Voice of America, 98-06-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] U-N / KOSOVO VIOLENCE (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

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

[03] MONTENEGRO ELECTION VICTORY (S-CQ) BY PAM TAYLOR (PODGORICA)

[04] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

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

[06] BRITAIN / LORDS REFORM BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[07] AIR FRANCE / STRIKE (L) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[01] U-N / KOSOVO VIOLENCE (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE LEADER OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO, ON A VISIT TO THE UNITED NATIONS (MONDAY), HAS WARNED OF MASSIVE ETHNIC CLEANSING IN THE TROUBLED YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. FROM THE UNITED NATIONS, V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS THE REMARKS COME AMID RENEWED FIGHTING IN KOSOVO.

TEXT: THE VISIT TO THE UNITED NATIONS BY THE LEADER OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO, IBRAHIM RUGOVA, COINCIDED WITH REPORTS OF NEW VIOLENCE BETWEEN SERBIAN POLICE AND THE UNDERGROUND KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD SAYS THE FIGHTING APPEARS TO HAVE TRIGGERED THE LARGEST FLIGHT OF REFUGEES TO DATE.

SERIOUS FIGHTING ERUPTED IN KOSOVO OVER THE WEEKEND. PRELIMINARY REPORTS FROM U-N-H-C-R [HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES] STATE THAT SOME 13-HUNDRED PEOPLE ON SUNDAY FLED INTO TROPOJE IN NORTHERN ALBANIA. THIS IS THE LARGEST SUCH EXODUS TO DATE. WE DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED IN THE LATEST FIGHTING. WE HAVE REPORTS THAT SOME ARE TRAPPED AND CANNOT CROSS THE BORDER.

THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES SAYS THE FIGHTING INVOLVED HEAVY SHELLING BY SERB POLICE INTO ALBANIAN TERRITORY. THE UNITED NATIONS IS RUSHING RELIEF SUPPLIES TO THE NEW REFUGEE POPULATIONS.

MR. RUGOVA -- WHO DESCRIBES HIMSELF AS PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO -- DISCUSSED THE VIOLENCE IN A MEETING WITH U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN. SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, MR. RUGOVA SAID THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO IS DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT AND WARNED THAT IT COULD WORSEN.

THAT IS WHY I HAVE BEEN PRESSING FOR PREVENTIVE ACTION TO PREVENT AN EVENTUAL MASSACRE AND MASSIVE ETHNIC CLEANSING.

MR. RUGOVA CALLED FOR INDEPENDENCE FOR KOSOVO. BUT HE SAID MOST IMPORTANT IS TO FIND AN INTERIM SOLUTION TO STOP THE VIOLENCE NOW UNDERWAY.

MR. RUGOVA SAID HE URGED THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL TO ESTABLISH A SPECIAL HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE IN KOSOVO. THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO THE REQUEST.

YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES BLAME ETHNIC ALBANIAN TERRORISTS FOR THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. ALBANIANS SAY SERB POLICE, MOTIVATED BY ETHNIC RIVALRY, ARE BEHIND THE UNREST. IN MARCH, THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IMPOSED AN ARMS EMBARGO ON YUGOSLAVIA IN AN EFFORT TO STOP THE VIOLENCE FROM SPREADING. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF
01-Jun-98 3:22 PM EDT (1922 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (MONDAY) IN A VOLATILE SESSION. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 89 HUNDRED 22, UP 22 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 90, UP A FRACTION OF ONE POINT.

STOCK PRICES WERE VOLATILE WITH THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINING 70 POINTS, THEN LOSING MORE THAN 30 POINTS BEFORE RECOVERING NEAR THE END OF THE SESSION. SOME TRADERS ARE CAUTIOUS IN ADVANCE OF THE RELEASE OF ECONOMIC STATISTICS, INCLUDING THE MONTHLY EMPLOYMENT REPORT. THERE WAS ALSO WEAKNESS IN MANY TECHNOLOGY STOCKS AFTER THE INTEL COMPANY REPORTED IT WILL DELAY RELEASE OF A NEW MICROPROCESSOR.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS CONSTRUCTION SPENDING IN THE UNITED STATES ROSE EIGHT-TENTHS OF A PERCENT IN APRIL WITH THE BIGGEST GAIN IN SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.

A SURVEY OF AMERICAN CORPORATE PURCHASING MANAGERS SHOWS THE U-S ECONOMY CONTINUES TO EXPAND, ALTHOUGH THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS HAS BEGUN TO REDUCE THE EXPORTS OF U-S GOODS.

THE MONSANTO AND AMERICAN HOME PRODUCTS COMPANIES ARE MERGING IN A DEAL WORTH ABOUT 33 BILLION DOLLARS. THE COMPANIES ARE LEADERS IN PHARMACEUTICAL AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. MONSANTO CHAIRMAN ROBERT SHAPIRO TOLD REPORTERS THE COMBINED COMPANY WILL BE MUCH MORE EFFICIENT.

WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE DELIVER THE PRODUCTS THAT OUR SCIENTISTS INVENT TO CONSUMERS, PATIENTS AND DOCTORS FASTER AND MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN EITHER OF US COULD ALONE.

ANALYSTS SAY THE DEAL WILL ALLOW MONSANTO TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE EXTENSIVE INTERNATIONAL MARKETING OPERATIONS OF AMERICAN HOME PRODUCTS.

THE STANDARD AND POOR'S RESEARCH COMPANY HAS LOWERED ITS CREDIT RATINGS ON PAKISTAN'S LONG AND SHORT-TERM DEBT. THE COMPANY SAYS PAKISTAN FACES A WEAKER EXTERNAL FINANCING PICTURE AFTER ECONOMIC SANCTIONS WERE IMPOSED IN RESPONSE TO PAKISTAN'S RECENT NUCLEAR TESTS.

OIL PRICES DROPPED IN RESPONSE TO UNITED NATIONS APPROVAL OF IRAQ'S PLAN TO SELL MORE OIL TO RAISE MONEY FOR FOOD AND MEDICINE. IRAQ MAY INCREASE ITS OIL EXPORTS TO ONE POINT SEVEN MILLION BARRELS A DAY FROM THE CURRENT ONE POINT SIX MILLION BARRELS.

FANS MAY HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED BUT SOME INVESTORS SEEM ALARMED BY THE RESIGNATION OF GERI HALLIWELL FROM THE BRITISH "SPICE GIRLS" SINGING GROUP. THE STOCK OF THE E-M-I MUSIC COMPANY, WHICH DISTRIBUTES "SPICE GIRLS" RECORDINGS, FELL BY THREE PERCENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF
01-Jun-98 5:05 PM EDT (2105 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] MONTENEGRO ELECTION VICTORY (S-CQ) BY PAM TAYLOR (PODGORICA)

INTRO: IN MONTENEGRO, THE PARTY OF REFORMIST PRESIDENT MILO DJUKANOVIC HAS WON ENOUGH SEATS IN SUNDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS TO MAKE THE CHANGES IN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HE HAS PROMISED. ALTHOUGH THE SMALLER OF THE TWO REMAINING REPUBLICS IN YUGLOSLAVIA, MONTENEGRO SHARES POWER EQUALLY WITH SERBIA IN FEDERAL YUGOSLAV MATTERS. V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS FROM THE MONTENEGRIN CAPITAL, PODGORICA.

TEXT:

THIS IS HOW MONTENEGRINS CELEBRATE EVERYTHING, FROM WEDDINGS TO WINNING ELECTIONS. TODAY (MONDAY) THEY ARE LITERALLY SINGING AND DANCING IN THE STREETS OF PODGORICA. ACCORDING TO THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION, WITH ONLY 74 PERCENT OF THE VOTES COUNTED, THE REFORMIST DJUKANOVIC CANDIDATES HAVE ALREADY WON 50 PERCENT OF THE VOTE, WHICH WOULD GIVE THEM MORE THAN HALF OF THE SEATS IN (MONTENEGRO'S) PARLIAMENT.

CANDIDATES SUPPORTING MOMIR BULATOVIC, THE PROTEGE OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, HAVE WON 39 PERCENT. WITH AN EARLY COUNT LIKE THAT, NO ONE HERE IS WAITING FOR THE OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS TO BE ANNOUNCED ON TUESDAY. THE VICTORIOUS MR. DJUKANOVIC TOLD JUBILANT SUPPORTERS THE FIRST BATTLE HAS BEEN WON IN THE FIGHT FOR A DEMOCRATIC YUGOSLAVIA. MR. BULATOVIC LEFT ON AN EARLY PLANE FOR BELGRADE.

THE QUESTION NOW IS HOW WILL PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC REACT TO THIS FIRST SERIOUS CHALLENGE TO HIS POWER IN A DECADE OF NEAR- ABSOLUTE RULE. (SIGNED) NEB/PAM/CB-T/WTW/MMK
01-Jun-98 8:36 AM EDT (1236 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE EXPLOSION OF YET ANOTHER NUCLEAR DEVICE BY PAKISTAN LATE LAST WEEK AGAIN FOCUSED THE ATTENTION OF AMERICAN EDITORIALS WRITERS ON THE ESCALATING ARMS RACE IN THE SUB CONTINENT. OTHER TOPICS IN MONDAY'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS INCLUDE: THE POST-SUHARTO ERA IN INDONESIA; A NEW, DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED LEADER IN THE PHILIPPINES; THE CURRENCY CRISIS IN RUSSIA AND WHAT TO DO WITH THE PROJECTED BUDGET SURPLUS. NOW, HERE IS __________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: IN CONNECTICUT, "THE HARTFORD CURRENT'S" LEAD EDITORIAL IS ENTITLED "INSANITY IN INDIA; PAKISTAN' AND SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: THERE SHOULD BE NO JOY WHEN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES, NURSING TERRITORIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL GRIEVANCES AGAINST EACH OTHER, EQUIP THEIR MISSILES WITH NUCLEAR WARHEADS. THE GOVERNMENTS OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN HAVE MADE THE WORLD A FAR MORE DANGEROUS PLACE AS A RESULT OF THEIR RECKLESS DECISIONS. THEY DESERVE THE INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPOSED. ....... IT IS TOO LATE TO ASK THE TWO GOVERNMENTS TO UNDO THE DAMAGE DONE BY THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION. BUT THEY SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO CONTAIN IT BY DECLARING AN IMMEDIATE MORATORIUM ON TESTING, AS ALL THE OTHER NUCLEAR NATIONS HAVE DONE. ///OPT /// .......WHAT IS ESPECIALLY TRAGIC ABOUT THE DARK EVENTS OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS IS THAT INDIA AND PAKISTAN HAVE DESTITUTE POPULATIONS. MOST PEOPLE IN THE TWO COUNTRIES ARE ILLITERATE AND HAVE NO ELECTRICITY AND PLUMBING IN THEIR HOMES AND LACK EVEN A CONCRETE FLOOR. HUNGER AND DISEASE ARE ENDEMIC. YET THEY HAVE NUCLEAR BOMBS. WHAT A DEBASEMENT OF DECENT HUMAN VALUES! /// END OPT ///

TEXT: "NEWSDAY" EXPRESSES THE WORRY THAT THE PREDOMINANTLY MUSLIM INDIAN PROVINCE OF KASHMIR, OVER WHICH THE TWO NATIONS HAVE FOUGHT PAST WARS, HAS NOW BECOME "A NUCLEAR TINDERBOX."

VOICE: THE QUESTION IS NO LONGER WHETHER THERE IS A NUCLEAR ARMS RACE IN THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT. THE ISSUE NOW IS WHETHER THERE IS ANY WAY TO HALT IT OR SLOW IT DOWN BEFORE INDIA AND PAKISTAN 'WEAPONIZE' THE NUCLEAR DEVICES THEY HAVE TESTED ....... THE TWO NATIONS ..... MUST BE PERSUADED TO SUSPEND THEIR RUSH TO ARM, BEFORE THE DISPUTE OVER THE CONTESTED REGION OF KASHMIR LEADS TO A NUCLEAR WAR. ...../// OPT /// ... THE PRESENT NIGHTMARE'S VERY EXISTENCE IS DISMAL PROOF OF HOW LITTLE CLOUT AND LEVERAGE WASHINGTON AND OTHER MAJOR POWERS POSSESS IN THIS BRAVE NEW NUCLEAR WORLD. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: ON ANOTHER SUBJECT IN ASIA THAT IS DRAWING INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION, INDONESIA, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" LOOKS AT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ARMED FORCES IN THE SUHARTO ERA.

VOICE: BY COMPELLING PRESIDENT SUHARTO TO RESIGN, INDONESIA'S MILITARY LEADERS SERVED THEIR SELF-INTEREST. ALTHOUGH MR. SUHARTO HAD LONG BEEN THEIR PATRON, FORCING HIM TO QUIT DEFUSED MOUNTING POPULAR ANGER AND TEMPORARILY SHIELDED INDONESIA'S BROADER POLITICAL ORDER, INCLUDING THE MILITARY'S OWN POWER AND PRIVILEGES. NOW MILITARY LEADERS ARE CALLED ON TO DO SOMETHING FAR HARDER. THEY MUST GIVE NEW POLITICAL FORCES A CHANCE TO SWEEP AWAY MUCH OF THE SUHARTO SYSTEM IN AN ORDERLY AND DEMOCRATIC FASHION.

TEXT: STILL IN ASIAN AFFAIRS, "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE CELEBRATES A DEMOCRACY THAT COULD FREELY ELECT THREE PRESIDENTS IN A ROW, AFTER A DESPOT, BUT STILL WONDERS ABOUT THE CREDENTIALS OF THE PHILIPPINES NEW PRESIDENT, A FORMER CINEMA STAR.

VOICE: HE LOOKS LIKE THE WRONG MAN IN THE WRONG JOB AT THE WRONG TIME, BUT THAT'S DEMOCRACY. VICE PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA, ELECTED TO A SIX-YEAR TERM AS PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES, IS THE BENEFICIARY OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PAST TWO PRESIDENTS ...... CORAZON AQUINO ... AND .... GENERAL FIDEL RAMOS..... THE TIMES CALL FOR BUILDING ON THE PHILIPPINES' RECENT ECONOMIC GROWTH AND COMPARATIVELY MILD CASE OF 'ASIAN FLU.' MR. ESTRADA ADMITS TO A DIM GRASP OF ECONOMICS. WHERE MR. RAMOS WAS A WORKAHOLIC, MR. ESTRADA IS REPUTEDLY LAZY. HE IS A RABBLE-ROUSER FOR THE POOR, ONE SECRET OF HIS POPULARITY. /// OPT /// BUT HIS BUDDIES ARE SUPER-RICH ENTREPRENEURS, /// END OPT /// AND HE HAS NO PROGRAM TO MATCH HIS RHETORIC. ///OPT /// MR. ESTRADA HAS JUST WON HIS GREATEST ROLE. HE OWES IT TO THE FILIPINOS WHO GAVE IT TO HIM NOT TO BLOW IT [FAIL]. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: AROUND THE WORLD NOW, TO THE RUSSIAN CURRENCY CRISIS AND THE CURRENCY SPECULATORS ATTACK ON THE RUBLE, "THE SUN" HAS THIS TO SAY.

VOICE: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS ... YELTSIN HAS TEMPORARILY STOPPED THE RUBLE'S FREE FALL, BUT EVEN A GENEROUS BAILOUT FROM THE WEST WON'T BE SUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN THE RUSSIAN CURRENCY FOR LONG. UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT BEGINS TO BALANCE ITS BUDGET AND STARTS COLLECTING TAXES, NO AMOUNT OF EXTERNAL SHORING UP WILL PREVENT THE RUBEL'S DEVALUATION.

FOREIGN INVESTORS AND SPECULATORS ARE NOT IMPRESSED WITH RHETORIC. UNLESS THE COUNTRY DEMONSTRATES IT CAN LIVE WITHIN ITS MEANS, THE RUBLE MAY HAVE YET TO SEE THE BOTTOM.

TEXT: IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND QUESTIONS U-S CHINA POLICY AS IT PONDERS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S IMMINENT TRIP TO CHINA.

VOICE: EVER SINCE RICHARD NIXON WENT TO CHINA IN 1972, AMERICAN POLICY TOWARD ASIA'S GIANT POWER HAS BEEN GUIDED BY THE IDEA THAT ENGAGEMENT IS BETTER THAN CONTAINMENT. SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO SEE WHY. IN PURSUING ENGAGEMENT WITH CHINA, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS MANAGED TO GET ITSELF TARRED IN A CAMPAIGN FINANCE SCANDAL, A MILITARY CONFRONTATION IN THE STRAIT OF TAIWAN AND A TRADE RELATIONSHIP THAT SEEMS TILTED TOWARD CHINA. NOW THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS WANT [MR.] CLINTON TO DELAY OR CANCEL HIS PLANNED TRIP TO CHINA .... BECAUSE THEY SAY HE MAY PURSUE AN UNWISE POLICY OF ALLOWING TOO MUCH TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER. IF THE OBJECT OF ENGAGING CHINA IS TO MODERATE THAT COUNTRY'S TOTALITARIAN AND AGGRESSIVE TENDENCIES, THE WHOLE POLICY OUGHT TO COME IN FOR ANOTHER LOOK [REEVALUATION AND POSSIBLE REVISION]. CHINA REMAINS INTRANSIGENT ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT DIVIDE IT FROM THE WEST, AND IS RAPIDLY BUILDING ITS MILITARY CAPABILITY. THAT'S NOT PROGRESS. IF [PRESIDENT] CLINTON WANTS THE POLICY TO SUCCEED, HE NEEDS TO COME HOME IN JUNE WITH EVIDENCE THAT IT BENEFITS SOMEONE OTHER THAN CHINA.

TEXT: "THE MIAMI HERALD" IS SUGGESTING WHAT THE NATION SHOULD DO WITH ITS PROJECTED BUDGET SURPLUS, NOW EXPECTED TO RUN INTO ALMOST 40-BILLION-DOLLARS.

VOICE: .... ISN'T IT TIME ... THE PRESIDENT REVIVED HIS IDEA OF INVESTING IN PEOPLE? REMEMBER THOSE HEADY DAYS WHEN CANDIDATE CLINTON TALKED OF 'PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST'? ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE COUNTRY WAS UNDERGOING VAST ECONOMIC CHANGES, HE PROPOSED TO SPEND 50-BILLION ANNUALLY TO TRAIN AND RETRAIN PEOPLE FOR THE WORK FORCE. IT WAS A SENSIBLE PLAN THEN, AND IT MAKES EVEN MORE SENSE TODAY AS AMERICAN WAGE EARNERS TRY TO COPE WITH NEW TECHNOLOGIES THAT MAKE THEIR SKILLS OBSOLETE AND A GLOBAL ECONOMY THAT CONSIDERS THEM EXPENDABLE. ..... IN TODAY'S BUSINESS WORLD, EMPLOYMENT SECURITY IS MEASURED BY JOB SKILLS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE THOSE SKILLS. FOR TOO MANY AMERICANS, THOSE OPPORTUNITIES ARE UNAVAILABLE OR LIMITED. THAT MUST CHANGE IF AMERICA IS TO CONTINUE TO PROSPER.

TEXT: LASTLY, SOME THOUGHTS FROM "USA TODAY" ABOUT VETERAN REPUBLICAN SENATOR AND ONE-TIME PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BARRY GOLDWATER, WHO DIED IN HIS BELOVED ARIZONA FRIDAY.

VOICE: BARRY GOLDWATER, HAILED AS THE FATHER OF MODERN CONSERVATISM, WAS IN FACT THE STAND-BEARER OF AN INDIVIDUALISTIC PHILOSOPHY AS OLD AS THE COUNTRY. AND LIKE MANY WHO HAVE SPARKED POLITICAL MOVEMENTS, HE LIVED TO SEE HIS BRAND OF AMERICANISM TURNED UPSIDE DOWN BY SOME WHO CLAIMED TO BE HIS HEIRS. ..... BARRY GOLDWATER KNEW THAT LIBERTY WAS INDIVISIBLE. DEMANDING IT FOR YOURSELF REQUIRES RESPECTING THE LIBERTIES OF OTHERS, EVEN WHEN THAT CAN BE DISTASTEFUL. FOR REMINDING US OF THAT HE DESERVES THE THANKS OF CONSERVATIVES, MODERATES AND LIBERALS AS WELL.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUED THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF TODAY'S U-S PAPERS.
NEB/ANG/WFR
01-Jun-98 11:07 AM EDT (1507 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: WHILE MOST EUROPEAN MARKETS MONDAY WERE CLOSED FOR A HOLIDAY, THOSE BOURSES WHICH DID TRADE SAW OVERALL PRICES FALL. VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH HAS MORE FROM LONDON.

TEXT: MARKETS WERE CLOSED FOR A HOLIDAY MONDAY IN FRANKFURT AND PARIS, AND ALSO ON THE SMALLER AMSTERDAM AND ZURICH MARKETS. BUT HERE IN LONDON, TRADE ON THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 STOCK INDEX SAW SHARE PRICES FALL, WITH THE FOOTSIE CLOSING DOWN 33 POINTS -- A VALUE LOSS OF ABOUT ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT.

DEPRESSED PRICES ON OTHER WORLD STOCK MARKETS WAS CITED AS THE KEY FACTOR FOR THE LONDON DECLINE. THE ONLY OTHER EUROPEAN STOCK MARKET TRADING MONDAY WAS MILAN. SHARES ON ITALY'S KEY STOCK INDEX LOST MORE THAN A PERCENT AND A HALF IN VALUE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/WFR
01-Jun-98 2:22 PM EDT (1822 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] BRITAIN / LORDS REFORM BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITAIN'S RULING LABOR GOVERNMENT HAS MADE IT A PRIORITY TO REFORM THE PARLIAMENT'S UPPER CHAMBER -- THE HOUSE OF LORDS. IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA SAYS ONE BRITISH RESEARCH ORGANIZATION HAS PROPOSED A REFORM BASED ON ATHENIAN DEMOCRACY.

TEXT: THE UPPER HOUSE OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT -- THE HOUSE OF LORDS -- DOES NOT HAVE GREAT POWERS. IT IS MAINLY RESPONSIBLE FOR REVISING LAWS PRESENTED TO ITS MEMBERS BY THE POPULARLY-ELECTED HOUSE OF COMMONS, PARLIAMENT'S LOWER HOUSE.

BRITAIN HAS TWO KINDS OF LORDS: ABOUT ONE-THOUSAND WITH HEREDITARY TITLES WHO ARE THERE BECAUSE OF THEIR ARISTOCRATIC BIRTH, AND ABOUT 400 LIFE PEERS -- THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN NAMED "LORDS" BY A PRIME MINISTER TO REWARD THEM FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS.

BRITAIN'S CURRENT PRIME MINISTER, TONY BLAIR, HAS PROPOSED TO REMOVE ALL HEREDITARY PEERS FROM THE HOUSE OF LORDS -- AND A GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE IS LOOKING AT VARIOUS PROPOSALS. ABOLISHING HEREDITARY PEERS WOULD MEAN THE UPPER CHAMBER WILL BE ENTIRELY MADE UP OF LORDS APPOINTED BY THE PRIME MINISTER.

CONSTITUTIONAL EXPERT ANTHONY BARNETT.

EVERYBODY IS NOW SAYING, WELL, THAT IS ALL VERY WELL, BUT YOU CAN NOT JUST HAVE A SECOND CHAMBER DECIDING LEGISLATION WHICH IS IN THE POCKET OF PRIME MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS. SO THEY (THE GOVERNMENT) ARE NOW LOOKING AT DIFFERENT WAYS OF MAKING THE UPPER CHAMBER MORE DEMOCRATIC.

MR. BARNETT HAS JUST WRITTEN A REPORT FOR BRITAIN'S LEFT-OF-CENTER "DEMOS" RESEARCH ORGANIZATION, LOOKING AT WAYS TO MAKE THE UPPER HOUSE MORE DEMOCRATIC.

MR. BARNETT ADVOCATES A TYPE OF POPULAR DEMOCRACY USED EFFECTIVELY IN ANCIENT GREECE. FOR SEVERAL CENTURIES, ATHENS WAS RULED IN PART BY ABOUT 200 CITIZENS SELECTED RANDOMLY BY A HAND-POWERED LOTTERY MACHINE.

... AND I THOUGHT, WELL, IF THEY COULD DO IT, WE COULD DO IT. AND FROM THAT CAME THIS IDEA OF SELECTING THE HOUSE OF LORDS -- THE UPPER CHAMBER -- HAVING MOST OF ITS PEOPLE SELECTED BY LOT, BUT ON A REGIONAL, PROPORTIONAL BASIS, AND HAVING 50 PERCENT WOMEN AND 50 PERCENT MEN.

MR. BARNETT SEES A REFORMED HOUSE OF LORDS MADE UP OF ABOUT 600 TO 700 MEMBERS. THEY WOULD BE RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM VARIOUS REGIONS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND THEIR NAMES WOULD COME FROM LISTS OF REGISTERED VOTERS.

ONCE IN THE UPPER CHAMBER, MR. BARNETT SAYS A SMALLER GROUP WILL BE CHOSEN TO FOLLOW SPECIFIC LEGISLATION.

FOR EACH PIECE OF LEGISLATION, FOR EACH LAW THAT WE ARE GOING TO PASS, WE ARE GOING TO SELECT FROM A LARGER POOL -- 70 OR 80 PEOPLE -- WHO OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR, WILL TRACK AND CONSIDER THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION IN THE WAY QUITE LIKE A JURY IN A TRIAL. SO IT WILL NOT BECOME A FULL-TIME JOB THAT LASTS FOR YEARS AND THEY WILL NOT START TO BECOME POMPOUS AND EVERYTHING. BUT THEY WILL DO THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THEIR PIECE OF PUBLIC DUTY BY FOLLOWING ONE PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

ANTHONY BARNETT BELIEVES BRINGING IN ORDINARY PEOPLE INTO THE PARLIAMENTARY PROCESS CAN ONLY STRENGTHEN THE DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IN BRITAIN. HE SAYS ORDINARY CITIZENS WILL THUS HAVE A STAKE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS AND WILL NOT BE AT THE MERCY OF PROFESSIONAL POLITICIANS -- MANY OF WHOM HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF BEING OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE BRITISH PUBLIC. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF/WFR
01-Jun-98 12:30 PM EDT (1630 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] AIR FRANCE / STRIKE (L) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: A STRIKE BY AIR FRANCE PILOTS IS THREATENING THE SMOOTH OPERATION OF THE WORLD CUP SOCCER TOURNAMENT. JULIAN NUNDY IN PARIS REPORTS THE PILOTS ARE STRIKING OVER MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS TO REPLACE PART OF THEIR SALARY WITH STOCK.

TEXT: THE STATE-OWNED AIR FRANCE AIRLINE EXPECTED TO CARRY AROUND 100-THOUSAND PASSENGERS MONDAY, THE LAST DAY OF THE THREE-DAY WHITSUN WEEKEND.

BUT THE AIRLINE WAS FORCED TO GROUND NEARLY ALL OF ITS FLIGHTS BECAUSE PILOTS' UNIONS, WHO ARE ANGRY AT THE PROPOSED NEW PAY DEAL, CALLED THEIR MEMBERS OUT ON STRIKE.

AIR FRANCE HAS CANCELED ITS FLIGHTS THROUGH THURSDAY, BUT THE PILOTS' UNION STRIKE NOTICE IS FOR TWO WEEKS -- IN OTHER WORDS, FOR FIVE DAYS AFTER THE WORLD CUP SOCCER TOURNAMENT OPENS NEXT WEEK -- AND IT IS RENEWABLE.

THIS MEANS THAT AIR FRANCE, WHICH HAS PAINTED 32 OF ITS AIRCRAFT WITH HUGE FIGURES OF SOCCER PLAYERS FROM ALL THE PARTICIPATING NATIONS, FACES THE PROSPECT OF SEEING ITS FLEET GROUNDED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD CUP FESTIVAL.

THE PILOTS ARE PROTESTING AN OFFER TO EXCHANGE 15 PERCENT OF SALARY FOR STOCK IN THE AIRLINE. THEY SAY THIS AMOUNTS TO A LOSS OF TWO MONTHS' SALARY A YEAR.

AIR FRANCE PILOTS ARE AMONG THE BEST-PAID PILOTS IN EUROPE. THEIR AVERAGE SALARY IS JUST OVER 120-THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR. SENIOR CAPTAINS FLYING LONG-DISTANCE ROUTES CAN EXPECT TO EARN MORE THAN 160-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

AIR FRANCE, ALTHOUGH IT IS NOW SHOWING AN OPERATING PROFIT, HAS HAD TO RELY ON HUGE STATE SUBSIDIES TO SURVIVE IN RECENT YEARS. THE MANAGEMENT SAYS IT NEEDS TO CUT SALARY COSTS AS PART OF AN OVERALL PACKAGE TO MAKE THE AIRLINE VIABLE.

THE FRENCH ARE REACTING WITH PARTICULAR ANGER TO THE PILOTS' STRIKE, A TACTIC THAT THE MEDIA SAY AMOUNTS TO "TAKING THE WORLD CUP HOSTAGE".

FRENCH TRUCK DRIVERS, WHO HAVE BROUGHT FRANCE TO A VIRTUAL HALT SEVERAL TIMES IN THE 1990'S, ALSO COULD HAVE CAUSED HAVOC. BUT THEY VOTED LAST WEEK NOT TO STAGE ANY STRIKE ACTION UNTIL THE WORLD CUP AND FRANCE'S SUMMER TOURIST SEASON ARE OVER.

AIR FRANCE HAS PROMISED TO USE NON-STRIKING CREWS TO BRING WORLD CUP TEAMS INTO FRANCE. BUT IT SAYS IT CANNOT GUARANTEE THE TRANSPORT OF THE THOUSANDS OF FANS. IN THE MEANTIME, THE FRENCH STATE RAILROAD IS PLANNING NO FEWER THAN 200 EXTRA HIGH-SPEED TRAINS EVERY DAY TO FERRY SUPPORTERS ROUND THE COUNTRY. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/JWH
01-Jun-98 11:49 AM EDT (1549 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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