Voice of America, 99-07-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] BALKANS ENVIRONMENT (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[02] U-S MILITARY ABROAD BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[03] EDITORIAL: SLOVENIA'S SUCCESS

[04] E-U / BURMA (L-O) BY GARY THOMAS (BANGKOK)

[05] FRANCE / TUNNEL (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[06] BRITAIN/LIBYA (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[07] U-S/BRITAIN-LIBYA (L ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

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

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

[01] BALKANS ENVIRONMENT (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: A UNITED NATIONS TEAM OF EXPERTS WILL GO TO THE BALKANS AT THE END OF THE MONTH TO MAKE A TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT OF HOW THE RECENT WAR IN YUGOSLAVIA HAS AFFECTED THE REGION'S ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH. LISA SCHLEIN REPORTS FROM GENEVA THAT UP TO 30 SPECIALISTS WILL CONDUCT THEIR FACT-FINDING MISSIONS AT DOZENS OF SITES IN SERBIA, MONTENEGRO, KOSOVO, MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA.

TEXT: AT THIS STAGE, THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS. THE EXPERTS SAY THEY HAVE MANY CONCERNS ABOUT THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES RESULTING FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF OIL REFINERIES, CHEMICAL AND FERTILIZER FACTORIES AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL SITES WHICH WERE TARGETED BY NATO DURING ITS AIR CAMPAIGN.

THE HEAD OF THE U-N'S BALKANS TASK FORCE, PEKKA HAAVISTO, SAYS SERBIAN AUTHORITIES CLAIM OIL LEAKAGES INTO THE GROUND AND INTO THE DANUBE RIVER, AS WELL AS LEAKS OF TOXIC CHEMICALS FROM ELECTRICAL STATIONS, ARE CREATING HUGE PROBLEMS. BUT HE SAYS IT IS TOO SOON TO KNOW WHAT QUANTITIES OF CHEMICALS MAY HAVE BEEN LEAKED INTO THE SOIL, OR HOW IT MAY AFFECT HEALTH.

WE HAVE SOME ESTIMATIONS OF WHAT KIND OF POLLUTION WENT OUT AND IN WHICH DIRECTION. NOW, WE HAVE TO GO THERE AND MAKE THE MEASUREMENTS ON THE AGRICULTURAL LAND AND ... REALLY (SCIENTIFICALLY TEST) WHETHER (THERE ARE ANY) CONSEQUENCES TO THE FOOD CHAIN OR NOT.

IT IS NOT ONLY A QUESTION OF POLITICS. BUT IT IS ALSO THE QUESTION OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR HUMAN HEALTH IN THE AREA. THEY ARE AFRAID OF RADIOACTIVITY, THEY ARE AFRAID OF TOXIC MATERIALS. IN SOME CASES, IT SEEMS THEY ARE OVER-ESTIMATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES. MAYBE IN SOME CASES, THEY ARE UNDERESTIMATING THE CONSEQUENCES.

MR. HAAVISTO SAYS THE EXPERTS HAVE TO FIND THE TRUTH BEHIND THE RUMORS.

THE UNITED NATIONS EXPECTS TO RELEASE A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH SITUATION IN THE BALKANS IN OCTOBER. (SIGNED)
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07-Jul-99 1:02 PM EDT (1702 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] U-S MILITARY ABROAD BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ALTHOUGH THE COLD WAR IS LONG OVER AND THE UNITED STATES FACES NO SERIOUS THREAT, ITS MILITARY IS MORE GLOBALLY INVOLVED THAN EVER BEFORE. IN PARTICULAR, SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES ARE ENGAGED IN TRAINING EXERCISES IN WELL OVER A HUNDRED COUNTRIES, INCLUDING ONES THAT EMERGED FROM THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION. THIS MILITARY PROJECTION IS DEFENDED ON THE GROUNDS IT SPREADS DEMOCRATIC HABITS AND SUPPLIES THE UNITED STATES WITH CRUCIAL INFORMATION ON AREAS OF POSSIBLE CONFLICT. BUT CRITICS SAY IT OFTEN ENTANGLES THE U-S MILITARY WITH DUBIOUS FORCES OVERSEAS THAT CAN UNDERMINE U-S POLICY. VOA'S ED WARNER REPORTS.

TEXT: "SHAPE THE INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT, RESPOND TO THE FULL SPECTRUM OF CRISES AND PREPARE NOW FOR AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE."

THAT IS THE AMBITIOUS MISSION FOR TRAINING U-S SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES OVERSEAS. ON THAT BASIS, THE PENTAGON'S JOINT COMBINED EXCHANGE TRAINING PROGRAM, OR J-CET (PRON: JAY-CET), SENDS A FEW THOUSAND PERSONNEL TO OVER 100 COUNTRIES EACH YEAR TO CONDUCT TRAINING EXERCISES.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL BILL DARLEY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT, STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PROGRAM FOR THE UNITED STATES:

THE PRIMARY REASON FOR J-CET IS TO ENSURE OUR GUYS ARE LEARNING THE LANGUAGE, OUR GUYS ARE PROFICIENT IN THEIR SKILLS IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY, OUR GUYS ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE GEOGRAPHY, THE WEATHER, THE ENVIRONMENT, THE CULTURAL NUANCES OF THE SOCIETY AND TO A CERTAIN EXTENT LEARN THE PERSONALITIES: A FIRST-HAND VIEW OF WHAT THEIR MILITARY STRUCTURE IS LIKE, WHO RUNS IT.

INEVITABLY, SAYS COLONEL DARLEY, J-CET BECOMES INVOLVED WITH THE MILITARY IN THE HOST COUNTRY.

THAT IS WHERE TROUBLE ARISES, SAYS IVAN ELAND, DIRECTOR OF DEFENSE POLICY STUDIES AT THE CATO INSTITUTE AND AUTHOR OF A NEW CRITIQUE OF J-CET. HE NOTES J-CET MAY HAVE TRAINED FORCES IN RWANDA AND INDONESIA THAT LATER WERE GUILTY OF ATROCITIES AGAINST CIVILIANS. IF SO, THAT SURELY RUNS COUNTER TO U-S POLICY:

THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE PENTAGON RUNS ITS OWN INDEPENDENT FOREIGN POLICY WHEN THEY DO THIS. IN CERTAIN CASES, THEY MAY BE CONDUCTING POLICY THAT IS OPPOSITE WHAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS IN CHARGE OF U-S FOREIGN POLICY, WOULD LIKE TO DO. SO YOU MAY INADVERTENTLY HAVE TWO FOREIGN POLICIES GOING ON, AND THAT IS NOT GOOD.

COLONEL DARLEY SAYS THERE IS NO EVIDENCE PERSONNEL TRAINED BY J-CET HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES. IN FACT, HE CONTENDS J-CET PROMOTES HUMAN RIGHTS WHEN IT GOES INTO A COUNTRY. ARMED FORCES ABROAD ARE GOING TO SEEK TRAINING SOMEWHERE, HE SAYS. IF THE UNITED STATES IS NOT AVAILABLE, THEY MAY TURN TO NATIONS WITH LESS REGARD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.

IVAN ELAND IS SKEPTICAL:

IN THESE COUNTRIES WHERE THEY HAVE NO TRADITION OF HUMAN RIGHTS OR DEMOCRACY, WHAT THEY WILL DO IS TAKE THE TECHNIQUES THAT THEY GET AND THEY WILL LEAVE THE PHILOSOPHY ON THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR, SO TO SPEAK. THEY WILL USE THE TECHNIQUES THAT WE GIVE THEM IN COUNTER-INSURGENCY, COUNTER-GUERRILLA WARFARE TO REPRESS THEIR OWN POPULATION.

IN THE NAME OF SPREADING DEMOCRACY, SAYS MR. ELAND, J-CET MAY BE TEACHING THE TECHNIQUES OF OPPRESSION TO SUCH NATIONS AS COMBODIA, ETHIOPIA, ERITREA, COLOMBIA OR INDONESIA. AN INDONESIAN GENERAL TOLD "THE WASHINGTON POST" THAT THE UNITED STATES TEACHES INDONESIA HOW TO STOP CIVILIAN DISTURBANCES.

MR. ELAND IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNED ABOUT U-S TRAINING IN COUNTRIES OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION, SUCH AS UKRAINE, KAZAKHSTAN AND UZBEKISTAN. HE BELIEVES IT IS AN UNNECESSARY AFFRONT TO RUSSIA, ALREADY ALARMED BY NATO EXPANSION AND THE WAR IN KOSOVO.

BUT OFF-SETTING THIS, SAYS COLONEL DARLEY, IS THE VITAL INFORMATION J-CET ACQUIRES IN ALL THESE REGIONS. AS A GLOBAL SUPERPOWER, THE UNITED STATES CAN GET INVOLVED IN CONFLICTS IN REMOTE PLACES, AS IN KOSOVO. IT ALSO RESPONDS TO NATURAL DISASTERS AROUND THE WORLD.

IN HIS OPINION, J-CET HELPS THE UNITED STATES PERFORM ITS GLOBAL ROLE:

THE NATIONAL STRATEGY OF ENGAGEMENT SHOULD INCLUDE A VERY ROBUST MEASURE OF MILITARY-TO-MILITARY ENGAGEMENT THE ALTERNATIVE IS NOT BEING INVOLVED AT ALL -- A LAISSEZ-FAIRE, HANDS-OFF APPROACH. IF THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT BECOME ENGAGED OR IF OTHER COUNTRIES SIMILAR TO THE UNITED STATES IN TERMS OF INTEREST DO NOT BECOME ENGAGED, THEN THE PROBLEMS BECOME MUCH MORE GRAVE AND HAVE A MUCH GREATER TENDENCY FOR MASSIVE HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES.

CRITICS AND SUPPORTERS OF J-CET AGREE THERE IS NO SIGN OF EITHER J-CET OR THE UNITED STATES WITHDRAWING FROM ITS EXTENSIVE MILITARY COMMITMENTS OVERSEAS. (SIGNED)
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07-Jul-99 3:42 PM EDT (1942 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EDITORIAL: SLOVENIA'S SUCCESS

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

IN SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE, THE TRANSITION FROM COMMUNIST RULE HAS BEEN DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES DEADLY, AS EVIDENCED BY THE ETHNIC HATRED, REPRESSION, AND VIOLENCE THAT HAVE DEVASTATED MUCH OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. ONE NATION, HOWEVER -- SLOVENIA -- IS DEMONSTRATING THAT DEMOCRACY AND TOLERANCE CAN LEAD TO A STABLE AND PROSPEROUS SOCIETY.

DURING HIS RECENT VISIT, PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON SAID, "THIS IS A NATION NOT RUN BY DISTANT DICTATORS, BUT ITS OWN CITIZENS." WITH TWO MILLION PEOPLE, SLOVENIA BECAME, IN 1991, THE FIRST YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC TO DECLARE INDEPENDENCE, TOUCHING OFF A TEN-DAY WAR. THE YUGOSLAV ARMY LATER WITHDREW AND SLOVENIAN INDEPENDENCE WAS ACHIEVED.

SLOVENIA WAS THE MOST DEVELOPED OF THE YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS, AND IT HAS CONTINUED TO PURSUE FREE-MARKET, GROWTH-ORIENTED POLICIES. THE RESULTS ARE CLEAR. SLOVENIA HAS PROSPERED, WITH AN ESTIMATED GROWTH IN GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF FOUR PERCENT IN 1998 AND 1999. WITH INDUSTRIES THAT INCLUDE PHARMACEUTICALS AND ELECTRONICS, SLOVENIA HAS A PER CAPITA INCOME COMPARABLE TO THAT OF PORTUGAL AND GREECE.

SLOVENIA'S EXPERIENCE IS IN MARKED CONTRAST WITH THAT OF ITS NEIGHBOR, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA. SLOVENIA HAS DEALT WITH INTERNAL POLITICAL CONFLICT AND MILITARY THREATS FROM THE SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC REGIME WITHOUT REPRESSION, MILITARISM, OR AUTHORITARIANISM. UNLIKE THE GOVERNMENT IN BELGRADE, WHICH INCITES ETHNIC HATRED FOR POLITICAL GAIN, SLOVENIA HAS BUILT A MULTIETHNIC DEMOCRACY WHERE ALL CAN SHARE THE BLESSINGS OF FREEDOM.

SLOVENIA'S SUCCESS IS A STRIKING EXAMPLE OF WHAT OTHER STATES OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA CAN ACHIEVE IF TOLERANCE AND RESPECT FOR PERSONAL LIBERTY REPLACE REPRESSION, FEAR, AND HATRED. BUT IT IS UP TO THE PEOPLE TO FIND LEADERS COMMITTED TO THESE GOALS.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, V-O-A, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO COMMENT AT WWW-DOT-VOA-DOT-GOV-SLASH-EDITORIALS, OR FAX US AT (202) 619-1043.
07-Jul-99 2:38 PM EDT (1838 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] E-U / BURMA (L-O) BY GARY THOMAS (BANGKOK)

INTRO: A DELEGATION FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS MET WITH LEADERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF BURMA'S POLITICAL DIVIDE. THE DELEGATION IS HOPING TO REVIVE THE E-U'S DIALOGUE WITH BURMA'S RULING GENERALS AS A WAY OF ENCOURAGING A RAPPROCHEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT GARY THOMAS REPORTS.

TEXT: DIPLOMATIC SOURCES SAY THE MID-LEVEL EUROPEAN UNION DELEGATION MET WITH BURMA'S POWERFUL INTELLIGENCE CHIEF, LIEUTENANT GENERAL KHIN NYUNT, TUESDAY EVENING BEFORE MOVING ON TO A MEETING WEDNESDAY WITH LEADERS OF THE PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT.

THE DELEGATION ALSO MET WITH POLITICAL PARTIES OF BURMA'S ETHNIC MINORITY GROUPS.

NO DETAILS HAVE EMERGED OF THE MEETINGS AS THE E-U DELEGATION HAS KEPT A LOW PROFILE. BURMA'S STATE-RUN MEDIA HAVE MADE NO MENTION OF THE DELEGATION'S WHIRLWIND VISIT, WHICH BEGAN TUESDAY AND WAS TO END WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS SAY THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT IS TO RESTART A STALLED DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE E-U AND BURMA'S RULING GENERALS. RELATIONS HAVE BEEN FROSTY FOR SOME TIME AS EUROPEAN NATIONS, BOTH INDIVIDUALLY AND AS A BLOC, HAVE BEEN SHARPLY CRITICAL OF BURMA'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD.

THE VISIT IS NOT MEANT TO BE ANY KIND OF MEDIATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE OPPOSITION. HOWEVER, EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS SAY THEY HOPE A BETTER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE E-U AND THE BURMESE GOVERNMENT MIGHT PROMOTE A SIMILAR BRIDGE BETWEEN THE GENERALS AND THE PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT.

THE OPPOSITION OVERWHELMINGLY WON ELECTIONS IN 1990 BUT THE GOVERNMENT REFUSED TO ABIDE BUY THE RESULTS. SINCE THEN, THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT HAS HARASSED THE PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT AND SEVERELY RESTRICTED THE MOVEMENTS OF ITS KEY LEADERS, INCLUDING NOBEL LAUREATE AUNG SAN SUU KYI.

THE GOVERNMENT'S ACTIONS HAVE ALSO PUT UP IMPEDIMENTS IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE E-U AND THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS, WHICH BURMA JOINED IN 1997. A MEETING EARLIER THIS YEAR BETWEEN E-U AND ASEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS WAS CANCELLED BECAUSE THE E-U HAS BARRED SENIOR BURMESE OFFICIALS FROM EUROPEAN BORDERS. (SIGNED)
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07-Jul-99 7:04 AM EDT (1104 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] FRANCE / TUNNEL (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: INVESTIGATORS OF A FIRE IN THE MONT BLANC ROAD TUNNEL LINKING FRANCE AND ITALY UNDER THE ALPS BLAME POOR COORDINATION BETWEEN SECURITY TEAMS IN THE TWO COUNTRIES AND IN PARTICULAR, THEY SAY THERE WERE FAULTY PROCEDURES ON THE ITALIAN SIDE. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS ABOUT THE PROBE INTO THE FIRE THAT KILLED 39 PEOPLE IN MARCH.

TEXT: THE FINDINGS OF A JOINT FRENCH AND ITALIAN INVESTIGATION ESTABLISH THE FINAL DEATH TOLL AT 39 AND POINT TO A SERIES OF FAILINGS IN SECURITY PROCEDURES AND COORDINATION. THE FIRE, THAT BROKE OUT IN A BELGIAN TRUCK ON MARCH 24TH, RAGED FOR TWO DAYS. FOR SOME TIME AFTER THAT, RECOVERY TEAMS COULD NOT WORK IN THE TUNNEL BECAUSE OF WHITE-HOT TEMPERATURES. MANY BODIES OF THE MOTORISTS AND TRUCK-DRIVERS TRAPPED INSIDE WERE REDUCED TO ASHES.

FOR A WHILE, POLICE THOUGHT THERE WERE UP TO 45 DEAD. BUT IN SOME CASES CLAIMS OF DEATH TURNED OUT TO BE PHONY ATTEMPTS TO RECOVER INSURANCE MONEY OR EFFORTS TO COVER UP CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES.

THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN DIFFICULT, IN PART BECAUSE OF RIVALRIES BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES OF THE FRONTIER.

LAST MONTH, FRENCH TEAMS WANTED TO SET ALIGHT ANOTHER TRUCK INSIDE THE TUNNEL TO MONITOR THE EFFECTS OF A FIRE. THE ITALIANS OBJECTED, SAYING THIS WOULD INVOLVE NEW RISKS AND HAD NO REAL VALUE.

THE NEW REPORT CONFIRMS SOME EARLIER FINDINGS.

THESE INCLUDE THE FACT THAT A TECHNICIAN ON THE ITALIAN SIDE PUMPED IN FRESH AIR WHEN HE REALIZED THERE WAS A FIRE INSIDE. THIS FANNED THE FLAMES. THE REPORT SAYS, THE TECHNICIAN SHOULD HAVE REVERSED THE VENTILATION DUCTS TO SUCK OUT SMOKE AND HELP EXTINGUISH THE FIRE.

THE REPORT SAYS THAT, AND OTHER INCIDENTS, SHOW SECURITY WITHIN THE 33-YEAR- OLD ROAD TUNNEL WAS DEFECTIVE.

THE REPORT SAYS SAFETY TEAMS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TUNNEL HAD LITTLE OR NO COORDINATION. FRENCH AND ITALIAN FIRE TEAMS CARRIED OUT JOINT EXERCISES ONLY TWO TIMES -- IN 1974 AND 1989. NOW, AS THE TUNNEL IS BEING REBUILT, THE REPORT HAS LAID DOWN A NEW SAFETY STRUCTURE THAT WOULD LINK ESCAPE BAYS. IN ADDITION, IT RECOMMENDS THAT TRUCKS PASSING THROUGH THE TUNNEL SHOULD BE LIMITED IN BOTH SIZE AND NUMBER. (SIGNED)
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07-Jul-99 11:34 AM EDT (1534 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] BRITAIN/LIBYA (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITAIN IS RESTORING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH LIBYA, WHICH WERE BROKEN 15 YEARS AGO AFTER A BRITISH POLICE WOMAN WAS KILLED DURING A PROTEST IN FRONT OF THE LIBYAN MISSION IN LONDON. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN HAS MORE FROM THE BRITISH CAPITAL.

TEXT: FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK TOLD PARLIAMENT THE DECISION TO RESTORE DIPLOMATIC TIES COMES AFTER LIBYA OFFERED ITS COOPERATION IN THE INVESTIGATION OF THE 1984 KILLING OF A POLICE WOMAN IN FRONT OF LIBYA'S LONDON EMBASSY.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, LIBYA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT DAY. LIBYA HAS ALSO OFFERED COMPENSATION FROM THE AUTHORITIES OF LIBYA AS OPPOSED TO AN (UNOFFICIAL) PAYMENT WITHOUT ACCEPTANCE OF RESPONSIBILITY. LIBYA HAS ALSO GIVEN A COMMITMENT TO TAKE PART IN THE POLICE INVESTIGATION FOR THE FIRST TIME AND TO ACCEPT ITS OUTCOME.

MR. COOK SAYS THE LIBYAN COMMITMENTS ARE A SUBSTANTIAL STEP FORWARD AND PAVED THE WAY FOR RESTORING DIPLOMATIC TIES.

MR. COOK SAYS THAT ACTION CLEARED THE WAY FOR CONTACTS WITH LIBYAN OFFICIALS ABOUT THE PROBE INTO THE 1984 POLICE OFFICER KILLING. AFTER A SERIES OF LOWER-LEVEL MEETINGS, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY MET WITH LIBYA'S AMBASSADOR TO ITALY EARLIER ON WEDNESDAY TO FINALIZE THE JOINT STATEMENT. ///END OPT///

MR. COOK SEES THE LIBYAN STATEMENT AS A SIGN THAT COLONEL MUAMMAR GADHAFI IS RENOUNCING TERRORISM.

IN THAT STATEMENT LIBYA CONDEMNS TERRORISM AND PLEDGES TO COOPERATE IN THE INTERNATIONAL FIGHT AGAINST THAT. I THINK THE VERY CLEAR STATEMENT WE HAVE SECURED AMOUNTS TO THE RENUNCIATION OF TERRORISM, WHICH HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY SOUGHT OVER THE PAST DECADE AND HAS, IT SHOULD BE SAID, ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS BEEN VOLUNTEERED BY LIBYA.

BRITAIN NOW WILL UPGRADE ITS MISSION IN TRIPOLI AND NAME AN AMBASSADOR THERE. MR. COOK EXPECTS THAT RESTORING DIPLOMATIC TIES WILL ALSO HELP BILATERAL TRADE AND OTHER ECONOMIC RELATIONS. (SIGNED)
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07-Jul-99 3:24 PM EDT (1924 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-S/BRITAIN-LIBYA (L ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: WHILE BRITAIN AND LIBYA HAVE AGREED TO RESTORE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS, THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE CAN BE NO IMPROVEMENT IN U-S-LIBYAN RELATIONS UNTIL LIBYA FOLLOWS UP ON ITS PROMISES AND ENDS SUPPORT FOR TERRORISM. VOA'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES OPPOSES SUSPENDING UNITED NATIONS SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA AND WILL MAINTAIN ITS OWN SANCTIONS. SPOKESMAN JAMES FOLEY CONTRASTED THE BRITISH-LIBYAN DEVELOPMENT WITH THE UNTIED STATE'S PROBLEMS WITH LIBYA.

HE NOTED THAT LIBYA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MURDER OF A BRITISH POLICE OFFICER IN LONDON IN 1984, HAS EXPRESSED REGRET, AGREED TO COOPERATE WITH BRITISH INVESTIGATIONS AND OFFERED COMPENSATION TO THE VICTIM'S FAMILY.

MR. FOLEY SAID THE UNITED STATES WANTS SIMILAR LIBYAN POSITIONS IN THE CASE OF PAN AM FLIGHT 103, WHICH WAS BROUGHT DOWN BY A TERRORIST BOMB IN 1988. TWO LIBYAN AGENTS ARE AWAITING TRIAL IN THE NETHERLANDS FOR THE BOMBING.

WE BELIEVE THAT THIS PARALLELS WHAT WE HAVE ASKED LIBYA TO DO IN THE CASE OF PAN AM ONE OH THREE (103). SO WE WOULD HOPE THAT LIBYA WOULD PROVE AS COOPERATIVE IN THAT CASE, AS WELL. WE HAVE MADE CLEAR, FOR OUR PART, THAT LIBYA MUST COMPLY WITH THE REMAINING REQUIREMENTS OF SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS BEFORE SANCTIONS CAN BE LIFTED OR FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS CONSIDERED.

MR. FOLEY SAID LIBYA HAS PROMISED TO END SUPPORT FOR TERRORISM, COOPERATE IN THE PAN AM 103 TRIAL, PAY COMPENSATION AND ACKNOWLEDGE ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCUSED LIBYAN OFFICIALS. MR. FOLEY SAID THE UNITED STATES CONTINUES TO WAIT FOR LIBYA TO TAKE ACTION ON ITS ASSURANCES.

LIBYA IS STILL CONSIDERED BY THE UNITED STATES TO BE A SPONSOR OF STATE TERRORISM.(SIGNED)
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07-Jul-99 3:52 PM EDT (1952 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WITH ALL THREE MAJOR AVERAGES CLOSING AT RECORD HIGHS. V-O-A'S BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 11-THOUSAND-187, UP 52 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 13-HUNDRED-95, UP SEVEN POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX CLOSED AT 27-HUNDRED-42, UP SIX POINTS. ALL CLOSED AT RECORD HIGHS.

THERE WAS NO ECONOMIC NEWS TO MOVE STOCK PRICES AND THEY MOVED UP AND DOWN IN A FAIRLY NARROW RANGE UNTIL SHORTLY BEFORE THE CLOSE OF TRADING WHEN THEY TURNED FIRMLY UP.

WE STILL BELIEVE THAT THE BULL MARKET FOR THE SUMMER RALLY CONTINUES INTACT. ANY PULLBACKS IN STOCK PRICES WOULD PROBABLY GIVE A GOOD REASON TO BUY THE MARKET.

THE ALCOA ALUMINUM COMPANY REPORTED ITS QUARTERLY PROFITS ROSE 16 PERCENT, WELL AHEAD OF WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS. ALCOA CREDITS EFFECTIVE COST-CUTTING MEASURES FOR THE IMPROVED PERFORMANCE.

BUT THE WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANY HAD SOME BAD NEWS FOR WALL STREET. THE WASTE DISPOSAL FIRM SAID ITS QUARTERLY EARNINGS WILL FALL ABOUT 10 PERCENT BELOW EXPECTATIONS. WASTE MANAGEMENT'S STOCK DROPPED BY MORE THAN ONE-THIRD.

THERE WAS MORE BAD NEWS FOR THE U-S TOBACCO INDUSTRY. A JURY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS FOUND THE TOBACCO COMPANIES LIABLE FOR SMOKING-RELATED ILLNESSES. THE JURY WILL SET MONETARY DAMAGES LATER. ANALYSTS SAY THE FLORIDA SUIT, BROUGHT ON BEHALF OF CURRENT AND FORMER SMOKERS, COULD OPEN THE FLOODGATES FOR SIMILAR SUITS IN OTHER STATES AND DO SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY'S FINANCIAL HEALTH.

INTERNET BOOKSELLER BARNES AND NOBLE DOT COM IS STEPPING UP THE COMPETITION WITH ARCH-RIVAL AMAZON DOT COM. BARNES AND NOBLE IS LAUNCHING AN INTERNET MUSIC STORE. ONLINE MUSIC SALES ARE CURRENTLY DOMINATED BY TWO FIRMS, AMAZON AND C-D NOW INCORPORATED.

FIAT OF ITALY HAS ANNOUNCED A JOINT VENTURE WITH MITSUBISHI OF JAPAN TO PRODUCE A SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE. ANALYSTS SAY IT COULD BE THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF PROJECTS INVOLVING THE TWO COMPANIES.

A TOP U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL SAYS HE EXPECTS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF DEFENSE INDUSTRY MERGERS AND JOINT VENTURES INVOLVING EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN FIRMS. UNDERSECRETARY OF DEFENSE JACQUES GANSLER SAID THE UNITED STATES WOULD BE OPEN TO THE POSSIBILITY OF THE ACQUISITION OF U-S DEFENSE FIRMS BY EUROPEAN CORPORATIONS.

THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY HAS REACHED AN OUT-OF-COURT SETTLEMENT WITH JEFFREY KATZENBERG, THE FORMER HEAD OF DISNEY'S MOVIE OPERATIONS. MR. KATZENBERG HAD SUED DISNEY FOR ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS, CLAIMING HE WAS CHEATED OUT OF BONUS MONEY HE HAD BEEN PROMISED. TERMS OF THE SETTLEMENT WERE NOT DISCLOSED BUT BOTH DISNEY AND MR. KATZENBERG SAY THEY ARE SATISFIED.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
07-Jul-99 5:46 PM EDT (2146 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: A RACIALLY-MOTIVATED KILLING SPREE IN THE MIDWEST, AND PRESIDENT CLINTON'S CURRENT TOUR OF POVERTY-STRICKEN AREAS HIGHLIGHT THE COMMENTARIES IN MANY OF WEDNESDAY'S PAPERS.

OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE: SLAVERY LIVING ON IN THE SUDAN: A NEW MOOD IN THE MIDDLE EAST; THE INDIAN-KASHMIR BORDER DISPUTE; THE QUEST FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND; /// OPT /// THE OCALAN TRIAL AFTERMATH IN TURKEY; /// END OPT /// AND A NEW PARLIAMENT FOR SCOTLAND AFTER ALMOST 300-YEARS. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS __________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: A TWO-STATE SHOOTING SPREE BY A WHITE ILLINOIS COLLEGE STUDENT THAT LEFT TWO PEOPLE DEAD AND AT LEAST NINE INJURED DURING THE INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND, IS DRAWING COMMENT FROM COAST TO COAST. BENJAMIN SMITH APPARENTLY KILLED HIMSELF SUNDAY, WHILE TRYING TO ELUDE POLICE AFTER HE WAS CAPTURED IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS AFTER SHOOTING AT ORTHODOX JEWS, BLACKS, AND ASIANS FOR TWO DAYS. "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE" AFTER NOTING MR. SMITH'S AFFLUENT UPBRINGING IN A CHICAGO SUBURB, AND PUZZLING OVER HIS HATRED OF MINORITIES, OFFERS THIS THOUGHT:

VOICE: IF [MR.] SMITH'S LIFE CONTAINS A LESSON, IT PROBABLY IS THE NEGATIVE VERSION OF THE POSITIVE LESSON EMBODIED IN HIS MOST PROMINENT VICTIM, FORMER NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL COACH RICKY BYRDSONG: TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL. TEACH TOLERANCE. TEACH RESPECT.

TEXT: WHILE IN TEXAS, "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" STRUGGLES FOR ANSWERS.

VOICE: PSYCHOLOGISTS WILL STRUGGLE TO EXPLAIN WHY MR. SMITH ... WOULD FEEL SO THREATENED AS TO JOIN A WHITE SUPREMACIST GROUP OR TO LASH OUT AT PEOPLE HE KNEW ONLY BY THEIR SKIN COLOR OR RELIGION. ALL SIGNS POINT TO MR. SMITH FEELING ALIENATED FROM THE WORLD AROUND HIM. BUT ALIENATION IS A SYMPTOM; VIOLENCE A MANIFESTATION. AND NEITHER IS THE CAUSE ...

TEXT: TURNING TO THE DAY'S OTHER MOST TALKED-ABOUT EVENT, A MULTI-STOP TOUR OF POVERTY STRICKEN AREAS OF THE UNITED STATES BY PRESIDENT CLINTON, "THE SAN JOSE [CALIFORNIA] MERCURY NEWS" NOTES:

VOICE: CALLING ATTENTION TO POVERTY HAS NOT BEEN BILL CLINTON'S STYLE. CALLING ATTENTION TO PROSPERITY HAS. HE HAS BOASTED OFTEN ABOUT AMERICANS GETTING AHEAD. FAR LESS OFTEN, HE HAS RECALLED THE 35-MILLION LEFT BEHIND. ... IN A CHANGE OF PACE AND SCENERY, THE PRESIDENT IS VISITING PLACES THAT PROSPERITY HAS PASSED BY IN THE BOOMING '90S AND IN ALMOST ALL THE YEARS BEFORE ... THE CAPITALS OF WHAT ONCE WAS CALLED 'THE OTHER AMERICA' WHERE POVERTY AND UNEMPLOYMENT ARE TWO TO THREE TIMES ... THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

TEXT: AFTER MENTIONING A VARIETY OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS ANNOUNCED ON THE TRIP TO HELP, "THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE" SUGGESTS

VOICE: ... PROBABLY MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS ARE THE PROMISES [MR.] CLINTON OBTAINED BEFORE HE STARTED THE TRIP FROM BANKING, INSURANCE AND COMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES TO INVEST IN APPALACHIA AND OTHER POOR AREAS.

TEXT: TURNING TO A POORER REGION OF THE WORLD, SUDAN, WHERE SLAVERY STILL EXISTS, TODAY'S "DALLAS MORNING NEWS" WONDERS WHETHER A RECENT CAMPAIGN BY THE WORLD'S SCHOOL CHILDREN TO BUY SLAVES THEIR FREEDOM, MAY POSSIBLY BE CREATING MORE SLAVES.

VOICE: THIS UNFORTUNATE SITUATION LEAVES GOOD SAMARITANS WITH A HOBSON'S CHOICE: SHOULD THEY KEEP PURCHASING SLAVES' FREEDOM EVEN THOUGH THEY MOVE MAY STIMULATE SLAVE TRADING? OR SHOULD THEY ABIDE SLAVERY FOR NOW WHILE REDUCING THE MARKET FOR SLAVES AND SUPPORTING ABOLITIONISM INTERNATIONALLY?

TEXT: A SOMEWHAT BRIGHTER PICTURE IS EMERGING IN THE MIDDLE EAST, ACCORDING TO "THE WASHINGTON POST," WHICH SAYS "A HOPEFUL MOOD" IS GREETING THE NEW ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER.

VOICE: THE EXPECTATION IS THAT ISRAEL'S NEWLY SWORN PRIME MINISTER, FORMER ARMED FORCES CHIEF EHUD BARAK, WILL SUCCEED BY HIS REASONABLENESS WHERE HARDLINER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU FALTERED. GENERAL BARAK'S FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS HAVE HELPED GENERATE AN EAGERNESS TO GET ON WITH THE STALEMATED PEACE TALKS.

TEXT: AND REGARDING THE KASHMIRI BORDER DISPUTE BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" HAILS THE PROSPECT PAKISTAN MAY BE READY TO CAUSE THE WITHDRAWAL OF HUNDREDS OF ARMED ISLAMIC MILITANTS FIGHTING ON THE INDIAN-CONTROLLED SIDE OF THE PREVIOUS CEASE-FIRE LINE.

VOICE: INDIA HAS RESPONDED WITH FIRMNESS AND RESTRAINT TO THE RECENT THREAT, THOUGH IT HAS LOST SEVERAL-HUNDRED LIVES WHILE TRYING TO DISLODGE THE MILITANTS ... NOW INDIA CAN MAKE A WITHDRAWAL EASIER BY NOT FIRING ON MILITANTS IF THEY LEAVE AND BY PLEDGING TO REOPEN TALKS ON KASHMIR AND OTHER ISSUES.

TEXT: TO TURKEY NOW, AND THE ISSUE OF WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE DEATH SENTENCE HANDED OUT BY A SPECIAL COURT TO KURDISH GUERRILLA LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. BOSTON'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SEES THE SITUATION AS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR TURKEY TO END ITS PROBLEM WITH KURDISH UNREST.

VOICE: THIS IS NO ORDINARY ETHNIC FLARE-UP IN SOME DISTANT LAND. IN FACT, THE OCALAN SENTENCE IS REALLY A TEST, LIKE THE WAR IN KOSOVO, FOR DEFINING THE FUTURE OF EUROPE AND WHAT IT STANDS FOR. THE E-U [EUROPEAN UNION] (WHOSE STATES DO NOT HAVE THE DEATH PENALTY) HAS ADVISED TURKEY ... NOT TO GO BEYOND A LIFE SENTENCE FOR OCALAN. ... FOR DECADES ... TURKISH OFFICIALS HAVE DENIED THERE WAS SUCH A THING AS A KURD, INSISTING THEY WERE 'MOUNTAIN TURKS.' IF TURKS WANT TO CALL THEMSELVES EUROPEAN, THEY CAN NOT AFFORD TO FORCE KURDS TO BE CALLED TURKS. AND EUROPE, IF IT WANTS TO END THE KIND OF NATIONALISM THAT IT KNEW ALL TOO WELL IN THIS CENTURY, CAN BEGIN TO TALK TO THE TURKS AS EUROPEANS.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, A HISTORIC MOMENT IN SCOTLAND DRAWS THIS CHEERY EDITORIAL NOTE FROM "THE PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE."

VOICE: AMID MUCH POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE, QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND LAST WEEK OFFICIALLY OPENED THE FIRST SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT IN ALMOST 300-YEARS. IT WAS BOTH A HISTORIC MOMENT, RETURNING SOME LEGISLATIVE AUTONOMY TO SCOTLAND, AND THE BEGINNING OF A CALCULATED GAMBLE THAT DEVOLUTION OF AUTHORITY WILL AVERT THE BREAKUP OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. ... SO FAR, IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING.

TEXT: AND THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF OPINIONS FROM WEDNESDAYS DAILY PAPERS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
07-Jul-99 11:04 AM EDT (1504 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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