Voice of America, 98-01-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] CONGRESS & FOREIGN POLICY BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

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

[03] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[04] GERMANY / IRAQ (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

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

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

[07] PENTAGON / WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (WASHINGTON)

[08] TURKEY-UNHCR (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[01] CONGRESS & FOREIGN POLICY BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: THE U-S CONGRESS RECONVENES NEXT WEEK FOR WHAT COULD BE A CONTENTIOUS SESSION, LEADING UP TO HOUSE AND SENATE ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER. LAWMAKERS MAY HAVE FEWER THAN 100 LEGISLATIVE (WORK) DAYS TO DECIDE SUCH ISSUES AS THE EXPANSION OF NATO, THE FATE OF THE MISSION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND THE NATION'S TRADE POLICY. SENATE CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: IN MOST ELECTION YEARS, THE PUBLIC DEBATE IS FOCUSED ON ISSUES LIKE TAXES AND HEALTH CARE -- AND NOW THE NATION'S ATTENTION HAS ALSO BEEN CAPTURED BY THE SEX SCANDAL SURROUNDING PRESIDENT CLINTON. BUT 1998 IS ALSO SHAPING UP AS A BUSY TIME IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AS SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT ACKNOWLEDGED IN LAYING OUT THE REPUBLICAN AGENDA.

WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT -- AND AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND IN THE CONGRESS WE'D RATHER FOCUS ON DOMESTIC ISSUES -- BUT THIS YEAR WE MAY HAVE AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF FOREIGN ISSUES THAT WE MUST FACE.

ONE OF THE MOST IMMEDIATE MATTERS IS THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS, WHERE POLITICAL BATTLE LINES ARE ALREADY DRAWN. THE PRESIDENT'S PROPOSALS ARE BEING GREETED CAUTIOUSLY OR SKEPTICALLY BY KEY REPUBLICANS AND ARE FACING OUTRIGHT HOSTILITY IN MR. CLINTON'S OWN PARTY. A NUMBER OF HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE FIGHTING HIS REQUEST FOR BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN AID TO THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND TO HELP EASE THE TURMOIL.

ASSISTANT MINORITY LEADER DAVID BONIOR CHARGES THE MONEY WOULD BE A RESCUE PACKAGE FOR GREEDY BANKERS AND REPRESSIVE GOVERNMENTS, LIKE THE ONE IN INDONESIA.

AND IF WE'RE GOING TO PUT OUR MONEY ON THE LINE WE OUGHT TO PUT IT ON THE LINE FOR VALUES THAT ARE APPRECIATED, NOT ONLY BY OUR PEOPLE BUT I BELIEVE BY THE MASS OF PEOPLE IN THESE COUNTRIES WHO ARE YEARNING FOR SOME POLITICAL AND DEMOCRATIC AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM.

DEMOCRATS ARE MORE INCLINED TO SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT ON ANOTHER KEY ISSUE -- HIS DECISION TO EXTEND THE U-S TROOP DEPLOYMENT IN BOSNIA. REPUBLICANS MAY COMPLAIN LOUDLY ABOUT THE MOVE IN THE COMING MONTHS AND COULD STILL TRY TO CUT OFF FUNDS FOR THE OPERATION. BUT DEMOCRATIC SENATOR CARL LEVIN, WHO IS BACKING THE PRESIDENT'S POSITION, IS CONFIDENT THE MR. CLINTON'S OPPONENTS CAN NOT MUSTER THE VOTES TO END THE MISSION.

OUR MILITARY COMMANDERS WOULD STRONGLY OPPOSE THAT. THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD WITHDRAW OUR FORCES (FROM BOSNIA) AFTER JUNE. AND THEIR VERY STRONG FEELINGS IN THAT REGARD I THINK WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON CONGRESS.

THE SENATE MUST ALSO DECIDE WHETHER TO RATIFY THE EASTWARD EXPANSION OF NATO, TO TAKE IN POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY. REPUBLICAN LEADERS PREDICT APPROVAL IN WHAT COULD BE ONE OF THE FIRST BIG VOTES OF THE YEAR, PERHAPS IN MARCH.

ANOTHER TREATY, THE INTERNATIONAL GLOBAL WARMING AGREEMENT REACHED IN KYOTO, JAPAN, IS GIVEN VIRTUALLY NO CHANCE OF PASSAGE IN ITS PRESENT FORM. HOWEVER, THERE MAY BE RENEWED DEBATE OVER FAST-TRACK NEGOTIATING AUTHORITY, WHICH ALLOWS THE WHITE HOUSE TO HAMMER OUT FREE TRADE ACCORDS WITHOUT FEAR OF HAVING THEM REWRITTEN ON CAPITOL HILL.

THE PRESIDENT PULLED A FAST-TRACK BILL FROM THE HOUSE FLOOR LAST YEAR, TO HEAD OFF WHAT OFFICIALS FEARED WOULD BE AN EMBARRASSING DEFEAT AT THE HANDS OF LIBERAL DEMOCRATS. REPUBLICANS ARE URGING MR. CLINTON TO RESUBMIT THE BILL AND FIGHT HARDER THIS TIME, THOUGH MAJORITY LEADER LOTT SUGGESTS THE ADMINISTRATION MAY BE RELUCTANT.

I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW TO GAUGE THE WHITE HOUSE ON IT. I THINK THEY'RE A LITTLE AFRAID TO GO AHEAD AND TRY TO MOVE IT AGAIN. BUT WE'LL STILL BE WORKING ON THAT. I PRESUME A CALL (DECISION) WILL BE MADE ON IT SOMETIME IN EARLY FEBRUARY.

THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS ARE LIKELY TO REVISIT ONE OTHER LEFTOVER DISPUTE -- THE PLAN TO PAY AT LEAST SOME OF WASHINGTON'S U-N DUES AND REORGANIZE THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAUCRACY. THOUGH IT HAS BIPARTISAN BACKING, THE MEASURE FOUNDERED LAST YEAR WHEN CONSERVATIVE HOUSE REPUBLICANS USED IT TO PRESS THEIR VIEWS ON ABORTION AND INTERNATIONAL FAMILY PLANNING.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS CHARGE THE ACTION UNDERCUT U-S PRESTIGE AND CREDIBILITY IN THE MIDST OF A CRISIS WITH IRAQ. IN A SHARPLY WORDED SPEECH (EARLIER) THIS MONTH, SECRETARY OF STATE MADELINE ALBRIGHT CALLED ON LAWMAKERS TO LET THE MONEY FLOW.

IT IS SO LUDICROUS TO ME THAT WE HAVE DONE THIS THAT I CAN NOT IMAGINE HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO DAMAGE AMERICA BY HOLDING THIS PLAN HOSTAGE. IT IS TRULY RIDICULOUS.

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE MIXED IN TRADING FRIDAY ON EUROPEAN MARKETS. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: PRICES WERE UP IN FRANKFURT BUT DOWN IN BOTH LONDON AND PARIS, AMID CONTINUED WORRIES ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN ASIA AND ABOUT SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST PRESIDENT CLINTON.

IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX ENDED THE FLOOR-TRADING DAY WITH A GAIN OF MORE THAN 17 POINTS, ABOUT FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT. BUT THE FRANKFURT MARKET MOVED DOWN IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX CLOSED OFF ALMOST 72 POINTS, ABOUT ONE-AND-FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT.

AND IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX FELL MORE THAN 22 POINTS, MORE THAN SEVEN-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR ROSE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK. BUT THE DOLLAR WAS DOWN AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN, AND DOWN SHARPLY AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.
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23-Jan-98 1:18 PM EST (1818 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S NEWSPAPERS ARE FILLED WITH COMMENTARY ON THE LATEST ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. FROM MAINE IN THE EAST, TO HONOLULU, HAWAII, THERE ARE EDITORIALS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THIS LATEST SCANDAL TO HIT THE WHITE HOUSE. IN OTHER EDITORIALS, SUCH TOPICS AS THE GUILTY PLEA IN THE UNABOMBER CASE; AND THE CARNAGE IN ALGERIA ARE DISCUSSED. THERE ARE ALSO EDITORIALS COMMENTING ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN BOSNIA AND PRESIDENT CLINTON'S LATEST INTERVENTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS. NOW, JOINING US IN THE STUDIO IS ___________________ WITH A SAMPLING IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: ALLEGATIONS THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON MAY HAVE HAD A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH MONICA LEWINSKY, A 21-YEAR-OLD WHITE HOUSE INTERN, AND THEN COUNSELED THE WOMAN TO LIE ABOUT IT TO INVESTIGATORS, ARE DOMINATING THE U-S PRESS AS NO STORY HAS IN YEARS. THE FRONT PAGES ARE FULL OF IT, AND SEVERAL PAPERS ARE ALSO DEVOTING SEVERAL INSIDE PAGES TO SPECIAL SECTIONS DEVOTED TO EVERY ASPECT OF THE STORY. THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS ARE ALSO COMMENTING ON THIS LATEST TALE OF POSSIBLE SEXUAL INFIDELITY BY BILL CLINTON. IN THE PACIFIC, "THE HONOLULU ADVERTISER" SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: TO DATE, MOST OF [MR.] CLINTON'S CHARACTER' PROBLEMS HAVE INVOLVED THINGS THAT OCCURRED BEFORE HE TOOK OVER THE WHITE HOUSE. THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN WILLING TO IGNORE SUCH HISTORY IN RETURN FOR AN AFFABLE LEADER AND ROSY ECONOMIC TIMES. NOW, HOWEVER, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A SITTING INCUMBENT AND ACTIONS THAT, IF TRUE, GO BEYOND MORAL WEAKNESS TO OUTRIGHT VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW. AT STAKE IS A SIMPLE BUT VERY TROUBLING LEGAL QUESTION: DID THE PRESIDENT INSTIGATE PERJURY, FALSE STATEMENTS AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE?

TEXT: MORE THAN FIVE THOUSAND KILOMETERS AWAY, IN THE NORTHEAST, MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: THE ALLEGATIONS THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON VIOLATED THE LAW IN AN ATTEMPT TO COVER UP AN AFFAIR WITH A WHITE HOUSE INTERN IS JUST THAT, AN ALLEGATION. STILL THE INCIDENT HAS AN EERIE ECHO THAT DATES BACK A QUARTER-CENTURY. AS WITH WATERGATE, A SITTING PRESIDENT IS EMBATTLED NOT SO MUCH BECAUSE OF THE ACTION IN WHICH HE IS SAID TO HAVE ORIGINALLY ENGAGED, BUT BECAUSE HE ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO COVER IT UP.... NO AMERICAN, EVEN CLINTON'S MOST ARDENT CRITICS, SHOULD BE HAPPY ABOUT THE SITUATION THE PRESIDENT NOW FACES. WHETHER THE LEWINSKY MATTER TURNS OUT TO BE THE BEGINNING TO A PRESIDENCY'S END OR A TERRIBLE UNTRUTH, IT SIGNALS TROUBLE IN OUR NATION'S CAPITAL.

TEXT: "THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH" IS ONE OF SEVERAL PAPERS URGING THE PRESIDENT TO RESIGN HIS OFFICE IF HE, IN FACT, URGED THE YOUNG WOMAN TO PERJURE HERSELF.

VOICE: DESPITE THE UNCERTAINTIES AND THE CONFUSING SUDDENNESS OF THE CRISIS, PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON FACES A STRAIGHTFORWARD DECISION. IF HE LIED UNDER OATH ABOUT HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH A 21-YEAR-OLD INTERN AND THEN ASKED HER TO LIE ABOUT IT, HE SHOULD RESIGN. NOW IF, ON THE OTHER HAND, HIS DENIALS ARE TRUTHFUL, MR. CLINTON DESERVES THE PATIENCE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND ALL THE PROTECTION [OF] ... THE CONSTITUTION ... AND WE MUST GUARD AGAINST A TRIAL BY THE MEDIA .....

TEXT: ALSO IN THE MIDWEST, "THE KANSAS CITY STAR" POINTS OUT THAT THIS LATEST SET OF ACCUSATIONS IS, PERHAPS, AMPLIFIED, BY PREVIOUS CASES OF DECEPTION ON THE PART OF THE WHITE HOUSE OVER A VARIETY OF ISSUES.

VOICE: THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN DECEPTION AT THE WHITE HOUSE HAS SEEMED TO BE ALMOST A MATTER OF HABIT RATHER THAN THE RESULT OF ANY COHERENT POLITICAL STRATEGY. TALL TALES AND UNBELIEVABLE EXCUSES HAVE BEEN HANDED OUT ALL TOO OFTEN, ON SUBSTANTIAL MATTERS AS WELL AS TRIVIAL ONES. ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS, FROM [MR.] CLINTON ON DOWN, HAVE SEEMED SURPRISINGLY UNAPOLOGETIC ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE MISINFORMATION GAME. ON THE OTHER HAND, SOME OF THE PRESIDENT'S POLITICAL ADVERSARIES HAVE GONE TO SUCH GREAT LENGTHS TO DEMOLISH HIS REPUTATION THAT THE PUBLIC CANNOT SIMPLY ASSUME THAT THE MOST RECENT INSINUATIONS AND ACCUSATIONS ARE TRUE.

TEXT: FROM ONE OF THE NATION'S MOST INFLUENTIAL PAPERS, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" COMES THIS PLEA IN THE LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE: "TELL THE FULL STORY, MR. PRESIDENT."

VOICE: MR. CLINTON NEEDS TO TELL HIS STORY NOT IN BITS AND PIECES, BUT HOLISTICALLY, WITH THE COMPLETE CONTEXT THAT ONLY HE CAN KNOW. HIS PINPOINT DENIALS WILL NEVER ENABLE ANYONE TO UNDERSTAND THE LARGER NARRATIVE ......

TEXT: TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" COUNSELS THE PRESIDENT THAT NOW IS "A TIME FOR STRAIGHT [HONEST] TALK," WHILE IN THE SOUTH, "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" SAYS IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO WAIT FOR ALL THE FACTS BEFORE MAKING ANY JUDGMENT ON THIS INCIDENT.

VOICE: IT IS ESSENTIAL TO POINT OUT THAT THE TRUTH HAS YET TO BE ESTABLISHED. GIVEN HUMAN NATURE, IT IS ALL TOO CONCEIVABLE THAT A 21-YEAR-OLD WHITE HOUSE INTERN, SEEKING TO IMPRESS FRIENDS, COULD HAVE EXAGGERATED A FLIRTATIOUS FEW MOMENTS WITH THE PRESIDENT INTO AN IMAGINARY, FULL-FLEDGED SEXUAL AFFAIR. IF SO, IT IS HARD TO RECALL ANOTHER FABRICATION THAT HAS HAD SUCH SPECTACULAR CONSEQUENCES. .....

TEXT: BRIEFLY TURNING TO COMMENTARIES ON OTHER TOPICS, THE FACT THAT THE RECLUSE TED KACZYNSKI, ACCUSED OF BEING THE "UNABOMBER" WHO MAILED LETTER BOMBS TO MORE THAN A DOZEN PEOPLE DURING THE PAST TWO DECADES, HAS ADMITTED HIS CRIMES AND PLEADED GUILTY, IS DRAWING A LOT OF REACTION. "NEWSDAY" APPLAUDS THE OUTCOME NOTING "A TRIAL OF THE DISTURBED KACZYNSKI WOULD BE A CIRCUS; LIFE [IN PRISON] IS AN APPROPRIATE SENTENCE," ADDING:

VOICE: THERE CAN BE NO HAPPY ENDING IN A CASE THAT INVOLVES THE MURDER OF THREE PEOPLE, THE MAIMING AND INJURING OF 29 OTHERS AND A CAMPAIGN OF TERROR THAT SPANNED 18 YEARS. YESTERDAY'S GUILTY PLEA IN THE UNABOMBER CASE AT LEAST PROVIDES A JUST OUTCOME.

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS THE OUTCOME "SERVES JUSTICE" WHILE "THE [NEW YORK] DAILY NEWS" ADDS THAT IT WAS "COMMON SENSE," AND "USA TODAY" SUGGESTS IT IS A "SANE, SENSIBLE AGREEMENT."

TURNING TO THE CARNAGE OF MUSLIM FUNDAMENTALIST TERRORISTS IN ALGERIA, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT IN ALGIERS COOPERATES WITH OUTSIDE FORCES TRYING TO HELP, THE OUTLOOK REMAINS GLUM.

VOICE: A LOW-LEVEL MISSION FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT SPENT ONE DAY IN ALGIERS CAME AWAY FRUSTRATED BY THE REGIME'S REFUSAL TO ALLOW HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES WHAT IS HAPPENING. AS THE BARBARITY RUNS ON UNCHECKED, THE GOVERNMENT HAUGHTILY INSISTS THAT IT WILL PERMIT NO OUTSIDERS TO INTERFERE IN ALGERIA'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS. ITS REAL CONCERN MAY WELL BE THAT INDEPENDENT OBSERVERS WOULD FIND PLENTY TO FAULT IN THE WAY THE COUNTRY IS GOVERNED.

TEXT: SUGGESTING THAT THERE SHOULD BE "NO STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR WAR CRIMES, "THE WASHINGTON POST" SALUTES THIS WEEK'S ARREST OF BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIAL GORAN JELISIC.

VOICE: FOR THE FIRST TIME, U-S TROOPS IN BOSNIA YESTERDAY LED A SUCCESSFUL OPERATION TO A ARREST AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL. THE DETENTION OF GORAN JELISIC IS ANOTHER WELCOME SIGN OF A REINVIGORATED NATO AND WESTERN EFFORT TO ENFORCE THE DAYTON ACCORDS AND BUILD PEACE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. 'THERE IS NO STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON WAR CRIMINALS,' DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAID AFTER THE ARREST. THAT'S A MESSAGE WHICH, IF BACKED UP, WILL RESONATE THROUGHOUT BOSNIA AND BEYOND.

TEXT: FINALLY, AS REGARDS THE MEETINGS THIS WEEK AT THE WHITE HOUSE BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU AND PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSER ARAFAT, "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE SUGGESTS:

VOICE: MR. CLINTON SHOULD CONTINUE TO LEAN ON [PRESSURE] ISRAEL TO WITHDRAW FROM MORE OF THE WEST BANK AND SUSPEND THE ENLARGEMENT OF SETTLEMENTS THERE. AT THE SAME TIME, HE MUST PRESS MR. ARAFAT TO RID THE PALESTINE LIBERATION ORGANIZATION CHARTER OF CALLS FOR ISRAEL'S DESTRUCTION, RID PALESTINIAN EDUCATION OF ANTI-JEWISH TEACHING AND MAINTAIN THE CRACKDOWN ON TERRORISM. IT'S NOT JUST THE UNITED STATES THAT NEEDS A STRONG AND FOCUSED AMERICAN PRESIDENT. THE PEOPLES OF THE MIDDLE EAST DO, TOO.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM FRIDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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23-Jan-98 11:10 AM EST (1610 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] GERMANY / IRAQ (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: A GERMAN COURT HAS SENTENCED A BUSINESSMAN TO THREE YEARS IN JAIL AND HAS GIVEN ANOTHER A SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR SELLING MISSILE LAUNCHERS TO IRAQ DURING THE LATE 1980'S. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN.

TEXT: PROSECUTORS SAY SOME OF THE MEDIUM-RANGE SCUD MISSILE LAUNCHERS THAT BUSINESSMAN GERHARD PAUL SOLD TO IRAQ WERE USED AGAINST ISRAEL AND THE U-S LED MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE DURING THE 1991 GULF WAR.

THE GERMAN BUSINESSMAN, WHO DENIED THE CHARGES, WAS CONVICTED OF VIOLATING EXPORT CONTROL LAWS AND OF FRAUD. HE WAS SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS AND TWO MONTHS IN JAIL.

GERMAN AUTHORITIES SAY HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING MORE THAN THREE-MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF EQUIPMENT TO IRAQ, INCLUDING PARTS USED TO MAKE EXPLOSIVES AND EQUIPMENT FOR SECURING BOMBS INSIDE AIRCRAFT.

ANOTHER FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THE COMPANY WHERE PAUL WAS AN EXECUTIVE, WAS GIVEN A TWO-YEAR SUSPENDED JAIL SENTENCE FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE CASE.

PROSECUTORS CALLED THE TRANSACTIONS MORALLY REPREHENSIBLE. THEY SAID SOME OF THE ILLEGALLY EXPORTED PARTS AND MISSILE LAUNCHERS WERE SHIPPED TO IRAQ JUST MONTHS BEFORE SADDAM HUSSEIN'S TROOPS INVADED KUWAIT, AND THERE WAS LITTLE DOUBT THE EQUIPMENT WOULD BE USED FOR MILITARY PURPOSES.

EXPERTS AT THE TRIAL SAID THE EQUIPMENT PROBABLY WAS USED BY IRAQ WHEN IT FIRED SCUD MISSILES AND OTHER ROCKETS AT ISRAEL AND U-S LED FORCES DURING THE GULF WAR. MEANWHILE, THE GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY HAS URGED OTHER GERMAN FIRMS NOT TO RUSH TO SIGN DEALS WITH IRAQ THAT COULD TAKE EFFECT ONCE U-N SANCTIONS ARE ENDED. THE STATEMENT FOLLOWED A GERMAN NEWSPAPER REPORT THAT SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING ALLOWING SUCH DEALS. (SIGNED)
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23-Jan-98 11:34 AM EST (1634 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (FRIDAY) AS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST PRESIDENT CLINTON CONTINUED TO CAUSE CONCERN ON WALL STREET. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 77 HUNDRED, DOWN 30 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST 53 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 957, DOWN FIVE POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY ALLEGATIONS THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON OBSTRUCTED JUSTICE CONTINUED TO CAUSE NERVOUSNESS ON WALL STREET. THERE WAS ALSO A RUMOR, LATER VIGOROUSLY DENIED, THAT U-S TREASURY SECRETARY ROBERT RUBIN IS PLANNING TO RESIGN.

SOUTH KOREA IS REPORTED CLOSER TO AN INTERNATIONAL DEAL TO RESTRUCTURE ITS DEBTS TO COMMERCIAL BANKS. SOURCES SAY GERMAN BANKERS HAVE ACCEPTED A PROPOSAL TO EXTEND 25 BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF SHORT-TERM LOANS. INTERNATIONAL BANKERS ARE SCHEDULED TO MEET NEXT WEEK TO DISCUSS TERMS OF THE SOUTH KOREAN DEBT RESTRUCTURING.

THERE WERE SOME POSITIVE EARNINGS REPORTS FRIDAY. THE XEROX DOCUMENT COMPANY REPORTED A 23 PERCENT JUMP IN QUARTERLY PROFITS. THE MEAD PAPER COMPANY ENJOYED A NINE PERCENT INCREASE IN EARNINGS. AND CHRYSLER, THE NATION'S THIRD-LARGEST AUTOMAKER, SAID ITS EARNINGS ROSE BY MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.

ALTHOUGH THE APPLE COMPUTER COMPANY DID RECENTLY REPORT A PROFIT, APPLE SAYS ITS SHARE OF THE WORLDWIDE MARKET FELL SHARPLY LAST YEAR. APPLE'S SHARE OF THE INTERNATIONAL PERSONAL COMPUTER MARKET FELL TO THREE PERCENT FROM MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT IN 1996.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
23-Jan-98 4:51 PM EST (2151 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: SECTARIAN VIOLENCE CONTINUES IN NORTHERN IRELAND AS THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY REJECTS THE LATEST ANGLO-IRISH PROPOSALS. IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REVIEWS THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SEARCH FOR A LASTING PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND.

TEXT: SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, NORTHERN IRELAND HAS BEEN THE SCENE OF SECTARIAN KILLINGS ON A SCALE REMINISCENT OF THE DARK DAYS WHEN ITS CAPITAL CITY, BELFAST, WAS SIMPLY DESCRIBED AS "THE WAR ZONE."

TIT-FOR-TAT KILLINGS BY RIVAL PARAMILITARY GROUPS HAVE LEFT BOTH PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS DEAD. APPEALS BY POLITICIANS AND CHURCH LEADERS FOR AN END TO THE VIOLENCE APPEAR TO BE FALLING ON DEAF EARS.

MOST OF THE RECENT VICTIMS HAVE BEEN CATHOLICS, AS MEMBERS OF PRO-BRITISH -- OR LOYALIST -- PARAMILITARY GROUPS EXERT REVENGE FOR THE DEATH LATE LAST YEAR OF A PROTESTANT PARAMILITARY LEADER IN BELFAST'S "MAZE" PRISON.

JOHN ALDERDICE IS LEADER OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S "ALLIANCE" PARTY WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANTS, UNIONISTS AND NATIONALISTS. HE SAYS IN HIS BELFAST CONSTITUENCY, THERE IS A DEEP SENSE OF DESPAIR.

WITHIN THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS WHAT HAS DEVELOPED IS FRANK TERROR, BECAUSE THE LOYALISTS HAVE BEEN GOING OUT AND THEY HAVE SIMPLY BEEN SHOOTING ANY CATHOLIC -- RANDOM, SECTARIAN ASSASSINATIONS -- AND THAT STRIKES TERROR INTO PEOPLE'S HEARTS. IN THE PROTESTANT COMMUNITY THERE IS FEAR -- FEAR OF ATTACK. THERE IS FEAR OF THE RETURN OF THE I-R-A (IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY) CAMPAIGN. BUT MOST REPUBLICAN ATTACKS HAVE BEEN MORE FOCUSED ON THOSE WHO WERE DEEMED TO BE PART OF PARAMILITARY ORGANIZATIONS. BUT WHAT IS CLEAR IN THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, IS THAT THERE IS A DEEP SENSE OF FOREBODING AND FEAR THAT THE (POLITICAL) PROCESS IS ABOUT TO COLLAPSE.

THE POLITICAL PROCESS WAS DEALT A BLOW WHEN THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY REJECTED PROPOSALS BY THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS IN AN ATTEMPT TO MOVE CURRENT NEGOTIATIONS FORWARD. THE I-R-A -- AND ITS POLITICAL WING SINN FEIN -- SAY THE DOCUMENT FAVORS THOSE WHO ADVOCATE NORTHERN IRELAND REMAIN BRITISH -- AND THUS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

MANY EXPERTS BELIEVE THE I-R-A'S REJECTION OF THE ANGLO-IRISH PROPOSALS COULD MEAN AN END TO THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION'S CEASEFIRE IN EFFECT SINCE LAST JULY. ONE OF THOSE IS KEN MAGINNIS -- SECURITY SPOKESMAN FOR NORTHERN IRELAND'S LARGEST PARTY, THE "ULSTER UNIONISTS."

THERE ARE TWO ALTERNATIVES IN THE NORTHERN IRELAND SITUATION AND WE HAVE ALWAYS FOUND THAT. ONE IS TO MOVE ALONG THE DEMOCRATIC PATH, TO TRY TO COMPROMISE AND TO TRY TO ACCOMMODATE THE OPPOSITE POINTS OF VIEW. THE OTHER IS TO LEAVE A VACUUM AND WITHIN THAT VACUUM, ONLY TERRORISM FLOURISHES. SO I BELIEVE THAT THIS IN FACT IS A PRELUDE TO A RESUMPTION OF VIOLENCE.

FOR HIS PART, THE LEADER OF THE ALLIANCE PARTY, JOHN ALDERDICE, SAYS THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS.

IF THE TWO GOVERNMENTS AND THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE TALKS STICK TO THE POLITICAL PROCESS, THAT COMPONENT OF THINGS CAN CARRY THROUGH TO A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT. OF COURSE WHETHER IT IS A PEACE SETTLEMENT -- THAT IS TO SAY WHETHER PEOPLE STOP SHOOTING AND BOMBING -- THAT IS ANOTHER MATTER. AND IT IS NOT NECESSARILY SOMETHING THAT DEMOCRATIC POLITICIANS CAN DELIVER. I THINK THE ONLY WAY OF GIVING HOPE TO OUR PEOPLE AS POLITICIANS, IS TO CONTINUE WITH THE TALKS PROCESS -- AND THAT WE FULLY INTEND TO DO.

POLITICAL TALKS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND MOVE TO LONDON FOR SEVERAL DAYS NEXT WEEK. THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO PRESENT PROPOSALS DEALING WITH RELATIONS BETWEEN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC.

MANY POLITICIANS AGREE THAT AS THE MAY DEADLINE FOR COMPLETING THE TALKS ON NORTHERN IRELAND APPROACHES, HARD DECISIONS -- AND COMPROMISES -- WILL HAVE TO BE MADE. THEY SAY TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS WILL INEVITABLY EXERT PRESSURE IN ORDER TO GAIN CONCESSIONS. BUT MR. ALDERDICE SAYS NO AMOUNT OF PRESSURE SHOULD DERAIL POLITICIANS FROM THEIR ULTIMATE GOAL -- THE BEST POLITICAL SETTLEMENT POSSIBLE FOR THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND. (SIGNED)
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23-Jan-98 12:35 PM EST (1735 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] PENTAGON / WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S AND ALLIED TROOPS HAVE CAPTURED A BOSNIAN SERB

INDICTED ON GENOCIDE CHARGES BY THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES

TRIBUNAL AT THE HAGUE. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE SOLDIERS ARRESTED GORAN JELISIC OUTSIDE HIS APARTMENT

BUILDING IN (THE CITY OF) BIJELJINA, IN TERRITORY DOMINATED BY

BOSNIAN SERB HARDLINERS. OFFICIALS SAY PRESIDENT CLINTON

AUTHORIZED THE MOVE DAYS AGO AND WAS AWAKENED EARLY THURSDAY AND TOLD OF ITS SUCCESS. MR. JELISIC WAS REPORTEDLY ARMED, BUT NO SHOTS WERE FIRED. HE WAS FLOWN TO THE HAGUE, AND IS EXPECTED IN COURT THERE EARLY NEXT WEEK. THE 29-YEAR-OLD SUSPECT COMMANDED THE INFAMOUS LUKA PRISON CAMP IN NORTHEASTERN BOSNIA DURING THE WAR. HE IS ONE OF NINE PEOPLE ACCUSED OF GENOCIDE, THE TRIBUNAL'S MOST SERIOUS CHARGE. A PENTAGON SPOKESMAN,(NAVY) CAPTAIN MICHAEL DOUBLEDAY, SAYS MR. JELISIC ALLEGEDLY KILLED MORE THAN 16 PEOPLE.

AND HIS CRIMES INCLUDE MURDER, CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, TORTURE, PLUNDER AND CRUEL TREATMENT.

PROSECUTORS CHARGE HIS VICTIMS INCLUDE COUNTLESS MUSLIM PRISONERS WHO WERE BURIED IN MASS GRAVES AND WHOSE IDENTITIES ARE STILL UNKNOWN. WHILE HE IS THE THIRD ACCUSED WAR CRIMINAL CAUGHT BY THE ALLIED PEACE FORCE, OR S-FOR, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME U-STROOPS HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD IN THE OPERATION. HOWEVER, CAPTAIN DOUBLEDAY DENIES SUGGESTIONS OF A SHIFT IN POLICY.

WAR CRIMINALS ALL ALONG HAVE KNOWN THAT IF THEY ARE ENCOUNTERED BY S-FOR TROOPS, AND THE SITUATION IS SUCH THAT THEY CAN BE DETAINED WITHOUT UNDUE RISK TO THE S-FOR TROOPS, THEY WILL BE DETAINED.

MESSAGE TO OTHER SUSPECTS -- 54 OF WHOM, MOSTLY BOSNIAN SERBS,

ARE STILL AT LARGE. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/PT
22-Jan-98 10:04 PM EST (0304 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] TURKEY-UNHCR (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, OR U-N-H-C-R, IS APPEALING TO THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT TO RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF IRAQI ASYLUM SEEKERS. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE U-N AGENCY IS CONCERNED ABOUT TURKEY'S CURRENT "ROUND-UP" OF IRAQI MIGRANTS.

TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS TURKISH AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN ROUNDING-UP IRAQI AND OTHER MIGRANTS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. WHILE THE AGENCY HAS NO PRECISE FIGURES ON HOW MANY MIGRANTS HAVE ENTERED TURKEY FROM IRAQ, IT BELIEVES SEVERAL HUNDRED MAY HAVE BEEN PICKED UP.

U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS HIS AGENCY IS ASKING TURKISH AUTHORITIES NOT TO ARBITRARILY DETAIN NOR FORCIBLY RETURN ASYLUM-SEEKERS AND REFUGEES WHO ARE IN NEED OF INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION.

WE UNDERSTAND THE GOVERNMENT'S NEED TO DEAL WITH PERSONS ILLEGALLY STAYING ON ITS TERRITORY. HOWEVER, SOME OF THE SO-CALLED "ILLEGALS" IN TURKEY MIGHT INDEED BE ASYLUM-SEEKERS, WHO WERE UNABLE TO FILE ASYLUM APPLICATIONS WITHIN THE PERIOD SPECIFIED IN THE TURKISH ASYLUM LAW.

TURKEY GIVES ASYLUM SEEKERS FIVE DAYS IN WHICH TO FILE THEIR CLAIMS WITH THE LOCAL POLICE.

THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY DISPUTES TURKEY'S CLAIM THAT MOST OF THE IRAQI KURDS ARE ILLEGAL OR ECONOMIC MIGRANTS. IT SAYS ABOUT 65 PERCENT OF IRAQIS WHO FORMALLY SEEK ASYLUM IN EUROPE ARE RECOGNIZED AS GENUINE REFUGEES. MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THIS HIGH RATE OF ACCEPTANCE SHOWS THAT MANY OF THOSE LEAVING IRAQ HAVE A WELL-FOUNDED FEAR OF PERSECUTION AND ARE FORCED TO FLEE THEIR HOMES.

WHILE WE DO UNDERSTAND GOVERNMENTS' PREOCCUPATION ABOUT THE MIGRATION MOVEMENTS FROM IRAQ, TURKEY AND OTHER COUNTRIES, WE WOULD LIKE TO RECALL THAT MANY ASYLUM-SEEKERS IN NEED OF INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO LEAVE THEIR HOME COUNTRIES "ILLEGALLY" IN SEARCH OF SAFETY.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, AROUND TWO-THOUSAND MAINLY KURDISH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM TURKEY AND IRAQ WERE SMUGGLED INTO ITALY. THIS INFLUX HAS PROMPTED CALLS FOR TIGHTER BORDER CONTROLS WITHIN OR AROUND EUROPE. BUT THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS SUCH MEASURES ARE UNLIKELY TO SOLVE THE CURRENT MIGRATION PROBLEMS. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/PCF
23-Jan-98 10:06 AM EST (1506 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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