Voice of America, 97-05-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBRIGHT-BOSNIA UPDATE (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (SINTRA, PORTUGAL)

[02] ALBRIGHT / BOSNIA UPDATE (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (SINTRA, PORTUGAL)

[03] EAST EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[04] EDITORIAL: NATO-RUSSIA FOUNDING ACT SIGNED

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

[06] FRANCE / ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[07] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[08] GREECE-TERRORISM (L-ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (ATHENS)

[09] HISTORIC NATO EXPANSION AGREEMENT SIGNED BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[10] MARSHALL PLAN / EUROPE BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[11] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

[12] TURKEY / KURDS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[13] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

[01] ALBRIGHT-BOSNIA UPDATE (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (SINTRA, PORTUGAL)

INTRO: IN ADVANCE OF HER WEEKEND VISIT TO THE BALKANS, SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS MET THE BOSNIAN LEADERSHIP IN PORTUGAL. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM SINTRA, PORTUGAL WHERE THE PEACE IMPLEMENTATION CONFERENCE MET TO ELECT SPANISH DIPLOMAT CARLOS WESTENDORP AS THE SUCCESSOR TO CARL BILDT AS THE INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN BOSNIA.

TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT HAS MET WITH THE THREE BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY MEMBERS WHO TOOK PART IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE. THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE SECRETARY OF STATE CONVINCED THEM TO SIGN A BUDGET LAW THAT CLEARS THE WAY FOR 100 MILLION DOLLARS IN ASSISTANCE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT PLANS TO VISIT CROATIA, SERBIA AND BOSNIA IN A WEEKEND TRIP THAT BEGINS TONIGHT (FRIDAY NIGHT) IN ZAGREB. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS MS. ALBRIGHT ALSO EXPRESSED HER FRUSTRATION TO THE LEADERS.

MANY NATO COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, WERE FRUSTRATED BY THE INABILITY OF THESE BOSNIAN LEADERS TO WORK TOGETHER EFFECTIVELY.

THE AGREEMENT BY THE PRESIDENTS TO SIGN THE BUDGET LAW OPENS UP THE PROSPECT OF A DONORS CONFERENCE NEXT MONTH THAT COULD BRING BOSNIA ONE BILLION DOLLARS MORE IN ASSISTANCE. (SIGNED)
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30-May-97 2:00 PM EDT (1800 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBRIGHT / BOSNIA UPDATE (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (SINTRA, PORTUGAL)

INTRO: THE BOSNIA PEACE IMPLEMENTATION CONFERENCE -- BRINGING TOGETHER THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WITH BALKAN LEADERS -- HAS BEEN HELD IN SINTRA, PORTUGAL. CONFERENCE OFFICIALS ELECTED SPANISH DIPLOMAT CARLOS WESTENDORP TO SUCCEED CARL BILDT AS HIGH REPRESENTATIVE IN BOSNIA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM SINTRA, U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT MET WITH THE THREE BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY LEADERS BEFORE EMBARKING ON HER OWN WEEKEND TRIP TO THE BALKANS.

TEXT: MOMCILO KRAJISNIK, THE BOSNIAN SERB REPRESENTATIVE ON THE BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY, HELD HIS FIRST MEETING WITH MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HERE IN PORTUGAL. ACCORDING TO STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS, MR. KRAJISNIK INTRODUCED HIMSELF BY SAYING THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S REPUTATION PRECEDES HER TRIP THIS WEEKEND TO THE BALKANS.

THEY HAD NEVER MET, AND HE (KRAJISNIK) SAID IT'S A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU, MADAME SECRETARY. HE SAID HALF OF THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA IS LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING YOU AND IS INTERESTED IN YOU -- AND THE OTHER HALF FEARS YOU. AND HE SAID I'M HERE FROM ONE HALF. AND EVERYONE LAUGHED BECAUSE HE DIDN'T REALLY EXPLAIN WHICH HALF HE WAS REPRESENTING.

MR. KRAJISNIK HAS BEEN BLAMED BY BOSNIA'S MUSLIMS AND CROATS AS WELL AS BY AMERICAN OFFICIALS FOR HIS RELUCTANCE TO COOPERATE WITH (ENFORCEMENT OF) THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. THE ACCORD CALLS FOR A UNITED BOSNIA, THE RETURN OF REFUGEES TO THEIR HOMES AND THE HANDOVER OF MORE THAN 60 INDICTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS, MAINLY SERBS AND CROATS, TO THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT PLANS TO VISIT BOSNIA SUNDAY AFTER MEETINGS SATURDAY IN ZAGREB WITH CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN AND IN BELGRADE WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. SHE PLANS TO REMIND THEM OF THEIR CONTINUED ISOLATION FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IF THEY DO NOT COOPERATE WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. HOWEVER, CARL BILDT, WHO IS RETIRING AS THE INTERNATIONAL HIGH REPRESENTATIVE TO BOSNIA, EXPRESSES DOUBT EVEN THE AMERICAN SECRETARY OF STATE HAS ENOUGH DIPLOMATIC LEVERAGE TO PRODUCE ANY RESULT ON THE WAR CRIMES ISSUE.

HE TOLD REPORTERS HERE THE WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS HAVE TO BE PICKED UP (ARRESTED). TO THINK DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE WILL PRODUCE RESULTS, MR. BILDT SAYS, IS NAIVE.

IN HER JOINT MEETING WITH MR. KRAJISNIK, MUSLIM ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC AND BOSNIAN CROAT REPRESENTATIVE KRESIMIR ZUBAK, SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT DESCRIBED HER WEEKEND TRIP TO THE BALKANS. SPOKESMAN BURNS SAYS MS. ALBRIGHT MIXED HOPE WITH FRUSTRATION.

SHE ALSO SAID THEY WOULD HAVE NO BETTER FRIEND THAN MADELEINE ALBRIGHT AND NO BETTER FRIEND THAN THE UNITED STATES, BUT, FRANKLY, THAT MANY NATO COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, WERE FRUSTRATED BY THE INABILITY OF THESE BOSNIAN LEADERS TO WORK TOGETHER EFFECTIVELY AND TO PROMOTE A FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS.

MR. BURNS SAID THE SECRETARY OF STATE DID CONVINCE THE BOSNIAN PRESIDENTS TO SIGN A BUDGET LAW TO OPEN UP THE POSSIBILITY OF 100-MILLION DOLLARS IN ASSISTANCE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND. THAT, IN TURN, MIGHT LEAD TO A DONORS CONFERENCE WITH THE PROSPECT OF ONE-BILLION DOLLARS MORE IN ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE.

AS THE SECRETARY OF STATE PUT IT, "EVERYONE HERE WANTS TO HELP BOSNIA -- BUT THE BOSNIANS HAVE TO HELP THEMSELVES." (SIGNED)
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30-May-97 1:46 PM EDT (1746 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EAST EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: STOCK MARKETS CLOSED MIXED IN EASTERN EUROPE THIS WEEK, WITH BUDAPEST HITTING A NEW RECORD HIGH, WARSAW DOWN, AND PRAGUE VERY TURBULENT IN THE MIDST OF A SPECULATIVE RUN ON THE CZECH CURRENCY. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS.

TEXT: THE HUNGARIAN STOCK MARKET WAS DOWN FOR MOST OF THE WEEK, BUT A POWERFUL RALLY FRIDAY SENT THE MARKET TO A NEW HIGH. THE "BUX" INDEX CLOSED UP 130 POINTS AT SIX-THOUSAND-18.

IN WARSAW THE "WIG" INDEX LOST 347 POINTS TO 15-THOUSAND-941. THE MARKET WAS UP ON FRIDAY ON NEWS THAT J-P MORGAN WOULD TAKE A HOLDING IN "BAK HANDLOWY," ONE OF POLAND'S BIGGEST BANKS.

BUT THE REAL ACTION WAS IN PRAGUE WHERE THE CURRENCY FELL ANOTHER 10 PERCENT AGAINST THE MARK, AS THE GOVERNMENT STRUGGLED TO SURVIVE. IRONICALLY, THE DAY AFTER THE CURRENCY WAS LEFT TO FLOAT ON WORLD MARKETS THE PRAGUE STOCK EXCHANGE HAD ITS BEST SESSION IN THREE YEARS. FOR THE WEEK AS A WHOLE THE "PX 50" INDEX WAS UP FOUR POINTS TO 488.

ON THE SMALLER MARKETS, BRATISLAVA WAS LOWER, BUCHAREST WAS UNCHANGED, ZAGREB WAS MIXED AND LJUBLJANA WAS HIGHER. (SIGNED)
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30-May-97 1:51 PM EDT (1751 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EDITORIAL: NATO-RUSSIA FOUNDING ACT SIGNED

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:

THIS PAST WEEK IN PARIS, LEADERS OF NATO AND RUSSIA SIGNED AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL CREATE A MORE COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP. AS PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON SAID, "WHERE POSSIBLE, WE WILL ACT JOINTLY, AS WE ARE IN BOSNIA, WHERE A RUSSIAN BRIGADE SERVES SIDE BY SIDE WITH NATO TROOPS, GIVING THE BOSNIAN PEOPLE A CHANCE TO BUILD A LASTING PEACE."

THE CHANGE IN RELATIONS BETWEEN NATO AND RUSSIA IS AN OUTGROWTH OF THE END OF THE COLD WAR. NATO'S MEMBER STATES RECOGNIZE THAT THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE ARE BUILDING A NEW COUNTRY, MOVING TOWARD DEMOCRACY AND OPEN MARKETS. AT THE SAME TIME, THE U.S. AND ITS ALLIES ARE ADAPTING NATO TO MEET NEW CHALLENGES. IT WILL REMAIN A STRONG ALLIANCE, PREPARED TO DEFEND MEMBER NATIONS. IT WILL ALSO UNDERTAKE PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS. NATO WILL CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH OTHER COUNTRIES THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE. IT WILL BE AN ALLIANCE THAT ADVANCES THE SECURITY OF EVERY DEMOCRACY IN EUROPE.

SOME BELIEVE THAT EUROPE WILL SIMPLY BE REDIVIDED BY THE ENLARGEMENT OF NATO. BUT AS PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID, "I ASK THEM TO LOOK AGAIN. FOR THIS NEW NATO WILL WORK WITH RUSSIA, NOT AGAINST IT." BY REDUCING RIVALRY AND FEAR, BY STRENGTHENING PEACE AND COOPERATION, BY ADDRESSING THREATS TO THE SECURITY OF ALL DEMOCRACIES, NATO WILL PROMOTE GREATER STABILITY IN EUROPE, INCLUDING RUSSIA. AND THAT IN TURN WILL INCREASE THE SECURITY OF THE U.S. AND CANADA.

AS PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID, "RUSSIA HAS OPENED ITSELF TO FREEDOM. THE VEIL OF HOSTILITY BETWEEN EAST AND WEST HAS LIFTED. TOGETHER WE SEE A FUTURE OF PARTNERSHIP TOO LONG DELAYED, THAT MUST NO LONGER BE DENIED."

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.
30-May-97 11:15 AM EDT (1515 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES ENDED THE WEEK MIXED ON THE BIG WEST EUROPEAN EXCHANGES FRIDAY. FOR THE CLOSING NUMBERS, HERE'S PAUL FRANCUCH IN OUR LONDON OFFICE.

TEXT: HERE IN LONDON, THE KEY "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX LOST 51 POINTS AT THE CLOSE, TAKING A DIRECTIONAL CUE FROM FALLING PRICES IN NEW YORK. WORRIES OVER THE DISPUTE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE GERMAN CENTRAL BANK CAUSED NERVOUSNESS AMONG INVESTORS IN FRANKFURT ON FRIDAY, WITH THE "DAX 30" INDEX SHEDDING 88-AND-A-HALF POINTS AT THE CLOSE. IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" INDEX POSTED A GAIN OF JUST UNDER FIVE POINTS FRIDAY IN HEAVY TRADING. FRENCH INVESTORS -- WORRIED OVER THE IMPLICATIONS OF A POSSIBLE SOCIALIST-LED GOVERNMENT FOLLOWING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS SUNDAY -- HAVE BEEN SELLING STOCK, WITH THE "CAC" LOSING 179 POINTS FOR THE WEEK.

THE DOLLAR TRADED A FRACTION OF A CENT HIGHER AGAINST THE MARK AND THE POUND IN EUROPE FRIDAY. GOLD IN LONDON WAS FIXED AT 344-DOLLARS-65 CENTS, UP 60 CENTS AN OUNCE FROM THURSDAY'S CLOSE. (SIGNED)
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30-May-97 2:05 PM EDT (1805 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] FRANCE / ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: THE CAMPAIGN FOR FRANCE'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IS NEARING ITS END, AND MANY ANALYSTS EXPECT THE SOCIALIST-LED OPPOSITION TO WIN. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS, HOWEVER, THAT THE RACE COULD BE CLOSE.

TEXT: THE ONLY CERTAINTY ABOUT FRANCE'S IMMEDIATE POLITICAL FUTURE IS THAT PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC WILL HAVE TO NAME A NEW PRIME MINISTER NEXT WEEK.

WITH THE FRENCH VOTING IN THE SECOND AND FINAL ROUND OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS SUNDAY, THE OPPOSITION SOCIALISTS ARE CONSIDERED THE MOST LIKELY WINNERS.

IN THE FIRSTROUND LAST WEEK, THE LEFT HAD AN UNEXPECTED SIX-POINT LEAD OVER MR. CHIRAC'S CONSERVATIVE COALITION. IF THE LEFT WINS THE SECOND ROUND, THE SOCIALIST LEADER, LIONEL JOSPIN, IS THE MOST LIKELY NEXT PRIME MINISTER.

BUT THE OUTCOME IS STILL UNCLEAR, SINCE ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF FRENCH VOTERS EITHER DID NOT TURN UP AT THE POLLS LAST SUNDAY OR CAST BLANK BALLOTS. IN THE MEANTIME, PRIME MINISTER ALAIN JUPPE HAS ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION.

IF MR. CHIRAC'S COALITION DOES HOLD ON TO POWER, THEN THE NEXT CONSERVATIVE PRIME MINISTER WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY BE PHILIPPE SEGUIN, THE SPEAKER OF THE OUTGOING PARLIAMENT. WHATEVER THE FINAL VOTE, HOWEVER, IT IS THE PRIME MINISTER WHO WILL BE THE NEXT STRONG MAN OF FRANCE -- AT LEAST IN THE SHORT TERM.

MR. CHIRAC, WHO HAS FIVE YEARS OF HIS OWN MANDATE STILL TO RUN, CLEARLY MISJUDGED THE POLITICAL MOOD BY DISSOLVING PARLIAMENT IN APRIL AND CALLING NEW ELECTIONS. AT THE TIME, HE CLEARLY BELIEVED THAT HIS (CONSERVATIVE) GOVERNMENT WOULD WIN.

FOR THE SOCIALIST MR. JOSPIN, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME HE HAS GIVEN MR. CHIRAC AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE. IN THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TWO YEARS AGO, MR. JOSPIN, WHO HAD STEPPED IN TO FILL A POWER VACUUM ON THE LEFT, UNEXPECTEDLY TOOK THE LEAD IN THE FIRST ROUND VOTE. MR. CHIRAC THEN WON OUTRIGHT IN THE SECOND ROUND.

AS THE CURRENT ELECTION CAMPAIGN CLOSED FRIDAY, THERE WERE CLASHES WEST OF PARIS BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE RIGHT-WING NATIONAL FRONT AND ITS OPPONENTS. JEAN-MARIE LE PEN, THE LEADER OF THE ANTI-IMMIGRATION PARTY, TOOK REFUGE IN THE TOWN OF MANTE-LA-JOLIE AS HE WAS PELTED WITH EGGS AND STONES.

ALTHOUGH THIS WILL GIVE THE FRONT ONLY A TINY HOLD IN THE 577-SEAT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, THE PARTY HAD NEARLY 15 PERCENT IN THE FIRST ROUND VOTE LAST SUNDAY. THIS MEANS THAT IT IS LIKELY TO PLAY A ROLE ON THE FRINGES OF A POLITICAL SCENE THAT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY UNPREDICTABLE. (SIGNED)
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30-May-97 1:02 PM EDT (1702 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AMERICANS INTERESTED IN CURRENT AFFAIRS WILL BE PLEASED SURVEYING FRIDAY'S EDITORIAL PAGES SINCE VIRTUALLY NO SUBJECT OF ANY IMPORT - - FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC - - IS LEFT UNTOUCHED. AMONG THE TOPICS ARE: THE EXPANSION OF NATO, THE NEW LEADERSHIP IN IRAN; THE DEVELOPMENTS IN TWO AFRICAN NATIONS, SIERRA LEONE AND THE CONGO; C-I-A HISTORY, AND LASTLY, THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING TRIAL GOES TO THE JURY.

NOW, HERE IS __________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND ONE OR TWO QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE SIGNING OF THE NATO EXPANSION AGREEMENT WITH RUSSIA THIS WEEK IN PARIS CONTINUES TO DRAW COMMENT. IN TODAY'S NEW YORK POST, THE LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE READS "NATO'S POINTLESS EXPANSION," AND THE PAPER SAYS:

VOICE: "... THE PARIS PACT SHOULD PROMPT AMERICANS TO CONSIDER WHY THE ADMINISTRATION SEEMS SET ON ENROLLING COUNTRIES LIKE HUNGARY, POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, AND POSSIBLY ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA, IN NATO. INDEED, THE TREATY RAISES A STILL BROADER QUESTION - - WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE ALLIANCE THAT IS BEING EXPANDED? ..... MEANWHILE, THE COSTS OF ADDING NEW, RELATIVELY POOR MEMBERS ...ARE COMING INTO FOCUS. EXPANSION WILL BE EXPENSIVE, AND THE FUNDS LIKELY WILL COME LARGELY FROM AN ALREADY SHRINKING PENTAGON BUDGET. .... THE ONUS FALLS ON SUPPORTERS OF EXPANSION TO EXPLAIN TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHY THIS PRECIPITOUS STEP SERVES U-S NATIONAL INTERESTS. THUS FAR, THEY HAVEN'T BEGUN TO DO SO."

TEXT: REFLECTING ON THE JUST-CONCLUDED PARIS NATO SIGNING, AND THE COMMENTS MADE BY PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN, THE WASHINGTON POST IS SOMEWHAT ALARMED.

VOICE: "BORIS YELTSIN HAS MADE ANOTHER FLUB IN TALKING ABOUT NUCLEAR WEAPONS, SAYING HE WOULD REMOVE NUCLEAR WARHEADS FROM MISSILES AIMED AT NATO MEMBERS. HE MEANT HE WOULD RETARGET. SOME OF THIS ALREADY HAS BEEN DONE BY AMERICANS AS WELL AS RUSSIANS, AND PRESIDENT CLINTON HIMSELF HAS BOASTED OF IT. BUT IT'S MAINLY FOR SHOW, SINCE THE WEAPONS REMAIN ARMED WITH WARHEADS AND ON ALERT, MEANING THEY CAN BE FIRED IN MINUTES, AND THEY CAN BE INSTANTLY RETARGETED. THE WORLD'S TWO GREATEST NUCLEAR POWERS HAVE TO DO BETTER. ..... A NEW STANFORD UNIVERSITY PAPER .... SAYS THAT RIGHT NOW, BEFORE DETECTED INCOMING MISSILES COULD ARRIVE, THE UNITED STATES COULD LAUNCH 27-HUNDRED STRATEGIC WARHEADS AND RUSSIA 21-HUNDRED UNDER THE STANDARD 'USE-THEM-OR-LOSE-THEM' DOCTRINE APPLYING TO HIGH-VALUE VULNERABLE TARGETS."

TEXT: IN THE MIDDLE EAST, TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE IS PLEASED BY THE RECENT ELECTION OF A MAN DESCRIBED AS "MODERATE" TO THE PRESIDENCY OF IRAN.

VOICE: "THE STUNNING ELECTORAL TRIUMPH OF MOHAMMAD KHATAMI .... MAY BE THE FIRST VISIBLE PREMONITION OF THE POWER OF THE IRANIAN PEOPLE TO SHAKE OFF A DICTATORSHIP THAT HAS BROUGHT THEM MUCH GRIEF. BUT FOR THE TIME BEING IRANIANS CAN EXPECT ONLY PARTIAL RELIEF FROM THE INTRUSIONS INTO PRIVATE LIFE OF THE RELIGIOUS POLICE AND OTHER ENFORCERS OF THE CLERICAL REGIME."

TEXT: TURNING TO AFRICA, DEVELOPMENTS IN TWO NATIONS ARE UNDER DISCUSSION. FIRST IS THE TURMOIL IN SIERRA LEONE AND THE NEW GOVERNMENT IN THE CONGO, FORMERLY ZAIRE. FIRST, THE WASHINGTON POST LAMENTS THE MILITARY COUP IN SIERRA LEONE, CALLING IT A "FAMILIAR LITANY":

VOICE: "[OPT] THE LOSS [OF AN ELECTED GOVERNMENT] RESONATES BROADLY BEYOND THE COUNTRY'S BORDERS [END OPT] ..... ON A CONTINENT WHERE THE DESIRE FOR CHANGE IS FINALLY BEING FORCEFULLY EXPRESSED BY THE PEOPLE, THE UNDOING OF A DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT, REGARDLESS OF ITS STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE, IS NEVER A PASSING MATTER. IT RIGHTLY DRAWS THE CONCERN OF THE ENTIRE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. [OPT] ..... SIERRA LEONE CONDUCTED ELECTIONS LAST YEAR THAT WERE WIDELY JUDGED TO BE FREE, FAIR AND PEACEFUL. THAT WAS NO EASY FEAT FOR A NATION FACING SEVERE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP AND FACTIONALISM STEMMING FROM A FIVE-YEAR CIVIL WAR. [END OPT] ..... THE JUNIOR OFFICERS WHO HAVE SEIZED POWER OUGHT TO ACCEPT THE UNAVOIDABLE FACT THAT THEY WILL BE ISOLATED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IF THEY SEEK TO HOLD ON TO POWER. THEY MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OVERTHROW DEMOCRACY IN SIERRA LEONE BY FORCE, BUT THEY REMAIN AS PARIAHS IN THE EYES OF THE WORLD."

TEXT: MEANWHILE, AS FAR AS DEVELOPMENTS OF THE LAURENT KABILA GOVERNMENT IN THE CONGO ARE CONCERNED, THE SUN IN BALTIMORE IS NOT IMPRESSED SO FAR, BUT RESERVES JUDGMENT.

VOICE: "MANY OF MR. KABILA'S TROOPS SPEAK ENGLISH OR SWAHILI, NOT ZAIRIAN LANGUAGES, AND APPEAR AS FOREIGN INVADERS. PRESIDENT KABILA, WHO TOOK OFFICE YESTERDAY, NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS SWIFTLY. MR. [ETIENNE] TSHISEKEDI [THE FORMER PRIME MINISTER, AND LONG TIME PRESIDENT MUBUTU OPPONENT] WAS THE ONE POLITICIAN UNTAINTED BY MR. MOBUTU; HE HAS A LOYAL FOLLOWING IN THE CAPITAL. IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE FOR PRESIDENT KABILA TO DISTRUST HIS AMBITIONS, YET ESSENTIAL NOT TO ALIENATE HIS SYMPATHIZERS. ..... FOR THE REBORN CONGO TO PROSPER, ITS NEW REGIME MUST BE SEEN AS THE LIBERATOR AND NOT THE SUPPRESSOR OF KINSHASA, WHERE MUCH OF THE COUNTRY'S TALENT IS CONCENTRATED."

TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES TAKES ON THE QUESTION OF OPENING PREVIOUSLY CLOSED C-I-A FILES ABOUT THE AGENCY'S ROLE IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

VOICE: "THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY HAS A WAY OF EXCEEDING THE WORST EXPECTATIONS ABOUT ITS BEHAVIOR. AFTER STALLING ON THE DECLASSIFICATION OF MOUNTAINS OF SECRET PAPERS ABOUT ITS PAST ACTIONS, THE AGENCY NOW CONCEDES THAT MANY OF THE DOCUMENTS WERE DESTROYED BY PROTECTIVE OFFICIALS SEVERAL DECADES AGO. THE C-I-A HAS CLEARLY FORFEITED THE RIGHT TO MANAGE THE DECLASSIFICATION OF ITS RECORDS. THAT JOB SHOULD BE TURNED OVER TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY."

TEXT: ON A VASTLY DIFFERENT TOPIC, THE PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN PHENOMENON OF "COSMIC SNOWBALLS" THAT ARE PELTING THE EARTH ALL THE TIME WITH BENEFICIAL EFFECTS, THE PAPER SAYS:

VOICE: "JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT SCIENTISTS HAD PRETTY WELL EXPLORED THE FAR REACHES OF THIS PLANET AND FOUND EVERYTHING SIGNIFICANT WORTH KNOWING, ALONG COMES A DISCOVERY SO STARTLING AND SO POTENTIALLY IMPORTANT THAT IS SEEMS HARD TO BELIEVE IT WAS OVERLOOKED. AT A SCIENTIFIC MEETING THIS WEEK, RESEARCHERS PRESENTED EVIDENCE THAT THE EARTH IS BEING CONSTANTLY BOMBARDED BY SMALL COMETS, DIRTY SNOWBALLS THE SIZE OF HOUSES, THAT VAPORIZE IN THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE AND FALL TO EARTH AS RAIN. AS MANY AS 40-THOUSAND OF THESE ICEBALLS MAY BE STRIKING THE PLANET EACH DAY, DUMPING ENOUGH WATER, OVER THE VAST STRETCH OF PLANETARY HISTORY, TO HELP FILL THE OCEANS AND POSSIBLY DUMPING ORGANIC COMPOUNDS AS WELL, THUS PROVIDING THE CHEMICAL PRECURSORS OF LIFE. ..... WE EARTHLINGS MAY BE CONNECTED TO THE SPACE AROUND US IN WAYS WE ONLY DIMLY APPRECIATE."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON A GRIMMER NOTE, THE NEW YORK TIMES NOTES THE CASE OF ACCUSED OKLAHOMA CITY FEDERAL BUILDING BOMBER TIMOTHY MCVEIGH HAS NOW GONE TO THE JURY IN DENVER.

VOICE: "NO MATTER WHAT THE JURY ULTIMATELY DECIDES, THOUGH, THIS CASE HAS ALREADY PROVIDED WELCOME REASSURANCE THAT THE NATION'S JUSTICE SYSTEM IS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING A DIGNIFIED PUBLIC TRIAL IN AN EMOTIONAL AND WIDELY PUBLICIZED CASE. SO FAR, THE FEDERAL DISTRICT JUDGE PRESIDING IN THE CASE, RICHARD MATSCH,HAS CONDUCTED A BRISK, PROFESSIONAL PROCEEDING THAT STANDS IN STARK CONTRAST TO THE INTERMINABLE ANTICS TOLERATED BY JUDGE LANCE ITO IN THE O-J SIMPSON CRIMINAL TRIAL.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE EDITORIALS RUNNING IN FRIDAY'S U-S DAILY PAPERS.
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30-May-97 10:25 AM EDT (1425 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] GREECE-TERRORISM (L-ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (ATHENS)

INTRO: EUROPE'S DEADLIEST TERRORIST GROUP HAS CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE KILLING OF A PROMINENT GREEK SHIP OWNER THIS WEEK. ANTHEE CARASSAVA REPORTS FROM ATHENS THAT EXPERTS FEAR THE ATTACK MAY MARK THE START OF A NEW ROUND OF TERRORISM IN GREECE.

TEXT: AS MANY EXPERTS EXPECTED, THE "NOVEMBER 17" TERRORIST GROUP TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BLOODY ATTACK IN A PROCLAMATION SENT TO AN ATHENS INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER (EDS: FRIDAY).

BEARING THE STAR-SHAPED EMBLEM OF THE GROUP, THE PROCLAMATION SAID THE VICTIM, CONSTANTINOS PERRATIKOS, DESERVED TO BE KILLED BECAUSE OF HIS FAMILY'S DECISION TO CLOSE THE COUNTRY'S BIGGEST SHIPYARD AND LEAVE MORE THAN TWO-THOUSAND WORKERS JOBLESS. THE 42-YEAR-OLD SHIP OWNER WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN AN AMBUSH ATTACK OUTSIDE HIS OFFICE ON WEDNESDAY. EVIDENCE LEFT BEHIND BY THE TERRORISTS MADE POLICE SUSPECT NOVEMBER 17 FROM THE START OF THEIR INVESTIGATIONS. THEY SAY THE EXECUTORS WERE CALM AND THE LETHAL WEAPON USED WAS A 45-CALIBER PISTOL. NOVEMBER 17 HAS USED THE SAME GUN FOR OVER TWO DECADES AND THE GREEK SHIP OWNER WAS THE 21ST VICTIM OF THE GROUP'S DEADLY PLOTS.

NAMED AFTER THE DATE OF STUDENT UPRISING IN 1973, NOVEMBER 17 HAS ACTED WITH IMPUNITY SINCE IT EMERGED 22 YEARS AGO, KILLING C-I-A STATION CHIEF RICHARD WELCH. THE U-S OFFICIAL WAS KILLED WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM A CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL PARTY IN ATHENS.

THE LATEST SLAYING COMES THREE YEARS AFTER NOVEMBER 17 MURDERED A TURKISH DIPLOMAT SERVING IN ATHENS. POLICE HOPED THE GROUP HAD PUT TO REST ITS USE OF MURDER, BUT THIS WEEK'S ATTACK DASHED THEIR HOPES. EVEN MORE, EXPERTS FEAR THE LATEST KILLING MAY MARK THE START OF A NEW WAVE OF TERRORISM IN GREECE.

THE THOUGHT HAS GREEK POLITICIANS SCRAMBLING. BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT ANNOUNCED ANY NEW PLAN TO COMBAT TERRORISM. GREEK POLICE HAVE NEVER COME CLOSE TO ARRESTING ANY MEMBER OF THE NOVEMBER 17 GROUP.

OBSERVERS FEAR ADDITIONAL ATTACKS BY THE NOTORIOUS CLAN MAY SPOIL ATHENS' BID TO HOST THE 2004 OLYMPICS.
NEB/AC/PCF/KL
30-May-97 10:56 AM EDT (1456 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] HISTORIC NATO EXPANSION AGREEMENT SIGNED BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: HISTORY WAS MADE IN PARIS THIS WEEK WHEN RUSSIA SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH NATO AIMED AT CALMING MOSCOW'S FEARS OF NATO EXPANSION.

FOR U-S PRESS REACTION, WE TURN TO _______________AND TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: AS THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE'S RAY MOSELEY DESCRIBED IT, "IN A SCENE IMPOSSIBLE TO IMAGINE BEFORE THE BERLIN WALL COLLAPSED JUST SEVEN AND ONE HALF YEARS AGO, PRESIDENT CLINTON AND NATO'S 15 OTHER HEADS OF STATE WELCOMED RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN INTO THE ELYSEE PALACE TO SIGN THE LANDMARK ACCORD....." [OPT] IT WAS OFFICIALLY TITLED THE "FOUNDING ACT ON MUTUAL COOPERATION," AND WITH IT GIVES RUSSIA AN ADVISORY ROLE IN FORMING NATO POLICY, BUT NOT, AS THE WEST MAINTAINS, A VETO OVER NATO DECISIONS.

THE AGREEMENT REMOVES THE LAST FORMAL OBSTACLE FOR NATO TO EXPAND ITS MEMBERSHIP, WIDELY EXPECTED TO BE HUNGARY, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND POLAND, WITH OTHER NATIONS QUEUING UP BEHIND THEM FOR POSSIBLE LATER ADMISSION.

THE U-S PRESS IS STILL DIVIDED AS TO WHETHER NATO EXPANSION, AT THIS TIME IS NECESSARY, OR EVEN, A GOOD IDEA. WE BEGIN IN MAINE, WHERE THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD THINKS IT DEFINITELY IS POSITIVE.

VOICE: "BORIS YELTSIN PROVED TO BE THE MAN OF THE HOUR AT THE PARIS SIGNING OF THE FOUNDING ACT ON NATO .... TUESDAY. THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PRESENTED HIMSELF AND HIS NATION NOT AS DEFEATED SUBJECTS IN THE LONG COLD WAR THAT ENDED WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF SOVIET COMMUNISM. [OPT] HE CAME AS A VICTOR INSTEAD, IN 'A VICTORY FOR REASON,' THAT 'WILL PROTECT EUROPE AND THE WORLD FROM A NEW CONFRONTATION.' ..... THE HISTORIC ACCORD BETWEEN RUSSIA AND NATO, SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNTHINKABLE TWO YEARS AGO, ALSO IS A POWERFUL TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT CLINTON. HE AND HIS INDEFATIGABLE SECRETARY OF STATE, MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, PERSEVERED AGAINST THE CRITICS, ALTHOUGH THE NAYSAYERS IN CONGRESS STILL MUST BE DEALT WITH. ..... JUST AS TIME PROVED [MARSHALL PLAN ARCHITECT GEORGE C.] MARSHALL RIGHT, SO IT WILL PROVE [PRESIDENT] CLINTON RIGHT. TIME IS ON [MR.] YELTSIN'S SIDE AS WELL. [END OPT] LIKE AN EARLIER RUSSIAN LEADER, PETER THE GREAT, HE HAS CHOSEN TO KEEP A WINDOW OPEN ON THE WEST, RATHER THAN TRYING TO SHUT IT OUT."

TEXT: OUT WEST, THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS IN DENVER SAYS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS AGREEMENT IN THAT BOTH SIDES SEEM TO HAVE DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS.

VOICE: ".... BOTH SIDES HAVE DIFFERING VIEWS OF WHAT HAS BEEN AGREED. THE RUSSIANS SEEM TO FEEL THEY HAVE APPROVAL RIGHTS OVER ANY FUTURE NATO MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN THE TERRITORY OF THE NEW MEMBERS. THE UNITED STATES SAYS THE RUSSIANS HAVE A VOICE, NOT A VETO, AND WHILE THERE ARE 'NO PRESENT PLANS ' TO BUILD BASES OR STATION TROOPS THERE, NATO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DO SO. [OPT] NATO IS ABOVE ALL A MILITARY ALLIANCE, AND SUCH ALLIANCES ARE MEANINGLESS WITHOUT TROOPS AND BASES. THE UNITED STATES HAS 100-THOUSAND TROOPS IN EUROPE NOW TO FILL OUR EXISTING NATO COMMITMENTS. THE WHITE HOUSE HAS BEEN VAGUE ABOUT THE EXACT MILITARY COSTS OF NATO EXPANSION, PREFERRING TO DWELL ON THE HAZIER POLITICAL BENEFITS - - COUNTRIES MUST BE DUE-PROCESS DEMOCRACIES TO JOIN. THE WHITE HOUSE WILL BOAST ON THE PRESIDENT'S BEHALF THAT EXPANDING NATO IS A FOREIGN POLICY ACHIEVEMENT ON THE SCALE OF THE MARSHALL PLAN. HARDLY. WE KNOW THE MARSHALL PLAN WORKED. WE KNOW NO SUCH THING ABOUT AN EXPANDED NATO - - AND INDEED, FAIL TO UNDERSTAND WHY AN EXPANSION (OR PERHAPS EVEN NATO ITSELF, NOW THAT THE SOVIET THREAT HAS VANISHED) IS NECESSARY." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES WRITES THAT "THE PLEASANTRIES IN PARIS WERE A DISTRACTION."

VOICE: "[OPT] THE COMMON DENOMINATOR OF NATO EXPANSION AND A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY IS THE DIVISION OF EUROPE INTO TWO CAMPS, THE PROSPEROUS DEMOCRACIES AND THOSE NOT SO STRONG OR FORTUNATE. NATO EXPANSION WOULD GIVE THAT DECISION POLITICAL AND MILITARY FORM, AND THE COMMON CURRENCY WOULD REINFORCE IT ECONOMICALLY. RUSSIA, ON ALL COUNTS, WOULD BE LEFT SQUARELY IN THE EXCLUDED CAMP. [END OPT] ...... JUST AS THE SECURITY OF EUROPE AFTER WORLD WAR TWO DEPENDED ON THE TRANSFORMATION OF GERMANY INTO A PEACEFUL, DEMOCRATIC NATION, THE FUTURE STABILITY OF EUROPE NOW RESTS HEAVILY ON THE CONSOLIDATION OF DEMOCRACY AND FREE MARKETS IN RUSSIA. NEITHER NATO GROWTH NOR A COMMON CURRENCY WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR RUSSIA TO SEE ITSELF AS PART OF EUROPE."

TEXT: ON LONG ISLAND, NEWSDAY IS ALSO NOT IMPRESSED BY THE SIGNING, AND WARNS:

VOICE: "[OPT] IF ANYTHING, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN TO EXPAND NATO EASTWARD IS MAKING IT LESS LIKELY THAT NUCLEAR WEAPONS THAT CAN BE AIMED AT THE WEST WILL BE DISMANTLED. EVEN AS [MR.] YELTSIN SIGNED THE NEW ACCORD, RUSSIAN SECURITY OFFICIALS WERE SAYING THAT NATO ENLARGEMENT WILL MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, TO GAIN RUSSIAN PARLIAMENTARY RATIFICATION OF THE START TWO TREATY - - AN AGREEMENT THAT DOES DISMANTLE NUCLEAR MISSILES. [END OPT] RUSSIA'S PREOCCUPATION WITH NATO ENLARGEMENT ... IS MAKING IT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH ANOTHER MAJOR CONCERN, THE SECURITY OF THOUSANDS OF NUCLEAR WARHEADS FROM DISMANTLED MISSILES THAT ARE STORED IN RUSSIA. TOP OFFICIALS IN BOTH RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES ARE SPENDING THEIR TIME DEALING WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF NATO ENLARGEMENT - - NOT THE MORE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM OF WHAT TO DO ABOUT 'LOOSE NUKES' IN RUSSIA. [OPT] ..... IN FACT, GEORGE KENNAN, THE RETIRED DIPLOMAT AND HISTORIAN WHO WAS PRESENT AT THE CREATION OF NATO AND THE MARSHALL PLAN, HAS WRITTEN THAT THE ENLARGEMENT OF NATO IS THE BIGGEST SINGLE FOREIGN-POLICY ERROR SINCE THE END OF THE COLD WAR." [END OPT]

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, THE SUN IS CONCERNED ABOUT TWO POINTS: ONE, TAKING WHAT IT FEELS IS ADVANTAGE OF A WEAKENED RUSSIA WHICH HAS LITTLE CHOICE BUT TO ACQUIESCE TO THE EXPANSION. AND THE SUN REMINDS ITS READERS THAT WHILE THE HEADS OF STATE MAY HAVE ALL EAGERLY SIGNED THE AGREEMENT IN PARIS, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THE 16 NATO NATIONS MUST NOW TAKE IT HOME TO GET IT RATIFIED IN EACH OF THOSE 16 LEGISLATURES. AND THAT, SUGGESTS THE SUN, WILL BE NO EASY TASK, ESPECIALLY IN CONGRESS.

VOICE: "WHAT IS DANGEROUS IN WESTERN TRIUMPHALISM IS HOW MUCH IT SEEMS TO DEPEND ON THE FRAIL AND NONE-TOO-SECURE MR. YELTSIN. WHILE HIS OPPONENTS ARE NOW IN CHECK, HIS HOLD ON POWER HAS BEEN CHALLENGED BEFORE AND WILL BE CHALLENGED AGAIN. IN ADDITION, THE UNITED STATES HAS HARDLY BEGUN A NEEDED NATIONAL DEBATE ON THE COSTS AND RISKS OF COMMITTING ITSELF TO THE DEFENSE OF LARGE CHUNKS OF EASTERN EUROPE.

..... WHILE ALL THE DIPLOMATIC PAGEANTRY SUGGESTS NATO EXPANSION IS A FAIT ACCOMPLI, IT STILL MUST BE RATIFIED BY THE U-S SENATE. GIVEN THE CONCERNS OF INFLUENTIAL AMERICAN CRITICS, THIS WILL NOT BE A 'SLAM DUNK,' [IN THIS CASE "FOREGONE CONCLUSION"] ACCORDING TO UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT. NOR SHOULD IT BE."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF U-S PRESS OPINION ON THE NATO EXPANSION AGREEMENT SIGNING THIS WEEK IN PARIS.
NEB/ANG/GE
30-May-97 7:20 AM EDT (1120 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] MARSHALL PLAN / EUROPE BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: NEXT THURSDAY MARKS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SPEECH BY THEN SECRETARY OF STATE GEORGE MARSHALL AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY, ANNOUNCING AN ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN FOR POST-WAR EUROPE. IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA SPOKE TO SEVERAL BRITISH HISTORIANS ABOUT THE PLAN WHICH WAS TO BEAR MARSHALL'S NAME.

TEXT: IN 1947 -- TWO YEARS AFTER THE END OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR THE COUNTRIES OF EUROPE STILL LAY IN RUINS: THEIR ECONOMIES SHATTERED, THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVASTATED WITH MILLIONS OF HOMELESS, JOBLESS AND MALNOURISHED PEOPLE. //OPT// FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER WINSTON CHURCHILL DESCRIBED EUROPE AS "A RUBBLE HEAP, A CHARNEL HOUSE -- A BREEDING GROUND FOR PESTILENCE AND HATE." //END OPT//

TO COMPOUND THE MISERY, EUROPEANS HAD TO SUFFER THROUGH ONE OF THE WORST WINTERS ON RECORD. HISTORIAN JOHN KEEGAN -- A 13-YEAR-OLD AT THE TIME -- REMEMBERS.

EUROPE FROZE UP AND IN BRITAIN THAT MEANT THAT NOTHING COULD BE MOVED: THE RAILWAYS DID NOT WORK AND THE ROADS DID NOT WORK ... MY FATHER, I REMEMBER, GOING TO THE LOCAL GAS WORKS TO BRING BACK SACKS OF COKE IN MY BABY SISTER'S PRAM, HER BABY-WALKER, SIMPLY BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY YOU COULD GET A LITTLE BIT OF FUEL TO TRY AND KEEP A LARGE FAMILY HOUSE WARM. IT WAS A REALLY TERRIBLE TIME.

GENERAL MARSHALL GATHERED A TEAM OF EXPERTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT -- INCLUDING DEAN ACHESON AND GEORGE KENNAN -- TO WORK OUT A EUROPEAN RECOVERY PROGRAM.

ON JUNE FIFTH 1947, DURING A BRIEF SPEECH AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY, GENERAL MARSHALL DESCRIBED THE BROAD OUTLINES OF THE RECOVERY PLAN WHICH WAS TO BEAR HIS NAME. HE SAID "OUR POLICY IS DIRECTED NOT AGAINST ANY COUNTRY OR DOCTRINE BUT AGAINST HUNGER, POVERTY, DESPERATION AND CHAOS." //OPT// HE WENT ON TO SAY "ITS PURPOSE SHOULD BE THE REVIVAL OF A WORKING ECONOMY IN THE WORLD SO AS TO PERMIT THE EMERGENCE OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS IN WHICH FREE INSTITUTIONS CAN FLOURISH." //END OPT//

GENERAL MARSHALL CALLED ON EUROPEAN NATIONS TO GET TOGETHER AND DRAW UP A UNIFIED PLAN OF ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION TO BE FUNDED BY THE UNITED STATES.

HISTORIAN NORMAN DAVIES SAYS THE MARSHALL PLAN HAS NO PEER IN THE HISTORY OF ENLIGHTENED SELF-INTEREST.

HISTORIANS SAY THE PURPOSE OF THE MARSHALL PLAN WAS TO RESTART THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIES BY ENCOURAGING COUNTRIES NOT TO COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHER, BUT TO ACT TOGETHER. JOHN KEEGAN SAYS GENERAL MARSHALL'S SPEECH CAUGHT EUROPEANS BY SURPRISE.

IT WAS WELCOMED ALMOST WITH DISBELIEF BY EUROPE'S POLITICIANS. THEY THEMSELVES WERE ASKED TO SPECIFY WHAT THEY NEEDED, TO SUBMIT A SHOPPING LIST -- WHICH THEY DID. IT WAS TOO BIG: THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT SAID THEY COULD NOT AFFORD WHAT WAS ASKED FOR, BUT THEY (PROVIDED) NEARLY ALL OF IT. I THINK THE EUROPEANS ASKED FOR 20 BILLION DOLLARS AND THE AMERICANS IN THE END GAVE NEARLY 14 BILLION WHICH -- IT IS DIFFICULT TO GIVE VALUES NOW -- BUT IS WELL OVER 100-BILLION, PERHAPS GETTING ON TO 200 BILLION -- SO A REALLY HUGE SUM OF MONEY.

THE MARSHALL PLAN WAS OPEN TO ALL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE SOVIET UNION AND ITS EAST EUROPEAN CLIENT STATES. BUT SOVIET LEADER JOSEF STALIN REJECTED THE OFFER AND HISTORIAN NORMAN DAVIES SAYS STALIN BRUTALLY AND ARBITRARILY PREVENTED SUCH COUNTRIES AS POLAND, HUNGARY AND CZECHOSLOVAKIA TO TAKE PART.

SIXTEEN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES EVENTUALLY PARTICIPATED IN THE MARSHALL PLAN, WHICH RAN FROM 1948 TO THE END OF 1951. TO COORDINATE THE PROGRAM, THE 16 NATIONS FORMED THE "ORGANIZATION FOR EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COOPERATION" -- THE FIRST STEP IN THE DIRECTION OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AND A SUBJECT STILL VERY MUCH IN THE HEADLINES TO THIS DAY.

I THINK IT (THE MARSHALL PLAN) HAS PROBABLY BEEN OVERPLAYED AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR THE REVIVAL OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMY. IT IS QUITE CLEAR FROM RECENT RESEARCH THAT THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIES WOULD HAVE REVIVED -- PROBABLY NOT AS QUICKLY WITHOUT AMERICA -- BUT WHAT AMERICA DID WAS NOT SIMPLY ENCOURAGE THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIES TO REVIVE SEPARATELY, BUT TO REVIVE AS A EUROPEAN ECONOMY AND TO INTEGRATE THE VARIOUS ECONOMIES -- AND TO DO SO ALSO WITH A POLITICAL MOTIVE. I THINK THAT IS REALLY THE MOST FAR-REACHING EFFECT OF THE MARSHALL PLAN.

HOWEVER HISTORIAN JOHN KEEGAN BELIEVES THE CURRENT DISCUSSION ON EVEN WIDER EUROPEAN INTEGRATION IS NOT WHAT THE AMERICANS HAD IN MIND 50 YEARS AGO.

MARSHALL, DEAN ACHESON AND AVERELL HARRIMAN WHO ADMINISTERED THE MARSHALL PLAN FROM PARIS, WANTED EUROPE TO BREAK DOWN ITS NATIONAL BARRIERS AND BECOME A SINGLE UNIT MUCH MORE ON THE AMERICAN MODEL. THAT HAPPENED, BUT NOT IN THE WAY THE AMERICANS WANTED, BECAUSE I THINK -- PARTICULARLY THE FRENCH AND GERMANS -- INSTEAD OF CREATING A SINGLE OUTWARD-LOOKING EUROPEAN INSTITUTION, HAVE CREATED AN INWARD-LOOKING ONE WHICH HAS ELEMENTS OF ANTI-AMERICANISM IN ITS STRUCTURE. THAT, OF COURSE, WAS NOT MARSHALL'S PLAN.

MR. KEEGAN SAYS AMERICAN OFFICIALS 50 YEARS AGO WERE HOPING THAT BY SOME FAIRLY SIMPLE ECONOMIC AND EVEN POLITICAL MEASURES, THEY COULD GET AN AMERICAN POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC MODEL FOUNDED IN EUROPE. BUT HE SAYS AMERICANS DID NOT REALIZE HOW DIVIDED THE EUROPEANS ARE -- A DIVISION THAT TO THIS DAY, HAMPERS FULL EUROPEAN INTEGRATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF
30-May-97 10:27 AM EDT (1427 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (FRIDAY) IN A VOLATILE SESSION. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 73-HUNDRED-31, UP LESS THAN ONE POINT. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST 14 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 848, UP FOUR POINTS.

STOCKS PLUNGED IN THE FIRST HOUR OF TRADING. AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM INTEL, THE COMPUTER CHIP MAKER, THAT ITS QUARTERLY EARNINGS WILL FALL SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS SPARKED A GENERAL SELL-OFF AND STOCKS WERE DOWN UNTIL THE LAST HOUR OF TRADING WHEN MANY TRADERS BEGAN TO SEE BUYING OPPORTUNITIES.

THERE WERE TWO SIGNS OF SLOWER U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH. NEW HOME SALES DROPPED IN APRIL AT THE SHARPEST RATE IN SIX MONTHS. AND ANALYSTS SAY THEY EXPECT THE THREE LARGE AMERICAN AUTOMAKERS WILL REPORT LOWER SALES IN MAY. THE SALES FIGURES WILL BE RELEASED NEXT WEEK.

SOME SLOWDOWN IN THE RATE OF GROWTH WOULD ACTUALLY BE WELCOME ON WALL STREET BECAUSE IT WILL LESSEN FEARS OF INFLATION AND RISING INTEREST RATES. THE GOVERNMENT REVISED THE FIRST-QUARTER GROWTH RATE UPWARD FROM FIVE-POINT-SIX PERCENT TO A FIVE-POINT-EIGHT PERCENT ANNUAL RATE. THAT WAS THE STRONGEST RATE OF GROWTH SINCE THE END OF 1987.

SOME DIRECTORS OF THE ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY WILL HAVE TO PAY EIGHT-MILLION DOLLARS TO SETTLE CLAIMS BY STOCKHOLDERS. THE STOCKHOLDERS HAD SUED THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, SAYING THE DIRECTORS WERE NEGLIGENT IN NOT PREVENTING ILLEGAL PRICE FIXING ACTIVITIES BY SOME OF THE FIRM'S EXECUTIVES. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF
30-May-97 5:05 PM EDT (2105 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] TURKEY / KURDS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: ONE OF THE MAIN IRAQI KURDISH FACTIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ SAYS TURKISH JETS HAVE BOMBED AREAS UNDER ITS CONTROL, KILLING NINE PEOPLE AND INJURING FIVE. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

TEXT: THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN, OR P-U-K, SAID SIX TURKISH JETS BOMBED THE AREAS OF BOTE, WARTE, AND DOLE KHANAGA NEAR THE IRANIAN BORDER, KILLING SEVEN CIVILIANS AND TWO P-U-K FIGHTERS.

THE CLAIM COULD NOT BE INDEPENDENTLY CONFIRMED. AND TURKEY HAS DENIED IT.

TURKISH FORCES ARE INVOLVED IN A TWO-WEEK-OLD INCURSION INTO NORTHERN IRAQ TO DRIVE OUT TURKISH KURD REBELS OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR P-K-K.

TURKEY SAYS NEARLY TWO-THOUSAND REBELS HAVE BEEN KILLED SO FAR DURING THE OPERATION. IRAQI KURDISH SOURCES SAY NO MORE THAN 300 P-K-K FIGHTERS HAVE DIED IN THE CLASHES. THE MAJORITY OF REBELS, THEY SAY, FLED TO NEIGHBORING IRAN AND SYRIA, WELL AHEAD OF THE TURKISH OFFENSIVE.

IRAQ HAS ALSO ACCUSED TURKEY OF KILLING IRAQI CIVILIANS DURING THE OPERATION AND HAS REPEATEDLY CALLED FOR AN IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL OF ALL TURKISH TROOPS FROM ITS TERRITORY.

TURKEY DENIES IT HAS ANY TERRITORIAL AMBITIONS OVER THE REGION. TURKISH OFFICIALS INSIST, HOWEVER, THAT TURKISH TROOPS WILL REMAIN IN NORTHERN IRAQ UNTIL THE P-K-K IS -- IN THEIR WORDS -- COMPLETED ELIMINATED FROM THE AREA.

THE P-U-K SAYS THERE ARE NO P-K-K REBELS IN THE TERRITORY UNDER ITS CONTROL. IN A STATEMENT ISSUED FRIDAY, THE P-U-K ALSO SAID THAT THE ALLEGED ATTACK AGAINST IRAQI KURDISH CIVILIANS CAST WHAT IT TERMS SERIOUS DOUBTS OVER TURKEY'S NEUTRALITY IN THE PEACE PROCESS.

THE P-U-K WAS REFERRING TO TURKISH AND U-S EFFORTS TO FORGE A LASTING PEACE BETWEEN THE P-U-K AND ITS MAIN RIVAL IN NORTHERN IRAQ, THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY. THE TWO RIVAL FACTIONS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR FULL CONTROL OVER THE WESTERN PROTECTED ENCLAVE SINCE MAY 1994. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/RRM
30-May-97 10:18 AM EDT (1418 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL CALLS ON THE NEW LEADER OF THE FORMER ZAIRE -- LAURENT KABILA -- TO UPHOLD THE HIGHEST STANDARDS ON HUMAN RIGHTS; SIERRA LEONE'S OUSTED PRESIDENT CALLS ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO HELP REVERSE LAST SUNDAY'S COUP; UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SETS A TENTATIVE DATE FOR NEW TALKS TO RESOLVE THE LONG-STANDING DISPUTE ON CYPRUS; AND, THE U-N POPULATION AGENCY SAYS POPULATION GROWTH RATES CAN BE CONTROLLED IF WOMEN ARE GIVEN CHOICES. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK:

TEXT: AFTER TWO DAYS OF INTENSE CONSULTATION -- THE 15-MEMBER SECURITY COUNCIL DECIDED TO APPLAUD THE PEOPLE OF CONGO -- FORMERLY ZAIRE -- FOR ENTERING A NEW ERA OF NATIONAL RECONCILIATION. AFTER SEVEN MONTHS OF WAR -- REBEL LEADER LAURENT KABILA THIS PAST WEEK TOOK OVER FORMALLY IN KINSHASA AND PROMISED TO ORGANIZE THE COUNTRY SO IT CAN HOLD ELECTIONS.

MR. KABILA SAID IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO MAKE THE TRANSITION. THE SECURITY COUNCIL CALLED ON HIM TO MOVE APACE TOWARD DEMOCRACY BUT STOPPED SHORT OF SETTING A TIMEFRAME.

THE COUNCIL ALSO CALLED ON MR. KABILA TO PUT A STOP TO HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AND THE MISTREATMENT OF RWANDAN REFUGEES. IT SIGNALLED THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WOULD HOLD THE COUNTRY TO A HIGHER STANDARD THAN IT HAD BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO UNDER LONG-TIME RULER MOBUTU SESE SEKO. MEANWHILE, GOVERNMENTS ARE DISCUSSING SENDING ENVOYS TO MR. KABILA TO REINFORCE THE MESSAGE AND STRESS THE NEED FOR A BROAD-BASED GOVERNMENT IN KINSHASA.

-0-

A COUP LAST SUNDAY IN SIERRA LEONE APPEARS TO HAVE CAUGHT U-N OFFICIALS BY SURPRISE. SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNAN IMMEDIATELY CONDEMNED THE TOPPLING OF SIERRA LEONE'S LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT. THE SECURITY COUNCIL CALLED FOR A RETURN TO CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER IN THE COUNTRY.

SIERRA LEONE'S U-N AMBASSADOR --JAMES JONAH -- ISSUED A CALL FOR HELP FROM HIS OUSTED PRESIDENT, WELCOMING MOVES BY WEST AFRICAN STATES TO INTERVENE. HE SAID THE GENERAL POPULATION REJECTS THE COUP AND THE JUNIOR OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY ASSERTING AUTHORITY:

NO ONE IS LISTENING TO THEM. THIS IS A TOTAL NON-COOPERATION BY THE PEOPLE OF SIERRA LEONE. DEFINITELY THE PEOPLE WILL WELCOME ACTION BY ECOWAS -- I CAN ASSURE YOU -- BECAUSE THIS IS A COUP WHERE PEOPLE HAVE REALLY SHOWN THEY DO NOT WANT IT.

AMBASSADOR JONAH SAID HE WILL SEEK SANCTIONS AGAINST THE COUP-MAKERS FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY THAT WOULD INCLUDE A TRAVEL BAN.

-0-

SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE HAS RESERVED JULY NINTH AS THE TENTATIVE STARTING DATE FOR NEW HIGH-LEVEL TALKS BETWEEN THE GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMUNITIES. MR. ANNAN HAD PLEDGED WHEN HE CAME TO OFFICE IN JANUARY THAT HE WOULD ATTEMPT TO PUSH A SETTLEMENT OF THE LONG-STANDING DISPUTE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

THE PARTIES ARE NOT VERY OPTIMISTIC, THOUGH IT APPEARS BOTH SIDES WILL INDEED SEND THEIR TOP LEADERS TO NEW YORK. THE UNITED NATIONS HAS TRIED TO WIN SUPPORT FROM THE CYPRIOTS FOR A PLAN THAT WOULD UNITE THE TWO COMMUNITIES UNDER A NEW SYSTEM OF POWER-SHARING.

CYPRUS HAS BEEN DIVIDED SINCE TURKISH TROOPS INVADED IN 1974 IN RESPONSE TO A COUP IN THE CYPRIOT CAPITAL, NICOSIA, ENGINEERED BY THE THEN MILITARY RUILERS OF GREECE. THE TROOPS REMAIN IN CYPRUS, GUARDING THE BREAKAWAY TURKISH CYPRIOT REPUBLIC IN THE NORTH.

-0-

THE WORLD'S POPULATION IS GROWING FASTER THAN MANY WOULD LIKE. MOST OF IT IS OCCURRING IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA AND SOUTH ASIA.

POPULATION EXPERTS BELIEVE -- GIVEN THE CHOICE -- WOMEN TODAY WOULD HAVE FEWER CHILDREN THAN THEIR PARENTS' GENERATION. BUT THEY SAY MANY WOMEN DO NOT HAVE THAT OPTION. THEY ARE DEPRIVED OF ACCESS TO FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES AND HEALTH CARE.

THE U-N FUND FOR POPULATION ACTIVITIES RELEASED A NEW REPORT THIS PAST WEEK SAYING DEPRIVATION OF THIS ACCESS AMOUNTS TO A VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS. STAN BERNSTEIN -- ONE OF THE AUTHORS OF THE REPORT -- SAYS THE SITUATION LITERALLY IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH:

THERE ARE 585-THOUSAND DEATHS EVERY YEAR. THAT'S ABOUT ONE A MINUTE -- DUE TO MATERNAL MORTALITY, CAUSES RELATED TO PREGNANCY. OF THESE 200-THOUSAND COULD BE AVOIDED IF THERE WERE EFFECTIVE USE AND ACCESS TO FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES.

THE U-N REPORT NOTES AS MANY AS 150 MILLION WOMEN WHO WANT TO SPACE THEIR PREGNANCIES ARE WITHOUT THE MEANS TO DO SO. (SIGNED)
30-May-97 4:31 PM EDT (2031 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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