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INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IS REPORTED TO BE NEAR AGREEMENT ON A NEW RESOLUTION DEMANDING A CEASE FIRE IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. A SERB OFFENSIVE AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS THERE CONTINUES TO CREATE REFUGEES FACING THE ONSET OF WINTER. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE ON THE STORY FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: AN IDEA RAISED BY BRITAIN AND FRANCE IS SAID TO BE CLOSE TO A VOTE THIS WEEK AT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL. THE RESOLUTION COULD BE VOTED ON AS EARLY AS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

THE RESOLUTION WOULD BE UNDER WHAT IS CALLED U-N CHAPTER SEVEN, WHICH IMPLIES THE POSSIBLE USE OF FORCE--THOUGH SOME SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE KNOWN TO OPPOSE THAT. A SENIOR AMERICAN OFFICIAL SAYS CONSULTATIONS AMONG SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE NOW UNDERWAY--AND THERE IS AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE AMONG KEY COUNTRIES, INCLUDING RUSSIA.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE UNITED STATES HAS RECOMMENDED THAT NATO TAKE THE NEXT STEP TOWARD PREPARING FOR POSSIBLE MILITARY ACTION IN KOSOVO. THAT IS WHAT IS CALLED FORCE GENERATION, IN WHICH NATO MEMBER COUNTRIES ARE ASKED TO SUPPLY THE NEEDED FORCES FOR THE PLANS WHICH ARE ALREADY IN PLACE. OFFICIALS SAY THE REQUEST WOULD PRIMARILY BE AIR RATHER THAN GROUND. A NATO DECISION ACTUALLY TO USE FORCE HAS --NOT-- BEEN MADE YET.

THE UNITED STATES HAS SAID IN THE PAST A SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACTION IN KOSOVO IS DESIRABLE BUT NOT NECESSARY. SENIOR OFFICIALS NOW SAY THEY WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE FEELING OF THE INTERNATINAL COMMUNITY THAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC MUST STOP HIS OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS, LET HUMANITARIAN WORKERS AND INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS HAVE FREE ACCESS IN KOSOVO AND BEGIN TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE KOSOVARS.

THE OFFICIALS MAKE A POINT THAT THE RESOLUTION WILL BE UNDER UNITED NATIONS CHAPTER SEVEN WHICH AUTHORIZES THE USE OF FORCE WHEN A SITUATION IS A THREAT TO INTERNATIONAL PEACE.

AMERICAN OFFICIALS SAY ANOTHER TEN THOUSAND KOSOVARS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN MADE HOMELESS BY THE SERBIAN OFFENSIVE--JOINING THOUSANDS OF OTHERS. SNOW HAS BEGUN TO FALL IN MOUNTAINOUS AREAS WHERE THE DISPLACED PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN HUTS AND THERE IS FEAR OF A MASSIVE HUMANITARIAN TRAGEDY IN THE MAKING.(SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/WDC/PT
22-Sep-98 7:01 PM EDT (2301 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] NATO-KOSOVO-PREVIEW (L-O) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL PRESS NATO ALLIES TO MOVE CLOSER TO MILITARY ACTION IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS GATHER WEDNESDAY IN PORTUGAL TO DISCUSS WAYS TO STOP THE VIOLENCE IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE.

TEXT: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS TOP NATO OFFICIALS HAVE APPROVED TWO CONTINGENCY PLANS, ONE FOR AIR OPERATIONS AND A SECOND FOR GROUND TROOPS TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN A CEASE FIRE IN KOSOVO.

HE SAYS NATO HAS INFORMALLY POLLED MEMBERS TO SEE WHICH ONES ARE WILLING TO CONTRIBUTE TROOPS AND EQUIPMENT TO SUCH OPERATIONS. HE WOULD NOT SAY SPECIFICALLY HOW MANY TROOPS OR WHAT KIND OF FORCES THE UNITED STATES WOULD BE WILLING TO PROVIDE.

MR. BACON SAYS NATO MEMBERS HAVE TO TAKE SEVERAL FORMAL STEPS BEFORE MILITARY ACTION IS UNDERTAKEN.

WE ARE IN FAVOR OF HAVING NATO MOVE TO THE NEXT STAGE, THE SO CALLED 'ACTIVATION-WARNING,' TO COME CLOSER TO THE USE OF MILITARY FORCE IF NECESSARY.

MR. BACON SAYS WASHINGTON'S GOAL IS TO GET THE TWO SIDES TO BEGIN SERIOUS NEGOTIATIONS. HE SAYS YUGOSLAV FORCES AND THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY WILL NOT RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES UNTIL THEY STOP SHOOTING AT EACH OTHER AND START TALKING TO ONE ANOTHER.

LAST FEBRUARY, YUGOSLAV MILITARY AND POLICE FORCES BEGAN A MAJOR OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. THEY ARE STRUGGLING FOR CONTROL OF KOSOVO, A PROVINCE OF SERBIA, WHICH IS THE DOMINANT REPUBLIC IN YUGOSLAVIA. NINE OUT OF TEN RESIDENTS OF KOSOVO ARE ETHNIC ALBANIAN MUSLIMS, AND MANY HAVE JOINED THE K.L.A. THE YUGOSLAV POLICE AND ARMY ARE DOMINATED BY CHRISTIAN OTHODOX SERBS, WHO HAVE STRONG CULTURAL AND HISTORIC TIES TO THE PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. YUGOSLAV FORCES HAVE MOUNTED A STRONG OFFENSIVE IN RECENT DAYS.

SINCE THE FIRST OF THE YEAR, FIGHTING HAS KILLED NINE-HUNDRED PEOPLE, AND FORCED PERHAPS 300-THOUSAND PEOPLE TO FLEE THEIR HOMES.

THOUSANDS CROSSED BORDERS INTO NEIGHBORING ALBANIA, THE YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO, AND ELSEWHERE. THOUSANDS MORE ARE TAKING SHELTER WITH FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS IN KOSOVO. BUT THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES SAYS THE HARSH BALKAN WINTER IS ARRIVING IN KOSOVO AND THAT COULD BE DEADLY CHARTER THAT ALLOWS POSSIBLE USE OF MILITARY ACTION. (SIGNED).
NEB/JR/WDC/PT
22-Sep-98 5:40 PM EDT (2140 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] EDITORIAL: ENGLISH LISTENER ON I-R-A

ANNCR: NEXT, A LISTENER RESPONDS TO VOA EDITORIALS. FROM NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND, RICHARD HOWARD WRITES:

VOICE: "PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON [RECENTLY] RETURNED HOME AFTER A SHORT VISIT TO NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC. . . . MANY BRITISH PEOPLE HOPED THAT IN THE WAKE OF RESOLUTE U.S. ACTION AGAINST INTERNATIONAL TERRORISTS, MR. CLINTON WOULD APOLOGIZE TO THE BRITISH PUBLIC FOR THE TACIT SUPPORT LENT BY SUCCESSIVE U.S. ADMINISTRATIONS TO VARIOUS ANTI-BRITISH IRISH ORGANIZATIONS OPERATING IN THE UNITED STATES. "OVER THE YEARS, IRISH-AMERICANS HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY. IN THE INTERESTS OF 'FREEDOM OF SPEECH,' LEADING MEMBERS OF IRISH REPUBLICAN MOVEMENTS HAVE BEEN GRANTED VISAS AND HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO ATTEND FUND-RAISING EVENTS PROCLAIMING THEIR VENOMOUS ANTI-BRITISH MESSAGE. THEY HAVE BEEN GRANTED V-I-P STATUS AND THEY HAVE BEEN AFFORDED A HERO'S WELCOME, OFTEN WITH CELEBRITY HOSTING ON AMERICAN RADIO AND TELEVISION. "WILL A U.S. OFFICIAL FINALLY ADMIT THAT THIS WAS WRONG AND ISSUE AN APOLOGY? ONE IS LONG OVERDUE!"

ANNCR:

[08] FRANCE / CARS (L) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: PARIS AND 36 OTHER FRENCH TOWNS BANNED MOTOR TRAFFIC FROM CERTAIN DISTRICTS TUESDAY AS PART OF A CAMPAIGN TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND NON-POLLUTING FORMS OF TRANSPORT. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: FRENCH ENVIRONMENT MINISTER DOMINIQUE VOYNET NAMED TUESDAY "A DAY WITHOUT MY CAR."

THE MINISTER, THE FORMER HEAD OF FRANCE'S GREENS PARTY, ORGANIZED IT TO DRIVE HOME TO FRENCH CITY-DWELLERS THAT THEY CAN LIVE WITHOUT THEIR AUTOMOBILES.

IRONICALLY, ALTHOUGH MRS. VOYNET IS ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THE SOCIALIST-RUN GOVERNMENT, IT WAS PARIS, A CITY RUN BY CONSERVATIVES, THAT RESPONDED TO THE CHALLENGE MOST ENTHUSIASTICALLY. SOME SOCIALIST-RUN CITIES LAGGED FAR BEHIND. IN PARIS, A TOTAL OF 62 KILOMETERS OF ROADS WERE ENTIRELY CLOSED OFF TO MOTOR TRAFFIC. THE AUTHORITIES SAID THIS RESULTED IN A 20 PERCENT DROP IN THE NUMBER OF CARS AND TRUCKS IN THE CITY. THE GESTURE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE ARRIVAL OF FLEETS OF BICYCLES TO RENT OUT TO THOSE PARISIANS WHO DID NOT WANT TO TAKE A BUS OR SUBWAY.

IN THE EASTERN CITY OF NANCY, WHERE THERE IS ALSO A CONSERVATIVE MAYOR, AUTHORITIES REPORTED THAT THE DROP IN TRAFFIC REDUCED THE USUAL POLLUTION LEVELS BY SOME 30 PERCENT.

IN THE FRENCH ALPS, THE TOWN OF CHAMONIX USED TWO SNOWPLOWS TO BLOCK A ROAD LEADING TO THE TUNNEL UNDER THE MONT BLANC MOUNTAIN. ONE-HUNDRED TRUCKS WERE FORCED TO WAIT WHILE THEIR DRIVERS WERE TREATED TO A FREE LUNCH BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES. THEY ENDED THE BLOCKADE IMMEDIATELY AFTER LUNCH. HOWEVER, TWO CONSERVATIVE-RUN SOUTHWESTERN CITIES -- BORDEAUX AND TOULOUSE -- BOTH CHOSE TO HOLD THEIR DAYS WITHOUT MOTOR TRAFFIC ON SUNDAYS. THIS RUNS COUNTER TO THE SPIRIT OF THE ENVIRONMENT MINISTER'S INITIATIVE. THE MINISTER'S AIM IS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT NORMAL BUSINESS CAN BE CARRIED ON WITHOUT CARS.

ACCORDING TO OPINION POLLS, THE ENVIRONMENT MINISTER, MRS. VOYNET, IS ONE OF FRANCE'S MOST POPULAR POLITICIANS. ALTHOUGH SHE IS AN ALLY OF THE RULING SOCIALIST PARTY, HER POPULARITY DID NOT HELP HER IN SOME LEFT-WING TOWNS.

IN THE ATLANTIC PORT OF NANTES, THE SOCIALIST COUNCIL CHOSE A TINY AND SYMBOLIC 400-METER STRETCH OF ROAD TO CLOSE OFF FOR THE DAY. IN THE CITY OF PAU, IN THE PYRENEES, THE SOCIALIST MAYOR REFUSED TO COOPERATE AT ALL. IN HIS WORDS, THE CAR-LESS DAY WAS BOTH "USELESS AND EXPENSIVE." (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/JWH
22-Sep-98 11:07 AM EDT (1507 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 MIXED TODAY (TUESDAY) AS STOCK TRADERS SAW NO CLEAR SIGNAL ABOUT THE FATE OF JAPANESE ECONOMIC REFORMS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 78 HUNDRED 97, DOWN 36 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 29, UP FIVE POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY THERE WAS INTENSE INTEREST ON WALL STREET IN THE MEETING IN NEW YORK BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER OBUCHI. BUT, THERE WAS NO DRAMATIC ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER THE MEETING. PRIME MINISTER OBUCHI SAID HE WAS NEITHER "OPTIMISTIC NOR PESSIMISTIC" ABOUT HIS CHANCES OF PERSUADING THE JAPANESE PARLIAMENT TO APPROVE SWEEPING ECONOMIC REFORMS. SO THE MEETING HAD NO SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON U-S STOCK PRICES.

THERE IS STILL SOME HOPE ON WALL STREET THAT THE U-S CENTRAL BANK WILL REDUCE SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES AT A MEETING NEXT WEEK.

ALAN ACKERMAN OF THE FAHNSTOCK INVESTMENT FIRM THINKS STOCK PRICES MAY STAY IN A RELATIVELY NARROW RANGE FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

THE MARKET IS TRYING TO FIND A FOOTING. IT IS POSSIBLE WE COULD TEST THE LOWS ONCE AGAIN. BUT I THINK, ON BALANCE, WE WILL STAY IN A TIGHT TRADING RANGE.

THE KUWAITI OIL MINISTER SAYS A THREE DOLLAR A BARREL INCREASE IN OIL PRICES IS A REALISTIC TARGET WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. SPEAKING ON THE EVE OF ANOTHER MEETING IN KUWAIT OF INFLUENTIAL OIL PRODUCING NATIONS, SHEIK SAUD NASSER AL-SABAH DID NOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PRODUCTION CUTS TO HELP RAISE OIL PRICES.

IN BUSINESS NEWS,THE VENATOR RETAIL COMPANY SAYS IT WILL SELL ITS 357 WOOLWORTH GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORES IN GERMANY TO A MANAGEMENT-LED GROUP FOR 552 MILLION DOLLARS. LAST YEAR, VENATOR CLOSED ALL OF ITS WOOLWORTH STORES IN THE UNITED STATES IN ORDER TO CONCENTRATE ON SPECIALTY RETAILING.

CROWN CORK AND SEAL, THE U-S-BASED PACKAGING COMPANY, SAYS IT WILL LAY OFF SEVEN PERCENT OF ITS WORK FORCE. THE COMPANY, CITING PROBLEMS IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS, ALSO SAYS ITS QUARTERLY PROFITS WILL BE LOWER THAN EXPECTED.

THE NIKE FOOT AND ATHLETIC WEAR COMPANY SAYS ITS SUBCONTRACTORS IN VIETNAM WILL BE LAYING OFF ABOUT EIGHT PERCENT OF THEIR WORK FORCES BECAUSE OF DECLINING ORDERS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
22-Sep-98 5:13 PM EDT (2113 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THERE ARE NEW CALLS FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON'S RESIGNATION TODAY, FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF ABOUT FOUR HOURS OF HIS VIDEOTAPED GRAND JURY TESTIMONY ABOUT THE SEXUAL AFFAIR WITH A YOUNG WHITE HOUSE INTERN. DENVER'S "ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS," ONE OF THE NATION'S 30 LARGEST DAILIES, IS NOW CALLING FOR HIM TO RESIGN, WHILE "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" REPEATS ITS REQUEST TODAY, TO SPARE, WHAT THE PAPER CALLS -- MORE NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT. IN GEORGIA, JAY BOOKMAN, ASSOCIATE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR OF "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION," WHO DESCRIBES HIMSELF AS AN ARDENT CLINTON SUPPORTER, SAYS IN HIS COLUMN, "IT IS TIME TO LET HIM GO."

IN OTHER EDITORIALS, THE TOPICS RANGE FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE COMMISSION REPORT, TO THE FINANCIAL TROUBLES OF JAPAN AND RUSSIA, AND THE END OF A HUGE STREAK OF CONSECUTIVE GAMES PLAYED IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL BY BALTIMORE ORIOLES STAR CAL RIPKEN. NOW, HERE AT OUR V-O-A MICROPHONE IS ______________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: MONDAY MORNING, THE UNITED STATES WAS WITNESS TO A HISTORIC SPECTACLE; A SITTING PRESIDENT DISCUSSING SOME OF THE MOST INTIMATE ASPECTS OF A SEXUAL ASSIGNATION HE HAD WITH A YOUNG WHITE HOUSE WORKER. IT WAS THE FOUR HOURS OF TESTIMONY GIVEN BY PRESIDENT CLINTON IN LATE AUGUST TO THE WHITEWATER GRAND JURY. THE TAPE WAS PLAYED ON SEVERAL NATIONAL TELEVISION CHANNELS BEFORE AN AUDIENCE OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS, AND TODAY, THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF MANY MAJOR DAILIES ARE LEADING WITH THEIR REACTIONS TO IT. "THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS" SAYS IT IS TIME FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON TO LEAVE.

VOICE: WE DID NOT ARRIVE AT THIS CONCLUSION LIGHTLY. BEFORE AUGUST 17TH, WE ARGUED THAT [MR.] CLINTON MIGHT SALVAGE HIS PRESIDENCY WITH COMPLETE HONESTY. EVEN IN THE WAKE OF HIS DEPLORABLE SPEECH ON THE DAY OF HIS GRAND JURY TESTIMONY, WE REFRAINED FROM CALLING FOR HIS OUSTER. ... YET ALL HOPE OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDOR VANISHED MONDAY IN THE FOG OF EVASIONS THAT APPEARED ON THE TAPES.

TEXT: "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" WHICH HAS ALREADY CALLED ON THE PRESIDENT TO RESIGN, IS REPEATING ITS REQUEST, UNDER THE HEADLINE "STOP THE SPECTACLE."

VOICE: EACH IMAGE OF A SQUIRMING PRESIDENT CLINTON POINTS UP HIS DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO CLING TO THE OFFICE HE HAS SHOWN HIMSELF UNFIT TO OCCUPY. ... THE PRESIDENT HAS MADE SUCH A SHAMBLES OF THE OFFICE THAT HE CANNOT HOPE TO RESUSCITATE IT UNDER HIS DIMINISHED LEADERSHIP. ... RESIGNATION REMAINS THE ONLY VIABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR MR. CLINTON -- AND FOR THE NATION ... HOW LONG WILL THIS SELF-CENTERED MAN FORCE THE COUNTRY TO WALLOW IN HIS MESS?

TEXT: "THE BOSTON GLOBE" SAYS IT WOULD HAVE PREFERRED NOT TO KNOW ALL THE SALACIOUS DETAILS, THANK YOU.

VOICE: ALL OF THIS LEADS TO THE FURTHER COARSENING OF AMERICAN POLITICS -- A PROCESS THAT TOOK WING WITH THE ANITA HILL-CLARENCE THOMAS HEARINGS AND HAS SINCE SOARED TO UNACCEPTABLE HEIGHTS. ... NOTHING THE G-O-P HAS DONE OR CAN DO TO EMBARRASS THE PRESIDENT IS COMPARABLE TO WHAT [MR.] CLINTON HAS BROUGHT ON HIMSELF, HIS PARTY, AND HIS COUNTRY BY HIS RECKLESS AND NARCISSISTIC BEHAVIOR -- A GREEK TRAGEDY OF HUBRIS, SELF-INDULGENCE AND DECEIT ...

TEXT: ON OUR PACIFIC RIM, "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND, SAYS THE TAPE MAKES THINGS MORE COMPLICATED FOR CONGRESS.

VOICE: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MONDAY'S SPECTACLE MADE CLEAR, HOWEVER, IS THAT CONGRESS' JOB WILL BE MUCH MORE COMPLICATED THAN JUST SORTING THROUGH THE FACTS. NOTHING WILL BE SERVED BY SHORT-CIRCUITING THE [IMPEACHMENT] PROCESS. ... IF THIS CASE IS TO BE ABOUT ANYTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE PRESIDENT'S SEXUAL LIFE, THEN EVERYONE INVOLVED MUST BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

TEXT: MORE THAN FOUR-THOUSAND KILOMETERS AWAY, "THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD" SAYS THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT HAS BEEN HARMED, MAYBE IRREPARABLY.

VOICE: AS ROUGH A DAY AS IT WAS FOR THE PRESIDENT ... IT WAS AN EVEN TOUGHER ONE FOR THE PRESIDENCY. ... NO ONE SHOULD EXCUSE [BILL] CLINTON. WHAT HE HAS ADMITTED TO DOING WAS FOOLISH AND RECKLESS, AND HE OUGHT TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. YET, ONE SENSES THAT THE WAY IN WHICH THE CASE AGAINST THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN PURSUED SETS A NEW, LOWER STANDARD FOR THE RESPECT DUE THE OFFICE. .... THOSE WHO WANTED TO GET BILL CLINTON AT ANY COST HAVE DIMINISHED, PERHAPS FOREVER, A NATIONAL INSTITUTION.

TEXT: TURNING BRIEFLY TO OTHER ISSUES, "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" IS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE OUTCOME OF THE PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON RACE, WHICH RECENTLY ISSUED ITS REPORT OF A YEAR-LONG DIALOGUE.

VOICE: THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE FEW AND FEEBLE. APPARENTLY, THE DIALOGUE ON RACE GOT DROWNED OUT BY THE NOISE OF A SEX-AND-LIES SCANDAL. THE DISTRACTED PRESIDENT NEVER GOT INVOLVED ENOUGH TO FOCUS NATIONAL ATTENTION ON RACIAL ISSUES, AND HIS ADVISERS DUCKED THE TOUGHEST ISSUES. AS A RESULT, A LOT OF HARD WORK WENT FOR LITTLE.

TEXT: RETURNING, YET AGAIN, TO JAPAN'S FINANCIAL WOES, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" EXCLAIMS IN FRUSTRATION:

VOICE: A POLITICAL DEAL ON HOW TO CLOSE INSOLVENT JAPANESE BANKS APPEARS TO BE UNRAVELING RAPIDLY, RAISING THE SPECTER OF CONTINUED INACTION ON THE FINANCIAL CRISIS FACING THE WORLD'S SECOND-LARGEST ECONOMY. THAT WOULD CONSTITUTE AN ABDICATION OF RESPONSIBILITY NOT ONLY TO THE JAPANESE PEOPLE BUT TO THE GLOBAL ECONOMY THAT NEEDS A HEALTHY JAPAN. ... WITH THE RISK OF JAPANESE INACTION HIGH, IT IS MORE NECESSARY THAN EVER FOR THE OTHER MAJOR ECONOMIES -- PARTICULARLY GERMANY AND THE UNITED STATES -- TO TAKE STEPS SUCH AS LOWERING INTEREST RATES IN AN EFFORT TO STIMULATE WORLD GROWTH.

TEXT: TO ONE OF THE WORLD'S OTHER SERIOUS TROUBLE SPOTS, RUSSIA, WHERE "NEWSDAY" ON LONG ISLAND IS ALARMED AT WHAT IT CALLS RUSSIA'S "MIND-BOGGLING DECISION" TO START PRINTING RUBLES AS A WAY TO JUMP-START THE COMATOSE ECONOMY.

VOICE: FLOODING THE MARKET WITH NEAR-WORTHLESS RUBLES WILL IMMEDIATELY INFLATE PRICES. ... THE NEW PRIME MINISTER, YEVGENY PRIMAKOV ... MUST REMEMBER HOW GERMANS IN THE SHORT-LIVED WEIMER REPUBLIC CARRIED WHEELBARROWS FULL OF WORTHLESS MARKS TO BUY LOAVES OF BREAD. THAT WAS NOT LONG BEFORE HITLER CAME TO POWER.

TEXT: SPEAKING OF MONEY PROBLEMS, HERE AT HOME "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IS CALLING ON THE SENATE TO REFORM AND IMPROVE THE NATION'S CONSUMER-BANKRUPTCY SYSTEM, NOTING:

VOICE: SUCH REFORM IS PAST DUE. IN 1978, THE YEAR OF THE LAW'S LAST MAJOR OVERHAUL, ABOUT 182-THOUSAND AMERICANS FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY. BY LAST YEAR, THAT NUMBER HAD EXPLODED TO ONE-POINT-35-MILLION CASES -- AND THIS DESPITE THE LONGEST PEACETIME EXPANSION IN UNITED STATES HISTORY. THAT ADDS UP TO ONE IN EVERY 70 U-S HOUSEHOLDS.

TEXT: ROUNDING OUT THE EDITORIALS, COMMENTS ON A PAIR OF SPORTS HEROES. BALTIMORE ORIOLES THIRD BASEMAN, AND PREVIOUSLY SHORTSTOP, CAL RIPKEN, SAT OUT A GAME THIS WEEK, BY HIS CHOICE, ENDING THE LONGEST STRING OF CONTINUOUS GAMES EVER PLAYED IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL. SAYS "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER:"

VOICE: THE STREAK HAS BEEN AN INSPIRING EXERCISE IN PRIDE FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE WITH DUTY, IN WILL OVERCOMING CIRCUMSTANCE, IN THE INDIVIDUAL FULFILLING HIMSELF IN SERVICE TO THE GROUP. ITS END WAS AS FITTING AS IT WAS SUDDEN.

TEXT: AND FROM "THE LOS ANGELS TIMES" ON THE PASSING OF LOCAL SPORTS HEROINE AND OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL WINNER FLORENCE GRIFFITH JOYNER, WHO DIED MONDAY IN HER SLEEP AT 38, OF A HEART SEIZURE.

VOICE: THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS. MOST EKE OUT A SINGLE VICTORY AGAINST THE BEST AMATEUR ATHLETES IN THE WORLD. A VERY FEW MAINTAIN THEIR GOLD-WINNING WAYS OVER EIGHT OR 12 YEARS. THEN THERE ARE ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME CHAMPIONS LIKE FLORENCE GRIFFITH JOYNER WHO REDEFINE THEIR SPORT. THEY SO DOMINATE THEIR EVENTS THAT SPECTATORS AND COMPETITORS ALIKE ARE LEFT AWE-STRUCK. ... WE MAY NEVER SEE HER LIKE AGAIN.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM THE NATION'S DAILY PAPERS.
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22-Sep-98 11:00 AM EDT (1500 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] CLINTON / EURO REACT (L-ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: THE BROADCAST OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S VIDEO GRAND JURY TESTIMONY HAS MET GENERALLY WITH INDIFFERENCE ACROSS EUROPE, EXCEPT IN BRITAIN WHERE THE TABLOID PRESS IS HAVING A FIELD DAY. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM MOSCOW.

TEXT: IT WAS THE LEAD STORY ON THE MIDDAY BRITISH T-V NEWS.

WHAT A CONTRAST WITH RUSSIAN NEWSCASTS, WHICH HAVE MADE NO MENTION AT ALL OF MR CLINTON OR HIS SEX SCANDAL. ONLY ONE RUSSIAN-LANGUAGE DAILY NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED A REPORT -- ON PAGE THREE. ONLY THE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE "MOSCOW TIMES" PUT IT ON THE FRONT PAGE.

NOT SO IN BRITAIN, WHERE TABLOIDS LIKE THE "SUN" -- BRITAIN'S BIGGEST-SELLING NEWSPAPER -- BOLDLY HEADLINED IT "THE GREATEST HUMILIATION IN AMERICAN HISTORY". EVEN THE CONSERVATIVE "TIMES" NEWSPAPER FEATURED FRONT PAGE PHOTOS OF MR. CLINTON AND MONICA LEWINSKY UNDER A MORE SUBDUED HEADLINE, "SECRETS EXPOSED TO THE WORLD".

IRELAND'S "IRISH TIMES" SPICED UP COVERAGE BY COMPARING IT TO A BOXING MATCH. THE PROSECUTOR'S TEAM LANDED SOME GLANCING BLOWS ON MR CLINTON, THE NEWSPAPER SAID, BUT THERE WAS NO KNOCKOUT PUNCH.

GENERALLY THOUGH, EUROPEANS SAY THEY ARE FED UP WITH THE BLANKET GLOBAL COVERAGE.

THE LEFTIST FRENCH DAILY "LIBERATION" DID NOT MINCE WORDS IN A HEADLINE THAT READ, "AD NAUSEUM." GERMANY'S CHANCELLOR HELMUT KHOL SAID COVERAGE OF THE SCANDAL IN SUCH GRAPHIC DETAIL MADE HIM WANT TO VOMIT.

ON MOSCOW STREETS, RUSSIANS ARE PUZZLED BY ALL THE FUSS.

THIRTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD SERGEI SAYS HE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHY AMERICANS ARE SO UPSET. THEY JUST TORMENT THEIR POOR PRESIDENT, HE SAYS, AND HUMILIATE HIM FOR SOME SILLY REASON.

IN THE WESTERN ENCLAVE OF KALININGRAD, WHICH HAS BEEN HARD HIT BY RUSSIA'S ECONOMIC CRISIS, THE MOOD IS MUCH THE SAME. THEY (THE AMERICANS) SHOULD HAVE OUR TROUBLES, COMPLAINED ONE YOUNG MAN. (SIGNED)
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22-Sep-98 9:40 AM EDT (1340 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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