Voice of America, 97-07-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] CLINTON / BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

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

[03] FRANCE FINANCE (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

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

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

[06] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

[07] TURKEY / CILLER (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[08] U-N REFORMS BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

[09] U-S / BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[10] U-S / U-N SECURITY COUNCIL (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[01] CLINTON / BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS AGAIN STRESSING HE EXPECTS THE NATO-LED PEACE KEEPING MISSION IN BOSNIA TO END AS SCHEDULED NEXT JUNE. HOWEVER, HE DID NOT RULE OUT A FUTURE ROLE FOR NATO IN A COUNTRY WHERE MUCH OF DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS HAVE YET TO BE IMPLEMENTED. MORE FROM CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE.

TEXT: AS HE WAS LEAVING FOR A TRIP TO PITTSBURGH THURSDAY, REPORTERS AGAIN PRESSED THE PRESIDENT ON WHETHER U-S AND NATO TROOPS MAY STILL BE IN BOSNIA BEYOND NEXT JUNE, WHEN THE CURRENT PEACE KEEPING MISSION IS SUPPOSED TO END.

THE QUESTION OF WHAT, IF ANY ROLE SHOULD BE PURSUED BY NATO AFTER THAT IN A DIFFERENT WAY AND TO WHAT EXTENT WE SHOULD BE A PART OF IT HAS SIMPLY NOT BEEN DECIDED YET. BUT I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT NONE OF US WANT TO SEE BOSNIA REVERT TO WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE WE STARTED THIS.

DISAGREEMENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED AMONG SENIOR OFFICIALS OVER JUST HOW LONG THE 31-THOUSAND NATO FORCES SHOULD REMAIN IN BOSNIA. THE PRESIDENT SAYS MUCH WORK WILL STILL NEED TO BE DONE AFTER NEXT JUNE. BUT NO ONE IN THE ADMINISTRATION IS SAYING WHETHER THAT COULD INVOLVE THE U-S MILITARY STEPPING UP ITS EFFORTS TO CAPTURE SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS OR ENFORCING A RETURN OF REFUGEES TWO AREAS OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE PROCESS WHERE LITTLE, IF ANY PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/KL
17-Jul-97 10:37 AM EDT (1437 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

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

TEXT: STOCK PRICES ROSE TO ANOTHER NEW RECORD CLOSING HIGH IN FRANKFURT. BUT THEY WERE OFF IN BOTH PARIS AND LONDON.

IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX ENDED THE TRADING DAY AT A NEW HIGH -- ABOVE FOUR-THOUSAND-227 -- UP MORE THAN 26 POINTS, ABOUT ONE-HALF PERCENT OF THE MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE. HOWEVER, GERMAN PRICES FELL IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX FELL MORE THAN 29 POINTS, ABOUT NINE-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT. AND, IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX CLOSED DOWN MORE THAN 15 POINTS, ABOUT THREE-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR LOST IN VALUE AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN AND THE GERMAN MARK. IT WAS UNCHANGED AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.
NEB/JWH/RRM
17-Jul-97 1:16 PM EDT (1716 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] FRANCE FINANCE (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: FRANCE'S NEW GOVERNMENT MET THURSDAY TO DISCUSS NEW BUDGET MEASURES TO PREPARE THE FRENCH FRANC FOR ENTRY INTO THE NEW EUROPEAN SINGLE CURRENCY. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: FRENCH PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN HAS PROMISED TO PUBLISH A FULL AUDIT OF THE STATE OF FRANCE'S FINANCES THAT HE INHERITED WHEN HIS SOCIALIST-LED COALITION WON PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS LAST MONTH.

THE FIGURES ARE EXPECTED TO SHOW A PUBLIC DEFICIT OF ABOUT THREE-POINT-SIX PERCENT. THIS IS ABOVE THE THREE PERCENT MAXIMUM ALLOWED UNDER THE RULES FOR EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION THAT WILL LEAD TO THE CREATION OF THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY.

FRANCE HAS TO GET ITS DEFICIT DOWN TO THE THREE PERCENT FIGURE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR TO QUALIFY TO JOIN THE CURRENCY. THE FINAL PARTICIPANTS WILL BE CHOSEN NEXT APRIL. AND THE CURRENCY WILL COME INTO EXISTENCE FOR BANKING TRANSACTIONS IN JANUARY OF 1999.

THE CREATION OF THE CURRENCY WITHOUT FRANCE IS ALMOST UNTHINKABLE. BUT MR. JOSPIN'S ELECTION CAMPAIGN PROMISES TO HALT PRIVATIZATIONS. AND RULING OUT NEW AUSTERITY MEASURES MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR FRANCE TO FIND OBVIOUS WAYS OF BRINGING THE DEFICIT DOWN. WEDNESDAY, THE GOVERNMENT SHOWED SIGNS OF RELENTING ON SOME OF ITS EARLIER POSITIONS. IT SAID, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT IT IS GOING TO SELL OFF THE THOMSON / C-S-F DEFENSE ELECTRONICS FIRM AS LONG AS THE STATE KEEPS A ONE-THIRD CONTROLLING INTEREST.

AFTER THURSDAY'S MINISTERIAL MEETING, HELD WITHOUT THE CONSERVATIVE PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC, THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESWOMAN AND CULTURE MINISTER CATHERINE TRAUTMANN SAID THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF A NEW AUSTERITY PLAN. SHE ADDED THAT NO DECISIONS HAVE YET BEEN TAKEN.

OTHER MINISTERS SAY THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING NEW, AND IN SOME CASES, TEMPORARY TAXES ON RICHER HOUSEHOLDS AND ON COMPANIES MAKING LARGE PROFITS. THIS WAY IT CAN RAISE THE FOUR-BILLION DOLLARS NEEDED TO REDUCE THE DEFICIT TO AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL.

THIS IS LIKELY TO CAUSE ANGER AMONG INDUSTRIALISTS WHO COMPLAIN THAT FRENCH BUSINESS ALREADY PAYS ABOUT 45 PERCENT OF ITS EARNINGS TO THE STATE. THEY SAY THIS PREVENTS THEM FROM CREATING MORE JOBS AND REDUCING AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE THAT IS APPROACHING 13 PERCENT OF THE WORKING POPULATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/JWH/KL
17-Jul-97 12:33 PM EDT (1633 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 DOWN TODAY (THURSDAY) IN SOME APPARENT PROFIT-TAKING AFTER THE STRONG RALLIES OF THE PAST TWO DAYS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT EIGHT-THOUSAND-20, DOWN 18 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 931, DOWN FIVE POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY SOME PROFIT-TAKING WAS TO BE EXPECTED AFTER TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF RECORD HIGHS ON THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED TWO SIGNS OF A STRENGTHENING U-S ECONOMY. NEW HOUSING STARTS IN JUNE ROSE BY AN ALMOST FIVE PERCENT ANNUAL RATE. AND THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS APPLYING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS DROPPED BY ABOUT NINE PERCENT LAST WEEK.

THE WOOLWORTH COMPANY ANNOUNCED THE END OF AN ERA IN THE UNITED STATES. ALL 400 OF WOOLWORTH'S GENERAL MERCHANDISE, OR FIVE-AND-10-CENT STORES, WILL BE CLOSED. THE COMPANY SAYS THE STORES, WHICH WERE STARTED MORE THAN 100 YEARS AGO, HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO COMPETE WITH LARGE DISCOUNT RETAILERS.

GENERAL MOTORS HAS REACHED AGREEMENT WITH THE AUTOWORKERS UNION TO END AN ALMOST THREE-MONTH OLD STRIKE AT A TRUCK ASSEMBLY PLANT IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. IT WAS THE LONGEST STRIKE AGAINST G-M SINCE 1946.

THE DIRECTORS OF THE A-T-AND-T TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY ARE LOOKING FOR A NEW PRESIDENT FOLLOWING THE SUDDEN RESIGNATION OF JOHN WALTER AFTER ONLY NINE MONTHS AT THE COMPANY. ANALYSTS SAY A-T-AND-T NEEDS A STRONG AND EFFECTIVE LEADER WHO KNOWS THE INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS.

CORPORATE EARNINGS REPORTS CONTINUE TO BE STRONG. THE MICROSOFT COMPUTER SOFTWARE COMPANY ENJOYED AN ALMOST DOUBLING OF ITS QUARTERLY PROFITS. THE COCA-COLA COMPANY REPORTED A 25 PERCENT JUMP IN QUARTERLY PROFITS. THE MERCK PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY HAD A 19 PERCENT EARNINGS INCREASE.

AND THE MCDONALD'S RESTAURANT CHAIN SAID ITS PROFITS ROSE BY FOUR PERCENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER. SEPARATELY, MCDONALD'S ANNOUNCED IT WILL OPEN 24-HUNDRED NEW RESTAURANTS THIS YEAR, 80 PERCENT OF THEM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/RRM
17-Jul-97 4:56 PM EDT (2056 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: SPAIN'S PARLIAMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) PROMISED TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE BASQUE SEPARATIST GROUP "ETA." GIL CARBAJAL IN MADRID REPORTS THIS IS ANOTHER REACTION TO THE MURDER OF A YOUNG TOWN COUNCILMAN IN SPAIN'S BASQUE COUNTRY.

TEXT: LAST WEEK, ETA TERRORISTS KIDNAPPED A COUNCILMAN IN THE BASQUE TOWN OF ERMUA. HE WAS A MEMBER OF SPAIN'S RULING CENTER-RIGHT "POPULAR PARTY."

ETA SAID THE MAN WOULD BE KILLED -- UNLESS SPAIN'S GOVERNMENT ACTED WITHIN 48 HOURS TO MOVE ABOUT 500 ETA PRISONERS TO FACILITIES WITHIN THE BASQUE COUNTRY. IT WAS A DEMAND SPAIN'S GOVERNMENT COULD NOT ACCEPT, FOR POLITICAL REASONS AND BECAUSE THE PRISONS IN THE BASQUE REGION DO NOT HAVE ROOM FOR MORE PRISONERS.

THE DEADLINE PASSED. THE DEMAND WAS NOT MET. MIGUEL ANGEL BLANCO WAS EXECUTED.

THAT LED TO MASSIVE DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST ETA VIOLENCE. MANY OBSERVERS BELIEVE THE HUGE DEMONSTRATIONS SINCE SATURDAY MARK A TURNING POINT IN SPANISH SOCIETY'S STRUGGLE AGAINST ETA, WHICH DATES BACK TO THE FRANCO REGIME.

IN THE LAST YEARS OF THAT DICTATORSHIP, ETA WAS ONE OF A NUMBER OF ANTI-FRANCO MOVEMENTS. THE BASQUE REGION WAS ON THE LOSING SIDE DURING THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR, AND THE BASQUE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE WERE SUBSEQUENTLY SUPPRESSED.

THE RESTORATION OF A CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY LED TO A SPLIT IN THE BASQUE INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT IN 1977. BASQUE PARTIES -- WHICH WANT AN INDEPENDENT BASQUE STATE BUT THROUGH DEMOCRATIC MEANS -- TOOK PART IN THE ELECTIONS. THE LARGEST, THE BASQUE NATIONAL PARTY, HAS CONTROLLED THE BASQUE REGIONAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS. ETA, HOWEVER, CONTINUED A TERRORIST CAMPAIGN, AIMED NOT ONLY AT GAINING BASQUE INDEPENDENCE BUT ALSO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MARXIST-LENINIST STATE. ABOUT 500 ETA MEMBERS ARE IN PRISON TODAY, MOST OF THEM FOR TAKING PART IN THE MURDERS OF MORE THAN 800 PEOPLE.

THE SEIZURE OF MIGUEL ANGEL BLANCO LAST WEEK FOLLOWED ETA'S OLD TERRORIST MANUALS, WHICH RECOMMENDED SEIZING LOW-PROFILE VICTIMS. THE THEORY WAS THAT THE VICTIM'S UNCERTAIN FATE WOULD INSTILL FEAR AMONG OTHER PEOPLE AND MOVE THEM TO PRESSURE THE GOVERNMENT TO MEET ETA DEMANDS. THIS TIME, THE TACTIC SEEMS TO HAVE HAD THE OPPOSITE EFFECT, TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT THE BASQUE REGION'S INTERIOR MINISTER SAYS HE BELIEVES ETA HAS COMMITTED SUICIDE.

SPANIARDS SEEM TO IDENTIFY IN SOME WAY WITH THE YOUNG COUNCILMAN, WHO PLAYED IN A LOCAL BAND AND WAS ABOUT TO GET MARRIED. THEY HAVE BEEN TAKING PART IN PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS IN RECORD NUMBERS.

THE BASQUE REGIONAL GOVERNMENT HAS BANNED A DEMONSTRATION CALLED BY THE POLITICAL WING OF ETA, HERRI BATASUNA, FOR SATURDAY BECAUSE IT WOULD LEAD TO CONFRONTATIONS.

SINCE SATURDAY, BASQUE REGIONAL POLICE HAVE HAD TO PROTECT THE PRO-ETA PARTY HEADQUARTERS AND BARS FREQUENTED BY PARTY MEMBERS FROM ANGRY CROWDS. ETA SUPPORTERS COMPLAIN OF BEING VICTIMS OF A CAMPAIGN OF TELEPHONE THREATS. AND SPANISH PRISON OFFICIALS HAVE HAD TO TAKE MEASURES TO PROTECT ETA PRISONERS FROM HARASSMENT BY OTHER INMATES. ALSO, CRACKS HAVE APPEARED IN THE UNITY OF PRO-ETA CIRCLES. TEN ETA PRISONERS HAVE PROTESTED THE DEATH OF MR. BLANCO. ONE OF THEM IS ON AN INDEFINITE HUNGER STRIKE. TWO OTHERS PUBLISHED A LETTERS CALLING ON THE ETA PARTY TO HEED THE WISH OF THE MAJORITY OF BASQUE CITIZENS. AND, THE PRO-ETA NEWSPAPER, EGIN, HAS PUBLISHED LETTERS FROM READERS CALLING FOR A RE-EVALUATION OF ETA'S GOALS AND METHODS. (SIGNED)
NEB/GC/JWH/RRM
17-Jul-97 1:03 PM EDT (1703 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NEW YORK CITY NEWSPAPERS ARE COMMENTING TODAY ON THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE CRASH OF T-W-A FLIGHT 800 WHICH KILLED ALL 230 PEOPLE ON BOARD.

AMONG THE OTHER ISSUES BEING DISCUSSED -- THE EXPANSION OF NATO, AN ATTACK ON THE PRESS BY THE PERUVIAN GOVERNMENT, THE COUP EARLIER THIS MONTH IN CAMBODIA AND THE RECORD HIGH REACH BY THE U-S STOCK MARKET YESTERDAY.

NOW, WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _________WITH TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: ONE YEAR AGO TODAY, A PARIS-BOUND T-W-A JUMBO JET EXPLODED AND CRASHED IN A THUNDEROUS FIREBALL OFF LONG ISLAND IN NEW YORK STATE. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED JUST MINUTES AFTER TAKE-OFF FROM JOHN F. KENNEDY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. ALL PASSENGERS AND CREW PERISHED. BUT ON THIS FIRST ANNIVERSARY, NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE WHAT CAUSED THE PLANE TO EXPLODE. WE BEGIN WITH EDITORIAL COMMENTS FROM TODAY'S NEW YORK DAILY NEWS.

VOICE: "THEY HAVE NEVER GIVEN UP, DESPITE ROADBLOCKS, DEAD ENDS, FRUSTRATION, CARPING FROM OUTSIDERS AND THE WIDEST, WILDEST ARRAY OF THEORIES SINCE THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION. IT IS A CREDIT TO THE INVESTIGATION TEAM -- THE F-B-I, NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD AND THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AS WELL AS THE NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES -- THAT ALL POSSIBLE AVENUES HAVE BEEN EXPLORED. THIS IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN AVIATION."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK POST CALLS THE CRASH OF T-W-A FLIGHT 800 THE MOST MYSTIFYING AIR CATASTROPHE IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

VOICE: "WHILE AN EXPLOSIVE PLANTED IN THE FUEL TANK HAS NOT BEEN RULED OUT, THE INVESTIGATION HAS SHIFTED TO OTHER EXPLANATIONS -- INCLUDING SUCH SEEMINGLY BANAL POSSIBILITIES AS CHAFED WIRES AND STATIC ELECTRICITY. RE-ENACTMENTS OF THE DOOMED FLIGHT ARE NOW BEING CARRIED OUT IN AN EFFORT TO EXPLORE THESE AND OTHER AVENUES. THE ABSENCE OF A DEFINITIVE EXPLANATION FOR THE CRASH LEAVES A GNAWING VOID. THE ANGUISH IS FELT BY THE RELATIVES OF THE VICTIMS, BUT SIMILAR SENTIMENTS ARE TO BE FOUND EVERYWHERE. IT IS NOT IN THIS COUNTRY'S NATURE TO EXPERIENCE SUCH A DISASTER WITH NO EXPLANATION -- AND NO PLAN ON HOW TO AVOID A RECURRENCE. WE HOPE THE FLIGHT 800 PROBE DOESN'T SUBSIDE UNTIL AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT BROUGHT THE PLANE DOWN IS FOUND."

TEXT: IN THE MID-WEST PART OF THE COUNTRY, FROM NEBRASKA, THE OMAHA WORLD-HERALD IS COMMENTING TODAY ON NATO EXPANSION.

VOICE: "A U-S SENATE VOTE ON THE EXPANSION OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION MAY NOT OCCUR UNTIL NEXT YEAR. THAT'S SOON ENOUGH. AMERICANS NEED TIME TO EVALUATE CONFLICTING CLAIMS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL COST OF ADDING THREE FORMER SOVIET BLOC NATIONS TO THE ALLIANCE. PRESIDENT CLINTON WON APPROVAL FOR THE MOVE FROM THE NATO PARTNERS LAST WEEK. IF RATIFIED BY TWO-THIRDS OF THE SENATE, THE ALLIANCE WILL ADD POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC IN 1999. COST OF THE EXPANSION IS A MAJOR CONCERN. THE NEW MEMBERS MUST UPGRADE THEIR ARMED FORCES AND ACQUIRE STANDARD NATO EQUIPMENT. CLINTON AND (DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM) COHEN SAID THE OVERALL COST WOULD BE 27 TO 35 BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT 13 YEARS. THE SENATE, OF COURSE, SHOULDN'T CONFINE ITS ATTENTION TO COST. PEOPLE DISAGREE OVER THE EXPANSION ITSELF. BUT BACKERS OF NATO EXPANSION SHOULD PROVIDE A REALISTIC EXPLANATION OF THE COSTS AND THE UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS BEFORE THE SENATE VOTE."

TEXT: THE MIAMI HERALD IN FLORIDA LEADS ITS EDITORIAL PAGE TODAY WITH COMMENT ON THE PRESS IN PERU WHERE THE GOVERNMENT REVOKED THE CITIZENSHIP OF BAROUCH IVCHER, AND ISRAELI-BORN MAJORITY OWNER OF TELEVISION STATION FRECUENCIA LATINA.

VOICE: "THAT CAME ON SUNDAY, HOURS AFTER THE STATION AIRED A REPORT CHARGING PERU'S INTELLIGENCE AGENCY WITH OPERATING A SECRET PHONE-SURVEILLANCE RING. THE STATION ALSO RELEASED TRANSCRIPTS OF 197 SUCH RECORDED PHONE CONVERSATIONS INVOLVING OPPOSITION POLITICIANS, GOVERNMENT MINISTERS, BUSINESS PEOPLE AND JOURNALISTS. MR. FUJIMORI'S GOVERNMENT CLAIMS THAT MR. IVCHER FAILED TO RENOUNCE HIS ISRAELI CITIZENSHIP AND THUS COULD NOT BE A PERUVIAN CITIZEN. MR. IVCHER, HOWEVER, SAYS THAT HE ARRIVED IN PERU IN 1970 AND BECAME ITS CITIZEN IN 1984. BECAUSE NON-PERUVIANS ARE BARRED BY LAW FROM OWNING MEDIA OUTLETS, LOSING CITIZENSHIP COULD FORCE MR. IVHER OUT OF HIS 54 PERCENT STAKE IN FRECUENCIA LATINA. IT'S NO STRETCH TO SEE THE ATTACK ON MR. IVCHER AS A TRANSPARENT EFFORT TO SILENCE HIM AND HIS JOURNALISTS -- AND YET ANOTHER BLATANT, AUTHORITARIAN ATTEMPT TO REMOVE ANY OPPOSITION TO MR. FUJIMORI'S WELL-KNOWN DESIRE FOR A THIRD PRESIDENTIAL TERM."

TEXT: THE TITLE ON AN EDITORIAL IN THURSDAY'S PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER READS "THE FADING MIRACLE," REFERRING TO CAMBODIA. THE NEWSPAPER POINTS OUT THAT SINCE DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS WERE HELD THERE IN 1993, THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN SLIDING BACK DOWNHILL.

VOICE: "ON JULY 5, PRINCE RANARIDDH WAS FORCED OUT IN A COUP BY HIS CO-PRIME MINISTER, HUN SEN. THIS SINISTER FIGURE, WITH HIS PERPETUAL SMILE, ONCE HEADED A HANOI-INSTALLED COMMUNIST REGIME -- AFTER HE HAD QUIT THE KHMER ROUGE. HUN SEN HAS MOVED SWIFTLY TO ROUND UP AND KILL RANARIDDH SUPPORTERS. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST NOT TOLERATE THIS MURDER OF THE NASCENT CAMBODIAN DEMOCRACY. THE REASONS EXTEND BEYOND THE MORAL OBLIGATION STEMMING FROM DAMAGE DONE TO CAMBODIA DURING THE VIETNAM WAR. ALL THE WORLD'S MAJOR POWERS -- INCLUDING AMERICA, RUSSIA, CHINA, THE EUROPEANS AND THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH EAST ASIAN NATIONS -- WERE INVOLVED IN AN UNPRECEDENTED AGREEMENT TO REBUILD CAMBODIA. THE UNITED NATIONS MOUNTED ITS BIGGEST NATION-BUILDING EFFORT EVER IN CAMBODIA. IF THE WORLD'S GREAT POWERS AREN'T WILLING TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON SUCH MAJOR COMMITMENT, TROUBLEMAKERS IN OTHER FRACTURED NATIONS -- SERBIAN AND BOSNIAN LEADERS COME TO MIND -- WILL GET THE MESSAGE. ANY FUTURE PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS, UNDER U-N OR NATO AEGIS, WILL LACK CREDIBILITY."

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE -- THE COUNTRY'S MOST IMPORTANT STOCK MARKET INDICATOR -- ZOOMED OVER THE 8,000 MARK YESTERDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE BALTIMORE SUN NEWSPAPER SAYS THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE IS IDEAL FOR INVESTORS -- STEADY AND MODEST GROWTH WITH MINIMAL INFLATION.

VOICE: "THUS, IT WAS NO SURPRISE YESTERDAY WHEN A FLURRY OF GOOD-NEWS REPORTS OUT OF WASHINGTON HELPED SEND WALL STREET STOCK BROKERS ON YET ANOTHER EMOTIONAL HIGH, WITH A TENTH-STRAIGHT RECORDED SETTING DAY FOR THE NASDAQ INDEX AND THE DOW JONES AVERAGE FINISHING ABOUT THE 800 MARK FOR THE FIRST TIME. AT THIS RATE OF INVESTOR EXUBERANCE, THE DOW AT 10 THOUSAND COULD HAPPEN SOMETIME NEXT SPRING. CAUTIOUS FINANCIAL ANALYSTS HAVE BEEN WARNING FOR MONTHS THAT THE CONTINUING SURGE IN STOCK PRICES WOULD END SOON AS INFLATION SHOWS HINTS OF RE-IGNITING OR THE ECONOMIC NUMBERS TURN SOUR. IT HAS YET TO HAPPEN. THIS UNPARALLELED BULL MARKET COULD BE WITH US FOR SOME TIME TO COME."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT COMMENT FROM THE BALTIMORE SUN WE END THIS SAMPLING FROM THE OPINION PAGES OF U-S NEWSPAPERS FOR THURSDAY, JULY 17TH.
NEB/DC/EH
17-Jul-97 9:50 AM EDT (1350 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] TURKEY / CILLER (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS HAVE DENIED ALLEGATIONS THAT FORMER TURKISH PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER WORKED FOR THE U-S CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY (C-I-A). AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS A TURKISH MILITARY PROSECUTOR HAS LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ALLEGATIONS THAT MRS. CILLER ACCEPTED MONEY FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS TO WORK AGAINST TURKEY'S NATIONAL INTERESTS.

TEXT: A U-S EMBASSY SPOKESPERSON IN ANKARA SAID (THURSDAY) ANY SUGGESTION OF A CLANDESTINE RELATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND MRS. CILLER ARE COMPLETELY FALSE.

THE STATEMENT FOLLOWED NEWS THAT A MILITARY COURT WAS LAUNCHING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST MRS. CILLER, WHO SERVED AS TURKEY'S FIRST WOMAN PRIME MINISTER BETWEEN 1993 AND 1995.

THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST MRS. CILLER WERE MADE EARLIER THIS YEAR BY THE LEADER OF A SMALL EXTREME LEFT WING PARTY, DOGU PERINCEK. MR. PERINCEK CLAIMS MRS. CILLER WAS RECRUITED BY THE C-I-A WHEN SHE WAS STUDYING IN THE UNITED STATES AND THAT SHE HAD RECEIVED WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS TRAINING AT THE C-I-A HEADQUARTERS IN LANGLEY, VIRGINIA.

MRS. CILLER COULD FACE UP TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON IF CONVICTED ON CHARGES OF VIOLATING TURKEY'S DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL INTERESTS.

MRS. CILLER HAS DENIED THE ACCUSATIONS. AND SHE SAID THOSE WHO TAKE THE CHARGES AGAINST HER SERIOUSLY ARE GUILTY OF SHAMEFUL BEHAVIOR.

MRS. CILLER WAS ONCE STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY TURKEY'S PRO-SECULAR ELITE. BUT SHE HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY UNPOPULAR AFTER SHE FORGED SINCE HER ILL-FATED COALITION WITH THE ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY LAST YEAR.

THE ISLAMIST-LED COALITION WAS FORCED OUT OF POWER LAST MONTH UNDER MOUNTING PRESSURE FROM TURKEY'S MILITANTLY PRO-SECULAR ARMED FORCES. THE NEW PRO-SECULAR GOVERNMENT, LED BY MESUT YILMAZ, IS PREPARING TO REVIVE A SERIES OF CORRUPTION CHARGES AGAINST MRS. CILLER IN THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/KL
17-Jul-97 10:25 AM EDT (1425 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-N REFORMS BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK HIS REFORM PROPOSAL FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION, AND IT HAS GENERATED MUCH INTEREST IN THE MAJOR NEWSPAPERS OF WORLD CAPITALS.

WE TURN TO _________FOR OUR SAMPLING NOW ON THIS WEEK'S WORLD OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THE SECRETARY GENERAL UNVEILED A REFORM PACKAGE THAT REORGANIZES AND CONSOLIDATES KEY DEPARTMENTS, SHRINKS BUDGETS AND PUTS SAVINGS INTO DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN POOR COUNTRIES. BUT IT DOES NOT GO AS FAR AS SOME CRITICS WOULD WANT. THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT CUT DEEPLY INTO PROGRAMS OR CALL FOR A MASSIVE REDUCTION IN PERSONNEL.

IN GERMANY, THE LEFT-OF-CENTER NEWSPAPER FRANKFURTER RUNDSCHAU SAID,

VOICE: "THE PLANS WHICH KOFI ANNAN HAS NOW SUBMITTED WERE ANNOUNCED AS THE FIRST REALLY PROFOUND REFORM SINCE THE UN'S FOUNDATION...BUT WHAT HAS COME OUT IS A MINIMUM PROGRAM THAT IS WORTH DISCUSSION... ANNAN HAS TO GIVE INTO THE RESISTANCE WHICH NUMEROUS GOVERNMENTS AND 'BARONS' OF THE U-N ESTABLISHMENT PUT UP. ANNAN AND THE ONE WHO IS TO IMPLEMENT THE REFORM -- MAURICE STRONG OF CANADA -- ARE UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL MAJORITY IN WASHINGTON...HOWEVER, THE ARROGANCE OF THE ONLY REMAINING SUPERPOWER IS GETTING ON THE NERVES OF THE MAJORITY OF GOVERNMENTS. A RADICAL REFORM ACCORDING TO WISHES OF U-S HARDLINERS WOULD NOT CORRESPOND TO THE VIEW OF THE MAJORITY OF THE 185 MEMBER STATES. THUS ANNAN HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO RECOMMEND A COSMETIC OPERATION."

TEXT: IN BRITAIN, THE FINANCIAL TIMES COMMENTED THAT,

VOICE: "KOFI ANNAN OWES HIS POSITION AS SECRETARY GENERAL TO THE UNITED STATES, WHICH LAST YEAR VETOED A SECOND TERM FOR HIS PREDECESSOR. THAT GIVES HIM A CERTAIN STRENGTH, BOTH IN DEALING WITH THE UNITED STATES ITSELF, AND IN DEALING WITH OTHER MEMBER STATES AND THE U-N BUREAUCRACY, WHICH NOW KNOW THAT WITHOUT AMERICAN SUPPORT THE U-N IS DOOMED TO IRRELEVANCE. MUCH, THEREFORE, WAS EXPECTED OF THE REFORM PACKAGE. ... IT TURNS OUT TO BE WORTHY, BUT DISAPPOINTINGLY MODEST."

TEXT: "MISH-MASH OF COMPROMISE" IS HOW THE U-N REFORM PACKAGE WAS DESCRIBED THE THE SCOTSMAN OF EDINBURGH.

VOICE: UNDERLYING AMERICAN THINKING IS THE NEW REALITY THAT THE UNITED STATES IS NOW THE WORLD'S SINGLE SUPERPOWER... THE U-N COULD BE A READY-MADE VEHICLE THROUGH WHICH THE UNITED STATES COULD EXERT ITS INFLUENCE. BUT ONLY IF IT DOMINATES ANY REVAMPED UNITED NATIONS... BUT THE UNITED NATIONS IS NOT THE UNITED STATES. AND THAT IS MR. ANNAN'S PROBLEM. DEVELOPING NATIONS IN PARTICULAR SAY THAT THE UNITED STATES IS HIJACKING THE ORGANIZATION, TURNING IT INTO ITS TOOL. THE FEAR LOSING THE VOICE THEY ONCE HAD. U-N BUREAUCRATS, TOO, HAVE BEEN DEFENDING THEIR TURF. THE RESULT, IN THE PLAN UNVEILED BY MR. ANNAN, IS A MISH-MASH OF COMPROMISE THAT WILL SATISFY NOBODY... THE BEST MR. ANNAN CAN HOPE FOR IS THAT IT WILL BE SEEN AS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION -- BUT IT IS UNLIKELY TO BE A BIG ENOUGH STEP FOR SENATOR HELMS."

TEXT: "ANNAN AT MERCY OF U-S," ANNOUNCED THE FRENCH NEWSPAPER LIBERATION.

VOICE: "EVEN THE BRAVEST SECRETARY GENERAL IS OBVIOUSLY POWERLESS BECAUSE HE IS ALONE. HE ONLY HAS THE POWER TO SPEAK AND INDICATE THE RIGHT DIRECTION. HE IS AT THE MERCY OF THE STATES OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY OF THE MOST POWERFUL ONES."

TEXT: AN EDITORIAL IN THE CONSERVATIVE CATHOLIC LA LIBRE BELGIGUE SAID THE REFORM PACKAGE WAS SIMILAR TO ANY ASSEMBLED BY A MANAGER IN A PERIOD OF AUSTERITY.

VOICE: "THE SECRETARY GENERAL'S PHILOSOPHY IS QUITE STANDARD, ALTHOUGH, AT THIS TIME, PARADOXICAL: TO OFFER MORE AND BETTER SERVICE AT A LOWER COST...IT WAS OFTEN SAID THE THE U-N WAS WHAT ITS MEMBERS WANTED IT TO BE. KOFI ANNAN'S REPORT DEMONSTRATES THAT IT WAS FIRST AND FOREMOST WHAT ITS BUREAUCRATS HAVE MADE OF IT, A HUGE MACHINE PRODUCING COMMISSIONS AND REPORTS. THE SECRETARY GENERAL WANTS IT TO FOCUS ON ITS PRIMARY GOALS. WE SHOULD APPLAUD. BUT WE SHOULD ALSO KNOW THAT MIRACLES WON'T TAKE PLACE AND THAT THE ORGANIZATION WILL CONTINUE TO EXPEND A QUARTER OF ITS BUDGET IN ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS."

TEXT: FROM NORWAY, THE INDEPENDENT DAGBLADET CONTENDED.

VOICE: TODAY, U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN PRESENTS HIS PLAN FOR REFORMING THE U-N. THE UNITED STATES CAN ADD YET ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL VICTORY TO ITS LIST. THE UNITED STATES IS THE WORLD'S ONLY REMAINING SUPERPOWER, AND IT DOESN'T MIND DEMONSTRATING THIS TO THE WORLD. IN THE CASE OF THE U-N, HOWEVER, U-S POWER ARROGANCE HAD BECOME ALL TOO VISIBLE."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT COMMENT FROM DAGBLADET ON U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN'S REFORM PACKAGE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF WORLD PRESS OPINION.
NEB/DC/KL
17-Jul-97 12:29 PM EDT (1629 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] U-S / BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: A SENIOR U-S OFFICIAL SAYS THE UNITED STATES AND NATO ARE COMMITTED TO CATCHING INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, DESPITE A VIOLENT RESPONSE FROM THE BOSNIAN SERBS. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS.

TEXT: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SHOWS NO SIGN OF DROPPING ITS NEW, MORE AGGRESSIVE STANCE ON WAR CRIMINALS. ON CAPITOL HILL (THURSDAY), SPECIAL U-S ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD VOWED THE ARRESTS WILL CONTINUE, IF THE BOSNIAN FACTIONS REFUSE TO TAKE ACTION THEMSELVES.

SOME HAVE COMPLIED FULLY, OTHERS NOT AT ALL. IF LOCAL AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO REFUSE TO ABIDE BY THEIR OBLIGATION TO ARREST INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR OTHER WAYS TO SECURE THEIR CAPTURE. AND THIS INCLUDES NOT JUST BOSNIA -- BUT CROATIA AND SERBIA.

THE ARREST OF A BOSNIAN SERB SUSPECT AND THE KILLING OF ANOTHER BY BRITISH TROOPS LAST WEEK HAVE TOUCHED OFF A SERIES OF ATTACKS ON THE ALLIED PEACEKEEPING FORCE. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS THE PLAN SPARKED DISSENT WITHIN NATO. SERB LEADERS ANGRILY CHARGE THE ARRESTS GO BEYOND THE TERMS OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS.

SOME MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FEAR THE TROOPS ARE OVERSTEPPING THE BOUNDARIES OF THEIR MISSION IN A RISKY SITUATION OFTEN CALLED "MISSION CREEP." MR. GELBARD DENIES IT.

THERE IS NO MISSION CREEP INVOLVED. I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK. THAT WAS NOT MISSION CREEP. AS I SAID, IT WAS WITHIN THE MANDATE. AND OUR MILITARY ARE NOT HIDING IN ANY WAY.

OTHER LAWMAKERS ARE BACKING THE OPERATION, BUT ARE ALSO CALLING ON PRESIDENT CLINTON TO EXERCISE STRONGER LEADERSHIP TO MAKE SURE IT SUCCEEDS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/RRM
17-Jul-97 5:42 PM EDT (2142 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] U-S / U-N SECURITY COUNCIL (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS SUPPORTING PERMANENT SEATS ON THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL FOR AFRICA, ASIA AND LATIN AMERICA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES WANTS THE PERMANENT SEATS ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL EXPANDED FROM FIVE TO 10 -- WITH GERMANY, JAPAN AND ONE DEVELOPING COUNTRY EACH FROM ASIA, LATIN AMERICA AND AFRICA ADDED TO THE CURRENT MEMBERS.

THE CURRENT SECURITY COUNCIL HAS A TOTAL OF 15 MEMBERS -- FIVE PERMANENT MEMBERS AND 10 ROTATING SEATS. THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS RESERVING JUDGMENT ON WHETHER THE FIVE NEW PERMANENT MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE VETO POWER, AS THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, FRANCE, RUSSIA AND CHINA DO TODAY.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE REGIONS SHOULD DETERMINE WHICH COUNTRIES HOLD THE DEVELOPING COUNTRY SEATS.

WE BELIEVE THAT THE REGIONS THEMSELVES, THE AFRICAN COUNTRIES, THE LATIN COUNTRIES AND THE ASIAN COUNTRIES OUGHT TO DECIDE HOW THESE SEATS WILL BE FILLED. THEREFORE, THE UNITED STATES IS NOT MAKING ANY RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT WHICH COUNTRIES SHOULD FILL THESE NEW PERMANENT SEATS.

THE UNITED STATES WILL SUPPORT A SECURITY COUNCIL WITH AS MANY AS 20 OR 21 MEMBERS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/TMD/RRM
17-Jul-97 3:15 PM EDT (1915 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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