Voice of America, 99-07-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO / DISARMING (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

[02] U-N / KOSOVO / U-S CRITICISM (L-ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[03] BILDT BALKANS (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[04] CLINTON/BALKANS (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[05] WORLD BANK / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

[06] CLINTON / IRELAND / AFRICA (L ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[07] SPAIN - BASQUE (L-ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[08] BRITAIN/ISRAEL (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

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

[10] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ERIKA EVANS (WASHINGTON)

[01] KOSOVO / DISARMING (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

INTRO: MEMBERS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY -- THE K-L-A -- HAVE UNTIL MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY LOCAL TIME (22 HOURS UTC) TO HAND IN ALL THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS. TIM BELAY REPORTS FROM PRISTINA ON THE PROGRESS OF DEMILITARIZING THE K-L-A.

TEXT: WEDNESDAY MARKS THE END OF THE FIRST ONE-THIRD OF THE THREE MONTH TIME PERIOD SET ASIDE FOR DEMILITARIZING THE K-L-A. WHEN MIDNIGHT COMES, STEPS FOR THE INCREASED TURNING IN OF WEAPONS AND UNIFORMS WILL COME INTO PLAY (EFFECT).

THIS NEW STAGE OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN NATO AND THE K-L-A REQUIRES THE REBEL ARMY TO GIVE UP ALL WEAPONS, EXCEPT FOR AUTOMATIC SMALL ARMS. OVER THE REMAINING TWO MONTHS OF THE PLAN THEY WILL EVENTUALLY BE REQUIRED TO HAND IN ALL OF THEIR WEAPONS.

THIS WEEK ALONE, NATO TROOPS HAVE UNCOVERED TWO ILLEGAL POLICE STATIONS THAT WERE BEING RUN BY UNIFORMED MEMBERS OF THE K-L-A. STILL, NATO SPOKESMEN INCLUDING LIEUTENANT COMMANDER LOUIS GARNEAU, SAY THE THREE MONTH PLAN FOR CLOSING DOWN THE K-L-A IS ON TRACK (ON SCHEDULE).

WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOW IS, I THINK, CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES, WHICH ARE LEADING UP TO K-PLUS 90, AROUND THE 20TH OF SEPTEMBER WHEN THAT WILL ESSENTIALLY WILL BE THE DATE WHEN THE U-C-K (I.E. THE K-L-A) WILL BE DEMILITARIZED. THEIR UNIFORMS AND THEIR INSIGNIAS WILL BE OFF, AND THEIR WILL BE NO MORE WEAPONS, AND ALL THE WEAPONS WILL BE IN THE WEAPONS STORAGE SITE.

NATO SAYS INCIDENTS LIKE THE DISCOVERY OF ILLEGAL K-L-A POLICE OPERATIONS ARE FORMALLY REPORTED TO LEADERS OF THE ORGANIZATION, WHO THEN ARE REQUIRED TO GIVE THE ALLIANCE A FULL ACCOUNTING. ACCORDING TO NATO, THE TROUBLE IS OFTEN WITH PEOPLE WEARING K-L-A UNIFORMS WHO VIOLATE TERMS OF THE DEMILITARIZATION PLAN BUT ARE ACTING INDEPENDENTLY OF ANY COMMANDERS. (SIGNED)
NEB/TB/GE
21-Jul-99 9:03 AM EDT (1303 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] U-N / KOSOVO / U-S CRITICISM (L-ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS IS (WEDNESDAY) DEFENDING ITS ROLE IN SECURITY OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO. THE MOVE FOLLOWS CHARGES FROM SENIOR U-S MILITARY OFFICIALS THAT THE INTERNATIONAL BODY IS MOVING TOO SLOWLY TO ESTABLISH A CIVILIAN POLICE FORCE IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. MORE FROM OUR U-N CORRESPONDENT, MAX RUSTON.

TEXT: THE FIRST OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO THE U-S CRITICISM CAME FROM JOHN RUGGIE, SPECIAL ADVISOR TO U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN.

MR. RUGGIE SAYS THE U-N CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATION IN KOSOVO IS GRADUALLY DEPLOYING CIVILIAN POLICE OFFICERS IN THE PROVINCE. HE REJECTS CHARGES FROM U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN THAT THE DEPLOYMENT SHOULD BE MOVING FASTER. HE SAYS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS SPECIFY IT IS UP TO THE NATO-LED FORCE -- "K-FOR" -- TO LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR FULL DEPLOYMENT, BY FIRST ESTABLISHING A SECURE ENVIRONMENT.

IT IS THE EXPECTATION THAT PUBLIC SAFETY WILL EXIST BEFORE WE ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICING. THAT WAS THE ASSUMPTION THAT WAS PROGRAMMED INTO THE [SECURITY COUNCIL] RESOLUTION. THERE IS NOT A SPECIFIC TIMELINE FOR US TO ASSUME THESE RESPONSIBILITIES. OUR ASSUMPTION OF THESE RESPONSIBILITIES IS DETERMINED BY THE FACTS ON THE GROUND. THEY COULD HAPPEN TOMORROW, OR THEY COULD HAPPEN A YEAR FROM NOW. IT IS THE FACTS ON THE GROUND: "DOES A SECURE ENVIRONMENT EXIST, AND IS IT SUFFICIENT FOR US TO ASSUME THE POLICING FUNCTIONS?"

THE UNITED NATIONS EXPECTS TO EVENTUALLY DEPLOY ABOUT THREE THOUSAND CIVILIAN POLICE OFFICERS IN KOSOVO. THE OFFICERS, FROM A VARIETY OF DONOR NATIONS, WILL SERVE IN AN INTERIM CAPACITY WHILE A PERMANENT LOCAL POLICE FORCE IS CREATED. LESS THAN 200 OFFICERS IN THE INTERIM FORCE HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED SO FAR.

SECURITY CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM IN KOSOVO SINCE YUGOSLAV FORCES WITHDREW FROM THE PROVINCE. U-N OFFICIALS SAY INCIDENTS OF ROBBERY AND ETHNICALLY-MOTIVATED ASSAULTS ARE AMONG THE CRIMES THAT ARE MOST COMMON. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/WTW
21-Jul-99 3:04 PM EDT (1904 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BILDT BALKANS (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: A SENIOR U-N OFFICIAL WARNS OF FURTHER INSTABILITY IN THE BALKANS, IF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY DOES NOT LIVE UP TO ITS PROMISES OF FINANCIAL AID. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE OFFICIAL SAYS HE IS AFRAID DONOR GOVERNMENTS LACK THE POLITICAL WILL TO REMAIN IN THE BALKANS FOR THE LONG-HAUL.

TEXT: THE SPECIAL U-N REPRESENTATIVE TO THE BALKANS, CARL BILDT, SAYS WHILE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MAY HAVE WON THE WAR IN KOSOVO, IT WILL SURELY LOSE THE PEACE IF THE PRESSING NEEDS OF THE REGION ARE IGNORED. NOTING THE HISTORY OF INSTABILITY IN THE REGION AND THE FACT THAT THE ASSASSINATION OF ARCHDUKE FERDINAND IN SARAJEVO SPARKED THE BEGINNING OF WORLD WAR ONE, MR. BILDT WARNS UNLESS THIS PATTERN OF CRISIS AND INSTABILITY IN THE REGION IS BROKEN, SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES ARE LIKELY.

THERE IS A NEED TO GO FROM WORDS TO DEEDS AND TO HELP DIFFERENT GOVERNMENTS AND DIFFERENT STATES OF THE REGION. AND IT IS ONLY BY DOING THAT, THAT WE CAN PROVIDE STABILITY AND ALSO PROVIDE THE POSSIBILITY FOR LONG-TERM SETTLEMENT OF THE KOSOVO CONFLICT IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

THE U-N REPRESENTATIVE SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CANNOT IGNORE SERBIA AS IT HELPS REHABILITATE THE BALKANS. HE SAYS SERBIA'S ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL FABRIC IS COLLAPSING, COMING APART EVEN BEFORE THE NATO BOMBING. MR. BILDT SAYS SERBIA HAS DONE LESS THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE REGION TO REFORM ITS ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL STRUCTURES.

IF THERE IS NOT THAT FUNDAMENTAL REFORM -- POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC -- OF SERBIA, WE WILL NOT SEE STABILITY IN SERBIA, WE WILL NOT SEE STABILITY IN THE REGION, BECAUSE SERBIA IS THE CORE STATE OF THE REGION. AND THESE REFORM DEMANDS GO WELL BEYOND JUST THE QUESTION OF (YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN) MILOSEVIC.

U-N BALKANS REPRESENTATIVE CARL BILDT WARNS THAT FAILURE TO REFORM AND MODERNIZE SERBIA MEANS THE COUNTRY WILL CONTINUE TO BE UNSTABLE. AND THIS, HE SAYS, WILL HAVE AN EFFECT FOR OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/PCF/KL
21-Jul-99 11:13 AM EDT (1513 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CLINTON/BALKANS (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS HE HOPES NEXT WEEK'S SARAJEVO MEETING ON BALKANS DEVELOPMENT WILL YIELD CONCRETE COMMITMENTS TO TIE THE WAR-TORN REGION TOGETHER AND CLOSER TO EUROPE. MR. CLINTON WILL ATTEND THE ONE DAY SUMMIT JULY 30TH ALONG WITH LEADERS AND DELEGATES FROM ABOUT 30 OTHER COUNTRIES. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS PUTTING HEAVY EMPHASIS ON THE SARAJEVO SUMMIT WHICH WILL ATTRACT DOZENS OF WORLD LEADERS AND ANTICIPATED PLEDGES OF HUNDREDS OF MILLION DOLLARS IN RECONSTRUCTION AID IN THE WAKE OF THE KOSOVO CONFLICT.

THE PRESIDENT IS MAKING THE ONE-DAY TRIP TO THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL TO UNDERSCORE THE U-S COMMITMENT. HE TOLD REPORTERS AT HIS NEWS CONFERENCE (WEDNESDAY) IT IS THE KIND OF INITIATIVE THAT CAN FINALLY BRING STABILITY TO THE REGION:

I DO NOT BELIEVE WE CAN ACHIEVE THE FUTURE WE WANT IN THE BALKANS AND AVOID FUTURE ETHNIC CONFLICTS UNLESS THERE IS A UNIFYING VISION WHICH BOTH BRINGS THE BALKAN STATES CLOSER TOGETHER IN THEIR ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SELF-INTEREST, AND THEN BRINGS THE REGION AS A WHOLE CLOSER TO EUROPE. SO I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME INCENTIVES TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION.

MR. CLINTON SAID HE AND HIS ADVISERS HAD NOT YET DISCUSSED IN DETAIL U-S PLEDGES FOR THE SUMMIT BUT HE MADE CLEAR THERE WOULD BE NO AID OFFERED TO THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT -- BEYOND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE -- AS LONG AS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC REMAINS IN POWER.

HE SAID THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD, IN EFFECT, "REWARD MR. MILOSEVIC'S POLITICAL CONTROL" AND SAID HE DOES NOT EXPECT ANY BIG DIFFERENCES OF OPINION ON THAT AMONG THE SUMMIT PARTIES. EARLIER, THE STATE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED A 61-MILLION DOLLAR U-S DONATION TO THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY, THE VAST MAJORITY OF IT EARMARKED FOR KOSOVO RELIEF. (SIGNED)
NEB/DG/TVM/GM
21-Jul-99 6:37 PM EDT (2237 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] WORLD BANK / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THE PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD BANK SAYS THE INSTITUTION IS PREPARED TO RAISE AND SPEND 50-MILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS TO HELP START THE REBUILDING OF KOSOVO. TIM BELAY HAS THIS REPORT FROM PRISTINA.

TEXT: WORLD BANK PRESIDENT JAMES WOLFENSOHN SAYS THERE IS A SENSE OF URGENCY TO WHAT IS SEEN AS THE MOST PRESSING PROBLEM IN KOSOVO, REBUILDING HOMES BEFORE THE START OF WINTER. MR. WOLFENSOHN APPEARED BEFORE REPORTERS (WEDNESDAY) AS PART OF HIS FIRST VISIT TO THE PROVINCE FOLLOWING THE WAR.

THERE IS MUCH TALK ABOUT THE DAMAGE TO HOMES. NEW ESTIMATES BASED ON SATELLITE PHOTOS INDICATE 60-THOUSAND HOUSES IN KOSOVO NEED NEW ROOFING. THOSE ESTIMATES DO NOT INCLUDE THE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN GUTTED BY FIRE.

MR. WOLFENSOHN SAYS THE SCHOOLS WILL PLAY A BIG ROLE IN TRYING TO REPAIR ANOTHER TYPE OF DAMAGE IN KOSOVO.

THIS PARTICULAR DAMAGE IS NOT ONLY PHYSICAL DAMAGE, IT'S MENTAL DAMAGE, AND DAMAGE WITH KIDS, AND THE ABILITY TO GET THEM INTO SCHOOLS AND AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN TALK OUT THEIR PROBLEMS (I.E. IS IMPORTANT). AND I WENT TO A SCHOOL THIS MORNING WHERE 20 PERCENT OF THE CHILDREN DON'T KNOW WHERE THEIR FAMILIES ARE.

BERNARD KOUCHNER HEADS UP THE UNITED NATIONS INTERIM GOVERNMENT IN KOSOVO. APPEARING (WEDNESDAY) WITH THE WORLD BANK PRESIDENT, MR. KOUCHNER MADE AN EMOTIONAL PLEA FOR MONEY TO PAY THE PEOPLE WHO WORK IN ESSENTIAL PUBLIC JOBS.

TO PICK UP THE GARBAGE IN THE STREETS, FOR ONE DAY, TWO DAYS, THREE DAYS, O-K YOU CAN COUNT ON SOME VOLUNTEERS. BUT AFTER (THAT), THE MAN WHO IS IN CHARGE OF A FAMILY, HE HAS TO BE PAID, OTHERWISE HE WILL GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO FIND MONEY TO HELP HIS FAMILY.

THE WORLD BANK AND THE UNITED NATIONS AGREE ON SEVERAL IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES FOR KOSOVO. THESE INCLUDE STRENGTHENING SERVICES, LIKE UTILITIES AND FIRE PROTECTION. AND REVIVING BANKING AND COMMERCE AND GIVING AGRICULTURAL CREDITS, INCLUDING FUNDING FOR FARMERS TO REPLACE THE HUNDREDS OF LIVESTOCK KILLED BY LAND MINES. (SIGNED)
NEB/TB/GE/KL
21-Jul-99 12:38 PM EDT (1638 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] CLINTON / IRELAND / AFRICA (L ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: (AT HIS NEWS CONFERENCE,) PRESIDENT CLINTON DEFENDED HIS ADMINISTRATION'S HEAVY INVOLVEMENT IN THE SEARCH FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND, AND SAID HE IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT A SOLUTION DESPITE THE LATEST BREAKDOWN IN THE PEACE PROCESS. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THE PRESIDENT SAYS HE IS VERY DISAPPOINTED IN LAST WEEK'S BREAKDOWN OF EFFORTS TO FORM A NEW ALL-PARTY GOVERNMENT IN NORTHERN IRELAND. BUT HE SAYS NEITHER THE PROTESTANT NOR ROMAN CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES WANTS TO ABANDON THE GOOD-FRIDAY PEACE PROCESS AND THAT IT IS HIS "INSTINCT" THAT A FINAL SETTLEMENT CAN STILL BE WORKED OUT.

MR. CLINTON MADE THE COMMENTS AT HIS NEWS CONFERENCE IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION ON WHETHER HIS ADMINISTRATION WAS SPENDING DISPROPORTIONATE TIME AND ATTENTION ON NORTHERN IRELAND, WHILE ACTIVE AND MORE BLOODY CONFLICTS ARE UNDERWAY IN AFRICA AND ELSEWHERE.

THE PRESIDENT, WHO IS HIMSELF OF PARTIAL IRISH ANCESTRY, SAID THERE IS NO BIGGER ETHNIC GROUP IN THE UNITED STATES THAN THE IRISH AND NO STRONGER PARTNER FOR AMERICA IN WORLD AFFAIRS THAN BRITAIN:

WE'RE TIED BY BLOOD AND EMOTION TO THE IRISH STRUGGLE. I ALSO THINK THAT IT HAS ENORMOUS SYMBOLISM BEYOND THE SIZE OF THE COUNTRY AND THE NUMBER WHO HAVE DIED. AND IF IT CAN BE RESOLVED, I THINK IT WOULD GIVE GREAT IMPETUS TO THE FORCES OF PEACE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. SO I DON'T BELIEVE FOR A MOMENT THAT WE MADE A MISTAKE.

MR. CLINTON SAID HE HAS TRIED TO INVOLVE THE UNITED STATES MORE IN AFRICA, AND HE LISTED SEVERAL ADMINISTRATION POLICY INITIATIVES THERE INCLUDING EFFORTS PREVENT WAR BETWEEN ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA AND MEDIATION BY HIS SPECIAL ENVOY TO AFRICA, JESSE JACKSON, IN SIERRA LEONE:

REVEREND JACKSON PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN TRYING TO END THE AWFUL CARNAGE IN SIERRA LEONE. AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT. AND WE ARE NOW WORKING, AND ARE ABLE TO WORK WITH NIGERIA TO TRY TO STABILIZE THE REGION. WE ARE TRAINING AFRICAN MILITARIES IN THE AFRICA CRISIS RESPONSE CORPS SO THAT WE CAN HOPEFULLY PREVENT FURTHER CARNAGE. SO I BELIEVE THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE MORE INVOLVED IN AFRICA.

THE PRESIDENT SAID THE ADMINISTRATION INITIATIVE -- ANNOUNCED BY VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE THIS WEEK -- TO COMMIT AN ADDITIONAL 100-MILLION-DOLLARS TO THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS IN AFRICA -- MAY THE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THE UNITED STATES CAN DO SAVE LIVES THERE. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/GM
21-Jul-99 5:56 PM EDT (2156 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] SPAIN - BASQUE (L-ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: SPAIN HAS RELEASED 22 FORMER LEADERS OF HERRI BATASUNA -- THE POLITICAL WING OF THE BASQUE SEPARATIST GUERRILLA MOVEMENT, KNOWN AS "ETA" [PRON: 'EH-TUH]. THE MEN HAD BEEN SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IN JAIL FOR USING A VIDEO OF ARMED ETA GUERRILLAS DURING THEIR 1996 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION CAMPAIGN. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN TALKED WITH A HERRI BATASUNA LEADER ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE RELEASE.

TEXT: THE HEAD OF THE PARTY'S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, ESTHER AGIRRE, SAYS THE RELEASE SIGNALS A RECOGNITION THAT THE BASQUE SOVEREIGNTY DISPUTE SHOULD BE RESOLVED THROUGH POLITICAL MEANS, RATHER THAN BY ARMED STRUGGLE.

THE NEW POLITICAL SITUATION WE LIVE IN RIGHT NOW AFTER 10 MONTHS IS WHERE POLITICAL PARTIES, TRADE UNIONS, SOCIAL MOVEMENTS, CATHOLIC CHURCH AND EVEN THE BUSINESSMEN ARE DEMANDING A POLITICAL SOLUTION. SO I THINK IN THAT SENSE WE'RE MAKING REAL PROGRESS.

THIS STRATEGY HAS CONVINCED ALL NATIONALISTS AND PROGRESSIVE PEOPLE THAT THE ONLY REAL SOLUTION FOR THIS POLITICAL CONFLICT IS WORKING TOGETHER, AND MAKING POLITICAL PROPOSALS, AND TRYING TO GIVE BIRTH TO A NEW POLITICAL SCENARIO WHERE BASQUE CITIZENS CAN DECIDE ON THEIR OWN THEIR FUTURE.

SPAIN'S PRIME MINISTER JOSE MARIA AZNAR HAS TOLD SPANISH RADIO HE RESPECTS THE COURT'S DECISION LATE TUESDAY TO RELEASE THE POLITICIANS. THE COURT HAS RULED IT UNCONSTITUTIONAL TO JAIL THE 22 HERRI BATASUNA MEMBERS FOR HAVING LINKS TO THE ETA GUERRILLAS.

MISS AGIRRE COMPLAINS THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT STILL RELIES ON WHAT SHE CALLS A SECURITY SOLUTION TO A POLITICAL PROBLEM. SHE CALLS FOR THE RELEASE OF MORE THAN 600 OTHER BASQUE SEPARATISTS FROM SPANISH AND FRENCH PRISONS.

LAST YEAR HERRI BATASUNA PARTY CHANGED ITS NAME TO MARK A CLEAN BREAK FROM THE PAST AND NAMED A MORE MODERATE LEADERSHIP. THE GUERRILLA MOVEMENT ETA ALSO DECLARED A CEASE-FIRE. THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT HAS CALLED ON ETA TO RENOUNCE VIOLENCE ALTOGETHER AND MAKE ITS CEASE-FIRE INDEFINITE.

THERE IS SOME EXPECTATION NOW THAT THE CEASE-FIRE COULD BE EXTENDED, SINCE THE RELEASE OF THE POLITICIANS WAS A KEY DEMAND BY BASQUE SEPARATIST LEADERS IN TALKS WITH THE GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF/WTW
21-Jul-99 9:06 AM EDT (1306 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] BRITAIN/ISRAEL (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: ON HIS WAY HOME FROM A SUCCESSFUL TRIP TO WASHINGTON, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER EHUD BARAK STOPPED IN LONDON FOR A BRIEF CHAT WITH HIS BRITISH COUNTERPART TO BRIEF HIM ON ISRAEL'S NEW GOVERNMENT POLICIES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN HAS MORE FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE BREAKFAST MEETING IS SEEN AS A GET-ACQUAINTED SESSION FOR MR BARAK AND PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR. THE NEW ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER HAS BRIEFED MR BLAIR ON HIS PLANS TO GET THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE TALKS BACK ON TRACK, NOT ONLY WITH THE PALESTINIANS BUT ALSO WITH SYRIA AND LEBANON.

MR BLAIR EXPRESSED HIS SATISFACTION WITH MR BARAK'S EXPRESSED DESIRE TO DO SO AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

AND I THINK WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY. THERE ARE A WHOLE SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT COME TOGETHER, NOT LEAST WITH THE ELECTION OF A NEW GOVERNMENT IN ISRAEL, THAT ALLOW US TO MOVE IT FORWARD.

FOR HIS PART, MR BARAK EMPHASIZED THE ROLE THAT EUROPE CAN PLAY IN SUPPORTING HIS PEACE EFFORTS -- BOTH POLITICALLY AND FINANCIALLY.

I BELIEVE THAT THE ROLE OF EUROPE, WITH GREAT BRITAIN AS A CENTRAL PLAYER IN IT, COULD BE TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF SUPPORT THAT WILL INCLUDE OUR ARAB PARTNERS AND ISRAEL IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE ANY ADVANCEMENT IS SOMEHOW WELL ACCEPTED BY THE WORLD COMMUNITY AND HELP THE EUROPEAN UNION DONORS TO KEEP SUPPORTING THE PEACE EFFORTS POLITICALLY AS WELL AS FINANCIALLY.

MR BARAK HAS PROMISED A FRAMEWORK FOR PEACE WITH THE PALESTINIANS, SYRIA AND LEBANON IN THE NEXT YEAR-AND-A-HALF. IN AN APPARENT GOOD-WILL GESTURE, SYRIA'S VICE PRESIDENT HAS CALLED ON RADICAL PALESTINIAN GROUPS BASED IN DAMASCUS TO LAY DOWN THEIR WEAPONS. (SIGNED)
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21-Jul-99 5:49 AM EDT (0949 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MODESTLY HIGHER TODAY (WEDNESDAY), BOUNCING BACK A BIT AFTER TUESDAY'S SELL-OFF. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED SIX POINTS, CLOSING AT 11-THOUSAND-TWO. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED UP TWO POINTS, AT 13-HUNDRED-79. AND THE TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN NASDAQ INDEX, FOLLOWING ITS THREE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT LOSS ON TUESDAY, GAINED ONE PERCENT.

THE TRADING DAY OVERALL WAS LACKLUSTER. ANALYSTS NOTE THERE IS GENERALLY A BIT OF APPREHENSION IN THE MARKET JUST BEFORE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD CHAIRMAN ALAN GREENSPAN SPEAKS TO THE U-S CONGRESS. MR. GREENSPAN VISITS CAPITOL HILL THURSDAY TO TALK ABOUT THE U-S ECONOMY.

THE LATEST ECONOMIC DATA SHOW NEW HOUSING CONSTRUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES WAS DOWN OVER FIVE PERCENT IN JUNE. BUT ECONOMISTS SAY THE NUMBERS WERE SO STRONG EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT THEY WERE VIRTUALLY UNSUSTAINABLE.

AMID SOME CONCERN THAT THE U-S STOCK MARKET MAY HAVE ALREADY SEEN ITS BEST DAYS THIS YEAR, ECONOMIST AND WALL STREET WATCHER DAVID ELIAS REMAINS OPTIMISTIC. HE SAYS ALL THE ECONOMIC SIGNS POINT TO A SUSTAINED UPWARD DIRECTION:

WE'VE SEEN TIMES LIKE THIS BEFORE (WHERE) WE HAD EXCELLENT GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY, WE HAD LOW UNEMPLOYMENT, LOW INTEREST RATES AND LOW INFLATION. I DON'T THINK THIS IS AN ANOMALY IN ANY WAY. JUST LOOK BACK AT HISTORY AND AGAIN IT WILL TELL YOU WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE ANOTHER FIVE TO 10 YEARS OF THIS WITHOUT TOO MUCH DISRUPTION. THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE NEVER GOING TO HAVE A BEAR MARKET. IT DOESN'T MEAN WE ARE NEVER GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER RECESSION. BUT THE LONG-TERM TREND IS DEFINITELY UP.

U-S CORPORATE EARNINGS REPORTS CONTINUE MOSTLY ON THE UP SIDE. THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK REPORTED EARNINGS WERE UP 30 PERCENT, WITH REVENUE GROWTH IN THE DOUBLE DIGITS ACROSS ALL ITS LINES OF BUSINESS.

DRUG GIANT ELI LILLY POSTED A 17 PERCENT GROWTH IN PROFITS. THE NUMBER SIX DRUG COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES SAYS SALES OF THE ANTI-DEPRESSANT DRUG PROZAC REBOUNDED DURING THE LAST QUARTER.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LEDGER, EXXON -- THE LARGEST U-S OIL COMPANY -- REPORTED A 25 PERCENT DROP IN ITS EARNINGS. EXXON SAYS STRONGER CRUDE OIL PRICES, WHICH HAD REBOUNDED FROM A 20-YEAR LOW, COULD NOT SAVE IT FROM WEAKER RETURNS ON ITS REFINING AND MARKETING BUSINESSES. AND, MEDICAL SUPPLIES-MAKER JOHNSON AND JOHNSON -- WHICH CAME IN WITH A GOOD EARNINGS REPORT THIS WEEK -- WILL PAY FOUR-POINT-NINE BILLION DOLLARS FOR CENTACOR, ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MORE PROFITABLE BIOTECHNOLOGY COMPANIES. THIS WILL BE JOHNSON AND JOHNSON'S BIGGEST ACQUISITION TO DATE. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/EJ/LSF/GM
21-Jul-99 4:46 PM EDT (2046 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ERIKA EVANS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE AFTERMATH OF ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES, A NEW LAW RESTRICTING GUN SALES AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM ARE AMONG THE MOST POPULAR ISSUES IN TODAY'S (WEDNESDAY'S) U-S NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL COLUMNS.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT MONEY AND REFLECTION ON THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE APOLLO MOON LANDING. NOW, HERE IS ___________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS, IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: ISRAEL'S NEW PRIME MINISTER EHUD BARAK ENDED HIS FIVE-DAY VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES ON MONDAY. MIRACULOUSLY, HE HAS PLEDGED TO SEEK A BREAKTHROUGH IN THE STALLED MIDEAST PEACE PROCESS WITHIN 15 MONTHS. FLORIDA'S "ORLANDO SENTINEL" COMMENTS THAT WHILE THIS TRIP HAS SET THE STAGE FOR PEACE, SECURING PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST WILL REQUIRE ALL PARTIES TO TAKE SOME RISKS.

VOICE: ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER EHUD BARAK MADE AN ENCOURAGING MOVE TOWARD JUMP-STARTING MIDDLE EAST PEACE DURING HIS UNITED STATES VISIT. ... HIS EFFORTS BREATHE FRESH AIR INTO NEGOTIATIONS AFTER THE STAGNANT AND CONTENTIOUS ADMINISTRATION OF FORMER ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU. ... [PRESIDENT] CLINTON PROMISED MORE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS ON DEFENSE MATTERS. ...AS ISRAEL TAKES RISKS FOR PEACE, IT MUST HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT IT CAN DEFEND ITSELF.

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, "THE SUN" OBSERVES THAT THE PRIME MINISTER'S 15-MONTH TIMETABLE FOR COMPLETING PEACE AGREEMENTS OFFERS PRESIDENT CLINTON A CHANCE TO MAKE HISTORY.

VOICE: AS IT HAPPENS, MR. BARAK'S ROUGH 15-MONTH TIMETABLE FOR COMPLETING PEACE AGREEMENTS WITH THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY AND WITH SYRIA FITS WITHIN THE REMAINING 18 MONTHS OF BILL CLINTON'S PRESIDENCY. MR. BARAK IS OFFERING MR. CLINTON A CHANCE TO GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE U-S PRESIDENT WHO BROUGHT PEACE TO THE MIDDLE EAST. MR CLINTON CAN HARDLY REFUSE.

TEXT: STILL, THE U-S PRESS SHOWS SOME CONCERN THAT THE ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER MAY BE TAKING TOO MUCH OF A GAMBLE: IF THE DEADLINE IS NOT MET, HE WILL BE SEEN TO HAVE FAILED. "THE SUN" AGREES.

VOICE: THE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES FOR ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS TO OVERCOME ARE DAUNTING. ... HE HAS RAISED EXPECTATIONS ALMOST TOO HIGH, BUT IT IS WHAT THE WORLD WANTED.

TEXT: ANOTHER POPULAR TOPIC IN U-S EDITORIALS IS A NEW LAW THAT HAS BEEN PASSED IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WHICH WILL BAN THE MANUFACTURE, IMPORT AND SALE OF SEMIAUTOMATIC RIFLES OR PISTOLS THAT CAN HOLD MORE THAN 10 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION. "THE HARTFORD COURANT" IN CONNECTICUT EXPLAINS THAT THE NEW GUN BAN MAKES SENSE.

VOICE: ANY LAW THAT AIMS TO CUT DOWN THE NUMBER OF GUNS AND LEVEL OF VIOLENCE IN AMERICA REPRESENTS PROGRESS. ... WE CAN'T THINK OF A PHILANTHROPIC USE FOR ASSAULT WEAPONS, SHORT OF POLICE OR MILITARY PROTECTION. AS FOR INCONVENIENCE, THE EXPERTS ARE THE FAMILIES OF THE 101 SHOOTING VICTIMS WHO WERE PRESENT AT THE BILL SIGNING.

TEXT: IN NEW YORK, THE "DAILY NEWS" COMMENTS THAT THE NEW CALIFORNIA LAW PROVIDES THE BEST ANSWER YET AND SHOWS THAT STATES ARE TAKING ACTION.

VOICE: CONGRESS IS SO DEEP IN THE POCKET OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION, [THAT] MEANINGFUL GUN CONTROL MUST TAKE PLACE IN THE STATES. ... THE PUBLIC IS CLAMORING FOR STIFF GUN CONTROL LAWS. IF THE CONGRESSIONAL BRANCH OF THE N-R-A CAN'T SEE FIT TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC, THE STATES MUST.

TEXT: CAMPAIGN-FINANCE REFORM IS STILL MAKING ITS WAVES IN U-S NEWS EDITORIALS. "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" TALKS ABOUT HOW AMERICANS ARE EFFECTING POLITICIANS TO MAKE MUCH NEEDED CHANGES.

VOICE: INSIDERS IN THE MONEY GAME ARE COUNTING ON PUBLIC APATHY, HOPING VOTERS WILL SHRUG OFF THE ATTENTION-GRABBING IDEAS OF THE [CAMPAIGN] REFORMERS. ... YEARS OF DO-NOTHING CHATTER ABOUT CAMPAIGN FINANCE IN CONGRESS HAVE FED PUBLIC CYNICISM ABOUT WHETHER CONGRESS WILL EVER CLEAN UP ITS ACT. BUT SUCH AN ATTITUDE ONLY REINFORCES AND REWARDS THE CYNICISM OF POLITICIANS WHO TALK ABOUT REFORM WHEN IT'S POLITICALLY CONVENIENT, BUT DISAPPEAR WHEN THE TOUGH ROLL CALLS COME.

TEXT: IN OTHER NEWS AROUND THE REGION, "U-S-A TODAY" DEBATES THE ISSUE OF THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT MONEY, POINTING OUT THAT FEW STATES ARE TARGETING SMOKING PREVENTION, WITH THE MONEY BEING REWARDED IN CASES AGAINST TOBACCO COMPANIES.

VOICE: A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, 22 STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL MADE IT CLEAR WHY THEY WERE EMBARKING ON A BOLD MISSION TO SUE THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY FOR HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THE NUMBER-ONE GOAL WAS "TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN" FROM DEADLY CIGARETTES, THEY SAID IN A MEMO. ... AS IT TURNS OUT, THAT PLEDGE WAS FAR EASIER TO MAKE THAN UPHOLD. ... AS THE STATE TREASURIES COUNT THEIR NEW-FOUND BILLIONS, THEY WOULD BE WISE TO REMEMBER FROM WHOM THEY RECEIVED THIS MONEY AND WHY THEY WERE AFTER IT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

TEXT: AND FINALLY, THE AMERICAN PRESS LOOKS BACK AT THE NOSTALGIA SURROUNDING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE APOLLO-11 SPACE MISSION THAT LANDED MEN ON THE MOON. "THE WASHINGTON POST" ADDS TO THE MEMORY OF THE MOMENT THAT STANDS OUT AMID THE COMMEMORATION:

VOICE: ANNIVERSARY COVERAGE WAS SWAMPED BY MEMORIAL COVERAGE OF [JOHN F. KENNEDY JUNIOR,] THE SON OF THE PRESIDENT WHO MADE THE MOON SHOT A SYMBOL OF AMERICAN AMBITION AND VIGOR. AND YET THE REGULAR OUT-POURINGS ON THESE FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARIES ARE A REMINDER THAT THE ROMANCE OF SPACE TRAVEL, MANNED OR UNMANNED, IS FAR FROM QUENCHED AND THAT THE MOON ITSELF, THOUGH PERIODICALLY HIDDEN, ALWAYS COMES BACK INTO VIEW.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM TODAY'S U-S EDITORIALS.
NEB/ENE/WTW
21-Jul-99 1:58 PM EDT (1758 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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