Voice of America, 98-02-19

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] GERMANY / RATES (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[03] GREEK BLAST (L/S VER) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (ATHENS)

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

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

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

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES CLOSED DOWN IN TRADING IN EUROPE ON THURSDAY. EDITOR JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: PRICES WERE OFF IN ALL THREE MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS, AFTER WALL STREET OPENED SHARPLY DOWN.

THE BIGGEST DROP WAS IN PARIS. THE CAC-40 INDEX FELL MORE THAN 31-POINTS, ALMOST ONE-PERCENT.

IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX INDEX FELL ONE-PERCENT IN FLOOR TRADING. IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING, THE DAX WAS OFF MORE THAN 30-POINTS, ALMOST SEVEN-TENTHS PERCENT. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX WAS DOWN ABOUT FIVE-POINTS, ONE-TENTH PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR WAS UP SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND. BUT IT WAS DOWN A BIT AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN AND THE GERMAN MARK.
NEB/JWH/RAE
19-Feb-98 1:38 PM EST (1838 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] GERMANY / RATES (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: GERMANY'S CENTRAL BANK HAS LEFT KEY INTEREST RATES UNCHANGED. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN.

TEXT: ECONOMISTS EXPECT THE GERMAN BUNDESBANK TO RAISE INTEREST RATES BEFORE THE PLANNED INTRODUCTION OF THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY. BUT CENTRAL BANK GOVERNORS HAVE YET TO DO SO.

AT ITS REGULAR POLICY MAKING MEETING IN FRANKFURT (THURSDAY), THE BUNDESBANK LEFT ALL THE KEY INTEREST RATES UNCHANGED.

THE GERMAN DISCOUNT RATE REMAINS AT TWO-POINT-FIVE PERCENT, THE LOMBARD RATE AT FOUR-POINT-FIVE PERCENT, AND THE REPO RATE REMAINED STEADY AT THREE-POINT-THREE PERCENT.

ECONOMISTS SAY THE BANK PROBABLY WILL WAIT UNTIL THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE YEAR BEFORE RAISING INTEREST RATES. SUCH A MOVE WOULD BRING GERMAN RATES MORE IN LINE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES TAKING PART IN THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY PLANNED FOR JANUARY OF 1999. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/RAE
19-Feb-98 9:39 AM EST (1439 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] GREEK BLAST (L/S VER) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (ATHENS)

INTRO: THE CRISIS IN IRAQ OVER ACCESS FOR U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS MAY HAVE STRUCK A NERVE THURSDAY IN GREECE. TERRORISTS ARE SUSPECTED TO HAVE BOMBED A U-S COMPANY IN ATHENS IN PROTEST OVER WASHINGTON'S THREAT TO ATTACK IRAQ. FROM ATHENS, ANTHEE CARASSAVA REPORTS.

TEXT: THE POWERFUL BOMB EXPLOSION RATTLED ATHENS. CAUSING HEAVY DAMAGE TO AN AMERICAN CAR DEALERSHIP. NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THE BLAST AND THE GENERAL MOTORS OFFICE WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME OF THE ATTACK.

POLICE SAY A TIME BOMB WAS PLANTED IN THE REAR OF THE SPRAWLING BUILDING LOCATED ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF ATHENS ALONG THE CAPITAL'S BUSIEST BOULEVARD.

POLICE SAY THEY BELIEVE THE HIT WAS AN ACT OF PROTEST AGAINST U-S PLANS TO ATTACK IRAQ -- A PLAN THE GREEK GOVERNMENT STRONGLY OPPOSES, FAVORING INSTEAD A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS.

NO GROUP HAS YET CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POWERFUL EXPLOSION. BUT ATTACKS AGAINST AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN TARGETS IN ATHENS ARE NOT UNUSUAL.

SINCE THE START OF THE YEAR, SCORES OF ARSON ATTACKS HAVE ROCKED THE GREEK CAPITAL. AND DURING THE 1991 GULF WAR, U-S AND EUROPEAN COMPANIES WERE AT THE CENTER OF A ROCKET AND BOMB CAMPAIGN BY GREEK EXTREMISTS.

MOST WERE WAGED BY A GROUP KNOWN AS "NOVEMBER 17" -- CONSIDERED BY MANY EXPERTS TO BE EUROPE'S DEADLIEST AND MOST ELUSIVE TERRORIST GROUP.

POLICE SAY THE MARXIST LENINIST GROUP IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 21 KILLINGS IN ITS 24 YEARS OF UNHINDERED OPERATIONS. GREEK POLICE SAY THEY ALSO SUSPECT "NOVEMBER 17" MAY HAVE PLANNED THURSDAY'S U-S AUTOMOBILE DEALERSHIP EXPLOSION IN ATHENS.

GREEK GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE NOT INDICATED ANY PLANS TO ENHANCE SECURITY MEASURES IN ATHENS TO AVERT FURTHER ATTACKS AGAINST U-S AND EUROPEAN INTERESTS THERE, DESPITE THE LINGERING POSSIBILITY OF AN ATTACK ON IRAQ. (SIGNED)
NEB/AC/PCF/WFR
19-Feb-98 6:54 AM EST (1154 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (THURSDAY) AS PROFIT-TAKING ENDED SIX DAYS OF RECORD SETTING GAINS. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 83 HUNDRED 75, DOWN 75 POINTS, ALMOST ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 28, DOWN THREE POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY PROFIT-TAKING FINALLY CAME INTO THE MARKET AFTER SIX STRAIGHT SESSIONS OF RECORD HIGHS ON THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE. DESPITE THE GENERAL SELL-OFF, THERE WAS STRENGTH IN THE HIGH-TECHNOLOGY SECTOR, SPARKED BY BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED EARNINGS OF THE DELL COMPUTER COMPANY.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS THE U-S TRADE DEFICIT GREW LAST YEAR TO ITS HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE 1988. JANET YELLEN, THE HEAD OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISORS, SAYS SHE EXPECTS THE TRADE DEFICIT TO GROW EVEN LARGER THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC CRISIS IN ASIA. THE CRISIS IS EXPECTED TO CUT U-S EXPORTS AND RAISE ASIAN IMPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES.

U-S TREASURY SECRETARY ROBERT RUBIN SAYS THE ASIAN SITUATION WILL BE THE NUMBER ONE TOPIC AT THE MEETING OF FINANCE MINISTERS FROM THE SEVEN LARGE INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS. THAT MEETING IS SET FOR THIS WEEKEND IN LONDON. MR. RUBIN SAYS JAPAN WILL PLAY WHAT HE CALLS AN "ESPECIALLY CRUCIAL" ROLE IN HELPING RESOLVE THE FINANCIAL PROBLEMS IN ASIA.

THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS FILING CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FELL MODESTLY LAST WEEK, INDICATING A CONTINUED STRONG JOB MARKET.

SALES OF AMERICAN MUSIC PRODUCTS DROPPED MORE THAN TWO PERCENT LAST YEAR, THE FIRST DECREASE SINCE 1980. ANALYSTS BLAME THE LACK OF BLOCKBUSTER HITS FOR THE SALES DROP OF PRE-RECORDED MUSIC CASSETTES AND COMPACT DISCS.

THE WORLDCOM TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY REPORTED A 19 PERCENT JUMP IN QUARTERLY EARNINGS. WORLDCOM IS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF ACQUIRING THE M-C-I TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY IN A DEAL WORTH 37 BILLION DOLLARS, THE LARGEST CORPORATE TAKEOVER IN HISTORY.

THE MCDONALD'S RESTAURANT CHAIN SAYS IT WILL BRING BACK ITS "TEENIE BEANIE BABIES" PROMOTION BUT THIS TIME THE COMPANY IS TAKING STEPS TO SEE THAT IT DOES NOT CAUSE A CONSUMER FRENZY. LAST YEAR, MCDONALD'S WAS SWAMPED WITH PEOPLE WHO WANTED THE STUFFED TOYS MORE THAN THEY WANTED FOOD. MANY OF THEM BOUGHT FOOD ONLY TO GET A "BEANIE BABY" AND THEN TOSSED THE FOOD IN THE GARBAGE. MCDONALD'S PROMISES A MORE ORDERLY PROMOTION THIS YEAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF
19-Feb-98 4:54 PM EST (2154 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: SEVERAL ASPECTS OF THE CONFRONTATION WITH IRAQ CONTINUE TO DOMINATE THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF MANY U-S NEWSPAPERS THIS THURSDAY. ONE IS KOFI ANNAN'S TRIP TO BAGHDAD; ANOTHER IS THE UNRULY DEBATE AT OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY OVER THE EFFICACY OF THE PROPOSED ATTACK; ANOTHER IS THE STORY OF THE TWO-BILLION-DOLLAR-"STEALTH" BOMBER WHICH APPARENTLY CANNOT BE USED IN IRAQ BECAUSE OF PENTAGON POLITICS.

TURNING TO OTHER TOPICS, WE FIND COMMENTARIES ON SUCH SUBJECTS AS: THE DECLINING ECONOMY IN INDONESIA; A HOPEFUL OUTLOOK IN BRAZIL; THE ATTEMPTED SHEVARDNADZE ASSASSINATION IN GEORGIA AND GLORY FOLLOWED BY DISGRACE IN OLYMPIC ICE HOCKEY. NOW, HERE IS _____________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: YESTERDAY'S RAUCOUS PUBLIC MEETING AT OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY IN COLUMBUS, WHERE SECRETARIES OF STATE AND DEFENSE ALBRIGHT AND COHEN, AND WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER SANDY BERGER DISCUSSED THE ADMINISTRATION'S IRAQ POLICY, AND GOT SEVERELY HECKLED BY SOME ANTI WAR PROTESTERS IN THE AUDIENCE, DRAWS THIS COMMENT FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES."

VOICE: THOUGH NOT WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE EXPECTED, THE EVENT WAS A FASCINATING BAROMETER OF A COUNTRY DIVIDED, OR AT LEAST UNCERTAIN, ABOUT WHETHER TO USE MILITARY FORCE AGAINST IRAQ. THERE WERE MOMENTS DURING THE 90-MINUTE TOWN MEETING IN THE OHIO STATE BASKETBALL ARENA THAT WERE EERILY REMINISCENT OF THE PROTESTS AND PASSIONS GENERATED BY THE VIETNAM WAR. OPPONENTS OF A MILITARY STRIKE, WHEN THEY GOT THEIR MOMENT AT THE MICROPHONE, COMPLAINED ANGRILY ABOUT AMERICAN AGGRESSION OVERSEAS. THOSE WHO FAVOR ATTACKING IRAQ SAID WASHINGTON SHOULD NOT SETTLE FOR AIR STRIKES BUT SHOULD MARCH TO BAGHDAD AND REMOVE SADDAM HUSSEIN FROM POWER. ... IT IS CLEAR MR. CLINTON STILL HAS A GOOD DEAL OF EXPLAINING AND CONVINCING TO DO.

TEXT: TURNING TO ANOTHER FACET OF THE STORY, "USA TODAY" COMMENTS ON THE FORTHCOMING LAST-MINUTE TRIP TO BAGHDAD OF THE U-N SECRETARY GENERAL TO TRY TO AVERT AN ATTACK WITH A COMPROMISE. BUT THE PAPER APPEARS SKEPTICAL AS TO ITS VALUE.

VOICE: THE UNITED STATES WEDNESDAY SIGNED OFF [APPROVED] ON THE LATEST GIMMICK TO MAKE U-N INSPECTION OF WEAPONS SITES MORE PALATABLE TO SADDAM: DIPLOMATIC OBSERVERS. UNDER THIS NEW WRINKLE, [ARRANGEMENT][ SECURITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES WOULD SHADOW [FOLLOW] INSPECTORS AS THEY CHECKED SENSITIVE IRAQI SITES -- NOT INTERFERING WITH DESTRUCTION OF BANNED BIOLOGICAL, CHEMICAL, AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS BUT INJECTING A GEOPOLITICAL BALANCE INTO THE PROCESS WHICH [MR.] SADDAM INSISTS IS NEEDED. IF THAT BENIGN ADDITION IS ALL IT TAKES TO AVOID A WAR, SO BE IT. [HOWEVER] ... THE TIME [MR.] ANNAN HAS TO MAKE THE GAMBIT IS AND SHOULD BE LIMITED.

TEXT: THE PAPER GOES ON TO MENTION THE OHIO STATE MEETING, AND ITS RAUCOUS TONE, NOTING; NOTHING WRONG THERE. CONFLICTING VIEWS EXPRESSED WEDNESDAY AND RECENT POLLS INDICATE QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT WHAT CONSTITUTES SUCCESS IN IRAQ.

THEN LASTLY, THERE IS THE SURPRISING STORY ABOUT THE TWO-BILLION-DOLLAR APIECE B-2 STEALTH BOMBERS WHICH, "THE WASHINGTON POST" REPORTED WEDNESDAY, CANNOT FLY IN ANY ATTACK ON IRAQ FOR POLITICAL REASONS. "THE POST" SAYS THE AIR FORCE IS WORRIED ABOUT EITHER LOSING ONE OR MORE OF THE COSTLY PLANES, OR, IF IT DOES VERY WELL, RENEWED DEMANDS IN CONGRESS FOR MORE OF THE COSTLY AIRCRAFT, AT THE EXPENSE OF MONEY TO PRODUCE THE 21ST CENTURY PLANE, THE F-22. SAYS "THE NEW YORK POST" OF THE STORY:

VOICE: THAT LOGIC IS BIZARRE, IF THE STORY IS TRUE. SENDING LESS CAPABLE AIRCRAFT INTO COMBAT FOR ANY REASON IS WORRISOME; SHOULD IT BE DONE TO PROJECT FUTURE PROCUREMENT PROGRAMS, IT WOULD BE UNCONSCIONABLE. ... [IF] IT TURNS OUT THAT THE B-2 WAS NOT USED, THE AIR FORCE HAD BETTER HAVE A CONVINCING ALIBI.

TEXT: TURNING TO INDONESIA'S CRUMBLING ECONOMY, "THE WASHINGTON POST" WORRIES:

VOICE: THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM IN INDONESIA NOW IS POLITICAL AS MUCH AS ECONOMIC. WHEN THE STOCK MARKET AND CURRENCY WERE COLLAPSING LATE LAST YEAR, PRESIDENT SUHARTO, 76, AGREED TO A SERIES OF REFORMS IN EXCHANGE FOR THE PROMISE OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN EMERGENCY LOANS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND, THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND OTHERS. ... THESE CHANGES, IF IMPLEMENTED, WOULD CHALLENGE THE CRONY CAPITALISM THAT HAS ALLOWED MR. SUHARTO'S CHILDREN AND FRIENDS TO GET RICH WHILE WOULD-BE ENTREPRENEURS WITHOUT CONNECTIONS ARE STIFLED. ... WHAT INDONESIA NEEDS, IN ADDITION TO FOLLOWING THROUGH ON PROMISES ALREADY MADE, IS POLITICAL REFORM -- THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS THAT COULD PROVIDE SOME CONFIDENCE IN A PEACEFUL, POST-SUHARTO TRANSITION. INSTEAD, MR. SUHARTO'S POLICE ARE ISSUING SHOOT-ON-SIGHT ORDERS TO COMBAT HUNGRY DEMONSTRATORS, AND HIS REGIME IS INTENSIFYING THE SURVEILLANCE OF POLITICAL DISSIDENTS.

TEXT: NOTING SOME BRIGHTER ECONOMIC NEWS FROM BRAZIL, VARIOUS BANKING AND BUDGET REFORMS PUSHED THROUGH CONGRESS RECENTLY BY PRESIDENT FERNANDO HENRIQUE CARDOSO, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" HINTS OF THE WORK STILL AHEAD.

VOICE: THE POOREST HALF OF BRAZIL'S POPULATION MUST MAKE DO WITH BARELY A TENTH OF THE NATIONAL INCOME, WHILE ABOUT HALF THE NATIONAL INCOME FLOWS TO THE RICHEST TEN PERCENT. SOME 58-THOUSAND LARGE LANDOWNERS HOLD HALF THE COUNTRY'S FARMLAND WHILE THREE MILLION SMALL FARMERS MAKE DO ON TWO PERCENT. MR. CARDOSO'S REFORMS HAVE BROUGHT AUSTERITY FOR ALL BRAZILIANS. THESE SACRIFICES ARE ALMOST SURE TO PAY DIVIDENDS FOR THE BETTER-OFF. BUT BRAZIL WILL NOT LIVE UP TO ITS POTENTIAL UNTIL THE BENEFITS ARE MORE JUSTLY SHARED.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL" TAKES NOTE OF THE RECENT ATTEMPT ON THE LIFE OF GEORGIA'S PRESIDENT EDWARD SHEVARDNADZE" AND WHAT HE FEELS WAS BEHIND THE AMBUSH, RUSSIAN INTRIGUE DUE TO THE REGION'S OIL RICHES.

VOICE: IF A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WONDERING WHAT ROLE THE RUSSIANS ARE PLAYING IN THIS LATEST FERMENT IN THE CAUCASUS, THEY HAVE REASONS. THE NEIGHBORING CASPIAN SEA REGION IS REGARDED AS ONE OF THE WORLD'S RICHEST SOURCES OF OIL AND GAS, WITH DEPOSITS WORTH TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THIS IS NOT A PRIZE THAT OLD RUSSIAN IMPERIALISTS ARE PLEASED TO SEE CONTROLLED BY THE LIKES OF AZERIS, TURKMENS AND KAZAKHS. ... OF COURSE, NO ONE CAN PROVE THAT THE ATTEMPT ON MR. SHEVARDNADZE ...WAS ORCHESTRATED IN MOSCOW. ... [BUT] ONE WAY FOR RUSSIA TO DISPEL SUCH SUSPICIONS AND ALLEGATIONS WOULD BE TO PROVIDE FULL SUPPORT TO GEORGIAN AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ...SILENCE FROM MOSCOW WOULD BE OMINOUS.

TEXT: THE REAPPEARANCE OF THE U-S FLAG IN TEHRAN, AND NOT IN A DEMONSTRATION WHERE IT WAS BURNED BY ANGRY PROTESTERS, IS DRAWING A RESPONSE FROM "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES."

VOICE: THE OCCASION -- A WRESTLING TOURNAMENT TO WHICH A U-S TEAM HAS BEEN INVITED -- IS ABOUT AS FAR REMOVED FROM THE WORLD OF DIPLOMACY AS IT IS POSSIBLE TO GET, BUT THE POLITICAL SYMBOLISM OF THE EVENT IS NOT LOST ON ANYONE, LEAST OF ALL IRAN'S MOST VOCAL AMERICAN-HATERS. ...THE GAME OF DIPLOMACY VERY OFTEN TURNS ON SIGNALS AND NUANCES, ON HINTS AND GESTURES AND WINKS AND NODS. SO LET THE GAME BEGIN.

TEXT: LASTLY, SOME THOUGHTS ON THE GLORY AND DISGRACE OF AMERICA'S TWO ICE HOCKEY TEAMS IN THE WINTER OLYMPICS FROM "THE MIAMI HERALD."

VOICE: THE FOG OF INDIFFERENCE TO THE 1998 WINTER OLYMPICS LIFTED BRIEFLY THIS WEEK, BLOWN ASIDE BY DISPARATE RESULT IN A SPORT THAT BLUE-COLLAR [WORKING MEN AND WOMEN] FANS CAN RELATE TO: ICE HOCKEY. FIRST, A U-S WOMEN'S TEAM OF HIGHLY MOTIVATED AMATEURS DEFEATED CANADA 3 TO 1 TO WIN THE GOLD. ALAS, U-S FANS' PRIDE IN THE WOMEN'S VICTORY WAS SOON ECLIPSED BY DISGUST AT AN UNDERACHIEVING MEN'S TEAM THAT COMPRISED PRO'S (PROFESSIONALS) DRAWN FROM THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE. THIS U-S 'DREAM TEAM' LOST ITS FIRST TEST, FELL INTO THE LOSERS' BRACKET, AND SANK. ... THE UNITED STATES MIGHT BE BETTER OFF NEXT TIME SENDING ANIMATED AMATEURS INSTEAD OF WORLD-WEARY PRO'S.

TEXT: ON THAT ATHLETIC, PHILOSOPHICAL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM SOME OF THURSDAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
19-Feb-98 3:16 PM EST (2016 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT IS EXPECTED TO DEBATE A CONTROVERSIAL REPORT ON THE FORCED MIGRATION OF CIVILIANS FROM THE COUNTRY'S MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST REGION. BUT NO DATE HAS YET BEEN SET. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA INTERVIEWED THE KURDISH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT WHO HEADED THE COMMISSION THAT PREPARED THE STUDY, AND SHE FILED THIS REPORT.

TEXT: TURKISH HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS SAY NEARLY THREE-MILLION KURDISH CIVILIANS HAVE BEEN FORCIBLY DISPLACED DURING THE 14-YEAR CONFLICT BETWEEN TURKISH SECURITY FORCES AND REBELS OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, OR P-K-K. MANY OF THE DISPLACED LIVE IN APPALLING CONDITIONS IN MAJOR CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. USUALLY THEY HAVE NO JOBS, NO PROPER HEALTH CARE, AND ARE NOT ABLE TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL.

HASHIM HASHIMI IS A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FROM THE MAINLY KURDISH PROVINCE OF DIYARBAKIR (FOR THE NOW BANNED PRO-ISLAMIC WELFARE PARTY). HE SAYS THE PRIMARY AIM OF THE THE REPORT -- WHICH HE WROTE WITH 12 OTHER LAWMAKERS -- WAS TO ESTABLISH WHY THESE PEOPLE WERE FORCED TO ABANDON THEIR HOMES AND TO FIND A WAY TO HELP THEM RETURN.

MR. HASHIMI SAYS THE MAJORITY OF VILLAGERS WERE FORCED TO LEAVE BY MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY FORCES.

TURKISH OFFICIALS HAVE LONG DEFENDED SUCH MEASURES, SAYING THE VILLAGERS WERE TARGETS FOR THE P-K-K. AND THE REPORT CONFIRMS THAT MANY OF THE DISPLACED FLED THEIR HOMES AFTER THE P-K-K RAIDED THEIR VILLAGES DEMANDING FOOD, SHELTER AND VOLUNTARY RECRUITS.

BUT HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS SAY THAT IN MOST CASES, TURKISH SECURITY TROOPS FORCED THE VILLAGERS OUT OF THEIR HOMES -- OFTEN AT GUNPOINT -- BECAUSE THEY WERE ACCUSED OF BEING EITHER SUPPORTERS OR ACTUAL MEMBERS OF THE P-K-K..

MR. HASHIMI SAYS OTHER VILLAGERS WERE FORCED TO LEAVE AFTER THEY REFUSED TO JOIN A STATE-RUN KURDISH MILITIA TO FIGHT AGAINST THE P-K-K.

HE ALSO SAYS GOVERNMENT FIGURES SHOW THAT ONLY 400-THOUSAND PEOPLE WERE UPROOTED FROM THEIR VILLAGES -- A FIGURE WHICH HE SAYS IS TOTALLY INACCURATE.

MR. HASHIMI SAYS IT WOULD BE -- IN HIS WORDS -- NAIVE TO ASSUME THAT THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT COULD EVER PROVIDE THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO PROVIDE FOR THE MILLIONS OF DISPLACED KURDS. BUT EVEN IF IT DID, MR. HASMIMI SAYS, THAT WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE ROOT OF THE KURDISH PROBLEM.

MR HASHIMI SAYS HE BELIEVES THAT UNTIL THE KURDISH CONFLICT ENDS AND PEACE IS ESTABLISHED IN THE SOUTHEAST THERE CAN BE NO HOPE FOR THE DISPLACED PEOPLE TO RETURN OR -- IF THEY DID RETURN -- FOR THEM NOT TO BE DISPLACED AGAIN.

MR. HASHIMI SAYS HE AND HIS FELLOW KURDS HAVE NO DESIRE TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE. BUT HE SAYS THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT MUST OFFICIALLY RECOGNISE THE COUNTRY'S ESTIMATED 12-MILLION KURDS AS A SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ETHNIC GROUP. AND HE SAYS IT MUST ALLOW KURDS TO PUBLISH, BROADCAST, AND EDUCATE THEIR CHILDREN IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE.

HE SAYS ANY STEP IN THIS DIRECTION WILL ESTABLISH WHAT HE DESCRIBES AS THE BASIS FOR A LASTING PEACE IN THE SOUTHEAST OF TURKEY. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH
19-Feb-98 11:34 AM EST (1634 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article