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Voice of America, 98-05-13Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] CLINTON / GERMANY WRAP (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (BERLIN)DATE=5/13/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-232162 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON, ON THE FIRST DAY OF HIS EUROPEAN TRIP, HELD TALKS WITH GERMAN LEADERS AND URGED CONTINUED PROGRESS IN ELIMINATING THE REMAINING BARRIERS TO A UNITED DEMOCRATIC EUROPE THAT INCLUDES RUSSIA. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM BERLIN. TEXT: THE DAY'S HIGHLIGHT WAS AN ADDRESS TO THE GERMAN PEOPLE IN WHICH MR. CLINTON SAID THE DRAMATIC PROGRESS IN REUNITING GERMANY SINCE THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL SHOULD BE THE MODEL FOR INCORPORATING ALL OF EUROPE IN DEMOCRACY AND PROSPERITY. IN HIS FIRST VISIT TO EUROPE SINCE U-S SENATE APPROVAL OF NATO EXPANSION, THE PRESIDENT SAID THE ALLIANCE DOOR WILL REMAIN OPEN TO OTHER ASPIRING MEMBERS BEYOND POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC. BUT HE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF BROADER ORGANIZATIONS -- NOTABLY THE O-S-C-E (ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE) AND EUROPEAN UNION -- IN CREATING A NEW ATLANTIC COMMUNITY, WHICH HE SAID, MUST INCLUDE A DEMOCRATIC RUSSIA: ///CLINTON ACTUALITY ONE///WE HAVE AN ENORMOUS STAKE IN THEIR SUCCESS. RUSSIA IS LITERALLY RE-CREATING ITSELF -- USING THE TOOLS OF OPENNESS AND REFORM TO STRENGHTEN NEW FREEDOMS AND RESTRAIN THOSE WHO ABUSE THEM, TO INSURE MORE COMPETITION, TO COLLECT TAXES, FIGHT CRIME, RESTRUCTURE THE MILITARY, PREVENT THE SPREAD OF SENSITIVE TECHNOLOGIES. WE MUST SUPPORT THIS RUSSIAN REVOLUTION. ///END ACT///IN ADDITION TO MEETING CHANCELLOR KOHL, THE PRESIDENT PAID A CALL ON OPPOSITION LEADER GERHARD SCHROEDER WHO IS HEAVILY FAVORED TO UNSEAT THE LONG-TIME GERMAN LEADER IN ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER. THOUGH OFFICIALLY NEUTRAL IN THE RACE, MR. CLINTON HEAPED PRAISE ON THE CHANCELLOR -- WHO WATCHED THE ADDRESS WITH OBVIOUS SATISFACTION FROM THE FRONT ROW OF THE CROWD: ///CLINTON ACTUALITY TWO///I MUST NOTE THAT THIS MAJOR MOMENT IN HISTORY DID NOT SIMPLY ARRIVE. IT WAS MADE. AND MADE LARGELY BY THE VISION AND DETERMINED LEADERSHIP OF GERMANY AND ITS CHANCELLOR FOR NINE YEARS. CONSIDER THE HISTORIC CHANGES YOU HAVE WROUGHT. YOU COMMITTED GERMANY AGAIN TO LEAD A UNITED EUROPE -- THIS TIME THROUGH COOPERATION, NOT CONQUEST. ///END ACT///THE PRESIDENT AND CHANCELLOR KOHL WILL APPEAR TOGETHER THURSDAY
AT AN OBSERVANCE OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BERLIN AIRLIFT,
AND IN A TOUR OF FORMERLY-COMMUNIST EASTERN GERMANY THAT WILL
HIGHLIGHT THE ROLE OF U-S INVESTMENT IN THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY
THERE. THE LEADERS WILL MEET AGAIN LATER THIS WEEK AT THE
BIRMINGHAM (ENGLAND) SUMMIT OF THE SEVEN INDUSTRIAL POWERS AND
RUSSIA. (SIGNED)
[02] CLINTON/KOSOVO (S-ONLY) CQ BY DAVID GOLLUST (BERLIN)DATE=5/13/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-232157 CONTENT= VOICED AT: //////////INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON, WHO IS HOLDING TALKS WITH GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL, HAS WELCOMED THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW TALKS ON THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM BERLIN. TEXT: KOSOVO WAS HIGH ON THE AGENDA OF THE CLINTON-KOHL DISCUSSIONS. THE PRESIDENT ISSUED A STATEMENT WELCOMING WORD YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS AGREED TO OPEN A DIALOGUE -- WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS -- WITH THE KOSOVO-ALBANIAN LEADER, IBRAHIM RUGOVA. THE TALKS, SEEN AS A BREAKTHROUGH IN U-S MEDIATION ON THE ISSUE, ARE TO BEGIN FRIDAY IN BELGRADE AND FOLLOWED BY WEEKLY MEETINGS OF NEGOTIATORS FOR THE TWO SIDES IN THE KOSOVO PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA. THE VIOLENCE IN RECENT WEEKS BETWEEN SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES AND ARMED ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO HAS BEEN FOLLOWED WITH APPREHENSION BY U-S OFFICIALS. MR. CLINTON CALLED THE AGREEMENT WORKED OUT BY U-S ENVOYS RICHARD HOLBROOKE AND ROBERT GELBARD A -- SOBER FIRST STEP -- TOWARD RESOLVING A CONFLICT HE SAID HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SPILLOVER INTO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES AND DESTABILIZE THE REGION. HE SAID WHILE THE DEVELOPMENT IS ENCOURAGING, THERE IS -- A GREAT
DEAL MORE TO BE DONE -- BEFORE THE PEOPLES OF KOSOVO ENJOY THE
PEACE, SECURITY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS THEY DESERVE. (SIGNED)
[03] CONGRESS-CLINTON (L ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)DATE=5/13/98TYPE=NEWS ANALYSIS NUMBER=2-232160 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED CAMPAIGN FINANCE ABUSES BY PRESIDENT CLINTON AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS IN DISARRAY. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS THE HOUSE GOVERNMENT REFORM AND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE IS DROWNING IN CONTROVERSY. TEXT: FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY, THERE WAS A SHARP DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE SENATE INQUIRY INTO CAMPAIGN FINANCE ABUSES ... AND THE OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION IN THE HOUSE. THE SENATE INQUIRY WAS METHODICAL. AND WHILE THERE WAS SOME BICKERING BETWEEN LEADING REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, THE PERSONALITIES OF THE SENATORS INVOLVED SELDOM, IF EVER, INTERFERED WITH THE JOB AT HAND. NOT SO IN THE HOUSE, WHERE COMMITTEE HEARINGS QUICKLY DESCEND INTO PARTISAN BATTLES -- AND THE QUEST FOR INFORMATION IS REGULARLY HAMPERED BY TESTS OF WILLS. COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN DAN BURTON HAS BEEN AT THE CENTER OF THE CONTROVERSY. HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE GIVEN HIM THE POWER TO RUN THE INVESTIGATION AS HE SEES FIT. AND DEMOCRATS HAVE ACCUSED HIM OF USING THAT POWER TO LAUNCH A PERSONAL VENDETTA AGAINST THE PRESIDENT. THEY DECIDED TO PROTEST HIS METHODS BY REFUSING TO GRANT IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION TO FOUR POTENTIAL WITNESSES. MR. BURTON SAID THE FOUR MAY HAVE INFORMATION ON ATTEMPTS BY CHINA TO BUY INFLUENCE IN WASHINGTON. HE URGED THE DEMOCRATS TO RECONSIDER. ////BURTON ACT///I UNDERSTAND THAT BY VOTING TO BLOCK IMMUNITY, YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE PUNISHING ME. BUT IN REALITY, YOU ARE NOT PUNISHING ME. YOU ARE PUNISHING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. ////END ACT///A SECOND IMMUNITY VOTE WAS CALLED AT A SPECIAL COMMITTEE MEETING. THE DEMOCRATS WOULD NOT BUDGE -- DEPRIVING THE REPUBLICANS OF THE NEEDED TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON -- THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATE FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. -- SAID THEY HAD NO CHOICE. ////NORTON ACT///IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO KNOW THE MINORITY HAS BEEN DRIVEN TO THIS ACTION BECAUSE THERE WAS NO OTHER ACTION LEFT TO BE TAKEN. OUR RIGHTS HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN. AND ESSENTIALLY, ONE MAN HAS SUBPOENA POWER. IN OUR SYSTEM OF JUSTICE, THAT IS UNHEARD OF. ///END ACT///THE DEMOCRATS SAY THEY ARE WILLING TO VOTE FOR IMMUNITY IF CHAIRMAN BURTON STEPS DOWN FROM THE INVESTIGATION. IN PUBLIC, REPUBLICANS SAY "NO." BUT IN PRIVATE, SOME WONDER IF THE CHAIRMAN HAS PROVEN SO CONTROVERSIAL THAT HE IS DETRACTING FROM THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE PRESIDENT. HIS PARTY WILL BACK CHAIRMAN BURTON WHEN -- AS EXPECTED --
DEMOCRATS BRING A RESOLUTION SEEKING HIS REMOVAL TO THE HOUSE
FLOOR. BUT NO ONE IN CONGRESS WILL BE SURPRISED IF THE
REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP MOVES CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE INVESTIGATION
TO ANOTHER COMMITTEE AND PUTS THE BLAME ON DEMOCRATIC PARTY
EFFORTS TO QUASH THE INQUIRY. (SIGNED)
[04] E-U / TOBACCO ADS (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)DATE=5/13/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-232139 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT HAS VOTED TO BAN TOBACCO ADVERTISING FROM BILLBOARDS, NEWSPAPERS, AND MAGAZINES, AND THE SIDES OF RACING CARS ACROSS EUROPE WITHIN FIVE YEARS. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS. TEXT: THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ENDORSED WITHOUT AMENDMENT THE COMPROMISE DEAL REACHED BY E-U HEALTH MINISTERS IN DECEMBER, UNDER WHICH TOBACCO ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP WILL END IN EUROPE IN 2003. IT RESISTED APPEALS FROM THE TOBACCO MANUFACTURERS, FROM ADVERTISING COMPANIES, AND FROM PUBLISHERS THAT THE BAN SHOULD BE THROWN OUT. IT ALSO IGNORED THE ADVICE OF ITS OWN LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WHICH SAID THE BAN IS NOT LAWFUL AND THAT SUCH LEGISLATION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED AT A NATIONAL -- NOT EUROPE-WIDE LEVEL. SUPPORTERS OF THE PROPOSED BAN ARGUED IT IS NEEDED BECAUSE ONE-HALF-MILLION PEOPLE IN EUROPE DIE FROM SMOKING-RELATED DISEASES EACH YEAR. THEY SAID THERE IS A CLEAR LINK BETWEEN TOBACCO ADVERTISING AND THE RECRUITMENT OF NEW SMOKERS, PARTICULARLY AMONG THE YOUNG. OPPONENTS -- WHO SAID ANY BAN SHOULD BE DECIDED BY NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS -- NOTED THE 500-MILLION DOLLARS SPENT EACH YEAR ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING IN EUROPE IS JUST ONE-THIRD OF THE AMOUNT THE E-U SPENDS IN SUBSIDIZING TOBACCO PRODUCTION. E-U HEALTH COMMISSIONER PADRAIG FLYNN REJECTED THE CRITICS, AND SAID TOBACCO ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP MUST END. HE ARGUED THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY REGARDS TODAY'S 14 TO 20-YEAR OLDS AS TOMORROW'S CUSTOMERS. /// REST OPTIONAL ///THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ALSO APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF ALL SIX MEMBERS TO THE NEW EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK. BUT, THE PARLIAMENT SHARPLY CRITICIZED THE PLAN UNDER WHICH THE BANK BOARD'S CHAIRMAN, WIN DUISENBERG OF THE NETHERLANDS, WOULD NOT SERVE A FULL EIGHT-YEAR TERM. FRANCE INSISTED AT THE E-U SUMMIT EARLIER THIS MONTH THAT MR.
DUISENBERG STEP DOWN AFTER FOUR YEARS SO JEAN-CLAUDE TRICHET OF
FRANCE COULD TAKE OVER. MR. DUISENBERG SAID LATER THAT HE MAY
STAY ON FOR HIS FULL EIGHT-YEAR TERM, AND HE SAID HE WILL DECIDE
WHEN TO LEAVE OFFICE AND NOT TAKE ORDERS FROM FRANCE. (SIGNED)
[05] KOSOVO ANALYSIS BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)DATE=5/13/98TYPE=NEWS ANALYSIS NUMBER=5-40365 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AN AGREEMENT (WEDNESDAY) TO OPEN TALKS BETWEEN OFFICIALS IN BELGRADE AND ETHNIC-ALBANIAN LEADERS IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE COULD NUDGE THE PARTIES AWAY FROM FURTHER REGIONAL CONFLICTS. CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES RECENTLY RETURNED FROM KOSOVO, AND HE REPORTS IN THIS NEWS ANALYSIS THAT AN AGREEMENT TO TALK IS A LONG WAY FROM A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE CRISIS. TEXT: WHILE MODERATE ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAVE AGREED TO NEGOTIATIONS WITH SERBIA, IT WILL BE A LONG AND DIFFICULT PROCESS AS THE TWO SIDES TRY TO FORGE A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO PROBLEM. BUT THE REAL QUESTION IS WHETHER THE AGREEMENT ON TALKS COMES TOO LATE -- WHETHER AT THIS STAGE THERE IS ANY POSSIBILITY FOR A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO PUZZLE. A VAST GAP DIVIDES THE TWO SIDES. SERBIANS HAVE A SPECIAL BOND WITH KOSOVO. IT IS THE SITE OF NUMEROUS IMPORTANT MONASTERIES OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH. IT IS ALSO WHERE, IN JUNE 1389, SERBIAN TROOPS WENT DOWN TO DEFEAT AT THE HANDS OF A TURKISH ARMY, LEADING TO CENTURIES OF OTTOMAN RULE. BUT IN KOSOVO'S POPULATION OF SOME TWO-MILLION, THE SERBS ARE OUTNUMBERED NINE-TO-ONE, AND WITH THE ALBANIANS' HIGHER BIRTH RATE, THE DEMOGRAPHIC TREND IS CLEAR. KOSOVO ENJOYED CONSIDERABLE AUTONOMY UNTIL 1989, BUT THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS TODAY ARE EFFECTIVELY RULED FROM BELGRADE. //OPT// KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS LONG ENDURED WHAT THEY SEE AS REPRESSIVE SERBIAN RULE, AND THEY HAVE SUPPORTED THEIR MOST POPULAR POLITICIAN, IBRAHIM RUGOVA -- AN UNLIKELY LEADER WITH A DOCTORATE IN LITERATURE FROM THE SORBONNE. MR. RUGOVA CONTINUES TO INSIST ON A PEACEFUL, NEGOTIATED SOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT. BUT THE FAILURE OF NON-VIOLENCE TO ADVANCE THEIR CAUSE HAS DRIVEN SOME ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO A LOW-INTENSITY GUERRILLA CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE SERBS. FIGHTING UNDER THE NAME THE "KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY," THE GUERRILLAS HAVE STRUCK AT POLICE TARGETS. SERB AUTHORITIES HAVE RESPONDED AGGRESSIVELY, SOME SAY BRUTALLY. MORE THAN 150 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE FIGHTING, MANY OF THEM CIVILIANS. THE RISING DEATH TOLL HAS SPURRED ACTION BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. DIPLOMATS FROM AMERICA, RUSSIA AND FOUR EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAVE DEMANDED THAT BELGRADE OPEN TALKS. THEY BACKED UP THEIR DEMAND WITH ECONOMIC SANCTIONS -- THOUGH RUSSIA HAS ABSTAINED FROM SOME OF THE MEASURES. THE INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT CULMINATED IN THE MISSION BY AMERICAN ENVOYS ROBERT GELBARD AND RICHARD HOLBROOKE, WHO OVER RECENT DAYS HAVE BEEN SHUTTLING BETWEEN BELGRADE AND KOSOVO'S PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA. ECONOMIC SANCTIONS, DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE, AND THE THREAT OF FURTHER VIOLENCE ALL HELPED PUSH THE TWO SIDES TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. BUT THEY ARE STILL A LONG WAY FROM AN AGREEMENT THAT WOULD SATISFY BOTH SIDES. THE SERBS MIGHT BE WILLING TO GRANT AUTONOMY TO KOSOVO, BUT KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS SAY THEY WANT INDEPENDENCE. MEANWHILE, THE GUERRILLAS ARE LIKELY TO CONTINUE THEIR OWN EFFORTS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. MR. RUGOVA, THE ALBANIAN LEADER, HAS APPARENTLY LITTLE INFLUENCE OVER THE SHADOWY KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. IF ATTACKS AGAINST SERB AUTHORITIES CONTINUE, THEIR SECURITY FORCES ARE CERTAIN TO RESPOND. THE RESULT COULD BE AN ESCALATING INSURGENCY RUNNING PARALLEL WITH NEGOTIATIONS. IT COULD GET WORSE. WESTERN DIPLOMATS AND MANY OTHER ANALYSTS
WARN THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO COULD EASILY SPIN OUT OF CONTROL,
INVOLVING ALBANIA, ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN WESTERN MACEDONIA, AND
POSSIBLY OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE HISTORICALLY UNSTABLE BALKAN
PENINSULA. (SIGNED)
[06] KOSOVO TALKS (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)DATE=5/13/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-232119 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN BELGRADE HAVE AGREED TO HOLD TALKS WITH ETHNIC ALBANIAN NEGOTIATORS ON THE FUTURE OF SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. THEY'LL BEGIN WITH A MEETING FRIDAY BETWEEN LEADERS OF THE TWO SIDES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT IS SEEN AS A SIGNIFICANT BREAKTHROUGH IN THE KOSOVO DISPUTE. TEXT: YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC WILL MEET ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADER IBRAHIM RUGOVA IN BELGRADE FRIDAY, TO BE FOLLOWED BY WEEKLY TALKS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT NEGOTIATORS AND A TEAM REPRESENTING THE ALBANIAN MAJORITY IN KOSOVO. THE DEAL WAS BROKERED BY AMERICAN ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE AFTER DAYS OF SHUTTLING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN BELGRADE AND KOSOVO'S PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA. THE NEGOTIATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE WITHOUT ANY OUTSIDE MEDIATION. THAT REPRESENTS A CONCESSION BY THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS, WHO WANTED A MEDIATOR. IT'S ALSO A CONCESSION BY THE UNITED STATES AND THE OTHER BIG POWERS, WHICH SUPPORTED THE ALBANIANS. THE AGREEMENT ON TALKS FOLLOWS THE IMPOSITION SATURDAY OF NEW SANCTIONS AIMED AT PERSUADING BELGRADE TO NEGOTIATE ON KOSOVO. THE TWO SIDES REMAIN FAR APART ON AN ULTIMATE RESOLUTION OF THE DISPUTE. KOSOVO ENJOYED CONSIDERABLE AUTONOMY UNTIL 1989, AND THE SERBIAN AUTHORITIES SAY THEY ARE WILLING TO DISCUSS A RESTORATION OF AUTONOMY. BUT KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY 90 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION -- SAY THEY WANT INDEPENDENCE. FOR THE SERBS, THAT'S OUT OF THE QUESTION, SINCE THEY REGARD KOSOVO AS THEIR CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS HEARTLAND. AS THE TWO SIDES FAILED TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS OVER THE PAST FEW
MONTHS, VIOLENCE HAS BECOME AN ALMOST DAILY PART OF LIFE IN
KOSOVO. GUERRILLAS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY HAVE MOUNTED A
CAMPAIGN AGAINST SERB AUTHORITIES. POLICE AND OTHER SECURITY
FORCES HAVE RESPONDED WITH ATTACKS ON GUERRILLA STRONGHOLDS THAT
HAVE OFTEN RESULTED IN CIVILIAN CASUALTIES. THE FIGHTING HAS
KILLED MORE THAN 150 PEOPLE. (SIGNED)
[07] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=5/13/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-232177 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WITH THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSING AT A RECORD HIGH. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 92 HUNDRED 11, UP 50 POINTS, MORE THAN ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT. THIS IS THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE'S 26TH RECORD HIGH CLOSE THIS YEAR. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED UP THREE POINTS AT 11 HUNDRED 18, SHORT OF A RECORD HIGH. THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED THAT WHOLESALE PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES ROSE BY TWO-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT IN APRIL. BUT ANALYSTS SAY THE INCREASE WAS QUITE MODEST AND, SINCE IT IS THE FIRST INCREASE SINCE LAST SEPTEMBER, THE WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX DOES NOT INDICATE ANY SERIOUS INFLATIONARY PRESSURES IN THE U-S ECONOMY. ///BEGIN OPT//////HYMAN ACT//////OPT//////END ACT///TWO MORE MAJOR U-S RETAILERS -- K-MART AND FEDERATED DEPARTMENT STORES -- REPORTED SHARPLY HIGHER QUARTERLY EARNINGS, REFLECTING THE STRONG ECONOMY AND SOLID CONSUMER CONFIDENCE. ON TUESDAY, WAL-MART, THE LARGEST U-S RETAILER, REPORTED A RECORD QUARTERLY PROFIT. ///REST OPT///THE STOCK OF THE MOTOROLA ELECTRONICS COMPANY ROSE ON A RUMOR THAT IT WILL BE BOUGHT BY THE SIEMENS ELECTRONICS COMPANY OF GERMANY. BOTH COMPANIES DENY THERE IS ANY TRUTH TO THE RUMOR. THE HEAD OF THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION, ROBERT EATON, SAYS HIS COMPANY'S MERGER WITH DAIMLER-BENZ OF GERMANY WILL NOT AFFECT THE COMPANY'S INVOLVEMENT WITH ITS HOME CITY OF DETROIT. MR. EATON SAYS THE COMPANY WILL CONTINUE TO EXPAND THERE. SINCE 1992, CHRYSLER HAS INVESTED MORE THAN SIX BILLION DOLLARS IN THE DETROIT AREA. TWO U-S SENATORS ARE CALLING FOR CLOSE SCRUTINY TO THE PROPOSED MERGER OF THE S-B-C AND AMERITECH REGIONAL TELEPHONE COMPANIES. THE SENATORS SAY THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE ANTI-COMPETITIVE EFFECTS OF THE CONSOLIDATION IN THE U-S TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY. SOURCES AT THE WHITE HOUSE SAY PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL SOON
ANNOUNCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REVIEW PANEL TO EXAMINE THE
RECENT WAVE OF CORPORATE MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS IN THE UNITED
STATES.(SIGNED)
[08] MITCHELL / NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY WILLIAM KAUFMANN (WASHINGTON)DATE=5/13/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-232172 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER GEORGE MITCHELL SAYS THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE DEAL HE HELPED NEGOTIATE WILL REQUIRE HARD CAMPAIGNING IF IT IS TO ACHIEVE VOTER APPROVAL LATER THIS MONTH. BUT AS V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT WILLIAM KAUFMANN REPORTS MR. MITCHELL (WEDNESDAY) TOLD A WASHINGTON GATHERING THAT CHILDREN AND THE FUTURE ARE THE MOST COMPELLING ARGUMENTS IN ITS FAVOR. TEXT: SENATOR MITCHELL WAS LAVISH IN HIS PRAISE OF BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR AND IRISH PRIME MINISTER BERTIE AHERN WHO FOUND COMMON GROUND ON THE NEGOTIATIONS MOST CONTENTIOUS POINT -- FUTURE RELATIONS BETWEEN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC. BUT MR. MITCHELL SAYS THE LEADERS OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S EIGHT POLITICAL PARTIES DESERVE THE MOST CREDIT FOR CONVINCING THEIR SUPPORTERS TO ACCEPT COMPROMISE. HE SAYS IT WAS THE GREATEST EXAMPLE OF POLITICAL LEADERSHIP HE HAS SEEN IN HIS LONG CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE. HE ACKNOWLEDGED IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR IRELAND AND MANY IRISH AMERICANS TO PUT ASIDE THEIR DREAMS OF A UNITED IRELAND BUT HE SAYS THE AGREEMENT KEEPS ALIVE THE POSSIBILITY. // FIRST MITCHELL ACT ///WHAT IT SAYS IS THAT YOU CAN HOLD YOUR DREAM, YOU CAN ADVOCATE FOR YOUR DREAM, BUT IT IS INAPPROPRIATE TO USE VIOLENCE OR THE THREAT OF VIOLENCE TO ADVANCE IT IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. // END ACT //THE PARTICIPATION OF FORMER TERRORISTS IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS HAS ALSO DRAWN SHARP OBJECTIONS, BUT SENATOR MITCHELL SAYS IT IS APPROPRIATE, PROVIDED THEY RENOUNCE VIOLENCE AND ASSOCIATION WITH VIOLENT GROUPS. // SECOND MITCHELL ACT ///AT SOME POINT THEY MUST TURN TO THE FUTURE. THERE CANNOT BE A REDRESS SPECIFICALLY OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL GRIEVANCE THATS EVER OCCURRED OR THE PAST WILL INDEED BECOME THE FUTURE. AND I'VE BEEN MOVED BY SOME OF THE STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED THE MOST WHO HAVE ASKED PEOPLE TO VOTE YES ON THE BASIS OF WANTING TO MOVE FORWARD AND WANTING TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM DOES NOT HAPPEN TO OTHERS. /// END ACT ///SIX MONTHS AGO DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS, SENATOR MITCHELL BECAME THE FATHER OF A SON AND HE SAYS THAT MADE HIM REALIZE THAT A PERSON'S DREAMS FOR A CHILD ARE COMMON TO ALL PARENTS AND TRANSCEND THEIR DIFFERENCES. /// THIRD MITCHELL ACT ///CHIEF AMONG THEM TO BE ABLE TO GROW UP IN A SAFE AND SECURE SOCIETY, TO GO AS HIGH AND AS FAR AS ONE'S TALENT AND WILLINGNESS TO WORK WILL TAKE HIM OR HER AND I BELIEVE THAT THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND AND IRELAND WILL, IN THEIR WISDOM, APPROVE THIS AGREEMENT BECAUSE THIS IS THE ONLY WAY FORWARD FOR THEIR CHILDREN. /// END ACT ///SENATOR MITCHELL CAUTIONED THAT VOTER APPROVAL WILL NOT
AUTOMATICALLY BRING PEACE. HE SAYS TRADE AND INVESTMENT ARE
DESPERATELY NEEDED TO HELP LOWER UNEMPLOYMENT IN NORTHERN IRELAND
WHICH HE SAYS IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO VIOLENCE. (SIGNED)
[09] U-N / YUGO WAR CRIMES (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)DATE=5/13/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-232165 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS HAS ORDERED THE EXPANSION OF ITS WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. A THIRD TRIAL CHAMBER WILL BE ESTABLISHED, AS WE HEAR FROM V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON AT THE UNITED NATIONS. TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ORDERS THE OPENING OF A THIRD TRIAL CHAMBER AND THE ADDITION OF THREE JUDGES TO THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. THE RESOLUTION SAYS THE EXPANSION IS NEEDED TO TRY, WITHOUT DELAY, THE LARGE NUMBER OF ACCUSED AWAITING TRIAL. IT SAYS THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS CONVINCED THE TRIBUNAL IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE RESTORATION OF PEACE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. THE EXPANSION, RECOMMENDED BY U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN, FOLLOWS THE OPENING OF A SECOND COURTROOM SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND A LARGE NUMBER OF BOSNIAN SERB SURRENDERS. PORTUGAL'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS SAID THE EXPANSION SHOULD HELP CREATE HOPE AND TRUST IN BOSNIA AND THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON SAID COOPERATION IS ALSO NEEDED FROM OTHER STATES TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE INDICTED BY THE TRIBUNAL ARE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. /// RICHARDSON ACT ///WE CALL UPON ALL STATES TO ENHANCE THEIR COOPERATION WITH THE TRIBUNAL TO ENSURE THAT ALL INDICTEES ARE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE AS SWIFTLY AS POSSIBLE. THOSE INDICTEES NOT YET IN CUSTODY MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS NO SAFE HAVEN FOR THEM. THAT THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE IS A FOREGONE CONCLUSION. THE ONLY QUESTION IS WHEN. /// END ACT ///OTHER SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS DESCRIBED THE PROSECUTION OF WAR CRIMINALS AS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE YUGOSLAV PEACE PROCESS AND A MEANS FOR PREVENTING THE RECURRENCE OF SIMILAR CRIMES IN THE FUTURE. THE TRIBUNAL WAS SET UP TO PROSECUTE PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR
SERIOUS VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW IN THE
FORMER YUGOSLAVIA SINCE 1991. THE TRIBUNAL HAS FACED SOME
CRITICISM FOR ITS INABILITY TO BRING ALL THOSE INDICTED TO TRIAL.
MORE THAN 70 PEOPLE WERE ORIGINALLY INDICTED BY THE TRIBUNAL.
TWENTY-SIX ARE NOW IN CUSTODY. THE BEST KNOWN WAR CRIMES
SUSPECT, BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC, HAS NOT BEEN
CAPTURED. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/MMK
[10] WHAT NOW FOR NATO? BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)DATE=5/12/98TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-40359 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AFTER THE U-S SENATE VOTE TO EXPAND NATO, FOREIGN POLICY SPECIALIST GATHERED AT A MEETING OF THE U-S INSTITUTE OF PEACE IN WASHINGTON (TUES., MAY 12) TO DISCUSS ITS IMPLICATIONS. THEY NOT ONLY DIFFERED ON WHAT THESE MAY BE BUT ON THE ROLE OF NATO ITSELF. THEY CONCEDED THERE IS MUCH CONFUSION. V-O-A'S CORRESPONNDENT ED WARNER REPORTS TEXT: A GENUINE DEBATE WOULD HAVE HELPED, SAID RICHARD SOLOMON, REFERRING TO THE U-S SENATE VOTE TO EXPAND NATO: // SOLOMON ACT //AS SOMEONE WHO HAS WATCHED POLICY DEBATES IN THIS TOWN FOR A LONG TIME NOW, THE DEBATE OVER NATO EXPANSION REALLY WAS A VERY STRANGE PROCESS, ALMOST AN INVISIBLE PROCESS I THINK FOR MOST OF THE COUNTRY ON AN ISSUE THAT REALLY DOES HAVE PROFOUND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE NEXT PHASE IN OUR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. // END ACT //MR. SOLOMON, PRESIDENT OF THE U-S INSTITUTE OF PEACE, SAID A LIMITED NUMBER OF SPECIALISTS MAY HAVE EXPLORED THE IMPLICATIONS OF NATO EXPANSION, BUT THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAS NO IDEA OF HOW IT MAY IMPACT, FOR EXAMPLE, ON RUSSIA. WILL IT ENCOURAGE RUSSIAN NATIONALISTS AND HURT THE CAUSE OF REFORMERS?THAT COULD HAPPEN, SAID CHARLES KUPCHAN, PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY. HE WAS OPPOSED TO NATO EXPANSION BUT NOW THINKS IT SHOULD CONTINUE UNTIL IT ABSORBS RUSSIA: // KUPCHAN ACT //IF YOU START MOVING WEST TO EAST, YOU LEAVE RUSSIA AT THE END OF THE QUEUE, WHICH STRIKES ME AS AN UNSATISFYING WAY TO GO ABOUT THIS, AND A DANGEROUS WAY TO GO ABOUT IT. RUSSIA MAY NOT WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE QUEUE TO BUILD A GEOPOLITICAL ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH IT IS COMFORTABLE. // END ACT //WHY ALL THE ALARM ABOUT RUSSIA? ASKED MICHAEL HALTZEL, STAFF DIRECTOR ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRS IN THE U-S SENATE. FAR FROM ISOLATING RUSSIA, HE SAID THE UNITED STATES HAS BROUGHT IT INTO VARIOUS GROUPINGS LIKE THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE AND CONTRIBUTED TENS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO ITS REVIVAL: // HALTZEL ACT //FROM THE EIGHTEENTH TO THE TWENTIETH OF MAY, THERE IS A PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE EXERCISE THAT IS GOING TO BE HELD IN DENMARK. SEVENTEEN COUNTRIES ARE TAKING PART, INCLUDING FOR THE FIRST TIME RUSSIAN GROUND TROOPS. IT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE A COUNTRY THAT IS BEING ALIENATED. // END ACT //MR. HALTZEL SAID DESPITE ITS COMPLAINTS, MOSCOW HAS COME TO TERMS WITH NATO EXPANSION. BESIDES, HE ADDED, THE ALLIANCE HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED FROM ITS COLD WAR ROLE. ALEXANDER GEORGE, AUTHOR OF SEVERAL BOOKS ON FOREIGN POLICY, ELABORATED ON THAT THEORY: // GEORGE ACT //IT IS VERY IMPORTANT NOT TO THINK OF NATO SOLELY AS A DEFENSIVE ALLIANCE AGAINST THE THREAT OF AGGRESSION FROM THE RUSSIANS. PARTICULARLY AS WE MOVE BEYOND THE COLD WAR, I THINK WE NEED TO PAY MORE AND MORE ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT NATO AND ASSOCIATED INSTITUTIONS IN WESTERN EUROPE - THE EUROPEAN UNION - REALLY HAVE PROIVDED A COLLECTIVE SECURITY COMMUNITY. // END ACT //BY THE END OF THE DISCUSSION, THE SPEAKERS COULD AGREE ON THE
CONTINUED IMPORTANCE OF NATO BUT NOT ON WHAT IT REALLY IS TODAY -
IN MARKED CONTRAST TO ITS CLEAR MISSION IN THE COLD WAR.
(SIGNED)
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