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Voice of America, 98-03-02Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)DATE=3/2/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227469 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES CLOSED HIGHER IN TRADING MONDAY IN EUROPE. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON. TEXT: PRICES CLOSED AT RECORD HIGHS ON ALL MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS -- LONDON, FRANKFURT, AND PARIS. SEVERAL SMALLER MARKETS AMSTERDAM, MILAN, MADRID, STOCKHOLM, AND ZURICH -- ALSO SET NEW HIGHS. IN FRANKFURT, THE FLOOR TRADING DAY ENDED WITH THE MARKET UP SIX-TENTHS PERCENT. THE TREND CONTINUED IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING, WITH THE DAX INDEX UP ALMOST 88 POINTS, ONE-AND-NINE-TENTHS PERCENT. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX ROSE MORE THAN 53 POINTS, JUST OVER NINE-TENTHS PERCENT. AND, IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX ALSO ENDED UP -- ALMOST 25 POINTS, SEVEN-TENTHS PERCENT. ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR WAS
DOWN SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN, THE GERMAN MARK, AND THE
BRITISH POUND.
[02] GEORGIA PIPELNE (L ONLY) BY SELENA WILLIAMS (TBILISI)DATE=3/2/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227470 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE CHEVRON OIL COMPANY HAS SIGNED A PIPELINE DEAL WITH THE GEORGIAN GOVERNMENT TO TRANSPORT CRUDE OIL FROM LARGE DEPOSITS IN KAZAKHSTAN TO INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. SELINA WILLIAMS REPORTS FROM TBILISI TEXT: THE AGREEMENT SIGNED MONDAY IS TO REPAIR A 232-KILOMETER STRETCH OF AN EXISTING SOVIET PIPELINE IN GEORGIA AND TO BUILD A NEW SECTION OF ABOUT 500 KILOMETERS TO AZERBAIJAN. IT IS YET ANOTHER TRIUMPH FOR GEORGIA IN THE BATTLE FOR PIPELINES. THIS FORMER SOVIET REPUBLIC HAS BEEN PROMOTING ITSELF AS A STABLE TRANSPORT CORRIDOR BETWEEN EUROPE AND ASIA AND IS BECOMING AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT REGIONAL PLAYER IN THE SEARCH FOR EXPORT ROUTES FOR OIL AND GAS FROM THE LANDLOCKED CENTRAL ASIAN STATES. OPERATORS OF THE PIPELINE SAID THE NEW LINE WOULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN ONE-AND-ONE-HALF YEARS AND COULD CARRY UP TO SEVEN-MILLION TONS OF OIL ANNUALLY -- AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO AZERBAIAJAN'S EXPECTED PEAK PRODUCTION FIVE YEARS FROM NOW. CHEVRON BEGAN SHIPPING MODEST AMOUNTS OF OIL FROM THEIR GIANT TENGIZ FIELDS IN KAZAKHSTAN THROUGH GEORGIA IN 1996. LAST YEAR, CHEVRON SENT ONE-MILLION TONS OF CRUDE BY BARGE TO AZERBAIJAN AND BY RAIL TO THE GEORGIAN PORT OF BATUMI. IT PREDICTS AN INCREASE IN SHIPMENTS THIS YEAR. GEORGIA IS CURRENTLY RENOVATING ONE OIL PIPELINE THAT WILL START TO CARRY OIL BY THE END OF THIS YEAR FROM AZERBAIJAN'S FIRST INTERNATIONAL OIL CONSORTIUM TO A PORT ON THE BLACK SEA. INDUSTRY OBSERVERS SAY THE ADDITION OF A NEW PIPELINE INCREASES GEORGIA'S CHANCES FOR BIGGER DEALS. GEORGIA IS COMPETING WITH RUSSIA TO WIN THE BIG PRIZE OF A MAIN EXPORT PIPELINE FROM AZERBAIJAN TO INTERNATIONAL MARKETS THAT COULD BRING THE VICTOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS A YEAR IN REVENUES. RUSSIA WOULD LIKE ALL EXPORT ROUTES FOR OIL AND GAS FROM MINERAL-RICH CENTRAL ASIA TO CROSS ITS TERRITORY. BUT SOME EXPERTS SAY THEY FEAR THIS WOULD GIVE RUSSIA TOO MUCH POWER AND INFLUENCE OVER THE REGION. U-S ENERGY SECRETARY FEDERICO PENA LAST YEAR BACKED A ROUTE
THROUGH GEORGIA, ENDING AT TURKEY'S MEDITERRANEAN PORT OF CEYHAN.
(SIGNED)
[03] GERMANY / ELECTION (L) BY KYLE KING (BONN)DATE=3/2/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227463 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: GERMANY'S OPPOSITION SOCIAL DEMOCRATS HAVE NOMINATED A POPULAR STATE GOVERNOR, GERHARD SCHROEDER, AS THEIR CANDIDATE TO RUN AGAINST CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL IN SEPTEMBER. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING IN BONN REPORTS MR. SCHROEDER'S NOMINATION CAME ONE DAY AFTER HE WON AN IMPRESSIVE RE-ELECTION VICTORY IN HIS HOME STATE OF LOWER SAXONY. TEXT: SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS NOMINATION AS THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR CHANCELLOR, MR. SCHROEDER SAID AGAIN THAT HIS STUNNING WIN IN SUNDAY'S ELECTION WAS MORE THAN HE HAD DREAMED OF. HE SAID CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL -- WITH HIS STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE LOSING CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY CANDIDATE -- HAD TURNED THE STATE ELECTION INTO A REFERENDUM ON NATIONAL POLITICAL CHANGE. /// SCHROEDER ACT - GERMAN - FADES UNDER ///WHAT THE ELECTION SHOWED, MR. SCHROEDER SAID, IS THAT DESPITE CHANCELLOR KOHL'S HISTORIC SUCCESS, VOTERS DO NOT BELIEVE HE IS THE MAN TO LEAD GERMANY INTO THE NEXT CENTURY. MR. SCHROEDER, WHO IS FREQUENTLY COMPARED WITH BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR BECAUSE OF HIS MODERATE PRO-BUSINESS VIEWS, IS HOPING TO BRING HIS PARTY BACK FROM FOUR STRAIGHT LOSSES TO CHANCELLOR KOHL. MR. KOHL, WHO HAS HELD OFFICE FOR 16 YEARS, SAID HE WAS DISAPPOINTED BY HIS PARTY'S PERFORMANCE IN SUNDAY'S VOTE, BUT HE QUICKLY REJECTED ANY SPECULATION HE WOULD NOT BE HIS PARTY'S CANDIDATE IN UPCOMING ELECTIONS. /// KOHL ACT - GERMAN - FADE UNDER ///WE WILL FIGHT WITH ALL OUR POWER TO WIN THE ELECTION, MR. KOHL SAID, AND WE HAVE A GOOD CHANCE. WITH UNEMPLOYMENT IN GERMANY RUNNING AT HISTORIC HIGHS, AND
OPINION POLLS SHOWING MR. KOHL'S POPULARITY SAGGING, MANY
ANALYSTS SAY MR. SCHROEDER IS THE CANDIDATE WITH THE BEST CHANCE
OF WINNING THE FALL ELECTION. (SIGNED)
[04] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=03/02/98TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-10596 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= ///// EDS: DATED AFTER 10 P-M E-S-T ! ! /////INTRO: A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS ARE DRAWING COMMENT IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF MONDAY'S U-S PRESS. THEY INCLUDE THE REFINING OF POLICY TOWARD IRAQ; THE NEW PRESIDENT IN SOUTH KOREA; RISING TENSION IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE; THE QUEBEC SECESSION SAGA IN CANADA AND THE FAILURE OF U-S STUDENTS TO DO WELL IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS. NOW, JOINING US IN THE STUDIO IS _______________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" IS CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THE AGREEMENT WITH IRAQ THAT FORESTALLED A MILITARY ATTACK WILL BEAR UP UNDER SCRUTINY. VOICE: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN'S AGREEMENT WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN WILL BE PUT TO THE TEST IN COMING DAYS, WEEKS AND MONTHS, AS PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS SAID. THE MERITS OF THE AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN GREATLY EXAGGERATED BY ADMINISTRATION ADVOCATES. THEY ASK THOSE WHO QUESTION IT IF THEY WOULD HAVE PREFERRED WAR. THEY DO NOT SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT CRITICS HAVE SAID NOT THAT THEY WOULD PREFER WAR BUT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE PREFERRED A BETTER AGREEMENT. NEVERTHELESS, AT LEAST FOR THE MOMENT, THE AGREEMENT DEFUSED A CRISIS IN WHICH MR. CLINTON FOUND HIMSELF FACED WITH A RANGE OF UNATTRACTIVE OPTIONS -- AND IT OFFERS SOME TIME TO DEVELOP A STRATEGY THAT MIGHT LEAVE THE UNITED STATES IN A BETTER POSITION IF, AS SEEMS LIKELY, SADDAM HUSSEIN TESTS THE U-N'S RESOLVE AGAIN. TEXT: "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE IS COMMENTING ON WHAT IT CALLS "SOUTH KOREA'S FRESH START" WITH A NEW PRESIDENT. VOICE: THE INAUGURATION OF KIM DAE JUNG AS PRESIDENT OF SOUTH KOREA IS THE MOST EXCITING DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION SINCE NELSON MANDELA WAS SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA IN 1994. THE TWO HAVE MUCH IN COMMON, NOT LEAST THE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLY HIGH EXPECTATIONS GREETING THEM. ... IN HIS INAUGURATION SPEECH, MR. KIM PLEDGED TO MAKE KOREAN DEMOCRACY MORE PARTICIPATORY. ...HIS INITIAL ACTIONS GIVE HOPE FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN SOUTH KOREA AND RECONCILIATION WITH NORTH KOREA. BUT THE HONEYMOON COULD BE SHORT WITHOUT PROGRESS ON ALL FRONTS. SUCH ARE THE EXPECTATIONS HE CARRIES. TEXT: ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GLOBE, INCREASING TENSION, AND NOW BLOODSHED, IN THE ALBANIAN-POPULATED YUGOSLAV [YUGOSLAVIA IS STILL THE OFFICIAL NAME OF THE NATION FORMED OF THE REPUBLICS OF SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO, AND THE AUTONOMOUS PROVINCE OF KOSOVO] PROVINCE OF KOSOVO, PROMPTS THIS RESPONSE FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES." VOICE: RISING VIOLENCE IN THE KOSOVO PROVINCE OF SERBIA HAS DANGEROUS IMPLICATIONS NOT ONLY FOR KOSOVO, BUT ALSO FOR ITS NEIGHBORS. ETHNIC ALBANIANS MAKE UP 90-PERCENT OF KOSOVO'S POPULATION, BUT THEY SUFFER SEVERE REPRESSION AT THE HANDS OF SERBIA'S GOVERNMENT. IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS A VIOLENT GROUP OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS, THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, HAS STEPPED UP ITS TERRORIST ATTACKS IN KOSOVO, AND CLAIMED CREDIT FOR TWO BOMBINGS IN THE NEIGHBORING COUNTRY OF MACEDONIA. THAT IS WHY A SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION THAT CUTS OFF THE PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN MACEDONIA IN AUGUST IS A MISTAKE. ...THE SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT EVENTS IN KOSOVO, WHICH ARE A MORE DIRECT DANGER. NEW PEACEKEEPERS, POSSIBLY UNDER THE AUSPICES OF NATO AND THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, MUST COME IN WHEN THE U-N MISSION LEAVES. TEXT: TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IS DEALING WITH THE SEEMINGLY ENDLESS QUESTION NORTH OF THE BORDER, OF QUEBEC SECESSION FROM CANADA, WHICH IS CURRENT UNDERGOING A LEGAL CHALLENGE. VOICE: ONE OF THE WORLD'S LONG-RUNNING POLITICAL DRAMAS, QUEBEC SEPARATISM, REACHED ANOTHER CLIMAX LATE IN FEBRUARY WITH ARGUMENTS BEFORE CANADA'S SUPREME COURT ON THE QUESTION OF SUCCESSION. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ITSELF PUT FORWARD THE QUESTION, ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION ON THREE POINTS OF LAW: (ONE) CAN QUEBEC UNILATERALLY SECEDE UNDER THE CANADIAN CONSTITUTION? (TWO) CAN THE PROVINCE DO SO UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW? (THREE) IF CANADIAN AND INTERNATIONAL LAW CONFLICT ON THIS ISSUE, WHICH SHOULD GOVERN? ... THE CURRENT CONSTITUTIONAL DELIBERATIONS, TOGETHER WITH THEIR POLITICAL ACCOMPANIMENT (WHICH COULD INCLUDE NEW PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS IN QUEBEC AND YET ANOTHER REFERENDUM WITHIN THE YEAR), SHOULD GREATLY CLARIFY THE ISSUES FOR ALL CANADIANS. WE HOPE TO SEE THE CURTAIN RISE SOON ON A STRONGER UNIFIED CANADA. TEXT: FINALLY, "NEWSDAY" ON LONG ISLAND WANTS TO KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION, POSED IN AN EDITORIAL HEADLINE REGARDING THE RECENT LAST PLACE FINISH OF U-S STUDENTS IN COMPARISON TO OTHER STUDENTS IN MATH AND SCIENCE: "IF WE ARE SO RICH ... WHY AREN'T WE SMART? .... VOICE: AT A TIME WHEN THE U-S ECONOMY IS THE ENVY OF THE WORLD, WHEN AMERICANS ON THE WHOLE ARE DOING BETTER THAN EVER, DOES ANYONE WANT TO SIT STILL FOR YET ANOTHER CRITIQUE OF AMERICAN EDUCATION? ....SHOULD AMERICANS BE ALARMED WHEN THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE STUDY REPORTS THAT 12TH GRADERS RANK 19TH IN AN INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON OF MATH AND SCIENCE SCORES? IT DEPENDS WHOM YOU ASK. NO, SAYS STEPHEN WITT, PRESIDENT OF THE NASSAU[COUNTY]-SUFFOLK [COUNTY] SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION. [MR.] WITT SAYS SUCH INTERNATIONAL TESTS COMPARE APPLES TO ORANGES, [TOTALLY DISSIMILAR SITUATIONS] BECAUSE OTHER COUNTRIES TRACK KIDS INTO SEPARATE VOCATIONAL AND ACADEMIC PATHWAYS. SO U-S HIGH SCHOOLERS ARE BEING RANKED AGAINST OTHER NATIONS' ACADEMIC ELITE. ... BUT HAROLD STEVENSON, PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, SAYS WE **SHOULD** [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] BE CONCERNED. ... THE AUTHOR OF A FORTHCOMING FIVE-VOLUME COMPARISON OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT ... SAYS: 'OUR KIDS ARE NOT DOING WELL, AND THE OLDER THEY GET THE WORSE THEY DO.' ... IT'S EASY TO SEE SENSE ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS EDUCATION ARGUMENT, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE NATION'S FUTURE, IT IS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. SO ITS PRUDENT TO RESPOND WITH A CONSTRUCTIVE SENSE OF ALARM -- AND TO SUPPORT ENERGETIC REFORM OF THE CURRENT SYSTEM. TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL
COMMENT FROM SOME OF MONDAY'S U-S PAPERS.
[05] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=3/2/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227479 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE LARGELY UNCHANGED TODAY (MONDAY), ALTHOUGH THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH FOR THE FOURTH SESSION IN A ROW. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD 85 HUNDRED 50, UP FOUR POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 47, DOWN ONE POINT. ANALYSTS SAY STOCK PRICES MAY BE IN FOR AT LEAST A BRIEF PERIOD OF CONSOLIDATION AFTER LAST WEEK'S STRONG GAINS. THE BOND MARKET WAS DOWN AFTER TWO REPORTS INDICATED THE U-S ECONOMY MAY BE EXPANDING AT A FASTER-THAN-EXPECTED RATE. CONSTRUCTION SPENDING IN JANUARY WAS UP SEVEN-TENTHS OF A PERCENT. AND A SURVEY BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PURCHASING MANAGEMENT GAINED ALMOST A FULL POINT LAST MONTH. SURVEY DIRECTOR NORBORT ORR SAYS THAT WAS WELL AHEAD OF EXPECTATIONS. ///ORR ACT///IT LOOKS LIKE THE DOMESTIC ECONOMY IS STILL DOING QUITE WELL. PRICES ARE STABLE AND MOST MANUFACTURERS SEEM TO BE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT 1998. ///END ACT///MR. ORR SAYS, SO FAR, THERE ARE NO SIGNS THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS IS SLOWING THE U-S ECONOMY. ///REST OPT///THE SUNBEAM SMALL APPLIANCE COMPANY WILL PAY TWO AND ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE THREE SMALLER FIRMS: THE COLEMAN COMPANY, SIGNATURE BRANDS AND THE FIRST ALERT CORPORATION. ANALYSTS SAY IT INDICATES THAT SUNBEAM CHIEF AL DUNLAP HAS A LONG-TERM STRATEGY FOR SUNBEAM'S GROWTH. IN THE PAST, MR. DUNLAP A SPECIALIST RESTORING FADING CORPORATIONS -- CORPORATE TURNAROUND SPECIALIST -- HAD A REPUTATION OF RESCUING COMPANIES AND THEN PUTTING THEM UP FOR SALE. STOCK OF THE U-S BASED OWENS-ILLINOIS GLASS COMPANY SOARED AFTER THE FIRM ANNOUNCED A THREE POINT SIX BILLION DOLLAR DEAL TO BUY THE GLASS AND PACKAGING BUSINESSES OF THE BRITISH CONGLOMERATE B-T-R INDUSTRIES. THE U-S-BASED WANG LABORATORIES COMPANY WILL ACQUIRE THE COMPUTER SERVICES UNIT OF ITALY'S OLIVETTI COMPANY FOR 390 MILLION DOLLARS. THE DEAL IS EXPECTED TO HELP MAKE WANG MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE ASIAN AND EUROPEAN COMPUTER SERVICES MARKETS. THE APPLE COMPUTER COMPANY WILL CUT THE PRICES OF ITS POPULAR G-
THREE MACINTOSH PERSONAL COMPUTERS BY 17 PERCENT. AND THE COMPAQ
COMPUTER COMPANY IS CUTTING PRICES ON CERTAIN NOTEBOOK MODELS BY
UP TO 41 PERCENT.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/WFR
[06] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=3/2/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227479 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE LARGELY UNCHANGED TODAY (MONDAY), ALTHOUGH THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH FOR THE FOURTH SESSION IN A ROW. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD 85 HUNDRED 50, UP FOUR POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 47, DOWN ONE POINT. ANALYSTS SAY STOCK PRICES MAY BE IN FOR AT LEAST A BRIEF PERIOD OF CONSOLIDATION AFTER LAST WEEK'S STRONG GAINS. THE BOND MARKET WAS DOWN AFTER TWO REPORTS INDICATED THE U-S ECONOMY MAY BE EXPANDING AT A FASTER-THAN-EXPECTED RATE. CONSTRUCTION SPENDING IN JANUARY WAS UP SEVEN-TENTHS OF A PERCENT. AND A SURVEY BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PURCHASING MANAGEMENT GAINED ALMOST A FULL POINT LAST MONTH. SURVEY DIRECTOR NORBORT ORR SAYS THAT WAS WELL AHEAD OF EXPECTATIONS. ///ORR ACT///IT LOOKS LIKE THE DOMESTIC ECONOMY IS STILL DOING QUITE WELL. PRICES ARE STABLE AND MOST MANUFACTURERS SEEM TO BE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT 1998. ///END ACT///MR. ORR SAYS, SO FAR, THERE ARE NO SIGNS THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS IS SLOWING THE U-S ECONOMY. ///REST OPT///THE SUNBEAM SMALL APPLIANCE COMPANY WILL PAY TWO AND ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE THREE SMALLER FIRMS: THE COLEMAN COMPANY, SIGNATURE BRANDS AND THE FIRST ALERT CORPORATION. ANALYSTS SAY IT INDICATES THAT SUNBEAM CHIEF AL DUNLAP HAS A LONG-TERM STRATEGY FOR SUNBEAM'S GROWTH. IN THE PAST, MR. DUNLAP A SPECIALIST RESTORING FADING CORPORATIONS -- CORPORATE TURNAROUND SPECIALIST -- HAD A REPUTATION OF RESCUING COMPANIES AND THEN PUTTING THEM UP FOR SALE. STOCK OF THE U-S BASED OWENS-ILLINOIS GLASS COMPANY SOARED AFTER THE FIRM ANNOUNCED A THREE POINT SIX BILLION DOLLAR DEAL TO BUY THE GLASS AND PACKAGING BUSINESSES OF THE BRITISH CONGLOMERATE B-T-R INDUSTRIES. THE U-S-BASED WANG LABORATORIES COMPANY WILL ACQUIRE THE COMPUTER SERVICES UNIT OF ITALY'S OLIVETTI COMPANY FOR 390 MILLION DOLLARS. THE DEAL IS EXPECTED TO HELP MAKE WANG MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE ASIAN AND EUROPEAN COMPUTER SERVICES MARKETS. THE APPLE COMPUTER COMPANY WILL CUT THE PRICES OF ITS POPULAR G-
THREE MACINTOSH PERSONAL COMPUTERS BY 17 PERCENT. AND THE COMPAQ
COMPUTER COMPANY IS CUTTING PRICES ON CERTAIN NOTEBOOK MODELS BY
UP TO 41 PERCENT.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/WFR
[07] SENATE NATO ONITER (S-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)DATE=3/2/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227489 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE EASTWARD EXPANSION OF NATO IS FACING ITS FIRST TEST IN THE U-S SENATE (TUESDAY), AS A KEY COMMITTEE VOTES ON WHETHER THE ALLIANCE SHOULD ACCEPT THREE NEW MEMBERS. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS. TEXT: THE FOREIGN RELATIONS PANEL IS EXPECTED TO APPROVE NATO'S PLAN TO TAKE IN POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY. THAT WOULD SET THE STAGE FOR RATIFICATION BY THE FULL SENATE. MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT SAYS THAT VOTE SHOULD TAKE PLACE THIS MONTH, BUT NOT WITHOUT DEBATE. /// LOTT ACT ///THERE ARE SOME SENATORS THAT HAVE SOME LEGITIMATE CONCERNS. I PERSONALLY AM FOR NATO ENLARGEMENT. I THINK WE SHOULD PASS IT AND DO IT IN REASONABLE TIME. BUT YOU'VE GOT TO ALLOW SENATORS A CHANCE TO BE HEARD ON IT. /// END ACT ///THE CONCERNS INCLUDE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN AND THE POSSIBLE USE OF
U-S TROOPS IN FUTURE EUROPEAN CONFLICTS. ONE SENATOR (JOHN
WARNER) PLANS TO BRING UP A RESOLUTION, PLACING A THREE-YEAR HOLD
ON ANY SECOND PHASE OF EXPANSION. BUT THE SENATE IS STILL
CONSIDERED LIKELY TO APPROVE THE FIRST ROUND.(SIGNED)
[08] TURKEY/CASPIAN (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=3/2/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227455 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: TURKEY HAS FAILED TO SECURE A FIRM COMMITMENT FROM STATES BORDERING THE CASPIAN SEA TO EXPORT OIL AND NATURAL GAS TO WESTERN MARKETS VIA TURKEY. IN A JOINT DECLARATION ISSUED MONDAY AT THE END OF A TWO-DAY CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL, THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF TURKEY, KAZAKHSTAN, TURKMENISTAN, GEORGIA, AND THE DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER OF AZERBAIJAN EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR SEVERAL PIPELINES TO EXPORT CASPIAN OIL AND NATURAL GAS. BUT AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS, THEY DID NOT SINGLE OUT TURKEY AS THE MAIN EXPORT ROUTE. TEXT: FOR ANKARA, THE OUTCOME OF THE TWO-DAY CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL FELL SHORT OF ITS EXPECTATIONS -- THAT IS, TO GET THE PARTICIPANTS TO AGREE ON SINGLING-OUT TURKEY AS THE MOST DESIRABLE EXPORT ROUTE FOR CASPIAN OIL AND NATURAL GAS. TURKEY HAS BEEN WAGING AN AGGRESSIVE DIPLOMATIC CAMPAIGN TO PERSUADE CENTRAL ASIAN MUSLIM STATES OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION, ALONG WITH NEIGHBORING AZERBAIJAN, TO EXPORT THE BULK OF ITS VAST OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES THROUGH A PROPOSED PIPELINE NETWORK RUNNING FROM THE AZERBAIJANI CAPITAL BAKU TO LOADING TERMINALS AT THE PORT OF CEYHAN ON THE TURKISH MEDITERRANEAN COAST. BUT TURKEY HAS ENCOUNTERED STIFF OPPOSITION FROM RUSSIA -- ITS REGIONAL RIVAL. RUSSIA REMAINS THE MAIN OUTLET FOR CENTRAL ASIAN AND AZERBAIJANI OIL AND GAS EXPORTS, FLOWING THROUGH A NETWORK DATING BACK FROM SOVIET TIMES. ANALYSTS SAY MOSCOW FEARS ITS INFLUENCE OVER ITS FORMER DOMINIONS WILL DIMINISH, SHOULD THEY CHOOSE ALTERNATIVE ROUTES TO EXPORT THEIR VAST ENERGY RESERVES WHICH ARE ESTIMATED TO RIVAL THOSE OF THE MIDDLE EAST. THE UNITED STATES IS ENCOURAGING WHAT ITS OFFICIALS DESCRIBE AS A "MULTIPLE PIPELINE STRATEGY." THEY ARGUE THAT BY DIVERSIFYING EXPORT OPTIONS, THE FORMER SOVIET STATES WILL FURTHER CONSOLIDATE THEIR INDEPENDENCE. WASHINGTON, THEREFORE, CONTINUES TO STRONGLY SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROPOSED BAKU-CEYHAN ROUTE AS PART OF THAT STRATEGY. BUT ANALYSTS SAY THAT THE OIL EXPORTING COUNTRIES THEMSELVES NEED TO BE PERSUADED OF THE MERITS OF ANY PIPELINE ROUTE THAT RUSSIA OPPOSES. THEY POINT OUT THAT KAZAKHSTAN, IN PARTICULAR, APPEARS RELUCTANT TO UPSET MOSCOW. THE KAZAKH FOREIGN MINISTER TOLD THE ISTANBUL CONFERENCE THAT THE BAKU-CEYHAN ROUTE WAS, IN HIS WORDS, "COSTLY AND COMPLICATED" AND THAT HIS COUNTRY WANTED TO EXPORT ITS CRUDE OIL THROUGH A PROPOSED PIPELINE RUNNING TO RUSSIA'S BLACK SEA PORT OF NOVOROSSIYSK. //REST OPT//CITING ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY CONCERNS, ANKARA SAYS THAT THE STRAITS CANNOT HANDLE THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN TANKER TRAFFIC, ONCE COUNTRIES LIKE KAZAKHSTAN AND AZERBAIJAN START PRODUCING MORE OIL. RUSSIA, IN TURN, ARGUES THAT SHOULD TURKEY TRY TO LIMIT TANKER TRAFFIC THROUGH THE STRAITS, IT WOULD BE VIOLATING THE 1936 MONTREUX CONVENTION WHICH GUARANTEES FREE PASSAGE OF ALL COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC THROUGH THE STRAITS. AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, ANALYSTS SAY TURKEY WILL HAVE TO DO A
LOT MORE CAMPAIGNING BEFORE IT CAN FULFILL ITS LONG-CHERISHED
GOAL OF BECOMING THE MAIN TRANSIT ROUTE FOR CASPIAN OIL AND
NATURAL GAS. THEY ADD THAT THE ISTANBUL CONFERENCE IS A POSITIVE
STEP IN THAT DIRECTION. (SIGNED)
[09] U-S-KOSOVO (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)DATE=3/2/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227474 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS PROTESTED TO YUGOSLAVIA ABOUT THE POLICE ACTION AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIAN DEMONSTRATORS IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT. TEXT: THE UNITED STATES IS BLAMING THE YUGOSLAV FEDERAL AUTHORITIES AND THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT FOR THE VIOLENCE THAT HAS KILLED MORE THAN 20 PEOPLE IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS WARNING YUGOSLAVIA THAT IT FACES CONTINUED INTERNATIONAL ISOLATION IF IT DOES NOT ENGAGE IN A POLITICAL DIALOGUE WITH KOSOVO'S POPULATION THAT IS PREDOMINANTLY ALBANIAN. SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN EXPRESSED THE AMERICAN PROTEST TO BELGRADE. ///RUBIN ACT///THE UNITED STATES IS APPALLED BY THE RECENT VIOLENT INCIDENTS IN KOSOVO WHICH ONLY UNDERLINE BELGRADE'S READY RECOURSE TO FORCE TO ADDRESS THE SERIOUS POLITICAL DISPUTE BETWEEN BELGRADE AND PRISTINA. ///END ACT///MR. RUBIN REMINDS THE YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES THAT AMERICAN
SANCTIONS BLOCKING INTERNATIONAL LOANS TO BELGRADE WILL REMAIN IN
PLACE UNTIL THE UNITED STATES SEES MEANINGFUL STEPS TO ADDRESS
THE GRIEVANCES OF ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. AT THE SAME TIME, THE
STATE DEPARTMENT CALLS ON KOSOVO ALBANIAN LEADERS TO CONDEMN THE
ACTIONS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY THAT ATTACKS SERB POLICE
AND ALBANIAN COLLABORATORS WITH SERBIAN AUTHORITIES. (SIGNED).
[10] YUGO / KOSOVO (S ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)DATE=3/2/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227473 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: SERBIA'S BITTERLY DIVIDED POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IS UNITED ON ONE ISSUE. JULIA GLYN-PICKETT IN BELGRADE REPORTS SERBIAN POLITICIANS STRONGLY BACKED THE ACTIONS OF STATE SECURITY FORCES TO STAMP OUT WHAT THEY CALL TERRORIST VIOLENCE IN SERBIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE -- WHERE AS MANY AS 25 PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THREE DAYS OF VIOLENCE. TEXT: THE VICE PRESIDENT OF SERBIA'S RULING SOCIALIST PARTY (ZORAN LILIC) PRAISED WHAT HE CALLED THE GOOD WORK OF SERBIA'S POLICE FORCE IN WHAT HE SAYS IS ITS FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM. HE SAID THE ACTIONS BY SECURITY FORCES IN KOSOVO WERE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO CREATE A PROPER ENVIRONMENT FOR PEACEFUL DIALOGUE. ANOTHER KEY MEMBER OF THE SOCIALISTS -- GORICA GAJEVIC -- EXPRESSED THE SAME POSITION. SHE SAID THE STATE MUST AND WILL TAKE ALL NECESSARY MEASURES TO STAMP OUT THE EVIL OF TERRORISM. THE OPPOSITION DEMOCRATIC PARTY CRITICIZED THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT FOR NOT DOING ENOUGH TO DEFEND ORDINARY CITIZENS AGAINST TERRORISTS. AND THE LEADER OF THE EXTREMIST SERBIAN RADICAL PARTY -- VOJISLAV
SESELJ -- SAID ALL TERRORISM MUSTS BE DESTROYED. AND HE BLAMED
WHAT HE CALLED ETHNIC ALBANIAN TERRORISTS FOR PROVOKING THE
CLASHES WITH POLICE. (SIGNED)
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