Voice of America, 97-07-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] E-U MEMBERSHIP CQ (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[02] TURKEY SUPPRESSES JOURNALISTS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[03] AZERBAIJAN / U-N ACTIVITES BY ABOLFAZL BAHADORI (WASHINGTON)

[04] CLINTON / IRELAND (S-O) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[05] SPAIN TERRORISM (L-ONLY) BY GIL CARBAJAL (MADRID)

[06] NATO EXPANSION: DIVIDING OR UNIFYING? BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[07] DOLE/BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

[08] BOSNIA POLITICS BY KYLE KING (SARAJEVO)

[09] CLINTON/BOSNIA (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[10] EDITORIAL: JOINT DECLARATION ON BOSNIA

[11] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

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

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

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

[01] E-U MEMBERSHIP CQ (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: E-U COMMISSIONERS WILL ANNOUNCE ON WEDNESDAY PROPOSALS FOR THE BIGGEST-EVER ENLARGEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION -- WITH THE LAUNCH OF NEGOTIATIONS TO ADMIT CYPRUS AND FIVE NEW MEMBERS FROM EASTERN EUROPE. AT THE SAME TIME, THE COMMISSIONERS ARE SET TO REFORM THE MUCH CRITICIZED COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY AND REGIONAL AID PROGRAMS. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS

TEXT: THE PLANNED E-U ENLARGEMENT FOLLOWS THE RECENT NATO DECISION TO ALSO EXPAND EASTWARDS. THE FIVE PROPOSED NEW E-U MEMBERS WILL BE POLAND, HUNGARY, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, ESTONIA AND SLOVENIA.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER WILL FORMALLY ANNOUNCE THE DECISION WEDNESDAY. IT WILL THEN NEED TO BE ENDORSED BY THE 15 E-U GOVERNMENTS.

CYPRUS HAS ALREADY BEEN TOLD IT IS ON THE SHORT-LIST (EDS: A LIKELY CANDIDATE), BUT MEMBERSHIP IS LIKELY TO BE CONDITIONAL ON A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO THE GREEK-TURKISH CONFLICT ON THE ISLAND.

E-U COMMISSIONERS WILL ALSO BE PROPOSING THAT THE UNION MUST REFORM ITS TWO HIGHEST-SPENDING PROGRAMS -- AGRICULTURE AND REGIONAL POLICY.

IF THE PRESENT GENEROUS SUBSIDY AND AID PROGRAMS WERE TO BE EXTENDED WITHOUT REFORM TO NEW APPLICANT MEMBERS, THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE COST TO THE E-U WOULD BE MASSIVE. HOWEVER, THERE IS EXPECTED TO BE DEEP HOSTILITY TO THE REFORMS AMONG THOSE WHO CURRENTLY PROSPER THE MOST -- NAMELY, THE FARMERS OF FRANCE AND GERMANY AND THE GOVERNMENTS OF SPAIN, PORTUGAL AND GREECE.

THE FARM REFORM WILL INVOLVE CUTTING PRICE SUBSIDIES TO AGRICULTURE, WHICH SHOULD, IN THEORY, LOWER FOOD PRICES FOR EUROPEANS.

FARMERS WILL BE COMPENSATED FOR THE PRICE CUTS WITH SPECIAL PAYMENTS FROM THE E-U, WHICH WILL NO LONGER BE RELATED TO THEIR PRODUCTIVITY. FAR FROM SAVING MONEY, THE REFORM IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE THE E-U BUDGET, IN THE SHORT-TERM AT LEAST.

THE OTHER REFORM PLAN FOR THE E-U'S REGIONAL AID PROGRAMS IS LIKELY TO HIT THE IRISH HARDEST OF ALL.

ALTHOUGH THEY ARE CATEGORIZED AS ONE OF THE E-U'S POOREST FOUR STATES, ALONG WITH GREECE, SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, RECENT FIGURES SHOW THAT THE AVERAGE IRISHMAN IS ACTUALLY RICHER THAN THE AVERAGE BRITON. AND WHILE BRITAIN MAKES A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR LOSS ON ITS E-U MEMBERSHIP, THE IRISH MAKE AN ENORMOUS PROFIT. (SIGNED)
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15-Jul-97 1:27 PM EDT (1727 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] TURKEY SUPPRESSES JOURNALISTS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ALTHOUGH TURKEY IS A MEMBER OF NATO, A DEMOCRACY, AND A STAUNCH SUPPORTER OF THE UNITED STATES, IT IS APPARENTLY STIFLING A FREE PRESS ACCORDING TO A RECENT STUDY BY A NEW YORK-BASED ORGANIZATION THAT MONITORS THE WORLD PRESS.

THE REVELATION THAT DOZENS OF REPORTERS, WRITERS AND EDITORS ARE BEING HELD IN JAIL ON VARIOUS CHARGES HAS CAUSED AN OUTCRY IN THE UNITED STATES PRESS, AND WE GET A SAMPLING NOW FROM __________________ IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THE CHARGES COME IN A REPORT FROM THE COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS, AN ORGANIZATION THAT MONITORS PRESS FREEDOM AND THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH JOURNALISTS WORK, AROUND THE WORLD.

THE REPORT INCLUDED THE NAMES OF 78 JOURNALISTS CURRENTLY IN TURKISH JAILS AND THE TURKISH PRESS COUNCIL SAYS THERE MAY ACTUALLY BE TWICE THAT MANY.

SEVERAL U-S PAPERS ARE CALLING ON THE NEW, SECULAR PRIME MINISTER OF TURKEY, MESUT YILMAZ, TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION BY FREEING THOSE FALSELY JAILED AND WORKING TO DECRIMINALIZE FREE SPEECH.

MUCH OF THE PRESS REPRESSION HAS TO DO WITH JOURNALISTS TRYING TO COVER THE DECADE-LONG CIVIL WAR IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY AGAINST THE KURDS. WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING WITH THE NEW YORK TIMES.

VOICE: TURKEY HAS THE SHAMEFUL DISTINCTION OF IMPRISONING MORE JOURNALISTS THAN ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. ..... NOW THAT A NEW GOVERNMENT HAS ASSUMED POWER, IT HAS A TIMELY OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN THOSE PRISON DOORS. DOING SO WOULD LESSEN A STAIN ON TURKEY'S REPUTATION AND ENHANCE THE DEMOCRATIC CREDENTIALS OF PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ'S SECULARIST CENTER-RIGHT COALITION. .... MOST OF THE JOURNALISTS IN PRISON ARE CHARGED WITH DISSEMINATING 'SEPARATIST PROPAGANDA' OR WITH BEING MEMBERS OF PROSCRIBED PRO-KURDISH POLITICAL GROUPS. IN FACT, UNDER TURKEY'S BROAD ANTI-TERRORISM LAW, JOURNALISM ITSELF IS CRIMINALIZED AND REPORTERS FACE PRISON FOR DOING THEIR JOB. [OPT] ..... THIS IS MORE THAN A PRESS ISSUE. FOR NEARLY A DECADE TURKEY HAS RELIED PRIMARILY ON FORCE TO COUNTER KURDISH TERRORISTS, WITHOUT OPENING A PARALLEL POLITICAL TRACK FOR A HUGE, AGGRIEVED ETHNIC MINORITY. PRESS FREEDOM IS AMONG THE CASUALTIES OF A FAILED STRATEGY, IMPOSED BY THE MILITARY, WHICH MR. YILMAZ CANNOT CHANGE OVERNIGHT. YET IT IS WITHIN HIS POWER TO RELEASE JAILED JOURNALISTS AND DECRIMINALIZE FREE SPEECH, AN ESSENTIAL PRECONDITION FOR AN END TO TURKEY'S DOMESTIC TURMOIL." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE SUN IN BALTIMORE IS ALSO APPALLED AT TURKEY'S RECORD.

VOICE: "THE NEW COALITION GOVERNMENT OF PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ WANTS TO WIN RECOGNITION OF TURKEY FOR LEGITIMACY AND DEMOCRACY, AFTER MUSCLE-FLEXING BY THE MILITARY DISLODGED ITS PARTLY-ISLAMIST PREDECESSOR. THERE IS ONE QUICK WAY FOR MR. YILMAZ TO ACHIEVE THIS: LET THE REPORTERS, OPINION WRITERS AND BROADCASTERS OUT OF PRISON. [OPT] THE COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS ... HAS DOCUMENTED THE PRESENCE OF 185 REPORTERS, EDITORS AND BROADCASTERS IN THE PRISONS OF 24 COUNTRIES ROUND THE WORLD, LOCKED UP FOR DOING THEIR WORK. OF THESE, AN ASTONISHING 78 ARE IN TURKEY, FAR MORE THAN IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY. [END OPT] ..... FOR A REGIME THAT IS A PILLAR OF NATO AND WANTS TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION, THIS IS OUT OF CHARACTER WITH ITS ASPIRATIONS."

TEXT: THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS TALKS ABOUT THE SPECIFICS OF THE REPORT, AND NOTES THAT BOTH AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH HAVE ALSO CRITICIZED ANKARA FOR ITS RECORD.

VOICE: "THE UNITED NATIONS CONSIDERS THE FREE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND INFORMATION A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT. TURKEY, A U-N MEMBER STATE, OFFICIALLY AGREES. TURKEY'S CONSTITUTION SAYS: 'PRESS IS FREE, AND SHALL NOT BE CENSORED.' BUT THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT HASN'T LIVED UP TO ITS OWN IDEALS. JOURNALISTS IN TURKEY CAN REPORT FREELY ABOUT SOME TOPICS. OTHER ISSUES LAND REPORTERS IN JAIL - - OR WORSE. [OPT] IN JANUARY 1996, POLICE DETAINED REPORTER METIN GOKTEPE AS HE WAS COVERING THE FUNERAL OF TWO LEFTIST PRISON INMATES. DOZENS OF WITNESSES SAW POLICE BEAT MR. GOKTEPE, WHO DIED FROM HIS INJURIES. REVERED - - AND ELDERLY - - WRITER YASAR KEMAL WAS CHARGED WITH TREASON FOR AN ARTICLE THAT ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN A GERMAN PUBLICATION. HE WAS CONVICTED AND GIVEN A SUSPENDED SENTENCE. ..... IN ADDITION, MORE THAN A HALF-DOZEN RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS HAVE BEEN CENSORED, SHUT DOWN, OR PHYSICALLY ATTACKED. ..... THE ACTUAL NUMBERS DON'T REALLY MATTER. [END OPT] TURKEY IS RECOGNIZED BY HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS AS HAVING A LONGSTANDING PREDILECTION FOR HARASSING AND CENSORING NATIVE AND VISITING REPORTERS. ..... FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IS CRITICAL TO TRUE DEMOCRACY. TURKEY'S GOVERNMENT WILL GAIN INTERNATIONAL RESPECT IF IT PROTECTS AND NURTURES A FREE PRESS."

TEXT: IN OHIO, THE AKRON BEACON JOURNAL POINTS OUT THAT JOURNALISTS ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES SUFFERING FROM THE CURRENT POLICY.

VOICE: "OF COURSE, IN ADDITION TO THE HARDSHIPS OF THE JAILED JOURNALISTS, THE TURKISH PEOPLE ARE BEING DENIED THE FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION AND OPINION - - THE RIGHT TO SPEAK THEIR MINDS. SUCH A GOVERNMENT CAN HARDLY BE CALLED A DEMOCRACY."

TEXT: THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER IS ALSO UPSET, AND PRAISES A GROUP OF WELL KNOWN JOURNALISTS, INCLUDING C-N-N'S PETER ARNETT, WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN TURKEY DEMANDING THE RELEASE OF OCAK ISIK YURTCU. HE WAS JAILED IN DECEMBER OF 1994 FOR EDITING A DAILY NEWSPAPER CRITICAL OF THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT AND ITS CONDUCT OF THE CIVIL WAR WITH THE KURD'S.

VOICE: "A DELEGATION FROM CPJ [THE COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS] WILL BE ARRIVING IN TURKEY ON SATURDAY, (7/12 EDITORS NOTE: THERE ARE THERE NOW, AS THIS IS WRITTEN 7/15) TO CHAMPION THE CAUSE OF MR. YURTCU AND HIS MANY JAILED COLLEAGUES BEFORE THE NATION'S TOP LEADERS. THEY WILL BE PUSHING FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE REPRESSIVE LAWS AND THE RELEASE OF THE 78 IMPRISONED JOURNALISTS. THEY WILL BE DEMANDING THAT A NATION THAT WANTS DESPERATELY TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND TO TAKE PART IN THE WESTERN WORLD'S ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES, ADHERE TO AS FUNDAMENTAL PRECEPT OF DEMOCRACY:A FREE PRESS."

TEXT: THE ST. PETERSBURG [FLORIDA] TIMES HAS SOME ADVICE FOR THE NEW TURKISH PRIME MINISTER ON THIS SUBJECT.

VOICE: "[PRIME MINISTER ERBAKAN] HAS BEEN REPLACED ..... BY MESUT YILMAZ, A MEMBER OF A SECULAR CENTER-RIGHT PARTY WHO SAYS HE WILL FORM A GOVERNMENT THAT UPHOLDS FREEDOM AND DEMOCRATIC VALUES. LET HIM START BY RELEASING EDITORS AND REPORTERS WHO ARE BEHIND BARS BECAUSE THEY DID WHAT JOURNALISTS ARE SUPPOSED TO DO IN A FREE COUNTRY - - INFORM THE PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR GOVERNMENT'S POLICIES AND PRACTICES. UNTIL ITS PRESS IS FREE, TURKEY CANNOT CLAIM TO BE A TRULY DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY."

TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE GOES DOWN THE LIST OF THE WORST OFFENDING COUNTRIES, AND SAYS OF THE TURKS:

VOICE: "THE MOST EGREGIOUS REPRESSION IS PRACTICED IN TURKEY, WHERE 78 REPORTERS AND EDITORS HAVE BEEN GIVEN LONG PRISON SENTENCES UNDER ANTI-TERRORISM LAWS OR A PROVISION OF THE PENAL CODE THAT MAKES ANY ARTICLE INCONVENIENT TO THE GOVERNMENT A CRIME AGAINST THE SECURITY OF THE STATE. THE RUNNERS-UP ARE ETHIOPIA, WITH 18 JAILED JOURNALISTS, CHINA WITH 17, KUWAIT WITH 15, AND NIGERIA AND BURMA WITH EIGHT EACH. THEIR COMBINED TOTAL IS LESS THAN THAT OF TURKEY. IN A RESOLUTE EFFORT TO STOP THE CRIMINALIZING OF INDEPENDENT REPORTING IN TURKEY, THE COMMITTEE .... HAS PETITIONED ANKARA, AND SENT LETTER OF PROTEST TO THE OUTGOING PRIME MINISTER, NECMETTIN ERBAKAN, WHO ENLARGED THE SCOPE OF GOVERNMENT THREATS AGAINST PRESS FREEDOM. ALL TO NO AVAIL. IN 1996, UNDER [MR.] ERBAKAN, THE GOVERNMENT IMPRISONED 27 MORE JOURNALISTS THAN THE YEAR BEFORE."

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF COMMENTS CONCERNING THE REPRESSION OF THE PRESS IN TURKEY AND THE MISSION OF THE COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS PRESENTLY IN TURKEY PROTESTING THE SITUATION.
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15-Jul-97 4:30 PM EDT (2030 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] AZERBAIJAN / U-N ACTIVITES BY ABOLFAZL BAHADORI (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS BEGAN ITS OPERATIONS IN AZERBAIJAN IN OCTOBER 1992, A YEAR AFTER THE COUNTRY ACHIEVED ITS INDEPENDENCE FROM THE SOVIET UNION. SINCE 1992, THE WORLD ORGANIZATION HAS ESTABLISHED AN OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES AND UNICEF IN BAKU; IT IS ALSO CONDUCTING MANY EFFECTIVE HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES. ABOLFAZL BAHADORI, WHO RECENTLY INTERVIEWED THE UN COORDINATOR IN AZERBAIJAN, PAOLO LEMBO, REPORTS NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT AND THE STATUS OF THE CASPIAN SEA REMAIN AS THE TWO MAIN CHALLENGES STILL FACING THE UNITED NATIONS IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD.

TEXT: THE UNITED NATIONS' HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES ARE TRULY APPRECIATED IN AZAERBAIJAN, A COUNTRY WHERE ONE OUT OF EVERY SEVEN PEOPLE IS EITHER A REFUGEE OR A DISPLACED PERSON. PAOLO LEMBO, UNITED NATIONS RESIDENT COORDINATOR IN AZERBAIJAN, SAYS THAT EVEN THOUGH HIS OFFICE'S FOCUS HAS BEEN ON HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE, POLITICAL AND CULTURAL ISSUES ARE BY NO MEANS FORGOTTEN.

IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD, WE FOCUSED OUR EFFORTS ON THE HUMANITARIAN SPHERE. FIRST OF ALL, TO RELIEVE THE POPULATION FROM THE BURDEN OF THIS CONFLICT, BUT WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK IN CULTURAL SPHERE ALSO. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING IN ENVOIRMENTAL SPHERE, IN THE CASPIAN SEA ... SO I WOULD SAY WE HAVE AN EXTREMELY DIVERSE PROGRAM.

PAOLO LEMBO IS ALSO OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE RESOLUTION OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT.

DEFINITELY THE MOST IMPORTANT AREA FOR US IS IDENTIFYING A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THIS BITTER AND LONG TERM DISPUTE OVER THE TERRITORY OF NAGORNO KARABAKH . I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE ARE CLOSE TO FINDING A PEACEFUL SOLUTION THAT WILL MEET THE NEEDS OF BOTH PARTIES INVOLVED, ALL THE PEOLE INVOLVED.

THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL HAS SO FAR PASSED FOUR RESOLUTIONS ON THE NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT (NO. 822, 853, 874, AND 884). ALL OF THESES HAVE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED THE ARMENIAN OCCUPATIONS OF DIFFERENT REGIONS OF AZERBAIJAN OUTSIDE THE ENCLAVE OF NAGORNO KARABAKH DURING 1993; ALL DEMAND THE IMMEDIATE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES AS WELL AS IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL OF ALL OCCUPYING FORCES FROM KELBAJAR, AGDAM, ZANGILAN, FIZULI AND OTHER OCCUPIED AREAS OF THE AZERBAIJANI REPUBLIC. HOWEVER, SO FAR NONE OF THESE RESOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED. THE U-N REPRESENTATIVE SAYS HE IS DEEPLY CONCERNED.

WE (THE UNITED NATIONS) HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND (A) MECHANISM THAT COULD CONVINCE THE PARTIES THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE IN IDENTIFYING A WAY TO APPLY THIS RESOLUTION WHICH IS CONSISTENT (WITH) THE INTERESTS OF ALL THE PEOPLE PARTICIPATING HERE. BECAUSE ALL THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SUFFERING IN THIS CONFLICT. THIS CONFLICT HAS NO WINNER OR LOSER. (IT) IS A CONFLICT THAT HAS BROUGHT A LOT OF HARM TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IRRESPECTIVE THEIR ETHNIC AFFILIATION. CERTAINLY, ANY IMPARTIAL OBSERVER TO THIS CONFLICT CANNOT NEGLECT ACKNOWLEDGING HERE THAT THERE IS 20 PERCENT OF THE TERRITORY OF AZERBAIJAN IS UNDER OCCUPATION. THIS IS A FACT. I HOPE THAT WE CAN FIND A SOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT (BY) WHICH WE CAN RESTORE THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN AS WELL AS MEETING THE NEED OF THE NEIGHBORING NATION AS WELL AS REHABILLIATATING AMICABLE TIES AMONG ALL THE NATIONS OF THE CAUCASUS.

ANOTHER POLITICAL CONFLICT IN THE REGION WHICH HAS MORE OF AN ECONOMIC ANGLE THAN AN ETHNIC ONE IS THE DISPUTE OVER THE STATUS OF CASPIAN SEA. THIS CONFLICT IS BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND ITS MORE POWERFUL NEIGHBORS, RUSSIA AND IRAN. WHILE IRAN AND RUSSIA WANT THE CASPIAN DESIGNATED AS AN OPEN SEA, AZERBAIJAN AND KAZAKHSTAN WANT THE CASPIAN CLASSIFIED AS A LAKE. THE LATTER DESIGNATION WOULD ALLOW EXPLORATION OF THE SEA RESOURCES FURTHER AWAY FOR THE SHORE, WHILE THE FIRST ONE WOULD LIMIT IT TO 50 KILOMETERS ONLY.

MR. LEMBO HAS BEEN ONE OF THE INITIATORS OF AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR RESOLVING THE STATUS OF THE CASPIAN SEA. HE DESCRIBES IT AS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TASKS OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN THE REGION.

I HAD PROPOSED, ALREADY AT THE BEGINNING OF 1993 TO SET UP AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE WITH THE AIM OF IDENTIFYING THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE CASPIAN SEA. THE IDEA WAS TO BRING TO TOGETHER A TEAM OF INTERNATIONAL LAWYERS WITH EXPERIENCE IN WATER DISPUTES FROM SEVERAL PARTS OF THE WORLD AND JUST EXCHANGE VIEWS. BUT IT HAS BEEN VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO DO THAT. IN 1993 WE HELD AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE POLLUTION OF THE CASPIAN SEA. THAT IS EASIER TO DO. I THINK WE SHOULD REPLICATE (IT) IN 1998 (WITH) ONE MORE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO DETECT THE LEVEL OF DEPLETION OF FISHERY STOCK IN THE CASPIAN SEA AND AGREE ON A LAW REGULATING SAFETY STANDARDS IN OIL EXPLORATION..

THE STATUS OF THE CASPIAN SEA AND NAGORNO KARABAKH ARE EXPECTED TO BE THE MAJOR TOPICS OF DISCUSSION BETWEEN U-S PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND AZERI PRESIDENT HEYDAR ALIEV WHEN MR. ALIEV VISITS WASHINGTON AT THE END OF THIS MONTH. (SIGNED)
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15-Jul-97 2:32 PM EDT (1832 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CLINTON / IRELAND (S-O) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS TELEPHONED IRELAND'S NEW PRIME MINISTER -- BERTIE AHERN -- TO RENEW THE U-S COMMITMENT TO HELP THE IRISH AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS ACHIEVE PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON HAD WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A VERY WARM CHAT WITH THE IRISH LEADER, AND PLEDGED THE UNITED STATES WILL CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO ASSIST NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE EFFORTS.

WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD LIKE TO SEE TALKS IN BELFAST MOVE TO A MORE SUBSTANTIVE PHASE, IDEALLY WITH PARTICIPATION OF THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, SINN FEIN. BUT HE MADE CLEAR THAT THIS WOULD REQUIRE AN UNEQUIVOCAL I-R-A CEASE-FIRE:

WE HOLD NO QUARTER FOR THOSE WHO ESPOUSE VIOLENCE AS A WAY TO PURSUE THEIR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES. THE ONLY PATHWAY TO THE TYPE OF FUTURE THAT THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND DESPERATELY WANT IS THROUGH RECONCILIATION, AND THROUGH THE TYPE OF PEACE TALKS THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS DONE A GREAT DEAL TO ADVANCE, THAT THE TWO GOVERNMENTS HAVE DONE A GREAT DEAL TO ADVANCE, AND THAT THOSE PARTIES COMMITTED TO PEACE HAVE DONE A GREAT DEAL TO ADVANCE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID PRESIDENT CLINTON PROMISED MR. AHERN, WHO TOOK OFFICE LATE LAST MONTH, ACTIVE U-S CONTACTS AIMED AT GETTING ALL THE PARTIES TO THE PEACE TABLE. (SIGNED)
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15-Jul-97 4:04 PM EDT (2004 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] SPAIN TERRORISM (L-ONLY) BY GIL CARBAJAL (MADRID)

INTRO: AS MANY AS THREE MILLION SPANIARDS TOOK TO THE STREETS MONDAY NIGHT IN DEMONSTRATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TO PROTEST SATURDAY'S MURDER OF A BASQUE TOWN COUNCILMAN AND TO CALL FOR AN END OF TERRORISM BY THE BASQUE SEPARATIST GROUP KNOWN AS ETA. GIL CARBAJAL REPORTS FROM MADRID THAT SPANISH OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO EXPRESS AMAZEMENT OVER PUBLIC REACTION TO THE MURDER.

TEXT: OFFICIALS SAY MONDAY NIGHT'S MASS DEMONSTRATIONS MARKED A DRAMATIC TURNING POINT IN PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD ETA AND ITS POLITICAL WING KNOWN AS HERRI BATASUNA. THE CHANGE IS PARTICULARLY NOTEWORTHY IN THE BASQUE REGION ITSELF, WHERE THERE IS GROWING SENTIMENT TO CONFRONT PRO-ETA SUPPORTERS WITHOUT FEAR. IN A RARE TELEVISED DECLARATION AFTER A DEMONSTRATION OF A MILLION AND HALF PEOPLE IN MADRID MONDAY, KING JUAN CARLOS SAID THAT THE DEATH OF THE MURDERED COUNCILMAN MIGUEL ANGEL BLANCO HAD NOT BEEN IN VAIN.

SPAIN'S INTERIOR MINISTER JAIME MAYOR OREJA ANNOUNCED THE BEGINNING OF WHAT HE CALLS A NEW PHASE IN THE STRUGGLE AGAINST TERRORISM. ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY, TOWN COUNCILS IN THE BASQUE REGION BEGAN TO CARRY OUT THE DECISION TAKEN BY THE POLITICAL PARTIES REPRESENTED IN THE REGIONAL PARLIAMENT TO OSTRACIZE HERRI BATASUNA, UNLESS IT PUBLICLY CONDEMNS THE MURDER OF MIGUEL ANGEL BLANCO. MEANWHILE, RARE BUT SIGNIFICANT FISSURES BEGAN TO APPEAR TUESDAY IN THE USUALLY COHESIVE SOCIAL BASE OF ETA. BY WAY OF EXAMPLE, THE PRO-ETA NEWSPAPER "EGIN" CARRIED AN EDITORIAL POINTING OUT THAT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE PAST COUPLE DAYS SHOULD BE CAUSE FOR REFLECTION ON HOW BEST TO CARRY OUT THE DEMOCRATIZATION OF THE BASQUE REGION. ALSO, CHAPTERS OF THE LABOR UNION AFFILIATED TO HERRI BATASUNA PROTESTED THEIR LEADERSHIP'S FAILURE TO CONDEMN MR. BLANCO'S MURDER.

TWO ETA PRISONERS SERVING LIFE SENTENCES FOR VARIOUS TERRORIST MURDERS HAVE CONDEMNED ETA'S ASSASSINATION OF MIGUEL ANGEL BLANCO. ONE HAS BEGUN AN INDEFINITE HUNGER STRIKE, AND THE OTHER HAS CALLED FOR THE RESIGNATION OF THE HERRI BATASUNA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. ONE HERRI BATASUNA COUNCILMAN HAS RESIGNED HIS SEAT IN PROTEST AGAINST HIS GROUP'S SILENCE.

[06] NATO EXPANSION: DIVIDING OR UNIFYING? BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AFTER THE NATO MEETING IN MADRID, PRESIDENT CLINTON AND SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAVE BEEN REASSURING THE NATIONS THAT WERE NOT AMONG THE FIRST TO BE ADMITTED TO THE ENLARGED ALLIANCE. BUT A KEY QUESTION REMAINS IN THE MIND OF MANY PEOPLE : WHETHER NATO EXPANSION DRAWS A NEW DIVIDING LINE IN EUROPE, AS CRITICS CONTEND, OR WHETHER IT SERVES TO UNIFY EUROPE, AS SUPPORTERS CLAIM. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ED WARNER REPORTS.

TEXT: ONCE NATO ANNOUNCED ADMISSION OF THREE NEW MEMBERS - POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC - OTHER EUROPEAN NATIONS HAVE BECOME MORE INSISTENT ON JOINING THE ALLIANCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NATO'S POPULARITY HAS MARKEDLY INCREASED.

PETER RODMAN, DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS AT THE NIXON CENTER FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM, SAYS WITH PROPER PREPARATION, THESE NATIONS CAN BE ADMITTED IN DUE COURSE:

IT WAS AN IMPRESSIVE SHOW OF UNITY AT MADRID. I THINK THE UNITED STATES IS MAKING AN EFFORT TO REASSURE THE COUNTRIES THAT WERE NOT ADMITTED IN THE FIRST WAVE, TO REASSURE THEM THAT THERE WILL BE A SECOND WAVE AND MAYBE OTHER WAVES OF MEMBERS. AND I THINK THAT IS GOING REASONABLY WELL. THE BALTIC STATES WILL GET SOME REASSURANCES OF A SPECIAL KIND IN THE FALL. I THINK THERE IS A PLAN FOR THE BALTIC PRESIDENTS TO COME TO WASHINGTON

MR. RODMAN CONCEDES BRINGING THE BALTICS INTO NATO WILL BE COMPLICATED, BUT IT CAN AND SHOULD BE DONE

RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER PRIMAKOV TOLD U-S SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT THAT ADMITTING THE BALTICS WOULD BE DANGEROUS BECAUSE THEY ARE AN AREA OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO RUSSIA.

THIS IS THE PROBLEM, ACCORDING TO JACK MENDELSOHN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE ARMS CONTROL ASSOCIATION IN WASHINGTON:

IF THE BALTICS ARE BROUGHT IN, IT IS LIKELY, IF NOT CERTAIN TO ALIENATE RUSSIA TO A DEGREE WHERE WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COOPERATE WITH RUSSIA ON EUROPEAN SECURITY. AND RUSSIA HAS MADE IT QUITE CLEAR TIME AND TIME AGAIN, ALMOST EVERY DAY A STATEMENT TO THE EFFECT THAT BRINGING IN FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS, LIKE THE BALTICS AND UKRAINE, IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE TO MOSCOW.

THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS THERE IS NO HURRY IN DEALING WITH THE BALTICS. BUT MICHAEL MANDELBAUM, PROFESSOR OF AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY AT JOHNS HOPKINS SCHOOL OF ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, RESPONDS: "STARTING NATO EXPANSION WITHOUT A PLAN FOR THE BALTICS IS LIKE TAKING OFF ON A TRANS-ATLANTIC PLANE TRIP WITHOUT LANDING GEAR."

A VAGUENESS OF STRATEGY IS WHAT BOTHERS MR. MENDELSOHN:

IF THE UNITED STATES THINKS THAT ITS BIGGEST FUTURE PROBLEM IS CHINA, IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE REALLY FOOLISH TO THEN ALSO BE MAKING A PROBLEM OUT OF RUSSIA BY EXPANDING NATO. WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IN ORDER TO START DEALING WITH OUR CHINA PROBLEM IS TO BE MAKING SURE THAT OUR RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA ARE AS GOOD AND AS CLOSE AND AS SECURE AS POSSIBLE. WE SEEM TO BE DOING EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE SO THAT WE WILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH BOTH RUSSIA AND CHINA.

MR. MENDELSOHN ADDS THAT IN REACTION TO NATO EXPANSION, NATIONS CLOSER TO RUSSIA, LIKE SLOVAKIA, MAY LOOK TO IT FOR SUPPORT AND POSSIBLY SECURITY.

LOOK AT WHAT NATO HAS ACCOMPLISHED ALREADY, SAYS PETER RODMAN. MEMBERSHIP IN THE ALLIANCE HAS EASED RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY AND HELPED SETTLE TERRITORIAL DISPUTES BETWEEN HUNGARY AND ROMANIA. MR. RODMAN SAYS THE PROSPECT OF JOINING NATO HAS SPEEDED UP ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES ANXIOUS TO BE PART OF THE WEST.

HE SAYS THE COMING DEBATE IN THE U-S SENATE OVER RATIFICATIOIN OF EXPANSION WILL EXPOSE THE REAL MOTIVES OF CRITICS:

I THINK THE MAIN ISSUE IN AMERICA WILL BE: ARE WE ISLOLATIONISTS OR DO WE REMAIN A EUROPEAN POWER? AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ISOLATIONISTS, WHO ARE NERVOUS, WILL HAVE MANY DIFFERENT EXCUSES. AS IT GETS CLOSER TO A REAL VOTE, I THINK OUR POLITICAL ELITE WILL COME TOGETHER, AND PEOPLE WILL REALIZE THAT TO SABOTAGE THIS AT THIS STAGE WOULD BE A GREAT BLOW TO AMERICAN CREDIBILITY AND WOULD UNDERMINE OUR POSITION IN EUROPE.

JACK MENDELSOHN SAYS CRITICS ARE ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SENATE DEBATE ON NATO EXPANSION, WHICH IN THEIR VIEW IS LATE IN COMING. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
15-Jul-97 5:48 PM EDT (2148 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] DOLE/BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: FORMER SENATOR AND REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BOB DOLE HAS ADDED HIS VOICE TO THOSE CALLING FOR STEPPED UP EFFORTS BY NATO FORCES TO CAPTURE INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS IN BOSNIA. V-O-A'S NICK SIMEONE TELLS US MORE.

TEXT: JUST BACK FROM A RECENT TRIP TO BOSNIA, BOB DOLE TOLD A GROUP GATHERED IN OPPRESSIVE HEAT OUTSIDE WASHINGTON'S HOLOCAUST MUSEUM THE NATO MISSION WILL NOT BE COMPLETE UNTIL ACCUSED WAR CRIMINALS, INCLUDING FORMER BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC ARE CAPTURED AND BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.

HE AND OTHER OPINION LEADERS, INCLUDING FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE GEORGE SCHULTZ, HAVE WRITTEN TO PRESIDENT CLINTON. THEIR MESSAGE: THAT THE CAPTURE EARLIER THIS MONTH OF AN INDICTED BOSNIAN SERB BY NATO FORCES IN PRIJEDOR MUST NOT BE THE LAST.

THIS MUST BE THE BEGINNING OF A FULL TIME EFFORT TO BRING WAR CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE. WHAT AMERICA DOES OR DOES NOT DO IN BOSNIA WILL SAY A LOT ABOUT OUR COUNTRY AND WHAT WE AS AMERICANS STAND FOR.

AS SENATE MAJORITY, LEADER, BOB DOLE RELUCTANTLY SUPPORTED THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION TO DISPATCH AMERICAN TROOPS TO THE BALKANS. BUT HE SAYS THE REGION WILL BE LEFT NO MORE STABLE THAN WHEN THEY ARRIVED IF WAR CRIMINALS ARE NOT BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. WE MUST NOW TAKE SOME RISKS, HE SAYS, FOR THE SAKE OF PEACE. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/EH
15-Jul-97 12:13 PM EDT (1613 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] BOSNIA POLITICS BY KYLE KING (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: IN BOSNIA, AN ONGOING POWER STRUGGLE AMONG SERB LEADERS IS PROVIDING WHAT DIPLOMATS AND ANALYSTS SAY ARE THE FIRST SIGNS OF A HEALTHY DEBATE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC. FROM SARAJEVO, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: THE POWER STRUGGLE BEGAN WEEKS AGO WHEN BILJANA PLAVSIC, PRESIDENT OF THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC, LAUNCHED AN ATTACK ON CORRUPTION AND PROFITEERING BY HARDLINE SERB LEADERS ASSOCIATED WITH FORMER PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC.

SINCE THEN, HARDLINERS HAVE REFUSED TO OBEY HER CALLS FOR NEW PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, AND HAVE TRIGGERED A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS THAT IS YET TO BE RESOLVED.

POLITICAL ANALYST (MR.) HRAIR BALIAN OF A PRIVATE WATCHDOG ORGANIZATION CALLED THE "INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP," SAYS THE SPLIT IN THE LEADERSHIP OF THE SERB REPUBLIC COMES AMID RISING DISCONTENT AMONG MANY SERBS.

THERE WAS ALREADY A STRONG UNDERCURRENT OF DISCONTENT AMONG THE POPULATION IN REPUBLIC SRBSKA (BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC). THIS EXPOSURE IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS HAS STRENGTHENED THAT SENTIMENT, AND THAT IS THE REASON WE HAVE THE SPONTANEOUS EXPRESSIONS OF SUPPORT FOR PLAVSIC.

UNITED NATIONS REFUGE AGENCY SPOKESMAN CHRIS JANOWSKY, WHO HAS BEEN WORKING IN BOSNIA FOR SEVERAL YEARS, SAYS MOST OF THE CHANGE IN SERB ATTITUDES IS HAPPENING ON THE LOCAL LEVEL.

... AND EVERYTHING GOOD THAT IS HAPPENING IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING, DESPITE THE OFFICIALS OR AGAINST THE OFFICIALS. THE OFFICIAL POLICY IS ALWAYS BLOCKAGE, DELAY, PROBLEMS, ETHNIC SEPARATION AND SO FORTH. BUT NORMAL PEOPLE ARE USUALLY MUCH MORE REASONABLE THAN THEIR LEADERS.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS IN BOSNIA SAY THE OUTCOME OF THE POWER STRUGGLE IS BY NO MEANS CERTAIN, AND THEY SAY HARDLINERS ALLIED WITH RADOVAN KARADZIC REMAIN A MAJOR PROBLEM.

MLADEN IVANIC, A SERB POLITICAL ANALYST FROM BANJA LUKA, SAYS MS. PLAVSIC REMAINS THE ONLY MAJOR FIGURE IN THE GOVERNMENT OR THE RULING SERB PARTY, THE S-D-S, WHO ADVOCATES COOPERATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

I THINK THE TOP OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THE S-D-S IS EVEN NOW IN THE OLD TIMES. THEY ARE USING THE MEANS FROM THE OLD TIMES, THE WAR TIMES. THEY DON'T ACCEPT THE FACT THAT THERE IS A DAYTON (PEACE ACCORD) AND THE POLITICAL FIGHT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN A DIFFERENT WAY. SO I DON'T THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE LEADERSHIP THAT ARE READY TO USE MODERN MEANS FOR POLITICAL GOALS.

BUT WITH LESS THAN A YEAR TO GO BEFORE NATO TROOPS ARE SCHEDULED TO LEAVE BOSNIA, INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SIDELINE THOSE WHO ADVOCATE ETHNIC SEPARATION.

SIMON HAZELOCK, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE IN BOSNIA,SAYS OFFICIALS ARE ALSO TRYING TO AVOID RELYING SOLELY ON THE LEADERSHIP OF MS. PLAVSIC.

WE ARE NOT SUPPORTING PERSONALITIES, PER SE, IN THE REPUBLIC SRBSKA. WHAT WE ARE DOING IS SUPPORTING THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS. WE ARE SUPPORTING THE APPLICATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF DAYTON AND THE CONTINUED, IMPROVED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PEACE PROCESS. AT THE MOMENT, MADAM PLAVSIC IS ENGAGED IN A PROCESS WHERE SHE SEEMS TO BE TAKING A PRAGMATIC APPROACH ... THAT THE BEST THING FOR THE REPUBLIC SRBSKA, WHICH IS TRUE, IS TO ENGAGE IN THE PEACE PROCESS AND MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. WE HAVE NO FALSE ILLUSIONS ABOUT HER NATIONALISM.

THE MEDIA IN REPUBLIC SRBSKA IS EXTREMELY, TIGHTLY CONTROLLED BY THE PALE LEADERSHIP AND THAT HAS TO BE BROKEN BEFORE ANY CHANGE CAN COME THROUGH FROM THIS CRISIS OF LEADERSHIP IN THE SERB REPUBLIC.

NEARLY ALL ANALYSTS AGREE THAT AS LONG AS LEADING WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS LIKE RADOVAN KARADZIC REMAIN AT LARGE, THEY WILL FIND WAYS TO CIRCUMVENT INTERNATIONAL PEACE EFFORTS.

THE RECENT KILLING OF ONE WAR CRIMES SUSPECT AND THE ARREST OF ANOTHER BY NATO TROOPS HAVE ALSO CREATED SOME RESENTMENT AMONG SERBS.

BUT ANALYSTS SAY THE GROWING DEBATE AMONG BOSNIAN SERBS THEMSELVES ABOUT HOW MR. KARADZIC AND OTHERS PROFITED FROM THE WAR IS A MORE SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT. THAT, ANALYSTS SAY, COULD FINALLY MEAN THE END OF THE HARDLINER'S DOMINANCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/EH
15-Jul-97 12:36 PM EDT (1636 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] CLINTON/BOSNIA (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS WARNED BOSNIAN SERBS AGAINST RETALIATING FOR MOVES BY NATO PEACEKEEPERS TO ARREST ETHNIC SERB WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THE PRESIDENT SAYS THAT AS SIGNATORIES OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS, THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE THEMSELVES OBLIGATED TO ASSIST IN BRINGING WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS TO JUSTICE. AND HE SAYS RETALIATING FOR NATO'S EFFORTS TO APPREHEND THEM WOULD BE A GRAVE MISTAKE.

MR. CLINTON SPOKE HERE AFTER A SECOND BOMBING INCIDENT IN BOSNIA TARGETING AID WORKERS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE WORK OF SERBS ANGRY OVER LAST WEEK'S ARREST OF ONE ACCUSED WAR CRIMINAL AND THE SHOOTING DEATH OF ANOTHER WHO RESISTED ARREST BY BRITISH TROOPS. THE PRESIDENT -- AT A MEETING OF CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS -- SAID HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE THREAT OF A BACKLASH BY THE SERBS:

THEY HAVE CLEARLY NOT COMPLIED WITH THAT PROVISION OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. THEY'VE MADE NO EFFORT TO HELP US GET ANY OF THESE PEOPLE AND SO..BUT THEY HAVE NO CAUSE TO TAKE ANY RETALIATORY ACTION, AND IT WOULD BE A GRAVE MISTAKE TO DO SO.

BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS HAVE ACCUSED NATO-LED PEACEKEEPERS OF OVERSTEPPING THEIR MANDATE WITH LAST WEEK'S RAIDS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/EH
15-Jul-97 1:38 PM EDT (1738 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] EDITORIAL: JOINT DECLARATION ON BOSNIA

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:

NATO MEMBERS ISSUED A SPECIAL DECLARATION ON BOSNIA AT THEIR RECENT SUMMIT IN MADRID, SPAIN. THEY REAFFIRMED THEIR COMMITMENT TO A SINGLE DEMOCRATIC MULTI-ETHNIC STATE IN BOSNIA AND CALLED ON ALL PARTIES TO SPEED UP IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT.

NATO MEMBERS ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED BY THE POLITICAL CRISIS IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA. THERE, AN INCREASINGLY ANTI-DEMOCRATIC CLIMATE AND ABUSES OF POLICE AUTHORITY ARE UNDERMINING BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS. THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IS BEING DISTORTED BY HARDLINERS IN THE PARLIAMENT WHO ARE TRYING ILLEGALLY TO OUST THE ELECTED PRESIDENT OF REPUBIKA SRPSKA. NATO MEMBERS EXPECT THOSE INVOLVED TO RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES PEACEFULLY AND WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY RECOURSE TO FORCE. THEY DEMANDED THAT POLICE IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA HALT ACTS OF INTIMIDATION. OTHERWISE, REPUBLIKA SRPSKA RISKS EVEN GREATER INTERNATIONAL ISOLATION.

THERE CAN BE NO LASTING PEACE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA WITHOUT JUSTICE. THE NATO DECLARATION CALLS ON THE LEADERS OF THE REGION TO COOPERATE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AND DELIVER THOSE INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES TO THE HAGUE FOR TRIAL. NATO STABILIZATION FORCES RECENTLY WENT INTO BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY TO CAPTURE SUSPECTED WAR CRIMMINALS. THE TARGET OF THE OPERATION, FORMER POLICE CHIEF SIMO DRLJACA, AND HIS GUARDS OPENED FIRE ON NATO TROOPS. DRLJACA WAS KILLED. IN A SEPARATE OPERATION, NATO TROOPS ARRESTED A BOSNIAN SERB HOSPITAL CHIEF, MILAN KOVACEVIC, ALSO AN INDICTED WAR CRIMMINAL.

THE NATO DECLARATION ALSO CALLS ON ALL PARTIES TO THE DAYTON ACCORDS TO UPHOLD THE RIGHT OF REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES. THEY MUST FULFILL THEIR ARMS CONTROL OBLIGATIONS AND COMPLY WITH PROVISIONS ON REFORMING POLICE FORCES. SIGNATORIES TO THE PEACE AGREEMENT, INCLUDING CROATIA AND SERBIA, MUST ALSO ALLOW FAIR ACCESS TO THE MEDIA. COMPLIANCE WITH THESE COMMITMENTS IS A PREREQUISITE FOR CONTINUED ASSISTANCE. AND ONLY BY COMPLYING WITH ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS CAN BOSNIA, CROATIA, AND SERBIA BE FULLY INTEGRATED INTO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

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.
15-Jul-97 3:36 PM EDT (1936 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

INTRO: THE 12 MILLION CITIZENS OF SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO GOT A NEW PRESIDENT TUESDAY WITHOUT CASTING A SINGLE DIRECT VOTE. AS JULIA GLYN-PICKETT REPORTS FROM BELGRADE, SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S SUCCESSFUL TRANSFER TO THE POST OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SHOWS THAT HE REMAINS A BALKAN LEADER TO BE RECKONED WITH.

TEXT: IT WAS TUESDAY AFTERNOON WHEN THE SOCIALIST-CONTROLLED YUGOSLAV FEDERAL PARLIAMENT QUICKLY VOTED-IN THE COUNTRY'S NEW PRESIDENT. THEY CHEERED AS THE SPEAKER ANNOUNCED THE VICTORY OF SERBIAN PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

ONLY A HANDFUL OF OPPOSITION M-PS VOTED AGAINST MR. MILOSEVIC, WHO WAS THE SOLE CANDIDATE FOR THE POST. FEDERAL SOCIALIST AND PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER, MILOMIR MINIC, HERALDED MR. MILOSEVIC'S VICTORY.

MR. MINIC SAID THAT THE PARLIAMENT HAD ELECTED A CAPABLE AND BRAVE POLITICIAN AS THE NEXT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT. HE SAID THAT MR. MILOSEVIC WAS A PRINCIPLED LEADER WHO HAD SHOWN HIS DEVOTION TO THE PEOPLE OF HIS COUNTRY.

MR. MILOSEVIC WAS NOT AT THE YUGOSLAV PARLIAMENT FOR THE VOTE OR TO HEAR THE PRAISE.

WHILE MR. MILOSEVIC'S MOVE FROM THE SERBIAN TO YUGOSLAV LEVEL HAS BEEN EXPECTED FOR MONTHS, HIS SOCIALIST PARTY HAS BEEN DOGGED BY CIVIL AND SOCIAL UNREST SINCE MASS ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS ROCKED THE COUNTRY EARLIER THIS YEAR.

BUT THE HEAD OF THE OPPOSITION LIBERAL PARTY, ZARKO KORAC, TOLD VOA THAT MR. MILOSEVIC REMAINS A KEY POLITICAL PLAYER.

HE IS APPROACHING THE END OF HIS POLITICAL CAREER, BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT HIS POLITICAL END IS AROUND THE CORNER. HE WILL STILL BE A POWER TO BE RECKONED WITH HERE -- A POLITICAL POWER -- BUT HE IS CERTAINLY A MAN WHO IS WEAKER NOW AND HAS FAR MORE PROBLEMS.

MR. MILOSEVIC ASSUMES HIS NEW POST AFTER HE IS SWORN-IN ON JULY 23RD. (SIGNED)
NEB/JGP/PCF/KL
15-Jul-97 2:46 PM EDT (1846 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: WHILE THE STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE CLOSED MIXED ON TUESDAY, NEW RECORD HIGHS WERE STILL BEING SET. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE NUMBERS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THOSE RECORD HIGH CLOSINGS WERE SET HERE IN LONDON AND IN PARIS, WHERE THE "CAC 40" STOCK INDEX POSTED A NINE POINT GAIN. MEANWHILE THE BRITISH "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX CLOSED UP ALMOST 42 POINTS FOR THE DAY TUESDAY. FRANKFURT'S "DAX 30" CAME OFF ITS HIGH SET ON MONDAY AND CLOSED DOWN JUST OVER THREE POINTS. GERMAN STOCKS WERE HIGHER EARLY IN THE DAY TUESDAY, BUT TALK BY THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT INTERVENING TO BOOST THE VALUE OF THE MARK WAS SEEN BY SOME ANALYSTS AS A FACTOR IN DRIVING THE STOCK MARKET DOWN.

THE MARK DID CONTINUE ITS DECLINE AGAINST THE DOLLAR, DROPPING TO ONE-MARK-80-PFENNIGE. THE DOLLAR ALSO GAINED ANOTHER THREE-QUARTERS OF A CENT AGAINST THE POUND. GOLD PRICES WHICH CLOSED UP 80 CENTS AT THE LONDON CLOSE MONDAY ENDED DOWN 80 CENTS AT THE CLOSE TUESDAY. AN OUNCE OF GOLD ENDED UP TRADING AT 320-DOLLARS-FIVE CENTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/EH
15-Jul-97 2:21 PM EDT (1821 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (TUESDAY), WITH MAJOR INDEXES CLOSING AT RECORD HIGHS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 79-HUNDRED-75, UP 52 POINTS. THE LARGER STANDARD AND POOR'S INDEX OF 500 STOCKS CLOSED UP SEVEN POINTS AT 925, ALSO A RECORD HIGH.

ANALYSTS SAY TRADERS CONTINUED TO BE PLEASED BY OVERALL U-S ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND RISING CORPORATE PROFITS.

U-S RETAILERS ENJOYED THEIR FIRST SALES INCREASE IN FOUR MONTHS IN JUNE, WITH AMERICAN CONSUMERS INCREASING SPENDING BY ONE-HALF PERCENT. ANALYSTS SAY THE RISE IN SPENDING WAS MODEST AND SHOULD IN NO WAY TRIGGER INFLATIONARY PRESSURE IN THE U-S ECONOMY.

CORPORATE EARNINGS CONTINUE TO BE GENERALLY AS EXPECTED OR SLIGHTLY BETTER. THE "INTEL" MICROPROCESSOR COMPANY SAID ITS QUARTERLY EARNINGS JUMPED BY MORE THAN 50 PERCENT. THE "TEXAS INSTRUMENTS" COMPANY REPORTED ITS PROFITS IN THE LATEST QUARTER MORE THAN TRIPLED. THE "JOHNSON AND JOHNSON" HEALTH CARE PRODUCTS COMPANY SAID ITS QUARTERLY PROFITS GREW BY 15 PERCENT. AND THE "WHIRLPOOL" HOME APPLIANCE CORPORATION REPORTED A 25 PERCENT INCREASE IN EARNINGS.

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION CONTINUES TO HAVE STRONG MISGIVINGS ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGER OF THE "BOEING" AND "MCDONNELL DOUGLAS" AIRCRAFT COMPANIES OF THE UNITED STATES. IN A STATEMENT, THE COMMISSION SAID BOEING HAS STILL NOT AGREED TO MEASURES THAT WOULD ENSURE THAT THE COMBINED COMPANY WOULD NOT PROVIDE UNFAIR COMPETITION TO "AIRBUS INDUSTRIES," THE EUROPEAN AIRCRAFT CONSORTIUM.

THE FASHION INDUSTRY WAS STUNNED BY THE MURDER IN MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, OF GIANNI VERSACE (GEE-AHNNIE VER-SA-CHI), THE ITALIAN DESIGNER. INDUSTRY ANALYSTS SAY THEY EXPECT MR. VERSACE'S FAMILY WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE HIS BUSINESS. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/RRM
15-Jul-97 5:05 PM EDT (2105 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE AVOIDANCEOF MORE SERIOUS TROUBLE IN NORTHERN IRELAND BY THE CANCELLATION OF SOME PROTESTANT MARCHES LAST WEEKEND CONTINUES TO COME IN FOR COMMENTARY IN THE U-S PRESS THIS TUESDAY.

OTHER TOPICS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE IN U-S EDITORIALS INCLUDE PROTESTS OVER THE KILLING OF A CITY COUNCILMAN IN SPAIN BY BASQUE TERRORISTS; THE ARREST OF ALLEGED WAR CRIMINALS IN BOSNIA; FEEDING NORTH KOREA DESPITE ITS ATTITUDE; AND NAFTA'S COMING OF AGE.

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

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON THE DECISION BY PROTESTANT ORGANIZATIONS TO EITHER RE-ROUTE OR CANCEL SOME MARCHES LAST WEEKEND SO THEY WOULD NOT GO THROUGH ROMAN CATHOLIC AREAS OF ULSTER AND THEREBY INCITE FURTHER SECTARIAN VIOLENCE. THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER IS ONE PAPER PLEASED WITH THE DECISION, AND CALLS THE I-R-A "PIGHEADED [STUBBORN] FOR REFUSING TO RESPOND IN KIND."

VOICE: "THIS UNUSUAL DISPLAY OF REASON IN A PASSION-DRIVEN LAND SPARKED HOPE THAT THE CATHOLIC NATIONALISTS OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY MIGHT REPLY IN KIND. THE I-R-A COULD HAVE USED THE PROTESTANT GESTURE AS AN EXCUSE TO RENEW THEIR BROKEN CEASEFIRE. THIS IS THE PRECONDITION FOR THE I-R-A'S POLITICAL WING, SINN FEIN, TO JOIN DORMANT PEACE TALKS IN BELFAST. NO SUCH LUCK: THE I-R-A'S POLITICAL WING, SINN FEIN, INDICATED NO EARLY CEASEFIRE WAS LIKELY. IN FACT, THIS WEEKEND, POLICE FOUND A HUGE HOMEMADE BOMB IN A CATHOLIC STRONGHOLD OF LONDONDERRY."

TEXT: IN NEW ENGLAND, MAINE'S PORTLAND PRESS HERALD ADDS:

VOICE: BLOODY SATURDAY DIDN'T HAPPEN. ...... FOR THAT, ALL OF NORTHERN IRELAND - - INDEED, THE ENTIRE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY - - IS EXTREMELY GRATEFUL. ..... ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, AS EVENTS OVER THE WEEKEND SHOWED SO DRAMATICALLY. HAVING STEPPED BACK FROM VIOLENCE, THE TWO SIDES NOW SHOULD STEP TOWARD PEACE."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES IS ALSO PLEASED, AND LOOKS TO THE FUTURE.

VOICE: "BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER, TONY BLAIR, RECENTLY INITIATED A NEW EFFORT TO DRAW THE I-R-A INTO THE PEACE TALKS. HE ENDORSED A COMPROMISE TIMETABLE FOR PARAMILITARY GROUPS TO TURN IN THEIR WEAPONS AS NEGOTIATIONS PROGRESSED. HE ALSO PROMISED THAT SINN FEIN COULD JOIN THE TALKS SIX WEEKS AFTER AN I-R-A CEASE-FIRE BEGINS. BUT MR. BLAIR UNDERSTANDS THAT THE I-R-A'S TERRORIST CORE WILL RESIST MAKING PEACE UNTIL IT FEELS COMPELLED TO DO SO BY THE ULSTER CATHOLIC COMMUNITY. THAT IS ONLY LIKELY TO HAPPEN IF THE MARCHING SEASON PASSES WITHOUT FURTHER PROTESTANT PROVOCATIONS."

TEXT: IN ANOTHER EUROPEAN TROUBLE SPOT THAT SEEMS TO DEFY SOLUTION, THE BASQUE QUEST FOR A HOMELAND INDEPENDENT OF SPAIN AND FRANCE, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES COMMENTS ON THE LATEST BASQUE TERRORISM, SUGGESTING THE NATIONWIDE OUTRAGE AT THE ABDUCTION AND KILLING OF A CITY COUNCILMAN COULD HAVE ENDED THE BASQUE TERRORISTS POPULAR SUPPORT.

VOICE: ".....SPANIARDS FROM ANDALUSIA TO CASTILE AND INTO THE BASQUE COUNTRY ITSELF DENOUNCED AND MOURNED THE [KIDNAPPING AND LATER] ASSASSINATION OF MIGUEL ANGEL BLANCO, A CITY COUNCILMAN. THE MURDER COULD BE THE STRAW THAT BREAKS THE BACK OF THREE DECADES OF REBELLION."

TEXT: TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST IS DISCUSSING THE SUGGESTION THAT U-S FORCES MAY HAVE TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH NATO FORCES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AFTER THE PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED DEADLINE OF MID 1998.

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON WAS RIGHT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS WEEKEND THAT U-S TROOPS MAY HAVE TO REMAIN IN BOSNIA BEYOND NEXT SUMMER. NOW HE SHOULD FORTHRIGHTLY EXPLAIN WHY, BOTH TO CONGRESS AND TO THE U-S PUBLIC, AND SO BUILD SUPPORT FOR THIS IMPORTANT MISSION. [OPT][HOWEVER] THE ADMINISTRATION'S HISTORY PUTS HIM AT AN INITIAL DISADVANTAGE. HE RESISTED INVOLVEMENT FOR SEVERAL YEARS, EVEN AS MASS ATROCITIES WERE TAKING PLACE. [END OPT] ..... GIVEN THE SELF-IMPOSED LIMITATIONS, THE MISSION HASN'T GONE BADLY SO FAR. .... BUT MUCH WORK REMAINS, AND A PULLOUT NOW - - OR NEXT SUMMER - - COULD UNDO MOST OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS."

VOICE: TURNING TO ASIA, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE GROWING FAMINE IN NORTH KOREA AND AGREES WITH THE U-S DECISION TO SEND MORE AID.

VOICE: "THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION - - FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR - - HAS DECIDED TO SEND EMERGENCY FOOD AID TO NORTH KOREA. IT AMOUNTS TO 27-MILLION DOLLARS [WORTH]. TO SOME AMERICANS, THAT DECISION SEEMS QUESTIONABLE. NORTH KOREA'S OFTEN-BELLIGERENT, HARDLINE COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN SLOW TO OPEN UP TO THE WORLD. AND IT POSES AN ON-GOING MILITARY THREAT TO SOUTH KOREA AND U-S INTERESTS. THAT'S TRUE. STILL, PRESIDENT CLINTON IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

..... INTERESTED NATIONS HAVE ...FEW CHOICES. THEY CAN WITNESS THE DISINTEGRATION AND HOPE THAT IT WON'T AFFECT THEM. OR THEY CAN PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE WHILE EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE RELATIONS."

TEXT: IN THE GREAT PLAINS, THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN TODAY'S OMAHA [NEBRASKA] WORLD-HERALD DEALS WITH THE SENATE HEARINGS INTO CAMPAIGN FINANCE WRONG-DOING. THE PAPER SAYS "DEMOCRATS [ARE] OUT TO LULL [THE] PUBLIC INTO IGNORING [THE] SENATE HEARINGS.

VOICE: "THE COUNTRY MAY NOT LEARN ALL IT NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE FUND-RAISING SCANDAL IF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S FELLOW DEMOCRATS HAVE THEIR WAY. THE WHITE HOUSE AND DEMOCRATIC SENATORS ARE USING MISLEADING CLAIMS IN AN ATTEMPT TO SHOW THAT THE CURRENT SENATE ..... HEARINGS ARE NO BIG DEAL [UNIMPORTANT]. ..... CLAIM [BY DEMOCRATS] NUMBER ONE: SURE, IRREGULARITIES MAY HAVE OCCURRED IN RAISING MONEY FOR THE CLINTON-GORE CAMPAIGN. BUT THE PROBLEM ISN'T A LACK OF INTEGRITY IN THE WHITE HOUSE. RATHER, IT'S AN INADEQUATE CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW. .....CLAIM NUMBER THREE SURE, THE FIRST WEEK OF SENATE HEARINGS FOCUSED ON ALLEGATIONS OF CHINESE ATTEMPTS TO BUY THE ELECTION ..... BUT THOSE THINGS ARE OLD NEWS. ..... GETTING TO THE BOTTOM [FINDING THE TRUTH] OF WHAT HAPPENED WON'T BE EASY. THE CLINTON DEFENDERS ARE MAKING IT ALL THE MORE DIFFICULT WITH THEIR ATTEMPTS TO LULL THE PUBLIC INTO INDIFFERENCE."

TEXT: TAKING A DIFFERENT VIEW IS THE [NEW YORK] DAILY NEWS THAT SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: "[TENNESSEE SENATOR FRED] THOMPSON HAS MOSTLY HIMSELF TO BLAME FOR THE SLUGGISH START [OF THE HEARINGS]. WITH MUCH OF THE HOPES FOR FINANCE REFORM RIDING ON HIS COMMITTEE'S ABILITY TO CONDUCT A PROFESSIONAL, BI-PARTISAN EFFORT, HE CHARGED ON THE FIRST DAY THAT THERE WAS A PLOT BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO INFLUENCE THE '96 ELECTION BY FUNNELING ILLEGAL CONTRIBUTIONS THROUGH ASIAN-AMERICANS. AS A BOMBSHELL, THE ALLEGATION WAS A DUD [FAILED TO EXPLODE AS IN AN ARTILLERY SHELL]. .... WHERE'S THE PROOF?' GOOD QUESTIONS. ESPECIALLY BECAUSE [SENATOR] THOMPSON NOW CONCEDES HE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO PRODUCE THE ANSWERS. .... THE MORE-HEAT-THAN-LIGHT SCENARIO SPELLS TROUBLE, NOT ONLY FOR [SENATOR] THOMPSON'S HEARINGS BUT ALSO FOR CAMPAIGN [FINANCE] REFORM."

VOICE: AND LASTLY , THIS ASSESSMENT OF NAFTA AFTER THREE YEARS OF OPERATION FROM THE SUN IN BALTIMORE.

VOICE: "THE TERRIBLE THINGS FORECAST BY NAFTA OPPONENTS NEVER HAPPENED: NO GREAT SUCKING SOUNDS OF JOBS GOING SOUTH; NO NEW ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATIONS ON THE RIO GRANDE. INSTEAD, THERE WERE MODEST ECONOMIC BENEFITS FOR THE U-S. CANADA REMAINED THE U-S'S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER. IN THE FIRST THIRD OF THIS YEAR, U-S EXPORTS TO MEXICO EQUALED THOSE TO JAPAN, OUR SECOND LARGEST TRADING PARTNER. .... BUT THE BLOODY NAFTA BATTLE WILL BE REFOUGHT LATER THIS YEAR WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION SEEKS 'FAST TRACK' NEGOTIATING POWER TO INCLUDE CHILE. .... [OPT] CHILE IS NOT MEXICO. THE ARGUMENTS ABOUT MEXICO AS A TRADING PARTNER ON OUR BORDER ARE IRRELEVANT. [END OPT] CHILE IS AN AGRICULTURAL COUNTRY IN WINTER WHEN U-S FARMS HAVE SUMMER, AND A DEVELOPING HIGH-TECH ECONOMY OF EAST ASIAN PROPORTIONS, WHICH U-S FIRMS CAN BECOME PART OF OR NOT. [OPT] THE REAL ARGUMENT FOR GRADUALLY INCLUDING ALL LATIN AMERICA IN NAFTA IS THAT ITS GROWTH TO MIDDLE-CLASS PROSPERITY PRESENTS ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR AMERICAN PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND TALENT." [END OPT]

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM THE PAGES OF TUESDAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS.
NEB/ANG/EH
15-Jul-97 10:45 AM EDT (1445 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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