Voice of America, 99-07-16

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] E-U / REBUILDING KOSOVO BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

[03] U-N-H-C-R / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[04] EDITORIAL: THE STATUS OF KOSOVO

[05] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[06] NORTHERN IRELAND (L UPDATE) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[07] CLINTON/IRELAND (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

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

[09] FRIDAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST BY ROBERT MACKAY (WASHINGTON)

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

INTRO: A UNITED NATIONS TEAM OF EXPERTS IS LEAVING FOR THE SERBIAN CAPITAL, BELGRADE, ON SUNDAY TO CONDUCT THE FIRST SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY NATO AIR STRIKES DURING THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THAT THE 14 EXPERTS WILL SPEND 10 DAYS INVESTIGATING SITES IN SERBIA, INCLUDING THE PROVINCE OF KOSOVO.

TEXT: THE EXPERTS WILL SPLIT INTO THREE GROUPS. ONE GROUP WILL BE BASED IN THE KOSOVO CAPITAL, PRISTINA. IT WILL LOOK AT DAMAGE DONE TO SETTLEMENTS, INCLUDING HOUSES AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

THE OTHER TWO GROUPS WILL CONDUCT AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE MOST HEAVILY DAMAGED INDUSTRIAL SITES, WHICH ARE MAINLY FOUND IN SITES IN SERBIA OUTSIDE KOSOVO. THE LOCATIONS TO BE VISITED INCLUDE INDUSTRIAL COMPLEXES, OIL REFINERIES AND CHEMICAL PLANTS IN MORE THAN HALF A DOZEN SERBIAN CITIES, WHICH WERE HEAVILY BOMBARDED BY NATO.

THE HEAD OF THE MISSION, PEKKA HAAVISTO, SAYS THE EXPERTS WILL HAVE WITH THEM TWO MOBILE LABORATORIES. HE SAYS SOME OF THE SAMPLES COLLECTED WILL BE ANALYZED ON THE SPOT.

IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY SITUATION IN SOME OF THESE SITES, THERE IS NEED OF IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THE ENVIRONMENT OF HUMAN HEALTH, WE ARE READY TO WORK WITH THAT. WE HAVE TO MAYBE CLEAN THE SOIL IN SOME PLACES AND THINGS LIKE THAT. /// OPT /// WHEN WE HAVE OUR WRITTEN REPORT, WE WILL PROPOSE WHAT WILL BE NEEDED TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT IN THESE SITES OR GUARANTEE THAT THERE WON'T BE ANY CONSEQUENCES TO THE HUMAN HEALTH. /// END OPT ///

SERB AUTHORITIES SAY NATO AIR STRIKES HAVE DAMAGED FUEL REFINERIES, FERTILIZER PLANTS, ELECTRICAL AND CHEMICAL PLANTS. THEY CLAIM LEAKS OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND OTHER POLLUTANTS HAVE CAUSED AN ENVIRONMENTAL NIGHTMARE.

MR. HAAVISTO SAYS HE EXPECTS THE RESULTS OF THIS MISSION WILL PUT TO REST MUCH OF THE UNCONFIRMED SPECULATION ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE.

WE KNOW A BIG AMOUNT OF OIL, FOR EXAMPLE, BURNED. THERE WAS A BIG AMOUNT OF AIR POLLUTION ON THOSE DAYS WHEN THIS OIL DEPOTS WERE BURNING, AND THINGS LIKE THAT. THAT IS WHAT WE KNOW. BUT, THEN THE QUESTION MARK IS HOW MUCH OF THIS OIL OR THIS CHEMICAL, THEN WENT INTO THE SOIL. WHAT ARE THE QUANTITIES. AND IF THERE ARE SOME FUTURE RISKS THAT THESE CHEMICALS ARE IN THE GROUND OR ARE TOUCHING THE GROUND WATERS OR THE RIVER DANUBE, FOR EXAMPLE. AND THIS IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO ASSESS.

THE U-N WILL BE SENDING ANOTHER MISSION NEXT MONTH TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF THE CONFLICT ON THE DANUBE RIVER. THE MISSION WILL ALSO LOOK AT ANY CHANGES IN THE REGION'S BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND EXAMINE IF THERE ARE EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH. THE EXPERTS EXPECT TO HAVE A FINAL REPORT ON THE SERBIAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT READY AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER OR EARLY OCTOBER. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/GE/KL
16-Jul-99 12:14 PM EDT (1614 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] E-U / REBUILDING KOSOVO BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION (E-U), WHICH IS PLAYING A KEY ROLE IN THE REBUILDING OF KOSOVO, SAYS IT IS PREPARED TO SPEND UP TO ONE BILLION DOLLARS IN THE NEXT 3 YEARS TO FIX HOUSES AND BUSINESSES AND PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN HELP IN THE PROVINCE. TIM BELAY IN PRISTINA HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: THE PLANS FOR SPENDING ARE COMPLICATED, PARTLY BECAUSE THE EUROPEAN UNION SAYS THE DAMAGE TO KOSOVO HAS BEEN OVERESTIMATED. BUT IF THE NEED IS THERE, THE E-U SAYS IT IS READY TO RAISE AND SPEND UP TO ONE BILLION DOLLARS.

MOST ESTIMATES CLAIM NEARLY ONE HALF OF THE DWELLINGS IN KOSOVO ARE SEVERELY DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. BUT RECENTLY THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS THAT THE DAMAGE WAS OVERSTATED.

MARK FRANCO IS THE HEAD OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S TASK FORCE FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KOSOVO. MR. FRANCO SAYS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE IS THE MAIN GOAL RIGHT NOW.

I'M CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN START MAKING CONTRACTS AND MAKING PAYMENTS FROM THE BEGINNING OF NEXT MONTH. THAT MEANS THAT CONTRACTS FOR BUILDING MATERIALS CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE IN THE MONTHS OF AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER. OF COURSE, ALSO OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, BUT THEN WINTER STARTS AND CERTAIN CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES WILL COME TO A HALT THEN. THAT MEANS WE ARE TRYING TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN IN THOSE TWO MONTHS, TWO MONTHS-AND-A-HALF, THAT WE WILL HAVE BEFORE WINTER.

THE EUROPEAN UNION SAYS IT WILL CONTINUE TO DELIVER HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AS WINTER APPROACHES, BUT WILL WORK WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AND NATO TO CREATE WHAT IT CALLS A "LONGER-TERM VISION" FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/TB/GE/KL
16-Jul-99 11:56 AM EDT (1556 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] U-N-H-C-R / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, SAYS IT IS INCREASINGLY ALARMED ABOUT REPORTS OF ATTACKS AGAINST SERBS AND GYPSIES IN KOSOVO. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS IT HAS REPORTS OF A STRING OF INCIDENTS, INCLUDING KILLINGS, KIDNAPPINGS, AND FORCED EXPULSIONS.

TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS ATTACKS AGAINST SERBS ARE WIDESPREAD, BUT ARE NOT HAPPENING EVERYWHERE. IT SAYS THEY ARE TAKING PLACE MAINLY IN PRIZREN, ORAHOVAC, MITROVICA AND PRISTINA AREAS WHERE SOME OF THE WORST ATROCITIES AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS TOOK PLACE.

U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS TWO SERB REFUGEES FROM BOSNIA AND CROATIA WERE ABDUCTED THIS WEEK FROM A REFUGEE CENTER IN DOWNTOWN PRISTINA. HE SAYS 28 OTHER REFUGEES IN THE CENTER WERE SO FRIGHTENED THEY HAD TO BE TRANSFERRED ELSEWHERE.

IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, MR. JANOWSKI SAYS TWO GROUPS OF ELDERLY SERBS AND GYPSIES WERE EXPELLED FROM THEIR HOMES IN THE MITROVICA REGION. HE ALSO SAYS BURNING AND LOOTING OF MINORITY HOMES CONTINUES ON A DAILY BASIS IN MANY AREAS.

THERE'S ALSO BEEN A LOT OF BURNING AND LOOTING IN THE PRIZREN AREA. IN THE SPACE OF NOT EVEN ONE WEEK, 50 SERB HOUSES WERE SET AFIRE IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SYSTEMATIC CAMPAIGN OF DESTRUCTION OF SERB HOMES. THE NON-SERB NEIGHBORS WERE SEEN DOUSING THEIR OWN HOMES WITH WATER IN AN APPARENT INDICATION THAT THEY MUST HAVE BEEN FOREWARNED THAT SOMETHING WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

THE REFUGEE AGENCY SPOKESMAN SAYS THE ORTHODOX SEMINARY IN PRIZREN ALSO HAS COME UNDER THREAT, DESPITE A 24-HOUR GUARD BY GERMAN K-FOR PEACEKEEPING TROOPS. HE SAYS THE SEMINARY IS SHELTERING NEARLY 170 SERBS, GYPSIES AND A COUPLE OF DOZEN ALBANIANS. HE SAYS MORE PEOPLE WHO FEEL THREATENED ARE ARRIVING EVERY DAY.

K-FOR IS THE MAIN BODY WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY IN CHARGE OF SECURITY. AND, THEY'RE DOING A VERY GOOD JOB. THEY'RE GUARDING A NUMBER OF GROUPS OF MINORITIES. THEY'RE DOING FOOT PATROLS AND THEY'RE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO PREVENT THESE KIND OF THINGS FROM HAPPENING. OF COURSE, IF NOT FOR THAT WORK, WE WOULD SEE A MUCH WORSE PICTURE.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS SERBS ARE CONTINUING TO FLEE KOSOVO FOR OTHER PARTS OF SERBIA. YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES ESTIMATE AROUND 130-THOUSAND SERBS HAVE LEFT THE PROVINCE. MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THESE REFUGEES CONTINUE TO BE HARASSED AND INTIMIDATED BY YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS WHO ARE PRESSURING THEM TO RETURN HOME TO KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH
16-Jul-99 7:52 AM EDT (1152 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[04] EDITORIAL: THE STATUS OF KOSOVO

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:

WHERE ONE ETHNIC GROUP IS PERSECUTED, NO PERSON OR ETHNIC GROUP IS SAFE. FEW PEOPLE KNOW THIS BETTER THAN THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS OF KOSOVO. THEY ENDURED MUCH AT THE HANDS OF SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES, INCLUDING THE ETHNIC CLEANSING AND OTHER ATROCITIES FOR WHICH SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES.

BUT KOSOVAR ALBANIANS ARE NOW FREE TO REBUILD THEIR SHATTERED LIVES WITHOUT FEAR OF REPRESSION FROM THE GOVERNMENT OR VIOLENCE BY SERB POLICE OR PARAMILITARIES. THE MISSION OF THE NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IS TO ESTABLISH A SAFE ENVIRONMENT IN KOSOVO FOR ALL WHO LIVE THERE, WHATEVER THEIR ETHNICITY. SADLY, SOME ETHNIC ALBANIANS, RETURNING TO SHATTERED HOMES AND VILLAGES, HAVE SOUGHT RETRIBUTION AGAINST ETHNIC SERBS. SUCH ACTION WILL ONLY PERPETUATE THE CYCLE OF TENSION AND VIOLENCE THAT HAS ALREADY COST MANY LIVES AND CAUSED MUCH SUFFERING IN KOSOVO.

RATHER THAN CHOOSING REVENGE, THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP SELF-GOVERNMENT AND CREATE CONDITIONS FOR A NORMAL LIFE. THE UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN KOSOVO WILL PROVIDE AN INTERIM ADMINISTRATION UNDER WHICH THE PROVINCE CAN ENJOY SUBSTANTIAL AUTONOMY WITHIN YUGOSLAVIA. THE U-N WILL ALSO HELP TO CREATE A POLITICAL PROCESS TO DETERMINE KOSOVO'S FUTURE STATUS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE RAMBOUILLET ACCORDS.

A STABLE KOSOVO IS VITAL TO REALIZING THE GOAL OF A SOUTHEAST EUROPE THAT IS DEMOCRATIC, PROSPEROUS, AND FULLY INTEGRATED INTO THE EUROPEAN MAINSTREAM.

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.
16-Jul-99 12:40 PM EDT (1640 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[05] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: A DAY AFTER NORTHERN IRELAND'S PEACE PROCESS SUFFERED A SERIOUS SETBACK, THE HEAD OF THE PROVINCE'S LARGEST PROTESTANT PARTY SAYS THE SITUATION IS NOT AS BAD AS IT SEEMS. ON THURSDAY THE PARTY BLOCKED FORMATION OF A PEACE CABINET, WHICH PREVENTS THE TRANSFER OF HOME RULE POWERS TO BELFAST. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS BRITAIN'S SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND HEADS TO BELFAST TO ASSESS THE SITUATION.

TEXT: PROTESTANT LEADER DAVID TRIMBLE -- ON THE DEFENSIVE -- INSISTS THAT BOYCOTTING THE FORMATION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DID NOT DESTROY THE PEACE PROCESS. IN A COMMENTARY FOR 'THE TIMES' NEWSPAPER FRIDAY MORNING AND AGAIN ON BRITISH RADIO, MR TRIMBLE REFUSES WHAT HE CALLS ARTIFICIAL DEADLINES.

THE IMPORTANT THING IS THE FUTURE AND GETTING THIS DONE RIGHT INSTEAD OF THINGS DONE BY REFERENCE TO ARTIFICIAL DEADLINES.

UNIONISTS REFUSE TO SHARE POWER WITH THE REPUBLICAN SINN FEIN PARTY BEFORE THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY PARAMILITARIES HAND OVER THEIR WEAPONS. MR. TRIMBLE SAYS A FORMULA PROPOSED BY THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS DID NOT OFFER ENOUGH GUARANTEES DISARMING WOULD ACTUALLY START EITHER. MR. TRIMBLE SAYS HE SUPPORTS A FULL REVIEW TO FIND A WAY TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE.

REPUBLICANS AND NATIONALISTS BLAME MR. TRIMBLE'S PARTY FOR THE CRISIS. STILL, SINN FEIN LEADER GERRY ADAMS SAYS EVERYONE IS COMMITTED TO MAKING THE PEACE AGREEMENT WORK.

IT WILL NOT BE ABOUT CONTEMPLATING FAILURE. IT WILL NOT BE ABOUT LYING DOWN UNDER THE ONSLAUGHT OF THIS AGREEMENT FROM WITHIN UNIONISM, IT WILL BE ABOUT GOING FORWARD.

THE QUESTION IS HOW?

BRITAIN'S SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND, MARJORIE (MO) MOWLAM, FLIES TO BELFAST LATER IN THE DAY TO ASSESS THE SITUATION.

THE BRITISH AND IRISH PRIME MINISTERS MEET NEXT TUESDAY TO LAUNCH A FULL REVIEW. THEY HAVE ASKED FORMER U-S SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL TO JOIN THEM. HE WAS A KEY MEDIATOR IN THE MARATHON NEGOTIATIONS THAT PRODUCED THE 1998 GOOD FRIDAY PEACE AGREEMENT AND COULD PROVIDE A FRESH AND NEUTRAL LOOK AT HOW TO BREAK THE CURRENT IMPASSE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/KL
16-Jul-99 7:04 AM EDT (1104 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] NORTHERN IRELAND (L UPDATE) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITAIN'S SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND IS IN BELFAST TO TALK WITH UNIONIST AND REPUBLICAN LEADERS ABOUT HOW TO BREAK THE IMPASSE IN THE PEACE PROCESS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON REPORTS REPUBLICANS WARN THAT BRITAIN NEEDS TO CHANGE ITS APPROACH TOO.

TEXT: BRITAIN'S TOP MINISTER FOR NORTHERN IRELAND, MARJORIE (MO) MOWLAM, IS CONSULTING WITH PARTY LEADERS IN BELFAST TO TRY TO SALVAGE THE PEACE PROCESS. BUT UNIONISTS AND REPUBLICANS CONTINUE TO BLAME EACH OTHER FOR THE LATEST CRISIS.

REPUBLICAN SINN FEIN LEADER GERRY ADAMS INSISTS THE UNIONISTS ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO AVOID SHARING POWER AS OUTLINED IN THE 1998 GOOD FRIDAY PEACE AGREEMENT

WHAT IS CLEAR IS THAT THE UNIONISTS PARTY DO NOT WANT TO SHARE POWER WITH NATIONALISTS AND REPUBLICANS AND DO NOT WANT TO BE PART OF THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT. AND ONE PARTY WHOSE LEADER STILL REMAINS THE IRISH FIRST MINISTER HAS A POLICY POSITION WHICH IS TOTALLY AT ODDS WITH THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT, WHICH THAT PARTY ALLEGEDLY SIGNED UP TO.

MR. ADAMS CALLED THE COLLAPSE OF THE POWER-SHARING PLAN A DEFINING MOMENT THAT CANNOT BE UNDERESTIMATED. AND HE CALLED ON BRITISH AND IRISH LEADERS TO RETHINK THEIR APPROACH.

IN CONTRAST, UNIONIST LEADER DAVID TRIMBLE SAYS THE IRISH AND BRITISH LEADERS SHOULD STAY OUT OF NEGOTIATIONS.

WE CAN'T KEEP ON RUNNING AFTER TWO GOVERNMENTS AS IF THEY WERE NURSEMAIDS. WE'VE GOT TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE OURSELVES.

BUT THE GAP OVER DISARMAMENT REMAINS AS WIDE AS EVER AND SO DOES THE MUTUAL LACK OF TRUST. THE UNIONISTS REFUSE TO LET SINN FEIN JOIN A PEACE CABINET BEFORE THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY PARAMILITARIES HAND OVER THEIR WEAPONS. SINN FEIN ARGUES THAT THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT MAKES NO SUCH PRECONDITION.

THE CAREFULLY SEQUENCED FORMULA PRESENTED BY THE IRISH AND BRITISH PRIME MINISTERS UNRAVELED ON THURSDAY WHEN MR. TRIMBLE'S PARTY BOYCOTTED THE NOMINATING PROCESS FOR THE POWER-SHARING COUNCIL. THAT BLOCKED THE TRANSFER OF HOME RULE POWERS AND THE START OF I-R-A DISARMAMENT THAT WAS TO FOLLOW. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH/KL
16-Jul-99 11:03 AM EDT (1503 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] CLINTON/IRELAND (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS LAMENTING THE LATEST BREAKDOWN OF PEACE EFFORTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND URGING ALL THE PARTIES TO LIVE UP TO THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GOOD FRIDAY PEACE ACCORD. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON -- BOTH THROUGH PERSONAL CONTACTS AND HIS SPECIAL MEDIATOR GEORGE MITCHELL -- HAD BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN REACHING LAST YEAR'S HISTORIC NORTHERN IRELAND AGREEMENT. IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT, HE SAID HE SHARES THE REGRET OF THE IRISH PEOPLE AT THE LATEST BREAKDOWN OF THE PEACE PROCESS.

IN A MOVE DIPLOMATS SAY COULD SET PEACE EFFORTS BACK BY MONTHS, NORTHERN IRELAND'S MAIN PROTESTANT PARTY DECIDED TO BOYCOTT THE FORMATION OF A NEW INCLUSIVE GOVERNMENT FOR THE PROVINCE BECAUSE OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY'S REFUSAL TO DISARM.

THE PRESIDENT DID NOT CAST BLAME IN THE STATEMENT, BUT APPEALED TO ALL THOSE INVOLVED TO GET THE PEACE PROCESS BACK ON TRACK AND SAID HE WAS READY TO HELP THE PRIME MINISTER OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND TO THAT END. EARLIER, IN A TALK WITH REPORTERS HERE, MR. CLINTON SAID IT IS HARD FOR OUTSIDE OBSERVERS TO UNDERSTAND THE LATEST CRISIS -- GIVEN THAT BOTH SIDES IN NORTHERN IRELAND ARE FULLY AWARE OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE AGREEMENT:

THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE OF OPINION HERE ABOUT WHAT THE GOOD FRIDAY ACCORDS REQUIRE, WHAT THE COMMUNITIES OF IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND HAVE VOTED FOR, WHAT THEY ARE ALL COMMITTED TO DO. THEY ARE HAVING A FIGHT OVER WHO GOES FIRST. AND ACTING TODAY AS IF THE WHOLE THING COULD BE ABANDONED OVER THAT. THAT CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN. I DO NOT BELIEVE IT WILL BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN. I BELIEVE THERE IS TOO MUCH INVESTED IN THIS. AND I BELIEVE THAT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER WE'LL GET THIS THING ON TRACK.

THE PRESIDENT, WHO PAID A VISIT TO NORTHERN IRELAND LAST YEAR TO CELEBRATE THE PEACE ACCORD, SAID HE IS CONVINCED IT IS STILL POSSIBLE TO HAVE FULL IMPLEMENTATION BY NEXT MAY UNDER THE ORIGINAL SCHEDULE. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/PT
15-Jul-99 9:11 PM EDT (0111 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: RISING STOCK PRICES SET MORE RECORDS ON WALL STREET TODAY (FRIDAY), WITH A STRONG SHOWING BY TECHNOLOGY STOCKS OUT-WEIGHING [OVERCOMING] CONCERNS ABOUT EARNINGS BY SOME BIG INDUSTRIAL COMPANIES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK:

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE STRUGGLED TO CLOSE UP 23 POINTS, SETTING A NEW HIGH OF 11-THOUSAND-209. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 14-HUNDRED-18, UP NINE POINTS. THE NASDAQ, WITH ANOTHER RECORD HIGH, IS UP OVER TWO-AND-ONE-HALF PERCENT FOR THE WEEK.

CATERPILLAR, THE WORLD'S LARGEST MAKER OF CONSTRUCTION AND EARTH-MOVING EQUIPMENT, WAS A BIG DRAG ON THE INDUSTRIALS. CATERPILLAR'S QUARTERLY PROFITS FELL FAR BELOW EXPECTATIONS AND THE COMPANY SAYS THE REST OF THE YEAR DOES NOT LOOK GOOD EITHER.

BUT EARNINGS REPORTS OF U-S BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN POSITIVE OVERALL. INVESTORS ALSO WERE HEARTENED BY REPORTS SHOWING INFLATION IN THE UNITED STATES IS UNDER CONTROL. AND, U-S INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION ROSE IN JUNE -- THE SEVENTH INCREASE IN EIGHT MONTHS.

EXPERTS THINK THE LATEST INFLATION NEWS AND THE STRONG SHOWING OF CORPORATE PROFITS MIGHT KEEP U-S INTEREST RATES WHERE THEY ARE AT THE MOMENT. INTEREST RATES ARE ALMOST AN OBSESSION ON WALL STREET. THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD [THE U-S CENTRAL BANK] MEETS AUGUST 24TH. IT RAISED SHORT-TERM RATES WHEN IT LAST MET ON JUNE 30TH.

SOME ANALYSTS CALL FOR CAUTION. ECONOMIST PATRICK DIMICK SAYS THE NEXT SET OF ECONOMIC FIGURES DUE OUT NEXT MONTH COULD BEGIN TO SHOW SOME INFLATIONARY PRESSURES AND MIGHT PROMPT CENTRAL BANK ACTION:

MARKET PARTICIPANTS KNOW THAT WITH THE SURGE IN OIL PRICES AND IN OTHER NON-FOOD COMMODITY PRICES THAT OCCURRED BETWEEN THE MIDDLE OF JUNE AND THE MIDDLE OF JULY, THAT WITH THE NEXT BATCH OF INFLATION NUMBERS WHICH COME ONCE AGAIN RIGHT BEFORE THAT FED [FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD] MEETING COULD BRING THE FED FORWARD ONCE AGAIN. SO WE'RE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET WITH RESPECT TO THAT AUGUST MEETING.

FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD CHAIRMAN ALAN GREENSPAN WILL PRESENT HIS VIEW ON THE U-S ECONOMY DURING ONE OF HIS REGULAR APPEARANCES BEFORE THE U-S CONGRESS NEXT WEEK.

SOFTWARE GIANT MICROSOFT HAS BECOME THE FIRST U-S COMPANY TO TOP 500-BILLION DOLLARS IN MARKET VALUE. MICROSOFT SHARES ROSE FOUR PERCENT FRIDAY ON NEWS THAT IT IS CONSIDERING CREATING A NEW CLASS OF STOCK TO TRACK ITS INTERNET PROPERTY. AN ANNOUNCEMENT IS EXPECTED NEXT WEEK. THAT STOCK -- BY SEPARATING OUT 10 ON-LINE BUSINESSES -- WOULD GIVE MICROSOFT CURRENCY FOR INTERNET ACQUISITIONS. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/EJ/LSF/WTW
16-Jul-99 5:19 PM EDT (2119 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[09] FRIDAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST BY ROBERT MACKAY (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS IN IRAN, THE FALTERING PEACE PROCESS IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE DISPUTE BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN OVER KASHMIR ARE AMONG THE INTERNATIONAL ISSUES ADDRESSED IN TODAY'S (FRIDAY'S) U-S NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL COLUMNS. NOW, HERE WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IS ___________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE "SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE" SAYS IRAN IS TEETERING ON MONUMENTAL CHANGE, NOTING THAT THE STUDENT PROTESTS ARE AIMED AT OPENING UP A CONSTRAINED SOCIETY RULED BY CONSERVATIVE ISLAMIC LEADERS. THE NEWSPAPER SAYS THE PROTESTS MAY FORCE MODERATE PRESIDENT MOHAMMAD KHATAMI TO TAKE SIDES IN WHAT IT CALLS "A WAR OF FIREBRANDS" BETWEEN REFORMISTS AND CONSERVATIVE CLERICS. BUT IT SAYS THE UNITED STATES, THOUGH PREFERRING A MORE OPEN AND DEMOCRATIC FORM OF GOVERNMENT IN TEHRAN, SHOULD REFRAIN FROM EVEN COMMENTING ON THE SITUATION THERE. THE "CHRONICLE" WRITES:

VOICE: THE QUESTIONS LEAVE THE UNITED STATES, A-K-A "THE GREAT SATAN," WITH FEW OPTIONS EXCEPT TO SIT STILL. IRAN'S SIZE, OIL RICHES AND KEY GEOGRAPHIC POSITION ADJACENT TO IRAQ AND OTHER NATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST MAKE ITS FATE ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT. BUT ANY UNITED STATES' COMMENT ON IRAN'S TRAVAILS WILL INSTANTLY STRENGTHEN THE AUTOCRATS IN CHARGE. WASHINGTON IS FOREVER TAGGED AS AN ALLY OF ISRAEL AND PROTECTOR OF THE LATE AND UNLAMENTED SHAH, OUSTED 20 YEARS AGO.

TEXT: HAWAII'S "HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN" SAYS IT IS NOW UP TO PRESIDENT MOHAMMAD KHATAMI TO PREVENT VENGEANCE BY THE ISLAMIC DICTATORSHIP AGAINST PROTESTERS TO KEEP THE REFORM MOVEMENT ALIVE.

VOICE: KHATAMI, THE APPARENT DARLING OF PROTESTERS EARLY IN THE WEEK OF DEMONSTRATIONS, CONDEMNED THEM AFTER THEY TURNED VIOLENT. HAVING ADVOCATED TOLERANCE AND THE RULE OF LAW, KHATAMI DECLARED THAT THE PEACEFUL PROTESTS HAD TAKEN ON 'DEVILISH AIMS' AND COULD 'LEAD THE COUNTRY INTO ANARCHY.' ...KHATAMI PROMISED TO STOP THE PROTESTS, BUT THAT ROLE ALREADY HAD BEEN TAKEN BY THE HARD-LINE FORCES OF SPIRITUAL LEADER AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI. ...KHATAMI WILL FACE A DELICATE SITUATION AFTER THE SMOKE CLEARS. AYATOLLAH KHAMENEI HAS BEEN LESS REPRESSIVE THAN HIS PREDECESSORS, AND KHATAMI HAS PLACED HIMSELF IN A POSITION TO DISCOURAGE THE AYATOLLAH FROM TAKING VENGEANCE AGAINST THE PROTESTERS. ACCOMPLISHING THAT MAY SAVE IRAN'S REFORM MOVEMENT.

TEXT: IN THE MIDWESTERN STATE OF OHIO, THE "AKRON BEACON JOURNAL" SAYS THE STUDENTS' REFORM MOVEMENT COULD SET IRAN ON A PATH TO DEMOCRACY AND OPENNESS.

VOICE: PERHAPS IRAN WILL GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME. IT DIDN'T 20 YEARS AGO. TWENTY YEARS AGO, THERE WAS ROOM TO AGREE WITH PROTESTERS' DEMANDS, ESPECIALLY FOR AN END TO THE BRUTALITY INFLICTED BY SHAH REZA PAHLAVI AND HIS DREADED SECRET POLICE, THE SAVAK. SYMPATHY FLOWED, TOO, FOR THEIR DESIRE TO RE-ACQUAINT IRANIAN SOCIETY WITH ITS TRADITIONAL ISLAMIC ROOTS. BEYOND THAT, THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTION, WITH ITS MISGUIDED CHANTS AND RANTS AGAINST "THE GREAT SATAN," THE UNITED STATES, WAS A DANGEROUS AND FANATICAL MARCH BACKWARD THROUGH TIME. NOW STUDENTS ARE RESTIVE AGAIN. ...IRAN IS AT A CROSSROADS. IF HANDLED PROPERLY, THE MOVEMENT TO USHER IN DEMOCRACY AND OPENNESS COULD SET IRAN ON THE PATH IT REJECTED 20 YEARS AGO.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE FALTERING NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS, THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" SAYS ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY LEADER DAVID TRIMBLE WAS TO BLAME FOR THE RECENT SETBACK IN THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS. MR. TRIMBLE WAS TO HAVE BEEN HEAD OF A GOVERNING ASSEMBLY OF CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANTS THAT WAS TO HAVE CONVENED THURSDAY IN BELFAST. BUT MR. TRIMBLE AND HIS 28-MEMBER DELEGATION BOYCOTTED THE ASSEMBLY, ARGUING THAT THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY SHOULD BEGIN GIVING UP ITS WEAPONS NOW. THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE SAYS THE WORLD EXPECTED MORE OF MR. TRIMBLE.

VOICE: THE BRITISH NEWSPAPER, THE GUARDIAN, GOT IT RIGHT WHEN IT SAID HE (TRIMBLE) AND HIS PARTY 'STARED HISTORY IN THE FACE AND DECIDED TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY.' HERE'S WHAT MUST BE DONE NOW: THE INDEPENDENT DISARMAMENT COMMISSION ... SHOULD WORK UP A TIMETABLE FOR DISARMAMENT OF ALL PARAMILITARY GROUPS, TO BEGIN THE SAME DAY THE ASSEMBLY CONVENES, IDEALLY SOMETIME IN SEPTEMBER ... POLITICAL PARTIES ALIGNED WITH GUERRILLA FORCES -- BE THEY PROTESTANT OR CATHOLIC -- WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM THE ASSEMBLY IF THE FORCES REFUSE TO ABIDE BY THE TIMETABLE. ...THEY'VE GOT THE REST OF THE SUMMER TO WORK THIS OUT. GIVEN THE PACE OF THE PEACE PROCESS, THAT'S NOT A LOT OF TIME. BUT GIVEN THE RISING TENSIONS, IT MAY BE ALL THE TIME THEY HAVE.

TEXT: THE "BOSTON GLOBE" ALSO BLAMES MR. TRIMBLE FOR THE SETBACK IN THE PEACE PROCESS, BUT IT SAYS THERE IS ENOUGH BLAME TO GO AROUND (TO SHARE).

VOICE: SINN FEIN AND THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY SHARE THE BLAME FOR REFUSING TO GIVE UP ANY IRA WEAPONS. WITHOUT THE PROD OF A FUNCTIONING ASSEMBLY WITH SINN FEIN EXERCISING POWER, IT IS UNCLEAR HOW ANYONE CAN PERSUADE THE IRA TO DISARM.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE INDIA-PAKISTAN DISPUTE OVER KASHMIR, THE "MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE," IN THE MIDWESTERN UNITED STATES, SAYS INDIA AND PAKISTAN HAVE TO RESOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY TURN INTO A NUCLEAR CONFRONTATION.

VOICE: A SEMBLANCE OF PEACE IS CREEPING INTO KASHMIR, SILENCING HOWITZERS ON THE WORLD'S HIGHEST BATTLEFIELD. ...BUT THAT CAN'T BE THE END. ...INDIA AND PAKISTAN ARE NO LONGER JUST CRANKY NEIGHBORS SQUABBLING OVER A PROPERTY LINE. THEY ARE DECLARED NUCLEAR POWERS ... THEY CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO LET THEIR DISPUTES SIMMER AND OCCASIONALLY BOIL OVER: THEIR FOURTH WAR COULD TURN OUT QUITE DIFFERENTLY -- OMINOUSLY SO -- FROM ITS EARLIER THREE. THIS IS WHY THE SOUTH ASIANS MUST TALK.

TEXT: THIS CONCLUDES A SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/RRM/KL
16-Jul-99 12:34 PM EDT (1634 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article