Voice of America Digest, 19 October 1995

From: yanni@ix.netcom.com (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] !!! VOA DIGEST - OCTOBER 19, 1995

BOSNIA / UN -- UN OFFICIALS IN BOSNIA HAVE ISSUED A 24-HOUR DEADLINE TO THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND BOSNIAN CROATS TO ALLOW UN OBSERVERS ACCESS TO THEIR TERRITORY TO MONITOR CEASE-FIRE COMPLIANCE. STRINGER DAVID FOLEY IN SARAJEVO REPORTS THE OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY BEEN PROMISED ACCESS WOULD BE GRANTED, BUT TEAMS OF OBSERVERS ARE BEING BLOCKED. (10/19)

PERRY / BOSNIA FORCE -- DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS HE BELIEVES CONGRESS WILL EVENTUALLY SUPPORT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PLAN TO COMMIT MORE THAN 20-THOUSAND US TROOPS TO IMPLEMENT A PEACE ACCORD IN BOSNIA. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTED FROM THE PENTAGON, INITIAL CONGRESSIONAL REACTION HAS BEEN NEGATIVE. (10/19)

YUGO TALKS -- INTERNATIONAL PEACE ENVOYS ARE HOLDING MORE TALKS WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, IN BELGRADE. EARLIER, IN ZAGREB, CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN GAVE ASSURANCES THAT A GOVERNMENT ATTACK ON REBEL SERB-HELD EASTERN SLAVONIA IS NOT IMMINENT. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS. (10/19)

YUGO / WAR CRIMES -- THE TOP US HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIAL SAYS THE BOSNIAN SERBS APPEAR TO HAVE COMMITTED WAR CRIMES DURING THEIR LATEST ETHNIC CLEANSING CAMPAIGN IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. HE SAYS THE SERBS MAY HAVE MURDERED HUNDREDS OF MUSLIM CIVILIANS. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS. (10/19)

FRANCE / BOSNIA -- FRANCE HAS REJECTED A BOSNIAN-SERB CLAIM THAT TWO FRENCH PILOTS HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED FROM A HOSPITAL IN A SERB-HELD AREA OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. STRINGER JULIAN NUNDY REPORTED FROM PARIS THE PILOTS WERE SHOT DOWN OVER BOSNIA SIX WEEKS AGO. (10/19)

CLINTON / BOSNIA -- PRESIDENT CLINTON AND TOP ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS WERE BRIEFED WEDNESDAY BY THE TOP NATO MILITARY COMMANDER IN EUROPE ON PLANS FOR A PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA. THE BRIEFING CAME AS ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS CONTINUED MAKING THEIR CASE FOR A US PRESENCE IN THAT FORCE. CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS. (10/18)

US / BOSNIA / PEACEKEEPING -- PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PLAN TO SEND US TROOPS TO HELP IMPLEMENT A BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD IS ENCOUNTERING HEAVY RESISTANCE IN CONGRESS. TOP ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICIALS SPENT A SECOND DAY IN CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS WEDNESDAY TRYING TO SELL THE PLAN. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS. (10/18)

CHRISTOPHER / AIR BASE -- THE BOSNIA PEACE TALKS WILL OPEN OCTOBER 31ST AT THE WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OUTSIDE DAYTON, OHIO. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS ON HOW THE SITE IS SUPPOSED TO INFLUENCE THE PEACE TALKS. (10/18)

BOSNIA / FRENCH PILOTS -- BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC SAYS TWO FRENCH PILOTS WHO WERE BEING HELD BY THE SERBS HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED. HE CLAIMS HE DOES NOT KNOW WHO KIDNAPPED THEM OR WHY. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS. (10/18)

RUSSIA / YELTSIN / NATO -- RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN SAYS HE WILL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO PREVENT NATO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FROM BEING DEPLOYED IN EASTERN EUROPE. CORRESPONDENT PETER COLLINS REPORTS MR YELTSIN IS ALSO RULING OUT RUSSIAN TROOPS FROM SERVING UNDER NATO COMMAND IN A BOSNIA PEACEKEEPING FORCE. (10/18)

RUSSIA / KOZYREV -- RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN SAYS HE INTENDS TO DISMISS FOREIGN MINISTER, ANDREI KOZYREV. CORRESPONDENT PETER COLLINS REPORTS FROM MOSCOW, MR YELTSIN'S ACTION APPEARS TO BE A RESPONSE TO PRESSURE FROM RUSSIAN NATIONALISTS IN ADVANCE OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN DECEMBER. (10/19)

RUSSIA / COMMUNISTS -- FOUR-YEARS AGO, A RETURN TO COMMUNIST RULE IN RUSSIA WOULD HAVE BEEN UNTHINKABLE. BUT TODAY, COMMUNISTS ARE POISED FOR A COMEBACK. WITH ELECTIONS TWO MONTHS AWAY, POLLS SHOW THE COMMUNISTS ARE FAVORED TO BECOME THE LEADING FORCE IN RUSSIA'S NEXT PARLIAMENT. STRINGER PETER HEINLEIN IN MOSCOW REPORTS THAT RUSSIA'S COMMUNIST PARTY LEADER HAS EMBARKED ON A CAMPAIGN TO WIN THE CONFIDENCE OF WESTERN INVESTORS. (10/19)

SYRIA / PALESTINIANS -- THE MAJORITY OF SOME 650 PALESTINIANS STRANDED ABOARD A CAR FERRY OFF THE CYPRUS COAST HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO GO TO SYRIA. THE GROUP IS AMONG SEVERAL THOUSAND PALESTINIANS KICKED OUT OF LIBYA IN THE PAST MONTH AS PART OF COLONEL MUAMMAR GADHAFI'S OPPOSITION TO THE PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI PEACE AGREEMENTS. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM CAIRO. (10/19)

NEW PLANET -- US ASTRONOMERS HAVE CONFIRMED THE FIRST KNOWN INSTANCE OF A PLANET ORBITING ANOTHER STAR LIKE OUR SUN. BUT SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT DAVID MCALARY SAYS IT IS PROBABLY NOT HOSPITABLE TO LIFE. (10/19)

LEBANON POLITICS -- THE LEBANESE PARLIAMENT VOTED THURSDAY TO EXTEND THE PRESIDENTIAL TERM OF PRESIDENT ELIAS HRAWI, DESPITE STRONG PUBLIC OPPOSITION. STRINGER EDWARD YERANIAN REPORTS FROM BEIRUT THAT SYRIA LOBBIED INTENSELY TO KEEP THE PRESIDENT IN OFFICE. (10/19)

IVORY COAST POLITICS -- OPPOSITION GROUPS IN IVORY COAST SAY THEY WILL TRY TO DISRUPT SUNDAY'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, FOLLOWING A CAMPAIGN ALREADY MARRED BY VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS. CORRESPONDENT PURNELL MURDOCK REPORTS FROM ABIDJAN. (10/19)

KENYA / TURKANA TRIP -- FOR MUCH OF THIS CENTURY, THE TURKANA DISTRICT OF NORTHWESTERN KENYA WAS CLOSED TO ALL OUTSIDE VISITORS BY BRITISH COLONIAL AUTHORITIES. THAT HAS NOW CHANGED. STILL, FEW OUTSIDERS TRAVEL WILLINGLY INTO WHAT IS LARGELY A VOLCANIC DESERT WASTELAND OF UNRELENTING HEAT, WIND-WHIPPED DUST, AND FIVE-METER TALL TERMITE MOUNDS. EAST AFRICA CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA FOUND THIS KIND OF INHOSPITABLE PLACE ENCHANTING AND FILED THIS REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK TO EXPLAIN WHY. (10/19)

BHUTTO ANNIVERSARY -- AS PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER BENAZIR BHUTTO MARKS HER SECOND YEAR IN OFFICE, POLITICAL OBSERVERS SAY MANY OF THE COUNTRY'S SERIOUS PROBLEMS HAVE GROWN WORSE. MEANWHILE, THE OPPOSITION MUSLIM LEAGUE, CALLED A DAY OF PROTEST ON THE ANNIVERSARY. IN A BACKGROUND REPORT CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN REVIEWS WHAT ANALYSTS AND EDITORIAL WRITERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE BHUTTO ADMINISTRATION. (10/19)

EURO MONEY -- HUNGARY IS SAID TO BE CLOSE TO SATISFYING INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND CONDITIONS FOR A NEW LOAN. PRAGUE CORRESPONDENT BARRY WOOD REPORTS THAT OTHER COUNTRIES LIKE UKRAINE, RUSSIA, ROMANIA, AND BULGARIA ALSO NEED IMF MONEY BUT HAVE YET TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE MULTI-LATERAL LENDER. (10/19)

NATO EXPANSION -- FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER ZBIGNIEW BRZEZINSKI SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS NOT MOVING FORCEFULLY ENOUGH TO PERSUADE NATO TO EXPAND EASTWARD. HE MADE THE COMMENTS ON CAPITOL HILL AT AN INTERNATIONAL FORUM ORGANIZED BY INDIANA UNIVERSITY. STRINGER MICHELE KELEMEN REPORTS ANOTHER PROFESSOR TOOK ISSUE WITH THIS ASSESSMENT. HE URGED US POLICY MAKERS TO MOVE SLOWLY. (10/18)

RUSSIA / NATO EXPANSION -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' FRANK RONALDS LOOKS AT SOME OF THE ISSUES SURROUNDING THE OCTOBER 23RD SUMMIT BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN, LOOKING SPECIFICALLY AT THE QUESTION OF NATO EXPANSION AND THE RELATED MATTER OF POSSIBLE RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION IN ENFORCING THE PEACE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. (10/19)

SENATE / CUBA SANCTIONS -- A BILL TO TIGHTEN ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON CUBA APPEARS HEADED FOR PASSAGE IN THE US SENATE, BUT IN WATERED-DOWN FORM. REPUBLICANS DROPPED THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL PART OF THE PLAN, IN A SUCCESSFUL EFFORT TO BREAK A LEGISLATIVE STALEMATE. CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN REPORTS. (10/18)

SENATE / CUBA -- REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS HAVE AGREED TO WEAKEN A PLAN TO TOUGHEN THE TRADE EMBARGO ON CUBA IN HOPES OF MOVING THE BILL THROUGH THE US SENATE. THE PROPOSAL WOULD STILL URGE THE PRESIDENT TO SEEK NEW SANCTIONS ON CUBA AND CUT FOREIGN AID TO FORMER SOVIET STATES THAT ASSIST CUBA'S GOVERNMENT. CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN REPORTS. (10/18)

CASTRO / VISA -- THE UNITED STATES HAS GIVEN CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO A VISA TO ATTEND THE CELEBRATIONS MARKING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED NATIONS. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS. (10/18)

HONDURAS / ARREST -- HONDURAS' JUDICIAL POLICE FORCE HAS ASKED THE MILITARY TO TURN OVER THREE OFFICERS WHO HAVE REFUSED TO TESTIFY IN COURT ON THEIR ALLEGED ROLE IN THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SIX STUDENTS DURING THE 1980'S. CORRESPONDENT BILL RODGERS REPORTS A WARRANT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THEIR ARREST. (10/18)

CONGRESS / BUDGET -- THE UNITED STATES TREASURY IS NEARING ITS DEBT LIMIT. THE ISSUE IS HANGING OVER WORK ON THE FEDERAL BUDGET. CORRESPONDENT PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS POLITICS AND THE DEBT CEILING HAVE BECOME INTERTWINED. (10/18)

CONGRESS / MEDICARE SCENESETTER -- MEMBERS OF THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ARE GETTING READY FOR A VOTE ON THE FATE OF MEDICARE, THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAM THAT SUBSIDIZES HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICANS AGE 65 AND OLDER. CORRESPONDENT PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS HOURS OF HEATED DEBATE ARE EXPECTED. (10/18)

CAMPAIGN '96 STATUS REPORT -- THE OFFICIAL START OF THE 1996 US PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IS FOUR MONTHS AWAY BUT THE RACE FOR THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION HAS BEEN UNDER WAY FOR MOST OF THIS YEAR AND IS NOW STARTING TO HEAT UP. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE BEGAN A WEEKLY LOOK AT THE 1996 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN WITH AN OVERVIEW OF WHERE THE MAJOR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES STAND AT THE MOMENT. (10/19)

CLINTON / RACE -- PRESIDENT CLINTON VIEWS MONDAY'S MILLION MAN MARCH BY AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN IN WASHINGTON AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LAUNCH A NATIONWIDE DEBATE ABOUT RACE RELATIONS. HE IS ENCOURAGED BY THE SPIRIT OF THOSE WHO TOOK PART, BUT CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN A SAFE POLITICAL DISTANCE FROM MARCH ORGANIZER NATION OF ISLAM LEADER LOUIS FARRAKHAN. CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS. (10/18)

NY ECON / STOCKS -- STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED WEDNESDAY AS THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED A BIG IMPROVEMENT IN THE US TRADE DEFICIT. CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS. (10/18)

CLINTON / AIDS -- PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL HOST THE FIRST WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME, OR AIDS, ON DECEMBER SIXTH. THE DISEASE AND THE HIV VIRUS THAT CAUSES IT WILL BE THE FOCUS OF THE CONFERENCE. CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS. (10/18)

CITY SPOTLIGHT / ATLANTIC CITY BOARDWALK -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' ANDREW BAROCH DESCRIBES THE LOOK AND FEEL OF ATLANTIC CITY'S (NEW JERSEY) FAMOUS BEACHFRONT BOARDWALK, YESTERDAY AND TODAY. (10/19)

CHILDREN / DEPRESSION -- PSYCHOLOGIST MARTIN SELIGMAN TELLS CURRENT AFFAIRS' CAROLYN WEAVER ABOUT HIS EXPERIMENTAL COGNITIVE SKILLS WORKSHOPS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA TEACHING STUDENTS AND CHILDREN TO "DISPUTE" THEIR OWN PESSIMISTIC THOUGHTS. HE CLAIMS IT'S THE FIRST PROGRAM EVER TO DEMONSTRABLY PREVENT A MAJOR MENTAL ILLNESS. AND IN HIS NEW BOOK, DR SELIGMAN PRESCRIBES HOW PARENTS CAN HELP PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN AGAINST THE PESSIMISM THAT IS STRONGLY LINKED TO TO DEPRESSION. (10/19)

BILL MCKIBBEN, ENVIRONMENTAL OPTIMIST -- THE VAST MAJORITY OF CLIMATE SCIENTISTS AGREE THAT GLOBAL WARMING IS INEVITABLE AND WILL HAVE SERIOUS ADVERSE AFFECTS. HOW IS THE PUBLIC SUPPOSED TO REACT TO SUCH A GLOOMY PREDICTION? BEYOND RECYCLING, IS THERE ANYTHING AVERAGE PEOPLE CAN DO TO REVERSE THE HARM SOCIETY HAS DONE TO THE PLANET? IN HIS NEW BOOK, "HOPE, HUMAN AND WILD", ENVIRONMENTAL WRITER BILL MCKIBBEN SAYS YES. AS CURRENT AFFAIRS' TERRI KEEFE REPORTS, MCKIBBEN OFFERS AN ANTIDOTE TO DESPAIR ABOUT THE STATE OF THE NATURAL WORLD. (10/19)

HEROES -- ACCORDING TO THE DICTIONARY, A HERO OR HEROINE IS ANYONE KNOWN FOR FEATS OF COURAGE OR NOBILITY OF PURPOSE, ESPECIALLY ANYONE WHO HAS RISKED OR SACRIFICED HIS OR HER LIFE. TODAY, HOWEVER, MOST PEOPLE WOULD EXPAND THAT DEFINITION CONSIDERABLY. CURRENT AFFAIRS' MARILYN SILVEY REPORTS ON VIEWS EXPRESSED ON A RECENT VOA 'TALK TO AMERICA' PROGRAM. (10/19)

BEIJING / FOLLOW UP -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' JANE KUCZYNSKI HAS TWO BEIJING FOLLOW UP FEATURES, "US VOICES IN BEIJING," A MONTAGE OF VOICES FROM THE US DELEGATION, ENDING WITH HILLARY CLINTON AND "BEIJING HOTLINE," A FEATURE ABOUT A TELEPHONE SERVICE FOR WOMEN WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR HEALTH, WEALTH AND HAPPINESS. (10/19)

NEW HIGH-TECH FARMING TOOL -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' ROB SIVAK PROFILES A NEW SATELLITE-AND-COMPUTER-BASED SYSTEM FOR MONITORING, MAPPING AND MANAGING FOREST AND FARMING RESOURCES. DEVELOPED BY US TIMBER GIANT, LOUISIANA-PACIFIC, THE "TERRA VISION" TECHNOLOGY PROMISES TO MAKE FARMING IN THE US AND OTHER COUNTRIES MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND PROFITABLE. (10/19)

WORLD SERIES -- MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL'S WORLD SERIES WILL OPEN SATURDAY IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA, SITE OF NEXT YEAR'S SUMMER OLYMPICS. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, THE COMPETING TEAMS HAD TO WIN TWO ROUNDS OF PLAYOFFS TO GET TO THE BEST-OF-SEVEN CHAMPIONSHIP. AND THE TWO TEAMS WITH THE BEST REGULAR SEASON RECORDS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE LEAGUES EMERGED VICTORIOUS. SPORTS EDITOR PARKE BREWER HAS DETAILS. (10/19)

INSIDE USA:

MILLION MAN MARCH / WOMEN -- STAFFER HULYA POLAT INTERVIEWED DR NILGUN ANADOLU OKUR, A TURKISH-AMERICAN PROFESSOR AT THE TEMPLE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES IN PHILADELPHIA. MS OKUR SAYS THE MILLION MAN MARCH ENERGIZED STUDENTS AT THE CENTER AND HELPED CREATE A VERY LIVELY ACADEMIC DEBATE ABOUT RACIAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES FACED BY AFRICAN-AMERICANS. SHE ALSO SAYS BLACK AMERICAN WOMEN IN THE PHILADELPHIA AREA WERE VERY ACTIVE IN HELPING WITH THE LOGISTICS OF THE MARCH SUCH AS PREPARING THOUSANDS OF CARE PACKAGES AND ARRANGING FOR BUS TRIPS. (TURKISH 10/19)

DINOSAURS / TALK TO AMERICA -- PAUL SERENO IS RECOGNIZED FOR MAKING SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DISCOVERIES IN PALEONTOLOGY IN RECENT YEARS. HE LED AN ARGENTINE EXPEDITION WHICH FOUND THE REMAINS OF THE MOST PRIMITIVE KNOWN DINOSAUR, A CREATURE THAT STALKED THE EARTH 228 MILLION YEARS AGO. MR. SERENO JOINS 'TALK TO AMERICA' TO DISCUSS HIS INDIVIDUAL FINDS, BUT ALSO WHAT HE CALLS THE MORE IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF HIS WORK, PIECING TOGETHER THE ENTIRE STORY OF DINOSAUR EVOLUTION AND EXTINCTION. (ENGLISH 10/19)

GORE ON US / RUSSIAN RELATIONS -- STAFFER ALEC BATCHAN REPORTS ABOUT VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE'S ADDRESS AT WEST POINT ON US-RUSSIAN RELATIONS. THE VICE PRESIDENT WARNED THAT US CUTBACKS IN AID TO RUSSIA COULD CONTRIBUTE TO INSTABILITY IN THE REGION. (RUSSIAN 10/18)

INDIAN POET / US CONFERENCE -- MS BRIJ MANASI, AN INDIAN POET FROM CHANDIGARH, TELLS STAFFER SUMAN GUPTA ABOUT HER UNPRECEDENTED EXPERIENCE ATTENDING THE INTERNATIONAL POETS CONFERENCE ORGANIZED BY INTERNATIONAL LITERARY SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. THREE THOUSAND POETS PARTICIPATED. (HINDI 10/18)

BANGLA EDUCATOR -- A LEADING WRITER, EDUCATOR, AND INTELLECTUAL OF BANGLADESH, PROFESSOR KABIR CHAUDHURY ATTENDED SEVERAL CONFERENCES OF ETHNIC BANGALEES IN CANADA AND THE US INCLUDING NORTH AMERICA BANGLADESH CONVENTION IN MONTREAL, AND A BANGLA LITERARY CONFERENCE IN NEW YORK. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER IQBAL BAHAR CHAUDHURY, PROFESSOR CHAUDHURY SPOKE ABOUT THE DRAMA MOVEMENT IN BANGLADESH, AND THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN HIS COUNTRY. (BANGLA 10/17 & 10/18)

IRANIAN POET -- M KHAKSAR, AN IRANIAN POET WHO WRITES IN THE MODERN STYLE CALLED SH'ER-I NOW, VISITED LOS ANGELES RECENTLY. STAFFER MOHAMMAD RAZAVI INTERVIEWED MR KHAKSAR ABOUT HIS IMPRESSIONS AND HIS POETRY. (FARSI 10/19)

HAUSA IN WISCONSIN -- HAUSA STAFFER IBRAHIM ALFA AHMED, ON ASSIGNMENT IN WISCONSIN, VISITED THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT MADISON AND INTERVIEWED JUANA DUDLEY, ONE OF THE AMERICAN LECTURERS TEACHING THE HAUSA LANGUAGE AT THE INSTITUTION. IBRAHIM HAS ALSO HIGHLIGHTED VARIOUS CULTURAL ASPECTS OF MADISON AS ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE US CITIES, RATED BY MONEY MAGAZINE AS THE FIFTH BEST PLACE TO LIVE. (HAUSA 10/19)

SAVE THE TIGER FUND -- REPORTER JOHN PITMAN TALKS TO AMOS ENO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION, ABOUT THE SAVE THE TIGER FUND. HE TALKS ABOUT HOW MANY TIGER SPECIES HAVE ALREADY GONE EXTINCT AND WHAT CONSERVATION EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY TO SAVE THE REMAINING ANIMALS. HOWEVER, HE SAYS PRESSURES ON THE TIGERS' HABITATS FROM HUMAN POPULATION GROWTH IS OUTPACING CONSERVATION EFFORTS. HE SAYS TO BE SUCCESSFUL, AN EFFORT MUST FOCUS MUCH OF ITS RESOURCES ON EDUCATING LOCAL POPULATIONS. HE ALSO TALKS ABOUT THE FIVE MILLION DOLLAR GRANT NFWF GOT FROM EXXON. HE SAYS ITS ABOUT TIME PRIVATE INDUSTRY GOT INVOLVED. (ENP 10/18)

INSIDE AFRICA:

BURUNDI / ARREST WARRANTS -- WARRANTS HAVE REPORTEDLY BEEN ISSUED IN BURUNDI FOR THE ARREST OF AT LEAST THREE HUTU HIGH OFFICIALS, INCLUDING THE FORMER FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER AND THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE SERVICES. THE LATTER, AUDIFAX NDABI-TOREYE CONFIRMED TO STAFFER SAMUEL KIENDREBEOGO HE HAS BEEN SERVED WITH AN ARREST WARRANT. STAFFER FERDINAND FERELLA INTERVIEWED THE PRIME MINISTER OF BURUNDI, ANTOINE NDWAYO WHO SAID AN INVESTIGATION INTO CORRUPTION CHARGES IS UNDER WAY BUT NO WARRANTS HAVE YET BEEN ISSUED. (FRENCH 10/18)

IVORY COAST / POLITICS -- STRINGER MOHAMED ELBOU REPORTS FROM ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD AS SCHEDULED THIS SUNDAY, ACCORDING TO LAURENT FOLOGO, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE PDCI PARTY. SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, MR FOLOGO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WILL GO FORWARD WITH THE ELECTIONS DESPITE THE OPPOSITION'S EFFORTS TO DERAIL THE PROCESS. (FRENCH 10/18)

IVORY COAST / PRESS -- THE RECENT FIREBOMBING IN IVORY COAST OF THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE MEDIA GROUP MEDIAS NOUVEL HORIZON WAS BLAMED BY ABDOU DRAMANE SANGARE ON THE PDCI RULING PARTY. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER SAMUEL KIENDREBEOGO, MR. SANGARE WHO IS THE NATIONAL SECRETARY OF THE FPI OPPOSITION PARTY ALLEGED LAURENT DONA FOLOGO OF THE RULING PDCI HAS CALLED ON HIS PARTY'S MILITANTS TO CRACK DOWN ON OPPOSITION. (FRENCH 10/18)

CAMEROON / PRESS -- STRINGER JULIUS BARTHSON INTERVIEWED PIUS DJAWE, PUBLISHER OF THE CAMEROONIAN NEWSPAPER LE MESSAGER WHO SAYS THE SITUATION OF THE PRESS IN CAMEROON REMAINS DIFFICULT. THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT YET IMPLEMENTED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION ON COMMUNICATIONS WHICH CALLED FOR AN END TO CENSORSHIP. (FRENCH 10/18)

LYBIA / PALESTINIANS -- IN A DIALOGUE WITH STAFFER PIERRE POUILLON, CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS ON THE DEPORTATION FROM LIBYA OF PALESTINIANS AND OTHER FOREIGN WORKERS DESPITE A CALL BY THE ARAB LEAGUE TO STOP THE DEPORTATIONS. (FRENCH 10/18)

UN 50TH ANNIVERSARY DOSSIER -- FRENCH TO AFRICA AND UN RADIO AND VICTOR ANDRIANANJASON REPORT ON THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL SESSION HELD IN CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED NATIONS. THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTERS OF THE UNSC FIFTEEN MEMBER COUNTRIES SPOKE OF THE ISSUES FACING THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY AND HOW IT MIGHT BEST SERVE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN THE FUTURE. UN SECRETARY GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI EMPHASIZED THE NEED TO SUPPORT PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS AND FOR MEMBER COUNTRIES TO PAY THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AND ARREARS. (FRENCH 10/18)

CABINDA / FIGHTING -- THERE ARE REPORTS OF FIGHTING BETWEEN UNITA'S REBEL FORCES AND FLEC - FAC, ONE OF THE GUERRILLA MOVEMENTS BASED IN CABINDA. THREE PEOPLE WERE REPORTED KILLED IN THE FIGHTING. MILITARY TALKS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND UNITA HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED DUE TO ALLEGATIONS OF AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AGAINST UNITA'S CHIEF OF STAFF, ARLINO BEN BEN IN LUANDA. MEANWHILE, FRANCE'S MINISTER OF COOPERATION IS IN LUANDA FOR TALKS WITH GOVERNMENT AND UNITA OFFICIALS. STAFFER LUIS COSTA REPORTS. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 10/19)

SAO TOME / CONFERENCE -- POLITICAL PARTIES IN SAO TOME AGREED TO HOLD A NATIONAL CONFERENCE WITH FULL CITIZEN PARTICIPATION TO TAKE PLACE IN MID-NOVEMBER. A COMMISSION WAS ESTABLISHED TO SET AN AGENDA FOR THE MEETING WHICH WILL FOCUS ON FORMING A GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY. STAFFER OVIDIO PEQUENO INTERVIEWED LEADERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES FOR REACTION TO THE DECISION. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 10/19)

SWAZILAND / WILDLIFE -- SWAZI KING MSWATI III LAUNCHES A NEW BOOK ABOUT WILDLIFE PRESERVATION IN SWAZILAND. REPORTER SCOTT STEARNS SPOKE WITH KING MSWATI AND THE BOOK'S AUTHOR, CHRISTINA KESSLER. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/19)

NIGERIA / OBASANJO HEALTH -- THE CONVICTED FORMER NIGERIAN HEAD OF THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT, GENERAL OLUSEGUN OBASANJO WAS RELOCATED TO A HOSPITAL WING OF KIRI-KIRI PRISON IN LAGOS. STRINGER AHMED MOHAMMED KWALAM REPORTS FROM LAGOS THAT THE RELOCATION WAS APPARENTLY A RESULT OF HIS HEALTH CONDITION. MEANWHILE, THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES SAID THAT MR. OBASANJO AND HIS CONVICTED FORMER DEPUTY GENERAL SHEHU YAR ADU'A WOULD BE SUBJECTED TO THE SAME RULES AND TREATMENT AS OTHER PRISONERS. (HAUSA 10/18)

WORLD CUP / AFRICA -- A RECORD 169 COUNTRIES HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY'LL TAKE PART IN THE PRELIMINARY COMPETITION LEADING UP TO THE 1998 WORLD CUP IN FRANCE. REPORTER BARRY MAUGHAN TALKED TO FIFA PRESS OFFICER ANDREAS HERREN ABOUT AFRICA'S PLANS FOR THE COMPETITION. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/18)

AFRICA / FOOTBALL -- IT'S SEMI-FINAL TIME IN ALL THREE CONTINENTAL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS. REPORTER BARRY MAUGHAN TALKS TO AFRICA FOOTBALL EXPERT MARK GLEESON ABOUT FIRST LEG MATCHES PLAYED LAST WEEKEND AND HOW THOSE RESULTS ARE LIKELY TO IMPACT ON WHICH TEAMS MOVE ON AND WHICH ONES ARE ELIMINATED. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 10/18)

INSIDE MIDEAST:

KURDS / NORTHERN IRAQ -- STAFFER HAIDER KARIM INTERVIEWS MAHMUD OSMAN, FORMER OFFICIAL IN THE KDP (KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY), THEN LEADER OF THE KURDISH SOCIALIST PARTY, AND NOW AN INDEPENDENT BASED IN LONDON, ON THE SITUATION BETWEEN THE FEUDING KDP AND THE PUK (PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN). HE SAID THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE MET EITHER IN IRAN OR IRELAND, BUT IN KURDISTAN TO AVOID PRESSURE FROM TURKEY AND IRAN, BOTH WITH THEIR OWN AGENDAS. OTHER KURDISH PARTIES SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED IN THEIR DISCUSSIONS INSTEAD. THE STIPULATION THAT BOTH PARTIES SECURE THE TURKISH-IRAQI BORDER IS A MISTAKE. HE SAYS THE MIDDLE CLASS IS LEAVING KURDISTAN SINCE THERE IS NO DEMOCRACY OR FREE SPEECH THERE, AND CHARGED THAT HE FIGHTING BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES HAS BROUGHT THE COUNTRY INTO ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND SECURITY CHAOS. (KURDISH 10/16, 17, 18 & 19)

PEACE PROCESS / AMMAN SUMMIT -- US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE ROBERT PELLETREAU TALKS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE AMMAN SUMMIT. STRINGER JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS. (ARABIC 10/18)

GCC SUMMIT -- A HIGH RANKING GCC OFFICIAL SAID THE GULF SUMMIT, TO MEET IN OMAN LATER THIS YEAR, WILL DISCUSS THE SITUATION IN IRAQ. CORRESPONDENT JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 10/18)

US / PALESTINE SELF-RULE AUTHORITY -- AHMAD QUREI', MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PALESTINIAN SELF-RULE AUTHORITY, SAYS HE HOPES THE FREE TRADE STATUS TO BE GIVEN TO THE WEST BANK AND GAZA STRIP BY THE US WILL CREATE STABILITY AND JOBS AND HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING. HE WAS INTERVIEWED BY STAFFER HAYAT ALKHATEEB. (ARABIC 10/18)

RABIN / HEZBOLLAH -- ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER YITZHAK RABIN SAYS THE ISRAELI FORCES WILL NOT LAUNCH A COMPREHENSIVE ATTACK AGAINST SOUTHERN LEBANON IN RETALIATION FOR HEZBOLLAH ATTACKS AGAINST THE ISRAELI FORCES. STAFFER HAYAT ALKHATEEB INTERVIEWS ORI DROMEY, DIRECTOR OF ISRAELI GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE ON THE SUBJECT. (ARABIC 10/18)

SOUTH LEBANON / SYRIA / ISRAEL -- SYRIA ACCUSED ISRAEL TODAY OF INCREASING TENSION IN SOUTHERN LEBANON. STAFFER JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 10/18)

POLISARIO / MOROCCO -- IBRAHIM HAKIM, FORMER POLISARIO OFFICIAL AND CURRENT MOROCCAN AMBASSADOR AT LARGE, TOLD STAFFER MOHAMED ATTIA SAAD IN NEW YORK THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF POLISARIO MEMBERS WILL RETURN TO THEIR HOMES IN MOROCCO. (ARABIC 10/18)

SUDAN/ TERRORISM -- SUDAN MADE A PROMISE AT THE UN THAT SUDANESE TERRITORY WILL NOT BE USED BY TERRORISTS OR CRIMINALS. STAFFER MOHAMED ATTIA SAAD REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (ARABIC 10/18)

ALGERIAN ELECTIONS -- MAHFOUZ NAHNAH, ONE OF THE LEADING ALGERIAN CANDIDATES TELLS WHAT REFORMS ALGERIANS SHOULD EXPECT UNDER HIS RULE. HE WAS INTERVIEWED BY REPORTER IBRAHIM ABDIN. (ARABIC 10/18)

PALESTINIANS / BARGE -- REPORTER JOHN PITMAN SPEAKS TO JO BIDDLE, AN AFP CORRESPONDENT IN NICOSIA, WHO VISITED THE BARGE WEDNESDAY WITH THE PLO REPRESENTATIVE. MS. BIDDLE DESCRIBES THE SCENE, SAYING THE REFUGEES HAVE ENOUGH FOOD AND WATER, BUT NO MEDICAL CARE. THERE ARE SOME CASES OF DIARRHEA AMONG THE CHILDREN, BUT AS FAR AS SHE KNOWS, NOTHING WORSE. SYRIA HAS NOW AGREED TO ACCEPT ANY PALESTINIANS WHO HAVE SYRIAN TRAVEL DOCUMENTS. MS. BIDDLE SAYS ABOUT 590 OF THE 660 ON BOARD HAVE SUCH DOCUMENTS. NO WORD WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE 70 WHO DON'T, THOUGH JORDAN HAS OPENED ITS DOORS IN THE PAST. (ENP 10/18)

INSIDE CENTRAL ASIA:

AZERBAIJAN / IRAN -- ALI TAVASULI, A FORMER LEADER OF THE IRANIAN OPPOSITION THE 'ORGANIZATION OF IRANIAN PEOPLE'S FEDAIYAN,' WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED BY FOUR IRANIAN AGENTS IN BAKU ON SEPTEMBER 27. AZERI STRINGER RAFAEL HUSAINOV INTERVIEWS MUHAMMAD HASAN DADFAR, AN IRANIAN REFUGEE IN BAKU, WHO KNEW MR. TAVASULI AND OF THE ATTEMPT TO KIDNAP HIM. (AZERI 10/19)

INSIDE SOUTH ASIA:

PAKISTAN / SAYYAF UNIVERSITY -- THE 'DAWAT AND JIHAD' UNIVERSITY IN PESHAWAR, ALSO KNOWN AS THE SAYYAF UNIVERSITY, WHICH HAD BEEN CLOSED FOR THE PAST FOUR MONTHS, HAS REOPENED AND RESUMED ITS SCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES. THE UNIVERSITY WAS CLOSED BY PAKISTANI AUTHORITIES ON SUSPICION OF TERRORIST TRAINING ACTIVITIES. DARI STRINGER ABDUL HAI WARSHAN REPORTS THAT IT WAS REOPENED AFTER THE THE STUDENT BODY AND FACULTY CONVINCED THE AUTHORITIES THAT THE INSTITUTION WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES. (DARI, PASHTO 10/19)

INDIA / US -- THE CHIEF MINISTER OF THE INDIAN STATE OF BIHAR, LALOO PRASAD YADAV, CALLS VISIT TO THE US TO ATTRACT POTENTIAL INVESTORS IN HIS STATE, A SUCCESS. MR YADAV TOLD A WASHINGTON NEWS CONFERENCE THAT FIFTEEN MOUS HAVE BEEN SIGNED AND AS MANY ARE IN THE WORKS. STAFFER BHAGWAN PRAKASH REPORTS. (HINDI 10/18)

NAM CONFERENCE -- INDIA'S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UN, PRAKASH SHAH, ACCOMPANIED PRIME MINISTER RAO AND FOREIGN MINISTER MUKHERJEE TO THE SUMMIT OF NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT NATIONS IN CARTAGENA, COLUMBIA. STAFFER SUBHASH VOHRA INTERVIEWED HIM ABOUT THE NAM FOREIGN MINISTERS' MEETING HELD IN ADVANCE OF THE SUMMIT. (HINDI 10/18)

NINETY SIX HOUR STRIKE IN BANGLADESH -- BANGLADESH IS AMIDST AN UNPRECEDENTED NINETY-SIX-HOUR GENERAL STRIKE ENDORSED BY THE COMBINED OPPOSITION PARTIES LED BY THE AWAMI LEAGUE. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH DHAKA STRINGER MATIUR RAHMAN CHOUDHURY, OPPOSITION LEADER SHEIKH HASINA CRITICIZED THE VISIT OF PRIME MINISTER BEGUM KHALEDA ZIA TO NEW YORK SAYING IT IS OF NO BENEFIT TO THE PEOPLE OF BANGLADESH. THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION JATIYO PARTY, BARRISTER MAUDUD AHMED ADVISED THE PRIME MINISTER NOT TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY AT THIS TIME. (BANGLA 10/18)

INSIDE EAST ASIA:

SINO-US SUMMIT / HONG KONG -- THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION URGES PRESIDENT CLINTON TO RAISE THE HONG KONG ISSUE IN THE UPCOMING SINO-US SUMMIT. STAFFER DONG FANG INTERVIEWS BRETT LIPPENCOTT AND EDWIN FEULNER OF THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION, WHO SAY THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD FIRMLY EXPRESS ITS SUPPORT OF PRO-DEMOCRACY FORCES IN HONG KONG AND PRESS CHINA TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG'S AUTONOMY, FREE ECONOMY AND DEMOCRACY. DONG FANG ALSO INTERVIEWS DAVID LAMPTON, NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON US-CHINA RELATIONS, WHO BELIEVES HONG KONG SHOULD NOT BE A BIG ISSUE IN SINO-US RELATIONS, BUT THE US SHOULD ADOPT A QUIET, SENSIBLE APPROACH IN DEALING WITH ISSUES OF US CONCERN. (MANDARIN 10/19)

CHINA / JIANG ZEMIN'S LEADERSHIP -- IN LIGHT OF JIANG ZEMIN'S NEW STANCE ON TAIWAN, MOST OBSERVERS BELIEVE HE HAS OBTAINED SECURITY IN HIS LEADERSHIP AND IS PROBABLY RUNNING THE COUNTRY INDEPENDENTLY OF DENG'S INFLUENCE. BUT SOME INDEPENDENT SOURCES SAY JIANG HAS SET UP A SECRET INVESTIGATIVE BODY TO CHECK ON THE LOYALTY OF HIGH OFFICIALS, WHICH SEEMS TO PROVE THE CONTRARY. STAFFER CHIEN WEI INTERVIEWS EDMOND CHOU, CHIEF EDITOR OF CHINA TIMES WEEKLY, AND CHINA WATCHER GAO XIN ON JIANG'S LEADERSHIP. (MANDARIN 10/19)

TAIWAN / PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE -- IN AN INTERVIEW WITH CORRESPONDENT TIEN KANGLIN IN TAIPEI, INDEPENDENT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE CHEN LU'AN EXPLAINED HIS VIEW OF POLICY MAKING. HE SAID A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL MUST FIRST KNOW HIS PEOPLE'S NEEDS, THEN CREATE HIS POLICY TO MEET THOSE NEEDS. OF CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS, HE SAID THE TWO SIDES SHOULD NEVER FIGHT AGAINST EACH OTHER SINCE ALL ARE CHINESE. DESPITE POLITICAL DIFFERENCES, THE TWO SIDES CAN CONTINUE TO DEVELOP ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL RELATIONS. (MANDARIN 10/19)

NORTH KOREA / ARMISTICE -- NORTH KOREA ACCUSED THE US OF HEIGHTENING TENSION ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA, AND THREATENED TO TAKE MEASURES TO REMOVE THE ARMISTICE SYSTEM, IF THE US CONTINUES TO JOIN SOUTH KOREA IN MILITARY DRILLS. A FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT, BROADCAST BY NORTH KOREA, CLAIMS THAT THE US-SOUTH KOREA JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES BEGUN LAST WEEK, ARE EQUIVALENT TO THE ONE CANCELLED BY THE US AND SOUTH KOREA LAST FEBRUARY. NORTH KOREAN STATEMENT CAME TWO DAY AFTER A NORTH KOREAN ARMED AGENT WAS KILLED JUST SOUTH OF THE BORDER AREA. NORTH KOREA REFUSED TO ACCEPT A LETTER OF PROTEST FROM THE UNITED NATIONS COMMAND. CORRESPONDENT YONG KYUN LIM REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 10/19)

SOUTH KOREA / JAPAN / DIPLOMATIC DISPUTE -- SOUTH KOREA SAYS IT WILL TRY TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES WITH JAPAN ON VALIDITY OF A TREATY THAT SERVED AS A BASIS FOR JAPAN TO ANNEX KOREA IN 1910. SOUTH KOREA CLAIMS THAT THE TREATY WAS INVALID BECAUSE IT WAS SIGNED BY KOREA UNDER JAPAN'S THREATS AND COERCION. SEOUL SAYS IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT SOLVED UNTIL MID-NOVEMBER, IT WILL CONSIDER CANCELLING THE BILATERAL SUMMIT SLATED NEXT MONTH IN CONNECTION WITH APEC MEETINGS IN OSAKA, JAPAN. MEANWHILE, CORRESPONDENT YONG KYUN LIM QUOTED SOUTH KOREAN PRESS REPORTS FROM TOKYO AS SAYING THAT THE JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER, ON HIS PART, IS RECONSIDERING HIS PLAN TO HOLD A MEETING WITH HIS SOUTH KOREAN COUNTERPART IN SEOUL EARLY NEXT MONTH. (KOREAN 10/19)

SOUTH KOREA'S FORMER PRESIDENT / BANK ACCOUNTS -- A NATIONAL ASSEMBLYMAN FROM THE RULING DEMOCRATIC LIBERAL PARTY REVEALED THAT FORMER PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO HOLDS SECRET ACCOUNTS AT ABOUT 40 BANKS. ASSEMBLYMAN PARK KYE DONG PRESENTED EVIDENCES TO A NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HEARING. STAFFER YONG KYUN LIM REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 10/19)

INDONESIA / PRESS -- STRINGER TARI GREGORY INTERVIEWED REPRESENTATIVES OF A LEADING INDONESIAN NEWSPAPER (KOMPASS), THE OFFICIAL PRESS ASSOCIATION (PWI), AND THE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS. (INDONESIAN 10/19)

SINGAPORE / BARINGS -- REPORTER PAUL WESTPHELING SPOKE WITH DEAN VISSER, OF UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL IN SINGAPORE, ABOUT THE ON-GOING INVESTIGATION INTO THE COLLAPSE OF BRITAIN'S BARINGS BANK. AUTHORITIES IN SINGAPORE ARE NOW LOOKING INTO POSSIBLE CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST EXECUTIVES OF THE BANK FOLLOWING RELEASE TUESDAY OF A REPORT FROM PRICE WATERHOUSE WHICH SUGGESTED THAT BARINGS OFFICIALS KNEW, OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN, ABOUT THE ILLEGAL DEALINGS OF SINGAPORE BASED TRADER NICK LEESON WHO IS CURRENTLY IN JAIL IN GERMANY AND FIGHTING EXTRADITION TO SINGAPORE. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 10/18)

INSIDE EUROPE:

BOSNIA / HOLBROOKE -- STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO ON US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE'S VISIT TO SARAJEVO. MR HOLBROOKE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY RUSSIAN AND EUROPEAN UNION MEDIATORS FOR DISCUSSIONS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PEACE AGREEMENTS. (CROATIAN 10/18)

HOLBROOKE / MILOSEVIC -- AFTER TALKS WITH US ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE, RUSSIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER I IVANOV, AND EU NEGOTIATOR K BILDT, SERBIAN PRESIDENT S MILOSEVIC ALSO MET WITH FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER H DE CHARETTE. THEIR DISCUSSIONS FOCUSED ON PREPARATIONS FOR THE PEACE CONFERENCE ON BOSNIA, PLANNED FOR THE END OF THE MONTH IN UNITED STATES. STRINGER MILICA KUBUROVIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 10/18)

HOLBROOKE / BOSNIA -- US NEGOTIATOR RICHARD HOLBROOKE ANNOUNCED THAT BOSNIA AND YUGOSLAVIA WOULD SOON OPEN LIAISON OFFICES. BOSNIAN SERB LEADER R KARAZDIC SAYS RUMORS ABOUT A NEW RIFT BETWEEN SERBIAN POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERS ARE SPREAD BY FOREIGN MEDIA. STRINGER BORO KONTIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (SERBIAN 10/18)

YUGOSLAVIA / HOLBROOKE -- STRINGER JADRANKA KRONJA REPORTED FROM BELGRADE ON THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE MISSION VISIT TO BELGRADE. US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE WARNED THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT PEACE AGREEMENTS FOR BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA. (CROATIAN 10/18)

BOSNIA / MASS GRAVES -- STRINGER LINDA MILISA REPORTS THE DISCOVERY BY BOSNIAN AND CROAT TROOPS OF SEVERAL MASS GRAVES IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA. MS MILISA REPORTED FROM SANSKI MOST THAT THE GRAVES ARE INVESTIGATED AS EVIDENCE OF WAR CRIMES. (CROATIAN 10/18)

CROATIA / HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES -- STRINGER ZELJKO MATIC REPORTS ON THE NEWS CONFERENCE BY THE CROATIAN MINISTRY OF INTERIOR ON HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES OF SERBIAN MINORITY IN KRAJINA REGION. INTERIOR MINISTER IVAN JARNJAK CONDEMNED VIOLATIONS, AND PROMISED THAT THE PERPETRATORS WILL BE PUNISHED. (CROATIAN 10/18)

UN / FORMER YUGOSLAVIA -- STRINGER IVICA PULJIC REPORTS FROM NEW YORK THAT CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MATE GRANIC SAID CROATIA IS READY FOR SERIOUS NEGOTIATIONS WITH REBEL SERBS IN EASTERN SLAVONIA. RUSSIA WARNED THE SECURITY COUNCIL THAT THERE IS A BUILD UP OF CROATIAN TROOPS IN EASTERN SLAVONIA. SERBIA WANTS UN ECONOMIC SANCTIONS RECONSIDERED. (CROATIAN 10/18)

BOSNIA -- SVEN ALKALAJ, BOSNIAN AMBASSADOR IN WASHINGTON, IS INTERVIEWED BY STAFFER MOHAMED ABDEL-KARIM, ABOUT THE CONDENSED PEACE TALKS TAKING PLACE IN BOSNIA. (ARABIC 10/18)

UN / EASTERN SLAVONIA -- UN SOURCES IN ZAGREB DENY A REPORTED BUILD UP OF CROATIAN FORCES IN EASTERN SLAVONIA. HOWEVER, CROATIAN NEWS MEDIA ESTIMATE THAT, AFTER THE SECOND DELAY OF TALKS WITH SERBS FROM THAT AREA, PEACEFUL SOLUTION OF THE TERRITORIAL DISPUTE SEEMS MORE REMOTE AND THE PROSPECT FOR WAR GREATER. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 10/18)

UN / CROATIA -- UN SECURITY COUNCIL WARNED CROATIA AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OF THE SERBIAN MINORITY, CHARACTERIZING THEM AS PERSISTENT AND SYSTEMATIC. CROATIA WAS ALSO WARNED AGAINST BUILD UP OF ITS FORCES IN EASTERN SLAVONIA. STRINGER DRAGISA BOSKOVIC REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (SERBIAN 10/18)

CROATIA / EUROPEAN COUNCIL -- STRINGER ZALJKO MATIC INTERVIEWS ZARKO DOMLJAN, OF THE CROATIAN PARLIAMENT. MR DOMLJAN PREDICTS THAT CROATIA WILL BECOME MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL IN JANUARY 1996. (CROATIAN 10/18)

ALBANIA / NATO -- ALBANIAN DEFENSE MINISTER SAFET ZHULALI, CALLED ON NATO TO ACCEPT ALBANIA'S REQUEST FOR FULL MEMBERSHIP. IN AN ADDRESS AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB IN WASHINGTON DC, THE ALBANIAN OFFICIAL SAID THE MAIN DANGER TO SECURITY IN EUROPE COMES FROM THE SOUTH, I.E., THE BALKANS, AND NOT FROM THE NORTH. HE SAID NATO EXPANSION SHOULD BEGIN WITH THE ACCEPTANCE OF BALKAN COUNTRIES SUCH AS ALBANIA, WHICH, HE SAID, HAS BEEN A FACTOR OF PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE REGION. ALBANIA WAS THE FIRST FORMER WARSAW PACT COUNTRY TO REQUEST MEMBERSHIP IN NATO. STAFFER AGIM FETAHAJ REPORTS. (ALBANIAN 10/18)

ALBANIA / SOCIALISTS -- A MEETING OF THE TOP LEADERSHIP OF THE ALBANIAN SOCIALIST (FORMERLY COMMUNIST) PARTY HAS ENDED WITH THE PURGE OF FIVE REFORMISTS. THE MOVE CAME AS A SURPRISE TO MOST ANALYSTS, SINCE THE SOCIALISTS HAVE RECENTLY WAGED A CAMPAIGN AIMED AT IMPROVING THEIR PARTY'S IMAGE. STRINGER MERO BAZE REPORTS. (ALBANIAN 10/18)

ALBANIA / HUMAN RIGHTS -- THE HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH ORGANIZATION HAS CALLED ON ALBANIA TO REVOKE A NEW LAW BANNING FORMER COMMUNIST OFFICIALS FROM HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE UNTIL THE YEAR 2002. IN A LETTER TO PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA, THE US BASED HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP SAID IT FEARS THE LAW WILL BE USED AS A POLITICAL TOOL AGAINST OPPOSITION PARTIES IN NEXT YEAR'S ELECTIONS. BUT PRIME MINISTER ALEKSANDER MEKSI SAID IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STRINGER MERO BAZE,THAT THE MAJORITY OF ALBANIANS SUPPORT THE BAN WHICH HE SAID WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULE OF LAW. (ALBANIAN 10/19)

INSIDE EURASIA:

NEW RUSSIA / CIS IN ASIA CONFERENCE -- STAFFER GEORGE ZORIN REPORTS ON THE SPEECHES BY SHINZO KOBORI, DISTINGUISHED RESEARCH FELLOW, INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL POLICY STUDIES AND SERGEI ROGOV, FROM THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF THE USA AND CANADA AT THE NEW RUSSIA-CIS IN ASIA CONFERENCE HELD IN WASHINGTON DC, SPONSORED BY IREX. MR. KOBORI SPOKE OF US-JAPANESE BUSINESS TIES, WHILE MR. ROGOV SPOKE OF RUSSIAN RELATIONS WITH ASIA. (RUSSIAN 10/18)

BUSINESS TALK -- STRINGER VAL SIBIRSKY TALKS ABOUT THE UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON KAZAKHSTAN IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA WITH STAFFER AVIVA LEKUCH. (RUSSIAN 10/18)

FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF STUDENTS' HUNGER STRIKE -- CORRESPONDENT ISRAEL KLEINER REPORTS ON THE CEREMONY COMMEMORATING THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HUNGER STRIKE HELD BY HUNDREDS OF UKRAINIAN STUDENTS IN FRONT OF THE FORMER UKRAINIAN SOVIET REPUBLIC PARLIAMENT. IRONICALLY, THE SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT AT THE TIME WAS LEONID KRAVCHUK, WHO LATER BECAME THE FIRST DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF INDEPENDENT UKRAINE. SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR KRAVCHUK, WHO IS NOW A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, NOTED THAT THE STUDENT MOVEMENT IN '90 WAS ONE OF THE LEADING EVENTS THAT PRECEDED THE FALL OF COMMUNISM AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. (UKRAINIAN 10/18)

UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH / COUNCIL -- STRINGER VICTOR BOROVSKY REPORTS ON THE 14TH COUNCIL OF THE UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN US HELD IN BOUND BROOK, NJ. ON THE AGENDA WAS THE POSSIBILITY OF A UNION BETWEEN THE UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE DIASPORA AND THE UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH-KIEV PATRIARCHATE, ONE OF THREE ORTHODOX CHURCHES PRESENTLY ACTIVE IN UKRAINE. (UKRAINIAN 10/18)

AMERICA'S INTEREST IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS -- STAFFER ADRIAN KARMAZYN REPORTS ON ATTITUDES OF THE PUBLIC REGARDING FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPENDING, FEATURING PRODUCER CARL BOSTIC OF ABC TV NEWS AND SELMA WILLIAMS, EDITOR EMERITUS OF THE NORTH SHORE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER CO. NEAR BOSTON. THEY SAID THAT THE MEDIA AND THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM COULD PERHAPS DO MORE TO FOSTER AN INTEREST IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS. BOTH JOURNALISTS HAVE HAD ASSIGNMENTS IN UKRAINE. (UKRAINIAN 10/17)

INSIDE LATIN AMERICA:

NONALIGNED NATIONS / COLOMBIA -- LEADERS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD ARE GATHERING IN COLOMBIA FOR A SUMMIT OF THE NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT. DR MUSTAFA OLWI, PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT CAIRO UNIVERSITY, TOLD STAFFER MOHAMED ABDEL-KARIM THAT THE LEADERS WILL DISCUSS POVERTY, TRADE, AND TERRORISM. (ARABIC 10/18) 19-Oct-95 4:30 PM EDT (2030 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America