Voice of America, 98-08-19

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO AID (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (BANJA, KOSOVO)

[02] IRISH BOMB / CEASEFIRE (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[03] IRISH GOVT (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

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

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

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

[01] KOSOVO AID (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (BANJA, KOSOVO)

INTRO: EUROPE'S TOP HUMANITARIAN OFFICIAL, EMMA BONINO, IS IN KOSOVO TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO ASSESS THE SITUATION. AID WORKERS SAY THE CONDITIONS ARE DETERIORATING DAILY FOR NEARLY 200-THOUSAND REFUGEES. THE REFUGEES THEMSELVES SAY THEY ARE STILL UNDER ATTACK FROM SERB SECURITY FORCES. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM BANJA IN KOSOVO.

TEXT: EMMA BONINO, EUROPEAN UNION COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, TOURED KOSOVO WEDNESDAY IN THE SHADOW OF MORE FIGHTING THAT HAS LEFT CIVILIANS DEAD AND SENT OTHERS FLEEING INTO THE HILLS.

MS. BONINO, WHO IS ON A THREE-DAY TRIP TO ASSESS HUMANITARIAN NEEDS IN KOSOVO, EXPRESSED FEARS THAT ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES CROWDED INTO WOODED AREAS ARE NOT GETTING ENOUGH HELP.

FIELD OFFICERS WITH THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES SAY THAT RELIEF AGENCIES ARE MEETING ONLY FIVE PERCENT OF THE NEEDS OF OVER 200-THOUSAND REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS. THEY SAY THAT CHILDREN ALREADY SUFFER FROM SEVERE DEHYDRATION.

IN THE FORMER RESORT TOWN OF BANJA, JUST OFF THE ROAD FROM WHERE MS. BONINO'S CONVOY PASSED, VILLAGERS SAID THAT SERBIAN SHELLING KILLED A MAN NAMED IBRAHIM BEGAJ (BAY-GUY) TUESDAY NIGHT AS HE SAT SIPPING TEA WITH HIS SON AND DAUGHTER. THE MAN'S COUSIN, REXHEP (RAY-JEP) BEGAJ, EXPLAINED THAT A SHELL CAME FROM A NEARBY TOWN OF MALISEVO -- A FORMER ALBANIAN GUERRILLA STRONGHOLD THAT FELL TWO WEEKS AGO TO SERBIAN FORCES.

THE FAMILY COURTYARD IS NOW COVERED IN BLOOD AND SHRAPNEL. INSIDE THE HALF-DESTROYED HOME, A PICTURE OF KOSOVO ALBANIAN LEADER IBRAHIM RUGOVA STILL HANGS ON THE WALL.

ALONG A NEARBY RIDGE, TRACTOR BEDS FULL OF NEW REFUGEES FLEE UP A DIRT ROAD IN TO A WOODED AREA ABOVE THE TOWN OF BANJA.

SERBIAN AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE HAVE TOLD U-S AND EUROPEAN OFFICIALS THAT THE ENTIRE PROVINCE OF KOSOVO IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF SERB SECURITY FORCES. THEY SAY ROADS ARE SAFE AND THE SITUATION IS RETURNING TO NORMAL -- DESPITE GLARING EVIDENCE THAT KOSOVO'S GUERRILLA CONFLICT IS STILL FARE FROM OVER. (SIGNED)
NEB/PS/PCF
19-Aug-98 9:24 AM EDT (1324 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] IRISH BOMB / CEASEFIRE (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: THE DISSIDENT REPUBLICAN GROUP, KNOWN AS "THE REAL I-R-A," NOW SAYS IT HAS SUSPENDED ALL MILITARY ACTIONS INDEFINITELY. THE CODED STATEMENT WAS SENT TO THE IRISH TIMES NEWSPAPER OF BELFAST ONLY A FEW HOURS AFTER THE GROUP CLAIMED CREDIT FOR THE OMAGH CAR BOMBING. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON THAT INITIAL REACTION HAS BEEN ANGRY AND DISBELIEVING.

TEXT: THE STATEMENT SAYS THE REAL I-R-A HAS SUSPENDED ITS MILITARY ACTIONS AND IS CONSULTING ITS MEMBERS ABOUT FUTURE DIRECTION. THE STATEMENT APPEARS TO RESPOND TO IRISH PRIME MINISTER BERTIE AHERN'S ULTIMATUM FOR A CEASEFIRE FROM ALL DISSIDENT GROUPS. THE CEASEFIRE COMES ONLY HOURS AFTER THE REAL I-R-A SAID IT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OMAGH CAR BOMBING BUT HAD NOT INTENDED TO TARGET CIVILIANS.

SOME OFFICIALS SAY THE CEASEFIRE ANNOUNCEMENT IS TOO LITTLE TOO LATE. DAVID TRIMBLE -- THE PROTESTANT POLITICIAN WHO HEADS THE NEW NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY -- SAYS IT IS CONTEMPTIBLE AND LACKS CREDIBILITY.

THE IRISH CABINET IS HOLDING AN EMERGENCY SESSION TO DISCUSS TOUGH SECURITY AND LEGAL MEASURES AGAINST THE GUERRILLA GROUPS TRYING TO DISRUPT NORTHERN IRELAND'S PEACE PROCESS.

BRITAIN'S SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND MO MOWLAM CALLED THE REAL I-R-A'S CEASEFIRE ANNOUNCEMENT AN INSULT.

WE WELCOME ANY SUSPENSION OF VIOLENCE, AND LET'S BE CLEAR THEY STRESS IN THE STATEMENT IT'S ONLY A SUSPENSION, BUT ON THE DAY THAT 16 VICTIMS ARE BURIED, I THINK IT'S AN INSULT TO BELIEVE THE WORDS MEAN ANYTHING. THE PAIN AND GRIEF WON'T GO AWAY AND I THINK IT'S A BIT LATE.

IRELAND'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER MARY HARNEY TOLD BRITISH RADIO THE REAL I-R-A STATEMENT DOES NOT CHANGE THE IRISH GOVERNMENT'S DETERMINATION TO CRACK DOWN ON THE EXTREMISTS.

IT'S NOT GOING TO ALTER WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO CONSIDER TODAY. VERY TOUGH MEASURES ARE ON THE GOVERNMENT AGENDA AND THERE IS NO DOUBT WE'LL AGREE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF WHAT'S NECESSARY TO DESTROY THIS ORGANIZATION. WE'RE GOING TO PUT THEM DOWN AND IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT.

[03] IRISH GOVT (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: THE IRISH GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED ON TOUGH NEW LAWS TO TIGHTEN SECURITY AND COMBAT EXTREMIST OPERATIONS FOLLOWING THE CAR BOMB LAST SATURDAY IN NORTHERN IRELAND THAT CLAIMED AT LEAST 28 LIVES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON

TEXT: IRISH PRIME MINISTER BERTIE AHERN SAYS THE TOUGH ANTI-TERRORISM LAWS WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO CONVICT SUSPECTS OF OUTLAWED GROUPS AND DETAIN THEM LONGER FOR INTERROGATIONS.

THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER, WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, TO DEFEAT AND SUPPRESS THIS MURDEROUS CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND.

THE NEW MEASURES INCLUDE TIGHTER SECURITY CONTROLS ALONG THE IRISH REPUBLIC'S BORDER WITH NORTHERN IRELAND AND PUNISHMENT FOR ANYONE WITHHOLDING INFORMATION ABOUT TERRORIST ACTIVITIES. PROPERTY USED FOR TERRORIST OPERATIONS COULD BE CONFISCATED.

MR. AHERN SAYS THE PARLIAMENT WILL BE RECALLED IN TWO WEEKS TO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE DRAFT LAWS.

THE PRIME MINISTER DESCRIBES THE NEW RULES AS DRACONIAN BUT INSISTS THEY ARE NEEDED TO PREVENT MORE TERRORIST ATTACKS.

THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE THESE MEASURES LIGHTLY. WE FULLY RECOGNIZE OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT. WE BELIEVE HOWEVER THAT WE HAVE A CLEAR RESPONSIBILITY WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO DEFEND THE AGREEMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF BOTH PARTS OF THIS ISLAND FROM ATTACKS BY GROUPS WHO HAVE NO LEGITIMACY WHATSOEVER.

EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE DISSIDENT REPUBLICAN GROUP KNOWN AS THE REAL I-R-A ANNOUNCED IT IS SUSPENDING ITS MILITARY OPERATIONS. THAT WORD CAME ONLY HOURS AFTER THE GROUP TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OMAGH CAR BOMB BUT SAID IT HAD NOT INTENDED TO TARGET CIVILIANS. OFFICIALS SAY THE GROUP'S STATEMENT IS TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE.

THE BOMB BLAST IN OMAGH, WHICH CLAIMED AT LEAST 28 LIVES, WAS THE DEADLIEST SINGLE TERRORIST ATTACK IN THREE DECADES OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
19-Aug-98 12:51 PM EDT (1651 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE ADVANCES ENJOYED BY EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS EARLIER IN THE WEEK TOOK A BIT OF A RESPITE WEDNESDAY, WITH KEY STOCK INDEXES CLOSING MIXED. FROM LONDON, VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH HAS CLOSING FIGURES.

TEXT: THE MARKETS IN FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS ALL STARTED TRADING ON A HIGH NOTE WEDNESDAY, BUT BY THE CLOSE, ONLY LONDON SHOWED A NOTABLE GAIN. THE "FOOTSIE 100" ADDED 46 POINTS -- A DAILY GAIN OF EIGHT-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT.

THE FRANKFURT "DAX" INDEX WAS UP ABOUT TWO PERCENT EARLY IN THE DAY, FOLLOWING GAINS POSTED ON ASIAN MARKETS AND ON WALL STREET TUESDAY. BUT MORE SIGNS OF TROUBLE IN RUSSIA'S ECONOMY SENT GERMAN INVESTORS INTO A SELLING MOOD, AND THE "DAX" CLOSED DOWN LESS THAN ONE POINT.

THE PARIS "CAC 40" INDEX ALSO CLOSED TRADING VIRTUALLY FLAT, REGISTERING A GAIN OF ABOUT TWO-AND-A-HALF POINTS.

KEY INDEXES FOR SMALLER STOCK MARKETS IN MILAN AND ZURICH FELL BY JUST UNDER ONE PERCENT WEDNESDAY. AMSTERDAM'S MARKET, HOWEVER, WAS UP ABOUT ONE PERCENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/KL
19-Aug-98 2:34 PM EDT (1834 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AS PROFIT-TAKING CAME INTO THE MARKET. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 86 HUNDRED 93, DOWN 21 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 98, DOWN THREE POINTS.

PROFIT-TAKING APPARENTLY INFLUENCED THE MARKET LATE IN THE SESSION AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO RALLY STALLED EARLIER IN THE DAY. ANALYSTS SAY SOME PROFIT-TAKING IS TO BE EXPECTED AFTER TWO STRAIGHT RALLIES WHICH LIFTED THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE BY MORE THAN THREE PERCENT.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS HOUSING STARTS IN THE UNITED STATES REACHED AN 11-YEAR HIGH LAST MONTH SPURRED BY A STRONG JOB MARKET AND LOW INTEREST RATES.

THE PEOPLE WHO GO IN A NEW HOUSEHOLD HAVE TO START TO FURNISH. SO, HOPEFULLY YOU GET A TRICKLE DOWN EFFECT IN WHICH THEY GO OUT AND START BUYING FURNITURE, RUGS AND APPLIANCES.

GENERAL MOTORS SAYS IT WILL BUILD A NEW ENGINE PLANT IN THE CITY OF FLINT, MICHIGAN. G-M SAYS THE DECISION REFLECTS WHAT IT CALLS A "COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP" BETWEEN UNION AND MANAGEMENT. TWO STRIKES AGAINST G-M WERE SETTLED LAST MONTH.

THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS JOINED JAPAN IN COMPLAINING THAT CANADIAN AUTO TARIFFS FAVOR AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS. THE DISPUTE IS EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. FLUOR, THE ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, REPORTED QUARTERLY EARNINGS WHICH WERE WELL BEYOND WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS. FLUOR WAS REWARDED BY A 10 PERCENT INCREASE IN ITS STOCK PRICE.

ALSO ENJOYING A SOARING STOCK PRICE WAS THE DELL COMPUTER COMPANY. LATE TUESDAY, DELL REPORTED BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED EARNINGS.

A REPORT SAYS MANY WORLD COMPANIES AND GOVERNMENTS ARE FAR BEHIND IN EFFORTS TO REMEDY THE "YEAR 2000 COMPUTER PROBLEM." GARTNER, AN INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING FIRM, SAYS SOME ORGANIZATIONS, ESPECIALLY IN EASTERN EUROPE AND THE DEVELOPING NATIONS, HAVE NOT EVEN BEGUN TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM AND WILL BE UNABLE TO RECTIFY IT IN TIME. THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY THE FACT THAT MANY COMPUTER PROGRAMS WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE YEAR 2000 WHEN IT ARRIVES.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
19-Aug-98 5:23 PM EDT (2123 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: AS THE NATION CONTINUES TO DISCUSS THE PRESIDENT'S REVELATION THAT HE DID, INDEED, HAVE AN IMPROPER RELATIONSHIP WITH A YOUNG WHITE HOUSE INTERN, SEVERAL MAJOR DAILIES, INCLUDING "THE DENVER POST," "THE ORLANDO [FLORIDA] SENTINEL," AND "THE MANCHESTER [NEW HAMPSHIRE] UNION LEADER" ARE CALLING FOR HIS IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION. COMMENTS ABOUT HOW THE SPEECH WAS PERCEIVED FILL THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS WEDNESDAY -- AND MANY OF THEM ARE NOT FAVORABLE. SOME ARE HIGHLY CRITICAL. COMMENTARY ON SOME OTHER SUBJECTS INCLUDE NORTH KOREA'S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS, THE IRISH BOMBING; AND THE RUSSIAN ECONOMY'S CURRENT TUMBLE. NOW WITH A SAMPLING OF THESE COMMENTS, INCLUDING SOME QUOTES, HERE IS _________________ WITH TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE DENVER POST, ONE OF THE LARGEST OF THE NATION'S REGIONAL DAILIES AND A PAPER THAT TWICE ENDORSED MR. CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT, IS CALLING ON HIM TO RESIGN.

VOICE: IT IS TIME, MR. PRESIDENT, TO RESIGN. EVEN THOSE WHO HOPED THAT SOMEHOW WILLIAM ... CLINTON WOULD REFORGE HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH US -- THAT HE'D LOOK THE NATION IN THE EYE AND WIN FORGIVENESS -- WERE DISAPPOINTED. ... NOT ONCE DID HE SAY, 'I'M SORRY.' NOT ONCE, MONDAY NIGHT, DID HE ASK FOR FORGIVENESS. ALL HE DID WAS DEMAND THAT WE BUTT OUT OF [REMOVE OURSELVES FROM] HIS AFFAIRS. /// OPT /// ... SCOTLAND'S EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS YESTERDAY USED A TWO-WORD HEADLINE IN MASSIVE TYPE: 'THE LIAR.' WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON BROUGHT THAT DISGRACE UPON HIMSELF AND THE NATION ENTRUSTED TO HIS LEADERSHIP. /// END OPT /// WE HAVE NO REASON LEFT TO HOPE THAT [MR.] CLINTON, IN THE SEEMINGLY INTERMINABLE TWO YEARS THAT LIE AHEAD, CAN RALLY HIS RESOURCES TO SERVE MEANINGFULLY IN HIS HIGH OFFICE OR TO LIFT THE NATIONAL PALL OF DISMAY AND CYNICISM. THE MOST HONORABLE COURSE REMAINING IS RESIGNATION.

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" ECHOES THOSE SENTIMENTS, ADDING:

VOICE: THE ISSUE IS NOT ABOUT SEX. THE ISSUE IS THE STANDARD EXPECTED OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. AND THE QUESTION TODAY IS WHETHER BILL CLINTON IS CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING EITHER THE INTEGRITY OR THE DECORUM TO CONTINUE IN THAT OFFICE. /// OPT /// .... WHAT'S CLEAR NOW IS THAT HE STRETCHED THE TRUTH IN HIS DEPOSITION AND THAT HE OUT AND OUT LIED WHEN HE SPOKE TO THE PUBLIC. EVEN AFTER ALL THAT, THE COUNTRY SEEMED READY TO FORGIVE, IF NOT FORGET, AND MOVE ON, IF ONLY MR. CLINTON HAD ADDRESSED HIS PROBLEMS MORE FORTHRIGHTLY. BUT HE SQUANDERED THAT OPPORTUNITY, SHIFTING FROM CONTRITION TO COMBATIVENESS ..... RATHER THAN HELPING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THROUGH A SHARED, DIFFICULT MOMENT, THE PRESIDENT'S RESPONSE CAME OFF AS HOLLOW, PERHAPS EVEN INSULTING ... ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. /// END OPT /// IF MR. CLINTON IS AN HONORABLE MAN, HE WILL RESIGN AND LET THE COUNTRY MOVE ON.

TEXT: IN NEW ENGLAND, IN JOINING THE CALL FOR HIS RESIGNATION, THE LARGEST NEWSPAPER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, "THE MANCHESTER UNION LEADER" ASKS: DOES BILL CLINTON HAVE NO SENSE OF SHAME? /// OPT /// THEN ADDS:

VOICE: ... WHAT WE SAW MONDAY NIGHT WAS VINTAGE BILL CLINTON: ACCEPT AS LITTLE RESPONSIBILITY AS POSSIBLE AND SHIFT AS MUCH OF THE BLAME AS YOU CAN TO OTHERS. INSTEAD OF AN HONEST CONFESSION AND AN APOLOGY FROM A CONTRITE HEART, WHAT WE GOT WAS A COLD, BLOODLESS STATEMENT CRAFTED BY LAWYERS, FULL OF ARTFUL LANGUAGE AND BASED ON PUBLIC OPINION POLLING. IT WAS PATHETIC, BENEATH CONTEMPT.

TEXT: NEXT DOOR, IN MAINE, HOWEVER, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" CAUTIONS THAT IT IS "TIME TO LET THIS CASE BE JUDGED ON [ITS] MERITS," AND SUGGESTS:

VOICE: THE TEMPTATION FOR [KENNETH] STARR AT THIS POINT MIGHT BE TO DIG IN, TO RENEW HIS EFFORT TO UNEARTH EVIDENCE OF LEGAL WRONGDOING ON THE PART OF THE PRESIDENT. THIS WOULD BE A MISTAKE. [MR.] STARR"S EFFORTS HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTIVE, AND IT IS TIME TO CLOSE THE INVESTIGATION. IF THE PRESIDENT IS GUILTY OF A SERIOUS CRIME, CONGRESS WILL DEAL APPROPRIATELY WITH THAT. IF, ON THE OTHER HAND, [PRESIDENT] CLINTON IS GUILTY OF BETRAYING THE TRUST OF THE PUBLIC, THEN THAT IS A MATTER FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

TEXT: CLEAR ACROSS THE COUNTRY, "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND SAYS THINGS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME FOR WHAT IT CALLS "THE FLAWED PRESIDENT."

VOICE: ... IT'S HARD TO SEE HOW WE CAN EVER RETURN TO THE CLINTON PRESIDENCY AS IT WAS AT THE START OF THIS YEAR, BEFORE THE LEWINSKY ALLEGATIONS EMERGED. .... HIS ABILITY TO LEAD THE NATION ... APPEARS TO BE PERMANENTLY DAMAGED. MAYBE NOT. MAYBE A PUBLIC THAT WAS SILENTLY PLEADING 'SAY IT'S NOT SO, BILL,' BUT DISCOVERED IT WAS WILL, AS [MR.] CLINTON ASKED, 'TURN AWAY FROM THE SPECTACLE OF THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS, TO REPAIR THE FABRIC OF OUR NATIONAL DISCOURSE ...' BUT THAT WILL HAPPEN ONLY IF AMERICANS PUT THE PRESIDENCY ABOVE PERSON, AND THE NATION'S NEEDS ABOVE ITS LEADER'S PERSONAL FAILINGS.

TEXT: "THE MIAMI HERALD" SUMS UP ITS DISPLEASURE THIS WAY. "THE COST OF MR. CLINTON'S DALLIANCE, AND THE COIN IN WHICH IT WILL BE PAID, ARE AS UNFATHOMABLE AS HIS REASONS FOR HAVING THIS AFFAIR." AND IN NEW ENGLAND, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" LEAD STORY SAYS THAT MR. CLINTON'S DEFIANT ATTACK ON INDEPENDENT COUNSEL KENNETH STARR AND HIS FAILURE TO EXPLAIN HIS PREVIOUS DENIALS OF AN AFFAIR HAVE HEIGHTENED THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS BY ANGERING REPUBLICANS WHO CONTROL THE HOUSE. IN ITS EDITORIAL COMMENT, "THE GLOBE" ADDS:

VOICE: THERE WERE TOO MANY BUTS. PRESIDENT CLINTON ADMITTED TO AN IMPROPER RELATIONSHIP, BUT HE DIDN'T SAY IT WAS SEXUAL. HE SAID ... HE HAD MISLED, BUT NOT THAT HE HAD LIED. HE EXPRESSED REGRET, BUT HE DID NOT APOLOGIZE. ... A SPEECH ACKNOWLEDGING DECEPTION CANNOT SUCCEED UNLESS THE WORDS CARRY THE RING OF TRUTH. [MR.] CLINTON'S SPEECH ..... BOXED IN BY LAWYERS, FRAMED BY POLLSTERS, TRIMMED BY HIS OWN STUBBORN REFUSAL TO ACCEPT THE DEPTH OF HIS RESPONSIBILITY OR TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE WIDESPREAD DAMAGE HE HAS DONE, FAILED THAT TEST.

TEXT: AND UNDER A HEADLINE READING I, CLINTON, A PARODY OF THE ROMAN EMPEROR'S TITLE: I, CLAUDIUS, "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" CONCLUDES ITS COMMENTARY:

VOICE: ...THE WORST OUTCOME WOULD BE FOR RESPONSIBLE AMERICANS TO BLINK BEFORE MR. CLINTON'S ANGER, MAKING HIM AN EMPEROR AFTER ALL.

TEXT: TURNING TO OTHER TOPICS, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS UPSET AT THE LATEST INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION THAT NORTH KOREA MAY BE BUILDING ATOMIC BOMBS UNDERGROUND.

VOICE: WASHINGTON MUST INSIST THAT WORK ON THIS PROJECT BE HALTED IMMEDIATELY. IF NORTH KOREA WANTS ECONOMIC COOPERATION FROM THE UNITED STATES IT MUST HONOR ITS PROMISE TO RENOUNCE ALL NUCLEAR WEAPONS ACTIVITY. ..../// OPT /// NORTH KOREA IS A DANGEROUS, UNPREDICTABLE COUNTRY. A BREAKDOWN OF THE NUCLEAR COOPERATION AGREEMENT WOULD HEIGHTEN TENSIONS ON THE PENINSULA, WHERE 37-THOUSAND AMERICAN TROOPS STILL STAND GUARD. WASHINGTON SHOULD MAKE EVERY REASONABLE EFFORT TO KEEP THE NUCLEAR DEAL [THE 1994 AGREEMENT WHEREIN THE U-S SAID IT WOULD HELP NORTH KOREA GET NEW NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IF IT WOULD STOP PRODUCING BOMB GRADE PLUTONIUM AT ITS PRESENT FACILITIES] ALIVE. BUT THE AGREEMENT CLEARLY CANNOT SURVIVE IF NORTH KOREA STILL IMAGINES ITSELF BECOMING A NUCLEAR POWER. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: IN A PAIR OF EDITORIALS, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" COMMENTS FIRST ON THE REPORTED APOLOGY BY A FRINGE GROUP IN NORTHERN IRELAND, "THE REAL I-R-A" WHICH SAYS IT DID NOT MEAN TO KILL CIVILIANS IN THE OMAGH BOMBING.

VOICE: APOLOGIES? THE BOMB KILLED 28 AND WOUNDED 220. THE TOP BRITISH OFFICIAL IN ULSTER CALLED THE **MEA CULPA** [ITALICS FOR LATIN EXPRESSION] A 'PATHETIC ATTEMPT TO APOLOGIZE FOR AND EXCUSE MASS MURDER." ... THOSE SMALL GROUPS OF TERRORISTS STILL ACTIVE CANNOT SURMOUNT THE TIDE THEY ARE MARCHING AGAINST. THE DEMAND FOR PEACE IS THAT STRONG.

TEXT: AND IN ANOTHER COMMENTARY, "THE L-A TIMES" SAYS OF THE RUSSIAN ECONOMIC CRISIS:

VOICE: DEVALUATION ... AND THE MORATORIUM ON DEBT PAYMENT SPARE MOSCOW FROM HAVING TO DIP FURTHER INTO ITS SCARCE DOLLAR AND OTHER HARD CURRENCY RESERVES. IT MIGHT EVEN MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BEGIN PAYING SOME OF THE BACK WAGES IT OWES RESTIVE COAL MINERS AND MILLIONS OF OTHER STATE WORKERS. BUT ALL THIS COMES AT A STIFF PRICE. ... MOSCOW NOW HAS ABOUT 90 DAYS -- THE SCHEDULED LENGTH OF THE MORATORIUM ON DEBT PAYMENT -- TO TRY TO KEEP A BAD SITUATION FROM COLLAPSING INTO SOMETHING INFINITELY WORSE.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF TODAY'S U-S DAILY PAPERS.
NEB/ANG/MMK
19-Aug-98 10:50 AM EDT (1450 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article