Voice of America, 97-09-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA (S) BY PAT BODNAR (WASHINGTON)

[02] BOSNIA COUP ATTEMPT (L ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (SARAJEVO)

[03] BOSNIA VOTE BY ART CHIMES (SARAJEVO)

[04] E-U GRAIN (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[05] EDITORIAL: SOROS FOUNDATION CLOSES IN BELARUS

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

[07] GELBARD/BOSNIA (L) BY PAT BODNAR (WASHINGTON)

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

[09] NATO / EAST EUROPE BY KYLE KING (STUTTGART)

[10] U-S/BOSNIA WARNING (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[11] U-S / BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY VALONDA BRUINTON (STATE DEPT.)

[12] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] BOSNIA (S) BY PAT BODNAR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE CHIEF U-S BALKAN ENVOY SAYS THE MAIN BOSNIAN SERB PARTY WAS INDEED TRYING TO OVERTHROW PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID OF LOSING THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS THIS WEEKEND. PAT BODNAR REPORTS.

TEXT: AMBASSADOR ROBERT GELBARD IN AN INTERVIEW ON WORLD NET ACCUSED SUPPORTERS OF FORMER BOSNIAN LEADER AND SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINAL RADOVAN KARADZIC OF USING STRONG-ARM TACTICS TO TRY AND STAY IN POWER.

PALE IS SO INTENT ON MAINTAINING POLITICAL CONTROL IN FUNDAMENTAL, TOTALITARIAN WAYS THAT IT IS DOING EVERYTHING IT CAN, USING THE WORST KIND OF ANTI-DEMOCRATIC MEANS TO TRY TO STIFLE AND BLOCK ANY KIND OF DIFFERING VIEWS

MR. GELBARD SAID THIS IS THE SECOND COUP ATTEMPT AGAINST PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC IN THE LAST MONTH.

HE WENT ON TO SAY MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS WILL GO AHEAD IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, DESPITE THREATS OF BOYCOTTS. (SIGNED)
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10-Sep-97 6:52 PM EDT (2252 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA COUP ATTEMPT (L ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: A SENIOR INTERNATIONAL OFFICIAL IMPLEMENTING THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS SAYS HARDLINE BOSNIAN-SERB PROTESTERS ARE RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES AFTER STAGING A CLASH WITH SUPPORTERS OF BOSNIAN-SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC EARLIER THIS WEEK. PAM TAYLOR REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: THE OFFICIAL, JACQUES KLEIN, TOLD REPORTERS IN SARAJEVO THE SIEGE IS OVER AT A HOTEL IN THE WESTERN BOSNIAN-SERB TOWN OF BANJA LUKA. HE SAID SUPPORTERS OF FORMER BOSNIAN-LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC ARE ON THEIR WAY BACK TO THE EASTERN HALF OF THE SERB REPUBLIC AFTER BEING DISARMED.

MR. KLEIN SPOKE WITH REPORTERS SOON AFTER HIS RETURN TO SARAJEVO FROM BANJA LUKA.

MR. KLEIN CHARACTERIZED THE MOSTLY YOUNG GROUP OF MEN WHO CAME TO BANJA LUKA WITH THE SERB MEMBER OF THE COLLECTIVE BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY, MOMCILO KRAJISNIK, AS A -- RENT-A-CROWD. HE SAID THEY HAD BEEN PAID TO DISRUPT A POLITICAL RALLY FOR BOSNIAN-SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC.

MR. KLEIN SAID THE CROWD THAT THREW ROCKS AT MR. KRAJISNIK AND HIS FOLLOWERS ALSO WAS MADE UP MOSTLY OF YOUNG MEN. BUT HE SAID THE SIMILARITY ENDS THERE.

I THINK THERE IS A SERB POPULATION THAT IS TIRED OF BEING EXPLOITED, TIRED OF HAVING THEIR POCKETS PICKED, AND THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE WHO WISH TO SUPPORT DAYTON, WHO WISH TO SUPPORT THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND WHO ARE TIRED OF CORRUPTION AND CRIMINALITY, AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT I SAW ON THE STREET.

MR. KLEIN WAS ASKED IF HE AGREED WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENTS IN BANJA LUKA AS AN ATTEMPTED COUP. HE SAID THAT DEPENDS ON THE DEFINITION, BUT HE AGREED THE INCIDENT APPEARED TO BE AN ATTEMPT TO UNSEAT AN ELECTED LEADER. (SIGNED)
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10-Sep-97 8:38 AM EDT (1238 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA VOTE BY ART CHIMES (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: BOSNIAN VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY IN ONE OF THE MOST COMPLEX AND SENSITIVE ELECTIONS OF RECENT YEARS. CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS COVERING THE ELECTION, AND HE HAS THIS PREVIEW.

TEXT: THIS VOTE IS ONE OF THE LANDMARK TESTS OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT THAT TWO YEARS AGO SET UP A FRAMEWORK FOR PEACE IN A DEMOCRATIC, UNIFIED BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE CHALLENGE TO MAKE DAYTON A REALITY HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER THAN IT WILL BE IN THE TWO DAYS OF VOTING.

AT STAKE COULD VERY WELL BE BOSNIA'S FRAGILE DEMOCRACY, SUPPORTED BY NATO-LED PEACEKEEPERS, AND THE WHOLE IDEA OF THE UNIFIED COUNTRY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO EXIST INSTEAD OF THE DE FACTO SEPARATION INTO SERB AND MUSLIM-CROAT ENTITIES.

THE VOTING ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY IS FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS, THE FIRST MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS SINCE 1990. ELECTIONS WERE TO HAVE BEEN HELD LAST YEAR, BUT THE ELECTION COMMISSION FOUND CONDITIONS WERE NOT RIGHT FOR VOTING. THE COMMISSION CITED A LACK OF FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AND PROBLEMS WITH MEDIA ACCESS.

A YEAR LATER, MEDIA ACCESS IS STILL HOTLY CONTESTED, AND WHILE BOSNIANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, IN FACT MANY ARE AFRAID TO TRAVEL TO AREAS DOMINATED BY ANOTHER ETHNIC GROUP. ABOUT 25-HUNDRED INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISORS WILL OVERSEE THE ELECTION -- NOT JUST MONITOR IT. THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE, THE O-S-C-E, IS IN CHARGE, AND SPOKESMAN DAVID FOLEY SAYS NO ONE SHOULD BE SURPRISED AT THE DIFFICULTIES IN HOLDING THE BALLOTING.

THESE ARE EXTRAORDINARILY CONTENTIOUS ELECTIONS, AND WHILE THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARE WARY OF THE JUDGMENT OF DEMOCRACY, THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO SEE THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AS THE ONLY HOPE FOR PEACE IN THIS DEVASTATED COUNTRY.

NOT EVERYONE IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS THAT OPTIMISTIC. A RESPECTED NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION WEDNESDAY ISSUED A REPORT HIGHLY CRITICAL OF THE ELECTION PROCESS. THE INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP SAYS THE VOTING RESULTS ARE PREDICTABLE AND REFLECT A FLAWED ELECTORAL SYSTEM.

THE GROUP'S BOSNIA DIRECTOR, HRAIR (CQ) BALIAN, SAYS THE REGISTRATION LISTS ESSENTIALLY GIVE THE NATIONALIST PARTIES THE RESULTS IN ADVANCE, BECAUSE VOTERS WITH MUSLIM, CROAT OR SERB NAMES WILL LIKELY VOTE MAINLY FOR THEIR OWN PARTIES.

IN OUR VIEW, THE ELECTIONS THIS WEEKEND, THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS THIS WEEKEND, HAVE VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH DEMOCRACY, FREEDOM OR FAIRNESS.

MR. BALIAN SAYS THE FUNDAMENTAL FLAW IS THAT CANDIDATES NEED TO SEEK ONLY THE VOTES OF THEIR OWN ETHNIC GROUP IN ORDER TO WIN. AS A RESULT, THE INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP RECOMMENDS A REDESIGN OF THE PROCESS BEFORE NEXT YEAR'S ELECTIONS.

IN THE MEANTIME, FLAWED OR FAIR, THE POLLS ARE OPEN FROM SEVEN A-M TO SEVEN P-M LOCAL TIME BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. (SIGNED)
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10-Sep-97 4:55 PM EDT (2055 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] E-U GRAIN (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION RULED WEDNESDAY THAT ITALY, AUSTRIA AND LUXEMBOURG MUST LIFT BANS THEY'VE IMPOSED ON GENETICALLY-MODIFIED MAIZE, OR CORN, WHICH IS BEING IMPORTED FROM THE UNITED STATES. JOHN FRASER HAS DETAILS IN THIS REPORT FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: LAST DECEMBER, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION DECIDED TO AUTHORIZE THE USE AND SALE OF GENETICALLY-MODIFIED MAIZE. BUT THE ITALIANS, AUSTRIANS AND LUXEMBOURGERS DECIDED TO IGNORE THIS DECISION, AND IMPOSED THEIR OWN NATIONAL BANS ON THE CEREAL GRAIN.

THE SPECIAL MAIZE WAS MODIFIED IN U-S LABORATORIES WITH THE AIM OF REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF PESTICIDE NEEDED TO PROTECT GROWING CROPS. HOWEVER, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS HAVE LOBBIED HARD FOR A EUROPE-WIDE BAN ON THE MAIZE, ARGUING THAT INSECTS COULD BUILD UP A RESISTANCE TO AN ANTIBIOTIC GENE WHICH THE GRAIN CONTAINS.

TAKING ADVICE FROM INDEPENDENT SCIENTISTS, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAS RULED THAT THE NATIONAL BANS BY THE COUNTRIES IN QUESTION CANNOT BE JUSTIFIED. HOWEVER, EUROPEAN OFFICIALS SAY THAT THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM OF INSECT RESISTANCE WILL BE CLOSELY MONITORED, AND THEY HAVE CONCLUDED THAT GENETICALLY-MODIFIED MAIZE POSES NO RISK TO HUMAN HEALTH OR TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

EUROPEAN UNION GOVERNMENTS WILL BE ASKED TO ENDORSE THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION DECISION, AND A MAJORITY ARE EXPECTED TO DO SO. THAT WOULD MEAN LEGAL ACTION COULD BE TAKEN AGAINST THE THREE GOVERNMENTS CONCERNED -- IF THEY DECIDE NOT TO LIFT THEIR BANS.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS TIGHTENED RULES ON THE LABELING OF FOODS, SO THAT CONSUMERS CAN TELL AT A GLANCE WHETHER OR NOT THEY CONTAIN -- OR CONSIST OF -- GENETICALLY-MODIFIED MAIZE, OR SIMILAR INGREDIENTS.

COMMISSIONER BRITTAN SAYS THAT ALTHOUGH THE E-U MAY DISAGREE WITH SUCH RULINGS, THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION IS A FORCE FOR GOOD IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA, AND MUST BE SUPPORTED.

THE FIRST RULING CONDEMNS AN E-U LAW BANNING THE IMPORTATION OF AMERICAN BEEF CONTAINING ARTIFICIAL HORMONES, AND THE SECOND DECLARES ILLEGAL E-U RULES ON BANANA IMPORTS WHICH FAVOR CARIBBEAN PRODUCERS AGAINST THEIR LATIN AMERICAN COMPETITORS. (SIGNED)
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10-Sep-97 10:32 AM EDT (1432 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] EDITORIAL: SOROS FOUNDATION CLOSES IN BELARUS

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:

AN AMERICAN HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION, THE SOROS FOUNDATION, WAS RECENTLY FORCED TO SHUT DOWN ITS OPERATIONS IN BELARUS. GEORGE SOROS, HEAD OF THE FOUNDATION, CITED PERSISTENT HARASSMENT BY THE BELARUSIAN GOVERNMENT. THE CLOSING OF WHAT WAS THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST INDEPENDENT NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION IS THE CULMINATION OF SIX MONTHS OF GROWING TENSIONS WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT ALEKSANDR LUKASHENKO. THE U.S. HAS PLACED THE BLAME SQUARELY ON THE GOVERNMENT.

MR. SOROS SUSPENDED HIS FOUNDATION'S ACTIVITIES IN BELARUS LAST MAY AFTER THE GOVERNMENT IMPOSED A THREE-MILLION DOLLAR FINE, CLAIMING TAX AND CURRENCY VIOLATIONS. MR. SOROS DENIED THE CHARGES, CALLING THEM POLITICALLY MOTIVATED. LAST WEEK, THE BELARUSIAN GOVERNMENT SAID IT WAS OPENING INVESTIGATIONS OF POSSIBLY CRIMINAL TAX VIOLATIONS BY FOUNDATION EMPLOYEES. AT THAT POINT, FOUNDATION LEADERS IN NEW YORK DECLARED THAT THEY "COULDN'T GO ON WITH THE CHARADE."

THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT LUKASHENKO HAS A LONG HISTORY OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES. IN ADDITION TO HARASSING NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT SEVERELY CURTAILS FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. REPORTERS HAVE BEEN DETAINED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND SOME FOREIGN JOURNALISTS HAVE BEEN DEPORTED OR HAD THEIR ACCREDITATION WITHDRAWN. THE FEW INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS THAT EXIST FACE SEVERE RESTRICTIONS. AS A RESULT, THE U.S. SHARPLY REDUCED ITS ASSISTANCE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF BELARUS THIS YEAR. WEST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAVE ALSO SUSPENDED AID TO THE COUNTRY.

ACCORDING TO SOROS FOUNDATION OFFICIALS, THE ORGANIZATION HAS SPENT MORE THAN THIRTEEN MILLION DOLLARS SINCE 1994 TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CIVIC GROUPS IN BELARUS. THESE ARE SERVICES THAT THE PEOPLE OF BELARUS NEED. UNFORTUNATELY, THE UNDEMOCRATIC PRACTICES OF THE GOVERNMENT ARE DEPRIVING THEM OF SUCH ASSISTANCE. THE U.S. CALLS ON THE GOVERNMENT OF BELARUS TO CEASE ITS HARASSMENT OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, RESPECT THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF CITIZENS, AND RETURN TO THE PATH THAT ITS NEIGHBORS ARE FOLLOWING TOWARD AN OPEN SOCIETY.

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.
10-Sep-97 2:25 PM EDT (1825 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES FELL SHARPLY IN TRADING WEDNESDAY IN EUROPEAN EXCHANGES. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: STOCKS PRICES WERE DOWN IN ALL THREE MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS, CLOSING AT OR NEAR THE DAY'S LOWS.

THE BIGGEST DROP WAS IN PARIS. THE CAC-40 INDEX ENDED THE DAY OFF MORE THAN 45 POINTS -- MORE THAN ONE-AND-ONE-HALF PERCENT OF THE PARIS MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE.

PRICES ALSO WERE DOWN SHARPLY IN FRANKFURT. THE DAX-30 INDEX FELL MORE THAN 44 POINTS, MORE THAN ONE PERCENT.

PRICES WERE DOWN IN LONDON FOR THE THIRD DAY THIS WEEK. THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX WAS OFF 45 POINTS, ABOUT NINE-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR DROPPED IN VALUE AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN, THE GERMAN MARK, AND THE BRITISH POUND.
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10-Sep-97 2:33 PM EDT (1833 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] GELBARD/BOSNIA (L) BY PAT BODNAR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE CHIEF U-S BALKAN ENVOY SAYS THE MAIN BOSNIAN SERB PARTY WAS INDEED TRYING TO OVERTHROW PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC EARLIER THIS WEEK BECAUSE IT IS AFRAID OF LOSING THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS THIS WEEKEND. VOA'S PAT BODNAR REPORTS THE OFFICIAL MADE THE COMMENTS WEDNESDAY IN A U-S GOVERNMENT TELEVISION INTERVIEW.

TEXT: AMBASSADOR ROBERT GELBARD WEDNESDAY ACCUSED SUPPORTERS OF FORMER BOSNIAN LEADER AND SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINAL RADOVAN KARADZIC OF USING STRONG-ARM TACTICS TO TRY AND STAY IN POWER.

PALE IS SO INTENT ON MAINTAINING POLITICAL CONTROL IN FUNDAMENTAL, TOTALITARIAN WAYS THAT IT IS DOING EVERYTHING IT CAN, USING THE WORST KIND OF ANTI-DEMOCRATIC MEANS TO TRY TO STIFLE AND BLOCK ANY KIND OF DIFFERING VIEWS

MR. GELBARD -- IN AN INTERVIEW WEDENSDAY WITH THE U-S GOVERNMENT TELEVISION SERVICE, WORLDNET -- SAID THIS IS THE SECOND COUP ATTEMPT AGAINST PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC IN THE LAST MONTH. JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, HE SAID THE SPECIAL POLICE AND WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS "OTHER TOTALITARIAN GROUPS" FROM PALE TRIED TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT FROM BANJA LUKA.

WE FOUND ENOUGH MILITARY EQUIPMENT FOR A LARGE ARMY INCLUDING LOTS OF BOXES OF BRAND-NEW ASSAULT WEAPONS, LAND MINES, HAND GRENADES, AND LOTS OF TERRORIST EQUIPMENT.

THIS WEEK'S ATTEMPT TO OVERTHROW MRS. PLAVSIC -- SAID AMBASSADOR GELBARD -- WAS DONE UNDER THE GUISE OF A POLITICAL RALLY. THE INCIDENT BEGAN LAST WEEKEND WHEN MR. KARADZIC'S PARTY CALLED FOR A RALLY TO BE HELD IN HIS RIVAL'S STRONGHOLD MONDAY NIGHT.

MR. GELBARD WENT ON TO SAY MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS WILL GO AHEAD IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, DESPITE THREATS OF BOYCOTTS. (SIGNED) NEB/PB/WFR/
10-Sep-97 6:51 PM EDT (2251 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN SHARPLY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AS WALL STREET WORRIED ABOUT SOUTHEAST ASIAN CURRENCY TROUBLES. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 77 HUNDRED 19, DOWN 132 POINTS. THE LARGER STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 919, DOWN 14 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY THE RECENT CURRENCY TURMOIL IN SEVERAL SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS HAS FINALLY CAUSED CONCERN ON WALL STREET, ESPECIALLY FOR THE STOCKS OF COMPANIES WITH LARGE INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS SOME SO-CALLED 'DEFENSIVE SELLING" IN ADVANCE OF FRIDAY'S REPORTS ON U-S RETAIL SALES AND THE WHOLESALE INFLATION RATE LAST MONTH.

PRESIDENT CLINTON IS ASKING CONGRESS TO GIVE HIM STREAMLINED POWERS TO NEGOTIATE NEW TRADE AGREEMENTS. THE PRESIDENT SAYS THE EXPANSION OF U-S EXPORTS IS THE KEY TO CREATING HIGH-WAGE JOBS FOR AMERICANS.

THE PROCTOR AND GAMBLE COMPANY, ALONG WITH NINE OTHER CONSUMER PRODUCT FIRMS, HAVE AGREED TO REFUND FOUR POINT TWO MILLION DOLLARS TO CONSUMERS IN WESTERN NEW YORK STATE. THE DEAL WAS IN SETTLEMENT OF A LAWSUIT WHICH CHARGED THAT THE COMPANIES HAD ENGAGED IN AN ILLEGAL CONSPIRACY TO ELIMINATE CONSUMER PRODUCT COUPONS.

THE H-J HEINZ FOOD COMPANY PLANS TO BUY BACK UP TO 12 MILLION SHARES OF ITS STOCK. THE COMPANY WILL ALSO RAISE ITS STOCK DIVIDEND BY ALMOST NINE PERCENT.

U-S GOVERNMENT REGULATORS HAVE ORDERED THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO REMEDY WHAT IS CALLED A SERIOUS BREAKDOWN IN SAFETY MEASURES. AN INSPECTION REPORT ALLEGES THAT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON THE RAILROAD ARE EXTREMELY LAX AND THAT SOME EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED TO IGNORE THE PROBLEMS. (SIGNED)
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10-Sep-97 5:00 PM EDT (2100 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] NATO / EAST EUROPE BY KYLE KING (STUTTGART)

INTRO: WHILE NATO MOVES FORWARD WITH PLANS FOR EASTWARD EXPANSION, MILITARY OFFICERS FROM THE ALLIANCE HAVE BEEN QUIETLY LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR FUTURE COOPERATION WITH A HOST OF EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. V-O-A'S KYLE KING IN STUTTGART HAS THIS REPORT ABOUT THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF EXERCISES AND TECHNICAL CONFERENCES DESIGNED TO MAKE COOPERATION POSSIBLE.

TEXT:

U-S ARMY COLONEL RON VANDIVER TOLD THE GROUP OF MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS FROM THE 28 NATIONS TAKING PART IN THE EXERCISE THAT THERE HAS BEEN MUCH PROGRESS IN THE PAST YEAR.

THE CONFERENCE, LIKE MANY OTHERS SINCE THE EXERCISE BEGAN IN 1995, IS PART OF THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE PROGRAM. THE GOAL AT THIS MEETING IS TO FOCUS ON CONNECTING THE SEPARATE AND SOMETIMES VERY DIFFERENT MILITARY TELEPHONE AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS OF EACH COUNTRY.

THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE PROGRAM, U-S AIR FORCE GENERAL CHARLES CROOM, SAYS THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WILL BE KEY TO THE SUCCESS ANY JOINT MISSION.

WE FIND THAT COMMUNICATIONS IS THE BACKBONE OF ALMOST ANY EFFORT THAT ANY NATION TAKES WITH ANOTHER NATION. SO WE CONSIDER IT CRITICAL TO HAVE A GOOD SEAMLESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM BETWEEN NATIONS BEFORE OTHER EVENTS CAN TAKE PLACE.

NEARLY EVERY NATION INVOLVED IN THE EXERCISE HAS ITS OWN TYPE OF COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT. SO, ONE OF THE GOALS HAS BEEN THE CREATION OF MANUALS THAT EXPLAIN HOW THAT EQUIPMENT CAN BE MADE TO WORK TOGETHER. DURING EXERCISES, EVERY TEST IS CAREFULLY DOCUMENTED AND INCLUDED IN THE MANUALS.

BUT DIFFERENCES IN EQUIPMENT ARE ONLY ONE AREA THE EXERCISES ARE DESIGNED TO OVERCOME. HUNGARIAN LIEUTENANT COLONEL GYORGY LEHEL, WHO HAS PARTICIPATED IN SEVERAL OF THE NATO-LED TRAINING SESSIONS, SAYS THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN BOTH USEFUL AND INTERESTING.

I THINK IT'S VERY EXCITING AND IT'S FUN AT THE SAME TIME. WE CAN LEARN A LOTM AND WE GOT A LOT OF EXPERIENCE AND LESSONS LEARNED.

OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE BEEN SURPRISED BY THE LEVEL OF COOPERATION. THE EXERCISE ALSO IS EXPECTED TO INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM POLAND, SWEDEN, LITHUANIA, FINLAND, NORWAY, LATVIA, ESTONIA, THE NETHERLANDS, GERMANY, FRANCE, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, AUSTRIA, SLOVENIA, MACEDONIA, BULGARIA, ROMANIA, GEORGIA, UZBEKISTAN, SLOVAKIA, KAZAKHSTAN, UKRAINE, BELARUS, RUSSIA, AND CANADA.

ONE U-S OFFICER SAID HE WAS SURPRISED THAT PEOPLE HE VIEWED AS AN ENEMY JUST A FEW YEARS AGO, HAVE NOW BECOME HIS BEST FRIENDS. (SIGNED)
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10-Sep-97 12:56 PM EDT (1656 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] U-S/BOSNIA WARNING (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS ISSUED A NEW WARNING TO BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS IN PALE TO STOP BROADCASTING ATTACKS AIMED AT UNDERMINING THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS OR FACE STRONG MILITARY ACTION. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THE ARCHITECT OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS HAS ALSO WARNED THE RESPONSE WILL BE SWIFT AND SEVERE SHOULD NATO TROOPS SUFFER CASUALTIES IN CONFRONTATIONS WITH BOSNIAN SERBS:

TEXT: U-S DEFFENSE SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS A WARNING WILL BE ISSUED SOON TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS OF STRONG, UNSPECIFIED ACTION TO ENFORCE A RECENT AGREEMENT. LAST WEEK'S PACT WAS AIMED AT TONING DOWN BROADCAST ATTACKS AGAINST NATO TROOPS AND THE DAYTON ACCORDS.

MR. BACON SAYS NATO WILL LET EVENTS DEFINE WHAT STRONG ACTION MEANS:

WE'VE ALREADY SHOWN THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO USE FORCES TO SURROUND BROADCAST TOWERS AND I THINK YOU CAN ASSUME WE'LL BE PREPARED TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO FORCE AN END TO THESE DISRUPTIVE BROADCASTS.

NATO TROOPS LAST WEEK BRIEFLY SEIZED ONE TELEVISION TRANSMITTER SITE NEAR BIJELJINA IN A DISPUTE OVER ATTACKS MADE BY SUPPORTERS OF FORMER LEADER AND WAR CRIMES SUSPECT RADOVAN KARADZIC.

THE UNITED STATES ACCUSES BOSNIAN SERB HARDLINERS OF ATTEMPTING A COUP MONDAY DURING A RALLY IN THE BANJA LUKA STRONGHOLD OF BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC. MR. BACON SAYS S-FOR TROOPS SEIZED ILLEGAL LONG-BARRELED WEAPONS.

ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE SAYS THIS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS PERIOD FOR THE DAYTON ACCORDS, BUT INSISTS THE BOSNIAN SERB OPPONENTS TO DAYTON ARE UNRAVELING AND THE SITUATION IS HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. (SIGNED).
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09-Sep-97 9:14 PM EDT (0114 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] U-S / BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY VALONDA BRUINTON (STATE DEPT.)

INTRO: MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO GO AHEAD AS PLANNED IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA THIS WEEKEND. BUT AS V-O-A'S VALONDA BRUINTON REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE UNITED STATES IS WARNING THOSE THREATENING TO BOYCOTT THE VOTE THAT THEY WILL EMERGE AS THE LOSERS.

TEXT: THE MAIN BOSNIAN CROAT PARTY, THE CROATION DEMOCRATIC UNION, SAYS IT WILL BOYCOTT THE VOTE ON GROUNDS THAT CONDITIONS ARE NOT FREE AND FAIR.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES FOLEY SAYS IF THE CROATION DEMOCATIC UNION CARRIES OUT THE THREAT, THE PARTY WILL ONLY BE DOING ITSELF A DISSERVICE AND PREVENTING THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS FROM BEING CARRIED OUT.

THOSE WHO DO NOT SUPPORT THE ELECTION PROCESS ARE INTERFERING WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DAYTON. THEY ARE DISENFRANCHISING THEIR OWN VOTERS AND THEY ARE HARMING THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

HARD-LINE SERBS WHO ARE LOCKED IN A POWER STRUGGLE WITH BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC HAVE SOUGHT A DELAY IN THE ELECTIONS. THE VOTE IS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. (SIGNED)
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10-Sep-97 3:55 PM EDT (1955 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S NEWSPAPERS ARE DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE DEBATE OVER WHETHER PRESIDENT CLINTON SHOULD BE GRANTED SO-CALLED "FAST TRACK" AUTHORITY FROM CONGRESS TO CONDUCT NEW TRADE AGREEMENTS.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT'S MIDDLE EAST VISIT; INCREASED PRESSURE ON JANET RENO TO INVESTIGATE CAMPAIGN FINANCE VIOLATIONS; THE TROUBLED MIR SPACECRAFT; THE LEGACY OF DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES, AND THE DEATH OF MOBUTU SESE SEKO OF THE CONGO.

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

TEXT: LONG ISLAND'S NEWSDAY SAYS THE CONGRESS SHOULD "GIVE [PRESIDENT] CLINTON FAST-TRACK AUTHORITY ON TRADE DEALS," IN ITS HEADLINE, ADDING:

VOICE: "THE ISSUE AT HAND IS WHAT'S CALLED 'FAST TRACK' NEGOTIATING AUTHORITY, UNDER WHICH CONGRESS AGREES TO VOTE A PROPOSED TREATY EITHER UP OR DOWN BUT NOT ATTEMPT TO AMEND IT. THAT WAY OTHER NATIONS KNOW THE TRADE DEALS THEY MAKE WITH THIS COUNTRY WON'T BE PICKED APART BY U-S POLITICAL INTERESTS. THE FAST TRACK HAS BEEN A WINNING FORMULA SINCE THE '70S. THIS TIME, THOUGH, THE PUBLIC IS WARY, IN PART BECAUSE THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT HAS FAILED TO LIVE UP TO ROSY PREDICTIONS OF JOB CREATION. [HOWEVER] ..... WASHINGTON HAS SET THE AGENDA FOR TRADE TALKS FOR THREE DECADES, AND U-S INDUSTRIES AND WORKERS HAVE BENEFITED HUGELY FROM THAT LEADERSHIP. IT'S IMPORTANT TO AMERICANS' ECONOMIC FUTURE THAT THIS COUNTRY NOT GIVE UP THAT ROLE."

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES AGREES, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: "[OPT] WITHOUT FAST TRACK, TRADE TREATIES CAN BE ENDLESSLY AMENDED AND BICKERED OVER, USUALLY A FATAL PROCESS. [END OPT] .... THE FAST-TRACK PROCEDURE WAS PUT IN PLACE IN THE MID-1970S, AND A NUMBER OF TRADE ACCORDS WERE APPROVED UNDER IT. BUT THREE YEARS AGO THE AUTHORITY LAPSED. WITH THE ECONOMY SO STRONG, NOW IS THE TIME TO RESTORE THE POWER AND MOVE TO LOWER TRADE BARRIERS AND CREATE MARKETS FOR U-S GOODS, PARTICULARLY IN LATIN AMERICA. ..... THERE IS NO GOOD REASON TO FEAR FREE TRADE."

TEXT: REGARDING SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT'S MIDDLE EAST TRIP, WHICH HAS BEGUN IN ISRAEL, THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR HAS THIS ADVICE:

VOICE: ".... HOW CAN THE U-S HELP BRING ISRAEL AND ITS ARAB NEIGHBORS BACK TO THEIR EARLIER COOPERATING STATE? FIRST, CONTINUE U-S INVOLVEMENT IN [MR.] ARAFAT'S SEARCH FOR TERRORIST CELLS. SECOND, LEVERAGE INTERNAL PRESSURES ON [MR.] NETANYAHU TO BACK OFF FROM EXPANSIONIST, PEACE-DISRUPTING POLICIES. [OPT] NEARLY 60 PERCENT OF ISRAELIS STILL TELL POLLSTERS THEY PREFER A SAFEGUARDED PEACE TO THE PRESENT BELLIGERENT UNSAFETY. ..... [END OPT] THIRD, MOUNT A QUIET CAMPAIGN TO ASSURE THE ISLAMIC WORLD .... THE U-S IS NOT ANTI-MUSLIM."

TEXT: STILL IN NEW ENGLAND, AN EDITORIAL HEADLINE IN MAINE'S PORTLAND PRESS HERALD SAYS MS. "ALBRIGHT NEEDS [A] MIRACLE TO SAVE [THE] MIDEAST PEACE."

VOICE: "NOTHING LESS THAN A MIRACLE IS NEEDED TO SAVE THE PEACE ACCORDS THAT ONCE HELD SUCH PROMISE THERE. [OPT] ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER ... NETANYAHU SAYS THE INTERIM AGREEMENTS REACHED IN OSLO .... NO LONGER APPLY, AND PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY PRESIDENT ... ARAFAT SAY [MR.] NETANYAHU HAS DELIBERATELY SCUTTLED THEM. [END OPT] .... WELCOME TO THE MIDDLE EAST, MADAM SECRETARY. FROM DAMASCUS TO JERUSALEM TO GAZA, IT'S MIRACLE TIME."

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, THE NEW YORK POST SAYS FRUSTRATION IN CONGRESS WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO'S REFUSAL TO APPOINT A SPECIAL COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE CAMPAIGN FUND-RAISING ABUSES MAY BE LEADING TO IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS.

VOICE: "NO MEMBER OF THE FEDERAL CABINET HAS BEEN IMPEACHED SINCE SECRETARY OF WAR WILLIAM BELKNAP ....121 YEARS AGO. SO WHEN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS BEGIN SERIOUSLY TO DISCUSS OUSTING ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO, IT IS A CLEAR SIGN OF HOW FAR THE DISREGARD FOR THE LAW THAT PERMEATES THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS SPUN OUT OF CONTROL."

TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE CONTINUES TO WORRY ABOUT THE MECHANICAL AND ELECTRONIC CONDITION OF THE RUSSIAN MIR SPACECRAFT, AND SUGGESTS IT COULD BECOME LETHAL.

VOICE: BETTER TO CLOSE DOWN MIR, ITS HONORABLE CAREER ASSURED, BEFORE THEY [THE COSMONAUTS AND THE AMERICAN ASTRONAUT] ENCOUNTER A PROBLEM THEY CANNOT HANDLE. ..... WHILE MOST OF MIR'S PROBLEMS HAVE NOT BEEN LIFE-THREATENING, THE ACCELERATION OF BREAKDOWNS MUST BE DRAINING ON CREW MEMBERS' MORALE AND DAUNTING TO THOSE LINED UP TO FOLLOW THEM. ....THE TIME HAS COME FOR THE AMERICANS TO LEAD THE RUSSIANS INTO THE NEXT PHASE OF SPACE EXPLORATION AND CLOSE DOWN MIR BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED."

TEXT: IN DEATH, PRINCESS DIANA OF WALES CONTINUES TO ELICIT EDITORIAL COMMENT, WITH TODAY'S MOST DRAMATIC, COMING AS A PROMISE FROM THE [NEW YORK] DAILY NEWS, PERHAPS THIS NATION'S BEST-KNOWN PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWSPAPER.

VOICE: "ALTHOUGH IT SEEMS UNCERTAIN WHETHER THE PAPARAZZI INVOLVED IN PRINCESS DIANA'S FATAL CRASH WILL BE PROSECUTED IN FRANCE, THE VERDICT HAS ALREADY BEEN DECIDED IN THE WORLDWIDE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION: GUILTY AS CHARGED. ......THAT IS WHY THE DAILY NEWS HAS VOWED NOT TO 'PURCHASE OR PUBLISH OR ENCOURAGE THE MAKING OF UNAUTHORIZED PHOTOS' OF HER GRIEVING SONS, WILLIAM AND HARRY. WE CHALLENGE ALL THE MEDIA TO MAKE THE SAME PLEDGE - - AND STICK TO IT. ..... WE DO IT IN THE NAME OF DECENCY. BUT ONLY IF ALL THE MEDIA FOLLOW WILL THE ERA OF THE STALKING PAPARAZZI FINALLY COME TO A CLOSE."

TEXT: MEANWHILE, THE SUN IN BALTIMORE TRIES TO ANALYZE THE MESSAGE THE BRITISH PUBLIC, IN ITS COLLECTIVE GRIEF, WAS SENDING THE MONARCHY.

VOICE: "BRITISH PEOPLE WHO DENOUNCED QUEEN ELIZABETH AND PRINCE CHARLES FOR FAILING TO DISPLAY SUFFICIENT GRIEF MAY HAVE BEEN ANGRY. THEY WERE NOT SUGGESTING SHE OUGHT NOT BE QUEEN. THESE COMMONERS DISCOVERED THEY HAD STRONG FEELINGS AND EXPECTED THE ROYALS TO SHOW THE SAME. HOW THIS EMOTION WILL TURN IS UNPREDICTABLE. .... BUT THE WINDSORS ARE THE ONLY ROYAL FAMILY BRITAIN HAS. ... AT THIS TIME OF TRIAL FOR THE ROYAL FAMILY, THE POPULAR, YOUNG AND BRASH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR .... BELIEVES 'THAT THE MONARCHY IS A TRADITION WHICH WE WANT TO KEEP,' AND WHICH 'WILL CHANGE AND MODERNIZE WITH EACH GENERATION.' ....[IT IS] .... HE - - RATHER THAN DIANA'S BITTER BROTHER, EARL SPENCER - - [WHO] APPEARS TO SPEAK FOR THE BRITISH MAJORITY ON THE SUBJECT NOW."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, SUGGESTS THAT DEATH IN EXILE FROM PROSTATE CANCER IS "A FITTING END" FOR EX-CONGOLESE DICTATOR MOBUTU SESE SEKO.

VOICE: "FORMER ZAIRE DICTATOR MOBUTU SESE SEKO'S TYRANNICAL LIFE ENDED FITTINGLY THIS WEEK - - IN EXILE AND OBSCURITY. ..... THE MANY EXCESSES OF MR. MOBUTU'S REGIME ARE WORTHY OF NOTE, NOT SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY WERE TRAGIC AND INHUMANE. THEY ALSO WERE SUPPORTED, IN PART, BY GENEROUS UNITED STATES' FOREIGN AID DURING THE COLD WAR. ..... AT LEAST THE UNITED STATES CAME TO ITS SENSES, ENDING AID TO ZAIRE FIVE YEARS AGO. IDEALLY ZAIRE, IN ITS CURRENT INCARNATION AS THE CONGO, WILL FACE A BETTER FUTURE."

TEXT: ON THAT BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE, WE END THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME EDITORIALS TO BE FOUND IN WEDNESDAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RRM
10-Sep-97 10:24 AM EDT (1424 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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