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Voice of America, 98-04-10

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

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] WASHINGTON AND THE WORLD REVIEW BY MIKE MORAVITZ (WASHINGTON)
  • [02] U-S / KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)
  • [03] NORTHERN IRELAND TALKS (S ALTERNATE) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)
  • [04] NORTHERN IRELAND AGREEMENT-ALTERNATE (S) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)
  • [05] NORTHERN IRELAND AGREEMENT (L) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)
  • [06] NORTHERN IRELAND / TALKS (S) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)
  • [07] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)
  • [08] GREEK ARCHBISHOP (L-ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (ATHENS)
  • [09] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY GARY EDQUIST (WASHINGTON)
  • [10] CLINTON / N-IRELAND (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)
  • [11] BRITAIN / IRELAND AGREEMENT (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

  • [01] WASHINGTON AND THE WORLD REVIEW BY MIKE MORAVITZ (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=4/10/98
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-40028
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    /// RE-RUN W/ NEW "UNVOICED FIRST GRAF" ON N. IRELAND ///

    INTRO: IN THE PAST WEEK, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAID THAT IT IS PREPARED TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN BRINGING FORMER CAMBODIAN LEADER POL POT TO JUSTICE......THE STATE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THE ARREST OF TWO WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS IN BOSNIA....AND PRESIDENT CLINTON CONFERRED WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN ON NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT AND OTHER ISSUES. V-O-A'S MIKE MORAVITZ REPORTS ON THESE STORIES IN THIS WASHINGTON AND THE WORLD WEEKLY REVIEW.

    TEXT: /// UNVOICED PART /// MR. CLINTON FRIDAY SAID AFTER 30 YEARS OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE, NORTHERN IRELAND NOW HAS THE PROMISE OF A SPRINGTIME OF PEACE. THE PRESIDENT SAID THE PEACE AGREEMENT MADE REAL PRAYERS FOR PEACE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC. MR. CLINTON CALLED ON ALL CONCERNED PARTIES TO STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER TO DEFY ANY ATTEMPT TO UNDERMINE THE AGREEMENT -- EITHER THROUGH WORDS OR VIOLENCE. THE PRESIDENT DOWNPLAYED HIS ROLE IN THE PROCESS, BUT HE TALKED BY TELEPHONE WITH THE PARTIES JUST BEFORE THE AGREEMENT WAS REACHED TO URGE THEM TO SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEACE. //END UNVOICED PART/// (ON ANOTHER ISSUE) THIS WEEK, THE NEW YORK TIMES AND WASHINGTON POST REPORTED THE UNITED STATES IS WORKING ON A PLAN TO HAVE POL POT ARRESTED AND SENT OVERSEAS FOR TRIAL.

    DURING THE LATE 1970'S, POL POT'S COMMUNIST KHMER ROUGE GOVERNMENT KILLED MORE THAN ONE MILLION CAMBODIANS.

    STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAID THURSDAY HE IS NOT PREPARED TO DISCUSS ANY SPECIFIC PLAN, ORDER OR ACTION TO BRING POL POT TO JUSTICE FOR THE ATROCITIES. HOWEVER, HE CONFIRMED THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS.

    /// RUBIN ACT ///

    WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS ISSUE WITH MANY GOVERNMENTS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS AND YEARS AND HAVE MADE IT CLEAR WE ARE PREPARED TO SUPPORT AND WORK TO IMPLEMENT ANY OF A VARIETY OF OPTIONS SHOULD POL POT AND OTHERS BECOME ACCESSIBLE TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

    /// END ACT ///

    MR. RUBIN SAID HE COULD NEITHER CONFIRM NOR DENY REPORTS THAT POL POT HAS RECENTLY BEEN IN THAILAND.

    THE STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN THIS WEEK ALSO DISCUSSED SUSPECTS IN ATROCITIES IN ANOTHER PART OF THE WORLD -- BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

    MR. RUBIN ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY THAT NATO-LED FORCES IN BOSNIA ARRESTED TWO BOSNIAN SERBS INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES. HE SAID THE TWO (MIROSLAV KVOCKA AND MLADIN RADIC) WERE WANTED FOR WAR CRIMES AT THE NOTORIOUS SERB-RUN OMARSKA DETENTION CAMP DURING THE BOSNIAN WAR.

    MR. RUBIN SAID THE ARRESTS SHOW THE NATO-LED STABILIZATION FORCE IN BOSNIA, KNOWN AS S-FOR, IS COMMITTED TO BRING SUSPECTS BEFORE THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AT THE HAGUE.

    /// RUBIN ACTUALITY ///

    THERE ARE NOW OVER 30 INDICTEES IN CUSTODY IN THE HAGUE. AND THIS SIGNALS THE DETERMINATION THE UNITED STATES AND THE OTHER COUNTRIES THAT ARE PART OF S-FOR HAVE TO MAKE THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL PROCESS WORK, AND IT HAS BEEN WORKING. AND CONTRARY TO A LOT OF THE SKEPTICISM THAT HAS BEEN PUT OUT THERE BY A LOT OF PEOPLE ABOUT THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE PROCESS IS WORKING, AND THAT INCREASINGLY THE SPACE FOR THE REMAINING INDICTEES IS SHRINKING.

    /// END ACTUALITY ///

    MR. RUBIN CALLED FOR THE SURRENDER OF THE MOST PROMINENT PERSON WANTED ON WAR CRIMES CHARGES, FORMER BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC.

    REPORTS FROM PARIS AND LONDON THIS WEEK QUOTED DIPLOMATIC OFFICIALS AS SAYING MR. KARADZIC MAY BE CONSIDERING TURNING HIMSELF IN TO THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. MEANWHILE, PRESIDENT CLINTON MONDAY DISCUSSED NUCLEAR ARMS CONTROL, HELP FOR AFRICA, AND OTHER ISSUES IN A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN. IT WAS THEIR FIRST TALK SINCE MR. YELTSIN'S MARCH 23RD CABINET SHAKEUP.

    WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS MR. YELTSIN EXPRESSED OPTIMISM THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT (DUMA) WILL MOVE SOON ON RATIFYING THE START TWO STRATEGIC ARMS TREATY.

    /// MCCURRY ACTUALITY ///

    PRESIDENT YELTSIN HAS INDICATED HIS DESIRE TO MOVE AHEAD -- HIS UNDERSTANDING OF HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR US TO MOVE AHEAD WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF START-TWO SO WE CAN BEGIN THE DISCUSSIONS AND LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR A NEW ROUND OF ARMS REDUCTIONS. AND I THINK PRESIDENT YELTSIN GAVE EVERY INDICATION THAT HE IS HOPEFUL THAT THE DUMA WILL ACT SOON ON START-TWO RATIFICATION.

    /// END ACT ///

    MR. MCCURRY SAYS MR. YELTSIN AND MR. CLINTON DISCUSSED START TWO IN THE COURSE OF WHAT THE SPOKESMAN CALLED A VIGOROUS AND PRODUCTIVE HALF HOUR CONVERSATION.

    THE START TWO TREATY COULD CUT THE NUCLEAR ARSENALS OF THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA BY NEARLY HALF -- TO NO MORE THAN 35-HUNDRED WARHEADS ON EITHER SIDE. THE U-S SENATE HAS RATIFIED THE AGREEMENT, BUT THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT HAS REFUSED TO ACT ON THE TREATY -- PARTLY AS A PROTEST OVER NATO EXPANSION.

    /// REST OPT ///

    ON ANOTHER ISSUE, THE U-S SUPREME COURT MONDAY REFUSED TO REVIEW THE 1990 DRUG TRAFFICKING CONVICTION AND 40-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE OF FORMER PANAMANIAN RULER MANUEL NORIEGA.

    NORIEGA'S LAWYERS HAD ARGUED THEIR CLIENT DID NOT RECEIVE A FAIR TRIAL, BUT THE SUPREME COURT LET STAND THE CONVICTION AND SENTENCE WITHOUT COMMENT.

    U-S TROOPS OUSTED NORIEGA AND TOOK HIM INTO CUSTODY IN THE 1989 U-S INVASION OF PANAMA. (SIGNED)
    NEB/MLM/KL
    10-Apr-98 3:20 PM EDT (1920 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [02] U-S / KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

    DATE=4/10/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-229511
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS SENDING A HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION TO EUROPEAN CAPITALS NEXT WEEK TO MEET WITH OFFICIALS ON THE SITUATION IN THE TROUBLED SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO, IN YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

    TEXT: WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS THE DELEGATION WILL HIGHLIGHT THE NEED FOR SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO TO USE THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE TO MINIMIZE TENSIONS, AND TO HAVE SERB LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC LIVE UP TO HIS OBLIGATIONS (AS PRESIDENT OF YUGOSLAVIA).

    THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN PRESSING MR. MILOSEVIC TO END A POLICE CRACKDOWN ON ETHNIC-ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS THAT BEGAN IN FEBRUARY AND LEFT MORE THAN 80 PEOPLE DEAD.

    SPOKESMAN MCCURRY:

    // MCCURRY ACTUALITY //

    WE ARE TRYING TO STEM THE SECTARIAN VIOLENCE THERE THAT HAS PITTED SERBIAN ETHNIC POPULATIONS AGAINST KOSOVO ALBANIANS.

    // END ACT //

    THE U-S DELEGATION WILL BE LED BY DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT. IT WILL LEAVE ON ITS NINE-DAY MISSION TUESDAY, MAKING STOPS IN LONDON, ROME, PARIS, BONN, MOSCOW, BRUSSELS, WARSAW, TIRANA AND SKOPJE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAT/JO
    10-Apr-98 6:14 PM EDT (2214 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [03] NORTHERN IRELAND TALKS (S ALTERNATE) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

    DATE=4/10/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-229478
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: NEGOTIATORS IN NORTHERN IRELAND APPEAR CLOSE TO AGREEMENT ON A PROPOSED PEACE PLAN FOR THE BRITISH PROVINCE. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

    TEXT: THERE HAVE BEEN NO OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS. BUT INDICATIONS ARE THAT BRITISH, IRISH, AND NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICIALS ARE CLOSE TO AGREEMENT ON A PLAN THEY HOPE WILL END 30 YEARS OF MURDERS AND BOMBINGS IN THE PROVINCE.

    IRISH FOREIGN MINISTER DAVID ANDREWS IS AMONG THE NEGOTIATORS EXPRESSING OPTIMISM.

    /// ANDREWS ACT ///

    WE'RE HAVING AN EXCELLENT DAY. A WONDERFUL DAY. HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL.

    /// END ACT ///

    BUT THERE WERE MANY DETAILS STILL TO BE WORKED OUT AS THE TALKS DRAGGED ON PAST THE MIDNIGHT DEADLINE THURSDAY AND WELL INTO THE NEW DAY.

    REPORTS NOW SAY THE BRITISH AND IRISH PRIME MINISTERS HOPE TO ANNOUNCE AN AGREEMENT SHORTLY (BY EARLY AFTERNOON, LOCAL TIME). THEN THE VARIOUS PARTIES REPRESENTING ALL SHADES OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S POLITICAL SPECTRUM ARE TO SIGN THE DOCUMENT.

    THE AGREEMENT STILL WOULD NEED THE APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES OF SEVERAL OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND POLITICAL PARTIES. AND THEN IT WILL GO TO A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE -- IN LATE MAY, IN BOTH THE NORTH AND IN THE IRISH REPUBLIC. (SIGNED)
    NEB/JWH/PCF/WTW
    10-Apr-98 6:50 AM EDT (1050 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [04] NORTHERN IRELAND AGREEMENT-ALTERNATE (S) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

    DATE=4/10/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-229502
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    /// EDS: USE AS ALT TO HUIZENGA SHORT C-R 2-229498 ///

    INTRO: FOLLOWING MORE THAN 30 HOURS OF MARATHON NEGOTIATIONS, LEADERS OF EIGHT NORTHERN IRELAND POLITICAL PARTIES REACHED AGREEMENT LATE FRIDAY ON A NEW PLAN FOR GOVERNING THE BRITISH PROVINCE. THE PLAN MUST WIN APPROVAL BY VOTERS IN BOTH THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND, AS V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS.

    TEXT: THE PROPOSAL CALLS FOR ESTABLISHING A NEW LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR NORTHERN IRELAND WHICH WOULD REPLACE PARLIAMENTARY RULE FROM LONDON. // OPT // THE NEW 108-MEMBER ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION, SO BOTH THE PROTESTANT MAJORITY AND CATHOLIC MINORITY WOULD HAVE A VOICE IN GOVERNING. // END OPT

    //

    FORMER U-S SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL LED NEGOTIATIONS OVER MOST OF THE PAST TWO YEARS OF TALKS. HE TOLD REPORTERS IT'S NOW TIME FOR THE PEOPLE TO SPEAK.

    ///MITCHELL ACT///

    THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND WILL DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THIS STRUCTURE FUNCTIONS, AND I ENCOURAGE THEM TO TELL THEIR POLITICAL LEADERS -- LOUDLY, CLEARLY AND WITHOUT EQUIVOCATION -- "WE WANT THIS TO WORK."

    ///END ACT///

    THE NORTHERN IRELAND TALKS WENT MORE THAN 17 HOURS PAST A PLANNED THURSDAY MIDNIGHT DEADLINE. BOTH THE BRITISH AND IRISH PRIME MINISTERS WORKED FEVERISHLY TO BRING THE TALKS TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PCF/JO
    10-Apr-98 2:08 PM EDT (1808 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [05] NORTHERN IRELAND AGREEMENT (L) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

    DATE=4/10/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-229499
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: FOLLOWING NEARLY TWO YEARS OF OFTEN STORMY NEGOTIATIONS, SECTARIAN LEADERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND FRIDAY APPROVED A PLAN WHICH MAY LEAD TO CHANGES IN THE WAY THE BRITISH PROVINCE IS GOVERNED. THE CHANGES MAY ULTIMATELY END THREE DECADES OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE, WHICH HAS LEFT MORE THAN 32-HUNDRED PEOPLE DEAD. VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH HAS MORE.

    TEXT: THE TALKS -- NEGOTIATED BY FORMER U-S SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL AND THEN RESCUED FROM LAST MINUTE COLLAPSE BY THE BRITISH AND IRISH PRIME MINISTERS -- FACED A DEADLINE OF MIDNIGHT THURSDAY, LOCAL TIME. BUT MIDNIGHT CAME AND THE NEGOTIATIONS WERE STILL GOING ON. FRIDAY MORNING DAWNED AND THE TALKING CONTINUED. THE DEAL HAD BEEN DONE, BUT FINAL DETAILS AND COMPROMISES WERE STILL BEING WORKED OUT. SOME 17 HOURS AFTER THAT MIDNIGHT DEADLINE, AGREEMENT WAS ANNOUNCED. A WEARY BUT OBVIOUSLY SATISFIED SENATOR MITCHELL ADDRESSED REPORTERS:

    ///MITCHELL ACT///

    I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE TWO GOVERNMENTS AND THE POLITICAL PARTIES OF NORTHERN IRELAND HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT. THE AGREEMENT PROPOSES CHANGES IN THE IRISH CONSTITUTION AND IN BRITISH CONSTITUTIONAL LAW TO ENSHRINE THE PRINCIPLE THAT IT IS THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND WHO WILL DECIDE, DEMOCRATICALLY, THEIR OWN FUTURE.

    ///END ACT///

    IN ESSENCE, THE PROPOSAL CALLS FOR A RADICAL CHANGE IN THE WAY NORTHERN IRELAND IS TO BE GOVERNED. THE CATHOLIC MINORITY WILL GAIN MORE REPRESENTATION IN A NEW LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY AND FROM A NORTH-SOUTH "CROSS-BORDER" COUNCIL, WHICH WILL CONSIDER INTER-IRISH AFFAIRS. DIFFERENCES OVER THE TIMING OF DECOMMISSIONING WEAPONS BY PARAMILITARY GROUPS, AND THE RELEASE OF PRISONERS BELONGING TO GROUPS THAT APPROVE THE PLAN WERE RESOLVED AFTER TOUGH, LAST-MINUTE NEGOTIATIONS. THE AGREEMENT ALSO ASSURES THE MOSTLY-PROTESTANT PRO-BRITISH "UNIONISTS" AND "LOYALISTS" OF CONTINUED BRITISH LINKS, AS LONG AS THEY CONSTITUTE THE MAJORITY OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S POPULATION AND VOTE TO REMAIN PART OF BRITAIN.

    //OPT//

    THE TALKS, WHICH BEGAN ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO, FACED COLLAPSE THIS PAST TUESDAY WHEN A KEY PARTY -- THE ULSTER UNIONISTS -- ANNOUNCED THEY'D REJECTED THE ACCORD. IT WAS THE PERSONAL, NON-STOP INVOLVEMENT OF BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR AND IRISH PRIME MINISTER BERTIE AHERN WHICH GOT NEGOTIATIONS BACK ON TRACK. PRIME MINISTER BLAIR HAILED THE AGREEMENT BY THE PARTY NEGOTIATORS, AND LOOKED AHEAD TO A WATERSHED IN NORTHERN IRELAND RELATIONS.

    ///BLAIR ACT///

    //SUB OPT//

    THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS HAVE COME TOGETHER IN A NEW AND MORE MATURE RELATIONSHIP FOR THE FUTURE, ONE THAT REFLECTS BETTER THE COMMON SENSE OF THE NATIONS, SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH SO MUCH TO SHARE AND SO MUCH TO EXCHANGE. //END SUB OPT// WE ARE CREATING, THEREFORE, NEW DIMENSIONS TO AGE-OLD TIES OF PROXIMITY AND KINSHIP AND WE ARE SEEKING TO REPLACE THE HATREDS AND FEARS OF SO MANY YEARS WHERE PEOPLE MISUNDERSTAND EACH OTHER BEFORE THEY EVEN THINK OR TRY -- WITH A REAWAKENING, HOWEVER TENTATIVE OR HOWEVER CAUTIOUS -- OF FELLOWSHIP AND OF TRUST.

    ///END ACT/////END OPT//

    THE PLAN WILL NOW BE DRAFTED INTO A REFERENDUM QUESTION AND PUT BEFORE VOTERS IN BOTH NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC. THAT VOTE IS LIKELY TO TAKE PLACE IN ABOUT A MONTH.

    BUT OBSERVERS FEAR THAT PARAMILITARY EXTREMIST GROUPS -- WHICH DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE ALL-PARTY TALKS -- MAY USE TERRORIST TACTICS TO SABOTAGE THE PLAN. THERE ARE ALSO CONCERNS THAT THE MOMENTUM WHICH DROVE NEGOTIATORS TO REACH THE CURRENT AGREEMENT MAY BE QUASHED, IF PARTY COMMITTEES ASK FOR ADDITIONAL CHANGES.

    //OPT//

    BACK IN 1974, SIMILAR HOPES WERE DASHED WHEN WHAT WAS CALLED THE "SUNNINGDALE" AGREEMENT WAS ULTIMATELY REJECTED BY PRO-BRITISH LOYALISTS. //END OPT//

    BUT FOR THE MOMENT, THE SIGNS ARE ENCOURAGING THAT DECADES OF SECTARIAN KILLINGS MAY SOON BECOME HISTORY UNDER A NEW POLITICAL FRAMEWORK FOR GOVERNING NORTHERN IRELAND. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PCF/JWH/KL
    10-Apr-98 1:52 PM EDT (1752 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [06] NORTHERN IRELAND / TALKS (S) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

    DATE=4/10/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-229469
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: IN NORTHERN IRELAND, NEGOTIATIONS LEADING TOWARD A DRAFT PLAN FOR ENDING THREE DECADES OF DEADLY SECTARIAN VIOLENCE IN THE BRITISH PROVINCE APPEAR ON THE BRINK OF AGREEMENT. A DEADLINE FOR THE TALKS CAME AND PASSED, AS PARTIES EDGED CLOSER TO A SETTLEMENT. V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH IS FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS.

    TEXT: THE DEADLINE OF MIDNIGHT THURSDAY, LOCAL TIME, PASSED INTO THE NIGHT WITH THE LIGHTS STILL BURNING IN THE NEGOTIATING ROOMS OF BELFAST'S STORMONT CASTLE. PREDOMINANTLY-CATHOLIC PARTIES LOYAL TO IRELAND AND PREDOMINANTLY-PROTESTANT PRO-BRITISH PARTIES WERE FINISHING DETAILS ON A PLAN TO SHARE POLITICAL POWER IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND BRING AN END TO YEARS OF BLOODY SECTARIAN WARFARE.

    WHEN DAWN BROKE ON THE GOOD FRIDAY HOLIDAY, NEGOTIATORS HAD FINISHED MOST OF THEIR WORK AND WERE PREPARING FOR A FINAL MEETING. DAVID ERVINE REPRESENTS A PRO-BRITISH "UNIONIST" PARTY:

    /// ERVINE ACT ///

    I THINK WE HAD THOUGHT BY NOW THE DEAL WOULD BE ON THE TABLE. I THINK IT STILL WILL BE, BUT IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THERE ARE A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF AMENDMENTS, AND THEY STILL ARE BEING GONE THROUGH.

    /// END ACT ///

    NEVERTHELESS, OBSERVERS ARE ALREADY HAILING THE ANTICIPATED POWER-SHARING PLAN AS AN HISTORIC MILESTONE, AND THE FIRST REAL CHANCE TO BRING LASTING PEACE TO NORTHERN IRELAND. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PCF/WTW
    10-Apr-98 3:49 AM EDT (0749 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=4/10/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-229504
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: MANY WALL STREET ANALYSTS SAY IT IS TIME FOR INVESTORS TO RE-EVALUATE THE WAY THEY ARE JUDGING THE PRICES OF STOCKS IN LIGHT OF THE CONTINUED STRONG MARKET. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

    TEXT: U-S FINANCIAL MARKETS WERE CLOSED FRIDAY FOR GOOD FRIDAY OBSERVANCES. HOWEVER, MANY ANALYSTS SAY IT MIGHT ALSO BE A GOOD TIME TO REFLECT ON THEY WAY PEOPLE ASSESS CURRENT STOCK PRICES.

    BY MOST VALUATION MEASURES, SUCH AS DIVIDEND YIELDS OR PRICE/EARNINGS RATIOS, U-S STOCKS ARE NOW AT HISTORIC HIGHS. BUT SOME ANALYSTS SAY INVESTORS SHOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT THE HIGH VALUATIONS. THEY ARGUE THAT VALUATION IS ALWAYS RELATIVE AND THAT, COMPARED WITH OTHER TYPES OF INVESTMENTS -- SUCH AS BONDS, REAL ESTATE OR PRECIOUS METALS -- STOCKS ARE NOW CLEARLY SUPERIOR.

    ///REST OPT///

    THERE HAD BEEN SOME CONCERN IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS THAT CORPORATE EARNINGS REPORTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR MIGHT BRING STOCK PRICES DOWN. BUT STOCK ANALYST MELISSA BROWN AT THE PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES FIRM DOES NOT EXPECT MANY EARNINGS DISAPPOINTMENTS.

    ///BROWN ACT///

    THE EARNINGS ESTIMATES HAVE COME DOWN A LOT. THEREFORE, THERE IS PROBABLY A MUCH LOWER POTENTIAL FOR NEGATIVE EARNINGS SURPRISES THAN THERE WAS A FEW WEEKS AGO.

    ///END ACT///

    THE WIDELY FOLLOWED DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED ABOVE NINE THOUSAND THIS PAST MONDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, AFTER GAINING 14-PERCENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER. A TWO-DAY SELL-OFF ENDED THURSDAY AND MANY ANALYSTS SAY MORE RECORD HIGHS ON THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE COULD BE SEEN AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.

    DESPITE THE OVERALL POSITIVE ATTITUDE, A MINORITY OF ANALYSTS BELIEVE U-S STOCK PRICES ARE BECOMING VERY VULNERABLE. MARTIN SCHWARTZ, A VETERAN WALL STREET TRADER, BELIEVES STOCKS ARE SERIOUSLY OVERVALUED.

    /// SCHWARTZ ACT ///

    WHENEVER YOU GET INTO A MANIA SITUATION, MATHEMATICIANS WILL TELL YOU THAT DEVIATION FROM THE MEAN ABOVE IS FOLLOWED BY DEVIATION FROM THE MEAN BELOW. OR, AS ONE OF MY HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHERS USED TO SAY, "THE PAST IS PROLOGUE." SO I AM CONSERVATIVE AND DO NOT WANT TO RISK MY FAMILY'S WELFARE CHASING "PIPE DREAMS" (FANTASIES).

    ///END ACT///

    ALTHOUGH HE DEFINITELY HOLDS A MINORITY VIEW, MR. SCHWARTZ BELIEVES A MAJOR DOWNWARD CORRECTION IN U-S STOCK PRICES, PERHAPS AS MUCH AS 20 PERCENT, IS LONG OVERDUE.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/JO
    10-Apr-98 3:52 PM EDT (1952 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [08] GREEK ARCHBISHOP (L-ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (ATHENS)

    DATE=4/10/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-229476
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: ARCHBISHOP SERAPHIM, THE LONGEST-SERVING HEAD OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, HAS DIED IN ATHENS FOLLOWING A LONG ILLNESS. ANTHEE CARASSAVA REPORTS FROM ATHENS THAT ORTHODOX CHURCH LEADERS HAVE ALREADY BEGUN A RACE FOR SUCCESSION.

    TEXT: HE WAS KNOWN AS GREECE'S STORMY AND SPONTANEOUS SPIRITUAL LEADER -- A PATRIOTIC AND TEMPESTUOUS PERSON WHO BOTH TANTALIZED AND TEMPERED THE PUBLIC WITH HIS CANDID REMARKS.

    ARCHBISHOP SERAPHIM DIED AFTER A 45-DAY HOSPITALIZED BATTLE FOR HIS LIFE. ALTHOUGH DOCTORS FAILED TO RELEASE THE IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF HIS DEATH, IT WAS KNOWN THE 84-YEAR-OLD PRELATE SUFFERED FROM CHRONIC KIDNEY FAILURE.

    NEWS OF THE ARCHBISHOP'S DEATH HAS PLUNGED THE CHRISTIAN ORTHODOX NATION OF GREECE INTO A STATE OF MOURNING. FLAGS ARE FLYING AT HALF STAFF, SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING ON STATE RADIO AND CHURCH BELLS CHIMED IN MOURNING TOLLS AS HUNDREDS OF RELIGIOUS FOLLOWERS FLOCKED TO THE ATHENS CATHEDRAL WHERE THE ARCHBISHOP'S BODY WILL LIE IN STATE FOR THREE DAYS.

    CHURCH OFFICIALS SAY RELIGIOUS LEADERS ACROSS THE GLOBE, INCLUDING THE VATICAN, WILL BE SENDING REPRESENTATIVES TO ATHENS TO ATTEND THE ARCHBISHOP'S FUNERAL ON MONDAY.

    AS THE LONGEST SERVING HEAD OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, ARCHBISHOP SERAPHIM SWORE IN SEVEN GREEK PRESIDENTS AND 13 PRIME MINISTERS DURING HIS 24-YEAR REIGN AS THE COUNTRY'S RELIGIOUS LEADER.

    ARCHBISHOP SERAPHIM GUIDED THE NATION IN ITS DIFFICULT RECOVERY FROM SEVEN YEARS OF BRUTAL MILITARY DICTATORSHIP BETWEEN 1967 AND 1974. HE HUMORED THE COUNTRY'S COMMUNIST ATHEISTS, AND LED THE CHURCH'S FEISTIEST BATTLE AGAINST THE GREEK GOVERNMENT WHEN IT TRIED TO EXPROPRIATE THE CHURCH'S VAST PROPERTY IN THE MID-1980'S.

    BUT TIFFS WITH THE GOVERNMENT WERE NOT THE ONLY QUARRELS THE ARCHBISHOP PICKED. HIS RELATIONS WITH OTHER BRANCHES OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY WERE TENSE. RELATIONS WITH THE VATICAN WERE EVEN MORE INTENSE.

    DESPITE HIS CHRONIC ILLNESS, ARCHBISHOP SERAPHIM REFUSED TO BOW DOWN FROM POWER, ACCUSING POTENTIAL RIVALS AMONG THE CLERGY AS WHAT HE TERMED "VULTURES EYING ITS PREY."

    //REST OPT//

    SEVENTY-SEVEN BISHOPS MANNING THE CHURCH'S SENIOR DECISION MAKING BODY, THE HOLY SYNOD, WILL MEET WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH TO ELECT ARCHBISHOP SERAPHIM'S SUCCESSOR. (SIGNED)
    NEB/AC/PCF
    10-Apr-98 6:29 AM EDT (1029 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [09] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY GARY EDQUIST (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=4/10/98
    TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-10658
    TELEPHONE=619-3940
    EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS
    CONTENT=
    // DATED MATERIAL, SHOULD NOT BE USED AFTER 10 P-M E-S-T TODAY
    //

    INTRO: THE MAJOR EDITORIAL TOPIC ACROSS THE UNITED STATES FRIDAY IS THE COLLAPSE OF TOBACCO TALKS THIS WEEK BETWEEN CONGRESS AND THE TOBACCO COMPANIES. ANOTHER TOPIC IS THE POSSIBILITY OF BRINGING POL POT TO JUSTICE. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES, IS __________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

    TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST WRITES THAT "TOBACCO COMPANIES ANNOUNCED RATHER GRANDLY WEDNESDAY (APRIL 8) THAT THEY WERE PULLING OUT OF THE PROCESS OF WRITING A NATIONAL TOBACCO BILL." THE POST ADDS THAT THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT THAT DEVELOPMENT MEANS BUT THEY REGARD IT AS "GOOD NEWS RATHER THAN BAD." THE POST ADDS:

    VOICE: CONGRESS SHOULD PASS A TOUGH BILL. TAX UP THE PRICE OF TOBACCO ENOUGH TO DETER THE HABIT.... LET THE COURT'S DECIDE IF PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN IS A VIOLATION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT [TO THE U-S CONSTITUTION, WHICH ALLOWS FREEDOM OF SPEECH]. LEAVE THE LIABILITY SWORD HANGING WHERE IT IS [I.E., OVER THE TOBACCO COMPANIES]

    TEXT: IN NEW YORK CITY, THE DAILY NEWS WRITES THAT "THE TOBACCO COMPANIES ARE DECLARING WAR ON CONGRESSIONAL ATTEMPTS TO CURB THEIR INDUSTRY. IT'S A FIGHT THEY MUST LOSE." THE DAILY NEWS EDITORIAL CONTINUES:

    VOICE: LED BY R-J-R NABISCO, THE ENTIRE [TOBACCO] CARTEL WALKED AWAY FROM THE DEAL IT SIGNED IN JUNE WITH THE ATTORNEYS GENERAL OF 40 STATES. /// OPT /// THIS CALLED FOR PAYMENT OF 368-POINT-FIVE BILLION DOLLARS AND ENDING THE SALES PITCH TO KIDS IN EXCHANGE FOR BLANKET PROTECTION FROM CLASS ACTION LIABILITY LAW SUITS, THE GREATEST THREATS THE FIRMS FACE. /// END OPT /// THE COMPANIES CAN RUN, BUT THEY CAN'T HIDE. CUTTING A DEAL REMAINS THEIR ONLY CHANCE TO HELP THEMSELVES.

    TEXT: THE UNITED STATES HAS ASKED CHINA FOR HELP IN PUTTING THE NOTORIOUS CAMBODIAN REBEL KHMER ROUGE LEADER, POL POT, ON TRIAL. CHINA WAS THE MAIN SUPPORTER OF THE KHMER ROUGE DURING ITS REIGN OF TERROR IN PHNOM PENH IN THE LATE 1970'S. POL POT WAS THE STRONGMAN WHO PRESIDED OVER THE DEATHS OF MORE THAN ONE MILLION CAMBODIANS. THE NEW YORK TIMES HAS WRITTEN A LEAD EDITORIAL ENTITLED "BRINGING POL POT TO JUSTICE."

    VOICE: TIME CANNOT ERASE THE CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY OF POL POT.... PLANS TO DELIVER POL POT TO INTERNATIONAL CUSTODY HAVE BEEN RUMORED BEFORE. BUT THIS TIME THE POSSIBILITY SEEMS MORE REALISTIC, THANKS TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S INTERVENTION. SINCE LAST YEAR, POL POT HAS BEEN HELD PRISONER BY A FACTION OF THE KHMER ROUGE GUERRILLA MOVEMENT HE ONCE HEADED.... POL POT'S EVENTUAL DESTINATION SHOULD BE THE NETHERLANDS, WHERE THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL COULD SET UP AN INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL TO TRY HIM, SIMILAR TO THE TRIBUNAL NOW TRYING WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS FROM BOSNIA.

    TEXT: NEWSDAY FROM LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, WRITES THE UNITED STATES IS "BUNGLING [THE] PLAN TO BRING POL POT TO JUSTICE." NEWSDAY GOES ON TO ASK:

    VOICE: ... WHAT ROLE SHOULD THE UNITED STATES PLAY IN GETTING POL POT TO ANSWER CHARGES OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY? AND WHAT IF CHINA, AN ALLY OF THE KHMER ROUGE WITH STRONG INTERESTS IN CAMBODIAN AFFAIRS, WERE TO OPPOSE SUCH A MOVE? WOULD WASHINGTON BE WILLING TO GO IT ALONE? ... [PRESIDENT] CLINTON MAY HAVE HIS EYE FIRMLY ON HIS HISTORICAL LEGACY. HE COULD CLAIM CREDIT FOR BRINGING TO JUSTICE ONE OF HISTORY'S MOST NORTORIOUS FIGURES. THAT'S A WORTHY GOAL, BUT HE MUST PLAY THE GAME LEADING UP TO IT WITH A LOT MORE FINESSE THAN THIS GAMBIT DEMONSTRATES.

    TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF TODAY'S EDITORIALS FROM THE U-S PRESS.
    NEB/GE/MMK
    10-Apr-98 12:06 PM EDT (1606 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [10] CLINTON / N-IRELAND (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

    DATE=4/10/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-229510
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS HAILING THE AGREEMENT REACHED IN BELFAST FRIDAY THAT AIMS TO END THREE DECADES OF CONFLICT IN NORTHERN IRELAND. BUT HE WARNS THERE MAY BE SOME WHO WILL SEEK TO UNDERMINE IT. V-O-A'S WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

    TEXT: MR. CLINTON SAYS THE AGREEMENT OPENS THE WAY FOR THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND TO BUILD A SOCIETY BASED ON ENDURING PEACE, JUSTICE AND EQUALITY.

    // CLINTON ACTUALITY //

    AFTER A 30-YEAR WINTER OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE, NORTHERN IRELAND TODAY HAS THE PROMISE OF A SPRINGTIME OF PEACE.

    // END ACT //

    BUT MR. CLINTON SAYS MAKING THE PEACE ENDURE WILL BE DIFFICULT, AND HE WARNED OF POTENTIAL EFFORTS TO SCUTTLE THE DEAL.

    // CLINTON ACTUALITY //

    IN THE DAYS TO COME, THERE MAY BE THOSE WHO WILL TRY TO UNDERMINE THIS GREAT ACHIEVEMENT, NOT ONLY WITH WORDS, BUT PERHAPS ALSO WITH VIOLENCE. ALL THE PARTIES AND ALL THE REST OF US MUST STAND SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER TO DEFY ANY SUCH APPEALS.

    // END ACT //

    THE BREAKTHROUGH IN THE PEACE PROCESS REPRESENTS A FOREIGN POLICY ACHIEVEMENT FOR MR. CLINTON, WHO HAS PLAYED AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE SEARCH FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND.

    AS MARATHON NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUED PAST THE MIDNIGHT DEADLINE THURSDAY NIGHT IN BELFAST, MR. CLINTON STAYED IN TOUCH WITH THE PARTIES THROUGHOUT THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF FRIDAY.

    // OPT //

    WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS THE PRESIDENT SPOKE BY TELEPHONE WITH BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR FOUR SEPARATE TIMES AND WITH IRISH PRIME MINISTER BERTIE AHERN TWICE. IN ADDITION, MR. CLINTON HELD TWO SEPARATE CONVERSATIONS EACH WITH GERRY ADAMS, THE LEADER OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY'S POLITICAL WING, AND WITH JOHN HUME, THE LEADER OF THE PRO-NATIONALIST SOCIAL AND DEMOCRATIC PARTY. THE PRESIDENT ALSO CALLED DAVID TRIMBLE, THE HEAD OF THE PRO-BRITISH UNIONIST PARTY.

    // END OPT //

    MR. CLINTON DENIED SPECULATION THAT HE OFFERED THE PARTIES INCREASED U-S FINANCIAL AID IF THEY REACHED AN AGREEMENT, BUT HE SAID THERE WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO THE REGION IN TERMS OF INCREASED INVESTMENT IF PEACE TAKES HOLD.

    THE PRESIDENT SAYS IT HAS NOT BEEN DECIDED WHETHER HE WILL MAKE A RETURN VISIT TO NORTHERN IRELAND NEXT MONTH, AROUND THE TIME HE IS TO ATTEND A SUMMIT OF MAJOR INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS IN BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND. BUT WHITE HOUSE AIDES ARE NOT RULING OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A PRESIDENTIAL VISIT TO BELFAST AND DUBLIN AHEAD OF A REFERENDUM ON THE PEACE AGREEMENT AT THE END OF MAY.

    MR. CLINTON BECAME THE FIRST U-S PRESIDENT TO VISIT NORTHERN IRELAND IN 1995. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAT/ENE/PT
    10-Apr-98 5:14 PM EDT (2114 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [11] BRITAIN / IRELAND AGREEMENT (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

    DATE=4/10/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-229500
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE PRIME MINISTERS OF BOTH BRITAIN AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC HAVE PRAISED THE PROPOSED AGREEMENT THAT OFFICIALS IN NORTHERN IRELAND HOPE WILL HELP BRING PEACE TO THE BRITISH PROVINCE. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

    TEXT: BOTH BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR AND IRISH PRIME MINISTER BERTIE AHERN SPENT THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS IN BELFAST -- PLAYING KEY ROLES IN TALKS THAT LED TO THE AGREEMENT.

    MR. AHERN HAILED THE ACCOMPLISHMENT, SAYING IT MARKS A NEW BEGINNING FOR THE PEOPLES OF IRELAND AND BRITAIN.

    /// AHERN ACT ///

    IT'S A DAY WE SHOULD TREASURE, A DAY WHEN AGREEMENT AND ACCOMMODATION HAVE TAKEN THE PLACE OF DIFFERENCE AND DIVISION. AND TODAY IS ABOUT THE PROMISE OF A BRIGHT FUTURE, A DAY WHEN WE HOPE A LINE CAN BE DRAWN UNDER THE BLOODY PAST.

    /// END ACT ///

    MR, BLAIR ADDRESSED HIS COMMENTS TO THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND, SAYING IT IS NOW THEIR JOB TO MAKE THE AGREEMENT A SUCCESS.

    /// BLAIR ACT ///

    THIS WILL NOT WORK UNLESS ,IN YOUR WILL AND IN YOUR MIND, YOU MAKE IT WORK ... UNLESS WE EXTEND THE HAND OF FRIENDSHIP TO THOSE WHO WERE ONCE FOES.

    /// END ACT ///

    BOTH PRIME MINISTERS NOW MUST GET THEIR PARLIAMENTS TO CHANGE A NUMBER OF LAWS TO IMPLEMENT THE AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)
    NEB/JWH/PCF/JO
    10-Apr-98 2:01 PM EDT (1801 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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