Voice of America, 98-07-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVAR REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

[02] KOSOVO TALKS (L UPDATE) BY ART CHIMES (BELGRADE)

[03] WORLD REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY DAVID DYAR (WASHINGTON)

[04] SENATE-BOSNIA TROOPS (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[05] TURKEY / POL (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[06] NORTHERN IRELAND BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

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

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

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

[10] WORLD BASKETBALL THURSDAY WRAP (S-ONLY) BY DAVID B. BYRD (ATHENS, GREECE)

[01] KOSOVAR REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AS A RESULT OF THE FIGHTING IN KOSOVO, THE U-N HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES SAYS MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INTERNALLY DISPLACED. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES HAVE FLED TO NEIGHBORING

TEXT: DAVID PHILLIPS, DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROGRAM AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN NEW YORK, SAYS THE HUMAN DIMENSION OF THE FIVE-MONTH-OLD CRISIS IN KOSOVO IS STAGGERING. MOST OF THE HOMELESS, HE SAYS, HAVE BEEN INTERNALLY DISPLACED, IN OTHER WORDS, PEOPLE ON THE MOVE WITHIN THE BORDERS OF A COUNTRY.

TAPE: CUT ONE -- PHILLIPS (0:27) "THERE'S A DISTINCTION TO BE DRAWN BETWEEN THE REFUGEE POPULATION AND THE NUMBER OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS. THE U-N-H-C-R ISSUED A FIGURE INDICATING THAT THERE ARE 263,000 I-D-P'S [INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS] WITHIN KOSOVO ITSELF. SO FAR, THERE ARE APPARENTLY 15,000 TO 20,000 REFUGEES WHO HAVE ENTERED ALBANIA AND 15,000 TO 20,000 WHO HAVE ENTERED MACEDONIA."

TEXT: MR. PHILLIPS SAYS MACEDONIA HAS BEEN PLACED IN A PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT SITUATION AS THE RESULT OF THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO.

TAPE: CUT TWO -- PHILLIPS (0:55) "MACEDONIA HAS DEVELOPED A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE REFUGE FOR THE PERSONS WHO ARE FLEEING THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO. THEY ALSO HAVE ESTABLISHED REFUGEE CORRIDORS. THEY'RE HOPING TO TRANSIT REFUGEES THROUGH MACEDONIA INTO OTHER COUNTRIES. THE OVERALL IMPACT ON MACEDONIA'S SECURITY, HOWEVER, IS SIGNIFICANT. THE ALBANIAN POPULATION IN MACEDONIA HAS SEVERAL GRIEVANCES REGARDING THE HUMAN RIGHTS CONDITIONS THERE. GIVEN WHAT'S HAPPENING ACROSS THE BORDER AND THE CLAN STRUCTURE OF ALBANIAN FAMILIES, THERE'S GREAT ALARM IN MACEDONIA AND A CONSIDERABLE RISK THAT THE CONFLICT COULD SPREAD TO THAT COUNTRY. IT'S BEEN A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER FOR SOME TIME. IT'S PARTICULARLY PROMINENT AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT SETBACKS FOR THE K-L-A IN ORAHOVAC AND THE OCCUPATION OF MALISEVO BY THE SERBIAN FORCES."

TEXT: MORE THAN 20,000 CIVILIANS WHO HAVE FLED FROM KOSOVO TO MONTENEGRO, MR. PHILLIPS SAYS, ARE INCLUDED IN THE FIGURES FOR INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS. THESE DISPLACED PEOPLE, SAYS MR. PHILLIPS, HAVE NOT RECEIVED NEED ASSISTANCE.

TAPE: CUT THREE -- PHILLIPS (0:25) "MONTENEGRO IS LEGALLY A PART OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC [OF YUGOSLAVIA]. I THINK, IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IS NOT REACHING THE I-D-P'S. THE CONVOYS ARE BEING BLOCKED, THE HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS DON'T HAVE ACCESS, FOOD IS BEING USED AS A WEAPON AGAINST THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS. AND IN HUMANITARIAN LAW AND IN MORAL TERMS THIS IS AN UNTENABLE POSITION FOR BELGRADE."

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" REPORTED [THURSDAY, JULY 30] THAT ABOUT 20,000 CIVILIANS WHO FLED [JULY 28] THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN STRONGHOLD OF MALISEVO ARE UNACCOUNTED FOR. THESE ARE PEOPLE, MR. PHILLIPS SAYS, WHO WERE TERRORIZED WHEN YUGOSLAV TROOPS OVERRAN THE TOWN.

TAPE: CUT FOUR -- PHILLIPS (0:14) "THERE ARE AT LEAST 20,000 WHO HAVE JUST DISAPPEARED. THEY'RE PROBABLY LIVING IN THE RUGGED COUNTRYSIDE. MOST OF THOSE PEOPLE APPARENTLY ARE WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND ELDERLY. AND THERE'S GRAVE CONCERN ABOUT THEIR SAFETY AND WELL-BEING."

TAPE: [OPT] BALKAN SPECIALISTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF MASS ATROCITIES ON THE SCALE WITNESSED DURING THE WAR IN BOSNIA, MR. PHILLIPS SAYS.

TAPE: CUT FIVE -- PHILLIPS (0:23) "THERE'S ALWAYS THE POSSIBILITY OF ANOTHER SREBRENICA. SO FAR, TO A GREAT EXTENT THE SERBIAN FORCES HAVE TARGETED MILITARY TARGETS, BUT AT ANY JUNCTURE IT'S POSSIBLE FOR RENEGADE UNITS TO ATTACK CIVILIAN POPULATIONS. AND THERE WOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE AND APPROPRIATE RESPONSE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IF THAT WERE THE CASE." [END OPT]

TEXT: MR. PHILLIPS CAUTIONS THAT THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN KOSOVO IS EXTREMELY VOLATILE.

TAPE: CUT SIX -- PHILLIPS (0:33) "I THINK EVENTS ARE MOVING SO QUICKLY ON THE GROUND THAT WE HAVE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION DAY TO DAY. TRANSATLANTIC COOPERATION BETWEEN THE E-U [EUROPEAN UNION] TROIKA AND THE UNITED STATES IS ESSENTIAL. [OPT] AND I'M PLEASED THAT WITH AUSTRIA AND THE PRESIDENCY OF THE E-U AND THEIR STATE SECRETARY ALBERT ROHAN TAKING THE LEAD, REPRESENTING THE E-U, AND WITH RICHARD HOLBROOKE AND [U-S] AMBASSAOR [TO MACEDONIA] CHRIS HILL WORKING THIS ISSUE ON THE U-S SIDE, THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO ESTABLISH A GOOD FRAMEWORK FOR TRANS-ATLANTIC COOPERATION LEADING TO A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT." [END OPT]

TEXT: DAVID PHILLIPS OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SAYS THE NEED FOR A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT TO END THE HOSTILITIES IN KOSOVO IS CRITICAL TO HALT THE EVER-INCREASING TRAGEDY AMONG THE CIVILIAN POPULATION.
30-Jul-98 4:35 PM EDT (2035 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO TALKS (L UPDATE) BY ART CHIMES (BELGRADE)

INTRO: YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS TOLD VISITING EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS THAT THE LATEST SERB OFFENSIVE AGAINST SEPARATIST ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS IN KOSOVO HAS ENDED. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IN BELGRADE REPORTS THE DIPLOMATS SAID THE AREA IN KOSOVO WAS LEFT AS A "WASTELAND" AFTER THE RECENT OPERATION, WITH VIRTUALLY NO CIVILIAN INHABITANTS

TEXT: THE DIPLOMATS SAY MR. MILOSEVIC TOLD THEM AN ALMOST WEEK-LONG OPERATION AGAINST REBELS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY HAS ENDED. THE OFFENSIVE REVERSED MANY OF THE SEPARATIST GUERRILLAS' RECENT GAINS AND FORCED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CIVILIANS OUT OF THE AREA.

BRITISH ENVOY EMYR JONES-PERRY SAID THE YUGOSLAV LEADER INVITED THE CIVILIANS TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES.

WE WERE REASSURED BY PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S CLEAR STATEMENT THAT THERE WOULD BE NO ACTION TAKEN AGAINST CIVILIANS. AS FAR AS HE WAS CONCERNED, THE CURRENT OFFENSIVE HAD COME TO AN END.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE A WIDESPREAD RETURN OF REFUGEES. THE DIPLOMATS TOURED THE AFFECTED AREA WEDNESDAY, AND THEY DESCRIBED IT AS A WASTELAND. MR. JONES-PERRY SAID IT APPEARED THERE WAS AN "OVERZEALOUS" USE OF FORCE BY SERB TROOPS.

LARGE NUMBERS OF CIVILIAN HOUSES, BARNS, AND SHOPS HAVE BEEN DAMAGED IN FIVE MONTHS OF KOSOVO FIGHTING. THE SERBS SAY THEY HAVE USED ONLY APPROPRIATE FORCE TO FIGHT THE REBELS, BUT CRITICS SAY THEIR TACTICS RECALL THE ETHNIC CLEANSING OF THE BOSNIA WAR.

THE GERMAN ENVOY, WOLFGANG ISCHINGER, SAID BELGRADE WOULD HAVE TO OFFER SOME CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES TO PERSUADE THE REFUGEES TO RETURN HOME.

MR. ISCHINGER ALSO SAID THE FIGHTING IN KOSOVO IS TAKING A MAJOR TOLL ON THE YUGOSLAV ECONOMY, AND INDICATED THIS SHOULD MOTIVATE PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO SEEK A NEGOTIATED RESOLUTION OF THE CRISIS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

HOW IS THIS COUNTRY GOING TO SUSTAIN ITS ECONOMY IF THIS KIND OF DEVELOPMENT AS WE HAVE SEEN IT YESTERDAY IN KOSOVO CONTINUES TO SPREAD. THE COST OF ALL OF THIS TO THE ECONOMY IS GOING TO BE STAGGERING, AND PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC KNOWS THAT PRECISELY. SO HE AGREES WITH US: TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

THE HEAD OF THE DELEGATION, ALBERT ROHAN OF AUSTRIA, SAID ALBANIAN LEADERS THEY MET IN KOSOVO AGREED ON THE NEED FOR A UNIFIED NEGOTIATING GROUP, AND HE SAYS HE EXPECTS SOME KIND OF ANNOUNCEMENT IN A FEW DAYS. (SIGNED)
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30-Jul-98 11:45 AM EDT (1545 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] WORLD REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY DAVID DYAR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A U-S BASED ADVOCACY GROUP SAYS THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES IN THE WORLD DECLINED LAST YEAR DUE PRIMARILY TO A SMALLER NUMBER OF ARMED CONFLICTS. HOWEVER, AS V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT DAVID DYAR REPORTS THE PRIVATELY FUNDED U-S COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEES SAYS THE PROBLEM OF DISPLACED PERSONS IS STILL A SERIOUS ISSUE.

TEXT: THE COMMITTEE ESTIMATES THERE WERE 13 MILLION-600 THOUSAND REFUGEES IN THE WORLD AT THE END OF 1997 AND ANOTHER 17 MILLION INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE FLEEING CONFLICTS IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY.

THE ESTIMATES WERE CONTAINED IN AN ANNUAL SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE COMMITTEE, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST WORLD'S MOST COMPREHENSIVE STUDIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL REFUGEE POPULATION. IT SAID THERE WERE NEARLY A MILLION FEWER REFUGEES IN THE WORLD LAST YEAR THAN IN 1/9/9/6.

THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT (RELEASED THURSDAY) SAYS MOST OF THE MOVEMENTS OF NEW REFUGEES LAST YEAR WERE IN AFRICA, WHERE THERE WERE AN ESTIMATED THREE MILLION REFUGEES LAST YEAR.

REPORT EDITOR BILL FRELICK SAYS DESPITE THE LOWER NUMBER, THERE IS STILL A HUGE REFUGEE PROBLEM IN THE WORLD.

HE SAYS THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO IS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN. HE NOTED THAT ONE OF THE NEW PROBLEMS IN KOSOVO IS THE USE OF FOOD AS A WEAPON. MR. FRELICK SAID ACTIONS BY SERBS TO RESTRICT FOOD SUPPLIES IN KOSOVO WILL CAUSE SERIOUS PROBLEMS DURING THE COMING WINTER.

THIS IS A SERIOUS IMPENDING CONTROLLED AND PLANNED EFFORT TO CREATE A FOOD SHORTAGE, TO USE FOOD AS A WEAPON. IF THE GUNS DON'T WORK IN THIS PHASE, IN THE SUMMER, COME WINTER THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME REAL DIRE HUMANITARIAN CONSEQUENCES.

IN ADDITION TO SPECIFIC PROBLEMS SUCH AS KOSOVO, THE COMMITTEE NOTED SEVERAL TRENDS MAKING THE SITUATION FOR REFUGEES MORE DIFFICULT. THESE INCLUDED A TREND AGAINST PROVIDING ASYLUM FOR REFUGEES IN THIRD COUNTRIES AND INCREASINGLY UNSAFE CONDITIONS FOR REFUGEES WHO HAVE BEEN GRANTED ASYLUM. OTHER TRENDS INCLUDE A LACK OF COMMITMENT BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO HELP INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS AND A LACK OF SAFE REPATRIATION FOR RETURNING REFUGEES.

THE GROUP CALLED ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO INCREASE ITS COMMITMENT TO HELPING REFUGEES AND PREVENTING THE TYPES OF CONFLICTS THAT GENERATE REFUGEE FLOWS IN THE FIRST PLACE. (SIGNED)
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30-Jul-98 7:10 PM EDT (2310 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] SENATE-BOSNIA TROOPS (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: THE U-S SENATE HAS TURNED BACK AN ATTEMPT TO PULL SOME AMERICAN SOLDIERS OUT OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS, THE ACTION CAME (THURSDAY) AS LAWMAKERS DEBATED NEXT YEAR'S DEFENSE BUDGET.

TEXT: THE LATEST ATTEMPT TO EASE THE UNITED STATES OUT OF BOSNIA FAILED DECISIVELY (69 TO 30). THE MEASURE WOULD HAVE TRIMMED THE U-S FORCE FROM ABOUT 69-HUNDRED TROOPS NOW TO 65-HUNDRED BY FEBRUARY AND FIVE-THOUSAND BY OCTOBER OF NEXT YEAR.

CRITICS CHARGE THE PROPOSAL WOULD TIE COMMANDERS' HANDS, POSSIBLY PLACING AMERICAN LIVES IN DANGER. REPUBLICAN SENATOR DAN COATS SAYS HE TOO WANTS THE MISSION TO END - BUT DECISIONS ON TROOP STRENGTH SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE PENTAGON.

WE SADLY LEARNED IN SOMALIA, TO CITE ONE EXAMPLE, THE DISASTROUS AND TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES OF POLITICAL DECISIONS OVERRIDING MILITARY REQUESTS. WE LOST SOME BRAVE AMERICANS UNNECESSARILY BECAUSE A POLITICAL DECISION WAS MADE.

THE PLAN'S SUPPORTERS CALL IT A CAREFUL, GRADUAL STEP THAT WOULD EASE THE BURDEN ON A BADLY STRAINED MILITARY. THEY ALSO BELIEVE THE EUROPEAN ALLIES SHOULD TAKE MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PEACE IN THE BALKANS. TEXAS SENATOR KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS ALREADY INVESTED ENOUGH TIME, MONEY AND TROOPS.

WITHOUT THIS AMENDMENT WE WILL BE LOOKING AT AMERICAN TROOPS IN BOSNIA INDEFINITELY. WE WILL BE LOOKING AT A NEVER-ENDING COMMITMENT AND WE WILL BE TAKING RESOURCES THAT ARE VITALLY NECESSARY FOR OUR OWN SECURITY AND FOR OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AROUND THE WORLD.

THE SENATE IS ALREADY ON RECORD AS SAYING THE TROOPS SHOULD BE BROUGHT HOME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. BUT FOR NOW AT LEAST, THE LAWMAKERS ARE NOT INCLINED TO FORCE THE ADMINISTRATION'S HAND. (SIGNED)
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30-Jul-98 6:42 PM EDT (2242 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] TURKEY / POL (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT VOTED THURSDAY TO HOLD GENERAL ELECTIONS IN APRIL OF NEXT YEAR. ELECTIONS ARE NOT TECHNICALLY DUE BEFORE THE YEAR 2000, BUT AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA THAT MOUNTING POLITICAL INSTABILITY HAS FORCED TURKEY'S RULING COALITION TO ACCEPT OPPOSITION DEMANDS FOR EARLY POLLS.

TEXT: TURKEY'S CONSERVATIVE PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ HAS BEEN UNDER PRESSURE FOR MONTHS FROM A LEFT-WING OPPOSITION LEADER, DENIZ BAYKAL. TO AGREE TO EARLY POLLS. LAST MONTH, THE TWO LEADERS AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO HOLD ELECTIONS EARLY NEXT YEAR. MR YILMAZ ALSO PLEDGED TO STEP DOWN IN DECEMBER AND CEDE HIS PLACE TO A NEUTRAL CARETAKER PREMIER.

MR BAYKAL'S SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL TO THE PRIME MINISTER'S FRAGILE MINORITY COALITION WHICH CAME TO POWER LAST YEAR, AFTER THE COUNTRY'S STAUNCHLY PRO-SECULAR MILITARY PRESSURED THE PREVIOUS ISLAMIST LED GOVERNMENT TO STEP DOWN.

MR BAYKAL HAS STEPPED UP THREATS TO WITHDRAW HIS BACKING FROM THE GOVERNMENT IN RECENT MONTHS. HE SAYS IT HAS FAILED TO HELP SOLVE TURKEY'S PROBLEMS. THESE RANGE FROM CHRONIC THREE-DIGIT INFLATION TO PERVASIVE STATE CORRUPTION, AND FROM THE 14-YEAR KURDISH REBELLION IN THE SOUTHEAST TO THE RISE OF ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM.

BUT MANY POLITICAL OBSERVERS HERE QUESTION WHETHER FRESH GENERAL ELECTIONS HOLD THE ANSWER. THE LIKELY OUTCOME -- MANY SAY -- IS ANOTHER WEAK COALITION GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)
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30-Jul-98 1:50 PM EDT (1750 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] NORTHERN IRELAND BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: A HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION IN BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND, HAS CRITICIZED THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO PROVIDE EARLY RELEASES TO ABOUT 400 PRISONERS WHO BELONG TO PARAMILITARY GROUPS AND WERE JAILED FOR TERRORIST ACTIVITIES. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: ONE OF THE MOST CONTENTIOUS ISSUES OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE ACCORD (AGREED TO SEVERAL MONTHS AGO) IS THE ONE DEALING WITH THE RELEASE OF PRISONERS CONVICTED OF TERRORIST ACTS. THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR THE EARLY RELEASE OF THOSE PRISONERS BELONGING TO PARAMILITARY GROUPS -- BUT ONLY IF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS ABIDE BY CEASEFIRES.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THAT AGREEMENT, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT ABOUT 400 CONVICTED TERRORISTS WILL BE RELEASED WITHIN TWO YEARS -- THE FIRST GROUP OF ABOUT 230 BY THIS DECEMBER. THESE INCLUDE TERRORISTS BELONGING TO SUCH GROUPS AS THE "IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY", "THE ULSTER DEFENSE ASSOCIATION," AND "THE ULSTER VOLUNTEER FORCE".

THE BELFAST-BASED HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION "FAMILIES AGAINST INTIMIDATION AND TERROR" HAS STRONGLY CRITICIZED THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO RELEASE EARLY WELL-KNOWN TERRORISTS. A SENIOR OFFICIAL WITH THE ORGANIZATION -- GLYN ROBERTS -- SAYS IN THE BEGINNING, HIS GROUP SUPPORTED THE POLITICAL AGREEMENT, ALTHOUGH THE ISSUE OF TERRORIST PRISONERS WAS A VERY CONTROVERSIAL ONE.

WE SUPPORTED IT BECAUSE WE WERE GIVEN ASSURANCES (BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT) THAT THOSE PRISONERS WOULD NOT BE RELEASED IF THERE WAS PARAMILITARY VIOLENCE -- AND QUITE CLEARLY, THE LAST FEW WEEKS HAVE SEEN A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN PARAMILITARY VIOLENCE. AND WE FEEL THAT IT IS NOT THE CORRECT TIME TO RELEASE THOSE PARAMILITARY GROUPS WHILE THEIR COUNTERPARTS OUTSIDE ARE BEATING, SHOOTING AND MURDERING PEOPLE.

THE GROUP "FAMILIES AGAINST INTIMIDATION AND TERROR" DOCUMENTS SO-CALLED PUNISHMENT BEATINGS. MR. ROBERTS SAYS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR, 58 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE BY THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY AND 54 BY LOYALIST - OR PRO-BRITISH PARAMILITARY GROUPS. GIVEN THAT MOST PARAMILITARY GROUPS ARE ABIDING BY CEASEFIRES, MR. ROBERTS SAYS THOSE PUNISHMENT BEATINGS ARE TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.

NOW THAT LOOSELY MEANS THAT THEY USE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT TACTICS FROM KNEE-CAPPING TO BEATING WITH CLUBS, BASEBALL BATS, AND BASICALLY WHAT THEY WOULD CALL ADMINISTERING JUSTICE IN THEIR OWN AREAS. BUT IT IS NOTHING OF THE SORT. IT IS REALLY JUST ABOUT CONTROL - HOW THEY CONTROL VARIOUS DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS. THAT SORT OF BEHAVIOR HAS INCREASED SINCE THE CEASEFIRES AND WHILE THE PARAMILITARIES ARE NOT ATTACKING SECURITY FORCES, THEY ARE TURNING THEIR GUNS ON THEIR OWN PEOPLE.

MR. ROBERTS IS CALLING ON ALL PARAMILITARY GROUPS TO END PUNISHMENT BEATINGS BECAUSE IF THAT PRACTICE CONTINUES, HE SAYS THERE IS NO HOPE OF A LASTING PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND.

THE COMMUNITY HAS SUFFERED FOR TOO LONG WITH THESE PEOPLE. I WOULD SAY TO THEM -- WHAT MORE DO YOU HONESTLY WANT? YOU ARE GETTING A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT IN THIS AGREEMENT, GETTING MOST OF THE PRISONERS IF NOT ALL THE PARAMILITARY PRISONERS IN OUR JAILS RELEASED. I THINK IT IS PAYBACK TIME. I THINK IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT THE PARAMILITARIES GIVE THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND SOMETHING BACK IN RETURN -- AND THAT IS A COMPLETE END TO ALL OF THEIR VIOLENCE.

GLYN ROBERTS FROM BELFAST'S "FAMILIES AGAINST INTIMIDATION AND TERROR" SAYS BY RELEASING TERRORIST PRISONERS EARLY, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS TURNING A BLIND EYE TO TERROR. BUT HE SAYS OVER THE YEARS, THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND HAVE OVERCOME MANY OBSTACLES -- AND HE HOPES THEY ALSO WILL BE ABLE TO CLEAR THIS HURDLE ON THE WAY TO A TRULY LASTING PEACE. (SIGNED)
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30-Jul-98 11:25 AM EDT (1525 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

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

TEXT: ANALYSTS SAY INVESTORS WERE ENCOURAGED BY STRONG FIRST-HALF PROFITS AT SEVERAL COMPANIES, AND BY A STRONG OPENING ON WALL STREET. ALL THREE OF THE MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS CLOSED HIGHER. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX ROSE MORE THAN 58 POINTS, ONE-AND-FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX ENDED WITH A GAIN OF 67-POINTS, MORE THAN ONE-AND-ONE-TENTH PERCENT.

AND IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX INDEX CLOSED UP 78-POINTS, ONE PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR ROSE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND, THE JAPANESE YEN, AND THE GERMAN MARK. (SIGNED)
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30-Jul-98 1:38 PM EDT (1738 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (THURSDAY) AS TRADERS WERE RE-ASSURED BY SOME GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC STATISTICS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT NINE THOUSAND 26, UP 111 POINTS, MORE THAN ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED 42, UP 17 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY TRADERS WERE PLEASED THAT MAJOR ECONOMIC STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE GOVERNMENT ARE IN LINE WITH WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS. THE U-S EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX IS UP NINE-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER. AND NEW HOME SALES ROSE BY ALMOST FOUR PERCENT.

THERE COULD BE A PILOTS STRIKE AT NORTHWEST AIRLINES. THE UNION HAS REJECTED THE IDEA OF BINDING ARBITRATION IN ITS CONTRACT DISPUTE AND SAYS IT WILL STRIKE ON AUGUST 28TH IF THERE IS NO AGREEMENT BY THEN.

TWO MAJOR AMERICAN HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS COMPANIES REPORTED STRONG PROFITS IN THE SECOND QUARTER. PROCTER AND GAMBLE SAYS ITS EARNINGS ROSE 12 PERCENT AND CLOROX SAW ITS PROFITS RISE 32 PERCENT, FUELED BY RECORD SALES OF LAUNDRY DETERGENTS.

THE M-C-I TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY REPORTED A 30 PERCENT PROFIT DROP IN THE SECOND QUARTER BUT THE FIGURE WAS STILL A LITTLE BETTER THAN WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS. M-C-I IS SET TO MERGE WITH THE WORLDCOM COMPANY BY THE END OF THE THIRD QUARTER.

GERMAN-BASED AUTOMAKER DAIMLER-BENZ SAYS ITS PROFITS MORE THAN DOUBLED IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR. DAIMLER SAYS IT IS WELL PREPARED FOR ITS PLANNED MERGER WITH CHRYSLER CORPORATION OF THE UNITED STATES.

LAS VEGAS CASINO OPERATORS SAY THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH GAMBLERS TO FILL THEIR HOTEL ROOMS. PART OF THE PROBLEM, THE CASINOS SAY, IS RECENT CUTBACKS IN AIRLINE SERVICE TO LAS VEGAS. SO NOW, TWO CASINOS (HARRAH'S AND RIO) HAVE JOINED FORCES TO FINANCE THEIR OWN AIRLINE TO FLY CUSTOMERS TO LAS VEGAS FROM MAJOR U-S CITIES.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
30-Jul-98 5:07 PM EDT (2107 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO:THE WASHINGTON POLITICAL DRAMA INVOLVING PRESIDENT CLINTON AND FORMER WHITE HOUSE INTERN MONICA LEWINSKY, AND A POSSIBLE AFFAIR BETWEEN THEM, CONTINUES TO DOMINATE THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF MANY MAJOR U-S PAPERS.

THE OTHER MAJOR DOMESTIC STORY, TAKING PRECEDENCE OVER FOREIGN TOPICS, IS THE END OF THE LONG AND COSTLY GENERAL MOTORS STRIKE. THERE ARE ALSO COMMENTS ON THE FAMINE IN SUDAN; THE NEW PATH AWAY FROM BUSINESS FOR CHINA'S MILITARY; CAMBODIA'S FLAWED ELECTIONS AND HOW THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS IS AFFECTING CANADA. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IS __________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE NATION'S PRESS CONTINUES TO COMMENT ON THE SAGA OF PRESIDENT CLINTON AND HIS ALLEGED SEXUAL AFFAIR WITH FORMER WHITE HOUSE INTERN MONICA LEWINSKY. MS. LEWINSKY IS NOW TELLING ALL SHE KNOWS TO THE SPECIAL WHITEWATER PROSECUTOR KENNETH STARR, AND WILL SOON TESTIFY BEFORE THE GRAND JURY WITH FULL IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION. MR. CLINTON IS SCHEDULED TO GIVE TESTIMONY ON VIDEOTAPE AT THE WHITE HOUSE IN MID-AUGUST. TODAY'S "HARTFORD COURANT" IN CONNECTICUT'S CAPITOL SAYS "THE PRESIDENCY [HAS BEEN] DEMEANED."

VOICE: /// OPT /// IF MONICA LEWINSKY TESTIFIES UNDER OATH THAT SHE HAD A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON, THEN SHE BECOMES A CERTIFIABLE LIAR. JUST A YEAR AGO, SHE DENIED UNDER OATH HAVING EVER HAD SUCH A RELATIONSHIP WITH MR. CLINTON. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEN AND NOW IS THAT INDEPENDENT COUNSEL KENNETH STARR HAS GRANTED HER IMMUNITY IN THE CASE ... SO TO SAVE HERSELF FROM A LIKELY INDICTMENT, MS. LEWINSKY STRUCK A DEAL. ... WHATEVER HAPPENS, NONE OF THE PLAYERS IN THIS TAWDRY DRAMA IS GOING TO EMERGE SMELLING GOOD...

TEXT: TAKING A DIFFERENT VIEW, "THE [NEW YORK] DAILY NEWS" SAYS IN ITS HEADLINE THAT [MR.] STARR'S AIM: DESTROY CLINTON."

VOICE: WITH THE IMMUNITY DEALS INDEPENDENT PERSECUTOR [C O R R E C T] KENNETH STARR GAVE MONICA LEWINSKY AND HER MOTHER, [MR.] STARR'S STRATEGY FOR BRINGING DOWN PRESIDENT CLINTON BECOMES MORE CLEAR: HE IS NOT JUST AIMING FOR IMPEACHMENT. HE ALSO SEEMS FIXATED ON THE OTHER "I" WORD -- INDICTMENT. THAT WOULD BE AN UNPRECEDENTED INDIGNITY FOR THE NATION, ONE THAT WOULD INSTANTLY HURL AMERICA INTO A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS. ... HAVE WE FORGOTTEN ABOUT DEMOCRACY IN THE FACE OF ONE OUT-OF-CONTROL PROSECUTOR? APPARENTLY WE [HAVE]. TO OUR EVERLASTING SHAME.

TEXT: IN DISCUSSING THE LATEST TURN OF EVENTS, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS THAT THE INDEPENDENT COUNSEL LAW NEEDS A COMPLETE REEXAMINATION" IN LIGHT OF THE ALLEGED EXCESSES OF MR. STARR'S INVESTIGATION. AND "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS IT IS TIME FOR THE PRESIDENT TO TELL THE WHOLE TRUTH, NOT ONLY TO THE GRAND JURY, BUT TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.

VOICE: PRESIDENT CLINTON ['S] ...VIDEOTAPED TESTIMONY, ON AUGUST 17TH SHOULD BE ONLY A PRELIMINARY TO THE MORE ESSENTIAL STEPS OF TELLING THE TRUTH AND EXPLAINING HIS CONDUCT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE OTHER BIG NEWS, THE END OF THE GENERAL MOTORS STRIKE, THERE IS A GENERAL FEELING THAT NOT ENOUGH WAS ACHIEVED BY THE HUGE AUTO MAKER TO HAVE JUSTIFIED LOSING ALMOST TWO MONTHS OF PRODUCTION, AND AN ESTIMATED TWO-BILLION-DOLLAR LOSS. "USA TODAY" LISTS THE BENEFITS GAINED BY BOTH SIDES, THEN, IN ITS EDITORIAL TITLED "UNFINISHED BUSINESS" NOTES:

VOICE: ... THE STRIKE SETTLED FEW OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS FACING THE COUNTRY'S NUMBER ONE AUTOMAKER, AND THAT IS THE BAD NEWS, NOT ONLY FOR WORKERS AND STOCKHOLDERS BUT FOR THE COUNTRY, AS WELL.

TEXT: THE PAPER GOES ON TO COMMENT THAT INEFFICIENT PRODUCTION, UNSUCCESSFUL LABOR RELATIONS, AND BLOATED MANAGEMENT CONTINUE TO HAUNT THE NATION'S LARGEST AUTO MAKER, WHICH HAS SEEN ITS MARKET SHARE CONTINUOUSLY DECLINE FOR ABOUT THE PAST TWO DECADES. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" CONCURS, HEADLINING ITS EDITORIAL: "THE AUTO DEAL THAT RESOLVES LITTLE," AND IN MAINE, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: WHILE THIS [THE STRIKE'S END] IS GOOD NEWS FOR G-M AND THE WORKERS TODAY, THE UNION AND COMPANY REMAIN AT ODDS OVER HUGE ISSUES. G-M WANTS TO STREAMLINE OPERATIONS TO COMPETE BETTER GLOBALLY. THE UNION WANTS TO PROTECT JOBS. THIS TENSION WILL BE PLAYED OUT WHEN THE UNION'S NATIONAL CONTRACT WITH G-M EXPIRES IN 1999.

TEXT: OVERSEAS NOW, TO AFRICA AND A "WASHINGTON POST" COMMENT ON THE SITUATION IN THE SUDAN, WHERE THE NORTHERN ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST GOVERNMENT IN KHARTOUM IS PITTED AGAINST THE MAINLY BLACK-AFRICAN, CHRISTIAN SOUTH, IN A LONG-RUNNING DISPUTE.

VOICE: /// OPT /// ON OTHER AXES, WARLORDS FLOURISH. ALL SIDES, ESPECIALLY THE GOVERNMENT, USE THE DESTRUCTION OF AGRICULTURE AND THE DENIAL OF RELIEF AS TACTICS OF WAR. THAT PUTS HEAVY CHALLENGES TO THE FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AND NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT SEEK TO HALT THE TOLL OF FAMINE AND WARFARE. /// END OPT /// ... THE RISING CIVILIAN DEATH COUNT SUGGESTS IT IS TIME TO TEST THE POSSIBILITIES OF ENGAGEMENT. HOW ELSE TO REDUCE THE DANGERS THE REGIME POSES TO THE REGION AND ITS OWN CITIZENS AND TO EXHAUST EVERY POSSIBILITY OF RESTORING LIFE TO A BROKEN COUNTRY?

TEXT: TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" IS PLEASED THAT CHINA'S PRIME MINISTER JIANG ZEMIN IS FORCING CHINA'S PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY OUT OF THE BUSINESS WORLD, AND BACK INTO DEFENDING THE NATION.

VOICE: IN RECENT YEARS THE CHINESE ARMY HAS BEEN UP TO ITS EPAULETS IN BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT CHINA WORTH UNTOLD BILLIONS. /// OPT /// THE ARMY IS INVOLVED IN ENTERPRISES AS DISPARATE AS AIRLINES AND PHARMACEUTICALS, BUT WHAT REALLY CAUGHT JIANG ZEMIN'S ATTENTION WAS SMUGGLING. ARMY OFFICERS HAVE GROWN RICH IN THE PROCESS, AND MILITARY BUSINESS LORDS HAVE REPLACED THE WARLORDS OF YORE. /// END OPT /// ... SO DEEPLY ARE THE ARMY'S ENTERPRISES ENTWINED IN THE NATIONAL ECONOMY THAT IT WILL BE A HERCULEAN TASK TO ROOT THEM OUT. BUT THE EFFORT IS ANOTHER MILESTONE IN CHINA'S EMERGENCE.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES," LOOKING AT THE PREDICTABLE RESULTS OF THE CAMBODIAN ELECTION, IS NOT IMPRESSED THAT IT WAS FREE OR FAIR BY ANY MEASURE.

VOICE: TO THE SURPRISE OF FEW, PRELIMINARY RESULTS INDICATE THAT MR. HUN SEN WILL AGAIN LEAD A COALITION GOVERNMENT. BUT OPPOSITION PARTIES CONTEND THAT THE VOTE COUNT WAS DISTORTED BY WIDESPREAD FRAUD. GIVEN THE PROBLEMS, IT SEEMS PREMATURE TO CALL THE TABULATION' FREE AND FAIR,' THE DESCRIPTION USED BY THE LARGEST INTERNATIONAL OBSERVER GROUP ...

TEXT: "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE TAKES NOTE THAT CANADA APPEARS TO BE THE LATEST VICTIM OF THE ASIAN FINANCIAL TURMOIL.

VOICE: THE RECESSION GRIPPING EAST ASIA ... NOW IS CANADA-WIDE.

TEXT: BUT, PROSPECTS FOR ANY IMMEDIATE TURNAROUND IN JAPAN'S ECONOMIC SITUATION APPEAR SLIM, AT LEAST TO "THE WASHINGTON TIMES," WHICH SAYS OF THE NEW PRIME MINISTER, KEIZO OBUCHI:

VOICE: NOWHERE ALONG MR. OBUCHI'S RISE TO POWER HAS HE DEMONSTRATED A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN REFORMING OUTDATED JAPANESE ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS AND POLICIES. NOR, FOR THAT MATTER, HAS HIS PARTY. ... FOR EIGHT YEARS, WITH THE L-D-P IN DENIAL, MR. OBUCHI AND OTHER PARTY LEADERS HAVE STOOD BY AS JAPAN'S BANKING CRISIS WORSENED.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF SELECTED U-S NEWSPAPERS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
30-Jul-98 11:03 AM EDT (1503 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] WORLD BASKETBALL THURSDAY WRAP (S-ONLY) BY DAVID B. BYRD (ATHENS, GREECE)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES LOST ITS SECOND GAME OF THE WORLD MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP IN ATHENS, GREECE. V-O-A'S DAVID BYRD IS IN THE GREEK CAPITAL COVERING THE TOURNAMENT, AND HAS DETAILS ON THE 84-82 LOSS TO LITHUANIA AND THE REST OF THE DAY'S ACTION.

TEXT: THE U-S MEN FELL BEHIND EARLY TO LITHUANIA, AND WERE NEVER ABLE TO RECOVER. THE AMERICANS WERE DOWN BY 13 POINTS AT HALFTIME,BUT BATTLED BACK TO WITHIN TWO POINTS BEFORE JIMMY OLIVER'S THREE-POINT SHOT CLANGED OFF THE RIM.

U-S COACH RUDY TOMJANOVICH SAYS HIS DEFENSE FAILED TO KEEP THE LITHUANIANS FROM SCORING.

THEY PLAYED A VERY AGGRESSIVE OFFENSIVE GAME. FINALLY I THOUGHT WE GOT IT UNDER CONTROL, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE.

MEANWHILE AT OLYMPIC STADIUM, YUGOSLAVIA SCORED AN 82-74 OVERTIME WIN OVER RUSSIA. CANADA BEAT SENEGAL, 70-57, PUERTO RICO DEFEATED JAPAN,78-57, AND HOST COUNTRY GREECE BEAT ITALY, 64-56.

IN FIRST-ROUND GAMES, SPAIN BEAT AUSTRALIA, 77-76, ARGENTINA DOWNED NIGERIA, 68-51, AND BRAZIL DEFEATED SOUTH KOREA, 76-73. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
30-Jul-98 5:52 PM EDT (2152 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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