Voice of America, 97-06-10

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] FRANCE / WORLD CUP / BEER BY DAVID B. BYRD (WASHINGTON)

[03] GERMANY / EURO BY KYLE KING (BONN)

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

[05] NORTHERN IRELAND BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

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

[07] U-S-CROATIA (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

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

INTRO: STOCKS CLOSED MIXED ON MAJOR MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE TUESDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES.

TEXT: CURRENCY WORRIES SEEMED TO DAMPEN ENTHUSIASM FOR STOCKS IN FRANKFURT AND PARIS TUESDAY. HOWEVER HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX SOARED ALMOST 53 POINTS AT THE END OF TRADING TO CLOSE AT A NEW RECORD HIGH. GALLOPING PRICES ON WALL STREET GAVE THE CITY OF LONDON ITS CUE, BUT WORRIES ABOUT THE FUTURE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY MAY HAVE CAUSED A SLIGHT LOSS ON THE FRANKFURT "DAX 30" INDEX. THAT WAS DOWN TWO-AND-A-HALF POINTS. THE PARIS "CAC 40" INDEX SHED 22 POINTS AT THE CLOSE.

THE DOLLAR WAS UP ALMOST A PFENNIG AGAINST THE MARK, BUT DOWN A FRACTION OF A CENT AGAINST THE POUND. GOLD IN THE LATE LONDON FIX WAS OFF 50 CENTS AN OUNCE, CLOSING AT 343-DOLLARS-75 CENTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/EH
10-Jun-97 2:30 PM EDT (1830 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] FRANCE / WORLD CUP / BEER BY DAVID B. BYRD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE U-S BASED ANHEUSER-BUSCH BREWING COMPANY COULD LOSE SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS IN ADVERTISING AT NEXT YEAR'S WORLD CUP FOOTBALL (SOCCER) FINALS IN FRANCE BECAUSE OF A FRENCH LAW. AS V-O-A'S DAVID BYRD REPORTS, THE (EVIN) LAW COULD PREVENT BUDWEISER BEER ADS FROM BEING SHOWN ON TELEVISION DURING THE 1998 WORLD CUP FINALS.

TEXT: THE (EVIN) LAW PROHIBITS THE BROADCAST OF SPORTING EVENTS WHERE ADVERTISEMENTS FOR ALCOHOL ARE SEEN. UNDER THE LAW, ADS FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE ALLOWED IN STADIUMS, THEY JUST CAN NOT BE BROADCAST ON TELEVISION.

THAT'S WHERE ANHEUSER BUSCH RUNS INTO A PROBLEM -- IT HAS PAID 25 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL FEDERATION -- FIFA TO HAVE ITS BUDWEISER BEER PLACARDS PUT ON THE SIDELINES AT WORLD CUP GAMES. BUT IF THOSE GAMES ARE BROADCAST IN FRANCE, THE PLACARDS COULD NOT BE SHOWN.

KEITH COOPER, THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS FOR FIFA, SAYS FRENCH FANS HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR -- THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE GAMES.

THE WORLD CUP IS -- WITH ALL RESPECT TO ITS SPONSORS -- THE WORLD CUP IS BIGGER THAN ANY OF ITS SPONSORS. THE WORLD CUP WILL GO AHEAD. THE QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT BUDWEISER WILL BE ABLE TO ADVERTISE THERE. AND WITHOUT GOING INTO TOO MUCH DETAIL HERE, I WOULD SAY THAT A LOT OF PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN THIS RESPECT.

MR. COOPER SAYS THAT HIGH-LEVEL TALKS ARE UNDER WAY TO GET A SPECIAL EXCEPTION TO THE FRENCH LAW WHICH WOULD ALLOW BUDWEISER TO KEEPS ITS PLACARDS IN STADIUMS AND ALLOW THE GAMES TO BE BROADCAST IN FRANCE.

PATRICK JUILLARD, A PRESS OFFICER FROM THE FRENCH EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON, SAYS THE LAW IS REALLY INTENDED TO LIMIT SMOKING AND ALCOHOL ABUSE IN FRANCE, NOT NECESSARILY ADVERTISEMENTS. HE SAYS EVERYTHING POSSIBLE IS BEING DONE TO MAKE SURE FRENCH FANS GET TO SEE THE GAMES.

THERE MIGHT BE TECHNICAL POSSIBILITIES TO HIDE THE PLACARDS FROM THE FRENCH WATCHERS. THE PROBLEM IS STILL UNDER DISCUSSION BETWEEN BUDWEISER AND THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT. WITH THE WORLD CUP APPROACHING -- NOW IT'S IN LESS THAN A YEAR -- PEOPLE BECAME CONSCIOUS THAT IT MIGHT CREATE PROBLEMS REGARDING TO THIS (EVIN) LAW, SO THAT'S WHY THERE IS A CONTROVERSY NOW.

A STATEMENT FROM ANHEUSER-BUSCH SAID THE LAW CREATES A SPECIAL PROBLEM BECAUSE IT LIMITS THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO ADVERTISE ITS PRODUCT AROUND THE WORLD. THE BREWER SAID TALKS ARE UNDER WAY WITH THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT TO RESOLVE THE SITUATION. (SIGNED) NEB/SPTS/BYRD/PARKE/EH
10-Jun-97 12:05 PM EDT (1605 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] GERMANY / EURO BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: GERMAN OFFICIALS ARE FORGING AHEAD WITH PLANS TO INTRODUCE A SINGLE CURRENCY FOR EUROPE, DESPITE A SERIES OF RECENT SETBACKS. VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN THAT THE CURRENCY QUESTION MAY AFFECT THE FUTURE OF CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL'S GOVERNMENT.

TEXT: JUDGING FROM THE TONE OF THE NEWS MEDIA IN GERMANY, PLANS FOR EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION HAVE NEVER BEEN LESS POPULAR -- OR LESS CERTAIN.

THE GERMAN ECONOMY REMAINS BOGGED DOWN BY RECORD HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE ENORMOUS COST OF GERMAN UNIFICATION. SOME ANALYSTS FEAR EUROPE'S STRONGEST ADVOCATE OF THE SINGLE CURRENCY MAY FAIL TO MEET THE TOUGH CRITERIA REQUIRED TO JOIN.

RECENT LEFT-WING ELECTION VICTORIES IN FRANCE AND BRITAIN HAVE ALSO RAISED THE SPECTER OF A TURN TO THE LEFT IN GERMANY -- AND A DAMPENING OF ENTHUSIASM FOR EUROPEAN INTEGRATION.

OPINION POLLS INDICATE THE OPPOSITION SOCIAL DEMOCRATS HAVE NOW PULLED EVEN WITH CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL'S CONSERVATIVE COALITION.

DISAGREEMENTS WITHIN THE RULING COALITION OVER HOW TO GET THE ECONOMY MOVING AGAIN HAVE EVEN SPARKED REPORTS OF A POSSIBLE COLLAPSE OF THE GOVERNMENT.

BUT DESPITE THE CHANCELLOR'S PROBLEMS AND THE RECENT ELECTION SHIFTS IN BRITAIN AND FRANCE, PROFESSOR WERNER LINK, A EUROPEAN SPECIALIST AT COLOGNE UNIVERSITY, DOES NOT THINK THERE WILL BE A LEFTWARD TURN IN GERMANY.

WELL I DON'T THINK SO, BUT OF COURSE IT CAN'T BE EXCLUDED THAT THIS TENDENCY WILL HAVE AN IMPACT. BUT IF YOU TAKE THE GERMAN SITUATION, YOU HAVE TO REALIZE IN GERMANY THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS IN A DIFFERENT POSITION AND HAS DIFFERENT OPINIONS AS TO THESE PROBLEMS, COMPARED WITH (BRITAIN'S) LABOUR PARTY AND WITH THE FRENCH SOCIALISTS. AND THEY ARE IN A DIFFERENT STRATEGIC POSITION.

UNLIKE THE SOCIALISTS IN BRITAIN AND FRANCE, PROFESSOR LINK POINTS OUT THE GERMAN OPPOSITION HAS NOT DEVELOPED CLEAR POLICY ALTERNATIVES TO THE CONSERVATIVES AND CURRENTLY HAS NO STRONG CANDIDATE TO CHALLENGE MR. KOHL.

BUT EVEN IF MR. KOHL IS ABLE TO KEEP HIS COALITION TOGETHER, ANALYSTS SAY HE FACES AN UPHILL BATTLE IF HE WANTS TO WIN A RECORD FIFTH TERM IN OFFICE NEXT YEAR.

LAST WEEK HIS FINANCE MINISTER WAS FORCED TO BACK DOWN FROM A CONTROVERSIAL PLAN TO REVALUE THE NATION'S GOLD RESERVES TO HELP QUALIFY FOR THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY.

PUBLIC OPINION POLLS SHOW THAT FIASCO HAS MADE AN ALREADY SKEPTICAL PUBLIC EVEN MORE RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT PLANS TO TRADE THE STABLE GERMAN MARK FOR THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY. ONE PUBLIC OPINION POLLS INDICATED 82 PERCENT OF THOSE QUESTIONED IN GERMANY WERE IN FAVOR OF A DELAY IN THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW CURRENCY, CALLED THE "EURO."

NEVERTHELESS, PROFESSOR LINK SAYS HE DOES NOT BELIEVE A GROUNDSWELL OF OPPOSITION TO EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION WILL HALT MOVEMENT IN THAT DIRECTION.

THERE MAY BE SOME, SO TO SAY, DECREASING ENTHUSIASM, THIS IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING WHICH IS OCCURRING AND SOMETHING THAT IS STRENGTHENING. PEOPLE ARE GETTING MORE SKEPTICAL AND POLITICIANS ARE TRYING TO ADAPT TO THE GENERAL MOOD OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE. BUT I DON'T THINK WE HAVE TO EXPECT A RADICAL REVISION AND A RADICAL CHANGE IN GERMAN FOREIGN POLICY WITH RESPECT TO EUROPEAN INTEGRATION IN GENERAL AND THE EURO IN PARTICULAR.

ALTHOUGH SOME SOCIAL DEMOCRATS HAVE RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT A POSSIBLE DELAY IN THE PLANNED INTRODUCTION OF THE SINGLE CURRENCY, ANALYSTS SAY THERE IS LITTLE LIKELIHOOD THEY'LL REVERSE THEIR SUPPORT OF THE IDEA. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/EH
10-Jun-97 12:55 PM EDT (1655 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP AGAIN TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH MAJOR INDEXES CLOSING AT RECORD HIGHS FOR THE THIRD SESSION IN A ROW. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 75 HUNDRED 39, UP 60 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 865, UP TWO POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY OPTIMISM ABOUT LOW INFLATION AND LOW INTEREST RATES CONTINUED. THEY OBSERVED THAT THE STRONG RALLY, WHICH BEGAN WITH FRIDAY'S 130 POINT GAIN IN THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE, IS FEEDING ON ITSELF WITH MANY PORTFOLIO MANAGERS RUSHING TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE FULLY INVESTED. THE RALLY TUESDAY WAS BROAD-BASED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR. MANY ANALYSTS REDUCED THEIR EARNINGS ESTIMATES FOR DELTA AIRLINES AND THAT DRAGGED THE PRICES OF OTHER AIRLINE STOCKS DOWN.

BUT IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR THE BOEING AIRCRAFT COMPANY. CONTINENTAL AIRLINES SAYS IT WILL BUY 35 WIDE BODY JETLINERS FROM BOEING. ALSO, AMERICAN AIRLINES SAYS IT WILL BUY SEVEN BOEING 777 AIRLINERS AND BRITISH AIRWAYS CONFIRMS IT WILL PURCHASE 43 BOEING JETS AS PART OF A MAJOR FLEET UPGRADE.

THE I-B-M COMPUTER COMPANY SAYS IT WILL SHUT DOWN ITS SO-CALLED "VIRTUAL SHOPPING MALL" ON THE COMPUTER INTERNET. I-B-M SAYS THE SERVICE, WHICH ALLOWED CONSUMERS TO PLACE ORDERS DIRECTLY FROM THEIR COMPUTERS TO A VARIETY OF STORES, WAS SIMPLY NOT GENERATING MUCH INTEREST.

THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT IS SUSPENDING A LOAN BY THE U-S EXPORT-IMPORT BANK TO AN AMERICAN COMPANY. OFFICIALS WILL NOT REVEAL THE NAME OF THE U-S COMPANY BUT SAY THE LOAN WAS RESCINDED BECAUSE THE LOAN SUPPORTED A DEAL INVOLVING A CHINESE FIRM WHICH IS SUBJECT TO U-S SANCTIONS FOR ALLEGEDLY SELLING ARMS-RELATED CHEMICALS TO IRAN.

THE U-S IS INVESTIGATING REPORTS THAT SOME AMERICAN-MADE SUPERCOMPUTERS SOLD TO CHINA MAY HAVE BEEN USED FOR MILITARY APPLICATIONS. IN 1995, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AGREED TO LICENSE THE SALE OF SUPERCOMPUTERS TO CHINA, BUT ONLY FOR CIVILIAN USE. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/LWM
10-Jun-97 5:10 PM EDT (2110 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] NORTHERN IRELAND BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: THE SO-CALLED ALL-PARTY TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND ARE EXACTLY ONE YEAR OLD, HAVING OPENED ON JUNE 10TH, 1996. BUT AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON, THE PAST 12 MONTHS HAVE SEEN LITTLE PROGRESS TOWARDS A SOLUTION.

TEXT: THE TALKS OUTSIDE BELFAST BRING TOGETHER ALL OF THE MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES IN NORTHERN EXCEPT ONE -- SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY. SINN FEIN IS EXCLUDED FROM PARTICIPATION UNTIL THE I-R-A ANNOUNCES A NEW CEASEFIRE -- BUT ANALYSTS SAY THERE ARE NO INDICATIONS THE PARAMILITARY GROUP HAS ANY INTENTION OF RESTORING A TRUCE ANYTIME SOON.

SINCE THE TALKS OPENED A YEAR AGO UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF FORMER U-S SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL, VERY LITTLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED. PARTICIPANTS HAVE BEEN WRANGLING OVER PROCEDURAL ISSUES AND HAVE NOT EVEN BEGUN TO ADDRESS SERIOUS POLITICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES.

WHEN THE TALKS RESUMED LAST WEEK, SINN FEIN PRESIDENT GERRY ADAMS TOLD REPORTERS HE IS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE LACK OF PROGRESS SO FAR.

THIS BUSINESS HERE HAS GONE ON FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND THEY HAVEN'T EVEN GOT OFF THE STARTING PAD. SO I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME SENSE -- THE GOVERNMENTS HAVE TO FACE UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND SEEK TO MOVE THE ENTIRE PROCESS FORWARD. EXCLUDING US WILL SOLVE NOTHING.

POLITICAL ANALYSTS DO BELIEVE, HOWEVER, SINCE THERE ARE NOW NEW GOVERNMENTS IN LONDON AND DUBLIN, THIS MIGHT BREATHE LIFE INTO A POLITICAL PROCESS THAT HAS BEEN DEVOID OF ANY NEW INITIATIVES FOR SOME TIME NOW.

IN HIS CAPACITY AS SECURITY SPOKESMAN FOR THE LARGEST PRO-BRITISH PARTY, THE ULSTER UNIONISTS, KEN MAGINNIS IS A PARTICIPANT AT THE TALKS ON NORTHERN IRELAND. HE SAYS THE TALKS ARE DEADLOCKED OVER THE ISSUE OF DECOMMISSIONING WEAPONS -- IN OTHER WORDS, HOW TO GET PARAMILITARY GROUPS TO GIVE UP THEIR ARMS AND BOMB-MAKING EQUIPMENT. FOR MR. MAGINNIS, DECOMMISSIONING IS A MAJOR ISSUE.

AS AN ULSTER UNIONIST, I HAVE TO SAY AGAIN AND AGAIN TO PEOPLE: IF SOMEBODY TELLS ME HE IS PREPARED TO PERMANENTLY END HIS VIOLENCE -- AND THE I-R-A HASN'T SAID THAT YET, BUT IF THEY SAID WE ARE PREPARED TO PERMANENTLY END OUR VIOLENCE -- I WOULD THEN HAVE TO ASK, "WHY THEN DO YOU NEED 100 TONS OF HIGHLY-SOPHISTICATED WEAPONRY UNDER YOUR CONTROL? I DO NOT HAVE IT. THE ORDINARY CIVILIAN POPULATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND DOES NOT HAVE IT. WHY SHOULD YOU AS AN ILLEGAL ORGANIZATION BELIEVE THAT WE WILL TURN A BLIND EYE TO IT AND TRUST YOU NEVER TO UTILIZE THAT AGAIN AGAINST THE CIVILIAN POPULATION?"

MR. MAGINNIS SAYS THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS IS MARRED BY A CONTINUING LACK OF TRUST AMONG THE VARIOUS PARTICIPANTS. HE SAYS THERE IS ALSO A LACK OF POSITIVE MEASURES WHICH COULD INSTILL CONFIDENCE AND FAITH IN THE WHOLE SYSTEM. ONE SUCH MOVE SAYS MR. MAGINNIS -- WOULD BE FOR THE I-R-A TO GIVE UP ITS WEAPONRY.

PSYCHOLOGICALLY, IT IS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GUNS TO MAKE THAT MOVE, TO GET RID OF THEM, TO GET RID OF THE EXPLOSIVES -- AND HOPEFULLY TO CREATE GREATER CONFIDENCE, AS FAR AS PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF ARE CONCERNED.

MANY ANALYSTS SAY THERE IS LITTLE HOPE OF THE I-R-A GIVING UP ITS WEAPONS, SINCE THE PARAMILITARY GROUP BELIEVES SUCH A MOVE WOULD BE TANTAMOUNT TO SURRENDER. HOWEVER ANALYSTS DO SAY SOME NEW INITIATIVES MUST COME FROM EITHER LONDON OR DUBLIN IN ORDER TO REGENERATE THE MULTI-PARTY TALKS, GET THOSE NEGOTIATIONS MOVING AND HOPEFULLY AVOID MORE VIOLENCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF/EH
10-Jun-97 9:29 AM EDT (1329 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: FOR NEARLY FOUR THOUSAND, ONE-HUNDRED KILOMETERS--FROM PORTLAND, MAINE, TO PORTLAND, OREGON-- AMERICA'S NEWSPAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON THE DECISION BY THE SECOND-HIGHEST RANKING MILITARY OFFICER [VICE CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF] TO WITHDRAW FROM CONTENTION FOR THE JOB OF CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF.

OTHER EDITORIALS ARE DISCUSSING SUCH TOPICS AS THE ROBUST ECONOMY; THE EXPANSION OF NATO; THE BURNING OF CHURCHES, AND THE LATEST ON THE QUEST FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND.

NOW, HERE IS ___________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND A QUOTE OR TWO IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE DECISION MONDAY OF AIR FORCE GENERAL JOSEPH RALSTON NOT TO SEEK THE NATION'S HIGHEST MILITARY JOB, CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, IS FILLING THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST NEWSPAPERS THIS TUESDAY. THE GENERAL HAD ADMITTED HAVING AN ADULTEROUS AFFAIR SEVERAL YEARS AGO, AND THE ACT OF ADULTERY IS AN OFFENSE IF IT AFFECTS ORDER AND DISCIPLINE WITHIN THE U-S MILITARY.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, IN A LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE, CALLS THE DECISION "SANITY ON ADULTERY", WHILE THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SAYS, "SEX BECOMES A BATTLEFIELD FOR AN EMBARRASSED MILITARY". FIRST THE NEW YORK TIMES:

VOICE: "GENERAL .... RALSTON'S DECISION TO WITHDRAW ..... WAS THE ONLY SENSIBLE AND RESPONSIBLE COURSE OF ACTION GIVEN PUBLIC OUTRAGE OVER THE RECENT HANDLING OF ADULTERY CASES IN THE MILITARY. HIS CANDIDACY WAS DOOMED ONCE IT BECAME KNOWN THAT HE, TOO, HAD COMMITTED ADULTERY EARLIER IN HIS CAREER. NEITHER CONGRESS NOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE COULD IGNORE A SEXUAL INFRACTION BY ONE OF ITS TOP GENERALS, HOWEVER INNOCUOUS THAT CONDUCT MIGHT SEEM TO HIS SUPPORTERS, WHEN LESSER OFFICERS HAVE BEEN DRUMMED OUT OF THE SERVICE FOR SIMILAR OFFENSES."

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES WONDERS HOW FAR THE CURRENT CRUSADE AGAINST ADULTERS IN THE MILITARY WILL GO AND AT WHAT COST.

VOICE: "AND AFTER THE [GENERAL] RALSTON DEVELOPMENT AND LAST WEEK'S ABRUPT RETIREMENT OF ARMY MAJOR GENERAL JOHN ... LONGHOUSER FOLLOWING A SIMILAR ADMISSION OF ADULTERY, WHO WILL BE NEXT? HOW MANY MORE EXPERIENCED, EXPENSIVELY TRAINED AND HONORED OFFICERS MIGHT HAVE THEIR CAREERS SIDETRACKED OR ENDED BECAUSE THEY ENGAGED IN AFFAIRS, PERHAPS LONG AGO, THAT IN NO WAY AFFECTED THEIR SERVICE PERFORMANCE OR HARMED THE MILITARY? WHERE IS THE LINE FINALLY TO BE DRAWN?"

TEXT: NOW TO ADDITIONAL REACTION. IN MAINE, THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD SAYS "[GENERAL] RALSTON HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO WITHDRAW [HIS] NAME."

VOICE: "THERE WAS NO WAY THE SENATE WAS GOING TO CONFIRM HIM AS CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, NO WAY DEFENSE SECRETARY BILL COHEN COULD HAVE CONTINUED TO SUPPORT HIM, NO WAY PRESIDENT CLINTON COULD HAVE STOOD BY [SECRETARY] COHEN IF HE HAD. ..... THE CASE OF AIR FORCE LT. KELLY FLINN REALLY WAS DIFFERENT ..... THE PERCEPTION OF A DOUBLE STANDARD WAS THERE, HOWEVER, AND WASN'T ABOUT TO GO AWAY."

TEXT: ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CONTINENT, THE OREGONIAN, IN PORTLAND, SAYS THE WITHDRAWAL OF GENERAL RALSTON "IS A SHAME" AND GOES ON:

VOICE: "WE SEEM TO HAVE LOST SIGHT OF WHAT'S IMPORTANT IN THE MILITARY. DO WE WANT PARAGONS TO VIRTUE OR MEN AND WOMEN WHO MAKE GOOD MILITARY LEADERS? IN THE LARGER UNIVERSE OF PUBLIC LIFE AND SERVICE, HOW DO WE AS A NATION SHOOT OURSELVES IN THE COLLECTIVE FOOT BY SETTING PERSONAL STANDARDS BEYOND THE REACH OF MOST ORDINARY MORTALS? NOT TO MENTION MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. .....WE WOULD HAVE BEEN HAPPY TO SEE THE GENERAL HANG TOUGH [CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THE NOMINATION]."

TEXT: TURNING TO ANOTHER DOMESTIC ISSUE, THE ROBUST ECONOMY, THE WASHINGTON POST WONDERS WHETHER IT IS NOW "TOO GOOD TO LAST?", AND ADDS THESE QUESTIONS.

VOICE: "THE ECONOMY CONTINUES TO CONFOUND THE ECONOMISTS. THEY WORRY THAT THE NEWS IS TOO GOOD TO LAST - - AND THEN IT DOES. SOONER OR LATER THEY'LL DOUBTLESS BE RIGHT, AND EITHER THE LOW INFLATION RATE OR SIX STRAIGHT YEARS OF EXPANSION OR BOTH WILL END. BUT WHEN, AND WHAT HAS THE TRADE-OFF BECOME BETWEEN GROWTH AND INFLATION IN THE CURRENT ECONOMY? THOSE ARE THE QUESTIONS. ..... THE POVERTY RATE, THE WELFARE ROLLS AND NOW THE NUMBER OF LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYED ARE ALL HEADED DOWN. WHY NO RESURGENCE OF INFLATION? .... THE FED ITSELF IS UNCERTAIN..... WHERE IN A CHANGED ECONOMY, IS THE RIGHT DIVIDING LINE?"

TEXT: ON ANOTHER TOPIC, THE WASHINGTON POST TALKS ABOUT EXPANDING NATO AT NEXT MONTH'S SUMMIT IN MADRID, BUT CAUTIONS THAT ADDING THREE NEW MEMBERS, MOST LIKELY HUNGARY, POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC, IS ONLY THE FIRST STEP.

VOICE: "THE EXPANSION OF NATO WILL HAVE TO BE RATIFIED BY THE PARLIAMENTS OF ALL 16 CURRENT MEMBERS, AND THE DEBATES ARE LIKELY TO BE LIVELY. MOREOVER, MANY OTHER DEMOCRATIZING NATIONS WANT OR WILL WANT MEMBERSHIP IN NATO. THIS FIRST EXPANSION CANNOT BE THE LAST. IN BOTH REGARDS, A REPUBLICAN-SPONSORED MEASURE TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THIS WEEK WOULD MAKE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION. THE BILL WOULD PUT CONGRESS ON RECORD AGAIN SUPPORTING NATO ENLARGEMENT. ..... MOST IMPORTANT, IT WOULD MAKE CLEAR THAT CONGRESS WANTS NATO'S DOOR TO STAY OPEN AFTER THIS FIRST ROUND OF ENLARGEMENT - - AND THAT ROMANIA AND THE BALTIC REPUBLICS OF ESTONIA, LATVIA AND LITHUANIA SHOULD BE CONSIDERED PRIME CANDIDATES IF THEY ARE NOT INVITED IN THE FIRST ROUND."

TEXT: TODAY'S MIAMI HERALD COMMENTS ON A JUST-RELEASED REPORT REGARDING THE BURNING OF CHURCHES, MANY OF THEM IN THE RURAL SOUTH, BUT ADDS HOPEFULLY THAT RACISM WAS N O T THE PREVAILING FACTOR IN THE FIRES.

VOICE: "YES, IT WAS TRUE THAT BLACK CHURCHES WERE SUFFERING, BUT SO WERE WHITE CHURCHES. AND WHILE RACISM SPAWNED SOME CHURCH ARSONS, IT WASN'T COMMON. SO SAYS ANOTHER REPORT, FROM A SPECIAL TASK FORCE, THAT CONFIRMS WHAT THE F-B-I SAID A YEAR AGO: THERE WAS NO CONSPIRACY, INDEED, THE PERCENTAGE OF WHITES ACCUSED OF BURNING WHITE CHURCHES WAS HIGHER THAN THAT OF WHITES ACCUSED OF BURNING CHURCHES WITH BLACK OR MIXED CONGREGATIONS. .... THIS STORY ... HAS HAD THE SALUTARY EFFECT OF LEADING TO THE ARRESTS OF 199 PEOPLE, A CLEARANCE RATE DOUBLE THAT OF OTHER ARSON CASES. IT ALSO HAS LED TO BRIDGES BUILT BETWEEN CHURCHES AS ONE HELPS THE OTHER REBUILD."

TEXT: BACK OVERSEAS AGAIN, AS THE NEW YORK TIMES LOOKS AT THE TROUBLES IN NORTHERN IRELAND, AND ITS LATEST ELECTION. THE TIMES SUGGESTS THAT GERRY ADAMS, THE SINN FEIN LEADER, HAS RUN OUT OF EXCUSES.

VOICE: "GERRY ADAMS .... CANNOT COMPLAIN ABOUT RECENT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND. HIS OWN PARTY, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, DID WELL IN THE RECENT IRISH AND BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. MORE SIGNIFICANTLY, THE NEW BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, TONY BLAIR, AND THE PROBABLE NEW IRISH PRIME MINISTER, BERTIE AHERN, ARE LIKELY TO PUSH FOR A NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE SETTLEMENT. WITH BILL CLINTON IN THE WHITE HOUSE, ALL THREE GOVERNMENTS SPONSORING THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE EFFORT ARE NOW LED BY MEN WITH WHOM MR. ADAMS HAS DECLARED HE CAN WORK. ..... NOW IS THE TIME FOR MR. ADAMS TO SHOW HE CAN DELIVER A CEASE-FIRE."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM SOME OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/NL
10-Jun-97 11:00 AM EDT (1500 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-S-CROATIA (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS AGREED TO A NEW LOAN FOR CROATIA TO REWARD ZAGREB FOR RECENT ACTIONS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES HAD THREATENED TO BLOCK LOANS TO CROATIA IF THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ALLOW SERBIAN REFUGEES TO RETURN SAFELY TO CROATIA.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE UNITED STATES APPROVED A 13 MILLION DOLLAR LOAN TO CROATIA THIS WEEK BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN STEPS THE UNITED STATES WANTED. CROATIA HAS ALLOWED A BRIDGE TO OPEN TO COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC FROM BOSNIA. PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN HAS MADE PUBLIC COMMITMENTS TO ALLOW SERBS TO RETURN HOME TO EASTERN SLAVONIA AND CROATIAN CITIZENS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR BRUTALIZING SERBS.

SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THESE STEPS NEED TO BE ENCOURAGED.

SURELY WE WANT TO SEND A POSITIVE SIGNAL THAT THIS IS THE KIND OF ACTION THAT WILL WARRANT SUPPORT FROM THE WEST.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT THREATENS TO BLOCK A LARGER WORLD BANK LOAN LATER THIS MONTH IF CROATIA DOES NOT CONTINUE TO IMPROVE ITS POLICIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/TMD/EH
10-Jun-97 4:13 PM EDT (2013 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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