Voice of America, 96-09-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREEK ELECTIONS SCENESETTER (L-ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVAS (ATHENS)

[02] CONGRESS / BOSNIA (L ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CONGRESS)

[03] SERB VOTER REACTION BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BANJA LUKA)

[04] THE EXPANSION OF NATO AND TH FUTURE OF EUROPE -- SHORT #1

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

[01] GREEK ELECTIONS SCENESETTER (L-ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVAS (ATHENS)

INTRO: SIX REMOTE GREEK VILLAGES AND AN ISOLATED ISLE ARE SET TO BOYCOTT GENERAL ELECTIONS ON SUNDAY. ANTHEE CARASSAVAS REPORTS FROM ATHENS THAT THE POLITICAL RESISTANCE COMES DURING AN APPARENT MOOD OF APATHY -- AND INDIFFERENCE -- FOR THE COMING VOTE IN A COUNTRY WHERE VOTING IS MANDATORY.

TEXT: FOR THE IMPOVERISHED FARMERS IN THE SIX GREEK VILLAGES AND THE REMOTE ISLE OF ERIKOUSA, SUNDAY'S GENERAL ELECTION IS A TIME OF -- WHAT THEY CALL "REVENGE." LOCALS SAY THEY ARE TIRED OF HEARING UNFULFILLED CAMPAIGN PLEDGES AND WILL GIVE POLITICIANS WHAT THEY CLAIM THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING FOR YEARS -- NAMELY, NOTHING.

VOTING IS MANDATORY IN GREECE AND VIOLATORS FACE BETWEEN ONE AND 12 MONTHS IN PRISON. VIOLATORS ARE ALSO DEPRIVED OF THEIR PASSPORTS, WORKING PERMITS AND DRIVERS LICENSES.

THE UNPRECEDENTED MOVE BY THE FARMERS COMES AMID A PREVAILING MOOD OF APATHY AND INDIFFERENCE FOR THE ELECTIONS. THE DULL CAMPAIGN SCENE EVEN PROMPTED THE MOURNING WIDOW OF THE LATE CHARISMATIC SOCIALIST LEADER ANDREAS PAPANDREOU TO BREAK HER SILENCE AND SAY THAT ELECTIONS WITHOUT THE FIERY POLITICIAN IS LIKE A PLAY, AS SHE PUT IT, WITHOUT A PROTAGONIST.

WITH PAPANDREOU GONE, HOWEVER, ALL POLITICIANS HAVE BEEN KEEN TO EMBRACE HIS POPULIST STYLE AND RHETORIC. THE FIRST TO DO SO HAS BEEN THE CONSERVATIVE LEADER MILTIADOS EVERT OF THE "NEW DEMOCRATIC" PARTY. COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE "BULLDOZER" FOR HIS STYLE AND GIRTH, MR. EVERT HAS PROMISED MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR HANDOUTS AND TAX BREAKS TO THE LOWER ECHELONS OF SOCIETY.

THE FORMULA HAS PROVEN A SUCCESS, AS OPINION POLLS SHOW "NEW DEMOCRACY" RUNNING EVEN AGAINST THE RIVAL SOCIALIST "PASOK" PARTY. PASOK'S WORST HEADACHE, HOWEVER, HAS PROVEN TO BE THE "DIKKI" SOCIALIST SPLINTER GROUP WHICH IS EXPECTED TO TAKE BETWEEN FOUR AND SIX PERCENT OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY'S SUPPORT.

LED BY FORMER HARDLINE SOCIALIST FINANCE MINISTER DIMITRIS TSOVOLAS, DIKKI CLAIMS TO HOLD THE TRUE SOCIAL-LOVING, FREE-SPENDING SPIRIT WHICH MR. PAPANDREOU MASTERED. SENIOR PASOK OFFICIALS SAY MR. TSOVOLAS HAS DONE MORE HARM THAN EXPECTED AND INITIAL OPTIMISM OF A LANDSLIDE SOCIALIST VICTORY HAS TURNED TO PANIC.

ANALYSTS ATTRIBUTE THE SO-CALLED TSOVOLAS PHENOMENON TO MR. SIMITIS'S BLAND, TECHNOCRATIC LANGUAGE AND CALLS FOR BELT-TIGHTENING MEASURES TO IMPROVE GREECE'S CHANCES OF JOINING THE EUROPEAN UNION'S SINGLE CURRENCY BY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY.

MR. SIMITIS CALLED FOR "SNAP ELECTIONS" A YEAR EARLIER THAN SLATED, SAYING HE NEEDED A PUBLIC MANDATE TO PRESS AHEAD WITH BOLD ECONOMIC REFORMS AND TO FACE, WHAT HE CALLED, THE RISING TURKISH THREAT.

ANALYSTS SAY THE POLICIES PRESENTED BY BOTH THE SOCIALIST AND CONSERVATIVE CAMPAIGNS DIFFER ONLY IN THE SO-CALLED "COLOR OF THE WRAPPING PAPER." BOTH SUPPORT A STRONG DIPLOMATIC AND MILITARY STANCE AGAINST TURKEY AND BOTH AGREE ON THE NEED TO RID THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMY OF EXCESS EXPENSES.

COMMENTATORS SAY SUNDAY'S GREEK ELECTIONS WILL, IN ESSENCE, BE A CHOICE OF CHARACTER -- METHODIC, YET UNCHARISMATIC SIMITIS, OR THE EMOTIVE AND OFTEN VAGUE EVERT. THOUGH FEW GREEK ANALYSTS PREDICT A CONSERVATIVE VICTORY, MR. SIMITIS HAS HINTED HE MAY RESIGN FROM THE POST OF SOCIALIST PARTY PRESIDENT, IF HE LOSES. (SIGNED)
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19-Sep-96 1:48 PM EDT (1748 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CONGRESS / BOSNIA (L ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CONGRESS)

INTRO: ASSISTANT U-S SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KORNBLUM WAS THE HIGHEST-RANKING AMERICAN OFFICIAL TO OBSERVE THE BOSNIAN ELECTIONS. LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER HIS RETURN TO WASHINGTON, HE WAS ON CAPITOL HILL SHARING HIS IMPRESSIONS WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. KORNBLUM SAYS NO ONE EXPECTED THE BOSNIAN ELECTIONS TO BE FLAWLESS. BUT HE SAYS THEY WERE ORDERLY AND CALM -- AND AMOUNTED TO A STRONG DISPLAY OF SUPPORT BY THE BOSNIAN PEOPLE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

I THINK IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO OVERSTATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE ELECTIONS. AFTER FOUR YEARS OF BRUTAL CONFLICT, WHICH SHREDDED THE VERY FABRIC OF THEIR SOCIETY, ALL BOSNIANS -- REGARDLESS OF THEIR ETHNIC GROUP -- WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY THAT SO MANY OF US TAKE FOR GRANTED: THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

HE SAYS THE BEGINNINGS OF A TRUE PLURALISTIC SYSTEM CAME TO BOSNIA AS PEOPLE WENT TO THE POLLS. THE FOCUS NOW SHIFTS TO SUPPORT FOR THE NEW INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT AND THE NEW LEADERS OF A WAR-TORN COUNTRY.

WE OBVIOUSLY CANNOT PREDICT THE FUTURE. IT WOULD NOT BE WISE TO TRY AND DESCRIBE WHAT CAN HAPPEN IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF DIVISION WHICH STILL EXISTS THERE -- (AND WAS) THE BASIS FOR THE WAR. BUT WE BELIEVE THESE ELECTIONS HAVE LAID A VERY GOOD FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE AND I CAN ASSURE YOU WE WILL BE COMMITTED VERY MUCH TO THE PRINCIPLES WHICH MADE THE DAYTON AGREEMENT POSSIBLE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

BUT SOME MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES' INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE ARE LESS OPTIMISTIC. THEIR MAIN FEAR IS THAT AMERICAN TROOPS COULD REMAIN IN BOSNIA INDEFINITELY. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE -- REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN BENJAMIN GILMAN OF NEW YORK -- SAYS THE LAWMAKERS WANT ANSWERS FROM THE PRESIDENT.

AND I THINK IT IS TIME FOR HIS PRESIDENT AND HIS TOP FOREIGN POLICY OFFICIALS TO LEVEL WITH US IN CONGRESS AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT COMMITMENTS OUR BOSNIA POLICY WILL REQUIRE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

MR. KORNBLUM DID NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE DIRECTLY. BUT HE TOLD THE COMMITTEE THE UNITED STATES REMAINS COMMITTED TO THE TIMETABLE CONTAINED IN THE DAYTON ACCORDS. (SIGNED)
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19-Sep-96 3:49 PM EDT (1949 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] SERB VOTER REACTION BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BANJA LUKA)

INTRO: ALTHOUGH THE COMPLETE RESULTS OF THE FEDERAL ELECTION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ARE NOT IN YET, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE BIG WINNERS ARE THE THREE MAIN NATIONALIST PARTIES. IN THE BOSNIAN SERB ENTITY, THE SERB CANDIDATE FOR THE ROTATING PRESIDENCY, MOMCILO KRAJISNIK, HOWEVER, HAD MORE OPPOSITION THAN DID EITHER CANDIDATE REPRESENTING THE MUSLIM AND CROAT NATIONALIST PARTIES. V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS ON HOW VOTERS IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE SERB ENTITY ARE REACTING TO ELECTION RESULTS.

TEXT: THE ORGANIZATION IN CHARGE OF THE ELECTION -- THE O-S-C-E (ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE) -- TOLD LOCAL REPORTERS IN BANJA LUKA THAT ALTHOUGH MR. KRAJISNIK IS CLEARLY IN THE LEAD FOR THE ROTATING PRESIDENCY OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, HIS OPPONENT IN THE SERB REPUBLIC, MLADEN IVANIC, SHOWED SURPRISING STRENGTH. IN UNOFFICIAL RETURNS, MR. KRAJISNIK IS SAID TO HAVE 66 PERCENT OF THE VOTE AGAINST MR. IVANIC'S 31 PERCENT.

THE LOCAL PRESS, HOWEVER, WHICH IS LARGELY CONTROLLED BY THE RULING S-D-S PARTY OF MR. KRAJISNIK, HAS NOT YET REPORTED THIS EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORT FOR THE PARTY MAY BE ERODING.

THUS MOST ORDINARY SERB VOTERS ARE UNAWARE THAT HOW THEY VOTED DEMONSTRATES MORE EVIDENCE OF DIVERSITY THAN OCCURRED IN THE CROAT-MUSLIM FEDERATION. THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE O-S-C-E IN BANJA LUKA, THOMAS MIGLIERINA, SAYS THE VOTE IN THE REPUBLIKA SERBSKA (BOSNIAN SERB ENTITY) SHOWS FAR GREATER OPPOSITION TO THE RULING PARTY THEN THE PREVIOUS ELECTION IN 1990 WHICH PROMPTED THE SERB DRIVE FOR A SEPARATE STATE.

WE WILL REMEMBER THAT EACH NATIONAL PARTY GOT 90 TO 95 PERCENT OF ITS ETHNIC GROUP (IN THE 1990 ELECTION). NOW IT'S CLEAR THAT EVERY ETHNIC GROUP IN THE BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IS OPEN A BIT TO A CERTAIN NUMBER OF OPTIONS AND THIS IS PARTICULARLY CLEAR IN REPUBLIKA SERBSKA.

FOR THE MOST PART HOWEVER THE LOCAL POPULATION IS UNAWARE OF THIS, AND IS INSTEAD FOCUSED ON ONE OVERRIDING CONCERN, THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THE FIRST TO CHAIR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA'S ROTATING PRESIDENCY WILL BE A MUSLIM, ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC OF THE RULING S-D-S PARTY.

MOST ORDINARY PEOPLE IN BANJA LUKA ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE CITIES PRE-WAR MUSLIM AND CATHOLIC CROAT POPULATIONS, FOURTEEN PERCENT EACH, WERE LARGELY SECULAR. BUT THEY SAY THESE MUSLIMS AND CROATS SUDDENLY BECAME RELIGIOUS FANATICS AND THREATENING TO SERBS. IN SELF DEFENSE THEY SAY THE SERBS HAD TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THAT'S HOW THE WAR BEGAN.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE MASSIVE ETHNIC CLEANSING, BURNING OF MOSQUES AND MUSLIM HOMES THAT WENT ON IN BANJA LUKA IN 1992, MOST PEOPLE SAY THAT WAS SIMPLY THE RESULT OF A CIVIL WAR BETWEEN TWO SIDES, JUST LIKE DURING THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR. WHAT'S REALLY AMAZING ACCORDING TO THE O-S-C-E'S THOMAS MIGLIERINA, IS THAT PEOPLE WITH SO LITTLE ACCESS TO UNOFFICIAL INFORMATION HAVE SOMEHOW SHOWN A SMALL SPARK OF DEFIANCE. BUT WHETHER THIS TRANSLATES INTO COOPERATION WITH MUSLIMS AND CROATS IN THE FEDERATION REMAINS TO BE SEEN. (SIGNED)
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19-Sep-96 6:36 PM EDT (2236 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] THE EXPANSION OF NATO AND TH FUTURE OF EUROPE -- SHORT #1

ANNCR: ON THE LINE -- A DISCUSSION OF UNITED STATES POLICIES AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES.

THIS WEEK, "THE EXPANSION OF NATO AND THE FUTURE OF EUROPE." HERE IS YOUR HOST, -------. HOST: HELLO AND WELCOME TO ON THE LINE.

PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON HAS CALLED FOR A NATO SUMMIT NEXT YEAR TO TAKE STEPS TO ADAPT AND ENLARGE THE ALLIANCE. THREE YEARS AGO, NATO ESTABLISHED THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE. THAT INITIATIVE WAS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE MILITARY AND POLITICAL COOPERATION BETWEEN NATO AND FORMER SOVIET-BLOC COUNTRIES AFTER THE END OF THE COLD WAR. IT WAS ALSO EXPECTED TO BE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD NATO MEMBERSHIP FOR SOME OF EUROPE'S NEW DEMOCRACIES.

BRIGADIER GENERAL ROBERT OSTERTHALER IS DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR EUROPEAN AND NATO AFFAIRS. HE SAYS NATO EXPANSION IS IMPORTANT TO THE STABILITY OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE.

OSTERTHALER: "THE NATIONS OF CENTRAL-EASTERN EUROPE HAVE BEEN, OFTEN IN THIS CENTURY, IN A SECURITY VACUUM. WE THINK IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL THAT THEY BE PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE THEIR OWN SECURITY WITHIN A BROADER ALLIANCE. IF THEY CHOOSE TO LOOK WESTWARD FOR THEIR SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS WITH NATO, THEN THE DOOR IS OPEN FOR THEM TO DO SO. IF THEY CHOSE TO MAKE OTHER ARRANGEMENTS, THEN NO ONE IN NATO IS GOING TO PUT PRESSURE ON THEM TO JOIN THE NATO ALLIANCE." HOST: BRIGADIER GENERAL OSTERTHALER SAYS THERE ARE A SERIES OF CRITERIA PROSPECTIVE NATO MEMBERS MUST MEET.

OSTERTHALER: "WE HAVE SAID VERY OPENLY FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW THAT COUNTRIES WISHING TO JOIN NATO SHOULD BE MARKET DEMOCRACIES. THEY SHOULD HAVE CIVILIAN CONTROL OF THE MILITARY. THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE SIMMERING DISPUTES, BORDER DISPUTES, DISPUTES WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS WHICH THEY WOULD IMPORT INTO THE ALLIANCE." HOST: NATO, SAID BRIGADIER GENERAL OSTERTHALER, WILL ALSO ESTABLISH A FORMAL CONSULTATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH RUSSIA.

OSTHERTHALER: "THE RUSSIANS, OF COURSE, ARE GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTED IN THEIR ABILITY TO HAVE THEIR VOICE HEARD WITHIN THE NATO ALLIANCE, WITHIN THE NATO FORUM. THAT IS NOT THE SAME AS TO SAY THAT THEY WILL BE OFFERED A SEAT ON THE NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL WITH A VETO OVER NATO DECISIONS. I THINK THAT'S HIGHLY UNLIKELY FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY BE GIVEN CONSULTATIVE MECHANISMS THAT WILL GUARANTEE THAT THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO EXPRESS AN OPINION, TO HAVE THEIR VOICE HEARD, TO MAKE SURE THAT BEFORE DECISIONS ARE TAKEN RATHER THAN AFTERWARDS, THE RUSSIAN SECURITY CONCERNS ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT."

BRIGADIER GENERAL OSTERTHALER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SAYS THE EVOLUTION OF NATO WILL MEAN GREATER STABILITY FOR ALL OF EUROPE. ON THE LINE, THIS IS ----------.

ANNCR: YOU'VE BEEN LISTENING TO ON THE LINE -- A DISCUSSION OF UNITED STATES POLICIES AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES. THIS IS ----------.
19-Sep-96 3:44 PM EDT (1944 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: WHETHER TO ALLOW ROSS PEROT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES IS ONE OF THE CHIEF TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL COLUMNS. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE DECLINE IN VIOLENT CRIME; U-S POLICY TOWARD IRAQ; THE DEATH OF FORMER VICE PRESIDENT SPIRO AGNEW; AND THE CONTINUING DEBATE OVER IMMIGRATION REFORM. NOW HERE IS ___________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: ONE OF THE DAY'S MOST POPULAR TOPICS IS WHETHER TEXAS BILLIONAIRE ROSS PEROT, RUNNING AS A THIRD PARTY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONALLY TELEVISED PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES. THERE IS GOOD DEAL OF DIVISION ON THE TOPIC WITH SEVERAL MAJOR DAILIES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE QUESTION, FOLLOWING A DECISION BY THE DEBATE COMMISSION NOT TO ALLOW MR. PEROT TO DEBATE WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON AND REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER ROBERT DOLE. MR. PEROT SAYS HE WILL FIGHT THE RULING. TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE WANTS TO SEE MR. PEROT INCLUDED, NOTING:

VOICE: "[BEGIN OPT] IF A 'REALISTIC' CHANCE OF BECOMING PRESIDENT IS TO BE THE BAR GUARDING ACCESS TO PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES, THERE MAY COME A DAY WHEN THE DEMOCRATIC OR REPUBLICAN NOMINEE WILL NOT QUALIFY. THAT DAY MAY EVEN BE CLOSE AT HAND. [MR.] PEROT IS ON ALL 50 STATE BALLOTS, AND BECAUSE OF THE 19-POINT-SEVEN MILLION VOTES HE WON IN 1992, HE HAS QUALIFIED FOR 29-MILLION [DOLLARS] IN FEDERAL CAMPAIGN FUNDS. [END OPT] ..... IN THE END IT WILL BE [PRESIDENT] CLINTON AND [MR.] DOLE WHO DECIDE WHO CAN DEBATE, WHEN AND HOW. THEY SHOULD OPT FOR A THREE-PERSON FORMAT FOR THE FIRST DEBATE, AT LEAST."

TEXT: ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE WASHINGTON POST WRITES IN TODAY'S LEAD EDITORIAL:

VOICE: "YOU CAN ARGUE THAT, BY THIS STANDARD OR THAT, ROSS PEROT SOMEHOW DESERVED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES. BUT THERE'S NO RIGHT TO BE INCLUDED, NOR ANY LAW TO BE FOLLOWED, NOR EVEN ANY PRECEDENT THAT'S ALTOGETHER APT. IT ENDS UP BEING AN ARBITRARY DECISION EITHER WAY - - AND THE FACT IS, WE'D RATHER SEE BILL CLINTON AND BOB DOLE DEBATE HEAD TO HEAD, WITHOUT THE DISTRACTION THAT THE TEXAS BILLIONAIRE WOULD REPRESENT [BEGIN OPT] AND WITHOUT HAVING HIM AROUND, EITHER, FOR THEM TO USE, AS THEY INEVITABLY WOULD, AS A KIND OF STAGE PROP."[END OPT]

TEXT: [BEGIN OPT] THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, REMEMBERING THE HISTORIC LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATES OF 1858, CHIDES BOB DOLE FOR OPPOSING MR. PEROT'S INCLUSION AND SAYS:

VOICE: "WE HOPE HE [PEROT] WINS HIS SUIT TO JOIN CANDIDATES DOLE AND CLINTON IN AT LEAST THE FIRST DEBATE. IDEALLY, CANDIDATE RALPH NADER WOULD BE ON BOARD, [INCLUDED] TOO, FOR THE SAKE OF BROADENING THE DIALOGUE WITH VOTERS. BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN."

TEXT: THE WALL STREET JOURNAL IS PLEASED MR. PEROT IS APPARENTLY OUT, NOTING:

VOICE: "AT LEAST THE COMMISSION ON PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES HAD THE COURAGE TO STICK TO ITS PRE-ANNOUNCED CRITERIA IN DECIDING THAT ROSS PEROT DOESN'T DESERVE EQUAL BILLING WITH BILL CLINTON AND BOB DOLE. HAVING BROADCAST TO THE WORLD THAT WHAT MATTERED WAS THAT A CANDIDATE HAS A 'REALISTIC' CHANCE OF VICTORY, THE COMMISSION WOULD HAVE LOOKED SILLY MAKING ANY OTHER DECISION. ... THE DEBATES WILL NOW FEATURE TWO MAJOR-PARTY CANDIDATES, AND TWO-THIRDS OF VOTERS SAY THEY REMAIN UNENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT EITHER. BUT BY NOW THEY SEEM EQUALLY UNIMPRESSED BY ROSS PEROT." [END OPT]

TEXT: COMMENTING ON A NEW JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SURVEY REPORTING A SHARP DROP IN VIOLENT CRIME, USA TODAY SAYS IT MAY SURPRISE MANY PEOPLE.

VOICE: "POLLS SHOW PEOPLE FEAR CRIME IS GETTING WORSE. AND PROBABLY THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES, WHO, SEEING THOSE POLLS, HAVE TRIED TO OUTTOUGH EACH OTHER ON CRIME ALL WEEK. BUT JUSTICE'S SURVEY IS UNFETTERED GOOD NEWS - - AND CREDIBLE."

TEXT: TURNING OVERSEAS, TODAY'S ORLANDO SENTINEL SAYS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS ON "THE RIGHT TRACK ON IRAQ," ADDING:

VOICE: "THIS COUNTRY HAS PURSUED STABILITY AND SECURITY AS ITS WORTHWHILE GOALS IN THE PERSIAN GULF. THAT INCLUDES HELPING GOVERNMENTS THAT ARE FRIENDLY TO THE UNITED STATES, MAINTAINING ACCESS TO THE REGION'S PETROLEUM SUPPLY AND ENSURING IRAQ'S COMPLIANCE WITH UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTIONS. MR. CLINTON SHOULD PURSUE THOSE OBJECTIVES DECISIVELY, NOT BASE HIS DECISIONS ON WHAT IRAQ DOES."

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE TAKING NOTE OF THE DEATH OF SPIRO AGNEW, THE VICE PRESIDENT UNDER RICHARD NIXON WHO RESIGNED IN DISGRACE IN 1973. IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND THE SUN NOTES HIS PASSING THIS WAY:

VOICE: "FOR MARYLANDERS, SPIRO THEODORE AGNEW WILL ALWAYS BE THE NATIVE SON WHO CAME CLOSEST TO THE PRESIDENCY DURING THE FIRST TWO CENTURIES OF THE NATION'S HISTORY. IT WAS A DESTINY TINGED NOT WITH GREATNESS, BUT WITH SADNESS, TRAGEDY, DISGRACE AND ILL-REPUTE. [BEGIN OPT] .... YET HISTORY CANNOT BE DENIED. THIS MARYLANDER WAS WHAT HE WAS - - AN IMPORTANT IF VENAL FIGURE IN A TURBULENT ERA." [END OPT]

TEXT: ADDS THE NEW YORK POST THAT HE PROVIDED A NECESSARY COUNTERPOINT TO THE LIBERAL LEFT DURING THE VIETNAM WAR DEBATE.

VOICE: "[BEGIN OPT] ON ONE LEVEL, [MR.] AGNEW - - WHO WAS FORCED TO RESIGN IN 1973 - - WAS LITTLE MORE THAN A COMMON CROOK WHO'D ASCENDED TO AN UNUSUALLY HIGH PERCH. ..... BUT [END OPT] HE SHOULD ALSO BE REMEMBERED AS A NATIONAL PERSONALITY WHO DELIVERED A GROUNDBREAKING RHETORICAL ASSAULT DIRECTED AT THE LIBERAL/LEFT ESTABLISHMENT THEN SO DOMINANT IN AMERICAN LIFE."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, THE NEW YORK TIMES IS UPSET BY WHAT IT TERMS "A DANGEROUS IMMIGRATION BILL," WORKING ITS WAY THROUGH CONGRESS.

VOICE: "AS THE WHITE HOUSE AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS MAKE FINAL DECISIONS THIS WEEK ABOUT A SEVERELY FLAWED IMMIGRATION BILL, THEY SEEM MORE CONCERNED WITH PROTECTING THEIR POLITICAL INTERESTS THAN THE NATIONAL INTEREST. THE BILL SHOULD BE KILLED. .... ITS MOST DANGEROUS PROVISIONS WOULD BLOCK FEDERAL COURTS FROM REVIEWING MANY IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE ACTIONS. THIS WOULD REMOVE THE ONLY MEANINGFUL CHECK ON THE I-N-S, AN AGENCY WITH A HISTORY OF ABUSE."

TEXT: AND THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SURVEY OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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19-Sep-96 12:08 PM EDT (1608 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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