Voice of America, 98-11-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

[02] YUGOSLAVIA - KOSOVO (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[03] KOSOVO / ALBANIANS (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

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

[05] TURKEY / KURDS / ITALY (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[06] RUSSIA / GERMANY (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[07] RUSSIA / GERMANY UPDATE (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[08] BRITAIN / IRAQ (L-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

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

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

[01] BOSNIA WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS HANDED DOWN GUILTY VERDICTS AGAINST A BOSNIAN CROAT AND TWO MUSLIMS FOR THE MURDER AND TORTURE OF BOSNIAN SERBS. BUT THE JUDGES ACQUITTED A MUSLIM MILITARY COMMANDER OF ANY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE ATROCITIES AT THE CELEBICI PRISON CAMP IN CENTRAL BOSNIA IN 1992. LAUREN COMITEAU REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE.

TEXT: REGIONAL MILITARY COMMANDER ZEJNIL DELALIC SMILED AS THE JUDGES RULED HE HAD NO CONTROL OVER EVENTS AT THE CELEBICI CAMP WHERE PROSECUTORS SAY BOSNIAN SERBS WERE MURDERED, RAPED, AND TORTURED.

BUT THE CAMP COMMANDER, ZDACKO MUCIC, WAS SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS FOR FAILING TO STOP HIS SUBORDINATES FROM COMMITTING THE CRIMES.

IN ITS FIRST RULING ON SO-CALLED "COMMAND RESPONSIBILITY," JUDGE ADOLPHUS KARIBI-WHYTE REBUKED MUCIC FOR BEING DERELICT IN HIS DUTIES TO PROTECT THOSE IN HIS CUSTODY.

THE TRIAL CHAMBER -IS APPALLED BY THE INADEQUACY OF THE FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES AND MEDICAL AND SLEEPING FACILITIES THAT WERE PROVIDED FOR THE DETAINEES, AS WELL AS THE ATMOSPHERE OF TERROR IN THE CELEBICI PRISON CAMP.

IN THEIR FIRST RULING AGAINST BOSNIAN MUSLIMS, THE JUDGES ALSO SENTENCED THE DEPUTY CAMP COMMANDER, HAZIM DELIC, TO 20 YEARS IN JAIL. AND PRISON GUARD ESAD LANDZO GOT 15 YEARS FOR MURDER AND TORTURE.

THE JUDGES NOTED WHAT THEY CALLED DELIC'S "SINGULAR BRUTALITY AND CALCULATED CRUELTY" AGAINST HIS VICTIMS, AND POINTED OUT THAT HIS RAPE OF TWO DEFENSELESS WOMEN IS THE TRIBUNAL'S FIRST CONVICTION OF RAPE AS TORTURE, A CONVICTION PROSECUTORS ALSO CALLED SIGNIFICANT.

DELIC'S DEFENSE LAWYER, TOM MORAN, SAYS HE WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY BE FILING AN APPEAL.

I EXPECTED HIM TO GET A SENTENCE SOMEWHAT LESS THAN THAT AND WAS RATHER SURPRISED THAT HE GOT THE LONGEST SENTENCE.

MR. MORAN SAID HE WAS SURPRISED BECAUSE ONE OF THE OTHER DEFENDANTS WAS A MORE DANGEROUS PERSON. HE WAS SPEAKING OF ESAD LANDZO, WHO WAS ONLY 19 AT THE TIME HE COMMITTED HIS CRIMES.

JUDGES TOLD LANDZO IT WAS DISTURBING TO SEE SUCH A DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE IN SUCH A YOUNG PERSON. BUT THEY TOOK HIS AGE AND IMMATURITY INTO ACCOUNT WHEN HANDING HIM A SENTENCE LESS SEVERE THAN HIS CRIMES DESERVED.

LANDZO'S LAWYER, WHO CALLED THE SENTENCE DISAPPOINTING, SAID SHE ALSO WILL FILE AN APPEAL. MEANWHILE, PROSECUTORS SAY THEY ARE SATISFIED WITH THE CONVICTIONS. HOWEVER, THEY WILL APPEAL THE ACQUITTAL OF COMMANDER DELALIC AND PROBABLY THE SEVEN-YEAR SENTENCE OF CAMP COMMANDER MUCIC, WHICH THEY CALLED INADEQUATE.

DEPUTY PROSECUTOR GRAHAM BLEWITT SAYS THE JUDGMENTS MARKS AN IMPORTANT OCCASION IN THE LIFE OF THE TRIBUNAL.

THE TRIAL OF THESE ACCUSED DEMONSTRATES THE EVEN-HANDED APPROACH OF THE PROSECUTOR IN BRINGING TO JUSTICE PERSONS WHO ARE GUILTY OF SERIOUS VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW, REGARDLESS OF THEIR POLITICAL OR ETHNIC PERSUASION.

THE JUDGMENTS COULD PUT AN END TO CRITICISM THAT THE TRIBUNAL UNFAIRLY TARGETS SERBS. PROSECUTOR BLEWITT SAYS THERE WILL BE EVEN MORE CASES WHERE SERBS WERE THE VICTIMS. BUT HE URGED PEOPLE NOT TO PLAY A NUMBERS GAME. HE SAID THE FAIRNESS OF THE TRIBUNAL WILL BE JUDGED WHEN ITS WORK IS OVER. (SIGNED)
NEB/LC/JWH
16-Nov-98 11:11 AM EST (1611 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] YUGOSLAVIA - KOSOVO (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THE AMERICAN WHO HEADS THE INTERNATIONAL VERIFICATION MISSION IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE MEETS TODAY (MONDAY) WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE TALKS COME ONE DAY AFTER YUGOSLAV ARMY TROOPS ARE REPORTED TO HAVE FIRED A MACHINE-GUN BURST OVER A CAR CARRYING MEMBERS OF THE VERIFICATION TEAM. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS FROM OUR REGIONAL NEWS BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: AMERICAN ENVOY WILLIAM WALKER IS TELLING PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC THAT THE CEASE-FIRE IN KOSOVO IS THREATENED BY ONGOING CLASHES BETWEEN HIS FORCES AND SEPARATIST GUERRILLAS. KOSOVO'S 90-PERCENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY MOSTLY WANTS INDEPENDENCE, AND A REBEL FORCE CALLED THE "KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY" HAS BEEN FIGHTING SERB FORCES SINCE EARLY THIS YEAR. THE FIGHTING HAS LEFT MORE THAN ONE-THOUSAND DEAD AND HAS DRIVEN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS FROM THEIR HOMES.

A U-S BROKERED CEASE-FIRE HAS ALLOWED MANY OF THE DISPLACED TO RETURN TO THEIR VILLAGES, BUT THE DEAL IS THREATENED BY SPORADIC FIGHTING.

THE RENEWED CLASHES HAVE RAISED CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE UNARMED OBSERVERS. TWO-THOUSAND OF THEM ARE BEING DEPLOYED IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/PCF/PLM
16-Nov-98 6:01 AM EST (1101 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO / ALBANIANS (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADER IN KOSOVO, IBRAHIM RUGOVA, HAS REJECTED A SERBIAN OFFER FOR FACE TO FACE TALKS ABOUT THE TROUBLED YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM PRISTINA.

TEXT: ETHNIC ALBANIAN OFFICIALS IN KOSOVO HAVE REJECTED A SERBIAN GOVERNMENT OFFER FOR FACE TO FACE PEACE TALKS ON THE STATUS OF THE TROUBLED PROVINCE. THE SERBIAN OFFER INCLUDED INVITATIONS BY THE STATE NEWS AGENCY FOR CHINESE, RUSSIAN. AND AMERICAN DIPLOMATS TO ATTEND.

BUT THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN SIDE REJECTED THE OFFER MONDAY AS -- WHAT IT CALLED A -- PUBLICITY STUNT.

AT THE SAME TIME, A SPOKESMAN FOR U-S MEDIATOR CHRISTOPHER HILL DOWNPLAYED THE SERBIAN INVITATION -- CALLING IT A ONE-SIDED INVITATION THAT DID NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF SERIOUS NEGOTIATION BETWEEN TWO SIDES. HE SAID THAT MR. HILL HAS NO PLANS TO ATTEND TALKS WHICH HE ADDED HE DID NOT EXPECT TO TAKE PLACE.

IN ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT, THE U-S CHIEF OF THE MONITORING MISSION RUN BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (O-S-C-E) -- EXPRESSED HIS DISPLEASURE MONDAY TO YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ABOUT A WEEKEND INCIDENT IN WHICH YUGOSLAV TROOPS POINTED A HEAVY MACHINE GUN AT O-S-C-E MONITORS.

MISSION CHIEF WILLIAM WALKER SAID THE O-S-C-E HAS A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION WITH THE SERB AUTHORITIES ABOUT THE QUESTION OF SAFETY FOR ITS TWO-THOUSAND OBSERVERS -- KNOWN AS VERIFIERS -- WHO ARE JUST NOW ARRIVING IN KOSOVO.

I WAS SENT IN TO EXPRESS THE FACT THAT WE ARE CONCERNED WITH THE QUESTION OF COMPLIANCE -- THAT MAYBE WE HAVE DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS OF WHAT THE AGREEMENTS EXACTLY SAY. BUT WE THINK THAT THINGS LIKE THE INCIDENT I JUST DESCRIBED -- THINGS LIKE PEOPLE AIMING GUNS AT OUR VERIFIERS -- DOES NOT SOUND LIKE THE SECURITY OF VERIFIERS IS AS SECURE AS WE ARE BEING TOLD. WE HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION ON THAT QUESTION OF COMPLIANCE.

MR. WALKER SAID THE O-S-C-E ALSO ASKED THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT ABOUT THE NEED FOR SCORES OF SERBIAN POLICEMEN IN THE TOWN OF MALISEVO -- WHERE NO SERB PRESENCE EXISTED ONE YEAR AGO. MALISEVO IS NOW A GHOST TOWN WHERE ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES REFUSE TO RETURN. T

VIOLENT CLASHES HAVE CONTINUED IN KOSOVO AS THE O-S-C-E WORKS TO PUT ITS MONITORS IN PLACE AND DETERMINE WHO IS IN VIOLATION OF A U-N MANDATED CEASEFIRE.
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16-Nov-98 2:28 PM EST (1928 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE IS CONCERNED BY CONTINUING SECURITY THREATS IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. HE EXPRESSED HIS CONCERN IN A REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (MONDAY). V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT: IN THE REPORT, MR. ANNAN EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT SEVERAL KEY ISSUES IN KOSOVO. HE SAYS KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN PARAMILITARY UNITS ARE NOW TAKING CONTROL OF POSITIONS VACATED BY YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT TROOPS. THIS, HE SAYS, MAKES IT ALL THE MORE URGENT THAT AN INTERNATIONAL VERIFICATION MISSION REACH THE AREA TO MONITOR SECURITY CONDITIONS. HE SAYS HE IS PARTICULARLY DISTURBED BY THE CONTINUED ATTACKS BY KOSOVO ALBANIAN PARAMILITARY FORCES ON YUGOSLAV SECURITY FORCES AND CIVILIANS.

MR. ANNAN SAYS HE IS ALSO CONCERNED BY THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT'S INTERROGATION OF MALE REFUGEES AND ITS REFUSAL TO COOPERATE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT HAS REFUSED TO GIVE TRIBUNAL INVESTIGATORS VISAS TO TRAVEL TO KOSOVO. THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION LATER THIS WEEK CALLING ON THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT TO COOPERATE WITH THE TRIBUNAL.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS SECURITY CONDITIONS MUST BE FURTHER IMPROVED TO ENSURE THAT DISPLACED PERSONS FEEL SAFE ENOUGH TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES IN KOSOVO. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE FLED THEIR HOMES IN KOSOVO THIS YEAR AMID ATTACKS ON THE PROVINCE BY YUGOSLAV SECURITY FORCES. YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE COMBATTING TERRORISM. KOSOVO ALBANIANS SAY YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES ARE PURSUING A POLICY OF ETHNIC CLEANSING.

MR. ANNAN'S REPORT TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL INCLUDES SOME OPTIMISTIC STATEMENTS. HE WELCOMES THE OCTOBER 13TH AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA AND U-S SPECIAL ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE. HE SAYS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION, AGREED TO IN THAT ACCORD, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF THE KOSOVO CRISIS. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF
16-Nov-98 3:43 PM EST (2043 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] TURKEY / KURDS / ITALY (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKISH PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ SAYS A PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY WILL BE BROUGHT BEFORE TURKEY'S PARLIAMENT ON TUESDAY. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS THE BILL IS AIMED AT GAINING THE EXTRADITION FROM ITALY OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN.

TEXT: ITALIAN POLICE ARRESTED ABDULLAH OCALAN -- THE LEADER OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY (P-K-K) -- AFTER HE ARRIVED IN ROME LATE THURSDAY ON A FLIGHT FROM MOSCOW. TURKEY HAS DEMANDED THE IMMEDIATE EXTRADITION OF THE MAN IT HOLDS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS OF THOUSANDS OF TURKISH SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS. HOWEVER, ITALY DOES NOT EXTRADITE A SUSPECT TO A COUNTRY IF THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF THE DEATH PENALTY. SO TURKISH LAWMAKERS DRAFTED THE PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN AN EFFORT TO GAIN THE EXTRADITION OF THE KURDISH REBEL LEADER. MEANWHILE, ITALY'S GOVERNMENT ALSO IS CONSIDERING A REQUEST FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM BY THE P-K-K LEADER WHO IS BEING PORTRAYED AS A "FREEDOM FIGHTER" BY THE ITALIAN MEDIA.

SOME OBSERVERS SAY THAT IF ITALY SHOULD GRANT THE ASYLUM REQUEST, THE P-K-K WOULD BE ABLE TO SHIFT ITS CAMPAIGN AWAY FROM THE BATTLEFIELD TO THE ARENA OF INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY. AND THAT WOULD BE -- THEY SAY -- FAR MORE DANGEROUS THAN ANY MILITARY THREAT TO TURKEY POSED BY THE P-K-K SO FAR. IN ROME, ABOUT TWO-THOUSAND KURDS GATHERED MONDAY OUTSIDE A MILITARY HOSPITAL WHERE ABDULLAH OCALAN IS BELIEVED TO BE DETAINED. THEY ARE IN THE SECOND DAY OF A A HUNGER STRIKE TO PROTEST HIS ARREST AND TO SUPPORT HIS DEMANDS FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM.

HERE IN TURKEY, KURDISH INMATES AT VARIOUS PRISONS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO BURN THEMSELVES TO DEATH IN A GESTURE OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE KURDISH REBEL CHIEF.

BUT HUNDREDS OF TURKS WHO HAVE LOST FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE WAR AGAINST THE P-K-K ARE EXPRESSING THEIR ANGER TOWARDS ITALY IN SCATTERED DEMONSTRATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THEY SAY ABDULLAH OCALAN IS A COLD BLOODED MURDERER WHO ACTED UNDER ORDERS FROM TURKEY'S ENEMIES TO SPLIT UP THEIR COUNTRY.

THE P-K-K HAS BEEN WAGING ITS ARMED CAMPAIGN FOR KURDISH SELF-RULE SINCE 1984. NEARLY 40-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE CONFLICT. (SIGNED)
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16-Nov-98 10:24 AM EST (1524 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] RUSSIA / GERMANY (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER IS IN MOSCOW FOR TWO DAYS OF TALKS WITH RUSSIAN LEADERS, BOTH PRESENT AND FUTURE. VOA MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS MR. SCHROEDER IS ACCOMPANIED BY A DELEGATION OF BANKERS, HOPING TO RECOUP LOANS MADE TO RUSSIAN INSTITUTIONS.

TEXT: MR. SCHROEDER ARRIVED MONDAY AND WENT DIRECTLY INTO A MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV. THE AGENDA FOR THE TALKS WAS SAID TO INCLUDE RUSSIA'S ECONOMY, IRAQ, AND THE KOSOVO CRISIS. TUESDAY, THE GERMAN CHANCELLOR IS SCHEDULED TO MEET PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN. A KREMLIN SPOKESMAN CONFIRMS THE MEETING IS DEFINITELY ON, DESPITE CONCERN ABOUT THE RUSSIAN LEADER'S HEALTH.

MR. YELTSIN HAS MOSTLY BEEN OUT OF THE KREMLIN SINCE EARLY OCTOBER. LAST WEEK, HE MISSED TWO OF THREE MAJOR EVENTS DURING A VISIT BY JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER KEIZO OBUCHI.

FORMER GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL MAINTAINED A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH PRESIDENT YELTSIN. BUT WITH THE YELTSIN ERA NOW EFFECTIVELY OVER, MR. SCHROEDER HAS MADE CLEAR HE WANTS TO BROADEN CONTACTS TO INCLUDE THE NEXT GENERATION OF POTENTIAL RUSSIAN LEADERS.

HIS MOSCOW VISIT INCLUDES A MEETING WITH SEVERAL LIKELY CONTENDERS FOR THE PRESIDENCY, INCLUDING COMMUNIST LEADER GENNADY ZYUGANOV, SIBERIAN REGIONAL GOVERNOR ALEXANDER LEBED, AND LIBERAL LEADER GRIGORY YAVLINSKY.

MR. SCHROEDER'S MOSCOW TRIP IS ALSO SIGNIFICANT FOR ITS TIMING. IT COMES ON THE FIRST BUSINESS DAY AFTER EXPIRATION OF RUSSIA'S 90-DAY MORATORIUM ON DEBT REPAYMENTS TO FOREIGN CREDITORS.

GERMANY IS EASILY RUSSIA'S SINGLE BIGGEST LENDER, LARGELY BECAUSE OF FORMER CHANCELLOR KOHL'S INFLUENCE. MR. SCHROEDER IS BEING ACCOMPANIED BY A DELEGATION OF 40 GERMAN BANKERS HOPING TO NEGOTIATE LOAN REPAYMENT SCHEDULES.

THE RUSSIAN SIDE HOPES TO USE THE OCCASION TO ASK FOR GERMAN HELP IN SECURING ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DURING THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CRISIS. BUT A GERMAN DIPLOMAT IN MOSCOW INDICATED MR. SCHROEDER WOULD TAKE A DIM VIEW OF SUCH REQUESTS.

IN REFERENCE TO RUSSIA'S PAST RECORD OF MISUSING LOANS, ONE GERMAN SOURCE WAS QUOTED MONDAY AS SAYING "WE WILL NOT THROW MONEY INTO A BLACK HOLE." (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/PCF
16-Nov-98 7:15 AM EST (1215 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] RUSSIA / GERMANY UPDATE (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER -- ON A VISIT TO MOSCOW -- HAS SAID THE POSSIBILITIES FOR FURTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO RUSSIA ARE EXHAUSTED. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN IN MOSCOW REPORTS THE GERMAN LEADER IS USING HIS TRIP TO BROADEN CONTACTS WITH FUTURE RUSSIAN LEADERS.

TEXT: CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER BLUNTLY TOLD HIS HOSTS MONDAY THAT GERMANY WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY MORE LOANS TO HELP BAIL RUSSIA OUT OF ITS FINANCIAL CRISIS. ONE GERMAN DIPLOMAT WAS QUOTED AS SAYING "WE WILL NOT THROW MORE MONEY DOWN A BLACK HOLE".

AFTER MEETING PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV, CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER CALLED RUSSIA'S LATEST ECONOMIC RESCUE PLAN A "GOOD START." BUT HE STOPPED SHORT OF SAYING GERMANY WOULD RECOMMEND THAT INTERNATIONAL LENDERS PROVIDE MOSCOW FURTHER CREDITS.

THE CASH-SHORT RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT DESPERATELY NEEDS FOREIGN CAPITAL TO HELP PAY OFF HUGE DEBTS. BUT THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND SUSPENDED A 22-POINT-SIX-BILLION DOLLAR LOAN PACKAGE AFTER RUSSIA ABANDONED PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS AT REFORM.

CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER SAID THE MOST IMPORTANT MEETING OF HIS TRIP COMES TUESDAY, WHEN HE SITS DOWN WITH PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN. A KREMLIN SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED THE MEETING IS DEFINITELY ON, DESPITE CONCERN ABOUT THE RUSSIAN LEADER'S HEALTH.

BUT RUSSIAN MEDIA REPORTS SAY THE CRUCIAL MEETING WAS WITH PRIME MINISTER PRIMAKOV, WHO IS WIDELY REGARDED AS THE COUNTRY'S ACTING PRESIDENT.

MR. YELTSIN HAS BEEN MOSTLY OUT OF THE KREMLIN SINCE EARLY OCTOBER. LAST WEEK, HE MISSED TWO OF THREE MAJOR EVENTS DURING A VISIT BY JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER KEIZO OBUCHI.

IN RECOGNITION OF THE PASSING OF THE YELTSIN ERA, CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER'S MOSCOW SCHEDULE ALSO INCLUDED A MEETING WITH SEVERAL LIKELY CONTENDERS IN RUSSIA'S NEXT PRESIDENTIAL RACE. INCLUDED IN THE MEETING WERE COMMUNIST LEADER GENNADY ZYUGANOV, SIBERIAN REGIONAL GOVERNOR ALEXANDER LEBED, AND LIBERAL ECONOMIST GRIGORY YAVLINSKY.

MR. SCHROEDER'S MOSCOW TRIP IS ALSO SIGNIFICANT FOR ITS TIMING. HE ARRIVED ON THE FIRST BUSINESS DAY AFTER EXPIRATION OF RUSSIA'S 90-DAY MORATORIUM ON DEBT REPAYMENTS TO FOREIGN CREDITORS.

GERMANY IS EASILY RUSSIA'S BIGGEST SINGLE LENDER, AND THE CHANCELLOR IS ACCOMPANIED ON THIS TRIP BY A DELEGATION OF 40 GERMAN BANKERS HOPING TO RE-NEGOTIATE LOAN REPAYMENT SCHEDULES. (SIGNED)
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16-Nov-98 12:44 PM EST (1744 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] BRITAIN / IRAQ (L-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR HAS GIVEN DETAILS OF THE BRITISH AND U-S PLANS TO STRIKE IRAQ THIS PAST SATURDAY IF SADDAM HUSSEIN'S GOVERNMENT FAILED TO ALLOW U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO RESUME THEIR WORK. THE BRITISH LEADER ALSO TOLD THE HOUSE OF COMMONS (MONDAY) THAT BRITAIN HAS NOT LET DOWN ITS GUARD OVER IRAQ, AS V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS.

TEXT: PRIME MINISTER BLAIR SAYS THE AIR ATTACK ON THE IRAQIS WAS TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE MIDDAY SATURDAY, LONDON TIME, BUT WAS CANCELLED ONLY HOURS BEFOREHAND, WHEN IRAQ BACKED DOWN IN THE FACE OF MILITARY CONFRONTATION. THE BRITISH LEADER SAYS THAT THERE WAS NO CREDIBLE ALTERNATIVE THAN THE THREATENED USE OF FORCE, ADDING THAT THE THREAT STILL HOLDS.

AS EVER, WE DO NOT RELY ON THE GOOD FAITH OF SADDAM HUSSEIN. HE HAS NONE. BUT WE DO NOTE THAT UNDER THREAT OF FORCE, WE CAN MAKE HIM MOVE. WE WILL BE WATCHING WITH EXTREME CARE AND A HIGH DEGREE OF SKEPTICISM.

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR TOLD THE BRITISH HOUSE OF COMMONS HIS GOVERNMENT IS WATCHING THE ACTIONS OF SADDAM HUSSEIN'S GOVERNMENT, AND GAVE A BLUNT WARNING TO THE IRAQI LEADER.

IF HE AGAIN OBSTRUCTS THE WORK OF THE INSPECTORS, THEN WE STRIKE. NO WARNINGS, NO WRANGLING, NO NEGOTIATIONS, NO LAST MINUTE LETTERS. THE NEXT WITHDRAWAL OF COOPERATION AND HE WILL BE HIT.

U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS ARE EXPECTED TO RESUME WORKING IN IRAQ ON TUESDAY. IRAQ STOPPED COOPERATING WITH THE INSPECTORS OCTOBER 31ST, DEMANDING AN END TO THE U-N SANCTIONS IN PLACE SINCE IRAQ'S INVASION OF KUWAIT IN 1990. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/JWH
16-Nov-98 12:06 PM EST (1706 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 (MONDAY) AS TRADERS BEGAN THE WEEK ON A VERY OPTIMISTIC NOTE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT NINE-THOUSAND-11, UP 91 POINTS, OR MORE THAN ONE PERCENT. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED ABOVE NINE-THOUSAND SINCE JULY 30TH. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11-HUNDRED-35, UP 10 POINTS.

STOCK PRICES WERE STRONG FOR MOST OF THE DAY, BUT LATE SESSION BUYING PRESSURE PUSHED THE DOW ABOVE NINE-THOUSAND.

THERE WAS MUCH TALK ON WALL STREET ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD -- THE U-S CENTRAL BANK -- MEET ON TUESDAY. THERE SEEMS TO BE A GROWING CONSENSUS AMONG ANALYSTS THAT THE CENTRAL BANK WILL AGAIN CUT SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES.

MOST PEOPLE IN THE BOND MARKET ARE STILL EXPECTING A QUARTER-POINT CUT, BUT I THINK PEOPLE IN THE STOCK MARKET ARE A LITTLE MORE CYNICAL THAT THERE WILL BE A CUT.

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES DROPPED BY ONE-TENTH OF ONE PERCENT IN OCTOBER, THE SECOND STRAIGHT MONTHLY DECLINE.

DETAILS OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN U-S TOBACCO COMPANIES AND STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL WERE FORMALLY ANNOUNCED. THE INDUSTRY WILL PAY 206-BILLION DOLLARS TO COVER THE COSTS OF TREATING SMOKING-RELATED ILLNESSES. TOBACCO COMPANY STOCKS ROSE, BECAUSE BY ACCEPTING THE DEAL, STATES WILL WAIVE THE RIGHT TO SUE THE COMPANIES. TOYS "R" US, THE HUGE DISCOUNT TOY CHAIN, ANNOUNCED A 475-MILLION-DOLLAR LOSS, BUT THE COMPANY SAID ALL OF THE LOSS WAS RELATED TO A ONE-TIME REORGANIZATION CHARGE.

ROBERT LUTZ, THE RECENTLY-RETIRED VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION, HAS BEEN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF EXIDE, AN AUTO BATTERY MAKER. EXIDE'S STOCK ROSE 15 PERCENT ON THE NEWS, AFTER RISING MORE THAN 40 PERCENT FRIDAY ON RUMORS THAT MR. LUTZ WOULD JOIN THE FIRM.

GENERAL MOTORS SAYS IT WILL START PASSENGER CAR PRODUCTION IN THAILAND IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR 2000. HOWEVER, THE SIZE OF THE PLANT HAS BEEN SCALED BACK FROM ORIGINAL PLANS, BECAUSE OF ASIA'S ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.

THE HEAD OF THE FIDELITY MAGELLAN MUTUAL FUND SAYS HE EXPECTS CONTINUED VOLATILITY IN THE STOCK MARKET, PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF AN INCREASE IN SHORT-TERM TRADING ACTIVITY. ROBERT STANSKY TOLD FINANCIAL WRITERS THAT BECAUSE OF TECHNOLOGY, PEOPLE ARE NOW ABLE TO TRADE FROM THEIR BEDROOMS, BATHROOMS AND OTHER UNLIKELY LOCATIONS. WITH ALMOST 66 BILLION DOLLARS IN ASSETS, MAGELLAN IS ONE OF THE LARGEST ACTIVELY-MANAGED MUTUAL FUNDS IN THE WORLD. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/WTW
16-Nov-98 5:25 PM EST (2225 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE ABORTED U-S MILITARY CONFRONTATION WITH IRAQ OVER THE ISSUE OF CONTINUED U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION IS THE MAJOR TOPIC IN MANY EDITORIAL COLUMNS THIS MONDAY.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS AGAINST PRESIDENT CLINTON; THE END OF THE PAULA JONES LAWSUIT; THE FUTURE OF JERUSALEM; STRUGGLING FOR CLEANER AIR AND WHAT HAITI WILL NEED TO SUCCEED. NOW, HERE WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IS ___________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: WITH B-52 BOMBERS IN THE AIR, READY TO FIRE CRUISE MISSILES, AND SHIPS NEARBY, ALSO WAITING FOR THE ORDER TO FIRE ON IRAQ, THE MILITARY ATTACK WAS CALLED OFF AT THE LAST SECOND WHEN THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT AGAIN AGREED TO ALLOW U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO DO THEIR WORK. IT WAS A MINUET THE UNITED STATES AND IRAQ HAVE BEEN THROUGH BEFORE, AND OPINIONS VARY IN THE U-S PRESS AS TO HOW IT WAS HANDLED, AND WHAT THE EFFECTS WILL BE. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" CALLS IT: "ANOTHER TIRESOME ROUND."

VOICE: THE CRISIS WITH IRAQ ISN'T OVER. IT HAS ONLY BEEN PUT ON HOLD, UNTIL THE NEXT TIME SADDAM HUSSEIN SENSES HE CAN GET AWAY WITH BLOCKING THE WORK OF THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS WHILE PARADING IRAQ BEFORE THE WORLD AS THE BLAMELESS VICTIM OF AN INHUMANE ECONOMIC BLOCKADE. ... NEXT TIME - - AND ONLY THE SELF-DELUDING CAN BELIEVE THERE WILL BE NO NEXT TIME - - HUSSEIN CAN BE EXPECTED TO BE SHREWDER.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK POST" IS NOT IMPRESSED WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON'S CONDUCT.

VOICE: BILL CLINTON ACTUALLY STAMMERED AND CLEARED HIS THROAT YESTERDAY AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS EFFORT TO CLAIM VICTORY IN THE IRAQ STANDOFF. COULD IT BE THAT EVEN HE WAS EMBARRASSED BY HIS OWN WEASELLY [SLANG FOR "UNDERHANDED] CONDUCT? THAT EVEN THE WORLD'S MOST ACCOMPLISHED LIAR COULDN'T GET THE WORDS OUT WITHOUT CHOKING ON THEM? ... WHENEVER CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE DEMANDED THAT THIS PRESIDENT RISE TO THE OCCASION AND REALLY ** BE ** [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] PRESIDENT, HE HAS FAILED THE UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS PLEASED BY THE PRESIDENT'S ACTION, AND THE WAY THE SITUATION WAS RESOLVED, WITHOUT FORCE, BUT SAYS CLEARLY THIS SHOULD BE THE LAST SUCH "DANCE."

VOICE: THE APPARENT PEACEFUL RESOLUTION IS WELCOME, AND CAN BE CREDITED TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S RENEWED WILLINGNESS TO BACK DIPLOMACY WITH THE THREAT OF FORCE. BUT THIS MUST BE THE LAST TIME THAT IRAQ TRIES TO MANIPULATE THE SECURITY COUNCIL. TOO MANY TIMES BEFORE IRAQ HAS TRIED TO SLIP FREE OF ITS COMMITMENTS TO COOPERATE IN THE ELIMINATION OF ITS STOCKS OF BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND THE MISSILES THAT CAN DELIVER THEM. ....IF BAGHDAD AGAIN ATTEMPTS TO RESTRICT INSPECTIONS, WASHINGTON, WITH SUPPORT FROM BRITAIN AND OTHER ALLIES, NEED NOT WAIT FOR WEEKS OR EVEN DAYS TO RESPOND. ..... IF THERE IS A NEXT TIME, WASHINGTON HAS RIGHTLY MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE AMERICAN REACTION IS LIKELY TO BE PROMPT AND CERTAIN.

TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IS NOT HAPPY WITH THIS BRINKSMANSHIP EITHER, BUT POSITS ITS OWN IDEAS OF HOW TO HANDLE SADDAM IN MONDAY'S EDITORIAL.

VOICE: THE OPTIMUM SOLUTION WOULD BE FOR THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO TAKE TWO STEPS SIMULTANEOUSLY: ONE: SEND ITS INSPECTORS BACK ** IMMEDIATELY** [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] TO PUSH INTO ANY AND ALL SITES LIKELY TO HIDE WEAPONS COMPONENTS, PLANS, OR RECORDS OF BIOLOGICAL, CHEMICAL, AND NUCLEAR PROGRAMS. TWO: AUTHORIZE U-S FORCES IN THE GULF TO MAKE STRIKES AT WILL AT KEY SECURITY TARGETS AND WEAPONS SITES - - IF INSPECTORS ARE THWARTED DESPITE IRAQ'S PROMISE OF FULL COOPERATION.

TEXT: TURNING TO DOMESTIC ISSUES, AND THE CLINTON IMPEACHMENT MOVEMENT IN CONGRESS, "THE WASHINGTON POST" HAS SOME THOUGHTS ON WHAT CONGRESS SHOULD BE DOING AND WHY.

VOICE: WHEN THE HOUSE VOTED .... TO CONDUCT AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY, IT TOOK ON A RESPONSIBILITY THAT EXTENDS BEYOND THE QUESTION OF WHETHER BILL CLINTON SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO COMPLETE HIS TERM. ... THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE AS A WHOLE HAVE A SEPARATE OBLIGATION TO JUDGE AND, AS PART OF THE PERMANENT RECORD IN THIS CASE, TO CHARACTERIZE MR. CLINTON'S CONDUCT. THE ISSUE IS NOT JUST HIS REMOVAL - - AND NOT JUST HIM. ... THE PRESIDENT DID NOT JUST LIE. HE ABUSED THE MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT FOR MORE THAN HALF A YEAR TO SUSTAIN THE LIE. HE HAS ACKNOWLEDGED ONLY THE PERSONAL ASPECTS OF THE WRONGDOING. HE DOES NOT ENTERTAIN THE NOTION THAT A LIE UNDER OATH BY THE NATION'S CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN A LEGAL PROCEEDING RAISES A QUESTION AS TO FITNESS FOR OFFICE. ... HAVING TRASHED A STANDARD OF BEHAVIOR, HE ASKS THAT THE NATIONAL STANDARD OF JUDGMENT BE LOWERED TO MATCH. THAT WILL BE THE PRECEDENT SET - - THE LEGACY, YOU MIGHT SAY - - IF THE HOUSE WALKS AWAY FROM THIS CASE ....

TEXT: ON A RELATED ISSUE, THE PAULA JONES SEXUAL HARASSMENT LAWSUIT, NOW SETTLED WITH A CASH PAYMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT TO MS. JONES OF 850-THOUSAND DOLLARS, "USA TODAY" CALLS IT A "WELCOME SETTLEMENT," NOTING:

VOICE: THE CHARGES OF PERJURY THAT THE PRESIDENT NOW FACES RESULTED FROM HIS TESTIMONY IN A JONES [LAWSUIT] DEPOSITION LAST JANUARY, DURING WHICH HE TRIED TO COVER UP HIS SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH MONICA LEWINSKY. HE'D HAVE SAVED THE NATION MUCH PAIN BY SETTLING RATHER THAN LYING. COMING NOW, THE SETTLEMENT CAN DO NOTHING TO ABSOLVE [MR.] CLINTON OF HIS ACTIONS.

TEXT: REGARDING THE MIDDLE EAST, "THE NEW YORK POST" REASSERTS ITS SUPPORT FOR THE ISRAELI POSITION THAT JERUSALEM SHALL FOREVER BE ISRAEL'S CAPITAL.

VOICE: WHILE THE 'FINAL STATUS' OF JERUSALEM HAS LONG BEEN DESCRIBED AS THE THORNIEST ISSUE TO BE NEGOTIATED BY ISRAEL AND THE PLO, THOSE TALKS MUST BE GROUNDED IN REALITY. AND THE ULTIMATE REALITY IS THAT ISRAEL HAS NO INTENTION OF EVER AGAIN DIVIDING - - OR SURRENDERING CONTROL OVER - - ITS ETERNAL CAPITAL.

TEXT: BACK IN THIS HEMISPHERE, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IS IMPLORING BOTH ITS READERS AND THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION NOT TO "FORGET HAITI."

VOICE: THIS SMALL COUNTRY, AMONG THE WORLD'S POOREST, NEEDS ALL THE HELP IT CAN GET. SURVEYS SHOW THAT A LARGE MAJORITY OF HAITIANS WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE THE ISLAND. VIRTUALLY THE ONLY CASH FLOW SUSTAINING THE LOCAL ECONOMY COMES FROM HAITIANS ABROAD SENDING MONEY HOME. THE EXPATRIATES' INDUSTRY HINTS AT UNTAPPED ENERGIES IN HAITI ITSELF. WHAT'S NEEDED IS LEADERS, AND GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURES, THAT DEVELOP THOSE ENERGIES, NOT REPRESS THEM. THAT NEW HAITI IS MORE LIKELY TO EMERGE WITH SUSTAINED OUTSIDE HELP.

TEXT: TODAY'S "PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" IS APPLAUDING A CALIFORNIA AIR [QUALITY] RESOURCES BOARD DECISION THAT SAYS THE INCREASINGLY POPULAR SPORTS UTILITY VEHICLES, WHICH NOW ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT HALF THE PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD IN THIS COUNTRY, MUST MEET THE SAME STRINGENT EMISSION STANDARDS AS REGULAR PASSENGER CARS. SAYS "THE INQUIRER:"

VOICE: THE REAL IMPORTANCE OF CALIFORNIA'S MOVE IS THAT THE FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IS CONSIDERING IMPLEMENTING SIMILAR REGULATIONS THAT WILL STRENGTHEN NATIONAL STANDARDS ON POLLUTION FROM VEHICLES, INCLUDING MAKING LIGHT TRUCKS MEET THE SAME RULES AS CARS. IT'S ESSENTIAL THAT THE E-P-A FOLLOW THROUGH ON THESE PROPOSALS; WITHOUT TOUGHER GOALS FOR THE PICKUPS, UTES [SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, BUILT ON THE CHASSIS OF A SMALL TRUCK/LORRY] AND VANS, THERE'S LESS HOPE FOR CLEAN AIR THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL" IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE LATEST SPATE OF WHAT IT CALLS SOCIAL ACTION LAWSUITS, FILED BY SEVERAL CITIES AGAINST THE MANUFACTURERS OF HAND GUNS, AS A WAY OF REDUCING THE POPULARITY OF THE WEAPONS AND THE AMOUNT OF CARNAGE THEY CAUSE. THE PAPER SEES GREEDY LAWYERS BEHIND THE CRUSADE, AND QUESTIONS THEIR MOTIVES.

VOICE: THE MAYORS PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT TWICE BEFORE LETTING THEIR REPUTATIONS BE USED AS CHUM [BAIT USED FOR ATTRACTING LARGE GAME FISH TO FISHING BOATS] FOR THIS FISHING EXPEDITION. SURE, IN THE TOBACCO CASES, STATES AND THEIR LAWYER PALS MADE OFF WITH A HAUL [A LARGE CASH SETTLEMENT] BUT THE CRUSADE DIDN'T PLAY SO WELL AT THE POLLS THIS MONTH. ALL FOUR OF THE POLITICIANS WHO TRUMPETED TOBACCO SPOILS WERE HANDED THEIR HEADS [DEFEATED] BY VOTERS.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS.
NEB/ANG/KL
16-Nov-98 11:11 AM EST (1611 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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