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Voice of America, 97-03-07Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] 2004 OLYMPIC CITIES (S-O) BY ED HULA (LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND)DATE=3/7/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-211083 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: FIVE CITIES FROM THREE CONTINENTS -- EUROPE, AFRICA, AND SOUTH AMERICA -- HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS FINALISTS IN THE CAMPAIGN TO HOST THE 2004 SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES. ED HULA REPORTS FROM LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND. TEXT: ELEVEN CITIES HAD BEEN BIDDING TO HOST THE 2004 OLYMPICS, BUT THE GROUP HAS NOW BEEN CUT TO FIVE BY A PANEL OF EXPERTS MEETING AT THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE HEADQUARTERS IN LAUSANNE. THE FINALISTS ARE ROME, ATHENS, STOCKHOLM, BUENOS AIRES, AND CAPE TOWN. SAM RAMSAMY IS A MEMBER OF THE I-O-C FROM SOUTH AFRICA AND ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE CAPETOWN BID. /// RAMSAMY ACT ///FOR THE SAKE OF AFRICA WE BELIEVE THAT OUR BID WAS A WONDERFUL ONE AND WE WON'T LET AFRICA DOWN. /// END ACT ///MEMBERS OF THE I-O-C PANEL THAT SELECTED THE FINALISTS SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE CITIES FROM THE TWO CONTINENTS WHICH HAVE NEVER HELD THE GAMES, AFRICA AND SOUTH AMERICA. ELIMINATED FROM THE RACE WERE ISTANBUL, TURKEY, LILLE, FRANCE, SEVILLE, SPAIN, SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL AND SAINT PETERSBERG, RUSSIA. THE CITIES REMAINING HAVE SIX MONTHS TO CONVINCE THE 100 MEMBERS
OF THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE. THE I-O-C VOTES IN
SEPTEMBER ON ONE CITY TO HOST THE 2004 SUMMER GAMES. (SIGNED)
[02] ALBANIA / KING (L ONLY) BY ALEX BELIDA (JOHANNESBURG)DATE=3/7/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-211077 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// EDITORS: ALBANIAN ACTUALITY HAS BEEN SENT TO THE BUBBLE ///INTRO: THE EXILED PRETENDER TO THE ALBANIAN THRONE, LEKA THE FIRST, IS APPEALING TO REBELS IN HIS VOLATILE HOMELAND TO LAY DOWN THEIR WEAPONS TO AVOID A FULLSCALE CIVIL WAR. V-O-A SOUTHERN AFRICA CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTS THAT THE ALBANIAN MONARCH, WHO LIVES IN JOHANNESBURG, ALSO IS CALLING FOR THE FORMATION OF A NEW GOVERNMENT. TEXT: LEKA DESCRIBES THE CURRENT SITUATION IN ALBANIA AS CHAOTIC AND DISASTROUS. HE SAYS THE LAST THING HIS ECONOMICALLY-WEAKENED HOMELAND NEEDS NOW IS A CIVIL WAR AND HE APPEALS TO REBELS IN THE SOUTH OF THE COUNTRY TO LAY DOWN THEIR WEAPONS TO AVOID BLOODSHED. BUT IN A V-O-A INTERVIEW, THE EXILED PRETENDER TO THE ALBANIAN THRONE CALLS FOR CONTINUED POLITICAL PRESSURE TO BRING ABOUT A CHANGE IN THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT. /// LEKA ACTUALITY ///THE LAST THING WE NEED WITH OUR ECONOMY, THE SITUATION WE HAVE IN ALBANIA, IS WAR, CIVIL WAR. THEY (REBELS) SHOULD LAY DOWN THEIR ARMS BUT THEY SHOULD ALSO CONTINUE TO DEMAND THEIR RIGHTS AND THEY SHOULD ALSO, I BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY THAT THEY SHOULD, DEMAND THEIR RIGHTS ON THE BASIS OF A REFERENDUM WHICH WOULD GIVE A LEGAL BASIS TO A FUTURE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT. AT THIS STAGE, THIS GOVERNMENT HAS NO LEGAL BASIS. /// END ACTUALITY ///LEKA SAYS HE HOPES PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA'S OFFER OF AMNESTY TO REBELS WILL EASE THE CURRENT PREDICAMENT. BUT HE SAYS THAT WILL NOT RESOLVE THE FUNDAMENTAL CRISIS AFFECTING ALBANIA. /// LEKA ACTUALITY ///IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, IT'S ONLY A STOPGAP. IT NEEDS A POLITICAL SOLUTION AND NEEDS ONE VERY QUICKLY. /// END ACTUALITY ///LEKA IS PROPOSING AN INTERNATIONALLY-SUPERVISED REFERENDUM TO ALLOW THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE TO CHOOSE THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT THEY WANT. HE SAYS IF PEOPLE CHOOSE TO RESTORE THE MONARCHY, THEN HE IS PREPARED TO ACCEPT WHAT HE CALLS THAT HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY. HE SAYS IF THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE CHOOSE ANOTHER FORM OF CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT, THEN HE WOULD RETURN TO ALBANIA AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN AND SHARE IN EFFORTS TO REBUILD WHAT HE CALLS A FREE AND STABLE SOCIETY. BUT FOR THE MOMENT, LEKA SAYS HE IS NOT PREPARED TO RETURN HOME AT A TIME WHEN HE SAYS HIS PRESENCE COULD CAUSE EVEN MORE BLOODSHED. LEKA, WHO IS NOW 57-YEARS-OLD, WAS JUST TWO DAYS OLD WHEN HIS FATHER, KING ZOG, FLED ALBANIA. HE LIVED FOR MANY YEARS IN SPAIN BUT HAS BEEN BASED IN JOHANNESBURG SINCE 1980. HE SAYS THAT WHILE HE ONCE PURSUED BUSINESS INTERESTS, FOR THE
LAST SEVERAL YEARS HE HAS DEVOTED HIS ATTENTION FULLTIME TO
DEVELOPMENTS IN ALBANIA WHERE HE MAINTAINS EXTENSIVE CONTACTS. HE
MADE A BRIEF TRIP BACK TO ALBANIA IN 1993 BUT SAYS HE WAS FORCED
TO LEAVE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY UNDER INTENSE MILITARY AND POLICE
PRESSURE. (SIGNED)
[03] COHEN / ALBANIA (L ONLY) BY PEGGY POLK (ROME)DATE=3/7/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-211078 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN DISCUSSED THE UPRISING IN ALBANIA WITH ITALIAN LEADERS DURING A VISIT TO ROME. PEGGY POLK REPORTS THE PENTAGON CHIEF SAID THE UNITED STATES AND ITALY ARE READY TO WORK TOGETHER TO RESOLVE THE SITUATION. TEXT: ROME WAS THE NEXT TO LAST STOP ON MR. COHEN'S FIRST TRIP ABROAD AS SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, AND HE SAID HE RECEIVED A "WARM RECEPTION" FROM ITALIAN LEADERS. AT A NEWS CONFERENCE FOLLOWING HIS TALKS WITH ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAMBERTO DINI AND DEFENSE MINISTER BENIAMINO ANDREATTA, MR. COHEN SAID HE WELCOMES ITALY'S ATTEMPT TO PLAY THE "HONEST BROKER" IN THE DISPUTE ABOUT THE COMMAND OF NATO'S SOUTHERN FLANK. HE DESCRIBED AS "VERY CONSTRUCTIVE" ITALY'S PROPOSAL TO DELAY FOR SIX OR SEVEN YEARS CONSIDERATION OF THE FRENCH DEMAND TO SWITCH THE COMMAND FROM A U-S TO A EUROPEAN OFFICER. MR. COHEN SAID HE HOPED FOR "A POSITIVE REACTION" FROM RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN TO ATTEMPTS TO ALLAY RUSSIAN FEARS OVER THE PLANNED ENLARGEMENT OF NATO. HE SAID HE LOOKS FORWARD TO THE RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM WHEN THE RUSSIAN LEADER MEETS WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON LATER THIS MONTH. THE U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY ALSO SAID HE AND ITALIAN OFFICIALS DISCUSSED THE REBELLION THAT HAS BROKEN OUT IN ALBANIA. HE SAID THE UNITED STATES AND ITALY ARE PREPARED TO WORK TOGETHER TO HELP RESTORE PEACE TO ALBANIA. MR. COHEN SAID THE PROBLEM IN ALBANIA WAS PRIMARILY POLITICAL,"CERTAINLY NOT A MILITARY ONE." HE WELCOMED THE CURRENT 48 HOUR CEASE-FIRE AS "A VERY PRODUCTIVE SIGN." AND HE SAID HE IS ENCOURAGED BY THE EFFORTS OF EUROPEAN UNION REPRESENTATIVES TO -- IN HIS WORDS "HELP IN ANY WAY THEY CAN BY USING THEIR GOOD OFFICES." MR. COHEN SAID THAT WHILE THE UNITED STATES ALWAYS HAS
CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR EVACUATING U-S CITIZENS FROM DANGER ZONES,
THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC PLANS AT PRESENT FOR AN EVACUATION IN
ALBANIA.
FROM ROME, THE DEFENSE SECRETARY FLEW TO BRUSSELS -- HIS FINAL
STOP -- FOR MEETINGS WITH NATO LEADERS. (SIGNED)
[04] ALBANIA UNREST (S UPDATE) BY BARRY WOOD (TIRANA)DATE=3/7/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-211099 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IN ALBANIA PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA AND LEADERS OF OPPOSITION PARTIES MET SEPARATELY FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITH DELEGATIONS FROM THE 15 NATION EUROPEAN UNION AND A GROUP OF PARLIAMENTARIANS REPRESENTING THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS BOTH GROUPS URGED PRESIDENT BERISHA TO AVOID FORCE IN HIS BID TO RESTORE ORDER IN THE REBELLIOUS SOUTH. TEXT: DUTCH FOREIGN MINISTER HANS VAN MIERLO MET WITH PRESIDENT BERISHA FOR OVER THREE AND A HALF HOURS FRIDAY AFTERNOON. AFTERWARDS THERE WAS NO SIGN THAT A RESOLUTION TO THE CRISIS WAS ANY NEARER. THE DUTCH OFFICIAL, REPRESENTING ALL 15 E-U NATIONS, PRESSED THE CASE FOR A BROAD-BASED COALITION GOVERNMENT TO WRITE A NEW CONSTITUTION AND ORGANIZE NEW ELECTIONS. PRESIDENT BERISHA MADE NO COMMITMENT BEYOND HIS PROMISE NOT TO USE FORCE IN THE SOUTH OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS. THE DUTCH OFFICIAL SAID HIS BASIC PURPOSE IN VISITING TIRANA WAS TO BUY TIME SO THAT A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT TO THE CRISIS CAN BE FOUND. MR. VAN MIERLO SAID THE NEW ELECTIONS SHOULD BE CLOSELY SCRUTINIZED BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, WHOSE SPECIAL ENVOY FOR ALBANIA WILL BE COMING TO TIRANA PROBABLY NEXT WEEK. THE FOUR PERSON COUNCIL OF EUROPE DELEGATION DELIVERED ESSENTIALLY THE SAME MESSAGE, SAYING A NEW CONSTITUTION, AN INTERIM GOVERNMENT AND NEW ELECTIONS ARE NEEDED. BOTH VISITING GROUPS CALLED ON THE OPPOSITION SOCIALISTS TO END THEIR BOYCOTT OF PARLIAMENT. MEANWHILE IN THE REBELLIOUS SOUTH ARMED PROTESTORS DISMISSED THE
GOVERNMENT'S PROMISE OF AMNESTY AND VOWED TO HOLD ON TO THEIR
WEAPONS. (SIGNED)
[05] REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: ALBANIAN PYRAMIDS BY BARRY WOOD (TIRANA)DATE=3/7/97TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-35888 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IN ALBANIA, PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA, A CONSERVATIVE WHO HAS PRESIDED OVER A PERIOD OF REMARKABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH, IS FIGHTING FOR HIS POLITICAL SURVIVAL. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD HAS THIS REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK ON THE PYRAMID INVESTMENT SCHEMES THAT ARE AT THE HEART OF THE POPULAR UPRISING AGAINST PRESIDENT BERISHA'S AUTHORITARIAN RULE. HE BEGINS WITH A VISIT TO AN OPEN AIR MARKET NOT FAR FROM THE CENTER OF TIRANA. TEXT: (OPT) //CUT ONE ON SCENE DESCRIPTION// DUSTY, PILES OF GARBAGE, JUNK, PAPERS, KNOTS OF PEOPLE POORLY DRESSED, BROKEN DOWN CARS, DUST THICK ON THE WINDOWS, TR PLATES FROM ALBANIA, SQUAT BRICK BUILDINGS WHERE PEOPLE LIVE, WHITE LAUNDRY HANGING FROM BALCONIES, SATELLITE DISHES PEPPERING FACADES WHERE PLASTER IS PEELING, CERTAINTLY NO INDOOR PLUMBING. //END OPT / END ACT//IN THIS VAST BAZAAR OLD LADIES WITH HEAD SCARVES POKE THROUGH PILES OF OLD SHOES, HORSE CARTS CARRY AWAY MAGAZINES AND BOOKS, CARTONS OF MARLBOROS AND KITCHEN LINOLEUM. //SOUND OF MAN SHOUTING IN ALBANIAN, UNDER AND FADE//NEXT TO THIS DUSTY FIELD 300 PEOPLE PUSH AGAINST THE IRON FENCE THAT SURROUNDS THE OFFICE OF VEFA HOLDINGS, ALBANIA'S LARGEST PRIVATE COMPANY AND EMPLOYER. THE BLUE AND WHITE VEFA FLAG WAVES IN THE BREEZE NEXT TO AN ELECTRIC SIGN THAT FLASHES --MINERALS, AGRICULTURE, INFRASTRUCTURE. IN FACT, VEFA HOLDINGS IS ALSO A PYRAMID SCHEME. AND PEOPLE HERE ARE BEING CALLED ONE BY ONE TO ENTER THE BUILDING TO GET SOME OF THE MONEY BACK THAT THEY SO RECKLESSLY DEPOSITED WITH VEFA AND DOZEN OTHER GET RICH QUICK SCHEMS. KALIAS MUSHA, A COMPUTER OPERATOR AT A SMALL BUSINESS, LOST MONEY IN THE INVESTMENT SCHEMES. SHE IS ASKED WHAT IS FUTURE OF VEFA. //FIRST MUSHA ACT//I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. MAYBE, MAYBE THEY ARE PLANNING TO OPEN A PRIVATE BANK, PAYING A VERY LOW RATE OF INTEREST. SOME PEOPLE SAY VEFA WILL FAIL JUST LIKE THE OTHERS? NO, THE GOVERNMENT WON'T ALLOW IT. BECAUSE OTHERWISE THE WAR WOULD EXPLODE. //END ACT//MRS. MUSHA IS AN ATTRACTIVE WOMAN IN HER 40S, PICTURES OF HER CHILDREN LINE THE WALL NEXT TO HER COMPUTER SCREEN. HOW COULD SHE HAVE BEEN SO FOOLISH AS TO INVEST HER SCARCE SAVINGS WITH INVESTMENT COMPANIES THAT OFFERED RATES OF RETURN THAT INDEED WERE TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. SHE REPLIES THAT SHE WAS ONE OF THE LAST TO INVEST AND DID SO ONLY AFTER HER FRIEND HAD TRIPLED HER MONEY IN JUST THREE MONTHS. MRS. MUSHA ALSO TRIPLED HER INITIAL INVESTMENT OF TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS. BUT SHE SAYS SHE KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG WHEN SHE WENT TO COLLECT HER PROFITS. //SECOND MUSHA ACT//WE WERE WAITING FOR OUR NAME (TO BE CALLED). AND TO GO TO THE WINDOW THERE WAS A STONE AND THEN A BARREL. YOU HAD TO STEP ON THE STONE AND THEN STEP ON THE BARREL AND GO TO THE WINDOW. AND IT WAS VERY SHAMEFUL. IT WAS VERY EMBARRASSING TO ME PERSONALLY. WHEN I HEARD MY NAME, SOMEBODY CALLED MY NAME, I WANTED TO DIE AT THAT MOMENT. I DON'T KNOW WHY. WHY DID YOU HAVE TO STAND ON THE BARREL AND THE STONE? BECAUSE THE WINDOW WAS HIGH. IT WAS ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING BUT IT WAS HIGH. AND THEY DIDN'T WANT PEOPLE TO GET IN FROM THE DOOR BECAUSE OF THE CONFUSION. THEY WANTED PEOPLE TO STAY OUTSIDE AND GET THEIR MONEY FROM THE WINDOW. AND I GOT MY MONEY. //END ACT//THAT WAS LAST OCTOBER. MRS. MUSHA THEN TOOK HER 600 DOLLARS, ADDED ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO IT, AND INVESTED IT WITH ANOTHER PYRAMID. THAT MONEY HAS BEEN LOST. THE QUESTION EVERYONE ASKS IN ALBANIA IS WHY DIDN'T THE GOVERNMENT CLOSE THESE FRAUDULENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES BEFORE THE INVESTMENT FRENZY THAT WENT ON THE IN LAST HALF OF 1996. MRS. MUSHA HAS THIS ANSWER. //THIRD MUSHA ACT//THE GOVERNMENT WAS VERY INTERESTED TO HAVE THOSE PYRAMIDAL SCHEMES OPEN. BECAUSE WE HAVE MANY FACTS (MUCH INFORMATION) THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY (OF THE PRESIDENT) WAS SUPPORTED ESPECIALLY DURING THE ELECTION TIME BY THOSE FIRMS. IF YOU SEE THE POSTERS OF CANDIDATES FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, ON THE BACKGROUND OF THEIR FACES WERE BIG NAMES -- XALLITSA, KAMBERI, CENAI (BIG INVESTMENT COMPANIES). IS THIS FACTS ENOUGH TO SEE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS INTERESTED TO SEE THEM OPEN? //END ACT//ALBANIA'S POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRISIS IS FAR FROM
OVER. BUT THE COLLAPSE OF SEVERAL PYRAMID FIRMS AND THE
ACCOMPANYING LOSS OF PURCHASING POWER HAS ALREADY SLOWED ECONOMIC
GROWTH. EXPERTS SAY THAT WHILE ALBANIA REGISTERED AT LEAST SIX
PERCENT GROWTH IN 1996, IT WILL BE LUCKY TO HAVE ANY GROWTH IN
1997. (SIGNED)
[06] ALBANIA ONITER (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (TIRANA)DATE=3/7/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-211106 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IN ALBANIA FRIDAY, PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA HELD TALKS WITH VISITING DELEGATIONS FROM THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS THE WESTERN PRESSURE FOR A EXTENDED COMMITMENT TO AVOID FORCE IN RESTORING ORDER IN THE SOUTH CAME AS REBELS IN SOUTHERN ALBANIA IGNORED A GOVERNMENT OFFER OF AMNESTY. TEXT: THE ARMED PROTESTERS SCORNED A GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION APPEAL TO TURN IN THEIR WEAPONS IN RETURN FOR AMNESTY. IN THE TOWNS OF SARANDE AND VLORE, THE INSURGENTS DISMISSED THE OFFER AND INSTEAD CALLED FOR PRESIDENT BERISHA TO RESIGN. THERE WERE REPORTS THAT ANOTHER TOWN ON THE STRATEGIC ROAD LINKING SARANDE TO NORTHERN ALBANIA WAS TAKEN OVER BY PROTESTERS. THE TWO VISITING WEST EUROPEAN DELEGATIONS MET SEPARATELY WITH PRESIDENT BERISHA AND OPPOSITION PARTIES. THE MESSAGE TO THE PRESIDENT WAS TO NAME A BROAD BASED COALITION GOVERNMENT TO PREPARE A NEW CONSTITUTION AND ORGANIZE FRESH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS LATER THIS YEAR. RENE VAN DER LINDEN, A MEMBER OF THE DUTCH PARLIAMENT, LED THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE DELEGATION. //VAN DER LINDEN ACT//WE WANT TO PREPARE ALL THE NECESSARY THINGS. FIRST OF ALL A NEW CONSTITUTION, THEN AN ELECTORAL LAW, AND THEN IT IS UP TO THE POLITICAL PARTIES TO CONSIDER NEW ELECTIONS BEFORE THE NORMAL LEGISLATION PERIOD IS FINISHED. //END ACT//PRESIDENT BERISHA GAVE NO COMMITMENT FOR NEW ELECTIONS. HE
SPOKE OF CREATING A BROAD-BASED NEW GOVERNMENT, AND PROMISED
CONTINUING DIALOGUE WITH THE POLITICAL OPPOSITION. (SIGNED)
[07] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)DATE=3/7/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-211076 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL BEGINS ITS SECOND TRIAL ON MONDAY. FOUR MEN -- THREE MUSLIMS AND A CROAT -- ARE ACCUSED OF CRIMES AGAINST BOSNIAN SERBS -- THE TRIBUNAL'S FIRST CASE DEALING WITH SERB VICTIMS. GILLIAN SHARPE IN THE HAGUE REPORTS OBSERVERS SAY THE TRIAL MAY GO PART OF THE WAY TO ANSWERING CRITICISM FROM BOSNIAN SERBS THAT THE TRIBUNAL IS BIASED AGAINST THEM. TEXT: THE ACCUSED MEN INCLUDE A MILITARY COMMANDER OF MUSLIM-CROAT FORCES IN CENTRAL BOSNIA AND A GUARD AT THE CELEBICI PRISON CAMP IN THE SAME AREA. ALL ARE CHARGED WITH DIRECT OR INDIRECT RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT PROSECUTORS CALL AN ATMOSPHERE OF TERROR AT THE CAMP. WOMEN WERE RAPED, MEN WERE TORTURED WITH ELECTRICAL CURRENT, AND ONE ELDERLY MAN WAS MURDERED AFTER A MUSLIM POLITICAL BADGE WAS NAILED TO HIS FOREHEAD. AT THEIR INITIAL APPEARANCES IN COURT, EACH OF THE ACCUSED GAVE PRESIDING JUDGE GABRIELLE MCDONALD THE SAME ANSWER: // ACTS PLEA //JUDGE: ARE YOU READY TO ENTER A PLEA TO THE INDICTMENT, THE PROSECUTOR HAS IDENTIFIED THE COUNTS IN THE INDICTMENT IN WHICH YOU ARE CHARGED. ARE YOU READY TO ENTER A PLEA AT THIS TIME? ANSWER: YES (IN SERBO CROAT) JUDGE: HOW DO YOU PLEAD, GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY ANSWER: (IN SERBO CROAT) // ENDS ACT //NOT GUILTY HE SAYS. THE UNITED NATIONS RESEARCHER AT THE DUTCH INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS -- DICK LEURDIJK -- SAYS THE CELEBICI CHARGES REPRESENT SOMETHING NEW FOR THE TRIBUNAL. // ACT LEURDIJK //THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE TRIBUNAL IS DELIBERATELY STARTING AN EFFORT TO GET NON-SERBS TRIED BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL. SO THIS IN ITSELF EXPLAINS WHY THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT EVENT AS FAR AS THE CREDIBILITY AND FUTURE OF THE TRIBUNAL IS CONCERNED. // ENDS ACT //SOME PEOPLE SAY THE TRIBUNAL IS IRRELEVANT BECAUSE ONLY SEVEN ACCUSED ARE IN CUSTODY, OF 74 CHARGED. OTHERS SAY IT IS EASY TO BLAME THE TRIBUNAL FOR THAT, BUT IT HAS NO POLICE FORCE OF IT'S OWN. THE ENFORCING IS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE BY OTHERS. BUT THERE HAS BEEN INTERNATIONAL INACTION ON A SCALE WHICH TRIBUNAL PRESIDENT ANTONIO CASSESE SAYS THREATENS THE CREDIBILITY OF THE U-N AND SENDS A VERY DANGEROUS MESSAGE TO THE WIDER WORLD. // ACT CASSESE //NAMELY YOU MAY ENJOY FULL IMPUNITY. GO AHEAD KILL, TORTURE, MAIM, COMMIT ACTS OF GENOCIDE. THIS WOULD BE THE VERY BAD SIGNAL. AND WE DON'T WANT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO SEND SUCH A SIGNAL. THIS IS A MORAL ISSUE FOR ME. // ENDS ACT //PRESIDENT CASSESE MADE THOSE COMMENTS IN JULY OF LAST YEAR. BUT, LITTLE APPEARS TO HAVE CHANGED SINCE THEN. ONE MAN HAS PLEADED GUILTY TO WAR CRIMES AND ONE MAN IS AWAITING A VERDICT. BUT ONCE THE CELEBICI CASE IS FINISHED, THERE IS ONLY ONE ACCUSED LEFT TO TRY. // OPT //// OPT ACT LEURDIJK //IF THIS S-FOR IS NOT INCLINED TO DO IT, THEN IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INTERNATIONAL POLICY-MAKERS TO THINK ABOUT ALTERNATIVES AND ONE OF THE SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVES IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SEPARATE POLICE ENTITY WITH SPECIAL POWERS TO GET THOSE INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS ARRESTED AND PLEASE IF THAT IS THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE, LET THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY DO IT IMMEDIATELY, BECAUSE OTHERWISE THE MOMENTUM AS YOU SAID WILL GET LOST. // ENDS ACT., END OPT //THE NEXT TRIAL DUE TO BEGIN IN APRIL. UNLESS OFFICIALS FIND SOME
WAY OF GETTING MORE SUSPECTS ARRESTED, IT SEEMS CERTAIN THAT
BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL
FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA WILL RUN OUT OF CASES TO TRY. (SIGNED)
[08] U-S / BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPT.)DATE=3/7/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-211111 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS SENDING ELECTION OFFICIALS TO MONITOR BOSNIA'S POSTPONED MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. V-O-A STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS. TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS JOINED DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN IN SAYING THE UNITED STATES IS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA WILL BE POSTPONED FROM JULY TO SEPTEMBER. THE LOCAL ELECTIONS HAD ALREADY BEEN DELAYED FROM LAST NOVEMBER. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THIS WILL BE THE FINAL DELAY. /// BURNS ACT ///WE BELIEVE THIS IS THE LAST SUSPENSION, MEANING THAT THESE ELECTIONS SHOULD AND WILL TAKE PLACE IN SEPTEMBER OF 1997 -- BUT IT IS BETTER TO GET IT RIGHT. IT'S BETTER TO HOLD ELECTIONS THAT CAN MEET THE TEST OF 'FREE AND FAIR' THAN TO HOLD QUICK ELECTIONS THAT DO NOT MEET THAT TEST. /// END ACT ///A GROUP OF 33 AMERICAN ELECTION SUPERVISORS WILL LEAVE WASHINGTON
SUNDAY TO GO TO BOSNIA TO TRAIN LOCAL MONITORS FOR THE SEPTEMBER
ELECTIONS. ANOTHER 100 AMERICAN VOLUNTEERS WILL JOIN THEM LATER
TO WORK WITH LOCAL ELECTION COMMISSIONS. (SIGNED)
[09] BELGRADE STUDENTS (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)DATE=3/7/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-211102 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE CHANCELLOR OF BELGRADE UNVERSITY HAS RESIGNED -- THE LAST DEMAND OF PROTESTING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. BUT JULIA GLYN-PICKETT IN BELGRADE REPORTS THAT ALTHOUGH THE RESIGNATION MAY END STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS, FRESH BATTLES ARE BREWING OVER STATE CONTROL OF THE MEDIA. TEXT: ON FRIDAY MORNING, BELGRADE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS CALLED THEIR CHANCELLOR'S BLUFF AND RETURNED TEMPORARILY TO THEIR CLASSROOMS. THE STUDENTS' MOVE, WHICH CHANCELLOR DRAGUTIN VELICKOVIC HAD MADE THE CONDITION OF HIS RESIGNATION, PAID OFF AND BY MIDDAY THE UNIVERSITY HEAD HAD STEPPED DOWN. CHANCELLOR VELICKOVIC ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION TO STATE MEDIA. // VELICKOVIC ACT THEN FADE //MR. VELICKOVIC SAID AS STUDENTS HAD KEPT THEIR PART OF THE BARGAIN AND HAD RETURNED TO CLASSROOMS, THEN HE WOULD ALSO KEEP HIS PROMISE AND RESIGN. MR. VELICKOVIC STRESSED HIS DECISION WAS NOT THE RESULT OF POLITICAL PRESSURE FROM THE OPPOSITION OR THOSE UNIVERSITY STAFF WHO -- AS HE PUT IT -- HAD MANIPULATED STUDENTS FOR THEIR OWN POLITICAL ENDS. THOUSANDS OF JUBILANT STUDENTS CHEERED WHAT THEY ARE HERALDING AS THEIR VICTORY IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL OF PHILOSOPHY. // STUDENTS CHANTING, THEN FADE //STUDENT LEADER VLADIMIR DOBROSAVLJEVIC EXPLAINED TO REPORTERS WHAT THE CHANCELLOR'S RESIGNATION MEANT FOR THE STUDENT MOVEMENT. // DOBROSAVLJEVIC ACT, THEN FADE //MR. DOBROSAVLJEVIC SAID THE RESIGNATION WAS FRESH CONFIRMATION OF THE WISDOM AND RESILIENCE OF THE STUDENT PROTEST. HE SAID THE CONTROVERSIAL DECISION TO RETURN TO CLASSROOMS HAD SHOWN ITSELF TO BE A WISE STRATEGIC MOVE WHICH HAD PRESSURED THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT INTO RETREAT. IN ORDER FOR THE CHANCELLOR'S RESIGNATION TO TAKE EFFECT, THE UNIVERSITY'S MAIN BOARD MUST FIRST ACCEPT IT. UNTIL THE COUNCIL'S DECISION -- DUE MARCH 20TH -- SOME BELIEVE A FORM OF PROTEST MUST CONTINUE. // OPT ACT // UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTER //IT IS NOT OVER UNTIL THE FAT LADY SINGS -- SO IT IS NOT OVER UNTIL IT IS OVER, UNTIL WE SEE IT IN BLACK AND WHITE, ON PAPER, WITH A STAMP AND SIGNATURE -- HE HAS NOT RESIGNED. NEVERTHELESS, WE ARE VERY HAPPY -- THIS IS A HAPPY DAY FOR US. IT IS A VICTORIOUS DAY FOR US. THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR, THESE 106 DAYS -- SO LET US TAKE A WALK. // END ACT // END OPT ACT //BUT WHILE THE SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT APPEARS READY TO CONCEDE
VICTORY TO STUDENTS, A FRESH CRACKDOWN ON THE MEDIA HAS
APPARENTLY STARTED. THE STATE-OWNED TELEVISION AND RADIO
INFORMED PRIVATELY-OWNED "BROTHER KARIC" TELEVISION LATE THURSDAY
IT HAD DECIDED TO BREAK THE CONTRACT ALLOWING THE STATION TO USE
STATE-OWNED TRANSMITTERS. THE REASON GIVEN WAS INTERNAL
TECHNICAL REORGANIZATION. B-K IS THE ONLY PRIVATE TELEVISION
STATION WITH A NEWS PROGRAM THAT REACHES MORE THAN 60 PERCENT OF
SERBIA. B-K TELEVISION REJECTED THE EXPLANATION AND SAID THE
MOVE DEALT A SERIOUS BLOW TO MEDIA FREEDOM IN SERBIA. (SIGNED)
[10] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)DATE=3/7/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-211103 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: SHARE PRICES WERE MIXED IN TRADING FRIDAY ON EUROPEAN MARKETS. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON. TEXT: STOCK PRICES ROSE SHARPLY TO ONCE AGAIN SET NEW RECORD CLOSING HIGHS IN LONDON AND PARIS. ANALYSTS SAY TRADERS WERE ENCOURAGED BY ECONOMIC NEWS IN THE UNITED STATES. PRICES IN LONDON -- EUROPE'S BIGGEST MARKET -- SET A NEW HIGH FOR THE FOURTH STRAIGHT DAY. THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX CLOSED UP 21 POINTS. PRICES IN PARIS ALSO FINISHED AT A NEW HIGH. THE CAC-40 INDEX WAS UP MORE THAN NINE POINTS. STOCK PRICES DROPPED ONLY IN FRANKFURT WHERE THE MARKET CLOSED BEFORE THE U-S EMPLOYMENT REPORT WAS ISSUED. THE DAX-30 INDEX ENDED DOWN MORE THAN 41 POINTS. BUT PRICES ROSE IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING. ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR ROSE IN VALUE
AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, THE JAPANESE YEN, AND THE BRITISH POUND.
(SIGNED)
[11] WORLD TELECOMMUNICATIONS AGREEMENT BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=03/07/97TYPE=U-S OPINION ROUNDUP NUMBER=6-10057 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=NEAL LAVON CONTENT= INTRO: EXPERTS IN GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS TELL US THAT MORE THAN HALF THE PEOPLE ON THE PLANET HAVE NEVER MADE A TELEPHONE CALL. THAT MAY CHANGE HOWEVER, AS THE RESULT OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AGREEMENT SIGNED IN GENEVA LAST MONTH (2/15) BY 70 NATIONS, INCLUDING THE COMMUNICATIONS LEADERS, THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND GERMANY. ALTHOUGH SOMEWHAT OBSCURED BY MORE IMMEDIATE NEWS OF THE DAY, THE U-S PRESS HAS BEEN CELEBRATING THIS OPENING OF THE WORLD'S TELEPHONE AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS. FOR TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP, A SAMPLING OF COMMENT ON THE AGREEMENT, HERE'S V-O-A'S ________________. TEXT: THE AGREEMENT, SIGNED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION, CALLS FOR SWEEPING TRADE REFORMS IN TELEPHONE AND OTHER TYPES OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DOING AWAY WITH GOVERNMENT MONOPOLIES ON COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE IN MANY NATIONS. THE DEAL WILL OPEN 95 PERCENT OF THE APPROXIMATELY 600-BILLION-DOLLAR-A-YEAR WORLD TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKET TO U-S COMPANIES AND IS INTENDED TO CUT COSTS AS COMPETITION IS STIMULATED IN THE FIELD OF SATELLITE LINKS, FAX AND DATA-TRANSMISSION AND CELLULAR TELEPHONE SERVICE. SEVENTY NATIONS ATTENDED, BUT NOT ALL SIGNED EVERY PRINCIPAL COVENANT OF THE AGREEMENT, WHICH LED TO A DISPARATE EDITORIAL INTERPRETATION OF WHAT TOOK PLACE IN GENEVA. THIS COUNTRY'S ACTING U-S TRADE REPRESENTATIVE CHARLENE BARSHEFSKY, WHO SINCE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY CONGRESS IN THAT JOB, LED THE U-S DELEGATION AT THE TALKS. SHE HAS PREDICTED THAT THE U-S INFORMATION-TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY WILL NOW LEAD THE GROWTH OF THE AMERICAN ECONOMY AS THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY DID 40 YEARS AGO. FOR U-S PRESS REACTION, WE GO FIRST TO MAINE, WHERE THE PORTLAND PRESS-HERALD CHEERS THE AGREEMENT THIS WAY. VOICE: "THE WORLDWIDE REVOLUTION THAT SOME HAVE BEEN PREDICTING FINALLY HAS HAPPENED. IT CAME WITHOUT A SHOT BEING FIRED. THE EFFECT OF THE LANDMARK AGREEMENT OPENING THE GLOBAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKET, HOWEVER, IS BROADER THAN THE GAINS WON ON ANY BATTLEFIELD. WHEN 69 NATIONS AGREED IN GENEVA ..... TO ALLOW COMPETITION IN WHAT HAD BEEN, IN MANY CASES, STATE-PROTECTED TELEPHONE AND SATELLITE MONOPOLIES, IT WAS A SWEEPING VICTORY FOR ECONOMIC FREEDOM. ..... IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED THAT OPENING MARKETS MAY SAVE CONSUMERS WORLDWIDE AS MUCH AS ONE TRILLION DOLLARS BY [THE YEAR] 2010. THE WORLD WILL NEVER BE THE SAME, AND THIS COUNTRY CAN BE PROUD IT LED THE WAY." TEXT: IN USA TODAY, THERE WAS GLEE OVER THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IT BELIEVES THE ACCORD WILL HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY. VOICE: "FOR U-S WORKERS, THAT MARKET OPENING MEANS JOBS. UP TO A MILLION OF THEM, SAYS FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION CHAIRMAN REED HUNDT. FOR INTERNATIONAL CALLERS, IT IS EXPECTED TO REDUCE RATES BY 80 PERCENT. BUT THE TELCOM DEAL ISN'T THE ONLY U-S ADVANTAGE IN W-T-O PARTICIPATION. IN DECEMBER, W-T-O PROVIDED THE FRAMEWORK FOR AN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEAL THAT OPENS ANOTHER HALF-TRILLION-DOLLAR MARKET TO U-S SUPPLIERS." TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, THE SUN SAYS THE AGREEMENT WILL ENCOURAGE GLOBAL FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND ENHANCE THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION. THE SUN ADDS: VOICE: "CHARLENE BARSHEFSKY, ACTING U-S TRADE REPRESENTATIVE, DOES NOT EXAGGERATE WHEN SHE CALLS THIS PACT, SIGNED BY 68 NATIONS, 'ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TRADE AGREEMENTS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY.' ..... WHILE THE TECHNICALITIES IN THE TELCOM AGREEMENT ARE DAUNTING, THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS FOR CONSUMERS WORLDWIDE ARE SIMPLE ENOUGH. NOT ONLY WILL SOMEONE IN TASMANIA BE ABLE TO TALK EASILY WITH SOMEONE IN TANZANIA, BUT HE OR SHE WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO VIA U-S GLOBAL NETWORKS, BY PASSING THE NATIONAL SYSTEMS WHERE THESE TWO CALLERS HAPPEN TO BE. .... THE NEW INFORMATION HIGHWAY WILL ALSO ALLOW THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES TO TAP SOURCES OF FIRST WORLD KNOWLEDGE LONG OUT OF REACH." TEXT: FAR OUT IN THE PACIFIC, THE HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN ALSO HAILED THE AGREEMENT. VOICE: "THE NEW AGREEMENT ...... IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN THE COST OF INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE CALLS, BUT ITS IMPORTANCE GOES FAR BEYOND THAT HOUSEHOLD BUDGET ITEM. THE ACCORD ABOLISHES MOST NATIONS' MONOPOLISTIC TELEPHONE SYSTEMS, CREATING A WORLDWIDE MARKET ECONOMY IN THE HUGE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY. SOME COUNTRIES WERE ENTICED BY THE TELECOM AGREEMENT'S ACCESS TO THE UNITED STATES, WHERE 50 PERCENT OF THE MARKET IS LOCATED, WHILE SMALLER COUNTRIES WERE FEARFUL OF WHAT THEY CALL ECONOMIC IMPERIALISM. THOSE ANXIETIES COULD DIMINISH AS THE BENEFITS OF COMPETITION MANIFEST THEMSELVES." TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES, HERE IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL, USES SOME AMAZING STATISTICS TO PREDICT THE PACT'S FUTURE. VOICE: "..... CONSIDERING THAT ONLY 20 PERCENT OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION OWN PHONES AND 50 PERCENT HAVE NEVER EVEN MADE A TELEPHONE CALL, THE OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH IN ASIA, LATIN AMERICA AND AFRICA SEEMS ALMOST INCALCULABLE, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT NATIONALIZED OR HIGHLY PROTECTED TELEPHONE COMPANIES WILL NOT LONGER ENJOY THEIR STATE-SANCTIONED MONOPOLIES. MUCH OF THE CREDIT FOR THE SUPERB AGREEMENT ..... BELONGS TO CHARLENE BARSHEFSKY.... INDEED, IN THE END THE UNITED STATES ACHIEVED A FAR SUPERIOR AGREEMENT [THAN WOULD HAVE COME FROM PREVIOUS TALKS]. IN THE LONG RUN, THE BIGGEST BENEFICIARIES OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND SUPERIOR TECHNOLOGY WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE THOSE CONSUMERS HERETOFORE SUBJECTED TO THE INEFFICIENT, PRICE-GOUGING, STATE-PROTECTED MONOPOLIES THAT MUST NOW REFORM THEMSELVES TO MEET THE RUSH OF COMPETITION, MUCH OF IT PROVIDED BY U-S FIRMS." TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF OPINION
ON THE RECENTLY COMPLETED WORLD COMMUNICATIONS TRADE
AGREEMENT.
[12] U-S / NATO ENLARGMENT (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPT.)DATE=3/7/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-211114 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS NOT GOING TO ANNOUNCE ITS CHOICES FOR NEW MEMBERS OF NATO UNTIL SHORTLY BEFORE THE ALLIANCE SUMMIT IN JULY THAT WILL MAKE THE INVITATIONS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT. TEXT: HUNGARY'S FOREIGN MINISTER HAS RETURNED TO BUDAPEST SAYING HE HAS BEEN REASSURED BY A MEETING WITH SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT THAT HUNGARY WILL BE AMONG THE FIRST CENTRAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES CHOSEN FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS -- BRIEFING REPORTERS ON THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S MEETING WITH FOREIGN MINISTER LASZLO KOVACS -- SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT BE ANNOUNCING ITS CHOICES UNTIL SHORTLY BEFORE THE MADRID NATO SUMMIT. /// BURNS ACT ///YOU KNOW THAT THE SECRETARY CANNOT GIVE ANY COMMITMENTS ON NATO MEMBERSHIP TO CENTRAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT MAKE THIS DECISION ALONE; 16 COUNTRIES WILL. NATO HAS NOT YET DECIDED WHICH COUNTRIES WILL BE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE, TO NEGOTIATE NATO MEMBERSHIP AFTER MADRID. /// END ACT ///THE SPOKESMAN CONFIRMS THE UNITED STATES WILL HAVE ITS OWN LIST
OF FAVORED COUNTRIES -- BUT WILL NOT MAKE IT PUBLIC AS SOME
EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAVE DONE. POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH
REPUBLIC ARE MOST OFTEN MENTIONED, WHILE SOME EUROPEANS HAVE
FAVORED ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA. (SIGNED)
[13] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=03/07/97TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-10056 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=NEAL LAVON CONTENT= INTRO: THE RETURN OF PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN, WHO DELIVERED A MAJOR SPEECH TO THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT THURSDAY, IS ONE OF SEVERAL FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC TOPICS COMMENTED ON IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS. OTHERS INCLUDE: CHANGING THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX; THE PRESIDENTIAL FUNDRAISING CONTROVERSY; RECERTIFYING MEXICO AS A VALID PARTNER IN THE WAR ON NARCOTICS AND NEW REVELATIONS ABOUT A LONG-TIME FRIEND OF PRESIDENT CLINTON, WEBSTER HUBBELL. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES IS REASSURED BY THE APPEARANCE OF WHAT IT BELIEVES IS A HEALTHY-LOOKING BORIS YELTSIN SPEAKING TO HIS PARLIAMENT IN MOSCOW. VOICE: "BORIS YELTSIN YESTERDAY GAVE RUSSIANS A MEASURE OF THE LEADERSHIP THEY YEARN FOR, CANDIDLY DESCRIBING HIS COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS AND THE FAILURES OF HIS OWN ADMINISTRATION. NOW HE MUST TAKE THE DECISIVE ACTIONS NECESSARY TO STABILIZE THE ECONOMY AND GIVE THE NATION AN EFFECTIVE, HONEST GOVERNMENT. IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO SEE MR. YELTSIN BACK IN A COMBATIVE MODE AFTER MONTHS OF ILLNESS AND CONVALESCENCE. [OPT] .... RUSSIANS MADE CLEAR IN LAST YEAR'S ELECTION THAT THEY SUPPORT REFORM, BUT THEY WANT IT TO BE MEASURED, FAIR AND WELL MANAGED. NOW THAT HE IS BACK AT WORK, MR. YELTSIN SHOULD NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE CHALLENGE." [END OPT] TEXT: THE DEBATE ON ADJUSTING THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, THE NATION'S PRINCIPAL INFLATION BAROMETER, IS GAINING MORE ATTENTION IN EDITORIAL COLUMNS. THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR SAYS THAT IF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX IS CHANGED: VOICE: "..... YOU CHANGE PRACTICALLY EVERYTHING ECONOMIC ON THE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE. THE UPWARD ADJUSTMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AND PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT PENSIONS SLOWS. INCOME TAX COLLECTIONS RISE. PAY SCALES TIED TO THE C-P-I EXPAND LESS. MORTGAGE AND CONSUMER INTEREST RATES TEND TO BE LOWER AS PRIVATE-SECTOR LENDERS AND THE FED [FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD] SEE LOWER INFLATION FIGURES. IN OTHER WORDS, SUCH A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF AMERICANS IS AFFECTED THAT POLITICIANS ARE, YES, COWARDLY - - DESPITE GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT THE C-P-I HAS BEEN VASTLY MISLEADING US FOR YEARS." TEXT: TURNING TO THE OTHER MAJOR DOMESTIC ISSUE, THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE TACTICS USED BY BILL CLINTON AND HIS ADMINISTRATION TO RAISE MONEY FOR LAST YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD REMARKS: VOICE: "..... AMERICANS MAY NEVER HAVE MEMORIZED FEDERAL ELECTION LAWS, BUT THEY KNOW CAMPAIGN FUND-RAISING RUN AMUCK WHEN THEY SEE IT. IF WHITE HOUSE ACTIONS RANGING FROM ON-SITE FUND-RAISING VENTURES TO AN AIDE'S MUCKLING ON TO A 50-THOUSAND CAMPAIGN CHECK ARE NOT ILLEGAL, THEY SHOULD BE." TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST, ON THE SAME SUBJECT, ZEROES IN ON VICE PRESIDENT ALBERT GORE WHO HAS ADMITTED MAKING SOME FUND-RAISING CALLS FROM HIS WHITE HOUSE OFFICE, A POSSIBLE VIOLATION OF LAW. VOICE: "THE OFFICE IN WHICH MR. GORE WAS SITTING [WHEN HE MADE THE CALLS] ISN'T WHAT MATTERS; IT IS THE OFFICE HE HOLDS [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] THAT MATTERS. IT WAS WHAT HE DID, NOT WHERE HE WAS WHEN HE DID IT, THAT WAS WRONG. ... YOU CAN TALK AS POLITELY AS YOU PLEASE, THEY STILL BORDER ON SHAKEDOWNS, [EXTORTIONS] JUST AS DO THE SIMILAR CALLS THAT ARE MADE ALL THE TIME BY POWERFUL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND THE LIKE, WHICH ARE EQUALLY WRONG AND FOR THE SAME REASON." TEXT: ON THE ISSUE OF PRESIDENT CLINTON CERTIFYING MEXICO'S ANTI-NARCOTIC EFFORT, THE BOSTON GLOBE SAYS: VOICE: "COMMON SENSE TRIUMPHED OVER POSTURING ABOUT MEXICO'S DRUG CONTROL SHORTCOMINGS LAST WEEK, OPENING THE WAY FOR REEXAMINING THE U-S POLICY OF GRANTING OR WITHHOLDING CERTIFICATION FOR OTHER COUNTRIES' EFFORTS. CERTIFICATION IS HYPOCRITICAL AND INEFFECTIVE AS A TOOL AGAINST DRUGS. IT SHOULD BE ABANDONED." TEXT: THE SUN IN BALTIMORE ALSO AGREES WITH THE PRESIDENT ON THIS ONE. VOICE: "[OPT] CONGRESS MAY WELL BE ON THE WAY TO AN EASY VOTE TO OVERRIDE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S WISE DECISION TO CERTIFY MEXICO AS AN ALLY IN THE ANTI-DRUG WAR. BUT AMONG THE LAWMAKERS TAKING THIS POPULAR POSITION, THERE WILL BE PLENTY WHO HOPE THE PRESIDENT'S CERTAIN VETO WILL BE UPHELD. [END OPT] ..... INSTEAD OF MAKING MR. ZEDILLO'S TASK MORE DIFFICULT, RESPONSIBLE U-S POLICY SHOULD BE TO COOPERATE WITH HIM .... MR. CLINTON'S RECERTIFICATION MUST BE UPHELD." TEXT: FORMER ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL WEBSTER HUBBELL, AN OLD FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE OF THE PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY FROM ARKANSAS, IS BACK IN THE NEWS. THE NEW YORK TIMES HAS REVEALED THAT AFTER HE LEFT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, AND BEFORE HE WENT TO JAIL FOR TAX EVASION, HE WAS PAID LARGE RETAINERS BY SEVERAL ASIAN COMPANIES WHO WERE CURRYING FAVOR AT THE WHITE HOUSE. VOICE: "SOMEHOW, IT DIDN'T COME AS TOO MUCH OF A SURPRISE TO LEARN ... THAT MOCHTAR AND JAMES RIADY AND THEIR LIPPO CONGLOMERATE WERE NOT THE ONLY HEAVY-HITTING [POWERFUL] CLINTON SUPPORTERS TO RUSH TO THE RESCUE OF FORMER ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ..... WEBSTER HUBBELL, IN THE NINE MONTHS BETWEEN HIS RESIGNATION IN DISGRACE FROM .... THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND HIS GUILTY PLEA TO TAX EVASION AND MAIL FRAUD CHARGES. .... AND YET, HE COCKS HIS HEAD, WIDENS HIS EYES SINCERELY AND ANNOUNCED HE CAN'T DIVULGE JUST HOW MUCH HE WAS PAID BY ANY OF THEM..... [OR] WHAT HE DID TO EARN IT." TEXT: ON THE LATEST OFFER BY SWITZERLAND TO SET UP A FUND OF ALMOST FIVE BILLION (THOUSAND MILLION) DOLLARS TO COMPENSATE HOLOCAUST VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR LOST MONEY AND VALUABLES HELD IN SWISS BANKS DURING WORLD WAR TWO, THE NEW YORK POST SAYS: VOICE: "THE SWISS GOVERNMENT'S MOTIVES IN SETTING UP A TRUST FUND TO ATONE FOR THEIR COUNTRY'S COMPLICITY IN THE HOLOCAUST ARE NOT PURE. BUT, AS BANKERS WOULD SAY, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THE SWISS ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING." TEXT: TO WHICH TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES ADDS: VOICE: "MOST SWISS LIVING TODAY HAVE NO MEMORIES OF THE WAR YEARS. THIS GENERATION AND THOSE THAT FOLLOW IT CAN ONLY GAIN FROM AN HONEST ACCOUNTING OF WHAT HAPPENED IN THEIR COUNTRY HALF A CENTURY AGO." TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE TOPICS
TO BE FOUND IN THE EDITORIALS COLUMNS OF TODAY'S U-S
PRESS.
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