Voice of America Digest, 7 February 1996

From: "Ioannis V. Bousnakis" <ivb19@nfi.com>

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] VOA DIGEST - FEBRUARY 7, 1996

GERMANY / AIR CRASH -- RESCUE WORKERS HAVE FOUND MORE THAN A DOZEN BODIES IN THE WRECKAGE OF A LARGE PASSENGER JET THAT CRASHED SOON AFTER TAKE-OFF FROM THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. A TOTAL OF ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY NINE PEOPLE WERE ON THE CHARTER FLIGHT WHICH WAS HEADED TO GERMANY. CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING IN BONN REPORTS THAT OFFICIALS SAY MOST OF THOSE ON THE PLANE WERE GERMAN TOURISTS HEADING HOME FROM VACATION. (2/7)

CARIBBEAN PLANE CRASH -- A PLANE CARRYING GERMAN TOURISTS HAS CRASHED IN THE OPEN WATERS OF THE CARIBBEAN, AFTER TAKING OFF FROM THE DOMINICAN REPUBLICAN. AS CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS, IT IS FEARED ALL OF THE NEARLY TWO HUNDRED PEOPLE ON BOARD THE CHARTERED SEVEN-FIFTY-SEVEN WERE KILLED IN THE CRASH. (2/7)

AIR CRASH / GERMAN REACT -- IN GERMANY, OFFICIALS ARE PUTTING TOGETHER A SPECIAL CRISIS TEAM TO HELP FRIENDS AND RELATIVES DEAL WITH THE AFTERMATH OF THE CRASH OF A PLANE LOADED WITH GERMAN TOURISTS ON THEIR WAY TO GERMANY FROM THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN. (2/7)

DOMINICAN / AIR CRASH -- A DOMINICAN AIRLINER WITH ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY NINE PEOPLE ON BOARD CRASHED OFF THE COAST OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC EARLY WEDNESDAY. CORRESPONDENT JIM TEEPLE REPORTS FROM NEARBY PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI, THE PLANE WAS HEADED TO GERMANY WHEN IT CRASHED. (2/7)

BOSNIA / TRIBUNAL -- THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE HAS ASKED THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TO ARREST AND DETAIN TWO SENIOR BOSNIAN-SERB OFFICERS WHO ARE ALREADY BEING HELD BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR SUSPECTED INVOLVEMENT IN WAR CRIMES. STRINGER DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (2/7)

CHRISTOPHER / ARAFAT -- US SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS URGED PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSER ARAFAT, TO FOLLOW LAST MONTH'S ELECTIONS WITH OTHER STEPS TOWARD BUILDING A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. MR CHRISTOPHER SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL PROVIDE TWO-POINT-SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP. CORRESPONDENT AL PESSIN REPORTS FROM THE ISRAEL-GAZA BORDER WHERE THE TWO MEN MET ON WEDNESDAY. (2/7)AMERICAN NATIONS, AS WE HEARD FROM CORRESPONDENT BILL RODGERS. (2/7)

CHINA / RESTRICTS ECONOMIC NEWS -- CHINA RECENTLY GRANTED THE STATE-OWNED NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF ECONOMIC INFORMATION FROM ABROAD. THE MOVE CAUSED CONCERN AMONG US CHINA WATCHERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO KEEP AN EYE ON MEDIA ISSUES. CURRENT AFFAIRS' FEI WANG REPORTS. (2/7)

US / NORTH KOREA FOOD AID -- THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM HOPES THAT LAST WEEK'S US DECISION TO PROVIDE TWO MILLION DOLLARS IN FOOD AID FOR NORTH KOREA WILL PROMPT OTHER COUNTRIES TO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS. CURRENT AFFAIRS' STEPHANIE MANN HAS A REPORT THAT INCLUDES: MICHAEL ROSS OF WFP, BERNARD KRISHER (WHO EXAMINED NOR KOR FLOOD AREAS IN NOV), JERRY TALBOT OF INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS AND SCOTT SNYDER OF US INST OF PEACE, AND SEN SAM NUNN. (2/7)

PAKISTAN / CHINA / NUCLEAR -- PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN OFFICE HAS REJECTED A US NEWSPAPER REPORT THAT CHINA ILLEGALLY TRANSFERRED NUCLEAR WEAPONS TECHNOLOGY TO PAKISTAN. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN REPORTS FROM ISLAMABAD. (2/7)

US / SOUTHEAST ASIA / NUKE -- A SENIOR US ARMS CONTROL OFFICIAL SAYS WASHINGTON IS NOT YET READY TO SIGN A PROTOCOL IN SUPPORT OF A NUCLEAR WEAPONS FREE ZONE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA. CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS THE OFFICIAL, PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR ARMS CONTROL, THOMAS GRAHAM, MADE THE REMARK WEDNESDAY DURING A VISIT TO THE MALAYSIAN CAPITAL, KUALA LUMPUR. (2/7)

BURMA / KHUN SA -- BURMA'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT HAS DENIED THAT IT AGREED TO ANY SPECIAL CONDITIONS AS PART OF AN ARRANGEMENT LEADING TO THE SURRENDER OF OPIUM TRAFFICKER, KHUN SA. AS CORRESPONDENT DAN ROBINSON REPORTS, THERE CONTINUE TO BE CONFLICTING REPORTS ABOUT THE WHEREABOUTS OF KHUN SA SINCE THOUSANDS OF HIS REBEL TROOPS HANDED OVER THEIR WEAPONS TO GOVERNMENT TROOPS IN BURMA'S EASTERN SHAN STATE. (2/7)

RED CROSS APPEAL -- THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS IS APPEALING FOR MORE THAN FIVE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS TO FINANCE ITS EMERGENCY OPERATIONS IN THE WORLD'S TROUBLE SPOTS IN 1996. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS DETAILS OF THE APPEAL FROM RED CROSS HEADQUARTERS IN GENEVA. (2/7)

GLOBAL HUNGER -- EACH YEAR MILLIONS OF POOR PEOPLE DIE FROM STARVATION AND DISEASE. TO LOOK AT WAYS TO COMBAT THESE SERIOUS PROBLEMS, A THREE-DAY CONFERENCE ON POVERTY AND HUNGER WAS HELD RECENTLY IN BRUSSELS, ORGANIZED BY THE US INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT. DEBORAH BLOCK LOOKS AT THE VICIOUS CYCLE OF GLOBAL POVERTY AND HUNGER. (2/7)

PREVAL / SWORN IN -- HAITI'S PRESIDENT-ELECT, RENE PREVAL TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE WEDNESDAY SUCCEEDING PRESIDENT JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE. CORRESPONDENT JIM TEEPLE REPORTS THE PORT-AU-PRINCE CEREMONY MARKED THE FIRST TRANSFER OF POWER FROM ONE DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED HAITIAN PRESIDENT TO ANOTHER SINCE THE COUNTRY'S INDEPENDENCE FROM FRANCE IN 1804. (2/7)

POPE / CENTAM -- POPE JOHN PAUL HAS ARRIVED IN NICARAGUA, THE SECOND STOP IN HIS WEEK-LONG TRIP TO FOUR LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES. AS CORRESPONDENT BILL RODGERS REPORTS, THE POPE DELIVERED A MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION UPON HIS ARRIVAL, BUT ALSO TOUCHED ON ECONOMIC ISSUES. A BOMB EXPLODED AT A NICARAGUAN CHURCH LATE TUESDAY JUST HOURS BEFORE THE PONTIFF'S ARRIVAL. (2/7)

POPE / CENTAM -- POPE JOHN PAUL HAS URGED HIS FOLLOWERS TO REMAIN FAITHFUL TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND WARNED AGAINST THE SPREAD OF NEW RELIGIOUS GROUPS. THE POPE MADE THE COMMENTS IN GUATEMALA, ON THE SECOND DAY OF A TRIP TO FOUR LATIN

SUDAN / AID -- UN OFFICIALS ARE WARNING THAT INCREASED FIGHTING IN SOUTHERN SUDAN BETWEEN GOVERNMENT TROOPS AND REBEL FORCES COULD PUT THE REGION'S CIVILIAN POPULATION AT SERIOUS RISK ONCE AGAIN. EAST AFRICA CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTS. (2/7)

SOMALIA / UN -- A UN INTER-AGENCY MISSION TO SOMALIA SAYS HUMANITARIAN CONDITIONS IN THE COUNTRY ARE FRAGILE AND COULD WORSEN IF THE SECURITY SITUATION DETERIORATES. CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTS. (2/7)

UN / ZAIRE / RWANDA -- UN OFFICIALS IN GENEVA ARE VOICING CONCERN ABOUT REPORTS THE ZAIRIAN GOVERNMENT WANTS TO QUICKLY SHUT DOWN TWO RWANDAN REFUGEE CAMPS IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS SAYS UN OFFICIALS ARE WORKING TO ENSURE THERE IS NO FORCED REPATRIATION OF UP TO ONE-QUARTER OF A MILLION RWANDANS. (2/7)

BURKINA / PM -- BURKINA FASO PRESIDENT BLAISE COMPAORE HAS NAMED A NEW PRIME MINISTER FOLLOWING THE RESIGNATION TUESDAY OF ROCH MARC CHRISTIAN KABORE. CORRESPONDENT PURNELL MURDOCK REPORTS FROM WEST AFRICA. (2/7)

AFRICA / AID -- THERE WERE FRESH WARNINGS WEDNESDAY ABOUT POSSIBLE LOOMING HUMANITARIAN CRISES IN TWO TROUBLED AFRICAN COUNTRIES SOMALIA AND SUDAN. CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTS FROM NAIROBI. (2/7)

SRI LANKA / TAMILS -- LAST WEEKS' SUICIDE BOMBING OF SRI LANKA'S CENTRAL BACK IN DOWNTOWN COLUMBO, ALLEGEDLY BY THE TAMIL TIGER REBELS, HAS RAISED A NUMBER OF ISSUES, INCLUDING WHETHER IT WAS IN FACT THE WORK OF ANTI-TAMIL HARDLINERS. CORRESPONDENT RAVI KHANNA REPORTS. (2/7)

CHILD LABOR / PAKISTAN -- PAKISTAN'S HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ESTIMATES AT LEAST TEN MILLION CHILDREN ARE EMPLOYED IN CARPET FACTORIES, BRICK KILNS, FARMS, AND WORKSHOPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. ISLAMABAD CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN TALKED WITH HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS, CARPET MAKERS, LABOR OFFICIALS AND A GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT THE ISSUE. (2/7)

HONG KONG / MEMORABILIA -- AS THE RETURN OF HONG KONG TO CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY DRAWS CLOSER AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT STARTS TO PACK UP AND LEAVE, THE TERRITORY IS GRADUALLY BEING STRIPPED OF MUCH OF ITS COLONIAL BAGGAGE. HONG KONG STAFFER SARAH TOMS SAYS THAT INCLUDES EMBLEMS SYMBOLIC OF BRITISH RULE. (2/7)

US / TRADE DEFICIT -- US TRADE HAS POSTED ITS BEST PERFORMANCE SINCE MARCH OF 1994, WITH THE NOVEMBER DEFICIT NARROWING BY THIRTEEN AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. HOWEVER, ECONOMICS EDITOR JOE SUMMERS REPORTS THE ANNUAL DEFICIT APPEARS TO BE HEADED FOR A RECORD. (2/7)

CAMPAIGN '96 / LOUISIANA -- REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE PAT BUCHANAN HAS PULLED OFF AN UPSET VICTORY IN THE OPENING ROUND OF CAUCUS VOTING IN THE 1996 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN. MR BUCHANAN DEFEATED SENATOR PHIL GRAMM AND FORMER AMBASSADOR ALAN KEYES IN REPUBLICAN CAUCUS VOTING IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE REPORTS. (2/7)

ANCIENT GREECE / CHINA -- AN UNUSUAL DRAMATIC PRESENTATION TAKES PLACE IN BEIJING NEXT MONTH (MARCH 14-17). AN AMERICAN DRAMATIC ARTS COMPANY IS SPONSORING A PRODUCTION OF EURIPEDES CLASSIC TRAGEDY, "THE BACCHAE," TO BE PERFORMED IN MANDARIN AND ANCIENT GREEK. CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER REPORTS ABOUT THE PROJECT FROM THE CHINESE CAPITAL. (2/7)

ROOTS OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH -- FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS, FEBRUARY HAS BEEN OBSERVED FIRST AS "BLACK," NOW "AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH" HERE IN THE UNITED STATES -- A TIME FOR COMMEMORATING THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT PEOPLE OF AFRICAN ANCESTRY HAVE BROUGHT TO AMERICAN CULTURE. THE MIDWEST CITY OF CHICAGO PRIDES ITSELF AS THE PLACE WHERE THE CONCEPT FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH BEGAN. TODAY, A GROUP OF COMMITTED CHICAGOANS ON THE CITY'S SOUTH SIDE ARE BUSY WORKING TO ENSHRINE THE NOW-CRUMBLING BUILDING WHERE THE BLACK HISTORY IDEA TOOK SHAPE. CORRESPONDENT PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS. (2/7)

ART / FANCIFUL COFFINS -- IN GHANA, FUNERALS FOR PEOPLE OF SOME COMMUNITIES HAVE TAKEN ON A HIGHLY DECORATIVE AND FANCIFUL TONE IN RECENT DECADES WITH THE CREATION OF COLORFUL COFFINS, BUILT IN THE SHAPE OF ANIMALS OR OBJECTS. A SHOWING OF SOME OF THESE COFFINS CREATED BY A RENOWN GHANIAN CRAFTSMAN, KNOWN FOR ELEVATING THIS WOODWORK TO AN ARTFORM, NOW GRACES AN EXHIBITION HALL OF THE CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER. CORRESPONDENT PAUL FRANCUCH INTERVIEWS THE SHOW'S CURATOR ABOUT WHAT'S ON DISPLAY. (2/7)

JUNE ANDERSON / SOPRANO -- JUNE ANDERSON HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS AN OPERA SOPRANO WITH A "BRAVURA (DARING) VOICE AND A TEMPERAMENT TO MATCH." CORRESPONDENT MARTIN BUSH HAS A REPORT ON THIS SPIRITED AMERICAN SINGER. (2/7)

COMPUTER SERIES -- DAN NOBLE REPORTS ON INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER REACTION TO THE PASSAGE OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT. THE LEGISLATION IS THE FIRST MAJOR OVERHAUL OF COMMUNICATIONS LAW IN MORE THAN 60-YEARS. IT DE-REGULATES MUCH OF THE CABLE TV AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY, BUT ATTEMPTS TO REGULATE OBSCENITY ON THE INTERNET. (2/7)

US AGRICULTURE / THE BIG CHILL -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' ROB SIVAK REPORTS THAT DESPITE THE RECORD-BREAKING COLD WAVE THAT SWEPT THE NATION OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS, OVERALL CROP AND LIVESTOCK LOSSES HAVE BEEN RELATIVELY LIGHT. (2/7)

AG TODAY / COSTA RICA'S ORGANIC FLOWER BOOM -- CORRESPONDENT BILL RODGERS REPORTS FROM SAN JOSE ON THE COUNTRY'S BOOMING EXPORT TRADE IN CUT FLOWERS AND EXOTIC ORNAMENTALS, AND VISITS ONE FARMER WHO HAS FOUND A MARKETING NICHE BY GROWING EXOTIC ORNAMENTALS WITH NO PESTICIDES OR SYNTHETIC FERTILIZERS. (2/7)

NBA ALL STAR / JUWAN HOWARD -- SOME OF THE BEST BASKETBALL PLAYERS IN THE WORLD COME TOGETHER IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS THIS WEEKEND FOR THE 46TH NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION ALL-STAR GAME. ONE OF THE PLAYERS REPRESENTING THE EAST ALL-STAR SQUAD IS WASHINGTON BULLETS FORWARD JUWAN HOWARD. REPORTER VALONDA BRUINTON RECENTLY SPOKE AT LENGTH WITH HOWARD. (2/7)

INSIDE USA:

INTERACTIVE CD ROM / TALK TO AMERICA -- HAVE YOU EVER WATCHED A MOVIE AND WISHED THAT THE ENDING WAS DIFFERENT, OR THAT IT HAD TAKEN A DIFFERENT COURSE? THANKS TO A NEW WAVE OF TECHNOLOGY, YOU CAN. PRODUCER CHRIS ROBERTS AND ACTOR MARK HAMILL JOIN 'TALK TO AMERICA' TO TELL ABOUT 'WING COMMANDER FOUR,' THE FIRST FULLY INTERACTIVE CD ROM MOVIE. (ENGLISH 2/7)

IMMIGRATION BILL -- AT A SENATE IMMIGRATION SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING, SENATOR ALAN SIMPSON STRESSED THAT APPLICANTS WHO ARE LIKELY TO BECOME PUBLIC CHARGES SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO IMMIGRATE INTO THE US. SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY POINTED OUT THAT TAXES PAID BY LEGAL IMMIGRANTS EXCEEDED BY TWENTY FIVE MILLION DOLLARS THE GOVERNMENT'S EXPENDITURE FOR EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN AND FOR OTHER SERVICES. STAFFER QIDE HE REPORTS. (CANTONESE 2/7)

US / ILLEGAL ALIENS -- DESPITE PROTESTS BY SOME CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS, US IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS SAID THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST ILLEGAL ALIENS AND THOSE WHO SMUGGLE THEM INTO THE UNITED STATES, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO EMPLOY THEM, WILL CONTINUE, CORRESPONDENT HECTOR VELAZQUEZ MEJIA REPORTED FROM LOS ANGELES. (SPANISH 2/6)

LOUISIANA CAUCUSES -- REPORTER TOM CROSBY TALKS WITH POLITICAL SCIENTIST WAYNE PARENT OF LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY WHO SAYS THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUSES IN THE LONG RUN PROBABLY ARE MEANINGLESS IN AS MUCH AS THE REPUBLICAN FRONTRUNNERS (DOLE AND FORBES) STAYED OUT OF THE STATE. HE SAYS THE CAUCUSES, HOWEVER, COULD GIVE PAT BUCHANAN A BETTER FOOTHOLD IN THE SOUTH. (ENP 2/6)

UZBEKISTAN / CULTURE -- STAFFER FIRDEVS MAMUR INTERVIEWS LAUREL GRAY, PRESIDENT OF THE UZBEK DANCE AND CULTURE SOCIETY AND THE FOUNDING EDITOR OF CHASHMA, A QUARTERLY JOURNAL DEVOTED TO THE CENTRAL ASIAN CULTURE. T HEY TALK ABOUT THE SOCIETY'S NEW PROJECTS, SUCH AS THE '1996 FESTIVAL OF UZBEKISTAN' FEATURING GUEST PERFORMERS FROM TASHKENT, AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN WASHINGTON DC. (UZBEK 2/7)

INDIAN NOVELIST -- HINDI NOVEL 'NISHKAVACH' (THE VULNERABLE), PRESENTING A TOUCHING STORY OF THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCES OF A YOUNG INDIAN BOY, HAS WON CRITICAL ACCLAIM IN INDIA. STAFFER UMESH AGNIHOTRI INTERVIEWS ITS AUTHOR, MS RAJI SETH WHO MADE SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE US BEFORE WRITING THIS NOVEL. (HINDI 2/6)

IRANIAN WOMEN / FEMINIST EXP-96 -- STAFFER BEN ABBASSI REPORTS ON THE FEMINIST EXPO AT THE SHERATON WASHINGTON HOTEL. THE REPORT INCLUDES AN INTERVIEW WITH DR PARVIN DARABI, WHO HEADS A CALIFORNIA BASED FOUNDATION IN SUPPORT OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN IRAN. DR DARABI WAS INVITED TO ADDRESS THE EXPO BY THE FEMINIST MAJORITY FOUNDATION. (FARSI 2/6)

ETHIOPIAN JEWS / RALLY -- THE ETHIOPIAN COMMUNITY IN THE WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA ORGANIZED A RALLY IN FRONT OF THE ISRAELI EMBASSY PROTESTING THE SECRET DUMPING OF BLOOD DONATED BY ETHIOPIAN JEWS. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ETHIOPIAN COMMUNITY CENTER, MRS HERMELA KEBEDE TOLD STAFFER MIMI SEBHATU THAT AN ISRAELI DIPLOMAT WHO ACCEPTED A PROTEST LETTER HAS ADMITTED THE MISTAKES MADE BY ISRAELI BLOOD BANK OFFICIALS AND ADDED THAT HIS GOVERNMENT IS READY TO CORRECT IT IMMEDIATELY. (AMHARIC 2/6)

ATOM AND ENVIRONMENT -- THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM INCLUDED A BRIEF INTRO ABOUT THE EAST WEST CENTER AND GUEST RONALD HEGAN. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH FARSI STAFFER BEN ABBASSI, HAGEN TALKED ABOUT THE STATUS ON NUCLEAR ENERGY TODAY. HE SAID EVEN THOUGH IT IS THRIVING IN ASIA, IT HAS SLOWED DOWN CONSIDERABLY IN THE US AND IN EUROPE. (FARSI 2/5)

ART THEFT IN NEW YORK -- THREE VALUABLE CLASSIC PAINTS BY EUROPEAN MASTERS, VALUED IN SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS, WERE STOLEN FROM KENNEDY AIRPORT DURING TRANSPORT FROM MEXICO TO NEW YORK ART GALLERIES, CORRESPONDENT LUIS TAMAYO REPORTED FROM NEW YORK. (SPANISH 2/6)

NEW YORK / SANJIANG GONGSUO / GAMBLING -- THE FBI MADE A SUDDEN ATTACK ON SANJIANG GONGSUO IN CHINA TOWN, NEW YORK CITY, AND ARRESTED ONE OF THE GONGSUO MEMBERS. IF GUILTY, THIS PERSON COULD GET A 25 YEAR PRISON TERM AND A $250,000 FINE. NEW YORK STRINGER FANG BING INTERVIEWED A MEMBER OF SANJIANG GONGSUO BY TELEPHONE WHO DENIED ANYONE IN THEIR GONGSUO HAD BEEN ARRESTED. (MANDARIN 2/6)

INSIDE MIDEAST:

CHRISTOPHER / PEACE PROCESS -- AFTER INTENSIVE TALKS WITH SYRIAN LEADERS IN DAMASCUS, US SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER SAID SYRIA AND ISRAEL ARE RESOLVED IN THEIR EFFORT TO REACH A PEACE AGREEMENT THIS YEAR. STRINGER THABET SALEM REPORTS FROM DAMASCUS. FROM AMMAN STRINGER MAHMOUD ZAWAWI REPORTS THAT SYRIA SAYS ADVANCING ISRAELI ELECTIONS WOULD NEGATIVELY AFFECT THE PEACE TALKS. (ARABIC 2/6)

CHRISTOPHER / MIDEAST -- ISRAEL SAYS IT WILL CONTINUE PEACE TALKS WITH SYRIA INCESSANTLY EVEN IF IT LED TO EARLY ISRAELI ELECTIONS. STAFFER ZEINAB ABDELRAHMAN INTERVIEWS SALEH TARIF, LABOR PARTY MEMBER OF THE KNESSET ON THE SUBJECT. (ARABIC 2/6)

IRAQ OIL / GULF -- STRINGER MAHMOUD ZAWAWI REPORTS THAT OIL PRODUCTION OF THE GULF STATES IS EXPECTED TO DECREASE WITH LOWER REVENUES WHEN AND IF IRAQ REACHES AGREEMENT WITH THE UN TO EXPORT QUANITITIES OF ITS OIL TO FINANCE FOOD PURCHASES. STRINGER JUMANA TAMIMI SAYS THAT ACCORDING TO BAGHDAD PRESS REPORTS, IRAQ IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT REACHING AN AGREEMENT SOON. (ARABIC 2/6)

IRAQ / OIL FOR FOOD -- NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN IRAQ AND UN OFFICIALS BEGAN IN NEW YORK ON WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING UN RESOLUTION ALLOWING IRAQ TO SELL LIMITED QUANTITIES OF OIL TO FINANCE FOOD PURCHASES. CORRESPONDENT MOHAMED ATTIA REPORTS FROM NEW YORK THAT THE GULF WAR REPARATIONS COMMITTEE HOPES THAT IRAQ WOULD AGREE TO PAY WAR COMPENSATIONS TO AFFECTED PARTIES. (ARABIC 2/6)

IRAN / HUMAN RIGHTS -- IRANIAN NEWSPAPERS HAVE CALLED ON THE UN TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION RELIGION, CULTURE, AND TRADITIONS BEFORE PASSING A HUMAN RIGHTS JUDGMENT ON IRAN. JUMANA TMIMI REPORTS. (ARABIC 2/6)

ERITREA / MOUSSA -- EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AMRE MOUSSA SAYS HIS COUNTRY IS SEEKING A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE YEMENI-ERITRAN CONFLICT OVER RED SEA ISLANDS. STRINGER IBRAHIM ABDIN REPORTS FROM CAIRO. (ARABIC 2/6)

PLO CHARTER -- THE PLO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MET IN THE EGYPTIAN BORDER TOWN OF AL ARISH TO DISCUSS ISRAELI DEMAND TO CANCEL PASSAGES IN ITS CHARTER CALLING FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF ISRAEL. DETAILS FROM IBRAHIM ABDIN IN CAIRO. (ARABIC 2/6)

ALGERIA / TENSIONS -- VIOLENCE IN ALGERIA CONTINUES NEARLY THREE MONTHS AFTER ALGERIANS VOTED UNDER THE THREAT OF DEATH FOR A NEW PRESIDENT. REPORTER CATHERINE MADDUX DISCUSSES THE POLITICAL CLIMATE AND THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS WITH ERIC GOLDSTEIN, RESEARCH DIRECTOR FOR HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH MIDDLE EAST. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 2/6)

PLO / CHARTER -- JUDITH KIPPER OF CSIS TELLS REPORTER TERRY WING WE SHOULDN'T BE SO RESTLESS IN OUR EXPECTATION FOR THE PLO TO REMOVE FROM ITS CHARTER A CALL FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF ISRAEL. SHE SAYS ARAFAT HAS PROMISED ISRAEL IT WOULD HAVE THAT RETRACTION WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF THE ELECTIONS, AND IT'S BEEN ONLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS. SHE SAYS EVERYONE IS INTERESTED IN GETTING THE RETRACTION, FROM THE PLO LEADERS TO THE ISRAELI LEADERS, AND IT WILL COME. (ENP 2/6)

LONDON CONFERENCE / PREVIEW -- STAFFER BEHRUZ NIKZAT INTERVIEWS DR HUSSEIN LAJEVARDI OF THE IRANIAN RESEARCHERS ASSOCIATION ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION'S CONFERENCE SCHEDULED AT THE SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL AND AFRICAN STUDIES. THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTION, CIVIL SOCIETY, AND DEMOCRACY WILL BE DISCUSSED. (FARSI 2/6)

INSIDE CENTRAL ASIA:

TAJIKISTAN / FIGHTING -- THE FIFTH ROUND OF UN-SPONSORED PEACE TALKS BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TAJIKISTAN GOVERNMENT AND THE ISLAMIC-LED OPPOSITION IN ASHGABAT SHOWS NO SIGNS OF PROGRESS. AT THE SAME TIME, GOVERNMENT FORCES ARE ENGAGED IN HEAVY FIGHTING WITH THE OPPOSITION IN THE EASTERN TAVILDARA VALLEY. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER AMANULLAH HASRAT, MOSCOW-BASED TAJIK PROFESSOR MAWLAJAN MAHKAMOV SAYS THE TWO SIDES ARE WIDELY APART IN THEIR VIEWS FOR A SETTLEMENT. MR MAHKAMOV ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE MILITARY THREATS TO DUSHANBE BY TWO REBELLIOUS ARMY COMMANDERS WHO DEMAND REMOVAL OF ALLEGEDLY CORRUPT OFFICIALS FORM HIGH GOVERNMENT POSITIONS. (DARI, PASHTO 2/7)

TAJIKISTAN -- REPORTER SUSAN CLARK SPEAKS WITH BARNETT RUBIN OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY ABOUT THE EVENTS IN TAJIKISTAN. HE POINTS OUT THAT THE LEADERS OF THE INSURRECTION ARE ETHNIC UZBEKS, AND THAT UZBEKISTAN HAS SOME INTEREST IN FIGHTING RUSSIAN INFLUENCE IN THE AREA. (ENP 2/6)

AZERBAIJAN / SCHOOL TEST -- IN ORDER TO STOP THE WIDE SPREAD HABIT OF TAKING BRIBES AT AZERI SCHOOLS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPOINTED A SPECIAL COMMISSION TO CURB THE PROBLEM AND TO STANDARDIZE SCHOOL TESTS. STRINGER RAFAEL HUSAINOV REPORTS ON THE MOVE, AND INTERVIEWS A FORMER DEPUTY EDUCATION MINISTER, HEDAYAT TAHERZADEH. (AZERI 2/7)

INSIDE SOUTH ASIA:

BANGLADESH / VIOLENCE -- IN BANGLADESH, MORE POLITICAL VIOLENCE HAS BROKEN OUT AHEAD OF THE FEBRUARY 15TH GENERAL ELECTIONS BEING BOYCOTTED BY ALL THREE MAJOR OPPOSITION PARTIES. CLASHES BETWEEN OPPOSITION ACTIVISTS AND POLICE WERE REPORTED WHEN PRIME MINISTER KHALIDA ZIA MADE A CAMPAIGN TRIP TO FENI, A TOWN EAST OF DHAKA. AT LEAST TWENTY PEOPLE WERE INJURED. IN SPITE OF PROTESTERS, BEGUM ZIA REITERATED THAT HER ADMINISTRATION IS DETERMINED TO HOLD ELECTIONS AS SCHEDULED. STRINGER MATIUR RAHMAN CHOUDHURY REPORTS. (BANGLA 2/7)

BANGLADESH AMBASSADOR / CANADA -- BANGLADESH AMBASSADOR TO CANADA, MR USMANI IS INTERVIEWED BY STRINGER MAHMUDUL HASSAN IN OTTAWA ON CANADA-BANGLADESH RELATIONS AND THE BANGLADESHI IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY IN CANADA. (BANGLA 2/6)

WOMAN JOURNALIST -- KALYANI SHANKER, WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT OF INDIA'S NATIONAL ENGLISH DAILY THE HINDUSTAN TIMES TALKS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS AND PLEASURES OF COMBINING A FULL TIME CAREER WITH HER FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES. SHE IS INTERVIEWED BY STAFFER SUMAN GUPTA. (HINDI 2/6)

INDIA / SPORTS -- GOPAL SAINI, VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE RAJASTHAN SPORTS COUNCIL WHO IS HIMSELF A SPRINTER, DISCUSSES THE TRAINING, COMPETITIONS, AND FACILITIES MADE AVAILABLE TO YOUNG ATHLETES IN INDIA TO PREPARE THEM FOR NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SPORTS EVENTS. STAFFER PUSHPA AGNIHOTRI INTERVIEWS MR SAINI. (HINDI 2/6)

DUBEY / OBIT -- SHYAMA CHARAN DUBEY, AUTHOR OF ONE OF INDIA'S MOST TRANSLATED BOOKS "THE INDIAN VILLAGE" AND AN INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN SOCIOLOGIST, DIED OF A HEART ATTACK IN DELHI. HE WAS SEVENTY THREE. STRINGER REPORT. (HINDI 2/6)

INSIDE EAST ASIA:

CHINA EXERCISES / TAIWAN REACT -- THE US DEFENSE DEPARTMENT IS REPORTED TO HAVE SET UP A PANEL TO EXAMINE THE TENSION IN THE TAIWAN STRAITS. TAIWAN OFFICIALS SAID THAT THE US MOVE WAS WELCOME, BUT AT THE SAME TIME THEY SAID THAT TAIWAN'S SAFETY WAS MAINLY ITS OWN RESPONSIBILITY. SOME OPPOSITION POLITICIANS ACCUSED THE TAIWAN AUTHORITIES OF CONCEALING FROM TAIWAN CITIZENS WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE AREA. STRINGER CHANG YUNG-TAI INTERVIEWS LENG SHUIRUO, TAIWAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN, QIU YIREN, SECRETARY GENERAL OF TAIWAN'S DPP, AND LIN YUFANG, TAIWAN NEW PARTY LEGISLATOR. (MANDARIN 2/7)

CHINA'S MILITARY STRENGTH -- STAFFER CHIEN WEI INTERVIEWS PING KEFU, AN INDEPENDENT MILITARY RESEARCHER, FOR AN ASSESSMENT OF CHINA'S MILITARY STRENGTH. CHINA'S RECENT BELLIGERENCE TOWARDS TAIWAN HAS CAUSED DEFENSE EXPERTS TO LOOK CLOSELY AT BEIJING'S MILITARY CAPABILITY. (MANDARIN 2/7)

WINSTON LORD / CHINA -- STAFFER TIEN KANGLIN REPORTS ON A BRIEFING BY WINSTON LORD AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT ON HIS RECENT VISIT TO EAST ASIA AND HONG KONG. (MANDARIN 2/6)

CLINTON / CHINA / SATELLITE SALE -- PRESIDENT CLINTON ANNOUNCED HE WILL LIFT SANCTIONS BLOCKING THE SALE OF SATELLITES TO CHINA WHICH WERE IMPOSED AFTER THE 1989 BLOODY SUPPRESSION OF THE PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT. THIS CLEARS THE WAY FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN US SATELLITE SALES TO CHINA. AN ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL SAYS THE TECHNOLOGY WILL BE USED FOR COMMUNICATIONS PURPOSES ONLY, AND WILL NOT CONTRIBUTE TO CHINA'S MILITARY CAPACITY. STAFFER CHIEN WEI INTERVIEWS PROF. CHONG PINLIN, GRADUATE INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, NATIONAL SUN YAT-SEN UNIV. IN TAIWAN, ON HOW BEIJING MIGHT USE THE NEW TECHNOLOGY AND WHETHER THE US CAN GUARANTEE IT WILL NOT BE DIVERTED TO THE MILITARY. (MANDARIN 2/7)

PENSION PLAN DERAILED -- THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN HONG KONG PASSED A MOTION TO POSTPONE CONSIDERING THE GOVERNMENT 'S REQUEST FOR FUNDING THE MANDATORY PROVIDENT FUND. THE LIBERAL PARTY, SPONSOR OF THE MOVE, FEARS THAT PROVIDING PENSION FOR TWO MILLION WORKERS BEFORE 1997 WOULD IMPOSE EXCESSIVE BURDEN ON EMPLOYERS. WITHOUT GOVERNMENT FUNDING, THE MANDATORY PROVIDENT FUND PLAN IS AS GOOD AS DEAD. STRINGER LAWRENCE NG INTERVIEWS RONALD ARCULLI, VICE CHAIRMAN, LIBERAL PARTY; CHEGN YIU TONG, BOARD CHAIRMAN, FEDERATION OF TRADES; CHOW WIN HIN, MEMBER OF H.K. PREPARATORY COMMITTEE. (CANTONESE 2/7)

CHINA / HONG KONG / PRO-CHINA PARTY -- A DELEGATION FROM THE HK DEMOCRATIC CONSTRUCTION ALLIANCE, A PRO-CHINA PARTY, RECENTLY WENT TO BEIJING FOR TALKS WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS, INCLUDING PREMIER LI PENG. THE DELEGATES RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HK WITH CHINESE AUTHORITIES, HOWEVER, THE FUTURE OF HK POLITICAL PARTIES WAS NOT DISCUSSED. HONG KONG STAFFER CHOU YOUKANG REPORTS WITH COMMENTS FROM DCA CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN ZENG YUCHENG AND TAN YAOZONG. (MANDARIN 2/7)

KOREA / DEFECTORS -- SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIALS SAID ONE OF THE NORTH KOREAN DEFECTORS IN SOUTH KOREA WAS CAUGHT LAST SUNDAY AS HE TRIED TO ESCAPE BACK TO NORTH KOREA ABOARD A CHINESE FREIGHTER. THE AGENCY FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AND PLANNING (NSP) DISCLOSED WEDNESDAY THAT FORMER NORTH KOREAN SOLDIER, KIM HYUNG DUK, WHO DEFECTED TO THE SOUTH IN 1994 WAS CAPTURED BY SOUTH KOREAN COASTAL GUARDS IN THE EAST SEA. THE NSP ALSO SAID OTHER DEFECTOR, KANG MYUNG DO, WHO WAS REPORTED TO BE THE SON-IN-LAW OF NORTH KOREAN PREMIER KANG SONG SAN WAS CAUGHT TRYING TO SMUGGLE 32,000 US DOLLARS OUT OF SOUTH KOREA TO CHINA THROUGH HIS DRIVER AT THE KIMPO AIRPORT. SOUTH KOREAN AUTHORITIES SAY THEY ARE INVESTIGATING BOTH INCIDENTS. STRINGER TAE SOO KIM REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 2/7)

NORTH KOREAN DEFECTORS / THAILAND -- AN INCREASING NUMBER OF NORTH KOREANS IN CHINA AND VIETNAM WHO WANT TO DEFECT TO SOUTH KOREA ARE REPORTED RUSHING TO THAILAND WHERE THEY ARE TRYING TO GET ABOARD SOUTH KOREAN-REGISTERED SHIPS. KOREAN STRINGER TAE SOO KIM REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 2/7)

NORTH / SOUTH KOREA / BOUTROS-GHALI -- THE SOUTH KOREAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UN TOLD REPORTERS IN SEOUL THAT UN SECRETARY GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI IS SCHEDULED TO VISIT SOUTH KOREA LATER THIS MONTH AND MAY VISIT NORTH KOREA. OFFICIALS IN SEOUL SAY THE TRIP IS DESIGNED TO HELP EASE TENSIONS ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA AND MAY LEAD TO RESUMING DIRECT TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO KOREAS. KOREAN STRINGER TAE SOO KIM REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 2/7)

NORTH KOREA / FLOOD AID -- REPORTER SUSAN YACKEE SPEAKS WITH BERNARD KRISHER IN TOKYO ABOUT HIS WEB PAGE TO GET AID FOR NORTH KOREAN FLOOD VICTIMS. HE DESCRIBES CONDITIONS IN NORTH KOREA DURING HIS LAST VISIT. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 2/6)

AUSTRALIAN VIET COMMUNITY / BOAT PEOPLE -- SYDNEY STRINGER NGOC HAN REPORTS ON THE NEGATIVE REACTION OF THE LOCAL VIETNAMESE COMMUNITY TO THE UNHCR EFFORT TO SPEED UP THE RETURN TO VIETNAM OF ALL BOAT PEOPLE IN SEA AND HONG KONG CAMPS. CRITICISM IS ALSO AIMED AT THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT SUPPORT OF THIS POLICY. (VIETNAMESE 2/7)

INSIDE EUROPE:

BOSNIA / ARREST -- BOSNIAN REPRESENTATIVE BAKIR ALISPAHIC CONFIRMED THE ARREST OF EIGHT BOSNIAN SERB OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS BECAUSE OF THEIR ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT IN WAR CRIMES AGAINST CIVILIANS. AT THE SAME TIME, THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP DECIDED TO BREAK OFF CONTACTS WITH SARAJEVO UNTIL THE ARRESTED PERSONS ARE RELEASED. STRINGER BORO KONTIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (SERBIAN 2/6)

FORMER YUGOSLAVIA / TRIBUNAL -- INTERNATIONAL PROSECUTORS ARE PREPARING TO INTERROGATE BOSNIAN SERB OFFICERS ACCUSED OF COMMITTING WAR CRIMES. STAFFER ZEINAB ABDELRAHMAN INTERVIEWS FOUAD RIYAD, MEMBER OF THE SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL FOR WAR CRIMES IN FORMER YUGOSLAVIA ON THE SUBJECT. (ARABIC 2/6)

CROATIA / WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL -- CROATIAN OFFICIALS CLAIM THAT THEY CAN NOT EXTRADITE SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS WITHOUT APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION. BUT LAW PROFESSOR DAVOR KRAPAC TOLD STRINGER ZELJKO MATIC THERE IS NO NEED FOR A NEW LEGISLATION, RATHER FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE EXISTING ONE. (CROATIAN 2/6)

WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL / CROATIA / YUGOSLAVIA -- THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL SAYS CROATIA AND YUGOSLAVIA ARE NOT FULFILLING THEIR PROMISES TO COOPERATE WITH THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. STRINGER LADA STIPIC NIZETEO REPORTS THAT THE TRIBUNAL'S PRESIDENT ANTONIO CASSESE NOTED THAT CROATIA HAS FAILED TO ENACT NEW LEGISLATION TO BETTER ASSIST WAR CRIME INVESTIGATORS. (CROATIAN 2/6)

CROATIA / US -- ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS JOHN SHATTUCK MET IN ZAGREB WITH IVO SANADER, THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE CROATIAN PRESIDENT. STRINGER LINDA MILISA REPORTS THAT MR SANADER BRIEFED THE AMERICAN OFFICIAL ABOUT THE NEW BILL WHICH WILL ALLOW CROATIA TO EXTRADITE SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS TO THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. (CROATIAN 2/6)

BOSNIA / ARRESTS -- THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAVE DETAINED A SERB GENERAL, A COLONEL AND SIX SOLDIERS IN CONNECTION WITH WAR CRIMES INVESTIGATIONS. STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE ACCUSED THE GOVERNMENT OF VIOLATING THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT. (CROATIAN 2/6)

UN POLICE / BOSNIA / CROATIA -- THE UN SAYS THAT DEPLOYMENT OF UN POLICE FORCE IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA IS SLOWER DUE TO LACK OF LANGUAGE AND DRIVING SKILLS OF THE CANDIDATES FORM PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES. THEY NEED ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN ENGLISH WHICH THE UN USES TO COMMUNICATE IN BOSNIA AND EASTERN SLAVONIA. STRINGER IVICA PULJIC REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (CROATIAN 2/6)

NATO / BOSNIA -- FELIX VARGAS, THE POLITICAL ADVISOR TO US GENERAL WILLIAM NASH, HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE US MILITARY BASE NEAR TUZLA. HE SAID THAT AMERICAN FIRMS WOULD INVEST ABOUT TWO HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE SO-CALLED NORTH SECTOR IN BOSNIA. STRINGER KONSTANTIN JOVANOVIC REPORTS FROM TUZLA. (SERBIAN 2/6)

BOSNIA / RECONSTRUCTION / US AID -- NATO SPOKESMAN FELIX VARGAS HELD A NEW CONFERENCE IN TUZLA ON THE NEED OF RECONSTRUCTION OF THE SECTOR NORTH WHERE AMERICAN TROOPS ARE STATIONED. STRINGER ZDRAVKO JAVOR QUOTES M. VARGAS AS SAYING THAT THE US HAS ALREADY PLEDGED TWO HUNDRED HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS FOR THAT PURPOSE. (CROATIAN 2/6)

MIHAJLOVIC / SERBIA -- THE LEADER OF THE NEW DEMOCRACY PARTY, DUSAN MIHAJLOVIC DISCUSSES THE SITUATION IN SERBIA FOLLOWING THE DAYTON AGREEMENTS WITH OUR STRINGER DUSKO MASIC. MR MIHAILOVIC BELIEVES THAT THE PRIORITY NOW SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE REVIVAL OF THE SERBIAN ECONOMY. (SERBIAN 2/5)

DRASKOVIC / SERBIA -- THE LEADER OF SERBIAN RENEWAL MOVEMENT, VUK DRASKOVIC BLAMES THE POLICIES OF THE MILOSEVIC'S GOVERNMENT FOR ALL POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC ILLS OF THE COUNTRY. HE SPOKE WITH STRINGER DUSKO MASIC IN AN INTERVIEW ABOUT THE SITUATION IN SERBIA AFTER THE DAYTON AGREEMENTS. (SERBIAN 2/6)

SHATTUCK / CROATIA -- US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, JOHN SHATTUCK CALLED ON THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT TO ALLOW SERB REFUGEES FROM KRAJINA TO RETURN. MEANWHILE, CROATIAN GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES FIND THE PEACE PROCESS IN EASTERN SLAVONIA TOO SLOW. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 2/6)

UN / CROATIA / LANDMINES -- MAJDA TAFRA, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE UNICEF LANDMINES AWARENESS PROJECT IN CROATIA, LOOKS AT EFFORTS TO EDUCATE CHILDREN IN CROATIA ABOUT DANGERS OF LANDMINES AND OTHER EXPLOSIVE DEVICES. MS TAFRA SAID THAT THE LANDMINES AWARENESS PROJECT HAS BEEN A SUCCESS, DESPITE CONTINUING FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. STRINGER REPORT. (CROATIAN 2/6)

BELGIUM / CROATIA -- THE BELGIAN GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THAT BELGIAN SOLDIERS WILL BE STATIONED UNDER UN AUSPICES IN EASTERN SLAVONIA, CROATIA. STRINGER LADA STIPIC NIZETEO REPORTS. (CROATIAN 2/6)

RHEN / PALE -- UN SPECIAL ENVOY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, ELIZABETH RHEN MET WITH BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS IN PALE. THE TALKS FOCUSED ON WAR CRIMES AND PROBLEMS OF MUSLIM REFUGEES FROM SREBRENICA. STRINGER MILICA KUBUROVIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 2/6)

GLIGOROV / APPEAL -- MACEDONIAN PRESIDENT KIRO GLIGOROV CALLED ON THE PARTNERS IN THE RULING COALITION TO END INFIGHTING TO PRESERVE STABILITY OF THE STATE. THAT WAS HIS FIRST PUBLIC SPEECH SINCE AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE LAST YEAR. STRINGER ZELJKO BAJIC REPORTS FROM SKOPJE. (SERBIAN 2/6)

NATO / RUSSIA -- STAFFER JEAN-CLAUDE ANDRE HAS A SPECIAL REPORT ON RUSSIA'S OPPOSITION TO NATO'S POSSIBLE EXPANSION TO THE EAST. A RUSSIAN HIGH OFFICIAL TAKING PART IN A CONFERENCE ON EUROPEAN SECURITY IN MUNICH SAID ANY NATO EXPANSION TO INCLUDE EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT REFORMS IN RUSSIA AND THROW DOUBT ON WESTERN INTENTIONS. INTERVIEWED ARE JEAN-MICHEL BOUCHERON, SOCIALIST DEPUTY AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE COMMITTEE ON DEFENSE AT THE FRENCH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. MR BOUCHERON EXPLAINS WHY THE POSITIONS OF WASHINGTON AND MOSCOW SEEM SO FAR APART ON NATO'S EXPANSION. THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE COMMITTEE ON DEFENSE AT THE FRENCH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY JACQUES BOYON REVIEWS THE FACTORS THAT MIGHT BE INFLUENCING THE LATEST STATEMENTS MADE BY RUSSIAN OFFICIALS, INCLUDING THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. (FRENCH 2/6)

INSIDE EURASIA:

RUSSIA / POLITICS -- RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER VICTOR CHERNOMYRDIN'S VACATION IS SEEN BY RUSSIAN EXPERTS AS A CALCULATED MOVE TO ESTABLISH HIS INDEPENDENCE AS A POLITICIAN. THIS IS THE VIEW OF THE CARNEGIE FOUNDATION'S SERGEI MARKOV, WHICH HE EXPRESSED IN AN INTERVIEW WITH MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT ALEC BATCHAN. (RUSSIAN 2/6)

US / RUSSIAN RELATIONS -- VLADIMIR NADEIN, WASHINGTON DC IZVESTIYA CORRESPONDENT, ARIEL COHEN OF THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION AND STAFFER VLADIMIR MATLIN DISCUSS US/RUSSIAN RELATIONS IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT VISIT BY RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER VICTOR CHERNOMYRDIN TO THE US. (RUSSIAN 2/6)

CHERNOMYRDIN US VISIT / RESULTS -- STRINGER VAL SIBIRSKY TALKS ABOUT WHAT AMERICAN AND RUSSIAN BUSINESSMEN MIGHT EXPECT AS A RESULT OF RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER CHERNOMYRDIN'S RECENT US VISIT AND FROM THE ECONOMIC FORUM IN DAVOS, SWITZERLAND. (RUSSIAN 2/6)

INSIDE LATIN AMERICA:

HAITI / ARISTIDE / PREVAL -- AS HAITIAN PRESIDENT JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE TRANSFERS POWER WEDNESDAY TO THE NEWLY-ELECTED PRESIDENT RENE PREVAL, STAFFER IDRISSA FALL ASKED PORT-AU-PRINCE STRINGER CLARENCE RENOIS TO REVIEW MR ARISTIDE'S PRESIDENCY, ITS ACHIEVEMENTS AND EARLY TURMOIL. (FRENCH 2/6)

GUATEMALA / POPE JOHN PAUL II -- POPE JOHN PAUL II SAID A MASS CELEBRATING THE 400TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BLACK CHRIST OF ESQUIPULAS AND CROWNED THE VIRGIN OF ASUNCION, THE PATRON OF GUATEMALA CITY. STRINGER DIETER ERLANGER REPORTS. (SPANISH 2/6)

GUATEMALA / AFTER THE ALLEGED ATTEMPT -- AN ALLEGED ATTEMPT AGAINST THE LIFE OF PRESIDENT ARZU PROMPTED A DEBATE WHETHER THE SUSPECT, WHO WAS KILLED BY BODYGUARDS, REALLY TRIED TO ATTACK THE PRESIDENT. STRINGER DIETER ERLANGER REPORTS. (SPANISH 2/6)

URUGUAY / POLITICAL RESIGNATION -- RETIRED GENERAL LIBER SEREGNI, LEADER OF LEFTIST COALITION FRENTE AMPLIO, RESIGNED AFTER 25 YEARS OF CONDUCTING THE POLITICAL ALLIANCE. STRINGER JORGE MONSALVE REPORTS FROM MONTEVIDEO. (SPANISH 2/6) 07-Feb-96 6:24 PM EST (2324 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America