Voice of America, 98-12-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBRIGHT / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[02] YEARENDER: KOSOVO '98 BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

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

[04] EURO OPTIMISM (L ONLY) BY LINDA CASHDAN (WASHINGTON)

[05] HUMAN RIGHTS ANNIVERSARY (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[06] NATO / FOREIGN MINISTERS (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[07] NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[08] NATO AND NUCLEAR ISSUES BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

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

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

[01] ALBRIGHT / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE BLAMED BOTH THE SERBS AND LOCAL ETHNIC ALBANIANS FOR THE RENEWED VIOLENCE IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THERE IS WORRY ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IN THE MONTHS AHEAD.

TEXT: NATO MILITARY COMMANDER WESLEY CLARK HAS WARNED THE NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS THAT THE LOW LEVEL OF VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO IS LIMITED ONLY BY THE WINTER WEATHER. ANIMOSITY REMAINS HIGH BETWEEN SERBS AND LOCAL ETHNIC ALBANIAN FIGHTERS. GENERAL CLARK TELLS THE MINISTERS THERE IS A CYCLE OF RETALIATION IN KOSOVO THAT CAN ONLY GET WORSE.

SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT RENEWS NATO'S THREAT TO INTERVENE IN KOSOVO TO PREVENT A NEW ROUND OF WARFARE.

BOTH SERB AND ALBANIAN LEADERS HAVE MADE PUBLIC STATEMENTS THAT DO NOT HELP THE CAUSE OF PEACE. SERB THREATS TO LAUNCH A RENEWED OFFENSIVE IN KOSOVO ARE DANGEROUS AND WE VIEW THEM WITH EXTREME SERIOUSNESS. I WANT TO REMIND THE SERB LEADERSHIP THAT NATO REMAINS READY TO ACT IF NECESSARY. ON THE OTHER HAND, KOSOVO ALBANIAN INSISTENCE ON RHETORIC OF INDEPENDENCE AND REJECTION OF THE CONTACT GROUP'S DRAFT AGREEMENT DO NOT HELP US TO MOVE FORWARD.

AMERICAN NEGOTIATOR CHRISTOPHER HILL BRIEFED NATO AMBASSADORS ON HIS KOSOVO POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS THAT HAVE BEEN REJECTED BY BOTH SIDES.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT TELLS REPORTERS THE TIME FOR A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IS SHRINKING.

IT IS VITAL THAT WE FIND A POLITICAL SOLUTION QUICKLY. WE HAVE A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY OPEN TO US THAT CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO CLOSE. THE TIME HAS COME AND THE ELEMENTS ARE IN PLACE FOR THE TWO SIDES TO REACH A SOLUTION THAT WOULD GUARANTEE TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO GREATER CONTROL OF THEIR LIVES AND THE PROMISE OF A GREATER FUTURE.

IN HER PREPARED REMARKS, THE SECRETARY OF STATE ASKED EVERY NATO MEMBER, INCLUDING THE THREE SOON-TO-BE MEMBERS -- POLAND, HUNGARY, AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC -- TO SUPPORT THE DEMOCRATIC ASPIRATIONS OF THE SERB PEOPLE. MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN SILENCED AND SHACKLED FOR TOO LONG. (SIGNED)
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08-Dec-98 2:38 PM EST (1938 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] YEARENDER: KOSOVO '98 BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: YEARS OF PENT-UP ANGER ERUPTED IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE THIS YEAR, WHERE ETHNIC-ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS BATTLED SERB FORCES IN VIOLENCE THAT CLAIMED AN ESTIMATED 15-HUNDRED LIVES AND DROVE MORE THAN A QUARTER-MILLION RESIDENTS FROM THEIR HOMES. CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES FREQUENTLY TRAVELLED TO KOSOVO THIS YEAR FROM OUR REGIONAL NEWS BUREAU IN PRAGUE, WHERE HE REVIEWS SOME OF THE PAST YEAR'S DEVELOPMENTS.

TEXT: WINTER HAS COME TO KOSOVO, AND A SHAKY CEASEFIRE MONITORED BY INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS HAS ALLOWED MANY ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES, AVERTING WHAT HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS FEARED COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHE.

BUT SPORADIC VIOLENCE CONTINUES TO THREATEN THE TRUCE MEDIATED IN OCTOBER BY RICHARD HOLBROOKE, UNDER THREAT OF NATO AIR STRIKES. THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES HAS ALLOWED GUERRILLAS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY TO MOVE BACK INTO POSITION, SETTING THE STAGE FOR A POSSIBLE UPSURGE IN FIGHTING IN THE COMING MONTHS.

KOSOVO IS A PROVINCE OF SERBIA, THE DOMINANT PART OF WHAT IS LEFT OF YUGOSLAVIA. KOSOVO'S POPULATION IS 90-PERCENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN. UNTIL 1989 THE PROVINCE ENJOYED CONSIDERABLE AUTONOMY, BUT HAS SINCE BEEN RULED FROM BELGRADE.

THE MOST PROMINENT POLITICIAN IN KOSOVO, IBRAHIM RUGOVA, HAD LONG ADVOCATED A NON-VIOLENT, NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT. LIKE MOST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN THE PROVINCE, HE WANTS AN INDEPENDENT KOSOVO. HE HAS EVEN BEEN ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE SELF-PROCLAIMED "REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO." BUT AFTER WARS ELSEWHERE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, OBSERVERS HAD EXPECTED THE VOLATILE ETHNIC MIX AND LONG-STANDING GRIEVANCES TO TRIGGER AN OUTBREAK OF VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO.

THAT HAPPENED EARLY THIS YEAR. A REBEL GROUP CALLED THE "KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY" BEGAN STAGING HIT-AND-RUN ATTACKS AGAINST SERB POLICE PATROLS. SERBIAN AUTHORITIES RESPONDED IN MARCH WITH A CRACKDOWN AGAINST WHAT THEY DESCRIBED AS -- TERRORISTS -- ALTHOUGH IN THE FIRST WAVE THE DEAD WERE MOSTLY WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND OLD MEN.

AS THE YEAR PROGRESSED, FIGHTING EBBED AND FLOWED. THE REBELS AT ONE POINT CONTROLLED MUCH OF THE PROVINCE, BUT SERB POLICE, YUGOSLAV ARMY TROOPS, AND SPECIAL FORCES REGAINED CONTROL IN WHAT SOME HAVE DESCRIBED AS A SCORCHED EARTH CAMPAIGN -- LOOTING AND BURNING COUNTLESS HOMES, FARMS, AND FIELDS. OFFICIALS SAID THE WIDELY-CONDEMNED OFFENSIVE WAS AIMED AT DEPRIVING THE GUERRILLAS OF CIVILIAN SUPPORT.

THE BRUTAL CAMPAIGN DROVE VAST NUMBERS OF RESIDENTS FROM THEIR HOMES. MANY LEFT THE PROVINCE, BUT TENS-OF-THOUSANDS LIVED FOR MONTHS OUT IN THE OPEN, WITH LITTLE SHELTER IN REMOTE AREAS -- MAKING DELIVERIES OF HUMANITARIAN AID EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

THE OCTOBER AGREEMENT THAT HAS ALLOWED MANY OF THE DISPLACED TO RETURN HOME HAS APPARENTLY AVERTED THE THREAT OF MASS STARVATION, BUT A PERMANENT SOLUTION REMAINS ELUSIVE. THE AGREEMENT FAILS TO ADDRESS UNDERLYING POLITICAL ISSUES.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS REPEATEDLY SAID IT DOES NOT SUPPORT THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS' DEMAND FOR INDEPENDENCE. ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS INCLUDE A RESTORATION OF THE AUTONOMY KOSOVO ENJOYED UNTIL 1989 OR ENHANCED STATUS AS A THIRD REPUBLIC OF FEDERAL YUGOSLAVIA.

OFFICIALS IN BELGRADE HAVE INDICATED THEY WOULD CONSIDER GRANTING KOSOVO LIMITED SELF-RULE, BUT AFTER THE CONFLICT OF THE PAST YEAR, MANY KOSOVO ALBANIANS SAY THEY HAVE EARNED NOTHING LESS THAN FULL INDEPENDENCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/RAE
08-Dec-98 9:33 AM EST (1433 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN DENOUNCED THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR ITS LACK OF COOPERATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT: U-S AND BRITISH DIPLOMATS DENOUNCED YUGOSLAVIA AFTER THE TRIBUNAL'S PRESIDENT, GABRIELLE KIRK MCDONALD, BRIEFED THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON HER EFFORTS TO EXTRADITE ALLEGED CRIMINALS FROM YUGOSLAVIA AND CARRY OUT INVESTIGATIONS IN THE PROVINCE OF KOSOVO.

BRITISH AMBASSADOR JEREMY GREENSTOCK SAID MS. MCDONALD INFORMED THE COUNCIL THAT THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT IS GOING BACKWARDS IN PROVIDING COOPERATION TO THE TRIBUNAL. HE SAID SHE DESCRIBED BELGRADE'S ATTITUDE AS ONE OF FLAGRANT DISREGARD FOR THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND ITS RESOLUTIONS.

ALTERNATE U-S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, NANCY SODERBERG, SAID THE UNITED STATES STRONGLY CONDEMNS BELGRADE'S FAILURE TO COOPERATE WITH THE TRIBUNAL, PARTICULARLY ITS REFUSAL TO HAND OVER THREE ALLEGED MURDERERS. THE THREE MEN - KNOWN AS THE VUKOVAR THREE - WERE INDICTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE 1991 KILLINGS OF 260 UNARMED PEOPLE IN THE EASTERN CROATIAN CITY OF VUKOVAR.

THE U-S IS DEEPLY CONCERNED TO HEAR FROM JUDGE MACDONALD THIS MORNING THAT BELGRADE CONTINUES TO REFUSE TO COOPERATE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL, INCLUDING WITH THE TRANSFER OF THE VUKOVAR THREE AND IN KOSOVO. THIS IS A CLEAR VIOLATION OF BELGRADE'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION.

BUT MS. SODERBERG SAID THE COUNCIL WAS UNABLE TO REACH A CONSENSUS AGREEMENT ON WHAT ACTION TO TAKE IN RESPONSE TO YUGOSLAVIA'S FAILURE TO COOPERATE WITH THE TRIBUNAL. BRITISH AMBASSADOR GREENSTOCK SAID HIS COUNTRY IS DETERMINED TO SEE THAT ACTION IS EVENTUALLY TAKEN. NEITHER DIPLOMAT WOULD SAY EXACTLY WHAT SORT OF ACTION THEY FEEL IS APPROPRIATE.

YUGOSLAVIA IS PREPARING A MILITARY HEARING FOR THE SO-CALLED VUKOVAR-THREE IN A MOVE TRIBUNAL OFFICIALS SAY IS DESIGNED TO OBSTRUCT LEGITIMATE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE THREE. MS. MCDONALD IS SEEKING SECURITY COUNCIL ACTION TO PREVENT ANY SUCH OBSTRUCTIONS.

THE COUNCIL HAS CALLED ON THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT TO COOPERATE WITH THE TRIBUNAL AND INDICATED IT WOULD CONSIDER STRONGER ACTION IF COOPERATION IS NOT FORTHCOMING. BUT DIPLOMATS SAY RUSSIA IN PARTICULAR HAS BEEN RELUCTANT TO APPROVE ANY PUNITIVE OR ENFORCEMENT MEASURES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WDC/PT
08-Dec-98 4:55 PM EST (2155 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EURO OPTIMISM (L ONLY) BY LINDA CASHDAN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: EUROPE COULD OVERTAKE THE UNITED STATES IN 1999 AS THE WORLD'S LEADER IN ECONOMIC GROWTH, ACCORDING TO A STUDY BY THE CONFERENCE BOARD, A U-S BUSINESS RESEARCH ORGANIZATION. LINDA CASHDAN REPORTS THE BOARD PREDICTS THE U-S ECONOMY WILL GROW A HEALTHY THREE POINT FIVE PERCENT NEXT YEAR, BUT A STRONG EURO WILL HELP EUROPE ACHIEVE BETTER INFLATION AND FINANCIAL MARKET PERFORMANCE.

TEXT: WHILE THE U-S RECOVERY MAY BE RUNNING OUT OF STEAM, CONFERENCE BOARD CHIEF ECONOMIST GAIL FOSLER SAYS, EUROPE IS STILL IN THE EARLY STAGES OF EXPANSION, WITH SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIVITY GAINS LIKELY.

IN ADDITION, SHE SAYS, EUROPE IS LESS VULNERABLE TO THE TRADE CONSEQUENCES OF THE ASIAN CRISIS THAN THE UNITED STATES IS. SEVENTEEN PERCENT OF U-S EXPORTS GO TO JAPAN, SHE POINTS OUT, BUT JAPAN ACCOUNTS FOR ONLY ABOUT TWO PERCENT OF EUROPEAN EXPORTS.

ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE A SLIGHTLY SMALLER EXPOSURE TO ASIA GENERALLY, THEIR EXPOSURE IS TO THE COUNTRIES THAT ARE DOING BETTER IN ASIA, WHEREAS THE UNITED STATES IS MORE EXPOSED TO THE COUNTRIES THAT ARE WEAKER. AND THEN, OF COURSE THE U-S IS INTENSELY EXPOSED TO LATIN AMERICA, WHERE EUROPE'S EMERGING MARKET TRADING PARTNER IS WITH THE EAST, AND EVEN THOUGH RUSSIA HAS ITS PROBLEMS, THE REST OF EASTERN EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS ARE REALLY GROWING QUITE NICELY.

AS A CONSEQUENCE, MS. FOSLER SAYS EUROPE'S EXPORTS ARE STILL RISING MODESTLY, WHILE U-S EXPORT GROWTH HAS VIRTUALLY DISAPPEARED. HOWEVER, MS. FOSLER SAYS, SOME ECONOMIC QUESTIONS ABOUT EUROPE'S FUTURE PROSPERITY REMAIN. ONE IS: WILL EUROPE BE ABLE TO ATTRACT MORE INVESTMENT IN THE YEAR AHEAD? TO DATE, GAIL FOSLER SAYS, EUROPE ATTRACTS ONLY 10 PERCENT AS MUCH FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT AS THE UNITED STATES -- PARTLY, SHE SAYS, BECAUSE EUROPEAN LABOR RULES ARE MORE STRINGENT.

ANOTHER QUESTION: WILL EUROPE BE ABLE TO TURN INTO A SERVICE SECTOR JOB CREATION MACHINE LIKE THE UNITED STATES?

SERVICES IS ESSENTIALLY THE GROWING SECTOR ALL AROUND THE WORLD. EVEN SOME OF THE EMERGING MARKETS HAVE RELATIVELY STABLE OR SHRINKING MANUFACTURING SECTORS -- BECAUSE THE COMPETITION IS IN MANUFACTURING -- AND GROWING SERVICE SECTORS. AS ECONOMIES ADVANCE, THE DEMAND FOR SERVICES BEGINS TO TAKE SOME DOMINANCE OVER THE DEMAND FOR GOODS. SO ALLOWING THOSE SECTORS TO GROW AND CREATE JOBS -- WHICH ESSENTIALLY OFFSET THE LOSS IN MANUFACTURING -- HELPS KEEP THE ECONOMIC DYNAMIC GOING.

MS. FOSLER SAYS EUROPE HAS A WAY TO GO TO CATCH UP. SERVICE SECTOR JOBS ACCOUNT FOR 73 PERCENT OF U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH BUT ONLY 50 PERCENT OF EUROPE'S. (SIGNED)
NEB/LC/KL
08-Dec-98 9:37 AM EST (1437 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] HUMAN RIGHTS ANNIVERSARY (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: FRANCE IS OBSERVING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS. FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC MARKED THE ANNIVERSARY BY MEETING WITH THE EXILED TIBETAN SPIRITUAL LEADER, THE DALAI LAMA. JULIAN NUNDY IN PARIS ALSO REPORTS THAT U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN -- IN A SPEECH TO THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT -- WARNED AGAINST ANY TEMPTATION TO TAKE UNILATERAL MILITARY ACTION IN YUGOSLAVIA.

TEXT: THE DALAI LAMA, WHO FLED TIBET IN 1959 AFTER A FAILED REBELLION AGAINST CHINESE RULE, HAS NEVER BEFORE BEEN OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY A FRENCH PRESIDENT OUT OF APPARENT FEARS OF OFFENDING BEIJING.

PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC MADE AN EXCEPTION TUESDAY BY INVITING THE TIBETAN SPIRITUAL LEADER TO A LUNCHEON -- ATTENDED BY OTHER NOBEL PEACE PRIZE-WINNERS -- IN CEREMONIES MARKING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION OF THE DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS BY THE UNITED NATIONS. FRANCE IS MARKING THE ANNIVERSARY WITH FOUR DAYS OF CEREMONIES BECAUSE THE AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION WAS A FRENCHMAN, RENE CASSIN. LAST WEEK, THE LEFT-WING FRENCH NEWSPAPER LIBERATION SAID MR. CHIRAC HAD DECIDED NOT TO INVITE THE DALAI LAMA TO THE PEACE-PRIZE-WINNERS' LUNCH OUT OF FEARS OF UPSETTING FRENCH RELATIONS WITH CHINA. THAT SAME DAY, THE FRENCH PRESIDENT DENIED THE REPORT AND THE DALAI LAMA'S OFFICE IN PARIS LATER CONFIRMED THAT HE WOULD ATTEND.

BEIJING ITSELF MADE ITS DISPLEASURE FELT THROUGH A STATEMENT FROM THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYING THAT CHINA OPPOSED ALL CONTACT BETWEEN THE DALAI LAMA AND ANY OFFICIAL FIGURES.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED IN PARIS, THE DALAI LAMA, MEANWHILE, CRITICIZED UNNAMED ASIAN POWERS FOR PUTTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AHEAD OF HUMAN RIGHTS.

IN OTHER EVENTS COMMEMORATING THE HUMAN RIGHTS DECLARATION, THE FRENCH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, OR PARLIAMENT, INVITED U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TO SPEAK. MR. ANNAN, WITHOUT NAMING ANY NAMES, IMPLICITLY CRITICIZED THE NATO MILITARY ALLIANCE FOR SAYING IT COULD TAKE ACTION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA WITHOUT U-N CONSENT.

MR. ANNAN SAID THE U-N'S ROLE IN IRAQ SHOWED THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY COULD PLAY A POSITIVE ROLE AND DEFUSE POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE CRISES.

HE SAID SOME HAD BEEN "TEMPTED" TO GO IT ALONE AND INTERVENE WITHOUT U-N APPROVAL. DURING NATO'S ATTEMPTS TO FORCE BELGRADE TO PULL TROOPS OUT OF SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE, NATO SAID IT DID NOT NEED A GREEN LIGHT FROM THE U-N TO CARRY OUT AIR STRIKES. RUSSIA, A SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBER, SAID IT WOULD NOT BACK NATO ATTACKS.

MR. ANNAN TOLD THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT THAT ANY UNILATERAL MILITARY ACTION WOULD BE AGAINST THE SPIRIT OF THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER. HE SAID SUCH DECISIONS HAD TO SHARED BY THE WORLD COMMUNITY. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/JWH
08-Dec-98 12:39 PM EST (1739 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] NATO / FOREIGN MINISTERS (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO'S FOREIGN MINISTERS ARE EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT THE SITUATION IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE, BLAMING BOTH SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS FOR INCREASING TENSIONS. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS THAT THE FOREIGN MINISTERS ALSO ARE MAKING PREPARATIONS FOR NEXT APRIL'S SUMMIT MEETING IN WASHINGTON.

TEXT: AT LUNCH FOLLOWING THEIR MORNING MEETING, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSCHKA FISCHER IS PROPOSING THAT NATO PLEDGE TO MAKE NO FIRST USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN THE ALLIANCE'S NEW MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE WASHINGTON SUMMIT.

THE GERMAN POSITION HAS BEEN CRITICIZED BY NATO'S NUCLEAR POWERS THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN AND FRANCE.

BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS BRITAIN HAS ALREADY MADE NUCLEAR REDUCTIONS AND WILL NOT AGREE TO CHANGE NUCLEAR POLICY.

WE AFFIRMED IN THE STRATEGIC DEFENSE OF EUROPE OUR COMMITMENT TO THE PRESENT NUCLEAR POSTURE OF NATO AND WE SEE NO NEED FOR A CHANGE IN THAT POSTURE.

THE NATO MINISTERS ALSO ARE DISCUSSING HOW TO KEEP NATO'S DOOR OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS, ALTHOUGH THE ALLIANCE IS NOT LIKELY TO INVITE ANY MORE COUNTRIES TO JOIN WHEN THEIR LEADERS MEET IN WASHINGTON NEXT APRIL. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/JWH
08-Dec-98 7:35 AM EST (1235 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE CONDEMNED THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO AND DISCUSSED NEW FUTURE ROLES FOR THE ALLIANCE. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE FOREIGN MINISTERS MET TO MAKE PLANS FOR NATO'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION NEXT APRIL IN WASHINGTON.

TEXT: U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT REASSURED U-S ALLIES THAT THE UNITED STATES IS NOT TRYING TO CREATE A NEW GLOBAL NATO AS THE ALLIANCE PLANS ITS FUTURE STRATEGIC CONCEPT. IN HER REMARKS TO THE CLOSED MEETING, SHE EXPLAINS NATO MUST BE READY TO DEAL WITH THREATS OUTSIDE ITS BORDERS, INCLUDING A BALLISTIC MISSILE ATTACK THAT USES A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

HER PLEDGE TO WORK TOGETHER TO PREVENT PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS WAS GENERALLY WELCOMED BY HER COLLEAGUES FROM FRANCE AND GERMANY. BUT THEY QUESTIONED JUST HOW FAR THE UNITED STATES WANTS TO EXTEND NATO'S REACH.

GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSCHKA FISCHER ASKED HER IF KOREA WOULD BE NATO'S BOUNDARY AND QUOTED HER AS SAYING, 'NO.' HOWEVER, SHE DOES SAY NATO SHOULD HAVE CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH ITS PARTNERS WHICH INCLUDE A COUNTRIES AS FAR EAST AS KAZAKHSTAN.

MR. FISCHER SUGGESTS NATO SHOULD ADAPT TO THE NEW AGE BY PLEDGING NEVER TO BE THE FIRST TO USE NUCLEAR WEAPONS. NATO'S NUCLEAR POWERS -- THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, AND FRANCE -- TURNED HIM DOWN.

THE GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS IT WAS NOT A WASTE OF TIME.

I'M VERY HOPEFUL THAT THE DISCUSSION WILL RATIONALIZE AND WE WON'T DISCUSS ABOUT THE THEOLOGICAL PROBLEMS OF THE NUCLEAR ERA AND NUCLEAR STRATEGIES BUT PRODUCE DEFINITE RESULTS IN DISARMAMENT.

ANY CHANGE IN NATO POLICY WILL NEED CONSENSUS AND IT WAS CLEAR TO MR. FISCHER THAT GERMANY'S PROPOSED CHANGE HAS NO CHANCE.

NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA SAYS THE AMERICAN PROPOSAL TO EXPAND NATO'S REACH IS SOMETHING NATO ALREADY DOES.

NATO IS ACTING OUT OF AREA. BOSNIA, AS YOU KNOW VERY WELL, IS OUT OF AREA. AND KOSOVO IS OUT OF AREA. SO NOTHING DRAMATIC WILL BE THAT NATO WILL CONTINUE ACTING OUT OF AREA. THAT SHOULD BE IN THE STRATEGIC CONCEPT. LET'S NOT DRAMATIZE ON THIS.

THE NATO MINISTERS AGREED ON A STATEMENT THAT BLAMES BOTH SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN YUGOSLAVIA FOR VIOLENCE THAT HAS BROKEN THE CEASEFIRE IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. NATO MILITARY COMMANDER WESLEY CLARK WARNED THE MINISTERS THAT WINTER IS THE ONLY ELEMENT THAT HAS SLOWED THE FIGHTING BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES.

NATO HAS MAINTAINED ITS WARNING TO USE FORCE IF YUGOSLAVIA CARRIES OUT THREATS TO RENEW ITS OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE CIVILIAN ALBANIAN POPULATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/JWH
08-Dec-98 12:25 PM EST (1725 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] NATO AND NUCLEAR ISSUES BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE BEGUN PREPARING FOR NEXT APRIL'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY SUMMIT MEETING IN WASHINGTON. HOW SHOULD THE ALLIANCE POSITION ITSELF FOR THE 21ST CENTURY? WHAT THREATS MIGHT IT FACE AND WHAT WEAPONS SHOULD IT USE? V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IN BRUSSELS.

TEXT: THE NEW GERMAN GOVERNMENT IS FORCING NATO TO LOOK AGAIN AT ITS NUCLEAR POLICY AS THE ALLIANCE CONSIDERS ITS MISSION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY. GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSCHKA FISCHER KNEW BEFORE HE CAME HERE THAT NATO'S NUCLEAR POWERS -- THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, AND FRANCE -- DO NOT INTEND TO GIVE UP NUCLEAR WEAPONS AS PART OF THE ALLIANCE'S FUTURE ARSENAL.

THE FOREIGN MINISTER, REPRESENTING THE ANTI-NUCLEAR GREENS FACTION OF CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER'S GOVERNMENT, CAME HERE WITH HIS GOVERNMENT'S SUPPORT TO MAKE THE CASE FOR NATO NOT TO BE THE FIRST TO USE NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN A CONFLICT.

AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING, THE GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER ENCOUNTERED THE ANTICIPATED OPPOSITION WHEN HE SUGGESTED PUTTING THAT PLEDGE INTO NATO'S STRATEGIC CONCEPT. BUT HE TELLS REPORTERS, IT WAS NOT A WASTE OF TIME.

I'M VERY HOPEFUL THAT THE DISCUSSION WILL RATIONALIZE AND WE WON'T DISCUSS ABOUT THE THEOLOGICAL PROBLEMS OF THE NUCLEAR ERA AND NUCLEAR STRATEGIES BUT PRODUCE DEFINITE RESULTS, PRECISE RESULTS IN DISARMAMENT AND IN STOPPING OR IN CONTROLLING PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. THIS IS OUR POINT OF VIEW, THIS IS OUR COMMITMENT. AND I BROUGHT THAT TO THE FLOOR DURING THE LUNCH. WE HAD A VERY OPEN DISCUSSION AND THERE WERE SOME OTHER COUNTRIES PRO, SOME OTHER COUNTRIES CONTRA, SOME OTHERS, I DON'T KNOW. LOT OF DISCUSSION.

THE PLEDGE NOT TO BE THE FIRST TO USE NUCLEAR WEAPONS IS A THEORETICAL ISSUE FOR NATO. WHEN SOVIET TANKS FACED NATO ACROSS GERMANY'S FULDA GAP, NATO REJECTED MOSCOW'S REPEATED CALLS FOR SUCH A PLEDGE. NATO CONSIDERED NUCLEAR WEAPONS AS A BALANCE FOR AN OVERWHELMING WARSAW PACT ADVANTAGE IN BATTLE TANKS.

EVERYONE AT NATO RECOGNIZES ANOTHER ERA DESERVES ANOTHER APPROACH. WHEN POLAND, HUNGARY, AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC WERE INVITED TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE LAST YEAR, NATO SAID IT SEES NO NEED TO STATION NUCLEAR WEAPONS ON THE TERRITORY OF THE NEW MEMBERS.

BUT U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS THAT AT THE WASHINGTON SUMMIT NEXT YEAR, THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER CHANGES IN NATO'S NUCLEAR POLICY.

WHAT I GOT OUT OF THE DISCUSSION WAS A RE-AFFIRMATION OF OUR CURRENT NATO STRATEGY, NUCLEAR STRATEGY. THERE HAD OBVIOUSLY AT THE END OF THE COLD WAR, THERE HAD BEEN A RE-EXAMINATION AND THE STRATEGY WAS CHANGED IN 1991 AND WAS REAFFIRMED AS RECENTLY AS LAST YEAR. SO WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT A REVIEW IS NECESSARY AND THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT NUCLEAR STRATEGY. AND AT THE SAME TIME, WE ALL DISCUSSED THE FACT THAT WE ARE INVOLVED IN A FAIRLY RADICAL DISARMAMENT PROGRAM THROUGH THE START NEGOTIATION, AND SO I THINK WE ALL FELT FAIRLY COMFORTABLE WITH WHERE WE ARE.

BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK AND FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER HUBERT VEDRINE USED SIMILAR PHRASES TO DESCRIBE THEIR REJECTION OF MR. FISCHER'S PROPOSAL.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT RECEIVED A WARMER RECEPTION HERE FOR HER PROPOSAL FOR NATO TO COMBAT WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION THROUGH INTELLIGENCE SHARING AND BETTER COORDINATION. WHILE SOME ALLIES ARE CONCERNED THAT NATO WILL BE EXTENDED OUTSIDE EUROPE, SEVERAL MINISTERS SAY THEY WANT TO PREVENT THE PROLIFERATION OF THESE WEAPONS. IT IS ON THIS CHANGE IN NATO POLICY THAT ALL 19 NATIONS ARE MORE LIKELY TO AGREE NEXT APRIL. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/JWH
08-Dec-98 4:33 PM EST (2133 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 DOWN TODAY (TUESDAY) IN SOME APPARENT PROFIT-TAKING. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT NINE THOUSAND 27, DOWN 42 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED 81, DOWN SIX POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY MOST OF THE SELLING WAS PROFIT TAKING AFTER TWO STRAIGHT POSITIVE SESSIONS IN WHICH THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE ROSE ALMOST 200 POINTS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SIDELINE MONEY BUILT UP AS PEOPLE BEGIN TO PUT THEIR SAVINGS TOGETHER FOR YEAR-END COMMITMENTS. THAT MONEY IS, AS THE TRADERS SAY, "STAMPEDEABLE" (COULD RUSH) INTO THE MARKET.

THE A-T AND T TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY WILL PAY FIVE BILLION DOLLARS FOR I-B-M'S GLOBAL CORPORATE NETWORKING BUSINESS. THE I-B-M UNIT PROVIDES INTERNAL COMPUTER NETWORKS FOR COMPANIES AND ALSO CONNECTS THEM TO THE COMPUTER INTERNET. ANALYSTS SAY THE ACQUISITION WILL IMPROVE A-T AND T'S COMPETITIVE POSITION AGAINST M-C-I WORLDCOM WHICH IS ALREADY HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE COMPUTER NETWORKING BUSINESS.

UNION CARBIDE SAYS ITS QUARTERLY EARNINGS WILL NOT MEET ANALYSTS' EXPECTATIONS. THE COMPANY SAYS A WEAK CHEMICALS MARKET, ESPECIALLY IN ASIA, IS THE REASON FOR THE ANTICIPATED PROFIT DECLINE. NOT SURPRISINGLY, THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAUSED A DECLINE IN UNION CARBIDE STOCK.

THE STOCK OF STARWOOD ALSO FELL AFTER THE LUXURY HOTEL AND CASINO OPERATOR SAID IT IS REDUCING ITS QUARTERLY AND FULL YEAR EARNINGS ESTIMATES BECAUSE OF DELAYS IN OPENING A NEW RIVERBOAT CASINO.

BUT H-J HEINZ, THE FOOD COMPANY, SAYS ITS QUARTERLY EARNINGS GAINED MORE THAN 11 PERCENT, AHEAD OF EXPECTATIONS. THE COMPANY CITES STRONG GAINS IN ITS "WEIGHT WATCHERS" BRAND OF FROZEN FOODS.

GARY WENDT HAS RESIGNED AS HEAD OF THE GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL SERVICES UNIT. MR. WENDT IS CREDITED WITH MAKING G-E CAPITAL ONE OF THE WORLD'S TOP FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANIES ALTHOUGH THERE WERE PERSISTENT RUMORS THAT MR. WENDT HAD A DIFFICULT RELATIONSHIP WITH JACK WELCH, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PARENT COMPANY GENERAL ELECTRIC.

THE INTEL MICROPROCESSOR COMPANY WILL LICENSE ITS PENTIUM PROCESSOR DESIGN TO THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROCESSORS FOR SPACE AND DEFENSE USE. INTEL SAYS THE ROYALTY-FREE DEAL WILL SAVE THE U-S GOVERNMENT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
08-Dec-98 5:03 PM EST (2203 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE NATION APPEARS HEADED FOR A POSSIBLE IMPEACHMENT VOTE AGAINST THE PRESIDENT BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND A POSSIBLE TRIAL IN THE SENATE. THAT TOPIC IS FILLING THE EDITORIALS PAGES OF TUESDAY U-S NEWSPAPERS, WITH A VARIETY OF VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT.

OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE THE DECISION BY ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO N O T TO ASK FOR A SPECIAL COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ALLEGED CAMPAIGN FINANCE VIOLATIONS; THE WORSENING SITUATION IN INDONESIA; THE BRITISH HANDLING OF GENERAL PINOCHET; VENEZUELA ELECTS A FORMER COUP LEADER PRESIDENT; AND QUESTIONS ABOUT A REVIEW OF THE JONATHAN POLLARD SPYING CASE. NOW, HERE IS ________________ WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SUPPORTERS TODAY/TUESDAY BEGAN TWO DAYS OF TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AS TO WHY THE COMMITTEE SHOULD NOT VOTE IMPEACHMENT CHARGES AGAINST THE PRESIDENT TO THE FULL HOUSE. MANY PAPERS ARE LEADING THEIR EDITORIAL COLUMNS WITH THIS IMPEACHMENT SITUATION. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" COMPLAINS THAT IF ONLY THE PRESIDENT HAD ACTED MORE CONTRITE AND WAS NOT PLANNING TO AS THE PAPER PUTS IT, "DRAPE HIS SHABBY CONDUCT AND COVER-UP LIES" IN WHAT THE TIMES CALLS "THE SAME THREADBARE LEGALISMS WE HAVE SEEN BEFORE," THIS IMPEACHMENT CRISIS MIGHT STILL BE AVOIDED. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" WRITES:

VOICE: IT IS POSSIBLE TO BELIEVE, AS WE DO, THAT THE EVIDENCE SO FAR DOES NOT WARRANT IMPEACHMENT AND STILL SEE MR. CLINTON'S APPROACH AS MAKING THE WORST OF A BAD SITUATION. /// OPT /// ... THE PUBLIC INTEREST STILL DEMANDS A FORCEFUL ENTRY IN THE HISTORIC RECORD CENSURING MR. CLINTON AND RECORDING HIS ADMISSION OF FAILING IN HIS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO THE RULE OF LAW. SO FAR THE LEADERSHIP THAT WOULD GET THE NATION TO THAT GOAL IS MISSING BOTH IN CONGRESS AND IN A WHITE HOUSE WHERE THE PRESIDENT SEEMS COMMITTED TO THE TACTICS OF DELAY WHILE HIS REPUTATION IS SHREDDED TO THE LAST SCRAPS. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: MORE THAN THOUSANDS OF KILOMETERS AWAY, "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND, EXCLAIMS:

VOICE: /// OPT /// [MR.] CLINTON PLANS A LEGAL ARGUMENT - - AND AN INEFFECTIVE ONE; BUT THE PRESIDENT STILL HAS A CHANCE TO DO BETTER. /// END OPT /// ... WHAT MIGHT MOVE SOME CONGRESSMEN, AND SOME OTHER AMERICANS, WOULD BE A FULL ACCOUNTING, A REAL DEFENSE, EVIDENCE THAT THE PRESIDENT UNDERSTANDS HIS MISDEEDS AND DESERVES TO RETAIN HIS OFFICE. BILL CLINTON HAS THE OPTION TO OFFER THAT STATEMENT AT ANY MOMENT LIVE ON HALF A DOZEN [BROADCAST] NETWORKS. ... THE PUBLIC IS, BY AND LARGE, ALREADY ON HIS SIDE. MUCH OF THE HOUSE IMPEACHMENT SENTIMENT IS DRIVEN BY THE FEELING THAT [MR.] CLINTON HAS NEVER BEEN TRULY SINCERE ABOUT HIS ACTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITY.

TEXT: IN GEORGIA, "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE SUMS UP THE PAPER'S FEELINGS ON THE MATTER, "NO GROUNDS TO IMPEACH," WHICH IS ECHOED BY "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE, WHERE THE EDITORIAL HEADLINE READS, "WITHOUT HIGH CRIMES, END IMPEACHMENT NOW." THE "SUN" ADDS:

VOICE: FOR THE COMMITTEE TO VOTE AN ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT, EXPECTING REJECTION BY THE [ENTIRE] HOUSE, WOULD BE DISHONEST AND HARMFUL TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. FOR THE HOUSE TO VOTE IMPEACHMENT AS A POLITICAL CENSURE, WITHOUT HOPE OF CONVICTION BY THE SENATE, WOULD HARM AND DEMEAN THE NATION.

TEXT: FOR ITS PART, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES WRITES, "IMPEACH, NO; CENSURE, YES."

VOICE: /// OPT /// THERE IS NO EASY WAY OUT, BUT THE HONORABLE ONE [UNDERSTOOD HERE: "FOR THE COMMITTEE"] IS TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES THE CONSTITUTION PRESCRIBES. /// END OPT

THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IS SEES AS A DOWNWARD SPIRAL IN INDONESIA.

VOICE: INDONESIA APPEARS TO BE SLIPPING INTO CHAOS, AND IT IS NOT AT ALL CLEAR ... THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT IS CAPABLE OF PULLING IT OUT. /// OPT /// ... PRESIDENT B.J. HABIBIE ... HAS PROVED THAT HE IS MERELY A PURVEYOR OF THE OLD AUTOCRATIC STATUS QUO OF HIS PREDECESSOR AND MENTOR. ... THE CIVIL UNREST .... HAS BEEN TAKING NATIONAL UNITY APART AT THE SEAMS. /// END OPT /// .... MUSLIMS ARE ATTACKING CHRISTIAN CHURCHES. POLITICAL PARTIES ARE BRAWLING IN THE STREETS. [MR.] HABIBIE, WHO HAD PROMISED ORDERLY CHANGE, IS BEING OVERTAKEN FASTER THAN HE CAN ACT.

TEXT: REGARDING THE ON-GOING LEGAL BATTLE OVER THE POSSIBLE EXTRADITION FROM BRITAIN TO SPAIN OF FORMER CHILEAN LEADER AUGUSTO PINOCHET TO FACE CHARGES INCLUDING GENOCIDE, "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND NOTES:

VOICE: ALTHOUGH ETHNIC TURMOIL AND BARBARISM HAVE ERUPTED IN BOSNIA, RWANDA AND INDONESIA, SOME RESPONSIBLE PARTIES ARE NOW BEING BROUGHT BEFORE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNALS, THE RESULT OF GROWING INTERNATIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS. ... THE IDEAS ABOUT FREEDOM CONTAINED IN THE [UNITED NATIONS] DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ARE EXPANSIVE. THEY PUT DICTATORS LIKE CHILE'S [AUGUSTO] PINOCHET ON NOTICE: HUMAN RIGHTS ARE FOR EVERYONE.

TEXT: PAPERS IN BOTH BOSTON AND MIAMI ARE COMMENTING ON THE WATERSHED RESULTS OF VENEZUELA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION THAT ELECTED FORMER ARMY COLONEL HUGO CHAVEZ, JUST SIX YEARS AFTER HE ATTEMPTED TO OVERTHROW THE LEGAL GOVERNMENT. "THE BOSTON GLOBE" COMMENTS.

VOICE: ... VOTERS WERE SENDING THE COUNTRY'S POLITICAL ELITES A TWO-PART MESSAGE. THEY WERE EXPRESSING THEIR DISGUST WITH A POLITICAL CULTURE OF BRIBERY AND KICKBACKS. AND ... EXPRESSING THEIR HOPE THAT THE POPULIST [COLONEL] CHAVEZ CAN RESCUE OIL-RICH VENEZUELA FROM A FRIGHTENING DESCENT INTO POVERTY.

TEXT: AND IN FLORIDA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" ADDS OMINOUSLY:

VOICE: LET THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT HAVE LED TO MR. CHAVEZ'S LANDSLIDE WIN ALSO SERVE AS A LESSON IN ALL THE AMERICAS AND BEYOND: IT TAKES MORE THAN FREE ELECTIONS TO MAKE A DEMOCRACY. WITHOUT AN INDEPENDENT JUSTICE SYSTEM, WITHOUT CHECKS ON CORRUPTION .... ANY POLITICAL SYSTEM IS BOUND TO INVITE POPULAR DISGUST IF NOT REVOLT.

TEXT: LASTLY, THESE EDITORIAL THOUGHTS ON THE POSSIBILITY THAT CONVICTED SPY JONATHAN POLLARD, NOW SERVING A LIFE SENTENCE FOR ESPIONAGE ON BEHALF OF ISRAEL, MIGHT BE PARDONED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON IN EXCHANGE FOR ADDITIONAL ISRAELI COOPERATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS. "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" HAS THIS COMMENT:

VOICE: THE ATTEMPT TO INTRODUCE MR. POLLARD AS A PAWN IN MIDDLE EAST PEACE NEGOTIATIONS STINKS BEYOND BELIEF. HE DOESN'T BELONG IN THAT DISCUSSION - - NOW OR EVER.THAT WOULD BE UNCONSCIONABLE. MR. POLLARD BETRAYED HIS COUNTRY. IF MR. CLINTON SETS HIM FREE, THE PRESIDENT WILL HAVE REACHED A NEW LOW.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/GE
08-Dec-98 12:14 PM EST (1714 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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