Voice of America, 98-12-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO VIOLENCE (L-ONLY) (CQ) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PEC, KOSOVO)

[02] E-U/U-S TRADE (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[03] PINOCHET / BRITAIN (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[04] FRANCE / RWANDA (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

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

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

[01] KOSOVO VIOLENCE (L-ONLY) (CQ) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PEC, KOSOVO)

INTRO: IN HIS FIRST TRIP BACK TO KOSOVO SINCE SIGNING AN OCTOBER DEAL TO HALT THE VIOLENCE, U-S SPECIAL ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE DENOUNCED SERBIAN DEMONSTRATORS TUESDAY FOR THROWING STONES AT U-S CEASE-FIRE MONITORS IN THE WESTERN CITY OF PEC [PRON: PETCH]. BUT WITH TWO MORE SERBS DYING OF WOUNDS INFLICTED BY MASKED GUNMEN, SERBS IN KOSOVO SAY THEY ARE ANGRY AT THE WEST FOR IGNORING THEIR PLIGHT. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM PEC.

TEXT: ANGRY SERBS IN PEC DENOUNCED THE GROWING WESTERN PRESENCE IN KOSOVO FOR IGNORING WHAT THEY CALLED A RISING TIDE OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN "TERRORIST VIOLENCE" AIMED AT THEM.

DEMONSTRATORS MARCHED THROUGH THE STREETS OF PEC, CHANTING ANTI-WESTERN SLOGANS AND THROWING STONES AT PASSING MEMBERS OF THE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION.

MR. HOLBROOKE VOWED THAT KOSOVO'S LATEST ROUND OF KILLINGS WOULD NOT DETER THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FROM CARRYING OUT ITS OBLIGATIONS TO WORK FOR PEACE IN THE TROUBLED PROVINCE. // OPT

MR. HOLBROOKE WARNED THAT DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE VERIFICATION MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE -- THE O-S-C-E -- WERE IN VIOLATION OF A DEAL HE SIGNED TWO MONTHS AGO WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE U-S ENVOY ALSO WARNED THE OPPOSING SIDES IN KOSOVO THAT THEY WERE AS HE PUT IT -- PLAYING WITH DYNAMITE IF THEY CONTINUED TO IGNORE CALLS FOR PEACEFUL DIALOGUE.

SERB AUTHORITIES IN PEC ALLEGED ON MONDAY THAT TWO MASKED MEN BURST INTO A STUDENT CAFE AND GUNNED DOWN SERB CIVILIANS. IF PROVEN TO HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT BY ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS OF THE K-L-A, THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, THE CAFE SHOOTINGS WHICH CLAIMED SIX SERBS WOULD MARK A NEW PHASE IN KOSOVO'S GRINDING CIVIL WAR.

THE LOOSELY-STRUCTURED K-L-A WANTS COMPLETE INDEPENDENCE FOR KOSOVO, WHICH IS A SERBIAN PROVINCE. THE GROUP HAS FOCUSED ITS ATTACKS ON COUNTRYSIDE TARGETS AND ON SERBIAN MILITARY AND POLICE FORCES. MEANWHILE, ON KOSOVO'S WESTERN BORDER YUGOSLAV ARMY TROOPS SCRAMBLED TO FLUSH OUT ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO THEY SAY CROSSED ILLEGALLY INTO YUGOSLAVIA CARRYING ILLEGAL ARMS AND AMMUNITION.

BRITISH O-S-C-E MONITORS COUNTED 29 BODIES FOLLOWING THE BORDER RAID. THE MONITORS SAID THAT SOME OF THE VICTIMS HAD BEEN MOVED FROM WHERE THEY WERE KILLED, AND THAT SOME HAD BEEN SHOT IN THE HEAD. (SIGNED)
NEB/PS/PCF/WTW
15-Dec-98 5:03 PM EST (2203 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] E-U/U-S TRADE (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION HOLDS ITS ANNUAL SUMMIT TALKS WITH THE UNITED STATES ON FRIDAY. BUT AS RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, THE ISSUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION'S BANANA IMPORT POLICY, OR "REGIME," AND AMERICAN DISSATISFACTION WITH IT MAY OVERSHADOW THE SUMMIT.

TEXT: THE EUROPEAN UNION CONTENDS IT HAS MADE 10 CHANGES TO THE WAY IT IMPORTS BANANAS. THE UNITED STATES SAYS THOSE ADJUSTMENTS ARE ONLY COSMETIC AND DO NOT CHANGE THE BIAS IN THE EUROPEAN SYSTEM THAT FAVORS AFRICAN AND CARIBBEAN BANANA IMPORTS, RATHER THAN SOUTH AMERICAN BANANAS MARKETED BY U-S-OWNED COMPANIES.

THE EUROPEAN UNION WANTS TO LET THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION HANDLE (MEDIATE) THE BANANA DISPUTE. BUT AMERICAN TRADE OFFICIALS SAY THAT PROCEDURE TAKES TOO LONG AND THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL COMPLY WITH AN ADVERSE RULING ANYWAY.

THE UNITED STATES IS THREATENING TO IMPOSE 100 PERCENT TARIFFS ON A NUMBER OF EUROPEAN INDUSTRIES BY NEXT MARCH, UNLESS THE EUROPEAN UNION CHANGES ITS BANANA IMPORT REGIME.

LEON BRITTAN -- THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER IN CHARGE OF TRADE -- SAYS BANANAS THREATEN THE WIDER AMERICAN-EUROPEAN AGENDA.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE THAT IF THIS DISPUTE CONTINUES, WE CAN REALLY AVOID THE NEGATIVE REPERCUSSIONS ON THE BROADER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES. LET US NOT FORGET THAT 78 PERCENT OF BANANA IMPORTED INTO THE EUROPEAN UNION COME FROM LATIN AMERICA ALREADY, AND 62 PERCENT OF TOTAL EUROPEAN CONSUMPTION IS OF LATIN AMERICAN BANANAS. IF I MAY SAY SO, AMERICAN BANANA TRADERS DON'T SEEM TO BE DOING TOO BADLY OUT OF THE PRESENT SETUP.

MR. BRITTAN IS OFFERING TO BRING THE BANANA DISPUTE TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION FOR A DECISION, EVEN IF THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT WANT TO MAKE ITS OWN COMPLAINT TO THE W-T-O. IF THE UNITED STATES PROCEEDS WITH PUNITIVE TARIFFS AGAINST EUROPE ANYWAY, THE EUROPEAN UNION INTENDS TO CHALLENGE THE LEGAL BASIS OF THE AMERICAN TRADE LEGISLATION WITHIN THE W-T-O. ///END OPT///

PLEASE, I BEG THE UNITED STATES: GET BACK A SENSE OF PROPORTION. LET'S LOOK AT THIS COMPARATIVELY MINOR DISPUTE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FAR MORE IMPORTANT INTERESTS WE BOTH HAVE IN WORKING TOGETHER TO ADVANCE OUR OWN PROSPERITY, TO IMPROVE OUR TRADE RELATIONS, TO STRENGTHEN THE MULTILATERAL SYSTEM AND TO ADDRESS THE WIDER PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD.

MR. BRITTAN WILL ACCOMPANY EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER TO WASHINGTON TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON IN THE HOPE THEY CAN DISCUSS TOPICS OTHER THAN BANANAS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/PCF
15-Dec-98 8:58 AM EST (1358 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] PINOCHET / BRITAIN (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: FORMER CHILEAN LEADER AUGUSTO PINOCHET HAS INITIATED A LEGAL BATTLE TO BLOCK HIS EXTRADITION FROM BRITAIN TO SPAIN. IN A COURT HEARING THAT OPENED TUESDAY, HIS LAWYERS ARE DEMANDING THAT BRITAIN'S HOUSE OF LORDS REVERSE ITS DECISION NOT TO GRANT MR. PINOCHET DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE LEGAL BATTLE FOR NOW IS FOCUSING ON A JUDGMENT BY THE HOUSE OF LORDS THAT GENERAL PINOCHET IS NOT PROTECTED BY DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY AND CAN BE EXTRADITED TO SPAIN. HIS LAWYERS ARGUE THAT ONE OF THE FIVE JUDGES ON THE LAW PANEL SHOULD HAVE EXCUSED HIMSELF FROM THE DEBATE BECAUSE OF HIS LINKS TO A HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION.

GENERAL PINOCHET'S LAWYERS SAY JUSTICE LEONARD HOFFMAN IS AN UNPAID DIRECTOR OF FUNDRAISING FOR AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, WHERE HIS WIFE WORKS AS A SECRETARY. DURING THE HOUSE OF LORDS' HEARING, A LAWYER FOR THE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP WAS ALLOWED TO PRESENT THE CASE FOR VICTIMS OF MR. PINOCHET'S GOVERNMENT. IT WAS CONSIDERED AN UNUSUAL MOVE AT THE TIME.

THE NEW HEARINGS ARE EXPECTED TO LAST TWO DAYS.

THE APPEAL PROCEEDINGS ARE BEING PLAYED OUT AGAINST A RAPID DETERIORATION IN DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHILE. THE CHILEAN GOVERNMENT ALREADY HAS RECALLED ITS AMBASSADOR, CANCELLED OFFICIAL VISITS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES, AND SUSPENDED SOME ARMS DEALS. MANY PRIVATE CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED OR CANCELLED TOO.

GENERAL PINOCHET'S EXTRADITION HEARING HAS BEEN SET FOR JANUARY 18TH. HE MADE HIS FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE LAST WEEK AT A LONDON COURT WHERE HE DISMISSED THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM AS LIES.

A SPANISH JUDGE ISSUED THE ARREST WARRANT FOR THE FORMER CHILEAN LEADER ON CHARGES OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY DURING HIS 17-YEAR RULE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
15-Dec-98 8:57 AM EST (1357 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] FRANCE / RWANDA (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: A FRENCH PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY INTO THE MASSACRES OF ETHNIC TUTSIS IN RWANDA IN 1994 REPORTED TUESDAY THAT FRANCE WAS NOT, AS HAS BEEN ALLEGED, AN ACCOMPLICE TO THE KILLINGS. INSTEAD, IT SAYS FRANCE, WHICH WAS FORCED TO GO IT ALONE AS THE REST OF THE WORLD COMMUNITY STOOD ASIDE, COMMITTED WHAT IT TERMED STRATEGIC ERRORS. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE'S REPORT PUBLISHED TUESDAY REJECTS ALLEGATIONS OF FRENCH COMPLICITY. INSTEAD, IT USES THE WORDS "TRAPPED" AND "MANIPULATED" TO DESCRIBE FRANCE'S DILEMMA. IT SAYS FRANCE WAS HAMPERED BY ITS OWN STRATEGY AND MANIPULATED BY THE HUTU-LED RWANDAN GOVERNMENT OF THE TIME. IT INSISTS THAT IT WAS RWANDANS ALONE WHO CARRIED OUT THE KILLINGS.

ACCORDING TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SOME 850-THOUSAND PEOPLE -- MOSTLY ETHNIC TUTSIS -- WERE MASSACRED IN EVENTS THAT HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY CLASSIFIED AS GENOCIDE.

SINCE THE KILLINGS IN 1994, THERE HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT ALLEGATIONS THAT FRANCE CONTINUED TO SUPPLY ARMS TO THE HUTUS AND THAT FRENCH ARMY OFFICERS SENT AS PART OF A PEACEKEEPING OPERATION PROVIDED OTHER ASSISTANCE. SOME FRENCH PRESS REPORTS EVEN CHARGED THAT FRENCH OFFICERS FIRED ARTILLERY AT TUTSI POSITIONS.

TO DEFINE FRANCE'S RESPONSIBILITIES, THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE WAS SET UP EARLIER THIS YEAR UNDER A FORMER SOCIALIST DEFENSE MINISTER, PAUL QUILES. IT HEARD EVIDENCE FROM DOZENS OF WITNESSES -- MANY OF THEM IN PRIVATE, FOR REASONS OF STATE SECURITY. THOSE HEARD IN CLOSED SESSION INCLUDED MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE CHIEFS.

AMONG THOSE HEARD PUBLICLY WAS JEAN-CHRISTOPHE MITTERRAND, THE SON OF THE LATE SOCIALIST PRESIDENT FRANCOIS MITTERRAND AND HIS FATHER'S MAIN ADVISER ON AFRICAN AFFAIRS. AT THE TIME OF THE MASSACRES, FRANCOIS MITTERRAND WAS STILL PRESIDENT.

PIERRE BRANA, A SOCIALIST MEMBER OF THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT, ADDED THAT FRANCE HAD UNDERESTIMATED THE DANGERS OF GENOCIDE WHEN IT INTERVENED ON A MISSION TO RESTORE PEACE.

MR. BRANA SAID FRANCE WAS SUSPICIOUS OF ETHNIC TUTSI LEADERS BECAUSE IT SUSPECTED THEM OF LEADING A CAMPAIGN ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER ENGLISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION OF AFRICA.

THE PARLIAMENTARY REPORT BACKS THE THESIS OF EDOUARD BALLADUR -- WHO WAS THEN FRANCE'S CONSERVATIVE PRIME MINISTER -- THAT FRANCE WAS THE ONLY COUNTRY THAT TRIED TO STOP THE CARNAGE. IT SAYS THAT THE UNITED STATES, FOR EXAMPLE, WAS STILL SMARTING FROM THE LOSSES IT SUFFERED WHEN IT SENT PEACEKEEPING FORCES TO SOMALIA THE PREVIOUS YEAR, AND WAS THEREFORE RELUCTANT TO GET INVOLVED IN A NEW AFRICAN MISSION. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/PCF
15-Dec-98 1:36 PM EST (1836 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP SHARPLY TODAY (TUESDAY) WIPING OUT MONDAY'S STEEP LOSSES. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 88 HUNDRED 23, UP 127 POINTS OR MORE THAN ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED 62, UP 21 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY THERE WAS SOME SELECTIVE BARGAIN HUNTING AFTER MONDAY'S BIG SELL-OFF IN WHICH THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST 126 POINTS. BUT THE BUYING PRESSURE GATHERED MOMENTUM IN THE LAST HOUR OF TRADING, WIPING OUT ALL OF MONDAY'S LOSS.

TWO HUGE MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS HAD COMPLETELY DIFFERENT STATEMENTS FOR WALL STREET. THE GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY EXPECTS ITS EARNINGS WILL GROW NEXT YEAR BY BETWEEN 15 AND 20 PERCENT. BUT CATERPILLAR, THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER, WARNED THAT ITS QUARTERLY PROFITS WILL FALL SHORT OF WALL STREET FORECASTS.

BUT LARRY RICE OF THE JOSEPTHAL INVESTMENT COMPANY SAYS CONCERN ABOUT CORPORATE PROFITS MAY START TO WANE BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

GENERAL ELECTRIC PUT UPWARD PRESSURE ON THE AVERAGES, CATERPILLAR PUTS DOWNWARD PRESSURE ON BECAUSE OF THEIR DISAPPOINTING OUTLOOK. WE ARE HAVING SOME CROSS CURRENTS RIGHT NOW BUT I THINK WE WILL HAVE A STRONGER MARKET AS WE GET TOWARD THE END OF THE YEAR.

ANOTHER COMPANY TO ISSUE AN EARNINGS WARNING WAS THE EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY WHICH BLAMED A FALL IN INTERNATIONAL DEMAND FOR SPECIALTY CHEMICALS. EASTMAN'S STOCK FELL BY 14 PERCENT.

BUT THE PROFIT PICTURE WAS NOT ALL NEGATIVE. GENERAL MILLS, THE SECOND LARGEST BREAKFAST CEREAL MAKER IN THE UNITED STATES, SAYS ITS EARNINGS ROSE 11 PERCENT, EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS. STEWART ENTERPRISES, NORTH AMERICA'S THIRD-LARGEST FUNERAL SERVICES FIRM, SAYS ITS PROFITS JUMPED BY 18 PERCENT. AND BEST BUY, THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS CHAIN, SAW ITS QUARTERLY EARNINGS RISE BY MORE THAN 100 PERCENT.

CITIGROUP SAYS IT WILL CUT MORE THAN 10 THOUSAND JOBS OR SIX PERCENT OF ITS GLOBAL WORK FORCE. THE BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY SAYS IT WILL ALSO TAKE A RESTRUCTURING CHARGE OF 900 MILLION DOLLARS.

INFLATION IS STILL LARGELY ABSENT IN THE U-S ECONOMY. THE GOVERNMENT SAYS CONSUMER PRICES ROSE BY A MODEST TWO-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT IN NOVEMBER. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/WFR
15-Dec-98 5:05 PM EST (2205 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: WITH FULL HOUSE DEBATE ON THE IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON SCHEDULED TO BEGIN THURSDAY, TODAY'S PAPERS ARE FULL OF EDITORIALS ON THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION. MANY PAPERS ARE URGING READERS TO TELL THEIR CONGRESSMEN HOW THEY FEEL.

OTHER TOPICS GAINING ATTENTION INCLUDE THE PRESIDENT'S TRIP TO THE MIDDLE EAST; THE LATEST REFERENDUM ON PUERTO RICO'S FUTURE; SOME THOUGHTS ON SOUTH KOREA'S MENDING ECONOMY; AND A SCANDAL BREWING OVER THE OLYMPICS. NOW, HERE IS ________________________ WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE NATION'S BIG THREE GENERAL NEWS DAILY PAPERS ARE ALL RUNNING LEAD EDITORIALS ON THE PENDING IMPEACHMENT DEBATE. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" WRITES THAT THE PUBLIC DOES NOT WANT THE PRESIDENT IMPEACHED, AND REPUBLICANS SHOULD "BEWARE THE WRATH" [UNDERSTOOD: OF VOTERS] ADDING:

VOICE: A CAPITOL SO OUT OF STEP WITH THE PEOPLE IT CLAIMS TO REPRESENT ... IS A GREATER DANGER TO THE REPUBLIC THAN ALL OF [MR.] CLINTON'S SELFISH LIES. ... SOME FORM OF REBUKE, SHORT OF IMPEACHMENT, IS WHAT AMERICANS WANT.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES," WHICH FAVOR CENSURE BY CONGRESS OVER IMPEACHMENT, SUGGESTS:

VOICE: THOSE WHO BELIEVE THE HOUSE SHOULD NOT IMPEACH NEED HELP FROM THE WHITE HOUSE TO MEET THE DEMAND THAT MR. CLINTON ADMIT THAT HE LIED UNDER OATH, OR AT LEAST SIGNAL THAT HE WOULD SIGN LANGUAGE TO THAT EFFECT IN A CENSURE. /// OPT /// IT IS THROWING GASOLINE [PETROL] ON FLAMES FOR [WHITE HOUSE LAWYER] GREGORY CRAIG TO CONDEMN PEOPLE WHO 'THINK ONE WORD IS BETTER THAN ANOTHER' IN DEMANDING THAT MR. CLINTON ADMIT TO LIES RATHER THAN EVASIONS. HE REPRESENTS A MAN WHO INSISTS ALWAYS ON ONE WORD, NOT THE OTHER, AND THEN ARGUES THAT THE CHOSEN WORD DOES NOT MEAN WHAT IT HAS MEANT SINCE THE TIME OF SHAKESPEARE. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: AND "THE WASHINGTON POST," WHICH ALSO FAVORS CENSURE, WORRIES ABOUT THE POTENTIAL PRECEDENT ABOUT TO BE SET.

VOICE: THE SENATE IS THOUGHT UNLIKELY TO VOTE TO REMOVE THE PRESIDENT EVEN IF THE HOUSE DOES VOTE TO IMPEACH HIM. BUT THAT DOES NOT MAKE THIS A FREE VOTE FOR THE HOUSE, EITHER. IT WOULD NOT TRIVIALIZE THE IMPEACHMENT CLAUSE TO INVOKE IT IN THIS CASE, BUT IT WOULD LOWER THE STANDARD FOR IMPEACHMENT. /// OPT /// CENSURE MINIMIZES THE DAMAGE WHILE EXPRESSING THE NECESSARY CONDEMNATION. IT IS AN IMPERFECT ANSWER, BUT THE RIGHT ONE. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, HOWEVER "THE MANCHESTER UNION LEADER" SAYS IT IS TIME FOR MR. CLINTON TO RESIGN AND "PUT HIS COUNTRY FIRST."

VOICE: /// OPT /// PAST DEEDS CANNOT BE UNDONE, OF COURSE, AS THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF ADMITTED. MR. CLINTON COULD, HOWEVER, CHANGE THE FUTURE. HE COULD SPARE THE NATION THE PROSPECTS OF AN IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE BY RESIGNING HIS OFFICE. /// END OPT /// ... THE AMERICAN NATION HAS SURVIVED CIVIL WAR, FOREIGN CONFLICTS AND CRUSHING ECONOMIC DEPRESSION. TRYING AND POSSIBLY REMOVING A PRESIDENT FROM OFFICE IS FAR FROM THE GRAVEST CRISIS OUR RESILIENT CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC HAS CONFRONTED IN ITS MORE THAN TWO CENTURIES. WE REMAIN CAUTIOUSLY HOPEFUL THAT, IN THE END, BILL CLINTON WILL DO THE RIGHT AND NOBLE THING AND RESIGN THE PRESIDENCY. IF NOT, THEN HE MUST BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE. THE INTEGRITY OF OUR POLITICAL AND JUDICIAL INSTITUTIONS REQUIRES NOTHING LESS.

TEXT: ON MR. CLINTON'S VISIT TO GAZA MONDAY, "NEWSDAY" ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND CHEERS THE PRESIDENT'S ACHIEVEMENT:

VOICE: AFTER THE RHETORIC OF THE VISIT FADES, WHAT REMAINS IS THE FACE THAT [PRESIDENT] CLINTON ARRIVED IN GAZA IN THE MIDST OF SIMMERING VIOLENCE, FACING A PEACE PROCESS THAT WAS GOING NOWHERE. AND HE LEFT ACCOMPANIED BY CHEERS, HAVING BROUGHT THE TWO SIDES BACK TOGETHER, HOWEVER BRIEFLY. /// OPT /// EVEN IN THE MIDEAST, WHERE GOOD WILL EVAPORATES FASTER THAN WATER IN THE SINAI DESERT,

TEXT: HOWEVER "THE [NEW YORK] DAILY NEWS" SEES THINGS VERY DIFFERENTLY, SUGGESTING THAT MR. CLINTON MADE A BIG MISTAKE EQUATING THE CHILDREN OF ISRAELI'S KILLED BY PALESTINIAN TERRORISTS AND PALESTINIAN CHILDREN WHO'S FATHERS ARE IN JAIL FOR TERRORIST ATTACKS.

VOICE: IN MAKING A WORTHY AND HISTORIC TRIP TO GAZA YESTERDAY, PRESIDENT CLINTON FELL INTO THE TRAP OF MORAL EQUIVALENCY. /// OPT /// SPEAKING TO THE PALESTINIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL, ASSEMBLED FINALLY TO DELETE THE ANTI-ISRAEL PORTIONS OF ITS CHARTER, [MR.] CLINTON REACHED FOR A MEANINGFUL IMAGE AND LANDED IN THE OOZE OF SENTIMENTALITY DEVOID OF FACT . /// END OPT /// HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER. ... THERE IS A HUGE GAP BETWEEN THE VICTIMS OF TERROR AND THE CHILDREN OF TERRORISTS. THEIR PAIN IS NOT EQUAL, AND NO AMOUNT OF SQUISHY THINKING WILL EVER MAKE IT SO.

TEXT: TURNING TO AFFAIRS OF THIS HEMISPHERE, SEVERAL PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON SUNDAY'S REFERENDUM IN PUERTO RICO ON ITS FUTURE, WHEREIN VOTERS CHOSE THE STATUS QUO, A COMMONWEALTH WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" OPINES:

VOICE: SO MUCH FOR PUERTO RICO STATEHOOD. ONCE AGAIN THE CHERISHED GOAL OF GOVERNOR PEDRO ROSELLO TO MAKE PUERTO RICO THE 51ST STATE HAS FALLEN SHORT OF EVEN A PRELIMINARY FIRST STEP. .... THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO CHOSE TO KEEP THINGS THE SAME. THEIR DESIRE SHOULD BE RESPECTED. ... GOVERNOR ROSELLO MAY NOT BE WILLING TO ACCEPT THE JUDGMENT OF HIS PEOPLE, BUT CONGRESS SHOULD.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" SAYS THAT SOUTH KOREA'S ECONOMY IS SHOWING SIGNS OF MENDING, BUT THE WORLD, UPSET AT ITS FAILURE LAST YEAR, IS NOW OBLIVIOUS.

VOICE: IT SEEMS EVERYONE WAS PAYING ATTENTION LAST YEAR WHEN SOUTH KOREA'S ECONOMY WAS COLLAPSING AND THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND WERE PLEDGING 58-BILLION IN EMERGENCY LOANS. FAR FEWER PEOPLE TOOK NOTE LAST WEEK WHEN SOUTH KOREA ANNOUNCED IT WOULD BEGIN PAYING OFF THOSE DEBTS. THE REPAYMENT FAIRLY SYMBOLIZES THE PROGRESS SOUTH KOREA HAS MADE UNDER PRESIDENT KIM DAE JUNG. /// OPT /// ITS FOREIGN RESERVES HAVE BEEN BUILT UP. INTEREST RATES THAT HAD SOARED HAVE DESCENDED TO PRE-CRISIS LEVELS. THE KOREAN WON HAS STRENGTHENED. ... SOUTH KOREANS HAVE SEVERAL THINGS GOING FOR THEM - - NOT ONLY THE STRONG DEMOCRACY THEY HAVE BUILT DURING THE PAST DECADE BUT ALSO THEIR UNWILLINGNESS FROM THE START TO BLAME ANYONE BUT THEMSELVES FOR THEIR TROUBLES AND THEIR READINESS TO WORK HARD TO FIX THOSE PROBLEMS. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: THE ONGOING INTERNATIONAL SALE OF ARMS IS BOTHERING TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR," WHICH POINTS OUT:

VOICE: WITH INTENSIFYING CONFLICT IN CONGO, ONGOING CIVIL WAR IN SUDAN, AND SIMMERING STRIFE BETWEEN ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA, THE LAST THING AFRICA NEEDS IS FRESH SHIPMENTS OF ARMS. YET THAT'S WHAT IT WILL SOON GET FROM RUSSIA AND BULGARIA. THOSE TWO EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ARE EAGER FOR THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THEY'LL GET FROM ETHIOPIA FOR THEIR HELICOPTERS, TANKS, AND OTHER GEAR. THEY SHARE THAT PROFIT MOTIVE WITH ARMS EXPORTERS IN THE WEST - - IN FACT, THEIR ECONOMIC WOES INTENSIFY THE URGE TO SELL.

TEXT: LASTLY, FROM ATLANTA, GEORGIA, THE MOST RECENT U-S OLYMPIC CITY, AN EDITORIAL IN "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" IS CONCERNED ABOUT CHARGES THAT INTERNATIONAL BLACKMAILERS HELPED STEER THE 2-THOUSAND-AND-TWO WINTER OLYMPICS TO SALT LAKE CITY UTAH.

VOICE: MARC HODLER, AN EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER OF THE I-O-C [INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE] HAS CHARGED THAT POTENTIAL HOST CITIES DO INDEED PAY MONEY TO GET MEMBERS TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THEIR BIDS. HE SAID HE KNOWS OF AT LEAST FOUR OLYMPIC CITIES WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED: ATLANTA; NAGANO, JAPAN; SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA; AND SALT LAKE CITY. ... WHAT WAS HAPPENING, [MR.] HODLER SAID, WAS BLACKMAIL BY I-O-C MEMBERS OR PEOPLE CLAIMING TO REPRESENT THEM. .... VOTE-BUYING CANNOT BE TOLERATED. ... THE I-O-C SHOULD ACT DECISIVELY IN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM. /// OPT /// ...THE GAMES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT PEOPLE COMING FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO COMPETE FAIRLY /// END OPT /// ... IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ENTRUST THE OLYMPIC TORCH TO PEOPLE WHO WOULD BREAK THE RULES TO WIN.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM SOME OF TODAY'S DAILY PAPERS.
NEB/ANG/GE
15-Dec-98 11:44 AM EST (1644 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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