Voice of America, 98-04-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] COHEN / GREECE / TURKEY (L ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASAVA (ATHENS)

[02] CONGRESS-CASPIAN REGION (L ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

[03] E-U / HELMS-BURTON (L) BY BILL RODGERS (WASHINGTON)

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

[05] KOSOVO TALKS (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[06] ISTANBUL MAYOR (L-O) BY TOM KANKKONEN (ISTANBUL)

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

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

[01] COHEN / GREECE / TURKEY (L ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASAVA (ATHENS)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN HAS URGED GREECE AND TURKEY TO WORK TOGETHER TO RESOLVE LONG-STANDING DIFFERENCES. ANTHEE CARASAVA REPORTS MR. COHEN SPOKE IN ATHENS, THE LAST STOP ON HIS FIVE-NATION TOUR OF THE REGION.

TEXT: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN ENDED HIS TOUR IN MUCH THE SAME WAY HE STARTED IT -- WITH AN APPEAL TO NATO ALLIES GREECE AND TURKEY TO STOP SQUABBLING AND START TALKING.

THE IMPORTANT THING TO DO IS FOR BOTH COUNTRIES TO AGREE TO SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT DIFFERENCES RATHER THAN EITHER SHOUTING ABOUT THEM OR SHOOTING ABOUT THEM.

MR. COHEN MADE THE APPEAL IN ATHENS AFTER A TWO-HOUR TALK WITH GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER AKIS TSOHATZOPOULOS.

THE TWO OFFICIALS DISCUSSED THE PLAN BY CYPRUS TO BUY RUSSIAN-MADE ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILES WHICH ARE SAID TO BE CAPABLE OF REACHING TURKISH AIRSPACE. TURKEY HAS THREATENED "ANY MEANS NECESSARY" TO BLOCK DEPLOYMENT OF THE MISSILES.

MR. COHEN SAYS THE UNITED STATES URGES TALKS TO AVERT A CRISIS.

WE BELIEVE IT WILL BE A MISTAKE TO DEPLOY THE S-300 MISSILE. WE THINK IT'S A MISTAKE FOR TURKEY TO ENGAGE IN HOSTILE THREATS TOWARDS CYPRUS. WE THINK IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO TO FIND WAYS IN WHICH THE PARTIES, TURKEY CAN WORK WITH GREECE. AND THE GREEK CYPRIOTS WITH THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS CAN SIT DOWN AT A TABLE AND NEGOTIATE THEIR DIFFERENCES.

CYPRUS HAS BEEN DIVIDED FOR 24 YEARS SINCE TURKISH TROOPS INVADED THE ISLAND'S NORTH AFTER A COUP ENGINEERED BY THE JUNTA THEN RULING GREECE. MORE THAN 30-THOUSAND TURKISH TROOPS REMAIN IN THE NORTH OF CYPRUS.

MR. COHEN'S TRIP COMES AHEAD OF A DIPLOMATIC SHUTTLE TO THE REGION BY PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CYPRUS, RICHARD HOLBROOKE.

IT WAS MR. HOLBROOK'S TELEPHONE DIPLOMACY TWO YEARS AGO THAT HELPED KEEP GREECE AND TURKEY FROM GOING TO WAR IN A DISPUTE ABOUT A BARREN CROP OF SMALL ISLANDS IN THE AEGEAN SEA.

SINCE THEN, RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS HAVE REMAINED LOW, WITH EACH COUNTRY LAUNCHING FREQUENT THREATS OF WAR AS WELL AS TAKING PART IN AN ARMS RACE TO MODERNIZE THEIR MILITARY FORCES.

THAT ISSUE ALSO WAS HIGH ON THE TALKS TUESDAY IN ATHENS. MR. COHEN EXPRESSED STRONG U-S INTEREST IN SELLING LATEST TECHNOLOGY PLANES, TANKS, AND AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS TO GREECE. OFFICIALS IN ATHENS SAY A LARGE PART OF THEIR MILITARY HARDWARE PURCHASES WILL GO TO U-S AND GERMAN COMPANIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/AC/JWH/JO
21-Apr-98 2:12 PM EDT (1812 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CONGRESS-CASPIAN REGION (L ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: TWO LEADING MEMBERS OF THE U-S CONGRESS ARE CALLING ON THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE EMERGING DEMOCRACIES IN THE CASPIAN REGION. V-0-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS BOTH SPENT PART OF THE JUST ENDED CONGRESSIONAL RECESS TOURING CENTRAL ASIA AND THE CAUCUSES.

TEXT: SENATOR SAM BROWNBACK (OF KANSAS) AND CONGRESSMAN BOB LIVINGSTON (OF LOUISIANA) MADE SEPARATE TRIPS. BUT THEY REACHED THE SAME CONCLUSIONS.

THE TWO PROMINENT REPUBLICANS SAY THE UNITED STATES NEEDS TO DO MORE TO REACH OUT TO NATIONS IN THE CASPIAN REGION THAT ARE TRYING TO IMPLEMENT POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORMS. SENATOR BROWNBACK -- THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON MIDDLE EASTERN AND CENTRAL ASIAN AFFAIRS -- SAYS AMERICA MUST BE BOLD.

WE ARE BEING RESERVED DUE TO A FEAR OF RUSSIAN OR IRANIAN RESPONSE WHEN THE CENTRAL ASIAN AND CAUCUS COUNTRIES WANT OUR STRONG SUPPORT. AND I THINK OVER THE NEXT TWO TO FIVE YEARS THE REGION WILL CHOSE A PATH.

MR. BROWNBACK SAYS THESE NATIONS COULD BECOME DEPENDENT ON RUSSIA,PURSUE LINKS WITH IRAN OR SOLIDIFY THEIR STATUS AS INDEPENDENT STATES.

WE MUST AGGRESSIVELY AND NOW SUPPORT THE ROUTE TOWARDS FREE, INDEPENDENT, AND SOVEREIGN STATUS.

A KEY TO THE FUTURE OF SEVERAL OF THESE COUNTRIES WILL BE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTS CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW PIPELINE FROM BAKU, AZERBAIJAN TO THE SOUTHERN TURKISH PORT OF CEYHAN (CHAY'-HAWN) AS A SECURE WAY TO REACH ENERGY-HUNGRY MARKETS ALONG THE PACIFIC RIM.

DESPITE THEIR DIFFERENCES WITH THE WHITE HOUSE ON OTHER ASPECTS OF CURRENT POLICY, BOTH SENATOR BROWNBACK AND CONGRESSMAN LIVINGSTON SUPPORT THE PIPELINE PROJECT. MR. LIVINGSTON -- THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL SPENDING BILLS (APPROPRIATIONS) -- SAYS OTHER PROPOSED ROUTES FOR TRANSPORTING OIL AND GAS FROM THE REGION ARE FAR TOO RISKY.

WHERE THE PIPELINES FOR THIS OIL AND NATURAL GAS GO IS OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE TO DEMOCRATIC PEOPLES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. IF THEY GO THROUGH COUNTRIES THAT ARE UNSTABLE OR OF TOTALITARIAN BENT, OR SIMPLY OF A NOTION TO UTILIZE THOSE TRANSIT ROUTES FOR THEIR OWN PURPOSES, THE FACT IS THE SOURCES OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS BECOME JEOPARDIZED.

CONGRESSMAN LIVINGSTON SAYS THE HOUSE AND SENATE MIGHT DONATE MONEY TO HELP BUILD THE BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE. HE SAYS IT IS BEING CONSIDERATE AS PART OF THE 1999 U-S FOREIGN OPERATIONS BUDGET. HE ALSO SAYS THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE A BIT MORE EVEN-HANDED IN ITS DEALINGS WITH AZERBAIJAN AND TURKEY. (OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR EUROPEAN LANGUAGE USE: HE SAYS AZERBAIJAN IS BEING PUNISHED FOR NGORNO-KARABACH, AND WE SHOULD TREAT TURKEY WITH "PROPER REGARD" FOR ITS SACRIFICES DURING THE GULF WAR.) (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
21-Apr-98 7:36 PM EDT (2336 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] E-U / HELMS-BURTON (L) BY BILL RODGERS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION IS DROPPING FOR NOW ITS LEGAL CHALLENGE BEFORE THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION AGAINST THE CONTROVERSIAL U-S HELMS-BURTON LAW -- WHICH AIMS TO DISCOURAGE FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN CUBA. AS VOA'S BILL RODGERS REPORTS, THE E-U DECISION IS A MAJOR STEP IN DEFUSING A DISPUTE OVER SANCTIONS THAT HAS TROUBLED RELATIONS BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND WESTERN EUROPE.

TEXT: THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS LET ITS CASE AGAINST THE HELMS-BURTON LAW LAPSE BEFORE THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION, W-T-O. THE E-U'S ENVOY TO THE UNITED STATES, HUGO PAEMEN, SAYS THE DECISION NOT TO CONTINUE PURSUING THE CASE FOR NOW WAS TAKEN BECAUSE PROGRESS IS BEING MADE IN THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH WASHINGTON TO SETTLE THE DISPUTE.

BECAUSE WE ARE IN DISCUSSIONS, IN NEGOTIATIONS, WITH THE AMERICANS IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN LOGICAL, ON THE ONE HAND, TO NEGOTIATE AND WORK VERY HARD TO COME TO A SOLUTION AND AT THE SAME TIME TO REACTIVATE A (W-T-O) PANEL WHICH WE HAD SUSPENDED BECAUSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS

BUT MR. PAEMEN WARNED THE E-U COULD FILE ANOTHER COMPLAINT BEFORE THE WORLD TRADE BODY IF THE NEGOTIATIONS FAIL.

THE EUROPEAN UNION BROUGHT ITS COMPLAINT TO THE W-T-O BECAUSE IT CONSIDERS THE HELMS-BURTON LAW A VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW. THE TWO-YEAR OLD MEASURE CONTAINS SANCTIONS AIMED AT PUNISHING FOREIGN COMPANIES THAT INVEST IN FORMER U-S ASSETS AND PROPERTIES CONFISCATED BY THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT. THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL PROVISION OF THE LAW WOULD ALLOW U-S CITIZENS TO SUE THOSE FOREIGN COMPANIES. HOWEVER, PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS NEVER IMPLEMENTED THIS PORTION OF HELMS-BURTON -- A MOVE THAT ALLOWED THE UNITED STATES AND THE E-U TO OPEN TALKS ON RESOLVING A DISPUTE THAT HAS TROUBLED TRANS-ATLANTIC RELATIONS.

AMBASSADOR PAEMEN ACKNOWLEDGED TUESDAY THAT THE PRESIDENTIAL WAIVERS HAVE CREATED THE CLIMATE FOR NEGOTIATIONS. BUT HE INDICATED OTHER CONCESSIONS WILL BE NEEDED ON BOTH SIDES BEFORE THE DISPUTE IS RESOLVED.

AS FAR AS CONCESSIONS GO, YOU NEVER COME TO A COMPROMISE IN THESE TYPES OF SITUATIONS UNLESS THERE ARE CONCESSIONS ON BOTH SIDES. AND THE QUESTION IS, AS YOU KNOW, THERE IS A U-S DEMAND ON ILLEGAL EXPROPRIATIONS AND HOW YOU DEAL WITH THAT AND ON THE OTHER HAND THERE WAS A EUROPEAN REQUEST THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A GENERAL RULE FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW NOT TO HAVE SECONDARY EMBARGOS. NOW IT'S THAT BALANCE BETWEEN THESE TWO AMBITIONS, I WOULD SAY, THAT HAS TO BE FOUND.

U-S OFFICIALS HAVE WELCOMED THE EUROPEAN DECISION, BUT ALSO SAY THE TWO SIDES ARE A LONG WAY FROM REACHING A SETTLEMENT. THEY INSIST THE HELMS-BURTON LAW, WHICH STRENGTHENS THE LONGSTANDING U-S EMBARGO AGAINST CUBA, IS IN THE NATIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS OF THE UNITED STATES. (SIGNED)
NEB/WFR/KL
21-Apr-98 2:53 PM EDT (1853 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

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

TEXT: SHARE PRICES FELL ON ALL THREE MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS -- DESPITE A STRONG OPENING ON WALL STREET. IT WAS A SHARP CONTRAST FROM THE MAJOR GAINS RECORDED MONDAY ON THE THREE EXCHANGES.

THE BIGGEST DROP WAS IN FRANKFURT. THE DAX INDEX ENDED THE DAY OFF MORE THAN 34-POINTS, SIX-TENTHS PERCENT. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX WAS DOWN MORE THAN 25 POINTS, ALSO SIX-TENTHS PERCENT. AND, IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX CLOSED OFF MARGINALLY, LESS THAN ONE-POINT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR WAS DOWN AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND THE JAPANESE YEN, BUT BASICALLY UNCHANGED AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWH/RAE
21-Apr-98 1:57 PM EDT (1757 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO TALKS (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: A TOP AMERICAN DIPLOMAT HAS HELD TALKS IN WARSAW WITH THE HEAD OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE ON THE CRISIS IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE IN ADVANCE OF A SATURDAY DEADLINE FACING AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE. AS V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPE CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS, AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE ARE FACING A SATURDAY DEADLINE FOR ACTION.

TEXT: U-S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT IS MEETING WITH LEADERS THROUGHOUT EUROPE AS THE UNITED STATES TRIES TO WIN SUPPORT FOR SANCTIONS AGAINST BELGRADE IF YUGOSLAVIA FAILS TO OPEN GOOD FAITH TALKS WITH KOSOVO'S ALBANIAN LEADERSHIP.

DIPLOMATS FROM WESTERN EUROPE, RUSSIA, AND AMERICA -- THE SO-CALLED CONTACT GROUP -- HAVE SET A DEADLINE FOR BELGRADE TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS AND WITHDRAW SPECIAL FORCES FROM KOSOVO. ABOUT 80 ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN THE PROVINCE WERE KILLED IN A CRACKDOWN LAST MONTH BY POLICE AND PARAMILITARY TROOPS.

KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS WANT INDEPENDENCE, BUT BELGRADE INSISTS IT MUST REMAIN PART OF SERBIA.

YUGOSLAVIA HAS REPEATEDLY SENT NEGOTIATING TEAMS TO KOSOVO, BUT THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAVE REFUSED TO TALK, SAYING OUTSIDE MEDIATION IS NEEDED. AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE SAY THE DISPUTE IS STRICTLY A MATTER FOR SERBIA -- THE DOMINANT PART OF WHAT IS LEFT OF YUGOSLAVIA.

MR. TALBOTT MET IN WARSAW WITH POLISH FOREIGN MINISTER BRONISLAW GEREMEK WHO IS SERVING AS CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE. LATER, MR. TALBOTT TOLD REPORTERS OUTSIDE POWERS MUST REMAIN ENGAGED IN THE KOSOVO DISPUTE.

THE IMPORTANT THING IS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO USE THE RESOURCES THAT IT HAS AT ITS DISPOSAL TO CONVINCE THE PARTIES IN THE KOSOVO CONFLICT THAT IT IS IN THEIR OWN SELF-INTEREST TO ENTER UNCONDITIONALLY INTO A DIALOGUE THAT WILL LEAD TO A LASTING SETTLEMENT.

MR. TALBOTT SAID ANY SETTLEMENT MUST INCLUDE RESPECT FOR HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS FOR MINORITIES -- MEANING BOTH FOR THE ALBANIAN MINORITY IN SERBIA AS A WHOLE, AND FOR THE SERBS WHO ARE A SMALL MINORITY IN KOSOVO PROVNICE. MEANWHILE, ACROSS THE BORDER FROM KOSOVO, A NATO TEAM HAS ARRIVED IN TIRANA. THE NATO SPECIALISTS WILL BE DISCUSSING, AMONG OTHER ISSUES, THE EFFECT OF THE KOSOVO CRISIS ON ALBANIA. ALBANIA IS A MEMBER OF NATO'S "PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE" PROGRAM. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/JWH/KL
21-Apr-98 10:47 AM EDT (1447 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] ISTANBUL MAYOR (L-O) BY TOM KANKKONEN (ISTANBUL)

INTRO: IN TURKEY, A STATE SECURITY COURT TUESDAY SENTENCED THE ISLAMIST MAYOR OF ISTANBUL TO 10-MONTHS IN PRISON FOR MAKING AN ALLEGEDLY ANTI-SECULAR SPEECH. THE SENTENCE IS SEEN AS A FURTHER BLOW TO TURKEY'S ISLAMIST MOVEMENT, AS TOM KANKKONEN REPORTS FROM ISTANBUL.

TEXT: THE MAYOR OF TURKEY'S LARGEST CITY, ISTANBUL, RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, WAS CHARGED WITH INCITING RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS HATRED AFTER A SPEECH HE DELIVER LAST YEAR IN THE EASTERN TOWN OF SIIRT.

THE COURT VIEWED THE SPEECH AS AN ATTACK AGAINST THE SECULAR SYSTEM IN TURKEY. IN IT, THE MAYOR DESCRIBED MOSQUES AS BARRACKS AND MINARETS AS BAYONETS. THE STATE SECURITY COURT IN TURKEY'S SOUTHEASTERN CITY OF DIYARBAKIR FOUND MR ERDOGAN GUILTY AND SENTENCED HIM TO 10-MONTHS IN PRISON.

HIS LAWYERS SAY THEY WILL APPEAL, BUT IF THE SENTENCE IS UPHELD, MR ERDOGAN WILL HAVE TO STEP DOWN FROM HIS POST AS MAYOR AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STAND AS A CANDIDATE IN NEXT YEARS' LOCAL ELECTIONS.

THIS WOULD COME AS A SEVERE BLOW TO TURKEYS ISLAMIST MOVEMENT, WHICH IS TRYING TO RE-GROUP AFTER THE ISLAMIST "WELFARE" PARTY WAS BANNED EARLIER THIS YEAR. RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN WAS SEEN AS A POTENTIAL LEADER OF THE NEW ISLAMIST "VIRTUE" PARTY, SET UP AFTER THE CLOSURE OF THE WELFARE PARTY.

TURKEY'S MILITARY HAS WAGED A CAMPAIGN AGAINST WHAT THEY SEE AS THE ISLAMIST THREAT AGAINST THE COUNTRY'S SECULAR SYSTEM. ALTHOUGH THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE TURKISH POPULATION IS MUSLIM, THE STATE IS SECULAR AND THE ARMED FORCES SEE IT AS THEIR DUTY TO PROTECT THIS NON-RELIGIOUS STATUS. LAST YEAR, THE GENERALS PLAYED A CENTRAL ROLE IN FORCING AN ISLAMIST-LEAD GOVERNMENT OUT OF OFFICE. MEANWHILE, ISLAMIST HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS HAVE ACCUSED TURKEY'S JUDICIARY OF BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE ARMED FORCES.

ANOTHER ISLAMIST MAYOR AND FORMER MEMBER OF THE "WELFARE" PARTY WAS RECENTLY SENTENCED TO ONE-YEAR IN PRISON FOR STATEMENTS SEEN AS ANTI SECULAR. HE IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN HIS JAIL SENTENCE FRIDAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/TK/PCF/RAE
21-Apr-98 8:14 AM EDT (1214 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

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

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 91-HUNDRED-84, UP 43 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11-HUNDRED-26, UP THREE POINTS. BOTH OF THOSE MEASUREMENTS CLOSED AT RECORD HIGHS.

STOCK PRICES WERE VOLATILE UNTIL LATE IN THE SESSION WHEN A STRONG UPWARD TREND DEVELOPED.

TRADERS SAY THERE WAS SOME CONCERN EARLIER ABOUT COMMENTS FROM ROGER FERGUSON, ONE OF THE GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD THE U-S CENTRAL BANK. MR. FERGUSON INDICATED THAT TO CONTROL INFLATION THE CENTRAL BANK MAY HAVE TO RAISE INTEREST RATES UNLESS THE FINANCIAL CRISIS IN ASIA SOON STARTS TO SLOW THE RATE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE UNITED STATES.

FROM MAY TO OCTOBER, TYPICALLY ARE THE SIX WEAK MONTHS OF THE YEAR FOR THE STOCK MARKET. WE ARE DRAWING CLOSE TO THAT RIGHT NOW AND WE THINK REALITY WILL START TO SET IN ON EARNINGS ABOUT THIS TIME.

FINANCIAL PROBLEMS IN ASIA ARE NOT HURTING NORTHWEST AIRLINES, EVEN THOUGH THE U-S CARRIER HAS MAJOR OPERATIONS IN ASIA. NORTHWEST SAYS STRONG DOMESTIC AND TRANS-ATLANTIC BUSINESS HELPED TO BOOST ITS PROFITS BY 10 PERCENT.

THE BIG SLUMP IN CRUDE OIL PRICES RECENTLY IS SHOWING UP IN THE PROFITS OF MAJOR OIL COMPANIES. EXXON REPORTS ITS QUARTERLY EARNINGS DROPPED BY 13 PERCENT. THE AMOCO OIL COMPANY SAW ITS PROFITS FALL BY 42 PERCENT.

SEVERAL LARGE AMERICAN BANKS EXCEEDED WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS WITH SHARPLY HIGHER PROFITS. AMONG THE BANKS SHOWING BIG GAINS WERE CHASE MANHATTAN, CITICORP, WELLS FARGO AND THE MELLON BANK.

PHILIP MORRIS, THE GIANT FOOD AND TOBACCO COMPANY, REPORTED A BETTER THAN FIVE-PERCENT JUMP IN QUARTERLY PROFITS. DESPITE THE GOOD EARNINGS NEWS, PHILIP MORRIS' STOCK WAS DOWN BECAUSE OF UNCERTAINTY ABOUT CONGRESSIONAL ACTION ON A PROPOSAL TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE CIGARETTE PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/JO
21-Apr-98 4:53 PM EDT (2053 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: AN EFFORT IN THE CONGRESS BY RANK AND FILE LEGISLATORS TO FORCE A VOTE ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM IS GETTING CONSIDERABLE ATTENTION FROM THE NATION'S EDITORIAL WRITERS. OTHER TOPICS IN THE COMMENTARY COLUMNS THIS TUESDAY INCLUDE THE RELEASE FROM PRISON OF CHINESE DISSIDENT WANG DAN; AFTERMATH COMMENTS ABOUT THE CHILEAN SUMMIT; /// OPT /// ANOTHER CALL FOR SPECIAL COUNSEL STARR TO END HIS PROBE; /// END OPT /// ANOTHER CHANCE TO END THE CIVIL WAR IN AFGHANISTAN, AND TWO FAMOUS PEOPLE -- A MEXICAN AUTHOR, AND THE WIFE OF A MUSIC STAR -- ARE MOURNED. NOW, HERE IS _______________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: SEVERAL EDITORIALS CONTAIN BOXES WITH THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF CONGRESSMEN AND -WOMEN WHO HAVE NOT YET JOINED A MOVEMENT TO FORCE A VOTE IN CONGRESS ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. IF IT HAPPENS, IT WOULD BE AGAINST THE WISHES OF HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH, WHO EFFECTIVELY KILLED THE MEASURE EARLIER, AFTER PROMISING TO BRING IT TO A VOTE.

THAT ACTION SO OUTRAGED MANY LEGISLATORS THAT THEY BEGAN TO TAKE ACTION. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS URGING THEM ON:

VOICE: WHILE CONGRESS WAS IN EASTER RECESS, SUPPORT FOR A CLEANUP OF THE NATION'S CORRUPT CAMPAIGN FINANCE SYSTEM GREW STEADILY. TODAY, AS LAWMAKERS RETURN TO WORK, FIVE MORE REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ARE READY TO SIGN A PETITION TO RELEASE CAMPAIGN REFORM LEGISLATION FROM COMMITTEE AND BRING IT TO THE FLOOR FOR A VOTE, IN DEFIANCE OF SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH. THE PETITION NOW COMMANDS 201 SUPPORTERS, ONLY 18 SHORT OF THE NUMBER NEEDED TO GIVE THE LIE TO THOSE WHO CYNICALLY PRONOUNCED CAMPAIGN REFORM A LOST CAUSE. NOW IS THE MOMENT FOR REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WHO SAY THEY ARE FOR REFORM TO ACT, AND FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS TO INSIST THAT THEY DO.

TEXT: ADDS "USA TODAY" WHICH ALSO PUBLISHES A LIST OF THE RECALCITRANT CONGRESSMEN:

VOICE: THE CURRENT BILL FALLS SHORT OF THE ULTIMATE [CAMPAIGN FINANCE] REFORM -- PUBLIC FINANCING TO GET SPECIAL-INTEREST MONEY OUT OF CAMPAIGNS. BUT ITS ATTEMPT TO SQUELCH THE OBSCENE EXPLOSION OF UNREGULATED CONTRIBUTIONS FROM BUSINESS, LABOR AND WEALTHY INDIVIDUALS SEEKING FAVORS WOULD BE A MAJOR STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE ARRIVAL IN THIS COUNTRY OF LEADING CHINESE DISSIDENT AND TIANANMEN SQUARE LEADER WANG DAN, "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS HIS RELEASE IS ONLY PART OF THE STORY:

VOICE: /// OPT /// IT WAS FRONT-PAGE NEWS YESTERDAY THAT CHINA HAD SENT WELL-KNOWN DISSIDENT WANG DAN INTO AMERICAN EXILE, JUST AS IT WAS LAST NOVEMBER WHEN DEMOCRACY ADVOCATE WEI JINGSHENG WAS TAKEN FROM PRISON AND PUT ON A JET TO DETROIT. BUT A STEADY FLOW OF ARRESTS BETWEEN THESE TWO WELL-PUBLICIZED RELEASES DIDN'T MAKE THE FRONT PAGES AROUND THE COUNTRY OR EVEN A MENTION IN MOST NEWSPAPERS. //// END OPT //// WANG DAN'S RELEASE WAS PART OF A DELICATE UNSPOKEN DEAL BETWEEN THE CLINTON AND JIANG ZEMIN ADMINISTRATIONS. ...... THERE CAN BE ONLY JOY THAT HE IS FREE, ALBEIT IN FORCED EXILE. YET THERE IS A DANGER, AS CHINA BARGAINS WITH ITS DISSIDENTS ONE BY ONE, OF LOSING SIGHT OF THE THOUSANDS OF PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE WHO REMAIN IN JAIL OR LABOR CAMPS -- AND THOSE WHO ARE ADDED TO THE PRISON POPULATION WEEK AFTER WEEK.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" WONDERS WHETHER THIS RELEASE, COUPLED WITH THE EARLIER ONE, MEANS A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN CHINA.

VOICE: NINE YEARS AFTER IT CRUSHED THE TIANANMEN SQUARE DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT, CHINA'S LEADERSHIP SEEMS EVER SO SLIGHTLY TO BE LOOSENING ITS STRANGLEHOLD ON POLITICAL DISSENT. IT IS TOO SOON TO KNOW WHETHER THE NEW OPENNESS WILL LAST, OR GROW, BUT SOMETHING IS STIRRING IN CHINA THAT BEARS ENCOURAGEMENT AND CLOSE MONITORING BY THE UNITED STATES...... PERHAPS MORE SIGNIFICANT [THAN MR. WANG'S RELEASE] IS THE INCREASED LATITUDE TENTATIVELY ALLOWED FOR PEOPLE TO CAMPAIGN IN CHINA FOR LIMITED DEMOCRATIC REFORMS. SINCE JANUARY A NUMBER OF NEWSPAPERS AND JOURNALS HAVE PRINTED LIVELY EXCHANGES ON SUBJECTS LIKE EXPANDING INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, EXTENDING VILLAGE ELECTIONS AND SHRINKING THE REACH OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNIST PARTY.

TEXT: MOVING ON TO THE LATIN AMERICAN SUMMIT, "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" PROCLAIMS IN ITS HEADLINE; "LATIN AMERICA DESERVES BETTER" AND GOES ON TO EXPLAIN HOW MANY NATIONS IN THE HEMISPHERE ARE SIDESTEPPING THE UNITED STATES TO FORM TRADE DEALS WITH CANADA AND EUROPEAN NATIONS. AND WHY IS THE UNITED STATES BEING IGNORED, "THE SENTINEL" ASKS?

VOICE: BLAME THE UNITED STATES' BEING LEFT OUT ON THE LACK OF FAST-TRACK NEGOTIATING AUTHORITY THAT MR. CLINTON NEEDS FROM CONGRESS. ESSENTIALLY THAT AUTHORITY ALLOWS A PRESIDENT TO MAKE TRADE AGREEMENTS AND SEND THEM OVER TO LAWMAKERS FOR A YES OR NO VOTE. NO CHANGES ARE ALLOWED. CERTAIN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS BELIEVE THAT'S TOO RESTRICTIVE. OTHERS CONTINUE TO GROUSE ABOUT THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT. ..... NOT HAVING FAST-TRACK AUTHORITY AT THE HEMISPHERIC CONFERENCE LIMITED MR. CLINTON TO MAKING SMALL DEALS ON TRADE AND OTHER ISSUES, AS HE DID WITH CHILE.

TEXT: BACK WITH DOMESTIC AFFAIRS, AND THE INVESTIGATION OF THE PRESIDENT, BOTH IN THE WHITEWATER MATTER AND MORE RECENTLY REGARDING PAULA JONES AND MONICA LEWINSKY, BY KENNETH STARR. TODAY'S "HARTFORD [CONNECTICUT COURANT" IS CALLING ON THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO END HIS INVESTIGATION.

VOICE: MR. STARR ... IS FAST APPROACHING THE POINT OF DIMINISHING RETURNS. HIS INQUIRY HAS ALREADY COST 30-MILLION DOLLARS. AMERICANS ARE WEARY OF PERENNIAL INQUIRIES THAT DETERIORATE INTO POLITICAL TUG OF WARS. MR. STARR HAS SHOWN RESULTS. HIS PROBE HAS LED TO SEVERAL CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS, INCLUDING THOSE OF A FORMER ARKANSAS GOVERNOR AND A FORMER JUDGE. INCREASINGLY, HOWEVER, HIS CREDIBILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS HAVE DIMINISHED AS HIS INVESTIGATION HAS TAKEN ON THE TONE OF A CRUSADE TO GET [MEANING HERE: "HURT OR DAMAGE"] THE PRESIDENT NO MATTER WHAT.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" HAILS LAST WEEK'S SURPRISE TRIP TO AFGHANISTAN BY UNITED STATES U-N AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON, AND THE LIMITED CONCESSIONS HE WAS ABLE TO EXTRACT FROM THE WARRING SIDES, INCLUDING A TEMPORARY CEASE FIRE, HEADING OFF THE USUAL SPRING MILITARY OFFENSIVES. CAN THIS BE THE TIME FOR A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT, WONDERS "THE POST?"

VOICE: EVERYTHING IS HARD IN AFGHANISTAN. THE COUNTRY LIVES WITH A MEASURE OF PAIN-DEFYING COMPREHENSION. FIVE U-N ENVOYS HAVE FAILED THERE. BUT THIS INITIATIVE COMES AT A MOMENT WHEN THE REGION SEEMS READY TO TURN TO MODERNIZATION BEFORE ALL HOPE OF CATCH-UP IS LOST. ..... THE UNITED STATES WON A VALUABLE COLD WAR VICTORY IN AFGHANISTAN AND HAS GOOD REASON TO KEEP GOING NOW.

TEXT: TODAY'S [NEW YORK] "DAILY NEWS" IS FORCEFULLY ASKING THE LARGEST IRISH REPUBLICAN ORGANIZATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND TO GET BEHIND THE RECENTLY SIGNED PEACE ACCORD.

VOICE: NOW IS THE TIME ... FOR ALL GOOD IRISH MEN AND WOMEN TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR PEACE AGREEMENT. AND THAT MEANS YOU, SINN FINN. HEAVEN KNOWS, JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE HAS. IN ENGLAND, THE ACCORD HAS EVEN BROUGHT TOGETHER THE MAJOR OPPOSITION PARTIES, CONSERVATIVE AND LIBERAL DEMOCRAT, WHO ARE RALLYING BEHIND LABOR PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR. 'TIS THE STUFF OF WONDERMENT. ..... THE AGREEMENT ... TRANSLATED ..... MEANS 'NONE OF US GOT EVERYTHING WE WANT, BUT WE'RE ALL GETTING SOMETHING.' THE BIGGEST PART IS AN END TO BLOODSHED. FOR THAT ALONE, SINN FEIN OUGHT TO BEND ITS KNEE AND GIVE THANKS. AND SAY YES.

TEXT: FINALLY, SEVERAL PAPERS ARE SAYING FOND, EDITORIAL FAREWELLS TO A PAIR OF CREATIVE PEOPLE WHO DIED WITHIN THE PAST FEW DAYS, MEXICAN AUTHOR OCTAVIO PAZ AND PHOTO-JOURNALIST AND MUISICIAN LINDA MCCARTNEY, WIFE OF BEATLE PAUL MCCARTNEY. ABOUT MR. PAZ, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS:

VOICE: [MR.] PAZ WAS CULTURAL EVERYMAN, THE SORT THAT EVERY COUNTRY TREASURES. RANGING WITH EASE FROM LITERARY CRITICISM AND POLITICAL ANALYSIS TO ART, ANTHROPOLOGY AND CULTURE, HIS KEEN MIND RAISED QUESTIONS THAT TRIGGERED THE MEXICAN IMAGINATION. LOVE AND FREEDOM WERE THE TWO WORDS THAT KEPT HIM ALIVE.

TEXT: AND ABOUT MRS. MCCARTNEY, "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" OFFERS THIS:

VOICE: CONSIDERABLE THOUGH HER INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENTS WERE -- SHE WAS A WIDE-RANGING PHOTOJOURNALIST WHO CAPTURED THE TURBULENT SIXTIES MUSIC SCENE, A CAMPAIGNER FOR ANIMAL WELFARE AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST -- LINDA EASTMAN MCCARTNEY WILL BE REMEMBERED AS THE WOMAN WHO, IN 1969, TOOK THE CUTE BEATLE OUT OF CIRCULATION..... BY ALL ACCOUNTS, LINDA MCCARTNEY'S WAS A VALIANT FIGHT AGAINST A DISEASE [BREAST CANCER] FACED (AND FEARED) BY MILLIONS OF WOMEN. FOR THEM, SUCH GUTSINESS MUST RESONATE. AND, FOR THE LESS FAMOUSLY MARRIED, IT MAY BE THE STABLE FAMILY LIFE SHE CREATED WITH MR. MCCARTNEY [MARRIED FOR 29 YEARS] THAT INSPIRES.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE BRING TO A CLOSE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM THE TUESDAY U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/ MMK
21-Apr-98 11:08 AM EDT (1508 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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