Voice of America, 99-01-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO HOSTAGES FREED (L/S VER) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

[02] MONTENEGRO / GELBARD (S&L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (PODGORICA)

[03] BOSNIAN REFUGEES / STRESS (L - ONLY) BY DAVID MCALARY (WASHINGTON)

[04] GERMANY/CITIZENSHIP (L-ONLY) BY SUZANNE KELLY (BONN)

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

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

[01] KOSOVO HOSTAGES FREED (L/S VER) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS HAVE RELEASED (WEDNESDAY) EIGHT YUGOSLAV ARMY SOLDIERS THEY HELD CAPTIVE SINCE FRIDAY. THE HEAD OF THE KOSOVO TRUCE VERIFICATION MISSION IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE ANNOUNCED THE RELEASE AFTER SEVERAL TENSE DAYS OF NEGOTIATIONS, PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM PRISTINA.

TEXT: THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY U-S AMBASSADOR WILLIAM WALKER CAME AFTER A DAY OF RENEWED NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE RELEASE OF THE EIGHT YUGOSLAV SOLDIERS. MR. WALKER AND U-S PEACE ENVOY, AMBASSADOR CHRISTOPHER HILL, MET SOME FOUR HOURS WITH THE REBELS ON WEDNESDAY BEFORE ANNOUNCING THE RELEASE OF THE YUGOSLAV SOLDIERS.

THE SOLDIERS ARRIVED AT A LANDING NEAR THE MINING TOWN OF STARI TRG IN NORTHERN KOSOVO. THEY WERE ESCORTED BY WESTERN TRUCE MONITORS SENT BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE.

THE SOLDIERS WERE THEN TAKEN IN YUGOSLAV ARMY VEHICLES TO A NEARBY BARRACKS TO MEET THEIR FAMILIES.

ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS HAD INSISTED THAT THE EIGHT WOULD ONLY BE FREED IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR OWN FIGHTERS HELD PRISONER BY YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES. BUT IT APPEARS THAT IF ANY SUCH EXCHANGE IS TO TAKE PLACE, IT WILL HAPPEN LATER AND WITHOUT FANFARE.

THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, THE K-L-A, IS FIGHTING FOR COMPLETE INDEPENDENCE FROM SERBIAN RULE IN YUGOSLAVIA. ETHNIC ALBANIANS MAKE UP ABOUT 90 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION OF THE SERBIAN PROVINCE (KOSOVO).

THE K-L-A CLAIMS THAT HUNDREDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS REMAIN IN THE CUSTODY OF SERB AUTHORITIES ON TRUMPED-UP CHARGES OF TERRORISM.

AMBASSADOR WALKER'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE RELEASE OF THE YUGOSLAV SOLDIERS IS BEING VIEWED BY OBSERVERS AS A DIPLOMATIC COUP FOR THE O-S-C-E -- WHOSE MISSION IN KOSOVO IS VIEWED WITH SKEPTICISM BY BOTH THE SERBS AND ALBANIANS.

BRITISH AND U-S OFFICIALS LED THE NEGOTIATIONS TO FREE THE PRISONERS, STAVING OFF A YUGOSLAV ARMY THREAT TO LAUNCH A MILITARY RESCUE -- WHICH NEGOTIATORS ARGUED WOULD END WITH THE HOSTAGES BEING KILLED. (SIGNED)
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13-Jan-99 11:37 AM EST (1637 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] MONTENEGRO / GELBARD (S&L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (PODGORICA)

INTRO: THE U-S SPECIAL ENVOY FOR THE BALKANS HAS MET WITH MONTENEGRO PRESIDENT MILO DJUKANOVIC TO DISCUSS ECONOMIC AND DEMOCRATIC REFORMS IN THE REPUBLIC WHICH, WITH SERBIA, MAKES UP YUGOSLAVIA. LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM PODGORICA, THE MONTENEGRIN CAPITAL, THAT THE U-S ENVOY EMPHASIZED THE U-S WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH MONTENEGRO AND WITH MR. DJUKANOVIC, WHO IS CONSIDERED LESS HARD LINE THAN SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, THE SERB WHO IS PRESIDENT OF YUGOSLAVIA.

TEXT: U-S SPECIAL ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD SAYS THE FOCUS ON MONTENEGRO IS PART OF THE EFFORT TO FOSTER DEMOCRATIC AND MARKET REFORMS IN MONTENEGRO.

WE HAVE AS A STRONG POLICY THE NEED TO SUPPORT AND TO HELP THOSE WHO WANT DEMOCRACY AND GOOD ECONOMIC REFORM. WE CAN NOT SUPERIMPOSE IT, WE CAN HELP THOSE WHO WANT TO HELP THEMSELVES.

WASHINGTON HAS PROVIDED ACCESS TO INVESTMENT LOANS AND HAS OPENED A DIPLOMATIC OFFICE. IT IS ALSO WORKING TOWARD EXEMPTING MONTENGRO'S AIRLINE FROM THE SANCTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA IN ORDER TO PERMIT DIRECT AIR LINKS.

MR. GELBARD DESCRIBES THE ACTIONS AS UNPRECEDENTED BECAUSE THE U-S CONGRESS HAS AGREED ON INVESTMENT ACCESS FOR PART OF A COUNTRY, NOT THE WHOLE COUNTRY.

THE MOVES WILL INCREASE SERBIA'S ECONOMIC AND DIPLOMATIC ISOLATION.

PRESIDENT DJUKANOVIC STRESSES THE NEED FOR CLOSER COOPERATION. BOTH WITH THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE, TO SUPPORT HIS REPUBLIC'S REFORM PROGRAMS

HE EXPECTS THE EUROPEAN UNION TO LIFT ITS AIR BAN AGAINST MONTENEGRIN AIRLINES BY THE END OF THE MONTH, AND TO EXEMPT MONTENEGRO FROM OTHER TRADE RESTRICTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PLACED ON YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
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13-Jan-99 1:05 PM EST (1805 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIAN REFUGEES / STRESS (L - ONLY) BY DAVID MCALARY (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A SWEDISH STUDY OF BOSNIAN REFUGEES POINTS OUT THAT WAR HAS MANY CASUALTIES BESIDES THE DEAD AND THE WOUNDED. IT INDICATES THAT A HIGH PROPORTION OF REFUGEES SUFFER A PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTURBANCE AS A RESULT OF EXPERIENCING OR WITNESSING WAR ATROCITIES. V-O-A SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT DAVID MCALARY REPORTS.

TEXT: THE RESEARCH BY PHYSICIANS AT LUND UNIVERSITY IN MALMO, SWEDEN, SHOWS THAT THE 1992-1995 BOSNIAN CIVIL WAR TOOK A TREMENDOUS PSYCHOLOGICAL TOLL.

LUND UNIVERSITY DOCTOR HANS THULESIUS [THOO-'LEE-SEE-US] SAID HE BECAME INTERESTED IN THE ISSUE WHEN REFUGEES HE SAW IN HIS GENERAL PRACTICE SEEMED DISTURBED.

THEY TOLD ME ABOUT NIGHTMARES, REPEATED NIGHTMARES. THEY REPORTED DAYTIME FLASHBACKS OF EVENTS THEY HAD EXPERIENCED DURING THE WAR.

SO AT THE HEIGHT OF THE WAR IN MARCH AND APRIL OF 1993, DR. THULESIUS AND A COLLEAGUE MEASURED SCIENTIFICALLY THE REFUGEES' LEVEL OF A DISORDER KNOWN AS POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, OR P-T-S-D.

THEY COMPARED 206 BOSNIANS WITH 387 SWEDISH CITIZENS WHO SOUGHT TREATMENT AT CLINICS FOR VARIOUS PROBLEMS.

THE FINDINGS, PUBLISHED IN THE JANUARY ISSUE OF "THE JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS," SHOW A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE OF THE REFUGEES EXHIBITING P-T-S-D SYMPTOMS -- MUCH HIGHER THAN THE NATIVE SWEDES IN THE COMPARISON GROUP.

THE PREVALENCE ESTIMATES WERE 18 TO 33 PER CENT AMONG THE BOSNIANS AND POINT-THREE TO ONE-POINT-THREE PER CENT AMONG IN THE COMPARISON GROUP. THE 206 BOSNIANS HAD 25 TO 68 TIMES HIGHER FREQUENCY OF P-T-S-D SYMPTOMS THAN THE 387 IN THE COMPARISON GROUP.

THE SWEDISH PHYSICIANS WERE WELL PLACED TO CONDUCT THE RESEARCH. SWEDEN RECEIVED LARGE NUMBERS OF BOSNIAN REFUGEES DURING THE WAR. BY 1997, THEY NUMBERED ABOUT 80-THOUSAND. /// OPT /// DR. THULESIUS SAYS THOSE ARRIVING AT AN ASYLUM CENTER HAD HIDEOUS TALES TO TELL.

SOME OF THE PATIENTS WHO HAD BEEN TO THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS TOLD ABOUT BEATING, OF COURSE, AND ABOUT TORTURE. THOSE WHO HADN'T BEEN TO CONCENTRATION CAMPS WITNESSED -- THEY HAD EXPERIENCED THEIR RELATIVES BEING DECAPITATED, FOR EXAMPLE. A HUSBAND TOLD ABOUT HOW HE HAD WITNESSED HIS WIFE BEING RAPED. A SOLDIER -- A DESERTER FROM THE WAR -- HAD AT ONE TIME, WHEN HE CAME TO A FARM, SAW A BABY NAILED TO A BARN DOOR BY A HAY FORK.

DR. THULESIUS BELIEVES THE BOSNIAN REFUGEES IN SWEDEN ARE NOT BEING TREATED ADEQUATELY FOR THEIR EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES. HE RECOMMENDS THAT PEOPLE IN THE REFUGEES' SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES RECOGNIZE WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH AND BE SYMPATHETIC. THE REFUGEES THEMSELVES, HE SAYS, SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO DISCUSS WHAT IS BOTHERING THEM WITH OTHERS, ESPECIALLY THEIR FAMILIES.

EXPERIENCES FROM OTHER P-T-S-D SUFFERERS ARE THAT YOU SHOULD ACTUALLY BRING OUT THE PROBLEM BY TALKING ABOUT IT. IT WON'T GET BETTER BY BEING MUTE ABOUT IT.

[04] GERMANY/CITIZENSHIP (L-ONLY) BY SUZANNE KELLY (BONN)

INTRO: GERMANY'S INTERIOR MINISTER, OTTO SCHILY, HAS RELEASED DETAILS OF THE COUNTRY'S NEW CITIZENSHIP LAW, EXPECTED TO OVERHAUL LEGISLATION WHICH HAS CHANGED LITTLE IN THE PAST CENTURY. SUZANNE KELLY REPORTS FROM BONN.

TEXT: THE GERMAN DUAL CITIZENSHIP LAW, AS IT'S CALLED, WILL MEAN TWO VERY BIG CHANGES FOR THOSE SEEKING GERMAN CITIZENSHIP. FIRST, IT WILL ALLOW FOREIGNERS LIVING IN THE COUNTRY TO APPLY FOR GERMAN CITIZENSHIP AFTER JUST EIGHT YEARS -- ABOUT HALF THE TIME CURRENTLY REQUIRED. SECOND, THOSE WHO BECOME GERMAN CITIZENS WILL BE ALLOWED TO KEEP THEIR ORIGINAL PASSPORTS, THEREBY GIVING THEM DUAL CITIZENSHIP.

GERMANY'S INTERIOR MINISTER OTTO SCHILY SAYS THAT THE COALITION GOVERNMENT LED BY CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER WILL PUSH THE BILL THROUGH IN THE MID-YEAR SUMMER MONTHS, DESPITE HEATED PROTEST FROM THE OPPOSITION CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATS.

THERE ARE ABOUT FOUR MILLION FOREIGNERS WHO WILL BE IMMEDIATELY ELIGIBLE FOR GERMAN CITIZENSHIP, ONCE THE NEW LAW TAKES EFFECT. ABOUT NINE PERCENT OF THE COUNTRY'S POPULATION IS FOREIGN, AND MORE THAN 60 PERCENT OF THOSE FOREIGNERS HAVE LIVED IN GERMANY FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS.

THE NEW LAW WILL ALSO ALLOW CHILDREN BORN IN GERMANY TO GET CITIZENSHIP, IF THEIR FOREIGN PARENTS WERE ALSO BORN IN GERMANY OR MIGRATED THERE BEFORE THE AGE OF 14. FOREIGNERS MARRIED TO GERMAN CITIZENS FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS, AND RESIDENTS OF GERMANY FOR AT LEAST THREE, WILL ALSO BE ELIGIBLE. MEANWHILE, THE OPPOSITION CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATS WILL GO AHEAD WITH PLANS TO LAUNCH A ONE-MILLION SIGNATURE PETITION AGAINST THE LEGISLATION. OBSERVERS SAY THAT THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATS HAVE A LOT AT STAKE WITH THIS ISSUE, BECAUSE MOST OF THE FOREIGNERS WHO WILL BECOME IMMEDIATELY ELIGIBLE TO VOTE AFTER CITIZENSHIP ARE EXPECTED TO CAST BALLOTS FOR THE CURRENT SOCIAL DEMOCRAT-GREENS COALITION -- THE COALITION WHICH PASSED THE LEGISLATION GRANTING THEIR CITIZENSHIP. (SIGNED)
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13-Jan-99 11:44 AM EST (1644 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 DOWN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A VOLATILE SESSION FUELED BY INVESTORS' WORRIES ABOUT BRAZIL. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 93 HUNDRED 49, DOWN 125, POINTS OR ALMOST ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 12 HUNDRED 34, DOWN FIVE POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX, WHICH HAD FALLEN BY MORE THAN 100 POINTS DURING THE DAY, FINALLY CLOSED DOWN ONLY THREE POINTS.

A HUGE SELLING WAVE HIT THE STOCK MARKET DURING THE FIRST HOUR OF TRADING WITH THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOSING MORE THAN 260 POINTS. BUT AGGRESSIVE BUYERS THEN BEGAN ENTERING THE MARKET, CUTTING THE LOSSES.

THE TRIGGER FOR THE SELLING WAS THE ECONOMIC CRISIS IN BRAZIL WHERE A DEFACTO CURRENCY DEVALUATION WAS ENACTED. BUT SOME ANALYSTS SAY THE WORRY ABOUT BRAZIL WAS EXAGGERATED AND THAT THE MODEST DEVALUATION OF THE BRAZILIAN CURENCY MIGHT ACTUALLY BE A GOOD THING.

HUGH JOHNSON OF THE FIRST ALBANY INVESTMENT COMPANY SAYS ECONOMIC PROBLEMS IN BRAZIL SHOULD NOT BE A MAJOR CONCERN FOR MOST U-S CORPORATIONS.

ALTHOUGH THERE ARE MANY U-S COMPANIES THAT DO BUSINESS IN BRAZIL, AND THEIR SALES AND EARNINGS WILL BE AFFECTED, THE TRUTH IS BRAZIL IS (ONLY) IN THE TOP 15 TO 20 TRADING PARTNERS OF THE UNITED STATES. IT IS NOT IN THE TOP FIVE.

IN OTHER NEWS...FORD MOTOR COMPANY OFFICIALS ARE REFUSING COMMENT ON RUMORS THAT FORD IS INTERESTED IN BUYING THE AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS OF SWEDEN'S VOLVO. ON TUESDAY, FORD PRESIDENT JACQUES NASSER SAID HE IS ALWAYS WILLING TO TALK ABOUT ACQUISITIONS, "AT THE RIGHT PRICE."

TWO FORMER OFFICIALS OF LIVENT, A CANADIAN THEATRICAL PRODUCTION COMPANY, HAVE BEEN INDICTED ON CHARGES OF SECURITIES FRAUD IN AN ALLEGED SCHEME TO FALSELY INFLATE THE COMPANY'S EARNINGS. THE COMPANY HAS PRODUCED A NUMBER OF PLAYS INCLUDING "RAGTIME," A POPULAR SHOW ON NEW YORK'S BROADWAY. FOOTSTAR, A U-S-BASED SHOE STORE CHAIN, SAYS IT WILL CLOSE 30 STORES IN THE UNITED STATES AND DISCONTINUE ITS CENTRAL EUROPEAN BUSINESSES. FOOTSTAR SAYS IT IS AN EFFORT TO CLOSE OPERATIONS WHICH CONTRIBUTE NO SIGNIFICANT EARNINGS.

EXPERTS SAY THE U-S HOTEL AND CASINO BUSINESS WILL SLOW THIS YEAR WITH MORE MERGERS ON THE HORIZON. AT AN INDUSTRY CONFERENCE, MOST ANALYSTS AGREED THERE IS NOW AN OVERCAPACITY OF HOTEL ROOMS IN THE UNITED STATES WHICH WILL INHIBIT PRICE INCREASES. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/WFR
13-Jan-99 5:17 PM EST (2217 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: NEWS ABOUT TWO MEN -- ONE A NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SPORTS HERO, THE OTHER A CONVICTED SPY -- DOMINATE THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF THE NATION'S WEDNESDAY NEWSPAPERS. THEY ECLIPSE, FOR THE MOMENT, THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF THE PRESIDENT WHICH BEGINS IN ERNEST TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

SPORTS FANS ARE REELING FROM THE NEWS THAT NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION SUPERSTAR MICHAEL JORDAN IS RETIRING FROM THE GAME. MEANWHILE, MANY PAPERS ARE ALSO CALLING ON PRESIDENT CLINTON NOT TO GRANT CLEMENCY TO CONVICTED NAVAL SPY JONATHAN POLLARD.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: THE CHANGE IN TURKISH POLITICS; OPENING TO THE PUBLIC THE TRIAL OF THE PRESIDENT IN ALL ITS ASPECTS; KENNETH STARR'S LATEST INDICTMENT IN THE WHITEWATER INVESTIGATION; AND HOW THE "EURO" MONETARY UNIT IS DOING. NOW, HERE WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IS _______________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: /// OPT /// THE CHICAGO BULLS BASKETBALL TEAM HAS SCHEDULED A NEWS CONFERENCE FOR WEDNESDAY MORNING AND, BY THE TIME YOU HEAR THIS, THE NEWS WILL BE OFFICIAL. /// END OPT /// BASKETBALL SUPERSTAR MICHAEL JORDAN IS RETIRING. ALREADY THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS ARE FILLED WITH PRAISE FOR AN ATHLETE WHO IS - ARGUABLY - - THE BEST-KNOWN AMERICAN IN THE WORLD. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" HONORS HIM WITH ITS LEAD EDITORIAL -- WHICH SELDOM DEALS WITH SPORTS -- ENTITLING IT: "AN ICON RETIRES."

VOICE: FOR SELFISH REASONS, WE WISH THAT MICHAEL JORDAN HAD STAYED ON. HIS ABSENCE DENIES US THE PLEASURE OF WATCHING ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREAT ATHLETES AND SURELY THE MOST ACCOMPLISHED BASKETBALL PLAYER IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME. HIS PRESENCE MIGHT HAVE REDEEMED THIS SADLY TRUNCATED SEASON AND RESTORED SOME OF THE AFFECTION WE HAD FOR THE GAME BEFORE THE OWNERS AND PLAYERS ALMOST TOOK IT AWAY. IT WILL NOT BE EASY TO REPLACE A GLOBAL ICON.

TEXT: IN A RIVAL N-B-A CITY, "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" LAMENTS:

VOICE: /// OPT /// ... OUR LAST IMAGE OF MR. JORDAN ON THE COURT WILL BE AN INDELIBLE MOMENT - - THE LEAN FORM SOARING, THE WRIST COCKED, THE CHAMPIONSHIP-WINNING SHOT SPLASHING THROUGH THE NET AS THE CONQUERED UTAH JAZZ LEARNED AGAIN THE LESSON /// END OPT /// MICHAEL JORDAN

TEXT: AND "USA TODAY" RHAPSODIZES:

VOICE: AS CELEBRITIES GO, MICHAEL JORDAN IS A RARITY: A STAR WHO STRIDES IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS GRACEFULLY AS HE GLIDES ACROSS A BASKETBALL COURT. AS A SPORTS CELEBRITY, HE'S UNIQUE: A PLAYER TOWERING SO FAR ABOVE HIS GAME THAT ITS FUTURE IS MUDDLED BY HIS DEPARTURE. ... A NATION THAT LOVES ITS PERSONALITIES BIG AND BRASH BUT ALSO BOYISH EMBRACED HIS DISPLAY OF TALENT AND TRAINING, HIS MIX OF IN-YOUR-FACE SHOWMANSHIP ON THE COURT AND PERSONAL CHARM OFF IT.

TEXT: TURNING TO ANOTHER MAN IN THE NEWS, THERE IS EDITORIAL CONTEMPT FOR CONVICTED SPY JONATHAN POLLARD. HE PROVIDED U-S MILITARY SECRETS TO ISRAEL AND, APPARENTLY, OTHER NATIONS. SEVERAL PAPERS ARE URGING PRESIDENT CLINTON NOT TO GRANT MR. POLLARD CLEMENCY, AT THE END OF A REVIEW OF HIS CASE, WHICH ISRAEL REQUESTED. "NEWSDAY" ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND PUTS IT THIS WAY:

VOICE: THE RESULTS ARE IN FROM PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON'S EXPEDITED REVIEW OF [THE] CASE .... ON THE BASIS OF ASSESSMENTS BY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISERS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SHOWING THAT [MR.] POLLARD SPIED NOT ONLY FOR ISRAEL BUT ALSO FOR PAKISTAN, SOUTH AFRICA AND AT LEAST TWO MORE UNNAMED NATIONS, [PRESIDENT] CLINTON'S CHOICE IS CLEAR. HE MUST DENY [MR.] POLLARD CLEMENCY.

TEXT: "THE BOSTON GLOBE" IS JUST AS ADAMANT.

VOICE: [MR.] CLINTON SHOULD HEED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF HIS SENIOR SECURITY AND FOREIGN POLICY ADVISERS AND REFUSE TO RELEASE [MR.] POLLARD. THE SPY SHOULD BE JUDGED BY THE GRAVITY OF HIS CRIME.

TEXT: AND IN FLORIDA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" SPELL OUT ITS VIEWS IN THE EDITORIAL HEADLINE: "NO NEW DEAL FOR POLLARD," ADDING:

VOICE: "DESPITE A CONCERTED PUBLIC-RELATIONS CAMPAIGN AND AN ASSERTED PASSION FOR ISRAEL, THERE IS NOTHING IN THE RECORD OF CONVICTED AMERICAN SPY JONATHAN POLLARD THAT WARRANTS PRESIDENTIAL CLEMENCY. TO THE CONTRARY, THE RECORD AND A STARTLING REPORT IN THE CURRENT NEW YORKER MAGAZINE BY SEYMOUR HERSH SUGGESTS THAT PRISON IS EXACTLY WHERE [MR.] POLLARD - - WHO HAS SERVED NEARLY 12 YEARS OF A LIFE SENTENCE - - SHOULD STAY.

TEXT: TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS COMMENTING ON THE CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT IN TURKEY, AND SEEMS REASONABLY PLEASED BY THE OUTCOME OF MONTHS OF TURMOIL AT THE TOP.

VOICE: TURKEY'S POLITICAL BOSSES HAVE SETTLED ON AN OLD WARHORSE, BULENT ECEVIT, AS THE NEW PRIME MINISTER, ONE WHO WILL CARRY THE COUNTRY FORWARD TO APRIL'S ELECTIONS. IT'S A SENSIBLE DECISION, BLESSED BY PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL AND, CLEARLY, THE TURKISH ARMY. /// OPT /// ... FOREIGN POLICY ... WAS NOT THE TRIGGER FOR THIS WEEK'S POLITICAL CHANGES. IT WAS THE STRONG WHIFF OF CORRUPTION IN THE REGIME HEADED BY MESUT YILMAZ, [MR.] ECEVIT'S PREDECESSOR. THE NEW GOVERNMENT, TURKEY'S SIXTH IN FIVE YEARS, HAS THE BACKING OF TWO KEY PARTIES IN ADDITION TO [MR.] ECEVIT'S DEMOCRATIC LEFT. /// END OPT /// ... WASHINGTON VIEWS TURKEY AS AN ANCHOR OF NATO AND AN ALLY. TURKISH REGIMES LOOK FOR MUCH WIDER REGARD, MAINLY FULL ACCEPTANCE IN EUROPE. [MR.] ECEVIT'S GOVERNMENT IS UNLIKELY TO BE AROUND LONG ENOUGH TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL, BUT ITS PERFORMANCE COULD HELP CHANGE MINDS AND OPEN OPPORTUNITIES DOWN THE ROAD.

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE CALLING ON THE U-S SENATE, WHICH BEGINS THE TRIAL OF PRESIDENT CLINTON TOMORROW, TO CHANGE ITS RULES AND OPEN THE ENTIRE PROCESS TO THE PUBLIC. AS OF NOW, THE FINAL SPEECHES AND THE ACTUAL IMPEACHMENT VOTE ARE ALL SECRET. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS OF THE SECRECY RULES:

VOICE: THE TIME HAS COME FOR THAT TRADITION TO BE ALTERED, AT LEAST FOR THE TRIAL OF PRESIDENT CLINTON. .... THE PRINCIPLE THAT SHOULD PREVAIL IS SIMPLY THAT PROCEEDINGS THAT COULD LEAD TO THE REMOVAL OF A PRESIDENT SHOULD BE CONDUCTED IN OPEN SESSION, ESPECIALLY SINCE MANY AMERICANS HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FAIRNESS OF THE HOUSE IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS. /// OPT /// CLOSING THE SENATE'S DELIBERATIONS ON SO GRAVE A MATTER WOULD UNDERMINE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE AND BE AN AFFRONT TO CITIZENS' RIGHTS TO OBSERVE THE OPERATIONS OF GOVERNMENT. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" AGREES, PROCLAIMING IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE: "KEEP [THE] TRIAL FULLY OPEN," /// OPT /// AND ADDING:

VOICE: THE SENATE OF ANDREW JOHNSON'S DAY WAS A FAR DIFFERENT PLACE FROM THE SENATE OF TODAY. ... MUCH OF THE SENATE'S BUSINESS WAS ROUTINELY CONDUCTED IN SECRET. TODAY, EXCEPT WHEN MATTERS OF NATIONAL SECURITY ARE BEING DISCUSSED, CONGRESS' SESSIONS ARE OPEN ... IF EVER THERE WAS AN OCCASION WHEN THE SUN SHOULD BE ALLOWED FULLY TO SHINE IN, IT IS IN THE CLINTON IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.

TEXT: TURNING TO AFRICAN AFFAIRS -- WHERE TOO OFTEN THERE IS ONLY BAD NEWS -- "THE WASHINGTON POST" HAS FOUND SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT:

VOICE: ... IT IS WORTH TAKING NOTE OF A BRIGHT SPOT IN THE CRUCIAL COUNTRY OF NIGERIA. ELECTIONS FOR STATE GOVERNORS HELD THERE ON SATURDAY ARE REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN GENERALLY ORDERLY AND FAIR, MARKING ANOTHER ACHIEVEMENT ON NIGERIA'S ATTEMPTED RETURN TO DEMOCRACY. WITH BRUTAL WAR FLARING NEARBY IN SIERRA LEONE AND ELSEWHERE ON THE CONTINENT, INCLUDING IN CONGO AND ANGOLA, NO ONE SHOULD UNDERESTIMATE THE COUNTERVAILING EXAMPLE NIGERIA COULD PROVIDE IF IT SUCCEEDS IN ITS TRANSITION FROM MILITARY RULE. NO ONE SHOULD UNDERESTIMATE THE DIFFICULTY OF THAT TRANSITION EITHER ...

TEXT: IN EUROPEAN AFFAIRS, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" FROM BOSTON HAS THIS ASSESSMENT OF THE NEW MONETARY UNIT, THE EURO, CALLING IT " UNEXPECTEDLY MAGNETIC" (I.E. ATTRACTING WIDE INTEREST):

VOICE: MAJOR RETAILERS ARE PRESSING EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS TO SPEED INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW COINS AND BILLS. THEY URGE TWO-THOUSAND-AND-ONE INSTEAD OF THE PLANNED TWO-THOUSAND-TWO. /// OPT /// ... THEN THERE'S THE USUAL PULL OF AN 'IN' CLUB. BRITAIN, SWEDEN, AND DENMARK - - THE THREE HOLDOUTS ON THE EURO - - HEAR CALLS TO JOIN SOONER. /// END OPT /// ... IF THE EURO'S CENTRIPETAL PULL CONTINUES, EUROPE'S NEW CENTRAL BANK AND ITS CURRENCY WILL LIKELY GAIN EVEN GREATER GLOBAL INFLUENCE THAN THEIR FAST START THIS MONTH INDICATED.

TEXT: LASTLY, ON A FINAL DOMESTIC TOPIC, "THE MIAMI HERALD" IS SHARPLY CRITICAL OF THE LATEST INDICTMENT BY SPECIAL COUNSEL KENNETH STARR, WHO IS STILL INVESTIGATING PRESIDENT CLINTON, EVEN AS THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IS ABOUT TO BEGIN. SAYS "THE HERALD"

VOICE: KENNETH STARR ... LAST WEEK BROUGHT A FOUR-COUNT INDICTMENT AGAINST JULIE HIATT STEELE, A MINOR FIGURE IN THE NATIONAL SEX-TALES SWEEPSTAKES, AND A FORMER CLOSE FRIEND OF PRESIDENTIAL-ACCUSER KATHLEEN WILLEY. MR. STARR BELIEVES THAT MS. STEELE LIED WHEN SHE CHANGED HER STORY THAT INITIALLY SUPPORTED MS. WILLEY'S ACCOUNT OF BEING GROPED BY THE PRESIDENT. ... MOST FRIGHTFUL ABOUT ALL THIS IS THAT IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE, ANY CITIZEN, WHO HAPPENS TO INCUR THE WRATH OF A VENGEFUL 'INDEPENDENT COUNSEL' WHO IGNORES CIVILITY, TRAMPLES THE RULES OF LEGAL ENGAGEMENT AND IS UNMINDFUL THAT GOVERNMENT'S AWESOME POWER MUST BE WIELDED WITH JUDGMENT AND GREAT CARE. CLEARLY, MR. STARR RUNS AMOK.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENTS FROM WEDNESDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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13-Jan-99 11:32 AM EST (1632 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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