Voice of America, 99-07-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] NATO / ENFORCEMENT (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

[02] U-S/KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[03] KOSOVO TRAVEL ALERT (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[04] CLINTON / BALKANS (S-ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

[05] CZECH / GOVERNMENT (L-ONLY) BY ALENA KENCLOVA (PRAGUE)

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

[07] BRITAIN/MILLENNIUM DOME BY CHRISTINE FURNELL (LONDON)

[08] W-T-O DIRECTOR (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

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

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

[01] NATO / ENFORCEMENT (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

INTRO: NATO TROOPS IN KOSOVO ARRESTED YUGOSLAV MILITARY POLICEMEN MONDAY AND RAIDED A SECOND KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY POLICE STATION IN AS MANY DAYS. TIM BELAY REPORTS FROM PRISTINA ON NATO ENFORCEMENT OF PEACE AND DEMOBILIZATION AGREEMENTS WITH BOTH SIDES IN THE KOSOVO CONFLICT..

TEXT: SHORTLY AFTER NOON ON MONDAY, NATO TROOPS PATROLLING NEAR THE PROVINCIAL BORDER BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA PROPER CAME UPON A YUGOSLAV MILITARY POLICE VEHICLE CARRYING FOUR ARMED AND UNIFORMED YUGOSLAV MILITARY POLICEMEN. THE NATO CONTROL FORCE ARRESTED THE FOUR AND SEIZED EIGHT WEAPONS. THE INCIDENT IS DESCRIBED BY NATO AS A SERIOUS VIOLATION OF THE MILITARY-TECHNICAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ALLIANCE AND THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT.

NATO SAYS THE FOUR MEN WILL REMAIN IN CUSTODY UNTIL YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES EXPLAIN WHY THEY WERE IN KOSOVO.

IN NORTHERN KOSOVO ON MONDAY, NATO TROOPS RAIDED WHAT THEY DESCRIBE AS AN ILLEGAL POLICE STATION RUN BY 13 MEMBERS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. THE PEACEKEEPERS RELEASED THE K-L-A MEMBERS AFTER CONFISCATING 52 HAND GRENADES.

A DEMILITARIZATION AGREEMENT SIGNED BY K-L-A LEADERS FORBIDS MEMBERS FROM CONDUCTING POLICE OPERATIONS.

THIS COMBINATION OF INCIDENTS GIVES NATO A CHANCE TO REAFFIRM PLANS TO VIGOROUSLY ENFORCE THE MILITARY-TECHNICAL AGREEMENT WITH THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT AND THE K-L-A'S AGREEMENT TO DEMOBILIZE. NATO IS ALSO CALLING ON THE LEADERSHIP OF THE K-L-A TO CONTROL ITS MEMBERS AND HELP THE ALLIANCE MOVE AHEAD WITH PLANS TO SHUT DOWN THE REBEL ARMY. (SIGNED)
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20-Jul-99 9:09 AM EDT (1309 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] U-S/KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS DOWNPLAYING SUGGESTIONS THE ALLIED WAR EFFORT IN KOSOVO WAS HAMPERED OR PROLONGED BY POLITICAL DISPUTES WITHIN NATO. CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN REPORTS, DEFENSE OFFICIALS GAVE CONGRESS A POSTWAR ASSESSMENT OF THE AIR OPERATION (TUESDAY).

TEXT: THOUGH THE BOMBING ACHIEVED ITS GOAL OF DRIVING SERB TROOPS OUT OF KOSOVO, THERE ARE LINGERING CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER THE WAR COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER RUN. THOSE QUESTIONS FLARED UP AGAIN WHEN NATO'S TOP GENERAL, WESLEY CLARK, WAS QUOTED (BY THE WASHINGTON POST) AS SAYING THE MILITARY MISSION WAS COMPLICATED BY POLITICS.

AT A SENATE HEARING (TUESDAY), DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN ACKNOWLEDGED SOME POTENTIAL YUGOSLAV TARGETS WERE PLACED OFF LIMITS FOR A TIME. BUT MR. COHEN SAYS THIS GRADUAL APPROACH WAS CRUCIAL TO KEEPING NATO UNITED FOR THE FIRST OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN IN ITS HISTORY.

WE INDICATED EVERY TIME WE CAME UP HERE (TO CAPITOL HILL) THAT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TAKE 19 COUNTRIES AND TO GET AN EFFECTIVE CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY WITHOUT HAVING SOME REAL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. WE GOT THOSE IRONED OUT AFTER ABOUT THREE WEEKS, THREE AND A HALF WEEKS.

SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JOHN WARNER, WHO STRONGLY SUPPORTED THE WAR, ARGUES THE PRICE OF UNITY MAY HAVE BEEN TOO HIGH. HE SAYS THE CONDUCT OF THE AIR WAR DEFIES MILITARY LOGIC -- AND SETS A BAD PRECEDENT FOR FUTURE OPERATIONS.

BUT IT SEEMS TO ME SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO STAND FIRM AND FORCE THE ORGANIZATION TO WORK. MAYBE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TO OUR ADVANTAGE TO SHOW THAT NATO, AFTER 50 -YEARS OF NO COMBAT, INDEED COULD NOT FUNCTION.

CRITICS SAY NATO MAY ALSO HAVE ENCOURAGED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC BY RULING OUT THE USE OF GROUND TROOPS EARLY ON. SECRETARY COHEN SAYS THERE WAS SIMPLY NO CONSENSUS OVER A LAND WAR AND A FRACTIOUS DEBATE ABOUT THIS ISSUE WOULD ONLY HAVE HINDERED THE AIR CAMPAIGN. (SIGNED)
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20-Jul-99 1:27 PM EDT (1727 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO TRAVEL ALERT (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, SAYS KOSOVAR REFUGEES RETURNING HOME FROM WESTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES BY CAR ARE BEING HARASSED AND ROBBED. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE AGENCY IS WARNING RETURNING REFUGEES TO BE WARY OF, WHAT IT CALLS, LOCAL EXTORTION RACKETS.

TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS A GROWING NUMBER OF KOSOVARS ARE RETURNING HOME THROUGH ALBANIA FROM EUROPEAN COUNTRIES OF ASYLUM. MOST ARE TAKING THE FERRY FROM ITALY TO THE PORT OF DURRES. SPOKESMAN, KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS THE AGENCY HAS RECEIVED MANY ALARMING REPORTS OF RETURNING REFUGEES BEING ROBBED, ALLEGEDLY BY LOCAL ALBANIAN THUGS. HE SAYS MANY PEOPLE HAVE LOST THE MONEY THEY NEED TO RESTART THEIR LIVES IN KOSOVO.

MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO SOME KIND OF HARASSMENT OR ATTEMPTED EXTORTION OR EXTORTION OR SOME SORT OF UNREASONABLE PROTECTION FEES. THE SCALE OF IT IS QUITE LARGE ACCORDING TO OUR OFFICE IN DURRES.

THE U-N AGENCY REPORTS HUNDREDS OF REFUGEES ARE RETURNING SPONTANEOUSLY, MAINLY FROM GERMANY. MR. JANOWSKI SAYS IT WOULD BE SAFER FOR THESE PEOPLE TO RETURN HOME VIA A U-N RUN AIRLIFT THROUGH MACEDONIA. BUT, HE SAYS THEY ARE IMPATIENT TO GET HOME. SO THEY JUMP IN A CAR AND GO.

HE SAYS THE CROOKS PERCEIVE THESE UNSUSPECTING REFUGEES AS SOME SORT OF MOVING GOLD MINE. THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SEES SAFETY IN NUMBERS AND IS ADVISING PEOPLE TO TRAVEL IN LARGE CONVOYS.

SPOKESMAN JANOWSKI SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS INTENDS TO PUT MORE PEOPLE AT CUSTOMS POSTS TO WARN TRAVELLERS OF THE RISKS.

IT IS A VERY SHADOWY SITUATION WITH PEOPLE HAVING TO PAY MONEY TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES RELEASED BY THE CUSTOMS. THERE ARE ALSO PEOPLE ASKING FIVE U-S DOLLARS PER TRAVELLER TO MAKE SURE THAT NOTHING HAPPENS TO THE PEOPLE TRAVELLING.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THE PEOPLE HAVE TO TRAVEL ON, WHAT HE CALLS, ATROCIOUS ALBANIAN ROADS TO KUKES, IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE COUNTRY. HE SAYS THEY ARE PREY TO BANDITS ON THE ROAD. HE ADDS THE REFUGEE AGENCY IS LIMITED IN WHAT IT CAN DO. IT ONLY CAN ADVISE PEOPLE TO STICK TOGETHER FOR THEIR OWN PROTECTION. (SIGNED)
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20-Jul-99 8:40 AM EDT (1240 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CLINTON / BALKANS (S-ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE WHITE HOUSE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL ATTEND AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL, SARAJEVO, LATER THIS MONTH AIMED AT PROMOTING DEMOCRATIC AND ECONOMIC REFORM IN SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THE JULY 30TH CONFERENCE WILL FOCUS ON WAYS TO DEEPEN DEMOCRACY AND ENCOURAGE TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN THE REGION IN THE AFTERMATH OF NATO'S BOMBING CAMPAIGN OVER YUGOSLAVIA.

THE WORLD'S MAJOR INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS, AT A MEETING IN COLOGNE, GERMANY LAST MONTH, PROPOSED THE MEETING AS A STEP TOWARD RESTORING STABILITY TO THE BALKANS.

A WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT RELEASED LATE MONDAY SAYS THIRTY HEADS OF STATE ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND. ALL THE LEADERS OF SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE ARE TO BE INVITED, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

THE STATEMENT REITERATES U-S COMMITMENT TO ASSISTING YUGOSLAVIA'S REINTEGRATION INTO EUROPE, BUT ONLY AFTER THERE IS A GOVERNMENT IN BELGRADE - AS THE STATEMENT PUTS IT - THAT IS COMMITTED TO DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION.

THE EUROPEAN UNION IS ORGANIZING THE CONFERENCE, AT A COST OF ONE-AND-A-HALF MILLION DOLLARS. (SIGNED)
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19-Jul-99 9:29 PM EDT (0129 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] CZECH / GOVERNMENT (L-ONLY) BY ALENA KENCLOVA (PRAGUE)

INTRO: A NEW FINANCE MINISTER WAS APPOINTED IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC ON TUESDAY. HOWEVER, THE CABINET CHANGE IS NOT EXPECTED TO REVERSE THE DECLINE IN THE POPULARITY OF THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT, WHICH IS ACCOMPANIED BY RISING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNISTS. ALENA KENCLOVA REPORTS FROM PRAGUE.

TEXT: THE NEW FINANCE MINISTER, 38-YEAR-OLD PAVEL MERTLIK, BECOMES THE YOUNGEST MEMBER IN THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT, WHICH TOOK OFFICE ONE YEAR AGO. // OPT // HIS PREDECESSOR (IVO SVOBODA) WAS RECALLED BECAUSE HE IS BEING CHARGED BY POLICE IN CONNECTION WITH HIS BUSINESS ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAKING UP THE GOVERNMENT POST. // END OPT //

THE REPLACEMENT OF JUST ONE CABINET MEMBER COMES SOMEWHAT AS A SURPRISE TO POLITICAL OBSERVERS. AFTER ONE YEAR IN OFFICE, ONLY ONE IN FOUR CZECH CITIZENS BELIEVES THIS FIRST LEFT-WING GOVERNMENT SINCE THE FALL OF COMMUNISM IS DOING A GOOD JOB. PRIME MINISTER MILOS ZEMAN SINGLED OUT FOUR CABINET MEMBERS FOR CRITICISM ONLY A FEW DAYS AGO. THE GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED TO MAKE PROGRESS ON OLD-AGE PENSION AND HEALTH REFORMS. AND, MORE IMPORTANT, IT SEEMS TO BE LAGGING IN ITS EFFORTS TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION.

AS THE GOVERNMENT'S POPULARITY IS DECLINING, VIRTUALLY ALL PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCH GROUPS HAVE FOUND GROWING SUPPORT FOR THE UNREFORMED COMMUNISTS. ACCORDING TO ONE RECENT POLL, THEY HAVE OVERTAKEN THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS AS THE SECOND STRONGEST PARTY, AND THEIR 18-PERCENT PUBLIC SUPPORT IS THE HIGHEST SINCE THE DEMISE OF THE TOTALITARIAN REGIME.

THE MINORITY GOVERNMENT OF SOCIAL DEMOCRATS IS MAINTAINED IN POWER THANKS TO WHAT PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVEL CALLS AN UNNATURAL POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT. IT RESTS IN A DEAL MADE BETWEEN THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS, WHO WON THE EARLY ELECTIONS IN THE SUMMER OF LAST YEAR, AND THE RUNNERS-UP -- THE RIGHT-WING CIVIC DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF FORMER PRIME MINISTER VACLAV KLAUS. CRITICS SAY THIS SO-CALLED OPPOSITION AGREEMENT STIFLES THE POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE AND ELIMINATES TWO OTHER SMALLER PARTIES IN PARLIAMENT FROM ANY SAY IN POLITICAL LIFE.

THE GROWING SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNISTS CAN ALSO BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC'S ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES. ONCE CONSIDERED A LEADER IN POST-COMMUNIST TRANSFORMATION, THE CZECH REPUBLIC IS GRAPPLING WITH HIGH BUDGET DEFICITS, GROWING UNEMPLOYMENT AND LACK OF FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS. WORSE TIMES ARE PROBABLY STILL TO COME. EXPERTS SAY THE RESTRUCTURING OF LARGE COMPANIES HAS BEEN DELAYED TOO LONG, AND THE PRICE OF CHANGE WILL BE HIGH.

THE NEW FINANCE MINISTER, MR. MERTLIK, IS REGARDED AS A PRAGMATIC ECONOMIST. HE HAS CO-AUTHORED A REVITALIZATION PLAN, WHICH IS TO GO INTO EFFECT LATER THIS YEAR, BUT THERE ARE CONCERNS THAT IT MAY ONLY SEND MORE MONEY INTO INEFFICIENT OPERATIONS. WHERE THE GOVERNMENT HAS SCORED HIGH MARKS ARE ITS STEPS TOWARDS THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE LARGEST BANKS, CONSIDERED CRUCIAL FOR AN ECONOMIC RECOVERY. (SIGNED)
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20-Jul-99 10:36 AM EDT (1436 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER, TONY BLAIR, MET (TUESDAY) WITH HIS IRISH COUNTERPART IN ANOTHER EFFORT TO BREAK THE IMPASSE IN NORTHERN IRELAND'S PEACE PROCESS. THE MEETING CAME AS UNIONIST AND REPUBLICAN POLITICIANS IN THE BRITISH PROVINCE CONTINUE TO BLAME EACH OTHER FOR THE DEADLOCK. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FORMER U-S SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL, WHO HELPED REACH THE 1998 PEACE AGREEMENT, WILL FACILITATE A REVIEW OF THE PROBLEMS.

TEXT: THE FOCUS NOW IS GETTING NORTHERN IRELAND'S PEACE PROCESS BACK ON TRACK. FORMER U-S SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL WILL TAKE CHARGE OF A FULL REVIEW OF THE ISSUES IN DISPUTE -- NOTABLY THE TIMING OF THE DISARMAMENT OF "IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY" PARAMILITARIES AND THE FORMATION OF A POWER-SHARING GOVERNMENT.

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR STRESSES THAT THE REVIEW WILL COVER ONLY THE KEY DISPUTE AND NOT THE WHOLE "GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT".

THE REVIEW IS OF LIMITED FOCUS, LIMITED TO DETERMINING HOW THOSE AGREED PRINCIPLES, WHICH EVERYONE HAS ACCEPTED, WILL THEN CARRY FORWARD.

FORMER SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL WILL LAUNCH THE REVIEW PROCESS THIS WEEK WITH THE "ULSTER UNIONISTS" AND "SINN FEIN", THE POLITICAL WING OF "THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY".

MR. MITCHELL SAYS HE WILL RELY ON THE STRATEGY HE USED FOR MEDIATING THE 1998 "GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT".

THE VERY FIRST DAY OF THE NEGOTIATIONS IN JUNE OF 1996, I TOLD THE PARTICIPANTS THAT I WAS THERE NOT TO PREPARE AN AGREEMENT BUT TO ASSIST THEM PREPARING THEIR AGREEMENT. AND I THINK IN THE END THE SAME THING IS TRUE NOW. IT IS THE POLITICAL LEADERS ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND WHO MUST REACH THEIR WAY FORWARD.

THE PEACE PROCESS HAS STALLED OVER THE ISSUE OF DISARMAMENT.

ULSTER UNIONISTS INSIST THE I-R-A MUST START HANDING OVER WEAPONS BEFORE SINN FEIN JOINS THE GOVERNING EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. SINN FEIN INSISTS THE PEACE AGREEMENT HAS NO SUCH PRECONDITION. LAST WEEK, THE "ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY" REFUSED TO NOMINATE MINISTERS FOR A POWER-SHARING CABINET, WHICH PREVENTED LONDON FROM TRANSFERRING HOME RULE POWERS TO BELFAST.

MR. MITCHELL IS DUE TO MEET WITH ALL THE PARTIES AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE THE END OF JULY, AND THEN RESUME THE REVIEW PROCESS IN SEPTEMBER. (SIGNED)
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20-Jul-99 1:38 PM EDT (1738 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] BRITAIN/MILLENNIUM DOME BY CHRISTINE FURNELL (LONDON)

INTRO: MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT ON MONUMENTS WORLDWIDE TO MARK THE NEW MILLENNIUM. /// OPT /// PROJECTS RANGE FROM A SO CALLED, 'TIME WALL' IN FIJI, THAT WILL STORE UP TO ONE-MILLION PERSONAL TIME CAPSULES, TO FRANCE'S CELEBRATION OF WOOD, IN THE FORM OF "THE EARTH TOWER", WHICH FEATURES A RING OF EXHIBITION PLATFORMS MADE OF WOOD FROM FIVE CONTINENTS. /// END OPT /// THE FOCUS OF MILLENNIUM CELEBRATIONS IN BRITAIN IS THE MILLENNIUM DOME LOCATED AT GREENWICH. AT A COST OF ONE-POINT-TWO-BILLION-DOLLARS, IT OCCUPIES EIGHT-HECTARES ALONG THE RIVER THAMES IN SOUTH-EAST LONDON AND ORGANIZERS SAY VISITING THE DOME WILL BE A LIFE-TRANSFORMING EVENT. AS V-O-A'S CHRISTINE FURNELL IN LONDON REPORTS, IT WILL BE A SHOWCASE FOR BRITISH BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY.

TEXT: THE MILLENNIUM DOME IS AN AWESOME STRUCTURE, MORE THAN A KILOMETER IN CIRCUMFERENCE, 50-METERS HIGH AND COVERING 80-THOUSAND-SQUARE METERS. IT IS THE LARGEST BUILDING OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD.

THE DOME OPENS TO THE PUBLIC DECEMBER 31ST. ABOUT 35-THOUSAND VISITORS ARE EXPECTED DAILY. THEY WILL BE ABLE TO WANDER THROUGH 14 THEMED ZONES INCLUDING "THE BODY," A GIANT HOLLOW FIGURE WHICH SHOWS HOW THE HUMAN BODY WORKS. /// OPT /// "HOME PLANET" IS A RIDE THROUGH SPACE AND WORLD LANDSCAPES, "SELF PORTRAIT," BILLED AS A PICTURE OF BRITAIN AND FEATURING AN ENORMOUS COLLAGE OF THE FACES OF THOUSANDS OF BRITONS. THE "REST ZONE," A SOUNDPROOFED BUBBLE WHERE SOOTHING LIGHTS AND SOUND WILL OFFER VISITORS A QUIET REFUGE. /// END OPT /// AMONG THE OTHER ZONES ARE LEARNING, FAITH, MONEY, AND TALK.

AS WELL AS BEING THE FOCUS OF THE MILLENNIUM CELEBRATIONS IN BRITAIN, IT IS TO SHOWCASE BRITISH TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS. THOUSANDS OF INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HAVE BEEN AWARDED MILLENNIUM PRODUCT STATUS, AN INITIATIVE LAUNCHED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1997. "MILLENNIUM PRODUCTS" IS RUN BY THE LONDON-BASED DESIGN COUNCIL, A PUBLICLY-FUNDED AUTHORITY THAT HELPS DEVELOP AND PROMOTE BRITISH DESIGNS AND IDEAS. CHAIRMAN OF THE DESIGN COUNCIL, JOHN SORRELL, SAYS THE GOAL IS TO CREATE A LEGACY.

THE REAL POINT OF MILLENNIUM PRODUCTS IS TO SHOW TO THE REST OF THE WORLD THAT BRITAIN IS A CREATIVE, INNOVATIVE, MODERN, FORWARD-THINKING NATION. SO MILLENNIUM PRODUCTS HAS A NUMBER OF OBJECTIVES. ONE OF THE VERY IMPORTANT THINGS IS TO ENSURE A LEGACY COMES OUT OF THE INITIATIVE, WHICH HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE SINCE SEPTEMBER 1997 WHEN IT WAS LAUNCHED BY THE PRIME MINISTER.

SUBMISSIONS WERE INVITED FROM COMPANIES, WHATEVER THEIR SIZE OR SECTOR, TO BE JUDGED BY A PANEL OF 100-EXPERTS IN THE FIELDS OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, BUSINESS, DESIGN, AND THE ARTS. THEY WERE LOOKING FOR ITEMS JUDGED TO BE PIONEERING AND CHALLENGE EXISTING CONVENTIONS. ALL THE COMPANIES AGREE THAT GAINING MILLENNIUM PRODUCT ACCREDITATION HAS BEEN VERY GOOD FOR BUSINESS.

EVAN LEWIS WORKS FOR A SMALL COMPANY CALLED "REMARKABLE PENCILS LIMITED", WHICH HAS DEVELOPED A TECHNIQUE OF TURNING POLYSTYRENE VENDING CUPS INTO HIGH QUALITY WRITING PENCILS.

THE ACCREDITATION HAS MADE THE WORLD OF DIFFERENCE. IT HAS LEANT CREDENCE TO THE PRODUCT, IT HAS LEANT CREDIBILITY TO A VERY SMALL COMPANY, AND MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IT HAS SHOWN OTHER PEOPLE THAT IT HAS BEEN LOOKED OVER BY THE ACADEMICS, IT HAS BEEN TESTED, IT IS A QUALITY PRODUCT.

MANY MILLENNIUM PRODUCTS WILL BE EXHIBITED IN THE DOME THAT FORMS THE CENTER-PIECE OF BRITAIN'S MILLENNIUM CELEBRATIONS. THE DOME IS FUNDED BY NATIONAL LOTTERY MONEY, CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP, AND TICKET SALES.

CONSTRUCTION BEGAN IN 1997 AND THE EXHIBITION WILL RUN FOR ONE YEAR. BUT THE AMBITIOUS PROJECT HAS BEEN HAMPERED BY POLITICAL CONTROVERSY AND ESCALATING COSTS, WHICH ARE ANTICIPATED TO EXCEED ONE-BILLION DOLLARS. WITH JUST A FEW MONTHS TO GO, A NEW UNDERGROUND RAIL LINK TO THE DOME IS STILL BEHIND SCHEDULE AND SOME GOVERNMENT MINISTERS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE BUILDING'S FUTURE AFTER THE CELEBRATIONS. (SIGNED)
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20-Jul-99 12:53 PM EDT (1653 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] W-T-O DIRECTOR (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: AFTER MONTHS OF BITTER WRANGLING, THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION -- THE W-T-O -- HAS DECIDED THE POSITION OF DIRECTOR-GENERAL WILL BE SHARED BETWEEN TWO LEADING CONTENDERS. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE COMPROMISE PLAN IS EXPECTED TO BE FORMALLY APPROVED BY THE 134-MEMBER BODY BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

TEXT: UNDER A COMPROMISE PLAN, THE FOUR-YEAR POST OF DIRECTOR-GENERAL WILL BE SPLIT INTO TWO-CONSECUTIVE THREE-YEAR TERMS. FORMER NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER, MIKE MOORE, WILL GET THE FIRST TERM STARTING SEPTEMBER FIRST. THEN THAILAND'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, SUPACHAI PANITCHPAKDI, WILL TAKE OVER, SERVING UNTIL LATE 2005.

THIS UNPRECEDENTED ARRANGEMENT, HAS LEFT DIPLOMATS WITH A SOUR TASTE IN THEIR MOUTHS (UNHAPPY). THEY SAY NO ONE PARTICULARLY LIKES THIS DEADLOCK-BREAKING DEAL. BUT, THEY FIGURE IT IS THE BEST WAY OUT OF A BAD SITUATION.

THE ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN LEADERLESS SINCE THE PREVIOUS DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ITALY'S RENATO RUGGIERO, STEPPED DOWN IN APRIL.

THE W-T-O IS PREPARING FOR A HIGH-LEVEL MINISTERIAL MEETING TO LAUNCH A NEW ROUND OF TRADE NEGOTIATIONS IN NOVEMBER IN THE U-S CITY OF SEATTLE. MEMBERS WERE BECOMING INCREASINGLY NERVOUS THE ORGANIZATION WOULD BE WITHOUT A LEADER AT THIS SENSITIVE TIME.

MR. MOORE HAS THE BACKING OF THE UNITED STATES, MUCH OF EUROPE, AND SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES. THESE COUNTRIES BELIEVE THE NEW ZEALANDER'S POPULAR, COMBATIVE STYLE MAKES HIM THE IDEAL PERSON TO TWIST ARMS IN FAVOR OF FREE TRADE.

MR. SUPACHAI, AN ELEGANT, HIGHLY-RESPECTED ECONOMIST, HAS THE SUPPORT OF ASIAN COUNTRIES, LED BY JAPAN. THE DEADLOCK FINALLY WAS BROKEN WHEN HE AGREED TO GO SECOND AFTER MR. MOORE. (SIGNED)
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20-Jul-99 12:34 PM EDT (1634 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: U-S STOCK PRICES SANK DEEPLY TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR A SECOND STRAIGHT DAY OF LOSSES, EVEN AS QUARTERLY EARNINGS FOR MAJOR U-S BUSINESSES CONTINUE COMING IN VERY STRONG. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK:

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST 191 POINTS OR ONE POINT SEVEN PERCENT, CLOSING AT 10-THOUSAND-996. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED DOWN 30 POINTS AT 13-HUNDRED-77. AND, NASDAQ SHED THREE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT, AS TECHNOLOGY STOCKS TOOK A MAJOR HIT. I-B-M, MICROSOFT AND THE LEADING TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT MAKER LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES WERE THE BIG DRAG ON THE MARKET. THEY REPORTED HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EARNINGS. BUT EACH HAS GONE UP MORE THAN 40 PERCENT THIS YEAR AND INVESTORS SEEM CONCERNED THAT THE BIG GAINS ARE OVER FOR NOW.

ANALYSTS POINT OUT, HOWEVER, THAT THE SELL-OFF IS NOT UNUSUAL BECAUSE STOCK PRICES WERE ALREADY HIGHER IN ANTICIPATION OF EARNINGS.

ANALYST JOE BATTAPAGLIA EXPLAINS:

IT'S A COMBINATION OF A BIG RUN-UP IN TECHNOLOGY NAMES AHEAD OF THE EARNINGS AND NOW THE BIG SLEW OF EARNINGS COMING OUT FOR THESE COMPANIES. SO, IT REALLY IS A MATTER OF BUYING ON THE EXPECTATION AND SELLING ON THE NEWS.

SOME EXPERTS BELIEVE IT IS PREMATURE TO SAY WHETHER THE STOCK MARKET RALLY IS OVER. THEY SAY A DAY OR TWO OF LOSSES DOES NOT MAKE A TREND.

JOHNSON AND JOHNSON, THE WORLD'S NUMBER-ONE DRUG MAKER, CAME IN WITH HIGHER THAN PREDICTED EARNINGS -- A NET INCREASE OF 15 PERCENT.

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, THE BIGGEST MAKER OF SEMICONDUCTORS FOR CELLULAR TELEPHONES, MORE THAN DOUBLED ITS PROFITS THIS PAST QUARTER, AS DEMAND FOR ITS CHIPS SOARED.

AND TYCO INTERNATIONAL -- THE WORLD'S LEADING MAKER OF SECURITY SYSTEMS -- REPORTED A HEFTY 75 PERCENT INCREASE IN PROFITS. GOOD NEWS FOR INVESTORS: TYCO SAYS IT WILL SPLIT ITS STOCK TWO-FOR-ONE. MEANWHILE, DESPITE SLUGGISH TOBACCO SALES -- TOBACCO GIANT PHILIP MORRIS ALSO BEAT WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS, WITH A NEARLY THREE PERCENT INCREASE IN PROFITS. THE COMPANY'S KRAFT FOODS AND MILLER BEER OPERATIONS BROUGHT IN THE MONEY. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/EJ/LSF/GM
20-Jul-99 4:40 PM EDT (2040 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: A PAIR OF AERONAUTICAL EVENTS, ONE A CURRENT TRAGEDY; THE OTHER A HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT, AND BOTH LINKED TO A SINGLE FAMILY, ARE THE DAY'S MOST POPULAR EDITORIAL TOPICS.

THE TRAGEDY IS THE PLANE CRASH THAT HAS TAKEN THE LIVES OF JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY JUNIOR, HIS WIFE, AND HER SISTER. THE ACHIEVEMENT IS THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICA'S APOLLO 11 MOON LANDING, CROWN JEWEL OF THE U-S SPACE PROGRAM.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE CHANGING OUTLOOK FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE; THE COLOMBIAN GUERRILLA PROBLEM; AND A FUROR INVOLVING U-S GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED PUBLIC BROADCASTING. NOW, HERE IS ______________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: EDITORIALS BY THE HUNDREDS FILL THE COMMENTARY PAGES OVER THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S SON, J-F-K-JUNIOR, HIS WIFE CAROLYN AND HER SISTER LAUREN BESSETTE. ON CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS, NEAR THE LONG-TIME KENNEDY FAMILY COMPOUND OF HOUSES AT HYANNISPORT, "THE CAPE COD TIMES" LAMENTS:

VOICE: WE CLAIM HIM AS OURS, AS WE CLAIMED HIS FATHER. BOTH MEN -- JOHN F. KENNEDY AND THE SON WHO BORE HIS NAME -- WERE COMFORTABLE IN THE COSMOPOLITAN WHIRL OF URBAN LIFE. BUT ONCE YOU HAVE SAILED .. THE WATERS OF THE SOUND, SEEN A CAPE [COD] SUNSET FROM A SHINGLED PORCH, STROLLED ... THE SANDS OF THE VINEYARD, YOUR SPIRIT IS ONLY TRULY AT REST HERE. ... WITH THE GRACE HE INHERITED FROM HIS MOTHER, AND THE GOOD HUMOR BEQUEATHED BY HIS FATHER, HE ALLOWED US TO WATCH HIM GROW UP. WE WERE HAPPY TO DO IT. AND WE LIKED HOW HE TURNED OUT -- STRONG, HANDSOME, MATTER-OF-FACT. A GOOD NEIGHBOR. A GOOD GUY.

TEXT: FROM THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, THOUGHTS OF "A DREAM CUT SHORT" IN TODAY'S COLORADO SPRINGS "GAZETTE."

VOICE: WHEN THE PICTURES OF THE MILLENNIUM ARE SELECTED, SOMEWHERE IN THE TOP 50 OR 100 SURELY WILL BE THE IMAGE OF THE THREE-YEAR-OLD BOY SALUTING THE PASSING COFFIN OF HIS ASSASSINATED FATHER IN 1963. ... JOHN F. KENNEDY JUNIOR WILL NOW LIKELY BE REMEMBERED MORE FOR THAT PICTURE THAN FOR THE FULLNESS OF HIS LIFE ... FROZEN IN OUR MEMORIES IN ETERNAL YOUTH, LIKE HIS FATHER ... BEFORE HIM.

TEXT: WHILE BOSTON'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: THE GREATEST HONOR THAT CAN BE PAID JOHN F. KENNEDY JUNIOR AND HIS FAMILY IS FOR OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE TO FOLLOW HIS LEAD AND FIND THEIR OWN WAYS TO ADVANCE THE PUBLIC GOOD.

TEXT: "USA TODAY" FOCUSES ON THE "QUESTION OF RISK AND JUDGMENT" MR. KENNEDY MADE IN FLYING AT NIGHT OVER WATER, WITHOUT INSTRUMENT-FLIGHT TRAINING, AND IN A RELATIVELY UNFAMILIAR PLANE HE HAD JUST BOUGHT.

VOICE: LITERATURE IS FULL OF BOLD GENERALITIES ABOUT RISK. BORIS PASTERNAK BELIEVED ART WAS 'UNTHINKABLE' WITHOUT IT. ... PASTERNAK MAY BE RIGHT ... WE TAKE CALCULATED RISKS IN OUR DRIVING, OUR DIETS ... RISK IS ROUTINE. ... WE RISE ABOVE ANIMALS ... THROUGH THE ABILITY TO EXERCISE JUDGMENT. TO THAT END, IT IS SELF-EVIDENT THAT JOHN F. KENNEDY JUNIOR TOOK AN UNDUE RISK WHEN ... HE TOOK OFF INTO RELATIVELY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. HIS JUDGMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN NO LESS SUSPECT HAD HE LANDED SAFELY.

TEXT: FOR OUR LAST EXCERPT ON THE ACCIDENT, WE TURN TO "THE HARTFORD COURANT."

VOICE: ...LIFE IS NOT FAIR, NOR ARE WEALTH, FAME OR POWER ANTIDOTES AGAINST UNTIMELY DEMISE.

TEXT: OHIO'S "AKRON BEACON JOURNAL" MARKS THE AERONAUTICAL ACHIEVEMENT ON PEOPLE'S MINDS THIS WEEK.

VOICE: THE RACE TO THE MOON, A RACE THE UNITED STATES WON WHEN NEIL ARMSTRONG OF WAPAKONETA, (PRON: WAPPA-KUH-NET-UH) OHIO, SET FOOT ON THE LUNAR SURFACE. ... [WHICH] WILL SURELY STAND AS ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE ... SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS ... THIS CENTURY HAS WITNESSED.

TEXT: THERE WERE MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT THE HISTORIC MAGNITUDE OF THE FLIGHT, FROM TOPEKA'S "CAPITAL-JOURNAL."

VOICE: TO UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENT, REMEMBER THAT WILBUR AND ORVILLE WRIGHT, A PAIR OF SELF-TAUGHT RESEARCHERS AND BICYCLE MECHANICS FROM DAYTON, OHIO, MADE THE WORLD'S FIRST POWERED FLIGHT IN A HEAVIER-THAN-AIR MACHINE ON DECEMBER 23RD, 1903. ... ONLY 60-SOME YEARS LATER, [NEIL] ARMSTRONG AND [NAVY LT. COMMANDER BUZZ] ALDRIN WERE WALKING ON THE [MOON'S] SEA OF TRANQUILITY.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE IMPROVED CLIMATE FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, AND REACTING TO ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER EHUD BARAK'S TRIP TO WASHINGTON, "THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE" SAYS:

VOICE: THE FORMULATION IS NOT A NEW ONE. IT NEVERTHELESS WAS GOOD TO SEE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL DWELLING IN A HIGHLY PUBLIC WAY ON IT. ... THEIR COMMENTS TOGETHER PUT IN A NUTSHELL THE COMPREHENSIVE SCOPE OF THE REGIONAL APPROACH THAT WILL BE NECESSARY TO FIND A SETTLEMENT.

TEXT: NOTING ALL THE PREVIOUS FAILED ATTEMPTS AT PEACE, "THE FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: ... IT IS DIFFICULT TO MUSTER A HUGE AMOUNT OF OPTIMISM ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER EHUD BARAK'S STARTING THE HOUR GLASS RUNNING AGAIN ON ISRAEL'S PEACE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE PALESTINIANS, SYRIA AND LEBANON. /// OPT /// [MR.] BARAK TOLD PRESIDENT CLINTON DURING HIS RECENT VISIT TO WASHINGTON THAT HE HAS SET A 15-MONTH TARGET DEADLINE FOR ACHIEVING A COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

TEXT: IN THIS HEMISPHERE, "THE MIAMI HERALD" IS LAMENTING THE COLLAPSE YESTERDAY OF PREVIOUSLY-POSTPONED PEACE TALKS BETWEEN COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT ANDRES PASTRANA AND THE GUERRILLA GROUP KNOWN BY ITS SPANISH INITIALS AS F-A-R-C, THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES OF COLOMBIA. OPINES "THE HERALD:"

VOICE: COLOMBIA IS FAST BECOMING A COUNTRY IN COLLAPSE. IF THAT OCCURS, THE UNITED STATES WILL BE A VICTIM AS THE COCAINE AND HEROIN TRADE -- BARELY CONSTRAINED NOW BY THE PASTRANA GOVERNMENT'S BEST EFFORTS -- ACCELERATE, BRINGING EVEN CHEAPER DRUGS TO AMERICA'S MAIN STREETS.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, THERE IS A FUROR OVER THE SALE OF DONOR MAILING LISTS BY SEVERAL PUBLIC, GOVERNMENT-SUPPORTED TELEVISION STATIONS. THE LISTS WERE, FOR THE MOST PART, SOLD TO DEMOCRATIC PARTY ORGANIZATIONS, AND REPUBLICANS ARE FURIOUS. AS THEY THREATEN TO CUT FUNDS FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" EXCLAIMS:

VOICE: ORGANIZATIONS THAT DEPEND PARTLY ON PUBLIC MONEY TO SURVIVE SHOULD NOT PLAY POLITICS -- OR EVEN APPEAR TO BE PLAYING POLITICS. IN AN EXTRAORDINARY DISPLAY OF CARELESSNESS, THIS SIMPLE AND SELF-EVIDENT RULE WAS BREACHED BY PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS IN BOSTON, NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO, AND WASHINGTON ... THE LAST THING PUBLIC TELEVISION NEEDS IS A ROUND OF FUNDING CUTS AND AN IRRESPONSIBLY BROAD INVESTIGATION OF THE SORT SOME CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS ARE CONSIDERING.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE EDITORIALS PAGES OF TUESDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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20-Jul-99 11:48 AM EDT (1548 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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