Voice of America, 98-03-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] COHEN KOSOVO - S BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[02] CYPRUS/CORDOVEZ (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

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

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

[05] KOSOVO / GELBARD (L) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

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

[07] ROMANIA - COPTERS - S BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

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

[09] TURKEY-ISLAM (L-ONLY) BY TOM KANKKONEN (ISTANBUL)

[10] YUGO / U-S (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (WASHINGTON)

[01] COHEN KOSOVO - S BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THE WAY TO RESTORE PEACE, IN THE TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE, IS WITH MORE TALKS, NOT WITH MORE WEAPONS. MR. COHEN SAYS HE HOPES REPORTS OF RUSSIAN WEAPONS SALES TO YUGOSLAVIA ARE INCORRECT. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: MR. COHEN SAYS WEAPONS SALES TO YUGOSLAVIA "WOULD BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE." MR. COHEN SAYS WASHINGTON IS TRYING TO GET ALL PARTIES IN KOSOVO TO ARRIVE AT A SETTLEMENT, AND HE SAYS WASHINGTON SUGGESTS MORE AUTHORITY FOR KOSOVO, BUT NOT A BREAK WITH YUGOSLAVIA.

WE DO NOT FAVOR INDEPENDENCE FOR KOSOVO. WE THINK THEY SHOULD BE GRANTED GRATER AUTONOMY, AND WE THINK ALSO THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME ENCOURAGEMENT, ON THE PART OF THOSE WHO ARE THREATENING TO TURN TO VIOLENCE, TO RETURN TO AN ATMOSPHERE OF CALM AND REASON.

A RECENT SWEEP THROUGH KOSOVO BY YUGOSLAV SECURITY FORCES LEFT MORE THAN 80 PEOPLE DEAD. KOSOVO IS PART OF YUGOSLAVIA'S LARGEST REPUBLIC, SERBIA. A LARGE MAJORITY OF KOSOVO RESIDENTS ARE ETHNIC ALBANIANS, WHO SAY THEY ARE VICTIMS OF DISCRIMINATION AT THE HANDS OF THE MINORITY OF SERBS WHO RULE KOSOVO. (SIGNED).
NEB/JR/PLM
26-Mar-98 2:15 PM EST (1915 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CYPRUS/CORDOVEZ (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE TOP UNITED NATIONS MEDIATOR ON CYPRUS SAYS NEGOTIATIONS AIMED AT REUNITING THE ETHNICALLY-DIVIDED ISLAND ARE DEADLOCKED WITHOUT ANY IMMEDIATE BREAKTHROUGH IN SIGHT. LISA SCHLEIN REPORTS THE MEDIATOR SAYS HE HOPES AN UPCOMING MEETING IN GENEVA BETWEEN THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE LEADER OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMUNITY WILL SUCCEED IN MOVING THINGS ALONG.

TEXT: THE U-N SPECIAL MEDIATOR FOR CYPRUS, DIEGO CORDOVEZ, SAYS HIS USUAL SENSE OF OPTIMISM HAS FRAYED A BIT. BUT, HE SAYS HE STILL HOPES THE STALLED CYPRUS PEACE NEGOTIATIONS CAN BE PUT BACK ON TRACK.

MR. CORDOVEZ SAYS HE HOPES THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL WILL SUCCEED IN CONVINCING THE LEADER OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMUNITY, RAUF DENKTASH, TO RESUME TALKS WITH THE LEADER OF THE GREEK CYPRIOT COMMUNITY, GLAFCOS CLERIDES. THE SECRETARY-GENERAL WILL MEET MR. DENKTASH ON SATURDAY.

MR. CORDOVEZ SAYS MR. DENKTASH WILL ASK THE SECRETARY-GENERAL TO RECOGNIZE NORTHERN CYPRUS AS A SEPARATE STATE.

I HAVE ENCOURAGED THIS MEETING BECAUSE I FEEL THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT MR. DENKTASH BE GIVEN A HEARING.

MR. CORDOVEZ SAYS ONLY THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL CAN GIVE MR. DENKTASH THE RECOGNITION HE WANTS. AND HE SAYS HE DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN.

MR. DENKTASH IS UPSET BY THE EUROPEAN UNION'S DECISION TO OPEN TALKS WITH THE GREEK CYPRIOT-LED GOVERNMENT OF CYPRUS ABOUT JOINING THE E-U. HE HAS SAID HE WILL NOT RESUME NEGOTIATIONS UNLESS THE TURKISH NORTHERN PART OF CYPRUS IS RECOGNIZED AS A STATE.

TALKS TO REUNIFY THE DIVIDED ISLAND HAVE BEEN GOING ON AND OFF SINCE 1974 WHEN TURKISH FORCES INVADED NORTHERN CYPRUS FOLLOWING A GREEK-BACKED COUP ATTEMPT. DESPITE THE PROBLEMS, MR. CORDOVEZ REFUSES TO PUT THE BLAME FOR THE CURRENT IMPASSE ON MR. DENKTASH.

I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED THAT IN A NEGOTIATION, IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO. AND, OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, BOTH SHARE SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FACT THAT THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON AND ON AND ON.

MR. CORDOVEZ SAYS THERE IS A TOTAL LACK OF CONFIDENCE AND TRUST BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES. NEVERTHELESS, HE SAYS HE IS CONVINCED THAT EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN THE CYPRUS SITUATION WANTS A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM AND THAT EVERYBODY IS LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESUME THE NEGOTIATIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH
26-Mar-98 1:33 PM EST (1833 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE DOWN IN TRADING THURSDAY IN EUROPE. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: SHARE PRICES WERE OFF SHARPLY IN ALL MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS. ALL THE MARKETS DID RECOVER FROM THEIR LOWS OF THE DAY, BUT STILL FINISHED DOWN AFTER A SLOW START ON WALL STREET.

IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX INDEX FELL MORE THAN 85 POINTS, ONE-AND-SIX-TENTHS PERCENT. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX ALSO WAS DOWN SHARPLY, 62 POINTS, MORE THAN ONE PERCENT.

AND IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX WAS OFF 35 POINTS, NINE-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR WAS DOWN AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, THE BRITISH POUND, AND THE JAPANESE YEN. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWH/MMK
26-Mar-98 2:19 PM EST (1919 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: GERMANY'S LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT HAS GIVEN ITS APPROVAL FOR THE EASTWARD EXPANSION OF NATO, CLEARING THE WAY FOR A VOTE IN THE UPPER HOUSE ON FRIDAY. FROM BONN, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: THE TREATY WAS APPROVED BY AN OVERWHELMING (554-TO-37) VOTE IN GERMANY'S LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT.

IF IT IS APPROVED -- AS EXPECTED -- BY THE UPPER HOUSE, GERMANY WILL BECOME THE FOURTH NATO MEMBER STATE TO APPROVE THE EXPANSION TO INCLUDE POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC.

ALL OF NATO'S 16 CURRENT MEMBER STATES MUST APPROVE THE EXPANSION TREATY BEFORE THE THREE NEW MEMBERS CAN BE ADMITTED.

THE SMALL NUMBER OF VOTES AGAINST THE TREATY CAME MOSTLY FROM THE "GREENS" PARTY AND THE REFORMED EAST GERMAN COMMUNISTS, WHO FEAR THE EXPANSION OF NATO WILL ANGER RUSSIA.

AFTER THE MEASURE PASSED, FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL SAID GERMANY OWED ITS REUNIFICATION TO THE SUPPORT OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN STATES. HE SAID GERMANY HAS A MORAL OBLIGATION TO HELP THOSE STATES BY BACKING THEIR MEMBERSHIP IN NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION.

THE UPPER HOUSE OF THE GERMAN PARLIAMENT IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN DEBATING THE ISSUE ON FRIDAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF
26-Mar-98 6:41 PM EST (2341 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO / GELBARD (L) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: A DELEGATION OF AMERICAN AND BRITISH OFFICIALS VISITED BELGRADE AND PRISTINA, KOSOVO TODAY (THURSDAY) TO INSIST ON PROGRESS TOWARD TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF THE TROUBLED YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. THE VISIT CAME ONE DAY AFTER A MEETING OF THE CONTACT GROUP ON KOSOVO THAT PUT OFF ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS ON BELGRADE FOR ONE MONTH. V-O-A'S GIL BULTER REPORTS AMERICAN SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GELBARD INSISTED THAT SPECIAL YUGOSLAV POLICE FORCES BE WITHDRAWN FROM KOSOVO.

TEXT: MR. GELBARD AND BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE OFFICIAL JEREMY GREENSTOCK MET FIRST IN BELGRADE WITH YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS, THOUGH NOT WITH SLOBODAN MILOSOVEC. IN PRISTINA, THE CAPITAL OF KOSOVO, THE PARTY MET WITH ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADER IBRAHIM RUGOVA AND HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE AT THE AMERICAN INFORMATION CENTER HERE.

THE MESSAGE WAS CLEAR, TALKS MUST BEGIN SOON ON KOSOVO'S FUTURE. AND IF NO PROGRESS IS MADE, MORE SANCTIONS ARE LIKELY TO BE IMPOSED ON THE BELGRADE REGIME.

MR. RUGOVA HAS ALREADY APPOINTED AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE TALKS AND TOLD THE INTERNATIONAL DELEGATION HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NAMING A NEGOTIATING TEAM FOR TALKS WITH THE SERBS. MR. GELBARD SAID THE TALKS SHOULD LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT SELF-ADMINISTRATION IN KOSOVO, WHICH IS 90 PERCENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN.

THE PROVINCE ENJOYED AUTONOMY UNTIL MR. MILOSOVEC EFFECTIVELY ENDED IT IN 1989. NOW, MANY ALBANIANS ARE DEMANDING OUTRIGHT INDEPENDENCE, WHICH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OPPOSES.

THE WESTERN DIPLOMATS SAID IT IS CLEAR THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL BE INVOLVED IN SETTING UP THE TALKS BETWEEN THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT AND KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS.

ONE OF THE POINTS EMPHASIZED BY ROBERT GELBARD WAS THE NEED FOR SERBIAN SPECIAL POLICE FORCES TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM KOSOVO.

THE DECLARATION OF THE CONTACT GROUPS SPEAK FOR ITSELF. IN TERMS OF CONTINUING TO INSIST, REFERRING BACK TO THE MARCH NINTH DECLARATION, THAT THE SPECIAL POLICE AND OTHER FORMS OF POLICE, WHICH ARE NOT NORMALLY INVOLVED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, BE WITHDRAWN. IT IS ALSO THE VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES, BASED ON FIRST-HAND EVIDENCE FROM EMBASSY PERSONNEL, THAT THE SPECIAL POLICE AND OTHER UNITS ARE DIGGING IN AND MAKING THEIR PRESENCE PERMANENT OR AT LEAST SEMI-PERMANENT.

HE SAYS THE SPECIAL POLICE PRESENCE TERRORIZES THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO.

IN A FEW DAYS, THE SANCTION FORBIDDING ARMS SALES TO YUGOSLAVIA THAT CAN BE USED BY SPECIAL POLICE FORCES GOES INTO EFFECT. BRITISH AND AMERICAN DIPLOMATS SAY IF NO PROGRESS IS MADE WITHIN FOURS WEEKS TOWARDS STARTING MEANINGFUL TALKS WITH THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS, THERE ARE LIKELY TO BE ADDITIONAL PENALTIES.
NEB/GB/TMD-T/KL
26-Mar-98 2:47 PM EST (1947 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (THURSDAY) WITH SOME ANALYSTS SAYING TRADERS ARE A BIT NERVOUS ABOUT CURRENT STOCK VALUATIONS. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 88 HUNDRED 46, DOWN 25 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED, DOWN ONE POINT.

TRADING WAS GENERALLY LACKLUSTER WITH STOCKS DOWN MODESTLY FOR MOST OF THE SESSION.

SOME ANALYSTS SAY MANY TRADERS EXPECT A DOWNWARD CORRECTION AFTER THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE PASSES THE NINE THOUSAND LEVEL AND THAT EXPECTATION IN ITSELF MAY BE KEEPING STOCK PRICES DOWN.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS REVISED DOWNWARD THE RATE OF U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR. THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE ECONOMY EXPANDED AT A THREE POINT SEVEN PERCENT ANNUAL RATE, DOWN TWO-TENTHS OF A PERCENT FROM THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE.

THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS FILING CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS WAS UP LAST WEEK TO ITS HIGHEST LEVEL IN A MONTH. HOWEVER, ANALYSTS SAY MUCH OF THE INCREASE IS RELATED TO TEMPORARY LAYOFFS AND THAT THE OVERALL U-S JOB MARKET IS STILL VERY STRONG.

THE STOCK OF THE ECHLIN (ECK-LIN) AUTO PARTS COMPANY ROSE IN THE WAKE OF A THREE BILLION DOLLAR HOSTILE TAKEOVER ATTEMPT BY THE S-P-X CORPORATION. ANALYSTS SAY IT IS POSSIBLE THAT OTHER COMPANIES WILL MAKE BIDS FOR ECHLIN.

IT IS STILL UNCERTAIN WHO WILL BUY BRITISH AUTOMAKER ROLLS-ROYCE. VOLKSWAGEN OF GERMANY HAS OFFERED A REPORTED 821 MILLION DOLLARS FOR ROLLS BUT B-M-W, ANOTHER GERMAN AUTOMAKER, SAYS IT IS PLANNING TO MAKE AN OFFER.

ANDREW GROVE, THE LEGENDARY HEAD OF THE INTEL MICROPROCESSOR COMPANY, WILL STEP DOWN AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND BE REPLACED BY CRAIG BARRETT, THE COMPANY'S CURRENT PRESIDENT. MR. GROVE WILL CONTINUE TO BE CHAIRMAN OF INTEL.

THE HASBRO TOY COMPANY OF THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT IS IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE PRINCESS DIANA MEMORIAL FUND TO PRODUCE A DOLL AND OTHER PRODUCTS BEARING THE IMAGE OF THE LATE BRITISH PRINCESS. THERE ARE ALREADY MANY "DIANA" PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET BUT NONE OF THEM HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY LICENSED BY THE MEMORIAL TRUST.(SIGNED)
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26-Mar-98 5:00 PM EST (2200 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] ROMANIA - COPTERS - S BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: AN AMERICAN COMPANY SAYS IT WILL SOON BEGIN PRODUCING MILITARY HELICOPTERS IN A FACTORY IN ROMANIA. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, THE TEN YEAR PLAN IS LIKELY TO BE ON THE AGENDA MONDAY WHEN ROMANIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER VISITS THE PENTAGON TO DISCUSS SEVERAL MILITARY ISSUES.

TEXT: A REPRESENTATIVE OF BELL HELICOPTERS IN TEXAS SAYS ROMANIA HAS SIGNED A ONE AND A HALF BILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT FOR 96 COBRA ATTACK HELICOPTERS. IN A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW, GORDON HEALEY SAYS BELL HELICOPTERS WILL BUY A CONTROLLING INTEREST IN A ROMANIAN AIR CRAFT COMPANY CALLED I-A-R, WHICH HAS EXPERIENCE BUILDING HELICOPTERS. BELL WILL HELP SET UP A PRODUCTION LINE FOR THE WARPLANES IN ROMANIA, AND ALSO PROVIDE SPARE PARTS, PILOT TRAINING AND OTHER SUPPORT.

MR. HEALEY SAYS THE PRODUCT IS SIMILAR TO COBRA GUNSHIPS FLOWN BY THE U-S MARINES, BUT THE NEW A-H-ONE-RO'S WILL BE CALLED THE "DRACULA."

HE SAYS THE FACTORY WILL ALSO PRODUCE SOME CIVILIAN HELICOPTER PARTS FOR EXPORT TO HELICOPTER FACTORIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. THE BELL HELICOPTER EXECUTIVE SAYS THE DEAL IS GOOD FOR HIS COMPANY, AND A BOOST FOR ROMANIA'S AEROSPACE INDUSTRY, IT'S ECONOMY AND IT'S GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED).
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26-Mar-98 3:57 PM EST (2057 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE NATION'S EDITORIALS COLUMNS ARE FILLED THIS THURSDAY WITH COMMENTS ABOUT THE KILLING OF FOUR STUDENTS AND A TEACHER AT A SCHOOL IN JONESBORO, ARKANSAS. THE KILLERS ARE BOTH STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOL, ELEVEN AND THIRTEEN YEARS OLD. BOTH BOYS HAVE REPORTEDLY TOLD POLICE THEY WERE UPSET ABOUT BREAKING UP WITH THEIR GIRLFRIENDS. OTHER TOPICS DRAWING ATTENTION INCLUDE: THE NATO EXPANSION DEBATE: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S AFRICAN TRIP; SOME NEW VIEWS ON DEALING WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN; AND SOME TOUGH TALK FROM FRANCE'S LEADER.

NOW JOINING US IN THE STUDIO IS __________________WITH SOME QUOTES AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE SHOOTING DEATHS OF STUDENTS AND A TEACHER AND THE WOUNDING OF ALMOST A DOZEN OTHER STUDENTS AT A RURAL ARKANSAS SCHOOL, AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE SHOOTINGS DOMINATE THE EDITORIALS COLUMNS. FROM ONE END OF THE NATION TO THE OTHER, PAPERS ARE EXPRESSING SHOCK, HORROR AND OUTRAGE. IN MAINE, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: IT IS A JOLTING ACT OF VIOLENCE THAT TEMPTS ONE TO CONCLUDE THAT IS IS USELESS TO TRY TO MAKE SENSE OF THE SENSELESS. YET, IT IS THE THIRD INSTANCE IN SIX MONTHS OF YOUNG PEOPLE OPENING FIRE UPON CLASSMATES. ..... THE YOUNG PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THESE ACTS HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED AS ALIENATED, LACKING THE SUPPORT NEEDED TO MAKE THE WRENCHING TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD. ALL, TOO, HAD READY ACCESS TO FIREARMS.

TEXT: IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE UNITED STATES, "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND CALLS THE INCIDENT "A GRUESOME PARODY OF THE WORST OF MODERN AMERICAN LIFE: BOYS WITH GUNS, WEARING CAMOUFLAGE, KILLING GIRLS WHO JILTED THEM."

VOICE: THE CARNAGE .... IS ESPECIALLY SICKENING BECAUSE OF THE BOYS' YOUNG AGES, AND THE APPARENT COLDNESS IN THE WAY THEY MOWED DOWN THEIR CLASSMATES. BUT HOW SHOCKED SHOULD AMERICANS BE ABOUT A SCHOOL-YARD SHOOTING? ..... THE AWFUL, FRUSTRATING TRUTH IS THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO RESPOND. WHAT DO WE DO? ..... AMERICANS SHOULD GET STRONGLY ENGAGED IN NATIONAL DEBATES OVER VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, GUN CONTROL AND GUN SAFETY, AND BROADER ISSUES SUCH AS THE PERVASIVENESS OF VIOLENCE IN OUR SOCIETY.

.... AND WE CAN GIVE OUR OWN CHILDREN A FIERCE HUG, EVERY DAY.

TEXT: FROM FLORIDA, COMES SOME IDEAS FROM "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL," WHICH TELLS READERS THAT PARENTS MUST BEAR MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S UPBRINGING.

VOICE: THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CHARGED WITH TEACHING ANY CHILDREN WHO WALK IN THE FRONT DOOR, REGARDLESS OF THE EMOTIONAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL BAGGAGE [PROBLEMS] THOSE STUDENTS MAY BRING WITH THEM. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS -- NOT THE SCHOOLS -- TO CULTIVATE IN CHILDREN: A PERSONAL CODE OF CONDUCT. A STRONG SENSE OF RIGHT AND WRONG. AN APPRECIATION FOR LIFE. RESPECT FOR OTHERS. OPTIMISM ABOUT THE FUTURE. ..... PARENTS MUST HELP CHILDREN UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FANTASY AND REALITY. WHEN PARENTS FAIL TO INVEST ADEQUATE TIME IN GUIDING CHILDREN, THEIR CHILDREN -- AND SOCIETY -- ARE LEFT AT RISK.

TEXT: "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" NOTES, THAT NOT ONLY WERE THE BOYS DISTURBED, BUT THEY WERE ALSO GOOD MARKSMEN AT SUCH AN EARLY AGE.

VOICE: CLEARLY, BY THEIR MARKSMANSHIP, THE SNIPERS IN JONESBORO GREW UP WITH AND UNDERSTOOD FIREARMS. BUT JUST AS CLEARLY, THEY LACKED THE MATURITY TO COMPREHEND THE DAMAGE THAT THOSE GUNS CAN DO. ..... SOMEHOW, CHILDREN ARE GETTING THE MESSAGE THAT THEY CAN EXPRESS THEIR ANGER WITH HIGH-POWERED RIFLES. THE MEDIA AND ITS GLAMOROUS DEPICTIONS OF VIOLENCE MAY HAVE HAD A ROLE. BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT INFLUENCES, SAYS DR. STEPHEN ... THOMAS OF EMORY'S [EMORY UNIVERSITY'S] SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, ARE THE ADULTS IN A CHILD'S LIFE.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON THE QUESTION OF WHERE THE NATION GOES FROM HERE, "THE MIAMI HERALD" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: THE EASIEST SOLUTIONS, SADLY, SEEM THE HARDEST TO ATTAIN: REJECTING VIOLENCE AS ENTERTAINMENT, KEEPING CHILDREN -- OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE -- ON THE RIGHT PATH; EFFECTIVE GUN CONTROL. ANYTHING LESS MEANS THAT OTHER KIDS WILL FIND CAUSE FOR 'A LOT MORE KILLING TO DO.'

TEXT: MOVING ON TO THE DEBATE OVER EXPANDING NATO, A TOPIC THE SENATE HAS DECIDED NOT TO VOTE ON FOR SEVERAL MORE WEEKS, TWO DIFFERING OPINIONS. FIRST "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE, WHICH IS FOR ENLARGING, AND SAYS THAT THE ARGUMENTS OF A YEAR AGO THAT RUSSIAN NATIONALISM AND INSECURITY DICTATE A NO VOTE, ARE NO LONGER VALID, SINCE BORIS YELTSIN HAS ACCEPTED THE EXPANSION. "THE SUN" SAYS:

VOICE: A REJECTION OF NATO ENLARGEMENT IN THE SENATE WOULD NOT MOLLIFY RUSSIA. RATHER, IT WOULD HUMILIATE POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC. ..... ITS ENLARGEMENT WHILE RETAINING THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA CONTRIBUTES TO WORLD STABILITY.

TEXT: FLORIDA'S "ORLANDO SENTINEL" TAKES THE OPPOSITE VIEW, CHEERING SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT'S VOTE POSTPONEMENT.

VOICE: THAT WILL ALLOW SENATORS TIME TO REVIEW NATO ENLARGEMENT WITH MORE CARE. IDEALLY THEY WILL CONCLUDE THAT IT'S A BAD IDEA. WHY? BECAUSE THERE IS NO COMPELLING REASON TO ADMIT THE CZECH REPUBLIC, HUNGARY AND POLAND AT THIS TIME. .... THOUGHTFUL AMERICANS DON'T BUY EXPENSIVE THINGS ... THEY DON'T NEED AND CAN'T USE. NEITHER SHOULD THE U-S GOVERNMENT.

TEXT: STILL WITH EUROPEAN AFFAIRS, TODAY'S "MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE" WORRIES THAT THE LESSONS LEARNED IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ARE BEING LOST ON OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES OVER THE NEW TENSION IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE.

VOICE: U-S DIPLOMATS APPEAR TO BE PUTTING BOSNIA'S LESSONS TO GOOD USE AS THEY TRY TO COLLAR [COERCE] ALLIES FOR A TOUGH, UNITED STANCE ON KOSOVO. UNFORTUNATELY, AMERICA'S ALLIES HAVEN'T YET THE WILL FOR TOUGHNESS, SO SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAD TO SETTLE WEDNESDAY FOR UNITY. .... SHE'S HAD TO CONTEND ... WITH RELUCTANT PARTNERS -- NAMELY EVERY OTHER MEMBER OF THE CONTACT GROUP EXCEPT BRITAIN -- IN TRYING TO MOVE BEYOND SANCTIONS THE GROUP APPROVED IN EARLY MARCH. THE REST -- FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY AND RUSSIA -- EXPRESSED VARYING DEGREES OF HESITANCY.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S TRIP TO AFRICA, AND SPECIFICALLY HIS APOLOGY FOR U-S AND OTHER INACTION OVER 1994'S RWANDAN GENOCIDE, RINGS HOLLOW [SOUNDS DISINGENUOUS] IN THE EARS OF "THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD, WHICH ASKS "WHAT WOULD WE DO DIFFERENT NEXT TIME?"

VOICE: [MR.] CLINTONS SAYS NOW WE SHOULD HAVE CALLED THE GENOCIDE ... WHAT IT WAS, AS THOUGH THAT WOULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE. WOULD IT, THOUGH, REALLY, IN A UNITED STATES ONLY RECENTLY DISENGAGED FROM SOMALIA? WOULD IT HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN EUROPE? IN THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL? ALL WERE PAINFULLY SLOW TO REACT, AND THEN ONLY VERY RELUCTANTLY. ONE HAS TO ADMIRE THE PRESIDENT FOR GOING TO RWANDA, EVEN FOR A VERY SHORT TIME, AND LOOKING SURVIVORS OF THE GENOCIDE IN THE EYE. HIS ASSERTION THAT THE WORLD MUST '(N)EVER AGAIN ... BE SHY IN THE FACE OF THE EVIDENCE' RINGS HOLLOW, HOWEVER, UNLESS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS PREPARED TO BACK IT UP.

TEXT: REGARDING THE INVOCATION OF EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE BY PRESIDENT CLINTON IN THE INVESTIGATION BY INDEPENDENT COUNSEL KENNETH STARR OF THE MONICA LEWINSKY AFFAIR, TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SAYS:

VOICE: THE ASSERTION OF EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE MADE ON BEHALF OF THE PRESIDENT'S AIDES .... CAN ONLY EXTEND THE OBSCURITY ENVELOPING [MR.] CLINTON'S CASE. .... THE MOST WORRYING SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE [PRESIDENT] NIXON AND [PRESIDENT] CLINTON CASES, IN FACT, COULD BE A TENDENCY TO DRAW OUT THE INVESTIGATION AND ACCOMPANYING TURBULENCE BY REJECTING THE REASONABLE OPTION OF FULL COOPERATION AND DISCLOSURE.

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTS THAT A MAN BELIEVED TO BE THE HEAD OF SADDAM HUSSEIN'S BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAM HAS APPARENTLY MET A HARSH END.

VOICE: IRAQIS WHO SPILL [PROVIDE] INFORMATION ABOUT SADDAM HUSSEIN'S DEADLY ARSENAL CAN EXPECT HARD CONSEQUENCES. LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE RECENT ARREST OF NASSER HINDAWI, THE DICTATOR'S TOP ANTHRAX MAN. [MR.] HINDAWI WAS TRYING TO FLEE THE COUNTRY, IRAQ'S U-N AMBASSADOR SAYS. AND THAT MAY BE THE LAST WE'LL HEAR FROM BAGHDAD ON THE MATTER, BARRING AN EPITAPH. ..... HIS DEFECTION WOULD HAVE BEEN QUITE A COUP FOR THE WEST, BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

TEXT: TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" HAS PRAISE FOR WHAT IT DESCRIBES AS THE "POLITICAL COURAGE" OF FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUE CHIRAC, WHO THE PAPER SAYS DISPLAYED "TRUE LEADERSHIP" IN DENOUNCING MODERATE CONSERVATIVES IN HIS OWN COALITION FOR COOPERATING WITH THE EXTREME RIGHT-WING NATIONAL FRONT OF JEAN-MARIE LE PEN.

VOICE: [MR.] CHIRAC WAS DENOUNCING CONSERVATIVES IN FIVE OF FRANCE'S 22 REGIONS WHO HAD STRUCK ELECTORAL DEALS WITH THE NATIONAL FRONT TO GAIN SUPPORT AGAINST SOCIALIST OPPONENTS AND WIN CONTROL OF THEIR REGIONAL COUNCILS. ...... WITHOUT AMBIGUITY, HE SPOKE AS LEADER NOT ONLY OF HIS GAULLIST POLITICAL BLOC BUT ALSO AS A HEAD OF STATE COMMITTED TO THE NATION'S REPUBLICAN IDEALS. /// OPT

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLE OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/KL
26-Mar-98 11:50 AM EST (1650 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] TURKEY-ISLAM (L-ONLY) BY TOM KANKKONEN (ISTANBUL)

INTRO: TURKEY'S PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ MET FOR TWO HOURS THURSDAY WITH THE COMMANDER OF THE TURKISH ARMED FORCES. THE MEETING WAS PART OF PREPARATIONS BEFORE A CRUCIAL NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW, FRIDAY, WHERE THE FIGHT AGAINST ISLAMIST ACTIVISM IS SCHEDULED FOR DISCUSSION. TOM KANKKONEN REPORTS FOR VOA FROM ISTANBUL.

TEXT: CHIEF OF STAFF GENERAL ISMAIL HAKKI KARADAYI AND PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ MET AFTER PERSISTENT REPORTS OF DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE MILITARY AND THE GOVERNMENT OVER WHAT ACTION IS NECESSARY TO CURB GROWING ISLAMIST ACTIVISM. THE ISSUE IS EXPECTED TO FEATURE PROMINENTLY AT FRIDAY'S NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING.

ANXIETY FELT WITHIN TURKEY'S ARMED FORCES CAME INTO THE OPEN LAST WEEK, WHEN THE MILITARY ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING THAT NO ONE CAN UNDERMINE ITS CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE ISLAMISTS. ALTHOUGH THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION IS MOSLEM, THE TURKISH REPUBLIC IS SECULAR GOVERNMENT AND THE POWERFUL MILITARY SEES ITSELF AS THE GUARDIAN OF THAT SECULAR SYSTEM.

THE GENERALS PLAYED A CENTRAL ROLE IN FORCING OUT AN ISLAMIST-LED GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR AND THEY HAVE SINCE KEPT A WATCHFUL EYE ON THE NEW GOVERNMENT CABINET UNDER MR. YILMAZ.

SOME OPPOSITION POLITICIANS HAVE CRITICIZED THE GOVERNMENT FOR NOT DOING ENOUGH TO COUNTER THE ISLAMISTS, AND SOME MEDIA REPORTS SUGGEST THE MILITARY SHARES THIS FEELING.

AHEAD OF FRIDAY'S SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING, TURKEY'S GOVERNMENT PRESENTED SEVERAL NEW MEASURES TO RESTRICT THE GROWING ISLAMIC INFLUENCE, INCLUDING TIGHTER CONTROLS ON THE BUILDING OF MOSQUES.

TURKEY'S INTERIOR MINISTRY HAS ALSO OPENED AN INQUIRY COVERING TWO PROVINCIAL GOVERNORS AND SEVERAL LOWER RANKING OFFICIALS SUSPECTED OF ISLAMIST SYMPATHIES.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN BUSY TRYING TO LOWER TENSIONS AHEAD OF FRIDAY'S MEETING. PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ SAID EARLIER THAT THERE ARE NO DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN HIS GOVERNMENT AND THE MILITARY. TURKEYS DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, BULENT ECEVIT, ALSO TRIED TO LOWER THE EXPECTATIONS BY DESCRIBING FRIDAY'S MEETING AS A ROUTINE GATHERING TO SIMPLY DISCUSS BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SECURITY ISSUES. (SIGNED)
NEB/TK/PCF
26-Mar-98 9:05 AM EST (1405 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] YUGO / U-S (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S SPECIAL ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD HAS MET IN BELGRADE WITH YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS AND CALLED ON THEM TO SPEED UP THE DIALOGUE PROCESS WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT SEES LITTLE INDICATION THAT SERB LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS COMPLYING WITH THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP'S DEMANDS TO PULL OUT THE SPECIAL SECURITY POLICE FROM KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN HAS MORE FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO IS CALM FOR NOW, BUT STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN WARNS THAT LEAVING THE SERBIAN SECURITY POLICE THERE COULD SPELL TROUBLE.

WE DO BELIEVE THAT THE SPECIAL POLICE ARE DIGGING IN. THAT THERE IS NO INDICATION THEY ARE LEAVING AND THAT THEIR ACTIVITIES ARE THEREFORE OMINOUS.

MR RUBIN SAYS THE MESSAGE FROM THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP THIS WEEK TO MR MILOSEVIC IS CLEAR -- IF THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO CONTINUES, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL HAVE TO IMPOSE HARSHER MEASURES AGAINST HIS GOVERNMENT.

THE CONTACT GROUP DEMANDS THAT BELGRADE PULL OUT THE SPECIAL POLICE UNITS FROM KOSOVO, AND GIVE ACCESS FOR HUMANITARIAN GROUPS AND DIPLOMATS FROM THE CONTACT GROUP TO MONITOR THE SITUATION THERE. THEY ALSO WANT MR MILOSEVIC TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMITMENT TO DIALOGUE AND TO COOPERATE WITH THE CONTACT GROUP. MR RUBIN SAYS A MECHANISM IS IN PLACE TO CHECK ON BELGRADE'S COMPLIANCE.

WE WILL HAVE A PROCESS WHEREBY THE THREE CHAIRMEN -- PAST, PRESENT AND CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE O-S-C-E -- WILL BE MONITORING THIS. AND GENERALLY SPEAKING, IF BELGRADE WERE TO PURSUE THESE POINTS, WE THINK WE'D KNOW IT WHEN WE SAW IT.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT WORK IS UNDERWAY TO DRAFT A U-N WEAPONS EMBARGO AGAINST BELGRADE. HE SAYS RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER ASSURED SECRETARY OF STATE MADELINE ALBRIGHT THAT RUSSIA WOULD IMPLEMENT AN ARMS EMBARGO NEXT MONTH. U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN HAS WARNED THAT WEAPONS SALES TO YUGOSLAVIA WOULD THREATEN THE DELICATE PEACE IN THE BALKANS EVEN BEYOND SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/MMK
26-Mar-98 3:38 PM EST (2038 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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