Voice of America, 98-04-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] U-S / CYPRUS (L ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

[02] EDITORIAL: NATO'S FUTURE

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

[04] KOSOVO TALKS (L) BY KYLE KING (ROME)

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

[06] NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE (PART TWO) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[07] SENATE/NATO (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

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

[01] U-S / CYPRUS (L ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT REPORTED RUSSIAN PLANS TO DELIVER ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILES TO THE GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT LATER THIS YEAR. THIS, AS U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE PREPARES TO VISIT CYPRUS LATER THIS WEEK TO TRY TO JUMP-START TALKS TO REUNITE THE DIVIDED ISLAND. V-O-A'S DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: FINDING A SOLUTION TO THE CYPRUS QUESTION IS A PRIORITY FOR THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION.

AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE -- WHO WAS NAMED SPECIAL ENVOY TO CYPRUS LAST YEAR AFTER BROKERING THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA -- ARRIVES ON THE MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND FRIDAY, ACCORDING TO WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY.

HE WILL CONVEY THE STRONG SENTIMENTS OF THE PRESIDENT THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE PARTIES NOW TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SET ASIDE THE DIFFERENCES THAT HAVE DIVIDED THE ISLAND FOR THE LAST 20-PLUS YEARS.

THE ISLAND -- DIVIDED BETWEEN THE GREEK CYPRIOTS IN THE SOUTH AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS IN THE NORTH -- IS A SOURCE OF FRICTION BETWEEN KEY NATO ALLIES, GREECE AND TURKEY.

U-S OFFICIALS FEAR TENSIONS WILL ESCALATE IF MOSCOW MAKES GOOD ON A PROMISE TO SHIP THE GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT ADVANCED AIR DEFENSE MISSILES. TURKEY HAS THREATENED MILITARY RETALIATION.

THE NEW YORK TIMES NEWSPAPER WEDNESDAY REPORTS THAT RUSSIA PLANS TO DELIVER THE MISSILES IN AUGUST -- DESPITE U-S AND TURKISH CONCERNS.

SPOKESMAN MCCURRY SAYS AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE WILL LIKELY RAISE THE ISSUE DURING HIS CYPRUS VISIT.

WE CERTAINLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SOLUTION THAT WOULD PREVENT THE INTRODUCTION TO THE ISLAND OF MISSILE TECHNOLOGY THAT WE THINK WOULD BE DESTABILIZING. WE HAVE MADE THAT QUITE CLEAR. WE HAVE RAISED OUR CONCERNS WITH THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION. WE HAVE RAISED OUR CONCERNS DIRECTLY WITH THE GREEK CYPRIOT LEADERSHIP AND WITH OTHERS. AND WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THOSE ARMS TRANSFERS CAN HAVE A POTENTIALLY DESTABILIZING AFFECT, COULD LEAD OTHERS TO TAKE MEASURES IN REACTION. AND FOR ALL THOSE REASONS, WE THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO SET ASIDE THAT SALE AND THAT PROPOSED TRANSFER.

AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE MADE HIS FIRST VISIT TO CYPRUS AS SPECIAL ENVOY LAST NOVEMBER.

TALKS TO RESOLVE THE CYPRUS ISSUE HAVE FALTERED, IN PART, OVER TURKISH ANGER OVER THE EUROPEAN UNION'S DECISION TO CONSIDER MEMBERSHIP FOR CYPRUS -- BUT NOT FOR TURKEY. (SIGNED)
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29-Apr-98 6:31 PM EDT (2231 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] EDITORIAL: NATO'S FUTURE

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

THE ADMISSION OF HUNGARY, POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC TO NATO IS AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARD CREATING A MORE STABLE AND SECURE EUROPE. IT WAS NATO -- ALONG WITH THE MARSHALL PLAN -- THAT LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR THE PAST HALF CENTURY OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY IN EUROPE. BY ENLARGING NATO MEMBERSHIP, THE U.S. AND ITS ALLIES ARE SEEKING TO DO FOR EUROPE'S EAST WHAT NATO DID FOR EUROPE'S WEST: CONSOLIDATE DEMOCRACY AND FURTHER EUROPEAN INTEGRATION.

NATO MEMBERS MUST ENGAGE IN COMMON DEFENSE PLANNING AND SHARE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ALLIANCE'S MILITARY CAPABILITIES. HUNGARY, POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC WILL INVEST THEIR OWN RESOURCES TO MODERNIZE THEIR MILITARIES. HUNGARY, POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC WILL CONTRIBUTE TO AND BENEFIT FROM THE PROTECTION OF NATO'S GUARANTEE OF COLLECTIVE DEFENSE. THIS MEANS THAT AN ARMED ATTACK AGAINST ONE MEMBER OF THE ALLIANCE IS CONSIDERED AN ATTACK AGAINST THE U.S. AND ALL OTHER NATO MEMBERS. THIS COMMITMENT IS THE BEDROCK OF THE ALLIANCE. THE CREDIBILITY OF NATO'S COLLECTIVE DEFENSE PLEDGE HELD THE SOVIET UNION AT BAY FOR FORTY YEARS. IT CONTINUES TO SERVE AS A DEADLY SERIOUS WARNING TO ANY POTENTIAL AGGRESSOR.

HUNGARY, POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC ARE PREPARED TO ASSUME THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF NATO MEMBERSHIP. THE U.S. LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THESE COUNTRIES AS NEW MEMBERS OF NATO.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, V-O-A, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO COMMENT AT WWW-DOT-VOA-DOT-GOV-SLASH-EDITORIALS, OR FAX US AT (202) 619-1043.
29-Apr-98 10:55 AM EDT (1455 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: IT WAS A MIXED DAY FOR STOCK PRICES ON THE MAJOR MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE. FOR THE CLOSING FIGURES, HERE IS PAUL FRANCUCH IN OUR LONDON OFFICES.

TEXT: WEAKNESS IN PRICES IN ASIA AND ON WALL STREET, PLUS A LACK OF ANY OTHER FIRM ECONOMIC INDICATORS, HELPED KEEP PRICES DOWN ON MOST EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS WEDNESDAY. TRADING VOLUME WAS MOSTLY THIN.

ONLY LONDON REGISTERED A GAIN, WITH THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX CLOSING UP 26-AND-A-HALF POINTS FOR THE DAY -- A VALUE INCREASE OF ABOUT ONE-HALF-OF-ONE-PERCENT. MEANWHILE, THE GERMAN "DAX" INDEX REGISTERED A COMPARABLE DECLINE IN VALUE, WITH THE CLOSE THERE DOWN 27-POINTS. A LITTLE MORE THAN A FULL PERCENT DECLINE WAS REGISTERED BY THE PARIS "CAC 40" INDEX, WHICH WAS OFF JUST MORE THAN 43-POINTS.

IN EUROPEAN CURRENCY TRADING, THE U-S DOLLAR TRADED UNCHANGED AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND DOWN SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.

GOLD PRICES IN LONDON WERE UP ABOUT TWO-DOLLARS, WITH AN OUNCE OF THE PRECIOUS METAL TRADING AT ABOUT 310-DOLLARS. (SIGNED)
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29-Apr-98 1:55 PM EDT (1755 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO TALKS (L) BY KYLE KING (ROME)

INTRO: U-S AND EUROPEAN OFFICIALS HAVE AGREED TO A PACKAGE OF NEW SANCTIONS AND INCENTIVES DESIGNED TO HELP END THE ESCALATING CRISIS IN YUGOSLAVIA'S SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. V-O-A'S KYLE KING HAS THIS REPORT FROM ROME, WHERE THE DEAL WAS HAMMERED OUT BY OFFICIALS OF THE SIX NATION CONTACT GROUP TRYING TO RESOLVE THE CONFLICT.

TEXT: AFTER MEETING THROUGH THE DAY AND INTO THE NIGHT, OFFICIALS FROM THE CONTACT GROUP CALLED ON THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT AND THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY IN KOSOVO TO AGREE TO OPEN A DIALOGUE IN THE COMING WEEKS.

A STATEMENT, RELEASED AT THE END OF THE ROME TALKS, SAID THE CONTACT GROUP HAD DECIDED TO FREEZE SERB AND YUGOSLAV ASSETS ABROAD BECAUSE EARLIER DEMANDS HAD NOT BEEN MET.

THE STATEMENT -- WHICH NOTED RUSSIA WAS NOT IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH THE MEASURE -- ALSO THREATENED TO BLOCK NEW INVESTMENT IN SERBIA BY MAY 9TH, IF THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT CONTINUED TO OBSTRUCT TALKS WITH THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS.

AS AN INCENTIVE GET THE TALKS GOING, THE CONTACT GROUP SAID IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY REVERSE ITS DECISIONS AND WORK TO REINTEGRATE YUGOSLAVIA INTO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ONCE A DIALOGUE HAD BEEN AGREED TO.

AS THE TALKS GOT UNDER WAY, SEVERAL HUNDRED ETHNIC ALBANIAN PROTESTERS HELD A DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE THE ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY. THE SENTIMENT AMONG THE MAJORITY OF THE PROTESTERS WAS NOT FOR DIALOGUE, BUT INDEPENDENCE.

INDEPENDENCE IS THE RIGHT THING, I THINK. WITH ALL THE RIGHTS TO THE SERBS WHO REMAIN IN KOSOVO.

BUT IN ITS STATEMENT, THE CONTACT GROUP AGAIN RESTATED ITS OPPOSITION TO FULL INDEPENDENCE FOR KOSOVO.

AND THE SENIOR DIPLOMATS FROM THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY AND RUSSIA CALLED FOR INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE KOSOVO TALKS, SOMETHING SERBIAN OFFICIALS HAVE REJECTED.

THE STATEMENT CALLED THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO A THREAT TO REGIONAL SECURITY AND SAID THE CONTACT GROUP WOULD MEET AGAIN IN PARIS IN MAY. (SIGNED)
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29-Apr-98 6:41 PM EDT (2241 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AS A RESULT OF SOME APPARENT BARGAIN HUNTING. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 89-HUNDRED-51, UP 52 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE-THOUSAND-94, UP NINE POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY FEARS ABOUT RISING U-S INTEREST RATES SEEMED TO RECEDE AS TRADERS LOOKED FOR BARGAINS AFTER FIVE STRAIGHT SESSIONS OF LOSSES.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED NEW HOME SALES IN THE UNITED STATES FELL FIVE PERCENT IN MARCH. ANALYSTS SAY THAT WHILE THE RATE OF GROWTH IN NEW HOME SALES SEEMS TO BE SLOWING, THE INDUSTRY REMAINS HEALTHY.

THE LARGEST PRIVATE HEALTH INSURER IN THE UNITED STATES HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST TOBACCO COMPANIES SEEKING RE-IMBURSEMENT FOR TREATING SMOKING-RELATED ILLNESSES. THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD NETWORK SAYS IT WILL BE ASKING FOR BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN COMPENSATION.

THE WENDY'S RESTAURANT CHAIN REPORTED SLIGHTLY LOWER EARNINGS BECAUSE OF ITS RESTRUCTURING PROGRAM. WENDY'S SAYS IT WILL CONTINUE A MAJOR EXPANSION PROGRAM IN LATIN AMERICA INCLUDING THE OPENING OF 24 RESTAURANTS IN COLOMBIA.

THE VICKERS COMPANY OF BRITAIN HAS AGREED TO SELL ITS ROLLS-ROYCE AUTO DIVISION TO B-M-W OF GERMANY FOR 566-MILLION DOLLARS. HOWEVER, RIVAL GERMAN BIDDER VOLKSWAGEN SAYS IT WILL CONSIDER MAKING A HIGHER OFFER FOR ROLLS-ROYCE.

THE STOCK OF THE READER'S DIGEST COMPANY ROSE AFTER THE APPOINTMENT OF THOMAS RYDER AS CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE. ANALYSTS SAY MR. RYDER, A FORMER EXECUTIVE AT THE AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY, IS WELL QUALIFIED TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF READER'S DIGEST WHICH HAS SUFFERED FROM MANAGEMENT TURMOIL AND FALLING PROFITS.

THE STOCK OF ZIFF-DAVIS, ANOTHER MAGAZINE COMPANY, ROSE 18-PERCENT IN ITS FIRST DAY OF TRADING ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE. ZIFF-DAVIS IS A LEADING PUBLISHER OF COMPUTER MAGAZINES.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/JO
29-Apr-98 5:22 PM EDT (2122 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE (PART TWO) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: UNIONIST, OR PRO-BRITISH PARTIES, ARE DIVIDED OVER THE MERITS OF THE POLITICAL ACCORD ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND AGREED TO IN BELFAST APRIL 10TH. VOTERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC WILL DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO ACCEPT THE ACCORD IN REFERENDUMS MAY 22ND. IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS AT THE VIEWS OF ONE UNIONIST PARTY STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THE ACCORD.

TEXT: THE HARDLINE PRO-BRITISH "DEMOCRATIC UNIONIST PARTY" HAS CONSISTENTLY OPPOSED ANY KIND OF NEGOTIATION ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND WHICH MAY INCLUDE EVEN A HINT OF CONCESSIONS TO THE NATIONALIST -- OR PRO-IRISH -- SIDE. FOR THAT REASON, THE "DEMOCRATIC UNIONIST PARTY" DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE TALKS LEADING UP TO THE APRIL 10TH ACCORD, AND NOW IS CAMPAIGNING FOR A "NO" VOTE IN THE REFERENDUM.

THE PARTY'S DEPUTY-LEADER IS PETER ROBINSON, WHO IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT'S HOUSE OF COMMONS. ONE OF HIS MAIN OBJECTIONS TO THE ACCORD IS THAT THE POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVES OF EXTREMIST GROUPS SUCH AS THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY COULD BE ELECTED TO NORTHERN IRELAND'S NEW ASSEMBLY -- AND COULD EVENTUALLY PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN GOVERNING THE BRITISH PROVINCE.

I CANNOT THINK OF ANYTHING MORE VILE AND EVIL, THAN THAT THERE WILL BE A REWARD GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE MURDERED SO MANY IN NORTHERN IRELAND. I CAN JUST IMAGINE IN THE UNITED STATES, IF A DECISION WAS TAKEN THAT WE SHOULD RELEASE THE OKLAHOMA BOMBERS AND PUT THEM INTO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE MET WITH ABSOLUTE FEAR AND TREPIDATION BY THE PEOPLE.

MR. ROBINSON IS ALSO OPPOSED TO PROVISIONS IN THE AGREEMENT CALLING FOR AN ACCELERATED RELEASE OF PRISONERS CONVICTED OF TERRORIST ACTS -- AND HE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING IN THE ACCORD FORCING GROUPS WHICH HAVE USED SUCH TACTICS TO GIVE UP THEIR WEAPONS ANY TIME SOON.

AS FOR THE POLITICAL SECTION OF THE AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING STRONG LINKS BETWEEN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC, MR. ROBINSON SAYS THAT WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A UNITED IRELAND -- WHICH HE VEHEMENTLY OPPOSES.

MR. ROBINSON IS NOW ENGAGED IN CRISS-CROSSING NORTHERN IRELAND, URGING PEOPLE TO VOTE AGAINST THE ACCORD IN THE MAY 22ND REFERENDUM. HE IS NOT PUT OFF BY RECENT PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS INDICATING STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE ACCORD.

WHAT THE OPINION POLLS SHOW IS THAT OVER 40 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE HAVE NOT MADE UP THEIR MIND ON THE ISSUE. I RATHER SUSPECT THAT IS NOT SO MUCH THAT THEY HAVE NOT MADE UP THEIR MIND, BUT THERE HAS BEEN AN ATTEMPT TO DEMONIZE THOSE WHO WOULD BE AGAINST THIS AGREEMENT TO SUCH AN EXTENT, THAT WHEN ASKED BY OPINION POLLSTERS "ARE THEY FOR OR AGAINST?", MANY OF THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST IT FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD NOT GIVE ANY RESPONSE AND SIMPLY DECLARE THEMSELVES TO BE "UNDECIDED." I THINK THE CLEAR INDICATIONS ARE ... THAT THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE UNIONIST COMMUNITY ARE AGAINST IT.

IF VOTERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND ACCEPT THE ACCORD, THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE ELECTIONS TO THE NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY IN LATE JUNE. WHILE STRONGLY CAMPAIGNING AGAINST THE ACCORD, PETER ROBINSON SAYS HIS PARTY WILL FIELD CANDIDATES FOR THE POWER-SHARING BODY. IF ELECTED, HE SAYS HIS MANDATE WOULD BE TO STOP THE PROCESS LEADING TO A UNITED IRELAND. (SIGNED)
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29-Apr-98 11:28 AM EDT (1528 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] SENATE/NATO (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: THE U-S SENATE COULD DECIDE THURSDAY WHETHER TO RATIFY THE HISTORIC EASTWARD EXPANSION OF NATO, TO BRING IN THREE OF ITS FORMER COMMUNIST ENEMIES. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS, LAWMAKERS WILL ALSO DECIDE WHETHER TO FREEZE THE ENLARGEMENT PROCESS FOR A WHILE.

TEXT: THE SENATE MUST STILL ACT ON SEVERAL KEY AMENDMENTS TO THE NATO EXPANSION TREATY. ONE WOULD IMPOSE A THREE-YEAR HOLD ON A POSSIBLE NEXT ROUND OF ENLARGEMENT. ANOTHER WOULD REQUIRE THE FIRST BATCH OF NEW MEMBERS - POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY - TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION BEFORE ENTERING NATO.

THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OPPOSES BOTH MEASURES. AT THE WHITE HOUSE (WEDNESDAY), THE PRESIDENT SAID HE LOOKS FORWARD TO A FINAL, POSITIVE VOTE ON THE TREATY THIS WEEK.

THIS IS COMING AT A VERY IMPORTANT TIME FOR AMERICA. FOUR YEARS AFTER I FIRST PROPOSED EXPANDING OUR EUROPEAN SECURITY ALLIANCE TO MAKE US MORE SECURE AND EUROPE SAFER AND MORE UNITED.

CRITICS OF ENLARGEMENT, THOUGH APPARENTLY FAR OUTNUMBERED, ARE STILL TAKING THEIR CASE TO THE SENATE FLOOR. DEMOCRAT PAUL WELLSTONE WARNS (WEDNESDAY) THE MOVE WOULD CRIPPLE AMERICAN RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA AND UNDERMINE DEMOCRATIC FORCES THERE.

AM I MISSING SOMETHING? IS THERE SOME COMPELLING, OVERRIDING REASON THAT MAKES NATO EXPANSION SO VITAL TO U-S INTERESTS THAT WE MUST IMPERIL OUR RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA FOR YEARS TO COME AND REVIVE RUSSIAN MISTRUST AND PARANOIA?

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS UNITED STATES SENATE WOULD BE ACTING ON A RESOLUTION THAT WOULD DRAW U-S TROOPS INTO HARM'S WAY FOR AN ETHNIC CONFLICT THAT HAS BEEN BOILING IN EUROPE FOR 100 YEARS.

BUT OTHERS CALLED THE PLAN INTRUSIVE AND UNNECESSARY. DEMOCRATIC SENATOR JOSEPH BIDEN SAYS THE PROSPECT OF JOINING NATO IS BY ITSELF AN INCENTIVE TO PUT HOSTILITIES ASIDE.

I DOUBT WHETHER ANYONE ON THIS FLOOR WOULD HAVE PREDICTED TWO YEARS AGO, LET ALONE 20 YEARS AGO, THAT ROMANIA WOULD BE ACCOMMODATING THEIR HUNGARIAN MINORITY, THAT POLAND WOULD HAVE SETTLED ALL ITS BORDER DISPUTES.

THE AMENDMENT FAILED BY A WIDE MARGIN (62 TO 37). THE EXPANSION TREATY IS EXPECTED TO PASS WHENEVER THE FINAL VOTE COMES. (SIGNED)
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29-Apr-98 6:10 PM EDT (2210 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: LOOKING AT THE EDITORIALS PAGES ON THIS FINAL WEDNESDAY OF APRIL, WE SEE THAT ISRAEL'S 50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION THIS WEEK AND THE DEBATE OVER NATO ENLARGEMENT ARE TWO OF THE POPULAR COMMENTARY TOPICS. OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE NIGERIA'S DICTATOR; THE RECENT FIRING-SQUAD DEATHS OF SOME RWANDAN'S CONVICTED OF GENOCIDE; AND THE DANGER OF NEW FIGHTING IN KOSOVO PROVINCE, YUGOSLOVIA. NOW, HERE'S _____________________WITH A SAMPLING OF THESE AND OTHER COMMENTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE OCCASION OF ISRAEL'S 50TH BIRTHDAY, CELEBRATED THIS WEEK, CONTINUES TO DRAW THE ATTENTION OF THE NATION'S EDITORIAL WRITERS. TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" DRAWS SOME INTERESTING PARALLELS WITH THE LAST ISRAELI STATE.

VOICE: IN JUST TWO GENERATIONS, THE MODERN STATE OF ISRAEL HAS COME A LONG WAY. ITS BUSTLING HIGH TECH, AGRICULTURAL, AND MILITARY ECONOMY WOULD DOUBTLESS AMAZE KINGS SAUL, DAVID, AND SOLOMON, LEADERS OF THE PREVIOUS ISRAELI STATE (CIRCA 1020 - 922 BC). /// OPT /// DAVID, ALAS, MIGHT BE JUST AS STARTLED TO FIND THE BATTLE WITH THE PALESTINIANS (PHILISTINES) STILL GOING ON THREE MILLENNIA LATER. AND HE MIGHT BE BAFFLED THAT ISRAEL IS THE MILITARY GOLIATH OF THE REGION, WITH PALESTINIAN YOUTHS THROWING THE STONES. SUCH IRONIES ABOUND AS THE YOUNG-OLD NATION PROUDLY BUT UNEASILY CELEBRATES ITS FIRST HALF CENTURY. /// END OPT /// ..... THE TRAGEDY IN THIS BRIGHT BUT SHADOWED 50TH BIRTHDAY SCENE IS THAT JUST TWO YEARS AGO BOTH ISRAEL AND ITS IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORS WERE MOVING RESOLUTELY IN THE DIRECTION OF REGIONAL PEACE. ..... NOW, THAT APPROACH OF CAUTIOUSLY BUILDING TRUST HAS BEEN SCRAPPED, OR AT BEST DELAYED, WHILE EXPANSION AND THE IRON FIST ARE TRIED AGAIN. ULTIMATELY THAT WON'T WORK.

TEXT: "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" QUOTES ONE ISRAELI LEADER AS NOTING THE BIG ACHIEVEMENT ON THIS 50TH ANNIVERSARY IS THAT ISRAEL IS IN EXISTENCE, SINCE NOT MANY PEOPLE BELIEVED THAT POSSIBLE AT ITS FOUNDING. "THE INQUIRER" ADDS:

VOICE: INDEED, ISRAEL'S PHENOMENAL GROWTH AND STABILITY, ENTREPRENEURIAL CREATIVITY AND MILITARY STRENGTH OBSCURE THE FACT THAT WHEN THE NATION DECLARED ITS INDEPENDENCE -- MONTHS AFTER A UNITED NATIONS VOTE TO PARTITION WHAT WAS THEN BRITISH PALESTINE -- IT WAS POOR, BESIEGED AND ALONE. MUCH OF THE LAND WAS BARREN. EVEN SHOELACES HAD TO BE IMPORTED. WELL-EQUIPPED ARMIES FROM NEIGHBORING ARAB STATES THOUGHT THIS FLEDGLING SOCIALIST, DEMOCRATIC EXPERIMENT COULD BE OBLITERATED EASILY. NOW, FOUR WARS AND SEVERAL PEACE TREATIES LATER, ISRAEL STANDS AS THE STRONGEST DEMOCRACY IN A REGION DOMINATED BY MONARCHS AND DICTATORS. ITS GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT RIVALS BRITAIN'S. ..... ISRAEL HASN'T MERELY SURVIVED; IT HAS BECOME A WORTHY, VIABLE NATION AND A SIGNIFICANT ALLY BECAUSE OF WHAT ITS PEOPLE CONTINUE TO ACCOMPLISH: BUILDING MODERN DEMOCRACY ON ANCIENT, HOLY GROUND.

TEXT: THE NATO EXPANSION, SET FOR A SENATE VOTE THIS WEEK, CONTINUES TO DRAW OPPOSING VIEWS IN THE PRESS. MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" SAYS ITS "A WISE MOVE" ADDING:

VOICE: THAT VOTE SHOULD SUCCEED, FOR THE SAKE OF CONTINUED PEACE IN EUROPE. .... A VOCAL MINORITY OF SENATORS HAS OPPOSED THE EXPANSION ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT COULD BE EXPENSIVE; IT MIGHT PROVOKE RUSSIA TO TAKE ACTIONS THAT WOULD BE CONTRARY TO OUR INTERESTS; IT IS A POOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HAVING THOSE NATIONS JOIN AN ECONOMIC ALLIANCE (THE EUROPEAN UNION); AND IT WOULD REQUIRE THE UNITED STATES TO DEFEND NATIONS WHOSE LIBERTY IT HAS NO REAL STAKE IN SUPPORTING. THOSE ARGUMENTS FAIL TO PERSUADE. /// OPT /// .... MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHEN THE UNITED STATES IN THE PAST WITHDREW FROM EUROPEAN AFFAIRS, IT WAS LATER PULLED BACK IN BY REGIONAL RIVALRIES. IT WOULD BE BETTER BY FAR TO STAY INVOLVED ....... NATO ... SHOULD BE EXPANDED. /// END OPT ///

VOICE: ON LONG ISLAND, "NEWSDAY" OPPOSES THE EXPANSION, AND, CALLING IT "A PROVOCATIVE ACT THAT SHOULD BE REJECTED," EXPLAINS:

VOICE: NOTHING ... IN THE DEBATE HAS CHANGED THIS PAGE'S OPINION THAT EXPANDING NATO IS A FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG CHOICE. IF YOU WANT TO APPRECIATE JUST HOW WRONG-HEADED THE ENTIRE EFFORT IS, CONSIDER WHAT SENATOR JOSEPH BIDEN (DEMOCRAT OF DELAWARE) TOLD THE SENATE: THAT RUSSIA DOESN'T REALLY MIND NATO'S EXPANDING TOWARD ITS BORDERS.... [SENATOR] BIDEN SHOULD AT LEAST BE HONEST AND ADMIT NATO EXPANSION IS AN 'IN YOUR FACE' [HOSTILE] GESTURE TO MOSCOW. AND THEN HE SHOULD EXPLAIN WHY IT MAKES ANY SENSE TO TAKE SUCH AN APPROACH TO RUSSIA AT THIS POINT IN HISTORY. ... NATO EXPANSION WILL ONLY INCREASE RUSSIA'S RELIANCE ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS. HOW IS THAT IN ANYBODY'S INTEREST?

TEXT: TURNING TO AFRICA, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR," DEPLORES THE DECISION BY NIGERIA'S FIVE POLITICAL PARTIES TO UNIFORMLY ENDORSE GENERAL ABACHA FOR PRESIDENT, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: SINCE THEY ARE ILLEGITIMATE TO BEGIN WITH, DICTATORS RARELY KNOW WHEN IT'S TIME TO LEAVE.... NIGERIANS BRAVE ENOUGH TO CHALLENGE [PRESIDENT] ABACHA DESERVE SUPPORT FROM ABROAD. PRO-DEMOCRACY BROADCASTS, TRAINING FOR DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS, AND BEEFED UP ECONOMIC SANCTIONS -- ALL CAN HELP PROD THE GENERAL TO REALIZE HIS TIME IS OVER.

TEXT: MOVING TO RWANDA, AND THE RECENT, PUBLIC, FIRING-SQUAD EXECUTIONS OF 22 PEOPLE CONVICTED OF MASS MURDER IN THE 1994 GENOCIDE, "THE NEW YORK POST" SAYS TO CRITICS OF THE GOVERNMENT'S ACTION: "THEY DESERVE TO DIE," ADDING:

VOICE: THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE SAFETY OF THE UNITED STATES ARE APPROPRIATELY SQUEAMISH ABOUT PUBLIC EXECUTIONS. BUT THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS IN RWANDA -- AND THOSE WHO ARE IN ANY WAY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GENOCIDE -- NEED TO SEE JUSTICE DONE. AND IN A PLACE LIKE RWANDA, MAYBE THEY REALLY NEED TO SEE, LITERALLY SEE, JUSTICE DONE TO BELIEVE ... THERE IS SUCH A THING ...

TEXT: HALF A WORLD AWAY, THE TINDER-BOX YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO, WHERE ETHNIC ALBANIANS CHAFE AT THE CONTROL OF THE SERBIAN MINORITY, AND TENSION IS RISING, "THE WASHINGTON POST" COMMENTS ON WHAT IT CALLS "KOSOVO'S DOWNWARD SPIRAL." THE POST" CHIDES THE SO-CALLED BIG-POWERS CONTACT GROUP ON YUGOSLAVIA FOR PREVIOUS WARNINGS, BUT LACK OF ACTION, AGAINST YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, WHEN, THE PAPER SUGGESTS, ALL HE UNDERSTANDS IS ACTION.

VOICE: NOW ANOTHER MONTH HAS PASSED, AND MR. MILOSEVIC HAS NEITHER INITIATED [PEACE] TALKS [WITH THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADERSHIP OF KOSOVO] NOR EASED UP ON ... POLICE PRESSURE. THE CONTACT GROUP IS SCHEDULED TO MEET AGAIN TODAY. IF ALL IT CAN MUSTER [PRODUCE] IS MORE THREATS, IT WILL HAVE MADE CLEAR ITS SHARED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COMING EXPLOSION.

TEXT: LASTLY, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" TAKES EXTREME EXCEPTION TO PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO'S REMARKS WELCOMING CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER JEAN CHRETIEN TO HAVANA, IN WHICH MR. CASTRO COMPARED THE U-S ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST CUBA TO THE NAZI HOLOCAUST AGAINST THE JEWS OF EUROPE. SAYS "THE GLOBE:"

VOICE: THE U-S ECONOMIC EMBARGO ON TRADE WITH CUBA IS A FOOLISH, WRONGHEADED POLICY THAT HAS INFLICTED PAIN ON THE PEOPLE OF CUBA, AND THE GLOBE HAS OPPOSED IT ON BOTH MORAL AND PRACTICAL GROUNDS. ..... AS VINDICTIVE AS IT MAY BE, HOWEVER, THE U-S EMBARGO ... IS HARDLY COMPARABLE TO THE HOLOCAUST. NOR IS IT A BLOCKADE, AS [MR.] CASTRO PRETENDS. ALL THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD EXCEPT THE UNITED STATES TRADE WITH CUBA. THE TROUBLE IS THAT CUBA HAS SO LITTLE TO SELL. [PREMIER] CASTRO'S HYPERBOLE HIDES HIS OWN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POVERTY OF HIS PEOPLE.

TEXT: "THE MIAMI HERALD" ALSO TAKES AIM AT THE CUBAN DICTATOR'S REMARKS, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: .... IT IS [MR.] CASTRO HIMSELF WHO HAS TURNED CUBA INTO A PRISON, ONE WHERE ELEVEN MILLION PEOPLE FIND IT ILLEGAL TO TRAVEL FREELY OUTSIDE, TO CRITICIZE OPENLY THE REPRESSIVE STATE, EVEN TO HINT THAT [PREMIER] CASTRO'S HUBRIS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PEOPLE'S CONSIDERABLE SUFFERING. IT SHOULD BE [FIDEL] CASTRO WHO IS TRIED BEFORE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNALS FOR STARVING HIS PEOPLE BOTH MATERIALLY AND SPIRITUALLY.

TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM SOME OF TODAY'S U-S DAILY PAPERS.
NEB/ANG/MMK
29-Apr-98 10:56 AM EDT (1456 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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