Voice of America, 98-12-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRIOT MISSILES (L ONLY) BY CHRIS DRAKE (NICOSIA)

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

[03] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] CYPRIOT MISSILES (L ONLY) BY CHRIS DRAKE (NICOSIA)

INTRO: POLITICAL LEADERS IN CYPRUS HAVE DELAYED A DECISION ON WHETHER TO TAKE DELIVERY OF A CONTROVERSIAL RUSSIAN-MADE MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM. INSTEAD, CYPRIOT LEADERS PLAN MORE TALKS WITH GREEK OFFICIALS NEXT WEEK IN ATHENS. TURKEY HAS THREATENED TO DESTROY THE MISSILES IF THEY ARE DELIVERED. AND THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN HAVE LED AN INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT THEIR DEPLOYMENT. AS CHRIS DRAKE REPORTS FROM NICOSIA, THE DELAY WAS ANNOUNCED AFTER A FIVE-HOUR MEETING OF THE CYPRIOT NATIONAL COUNCIL WHICH GROUPS LEADERS OF ALL GREEK-CYPRIOT POLITICAL PARTIES.

TEXT: THERE ARE DEEP DIVISIONS AMONG THE POLITICAL PARTIES ON WHETHER TO DEPLOY THE MISSILES. SO, IT WAS HARDLY SURPRISING THAT THE NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING LASTED SO LONG -- AND STILL FAILED TO REACH A FINAL DECISION.

PRESIDENT GLAFCOS CLERIDES FEELS THIS WEEK'S U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS ON CYPRUS MEET HIS CRITERIA FOR CANCELLING THE IMMEDIATE DELIVERY OF THE DEFENSE SYSTEM. THAT VIEW WAS SUPPORTED BY BOTH U-S PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR.

BUT HIS CRITICS!INSIST OOTHING IN THE RESOLUTIONS SUGGEST "SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS" HAS BEEN MADE TOWARDS REUNITING THE GREEK AND TURKISH COMMUNITIES, OR THAT THE CHANCES OF MAKING HEADWAY LOOK POSITIVE -- TWO OF THE MAIN DEMANDS FOR CANCELLATION.

INADVERTENTLY SUPPORTING THEIR VIEW IS TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADER RAUF DENKTASH, WHO HAS ALREADY REJECTED THE LATEST U-N CALL FOR A RESUMPTION OF TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES. HE IS STILL INSISTING ON NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN TWO INDEPENDENT STATES RATHER THAN TWO COMMUNITIES. AND THE MAINLAND TURKISH GOVERNMENT AGREES.

WITH SO MUCH INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE TO SHELVE THE MISSILE DEAL, IT IS WELL-KNOWN THAT MR. CLERIDES HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR A FACE-SAVING WAY OUT. BUT HIS POLITICAL OPPOSITION SAYS TO GIVE IN NOW WOULD MEAN HUMILIATION FOR CYPRUS, BECAUSE IT FAILED TO SECURE ESSENTIAL AND RELIABLE PROMISES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO PERSUADE TURKEY TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE IN NEGOTIATIONS.

JUST WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM THE MEETING IN ATHENS NEXT WEEK IS NOT KNOWN, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE GREEK GOVERNMENT ALSO OPPOSES THE MISSILES' DELIVERY. HOWEVER, THE GENERAL FEELING HERE IS THAT WHATEVER THE POLITICAL COST TO MR. CLERIDES, THE MISSILES PROBABLY WILL NOT BE COMING TO CYPRUS. (SIGNED)
NEB/CD/JWH
24-Dec-98 9:49 AM EST (1449 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED (THURSDAY) IN AN ABBREVIATED SESSION. CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 92-HUNDRED-17, UP ALMOST 16-POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 314-POINTS OR THREE-AND-ONE-HALF PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 12-HUNDRED-26, DOWN TWO-POINTS.

U-S FINANCIAL MARKETS CLOSED THREE-HOURS EARLY IN ADVANCE OF THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. THE MARKETS WILL ALSO BE CLOSED ALL DAY FRIDAY.

ANALYSTS SAY THE WEEK'S ACTIVITY REPRESENTS A CLASSIC YEAR-END RALLY WITH INVESTMENT MANAGERS ANXIOUS TO ADD TO THEIR STOCK PORTFOLIOS BEFORE THE END OF THE FOURTH QUARTER.

I THINK IN A YEAR WHEN THE UNDERLYING CONDITIONS ARE GOING TO BE O-K FOR FINANCIAL ASSETS, MONEY HAS TO FLOW INTO DEEPER VALUE IF THE MARKET IS TO CONTINUE TO MAKE HEADWAY.

A REPORT SHOWS AMERICANS ARE INCREASING THEIR INVESTMENTS IN STOCK MUTUAL FUNDS, REFLECTING GROWING CONFIDENCE ABOUT THE OUTLOOK FOR THE STOCK MARKET NEXT YEAR.

THE GOVERNMENT SAYS AMERICAN CONSUMERS SPENT CAUTIOUSLY IN NOVEMBER, ALTHOUGH RISING INCOMES AND FALLING CLAIMS FOR UN-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS POINT TO A CONTINUED STRONG ECONOMY.

THE MANIA OVER INTERNET-RELATED STOCKS CONTINUED THURSDAY. THE STOCK OF "DELIA'S", A CLOTHING RETAILER, DOUBLED AFTER IT ANNOUNCED IT WILL SELL CLOTHING DIRECT ON THE YAHOO INTERNET SHOPPING SERVICE.

THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CONFIRMS IT HAS SOLD ITS NINE-PERCENT INTEREST IN THE KIA MOTORS COMPANY OF SOUTH KOREA. FORD WILL NOT SAY TO WHOM THE INTEREST WAS SOLD, BUT THERE ARE REPORTS THE BUYER IS THE J-P MORGAN INVESTMENT BANK WHICH PAID 11-MILLION DOLLARS. IT WAS A BIG LOSS FOR FORD WHICH PAID ABOUT 150-MILLION DOLLARS FOR ITS STAKE IN KIA.

ISUZU MOTORS OF JAPAN SAYS IT WILL CUT ITS WORK FORCE BY FOUR-THOUSAND, SLASH ITS DEBTS AND BOOST PROFITABILITY. THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER GENERAL MOTORS SAID IT WILL INVEST AN ADDITIONAL 450-MILLION DOLLARS IN ISUZU STOCK. THAT WILL RAISE G-M'S OWNERSHIP OF ISUZU TO 49-PERCENT. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/RAE
24-Dec-98 2:36 PM EST (1936 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THIS IS THE EVE OF THE GREAT CHRISTIAN HOLIDAY OF CHRISTMAS, OR LITERALLY CHRIST MASS, THE CELEBRATION OF THE FOUNDER OF CHRISTIANITY, JESUS CHRIST, IN BETHLEHEM. MANY PAPERS ARE FOCUSING ON CHRISTMAS IN THEIR EDITORIALS, SOME RETELLING THE BIBLICAL STORY OF CHRIST'S BIRTH, WHILE OTHERS REGALE READERS WITH THE CHILDREN'S STORY "A VISIT FROM SAINT NICHOLAS."

IN THE SECULAR EDITORIALS, WE FIND COMMENTS ON THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS; /// OPT /// THE ROLE BEING PLAYED BY A SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MEN'S MAGAZINE IN NATIONAL AFFAIRS; /// END OPT /// IRAQ AFTER THE ATTACK; MORE PERSECUTION OF DEMOCRATS IN CHINA; THE OCTUPLETS CONTROVERSY; AND NEW ELECTIONS IN ISRAEL. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS IS _________________

TEXT: THE MAJOR STORY OF YEAR'S END CONTINUES TO BE THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS ENVELOPING PRESIDENT CLINTON AND HOW THE SENATE WILL DEAL WITH IT. TODAY'S "SUN" IN BALTIMORE HOPES THE SENIOR BODY WILL "RECTIFY [THE] HOUSE'S FOLLY."

VOICE: ON ALL SIDES, APPEALS GROW FOR THE SENATE TO CENSURE PRESIDENT CLINTON RATHER THAN REMOVE HIM FROM OFFICE. MORE THAN A CENTURY HAS ELAPSED SINCE THE SENATE'S ONLY PRESIDENTIAL IMPEACHMENT TRIAL, AND FEW PEOPLE IN OR OUT OF THAT BODY KNOW HOW IT WILL GO. ... THE BEST COURSE IS FOR THE SENATE, WITH CHIEF JUSTICE WILLIAM REHNQUIST PRESIDING, TO HEAR OUT THE CHARGES FROM THE HOUSE. A SIMPLE MAJORITY CAN THEN JUDGE THESE CHARGES TO BE INSUFFICIENT GROUNDS FOR REMOVING THE PRESIDENT. WITH THAT DONE, THE SENATE CAN GO ABOUT CENSURING THE PRESIDENT. ... THE SENATE SHOULD NOW DO ITS OWN JOB, EVEN IF OTHERS HAVE BOTCHED THEIRS.

TEXT: A RELATED STORY, THE RESIGNATION OF THE HOUSE SPEAKER-DESIGNATE, LOUISIANA CONGRESSMAN ROBERT LIVINGSTONE, AFTER REPORTS SURFACED THAT HE HAD SEVERAL EXTRA-MARITAL AFFAIRS, IS WORRYING "THE NEW YORK TIMES". THE PAPER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SOURCE OF THE!STORY, "HUSTLER" MAGAZINE, A SEXUALLY EXPLICIT PUBLICATION SPECIALIZING IN PHOTOS OF SCANTILY-CLAD WOMEN.

VOICE: [HUSTLER PUBLISHER LARRY] .. .. FLYNT, WHO PUT AN AD IN "THE WASHINGTON POST" OFFERING UP TO ONE MILLION DOLLARS FOR EVIDENCE OF CONGRESSIONAL ADULTERY, HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE IS ACTUALLY PAYING FOR AT LEAST SOME OF THE DIRT [SCANDALOUS NEWS] KICKED UP BY HIS OFFER. THAT MEANS THAT HUSTLER'S CHARGES ABOUT CONGRESSIONAL SEX OUGHT TO BE GIVEN THE SAME SKEPTICAL SCRUTINY AS THE PILE OF DOCUMENTS, FAXES AND RAW GOSSIP THAT THE NATION'S MAINSTREAM JOURNALISTS MUST SORT THROUGH AND CHECK OUT EACH DAY AS THEY SEARCH FOR PUBLISHABLE MATERIAL. ... AS FOR DEALING WITH THE!POLITICAL OR POLICY IMPACT OF GOSSIP, EACH MEDIA ORGANIZATION MUST CRAFT ITS OWN CODE, REMEMBERING THAT THE MOST TRUSTED NEWS OUTFITS WILL BE THOSE THAT TRY HARDEST TO PRESERVE ...TRADITIONAL JOURNALISTIC VALUES ...

TEXT: IN ANOTHER EDITORIAL, "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE TALKS ABOUT WAYS OF CONTROLLING IRAQ AFTER THE RECENT ATTACKS.

VOICE: SOME COOLING OFF IS NEEDED BEFORE THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL DECIDES WHAT TO DO NEXT ABOUT IRAQ. U-S AND BRITISH DIPLOMACY SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON KEEPING SUCH RECALCITRANT PARTNERS AS FRANCE AND RUSSIA FOCUSED ON THE POLICY GOAL OF INSPECTIONS AND SANCTIONS. THE AIM ALWAYS WAS, AND SHOULD REMAIN, TO DEPRIVE IRAQ'S RULERS OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. IT IS MISGUIDED OF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO SUBSTIUUTE THE!OUSTER OF ... SADDAM HUSSEIN AS AN OBJECTIVE.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS LEADING ITS EDITORIAL COLUMN WITH CRITICISM OF THE LATEST PURGE BY CHINA, OF THE SMALL PRO-DEMOCRACY ORGANIZATION, WHOSE LEADERS HAVE JUST BEEN TRIED AND JAILED.

VOICE: /// OPT /// BEIJING'S LEADERS ARE RUNNING DISSIDENTS THROUGH A REVOLVING DOOR. THIS WEEK THREE LEADING DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS, XU WENLI, WANG YOUCAI AND QIN YONGMIN, WERE GIVEN 11 OR 12-YEAR SENTENCES FOR SUBVERSION AFTER SHAM TRIALS LASTING ONLY A FEW HOURS EACH. TWO OF THE MEN HAD NO LAWYERS. /// END OPT /// ... THE RENEWED REPRESSION IS A REBUFF TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S CALL FOR GREATER FREEDOM IN CHINA, AND THE WHITE HOUSE PROPERLY CONDEMNED THE ACTIONS THIS WEEK. BUT IN GENERAL WASHINGTON HAS NOT PURSUED HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES WITH SUFFICIENT VIGOR, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MR. !CLINTON'S VISIT TO BEIJING LAST!SUMMER. /// OPT /// ... THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS MUTED ITS CRITICISM OF CHINA AND TREATED HUMAN RIGHTS AS ONE PART OF A COMPLEX RELATIONSHIP. /// END OPT /// ... CHINA'S LEADER ... SHOULD KNOW THAT CHINA CAN NEVER ACHIEVE THE WORLD RESPECT ITS LEADERS CRAVE IF THEY BLOCK ALL POLITICAL EXPRESSION. /// OPT /// WASHINGTON ... MUST RETURN TO SPEAKING HONESTLY AND FREQUENTLY ABOUT CHINA'S HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY AGAIN, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SOCIAL AND OTHER RAMIFICATIONS OF FERTILITY TREATMENTS THAT RESULT IN LARGE MULTIPLE BIRTHS. ITS COMMENTS FOLLOW THE BIRTH OF OCTUPLETS TO A NIGERIAN-AMERICAN WOMAN IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, SUNDAY.

VOICE: THE TECHNOLOGY OF ASSISTED CONCEPTION IS IMPRECISE, ! LEAVING MANY WOMEN WITHOUT A CHILD AND A FEW WITH TOO MANY BIRTHS FOR THEIR OWN HEALTH AND THEIR BABIES' WELL-BEING. THE HAPPY NEWS FROM HOUSTON .... IS TINGED WITH WORRY AT THE COMPLICATIONS PRESENTED BY THIS MEDICAL PHENOMENON. ///OPT /// THE BABIES ARE TERRIBLY TINY, WITH THE SMALLEST WEIGHTING [ONLY ABOUT 320 GRAMS]. EVEN IF THEY SURVIVE, THEY WILL SPEND THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THEIR LIVES IN THE STERILE CONFINES OF A HOSPITAL INSTEAD OF AT HOME. THEY HAVE GREATER THAN USUAL PROSPECTS OF MEDICAL DIFFICULTIES IN LATER LIFE. /// END OPT ///... DESPITE THE ETHICAL DIFFICULTIES, FERTILITY TECHNOLOGY IS HERE TO STAY. ... INSTEAD OF IGNORING THE PROBLEM, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENCOURAGE WORK ON WAYS TO IMPROVE THE TECHNOLOGY SO BABIES AND MOTHERS HAVE AN!EASIER QASSAGE UHROUGH PREGNANCY AND BIRTH THAN [NKEM] CHUKWU AND HER ENDANGERED OCTUPLETS.

TEXT: EARLY ELECTIONS IN ISRAEL, AND THE STATUS OF THE NETANYAHU GOVERNMENT DRAWS THIS RETORT FROM "THE MIAMI HERALD".

VOICE: FOR BIBI NETANYAHU, THE OSLO PEACE PROCESS ALWAYS HAS POSED WHAT PSYCHOLOGISTS CALL AN APPROACH-AVOIDANCE CONFLICT. /// OPT /// SUCH CONFLICTS OCCUR WHEN A THING DEVOUTLY WISHED FOR (APPROACH) CAN NOT BE ACHIEVED WITHOUT HIGH RISK (AVOIDANCE). /// END OPT /// NOW THE ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER FACES A SPECIAL ELECTION NEXT SPRING, TWO-YEARS EARLY, BECAUSE WITH HIS EVERY RECENT STEP APPROACHING PEACE, HE HAS TAKEN TWO AVOIDING STEPS BACKWARD. ... THIS NEAR-PERPETUAL STATE OF QUASI-IMPASSE MIGHT BE ALLEVIATED IF A NEW CENTER PARTY IS FORMED AND CAN WIN ENOUGH KNESSET [PARLIAMENT] SEATS.

TEXT: THE SUSPICIOUS DEATH IN MEXICO OF AN AMERICAN NEWSPAPERMAN DRAWS THIS SHARP REBUKE FROM MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD."

VOICE: THE MURDER EARLIER THIS MONTH OF PHILIP TRUE, MEXICO CITY CORRESPONDENT FOR THE SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, IS AN OUTRAGE. THE 50-YEAR-OLD REPORTER HAD GONE INTO THE SIERRA MADRE OCCIDENTAL RANGE NORTHWEST OF GUADALAJARA ON NOVEMBER 29TH TO WRITE ABOUT THE HUICHOL INDIANS.

TEXT: NO CHRISTMAS EVE EDITORIAL ROUNDUP WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT A COMMENT REGARDING THE HOLIDAY, AND SO WE CLOSE WITH THESE THOUGHTS FROM TODAY'S "NEW YORK" DAILY NEWS" WHICH LONGS FOR A SIMPLER, MORE PURE, HOLIDAY.

VOICE: IN THIS DECEMBER 1998, A YEAR BEFORE THE CENTURY TURNS AND ALL OF US ARE HURLED HEAD-LONG INTO A NEW MILLENNIUM, IT WOULD DO WELL TO THINK UPON THE JOYS OF CHRISTMAS PAST. BEFORE THE WORLD GOT CYNICAL. AND GREEDY. WHEN IT STILL BELIEVED IN MAGIC. ONE MAY HAVE TO SEARCH A BIT, BUT THERE EXIST THOSE CHILDREN -- AND ADULTS -- WHO HOLD FAST TO THE INTANGIBLE. THEY ARE THE CARETAKERS, THE KEEPERS OF THE FAITH, HOPE AND JOY THAT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON REPRESENTS.

TEXT: ON THAT NOSTALGIC NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS PRE-HOLIDAY EDITION OF EDITORIAL DIGEST.
NEB/ANG/RAE
24-Dec-98 11:22 AM EST (1622 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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