Voice of America, 97-10-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA POLICE (L-ONLY) BY GREG FLAKUS (LOS ANGELES)

[02] COHEN / NATO EXPANSION (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

[03] CONGRESS-ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS (L ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

[04] EURO MONETARY (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

[05] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY MARTIN BUSH (NEW YORK)

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

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

[08] TURKEY / WOMEN BY KYLE KING (ISTANBUL)

[01] BOSNIA POLICE (L-ONLY) BY GREG FLAKUS (LOS ANGELES)

INTRO: THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT, POPULARLY KNOWN AS THE L-A-P-D, WILL SOON BE TRAINING POLICE OFFICERS IN BOSNIA UNDER A UNITED NATIONS PROGRAM. AS V-O-A'S GREG FLAKUS REPORTS FROM LOS ANGELES, DEPUTY CHIEF MARK KROEKER BELIEVES THE PROGRAMS HE DEVELOPED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILL WORK IN WAR-TORN BOSNIA AS WELL.

TEXT: AT A NEWS CONFERENCE MONDAY, ROBERT GELBARD, A SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF PRESIDENT CLINTON AND SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT ANNOUNCED THAT LOS ANGELES DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF MARK KROEKER WILL BE THE NEW DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE FORCES IN BOSNIA. UNDER THE UNITED NATIONS-SPONSORED PROGRAM, MR KROEKER WILL SUPERVISE THE RESTRUCTURING OF BOSNIAN POLICE FORCES.

IT IS AN ASSIGNMENT THE 53-YEAR-OLD MR KROEKER SAYS HE VIEWS NOT SO MUCH AS A JOB BUT AS A MISSION.

THE FUTURE OF DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY, THE FUTURE OF BOSNIA, LIES IN THE HANDS OF PROFESSIONAL, SERVICE-ORIENTED POLICE OFFICERS WHO CAN PRODUCE A SOLID PEACE AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL. OUT OF THAT COMES PEACE IN THE COUNTRY. SO, THAT IS WHAT I AM GOING TO BE WORKING ON. IT SEEMS ALMOST INCONGRUOUS TO TALK OF "COMMUNITY POLICING" IN BOSNIA, BUT THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM GOING TO PURSUE.

MARK KROEKER WAS RECENTLY PASSED OVER FOR THE JOB OF POLICE CHIEF HERE IN LOS ANGELES, BUT THE MAN WHO MADE THAT DECISION, MAYOR RICHARD REARDON, SAYS HE BELIEVES MR KROEKER HAS THE CHARACTER AND ABILITY NEEDED FOR HIS NEW JOB IN SARAJEVO.

MARK KROEKER WOULD HAVE MADE A GREAT CHIEF OF THE L-A P-D. IT WAS A TOUGH CHOICE FOR ME AND SO THIS IS A GOOD MOVE, BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT HE CAN RISE TO AN INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP POSITION AND I KNOW HE WILL DO A TREMENDOUS JOB.

DEPUTY CHIEF KROEKER CHAMPIONED THE L-A-P-D'S MOVE TO COMMUNITY POLICING, PLACING MORE POLICE IN NEIGHBORHOODS TO NOT ONLY PATROL BUT TO INTERACT WITH THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE.

MR KROEKER HAS BEEN ON THE LOS ANGELES POLICE FORCE FOR 32 YEARS. HE SPENT PART OF HIS YOUTH IN THE BELGIAN CONGO WITH HIS MISSIONARY PARENTS AND SPEAKS BOTH FRENCH AND SPANISH. HE PLANS TO LEAVE FOR BOSNIA IN ABOUT TEN DAYS. (SIGNED).
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20-Oct-97 8:36 PM EDT (0036 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] COHEN / NATO EXPANSION (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT MAY HAVE OVER-ESTIMATED THE COSTS OF EXPANDING THE NATO ALLIANCE, PARTLY BECAUSE PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS ARE ALREADY TAKING STEPS ON THEIR OWN TO MODERNIZE THEIR MILITARIES. DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN AND SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT WENT BEFORE A SENATE PANEL TUESDAY TO EXPLAIN THE COSTS TO LAWMAKERS WHO ARE SET TO VOTE ON NATO EXPANSION NEXT SPRING. MORE FROM CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE.

TEXT: DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN TOLD A SOMETIMES SKEPTICAL SENATE HEARING THE 27-BILLION TO 35-BILLION-DOLLAR PRICE TAG FOR ADMITTING POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC MAY BE INFLATED. THAT'S BECAUSE THESE NATIONS ARE NOW TAKING STEPS ON THEIR OWN TO UPGRADE VITAL INFRASTRUCTURES.

WE'RE FINDING THAT THE CZECH REPUBLIC HAS ALREADY TAKEN ITS OWN MONEY AND SPENT ITS RESOURCES ON DIGITIZING ITS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS BEFORE EVEN CONTRIBUTING ANYTHING TO NATO ENLARGEMENT ITSELF. SO WHAT WE'RE FINDING IS THAT THOSE COUNTRIES WHO ARE GOING TO QUALIFY FOR ADMISSION, ASSUMING WE RATIFY IT, THAT THEY ARE TAKING MEASURES WHICH WILL REDUCE THE COSTS.

BECAUSE OF THAT, SECRETARY COHEN SAYS, THE ADMINISTRATION MAY HAVE OVERSHOT (OVERESTIMATED) ITS ORIGINAL PRICE TAG FOR NATO EXPANSION.

I WOULD FOREWARN YOU THAT I THINK THAT THE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE THAT WOULD GO FROM THE 27- TO 35-BILLION MAY BE TOO HIGH AND THAT THE EUROPEANS MAY BE CORRECT IN THIS REGARD, THAT WE HAVE OVERESTIMATED.

THOSE FIGURES ARE FAR LOWER THAN THE 125-BILLION-DOLLAR ESTIMATE PUT FORWARD BY THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE. HOWEVER, DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN SAYS IF RUSSIA BEGINS TO POSE A THREAT TO NATO'S EXPANDED EASTERN FRONT, THE COSTS OF NATO ENLARGEMENT WILL INEVITABLY GO UP.

IF THEY (RUSSIA) HAVE REBUILT THEIR ECONOMY, THEY'VE REBUILT THEIR MILITARY, THEY NOW ARE POISED TO ATTACK THE WEST, THEN OBVIOUSLY YOU WOULD HAVE TO MATCH THAT KIND OF A BUILDUP WITH SOMETHING CORRESPONDING (WITH A CORRESPONDING BUILDUP).

BOTH HE AND SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT STRESSED TO LAWMAKERS THAT NATO'S EXISTING 16 MEMBERS, AS WELL AS THE PROSPECTIVE NEW ONES, WILL HAVE TO SHARE IN THE COSTS OF EXPANSION. SOME IN CONGRESS ARE CONCERNED THE UNITED STATES MIGHT GET STUCK WITH MUCH OF THE BILL. A MORE PRECISE FIGURE FOR THE TOTAL PRICE OF NATO EXPANSION IS EXPECTED IN DECEMBER. A FINAL SENATE VOTE ON NATO ENLARGEMENT IS EXPECTED EARLY NEXT YEAR. (SIGNED)
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21-Oct-97 1:13 PM EDT (1713 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CONGRESS-ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS (L ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: CONGRESS HAS BESTOWED ITS HIGHEST AND OLDEST HONOR ON THE LEADER OF THE WORLD'S 300-MILLION ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS. DURING A CEREMONY IN THE VAST HALL BENEATH THE CAPITOL DOME, THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL WAS PRESENTED TO ARCHBISHOP BARTHOLOMEW, THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH. PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON.

TEXT: PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW STOOD UNDER THE GREAT WHITE DOME, BATHED IN THE SUNLIGHT THAT POURED THROUGH THE WINDOWS. HE SPOKE OF LINKAGE.

HOW MANY OF US REALIZE THAT AN ORTHODOX CHURCH WAS USED AS THE MODEL FOR THIS DOME? IT WAS THE FAMOUS CATHEDRAL OF ST. ISAAC, ON THE BANKS OF THE NEVA RIVER IN ST. PETERSBURG, WHICH INSPIRED THE ARCHITECT WHO DESIGNED AND BUILT THE FINAL DOME FOR THE CAPITOL.

HE TALKED OF THE TIES THAT BIND COUNTRIES, GENERATIONS, AND RELIGIONS. HE SAID -- WE SHARE A GREAT HUNGER FOR SPIRITUALITY, AND A THIRST FOR MEANING.

FAITH CAN ENDURE WITHOUT FREEDOM, BUT FREEDOM CANNOT LONG ABIDE WITHOUT FAITH. AND WHILE GOD HAS LED US TO REASON, REASON ALONE CAN NEVER LEAD US BACK TO GOD. ONLY FAITH CAN DO THAT.

PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW LIVES IN TURKEY, AN ISLAMIC COUNTRY. HE WAS HONORED, IN PART, FOR HIS EFFORTS TO BRING MEMBERS OF DIFFERENT FAITHS TOGETHER AND HIS WORK ON BEHALF OF THOSE DENIED RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

HIS AWARD COINCIDES WITH THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA. IT ALSO COMES AT A TIME WHEN CONGRESS IS FOCUSING MORE AND MORE ON RELIGIOUS RIGHTS ABROAD.

IN REMARKS DURING THE AWARD CEREMONY, HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF RELIGION TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. HE QUOTED FROM THE (U-S) DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE -- WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF EVIDENT, THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL...THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN INALIENABLE RIGHTS.

BECAUSE OF THAT, IN THIS PERIOD AFTER THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET EMPIRE, AS AMERICA SEEKS ITS DUTY AND TRIES TO UNDERSTAND ITS ROLE, WE ARE INCREASINGLY AWARE OF AND COMMITTED TO THE CAUSE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. IF WE BELIEVE OUR RIGHTS COME FROM OUR CREATOR, THEN WE HAVE AN ABSOLUTE OBLIGATION TO REMIND PEOPLE EVERYWHERE THAT IT IS NOT HUMANS THEY UNDERMINE WHEN THEY VIOLATE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, IT IS THE WILL OF GOD.

THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL WAS FIRST AWARDED IN 1776 TO GEORGE WASHINGTON. IN RECENT YEARS, IT HAS BEEN USED TO RECOGNIZE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF SEVERAL RELIGIOUS FIGURES.

THE REVEREND BILLY GRAHAM WAS HONORED IN 1996. IN JUNE, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS GATHERED FOR A GOLD MEDAL CEREMONY FOR MOTHER THERESA. THE MEDAL -- MINTED JUST MONTHS BEFORE HER DEATH -- SHOWED THE FRAIL NUN HOLDING AN INFANT. PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW'S AWARD BEARS HIS LIKENESS AND THE WORDS -- APOSTLE OF LOVE, PEACE AND HOPE. (SIGNED)
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21-Oct-97 2:23 PM EDT (1823 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EURO MONETARY (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A U-S SENATE COMMITTEE TUESDAY HELD HEARINGS ON THE LIKELY IMPACT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION'S PLANNED SINGLE CURRENCY, THE EURO, ON THE UNITED STATES AND THE DOLLAR. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS LAWMAKERS GENERALLY WELCOMED EUROPE'S MOVE TO A SINGLE MONEY.

TEXT: U-S DEPUTY TREASURY SECRETARY LARRY SUMMERS SAYS THE ROLE OF THE DOLLAR AS A RESERVE CURRENCY APPEARS SECURE EVEN AFTER THE EURO IS CREATED IN 1999. SPEAKING BEFORE THE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE TUESDAY, MR. SUMMERS SAID THE UNITED STATES HAS NOTHING TO FEAR FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF THE EURO.

I THINK THE DOLLAR HAS AN ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT ADVANTAGE AS A GLOBAL CURRENCY THAT COMES FROM THE FACT THAT WE ARE A TRULY GLOBAL NATION. YOU THINK ABOUT THE STRENGTH OF THE U-S ROLE IN LATIN AMERICA, THE U-S ROLE IN ASIA, THE STRENGTH OF THE U-S ROLE AS A GLOBAL POWER, THE DOLLAR IS REALLY VERY WELL SITUATED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT I THINK IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ECONOMIC TREND OF OUR TIME, WHICH IS THE RISE OF THE DEVELOPING WORLD.

BUT OTHER WITNESSES WERE LESS CONVINCED THAT THE DOLLAR WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE WORLD'S PRINCIPAL RESERVE CURRENCY. RANDALL HENNING OF THE INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS PREDICTS THAT 900 BILLION DOLLARS OF CURRENCY RESERVES NOW HELD IN DOLLARS WILL BE SHIFTED BY CENTRAL BANKS INTO THE NEW EURO.

MR. HENNING ALSO BELIEVES EXCHANGE AND INTEREST RATES IN EUROPE AND AMERICA WILL BE MORE VOLATILE AFTER THE EURO IS INTRODUCED. THE EURO IS INTENDED TO REPLACE THE GERMAN MARK, THE FRENCH FRANC, AND SEVERAL OTHER WEST EUROPEAN CURRENCIES. MR. HENNING SAID IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ONE EUROPEAN OFFICIAL BE DESIGNATED TO NEGOTIATE WITH JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES IN TIMES OF FINANCIAL CRISIS.

SECONDLY, THAT THE E-U GIVE THIS OFFICIAL A MANDATE TO NEGOTIATE AGREEMENTS--BOTH FORMAL AND INFORMAL ONES--WITH OTHER POLITICAL AUTHORITIES AS CIRCUMSTANCES,SUCH AS A MEXICAN OR ASIAN STYLE CURRENCY CRISIS, REQUIRE.

MR. HENNING CALLED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE EURO--IF IT IS SUCCESSFUL-- THE MOST IMPORTANT MONETARY DEVELOPMENT THE WORLD HAS WITNESSED IN A QUARTER CENTURY. (SIGNED)
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21-Oct-97 4:36 PM EDT (2036 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY MARTIN BUSH (NEW YORK)

INTRO: INVESTORS WERE IN A BUYING MOOD TODAY (TUESDAY) AND PRICES ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE WERE UP SHARPLY. V-O-A'S MARTIN BUSH REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE SESSION, THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE SOARED, GAINING 139 POINTS -- ALMOST TWO PERCENT -- AND CLOSING AT EIGHT THOUSAND 60 IN VERY HEAVY TRADING. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLIMBED ALMOST 17 POINTS, CLOSING AT 972.

ANALYSTS ATTRIBUTE THE RALLY ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE TO FAVORABLE EARNINGS REPORTS FROM THE TECHNOLOGY FIRMS, I-B-M AND MICROSOFT. ALSO HELPING TO DRIVE STOCK SHARES HIGHER WERE BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED QUARTERLY EARNINGS FROM CHASE MANHATTAN, CITICORP, BANK OF NEW YORK AND OTHER MAJOR BANKS.

THE MONDAY AND TUESDAY RISE IN THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE NOT ONLY REGAINED THE 198 POINTS LOST LAST WEEK BUT ADDED 15 POINTS.

THE WORLD'S LARGEST AUTOMAKER, GENERAL MOTORS, SAYS CARBON MONOXIDE EMISSIONS ARE AFFECTING THE EARTH'S CLIMATE. TO EASE THE PROBLEM, THE COMPANY URGES AN INCREASE IN THE PRICE OF ENERGY IN THE UNITED STATES. G-M CHAIRMAN JACK SMITH TOLD REPORTERS IN TOKYO THAT THE AMERICAN AUTO INDUSTRY, INCLUDING GENERAL MOTORS, IS WORKING ON NEW ALTERNATIVE PROPULSION TECHNIQUES TO CLEAN THE PLANET'S AIR.

THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT IS ASKING THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO LIFT ITS FINANCIAL RESTRICTIONS AGAINST SWISS BANKS. CALIFORNIA HAS IMPOSED THE BAN TO PRESSURE THE BANKS INTO REVEALING FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR.

SWISS BANKS ARE ACCUSED OF CONCEALING MONEY AND GOLD OWNED BY PEOPLE LATER KILLED BY THE NAZIS IN DEATH CAMPS. UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE STUART EISZENSTAT CAUTIONED THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA THAT ITS PUNITIVE MEASURES AGAINST SWISS BANKS WOULD PROBABLY BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.

THE UNITED STATES TRADE GAP MOVED THREE POINT FOUR PERCENT HIGHER IN AUGUST. THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THAT RECORD OIL IMPORTS AND A RECORD TRADE DEFICIT WITH CHINA WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 10 BILLION DOLLAR RISE. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/LSF/MAB/PT
21-Oct-97 5:04 PM EDT (2104 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE CLOSED HIGHER TUESDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE FIGURES FROM OUR OFFICES IN LONDON.

TEXT: SPURRED-ON BY A STRONGER DOLLAR AND OTHER POSITIVE ECONOMIC NEWS, THE MAJOR STOCK INDEXES OF FRANKFURT, LONDON, AND PARIS ALL CLOSED HIGHER TUESDAY.

FRANKFURT'S "DAX 30" INDEX GAINED 99-POINTS. INVESTORS WERE PLEASED THE GERMAN MARK DECLINED AGAINST THE U-S DOLLAR AND CONTINUED ITS SHARP DECLINE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.

THE PARIS "CAC 40" INDEX WAS UP 43-POINTS TUESDAY, AND IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES 100" SHOWED RECOVERY AFTER A SHARP FALL ON MONDAY. THE "FOOTSIE" CLOSED UP 15-POINTS.

ON THE CURRENCY MARKETS, THE U-S DOLLAR WAS UP A PFENNIG-AND-ONE-HALF AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, BUT THE DOLLAR LOST A HALF-CENT TO THE BRITISH POUND.

GOLD SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN LONDON, WHERE THE CLOSING PRICE FIX WAS SET AT 323-DOLLARS-50 CENTS AN OUNCE -- DOWN 55-CENTS FROM MONDAY. (SIGNED)
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21-Oct-97 1:58 PM EDT (1758 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS ARE UNDER EDITORIAL SCRUTINY THIS TUESDAY MORNING IN THE U-S PRESS. SOME OF THEM INCLUDE ASSESSMENT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S LATIN AMERICAN TRIP; THE PROBLEM OF ETHNIC HATRED IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA; THE NEAR TRADE WAR OVER RESTRICTIVE JAPANESE SHIPPING REGULATIONS; THE TRIAL IN FRANCE OF AN ACCUSED NAZI COLLABORATOR; AND PAN AM FLIGHT 103 NINE YEARS LATER.

NOW, HERE IS __________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: DISCUSSING PRESIDENT CLINTON'S RECENT TRIP TO SOUTH AMERICA, TODAY'S ORLANDO (FLORIDA) SENTINEL SAYS THE PRESIDENT HAD EXACTLY THE RIGHT MESSAGE.

VOICE: "LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES HAVE VOICED JUSTIFIABLE COMPLAINTS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS THAT THE UNITED STATES HASN'T PAID ENOUGH ATTENTION TO THEIR REGION. PRESIDENT CLINTON'S EXTENSIVE VISIT LAST WEEK SHOULD HELP ASSUAGE THOSE CONCERNS. THE UNITED STATES AND LATIN AMERICA ARE STRONG PARTNERS IN THIS HEMISPHERE, IN AREAS RANGING FROM TRADE TO SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS. THE BEST WAY TO ENHANCE THAT RELATIONSHIP IS TO EXPAND FREE TRADE, WHICH WAS MR. CLINTON'S MAIN MESSAGE. THE PRESIDENT WAS RIGHT ON THE MONEY [SAID EXACTLY WHAT NEEDED TO BE SAID]."

TEXT: MORE ETHNIC TROUBLE IN THE BALKANS IS DRAWING THE ATTENTION OF SEVERAL PAPERS WORRIED ABOUT A NEW EFFORT AT SEGREGATING MUSLIMS FROM ROMAN CATHOLICS IN BOSNIA SCHOOLS. "NEWSDAY" SAYS THE EFFORT "UNDERMINES THE PEACE EFFORT."

VOICE: "THE FRAYING EDGES OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD ARE UNRAVELING A BIT MORE EVERY DAY IN BOSNIA, DESPITE PROTESTATIONS TO THE CONTRARY BY NATO ..... AT SOME POINT, NATO -- AND PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON -- MUST RECONCILE STARK REALITY WITH HOPEFUL BUT INCREASINGLY UNREALISTIC POLICY GOALS. THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT THAT HITS AT THE VERY HEART OF DAYTON'S VISION OF BOSNIA [-HERZEGOVINA] AS A UNIFIED AND TOLERANTLY MULTICULTURAL NATION IS THE BOSNIAN MUSLIM GOVERNMENT'S PLAN TO INSTITUTE A 'SEPARATE BUT EQUAL' SYSTEM OF ETHNIC SEGREGATION IN ITS SCHOOLS. .... IF THE SCHOOL SEGREGATION PLAN IS ADOPTED THROUGHOUT BOSNIA .... IT COULD FORM THE BASIS FOR A DE FACTO PARTITION."

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS UPSET ALSO, ADDING:

VOICE: ".... THE SORROWFUL IMPACT OF NATIONALISM IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE REFLECTS IN A SMALL WAY THE PROBLEMS FACING THE EFFORT TO MAKE BOSNIA A WORKABLE MULTIETHNIC STATE. .... BOSNIA HAS A CHANCE TO BECOME A VIABLE STATE AGAIN. COMMENDABLY, WESTERN NATIONS ARE POURING IN AID AND TRYING TO BUILD THE FOUNDATIONS. BUT A STATE WHOSE NUMBER ONE CLASSROOM SUBJECT IS ETHNIC NATIONALISM NEEDS A NEW CURRICULUM."

TEXT: IN MAINE, TUESDAY'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" IS UNHAPPY OVER THE JAPANESE/U-S SHIPPING DISPUTE, IN WHICH THE U-S MARITIME COMMISSION THREATENED TO DENY JAPANESE SHIPS ENTRY TO U-S PORTS.

VOICE: "THE DRAMATIC SHOWDOWN .... EXPOSED SOME SERIOUS WEAKNESSES IN U-S FOREIGN POLICY. ..... WHILE THE FINAL RESULT IS GOOD, THIS IS A DISTURBING EPISODE IN U-S-JAPAN RELATIONS. IT'S UPSETTING THAT THE FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION COULD TAKE SUCH SERIOUS ACTION WITHOUT CONSULTING THE WHITE HOUSE. ALSO UNSETTLING IS THE FACE THAT U-S TRADE NEGOTIATORS SEEM TO NEED OUTSIDE HELP WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING TOUGH WITH THE JAPANESE. NOTHING IS WRONG WITH TAKING FIRM STANDS TO OPEN UP JAPANESE MARKETS. IT WOULD BE GOOD, HOWEVER, IF THOSE STANDS WERE TAKEN IN A COORDINATED AND CONSIDERED FASHION."

TEXT: WELL, SOMETIMES COUNTERS "THE WASHINGTON POST," IT "TAKES A SLEDGEHAMMER" TO MOVE THE JAPANESE. SAYS THE POST:

VOICE: "[OPT] YOU CAN CRITICIZE THE COMMISSION FOR PICKING THE WRONG TARGET; JAPAN'S SHIPPING COMPANIES ARE VICTIMS, TOO. YOU CAN POINT OUT PROTECTIONIST ASPECTS OF U-S SHIPPING AND SHIPBUILDING. BUT [END OPT] IT'S HARD TO AVOID THE CONCLUSION THAT TOO OFTEN IT TAKES THIS KIND OF A SLEDGEHAMMER TO MAKE PROGRESS IN TALKS WITH JAPAN."

TEXT: "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE CONFRONTS THE TRIAL OF AN ACCUSED NAZI COLLABORATOR IN FRANCE, MAURICE PAPON, WHO LATER BECAME THE NATIONAL POLICE CHIEF AND SERVED IN OTHER HIGH GOVERNMENT CAPACITIES.

VOICE: "THE COMFORTABLE [FRENCH] ASSUMPTION WAS THAT [THE HOLOCAUST] WAS ALL THE ACT OF HATED GERMAN OCCUPIERS. THIS IS NOW CHALLENGED IN THE TRIAL OF MAURICE PAPON FOR ORGANIZING THE DEPORTATION OF 15-HUNDRED-60 JEWS FOR THE SUBSERVIENT FRENCH GOVERNMENT AT VICHY. .... IT MATTERS NOT WHAT VERDICT OR SENTENCE IS IMPOSED ON AN 87-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO ESCAPED JUSTICE WHEN IT MIGHT HAVE HAD EFFECT. WHAT MATTERS IS THAT FRANCE LOOK HONESTLY IN THE MIRROR OF ITS PAST, FORCING TRUTH INTO LIGHT."

TEXT: THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION IS CONCERNED THAT THE CURRENT ECONOMIC PROSPERITY IN THE UNITED STATES IS NOT REACHING ALL LEVELS OF SOCIETY.

VOICE: "TEN YEARS AGO THIS WEEK, STOCK PRICES PLUMMETED, WIPING OUT NEARLY 23 PERCENT OF THE VALUE OF THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE. THAT DROP, THE STOCK MARKET'S BIGGEST ONE-DAY FALL, WAS TIED TO WORRIES ABOUT INFLATION AND RISING INTEREST RATES. TODAY, THE STOCK MARKET IS AT NEAR RECORD LEVELS, DESPITE DECLINES IN RECENT DAYS. .... WITH STOCK PRICES PERCHED SO HIGH, INVESTORS ARE WONDERING WHETHER THEY AREN'T GETTING THEMSELVES UP FOR ANOTHER CRASH. PERHAPS THEY ARE, BUT NOT FOR THE REASONS THEY MAY THINK. ... THIS TIME, THE PROBLEM COULD BE THAT WORKER-INCOME ISN'T RISING FAST ENOUGH TO BUY THE GOODS BEING PRODUCED. IF THIS WAGE TREND CONTINUES, AMERICANS COULD SEE DEFLATION -- A BROAD DECLINE IN PRICES AND INCOME."

TEXT: LASTLY, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" CONSIDERS RECENT MOVES BY LIBYA TO SETTLE THE PAN AM FLIGHT 103 CASE, AND IS NOT IMPRESSED.

VOICE: "LIBYA IS PRESSING HARD TO FREE ITSELF FROM THE UNITED NATIONS SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IT FOR REFUSING TO EXTRADITE TWO SUSPECTS IN THE BOMBING OF PAN AM FLIGHT 103 OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND, NINE YEARS AGO. IT HAS PERSUADED ARAB AND AFRICAN LEADERS TO BEGIN IGNORING RESTRICTIONS ON LIBYAN FLIGHTS AND IT IS TRYING TO PERSUADE THE LOCKERBIE VICTIMS' FAMILIES TO ACCEPT FINANCIAL SETTLEMENTS SO THAT IT CAN AVOID A CRIMINAL TRIAL ALTOGETHER. ..... JUSTICE WOULD NOT BE SERVED BY A FINANCIAL SETTLEMENT. WHAT IS NEEDED IS A CREDIBLE TRIAL AND APPROPRIATE PUNISHMENT TO DETER NEW AIRLINE TERRORISM. ......THE LOGICAL SAFEGUARD AGAINST SUCH TRICKERY IS TO KEEP THE SANCTIONS IN E EFFECT UNTIL THE TRIAL HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND A VERDICT ANNOUNCED."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENTS FROM SOME OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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21-Oct-97 10:42 AM EDT (1442 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] TURKEY / WOMEN BY KYLE KING (ISTANBUL)

INTRO: WOMEN'S RIGHTS ADVOCATES IN TURKEY SAY THEY FACE AN UPHILL BATTLE IN THEIR CAMPAIGN FOR MORE EQUAL TREATMENT. AS WE HEAR IN THIS BACKGROUND REPORT FROM CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING, MANY WOMEN SAY THE RISING INFLUENCE OF PRO-ISLAMIC PARTIES HAS MADE THE FIGHT FOR RIGHTS MORE DIFFICULT.

TEXT: // SOUNDS OF WOMEN'S CENTER //

VOLUNTEERS AT THE PURPLE ROOF WOMEN'S SHELTER IN ISTANBUL HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT THESE DAYS. FROM THE DOWNTOWN BUILDING THEY BOUGHT WITH DONATIONS IN 1992, THEY RUN WHAT IS NOW ONE OF THE FEW WOMEN'S SHELTERS LEFT IN THE COUNTRY.

NEARLY ALL GOVERNMENT-RUN WOMEN'S CENTERS IN TURKEY WERE SHUT DOWN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, IN WHAT ADVOCATES CALL A SIGN OF THE GROWING POWER OF PRO-ISLAMIC PARTIES.

VOLUNTEER CHERMIN UTKU-BILLGEN SAYS SHE IS CONCERNED ABOUT GROWING RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE IN THE COUNTRY.

I THINK IT IS SCARY ... WITH THE INCREASE IN ISTANBUL'S POPULATION, MOST OF THE WOMEN HAVE COME FROM THE EAST OR FROM ANATOLIA. THEY REALLY HAVE BECOME MORE RELIGIOUS, BECAUSE, I THINK PSYCHOLOGICALLY THEY HAVE TO CLING ON TO SOMETHING. THEY DO NOT WANT TO LOSE GROUND, THEY WANT TO HOLD ONTO SOMETHING, AND THE RELIGIOUS GROUPS ARE MAKING USE OF THIS.

IN ADDITION TO THE CLOSURE OF MOST GOVERNMENT-FUNDED SHELTERS, WOMEN'S RIGHTS ADVOCATES SAY PRO-ISLAMIC PARTIES ARE ALSO EXERTING THEIR INFLUENCE AT THE FEW REMAINING SHELTERS. ADVOCATES SAY AT THOSE SHELTERS, MANY BATTERED WOMEN ARE ADVISED TO RETURN TO ABUSIVE HOMES IN THE INTEREST OF KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER.

SOME WOMEN, LIKE MS. UTKU-BILLGEN SAY THE PROBLEM IN TURKEY IS THE LAW.

WELL ACCORDING TO THE LAW, THE MAN IN TURKEY IS THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY. IT STILL DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE WOMAN IN THE FAMILY. SO THE CHOICE OF THE HOUSE, THE ADDRESS -- EVERYTHING -- IS DECIDED BY THE MAN. SO THE MENTALITY IS A VERY MALE MENTALITY IN THE LAW.

THE NEW ANTI-ISLAMIST GOVERNMENT OF PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ HAS RECOGNIZED MANY OF THE PROBLEMS FACING WOMEN. AS PART OF ITS POLICY PLATFORM, THE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL ENCOURAGE THE FORMATION OF WOMEN'S GROUPS THAT WILL WORK FOR EQUALITY BETWEEN THE SEXES. THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO PROMISED TO AMEND LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE RULES TO PROMOTE THE STATUS OF WOMEN.

BUT FOR MANY YOUNG WOMEN, ESPECIALLY THOSE ATTENDING UNIVERSITY, CHANGES IN SOCIAL RULES ARE COMING TOO SLOWLY. MANY WONDER WHY THEY CAN NOT ENJOY THE SAME RIGHTS COMMON IN WESTERN EUROPE.

THIS YOUNG WOMAN SAYS -- I HAVE A JOB AND I WORK, BUT I CAN NOT EVEN GO ON VACATION ALONE, I HAVE TO BE WITH MY FAMILY. SHE SAYS THINGS ARE CHANGING, BUT CHANGE COMES SLOWLY AND AT THE MOMENT THINGS ARE DIFFICULT. // END OPT //

ONE VOLUNTEER AT THE WOMEN'S SHELTER IN ISTANBUL SAYS REAL CHANGE CAN ONLY COME ABOUT WHEN WOMEN HAVE MORE REPRESENTATION IN THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT, WHERE ALL BUT A HANDFUL OF THE MEMBERS ARE MEN. SHE SAYS, IN ADDITION THERE WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE CHANGES IN THE WAY TURKISH SOCIETY LOOKS AT WOMEN.

SHE SAYS -- CHANGES IN SOCIETY NEED TO BE SUPPORTED IN ALL ASPECTS OF WOMEN'S LIVES, WE HAVE TO CHANGE SEXIST IMAGES IN SOCIOLOGY, THE ECONOMY, HEALTH, CINEMA, AND POLITICS. SHE SAYS IT IS NOT ENOUGH JUST TO CHANGE THE LAW, WOMEN'S STATUS HAS TO BE ENHANCED.

THE HOSPITAL DIRECTOR SAYS -- WOMEN'S HEALTH IS AN INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE, WOMEN HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR BODIES WHEN THEY ARE PREGNANT. HE SAYS IN A POPULATION WHERE WOMEN KNOW THIS, WOMEN WILL BE MORE CONSCIENTIOUS.

THE HOSPITAL DIRECTOR SAYS THE PROBLEM IN TURKEY IS SOME PEOPLE LIVE A WESTERN LIFE STYLE, WITH JOBS AND INCOMES THAT SUPPORT THEM. HE SAYS OTHERS ARE LIVING IN THIRD-WORLD CONDITIONS AND STATE HEALTH CARE IS NOT SUFFICIENT. // END OPT //

BUT CHANGES FOR WOMEN ARE COMING SLOWLY. SOME POINT TO THE FACT THERE IS NOW A GOVERNMENT MINISTRY FOR WOMEN'S AFFAIRS IN TURKEY, AND SOME SAY THE GROWING INFLUENCE OF ISLAMIC PARTIES HAS ACTUALLY GALVANIZED WOMEN TO STAND UP FOR THEIR RIGHTS.

IN LATE NOVEMBER, WOMEN'S RIGHTS ADVOCATES HOPE THEY WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN PUSHING A NEW LAW THROUGH PARLIAMENT THAT WILL FORCE THE POLICE TO PROTECT THEM FROM ABUSIVE HUSBANDS. WOMEN SAY UNTIL NOW THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO BRING ABOUT SUCH A CHANGE, BUT THIS TIME THEY ARE MORE OPTIMISTIC. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/RAE
21-Oct-97 12:10 PM EDT (1610 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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