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Voice of America, 97-03-03Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY NEAL LAVON (WASHINGTON)DATE=03/03/97TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-10047 TELEPHONE=619-0112 EDITOR=NANCY SMART CONTENT= INTRO: SOME TOPICS OF NOTE ON U-S EDITORIAL PAGES THIS MORNING (3/3) INCLUDE THE ONGOING HOSTAGE SITUATION IN PERU, THE RENEWED CONTROVERSY OVER "PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTIONS", WASHINGTON'S CERTIFICATION OF MEXICO AS A RELIABLE PARTNER IN THE GLOBAL WAR ON DRUGS AND THE LEGAL CHALLENGES TO CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS DRAWN TO ELECT MINORITY CANDIDATES. HERE WITH TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST IS VOA'S_____________.TEXT: ON DECEMBER 17, MARXIST TUPAC AMARU GUERRILLAS INVADED THE JAPANESE AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE IN LIMA, PERU AND TOOK NEARLY 500 PEOPLE AS HOSTAGES. THE GROUP WANTS THE PERUVIAN GOVERNMENT TO RELEASE 400 GUERRILLAS LANGUISHING IN PERUVIAN JAILS. CURRENTLY, 72 HOSTAGES REMAIN AS NEGOTIATIONS DRAG ON INTO THEIR THIRD MONTH. TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE, IN AN EDITORIAL TITLED "PERU'S FORGOTTEN HOSTAGES", ATTEMPTS TO PUT A HUMAN FACE ON AN AFFAIR WHICH HAS SLIPPED FROM INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION. VOICE: "THE NEWSPAPER PHOTOGRAPH OF A WOMAN, FACE PUFFY AND TIRED AS SHE SITS AT A DINING ROOM TABLE READING LETTERS FROM HER HUSBAND BRINGS THE STORY BACK. SHE IS ENRIQUETTA SANCHEZ, WIFE OF JUAN MENDOZA, VICE MINISTER OF MINING AND ENERGY, ONE OF 72 MEN STILL HELD HOSTAGE IN THE JAPANESE AMBASSADOR'S HOUSE IN LIMA. STILL THERE. MOST OF THE WORLD HAS FORGOTTEN. THE NEWS HAS MOVED ON TO OTHER HOT SPOTS AND OTHER REVOLUTIONARIES...THE TEDIOUS NEGOTIATIONS GRIND ON AS ENRIQUETA SANCHEZ AND HER ANXIOUS COUNTERPARTS IN 71 OTHER FAMILIES SEND AND RECEIVE LETTERS THROUGH THE RED CROSS...THE FACE OF ENRIQUETA SANCHEZ BEGS US TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH THEIR DRAMA, EVEN AS THEY CLING TO ONE ANOTHER, REFUSING TO GIVE UP HOPE." TEXT: PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSER ARAFAT VISITS WASHINGTON THIS WEEK, WHERE HE WILL MEET WITH OFFICIALS AND DISCUSS ISRAEL'S PROPOSAL TO BUILD NEW SETTLEMENTS IN ARAB EAST JERUSALEM. NEWSDAY OF LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, COMMENTS ON THE ISRAELI DECISION AND ASKS THE GOVERNMENT OF PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU FOR A POSTPONEMENT IN ADVANCE OF UPCOMING NEGOTIATIONS. VOICE: "PALESTINIANS FEAR THAT THE HOUSING PLAN IS A PREEMPTIVE MOVE DESIGNED TO SHOW THAT ISRAEL WILL BLOCK ANY ATTEMPT BY THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY TO LOCATE ITS CAPITAL IN EAST JERUSALEM. THEY ARE PROBABLY RIGHT. ISRAEL IS UNLIKELY TO CEDE SOVEREIGNTY OVER ANY PART OF THE ANCIENT CITY, THE MOST POTENT HISTORIC SYMBOL OF ISRAEL'S LEGITIMACY AS A STATE. THE HOUSING PLAN SEEMS AS MUCH A SIGNAL FROM NETANYAHU TO HIS SUPPORTERS OF HIS DETERMINATION NOT TO GIVE AN INCH ON JERUSALEM AS A NEGOTIATING MARKER IN THE UPCOMING TALKS....ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE TO DISCARD THE HOUSING PLAN, HE SHOULD AT LEAST POSTPONE IT UNTIL ITS POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON NEGOTIATIONS CAN BE MITIGATED." TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST SUPPORTS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DECISION TO CERTIFY MEXICO AS A RELIABLE PARTNER IN FIGHTING GLOBAL DRUG TRAFFICKING. WHILE ARGUING THAT THE LAW WHICH REQUIRES THIS DECISION IS POORLY DESIGNED, AND MEXICO NEEDS TO MAKE MORE PROGRESS IN THE DRUG WARS, THE PAPER NEVERTHELESS OPPOSES ANY UNDERTAKING TO OVERTURN THE DECISION. VOICE: "A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF LEGISLATORS HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY WILL ATTEMPT TO REVERSE THE ADMINISTRATION'S CERTIFICATION OF MEXICO. THEY SHOULD ASK THEMSELVES HOW SUCH A GESTURE, SATISFYING AS IT MIGHT BE FOR THE MOMENT, ACTUALLY WOULD SERVE THEIR CAUSE, AND WHAT EFFECT IT MIGHT HAVE IN OTHER AREAS OF POLICY--TRADE, IMMIGRATION ENVIRONMENT--WHERE GOOD RELATIONS WITH MEXICO ARE VITAL TO AMERICAN INTERESTS." TEXT: ON THE DOMESTIC FRONT, A NEW CONTROVERSY HAS ARISEN OVER "PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTIONS". A "PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION" IS A PROCEDURE PERFORMED LATE IN A WOMAN'S PREGNANCY IN WHICH THE FETUS IS PARTIALLY DELIVERED. THEN THE FETUS'S BRAINS ARE REMOVED AND ITS SKULL CRUSHED. PRO-CHOICE ADVOCATES ARGUED THAT "PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTIONS" WERE RARE AND USED ONLY ON WOMEN WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS OR ON THOSE CARRYING DEFORMED FETUSES. USING THOSE ARGUMENTS, PRESIDENT CLINTON VETOED A CONGRESSIONAL ATTEMPT LAST YEAR TO BAN THE PROCEDURE. BUT IN AN ARTICLE TO BE PUBLISHED TODAY (3/3) IN THE AMERICAN MEDICAL NEWS, RON FITZSIMMONS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL COALITION OF ABORTION PROVIDERS, SAYS THE PROCEDURE IS FREQUENTLY PERFORMED ON HEALTHY WOMEN TO REMOVE HEALTHY FETUSES. IN ADDITION, HE ADMITS LYING ABOUT THE SUBJECT IN A NATIONAL TELEVISION BROADCAST. THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS SAYS THE EPISODE SENDS A TREMOR THROUGH THE CURRENT PRO-CHOICE CONSENSUS IN THE UNITED STATES. VOICE: "A LESSON TO BE DRAWN FROM FITZSIMMONS' CONFESSION IS THAT ABORTION-RIGHTS ADVOCATES ARE FAR FROM CERTAIN THEY WOULD HAVE MAJORITY OPINION ON THEIR SIDE WERE ALL THE FACTS ON THE TABLE. INDEED, IT SOMETIMES SEEMS AS IF THE PRO-CHOICE MOVEMENT WOULD PREFER THAT ALL FURTHER DEBATE ABOUT ABORTION BE TERMINATED...AT PRESENT, THERE ARE BOTH LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC-OPINION MAJORITIES IN FAVOR OF ABORTION RIGHTS--THOUGH PROBABLY NOT MAJORITY SUPPORT FOR UNRESTRICTED ABORTIONS...BUT SOCIETIES DO CHANGE THEIR MINDS--EVEN ON COMPLICATED MORAL QUESTIONS...THAT'S WHY THE ABORTION-RIGHTS MOVEMENT'S MANIFEST DISCOMFITURE WITH CONTINUING THE PRESENT DEBATE...SEEMS LIKE A CONFESSION OF WEAKNESS." TEXT: FINALLY, THE NEW YORK POST COMMENTS ON A RECENT FEDERAL COURT DECISION STRIKING DOWN THE STATE'S 12TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AS UNFAIRLY DRAWN TO ELECT A HISPANIC TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THE INCUMBENT OF THE 12TH DISTRICT, REP. NYDIA VELAZQUEZ, D-N.Y., RESPONDED WITH ANGER, CALLING IT, "A SAD DAY FOR EQUAL JUSTICE FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR". THE POST DISAGREES: VOICE: "WITH THESE SOUR, HACKNEYED WORDS, THE CONGRESSWOMAN UNDERSCORED EVERYTHING THAT'S WRONG WITH THE IDEA BEHIND THE DISTRICT'S CREATION: THAT ETHNIC MINORITIES SHOULD NOT SEEK TO BECOME ASSIMILATED INTO THE POLITICAL MAINSTREAM, BUT CAN FIND REPRESENTATION ONLY AS PART OF A 'COMMUNITY OF COLOR'...INSTEAD OF DWELLING IN 'COMMUNITIES OF COLOR', NEW YORK'S LATINOS WILL BEST FIND REPRESENTATION AS MEMBERS OF PLAIN OLD COMMUNITIES." TEXT: AND WITH THAT WE END THIS EDITION OF THE U-S EDITORIAL
DIGEST
(SIGNED)
[02] EDITORIAL: NEW REFORM PROGRAM FOR ROMANIADATE= MARCH 4, 1997TYPE= EDITORIAL NUMBER= 0-07180 CONTENT=THIS IS THE FIRST OF TWO EDITORIALS BEING RELEASED FOR BROADCAST MARCH 4, 1997. 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 NEWLY ELECTED ROMANIAN GOVERNMENT RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A REFORM PROGRAM AIMED AT JUMP-STARTING THE ECONOMY. PRIME MINISTER VICTOR CIORBEA SAID THE REFORMS ARE SIMILAR TO THE SHOCK THERAPY PROGRAMS OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND POLAND, WHICH EVENTUALLY LED TO RAPID ECONOMIC GROWTH. ROMANIAN LEADERS DID NOT PROMISE IMMEDIATE RESULTS, ONLY WORK, SWEAT AND AUSTERITY. THE PROGAM'S CENTERPIECE IS MINIMIZING THE STATE ROLE IN THE ECONOMY. THAT MEANS DEREGULATION AND EXPANSION OF PRIVATE INITIATIVE. THERE WILL BE FAR-REACHING PRICE RISES AS SUBSIDIES ON FOOD, FUEL, TRANSPORTATION, TELEPHONES, WATER AND HEATING ARE REMOVED. THE GOVERNMENT HOPES TO PRIVATIZE THIRTY-SIX HUNDRED STATE ENTERPRISES BY THE END OF THE YEAR. THE BUDGET DEFICIT IS TO BE LOWERED AND INFLATION BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL. MR. CIORBEA SAID THE REFORMS WOULD BE PAINFUL AND THAT THE ECONOMY WOULD NOT GROW THIS YEAR. BUT HE SAID HE HOPES THE REFORMS WILL EVENTUALLY RAISE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY IN ROMANIA TO THE LEVEL IN HUNGARY, POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC. ECONOMIC REFORM WAS A MAJOR ISSUE IN LAST NOVEMBER'S PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. EMIL CONSTANTINESCU OF THE OPPOSITION DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION OF ROMANIA DEFEATED INCUMBENT ION ILIESCU, A FORMER COMMUNIST. MR. CONSTANTINESCU PLEDGED TO SPEED UP MARKET-BASED REFORM. HE ALSO PROMISED TO END GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION, STABILIZE THE CURRENCY, BRING IN MORE FOREIGN INVESTMENT, AND IMPROVE DEPRESSED LIVING STANDARDS. THE NEW PRESIDENT STRONGLY FAVORS ROMANIA'S MEMBERSHIP IN NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. THE UNITED STATES APPLAUDS THE ROMANIAN GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO MAKE GOOD ON CAMPAIGN PLEDGES TO UNDERTAKE COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC REFORM. STICKING WITH THIS PROGRAM WILL ULTIMATELY RAISE LIVING STANDARDS AND ENCOURAGE FOREIGN INVESTMENT. THE U.S. REMAINS COMMITTED TO HELPING ROMANIA COMPLETE ITS TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY AND A FREE-MARKET ECONOMY. 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.
[03] ALBANIA / BRITAIN BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)DATE=3/3/97TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-35843 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A LEADING BRITISH EXPERT ON ALBANIA SAYS WHILE PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA IS IN DEEP TROUBLE, HE SHOWS NO SIGNS OF COMPROMISE IN AN EFFORT TO RESOLVE THE DEEPENING CRISIS IN HIS COUNTRY. AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS, PROFESSOR GEOFFREY STERN FROM THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS FEARS THE ALBANIAN CRISIS COULD HAVE DIRE CONSEQUENCES FOR SOUTHERN EUROPE. TEXT: THE CRISIS IN ALBANIA SEEMS TO GET WORSE BY THE HOUR. THE COUNTRY IS UNDER A STATE OF EMERGENCY, ANTI-GOVERNMENT SENTIMENT CONTINUES UNABATED AND PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA SHOWS NO SIGNS OF COMPROMISE. ALBANIA WAS PLUNGED INTO TURMOIL SIX WEEKS AGO WITH THE COLLAPSE OF SO-CALLED FINANCIAL PYRAMID SCHEMES. //OPT// MANY ALBANIANS, HOPING TO GET RICH QUICK, INVESTED HEAVILY IN THESE VENTURES. MANY LOST THEIR LIFE SAVINGS AND THE FINANCIAL DISASTER BROUGHT THOUSANDS OF ALBANIANS INTO THE STREETS. //END OPT// PROFESSOR GEOFFREY STERN FROM THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS SAYS THE INITIAL PROTESTS BROUGHT ON BY THE COLLAPSE OF THE PYRAMID SCHEMES HAVE TURNED INTO FULL-BLOWN ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS. HE SAYS MANY ALBANIANS ARE ALSO ANGRY THAT PRESIDENT BERISHA IS STILL IN POWER FOLLOWING ELECTIONS LAST MAY MARRED BY WIDESPREAD ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD. // STERN ACT //IT HAS BECOME ANTI-GOVERNMENT BECAUSE THERE IS THIS PERCEPTION THEY (ALBANIANS) WERE DEPRIVED OF A FREE ELECTION AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT THAT DEPRIVED THEM OF THIS FREE ELECTION EITHER DID NOT DISCOURAGE THEM FROM GOING INTO THESE PYRAMID SCHEMES OR ACTUALLY ENCOURAGED THEM TO DO SO. AND THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS ITSELF BEEN A BENEFICIARY OF WHAT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A SERIES OF FRAUDULENT ENTERPRISES. // END ACT //AS ANTI-GOVERNMENT SENTIMENT BECOMES MORE VIOLENT, PRESIDENT BERISHA THREATENS EVEN MORE DRASTIC ACTIONS. FOR EXAMPLE AS PART OF A NATIONWIDE STATE OF EMERGENCY, SECURITY FORCES HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RIGHT TO FIRE TO DISPERSE CROWDS AND POLITICAL ACTIVITY AS WELL AS PRESS FREEDOMS HAVE BEEN CURTAILED. PROFESSOR STERN SAYS NO-ONE SHOULD BE SURPRISED BY THESE MEASURES, GIVEN PRESIDENT BERISHA'S PAST. // SECOND STERN ACT //WE MUST NOT FORGET WHO SALI BERISHA IS. HE WAS THE DOCTOR, THE MEDICAL ADVISER OF ENVER HOXHA, THE FORMER COMMUNIST LEADER. HE HAPPENS TO HAVE DONE A 180-DEGREE TURN: HE WAS A COMMUNIST, HE IS NOW AN ANTI-COMMUNIST. MY SUSPICION IS THAT HIS JUDGMENT WAS NOT TERRIBLY GOOD BEFORE AND IT CERTAINLY IS NOT ANY GOOD NOW. I THINK WE ARE NOW BEGINNING TO SEE SOMETHING RATHER LIKE THE SYSTEM OF OLD: WHEN THINGS GOT TOUGH FOR ENVER HOXHA, THE OLD COMMUNIST LEADER, HE TALKED ABOUT FOREIGN AGENTS. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT SALI BERISHA IS DOING NOW. HE IS ATTRIBUTING IT (UNREST) TO RED TERRORISTS AND FOREIGN AGENTS. WHERE HAVE I HEARD THAT BEFORE? // END ACT //MR. STERN SAYS PRESIDENT BERISHA HAS A HOST OF OPTIONS WHICH COULD PEACEFULLY RESOLVE THE CRISIS. // THIRD STERN ACT //ONE IS THAT HE CAN HOLD A GENERAL ELECTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE -- BUT HE DOES NOT APPEAR TO WANT TO DO THAT. SECONDLY, HE CAN TRY AND BRING THE OPPOSITION INTO GOVERNMENT -- BUT HE DOES NOT APPEAR TO WANT TO DO THAT. AND THIRDLY, HE CAN CALL FOR THE PEOPLE THAT HE WINKLED OUT OF OFFICE WHO ARE NOW IN THE UNITED STATES, ITALY, GREECE AND OTHER PLACES -- SOME OF THE REALLY BRIGHT PEOPLE IN ALBANIA -- HE COULD CALL THEM BACK AND GIVE THEM A DECENT SALARY -- BUT I THINK NONE OF THESE THINGS ARE ON OFFER AT THE MOMENT. // END ACT //WHAT PROFESSOR STERN FORESEES IS MORE REPRESSIVE MEASURES FROM PRESIDENT BERISHA AND MORE VIOLENCE FROM ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATORS. THAT ESCALATION, SAYS THE LONDON EXPERT, WOULD HAVE DIRE REPERCUSSIONS FOR THE REGION. // FOURTH STERN ACT //IT SEEMS THAT YOU CANNOT HAVE A CONFLICT IN ONE PART OF SOUTHERN EUROPE WITHOUT IT AFFECTING OTHERS. THAT IS, WHAT HAPPENED IN ALBANIA -- IF THERE IS A CIVIL WAR IN ALBANIA -- IT IS BOUND TO, IT SEEMS TO ME, SPILL OVER INTO NEIGHBORING SERBIA, INTO NEIGHBORING GREECE AND POSSIBLY ITALY WHICH IS OVER THE WATER. // END ACT //DESPITE THOSE DIRE POSSIBILITIES, PROFESSOR STERN BELIEVES THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CAN PLAY A CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE TO CALM
TENSIONS IN ALBANIA. HE SAYS THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN
UNION MUST ACT TOGETHER AND PRESSURE PRESIDENT BERISHA INTO
CONCESSIONS. ONE MOVE WOULD BE TO CALL NEW GENERAL ELECTIONS
UNDER INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION. PROFESSOR GEOFFREY STERN
BELIEVES THAT COULD BE A FIRST STEP TO AVOID MORE BLOODSHED IN AN
ALREADY VERY VOLATILE REGION. (SIGNED)
[04] ALBANIA / WARNING (S) BY KYLE KING (BONN)DATE=3/3/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-210815 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AUTHORITIES IN ALBANIA ARE VOWING TO CRACK DOWN ON WHAT THEY CALL ARMED REBELS BLAMED FOR A WAVE OF UNREST THAT HAS SWEPT THROUGH TOWNS IN THE SOUTH OF THE COUNTRY. AS EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS, OFFICIALS ARE ALSO WARNING FOREIGNERS TO LEAVE THE AREA, WHICH HAS BEEN CONVULSED BY VIOLENCE IN RECENT DAYS. TEXT: THE ALBANIAN NEWS AGENCY, QUOTING A DIRECTIVE FROM PARLIAMENT, SAYS ARMED INSURGENTS IN THE SOUTH OF THE COUNTRY MUST SURRENDER THEIR WEAPONS OR THEY WILL BE SHOT WITHOUT WARNING. THE NEWS AGENCY SAYS THE DIRECTIVE IS ONE OF SEVEN NEW SECURITY MEASURES ISSUED AFTER PARLIAMENT DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN AN EFFORT TO END THE UNREST. THE MEASURES, WHICH ALSO INCLUDE ORDERS FOR THE MEDIA TO CARRY ALL OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS, CAME AFTER RIOTERS LOOTED AND BURNED SHOPS AND RAIDED POLICE AND ARMY WEAPONS DEPOTS. THE ALBANIAN NEWS AGENCY SAYS OFFICIALS ARE ADVISING FOREIGNERS TO LEAVE THE SOUTH OF THE COUNTRY, WHICH HAS BEEN HARDEST HIT BY THE UNREST. ONE INTERIOR MINISTRY OFFICIAL HAS BEEN QUOTED AS SAYING IT COULD BE UP TO A YEAR BEFORE AUTHORITIES ARE ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF WEAPONS SEIZED BY RIOTERS. THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN CONVULSED BY WEEKS OF RIOTS AND ANGRY
PROTESTS FOLLOWING THE COLLAPSE OF HIGH RISK INVESTMENT SCHEMES.
(SIGNED)
[05] ALBANIA CRACKDOWN (L) BY BARRY WOOD (TIRANA)DATE=3/3/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-210846 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AUTHORITIES IN ALBANIA ARE TAKING A TOUGH STANCE IN THE AFTERMATH OF RIOTING IN THE SOUTH, WHICH RESULTED IN A DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM ALBANIA'S CAPITAL, TIRANA. TEXT: HAVING LOST CONTROL OF MUCH OF SOUTHERN ALBANIA, THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING A HARD AND DEFIANT POSITION IN THE REMAINDER OF THE COUNTRY. A DUSK-TO-DAWN CURFEW IS IN EFFECT. NEWSPAPERS ARE BEING CENSORED. ALL GATHERINGS HAVE BEEN BANNED. REBROADCASTS OF THE VOICE OF AMERICA AND B-B-C HAVE BEEN HALTED. AND THE GOVERNMENT SAYS POLICE HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO SHOOT STONE-THROWERS ON SIGHT. ALL FOREIGNERS HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO LEAVE SOUTHERN ALBANIA. ON MONDAY, THE PARLIAMENT IGNORED OPPOSITION PROTESTS AND WENT AHEAD WITH THE RE-ELECTION OF PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA TO A SECOND FIVE-YEAR TERM. THE VOTE WAS 113 TO ONE, WITH FOUR ABSTENTIONS. THE MAIN OPPOSITION SOCIALISTS HAVE BEEN BOYCOTTING THE 140-SEAT PARLIAMENT SINCE DISPUTED ELECTIONS LAST MAY. PRESIDENT BERISHA PLEDGED IN HIS OATH OF OFFICE TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY, FREEDOM AND HUMAN RIGHTS. WHILE DAILY LIFE OUTWARDLY SEEMS NORMAL IN THE CAPITAL, THERE IS A PALPABLE UNEASE. MANY RESIDENTS WERE TERRIFIED WHEN SOLDIERS OR POLICE FIRED AUTOMATIC WEAPONS INTO THE AIR TO CELEBRATE THE PRESIDENT'S RE-ELECTION. THE OFFICES OF ALBANIA'S BIGGEST NEWSPAPER WERE VANDALIZED AND BURNED SUNDAY NIGHT. TWO FOREIGN JOURNALISTS WERE BEATEN UP. A SECOND LEADING INDEPENDENT PAPER SAYS IT WILL NOT PUBLISH ITS REGULAR TUESDAY EDITION. NEIGHBORING GREECE AND ITALY HAVE STEPPED SECURITY ALONG THEIR BORDERS, FEARING AN INFLUX OF REFUGEES FLEEING THE ANARCHY IN SOUTHERN ALBANIA. FERRY SERVICE TO ITALY AND GREECE HAS BEEN HALTED. THE INTERIOR MINISTRY SAYS THE ARMY AND POLICE HAVE CONDUCTED A SERIES OF SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS AGAINST ARMED GROUPS. MORE THAN 20 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DETAINED AND FIREARMS CONFISCATED. DURING THE WEEKEND, ANGRY DEMONSTRATORS TOOK CONTROL OF AT LEAST THREE SOUTHERN TOWNS. MOBS SEIZED WEAPONS FROM ARMORIES AND FORCED POLICE TO WITHDRAW. THE MAIN OPPOSITION GROUPING, THE FORUM FOR DEMOCRACY, CALLED (SUNDAY) FOR NEW ELECTIONS AND URGED PRESIDENT BERISHA TO SUSPEND THE PARLIAMENTARY VOTE ON HIS RE-ELECTION. THE UNITED STATES AND THE WEST EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS -- WHICH HAVE
BEEN SUPPORTING ALBANIA -- ARE TAKING AN INCREASINGLY CRITICAL
VIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS. U-S OFFICIALS STAYED AWAY FROM THE
CEREMONIAL PARLIAMENTARY VOTE ON MONDAY. THE EUROPEAN UNION IS
EXPRESSING ITS CONCERN ABOUT THE UNREST AND PLANS TO SEND A
FACT-FINDING MISSION TO TIRANA. (SIGNED)
[06] ALBANIA REACT (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=3/2/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-210802 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AN ANALYST AND CONSULTANT ON ALBANIA, NICHOLAS PANO, SAYS THE OPPOSITION MAY BE USING ONGOING VIOLENCE TO FORCE THE RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS MR. PANO SAYS HIS CONTACTS IN ALBANIA TELL HIM MR. BERISHA IS INCREASINGLY VIEWED AS THE ONE MOST RESPONSIBLE FOR FAILED INVESTMENT SCHEMES WHICH RESULTED IN SIX WEEKS OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT UNREST: TEXT: MR. PANO, A PROFESSOR AT WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, SAYS DISSATISFACTION OVER THE FAILED INVESTMENT SCHEMES IS SUFFICIENTLY STRONG TO DEMAND THE RESIGNATION OF MR. BERISHA AND THE ENTIRE GOVERNMENT. HE SAYS STRIKE LEADERS IN THE PORT CITY OF VLORE WANT AN INTERIM GOVERNMENT OF NON-PARTISAN TECHNOCRATS UNTIL NEW ELECTIONS CAN BE HELD. MR. PANO SAYS THE OPPOSITION APPEARS TO BE USING THE UNREST TO SEEK REALIZATION OF ITS AGENDA; NAMELY, TO ESTABLISH A NEW REGIME AND A PERMANENT CONSTITUTION IN ALBANIA. THE ANALYST SAYS HIS CONTACTS IN ALBANIA SUGGEST THERE IS GROWING DISSATISFACTION WITH PRESIDENT BERISHA: /// PANO ACTUALITY ///HE IS NOW BEING HELD AS THE CHIEF ARCHITECT OF THE DISASTER THAT CULMINATED IN THE FAILURE OF THE PYRAMID SCHEMES AND, I THINK, YOU ALSO HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THE OPPOSITION HAS BEEN SMARTING (HURTING) SINCE THE RESULTS OF THE (LAST) MAY (PARLIAMENTARY) ELECTION. OF COURSE, THE SOCIALISTS ESPECIALLY FELT THAT THE ELECTIONS WERE MANIPULATED. ///END ACTUALITY///HE SAYS THE OPPOSITION -- ALSO NOT PLEASED WITH THE OUTCOME OF
LAST OCTOBER'S LOCAL ELECTIONS -- MAY BE USING THE UNREST TO
SETTLE A POLITICAL SCORE WITH THE RULING DEMOCRATS.
MEANWHILE, ITALY HAS CALLED FOR URGENT MEASURES TO EASE TENSIONS
IN ALBANIA. FOREIGN MINISTER LAMBERTO DINI SAYS HE IS LOOKING
FOR INTERVENTION FROM EUROPE AND ITS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
(SIGNED)
[07] COHEN / EUROPE (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)DATE=3/3/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-210855 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN IS PREPARING TO LEAVE WASHINGTON FOR EUROPE ON HIS FIRST OVERSEAS MISSION SINCE TAKING OFFICE IN LATE JANUARY. HE'LL VISIT U-S PEACEKEEPING TROOPS IN BOSNIA THURSDAY. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON. TEXT: MR. COHEN WILL BE IN GERMANY TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY AND THEN GO ON TO BOSNIA THURSDAY FOR HIS FIRST VISIT WITH U-S PEACEKEEPING TROOPS THERE AS SECRETARY. THE UNITED STATES HAS ABOUT 75-HUNDRED SOLDIERS IN BOSNIA AS PART OF THE 30-THOUSAND MEMBER STABILIZATION FORCE, WHICH REPLACED NATO'S PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE EARLIER THIS YEAR. MR. COHEN, A REPUBLICAN FORMER SENATOR, HAS STRESSED SINCE TAKING OFFICE THAT HE WANTS NO EXTENSION OF THE U-S TROOP PRESENCE IN BOSNIA BEYOND THE EXPIRATION OF THE NEW FORCE'S MANDATE IN MID-1998. HE ALSO SAID AGAIN MONDAY THAT TRACKING DOWN INDICTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS IS NOT A JOB FOR NATO TROOPS -- BUT THAT THERE ARE ONGOING DISCUSSIONS OF A DISTINCT POLICE UNIT THAT COULD PERFORM THAT ROLE: /// COHEN ACTUALITY ///THE APPREHENSION OF WAR CRIMINALS IS NOT PART OF THE MISSION, THE MILITARY MISSION. IT IS A POLICE FUNCTION, HOWEVER, AND DISCUSSIONS ARE UNDERWAY AT THIS TIME AS TO HOW A FORCE CAN BE ASSEMBLED THAT WOULD CARRY OUT THAT PARTICULAR MISSION. BUT IT IS NOT A MILITARY-TYPE MISSION. /// END ACT ///MR. COHEN SPOKE AT A PENTAGON MEETING MONDAY WITH BRITISH DEFENSE SECRETARY MICHAEL PORTILLO, WHO TOLD REPORTERS IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE A LASTING PEACE IN BOSNIA IF INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS REMAIN AT LARGE. THE BRITISH DEFENSE CHIEF REFUSED TO BE DRAWN INTO A DISCUSSION OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IN BOSNIA AFTER PEACEKEEPERS LEAVE -- SAYING THE EMPHASIS SHOULD BE ON ACHIEVING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WHILE NATO TROOPS ARE STILL THERE: /// PORTILLO ACT ///I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING REALLY IS TO FOCUS ON WHAT WE CAN DO OVER THE 18 MONTHS OF THE S-FOR MANDATE. HOW CAN WE USE OUR PRESENCE THERE TO CONSOLIDATE THE DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS. AND TO MAKE SURE THAT BOSNIA DOES NOT RETURN TO KILLING AND TO WAR. I REGARD THE OPERATION THAT WE'RE UNDERTAKING AS BEING A NATO OPERATION. WE WENT IN TOGETHER. WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER. AND WE SHALL LEAVE TOGETHER. /// END ACT ///SECRETARY COHEN ALSO VISITS ROME -- AND THEN BRUSSELS FOR
MEETINGS WITH SENIOR NATO OFFICIALS -- BEFORE RETURNING TO
WASHINGTON LATE FRIDAY. (SIGNED)
[08] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)DATE=3/3/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-210840 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: SHARE PRICES GENERALLY WERE MIXED IN TRADING MONDAY ON EUROPEAN MARKETS. JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON. TEXT: STOCK TRADING WAS GENERALLY UNINSPIRED MONDAY, WITH SHARE PRICES DRIFTING. ANALYSTS SAID BUYERS WERE HELD BACK BY WALL STREET'S LOWER CLOSE ON FRIDAY AND BY THE LACK OF ANY MARKET-MAKING NEWS. IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX CLOSED UP FOUR POINTS -- ABOUT ONE-TENTH OF ONE-PERCENT. BUT PRICES WERE OFF IN BOTH LONDON AND PARIS. LONDON'S FOOTSIE-100 INDEX FINISHED MARGINALLY LOWER -- MORE THAN ONE POINT. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX LOST SEVEN POINTS -- ABOUT THREE-TENTHS OF ONE-PERCENT. ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED IN VALUE
AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND, THE GERMAN MARK, AND THE JAPANESE YEN.
[09] RUSSIA/EUROPE (S) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)DATE=3/3/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-210823 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS HELD TALKS WITH TOP EUROPEAN UNION OFFICIALS ON WAYS OF IMPROVING ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL TIES. V-O-A'S PETER HEINLEIN IN MOSCOW REPORTS THAT AMONG ISSUES DISCUSSED WAS ABOLITION OF RUSSIA'S DEATH PENALTY. TEXT: MR. YELTSIN'S MEETING WITH EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER AND DUTCH PRIME MINISTER WIM KOK WAS ORIGINALLY SET FOR LAST MONTH IN THE NETHERLANDS -- WHICH CURRENTLY HOLDS THE EUROPEAN UNION PRESIDENCY. THAT PLAN WAS CHANGED BECAUSE OF THE RUSSIAN LEADER'S HEALTH. WHEN THE TWO SIDES SAT DOWN MONDAY AT THE KREMLIN, THE ISSUES WERE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME: THE E-U LEADERS WANTED TO TALK ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL INTEGRATION. THE RUSSIANS WERE INTERESTED IN VOICING THEIR OBJECTIONS TO NATO EXPANSION. AN OFFICIAL CLOSE TO THE TALKS SAID THE EUROPEAN UNION IS PUSHING RUSSIA TO FULFILL ITS PLEDGE TO OUTLAW CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. THE KREMLIN PROMISED TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY LAST YEAR WHEN IT WAS ADMITTED TO THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE. A DE FACTO BAN ON EXECUTIONS HAS BEEN IN EFFECT SINCE LAST
AUGUST, BUT NO FORMAL ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN, AND THERE IS
STRONG SUPPORT IN PARLIAMENT FOR OVERTURNING THE BAN. (SIGNED)
[10] U-S / BRITAIN / BOSNIA (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)DATE=3/3/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-210836 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS TALKS ARE UNDERWAY AMONG THE NATO ALLIES ON FORMATION OF A POLICE FORCE TO APPREHEND INDICTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS IN BOSNIA. MR. COHEN MET TODAY (MONDAY) WITH HIS BRITISH COUNTERPART -- MICHAEL PORTILLO AS HE PREPARED (TO LEAVE LATE IN THE DAY) FOR HIS FIRST VISIT TO EUROPE AND BOSNIA AS AMERICA'S DEFENSE CHIEF. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON. TEXT: THOUGH GIVING NO DETAILS, MR. COHEN SAID THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS AMONG THE ALLIES ON FORMATION OF A POLICE UNIT THAT WOULD SEEK OUT THE WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS. ONLY A HANDFUL OF THOSE INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES IN BOSNIA HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN TURNED OVER THE TRIBUNAL AT THE HAGUE, AND THOSE STILL FREE INCLUDE KEY BOSNIAN SERB FIGURES' RADOVAN KARADZIC AND RATKO MLADIC. SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AS HE BEGAN A MEETING WITH BRITISH DEFENSE CHIEF MICHAEL PORTILLO, SECRETARY COHEN AGAIN SAID THAT PURSUING WAR CRIMINALS IS NOT A JOB FOR THE NATO-LED STABILIZATION FORCE IN BOSNIA. /// COHEN ACTUALITY ///THE APPREHENSION OF WAR CRIMINALS IS NOT PART OF THE MISSION, A MILITARY MISSION. IT IS A POLICE FUNCTION, HOWEVER, AND DISCUSSIONS ARE UNDERWAY AT THIS TIME AS TO HOW A FORCE CAN BE ASSEMBLED TO CARRY OUT THAT PARTICULAR MISSION. BUT IT IS NOT A MILITARY-TYPE MISSION. /// END ACT ///MR. PORTILLO SAID HE THINKS IT WILL BE "VERY DIFFICULT" TO HAVE A LASTING SETTLEMENT IN BOSNIA AS LONG AS THOSE UNDER INDICTMENT ARE STILL AT LARGE. SECRETARY COHEN VISITS BOSNIA THURSDAY ON A EUROPEAN TRIP THAT
WILL ALSO INCLUDE TALKS WITH SENIOR OFFICIALS IN GERMANY AND
ITALY. (SIGNED)
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