Voice of America, 98-06-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO FIGHTING (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[02] AMNESTY KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY CHRISTINE FURNELL (LONDON)

[03] U-N-H-C-R / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[04] U-S/KOSOVO(L-ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[05] NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY CQ BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[06] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY KEVIN LYNCH (LONDON)

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

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

[09] U-S / NATO EXPANSION (L) BY JOE SUMMERS (WASHINGTON)

[10] U-S/NATO/BOSNIA (L ONLY) BY JOE SUMMERS (WASHINGTON)

[01] KOSOVO FIGHTING (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: SERBIAN FORCES IN KOSOVO PROVINCE (TODAY) TUESDAY CONTINUED AN OFFENSIVE AIMED AT REGAINING CONTROL OF A STRATEGIC COAL MINING TOWN FROM ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLA FORCES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS FOLLOWING THE SITUATION FROM OUR NEWS BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: SERB FORCES USED HEAVY WEAPONS FOR THE SECOND DAY AS THEY TRIED TO RETAKE THE TOWN OF BELACEVAC, WHOSE COAL MINE SUPPLIES NEARBY ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANTS. REBELS OF THE SEPARATIST KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY TOOK OVER THE TOWN LAST WEEK. IT'S LOCATED ONLY ABOUT 10-KILOMETERS FROM THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA -- THE CLOSEST THE ACTION HAS COME SINCE THE UPSURGE IN VIOLENCE THREE MONTHS AGO.

THE SERB OFFENSIVE HAS DRIVEN MANY RESIDENTS OF THE AREA FROM THEIR HOMES, ADDING TO THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES ALREADY DISPLACED IN KOSOVO. SOME 300 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE FIGHTING, MOST OF THEM ETHNIC ALBANIAN CIVILIANS. THE REBELS WANT AN INDEPENDENT KOSOVO, BUT BELGRADE INSISTS THE PROVINCE MUST REMAIN PART OF SERBIA -- A POSITION SUPPORTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS HAVE INTENSIFIED IN RECENT DAYS, INCLUDING FOR THE FIRST TIME DIRECT TALKS BETWEEN THE REBELS AND AMERICAN NEGOTIATORS. NATO IS DEVELOPING CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR POSSIBLE AIR STRIKES IF THE NEGOTIATIONS FAIL. MEANWHILE, THE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL HAS CRITICIZED SERB FORCES AND THE REBELS FOR DELIBERATELY TARGETING CIVILIANS, THOUGH IT SAID THE SERBS HAVE BEEN THE WORST OFFENDERS. THE GROUP SAID WAR CRIMES ARE BEING COMMITTED IN KOSOVO AND CALLED FOR AN INDEPENDENT HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORING MISSION THERE. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/KL
30-Jun-98 1:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] AMNESTY KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY CHRISTINE FURNELL (LONDON)

INTRO: THE HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL HAS CONDEMNED BOTH SIDES OF THE KOSOVO CONFLICT ACCUSING SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS OF COMMITTING SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES. AS VOA'S CHRISTINE FURNELL REPORTS FROM LONDON, THE ORGANIZATION IS CALLING FOR INTERNATIONAL MONITORS TO BE SENT TO THE REGION TO PREVENT AN ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE.

TEXT: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SAYS WAR CRIMES ARE BEING COMMITTED IN KOSOVO, AND EACH DAY THAT PASSES A GREATER NUMBER OF CIVILIANS ARE BECOMING REFUGEES OR ARE FALLING VICTIM TO TORTURE AND DEATH.

AMNESTY SAYS HUNDREDS OF CIVILIANS HAVE DIED AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT UPSURGE IN VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO PROVINCE. AMNESTY RESEARCHER, PAUL MILLER, HAS RECENTLY RETURNED FROM A VISIT TO THE REGION. HE TOLD A NEWS CONFERENCE TUESDAY THAT REFUGEE TESTIMONIES SHOW CLEARLY A PATTERN IN WHICH THE YUGOSLAV ARMY AND THE SERB POLICE USED EXCESSIVE, OFTEN INDISCRIMINATE FORCE AGAINST CIVILIANS.

OFTEN THERE WAS A PATTERN WE SAW IN WHICH THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY CARRIED OUT AN ATTACK ON THE POLICE IN AN AREA AND THEN THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE RESPONSE COMING FROM THE POLICE IN WHICH THEY THEN TARGETTED THE PEOPLE IN THE NEAREST VILLAGES WITHOUT REGARD TO WHO WAS CARRYING ARMS AND WHETHER OR NOT CIVILIANS WERE PRESENT IN THOSE VILLAGES.

MR. MILLER SAYS THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN LARGER-SCALE ASSAULTS BY THE YUGOSLAV ARMY, PARTICULARLY IN WESTERN KOSOVO. REFUGEES TOLD AMNESTY THEY WERE FORCED TO FLEE INTO THE HILLS FROM WHERE THEY SAW THEIR VILLAGES BOMBARDED BY MORTAR FIRE AND ARTILLERY WITH NO REGARD TO ANY CIVILIANS WHO HAD NOT FLED THEIR HOMES. MR. MILLER SAID THE BOMBARDMENTS SEEM TO BE THE FIRST PHASE IN CLEARING THE VILLAGES OF THEIR MALE OCCUPANTS.

IN MANY OF THOSE CASES AFTER THIS SOFTENING UP HAD HAPPENED THROUGH THE ARTILLERY FIRE, THE POLICE THEN STARTED TO MOVE FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE, AROUND THE VILLAGES. IN MANY OF THOSE CASES WE HAVE TESTIMONY OF HOW MEN WERE SEPARATED FROM WOMEN AND SOME OF THOSE MEN WERE REPORTEDLY SUMMARILY EXECUTED ON THE SPOT. IN OTHER CASES THE FATE OF THE MEN IN UNKNOWN, THEY HAVE LITERALLY GONE MISSING OR DISAPPEARED.

ALTHOUGH ETHNIC ALBANIANS, WHO MAKE UP NINETY PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IN KOSOVO, ARE THE MAJORITY OF THE VICTIMS THERE, AMNESTY SAYS SERBS ARE ALSO SUFFERING RIGHTS ABUSES AT THE HANDS OF ARMED ALBANIANS DEMANDING INDEPENDENCE. AN EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE, ACCORDING TO AMNESTY, SEEMS TO BE THE NORM FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE CONFLICT.

CLASHES BETWEEN SERBIAN GOVERNMENT FORCES AND THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, AMNESTY SAYS, HAVE LEFT MORE THAN 300 PEOPLE DEAD AND AN UNKNOWN NUMBER WOUNDED AND MISSING. THE CONFLICT HAS CREATED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES. SOME HAVE FLED TO MONTENEGRO, OTHERS TO NEIGHBORING ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA. AMNESTY SAYS THE YUGOSLAV ARMY BOMBARDMENT OF THE BORDER REGION WITH ALBANIA HAS EFFECTIVELY SEALED THE BORDER TO REFUGEES.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST SEE KOSOVO AS A HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS. IT IS AN ISSUE OF HUMAN LIVES, NOT SIMPLY A THREAT TO REGIONAL SECURITY. AND SCRUTINY OF THAT HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS IS LITERALLY VITAL. OUR ASSESSMENT, BASED ON THE VERY RECENT PRESENCE OF OUR RESEARCHERS IN KOSOVO, IS THAT ONLY THE HIGH LEVEL SCRUTINY GIVEN BY THE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA TO THE CURRENT SITUATION HAS PREVENTED THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE DISPLACED, MISSING, TORTURED OR KILLED FROM ESCALATING MUCH FARTHER.

AMNESTY IS CALLING FOR INDEPENDENT HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS TO BE SENT TO THE REGION, AND THAT THEY RECEIVE UNHINDERED ACCESS TO ALL PARTS OF THE TERRITORY. THE ORGANIZATION SAYS THE MONITORS SHOULD BE ABLE TO RAISE CONCERNS WITH THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES AND INTERVENTION IN URGENT CASES SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN. (SIGNED)
NEB/CEF/KL
30-Jun-98 11:14 AM EDT (1514 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] U-N-H-C-R / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY (U-N-H-C-R) HAS APPEALED TO BOTH SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO TO PERMIT RELIEF SHIPMENTS TO SEVERAL HUNDRED ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO ARE LIVING UNDER PRECARIOUS CONDITIONS IN SOUTHERN YUGOSLAVIA. LISA SCHLEIN REPORTS FROM GENEVA.

TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS IT IS MAKING PREPARATIONS TO TAKE A CONVOY OF HUMANITARIAN RELIEF SUPPLIES THIS WEEK TO ABOUT 300 ETHNIC ALBANIANS TRAPPED IN THE HILLS BETWEEN THE SERBIAN TOWN OF JUNIK AND THE ALBANIAN BORDER.

U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS NEGOTIATIONS TO GET CLEARANCE FOR THE TRIP ARE STILL GOING ON WITH SERBIAN AUTHORITIES AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ALBANIAN COMMUNITY IN KOSOVO.

THIS GROUP IS IN A VERY BAD SHAPE. THE PEOPLE BASICALLY HAVE BEEN ROUGHING IT FOR WEEKS. THEY LIVE IN VERY PROVISIONAL SHELTERS MADE OF BRANCHES, CARDBOARD AND PLASTIC. WHAT WE'LL BE TRYING TO SEND THEM IS HYGIENIC ITEMS, BABY KITS WITH SOME BABY FOOD, GENERAL FOOD, PLASTIC SHEETING AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.

U-N REFUGEE AGENCY WORKERS REACHED JUNIK LAST THURSDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE FIGHTING BROKE OUT BETWEEN YUGOSLAV FORCES AND THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. AID WORKERS DROPPED OFF A FEW RELIEF SUPPLIES IN THE TOWN, BUT WERE NOT ABLE TO GO INTO THE HILLS TO SEE THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO HAVE BEEN DISPLACED BY THE FIGHTING.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THE TRIP TO THE AREA LAST WEEK WAS A TRIAL RUN. HE SAYS THE AGENCY WANTED SEE IF IT COULD REACH THE PEOPLE -- DESPITE SECURITY CONCERNS. HE SAYS IT NOW IS UP TO THOSE WHO CONTROL THE BATTLE LINES TO GIVE U-N AID WORKERS ACCESS TO THE PEOPLE TRAPPED IN THE HILLS.

THE PEOPLE ARE STILL QUITE, IN ADDITION TO BEING EXHAUSTED AND BASICALLY IN A VERY DIFFICULT POSITION, THEY ARE AFRAID TO GO BACK TO THEIR VILLAGES WHICH THEY SAY THEY FLED UNDER FIRE AND THEY ARE AFRAID OF GOING BACK TO AREAS WHERE THERE ARE STILL SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THE REFUGEE AGENCY IS NOT THINKING OF MOVING THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS OUT OF THE AREA. HE POINTS OUT THE UNITED NATIONS CANNOT AND WILL NOT TAKE THEM ANYWHERE AGAINST THEIR WILL. AND, ALTHOUGH MANY MIGHT LIKE TO GO TO ALBANIA, HE SAYS THAT IS OUT OF THE QUESTION FOR THE TIME BEING. (SIGNED)
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30-Jun-98 2:25 PM EDT (1825 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] U-S/KOSOVO(L-ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS CONTINUING INTENSIVE DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITY AIMED AT ENDING THE FIGHTING IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. A SENIOR AMERICAN OFFICIAL SAYS CONTACTS WITH THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY WILL CONTINUE. VOA'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE.

TEXT: AMERICAN OFFICIALS HAVE HELD AT LEAST TWO MEETINGS IN RECENT DAYS WITH KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY OR K-L-A MEMBERS. AN ENCOUNTER BETWEEN ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOK AND SEVERAL K-L-A FIGHTERS WAS DESCRIBED AS ANTICIPATED, BUT NOT PLANNED. MR. HOLBROOKE TALKED WITH THEM DURING A TOUR OF DAMAGED ALBANIAN VILLAGES IN KOSOVO.

ANOTHER MEETING ON THE POLITICAL LEVEL WAS HELD IN EUROPE BETWEEN AMBASSADOR ROBERT GELBARD AND MEN DESCRIBED AS SENIOR K-L-A POLITICAL WING OFFICIALS.

A SENIOR U-S OFFICIAL SAYS DURING THAT SESSION, THE K-L-A WAS TOLD IT SHOULD AVOID ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS AND JOIN A UNITED NEGOTIATING TEAM UNDER KOSOVO ALBANIAN LEADER IBRIHIM RUGOVA. THE OFFICIAL DESCRIBED HIS MEETING WITH THE K-L-A OFFICIALS AS "POSITIVE".

THE K-L-A CONTROLS A SIZEABLE PART OF KOSOVO, WHICH IS 90 PER- CENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN. IT IS BELIEVED TO HAVE GROWN CONSIDERABLY IN SIZE SINCE SERBIAN SECURITY OFFICIALS BEGAN A CRACKDOWN IN KOSOVO EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THE SENIOR AMERICAN OFFICIAL DEFENDED THE INCLUSION OF THE GUERRILLAS IN EFFORTS TO GET NEGOTIATIONS UNDERWAY ON THE GROUNDS THAT ALL SEGMENTS OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN SOCIETY MUST AGREE FOR ANY SETTLEMENT TO WORK.

THE INTERNATIONAL CONTACT GROUP ON KOSOVO IS TO MEET IN BONN NEXT WEEK. MEANWHILE, OFFICIALS SAY, NATO IS CONTINUING ITS CONTINGENCY PLANNING FOR POSSIBLE MILITARY ACTION.

THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY HAS BEEN FIGHTING AGAINST SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES AND HAS CALLED FOR INDEPENDENCE FOR KOSOVO. KOSOVAR ALBANIAN LEADER RUGOVA ALSO HAS CALLED FOR INDEPENDENCE, THOUGH HE ADVOCATES PEACEFUL MEANS. THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES OPPOSE INDEPENDENCE AND HAVE CALLED FOR ENHANCED AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO. SERBIAN LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ENDED KOSOVO'S AUTONOMY IN 1989.(SIGNED)
30-Jun-98 5:03 PM EDT (2103 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY CQ BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: THE NEW NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY WILL MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME WEDNESDAY AND ELECT ITS FIRST MINISTER -- A POSITION TANTAMOUNT TO THAT OF NORTHERN IRELAND PRIME MINISTER. IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON, CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA ANALYZES THE RESULTS OF THE ASSEMBLY ELECTION AND ASSESSES ITS PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE.

TEXT: THE NEWLY-ELECTED 108-MEMBER NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY REPRESENTS AN IMPORTANT LANDMARK IN THE BRITISH PROVINCE'S SEARCH FOR A LASTING PEACE. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN 25-YEARS, THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RUNNING THEIR OWN AFFAIRS.

EDITOR OF THE PRO-BRITISH, OR UNIONIST, NEWSPAPER "THE BELFAST NEWSLETTER" -- GEOFF MARTIN -- DESCRIBES THE ASSEMBLY AS A COMPREHENSIVE DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTION.

WE HAVE 108 ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES FOR A POPULATION OF ONE-MILLION-AND-A-HALF. NOW TO PUT THAT IN SOME KIND OF PERSPECTIVE, IF THE ELECTIONS OF WESTMINSTER FOR THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT TOOK PLACE ON THE SAME KIND OF HEAD COUNT BASIS (PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION), THERE WOULD BE SOMETHING LIKE THREE-AND-A-HALF-THOUSAND MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. IN FACT THERE ARE AROUND 680 -- SO IT SHOWS YOU HOW WELL STOCKED THIS PARLIAMENT IN NORTHERN IRELAND IS.

IT WAS NO SURPRISE THAT THE TWO PARTIES WHICH RECEIVED THE MOST VOTES WERE THOSE WITH THE LARGEST FOLLOWING -- THE PRO-BRITISH 'ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY' AND THE PRO-IRISH NATIONALIST 'SOCIAL, DEMOCRATIC AND LABOUR PARTY.'

THE STRONG SHOWING OF SINN FEIN -- THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY -- WAS A SURPRISE. IT HAD ITS BEST SHOWING EVER IN A NORTHERN IRELAND ELECTION -- RECEIVING ABOUT 18-PERCENT OF THE VOTES CAST.

DEPUTY EDITOR OF PRO-NATIONALIST BELFAST "IRISH NEWS" NOEL DORAN SAYS SINN FEIN'S STRONG SHOWING PUTS PRESSURE ON PARTY LEADERS GERRY ADAMS AND MARTIN MCGUINNESS, WHO BOTH WERE ELECTED TO THE NEW ASSEMBLY.

THERE WILL BE DIFFICULTIES FOR THEM IN THE MONTHS AHEAD BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY INSTEAD OF BEING FRINGE FIGURES, THEY ARE NOW AT THE CENTER OF THE (POLITICAL) PROCESS AND WILL HAVE TO GET USED TO THE TYPE OF COMPROMISES AND ACCOMMODATIONS AND UNSATISFACTORY OUTCOMES TO DEBATE THAT ALL POLITICIANS, IN ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD HAVE TO FACE UP TO. THEY CAN NO LONGER STAY ON THE SIDELINES AND SAY, "OUR MINIMUM DEMANDS ARE 'A', 'B' AND 'C'." THEY WILL HAVE TO INEVITABLY BECOME INVOLVED IN A SERIES OF COMPROMISES AS PART OF THEIR ROLE IN GOVERNMENT. SO THAT WILL BE A CHALLENGE FOR THEM, BUT IT DOES LOOK AT THIS STAGE THAT THEY ARE IN FULL CONTROL OF THE REPUBLICAN MOVEMENT.

THE NEW ASSEMBLY WILL HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH ISSUES AS AGRICULTURE, HEALTH, AND EDUCATION WHICH HAVE BEEN UP TO NOW RUN FROM THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT IN LONDON. ALSO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN 25 YEARS, NORTHERN IRELAND POLITICIANS WILL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER, IN ONE FORUM, DECIDING THE KEY ISSUES AFFECTING THE DAILY LIVES OF THEIR COUNTRYMEN.

GEOFF MARTIN FROM "THE BELFAST NEWSLETTER" SAYS THAT WILL BE A DIFFICULT TASK.

PEOPLE HERE WILL BE LOOKING TO SEE WHAT OUR POLITICIANS ARE MADE OF -- AND THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO EITHER SHOW THAT THEY CAN ENTER INTO THE WORLD OF REAL POLITICS OR PROVE THAT THEY ARE SIMPLY REACTIONARY PARTIES WHO ARE LOST WHEN THEY HAVE REAL DECISIONS AND A REAL RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE.

MR. MARTIN AND MR. DORAN BELIEVE THE ASSEMBLY WILL GIVE POLITICIANS A CHANCE TO SLOWLY STRIP AWAY THE YEARS OF MISTRUST AND SECTARIAN HATRED THAT HAVE PLAGUED NORTHERN IRELAND. THEY SAY EVERYONE IN NORTHERN IRELAND HAS A STAKE TO MAKE THE ASSEMBLY WORK AND BRING THE BRITISH PROVINCE TO A BRIGHTER AND MORE PEACEFUL FUTURE. (SIGNED)
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30-Jun-98 11:52 AM EDT (1552 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY KEVIN LYNCH (LONDON)

INTRO: AFTER A STRONG START FOR THE WEEK, ALL THE MAJOR MARKETS IN EUROPE FINISHED ON THE DOWN SIDE TUESDAY. FROM LONDON, KEVIN LYNCH HAS EUROPE'S CLOSING FIGURES.

TEXT: MARKETS IN PARIS AND FRANKFURT FELL TUESDAY, HIT BY PROFIT-TAKING. BUT ANALYSTS SAY ANOTHER FACTOR IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DECLINE: CONTINUED CONCERN ABOUT WHEN JAPAN IS GOING TO GET ITS BANKING SYSTEM IN ORDER. THE TWO FACTORS COMBINED FOR A BAD DAY IN EUROPE.

HERE ARE THE CLOSING QUOTES. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 DROPPED 45-POINTS, A LITTLE MORE THAN ONE-PERCENT. IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX WAS DOWN 92-POINTS, OR ONE-POINT-FIVE-PERCENT. IN LONDON, THE ONLY ONE OF THE BIG THREE MARKETS TO FALL MONDAY, THE FINANCIAL TIMES 100 INDEX FELL FOR THE SECOND DAY IN A ROW, DROPPING 92-POINTS, LESS THAN ONE-PERCENT.

THE PRICE OF GOLD IN LONDON FINISHED AT 296-DOLLARS, 90-CENTS AN OUNCE -- UP THREE-DOLLARS. (SIGNED)
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30-Jun-98 2:37 PM EDT (1837 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 (TUESDAY) IN A VOLATILE SESSION. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 89 HUNDRED 52, DOWN 45 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED 33, DOWN FOUR POINTS.

STOCKS WERE DOWN SHARPLY IN THE MORNING, THEN RECOVERED AND TURNED POSITIVE BRIEFLY BY MID-DAY BEFORE SELLING OFF AGAIN IN THE FINAL HOUR OF TRADING.

A MONTHLY INDEX OF U-S CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IS AT ITS HIGHEST LEVEL IN 30 YEARS. AMERICANS ARE OPTIMISTIC THE JOB MARKET WILL STAY STRONG, A CRITICAL FACTOR IN STIMULATING CONSUMER SPENDING.

GOVERNORS OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK BEGAN A TWO-DAY MEETING BUT THERE IS NO INDICATION THEY WILL RAISE INTEREST RATES. HOWEVER, THE CENTRAL BANK IS WARNING BANK LENDING OFFICERS TO KEEP THEIR CREDIT STANDARDS HIGH IN ORDER TO AVOID BEING STUCK WITH BAD LOANS IF THE U-S ECONOMY WEAKENS IN THE FUTURE.

THE STOCK OF THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY FELL SHARPLY AFTER SEVERAL ANALYSTS REDUCED PROFIT ESTIMATES, CITING WEAK PERFORMANCE BY THEATRICAL MOVIES AND SLOWING SALES IN ASIA.

THE HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION IS SPLITTING ITSELF INTO TWO SEPARATE COMPANIES AND ACQUIRING A THIRD. HILTON WILL FORM TWO COMPANIES, ONE FOR ITS HOTELS AND ONE FOR ITS GAMBLING CASINOS. AT THE SAME TIME, THE GAMBLING UNIT WILL MERGE WITH THE GRAND CASINOS COMPANY. ANALYSTS ARE GENERALLY POSITIVE ABOUT THE MOVE, SAYING THE CURRENT MIX OF HOTEL AND GAMBLING INTERESTS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO PROPERLY VALUE HILTON'S STOCK.

THERE IS GOOD NEWS FOR THE WORLD'S STEEL MAKERS. A UNITED NATIONS REPORT SAYS THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS WILL SUBSTANTIALLY SLOW EXPANSION OF GLOBAL STEEL MAKING CAPACITY AS NEW STEEL PLANTS IN ASIA ARE DELAYED OR CANCELLED. THAT MEANS STEEL MAKERS WILL REAP HIGHER PRICES.

THE PRICE OF MAILING A FIRST CLASS LETTER IN THE UNITED STATES WILL RISE BY ONE PENNY, FROM 32 TO 33 CENTS, EARLY NEXT YEAR. OTHER CLASSES OF MAIL WILL GO UP BY ABOUT THREE PERCENT. OBVIOUSLY, POSTAL CUSTOMERS -- BOTH INDIVIDUAL AND BUSINESS -- ARE NOT PLEASED BY THE NEWS. BUT THE U-S POSTAL SERVICE DOES POINT OUT IT WILL BE THE FIRST RATE INCREASE IN FOUR YEARS.(SIGNED)
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30-Jun-98 5:10 PM EDT (2110 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S FRANK EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON LIVE TELEVISION WITH CHINA'S PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN IS DRAWING COMMENT, OVERWHELMINGLY FAVORABLE, FROM THE U-S PRESS THIS TUESDAY. SOME PAPERS ARE FOCUSING ON OTHER ASPECTS OF THE VISIT, BUT THE CHINA TRIP IS CLEARLY THE DOMINANT TOPIC ACROSS THE NATION.

OTHER SUBJECTS DRAWING EDITORIAL SCRUTINY, AS WE COME TO THE END OF THIS MID-YEAR MONTH OF JUNE, INCLUDE: THE SUPREME COURT TERM-ENDING DECISIONS; THE REPUBLICAN ROLE IN KILLING THE TOBACCO BILL; THE SITUATION AFTER THE SECOND VOTE IN NORTHERN IRELAND: THE INCREDIBLE FIRES IN FLORIDA, AND NEW RESPECT FOR U-F-O'S. NOW, COMING TO OUR MICROPHONE IS ___________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: IN THE MIDWEST, "THE [MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA] STAR TRIBUNE IS PLEASED WITH WHAT IT CALLS "THE DEFTNESS" OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PERFORMANCE ON CHINESE TELEVISION.

VOICE: IF PRESIDENT CLINTON LEAVES CHINA CARRYING NOTHING MORE THAN VIDEOTAPES OF HIS INTERCHANGES WITH PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, HIS TRIP WILL HAVE ACCOMPLISHED MORE THAN ANYONE HAD EXPECTED. // OPT // WHO COULD HAVE IMAGINED THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALLOW LIVE BROADCASTS OF THESE EVENTS THROUGHOUT CHINA -- LET ALONE THAT TIBET'S DALAI LAMA AND A NERVOUS TAIWAN COULD TAKE HEART IN WHAT WAS SAID? // END OPT // ... [MR.] CLINTON CAME OFF -- AT HOME AS ABROAD -- AS A COMMITTED SEEKER OF COMMON GROUND AND A FIRM CONVEYER OF AMERICAN VALUES -- WHO ALSO SIGNALED A SUPERPOWER'S WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN. /// OPT /// ...EVERY TIME [PRESIDENT] CLINTON GOES ABROAD, HE ANNOYS SOME BACK HOME WITH HIS WILLINGNESS TO ACKNOWLEDGE FLAWS IN THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE. YET THE WAY HE DID THIS IN CHINA LENT CREDIBILITY TO HIS STATEMENTS ON INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES AND THE TRADEOFFS CONSCIOUSLY MADE BY AMERICA'S FOUNDERS TO ENSURE THEM. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: HOWEVER, HERE IN WASHINGTON, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES'" COLUMNIST RICHARD GRENIER, CALLING THE TRIP A "VACATION IN CHINA" HAS THIS TO SAY ABOUT THE TELEVISED 'DEBATE.'

VOICE: .... BOTH SIDES MERELY REPEATED FIXED AND EXTREMELY WELL KNOWN POSITIONS. ... IT WOULD NONETHELESS BE WRONG TO CONCLUDE THAT THE CLINTON VISIT IS ESSENTIALLY MEANINGLESS ...

TEXT: IN "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL," A PAPER THAT HAS BEEN UNREMITTINGLY CRITICAL OF PRESIDENT CLINTON, A SURPRISING ASSESSMENT OF HIS TRIP SO FAR.

VOICE: .... WE THINK MR. CLINTON HAS BEEN DOING WELL IN CHINA. DESPITE OUR OWN DOUBTS ABOUT THIS PRESIDENT'S CREDIBILITY ... THERE IS NO DENYING HIS GIFT OF GAB [STRENGTH IN PUBLIC SPEAKING]. AND MR. CLINTON HAS BEEN USING IT TO SHOWCASE AMERICAN POLITICAL PRINCIPLES TO A CHINESE POPULATION THAT RARELY HEARS THEM. THE FACT THAT A NATIONAL TV AUDIENCE COULD SEE MR. CLINTON'S HUMAN RIGHTS EXCHANGE WITH JIANG ZEMIN REDEEMED, IN OUR VIEW, THE WELCOMING CEREMONY IN TIANANMEN SQUARE.

... THE PRESIDENT ALSO DID WELL TO BRING UP THE MISTREATMENT OF TIBET ... NO DOUBT MR. CLINTON WOULD BE A STRONGER ADVOCATE OF U-S PRINCIPLES WITH CHINA IF HE WERE NOT SO COMPROMISED BY THE CAMPAIGN SCANDALS. ... BUT ... WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN SHOWING ... CHINESE ...SO FAR ON THIS TRIP IS THE STRENGTH OF AMERICAN PRINCIPLES.

TEXT: "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" CALLS THE JOURNEY "WORTHWHILE," ADDING:

VOICE: "DESPITE THE GRUMBLINGS OF NAYSAYERS, PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS DELIVERED HARD-HITTING MESSAGES OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO THE CHINESE PEOPLE."

TEXT: ON THE U-S PACIFIC RIM, "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND SAYS OF THE PRESIDENT'S DOMESTIC FOES: ... HE:

VOICE: "DID NOT [UNDERSTOOD BUT NOT WRITTEN: "JUST" ED] OUTPOINT HIS CRITICS BACK HOME. HE KNOCKED THEM OUT. ... CHINA IS A COMPLICATED, CHANGING SOCIETY AND A POWER IN THE WORLD. [MR.] CLINTON RECOGNIZED IT, AND RESPONDED TO IT, BETTER THAN HIS CRITICS HAVE. THE PRESIDENT'S TRIP TO CHINA IS NOT OVER YET, BUT IT ALREADY IS A SUCCESS."

TEXT: TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" LABELS THE TELEVISED DEBATE "EXTRAORDINARY," WHILE "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" SAYS IT WAS: "A GREAT SHOW OF DEMOCRACY." AND IN BALTIMORE, "THE SUN" EXCLAIMS: "PRESIDENT CLINTON IS DOING HIS COUNTRYMEN PROUD IN CHINA."

LASTLY ON THE TRIP, THIS CAUTION FROM "THE WASHINGTON POST" WHICH IS CRITICAL OF THE EXAGGERATED WAY IT SAYS HIS TRAVELING RETINUE IS DESCRIBING THE DEBATE.

VOICE: MR. CLINTON SPOKE CANDIDLY TO THE CHINESE ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS; HIS ADMINISTRATION SHOULD SPEAK JUST AS CANDIDLY TO AMERICANS ABOUT WHAT HAS, AND HASN'T BEEN ACCOMPLISHED IN THE U-S-CHINA RELATIONSHIP."

TEXT: IN OTHER NEWS, THE TERM-ENDING DECISIONS OF THE SUPREME COURT DRAW THESE GENERAL COMMENTS FROM MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" WHICH HAILED THE COURT FOR MANY "PRAGMATIC RULINGS BASED ON THE LAW."

VOICE: THE ... COURT ON FRIDAY CONCLUDED A REMARKABLE TERM. RULING ON A RANGE OF ISSUES FROM SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE TO FUNDING FOR THE ARTS, THE COURT DID A GOOD JOB SORTING THROUGH LEGAL ISSUES, BRINGING A MEASURE OF COMMON SENSE TO ITS OPINIONS. AT TIMES, THE COURT'S NATURAL IDEOLOGICAL SPLIT COULD BE SEEN. ... OFTEN, THOUGH, THE COURT'S RULINGS WERE DRIVEN LESS BY POLITICS AND MORE BY GOOD SENSE."

TEXT: THE DEATH, OR APPARENT DEATH OF TOBACCO CONTROLLING LEGISLATION IN THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED CONGRESS DRAWS THE IRE OF TUESDAY'S "ATLANTA CONSTITUTION," WHICH CALLS THE MOVE THE "G-O-P'S FORMULA FOR FAILURE" IN THE FALL ELECTIONS.

VOICE: HAVING KILLED COMPREHENSIVE TOBACCO-CONTROL LEGISLATION IN THE U-S SENATE, REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS NOW ARE PLOTTING THE DEMISE OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM IN THE HOUSE. BELIEVING THESE MOVES ARE NOT CONNECTED IS LIKE BELIEVING THAT CIGARETTES DO NOT CAUSE CANCER. ... REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE HAVE MADE THE SAME CALCULATION ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM THAT THEIR COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE MADE ON TOBACCO. THEY BELIEVE THAT ...VOTERS ... DO NOT CARE ENOUGH TO GET WORKED UP OVER CONGRESS' FAILURE TO ACT. VOTERS OUGHT TO CARE. MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ... SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE NOT ONLY FOR HOW THEY VOTE,BUT ALSO FOR WHAT INFLUENCES THEIR VOTE.

TEXT: AS FOR DEVELOPMENTS THIS WEEK IN NORTHERN IRELAND, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS THE TWO BIG ONES ARE CRITICAL FOR FURTHERING THE PEACE PROCESS.

VOICE: TOMORROW THE REGION'S NEW ASSEMBLY WILL MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND SUNDAY MARKS THE DATE OF THE MOST EXPLOSIVE OF THE YEARLY PARADES. IN BOTH CASES, A SMALL GROUP OF DETERMINED OPPONENTS CAN THWART THE DESIRE FOR PEACE EXPRESSED BY THE GREAT MAJORITY OF VOTERS. ... WHILE THE PARADE SEASON LOOKS DISHEARTENINGLY FAMILIAR, THE OPENING OF THE NEW ASSEMBLY SHOWS THAT THINGS ARE CHANGING ...

TEXT: IN FIRE-WEARY FLORIDA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" TALKS ABOUT THE POWER OF NATURE VERSUS THE PUNY EFFORTS OF MAN IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL, NOTING:

VOICE: FIRE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN INTEGRAL, REJUVENATING PART OF FLORIDA'S ECOSYSTEMS. YET THE SEARING, 30-FOOT-HIGH WALLS OF FLAME THAT HAVE ENGULFED THE PINE WOODS OF NORTH FLORIDA AND SWEPT THROUGH THE ST. JOHNS VALLEY OF EAST-CENTRAL FLORIDA BURN TOO HOT, TOO LONG, TO BE CONSIDERED BENEVOLENT.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, RESPONDING TO CALLS FROM REPUTABLE SCIENTISTS IN A NEW REPORT ABOUT THE NEED TO CRITICALLY STUDY ACCOUNTS OF UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS OR U-F-OS ... "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS:

VOICE: .... THE PANEL -- COMPOSED OF MEMBERS FROM LEADING UNIVERSITIES LIKE STANFORD, PRINCETON AND CORNELL -- AS COSMICALLY SERIOUS, CONCLUDING THAT 'IT MAY BE VALUABLE TO CAREFULLY EVALUATE U-F-O REPORTS TO EXTRACT INFORMATION ABOUT UNUSUAL PHENOMENA CURRENTLY UNKNOWN TO SCIENCE. ... THEY ARE RIGHTLY CURIOUS ABOUT WHAT MAKES PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE SEEING SOMETHING FROM OUTER SPACE.

TEXT: ON THAT POTENTIALLY INTERPLANETARY NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE EDITORIALS IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
30-Jun-98 11:10 AM EDT (1510 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] U-S / NATO EXPANSION (L) BY JOE SUMMERS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS HE BELIEVES THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS WILL BE RELUCTANT TO APPROVE ADDITIONAL MEMBER-NATIONS IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION IN THE NEAR FUTURE. VOA'S JOE SUMMERS REPORTS THAT THE COMMENT CAME DURING A WASHINGTON MEETING DISCUSSING THE FUTURE OF NATO.

TEXT: THE U-S SENATE VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY TO ADMIT POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC TO NATO. BUT U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS OTHER NATIONS SHOULD NOT BE MISLED BY THE MARGIN OF THE VOTE. HE SAID HE DOES NOT BELIEVE THE UNITED STATES IS EAGER TO PROCEED WITH ANOTHER ROUND OF EXPANSION IN THE NEAR FUTURE. MR. COHEN, A 24-YEAR MEMBER OF THE U-S CONGRESS, WAS ASKED ABOUT NATO EXPANSION AT A FORUM IN WASHINGTON (TUESDAY). HE SAID HE EXPECTS CONGRESS TO KEEP THE DOOR TO NATO MEMBERSHIP OPEN WHILE SETTING HIGH STANDARDS FOR ADMISSION.

THEY WANT INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES TO BE ABLE TO MEASURE UP, TO NOT ONLY BEING CONSUMERS OF SECURITY TO BE PROVIDED BY NATO, BUT ALSO TO BE PRODUCERS AND CONTRIBUTORS.

THE DEFENSE SECRETARY SAYS OPPOSITION TO ENLARGING NATO AGAIN COMES IN SEVERAL FORMS. HE SAID THERE ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT ENLARGING NATO WEAKENS ITS CORE CAPABILITIES. THERE ARE OTHERS THAT ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE IMPACT NATO ENLARGEMENT WOULD HAVE ON FUTURE RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA.

MR. COHEN SAYS PERHAPS THE BIGGEST SEGMENT OF THE OPPOSITION INVOLVES THE COST FACTOR.

THERE WAS FEAR THAT THE MEMBERS WHO WERE COMING INTO NATO WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MEASURE UP TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FULL ARTICLE FIVE DEFENSE CAPABILITIES. AND NUMBER TWO, THAT THE OTHER MEMBERS OF NATO, THE NON U-S MEMBERS, WOULD NOT CONTRIBUTE ENOUGH INTO HELPING TO MODERNIZE THEIR OWN REQUIREMENTS, AND THAT THE UNITED STATES WOULD PAY THE BILL.

MR. COHEN BELIEVES THE AMERICAN CONGRESS WILL HOLD THE DOOR TO NATO MEMBERSHIP OPEN IN THE FUTURE, BUT ONLY AFTER NATO ABSORBS ITS THREE NEW MEMBERS. HE SAID HE BELIEVES AN IMMEDIATE ENLARGEMENT DEBATE WOULD BE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE. (SIGNED)
NEB/EJS/PLM
30-Jun-98 3:51 PM EDT (1951 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] U-S/NATO/BOSNIA (L ONLY) BY JOE SUMMERS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THE PEACEKEEPING EFFORTS OF NATO AND THE WESTERN EUROPEAN UNION IN BOSNIA HAVE PROVEN THAT THE ORGANIZATIONS CAN PROMOTE REGIONAL PEACE AND STABILITY OUTSIDE THEIR OWN BORDERS. MR. COHEN ALSO SAYS THE LESSONS LEARNED BY THE MILITARY UNITS MAKING UP THE STABILIZATION FORCE IN BOSNIA CAN HELP IMPROVE PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN THE FUTURE. VOA'S JOE SUMMERS REPORTS.

TEXT: IN A WASHINGTON SPEECH, DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAID THE SUCCESS OF NATO'S PRESENCE IN BOSNIA IS OBVIOUS. THERE ARE NEW BOSNIAN-SERB LEADERS IN PLACE, A NEW COMMON FLAG FLYING OVER GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND A NEW COMMON CURRENCY -- FACTORS THAT LEAD HIM TO BELIEVE ALL BOSNIANS CAN LIVE AND WORK TOGETHER IN THE FUTURE.

MR. COHEN SPOKE AT A FORUM SPONSORED BY THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTE THAT WAS ATTENDED BY FELLOW NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS. HE REMINDED HIS COLLEAGUES THAT NATO'S WORK IS NOT YET FINISHED. HE SAID UPCOMING ELECTIONS WILL BE CRITICAL IN BOSNIA. HE ADDED THAT THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO IS A STARK REMINDER OF DANGERS PRESENTED BY ETHNIC RIVALRIES IN THE BALKANS.

THE U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY SAID THAT THE SUCCESS ENJOYED BY NATO IN BOSNIA ALSO POINTED OUT DEFFICIENCIES THAT NEED TO BE CORRECTED IN ORDER TO PROMOTE SUCCESS IN THE NEXT CENTURY.

FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID THAT EARLY OPERATIONS IN BOSNIA POINTED OUT THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF UNITS MAKING UP THE STABILIZATION FORCE. THE TROOPS OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES HAD TROUBLE COMMUNICATING WITH EACH OTHER DUE TO INCOMPATIBLE EQUIPMENT.

ANOTHER PROBLEM DISCOVERED BY SENDING NATO TROOPS TO BOSNIA -- FAR REMOVED FROM THEIR HOME BASES -- WAS THE PROBLEM OF KEEPING SUPPLIES FLOWING.

OPERATIONS CAN LAST FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME AND CAN CHALLENGE EVEN THE BEST-PREPARED LOGISTICS PIPELINES. COMMANDERS NEED TO KNOW THAT NOT ONLY THAT WE HAVE EQUIPMENT THAT IS AVAILABLE, WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE IT IS AND WHEN IT'S GOING TO ARRIVE. WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT OUR FORCES ARE BACKED UP BY THE MOST ADVANCED LOGISTICS SUPPLY SYSTEMS AND A SEAMLESS FLOW OF CRITICAL INFORMATION BETWEEN THOSE IN THE SUPPLY LINES AND THE TROOPS WHO ARE ON THE FRONT LINES.

MODERN TECHNOLOGY PRESENTS ANOTHER MAJOR PROBLEM, NOT ONLY FOR NATO FORCES IN THE FUTURE BUT FOR GOVERNMENTS AROUND THE WORLD. DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN SAID THAT THE COMPUTERIZED WORLD IS VULNERABLE TO HIGH-TECHNOLOGY TERRORISTS WHO CAN USE COMPUTERS TO DO HARM.

THE MORE RELIANT WE BECOME UPON COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS, THE MORE VULNERABLE WE BECOME TO SABOTEURS WHO ARE GOING TO CONCEIVE UNLIMITED WAYS TO CRIPPLE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE. OUR POWER GRIDS, OUR BANKING, FINANCIAL, OUR SPACE-BASED COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS -- ALL OF THESE ARE VULNERABLE TO ATTACK BY SABOTEURS.

MR. COHEN WARNED THAT ALLIANCES SUCH AS NATO MUST ALSO BE MINDFUL OF THE DANGERS OF ATTACKS BY GROUPS -- NOT NECESSARILY GOVERNMENTS -- WHO WOULD USE BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS TO DO HARM.

HE SAID THE ANSWER TO COMBATTING THESE FORMS OF TERRORISM -- IN COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION -- MAY LIE IN STEPPING UP INTELLIGENCE EFFORTS. HE SAID GOVERNMENTS AND ALLIANCES SUCH AS NATO WILL BE FORCED TO GATHER MORE INFORMATION IN ORDER TO HEAD OFF THE THREAT OF TERRORISM. (SIGNED)
NEB/EJS/PLM
30-Jun-98 3:21 PM EDT (1921 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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