Voice of America, 98-03-30

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] CHINA / EUROPE BY ROGER WILKISON (BEIJING)

[02] CITIZENSHIP GERMANY BY ROBERT DAGUILLARD (BONN)

[03] E-U EXPANSION (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

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

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

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

[07] U-N / YUGOSLAVIA EMBARGO (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[01] CHINA / EUROPE BY ROGER WILKISON (BEIJING)

INTRO: CHINA'S NEW PRIME MINISTER -- ZHU RONGJI -- WILL STEP INTO THE INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK WHEN HE ATTENDS THE SECOND ASIA-EUROPE SUMMIT MEETING IN LONDON, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ROGER WILKISON REPORTS MR. ZHU IS LIKELY TO STRESS CHINA'S DECISION NOT TO DEVALUE ITS CURRENCY AS A SIGN OF WHAT BEIJING SAYS IS ITS RESPONSIBLE ROLE IN DEALING WITH THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS.

TEXT: IN CONTRAST WITH HIS PREDECESSOR -- LI PENG -- MR. ZHU IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE WEST. UNLIKE MR. LI, MR. ZHU WAS NOT TAINTED BY THE 1989 MILITARY CRACKDOWN ON DEMOCRACY DEMONSTRATORS IN BEIJING. MOREOVER, MR. ZHU HAS BEEN LIONIZED BY WESTERN OFFICIALS AND INVESTMENT BANKERS AS THE MAN WHO CAN STEER CHINA DOWN THE PATH OF ECONOMIC MODERNIZATION.

IN HIS FIRST INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC FORAY, MR. ZHU WILL BEGIN A WORKING VISIT TO BRITAIN TUESDAY; ATTEND THE SUMMIT MEETING LATER IN THE WEEK; AND THEN GO TO FRANCE ON ANOTHER OFFICIAL VISIT NEXT WEEK. AT THE SUMMIT, HE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO MEET WITH LEADERS FROM BOTH ASIA AND EUROPE AND WILL BE THE MAIN PROTAGONIST AT A SPECIAL CHINA-EUROPE MEETING ON THE SIDELINES.

THE SUMMIT WILL GIVE THE NEW PREMIER A CHANCE TO PROJECT CHINA'S ROLE IN ASIA'S FINANCIAL CRISIS. WHEREAS JAPAN HAS BEEN CRITICIZED FOR NOT DOING ENOUGH TO LIFT ASIA OUT OF ITS WOES, CHINA HAS BEEN PRAISED FOR DOING ALL THE RIGHT THINGS. UNDER MR. ZHU'S GUIDANCE, BEIJING HAS PLEDGED NOT TO DEVALUE ITS CURRENCY, EVEN AT THE EXPENSE OF LOWER EXPORT EARNINGS AND A DECLINE IN FOREIGN INVESTMENT INFLOWS, 40 PERCENT OF WHICH COMES FROM ASIA. CHINA SAYS IT DOES NOT WANT TO ENGAGE IN A SERIES OF COMPETITIVE DEVALUATIONS WITH ITS ASIAN NEIGHBORS BECAUSE THAT WOULD HURT THE ENTIRE REGION.

WHAT MR. ZHU IS ALSO LOOKING FOR IS EUROPEAN INVESTMENT, AS CHINA UNVEILS PLANS TO SPEND HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS. THOSE PROJECTS ARE NEEDED BOTH TO KEEP GROWTH AT A LEVEL OF EIGHT PERCENT A YEAR AND TO ABSORB WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN LAID OFF BY MR. ZHU'S REFORMS OF STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES.

ANALYST ANDREW FERNOW OF VICKERS BALLAS ASIA IN HONG KONG SAYS EUROPEAN FIRMS ARE IN A GOOD POSITION TO GET A LARGE CHUNK OF THE POTENTIAL CONTRACTS INVOLVED.

WE EXPECT FIXED-ASSET INVESTMENT TO RISE 10 PERCENT A YEAR IN CHINA, AND A LOT OF THAT WILL COME FROM LOCAL AND FOREIGN-FUNDED VENTURES IN AREAS SUCH AS HIGHWAY AND RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS THE CONTINUED UPGRADING OF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECTOR, PARTICULARLY TELECOMMUNICATIONS. I THINK EUROPEAN COMPANIES ARE WELL-POSITIONED TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE AREAS, HAVE ALREADY ESTABLISHED A FOOTHOLD IN CHINA, AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO AS A RESULT OF THIS EMPHASIS THAT WILL BE UNDERTAKEN OVER THE NEXT THREE TO FIVE YEARS.

MR. ZHU IS ALSO EXPECTED TO ARGUE THAT HIS STABLE CURRENCY POLICY SHOULD HELP CHINA GAIN EARLY ENTRY INTO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. BUT MOST ANALYSTS SAY THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN UNTIL THE UNITED STATES IS SATISFIED THAT BEIJING IS MOVING FAST ENOUGH TO LOWER TARIFFS AND OTHER TRADE BARRIERS.

ONE ISSUE THAT WILL NOT BE PROMINENT ON THE ASIA-EUROPE SUMMIT AGENDA IS HUMAN RIGHTS. BOTH THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE UNITED STATES RECENTLY DROPPED THEIR LONG-RUNNING ATTEMPTS TO CENSOR BEIJING AT THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION. ISABEL KELLY -- OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IN LONDON -- SAYS HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS ARE WAITING TO SEE IF THE NEW APPROACH WILL WORK.

WE WOULD WANT TO SEE A DEFINITE BENCHMARK SET IN THAT APPROACH AS TO WHEN THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THEIR DIALOGUE APPROACH IS WORKING. IT'S A DIFFERENT APPROACH AND NOT ONE THAT WE WOULD NECESSARILY CRITICIZE, BUT WE DEFINITELY WANT TO KNOW HOW THEY KNOW IT'S SUCCESSFUL.

BRITISH DIPLOMATS IN BEIJING SAY THEIR GOVERNMENT HAS PLEDGED A NEW START IN ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA AFTER WHAT IS GENERALLY REGARDED AS A SMOOTH HANDOVER OF HONG KONG TO CHINESE RULE. THEY SAY MR. ZHU - -AS THE NEW FACE OF CHINA -- WILL EVEN GET TO MEET QUEEN ELIZABETH. (SIGNED)
NEB / WD / WD
30-Mar-98 7:25 AM EST (1225 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] CITIZENSHIP GERMANY BY ROBERT DAGUILLARD (BONN)

INTRO: GERMANS ARE EXPERIENCING AN EMOTIONAL DEBATE OVER A CITIZENSHIP LAW WHICH DATES BACK TO 1913. MOST GERMANS WANT THEIR GOVERNMENT TO EASE CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS, BUT THE RULING PARTY IS OPPOSING ANY CHANGE IN THE LAW. FROM BONN, ROBERT DAGUILLARD HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: CEM OZDEMIR WAS BORN IN GERMANY. HE WAS RAISED THERE, LIVES THERE, AND SPEAKS GERMAN LIKE ANY OTHER NATIVE. BUT THE SON OF TURKISH IMMIGRANTS HAD TO WAIT UNTIL HE WAS 18 TO BECOME A GERMAN CITIZEN. HE SAID THAT LED TO PROBLEMS IN THE PAST.

MR. OZDEMIR SAYS THE LAW MAKES CHILDREN OF IMMIGRANTS FEEL LIKE FOREIGNERS IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY. THAT'S WHY HE HAS CO-SPONSORED A BILL THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR CHILDREN OF IMMIGRANTS TO BECOME GERMAN NATIONALS. THE MEASURE WOULD EASE CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS AFTER A PERSON TURNS AGE 16. IT WOULD ALSO GRANT AUTOMATIC GERMAN CITIZENSHIP, AND ALLOW DUAL CITIZENSHIP, FOR THOSE WITH AT LEAST ONE GERMAN PARENT.

THE BUNDESTAG RECENTLY DEBATED THE CITIZENSHIP BILL. BUT GERMANY'S CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT ADAMANTLY OPPOSES THE MEASURE. THE RULING CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATS ARE AGAINST DUAL CITIZENSHIP. THEY SAY THAT HAVING TWO PASSPORTS LEADS TO DIVIDED LOYALTIES. ABOVE ALL, THEY THINK THAT CHILDREN OF IMMIGRANTS HAVE TO INTEGRATE INTO GERMAN SOCIETY BEFORE THEY CAN BECOME CITIZENS. ERWIN MARSCHEWSKI IS THE CHRISTIAN-DEMOCRATIC SPOKESMAN ON IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP:

THE CITIZENSHIP ISSUE IS AN EMOTIONAL ONE IN GERMANY. MOST GERMANS ARE AGAINST DUAL CITIZENSHIP, BUT THINK THAT THE GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO EASE NATURALIZATION REQUIREMENTS. HOWEVER, CHRISTIAN-DEMOCRATS FEAR THAT LIBERALIZATION WILL SPUR THE GROWTH OF XENOPHOBIC, RIGHT-WING PARTIES -- SOME OF WHICH COMPETE WITH THE CHRISTIAN-DEMOCRATS FOR MORE RADICALLY- CONSERVATIVE VOTES. THAT'S WHY THE RULING PARTY DEFENDS THE CURRENT, MORE RESTRICTIVE LAWS.

ON THIS MATTER, MR. GEISSLER SAID, "I THINK WE OUGHT TO ACCEPT DUAL CITIZENSHIP FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE BORN HERE, AS THEY DO IN THE UNITED STATES. THAT'S MY OPINION, BUT MOST PEOPLE IN MY PARTY ARE AGAINST IT." //END OPT//

AS EXPECTED, THE BUNDESTAG REJECTED THE CITIZENSHIP BILL LAST FRIDAY. BUT ADVOCATES OF LIBERALIZATION ARE CONFIDENT THAT CHANGE WILL COME SOON. //REST OPT// ACCORDING TO HEINER GEISSLER, GERMANS ALREADY RECOGNIZE THAT THEIRS IS A MULTI-ETHNIC SOCIETY. CEM OZDEMIR THINKS THAT PARLIAMENT WILL PASS A NEW CITIZENSHIP LAW IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE PERIOD.

CEM OZDEMIR IS NOW SEEKING A SECOND TERM IN THE GERMAN PARLIAMENT. IF HIS "GREEN PARTY" COMES TO POWER, HE MAY BE A PART OF A GOVERNMENT THAT GIVES GERMANY A NEW NATURALIZATION LAW. (SIGNED)
NEB/RD/PCF
30-Mar-98 9:39 AM EST (1439 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] E-U EXPANSION (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: FORMAL NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED IN BRUSSELS TODAY (MONDAY) WITH THE 11 COUNTRIES WHICH WANT TO JOIN THE CURRENT 15-NATION EUROPEAN UNION. HOWEVER, THE NEGOTIATIONS THEMSELVES ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE AT LEAST THREE YEARS TO COMPLETE. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: ALTHOUGH 11 APPLICANT COUNTRIES ARE TAKING PART IN THE LAUNCH OF NEGOTIATIONS, ONLY SIX ARE EXPECTED TO BE READY SOON TO JOIN THE E-U. THESE ARE HUNGARY, POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, SLOVENIA, ESTONIA AND CYPRUS. THE OTHER FIVE -- ROMANIA, BULGARIA, LITHUANIA, LATVIA AND SLOVAKIA -- ARE ALSO PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, BUT ON A FAR SLOWER TRACK.

THESE FIVE ALL NEED TO MAKE FURTHER STRIDES TOWARDS A MARKET ECONOMY, AND TO ACHIEVE OTHER REFORMS, BEFORE THERE IS MUCH PROSPECT OF THEM BEING ALLOWED INTO THE E-U.

THE OTHER NATION WHICH IS KNOCKING AT THE E-U'S DOOR IS TURKEY. THEY ARE NOT HOWEVER PART OF THESE NEGOTIATION BECAUSE MANY CURRENT E-U MEMBERS BELIEVE TURKEY MUST IMPROVE ITS ECONOMY, ITS HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD AND COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY BEFORE IT IS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED FOR MEMBERSHIP. MEANWHILE, A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE 15 E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS HAS BEEN HELD WITH COLLEAGUES FROM THE 11 CHOSEN APPLICANTS. ALL AGREED THAT MUCH HARD WORK LIES AHEAD, BUT THAT AN ENLARGED EUROPE WILL BE STRONGER, RICHER AND A BEACON OF PEACE IN A CONTINENT WHICH HAS BEEN TORN APART THIS CENTURY BY WAR AND KEPT APART FOR SO LONG BY COMMUNISM.

THE MEETING WAS CHAIRED BY BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK, WHO SAYS THAT AT LAST, AN END IS IN SIGHT TO WHAT HE CALLS THE CRUEL AND UNNATURAL DIVISION OF EUROPE.

TODAY'S AN HISTORIC MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. TODAY WE ARE STARTING OUT ON THE BIGGEST ENLARGEMENT THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS EVER CARRIED OUT. WHEN THIS PROCESS IS FINISHED, WE'LL HAVE A EUROPEAN UNION MUCH BIGGER, MUCH STRONGER, MUCH MORE INFLUENTIAL WITH HALF AS BIG AGAIN A POPULATION AND CONSUMERS. AND EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT, WE'LL HAVE A EUROPE THAT IS UNITED. TODAY WE START THE PROCESS OF FINALLY PUTTING BEHIND US THE DIVISION OF EUROPE INTO EAST AND WEST WHICH HAS SCARRED EUROPE FOR THE LAST HALF OF THIS CENTURY.

THERE IS ONE CLOUD ON THE HORIZON, THOUGH. LAST JUNE, E-U LEADERS AGREED ON WHAT'S CALLED THE NEW "TREATY OF AMSTERDAM," WHICH PROVIDES THE FRAMEWORK FOR AN ENLARGED EUROPEAN UNION OF 20 OR MORE MEMBERS.

THE DANES HAVE A REFERENDUM ON THIS TREATY IN PLAY, AND THERE ARE FEARS THAT THE DANISH PEOPLE MAY VOTE "NO" -- WHICH WOULD EFFECTIVELY TORPEDO THE TREATY.

I WOULD VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A DANISH NO TO THE AMSTERDAM TREATY, AND I'LL BE MAINTAINING CLOSE CONTACT WITH MY COLLEAGUES IN DENMARK. THE AMSTERDAM TREATY, WE BELIEVE, IS A GOOD DEAL FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF EUROPE AND WE WANT TO SEE IT GO AHEAD.

IT IS CERTAIN THAT IF THE DANES DO VOTE "NO," THEY WILL PLUNGE EUROPE INTO A NEW CRISIS WHICH MAY ONLY BE RESOLVED AFTER YEARS SERIOUSLY DELAYING THE NEGOTIATIONS ON THE ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/PCF
30-Mar-98 9:55 AM EST (1455 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE CLOSED MIXED AS THE TRADING WEEK STARTED MONDAY. FROM OUR LONDON OFFICES, PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES.

TEXT: THE BIG MARKETS SAW WIDE SWINGS IN TRADING PRICES THROUGHOUT THE DAY, BUT WHEN THE DEALING ENDED, MOST PRICES VARIED LITTLE FROM LATE LAST WEEK.

HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF STOCKS CLOSED DOWN JUST OVER 27 POINTS. IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" STOCK INDEX CLOSED DOWN 10 POINTS. IN FRANKFURT, SHARP LOSSES IN EARLY DAY TRADING REVERSED WHEN SCREEN-BASED TRADES TOOK PLACE ON THE DAX INDEX. IT CLOSED UP THREE POINTS.

THE GERMAN MARK CONTINUED TO DECLINE AGAINST BOTH THE U-S DOLLAR AND THE BRITISH POUND. THE POUND WAS SELLING FOR ABOUT THREE MARKS-TEN PFENNIGE -- ITS HIGHEST PRICE IN ALMOST A DECADE. THE DOLLAR WAS TRADING UP SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE POUND.

GOLD IN LONDON CLOSED DOWN ONE-DOLLAR-50 CENTS FROM FRIDAY. THE CLOSING FIX WAS SET AT 302-DOLLARS-65 CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF
30-Mar-98 1:04 PM EST (1804 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S TRIP TO AFRICA CONTINUES TO DRAW COMMENT IN THE NATION'S EDITORIALS COLUMNS, AS DOES THE SCHOOL KILLINGS IN ARKANSAS LAST WEEK. OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE: THE NEW INSPECTION REGULATIONS IN IRAQ AND SORTING OUT INDONESIA'S ECONOMIC CRISIS /// OPT /// AS WELL AS SOME THOUGHTS ON A NEW ANALYSIS OF FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER. /// END OPT /// NOW, HERE IS ___________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: MONDAY'S "PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" IS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE PROSPECTS FOR PROGRESS IN AFRICA, SOME OF WHICH HAVE BEEN HIGHLIGHTED BY THE PRESIDENT'S VISIT. THE PAPER ASKS "IS THIS TRIP MORE THAN A COLORFUL SERIES OF PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES?"

VOICE: THE ANSWER IS, "YES," EVEN THOUGH THE CONCRETE RESULTS OF THIS VOYAGE MAY BE LESS THAN MR. CLINTON'S AFRICAN AUDIENCES EXPECT. ..... THE VISIT ... MARKS THE FIRST EFFORT BY A U-S PRESIDENT TO FASHION A POST-COLD WAR AFRICAN POLICY. THE FIRST PREMISE OF SUCH A POLICY IS TO ENCOURAGE AMERICANS - - AND THE CONGRESS - - TO RETHINK THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARD AFRICA AND ITS PROSPECTS. AMERICANS HAVE TENDED TO LUMP THE WHOLE CONTINENT TOGETHER UNDER THE HEADING OF **HOPELESS.** [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS.] .... BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL AFRICAS, INCLUDING RELATIVELY STABLE COUNTRIES WHERE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FILE TO THE POLLS IN DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS AND WHOSE ECONOMIES ARE BEGINNING TO GROW. THE CLINTON TRIP IS RIGHTLY AIMED AT HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THOSE SUCCESS STORIES - - THE MOST IMPORTANT BEING, OF COURSE, SOUTH AFRICA. /// OPT /// THE CURRENT 70-MILLION DOLLARS IN FOREIGN AID TO SOUTH AFRICA SEEMS UNNECESSARILY STINGY WHEN MR. MANDELA'S DEMOCRACY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME THE ECONOMIC ENGINE THAT POWERS SOUTHERN AFRICA AND SHOWS THE REST OF AFRICA THE WAY TO DEVELOP.

TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" CONTEMPLATES NELSON MANDELA'S CALL FOR THE UNITED STATES TO SIT DOWN WITH SOME OF ITS BITTEREST ENEMIES, MUCH AS HE DID ,AFTER EXITING PRISON, AND TALKING PEACE.

VOICE: .... IT WOULD BE A LOSS NOT TO COME BACK TO NELSON MANDELA'S CHARACTERISTICALLY FORTHRIGHT CHALLENGE TO BILL CLINTON LAST WEEK TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT THE U-S HAS LABELED 'ROGUE' NATIONS. PRESIDENT MANDELA SAID HE RAISED THE CAUSE OF IRAN, LIBYA, AND CUBA OUT OF LOYALTY TO THOSE WHO HAD HELPED HIS CAUSE IN ITS DARKEST HOUR. IT WAS OBVIOUS, THOUGH, THAT MORE THAN LOYALTY IMPELLED HIM. HE ALSO INDICATED A MORAL BELIEF IN TALKING WITH ONE'S ENEMIES. ..... AH, BUT ... CAN MR. CLINTON DO BUSINESS WITH IRAN'S MOHAMMAD KHATAMI, CUBA'S FIDEL CASTRO, AND LIBYA'S MUAMMAR QADDAFI? HOW DOES ONE DISTINGUISH BETWEEN A PRODUCTIVE SADAT OVERTURE TO ISRAEL AND A SELF-DECEIVING NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN DEAL WITH HITLER? THERE'S NO ONE, EASY ANSWER.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON AND MRS. CLINTON, VACATIONING TODAY IN A BOTSWANA GAME RESERVE, STILL CANNOT ESCAPE THE ON-GOING COMMENT INTO ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL IMPROPRIETY AT THE WHITE HOUSE. TODAY'S OMAHA WORLD-HERALD" FOCUSES ON THE USE OF EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE IN BARRING RELEASE OF SOME CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN THE FIRST LADY AND AIDES.

VOICE: AGAIN THE QUESTION ARISES OF WHETHER HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON IS A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL. AGAIN, IT IS THE DESIRE OF THE WHITE HOUSE TO ESCAPE FROM SCANDAL THAT MOTIVATES THE DEBATE. . .... THE ISSUE OF THE FIRST LADY'S OFFICIAL STANDING HAS ARISEN AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE MONICA LEWINSKY SITUATION. ..... THE FIRST LADY TOOK A PROMINENT PUBLIC ROLE IN DEFENDING HER HUSBAND FROM WHAT SHE CALLED 'A VAST RIGHT-WING CONSPIRACY' AFTER THE SCANDAL BECAME NATIONAL NEWS. SHE REPORTEDLY WAS ACTIVE BEHIND THE SCENES IN MANAGING THE FALLOUT FROM THE SCANDAL. THE WHITE HOUSE - - AT MRS. CLINTON'S URGING, AIDES SAY - - IS ARGUING THAT [SOME] ... DISCUSSIONS WITH THE FIRST LADY ARE COVERED BY EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE ..... ON ITS FACE THE ARGUMENT IS LUDICROUS. THE FIRST LADY IS NOT A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL AND THE SUBJECT MATTER CERTAINLY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE GOVERNING OF THE NATION. ..... NEITHER THE FIRST LADY'S STATUS NOR THE SUBJECT MATTER JUSTIFIES IT.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE KILLINGS OF FOUR STUDENTS AND A TEACHER AT AN ARKANSAS SCHOOL BY TWO YOUNG STUDENTS, "USA TODAY" IS PONDERING HOW TO DEAL WITH SUCH SERIOUS CRIMES FROM SUCH YOUNG CHILDREN. RATHER THAN TREAT THEM AS ADULTS IN MURDER CASES, AS HAS BEEN PROPOSED IN ARKANSAS, THE PAPER LOOKS TO 16 STATES WHICH BLEND THEIR JUVENILE COURT PROCEEDINGS WITH ADULT SENTENCES THAT CAN BE AMENDED IF THE YOUNG CRIMINALS SHOW PROGRESS TOWARD REFORM. SAYS "U-S-A TODAY," SUMMING UP:

VOICE: ... NO PERSON WHO HAS MURDERED ANOTHER SHOULD BE SET FREE AUTOMATICALLY BECAUSE OF HIS AGE. BUT NEITHER CAN SOCIETY TURN BACK TO THE DAYS OF THE LATE 19TH CENTURY WHEN IT TREATED KIDS TOTALLY LIKE ADULTS. WITH KIDS AS YOUNG AS 13 AND 11, IT'S FOOLISH TO ABANDON ALL HOPE OF REHABILITATION.

TEXT: REGARDING INTERNATIONAL ISSUES, AND SPECIFICALLY THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS OF IRAQ, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS THE NEW SYSTEM IS WORKING WELL SO FAR, BUT HAS NOT YET MET ITS CRITICAL TEST.

VOICE: BUT THESE PRELIMINARY VISITS, WHICH IRAQ HAS HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO PREPARE FOR, ARE NOT THE REAL TEST OF THE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED LAST MONTH BY UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN. "THAT WILL COME WHEN U-N INVESTIGATORS RETURN LATER FOR SURPRISE FOLLOWUP INSPECTIONS, LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE OF PROHIBITED WEAPONS OR SENSITIVE DOCUMENTS DESCRIBING IRAQ'S GERM AND CHEMICAL WARFARE PROGRAMS.

TEXT: TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" IS UPSET THAT THE U-S MILITARY HAS CONTINUED SUPPLYING TRAINING TO THE INDONESIAN MILITARY AFTER CONGRESS THOUGHT THE PROGRAM WAS ENDED.

VOICE: SOME MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HAVE EXPRESSED JUSTIFIABLE INDIGNATION UPON LEARNING THAT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS FLOUTED THE SPIRIT OF CONGRESSIONAL MANDATES BY SUPPLYING MILITARY TRAINING TO SPECIAL FORCES OF THE INDONESIAN MILITARY, A GANG THAT HAS EARNED ITS REPUTATION FOR BRUTAL REPRESSION OF DOMESTIC DISSENT. IN 1992 CONGRESS CUT OFF FUNDING FOR [THE] ... PROGRAM .... THE MOTIVE WAS TO PENALIZE THE SUHARTO REGIME FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES, PARTICULARLY A MASSACRE OF CIVILIANS IN NOVEMBER 1991 IN OCCUPIED EAST TIMOR. ..... BUT THIS MONTH THERE HAVE BEEN DISCLOSURES ABOUT A PENTAGON PROGRAM ..... OF JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES ..... WITH A FORCE KNOWN AS KOPASSUS ... NOTORIOUS FOR ITS USE OF TORTURE, KIDNAPPING AND OTHER STRONG-ARM TACTICS AGAINST CIVILIAN TARGETS DEFINED AS DISSIDENT OR SUBVERSIVE. ..... THE PENTAGON'S PROGRAM TO TRAIN THE REPRESSIVE FORCES ... [MR.] SUHARTO COUNTS ON TO PERPETUATE HIS RULE RUNS THE RISK OF TELLING INDONESIANS THAT AMERICANS CARE ABOUT THEIR COUNTRY ONLY AS A BIG MARKET AND A STRATEGIC COUNTER TO BEIJING.

TEXT: LASTLY, SOME STRONG CRITICISM OF FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER FROM "THE NEW YORK POST" IN RESPONSE TO A NEW BOOK ABOUT THE FORMER GEORGIA PEANUT FARMER.

VOICE: /// OPT /// ONE MORE WORD ABOUT WHAT A GREAT EX-PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER HAS BEEN AND WE'LL SCREAM. NO, WE'RE GOING TO DO BETTER THAN THAT. WE'RE GOING TO LET YOU IN ON A SECRET: HE'S BEEN AS BAD AN EX-PRESIDENT AS HE WAS A PRESIDENT. AND THAT WAS ABOUT AS BAD AS A PRESIDENT CAN BE. /// END OPT /// IN A FORTHCOMING BOOK, HISTORIAN DOUGLAS BRINKLEY REVEALS THAT [MR.] CARTER GAVE YASSER ARAFAT AND OTHER PALESTINIAN HONCHOS [LEADERS] ADVICE ON HOW TO IMPROVE THEIR IMAGE. ..... [MR.] CARTER ..... TOLD [MR.] ARAFAT HOW BEST TO DENOUNCE ISRAEL'S ABUSIVE POLICIES' DURING THE ** INTIFADA** [ITALICS FOR FOREIGN WORD] - - THE PALESTINIAN UPRISING IN THE WEST BANK AND GAZA STRIP. ..... THAT THIS SO-CALLED 'MAN OF PEACE' COULD SO COMFORTABLY OFFER HIS SUPPOSED WISDOM TO ONE OF THE CENTURY'S VILLAINS JUST PROVES OUR POINT ABOUT THE QUALITY OF HIS EX-PRESIDENCY.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/WFR
30-Mar-98 11:24 AM EST (1624 UTC)
NNNN
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 (MONDAY) AS TRADERS AWAITED FURTHER ECONOMIC NEWS. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 87 HUNDRED 82, DOWN ALMOST 14 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 93, DOWN ONE POINT.

ANALYSTS SAY MANY TRADERS WERE CAUTIOUS IN ADVANCE OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK MEETING AND FRIDAY'S MONTHLY EMPLOYMENT REPORT.

NEW HOME SALES IN THE UNITED STATES SOARED TO A RECORD HIGH IN FEBRUARY. THAT REPORT COMES ON TOP OF NEWS LAST WEEK THAT EXISTING HOME SALES ARE ALSO AT A RECORD. ///BEGIN OPT///WALTER MALONEY OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS SAYS THE OUTLOOK FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR REMAINS VERY STRONG.

THE RISING HOME MARKET IS EXPECTED TO SPARK SALES OF HOME FURNISHINGS AND APPLIANCES.

GOVERNORS OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK MEET TUESDAY BUT THE CONSENSUS ON WALL STREET IS THAT THEY WILL NOT RAISE SHORT TERM INTEREST RATES. HOWEVER, SOME ANALYSTS SAY IF ECONOMIC INDICATORS, SUCH AS HOUSING SALES, CONTINUE TO BREAK RECORDS THERE COULD BE AN INTEREST RATE INCREASE LATER THIS YEAR.

A SURVEY OF INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS SHOWS GENERAL CONFIDENCE IN THE U-S STOCK MARKET CONTINUES. HOWEVER, THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED BY A BROKERAGE FIRM (QUICK AND REILLY), ALSO SHOWS A GROWING NUMBER OF INVESTORS BELIEVE STOCK PRICES ARE APPROACHING LEVELS OF OVER-VALUATION.

THE COCA-COLA COMPANY SAYS IT EXPECTS TO REPORT ITS SALES JUMPED BY ABOUT 14 PERCENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER. COKE'S STOCK ROSE BY ABOUT FOUR PERCENT.

THE TEXACO OIL COMPANY SAYS IT WILL BUY BACK UP TO ONE BILLION DOLLARS OF ITS OWN STOCK. TEXACO ALSO ANNOUNCED A JOINT VENTURE WITH THE CHEVRON OIL COMPANY TO MARKET MARINE AND INDUSTRIAL FUELS.

THE WORLD'S LARGEST MAGAZINE IS CHANGING ITS LOOK. EFFECTIVE WITH THE MAY ISSUE, "READER'S DIGEST" WILL HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH ON THE COVER INSTEAD OF THE TRADITIONAL TABLE OF CONTENTS. IT'S AN EFFORT TO GIVE A MORE CONTEMPORARY LOOK TO THE MAGAZINE WHICH HAS A WORLDWIDE CIRCULATION OF MORE THAN 43 MILLION. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/WFR
30-Mar-98 4:56 PM EST (2156 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] U-N / YUGOSLAVIA EMBARGO (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO APPROVE AN ARMS EMBARGO TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO AND PROMOTE PEACE TALKS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS HELD TALKS ON THE ISSUE TODAY (MONDAY) AT U-N HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK.

TEXT: A DRAFT RESOLUTION NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL INCLUDES A COMPREHENSIVE ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. THE DRAFT RESOLUTION SAYS THE MEASURES WOULD BE AIMED AT FOSTERING PEACE AND STABILITY IN KOSOVO. IF APPROVED, THE EMBARGO WOULD START TUESDAY.

DISCUSSIONS ON AN EMBARGO FOLLOW A CRACKDOWN BY SERB POLICE ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO LAST MONTH. AN ESTIMATED 80 ALBANIANS WERE KILLED IN THE CRACKDOWN. YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS SAY THE CRACKDOWN WAS A RESPONSE TO TERRORIST ATTACKS IN THE REGION. ALBANIANS SAY THE CRACKDOWN IS MOTIVATED BY ETHNIC RIVALRY.

U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON SAYS HE BELIEVES MOST MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL ARE READY TO APPROVE THE EMBARGO.

WE ARE VERY CLOSE ON SOME LANGUAGE. THERE ARE STILL SOME SIDE ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE DECIDED. COUNTRIES ARE CONSULTING CAPITALS OVERNIGHT, BUT I BELIEVE THAT BASED ON THE DISCUSSIONS TODAY, THAT WE ARE CLOSE TO IMPOSING AN ARMS EMBARGO ON SERBIA TOMORROW.

DISCUSSIONS ON THE DRAFT RESOLUTION ALSO FOLLOW EXTENSIVE TALKS ON THE SITUATION LAST WEEK BY A SPECIAL CONTACT GROUP COMPRISED OF THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIA, FRANCE, BRITAIN, GERMANY AND ITALY. THE CONTACT GROUP GAVE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ONE MONTH TO END THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO OR FACE NEW SANCTIONS. THOSE SANCTIONS WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THE ARMS EMBARGO, IF IT IS APPROVED.

U-S OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN PRESSING FOR STRONG AND IMMEDIATE MEASURES TO PRESSURE THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT INTO ENTERING PEACE TALKS. BUT SOME EUROPEAN NATIONS HAVE ADVOCATED A SLOWER APPROACH. PROPOSALS FOR AN IMMEDIATE ARMS EMBARGO AND THE THREAT OF SANCTIONS IN THE FUTURE ARE AIMED AT MEETINGS BOTH THOSE REQUIREMENTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/PT
30-Mar-98 6:18 PM EST (2318 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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