OVER CYPRUS AND OTHER TENSIONS THAT HAVE BROUGHT THEM TO THE BRINK OF WAR OVER THE YEARS.

THE GREEK AIR FORCE AND NAVY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING 50 TO 60 F-16 FIGHTER PLANES AND SOME SECOND-HAND U-S NAVY SHIPS.

GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER AKIS TSOKHATZOPOULOS FEELS GREECE IS SPENDING ITS MONEY TO MEET LEGITIMATE DEFENSE NEEDS, AS HE SAID THROUGH A TRANSLATOR AT A NEWS CONFERENCE TUESDAY (IN THESSALONIKI, GREECE):

WE LIVE IN A WORLD THAT IS VERY COMPETITIVE, WE LIVE IN A WORLD CHARACTERIZED BY GLOBALIZATION MORE AND MORE. IN ORDER TO SUCCEED IN THAT NEW WORLD ORDER, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO ENSURE SECURITY.

TURKEY IS TALKING TO SEVERAL ARMS MANUFACTURERS ABOUT PURCHASING 150 ADVANCED ATTACK HELICOPTERS, SOME TANKS, AND OTHER EQUIPMENT.

U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS RECENT CONFLICTS LIKE THE ONE IN KOSOVO SHOW THAT NATIONS THAT DO NOT UPDATE OBSOLETE EQUIPMENT WILL LOSE.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE IN ATHENS (WEDNESDAY), HE SAID GREECE AND TURKEY ARE TAKING REASONABLE STEPS TO MODERNIZE THEIR FORCES, AND HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT U-S MANUFACTURERS ARE ABLE TO COMPETE FAIRLY FOR THE BUSINESS.

IF THAT HAPPENS, MUCH OF THIS MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR SHOPPING LIST WILL COME FROM U-S SUPPLIERS, WITH U-S GOVERNMENT APPROVAL.

TOM CARDAMONE, WHO RESEARCHES WEAPONS SALES FOR A DISARMAMENT GROUP CALLED THE "COUNCIL FOR A LIVABLE WORLD," SAYS THE HIGH COST AND IMPRESSIVE CAPABILITIES OF THESE WEAPONS MAKE IT MORE LIKELY SOMEONE WILL TRY TO USE THEM.

THE U-S, AS THE LEAD MEMBER OF NATO, I THINK HAS A PARTICULAR RESPONSBILITY TO DEFUSE TENSIONS IN THE REGION. CERTAINLY SELLING TWO-, THREE-, FOUR-BILLION DOLLARS' WORTH OF EQUIPMENT IS NOT GOING TO HELP THE SITUATION MUCH.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY CAREFULLY WEIGH THE IMPACT OF EACH INDIVIDUAL ARMS SALE. MEANTIME, TOP PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE ENCOURAGED BY A RECENT GREEK DECISION TO ALLOW TURKISH PLANES TO CARRY HUMANITARIAN AID THROUGH GREEK AIR SPACE, AND BY TALKS BETWEEN THE GREEK AND TURKISH NAVIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/ENE/WTW
14-Jul-99 5:30 PM EDT (2130 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO DANGERS (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

INTRO: U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE DANGER OF UNEXPLODED CLUSTER BOMBS DROPPED BY NATO DURING THE RECENT AIR RAIDS HAS MADE POST-WAR KOSOVO AN UNUSUALLY DANGEROUS PLACE. DETAILS FROM THE KOSOVO CAPITAL OF PRISTINA AND REPORTER TIM BELAY.

TEXT: THE MILITARY CALLS IT UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE. FOR PEOPLE RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES IN KOSOVO, THE RESULTING DANGER HAS BEEN FAR WORSE THAT WHAT INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS NORMALLY SEE IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS.

THE CHIEF SPOKESMAN FOR THE UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN KOSOVO, KEVIN KENNEDY, SAYS THE NUMBER OF CASUALTIES IS AROUND 10 PEOPLE PER 100-THOUSAND POPULATION -- A FIGURE HE CALLS A VERY HIGH NUMBER.

MR. KENNEDY SAYS ONE IN FOUR OF THE INJURIES HAVE BEEN SUFFERED BY FORMER MEMBERS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY WHILE INVOLVED IN ATTEMPTS AT DE-MINING.

THERE IS PARTICULAR CONCERN OVER THE NUMBER OF CASUALTIES THAT CONTINUE TO BE CAUSED BY CLUSTER MUNITIONS, UNEXPLODED CLUSTER MUNITIONS -- BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT STILL AWARE OF THE SEVERE DANGERS THIS REPRESENTS AND MAY NOT RECOGNIZE THEM.

MR. KENNEDY SAYS THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO ARE, IN GENERAL, VERY AWARE OF THE DANGER OF LAND MINES. BUT THE UNEXPLODED CLUSTER BOMBS PRESENT A PROBLEM WHICH IS HARDER TO EXPLAIN.

HE SAYS MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED OR INJURED BY MINES AND UNEXPLODED CLUSTER BOMBS IN THE PAST MONTH.

[04] KOSOVO RADIO BY TIM BELAY (DJAKOVICA)

INTRO: THE FIRST KOSOVO RADIO STATION TO BROADCAST IN THE ALBANIAN LANGUAGE FOR ALMOST TEN YEARS CELEBRATED ITS ONE-MONTH ANNIVERSARY ON THE AIR WEDNESDAY. TIM BELAY VISITED STATION "RADIO GJAKOVE" FROM THE SOUTHWEST KOSOVO CITY OF DJAKOVICA.

TEXT: /// AIR CHECK OF RADIO STATION -- IN FULL AND UNDER /// "RADIO GJAKOVE" -- IN A TOWN CALLED DJAKOVICA IN THE SERBIAN LANGUAGE -- IS BROADCASTING NEWS AND MUSIC FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, AND ALSO PRESENTING PROGRAMS FROM GERMAN AND AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL RADIO.

THE MANAGER HERE -- AGIM BYCI -- SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OPERATE WITHOUT PROBLEMS PARTLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN GUARDED AROUND THE CLOCK BY MEMBERS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. MR. BYCI SAYS THE ARRANGEMENT HAS BEEN A LITTLE TENSE.

WE DON'T FEEL GOOD (ABOUT IT), BUT WE HAVE TO DO OUR JOB.

ACCORDING TO MR. BYCI, 98 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION OF GJAKOVE IS ALBANIAN. BUT FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS, THIS LOCAL RADIO STATION DID NOT BROADCAST ANYTHING IN THE ALBANIAN LANGUAGE.

AS DEPUTY MAYOR, ARDIAN GJONI HAS BEEN VERY INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF RADIO GJAKOVE. MR. GJONI SAYS HE WAS IN HIDING WHEN HE FIRST TUNED INTO THE RADIO.

I MUST TELL YOU THAT THE MOMENT THAT I HEARD FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER 10 YEARS SAYING "THIS IS RADIO GJAKOVE SPEAKING," I WAS HIDING IN A VILLAGE JUST TWO MILES OUTSIDE OF GJAKOVE. I THINK IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I COULDN'T EXPLAIN, EVEN IN MY DIARY. IT WAS SOMETHING FANTASTIC HAPPENING.

MR. GJONI SAYS IT IS TOO EARLY TO CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF ALSO BROADCASTING SOME PROGRAMS IN THE SERBIAN LANGUAGE AT RADIO GJAKOVE.

FOR THE MOMENT, IN SERBIAN, I DO BELIEVE THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE. I DON'T WANT MY NATION TO START BEING REMINDED OF WHAT WAS DONE. THEY NEED TO START FORGETTING.

WHEN THE STATION WENT ON THE AIR ONE MONTH AGO, ONE OF ITS PROBLEMS HAD TO DO WITH WHAT RADIO STATIONS CALL A MUSIC LIBRARY. MR. BYCI SAYS DEPARTING YUGOSLAV MILITARY FORCES TOOK ALL OF THE MUSIC CASSETTES AND C-DS WITH THEM. WHEN THE STATION MADE A PLEA DIRECTLY TO LISTENERS ASKING FOR NEW (REPLACEMENT) MUSIC MATERIAL, THE RESPONSE WAS OVERWHELMING. THE CITIZENS OF GJAKOVE DONATED 150 CASSETTES TO THE NEW STATION IN ITS FIRST FOUR DAYS OF BROADCASTING.

[05] KOSOVO WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITISH POLICE INVESTIGATORS WORKING IN KOSOVO ESTIMATE MORE THAN TEN-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS WERE KILLED BY SERB MILITARY, POLICE, OR PARAMILITARIES IN A CAMPAIGN OF ETHNIC CLEANSING OF THE SERB PROVINCE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS THE BRITISH POLICE ARE HELPING COLLECT THE EVIDENCE NEEDED TO BRING THOSE RESPONSIBLE TO JUSTICE.

TEXT: THE HEAD OF THE BRITISH OPERATION, DAVID GOWAN, SAYS THE EVIDENCE COLLECTED SO FAR IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. HE SAYS THE INFORMATION INDICATES AT LEAST TEN-THOUSAND KOSOVAR ALBANIANS WERE EXECUTED SINCE THE START OF THE YEAR, MORE THAN 78 VILLAGES AND TOWNS WERE DESTROYED, AND 53 AREAS WERE ETHNICALLY CLEANSED. AT LEAST 100 MASS GRAVES HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED ALREADY.

MR. GOWAN SAYS WAR CRIMES INVESTIGATORS IN KOSOVO ARE COLLECTING AS MUCH EVIDENCE AS THEY CAN AS QUICKLY AS THEY CAN FOR THE TRIBUNAL'S PROSECUTION OF WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS.

IT IS ESSENTIAL AT THIS POINT WHEN THE EVIDENCE IS AVAILABLE, WHILE IS IT STILL AVAILABLE, TO ESTABLISH THE FACTS ANALYTICALLY AND OBJECTIVELY AND WITH THE SAME SORT OF SCIENTIFIC AND FORENSIC SKILL AND IMPARTIALITY THAT WOULD BE USED BY A FORENSIC TEAM WORKING ANYWHERE ELSE.

POLICE INVESTIGATOR JOHN BUNN, WHO HAS JUST RETURNED FROM KOSOVO, SAYS THE EVIDENCE AT THE VILLAGE OF VELIKA KRUSA WHERE BRITISH TEAMS ARE WORKING CLEARLY INDICATES MASS EXECUTIONS. HE SAYS THE STORIES TOLD BY REFUGEES AND SURVIVORS ARE TRUE.

WE'VE CORROBORATED CLOSE QUARTER SHOOTING. WE'VE CORROBORATED EXECUTIONS. THAT'S WHAT IT AMOUNTS TO. NONE OF THESE PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN IN ANY WAY MISTAKENLY SHOT. THEY WERE NOT DRESSED IN MILITARY UNIFORM. THEY WERE OBVIOUSLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN HUDDLED TOGETHER. AND THAT DIDN'T IN ANY WAY STOP THOSE RESPONSIBLE FROM SHOOTING THEM.

MR. BUNN SAYS HIS TEAM EXAMINED BODIES FOR THE NUMBER OF AND PLACEMENT OF BULLET WOUNDS AND OTHER SIGNS OF MUTILATION. BALLISTICS EXPERTS ALSO CHECKED BULLETS, EMPTY CARTRIDGE CASES, AND OTHER EVIDENCE THAT POINTS TO THE SERB ARMY, POLICE, AND PARAMILITARIES.

DAVID GOWAN SAYS THE EVIDENCE ALSO SHOWS A COORDINATED, NOT A RANDOM, OPERATION WITH A CHAIN OF COMMAND.

WHAT IS VERY CLEAR FROM ALL THE EVIDENCE THAT HAS EMERGED IS THAT WE ARE NOT DEALING WITH RANDOM ACTIONS HERE; WE ARE DEALING WITH A PATTERN OF ACTIONS, WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN COORDINATED AT THE CENTER.

WAR CRIMES PROSECUTORS SAY THE CHAIN OF COMMAND GOES ALL THE WAY TO PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. HE HAS BEEN INDICTED BY THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, ALONG WITH FOUR OF HIS TOP AIDES. BUT MR GOWAN SAYS HE EXPECTS THERE WILL BE MANY MORE INDICTMENTS AS THE EVIDENCE GROWS.
NEB/LMK/JWH/KL
14-Jul-99 12:42 PM EDT (1642 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] CHINA / U-S COMPENSATION (L-ONLY) BY STEPHANIE HO (BEIJING)

INTRO: A U-S DELEGATION IS ARRIVING IN BEIJING TO DISCUSS PAYMENTS FOR THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY NATO'S BOMBING OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE. V-O-A'S STEPHANIE HO REPORTS FROM THE CHINESE CAPITAL.

TEXT: THE INTER-AGENCY AMERICAN DELEGATION IS HEADED BY U-S STATE DEPARTMENT LEGAL ADVISER, DAVID ANDREWS.

AMERICAN OFFICIALS WILL DISCUSS COMPENSATION FOR THE LOSS OF LIFE AND DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE NATO BOMBING STRIKE ON THE CHINESE EMBASSY. THE U-S GROUP IS DUE TO LEAVE BEIJING SATURDAY.

NATO BOMBS HIT CHINA'S BELGRADE DIPLOMATIC COMPOUND ON MAY SEVENTH, KILLING THREE REPORTERS AND WOUNDING MORE THAN 20 PEOPLE. CHINA HAS DEMANDED COMPENSATION FOR THE RUINED EMBASSY, FOR THE FAMILIES OF THOSE KILLED AND FOR THE WOUNDED.

THE U-S GOVERNMENT HAS SENT ENVOYS TO CHINA TO EXPLAIN THE BOMBING WAS A MISTAKE CAUSED BY FAULTY INTELLIGENCE. BEIJING REJECTS THE EXPLANATION AS NOT CONVINCING AND IS CALLING FOR A MORE SATISFACTORY ANSWER.

WHEN ASKED IF THE U-S DELEGATION WOULD OFFER A FOLLOW-UP EXPLANATION, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN ZHANG QIYUE SAID THE TALKS WOULD FOCUS ON COMPENSATION.

THE BOMBING OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE SPARKED FOUR DAYS OF SOMETIMES VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST SEVERAL FOREIGN MISSIONS IN BEIJING, INCLUDING THE U-S EMBASSY.

A U-S SPOKESMAN SAID THE CHINESE WILL DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF DAMAGE TO THE AMERICAN EMBASSY IN BEIJING, BUT ADDED, THAT DOES NOT MEAN CHINA WILL PAY THE UNITED STATES ANY COMPENSATION.

THE NATO BOMBING HAS BEEN THE SOURCE OF FRICTION IN SINO-AMERICAN RELATIONS. BEIJING CUT OFF ON-GOING TALKS WITH WASHINGTON ON ARMS PROLIFERATION, MILITARY ISSUES AND HUMAN RIGHTS.

ANOTHER CASUALTY IS CHINA'S LONG-STALLED BID TO JOIN THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. EARLIER THIS YEAR, WASHINGTON AND BEIJING ALMOST CLINCHED A DEAL ON CHINA'S W-T-O ENTRY, BUT NOW TALKS HAVE BEEN DELAYED INDEFINITELY. (SIGNED)
NEB/HO/JO/PLM
14-Jul-99 6:26 AM EDT (1026 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] COHEN/MOSCOW/ASIA (S) BY JIM RANDLE (TURKEY)

INTRO: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN WILL HEAD TO MOSCOW SOON, TRYING TO REPAIR RELATIONS STRAINED BY THE U-S LED NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. MR. COHEN IS ALSO EXPECTED TO MEET WITH JAPANESE AND KOREAN LEADERS BEFORE RETURNING TO KOSOVO NEXT MONTH. CORRESPONDENT JIM RANDLE IS TRAVELING WITH MR COHEN AND REPORTS FROM INCIRLIK AIR BASE IN TURKEY.

TEXT: RUSSIA IS A TRADITIONAL ALLY OF YUGOSLAVIA. MOSCOW URGED NATO TO USE DIPLOMACY RATHER THAN BOMBS TO PERSUADE YUGOSLAV TROOPS AND POLICE TO STOP THEIR ATTACK ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO.

DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS HE WILL TRAVEL TO MOSCOW FOR MEETINGS WITH THE RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER AND OTHER OFFICIALS IN EARLY AUGUST, AS PART OF A U-S EFFORT TO REPAIR RELATIONS. DATES AND DETAILS ARE YET TO BE SET.

PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY MR. COHEN WILL ALSO TRAVEL TO JAPAN AND KOREA, IN LATE JULY, FOR TALKS THAT WILL LIKELY INCLUDE MISSILE DEFENSE AND NORTH KOREAN EFFORTS TO TEST LONG-RANGE ROCKETS.

AT THE END OF THIS AROUND-THE-WORLD DIPLOMATIC JOURNEY, MR. COHEN WILL VISIT KOSOVO, WHERE 65-HUNDRED OF A PLANNED SEVEN-THOUSAND U-S TROOPS ARE IN PLACE.

MR. COHEN IS IN TURKEY WRAPPING UP A WEEK OF CONSULTATIONS WITH EUROPEAN DEFENSE MINISTERS WHICH WERE AIMED IN PART AT PREPARING FOR THE MOSCOW TALKS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/LTD/RAE
14-Jul-99 9:38 AM EDT (1338 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] EUROPE-FOOD BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: BELGIUM HAS SWORN IN A NEW COALITION GOVERNMENT FOLLOWING ELECTIONS IN JUNE THAT TOPPLED THE PREVIOUS COALITION. THE ELECTIONS CAME AFTER REVELATIONS THAT MANY BELGIAN FOOD PRODUCTS WERE SUSPECTED OF BEGIN CONTAMINATED WITH CANCER-CAUSING DIOXIN. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS ON SOME CONSEQUENCES OF FOOD WORRIES IN EUROPE. TEXT : WHICH CAME FIRST, THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG? I DO NOT KNOW. THEY BOTH DISAPPEARED FROM THE MARKET IN THE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE. BEEF AND PORK QUICKLY FOLLOWED, AS DID PRODUCTS MADE FROM CHICKENS AND EGGS SUCH AS MAYONNAISE, CERTAIN PASTAS, ICE CREAM AND SOME BREADS.

BUTTER CAME OFF THE SHELVES NEXT, WITH SUSPICION CIRCULATING ABOUT MILK, CHEESE AND CREAM. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, (UPSET) AS WE ALL WERE, ABOUT THE BELGIUM GOVERNMENT'S LACK OF WARNING ABOUT THE DIOXIN CONTAMINATION, CRITICIZED THE FACT THAT MILK AND CREAM WERE NOT REMOVED FROM THE STORES AS WELL. FRANZ FISCHLER IS THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR AGRICULTURE.

IN MY VIEW, THE BIGGEST MISTAKE IS THAT THEY DID NOT INFORM US AND AFTER THREE OR FOUR WEEKS DELAY, IT WAS REALLY DIFFICULT TO PUT MEASURES IN PLACE WHICH WOULDN'T DAMAGE A MAJOR PART OF THE PRODUCTION AND THE MAJOR PARTS OF THE PRODUCTS. SO IT MEANS IF WE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE INFORMATION AT THE RIGHT TIME, THE DAMAGE FOR THE BELGIAN INDUSTRY AND ALSO FOR BELGIAN AGRICULTURE WOULD BE MUCH LESS.

CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW HARD IT IS TO PLAN MENUS AT HOME OR EAT IN A RESTAURANT, WHEN CHICKEN, BEEF, PORK, EGGS, PASTA, BUTTER, MILK AND CHEESE ARE ALL SUSPECT? THE REST OF THE EUROPEAN UNION BANNED BELGIAN FARM EXPORTS. SO DID THE UNITED STATES.

AFTER A FEW DAYS, THE BELGIAN GOVERNMENT DECIDED THE FOOD CONTAMINATION STARTED ON JANUARY 19TH WHEN MOTOR OIL WAS MIXED WITH USED COOKING FATS THAT WERE BEING COLLECTED FOR RE-PROCESSING. THIS PLANT PROVIDED ANIMAL FEED TO 10 MILLS IN BELGIUM, ONE IN THE NETHERLANDS AND ONE IN FRANCE. FROM THESE MILLS, THE CONTAMINATED FEED WAS SENT TO FARMS MAINLY IN BELGIUM BUT ALSO IN THE NETHERLANDS AS WELL AS TO A FEW FARMS IN FRANCE AND GERMANY.

THE BAN ON BELGIAN FOOD EXPORTS COST BELGIAN FARMERS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THE FAILURE OF THE BELGIAN GOVERNMENT TO INFORM THE PUBLIC IN TIME, OR TO KNOW WHICH FARMS WERE AFFECTED BY THE CONTAMINATED FEED, ALSO COST PRIME MINISTER JEAN-LUC DEHAENE. EUROPE'S LONGEST SERVING LEADER RESIGNED AFTER HIS PARTY'S DEFEAT IN NATIONAL ELECTIONS ON JUNE 13TH.

MAGDA AELVOET (PRON: EL VO ET) IS BELGIUM'S NEW MINISTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH. SHE FEELS THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT MISHANDLED THE DIOXIN CRISIS.

IT WAS QUITE CLEAR THAT SOMETHING SERIOUS WENT WRONG IN THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE BELGIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION AND THAT IS THE REASON WHY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION AFTERWARD WAS SO SEVERE WITH BELGIUM EVEN IF AT CERTAIN MOMENTS OF TIME THE PROPOSALS MADE (BY THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT)WERE IMPROVING.

BELGIUM HAS SET UP AN INQUIRY COMMITTEE TO FIND OUT WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING SILENT ON THE FOOD CONTAMINATION FOR SO LONG. AS MINISTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE NEW BELGIAN GOVERNMENT, MINISTER AELVOET WILL ALSO BE IN CHARGE OF FOOD SAFETY. THAT'S A DIFFERENCE FROM THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT WHEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR FOOD SAFETY WAS SPLIT BETWEEN THE MINISTRIES FOR AGRICULTURE AND THAT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH.

BELGIAN CHICKEN AND EGGS ARE BACK ON THE DOMESTIC MARKET WITH CERTIFICATES FROM THE GOVERNMENT DECLARING THAT THEY COME FROM FARMS THAT DID NOT RECEIVE CONTAMINATED FEED FROM THE SUSPECT PLANT.

THE WHOLE DIOXIN CRISIS HAS MEANT GREAT BUSINESS FOR JACK O'SHEA'S IRISH MEAT STORE IN BRUSSELS. MANAGER PATRICK BYRNE TELLS V-O-A HE HAS SEEN MANY NEW CUSTOMERS SINCE THE FIRST WEEK IN JUNE.

EVER SINCE THE DIOXIN SCANDAL, OUR TRADE HAS DOUBLED MORE OR LESS. WE WERE INUNDATED FOR THE FIRST WEEK. WE GOT MORE SUPPLIES IN FROM IRELAND AND WE HAVE SINCE THEN FOUND THAT OUR TRADE HAS REALLY PICKED UP AND THINGS ARE EASIER TO GET FROM IRELAND. PEOPLE (IN IRELAND) ARE AWARE THAT THE TRADE HAS PICKED UP FOR US.

MR. BYRNE HAS TRUCKED CHICKEN AND EGGS IN FROM IRELAND, ALLOWING ONE IRISH RESTAURANT IN BRUSSELS TO OFFER "IRISH CHICKEN KIEV" AS A DAILY MENU OFFERING.

IF THE BELGIAN GOVERNMENT WAS SLOW TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT FOOD CONTAMINATION, IT DID MOVE PROMPTLY TO BAN COCA-COLA IN MID-JUNE AFTER SEVERAL SCHOOL CHILDREN BECAME ILL AFTER DRINKING THE BEVERAGE. IN CONTRAST TO THE DIOXIN FOOD CONTAMINATION, COCA-COLA QUICKLY TRACED THE TROUBLE TO PROBLEMS AT A COUPLE OF ITS BOTTLING PLANTS IN BELGIUM AND FRANCE. THE SOFT DRINK IS BACK ON THE MARKET WITH A PRICE DISCOUNT TO ENCOURAGE BELGIANS TO BUY IT AGAIN.

IRONICALLY, THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS BEEN VIGILANT ABOUT FOOD SAFETY, BANNING AMERICAN HORMONE TREATED BEEF AND GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS, OSTENSIBLY FOR SCIENTIFIC REASONS.

BELGIAN'S PUBLIC HEALTH MINISTER MAGDA AELVOET SAYS THIS SKEPTICISM IS JUSTIFIED IN EUROPE.

THERE IS STILL A FEAR OF LONG-TERM EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH AS WELL AS ENVIRONMENT. IN THAT SENSE, IT IS NOT A STRANGE THING TO SEE AT THIS MOMENT, THERE ARE FIVE COUNTRIES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT HAVE TAKEN THE DECISION THAT AS LONG AS SPECIFIC DIRECTIVES ON GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS IS NOT MODIFIED AFTER AN IN DEPTH STUDY OF LONG-TERM EFFECTS, NO NEW GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS WILL BE CULTIVATED AND BE ALLOWED ON THE MARKET AND THIS POSITION IS IN SUCH A STRONG MINORITY POSITION THAT THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH VOTES TO CHANGE THIS.

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAS CLEARED BRITISH BEEF EXPORTS TO RESUME ON AUGUST FIRST. THOSE EXPORTS HAVE BEEN BANNED SINCE MARCH 1986 BECAUSE OF CONNECTIONS BETWEEN MAD COW DISEASE AND A FATAL BRAIN DISEASE IN HUMANS. BRITISH BEEF CAN REPLACE SUSPECT BELGIAN BEEF HERE, BUT THERE IS LITTLE HOPE OF SEEING AMERICAN BEEF.

THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION HAS ALLOWED THE UNITED STATES TO APPLY MORE THAN 100 MILLION DOLLARS IN SANCTIONS TO PUNISH THE EUROPEAN UNION FOR ITS DECADE-LONG BAN ON HORMONE TREATED AMERICAN BEEF.

AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER FISCHLER SAYS THERE'S NO COMPARISON BETWEEN MAD COW DISEASE -- ALSO KNOWN AS B-S-E -- AND AMERICAN GROWTH HORMONES USED FOR CATTLE.

I THINK IT'S NOT A GOOD SOLUTION THAT WE START DEALING WITH HORMONE TREATED BEEF AND THE B-S-E ISSUE. FOR EXAMPLE. IN THE B-S-E FIELD WE HAVE DONE WHAT HAD TO BE DONE. SO WE HAVE A LOT OF MEASURES IN PLACE WHICH GUARANTEE THAT NO B-S-E BEEF CAN REACH THE FEED CHAIN, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND WE HAVE THE CLEAR ADVICE FROM INDEPENDENT SCIENTISTS THAT THERE IS A CANCER RISK RELATED TO THE HORMONES USED AS GROWTH PROMOTERS.

FOR THOSE LIVING IN BRUSSELS, THERE ARE NOT MANY FOODS ONE CAN BE CONFIDENT ABOUT EATING. UNLESS, IT'S IRISH CHICKEN KIEV. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/GE
14-Jul-99 1:23 PM EDT (1723 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] FRANCE CHIRAC (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: RESISTING CALLS TO HOLD AN EARLY PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION NEXT YEAR, FRANCE'S PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC SAYS (WEDNESDAY) IT WOULD BE WRONG TO TAMPER WITH NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS. MR. CHIRAC SAID HE WILL SERVE OUT THE REMAINING THREE-YEARS OF HIS MANDATE.

TEXT: WITH THE CONSERVATIVE PARTIES THAT SUPPORT HIM DIVIDED AND WEAKENED BY A SERIES OF BAD ELECTION DEFEATS, FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC HAS BEEN UNDER FIRE FROM HIS OWN CAMP IN RECENT WEEKS.

LAST SATURDAY, VALERY GISCARD D'ESTAING, WHO WAS PRESIDENT BETWEEN 1974 AND 1981, SAID MR. CHIRAC SHOULD CALL ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR AND INAUGURATE A NEW, FIVE-YEAR PRESIDENCY.

IN AN EXTREMELY NEGATIVE REVIEW OF MR. CHIRAC'S FOUR-YEARS IN OFFICE, MR. GISCARD D'ESTAING SAID MR. CHIRAC SHOULD HOLD THE ELECTION -- EVEN AT THE RISK OF LOSING -- AND CALL A PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION AT THE SAME TIME.

MR. GISCARD D'ESTAING SAID THIS WOULD ENSURE THE ELECTION OF A PRESIDENT AND PARLIAMENT OF THE SAME POLITICAL SIDE, ENDING THE CURRENT LEFT-RIGHT SYSTEM KNOWN AS "COHABITATION" IN WHICH THE CONSERVATIVE MR. CHIRAC NOW RULES WITH A LEFT-WING CABINET.

SPEAKING IN HIS ANNUAL TELEVISION INTERVIEW MARKING THE BASTILLE DAY NATIONAL HOLIDAY, MR. CHIRAC SAID THE CURRENT FRENCH FIFTH-REPUBLIC CONSTITUTION, INTRODUCED BY THE LATE CHARLES DE GAULLE, HAD GIVEN FRANCE STABILITY. HE SAID IT WOULD BE WRONG TO TAMPER WITH THE COUNTRY'S INSTITUTIONS, AND HE PROMISED TO REMAIN PRESIDENT UNTIL HIS SEVEN-YEAR MANDATE RUNS OUT IN 2002.

ALTHOUGH HIS OWN R-P-R PARTY WAS BEATEN INTO THIRD PLACE IN EUROPEAN ELECTIONS LAST MONTH, MR. CHIRAC SAID HE DID NOT CONSIDER THIS A PERSONAL FAILURE, BUT A FAILURE FOR DEMOCRACY BECAUSE OF A RECORD LOW VOTER TURNOUT.

MR. CHIRAC WAS SPEAKING AFTER THE USUAL JULY 14TH MILITARY PARADE ON PARIS' CHAMPS-ELYSEES AVENUE. THIS YEAR, BREAKING WITH TRADITION, THE SOLDIERS LEADING THE PARADE WERE FROM ABROAD. FOUR-HUNDRED MEMBERS OF THE MOROCCAN ROYAL GUARD MARCHED DOWN PARIS'S MAIN AVENUE AS KING HASSAN OF MOROCCO, SEATED BESIDE MR. CHIRAC, WATCHED. ABOVE, FRENCH AIRCRAFT THAT TOOK PART IN NATO AIR STRIKES BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA STAGED A FLY-BY. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/PCF/RAE
14-Jul-99 10:24 AM EDT (1424 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] NORTHERN IRELAND (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITAIN'S GOVERNMENT IS OFFERING TO AMEND A BILL TRANSFERRING HOME RULE FROM LONDON TO BELFAST. THE AMENDMENT COULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR ULSTER UNIONISTS TO ACCEPT SHARING POWER WITH SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE PARAMILITARY IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON THE ACTIONS COME AS NORTHERN IRELAND'S UNIONISTS GET SET TO DECIDE WHETHER TO ACCEPT THE TIMETABLE FOR DEVOLUTION -- THE TRANSFER OF POWER -- AND WEAPONS SURRENDER, OR "DECOMMISSIONING."

TEXT: PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR TOLD PARLIAMENT THE AMENDMENTS INCLUDE A SPECIFIC TIMETABLE FOR PARAMILITARY DISARMAMENT, WHICH HAS BLOCKED FORMATION OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S ALL-PARTY EXECUTIVE BODY.

WE WILL THEREFORE BRING FORWARD FURTHER AMENDMENTS IN AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE A BASIS UPON WHICH ALL PEOPLE CAN AGREE THIS LAST STEP IN THE ... AGREEMENT. IF THEY CAN, THEN NORTHERN IRELAND FACES THE PROSPECT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A GENERATION OF A SECURE AND STABLE AND PEACEFUL FUTURE.

THE AMENDMENTS ALSO WOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO IDENTIFY THOSE WHO DEFAULT ON DECOMMISSIONING OR ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THE TRANSFER OF HOME RULE POWERS TO NORTHERN IRELAND.

UNIONISTS HAVE SHARPLY CRITICIZED THE PLAN FOR THREATENING THE WHOLE EXECUTIVE WITH SUSPENSION IF THE I-R-A DOES NOT DISARM -- RATHER THAN TARGETING SINN FEIN.

ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY LEADER DAVID TRIMBLE COMPLAINS ABOUT THE LAST-MINUTE MANEUVER BY THE BLAIR GOVERNMENT AND STILL CONSIDERS THE PLAN DEEPLY FLAWED.

THE FACT THAT THE (BRITISH) GOVERNMENT IS BRINGING FORWARD AMENDMENTS A MATTER OF HOURS FROM ITS OWN SELF-IMPOSED DEADLINE IS A CLEAR INDICATION OF HOW THIS SCHEME WAS NOT PROPERLY THOUGHT THROUGH.

MR. TRIMBLE'S ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY IS MEETING IN BELFAST TO GIVE ITS VERDICT ON THE PLAN.

THE TIMETABLE NOW CALLS FOR THE ALL-PARTY EXECUTIVE TO BE NAMED ON THURSDAY, WITH THE TRANSFER OF HOME RULE POWERS COMPLETED BY SUNDAY, AND DISARMAMENT TO BEGIN A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF/KL
14-Jul-99 11:44 AM EDT (1544 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] NORTHERN IRELAND ONITER(S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: NORTHERN IRELAND'S PEACE PROCESS IS STILL ON HOLD AFTER UNIONISTS REAFFIRMED THEIR OPPOSITION TO SHARING POWER WITH SINN FEIN -- THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY -- BEFORE THE I-R-A STARTS DISARMING. THE DECISION CAME AFTER BRITAIN'S GOVERNMENT OFFERED AMENDMENTS TO LEGISLATION TO EASE THE UNIONISTS CONCERNS ABOUT THE DISARMAMENT TIMETABLE. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON ON THE LATEST SETBACK FOR NORTHERN IRELAND'S PEACE PROCESS.

TEXT: ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY LEADER DAVID TRIMBLE SAYS HE WILL NOT TRY TO CHANGE PARTY POLICY, WHICH OPPOSES SHARING POWER WITH SINN FEIN UNTIL THE I-R-A STARTS DISARMING. THAT NOW THROWS INTO QUESTION THE FORMATION OF AN ALL-PARTY EXECUTIVE BY NORTHERN IRELAND'S ASSEMBLY AS REQUIRED LATER THIS DAY BY BRITISH LEGISLATION.

IN THE PLAN APPROVED BY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WOULD BE NOMINATED NOW SO THAT HOME RULE POWERES COULD BE TRANSFERRED BY SUNDAY. IT APPEARS UNLIKELY THAT DAVID TRIMBLE AS FIRST MINISTER OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S ASSEMBLY -- WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT, ESPECIALLY IF HIS OWN PARTY REFUSES TO NOMINATE MINISTERS FOR THE 12-MEMBER CABINET.

THE NEGATIVE VERDICT FROM THE ULSTER UNIONISTS IS A SETBACK FOR BRITAIN'S EFFORTS TO GET NORTHERN IRELAND'S PEACE PROCESS BACK ON TRACK. UNLESS THERE IS A LAST-MINUTE CHANGE OF MIND BY THE UNIONISTS, THE TRANSFER OF HOME RULE POWERS IS ONCE AGAIN PUT ON HOLD WHILE ALL PARTIES REVIEW THE SITUATION AND SEEK ANOTHER WAY OUT OF THE IMPASSE.

PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR HAD OFFERED SOME LAST MINUTE AMENDMENTS ON WEDNESDAY TO SPECIFY A TIMETABLE FOR DECOMMISSIONING AND MAKE IT EASIER TO IDENTIFY THOSE WHO DO NOT CARRY OUT THEIR COMMITMENTS. BUT IT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO SATISFY THE UNIONISTS. THE PARTY'S LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MET FOR ONLY 15 MINUTES AND DID NOT CHANGE THE PARTY'S POSITION ON GUNS FIRST,GOVERNMENT LATER. THE CAREFULLY SEQUENCED PROGRAM HAS HINGED ON NOMINATING THE ALL-PARTY EXECUTIVE AND TRANSFERRING HOME RULE POWERS BY SUNDAY WITH I-R-A DISARMING TO START A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT.

UNIONISTS DO NOT TRUST THE I-R-A TO CARRY OUT THAT COMMITMENT AND WANT STRONGER GUARANTEES. THEY ALSO CRITICIZE THE PLANS CALL FOR SUSPENDING THE WHOLE EXECUTIVE INSTEAD OF JUST EXPELLING SINN FEIN IF THE I-R-A DOES NOT DISARM. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
14-Jul-99 6:13 PM EDT (2213 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] N-Y ECON WRAP (S&L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED TODAY (WEDNESDAY), AS INVESTORS DIGESTED SOME GOOD ECONOMIC DATA AND EARLY INDICATIONS OF AN EARNINGS REBOUND FOR MAJOR U-S BUSINESSES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK:

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED DOWN 26 POINTS AT 11-THOUSAND-148. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX GAINED FOUR POINTS, CLOSING AT 13-HUNDRED-NINETY-EIGHT. AND NASDAQ HIT A NEW RECORD, GAINING OVER ONE PERCENT.

THE BLUE-CHIP STOCKS HAVE BEEN LIMPING LATELY. BUT ANALYSTS ARE NOT OVERLY CONCERNED. THEY CONSIDER THE U-S STOCK MARKET VERY EXTENDED AT THIS POINT. THE DOW JONES IS UP 21 PERCENT FOR THE YEAR. FORD, THE WORLD'S NUMBER TWO AUTOMAKER, REPORTED A FOUR PERCENT INCREASE IN QUARTERLY PROFITS, DUE TO ROBUST SALES IN NORTH AMERICA. INTEL, THE NUMBER ONE COMPUTER CHIPMAKER, FAILED TO MEET EARNINGS FORECASTS BUT PREDICTED A MUCH BETTER SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR.

ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT, WHOLESALE PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES DECLINED IN JUNE. RETAIL SALES ROSE BUT AT A SLOWER PACE THAN USUAL -- A SIGN PERHAPS THAT INFLATION MAY BE IN CHECK.

WITH BUSINESS EARNINGS REPORTS FLOODING THE MARKET, THOMAS GALVIN ONE OF WALL STREET'S TOP INVESTMENT STRATEGISTS -- IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE STOCK MARKET FOR THE REST OF THIS YEAR. HE SAYS U-S CORPORATIONS ARE ON THE UPTURN:

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, QUITE HONESTLY, TO NOT ONLY SEE THAT THE NUMBERS HIT OR EXCEED EXPECTATIONS BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, AS WE LEARN FROM INTEL, WHAT THE VIEWPOINT IS TOWARD THE SECOND HALF. NEXT WEEK, WE'LL HAVE A LOT MORE FINANCIAL COMPANIES REPORTING AND THEY ALSO ARE A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF THE MARKET. AND I THINK WE'LL GET SOME CONFIRMATION THERE THAT THE RECOVERY IN EARNINGS IS PROBABLY ON TRACK IF NOT A LITTLE FASTER.

FLEET FINANCIAL, THE NINTH LARGEST BANK IN THE UNITED STATES, SURPASSED EXPECTATIONS BY ONE PENNY AS IT REPORTED A 15 PERCENT QUARTERLY GROWTH IN PROFITS. FLEET FINANCIAL IS IN THE PROCESS OF ACQUIRING ANOTHER U-S BANK -- BANKBOSTON -- TO CREATE A FINANCIAL POWERHOUSE IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES.

MOTOROLA -- THE SECOND LARGEST MAKER OF CELLULAR TELEPHONES MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT GIANT TIME WARNER -- AND ALLIEDSIGNAL, THE LARGEST MAKER OF FLIGHT SAFETY SYSTEMS, ALL REPORTED EARNINGS ABOVE EXPECTATIONS. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/EJ/LSF/PT
14-Jul-99 5:16 PM EDT (2116 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE GROWING DEMONSTRATIONS FOR MORE FREEDOM IN IRAN, AND AN UNEXPECTED STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF TAIWAN ABOUT HIS ISLAND'S RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA ARE THE TOPICS MOST UNDER DISCUSSION IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS.

THERE ARE ALSO EDITORIALS ON NEW HUMAN RIGHTS DEVELOPMENTS IN PERU; THE GROWING DEBATE OVER A TAX CUT AND THE U-S BUDGET SURPLUS; AND A FAMOUS RUSSIAN NAME IS ADDED TO THE ROSTER OF NEW AMERICAN CITIZENS. NOW, HERE IS _______________ WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" CALLS THE GROWING STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS IN IRAN A "FATEFUL MOMENT," AND NOTES:

VOICE: THE STUDENT PROTESTERS ARE INVOKING THE MORE DEMOCRATIC AND LIBERAL VALUES ESPOUSED BY PRESIDENT MOHAMMAD KHATAMI AND BACKED BY A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF IRANIANS, PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE AND WOMEN. IN THE LONG RUN, THESE MORE HUMANE VALUES ARE LIKELY TO PREVAIL. ... BUT THE IMMEDIATE COURSE OF EVENTS WILL DEPEND ON WHETHER THE CLERICAL AUTHORITIES LED BY AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI UNDERSTAND THAT THEY MUST RELAX THEIR STRANGLEHOLD ON IRANIAN SOCIETY.

TEXT: ECHOING THOSE VIEWS, "THE ORLANDO [FLORIDA] SENTINEL" ADDS:

VOICE: IF IT TRULY WISHES TO GET ALONG WITH OTHERS AND IMPROVE ITS TIES TO THE WORLD, IRAN MUST FIRST LISTEN TO ITS OWN PEOPLE. PUNISHING PROTESTERS FOR CHAMPIONING THE VERY PRINCIPLES A MAJORITY SUPPORTS WILL LEAD TO FAILURE AND ISOLATION.

TEXT: MUCH FARTHER EAST, THERE IS ANOTHER TUMULT BREWING AFTER THE PRESIDENT OF TAIWAN, LEE TENG-HUI APPEARED TO CALL AN END TO THE SO-CALLED "ONE CHINA" POLICY IN AN INTERVIEW WITH GERMAN RADIO. SOME ANALYSTS FEEL PRESIDENT LEE WAS SUGGESTING TAIWAN IS NOW A SOVEREIGN NATION, ON AN EQUAL FOOTING WITH COMMUNIST CHINA. BEIJING IS INFURIATED, AND IN WESTERN FLORIDA, "THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES" CALLS IT: "TAIWAN'S DANGEROUS DECLARATION."

VOICE: TAIWAN'S GOVERNMENT COULD BE MAKING A POTENTIALLY SUICIDAL MISCALCULATION IF IT INSISTS ON ABANDONING THE "ONE CHINA" POLICY THAT HAS DEFINED THE TINY ISLAND'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MAINLAND FOR DECADES. ... U-S OFFICIALS ARE AS MYSTIFIED AS THE REST OF THE WORLD BY THE TIMING AND MOTIVATION OF ... PRESIDENT LEE['S] VIRTUAL DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. U-S CHINA RELATIONS ALREADY ARE STRAINED BY A SPY SCANDAL, THE ACCIDENTAL BOMBING OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE, AND OTHER COMPLICATIONS. THE LAST THING WASHINGTON NEEDS IS TO BE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A NEW CRISIS OVER TAIWAN.

TEXT: IN NEW ENGLAND, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" CALLS THE COMMENTS DANGEROUS, UNNECESSARY, AND TEMPTING FATE. WHILE IN SAN FRANCISCO, WHERE A HUGE CHINESE ETHNIC POPULATION LIVES, "THE CHRONICLE" NOTES:

VOICE: THE ABRUPT DECLARATION ... HAS BROUGHT OMINOUS RUMBLINGS FROM BEIJING ... WHICH ISSUED A BARELY VEILED THREAT OF MILITARY ACTION IF TAIWAN PURSUES CLAIMS OF INDEPENDENCE. ... THERE IS REASON TO BELIEVE ... THAT [PRESIDENT] LEE'S DRAMATIC JUNKING OF THE 'ONE CHINA' POLICY WAS DRIVEN BY DOMESTIC POLITICS AND WILL BLOW OVER (PASS). BUT THE VOLATILE RELATIONSHIP ACROSS THE TAIWAN STRAITS COULD ALSO BLOW UP, UNLESS THE TALK ON BOTH SIDES COOLS DOWN.

TEXT: IN THE CAPITAL'S MOST-READ PAPER, "THE WASHINGTON POST" SEES A ROLE FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON IN THE DISPUTE.

VOICE: NO ONE, AND TAIWAN LEAST OF ALL, WILL GAIN FROM A CRISIS THAT COULD HARM TAIWAN'S ECONOMY AND AT WORST LEAD TO MILITARY CONFLICT. BUT INSTEAD OF LEADING CHINA'S LEADERS TO BELIEVE ... THE UNITED STATES WILL HELP THEM FORCE TAIWAN INTO THE FOLD, MR. CLINTON SHOULD HELP THOSE LEADERS UNDERSTAND THAT THE UNITED STATES MUST SUPPORT THE TAIWANESE PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO DETERMINE THEIR OWN FUTURE.

TEXT: TURNING TO HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS UPSET AT THE LATEST TURN OF EVENTS IN PERU, AS REGARDS HUMAN RIGHTS.

VOICE: ... PERU HAS ANNOUNCED IT WILL NO LONGER ABIDE BY THE DECISIONS OF THE INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS. PERU LONG AGO ACCEPTED THE COURT'S JURISDICTION, BUT A RECENT RULING AGAINST IT ANGERED THE GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTO FUJIMORI. THE COURT AND ITS RELATED HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ... HAVE BECOME IMPORTANT DEFENDERS OF RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF LAW IN A HEMISPHERE WHERE JUDICIAL SYSTEMS ARE OFTEN TOO POLITICIZED OR WEAK TO PROTECT THEIR CITIZENS. ... THE O-A-S [ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES] , AND THE INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, SHOULD BE VIGOROUS IN DEFENSE OF THIS ORGANIZATION ...

TEXT: HERE AT HOME, THE POLITICAL FIGHTING OVER THE SIZE OF A PROPOSED INCOME TAX CUT AS ONE WAY OF SPENDING AN ANTICIPATED TRILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET SURPLUS DURING THE NEXT FEW YEARS, CONTINUES. PENNSYLVANIA'S "GREENSBURG TRIBUNE-REVIEW" CAUTIONS THAT THE FIGURES AND SUPPOSITIONS ON WHICH THE SURPLUS IS BASED ARE A "MIRAGE."

VOICE: T HE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET IS PROJECTING THAT, THROUGH 2009 AND INCLUDING SOCIAL SECURITY, THERE WILL BE 'SURPLUS TAX REVENUES' OF THREE-TRILLION DOLLARS. THE CONGRESS AND PRESIDENT CLINTON HAVE BASICALLY AGREED TO USE TWO-TRILLION DOLLARS OF THAT TOTAL TO STABILIZE SOCIAL SECURITY PENDING 'REFORM.' HOW TO SPEND THE BALANCE, THE ONE-TRILLION DOLLARS FOR WHICH AMERICANS HAVE BEEN OVERTAXED, IS WHAT PARTISANS NOW ARE DEBATING. BUT ... "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" ... FINDS MUCH OF THIS DEBATE ... COULD BE RENDERED MOOT BY OVERZEALOUS FISCAL ASSUMPTIONS ... QUITE QUICKLY, THAT ONE-TRILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS IS [ED'S: IMPLIED: "REDUCED BY MORE HONEST BOOKKEEPING TO"] ABOUT 99-BILLION DOLLARS. ... PRESIDENT CLINTON AND THE LEADERSHIP OF BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS NEED TO GET A SPEEDY GRIP ON REALITY. FOR THAT WATERFALL QUICKLY SEEMS TO BE RUNNING DRY ...

TEXT: A NEW AND SCATHING REPORT ON MEXICAN GOVERNMENT FINANCES DURING THE BANKING CRISIS OF 1995 BY A CANADIAN AUDITOR, IS DRAWING COMMENT FROM TODAY'S "DALLAS MORNING NEWS."

VOICE: ... A NEW REPORT ... IS SUGGESTING ... THE ZEDILLO GOVERNMENT'S ROLE AS SAVIOR IN THE CRISIS IS PART FICTION. FOR ALL THE GOOD THE GOVERNMENT DID, IT ALSO APPEARS TO HAVE MADE THE INITIAL PROBLEM SOMEWHAT WORSE. ... AUDITOR MICHAEL MACKEY SAYS THAT DURING THE BAILOUT AFTER MR. ZEDILLO WAS IN OFFICE, THE [BANKING REGULATION] AGENCY FAILED TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST CORRUPTION AND INSIDER DEALING. IT ALSO PROPPED UP SOME BANKS THAT DESERVED TO FAIL BECAUSE OF GROSS MISMANAGEMENT. ...THAT SAID, LET US BE FAIR. EXPERTS BELIEVE THE NEW [MEXICAN FEDERAL] BANKING AGENCY DOES PRESENT AN INSTITUTIONAL SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS. /// OPT /// ... MEXICO [IS] ... ROUTINELY [CITED] ... AS A MODEL OF FINANCIAL REFORM TO DEVELOPING NATIONS. IT'S IN EVERYONE'S INTEREST THAT MEXICO EARN THAT REPUTATION.

TEXT: LASTLY, A FAMOUS NAME IN MODERN RUSSIAN HISTORY -- KHRUSHCHEV -- HAS ENTERED THE COLUMNS OF THIS COUNTRY'S NEWEST CITIZENS, DRAWING THIS COMMENT FROM "THE TULSA [OKLAHOMA] WORLD."

VOICE: IN THE 1950'S AND ...60'S NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV, PREMIER OF THE SOVIET UNION, EPITOMIZED EVERYTHING AMERICANS FEARED ABOUT COMMUNISM. ... HE WAS THE ULTIMATE COMMUNIST. NOW, THE SON OF THE LATE [SOVIET] LEADER ... HAS BECOME A U-S CITIZEN. SERGEI KHRUSHCHEV AND HIS WIFE CAME TO THE UNITED STATES IN 1991. THE 64-YEAR-OLD FORMER MISSILE ENGINEER ... HAS BEEN A VISITING INSTRUCTOR IN COLD WAR HISTORY AT BROWN UNIVERSITY, IN RHODE ISLAND. ... HE IS LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM. SO, HE DECIDED TO MAKE IT OFFICIAL ... AND ... ALONG WITH [HIS WIFE] AND 242 OTHERS [MONDAY] ... BECAME [A] U-S CITIZEN. ... HIS FATHER -- THE COLDEST OF THE COLD WARRIORS -- MUST BE SPINNING HIS HIS COMMUNIST GRAVE. AMERICA WELCOMES CITIZEN -- NOT COMRADE -- SERGEI KHRUSHCHEV.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF SOME OF TODAY'S DAILY PAPERS.
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14-Jul-99 11:31 AM EDT (1531 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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