Voice of America Digest, 5 February 1996

From: "Ioannis V. Bousnakis" <[email protected]>

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] !!! VOA DIGEST - FEBRUARY 5, 1996

CHINA / EARTHQUAKE -- AFTERSHOCKS ARE CONTINUING TO ROCK THE TOWN OF LIJIANG, TWO-DAYS AFTER A STRONG EARTHQUAKE DEVASTATED THE REGION IN THE SOUTHWESTERN CHINESE PROVINCE OF YUNNAN. AS CORRESPONDENT STEPHANIE HO REPORTS FROM THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL OF KUNMING, THE LATEST DEATH TOLL FROM THE QUAKE STANDS AT TWO HUNDRED FORTY TWO. (2/5)

CHINA / EARTHQUAKE -- THOUSAND OF RESCUE WORKERS IN A REMOTE AREA OF SOUTHWESTERN CHINA'S YUNNAN PROVINCE ARE CONTINUING TO SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS FROM ONE OF THE WORST EARTHQUAKES IN YEARS. CORRESPONDENT STEPHANIE HO SAYS THE QUAKE KILLED ABOUT TWO HUNDRED FORTY PEOPLE AND INJURED THOUSANDS MORE. (2/5)

CHINA / EARTHQUAKE -- THE DEATH TOLL FROM A POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE THAT STRUCK SOUTHWESTERN CHINA'S YUNNAN PROVINCE SATURDAY CONTINUES TO RISE. AS STEPHANIE HO REPORTS FROM THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL OF KUNMING, OFFICIAL REPORTS SAY THE QUAKE KILLED MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED TEN PEOPLE AND INJURED THOUSANDS MORE. (2/4)

CHINA / EARTHQUAKE -- A POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE IN CHINA HAS KILLED AT LEAST 50 PEOPLE AND DAMAGED BUILDINGS IN A REMOTE AREA OF YUNNAN PROVINCE. CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER IN BEIJING HAS A REPORT. (2/3)

US / CHINA / TAIWAN -- CHINA IS REPORTED PLANNING MORE LARGE-SCALE MILITARY EXERCISES NEAR TAIWAN, JUST BEFORE THE TAIWANESE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN MARCH. THERE IS GROWING CONCERN IN WASHINGTON ABOUT TENSIONS ACROSS THE TAIWAN STRAIT. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTED FROM THE PENTAGON. (2/5)

NATO EXPANSION -- GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL SAYS NATO PLANS TO ADMIT NEW MEMBERS FROM EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE WILL TAKE TIME. BONN CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS ALLIANCE OFFICIALS ARE PUSHING AHEAD WITH EXPANSION PLANS, DESPITE RUSSIAN OPPOSITION. (2/5)

PERRY / NATO -- US DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS NATO WILL PRESS AHEAD WITH PLANS TO ADMIT NEW MEMBER STATES, DESPITE RUSSIAN OPPOSITION. MR PERRY MADE THE COMMENTS AT AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON EUROPEAN SECURITY ISSUES IN MUNICH, GERMANY. CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS. (2/4)

BOSNIA / SARAJEVO DEADLINE -- NATO COMMANDERS IN BOSNIA SAY ALL SIDES HAVE COMPLIED WITH A DEADLINE TO WITHDRAW MILITARY FORCES FROM TERRITORY TO BE EXCHANGED BETWEEN THE SIDES. CIVILIAN MEDIATORS HAVE ALSO ANNOUNCED A NEW PLAN FOR SERB-HELD SARAJEVO, AFTER THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OBJECTED TO THE CONTINUED PRESENCE OF SERB POLICE. STRINGER DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL. (2/4)

BOSNIA / RETURNING REFUGEES -- THE RIVAL FACTIONS IN BOSNIA HAVE COMPLETED PREPARATIONS FOR TERRITORIAL TRANSFERS ENVISAGED IN THE DAYTON PEACE PLAN. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN GENEVA REPORTS THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES EXPECTS THE FIRST GROUP OF RETURNEES LATER THIS MONTH. (2/5)

BOSNIA / US DEATH -- DOCTORS SAY THE FIRST US SERVICEMAN TO BE KILLED IN BOSNIA DIED OF HEAD INJURIES CAUSED BY AN EXPLOSION. BUT AS WE HEAR FROM CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING IN BONN, DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT REMAIN SKETCHY. (2/5)

BOSNIA / US DEATH -- THE BODY OF THE FIRST US SOLDIER TO DIE IN NATO'S PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAS BEEN FLOWN TO RAMSTEIN AIR FORCE BASE IN GERMANY. REPORTER VICTOR BEATTIE SAYS AN INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY INTO THE EXPLOSION SATURDAY THAT KILLED SERGEANT DONALD DUGAN NORTH OF THE US MILITARY HEADQUARTERS IN TUZLA. (2/4)

CHRISTOPHER / SERBIA -- SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS MET WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN BELGRADE. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS THEY DISCUSSED THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. (2/4)

CHRISTOPHER / BOSNIA -- SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER IS IN SARAJEVO FOR MEETINGS WITH BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC AND OTHER BOSNIAN LEADERS. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO MR CHRISTOPHER IS SATISFIED WITH THE MILITARY ASPECTS OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT. (2/3)

CHRISTOPHER / BOSNIA UPDATE -- SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS MET WITH BOSNIAN LEADERS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC PROMISED TO MEET AMERICAN DEMANDS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. (2/3)

NATO / BOSNIA -- NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA SAYS THE ALLIANCE'S PEACEKEEPING FORCES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WILL TRY TO PRESERVE EVIDENCE OF WAR CRIMES. MR SOLANA MADE THE COMMENTS ON THE SIDELINES OF AN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CONFERENCE IN MUNICH, GERMANY. CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS. (2/3)

CHRISTOPHER / BOSNIA -- SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER FLIES TO TUZLA SATURDAY MORNING TO MEET AMERICAN PEACEKEEPING TROOPS IN BOSNIA AND THEN TO SARAJEVO TO URGE THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TO COMPLY WITH THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM ZAGREB ON THE MESSAGE HE WILL BE CARRYING TO BOSNIA. (2/2)

CHRISTOPHER / CROATIA -- SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER IS IN ZAGREB AT THE BEGINNING OF A WEEKEND TOUR OF CROATIA, BOSNIA, AND SERBIA. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS HE PRESSED CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN TO RESPECT THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT. (2/2)

CLINTON / BOSNIA -- PRESIDENT CLINTON IS EXPRESSING DEEP REGRET OVER THE DEATH OF AN AMERICAN PEACEKEEPER IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE SOLDIER WAS KILLED IN NORTHEASTERN BOSNIA WHEN HE STEPPED ON A LAND MINE, BECOMING THE FIRST AMERICAN TO LOSE HIS LIFE IN THE NATO PEACEKEEPING MISSION. MR CLINTON IS EXTENDING HIS DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO THE SOLDIER'S FAMILY. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE HAS MORE. (2/3)

DAVOS / RUSSIA DEBATE -- AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM IN SWITZERLAND THE HEAD OF RUSSIA'S RESURGENT COMMUNISTS, GENNADY ZYUGANOV, SAID SUNDAY HIS PARTY IS COMMITTED TO A MIXED MARKET ECONOMY AND WESTERN STYLE DEMOCRACY. CORRESPONDENT BARRY WOOD REPORTS IN A DEBATE WITH RIVAL PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE GRIGORY YAVLINSKY THE 51-YEAR-OLD COMMUNIST ALSO SPOKE OF REBUILDING RUSSIAN LINKS WITH UKRAINE, BELARUS, AND KAZAKHSTAN. (2/4)

DAVOS / BOSNIA AID -- AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM IN SWITZERLAND A BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL ABOUT TO ENGAGE IN NEGOTIATIONS ON RECONSTRUCTION AID FROM WESTERN DONORS SAYS THE WAR SHATTERED ECONOMY REQUIRES A HUGE INJECTION OF FOREIGN CAPITAL. CORRESPONDENT BARRY WOOD REPORTS. (2/4)

DAVOS / ARAFAT -- AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM MEETING IN SWITZERLAND PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSER ARAFAT SAYS THE PALESTINIAN NATIONAL AUTHORITY IS IRREVOCABLY COMMITTED TO THE PEACE PROCESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. CORRESPONDENT BARRY WOOD REPORTS. (2/4)

EU EXPANSION -- AT THE WEEK-LONG MEETING IN SWITZERLAND OF BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS COMPRISING THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM THERE HAS BEEN SHARP DISAGREEMENT ABOUT THE PACE OF PLANNED EUROPEAN UNION EXPANSION. CORRESPONDENT BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM DAVOS, SWITZERLAND THE EXPANSION IS TO INCLUDE THE NEW DEMOCRACIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. (2/4)

DAVOS / SATURDAY WRAP -- AT THE MEETING OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM IN SWITZERLAND SATURDAY THERE WAS HEATED DEBATE ABOUT EUROPEAN UNION EXPANSION, MONETARY UNION, AND THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN RUSSIA. CORRESPONDENT BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM DAVOS. (2/3)

ISRAEL / SYRIA -- SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS MET WITH ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER SHIMON PERES AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS 17TH MIDDLE EAST PEACE MISSION. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM JERUSALEM THEY DISCUSSED POLITICS AND SYRIA. (2/5)

CHRISTOPHER / ISRAEL -- SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER, FRESH FROM A WEEKEND VISIT TO THE BALKANS, MEETS SUNDAY WITH ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER SHIMON PERES. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS THE ISRAELI-SYRIAN TALKS ARE ON THE AGENDA. (2/4)

PLO MEETING -- TOP OFFICIALS OF THE PALESTINE LIBERATION ORGANIZATION MEET LATE MONDAY IN EGYPT TO DISCUSS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CHANGING THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARTER. STRINGER PEYMAN PEJMAN REPORTS FROM CAIRO. (2/5)

RUSSIA / MINERS -- RUSSIA'S COAL MINERS HAVE CALLED OFF THEIR TWO-DAY NATIONWIDE STRIKE AFTER THE GOVERNMENT AGREED TO A NEW PAY AND BENEFITS PACKAGE. BUT AS STRINGER PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS, MINERS IN NEIGHBORING UKRAINE ARE CONTINUING THEIR STRIKE. (2/3)

RUSSIA / CHECHNYA -- SEVERAL THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE DEMONSTRATED IN THE CHECHEN CAPITAL, GROZNY DEMANDING THE WITHDRAWAL OF RUSSIAN FORCES FROM THE REGION. AS CORRESPONDENT PETER COLLINS REPORTS FROM MOSCOW, THE PROTEST COMES AMID GROWING INDICATIONS PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN IS CONSIDERING A MAJOR CHANGE OF POLICY TOWARD CHECHNYA. (2/4)

TAJIKISTAN / UNREST -- TAJIKISTAN'S PRESIDENT HAS AVERTED A THREATENED REBELLION BY REGIONAL LEADERS IN THE SOUTH. BUT STRINGER PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS ANOTHER FLAREUP IN THE MOUNTAINS EAST OF THE CAPITAL, DUSHANBE. (2/5)

US / TAJIKISTAN -- THE UNITED STATES IS CALLING ON ALL THE PARTIES IN TAJIKISTAN TO AVOID VIOLENCE AND SEEK A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNMENT CRISIS THERE. THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS ADVISING AMERICANS NOT TO TRAVEL TO THE TROUBLED CENTRAL ASIAN COUNTRY, BUT IS NOT EVACUATING US PERSONNEL. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS. (2/2)

AFGHAN SHELLING -- SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE INJURED BY AN ARTILLERY ROCKET ATTACK ON KABUL, THE WAR-TORN CAPITAL OF AFGHANISTAN. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN REPORTS THIS IS THE THIRD SUCH ATTACK DURING THE PAST WEEK. (2/4)

KABUL / RED CROSS -- THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS HAS BEGUN AN EMERGENCY AIRLIFT OF FOOD TO HELP POOR PEOPLE IN KABUL, THE WAR-TORN CAPITAL OF AFGHANISTAN, MAKE IT THROUGH A BITTER WINTER. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN REPORTS. (2/3)

POPE / LATIN AMERICA -- POPE JOHN PAUL IS FLYING TO GUATEMALA TO BEGIN A WEEK-LONG VISIT TO LATIN AMERICA THAT ALSO WILL TAKE HIM TO NICARAGUA, EL SALVADOR, AND VENEZUELA. STRINGER PEGGY POLK REPORTS FROM ROME. (2/5)

POPE / CENTAM PREVIEW -- POPE JOHN PAUL ARRIVES IN GUATEMALA MONDAY, THE FIRST STOP IN A FIVE-DAY VISIT TO THREE CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES THAT HAVE BEEN TORN APART BY WAR. CORRESPONDENT BILL RODGERS REPORTS THE POLISH-BORN PONTIFF IS EXPECTED TO APPEAL FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIATION DURING HIS TRIP THROUGH THE REGION. (2/4)

GUATEMALA / ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT -- GUATEMALAN PRESIDENT ALVARO ARZU ESCAPED UNHARMED FROM AN APPARENT ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT. CORRESPONDENT BILL RODGERS REPORTS THAT GUATEMALAN OFFICIALS SAY THE PRESIDENT'S ATTACKER WAS SLAIN IN THE INCIDENT. (2/5)

PAKISTAN / KASHMIR -- PAKISTAN HELD A DAY OF PROTEST MONDAY TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE KASHMIR DISPUTE WITH INDIA. THE GOVERNMENT DECLARED A GENERAL STRIKE. IN THE CAPITAL, ISLAMABAD, HUNDREDS OF PROTESTERS GATHERED FOR A MARCH NEAR THE INDIAN HIGH COMMISSION. ISLAMABAD CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN REPORTS EMOTIONS WERE RUNNING HIGH. (2/5)

SAUDI / PAKISTAN EXTRADITION -- A SAUDI ARABIAN ALLEGED TO BE INVOLVED WITH A BOMB ATTACK LAST NOVEMBER IN RIYADH WHICH KILLED FIVE AMERICANS HAS BEEN EXTRADITED TO SAUDI ARABIA FROM PAKISTAN. STRINGER PEYMAN PEJMAN HAS MORE ON THE STORY. (2/4)

US / SAUDI ARMS -- THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS DENYING ANY ROLE IN A REPORTED COVERT SAUDI ARABIAN ARMS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO THE MUSLIM-LED GOVERNMENT IN BOSNIA. THE REPORTED SAUDI AID, WHICH CAME BEFORE THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS, VIOLATED THE UN ARMS EMBARGO IN THE REGION. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS. (2/2)

US / ISRAEL PLANES -- THE US DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT HAS SCRAPPED PLANS TO BUY MORE UNMANNED SPY PLANES JOINTLY DEVELOPED BY THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL. THE PROGRAM WOULD HAVE BEEN WORTH MORE THAN FOUR BILLION DOLLARS TO US AND ISRAELI FIRMS. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS. (2/2)

IRAN HUMAN RIGHTS -- A TOP-RANKING UN OFFICIAL WILL GO TO IRAN NEXT WEEK TO EXAMINE HUMAN RIGHTS CONDITIONS THERE. STRINGER PEYMAN PEJMAN HAS MORE ON THE STORY FROM OUR CAIRO BUREAU. (2/4)

LANKA / ECONOMY -- A TERRORIST BOMBING BLAMED ON TAMIL SEPARATISTS LAST WEEK IN COLOMBO, SRI LANKA, DEMOLISHED THE CENTRAL BANK, LEAVING MORE THAN SEVENTY PEOPLE KILLED AND TWELVE HUNDRED OTHERS HOSPITALIZED. SOUTH ASIA CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL DRUDGE EXAMINES THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE BOMBING. (2/5)

LANKA INDEPENDENCE -- SRI LANKA CELEBRATED A PARTICULARLY SOMBER 48TH INDEPENDENCE DAY, SUNDAY, UNDER THE SHADOW OF LAST WEEK'S DEVASTATING BOMB BLAST IN COLOMBO BY SUSPECTED TAMIL GUERRILLAS. UNDER HEAVY SECURITY, PRESIDENT CHANDRIKA KUMARATUNGE REPEATED HER GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO SRI LANKA'S 13-YEAR-OLD ETHNIC CONFLICT. STRINGER JENNIFER MORROW REPORTS FROM NEW DELHI. (2/4)

UN / ASIAN MIGRANTS -- A NEW UN REPORT HIGHLIGHTS THE PROBLEMS AND DANGERS FACING THE GROWING NUMBERS OF ASIAN WOMEN SEEKING EMPLOYMENT ABROAD. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN GENEVA HAD DETAILS OF THE STUDY PREPARED BY THE INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION. (2/5)

GERMANY / FOREIGNERS -- THE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL HAS PUBLISHED A REPORT ABOUT ABUSE OF FOREIGNERS IN GERMANY BY POLICE OFFICERS AND JUSTICE OFFICIALS. STRINGER DAGMAR BREITENBACH REPORTS FROM BONN. (2/5)

GUINEA / REBELLION -- THE PEOPLE OF GUINEA ARE VENTURING OUT OF THEIR HOMES FOLLOWING A WEEKEND OF VIOLENCE BY SOLDIERS REVOLTING IN A PAY DISPUTE. WEST AFRICA CORRESPONDENT PURNELL MURDOCK REPORTS THAT RELATIVE CALM RETURNED TO THE COUNTRY AFTER PRESIDENT LANSANA CONTE REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH MILITANT SOLDIERS. (2/5)

GUINEA / COUP -- REBEL SOLDIERS IN GUINEA HAVE LAUNCHED A FRESH ATTACK ON THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE IN THE CAPITAL, CONAKRY, IN AN APPARENT COUP. AT LEAST TWENTY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED SINCE FIGHTING BEGAN FRIDAY. CORRESPONDENT PURNELL MURDOCK REPORTS. (2/3)

KENYA / OPPOSITION -- MEMBERS OF KENYA'S NEW OPPOSITION ALLIANCE HAVE HARSHLY CRITICIZED THE SAFINA, OR NOAH'S ARK PARTY. AS CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTED FROM NAIROBI, SAFINA LEADERS,INCLUDING PROMINENT CONSERVATIONIST RICHARD LEAKEY, HINTED SUNDAY THEY ARE POISED TO PULL OUT OF THE COALITION. (2/5)

KENYA OPPOSITION -- KENYA'S FLEDGING OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTIES ALLIANCE HAS SUFFERED A SERIOUS SETBACK. ONE OF ITS KEY MEMBERS, THE NEW AND AS YET UNREGISTERED SAFINA, THE NOAH'S ARK PARTY, IS HINTING IT MAY WITHDRAW FROM THE COALITION IN A DISPUTE OVER THE GROUP'S DIRECTION. MORE FROM EAST AFRICA CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA IN NAIROBI. (2/4)

KOREA AID -- SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIALS ARE REPORTEDLY UNEASY WITH THE RECENT UNITED STATES DECISION TO DONATE RELIEF FUNDS TO NORTH KOREA. STRINGER SHIN NA REPORTS FROM SEOUL ON THE SOUTH KOREAN REACTION TO PROSPECTS FOR IMPROVED US RELATIONS WITH ITS RIVAL TO THE NORTH. (2/5)

THAILAND / ASIA MEETING -- FOREIGN MINISTERS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM TEN EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES HAVE ENDED TWO DAYS OF TALKS ON A THAI RESORT ISLAND SATURDAY. AS DAVID BUTLER REPORTS FROM BANGKOK, THE INFORMAL MEETINGS WERE AIMED AT PREPARING THE WAY FOR THE FIRST MEETING, EARLY NEXT MONTH, AMONG THE TEN ASIAN COUNTRIES AND A LARGE DELEGATION FROM EUROPE. (2/3)

CHINA / ECON -- CHINESE OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO STOP TRADEMARK PIRATES AS THE TIME FOR AN ASSESSMENT OF LAST YEAR'S ANTI-PIRACY AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES DRAWS NEAR. CHINA'S AUTOMOBILE MARKET IS PREDICTED TO BOOM, BUT THERE IS A SLUMP IN THE SALE OF IMPORTED CARS. BEIJING CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER HAD DETAILS. (2/5)

PARAGUAY CRASH -- CIVIL AVIATION INVESTIGATORS IN PARAGUAY ARE SEARCHING FOR THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH OF A COLOMBIAN CARGO PLANE SUNDAY NEAR ASUNCION. AT LEAST TWENTY THREE PEOPLE WERE KILLED. CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK HAS THE DETAILS. (2/5)

GUATEMALA / POPE / REBELS -- GUATEMALA'S LEFTIST REBELS HAVE DECLARED A UNILATERAL CEASE-FIRE TIMED TO COINCIDE WITH NEXT WEEK'S VISIT TO CENTRAL AMERICA BY POPE JOHN PAUL THE SECOND. CORRESPONDENT BILL RODGERS REPORTS THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN RECENT MONTHS THE LEFTIST GUERRILLAS HAVE DECLARED A CEASE-FIRE. (2/2)

US / COSTA RICA TEXTILES -- TRADE TALKS HAVE BROKEN DOWN BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND COSTA RICA AFTER THE TWO SIDES FAILED THURSDAY IN SAN JOSE TO SETTLE A DISPUTE INVOLVING COSTA RICAN TEXTILE EXPORTS. CORRESPONDENT BILL RODGERS REPORTS COSTA RICA WILL NOW TURN TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. (2/2)

COLOMBIA / SLAYING -- A COLOMBIAN WOMAN INVOLVED IN THE NARCO-SCANDAL SURROUNDING PRESIDENT ERNESTO SAMPER HAS BEEN SHOT TO DEATH. THE KILLING OCCURRED AS COLOMBIA'S CONGRESS IS HOLDING A SPECIAL SESSION TO ACT ON PRESIDENT SAMPER'S CALL FOR AN IMPEACHMENT TRIAL, TO CLEAR HIM OF ALLEGATIONS THAT HE KNEW ABOUT CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE CALI CARTEL TO HIS CAMPAIGN. CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK REPORTS. (2/2)

MEXICO / SALINAS -- MEXICO'S RULING PARTY HAS EXPELLED FROM ITS RANKS THE BROTHER OF FORMER PRESIDENT CARLOS SALINAS. CORRESPONDENT BILL RODGERS REPORTS RAUL SALINA IS CURRENTLY IN JAIL FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES. (2/2)

BRUTAL COLD -- THE BRUTAL COLD WINTER WEATHER THAT HAS BLANKETED MUCH OF THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES HAS CLAIMED AT LEAST 17 LIVES AND SET RECORD LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. CORRESPONDENT PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS FROM CHILLY CHICAGO THAT TEMPERATURES IN MID-AMERICA WILL NOT TOP THE FREEZING MARK UNTIL SOMETIME LATER NEXT WEEK. (2/3)

CLINTON / BUDGET -- PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS SUBMITTED TO CONGRESS A ONE-POINT-SIX-FOUR TRILLION DOLLAR BUDGET PLAN FOR 1997. BUT AS WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA EXPLAINED, THE ACTION IS VIEWED MOSTLY AS A FORMALITY. (2/5)

US / BUDGET -- FORTY-SEVEN OF THE FIFTY US STATE GOVERNORS ARE MEETING IN WASHINGTON AND SAY THEY ARE RELATIVELY CLOSE TO AGREEMENT ON REFORM OF WELFARE AND MEDICAID PROGRAMS. REPORTER VICTOR BEATTIE SAYS PRESIDENT CLINTON IS URGING THEM TO PRODUCE A PROPOSAL THAT COULD BREAK A MONTHS-LONG IMPASSE WITH CONGRESS OVER BALANCING THE BUDGET IN SEVEN YEARS. (2/5)

US / EC / ENVIRONMENTAL -- A HIGH-RANKING EUROPEAN COMMISSION OFFICIAL IS IN THE UNITED STATES FOR TALKS ON ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION AND REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS INVOLVING THE UNITED STATES AND THE NATIONS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. CORRESPONDENT ANDREW BAIRD HAS THIS REPORT. (2/2)

REPUBLICAN RADIO RESPONSE -- THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS RENEWING ITS ATTACK ON PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR ALLEGEDLY FAILING TO KEEP THE POLITICAL PROMISES HE MADE DURING THE 1992 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN. IN THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S RADIO ADDRESS SATURDAY, NEW HAMPSHIRE GOVERNOR STEVE MERRILL SAID THE UNITED STATES CAN NOT AFFORD TO CONTINUE UNDER WHAT HE CALLS THE PRESIDENT'S BIG GOVERNMENT POLICIES. STRINGER RICK NUNEZ HAS MORE. (2/3)

CLINTON / POLITICS -- PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS REPRIMANDED HIS TOP POLITICAL STRATEGIST FOR GIVING CAMPAIGN POLLING DATA TO ADVISORS TO SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BOB DOLE, THE FRONT-RUNNER FOR THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION. THE CONTROVERSY CAME TO LIGHT FRIDAY AS MR. CLINTON BEGAN CAMPAIGNING FOR REELECTION IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS. (2/2)

GENE KELLY DIES -- HOLLYWOOD IS MOURNING THE DEATH OF GENE KELLY. THE CELEBRATED "SONG-AND-DANCE" MAN DIED FRIDAY AT HIS BEVERLY HILLS HOME DUE TO COMPLICATIONS FROM RECENT STROKES. HE WAS 83 YEARS OLD. CORRESPONDENT ALAN SILVERMAN REPORTS ON THE PASSING OF AN ENTERTAINMENT LEGEND. (2/2)

AUDREY MEADOWS OBIT -- AUDREY MEADOWS, BEST-KNOWN FOR HER ROLE AS THE SPIRITED WIFE OPPOSITE JACKIE GLEASON ON THE 1950'S TELEVISION PROGRAM "THE HONEYMOONERS," HAS DIED OF LUNG CANCER AT THE AGE OF 71. CORRESPONDENT VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THE COMEDY BLACK-AND-WHITE SERIES HAS ENJOYED ENDURING POPULARITY AND HAS BECOME A TELEVISION AND VIDEOTAPE CLASSIC. (2/4)

US / GOP -- AS THE US ELECTION YEAR PICKS UP STEAM, ONE OF THE DRIVING INTELLECTUAL FORCES WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS LIBERTARIANISM, BASICALLY THE BELIEF IN REDUCING GOVERNMENT TO A MINIMAL INFLUENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES. BUT, CORRESPONDENT GREG FLAKUS REPORTS FROM SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, THE GOP MAY HAVE A STRUGGLE AHEAD TO BALANCE THIS TENDENCY AGAINST SOME CONFLICTING CURRENTS WITHIN THE PARTY. (2/5)

WAITING FOR VERMEER -- THE HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN IS THE VERMEER EXHIBITION AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART. AND WITH LESS THAN A WEEK REMAINING (SHOW CLOSES FEB 11), PEOPLE ARE QUEING UP AS EARLY AS 5:30AM, FOUR-AND-A-HALF HOURS BEFORE THE MUSEUM OPENS ITS DOORS, TO GET PASSES TO THE SHOW. CURRENT AFFAIRS' SUSAN LOGUE INTERVIEWS CURATOR AND PEOPLE IN LINE AND REPORTS EVEN FRIDAY'S SNOWSTORM DIDN'T PREVENT ART LOVERS FROM WAITING IN LINE. (2/5)

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVISERS -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' JUDITH LATHAM REPORTS ON HOW THESE ADVISERS HELP NEWLY ARRIVED INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS. ADVISERS AND STUDENTS AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, WHERE ONE IN EVERY SEVEN STUDENTS IS FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES, TALK ABOUT THE MAJOR ISSUES THAT FOREIGN STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES FACE. (2/5)

BETTER WAY TO STOP SMOKING -- THERE IS NEW HELP FOR PEOPLE WHOSE VALIANT EFFORTS TO STOP SMOKING HAVE FAILED. CURRENT AFFAIRS' JANE HUGHES REPORTS THAT DOCTORS AT DUKE UNIVERSITY IN NORTH CAROLINA SAY A COMBINATION OF A CIGARETTE SUBSTITUTE INHALER AND A NICOTINE PATCH CAN HELP SMOKERS QUIT. (2/2)

TOM WOLFE / THE ARTS -- TOM WOLFE, AUTHOR OF THE BEST-SELLING NOVEL "THE BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES", IS A NOTED CRITIC OF THE AMERICAN ARTS SCENE. CALLED "ONE OF NEW YORK'S MOST ELECTRIC AND POWERFUL WATCHERS," HE RECENTLY EXAMINED THE TIES BETWEEN AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN ARTISTS. CORRESPONDENT MARTIN BUSH REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (2/5)

US / TEENS LEARN TO WORK WITH CITY HALL -- TEENAGERS ARE TAUGHT IN SCHOOL ABOUT HOW LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKS, BUT FEW OF THEM GET TO LEARN ABOUT IT FIRSTHAND. CURRENT AFFAIRS' MARILYN SILVEY HAS THE STORY OF SOME TEENAGERS IN LEESBURG, VIRGINIA, WHO ARE GETTING THAT CHANCE, AS THEY WORK WITH TOWN OFFICIALS TO DESIGN A NEW SKATING PARK. (2/5)

BLOODY ANTIETAM -- FOR HIS ACROSS AMERICA SERIES, CURRENT AFFAIRS' TED LANDPHAIR TAKES LISTENERS TO WHAT MAY BE THE BLOODIEST SINGLE SPOT IN AMERICAN HISTORY -- ANTIETAM, A BATTLEFIELD IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR WHERE 23-THOUSAND SOLDIERS DIED OR WERE WOUNDED IN LESS THAN 12 HOURS. TODAY YOU CAN STILL SEE THE SUNKEN WAGON ROAD CALLED "BLOODY LANE" WHERE MANY OF THEM LOST THEIR LOVES. (2/5)

INSIDE USA:

MONEY FRAUD / TALK TO AMERICA -- THE UNITED STATES IS FACED WITH WHAT SOME HAVE CALLED A NEW FORM OF TERRORISM. ALMOST PERFECT COPIES OF AMERICAN ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS ARE FLOODING THE MARKET IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN FORCED TO TAKE ACTION. 'TALK TO AMERICA' WELCOMES MR DARCY BRADBURY AND MR. TED ALLISON WHO DISCUSS THE NEW BILLS WHICH WILL BE MUCH HARDER TO COUNTERFEIT. (ENGLISH 2/5)

NEW YORK / ROBBERY AND SHOOTING -- A JEWELER FROM HONG KONG WAS ROBBED OF 1 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF JEWELRY ON A NEW YORK STREET. HE WAS SHOT IN THE CHEST AND SERIOUSLY WOUNDED. THE JEWELER HAS BEEN HOSPITALIZED AND IS IN SERIOUS BUT STABLE CONDITION. THE NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING THE CASE AND NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE. STAFFER FANG BING IN NEW YORK INTERVIEWS SERGEANT ORFKI, DEP COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC INFORMATION, NYPD. (MANDARIN 2/2)

US / CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE -- 75 CHINESE COMPANIES THIS WEEK FORMED CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN USA, INC. IN NEW YORK. ITS CHAIRMAN SHEN BEIZHANG, SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL HOLDING CORP. AMERICA, SAID IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER RUOSI WU THAT THE CHAMBER WILL SHARE INFORMATION WITH ITS MEMBERS CONCERNING TAXES, REGULATIONS AND DOING BUSINESS IN THE US, AND HE EXPECTS A RAPID GROWTH IN THE MEMBERSHIP. (MANDARIN 2/3)

WASHINGTON STATE / BURNING ROAD -- REPORTER JOHN PITMAN SPEAKS TO MIKE SELIVANOFF, THE GARFIELD (WA) COUNTY ENGINEER, ABOUT A BRAND NEW ROAD IN THE COUNTY THAT STEAMS, SMOULDERS AND, ON OCCASION, BURSTS INTO FLAME. THE CULPRIT IS A LOAD OF STEEL BELTED RADIAL TIRE CHIPS THAT WERE USED AS FILL UNDER THE ROAD. A FLASH FLOOD LAST FALL GOT THE TIRES WET, CAUSING THEM TO RUST. THIS CHEMICAL REACTION, HE SAYS, GIVES OFF HEAT -- ABOUT 300 DEGREES WORTH. MR. SELIVANOFF SAYS THE IDEA TO USE GROUND UP TIRES AS LANDFILL IS SOUND, BUT COULD BE IMPROVED. HE SUGGESTS ADDING DIRT AND GRAVEL TO THE TIRES TO IMPROVE DRAINAGE. (ENP 2/2)

VIET CULTURAL EVENTS / WASHINGTON -- IN HIS WEEKLY "VIETNAMESE COMMUNITY" FEATURE STAFFER GEORGE TRAN ROUNDED UP THE VARIETY OF CULTURAL EVENTS DURING THE WEEK IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA. (VIETNAMESE 2/3)

ECONOMIC TALK -- DUKE UNIVERSITY ECONOMICS PROFESSOR VLADIMIR TREML TALKS ABOUT THE ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN THE US AS THE BABY BOOMER GENERATION TURNS 50. (RUSSIAN 2/3)

BRODSKY / MEMORIAL SERVICE -- NEW YORK STRINGER EMMA TOPOL REPORTS ON A MEMORIAL SERVICE IN NEW YORK FOR POET JOSEPH BRODSKY, WHO DIED LAST WEEK OF A HEART ATTACK. BRODSKY WON THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE IN 1987 AND WAS US POET LAUREATE IN 1991. (RUSSIAN 2/5)

LABOR UNIONS -- LABOR UNION SPECIALIST CONSTANTIN SIMIS AND STAFFER NATALIE CLARKSON CONTINUE THEIR DISCUSSION ABOUT VARIOUS BILLS AFFECTING WORKERS UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE US CONGRESS. (RUSSIAN 2/3)

GORE / CHERNOMYRDIN COMMISSION -- RUSSIAN AND AMERICAN EXCHANGE STUDENTS PRESENTED THEIR REPORT AT A MEETING OF THE HEALTH COMMITTEE OF THE GORE/CHERNOMYRDIN COMMISSION. STAFFER JULIA BOSKY REPORTS THAT 4 STUDENTS--TWO AMERICAN, AND TWO RUSSIAN--PRESENTED THEIR VIEWS ON PROBLEMS FACING YOUTH TODAY, CONCENTRATING ON SEX AND DRUG ABUSE. (RUSSIAN 2/3)

UN / REFORM -- US REPRESENTATIVE MADELEINE ALLBRIGHT CALLED FOR REFORM OF THE UNITED NATIONS, INCLUDING HIRING OF COMPETENT STAFF, REDUCTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PROGRAM AND DOWNSIZING OR ELIMINATION OF SOME UN AGENCIES. CORRESPONDENT LUIS TAMAYO REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (SPANISH 2/2)

PESSIMISM IN AMERICA -- KAROL SOLTAN, A SOCIOLOGY PROFESSOR THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND TALKS TO STAFFER MARK K PARKER ABOUT HER ASSUMPTION THAT PESSIMISM PREVAILS IN AMERICAN SOCIETY TODAY. (POLISH 2/2)

AMERICANS / SURVIVING THE COLD -- STAFFER ANDRZEJ ZWANIECKI INTERVIEWS PHYSICIAN ANNA ERDMAN FROM BETHESDA, MD. (POLISH 2/2)

IRANIAN / AMERICANS -- STAFFER MOLOUD ATEFI INTERVIEWS RAANA MANSOUR, AN IRANIAN-BORN STUDENT AT ALEXANDRIA'S JEB STUART HIGH SCHOOL. RAANA TALKS ABOUT THE AWARDS SHE HAS EARNED FOR HER ACADEMIC AND PIANO ACHIEVEMENTS. (FARSI 2/2)

AMERICA / MUSLIM IMMIGRANTS -- PSYCHIATRIST DR ATIQ AHMAD DISCUSSED WITH STAFFER SAFIA KAZIM THE PROBLEMS FACED BY ASIAN MUSLIM IMMIGRANTS, SUCH AS COMMUNICATION GAP BETWEEN THEM AND THEIR CHILDREN BORN IN AMERICA. HE FEARS THE YOUNGER GENERATION IS LOSING ITS MUSLIM IDENTITY AND IT NEEDS EDUCATION TO TRACE ITS ROOTS. MRS ASRA HAQ KHAN, A RESEARCH SCHOLAR AT AMHERST UNIVERSITY, MASSACHUSETTS, TOLD THE STAFFER THAT SHE HAS BEEN TRYING TO DEVELOP WHAT SHE DESCRIBES ISLAMIC PSYCHOLOGY WITH A VIEW TO STARTING A PSYCHOLOGICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE FOR THE NEW GENERATION OF IMMIGRANT MUSLIM WOMEN. (URDU 2/1)

AFGHANS / RAMADAN -- HAFIZULLAH KARZAI, FOUNDER/DIRECTOR OF AFGHAN-ISLAMIC FORUM AND NATIONAL INSTITUTE IN VIRGINIA SAYS AFGHANS RESIDING IN THE US OBSERVE RAMADAN DESPITE WORK-RELATED DIFFICULTIES. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER SEYED SHAH KARZAI SAID THE INSTITUTE OFFERS RECITATIONS OF QURAN DURING THE MONTH OF RAMADAN AND A LARGE NUMBER OF AFGHAN-AMERICAN FAMILIES IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO THE INSTITUTE TO LEARN ABOUT ISLAM DURING RAMADAN AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. (PASHTO 2/5)

INSIDE MIDEAST:

SYRIA / ISRAEL -- AS US SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER WAS GETTING READY TO MAKE A NEW TRIP TO THE MIDDLE EAST TO GIVE MOMENTUM TO THE SYRIAN-ISRAELI NEGOTIATIONS, STRINGER MAHMOUD ZAWAWI REPORTS FROM AMMAN THAT SYRIA IT IS NOT INTERESTED IN ISRAELI ELECTIONS SPECULATIONS AND WILL NOT SUCCUMB TO PRESSURES TO REACH A PEACE AGREEMENT THAT DOES NOT MEET ITS DEMANDS. (ARABIC 2/4)

IRAQ / OIL SALES -- IRAQ HAS EXPRESSED HOPE THAT ITS UPCOMING TALKS WITH THE UN ON LIMITED OIL SALES WOULD BRING POSITIVE RESULTS. MAHMOUD ZAWAWI REPORTS FROM AMMAN. STRINGER JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS THAT FORMER IRAQI AMBASSADOR ABDEL AMIR AL ANBARI LEFT BAGHDAD ON HIS WAY TO NEW YORK TO HEAD THE IRAQI NEGOTIATING TEAM. (ARABIC 2/4)

SAUDI SUSPECT -- SAUDI OFFICIALS HAVE DISCLOSED THAT A SAUDI CITIZEN WAS EXTRADITED FROM PAKISTAN ON SUSPICION THAT HE WAS INVOLVED IN THE NOVEMBER EXPLOSION IN RIYADH LAST NOVEMBER. MAHMOUD ZAWAWI REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 2/4)

JORDAN / NEW CABINET -- JORDANIAN SOURCES SAY KING HUSSEIN HAS ACCEPTED THE RESIGNATION OF PRIME MINISTER ZEID BIN SHAKER AND DESIGNATED FOREIGN MINISTER ABDELKARIM AL KABARITI TO FORM A NEW CABINET. STRINGER SULEIMAN KHAIRALLAH REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 2/4)

PALESTINIAN COUNCIL -- STAFFER ANA GUEDES INTERVIEWS BICHAR BABA, A PALESTINIAN JOURNALIST ON THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE NEW PALESTINIAN COUNCIL ELECTED JANUARY TWENTIETH, AND ABOUT ITS POTENTIAL. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 2/2)

IRANIAN LEADERS -- STRINGER SETAREH SIEG INTERVIEWS AN IRANIAN SCHOLAR AND POLITICAL FIGURE ABOUT HIS RECENT BOOK BASED ON RESEARCH AND PERSONAL MEMORIES ABOUT MAJOR IRANIAN STATESMEN OF THIS CENTURY. (FARSI 2/2)

IRANIAN MEDIA -- THIS WEEK'S ROUNDTABLE ON THE IRANIAN MEDIA, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY, FEATURES GUESTS DR ELAHI FROM BERKELEY AND DR MAHMOUDI FROM IRVINE. BOTH GUESTS, PROMINENT JOURNALISTS IN EXILE, DISCUSS FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. (FARSI 2/2)

FOREIGN INVESTMENT / IRANIAN OIL -- FARSI STAFFER HAMID OUDJI INTERVIEWS DR FEREIDOUN FESHARAKI OF THE EAST-WEST CENTER ABOUT FOREIGN COMPANIES' RESPONSE TO IRANIAN OFFERS FOR INVESTMENT IN IRAN'S OFFSHORE OIL FIELDS. FESHARAKI SAID FOREIGN COMPANIES ARE WAITING FOR THE FINAL RESULTS OF SENATOR D'AMATO'S BILL PROPOSING SANCTIONS ON FOREIGN OIL COMPANIES WHO DEAL WITH IRAN. (FARSI 2/2)

IRANIAN DIRECTOR -- STAFFER KATAYOUN BEGLARI CONTACTS IRANIAN DIRECTOR JAFAR PANAHI IN SWITZERLAND AND INTERVIEWS HIM ABOUT POLITICAL CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING HIS FILM, WHITE BALLOON. IN AN ACT OF PROTEST AGAINST THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT, IRAN ASKED THAT THE FILM BE WITHDRAWN FROM OSCAR NOMINATIONS, BUT THE ACADEMY SAYS IT WILL CONSIDER THE FILM ANYWAY. PANAHI SAID HE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PROPOSAL TO WITHDRAW THE FILM FROM COMPETITION. (FARSI 2/2)

TEACHERS CONF / TEHRAN -- STAFFER MANSOUR FRACYON INTERVIEWS DR ARTHUR BUEHLER OF COLGATE UNIVERSITY, WHO ATTENDED THE RECENT INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION OF TEACHERS OF FARSI IN TEHRAN. BUEHLER DISCUSSED THE CONFERENCE, AS WELL AS PERSONAL EXPERIENCES FROM TEHRAN. (FARSI 2/3)

AFGHAN / HUMANITARIAN AID -- THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS' (ICRC) AIRLIFT OF EMERGENCY FOOD TO KABUL HAS RESUMED. STRINGER EKRAM SHINWARAI REPORTS THAT TWO PLANES CARRYING THIRTY SIX TONS WHEAT FLOUR AND MEDICINE FLEW FROM PESHAWAR TO BAGRAM AIRBASE. ICRC SAYS IT WILL DELIVER ABOUT ONE THOUSAND TONS OF FOOD AND MEDICINE IN THE COMING TEN DAYS WHICH WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE MOST NEEDY IN KABUL. (PASHTO, DARI 2/5)

AFGHAN / UN -- THE SPECIAL UN ENVOY FOR AFGHANISTAN, MAHMOUD MESTIRI MET WITH ABDUL RAB RASUL SAYAF, HEAD OF PRESIDENT RABBANI'S DELEGATION IN JALALABAD. STRINGER EKRAM SHINWARAI REPORTS THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST-EVER MEETING BETWEEN SAYAF AND MESTIRI DURING WHICH BOTH SIDES AGREED THAT ALL PEACE EFFORTS BE COORDINATED AND DIRECTED TOWARD A PEACEFUL SOLUTION FOR THE AFGHAN CONFLICT. MESTIRI HAS MET WITH PRESIDENT RABBANI AND AHMAD SHAH MASSOUD IN KABUL AND WITH THE TALEBAN IN KANDAHAR AND IS EXPECTED TO FLY TO MAZAR-I-SHARIF SHORTLY FOR A MEETING WITH GENERAL DOSTUM. (PASHTO, DARI 2/5)

AFGHAN / ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT -- A MEMBER OF THE THREE EASTERN AFGHAN PROVINCES' COUNCIL, ENAYAT KHAN MANJI WAS THE TARGET OF AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT. STRINGER EKRAM SHINWARAI REPORTS THAT MANJI WAS WOUNDED WHEN A GROUP OF ARMED MEN ATTACKED MANJI'S CAR NEAR THE LANDI KOTAL BAZAAR. SIX OF HIS COMPANIONS WERE KILLED. (PASHTO, DARI 2/4)

AFGHAN / OPEN LETTER TO CLINTON -- THE AFGHAN ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO, CANADA HAS SEND AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON CONGRATULATING HIM ON THE MIDEAST AND BALKAN PEACE INITIATIVES AND REQUESTING HIM TO TAKE LEAD IN STARTING A SIMILAR INITIATIVE FOR BRING PEACE IN AFGHANISTAN. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER SEYED SHAH, THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION, AKBAR BAYAT SAYS THE LETTER IS IN FACT A PLEA REFLECTING THE FEELINGS OF AFGHANS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AFGHANISTAN THAT THE US AND THE REST OF THE WORLD COMMUNITY SHALL PAY ATTENTION TO AFGHANISTAN WHICH HELPED THE WORLD COMMUNITY IN THE DOWNFALL OF THE SOVIET COMMUNISM. (PASHTO 2/5)

INSIDE CENTRAL ASIA:

AZERBAIJAN / ELECTIONS -- THE AZERBAIJANI RUNOFF ELECTIONS TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY AND ACCORDING TO THE OPPOSITION TOO MANY IRREGULARITIES WERE OBSERVED IN ALL ELECTORAL CENTERS. STRINGER RAFAEL HUSAINOV INTERVIEWED THE NATIONAL FRONT CANDIDATE ZALIM KHAN MEMEDOV ON THE SUBJECT. (AZERI 2/5)

CRIMEAN TATARS / LEGAL SNAGS -- MUSTAFA JAMILOV, SPEAKER OF THE CRIMEAN TATAR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TELLS UZBEK STAFFER RANO HABIB THAT, ALL THE CRIMEAN RETURNEES SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN AUTOMATICALLY CITIZENSHIPS, SINCE THEY WERE FORCEFULLY EXILED TO OTHER AREAS OF THE SOVIET UNION IN 1944 BY STALIN, BUT THE AUTHORITIES IN CRIMEA ISSUED LAWFUL RESIDENCY ONLY TO THOSE CRIMEANS WHO RETURNED TO THE PENINSULA BEFORE NOVEMBER 13, 1991. HE ADDS, THE STRUGGLE FOR FULL CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS FOR EVERY CRIMEAN TATAR WILL CONTINUE, IN SPITE OF ALL DIFFICULTIES THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED. (UZBEK 2/3)

US / UZBEKISTAN -- NICHOLAS NIKAZMERAD, PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN-UZBEKISTAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN US AND UZBEKISTAN GREW SIGNIFICANTLY LAST YEAR. DURING HIS RECENT VISIT TO UZBEKISTAN, HE DISCUSSED THE POSSIBILITIES OF NEW JOINT VENTURES WITH THE NEW UZBEK PRIME MINISTER OTKIR SULTANOV AND OTHER OFFICIALS, AS WELL AS, LOCAL BUSINESSMEN. STAFFER CEVDET SEYHAN REPORTS. (UZBEK 2/5)

TAJIKISTAN / CRISIS -- ARKADY DUBNOV, AN EXPERT ON RUSSIAN/TADZHIK RELATIONS TALKS TO CORRESPONDENT ALEC BATCHAN ABOUT THE UNREST IN TADJIKISTAN. ALTHOUGH HE FEELS THAT CIVIL WAR WILL PROBABLY BE AVOIDED, HE WARNED THAT THE SITUATION IS FAR FROM CALM. (RUSSIAN 2/5)

INSIDE SOUTH ASIA:

KASHMIR / ELECTIONS -- STRINGER QAISER MIRZA IN SRINAGAR QUOTES THE INDIAN MINISTER OF STATE FOR INTERNAL SECURITY AS SAYING THAT THE SITUATION IS RIGHT TO HOLD LOCAL ELECTIONS IN THE INDIAN KASHMIR. ON JANUARY 31 QAISER MIRZA REPORTED THE KILLING OF THIRTY PEOPLE IN THE INDIAN KASHMIR. HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT AND THE OPPOSITION PARTY JAMAAT E ISLAMI BLAME EACH OTHER FOR KIDNAPPING PARTY'S MEMBERS AND KILLING THEM. (URDU 2/4)

KASHMIR / ELECTIONS -- FACED WITH AN ORDER FROM THE COUNTRY'S HIGHEST COURT, INDIAN GOVERNMENT HAS STARTED CONSULTATIONS WITH THE OPPOSITION PARTIES ABOUT HOLDING ELECTIONS IN THE TROUBLED STATE OF KASHMIR. THE ELECTION COMMISSION, MEANWHILE SAID THAT IT HAS NOT YET MADE A DECISION ON THE DATES FOR ELECTION OF PARLIAMENTARY SEATS IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR. STRINGER NANDAN HAS DETAILS. (HINDI 2/2)

INDIA / SCANDAL -- STAFFER RAZI AHMAD RIZVI INTERVIEWS THE EDITOR OF THE WEEKLIES NAI DUNYA AND NAI ZAMEEN SHAHID SIDDIQI IN NEW DELHI ABOUT THE INDIAN BRIBERY SCANDAL WHICH IS SAID TO INVOLVE A NUMBER OF SENIOR POLITICIANS AND OFFICIALS. HE SAID THE SCANDAL WILL HAVE A DEEP IMPACT ON THE BODY POLITIC OF INDIA, PARTICULARLY WITH REFERENCE TO THE NATIONAL ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT APRIL. (URDU 2/1)

INDIA / CAMBODIA -- INDIA HAS OFFERED TECHNICAL HELP AND KNOW-HOW FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CAMBODIAN ECONOMY, ESPECIALLY IN THE FIELD OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE INDUTRY. THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY PRIME MINISTER RAO WHEN VISITING CAMBODIAN PRIME MINISTER NORODOM RANARIDDHA CALLED ON HIM IN NEW DELHI. STRINGER REPORT. (HINDI 2/2)

KARACHI / VIOLENCE -- STRINGER QAISER MAHMOOD REPORTS THE FAILURE OF PEACE TALKS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF PRIME MINISTER BENAZIR BHUTTO AND THE MQM (MOHAJIR QUOMI MOVEMENT). IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY AT LEAST EIGHTEEN MQM ACTIVISTS WERE KILLED. (URDU 2/1)

INDIA / BOOK FAIRS -- INDIA IS HOLDING TWO BOOK FAIRS IN ONE WEEK. THE WORLD BOOK FAIR, INAUGURATED IN NEW DELHI JUST TWO DAYS AFTER THE BOOK FAIR IN CALCUTTA OPENED, HAS ATTRACTED WRITERS AND PUBLISHERS FROM MANY COUNTRIES. STRINGER KL NANDAN REPORTS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME, PAKISTAN IS ALSO PARTICIPATING IN THE BOOK FAIR WHICH IS THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND IN INDIA. (HINDI 2/2)

INSIDE EAST ASIA:

CHINA / TAIWAN / US -- STAFFER WILLIAM CHIEN INTERVIEWS LEE YEE, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF HONG KONG'S NINETIES MONTHLY MAGAZINE, ON CHINA-US-TAIWAN RELATIONS. (MANDARIN 2/5)

HONG KONG / TAIWAN / CHINA QUAKE -- HEADS OF THE HONG KONG RED CROSS HAVE CONTACTED XINHUA NEWS AGENCY IN HONG KONG TO DISCUSS WAYS TO DELIVER AID TO AREAS DEVASTATED BY LAST WEEKEND'S EARTHQUAKE. THE TAIWAN RED CROSS SAID THE PRESENT TENSION ACROSS THE TAIWAN STRAIT WILL NOT HAMPER THE RELIEF EFFORTS. STAFFER CHOU YOUKANG IN HONG KONG INTERVIEWS HUAN MOHUI, CHIEF OF YUNNAN RESCUE TEAM, HONG KONG RED CROSS, AND XIE SHIWEI, VICE-SECRETARY GENERAL, TAIWAN RED CROSS. (MANDARIN 2/5)

CHINA / QUAKE / TAIWAN -- STRINGER CHANG YUNG-TAI IN TAIPEI REPORTS ON TAIWAN'S RESPONSE TO THE EARTHQUAKE THAT STRUCK YUNNAN PROVINCE, CHINA. TAIWANESE AUTHORITIES EXPRESSED CONCERN ON THE LARGE CASUALTY FIGURE. A HIGH-RANKING GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL SAID TAIWAN MAY CONSIDER SENDING AID VIA APPROPRIATE CHANNELS. (MANDARIN 2/4)

JAPAN / SCHOOL BULLIES -- TOKYO STRINGER XIAO YAN TALKS TO A YOKOHAMA CITY OFFICIAL AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE YOKOHAMA SCHOOL BULLY HOTLINE ON THE PROBLEM OF SCHOOL BULLIES IN JAPAN. TWO MORE JAPANESE CHILDREN HAVE COMMITTED SUICIDE AFTER BEING BULLIED AT SCHOOL. PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AT VARIOUS LEVELS ARE TRYING TO COPE WITH THE PROBLEM. (MANDARIN 2/5)

CHINA / REFORM OF CRIMINAL LAWS -- MR. HU GUOWIE, A NEW YORK CITY ATTORNEY, AND MR. QI HAIBIN, JSD CANDIDATE AT YALE LAW SCHOOL, DISCUSS REFORM OF CRIMINAL LAWS IN CHINA ON THE CHINA FORUM CALL-IN SHOW. CHINA'S LEGISLATURE AND LEGAL EXPERTS ARE REVISING THE COUNTRY'S CRIMINAL LAWS, AND ABOUT 100 AMENDMENTS ARE BEING DELIBERATED AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE APPROVED BY THE NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS IN MARCH. SIX LISTENERS FROM CHINA CALLED TO COMMENT ON THE REVISION AND TO ASK QUESTIONS. (MANDARIN 2/5)

TAIWAN / CHINA / BUSINESS -- STAFFER TIEN KANGLIN INTERVIEWED YEH HUNG-DENG, CHAIRMAN OF TAIWAN BUSINESSMEN'S ASSOCIATION IN DONGGUAN, GUANGDONG, CHINA. THE INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED AT THE CROSS-STRAITS FOUNDATION IN TAIPEI. MR. YEH HUNG-DENG COMMENTED ON THE THE BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT IN MAINLAND CHINA. (MANDARIN 2/4)

RUSSIA / CHINA / SU-27 FIGHTERS -- RUSSIA HAS SOLD CHINA A LICENSE TO PRODUCE SUKHOI SU-27 JET FIGHTERS IN A DEAL EXPECTED TO BRING IN AT LEAST $2 BILLION. MOSCOW AND BEIJING HAVE BEEN IMPROVING RELATIONS AFTER DECADES OF HOSTILITY AND OCCASIONAL BORDER SKIRMISHES. CHINA HAS ALREADY PURCHASED DOZENS OF SU-27 FIGHTERS IN RECENT YEARS WHICH GIVES CHINA AIR CAPABILITY OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA IF THE FIGHTERS ARE LAUNCHED FROM HAINAN ISLAND. STAFFER SUN CHENG INTERVIEWS ZHANG MING, RESEARCH FELLOW AT NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY, WHO COMMENTS ON THE DEAL AND ITS IMPLICATIONS. (MANDARIN 2/4)

ACTIVISTS DENIED ENTRY -- AT LEAST SEVEN HONG KONG RESIDENTS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN DENIED A HOME VISIT IN CHINA. THEY INCLUDE MEMBERS OF ORGANIZATIONS DEEMED SUBVERSIVE IN NATURE BY CHINA, DISSIDENTS, REPORTERS DISLIKED BY CHINESE AUTHORITIES, AND MARTIN LEE, CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. THERE IS WIDESPREAD BELIEF THAT CHINA MAINTAINS A LIST OF PEOPLE BARRED FROM ENTERING THE COUNTRY. THERE IS FEAR THAT AFTER THE TAKEOVER IN 1997 SOME HONG KONG RESIDENTS MAY BE DENIED RETURN INTO HONG KONG IF THEY TRAVEL ABROAD. STRINGER LAWRENCE NG INTERVIEWED THREE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DENIED ENTRY: LAU SAN CHING, DISSIDENT; CHOI YIU CHEUNG, LEGISLATOR'S ASSISTANT; TSE MING CHONG, REPORTER, NEXT MAGAZINE. (CANTONESE 2/5)

HANOI / DRIVE AGAINST "SOCIAL EVILS" -- CORRESPONDENT LE LAI IN BANGKOK REPORTS ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CAMPAIGN IN THE SRV AGAINST VICE, PORNOGRAPHY, KARAOKE BARS AND WHAT THE REGIME REGARDS AS EXCESSIVE FOREIGN INFLUENCE. (VIETNAMESE 2/5)

HO CHI MINH CITY / NEW BUSINESS COLLEGE -- STAFFER THONG DUC TRINH TALKED TO ARIZONA STATE BUSINESS PROFESSOR C. SHULTZ, ABOUT THE NEW COLLEGE FOR MARKETING IN SAIGON. DR. SCHULTZ SERVED AS AN ADVISOR IN ESTABLISHING THIS INSTITUTION AND IS JUST BACK FROM CONDUCTING A SEMINAR THERE. (VIETNAMESE 2/3)

FRANCE / SOUTH PACIFIC / NUCLEAR TESTING -- REPORTER SUSAN YACKEE SPEAKS WITH AUSDREY CARDWELL, A MEMBER OF THE GREENPEACE NUCLEAR CAMPAIGN, ABOUT FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC VISITING THE WHITE HOUSE. HER ORGANIZATION DEMONSTRATED AGAINST FRANCE'S NUCLEAR TESTS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC AND MARCHED ON THE WHITE HOUSE IN PROTEST. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 2/2)

TAIWAN / CHINA -- STAFFER MOHAMMAD RAZAVI REPORTS ON A SPEECH AND PRESS CONFERENCE BY FREDERICK CHIEN, FOREIGN MINISTER OF TAIWAN, ABOUT THE RECENT TENSION IN THE STRAIT OF TAIWAN. (FARSI 2/1)

SPORTS WINDOW -- STAFFER AHMAD BAHARLOO FEATURES A SPECIAL SPORTS WINDOW, WHICH INCLUDES JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA'S COMPETITION TO HOST WORLD CUP 2002, THE AFRICAN CUP, AND AUSTRALIA SOCCER'S PROGRESS TOWARD ATLANTA. (FARSI 2/1)

INSIDE EUROPE:

PODOGORICA / REFUGEES -- MONTENEGRO WILL NOT FORCE THE REFUGEES FROM BOSNIA TO RETURN THERE, EVEN THOUGH THE REFUGEES ARE STILL ARRIVING, INCLUDING SERBS FROM SERB-HELD AREAS. STRINGER BOSKO DJUKIC REPORTS FROM PODGORICA. (SERBIAN 2/3)

ZAGREB / MOSTAR -- IT WAS REPORTED IN ZAGREB THAT CROATIA WILL SEND ITS POLICE FORCES TO MOSTAR. CROATIAN SOURCES SAY THE RE-OPENING OF ZAGREB-BELGRADE HIGHWAY WILL BE DISCUSSED ON THE HIGHEST LEVEL. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS. (SERBIAN 2/3)

SKOPJE / NATO -- ACCORDING TO SOME REPORTS, THE MACEDONIAN ARMY WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE NATO-LED MILITARY EXCERCIZES THIS YEAR, THAT ARE TO BE WITHIN THE NATO'S PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE INITIATIVE. STRINGER ZELJKO BAJIC REPORTS FROM SKOPJE. (SERBIAN 2/3)

BRUSSELS / TRIBUNAL -- THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE HAS ANNOUNCED IT MAY SOON START THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST SOME OF THE INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS. JUDGE, RICHARD GOLDSTONE GAVE A SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENT TO SOME DUTCH NEWSPAPERS. STRINGER DRAGAN BLAGOJEVIC REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS. (SERBIAN 2/3)

ITALY / BOSNIA -- ITALIAN PRESIDENT L SCALFARI MADE A SHORT VISIT TO SARAJEVO FOR TALKS WITH THE PRESIDENT A IZETBEGOVIC OF BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA. MEANWHILE, A LEADER OF THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN BOSNIA WENT TO BANJALUKA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOUR YEARS. STRINGER KONSTANTIN JOVANOVIC REPORTS FROM TUZLA. (SERBIAN 2/2)

SERBIA / OPPOSITION -- MEMBERS OF THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION PARTIES IN BELGRADE WERE PREVENTED FROM HOLDING A NEWS CONFERENCE. A DAY EARLIER, OPPOSITION LEADERS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER THE BUILDING OF THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT. STRINGER DUSAN MASIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 2/2)

UN / MACEDONIA -- UN SECURITY COUNCIL DECIDED THAT THE PREVENTIVE UN MISSION IN MACEDONIA SHOULD BE INDEPENDENT. A REPORT BY SECRETARY GENERAL BOUTROS GHALI MENTIONED A LACK OF EFFECTIVE OPPOSITION IN MACEDONIAN PARLIAMENT. STRINGER ZELJKO BAJIC REPORTS FROM SKOPJE. (SERBIAN 2/2)

POLAND / POLITICS -- JAKUB KARPINSKI, AN ANALYST AT THE OPEN MEDIA INSTITUTE DISCUSSED THE POLITICAL EVENTS OF THE LAST WEEK IN POLAND WITH STAFFER TADEUSZ WALENDOWSKI. KARPINSKI SAYS THAT ACCORDING TO PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS, THE POLITICAL TURMOIL OF THE LAST MONTH HAS NOT HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON ORDINARY POLISH CITIZENS. (POLISH 2/2)

VIET CULTURE / PARIS -- STRINGER PHAN NGOC COVERED THE OPENING OF A MAJOR EXHIBIT OF VIETNAMESE ART AND CULTURE IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL. (VIETNAMESE 2/5)

INSIDE EURASIA:

MOSCOW / POLITICS -- MOSCOW STRINGER HA GIANG REPORTS ON THE LATEST MANEUVERING THERE AS BORIS YELTSIN AND OTHER LIKELY CANDIDATES POSITION THEMSELVES FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION LATER THIS YEAR. (VIETNAMESE 2/4)

HUMAN RIGHTS -- STRINGER LYUDMILA ALEXEYEVA REPORTS THAT CIVIC STUDIES ARE SLOWLY BEING INTRODUCED IN RUSSIA. (RUSSIAN 2/4)

RUSSIAN POET / CONTEMPORARY POETRY -- RUSSIAN POET MIKHAIL AISENBERG TALKS TO STAFFER JULIA BOSKY ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE POET IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY. (RUSSIAN 2/3)

INSIDE LATIN AMERICA:

BRAZIL / INDIAN LANDS -- REPORTER TOM CROSBY TALKED WITH MELINA SELZERTON, THE DIRECTOR OF THE COALITION FOR AMAZONIAN PEOPLE AND THEIR ENVIRONMENTS. THE COALITION AND BRAZILIAN INDIAN REPRESENTATIVES MEETING IN BRASILIA THIS WEEK SAY A NEW BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT DECREE ON DEMARCATING INDIAN LANDS COULD LEAD TO BLOODSHED. (ENP 2/2)

GUYANA / MINE -- REPORTER MICHAEL LELAND TALKS WITH JOSHUA RAMSAMI, SECRETARY OF THE GUYANA ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION, ABOUT THE PENDING REOPENING OF THE OMAI GOLD MINE. THE MINE WAS THE SITE OF A CYANIDE SPILL LAST AUGUST. MR RAMSAMI SAYS HE IS CONCERNED NOT ENOUGH HAS BEEN DONE TO PREVENT A RECURRENCE OF THE ACCIDENT. (ENGLISH 2/2)

GUATEMALA / POPE JOHN PAUL II VISIT -- GUATEMALAN PEOPLE PREPARE A WARM RECEPTION FOR POPE JOHN PAUL II, IN THE FIRST STOP OF A PONTIFF'S TOUR FOR SEVERAL CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES AND VENEZUELA. STRINGER DIETER ERLANGER REPORTS. (SPANISH 2/5) 05-Feb-96 6:25 PM EST (2325 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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