Voice of America, 98-05-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] CLINTON / N-IRELAND (S-ONITER) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

[02] CLINTON / NATO (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

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

[04] FRANCE / FAKE JOBS (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[05] IRELAND/REFERENDUM (L) BY GIL BUTLER (DUBLIN)

[06] KOSOVO VIOLENCE (S ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BELGRADE)

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

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

[09] U-N / BOSNIA POLICE (S - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[10] U-S / MONTENEGRO (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[01] CLINTON / N-IRELAND (S-ONITER) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS URGING A 'YES' VOTE ON A REFERENDUM ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND. VOTERS IN THE BRITISH-RULED PROVINCE AND IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND GO TO THE POLLS LATER TODAY (FRIDAY). V-O-A'S DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: ON THE EVE OF THE BALLOTING, MR. CLINTON MADE A FINAL APPEAL TO VOTERS IN A TELEVISED MESSAGE.

YOU CAN TURN THE COMMON TRAGEDY OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S PAST INTO A SHARED TRIUMPH FOR THE FUTURE.

MR. CLINTON PROMISED U-S TRADE AND INVESTMENT IF THE REFERENDUM PASSES.

THE PRESIDENT ALSO HAD A MESSAGE FOR THOSE WHO WOULD SEEK A RETURN TO THE BLOODSHED OF THE LAST THREE DECADES.

TO THOSE OF ANY PARTY OR PERSUASION WHO WOULD REVERT TO VIOLENCE, YOU MUST KNOW THAT YOU WILL FIND NO FRIENDS IN AMERICA.

VOTERS WILL CAST BALLOTS ON A U-S - MEDIATED PEACE AGREEMENT REACHED APRIL 10TH BY EIGHT OF THE PROVINCE'S 10 POLITICAL PARTIES. (SIGNED)
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21-May-98 7:55 PM EDT (2355 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CLINTON / NATO (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS GIVEN FORMAL U-S APPROVAL TO EXTEND NATO MEMBERSHIP TO THREE FORMER WARSAW PACT NATIONS. V-O-A'S WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON THURSDAY SIGNED RATIFICATION DOCUMENTS FOR EXPANDING NATO EASTWARD TO INCLUDE POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC.

THE SENATE RATIFIED THE NATO EXPANSION MEASURE APRIL 30TH, DESPITE ARGUMENTS THAT RUSSIA WOULD VIEW AN ENLARGED WESTERN ALLIANCE POSITIONED CLOSER TO ITS BORDERS AS A POTENTIAL SECURITY THREAT.

AT A WHITE HOUSE CEREMONY, MR. CLINTON ARGUED THE MOVE WOULD ENHANCE STABILITY IN CENTRAL EUROPE.

TODAY WE WELCOME HUNGARY, POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, FINALLY ERASING THE BOUNDARY LINE THE COLD WAR ARTIFICIALLY IMPOSED ON THE CONTINENT OF EUROPE, STRENGTHENING AN ALLIANCE THAT NOW, CLEARLY, IS BETTER PRESERVED TO KEEP THE PEACE AND PRESERVE OUR SECURITY INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.

BESIDES THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, DENMARK, GERMANY AND NORWAY HAVE APPROVED NATO ENLARGEMENT.

IN HIS REMARKS, MR. CLINTON ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED THE HOPES OF OTHER FORMER WARSAW PACT NATIONS TO BECOME NATO MEMBERS.

WE RESPECT YOUR ASPIRATIONS FOR SECURITY; WE SHARE YOUR DEVOTION TO YOUR FREEDOM; AND WE HOPE THIS IS A DAY WHICH YOU CAN CELEBRATE AS WELL.

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

INTRO: MOST OF EUROPE'S STOCK MARKETS SUSPENDED TRADING THURSDAY FOR THE ASCENSION DAY HOLIDAY. BUT TRADING DID GO ON IN LONDON, WHERE V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE FIGURES FOR THE MARKET CLOSE.

TEXT: LONDON WAS EUROPE'S ONLY MAJOR STOCK MARKET TO TRADE THURSDAY, AND ITS KEY MARKET BAROMETER, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX, ENDED THE DAY WITH A GAIN OF JUST MORE THAN 28-POINTS. THE ONLY OTHER LARGER STOCK MARKET IN EUROPE TO TRADE WAS MILAN, WHICH ALSO CLOSED ON THE UP SIDE.

WHILE TRADERS IN EUROPE TOOK NO CUE FROM THE UNCERTAIN DIRECTION OF WALL STREET'S TRADING THURSDAY, HIGHER PRICES ON ASIAN MARKETS EARLIER IN THE DAY, COUPLED WITH NEWS OF THE RESIGNATION OF INDONESIA'S PRESIDENT SUHARTO, ADDED TO THE OPTIMISTIC TRADING MOOD.

ON CURRENCY MARKETS, THE U-S DOLLAR WAS DOWN ABOUT A PFENNIG AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND HELD STEADY AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.

GOLD IN LONDON GAINED A HALF DOLLAR, SELLING AT 300-DOLLARS-50 CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
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21-May-98 2:20 PM EDT (1820 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] FRANCE / FAKE JOBS (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: A BITTER DISPUTE BETWEEN FRANCE'S LEFT-WING GOVERNMENT AND THE CONSERVATIVE OPPOSITION HAS UNDERLINED THE FRAGILITY OF THE POWER-SHARING ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC AND HIS SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: THE ALREADY WEAK CONSERVATIVE OPPOSITION IN FRANCE WAS FURTHER BUFFETED THIS WEEK AS THE WIFE OF THE PARIS MAYOR, JEAN TIBERI, WAS SUMMONED FOR QUESTIONING BY A PROSECUTOR ABOUT ALLEGED SALARIES SHE DREW FOR FICTITIOUS PUBLIC SERVICE POSTS.

ALTHOUGH MRS. TIBERI WAS NOT CHARGED WITH ANY OFFENSE, HER DAY IN CUSTODY (MONDAY, MAY 18TH) WAS THE SIGNAL FOR A HOST OF ALLEGATIONS ABOUT CORRUPTION AMONG POLITICIANS.

IN A NEWSPAPER INTERVIEW, A FORMER SENIOR OFFICIAL OF THE PARIS CITY COUNCIL SAID THAT WHEN THE CONSERVATIVE PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC WAS MAYOR IN THE 1980'S, THERE WERE NO FEWER THAN 300 PEOPLE EMPLOYED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IN POSTS THAT DID NOT EXIST. HE SAID THIS WAS A WAY TO GIVE MEMBERS OF THE GAULLIST RALLY FOR THE REPUBLIC PARTY A SALARY FOR PARTY WORK.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE SOCIALIST JUSTICE MINISTER SAID MR. CHIRAC COULD FACE A LEGAL INVESTIGATION.

THIS UNLEASHED A COUNTER-OFFENSIVE IN PARLIAMENT. ONE OF MR. CHIRAC'S SUPPORTERS SAID THE SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN HAD ALSO HELD DOWN A NON-EXISTENT JOB. THIS WAS AS A DIPLOMAT AFTER HE LOST HIS PARLIAMENTARY SEAT IN 1993 UNTIL HIS APPOINTMENT AS PRIME MINISTER LAST YEAR.

MR. JOSPIN -- WHEN HE LOST HIS SEAT -- DID IN FACT ASK TO RETURN TO THE FOREIGN MINISTRY WHERE HE BEGAN HIS CAREER. IT IS COMMON PRACTICE IN FRANCE FOR POLITICIANS TO RESUME CIVIL SERVICE CAREERS WHEN THEY ARE OUT OF OFFICE.

MR. JOSPIN, HOWEVER, NEVER ACTUALLY WENT TO WORK IN THE MINISTRY BUT HE DID DRAW A SALARY. ACCORDING TO THE FRENCH MEDIA, THE DECISION TO ATTACK HIM CAME FROM MR. CHIRAC HIMSELF. AT THIS, A SENIOR SOCIALIST SUGGESTED THAT MR. CHIRAC SHOULD HOLD AN EARLY PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

AS THE DISPUTE FLARED, MR. JOSPIN TOLD MEMBERS OF HIS LEFT-WING COALITION NEVER AGAIN TO RAISE THE PROSPECT OF AN EARLY PRESIDENTIAL POLL. THEN, IN A JOINT STATEMENT, THE PRESIDENT AND MR. JOSPIN CALLED FOR CALM AND SAID THAT DEMOCRACY ITSELF IS IN DANGER.

NONETHELESS, BOTH SIDES CONTINUED THEIR ATTACKS. AND ONE SOCIALIST OFFICIAL NOTED THAT MR. JOSPIN HAD ASKED TO BE APPOINTED AMBASSADOR AFTER HIS 1993 DEFEAT. BUT, HE SAID, THE THEN CONSERVATIVE FOREIGN MINISTER, ALAIN JUPPE, IGNORED THE REQUEST. THE SOCIALIST SAID THAT, IF MR. JUPPE HAD NOT TAKEN MR. JOSPIN SO LIGHTLY, HE COULD HAVE POSTED HIM OUT OF FRANCE AND PREVENTED HIM FROM TAKING POWER FROM THE RIGHT -- WHEN MR. JUPPE WAS PRIME MINISTER -- IN ELECTIONS LAST YEAR. (SIGNED)
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21-May-98 8:00 AM EDT (1200 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] IRELAND/REFERENDUM (L) BY GIL BUTLER (DUBLIN)

INTRO: VOTERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC GO TO POLLING STATIONS (FRIDAY) -- TO SAY "YES" OR "NO" TO AN AGREEMENT DESIGNED TO END DECADES OF INTER-COMMUNAL STRIFE. CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER IS IN DUBLIN, WHERE THE AGREEMENT IS VIEWED FAVORABLY BY AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY.

TEXT: THERE ARE PREDICTIONS, BASED ON OPINION POLLS, THE FAVORABLE VOTE FOR THE NORTHERN IRELAND AGREEMENT COULD RUN MORE THAN 80-PERCENT.

FOR IRELAND, THE AGREEMENT WILL BRING MAJOR CHANGES, IF IT IS IMPLEMENTED. IRELAND'S CONSTITUTION WILL BE AMENDED TO DROP DUBLIN'S TERRITORIAL CLAIMS TO THE SIX COUNTIES OF NORTHERN IRELAND.

THE AMENDED CONSTITUTION WILL SAY A UNITED IRELAND CAN ONLY COME ABOUT BY PEACEFUL MEANS WITH THE CONSENT OF A MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE. THAT MEANS THE CURRENT PROTESTANT MAJORITY IN THE NORTH COULD BLOCK UNIFICATION.

MANY YOUNG PEOPLE IN DUBLIN SAY THE CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE VERY IMPORTANT, SINCE THE COUNTRY'S ENTHUSIASTIC MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION MAKES INTERNAL TERRITORIAL BOUNDARIES LESS IMPORTANT.

ANOTHER MAJOR CHANGE WILL BE IRELAND'S PARTICIPATION IN A NORTH-SOUTH MINISTERIAL COUNCIL. IT WILL, FOR THE FIRST TIME, GIVE DUBLIN SOME REAL INPUT INTO ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE ENTIRE ISLAND.

A PROMINENT MEMBER OF THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, MICHAEL O'KENNEDY, REJECTS PREDICTIONS BY SOME IN THE NORTH THE COUNCIL WILL BE A STEP TOWARD A TAKEOVER BY THE IRISH REPUBLIC.

NOTHING CAN BE A STEP TO ANYTHING, UNLESS IT IS ACHIEVED BY CONSENT. NOW I HAPPEN TO BELIEVE PERSONALLY, MYSELF, THAT THE INEXORABLE LOGIC OF THE SITUATION, DOWN THE LINE, WOULD BE A CLOSER COMING TOGETHER IN A COMMON PURPOSE. BUT THAT CAN ONLY BE DONE BY AGREEMENT.

THE COUNCIL CAN MAKE DECISIONS ON ISSUE LIKE THE ENVIRONMENT THAT AFFECT THE ENTIRE ISLAND OF IRELAND, BUT THOSE DECISIONS HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY THE NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY, AS WELL AS THE PARLIAMENT IN DUBLIN. (SIGNED)
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21-May-98 2:57 PM EDT (1857 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO VIOLENCE (S ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BELGRADE)

INTRO: AT LEAST THREE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN CONTINUED FIGHTING BETWEEN SERBS AND ALBANIANS IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS FROM OUR CENTRAL EUROPE BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: SERB MEDIA SOURCES IN KOSOVO'S CAPITAL, PRISTINA, SAY A TEENAGE SERB BOY WAS SHOT DEAD IN AN OVERNIGHT ATTACK, 50 KILOMETERS WEST OF THE CITY. THE SERB MEDIA CENTER ALSO REPORTS TWO PEOPLE WERE WOUNDED BY ARMED ALBANIAN MILITANTS. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IN AN AREA CLOSED TO JOURNALISTS AND OTHERS NEAR THE MAIN ROAD BETWEEN PRISTINA AND THE WESTERN TOWN OF PEC.

AT THE SAME TIME, OFFICIALS SPEAKING FOR KOSOVAR ALBANIANS SAY THE BODIES OF TWO ALBANIAN MEN WERE DISCOVERED NEAR DECANI, NOT FAR FROM THE ALBANIAN BORDER, WHERE FIGHTING FIRST ERUPTED BETWEEN ETHNIC FORCES EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO HAS CLAIMED MORE THAN 150 LIVES.

THE LATEST FIGHTING COMES JUST ONE DAY BEFORE A SCHEDULED MEETING BETWEEN KOSOVAR ALBANIAN AND SERBIAN OFFICIALS TO TRY AND FIND A WAY TO RESOLVE A CRISIS WHICH THREATENS THE STABILITY OF THE WHOLE REGION. (SIGNED)
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21-May-98 9:42 AM EDT (1342 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 DOWN TODAY (THURSDAY) WITH SOME TRADERS APPARENTLY RELUCTANT TO BUY IN ADVANCE OF THE COMING LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND IN THE UNITED STATES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 91 HUNDRED 32, DOWN 39 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED 14, DOWN FOUR POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY THERE WAS SOME PROFIT-TAKING. ALSO, THEY SAY, THE COMING HOLIDAY WEEKEND IN THE UNITED STATES CAUSED SOME TRADERS TO TURN CAUTIOUS. MONDAY IS THE MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY BUT MANY ON WALL STREET WILL BE TAKING OFF FRIDAY AS WELL.

ALAN GREENSPAN, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK, SAYS IT IS STILL TOO SOON TO TELL HOW MUCH EFFECT THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS WILL HAVE ON THE U-S ECONOMY. HE ALSO SAYS IT IS STILL NOT CLEAR HOW BAD THE SITUATION IN ASIA WILL BECOME.

ALTHOUGH THE TENDENCY IN RECENT MONTHS TOWARD STABILIZATION IN THE EAST ASIAN ECONOMIES IS ENCOURAGING, CLEARLY THOSE ECONOMIES ARE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS (OVERCOME THEIR PROBLEMS) AS RECENT EVENTS ATTEST.

MR. GREENSPAN WAS TESTIFYING BEFORE A CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE WHICH IS CONSIDERING INCREASED U-S FUNDING OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND. HE STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE INCREASED FUNDING.

THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS CLAIMING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS MOVED UP SLIGHTLY LAST WEEK. HOWEVER, ECONOMISTS SAY THE OVERALL U-S JOB MARKET REMAINS STRONG WITH LABOR SHORTAGES CONTINUING IN SOME AREAS.

MILLIONS OF AMERICAN ARE STILL WITHOUT TELEPHONE PAGING SERVICES AFTER TUESDAY'S FAILURE OF A COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE. PANAMSAT, THE COMPANY WHICH OPERATES THE SATELLITE, SAYS IT HAS SHIFTED TO ANOTHER SPACECRAFT BUT THAT IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE ALL GROUND ANTENNAS ARE PROPERLY AIMED AND FULL SERVICE IS RESTORED. SEAGRAM, THE CANADIAN-BASED BEVERAGE AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, WILL PAY 10 POINT SIX BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE POLYGRAM, THE NETHERLANDS-BASED FIRM WHICH IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST PRODUCER OF PRE-RECORDED MUSIC. SEAGRAM WILL SELL ITS TROPICANA JUICE SUBSIDIARY TO HELP FINANCE THE POLYGRAM DEAL.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE NEW "GODZILLA" MOVIE IS GOING TO BE A REAL MONSTER. THE FILM, DISTRIBUTED BY THE SONY CORPORATION, CONCERNS A HORRIFYING GIANT LIZARD WHO IS ENHANCED WITH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF SPECIAL EFFECTS. IN ITS FIRST TWO DAYS OF EXHIBITION IN THE UNITED STATES, 'GODZILLA" HAS ALREADY GROSSED ALMOST 13 MILLION DOLLARS.(SIGNED)
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21-May-98 5:36 PM EDT (2136 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: U-S NEWSPAPERS ARE CONTINUING TO COMMENT ON ALLEGATIONS THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DECISION TO WAIVE RESTRICTIONS ON THE SALE OF SENSITIVE TECHNOLOGY TO CHINA MAY HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY A CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION MADE BY A CHINESE MILITARY AEROSPACE OFFICER. THE OTHER POPULAR TOPIC IS TOMORROW'S VOTE ON THE IRISH PEACE REFERENDUM.

PAPERS ARE ALSO COMMENTING ON YESTERDAY'S SPACE SATELLITE FAILURE WHICH SILENCED MILLIONS OF PAGERS, AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY; /// OPT /// THE GRADUATION OF ANOTHER CLASS OF YOUNG NAVAL OFFICERS AT ANNAPOLIS; /// END OPT AND A SERIES OF INDICTMENTS BY U-S OFFICIALS ACCUSING MEXICAN BANKS OF LAUNDERING DRUG MONEY. NOW, HERE IS ___________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TWO OF THE NATION'S LARGEST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL DAILY NEWSPAPERS, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AND "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES'" ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LATEST ALLEGATIONS THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S CAMPAIGN GOT 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM A CHINESE MILITARY OFFICER. THEN, WITHIN WEEKS, THE PRESIDENT REVERSED DECISIONS BY THE PENTAGON AND STATE DEPARTMENT TO ALLOW U-S PRIVATE COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITES TO BE LAUNCHED ABOARD CHINESE ROCKETS. THE PRIVATE COMPANIES MAY HAVE ALSO HANDED OVER SENSITIVE LAUNCH DATA TO THE CHINESE. NOW, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS:

VOICE: THE STORY OF THE WHITE AND ITS CHINESE CAMPAIGN MONEY WILL NOT DIE, FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THAT THERE IS TOO MUCH EVIDENCE OF WRONGDOING TO BE SUPPRESSED OR IGNORED. HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH IS RIGHT, BEYOND ARGUMENT, TO DEMAND A FULL INVESTIGATION OF THE EXPORT OF SENSITIVE TECHNOLOGY TO CHINA AT A TIME WHEN BOTH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND AN AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPANY WERE POURING MONEY INTO DEMOCRATIC ACCOUNTS. BUT WE DIFFER WITH MR. GINGRICH WHEN HE SAYS THE ISSUE 'HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CAMPAIGN FINANCE' AND IS SOLELY ABOUT NATIONAL SECURITY. BASED ON EVIDENCE ALREADY PUBLIC, THE SECURITY ASPECTS OF THIS MESS CANNOT BE SEPARATED FROM FUNDRAISING .....

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AGAIN CALLS FOR APPOINTMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE THE WHOLE CAMPAIGN FINANCE CONTROVERSY, AS IT HAS DONE MANY TIMES IN THE PAST. IN CALIFORNIA, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS EQUALLY CONCERNED, ASKING:

VOICE: WAS THERE A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN THESE CONTRIBUTIONS AND THE EXPORTS TO CHINA APPROVED BY [MR.] CLINTON? THAT REMAINS TO BE PROVED, AND PROOF IS WHAT HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH SAYS HE'S AFTER WITH HIS PLAN TO NAME A SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT HOW THE EXPORT WAIVER CAME ABOUT, WHETHER IT LED TO ANY COMPROMISING OF NATIONAL SECURITY AND WHETHER THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TRIED TO BUY INFLUENCE BY CHANNELING MONEY TO THE DEMOCRATS' 1996 CAMPAIGN. ......IF SOLID EVIDENCE SHOULD EMERGE THAT THE WAIVER ... WAS INFLUENCED BY CHINESE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEMOCRATS ..... THEN A SWEEPING REAPPRAISAL OF RELATIONS WITH BEIJING WOULD BECOME ALL BUT UNAVOIDABLE.

TEXT: THERE IS CONSIDERABLE ATTENTION TO FRIDAY'S PEACE REFERENDUM IN NORTHERN IRELAND WHERE RESIDENTS WILL VOTE FOR OR AGAINST A PEACE INITIATIVE NEGOTIATED WITH THE HELP OF MAINE'S FORMER SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL. IN MAINE, TODAY'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" SAYS THE BALLOTING GIVES PEACE A CHANCE.

VOICE: WE PREDICT THE PEACE AGREEMENT WILL BE APPROVED BY SUBSTANTIAL MARGINS IN BOTH NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC, BECAUSE NO RATIONAL ALTERNATIVE EXISTS. ..... APPROVAL WILL REQUIRE A MAJOR SHIFT IN THINKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THE PROTESTANT MAJORITY. THE AGREEMENT WILL MEAN POWER-SHARING WITH THE CATHOLICS IN A NEW MULTIPARTY GOVERNMENT, AND A NEW ISLANDWIDE NORTH-SOUTH COUNCIL. MUTUAL TRUST WILL BE ESSENTIAL TO MAKING IT ALL WORK, AND SUCH HAS BEEN IN SHORT SUPPLY OVER THE PAST THREE DECADES. IT CAN BEGIN WITH STOPPING THE BLOODSHED AND BEGINNING THE PEACE, WHICH VOTERS HAVE A CHANCE TO DO ON FRIDAY. THE ALTERNATIVE IS A RETURN TO CHAOS.

TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IS CLEARLY ON THE SIDE OF THE ACCORD AS WELL, STATING:

VOICE: OUR FERVENT HOPE IS THAT AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY, BOTH CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT, WILL APPROVE THE REFERENDUM. THOSE WHO DO ARE SAYING 'YES' TO PEACE, VOTING 'THEIR HOPES INSTEAD OF THEIR FEARS,' AS PRESIDENT CLINTON PUT IT RECENTLY.

TEXT: THE FAILURE OF A MAJOR SPACE COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE THAT SILENCED MILLIONS OF U-S PAGERS IS DRAWING A GOOD DEAL OF COMMENT, MUCH OF IT HUMOROUS, SUCH AS THIS FROM "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL."

VOICE: 'FESS UP [SLANG FOR "CONFESS."] HOW MANY AMERICANS SILENTLY REJOICED WHEN THEY HEARD THAT ALMOST ALL OF THE NATION'S 40 MILLION PAGERS WERE ON THE FRITZ? [BROKEN] HALLELUJAH! FINALLY THEY WOULD GET A BREAK FROM THOSE ANNOYING BEEP-BEEP-BEEPS AND BUZZES. THEY HAD A CHANCE TO HOLD MEETINGS AND CONVERSATIONS WITHOUT INTERRUPTIONS. KEEP SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL, LITTLE COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE, THEY MURMURED TO THEMSELVES. THE LONGER YOU STAY OUT OF TOUCH WITH EARTH, THE LONGER THE NON-PAGED CAN HAVE SOME PEACE - - AND MAYBE EVEN GET SOME WORK DONE.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" HAD AN EQUALLY FUNNY VIEW OF THE FAILURE, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: A WISE PERSON, ON LEARNING THAT A GALAXY FOUR SATELLITE HAD MYSTERIOUSLY POINTED ITSELF TOWARD THE REST OF THE UNIVERSE INSTEAD OF AIMING ITS COMMUNICATIONS WIDGET AT THE EARTH WHERE THEY BELONG, WOULD HAVE SPENT YESTERDAY AT THE [BASEBALL] BALL PARK. SORRY, BOSS, WERE YOU LOOKING FOR ME?

..... IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE A SNOW DAY FROM OUTER SPACE. [A "SNOW DAY" IS WHEN ALL SCHOOLS, GOVERNMENT OFFICES, AND MANY BUSINESSES CLOSE DUE TO HEAVY SNOW ED]

TEXT: AND "NEWSDAY" ADDS THIS:

VOICE: THE SILENCE OF THE BEEPS MAY BE REMEMBERED WITH MIRTH, AS MILLIONS OF AMERICANS RECALL HOW THEY DANGLED, METAPHORICALLY, FROM THAT DUMBSTRUCK STAR. BUT IT WON'T BE FUNNY IF IT LASTS TOO LONG OR HAPPENS TOO OFTEN.

TEXT: TODAY'S "SUN" IN BALTIMORE IS CELEBRATING BOTH THE GRADUATION OF ANOTHER CLASS OF YOUNG NAVAL OFFICERS AT ANNAPOLIS, SET FOR TOMORROW, AND THE IMPORTANT INSTITUTION'S TURNAROUND UNDER ITS CURRENT LEADER, ADMIRAL CHARLES LARSON, WHO IS ALSO LEAVING HIS POST THERE.

VOICE: THE NAVY ASKED HIM TO LEAD THE OFFICER TRAINING SCHOOL ..... TO RESTORE A SENSE OF MISSION AND HONOR THAT HAD BEEN ERODED BY A SERIES OF SCANDALS INVOLVING CHEATING, HAZING, SEXUAL ABUSE, DRUGS AND THEFT. ..... HIS HIGH EXPECTATIONS AT ANNAPOLIS HAVE RESULTED IN IMPROVED BEHAVIOR AND PERFORMANCE. THESE GRADUATES ARE THE FIRST TO HAVE COMPLETED HIS REVAMPED CURRICULUM THAT STRESSES LEADERSHIP, ETHICS AND DISCIPLINE. A HIGHLY CHARGED ESPRIT DE CORPS NOW PERVADES ..... THE ANNAPOLIS CAMPUS .... NOT ALL MIDS [MIDSHIPMEN] HAVE BEEN UP TO THE STANDARDS, BUT THE INSTITUTION IS NO LONGER ROCKED BY SCANDAL. ADMIRAL LARSON LEAVES THE ACADEMY STRONGER THAN WHEN HE ARRIVED.

TEXT: THE RECENT INDICTMENT, IN THE UNITED STATES, OF SEVERAL PROMINENT MEXICAN BANKS ON CHARGES OF LAUNDERING OF DRUG MONEY DRAWS THIS RESPONSE FROM "THE MIAMI HERALD." THE PAPER SAYS THIS COUNTRY IS SENDING AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE, BUT IT SHOULD ALSO BE APPLIED AT HOME.

VOICE: THE INDICTMENT ..... MADE AN EMPHATIC STATEMENT ABOUT U-S WILLINGNESS TO PURSUE DRUG CARTELS. NOW U-S DRUG ENFORCERS MUST MAKE EQUALLY CLEAR THAT THE PURSUIT OF TRAFFICKERS KNOWS NO BOUNDS, INCLUDING OUR OWN BORDERS. ..... [HOWEVER] SURELY U-S BANKS ARE JUST AS SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE LURE OF FREE-FLOWING DRUG MONEY AS MEXICAN BANKS ARE. ..... U-S AGENTS .... MUST ASSURE A JUSTIFIABLY SKEPTICAL PUBLIC .... THAT THEY ARE JUST AS DILIGENT WHEN THE TRAIL LEADS HOME. [MEANING: TO U-S BANKS ENGAGED IN SIMILAR LAUNDERING ED]

TEXT: TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" IS WATCHING THE PROGRESS IN THE SENATE OF THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS TREATY AND SAYS A CRITICAL CHANGE HAS BEEN INSERTED INTO THE LAW THAT WILL CRIPPLE THE TREATY.

VOICE: A COUPLE OF U-S SENATORS, ABETTED BY AN INATTENTIVE PRESIDENT CLINTON, ARE ABOUT TO PASS IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION FOR THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION THAT WOULD SABOTAGE THE FORCEFUL AND CAREFULLY DRAWN TREATY AGAINST THE PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. .... THE MOST OBVIOUS OF THESE POISON PILLS [DESTROYING PROVISIONS] IS AN EXEMPTION THAT WOULD ALLOW THE U-S PRESIDENT TO REFUSE, ON .... GROUNDS OF NATIONAL SECURITY, ANY CHALLENGE INSPECTION OF A U-S SITE. ..... THE BEST WAY TO UNDO THE DAMAGE IS TO PASS THE IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION - - BRINGING THE UNITED STATES INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THE TREATY - - AND THEN PASS CORRECTIVE LEGISLATION BEFORE THE END OF THIS CONGRESSIONAL TERM.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THURSDAY'S NEWSPAPERS.
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21-May-98 10:59 AM EDT (1459 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] U-N / BOSNIA POLICE (S - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) ORDERED THE EXPANSION OF A U-N POLICE TASK FORCE IN BOSNIA. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY IN FAVOR OF ADDING 30 PEOPLE TO THE POLICE TASK FORCE IN BOSNIA, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL IN THE FORCE TO TWO-THOUSAND-67. THE ADDITIONAL POLICE WILL WORK IN SPECIAL UNITS FOCUSSING ON DRUG CONTROL, CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION.

POLICE FROM MORE THAN 40 NATIONS BELONG TO THE TASK FORCE, WHICH WAS SET UP TO STRENGTHEN THE RULE OF LAW IN BOSNIA AFTER THE ETHNIC CONFLICT THERE ENDED IN 1995. THE SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION SAYS POLICE REFORM IS ALSO A KEY FACTOR IN STRENGTHENING BOSNIA'S JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

IN ADDITION TO THE POLICE TASK FORCE, THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD, WHICH ENDED THE CONFLICT, PROVIDES FOR A 35-THOUSAND PERSON STABILIZATION FORCE IN BOSNIA, COMPRISED OF TROOPS FROM MORE THAN 30 NATIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF
21-May-98 4:33 PM EDT (2033 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] U-S / MONTENEGRO (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES SAYS YUGOSLAVIA'S CHANGE OF PRIME MINISTERS IS OF DUBIOUS LEGALITY AND APPEARS TO BE DESIGNED TO UNDERCUT MONTENEGRO'S PRESIDENT AND UPCOMING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN THAT YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: MONTENEGRO'S PRESIDENT MILO DJUKANOVIC DEFEATED IN ELECTIONS THE INCUMBENT MOMIR BULATOVIC -- AN ALLY OF YUGOSLAVIA'S PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. NOW, PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS ENGINEERED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. BULATOVIC AS THE PRIME MINISTER OF YUGOSLAVIA.

MONTENEGRINS ARE NORMALLY GIVEN THE JOB OF FEDERAL PRIME MINISTER, BUT THE STATE DEPARTMENT SEES THIS APPOINTMENT AS DESIGNED TO UNDERCUT PRESIDENT DJUKANOVIC. SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN QUESTIONS THE LEGALITY OF THE MOVE.

SUCH ACTIONS ARE OF DUBIOUS LEGALITY AND ARE CLEARLY POLITICAL STEPS INTENDED TO INFLUENCE THE MAY 31ST PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN MONTENEGRO.

THE SPOKESMAN CALLS THIS BLATANT POLITICAL MANEUVERING DESIGNED TO MAINTAIN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC IN POWER. MR. RUBIN SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS MADE CLEAR TO BELGRADE THAT ITS HANDLING OF RELATIONS WITH MONTENEGRO WILL DETERMINE YUGOSLAVIA'S ABILITY TO RESTORE ITS CONTACTS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/JO
21-May-98 4:53 PM EDT (2053 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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