Voice of America, 98-03-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] E-U CRIME (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[02] E-U/STATS (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

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

[04] FRANCE RIGHT (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[05] GERMANY / NUCLEAR (S / L VERSION) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[06] KOSOVO CRISIS (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

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

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

[09] TURKEY AND THE CAUCASUS

[10] TURKEY/HUMAN RIGHTS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[11] UN/KOSOVO (L-O) BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (UNITED NATIONS)

[01] E-U CRIME (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: IN BRUSSELS, JUSTICE MINISTERS FROM THE 15 EUROPEAN UNION STATES HAVE AGREED ON NEW RULES TO MAKE IT EASIER TO PROSECUTE DRUGS SMUGGLERS, TERRORISTS, AND THOSE WHO TRAFFIC IN HUMAN BEINGS (SLAVERY/PROSTITUTION). THEY HAVE ALSO AGREED THAT ALL ASYLUM SEEKERS ARRIVING IN THE EUROPEAN UNION MUST BE FINGERPRINTED. WE HAVE THE DETAILS FROM JOHN FRASER:

TEXT: THE EUROPEAN UNION IS NOT YET UNITED WHEN IT COMES TO THE LAW. DIFFERENT LEGAL SYSTEMS IN THE 15 DIFFERENT MEMBERS OF THE CLUB CAN MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO EXTRADITE A CRIMINAL TO FACE TRIAL IN A PARTNER COUNTRY. LEGAL LOOPHOLES CAN ALSO FOIL EFFORTS TO PROSECUTE TERRORISTS FOR PLANNING AN ATTACK IN A NEIGHBORING STATE.

THAT IS WHY EUROPEAN JUSTICE MINISTERS HAVE AGREED ON A COMMON DEFINITION OF "CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY."

THEY HOPE THIS WILL MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR DANGEROUS CRIMINALS AND TERRORISTS TO EVADE EXTRADITION AND PROSECUTION BY EXPLOITING THE DIFFERENT LEGAL DEFINITIONS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN DIFFERENT E-U STATES.

BRITISH JUSTICE MINISTER JACK STRAW, WHO CHAIRED THE MEETING, HAS WELCOMED THE AGREEMENT AS AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE BATTLE AGAINST INTERNATIONAL CRIME.

THE NEW AGREEMENT WILL ALSO MAKE IT EASIER TO PROSECUTE ACCOUNTANTS OR LAWYERS WHO WORK FOR CRIMINALS OR TERRORISTS, AND WHO KNOWINGLY SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES. THIS ACCORD WILL COVER THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRUPTION, MONEY LAUNDERING, TERRORISM, DRUG SMUGGLING, AND TRAFFICKING IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND BOGUS ASYLUM SEEKERS.

THERE WAS ALSO AN AGREEMENT THAT GENUINE ASYLUM SEEKERS MUST BE FINGERPRINTED WHEN THEY FIRST ARRIVE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION. THIS IS TO PREVENT THEM SHOPPING AROUND FOR ASYLUM IN NEIGHBORING STATES IF THEIR APPLICATION IS REJECTED IN THEIR FIRST PORT OF CALL. IF THEY HAVE BEEN FINGERPRINTED, IT WILL BE EASY TO TELL WHETHER THEY ARE MAKING THEIR FIRST APPLICATION FOR ASYLUM, OR IF THEY ARE JUST PRETENDING TO DO SO.

DISCUSSIONS ARE CONTINUING ON WHETHER TO ALSO FINGERPRINT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, WITH THE AIM OF REACHING AGREEMENT IN MAY.

THE MINISTERS WELCOMED RECENT CUSTOMS COOPERATION OPERATIONS WHICH INVOLVED NOT JUST THE 15 E-U STATES, BUT HAVE ALSO BROUGHT IN COUNTRIES FROM CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. THESE OPERATIONS MAINLY TARGETED DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO SMUGGLERS.

ONE OPERATION, CALLED "OPERATION PEGASUS," TARGETED COCAINE SMUGGLING FROM SOUTH AMERICA AND THE CARRIBEAN, INVOLVING NEARLY 50 EUROPEAN AIRPORTS. ANOTHER OPERATION, CALLED "OPERATION SEAHORSE," TARGETED DRUGS, CIGARETTES, ALCOHOL, ARMS AND NUCLEAR MATERIALS FROM EASTERN EUROPE. A THIRD, CODE-NAMED "OPERATION TABOO," TARGETED SMUGGLERS OF ALCOHOL AND CIGARETTES. //END OPT//

DURING A BUSY DAY, THERE WAS AGREEMENT ON ANOTHER NEW E-U LAW, UNDER WHICH A MOTORIST WHO IS BANNED FROM DRIVING IN ANY ONE E-U STATE WILL ALSO BE BANNED FROM GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A CAR IN ALL 15 EU STATES. (SIGNED)
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19-Mar-98 12:50 PM EST (1750 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] E-U/STATS (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE BRITISH WORK THE HARDEST, FRENCH WOMEN LIVE THE LONGEST, THE GREEKS SMOKE THE MOST, AND THE FINNS ARE THE MOST LIKELY TO COMMIT SUICIDE. THESE ARE AMONG THE FASCINATING FACTS IN THE NEWLY-PUBLISHED, 588-PAGE EUROPEAN UNION STATISTICAL YEARBOOK, PUBLISHED IN BRUSSELS. JOHN FRASER REVIEWS SOME OF THE FINDINGS.

TEXT: THE PUBLICATION BY THE E-U'S STATISTICAL OFFICE "EUROSTAT" IS DESIGNED TO GIVE A PICTURE OF EUROPEAN LIFE, FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE.

THE REPORT SHOWS THAT WITH AN AVERAGE WORKING WEEK OF 44 HOURS, THE BRITISH ARE THE HARDEST WORKERS IN EUROPE. THE BELGIANS, WHO WORK FIVE-AND-A-HALF HOURS FEWER A WEEK, ARE THE LAZIEST.

ONE REASON WHY THE BRITISH WORK SO HARD IS TO PAY THEIR RENT. THE SURVEY SHOWS THAT LONDON IS THE COSTLIEST E-U CITY IN TERMS OF HOUSING ... WHILE EDUCATION, LEISURE, FOOD AND DRINK COST THE MOST IN THE SWEDISH CAPITAL, STOCKHOLM.

GIRLS BORN IN FRANCE CAN EXPECT TO LIVE THE LONGEST IN EUROPE, WHILE SWEDISH BOYS ARE THE MALES WHO CAN EXPECT THE LONGEST LIVES.

THE STATISTICAL BOOK SUGGESTS IT IS LIKELY THAT THESE LONG-LIVING MALE SWEDES WILL BE BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK, BECAUSE SWEDEN HAS THE MOST ILLEGITIMATE BIRTHS IN EUROPE, WITH OVER HALF OF ALL BABIES BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK.

GREECE IS THE COUNTRY WITH THE FEWEST BIRTHS OUT OF MARRIAGE, PROBABLY DUE TO THE TRADITION THERE THAT ONCE A GIRL SHOWS SIGNS OF PREGNANCY, HER BOYFRIEND IS MARCHED DOWN THE AISLE -- WHETHER HE WANTS TO BE MARRIED OR NOT.

IRISH MOTHERS HAVE THE MOST CHILDREN, PRESUMABLY BECAUSE OF THE STRONG INFLUENCE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND ITS OPPOSITION TO CONTRACEPTION ... WHILE THE SPANISH HAVE THE SMALLEST FAMILIES.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE DEMON DRINK (ALCOHOL), THE LUXEMBOURGERS SELL THE MOST. HOWEVER, MUCH OF THE LOW-TAX WINE, BEER AND SPIRITS IS SOLD TO VISITORS FROM FRANCE, GERMANY AND BELGIUM, SO THE LUXEMBOURGERS THEMSELVES ARE NOT BELIEVED TO BE THE BIGGEST CONSUMERS OF ALCOHOL. THAT HONOR GOES TO THE FRENCH, WHILE THE SWEDES CONSUME THE LEAST ALCOHOL, PROBABLY BECAUSE IT IS SO HIGHLY TAXED.

SWEDEN ALSO HAS THE HIGHEST CRIME RATE IN THE E-U.

ITALY PRODUCES THE MOST WINE AND TOMATOES IN EUROPE, WHILE FRANCE PRODUCES THE MOST APPLES, AND GERMANY THE MOST PORK, BUTTER AND POTATOES.

ON A MORE SOMBER NOTE, SPAIN HAS EUROPE'S HIGHEST INCIDENCE OF AIDS, WHILE DUTCH WOMEN SUFFER THE MOST FROM BREAST CANCER.

BRITAIN HAS THE MOST DENTISTS IN EUROPE, WHILE SPAIN HAS THE FEWEST. ITALY HAS THE MOST DOCTORS, WITH PORTUGAL HAVING THE FEWEST. THIS MAY EXPLAIN WHY MORE PEOPLE DIE IN ROAD CRASHES IN PORTUGAL THAN IN ANY OTHER E-U STATE.

THE LATEST E-U STATISTICAL REVIEW SUGGESTS BRITISH ROADS ARE THE SAFEST, ALTHOUGH MEN IN BRITAIN ARE TWICE AS LIKELY AS WOMEN TO DIE IN ROAD ACCIDENTS, SUGGESTING THAT COMPLAINTS ABOUT WOMEN DRIVERS -- MANY OF WHICH ARE VOICED BY MEN -- MAY BE JUST A MYTH.

THE WELL-HEELED LUXEMBOURGERS HAVE THE MOST CARS IN EUROPE, WITH THE GREEKS OWNING THE FEWEST.

THE GREEKS ALSO HAVE THE FEWEST VIDEOTAPE MACHINES, WITH A RECORDER IN JUST A THIRD OF HOMES. BRITONS HAVE THE MOST, WITH A MACHINE IN THREE HOMES OUT OF FOUR.

BRITAIN ALSO HAS THE MOST MICROWAVES, WHILE SPAIN HAS THE FEWEST.

THE SURVEY SUGGESTS THAT FINNS ARE MOST LIKELY TO COMMIT SUICIDE, WHILE THE GREEKS ARE LEAST PRONE TO KILLING THEMSELVES. PERHAPS, AS THEY CONSUME THE MOST TOBACCO IN THE E-U, THEY PREFER TO KILL THEMSELVES MORE SLOWLY, BY SMOKING.

THE E-U STATISTICAL SURVEY SHOWS THAT ENGLISH IS THE MOST POPULAR SECOND LANGUAGE IN EUROPE AND IS SPOKEN TWICE AS MUCH AS FRENCH.

AND FINALLY A FACT WHICH NO BAR ROOM BORE SHOULD BE WITHOUT: THE BELGIANS SPREAD MORE ANIMAL MANURE ON THEIR LAND THAN ANY OTHER EUROPEANS. AT LEAST THE E-U STATISTICIANS CANNOT BE ACCUSED OF OMITTING THE MOST VITAL STATISTICS. (SIGNED) **EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01 U-T-C ON 3/20 -- 7:01 P-M EST THURSDAY **
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19-Mar-98 1:57 PM EST (1857 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: KEY STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE SURGED AHEAD AGAIN ON THURSDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH PROVIDES THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM OUR OFFICES IN LONDON.

TEXT: DESPITE SOFTENING FIGURES FROM WALL STREET LATER IN THE DAY, THE EARLIER START OF TRADING IN EUROPE BEGAN HIGHER AND STAYED THERE UNTIL DEALING CAME TO A CLOSE.

EUROPE'S BIGGEST STOCK MARKET -- LONDON -- SAW THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX SET A NEW RECORD HIGH THURSDAY AS IT GAINED MORE THAN A PERCENT-AND-A-HALF IN VALUE, CLOSING UP 93 POINTS. THE PARIS "CAC 40" INDEX GAINED A PERCENT IN VALUE FOR THE DAY, ADDING JUST OVER 36 POINTS. AND IN FRANKFURT, LATE DAY TRADING ON THE "DAX" INDEX SAW A GAIN OF JUST OVER 41 POINTS -- JUST UNDER ONE PERCENT IN VALUE.

ON THE CURRENCY MARKETS, THE U-S DOLLAR WAS UP SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND AND THE DEUTSCHMARK. GOLD IN LONDON CLOSED AT 291-AND-A-HALF DOLLARS AN OUNCE -- VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED FROM WEDNESDAY. (SIGNED)
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19-Mar-98 1:52 PM EST (1852 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] FRANCE RIGHT (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: FRANCE'S CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT OPPOSITION IS STRUGGLING TO CONTROL ITS MEMBERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AFTER THE EXTREME-RIGHT "NATIONAL FRONT" OFFERED TO LET THE RIGHT-WING KEEP CONTROL OF SEVERAL OF THE COUNTRY'S 22 REGIONAL COUNCILS. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: IN AN UNPRECEDENTED MOVE, FRANCE'S SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN MADE A PUBLIC STATEMENT THURSDAY CALLING ON THE CONSERVATIVE OPPOSITION NOT TO BE TEMPTED BY ALLIANCES WITH THE EXTREME-RIGHT NATIONAL FRONT.

MR. JOSPIN, WHO MADE HIS STATEMENT ON THE STEPS OF HIS OFFICE BEFORE TELEVISION CAMERAS, SAID SUCH ALLIANCES WOULD DAMAGE FRANCE'S IMAGE IN EUROPE AND IN THE WORLD.

THIS DEEPLY ANGERED PHILIPPE SEGUIN, THE LEADER OF THE GAULLIST "RALLY FOR THE REPUBLIC," ONE OF FRANCE'S TWO CONSERVATIVE PARTIES. MR. SEGUIN SUSPENDED A FORMER DEPUTY LEADER OF HIS PARTY EARLIER THIS WEEK AFTER HE EXPRESSED A WILLINGNESS TO STRIKE A DEAL WITH THE NATIONAL FRONT.

MR. SEGUIN SAID HE WOULD ACCEPT NO LESSONS FROM SOCIALISTS -- THE PARTY WHICH INTRODUCED THE SYSTEM OF PROPORTIONAL VOTING THAT HAS GIVEN THE NATIONAL FRONT SEATS ON ALL OF FRANCE'S REGIONAL COUNCILS.

THE CURRENT CRISIS ARISES FROM LAST SUNDAY'S ELECTIONS TO THE REGIONAL COUNCILS. ALTHOUGH THE RULING COALITION OF SOCIALISTS, COMMUNISTS AND ECOLOGISTS TOOK THE LEAD ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE NATIONAL FRONT HOLDS THE BALANCE IN A NUMBER OF PLACES.

WHEN THE FINAL VOTING FOR REGIONAL PRESIDENCIES TAKES PLACE FRIDAY, THE NATIONAL FRONT, WHICH TOOK 15 PERCENT OF THE VOTE NATIONALLY, WILL OFTEN BE THE POWER-BROKER. UP TO NOW, FRANCE'S TRADITIONAL CONSERVATIVE PARTIES HAVE ALWAYS REFUSED ANY DEALS WITH THE ANTI-IMMIGRATION NATIONAL FRONT. BUT, IN AN APPEAL THIS WEEK TO STOP THE ADVANCE OF THE LEFT, NATIONAL FRONT LEADER AND FOUNDER, JEAN-MARIE LE PEN, OFFERED HIS PARTY'S SUPPORT FOR OTHER RIGHT-WING POLITICIANS ON THE REGIONAL COUNCILS.

DROPPING THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL POINTS OF HIS USUAL PROGRAM -- SUCH AS PRIORITY FOR JOBS FOR FRENCH NATIONALS OVER IMMIGRANTS -- MR. LE PEN SAID THE NATIONAL FRONT WOULD NOT ASK FOR ANYTHING IN RETURN.

MANY LOCAL POLITICIANS, PARTICULARLY IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PROVENCE REGION WHERE THE NATIONAL FRONT IS ESPECIALLY STRONG, ARE ARGUING IN FAVOR OF A DEAL. IN PARIS, HOWEVER, CONSERVATIVE LEADERS FEAR THIS COULD BE THE DEATH KNELL FOR THEIR PARTIES, LEAVING THE LEFT AS THE ONLY DEMOCRATIC ALTERNATIVE TO A RIGHT THAT IS HOSTAGE TO AN EXTREMIST ALLY. (SIGNED)
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19-Mar-98 1:31 PM EST (1831 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] GERMANY / NUCLEAR (S / L VERSION) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: ANTI-NUCLEAR PROTESTERS IN GERMANY HAVE BEEN BLOCKING -- AND SABOTAGING -- ROADS IN AN EFFORT TO HALT A CONTROVERSIAL SHIPMENT OF NUCLEAR WASTE NOW MOVING ACROSS THE COUNTRY. DETAILS FROM BONN AND VOA'S KYLE KING.

TEXT: THE LATEST ANTI-NUCLEAR PROTESTS COME AS WORKERS AT TWO GERMAN POWER PLANTS BEGAN TRANSPORTING SEVERAL CONTAINERS OF NUCLEAR WASTE TO A STORAGE FACILITY IN NORTHERN GERMANY.

AT ONE OF THE POWER PLANTS NEAR THE SOUTHERN CITY OF STUTTGART, SEVERAL DOZEN PROTESTERS SAT IN THE ROAD (EDS: THURSDAY) IN AN EFFORT TO BLOCK THE SHIPMENTS. OTHERS DUG A TUNNEL UNDER THE HIGHWAY IN AN EFFORT TO UNDERMINE THE ROAD. ON MONDAY, POLICE USED BLOWTORCHES TO REMOVE SEVERAL OTHER ACTIVISTS WHO HAD CHAINED THEMSELVES TO A RAILROAD TRACK THAT WILL BE USED TO CARRY ANOTHER TRAIN SHIPMENT NORTHWARD FROM THE SOUTHERN STATE OF BAVARIA.

IN THE COMING DAYS DEMONSTRATORS ARE EXPECTED TO STEP UP THEIR EFFORTS TO HALT THE CONTROVERSIAL AND UNPOPULAR SHIPMENTS ... WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE SEVERAL DAYS TO REACH THEIR DESTINATION.

SOME SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC AND GREENS PARTY OFFICIALS HAVE CALLED THE SHIPMENTS UNNECESSARY AND A PROVOCATION TO LOCAL CITIZENS. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, SENSITIVE TO THE FACT THAT GENERAL ELECTIONS ARE COMING IN SEPTEMBER, SAY THE STATEMENTS ARE UNFAIR BECAUSE OPPOSITION LEADERS AGREED TO THE CURRENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SHIPPING THE WASTE. LAST YEAR, THE SHIPMENTS TRIGGERED DAYS OF MASS PROTESTS AND EFFORTS BY GERMAN ACTIVISTS TO BLOCK ROADS AND RAIL LINES. MORE THAN 30-THOUSAND POLICE WERE EVENTUALLY NEEDED TO SAFEGUARD THE SHIPMENTS, TRIGGERING A DEBATE ABOUT THE HUGE SECURITY COSTS INVOLVED IN TRANSPORTING THE WASTE TO THE STORAGE SITE. (SIGNED)
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19-Mar-98 10:31 AM EST (1531 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO CRISIS (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC CONTINUES TO RESIST EFFORTS BY WESTERN DIPLOMATS TO DEFUSE THE CRISIS IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE. ENVOYS FROM GERMANY, FRANCE AND THE UNITED STATES HAVE BEEN HOLDING TALKS IN THE REGION, BUT HAVE APPARENTLY FAILED TO MAKE MUCH PROGRESS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS FOLLOWING THE STORY FROM OUR (EAST EUROPE) BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM FRANCE AND GERMANY (EDS: HUBERT VEDRINE AND KLAUS KINKEL) ARE THE LATEST TO VISIT BELGRADE IN HOPES OF OPENING TALKS BETWEEN THE AUTHORITIES AND MODERATE ETHNIC ALBANIANS ON GREATER AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO.

THE MINISTERS' VISIT COMES AT A DEADLINE SET A WEEK AGO MONDAY, WHEN DIPLOMATS FROM EUROPE, RUSSIA AND AMERICA AGREED ON SANCTIONS TO PERSUADE MR. MILOSEVIC TO NEGOTIATE ON KOSOVO.

SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILAN MILUTINOVIC, WHO MET WITH THE FRENCH AND GERMAN MINISTERS, HAS PROPOSED TALKS WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS AIMED AT A CERTAIN DEGREE OF AUTONOMY. IT'S THE MOST GENEROUS OFFER YET FROM BELGRADE, BUT ALBANIANS WANT INDEPENDENCE, NOT SELF-RULE. ALSO, THE OFFER CAME FROM A SERBIAN OFFICIAL, WHILE THE ALBANIANS WANT TO TALK WITH NEGOTIATORS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. SERBIAN OFFICIALS HAVE REPEATEDLY COME TO KOSOVO FOR TALKS, BUT THE ALBANIANS HAVE STAYED AWAY. THEY INSIST ANY TALKS MUST HAVE THIRD-PARTY MEDIATION. /OPT// KOSOVO IS NOW PART OF SERBIA, AND ITS POPULATION IS 90-PERCENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN. KOSOVO ONCE ENJOYED CONSIDERABLE AUTONOMY WITHIN SERBIA, BUT IN 1989 IT WAS EFFECTIVELY STRIPPED OF SELF-RULE. //END OPT//

BOTH SERB AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN STUDENTS STAGED PEACEFUL RALLIES IN PRISTINA THURSDAY, THOUGH WESTERN REPORTERS DESCRIBE THE SERBS AS BEING IN A CONFRONTATIONAL MOOD. THERE WERE TENS OF THOUSANDS IN EACH DEMONSTRATION, AND AFTERWARDS SOME OF THE PROTESTERS CLASHED. //OPT// POLICE USED TEAR GAS TO BREAK OF THE MELEE. SOME FOREIGN TELEVISION JOURNALISTS WERE ROUGHED UP. //END OPT// MEANWHILE, IN ALBANIA'S CAPITAL, TIRANA, AMERICAN ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL PROPOSE MORE SERIOUS SANCTIONS, IF THERE IS NO MOVEMENT BY YUGOSLAVIA ON KOSOVO TALKS IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. MR. GELBARD ALSO CRITICIZED THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT FOR ITS VIOLENT RESPONSE TO ETHNIC ALBANIAN NATIONALISTS.

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP AGAIN TODAY (THURSDAY) WITH MAJOR INDEXES CLOSING AT RECORD HIGHS FOR THE FOURTH STRAIGHT DAY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 88-HUNDRED-THREE, UP 27 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE-THOUSAND-89, UP FOUR POINTS. BOTH INDEXES WERE AGAIN AT RECORD HIGHS.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED CONSUMER PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP A MODEST ONE-TENTH OF ONE PERCENT IN FEBRUARY, LARGELY BECAUSE OF PLUNGING OIL PRICES. CHARLES CRANE OF THE KEY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY, SAYS THE INFLATION REPORT WAS GOOD NEWS ON WALL STREET.

THE MARKET IS REACTING FAVORABLY TO THIS MONTH'S CONSUMER PRICE INDEX AND THE BOND MARKET'S CALM REACTION TO THOSE NUMBERS.

THE GOVERNMENT ALSO REPORTED THE U-S TRADE DEFICIT IN JANUARY ROSE BY MORE THAN 10 PERCENT, INDICATING THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS IS HAVING A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON U-S EXPORTS.

U-S ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO SAYS SHE WILL MOVE TO BLOCK A HUGE DEFENSE INDUSTRY MERGER IF THERE IS NO AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT BY NEXT WEEK. LOCKHEED MARTIN AND NORTHROP GRUMMAN WANT TO COMBINE IN A DEAL WORTH ABOUT NINE BILLION DOLLARS. BUT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WANTS THE COMPANIES TO DIVEST THEMSELVES OF CERTAIN OPERATIONS TO PREVENT MONOPOLIES IN SOME BUSINESSES. NIKE, THE ATHLETIC FOOTWEAR COMPANY, HAS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED THE BAD NEWS IT WARNED OF A FEW DAYS AGO. NIKE'S QUARTERLY EARNINGS DROPPED BY ALMOST 70-PERCENT, LARGELY BECAUSE OF LOWER DEMAND IN ASIA. NIKE WILL NOW CUT ITS GLOBAL WORK FORCE BY SEVEN-PERCENT OR 16-HUNDRED JOBS.

ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL, THE ELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT MAKER, IS WARNING THAT ITS QUARTERLY EARNINGS WILL BE SHARPLY LOWER THAN EXPECTED. ROCKWELL'S STOCK DROPPED BY MORE THAN 11-PERCENT.

THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION AND THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL OF THE UNITED STATES HAVE ANNOUNCED AN ALLIANCE TO DEVELOP SOME NEW INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING. THE DEAL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A B-B-C-OWNED CABLE TELEVISION NETWORK IN THE UNITED STATES.

NORTH AMERICAN BASEBALL TEAM OWNERS HAVE APPROVED THE SALE OF THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS FROM THE WALTER O'MALLEY FAMILY TO THE FOX COMPANY, OWNED BY MEDIA MAGNATE RUPERT MURDOCH. THE SALE PRICE WAS NOT DISCLOSED BUT SOURCES SAY IT WAS IN EXCESS IN 300-MILLION DOLLARS. MEANWHILE, GEORGE STEINBRENNER, PRINCIPAL OWNER OF THE NEW YORK YANKEES BASEBALL TEAM, IS DENYING RUMORS THAT HE IS NEGOTIATING A SALE OF THE TEAM TO THE CABLEVISION COMPANY.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/JO
19-Mar-98 4:54 PM EST (2154 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS CONTINUE TO COMMENT ON THE WHITE HOUSE SEX SCANDAL, AS IT IS BEING REFERRED TO, AND THE WEEKEND TELEVISION APPEARANCE OF ONE OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S FEMALE ACCUSERS.

OTHER TOPICS FILLING THE NATION'S EDITORIALS PAGES THIS THURSDAY INCLUDE: THE SEX HARASSMENT VERDICT OF THE ARMY TOP FORMER ENLISTED MAN; THE NEW HINDU NATIONALIST GOVERNMENT IN INDIA; SOME UN-DIPLOMATIC TACTICS IN ISRAEL; THE TENSION IN KOSOVO PROVINCE AND PROSPECTS FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. NOW, WE WELCOME ____________ WHO HAS A CLOSER LOOK FOR US ALL AND PERHAPS A QUOT OR TWO, IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN ONE OF THE SOUTH'S LARGEST DAILIES, "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" RUNS UNDER THIS HEADLINE: "SEX SCANDAL GETS UGLIER," AND THE PAPER SUGGESTS THE REACTION OF SOME PEOPLE IS LIKE THE CHARACTER ALEX IN STANLEY KUBRICK'S MOVIE "A CLOCKWORK ORANGE" WHEN HE BEGS TO BE ALLOWED TO STOP WATCHING A DEGRADING FILM. SAYS "THE CONSTITUTION:"

VOICE: ... MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ... CAN RELATE TO ALEX'S PREDICAMENT. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO WATCH THE SCANDAL PLAYING OUT IN WASHINGTON, AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO BE SICKENED BY WHAT YOU SEE. OF THE WHOLE CAST OF CHARACTERS, FROM LINDA TRIPP TO KEN STARR TO KATHLEEN WILLEY TO BILL CLINTON, WHOM DO YOU TRUST? ... FOR MOST AMERICANS, THE ANSWER IS ... THERE IS NO ONE TO BELIEVE, NO ONE TO TRUST. THERE IS ONLY SLEAZE BEING PILED UPON GARBAGE, AND SOMEWHERE AT THE BOTTOM OF THAT GROWING PILE OF STINKING COMPOST MAY REST SOMETHING THAT RESEMBLES THE TRUTH. ...THESE ARE IMPORTANT ISSUES. IF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES GROPED A WOMAN WHO HAD COME TO THE OVAL OFFICE SEEKING A JOB, HE OUGHT TO BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE.

TEXT: WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON ABOUT TO EMBARK ON A HISTORIC WEEK-LONG TRIP TO AFRICA, "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE WORRIES THAT THE SEX ALLEGATIONS ARE SERIOUSLY DISTRACTING THE WHITE HOUSE THE PAPER SAYS THE SUPREME COURT SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT BY ALLOWING THE PAULA JONES SEXUAL HARASSMENT SUIT TO CONTINUE WHILE MR. CLINTON WAS IN OFFICE, IT WOULD DISTRACTION.

VOICE: ... AS THE SCANDAL PROGRESSES, IT CONSUMES THE TIME OF WHITE HOUSE STAFF, [NOW PRESUMABLY] DEVOTING MORE ATTENTION TO KATHLEEN WILLEY THAN SADDAM HUSSEIN. WHAT THE [SUPREME COURT] JUSTICES COULD NOT KNOW IN MAY WAS THE SYNERGY BETWEEN THE JONES LAWSUIT AND INDEPENDENT COUNSEL KENNETH ... STARR'S CRIMINAL HUNTING EXPEDITION.

... THERE ARE NO GOOD GUYS IN THIS STRUGGLE, NO WINNERS. THE NATION'S DIGNITY AND ITS LEADERS' FOCUS ON MATTERS OF STATE ARE BEING COMPROMISED, WHICH MAKES ALL AMERICANS LIKELY LOSERS.

TEXT: TURNING BRIEFLY TO ANOTHER POWERFUL MAN WHO WAS, UNTIL RECENTLY, CAUGHT UP IN A SEXUAL HARASSMENT SCANDAL, THERE ARE THESE EDITORIALS REACTIONS TO FORMER ARMY SERGEANT MAJOR GENE MCKINNEY'S ACQUITTAL ON ALL BUT ONE CHARGE IN A COURTS MARTIAL. TODAY'S "PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" CALLS IT "A FAIR SENTENCE," ADDING:

VOICE: WHAT'S THE RIGHT PUNISHMENT FOR AN ARMY BIG SHOT [LEADER] FOUND 'NOT GUILTY' OF 18 CHARGES OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, BUT CONVICTED OF TRYING TO TAMPER WITH ONE WITNESS? THAT IS THE LATEST DEBATE IN THE CASE OF GENE MCKINNEY ... HIS LAWYERS ASKED FOR NO PUNISHMENT; PROSECUTORS WANTED HIM LOCKED UP FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS AND BUSTED [REDUCED IN RANK] TO PRIVATE. WHEN A MILITARY PANEL REPRIMANDED HIM AND NUDGED HIS RANK DOWN TO MASTER SERGEANT, IT WAS ONE MORE DISAPPOINTMENT FOR LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO HAD WANTED CONVICTIONS ON ALL 19 COUNTS. BUT A CALM LOOK AT MR. MCKINNEY'S FATE SUGGESTS ... THIS VERDICT WAS APPROPRIATE.

TEXT: TURNING TO OVERSEAS AFFAIRS, AND THE NEW, HINDU NATIONALISTIC COALITION GOVERNMENT IN INDIA, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SUGGESTS THAT THE WORLD'S MOST POPULUS DEMOCRACY "HAS EMBARKED ON A PERILOUS COURSE," ADDING:

VOICE: THERE IS REASON TO HOPE THAT THE HINDU NATIONALIST PARTY, CALLED BHARATIYA JANATA, WILL RESPECT THE COUNTRY'S SECULAR TRADITIONS. ITS LEADER, ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE, HAS DROPPED THE PARTY'S PLEDGE TO IMPOSE A UNIFORM CIVIL CODE REPUGNANT TO THE MUSLIM MINORITY. THE PARTY ALSO PLANS TO KEEP THE SPECIAL STATUS OF INDIA'S ONLY MUSLIM [UNDERSTOOD HERE: "MAJORITY] AND TO REFRAIN FROM BUILDING A HINDU TEMPLE AT THE SITE OF A MOSQUE [IN AYODHYA, UTTAR PRADESH] DESTROYED BY HINDU MOBS FIVE YEARS AGO. IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER MR. VAJPAYEE WILL BE ABLE TO QUIET ZEALOTS IN PARLIAMENT OR CURB ANTI-MUSLIM VIOLENCE.

TEXT: FLORIDA'S "ORLANDO SENTINEL" IS REACTING THIS WAY TO ISRAEL'S SNUB OF BRITAIN'S FOREIGN SECRETARY, AND EUROPEAN UNION REPRESENTATIVE, ROBIN COOK, AFTER HE HE VISITED WITH PALESTINIAN LEADERS AND TOURED A DISPUTED PART OF EAST JERUSALEM, ANGERING MR. NETANYAHU.

VOICE: PEOPLE CERTAINLY CAN DISAGREE AS TO WHETHER MR. COOK'S ACTIONS ... WERE ADVISABLE. BUT THE RESPONSE OF ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU WAS EXCESSIVE [AND] ... RUDE. ... MR. NETANYAHU CANCELED A SCHEDULED DINNER WITH MR. COOK AND LODGED AN OFFICIAL PROTEST WITH BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER. THEN MR. NETANYAHU -- TERMING MR. COOK'S MEETING WITH PALESTINIANS PROVOCATIVE -- DID SOME PROVOKING HIMSELF. HE SAID ISRAEL WOULD BUILD THOUSANDS OF HOMES FOR ISRAELIS ON DISPUTED LAND IN EAST JERUSALEM. ... MR. NETANYAHU NEEDS TO GET WITH THE PROGRAM. HIS ABOMINABLE BEHAVIOR IS A CONTINUING OBSTACLE TO PEACE.

TEXT: IN THE BALKANS, NOTING THE CENTURIES OF TENSION IN THE ALBANIAN-MAJORITY YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO, WITH THE SERB MINORITY, "THE PROVINCE JOURNAL-BULLETIN" SUGGESTS THIS IDEA.

VOICE: UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE BEST OUTCOME WOULD BE PROVINCIAL SEMI-AUTONOMY WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF OVERALL YUGOSLAV SOVEREIGNTY. THIS WOULD NOT SATISFY EXTREMISTS ON EITHER SIDE, BUT IT MIGHT BE SUFFICIENTLY ACCEPTABLE TO KEEP MOST SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS FROM THINKING THAT THE ONLY 'SOLUTION' IS SLAUGHTERING EACH OTHER.

TEXT: THE BIG RHODE ISLAND DAILY GOES ON TO SUGGEST THAT WESTERN NATIONS CAN HELP BY KEEPING TURKEY, GREECE AND ALBANIAN OUT OF THE FRAY.

AS REGARDS YET ANOTHER PEACE EFFORT, IN NORTHERN IRELAND, "THE WASHINGTON POST" COMMENTS:

VOICE: THE IRISH PEACE TRAIN BEARING REPRESENTATIVES OF BRITAIN, IRELAND AND THE CONTESTING NORTHERN IRELAND PARTIES RODE INTO WASHINGTON THIS WEEK, ALLOWING AMERICANS TO SEE UP CLOSE BOTH THE BRIGHT AND THE DARK ASPECTS OF THEIR HISTORIC PROJECT. WHAT IS BRIGHT IS THAT SERIOUS PEOPLE ARE STRIVING TO MATCH THE CONFLICTING GOALS OF, FOR THE CATHOLICS IN NORTHERN IRELAND, UNITY WITH IRELAND AND, FOR THE PROTESTANTS, CONTINUED UNION WITH BRITAIN. WHAT IS DARK IS A MEASURE OF BONE-DEEP DISTRUST THAT CANNOT FAIL TO SOBER EVEN THE BEST-MEANING FACILITATORS OF A PEACE.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON REVELATIONS THAT A STATE OF MISSISSIPPI SOVEREIGNTY COMMISSION USED TAXPAYERS MONEY IN THE 1960S AND 1970S TO FOIL CIVIL RIGHTS EFFORTS, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" LAUDS THE STATE'S DISCLOSURE.

VOICE: ... THE 124-THOUSAND PAGES OF SOVEREIGNTY COMMISSION FILES RELEASED ... SHOW THAT MISSISSIPPI WAS BREATHTAKINGLY FLAMBOYANT IN ITS OFFICIAL PLOTTING AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAW. ... THE FAR ... THERE IS EVIDENCE OF OFFICIAL WILLINGNESS TO TRAP, TO SMEAR, TO FABRICATE AND JAIL AND TO CONSIDER MURDER -- BUT NO EVIDENCE YET THAT THE COMMISSION ACTUALLY HELPED DO THAT. IF IT DID, OR DID NOT, IS A TRUTH WORTH KNOWING, IF IT CAN BE KNOWN. ... WHAT REMAINS IS A RECORD OF STATE-SANCTIONED TERROR THAT DEMANDS TO BE REMEMBERED.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM SOME OF TODAY'S U-S DAILY PAPERS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
19-Mar-98 11:05 AM EST (1605 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] TURKEY AND THE CAUCASUS

ANNCR: ON THE LINE -- A DISCUSSION OF UNITED STATES POLICIES AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES. THIS WEEK, "TURKEY AND THE CAUCASUS." HERE IS YOUR HOST, ---------.

HOST: HELLO AND WELCOME TO ON THE LINE. TURKEY HAS LONG OCCUPIED A STRATEGIC POSITION AND PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN THE WESTERN ALLIANCE. AS SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAID, "BECAUSE OF ITS POSITION AT THE CROSSROADS OF EUROPE, THE CAUCASUS, CENTRAL ASIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST, TURKEY'S FUTURE POLICIES WILL HELP SHAPE THE CONTOURS OF THE NEW WORLD." THE COUNTRIES OF THE CAUCASUS, INCLUDING ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN, AND GEORGIA, ARE IN TRANSITION FROM THE SOVIET ERA. AND HUGE RESERVES OF GAS AND OIL IN THE CASPIAN BASIN HAVE MADE THE REGION CRITICALLY IMPORTANT ECONOMICALLY.

STEVE COFFEY IS PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR. HE THINKS THAT TURKEY CAN SERVE AS A ROLE MODEL IN THE CAUCASUS. COFFEY: TURKEY'S IN A VERY ROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD. THERE AREN'T VERY MANY DEMOCRACIES AROUND. IT DOES HAVE FUNCTIONING DEMOCRATIC, PARLIAMENTARY INSTITUTIONS, A VERY VIGOROUS FREE PRESS. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN SOME PROBLEMS ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY FRONT WITH TURKEY. I HAVE TO SAY THAT WE'RE ENCOURAGED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING STEPS TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS. THE MOST SEVERE PROBLEM, OF COURSE, IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE KURDS IN THE SOUTHEAST OF TURKEY. I THINK IF THEY CAN ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM AND FIND A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THAT PROBLEM, THAT THAT WILL MAKE THEM EVEN MORE OF A MODEL THAN THEY ARE NOW TO THE OTHER COUNTRIES OF THE REGION.

HOST: ZALMAY KHALILZAD IS DIRECTOR OF THE STRATEGY AND DOCTRINE PROGRAM AT THE RAND CORPORATION. HE SAYS THAT THE EUROPEAN UNION WAS WRONG IN REJECTING TURKEY'S APPLICATION TO JOIN THE E-U. KHALILZAD: I THINK THAT IS A MISTAKEN APPROACH THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A BREAK BETWEEN TURKEY AND EUROPE AND HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON TURKEY'S ORIENTATION GLOBALLY. AND THEREFORE, I BELIEVE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US, THE UNITED STATES, ON BEHALF OF THE WEST, TO REVITALIZE OUR OWN RELATIONSHIP WITH TURKEY AT THIS POINT TO DISCOURAGE TURKEY FROM OVERREACTING WHILE WE DRAG THE EUROPEANS ALONG OVER TIME TO SEE THE LACK OF WISDOM IN THEIR APPROACH.

HOST: PAUL GOBLE IS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY AND A SPECIALIST ON THE FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS. HE SAYS THAT RUSSIA HAS AN INTEREST IN KEEPING THE CAUCASUS IN A STATE OF FLUX. GOBLE: THE VIEW OF MANY POLITICIANS IN THE THREE CAUCASIAN COUNTRIES, OR, AT LEAST, IN GEORGIA AND AZERBAIJAN, IS THAT RUSSIAN POLICY CONSISTS OF PROMOTING FROZEN INSTABILITY IN THE CAUCASUS. IN OTHER WORDS, NOT CAUSING THINGS TO GO TO COMPLETE WAR AND COMPLETE BREAKDOWN, BUT ALSO KEEPING THINGS AT A LOW BOIL WHICH KEEPS WESTERN COMPANIES AND WESTERN GOVERNMENTS FROM BEING WILLING TO COMMIT TO THE KIND OF INVESTMENT PROGRAM THAT WOULD GIVE THESE COUNTRIES MORE FLEXIBILITY INTERNATIONALLY. I'VE HEARD ANY NUMBER OF AZERBAIJANI AND GEORGIAN OFFICIALS TALK ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN EXACTLY THAT TERM. THEY SEE THE RUSSIAN OPPOSITION TO A PIPELINE FROM AZERBAIJAN THROUGH GEORGIA TO TURKEY AS BEING A WAY OF PROMOTING RUSSIAN INTERESTS IN DOMINATING THE REGION.

HOST: STEVE COFFEY OF THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT THE GREAT ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF THE CAUCASUS REGION CANNOT BE REALIZED UNTIL LOCAL CONFLICTS ARE SETTLED. FOR ON THE LINE, THIS IS --------.

ANNCR: YOU'VE BEEN LISTENING TO "ON THE LINE" -- A DISCUSSION OF UNITED STATES POLICIES AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES. THIS IS -------.
19-Mar-98 6:48 PM EST (2348 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] TURKEY/HUMAN RIGHTS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: A TURKISH COURT ON THURSDAY HANDED DOWN PRISON SENTENCES TO FIVE POLICEMEN WHO WERE CONVICTED ON CHARGES OF BEATING A YOUNG LEFT-WING JOURNALIST TO DEATH TWO YEARS AGO. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, THE TRIAL WAS WIDELY VIEWED AS A TEST OF TURKEY'S PLEDGE TO CRACK DOWN ON WIDESPREAD HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES.

TEXT: AS HORDES OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS, JOURNALISTS AND POLITICIANS WAITED OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM, THE PRESIDING JUDGE SENTENCED EACH OF THE POLICEMEN TO SEVEN-AND-A-HALF YEARS IN PRISON FOR KICKING, PUNCHING AND BEATING TO DEATH JOURNALIST METIN GOKTEPE. SIX OTHER POLICEMEN IMPLICATED IN THE 27-YEAR-OLD REPORTER'S KILLING WERE ACQUITTED ON SIMILAR CHARGES.

THE TRIAL HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL FROM THE START. INITIALLY, NONE OF THE 11 POLICEMEN ACCUSED SHOWED UP FOR THE HEARINGS ALTHOUGH THERE WERE WARRANTS FOR THEIR ARRESTS. THE ISTANBUL CHIEF OF POLICE SAID HE DID NOT KNOW THEIR ADDRESSES AND THEREFORE WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THEM. IT WAS NOT UNTIL TURKEY'S PRO-SECULAR COALITION GOVERNMENT CAME TO POWER NINE MONTHS AGO THAT THE SIX POLICEMEN SENTENCED THURSDAY WERE DETAINED.

HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS SAY THEY ARE DISSATISFIED WITH OUTCOME, SAYING IT DOES NOT SERVE AS A SUFFICIENT DETERRENT TO POLICE BRUTALITY THEY SAY IS WIDESPREAD IN TURKEY. LAST WEEK, A COURT IN MANISA IN TURKEY'S WESTERN PROVINCE ACQUITTED NINE POLICEMEN ACCUSED OF TORTURING 16 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ACCUSED OF PASTING-UP LEFT WING POSTERS AND SPRAYING GRAFFITI ON A WALL. THE DEFENSE SUBMITTED OFFICIAL FORENSIC EVIDENCE ESTABLISHING THAT THE TEENAGERS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 18 AND INCLUDING FOUR GIRLS HAD BEEN TORTURED AND SEXUALLY ABUSED. THE ACQUITTAL PROVOKED A STORM OF PROTEST AMONG HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS, BOTH IN TURKEY AND ABROAD.

PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ CAME TO POWER PLEDGING TO CURB ABUSES. BUT ACCORDING TO THE ANKARA-BASED "HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION," TORTURE IS STILL USED BY SECURITY FORCES AS A METHOD OF INTERROGATION. THE FOUNDATIONS SAYS 57 TORTURE VICTIMS HAVE APPLIED TO THEIR REHABILITATION CENTERS SINCE THE NEW GOVERNMENT CAME TO POWER LAST YEAR. BUT FOUNDATION OFFICIALS SAY MOST TORTURE CASES CONTINUE TO GO UNREPORTED BECAUSE VICTIMS ARE, IN THEIR WORDS, TOO SCARED TO APPROACH THE ORGANIZATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF
19-Mar-98 10:07 AM EST (1507 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] UN/KOSOVO (L-O) BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL REMAINS DIVIDED OVER A RESOLUTION IMPOSING A COMPREHENSIVE ARMS EMBARGO ON YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT: U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON SAYS BELGRADE HAS YET TO MEET THE MINIMUM CONDITIONS SET BY THE SO-CALLED CONTACT GROUP MONITORING YUGOSLAVIA -- BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES -- EVEN THOUGH THE DEADLINE HAS EXPIRED. CONSEQUENTLY, MR. RICHARDSON SAYS, THE UNITED STATES STILL WANTS THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO IMPOSE AN INTERNATIONAL ARMS EMBARGO ON YUGOSLVIA FOR ITS TREATMENT OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO.

THE WORK ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION CONTINUES. WE ARE PRESSING FORWARD. WE BELIEVE THAT THE RESULTS OF RECENT MEETINGS IN BELGRADE HAVE BEEN AT BEST MIXED. THE SPECIAL POLICE HAS NOT BEEN WITHDRAWN. WE ARE UNSURE WHETHER HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES CAN HAVE ACCESS TO PEOPLE. WE BELIEVE AN INTERNATIONAL ARMS EMBARGO IS THE RIGHT PROCEDURE, THE RIGHT WAY TO GO. WE BELIEVE THE SECURITY COUNCIL SHOULD TAKE STRONG ACTION TO MAINTAIN THE PRESSURE ON BELGRADE.

RUSSIA AND CHINA HAVE QUESTIONED INTERVENING IN YUGOSLAVIA'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS SINCE DISCUSSION OF THE ARMS EMBARBO BEGAN. NOW RUSSIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SERGEY LAVROV, SAYS TOO MUCH IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND IN KOSOVO RIGHT NOW TO REQUIRE SECURITY COUNCIL ACTION -- INCLUDING VISITS BY FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM RUSSIA, FRANCE, AND GERMANY AND A SPECIAL ENVOY FROM THE UNITED STATES.

THERE WAS A VISIT OF MINISTER PRIMAKOV TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA YESTERDAY. TODAY THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF FRANCE AND GERMANY HELD DISCUSSIONS THERE AND THEY HELD A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE WHERE THEY ANNOUNCED ADDITIONAL MOVEMENT ON THE PART OF BELGRADE. AND NEGOTIATIONS ARE PROPOSED, NEGOTIATIONS WITHOUT ANY PRECONDITIONS. THE MISSION OF THE RED CROSS HAS BEEN GUARANTEED ALL NECESSARY CONDITIONS FOR ITS ACTIVITIES. SO THINGS ARE MOVING ON THE GROUND. OF COURSE WE HAVE TO SEE HOW ALBANIANS REACT WE HAVE TO WATCH. THE SECURITY COUNCIL WILL STAND READY TO SEE WHETHER AN ACTION BY THE COUNCIL WILL BE REQUIRED.

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