Voice of America, 98-09-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA UNREST (L ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (TIRANA)

[02] CLINTON / HAVEL (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[03] CLINTON/HAVEL/KOSOVO (S) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[04] EDITORIAL: SHATTUCK IN KOSOVO

[05] KURDISH LEADERS (S ONLY OVERNIGHT) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[06] ISRAEL AND TURKEY BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[07] TURKEY/KURDS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

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

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

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

[01] ALBANIA UNREST (L ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (TIRANA)

INTRO: ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATORS HAVE PROTESTED IN ALBANIA'S CAPITAL FOR A THIRD DAY. AND, AS ANTHEE CARASSAVA REPORTS FROM TIRANA, THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT IS FIGHTING BACK, VOWING TO PROSECUTE OPPOSITION MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WHO IT SAYS TRIED TO TOPPLE THE GOVERNMENT.

TEXT: THE DEMONSTRATORS PARADED INTO TIRANA'S CENTRAL SQUARE, STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE CAPITAL'S OPERA HOUSE, AND CHANTED ANTI-GOVERMENT SLOGANS WHILE CLAPPING THEIR HANDS.

THE MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER, FORMER PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA, DIRECTED THE NEARLY TWO-THOUSASND DEMONSTRATORS. THE GOVERNMENT SAYS MR. BERISHA ORCHESTRATED WHAT IT CALLS A COUP ATTEMPT ON MONDAY.

SECURITY FORCES DISCRETELY MONITORED THE UNARMED DEMONSTRATORS.

THE RALLY WAS THE SECOND PEACEFUL PROTEST AFTER MONDAY'S VIOLENT RAMPAGE OF ARMED DEMONSTRATORS WHO STORMED AND TEMPORARILY SEIZED CONTROL OF KEY GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND FACILITIES IN WHAT PRIME MINISTER FATOS NANO HAS CALLED A BOTCHED BID TO TOPPLE HIS GOVERNMENT.

PRIME MINISTER NANO SAYS MR. BERISHA AND FIVE OF HIS COLLEAGUES SHOULD BE PUT ON TRIAL. ALBANIA'S PARLIAMENT IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON A GOVERNMENT MOTION TO END MR. BERISHA'S PARLIAMENTARY IMMUNITY, TOGETHER WITH THE IMMUNITY OF WHAT THE GOVERNMENT CALLS HIS COUP COLLABORATORS.

EUROPEAN AND U-S DIPLOMATS HAVE SUPPORTED PRIME MINISTER NANO'S CALLS FOR A COMPLETE WEAPONS SURRENDER AND EVACUATION OF ARMED DEMONSTRATORS FROM THE HEADQUARTERS OF MR. BERISHA'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

MR. BERISHA HAS HANDED OVER TWO TANKS, WHICH A GROUP OF HIS MILITANT SUPPORTERS SEIZED FROM STATE SECURITY FORCE ON MONDAY. BUT MR. BERISHA DENIES THERE ARE LARGE AMOUNTS OF WEAPONS IN HIS PARTY HEADQUARTERS AND HE HAS INVITED INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS TO INSPECT THE BUILDING.

MILLIONS OF ASSAULT RIFLES AND HEAVY ARTILLERY HAVE BEEN CIRCULATING THROUGHOUT ALBANIA AFTER UNREST LAST YEAR AND MASS LOOTING OF MILITARY DEPOTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THAT UNREST WAS PROMPTED BY THE COLLAPSE OF A STRING OF HIGH-INVESTMENT SCHEMES THAT LEFT MILLIONS OF ALBANIANS PENNILESS. (SIGNED)
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16-Sep-98 9:24 AM EDT (1324 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CLINTON / HAVEL (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS WELCOMED THE CZECH REPUBLIC PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVEL TO THE WHITE HOUSE, HAILING HIS PERSONAL ROLE IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN CENTRAL EUROPE, AND AROUND THE WORLD. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: PRESIDENT HAVEL APPEARED ROBUST DESPITE HIS RECENT BOUTS WITH SEVERE AILMENTS AS HE TOOK PART IN THE CEREMONIAL WELCOME. AND THE CZECH PLAYWRIGHT, TURNED DISSIDENT AND NATIONAL LEADER, DREW ROBUST PRAISE FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR HIS ROLE IN TRANSFORMING HIS COUNTRY AND BREAKING DOWN THE COLD-WAR BARRIERS IN EUROPE:

YOUR REMARKABLE LIFE EMBODIES A GREAT LESSON: THAT PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEIR COUNTRY CAN CHANGE IT, EVEN AGAINST TREMENDOUS ODDS. THAT WORDS CAN BE POWERFUL INSTRUMENTS OF CHANGE. AND THAT TOGETHER WORDS AND DEEDS CAN BE THE PILLARS OF FREEDOM.

PRESIDENT HAVEL IN TURN, HAILED MR. CLINTON FOR HIS ROLE IN THE EXPANSION OF THE NATO ALLIANCE, WHICH THE CZECH REPUBLIC OFFICIALLY JOINS NEXT YEAR. THE HAVEL VISIT AND TALKS ARE A WELCOME BREAK FOR MR. CLINTON FROM THE WHITE HOUSE SEX SCANDAL BUT THAT ISSUE IS EXPECTED TO DOMINATE THEIR JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE LATER IN THE DAY. (SIGNED)
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16-Sep-98 10:45 AM EDT (1445 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CLINTON/HAVEL/KOSOVO (S) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON AND VISITING CZECH REPUBLIC PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVEL HAVE DISCUSSED THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO, WHERE, MR. CLINTON SAYS, PERHAPS 100 THOUSAND PEOPLE ARE FACING A HUMANITARIAN DISASTER AS WINTER APPROACHES. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS THE STORY FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: IN A NEWS CONFERENCE WHICH, AS EXPECTED, WAS DOMINATED BY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE SEX SCANDAL, MR. CLINTON SAID IT IS IMPERATIVE TO MOVE TO AVERT A HUMANITARIAN TRAGEDY.

WE DON'T WANT A REPEAT OF BOSNIA. WE DON'T WANT ANOTHER ROUND OF INSTABILITY THERE. AND I THINK IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE MOVE FORTHRIGHTLY WITH OUR ALLIES AS FIRMLY AS POSSIBLE TO AVERT A HUMANITARIAN TRAGEDY AND THEN TO GET A POLITICAL SOLUTION.

PLANNING ON A POSSIBLE NATO MILITARY ACTION IN KOSOVO, WHERE THE SERBIAN OFFENSIVE AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS CONTINUES, IS REPORTED TO BE CLOSE TO COMPLETITION. A STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAYS THERE IS A GROWING SENSE OF URGENCY ABOUT KOSOVO.(SIGNED)
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16-Sep-98 4:13 PM EDT (2013 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EDITORIAL: SHATTUCK IN KOSOVO

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS, ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING SERBIAN FORCES IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. SERBIAN FORCES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR KILLING HUNDREDS AND DISPLACING MORE THAN TEN PERCENT OF THE PROVINCE'S TWO MILLION PEOPLE. TROOPS OF THE FEDERAL YUGOSLAV ARMY AND SPECIAL SERBIAN POLICE UNITS HAVE REPORTEDLY ATTACKED AND LARGELY DESTROYED DOZENS OF VILLAGES ACROSS CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN KOSOVO. EYEWITNESSES HAVE REPORTED THAT AFTER CLEARING OUT WHOLE VILLAGES, POLICE AND PARAMILITARY FORCES HAVE MOVED IN, LOOTING AND BURNING HOMES.

DURING A RECENT VISIT TO THE REGION, U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN SHATTUCK OBSERVED FIRST-HAND THE DEVASTATION. HE SAID HE WITNESSED HORRENDOUS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AND MASSIVE DESTRUCTION -- DESTROYED OR DAMAGED SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS THAT HAVE BEEN CONVERTED INTO POLICE STATIONS, VILLAGES WITH NO LIFE IN THEM EXCEPT FOR PACKS OF WILD DOGS. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF KOSOVARS, BOTH SERB AND ALBANIAN, ARE SLEEPING OUT-OF-DOORS IN FORESTS WITH NOTHING MORE THAN THE CLOTHES THEY WERE WEARING WHEN THEY WERE FORCED FROM THEIR HOMES. THE UNITED STATES IS CALLING FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE TO INVESTIGATE THESE ATROCITIES.

THE LARGEST SHARE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VIOLENCE AND BLOODSHED IN KOSOVO FALLS DIRECTLY ON YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE U.S. IS CALLING FOR AN END TO THE VIOLENCE, A REDUCTION IN THE SECURITY FORCES NOW IN KOSOVO, AND A COMMITMENT TO ALLOW DISPLACED PERSONS TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES IN SAFETY. THE SOLUTION LIES IN A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT. THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO HAVE A RIGHT TO LIVE IN PEACE AND EXERCISE GREATER LOCAL AUTONOMY OVER THEIR AFFAIRS.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, V-O-A, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO COMMENT AT WWW-DOT-VOA-DOT-GOV-SLASH-EDITORIALS, OR FAX US AT (202) 619-1043.
16-Sep-98 1:55 PM EDT (1755 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KURDISH LEADERS (S ONLY OVERNIGHT) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: RIVAL KURDISH LEADERS MASSOUD BARZANI AND JALAL TALABANI ARE EXPECTED TO MEET AGAIN AT THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) IN AN EFFORT TO END YEARS OF DISPUTES. VOA'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: MR. BARZANI--HEAD OF THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY--AND MR. TALABANI OF THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN MET FACE TO FACE WEDNESDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY FOUR YEARS. THE MEETING LASTED ALMOST THREE HOURS.

THE AMERICAN-LED EFFORT TO HEAL THE LONG,BITTER, BREACH BETWEEN THE TWO KURDISH LEADERS ALSO INCLUDES A MEETING LATER TODAY WITH SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT.

A SENIOR AMERICAN OFFICIAL TOLD REPORTERS NEITHER LEADER SEES A SECURE FUTURE FOR THE KURDS OF NORTHERN IRAQ IF THE EXISTING DIVISIONS CONTINUE.

AS TO HOW IMPORTANT THE KURDS ARE TO THE OPPOSITION TO IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN, THE OFFICIAL SAID MR. BARZANI AND MR. TALABANI CONTROL A SIZEABLE PART OF IRAQ AND HAVE NO INTENTION OF LETTING SADDAM REGAIN CONTROL.(SIGNED)
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16-Sep-98 6:54 PM EDT (2254 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] ISRAEL AND TURKEY BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE GROWING COOPERATION BETWEEN ISRAEL AND TURKEY WAS THE SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION AND CRITICISM AT A RECENT (WED., SEPT. 16) CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON. VOA'S ED WARNER REPORTS THE COMMENTS ON AN ALLIANCE THAT MAY TRANSFORM THE POLITICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST.

TEXT: WHILE THEIR ARAB NEIGHBORS NERVOUSLY LOOK ON, ISRAEL AND TURKEY ARE FORGING CLOSER RELATIONS, ESPECIALLY ON MILITARY MATTERS. AT A MEETING THIS WEEK AT THE WOODROW WILSON CENTER IN WASHINGTON, A LEADING ISRAELI ANALYST GAVE HIS COUNTRY'S VIEW OF THE INCREASING COOPERATION.

EFRAIM INBAR, DIRECTOR OF THE BEGIN-SADAT CENTER FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES AT BAR-ILAN UNIVERSITY IN ISRAEL, SAID THE END OF THE COLD WAR HAS RADICALLY CHANGED THE MIDDLE EAST. NEITHER ISRAEL NOR TURKEY CAN ULTIMATELY COUNT ON THE UNITED STATES COMING TO THEIR RESCUE. SO THEY HAVE DECIDED TO ACT TOGETHER.

IT WAS TURKEY'S IDEA, SAID MR. INBAR. REBUFFED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION, TURKEY INDICATED IT COULD USE MILITARY AND MORAL SUPPORT FROM ISRAEL, WHICH WAS HAPPY TO OBLIGE. ISRAEL HAS UPGRADED TURKISH WEAPONRY AND USED ITS INFLUENCE WITH THE STRONG JEWISH LOBBY IN AMERICA TO HELP TURKEY WITH THE U-S CONGRESS. IN TURN, ISRAEL HAS BEEN GIVEN ACCESS TO TURKISH AIR SPACE AND CAN BOAST AN ISLAMIC ALLY IN THE MOSTLY HOSTILE MUSLIM WORLD:

SO THIS IS TO SOME EXTENT A RATHER ROBUST RELATIONSIP BECAUSE IT HAS SO MUCH IN COMMON. BOTH SIDES AT THIS STAGE REALIZE THAT THIS RELATIONSHIP IN ORDER TO BE EXPANDED HAS TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL ASPECTS, PARTICULARLY ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL TIES. AND BOTH COUNTRIES ARE WORKING ON THIS IN ORDER TO SOLIDIFY THIS RELATIONSHIP, WHICH IS IN MY VIEW - FROM AN INTERNATIONALIST PERSPECTIVE - A VERY IMPORTANT ONE.

MR. INBAR ADDED THAT BOTH COUNTRIES HAVE A SMILILAR VIEW OF THEIR ARAB NEIGHBORS. SYRIA, FOR EXAMPLE, IS THE ENEMY OF BOTH. IT HARBORS KURDISH TERRORISTS WHO PLAGUE TURKEY AND OTHERS COMMITTED TO WAR ON ISRAEL:

BOTH WANT STRATEGICALLY AN ARAB WORLD WHICH IS FRAGMENTED, NOT A WORLD IN WHICH ONE LEADER WOULD GAIN HEGEMONY. BOTH COUNTRIES WERE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SADDAM HUSSEIN HAVING THOSE ASPIRATIONS FOR HEGEMONY IN THE REGION. WE DO NOT WANT THIS REGION TO BE DOMINATED BY AN ARAB POWER.

MR INBAR CONCLUDED THAT IN A TREACHEROUS REGION, ONE CANNOT BE OVERLY SENSITIVE TO MORAL CONSIDERATIONS. STABILITY COMES FIRST.

BUT DOES THE ISRAEL-TURKEY ALLIANCE GUARANTEE EVEN STABILITY IN THE LONG RUN, ASKED JONATHAN CLARKE, AN ANALYST OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS FOR WASHINGTON'S CATO INSTITUTE. IN HIS OPINION, IT IS LIKELY TO LEAD TO A COUNTER ALLIANCE AMONG ARAB NATIONS:

EGYPT, IN PARTICULAR, HAS EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THIS RELATIONSHIP. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE PRECISELY WHAT THE GEOSTRATEGIC RATIONALE FOR IT IS. AFTER ALL, ISRAEL AND TURKEY ARE BY FAR THE LARGEST MILITARY POWERS IN THE REGION, AND WHEN THEY TEAM UP, NATURALLY ENOUGH,. EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE REGION START SAYING, "WELL, WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?"

EFRAIM INBAR ADMITTED EVEN SOME AMERICAN ISRAELI SUPPORTERS HAVE THEIR DOUBTS. HE NOTED THE JEWISH LOBBY OFTEN WORKS WITH THE GREEK LOBBY, WHICH IS AT ODDS WITH TURKEY OVER CYPRUS. NEVERTHELESS, HE INSISTED THE ALLIANCE WITH TURKEY IS IN ISRAEL'S BEST INTEREST. (SIGNED)
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16-Sep-98 6:53 PM EDT (2253 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] TURKEY/KURDS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKEY SAYS IT OPPOSES ANY PERMANENT KURDISH RULE OVER TERRITORY IN NORTHERN IRAQ CURRENTLY CONTROLLED BY THE TWO RIVAL KURDISH FACTIONS. THE TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY ADDS THAT IRAQ'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY SHOULD NOT BE CHALLENGED OR UNDERMINED IN ANY WAY. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

TEXT: SPEAKING WEDNESDAY AT A WEEKLY BRIEFING FOR THE FOREIGN PRESS, TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN NECATI UTKAN SAID OPPOSES WHAT HE DESCRIBES AS A PERMANENT KURDISH ADMINISTRATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ.

MR. UTKAN WAS REFERRING TO A PROPOSED PEACE AGREEMENT BEING BROKERED BY THE UNITED STATES BETWEEN THE MAIN KURDISH FACTIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ WHICH REPORTEDLY CALLS FOR THE FORMATION OF A KURDISH REGIONAL GOVERNMENT.

MASSOUD BARZANI OF THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY OR K-D-P AND JALAL TALABANI OF THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN OR P-U-K ARE SCHEDULED TO MEET IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEK IN THEIR FIRST FACE-TO-FACE ENCOUNTER SINCE THEY WENT TO WAR FOUR YEARS AGO.

THE TWO KURDISH LEADERS ARE WIDELY EXPECTED TO DISCUSS ESTABLISHING AN INTERIM REGIONAL GOVERNMENT.

KURDS HAVE CONTROLLED NORTHERN IRAQ SINCE THE END OF THE 1991 PERSIAN GULF WAR. THAT IS WHEN ALLIED FORCES, LED BY THE UNITED STATES, ESTABLISHED A "NO-FLY" ZONE TO PROTECT THE KURDS AGAINST POSSIBLE ATTACK BY IRAQI TROOPS. THE SO-CALLED KURDISH SAFE HAVEN IS PROTECTED BY ALLIED WAR PLANES BASED IN SOUTHERN TURKEY.

TURKISH OFFICIALS FEAR THAT FORMATION OF ANY KURDISH GOVERNMENT IN NORTHERN IRAQ WILL FORM THE BASIS FOR AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE, AND THAT THIS IN TURN WILL LIKELY TRIGGER DEMANDS FOR INDEPENDENCE FROM TURKEY'S OWN RESTIVE ETHNIC KURDISH POPULATION.

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

INTRO: MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE POSTED MODERATE GAINS WEDNESDAY IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY ABRUPTLY UNSETTLING ECONOMIC NEWS. PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS THE CLOSING FIGURES FROM LONDON.

TEXT: FOLLOWING A MODERATE RISE IN STOCK PRICES ON WALL STREET TUESDAY AND GENERALLY POSITIVE NUMBERS ON MAJOR EXCHANGES EARLY WEDNESDAY IN ASIA, THE BIG BOURSES IN FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS ALL CLOSED HIGHER.

BUT THE GAINS WERE ALL LESS THAN ONE PERCENT FOR THE DAY.

THE PARIS "CAC 40" STOCK INDEX POSTED THE LARGEST GAIN IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, ADDING MORE THAN 31 POINTS AT THE CLOSE. THE NEXT BEST PERFORMANCE CAME FROM STOCKS TRACKED ON THE FRANKFURT "DAX" INDEX, WHICH CLOSED UP JUST SHORT OF 21 POINTS. HERE IN LONDON, EUROPE'S BIGGEST MARKET HAD STOCKS IN THE KEY "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX GAINING 10 POINTS WEDNESDAY.

IN EUROPEAN CURRENCY TRADING, THE U-S DOLLAR SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE AGAINST EITHER THE GERMAN MARK OR BRITISH POUND. (SIGNED)
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16-Sep-98 2:11 PM EDT (1811 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AND THE HEAD OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK TALKED ABOUT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT EIGHT THOUSAND 89, UP 65 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 45, UP SEVEN POINTS.

STOCKS WERE MILDLY VOLATILE, RISING IN THE MORNING, FALLING IN MID-AFTERNOON AND RISING AGAIN NEAR THE CLOSE OF TRADING.

WALL STREET LISTENED CLOSELY WHEN ALAN GREENSPAN, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK, TESTIFIED BEFORE CONGRESS ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SITUATION. MR. GREENSPAN SAID THERE IS NO COORDINATED PLAN BY INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS TO CUT INTEREST RATES.

I CAN SAFELY SAY THAT, AT THE MOMENT, THERE IS NO ENDEAVOR TO COORDINATE INTEREST RATE CUTS. I WILL SAY THAT WE ARE IN FAIRLY EXTENSIVE CONVERSATIONS AMONG THE G-10 CENTRAL BANK GOVERNORS AND ARE EXCHANGING VIEWS ON ALL VARIOUS ASPECTS OF OUR ECONOMIES AND OUR VIEWS OF THE OVERALL INTERNATIONAL SITUATION.

SOME ANALYSTS SAY A COORDINATED INTEREST RATE CUT MIGHT HELP EASE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC TURMOIL. MR. GREENSPAN MADE NO COMMENT ON WHETHER U-S INTEREST RATES SHOULD BE CUT, BUT MANY ECONOMISTS SAY THEY EXPECT RATES WILL SOON BE REDUCED.

A GROUP OF 25 INTERNATIONAL BANKS HAS REPORTEDLY BEEN FORMED TO NEGOTIATE WITH RUSSIA OVER ITS DEBT RESTRUCTURING PROGRAM. BANKING ANALYSTS SAY THE GROUP WILL ATTEMPT TO NEGOTIATE MORE FAVORABLE TERMS FOR RUSSIA'S RESTRUCTURING OF 40 BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF SHORT-TERM RUBLE DEBT.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS U-S INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT SURGED IN AUGUST TO ITS BIGGEST GAIN IN MORE THAN 14 YEARS. HOWEVER, MUCH OF THAT INCREASE WAS THE RESULT OF SETTLEMENT OF STRIKES AT GENERAL MOTORS.

NORTHWEST AIRLINES RESUMED FLIGHTS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE A PILOTS' STRIKE SHUT DOWN THE AIRLINE TWO WEEKS AGO. ANALYSTS SAY THAT STRIKE COST NORTHWEST ABOUT 300 MILLION DOLLARS. TOYS R US, THE WORLD'S LARGEST TOY RETAIL CHAIN, SAYS IT WILL CLOSE 90 STORES AND ELIMINATE THREE THOUSAND JOBS WORLDWIDE. TOYS R US SAYS THE MOVE WILL RESULT IN AN ALMOST HALF BILLION DOLLAR CHARGE IN THE LATEST QUARTER BUT SHOULD LEAD TO IMPROVED PROFITS IN THE FUTURE.

THE VENATOR CORPORATION WILL CLOSE ALL 570 OF ITS KINNEY AND FOOTQUARTERS SHOE STORES. ITS PART OF AN ONGOING REORGANIZATION WHICH BEGAN IN 1995 THAT INCLUDED THE CLOSING OF THE WOOLWORTH DISCOUNT STORE CHAIN.(SIGNED)
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16-Sep-98 5:04 PM EDT (2104 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON'S TROUBLES CONTINUE TO HOLD AN IMPORTANT PLACE IN THE NATION'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS AS THE IMPEACHMENT DRAMA PLAYS ON. OTHER TOPICS DRAWING ATTENTION INCLUDE THE WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS; WHAT IS BEING CALLED A MASSACRE WITHOUT KNIVES IN KOSOVO PROVINCE; THE DEATH OF GEORGE WALLACE; THE POSSIBILITY OF A TAX CUT AND HOW THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS IS PROGRESSING. NOW, JOINING US AT THE V-O-A MICROPHONE IS _______________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" TALKS ABOUT A POSSIBLE PLEA BARGAIN WITH CONGRESS, BUT BEGINS WITH THIS WARNING.

VOICE: THE PRESIDENT CANNOT AVOID IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS IF HIS LAWYERS CONTINUE TO INSULT THE PUBLIC BY INSISTING THAT HE DID NOT LIE UNDER OATH. THIS IS THE MESSAGE ... SENATOR TOM DASCHLE AND REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD GEPHARDT DELIVERED MONDAY BY DENOUNCING THE LEGAL HAIRSPLITTING BY WHITE HOUSE LAWYERS. THEY WERE ALSO SERVING NOTICE THAT IF IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS DO COME, THE PRESIDENT'S OWN PARTY WILL NOT DEFEND HIM UNDER THE DESERVEDLY RIDICULED STRATEGY DEVISED BY DAVID KENDALL. ... THE PRESIDENT'S DEFENSE TEAM HAS BEEN DWARFED BY THE MAGNITUDE OF ITS TASK. ... SO FAR, THE ENTIRE CLINTON DEFENSE EFFORT CAN BE SUMMED UP AS TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.

TEXT: "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" CRITICIZES BOTH THE PRINCIPLES, UNDER A HEADLINE READING"TWO MEN BEHAVING BADLY."

VOICE: ACCORDING TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DEFENDERS, KENNETH STARR HAS ENGAGED IN A FOUR-YEAR, 40-MILLION-DOLLAR WITCH HUNT MOTIVATED MORE BY PERSONAL ANIMOSITY THAN RESPECT FOR THE LAW. AND THEY ARE RIGHT. BUT BILL CLINTON ENSURED THAT [MR.] STARR'S WITCH HUNT WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL. THAT IS THE DILEMMA FACING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM: [MR.] STARR, ARMED WITH UNLIMITED TIME AND RESOURCES, HAS ABUSED THE OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT PROSECUTOR BY INDULGING IN A POLITICAL VENDETTA AGAINST A SITTING PRESIDENT. YET THROUGH THAT ABUSE OF OFFICE, [MR.] STARR UNCOVERED EVIDENCE OF PROFOUND PRESIDENTIAL MISCONDUCT, IF NOT OUTRIGHT CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. AS A RESULT, WE ARE LEFT TO JUDGE A CASE IN WHICH THERE ARE NO HEROES, ONLY VARYING DEGREES OF VILLAINY. AND IT IS PAINFULLY DIFFICULT TO SORT IT ALL OUT.

TEXT: WHILE IN "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" THERE IS A STRONG CALL FOR THE VIDEOTAPED TESTIMONY OF THE PRESIDENT BEFORE THE STARR GRAND JURY TO BE MADE PUBLIC IMMEDIATELY.

VOICE: IF THE DEMOCRATS HAVE THEIR WAY, PRESIDENT CLINTON'S VIDEOTAPED GRAND JURY TESTIMONY WILL NOT BE MADE PUBLIC. ... [HOWEVER] ... IN ONE RARE INSTANCE, THE PRESIDENT'S LAWYERS HAVE IT RIGHT: FOR THE PUBLIC TO JUDGE THE STARR REPORT, IT HAS TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AND MATERIALS. ONE OF THOSE SUPPORTING ITEMS IS THE PRESIDENT'S VIDEOTAPED TESTIMONY. ... ALL THE BOXES NEED TO BE OPENED UP FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION, INCLUDING THE ONE WITH THE GRAND-JURY VIDEOTAPE.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC PROBLEM, THERE ARE SEVERAL COMMENTS, BEGINNING WITH THIS FROM "NEWSDAY" WHICH SAYS MR. CLINTON HAS SOUND SOLUTIONS IF ANYONE WILL LISTEN.

VOICE: WHEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SAYS WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF 'THE BIGGEST FINANCIAL CHALLENGE FACING THE WORLD IN A HALF-CENTURY,' WE OUGHT TO PAY ATTENTION. ... HIS STRATEGY DESERVES A FULL DISCUSSION AND, ON SOME PROPOSALS, PROMPT ACTION. THAT IS ESPECIALLY TRUE OF THE NEED FOR CONGRESS TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND. ... THIS IS WHERE [MR.] CLINTON ESPECIALLY CAN SHINE. HE UNDERSTANDS THE SITUATION, CAN THINK THROUGH THE SOLUTIONS AND THEN EXPLAIN THEM CLEARLY. ... THE REAL PROBLEM, OF COURSE, IS THAT HE HAS SO HOBBLED HIMSELF IN PERSONAL CRISIS THAT IT ISN'T CLEAR HE HAS THE AUTHORITY LEFT TO CONVINCE CONGRESS ...

TEXT: IN BOSTON, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" FEELS IT HAS PART OF THE ANSWER, REPEATING:

VOICE: FOR SOME TIME WE HAVE STRONGLY URGED A JOINT INTEREST RATE CUT BY RICH NATIONS. THAT WOULD HELP PROTECT NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE FROM THE GROWTH-SLOWING EFFECTS OF THE ASIA-RUSSIA-LATIN AMERICA ECONOMIC SLIDE. COUPLED WITH HIGHER INTEREST RATES IN THE TROUBLED ECONOMIES, SUCH A CUT COULD ENCOURAGE FLIGHT CAPITAL TO RETURN TO LANDS WHERE IT'S SORELY NEEDED. IN SHORT, IT WOULD CURB RECESSION AND STIMULATE GROWTH.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST'S" NUMBER-ONE EDITORIAL TODAY CALLS IT "A MASSACRE WITHOUT KNIVES,"REFERRING TO SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S LATEST ETHNIC CLEANSING ADVENTURE IN YUGOSLOVIA'S ETHNIC-ALBANIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO.

VOICE: WHEN STARVATION AND EXPOSURE BEGIN TO CLAIM THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN KOSOVO A FEW WEEKS FROM NOW, NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO CLAIM IGNORANCE AS AN EXCUSE FOR INACTION. /// OPT /// 'MASSIVE WAR CRIMES HAVE BEEN COMMITTED HERE,' JOHN SHATTUCK, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, SAID DURING A RECENT VISIT TO THE SERBIAN PROVINCE. /// END OPT /// ... PRESIDENT CLINTON AND HIS TEAM HAVE PROMISED AGAIN AND AGAIN TO ... USE FORCE IF NECESSARY, AGAINST MR. MILOSEVIC'S MARAUDING SOLDIERS ... BUT THEIR THREATS HAVE PROVED EMPTY. INSTEAD, MR. CLINTON SENDS HIS EMISSARIES, AGAIN AND AGAIN, TO PLEAD WITH THE WAR CRIMINAL TO STOP HIS CRIMES. MR. MILOSEVIC HAS LEARNED HE CAN DEFY THEM AT NO COST.

TEXT: ON THE PASSING OF FORMER ALABAMA GOVERNOR AND ONCE-STRONGLY SEGREGATIONIST GEORGE CORELY WALLACE, "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE SAYS:

VOICE: HE WAS PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT LOSER IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN POLITICS. HAVING BUILT A POWERFUL POLITICAL MACHINE IN ALABAMA ON A VOW NEVER TO BE 'OUT-SEGGED,' [SLANG FOR OUT-SEGREGATED, MEANING HIS WOULD ALWAYS BE THE MOST EXTREME POSITION ON THAT RACIAL ISSUE] MR. WALLACE TOOK HIS RACIST RHETORIC NATIONAL IN A 1964 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN THAT RECEIVED SURPRISING SUPPORT IN THE NORTH. ... IN 1965, PRESIDENT LYNDON JOHNSON WARNED MR. WALLACE THAT ON HIS DEATH HE COULD LEAVE AN EPITAPH THAT SAID, 'GEORGE WALLACE. HE BUILT.' OR ONE THAT SAID, 'GEORGE WALLACE. HE HATED.' BY THE TIME MR. WALLACE DECIDED WHICH TOMBSTONE HE PREFERRED, IT WAS TOO LATE.

TEXT: "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" RETURNS TO A THEME OF PREVIOUS EDITORIALS WHEN IT STRONGLY URGES CONGRESS NOT TO CUT TAXES BECAUSE OF THIS YEAR'S PROJECTED BUDGET SURPLUS.

VOICE: SURE, POLITICIANS FIND THE TIMING RIGHT TO DISCUSS TAX CUTS. FALL ELECTIONS LOOM AROUND THE CORNER. THE ECONOMY CONTINUES TO SHOW STRENGTH. UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINS LOW. AND FEDERAL-BUDGET SURPLUSES APPEAR LIKELY FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS. THE WORLD ECONOMY, HOWEVER, STANDS ON MORE UNCERTAIN GROUND ... WOULD NOT IT MAKE MORE SENSE TO DEAL NOW WITH LINGERING FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS FROM THE OLD DAYS OF BUDGET DEFICITS AND EXCESSIVE SPENDING, NAMELY THE DEBT? OF COURSE, IT WOULD.

TEXT: REGARDING THE ON-GOING PEACE EFFORTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND, "NEWSDAY" ON LONG ISLAND [NEW YORK] IS ENCOURAGED BY THE LACK OF NEWS.

VOICE: IN NORTHERN IRELAND, IT WAS A CASE OF THE DOG THAT DID NOT BARK THIS WEEK. MORE TO THE POINT, IT WAS A CASE OF THE BOMB THAT DID NOT EXPLODE WHEN THE NEW LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY MET FOR THE FIRST TIME -- A KEY STEP ON THE ROAD TO PEACE. FOR THE FIRST TIME, GERRY ADAMS PRESIDENT OF SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, AND A MEMBER OF THE ASSEMBLY, AGREED TO WORK TOGETHER WITH DAVID TRIMBLE, THE FIRST MINISTER, AND THE HEAD OF THE ULSTER UNIONISTS, THE MAIN PROTESTANT PARTY. THE TWO MEN HAD REFUSED TO SPEAK TO EACH OTHER BEFORE SIGNING THE GOOD FRIDAY PEACE ACCORD.

TEXT: TURNING BRIEFLY TO THE CARIBBEAN, "THE MIAMI HERALD" SAYS IT SEES -- HOPE AMID [THE] RUINS] AS REGARDS THE PERMISSION OF ORGANIZED RELIGION IN CUBA.

VOICE: IT IS SAID THAT GOD LOOKS AFTER EVEN THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN HIM. SO, TOO, DO CUBAN CATHOLICS BELIEVE OF CUBA'S BELOVED PATRON SAINT, LA VIRGEN DE LA CARIDAD DEL COBRE, THE VIRGIN OF CHARITY. THUS THE FAITHFUL, WHO VENERATE HER DAILY, MARCHED IN RECORD NUMBERS TO HONOR HER ON HER SPECIAL DAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH ... YET EVEN AS THOUSANDS FREELY EXPRESSED THEIR FAITH, CUBA'S OFFICIALLY GODLESS STATE WAS CRACKING DOWN ON DISSIDENTS WHO EARLIER HAD DARED EXPRESS DESIRES FOR FREEDOM AND JUSTICE [IN ONE OF] THE 'MOST INTENSE, FAR-REACHING CRACKDOWN' SINCE THE POPE'S VISIT.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE PAGES OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
16-Sep-98 10:53 AM EDT (1453 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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