 |
Compact version |
|
 |
        |
|
 |
||
|
Wednesday, 25 December 2024
|
||
 |
 |
|
|
|
Voice of America, 97-04-11Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] ALBANIA / FORCE (L-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)DATE=4/11/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-212759 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// RE-ISSUING TO ADD CR NUMBER ///INTRO: THE FIRST ITALIAN SOLDIERS FROM A MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE HAVE ARRIVED IN THE BALKAN NATION OF ALBANIA, WHERE THEY WILL HELP SECURE AID DELIVERIES AND RESTORE PUBLIC ORDER. VOA EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING HAS THIS REPORT ON THE MAKE UP OF THE FORCE AND ITS GOALS. TEXT: THE BULK OF THE ITALIAN-LED MULTI NATIONAL FORCE OF SIX-THOUSAND TROOPS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ARRIVING IN ALBANIA ON MONDAY AND BE FULLY OPERATIONAL BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK. THE TROOPS WILL BE BACKED BY ARMORED VEHICLES, TANKS AND HELICOPTERS. FRANCE, GREECE, TURKEY, ROMANIA, SPAIN, AUSTRIA, AND DENMARK ARE AMONG THE NATION'S TAKING PART IN THE MISSION, BUT ITALY WILL SUPPLY THE BULK OF THE TROOPS WITH A CONTINGENT OF ABOUT TWO-THOUSAND. SMALL ADVANCE UNITS OF ITALIAN PARATROOPERS AND SPECIAL FORCES HAVE ALREADY ARRIVED IN THE PORT CITY OF DURRES AND THE CAPITAL TIRANA TO PREPARE FOR THE MISSION. A SIX-NATION TEAM OF MILITARY EXPERTS THAT ARRIVED EARLIER IN THE WEEK HAS ALSO BEEN INSPECTING MILITARY FACILITIES IN THE SOUTH OF THE COUNTRY. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE WILL BE TO PROTECT BADLY NEEDED AID SHIPMENTS TO ALBANIA, WHICH HAS BEEN LARGELY CUT OFF FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD SINCE THE WAVE OF UNREST BEGAN IN JANUARY. MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE VIOLENCE. FOOD AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES HAVE BEEN RUNNING SHORT IN SOME AREAS. FORMER AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR FRANZ VRANITZKY, THE INTERNATIONAL
ENVOY FOR ALBANIA, SAYS THE TROOPS WILL ALSO TRY TO HELP RESTORE
ORDER AHEAD OF ELECTIONS PLANNED FOR JUNE. (SIGNED)
[02] PEN AWARDS / NIGERIA AND TURKEY (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)DATE=4/11/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-212783 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AN AMERICAN WRITERS ORGANIZATION IS PAYING TRIBUTE TODAY (FRIDAY) TO A JAILED NIGERIAN JOURNALIST AND A TURKISH PUBLISHER FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO DEFEND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: GODWIN AGBROKO FROM NIGERIA AND AYSE NUR ZARAKOLU OF TURKEY ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF THIS YEAR'S "FREEDOM TO WRITE" AWARDS FROM THE AMERICAN BRANCH OF THE PEN WRITERS GROUP. THE AWARDS HONOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE GREAT PERSONAL SACRIFICES IN THEIR FIGHT TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. EACH YEAR, THE THREE THOUSAND DOLLAR AWARD IS GIVEN TO TWO PEOPLE, ONE OF WHOM IS IN PRISON OR FACING IMPRISONMENT. THE IMPRISONED RECIPIENT THIS YEAR IS MR. AGBROKO, EDITOR OF ONE OF NIGERIA'S MOST RESPECTED NEWSPAPERS, "THE WEEK." PEN SPOKESMAN JAKE KREILKAMP SAYS MR. AGBROKO WAS ARRESTED LATE LAST YEAR ON CHARGES OF CRITICIZING NIGERIA'S MILITARY. /// KREILKAMP ACT ///IT WAS A CASE WHERE IT WAS VERY CLEAR THAT IT WAS SIMPLY BECAUSE OF HIS WRITING AND EXERCISING HIS RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION THAT HE WAS IMPRISONED AND THAT IS REALLY WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR TO GIVE THE AWARD TO. /// END ACT ///THE OTHER RECIPIENT, AYSE NUR ZARAKOLU, IS DIRECTOR OF A PUBLISHING HOUSE AND A FOUNDER OF TURKEY'S FREEDOM TO PUBLISH COMMITTEE. SHE WAS SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN PRISON FOR PUBLISHING A BOOK ON THE 1915 GENOCIDE OF TURKISH ARMENIANS BY THE TURKISH ARMY AND JAILED LAST YEAR FOR PUBLISHING A BOOK ON THE KURDISH CIVIL WAR. MR. KREILKAMP SAYS SHE HAS SHOWN A DETERMINATION TO WRITE AND PUBLISH ON TOPICS ESSENTIALLY FORBIDDEN BY THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT. //// KREILKAMP ACT ///SHE DELIBERATELY PUBLISHES BOOKS ON EXACTLY THOSE TOPICS AND HAS GOTTEN IN A LOT OF TROUBLE AS A RESULT. SHE HAS MANY, MANY CHARGES PENDING AGAINST HER. SHE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF COURT. SHE HAS ALREADY BEEN CONVICTED FOR PUBLISHING A FEW BOOKS. /// END ACT ///MR. KREILKAMP SAYS THE AWARDS GIVEN TO MS. ZARAKOLU AND MR. AGBROKO HAVE SEVERAL PURPOSES. THEY HONOR THE RECIPIENTS AS INDIVIDUALS AND OFTEN HELP TO SHIELD THEM FROM GOVERNMENT RETRIBUTION. HE SAYS IN EACH YEAR -- EXCEPT ONE -- SINCE THE AWARD WAS FIRST GIVEN OUT IN 1987, ONE OF THE RECIPIENTS HAS BEEN FREED FROM PRISON WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF RECEIVING THE AWARD. MR. KREILKAMP SAYS THE AWARDS ALSO DRAW ATTENTION TO ENTIRE COUNTRIES WHERE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IS LIMITED, AND PROMOTE HOPE AMONG WRITERS AROUND THE WORLD. /// REST OPTIONAL ////// KREILKAMP ACT ///BOTH TURKEY AND NIGERIA ARE COUNTRIES THAT ARE VERY REPRESSIVE AND ESPECIALLY THAT REALLY STOP PEOPLE FROM SAYING WHAT THEY THINK AND SO TO GIVE IT TO PEOPLE IN THOSE COUNTRIES WE DO WANT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE SITUATION IN THE COUNTRIES AS A WHOLE. /// END ACT ///IN ADDITION TO THE FREEDOM-TO-WRITE AWARDS, THE PEN AMERICAN
CENTER ANNOUNCED THE RECIPIENT OF ITS AWARD FOR PROTECTING FREE
SPEECH IN THE UNITED STATES. NANCY HSU FLEMING -- AN IMMIGRANT
TO THE UNITED STATES FROM TAIWAN -- RECEIVED THE 25 THOUSAND
DOLLAR TRIBUTE. MS. FLEMING SPENT FOUR YEARS FIGHTING AGAINST A
LAW IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND THAT ALLOWED U-S CORPORATIONS TO
PREVENT CONCERNED INDIVIDUALS FROM SPEAKING OUT PUBLICLY AGAINST
THEIR PRACTICES. HER 1996 VICTORY IN A RHODE ISLAND STATE COURT
IS EXPECTED TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR OTHERS TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST
CORPORATE ABUSES IN THE UNITED STATES. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/PT
[03] EDITORIAL: BERGER ON EUROPE, INTEGRATION & NATODATE= APRIL 12 , 1997TYPE= EDITORIAL NUMBER= 0-07230 CONTENT= THIS IS THE ONLY EDITORIAL BEING RELEASED FOR BROADCAST APRIL 12, 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: A KEY GOAL OF THE UNITED STATES IS TO CREATE AN UNDIVIDED, PEACEFUL AND DEMOCRATIC EUROPE. TWICE IN THIS CENTURY, WAR IN EUROPE HAS DRAWN AMERICANS INTO DEADLY CONFLICT. NOW, AS SANDY BERGER, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER TO PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON, SAID, THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO OVERCOME THE DIVISIONS THAT HAVE PLAGUED THE CONTINENT IN THE PAST. WITH ITS ALLIES, THE U.S. IS HELPING EUROPE'S NEW DEMOCRACIES GROW STRONG AND INTEGRATE WITH THE WEST. THE U.S. AND ITS ALLIES ARE ALSO FORGING A PRODUCTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH A DEMOCRATIC RUSSIA AND ADAPTING NATO TO NEW CHALLENGES. AMERICA HAS TAKEN THE LEAD IN OPENING NATO'S DOORS TO NEW MEMBERS. NATO HAS BEEN THE ANCHOR OF U.S. ENGAGEMENT IN EUROPE FOR NEARLY A HALF CENTURY. WITH THE COLD WAR OVER, NATO CAN DO FOR EUROPE'S EAST WHAT IT DID FOR EUROPE'S WEST: STRENGTHEN THE FORCES OF PEACE AND STABILITY. IN JULY IN MADRID, LEADERS OF THE ALLIANCE WILL INVITE ONE OR MORE COUNTRIES TO START ACCESSION TALKS. ACCORDING TO MR. BERGER, THERE ARE THREE CHALLENGES AHEAD. THE FIRST IS DECIDING WHICH COUNTRIES TO ADMIT TO NATO. NATURALLY, THOSE THAT ARE BEST PREPARED TO SHOULDER THE BURDENS OF NATO MEMBERSHIP WILL BE CONSIDERED FIRST. BUT NATO'S DOORS WILL NOT CLOSE BEHIND THEM. A SECOND CHALLENGE IS TO BOLSTER THE SECURITY OF THOSE COUNTRIES NOT IN THE FIRST GROUP OF NEW MEMBERS. THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED BY ENHANCING PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE ACTIVITIES, ESTABLISHING THE ATLANTIC PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL AND ENGAGING NON-MEMBERS IN AREAS OF ECONOMIC AND TRADE COOPERATION. THIRD, NATO AND RUSSIA SHOULD COMPLETE NEGOTIATIONS ON A CHARTER FOR NATO-RUSSIA COOPERATION. THIS WILL GIVE RUSSIA A VOICE BUT NOT A VETO IN EUROPEAN SECURITY ISSUES. THE U.S. BELIEVES EVERY EUROPEAN NATION SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE ITS SECURITY WITHIN A COOPERATIVE STRUCTURE. THAT INCLUDES A REVITALIZED NATO, AN ENLARGED EUROPEAN UNION AND A STRENGTHENED ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE. FOR THE U.S., SUCH AN APPROACH IS THE BEST MEANS FOR PROTECTING ITS INTERESTS AND VALUES IN AN UNPREDICTABLE AND OFTEN DANGEROUS WORLD. 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.
[04] NATO / ECONOMIC SECURITY (L-ONLY) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)DATE=4/11/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-212757 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THREE MONTHS BEFORE FORMALLY LAUNCHING NATO EXPANSION, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS OUT TO ENLIST THE SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY. DEPUTY TREASURY SECRETARY LAWRENCE SUMMERS SAYS SECURITY AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY GO HAND IN HAND. V-O-A'S MAXIM KNIAZKOV REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON. TEXT: THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT ADDED ITS VOICE TO THE CHORUS OF NATO ENLARGEMENT ADVOCATES AMID CONCERN THE EXPANSION MAY REVIVE THE COLD-WAR DIVISIONS OF EUROPE. BUT SPEAKING AT THE U-S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FRIDAY, DEPUTY TREASURY SECRETARY LAWRENCE SUMMERS URGED U-S BUSINESS LEADERS TO FOCUS ON THE BENEFITS OF A LARGER NATO RATHER THAN ON POTENTIAL PITFALLS. /// ACT. SUMMERS ///FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AS FOR NATION STATES THEMSELVES, SECURITY IS LIKE OXYGEN. YOU MAY NOT THINK OF IT MUCH DAY TO DAY, BUT ONCE IT STARTS TO DISAPPEAR, YOU CAN THINK OF NOTHING ELSE. JUST ASK THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY OF ZAIRE OR AFGHANISTAN, IF YOU CAN FIND IT. /// END ACT ///NATO IS EXPECTED TO ISSUE FORMAL INVITATIONS FOR JOINING THE ALLIANCE AT ITS MADRID SUMMIT IN JULY. ALTHOUGH ABOUT ONE DOZEN FORMER COMMUNIST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAVE APPLIED TO JOIN POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC ARE SEEN AS MOST LIKELY TO QUALIFY FOR EARLY MEMBERSHIP. NATO REQUIRES STAUNCH ADHERENCE TO DEMOCRACY AND FREE MARKETS AS WELL AS A FOREIGN POLICY FREE OF DISPUTES. MR. SUMMERS SAID THESE REQUIREMENTS ALONE HAVE CHANGED THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. /// ACT SUMMERS ///IN HUNGARY, THE PROSPECT OF NATO MEMBERSHIP HAS WEAKENED POLITICAL EXTREMISTS AND STRENGTHENED THE CENTRISTS, WHO USHERED IN A SECOND ROUND OF PRIVATIZATION. ROMANIA HAS RADICALLY CHANGED ITS ECONOMIC POLICIES AND OPENNESS TOWARDS JOINING THE WEST. BOTH NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION HAVE HELPED KEEP ESTONIA ON TRACK WITH RADICAL FREE MARKET POLICIES, INCLUDING EXTRAORDINARILY LOW TARIFFS. /// END ACT ///MR. LAWRENCE ALSO SOUGHT TO ADDRESS RUSSIA'S CONCERNS ABOUT NATO EXPANSION. MOSCOW HAS REPEATEDLY SAID IT BELIEVES ANY NATO MOVEMENT EASTWARD, CLOSER TO RUSSIA'S BORDERS WILL CONSTITUTE A THREAT. BUT, MR. SUMMERS SAID THAT IN THE END, A LARGER NATO WILL STRENGTHEN RUSSIA'S OWN SECURITY. /// ACT. SUMMERS ///AFTER ALL, NATO ENLARGEMENT WILL FOSTER DEMOCRATIC STABILITY ALONG RUSSIA'S WESTERN BORDER -- A REGION THAT HAS OFTEN BEEN THE LAUNCHING GROUND FOR THREATS TO RUSSIA'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND TO WORLD PEACE. /// END ACT. ///MR. SUMMERS ALSO SAID THAT NATO ENLARGEMENT IS A PREREQUISITE FOR
FUTURE BUSINESS GROWTH AND CITED U-S TRADE STATISTICS AS PROOF.
U-S GOVERNMENT STATISTICS INDICATE U-S ANNUAL TRADE WITH EUROPE
EXCEEDS 250 BILLION DOLLARS. DIRECT AMERICAN INVESTMENT IN THE
REGION EQUALS ROUGHLY THE SAME AMOUNT. (SIGNED)
[05] HELMS-BURTON/E-U (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)DATE=4/11/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-212788 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION HAVE AGREED TO WORK TO OVERCOME DIFFERENCES OVER A U-S LAW THAT PENALIZES AMERICA'S TRADING PARTNERS WHO DEAL IN PROPERTY CONFISCATED BY THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT. AS PART OF THE AGREEMENT, THE E-U WILL WITHDRAW A CLAIM AGAINST THE UNITED STATES AT THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. MORE FROM CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE. TEXT: THIS LAST MINUTE AGREEMENT TO AVERT THE CLAIM AGAINST WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE HELMS-BURTON LAW SET TO BE HEARD MONDAY AT THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION WAS UNDER NEGOTIATION NEARLY UP UNTIL THE TIME OF FRIDAY'S SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT. COMMERCE UNDER SECRETARY STUART EIZENSTAT SAYS BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT TO SETTLE DIFFERENCES OVER THE RESTRICTIVE U-S TRADE LAW THAT AIMS TO ISOLATE THE COMMUNIST CASTRO GOVERNMENT. // EIZENSTAT ACT //THE AGREEMENT AVOIDS PLACING OUR FOREIGN POLICY INTERESTS BEFORE THE W-T-O, AN ORGANIZATION DESIGNED TO FACILITATE TRADE, NOT ARBITRATE FOREIGN POLICY DISPUTES. IT PROTECTS EXISTING AND FUTURE PROPERTY CLAIMS IN CUBA BY U-S CITIZENS AND IT BETTER ENABLES THE U-S AND THE E-U TO WORK TOGETHER TO FURTHER OUR ULTIMATE GOAL OF A DEMOCRATIC CUBA. // END ACT //NEARLY ALL OF AMERICA'S BIG TRADING PARTNERS OPPOSE THE HELMS-BURTON LAW WHICH ALLOWS AMERICANS TO SUE FOREIGN COMPANIES THAT TRAFFIC IN PROPERTY CONFISCATED BY THE CASTRO GOVERNMENT. PRESIDENT CLINTON FIRST OPPOSED THE MEASURE BUT THEN DECIDED TO SUPPORT IT AFTER CUBAN FORCES SHOT DOWN TWO AMERICAN PLANES AS THEY APPROACHED CUBA LAST YEAR, KILLING THREE CUBAN-AMERICANS. IN THE TIME SINCE, MR. CLINTON HAS TWICE SUSPENDED THE PROVISION ALLOWING LAWSUITS AGAINST FOREIGN COMPANIES, THEREBY AVOIDING A FULL-BLOWN TRADE WAR WITH AMERICA'S CLOSEST ALLIES. ALTHOUGH THIS AGREEMENT WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION AVOIDS A FORMAL W-T-O COMPLAINT AGAINST THE UNITED STATES, IT IS FAR FROM A DONE DEAL. IN FACT, ONCE A FINAL AGREEMENT IS HAMMERED OUT, CONGRESS WOULD THEN HAVE TO APPROVE CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW. AGAIN, COMMERCE UNDER SECRETARY EIZENSTAT. // SECOND EIZENSTAT ACT //THE FACT THAT WE'VE AGREED TO GENERAL TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ENTERING SUCH NEGOTIATIONS IS VERY IMPORTANT. (BUT) I WANT TO STRESS AGAIN THAT THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO CERTAINTY THAT WE WILL REACH AN AGREEMENT. WE'RE NOT TRYING TO EXAGGERATE EXPECTATIONS. IT'S GOING TO BE HARD BARGAINING AHEAD. IT'S ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO STEP BACK FROM THE PRECIPICE WITH RESPECT TO THE W-T-O TO GIVE OURSELVES SOME BREATHING SPACE. // END ACT //NOT PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE CANADA AND MEXICO. BUT THE
CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HOPES BOTH WILL BE BROUGHT INTO THE
NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN NOW AND THE OCTOBER DEADLINE FOR CONCLUSION.
(SIGNED)
[06] U-S-IRAN GERMANY (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)DATE=4/10/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-212733 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS URGED GERMANY AND OTHER WEST EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS TO CUT OFF THEIR DIALOGUE WITH IRAN AFTER A GERMAN COURT HELD IRANIAN AUTHORITIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MURDER OF KURDISH DISSIDENTS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT. TEXT: THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE GERMAN COURT CAME AS NO SURPRISE TO THE UNITED STATES. THE STATE DEPARTMENT PRAISES THE COURAGE OF GERMAN JUDGES, PROSECUTORS AND WITNESSES IN MAKING THE RULING BLAMING IRANIAN STATE AUTHORITIES FOR THE 1992 MURDER. SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES KNEW THIS ALREADY. /// BURNS ACT ///THE COURT'S VERDICT CORROBORATES OUR LONG HELD VIEW THAT IRAN'S SPONSORSHIP OF TERRORISM IS AUTHORIZED AT SENIOR LEVELS OF THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT. THE UNITED STATES CALLS ON THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN TO TAKE A LESSON FROM THIS VERDICT AND CEASE ITS TERRORIST OPERATIONS AND ITS SPONSORSHIP OF TERRORISM THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. /// END ACT ///THE STATE DEPARTMENT ALSO TOOK SOME SATISFACTION IN PRONOUNCING THE FAILURE OF EUROPE'S EFFORT TO HOLD A CRITICAL DIALOGUE WITH IRAN IN THE HOPE OF MODERATING IRAN'S BEHAVIOR IN A SERIES OF DISCUSSIONS. IN THE LIGHT OF THE GERMAN COURT DECISION, MR. BURNS SAYS GERMANY AND OTHER COUNTRIES SHOULD DRAW THEIR OWN CONCLUSIONS ABOUT HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH IRAN. GERMANY HAS RECALLED ITS AMBASSADOR FROM TEHERAN AND DEPORTED IRANIAN OFFICIALS. THE STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN CALLS ON THE EUROPEANS TO DO MORE TO ISOLATE IRAN. /// BURNS ACT ///IRAN IS A TERRORIST STATE. IT'S AN OUTLAW STATE. IT MUST BE CONTAINED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. THE UNITED STATES WILL MAINTAIN ITS OWN SANCTIONS ON IRAN AND WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE OUR EUROPEAN PARTNERS TO DO THE SAME. /// END ACT ///THE UNITED STATES ACCUSES IRAN OF PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR
MIDDLE EAST TERRORIST GROUPS. HOWEVER, EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAVE
REFUSED TO JOIN THE UNITED STATES IN CUTTING OFF ALL INVESTMENT
IN IRAN. THE GERMAN COURT DECISION COULD GIVE THE UNITED STATES
A LITTLE MORE SUPPORT IN ISOLATING IRAN. (SIGNED)
[07] IRAN/DIPLOMACY BY LAURIE KASSMAN (CAIRO)DATE=4/11/97TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-36163 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE ACCUSATION THURSDAY BY A GERMAN COURT THAT IRANIAN LEADERS PLAYED A ROLE IN THE 1992 MURDERS IN BERLIN OF IRANIAN DISSIDENTS HAS DEEPENED THE RIFT IN TEHRAN'S RELATIONS WITH GERMANY AND THE REST OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. IT COMES AT A TIME WHEN WASHINGTON HAS ALREADY BEEN CAMPAIGNING TO POLITICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY ISOLATE IRAN ON THE GROUNDS IT SPONSORS TERRORISM. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REVIEWS IRAN'S DIPLOMATIC SITUATION AND THE OPTIONS LEFT FOR ITS INTERNATIONAL STANDING. TEXT: IRAN HAS CONDEMNED THE BERLIN COURT RULING, CALLING IT BASELESS AND WITHOUT LEGAL CREDIBILITY. BUT THAT CRITICISM HAS NOT SWAYED EUROPEAN CAPITALS FROM RECALLING THEIR AMBASSADORS FROM TEHRAN FOR CONSULTATIONS. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME EUROPEAN STATES HAVE RECONSIDERED THEIR TIES WITH TEHRAN. BACK IN 1989, EUROPEAN ALLIES DOWNGRADED THEIR LINKS TO TEHRAN AFTER IRAN'S LATE SPIRITUAL LEADER AYATOLLAH RUHOLLAH KHOMEINI ISSUED A DEATH THREAT AGAINST BRITISH WRITER SALMAN RUSHDIE. HE HAD COMPLAINED THAT MR. RUSHDIE'S BOOK, ENTITLED "SATANIC VERSES," INSULTED ISLAM. BUT THE IMPACT OF THURSDAY'S BERLIN COURT RULING LINKING IRAN'S LEADERSHIP TO POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS IN EUROPE COULD PROVE TO BE A MUCH MORE SERIOUS SETBACK FOR IRAN'S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE ITS INTERNATIONAL STANDING. SAUDI ARABIA AND SEVERAL GULF STATES ACCUSE IRAN OF FUELING POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS UNREST. SO DO EGYPTIAN AND ALGERIAN LEADERS. ISRAEL ACCUSES TEHRAN OF SPONSORING RADICAL PALESTINIAN ATTACKS AGAINST IT. WASHINGTON ARGUES THAT POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC ISOLATION WOULD BE A POWERFUL FORCE AGAINST WHAT THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT CALLS THE WORLDS' MOST ACTIVE SUPPORTER OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM. GERMANY AND ITS EUROPEAN ALLIES HAVE BEEN ARGUING THAT KEEPING THE DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS OPEN TO TEHRAN WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE. UNTIL NOW, GERMANY HAS SUPPORTED WHAT IT CALLS A CRITICAL DIALOGUE WITH IRAN'S LEADERSHIP. LAST YEAR THE EUROPEAN UNION REFUSED TO GO ALONG WITH PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON'S CALL FOR ECONOMIC AND DIPLOMATIC SANCTIONS AGAINST TEHRAN. AS A CONSEQUENCE, IRAN'S ECONOMY IS FALTERING AND, AS LINKS TO THE WEST DETERIORATE, IRAN IS EXPLORING OTHER OPTIONS. TEHRAN HAS ESTABLISHED TRADE AGREEMENTS WITH SEVERAL CENTRAL ASIAN REPUBLICS AND NEIGHBORS TO THE EAST. IRAN IS TRYING TO EXERT SOME DIPLOMATIC INFLUENCE AS WELL, PLAYING A MEDIATOR ROLE IN TAJIKISTAN. THE INFLUENTIAL SPEAKER OF IRAN'S PARLIAMENT -- WHO IS A LEADING PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR A HARDLINE CONSERVATIVE FACTION -- IS IN MOSCOW TRYING TO WARM UP BILATERAL TIES. TEHRAN RECENTLY SIGNED A CONTROVERSIAL, MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR GAS
DEAL WITH NEIGHBORING TURKEY. AND PRESIDENT ALI AKBAR HASHSEMI
RAFSANJANI RECENTLY TOURED AFRICA TO SHORE-UP TRADE LINKS THERE.
STILL, SOME ECONOMISTS ARGUE THAT SEVERING LUCRATIVE EUROPEAN
LINKS WILL UNDERMINE REFORMIST ELEMENTS IN IRAN'S CIRCLES OF
POWER. U-S OFFICIALS INSIST IT COULD UNDERMINE THE RADICALS.
EITHER WAY, THEY AGREE A RIFT IN RELATIONS WITH EUROPEAN AND
OTHER WESTERN ALLIES WILL TAKE ITS TOLL. (SIGNED)
[08] GERMANY /TERHAN (L-ONLY) BY THOMAS ANDERSON (BONN)DATE=4/11/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-212764 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IRAN HAS CONDEMNED A COURT RULING IN GERMANY IN WHICH A JUDGE ACCUSED THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT OF ORDERING A 1992 CONTRACT KILLING OF FOUR IRANIAN KURDISH OPPOSITION FIGURES IN BERLIN. IRANIAN PRESIDENT RAFSANJANI HAS DESCRIBED THE VERDICT, WHICH INDIRECTLY ACCUSES HIM OF SANCTIONING THE MURDERS, AS SHAMELESS. MEANWHILE, GERMANY AND OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAVE BEGUN RE-ASSESSING THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH TERHAN AS VOA'S THOMAS ANDERSON REPORTS FROM BONN. TEXT: GERMANY IS IRAN'S BIGGEST TRADING PARTNER AND CLOSEST FRIEND IN THE WEST. NOW, IN LIGHT OF THURSDAY'S COURT RULING THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT HAS ORDERED THESE CLOSE BILATERAL TIES TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY SCALED DOWN. HOWEVER, THE GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY HAS AT THE SAME TIME UNDERLINED THAT BONN'S POLICY OF "CRITICAL DIALOGUE" WITH IRAN HAS NOT BEEN ABANDONED, JUST INTERRUPTED. IT IS A DIALOGUE, ESTABLISHED IN 1992, AND ONE WHICH THE FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS IS AIMED AT ACHIEVING CHANGE IN IRAN BY KEEPING THE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION OPEN. THE EUROPEAN UNION IS ALSO ABOUT TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE UNION'S RELATIONSHIP WITH TEHRAN. E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS ARE TO MEET IN LUXEMBOURG AT THE END OF THE MONTH TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE. A GERMAN COURT THURSDAY HANDED DOWN HEAVY PRISON SENTENCES FOR ONE IRANIAN AND THREE LEBANESE IN THE 1992 MURDER OF IRANIAN KURDISH OPPOSITION LEADER SADEQ SARAFKINDI AND THREE OF HIS ASSOCIATES IN A BERLIN RESTAURANT. THE PRESIDING JUDGE ALSO SAID THE KILLINGS WERE ORDERED FROM WITHIN THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT. THE IMPLICATIONS OF IRAN'S TOP LEADERS IN THE ASSASSINATIONS HAS ANGERED TEHRAN AND IRANIAN PRESIDENT ALI AKBAR HASHEMI RAFSANJANI HAS SAID GERMAN INTERESTS IN IRAN WILL SUFFER AS A RESULT OF THE VERDICT, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS "SHAMELESS." AND, ON FRIDAY MORNING SOME TWO THOUSAND IRANIANS PROTESTED IN FRONT OF THE GERMAN EMBASSY IN TEHRAN, SHOUTING ANTI-GERMAN SLOGANS. ALTHOUGH ANGERED BY THE KILLINGS BONN IS TREADING LIGHTLY. CRITICISM OF TERHAN IS BEING KEPT MUTED FOR FEAR IT MAY ENDANGER THE 530 GERMANS CURRENTLY LIVING IN IRAN. FOR THIS REASON FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL HAS ISSUED ONLY A WRITTEN STATEMENT ON THE COURT RULING AND WILL COMMENT NO FURTHER. GERMANY'S AMBASSADOR TO IRAN ARRIVED BACK IN BONN ON FRIDAY FOR A
GOVERNMENT BRIEFING. HE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY FOUR OTHER DIPLOMATS
THAT TERHAN HAS ORDERED TO LEAVE. IN REPLY FOUR IRANIAN
DIPLOMATS HAVE BEEN EXPELLED BY BONN. IT IS SUSPECTED THAT THEY
ARE AGENTS FOR IRAN'S SECRET SERVICE WHICH IS WIDELY BELIEVED TO
HAVE ITS EUROPEAN HEADQUARTERS SET UP WITHIN THE IRANIAN EMBASSY
BUILDING IN BONN.
[09] GERMANY / IRAN BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)DATE=4/11/97TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-36170 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRODUCTION: THE GERMAN COURT VERDICT THIS WEEK, IMPLICATING IRAN'S TOP LEADERSHIP IN THE MURDER OF DISSIDENTS ABROAD HAS HEIGHTENED TENSIONS BETWEEN TEHRAN AND SOME OF ITS CLOSE TRADING PARTNERS. HOW WILL THIS DECISION CHANGE WESTERN ATTITUDES TOWARD IRAN AND HOW WILL IT AFFECT THE GOVERNMENT IN TEHRAN? VOA'S ED WARNER ASKED AN IRANIAN OPPOSITION LEADER IN THE UNITED STATES AND AN AMERICAN ANALYST OF THE MIDDLE EAST. TEXT: "NOW EUROPEANS MUST WAKE UP TO THE TRUE NATURE OF THE REGIME IN IRAN " -- THAT IS THE REACTION OF IRANIAN OPPOSITION LEADER ASSAD HOMAYOUN TO THE FINDINGS OF THE GERMAN COURT THAT IRAN'S TOP LEADERSHIP ORDERED THE ASSASSINATION OF FOUR DISSIDENTS IN BERLIN IN 1992: /// ACT. HOMAYOUN ///THIS VERDICT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE IRANIAN PEOPLE INSIDE OF IRAN, ON THE EXTERNAL OPPOSITION WHO ARE WORKING FOR DEMOCRACY OUTSIDE OF IRAN AND ALSO ON WORLD PUBLIC OPINION. I THINK IT WILL CONFIRM THAT WORLD PUBLIC OPINION SHOULD HELP THE IRANIAN PEOPLE OVERTHROW THIS REGIME BECAUSE THIS REGIME WILL NOT CHANGE ITS BEHAVIOUR AND WILL CONTINUE TERRORISM. /// END ACT ///THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT HAS REPEATEDLY DENIED THAT IT SPONSORS TERRORISM AND HAS REACTED SHARPLY TO THE GERMAN COURT VERDICT. IRANIAN PRESIDENT ALI AKBAR HASHEMI RAFSANJANI HAS CALLED IT "SHAMELESS." WHILE THE BERLIN VERDICT WAS A HARSH ONE -- GERMANY HAS BEEN LEADING EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION WITH IRAN. EVEN NOW, GERMANY SAYS THIS DIALOGUE IS SUSPENDED BUT NOT SHUT DOWN. MANY ARGUE SUCH A DIALOGUE IS CRITICAL FOR BRINGING ABOUT CHANGE IN IRAN. OTHERS ARGUE THAT OUTSIDE PRESSURE ON IRAN HAS NOT WORKED ANYWAY. SOME SAY SUCH PRESSURE HAS ONLY DRIVEN TEHRAN CLOSER TO RUSSIA, WHICH IS NOW ITS BIGGEST ARMS SUPPLIER. THOSE WHO FAVOR A MORE ACCOMMODATING POLICY TOWARDS IRAN SAY THERE ARE SIGNS OF MODERATION AMONG SOME OF THE IRANIAN LEADERSHIP. PROFESSOR RALPH OSTRICH, A MIDDLE EAST ANALYST AND CONSULTANT TO THE U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR SUCH A "MODERATE" -- SOMEONE TO DEAL WITH ON A RATIONAL BASIS. /// ACT. OSTRICH ///WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR, THE UNITED STATES CERTAINLY, IS SOMEONE TO TALK TO AND SOMEONE TO DEAL WITH. AND THE REAL QUESTION IS: IS THERE ANYONE THERE THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH ON A RATIONAL BASIS, ON A "QUID PRO QUO" (ONE CONCESSION FOR ANOTHER)? AND I THINK THAT IS WHY WE KEEP SAYING "MODERATE." /// END ACT ///MR. OSTRICH SAYS HE DOUBTS SUCH MODERATES EXIST. THERE ARE VARIOUS IRANIAN OPPOSITION GROUPS IN EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES. ASSAD HOMAYOUN SAYS THE GERMAN DECISION MIGHT BE A CATALYST TO UNITE THEM: /// ACT. HOMAYOUN ///I THINK IRANIANS OUTSIDE AND INSIDE SHOULD GET UNITED. PROBABLY, IT IS TIME TO INTRODUCE A SHADOW GOVERNMENT TO CHANGE THIS REGIME AND BRING A DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM TO IRAN, TO IMPROVE THE RELATIONS OF IRAN WITH THE WEST, WITH EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, WITH IRANIAN NEIGHBORS. /// END ACT /////BEGIN OPT. ///// ACT. OSTRICH ACT. ///AN OPPOSITION GOVERNMENT THAT COMES INTO BEING, WHETHER HERE OR IN EUROPE OR WHEREVER, AND BEGINS TO THREATEN THE NATIONAL STRUCTURE OF LEADERSHIP IN TEHRAN - THEN THEY WOULD TAKE NOTICE. A SHADOW GOVERNMENT WOULD DO TO THESE FOLKS WHAT THEY DID TO THE SHAH'S GOVERNMENT - A REPETITION. WHEN THE PREVIOUS REGIME WAS IN POWER, THE AYATOLLAH AND HIS FOLKS IN PARIS SET UP A SHADOW GOVERNMENT AND WERE VERY SUCCESSFUL. /// END ACT -- END OPT. ///MR. OSTRICH SAYS A SHADOW GOVERNMENT WOULD NEED SOLID WESTERN
SUPPORT. THAT MEANS IT WOULD HAVE TO BE DEMOCRATIC AND RESPECT
HUMAN RIGHTS. AND, HE SAYS IT WOULD ALSO HAVE TO AVOID THE
QUARRELS THAT TYPICALLY UNDERMINE SUCH MOVEMENTS. (SIGNED)
[10] CROATIA/ELECTION (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (ZAGREB)DATE=4/10/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-212708 CONTENT= VOICED AT: // 2ND RE-RUNNING TO CLARIFY GRANIC ACT //INTRO: CROATIAN VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS SUNDAY IN ELECTIONS FOR COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLIES, AND THE UPPER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT. MORE THAN 10-THOUSAND ELECTIVE OFFICES ARE AT STAKE, BUT MUCH OF THE ATTENTION IS LIKELY TO FOCUS ON THE CAPITAL, ZAGREB. OPPOSITION PARTIES WON A MAJORITY OF THE CITY ASSEMBLY SEATS IN THE LAST ROUND OF VOTING IN 1995, BUT PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN REPEATEDLY BLOCKED THE OPPOSITION'S CHOICE FOR MAYOR. FROM ZAGREB, V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS. TEXT: THE 1995 VOTING LEFT ZAGREB IN A POLITICAL STALEMATE THAT LASTED MORE THAN SIX MONTHS. A SEVEN-PARTY OPPOSITION ALLIANCE WON A CLEAR MAJORITY OF THE CITY ASSEMBLY SEATS. BUT ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, PRESIDENT TUDJMAN EXERCISED HIS CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY TO VETO THE OPPOSITION'S CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR OF THE CITY. IN RETURN, THE ASSEMBLY TWICE VOTED DOWN MR. TUDJMAN'S CHOICE FOR MAYOR. AND EVENTUALLY, THE PRESIDENT SIMPLY DISSOLVED THE ASSEMBLY. ON THE SURFACE, IT APPEARS THAT A SIMILAR STALEMATE COULD ARISE FROM SUNDAY'S ELECTIONS HERE. VOTER SURVEYS IN ZAGREB SHOW THE OPPOSITION PARTIES RUNNING AROUND 10 PERCENTAGE POINTS AHEAD OF THE PRESIDENT'S CROATIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION, THE "H-D-Z." GORAN GRANIC OF THE OPPOSITION "SOCIAL LIBERAL" PARTY HAS NO DOUBT THAT THE H-D-Z IS AGAIN FACING DEFEAT IN THE CAPITAL. /// GRANIC ACT, IN CROAT -- ESTABLISH AND FADE OUT ///HE SAYS HE IS CONVINCED THE OPPOSITION WILL WIN ANOTHER CLEAR MAJORITY IN THE CITY ASSEMBLY. AND HE BELIEVES THAT THIS TIME, PRESIDENT TUDJMAN WILL APPROVE THE OPPOSITION'S CHOICE FOR MAYOR. BUT H-D-Z OFFICIALS APPEAR JUST AS CONFIDENT THAT THEY CAN BLOCK THE OPPOSITION'S BID FOR POWER IN THE CAPITAL. DINKO CUTURA, AN H-D-Z CANDIDATE FOR THE ZAGREB ASSEMBLY, POINTS OUT THAT THE ONCE-SOLID OPPOSITION ALLIANCE HAS FRAGMENTED SINCE THE 1995 ELECTION. AND HE BELIEVES THAT WILL ALLOW THE H-D-Z TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE ASSEMBLY. ZARKO PUHOVSKI, A ZAGREB UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR AND HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER, SHARES THAT ASSESSMENT. HE PREDICTS AN OPPOSITION TRIUMPH IN ZAGREB, BUT HE SAYS IT WILL ONLY BE A MATHEMATICAL VICTORY BECAUSE ONE OF THE OPPOSITION GROUPS, THE "PEASANTS PARTY," IS LIKELY TO THROW ITS SUPPORT TO THE H-D-Z'S CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR. ///PUHOVSKI ACT///AND THEREFORE, I THINK THEY (THE H-D-Z) ARE GOING TO BE READY TO GIVE A LOT OF FAVORS TO THE PEASANTS PARTY IN RETURN, IF THEY WOULD THEN BACK THE H-D-Z CANDIDATE -- WHICH I THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN. ///END ACT///PEASANTS PARTY LEADERS HAVE DENIED ANY SUGGESTION OF A COALITION. MR. CUTURA, THE H-D-Z CANDIDATE IN ZAGREB, SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN NO FORMAL TALKS ON THE ISSUE, BUT HE ALSO SAYS HE BELIEVES THE PEASANTS PARTY WOULD BE A GOOD PARTNER FOR THE H-D-Z. WHATEVER THE OUTCOME OF SUNDAY'S VOTING HERE, ALL SIDES AGREE THAT ZAGREB IS THE JEWEL IN CROATIA'S POLITICAL CROWN. THE CAPITAL IS HOME TO ONE-QUARTER OF THE COUNTRY'S FOUR-POINT-TWO MILLION PEOPLE. IT IS ALSO THE MAIN INDUSTRIAL AND FINANCIAL CENTER AS WELL AS THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT. ANALYSTS HERE SAY THIS YEAR'S ELECTION CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN A
LARGELY LACKLUSTER AFFAIR. BUT IT HAS BEGUN TO HEAT UP IN ZAGREB
OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS, WITH MOST OF THE MAJOR PARTIES HOLDING
BIG OUTDOOR RALLIES IN THE CAPITAL'S MAIN SQUARE. (SIGNED)
[11] CROATIA ELECTION/SERBS (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (ZAGREB)DATE=4/11/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-212751 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATIONWIDE ELECTIONS TAKE PLACE IN CROATIA SUNDAY, WITH VOTERS CASTING BALLOTS FOR LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE 63-SEAT UPPER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT. FOR THE FIRST TIME, SERB VOTERS IN THE U-N ADMINISTERED ENCLAVE OF EASTERN SLAVONIA ARE ALSO ENTITLED TO VOTE IN AN ELECTION THAT SETS THE STAGE FOR THE RESTORATION OF CROATIAN SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE FORMER REBEL-HELD AREA. VOA'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN ZAGREB REPORTS FEARS OF A BOYCOTT BY SERB VOTERS HAVE FADED OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS, AND U-N OFFICIALS IN EASTERN SLAVONIA NOW EXPECT THE ELECTION TO GO SMOOTHLY. TEXT: THE THREAT OF AN ELECTION BOYCOTT IN EASTERN SLAVONIA ROSE EARLIER THIS MONTH WHEN HARDLINE SERB LEADERS ORGANIZED A REFERENDUM TO BACK THEIR DEMAND FOR A SINGLE ELECTORAL DISTRICT FOR THE REGION'S SERB INHABITANTS. BOTH THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE U-N ADMINISTRATION HAD ALREADY REJECTED THE DEMAND, AND THE REFERENDUM WAS TERMED AN EXERCISE IN FUTILITY. SERB HARDLINERS RESPONDED BY HINTING THEY WOULD TELL THEIR SUPPORTERS TO STAY AWAY FROM THE POLLS ON SUNDAY. BUT THAT THREAT HAS SINCE BEEN WITHDRAWN, AND THE HARDLINERS ARE NOW URGING ALL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VOTING. U-N SOURCES CREDIT THE CHANGE OF ATTITUDE TO THE INTERVENTION OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN NEIGHBORING SERBIA, WHO SUMMONED THE LOCAL LEADERSHIP TO A MEETING IN BELGRADE EARLIER THIS WEEK. U-N OFFICIALS SAY NEARLY 80-THOUSAND OF EASTERN SLAVONIA'S MOSTLY SERB RESIDENTS HAVE REGISTERED TO VOTE, AFTER OBTAINING CROATIAN CITIZENSHIP DOCUMENTS. A HASTILY ASSEMBLED COALITION OF SERB POLITICAL PARTIES IS VYING FOR CONTROL OF THE REGION'S 30 MUNICIPAL COUNCILS. ITS CHIEF OPPONENT IS CROATIA'S RULING DEMOCRATIC UNION WHICH CAN COUNT ON BROAD SUPPORT AMONG CROAT VOTERS IN AREAS ADJOINING THE U-N ADMINISTERED DISTRICT, INCLUDING SOME 80-THOUSAND CROATS FORCED FROM THEIR HOMES IN EASTERN SLAVONIA AT THE OUTSET OF THE SERB REBELLION SIX YEARS AGO. ONCE THE ELECTIONS ARE OVER, CROATIAN GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS WILL BEGIN TO REAPPEAR IN EASTERN SLAVONIA. AND AFTER THE SCHEDULED DEPARTURE OF THE U-N PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN JULY, THE CROAT REFUGEES ARE EXPECTED TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES EN MASSE. ZAGREB UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR AND HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER ZARKO PUHOVSKI BELIEVES THAT COULD SPELL TROUBLE FOR THE REGION. ABOUT HALF OF EASTERN SLAVONIA'S SERB RESIDENTS ARE REFUGEES FROM OTHER PARTS OF CROATIA. THE ZAGREB GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN SLOW TO ALLOW THEM TO RETURN TO THEIR ORIGINAL HOMES, AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY LIVING IN CROAT-OWNED HOUSES THAT THEY WILL SOON HAVE TO VACATE. PROFESSOR PUHOVSKI BELIEVES LOCAL DISPUTES WILL INEVITABLY ARISE, AND SOME COULD LEAD TO BLOODSHED. ///PUHOVSKI ACT///AND THE REAL QUESTION IS COULD WE REALLY BELIEVE THAT THE CROATIAN POLICE IS READY TO PROTECT THE PERSON OF SERBIAN ETHNIC ORIGIN AGAINST AN ETHNIC CROAT? AND IF ONE OR EVEN TWO OF THEM WOULD BE ATTACKED OR KILLED, YOU COULD COUNT ON IT THAT THE NEXT DAY THOUSANDS OF THEM (SERBS) ARE GOING TO LEAVE. ///END ACT///U-N OFFICIALS SAY THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF SERBS WILL LEAVE THE ENCLAVE BEFORE CROATIA REGAINS FULL CONTROL. BUT THEY ARE HOPEFUL THAT A MASS EXODUS CAN BE AVERTED. AT THE URGING OF WESTERN POWERS, PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN HAS FORMALLY GUARANTEED THE SERBS THAT THEIR RIGHTS WILL BE PROTECTED, AND THAT THEY WILL BE REPRESENTED AT ALL LEVELS OF THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT. MR. TUDJMAN HAS ALSO URGED CROATS TO TREAT THE SERBS AS NEIGHBORS. BUT FEARS OF PERSECUTION AND REVENGE PERSIST AMONG THE SERBS OF EASTERN SLAVONIA, FANNED BY HARDLINERS IN THEIR OWN LEADERSHIP AND BY CROAT RADICALS WHO SAY THEY ARE NOT PREPARED TO FORGIVE THE SERBS FOR THE BLOODSHED AND DESTRUCTION OF THE WAR YEARS. BUT AT LEAST SOME ANALYSTS HERE BELIEVE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE
THAT THE PROCESS OF REINTEGRATING EASTERN SLAVONIA WILL GO
SMOOTHLY. AS LONG AS THE SERBS ARE PREPARED TO LIVE AS CITIZENS
OF CROATIA, SAYS ONE CROAT POLITICAL LEADER, THERE WILL BE NO
TROUBLE. (SIGNED)
[12] CROATIA ELECTIONS PREVIEW (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (ZAGREB)DATE=4/11/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-212763 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: CROATIAN VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS SUNDAY TO CHOOSE NEW MUNICIPAL AND REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES, AS WELL AS THE MEMBERS OF THE 63-SEAT UPPER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT. OPPOSITION PARTIES ARE HOPING TO MAKE FURTHER INROADS AGAINST THE LONG-DOMINANT CROATIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION, THE "H-D-Z," LED BY PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN. BUT POLITICAL ANALYSTS IN ZAGREB SAY THE RULING PARTY'S DOMINATION OF THE STATE MEDIA, COUPLED WITH THE OPPOSITION'S FAILURE TO UNITE, COULD DASH THOSE HOPES, AS VOA'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS. TEXT: /// ACT. SFAX: ELECTION RALLY /// WHAT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED A LARGELY LACKLUSTER CAMPAIGN HAS HEATED UP OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS, WITH MOST OF THE MAJOR PARTIES STAGING OPEN-AIR RALLIES. ADDRESSING A CROWD OF TEN THOUSAND OR MORE IN ZAGREB'S MAIN SQUARE, OPPOSITION LEADER VLADO GOTOVAC LASHED OUT AT THE H-D-Z, BLAMING THE RULING PARTY FOR FALLING LIVING STANDARDS AND ALLEGING WIDESPREAD CORRUPTION BY H-D-Z LEADERS IN THE GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAM TO PRIVATIZE STATE INDUSTRIES. THE THEMES ARE FAMILIAR, AND HAVE BEEN THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF ALL THE OPPOSITION PARTIES HERE. THE MESSAGE IS DELIVERED AT RALLIES AND ON CAMPAIGN POSTERS, AND IN CROATIAN RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTS. /// ACT. RADIO CAMPAIGN AD (SERBO-CROAT -- FADE UNDER) ///BUT OPPOSITION LEADERS AND POLITICAL ANALYSTS HERE SAY THE H-D-Z CONTINUES TO DOMINATE THE AIRWAVES. CAMPAIGN MEDIA RULES STIPULATE EQUAL TIME FOR PARTY BROADCASTS. AND ANALYSTS SAY THE RULE IS OBSERVED DURING A MID-AFTERNOON BLOCK OF TIME ON THE STATE TELEVISION RESERVED FOR ALL PARTIES. BUT THE PRIME-TIME EVENING BROADCASTS, THEY ADD, BELONG TO THE H-D-Z. A LOCAL HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP HAS JUST COMPLETED AN EXHAUSTIVE STUDY OF THE ISSUE, AND ONE OF ITS AUTHORS, ZARKO PUHOVSKI, SAYS IT CLEARLY SHOWS THE RULING PARTY'S DOMINANCE. /// ACT. PUHOVSKI (ENGLISH) ///THE PERCENT OF TIME GIVEN TO THE RULING PARTY, H-D-Z, WAS EXACTLY TWO-THIRDS OF THE WHOLE AMOUNT OF TIME GIVEN TO ALL THE PARTIES IN THE PRINCIPLE T-V NEWS, IN PRIME TIME T-V; AND--WHICH IS EVEN MORE ASTONISHING--THAT H-D-Z HAD 40 TIMES MORE TIME THAN THE SECOND PARTY IN THE LIST. ///END ACT///MR. PUHOVSKI SAYS THE SITUATION CALLS INTO QUESTION THE FAIRNESS OF THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN. NEVERTHELESS, OPINION SURVEYS PUBLISHED HERE OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS PROJECT GOOD RESULTS FOR THE OPPOSITION IN SEVERAL OF THE LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLIES. //BEGIN OPT. //BUT MR. PUHOVSKI AND OTHER ANALYSTS SAY IT IS LIKELY TO BE ONLY A MATHEMATICAL VICTORY BECAUSE OF THE BREAK-UP OF THE BROAD OPPOSITION ALLIANCE THAT GARNERED THE MOST VOTES IN THE CAPITAL DURING THE 1995 ELECTION. MR. PUHOVSKI BELIEVES THE OPPOSITION'S FAILURE TO UNITE HAS HURT ITS CHANCES. ///ACT. PUHOVSKI (ENGLISH) ///THEY COULD HAVE HAD A CHANCE, IF THEY WERE READY TO FORM (A) REAL SOLID COALITION OF THE THREE STRONGEST OPPOSITION PARTIES -- THE SOCIAL LIBERALS, SOCIAL DEMOCRATS AND THE PEASANT PARTY. ///END ACT///BUT THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED, AND ANALYSTS HERE SAY IT IS LIKELY THAT THE H-D-Z WILL BE ABLE TO TEMPT ONE OR MORE OF THE OPPOSITION PARTIES INTO AN ALLIANCE THAT WILL ENABLE THE RULING PARTY TO REGAIN CONTROL OF ZAGREB AND OTHER CITIES. ANOTHER IMPORTANT ADVANTAGE FOR THE H-D-Z, SAY ANALYSTS HERE, IS THE CONTINUED POPULARITY OF PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN. //BEGIN OPT//A FEW MONTHS AGO, MR. TUDJMAN WAS REPORTED TO BE SUFFERING FROM TERMINAL CANCER. BUT HE NOW APPEARS TO BE RECOVERING. HE HAS MADE SEVERAL CAMPAIGN APPEARANCES AND HE HAS ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTION TO SEEK ANOTHER TERM OF OFFICE IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS SET FOR THIS SUMMER. NO ONE HERE DOUBTS HE WILL WIN. BUT MANY CROATIAN ANALYSTS
BELIEVE THE H-D-Z WILL QUICKLY LOSE ITS GRIP ON POWER ONCE
PRESIDENT TUDJMAN HAS PASSED FROM THE SCENE. (SIGNED)
[13] POPE / SARAJEVO (L-ONLY) BY PEGGY POLK (ROME)DATE=4/11/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-212745 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: POPE JOHN PAUL THE SECOND IS TRAVELLING TO THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL OF SARAJEVO THIS WEEKEND. AS PEGGY POLK REPORTS, THE POPE WILL CARRY A MESSAGE OF PEACE AND RECONCILIATION TO THE CITY THAT STILL BEARS THE SCARS OF ETHNIC AND RELIGION-BASED CONFLICT. TEXT: THE POLISH-BORN POPE ORIGINALLY PLANNED TO VISIT SARAJEVO IN SEPTEMBER 1994, BUT WAS FORCED TO CANCEL THE TRIP WHEN BOSNIAN SERBS BESIEGING THE CITY SAID THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE HIS SAFETY. //OPT// THE KOSEVO SOCCER STADIUM -- WHERE HE WILL CELEBRATE AN OPEN-AIR MASS ON SUNDAY -- WAS IN RANGE OF SNIPER FIRE. //END OPT// ALTHOUGH THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT ENDED THE CONFLICT BETWEEN SERBS, CROATS AND MOSLEMS IN 1995, THE PEACE IS AN UNEASY ONE, AND ETHNIC DIVISIONS REMAIN. VATICAN SOURCES SAID THAT WITH MOST CATHOLICS LIVING OUTSIDE SARAJEVO, THE NUMBER ABLE TO ATTEND THE MASS WILL TEST FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT WITHIN THE BOSNIAN FEDERATION. //OPT// SOME 40-THOUSAND WORSHIPERS ARE EXPECTED. //END OPT// A RECENT WAVE OF ATTACKS ON CHURCHES AND MOSQUES RAISED CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF THE 76-YEAR-OLD PONTIFF, AND AUTHORITIES WERE DEPLOYING UNITED NATIONS AND NATO FORCES, ALONG WITH LOCAL POLICE. REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO SAID THAT POLICE MADE HOUSE-TO-HOUSE CHECKS ALONG THE POPE'S ROUTE, WARNING INHABITANTS NOT TO LOOK OUT THEIR WINDOWS DURING HIS VISIT. ADDRESSING PILGRIMS AT HIS GENERAL AUDIENCE EARLIER THIS WEEK,
JOHN PAUL CALLED SARAJEVO "A CITY WHICH, IN A CERTAIN SENSE, HAS
BECOME A SAD SYMBOL OF THE TRAGEDIES WHICH HAVE STRUCK EUROPE IN
THE 20TH CENTURY." HE SAID HE PRAYED THAT HIS 25-HOUR VISIT
WOULD BE, WHAT HE CALLED, "A VOYAGE OF PEACE ON WHICH THE CHURCH
BEARS WITNESS TO ITS SOLIDARITY WITH SUFFERING PEOPLES." (SIGNED)
[14] SERBIA SHOOTING (L-ONLY-CQ) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)DATE=4/11/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-212767 CONTENT= VOICED AT: // RERUNNING TO ADD DROPPED WORD "DEPUTY" IN FIRST TEXT //INTRO: A MASKED GUNMAN SHOT AND KILLED THE SERBIAN DEPUTY INTERIOR MINISTER, ONE OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S CLOSEST ALLIES, EARLY FRIDAY. JULIA GLYN-PICKETT REPORTS FROM BELGRADE THAT ALTHOUGH PUBLIC SHOOTINGS IN SERBIA HAVE INCREASED IN RECENT YEARS, THIS IS THE FIRST HIGH-RANKING OFFICIAL TO BE GUNNED DOWN SINCE WORLD WAR TWO. TEXT: THE MYSTERIOUS SHOOTING OF SERBIAN *DEPUTY* INTERIOR MINISTER, RADOVAN STOJICIC, IN A DOWNTOWN BELGRADE RESTAURANT HAS LEFT THE SERBIAN ESTABLISHMENT STUNNED. THE MASKED GUNMAN BURST INTO THE "MAMMA MIA" RESTAURANT SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT (LOCAL TIME), SPRAYED A BURST OF GUNFIRE INTO MR. STOJICIC, AND FLED. THE INTERIOR MINISTRY ANNOUNCED LATE FRIDAY THAT INVESTIGATIONS WERE UNDERWAY AND THAT NO FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE MURDER WAS AVAILABLE. MR. STOJICIC IS WIDELY KNOWN HERE AS A MEMBER OF SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S INNER CIRCLE OF FRIENDS. IT WAS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WHO LAST YEAR PROMOTED MR. STOJICIC TO POLICE GENERAL, ENTRUSTING HIM WITH SERBIA'S ALL-POWERFUL 70-THOUSAND STRONG POLICE FORCE. THE RULING SOCIALISTS HAVE CONDEMNED WHAT THEY ARE CALLING A CRIMINAL ACT AND TOP PARTY OFFICIALS HAVE SENT THEIR CONDOLENCES TO MR. STOJICIC'S FAMILY. PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER AND LOYAL ASSOCIATE OF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, (MR.) DRAGAN TOMIC, HAS SAID THAT MR. STOJICIC'S TRAGIC DEATH SHOWS THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE SERBIAN UNDERWORLD HAS PENETRATED SOCIETY HERE. BUT MR. STOJICIC HAS A CHEQUERED PAST, AND BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON INTRIGUE SURROUNDING HIS DEATH WAS GROWING. SOME ANALYSTS ARE CONNECTING MR. STOJICIC'S DEATH TO HIS ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT IN THE ORGANIZATION OF PARAMILITARY FORCES DURING THE CROATIAN AND BOSNIAN WARS. INITIAL REPORTS BY SOME INDEPENDENT PRESS SOURCES HAVE ALSO POINTED TO POSSIBLE DEALINGS WITH A NOTORIOUSLY VIOLENT BELGRADE UNDERWORLD. //REST OPT//NEB/JGP/PCF/MMK 11-Apr-97 1:14 PM EDT (1714 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America [15] EDITORIAL: ALBRIGHT MEETS SERBIAN OPPOSITIONDATE= APRIL 13, 1997TYPE= EDITORIAL NUMBER= 0-07231 CONTENT=THIS IS THE ONLY EDITORIAL BEING RELEASED FOR BROADCAST APRIL 13, 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: THREE LEADERS OF SERBIA'S OPPOSITION MOVEMENT MET WITH U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT THIS MONTH. VUK DRASKOVIC, ZORAN DJINDJIC AND VESNA PESIC ARE ALL MEMBERS OF THE ZEJEDNO COALITION. SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT AFFIRMED U.S. SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATIZATION IN SERBIA AND EXPRESSED ADMIRATION FOR ZAJEDNO'S COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP OF PEACEFUL PROTESTS DURING THE WINTER. FOLLOWING THESE DEMONSTRATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT OF SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC FINALLY RECOGNIZED THE OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN THE NOVEMBER MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAID THE U.S. WANTS TO SEE A PROSPEROUS, DEMOCRATIC SERBIA/MONTENEGRO THAT PROMOTES STABILITY IN THE BALKAN REGION. BUT SHE STRESSED THAT THE INTEGRATION OF SERBIA/MONTENEGRO INTO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS CONTINGENT ON ACCEPTANCE BY ITS GOVERNMENT OF BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS, DEMOCRATIC REFORMS AND FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS ON BOSNIA. SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT ALSO STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF FINDING A SOLUTION TO THE PLIGHT OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. THE U.S. DEPLORES THE BRUTAL AND OPPRESSIVE POLICIES THAT THE MILOSEVIC GOVERNMENT HAS PURSUED THERE. THE U.S. SUPPORTS THE RESTORATION OF BASIC RIGHTS FOR THE ALL THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EDUCATION AGREEMENT AND DEMOCRATIZATION THROUGHOUT SERBIA, INCLUDING KOSOVO. THE U.S. ENCOURAGES DIALOGUE BETWEEN ALBANIANS AND SERBS TO REDUCE TENSION AND PROMOTE DEMOCRATIC CHANGE THROUGHOUT SERBIA. THE THREE LEADERS OF ZAJEDNO POINTED TO THE DIRECT CONNECTION BETWEEN DEMOCRATIZATION AND LONG-TERM PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE BALKAN REGION. SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDIA FREEDOM AND A DIALOGUE ON CONDITIONS FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS. THE UNITED STATES STRONGLY FAVORS PEACEFUL DEMOCRATIC CHANGE IN SERBIA. 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.
[16] EAST EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)DATE=4/11/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-212768 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES ON EAST EUROPEAN MARKETS WERE HIGHER THIS WEEK, REBOUNDING FROM SHARP DECLINES A WEEK AGO. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD HAS DETAILS. TEXT: WARSAW REGAINED TWO-THIRDS OF THE BIG LOSSES IT REGISTERED ONE WEEK AGO. THE "WIG" INDEX GAINED NEARLY FOUR PERCENT -- OR 550 POINTS -- TO 16-THOUSAND-263. BUDAPEST WAS ALSO HIGHER WITH THE "BUX" INDEX UP THREE PERCENT -- OR 189 POINTS -- TO 55-HUNDRED. PRAGUE ALSO REBOUNDED, BUT TRADING ACTIVITY WAS SLOW. THE "P-X- 50" INDEX GAINED 13 POINTS TO 551. THAT'S A TWO PERCENT GAIN ON THE WEEK. THE PRAGUE MARKET WAS PREOCCUPIED BY THE RESIGNATION OF THE DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTER, WHO HAS BEEN BLAMED FOR SCANDALS AND LACK OF REGULATION IN THE MARKET. IN BRATISLAVA, VOLUME WAS LOWER WITH PRICES ALSO DOWN. LJUBLJANA
WAS MOSTLY UNCHANGED. BUT THE BIG WINNER AMONG THE SMALLER
MARKETS WAS BUCHAREST, WHERE VOLUME WAS DOUBLE THAT OF THE WEEK
BEFORE. ANALYSTS SAY THIS IS A FURTHER SIGN OF CONFIDENCE IN THE
MARKET-BASED POLICIES BEING PURSUED BY ROMANIA'S NEW CONSERVATIVE
GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)
[17] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)DATE=4/11/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-212769 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IN WESTERN EUROPE, THE BIG STOCK MARKETS CLOSED SHARPLY LOWER FRIDAY IN THE WAKE OF U-S ECONOMIC DATA WHICH PROMPTED FEARS OF HIGHER INFLATION. FOR THE CLOSING MARKET NUMBERS, HERE'S VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH FROM OUR OFFICES IN LONDON. TEXT: WHILE THE BIG WEST EUROPEAN MARKETS POSTED OVERALL GAINS FOR THE WEEK, THE LAST DAY OF TRADING ENDED ON A SOUR NOTE. U-S ECONOMIC DATA SUGGESTING INFLATION MAY BE RISING SENT STOCK PRICES TUMBLING ON WALL STREET, AND THE EFFECT CARRIED OVER INTO EUROPE. THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF EUROPE'S BIGGEST STOCK MARKET HERE IN LONDON LOST 42-AND-A-HALF POINTS. IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" INDEX WAS DOWN ALMOST 33-AND-A-HALF POINTS, AND IN FRANKFURT THE "DAX 30" INDEX LOST ABOUT 11-AND-A-HALF POINTS FRIDAY. THE DOLLAR WAS UP ALMOST A CENT AGAINST THE MARK BUT REMAINED
ALMOST UNCHANGED AGAINST THE POUND. GOLD LOST 65 CENTS AN OUNCE
AT THE CLOSING LONDON FIX, WHERE IT SOLD AT 347-DOLLARS-20-CENTS.
(SIGNED)
[18] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=4/11/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-212782 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN SHARPLY TODAY (FRIDAY) AS TRADERS WORRIED ABOUT THE U-S ECONOMY. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 63 HUNDRED 91, DOWN 148 POINTS -- MORE THAN TWO PERCENT. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST 135 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 737, DOWN 20 POINTS. ANALYSTS SAY TWO ECONOMIC REPORTS MADE MANY TRADERS NERVOUS. THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED ONLY A TINY INCREASE IN U-S RETAIL SALES LAST MONTH, WITH A STRONG DROP IN AUTO SALES. THAT WOULD SEEM TO INDICATE ECONOMIC GROWTH MIGHT BE SLOWING. THERE WAS ALSO CONCERN ABOUT THE PRODUCER PRICE INDEX WHICH ACTUALLY DROPPED BY ONE TENTH OF ONE PERCENT LAST MONTH. BUT, AFTER EXCLUDING THE OFTEN VOLATILE FOOD AND ENERGY COMPONENTS, THE SO-CALLED "CORE" RATE OF WHOLESALE INFLATION WAS ACTUALLY UP FOUR-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT. A PICTURE OF SLOWING GROWTH AND RISING PRICES IS NEVER A GOOD ONE ON WALL STREET. THE MASTERCARD CREDIT CARD COMPANY SAYS IT BILLED A RECORD 552 BILLION DOLLARS IN SALES LAST YEAR, THE FIRST TIME MASTERCARD HAS EXCEEDED A HALF TRILLION DOLLARS. // REST OPT //THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS HALTED PRODUCTION OF MANY PICK-UP TRUCKS, UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS BECAUSE OF A STRIKE AT A DETROIT ENGINE PLANT. A JURY IN THE STATE OF OREGON HAS AWARDED SEVEN POINT SIX MILLION DOLLARS TO A WOMAN WHO WAS PARALYZED WHEN A TOYOTA FOUR-RUNNER UTILITY VEHICLE IN WHICH SHE WAS A PASSENGER OVERTURNED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE JURY FOUND TOYOTA WAS GUILTY OF FAULTY DESIGN. LAWYERS FOR TOYOTA HAD ARGUED THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A TIRE BLOW OUT AND THAT ANY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE ROLLED OVER IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES. THE DOMINOS PIZZA DELIVERY COMPANY SAYS IT PLANS TO OPEN 300 NEW
STORES THIS YEAR, MOST OF THEM IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. DOMINOS
CURRENTLY OPERATES IN 54 COUNTRIES.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/SP
[19] SOCCER CUP PREVIEW (S-ONLY) BY NEIL ROSENBERG (LONDON)DATE=4/11/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-212739 CONTENT= VOICED AT: // SUITABLE FOR WEEKEND USE //INTRO: SOCCER'S OLDEST CHAMPIONSHIP, ENGLAND'S "FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION" CUP, HAS ITS SEMIFINAL ROUND ON SUNDAY. V-O-A'S NEIL ROSENBERG HAS A PREVIEW OF THE ACTION FROM LONDON. TEXT: FOR ENGLISH SOCCER FANS, THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUE CHAMPIONSHIP, THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CUP. SUNDAY'S SEMI-FINALS WILL DETERMINE WHICH TWO TEAMS WILL PLAY FOR THE CUP. THE FIRST SEMI-FINAL IS BETWEEN TWO STRUGGLING LONDON-AREA CLUBS CHELSEA AND WIMBLEDON. CHELSEA HAS NUMEROUS INTERNATIONAL STARS, INCLUDING ITALIAN GIANFRANCO ZOLA, BUT IT HAS LOST ITS LAST THREE LEAGUE GAMES. WIMBLEDON CANNOT AFFORD CHELSEA'S EXPENSIVE TALENT, BUT IT IS KNOWN FOR GOOD PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AND INCREDIBLE RESILIENCY. HOWEVER, WIMBLEDON HAS HAD A GRUELING SCHEDULE OF LATE AND IS STARTING TO SHOW FATIGUE. PERHAPS THE MOST INTERESTING OF THE FOUR SEMI-FINALISTS IS
MIDDLESBOROUGH. LIKE CHELSEA, MIDDLESBOROUGH HAS SOME IMPRESSIVE
INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS, BUT IT FINDS ITSELF NEAR THE BOTTOM OF
ENGLAND'S PREMIER LEAGUE. THE TEAM COULD BE IN THE UNIQUE AND
UNENVIABLE POSITION OF BEING RELEGATED TO THE FIRST DIVISION,
DESPITE WINNING BOTH THE F-A CUP AND ENGLAND'S LEAGUE CUP.
FINALLY, THERE IS THE SECOND DIVISION TEAM "CHESTERFIELD."
DESPITE ITS LOW STATUS, IT SHOULD NOT BE COUNTED OUT, AS
MIDDLEBOROUGH HAS ALREADY BEEN DEFEATED BY A SECOND DIVISION TEAM
THIS SEASON. (SIGNED)
[20] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)DATE=4/11/97TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-36169 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS APPEALS FOR NEW INFUSIONS OF EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO EASE THE FLOOD-INDUCED FAMINE IN NORTH KOREA; INTRIGUE MOUNTS ABOUT WHO WILL BE THE NEXT U-N COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS -- AS LATIN AMERICA VIES AGAINST EUROPE; AND THE WORLD'S DIPLOMATS PURSUE THEIR GRIEVANCE AGAINST NEW YORK CITY'S TOUGH ENFORCEMENT RULES ON ILLEGAL PARKING -- VOWING TO APPEAL TO A HIGHER AUTHORITY. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK: TEXT: U-N AGENCIES ARE POISED TO DELIVER NEW FOOD SHIPMENTS TO NORTH KOREA. TWO YEARS OF FLOODING HAVE JEOPARDIZED THE COUNTRY'S AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY AND INDUCED A SPREADING FAMINE. U-N HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR YASUSHI AKASHI APPEALED FOR 126 MILLION DOLLARS OF ASSISTANCE FROM NOW UNTIL NEXT MARCH. HE SAID THERE IS NO PROSPECT FOR HOME-GROWN FOOD IN NORTH KOREA AT LEAST UNTIL ITS NEXT HARVEST IN OCTOBER. //AKASHI ACT//AND WE EXPECT THEREFORE THE WORST PERIOD COMING IN THE PERIOD BETWEEN JULY AND SEPTEMBER. THE SITUATION CAN BE DESCRIBED AS A HUMANITARIAN DISASTER IN THE MAKING. //END ACT//MOST OF THE APPEAL IS DIRECTED TOWARD EMERGENCY FOOD AID. NORTH KOREA PRESENTLY HAS A GRAIN SHORTAGE OF OVER TWO MILLION METRIC TONS. BUT THE UNITED NATIONS ALSO HOPES TO USE SOME OF THE MONEY ABOUT 20 MILLION DOLLARS -- TOWARD PREVENTING FUTURE DISASTERS. IT WANTS TO BUILD NEW IRRIGATION SYSTEMS AND DAMS, AND MODERNIZE NORTH KOREA'S PLANTING METHODS. -0- A, SO FAR, QUIET RACE FOR THE POSITION OF U-N COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS HAS BECOME SOMEWHAT MORE INTRIGUING THIS PAST WEEK WHEN THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF MEXICO AND CHILE WERE REPORTED TO HAVE PROMISED IRELAND THEY WOULD SUPPORT THE CANDIDACY OF ITS PRESIDENT, MARY ROBINSON. LATIN AMERICAN DIPLOMATS HAVE BEEN PRESSING SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TO SELECT ONE OF THEIR OWN TO REPLACE JOSE AYALA LASSO. THE ECUADORIAN RESIGNED THIS YEAR TO JOIN HIS GOVERNMENT. A STRONG CONTENDER WAS THOUGHT TO BE COSTA RICA'S AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON. BUT MEXICO AND CHILE APPARENTLY BROKE RANKS WITH THEIR GROUP -- INTRODUCING AN ELEMENT OF UNCERTAINTY. EVEN ODDER THE U-N AMBASSADORS FROM THE TWO COUNTRIES SAID THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE CHANGE AND FOR THE MOMENT WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUE BACKING A LATIN AMERICAN CANDIDATE. MEANWHILE, THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S AIDES SAY HE WILL CONTINUE TO INTERVIEW WIDELY FOR THE JOB. -0- TO PARK OR NOT TO PARK -- THAT IS THE DILEMMA FACING THE WORLD'S DIPLOMATS AT THE UNITED NATIONS. IF THEY PARK THEIR VEHICLES ILLEGALLY, THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY A FINE. IF THEY FAIL TO PAY IT WITHIN ONE YEAR, THEY WILL LOSE THEIR DIPLOMATIC LICENSE PLATES. NEW YORK CITY BEGAN A NEW PROGRAM THIS MONTH TO ENFORCE ITS PARKING LAWS. DIPLOMATS, UNTIL NOW, WERE GIVEN A FREE RIDE -- IN EFFECT. THEY ACCUMULATED PARKING TICKETS WITH NO PENALTY FOR NOT PAYING THEM. THE OUTCRY ROSE TO NEW LEVELS THIS PAST WEEK. A U-N COMMITTEE OF AGGRIEVED DIPLOMATS VOTED TO TAKE THE ISSUE TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- AND POSSIBLY THE WORLD COURT IN THE HAGUE -- IF THE UNITED STATES FAILED TO ADDRESS THEIR OBJECTIONS. THEY SAID THE NEW YORK PROGRAM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND CERTAIN PARTS OF IT VIOLATE INTERNATIONAL LAW ON DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES. THE UNITED STATES SAYS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS A PLACE TO DISCUSS MAJOR PROBLEMS LIKE FAMINE OR WARS, CERTAINLY NOT PARKING. U-S AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON APPEALED FOR CALM AND SAID U-S OFFICIALS ARE DISCUSSING THE ISSUE WITH NEW YORK AUTHORITIES: //RICHARDSON ACT//WE'RE TRYING TO BE THE HONEST BROKER HERE. WE REALIZE THAT TENSIONS ARE HIGH. BUT I DO THINK WE CAN RESOLVE THIS. GIVE US A FEW DAYS. WE'RE NEGOTIATING WITH BOTH SIDES. COOLER HEADS SHOULD PREVAIL RIGHT NOW. WE SHOULD NOT HEIGHTEN THE CONFLICT. I'M OPTIMISTIC. //END ACT//THE OTHER SIDE -- THE NEW YORK MAYOR'S OFFICE -- HAS REFUSED TO
BACK DOWN. IT SAYS DIPLOMATS MUST FOLLOW THE SAME RULES THAT
APPLY TO ORDINARY DRIVERS.
AND, SO IT GOES. THE MAYOR'S CRITICS SAY HE IS UNDULY ANNOYING
THE DIPLOMATIC COMMUNITY, WHICH ADDS SOME THREE BILLION DOLLARS A
YEAR TO NEW YORK'S ECONOMY. (SIGNED)
[21] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=04/10/97TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-10110 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=NEAL LAVON CONTENT= INTRO: THE SITUATION IN ZAIRE HAS TOP ATTENTION IN SEVERAL NEWSPAPERS, VYING WITH MANY OTHER TOPICS FOR COMMENTARY SPACE THIS FRIDAY. OTHER WELL-ESTABLISHED SUBJECTS AGAIN UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE; THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN SITUATION; NEW CRITICISM OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY; THE POSSIBILITY OF WATER, AND THUS, LIFE, ON A JUPITER MOON; THE NORTH KOREAN FAMINE, AND THE AVAILABILITY OF GUNS IN THE SOUTH WHICH A FEDERAL STUDY SAYS FIND THEIR WAY TO CRIME SCENES IN THE NORTH. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK, IS ______________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: WITH REBEL TROOPS ADVANCING ON THE CAPITAL OF KINSHASA, NEWSDAY ON LONG ISLAND, PROCLAIMS IN AN EDITORIAL HEADLINE: "THE FATE OF ZAIRE IS OUT OF WASHINGTON'S HANDS." VOICE: "..... FOR WASHINGTON TO URGE [MR.] MOBUTU, A NOMINALLY ALLY OF THE UNITED STATES FOR DECADES, TO PLAN FOR A PEACEFUL AND ORDERLY TRANSITION IS THE EQUIVALENT OF HAVING THE SHIP'S ORCHESTRA PLAY MERRY TUNES WHILE THE OCEAN LINER SINKS - - AN UTTERLY POINTLESS GESTURE. ..... THE ADMINISTRATION OUGHT TO BE LESS DISINGENUOUS ABOUT TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENTS. THE ONLY TRANSITION [MR.] MOBUTU CAN COUNT ON IS, AT BEST, IN AN AIRPLANE OUT OF THE COUNTRY." TEXT: IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL THIS FRIDAY, THE SUN IN BALTIMORE OPINES THAT: "ZAIRE [IS] DELIVERING ITSELF TO THE REBELS." VOICE: "THE REBELLION HAS PAUSED FOR THREE DAYS TO CONSOLIDATE ITS GAINS, [GIVING] ..... PRESIDENT MOBUTU SESE SEKO THIS TIME TO HAND OVER THE COUNTRY. IF THE REACTION OF THE MILLION PEOPLE IN LUBUMBASHI IS INDICATIVE, THE COUNTRY IS HANDING ITSELF TO MR. KABILA, WITH MOST PEOPLE WELCOMING HIM AS A LIBERATOR. [OPT] ....NO OUTSIDE POWER SHOULD INTERVENE TO PREVENT A REBEL VICTORY ...... LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES, THE ZAIRIANS ARE REMOVING THE MOBUTU PROBLEM AND KEEPING ONE ZAIRE IN THE PROCESS." [END OPT] TEXT: CLOSE ON THE HEELS OF ZAIRE IS THE PERILOUS STATE OF THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE PROCESS IN THE MIDEAST, WHICH DREW THIS COMMENT FROM THE BOSTON GLOBE. VOICE: "THE DESOLATING RENEWAL OF VIOLENCE IN HEBRON AND OTHER AREAS OF THE WEST BANK SUGGESTS NOT ONLY THAT THE OSLO PEACE PROCESS IS IN DANGER BUT THAT THE LEADERS ON BOTH SIDES ARE INCOMPETENT. ..... SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, [PRESIDENT] CLINTON SHOULD ENDOW A SPECIAL ENVOY WITH PRESIDENTIAL AUTHORITY TO ..... COMPEL [PRIME MINISTER] NETANYAHU AND [MR.] ARAFAT TO CEASE THEIR POSTURING ABOUT SYMBOLIC RIGHTS AND BEGIN SEEKING THE COMMON UNDERSTANDINGS NEEDED FOR THEIR PEOPLES TO LIVE ALONGSIDE EACH OTHER IN PEACE." TEXT: THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY IS UNDER ATTACK FOR FAILING TO INFORM THE U.S. ARMY ABOUT CHEMICAL WEAPONS IT KNEW WERE STORED AT AN IRAQI DEPOT KNOWN AS KAMISIYAH. WHEN U-S TROOPS BLEW IT UP AT THE END OF THE GULF WAR, MANY SOLDIERS BELIEVED THEY SUFFERED INJURIES FROM THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS. THEIR ACTUAL MEDICAL CONDITIONS ARE A MATTER OF DISPUTE. IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL, THE NEW YORK TIMES CALLS THE LAPSE ONE OF "BREATHTAKING INCOMPETENCE" ADDING: VOICE: "THE SHOCKING FAILURE TO IDENTIFY KAMISIYAH AS A CHEMICAL-WEAPONS SITE STEMS FROM MORE THAN 'TUNNEL VISION.' IT ITS MEA CULPA [ITALICS FOR FOREIGN WORDS] THIS WEEK, THE AGENCY ALSO BLAMED CONFUSION CAUSED BY THE USE OF MULTIPLE DATA BASES [COMPUTER FILES] .....A FAILURE TO SHARE SENSITIVE INFORMATION WITH EVERYONE WHO NEEDED TO KNOW IT, AND A FAILURE TO ANALYZE DATA GOING BACK FAR ENOUGH INTO THE 1980'S. WITH THOSE DEEP-ROOTED PROBLEMS, SKEPTICS MIGHT WONDER HOW MUCH RELIANCE TO PUT ON AGENCY ESTIMATES ACROSS THE BOARD [IE: REGARDING ANY OTHER MATTER]." TEXT: ECHOING THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES ADDS: VOICE: "THE DESTRUCTION OF THIS HUGE STORE OF CHEMICAL AGENTS MAY HAVE EXPOSED THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN TROOPS TO NERVE GAS OR OTHER TOXINS ....... IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT OCCURRED IN THIS CASE WAS NOT AN INTELLIGENCE FAILURE BUT - - WORSE - - A FAILURE TO DISSEMINATE INTELLIGENCE IN THE C-I-A'S POSSESSION." TEXT: IN ITS HEADLINE, THE WASHINGTON POST SUMS UP ITS VIEW OF THE C-I-A'S WORK AS "SLOPPY AND UNRELIABLE." MOVING TO OUTER SPACE, THERE IS EXCITEMENT IN THE COMMENTARIES ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF WATER, AND PERHAPS LIFE, ON EUROPA, ONE OF PLANET JUPITER'S MOONS. USA TODAY SAYS: VOICE: "NEW PHOTOS OF THAT ICE-CLAD MOON TAKEN BY THE SPACECRAFT GALILEO SHOW A CRUST SCORED BY RIDGES AND CHOCKABLOCK [FILLED] WITH BERGS. THE THEORY IS THAT THOSE FEATURES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED BY TIDES CAUSED BY JUPITER'S GRAVITY. THE FURTHER THEORY IS THAT THE RESULTING FRICTION, COMBINED WITH RADIOACTIVE DECAY FROM THE MOON'S CORE, GENERATES ENOUGH HEAT TO KEEP THE SUBSURFACE WATER FROM FREEZING. THUS THE MOON MAY HAVE BOTH WATER AND HEAT, TWO ESSENTIALS OF LIFE. ..... YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A [HALE-BOPP] COMET-CRAZED CULTIST TO GET EXCITED ABOUT LIFE BEYOND EARTH." TEXT: NEW REVELATIONS ABOUT THE EXTENT OF FAMINE IN NORTH KOREA, JUST EXPOSED BY OHIO CONGRESSMAN TONY HALL [D-OHIO] BRINGS THIS COMMENT FROM TODAY'S ATLANTA CONSTITUTION. VOICE: "REPORTS OF IMPENDING FAMINE IN NORTH KOREA ARE TOO VIVID AND TOO WELL DOCUMENTED TO DISMISS AS EXAGGERATION. THIS WEEK'S REPORT BY .... REPRESENTATIVE .... HALL ISN'T SECONDHAND. A LEADING AUTHORITY IN CONGRESS ON FIGHTING WORLD HUNGER, [MR.] HALL HAS LEARNED IN VISIT TO ETHIOPIA, SOMALIA AND ELSEWHERE TO RECOGNIZE FAMINE WHEN HE SEES IT. ..... THE WISE AND DECENT THING TO DO IS SHIP MORE FOOD AND TRUST NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WORKING IN NORTH KOREA TO MAKE CERTAIN THE AID BENEFITS THE NEEDY, NOT [NORTH KOREAN LEADER KIM JONG-IL] KIM'S DICTATORSHIP. .....[OPT] WASHINGTON MUST CHOOSE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF AN EXODUS OF REFUGEES OR A NORTH KOREAN MILITARY ADVENTURE - - AND SAVE INNOCENT LIVES." TEXT: RECENT EFFORTS BY THE HARD-LINE LEADER OF BELARUS, ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO, TO REUNITE HIS ECONOMICALLY-DEPRESSED NATION WITH RUSSIA, ARE DRAWING THIS REBUKE FROM TODAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR. VOICE: "OTHER PEOPLE IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNION DOUBTLESS WOULD LIKE [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] TO TURN THE CLOCK BACK, BUT MR. LUKASHENKO HAS THE GALL, AND THE POSITION, TO ACTUALLY GIVE IT A TRY. BELARUS'S SELF-MADE CONSTITUTIONAL DICTATOR RECENTLY EXULTED, 'PEOPLE ARE SAYING, MR. PRESIDENT, GIVE US A DICTATORSHIP. GIVE US STALIN'S TIMES.' .... BUT IT IS, IN FACT, NEW TIMES. AND A LUKASHENKO-RUN BELARUS, YEARNING FOR STALINIST SECURITY [AND CLOSER TIES WITH RUSSIA] AND SITTING BETWEEN RUSSIA AND WHAT ARE SOON TO BE NATO'S EASTERNMOST OUTPOSTS, IS A GEOPOLITICAL WILD CARD." TEXT: FINALLY, SOME COMMENTARY FROM FLORIDA AND GEORGIA NEWSPAPERS AFTER THE RELEASE OF A NEW FEDERAL STUDY THAT SAYS GUNS BOUGHT EASILY IN THOSE AND OTHER SOUTHERN STATES OFTEN END UP AT NORTHERN CRIME SCENES. THE MIAMI HERALD FROWNS: "LAX GUN LAWS GIVE THE STATE THE DUBIOUS HONOR OF EXPORTING THE MOST GUNS 12-HUNDRED-43 USED IN CRIMES IN OTHER STATES IN 1996," WHILE THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION EDITORIALLY GRIMACES: ".... BY REFUSING TO ENACT RESPONSIBLE GUN LAWS, STATES SUCH AS GEORGIA BEAR AT LEAST SOME MORAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR GUN-RELATED DEATHS IN OTHER STATES. ..... A NATIONWIDE APPROACH TO GUN CONTROL IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. LAWS ENACTED AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL ARE OF LIMITED EFFECTIVENESS." TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENTS
FROM SOME OF FRIDAY'S U-S PAPERS.
Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
All Rights Reserved.