VOA DIGEST - 8/21/95
DATE=8/21/95
TYPE=ADVISORY
TITLE=!!! VOA DIGEST - 8/21/95 !!!
CONTENT=
VOA DIGEST - 8/21/95
THE FOLLOWING IS A SYNOPSIS OF SIGNIFICANT REPORTING BY THE VOICE
OF AMERICA THAT HAD BEEN BROADCAST OR FIRMLY SCHEDULED AT THE
TIME OF PUBLICATION. THIS SELECTION IS NOT INTENDED TO BE
EXHAUSTIVE, AND DOES NOT INCLUDE LATE-BREAKING NEWS OR THE MANY
REPORTS IN ALL VOA LANGUAGES THAT ARE BASED ON COMMERCIAL WIRE
SERVICES OR OTHER SECONDARY SOURCES. WE REGRET THAT WE CANNOT
RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR TRANSCRIPTS OF SPECIFIC BROADCASTS OR
PROGRAM SEGMENTS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT VOA, OFFICE
OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS. TELEPHONE: +1-202-619-2538. ELECTRONIC
MAIL: [email protected] (FOR CORRESPONDENCE FROM OUTSIDE THE
UNITED STATES); [email protected] (FOR CORRESPONDENCE WITHIN
THE UNITED STATES).
REPORTS BY VOA CENTRAL NEWS SERVICE:
BOSNIA / US DIPLOMATS -- A PLANE CARRYING THE BODIES OF THREE US
DIPLOMATS KILLED IN BOSNIA LAST WEEK IS ON ITS WAY BACK TO THE
UNITED STATES. CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS SURVIVING MEMBERS
OF THE US DELEGATION TO BOSNIA ARE ACCOMPANYING THE BODIES, WHICH
WERE FLOWN TO GERMANY FROM THE CROATIAN PORT OF SPLIT. (8/21)
US / BOSNIA -- SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER AND DEFENSE
SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY WILL BE AMONG THOSE ON HAND WHEN THE
BODIES OF THREE AMERICAN ENVOYS RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
MONDAY FROM BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. STAFFER VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS
AMERICAN OFFICIALS GIVE EVERY INDICATION THEIR LATEST DIPLOMATIC
SEARCH FOR PEACE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA WILL CONTINUE THIS
WEEK. (8/20)
US / YUGO DIPLOMACY -- THE UNITED STATES HAS AGAIN APPEALED FOR
MILITARY RESTRAINT BY CROATIA AS SENIOR DIPLOMAT RICHARD
HOLBROOKE CONTINUES A BALKANS SHUTTLE MISSION WITH A NEW US PEACE
INITIATIVE. THE FIVE-NATION CONTACT GROUP WILL DISCUSS THE
RESULTS OF THE HOLBROOKE MISSION EARLY NEXT WEEK. CORRESPONDENT
DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS. (8/18)
CROATIA / TUDJMAN -- CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN HAS DENIED
HE HAS MADE A SECRET DEAL WITH PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO
DIVIDE BOSNIA BETWEEN CROATIA AND SERBIA. HE SAYS HE WANTS ALL
FIGHTING BETWEEN CROATS AND SERBS TO END, BUT THE CROATIAN ARMY
HAS MASSED TEN THOUSAND TROOPS NEAR DUBROVNIK IN PREPARATION FOR
AN EXPECTED ATTACK ON THE BOSNIAN SERBS. STRINGER DAVID FOLEY
REPORTS. (8/18)
UN / RAPID REACTION FORCE -- UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL
BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI URGED THE SECURITY COUNCIL FRIDAY TO
RESOLVE A DISPUTE OVER THE MOVEMENT IN CROATIA OF THE UNITED
NATIONS RAPID REACTION FORCE. CORRESPONDENT CHRIS SIMKINS
REPORTS. (8/18)
INDIA / TRAIN WRECK -- AT LEAST 350 PEOPLE IN NORTHERN INDIA WERE
KILLED IN A COLLISION BETWEEN TWO PASSENGER TRAINS, AND HUNDREDS
MORE ARE INJURED. CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL DRUDGE REPORTS. (8/21)
ISRAEL / BOMB -- A MASSIVE BOMB HAS RIPPED THROUGH A PASSENGER
BUS IN JERUSALEM, KILLING AT LEAST SIX PEOPLE AND INJURING 90.
ISRAEL RADIO SAYS A CALLER FROM THE MILITANT ISLAMIC GROUP,
HAMAS, CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ATTACK. STRINGER PATRICIA
GOLAN REPORTS FROM JERUSALEM. (8/21)
IRAQI / DEFECTOR -- A TOP-RANKING IRAQI DEFECTOR, GENERAL HUSSEIN
KAMEL HASSAN, HAS TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWS AGENCY SADDAM
HUSSEIN HAD PLANS TO INVADE KUWAIT AND SAUDI ARABIA THIS MONTH.
THE NEWS COINCIDES WITH AN INCREASED US MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE
REGION. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS. (8/21)
US / TROOPS / IRAQ -- THE FIRST OF FOURTEEN HUNDRED US TROOPS ARE
HEADING FOR KUWAIT AND TRAINING EXERCISES MOVED UP FROM OCTOBER
BECAUSE OF POTENTIALLY AGGRESSIVE IRAQI MILITARY MOVEMENTS.
STAFFER VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THE PRESENCE OF US GROUND, SEA AND
AIR FORCES IN THE GULF REGION COME AS A SENIOR IRAQI MILITARY
DEFECTOR SAYS IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN WAS PLANNING AN
INVASION OF KUWAIT AND SAUDI ARABIA. (8/20)
IRAQ / UN -- IRAQ HAS HANDED OVER SOME INFORMATION ABOUT ITS
SECRET WEAPONS PROGRAMS, BUT CHIEF UN INSPECTOR ROLF EKEUS SAYS
IT HAS TO BE CHECKED BEFORE HE CAN SAY IT IS ALL THAT HE NEEDS.
CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS. (8/18)
CHINA / TIBET -- CHINA CONTINUES TO CRITICIZE TIBET'S DALAI LAMA
FOR WHAT IT SAYS ARE HIS ATTEMPTS TO SPLIT THE COUNTRY BY BACKING
TIBETAN INDEPENDENCE. CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER REPORTS FROM
BEIJING A CHINESE OFFICIAL WHO DEALS WITH TIBETAN ISSUES ALSO
REJECTED THE DALAI LAMA'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE REINCARNATION OF
THE SECOND RANKING LAMA, THE PANCHEN LAMA, HAD BEEN FOUND.
(8/21)
ASIA / NUKE -- THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
LODGED PROTESTS MONDAY WITH THE CHINESE AMBASSADORS TO THEIR
COUNTRIES FOLLOWING BEIJING'S LATEST NUCLEAR TEST. CORRESPONDENT
MAX RUSTON REPORTS THE PROTESTS ARE THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF
ACTIONS TAKEN BY EAST ASIAN NATIONS TO STOP CHINESE AND FRENCH
NUCLEAR TESTING PROGRAMS IN THE REGION. (8/21)
US / CHINA / WOMEN -- THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT IS CONCERNED THAT
SLOW PROCESSING OF VISAS BY CHINESE OFFICIALS MAY PREVENT
THOUSANDS OF WOMEN FROM ATTENDING EVENTS RELATED TO THE UPCOMING
WORLD UN CONFERENCE ON WOMEN. THE PROBLEM COMES AMID CONTINUED
DEBATE OVER WHETHER PRESIDENT CLINTON'S WIFE, HILLARY CLINTON
SHOULD HEAD THE US DELEGATION TO THE CONFERENCE OPENING EARLY
NEXT MONTH. (8/18)
CONSERVATIVE WOMEN / BEIJING -- REPRESENTATIVES OF CONSERVATIVE
CHRISTIAN AND ISLAMIC ORGANIZATIONS ARE CALLING THE DRAFT
PLATFORM FOR THE UPCOMING UN MEETING ON WOMEN A THREAT TO
SOCIETY. STAFFER JANE KUCZYNSKI REPORTS ON THE VIEWS OF TWO
WOMEN WHO WILL BE ATTENDING THE NGO (NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION)
FORUM. (8/18)
KOREA / FIRE -- POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES
SURROUNDING A FIRE WHICH KILLED 38 WOMEN AT A TRAINING CENTER
NEAR SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA MONDAY. SHIN NA REPORTS AUTHORITIES
BELIEVE THE FIRE WAS A RESULT OF ARSON. (8/21)
RUSSIA / CHECHNYA -- A GROUP OF CHECHEN REBELS HAS SEIZED A
POLICE STATION IN A CHECHEN VILLAGE, ARGUN. CORRESPONDENT
ELIZABETH ARROTT IN MOSCOW REPORTS A TENSE STANDOFF BETWEEN THE
REBELS AND RUSSIAN FORCES IS NOW UNDERWAY. (8/21)
LIBERIA / PEACE TALKS -- LIBERIA'S WARRING FACTIONS, MEETING IN
THE NIGERIAN CAPITAL, ABUJA, HAVE SIGNED A PEACE AGREEMENT
CALLING FOR A CEASE-FIRE TO END MORE THAN FIVE YEARS OF CIVIL WAR
AND THE START OF DEMOCRATIC RULE IN ONE YEAR. CORRESPONDENT
PURNELL MURDOCK REPORTS. (8/20)
ZAIRE / PROTEST -- THOUSANDS OF ZAIREAN CITIZENS MARCHED THROUGH
KINSHASA FRIDAY TO PROTEST AGAINST PRIME MINISTER KENGO WA DONDO
AND WHAT RADICAL OPPOSITION GROUPS CALL THE FOREIGN INFLUENCES
KEEPING HIM IN POWER. CORRESPONDENT PURNELL MURDOCK REPORTS.
(8/18)
ALGERIA / HUMAN RIGHTS -- A US BASED HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION IS
CRITICIZING THE ALGERIAN GOVERNMENT FOR BLOCKING EFFORTS TO
DOCUMENT ALLEGED HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES BY ALGERIAN SECURITY FORCES.
CORRESPONDENT LAURI NEFF REPORTS. (8/18)
WHITE HOUSE / SAO TOME -- A WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL SAYS THE
MILITARY LEADERS OF SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE WILL FACE MORE
SANCTIONS IF DEPOSED PRESIDENT MIGUEL TROVOADA IS NOT RETURNED TO
POWER IMMEDIATELY. MR TROVOADA WAS OUSTED IN A MILITARY COUP
THIS WEEK. STAFFER ANA GUEDES REPORTS. (8/18)
WINDOWS 95 -- THE MICROSOFT CORPORATION IS EXPECTED TO SPEND UP
TO 200 MILLION DOLLARS ON ADVERTISING ALONE FOR ITS NEW COMPUTER
SOFTWARE PRODUCT, WINDOWS 95. IN A NON-TRADITIONAL WAY OF
ADVERTISING COMPUTER PRODUCTS, MICROSOFT HAS PLANNED A WORLD-WIDE
PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN DIRECTED AT A NEW GENERATION OF
COMPUTER-USERS WHEN IT INTRODUCES ITS SOFTWARE ON THURSDAY.
STRINGER MONA GHUNEIM REPORTS. (8/20)
COSTA RICA / STRIKE -- A MONTH-LONG STRIKE BY COSTA RICAN
TEACHERS IS OVER AS MANY SCHOOLS REOPENED FRIDAY FOR THE FIRST
TIME SINCE JULY 17TH. BUT CORRESPONDENT BILL RODGERS REPORTS A
SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF TEACHERS FEEL THE STRIKE SHOULD HAVE BEEN
CONTINUED. (8/18)
ACS WRAP -- HEADS OF STATE AND TOP OFFICIALS FROM THIRTY NATIONS
AND DEPENDENCIES IN THE CARIBBEAN ENDED TWO DAYS OF TALKS FRIDAY
IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO'S CAPITAL, PORT OF SPAIN. CORRESPONDENT
JIM TEEPLE REPORTS DELEGATES AT THE FIRST MEETING OF THE
ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN STATES ALSO PLEDGED TO RESPECT HUMAN
RIGHTS AND SUPPORT DEMOCRACY. (8/18)
VOA REPORTS IN INDIVIDUAL LANGUAGES:
INSIDE USA:
CANCER / TALK TO AMERICA -- TODAY'S ''TALK TO AMERICA' GUEST IS
CANCER SPECIALIST DR OTIS BRAWLEY, CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN A TRIAL
PROGRAM DEVOTED TO THE PREVENTION OF PROSTATE CANCER. HE JOINS
IN A DISCUSSION ON THE LATEST ADVANCES IN TREATING AND CURING
CANCERS, AND WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT HOW TO PREVENT THEM. (ENGLISH
8/21)
COMPUTER SECURITY / POLICY -- REPORTER ANDREW BAIRD SPEAKS WITH
ANN ENRIGHT SHEPHERD, A SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT'S
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY ABOUT THE CLINTON
ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSAL TO RELAX GOVERNMENT ACCESS TO COMPUTER
COMMUNICATIONS, WHICH ALLOWED INCREASED EXPORTS OF CERTAIN
SOFTWARE PRODUCTS LAST YEAR. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 8/18)
FEDERAL / STATE BUDGET -- US ECONOMIST DR VLADIMIR TREML OF DUKE
UNIVERSITY AND NATALIE CLARKSON DISCUSS THE PROS AND CONS OF
TRANSFERRING SOME PROGRAMS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO THE
STATES, AS WELL AS THE RELATIVE HEALTH OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE
BUDGETS. (RUSSIAN 8/20)
LABOR UNIONS -- TRADE UNION SPECIALIST CONSTANTINE SIMES AND
NATALIE CLARKSON TALK ABOUT EXPECTED CUTS IN OSHA'S BUDGET AND
THEIR POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES. (RUSSIAN 8/19)
VJ DAY CELEBRATION -- THE CELEBRATION IN TIMES SQUARE ON THE 50TH
ANNIVERSARY OF JAPAN'S SURRENDER IN WWII REPORTED BY NY
CORRESPONDENT ALEC BATCHAN. (RUSSIAN 8/20)
IRANIAN / ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY -- STAFFER MOHAMMAD RAZAVI REPORTS
ON A TALK BY PHILOSOPHER MOSTAVA HERAVI ABOUT THE THOUGHT AND
TEACHING OF THE 13TH CENTURY MYSTIC, MOWLANA JALA AL-DIN RUMI.
DR HERAVI WAS SPEAKING TO THE IRANIAN 'PEN SOCIETY' OF LOS
ANGELES. (FARSI 8/20)
DATA SATELLITES -- FARSI STAFFER MANSOUR FRACYON INTERVIEWED
IRANIAN-BORN SCIENTIST NADER MODANLOO, FOUNDER OF FIRST ANALYSIS
INC, ABOUT THE DATA SATELLITES HE HAS DESIGNED AND BUILT. (FARSI
8/20)
SMALL BUSINESS / US -- MOHAMMAD RAZAVI REPORTS ON A GATHERING IN
LOS ANGELES BY SEVERAL IRANIAN-AMERICAN INVESTMENT EXPERTS WHO
OFFER THEIR ADVICE TO THOSE WHO WANT TO GO INTO BUSINESS FOR
THEMSELVES. (FARSI 8/20)
WORLD MARTIAL ARTS CHAMPIONSHIPS -- THE WORLD WUSHU-KUNGFU
CHAMPIONSHIPS OPENED IN BALTIMORE WITH 9,000 ATHLETES, COACHES
AND SPORTS OFFICIALS FROM 54 COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING. REPORTER
CATHY HU COVERED THE EVENT INTERVIEWING TAN KI NG, PRESIDENT, US
NATIONAL MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION; ZHANG YAOTING, HEAD COACH,
CHINESE WUSHU TEAM; ATHLETES FROM THE HONG KONG, TAIWAN AND
POLAND TEAMS. (CANTONESE 8/20)
INSIDE AFRICA:
ZAIRE / REFUGEES -- THE GOVERNMENT OF ZAIRE HAS BEGUN THE FORCED
REPATRIATION OF REFUGEES TO RWANDA. REPORTER WILLIAM EAGLE SPOKE
WITH A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BURUNDIAN HUTU, JEROME NDIJO OF THE
NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACY IN UVIRA, ZAIRE,
AND FERNANDO DEL MUNDO OF THE UNHCR IN GENEVA. (ENGLISH TO
AFRICA 8/21)
ZAIRE / PROTEST -- THOUSANDS OF ZAIREANS MARCHED FRIDAY IN THE
STREETS OF THE CAPITAL, KINSHASA, TO PROTEST THE SUPPORT GIVEN
THE KENGO GOVERNMENT BY WESTERN POWERS, NAMELY THE US, FRANCE AND
BELGIUM. DEMONSTRATORS SAID THE MANDATE OF PRIME MINISTER KENGO
WA DONDO EXPIRED LAST MONTH AND HE SHOULD LEAVE HIS POST IN FAVOR
OF OPPOSITION LEADER ETIENNE TSHISEKEDI. FRENCH TO AFRICA INTERN
PIERRE MVEMBA SPOKE TO VALENTIN MUBAKE, OPPOSITION OFFICIAL AND
MEMBER OF THE ZAIREAN TRANSITION PARLIAMENT WHO SAID THE
DEMONSTRATION WAS SUCCESSFUL. (FRENCH 8/18)
NIGERIA / OPPOSITION / SAO TOME -- A SPOKESMAN FOR NIGERIA'S
NADECO OPPOSITION WARNS THE PEOPLE OF SAO TOME NOT TO SUPPORT THE
MILITARY COUP LEADERS -- OR THEY MAY NEVER LEAVE OFFICE.
REPORTER WILLIAM EAGLE SPOKE WITH NADECO LEADER DAN SULEIMAN.
(ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/18)
NIGERIA / CONSTITUTION -- NIGERIA'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT IS
SPONSORING A NATIONWIDE DEBATE ON A NEW CONSTITUTION. FORMER
CIVILIAN PRESIDENT SHEHU SHAGARI USED THE PUBLIC DEBATE TO SPEAK
OUT AGAINST THE MILITARY. REPORTER CHINEDU OFFOR HAS DETAILS
FROM LAGOS. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/21)
NIGERIA / HUMAN RIGHTS -- NIGERIAN SECURITY AGENTS FAIL TO
PRODUCE PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST BEKO RANSOME-KUTI IN COURT. THE
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE SAYS IT HAS NO AUTHORITY OVER THOSE WHO
ARRESTED HIM LAST MONTH. REPORTER CHINEDU OFFOR HAS THE STORY
FROM LAGOS. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/18)
NIGERIA / NIGER -- THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT HAS DONATED MORE THAN
2.6 BILLION FRANCS CFA TO THE REPUBLIC OF NIGER. THE DONATION IS
MEANT TO HELP THE COUNTRY RECOUP FROM ITS ECONOMIC CRISES. HAUSA
STRINGER LAWAL BOUCAR REPORTS THAT SIMILAR DONATIONS WERE MADE BY
THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT IN 1992 WHEN THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT OF
IBRAHIM BABANGIDA, DONATED PETROL WORTH SIX BILLION FRANCS TO THE
TRANSITION GOVERNMENT OF NIGER. (HAUSA 8/18)
NIGER / VISIT -- FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF NIGER REPUBLIC, SHEHU
AHMADU, WHO CHAIRED THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE THAT USHERED IN THE
PRESENT DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN NIGER VISITED THE COUNTRY, WHERE
HE ATTEMPTED TO TALK TO THE LEADERSHIP ENTANGLED IN A POLITICAL
DEADLOCK. HAUSA STRINGER LAWAN BOUCAR INTERVIEWED MR. AHMADU.
(HAUSA 8/21)
LIBERIA / ABUJA PEACE ACCORD -- LIBERIAN WARRING PARTIES
SATURDAY SIGNED AN AGREEMENT IN THE NIGERIAN CAPITAL, ABUJA, TO
END NEARLY SIX YEARS OF CIVIL WAR. VICTORY REFFELL IS THE
INFORMATION SPOKESWOMAN FOR CHARLES TAYLOR'S NATIONAL PATRIOTIC
FRONT OF LIBERIA. REPORTER JAMES BUTTY ASKED HER FOR DETAILS OF
THE AGREEMENT. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/20)
MALAWI / BANDA -- THE WIDOWS OF FOUR SLAIN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
TESTIFIED IN THE TRIAL OF FORMER MALAWI PRESIDENT KAMUZU BANDA.
MR. BANDA AND HIS AIDES WERE CHARGED WITH CONSPIRING TO MURDER
THE MEN IN 1983. REPORTER JULIUS KALIYA HAS DETAILS FROM
BLANTYRE. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/18)
AFRICA / NABJ AWARDS -- THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK
JOURNALISTS' ANNUAL MEETING CONTINUES IN THE NORTHEASTERN US CITY
OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA. REPORTER JAMES BUTTY HAS BEEN
COVERING THE MEETING. HE SAYS AFRICA WON BIG AT THE AWARDS
CEREMONY. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/19)
SUDAN / REBELS -- SUDAN HAS ASKED THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR
REFUGEES TO STOP THE DRAFTING OF REFUGEES FROM NEIGHBORING
COUNTRIES BY THE SUDANESE LIBERATION ARMY. STAFFER THABET
EL-BARDICY REPORTS FROM CAIRO. (ARABIC 8/20)
SAO TOME / COUP -- FOUR DAYS AFTER THE COUP THAT OUSTED PRESIDENT
TROVOADA AND THE MLSTP GOVERNMENT, DEPOSED MINISTER OF ECONOMIC
AFFAIRS RAFAEL BRANCO SAYS HE IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE RESTORATION
OF DEMOCRACY. MR BRANCO MADE THE REMARK IN AN INTERVIEW WITH
REPORTER LUISA PIETTE. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/18)
ZAMBIA / VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN -- THE YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN
ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA HAS ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS OF A RECENT STUDY
ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. REPORTER KELLYS KAUNDA HAS DETAILS
FROM LUSAKA. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/18)
ZIMBABWE / WATER SHORTAGES -- GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS PROPOSED IDEAS
FOR CONTROLLING ZIMBABWE'S WATER RESOURCES AT THIS WEEK'S MEETING
OF THE ZIMBABWE FARMERS UNION CONGRESS. REPORTER TREVOR GRUNDY
HAS DETAILS FROM HARARE. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/25)
LIBERIA PEACE TALKS / ABUJA -- THE LIBERIAN PEACE TALKS TAKING
PLACE IN ABUJA, NIGERIA ARE ONCE AGAIN AT AN IMPASSE DUE TO
DISAGREEMENTS OVER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTERIM GOVERNMENT.
HAUSA STRINGER BABANGIDA JIBRIN REPORTS THAT FOREIGN MINISTERS OF
ECOWAS' EIGHT-MEMBER COMMITTEE ON LIBERIAN PEACE AND
REPRESENTATIVES OF LIBERIA'S WARRING FACTIONS HAVE ARRIVED IN
NIGERIA'S CAPITAL FOR THE MEETING BUT THE LEADER OF ULIMO-KROMA,
ALHAJI KROMA WAS NOT PARTICIPATING. (HAUSA 8/18)
ETHIOPIA / PARLIAMENT OPENS -- THE NEW ETHIOPIAN PARLIAMENT WHICH
REPLACES THE FOUR-YEAR OLD TRANSITIONAL COUNCIL OF
REPRESENTATIVES OPENED MONDAY IN ADDIS ABABA. ONE OF THE FIRST
ITEMS OF BUSINESS THE LEGISLATIVE BODY IS EXPECTED TO TACKLE IS
ELECTING THE NEW PRIME MINISTER WHO WILL BE THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OF THE GOVERNMENT, AND THE PRESIDENT. STRINGER TAFESSE KIFLE
REPORTS. (AMHARIC 8/21)
OAU / BEIJING WOMEN'S CONFERENCE -- ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE OAU
DELEGATION TO THE BEIJING WOMEN'S CONFERENCE IS HIRUT BEFEKADU,
HEAD OF THE WOMEN'S UNIT IN THE AFRICAN ORGANIZATION. IN AN
INTERVIEW WITH AMHARIC STAFFER KONJIT TAYE, MS. HIRUT ELABORATED
ON WHAT AGENDA AFRICA WILL BE PUSHING AT THE CONFERENCE.
(AMHARIC 8/21)
AFRICA / WOMEN -- STAFFER MAIMOUNA MILLS INTERVIEWS ALGERIAN
JOURNALIST AMEL BOUMEDIENE WHO WAS RECENTLY IN THE US AND VISITED
VOA'S HEADQUARTERS. MS BOUMEDIENE WHO HAS BEEN THREATENED BY
MUSLIM MILITANTS AND WHO HAS SEEN OTHER JOURNALISTS KILLED SAYS
SHE WILL NOT LEAVE HER COUNTRY. (FRENCH 8/18)
AFRICA / DRUGS -- STAFFER MAHAMAT AHMAT ADAMOU REPORTS ON THE
PROBLEM OF DRUG TRAFFICKING IN AFRICA. ADAMOU INTERVIEWED
INTERPOL OFFICIAL QUILICI WHO SAID DRUGS FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA AND
LATIN AMERICA DESTINED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN EUROPE AND THE US ARE
OFTEN TRANSITED THROUGH AFRICA. MR. QUILICI SPOKE OF THE MANY
METHODS USED BY TRAFFICKERS, ESPECIALLY NIGERIANS TO HIDE THE
DRUGS. STRINGER GENEVIEVE MAURER AND STAFFER SAMUEL KIENDREBEOGO
REPORTS THE OPENING OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE WORLD HAS MEANT AN
INCREASE OF DRUG USE AND DRUG TRAFFICKING. (FRENCH 8/18)
AFRICA / WATER RESOURCES -- EXPERTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD MET
LAST WEEK IN STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN FOR A WATER RESOURCES
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE. STAFFER JEAN-CLAUDE ANDRE INTERVIEWED
WORLD BANK OFFICIAL GUY LEMOIGNE WHO WAS ATTENDING THE STOCKHOLM
CONFERENCE AND SPOKE OF THE CREATION OF A GLOBAL WATER
PARTNERSHIP. MR LEMOIGNE ALSO UNDERLINED THE NEED FOR A MORE
COORDINATED APPROACH TO THE PROBLEMS OF WATER SCARCITY IN
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY IN AFRICA. (FRENCH 8/18)
WORLD BANK / LOANS -- STAFFER JEAN-CLAUDE ANDRE INTERVIEWED ANNIE
CHIDEZERO ABOUT THE NEW MICRO LOANS THAT THE WORLD BANK RECENTLY
GRANTED THE WORLD'S POOREST WOMEN. MS. CHIDEZERO SAID THESE
LOANS CAME WITH HELP ON STARTING SMALL BUSINESSES. (FRENCH 8/18)
IVORY COAST / ELECTIONS --STRINGER MOHAMED ELBOU REPORTS FROM
ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN HAS NOT
OFFICIALLY STARTED BUT ELECTIONS ARE THE ISSUE OF THE DAY.
(FRENCH 8/21)
GUINEA / OPPOSITION STRIKE -- STAFFER ROGER-GUY FOLLY INTERVIEWED
GUINEAN OPPOSITION LEADER ALPHA CONDE WHO SAYS OPPOSITION PARTIES
WILL LAUNCH A THREE-DAY STRIKE IN CITIES BEGINNING MONDAY TO
PROTEST ELECTORAL FRAUD AND FORCE THE GOVERNMENT TO SERIOUSLY
UNDERTAKE DEMOCRATIC REFORMS. (FRENCH 8/21)
REGGAE / MUSICIAN GREGORY ISAACS -- THE NEW RELEASE OF REGGAE
ARTIST GREGORY ISAACS FEATURES A SWEET BLEND OF SMOOTH VOCALS AND
LOVERS' ROCK STYLE ARRANGEMENTS. REPORTER VERLA WILEY
INTERVIEWED ISAACS AND FEATURES SELECTIONS FROM THE ALBUM.
(ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/21)
INSIDE MIDEAST:
IRAQ / UN -- ROLF EKEUS, THE UN DISARMAMENT CHIEF FOR IRAQ, SAID
BAGHDAD HAS PROVIDED VALUABLE NEW DATA ABOUT ITS WEAPONS
PROGRAMS, BUT MOST LIKELY NOT IN TIME FOR THE NEXT UN SANCTIONS
REVIEW. CORRESPONDENT MAHMOUD ZAWAWI REPORTS. (ARABIC 8/20)
IRAQ / OPPOSITION -- AN IRAQI OPPOSITION LEADER WHO LIVES IN
EUROPE SAID IRAQI OPPOSITION WILL ESCALATE ITS MILITARY
OPERATIONS INSIDE IRAQ TO HELP OVERTHROW THE CURRENT REGIME.
STRINGER ALI MAAN REPORTS FROM VIENNA. (ARABIC 8/19)
EGYPT / US / IRAQ -- UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE MIDDLE EAST
ROBERT PELLETREAU IS IN ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT. HE DISCUSSED THE
SITUATION IN IRAQ WITH PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK. STAFFER THABET
EL-BARDICY REPORTS FROM CAIRO. (ARABIC 8/19)
MOROCCO / FLOODS -- RESCUE OPERATIONS CONTINUE IN MOROCCO'S
MARRAKECH REGION WHERE FLOODS HAVE LEFT MORE THAN 160 PEOPLE
DEAD. STRINGER MOHAMED BENDEDDOUCHE REPORTS FROM RABAT. (ARABIC
8/19)
JORDAN / IRAQ / GULF -- JORDAN'S KING HUSSEIN SAID THE RELATIONS
BETWEEN HIS COUNTRY AND SAUDI ARABIA ARE NORMALIZING. HE ALSO
SAID THE US DID NOT ASK JORDAN TO STOP ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH
IRAQ. STAFFER JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 8/20)
JORDAN / ISRAEL / ENERGY AGREEMENT -- JORDAN AND ISRAEL HAVE
SIGNED AN ENERGY AGREEMENT WHICH INCLUDES COMMON RESEARCH
PROGRAMS. STAFFER JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC
8/20)
JORDAN / IRAQ -- JORDAN SAID IT WILL NOT SEVER ITS ECONOMIC TIES
WITH IRAQ NOR WILL DO ANYTHING TO JEOPARDIZE ITS OWN INTERESTS,
BECAUSE JORDAN DOES NOT FEEL THREATENED BY IRAQ. STRINGER
SULEIMAN KHAIRALLAH REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 8/19)
ALGERIA / ELECTIONS -- THE NOVEMBER 16TH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
CAMPAIGN HAS STARTED IN ALGERIA. STAFFER THABER EL-BARDICY
REPORTS FROM CAIRO. MR. EL-BARDICY ALSO DISCUSSED ALGERIA'S
UPCOMING ELECTIONS WITH DR. HUSSEIN AHMED AMEEN, FORMER EGYPTIAN
AMBASSADOR TO ALGERIA. (ARABIC 8/20)
TURKEY / SAUDI EXECUTIONS -- A TURKISH DELEGATION HAS RETURNED
FROM SAUDI ARABIA AFTER PLEADING FOR CLEMENCY FOR TURKISH
DEATH-ROW INMATES IN SAUDI PRISONS. RECENT BEHEADINGS OF FOUR
TURKISH CITIZENS CONVICTED OF SMUGGLING STIMULANT DRUGS DREW
STRONG PUBLIC AND POLITICAL REACTIONS IN TURKEY. MEMBERS OF THE
TURKISH DELEGATION SAY SAUDI OFFICIALS PROMISED TO STOP
EXECUTIONS OF TURKISH CITIZENS FOR NOW. STRINGER NUSRET OZGUL
REPORTS FROM TURKEY. (TURKISH 8/21)
ISRAEL / TERRORISM / PEACE PROCESS -- STAFFER MANSOUR FRACYON
INTERVIEWED DAVID MENASHERI, A TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY MIDDLE EAST
STUDIES PROFESSOR, WHO WAS BORN IN IRAN. DR. MENASHERI TALKED
ABOUT THE IMPACT OF TERRORIST ATTACKS. HE BELIEVES THAT ISRAEL
SHOULD NOT LET THESE ACTS STOP THE PEACE PROCESS AND THAT THE
ISRAELI GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THEY WILL NOT
TOLERATE TERRORIST ACTS AND MOVE SWIFTLY AGAINST TERRORISTS.
(FARSI 8/21)
IRANIAN FILM -- FARSI STAFFER KATAYOUN BEGLARI INTERVIEWED
IRANIAN DIRECTOR MS RAKHSHAN BANI ETEMAD, A BRONZE MEDAL WINNER
AT THIS YEAR'S LOCARNO FILM FESTIVAL. MS BANI ETEMAD TALKS ABOUT
HER CAREER AND THE PRIZE WINNING FILM. (FARSI 8/17)
INSIDE CENTRAL ASIA:
AZERBAIJAN / US -- US STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL THOMAS MCKAY HAS
VISITED MANY OF THE REFUGEE CAMPS IN AZERBAIJAN. AFTER HIS TOUR,
HE GAVE A NEWS CONFERENCE ABOUT US GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT
HUMANITARIAN AID TO AZERBAIJAN. AZERI STRINGER RAFAEL HUSAINOV
REPORTS. (AZERI 8/21)
INSIDE SOUTH ASIA:
CHINA NUKE / REACT -- CHINA'S SECOND UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR TEST
THIS YEAR HAS EVOKED STRONG NEGATIVE REACTION IN INDIA. STRINGER
KL NANDAN REPORTS THAT SEVERAL COMMENTATORS RAISED QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF THE RECENTLY EXTENDED NON-PROLIFERATION
TREATY WHEN MEMBER COUNTRIES CONTINUE NUCLEAR TESTING AT WILL.
(HINDI 8/18)
KASHMIR / HOSTAGES -- PRIME MINISTER OF PAKISTANI KASHMIR, SARDAR
ABDUL QAIYYUM KHAN IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER QAMAR ABBAS JAFRI
CONDEMNED THE KILLING OF A NORWEGIAN HOSTAGE BY THE AL FARAN
MILITANT GROUP IN INDIAN KASHMIR. AND HE DEMANDED THAT THE
REMAINING FOUR WESTERN HOSTAGES BE RELEASED IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT
CONDITIONS. (URDU 8/17)
KARACHI / VIOLENCE -- THE LEADER OF THE MQM'S (MOHAJIR QUOMI
MOVEMENT) NEGOTIATING TEAM AJMAL DEHLAVI HAS MADE AN OFFER TO THE
GOVERNMENT'S TEAM LED BY FEDERAL LAW MINISTER NABIDAD KHAN TO
RESUME THE DEADLOCKED NEGOTIATIONS ON ENDING VIOLENCE IN KARACHI.
STAFFER RAZI AHMAD RIZVI REPORTS THAT THE LEADER OF THE
GOVERNMENT TEAM, NABIDAD KHAN WELCOMED THE OFFER AND REAFFIRMED
THE GOVERNMENT'S DESIRE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS THROUGH
NEGOTIATIONS. (URDU 8/20)
PAKISTAN / POLITICS -- PAKISTAN'S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEMBER GHULAM
DASTAGIR KHAN DESCRIBES THE CURRENT POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC
SITUATION IN PAKISTAN AS ALARMING. HE SPOKE IN AN INTERVIEW WITH
STAFFER YASMIN JAMIL. SHE ALSO INTERVIEWED THE LEADER OF JAMAATE
ISLAMI PARTY, PROFESSOR GHAFOOR AHMAD WHO TOLD HER THAT NEITHER
THE GOVERNMENT NOR THE MQM ARE SERIOUS IN THEIR TALKS TO
NORMALIZE THE SITUATION IN KARACHI. (URDU 8/20)
ENRON / FUTURE IMPACT -- STAFFER SUBHASH VOHRA INTERVIEWS FORMER
US AMBASSADOR TO INDIA, WILLIAM CLARK, SPOKESPERSON KELLY FARR
WHOSE COMPANY, CSM CORP. IS AWAITING GUARANTEES FOR POWER
PROJECTS IN TWO INDIAN STATES, AND RAJIV KHANNA THE PRESIDENT OF
THE INDIAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ON THE IMPACT OF THE
CANCELLATION OF ENRON POWER PROJECT ON FUTURE FOREIGN INVESTMENT
IN INDIA. (HINDI 8/18)
ENRON / SECOND PROJECT -- ON THE HEELS OF THE CANCELLATION OF
ENRON POWER PROJECT BY MAHARASHTRA STATE, CHIEF MINISTER OF
ANOTHER INDIAN STATE, RAJASTHAN, HAS ANNOUNCED THAT HE INTENDS TO
INVITE FRESH TENDERS FOR A SOLAR POWER PROJECT FOR WHICH ENRON'S
BID WAS UNDER CONSIDERATION. STRINGER REPORT. (HINDI 8/18)
INDIA / RELIGION -- THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA HAS DECIDED NOT TO
INTERFERE IN GOVERNMENT'S DECISION REGARDING RELIGIOUS
ACTIVITIES. THE MATTER CAME UP FOR CONSIDERATION BECAUSE OF A
HINDU GROUP'S PLAN TO HOLD A RELIGIOUS RITUAL NEAR A MOSQUE IN
THE CITY OF MATHURA. STRINGER NANDAN ALSO REPORTS THE REACTIONS
FROM HINDU AND MUSLIM RELIGIOUS LEADERS. (HINDI 8/18)
BANGLA POLITICS -- THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN BANGLADESH IS
GETTING MORE COMPLICATED AS THE RULING AND OPPOSITION PARTIES
REMAIN DIVIDED OVER THE HOLDING OF ELECTIONS UNDER A NEUTRAL
CARETAKER GOVERNMENT. STRINGER ZAHURUL ALAM TALKED TO SEVERAL
POLITICAL LEADERS AND REPORTS THAT BOTH SIDES ARE MOVING TOWARDS
CONFRONTATION AND NO COMPROMISE IS IN SIGHT. (BANGLA 8/18)
MUSLIM GROUPS / BEIJING CONFERENCE -- WOMEN REPRESENTATIVES OF
THE INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC ORGANISATIONS AT A NEWS CONFERENCE IN
WASHINGTON EXPRESSED THEIR CONCERN REGARDING THE DRAFT PLATFORM
TO BE DEBATED AT THE UN CONFERENCE ON WOMEN IN BEIJING. THE
MUSLIM WOMEN SAY THAT THE DOCUMENT'S LANGUAGE 'THREATENS THE
FABRIC OF THE SOCIETY.' STAFFER MASUMA FAHMI REPORTS. (BANGLA
8/19)
INDIA / MALAYSIA / HOCKEY -- INDIA'S FIELD HOCKEY TEAM HAS WON
THE FIVE TEST MATCH SERIES WITH MALAYSIA BY 3-1. THE TOURING
INDIAN TEAM DEFEATED HOST MALAYSIA IN THE LAST MATCH PLAYED IN
KUALA LUMPUR BY THREE GOALS. STRINGER JASDEV SINGH REPORTS.
(HINDI 8/19)
INSIDE EAST ASIA:
HONG KONG / ECONOMY -- HONG KONG'S FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES
REACHED $53.6 BILLION DOLLARS, RANKING THE TERRITORY'S RESERVE
THE SEVENTH LARGEST IN THE WORLD, OR SECOND ONLY TO SINGAPORE IN
PER CAPITA TERMS. HOWEVER, THE GAP BETWEEN AFFLUENT AND POOR
CONTINUES TO WIDEN, WITH 230,000 HOUSEHOLDS MAKING LESS THAN
HK$4,000 PER MONTH WHICH IS UNDER SUBSISTENCE LEVEL. REPORT BY
QIDE HE AND YEUNG WAI LING. (CANTONESE 8/21)
TAIWAN / DEMONSTRATION -- ONLY 3,000 PEOPLE JOINED A "WE ARE
TAIWANESE, NOT CHINESE" DEMONSTRATION IN TAIPEI ORGANIZED BY
MEMBERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROGRESSIVE PARTY BUT UNSUPPORTED BY
THE THE PARTY'S LEADERSHIP. ANALYSES BY TIMOTHY WONG, RESEARCH
COORDINATOR, CHINESE UNIVERSITY; LAWRENCE YUM, CHAIRMAN, YYS
DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE; PROF. JOSEPH CHENG, CITY UNIVERSITY.
REPORTER LAWRENCE NG HAS DETAILS. (CANTONESE 8/21)
CHINA / REFORM OF HEALTH CARE SYSTEM -- CHINA'S HEALTH CARE
SYSTEM IS SAID TO BE IN A SHAMBLES THANKS TO ON-GOING
MARKET-ORIENTED ECONOMIC REFORM. MANY RURAL RESIDENTS,
ESPECIALLY THOSE LIVING IN POOR AND REMOTE AREAS ARE UNCOVERED.
IN THE CITIES, THE LABOR INSURANCE SYSTEM IS ALSO NEAR
EXTINCTION, MAKING HEALTH CARE BEYOND THE REACH OF MANY ELDERLY
AND SICKLY. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT PROMISED RECENTLY TO GIVE
EVERY CITIZEN SOME FORM OF HEALTH INSURANCE BY THE YEAR 2000. J
LUO INTERVIEWED KEVIN CHEN, ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST,
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY AND XIAONING FAN FROM YALE MEDICAL SCHOOL.
(MANDARIN 8/21)
HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA / WOMEN'S CONFERENCE -- 'HUMAN RIGHTS IN
CHINA' (HRC) RELEASED TWO REPORTS OUTLINING HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
SUFFERED BY CHINESE WOMEN, INCLUDING FORCED ABORTIONS. THE
REPORTS CALL ON THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT MEASURES TO RAISE
WOMEN'S SOCIAL STATUS AND PROTECT WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND INTERESTS,
AND ALLOW PRIVATE WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS TO LAWFULLY EXIST.
STRINGER FANG BING SPOKE WITH SOPHIA WOODMAN OF THE HRC EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE. (MANDARIN 8/20)
THAI / BUSINESS EXECUTIVES -- REPORTER NITTAYA INTERVIEWS DR.
SANGA SABHASRI, HEAD OF KATSETSART UNIVERSITY'S BOARD OF
TRUSTEES, AND TWO FACULTY MEMBERS WHO BROUGHT 20 BANGKOK BUSINESS
LEADERS TO THE US FOR LECTURES ON STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AT
HARVARD, YALE AND GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITIES. (THAI 8/20)
DISSIDENT POET SPEAKS OUT -- REPORTER HOAN N. DZUONG INTERVIEWED
ONE OF VIETNAM'S MOST RENOWNED POETS, MAI TRUNG TINH, RELEASED
FROM ELEVEN YEARS IN PRISON FOR ADVOCATING GREATER DEMOCRACY IN
VIETNAM. HE HASN'T CHANGED HIS MIND. (VIETNAMESE 8/19)
VIET STUDENTS IN RUSSIA -- MOSCOW STRINGER TO HA GIANG REPORTS ON
THE LIFE OF VIETNAMESE STUDENTS ATTENDING RUSSIAN UNIVERSITIES.
MOST HAVE ENROLLED SO THEY CAN STAY IN THE COUNTRY RATHER THAN
RETURN HOME. (VIETNAMESE 8/19)
RETURNED BOAT PEOPLE -- IN VIETNAM, REPORTER SON NGUYEN
INTERVIEWS BOAT PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG CAMPS WHO HAVE RETURNED
UNDER THE UNHCR VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAM. (VIETNAMESE
8/19)
TAXI DRIVERS / RIOTS -- OVER 20 PEOPLE WERE WOUNDED AND 300
VEHICLES DESTROYED DURING TAXI DRIVER RIOTS IN TAIPEI EARLY
THURSDAY MORNING. STRINGER ZHANG YONGTAI SPOKE WITH NEW PARTY
LEGISLATOR, WANG JIANXUAN, WHO BLAMED THE DISORDER ON THE
INCOMPETENCE OF THE KMT GOVERNMENT, AND STATE POLICY FOUNDATION
DIRECTOR HUANG HUIZHEN, WHO ARGUED THAT TAIWAN COULD NOT BE
CALLED DISORDERLY JUST BECAUSE OF ONE ISOLATED INCIDENT.
(MANDARIN 8/18)
WW II / US FLYERS / CHINA -- THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN PILOTS AND
SOME CHINESE PILOTS FLEW OVER THE HIMALAYAS TO SUPPLY THE CHINESE
ARMY BY AIR AFTER THE JAPANESE OCCUPIED BURMA AND CUT OFF SUPPLY
LINES DURING WW II. THE MOUNTAINS, WEATHER, AND JAPANESE
FIGHTERS CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOSS OF 1500 PILOTS AND 468 AMERICAN
AIRPLANES FROM 1942 TO 1945. STAFFER DING LI SPOKE WITH PROF. TK
TANG ABOUT THE OPERATION. (MANDARIN 8/18)
BEIJING CONFERENCE / VISAS -- CHINA DENIED OR IS DELAYED ISSUING
VISAS TO A NUMBER OF GROUPS REGISTERED TO ATTEND THE NGO FORUM.
THOSE CONSIDERED HOSTILE WERE DENIED ACCESS TO THE CONFERENCE,
WHILE OTHERS HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN A REASON, OR STILL ARE EAGERLY
WAITING FOR AN ANSWER. THE UN ATTRIBUTES THE VISA PROBLEMS TO
BUREAUCRATIC OVERLOAD. REPORTER XYY SPOKE WITH JULIE BERRIAULT
OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR UNREPRESENTED NATIONS AND PEOPLES AND
NICOLA DANIEL OF THE IMF. (MANDARIN 8/18)
HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA / LIU GANG -- ACCORDING TO INFORMATION
PROVIDED BY "HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA", CHINESE DISSIDENT LIU GANG
WAS BEATEN AND ROBBED BY LOCAL POLICEMEN IN HIS HOMETOWN OF
LIAOYUAN, JILIN PROVINCE ON JULY 31. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH
STAFFER CHEN JIAN, THE CHAIRMAN OF "HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA" SAID
THAT THE PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU IN LIAOYUAN HAS REFUSED TO
CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION INTO LIU GANG'S CASE. (MANDARIN 8/19)
CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS / MILITARY OPTIONS -- ACCORDING TO
PANELISTS KAO LANG OF TAIWAN UNIVERSITY, RESEARCHER OF MILITARY
AFFAIRS PING KEFU, AND EDMOND CHOU OF THE "WORLD JOURNAL WEEKLY",
CHINA MAY WAGE POLITICAL, DIPLOMATIC, ECONOMIC, AND INFORMATION
WARFARE AGAINST TAIWAN. THE PANELISTS ARE DIVIDED ON WHETHER THE
TENSION WILL ESCALATE, BUT THEY AGREE THAT CHINA'S HARDLINERS ARE
IN A STRONGER POSITION NOW. STAFFER CHIEN WEI REPORTS.
(MANDARIN 8/19)
CHINA / MISSILE TESTS / REACTION -- CORRESPONDENT HE PING REPORTS
ON THE REACTION IN
|
