Voice of America, 98-08-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO SHELLING (L) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (KOSOVO)

[02] KOSOVO FIGHTING (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (SUVA REKA)

[03] U-N / KOSOVO VIOLENCE (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[04] GERMAN-BOSNIAN REPATRIATION BY SUZANNE KELLY (BERLIN)

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

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

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

[01] KOSOVO SHELLING (L) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (KOSOVO)

INTRO: A CHAIN OF VILLAGES IN CENTRAL KOSOVO HAVE COME UNDER HEAVY SHELLING FROM THE YUGOSLAV ARMY SUNDAY, AS TRACTORS LADEN WITH HUNDREDS OF REFUGEES FLED DOWN DUSTY ROADS FOR SAFETY. THE RENEWED FIGHTING IN KOSOVO WAS ACCOMPANIED BY REPORTS THAT TWO SERBIAN JOURNALISTS ARE MISSING IN THE PROVINCE. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM RIBARI IMADH.

TEXT: SEVERAL VILLAGES PACKED WITH ALBANIAN REFUGEES CAME UNDER ATTACK ON SUNDAY BY THE YUGOSLAV ARMY AND SERBIAN POLICE UNITS, AS FIGHTING IN KOSOVO ESCALATED AFTER A WEEK OF RELATIVE CALM. HUNDREDS OF REFUGEES POURED OUT OF VILLAGES THAT HAD OFFERED SHELTER TO ETHNIC ALBANIANS FLEEING FIGHTING EARLIER IN THE MONTH. YOUNG WOMEN HELD SMALL CHILDREN TO THEIR BREASTS, AS TRACTORS TRUNDLED FROM BURNING VILLAGES.

A MAN FROM ONE OF THE VILLAGES DESCRIBED HOW SHELLING BEGAN EARLY SUNDAY, AND INTENSIFIED BEFORE SECURITY FORCES ENTERED AND BEGAN TORCHING THE HOMES.

......HE SAID THAT THEY HAD THREE POSITIONS FROM WHERE THEY STARTED SHOOTING WITH TANKS. THE INFANTRY STARTED TO ENTER THE VILLAGE AND STARTED TO DEMOLISH AND BURN THE VILLAGE. THEY BEGAN TO BURN, TO STEAL, AND TO DESTROY THE VILLAGE.

SERB POLICE ATTEMPTED TO BLOCK WESTERN JOURNALISTS FROM ENTERING THE ZONE OF CONFLICT ALL DAY SUNDAY. THEY CLAIM TO BE TARGETING STRONGHOLDS OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, OR K-L-A. BUT VILLAGERS FLEEING THE FIGHTING SAID ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS HAD SLIPPED OUT OF TOWN DAYS AGO.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ALBANIAN KOSOVO INFORMATION CENTER ACCUSED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC OF TRYING TO DESTROY ALL OF KOSOVO, VILLAGE BY VILLAGE. HE SAID THE END RESULT WOULD BE ETHNIC CLEANSING OF ALBANIANS FROM KOSOVO ON A GRAND SCALE. MEANWHILE, OFFICIALS AT THE SERBIAN MEDIA CENTER IN PRISTINA EXPRESSED ALARM THAT TWO SERBIAN JOURNALISTS HAD NOT RETURNED TO THE CAPITAL. THEY SAID JUROJ SLOVOJ AND HIS DRIVER RANKO PIRIVIC HAD BEEN DRIVING THROUGH THE TOWN OF ORAHOVAC ON FRIDAY WHEN THEY WENT MISSING. COLLEAGUES OF THE JOURNALISTS SAID THEY FEARED THE TWO HAD BEEN KIDNAPPED BY THE K-L-A AFTER TAKING A RISKY ROAD NORTH. (SIGNED)
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23-Aug-98 4:42 PM EDT (2042 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO FIGHTING (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (SUVA REKA)

INTRO: THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES ARE FLEEING SERBIAN ARTILLERY ATTACKS IN CENTRAL KOSOVO PROVINCE, ADDING TO THE TOLL OF HOMELESS. THE ALBANIAN REFUGEES AND FIGHTERS IN THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY SAY HOMES ARE BEING ABANDONED BUT THAT THE GUERRILLA FIGHTERS ARE REMAINING IN THE WOODS TO BATTLE SERB FORCES. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM THE AREA NEAR THE KOSOVO TOWN OF SUVA REKA.

TEXT: OFFICERS IN THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLA ARMY SAY THEY ARE PUTTING UP LIMITED RESISTANCE AGAINST SERB FORCES THAT HAVE LAUNCHED AN ALL-OUT ATTACK ON MORE THAN ONE-DOZEN VILLAGES IN CENTRAL KOSOVO.

SENIOR OFFICERS IN THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, OR K-L-A, ACCUSED SERB SECURITY FORCES OF SHELLING CIVILIANS AND BURNING HOMES IN VILLAGES NORTH OF THE TOWN OF SUVA REKA.

THE FIGHTING HAS PUSHED THOUSANDS OF NEW REFUGEES INTO THE WOODS. ONE ETHNIC ALBANIAN VILLAGER, MUSLI BYTYSI, FLED WITH HIS FAMILY EARLY SUNDAY. SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, HE SAID SEVERAL MEN HAD TO CARRY HIS DYING MOTHER AND PLACE HER ON A TRACTOR.

WE ARE OBLIGED TO LOOK AROUND, BECAUSE CHILDREN BEGAN TO CRY, ALL THE THINGS IN THE HOUSE WERE DESTROYED. WE BEGAN TO TAKE SOME THINGS -- SOME FOOD, CLOTHES -- AND IT WAS A BIG CROWD IN THE FAMILY. AND AFTER THAT, WE HAD A BIG PROBLEM WITH OUR MOTHER BECAUSE SHE WAS ILL. AND WE WERE OBLIGED -- THREE OR FOUR PERSONS -- TO CARRY MOTHER SLOWLY AND TO PUT HER IN A TRACTOR, BECAUSE SHE IS ILL.

FIGHTING HAS RAGED FOR TWO DAYS ACROSS A WIDE SWATH OF LAND IN CENTRAL KOSOVO. REFUGEES WHO FLED TO THE HILLS NORTH OF SUVA REKA SAID THEY LEFT WHEN SHELLS BEGAN LANDING IN FAMILY COURTYARDS.

THE SERBIAN MEDIA CENTER IN PRISTINA QUOTED GOVERNMENT SOURCES AS SAYING ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS HAD PROVOKED SOME OF THE FIGHTING.

BUT THE EXTENT OF THE FIGHTING -- IN A LONG LINE OF VILLAGES RUNNING SOUTH TO NORTH -- SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT MAY HAVE LAUNCHED YET ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO CRUSH THE K-L-A. THE K-L-A -- WHICH INCLUDES PROFESSIONAL SOLDIERS AND LOCAL FARMERS -- SAYS IT IS FIGHTING FOR COMPLETE INDEPENDENCE FROM YUGOSLAVIA.

OFFICERS IN THE K-L-A SAID THEY HAD DESTROYED THREE SERBIAN TANKS IN THE PAST TWO DAYS OF FIGHTING. VILLAGERS SAID THE K-L-A IS HIDING OUT IN WOODED AREAS ABOVE THE SITES OF HEAVY FIGHTING TO SHOOT AT SERBIAN FORCES WHEN THEY TRY TO ENTER VILLAGES AND BURN THEM TO THE GROUND. (SIGNED)
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24-Aug-98 1:35 PM EDT (1735 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] U-N / KOSOVO VIOLENCE (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IS CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. THE COUNCIL ISSUED A STATEMENT TODAY (MONDAY) WARNING THAT VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO THREATENS THE STABILITY OF THE ENTIRE REGION. V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL SAYS IT IS GRAVELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DETERIORATING SITUATION IN KOSOVO. IN A STATEMENT RELEASED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT DANILO TURK OF SLOVENIA, THE COUNCIL SAYS THE CONFLICT HAS DANGEROUS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE STABILITY OF THE BALKAN REGION AND THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME A HUMANITARIAN DISASTER.

MR. TURK SAYS THE COUNCIL IS ALSO CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE END TO FIGHTING IN THE PROVINCE.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL CALLS FOR AN IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE. THE COUNCIL EMPHASIZES THAT THE AUTHORITIES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA AND THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS MUST ACHIEVE A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE OF KOSOVO AND THAT ALL VIOLENCE AND ACTS OF TERRORISM FROM WHATEVER QUARTER ARE UNACCEPTABLE AND REITERATES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS RESOLUTION 11-60.

RESOLUTION 11-60, APPROVED EARLIER THIS YEAR, IMPOSES AN ARMS EMBARGO ON THE REGION.

ETHNIC ALBANIANS SAY SERB POLICE IN KOSOVO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VIOLENCE. THEY SAY POLICE, MOTIVATED BY ETHNIC RIVALRY, HAVE LAUNCHED AN ETHNIC CLEANSING CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE LOCAL ALBANIAN POPULATION. YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES HAVE DENIED THE CHARGE AND ACCUSE ETHNIC ALBANIANS OF USING TERRORISM IN AN EFFORT TO GAIN INDEPENDENCE FOR KOSOVO.

UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS SAY MORE THAN 250-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED THIS YEAR BY VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. MANY OF THEM HAVE FLED TO NEIGHBORING ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PLM
24-Aug-98 5:44 PM EDT (2144 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] GERMAN-BOSNIAN REPATRIATION BY SUZANNE KELLY (BERLIN)

INTRO: NEARLY 350-THOUSAND PEOPLE WHO FLED BOSNIA DURING THE WAR YEARS OF 1992-1995 FOUND REFUGE IN GERMANY, WHICH TOOK IN MORE REFUGEES FROM THE BOSNIAN REGION THAN ALL OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES COMBINED. BUT NOW, THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT IS ASKING THE REFUGEES TO GO HOME. SUZANNE KELLY EXPLAINS WHY, IN THIS REPORT FROM BERLIN.

TEXT: TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR 28-YEAR-OLD HALLIL GELILOVICH. HE IS A BOSNIAN REFUGEE WHO HAS BEEN LIVING AND WORKING IN BERLIN FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS. BUT THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT HAS TOLD HIM THAT HE AND HIS FAMILY MUST LEAVE.

MR. GELILOVICH AND HIS WIFE FLED THE BOSNIAN WAR AND SETTLED IN BERLIN FIVE YEARS AGO. THEIR INFANT SON, NOW 18-MONTH-OLD, WAS BORN HERE. DURING THE BOSNIAN WAR, GERMANY'S DOOR WAS OPEN TO THE REFUGEES AS A SAFE HAVEN. BUT NOW, THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT SAYS IT CAN NO LONGER AFFORD FAMILIES LIKE THE GELILOVICH'S. GERMANY'S GOVERNMENT HAS PAID OUT MILLIONS OF DEUTSCHMARKS TO HELP CARE FOR THE NEARLY 350-THOUSAND BOSNIAN REFUGEES. BUT THAT SAME GOVERNMENT NOW FACES A NATIONAL ELECTION ON SEPTEMBER 27TH, AND MANY FOREIGNERS LIVING IN GERMANY HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A CONTENTIOUS ISSUE.

FACING THE SERIOUS PROBLEM OF HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT, CRITICS OF CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL SAY HE IS PLAYING ON POPULAR FEARS THAT FOREIGNERS ARE OVERRUNNING THE COUNTRY. THE LEADING OPPOSITION PARTY -- THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS -- HAS NOT MADE AN ELECTION ISSUE OUT OF THE BOSNIAN REFUGEE PROBLEM, AND QUIETLY SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT POLICY. ON SUNDAY, THE CHANCELLOR TOLD SOME 18-THOUSAND OF HIS CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY THAT THERE IS NO ROOM LEFT FOR MORE IMMIGRANTS IN GERMANY, AND THAT HE WANTS THE REFUGEES TO RESPECT THE RULES FOR GUESTS, AND GO HOME. BUT MANY BOSNIAN MUSLIMS LIKE MR. GELILOVICH SAY THEY CANNOT GO HOME. THEIR ORIGINAL HOMES HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY SERBS.

THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT IS OFFERING FAMILIES LIKE GELILOVICH'S UP TO EIGHT-THOUSAND DEUTSCHMARKS EXPENSE MONEY TO LEAVE. BUT THAT INCENTIVE IS DRAWING CRITICISM FROM THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES. A SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE GERMAN AUTHORITIES ARE USING WHAT HE CALLED "TAKE-IT-OR LEAVE IT TACTICS" -- MEANING, THAT IF THE REFUGEES DON'T TAKE THE MONEY AND LEAVE NOW, THEY WILL BE FORCED TO LEAVE GERMANY IN A MATTER OF MONTHS. THE U-N HIGH COMMISSION IS PLEADING FOR COUNTRIES WHO TOOK IN BOSNIAN REFUGEES TO KEEP THEM FOR ANOTHER YEAR, WHILE THE REBUILDING PROCESS BACK HOME CONTINUES. BUT THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT SAYS THE TIME FOR REPATRIATION IS NOW.

DEPUTY INTERIOR MINISTER KURT SCHELTER SAYS THE REFUGEES ARE GUESTS, WHO SHOULD KNOW THAT IT IS NOW TIME TO LEAVE. CRITICS SAY THE REFUGEES ARE BEING MADE SCAPEGOATS FOR GERMANY'S UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM, AND THEIR RETURN TO BOSNIA HAS BECOME A CONTENTIOUS ELECTION CAMPAIGN ISSUE. BUT MR. SCHELTER SAYS IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH NEXT MONTH'S ELECTION, AND HE RESENTS ANY CRITICISM OF THE GERMAN REPATRIATION PROCESS.

I THINK WE CHOSE A VERY SMOOTH WAY TO SEND THOSE REFUGEES WHICH WERE GUESTS FOR THE TIME BEING, BACK TO THEIR COUNTRY. THEY SPENT A LOT OF YEARS IN GERMANY AND WE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY FOR THOSE PEOPLE. THOUSANDS OF MILLIONS OF DEUTSCHMARKS WE SPENT ON THOSE PEOPLE IN OUR CITIES, IN OUR STATES, AND IN OUR BUDGET.

MR. SCHELTER ECHOES THE SIMILE USED BY CHANCELLOR KOHL AND OTHERS IN THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION PARTY WHEN HE SAYS THE "GERMAN BOAT IS FULL," WITH NO MORE ROOM FOR PEOPLE LIKE MR. GELILOVICH AND HIS FAMILY.

THIS CAUSES TENSION WITHIN OUR SOCIETY, SO IT'S NATURAL THAT YOU CHOSE THIS PICTURE, THE BOAT IS FULL. THE BOAT BECOMES FULLER AND FULLER -- AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

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

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

TEXT: THE EUROPEAN EXCHANGES EXPERIENCED A VOLATILE DAY -- WITH INVESTORS CLEARLY WORRIED ABOUT THE CONTINUED FINANCIAL PROBLEMS IN RUSSIA AND ASIA.

THE BIGGEST GAIN WAS IN LONDON. AFTER A FALL LAST FRIDAY OF 190-POINTS -- MORE THAN THREE-PERCENT -- THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX ON MONDAY GAINED 77-POINTS, ONE-AND-FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT.

IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX INDEX -- WHICH PLUNGED MORE THAN FIVE-PERCENT ON FRIDAY -- CLOSED MONDAY UP 63-POINTS, ONE-AND-TWO-TENTHS PERCENT.

BUT THE PARIS MARKET WAS DOWN. THE CAC-40 INDEX ENDED OFF SIX-POINTS, LESS THAN TWO-TENTHS-PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR WAS DOWN AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND, THE GERMAN MARK, AND THE JAPANESE YEN. (SIGNED)
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24-Aug-98 2:26 PM EDT (1826 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 TODAY (MONDAY) BUT WALL STREET TRADERS CONTINUE TO BE CAUTIOUS BECAUSE OF INTERNATIONAL CONDITIONS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 85 HUNDRED 66, UP ALMOST 33 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 88, UP ALMOST SEVEN POINTS.

THE WEEKEND SHAKE-UP OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT HAD NO REAL EFFECT ON WALL STREET AFTER EUROPEAN MARKETS SHOWED NO NEGATIVE REACTION TO THE CABINET CHANGES. HOWEVER, ANALYSTS SAY THERE IS STILL UNCERTAINTY ON WALL STREET ABOUT THE ECONOMIC SITUATION IN RUSSIA AS WELL AS IN ASIA AND IN SOME LATIN AMERICAN NATIONS.

ALTHOUGH THE GENERAL ATTITUDE AMONG STOCK TRADERS REMAINS CAUTIOUS, THERE ARE ANALYSTS WHO BELIEVE THE RECENT DROP IN U-S STOCK PRICES PRESENTS AN EXCELLENT BUYING OPPORTUNITY.

JOE BATTAPAGLIA OF THE GRUNTAL INVESTMENT COMPANY SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT THE U-S DOMESTIC ECONOMY REMAINS VERY STRONG AND THAT WILL HELP WELL-MANAGED COMPANIES.

THE U-S CAN SKIRT A RECESSION. WE CAN HAVE POSITIVE CORPORATE EARNINGS GROWTH AND THAT WILL BE ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN THE VALUES AT THE LOW END AND ALLOW THE UPPER END TO BLOSSOM. ///END OPT///

THE MERRILL LYNCH INVESTMENT COMPANY HAS AGREED TO PAY A TWO MILLION DOLLAR FINE TO SETTLE A CASE INVOLVING THE 1994 SALE OF MUNICIPAL BONDS ISSUED BY ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. U-S REGULATORS SAY MERRILL LYNCH MISLED INVESTORS ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE BONDS JUST MONTHS BEFORE ORANGE COUNTY DECLARED BANKRUPTCY. IT WAS THE LARGEST MUNICIPAL INSOLVENCY IN U-S HISTORY.

NORTHROP GRUMMAN, THE GIANT DEFENSE AND AEROSPACE COMPANY, SAYS IT WILL ELIMINATE EIGHT THOUSAND JOBS OR 15 PERCENT OF ITS WORK FORCE. IT'S PART OF A RESTRUCTURING PROGRAM WHICH IS DESIGNED TO SAVE NORTHROP 300 MILLION DOLLARS. LAST MONTH, A PLANNED MERGER OF NORTHROP AND LOCKHEED MARTIN COLLAPSED UNDER INTENSE SCRUTINY BY FEDERAL REGULATORS.

THE STOCK OF THE CYBERGUARD COMPUTER SECURITY COMPANY LOST MORE THAN 70 PERCENT OF ITS VALUE AFTER THE COMPANY SAID OUTSIDE DIRECTORS WILL TAKE CONTROL OF THE FIRM. TOP OFFICERS OF CYBERGUARD HAVE EITHER RESIGNED OR BEEN SUSPENDED IN THE WAKE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

WORKERS AT A SECOND REGIONAL TELEPHONE COMPANY ARE ON STRIKE. THE WALKOUT AT THE SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY BEGAN SUNDAY NIGHT. MEANWHILE, A NINE-DAY OLD STRIKE AGAINST THE U-S WEST TELEPHONE COMPANY CONTINUES ALTHOUGH NEGOTIATIONS HAVE RESUMED.

COCA-COLA HAS WON THE LATEST BATTLE IN THE ONGOING "COLA WAR" AGAINST PEPSI-COLA. THE WENDY'S HAMBURGER RESTAURANT CHAIN HAS ANNOUNCED A DEAL TO SELL COKE EXCLUSIVELY AT ALL OF ITS MORE THAN 45 HUNDRED U-S LOCATIONS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
24-Aug-98 5:24 PM EDT (2124 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: DEMANDS FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON'S RESIGNATION CONTINUE THIS MONDAY, WITH THE LATEST COMING IN AN ESSAY BY FORMER VICE PRESIDENT DAN QUAYLE, WRITING IN TODAY'S "USA TODAY." BUT IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL, "THE OMAHA WORLD-HERALD" SAYS SUCH A MOVE WOULD BE PREMATURE.

IN OTHER EDITORIALS, THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS OF HOW BEST TO MEET THE TERRORIST CHALLENGE; ADVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT ON ITS IRAQ POLICY; SOME THOUGHTS ON THAT SUPPOSED NORTH KOREAN UNDERGROUND WEAPONS FACILITY AND REACTION TO BORIS YELTSIN'S LATEST POLITICAL MOVES TO SOLVE HIS COUNTRY'S FINANCIAL CRISIS. NOW, WE TURN TO _____________________FOR A SAMPLING AND A FEW QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: BEGINNING IN NEBRASKA, WHERE THE STATE'S LARGEST DAILY, "THE OMAHA WORLD-HERALD" SAYS:

VOICE: THE RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT CLINTON, DEMANDED BY SEVERAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND OTHERS, WOULD BE PREMATURE AT THIS TIME. CERTAINLY [MR.] CLINTON HAS GIVEN AMERICANS REASON TO LOSE CONFIDENCE IN HIS CHARACTER AND HIS JUDGMENT. ...BUT A CLINTON RESIGNATION NOW WOULD LEAVE MAJOR QUESTIONS UNANSWERED. IT WOULD LEAVE THE COUNTRY WITH AN UNTRIED SUCCESSOR DURING A SEVERE INTERNATIONAL CRISIS. AND AL GORE HIMSELF MAY BECOME THE TARGET OF AN INVESTIGATION OF ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN FUND-RAISING. /// OPT /// ... IF [PRESIDENT] CLINTON IS GOING TO BE REMOVED OR FORCED FROM OFFICE, AMERICANS DESERVE A FULL EXPLANATION OF WHY. ... [KENNETH] STARR'S REPORT SHOULD GIVE THE COUNTRY A BADLY NEEDED FORM OF CLOSURE TO THE CLINTON SCANDALS. FOR NOW, THEREFORE, CALLS FOR THE PRESIDENT RESIGNATION SHOULD BE RESISTED. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" COMPLAINS THE CLINTON WHITE HOUSE IS REFUSING TO COOPERATE FULLY WITH THE INVESTIGATION, BY APPEALING TO THE SUPREME COURT A LOWER COURT RULING COMPELLING WHITE HOUSE LAWYER BRUCE LINDSEY AND OTHER TO TESTIFY.

VOICE: ... IT IS NOW CLEAR THAT NOTHING -- NOT EVEN THE PRESIDENTIAL UNMASKING AS AN INCORRIGIBLE LIAR -- WILL PERSUADE MR. CLINTON AND HIS HANDLERS TO DROP THEIR PHONY CLAIM THAT MR. LINDSEY AND OTHER WHITE HOUSE LAWYERS PAID BY THE TAXPAYERS TO DO THE GOVERNMENT'S BUSINESS ARE PROTECTED FROM TESTIFYING ABOUT A CRIME ...

TEXT: THE WAR AGAINST TERRORISM IS VERY MUCH ON THE MINDS OF MANY EDITORIAL WRITERS, INCLUDING THOSE AT "THE HARTFORD [CONNECTICUT] COURANT," WHO PROPOSE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION WHY SO MANY FUNDAMENTALIST MUSLIMS NOW HATE THE UNITED STATES.

VOICE: MOST ARABS NOW BELIEVE ... THE UNITED STATES IS PUNISHING ALL IRAQIS IN ITS PURSUIT OF A PERSONAL GRUDGE AGAINST MR. HUSSEIN. THE PRESENCE OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN PERSIAN GULF COUNTRIES HAS COME TO BE SEEN AS OPEN-ENDED -- AN OCCUPATION MEANT ONLY TO GUARD U-S COMMERCIAL INTERESTS. DEVOUT, MAINSTREAM MUSLIMS FEAR THAT LIBERAL WESTERN CULTURE IS HAVING A CORRUPTING INFLUENCE ON THEIR CULTURES. AND, MOST VOLATILE OF ALL, MUSLIMS, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF ARAB ORIGIN, CONSIDER THE UNITED STATES TO BE SOFT ON ISRAEL'S RIGHT-WING GOVERNMENT, WHICH HAS REFUSED TO BUDGE ON GIVING UP OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. /// OPT /// ... THE ARAB AND MUSLIM POINTS OF VIEW ARE NOT NECESSARILY ALL CORRECT ONES. BUT THEY SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IF THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM IS TO BE SUCCESSFUL. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SAYS WHILE THE MISSILE ATTACKS ON TERRORIST BASES IN RETALIATION FOR THE EMBASSY ATTACKS WERE NECESSARY, THEY STILL RAISE LARGE QUESTIONS INCLUDING:

VOICE: ... WHERE IS THIS 'WAR' AGAINST TERRORISM LEADING? TERRORISTS THRIVE ON NOTORIETY, AND THE U-S OPERATION AGAINST THE ORGANIZATION OF OSAMA BIN LADEN ... HAS DOUBTLESS BOOSTED HIS STANDING AMONG LIKE-MINDED EXTREMISTS. REVENGE AND RETALIATION ARE THEIR BREAD AND BUTTER. THERE ARE LIMITS TO THE PRODUCTIVE USE OF CRUISE MISSILES. THE DANGER OF HARMING CIVILIAN POPULATIONS COULD GROW IF A CYCLE OF TIT-FOR-TAT VIOLENCE ENSUES.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" WARNS THIS IS -- NO TIME TO GO SOFT ON IRAQ.

VOICE: /// OPT /// SINCE THE END OF THE 199A PERSIAN GULF WAR, WASHINGTON HAS BEEN FIRMLY COMMITTED TO KEEPING BAGHDAD FROM EVER BUILDING MASS DESTRUCTION WEAPONS. BUT /// END OPT /// WITH INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR ARMS INSPECTIONS AND SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ WEAKENING, SOME ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SEEM READY TO QUIETLY ABANDON THAT GOAL. INSTEAD, THEY WOULD CONCENTRATE AMERICAN EFFORTS ON STOPPING BAGHDAD FROM EVER USING SUCH TERROR WEAPONS. SWITCHING FROM PREVENTION TO CONTAINMENT WOULD BE A GRAVE ERROR. ... IF IRAQ NOW GETS AWAY WITH VITIATING THE U-N INSPECTION SYSTEM, ITS CONCEALED WEAPONS PROGRAMS WILL GIVE IT A BIG HEAD START ON REBUILDING ITS ARSENAL OF TERROR.

TEXT: AND SPEAKING OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, THE LATEST REVELATIONS ABOUT A POSSIBLE NORTH KOREAN UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR WEAPONS PRODUCTION FACILITY BRINGS THIS RETORT FROM "THE WASHINGTON POST."

VOICE: IT'S DOUBLY BAD NEWS THAT NORTH KOREA IS BUILDING A SECRET UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR FACILITY. FIRST, THE IDEA THAT NORTH KOREA'S STALINIST, HOSTILE AND REPRESSIVE REGIME MAY ONCE AGAIN - - OR STILL - - BE COMMITTED TO ACQUIRING NUCLEAR WEAPONS IS OMINOUS IN ITS OWN RIGHT. BUT THE REPORT CALLS INTO QUESTION AS WELL A 1994 U-S-NORTH KOREA AGREEMENT [TO PROVIDE SAFE NUCLEAR POWER GENERATING PLANTS AND SOME FUEL OIL, IF THE NORTH KOREANS WOULD DISMANTLE THEIR NUCLEAR PLANTS THAT PRODUCE NUCLEAR WEAPONS FUEL AS A BYPRODUCT ] THAT IS THE BASIS FOR ALL OTHER AMERICAN DEALINGS WITH THAT ISOLATED STATE. ... ON BOTH COUNTS ... THE NORTH KOREAN REGIME SUCCESSFULLY HAS PRACTICED THE POLITICS OF BLACKMAIL.

TEXT: LASTLY, SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THE MENTAL STATE OF RUSSIA'S LEADER, WHO OVER THE WEEKEND FIRED HIS ENTIRE GOVERNMENT, FROM "THE WASHINGTON TIMES."

VOICE: A LEADER WHO IS RATIONAL AND CLEAR-THINKING IS A MINIMAL PREREQUISITE FOR SOLVING RUSSIA'S BURGEONING ECONOMIC CRISES. TOO BAD FOR THE RUSSIANS, PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN IS NEITHER. MR. YELTSIN'S INCREASINGLY ERRATIC LEADERSHIP REVEALED ITSELF ON THE FOREIGN STATE LAST WEEK. RESPONDING TO U-S RETALIATORY BOMBING ATTACKS ON TERRORIST FACILITIES IN AFGHANISTAN AND SUDAN, MR. YELTSIN DELIVERED THIS INTEMPERATE OUTBURST ON FRIDAY. 'MY ATTITUDE IS INDEED NEGATIVE,' MR. YELTSIN UNCTUOUSLY DECLARED, 'AS IT WOULD BE TO ANY ACT OF TERRORISM, MILITARY INTERFERENCE, FAILURE TO SOLVE A PROBLEM THROUGH TALKS.' COME AGAIN? FROM THE MAN WHO DIRECTED RUSSIAN TROOPS IN THE BRUTAL CHECHNYA WAR THAT KILLED 80-THOUSAND PEOPLE AND DISPLACED MORE THAN 400-THOUSAND REFUGEES, THESE COMMENTS ARE OUTRAGEOUS AND DESERVE TO BE DENOUNCED. ... AT HOME, MR. YELTSIN'S BEHAVIOR IS NO LESS ERRATIC. ON SUNDAY, HE SUMMARILY FIRED BOY-WONDER PRIME MINISTER SERGEI KYRIYENKO AND REINSTATED FORMER PRIME MINISTER VICTOR CHERNOMYRDIN, WHO HAD BEEN JUST A S SUMMARILY FIRED FIVE MONTHS BEFORE. SMALL WONDER THE RUSSIAN ECONOMY IS COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL. SO IS THE MAN AT THE TOP IN THE KREMLIN.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM SOME OF TODAY'S U-S DAILY NEWSPAPERS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
24-Aug-98 10:50 AM EDT (1450 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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