Voice of America, 98-04-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA ARRESTS (L) BY VALONDA BRUINTON (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[02] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: KOSOVO'S ROMANI (GYPSY) MINORITY BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

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

[04] GREEK BOMBING (L-ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (ATHENS)

[05] KOSOVO STALEMATE BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

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

[07] NORTHERN IRELAND TALKS (L) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

[08] NORTHERN IRELAND TALKS-ALTERNATE (S-CQ) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[09] WAR CRIMES ARREST (L) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

[10] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] BOSNIA ARRESTS (L) BY VALONDA BRUINTON (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: NATO LED FORCES IN BOSNIA HAVE ARRESTED TWO BOSNIAN SERBS INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES. AS VALONDA BRUINTON REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS MORE THAN 30-PEOPLE, SUSPECTED OF WAR CRIMES IN BOSNIA, HAVE NOW BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.

TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN IDENTIFIED THE TWO AS MIROSLAV KVOCKA AND MLADEN RADIC. HE SAID THEY ARE WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH CRIMES AGAINST CIVILIAN PRISONERS AT THE NOTORIOUS SERB RUN OMARSKA DETENTION CAMP DURING THE BOSNIAN CIVIL WAR.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ARRESTS SHOW THE NATO LED STABILIZATION FORCE FOR BOSNIA, KNOWN AS S-FOR, IS COMMITTED TO BRINGING THOSE SUSPECTED OF WAR CRIMES TO JUSTICE.

THIS SIGNALS THE DETERMINATION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE OTHER COUNTRIES, THAT ARE PART OF S-FOR, TO MAKE THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL PROCESS WORK. AND IT HAS BEEN WORKING.

IN AN INTERVIEW FROM SAREJEVO, S-FOR SPOKESMAN LIEUTENANT COMMANDER LOUIS GARNEAU SAID THE TWO INDICTEES WERE PICKED UP IN PRIJEDOR (PREE-A-DOR), A SMALL TOWN ABOUT 15-KILOMETERS NORTHWEST OF BANJA LUKA IN THE NORTHWEST PART OF BOSNIA.

HE SAID THEY WILL REMAIN IN A SECRET LOCATION BEFORE BEING TRANSFERRED TO THE HAGUE TO STAND TRIAL

THEY ARE BEING OFFICIALLY IDENTIFIED AND CHARGED BY AN INSPECTOR OF THE INTERNTIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. AND THEY WILL THEN BE FLOWN BY A NATO AIRCRAFT FROM THIS LOCATION DIRECTLY TO THE HAGUE WHERE THEY WILL BE FORMALLY TURNED OVER TO HAGUE OFFICIALS WHERE THEY WILL STAND A FAIR TRIAL.

THE LIEUTENANT COMMANDER SAID THE INDICTEES SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE HAGUE OVERNIGHT. HE SAID THE LATEST ARRESTS ARE A CLEAR SIGNAL TO ALL INDICTEES WHO REMAIN AT LARGE TO TURN THEMSELVES IN TO S-FOR TO AVOID ANY POTENTIAL INJURIES. (SIGNED)
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08-Apr-98 5:16 PM EDT (2116 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: KOSOVO'S ROMANI (GYPSY) MINORITY BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL PRESS REGULARLY REPORTS THAT THE POPULATION OF KOSOVO IS 90 PERCENT ALBANIAN AND 10 PERCENT SERBIAN. HOWEVER, THOSE STATISTICS IGNORE OTHER SMALLER MINORITIES -- THE ROMA, OR "GYPSIES," THE TURKS, AND THE SLAVIC MUSLIMS -- WHOSE POLITICAL VOICES ARE RARELY HEARD. ON MARCH 17, THE "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" REPORTED THAT REPRESENTATIVES OF THESE THREE GROUPS HAD, IN THE NEWSPAPER'S WORDS, "BROKEN RANKS WITH ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADERS AND JOINED TALKS WITH VISITING SERB ENVOYS ON THE FUTURE OF THE PROVINCE." ON APRIL 7, WHEN KOSOVAR ALBANIAN LEADERS BOYCOTTED TALKS WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILAN MILUTINOVIC IN PRISTINA, HE SAT DOWN INSTEAD WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ROMA, TURKS AND SLAVIC MUSLIMS. THE ROMA ARE THE LARGEST, BUT LEAST

TEXT: ACCORDING TO THE INTERNATIONAL ROMANI UNION, ABOUT 120,000 ROMA LIVE IN KOSOVO, OUT OF A TOTAL POPULATION THAT SLIGHTLY EXCEEDS TWO MILLION. IF THE NUMBERS ARE ACCURATE, THE ROMA REPRESENT SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 5 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION. BOSKO DROBNJAK [BOSH-KOH DROB-NEE-YAHK], A SERB, IS SECRETARY OF INFORMATION FOR KOSOVO AND METOHIJA [MEH-TOCH-EE-JAH]. HE ALSO DISPUTES THE POPULATION FIGURES ACCEPTED BY MOST WESTERN ANALYSTS -- NAMELY, THAT 90 PERCENT OF KOSOVO IS ALBANIAN. TAPE A: CUT ONE -- DROBJNAJK (ESTABLISH SERBIAN FOR 5 SECONDS AND FADE) TAPE B: CUT ONE -- ENGLISH TRANSLATION (0:23) "THE POPULATION OF KOSOVO AND METOHIJA COMES TO SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 2 MILLION INHABITANTS. SOME 80 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION IS ALBANIAN. THEN, 10 PERCENT ARE SERBS. AND OF THE REST, 10 PERCENT ARE MONTENEGRINS, TURKS, ROMA -- MEANING GYPSIES -- SOME CROATS, AND OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS."

TEXT: BASKIM REDZEPI [BAS-KIM RE-JEP-EE], PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ROMA PEOPLE OF PRISTINA, AN ORGANIZATION WITH 10,000 MEMBERS, BELIEVES THAT AS MANY AS 150,000 ROMA MAY LIVE IN KOSOVO. WHAT IS NOT IN DISPUTE, HE SAYS, IS THAT THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF ROMA IN KOSOVO ARE DESPERATELY POOR AND UNEDUCATED. TAPE A: CUT TWO -- REDZEPI (ESTABLISH SERBIAN FOR 5 SECONDS AND FADE) TAPE B: CUT TWO -- ENGLISH TRANSLATION (0:19) "ROMA LIVE IN CITIES AND VILLAGES. THEY HAVE THE MOST UNDESIRABLE JOBS, SUCH AS CARRYING BAGS AND WORKING AS CLEANERS, AND ARE KNOWN AS PEOPLE WHO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOCIAL PROGRAMS. THEIR STANDARD OF LIVING IS VERY LOW, SO THEY TRY TO CONVINCE THE GOVERNMENT TO HELP THEM IMPROVE THEIR DAILY LIVES."

TEXT: BUT THE BASIC PROBLEM, BASKIM REDZEPI SAYS, IS THAT MOST ROMA DON'T HAVE JOBS AT ALL. MR. REDZEPI IS AN EXCEPTION. HE IS THE PRODUCER OF THE ROMANI PROGRAM FOR RADIO AND TV-PRISTINA, AND HE IS A DELEGATE IN THE CITY PARLIAMENT OF PRISTINA. BUT, HE LIVES IN A SECTION OF THE CITY WHERE ONLY ROMA LIVE AND WHERE THE ROADS ARE NARROW, UNPAVED, DEEPLY RUTTED, AND NEARLY INACCESSIBLE BY CAR. THE GARBAGE, ACCORDING TO LOCAL RESIDENTS, IS COLLECTED ONLY ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS. MOST HOUSES LOOK LIKE DILAPIDATED SHACKS ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT ARE IMMACULATE ON THE INSIDE. SANI RIFATI [SHAH-NEE RI-FAH-TEE], WHOSE FAMILY LIVES IN THE DALMATINSKA [DAHL-MAH-TIN-SKA] ROMANI GHETTO, WAS TRAINED AS A CHEMIST, BUT SAYS HE WAS UNABLE TO WORK IN HIS FIELD BECAUSE HE'S A ROM. HE NOW LIVES IN CALIFORNIA WITH HIS AMERICAN WIFE. THREE OF HIS BROTHERS STILL LIVE IN PRISTINA. ONE STUDIED TO BE A JOURNALIST, AND ANOTHER STUDIED TO BE AN AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN. BOTH ARE UNEMPLOYED. ANOTHER BROTHER, HE SAYS, MAKES HIS LIVING BY IMPORTING GOODS FROM BULGARIA, MACEDONIA, AND TURKEY AND SELLING THEM ON THE BLACK MARKET. TAPE B: CUT THREE -- RIFATI (0:34) "CLOSE TO 95 PERCENT OF ROMA ARE WITHOUT JOBS. HOW THEY ARE LIVING IS BASICALLY ON THE BLACK MARKET -- WITH FOREIGN MERCHANDISE THAT COMES FROM BULGARIA OR FROM TURKEY. A FRIEND OF MINE WHO WORKED 15 YEARS IN SHIPPING AND RECEIVING IN A BOOKSHOP, AFTER 15 YEARS HE GOT FIRED BY THE SERBS IN ORDER TO HIRE A SERB REFUGEE. AND HE'S A TEACHER OF HISTORY, BY THE WAY, AND HE WORKED IN SHIPPING -- JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA HOW ROMA ARE TREATED."

TEXT: MR. RIFATI SAYS THIS SITUATION IS COMMON BECAUSE MANY SERB REFUGEES WHO LOST THEIR HOMES DUE TO THE WAR IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA HAVE BEEN RESETTLED IN KOSOVO, PLACING EVEN GREATER PRESSURE ON THE COMPETITION FOR SCARCE JOBS. A NEIGHBOR OF THE RIFATI FAMILY IS A DISABLED WAR VETRERAN WHO FOUGHT WITH THE SERBS IN BOSNIA. HE RECEIVES NO MILITARY PENSION, ALTHOUGH HE SAYS HE RISKED HIS LIFE TO PROTECT HIS SERB COMMANDING OFFICER. SANI RIFATI SAYS MANY ROMA ARE UNNERVED BY THE RECENT CRISIS IN KOSOVO AND FEAR THAT, IF THERE IS A WAR IN KOSOVO ON THE SCALE OF THE WAR IN BOSNIA, THEY WILL AGAIN BE CALLED UP FOR MILITARY SERVICE AND WILL ONCE MORE HAVE TO FACE THE POSSIBILITY OF DEATH IN A CONFLICT IN WHICH THEY HAVE NO POLITICAL STAKE. TAPE B: CUT FOUR -- RIFATI (0:17) "I AM CONCERNED FOR MY BROTHERS, THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE DRAFTED FOR THE SERBIAN MILITARY SERVICE. WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS WHAT HAPPENED WITH [CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO] TUDJMAN AND [BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIA] IZEBEGOVIC AND [YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBADAN] MILOSOVIC IN THE PAST, THEY'RE GOING TO PUT ROMA FIRST ON THE FRONT LINES, AND THEN SEND IN THEIR OWN TROOPS. WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER BOSNIA."

TEXT: MR. RIFATI SAYS ROMA IN PRISTINA BEGAN TELLING HIM IN MARCH THAT MEN OF MILITARY AGE WERE BEING TAKEN AWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO SERVE AS CONSCRIPTS WITH THE SERB FORCES. AND, HE ADDS, ROMA FEAR A NEW WAR OF "ETHNIC CLEANSING" WHERE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS MAY BE THE PRIMARY VICTIMS, BUT ROMA WILL BE VICTIMS AS WELL. SANI RIFATI SAYS THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT HAS SELECTED A FEW LEADERS FROM AMONG THE ROMA AND OTHER ETHNIC COMMUNITIES AND HAS PUT THEM IN MID-LEVEL GOVERNMENT POSITIONS. AND, HE ADDS, THEIR JOB IS TO ENCOURAGE THEIR CONSTITUENTS TO SUPPORT THE SERBS AGAINST THE ALBANIANS. TAPE B: CUT FIVE -- RIFATI (0:59) "THEY WANT TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT THEY ARE GOOD GUYS, OF COURSE. THAT IS ALL A MASQUERADE, HAVING OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS IN THE GOVERNMENT. MILOSEVIC IS NOW, I HEAR, SAYING, 'OH, WE HAVE ROMA IN OUR PARLIAMENT, WE HAVE GORANI, WE HAVE TURKS.' THERE ARE SOME ROMA WHO ARE IN A GOOD SITUATION, BUT THOSE WHO ARE POLITICALLY INVOLVED ARE AT THE SAME TIME COLLABORATORS WITH MILOSEVIC. THE GUYS WHO ARE INVOLVED POLITICALLY ARE GETTING MAYBE 400 DEUTCHMARKS SALARY MONTHLY, WHICH IS VERY GOOD MONEY. AND THAT'S HOW HE [MILOSEVIC] CONTROLS THE SITUATION. AND, OF COURSE, AT THE SAME TIME, HE WON'T GIVE HIGHER EDUCATION TO OTHER MINORITIES BECAUSE, IF THEY GET AN EDUCATION, THEY CAN GET STRONGER. RECENTLY THE ROMA WENT TO A DEMONSTRATION SUPPORTING THE SERBIANS, WHICH WAS FOR ME VERY SHOCKING BECAUSE THE SERBS ARE DOING SOME VERY INHUMAN THINGS IN KOSOVO."

TEXT: [OPT] HISTORIAN NICOLAS PANO, A BALKAN SPECIALIST AT WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, SAYS THE KOSOVAR ALBANIAN LEADERS RECOGNIZE THAT THE SMALLER MINORITY COMMUNITIES, AND ESPECIALLY THE ROMA, HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING THE RULING SERB PARTY IN KOSOVO, LARGELY OUT OF FEAR. TAPE B: CUT SIX -- PANO (0:34) "THE ROMA AND OTHER GROUPS ARE AFRAID TO TAKE A VERY MILITANT OR CLEAR STAND FOR FEAR OF RETALIATION, ESPECIALLY IF NEGOTIATIONS WERE TO FAIL AND REPRESSION WERE ONCE AGAIN TO BE RESTORED TO KOSOVA. AND, I KNOW FROM DISCUSSIONS WITH VERY RESPONSIBLE KOSOVAR LEADERS THAT THEY DO ENVISAGE THAT, IF AN ALBANIAN STATE IS ESTABLISHED, OF PURSUING A RATHER ENLIGHTENED POLICY TOWARD THESE MINORITIES, AND THAT THEY WOULD BE SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS AND CONCERNS OF THESE GROUPS, WHICH THEY FEEL SHOULD BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE STATE." [END OPT]

TEXT: ORDINARY ROMA IN KOSOVO SAY THEY SIMPLY WANT TO SURVIVE, WHATEVER WAY THEY CAN. AND, THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO TAKE SIDES, BUT SAY THEY ARE TOO WEAK POLITICALLY OR ECONOMICALLY TO CHART AN INDEPENDENT COURSE.
08-Apr-98 9:25 AM EDT (1325 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 WEDNESDAY IN EUROPE. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: SHARE PRICES WERE OFF IN ALL MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS. BUT TRADING WAS VERY SLOW IN ADVANCE OF THE LONG EASTER WEEKEND, AND ANALYSTS SAID THEY EXPECT THE UPWARD MOVE WILL RESUME AFTER THE HOLIDAY BREAK.

THE BIGGEST DROP WAS IN FRANKFURT. THE DAX INDEX ENDED THE DAY DOWN MORE THAN 42-POINTS, EIGHT-TENTHS PERCENT. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX FELL 30-POINTS, ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS PERCENT. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX WAS OFF 39-POINTS, SIX-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)
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08-Apr-98 2:17 PM EDT (1817 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] GREEK BOMBING (L-ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (ATHENS)

INTRO: A POWERFUL ROCKET ATTACK ON AN AMERICAN-OWNED BANK JOLTED CENTRAL ATHENS EARLY WEDNESDAY, BUT CAUSED NO INJURIES. GREEK COUNTER-TERRORISM EXPERTS BELIEVE THE ATTACK WAS MOSTLY A SYMBOLIC ACT, AIMED TO COUNTER REMARKS MADE RECENTLY BY THE NEW U-S AMBASSADOR TO GREECE, NICHOLAS BURNS. MORE FROM ATHENS REPORTER ANTHEE CARASSAVA.

TEXT: WHEN AMBASSADOR BURNS URGED THE GREEK GOVERNMENT LAST WEEK TO PUT UP A STRONG FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM, MANY GREEKS GRIPED AND GRUMBLED. THEY SAID THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR WAS OUT OF LINE AND WAS ACTING LIKE AN "ANTHIPPATOS" -- A TERM USED BY ANCIENT GREEKS TO DESCRIBE DEPUTY GOVERNORS OF IMPERIAL ROME. NOW, THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SEEMS TO HAVE SIDED WITH THE CONCERNS OF THE AMERICAN DIPLOMAT. THE REASON IS THE POWERFUL MIDNIGHT ROCKET ATTACK AGAINST A "CITIBANK" BRANCH IN DOWNTOWN ATHENS.

IT WAS THE FOURTH HIT AGAINST A U-S COMPANY IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS, AND THOUGH NO GROUP HAS CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ATTACK, POLICE SUSPECT IT IS THE WORK OF THE COUNTRY'S DEADLIEST TERRORIST GROUP, KNOWN AS "NOVEMBER 17."

THE ANTI-TANK MISSILE WAS PLACED ON THE HOOD OF A NEARBY CAR AND TRIGGERED TO ACTION BY A REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE. //END OPT//

THE GREEK GOVERNMENT STRONGLY CONDEMNED THE ATTACK, SAYING SUCH ACTS OF TERRORISM DEALT A BLOW TO THE COUNTRY'S CREDIBILITY IMAGE ABROAD.

BUT POLICE AND OTHER OBSERVERS SAY THE ATTACK MEANT EVEN MORE. THEY CALL IT A SYMBOLIC ACT OF OPPOSITION TO THE RECENT REMARKS BY AMBASSADOR BURNS.

SINCE TAKING ON HIS NEW JOB, THE U-S ENVOY HAS INFURIATED MANY GREEKS WITH WHAT THEY CALL HIS OUTSPOKEN OPINIONS AND U-S POLICY REMARKS AGAINST TERRORISM..

FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES THE UNITED STATES HAS TRIED TO TRACK DOWN THE NOVEMBER I7 MARXIST-LENINIST GROUP WHICH HAS CLAIMED THE LIVES OF 22 PEOPLE -- AMONG THEM FOUR AMERICANS, INCLUDING THE FORMER ATHENS-BASED C-I-A CHIEF, RICHARD WELCH.

BUT DESPITE THE GREEK GOVERNMENT'S CONDEMNATION OF THE LATEST ATTACK, IT SHOWS NO SIGN OF ISSUING A TWO-MILLION DOLLAR REWARD OFFERED BY THE UNITED STATES FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP NOVEMBER 17. (SIGNED)
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08-Apr-98 9:13 AM EDT (1313 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO STALEMATE BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE THIS WEEK (EDS: TUESDAY), ALBANIAN NEGOTIATORS AGAIN REFUSED TO MEET A VISITING SERBIAN TEAM, PROTESTING THAT MEANINGFUL TALKS MUST HAVE THIRD-PARTY MEDIATION. WITH NEGOTIATIONS APPARENTLY AS ELUSIVE AS EVER, THERE IS CONCERN THE STALEMATE COULD INCREASE THE CHANCE OF VIOLENCE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS WATCHING THE KOSOVO SITUATION FROM OUR BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILAN MILUTINOVIC LED THE LATEST NEGOTIATING TEAM FROM BELGRADE, BUT ONCE AGAIN THE ALBANIAN TEAM STAYED AWAY. FOR MORE THAN THREE WEEKS NOW, SERBIANS HAVE BEEN COMING TO KOSOVO, BUT EACH TIME ALBANIANS REFUSE TO TALK, SAYING THE ISSUE IS SO COMPLEX THAT IT REQUIRES INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION. THE SERBS, JUST AS CONSISTENTLY, SAY KOSOVO IS AN INTERNAL MATTER, AND NO MEDIATOR IS NEEDED.

LATER THIS MONTH (EDS: LIKELY APRIL 23RD), SERBIAN VOTERS ARE EXPECTED TO ENDORSE THEIR GOVERNMENT'S POSITION IN A REFERENDUM, SCHEDULED JUST TWO DAYS BEFORE THE LATEST DEADLINE OF THE BIG POWER "CONTACT GROUP" ON YUGOSLAVIA. DIPLOMATS FROM EUROPE, RUSSIA AND AMERICA SAY THE TWO SIDES MUST START MEANINGFUL NEGOTIATIONS BY APRIL 25TH OR FACE FURTHER SANCTIONS. THE CONTACT GROUP PRESUMES THE FAULT IS WITH THE SERBIAN SIDE, SINCE THE SANCTIONS ARE AIMED AT BELGRADE.

THE TWO SIDES HAVE DIFFERENT AIMS, TOO. THE SERBS SAY THEY WILL NEGOTIATE ON AUTONOMY WITHIN SERBIA -- A POSITION ENDORSED BY THE CONTACT GROUP. KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS SAY THEIR GOAL IS INDEPENDENCE.

BOTH SIDES INSIST THEIR POSITIONS DO NOT CONSTITUTE PRECONDITIONS.

AS NEGOTIATIONS FAIL TO TAKE OFF, THE PROSPECT OF FURTHER VIOLENCE COULD BE INCREASING.

LAST MONTH, ABOUT 80 ETHNIC ALBANIANS WERE KILLED IN A CRACKDOWN BY SERBIAN POLICE AND PARAMILITARY FORCES. SERBIAN AUTHORITIES SAY THEY WERE AFTER "TERRORISTS." THE SO-CALLED TERRORISTS ARE ORGANIZED AS THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, OR "K-L-A," AND THE SHADOWY GROUP HAS CLAIMED SEVERAL ATTACKS ON POLICE TARGETS IN KOSOVO. THE SERBIAN OFFENSIVE IS SAID TO HAVE INCREASED THE STRENGTH OF THE K-L-A, AND HAS WON IT GREATER SUPPORT FROM ETHNIC ALBANIAN CIVILIANS.

SO FOR NOW, THE BIG POWERS ARE STRUGGLING TO GET TALKS STARTED IN THE HOPES OF HEADING OFF FURTHER VIOLENCE. COMMENTS MADE LAST MONTH BY U-S ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD IN PRISTINA ARE JUST AS RELEVANT TODAY.

WE'RE AT A VERY DELICATE STAGE HERE. WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS TO TRY, IN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES, TO BEGIN TO ESTABLISH SOME CONFIDENCE AND BEGIN TO ESTABLISH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPROVING THE SITUATION ON AN URGENT BASIS.

THE DISPUTE IN KOSOVO, BETWEEN THE 90-PERCENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY AND THE REGION'S SERB RULERS, HAS BEEN SIMMERING FOR YEARS. OBSERVERS HAVE LONG WARNED IT COULD ERUPT INTO THE NEXT BALKAN WAR.

WHICH MAKES IT ALL THE MORE UNSETTLING TO READ REPORTS BY WESTERN JOURNALISTS WHO HAVE BEEN VISITING VILLAGES AROUND PRISTINA. THEY REPORT MORE AND MORE YOUNG MEN ARE DONNING CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORMS WITH ARM PATCHES CARRYING THE DOUBLE-HEADED ALBANIAN EAGLE. THE MEN CARRY ASSAULT RIFLES AND MONITOR MOVEMENTS OF THE SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES THAT PATROL THE AREA.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS SAY THE NEWS REPORTS MAY BE OVERDRAMATIZING THE SIZE AND THREAT OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, WHOSE MEMBERSHIP IS STILL LIKELY TO NUMBER ONLY IN THE HUNDREDS. BUT AS LONG AS NEGOTIATIONS ON KOSOVO'S FUTURE REMAIN STALLED, AND WITH EVER NEW SERB OFFENSIVES AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS, THE MORE ATTRACTIVE AN ARMED STRUGGLE MAY SEEM. (SIGNED)
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08-Apr-98 11:20 AM EDT (1520 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America ,DATE=4/8/98 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-229396
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AS TRADERS CONTINUED TO SELL AFTER THE LEADING STOCK INDEX HIT A HISTORIC HIGH ON MONDAY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 88-HUNDRED-91, DOWN 65 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11-HUNDRED-ONE, DOWN EIGHT POINTS.

MOST ANALYSTS DO NOT SEEM SURPRISED BY THE MARKET'S PULLBACK. THEY SAY THE EUPHORIA THAT ACCOMPANIED THE HISTORIC MONDAY CLOSE OF THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE ABOVE NINE-THOUSAND PUSHED STOCK VALUES BEYOND REALISTIC LEVELS. MANY TRADERS SAY THEY ARE CONCERNED THAT FIRST QUARTER CORPORATE EARNINGS REPORTS WILL NOT LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS.

THE CHANCES FOR A COMPREHENSIVE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES APPEAR TO BE DEAD. STEVEN GOLDSTONE, THE HEAD OF THE R-J-R NABISCO COMPANY, THE NATION'S SECOND-LARGEST TOBACCO COMPANY, ANNOUNCED HIS FIRM WILL NOT ACCEPT LEGISLATION APPROVED BY A U-S SENATE COMMITTEE.

MR. GOLDSTONE SAID THE SENATORS ARE PLAYING POLITICS WITH THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY.

PEOPLE MORE INTERESTED IN THE POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY OF ACTING TOUGH ON THE INDUSTRY, OR IN PRESERVING THE TOBACCO CONTROVERSY FOR THEIR OWN POLITICAL BENEFIT, HAVE DOMINATED THE DEBATE.

PRESIDENT CLINTON AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE WORK ON THE TOBACCO LEGISLATION. HOWEVER, LAWYERS SAY SOME PROVISIONS OF THE PROPOSED LAW MAY BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL WITHOUT INDUSTRY AGREEMENT.

TOBACCO STOCKS RESISTED THE DOWNWARD TREND OF THE OVERALL MARKET AND ROSE STRONGLY AFTER IT WAS CLEAR THE INDUSTRY WILL NOT ACCEPT THE CONGRESSIONAL PROPOSAL. THE CONGRESSIONAL PLAN WOULD COST THE INDUSTRY MORE THAN 200 BILLION DOLLARS MORE THAN THE TOBACCO COMPANIES HAD ORIGINALLY AGREED TO PAY LAST YEAR.

IN OTHER BUSINESS NEWS, GENERAL MOTORS SAYS IT WILL HAVE TO SHUT SOME NORTH AMERICAN PLANTS IF ITS SHARE OF THE U-S AUTO MARKET DOES NOT IMPROVE. G-M'S SHARE HAS DECLINED FROM 45 PERCENT IN 1986 TO 28 PERCENT LAST YEAR.

THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL PHASE-IN SIDE AIR BAGS INTO ALL OF ITS AUTO AND MINIVAN MODELS. SEPARATELY, FORD IS EXPRESSING OPTIMISM THAT ITS NEW LINCOLN L-S MODEL WILL PROVIDE TOUGH COMPETITION IN THE LOWER END OF THE LUXURY CAR MARKET.

THE LEVI STRAUSS CLOTHING COMPANY SAYS IT WILL RESUME PRODUCTION IN CHINA AFTER A FIVE YEAR ABSENCE. THE COMPANY SAYS THE HUMAN RIGHTS ENVIRONMENT, WHICH CAUSED IT TO PULL OUT OF CHINA, HAS NOW "IMPROVED."

JUST A FEW YEARS AGO, THE IDEA OF ADVERTISING ON COMPUTER ON-LINE SERVICES WAS NOT MUCH MORE THAN AN IDEA. BUT, AN INDUSTRY GROUP SAYS ON-LINE ADVERTISING REACHED 907-MILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR AND IS GROWING FAST. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/JO
08-Apr-98 4:54 PM EDT (2054 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: LEADERS OF PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC POLITICAL PARTIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND CONTINUE TALKS IN HOPES OF REACHING A PROPOSED PEACE SETTLEMENT FOR THE BRITISH PROVINCE. SOME POLITICAL LEADERS EXPRESS DOUBT AN AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED BY THE DEADLINE, MIDNIGHT THURSDAY. BUT V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA IN LONDON REPORTS A TOP BRITISH GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL IS EXPRESSING CONFIDENCE.

TEXT: THE LATEST SNAG IN THE LONG-RUNNING NORTHERN IRELAND TALKS CAME TUESDAY WHEN THE PRO-BRITISH ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY REJECTED A SO-CALLED WORKING PAPER ON A DRAFT SETTLEMENT.

BUT THE PARTIES CONTINUED TO TALK. AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT MINISTER IN CHARGE OF NORTHERN IRELAND AFFAIRS -- MARJORIE "MO" MOWLAM -- TOLD REPORTERS IN BELFAST THAT NEGOTIATORS ON WEDNESDAY HAD WHAT SHE CALLS "A VERY GOOD DAY" OF TALKS.

THERE'S BEEN A FAIR BIT OF MOMENTUM IN THEM. PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO BUILD TO THE DEADLINE THAT'S BEEN SET. AND I THINK IT FAIR TO SAY THAT IT'S BEEN PRIMARILY A CASE OF LISTENING TO PEOPLE TO BE SURE THAT IN A FINAL ACCOMMODATION, THEIR VIEWS ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. AND I THINK THAT WILL GO ON TONIGHT AND PROBABLY FIRST THING TOMORROW MORNING.

NORTHERN IRELAND POLITICAL LEADERS SEEMED LESS OPTIMISTIC, WITH KEY CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT PARTY OFFICIALS REPEATING MUCH OF WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN SAYING DURING THE LONG MONTHS OF TALKS. BUT THEY SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE NEGOTIATIONS. AND THE BRITISH MINISTER, MO MOWLAM -- ALWAYS UPBEAT -- SAYS SHE STILL HAS HIGH HOPES.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT PROGRESS IS BEING MADE ACROSS ALL FRONTS. AND SECONDLY, I STILL REMAIN CONVINCED, PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF THE EFFORT AND DETERMINATION THAT THE PARTIES ARE PUTTING IN TODAY, THAT (IT'S) SERIOUSLY POSSIBLE TO FIND AN AGREEMENT BY TOMORROW NIGHT'S DEADLINE.

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR AND IRISH PRIME MINISTER BERTIE AHERN ARE BOTH IN BELFAST TO ASSIST IN THE TALKS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/JWH/MMK
08-Apr-98 2:33 PM EDT (1833 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] NORTHERN IRELAND TALKS (L) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

INTRO: THE PRIME MINISTERS OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND MET IN BELFAST EARLY WEDNESDAY TO DISCUSS WAYS OF GETTING STALLED PEACE TALKS FOR THE TROUBLED BRITISH PROVINCE BACK ON TRACK. THE TWO ARE TRYING TO CONVINCE THE MAIN PROTESTANT POLITICAL PARTY IN NORTHERN IRELAND TO AGREE TO A DRAFT PROPOSAL, LEADING TO A LASTING PEACE SETTLEMENT. MORE FROM V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH.

TEXT: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR MET FOR AN HOUR WITH HIS IRISH COUNTERPART -- BERTIE AHERN -- IN HOPES OF FINDING A STRATEGY TO CONVINCE NORTHERN IRELAND'S MAIN PROTESTANT POLITICAL PARTY, THE ULSTER UNIONISTS, TO ACCEPT COMPROMISE PROPOSALS ON A PEACE PLAN. AFTER THE MEETING, MR. BLAIR TOLD REPORTERS HE'S HOPEFUL.

IRELAND'S FOREIGN MINISTER DAVID ANDREWS EXPRESSES SIMILAR OPTIMISM.

[08] NORTHERN IRELAND TALKS-ALTERNATE (S-CQ) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: TWO BOSNIAN SERB WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS, ARRESTED BY NATO TROOPS ON WEDNESDAY, ARE BEING TRANSFERRED / HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE YUGOSLAV TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. MIROSLAV KVOCKA AND MLADIN RADIC WERE ARRESTED IN THE PRIJEDOR AREA OF NORTHWEST BOSNIA. AS GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE, THE TWO MEN ARE AMONG 21 PEOPLE CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH BRUTALITIES COMMITTED AT THE OMARSKA PRISON CAMP.

TEXT: THIS IS THE FOURTH OPERATION OF ITS KIND CARRIED OUT BY THE S-FOR (STABILIZATION FORCE) TROOPS AND THE MEN THEY'VE ARRESTED ARE IMPORTANT FIGURES. MIROSLAV KVOCKA WAS SECOND IN COMMAND OF THE OMARSKA PRISON CAMP, WHILE MLADIN RADIC WAS A HIGH OFFICIAL THERE.

PROSECUTORS SAY CONDITIONS AT OMARSKA WERE BRUTAL. THE TWO MEN HAD RESPONSIBLE POSITIONS AND ARE BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS AND THOSE OF THE MEN UNDER THEIR COMMAND.

AFTER THE SERB TAKEOVER OF THE PRIJEDOR AREA OF NORTHWEST BOSNIA IN 1992, MUSLIMS AND CROATS WERE ROUNDED UP AND EITHER FORCED TO LEAVE OR SENT TO PRISON CAMPS LIKE OMARSKA. THE CAMP HELD MANY OF THE REGION'S MUSLIM AND CROAT ELITE, INCLUDING POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS AND BUSINESS LEADERS.

ACCORDING TO THE INDICTMENT, MANY PRISONERS WERE BEATEN, RAPED, TORTURED AND KILLED. ONE BUILDING AT OMARSKA WAS KNOWN AS THE RED HOUSE; MOST OF THE PRISONERS WHO WERE TAKEN THERE DID NOT EMERGE ALIVE. THE TWO ARRESTED MEN ARE BEING CHARGED WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CRIMES AT OMARSKA.

THESE ARRESTS BRING TO 26 THE NUMBER OF SUSPECTS IN TRIBUNAL CUSTODY. (SIGNED)
NEB/GS/KL
08-Apr-98 4:27 PM EDT (2027 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] WAR CRIMES ARREST (L) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: AMERICAN EDITORIAL WRITERS ARE DISCUSSING A WIDE ARRAY OF TOPICS THIS WEDNESDAY, INCLUDING: THE JAPANESE ECONOMY; THE PRESIDENT'S LATEST EDICT OUTLAWING ADDITIONAL ASSAULT RIFLES; A HUGE CORPORATE MERGER IN U-S FINANCIAL CIRCLES; IMPROVING THE SYSTEM OF ORGAN TRANSPLANTS; AND HOMECOMING FOR SOME IRAQI P-O-WS. NOW, HERE IS _________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: JAPAN'S TROUBLED ECONOMY CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR WORRY IN FINANCIAL CIRCLES, AND U-S EDITORIAL WRITERS ARE AMONG CRITICS OF THE GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THINGS. TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL", WHICH SAYS THE STIMULANTS OFFERED SO FAR ARE FAILING, ADDS THAT WHAT THE COUNTRY NEEDS IS NOT JUST A TAX CUT TO STIMULATE CONSUMER DEMAND, BUT TAX REFORM.

VOICE: .... WHAT JAPAN REALLY NEEDS IS A SUPPLY-SIDE TAX REFORM, NOT TAX CUT TOKENISM. AND AS EVERY DAY GOES BY, THAT NEED BECOMES MORE AND MORE CRUCIAL. JAPAN'S DEEP ECONOMIC MALAISE HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED. AFTER YEARS OF ONLY MINIMAL ECONOMIC GROWTH, IT IS NOW SLIPPING INTO RECESSION. ... THE NIKKEI [STOCK AVERAGE] IS HOVERING AROUND A WEAK 15-THOUSAND DESPITE A REMARKABLE AND INDEFENSIBLE GOVERNMENT EFFORT IN MARCH TO PUMP IT UP TO 18-THOUSAND WITH PUBLIC FUNDS. ... THE YEN HAS WEAKENED MARKEDLY IN RECENT WEEKS. AND LAST FRIDAY, OF ALL THINGS, MOODY'S [BOND RATING SERVICE] LET IT BE KNOWN THAT IT HAD CHANGED ITS OUTLOOK ON JAPANESE GOVERNMENT DEBT TO NEGATIVE FROM STABLE, BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC SLUMP. ...JAPAN ... HAS A LOT OF CATCHING UP TO DO, AND AT LEAST IT HAS STARTED TO ADDRESS THE FINANCIAL SECTOR PROBLEMS ... BUT ON TAXES, EVEN WITH THE PRODDING OF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AND ADVICE OF ITS OWN BUSINESSMEN, IT JUST CAN NOT SEEM TO GET THE MESSAGE.

TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" ALSO WONDERS WHETHER ALL THIS ADVICE THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT IS GETTING WILL FINALLY CAUSE SOME MEANINGFUL CHANGE.

VOICE: BUT WILL ALL THE ADVICE WORK? WILL JAPAN'S ECONOMY START TO GROW AGAIN? WILL JAPANESE CONSUMERS BUY PRODUCTS THEIR ASIAN NEIGHBORS ARE ANXIOUSLY TRYING TO SELL IN ORDER TO REVIVE THEIR OWN ECONOMIES? WILL GLOBAL FINANCIAL AND MANUFACTURING FIRMS BE ALLOWED A WIDE-OPEN CHANCE TO COMPETE, AND BRING MORE EFFICIENCY AND LOWER PRICES TO JAPAN'S CONSUMERS? IN SHORT, WILL JAPAN, THE WORLD'S SECOND-LARGEST ECONOMY, AGAIN BECOME A GROWTH ENGINE TO HELP PULL OTHER ECONOMIES OUT OF THE DOLDRUMS? ANSWER: A CAUTIOUS 'YES.' THE LONG PERIOD OF TOO-LITTLE-TOO-LATE GOVERNMENT ACTION APPEARS TO BE ENDING. ... [BUT] THE U-S AND EUROPE SHOULD HELP, NOT BULLY.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON CONTINUES TO WIN PRAISE FOR HIS ACTION MONDAY BANNING THE IMPORTATION OF ALMOST 60 MODELS OF SEMI-AUTOMATIC ASSAULT RIFLES, INCLUDING THIS FROM "THE WASHINGTON POST" WHICH NOTES HOW A PREVIOUS ATTEMPT HAD BEEN THWARTED BY THE GUN MAKERS.

VOICE: THE GUN MANUFACTURERS FOUND A LOOPHOLE IN THE 1994 LAW AND BLEW IT OPEN ENOUGH TO DRUM UP A MAJOR RUN ON THESE WEAPONS: PERMITS ARE PENDING OR ALREADY HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR ONE-POINT-SIX MILLION OF THEM -- ALL TO BE BLOCKED UNDER THE NEW ORDER FROM COMING INTO THE COUNTRY. ... THE ALL-GUNS-ARE-GOOD NRA [NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION] LOBBYISTS DO NOT ACCEPT THIS DESCRIPTION, OF COURSE, AND HAVE PROMISED AN ATTEMPT TO OVERTURN THE PRESIDENT'S BAN IN CONGRESS. ... ANY MEMBER OF CONGRESS PRESSED BY NRA LOBBYISTS TO OVERTURN THIS MEASURE OUGHT ASK WHO REALLY NEEDS THESE WEAPONS. ... OR ARE LAWMAKERS CONTENT TO INTENSIFY THE DANGERS AND AUGMENT THE GRIEF CAUSED BY TOO MANY PEOPLE WITH TOO MANY DEADLY WEAPONS?

TEXT: "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" IS ALSO PLEASED:

VOICE: [MR.] CLINTON'S DIRECTIVE PLUGS A DANGEROUS LOOPHOLE THAT ALLOWED GUN MAKERS IN OTHER COUNTRIES TO GET AROUND THE U-S ASSAULT-WEAPON BAN. ... ASSAULT WEAPONS HAVE NO CIVILIAN OR SPORTING PURPOSE. BUT THEY ARE THE FIRST CHOICE OF CRIMINALS, WHO OFTEN HAVE MORE FIREPOWER AT THEIR DISPOSAL THAN POLICE.

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE TALKING ABOUT A GARGANTUAN MERGER ANNOUNCED EARLIER IN THE WEEK, IN WHICH THE BANK CITICORP, AND THE INSURANCE GIANT TRAVELERS GROUP, WILL JOIN FORCES IN AN 80-BILLION-PLUS DOLLAR MERGER. BUT "NEWSDAY" SAYS THE PROPOSED DEAL, WHICH NEEDS GOVERNMENT APPROVAL, RAISES SEVERAL QUESTIONS.

VOICE: ...FIRST, WHETHER THE MERGER IS ACCEPTABLE UNDER PRESENT, ADMITTEDLY OUTDATED BANKING LAWS, AND SECOND, WHETHER IT POSES A THREAT TO EITHER THE CONSUMER OR THE BANKING SYSTEM. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT REGULATORS GET THE ANSWERS RIGHT. THIS DEAL COULD START AN AVALANCHE OF MERGERS AS OTHER BANKS, FEARFUL OF BEING LEFT OUT, WORK OUT SIMILAR COMBINATIONS. ... MORE QUESTIONS: WILL BANKS ABUSE THAT TRUST BY, FOR EXAMPLE, DIRECTING BORROWERS TO BUY THE HOUSE-BRAND INSURANCE? WILL BANKS USE THEIR IMAGE OF STABILITY TO GIVE CONSUMERS A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY ABOUT INVESTMENTS? ... SO IT IS UP TO THE FED [FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD] AND OTHER REGULATORS TO SEE IF THE MERGER IS APPROPRIATE ...

TEXT: THERE IS ANOTHER INTENSE, DOMESTIC DEBATE ON A NEW ORGAN TRANSPLANT POLICY ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IN THE PAST ORGANS, SUCH AS KIDNEY'S WERE OFFERED TO PEOPLE IN THE VARIOUS REGIONS OF THE NATION, IN DESCENDING ORDER OF MEDICAL PRIORITY. THAT MEANT SOME PEOPLE IN PLACES WHERE MORE DONATED ORGANS WERE AVAILABLE, WERE GETTING TRANSPLANTS, AHEAD OF SICKER PEOPLE IN OTHER AREAS. NOW, THE PLACEMENT WILL BE NATIONWIDE, WITH THE MOST ILL PEOPLE GETTING PREFERENCE. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES," SAYS THE NEW SYSTEM IS BETTER.

VOICE: /// OPT /// ONE OF THE MOST WRENCHING DECISIONS IN MEDICINE IS WHO GETS AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT AND WHO WILL DIE FOR LACK OF ONE. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT FEWER THAN HALF OF THE 55-THOUSAND AMERICANS NOW ON WAITING LISTS FOR KIDNEYS, LIVERS, LUNGS AND OTHER ORGANS WILL RECEIVE TRANSPLANTS. /// END OPT /// LAST WEEK, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY DONNA SHALALA PROPOSED REPLACING THE PRESENT SYSTEM ... [SECRETARY] SHALALA IS WELL WITHIN HER RIGHTS TO IGNORE HOSPITAL AND TRANSPLANT GROUPS THAT SIMPLY DO NOT WANT THEIR SELECTION CRITERIA DISCUSSED IN PUBLIC. PUBLIC DEBATE IS OVERDUE FOR HARD QUESTIONS LIKE WHETHER A CHRONIC ALCOHOLIC SHOULD BE GIVEN A NEW LIVER.

TEXT: TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" HAS SOME THOUGHTS ON TUESDAY'S REPATRIATION OF PRISONERS OF WAR FROM IRAN TO IRAQ.

VOICE: THIS IS HOW THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT NEWS AGENCY DESCRIBED THE HOMECOMING OF IRAQI PRISONERS ... 'THE REPATRIATED ... PRISONERS WERE RACING TO KNEEL ON THE GROUND AND KISS THE HOLY SOIL OF THE HOMELAND AND POSTERS OF PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN, ALL THE WHILE CRYING IN HAPPINESS.' THERE WAS NO NEED TO EXPLAIN TO AN IRAQI AUDIENCE THAT A REPATRIATED IRAQI SOLDIER WHO DECLINED TO BUSS [KISS] SADDAM'S ICON WOULD FACE A FATE MORE GRUESOME THAN LIFE IN AN IRANIAN PRISONER-OF-WAR CAMP. IRAQIS WOULD ALSO BE AWARE OF WHAT THE IRAQI NEWS AGENCY LEFT UNSAID IN ITS REPORT. ...THE ENTIRE CALAMITY OF THE EIGHT-YEAR WAR BETWEEN IRAQ AND IRAN HAD BEEN THE HANDIWORK OF THE CRIMINAL WHOSE POSTER-PORTRAIT THE RETURNING IRAQI SOLDIERS HAD TO KISS.

TEXT: ELSEWHERE IN THE REGION, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" WATCHING THE GRADUAL SHIFTING OF POWER FROM SAUDI ARABIA'S AILING, 76-YEAR-OLD, PRO-WESTERN KING FAHD, TO HIS MORE CONSERVATIVE HALF-BROTHER, CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH, LAMENTS:

VOICE: IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT THE INTERESTS OF THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL DEMOCRACY ARE TIED TO THE NARROW DYNASTIC POLITICS OF THE SAUDI LEADERS. ONE WAY TO MAKE THAT DEPENDENCE LESS RISKY IN THE FUTURE AND MORE BEARABLE TODAY IS FOR WASHINGTON TO ENCOURAGE CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH NOT ONLY TO MODERNIZE, BUT ALSO TO MAKE SAUDI ARABIA MORE DEMOCRATIC.

TEXT: LASTLY, ONE OF MANY TRIBUTES TO POPULAR COUNTRY AND WESTERN SINGER TAMMY WYNETTE, WHO DIED MONDAY AT THE AGE OF 55. SAYS "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND:

VOICE: WITH REAL TORMENT IN HER TROUBLED LIFE AND GENUINE TALENT IN HER CLEAR, THROBBING VOICE, TAMMY WYNETTE WAS ONE OF COUNTRY MUSIC'S GREATEST SUCCESS STORIES. ... [MS.] WYNETTE KNEW THAT HEARTBREAK THAT OFTEN INFUSED HER MUSIC. SHE WAS MARRIED FIVE TIMES. SHE ENDURED A BANKRUPTCY, WAS DEPENDENT AT TIMES ON PAINKILLING DRUGS, AND STRUGGLED WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT HER LIFE. ... FOR ALL THAT, [MS.] WYNETTE WAS A GENUINE STAR -- GENUINE IN HER PAINFULLY HONEST LYRICS, AND IN HER UNFORGETTABLE VOICE.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE EDITORIALS TO BE FOUND IN WEDNESDAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
08-Apr-98 10:47 AM EDT (1447 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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