Voice of America, 97-06-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] CANADA ELECTION / L-O BY OLIVER IRWIN (MONTREAL)

[02] EDITORIAL: CLINTON ON MARSHALL PLAN ANNIVERSARY

[03] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

[04] FRANCE POLITICS (L ONLY) (CQ) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[05] GERMANY OZONE BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[06] MARSHALL PLAN / EAST EURO BY MERCEDES SPROUSE (WASHINGTON)

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

[08] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

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

[01] CANADA ELECTION / L-O BY OLIVER IRWIN (MONTREAL)

INTRO: THE LIBERAL PARTY OF PRIME MINISTER JEAN CHRETIEN HAS WON RE-ELECTION IN CANADA. HOWEVER, THE LIBERALS HAVE BEEN REDUCED TO A SLIM MAJORITY GOVERNMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. FROM MONTREAL, OLIVER IRWIN REPORTS.

TEXT: ABOUT 67 PERCENT OF 19 MILLION CANADIANS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE CAST BALLOTS MONDAY. THEY ELECTED 155 LIBERAL MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT IN THE 301-MEMBER HOUSE OF COMMONS -- FOUR MORE THAN NEEDED FOR MAJORITY.

ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE LIBERAL'S POWER IS IN ONTARIO IN CENTRAL CANADA, MR. CHRETIEN SAYS HIS PARTY EXTENDS ACROSS CANADA.

THE PEOPLE OF CANADA HAVE SPOKEN. AND WE HAVE LISTENED. AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO LISTEN. I AM GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE ONE SEAT IN ALL PARTS OF CANADA. WE WILL ONCE AGAIN FORM A GOVERNMENT WITH ELECTED MEMBERS IN EVERY PART OF OUR COUNTRY AND WE WILL HAVE A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION IN THE COMMONS WILL BE THE WESTERN-BASED REFORM PARTY, HEADED BY POPULIST PRESTON MANNING. THE RIGHT-WING PARTY WILL HAVE 60 SEATS IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. IT FAVORS A TOUGH STAND AGAINST SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR QUEBEC, DESIGNED TO KEEP THE PROVINCE IN THE DOMINION. MR. MANNING SAYS THE RESULTS SEND THE GOVERNMENT A MESSAGE.

THE REDUCED SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNMENT IS SURELY A WARNING THE GOVERNMENT MUST HEED. AND, THE WARNING IS THAT YOU CANNOT BREAK YOUR PROMISES AND YOU CAN'T HAVE NOTHING TO. YOU CAN'T GO THROUGH AN ELECTION WITH NOTHING TO SAY ON BIG ISSUES LIKE JOBS AND UNITY WITHOUT PAYING A PRICE. I TRUST THAT THE GOVERNMENT GOT THAT MESSAGE. (APPLAUSE)

THE SEPARATIST BLOC QUEBECOIS IN THE MOSTLY FRENCH-SPEAKING PROVINCE OF QUEBEC WON 45 SEATS. THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVES LEAD BY JEAN CHAREST INCREASED THEIR STANDING IN THE HOUSE FROM TWO TO 20 SEATS. THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY -- WHICH REPRESENTS THE LEFT IN CANADA -- INCREASED ITS SEATS IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS FROM 9 TO 21. THERE IS ONE INDEPENDENT. (SIGNED)
NEB / OI / CB-T / WD
03-Jun-97 3:27 AM EDT (0727 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] EDITORIAL: CLINTON ON MARSHALL PLAN ANNIVERSARY

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:

TOMORROW [JUNE 5TH] MARKS THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF SECRETARY OF STATE GEORGE MARSHALL'S SPEECH AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY. IN THAT SPEECH, HE OUTLINED WHAT WOULD BECOME KNOWN AS THE MARSHALL PLAN -- A U.S. PROGRAM TO HELP EUROPE REBUILD AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR. IN 1947, MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN EUROPE WERE ON THE VERGE OF STARVATION. AMERICANS HAD ALREADY SENT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ASSISTANCE. BUT IN HIS HARVARD ADDRESS, SECRETARY OF STATE MARSHALL WARNED THAT EUROPE FACED ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL DETERIORATION WITHOUT SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL AID. AS ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF, MARSHALL HAD HELPED WIN THE SECOND WORLD WAR. NOW, HE PROPOSED TO HELP PRESERVE THE PEACE. U.S. POLICY, HE SAID, "IS DIRECTED NOT AGAINST ANY COUNTRY OR DOCTRINE BUT AGAINST HUNGER, POVERTY, DESPERATION, AND CHAOS. 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 EXIST."

BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ERNEST BEVIN CALLED THE MARSHALL PLAN "A LIFELINE TO SINKING MEN, BRINGING HOPE WHERE THERE WAS NONE." THE FIRST SHIP SET SAIL FROM TEXAS TO FRANCE WITH NINETEEN-THOUSAND TONS OF WHEAT. SOON CONVOYS WERE HEADING TO EUROPE WITH FUEL, RAW MATERIALS, AND EQUIPMENT. BY 1952 -- THE YEAR THE PROGRAM ENDED -- THE MARSHALL PLAN HAD PUMPED THIRTEEN BILLION DOLLARS INTO EUROPE'S WAR-DEVASTATED ECONOMIES. IT HAD PROVIDED THE PEOPLE OF WESTERN EUROPE WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEEDED TO REBUILD THEIR SHATTERED LIVES.

GEORGE MARSHALL'S VISION EMBRACED ALL OF EUROPE. BUT THE SOVIET UNION BLOCKED MARSHALL PLAN AID TO EASTERN EUROPE. THESE COUNTRIES -- INCLUDING POLAND, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, AND HUNGARY -- WERE SHUT OUT OF EUROPE'S RECOVERY. BUT THE NATIONS SHACKLED BY COMMUNISM NEVER LOST FAITH. AND DECADES LATER, THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN DETERMINED TO LIVE FREE LIVES, THE IRON CURTAIN FELL. TODAY, AS PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON SAID, NEW DEMOCRACIES ARE JOINING A FREE EUROPE TO COMPLETE THE JOURNEY THAT GEORGE MARSHALL'S GENERATION BEGAN.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
03-Jun-97 2:36 PM EDT (1836 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE MIXED IN TRADING TUESDAY IN MAJOR EUROPEAN EXCHANGES. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: STOCK PRICES WERE UP IN BOTH FRANKFURT AND PARIS, BUT WERE DOWN A LITTLE IN LONDON. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX ROSE MORE THAN 23 POINTS, ALMOST NINE-TENTHS PERCENT OF THE MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE. IT WAS THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE INCREASE IN THE FRENCH MARKET

STOCK PRICES ALSO WERE UP IN FRANKFURT. THE DAX-30 INDEX ROSE MORE THAN 20 POINTS, ABOUT ONE-HALF PERCENT.

BUT IN LONDON, PRICES WERE OFF SLIGHTLY, AMID CONTINUING FEARS OF A POSSIBLE RISE IN BRITISH INTEREST RATES. THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX CLOSED DOWN FIVE POINTS, ABOUT ONE-TENTH PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED IN VALUE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, BUT WAS DOWN A LITTLE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND AND THE JAPANESE YEN.
NEB/JWH
03-Jun-97 1:47 PM EDT (1747 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] FRANCE POLITICS (L ONLY) (CQ) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: LEADERS OF FRANCE'S COMMUNIST PARTY ARE INDICATING THEY WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NEW SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER, LIONEL JOSPIN. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS SOME COMMUNISTS, HOWEVER, FEAR A ROLE IN GOVERNMENT WOULD LIMIT THEIR FREEDOM OF ACTION, SO PARTY LEADERS DELAYED THEIR OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT UNTIL WEDNESDAY.

TEXT: JUST BEFORE FRANCE'S NEW SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN OFFICIALLY TOOK OVER HIS FUNCTIONS TUESDAY, HE HELD A MEETING WITH ROBERT HUE, THE LEADER OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY.

POLITICAL SOURCES SAY PRIME MINISTER JOSPIN OFFERED THE COMMUNISTS TWO FULL MINISTRIES AND ONE JUNIOR MINISTERIAL POST IN HIS GOVERNMENT.

ALTHOUGH THE COMMUNISTS ONLY OBTAINED 38 SEATS IN SUNDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION COMPARED WITH MORE THAN 280 FOR THE NON-COMMUNIST LEFT, THE SOCIALISTS NEED COMMUNIST SUPPORT TO ENSURE A PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY.

BUT THE ANTI-EUROPEAN COMMUNISTS FEAR THAT, AS A NUMBER OF CRUCIAL EUROPEAN DECISIONS -- ESPECIALLY THE CREATION OF THE NEW SINGLE CURRENCY -- CAN BE EXPECTED IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, A ROLE IN GOVERNMENT COULD LIMIT THEIR FREEDOM OF ACTION. MR. HUE, MEANWHILE, IS ANXIOUS TO JOIN THE GOVERNMENT. PROMISING A FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT WEDNESDAY, HE TOLD LESS ENTHUSIASTIC MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNIST LEADERSHIP THAT THE FRENCH EXPECTED THE COMMUNISTS TO ASSUME THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND GOVERN WITH THE SOCIALISTS.

MANY COMMUNISTS HAVE BAD MEMORIES OF THE TIME WHEN THEY LAST HAD MINISTERS IN A FRENCH GOVERNMENT. THIS WAS DURING THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF THE PRESIDENCY OF THE LATE FRANCOIS MITTERRAND IN THE EARLY 1980S. THE COMMUNISTS, WHO HAD FOUR CABINET POSTS, REMEMBER THIS AS A TIME WHEN, OBLIGED TO BACK THE SOCIALISTS, THEY LOST VOTES AND INFLUENCE. NOW, THE COMMUNISTS WHO ARE AGAINST TAKING GOVERNMENT POSTS ARGUE THAT THEIR PARTY CAN SUPPORT THE LEFT-WING ADMINISTRATION IN PARLIAMENT ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS WITHOUT LOSING ITS INDEPENDENCE.

AS THEIR REPLY IS AWAITED, MR. JOSPIN IS SAID TO BE PUTTING TOGETHER A SMALL GOVERNMENT TEAM OF ABOUT 15 MINISTERS, WITH A HIGH PROPORTION OF WOMEN. EVEN IF THE COMMUNISTS DO DECIDE NOT TO JOIN, IT WILL STILL INCLUDE MINISTERS FROM OUTSIDE THE SOCIALIST PARTY. ONE OR PERHAPS EVEN TWO CABINET JOBS ARE EXPECTED TO GO TO THE ECOLOGIST GREENS PARTY. (SIGNED) NEB/JWN/JWH/
03-Jun-97 2:17 PM EDT (1817 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] GERMANY OZONE BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: ENVIRONMENTALISTS IN GERMANY SAY GROWING LEVELS OF OZONE POLLUTION ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR AN INCREASE IN RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, ESPECIALLY AMONG CHILDREN. V-O-A'S KYLE KING IN BONN REPORTS THAT TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM, THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP GREENPEACE IS CALLING FOR TIGHTER CONTROLS ON THE USE OF CARS.

TEXT: SCIENTISTS HAVE LONG KNOWN THAT THE LAYER OF OZONE THAT NATURALLY FORMS HIGH UP IN THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE SERVES A VALUABLE FUNCTION BY PROTECTING US FROM HARMFUL ULTRAVIOLET RAYS. BUT FAR LESS IS KNOWN ABOUT THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF BREATHING OZONE THAT FORMS CLOSER TO EARTH WHEN SUNLIGHT REACTS WITH SOME FORMS OF MAN-MADE POLLUTION.

WITH THE ONSET OF SUMMER IN EUROPE, THE TIME WHEN OZONE LEVELS ARE OFTEN HIGHEST, THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP GREENPEACE IS CALLING ON GERMAN OFFICIALS TO LIMIT THE USE OF CARS.

GREENPEACE ACTIVIST KARSTEN SMID SAYS NEW RESEARCH SHOWS THAT HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF OZONE ARE TO BLAME FOR A DANGEROUS INCREASE IN CASES OF ASTHMA, ALLERGIES, AND RESPIRATORY ILLNESS.

THESE CONCENTRATIONS OF OZONE AND FINE PARTICLES ARE VERY TOXIC, AND IF YOU BREATH, YOU BREATH IT IN YOUR LUNGS. AND THESE PARTICLES AND THE OZONE SMOG GOES VERY DEEP IN YOUR LUNGS.

GREENPEACE SAYS NEW RESEARCH INDICATES THERE IS A DIRECT CONNECTION BETWEEN RISING LEVELS OF OZONE AND RISING LEVELS OF RESPIRATORY ILLNESS. THE RESEARCH INDICATED OZONE POLLUTION SEEMS TO MAKE THESE ILLNESS WORSE. DOCTORS, LIKE JUERGEN BILGER, A GERMAN PEDIATRICIAN, SAY THEY HAVE NOTICED AN INCREASE IN PATIENTS WHO COMPLAIN OF BREATHING PROBLEMS DURING TIMES OF HIGH OZONE POLLUTION.

I SAW, WITH RISING TEMPERATURE AND RISING OZONE CONCENTRATIONS, THAT WE HAD RISING CAUSES OF ASTHMA AND OBSTRUCTIVE AIRWAY DISEASES. THIS IS A VERY OBVIOUS CORRELATION.

GERMAN ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICIALS HAVE SO FAR REJECTED EFFORTS TO TIGHTEN ALLOWABLE LIMITS ON OZONE POLLUTION. ENVIRONMENTALISTS SAY THE POWERFUL GERMAN AUTO INDUSTRY HAS FOUGHT TOUGHER REGULATIONS ON AIR POLLUTION.

GREENPEACE ACTIVIST KARSTEN SMID SAYS WHAT IS NEEDED TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM WILL NOT BE POPULAR.

WE HAVE TO FORCE CARS TO STAY IN THE GARAGE AND NOT THE CHILDREN TO STAY AT HOME.

BUT GETTING PEOPLE TO GIVE UP THEIR CARS WILL NOT BE EASY IN A COUNTRY THAT STILL PRIDES ITSELF ON HIGHWAYS WITH NO SPEED LIMITS. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/JWH/CF
03-Jun-97 10:43 AM EDT (1443 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] MARSHALL PLAN / EAST EURO BY MERCEDES SPROUSE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE OFFER OF U-S AID SET FORTH IN THE MARSHALL PLAN INCLUDED THE SOVIET UNION AND FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS. VOA'S MERCEDES SPROUSE REPORTS THE OPPOSITION OF SOVIET PREMIER JOSEF STALIN PREVENTED EAST/CENTRAL EUROPEANS FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION WHICH, IN TIME, GAVE RISE TO THE EUROPEAN UNION.

TEXT: IN 1947 STALIN SENT HIS FOREIGN MINISTER, VYACHESLAV MOLOTOV, TO DISCUSS THE MARSHALL PLAN WITH U-S AND EUROPEAN OFFICIALS IN PARIS. HIS INSTRUCTIONS WERE SPECIFIC.

IF THE ARRANGEMENT COULD SIMPLY BE ONE OF THE UNITED STATES WRITING BLANK CHECKS TO INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES -- WITH NO JOINT PLAN -- THEN THE SOVIETS WOULD BE HAPPY TO PARTICIPATE.

LINCOLN GORDON WAS A U-S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ORGANIZATION FOR EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COOPERATION AT THE TIME. HE SAYS STALIN REFUSED WHEN THE UNITED STATES INSISTED THAT THE AID ONLY GO TO THOSE EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS WHO AGREED TO WORK TOGETHER TO STRENGTHEN THEIR ECONOMIES AND RESOLVE THE ISSUES THAT DIVIDED THEM.

POLISH AND CZECH REPRESENTATIVES WERE ALSO AT THAT MEETING IN 1947, AND BOTH WANTED TO TAKE PART IN THE MARSHALL PLAN. LINCOLN GORDON, NOW WITH THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION IN WASHINGTON, SAYS THE SOVIETS HAD OTHER PLANS FOR THE POLISH.

AT THE BEGINNING THEY ENCOURAGED THE POLES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HOPES THAT THE POLES MIGHT INSIST ON SOME UNREASONABLE CONDITIONS, AND THEN WHEN THEY WITHDREW, THAT THEY MIGHT BRING SOME OF THE WEST EUROPEANS OUT WITH THEM. THAT, OF COURSE, FAILED.

JAN NOWAK WAS CHIEF OF THE B-B-C POLISH SERVICE IN 1947. THE POLISH UNDERGROUND HERO REMEMBERS HIS ASTONISHMENT WHEN HIS COUNTRY-- OCCUPIED BY SOVIET FORCES-- HAD TO RECANT ITS INITIAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE MARSHALL PLAN.

THAT PART OF EUROPE WAS MUCH, MUCH POORER, MUCH MORE DESTROYED BY THE WAR, PARTICULARLY POLAND, THAN WESTERN EUROPE. AND THEREFORE, THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS NEED FOR THIS HELP. I CANNOT THINK OF ANY SITUATION WHEN THE OBVIOUS ROLE OF MOSCOW DICTATING, IMPOSING ITS WILL ON THE COMMUNIST GOVERNMENTS IN A MANNER THAT WAS IN CONFLICT WITH THE VITAL INTEREST OF PEOPLE. THERE WERE SOME REACTION FROM POLAND WHICH REACHED US IN LONDON, AND WHICH SAID, MY GOD, THIS MEANS WE WILL BE BEHIND GERMANY, BEHIND THE COUNTRY WHICH WAS REALLY DEFEATED.

CZECHOSLOVAKIA AT THAT TIME WAS NOT UNDER SOVIET OCCUPATION. BUT COMMUNIST CONTROL OF THE POLICE FORCE PAVED THE WAY FOR A COUP D'ETAT IN 1948, AND THUS A RESPECT FOR STALIN'S WILL.

GYULA SZENPKDORJANYI (PRON: JULA SANTA-DOREE-ANI) WAS SERVING IN THE HUNGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY IN STOCKHOLM IN 1947. ALTHOUGH OCCUPIED BY SOVIET TROOPS, HE SAID MOSCOW INITIALLY INDICATED HUNGARY COULD JOIN IF ALL THE EAST-CENTRAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES RATIFIED THE PLAN.

EVERYBODY WANTED TO JOIN, BUT OFFICIALLY NOBODY OPENED THEIR MOUTH.

MOST EAST EUROPEANS BELIEVE THEIR COUNTRIES WOULD HAVE PROSPERED IF STALIN HAD NOT OPPOSED THEIR WISHES 50 YEARS AGO. BUT HISTORIANS SAY THE PLAN WAS OFFERED TO THE SOVIET UNION AND ITS SATELLITES FOR MOSTLY PSYCHOLOGICAL REASONS-- THE DESIGNERS FELT CERTAIN THAT STALIN WOULD NOT ACCEPT ITS CONDITIONS.

ON TOP OF THAT, BRANKO CARATAN, INTERNATIONAL POLITICS PROFESSOR AT ZAGREB UNIVERSITY (IN CROATIA), THINKS EASTERN EUROPE WAS NOT READY FOR SUCH INTEGRATION.

WESTERN EUROPE HAD (MET) PRECONDITIONS FOR RECEIVING MONEY FROM THE MARSHALL PLAN, BECAUSE THEY HAD SKILLED WORKERS, A HIGH CULTURAL LEVEL, ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIES -- EVERYTHING THAT (THEY) LACKED IN EASTERN EUROPE. IN ADDITION TO THAT, EASTERN EUROPE HAD A COMMAND ECONOMY WHICH COULD NOT PRODUCE BIG ACHIEVEMENTS EVEN WITH BIG MONEY THEY RECEIVED FROM THE WEST.

MR. CARATAN BELIEVES ONLY RECENTLY HAS EASTERN EUROPE BECOME ABLE TO INTEGRATE ECONOMICALLY AND POLITICALLY WITH THE WEST. HE CALLS ON THE WEST TO DEVISE A MARSHALL PLAN OF THE 90S TO INVEST IN EASTERN EUROPEAN ECONOMIES.

THE TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY IS NOT A ONE-WAY ROAD. IT COULD BE DANGEROUS AND WITH SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS.

ECONOMISTS DO NOT CONSIDER THE UNITED STATES TO BE THE ECONOMIC GIANT IT ONCE WAS, AND THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION IS NOT PROPOSING A SIMILAR AID PACKAGE FOR THE EAST. INSTEAD, PRESIDENT CLINTON ADVOCATES PRIVATE INVESTMENT AND NATO ENLARGEMENT TO, IN HIS WORDS, DO FOR EUROPE'S EAST WHAT THE UNITED STATES DID IN EUROPE'S WEST -- DEFEND FREEDOM, STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY, TEMPER OLD RIVALRIES, HASTEN INTEGRATION AND PROVIDE A STABLE CLIMATE IN WHICH PROSPERITY CAN GROW. (SIGNED)
NEB/MDS/KL
03-Jun-97 4:21 PM EDT (2021 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH MANY TRADERS STILL WARY ABOUT THE STOCKS OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 73 HUNDRED 12, UP 22 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 845, DOWN ALMOST ONE POINT.

ANALYSTS SAY THE INFLATION CONCERNS OF MONDAY'S SESSION RECEDED SOMEWHAT AFTER AN ECONOMIC FORECASTING GAUGE WAS DOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 15 MONTHS. THE INDEX OF LEADING INDICATORS WAS DOWN ONE-TENTH OF ONE PERCENT IN APRIL IN A SIGNAL THAT THE RATE OF U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH MAY SLOW IN THE COMING MONTHS. BUT, AS A GROUP, HIGH TECHNOLOGY STOCKS DID NOT DO WELL. SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY, A MAKER OF COMPUTER DISK DRIVES, WARNED THAT ITS LATEST QUARTERLY EARNINGS WILL BE BELOW EXPECTATIONS. A SIMILAR WARNING WAS ISSUED LAST WEEK BY INTEL, THE WORLD'S LARGEST PRODUCER OF COMPUTER CHIPS.

ANTI-SMOKING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WILL SPONSOR NEW LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO BAN SMOKING IN VIRTUALLY ALL NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN THE UNITED STATES. THE LEGISLATION WOULD ALSO BAN SMOKING ON ALL INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES, IF THEIR FLIGHTS ORIGINATE IN THE UNITED STATES.

IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, THE JUDGE PRESIDING OVER THE SECOND- HAND SMOKE TRIAL IN WHICH FLIGHT ATTENDANTS ARE SUING TOBACCO COMPANIES, HAS ORDERED THE REMOVAL OF "NO SMOKING" SIGNS IN THE COURTHOUSE. JUDGE ROBERT KAYE SAYS HE DOES NOT WANT JURORS TO BE PREJUDICED BY SUCH SIGNS. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/LWM
03-Jun-97 5:05 PM EDT (2105 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE VERDICT OF GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS IN THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING CASE DOMINATES THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS WITH VIRTUALLY EVERY PAPER RUNNING IT AT THE TOP OF THE COMMENTARIES.

AMONG OTHER SUBJECTS; YOU CAN READ ABOUT THE FRENCH ELECTION RESULTS; MADELEINE ALBRIGHT'S COMMENTRS IN THE BALKANS AND THE OF ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM ON TURKEY'S MILITARY.

NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _______________AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE JURY IN THE TRIAL OF TIMOTHY MCVEIGH RETURNED THEIR VERDICT EARLY ENOUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON TO GIVE MOST PAPERS TIME TO REFLECT ON THE TRIAL AND THE VERDICT AND THEN COMMENT. THE DAILY OKLAHOMAN SAID THE RESULT WAS A VICTORY FOR AMERICAN JUSTICE.

VOICE: "THE VERDICT IN TIMOTHY MCVEIGH'S TRIAL IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MOMENT IN THIS HORRIBLE CASE SINCE HIS ARREST BARELY AN HOUR AFTER THE DESTRUCTION AND CHAOS HE BROUGHT INTO THE LIVES FO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE. THIS IS A VICTORY FOR ORDERLY PROCESS, IN THE MOST WRENCHING CRIMINAL CASE IN RECENT JUDICIAL HISTORY. IT VINDICATES AN OUTSTANDING TEAM OF LOCAL AND FEDERAL PROSECUTORS WHO WORKED TIRELESSLY FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM THEY HAVE SWORN TO UPHOLD."

TEXT: IN THE MIDWEST, THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE CALLS IT A TRIUMPH FOR THE NATION'S LEGAL SYSTEM WHICH "NO BOMBING CAN RATTLE."

VOICE: "EVEN BEFORE THE JURORS DELIVERED THEIR VERDICTS, THE TIMOTHY MCVEIGH TRIAL DEMONSTRATED ANEW THE VIRTUES OF THE SYSTEM AND SOCIETY THAT WERE THE ULTIMATE TARGETS OF HIS TERRORISM. ..... SCHOOLED IN THE RACIST AND PARANOID WRITINGS OF THE PARAMILITARY FRINGE, OUTRAGED BY THE ACTIONS OF FEDERAL AGENTS AT WACO, [MR.] MCVEIGH SOMEHOW WAS ABLE TO IMAGINE THAT HIS BOMBING WOULD INSPIRE OTHERS TO SIMILAR ACTS OF REBELLION. ..... IT IS SLIGHT COMFORT TO REALIZE THAT IN SEVERAL VISIBLE WAYS, HIS ACTION HAS HAD THE OPPOSITE EFFECT. .... HAVING LOOKED INTO THE FACES OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES BLOODIED AND GRIEVING IN OKLAHOMA CITY, THE AVERAGE AMERICAN IS PERHAPS LESS LIKELY TO BUY NOTIONS OF A MALIGN AND MENACING BUREAUCRACY."

[BEGIN OPT]

TEXT: IN GEORGIA, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION SAYS:

VOICE: "TIMOTHY MCVEIGH DID IT. HE IS MARKED AS THE DEADLIEST TERRORIST IN AMERICA'S HISTORY. THE JURORS IN THE .... TRIAL DELIBERATED CONSCIENTIOUSLY FOR FOUR DAYS AND, IN THE END, DECIDED THAT THE PROSECUTION'S CASE WAS CONVINCING."

TEXT: CALLING IT "A JUST DECISION" THE MIAMI HERALD ADDS:

VOICE: "WITH YESTERDAY'S VERDICT ...... A JURY OF 12 ORDINARY CITIZENS PENNED THE FIRST CHAPTER TO AMERICA'S RECOVERY FROM ITS LONG NIGHTMARE OF TERROR."

TEXT: THE HERALD PRAISED THE JURY, DESCRIBING IT AS "A SOMBER, ATTENTIVE JURY [THAT] SET ASIDE EMOTIONS AND FOCUSED ON THE EVIDENCE." IN NEW YORK, THE POST ALSO CREDITS THE TRIAL JUDGE.

VOICE: "... A GOOD DEAL OF THE CREDIT FOR A DECOROUS TRIAL ACCRUES TO JUDGE RICHARD MATSCH. THE JURIST DETERMINED TO AVOID A REPETITION OF THE O-J SIMPSON FIASCO, MAINTAINED EXTRAORDINARILY TIGHT CONTROL OVER ALL ASPECTS OF THE PROCEEDING."

[BEGIN OPT]

TEXT: IN THE MIDWEST, THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH ALSO CONTRASTS THE TRIAL WITH THE SIMPSON TRIAL, SUGGESTS THE NATION "BREATHED A COLLECTIVE SIGH OF RELIEF" AT THE VERDICT, BUT ENDS WITH A PLEA TO SPARE THE BOMBERS LIFE.

VOICE: "...... SOCIETY SINKS TO THE LEVEL OF THE MURDER WHEN IT KILLS. LET THIS YOUNG MAN SIT IN A PRISON CELL FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE. LET HIM REMEMBER THE TRAGEDY. LET THE GHOSTS OF HIS VICTIMS TROUBLE HIS CONSCIENCE AND HIS SLEEP. LET HIM SEE HOW WRONG HE WAS TO MAKE HIS COUNTRY HIS ENEMY."

TEXT: THE ORLANDO SENTINEL SAYS: "THE EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRIAL .... CAN HELP TO RESTORE SOME CONFIDENCE IN THIS NATION'S JUSTICE SYSTEM," AND ADDS MR. MCVEIGH "GOT JUST WHAT HE DESERVED."

IN NEW ENGLAND, THE BOSTON GLOBE SAYS THE CONVICTION "ENDS A TRIAL THAT EXEMPLIFIES MUCH OF WHAT IS BEST ABOUT AMERICAN SOCIETY THROUGH ITS HANDLING OF THE WORST ATTACK UPON IT [U-S SOCIETY] IN RECENT YEARS ....."

TEXT: TURNING TO OTHER TOPICS, THE FRENCH ELECTION, IN WHICH THE LEFT WON OVER THE POLITICAL RIGHT, DREW A GOOD BIT OF ATTENTION. THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS VOTERS SENT A MESSAGE WELL BEYOND THEIR OWN NATION'S BORDERS.

VOICE: "FRENCH VOTERS DID MORE ON SUNDAY THAT FORCE PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC INTO AN UNWANTED AND UNWIELDY GOVERNING PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SOCIALIST OPPOSITION. THEY ALSO SENT A WARNING LIKELY TO RESOUND THROUGH EUROPE, ESPECIALLY IN OTHER HIGH-UNEMPLOYMENT COUNTRIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION LIKE GERMANY, ITALY, SPAIN AND GREECE. GOVERNMENTS THAT DEMAND CUTS IN THE WELFARE STATE TO MEET THE ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS OF A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY DO SO AT CONSIDERABLE POLITICAL RISK."

TEXT: THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER READS THE RESULTS THIS WAY.

VOICE: "FRENCH VOTERS ... SENT A MESSAGE THAT IS PARTICULARLY APPROPRIATE TO AMERICAN POLITICIANS FROM BOTH PARTIES: DON'T TRY TO UNDERCUT THE COUNTRY'S SOCIAL SAFETY NET UNLESS YOU TELL US WHY IT'S NECESSARY TO DO SO. ..... IF VOTERS ARE LOOKED ON ONLY AS PAWNS IN THE BROADER ECONOMIC SHIFT TO A GLOBAL ECONOMY, THEY WILL REBEL - - EVEN IF THE CHANGES MAY BENEFIT MANY OF THEM. [OPT] PRESIDENT CLINTON AND BRITAIN'S NEW PRIME MINISTER, TONY BLAIR, STANDING TOGETHER LAST WEEK AT A NEW CONFERENCE IN LONDON, SEEMED TO RECOGNIZE THIS DILEMMA WHEN THEY TALKED ABOUT THE NEED FOR GOVERNMENT TO HELP EASE THE TRANSITION FOR ORDINARY CITIZENS." [END OPT]

TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT'S COMMENTS DURING HER CURRENT VISIT TO THE BALKANS, HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED BY THE PRESS AS "TOUGH, EVEN UNDIPLOMAITC." SHE DREW PRAISE FROM BOTH THE WASHINGTON POST AND THE NEW YORK TIMES. SAYS THE POST:

VOICE: "IN THE CROATIAN VILLAGE OF PREVRSAC, MADELEINE ALBRIGHT DROPPED IN ON TWO SERB REFUGEE FAMILIES WHO HAD BEEN BEATEN ATTEMPTING TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES. WHEN HER CROATIAN HOST SUGGESTED THE SERBS HAD BROUGHT VIOLENCE UPON THEMSELVES, THE SECRETARY OF STATE ACCUSED HIM OF 'LYING' AND WENT ON TO SAY SHE WAS 'DISGUSTED.' HER DIRECTNESS CUTS ACROSS THE COMMON STYLE OF DIPLOMACY, AND HERE PROVIDENTLY SO. MUCH OF THE CONDUCT OF THE YUGOSLAV PARTIES CUTS ACROSS THE OBLIGATIONS THEY ASSUMED AT DAYTON, AND A CLEAR VOICE HAS BEEN NEEDED TO SLICE THROUGH THEIR ALIBIS AND DISTRACTIONS. ....[OPT] IN TALKING STRAIGHT TO SERBS AS WELL AS CROATS, SECRETARY ALBRIGHT, WE HOPE, WAS SETTING A STANDARD OTHERS WILL FOLLOW." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS SECRETARY ALBRIGHT'S TALKS WITH SERB AND CROATIAN LEADERS AMOUNTED TO "A SERIES OF REMARKABLY BLUNT CONVERSATIONS."

STILL WITH FOREIGN AFFAIRS, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES WORRIES ABOUT THE EFFECT OF TURKEY'S DRIFT TOWARD ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM ON ITS MILTARY.

VOICE: "TO MOST IN THE WEST, THIS MAY SEEM AN INSULAR POLITICAL MATTER, BUT NOT TO THE GENERALS WHO VALUE TURKEY'S ROLE IN NATO AND ITS GOAL OF ACHIEVING MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION. [OPT] [PRO-ISLAMIC PRIME MINISTER] ERBAKAN MOST RECENTLY FANNED DOMESTIC FIRES BY CALLING FOR EARLY ELECTIONS IN HOPES HIS WELFARE PARTY, IN COALITION WITH FORMER PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER'S TRUTH PATH PARTY, COULD WIN RE-ENDORSEMENT AT THE POLLS. [END OPT] ......TURKEY'S GEOSTRATEGIC STATUS AS THE EASTERN BULWARK OF NATO DOES NOT PERMIT AMBIGUITIES REGARDING ITS LOYALTIES."

TEXT: WITH THAT WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM SOME OF TUESDAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/NL
03-Jun-97 1:07 PM EDT (1707 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: AN IRAQI KURDISH GROUP HELPING TURKEY IN ITS ATTACKS IN NORTHERN IRAQ SAY THE OFFENSIVE HAS BEEN LARGELY SUCCESSFUL. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA SPOKE TO SAFEEN DIZAYEE, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, OR K-D-P. AND FILED THIS REPORT.

TEXT: MR. DIZAYEE TOLD V-O-A THAT TURKEY'S THREE-WEEK-OLD OFFENSIVE AGAINST REBELS OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR P-K-K, IS FAR MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN OTHER CROSS-BORDER OPERATIONS IN THE PAST.

HE CITED TWO REASONS. HE SAID THE OPERATION IS BEING CARRIED OUT JOINTLY WITH K-D-P FIGHTERS WHO ARE WELL VERSED IN GUERRILLA TACTICS. AND HE SAID THE TURKISH MILITARY IN THIS OFFENSIVE HAS DESTROYED THE REBELS' MAIN COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE.

PRIOR TO THE MAJOR OPERATION OF TURKEY IN THE AREA, AERIAL BOMBARDMENT OF THE KNOWN TARGETS WERE CONTINUING FOR AT LEAST SIX WEEKS PRIOR TO THE OPERATION WHICH SEEMINGLY HAS CUT OFF (THE) P-K-K FROM THEIR MAIN COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM, AND THERE WERE MANY GROUPS OF P-K-K IN THE AREA WHO WERE IN DISARRAY AND CUT OFF FROM THEIR COMMAND IN THE FIELD.

TURKISH MILITARY OFFICIALS THEMSELVES DESCRIBE THE OPERATION AS A HUGE VICTORY AGAINST THE REBELS. THEY SAY THAT ALL OF THE MOST IMPORTANT REBEL BASES IN NORTHERN IRAQ HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. THE OFFICIALS SAY MORE THAN ONE-THOUSAND REBELS HAVE DIED SO FAR. IRAQI KURDISH SOURCES DESCRIBE THAT FIGURE AS EXAGGERATED.

THE P-K-K HAS BEEN FIGHTING THE TURKISH MILITARY FOR NEARLY 13 YEARS TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE CARVED MAINLY OUT OF SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. IT FREQUENTLY STAGES HIT AND RUN ATTACKS AGAINST TURKISH SECURITY TARGETS. MORE THAN 28-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE DIED SO FAR IN THE FIGHTING BOTH WITHIN TURKEY AND NORTHERN IRAQ.

THE K-D-P'S SAFEEN DIZAYEE SAYS HIS PARTY HAS ALSO SUFFERED FROM THE P-K-K'S PRESENCE IN THE REGION UNDER ITS CONTROL.

WE FEEL THAT THE P-K-K HAS NO BUSINESS IN IRAQI KURDISTAN. THE FAILURE OF (THE) P-K-K IN TURKISH KURDISTAN HAS PUSHED THEM TO COME TO OUR AREA AND TO COVER THEIR FAILURE IN TURKEY, IN OTHER WORDS, TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES AS ALTERNATIVE -- NOT AS A THIRD OR SECOND FORCE -- BUT AS THE ONLY FORCE IN THE AREA, WHICH IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.

THE REBELS ACCUSE ISRAEL AND THE UNITED STATES OF ASSISTING TURKEY IN ITS LATEST CROSS-BORDER ASSAULT . THE P-K-K SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE REBELS ARE PLANNING ATTACKS AGAINST TURKISH TOURIST RESORTS. FOREIGNERS, HE SAID, WOULD TRAVEL TO TURKEY AT THEIR OWN RISK.

GETTING THESE PEOPLE BACK TO THEIR HOMES AND REBUILD THEIR HOMES FOR THEM, FROM MANY ASPECTS, ITS VERY IMPORTANT, FROM SOCIAL, ECONOMICAL, STRATEGIC, AND CULTURAL POINT OF VIEW. THEREFORE WE HAVE TO PUSH FOR THIS IDEA.

JUST WHEN TURKEY'S ESTIMATED 40-THOUSAND TROOPS WILL PULL OUT OF NORTHERN IRAQ IS A KEY QUESTION. DESPITE THE MOUNTING CHORUS OF INTERNATIONAL PROTEST AGAINST THE OPERATION, LED BY TURKEY'S ARAB NEIGHBORS, TURKEY SAYS IT WILL STAY IN NORTHERN IRAQ UNTIL -- IN THE WORDS OF TURKISH DEFENSE MINISTER TURHAN TAYAN -- "THE JOB IS DONE." (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/KL
03-Jun-97 10:21 AM EDT (1421 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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