Voice of America, 99-07-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] COHEN TURKEY (L-UPDATE) BY JIM RANDLE (TURKEY)

[02] COHEN-TURKEY-L 2ND UPDATE BY SHANNON, IRELAND (JIM RANDLE)

[03] ISRAEL / TURKEY (L-ONLY) BY MEREDITH BUEL (JERUSALEM)

[04] RUGOVA / PRISTINA (L ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

[05] RUGOVA RETURNS (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

[06] YUGO WAR CRIMES BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

[07] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[08] NORTHERN IRELAND, UPDATE (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[09] CLINTON/IRELAND (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[10] EUROPE-FOOD (CQ) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

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

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

[01] COHEN TURKEY (L-UPDATE) BY JIM RANDLE (TURKEY)

INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN IS URGING TURKEY TO CONTINUE MAKING PROGRESS ON HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES TO AVOID FUTURE CONGRESSIONAL BANS ON ARM SALES TO THE NATO NATION. MR. COHEN'S COMMENTS CAME AFTER HE MET IN THE TURKISH CAPITOL WITH THE COUNTRY'S PRIME MINISTER AND DEFENSE MINISTER. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

TEXT: TURKEY'S PARLIAMENT IS CONSIDERING MEASURES THAT COULD BRING ITS LAWS GOVERNING THE PRESS AND POLITICAL DISSENT CLOSER TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.

MR. COHEN PRAISED THE EFFORT AND TOLD HIS HOSTS IT WOULD BE A STEP TOWARDS PREVENTING CONGRESSIONAL CRITICISM THAT HAS BLOCKED OR DELAYED PAST ARMS SALES.

TURKEY IS CONSIDERING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF ARMS PURCHASES, INCLUDING ATTACK HELICOPTERS, TANKS AND AIRCRAFT.

TURKEY'S MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE, SABAHTTIN CAKMAKOGLU, SAID THE TWO SIDES ALSO DISCUSSED THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS, LONG DIVIDED BETWEEN ETHNIC GREEK AND ETHNIC TURK ENCLAVES.

HE SAID WASHINGTON AND ANKARA SHARE THE GOAL OF RESOLVING THE DISPUTE BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY BUT DISAGREE ON THE MEANS TO THAT END.

MR. COHEN SAYS THE STATUS QUO ON CYPRUS IS UNACCCEPTABLE, REPEATING THE U-S CALL FOR DIRECT TALKS BETWEEN GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMUNITIES WITHOUT PRE-CONDITIONS.

AFTER A MEETING WITH SECRETARY COHEN, TURKISH PRIME MINISTER BULENT ECEVIT TOLD U-S JOURNALISTS THAT THE AMERICANS DID NOT TRY TO PRESSURE ANKARA ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE.

SPEAKING TO TURKISH JOURNALISTS, MR. ECEVIT REPEATED THE LONG-HELD TURKISH POSITION THAT THE U-N TRADE EMBARGO AGAINST NEIGHBORING IRAQ HAS COST TURKEY A GREAT DEAL AND THAT AMERICANS ARE AWARE OF THE LOSSES AND OF TURKEY'S DESIRE FOR COMPENSATION. (SIGNED)
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15-Jul-99 8:23 AM EDT (1223 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] COHEN-TURKEY-L 2ND UPDATE BY SHANNON, IRELAND (JIM RANDLE)

INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS HE IS OPTIMISTIC THAT TURKEY AND GREECE CAN MAKE PROGRESS ON THEIR LONG-STANDING DISPUTE OVER THE DIVIDED ISLAND OF CYPRUS. CORRESPONDENT JIM RANDLE REPORTS HIS COMMENTS FOLLOW MEETINGS THIS WEEK WITH TOP OFFICIALS IN THE GREEK AND TURKISH CAPITALS.

TEXT: MR. COHEN SAYS THERE ARE SEVERAL SIGNS THE OFTEN-STRAINED RELATIONS BETWEEN ATHENS AND ANKARA ARE GETTING BETTER. GREEK AND TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTERS ARE SETTING UP MEETINGS TO DISCUSS A SERIES OF ISSUES, SOMETHING MR. COHEN SAYS MIGHT LEAD TO DIRECT TALKS BETWEEN GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS.

U-S OFFICIALS ALSO SAY TALKS BETWEEN THE TURKISH AND GREEK NAVIES WILL HELP AVOID DANGEROUS MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND MIGHT SET A PATTERN FOR OTHER ARMED SERVICES OF THE RIVAL NATIONS.

CYPRUS HAS LONG BEEN DIVIDED BETWEEN ETHNIC GREEK AND ETHNIC TURKISH ENCLAVES, AND HAS 30-THOUSAND TURKISH TROOPS STATIONED IN THE NORTHERN TURKISH SECTOR.

TURKISH MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE, SABAHATTIN CAKMAKOGLU (PRO: SAB-HAT-TINE CHOCK-MOK-AH-LOO) SAID WASHINGTON AND ANKARA SHARE THE GOAL OF RESOLVING THE DISPUTE BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY, BUT DISAGREE ON THE MEANS TO THAT END.

MR. COHEN SAYS THE STATUS QUO ON CYPRUS IS UNACCEPTABLE, BUT IT IS UP TO THE PEOPLE INVOLVED TO FIND A SOLUTION.

THE GREEK CYPRIOTS AND THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS SHOULD MEET AND SIT DOWN AT A TABLE AND NEGOTIATE A RESOLUTION TO THE SITUATION WITHOUT ANY PRECONDITIONS.

TURKEY IS SEEKING 150 ATTACK HELICOPTERS, TANKS AND OTHER MILITARY HARDWARE.

AFTER A MEETING IN ANKARA, MR. COHEN URGED TURKEY TO CONTINUE PROGRESS ON HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES TO AVOID FUTURE BANS ON ARMS SALES IMPOSED BY THE U-S CONGRESS. IN THE PAST, CONGRESSIONAL CRITICISM HAS STOPPED OR DELAYED MAJOR ARMS DEALS FOR THE NATO NATION.

TURKEY'S PARLIAMENT IS CONSIDERING MEASURES THAT COULD BRING ITS LAWS GOVERNING THE PRESS AND POLITICAL DISSENT CLOSER TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.

TURKEY WAS THE LAST STOP ON THE DEFENSE SECRETARY'S WEEK-LONG JOURNEY ACROSS EUROPE TO CONSULT WITH DEFENSE MINISTERS ABOUT PEACEKEEPING IN KOSOVO AND REPAIRING STRAINED RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA. MR. COHEN SAYS HE WILL TRAVEL TO MOSCOW IN EARLY AUGUST FOR TALKS WITH THE RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER AND OTHER TOP OFFICIALS. (SIGNED)
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15-Jul-99 2:02 PM EDT (1802 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] ISRAEL / TURKEY (L-ONLY) BY MEREDITH BUEL (JERUSALEM)

INTRO: TURKISH PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL IS VISITING ISRAEL AND THE GAZA STRIP, DISCUSSING SUCH ISSUES AS THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS, DEFENSE COOPERATION, WATER AND COMMERCIAL TIES. VOA JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT MEREDITH BUEL REPORTS.

TEXT: TURKISH PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL'S THREE-DAY VISIT TO ISRAEL AND AREAS UNDER CONTROL OF THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY COMES JUST A WEEK AFTER PRIME MINISTER EHUD BARAK TOOK OFFICE.

ISRAELI OFFICIALS SAY THE TIMING OF THE VISIT UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE TURKEY AND ISRAEL ATTACH TO THEIR BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP.

THE TWO GOVERNMENTS SIGNED A MILITARY COOPERATION AGREEMENT IN 1996. THE AGREEMENT, WHICH LED TO JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES, LUCRATIVE ARMS DEALS AND INTELLIGENCE SHARING CAUSED CONCERN IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES THAT HAVE DISPUTES WITH ISRAEL AND TURKEY.

A FORMER TOP ISRAELI DIPLOMAT TO ANKARA -- ALON LIEL -- SAYS THERE ALREADY SEEMS TO BE LESS PRESSURE FROM COUNTRIES SUCH AS SYRIA DESPITE THE EXTENSIVE ISRAELI-TURKISH SECURITY RELATIONSHIP. HE SAYS ONE REASON IS SYRIA'S EXPULSION OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN, WHO WAS SENTENCED TO DEATH RECENTLY BY A TURKISH COURT.

IN 1996 THE PRESSURE ON TURKEY WAS VERY HEAVY. IT CAME NOT ONLY FROM SYRIA AND OF COURSE IRAN, IRAQ, LIBYA AND OTHERS -- BUT ALSO FROM A COUNTRY LIKE EGYPT, THAT HAS DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL BECAUSE THE REGION WAS WORRIED THAT THIS ISRAEL-TURKISH LINK HAS A REGIONAL CONNOTATION AND WILL INCREASE THE REGIONAL ASPIRATIONS OF BOTH SIDES, AND SO ON. I SEE LESS CRITICISM RECENTLY -- ESPECIALLY FROM SYRIA. I THINK THAT SINCE OCTOBER OF 1998, THE RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA ARE MUCH BETTER AFTER THE EXPULSION OF ABDULLAH OCALAN FROM DAMASCUS.

DURING HIS VISIT, TOP ISRAELI OFFICIALS ARE ASSURING PRESIDENT DEMIREL THAT INCREASED PEACE-MAKING EFFORTS IN THE REGION WILL NOT HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON TURKEY AND ISRAEL'S BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP.

MR. DEMIREL SAYS HE WELCOMES PROGRESS IN THE PEACE PROCESS.

A JOINT TURKISH-ISRAELI COMMITTEE ON WATER WAS ANNOUNCED TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF A PIPELINE UNDER THE MEDITERRANEAN TO BRING WATER FROM TURKEY TO ISRAEL AND JORDAN.

ON THURSDAY, MR. DEMIREL AND ISRAELI PRESIDENT EZER WEIZMAN LAUNCHED WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A SEA LINK FOR A NEW SHIPPING LINE BETWEEN ISRAELI AND TURKISH PORTS.

FORMER ISRAELI DIPLOMAT TO ANKARA ALON LIEL SAYS IN ADDITION TO THE MILITARY LINKS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND TURKEY, ECONOMIC TIES HAVE BECOME VERY SIGNIFICANT.

THE CIVILIAN TRADE BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES IS TODAY AROUND 800-MILLION DOLLARS. YOU MUST REMEMBER AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS DECADE WE STOOD ON 100-MILLION DOLLARS, SO IT IS A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE DURING THIS DECADE. IT CAN EASILY BE DOUBLED IN FIVE YEARS BECAUSE WE HAVE A FREE TRADE AGREEMENT STARTING FULLY FROM THE FIRST OF JANUARY 2000.

PRESIDENT DEMIREL IS SCHEDULED TO CROSS INTO THE GAZA STRIP ON FRIDAY FOR A MEETING WITH PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT YASSER ARAFAT AND THEN TRAVEL ON TO JORDAN TO MEET WITH KING ABDULLAH. (SIGNED)
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15-Jul-99 10:33 AM EDT (1433 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] RUGOVA / PRISTINA (L ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

INTRO: KOSOVO'S BEST-KNOWN POLITICAL FIGURE RECEIVED A WARM WELCOME HOME (THURSDAY). TIM BELAY REPORTS FROM PRISTINA.

TEXT: IBRAHIM RUGOVA IS BACK IN HIS HOUSE IN PRISTINA, AFTER THREE-MONTHS IN EXILE IN WESTERN EUROPE.

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE GATHERED AROUND MR. RUGOVA'S HOME AS HE MET INSIDE WITH LEADERS OF HIS POLITICAL PARTY, THE L-D-K, AND HELD A BRIEF NEWS CONFERENCE.

THE VISIBLY ELATED LEADER THANKED THE HEADS OF SEVERAL NATO COUNTRIES BY NAME FOR THE ALLIANCE'S INTERVENTION IN KOSOVO. HE SAID HE BELIEVES FREE ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD IN A MATTER OF MONTHS. HE PLEDGED TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THE VARIOUS POLITICAL FORCES IN KOSOVO.

MR. RUGOVA ALSO MADE A PLEA TO SERBIAN KOSOVARS WHO HAVE FLED THE PROVINCE IN FEAR OF REVENGE ATTACKS AND INTIMIDATION BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS. HE SAID HE WILL TRY TO SEE THAT CONDITIONS ARE CREATED FOR THEIR SAFE RETURN

AN INTERIM GOVERNMENT HEADED BY SELF-APPOINTED PRIME MINISTER HASHIM THACI WAS ASSEMBLED IN MR. RUGOVA'S ABSENCE. OFFICIALLY, KOSOVO IS BEING RUN BY AN INTERNATIONAL PROTECTORATE ORGANIZED BY THE UNITED NATIONS. (SIGNED)
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15-Jul-99 11:47 AM EDT (1547 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] RUGOVA RETURNS (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THE SELF-APPOINTED "PRESIDENT" OF KOSOVO HAS RETURNED TO THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL CITY, PRISTINA. TIM BELAY REPORTS THAT IBRAHIM RUGOVA, WHO HAD TAKEN REFUGE IN ITALY, WAS GREETED BY WILDLY ENTHUSIASTIC CROWDS.

TEXT: /// SOUNDS OF SHOUTS "RUGOVA, RUGOVA" -- IN FULL AND UNDER

ALBANIANS CALL IBRAHIM RUGOVA THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO -- EVEN THOUGH, IN REALITY, KOSOVO IS A PROVINCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA.

BUT MR. RUGOVA IS THE BEST-KNOWN KOSOVAR POLITICAL LEADER IN THE PROVINCE AND ABROAD, AND IS WIDELY CREDITED FOR HIS POLICY OF PEACEFUL RESISTANCE TO THE STRICT CONTROLS IMPOSED BY BELGRADE ON ETHNIC-ALBANIAN KOSOVARS 10-YEARS AGO. A 40-YEAR-OLD ACTOR FROM WESTERN KOSOVO -- AVDULLA GJIKOKAJ -- WAS AMONG THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO WAITED FOR MR. RUGOVA'S ARRIVAL OUTSIDE U-N HEADQUARTERS IN PRISTINA. MR. GJIKOKAJ SAYS IT IS HARD TO PREDICT WHETHER MR. RUGOVA WILL CONTINUE TO LEAD KOSOVO.

HE SAYS THERE IS ALWAYS THE POSSIBILITY MR. RUGOVA WILL NOT FEEL LIKE RESUMING HIS POSITION OF LEADERSHIP IN POST-WAR KOSOVO -- ADDING THE PEOPLE OF THE PROVINCE HOLD HIM IN VERY HIGH REGARD FOR HIS PEACEFUL POLICIES OF THE PAST 10 YEARS.

MR. RUGOVA'S RETURN MARKS THE BEGINNING OF SERIOUS LOCAL DEBATE OVER THE POLITICAL FUTURE OF KOSOVO. THE CENTRAL QUESTION IS WHETHER HE WILL BE ABLE TO WORK WITH HIS CHIEF RIVAL -- ANOTHER SELF-APPOINTED LEADER, "PRIME MINISTER" HASHIM THACI. (SIGNED)
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15-Jul-99 8:43 AM EDT (1243 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] YUGO WAR CRIMES BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: PROSECUTORS AT THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL SCORED A MAJOR VICTORY THURSDAY WHEN THE APPEALS CHAMBER OVERTURNED AN EARLY COURT RULING REGARDING A BOSNIAN SERB. LAUREN COMITEAU IN THE HAGUE REPORTS THE APPEALS JUDGES FOUND A FORMER CAFE OWNER, DUSAN TADIC, GUILTY OF NINE ADDITIONAL CRIMES, INCLUDING MURDER.

TEXT: THE FIRST MAN TO BE TRIED BY THE COURT HAD APPEALED HIS EARLIER CONVICTIONS FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. THE BOSNIAN SERB, DUSAN TADIC, HAD EARLIER BEEN FOUND GUILTY FOR THE PERSECUTION AND BEATINGS OF CROATS AND MUSLIMS IN AND AROUND THREE PRISON CAMPS IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA IN 1992.

TADIC APPEALED ON THE GROUNDS HE WAS NOT ABLE TO GET A FAIR TRIAL BECAUSE BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIALS DENIED HIM ACCESS TO KEY EVIDENCE AND WITNESSES. JUDGES THREW OUT THAT APPEAL, LEAVING TADIC -- IN THE WORD OF HIS LAWYER -- SHATTERED.

TADIC IS NOT THE MOST SENIOR BOSNIAN SERB IN THE TRIBUNAL'S CUSTODY. BUT THE COURT'S NEW RULING THAT THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT WAS INTERNATIONAL IN NATURE IS POLITICALLY SIGNIFICANT, ESPECIALLY FOR YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

INTERNATIONAL LAW EXPERT EVRIL MC DONALD:

NOW, YOU HAVE A JUDICIAL FINDING THAT IN FACT BELGRADE WAS PULLING THE STRINGS OF (CONTROLLING) THE BOSNIAN SERB ARMY. AND, I THINK THIS IMPLICATES MILOSEVIC MUCH MORE DEEPLY THAN PREVIOUSLY.

THE RULING ON THE INTERNATIONAL NATURE OF THE CONFLICT -- WHICH GIVES CIVILIANS MORE PROTECTION UNDER GENEVA TREATIES AND CARRIES HARSHER PUNISHMENT FOR CONVICTION -- WILL NO DOUBT AFFECT FUTURE TRIALS. MANY OF TADIC'S SUPERIORS, INCLUDING THE FORMER DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF THE SERB REPUBLIC, ARE CURRENTLY AWAITING TRIAL HERE.

DEPUTY PROSECUTOR GRAHAM BLEWITT CALLS THE APPEALS CHAMBER'S FINDINGS SIGNIFICANT AND SATISFYING.

THERE ARE MORE CONVICTIONS IN RESPECT OF HIS INVOLVEMENT IN ADDITIONAL MURDERS. SO, THE EXTENT OF HIS CRIMINALITY HAS NOW BEEN BROADENED. SO, AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THAT, IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE -- AND I'M NOT SAYING THIS IS GOING TO BE THE CASE -- BUT IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE THAT THE PROSECUTION COULD BE ASKING FOR AN INCREASE IN THE SENTENCE.

TADIC ALREADY HAS SERVED FOUR YEARS OF HIS INITIAL 20-YEAR SENTENCE. JUDGES WILL DECIDE ON ANY FUTURE SENTENCES LATER THIS YEAR. (SIGNED)
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15-Jul-99 9:18 AM EDT (1318 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: NORTHERN IRELAND'S ASSEMBLY OPENED IN BELFAST AS SCHEDULED THURSDAY MORNING, BUT THE MAIN ORDER OF BUSINESS -- NOMINATING AN ALL PARTY EXECUTIVE BODY -- FAILED TO HAPPEN. THE ULSTER UNIONISTS HAVE BOYCOTTED THE PROCEDURE AND, AS WE HEAR FROM CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON, THE CATHOLIC DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER HAS RESIGNED HIS POST.

TEXT: IN AN EMOTIONAL SPEECH, DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER SEAMUS MALLON RESIGNED AND ASKED PROTESTANT FIRST MINISTER DAVID TRIMBLE TO DO THE SAME. THE UNEXPECTED MOVE CAME AFTER THE ULSTER UNIONISTS BOYCOTTED THE NOMINATING PROCEDURE FOR THE ALL-PARTY EXECUTIVE. THE SECOND LARGEST UNIONIST PARTY ALSO REFUSED TO NAME ANYONE.

ONLY THE TWO MAIN CATHOLIC PARTIES NOMINATED MINISTERS FOR THE 12-MEMBER COUNCIL. THE LAW REQUIRES THE EXECUTIVE TO REPRESENT BOTH PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES TO BE EFFECTIVE. SO THE NORTHERN IRELAND EXECUTIVE IS SUSPENDED.

WITHOUT AN EXECUTIVE IN PLACE, BRITAIN CANNOT TRANSFER HOME RULE POWERS AS REQUIRED BY THE 1998 "GOOD FRIDAY" PEACE AGREEMENT.

BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY STARTED, ULSTER UNIONIST LEADER TRIMBLE ANNOUNCED HIS PARTY WOULD NOT TAKE PART IN WHAT IT CONSIDERED A FLAWED PROCESS.

THE ULSTER UNIONISTS HAVE REFUSED TO SHARE POWER WITH THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY'S POLITICAL WING, SINN FEIN, UNTIL THE I-R-A STARTS DISARMING. THE UNIONISTS SAY THE PLAN PROPOSED BY THE BRITISH AND IRISH PRIME MINISTERS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THEM TO TAKE THE RISK AND SET UP AN EXECUTIVE BEFORE THE I-R-A STARTS HANDING OVER ITS WEAPONS.

THE IMPASSE REPRESENTS A MAJOR SETBACK FOR NORTHERN IRELAND'S PEACE PROCESS, WHICH HINGES ON THE TRANSFER OF HOME RULE POWER FROM LONDON TO BELFAST, BUT ALSO ON THE DISARMAMENT OF REPUBLICAN (PRO-IRISH) PARAMILITARIES. A STATEMENT FROM PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR'S OFFICE SAYS HE IS DETERMINED TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT WORK. HE IS EXPECTED TO MEET HIS IRISH COUNTERPART EARLY NEXT WEEK TO REVIEW THE SITUATION. (SIGNED)
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15-Jul-99 7:54 AM EDT (1154 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] NORTHERN IRELAND, UPDATE (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: NORTHERN IRELAND'S PEACE PROCESS IS IN SHAMBLES AFTER "ULSTER UNIONISTS" REFUSED TO NOMINATE MINISTERS FOR AN ALL-PARTY GOVERNMENT, WHICH WOULD HAVE ALLOWED BRITAIN TO TRANSFER HOME-RULE POWERS TO BELFAST. // OPT // PRO-BRITISH UNIONISTS WANT THE PROVINCE TO REMAIN PART OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND ARE PREDOMINATELY PROTESTANT. THE REPUBLICANS, INCLUDING THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, WANT THE REGION TO JOIN IRELAND AND ARE PREDOMINATELY CATHOLIC. // END OPT // THE UNIONISTS REFUSED TO SHARE POWER WITH THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY'S (I-R-A) POLITICAL WING. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: WHEN NORTHERN IRELAND'S ASSEMBLY MET (THURSDAY) THE BENCHES EARMARKED FOR THE "ULSTER UNIONISTS" WERE EMPTY.

FIFTEEN-MINUTES BEFORE, UNIONIST LEADER DAVID TRIMBLE HAD CONFIRMED HIS PARTY WOULD BOYCOTT THE NOMINATION PROCESS, HAVING ALREADY REJECTED THE BRITISH-IRISH TIMETABLE FOR DEVOLUTION AND DECOMMISSIONING . MR TRIMBLE CALLED THE PLAN SERIOUSLY FLAWED.

THOSE DIFFICULTIES RELATE TO THE ABSENCE OF COMMITMENT BY VARIOUS PARTIES, SPECIFICALLY A COMMITMENT BY "SINN FEIN / I-R-A" TO CARRY OUT THEIR OBLIGATION TO DECOMMISSION.

THE CAREFULLY SEQUENCED PLAN PROPOSED BY THE BRITISH AND IRISH PRIME MINISTERS WOULD HAVE NAMED THE ALL-PARTY EXECUTIVE NOW SO THAT HOME RULE POWERS WOULD BE TRANSFERRED BY SUNDAY, WITH I-R-A DISARMING TO START SOON AFTER.

THE OTHER UNIONIST PARTY REFUSED TO NAME ANY MINISTERS, BUT BOTH REPUBLICAN PARTIES DID. THE EXECUTIVE HAD TO BE SUSPENDED FOR NOT REPRESENTING A CROSS-SECTION OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S FACTIONS.

AN ANGRY AND FRUSTRATED DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER, SEAMUS MALLON -- A REPUBLICAN -- THEN STUNNED THE ASSEMBLY WHEN HE ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION.

IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THE ONLY WAY IN WHICH THIS AGREEMENT COULD BE SAVED WAS ACTUALLY FOR ME TO RESIGN AND WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF MY RESIGNATION FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, NOT LEAST THE FACT THAT IF A REVIEW IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE, IT MUST BE A SUBSTANTIAL REVIEW, A CREDIBLE REVIEW AND NOT A DEVICE TO PARK (I.E. TO STOP) THIS PROCESS.

MR MALLON CALLED FOR UNIONIST FIRST MINISTER DAVID TRIMBLE TO RESIGN TOO. HE SHARPLY CRITICIZED THE "ULSTER UNIONISTS'" ABSENCE FROM THE ASSEMBLY AS AN INSULT TO THE PEACE PROCESS.

BRITAIN'S SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND, MARJORIE (MO) MOWLAM, SAID IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN MUST NOW BE FULLY REVIEWED.

THE REALITY IS WE EITHER MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER OR WE DO NOT MOVE AT ALL. TODAY IS A SETBACK. IT WOULD BE FOOLISH TO DENY THAT, BUT IT WOULD BE EVEN MORE FOOLISH TO CONCLUDE THAT THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT CANNOT CONTINUE.

NORTHERN IRELAND'S RIVAL POLITICIANS WERE QUICK TO BLAME EACH OTHER FOR THROWING THE PEACE PROCESS INTO DISARRAY.

PUT THEM BEHIND YOU AND GET TO WORK. WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD THAT TRUST, OR IN THE ABSENCE OF THAT TRUST, REMAIN INCAPABLE OF SOLVING THE PROBLEM BEFORE YOU.

THE DAY'S DRAMATIC EVENTS MADE IT CLEAR MORE TIME IS NEEDED TO BRIDGE THE GAP AND GET THE PEACE PROCESS BACK ON TRACK. BUT NOBODY IS WILLING TO SAY JUST HOW MUCH MORE TIME IT WILL TAKE. (SIGNED)
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15-Jul-99 11:45 AM EDT (1545 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] CLINTON/IRELAND (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS LAMENTING THE LATEST BREAKDOWN OF PEACE EFFORTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND URGING ALL THE PARTIES TO LIVE UP TO THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GOOD FRIDAY PEACE ACCORD. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON -- BOTH THROUGH PERSONAL CONTACTS AND HIS SPECIAL MEDIATOR GEORGE MITCHELL -- HAD BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN REACHING LAST YEAR'S HISTORIC NORTHERN IRELAND AGREEMENT. IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT, HE SAID HE SHARES THE REGRET OF THE IRISH PEOPLE AT THE LATEST BREAKDOWN OF THE PEACE PROCESS.

IN A MOVE DIPLOMATS SAY COULD SET PEACE EFFORTS BACK BY MONTHS, NORTHERN IRELAND'S MAIN PROTESTANT PARTY DECIDED TO BOYCOTT THE FORMATION OF A NEW INCLUSIVE GOVERNMENT FOR THE PROVINCE BECAUSE OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY'S REFUSAL TO DISARM.

THE PRESIDENT DID NOT CAST BLAME IN THE STATEMENT, BUT APPEALED TO ALL THOSE INVOLVED TO GET THE PEACE PROCESS BACK ON TRACK AND SAID HE WAS READY TO HELP THE PRIME MINISTER OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND TO THAT END. EARLIER, IN A TALK WITH REPORTERS HERE, MR. CLINTON SAID IT IS HARD FOR OUTSIDE OBSERVERS TO UNDERSTAND THE LATEST CRISIS -- GIVEN THAT BOTH SIDES IN NORTHERN IRELAND ARE FULLY AWARE OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE AGREEMENT:

THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE OF OPINION HERE ABOUT WHAT THE GOOD FRIDAY ACCORDS REQUIRE, WHAT THE COMMUNITIES OF IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND HAVE VOTED FOR, WHAT THEY ARE ALL COMMITTED TO DO. THEY ARE HAVING A FIGHT OVER WHO GOES FIRST. AND ACTING TODAY AS IF THE WHOLE THING COULD BE ABANDONED OVER THAT. THAT CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN. I DO NOT BELIEVE IT WILL BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN. I BELIEVE THERE IS TOO MUCH INVESTED IN THIS. AND I BELIEVE THAT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER WE'LL GET THIS THING ON TRACK.

THE PRESIDENT, WHO PAID A VISIT TO NORTHERN IRELAND LAST YEAR TO CELEBRATE THE PEACE ACCORD, SAID HE IS CONVINCED IT IS STILL POSSIBLE TO HAVE FULL IMPLEMENTATION BY NEXT MAY UNDER THE ORIGINAL SCHEDULE. (SIGNED)
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15-Jul-99 5:44 PM EDT (2144 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] EUROPE-FOOD (CQ) 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
15-Jul-99 5:41 PM EDT (2141 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE MODERATELY HIGHER TODAY (THURSDAY) AS INVESTORS WERE CHEERED BY MORE GOOD NEWS ON THE U-S ECONOMY AND ON QUARTERLY PROFITS BY U-S BUSINESSES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 38 POINTS, CLOSING AT 11-THOUSAND-186. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED 11 POINTS UP AT 14-HUNDRED-NINE. AND THE NASDAQ HIT ANOTHER RECORD HIGH, GAINING THREE-QUARTERS OF ONE PERCENT.

CONSUMER PRICES -- THE MOST CLOSELY-WATCHED GAUGE OF INFLATION -- HELD STEADY IN JUNE FOR THE SECOND MONTH IN A ROW. THAT MEANS THE U-S ECONOMY IS PROBABLY NOT OVERHEATING, AND THE U-S CENTRAL BANK IS NOT LIKELY TO RAISE SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES AGAIN. MEANWHILE, CORPORATE EARNINGS REPORTS CONTINUE MOSTLY ON THE UP SIDE. BOEING, THE WORLD'S LARGEST MAKER OF COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT, BEAT FORECASTS WITH A 55 PERCENT JUMP IN PROFITS. BOEING WAS HURT OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS BY THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS AND ITS OWN PRODUCTION BOTTLENECKS.

ABBY JOSEPH COHEN, THE INFLUENTIAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIST FROM GOLDMAN SACHS, IS BULLISH [OPTIMISTIC] ON THE U-S STOCK MARKET. SHE EXPECTS A SUSTAINED GROWTH OVER THE YEAR WELL INTO THE DOUBLE DIGITS:

THIS IS AN ECONOMY THAT NOT ONLY IS PERFORMING WELL BUT WE EXPECT IT TO CONTINUE TO PERFORM WELL. WE DON'T SEE ANY STORM CLOUDS ON THE U-S HORIZON. COMPANIES ARE TELLING US AS THEY HAVE BEGUN THEIR SECOND QUARTER REPORTS THAT THE OUTLOOK FOR THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTER IS QUITE GOOD AS WELL. AND WE DON'T SEE INFLATION FEARS DEVELOPING, AND THAT'S APPROPRIATE AS WELL.

APPLE COMPUTER REPORTED A 52 PERCENT INCREASE IN QUARTERLY PROFITS. ITS SALES CLIMBED 11 PERCENT.

TIMBERLAND -- MAKER OF HIKING BOOTS AND SHOES -- SAID ITS QUARTERLY PROFITS SURGED 26 PERCENT AS SALES IN NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE MORE THAN OFFSET FALLING SALES IN ASIA.

BUT A RECENT HEALTH SCARE AT COCA-COLA'S EUROPEAN PRODUCTION SITES TOOK A BIG BITE OUT OF ITS PROFITS. THE WORLD'S LEADING BEVERAGE COMPANY REPORTED WEAKER DEMAND IN ASIA ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO A DROP IN SALES.

COCA-COLA SHARES ROSE, HOWEVER, AS INVESTORS BET THAT THE WORST FOR THE COMPANY IS OVER.

AND COMPUTER CHIP-MAKER ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES LOST MONEY AGAIN THIS QUARTER, AS IT FAILED TO COMPETE EFFECTIVELY AGAINST INTEL, THE NUMBER ONE CHIP-MAKER. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/EJ/LSF/WTW
15-Jul-99 5:25 PM EDT (2125 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: MANY INTERNATIONAL ISSUES ARE DRAWING ATTENTION IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF THE NATION'S DAILY PAPERS THIS THURSDAY. AMONG THEM: THE CONTROVERSY OVER REMARKS ABOUT THE STATUS OF TAIWAN; THE UNREST IN IRAN; AND ISRAEL'S NEW PRIME MINISTER MEETS IN WASHINGTON WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON. OTHER TOPICS UPON INCLUDE: TURNING WORDS INTO ACTION ON HELPING AFRICA; AND MURDER CHARGES AGAINST AN AIRLINE MAINTENANCE COMPANY. NOW, HERE WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IS __________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS COMMENTING ON THE REMARKS MADE TO A GERMAN RADIO JOURNALIST LAST WEEKEND BY TAIWAN'S PRESIDENT LEE TENG-HUI. MR. LEE APPEARED TO DISAVOW WHAT "THE TIMES" CALLS THE "USEFULLY AMBIGUOUS" ONE-CHINA POLICY THAT ASSUMES TAIWAN, WHILE NOMINALLY INDEPENDENT, IS PART OF CHINA. THE NEW YORK PAPER SAYS MR. LEE'S COMMENT IS:

VOICE: .NEEDLESSLY ANGERING BEIJING AND COMPLICATING RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA. /// OPT /// ... THE MERIT OF THIS [ONE-CHINA] FORMULA IS THAT IT ALLOWS TAIWAN AND THE MAINLAND TO COEXIST AS SEPARATE POLITICAL ENTITIES SO LONG AS BOTH ACKNOWLEDGE A COMMITMENT TO EVENTUAL REUNIFICATION. MR. LEE HAS NOT ONLY CHALLENGED THAT STATUS QUO, BUT HAS VIRTUALLY ASSERTED TAIWAN'S INDEPENDENCE. /// END OPT /// ... THE COMBUSTIBILITY OF THIS ISSUE SHOULD N O T BE UNDERESTIMATED. ... TAIWAN'S ... FUTURE IS ILL SERVED BY NEEDLESS CONFRONTATIONS WITH BEIJING.

TEXT: CALLING THE COMMENTS "PLAYING WITH FIRE," "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE" FUMES:

VOICE: TAIWAN'S PRESIDENT ... COULD HARDLY HAVE PICKED A MORE INOPPORTUNE TIME TO CHALLENGE THE PREMISE THAT HAS KEPT THE PEACE BETWEEN CHINA AND TAIWAN. ... [MR.] LEE'S ... REMARKS WERE NEEDLESSLY PROVOCATIVE AND MORE THAN SIMPLY 'UNHELPFUL,' AS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION LABELED THEM. THEY'RE DANGEROUS ...

TEXT: HOWEVER, "FLORIDA'S TIMES-UNION" IN JACKSONVILLE SAYS:

VOICE: AS A PRACTICAL MATTER, TAIWAN HAS AS MUCH RIGHT TO CALL ITSELF A STATE AS THE PHILIPPINES -- WHICH SEPARATED FROM THE UNITED STATES ABOUT THE SAME TIME. [AS TAIWAN DID FROM MAINLAND CHINA.] ... THERE WAS NOTHING IN [PRESIDENT] LEE'S WORDS THAT CHANGES TAIPEI'S OFFICIAL, AND VERY REASONABLE, POSITION ON UNIFICATION.

TEXT: AND IN TEXAS, "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" WARNS BEIJING:

VOICE: CHINA'S THREAT OF INVASION AGAINST ITS 'RENEGADE PROVINCE' IS CLEAR. YET IT IS PRECISELY BECAUSE TAIWAN HAS FALLEN SHORT OF DECLARING ITS INDEPENDENCE THAT BEIJING SHOULD COOL ITS JETS, LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY. [EDITORS: CHINA SHOULD COOL DOWN AND TAKE ITS AIR FORCE JETS OFF ALERT STATUS] ... BUT HAVING TAKEN TAIWAN WHERE NO CHINESE RENEGADE PROVINCE HAS DARED TO GO BEFORE, MR. LEE SHOULD GO NO FURTHER. HE HAS MADE HIS POINT.

TEXT: THE RIOTING IN IRAN HAS CHANGED DIRECTION, AS FOLLOWERS OF THE ISLAMIC HARD-LINE CLERICS HAVE TAKEN TO THE STREETS SUPPORTING THE GOVERNMENT AFTER STUDENTS PROTESTS EARLIER IN THE WEEK CALLING FOR MORE DEMOCRACY. "THE PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: IRAN, LONG BEFORE ITS DESCENT INTO FUNDAMENTALIST MADNESS, WAS A NATION SUSTAINED BY A HISTORY OF EDUCATION, CULTURE AND REFINEMENT. THE MEDIEVAL ISLAMIC YOKE THAT ITS PEOPLE EMBRACED 20 YEARS AGO IS BOUND TO CHAFE IN A MODERN WORLD OF INSTANT COMMUNICATIONS AND GLOBAL AWARENESS. THE OUTBREAK AT TEHRAN UNIVERSITY IS BUT A SIGN OF THE STRAIN. /// OPT /// BLAMING THE UNITED STATES AS USUAL WILL SUCCEED ONLY WITH THE MOST IGNORANT SECTIONS OF THE POPULATION. ... SOME IRANIANS HAVE BEGUN TO REALIZE THAT THE 'GREAT SATAN' LIVES AT HOME. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: "THE BOSTON GLOBE" SUGGESTS PRESIDENT KHATAMI IS N O T AS MODERATE AS THE UNITED STAES IS PORTRAYING HIM, AND THAT, IN FACT, THE "U-S IS SIDING WITH THE WRONG LEADER IN IRAN":

VOICE: [MR.] KHATAMI'S INABILITY TO TRANSFORM IRAN INTO A DEMOCRATIC STATE ORIGINATES FROM HIS FIRM COMMITMENT TO 'VELAYAT-EFAQIH,' OR ABSOLUTE CLERICAL RULE. ... [HIS] CLAIM OF MODERATION IS A DECEPTION DESIGNED TO ERASE TWO DECADES OF SYSTEMATIC INHUMANE TREATMENT OF A PROUD NATION. IRAN'S POLITICAL LANDSCAPE DOES NOT FAVOR A REPEAT OF PREVIOUS MISGUIDED POLICIES BY THE WEST. IRAN WILL NEVER BE AN 'ISLAND OF STABILITY' AS LONG AS THE MULLAHS RULE IT.

TEXT: IN OKLAHOMA, "THE TULSA WORLD" WRITES:

VOICE: THE STUDENTS, FUELED BY ACCESS TO WORLDWIDE OPINIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET AND FROM BROADCASTS FROM RADIO FREE EUROPE, RADIO ISRAEL AND THE B-B-C, COULD BE ESTABLISHING MORE THAN A PASSING PROTEST. [PRESIDENT] KHATAMI NEEDS THE SUPPORT OF THE REBELLIOUS STUDENTS AND THE UNITED STATES. HIS POSITION REMAINS TENUOUS. BUT THE AYATOLLAHS MUST BE WORRIED.

TEXT: THE NEW ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER, EHUD BARAK, VISITS WASHINGTON TODAY AND SEVERAL PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON THE NEW EMPHASIS TOWARD PEACE HIS ELECTION HAS ENGENDERED. HOWEVER IN WASHINGTON STATE, "THE TACOMA NEWS TRIBUNE" REMAINS CAUTIOUS:

VOICE: DESPITE THE PROMISING START BETWEEN [MR.] BARAK AND [PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY LEADER] ARAFAT, THE GOAL OF PEACE IS STILL MORE DISTANT THAN NEAR. OBSTACLES REMAIN. ... SUCH AS THE EXPLOSIVE QUESTION OF WHAT TO DO WITH ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS ON THE WEST BANK.

TEXT: OHIO'S "[AKRON] BEACON JOURNAL" SUMS UP:

VOICE: THE PEACE PROCESS HAS BEEN FILLED WITH FRUSTRATION. MOMENTS OF CREATIVENESS AND PROGRESS ARE ALMOST ALWAYS FOLLOWED BY SETBACKS AND VIOLENCE. WORTH KEEPING IN MIND ARE THE REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PAST TWO DECADES .... THERE IS A WEARINESS AMONG THE PLAYERS. WHAT EHUD BARAK BRINGS IS NEW ENERGY AND OPPORTUNITY.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" IS PLEASED AT THE EASING OF TENSION OVER THE BORDER DISPUTE IN KASHMIR BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN, BUT SAYS ONLY SELF-DETERMINATION FOR THE PEOPLE OF KASHMIR WILL TOTALLY DISSOLVE THE PROBLEM.

VOICE: ... THE UNITED STATES SEEKS TO JOIN WITH OTHERS TO INDUCE INDIANS AND PAKISTANIS TO GET BACK ON THE TRACK OF THE HOME-GROWN DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVE KNOWN AS THE 'LAHORE' PROCESS ... THE TRACK THE TWO COUNTRIES WERE CAREFULLY PURSUING UNTIL THEIR CONFRONTATION IN THE HIGH HIMALAYAS OVERTOOK THEM SIX WEEKS AGO.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" /// OPT /// ALSO /// END OPT /// DECRIES THE LACK OF ACTION, DESPITE ALL THE WORDS, OF HELP FOR SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, AND URGES PASSAGE OF THE AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT, WHICH IS WORKING ITS WAY THROUGH CONGRESS. THE POST WRITES:

VOICE: "OF COURSE, A MODEST TRADE BILL ISN'T ENOUGH TO RESCUE AFRICA'S POOREST NATIONS, MANY OF WHICH HARDLY HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENTER THE GLOBAL ECONOMY. THEY NEED AID AND DEBT RELIEF .... BUT EVEN THE POOREST COUNTRIES ALSO NEED SOME HOPE OF MOVING BEYOND AID DEPENDENCY. THE BILL IS A MODEST STEP TOWARD THAT GOAL.

TEXT: IN POLITICS, ONE OF THE MOST CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, SENATOR BOB SMITH OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, HAS QUIT THE PARTY AND BITTERLY CRITICIZED IT ON THE SENATE FLOOR. SAYS "THE WASHINGTON TIMES"

VOICE: ... THE FACT IS THAT MR. SMITH IS LEAVING AS A SORE LOSER. IF IT WERE GOP PRINCIPLES THAT SO INTERESTED HIM, MR. SMITH, A BONA FIDE CONSERVATIVE, WOULD HAVE REMAINED TO FIGHT FOR THOSE PRINCIPLES AMONG THE GRASSROOTS.... INSTEAD, HE BOLTED BEFORE THE FIRST STRAW POLL, BEFORE THE FIRST DEBATE, BEFORE THE FIRST CAUCUS, BEFORE THE FIRST PRIMARY.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON A TALE OF HEROISM AT THE SOUTH POLE, WHERE A U-S AIR FORCE JET HAS DROPPED MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO A WOMAN DOCTOR WHO MAY HAVE BREAST CANCER. SHE AND HER FELLOW SCIENTISTS ARE ISOLATED FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD FOR SEVERAL MORE MONTHS BECAUSE OF THE COLD AND DARKNESS. SAYS "THE BOSTON GLOBE:"

VOICE: THE DRAMA FOCUSES THE CIVILIZED WORLD ON THE CONVENIENCES IT TAKES FOR GRANTED AND ON THE FORTITUDE OF RESEARCHERS WHO GIVE THEM UP TO STUDY IN ONE OF THE MOST INHOSPITABLE PLACES ON EARTH.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/KL
15-Jul-99 11:40 AM EDT (1540 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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