Voice of America, 98-02-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBRIGHT BOSNIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[02] CLINTON / IRELAND (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[03] E-U/HONG KONG BY ROGER WILKISON (HONG KONG)

[04] EDITORIAL: NEW MEMBERS FOR NATO

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

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

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

[08] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[09] TURKEY / RIGHTS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[01] ALBRIGHT BOSNIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC, MILORAD DODIK, HAS RECEIVED A WARM WELCOME AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT WITH PROMISES OF AMERICAN MONEY AND POLITICAL SUPPORT. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS RECEIVED AN OFFICIAL OF THE BOSNIAN SERB ENTITY AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT. IT WAS ALSO THE FIRST TIME THAT MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS FOUND A BOSNIAN SERB THAT SHE COULD AGREE WITH.

HER SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS SHE FOUND PRIME MINISTER DODIK A WELCOME VISITOR.

THEY HAD A VERY GOOD BUSINESSLIKE DISCUSSION. SECRETARY ALBRIGHT FELT LIKE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR HAD BLOWN THROUGH THE ROOM WITH REGARD TO BOSNIA.

THE REASON IS OBVIOUS. PRIME MINISTER DODIK TOLD THE SECRETARY OF STATE HE IS COMMITTED TO HELPING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MUSLIM AND CROAT REFUGEES RETURN TO THEIR HOMES IN THE SERBIAN ENTITY. HE ALSO AGREED WITH HER THAT ALL WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS SHOULD RECEIVE A TRIAL IN THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL.

FOR HER PART, THE SECRETARY OF STATE OFFERED FIVE MILLION DOLLARS IN AMERICAN ECONOMIC AID TO THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC. PRIME MINISTER DODIK SAYS THROUGH AN INTERPRETER HE NEEDS THE HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THERE IS TALK OF ABOUT FIVE MILLION DOLLARS OF URGENT AID TO THE GOVERNMENT OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA AND I HOPE THAT THIS MONEY WILL BE GIVEN TO US SOON.

IN ADDITION WITH AMERICAN HELP, MR. DODIK EXPECTS 45 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF ASSISTANCE FROM THE WORLD BANK FOR THREE PROJECTS IN THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC. THE FIVE MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION MUST BE APPROVED BY THE U-S CONGRESS.

SEVERAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HAVE WRITTEN THE SECRETARY OF STATE EXPRESSING THEIR CONCERN ABOUT A FEW MEMBERS OF MR. DODIK'S CABINET. THEY INCLUDE PETKO CHANCHAR, THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND MANOJLO MILOVANOVIC, THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE.

DURING THE WAR IN BOSNIA, MR. CHANCHAR WAS THE MAYOR OF FOCA IN EASTERN BOSNIA WHERE MUSLIMS WERE EXPELLED AND WOMEN WERE SYSTEMATICALLY RAPED. GENERAL MILOVANOVIC WAS THE DEPUTY TO THE FORMER BOSNIAN SERB COMMANDER, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC. GENERAL MLADIC HAS BEEN INDICTED IN THE HAGUE FOR WAR CRIMES.

MR. DODIK TOLD REPORTERS HE WANTS TO SEE EVIDENCE AGAINST THE CABINET MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN INDICTED.

THE SECRETARY (OF STATE) DID NOT MENTION THEM BUT WE ARE AWARE OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S POSITION TOWARDS THOSE PEOPLE AND I SAID THAT WITHIN THE UPCOMING MONTHS I WOULD NEED TO BE PRESENTED WITH SPECIFIC EVIDENCE OF THEIR PARTICIPATION IN WAR ACTIVITIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA.

MR. DODIK HAS AGREED TO CARRY OUT THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT INCLUDING OFFERING TO LET THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL OPEN A REGIONAL OFFICE IN BANJA LUKA. AID FROM ABROAD HAS BEEN WITHHELD TO THE SERBIAN ENTITY BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF ITS COOPERATION WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT.

THE BOSNIAN SERB PRIME MINISTER HAS THREATENED TO RESIGN IF THE PROMISES OF ECONOMIC AID FROM THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION ARE NOT CARRIED OUT. (SIGNED)
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20-Feb-98 5:25 PM EST (2225 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CLINTON / IRELAND (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS RENEWED HIS CALL ON ALL PARTIES TO THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS TO REJECT VIOLENCE, THIS IN RESPONSE TO THE DECISION BY THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS TO AT LEAST TEMPORARILY EJECT THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY'S POLITICAL WING -- SINN FEIN -- FROM THE TALKS. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON HAS MADE THE PURSUIT OF PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND A FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITY. AND HE ISSUED A STATEMENT HERE UPHOLDING THE DECISION TO SUSPEND SINN FEIN AFTER BRITAIN BLAMED THE I-R-A FOR TWO MURDERS IN BELFAST LAST WEEK.

THE PRESIDENT SAID THE DECISION SHOWS THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS ARE COMMITTED TO AN INCLUSIVE PEACE PROCESS, BUT ONE IN WHICH IT IS UNNACCEPTABLE TO MIX POLITICS AND VIOLENCE. HE SAID THE UNITED STATES STANDS WITH THOSE WHO SUPPORT PEACE AND AGAINST EXTREMISTS ON BOTH SIDES, AND HE CALLED ON SINN FEIN TO TAKE WHAT HE CALLED "THE NECESSARY STEPS" TO REJOIN THE TALKS.

SINN FEIN WOULD BE ALLOWED TO RETURN MARCH NINTH AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO NEW TERRORIST INCIDENTS. PRESIDENT CLINTON HOPES TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE LEADERS FROM ALL THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE TALKS AT A WHITE HOUSE EVENT CELEBRATING ST. PATRICKS DAY, MARCH 17TH. (SIGNED)
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20-Feb-98 3:11 PM EST (2011 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] E-U/HONG KONG BY ROGER WILKISON (HONG KONG)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION'S TOP TRADE OFFICIAL SAYS HE IS IMPRESSED BY THE WAY HONG KONG HAS MANAGED ITS TRANSITION TO CHINESE RULE AND KEPT ITS FINANCIAL SYSTEM OPEN AND WELL-REGULATED, DESPITE THE ASIAN ECONOMIC CRISIS. BUT, AS V-O-A'S ROGER WILKISON REPORTS, SIR LEON BRITTAN ALSO IS SUGGESTING THAT THE FORMER BRITISH COLONY MOVE MORE QUICKLY ON POLITICAL REFORM.

TEXT: MR. BRITTAN --THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION-- TOLD A GROUP OF HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN FRIDAY THAT DESPITE THE PAIN THE CHINESE TERRITORY IS FEELING FROM THE ASIAN CRISIS , ITS SOUND ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS AND FISCAL PRUDENCE WILL ALLOW IT TO WEATHER THE STORM.

MR. BRITTAN SAID HONG KONG WOULD HAVE SUFFERED MUCH MORE IF ITS ECONOMY -- CONSIDERED ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST OPEN -- WERE NOT SO WELL-REGULATED.

GIVEN ITS LONG-STANDING EXPERIENCE WITH OPEN FINANCE, HONG KONG IS WELL PLACED TO WARN OTHERS AGAINST REACTING TO THE CRISIS BY CLOSING THEIR MARKETS OR DELAYING MUCH-NEEDED REFORMS.

THE E-U OFFICIAL SAID THAT MANY COUNTRIES IN ASIA MISTAKENLY OPENED UP TO FOREIGN CAPITAL, WHILE KEEPING THEIR DOMESTIC BANKING AND SECURITIES MARKETS CLOSED TO FOREIGN COMPANIES. AND HE NOTED THAT, IN MANY CASES, THERE WAS NO SOUND, INDEPENDENT REGULATORY AUTHORITY TO OVERSEE THE WAY INVESTMENTS WERE BEING MADE.

MR.BRITTAN ARRIVED IN HONG KONG AFTER VISITING BEIJING, WHERE HE SOUGHT TO NARROW THE GAP BETWEEN THE E-U AND CHINA OVER CHINA'S EFFORT TO JOIN THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. HE SAID HE EXPECTS CHINA TO SUBMIT DETAILED TARIFF CUTS NEXT MONTH AND CALLED ON BEIJING TO LIFT RESTRICTIONS ON FREE TRADE IN SERVICES BY FOREIGN COMPANIES.

AS FAR AS MR. BRITTAN IS CONCERNED, HONG KONG HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN GETTING CHINA TO OPEN UP ITS ECONOMY.

HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC DYNAMISM AND THE WEALTH IT IS ALREADY BRINGING TO MUCH OF CHINA ITSELF HAS BEEN A DETERMINING FACTOR IN PERSUADING THE LEADERSHIP IN BEIJING OF THE VAST POTENTIAL BENEFITS ECONOMIC LIBERALIZATION COULD BRING TO THE WHOLE OF CHINA. HONG KONG HAS ALREADY BEEN A DYNAMIC FORCE FOR REFORM BEYOND ITS BOUNDARIES.

MR. BRITTAN PRAISED HONG KONG AND BEIJING FOR THE WAY THEY HAVE HANDLED THE TERRITORY'S REVERSION TO CHINA UNDER THE SO-CALLED ONE COUNTRY-TWO SYSTEMS PRINCIPLE, WHEREBY HONG KONG GETS TO KEEP ITS FREE MARKET SYSTEM AND ENJOY A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY. BUT HE TOLD REPORTERS HONG KONG MUST ALSO OPEN UP POLITICALLY.

I THINK AN EARLY POLITICAL COMMITMENT TO UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE BY A SPECIFIC AND NOT UNDULY DELAYED DATE WOULD BE A VERY USEFUL STEP FORWARD.

ALTHOUGH HONG KONG'S CHINA-APPROVED CONSTITUTION COMMITS THE TERRITORY TO EVENTUAL DEMOCRATIZATION, IT DOES NOT GIVE A TIME FRAME FOR ITS INTRODUCTION. IN THE YEAR 2004, ONLY HALF OF THE LEGISLATURE'S 60 SEATS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE DIRECTLY ELECTED. (SIGNED)
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20-Feb-98 6:27 AM EST (1127 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EDITORIAL: NEW MEMBERS FOR NATO

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:

THIS MONTH, PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON ASKED THE U.S. SENATE TO APPROVE THE ENTRY OF POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC INTO NATO. "THEIR ADDITION TO THE ALLIANCE," HE SAID, "IS NOT ONLY A PIVOTAL EVENT IN THE QUEST FOR FREEDOM AND SECURITY BY THEIR OWN PEOPLE; IT IS ALSO A MAJOR STRIDE FORWARD FOR AMERICA, FOR THE ALLIANCE AND FOR THE STABILITY AND UNITY OF ALL EUROPE."

THERE ARE COMPELLING REASONS FOR EXPANDING THE ALLIANCE. A LARGER NATO WILL BE A BETTER DETERRENT AGAINST POSSIBLE AGGRESSION IN THE FUTURE. AN EXPANDED ALLIANCE WILL ALSO MAKE EUROPE MORE STABLE. NATO CAN DO FOR EUROPE'S EAST WHAT IT DID FOR EUROPE'S WEST AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR: PROVIDE A SECURE CLIMATE IN WHICH DEMOCRACY AND PROSPERITY CAN GROW. THE PROSPECT OF NATO MEMBERSHIP HAS ALREADY HELPED LEAD COUNTRIES IN CENTRAL EUROPE TO IMPROVE TIES WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS AND TO SETTLE BORDER AND ETHNIC DISPUTES.

NATO'S GROWTH WILL ERASE THE ARTIFICIAL LINE IN EUROPE DRAWN BY SOVIET DICTATOR JOSEF STALIN. IT HAS BEEN NEARLY A DECADE SINCE THE BERLIN WALL WAS TORN DOWN BY BRAVE PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES. COUNTRIES ONCE CONFINED BY IT ARE NOW FREE. THEY SHARE DEMOCRATIC AND FREE-MARKET VALUES AND A RECORD OF STANDING UP FOR PEACE AND SECURITY BEYOND THEIR OWN BORDERS.

BUILDING A NEW EUROPE DEPENDS IN PART ON KEEPING NATO'S DOOR OPEN TO OTHER QUALIFIED EUROPEAN DEMOCRACIES. THE REALM OF FREEDOM IN EUROPE SHOULD HAVE NO FIXED BOUNDARIES.

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.
20-Feb-98 10:27 AM EST (1527 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES CLOSED UP IN TRADING IN EUROPE ON FRIDAY. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: PRICES ROSE TO RECORD OR NEAR-RECORD LEVELS ON EUROPEAN MARKETS. LONDON, AMSTERDAM, AND MADRID SET NEW RECORDS. PARIS, FRANKFURT, STOCKHOLM, ZURICH ARE CLOSE TO THEIR ALL-TIME HIGHS. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX CLOSED UP MORE THAN 33 POINTS, ALMOST SIX-TENTHS PERCENT.

IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX INDEX ROSE FOURTH-TENTHS PERCENT IN FLOOR TRADING. THE DAX WAS UP FRACTIONALLY, ABOUT TWO POINTS, IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING.

AND IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX WAS UP 12 POINTS, ALMOST FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR ROSE SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND THE JAPANESE YEN. BUT IT WAS DOWN A BIT AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.
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20-Feb-98 2:03 PM EST (1903 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: A WIDE ARRAY OF TOPICS IS UNDER DISCUSSION IN FRIDAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS, WITH THE IRAQI - U-S CONFLICT STILL AT THE TOP OF MANY EDITORIAL COLUMNS. OTHER TOPICS DRAWING COMMENT INCLUDE THE SPECTER OF DOMESTIC TERRORISM; FALTERING PEACE TALKS IN NORTHERN IRELAND; THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPROVED RELATIONS BETWEEN THE KOREAS; INDONESIA'S FINANCIAL MESS; AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A NEW LAW TO CONTROL AGGRESSIVE PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS, KNOWN AS PAPARAZZI.

NOW HERE IS ___________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE NATION'S MAJOR DAILIES ARE STILL REACTING TO A RAUCOUS PUBLIC MEETING WEDNESDAY AT OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY IN COLUMBUS, WHERE TOP GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TRIED TO EXPLAIN AND DEFEND THE POLICY OF THREATENING A MILITARY STRIKE AGAINST IRAQ. THE OFFICIALS WERE BOMBARDED WITH HOSTILE QUESTIONS AND CHANTS FROM A SMALL, BUT VOCAL ANTI-WAR GROUP. TODAY'S "OMAHA [NEBRASKA] WORLD-HERALD" SAYS IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE: "IT'S PRESIDENT'S DUTY TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OVER POLICY ON IRAQ."

VOICE: THE WHITE HOUSE LEARNED A HARD LESSON WEDNESDAY: AMERICANS HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION'S INTENTIONS IN IRAQ, AND SOME PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO BE SATISFIED WITH EVASIVE ANSWERS. THE ADMINISTRATION SENT SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM COHEN AND NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER SANDY BERGER TO ... PERSUADE AMERICANS AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL OF THE NEED TO STRIKE IRAQ FROM THE AIR. ...... PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS USED TOWN MEETINGS TO ADVANTAGE IN THE PAST. BUT HIS PREVIOUS EVENTS WERE MORE CAREFULLY CHOREOGRAPHED. THE AUDIENCES WERE SCREENED. THE PROGRAMS WERE SCRIPTED TO AVOID EMBARRASSING QUESTIONS. THE EVENTS MORE CLOSELY RESEMBLED POLITICAL COMMERCIALS, WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE AS PROPS. THE OHIO STATE EVENT WAS DIFFERENT. .... A PERSISTENT, RESTLESS MURMUR, PUNCTUATED BY OCCASIONAL SHOUTS, RAN THROUGH THE CROWD, A MAJORITY OF WHICH SEEMED TO FAVOR AIR STRIKES OR BE NEUTRAL. SOME PEOPLE SEEMED UPSET WITH THE OFFICIALS' RESPONSES.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST," NOTING FIRST, A SECOND, AND MUCH MORE SUCCESSFUL, FORAY BY MS. ALBRIGHT ONTO A COLLEGE CAMPUS, HAS THIS TO SAY ABOUT THE OHIO STATE APPEARANCE.

VOICE: THE ADMINISTRATION IS RIGHT TO SEEK TO EXPLAIN ITS IRAQ POLICY TO THE PUBLIC, BUT IT WAS WRONG TO STAGE A GIMMICKY, CAMPAIGN-STYLE RALLY FOR WHAT IS DECIDEDLY NOT A POLITICAL, CAMPAIGN-STYLE ISSUE.

TEXT: AND OF KOFI ANNAN'S TRIP TO BAGHDAD, SEEKING A LAST-MINUTE COMPROMISE WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: DIPLOMATIC HANDICAPPERS ARE NOT GIVING THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL ..... MUCH CHANCE OF RESOLVING THE IRAQ CRISIS DURING HIS MISSION TO BAGHDAD THIS WEEKEND. BUT THE SHAPE OF A PLAUSIBLE AGREEMENT, THOUGH LARGELY UNNOTICED, CAN BE FOUND IN INSPECTION ARRANGEMENTS ONCE ACCEPTED BY BOTH IRAQ AND THE UNITED STATES. IF RECONSTITUTED AND REAFFIRMED, THEY COULD GIVE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS THE UNRESTRICTED ACCESS THEY MUST HAVE, WHILE HONORING IRAQ'S CLAIM OF SOVEREIGN DIGNITY AT NATIONAL PALACES AND OTHER LOCATIONS NOW OFF LIMITS TO INSPECTION. /// OPT /// IF SADDAM HUSSEIN'S REAL CONCERN IS NOT SOVEREIGN DIGNITY BUT FREEDOM TO DEVELOP BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS IN SECRECY, MR. ANNAN WILL RETURN EMPTY-HANDED AND MILITARY ACTION WILL COMMENCE. BUT IF THE IRAQI LEADER SEEKS AN INSPECTION REGIME THAT TAKES IRAQI PRIDE INTO ACCOUNT, IT IS WITHIN REACH. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: WITH THE U-S ON THE VERGE OF A MILITARY STRIKE IN ORDER TO FORCE INSPECTION OF CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS SITES IN IRAQ, THERE IS IRONY TO THE ARREST OF TWO AMERICANS IN LAS VEGAS THURSDAY AS "THE NEW YORK POST" NOTES, COMMENTING ON THE OFTEN-UNREPORTED ANTI-TERRORISM SUCCESSES OF U-S LAW ENFORCEMENT.

VOICE: SOMETIMES .... ANTI-TERRORIST EFFORTS DO COME TO LIGHT. THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY WHEN TWO INDIVIDUALS IDENTIFIED AS HAVING TIES WITH WHITE SUPREMACISTS WERE ARRESTED .... AND CHARGED WITH POSSESSING A DANGEROUS BIOLOGICAL AGENT. SOME REPORTS SAY THAT AGENT IS ANTHRAX, THE KILLER THAT HAS RECENTLY BECOME THE STUFF OF NIGHTMARES BECAUSE SADDAM HUSSEIN MAY HAVE QUITE A LOT OF IT. .... MOST EFFORTS TO THWART TERRORISM ..... RELY ON HIGH-TECH INFORMATION-GATHERING OF THE SORT THAT MAKES CIVIL LIBERTARIANS SO QUEASY ..... IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW HOW MANY ATTACKS HAVE DIED ABORNING DUE TO THESE NOBLE EFFORTS .....

TEXT: MOVING ON TO A EUROPEAN TROUBLE SPOT, NORTHERN IRELAND, AND THE FALTERING PEACE TALKS THERE AFTER TWO RECENT, I-R-A RELATED MURDERS, "NEWSDAY" PLEADS TO "LET TEMPERS COOL, THEN RESUME [THE] IRISH PEACE TALKS." AND IN MAINE, HOME STATE OF EX-SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL, THE TALK'S MODERATOR, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" SAYS THE CURRENT SITUATION IS TAXING HIS SKILLS TO THE UTMOST.

VOICE: FORMER SENATOR ... MITCHELL WILL NEED ALL THE NEGOTIATING SKILLS FOR WHICH HE IS FAMOUS TO RESOLVE THE LATEST GLITCH IN PEACE TALKS ..... THE MITCHELL COMMISSION CHAIRMAN GRANTED A SERIES OF ADJOURNMENTS THIS WEEK TO SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL ARM OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, SO IT COULD ARGUE AGAINST EXPULSION FROM THE TALKS BEFORE THE IRISH SUPREME COURT. ..... IT IS PRECISELY GEORGE MITCHELL'S ABILITY TO CUT THROUGH SUCH DIFFICULTIES THAT MADE THE TWO GOVERNMENTS WANT HIM FOR THE JOB. IF ANYONE CAN DO IT, THE FEELING GOES, HE CAN.

TEXT: AND IN ASIA, MORE SIGNS OF THAW BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT'S OF SEOUL AND PYONGYANG, AS NOTED BY "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES."

VOICE: IN A POSSIBLY MAJOR POLICY SHIFT, NORTH KOREA SAYS IT IS READY TO TALK WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT-ELECT KIM DAE JUNG, WITH THE AIM OF PROMOTING 'COEXISTENCE, CO-PROSPERITY, COMMON INTERESTS, MUTUAL COLLABORATION AND UNITY BETWEEN FELLOW COUNTRYMEN.' [MR.] KIM TAKES OFFICE NEXT WEEK, AND HIS .... PARTY HAS ALREADY WELCOMED PYONGYANG'S OVERTURE. IF IT IN FACT SIGNIFIES A READINESS FOR CHANGE, THE WAY COULD BE OPEN FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED IMPROVEMENT IN RELATIONS AFTER MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF ANIMOSITY. BUT THAT 'IF' LOOMS LARGE .....

TEXT: STILL IN ASIA, REACTING TO THE LATEST OBJECTIONS BY SUHARTO, INDONESIA'S RULER, TO CALLS FOR REFORM BY THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND, "PORTLAND'S [MAINE] PRESS HERALD" COMMENTS:

VOICE: A MONTH AGO THE I-M-F AGREED TO BACK A 40-BILLION DOLLAR PLAN FOR RESCUING INDONESIA IN EXCHANGE FOR PROMISES OF REFORM FROM INDONESIAN PRESIDENT SUHARTO. ..... UNFORTUNATELY, [MR.] SUHARTO WANTS TO ARTIFICIALLY INCREASE THE VALUE OF THE RUPIAH, AN ACTION IN DEFIANCE OF THE TERMS SET DOWN BY THE I-M-F. THIS ATTEMPT TO PROP UP INDONESIA'S CURRENCY IS DOOMED TO FAILURE AND IS LIKELY TO DRAIN INDONESIA OF ITS REMAINING FINANCIAL RESOURCES, COLLAPSING ITS BANKS AND SHUTTING OUT FOREIGN INVESTMENT. ..... SHOULD [MR.] SUHARTO PUSH AHEAD WITH HIS CURRENCY PLAN, THE I-M-F SHOULD ABANDON ITS RESCUE OF INDONESIA'S ECONOMY.

TEXT: LASTLY, TODAY'S "ORLANDO SENTINEL" COMMENTS THAT A PROPOSED FEDERAL LAW TO RESTRICT THE ACTIONS OF THE MOST AGGRESSIVE NEWS PHOTOGRAPHERS AS THEY PURSUE CELEBRITIES IS A WASTE OF TIME SINCE SUFFICIENT LAWS ARE ALREADY IN EXISTENCE.

VOICE: .... THE PROPOSED [FEDERAL] LAW IS NOT NEEDED. ..... PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO ARE SO IRRESPONSIBLE OR AGGRESSIVE THAT THEIR BEHAVIOR BECOMES PHYSICALLY THREATENING DESERVE TO BE ARRESTED AND PUNISHED. MAKING THAT A FEDERAL CASE WOULD ACHIEVE NOTHING.

TEXT:ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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20-Feb-98 11:02 AM EST (1602 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (FRIDAY) IN SOME LATE SESSION BUYING. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 84 HUNDRED 13, UP 38 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 43 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT ONE THOUSAND 34, UP SIX, POINTS.

STOCK PRICES WERE DOWN FOR MUCH OF THE DAY UNTIL A SURGE OF LATE SESSION BUYING LIFTED THE INDEXES.

MANY ANALYSTS, SUCH AS PHIL ROTH OF THE MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT COMPANY, SAY THE STOCK MARKET MAY BE OVERBOUGHT AT THE MOMENT.

THE MARKET IS EXTENDED. AN OVERBOUGHT CONDITION MEANS YOU SHOULD EXPECT A CONSOLIDATION OR A PULL-BACK OR A TEMPORARY REACTION.

BUT MR. ROTH SAYS HE DOES NOT BELIEVE THE LONG-TERM UPWARD TREND IN U-S STOCK PRICES IS OVER. HOWEVER, OTHER ANALYSTS SAY THE BEST VALUES NOW WILL BE IN STOCKS OF SMALLER COMPANIES WHICH HAVE NOT ENJOYED THE RECENT GAINS OF LARGE COMPANY STOCKS.

COLUMBIA H-C-A, THE GIANT U-S HOSPITAL CHAIN WHICH IS NOW UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR FRAUD, SAYS IT WILL SELL ITS PHARMACY BENEFIT COMPANY TO THE EXPRESS SCRIPTS CORPORATION FOR 445 MILLION DOLLARS. THE SALE IS PART OF A MAJOR RESTRUCTURING ORDERED BY NEW MANAGEMENT WHICH WAS INSTALLED AFTER THE FRAUD INVESTIGATION BEGAN.

THE WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES AT NAGANO, JAPAN, HAVE DRAWN LARGE AUDIENCES FOR THE C-B-S TELEVISION NETWORK WHICH PAID 375 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE RIGHTS TO BROADCAST THE GAMES. BUT BROADCAST ANALYSTS SAY THE NETWORK MAY HAVE MADE A MISTAKE BY GUARANTEEING ADVERTISERS THAT 30 PERCENT OF AMERICAN TELEVISION VIEWERS WOULD WATCH THE GAMES. THE ACTUAL SHARE HAS FALLEN SHORT AND C-B-S HAS BEEN FORCED TO PROVIDE ADVERTISERS WITH FREE TIME FOR THEIR COMMERCIALS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
20-Feb-98 4:58 PM EST (2158 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: SINN FEIN -- THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY -- HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FROM THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE TALKS. BUT AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON, AS ONE PARTY LEAVES THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS, ANOTHER ONE RE-ENTERS IT.

TEXT: THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED THEIR LONG-AWAITED DECISION TO TEMPORARILY EXPEL SINN FEIN FROM THE ON-GOING TALKS ABOUT THE POLITICAL FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND.

THEIR DECISION WAS BASED ON AN ASSESSMENT MADE EARLIER THIS MONTH BY SENIOR POLICE CHIEFS THAT THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY WAS INVOLVED IN TWO RECENT MURDERS IN BELFAST.

FLANKED BY IRISH FOREIGN MINISTER DAVID ANDREWS, THE SENIOR BRITISH MINISTER IN CHARGE OF NORTHERN IRELAND -- MO MOWLAM -- TOLD REPORTERS SINN FEIN IS BARRED FROM THE NEGOTIATING FORUM FOR JUST OVER TWO WEEKS.

SUBJECT -- CRUCIALLY -- TO EVENTS ON THE GROUND AND TO CONVINCING DEMONSTRATION IN WORD AND DEED THAT A COMPLETE, UNQUALIFIED AND UNEQUIVOCAL I-R-A CEASEFIRE IS BEING FULLY AND CONTINUOUSLY OBSERVED, IT IS THE EXPECTATIONS OF BOTH GOVERNMENTS THAT SINN FEIN WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN TO THE TALKS ON THE NINTH OF MARCH. WE WILL MAINTAIN CONTACTS WITH SINN FEIN IN THE MEANTIME.

FOR HIS PART, MR. ANDREWS SAID THE DECISION TO TEMPORARILY BAR SINN FEIN WAS FAIR AND BALANCED.

THAT VIEW WAS REJECTED BY SINN FEIN PRESIDENT GERRY ADAMS WHO DESCRIBED HIS PARTY'S EXPULSION AS DISGRACEFUL, UNFAIR, AND UNDEMOCRATIC. HE TOLD REPORTERS THE DECISION MEANS THE 175-THOUSAND PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR SINN FEIN IN BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS LAST YEAR NOW HAVE NO VOICE IN THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS.

THE ANGER AT THE INDICTMENT AGAINST US IS PALPABLE, PARTICULARLY IN NATIONALIST AREAS THROUGHOUT THE NORTH -- AND IT IS EVIDENT THROUGHOUT IRELAND. AND I WANT TO APPEAL TO EVERYONE TO STAY CALM, TO CHANNEL THEIR ANGER AND THEIR FRUSTRATION -- IF THEY WISH TO -- INTO CALM AND DISCIPLINED PROTESTS.

DESPITE THE DECISION TO SUSPEND SINN FEIN, MR. ADAMS SAID HIS PARTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO THE PEACE PROCESS -- AND HE CALLED FOR URGENT MEETINGS WITH THE BRITISH AND IRISH PRIME MINISTERS TO DISCUSS WHAT HE CALLED THE CRISIS CREATED BY SINN FEIN'S EXPULSION. MEANWHILE, AS SINN FEIN EXITS, ANOTHER POLITICAL PARTY RE-ENTERS THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS. AT THE END OF JANUARY, THE SMALL PRO-BRITISH "ULSTER DEMOCRATIC PARTY" WAS THROWN OUT AFTER ITS PARAMILITARY WING KILLED SEVERAL PEOPLE. AFTER A FOUR WEEK SUSPENSION, IT WILL REGAIN ITS PLACE AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE WHEN THE TALKS RESUME IN BELFAST NEXT MONDAY.

U-D-P LEADER GARY MCMICHAEL TOLD BRITISH RADIO HE IS NOT HAPPY HIS PARTY WAS EXPELLED FOR FOUR WEEKS WHILE SINN FEIN IS EXCLUDED FOR JUST OVER TWO WEEKS.

I THINK THE ISSUE HERE IS THAT THOSE WITHIN THE LOYALIST AND UNIONIST COMMUNITY WILL LOOK AT THIS AND SAY TO THEMSELVES -- HOW DID THE GOVERNMENT COME TO THIS DECISION? AND THE REASON, QUITE FRANKLY, IS BECAUSE OF POLITICAL PRESSURE. AND THE PRESSURE HAS ALREADY BEEN MOUNTED FOR SINN FEIN TO BE INCLUDED BACK INTO THE TALKS PROCESS REGARDLESS OF ANY OTHER CONSIDERATION IN ORDER THAT THEY WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO SEND GERRY ADAMS TO THE WHITE HOUSE ON THE 17TH OF MARCH TO A SAINT PATRICK'S DAY FUNCTION.

ALL THE MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND THE MARCH 17TH FESTIVITIES AT THE WHITE HOUSE. BUT OBSERVERS HERE SAY IT WOULD BE A MAJOR POLITICAL BLUNDER FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON TO HAVE AMONG THOSE ATTENDING, POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVES OF TERRORIST GROUPS WHO ARE CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN KILLING CIVILIANS. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/JWH/JO
20-Feb-98 12:26 PM EST (1726 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] TURKEY / RIGHTS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: THE U-S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS SAYS HE HAS FOUND WHAT HE CALLS AN OVERALL IMPROVEMENT IN THE CLIMATE FOR FREE DEBATE IN TURKEY. BUT AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, THE U-S OFFICIAL, JOHN SHATTUCK, SAYS TURKEY NEEDS TO DO MORE TO IMPROVE ITS HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD.

TEXT: MR. SHATTUCK TOLD A NEWS CONFERENCE THAT IN ORDER FOR TURKEY TO BECOME A STRONG DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY, IT NEEDS TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION.

HE ALSO SAID THAT TURKEY MUST END THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IN ITS MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST REGION -- THE SITE OF A 14-YEAR KURDISH REBELLION. AND HE SAID IT MUST REFORM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO MORE CLEARLY PROHIBIT AND PUNISH THE USE OF TORTURE

WESTERN GOVERNMENTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS HAVE STRONGLY CRITICIZED TURKEY'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD. ABOUT 35 TURKISH JOURNALISTS REMAIN IN JAIL FOR EXPRESSING VIEWS DEEMED HARMFUL TO THE TURKISH STATE. TURKEY'S CONSTITUTIONAL COURT LAST MONTH BANNED THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST POLITICAL PARTY, THE ISLAMIC WELFARE PARTY, ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT HAD VIOLATED THE PRO-SECULAR PROVISIONS OF THE TURKISH CONSTITUTION.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE PRO-KURDISH DEMOCRACY PARTY HADEP, INCLUDING ITS LEADER, MURAT BOZLAK, WERE JAILED FOR PROMOTING KURDISH SEPARATISM BY PUBLISHING A CALENDAR WHICH ALLEGEDLY CONTAINED A MAP OF AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE WITHIN TURKEY'S EXISTING BORDERS.

THE U-S CONGRESS -- CITING TURKEY'S HUMAN RIGHTS PERFORMANCE -- LAST YEAR STOPPED THE DELIVERY OF VARIOUS MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO TURKEY INCLUDING FOUR FRIGATES ORDERED AND PAID FOR BY THE TURKISH NAVY.

BUT MR. SHATTUCK SOUNDED A POSITIVE NOTE, SAYING TURKEY'S HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IS NOW MORE OPENLY AND FREELY DISCUSSED AT EVERY LEVEL OF SOCIETY. AND HE SAID TURKEY'S GOVERNMENT HAS ATTACHED MUCH IMPORTANCE TO CURBING ABUSES. BUT HE STOPPED SHORT OF SAYING REAL PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE.

DURING HIS FOUR DAYS IN TURKEY, MR. SHATTUCK MET WITH SENIOR TURKISH OFFICIALS INCLUDING PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ AS WELL AS WITH MEMBERS OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS. ON SATURDAY, MR. SHATTUCK, WILL BE VISITING JAILED DISSIDENTS INCLUDING THE KURDISH PARLIAMENTARIAN LEYLA ZANA. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/PLM
20-Feb-98 2:14 PM EST (1914 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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