Voice of America, 98-08-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO TALKS (S/L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[02] KOSOVO NEGOTIATIONS (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

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

[04] CLINTON/ALBANIA (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (MARTHA'S VINEYARD)

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

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

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

[08] NORTHERN IRELAND (S ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[01] KOSOVO TALKS (S/L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: SERB AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVO HAVE INVITED THE NEWLY-FORMED ETHNIC ALBANIAN NEGOTIATING TEAM TO BEGIN TALKS ON WAYS TO END THE CRISIS IN YUGOSLAVIA'S SERBIAN REPUBLIC. BUT THE ALBANIANS REJECTED THE INVITATION, SAYING TALKS CAN NOT RESUME UNTIL THE VIOLENCE STOPS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS FROM OUR REGIONAL NEWS BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: CHIEF ETHNIC ALBANIAN NEGOTIATOR FEHMI AGANI ACCUSED HIS SERBIAN COUNTERPART OF PROPAGANDA IN ISSUING THE INVITATION IN THE FACE OF WHAT HE CALLED "POLICE REPRESSION" AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIAN CIVILIANS.

IN A LETTER TO SERBIAN NEGOTIATOR RATKO MARKOVIC, MR. AGANI REJECTED THE INVITATION TO TALKS, SAYING THEY COULD BEGIN ONLY AFTER AN END TO THE VIOLENCE. KOSOVO'S 90-PERCENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY WANTS INDEPENDENCE. BELGRADE HAS OFFERED AUTONOMY, BUT INSISTS THE PROVINCE MUST REMAIN IN SERBIA.

THERE WAS LITTLE FIGHTING REPORTED TUESDAY BY SERB FORCES. THEY APPEAR TO HAVE WOUND DOWN THEIR OFFENSIVE AGAINST SEPARATIST GUERRILLAS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY.

SERB FORCES THIS PAST WEEKEND DROVE THE REBELS OUT OF JUNIK, A STRATEGIC SUPPLY AND WEAPONS BASE FOR THE K-L-A GUERRILLAS. THE OFFENSIVE BEGAN LAST MONTH AND HAS PUSHED THE K-L-A OUT OF MOST OF THE STRONGHOLDS THEY CAPTURED DURING A SIX-MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN.

REPORTS SAY WHILE MANY OF THE GUERRILLAS ARE RETURNING TO CIVILIAN LIFE, THE FIGHTING HAS BEEN DISRUPTIVE FOR MANY IN KOSOVO. AN ESTIMATED 200-THOUSAND PEOPLE FLED THEIR HOMES AHEAD OF THE SERB ADVANCE, AND LARGE NUMBERS OF THOSE HOUSES HAVE BEEN LOOTED AND BURNED. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/PCF/JO
18-Aug-98 1:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO NEGOTIATIONS (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: U-S SPECIAL ENVOY CHRISTOPHER HILL SAYS PEACE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN SERBS AND ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO CONTINUE, DESPITE EVIDENCE OF ANY PROGRESS. ETHNIC-ALBANIAN LEADERS ACCUSE THEIR SERB COUNTERPARTS OF FAILING TO ADDRESS THE CONTINUING VIOLENCE IN THIS REGION OF SOUTHERN YUGOSLAVIA. FROM PRISTINA, PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS.

TEXT: AMERICAN SPECIAL ENVOY CHRISTOPHER HILL SAID NEGOTIATIONS HAD RESTARTED (TUESDAY) IN KOSOVO -- JUST ONE-DAY AFTER SERB SECURITY FORCES ENDED A BLISTERING OFFENSIVE AGAINST ETHNIC-ALBANIAN SEPARATIST STRONGHOLDS.

ETHNIC-ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS AND SERB-SECURITY FORCES ARE BATTLING FOR CONTROL OF THE PROVINCE OF TWO-MILLION PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN YUGOSLAVIA. SERB FORCES APPEAR TO HAVE GAINED THE ADVANTAGE IN THE BATTLEFIELD THIS MONTH, AFTER SHELLING VILLAGES AND BURNING MANY OTHERS TO THE GROUND.

AMBASSADOR HILL SAID THE PEACE NEGOTIATION PROCESS IS AN EFFORT TO TRY TO GET OUT FROM UNDER WHAT HE CALLED -- A ROCK SLIDE -- THAT IS DESTROYING MUCH OF THE PROVINCE.

SERBIAN OFFICIALS ARRIVED (TUESDAY) IN THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA, FOR TALKS WITH ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADERS IN KOSOVO. BUT A SENIOR NEGOTIATOR FOR THE ALBANIAN SIDE (ED'S: FEHMI AGANI) REJECTED THE OFFER OF TALKS AS -- MERE PROPAGANDA -- UNLESS SERB SECURITY FORCES ARE WITHDRAWN FROM KOSOVO AND VIOLENCE ENDS.

AMBASSADOR HILL SAID HE WAS ENGAGED IN DIRECT MEDIATION BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES, DESPITE SIGNS MANY ALBANIANS AND SERBS BELIEVE FORCE OF ARMS CAN WORK IN THEIR FAVOR. SPEAKING IN PRISTINA, AMBASSADOR HILL CALLED FOR A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE ARMED CONFLICT.

IT IS NOT AN EASY PROCESS, BUT WE ARE GOING TO STAY AT IT AND WE ARE GOING TO WORK VERY HARD AT IT. WE BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY THIS IS GOING TO BE A PROCESS SOLVED THROUGH NEGOTIATION. WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE, NO ONE IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM OF KOSOVO BY ARMS. IT IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS TO BE SOLVED AT THE (NEGOTIATING) TABLE.

WESTERN OFFICIALS, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON BACKGROUND, SAID EFFORTS WOULD BE MADE TO DEMOCRATIZE THE KOSOVO PROVINCE BEFORE ITS ACTUAL STATUS WOULD BE PUT ON THE BARGAINING TABLE. THEY SAID THE RECENT SERB OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY STRONGHOLDS WAS ONLY HEIGHTENING TENSION AND HAS NOT DEFEATED THE GUERRILLAS. (SIGNED)
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18-Aug-98 1:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, LEFT GENEVA TUESDAY FOR YUGOSLAVIA, HOPING TO PERSUADE LEADERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CONFLICT IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE TO END THE FIGHTING. AS LISA SCHLEIN REPORTS FROM GENEVA, THE U-N TRIP IS SEPARATE FROM ANOTHER HUMANITARIAN MISSION TO KOSOVO BY A HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION.

TEXT: AFTER TALKS WITH LEADERS OF BOTH SIDES OF THE CONFLICT, THE U-N OFFICIALS PLAN TO VISIT AFFECTED AREAS THROUGHOUT KOSOVO, ESPECIALLY AROUND PEC.

THIS WAS THE SCENE OF RECENT INTENSE FIGHTING BETWEEN SERB SECURITY FORCES AND MEMBERS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. DURING THE FIGHTING, SERB FORCES CAPTURED THREE MORE VILLAGES WHICH WERE CONSIDERED TO BE IMPORTANT K-L-A STRONGHOLDS.

U-N-H-C-R SPOKESWOMAN MAKI SHINOHARA SAYS U-N AID WORKERS ARE TRYING TO TRACK DOWN AN ESTIMATED 20-THOUSAND PEOPLE IN THE PEC AREA WHO WERE MADE HOMELESS DURING THIS LATEST ROUND OF FIGHTING. SHE SAYS THAT ON MONDAY, U-N WORKERS CAME ACROSS MORE THAN SIX-THOUSAND PEOPLE ALONG A RIVER.

THE TEAM DELIVERED A SMALL QUANTITY OF FOOD PACKS. BUT, THERE ARE A LOT MORE PEOPLE THERE. THERE WAS A TWO-HOUR DOWNPOUR OF HEAVY RAIN ON SUNDAY EVENING. BUT, THESE FAMILIES WERE JUST SHELTERED UNDER MAKESHIFT PLASTIC SHEETS TO COVER THEMSELVES. THEY ARE ALSO VERY MUCH WORRIED ABOUT THE CONDITION OF CHILDREN IF THEY WERE TO STAY THERE FOR LONG.

THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS IT IS WORRIED ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE MANY THOUSANDS OF DISPLACED PEOPLE IF THEY ARE WITHOUT SHELTER WHEN WINTER COMES.

U-N AGENCIES REPORT AID WORKERS TRYING TO DELIVER RELIEF SUPPLIES ARE BEING HARASSED BY SERB FORCES. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE U-N CHILDREN'S FUND, PATRICK MC CORMACK, SAYS UNICEF WORKERS TRYING TO DISTRIBUTE PEDIATRIC DRUG KITS AND HYGIENIC SUPPLIES TO DISPLACED PEOPLE IN KOSOVO WERE STOPPED 13 TIMES AT POLICE CHECKPOINTS.

THE SAME TEAM WAS DETAINED BY THE POLICE AFTER DISTRIBUTING MEDICINES TO THE PEDIATRIC WING OF THE HOSPITAL IN DJAKOVICA IN SOUTHWEST KOSOVO. THEY WERE ACCUSED OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICINES TO TERRORISTS. AFTER ONE HOUR THEY WERE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE TOWN AND WENT BACK TO PRISTINA.

THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY ALSO REPORTS DIFFICULTIES IN DISTRIBUTING RELIEF SUPPLIES, DESPITE ASSURANCES FROM SERB AUTHORITIES THAT IT CAN HAVE FULL ACCESS TO PEOPLE IN NEED. (SIGNED)
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18-Aug-98 8:14 AM EDT (1214 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CLINTON/ALBANIA (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (MARTHA'S VINEYARD)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS STEPPED UP SECURITY FOR U-S DIPLOMATS IN ALBANIA AFTER A THREAT OF A TERRORIST ATTACK AGAINST THE AMERICAN EMBASSY IN TIRANA. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PRESIDENT'S VACATION SITE IN MARTHA'S VINEYARD MASSACHUSETTS.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON SAYS 200 U-S MARINES AND NAVY SEAL COMMANDOS WERE FLOWN TO INTO TIRANA SUNDAY TO SECURE THE EMBASSY COMPOUND. AND WHILE MOST HAVE ALREADY BEEN RETURNED TO NAVY SHIPS IN THE ADRIATIC, SOME 50 MARINES WILL REMAIN UNTIL IT IS DETERMINED THAT ADDITIONAL SECURITY SUPPORT IS UNNECESSARY.

THE PRESIDENT GAVE DETAILS OF THE DEPLOYMENT IN A LETTER TO HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE WAR-POWERS ACT.

HE TOLD MR. GINGRICH U-S AUTHORITIES HAD GOTTEN CREDIBLE INFORMATION OF A POSSIBLE ATTACK IN TIRANA SIMILAR TO THE AUGUST SEVENTH TERRORIST BOMBINGS AGAINST THE AMERICAN EMBASSIES IN NAIROBI AND DAR EL SALAAM.

MR. CLINTON DID NOT ELABORATE IN THE LETTER BUT NEWS REPORTS SAY A THREAT AGAINST THE TIRANA EMBASSY WAS REPORTED BY AN ARABIC-LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER IN LONDON. THE STATE DEPARTMENT LAST WEEK EVACUATED NON-ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL FROM THE EMBASSY, WHICH IS OPERATING OUT OF A U-S DIPLOMATIC HOUSING COMPLEX PENDING COMPLETION OF A NEW AND MORE SECURE BUILDING IN THE CAPITAL (SIGNED)
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18-Aug-98 4:01 PM EDT (2001 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF STEADY DECLINES, EUROPE'S STOCK MARKETS SOARED ON TUESDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES FROM LONDON.

TEXT: MARKET ANALYSTS SAY MONDAY'S BIG JUMP ON WALL STREET, COUPLED WITH ENCOURAGING ECONOMIC NEWS FROM JAPAN, ONLY SLIGHT CONCERN ABOUT RUSSIA AND RELIEF THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS ADMITTED TO HIS EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR WITHOUT ANY DETRIMENTAL IMMEDIATE EFFECT, WERE ALL FACTORS IN EUROPE'S STOCK RALLY.

EACH OF WESTERN EUROPE'S KEY STOCK INDEXES CLOSED WITH GAINS OF THREE PERCENT OR MORE ON TUESDAY. HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX WAS UP 181 POINTS AT THE CLOSE. THE FRENCH "CAC 40" INDEX IN PARIS ADDED MORE THAN 139 POINTS IN VALUE, AND THE GERMAN "DAX" IN FRANKFURT CLOSED WITH A HEALTHY 170 POINT GAIN.

IN CURRENCY TRADING, THE U-S DOLLAR TRADED NARROWLY AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND, THE GERMAN MARK AND THE JAPANESE YEN. (SIGNED)
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18-Aug-98 2:44 PM EDT (1844 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP STRONGLY TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE SESSION. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 87 HUNDRED 14, UP 139 POINTS OR MORE THAN ONE AND ONE HALF PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED ONE, UP 17 POINTS.

COMBINED WITH MONDAY'S 149 POINT RISE IN THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE, THE INDEX HAS GAINED MORE THAN THREE PERCENT IN TWO DAYS. SOME ANALYSTS SAY THE DOWNWARD CORRECTION IS NOW OVER. OTHERS REMAIN CAUTIOUS, SAYING THE RECENT RALLIES MAY BE JUST A TEMPORARY REBOUND IN AN ONGOING DOWNWARD PHASE.

THE U-S CENTRAL BANK DECIDED TO LEAVE SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES UNCHANGED. THAT WAS EXPECTED BY JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ON WALL STREET.

ALSO EXPECTED WAS A TWO-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT INCREASE IN CONSUMER PRICES LAST MONTH.

DANIEL AUTHENBERG AN ECONOMIST AT AMERICAN EXPRESS SAYS THE FIGURES SHOW U-S INFLATION REMAINS UNDER CONTROL.

INFLATION PROBABLY IS NOT NEARLY AS WELL BEHAVED AS IT WAS IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR BUT IT IS STILL VERY GOOD FOR AN ECONOMIC EXPANSION THAT IS WELL INTO ITS EIGHTH YEAR.

THE OVERALL U-S TRADE DEFICIT DROPPED BY ALMOST NINE PERCENT IN JUNE AFTER A RECORD HIGH IN MAY. HOWEVER, BILATERAL U-S TRADE DEFICITS WITH SEVERAL FINANCIALLY TROUBLED ASIAN NATIONS SOARED.

A HUGE ACQUISITION IN THE U-S AUTO PARTS INDUSTRY WAS ANNOUNCED. FEDERAL MOGUL WILL PAY ALMOST TWO BILLION DOLLARS IN CASH FOR THE COOPER AUTOMOTIVE UNIT OF COOPER INDUSTRIES. THAT DEAL MARKS FEDERAL MOGUL'S SIXTH ACQUISITION OR JOINT VENTURE THIS YEAR.

A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS ORDERED THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION TO PAY AN 800 THOUSAND DOLLAR FINE FOR DELAYING A RECALL OF 91 THOUSAND CARS WHICH MAY HAVE HAD DEFECTIVE SEAT BELTS. CHRYSLER SAYS IT WILL APPEAL THE PENALTY.

THE MOTOROLA COMPANY HAS SIGNED A 220 MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT TO HELP BUILD A CELLULAR TELEPHONE NETWORK IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL.

SEVERAL MAJOR AMERICAN RETAIL CHAINS REPORT VARIED QUARTERLY EARNINGS RESULTS. HOME DEPOT, THE HARDWARE AND HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE COMPANY IS ENJOYING A 30 PERCENT RISE IN PROFITS. DAYTON HUDSON, THE DISCOUNT AND DEPARTMENT STORE COMPANY SAYS ITS EARNINGS IMPROVED BY 25 PERCENT. BUT DEPARTMENT STORE CHAIN J-C PENNEY SAYS ITS PROFITS DROPPED BY 75 PERCENT DUE TO FALLING SALES AND A 70 MILLION DOLLAR CHARGE AGAINST EARNINGS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
18-Aug-98 5:31 PM EDT (2131 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ADDRESS TO THE NATION LATE MONDAY NIGHT AFTER TESTIFYING BEFORE THE WHITEWATER GRAND JURY IS DRAWING A FLOOD OF EDITORIAL REACTION. OTHER TOPICS BEING DISCUSSED INCLUDE THE BOMBING THAT KILLED MORE THAN TWO DOZEN PEOPLE IN NORTHERN IRELAND SATURDAY.

IN OTHER COMMENTARIES, THERE ARE REACTIONS TO THE DEVALUATION OF THE RUSSIAN RUBLE; /// OPT /// A FAVORABLE COURT RULING FOR THE NATION'S CIGARETTE MAKERS; /// END OPT /// AND SOME THOUGHTS ON BALLOON ADVENTURER STEVE FOSSETT'S LATEST UNSUCCESSFUL BID TO FLY 'ROUND THE WORLD.' NOW, HERE IS __________________ WITH A SAMPLING IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: MONDAY AFTERNOON PRESIDENT CLINTON TESTIFIED BEFORE A GRAND JURY LOOKING INTO ALLEGATIONS HE HAD A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH FORMER WHITE HOUSE INTERN MONICA LEWINSKY; ON MONDAY NIGHT HE WENT ON NATIONAL TELEVISION TO ADMIT THAT HE DID HAVE WHAT HE CALLED AN "INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIP" WITH MR. LEWINSKY. ALTHOUGH THE SPEECH WENT ON THE AIR AT TEN O'CLOCK AT NIGHT IN THE EASTERN THIRD OF THE NATION, MANY PAPERS STILL MANAGED TO PUBLISH REACTIONS IN THEIR EDITORIAL COLUMNS TUESDAY. IN MINNESOTA, "THE [MINNEAPOLIS] STAR TRIBUNE" CALLS THE STATEMENT "MEANINGFUL, IF NOT QUITE SATISFYING," ADDING:

VOICE: THERE IS NO GETTING AROUND IT: THE PRESIDENT HAS LET PEOPLE DOWN - - FROM HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON TO THE AIDES WHO'VE DEFENDED HIS VERACITY FOR MONTHS, TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. HIS STATEMENT OF REGRET WAS SIGNIFICANT, IF NOT ENTIRELY SATISFYING. .... BUT IT DID SEEM TO AUTHENTICALLY CONVEY BOTH CONTRITION AND RIGHTEOUS ANGER AT INDEPENDENT COUNSEL KENNETH STARR'S INVASION OF HIS PRIVACY. ///OPT /// TODAY, SOME AMERICANS WILL CHAMPION THE SIDE THEY'VE CHOSEN. BUT MANY OTHERS WILL FEEL A SENSE OF RELIEF AT HEARING [MR.] CLINTON SPEAK - - PERHAPS COMBINED WITH A SENSE OF THINGS GONE WRONG ON SEVERAL FRONTS. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: IN THE SOUTH, "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" IS MORE CRITICAL, WRITING UNDER AN EDITORIAL HEADLINE READING: "CLINTON TARNISHES LEGACY," THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE SO BAD IF IT WERE THE FIRST TIME THE PRESIDENT HAD APOLOGIZED FOR ADULTERY.

VOICE: THESE ACTS OF CONTRITION ARE LESS PERSUASIVE FOR THEIR FREQUENCY. IF [MR.] CLINTON HAD BEEN GENUINELY SORRY IN 1992, SURELY HE WOULD HAVE FOUND THE WILL TO RESTRAIN HIMSELF FROM FURTHER ACTS OF ADULTERY. HE DID NOT. INSTEAD, HE HAS AGAIN EMBARRASSED HIMSELF AND HUMILIATED HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTER. BECAUSE HE IS NOW THE PRESIDENT, HIS RECKLESSNESS HAS ALSO DEMEANED THE OFFICE AND DISTRACTED HIS CABINET FROM IMPORTANT BUSINESS. HE HAS TURNED HIS ADMINISTRATION INTO A RUNNING JOKE AMONG COMEDIANS.

TEXT: "THE CONSTITUTION" SAYS THE CASE FOR MR. CLINTON'S RESIGNATION IS STRONG, BUT NOT FOR IMPEACHMENT. IN CALIFORNIA, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS THE PRESIDENT'S ADMISSION COMES "SEVEN MONTHS LATE, AFTER HE WAS "CORNERED IN A TRAP OF HIS OWN MAKING."

VOICE: AMERICANS HAVE A RIGHT TO FEEL DISAPPOINTMENT IN THIS PRESIDENT. THE KEY QUESTION IS THIS: WILL [MR.] CLINTON'S ACTIONS ON MONDAY BE ENOUGH TO SATISFY THE PUBLIC AND ... APPEASE WHITEWATER COUNSEL [KENNETH] STARR AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS? BARRING SOME DRAMATIC NEW DISCLOSURE, [PRESIDENT] CLINTON SHOULD BE ABLE TO SURVIVE THE FINAL TWO YEARS OF HIS SECOND TERM IN OFFICE.

BUT UNDER THE BEST OF CONDITIONS, HE WILL BE A DAMAGED CHIEF EXECUTIVE ....

TEXT: IN THE MIDWEST, CHICAGO'S "SUN-TIMES" WRITES:

VOICE: THIS MAY NOT BE WATERGATE BUT IT IS N O MERE PECCADILLO. ... SOME WILL BE MOVED TO FORGIVENESS BY HIS BELATED ADMISSIONS TO THE GRAND JURY AND ON TELEVISION. WE THINK IT IS TOO LATE FOR TRUST OR RESPECT. [MR.] CLINTON'S SHABBINESS SEEMS DEPLORABLE RATHER THAN IMPEACHABLE ....

TEXT: "USA TODAY," THE NATIONAL DAILY PUBLISHED IN A WASHINGTON SUBURB, SAYS "[MR.] CLINTON'S HOLLOW APOLOGY PUTS NOTHING TO REST," WHILE "THE NEW YORK POST" CALLS THE SPEECH: "A PACK OF LIES."

VOICE: ... BY OUR LIGHTS, [IN OUR OPINION] MR. CLINTON LET SLIP A VITAL CHANCE TO GIVE A HEALING REPORT TO THE NATION AND TO BEGIN THE TASK OF REHABILITATING HIS CHARACTER IN THE EYES OF THE PUBLIC. INSTEAD HE WENT FOR THE TIME-TESTED BLEND OF MINIMAL CONFESSION AND CONTAINED TANTRUM THAT GOT HIM ELECTED TWICE, BUT WILL NOT MAKE HIM A LEADER WHO WILL BE MISSED ONCE HE LEAVES WASHINGTON. /// OPT /// WHAT WE WILL KNOW IN TIME ... IS WHETHER HE HAS SO FALSIFIED HIS CONVERSATION WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT HE COULD NOT, EVEN IN THE HOUR OF HIS GREATEST PERIL AND THROUGH THE SIMPLE AGENCY OF TRUTH, POSITION HIMSELF TO RECEIVE THEIR FORGIVENESS.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE IRISH BOMBING, "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" NOTES "THE RESIDENTS OF OMAGH, NORTHERN IRELAND, AREN'T BUCKLING TO TERRORISM. THEIR RESOLVE SENDS A STRONG, HEARTENING MESSAGE." "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" SAYS NO ONE WILL SUPPORT THESE KILLERS.

VOICE: /// OPT /// IT MADE NO SENSE. EVIL OFTEN DOESN'T. A BOMB BELIEVED SET BY DISSIDENT CATHOLICS WENT OFF IN OMAGH, NORTHERN IRELAND - - A MOSTLY CATHOLIC TOWN - - KILLING MOSTLY CATHOLICS. /// END OPT /// ..... YOU HAVE TO ASK YOURSELF WHAT THE PEOPLE BEHIND THIS UNGODLY ATROCITY THINK THEY CAN GET OUT OF IT. TIMES HAVE CHANGED. IRISH BOTH SOUTH AND NORTH VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY TO SUPPORT PEACE. THAT INCLUDES PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS, REPUBLICANS AND A GOOD NUMBER OF LOYALISTS. ... THE BUTCHERS OF OMAGH ARE ISOLATED. ONCE UPON A TIME, THEIR BOMB MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN ECHO OF POPULAR SUPPORT. NO MORE.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL" COMMENTS THAT THE DEVALUATION OF THE RUSSIAN RUBLE, WHICH WAS ANNOUNCED MONDAY, WILL NOT BE A SIGNIFICANT SHOCK TO THE WORLD FINANCIAL PICTURE.

VOICE: IN ASSESSING YESTERDAY'S 34-PERCENT DEVALUATION OF THE RUSSIAN RUBLE, KEEP IN MIND THAT RUSSIA'S EXPORT VOLUME IS ABOUT THAT OF LITTLE DENMARK. ..... IN SHORT, THE RUBLE DEVALUATION IS BEST LOOKED AT AS REFLECTING A SPECIAL SET OF RUSSIAN PROBLEMS.

TEXT: FROM NEW ENGLAND, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" OPINES:

VOICE: RUSSIA'S DE FACTO DEVALUATION ... IS MERE VENEER ON A MORE TROUBLING SET OF PROBLEMS THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED IF FINANCIAL STABILITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH ARE EVER TO BE ACHIEVED. PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN AND PRIME MINISTER SERGEI KIRIYENKO HAVE MADE A REASONABLE START ON SOME KEY MEASURES BUT WILL HAVE TO RECRUIT FAR DEEPER SUPPORT IF THEY ARE TO SUCCEED. IT IS IN NO ONE'S LONGTERM INTEREST THAT THEY FAIL.

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, THERE IS SUBSTANTIAL COMMENT ON A FEDERAL COURT RULING FAVORABLE TO THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY. THE RULING SUGGESTS THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION F-D-A] DOES N O T HAVE AUTHORITY TO REGULATE TOBACCO. SAYS "USA TODAY:"

VOICE: TOBACCO COMPANIES ARE ...DECLARING VICTORY IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST GOVERNMENT REGULATION. IN REALITY, THOUGH, THE COURT DECISION IS THE LATEST - - AND MOST POINTED - - REMINDER THAT FEDERAL LEGISLATION STILL IS NEEDED TO KEEP TOBACCO AWAY FROM CHILDREN AND TEENS. WITHOUT IT, THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THE F-D-A CAN CONTINUE ITS WORK.

TEXT: LASTLY, A CAUTION, BUT ALSO PRAISE FROM "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" FOR THE COURAGEOUS FLIGHT OF BALLOONER STEVE FOSSETT, WHO, WHILE TRYING TO CIRCLE THE GLOBE, WAS FORCED DOWN PERILOUSLY IN THE CORAL SEA.

VOICE: THREE TIMES BEFORE HE HAD TRIED TO FLY AROUND THE GLOBE .... THREE TIMES THE GLOBE HAD FOUND WAYS TO SAY, 'DON'T THINK SO.' .... STILL, THERE'S SOMETHING DASHING ABOUT ATTEMPTS LIKE HIS THAT THE HUMAN HEART LEAPS TO SALUTE. WITHOUT SUCH ZEST FOR THE QUEST, FEW OF THE ADVENTURERS WHO DID ACTUALLY CHANGE HISTORY WOULD EVER HAVE LEFT PORT.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM TUESDAY'S EDITORIAL PAGES.
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18-Aug-98 10:57 AM EDT (1457 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] NORTHERN IRELAND (S ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: IN NORTHERN IRELAND, HUNDREDS OF MOURNERS GATHERED AT A CHURCH IN OMAGH FOR THE FIRST OF MORE THAN TWO-DOZEN FUNERALS THAT WILL BE HELD OVER THE COMING DAYS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS SECURITY IN THE AREA HAS BEEN TIGHTENED AND THE SEARCH INTENSIFIED TO FIND THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR SATURDAY'S CAR BOMBING, THE DEADLIEST TERRORIST ATTACK IN NORTHERN IRELAND'S THREE DECADES OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE

TEXT: THE FIRST OF MANY FUNERAL SERVICES IN OMAGH WAS HELD FOR AVRIL MONAGHAN, A 30-YEAR-OLD PREGNANT MOTHER AND HER INFANT DAUGHTER MAURA. THE WOMAN'S MOTHER WILL BE BURIED ON WEDNESDAY REPRESENTING THREE GENERATIONS OF ONE FAMILY, FALLEN VICTIM TO SATURDAY'S TERRORIST ATTACK.

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LEADING PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC NEWSPAPERS OF BELFAST. PRINCE CHARLES IS VISITING OMAGH TO PAY HIS RESPECTS TOO.

ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER IN IRELAND, POLICE OFFICIALS CONTINUE THEIR SEARCH FOR WHOEVER PLANTED THE CAR BOMB. SECURITY IS BEING TIGHTENED TOO, AMID FEARS OF RETALIATION FROM RIVAL DISSIDENT GROUPS ALSO OPPOSED TO NORTHERN IRELAND'S PEACE SETTLEMENT. (SIGNED)
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18-Aug-98 9:54 AM EDT (1354 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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