Voice of America, 98-05-22

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[03] IRELAND VOTES (LONG AND SHORT) BY GIL BUTLER (DUBLIN)

[04] KOSOVO TALKS END (L) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (PRAGUE)

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

[06] NORTHERN IRELAND VOTE BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (BELFAST)

[07] TURKEY / POLIO (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[08] TURKEY ARRESTS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

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

INTRO: MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE ALL CLOSED THE WEEK'S TRADING WITH A GAIN FRIDAY. FOR THE CLOSING NUMBERS, HERE'S V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON.

TEXT: THE GAINS WERE MINIMAL, AS FRANKFURT AND PARIS TRADERS RETURNED FROM A THURSDAY HOLIDAY AND TRADERS IN LONDON PREPARED FOR A THREE-DAY WEEKEND.

THE BIGGEST GAIN POSTED FOR THE DAY CAME HERE IN LONDON, WHERE THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF STOCKS ENDED 20 POINTS HIGHER A GAIN OF ONE-THIRD OF ONE PERCENT. LESSER GAINS WERE REGISTERED ON THE FRANKFURT "DAX" -- UP 16 POINTS -- AND THE PARIS "CAC 40," WHICH CLOSED UP JUST UNDER TWO POINTS FRIDAY.

THE U-S DOLLAR HELD STEADY AGAINST BOTH THE BRITISH POUND AND GERMAN MARK. THE POUND, HOWEVER, TRADED AT A SIX-MONTH LOW AGAINST THE MARK.

GOLD IN LONDON CONTINUED TO TRADE AROUND THE 300-DOLLAR AN OUNCE MARK. (SIGNED)
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22-May-98 1:47 PM EDT (1747 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT SUHARTO IN INDONESIA DOMINATES THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF FRIDAY'S U-S PRESS. OTHER TOPICS COMMANDING ATTENTION INCLUDE: THE LATEST ALLEGATIONS INVOLVING A CHINESE CONNECTION WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON'S RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN; TIME RUNNING OUT FOR THE OSLO MIDEAST PEACE PROCESS; AND ANOTHER SCHOOL SHOOTING SHOCKS THE UNITED STATES.

NOW WE CALL ON __________________ WHO HAS TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: DOZENS AND PROBABLY HUNDREDS OF U-S DAILY PAPERS HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THE RELATIVELY PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER IN INDONESIA, ALTHOUGH MANY APPEAR SKEPTICAL THAT THE NEW PRESIDENT WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE KIND OF REFORM THAT WILL SATISFY THE ENTIRE NATION. IN RHODE ISLAND'S CAPITOL, "THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL-BULLETIN" NOTES:

VOICE: UNFORTUNATELY, MR. SUHARTO'S RESIGNATION WILL NOT NECESSARILY LEAD TO INDONESIA'S SALVATION. AFTER ALL, MR. HABIBIE HAS BEEN, AND ESSENTIALLY REMAINS, MR. SUHARTO'S LOYAL SUBALTERN. ALTHOUGH FAR FROM STUPID - - HE'S TRAINED AS AN AERONAUTICAL ENGINEER - - HIS ECONOMIC IDEAS ARE CONSIDERED UNCONVENTIONAL, IF NOT DOWNRIGHT ECCENTRIC. AND, OF COURSE, AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING IS FAR LESS PERTINENT THAN ECONOMICS IN RUNNING ANY COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY ONE FACING THE SORTS OF FINANCIAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BROUGHT INDONESIA TO THE BRINK. THEN THERE'S THE MATTER OF DISMANTLING THE KLEPTOCRACY ..... IT'S NOT CLEAR ... THE NEW PRESIDENT HAS THE CLOUT, [POWER] EVEN IF HE HAS THE WILL, TO CLEAN UP THE SYSTEM.

TEXT: NOT FAR AWAY FROM PROVIDENCE, THE BOSTON-BASED "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" WORRIES THAT "[MR.] SUHARTO STILL PULLING PUPPET STRINGS ON THE NEW PRESIDENT IS NOT WHAT INDONESIA NEEDS NOW." WHILE IN FLORIDA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" HAILS THE TRANSITION AS "A PEOPLE'S TRIUMPH - - FOR NOW," ADDING:

VOICE: IN EVERY RESPECT THE TRANSFER OF POWER IN INDONESIA ..... WAS A TRIUMPH OF INDONESIA'S PEOPLE [WHO] ... HAVE SUFFERED GRIEVOUSLY AS THE CRONY CAPITALISM OF MR. SUHARTO, HIS FAMILY, AND THE COUNTRY'S PRIVILEGED FEW CAME TUMBLING DOWN ..... THE FATAL SHOOTING OF SIX UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ON MAY 12TH PROVIDED THE CATALYST FOR A RARE NATIONAL POLITICAL CONSENSUS THAT MR. SUHARTO HAD TO GIVE WAY [TO]. ..... INDONESIANS SEEM TO ASSUME THAT THE NEXT STEP WILL BE DEMOCRACY. WOULD THAT IT WILL BE, THOUGH THERE IS AMPLE REASON TO DOUBT IT. /// OPT /// ...... AS CELEBRATIONS FADE IT WILL BECOME CLEAR THAT INDONESIA'S PEOPLE WILL BE ASKED FOR STILL MORE SACRIFICES TO RIGHT THEIR ECONOMY. LET INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE BE MUSTERED NOW TO ENSURE THAT INDONESIANS DO NOT SUFFER THROUGH A BLOODY POLITICAL TRANSITION AS WELL.

TEXT: AN EQUALLY SKEPTICAL "NEW YORK TIMES" OPINES:

VOICE: HANDING POWER FROM PRESIDENT SUHARTO TO VICE PRESIDENT B. J. HABIBIE DOES NOT SOLVE INDONESIA'S POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS. [FOR] MR. HABIBIE IS LITTLE MORE THAN A SUHARTO ACOLYTE.

TEXT: AND IN CALIFORNIA, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" VOLUNTEERS THIS PREDICTION.

VOICE: INDONESIA IS NOT ACCUSTOMED TO SMOOTH TRANSITIONS OF POWER AND THE PRESIDENCY MAY MERELY HAVE A NEW FACE, NOT NEW POLICIES. UNLESS [MR.] HABIBIE HOLDS ELECTIONS BY THE END OF THE YEAR, THERE WILL BE TROUBLE AGAIN IN INDONESIA.

TEXT: TURNING NOW TO THE OTHER IMPORTANT TOPIC OF THE DAY, THE LATEST ALLEGATIONS ABOUT A LINK BETWEEN CHINESE GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTIONS TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S REELECTION CAMPAIGN AND HIS POLICY TOWARD U-S SATELLITES ON CHINESE LAUNCH ROCKETS. "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL," A CRITIC OF THE PRESIDENT'S CAMPAIGN FINANCING PRACTICES, AND HIS OTHER ALLEGED MISDEEDS, TAKES UP ITS ENTIRE EDITORIAL SPACE WITH AN ASSESSMENT.

THE PAPER EXAMINES THESE CHARGES: AFTER CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM A CHINESE MILITARY AND AEROSPACE OFFICER, FUNNELED THROUGH ASIAN-AMERICAN CLINTON-FRIEND JOHNNY CHUNG, AND EVEN LARGER CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE HEAD OF A COMMERCIAL U-S SATELLITE MAKER, THE PRESIDENT OVERRULED STATE AND DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OBJECTIONS TO LAUNCHING ADDITIONAL U-S SATELLITES ON CHINESE ROCKETS AND GIVING THE CHINESE HELP WITH THEIR GUIDANCE SYSTEMS AFTER A ROCKET CRASH. "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" SAYS WHILE THE ALLEGATIONS ARE SERIOUS AND NEED INVESTIGATING, SOME PROSPECTIVE IS NEEDED:

VOICE: IN TERMS OF BROADER CHINA POLICY, A NATION OF ONE-POINT-TWO BILLION SOULS SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS A MONOLITH. CHINA IS NOT THE SOVIET UNION REBORN, THIS IS NOT THE COLD WAR. OBVIOUSLY WE SHOULD BE PRUDENT ABOUT EXPORTING MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, BUT OUR LONG-TERM INTEREST LIES IN ALLOWING A CONSUMER SOCIETY TO FLOURISH. ARGUMENTS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ARE AS OLD AS THE COLD WAR, WITH THE PENTAGON WANTING TO BOTTLE UP TECHNOLOGY AND THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT ARGUING IT'S AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE ANYWAY AND U-S FIRMS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO COMPETE. ..... IT IS [THE CURRENT CHARGES] SCARCELY AN OPEN-AND-SHUT CASE. THERE ARE BOTH COMMERCIAL AND SECURITY INTERESTS IN AMERICAN SUPREMACY IN SPACE SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY, AND THIS REQUIRES LAUNCH CAPACITY NOT AVAILABLE DOMESTICALLY. THE UNEASY RESOLUTION HAS BEEN TO ALLOW CHINESE LAUNCHES OF AMERICAN-DESIGNED SATELLITES UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF U-S GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

TEXT: TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IS BEGINNING TO WORRY THAT THE CLOCK IS RUNNING OUT ON THE OSLO PEACE PROCESS FOR THE MIDDLE EAST.

VOICE: THE MIDDLE EAST STILL HAS A PEACE PROCESS, BUT ITS OFFICIAL LIFE SPAN EXTENDS ONLY 12 MORE MONTHS. UNDER THE OSLO PLAN, FINAL STATUS TALKS WERE TO HAVE CONCLUDED BY MAY OF 1999. INSTEAD OF MOVING TOWARD THAT GOAL, THE PROCESS HAS STALLED OVER HOW LARGE A TROOP WITHDRAWAL THE ISRAELIS SHOULD NOW MAKE FROM THE WEST BANK. THREE SUCH WITHDRAWALS WERE CALLED FOR BY OSLO, WITH NO PERCENTAGES SPELLED OUT. SO FAR, NONE HAS OCCURRED. ..... WASHINGTON HAS TO HELP CONVINCE THE ISRAELI LEADER [PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU] THAT .....LASTING SECURITY WILL COME FROM REAL PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HER CLOSEST NEIGHBORS - - PEACE BASED ON JUST TERMS, GIVING THE PALESTINIANS THE INDEPENDENCE THEY DESERVE.

TEXT: ANOTHER SCHOOL SHOOTING, THE SEVENTH IN THE PAST 15 MONTHS, HAS OCCURRED IN SPRINGFIELD OREGON. A 15-YEAR-OLD STUDENT OPENED FIRE WITH A SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLE, KILLING ONE STUDENT AND INJURING AT LEAST 24 OTHERS, CAUSING THIS LAMENT FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES."

VOICE: IT IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE TO PRETEND THAT FATAL SCHOOL SHOOTINGS ARE AN ABERRATION THAT CAN BE SHRUGGED OFF AS TOO HARD TO CONTROL. THE LATEST SHOOTING SPREE .... IN .... OREGON .... CRIES OUT FOR NATIONAL GUIDELINES TO HANDLE THESE CASES AND STRONGER LAWS TO DENY CHILDREN ACCESS TO GUNS AND AMMUNITION. ..... THE REPEATED INCIDENTS OF GUN VIOLENCE BY CHILDREN SHOULD ALARM EVEN THE MOST DIE-HARD OPPONENTS OF GUN CONTROL. ..... YESTERDAY'S TRAGEDY WAS NOT THE FIRST THAT LOOKS AS IF IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN AVERTED BY A FIRMER RESPONSE TO THE FIRST HINT OF DANGER.

TEXT: WITH THAT COMMENT, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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22-May-98 11:30 AM EDT (1530 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] IRELAND VOTES (LONG AND SHORT) BY GIL BUTLER (DUBLIN)

INTRO: (WITH ANDRE'S REPORT FROM BELFAST) IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED THE NORTHERN IRELAND AGREEMENT, ACCORDING TO UNOFFICIAL POLLS OF VOTERS LEAVING THEPOLLING STATIONS. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER REPORTS FROM DUBLIN.

TEXT: IT APPARENTLY WASN'T EVEN CLOSE. ACCORDING TO EXIT POLLS CONDUCTED FOR IRISH NATIONAL RADIO AND TELEVISION, 95 PER CENT OF VOTERS HERE APPROVED THE AGREEMENT AND ONLY FIVE PER CENT VOTED NO.

THE COMMENTS OF VOTERS IN SOUTHCENTRAL DUBLIN WERE TYPICAL. ALL HAD VOTED YES TO THE AGREEMENT ANDTHEIR REASONS WERE ALIKE, TOO.

WELL, I THINK FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. IT'S THE BEST CHANCE WE HAVE HAD SO FAR AND I THINK IT WILL HELP IT, ALL RIGHT. (VOTER 2) IT'S FOR OUR CHILDREN. THEY MUST HAVE PEACE. THEY CAN'T GO THROUGH WHAT WE WENT THROUGH. (VOTER 3) WITHOUT A DOUBT, IT HAS TO BE YES.(BUTLER) AND WHY? (VOTER 4) WELL, I THINK PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED SO MUCH OVER THERE, THEY ARE GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY NOW TO HAVE SOME PEACE IN LIFE. THEY WON'T COME HOME TO FIND THEIR KIDS STOLEN OR THEIR WIFE DEAD OR THEIR HUSBAND DEAD COMING IN FROM THE PUB AT NIGHT.

IT WILL BE LATE SATURDAY BEFORE THE ACTUAL VOTES ARE COUNTED, BUT THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A DOUBT THAT VOTERS HERE WOULD APPROVE WHAT IS CALLED "THE GOOD FRIDAY" AGREEMENT. IRISH VOTERS APPARENTLY ALSO SAID YES TO A EUROPEAN UNION TREATY THAT WILL BRING IRELAND INTO CLOSER INTEGRATION WITH EUROPE. THE VOTE IN THAT CASE WAS CLOSER ACCORDING TO THE EXIT POLLS. SIXTY-TWO PER CENT APPROVED THE TREATY, 38 PER CENT VOTED AGAINST. MANY OF THE NO VOTERS SAID THEY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEX EUROPEAN COMMUNITY TREATY. NOW, IRELAND WILL WAIT TO SEE HOW THE AGREEMENT IS IMPLEMENTED.

THEY HAVE APPROVED A CHANGE IN THE IRISH CONSITITION TO ABANDON OUTRIGHT CLAIMS TO THE SIX COUNTIES OF NORTHERN IRELAND. INSTEAD THE CONSTITUTION WILL SAY A UNITED IRELAND IS A GOAL, BUT ONLY WITH THE CONSENT OF THE PEOPLE OF BOTH THE NORTH AND THE REPUBLIC. VOTERS HERE, AT LEAST, HAVE HIGH HOPES THAT THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT WILL BRING PEACE TO THE NORTHERN PART OF THIS ISLAND.(SIGNED)
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22-May-98 7:31 PM EDT (2331 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO TALKS END (L) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THE FIRST ROUND OF WEEKLY TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE ENDED FRIDAY WITH AGREEMENT TO MEET AGAIN. V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS FROM OUR CENTRAL EUROPEAN BUREAU THE TALKS BROUGHT TOGETHER SERB AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN OFFICIALS.

TEXT: THE FACT BOTH SIDES AGREED TO MEET AGAIN WAS SEEN AS AN ENCOURAGING SIGN BY OFFICIALS WHO SPOKE WITH REPORTERS AFTER THE MEETING. CHRISTOPHER HILL, THE U-S AMBASSADOR IN MACEDONIA WHO IS IN THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL -- PRISTINA -- AGREED WITH THIS POSITIVE ASSESSMENT.

THEY DISCUSSED THE NEED TO BUILD-UP CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES. AND I THINK SOME ARE OBVIOUS, BUT ONE OF THE FIRST IS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE LEVEL OF VIOLENCE AND THE OVERALL SECURITY SITUATION. IN ORDER TO HAVE SUCCESSFUL TALKS, YOU CAN'T BE SHOOTING WHILE YOU ARE TALKING.

AMBASSADOR HILL CAUTIONED AGAINST HOPES BEING RAISED TOO HIGH FROM THIS FIRST ROUND OF TALKS. SINCE VIOLENCE BROKE OUT IN KOSOVO IN FEBRUARY, MORE THAN 150 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED.

AMBASSADOR HILL ALSO SAID THAT, ALTHOUGH IT IS UP TO THE SERBS AND THE ALBANIANS TO DETERMINE THE DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING, WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT BOTH SIDES AGREE THAT IT WILL TAKE PLACE.

AMBASSADOR HILL STRESSED THAT HE DID NOT PERSONALLY ATTEND THE TALKS BUT RATHER TOOK PART IN ADVISORY GROUPS PREPARING FOR TODAY'S MEETING. ALBANIAN LEADERS HAD INITIALLY REFUSED TO MEET WITH SERB OFFICIALS WITHOUT AN INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR PRESENT. BUT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC REJECTED THIS SAYING KOSOVO IS AN INTERNAL MATTER.

FOLLOWING TODAY'S MEETING A MEMBER OF THE SERB DELEGATION (VICE-PREMIER RATKO MARKOVIC) SAID NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO SPEAK OF THAT WHICH DIVIDES THE PARTIES BECAUSE THE IMPORTANT THING IS BOTH SIDES HAVE AGREED TO MEET AGAIN. (SIGNED)
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22-May-98 3:10 PM EDT (1910 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 DOWN TODAY (FRIDAY) AS SOME TRADERS SOLD THEIR SHARES IN ADVANCE OF A LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 91 HUNDRED 14, DOWN ALMOST 18 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED THE SAME AMOUNT, 18 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 11 HUNDRED 10, DOWN FOUR POINTS. THE VOLUME OF 448 MILLION SHARES ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE WAS THE SECOND LOWEST OF THE YEAR.

ANALYSTS SAY THERE WAS NO REAL ECONOMIC NEWS TO MOVE STOCK PRICES AND MANY TRADERS DID NOT EVEN WORK IN ADVANCE OF THE THREE-DAY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. U-S STOCK TRADING WILL RESUME ON TUESDAY.

A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS SET SEPTEMBER EIGHTH AS THE DATE OF THE TRIAL IN THE GOVERNMENT'S ANTI-MONOPOLY SUIT AGAINST THE MICROSOFT COMPUTER SOFTWARE COMPANY. MICROSOFT HAD WANTED TO DELAY THE START OF THE TRIAL UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR.

THE ZENITH ELECTRONICS COMPANY SAYS IT HAS WORKED OUT A BANKRUPTCY REORGANIZATION PLAN WHICH, IF APPROVED, WOULD MAKE IT A SUBSIDIARY OF L-G ELECTRONICS OF SOUTH KOREA. BUT THE PLAN IS BAD NEWS FOR ZENITH STOCKHOLDERS. IT GIVES STOCKHOLDERS NO STAKE IN THE REORGANIZED COMPANY AND MAKES THEIR SHARES WORTHLESS. PETE'S, THE SECOND-LARGEST MICRO BREWING COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES, IS BEING SOLD TO GAMBRINUS, A U-S BEER DISTRIBUTING FIRM. THE PRICE IS 68 MILLION DOLLARS. THE MICROBREWING INDUSTRY, WHICH PRODUCES SPECIALTY BEERS AND ALES, HAS BEEN FALTERING RECENTLY BECAUSE OF INCREASED COMPETITION AND PRICING PRESSURES.

THE COMPANY WHICH OPERATES THAT FAILED COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE SAYS ALL TELEPHONE PAGING SERVICE SHOULD BE BACK TO NORMAL WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. PANAMSAT SAYS IT HAS SWITCHED COMMUNICATIONS TO ANOTHER SATELLITE AND PAGERS SHOULD OPERATE NORMALLY ONCE LOCAL GROUND ANTENNAS ARE ADJUSTED. ONE OF THE FIRM'S SATELLITES WENT OUT OF ORDER TUESDAY EVENING, CUTTING PAGING SERVICES TO MILLIONS OF AMERICANS.(SIGNED) NEB/Y/BA/LSF
22-May-98 5:04 PM EDT (2104 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] NORTHERN IRELAND VOTE BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (BELFAST)

INTRO: VOTERS IN BRITISH-RULED NORTHERN IRELAND AND IN THE IRISH REPUBLIC ARE CASTING BALLOTS (TODAY/FRIDAY) ON A PEACE ACCORD THAT THEIR POLITICAL LEADERS REACHED LAST MONTH. IN THIS REPORT FROM BELFAST, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA SAMPLED SOME OF THE VOTER REACTION.

TEXT: ALL THE MAJOR NEWSPAPERS HERE SUPPORT THE AGREEMENT AND ARE URGING PEOPLE TO VOTE "YES." THE PRO-BRITISH -- OR "UNIONIST" "BELFAST NEWSLETTER" PROCLAIMS IN A BANNER HEADLINE: "SAY YES AND SAY IT LOUD!" THE PRO-NATIONALIST "IRISH NEWS" SAYS A VOTE FOR THE AGREEMENT WILL "GIVE EVERYONE A CHANCE TO START TRUSTING EACH OTHER."

RECENT PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS HAVE INDICATED A MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE HERE FAVOR THE AGREEMENT -- BUT THE KEY QUESTION IS BY WHAT MARGIN WILL THE ACCORD BE APPROVED?

MOST PRO-IRISH NATIONALISTS FAVOR THE AGREEMENT, BECAUSE IT GIVES THEM THE HOPE OF A UNITED IRELAND SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE. BUT THE UNIONIST -- ELECTORATE IS DIVIDED.

BELFAST'S PROTESTANT SHANKILL ROAD HAS BEEN THE SCENE OF SOME OF THE WORST BOMBINGS AND TERRORIST ACTS IN THE LONG AND BLOODY HISTORY OF NORTHERN IRELAND. A BRIEF SAMPLING OF VOTERS HERE ON REFERENDUM DAY INDICATES THERE IS A STRONG YEARNING FOR PEACE -- AND THAT YEARNING IS BEING TRANSLATED INTO A "YES" VOTE.

A SHORT WALK FROM THE SHANKILL ROAD IN THIS DIVIDED CITY IS THE FALLS ROAD SECTION OF NATIONALIST BELFAST. REPUBLICAN ROOTS ARE VERY STRONG HERE, AND A UNITED IRELAND IS VERY MUCH ON PEOPLE'S MINDS. BUT WHETHER OR NOT THE AGREEMENT ACHIEVES THAT GOAL, THE YEARNING ON THE CATHOLIC FALLS ROAD IS THE SAME AS THE YEARNING ON THE PROTESTANT SHANKILL -- NAMELY, PEACE.

AND IF MR. BLAIR IS PREPARED NOW TO GO OUT OF HIS WAY TO APPEASE UNIONISM, WHAT HE WILL BE PREPARED TO DO IN SIX MONTHS TIME OR A YEARS TIME?

IRONICALLY, THIS PROTESTANT RESIDENT OF BELFAST HAS REJECTED THE AGREEMENT FOR A DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED VIEW. HE SAYS THAT MR. BLAIR HAS GIVEN IN TO NATIONALIST DEMANDS.

I HAVE VOTED "NO" BECAUSE I DO NOT TRUST THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. I BELIEVE THAT THEY MAY CHANGE THE GOALPOSTS IN THE FUTURE AND THEY HAVE CAVED IN TO THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, THEY HAVE GIVEN SINN FEIN - I-R-A EXACTLY EVERYTHING THEY WANT.

EVERYONE HERE HAS QUALMS ABOUT THE AGREEMENT. BORN OUT OF COMPROMISE, IT HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE -- AND IT HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE TO CRITICIZE. BUT AS ONE BELFAST RESIDENT SAID: IT IS THE BEST CHANCE WE HAVE RIGHT NOW TO BEGIN BUILDING THE FRAMEWORK FOR A LASTING PEACE. THE QUESTION IS, WILL WE TAKE THAT CHANCE AND TAKE A GIANT LEAP INTO THE UNKNOWN? (SIGNED)
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22-May-98 2:25 PM EDT (1825 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] TURKEY / POLIO (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: IN TURKEY, THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION THIS WEEK LAUNCHED THE SECOND PHASE OF A NATIONWIDE VACCINATION CAMPAIGN TO ERADICATE THE CRIPPLING DISEASE POLIO. AMBERIN ZAMAN SPOKE TO THE W-H-O'S TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE IN ANKARA AND FILED THIS REPORT.

TEXT: DR. HANNU VUORI SAYS THE CAMPAIGN TO ERADICATE POLIO IN TURKEY IS PART OF A WORLDWIDE CAMPAIGN TO ERADICATE POLIO BY THE YEAR 2000. HE SAYS THE W-H-O -- IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S EDUCATION FUND, UNICEF, AND ROTARY INTERNATIONAL -- IS SEEKING TO DUPLICATE THE SUCCESS THE UNITED NATIONS ENJOYED IN ERADICATING SMALLPOX. THERE HAVE BEEN NO CASES OF SMALLPOX REPORTED SINCE 1978 -- THIS, AFTER THE W-H-O LED A SUSTAINED WORLDWIDE VACCINATION CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE DISEASE.

DR. VUORI SAYS TURKEY IS A VERY IMPORTANT COUNTRY IN TERMS OF POLIO ERADICATION BECAUSE OF ITS GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION AT THE CROSSROADS OF EUROPE, THE MIDDLE EAST, THE BALKANS AND THE CAUCASUS.

TURKEY IS ACTUALLY A VERY CRUCIAL COUNTRY FOR THE SUCCESS OF THIS CAMPAIGN IN THE EUROPEAN REGION AND THE NEAR EAST BECAUSE TURKEY HAS HAD SOME CASES (OF POLIO). LAST SUMMER THERE WAS A SMALL EPIDEMIC IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. SO WE PUT A LOT OF EMPHASIS ON TURKEY.

DR. VUORI SAYS AT LEAST SIX CHILDREN CONTRACTED THE DISEASE IN TURKEY'S SOUTHEASTERN PROVINCE OF MARDIN LAST SUMMER -- A MARKED INCREASE OVER JUST TWO CASES REPORTED THE YEAR BEFORE.

MOST REGIONS IN TURKEY HAVE A VERY GOOD ROUTINE COVERAGE AGAINST POLIO. NINETY, NINETY-FIVE PERCENT MAYBE. BUT THERE ARE AREAS WHERE THE COVERAGE IS MUCH LOWER -- MAYBE AS LOW AS 35 PERCENT. WHICH DOESN'T GIVE SUFFICIENT COVERAGE. AND THOSE AREAS ARE MOSTLY IN THE SOUTHEAST.

THERE ARE AT LEAST THREE REASONS. THE FIRST ONE IS THAT SOME OF THE AREAS ARE SIMPLY GEOGRAPHICALLY AND NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE MOUNTAIN AREAS. SECONDLY, THERE IS THE SECURITY SITUATION WHICH MAKES SOME OF THE AREAS INACCESSIBLE. AND FINALLY THOSE AREAS BORDER COUNTRIES THAT HAVE A POLIO PROBLEM.

ACCORDING TO DR. HANNU VUORI, THESE COUNTRIES ARE IRAN, IRAQ AND SYRIA. //END OPT//

MANY AID WORKERS AGREE THAT THE 14-YEAR-LONG ARMED CAMPAIGN BY REBELS OF THE SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY FOR SELF RULE IN TURKEY'S MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEASTERN PROVINCES HAS AGGRAVATED HEALTH PROBLEMS IN REGION. THE LACK OF SECURITY MEANS THAT DOCTORS CANNOT OPERATE FREELY IN THE SOUTHEAST.

ACCORDING TO THE ANKARA-BASED HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION, AN ESTIMATED THREE MILLION KURDISH VILLAGERS HAVE BEEN DISPLACED BY THE FIGHTING AND NOW LIVE IN APPALLING CONDITIONS IN SHANTY TOWNS THAT HAVE SPRUNG UP ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF MAJOR CITIES IN THE SOUTHEAST. THE W-H-O'S DR. VUORI SAYS THE LACK OF ADEQUATE SEWAGE TREATMENT, CLEAN WATER AND OTHER BASIC FACILITIES IN THE SHANTY TOWNS MAKE THEM ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO THE THREAT OF POLIO. (SIGNED)
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22-May-98 11:08 AM EDT (1508 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] TURKEY ARRESTS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKISH POLICE ON FRIDAY ARRESTED FIVE PEOPLE SUSPECTED OF THE SHOOTING OF ONE OF TURKEY'S LEADING HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNERS. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, THE SUSPECTS INCLUDE A TURKISH SOLDIER.

TEXT: TURKISH PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ ANNOUNCED THE ARREST FRIDAY OF TWO GUNMEN AND THREE OTHER PEOPLE BELIEVED TO BE INVOLVED IN THE ATTACK AGAINST TURKISH HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN AKIN BIRDAL.

MR. BIRDAL WAS CRITICALLY WOUNDED AT THE ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS IN ANKARA ON MAY 12TH AFTER TWO UNIDENTIFIED GUNMEN BURST INTO HIS OFFICE AND SPRAYED HIM WITH BULLETS. AT LEAST 14 BULLETS HIT MR. BIRDAL, TWO OF WHICH WERE LODGED IN HIS CHEST. MR. BIRDAL IS STILL UNDERGOING TREATMENT AT AN ANKARA HOSPITAL.

POLICE OFFICIALS SAID THE SUSPECTS WERE FORMER MEMBERS OF AN EXTREME RIGHT WING NATIONALIST GROUP. THEY DID NOT IDENTIFY THE GROUP. BUT ACCORDING TO POLICE OFFICIALS, ONE OF THE SUSPECTS IS A SOLDIER WHO ALLEGEDLY WORKED FOR A NOTORIOUS HIT MAN MAHMUT YILDIRIM. AUTHORITIES BELIEVE HE CARRIED OUT THE MURDERS OF SCORES OF KURDISH ACTIVISTS AND JOURNALISTS SEEN AS ENEMIES OF THE STATE.

MR. BIRDAL -- A STAUNCH DEFENDER OF TURKEY'S ETHNIC KURDS -- HAS BEEN FREQUENTLY ACCUSED BY STATE OFFICIALS OF BEING A SYMPATHIZER OF THE OUTLAWED "KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY," THE "P-K-K." THEY'VE BEEN WAGING A 14-YEAR-LONG ARMED CAMPAIGN FOR SELF RULE FOR TURKEY'S ESTIMATED 12-MILLION KURDS. MR. BIRDAL DENIES THE CHARGES.

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