Voice of America, 96-06-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] U-S/PAPANDREOU (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[02] TURKEY / KURDS (L-ONLY) CORRETCED BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[03] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY JENNIFER L. BRANT (WASHINGTON)

[04] U-S / UZBEKISTAN (L) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

[05] RUSSIA/POLITICS (S-UPDATE) BY ELIZABETH ARROTT (MOSCOW)

[01] U-S/PAPANDREOU (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS AMONG THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD EXPRESSING SADNESS AT THE DEATH OF FORMER GREEK PRIME MINISTER ANDREAS PAPANDREOU. HE DIED SUNDAY AT THE AGE OF 77 OF HEART FAILURE AT HIS HOME IN ATHENS. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS MR. PAPANDREOU WAS LAUDED AS A FRIEND OF THE UNITED STATES AND A KEY DEMOCRATIC FIGURE IN GREEK HISTORY:

TEXT: WHITE HOUSE SPOKESWOMAN KATHRYN MCKERNON SAYS PRESIDENT CLINTON WAS SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE DEATH OF MR. PAPANDREOU FOLLOWING A LONG ILLNESS. MR. CLINTON EXTENDED CONDOLENCES TO THE PAPANDREOU FAMILY AND THE GREEK PEOPLE:

ANDREAS PAPANDREOU WAS ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL POLITICAL LEADERS IN MODERN GREEK HISTORY AND WAS A KEY FIGURE IN ASSURING THE TRIUMPH OF DEMOCRACY IN THE LAND OF ITS BIRTH.

SHE NOTED THE SOCIALIST GREEK LEADER HAD HAD LONG TIES TO THE UNITED STATES HAVING LIVED IN AMERICA FOR MANY YEARS. SHE SAID HE LEAVES BEHIND A LEGACY OF ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT WILL CONTINUE TO INSPIRE THE PEOPLE OF GREECE.

AT THE UNITED NATIONS, THE WORLD AGENCY ISSUED A STATEMENT EXPRESSING ITS CONDOLENCES AND CALLING MR. PAPANDREOU A GREAT HUMANIST WHO SERVED THE IDEALS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND DEMOCRACY AND WORKED INCESSANTLY FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE GREEK PEOPLE. IT SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS HAS LOST ONE OF ITS SINCEREST SUPPORTERS.

MR. PAPANDREOU HAD RESIGNED AS PRIME MINISTER IN JANUARY CUTTING SHORT HIS THIRD TERM SINCE HIS RE-ELECTION IN OCTOBER OF 1993. A FUNERAL IS PLANNED WEDNESDAY. (SIGNED)
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23-Jun-96 9:01 PM EDT (0101 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] TURKEY / KURDS (L-ONLY) CORRETCED BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKISH POLICE HAVE ARRESTED 30 LEADING KURDISH PARTY OFFICIALS (MONDAY) AT THE END OF A PRO-KURDISH PARTY CONVENTION. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS POLICE CLASHED WITH MEMBERS OF A SEPARATE PRO-KURDISH PARTY A FEW HOURS AFTER THE ARRESTS. AT LEAST 60 PEOPLE WERE HURT.

TEXT: AMONG THOSE ARRESTED WAS MURAT BOZLAK, LEADER OF THE PRO-KURDISH PEOPLE'S DEMOCRACY PARTY, HADEP. HE AND 29 OTHER PARTY OFFICIALS WERE DETAINED FOLLOWING A HADEP CONVENTION.

EYEWITNESSES SAID THE TROUBLES BEGAN WHEN MASKED YOUTHS, CHANTING PRO-KURDISH SLOGANS, TORE DOWN A TURKISH FLAG AND REPLACED IT WITH KURDISH BANNERS AND POSTERS OF ABDULLAH OCALAN, LEADER OF THE OUTLAWED SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, THE P-K-K.

HADEP IS THE SUCCESSOR TO THREE NOW DEFUNCT PRO-KURDISH PARTIES, WHICH WERE BANNED BECAUSE OF THEIR ALLEGED LINKS WITH THE P-K-K. FOUR FORMER KURDISH MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT BELONGING TO HADEP'S IMMEDIATE PREDECESSOR, THE DEMOCRACY PARTY (DEP), ARE IN JAIL SERVING 15-YEAR SENTENCES FOR ALLEGEDLY PROMOTING KURDISH SEPARATISM.

OBSERVERS SAY MONDAY'S SHOW OF PRO-KURDISH SENTIMENT WILL ONLY RE-INFORCE VIEWS THAT HADEP IS ALSO ENCOURAGING SEPARATIST SENTIMENT -- A CHARGE PARTY OFFICIALS VIGOROUSLY DENY. MEANWHILE, POLICE CLASHED WITH SUPPORTERS OF THE PRO-KURDISH LABOR PARTY IN DOWNTOWN ANKARA. THE VIOLENCE ERUPTED AFTER POLICE TRIED TO DISPERSE HUNDREDS OF LABOR PARTY SUPPORTERS WHO WERE PROTESTING THE GOVERNMENT'S MOVES TO CLOSE THE PARTY DOWN. (SIGNED)
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24-Jun-96 11:46 AM EDT (1546 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY JENNIFER L. BRANT (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AMERICANS TODAY ARE GREETED WITH A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS ON THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF THE MAJOR U-S NEWSPAPERS. COMMENTARY WRITERS ARE SPEAKING OUT ON THE SO-CALLED WHITE HOUSE 'FILEGATE' CONTROVERSY, PROPOSED CHANGES IN FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS, WELFARE REFORM, UNITED STATES DIPLOMACY, AND THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. HERE, WITH A CLOSER LOOK PRESS COMMENT THIS MONDAY IS ________, WITH THE U-S EDITORIAL ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THE MAJOR MEDIA HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THE MYSTERIOUS APPEARANCE AT THE WHITE HOUSE OF SENSITIVE F-B-I FILES ON EMPLOYEES FOR FORMER REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATIONS. OPINION WRITERS ACROSS THE NATION ARE CRITICIZING WHAT ONE PAPER CALLS THE 'ARROGANCE OF POWER'. THE DEBATE ON THE APPARENTLY UNAUTHORIZED REQUEST AND POSSESSION OF THE FILES HAS INCLUDED CRITICISM OF THE WHITE HOUSE STAFF, WHO SEEM UNABLE TO ADEQUATELY EXPLAIN HOW THE FILES WERE OBTAINED OR USED. THE WASHINGTON TIMES WRITES:

VOICE: "REPUBLICANS WHOSE FILES RESIDED IN THE COPIOUS WHITE HOUSE VAULT...HAVE EVERY REASON TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR MISUSE, AS WELL AS OUTRAGED AND SUSPICIOUS OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE HANDLING THEM... WE SHOULD LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE CHAIN OF COMMAND THAT HAD AS ITS FINAL LINK (SECURITY OFFICE STAFFER ANTHONY) MARCECA, LOOKING FOR 'DEROGATORY INFORMATION' IN THE FILES... THE ULTIMATE QUESTIONS FOR INDEPENDENT COUNSEL KENNETH STARRR AND THE INVESTIGATING CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES WILL BE: WHAT WERE THEIR ORDERS AND WHO GAVE THEM? "

TEXT: SOME NEWSPAPERS ARE FOCUSING ON THE ISSUE OF PARTISANSHIP AND HOW IT RELATES TO THE SCANDAL. THESE COMMENTATORS DECLARE THAT REPUBLICAN OUTRAGE IS NOT AN ATTACK ROOTED IN PARTY POLITICS, BUT RATHER, A VALID CONCERN COMPOUNDED BY WHAT THEY CALL THE POOR HANDLING OF THE PROBLEM BY WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS. USA TODAY IS ONE SUCH CRITIC.

VOICE: "SO FAR, THE ONLY CONSISTENCY AT THE WHITE HOUSE HAS BEEN HEMMING AND HAWING - OWING UP TO MISTAKES INCREMENTALLY AND AFTER CONFRONTATION WITH THE FACTS. ARE REPUBLICANS PLAYING POLITICS WITH THE ISSUE? ... THAT [QUESTION] MISSES THE POINT. THE WHITE HOUSE MISUSED ITS POWER."

TEXT: TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST EDITORIAL ON THE SUBJECT CONTINUES THAT LINE OF REASONING:

VOICE: "NEITHER (WHITE HOUSE SECURITY CHIEF) CRAIG LIVINGSTONE ... NOR HIS HAND-PICKED PARTNER, [ANTHONY] MARCECA, HAD ANY BUSINESS HAVING IMPROPERLY COLLECTED F-B-I REPORTS IN THEIR POSSESSION. THEY WERE POLITICAL OPERATIVES EXAMINING CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS THAT WERE NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS. NOTHING LESS THAN A COMPLETE AND THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF THEIR ACTIVITIES AND THIS MESS IS IN ORDER. THIS IS ONE PROBE THAT CAN'T BE BLAMED ON G-O-P PARTISANSHIP."

TEXT: ALSO IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS IS THE ISSUE OF RECENT PRESIDENTIAL EFFORTS TO FOSTER WELFARE REFORM. THIS DISCUSSION CENTERS ON THE PRACTICE IN SOME STATES OF CUTTING AID TO WELFARE MOTHERS WHO REFUSE TO IDENTIFY TO STATE AUTHORITIES THOSE FATHERS WHO ARE NOT SUPPORTING THEIR CHILDREN. A WASHINGTON TIMES EDITORIAL WRITES THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON SHOULD SIDE WITH VIRGINIA AND SUPPORT ITS EFFORTS TO STEM ILLEGITIMACY, DESPITE GROWING CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE POLICY. THE MIAMI HERALD ALSO AGREES THAT WELFARE REFORM IS NECESSARY. HOWEVER, IT SAYS THAT NEW POLICIES WILL NOT BRING ABOUT POSITIVE CHANGE WITHOUT A VIABLE MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION AND FOLLOW-UP:

VOICE: "THE PRACTICE [OF WELL INTENTIONED REFORM] WREAKS HAVOC WHEN IMPROPERLY APPLIED. SUCH STANDS TO BE THE RESULT OF WELFARE REFORMS THAT STATE LEGISTLATORS PUT ON THE BOOKS IN THE 1996 SEASON... THE BURDEN OF MAKING THESE MADATES WORK FALLS TO THE AGENCY THAT LAWMAKERS HAVE SPENT YEARS FOOLISHLY DISMANTLING -- THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES... IMPATIENT LAWMAKERS SHOULD NOT EXPECT MIRACLES. RATHER, THEY MUST CUT THROUGH THEIR GRANDSTANDING, HYPERBOLE AND LEGISLATIVE QUICK FIXES AND FULLY EXAMINE THE IMPACT ON THE LIVES AT THE OTHER END OF THEIR REFORMS."

TEXT: THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION REMAINS VERY MUCH A PART OF U-S PRESS COMMENTARY, ALTHOUGH THE DEBATE HAS SHIFTED TO THE COMMERCIAL, RATHER THAN SAFETY, RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE AGENCY. THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR DECLARES THAT WHILE SAFETY COMES FIRST, CONSUMER CONCERNS ABOUT AIRFARES MUST ALSO BE ADDRESSED BY THE FAA:

VOICE: "[TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY FEDERICO] PENA'S CALL TO END F-A-A'S DUAL MANDATE TO PROMOTE AIR TRAVEL AND ENSURE AIR SAFETY IS WELCOME, BUT BY ITSELF WILL NOT SOLVE THE AGENCY'S PROBLEMS. THAT WILL TAKE WHOLESALE CHANGES IN AGENCY CULTURE. WHILE SAFETY MUST COME FIRST, A COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS IS NEEDED BEFORE NEW RULES ARE PROMULGATED, TO ENSURE THAT REGULATORS DON'T RUN WILD AND ISSUE MANDATES THAT DRIVE UP THE COST OF AIR TRAVEL."

TEXT: AN EDITORIAL IN THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION REFLECTS SIMILAR THINKING:

VOICE: "AS THE F-A-A DEVELOPS NEW PROCEDURES FOR INSPECTING DISCOUNT CARRIERS, IT WILL HAVE TO FIND A REASONABLE BALANCE BETWEEN ENSURING SAFETY AND ALLOWING COMPANIES THE FLEXIBILITY THEY NEED TO HOLD DOWN COSTS. NO ONE WANTS TO HAMPER A RESPONSIBLE COMPANY WITH TOO MANY RULES, BUT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PUT SAFETY FIRST... CONSUMERS CLEARLY BENEFIT FROM COMPETITION AMONG CARRIERS...[BUT] NO BARGAIN HUNTER SHOULD PAY THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR A CHEAP SEAT."

TEXT: MOVING TO THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA, THE BALTIMORE SUN ANALYZES THE U-S PRACTICE OF USING SECONDARY BOYCOTTS TO PUNISH FOREIGN COMPANIES FOR DOING BUSINESS WITH CUBA, IRAN OR LIBYA. THE SUN SAYS AS LOATHSOME AS THE THREE COUNTRIES MAY BE, THEY REMAIN SOVEREIGN ENTITIES.

VOICE: "WHILE THE U-S HAS A PERFECT RIGHT TO CUT OFF ALL COMMERCE WITH THEM, IT GOES OFF THE RESERVATION WHEN IT ATTEMPTS TO PUNISH OTHER COUNTRIES FOR DOING BUSINESS WITH ROGUE REGIMES. AND IN SO DOING, IT ISOLATES NOT ONLY ITS ADVERSARIES BUT ITSELF... SUCH POLICIES MAKE A MOCKERY OF U-S ALLEGIANCE TO THE IDEALS OF FREE TRADE AND INTERNATIONAL LAW. THIS COUNTRY SHOULD NOT ALLOW ITS ANGER TOWARD EVEN THE MOST REPREHENSIBLE POLICIES OF REPREHENSIBLE COUNTRIES TO CAUSE IT TO ACT AGAINST ITS OWN NATIONAL INTERESTS."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST ALSO COMMENTS ON AMERICAN DIPLOMACY, BUT FOCUSES ON HUMAN RIGHTS RATHER THAN TRADE RELATIONS. IT NOTES THE CONTINUING UNWILLINGNESS OF BURMA'S REPRESSIVE GOVERNMENT TO HOLD TALKS WITH MEMBERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION, LED BY AUNG SAN SUU KYI. IN LIGHT OF THE UNCHANGING SITUATION, IT ADVOCATES THE NEED FOR A NEW AMERICAN APPROACH IN THE AREA:

VOICE: "THE POLICY [OF CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT] MUST BY NOW BE COUNTED A FAILURE... [SOME SENATORS] NOW PRESS FOR A BAN ON U-S INVESTMENT... AUNG SAN SUU KYI HERSELF HAS CAUTIONED FOREIGN FIRMS NOT TO INVEST, SAYING THEY ARE MOSTLY ENRICHING THE REGIME. NOBEL PEACE LAUREATE SUU KYI SPEAKS WITH A MORAL AUTHORITY THAT THE OUTSIDE WORLD CANNOT IGNORE... STRONG U-S ACTION WOULD BOLSTER AUNG SAN SUU KYI AND HER FOLLOWERS WHILE WEAKENING THE REGIME... U-S ACTION SHOULD NOT BE NEEDLESSLY UNILATERAL. BUT THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT THAT STRONGER U-S ACTION IS NEEDED."

TEXT: IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, A RECENT I-R-A BOMBING HAS GROUND NEGOTIATIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND TO A HALT. SEVERAL AMERICAN DAILIES CONDEMN THE GROUP'S TERRORIST TACTICS, AND URGE THE I-R-A TO RESUME THEIR CEASEFIRE TO PAVE THE WAY FOR A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT. THE HARTFORD COURANT COMMENTS:

VOICE: "NEARLY TWO YEARS AFTER THE CEASE-FIRE, NEGOTIATORS HAVE YET TO AGREE ON THE BASIC RULES, AND AN AGENDA FOR THE TALKS... THE DEADLINE FOR AGREEING WAS WEDNESDAY BUT THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY HAS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STICK TO THE TIMETABLE... THE IRISH GUERRILLAS SHOULD AT LEAST OBSERVE THE CEASE-FIRE IF THEY WANT REPRESENTATION AT THE PEACE TABLE...MAIMING CIVILIANS IN TERROR CAMPAIGNS DISHONORS THE CAUSE OF CATHOLICS IN NORTHERN IRELAND."

TEXT: THE BALTIMORE SUN SAYS IF THE TERRORIST ATTACKS CONTINUE, PEACE TALKS SHOULD BE CONTINUED WITHOUT THE INVOLVEMENT OF SINN FEIN, THE I-R-A'S POLITICAL WING:

VOICE: "I-R-A TERRORISM ... HAS DESTROYED THE PREMISE ON WHICH THE POLITICAL INITIATIVE RESTED: THE PREVIOUS I-R-A CEASEFIRE... MOST PEOPLE IN NORTHERN IRELAND KNOW THAT THEIR PROVINCE BENEFITED FROM THE CEASE-FIRE AND THE MOMENTUM FOR PEACE... CIVIL LIFE RETURNED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A QUARTER CENTURY. ALL THAT IS NOW THREATENED... THOSE WITH A STAKE IN A SETTLEMENT NEED CONTINGENCY PLANS: TALKS WITHOUT SINN FEIN...[AND] GREATER OSTRACISM OF THE IRA."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT SAMPLING OF COMMENTARY FROM THE AMERICAN MEDIA, WE CONCLUDE TODAY'S EDITION OF U-S EDITORIAL ROUNDUP.
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24-Jun-96 1:25 PM EDT (1725 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] U-S / UZBEKISTAN (L) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN, ISLAM KARIMOV, IS IN THE UNITED STATES TO COURT U-S INVESTMENTS FOR HIS COUNTRY'S STRUGGLING ECONOMY. AS V-O-A'S MAXIM KNIAZKOV REPORTS, MR. KARIMOV HAS ALREADY SECURED SIX AGREEMENTS THAT MAY LEAD TO A TRIPLING OF U-S INVESTMENTS IN UZBEKISTAN.

TEXT: STANDING OUT OF THESE ACCORDS ARE TWO MAJOR DEALS BETWEEN UZBEKISTAN AND THE U-S ENRON AND TEXACO CORPORATIONS. THE FIRST CALLS FOR 400 MILLION DOLLARS IN U-S GUARANTEES AND FINANCING FOR DEVELOPING GAS RESERVES IN UZBEKISTAN. THE SECOND WILL HELP TEXACO MANUFACTURE AND MARKET OIL PRODUCTS THROUGHOUT CENTRAL ASIA.

RUTH HARKIN, THE PRESIDENT OF THE OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION, AN INDEPENDENT U-S AGENCY THAT SIGNED ON AS THE RISK INSURANCE PROVIDER, HAILED THE ACCORDS.

IT IS CERTAINLY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S PRIORITY TO SUPPORT CONTINUED ECONOMIC REFORMS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN, AND FOR OPIC'S PART THIS MORNING, I'M DELIGHTED THAT OPIC WILL BE ABLE TO SIGN PROTOCOLS AND AGREEMENTS WITH THE ENRON CORPORATION AS WELL AS WITH THE TEXACO CORPORATION.

THE DEALS ARE VIEWED AS A MAJOR BOOST FOR U-S BUSINESS IN UZBEKISTAN -- A LANDLOCKED CENTRAL ASIAN COUNTRY OF MORE THAN 22 MILLION PEOPLE. U-S COMPANIES HAVE MORE THAN 200 MILLION DOLLARS IN OPIC-BACKED INVESTMENTS THERE SO FAR. BUT THAT IS EXPECTED TO CHANGE DRAMATICALLY, IF THE DEALS ARE IMPLEMENTED.

UZBEKISTAN BOASTS MORE THAN 100 JOINT VENTURES WITH AMERICAN COMPANIES, PRIMARILY IN THE MINING SECTOR. SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, PRESIDENT KARIMOV MADE IT CLEAR HE IS ANXIOUS TO SEE THE U-S BUSINESS PRESENCE GROW.

UZBEKISTAN IS INTERESTED IN SEEING OUR RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES STRENGTHEN AND GROW. AND WE ARE ALSO INTERESTED IN SEEING AMERICAN BUSINESS AND AMERICAN CAPITAL TAKE ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE IN THE UZBEK MARKET. UZBEKISTAN HAS NOW REACHED A POINT WHERE ALL THE NECESSARY PREREQUISITES ARE IN PLACE TO CREATE A DYNAMIC INCREASE IN INVESTMENTS IN OUR ECONOMY. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO STATE THAT DOING BUSINESS IN UZBEKISTAN IS NOW VERY PROFITABLE.

MR. KARIMOV ARRIVED IN WASHINGTON ON SUNDAY, THE FIRST LEG OF HIS SIX-DAY VISIT. HE WILL DISCUSS REGIONAL AND BILATERAL ISSUES WITH U-S OFFICIALS AND ALSO TRAVEL TO HOUSTON, TEXAS, AND DENVER, COLORADO, FOR SEMINARS WITH U-S BUSINESS LEADERS.

THE HIGH POINT OF HIS TRIP IS EXPECTED ON TUESDAY, WHEN MR. KARIMOV -- FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE BECOMING THE LEADER OF AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY IN 1991 -- WILL VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE FOR TALKS WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON. (SIGNED)
NEB/MAX / MMK
24-Jun-96 2:29 PM EDT (1829 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] RUSSIA/POLITICS (S-UPDATE) BY ELIZABETH ARROTT (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, COMMUNIST GENNADI ZYUGANOV, HAS PROPOSED THE NEXT GOVERNMENT BE A COALTION. V-O-A'S ELIZABETH ARROTT IN MOSCOW REPORTS MR. ZYUGANOV IS IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN UPHILL BATTLE FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

TEXT: MR. ZYUGANOV SAID RUSSIA IS IN SUCH A STATE OF CRISIS THAT NO SINGLE POLITICIAN OR PARTY CAN SOLVE THE NATION'S PROBLEMS.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE IN MOSCOW, THE COMMUNIST LEADER SAID ONE-THIRD OF THE COALITION WOULD COME FROM HIS POLITICAL BLOC, ONE-THIRD FROM THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT AND ONE-THIRD FROM LEGISLATIVE FACTIONS.

MR. ZYUGANOV FINISHED ONLY THREE-PERCENTAGE POINTS BEHIND RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN IN THE FIRST ROUND OF VOTING.

BUT TWO NEW OPINION SURVEYS SUGGEST DRAMATIC KREMLIN INFIGHTING LAST WEEK, AND A SUBSEQUENT PURGE OF HARDLINE YELTSIN AIDES, MAY HAVE TIPPED THE BALANCE IN MR. YELTSIN'S FAVOR. THE POLLS INDICATE THE PRESIDENT NOW HAS A 20-PERCENT LEAD OVER MR. ZYUGANOV.

THE COMMUNIST CANDIDATE'S IDEA FOR A COALITION WAS IMMEDIATELY GREETED BY POLTIICAL OBSERVERS AS A LAST-MINUTE ATTEMPT TO BOLSTER HIS POSITION BEFORE NEXT WEEK'S RUN-OFF. (SIGNED)
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24-Jun-96 11:26 AM EDT (1526 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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