Voice of America, 97-01-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[02] EDITORIAL: MORE ELECTION DELAY IN SERBIA

[03] ALBANIA FINANCE BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[04] ALBANIA REACT (S-ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[05] ALBANIA VIOLENCE (L) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

[06] ALBANIA WRAP (S ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[07] COHEN/NATO (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

[08] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[09] TURKEY / DRUGS (L-O) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[10] U-S / SERBIA (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPT.)

[01] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE NATION GETS BACK TO WORK TODAY AFTER TAKING TIME OUT TO WATCH THE SUPERBOWL, AS THE U-S PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP IS CALLED, AND THE EDITORIAL WRITERS ARE DEALING WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF MAINLY DOMESTIC TOPICS. AMONG THE SUBJECTS COVERED TODAY INCLUDE: THE BOMBING IN SAUDI ARABIA LAST JUNE; ANOTHER EMBARRASSMENT FOR THE C-I-A; THE PRICE OF ENERGY IN THE UNITED STATES; CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM; AND AIR SAFETY. NOW HERE IS ________________ WITH

TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES IS UNHAPPY WITH THE WAY SAUDI ARABIA IS HANDLING THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE JUNE 1996 BOMBING THAT TOOK 19 AMERICAN LIVES AND INJURED MORE THAN 500 AT DHAHRAN. THE PAPER COMPLAINS ABOUT "UNFINISHED BUSINESS" IN THE CASE.

VOICE: "AMERICANS CANNOT LIVE WITH ... [THE] ... TERRORIST BOMBING IN SAUDI ARABIA UNTIL THOSE WHO CARRIED OUT THE ATTACK ARE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE AND THE FINANCIAL AND LOGISTICAL HELP THEY RECEIVED IS MADE PLAIN. ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO AND LOUIS FREEH, THE DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, HAVE EVERY REASON TO PRESS THE SAUDI GOVERNMENT TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION..... THEY ARE PARTICULARLY WORRIED THAT THE SAUDI AUTHORITIES WILL BEHEAD THE PRIMARY SUSPECTS BEFORE AMERICANS HAVE A CHANCE TO QUESTION THEM. THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR DURING THE INVESTIGATION OF A 1995 TERRORIST ATTACK AGAINST AMERICANS IN RYADH. THE EXECUTION OF THE MAIN SUSPECTS PREVENTED AN EXHAUSTIVE INQUIRY THAT MIGHT HAVE DETERMINED WHETHER THERE IS A BROADER TERRORIST NETWORK IN SAUDI ARABIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST, POSSIBLY INVOLVING IRANIAN SUPPORT."

TEXT: [BEGIN OPT] TODAY'S NEW YORK POST IS SURPRISED THAT A MENTALLY UNSTABLE MAN - - DAVID CRUMP - - DRIVING A SMALL TRUCK WAS ABLE TO PENETRATE THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY HEADQUARTERS JUST OUTSIDE WASHINGTON IN DECEMBER. THE INCIDENT HAS JUST BEEN MADE PUBLIC. SAYS THE POST:

VOICE: "HOW DID [MR.] CRUMP MANAGE EFFORTLESSLY TO PENETRATE WHAT ANY LAY PERSON WOULD EXPECT TO BE SUPERTIGHT SECURITY? ACCORDING TO THE AGENCY, HE WAS DRIVING SO FAST THAT HE BLEW BY [RACED PAST] A ... ROADWAY BARRIER BEFORE GUARDS COULD ACTIVATE IT. IMAGINE: HE DROVE TOO FAST. .... DOES THIS EXPLAIN THE ABILITY OF ISLAMIC TERRORISTS IN SAUDI ARABIA TO KILL AMERICANS WITH TRUCK BOMBS TWICE IN THE COURSE OF A SINGLE YEAR? PERHAPS."

TEXT: TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST SAYS A DEPARTING CABINET MEMBER, HAZEL O'LEARY, HAS MADE AN UNUSUALLY CANDID STATEMENT ABOUT ONE OF THE NATION'S LEAST DISCUSSED PROBLEMS.

VOICE: "IN AN EXIT INTERVIEW ..... DEPARTING ENERGY SECRETARY O'LEARY SPOKE A TRUTH FOR WHICH SHE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE HAD TO APOLOGIZE HAD SHE BEEN SO HEEDLESS AS TO SPEAK IT WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY. HER SIN WAS TO SAY THAT ENERGY PRICES IN THIS COUNTRY ARE TOO LOW. THE PUNISHMENT WOULD HAVE COME BECAUSE ON ENERGY, PERHAPS EVEN MORE THAN ON SUCH SUPPOSED THIRD RAILS [HIGHLY-CHARGED SOCIAL ISSUES] AS SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE, THE POLITICIANS ROUTINELY FLEE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. THE WAY TO RAISE ENERGY PRICES IS TO IMPOSE A TAX. IT WOULD BE A DOUBLY BENEFICIAL ACT. THE HIGHER PRICE WOULD ENCOURAGE BADLY NEEDED CONSERVATION; THE REVENUES WOULD MEANWHILE SERVE TO REDUCE THE DEFICIT."

TEXT: TURNING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE SAYS THINGS MAY NOT BE AS BAD AS THEY SEEM.

VOICE: "THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE AND PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON HAVE TAKEN ENORMOUS FLAK [CRITICISM] FOR THE DNC'S FUND-RAISING PRACTICES DURING THE 1996 CAMPAIGN - - ESPECIALLY THE FUND-RAISING THAT FOCUSED ON ASIAN AMERICANS. BUT WHEN THE ACCUSATIONS ARE PICKED APART AND EXAMINED CLOSELY, THERE'S FAR LESS THERE THAN THE HOWLS OF OBJECTION WOULD SUGGEST. ..... THE RUCKUS [CONTROVERSY] CONSISTS ... MOSTLY ... OF POLITICALLY INSPIRED SMOKE CREATED BY CYNICAL, HYPOCRITICAL REPUBLICANS. THEY APPEAR FURIOUS THAT IN THIS ELECTION THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE DIDN'T PLAY HIS ASSIGNED ROLE AS THE NAIVE, CASH-POOR GOOD GUY GETTING BEAT UP ROYALLY BY FREE-SPENDING REPUBLICANS. .... WHEN YOU LOOK CLOSELY AT THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST [PRESIDENT] CLINTON, THEY APPEAR INSUBSTANTIAL."

TEXT: TODAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR LAUDS THE EFFORTS AT CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, DECRIES THE FIERCE OPPOSITION FROM BOTH MAJOR PARTIES, AND HOLDS OUT HOPE OF PROGRESS.

VOICE: "....THE OUTLINES OF CREDIBLE REFORM ARE TAKING SHAPE. THE GOAL IS TO SHUT THE LOOPHOLES THAT FEED A PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF RAMPANT INFLUENCE BUYING, WHILE ALLOWING ENOUGH MONEY TO CIRCULATE IN THE SYSTEM TO OFFSET THE INHERENT ADVANTAGES OF CANDIDATES WITH GREAT PERSONAL WEALTH, WHOSE RIGHT TO SPEND THEIR OWN MONEY HAS BEEN SUSTAINED BY THE COURTS. THE POLITICIANS KNOW THE PEOPLE ARE WATCHING ON THIS ONE. THIS SHOULD BE THE YEAR THAT IT HAPPENS."

TEXT: TURNING TO INTERNATIONAL ISSUES AGAIN, NEWSDAY ON LONG ISLAND TALKS ABOUT PROBLEMS IT SEES IN U-S FOREIGN POLICY AS PRACTICED RECENTLY.

VOICE: "HYPOCRISY AND DOUBLE STANDARDS ARE, ONE MIGHT ARGUE, SOMETIMES NECESSARY IN THE CONDUCT OF FOREIGN POLICY. BUT SUBTLETY HELPS. THERE WAS NOTHING SUBTLE ABOUT THE WAY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION MANAGED, WITHIN THE SAME WEEK, TO LOOK ASKANCE AT CANADA FOR ITS TRADE DEALINGS WITH CUBA - - REGARDED BY WASHINGTON AS AN OUTLAW STATE - - AND ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY TO JUSTIFY GRANTING U-S PERMISSION TO AN AMERICAN PETROLEUM COMPANY TO DEVELOP OIL FIELDS IN SUDAN, WHICH ALSO IS ON WASHINGTON'S LIST OF ROGUE NATIONS."

TEXT: ABOUT U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN'S TRIP TO WASHINGTON LAST WEEK, THE SUN IN BALTIMORE REMARKS THAT THE VISIT:

VOICE: " ... MARKS AN IMPROVEMENT IN RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD ORGANIZATION. MR. ANNAN'S PREDECESSOR, BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI OF EGYPT, CLASHED OFTEN WITH THE U-S OVER SOMALIA, BOSNIA, RWANDA AND THE ISSUE OF U-N REFORM. .... AT MEETINGS WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON, STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS AND REPUBLICANS ON CAPITOL HILL, THE GHANAIAN DIPLOMAT REPEATEDLY STATED HIS COMMITMENT TO REFORM. MR. ANNAN IS OFF TO A PROMISING START."

TEXT: [BEGIN OPT] AND LASTLY ON MAKING U-S COMMERCIAL AVIATION SAFER, USA TODAY DECRIES THE LACK OF ADVANCED SAFETY SYSTEMS ON THE NATION'S AIR CARGO FLEET.

VOICE: "EVERY NIGHT, HUNDREDS OF CARGO PLANES RUSH OVERNIGHT DELIVERY ACROSS THE COUNTRY. AND EVERY NIGHT, THEIR PILOTS FLY WITHOUT THE AID OF A SOPHISTICATED MIDAIR COLLISION-AVOIDANCE SYSTEM. WHY? BECAUSE A 1987 FEDERAL LAW MANDATING INSTALLATION OF THE 'TRAFFIC ALERT AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM' (TCAS) ON ALL BUT THE SMALLEST COMMERCIAL PASSENGER PLANES IGNORED CARGO PLANES. ..... THE INCONSISTENCY RAISES DOUBTS ABOUT THE FAA'S [FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION] COMMITMENT TO ITS NEW GOAL OF ASSURING A SINGLE LEVEL OF SAFETY FOR ALL PLANES AND FLIERS. .... IF THE FAA INDEED IS COMMITTED TO ONE LEVEL OF SAFETY, IT SHOULD REQUIRE SAFETY UPGRADES ON CARGO PLANES SOONER RATHER THAN."

TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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27-Jan-97 10:48 AM EST (1548 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] EDITORIAL: MORE ELECTION DELAY IN SERBIA

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

THE UNITED STATES IS DISTURBED BY THE CONTINUED REFUSAL OF THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT TO RECOGNIZE THE NOVEMBER 17TH ELECTION RESULTS. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAID THE U.S. HAD HOPED THE OPPOSITION COULD TAKE ITS SEATS IN THE BELGRADE CITY ASSEMBLY AND ELSEWHERE:

ACTUALITY #1 -- BURNS (ACTUALITY IN AUDIO SERVICES) "BUT NOW THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT, MR. MILOSEVIC'S PARTY, HAS FORMALLY PROTESTED. . .THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION'S POSITIVE STEP FORWARD. THEY HAVE TIED THIS UP IN JUDICIAL KNOTS AND THEY HAVE BEGUN TO USE FORCE, PHYSICAL FORCE AGAINST DEMONSTRATORS IN THE STREETS OF BELGRADE. THIS IS NOT A POSITIVE TURN IN THESE DEVELOPMENTS AND WE CONTINUE TO BE VERY CLEAR, ALONG WITH OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES, ALONG WITH CANADA, THAT THE [ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE] COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS OUGHT TO BE RESPECTED, AND THAT IS THAT THE NOVEMBER 17TH ELECTIONS SHOULD STAND. THE OPPOSITION SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE ITS SEAT IN THE CORRIDORS OF POWER."

THE U.S. CALLS ON THE SERBIAN AUTHORITIES TO PUNISH POLICE OFFICIALS GUILTY OF BRUTALITY AGAINST UNARMED, PEACEFUL PROTESTERS.

THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT MUST UNDERSTAND THAT IN THE LONG RUN ITS EFFORTS TO STALL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ELECTION RESULTS WILL NOT WORK. ELECTIONS ARE PART OF A DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, NOT BARGAINING CHIPS USED TO MAINTAIN POLITICAL ADVANTAGE. THE U.S. WILL CONTINUE TO PRESSURE THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT TO RECOGNIZE ALL OF THE OPPOSITION'S ELECTION VICTORIES.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
27-Jan-97 2:04 PM EST (1904 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] ALBANIA FINANCE BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: IN EUROPE'S POOREST COUNTRY, ALBANIA, PUBLIC PROTESTS OVER INVESTMENT SCHEMES GONE SOUR HAVE TURNED INTO BROADER POLITICAL PROTESTS. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD HAS THIS BACKGROUND REPORT ON THE "PYRAMID" INVESTMENT OPERATIONS THAT ARE AT THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM.

TEXT: THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF INVESTMENT COMPANIES IN ALBANIA THAT HAVE THRIVED BECAUSE THEY ATTRACTED HUGE VOLUMES OF CASH WITH THE PROMISE OF EXCEEDINGLY GENEROUS PAYOFFS WITHIN ONLY A FEW MONTHS. BY SOME ESTIMATES, THE ALBANIAN INVESTMENT COMPANIES, WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN REGULATED, HAVE ATTRACTED UP TO ONE-BILLION DOLLARS OF PEOPLE'S SAVINGS. IF CORRECT, THAT WOULD EQUAL AN ASTONISHING 30 PERCENT OF THE ANNUAL VALUE OF ECONOMIC OUTPUT (EDS: G-D-P) IN ALBANIA.

THE INVESTMENT COMPANIES ARE CALLED "PYRAMIDS" BECAUSE NEW DEPOSITORS' CASH IS REQUIRED TO PAY OFF EARLIER INVESTORS. THE ENTIRE OPERATION THUS BECOMES DEPENDENT ON CONSTANTLY ATTRACTING A BROAD BASE OF NEW INVESTORS TO PAY THE FEW AT THE TOP. COMPANIES OFTEN PROMISED -- AND SOMETIMES PAID -- EXTRAORDINARY DIVIDENDS. IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL FOR THESE SCHEMES TO PROMISE A 100 PERCENT RETURN WITHIN ONLY THREE MONTHS. IN A COUNTRY WHERE ANNUAL INFLATION AND INTEREST RATES ARE BELOW 20 PERCENT A YEAR, SUCH GENEROUS PROMISES SHOULD HAVE TRIGGERED ALARM BELLS AMONG POTENTIAL INVESTORS.

BUT DUSAN TRISKA, A FORMER CZECH GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL WHO ADVISED THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT ON PRIVATIZING STATE ASSETS, SAYS IN POST-COMMUNIST COUNTRIES -- PARTICULARLY ONE AS ISOLATED AS ALBANIA -- PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BOND AND A (STOCK) SHARE CAN EASILY BE FOOLED. MR. TRISKA SAYS THE ALBANIAN AUTHORITIES FAILED TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT THE RISKS INVOLVED IN OPERATION OF CAPITAL MARKETS.

PEOPLE ARE LEARNING BY DOING. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TELL PEOPLE, "DON'T DO THIS OR DON'T DO THAT," UNLESS THEY REALIZE THE RISKS THEMSELVES. ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT THE CZECH VOUCHER PRIVATIZATION (IN 1992-94) WAS TO TEACH THE PEOPLE A LESSON. WE TOLD THEM THIS TIME YOU ARE INVESTING ONE-THOUSAND CROWNS OR 30 DOLLARS. NEXT TIME IT MIGHT BE YOUR LIFETIME SAVINGS.

PYRAMID SCHEMES HAVE BEEN RECURRENT IN THE BALKANS EVER SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM. BUT NOWHERE HAS THE PROBLEM BEEN GREATER THAN IN ALBANIA. THROUGHOUT THIS POOREST OF ALL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, THERE ARE STORIES OF PEOPLE HAVING SOLD THEIR POSSESSIONS TO INVEST WITH PYRAMID COMPANIES. AS IT TURNS OUT, PEOPLE WITH LITTLE TO LOSE SEEM TO BE LOSING THE MOST.

NOW THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT -- BELATEDLY -- HAS CLAMPED DOWN ON THE INVESTMENT SCHEMES. INVESTMENT COMPANY ASSETS HAVE BEEN SEIZED AND THERE ARE PROMISES FROM THE GOVERNMENT THAT INVESTORS WILL RECEIVE COMPENSATION. // OPT // MR. TRISKA, AN ARCHITECT OF BOTH THE CZECH AND THE ALBANIAN PRIVATIZATION PROGRAMS, BELIEVES ALBANIA'S GOVERNMENT SHOULD STAND ASIDE AND NOT GET INVOLVED IN RESCUING PRIVATE INVESTORS, WHO SHOULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT THEY WERE DOING.

NO. NO. WE ARE LIBERAL FREE-MARKET ECONOMISTS. PEOPLE MUST LEARN THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS. ABSOLUTELY, THIS IS LIKE PAYING KIDNAPPERS. PEOPLE NEXT TIME WILL (ALSO) ASK FOR A RESCUE. THIS IS, OF COURSE, A WRONG STEP.

ALBANIAN AUTHORITIES SAY THEY WILL START PAYING OFF SOME SMALL INVESTORS AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK. MEANWHILE, PROTESTS AGAINST FINANCIAL FRAUD HAVE BECOME MORE OVERTLY POLITICAL. AND WHILE THE ALBANIAN BANKING SYSTEM IS NOT YET THREATENED, ANALYSTS SAY THE CRISIS IS CERTAIN TO BOOST THE COUNTRY'S INFLATION RATE AND COULD HAVE MORE FAR-REACHING FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES. (SIGNED)
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27-Jan-97 1:18 PM EST (1818 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] ALBANIA REACT (S-ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A U-S ANALYST ON ALBANIAN POLITICAL AFFAIRS SAYS THE VIOLENT PROTESTS IN ALBANIA HAVE AS MUCH TO DO ABOUT LAST YEAR'S CONTROVERSIAL PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS AS WITH MORE RECENT FAILED INVESTMENT SCHEMES. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS RETIRED U-S FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER MICHAEL GARY ROSKIN ALSO SAYS HE SEES PARALLELS WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN NEARBY BULGARIA AND SERBIA.

TEXT: MR. ROSKIN, WHO NOW TEACHES AT LYCOMING COLLEGE IN PENNSYLVANIA, SAYS THE UNREST IN ALBANIA STEMS IN PART FROM LAST MAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. THE BALLOT, BOYCOTTED BY MUCH OF THE OPPOSITION, WAS CONDEMNED AS RIFE WITH IRREGULARITIES.

MR. ROSKIN SAYS THE LATEST CONTROVERSY MAY BE A VEHICLE USED BY THE OPPOSITION TO CHALLENGE THE RULING DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

I THINK THE OPPOSITION POLITICIANS ARE USING THIS AS A WAY OF, SINCE PLENTY OF ALBANIANS ARE STEAMED ABOUT LOSING THEIR SAVINGS, THEY'RE USING THIS AS A WAY TO TRY TO BRING DOWN THE GOVERNMENT.

MR. ROSKIN SAYS THE OPPOSITION HAD A TOUGH TIME GETTING OUT ITS MESSAGE DURING THE CAMPAIGN LEADING UP TO LAST YEAR'S ELECTION.

INABILITY TO GET ON THE GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED BROADCAST MEDIA, INABILITY TO PUT OUT THEIR NEWSPAPERS AND CIRCULATE THEM THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. ALL KINDS OF THINGS HAPPENED TO BLOCK A FREE ELECTION.

THE ANALYST SAYS THE ALBANIAN PROTESTS RESEMBLE THOSE IN SERBIA AND BULGARIA. HE SAYS IN ALL THREE CASES, THERE IS AN ENTRENCHED POLITICAL PARTY GRAPPLING WITH ECONOMIC PROBLEMS. IN EACH CASE, HE SAYS THE OPPOSITION APPEARS TO BE USING POPULAR DISCONTENT TO THEIR ADVANTAGE. (SIGNED)
26-Jan-97 7:26 PM EST (0026 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] ALBANIA VIOLENCE (L) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

INTRO: ALBANIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS THE RIVAL SOCIALIST PARTY THE FORMER COMMUNISTS -- INCITED THE SOMETIMES VIOLENT PROTESTS THAT HAVE ERUPTED IN ALBANIA IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. STEFAN BOS REPORTS THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL MADE THE CHARGE A DAY AFTER CLASHES IN THE CAPITAL, TIRANA, AND A PRISON RIOT IN WHICH AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE DIED.

TEXT: ALBANIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER, TRITAN SHEHU, TOLD CHANTING SUPPORTERS THAT THE EX-COMMUNISTS WERE BEHIND RIOTS AROUND THE COUNTRY, SPARKED BY THE COLLAPSE OF FINANCIAL (INVESTMENT) SCHEMES. MR. SHEHU, WHO WAS ATTACKED BY AN ANGRY MOB SATURDAY, SAID THE RULING DEMOCRATIC PARTY WILL ORGANIZE A COUNTER-DEMONSTRATION TUESDAY OUTSIDE THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE RIVAL SOCIALISTS. SUNDAY, THE SOCIALIST PARTY, SUCCESSOR OF THE COMMUNISTS, CALLED FOR AN ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST IN THE CAPITAL, TIRANA, WHICH TURNED VIOLENT WHEN TWO-THOUSAND PEOPLE CLASHED WITH POLICE. THE UNREST ALSO SPREAD TO OTHER TOWNS IN SOUTHERN ALBANIA, WHERE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL AUTHORITY BUILDINGS WERE SET ABLAZE.

INMATES AT A JAIL IN KAVAJE, 50 KILOMETERS WEST OF TIRANA, FOUGHT WITH GUARDS AND POLICE SUNDAY IN A FAILED ATTEMPT TO BREAK OUT. PRISON OFFICIALS SAY AT LEAST TWO PRISONERS WERE KILLED AND SEVERAL WERE INJURED IN WHAT IS BEING DESCRIBED AS THE COUNTRY'S WORSE PRISON RIOT SINCE 1990.

ALBANIAN PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA HAS ASSUMED SPECIAL POWERS, ENABLING HIM TO DEPLOY THE MILITARY TO PROTECT KEY STRATEGIC SITES, SUCH AS GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS. EYEWITNESSES SAID ALBANIAN TROOPS ON MONDAY SURROUNDED THE CENTRAL BANK AND GUARDED STATE TELEVISION HEADQUARTERS IN TIRANA.

ANALYSTS SAY THE UNREST IN EUROPE'S POOREST NATION IS THE MOST VIOLENT SINCE 40 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN FOOD RIOTS IN 1991. THE UNREST HAS BEEN SPARKED BY GROWING ANGER OVER THE FAILED FINANCIAL SCHEMES IN WHICH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ALBANIANS HAVE LOST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. MANY ALBANIANS EVEN SOLD HOMES AND APARTMENTS IN THE HOPE OF STRIKING IT RICH.

AUTHORITIES PROMISED TO REPAY ABOUT 300-MILLION DOLLARS LOST IN THE FAILED (INVESTMENT) SCHEMES. BUT OBSERVERS SAID THIS MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO SATISFY EVERYONE.

DEMONSTRATORS SAY THE GOVERNMENT FINANCED ITS ELECTION CAMPAIGN WITH SOME OF THE FUND ASSETS, A CHARGE DENIED BY OFFICIALS.

AUTHORITIES HAVE ARRESTED MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE IN CONNECTION WITH THE FAILED FINANCIAL SCHEMES AND SAY FUND OPERATORS MAY FACE UP TO 20 YEARS IN JAIL. (SIGNED)
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27-Jan-97 12:22 PM EST (1722 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] ALBANIA WRAP (S ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: IN ALBANIA, ARMY TROOPS HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AFTER ANOTHER DAY OF PROTESTS BY ENRAGED CITIZENS WHO FEAR THEIR SAVINGS HAVE BEEN LOST IN FRAUDULENT INVESTMENT SCHEMES. BARRY WOOD REPORTS THE CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT IS CALLING FOR SUPPORTERS TO PROTEST AGAINST THE MAIN POLITICAL OPPOSITION TUESDAY.

TEXT: AFTER ANOTHER DAY OF PROTESTS IN PROVINCIAL TOWNS AND THE CAPITAL, TIRANA, FOREIGN MINISTER TRITU SHEHU TOLD SUPPORTERS OF THE PRESIDENT'S "DEMOCRATIC PARTY" THEY SHOULD HOLD A PEACEFUL PROTEST IN FRONT OF SOCIALIST PARTY HEADQUARTERS TUESDAY.

THE FOREIGN MINISTER, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATS, SAID FORMER COMMUNISTS WERE TO BLAME FOR PROVOKING TWO WEEKS OF PROTESTS.

THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA IS ACCUSING THE OPPOSITION SOCIALISTS OF EXPLOITING THE FINANCIAL CRISIS FOR ITS OWN POLITICAL GAIN.

LATE SUNDAY, PRESIDENT BERISHA ASSUMED SPECIAL POWERS PERMITTING HIM TO USE THE ARMY TO TRY TO QUELL THE UNREST, DESCRIBED AS THE BIGGEST CRISIS HE HAS FACED IN FIVE YEARS IN POWER. THE MILITARY HAS BEEN REMOVING ROADBLOCKS ERECTED BY PROTESTERS. TROOPS WERE DEPLOYED MONDAY NEAR THE CENTRAL BANK AND THE STATE TELEVISION HEADQUARTERS. THE GOVERNMENT PROMISES TO COMPENSATE INVESTORS WHO PUT MONEY IN FAILED INSTITUTIONS BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. (SIGNED)
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27-Jan-97 2:04 PM EST (1904 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] COHEN/NATO (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE NEW U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY -- WILLIAM COHEN -- SAYS HE THINKS THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES CAN PERSUADE MOSCOW THAT NATO EXPANSION IS NOT AGAINST RUSSIAN INTERESTS. FROM THE PENTAGON, DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN MAKING CLEAR THE ALLIANCE WILL ADD NEW MEMBERS DESPITE RUSSIAN OPPOSITION.

TEXT: MR. COHEN SAYS THE UNITED STATES WAS ABLE, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, TO PERSUADE WHAT WAS THEN THE SOVIET GOVERNMENT THAT FOLDING THE FORMER EAST GERMANY INTO NATO WAS NOT A THREAT. HE SAYS HE BELIEVES MOSCOW CAN BE SIMILARLY PERSUADED IN THE COMING MONTHS NATO EXPANSION WILL ULTIMATELY COMPLIMENT ITS STRATEGIC INTERESTS.

NATO LEADERS ARE EXPECTED TO SELECT THE ALLIANCE'S INITIAL SET OF NEW MEMBERS AT A SUMMIT MEETING NEXT JULY IN MADRID. IN A TALK WITH PENTAGON REPORTERS, MR. COHEN SAID INCLUDING CENTRAL EUROPEAN STATES IN THE ALLIANCE WILL STABILIZE A REGION THAT SPAWNED TWO GLOBAL CONFLICTS IN THIS CENTURY:

I THINK WE ALSO HAVE TO CONVEY TO THEM THAT AN ENLARGED NATO IS NOT GOING TO POSE A MILITARY THREAT TO THEM. WE ARE TRYING TO SEEK TO STABILIZE CENTRAL EUROPE AND EASTERN EUROPE IN WAYS THAT WILL MAKE WAR IN THE FUTURE CERTAINLY LESS POSSIBLE. AND WHAT HAS LED TO WAR IN THE PAST HAS BEEN INSTABILITY, REGIONAL CONFLICTS, ETHNIC HOSTILITIES. AND THE ENLARGEMENT OF NATO HOPEFULLY WILL CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCING THAT KIND OF THREAT.

DESPITE THE DISPUTE OVER NATO ENLARGEMENT, MR. COHEN SAID THE U-S SECURITY RELATIONSHIP WITH MOSCOW HAS IMPROVED MARKEDLY IN RECENT YEARS -- CITING, AMONG OTHER THINGS THE TWO COUNTRIES' JOINT MILITARY ROLE IN BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING.

MR. COHEN REPEATED HE WANTS U-S TROOPS OUT OF BOSNIA WHEN THE 18-MONTH MANDATE FOR NATO'S STABILIZATION FORCE EXPIRES IN MID-1998 -- REGARDLESS OF THE SITUATION. (SIGNED)
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27-Jan-97 9:56 AM EST (1456 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES ON MAJOR EXCHANGES IN WESTERN EUROPE CLOSED MIXED ON MONDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON HAS THE CLOSING NUMBERS.

TEXT: MARKET ANALYSTS SAY THAT SELLING ON WALL STREET TRIGGERED DECLINES IN LONDON AND FRANKFURT. TRADING OF STOCKS ON THE LONDON "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX CLOSED THE DAY OFF NEARLY SEVEN POINTS. IN FRANKFURT, THE "DAX 30" INDEX OF GERMAN STOCKS LOST NEARLY FOUR POINTS AT THE CLOSE. IN PARIS, HOWEVER, THE "CAC 40" STOCK INDEX REGISTERED A SLIGHT GAIN OF NEARLY FIVE POINTS. SOME ANALYSTS SAY PARIS STOCKS GAINED ON THE CONTINUING STRENGTH OF THE U-S DOLLAR ON FOREIGN CURRENCY MARKETS.

HERE IN LONDON MONDAY, THE DOLLAR WAS UP A FRACTION OF A CENT AGAINST THE POUND AND UP ABOUT A CENT-AND-ONE-HALF AGAINST THE MARK. THE GOLD FIX CLOSED UP 70-CENTS AN OUNCE AT 354-DOLLARS-65-CENTS. (SIGNED)
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27-Jan-97 1:09 PM EST (1809 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] TURKEY / DRUGS (L-O) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKEY ON MONDAY DENOUNCED ALLEGATIONS SOME TURKISH OFFICIALS ARE INVOLVED IN ORGANIZED CRIME AND DRUG TRAFFICKING. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

TEXT: THE POLICE OFFICIAL IN CHARGE OF TURKEY'S ANTI-NARCOTICS SQUAD, TUNCAY YILMAZ, DESCRIBED AS TOTALLY BASELESS RECENT REPORTS TURKISH OFFICIALS AND POLICE ARE COLLUDING WITH DRUG SMUGGLERS.

MR. YILMAZ TOLD A NEWS CONFERENCE (MONDAY) TURKISH POLICE HAD SEIZED 40-PERCENT OF ALL HEROIN SEIZED WORLD WIDE IN 1995. HE SAID THIS WAS SOLID PROOF OF TURKEY'S COMMITMENT TO HALT THE DRUGS TRADE.

MR. YILMAZ'S REMARKS FOLLOW ACCUSATIONS REPORTEDLY MADE BY A BRITISH JUNIOR HOME MINISTER (TOM SACKVILLE) THAT SOME TURKISH OFFICIALS WERE EITHER INVOLVED OR TURNING A BLIND EYE TO DRUG TRAFFICKING. THE BRITISH OFFICIAL REPORTEDLY MADE THE ALLEGATIONS DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH A PRIVATELY-OWNED TURKISH TELEVISION CHANNEL, INTERSTAR.

EXCERPTS OF THE INTERVIEW WERE CARRIED BY THE MASS CIRCULATION DAILY "MILLIYET" SUNDAY. THE BRITISH OFFICIAL REPORTEDLY REPEATED CLAIMS HE MADE DURING AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO TURKEY LAST OCTOBER 80-PERCENT OF ALL HEROIN SEIZED IN BRITAIN WAS OF TURKISH ORIGIN.

THE TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY ISSUED A PROTEST TO THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA LATE SUNDAY. IN A STATEMENT, THE MINISTRY SAID IT WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE THAT TURKEY BE ACCUSED IN, WHAT IT TERMED, SUCH A GENERAL WAY.

A SENIOR CABINET MINISTER FROM THE ISLAMIC WING OF TURKEY'S COALITION GOVERNMENT HAS THREATENED TO IMPOSE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST EUROPEAN COMPANIES IF THE ACCUSATIONS PERSIST. EARLIER, A GERMAN JUDGE CHARGED TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER TANSU CILLER AND OTHER CABINET MEMBERS HAD PROTECTED HEROIN SMUGGLERS. TURKEY HAS THREATENED LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE JUDGE, UNLESS HE APOLOGIZES OR FURNISHES CONCRETE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT HIS CLAIMS.

THE ALLEGATIONS COINCIDE WITH A RASH OF CORRUPTION SCANDALS INVOLVING KEY POLITICIANS AND SECURITY OFFICIALS ACCUSED OF HAVING LINKS WITH ORGANIZED CRIME. A PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION HAS BEEN SET UP TO INVESTIGATE THE CLAIMS WHICH RESULTED IN THE RESIGNATION LATE LAST YEAR OF A KEY CILLER AIDE AND THE FORMER INTERIOR MINISTER MEHMENT AGAR.

EUROPEAN NARCOTICS OFFICIALS CONFIRM NEARLY 80-PERCENT OF ALL HEROIN ENTERING EUROPE COMES FROM TURKEY. PRESIDENT CLINTON WARNED LAST YEAR TURKEY COULD BE INCLUDED ON THE UNITED STATES LIST OF MAJOR DRUG COUNTRIES SHOULD IT FAIL TO CRACK DOWN ON THE DRUGS TRADE.

TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY THE HEROIN TRADE IS MONOPOLIZED BY REBELS OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, THE P-K-K, AND ITS SYMPATHIZERS. WESTERN DRUG OFFICIALS SAY THERE IS STRONG EVIDENCE SHOWING LINKS BETWEEN THE P-K-K AND MAJOR HEROIN TRAFFICKERS.

THE REBELS HAVE BEEN WAGING A 13-YEAR-LONG ARMED CAMPAIGN TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE IN SOUTHEAST TURKEY. TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY THE P-K-K USES MONEY RAISED FROM THE DRUG TRADE TO FINANCE ARMS PURCHASES. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/RAE
27-Jan-97 11:34 AM EST (1634 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] U-S / SERBIA (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPT.)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS MADE A FORMAL PROTEST TO SERBIA ABOUT THE USE OF FORCE LAST WEEK AGAINST GOVERNMENT OPPONENTS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE THREE MONTHS OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS IN SERBIA, THE UNITED STATES HAS DELIVERED A FORMAL PROTEST TO THE GOVERNMENT. THE NOTE DELIVERED THIS WEEKEND IN BELGRADE CALLS FOR RESTRAINT BY POLICE AND FOR SERBIA TO ABIDE BY ITS PLEDGE NOT TO USE VIOLENCE AGAINST PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATORS.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS SERBIAN POLICE HAVE VIOLATED THAT PLEDGE IN THE PAST WEEK.

WE'VE NOW SEEN AN UNQUESTIONED PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR AND CHANGE OF TACTICS BY THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT WHICH IS MOST DISTRESSING AND MOST DISAPPOINTING.

THE AMERICAN PROTEST WAS DELIVERED BY THE CHIEF U-S DIPLOMAT IN BELGRADE, RICHARD MILES, TO SERBIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MILAN MILUTINOVIC. MEANWHILE, A BELGRADE CITY COURT HAS UPHELD THE RULING PARTY'S PROTEST OF AN OPPOSITION VICTORY IN NOVEMBER'S LOCAL ELECTION. THE STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN CALLS THE DECISION A STEP IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/RRM
27-Jan-97 3:06 PM EST (2006 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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