Voice of America, 98-01-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: ETHNIC ISSUES IN MONTENEGRO BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

[02] EDITORIAL: TURKISH TREATMENT OF KURDS

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

[04] GERMANY / KURDS UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

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

[06] NORTHERN IRELAND BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

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

[08] TURKEY / KURDS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[01] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: ETHNIC ISSUES IN MONTENEGRO BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ALTHOUGH THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA COMPRISES TWO PARTNER REPUBLICS, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO, SERBIA OVERSHADOWS ITS MUCH SMALLER SISTER REPUBLIC, MONTENEGRO. THE PEOPLES OF MONTENEGRO, WHO MAKE UP ONLY ABOUT 5 PERCENT OF YUGOSLAVIA'S TOTAL POPULATION, ARE

TEXT: MIRJANA POPOVIC [MEER-YAHN-AH POP-OH-VICH] HEADS THE OFFICE OF THE FUND FOR AN OPEN SOCIETY IN MONTENEGRO'S CAPITAL CITY, PODGORICA. THE MONTENEGRO OFFICE IS PART OF A NETWORK OF NATIONAL SOROS FOUNDATIONS CONCERNED PRIMARILY WITH DEVELOPMENT OF A CIVIL SOCIETY IN EAST-CENTRAL EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION. MS. POPOVIC SAYS MONTENEGRO IS A MULTIETHNIC SOCIETY WHERE PEOPLE HAVE TRADITIONALLY LIVED TOGETHER IN HARMONY. TAPE A: CUT ONE -- POPOVIC (ESTABLISH SERBIAN 5 SECONDS) TAPE B: CUT ONE -- ENGLISH TRANSLATION (0:12) "THE MAJOR ETHNIC GROUPS IN MONTENEGRO ARE MONTENEGRINS, SERBS, MUSLIMS, AND ALBANIANS. ONLY 30 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE IN MONTENEGRO ARE NOT OF MONTENEGRIN ORIGIN."

TEXT: SLOBODAN FRANOVIC [SLOH-BO-DAHN FRAHN-OH-VICH], PRESIDENT OF THE MONTENEGRIN HELSINKI COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, SAYS MUSLIMS OF SLAVIC ORIGIN REPRESENT ABOUT 14 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION. ETHNIC SERBS MAKE UP ABOUT 10 PERCENT, ALTHOUGH THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN MONTENEGRINS AND SERBS IS "VERY FLUID," HE SAYS. BOTH MONTENEGRINS AND ETHNIC SERBS ARE ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS. ALBANIANS, WHO COMPRISE ABOUT 6 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION, MAY BE MUSLIM, CATHOLIC, OR ORTHODOX. CATHOLIC CROATS, MR. FRANOVIC ADDS, REPRESENT ABOUT 1 PERCENT OF MONTENEGRO'S POPULATION. IN THEORY, HE SAYS, CITIZENS OF ALL RELIGIOUS CONFESSIONS ARE EQUAL.

TAPE: CUT TWO -- FRANOVIC (ESTABLISH SERBIAN 5 SECONDS) TAPE B: CUT TWO -- ENGLISH TRANSLATION (0:41) "QUITE SIMILAR TO THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION, THE MONTENEGRIN CONSTITUTION HAS REGULATED THAT NO RELIGION CAN BE THE STATE RELIGION. BUT, IN REALITY, THINGS ARE DIFFERENT BECAUSE THE STATE HAS GIVEN THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH A VERY PRIVILEGED POSITION, WHILE THE OTHERS -- FOR EXAMPLE, THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY AND THE CATHOLIC CONFESSION -- ARE IN A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT POSITION. [OPT] THERE ARE ALSO OTHERS, LIKE THE ADVENTIST CHURCH, WHO ARE QUITE NEGLECTED. SO, WE COULD SAY THAT THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IS THE STATE CHURCH. [END OPT]

TEXT: MR. FRANOVIC SAYS THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE MONTENEGRIN STATE AND OF THE MONTENEGRIN ORTHODOX CHURCH WAS UNDERMINED WHEN YUGOSLAVIA WAS CREATED AS A STATE AT THE END OF WORLD WAR I. IN RECENT YEARS, HE EXPLAINS, THE POLITICAL PRESSURE ON MONTENEGRINS TO ASSIMILATE WITH SERBS HAS GREATLY INCREASED. TAPE A: CUT THREE -- FRANOVIC (ESTABLISH SERBIAN 5 SECONDS) TAPE B: CUT THREE -- ENGLISH TRANSLATION (0:24) "THIS PROBLEM ESCALATED AFTER THE ARRIVAL OF SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, AFTER HIS ENTHRONEMENT, SO TO SAY, AFTER HIS COMING TO POWER IN SERBIA. HE REPRESENTS THE POLITICS OF THE CREATION OF AN ETHNICALLY CLEAN SERBIA WHERE THERE IS NO PLACE FOR MONTENEGRINS, WHERE MONTENEGRINS DO NOT EXIST. THEY ARE, SO TO SAY, ASSIMILATED INTO SERBS."

TEXT: THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN MONTENEGRO FACES GRAVE PROBLEMS, MR. FRANOVIC SAYS. THEIR RIGHTS TO TRAVEL ARE VIOLATED, AND MONTENEGRIN CATHOLICS HAVE GREAT DIFFICULTY COMMUNICATING WITH CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES IN CROATIA AND BOSNIA-HERCEGOVINA. THE PRESIDENT OF THE MONTENEGRIN HELSINKI COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS SAYS THE SITUATION OF ETHNIC COMMUNITIES TODAY AND THEIR RIGHT TO RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION ARE CONSIDERABLY "LESS THAN THEY WERE DURING THE COMMUNIST ERA." TAPE A: CUT FOUR -- FRANOVIC (ESTABLISH SERBIAN 5 SECONDS) TAPE B: CUT FOUR -- ENGLISH TRANSLATION (0:45) "THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN MONTENEGRO IS IN A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION BECAUSE OF THE RECENT WAR, ESPECIALLY DURING THE TIME OF THE WAR IN BOSNIA. WE CAN SAY THAT THEY ARE NEGATED AS A NATIONAL COMMUNITY. THE MONTENEGRIN HELSINKI COMMITTEE USES THE EXPRESSION 'SOFT ETHNIC CLEANSING' BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW EXAMPLES WHICH PROVE THAT. [OPT] FIRST, IN THE REGION OF BUKOVICA, THAT REGION WAS ETHNICALLY CLEANSED DURING THE WAR IN BOSNIA. THEN WE WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WAR REFUGEES FROM BOSNIA WHO WERE GATHERED IN MONTENEGRO BY THE POLICE AND DEPORTED BACK TO BOSNIA." [END OPT]

TEXT: MR. FRANOVIC ATTRIBUTES THESE PROBLEMS TO WHAT HE CALLS THE "GLOBAL POLITICS" OF SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, WHEN HE WAS PRESIDENT OF SERBIA. AND HIS ALLY, FORMER MONTENEGRIN PRESIDENT MOMIR BULATOVIC [BOO-LAH-TOH-VICH], WAS ALSO A SERB NATIONALIST. THE SITUATION IS AGGREVATED, MR. FRANOVIC ADDS, BECAUSE MR. MILOSEVIC TODAY IS PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA -- OF WHICH MONTENEGRO IS A PART. TAPE A: CUT FIVE -- FRANOVIC (ESTABLISH 5 SECONDS) TAPE B: CUT FIVE -- ENGLISH TRANSLATION (0:17) "MONTENEGRO HAS BEEN PUT IN THE POSITION OF A COLONY -- IN THE ECONOMIC, POLITICAL, CULTURAL, AND EVERY OTHER SENSE. OF COURSE, ALSO IN TERMS OF INFORMATION AND MEDIA. WE THINK THAT, WHEREVER MILOSEVIC IS, THE SITUATION OF NATIONAL COMMUNITIES WILL ALWAYS BE BAD."

TEXT: MR. FRANOVIC DRAWS A CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE POLITICS OF THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT AND THE ATTITUDE OF ORDINARY MONTENEGRINS. TAPE A: CUT SIX -- FRANOVIC (ESTABLISH 5 SECONDS) TAPE B: CUT SIX -- ENGLISH TRANSLATION (0:23) "IN EVERYDAY COMMUNICATION WITH COMMON PEOPLE WE HAVE THE EXPERIENCE THAT THERE'S NO REAL ANTAGONISM OR HATRED TOWARD THE OTHERS. MOST PEOPLE DO NOT ACCEPT THE NATIONALIST POLITICS OF SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. AND, THE WISH [DESIRE] FOR COEXISTENCE AND MULTIETHNICITY AND TOLERANCE HAS BEEN PRESERVED."

TEXT: IN OCTOBER, FORMER PRIME MINISTER MILO DJUKANOVIC [JOO-KAHN-OH-VIC], A POLITICIAN WITH NO TIES TO YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, DEFEATED FORMER MONTENEGRIN PRESIDENT MOMIR BULATOVIC. MR. DJUKANOVIC REJECTS NATIONALIST RHETORIC AND SUPPORTS POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORM. ALTHOUGH MR. BULATOVIC CONTESTS THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS, THE MONTENEGRIN PARLIAMENT HAS VOTED TO RECOGNIZE THE VICTORY OF MR. DJUKANOVIC.
13-Jan-98 4:00 PM EST (2100 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] EDITORIAL: TURKISH TREATMENT OF KURDS

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:

IN RECENT WEEKS, AT LEAST A THOUSAND PEOPLE, MOSTLY KURDS, HAVE FLED TURKEY AND IRAQ AND SOUGHT ASYLUM IN ITALY AND OTHER WEST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. THE EXODUS HAS FOCUSED ATTENTION ON THE KURDISH PEOPLE, WHO ARE A SIGNIFICANT MINORITY IN TURKEY AND IRAQ, AS WELL AS IRAN. SINCE THE LATE 1980S, KURDS HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO SEVERE PERSECUTION BY THE SADDAM HUSSEIN DICTATORSHIP IN IRAQ. KURDS HAVE ALSO SUFFERED PERSECUTION IN IRAN OVER THE YEARS. EVEN IN DEMOCRATIC TURKEY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DENIED BASIC CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC RIGHTS TO THE KURDISH POPULATION.

A MAJOR PART OF THE PROBLEM IS TERRORISM. FOR ABOUT A DOZEN YEARS, TURKEY HAS HAD TO DEAL WITH THE THREAT POSED BY THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, OR P-K-K. THE P-K-K IS A TERRORIST GROUP THAT SEEKS TO CREATE A SEPARATE STATE IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. THE P-K-K HAS COMMITTED WIDESPREAD HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES. SUPPORTED BY SYRIA, IRAQ AND IRAN, THE P-K-K REGULARLY USES TERRORISM AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT AND CIVILIANS, MOSTLY KURDS. IT HAS ALSO CARRIED OUT TERRORIST ATTACKS IN SEVERAL WEST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.

IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST THE P-K-K, THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT HAS FORCIBLY DISPLACED NONCOMBATANTS. IT HAS ALSO TORTURED CIVILIANS AND ABRIDGED FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. PRO-KURDISH POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE BEEN BANNED IN THE PAST. THE UNITED STATES SUPPORTS TURKEY'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND ITS RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF AGAINST TERRORISM. BUT WHILE TURKEY HAS A RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF, ALL PARTIES -- INCLUDING THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT AND ITS CRITICS -- SHOULD MAKE A CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE TERRORIST P-K-K AND THE LARGE ETHNIC KURDISH POPULATION OF TURKEY.

TURKEY IS A VALUABLE FRIEND AND ALLY OF THE U.S. IT HAS LONG BEEN AN IMPORTANT MEMBER OF NATO. AND THE U.S. HAS SUPPORTED TURKEY'S CANDIDACY FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION. BUT THE U.S. IS CONCERNED ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS IN TURKEY. RECENTLY, TURKISH PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ ['MESS-OOT 'YILL-MAZ] MET WITH PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND OTHER U.S. OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON. PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ HAS VOWED TO IMPROVE TURKEY'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD. THAT IS WELCOME NEWS TO TURKEY'S FRIENDS EVERYWHERE.

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.
13-Jan-98 11:19 AM EST (1619 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: AFTER SHARP DECLINES MONDAY, BROUGHT ON BY ASIAN MARKET WOES, THE MAJOR BOURSES OF WESTERN EUROPE SHOWED SIGNS OF RECOVERY TUESDAY. EDITOR PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM OUR OFFICES IN LONDON.

TEXT: THE POSITIVE EFFECT OF WALL STREET'S TURNAROUND MONDAY CAME TOO LATE TO HAVE MUCH, IF ANY, EFFECT ON THE EUROPEAN MARKETS. BUT IT DID PUT INVESTORS IN A BETTER MOOD TO BUY ON TUESDAY. FRANKFURT, LONDON, AND PARIS ALL CLOSED HIGHER. THE GERMAN "DAX 30" GAINED 72-POINTS AND LATER COMPUTER TRADING ON THE DAX ADDED ABOUT TWO-PERCENT TO THE VALUE OF THAT INDEX FOR THE DAY. IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" INDEX ADDED 40-POINTS. IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX WAS UP JUST A FRACTION, WITH A GAIN OF 15-POINTS.

IN CURRENCIES, THE U-S DOLLAR WAS DOWN MORE THAN A CENT AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND, BUT ONLY A FRACTION OF A PFENNIG AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK.

GOLD IN LONDON ADDED ONE-DOLLAR-50-CENTS IN VALUE TO CLOSE AT 280-DOLLARS-65-CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
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13-Jan-98 1:14 PM EST (1814 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] GERMANY / KURDS UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: GERMAN OFFICIALS SAY THE "KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY," WHICH HAS BEEN BANNED FROM OPERATING IN GERMANY SINCE 1993, IS NO LONGER BEING CLASSIFIED BY BONN AS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. DETAILS FROM V-O-A'S KYLE KING.

TEXT: GERMAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY DECIDED TO LIFT THE TERRORIST LABEL FROM THE KURDISTAN WORKER'S PARTY, OR "P-K-K," BECAUSE THE GROUP APPEARS TO HAVE RENOUNCED ITS STRATEGY OF VIOLENT ATTACKS AGAINST TURKISH TARGETS.

OFFICIALS SAY THE GROUP, WHICH IS BLAMED FOR A SERIES OF ARSON ATTACKS IN GERMANY AGAINST TURKISH BANKS, TRAVEL AGENCIES AND RESTAURANTS IN THE EARLY 1990'S, IS STILL CLASSIFIED AS A CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION BECAUSE OF SUSPECTED LINKS TO WEAPONS SMUGGLING AND EXTORTION.

OFFICIALS AT THE TURKISH EMBASSY IN BONN EXPRESSED REGRET OVER THE GERMAN ACTION, SAYING IT WILL ONLY SERVE THE ENDS OF A MARXIST-LENNINIST GROUP THAT HAS BEEN WAGING A BLOODY CAMPAIGN FOR INDEPENDENCE IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. MEANWHILE, HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS HAVE CRITICIZED THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT FOR ITS POLICY OF TRYING TO PREVENT KURDISH REFUGEES FROM ENTERING THE COUNTRY THROUGH ITALY.

IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, GERMAN OFFICIALS HAVE RESPONDED TO A WAVE OF KURDISH IMMIGRANTS ARRIVING IN ITALY BY STEPPING UP BORDER CONTROLS AND PUTTING INTENSE DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE ON TURKEY AND OTHER COUNTRIES TO PREVENT MORE KURDS FROM ARRIVING. GERMANY, WHICH IS ALREADY HOME TO A HALF-MILLION KURDS, SAYS IT FEARS A NEW WAVE OF MIGRANTS WHO ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OPEN EUROPEAN BORDERS TO SEEK BETTER ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, RATHER THAN ESCAPE POLITICAL PERSECUTION.

SPOKESMAN WOLFGANG GRENZ OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP "AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL" SAYS IT IS UNFAIR FOR GERMANY TO PORTRAY THE REFUGEES AS ECONOMIC MIGRANTS.

SOME MEMBERS OF GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL'S "CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY" HAVE WARNED THE GOVERNMENT OF CREATING WHAT THEY CALL "HYSTERIA" OVER THE KURDISH PROBLEM. THEY HAVE POINTED OUT THAT ONLY A HANDFUL OF KURDS HAVE COME TO GERMANY IN RECENT DAYS.

HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS ACCUSE GERMANY OF TRYING TO PREVENT THE KURDS FROM REACHING EUROPE BECAUSE, THEY SAY, MANY WILL QUALIFY FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM.

THEY SAY GERMAN OFFICIALS SHOULD INSTEAD CONTINUE SEEKING WAYS TO IMPROVE THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN COUNTRIES FROM WHICH THE KURDS ARE FLEEING, AND TO DISCUSS WAYS OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES MIGHT SHARE THE BURDEN OF CARING FOR THOSE WHO ARE VICTIMS OF POLITICAL PERSECUTION. (SIGNED)
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13-Jan-98 2:02 PM EST (1902 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES ENDED THE DAY HIGHER TODAY (TUESDAY), FOLLOWING SIGNS OF RECOVERY IN SEVERAL ASIAN MARKETS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS THE LATEST FINANCIAL NEWS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE ROSE 85 POINTS, CLOSING AT 77-HUNDRED-32. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 952, UP 13 POINTS.

SHARP INCREASES TUESDAY IN STOCK PRICES IN HONG KONG, INDONESIA AND MALAYSIA HELPED BOOST NEW YORK MARKETS. THE RISE WAS ALSO FUELED BY THE RELEASE OF U-S CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FIGURES FOR DECEMBER. THE INDEX -- A KEY MEASURE OF INFLATION -- ROSE JUST ONE TENTH OF ONE PERCENT. FALLING ENERGY PRICES HELPED KEEP THE INDEX DOWN.

AND IN CORPORATE NEWS, THE U-S TELEVISION NETWORK C-B-S AGREED TO PAY MORE THAN FOUR BILLION DOLLARS OVER EIGHT YEARS FOR RIGHTS TO BROADCAST NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE GAMES. ANALYSTS SAY THE CONTRACT COULD HELP BOOST THE NETWORK'S RATING IN THE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE AND LUCRATIVE TELEVISION BROADCASTING INDUSTRY.

MARC GANIS IS AN ANALYST WITH SPORTCORP.

FROM C-B-S'S STANDPOINT IT ABSOLUTELY MAKES SENSE, THEY DESPERATELY NEEDED THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE IN ORDER TO NOT BE CONSIDERED AN ALSO-RAN NETWORK FOR SPORTS AND GENERALLY FOR OTHER NETWORK ACTIVITIES.

THE C-B-S DEAL IS EXPECTED TO TRIGGER FIERCE COMPETITION AMONG BROADCASTERS FOR THE REMAINING SPORTS SPONSORSHIP CONTRACTS.

COMPUTER GIANT MICROSOFT RETURNED TO COURT TO EXPLAIN TO A DISTRICT JUDGE WHY IT SHOULD NOT BE HELD IN CONTEMPT. THE HEARING WAS CALLED TO DETERMINE IF MICROSOFT VIOLATED A DECEMBER COURT ORDER THAT REQUIRES IT TO MAKE ITS P-C OPERATING SOFTWARE WINDOWS-95 AVAILABLE TO CONSUMERS WITHOUT THE INTERNET WEB BROWSER INTERNET EXPLORER.

THE U-S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS CHARGED MICROSOFT WITH STIFLING COMPETITION BY PACKAGING ITS TWO PRODUCTS TOGETHER, A CHARGE MICROSOFT DENIES.

AMONG THE BIGGEST GAINERS ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE WERE THE COMMUNICATIONS FIRM MOTOROLA, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS CITICORP AND TRAVELLERS AND COMPUTER COMPANIES COMPAQ AND MICRON. THOSE THAT MOVED DOWNWARD INCLUDE BEVERAGE GIANT COCA COLA AND PHOTO PRODUCT MAKER EASTMAN KODAK. (SIGNED)
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13-Jan-98 4:43 PM EST (2143 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] NORTHERN IRELAND BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: POLITICAL PARTIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND ARE DISCUSSING NEW PROPOSALS PRESENTED THIS WEEK BY THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS TO KEEP THE NEGOTIATIONS MOVING FORWARD. AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON, MANY EXPERTS DESCRIBE THE PROPOSALS AS "A NECESSARY FUDGE" (A BIT ON NONSENSE), AND SAY THE PARTY WHICH WILL HAVE THE MOST DIFFICULTY WITH THEM IS SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY.

TEXT: THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS WERE FACED WITH A MAJOR DILEMMA: HOW TO PRESENT PROPOSALS ACCEPTABLE TO UNIONIST POLITICIANS WHO WANT NORTHERN IRELAND TO REMAIN PART OF GREAT BRITAIN, AS WELL AS NATIONALIST POLITICIANS, WHO LONG FOR A UNITED IRELAND.

EXPERTS SAY IT WAS INEVITABLE THAT IN TRYING TO BRING TOGETHER TWO APPARENTLY IRRECONCILABLE VIEWS, LONDON AND DUBLIN CAME UP WITH WATERED-DOWN INITIATIVES. BRITISH AND IRISH OFFICIALS MAKE CLEAR THEIR PROPOSALS ARE NOT CAST IN CONCRETE (UNCHANGEABLE) BUT RATHER, THEY REPRESENT A SORT OF "ROAD MAP" LEADING UP TO AN EVENTUAL SETTLEMENT. POLITICIANS NEGOTIATING AN AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND SHOULD, THESE OFFICIALS SAY, USE THESE PROPOSALS AS A STARTING POINT.

THE PROPOSALS ARE KNOWN AS THE "HEADS OF AGREEMENT" AND INCLUDE AN ELECTED ASSEMBLY FOR NORTHERN IRELAND -- SOMETHING UNIONISTS APPROVE. THERE ARE ALSO PROVISIONS FOR THE CREATION OF CROSS-BORDER ORGANIZATIONS WHICH WILL MAP-OUT RELATIONS BETWEEN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC -- SOMETHING NATIONALISTS APPROVE. // OPT // FINALLY, THERE IS A SO-CALLED "COUNCIL OF THE ISLES" WHICH WILL LINK NORTHERN IRELAND WITH DUBLIN AND LONDON, AS WELL AS WITH REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES WHICH EVENTUALLY WILL BE FORMED IN SCOTLAND AND WALES. // END OPT //

BRENDAN O'LEARY IS AN EXPERT ON IRISH AFFAIRS AT THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS. HE SAYS THE PROPOSALS ARE AMBIGUOUS ENOUGH TO ALLOW PARTIES TO STAY AT THE TALKS AND NEGOTIATE.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS IS THAT AS THE PARTIES DISCUSS AND NEGOTIATE UNDER THESE "HEADS OF AGREEMENT," THE TWO SETS OF CIVIL SERVANTS WILL COLLECT ANY STATEMENTS OF APPROVAL THAT THEY HEAR FROM PARTICULAR PARTIES AND AT THE END PUT TOGETHER A COMPOSITE PACKAGE REFLECTING WHAT THEY HAVE HEARD AND SAY TO ALL OF THEM (THE POLITICAL PARTIES): "THOUGH INDIVIDUALLY YOU DISLIKE CERTAIN COMPONENTS, THERE ARE A WHOLE SERIES OF COMPONENTS HERE YOU DO ENDORSE AND LIKE."

THE MAIN NATIONALIST AND UNIONIST PARTIES HAVE ALREADY SAID THE PROPOSALS CAN BE THE BASIS FOR NEGOTIATIONS. BUT REPRESENTATIVES FROM SINN FEIN -- THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY HAVE EXPRESSED RESERVATIONS.

PAUL BEW IS PROFESSOR OF IRISH POLITICS AT BELFAST'S QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY. HE BELIEVES SINN FEIN PRESIDENT GERRY ADAMS WILL HAVE PROBLEMS KEEPING SOME OF THE MORE RADICAL ELEMENTS IN LINE -- ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO SAY NORTHERN IRELAND SHOULD BECOME PART OF THE IRISH REPUBLIC WITHIN 10 YEARS.

THERE IS NO DOUBT WHATSOEVER THAT IF YOU READ YESTERDAY'S (MONDAY'S) DOCUMENT PRODUCED BY THE TWO GOVERNMENTS, CLEARLY, THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY WHATSOEVER OF THERE BEING IRISH UNITY UNDER THE TERMS OF THAT DOCUMENT WITHIN THE NEXT 10 YEARS. NATIONALISTS COULD WELL SAY THAT IT CREATES GOOD CIRCUMSTANCES FOR IRISH UNITY OVER THE LONGER TERM, BUT NO POSSIBILITY WITHIN 10 YEARS. // OPT // SO, MANY SINN FEIN PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THIS AND SAY: "THIS IS ACTUALLY IN MANY RESPECTS THE SETTLEMENT THAT WAS AVAILABLE IN 1974 -- THE SO-CALLED 'SUNNINGDALE' SETTLEMENT. WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR 20 YEARS. MANY OF US HAVE SPENT DECADES OF OUR LIVES IN PRISON SINCE 1974. CAN WE AFFORD A SETTLEMENT, TO TAKE A SETTLEMENT WHICH WAS AVAILABLE 23 OR SO YEARS AGO?" // END OPT // SO THERE IS GOING TO BE A DIFFICULTY IN THAT CONSTITUENCY. MR. ADAMS CAN PROBABLY HOLD IT FOR AWHILE. HE WILL STRESS THE ASPECTS OF YESTERDAY'S (MONDAY'S) AGREEMENT WHICH ARE FAVORABLE TO NATIONALISTS -- BUT I DO THINK THE CRITICISM IS GOING TO MOUNT ON HIS POSITION.

FOR HIS PART, PROFESSOR O'LEARY BELIEVES THERE IS ENOUGH IN THE BRITISH-IRISH PROPOSALS FOR SINN FEIN TO CONTINUE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS.

WE KNEW WHEN THIS (NEGOTIATING) PROCESS BEGAN, THE SINN FEIN LEADERSHIP WAS WILLING TO ACCEPT A SETTLEMENT WHICH FELL SHORT OF A UNITED IRELAND IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE. BUT WHAT THEY WANT TO BE ASSURED OF, IS THAT THE UNION HAS NOT BEEN MADE STRONGER -- AND I THINK IT IS POSSIBLE THEY MAY BE PERSUADED OF THAT.

NEITHER EXPERT BELIEVES GERRY ADAMS WILL TAKE SINN FEIN OUT OF THE TALKS -- AT LEAST NOT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. BUT PROFESSOR BEW SAYS THE DANGER TO THE POLITICAL PROCESS LIES ELSEWHERE.

THE DANGER AT THIS STAGE COMES MORE FROM THOSE REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE ALREADY LEFT THE PROCESS AND WHO ARE ALREADY ENGAGING IN VIOLENCE, LIKE THE "CONTINUITY ARMY COUNCIL" (EDS: AN I-R-A SPLINTER GROUP) -- AND THERE IS CLEARLY A VERY DISTINCT POSSIBILITY OF SIGNIFICANT VIOLENCE FROM THOSE PEOPLE VERY SOON.

MANY EXPERTS SAY THE BRITISH-IRISH PROPOSALS HAVE BREATHED NEW LIFE INTO THE NORTHERN IRELAND POLITICAL TALKS. THEY NOW HOPE POLITICAL PARTIES WILL SIT DOWN AND SERIOUSLY NEGOTIATE TO PREVENT THE MEN OF VIOLENCE FROM GAINING THE UPPER HAND. (SIGNED)
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13-Jan-98 12:21 PM EST (1721 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: A QUICK GLANCE THROUGH THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF SOME OF THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPERS THIS TUESDAY SHOWS SEVERAL COMMON THEMES, INCLUDING THE FEELING OF MANY DAILIES THAT PRESIDENT SUHARTO OF INDONESIA SHOULD STEP DOWN. OTHER TOPICS UNDER SCRUTINY INCLUDE THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE WAR OF WORDS BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE UNITED NATIONS; THE IRISH PEACE TALKS; THE UNABOMBER TRIAL PROBLEMS AND EASTERN CANADA AND NEW ENGLAND BATTLE BACK FROM A GIANT ICE STORM. NOW, HERE WITH US IN THE STUDIO IS _____________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE HEADLINING THE NEWS THAT INDONESIA APPEARS READY TO ADOPT TOUGH ECONOMIC REFORMS AT THE INTENSE PRODDING OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AND U-S TREASURY EMISSARIES. BUT ON THE EDITORIAL PAGES, CALLS ARE INCREASING FOR THE ISLAND NATION'S LONG-TIME STRONG MAN PRESIDENT TO RESIGN. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" HEADLINES ITS COMMENTARY -- SUHARTO'S TIME HAS PASSED.

VOICE: HOW SOON THE ASIAN ECONOMIC CRISIS ENDS DEPENDS IN NO SMALL MEASURE ON HOW SOON CONFIDENCE IN ITS HARDEST HIT NATIONAL ECONOMIES IS RESTORED. UNTIL THIS WEEK, INDONESIA'S GOVERNMENT HAD MADE ALMOST NO EFFORT TO SHOW EITHER ITS CREDITORS OR ITS MORE THAN 200-MILLION PEOPLE THAT IT WAS SERIOUS ABOUT MAKING THE REFORMS NEEDED TO RESTORE ECONOMIC STABILITY, REFORMS THAT THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND DEMANDED IN RETURN FOR THE 43-BILLION DOLLAR BAILOUT IT ORGANIZED. THIS PERVERSE FOOT DRAGGING BY PRESIDENT SUHARTO'S REGIME HAS COST INDONESIANS DEARLY. /// OPT /// ... THE ECONOMIC CRISIS HAS LED TO AN OUTPOURING OF PUBLIC CRITICISM AND DRAWN FRESH NOTICE TO THE NEPOTISM THAT HAS MADE HIS RELATIVES RICH. [MR.] SUKARNO'S SIX CHILDREN AND THEIR SPOUSES HAVE STAKES IN BANKS, POWER PROJECTS, TOLL ROADS, MINERAL DEPOSITS, AUTO MANUFACTURING, HOTELS, PETROCHEMICALS -- THE CATALOG IS ENDLESS. /// END OPT

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" ALSO LEADS ITS EDITORIAL COLUMN WITH COMMENTS ON THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT, CRITICIZING THE WHITE HOUSE FOR NOT KEEPING UP THE PRESSURE ON BAGHDAD.

VOICE: IN RECENT WEEKS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION MISTAKENLY GLOSSED OVER THE PARTIAL RESOLUTION OF LAST FALL'S CRISIS INVOLVING THE EXPULSION OF INSPECTORS, LAYING DOWN THE CONTINUING RESTRICTIONS ON THEIR ACTIVITIES. MR. CLINTON NEEDS TO REVIVE THE SENSE OF URGENCY HE CONVEYED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CRISIS EASED. AS HE CLEARLY NOTED THEN, THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN SATISFACTORILY RESOLVED ...

TEXT: IN YET ANOTHER OF THE WORLD'S PERSISTENT TROUBLE SPOTS, NORTHERN IRELAND, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" SEES PROGRESS IN THE LATEST ANGLO-IRISH AGREEMENT ISSUED MONDAY.

VOICE: FOR ULSTER'S UNIONISTS -- THOSE WHO FAVOR CONTINUED UNION WITH BRITAIN -- THE ANGLO-IRISH AGREEMENT OFFERS THE PROSPECT OF SELF-GOVERNMENT AND, TO EMPHASIZE THEIR BRITISHNESS, THE CREATION OF A COUNCIL THAT INCLUDES THE GOVERNMENTS SOON TO BE CREATED IN SCOTLAND AND WALES. ... FOR IRISH NATIONALISTS, THE AGREEMENT OFFERS THE PROTECTION OF A BILL OF RIGHTS AND THE PROMISE OF CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION THROUGH A NORTH-SOUTH MINISTERIAL COUNCIL. ... THE COUNCIL IS ... NOT ... A TROJAN HORSE FOR IRISH UNIFICATION ... SO LONG AS A MAJORITY IN THE NORTH FAVOR MAINTAIN THEIR STATUS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, THE DIFFICULT ISSUES RAISED BY THE UNABOMBER TRIAL IN SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, CONTINUE TO ATTRACT ATTENTION. THEODORE KACZYNSKI IS ACCUSED OF KILLING TWO PEOPLE AND INJURING SEVERAL OTHERS WITH MAIL BOMBS OVER TWO DECADES. HE MAY BE INSANE BUT IS RESISTING THAT AS A DEFENSE. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS OF THE TRIAL:

VOICE: WITH THE COURT-ORDERED EXAMINATION OF THEODORE KACZYNSKI'S COMPETENCY UNDERWAY, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS MORE TO GAIN THAN LOSE BY FASHIONING A BARGAIN WITH HIM THAT TRADES HIS GUILTY PLEA FOR LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE. A TRIAL THAT WILL ASSUREDLY BECOME A SPECTACLE CAN BE AVOIDED - - AND IN THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE, IT SHOULD BE.

TEXT: "USA TODAY" HAS BEEN RUNNING A SERIES OF ARTICLES ON WHAT THE PAPER CALLS, "DIRTY SECRETS: ... THE DARK SIDE OF THE 'CLEAN' COMPUTER CHIP INDUSTRY' ALLEGING HEALTH HAZARDS TO WORKERS IN THE INDUSTRY. IN A COMPANION EDITORIAL, THE PAPER COMMENTS:

VOICE: A SIX-MONTH EXAMINATION OF THE BURGEONING SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY ...SHOWED: SOME PLANTS DO NOT MEET HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS, RAISING THE RISK OF CHEMICAL EXPOSURE TO BOTH WORKERS AND NEARBY RESIDENTS. ... THE INDUSTRY IS EXPANDING RAPIDLY IN AREAS WHERE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY REGULATIONS -- AND THEIR ENFORCEMENT -- ARE LESS STRICT. ... A FEW PLANTS CONTINUE TO USE CHEMICALS SUSPECTED OF CAUSING CANCER OR MISCARRIAGES EVEN THOUGH MOST FIRMS HAVE SWITCHED TO SAFER ALTERNATIVES. ... THE EXPOSED DARK SIDE SHOULD BE A WARNING TO POLITICIANS, BUREAUCRATS AND CITIZENS: THE PURSUIT OF JOBS CANNOT JUSTIFY RELAXATION OF VIGILANCE WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF WORKERS AND THE COMMUNITY.

TEXT: FINALLY, SOME THOUGHTS ON THE MASSIVE AND LINGERING ICE STORM THAT HAS CAUSED MILLIONS TO BE WITHOUT ELECTRICITY IN EASTERN CANADA AND NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND, FROM ONE OF THE WORST HIT AREAS, MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD."

VOICE: AS TEMPERATURES DROP TO THE SUBFREEZING LEVELS NORMAL FOR JANUARY, THE HAZARDS ... WILL INTENSIFY. THE DANGERS OF FIRE, HYPOTHERMIA AND CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING ARE NOW ADDED TO THE HAZARDS OF LIVE WIRES AND SLIPPERY FOOTING. ... STILL, OUR PLIGHT -- MOST CERTAINLY A DISASTER FOR ALL TOO MANY -- HAS SOME BRIGHT RAYS. MAINERS HAVE DEPENDED ON THEIR NEIGHBORS FOR HELP AND COMFORT, AND THEIR NEIGHBORS HAVE COME THROUGH. ... EVENTUALLY, MAINERS WILL GET THOUGH THIS. WE WILL NOT ONLY SURVIVE, BUT PREVAIL, BY HELPING EACH OTHER AND BY REBUILDING WHAT WAS DESTROYED. THAT IS THE WAY MAINE IS.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
13-Jan-98 10:31 AM EST (1531 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] TURKEY / KURDS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM ONE OF THE MAIN KURDISH FACTIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ ARE IN ANKARA IN HOPES OF IMPROVING TIES WITH THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS, RELATIONS BETWEEN JALAL TALABANI'S "PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN," OR P-U-K AND THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT HAVE SOURED OVER ALLEGATIONS THE P-U-K IS BACKING THE SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKER'S PARTY -- OR "P-K-K" -- WHICH IS STILL FIGHTING FOR SELF-RULE FROM TURKEY AFTER 13 YEARS OF CONFLICT.

TEXT: RELATIONS BETWEEN ANKARA AND MR. TALABANI HIT AN ALL TIME LOW LAST FALL AFTER THE P-U-K SAYS TURKISH JETS BOMBED ITS POSITIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ, KILLING SCORES OF PEOPLE. THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT DENIES THE CHARGE, SAYING IT WAS ONLY ATTACKING TARGETS OF THE OUTLAWED P-K-K.

THE P-U-K SAYS TURKEY WAS HELPING THE RIVAL" KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY," OR "K-D-P," LED BY MASSOUD BARZANI.

IN A RECENT INTERVIEW AT HIS HEADQUARTERS IN THE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE OF SALAHUDDIN, MR BARZANI ECHOED ANKARA'S POSITION THAT THE P-U-K WAS NOT TARGETED.

THE TWO KURDISH FACTIONS HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN A BLOODY POWER STRUGGLE FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS FOR CONTROL OVER THE ENCLAVE NOW PROTECTED BY WESTERN ALLIED FORCES.

MEDIATION EFFORTS LED BY THE UNITED STATES WERE DISRUPTED LAST OCTOBER WHEN P-U-K FORCES ATTACKED THE K-D-P AND CAPTURED SIGNIFICANT SWATCHES OF TERRITORY. BUT MR. TALABANI'S FORCES RETREATED AFTER THEY SAY THE ANKARA MILITARY INTERVENED.

ANALYSTS SAY TURKEY'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE KURDISH CONFLICT DEALT A FURTHER BLOW TO U-S SPONSORED PEACE TALKS.

SHAZAD SAIB IS ANKARA'S REPRESENTATIVE OF THE P-U-K. HE DENIES THAT THE P-U-K IS HELPING THE OUTLAWED P-K-K KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, WHICH HAS SEVERAL BASES IN NORTHERN IRAQ.

TURKEY ACCUSES A LOT OF (PEOPLE AND) COUNTRIES THAT THEY ARE SUPPORTING P-K-K. WE THINK THAT P-K-K IS NOT A PROBLEM CREATED BY WE, THE IRAQI KURDS, FOR TURKEY. IT IS A TURKISH INTERNAL PROBLEM. IT WAS EXPORTED TO IRAQI KURDISTAN, AND IT IS NOT OUR FAULT, IN FACT.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS HERE SAY THAT SHOULD THE P-U-K AND THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT MEND RELATIONS, THEN IT IS LIKELY THE ANKARA PEACE PROCESS CAN BE REVIVED.

BUT MANY ANALYSTS POINT OUT THAT SO LONG AS ANKARA CONTINUES TO TREAT THE KURDISH REBELLION IN ITS MAINLY SOUTHEASTERN PROVINCES AS WHAT TURKISH OFFICIALS DESCRIBE AS PURELY A TERRORIST PROBLEM RATHER THAN A SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ONE AS WELL -- THEN THE P-K-K WILL REMAIN A REMAIN A HEADACHE FOR TURKEY.
NEB/AZ/PCF/KL
13-Jan-98 9:50 AM EST (1450 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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