Voice of America, 98-07-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO / MONEY BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

[02] KOSOVO MONITORS (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

[03] TURKEY / ISLAM / WIGS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[04] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

[05] NY ECON WRAP (S&L) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

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

[01] KOSOVO / MONEY BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS LIVING IN WESTERN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA HAVE FOR SOME TIME BEEN SENDING MONEY TO HELP BUILD AND SUSTAIN ETHNIC ALBANIAN INSTITUTIONS IN KOSOVO. BUT NOW, WITH THE RISE OF A GUERRILLA INSURGENCY AIMED AT OUSTING KOSOVO'S SERBIAN RULERS, MUCH OF THAT MONEY IS NOW GOING TO THE REBELS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM KOSOVO.

TEXT: KOSOVO IS THE POOREST PART OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. THERE IS LITTLE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, AND UNEMPLOYMENT IS HIGH. BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL SITUATION HERE, AS WELL AS THE BATTERED ECONOMY, MANY ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAVE LEFT. PERHAPS 500-THOUSAND KOSOVO ALBANIANS LIVE IN THE WEST -- IN AMERICA, SCANDINAVIA, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, AND ELSEWHERE -- AND THEY SEND MONEY HOME TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES AND ALBANIAN INSTITUTIONS IN KOSOVO.

THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS OF KOSOVO HAVE AN ELECTED, BUT UNRECOGNIZED GOVERNMENT OF WHAT THEY CALL THE "REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO," PLUS A UNIVERSITY, SCHOOLS, AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS. THE BULK OF THE MONEY HAS COME FROM KOSOVO ALBANIANS ABROAD.

A YEAR OR SO AGO, 60 PERCENT OF THE BUDGET CAME FROM THOSE ABROAD. BUT AN ECONOMICS ADVISOR TO SHADOW PRESIDENT IBRAHIM RUGOVA, FATMIR REXEPI, SAYS TAXES COLLECTED BY THE SHADOW GOVERNMENT ON LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE DECREASING BECAUSE OF KOSOVO'S ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES. SO HE SAYS ETHNIC ALBANIAN INSTITUTIONS HERE ARE INCREASINGLY RELYING ON THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE DIASPORA.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THAT FUNDING IS DRYING UP AS THE DIASPORA SHIFTS ITS SUPPORT TO THE REBELS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY BY SENDING MONEY TO VARIOUS FUNDS THAT FUNNEL THE MONEY TO THE REBELS.

REPORTER ARDAIN ARIFAJ OF THE ALBANIAN LANGUAGE "KOHA DITORE" (DAILY) NEWSPAPER HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE STORY.

IT'S, I DON'T KNOW, I WOULD SAY PERHAPS 100 PERCENT THINGS HAVE CHANGED. THEY ARE NOT PAYING THE GOVERNMENT OF KOSOVO AT ALL. ALL THE MONEY THAT THEY PAY GOES TO THIS FUND, "FATHERLAND IS CALLING," OR ANY OTHER FUND. OR EVEN THEY DO COLLECT CASH MONEY AT DIFFERENT MEETINGS. SO ALL THE MONEY GOES TO U-C-K.

THE U-C-K IS THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY.

BECAUSE OF AN UNDEVELOPED BANKING SYSTEM AND NOW INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS, GETTING MONEY INTO KOSOVO TO HELP THE REBELS IS A BIT OF A PROBLEM. SOMETIMES CASH IS CARRIED IN, SOMETIMES IT IS USED TO BUY WEAPONS ABROAD, WHICH ARE THEN SMUGGLED IN.

THE POPULARITY OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY IS SURE TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON CIVILIAN INSTITUTIONS THAT HAVE IN THE PAST BEEN RECEIVING MONEY FROM ABROAD. NINETY PERCENT OF THE BUDGET OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN SHADOW GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS A UNIVERSITY AND SCHOOL SYSTEM. IT IS SUMMER NOW HERE IN KOSOVO, AND THE SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED. BUT EDUCATORS ARE ALREADY WORRIED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN STUDENTS RETURN IN THE FALL. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/JWH
09-Jul-98 11:13 AM EDT (1513 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO MONITORS (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: DIPLOMATIC OBSERVERS FROM FIVE COUNTRIES THURSDAY BEGAN REGULAR INSPECTION VISITS IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA.

TEXT: DIPLOMATS FROM THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIA, BRITAIN, BELGIUM AND THE NETHERLANDS TRAVELLED TOGETHER IN THE FIRST WORKING VISIT BY THE NEW INTERNATIONAL OBSERVER MISSION.

THIS GROUP INCLUDED MILITARY ATTACHES WHO ARE EXPERTS IN ASSESSING THE SECURITY SITUATION IN KOSOVO, WHERE SEPARATIST ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS HAVE BEEN BATTLING POLICE AND ARMY TROOPS.

U-S STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAID THE DIPLOMATS ARE IN KOSOVO TO OBSERVE, NOT TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS. BUT HE ADDED THAT THE VERY PRESENCE OF THE OBSERVERS WILL, IN HIS WORDS, "HOPEFULLY DETER PEOPLE FROM DOING WHAT THEY MIGHT OTHERWISE DO IF THEY WERE NOT GOING TO BE OBSERVED."

THE PROGRAM WAS INAUGURATED MONDAY IN A CEREMONIAL CARAVAN THAT INCLUDED AMBASSADORS AND ABOUT 100 JOURNALISTS. THE REGULAR WORKING TRIPS OF THE OBSERVER MISSION HAVE A MUCH LOWER PROFILE.

DIPLOMATS IN THE OBSERVER MISSION ARE ALL ACCREDITED TO BELGRADE. EMBASSIES ARE ADDING A TOTAL OF ABOUT 100 PEOPLE TO STAFF THE NEW PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM CAME OUT OF A MEETING BETWEEN YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN IN MOSCOW LAST MONTH.

VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO HAS CLAIMED MORE THAN 350 LIVES THIS YEAR, AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CIVILIANS HAVE BEEN DISPLACED FROM THEIR HOMES, MANY FLEEING OVER THE BORDER TO ALBANIA OR MACEDONIA.

INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO END THE VIOLENCE HAVE HAD LITTLE EFFECT. THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA -- MEETING WEDNESDAY -- CALLED FOR A CEASEFIRE AND AN END TO WEAPONS SHIPMENTS AND FUNDING FOR THE REBELS. AND NATO HAS PREPARED CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR MILITARY ACTION AGAINST SERB FORCES, SHOULD IT BE NECESSARY. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/JWH
09-Jul-98 2:28 PM EDT (1828 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] TURKEY / ISLAM / WIGS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: THE CONTINUING BATTLE BETWEEN ISLAMIST AND PRO-SECULAR TURKS HAS TAKEN A NEW TURN, WITH A GROWING NUMBER OF RELIGIOUS WOMEN WEARING WIGS TO GET AROUND THE GOVERNMENT'S BAN ON ISLAMIC HEADSCARVES IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS AND OFFICES. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS WIG SALES IN TURKEY ARE BOOMING.

TEXT: UNAL ARSLAN, WHO SELLS WIGS IN ANKARA'S MAIN KIZILAY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, SAYS SALES PICKED UP EARLIER THIS YEAR AFTER AUTHORITIES ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD STRICTLY ENFORCE THE FREQUENTLY IGNORED BAN ON HEADSCARVES IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS AND OFFICES

MR. ARSLAN SAYS THAT IN HIS 32-YEARS IN THE BUSINESS, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME HE SOLD WIGS TO COVERED WOMEN. HE SAYS THE MAJORITY PREFER NYLON WIGS BECAUSE HUMAN HAIR IS CONSIDERED UNISLAMIC.

ONE YOUNG WOMAN WHO SAID SHE WAS TOO SCARED TO BE INTERVIEWED ON TAPE EXPLAINED WEARING A WIG IS THE ONLY WAY SHE COULD KEEP HER JOB AS A TEACHER IN A STATE-RUN PRIMARY SCHOOL WITHOUT VIOLATING THE RULES OF THE ISLAMIC HOLY BOOK, "THE KORAN". THE YOUNG WOMAN WAS INTERVIEWED AT THE ANKARA HEADQUARTERS OF THE PRO-ISLAMIC ORGANIZATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOLIDARITY FOR OPPRESSED PEOPLE, "MAZLUMDER".

SHE SAID ACCORDING TO "THE KORAN", ALL WOMEN MUST COVER THEMSELVES IN THE PRESENCE OF MEN. SHE SAID SHE MADE THE DECISION TO WEAR A WIG AFTER MUCH SOUL-SEARCHING. THE ALTERNATIVES -- TO EITHER TAKE OFF HER HEADSCARF OR TO QUIT HER JOB -- HAD SEEMED UNBEARABLE. THE WOMAN SAID SHE KNEW AT LEAST 10 OTHER WOMEN AT A TEACHER TRAINING COURSE SHE WAS ATTENDING WHO ALSO WORE WIGS AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE HEADSCARF.

FOUR OTHER TEACHERS WHO ALSO REFUSED TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES TOLD V-O-A THEY HAD LOST THEIR JOBS AT A PRIVATE SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO TAKE OFF THEIR HEADSCARVES. THEY SAID THEIR FAITH WAS ULTIMATELY MORE IMPORTANT TO THEM THAN THEIR JOBS.

ALL EXPRESSED ANGER AT THE GOVERNMENT FOR ENFORCING THE BAN WHICH THEY DESCRIBED AS A VIOLATION OF THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS. THEY SAID THEY HAD FILED A COURT CASE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT, BUT THEY HAD LITTLE HOPE OF RETURNING TO WORK.

THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS HAVE TAKEN TO THE STREETS IN RECENT MONTHS TO PROTEST THE BAN ON THE HEADSCARF, WHICH HAS EMERGED AS THE RALLYING POINT FOR RELIGIOUSLY CONSERVATIVE TURKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BUT THERE IS LITTLE SYMPATHY AMONG TURKEY'S PRO-WESTERN ELITE, AND ESPECIALLY FROM WOMEN WHO VIEW THE HEADSCARF AS A SYMBOL OF OPPRESSION RATHER THAN AN EXPRESSION OF PIETY. MANY FELT VINDICATED AFTER A PRO-ISLAMIC MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT (RAMAZAN YENIDEDE) EARLIER THIS MONTH DESCRIBED UNCOVERED WOMEN AS -- IMMORAL PROSTITUTES.

ANALYSTS SAY THE HEADSCARF BAN IS IN LINE WITH A MILITARY-BACKED CRACKDOWN ON TURKEY'S RESURGENT ISLAMIST MOVEMENT. THE ARMED FORCES ARE OFTEN CONSIDERED THE CUSTODIANS OF THE SECULAR REPUBLIC FOUNDED BY KEMAL ATATURK 75-YEARS AGO. THEY CONTINUE TO IDENTIFY ISLAMIC EXTREMISM AS THE MAJOR SECURITY THREAT FACING THE COUNTRY.

LAST MONTH, THE MILITARY PURGED A RECORD 164 OFFICERS ACCUSED OF FUNDAMENTALIST LINKS. "MAZLUMDER" CHAIRMAN YILMAZ ENSAROGLU SAYS MANY OF THE EXPELLED OFFICERS ARE MARRIED TO COVERED WOMEN.

HE SAYS THE MILITARY IS KEEPING UP PRESSURE ON TURKEY'S CONSERVATIVE PRIME MINISTER, MESUT YILMAZ, TO PUSH THROUGH DRAFT LEGISLATION AIMED AT CURBING ISLAMIC RADICALISM. THE MEASURES INCLUDE A LAW THAT WOULD ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO DISMISS OFFICIALS ACCUSED OF ISLAMIC MILITANCY AND BANNING THEM FROM PUBLIC SERVICE FOR GOOD. BUT, CRITICS SAY MR. YILMAZ APPEARS INCREASINGLY UNWILLING TO YIELD TO SUCH PRESSURE -- NOT LEAST OUT OF FEAR OF ALIENATING CONSERVATIVE VOTERS AHEAD OF EARLY GENERAL ELECTIONS WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HELD NEXT APRIL.

RECENT OPINION POLLS SHOW THE PRO-ISLAMIC "VIRTUE" PARTY, FORMED AFTER ITS PREDECESSOR THE "WELFARE" PARTY WAS BANNED BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT LAST JANUARY, REMAINS TURKEY'S MOST POPULAR MOVEMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/RAE
09-Jul-98 11:39 AM EDT (1539 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES FELL IN TRADING THURSDAY IN EUROPE. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: EUROPE'S MAJOR MARKETS ALL ROSE TO RECORD OR NEAR-RECORD LEVELS EARLY IN THE DAY. BUT THE TREND WAS REVERSED AFTER WALL STREET OPENED SHARPLY OFF. AND THE EUROPEAN MARKETS ALL ENDED THE DAY ON THE DOWN SIDE. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX ROSE AFTER THE BANK OF ENGLAND DECIDED NOT TO RAISE INTEREST RATES. BUT IT THEN FELL BACK, CLOSING DOWN 40 POINTS, ALMOST SEVEN-TENTHS PERCENT. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX ROSE TO A RECORD HIGH, BUT THEN FELL, ENDING DOWN 21 POINTS, ONE-HALF PERCENT.

AND IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX INDEX ALSO HIT A NEW HIGH, BUT FINISHED OFF 18 POINTS, THREE-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR ROSE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND, THE GERMAN MARK, AND THE JAPANESE YEN. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWH/PLM
09-Jul-98 1:42 PM EDT (1742 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] NY ECON WRAP (S&L) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

INTRO: BLUE CHIP (LEADING COMPANY) STOCKS CLOSED SHARPLY LOWER IN NEW YORK TODAY (THURSDAY), BUT INTERNET STOCKS LED THE TECHNOLOGY-HEAVY NASDAQ INDEX TO A NEW HIGH. V-O-A'S JOE CHAPMAN REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED DOWN 85 POINTS AT NINE-THOUSAND-90, ALMOST ONE PERCENT, WHILE THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX WAS OFF EIGHT POINTS AT 11-HUNDRED-59.

INTERNET STOCKS, LED BY YAHOO, THE INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE COMPANY, PUSHED THE NASDAQ EXCHANGE UP ALMOST FIVE POINTS TO CLOSE AT 1940, A NEW RECORD.

ANALYSTS SAY THE SELLOFF FOR THE BLUE CHIP DOW JONES INDUSTRIALS RESULTED FROM A WARNING FROM DUPONT, A COMPONENT OF THE 30 STOCK AVERAGE, THAT ITS PROFITS WILL NOT MEET EXPECTATIONS. SEARS, THE BIG RETAIL CHAIN, FELL THREE PERCENT.

TWO OIL COMPONENTS OF THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIALS, CHEVRON AND EXXON, MOVED DOWN WITH OTHER OIL STOCKS AFTER ANALYSTS PREDICTED THE EXTENDED SLIDE IN OIL PRICES WILL REDUCE PROFITS. THE DOLLAR STRENGTHENED AGAINST THE YEN ON SKEPTICISM ABOUT JAPAN'S ECONOMIC REFORM PROGRAM.

ANALYST DAVID HORNER SAYS THE QUARTERLY EARNINGS REPORTED SO FAR AND OTHER ECONOMIC DATA SUGGEST A SLOWING OF THE U-S ECONOMY. BUT HE ADDS THE ECONOMY COULD NOT SUSTAIN ITS EARLIER GROWTH LEVELS. MR. HORNER SAYS EVEN THE ASIAN CRISIS HAS NOT REALLY AFFECTED THE FUNDAMENTAL STRENGTH OF THE AMERICAN ECONOMY.

I THINK THE ECONOMY HAS SLOWED A BIT IN THE SECOND QUARTER FROM THE FIRST QUARTER. I MEAN, YOU REALLY COULDN'T KEEP UP THAT TORRID PACE. BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE UNDERLYING DEMAND, THE RISING REAL INCOMES IN THE U-S, OUR ECONOMY IS STILL VERY WELL UNDERPINNED EVEN IF SOMEWHAT NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THE SLOWDOWN IN ASIAN GROWTH.

MR. HORNER SAYS THE U-S STOCK MARKET APPEARS TO BE IN A TRADING RANGE. HE BELIEVES IT LIKELY THAT INTEREST RATES ON LONG TERM BONDS COULD DROP BY AS MUCH AS THREE-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT DURING THE NEXT 30 DAYS OR SO.

MOST ANALYSTS BELIEVE STOCK TRADING WILL BE VOLATILE FOR ABOUT A WEEK AS COMPANIES CONTINUE TO REPORT SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/JMC/LSF
09-Jul-98 4:46 PM EDT (2046 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE DEATH OF NIGERIA'S LEADING CIVILIAN POLITICIAN, MOSHOOD ABIOLA, OF A HEART ATTACK WHILE STILL IN CUSTODY, IS A LEADING EDITORIAL TOPIC IN THE U-S PRESS THIS THURSDAY.

EDITORIAL COLUMNS ALSO CONTAIN COMMENTS ON A NEW COURT RULING COMPELLING SECRET SERVICE AGENTS TO TESTIFY AS TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PRIVATE BEHAVIOR IN THE WHITE HOUSE, AS PART OF THE MONICA LEWINSKY INVESTIGATION. THERE ARE ALSO THOUGHTS ABOUT THE TENSION IN NORTHERN IRELAND; THE ALLEGED U-S "CODDLING" OF THE CONGO'S LAURENT KABILA; AND A PENDING TRIP FOR THE U-S PRESIDENT TO MOSCOW. NOW, HERE IS _______________ WITH SOME QUOTES AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE EXPRESSING CONCERN FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE OF NIGERIA, NOW THAT THE WEST AFRICAN NATION'S JAILED, SHOULD-HAVE-BEEN PRESIDENT, MOSHOOD ABIOLA HAS DIED OF A HEART ATTACK. ONE OF THEM IS "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES," WHICH SAYS IN ITS HEADLINE THAT "DEMOCRACY [IS] THE CURE FOR NIGERIA."

VOICE: /// OPT /// NIGERIA, RACKED BY DEADLY RIOTING AFTER THE UNEXPECTED DEATH OF [THE] IMPRISONED OPPOSITION LEADER ... CAN HOPE FOR PEACE AND A TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY ONLY IF THE PRESIDENT, GENERAL ABDULSALAM ABUBAKAR, DELIVERS SWIFTLY ON HIS PROMISES. THESE INCLUDE A POPULAR DEMOCRATIC VOTE ON A NATIONAL LEADER BY OCTOBER FIRST. /// END OPT /// ... ONE MONTH INTO HIS PRESIDENCY, [GENERAL] ABUBAKAR FACES A CRISIS THAT THREATENS THE STABILITY OF THE ENTIRE REGION. TO REASSURE NIGERIANS, AND THE REST OF THE WORLD, HE NEEDS TO IMMEDIATELY RELEASE WITHOUT CONDITION ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS, OUTLINE HOW LONG HIS MILITARY REGIME PLANS TO STAY IN POWER AND EXPLAIN HOW THE GENERALS, INCLUDING THE OLD GUARD LONG KNOWN FOR GREEDY CORRUPTION, INTEND TO BRING ABOUT CIVILIAN AND DEMOCRATIC RULE. HE ALSO NEEDS TO RESTORE THE NATION'S INDEPENDENT PRESS. ... IN DEATH, MOSHOOD ABIOLA HAS BECOME A MARTYR TO DEMOCRACY. HIS LEGACY SHOULD BE A FREE NIGERIA.

TEXT: IN MAINE, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" IS CRITICAL OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR CONTRIBUTING TO MR. ABIOLA'S DEATH.

VOICE: FAMILY MEMBERS REPEATEDLY EXPRESSED CONCERN FOR [CHIEF] ABIOLA'S HEALTH DURING HIS ALMOST TWO YEARS OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT. THEY WERE IGNORED, AND HIS HEALTH CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE. IT IS WITH GOOD REASON THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT OF GENERAL ABDULSALAM ABUBAKAR, SUCCESSOR TO GENERAL SANI ABACHA, THE LATE DICTATOR WHO HAD IMPRISONED [MR.] ABIOLA, IS BEING BLAMED FOR [HIS] ... SUDDEN DEATH /// OPT /// ... THE IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF DEATH MAY WELL HAVE BEEN A HEART ATTACK, BUT THE CONDITIONS OF HIS IMPRISONMENT WERE, AT THE LEAST, A CONTRIBUTING CAUSE. ... /// END OPT /// MASHOOD ABIOLA WILL NOT HAVE DIED IN VAIN IF HIS DEATH FORCES THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH DEMOCRACY AT LAST CAN BECOME A NIGERIAN REALITY.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" WORRIES THAT WITH THE DEATH, "NIGERIA EDGES TOWARD ANARCHY" AS THE EDITORIAL HEADLINE PUTS IT.

VOICE: THE ONLY WAY GENERAL ...ABUBAKAR CAN BRING NIGERIA BACK FROM THE BRINK OF POLITICAL CHAOS IS TO ACT IMMEDIATELY ON HIS PROMISE YESTERDAY TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY. WITH UNREST AND RIOTING ERUPTING, AFRICA'S MOST POPULOUS NATION CANNOT WAIT FOR GENERAL ABUBAKAR TO WEIGH HIS OPTIONS. NIGERIA URGENTLY NEEDS A CIVILIAN TRANSITION GOVERNMENT AND A DATE FOR FREE ELECTIONS. THE DEATH ... OF ... [MR.] ABIOLA ... ERASED ANY TOLERANCE AMONG NIGERIANS FOR A MORE EXTENDED TRANSITION FROM MILITARY RULE. ... IF GENERAL ABUBAKAR TRIES TO RETAIN POWER IN THE WEEKS AHEAD, VIOLENCE MAY ESCALATE ALONG ETHNIC AND REGIONAL LINES. MR. ABIOLA WAS A YORUBA SOUTHERNER, A GROUP TRADITIONALLY SHUT OUT OF NIGERIAN POLITICS, AND HIS JAILERS WERE MAINLY HAUSAS FROM THE NORTH. THAT WOULD BE A CALAMITY FOR NIGERIA.

TEXT: THE MOST POPULAR DOMESTIC TOPIC IS A THREE-JUDGE FEDERAL COURT RULING UPHOLDING AN EARLIER DECISION THAT FORCES SECRET SERVICE AGENTS ON DUTY AT THE WHITE HOUSE TO TESTIFY ABOUT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PERSONAL BEHAVIOR IN THE MONICA LEWINSKY INVESTIGATION. MS. LEWINSKY, A FORMER WHITE HOUSE INTERN, IS BELIEVED TO HAVE HAD A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PRESIDENT, WHICH BOTH HAVE OFFICIALLY DENIED. ABOUT THE RULING, THERE IS CONTROVERSY IN THE PRESS, WITH PAPERS EDITORIALIZING FOR AND AGAINST THE RULING. "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE, FEELS IT IS A MISTAKE.

VOICE: THE RULING BY A THREE-JUDGE PANEL THAT SECRET SERVICE OFFICERS MUST TESTIFY BEFORE A GRAND JURY ABOUT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S MEETINGS WITH MONICA LEWINSKY CRIES OUT FOR THE QUICKEST POSSIBLE REVIEW BY THE SUPREME COURT NEXT TERM. THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD AUTHORIZE THE SECRET SERVICE, A BRANCH OF THE TREASURY, TO APPEAL. THE OPINION ... IS EXEMPLARY AS FAR AS IT GOES. IT HELD THAT THE SECRET SERVICE HAD NOT MADE A GOOD ENOUGH ARGUMENT THAT THE PERSONAL SAFETY OF THE PRESIDENT REQUIRES IT NOT TO SNITCH [INFORM] ON HIM ... BUT MORE IS AT STAKE -- PROPORTIONALITY OR RELATIVE IMPORTANCE. THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED. PRECEDENTS ARE BEING SET.

TEXT: COMMENTING IN FAVOR OF THE RULING, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" CALLS IT -- A FIRM, CORRECT DECISION ADDING:

VOICE: THE ADMINISTRATION IS PONDERING WHETHER TO PURSUE AN APPEAL. THE NATION AND THE PRESIDENCY WOULD BE BETTER SERVED IF THE WHITE HOUSE TOOK ITS UNANIMOUS LEGAL DEFEAT FROM THE OBSTRUCTIONIST MODE THAT HAS NEEDLESSLY PROLONGED KENNETH STARR'S INQUIRY. ... IN DISMISSING THE PRIVILEGE CLAIM, THE APPEALS COURT RECOGNIZED THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN PROTECTING THE PRESIDENT. BUT, ECHOING THE CONCLUSION REACHED BY THE LOWER COURT, THE APPELLATE JUDGES FOUND THE CONCERN THAT A PRESIDENT WOULD BE INCLINED TO DENY HIS AGENTS ADEQUATE PROXIMITY TO BE UNLIKELY IN LIGHT OF THE PRESIDENT'S 'PROFOUND PERSONAL INTEREST IN BEING WELL PROTECTED.'

TEXT: AS REGARDS THE TENSE STANDOFF IN NORTHERN IRELAND BETWEEN PROTESTANT MARCHERS AND THE BRITISH ARMY, WHO ARE NOT ALLOWING THEM TO FINISH A SUNDAY MARCH THROUGH A ROMAN CATHOLIC NEIGHBORHOOD OF PORTADOWN, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" WONDERS:

VOICE: /// OPT /// ...WHETHER THIS SPRING'S PEACE ACCORDS CAN SURVIVE THE ORDEAL. THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN THE PROTESTANT ORANGE ORDER ... CELEBRATES THE VICTORY OF 1690, WHEN [THE PROTESTANT KING OF HOLLAND] WILLIAM OF ORANGE DEFEATED HIS CATHOLIC FATHER-IN-LAW KING JAMES THE SECOND AT THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE [RIVER]. ... NEEDLESS TO SAY, SINCE SOME OF THE PROTESTANT MARCHING ROUTES PASS THROUGH MAJORITY CATHOLIC AREAS, MANY CATHOLICS FIND THE MARCHES OFFENSIVE. ./// END OPT /// ... THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING ALL THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND IS HOW TO MAKE SURE ... THE SPORADIC VIOLENCE OF THE PAST FEW DAYS, ALONG WITH THE CHURCH BURNINGS OF LAST WEEK, DO NOT EVOLVE INTO FULL SCALE VIOLENCE. ... THOUGH A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED, IT IS A FACT OF LIFE THAT LONGSTANDING ENMITY AND HATRED ARE NOT WIPED AWAY WITH THE STROKE OF A PEN.

TEXT: BACK TO AFRICAN AFFAIRS, BRIEFLY, FOR A STRONG CRITICISM OF U-S FOREIGN POLICY TOWARD LAURENT KABILA, SUCCESSOR TO MOBUTU SESE SEKO IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, WHICH USED TO BE CALLED ZAIRE. "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" ACCUSES AMERICA OF "CODDLING KABILA" IN THE WAKE OF A U-N REPORT THAT ACCUSES HIS FORCES OF PROBABLE GENOCIDE IN THE KILLING OF AT LEAST ONE THOUSAND UNARMED HUTU REFUGEES.

VOICE: /// OPT /// EVER SINCE CONGO LEADER LAURENT KABILA SHOT HIS WAY TO POWER LAST SUMMER, U-S OFFICIALS HAVE MOSTLY TOLERATED HIS UNDEMOCRATIC WAYS IN THE HOPE THAT GENTLE NURTURING WOULD PRODUCE AN ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE TO HIS DESPOT PREDECESSOR ... /// END OPT /// IF CONCLUSIONS OF A U-N TEAM ARE ACCURATE, THE U-S POLICY MAKERS HAVE BEEN SUSTAINING A DESPOT [KABILA] MORE ALONG THE LINES OF BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC. ... THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE REPORT'S FINDINGS AND SOON MAY [CALL] ... FOR PROSECUTIONS.

TEXT: IN OUR FINAL EDITORIAL, ABOUT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S JUST-ANNOUNCED TRIP TO MOSCOW IN SEPTEMBER "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS IT MAKES SENSE TO GO EVEN THOUGH THE DUMA HAS FAILED TO RATIFY THE START-TWO STRATEGIC ARMS REDUCTION TREATY, BECAUSE:

VOICE: MR. CLINTON'S DECISION COMES AT ANOTHER MOMENT OF GREAT PERIL FOR RUSSIA'S YOUNG EXPERIMENT IN DEMOCRACY. THIS TIME THE DANGER IS FINANCIAL ... STABILIZING THE RUBLE AND CONTROLLING INFLATION. A REAL RUN ON THE CURRENCY COULD HAVE DIRE CONSEQUENCES, NOT ONLY FOR RUSSIA BUT FOR MANY OF ITS NEIGHBORS ...

TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM SOME OF TODAY'S U-S DAILY PAPERS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
09-Jul-98 11:19 AM EDT (1519 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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