Voice of America, 97-07-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] APPLE, AMERICAN ONLINE, EDUCATION, MARS BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

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

[03] EUROPE FLOODS (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[04] FRANCE / CURFEW (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[05] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

[06] GERMANY / FLOODS (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[07] NEW YORK ECON WRAP (S&L) BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

[08] ROMANIA/ SPY SCANDAL (S-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

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

[01] APPLE, AMERICAN ONLINE, EDUCATION, MARS BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ON THIS EDITION OF COMPUTER DIGEST:

APPLE'S NEW OPERATING SYSTEM,

AN INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER CHANGES ITS POLICY,

QUESTIONING THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF COMPUTERS,

AND, HIGH-TECH INTEREST IN MARS. *****

APPLE

TEXT: ON TUESDAY, (FYI - 7/22) APPLE COMPUTER UNVEILED O-S - EIGHT, ITS NEW OPERATING SYSTEM FOR THE COMPANY'S MACINTOSH COMPUTERS. THE UPGRADE IS THE FIRST IN SIX YEARS. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORTS THAT THE LATEST VERSION HAS A TECHNIQUE DESCRIBED AS MULTI-THREADING WHICH ALLOWS "FOR GREATER FLEXIBILITY, SUCH AS LETTING COMPUTER USERS OPEN A WORD-PROCESSING DOCUMENT WHILE AT THE SAME TIME COPYING A MASSIVE FILE." O-S -EIGHT ALSO FEATURES IMPROVED ACCESS TO THE INTERNET. DAVE WINER, A MACINTOSH SOFTWARE DEVELOPER IN PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, SAYS THAT "ON BALANCE, MAC OS 8 IS A GOOD THING. IT SHOWS APPLE UNDERSTANDS THEIR USER BASE IS THEIR BREAD AND BUTTER, AND FROM THE POINT OF VIEW IT'S IMPORTANT." *****

AMERICA ONLINE

TEXT: EARLIER THIS WEEK IT WAS MADE PUBLIC THAT AMERICA ONLINE, THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER, INTENDED TO PROVIDE LISTS OF ITS CUSTOMERS' TELEPHONE NUMBERS TO TELEMARKETERS. THE NEW YORK TIMES NOTES THAT WITHIN 24-HOURS AMERICA ONLINE CHANGED ITS MIND. ACCORDING TO THE NEWSPAPER, THE SERVICE, WITH EIGHT MILLION SUBSCRIBERS, YIELDED TO PRESSURE FROM POLITICIANS AND PRIVACY RIGHTS GROUPS. ROBERT PITTMAN, AN AMERICA ONLINE EXECUTIVE, SAYS THAT "...WE DIDN'T WANT TO SOIL OUR REPUTATION OR CONFUSE OUR MEMBERS." *****

MARS

TEXT: THE AMERICAN SPACE AGENCY'S UNMANNED VISIT TO MARS HAS SPARKED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF INTEREST HERE ON EARTH. TIME MAGAZINE SAYS THAT THE AGENCY'S SITES ON THE WORLDWIDE WEB PORTION OF THE INTERNET ARE BEING VISITED BY 45-MILLION PEOPLE A DAY. TEXT AND PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE. ONE SITE, ENTITLED LIVE FROM MARS (HTTP://QUEST.ARC.NASA.GOV/MARS/) IS DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS. *****
25-Jul-97 11:37 AM EDT (1537 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE TURNED IN A MIXED PERFORMANCE AT THE END OF THE TRADING WEEK FRIDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS DETAILS FROM OUR OFFICE IN LONDON.

TEXT: INVESTORS SEEMED CAUTIOUS AS A SLIGHT CORRECTION CONTINUED TO HOLD BACK PRICES ON KEY INDEXES IN FRANKFURT AND HERE IN LONDON. BUT IN PARIS FRIDAY, THE "CAC 40" INDEX OF FRENCH STOCKS TURNED-IN A RECORD PERFORMANCE, CLOSING UP MORE THAN 52 POINTS FOR THE DAY -- SPURRED IN PART BY HIGHER PRICES POSTED THURSDAY ON WALL STREET. THE GERMAN "DAX 30" INDEX, HOWEVER, CLOSED DOWN 18 POINTS FRIDAY, AND THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF BRITISH STOCKS ENDED THE WEEK DOWN ALMOST 11-AND-A-HALF POINTS.

THE DOLLAR, MEANWHILE, CONTINUED TO FORGE AHEAD AGAINST KEY EUROPEAN CURRENCIES. IT WAS UP A HALF PFENNIGE AGAINST THE MARK AND ALMOST A CENT AGAINST THE POUND.

GOLD TURNED POSITIVE IN THE LONDON CLOSING FIX FRIDAY, GAINING ONE-DOLLAR-15 CENTS TO CLOSE AT 324-DOLLARS-FIVE CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
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25-Jul-97 1:47 PM EDT (1747 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EUROPE FLOODS (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: AS CENTRAL EUROPE CONTINUES TO BATTLE RECORD FLOOD WATERS, A TEAM OF AMERICAN DISASTER RELIEF SPECIALISTS IS HEADING FOR POLAND (FRIDAY) AFTER REVIEWING THE SITUATION IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES TALKED TO TEAM MEMBERS ABOUT WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN AND HOW THEY ASSESS THE RESPONSE TO THE DISASTER.

TEXT: AS FLOOD WATERS MOVE NORTH TOWARD THE SEA, THE GREATEST THREAT IS ALONG THE POLISH-GERMAN BORDER. WHILE THE DANGER FROM THIS SECOND WAVE OF FLOODING IS REAL, RECOVERY EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY IN AREAS WHERE THE WATERS HAVE RECEDED.

AFTER THREE DAYS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC, THE SIX-PERSON U-S MILITARY-CIVILIAN TEAM IS HEADING FOR POLAND, WHERE U-S AID OFFICIAL RICHARD OWENS SAYS THEY WILL BE REVIEWING THE IMPACT OF THE FLOODING.

LOOKING AT THE AFFECTED AREA, TALKING TO PEOPLE, DOING SORT OF AN OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE RESPONSE, THE CAPABILITIES, THE DAMAGES, AND THEN PRESENTING FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS PRINCIPALLY FOR OUR OWN GOVERNMENT, BUT NOT ENTIRELY.

MR. OWENS SAYS THE OBSERVATIONS OF HIS TEAM WILL HELP GUIDE AMERICAN AID IN FUTURE INTERNATIONAL DISASTERS, AND HELP CZECHS AND POLES PLAN THEIR RESPONSE TO THE NEXT EMERGENCY.

RESIDENTS OF SOME PARTS OF THE EASTERN CZECH REPUBLIC COMPLAINED ABOUT THE LACK OF WARNING. MR. OWENS SAYS THE EARLY WARNING SYSTEM WAS OVERWHELMED BY THIS ONCE-IN-A-CENTURY FLOOD.

WELL I SAW A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION, HOWEVER I SAW A VERY OUTSTANDING RESPONSE EFFORT. I THINK IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT NO ONE IN EUROPE EXPECTED FLOODING OF THIS MAGNITUDE.

ESTIMATES OF PROPERTY DAMAGE FROM THE FLOOD ARE IN THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. MR. OWENS, OF THE U-S AID AGENCY, SAYS ECONOMIC RECOVERY WILL BE DIFFICULT AND LONG-LASTING.

WHAT WE REALLY NOTICED IN THIS DISASTER ENVIRONMENT WAS A GREAT DEAL OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE CIVIL DEFENSE AND THE ARMY. AND AS FAR AS WORKING TOGETHER IN THEIR CRISIS CENTER IN OLOMOUC, IT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE. THEY WERE SIDE-BY-SIDE. WE COULD NOT REALLY NOTICE A GLITCH IN HOW THEY WORKED TOGETHER.

EARLIER THIS MONTH THE UNITED STATES GAVE 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS EACH TO POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC TO HELP IN THE FLOOD RELIEF EFFORT. (SIGNED)
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25-Jul-97 7:04 AM EDT (1104 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] FRANCE / CURFEW (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: MAYORS OF SIX FRENCH TOWNS ARE TRYING TO INTRODUCE CURFEWS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN IN AN EFFORT TO CUT DOWN ON JUVENILE CRIME. FRENCH PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN HAS CRITICIZED THE MEASURES, SAYING THAT THE PROBLEMS CANNOT BE RESOLVED BY HAULING SMALL CHILDREN OFF TO POLICE STATIONS. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: WORRIED BY GROWING JUVENILE CRIME AND VANDALISM AS CHILDREN ROAM THE STREET ON HOT SUMMER EVENINGS, THE MAYORS OF SIX FRENCH TOWNS SAY THEY WANT TO INTRODUCE CURFEWS.

THE AGE LIMIT DIFFERS FROM ONE TOWN TO THE NEXT, BUT MOST SAY THEY WANT UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 12 TO BE OFF THE STREETS BY MIDNIGHT. THOSE WHO ARE OUT AFTER THAT TIME WILL BE TAKEN HOME BY POLICE.

IN ALL CASES, THE ORDERS HAVE BEEN OPPOSED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE RULINGS HAVE TO BE CONFIRMED BY LOCAL COURTS. FOR THE TOWN OF DREUX, WEST OF PARIS, A COURT HAS ALREADY VETOED THE MAYOR'S DECISION. IN THE SOUTHERN TOWN OF SORGUES, HOWEVER, A COURT SAYS THE DECISION IS LEGAL.

THE MEASURES ARE PARTICULARLY CONTROVERSIAL BECAUSE THE TOWNS INVOLVED ALL HAVE CONSERVATIVE MAYORS. AND THEY ARE ALL UNDER THREAT FROM THE EXTREME-RIGHT ANTI-IMMIGRATION NATIONAL FRONT PARTY.

THE LEFT-WING DAILY "LIBERATION" CHARGES THAT THE REAL TARGETS OF THE MEASURES ARE IMMIGRANT FAMILIES. IT SAYS THE MAYORS INTRODUCED THE CURFEWS TO ATTRACT SUPPORT FROM NATIONAL FRONT VOTERS.

OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS, THE PROPORTION OF CRIMES INVOLVING JUVENILES IN FRANCE HAS RISEN FROM 10 TO 18 PERCENT. POLICE SAY CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS EIGHT ARE OFTEN INVOLVED IN PETTY THEFT AND MANY SERVE AS LOOKOUTS FOR DRUG DEALERS. BY THE AGE OF 15, POLICE SAY, MANY CHILDREN IN POOR DISTRICTS ARE INVOLVED IN ACTUAL VIOLENCE.

IN THE NORTHERN PARIS SUBURBS, ONE CONSERVATIVE MAYOR -- WHO HAS NOT HIMSELF TRIED TO INTRODUCE A CURFEW -- HAS SUGGESTED THAT ONE WAY OF DEALING WITH SUCH CASES MIGHT BE TO WITHDRAW CHILD ALLOWANCE PAYMENTS AND OTHER SOCIAL AID TO FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN BREAK THE LAW.

OTHER LOCAL POLITICIANS SAY THIS WOULD PENALIZE ONE-PARENT FAMILIES THAT NEED HELP AND UNDERSTANDING, RATHER THAN PUNISHMENT.

SEGOLENE ROYAL, THE JUNIOR EDUCATION MINISTER IN FRANCE'S NEW SOCIALIST-LED GOVERNMENT, SAID THE CURFEW SOLUTION AMOUNTS TO TREATING CHILDREN LIKE STRAY DOGS.

IN HIS FIRST WORD ON THE ISSUE, FRENCH PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN SAID FRIDAY THAT THE SOLUTION LIES WITH GIVING UNDERPRIVILEGED FAMILIES MORE ADVICE AND SOCIAL HELP. HE SAID IT IS WRONG TO HAUL YOUNG CHILDREN OFF TO POLICE STATIONS.

MR. JOSPIN SAID CURFEWS RECALL OTHER PERIODS IN FRENCH HISTORY -- A CLEAR REFERENCE TO THE WORLD WAR TWO NAZI OCCUPATION OF FRANCE. (SIGNED)
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25-Jul-97 10:27 AM EDT (1427 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DEBORAH COOPER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A NUMBER OF THE NATION'S NEWSPAPERS ARE NOTING THE PASSING OF RETIRED SUPREME COURT JUSTICE WILLIAM J. BRENNAN WHO DIED THURSDAY AT THE AGE OF 91. OTHER ISSUES BEING COMMENTED ON IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL PAGES INCLUDE THE SUICIDE OF ANDREW CUNANAN, THE ACCUSED ASSASSIN OF INTERNATIONAL FASHION DESIGNER GIANNI VERSACE, THE PUBLICATION OF DORMANT WORLD WAR TWO ACCOUNTS IN SWISS BANKS, NATO EXPANSION, LIBERIA'S ELECTED PRESIDENT, DEMOCRACY IN ASIA AND RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION. WE NOW HEAR FROM _________A SAMPLING OF FRIDAY'S U.S. EDITORIAL OPINION.

TEXT: JUSTICE WILLIAM J. BRENNAN WAS NAMED TO THE SUPREME COURT IN 1956 BY PRESIDENT DWIGHT EISENHOWER. HE SERVED 34 YEARS ON THE COURT BEFORE HE RETIRED IN 1991, LEAVING A HUGE MARK ON THE LAW THROUGH 12-HUNDRED OPINIONS. THE NEW YORK TIMES WRITES THAT JUSTICE BRENNAN SAW THE LAW NOT AS AN ABSTRACTION BUT AS AN IMMENSELY POWERFUL WEAPON TO IMPROVE SOCIETY AND ENLARGE JUSTICE.

VOICE: "AS SUCH, HE WAS CRUCIAL VOICE ON THE WARREN COURT OF THE 1960S, A BODY THAT BOLDLY EXPANDED THE ROLE OF FEDERAL COURTS AND THE CONSTITUTION ITSELF TO PROTECT INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES. YET, EVEN WHEN THE COURT SHIFTED IN MORE CONSERVATIVE DIRECTION UNDER CHIEF JUSTICES WARREN BURGER AND LATER WILLIAM REHNQUIST, JUSTICE BRENNAN WAS NOT CONTENT TO PLAY A MARGINAL ROLE AS AN ELOQUENT DISSENTER. ARMED WITH A KEEN INTELLECT, A FORCEFUL PERSONALITY AND A GIFT FOR BUILDING COALITIONS, HE HAD SURPRISING SUCCESS IN MUSTERING NARROW MAJORITIES TO KEEP ALIVE THE LEGACY OF THE WARREN COURT AND ITS CORE NOTION THAT THE CONSTITUTION WAS A LIVING DOCUMENT THAT COULD AND SHOULD BE INTERPRETED AGGRESSIVELY."

TEXT: ANOTHER DEATH OCCUPIED EDITORIAL SPACE ON MANY NEWSPAPERS TODAY -- THE SUICIDE OF ANDREW CUNANAN, THE ALLEGED ASSASSIN OF ITALIAN FASHION DESIGNER GIANNI VERSACE. CUNANAN KILLED HIMSELF ABOARD A MIAMI BEACH HOUSEBOAT WEDNESDAY NIGHT WHILE A NATIONWIDE SEARCH FOR HIM WAS UNDERWAY. CUNANAN WAS BEING SOUGHT IN THE SLAYINGS OF FIVE MEN IN FOUR STATES OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS, BUT ONLY CAME TO ATTENTION WHEN HE BECAME THE CHIEF SUSPECT IN THE DEATH OF DESIGNER VERSACE. THE MIAMI HERALD COMMENTS THAT BY THE WARPED STANDARDS OF THE FANTASY WORLD HE LIVED IN, CUNANAN WAS A BIG SUCCESS AND DIED FAMOUS.

VOICE: "MEANWHILE, CRIMINOLOGISTS AND OTHERS CAN BE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE SPECULATING ON WHAT TRIGGERED CUNANAN'S KILLING SPREE. RAGE? REVENGE? BEING DIAGNOSED WITH AIDS? HIS PARENTS' LONG-AGO DIVORCE? A LOVER'S REJECTION? THE PUBLIC MAY NEVER KNOW FOR SURE. YET WHAT HAS BEEN EVIDENT FROM THE TIME CUNANAN FIRST APPEARED IN THE LIMELIGHT IS THAT HE LIVED IN A GIGOLO'S WORLD, WHICH VALUES STYLE OVER SUBSTANCE, LOOKS OVER BRAINS, LUST OVER LOVE, FAME OVER ACHIEVEMENT, DOLLARS OVER PRINCIPLES, AND EXPEDIENCY OVER LIFE ITSELF. IN SUCH A WORLD THE TAKING OF A LIFE WHETHER TO SETTLE A SCORE OR TO STEAL VEHICLES AND VALUABLES, FOLLOWS A PERVERSE KIND OF LOGIC. THE DISTURBING THING TO REMEMBER LONG AFTER THIS STORY FADES IS THAT ANDREW P. CUNANAN WAS FAR FROM THE SOLE INHABITANT OF THIS DEPRAVED WORLD WITHOUT CONSCIENCE OF MERCY."

TEXT: THIS WEEK THE SWISS BANKERS ASSOCIATION PUBLISHED IN SEVERAL MAJOR NEWSPAPERS ACROSS THE GLOBE THE NAMES ON LONG DORMANT WORLD WAR TWO ERA ACCOUNTS IN SWISS BANKS. TODAY'S EDITORIAL IN THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER NEWSPAPER ASKS WHY IT TOOK SO LONG.

VOICE: "FOR YEARS, DESCENDANTS AND RELATIVES OF JEWS SLAIN IN THE HOLOCAUST HAVE TRIED TO DISCOVER ASSETS THAT FAMILY MEMBERS HAD DEPOSITED IN SWITZERLAND BEFORE OR DURING WORLD WAR TWO. SWISS BANK OFFICIALS DID LITTLE TO HELP; SOMETIMES THEY EVEN DEMANDED THAT CHILDREN PRODUCE DEATH CERTIFICATES FOR PARENTS WHO HAD BEEN MURDERED IN THE NAZI GAS CHAMBERS OF AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU. IN THE END, THE PUBLICATION OF THIS LIST -- YEARS TOO LATE -- IS NO LONGER ABOUT MONEY. IT IS ABOUT JUSTICE. HOPEFULLY, SOME RELUCTANT SWISS BANKERS GRASP THAT NOW."

TEXT: NATO EXPANSION IS ADDRESSED BY TODAY'S EDITORIAL IN THE ORLANDO SENTINEL. THE NEWSPAPER NOTES THAT EXPANSION OF NATO WILL COST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

VOICE: "ALREADY NATO COUNTRIES ARE ARGUING OVER HOW TO DIVIDE THE COSTS. AMERICAN TAXPAYERS SHOULD WORRY, LEST THEY GET STUCK WITH A VERY HEFTY BILL. FORTUNATELY, THE NATO INVITEES CAN'T FORMALLY BE BROUGHT IN UNTIL THE LEGISLATURES OF ALL ALLIANCE MEMBERS CONCUR. IN OTHER WORDS, IF THE UNITED STATES SENATE MUSTERS SOME POLITICAL COURAGE AND SAYS NO, THE ILL-ADVISED NATO MEMBERSHIP DRIVE WILL GRIND TO A HALT."

TEXT: COMMENTARY ON LIBERIA'S RECENT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS LEADS THE PORTLAND MAINE PRESS HERALD EDITORIAL PAGE TODAY. CHARLES TAYLOR, WHO IS LARGELY CREDITED WITH STARTING LIBERIA'S SEVEN YEAR CIVIL WAR, WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT IN A LANDSIDE. TAYLOR, ALONG WITH THE OTHER WARLORDS INVOLVED IN LIBERIA'S CIVIL WAR, WAS CONSIDERED CRUEL AND DISRESPECTFUL OF HUMAN LIFE. YET, HE WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT ON SUNDAY IN AN ELECTION PRAISED FOR ITS FAIRNESS.

VOICE: "TAYLOR'S VICTORY IS NOT SO MUCH EVIDENCE OF THE LIBERIAN PEOPLE'S CAPACITY TO FORGIVE AS THEIR REALIZATION THAT HE HAS THE STRENGTH, IF HE USES IT WISELY, TO FINALLY PULL THE COUNTRY TOGETHER AGAIN. THIS LINGERING PRESENCE OF THE NIGERIAN-LED TROOPS OF THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES WILL HELP IN THAT REGARD. LIBERIANS SHOULD BE CELEBRATING THEIR COUNTRY'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONHOOD THIS YEAR. IF THE TAYLOR GOVERNMENT NOW WILL RESPECT THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS THAT BROUGHT IT TO POWER, THEY STILL CAN."

TEXT: U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT WILL SPEND THE NEXT FEW DAYS IN MALAYSIA MEETING WITH HER COUNTERPARTS FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIA NATIONS, OR ASEAN. ASEAN WAS PLANNING TO CELEBRATE ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY AND THE ADMISSION OF THREE NEW MEMBERS -- BURMA, LAOS AND CAMBODIA. BUT AS TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST EDITORIAL POINTS OUT, THE RECENT COUP IN CAMBODIA AND CONTINUING REPRESSION IN BURMA HAS SOURED THE MOOD.

VOICE: "ASEAN HAS LONG HELD TO A POLICY OF NON-INTERFERENCE IN THE AFFAIRS OF ITS MEMBERS AND PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS. BUT THE JULY 5 COUP BY CAMBODIA STRONGMAN HUN SEN SHOCKED THE ORGANIZATION INTO ABANDONING THAT APPROACH. ASEAN THIS WEEK ADMITTED BURMA AND LAOS, BUT POSTPONED CAMBODIA'S ENTRY WHILE SENDING MEDIATORS TO SEEK A RESTORATION OF SOME SEMBLANCE OF DEMOCRACY. BURMA'S REGIME IS AS ILLEGITIMATE AS CAMBODIA'S, THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BEING THAT IT HAS HELD POWER UNLAWFULLY ALREADY FOR SEVEN YEARS. WHY ASEAN ADMITTED BURMA BUT NOT CAMBODIA IS UNCLEAR; HAVING DONE SO, IT HAS AN OBLIGATION TO PROMOTE A DIALOGUE BETWEEN BURMA'S JUNTA AND ITS RIGHTFUL LEADER, AUNG SAN SUU KYI."

TEXT: AND, FINALLY, ANOTHER MAJOR NEWSPAPER COMMENTS ON THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT'S REPORT ON RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION. THE BOSTON GLOBE NOTES THAT THE REPORT PAYS PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS IN CHINA AND IGNORES OTHER INCIDENTS OF PERSECUTION.

VOICE: "BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL BASIS FOR RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE IN CHINA, BEIJING'S PERSECUTION OF MAHAYANA BUDDHISTS IN OCCUPIED TIBET HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY BRUTAL. EQUALLY DESERVING OF SOLIDARITY ARE PERSECUTED MUSLIMS IN THE CHINESE PROVINCE OF XINJIANG, CHRISTIANS AND ANIMISTS IN SUDAN, BUDDHISTS IN VIETNAM, AND MUSLIMS IN WAR-TORN BOSNIA. THE ENLIGHTENMENT IDEA OF TOLERANCE SHOULD EXTEND TO ALL VICTIMS OF RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION, NOT JUST ONE BRANCH OF HUMAN SPIRITUALITY."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT COMMENT FROM THE BOSTON GLOBE WE END THIS SAMPLING OF U.S. EDITORIAL OPINION FOR FRIDAY, JULY 25TH.
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25-Jul-97 12:49 PM EDT (1649 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] GERMANY / FLOODS (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: AUTHORITIES IN GERMANY HAVE BEGUN EVACUATING ABOUT FIVE THOUSAND MORE PEOPLE FROM LOW-LYING AREAS ALONG THE RAIN SWOLLEN ODER RIVER. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN.

TEXT: THE LATEST EVACUATION ORDERS CAME AS WATER GUSHED THROUGH EARTHEN DIKES NEAR THE EASTERN GERMAN CITY OF FRANKFURT ON THE ODER.

DESPITE THE EFFORTS OF SOLDIERS AND VOLUNTEERS, WATER FROM THE SURGING RIVER HAS NOW BROKEN THROUGH THE DIKES IN SEVERAL PLACES, AND OFFICIALS SAY OTHER AREAS STILL ARE THREATENED.

OFFICIALS HAVE BEGUN SETTING UP ADDITIONAL SHELTERS IN NEARBY VILLAGES AS THEY PREPARE TO EVACUATE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FROM LOW LYING REGIONS.

IN MANY VILLAGES ALONG THE RIVER, WATER HAS RISEN TO ITS HIGHEST LEVEL IN MORE THAN A HALF CENTURY, FLOODING STREETS, FIELDS AND HOUSES.

IN NEIGHBORING POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC, MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE FLOODING. INITIAL ESTIMATES PUT THE DAMAGES AT MORE THAN ONE-BILLION DOLLARS. (SIGNED)
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25-Jul-97 8:47 AM EDT (1247 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] NEW YORK ECON WRAP (S&L) BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN SLIGHTLY TODAY (FRIDAY) AMID VOLATILE TRADING. V-O-A CORRESPONENT MAX RUSTON HAS MORE ON TODAY'S FINANCIAL NEWS FROM OUR NEW YORK BUREAU.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 81-HUNDRED-13, DOWN THREE THREE-AND-ONE-HALF POINTS FROM THURSDAY'S RECORD HIGH CLOSE. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX WAS DOWN ONE-AND-ONE-HALF POINTS AT 939.

BROKERS SAY THE TRADING REFLECTS SOME UNCERTAINTY AMONG INVESTORS ABOUT THE MARKET'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN ITS CURRENT LEVEL. BUT THEY SAY CONFIDENCE WAS BOOSTED SLIGHTLY BY THE RELEASE OF DURABLE GOODS STATISTICS, SHOWING A JUMP IN ORDERS FOR MAJOR CONSUMER GOODS SUCH AS CARS AND APPLIANCES.

THE INCREASE IN DURABLE GOODS ORDERS WAS SEEN AS A SIGN OF STRONG ECONOMIC ACTIVITY WITHOUT AN IMMEDIATE THREAT OF HIGHER INFLATION.

IN CORPORATE NEWS, TWO OF THE WORLD'S BEST-KNOWN BRAND NAMES -- MCDONALD'S AND WALT DISNEY -- ANNOUNCED THEY WILL EXPAND A MARKETING ALLIANCE ESTABLISHED EARLIER THIS YEAR. MCDONALD'S RESTAURANTS WILL OPEN AT SEVERAL DISNEY ENTERTAINMENT PARKS, INCLUDING THOSE IN FLORIDA AND NEAR PARIS. IN RETURN, MCDONALD'S HAS EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FOR PROMOTIONS TIED TO WALT DISNEY MOVIES. MCDONALD'S WAS UP ALMOST ONE POINT; DISNEY FELL NEARLY ONE-HALF POINT.

THE WORLD'S BIGGEST COMPUTER CHIP MAKER, INTEL, IS REPORTED PLANNING LARGE CUTS IN THE PRICES OF ITS PENTIUM MICROPROCESSORS. ANALYSTS SAY PRICES COULD BE CUT UP TO 50 PERCENT THIS WEEKEND A MUCH STEEPER CUT THAN CARRIED OUT IN PREVIOUS SUMMERS. INTEL TRADITIONALLY CUTS CHIP PRICES THREE OR FOUR TIMES A YEAR TO REDUCE ITS SUPPLY OF OLDER PRODUCTS. INTEL OFFICIALS SAY STEEP CUTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED DURING THE WEEKEND -- BUT ARE NOT PROVIDING EXACT FIGURES. INTEL WAS DOWN JUST OVER ONE-HALF POINT.

AND STOCK PRICES IN THE WORLD'S LARGEST AUTOMAKER, GENERAL MOTORS, WERE DOWN ONE-AND-ONE-HALF POINTS AS THAT COMPANY CONTINUED LABOR NEGOTIATIONS AIMED AT ENDING A THREE-DAY-OLD STRIKE AT ONE OF ITS PARTS PLANTS. THE STRIKE HAS FORCED G-M TO SUSPEND PRODUCTION AT SIX CAR ASSEMBLY PLANTS AND AFFECTED ALMOST 17-THOUSAND WORKERS. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/RRM
25-Jul-97 4:58 PM EDT (2058 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] ROMANIA/ SPY SCANDAL (S-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

INTRO: THE HEAD OF ROMANIA'S FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SERVICE, GENERAL IOAN TALPES, RESIGNED THURSDAY OVER A SPY SCANDAL INVOLVING SWITZERLAND. STEFAN BOS REPORTS FROM BUDAPEST, THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE BY THE PRESS OFFICE OF ROMANIAN PRESIDENT EMIL CONSTANTINESCU.

TEXT: IN A STATEMENT PRESIDENT EMIL CONSTANTINESCU SAID THE HEAD OF ROMANIA'S FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SERVICE RESIGNED BECAUSE HIS ORGANIZATION ALLEGEDLY SPIED IN SWITZERLAND.

MR. CONSTANTINESCU SAID THE OFFICIAL, GENERAL IOAN TALPES, IS TAKING THE BLAME FOR THE CASE OF A SWISS DIPLOMAT ARRESTED IN SWITZERLAND OVER ACCUSATIONS OF OF SPYING FOR ROMANIA.

BUT ROMANIA'S TOP SPY AGENCIES HAVE DENIED ANY INVOLVEMENT IN THIS SPECIFIC CASE.

HOWEVER THE AGENCIES ADMITTED THEY HAD CONTACTS OVER SEVERAL YEARS WITH A SWISS DIPLOMAT.

SWISS PROSECUTORS BELIEVE THE DIPLOMAT HANDED SECRET POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DATA TO ROMANIAN INTELLIGENCE SERVICES, INCLUDING SECRET POLICE FILES.

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR THAT A TOP ROMANIAN SPY OFFICIAL LEAVES OFFICE BECAUSE OF ALLEGED MISCONDUCT.

THESE RESIGNATIONS COME AT A MOMENT WHEN THE PRESIDENT VOWED TO BRING THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY UNDER FULL DEMOCRATIC CONTROL.

THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION SAID EARLIER THAT OFFICIALS OF THE FORMER COMMUNIST SECRET POLICE -- "SECURITATE" ARE STILL HOLDING KEY POSITIONS IN THE INTELLIGENCE SERVICE. (SIGNED)
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24-Jul-97 9:51 PM EDT (0151 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE U-N'S NEW HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER -- MARY ROBINSON SAYS SHE WILL RESIGN FROM THE IRISH PRESIDENCY AND BE ON BOARD WITH HER NEW INTERNATIONAL RESPONSIBLITIES SEPTEMBER 12TH; THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL WARNS FORMER REBELS IN ANGOLA TO ABIDE BY A 1994 PEACE ACCORD OR FACE THE POSSIBILITY OF NEW SANCTIONS; GEORGIAN PRESIDENT EDUARD SHEVARDNADZE URGES THE UNITED NATIONS TO SEND INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPERS TO HIS COUNTRY; AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL DECIDES TO HONOR U-N PEACEKEEPERS WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK:

TEXT: THE UNITED NATIONS ANTICIPATES A FIRMER APPROACH ON HUMAN RIGHTS. ITS NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS -- IRISH PRESIDENT MARY ROBINSON -- IS AN OUTSPOKEN, INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FIGURE. SHE WAS THE FIRST NATIONAL LEADER TO VISIT RWANDA FOLLOWING GENOCIDAL MASSACRES IN THAT COUNTRY.

MRS. ROBINSON IS ONLY THE U-N'S SECOND HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS -- A POST CREATED IN 1994. SHE SUCCEEDS JOSE AYALA LASSO OF ECUADOR. THE IRISH PRESIDENT SAYS SHE BELIEVES THE PRESENT SWEEP OF REFORMS AT THE UNITED NATIONS WILL GIVE HER A STRONGER HAND:

OF COURSE I COME NOW IN A DIFFERENT POSITION, AT A TIME OF CONSIDERABLE STRUCTURAL AND OTHER REFORMS OF THE UNITED NATIONS -- A TIME WHEN I THINK IT'S RECOGNIZED THAT THE OFFICE OF HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE STAFF IN GENEVA AND HERE IN NEW YORK ARE CENTRAL TO THE WORK OF THE UNITED NATIONS. AND I AM VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE KIND OF SUPPORT I HAVE RECEIVED.

SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS PLEDGED TO STRENGTHEN THE U-N'S WORK IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS FIELD.

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THE SECURITY COUNCIL THIS PAST WEEK EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE FORMER REBELS IN ANGOLA ARE TRYING TO REBUILD THEIR MILITARY CAPACITY IN DIRECT VIOLATION OF A 1994 PEACE ACCORD. IN A FORMAL STATEMENT, COUNCIL DIPLOMATS THREATENED THE REBEL GROUP, UNITA, WITH TRADE AND TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IF IT PERSISTS IN BANNED ACTIVITY.

NEWS REPORTS OUT OF THE AREA INDICATE UNITA MAY BE TRYING TO RECAPTURE DIAMOND-RICH AREAS IT ONCE CONTROLLED BUT HAVE SINCE BEEN TAKEN OVER BY THE ANGOLAN GOVERNMENT. DIPLOMATS FEAR TENSIONS IN NORTHERN ANGOLA MAY BE SPREADING TO THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PROVINCES.

THE COUNCIL CALLED ON UNITA LEADER JONAS SAVIMBI TO MEET FACE-TO-FACE WITH ANGOLA'S PRESIDENT (JOSE EDUARDO DOS SANTOS) TO PROMOTE NATIONAL RECONCILIATION. UNITA HAS AGREED TO A POWER-SHARING ARRANGEMENT IN LUANDA. BUT DIPLOMATS SAY THE TWO SIDES HAVE A WAYS TO GO TO ENSURE POLITICAL PEACE.

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PRESIDENT EDUARD SHEVARDNADZE OF GEORGIA VISITED THE UNITED NATIONS THIS PAST WEEK IN ADVANCE OF PEACE TALKS IN EUROPE WITH ABKHAZIAN SEPARATISTS. HE ASKED FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPERS TO REPLACE THE RUSSIAN-LED FORCE NOW IN GEORGIA. THE SEPARATISTS ARE OPPOSED. IN FACT, THAT WAS THE WORD THAT CAME ACROSS THE NEWS WIRES EVEN AS MR. SHEVARDNAZE WAS MAKING HIS CASE IN NEW YORK.

SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTREPRETER, THE GEORGIAN LEADER DISMISSED THE OBJECTION:

WELL. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT YET BECAUSE I WAS BUSILY ENGAGED HERE AND IT'S THEIR BUSINESS IF THEY'RE SAYING NO TO IT. BUT THE UNITED NATIONS CAN ACT ACCORDING TO ITS CHARTER AND WHATEVER THE CHARTER ALLOWS THIS CAN BE DONE BY THE UNITED NATIONS.

THE U-N CHARTER MAY ALLOW IT. BUT INTERVENTION IN GEORGIA IS BY NO MEANS ASSURED. SECURITY COUNCIL DIPLOMATS SIGNALLED THEY WOULD FIRST MONITOR DEVELOPMENTS CLOSELY.

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MORE THAN 15-HUNDRED MEN AND WOMEN FROM 85 COUNTRIES HAVE DIED OVER THE PAST 50 YEARS WHILE ON U-N PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS. THE SECURITY COUNCIL THIS PAST WEEK DECIDED TO HONOR THEIR SACRIFICE WITH POSTHUMOUS MEDALS OF HONOR.

THE AWARD IS NAMED AFTER A FORMER U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL -- DAG HAMMARSKJOLD OF SWEDEN -- WHO WAS KILLED IN A PLANE CRASH IN 1961 WHILE ON A PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN AFRICA.

THE PRESENT SECRETARY-GENERAL -- KOFI ANNAN -- SAID THE RECOGNITION OF THE PEACEKEEPERS IS WELL-DESERVED AGAINST THE CONSTANT CARPING OF CRITICS WHO COMPLAIN THEY ARE NOT DOING ENOUGH:

THE DAG HAMMARSKJOLD MEDAL WILL HONOR THE LIVES OF ALL THOSE -- MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED -- WHO WENT TO DISTANT LANDS IN SEARCH OF PEACE AND PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE WHILE SERVING UNDER THE UNITED NATIONS FLAG. IT WILL REMIND US OF THE SENSE OF DUTY, BRAVERY AND SACRIFICE OF THOSE WOMEN AND MEN.

MORE THAN 750-THOUSAND PEOPLE FROM 110 COUNTRIES HAVE SERVED UNDER THE U-N FLAG SINCE 1948. (SIGNED)
NEB/EJ/KL
25-Jul-97 4:32 PM EDT (2032 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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