Voice of America, 98-09-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA ELECTIONS-CROATS BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (MOSTAR)

[02] CENTRAL EUROPE ECON BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

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

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

[05] ISRAEL-TURKEY (L-ONLY) BY MARK LAVIE (TEL AVIV)

[06] KOSOVO AID (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

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

[08] SILK ROAD SUMMIT / ARMENIA (L) BY CARLOTTA GALL (BAKU)

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

[01] BOSNIA ELECTIONS-CROATS BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (MOSTAR)

INTRO: WITH JUST FOUR DAYS TO GO (EDS: ELECTIONS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY) TO GENERAL ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, THERE IS CONTINUED UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE PARTICIPATION OF THE COUNTRY'S MAIN CROAT POLITICAL PARTY. LEADERS OF THE PARTY, KNOWN AS THE H-D-Z, THREATENED TO BOYCOTT, AFTER 14 OF ITS CANDIDATES WERE DISQUALIFIED BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE -- THE O-S-C-E -- WHICH IS ORGANIZING THE VOTE. O-S-C-E OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE RECEIVED ASSURANCES THAT THE H-D-Z WILL TAKE PART IN THE ELECTIONS, BUT PARTY LEADERS SAY A BOYCOTT IS STILL POSSIBLE. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS FROM THE SOUTHERN TOWN OF MOSTAR, WHERE THE H-D-Z HAS ITS HEADQUARTERS.

TEXT: H-D-Z LEADERS ARE BRIMMING WITH CONFIDENCE AHEAD OF THE WEEKEND VOTING. "THE LAST THING WE WANT IS A BOYCOTT," SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL MARKO TOKIC, "BECAUSE WE ARE CERTAIN THAT WE WILL WIN."

BUT MR. TOKIC AND OTHER H-D-Z LEADERS HERE INSIST THEY WILL CARRY OUT THEIR THREAT TO BOYCOTT THE POLLS, IF THE O-S-C-E TAKES ANY FURTHER ACTION AGAINST THE PARTY. O-S-C-E OFFICIALS SAY THEY DISQUALIFIED H-D-Z CANDIDATES IN RESPONSE TO VIOLATIONS OF ELECTION RULES -- INCLUDING BIASED MEDIA REPORTING AND THE INVOLVEMENT OF CROAT MILITIAMEN IN SUPPORT OF THE H-D-Z CAMPAIGN.

PARTY LEADERS SAY THE PUNISHMENT WAS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED, AIMED AT BOLSTERING THE H-D-Z'S MAIN RIVAL, FOUNDED JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO BY ONE OF BOSNIA'S CO-PRESIDENTS, KRESIMIR ZUBAK. MR. ZUBAK IS A FORMER H-D-Z LEADER WHO HAS BEEN CAMPAIGNING ON A PLATFORM OF SUPPORT FOR THE AIMS OF THE (1995) DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT, THE REINTEGRATION OF BOSNIA'S ETHNIC COMMUNITIES, AND THE RETURN OF REFUGEES.

MR. ZUBAK AND WESTERN OFFICIALS HERE ACCUSE THE H-D-Z OF OBSTRUCTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON ACCORD.

WESTERN AND BOSNIAN ANALYSTS SAY MR. ZUBAK REPRESENTS THE FIRST SERIOUS CHALLENGE TO THE H-D-Z'S DOMINANT POSITION WITHIN THE CROAT COMMUNITY. BUT NO ONE HERE IS FORECASTING A ZUBAK VICTORY.

H-D-Z LEADERS PREDICT THEIR CANDIDATES WILL GARNER AROUND 80 PERCENT OF THE VOTES IN THE ELECTION FOR THE CROAT SEATS IN BOSNIA'S FEDERAL ASSEMBLY. AND THEY SAY PARTY LEADER ANTE JALEVIC WILL SOUNDLY DEFEAT MR. ZUBAK IN THE RACE FOR THE CROAT SEAT ON THE COUNTRY'S PRESIDENCY.

O-S-C-E OFFICIALS DO NOT DISAGREE WITH THOSE PROJECTIONS. THEY SAY MR. ZUBAK MAY GARNER SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT AMONG THE DISPARATE CROAT COMMUNITIES OF CENTRAL AND NORTHERN BOSNIA, BUT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE H-D-Z IS LIKELY TO MAINTAIN ITS MONOLITHIC HOLD OVER THE CROAT HEARTLAND IN THE SOUTHWEST.

H-D-Z LEADERS ARE, NONETHELESS, CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF MUSLIM SUPPORT FOR MR. ZUBAK. UNDER BOSNIA'S COMPLEX ELECTORAL REGIME, MUSLIM VOTERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO CAST BALLOTS FOR CROAT CANDIDATES FOR BOTH THE FEDERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE PRESIDENCY. AND WITH MUSLIM INCUMBENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC VIRTUALLY ASSURED OF ANOTHER TERM (ON THE TRIPARTITE PRESIDENCY), WESTERN AND LOCAL ANALYSTS SAY HE COULD URGE SOME OF HIS FOLLOWERS TO SUPPORT MR. ZUBAK. THAT, SAY H-D-Z LEADERS, WOULD HAVE GRAVE REPERCUSSIONS, JEOPARDIZING CROAT SUPPORT FOR A UNIFIED BOSNIA. (SIGNED)
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08-Sep-98 12:34 PM EDT (1634 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CENTRAL EUROPE ECON BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: AS GLOBAL ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES SPREAD FROM ASIA, THROUGH LATIN AMERICA, AND ON TO RUSSIA, THERE IS CONCERN ABOUT HOW MUCH IMPACT THE PROBLEM WILL HAVE ELSEWHERE IN EUROPE. SOME OF THE OTHER EX-SOVIET STATES ARE LIKELY TO FEEL THE EFFECTS. BUT AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM PRAGUE, THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL EUROPE ARE DOING REASONABLY WELL.

TEXT: SOME OF RUSSIA'S CLOSEST NEIGHBORS, INCLUDING UKRAINE AND BELARUS, APPEAR TO BE IN DANGER OF SOME OF THE SAME ECONOMIC PROBLEMS NOW ENGULFING RUSSIA. BUT JUST TO THE WEST, EXPERTS SAY CENTRAL EUROPE IS LIKELY TO ESCAPE MOST OF THE DAMAGE.

SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM, POLAND, HUNGARY, SLOVAKIA, AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC HAVE FOCUSED FIRMLY ON THE WEST, WHERE POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS ARE RICHER AND, IN MOST CASES, ARE CLOSER THAN COUNTRIES OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION.

IN BRATISLAVA, TATRA BANK ECONOMIST JAN TOTH SAYS THAT FOR SLOVAKIA -- LIKE MOST OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION -- RUSSIA IS NOT A BIG CUSTOMER.

OUR EXPORTS TO RUSSIA ARE NEGLIGIBLE. THAT CONSTITUTES NO PROBLEM AT ALL. SO WE HAVE FROM TWO TO FOUR PERCENT FOR CZECH REPUBLIC AND SLOVAKIA, AND A LITTLE BIT HIGHER, AROUND SIX PERCENT, FOR POLAND AND HUNGARY EXPORTS TO RUSSIA. THAT INDICATES VERY LITTLE PROBLEM.

MR. TOTH SAYS THAT IN THE LONGER TERM, SLOVAKIA AND OTHER CENTRAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES WILL BE MORE AFFECTED BY COMPETITION FROM RUSSIA FOR MARKETS IN THE WEST. PRICES RUSSIA CHARGES FOR ITS MAIN EXPORTS TO THE EUROPEAN UNION -- INCLUDING IRON AND STEEL, CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZER -- CAN BE EXPECTED TO GO DOWN. OTHER EXPORTERS, SUCH AS SLOVAKIA, WILL HAVE TO MEET THOSE LOWER PRICES SO EITHER THEY LOSE PROFITS OR THEY LOSE SALES.

IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC, THE MAIN STOCK INDEX IS DOWN ABOUT 18 PERCENT IN THE PAST MONTH, BUT THE CURRENCY, THE CROWN, HAS REBOUNDED AND HAS STABILIZED AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK. ANALYST BORIS GOMEZ OF I-N-G BARINGS SECURITIES, SAYS INVESTORS AND SPECULATORS ARE RETURNING AFTER BEING SCARED OFF BY FEAR RUSSIA'S ECONOMIC PROBLEMS WOULD SPREAD.

THE CROWN, RIGHT AFTER IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT RUSSIA HAD DEVALUED AND HAD THE MORATORIUM ON BONDS, LOST SOME GROUND BECAUSE IT'S FREELY CONVERTIBLE AND FLOATING SO IT'S ALWAYS SENSITIVE TO TURMOIL IN EMERGING MARKETS. BUT SINCE THEN, YOU'VE HAD THE CROWN STRENGTHENING, BECAUSE ONCE AGAIN INVESTORS ARE RETURNING TO PARK THEIR MONEY HERE, TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE HIGH INTEREST RATE DIFFERENTIAL.

AS FOR THE FUTURE, THE EDITOR OF THE WARSAW BUSINESS JOURNAL, DAVID REILLY, SAYS THAT IF THE RUSSIAN CRISIS CAN BE RESOLVED, THE EFFECTS IN CENTRAL EUROPE WILL BE MINIMAL.

I THINK THAT A FEW MONTHS FROM NOW, PEOPLE WILL HAVE COME BACK TO THE POLISH MARKET, AND INDEED DEFINITELY HUNGARY AND, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, AND WILL BE REALLY DIFFERENTIATING THESE MARKETS FROM THE RUSSIAN MARKET AND SEEING THAT THEY ARE STANDING ON THEIR OWN IN A LOT OF WAYS. THAT'S NOT TO SAY THERE AREN'T RISKS STILL, ESPECIALLY CURRENCY RISK. BUT I THINK ALREADY YOU'RE STARTING TO SEE PEOPLE MAKE THAT DIFFERENTIATION.

INVESTORS DO DIFFERENTIATE AMONG THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. BUT A SHOCK LIKE RUSSIA IS A VIVID REMINDER THAT WHAT ARE USUALLY CALLED "EMERGING" MARKETS ARE NOT LIKELY TO BE AS STABLE AS MORE MATURE ECONOMIES AND, LIKE ANYWHERE ELSE, THERE ARE RISKS AS WELL AS REWARDS. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/JWH/JO
08-Sep-98 11:39 AM EDT (1539 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

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

TEXT: PRICES ROSE SHARPLY IN MOST EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS. THE EUROPEAN EXCHANGES WERE BOOSTED BY A STRONG OPENING ON WALL STREET, AMID CONTINUING HOPES OF LOWER INTEREST RATES IN THE UNITED STATES.

BUT ANALYSTS SAY THE MARKETS REMAIN HIGHLY VOLATILE, AND GLOBAL ECONOMIC PROBLEMS COULD LEAD TO MORE SELLOFFS.

THE BIGGEST GAIN WAS IN FRANKFURT. THE DAX INDEX CLOSED UP 150 POINTS, JUST OVER THREE PERCENT. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX ROSE 108 POINTS, TWO-AND-NINE-TENTHS PERCENT.

THE LONDON MARKET ALSO RALLIED, BUT THEN FELL BACK AT THE CLOSE AND THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX ENDED DOWN FRACTIONALLY, ABOUT THREE POINTS.

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/GE
08-Sep-98 1:33 PM EDT (1733 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS WILL OPEN WEDNESDAY WITH INVESTORS HOPING PRICES WILL CONTINUE THEIR UPWARD CLIMB. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: ANALYSTS WARN THAT THE MARKET IS STILL HIGHLY VOLATILE. AND THEY SAY THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC PROBLEMS THAT CAUSED THE RECENT BIG SELL-OFF HAVE NOT DISAPPEARED. STILL, INVESTORS IN EUROPE ARE HOPING FOR A THIRD DAY OF GAINS ON WEDNESDAY. THE BIGGEST RISE IN EUROPE TUESDAY WAS IN FRANKFURT. THE DAX INDEX CLOSED UP 150 POINTS, JUST OVER THREE PERCENT. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX ROSE 108 POINTS, TWO-AND-NINE-TENTHS PERCENT.

THE LONDON MARKET ALSO RALLIED, BUT THEN FELL BACK AT THE CLOSE AND THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX ENDED DOWN FRACTIONALLY, ABOUT THREE POINTS. (SIGNED)
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08-Sep-98 1:37 PM EDT (1737 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] ISRAEL-TURKEY (L-ONLY) BY MARK LAVIE (TEL AVIV)

INTRO: TURKEY'S PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ HAS LASHED OUT AGAIN AT SYRIA, AND ANNOUNCED TUESDAY THAT HIS COUNTRY'S NAVY IS TO HOLD ITS SECOND JOINT EXERCISE WITH ISRAEL. THIS CAME DURING A VISIT TO THE WEST BANK, WHERE MR. YILMAZ MET PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT YASSER ARAFAT. MARK LAVIE REPORTS FROM TEL AVIV.

TEXT: THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER IS HOLDING NOTHING BACK IN RESPONDING TO SYRIA'S CRITICISM OF HIS COUNTRY'S GROWING MILITARY AND ECONOMIC ALLIANCE WITH ISRAEL. IN ISRAEL ON MONDAY, MR. YILMAZ SAID HE DOESN'T CARE WHAT SYRIA SAYS ABOUT HIS TIES WITH ISRAEL.

A TUESDAY EDITORIAL IN THE OFFICIAL SYRIAN NEWSPAPER "TISHRIN" URGED TURKEY TO SIDE WITH FELLOW ISLAMIC NATIONS INSTEAD OF, IN THE WORDS OF TISHRIN, "THROWING ITSELF INTO ISRAEL'S ARMS, BRINGING IT NOTHING BUT TROUBLES.''

STANDING NEXT TO MR. ARAFAT, MR. YILMAZ HIT BACK AGAIN, CHARGING THAT SYRIA BACKS KURDISH REBELS IN TURKEY.

MR. YILMAZ CONFIRMED THAT ISRAEL AND TURKEY ARE PLANNING THEIR SECOND JOINT NAVAL EXERCISE. THE ISRAELIS SAY THAT LIKE THE FIRST ONE, IN JANUARY, IT WILL BE HUMANITARIAN IN NATURE. THE ISRAELIS SAID JORDAN AND EGYPT HAVE BEEN INVITED TO JOIN. MR. YILMAZ WOULD NOT COMMENT ON THAT.

MR. YILMAZ'S VERBAL BROADSIDES AT SYRIA, AND TURKEY'S EXPANDING RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL, OVERSHADOWED HIS TALKS WITH PALESTINIAN LEADERS ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS WITH THE ISRAELIS. THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER BACKED THE PALESTINIAN STAND IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH ISRAEL, ENDORSING THE U-S PROPOSALS AS THE WAY TO BREAK A YEAR-LONG DEADLOCK. MR. ARAFAT WELCOMED TURKEY'S SUPPORT.

THE PALESTINIANS RELUCTANTLY ACCEPTED THE U-S IDEAS WEEKS AGO, AND INSIST THAT ISRAEL DO THE SAME. BUT THE ISRAELIS CONTINUE TO MAKE DEMANDS ON THE PALESTINIANS, WHILE THEY TRY TO WHITTLE AWAY AT SOME OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE U-S PACKAGE.

U-S MEDIATOR DENNIS ROSS IS DUE HERE WEDNESDAY TO TRY TO MOVE THE PROCESS FORWARD. (SIGNED)
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08-Sep-98 11:30 AM EDT (1530 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO AID (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS IS APPEALING FOR MORE THAN 50 MILLION DOLLARS (EDS: 54.3 MILLION) TO AVERT, WHAT IT CALLS, A HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE OVER THE COMING WINTER IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THAT MONEY FROM THE APPEAL WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE LIFE-SAVING ASSISTANCE TO THOSE AFFECTED BY THE CONFLICT.

TEXT: THE UNITED NATIONS ESTIMATES NEARLY 270-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MADE HOMELESS BY THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO. THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY REPORTS UP TO 50-THOUSAND PEOPLE ARE CAMPING OUT IN THE OPEN, TOO FEARFUL TO GO BACK TO THEIR HOMES.

AGENCY SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS THE SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES HAVE ROUNDED UP ABOUT 450 ETHNIC ALBANIAN MEN. IN THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, HE SAYS SERBIAN SOLDIERS SEPARATED AS MANY AS 50 DRAFT-AGE MEN FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND DETAINED THEM ON UNSPECIFIED CHARGES.

THESE KIND OF ACTIONS -- SEPARATING MEN FROM THEIR LOVED ONES AND DETENTION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID, MISTRUSTFUL, AND THE MAIN OBSTACLE IN RETURNING HOME WAS ESSENTIALLY FEAR -- THAT THIS KIND OF ACTION WAS DETRIMENTAL TO THE RETURN PROCESS AND ANY RETURN OF TRUST BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT ETHNIC COMMUNITIES IN KOSOVO.

THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY IS SENDING A LARGE CONVOY OF RELIEF SUPPLIES ON TUESDAY TO HELP ABOUT 80-THOUSAND DISPLACED PEOPLE IN THE PRIZREN AND GUNCAT AREAS OF KOSOVO. MR. JANOWSKI SAYS IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR AID CONVOYS TO BE STOPPED AT SERBIAN CHECKPOINTS AND SOMETIMES DENIED ACCESS TO NEEDY PEOPLE. BUT HE SAYS AID AGENCIES HAVE ALSO RUN INTO PROBLEMS WITH KOSOVO ALBANIAN REBELS. HE SAYS A U-N CONVOY DELIVERING FIVE TONS OF READY-TO-EAT (PREPARED) MEALS WAS STOPPED MONDAY BY THE REBELS. MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THEY CLAIMED SHELLING IN THE AREA MADE IT TOO DANGEROUS FOR THE TRUCKS TO PROCEED.

THE REBEL CHECKPOINT ALSO MADE ALLEGATIONS THAT THE CONVOY LEADER AND THE DRIVER WERE SPIES. SO THEY WERE QUITE MISTRUSTFUL TOWARD US. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME WE WERE ACTUALLY TURNED AROUND BY A REBEL CHECKPOINT.

IN LAUNCHING ITS APPEAL, THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS IT IS RACING AGAINST TIME. WITH WINTER FAST APPROACHING, IT SAYS ADEQUATE FUNDING IS CRITICAL TO AVERT FURTHER TRAGEDY IN THE HILLS WHERE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DISPLACED PEOPLE ARE HUDDLING. (SIGNED)
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08-Sep-98 8:39 AM EDT (1239 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP SHARPLY TODAY (TUESDAY) AS TRADERS EXPRESSED OPTIMISM ABOUT A POSSIBLE REDUCTION IN U-S INTEREST RATES. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT EIGHT THOUSAND 20, UP 380 POINTS OR ALMOST FIVE PERCENT. IT WAS THE LARGEST ONE-DAY POINT GAIN EVER FOR THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 23, UP 49 POINTS.

STOCK PRICES ROSE ALL DAY IN RESPONSE TO INDICATIONS THAT THE U-S CENTRAL BANK MAY SOON REDUCE SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES. U-S FINANCIAL MARKETS, WHICH WERE CLOSED MONDAY, WERE CATCHING UP WITH OTHER WORLD MARKETS WHICH WELCOMED THE WEEKEND COMMENTS FROM ALAN GREENSPAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, THE U-S CENTRAL BANK.

HUGH JOHNSON OF THE FIRST ALBANY INVESTMENT COMPANY SAYS THERE WAS OPTIMISM ON MANY FRONTS AMONG WALL STREET TRADERS.

SOME ANALYSTS REMAIN CAUTIOUS, HOWEVER, SAYING EVEN A HUGE ONE-DAY RALLY DOES NOT GUARANTEE A MEANINGFUL RECOVERY IN STOCK PRICES.

THERE IS A REPORT THAT GENERAL MOTORS WILL TEAM UP WITH ISUZU MOTORS OF JAPAN TO BUILD A DIESEL ENGINE PLANT IN THE MIDWESTERN STATE OF OHIO. SOURCES SAY THE NEW PLANT WILL COST ABOUT 320 MILLION DOLLARS AND WILL PRODUCE ENGINES FOR LIGHT TRUCKS. THE 11-DAY OLD STRIKE AT NORTHWEST AIRLINES CONTINUES. WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS PRESIDENT CLINTON IS KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH EFFORTS TO END THE WALKOUT, HOWEVER, MR. MCCURRY DID NOT INDICATE THE PRESIDENT IS READY TO ORDER AN END TO THE STRIKE.

BOTH BOEING OF THE UNITED STATES AND AIRBUS OF EUROPE ANNOUNCED SOME BIG ORDERS AT THE FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW IN BRITAIN. BOEING SAYS IT RECEIVED A TWO POINT SEVEN BILLION DOLLAR ORDER FOR 30 JETLINERS FROM VARIG, THE BRAZILIAN AIRLINE. AND AIRBUS SAYS EMIRATES AIRLINES WILL BUY 16 PLANES WORTH TWO POINT FOUR BILLION DOLLARS.

THE FORMER SAUDI OIL MINISTER SAYS OIL PRICES WILL REMAIN WEAK AND THAT THE OPEC CARTEL COULD DISINTEGRATE. SHEIK ZAKI YAMANI TOLD AN ENERGY CONFERENCE IN LONDON THAT THE INTERESTS OF OPEC MEMBERS ARE DIVERGING AND THAT IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO KEEP THE ORGANIZATION INTACT.(SIGNED)
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08-Sep-98 5:29 PM EDT (2129 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] SILK ROAD SUMMIT / ARMENIA (L) BY CARLOTTA GALL (BAKU)

INTRO: AZERBAIJAN IS THE SCENE TODAY FOR THE "SILK ROAD SUMMIT" A GATHERING OF LEADERS FROM 33 NATIONS, TRYING TO AGREE ON TERMS FOR A TRADE AND TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR ACROSS CENTRAL ASIA AND THE CAUCASUS -- A MODERN EQUIVALENT OF THE ANCIENT CARAVAN ROUTE USED BY SILK TRADERS IN THE SAME REGION. THE MEETINGS HAVE BROUGHT ARMENIA'S PRIME MINISTER TO THE CAPITAL OF AZERBAIJAN, IN THE FIRST HIGH-LEVEL VISIT BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES SINCE THE AZERI-ARMENIAN WAR ENDED FOUR YEARS AGO. CARLOTTA GALL HAS MORE FROM BAKU.

TEXT: ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER ARMEN DARBINYAN FLEW INTO BAKU TUESDAY, MAKING THE FIRST PRIME MINISTERIAL VISIT BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN SINCE THEIR SIX-YEAR WAR OVER THE ENCLAVE OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH. THE TWO COUNTRIES DECLARED A CEASE-FIRE IN 1994 BUT HAVE YET TO REACH A PEACE SETTLEMENT. PEACE TALKS ARE STALLED DESPITE THE EFFORTS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE MINSK GROUP -- FRANCE, THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA.

ORGANIZERS OF THE TALKS IN BAKU ARE HOPING THE SUMMIT WILL ACT AS A CATALYST FOR NEW IDEAS FOR PEACE BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN, WITHIN THE BROADER PLAN OF THE SILK ROAD PROJECT. DELEGATES ARE SAYING THE PROJECT TO DEVELOP TRADE ROUTES ACROSS CENTRAL ASIA AND THE CAUCASUS WILL PROMOTE BOTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE AND STABILITY.

BUT MANY ADMIT THAT SOLVING REGIONAL CONFLICTS WILL BE A LONG PROCESS. PRIME MINISTER DARBINYAN ARRIVED WITH CONCRETE PROPOSALS FOR OPENING ROAD AND RAIL LINKS FROM TURKEY AND GEORGIA THROUGH ARMENIA TO IRAN. BUT THE TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER IMMEDIATELY RULED OUT THE OPENING OF A RAIL LINK FROM TURKEY TO ARMENIA BEFORE ANY LASTING PEACE SETTLEMENT IS REACHED BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA. (SIGNED)
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08-Sep-98 7:09 AM EDT (1109 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: A WIDE VARIETY OF EDITORIAL TOPICS GREETS READERS IN THEIR TUESDAY PAPERS HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. AMONG THE TOPICS ARE THE ESCALATING CRISIS IN RUSSIA; THE CONGRESSIONAL CRITICISM OF PRESIDENT CLINTON BY ONE OF HIS LONG-TIME DEMOCRATIC ALLIES; THE CONTINUING EFFORT FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM; SOME NEW THOUGHTS ABOUT NOMINATING A WOMAN FOR PRESIDENT; THE GENOCIDE TRIAL FOR THE RWANDAN MASSACRE; AND A GROWING CONCERN ABOUT THE PURITY OF NATURAL MEDICINES. NOW, HERE IS ___________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" HAS WRITTEN ANOTHER EDITORIAL ABOUT ITS CONCERNS OVER THE CONTINUING CHAOS IN MOSCOW.

VOICE: RUSSIA HAS HAD MORE THAN ITS SHARE OF MALEVOLENT OR INEPT POLITICAL LEADERS OVER THE YEARS, BUT THE LATEST KREMLIN CAST IS SETTING A NEW STANDARD FOR INCOMPETENCE AND SELF-ABSORPTION. WITH THE COUNTRY IN AN ECONOMIC MELTDOWN, THE LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT YESTERDAY ONCE AGAIN REJECTED PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S CHOICE FOR PRIME MINISTER, LEAVING THE NATION WITHOUT A WORKING GOVERNMENT. WITH THE RUBLE'S PURCHASING POWER TUMBLING AND SHORTAGES OF FOOD AND OTHER VITAL COMMODITIES DEVELOPING, RUSSIA IS RAPIDLY SLIPPING INTO CONDITIONS THAT BREED UNREST AND DEMAGOGY. VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN MAY NOT BE THE IDEAL CHOICE FOR PRIME MINISTER, BUT AT THIS MOMENT OF POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PERIL HE WOULD BE BETTER THAN THE VOLATILE VACUUM OF POWER THAT NOW EXISTS.

TEXT: TURNING TO DOMESTIC ISSUES AND PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DECLINING POPULARITY AMONG HIS OWN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE TALKS OF THE LATEST CRITICISM, AND A POSSIBLE POSITIVE EFFECT IT MAY HAVE.

VOICE: IN SUGGESTING A CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION OF REPRIMAND OR CENSURE OF PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR CARRYING ON AN AFFAIR WITH A YOUNG INTERN AND DECEIVING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, DEMOCRATIC SENATOR JOSEPH ... LIEBERMAN OF CONNECTICUT POINTED TO ONE PATH OF DEALING WITH HYSTERIA THAT REFLECTS NATIONAL VALUES WHILE RESPECTING THE CONSTITUTION. SENATOR LIEBERMAN SPOKE FOR MANY IN FINDING MR. CLINTON'S BEHAVIOR NOT JUST INAPPROPRIATE BUT IMMORAL AND HARMFUL ..... SENATOR LIEBERMAN'S SPEECH CANNOT HEAL THE NATION'S WOUNDS, WHICH WILL SOON BE OPENED FURTHER BY INDEPENDENT COUNSEL KENNETH STARR'S REPORT. .... YET NOW A PROPONENT OF CENTRISM IN POLITICS HAS SUGGESTED A WAY BETWEEN IGNORING SCANDAL AND SUBVERTING THE WILL OF THE VOTERS. .... THE [SENATOR] LIEBERMAN MIDDLE ROAD MAY WELL BE THE BEST ROUTE.

TEXT: IN ANOTHER NAGGING, NATIONAL POLITICAL PROBLEM, THAT OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, "THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD" AGAIN CALLS FOR A VOTE ON THE CORRECTIVE LEGISLATION IN CONGRESS.

VOICE: SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT, REPUBLICAN OF MISSISSIPPI, RECENTLY SAID THE 'MORAL DIMENSION' OF THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY IS BEING 'LOST IN SCANDAL AND DECEPTION.' WHAT [MR.] LOTT DID NOT POINT OUT IS THAT SUSTAINED FAILURE TO ACT ON LONG-NEEDED CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM SIMILARLY THREATENS THE 'MORAL DIMENSION' OF THE U-S SENATE. IT IS A DIMENSION THAT SENATORS COMMITTED TO RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP ARE TRYING HARD TO PROTECT. ... THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SOFT MONEY HELPED CONVINCE THE HOUSE OF "REPRESENTATIVES TO DEFY ITS LEADERSHIP AND APPROVE BIPARTISAN CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM LAST MONTH. THAT POSITIVE VOTE PLACES ADDED PRESSURE ON THE SENATE TO ACT. A SENATE VOTE ON THE MCCAIN-FEINGOLD [CAMPAIGN FINANCE] BILL UNDOUBTEDLY WOULD APPROVE IT. ... PUBLIC PRESSURE IS NEEDED.

TEXT: STILL WITH DOMESTIC POLITICS, A NOVEL IDEA THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS, THAT OF VOTING A WOMAN IN AS PRESIDENT IS GETTING A NEW LIFT FROM TODAY'S "PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER."

VOICE: BRACE YOURSELF. ONLY THREE-QUARTERS OF A CENTURY AFTER WOMEN BEGAN TO VOTE, A BUNCH OF THEM ARE DRUMMING UP [CREATING] SUPPORT FOR SOMETHING SHOCKING: **WOMAN** [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT. ... COOKED UP [THOUGHT UP] BY AN 'OLD-GIRLS NETWORK' OF ACTIVISTS AND ACADEMICS, THE WHITE HOUSE PROJECT WANTS TO GO WELL BEYOND THE FIZZLES AND FEINTS OF THE PAST. ..... UNDER THIS NEW PROJECT, WHICH HAS TWO MILLION DOLLARS COLLECTED OR PLEDGED SO FAR, THE CHANCE OF A WOMAN PRESIDENT WOULDN'T COME UP ONLY EVERY 16 YEARS OR SO. .... WITH MULTIPLE WOMEN IN THE FIELD, THE CANDIDATES WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO BE JUDGED ON THEIR SUBSTANCE, NOT THEIR NOVELTY OR THEIR FASHION SENSE. ... SOME PROJECT BACKERS HOPE THAT PUBLIC REVULSION AT WASHINGTON - - FROM THE PRESIDENT'S CHARACTER TO BOTH PARTIES' SPECIAL-INTEREST BONDAGE -- WILL INCLINE VOTERS TO TRY SOMETHING NEW.

TEXT: TURNING TO AFRICAN ISSUES, "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE IS PLEASED AT THE FIRST CONVICTION FOR GENOCIDE STEMMING OUT OF THE U-N SPONSORED TRIBUNAL JUDGING THE RWANDAN MASSACRES OF 1994.

VOICE: JEAN-PAUL AKAYESU WAS NEITHER THE BIGGEST NOR SMALLEST FISH [CULPRIT] IN THE HUTU GENOCIDE MACHINE THAT TRIED TO WIPE OUT RWANDAN TUTSIS IN 1994. A MAYOR CAUGHT UP IN THE MADNESS OF SUPERIORS, HE WAS FOUND GUILTY BY THREE JUDGES AFTER AN INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL'S TRIAL ... HE IS GUILTY ON NINE COUNTS OF GENOCIDE,C RIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, RAPE, MURDER AND TORTURE. .... JEAN-PAUL AKAYESU HAS MADE HISTORY. HE IS THE FIRST PERSON CONVICTED OF GENOCIDE, A HALF-CENTURY AFTER THE WORLD RATIFIED THAT [GENOCIDE] AS A CRIME TO BE JUDGED AND PUNISHED. ... IF THIS AGONIZING TRIAL HAS SHOWN THE WAY FOR MORE EFFICIENT, SPEEDY AND MORALLY CONVINCING JUSTICE FOR OTHERS BY THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL, [MR.] AKAYESU .... WILL HAVE SERVED SOME GOOD PURPOSE IN HIS LIFE.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, A COMMENT FROM "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" REGARDING THE SAFETY OF INCREASINGLY POPULAR NATURAL MEDICINES AMERICANS ARE USING TO TREAT THEMSELVES. THE PAPER HAS SOME CONCERNS AFTER ITS REPORTERS FOUND THAT GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT OF THE VITAMIN, MINERAL AND HERBAL SUPPLEMENT MARKET REMAINS VIRTUALLY NONEXISTENT.

VOICE: ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE'S GROWTH STEMS PARTLY FROM AMERICANS' OPENNESS TO NONTRADITIONAL REMEDIES, WHICH WESTERN PHYSICIANS SOMETIMES DISMISS TOO READILY. BUT UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT EXTENDS REGULATORY OVERSIGHT TO THESE REMEDIES, SOME UNSCRUPULOUS MANUFACTURERS ARE SURE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE, SEEING OPEN MINDS AS MERELY A WAY OF OPENING WALLETS.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS.
NEB/ANG/ KL
08-Sep-98 10:49 AM EDT (1449 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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