Voice of America, 97-10-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBRIGHT / NATO (S-ONITER) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[02] CROAT / WAR CRIMES (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

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

[04] CYPRUS / PREZ (L-ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

[05] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

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

[07] SERBIA ELECTIONS (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[08] SLOVAKIA:HARD TIMES AHEAD? BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

[09] TURKEY / KURDS BY KYLE KING (DIYARBAKIR)

[10] U-S CROATIA WAR CRIMES (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[11] YUGOSLAV ELECTION / S BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

[01] ALBRIGHT / NATO (S-ONITER) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: THE U-S SENATE OPENS HEARINGS TODAY (TUESDAY) ON THE PROPOSED TREATY ALLOWING THREE COUNTRIES TO JOIN NATO -- POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY. SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT GOES BEFORE THE U-S SENATE COMMITTEE TO TESTIFY IN FAVOR OF THE MEASURE. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS FROM CAPITOL HILL.

TEXT: THE SECRETARY WILL BE THE FIRST WITNESS WHEN THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE OPENS A LONG ROUND OF HEARINGS ON NATO ENLARGEMENT. THE PANEL'S POWERFUL CHAIRMAN, REPUBLICAN JESSE HELMS, IS OFFERING QUALIFIED SUPPORT FOR THE IDEA. HOWEVER, HE AND OTHER SENATORS STILL WORRY ABOUT THE COSTS OF EXPANSION AND WHETHER IT WILL HELP OR HANDICAP NATO'S MILITARY POWER. CRITICS ALSO FEAR THE MOVE WILL DRAG THE UNITED STATES INTO MORE EUROPEAN WARS.

MS. ALBRIGHT WILL TRY TO EASE THESE CONCERNS AND PERSUADE SKEPTICS THE PLAN WILL STRENGTHEN THE ALLIANCE WITHOUT CAUSING NEW DIVISIONS ON THE CONTINENT.

BECAUSE IT WOULD CHANGE THE CURRENT NATO TREATY, THE ADMINISTRATION NEEDS 67 VOTES, OR TWO-THIRDS OF THE (100-SEAT) SENATE, TO RATIFY THE PROPOSAL. MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT, WHO FAVORS EXPANSION, HAS SAID HE WILL SCHEDULE A VOTE AS EARLY AS FEBRUARY. (SIGNED)
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06-Oct-97 3:35 PM EDT (1935 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CROAT / WAR CRIMES (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: TEN-BOSNIAN CROATS SUSPECTED OF WAR CRIMES HAVE LEFT CROATIA TO GO ON TRIAL IN THE HAGUE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS FOLLOWING THE STORY FROM OUR BUREAU IN PRAGUE, WHERE HE REPORTS THE MOVE REPRESENTS A BIG STEP FORWARD FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA.

TEXT: THE 10-MEN BOARDED A DUTCH MILITARY PLANE IN THE CROATIAN PORT CITY OF SPLIT. THE MEN AGREED TO SURRENDER AFTER RECEIVING ASSURANCES THEY WOULD BE TRIED QUICKLY. THEY ARE ACCUSED OF CRIMES RELATED TO ETHNIC CLEANSING DURING BOSNIA'S BLOODY WAR. THE 10 SUSPECTS HAVE PROCLAIMED THEIR INNOCENCE. THE MOST PROMINENT OF THEM, DARIO KORDIC, SAYS THEY ARE HEADING FOR THE HAGUE WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE.

U-S ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD CALLED IT -- A SIGNIFICANT STEP -- FORWARD IN IMPLEMENTING THE DAYTON PEACE PROCESS. BUT MANY OTHER WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS REMAIN AT LARGE, INCLUDING BOSNIAN WARTIME POLITICAL LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC, WHO STILL WIELDS CONSIDERABLE POWER. MANY OBSERVERS HAVE CRITICIZED THE WEST FOR FAILING TO ARREST THEM AND THE OTHER SUSPECTS STILL AT LARGE. (SIGNED)
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06-Oct-97 7:35 AM EDT (1135 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE THREE BIGGEST STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE TURNED IN A MIXED PERFORMANCE ON MONDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS ON THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM VOA'S LONDON OFFICE.

TEXT: AFTER A RECORD-SETTING RISE LATE LAST WEEK, LONDON'S "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF STOCKS CLOSED DOWN ALMOST 31 POINTS MONDAY AS INVESTORS CASHED-IN ON SOME OF THAT PROFIT. THE PARIS "CAC 40" STOCK INDEX SAW SOME PROFIT-TAKING AS WELL, CLOSING DOWN JUST OVER 16 POINTS. BUT IN GERMANY, THE FRANKFURT "DAX 30" REFLECTED A BUYING MOOD, WITH THE INDEX GAINING 28-AND-A-HALF POINTS AT THE CLOSE.

THE U-S DOLLAR WAS STRONGER AGAINST MOST EUROPEAN CURRENCIES IN TRADING MONDAY.

GOLD PRICES RETREATED A BIT FROM LAST WEEK'S PRICE RALLY. AN OUNCE OF GOLD WAS FIXED AT 332-DOLLARS-45-CENTS IN LONDON -- DOWN A DOLLAR FROM FRIDAY. (SIGNED)
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06-Oct-97 2:08 PM EDT (1808 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CYPRUS / PREZ (L-ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: CYPRIOT PRESIDENT GLAFKOS CLERIDES SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT WILL PROCEED WITH DEPLOYMENT OF RUSSIAN-MADE MISSILES NEXT YEAR IF THE POLITICAL STALEMATE ON CYPRUS CONTINUES. IN A SPEECH TO THE U-N GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE GREEK CYPRIOT LEADER DENOUNCED THE TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE FOR PERPETUATING THE STATUS QUO. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS FOR A CYPRUS SETTLEMENT INTENSIFIED THIS PAST YEAR. U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN APPOINTED A NEW MEDIATOR AND KEY GOVERNMENTS APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE SIDELINES. THE IDEA IS TO UNITE THE TWO COMMUNITIES LOOSELY UNDER A FEDERAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.

BUT LONGTIME RESENTMENTS BETWEEN THE CYPRIOTS AND BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY APPARENTLY PROVED STRONGER. PRESIDENT CLERIDES REPORTED TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY A DISAPPOINTING LACK OF PROGRESS AND HE WARNED THE GREEK CYPRIOTS WILL DEPLOY NEW GROUND-TO-AIR MISSILES NEXT YEAR AS PLANNED:

WE CANNOT AND WILL NOT RELINQUISH OUR INALIENABLE RIGHT TO DEFEND OUR COUNTRY AND TO DECIDE UPON OUR ARMAMENTS. WE WILL NOT TIE OUR HANDS BEHIND OUR BACKS AND ALLOW THE TURKISH AIR FORCE TO BOMB OUR TOWNS AND VILLAGES AT WILL, AS IT HAS DONE IN THE PAST.

TURKISH TROOPS INVADED CYPRUS IN 1974 IN RESPONSE TO A COUP IN NICOSIA BACKED BY GREECE. THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS HAVE SINCE DECLARED THEIR INDEPENDENCE AND SET UP THEIR OWN REPUBLIC IN THE NORTH UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE TURKISH ARMY.

DIPLOMATS CLOSE TO THE SITUATION BELIEVE THE TURKISH COMMUNITY IS CONTENT WITH THE DIVISION. TURKEY HAS WARNED IT WILL UNITE WITH THE NORTH IF GREEK CYPRUS BEGINS MEMBERSHIP TALKS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION. THOSE TALKS ARE SCHEDULED FOR NEXT YEAR. (SIGNED)
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06-Oct-97 11:59 AM EDT (1559 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE U-S SUPREME COURT BEGINS ITS NEW TERM TODAY, THE FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER, WITH A CROWDED SCHEDULE OF IMPORTANT CASES, AND THE NATION'S PRESS NOTES THE OCCASION WITH COMMENTARY.

OTHER TOPICS TO BE FOUND AMONG MONDAY'S EDITORIALS ARE CONTROVERSIAL EFFORTS TO CONTROL TELEVISION BROADCASTS IN BOSNIA; THE DANGERS OF BEING A JOURNALIST IN LATIN AMERICA; THE VARYING REACTIONS TO IRAN'S MILITARY BUILDUP; ALGERIA'S CIVIL WAR; AND THE FRENCH CHURCH APOLOGIZES FOR ITS ACTIONS AGAINST JEWS IN WORLD WAR TWO.

NOW, HERE IS _____________________ TO ELABORATE A BIT IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: IN WASHINGTON THE CRY OF "OY-YEZ, OY-YEZ, OY-YEZ," HAS RUNG OUT AS THE SUPREME COURT BEGINS ANOTHER SESSION ... INTERPRETING THE U-S CONSTITUTION. "THE MIAMI HERALD" HAILS THE NEW SEASON THIS WAY:

VOICE: "[OPT] IF THE U-S SUPREME COURT HAD LIVE TV COVERAGE, AS CONGRESS DOES ... THE RATINGS RACE ARGUABLY WOULDN'T EVEN BE CLOSE. CAPITOL HILL'S LAME [WEAK] SPEECHES TO EMPTY CHAMBERS WOULD BE NO MATCH FOR THE COURT'S HIGH DRAMA OF LAWYERS ARGUING DRAMATIC TOPICS RANGING FROM SEX AND DRUGS TO MONEY AND POWER. [END OPT] THE IDEOLOGICALLY DIVIDED COURT OPENS ITS 1997-98 TERM TODAY ... AND TACKLES A TOUGH ISSUE RIGHT OFF THE BAT [AT THE VERY BEGINNING]: MAY PERSON ASSOCIATE FREELY TO FORM CREDIT UNIONS TO COMPETE WITH BANKS? OR MUST MEMBERSHIP BE TIGHTLY RESTRICTED? ... FOR COURT WATCHERS, THOUGH, THE TERM'S DEFINING ISSUE IS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION. THE JUSTICES WILL HEAR AN APPEAL OF A NEW JERSEY CASE IN WHICH A SCHOOL DISTRICT CITED ITS DESIRE TO PROMOTE 'DIVERSITY' AS A REASON TO LAY OFF A WHITE TEACHER INSTEAD OF A BLACK TEACHER."

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" ALSO SALUTES THE COURT'S RETURN, AND DISCUSSES THE NEW JERSEY CASE, BEFORE MAKING THIS POINT:

VOICE: "THE MORE PROVOCATIVE QUESTION IS WHETHER THE COURT, WHICH HAS BEEN STEADILY WEAKENING LEGISLATIVE REMEDIES FOR RACIAL INJUSTICE, WILL USE THE CASE AS A VEHICLE TO BAR ALL VOLUNTARY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION UNLESS SUCH ACTION IS CLEARLY REQUIRED TO CORRECT ACTUAL DISCRIMINATION."

TEXT: TURNING OVERSEAS, "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS THERE ARE ETHICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE RECENT TAKEOVER BY NATO TROOPS OF SEVERAL BOSNIAN-SERB TELEVISION STATIONS, BUT ALSO NOTES THE NEED FOR SUCH ACTION.

VOICE: "NO CITIZEN OF THE WEST CAN BE ENTIRELY COMFORTABLE WITH THE NATO-LED PEACEKEEPERS' SEIZURE OF FOUR TELEVISION BROADCASTING TOWERS IN THE SERB-CONTROLLED HALF OF BOSNIA. THE ACT APPEARS TO THRUST THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE DEEP INTO A SENSITIVE INTERNAL SECTOR WHERE AN OUTSIDE MILITARE ESTABLISHMENT SHOULD RIGHTLY FEAR TO TREAD. A SIMILAR STEP TAKEN ... IN A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY WOULD SET OFF CONVULSIONS. IN FACT, SEIZURE OF THE TOWERS IS ESSENTIAL TO ENABLING THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE TO CARRY OFF ITS DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS MISSION OF MOVING BOSNIA BACK TOWARD A DEMOCRATIC ORDER AND ETHNIC COEXISTENCE. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE LONG AGO. THAT IT IS BEING DONE NOW IS A WELCOME SIGN OF THE VIGOR THE FORCE NEEDS TO BE TRUE TO ITS MISSION. [OPT] NO SINGLE ELEMENT IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE OF ITS TRAGEDY THAN OFFICIAL ABUSE OF THE MASS MEDIA."

TEXT: REMAINING WITH THE SUBJECT OF COMMUNICATIONS, BUT THIS TIME IN LATIN AMERICA, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS LAMENTING THE WORSENING TERROR BEING WROUGHT ON JOURNALISTS IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD FOR JUST DOING THEIR JOB.

VOICE: "ENTERPRISING CRIME REPORTERS WORK DAILY IN THE FACE OF LETHAL RETALIATION IN LATIN AMERICA, AND AS OFTEN AS NOT THE THREAT COMES FROM THUGS ALLIED WITH THE RULING CIRCLES. ... THE SYSTEMATIC HARASSMENT OF REPORTERS AND EDITORS HAS ALLOWED DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED BUT HABITUALLY OPPRESSIVE GOVERNMENTS TO WORK IN THE SHADOWS. IN THE LAST TEN YEARS, 173 JOURNALISTS HAVE BEEN MURDERED IN LATIN AMERICA, AND IN MOST OF THE CASES THE KILLERS WERE NEVER ARRESTED."

TEXT: TODAY'S WALL STREET JOURNAL IS PARTICULARLY ANGRY ABOUT THE FRENCH DEAL TO EXPLOIT NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS IN IRAN, AND HOW THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT IS DEFENDING THE ARRANGEMENT.

VOICE: "IN THE SAME NEWS CYCLE THAT SAW THE U-S SEND THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER NIMITZ TO THE PERSIAN GULF BECAUSE IRANIAN AND IRAQI WARPLANES WERE JACKING UP TENSIONS THERE, WE HAVE THE PRIME MINISTER OF FRANCE DECLARING THAT HE 'REJOICES' IN A PROJECT THAT MIGHT GIVE IRAN THE WHEREWITHAL TO ACQUIRE NUCLEAR MISSILES. THAT, INDEED, IS HOW PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN DESCRIBED HIS REACTION TO THE NEW TWO-BILLION DOLLAR DEAL BY THE FRENCH TOTAL OIL GROUP ... WHICH WILL PROVIDE IRAN WITH A NEW INCOME SOURCE. MR. JOSPIN, OF COURSE, KNOWN THAT TOTAL'S ACTIONS COULD TRIGGER SANCTIONS UNDER THE U-S ... LAW, WHICH HE ... CLAIMS IS AN ILLEGITIMATE 'EXTRATERRITORIAL' EXTENSION OF U-S LAW. ... THAT SAID, WE WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR .... THAT U-S POLICY TOWARD IRAN IS IN SERIOUS NEED OF CRITICAL ANALYSIS ... THE U-S CAN GO TO THE MAT [GO FORWARD AGGRESSIVELY] WITH FRANCE BY EMPLOYING THE ... SANCTIONS AGAINST TOTAL ... BUT THIS IS A LOUSY WAY FOR TWO PUTATIVE ALLIES TO DO BUSINESS WITH EACH OTHER."

TEXT: STILL IN THE REGION, TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" WORRIES ABOUT THE CIVIL WAR IN ALGERIA, AND PROVIDES A POSSIBLE SOLUTION.

VOICE: "A TRUCE CALLED BY ONE OF ALGERIA'S ISLAMIC FACTIONS COULD BE A LIFELINE FOR A COUNTRY ENTRAPPED BY VIOLENCE. ... TO DATE, NEITHER THE FORMER COLONIAL POWER, FRANCE, NOR THE U-N HAS HAD MUCH SUCCESS WITH MEDIATION IN ALGERIA. BUT THEIR EFFORTS SHOULD CONTINUE. THE UNITED STATES, TOO, SHOULD OFFER TO HELP FOSTER NEGOTIATIONS. STABILITY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION IS, AFTER ALL, AN IMPORTANT U-S INTEREST."

TEXT: AS REGARDS THE FRENCH ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH'S APOLOGY TO THE JEWS FOR ITS ACTIONS IN WORLD WAR TWO, "THE WASHINGTON POST" OPINES:

VOICE: "THE DECLARATION ... BY A GROUP OF FRENCH BISHOPS THAT CHURCH LEADERSHIP UNDER VICHY HAD REMAINED SILENT IN THE FACE OF ANTISEMITIC PERSECUTION OF JEWS, AND THAT THAT SILENCE CONSTITUTED 'A FAULT,' [REPRESENTS] A SOLID STEP FORWARD INTO CLARITY, WORTH NOTING FOR THE GUIDEPOSTS IT MAY OFFER OTHER NATIONS STILL TRYING TO UNTANGLE THE SAME SNARL OF CONFLICTING MEMORIES."

TEXT: "THE MIAMI HERALD" IS UPSET THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION IS STILL FAILING TO UPGRADE ITS INSPECTION OF THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY AS PROMISED.

VOICE: "U-S AVIATION CHANGED DRAMATICALLY WITH DEREGULATION F COMMERCIAL AIRLINES. NOW IT'S CHANGING AGAIN WITH THE GLOBALIZATION OF TRADE. HAS THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION CHANGED? NOT DISCERNIBLY. ..... BASICALLY THE F-A-A STILL SHUFFLES PAPER AND RUNS ON TRUST. IT DEPENDS ON AIRLINES AND CARGO CARRIERS TO FILL OUT FORMS AND TURN THEMSELVES IN WHEN SOMETHING GOES AMISS. THAT HAS GOT TO CHANGE. HEARTENINGLY, F-A-A ADMINISTRATOR JANE GARVEY SAYS THAT IT WILL."

TEXT: THAT IS A BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM MONDAY'S U-S PAPERS.
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06-Oct-97 10:32 AM EDT (1432 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (MONDAY) AS CONFIDENCE RETURNED TO WALL STREET. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT EIGHTY ONE HUNDRED, UP 61 POINTS. THE LARGER STANDARD AND POOR'S INDEX OF 500 STOCKS CLOSED AT 972, UP SEVEN POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY STOCKS FOLLOWED THE BOND MARKET UP. IN ADDITION, FRIDAY'S NERVOUSNESS ON WALL STREET ABOUT TENSIONS BETWEEN IRAN AND IRAQ RECEDED SOMEWHAT AND OIL PRICES FELL.

ALTHOUGH STOCK PRICES WERE GENERALLY STRONG, THERE WERE SOME EXCEPTIONS. SHARES OF THE SILICON GRAPHICS CORPORATION FELL MORE THAN 30 PERCENT AFTER THE MAKER OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE SAID IT EXPECTS TO REPORT A LOSS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER. AND THE STOCK OF LA QUINTA INNS LOST MORE THAN 20 PERCENT AFTER THE HOTEL CHAIN SAID ITS QUARTERLY PROFITS WILL LIKELY BE BELOW WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS.

BUT MARRIOTT, ANOTHER HOTEL COMPANY, REPORTED A 16 PERCENT RISE IN QUARTERLY EARNINGS. MARRIOTT SAID IT HAD A "TERRIFIC" SUMMER SEASON.

THE FEDERAL EXPRESS COMPANY WILL PAY TWO POINT FOUR BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE CALIBER SYSTEMS, A NON-EXPRESS PACKAGE DELIVERY SERVICE. ANALYSTS SAY THE DEAL WILL ENHANCE THE ABILITY OF FEDERAL EXPRESS TO COMPETE WITH THE UNITED PARCEL SERVICE, THE LARGEST PACKAGE DELIVERY COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES. GAZPROM, THE RUSSIAN GAS COMPANY, SAYS IT PLANS TO OFFER ONE BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF CONVERTIBLE BONDS IN THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET. ANALYSTS SAY SELLING THE BONDS SHOULD BE EASY SINCE GAZPROM IS ONE OF RUSSIA'S LARGEST AND BEST-KNOWN CORPORATIONS.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, TRADING IN FUTURES AND OPTIONS ON THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE BEGAN AT TWO EXCHANGES IN CHICAGO. THE CONTRACTS ALLOW INVESTORS TO SPECULATE ON THE FUTURE VALUE OF THE 101-YEAR OLD INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/WFR
06-Oct-97 5:14 PM EDT (2114 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] SERBIA ELECTIONS (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THE OUTCOME OF SERBIA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS REMAINS IN DOUBT, AFTER AN OPPOSITION BOYCOTT REDUCED TURNOUT. BOTH SIDES CONTINUE TO ARGUE OVER WHETHER ENOUGH VOTES WERE CAST TO VALIDATE THE OUTCOME. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS WATCHING THE SITUATION FROM OUR CENTRAL EUROPEAN BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: AS CHALLENGERS FROM THE ULTRANATIONALIST "RADICAL" PARTY CELEBRATED VICTORY, THE RULING "SOCIALIST" PARTY SAID TURNOUT WAS TOO LOW FOR THE RESULTS TO BE VALID. THE MAIN OPPOSITION PARTIES BOYCOTTED THE VOTING AND MAY HAVE PERSUADED ENOUGH PEOPLE TO STAY HOME TO INVALIDATE THE ELECTION.

THE VOTE COUNTS ONLY IF AT LEAST HALF OF SERBIA'S SEVEN-POINT-TWO MILLION ELIGIBLE VOTERS CAST A BALLOT. IF NOT, THERE WILL BE A RUNOFF IN TWO MONTHS.

THE SOCIALISTS ALSO CLAIMED VICTORY FOR THEIR CANDIDATE, ZORAN LILIC, BUT SAID THE TURNOUT WOULD PROBABLY NOT QUITE REACH 50-PERCENT.

IF A RUNOFF IS NECESSARY, YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE MUCH INFLUENCE -- THIS, WHILE A CARETAKER PRESIDENT WHOM HE INSTALLED REMAINS IN OFFICE. IN ANY EVENT, MUCH OF THE POWER FORMERLY EXERCISED BY THE SERBIAN PRESIDENCY HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE FEDERAL PRESIDENT -- NAMELY, MR. MILOSEVIC.

IF RADICAL PARTY CANDIDATE VOJISLAV SESELJ TURNS OUT TO BE SERBIA'S NEXT PRESIDENT, IT WOULD LIKELY LEAD TO CONFLICT WITH MR. MILOSEVIC.

YUGOSLAVIA HAS BEEN POLITICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY ISOLATED WITH DEVASTATING RESULTS, AND PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MAY TRY TO MAKE CONCESSIONS TO THE WEST TO GET SANCTIONS EASED. BUT THE RADICAL PARTY STANDS FIRMLY AGAINST ANY CONCESSIONS. IF THE NATIONALIST MR. SESELJ BECOMES SERBIA'S NEXT PRESIDENT, THIS COULD CAUSE SOME DIFFICULT POLITICAL MANEUVERING BETWEEN THE YUGOSLAV AND SERBIAN PRESIDENTS IN BELGRADE.

IN SEPARATE VOTING IN YUGOSLAVIA'S OTHER REPUBLIC -- MONTENEGRO THE TURNOUT WAS NOT IN QUESTION, BUT THE RESULT THERE ALSO APPEARS INDECISIVE. NEITHER MAJOR CANDIDATE APPEARS TO HAVE WON THE NECESSARY 50-PERCENT OF THE VOTE. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THE TWO CANDIDATES WILL FACE EACH OTHER IN A RUNOFF ELECTION. FOR NOW, THE STALEMATE REPRESENTS A DEFEAT FOR MR. MILOSEVIC, WHO HAD SUPPORTED THE INCUMBENT PRESIDENT MOMIR BULATOVIC. CHALLENGER MILO DJUKANOVIC IS A REFORMER WHO WANTS TO DISTANCE MONTENEGRO FROM SERBIA, AND HAS BLAMED YUGOSLAVIA'S ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES ON BELGRADE. (SIGNED)
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06-Oct-97 10:17 AM EDT (1417 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] SLOVAKIA:HARD TIMES AHEAD? BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THERE ARE WORRIES THAT SLOVAKIA COULD SOON CONFRONT THE KIND OF SPECULATIVE CURRENCY ATTACK THAT EARLIER AFFLICTED THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND ECONOMIES IN SOUTH EAST ASIA. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS THAT LIKE THESE OTHER COUNTRIES SLOVAKIA HAS A LARGE AND GROWING BALANCE OF PAYMENTS DEFICIT.

TEXT: SLOVAKIA HAS THUS FAR ESCAPED THE CURRENCY DEVALUATION AND ECONOMIC AUSTERITY THAT OCCURRED LAST MAY AND JUNE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC. BUT IN RECENT DAYS SEVERAL FINANCIAL ANALYSTS HAVE VISITED BRATISLAVA TO ASSESS THE CONDITION OF SLOVAKIA'S BANKS AND THE COUNTRY'S FINANCES.

JAN VANOUS, THE CZECH BORN DIRECTOR OF THE PLANECON RESEARCH AGENCY IN WASHINGTON, SAYS SLOVAKIA HASN'T BEEN THE TARGET OF CURRENCY SPECULATORS BECAUSE FEWER OF ITS FINANCIAL ASSETS ARE ACCESSIBLE TO FOREIGN INVESTORS.

THANKS TO THAT, THE SLOVAKS--SO TO SPEAK--ARE NOT UNDER THE GUN. THAT'S WHY THEY ARE GETTING AWAY WITH THINGS EVEN THE CZECHS COULDN'T DREAM OF. FOR EXAMPLE, FOREIGN INVESTORS GOT NERVOUS ABOUT THE CZECH CROWN LAST YEAR WHEN THEY REALIZED THAT THE CZECH CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT WAS EQUAL TO MORE THAN EIGHT PERCENT OF CZECH G-D-P. IN SLOVAKIA IT WAS ALREADY 11 OR 12%. THIS YEAR IT IS HEADING FOR 13 OR 14%. THAT IS A KIND OF RATIO THAT MAKES A WESTERN INVESTOR EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE.

A GROWING TRADE OR CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT MEANS THAT SLOVAKIA IS SPENDING FAR MORE THAN IT IS EARNING, A SITUATION THAT CAN'T GO ON INDEFINITELY.

DESPITE ONGOING POLITICAL PROBLEMS AND RELATIVE ISOLATION FROM WESTERN INSTITUTIONS LIKE NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION, SLOVAKIA'S ECONOMY FOR SEVERAL YEARS HAS BEEN PERFORMING VERY WELL. ITS INFLATION RATE IS AMONG THE LOWEST IN EASTERN EUROPE AND GROWTH MATCHES THAT OF POLAND, THE REGION'S MOST CONSISTENTLY FAST GROWING ECONOMY. BUT ECONOMIST VANOUS SAYS THOSE FIGURES ARE MISLEADING. SLOVAKIA, HE SAYS, HAS KEPT INFLATION LOW BECAUSE IT HAS NOT MOVED AS FAST AS ITS NEIGHBORS TO DECONTROL PRICES.

THE CZECHS ARE HAVING FAR HIGHER INFLATION. BUT THEN, AGAIN, THEY SHARPLY INCREASED PRICES OF ELECTRIC POWER, NATURAL GAS, AND IN JULY THEY NEARLY DOUBLED THE RENTS. THE SLOVAKS HAVE NOT ADJUSTED RENTS FOR QUITE A WHILE. THEY ARE NOT INCREASING THE ENERGY PRICES. SO WHAT YOU HAVE IN FACT IN SLOVAKIA IS THAT THE NUMBERS LOOK PRETTY GOOD BUT YOU ARE ROLLING IN FRONT OF YOURSELF A LIABILITY FOR FUTURE PRICE LIBERALIZATION. AND THE LONGER YOU ROLL IT IT IS LIKE A SNOWBALL. IT KEEPS GETTING BIGGER. AND YOU FINALLY DECIDE YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE ADJUSTMENTS IT IS GOING TO BE THAT MUCH MORE PAINFUL.

MR. VANOUS BELIEVES THE SLOVAK CROWN IS OVERVALUED AND THAT THERE ARE BIG PROBLEMS AHEAD. HE ALSO QUESTIONS THE QUALITY OF THE ECONOMIC GROWTH FIGURES AND DOUBTS THAT THE SLOVAK ECONOMY HAS ACTUALLY BEEN GROWING AS MUCH AS REPORTED. (SIGNED)
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06-Oct-97 5:16 PM EDT (2116 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] TURKEY / KURDS BY KYLE KING (DIYARBAKIR)

INTRO: TURKEY IS PRESSING AHEAD WITH ITS MILITARY CAMPAIGN AGAINST KURDISH REBEL BASES IN NORTHERN IRAQ, DESPITE CRITICISM OF THE OPERATION AT HOME AND ABROAD. KYLE KING FILED THIS BACKGROUND REPORT ON THE LONG-RUNNING CONFLICT FROM THE TURKISH CITY OF DIYARBAKIR.

TEXT:

TURKISH ARMY HELICOPTERS AND HIGH PERFORMANCE JET FIGHTER BOMBERS FLYING OUT OF BASES IN SOUTHERN TURKEY ARE NOW IN THE THIRD WEEK OF AN EFFORT AIMED AT DESTROYING KURDISH REBEL BASES IN THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN IRAQ.

TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY THE CROSS-BORDER OFFENSIVE, WHICH INCLUDES ABOUT 15-THOUSAND GROUND TROOPS, IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT REBEL ATTACKS AGAINST TURKISH CIVILIANS.

FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SERMET ATACANLI SAYS OFFICIALS ARE NOT ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT HAVING TO CROSS THE IRAQI BORDER TO ATTACK BASES OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, THE P-K-K. BUT MR. ATACANLI SAYS, THE LACK OF IRAQI CONTROL OVER THE REGION HAS LEFT A POWER VACUUM AND TURKEY HAS NO ALTERNATIVE.

SO WE WILL TAKE WHATEVER MEASURES ARE NECESSARY TO PROTECT OUR OWN PEOPLE. WE ARE RESPECTFUL OF THE SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF IRAQ. THIS HAS GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. IT IS SIMPLY A MEASURE TO PROTECT OUR OWN PEOPLE.

ANALYSTS SAY TURKISH MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST P-K-K REBEL BASES IN NORTHERN IRAQ, WHICH FIRST TOOK PLACE IN 1995, HAVE DEALT A SETBACK TO THE GROUP'S BLOODY CAMPAIGN FOR A SEPARATE KURDISH HOMELAND. SOME ANALYSTS SAY THE INCREASINGLY WELL-EQUIPPED TURKISH ARMY HAS ALSO GROWN MORE SKILLED AT COUNTER REBEL TACTICS.

AMONG TURKEY'S KURDS, WHO MAKE UP MORE THAN 10-PERCENT OF THE POPULATION AND LIVE MOSTLY IN THE RELATIVELY POOR SOUTH OF THE COUNTRY, THERE IS NO OPEN SUPPORT FOR THE REBELS. TOUGH SECURITY REGULATIONS PREVENT THAT.

BUT MANY KURDS SAY THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICIES ARE PARTLY TO BLAME FOR THE FIGHTING, WHICH HAS LEFT MORE THAN 26-THOUSAND PEOPLE DEAD SINCE TROOPS BEGAN BATTLING THE P-K-K MORE THAN 13-YEARS AGO.

THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF ONE OF THE FEW PARTIES (DEMOKARASI VE BARIS PARTISI) REPRESENTING THE KURDS, FEHMI DEMIR, SAYS MANY KURDS FEEL THEIR RIGHTS AND CULTURAL IDENTITY ARE BEING REPRESSED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

MR. DEMIR SAYS WHEN THE STATE FIGHTS THE PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE WILL FIGHT BACK -- THE PROBLEM OF TERRORISM IS THE RESULT OF 70-YEARS OF REPRESSION OF THE KURDS.

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAY THEY HOPE THE ELIMINATION OF THE TERRORIST THREAT FROM P-K-K REBEL BASES WILL ALLOW THEM TO EASE SECURITY RESTRICTIONS IN THE SOUTH OF THE COUNTRY, WHERE SEVERAL AREAS REMAIN UNDER A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

INTERNATIONALLY, TURKEY HAS ALSO TRIED TO BRING PRESSURE ON COUNTRIES IT BLAMES FOR SUPPORTING THE P-K-K.

SOME KURDS SAY PRIVATELY THE GOVERNMENT STILL HAS A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE THE PROBLEM WILL BE RESOLVED. BUT THEY HASTEN TO ADD MOST KURDS IN TURKEY DO NOT WANT A SEPARATE STATE. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/RAE
06-Oct-97 9:25 AM EDT (1325 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] U-S CROATIA WAR CRIMES (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES IS READY TO APPROVE LOANS FOR CROATIA NOW THAT CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN HAS FULFILLED HIS PLEDGE TO COOPERATE WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. THE STATE DEPARTMENT LAVISHED PRAISE ON THE CROATIAN LEADER FOR HIS HELP IN TURNING OVER DARIO KORDIC AND NINE OTHER BOSNIAN CROATS TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS THERE ARE STILL FOUR OTHER CROATIAN SUSPECTS WANTED BY THE TRIBUNAL BUT CROATIA IS LIKELY TO SEE SOME BENEFITS FROM THIS COOPERATION.

AS A DECISION IS MADE AND WE CONSULT WITH CONGRESS ON ANY FUTURE VOTE IN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, WE WILL TAKE THIS WELCOME AND POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT INTO ACCOUNT.

THE UNITED STATES HAD BLOCKED LOANS BY THE WORLD BANK FOR CROATIA BECAUSE OF THE PREVIOUS LACK OF COOPERATION WITH THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. THE AMERICAN BOSNIA NEGOTIATOR, ROBERT GELBARD HAD MET WITH THE CROATIAN PRESIDENT LAST WEEK TO URGE HIM TO TURN OVER THE BOSNIAN CROATS BECAUSE OF THE TRIBUNAL'S PROMISE TO GIVE THE MEN EARLY AND FAIR TRIALS.

MR. GELBARD MET MONDAY WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN BELGRADE. MR. RUBIN SAYS THE AMBASSADOR CITED PRESIDENT TUDJMAN'S COOPERATION AS AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW.

AS FAR AS THE WAR CRIMINAL ISSUE IS CONCERNED, I THINK THE CASE HE MADE TO MR. MILOSEVIC IS THAT IT'S NOW YOUR TURN. IF YOU WANT YOUR COUNTRY TO REJOIN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. IF YOU WANT TO HAVE THE BENEFITS OF THE NEW EUROPE THAT IS BEING BUILT, THEN YOU SHOULD PAY CLOSE ATTENTION AND TAKE HEED WHAT PRESIDENT TUDJMAN HAS DONE BY USING HIS INFLUENCE WITH BOSNIAN CROATS TO GET IMPORTANT INDICTEEES TURNED OVER TO THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AND THAT A FAILURE BY PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO TAKE THOSE STEPS WILL LEAVE HIM CONTINUALLY ISOLATED IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND WILL LEAVE HIS PEOPLE TO SUFFER FROM THE ISOLATION THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO IMPOSE ON HIM.

THESE SANCTIONS INCLUDE BLOCKING SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO FROM TAKING YUGOSLAVIA'S SEAT IN THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY. THE UNITED STATES WANTS FORMER BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC AND FORMER MILITARY LEADER RATKO MLADIC TURNED OVER TO THE HAGUE AND BELIEVES PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC CAN USE LEVERAGE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. THE STATE DEPARTMENT WARNS THOSE BOSNIAN SERBS AND OTHERS STILL AT LARGE THAT THE UNITED STATES KEEPS OPEN ALL OPTIONS FOR MAKING THEM AVAILABLE FOR PROSECUTION, A REFERENCE TO POSSIBLY USING FORCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/WFR
06-Oct-97 3:26 PM EDT (1926 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] YUGOSLAV ELECTION / S BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

INTRO: VOTERS IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TWO REPUBLICS -- SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO -- AWOKE MONDAY TO FIND TWO SEPARATE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS HAVE FAILED TO END MONTHS OF POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY. JULIA GLYN-PICKETT REPORTS FROM BELGRADE.

TEXT: SERBIA'S RULING SOCIALIST PARTY ANNOUNCED EARLY MONDAY IT IS NOT LIKELY THAT TURNOUT FOR SUNDAY'S PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF AGAINST SERBIAN RADICALS WILL HAVE TOPPED THE NECESSARY 50 PERCENT. HOWEVER, THE EXTREMIST NATIONALIST LEADER OF THE SERBIAN RADICALS CLAIMS VICTORY AND SAYS THE SOCIALISTS ARE GUILTY OF ELECTION FRAUD.

HE CUT A CAKE IN THE SHAPE OF GREATER SERBIA TO CELEBRATE WHAT HE SAYS IS A 100 THOUSAND-VOTE VICTORY MARGIN.

THE FINAL VOTE COUNT IS NOT EXPECTED UNTIL LATER MONDAY.

MEANWHILE -- IN YUGOSLAVIA'S OTHER REPUBLIC, MONTENEGRO -- INTERIM RESULTS INDICATED EARLY MONDAY THAT NEITHER OF THE TOP TWO CANDIDATES WON ENOUGH VOTES TO CLEAR THE ELECTION IN THE FIRST ROUND. PRELIMINARY RESULTS PUT THE FRONTRUNNERS -- A FOE OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND THE INCUMBENT -- NECK AND NECK. IF THIS IS CORRECT, IT MEANS A PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF IN TWO WEEKS. (SIGNED)
NEB / WD-T /RKS
06-Oct-97 2:20 AM EDT (0620 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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