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Voice of America, 96-11-29Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=11/29/96TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-09906 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=PHIL HAYNES CONTENT=_ INTRO: TODAY IS THE TRADITIONAL BEGINNING OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IN THE UNITED STATES, THE DAY AFTER THE HARVEST FESTIVAL OF THANKSGIVING. AND AMONG THE WIDE ASSORTMENT OF EDITORIALS IN THE FRIDAY NEWSPAPERS, ONE SUBJECT DEALS WITH HOW PEOPLE COPE WITH THE OFTEN STRESSFUL HOLIDAY PERIOD. AMONG OTHER TOPICS: THE CARELESS USE OF CONSUMER CREDIT CARDS; DEALING WITH THE CHANGING CRISIS IN ZAIRE; PRESIDENT CLINTON'S CHANGING POSITION ON WELFARE REFORM; THE PERSECUTION OF WRITERS IN IRAN, [OPT] AND A BATTLE OVER NEW U-S CLEAN-AIR RESTRICTIONS. [END OPT] NOW, _______________________ HAS A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: FRIDAY'S ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL, IS WARNING CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS NOT TO BE FOOLISH AND ALLOW THEIR CREDIT CARDS TO GET THEM INTO DEBT THEY CANNOT REPAY. VOICE: "EACH YEAR, ON THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING, TENS OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS BEGIN A FRENZY OF HOLIDAY SHOPPING. MANY CREDIT COUNSELORS FEAR MILLIONS OF AMERICAN WILL GET CARRIED AWAY WITH OPTIMISM AND SPEND MORE THAN THEY CAN AFFORD. 1996 HAS BEEN A RECORD YEAR FOR ... PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES... THE ECONOMY WILL BE SOUNDER, AND FAMILIES MORE SECURE IF ALL SHOPPERS SIT DOWN AND PLAN A HOLIDAY BUDGET BEFORE THEY RUN INTO THE [SHOPPING] MALLS SCREAMING, 'CHARGE.' [UNDERSTOOD: "ON MY CREDIT CARD."] TEXT: AMONG INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS ON TODAY'S EDITORIAL PAGES, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL IS BREATHING A SIGH OF RELIEF ABOUT THE CHANGING REFUGEE CRISIS IN ZAIRE. VOICE: "THE POTENTIAL FOR LARGE-SCALE INTERNATIONAL MILITARY INTERVENTION IN ZAIRE FORTUNATELY HAS PASSED -- THANKS TO THE ACTIONS OF CERTAIN REFUGEES. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THEM RECENTLY DECIDED TO TREK BACK TO RWANDA, SAVING THE UNITED STATES AND OTHERS FROM GETTING PULLED INTO A VIRTUALLY CERTAIN QUAGMIRE. STILL, SOME DEGREE OF FOREIGN MILITARY INVOLVEMENT REMAINS LIKELY. AMERICANS SHOULD MONITOR THE SITUATION AND BE PREPARED TO QUESTION ANY EXAGGERATED DECISIONS BY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION... U-S PARTICIPATION SHOULDN'T BE DRIVEN BY CANADIAN IMPATIENCE. THE CRISIS IN ZAIRE DESERVES CAREFUL DELIBERATION." TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST EXPRESSES CONCERNED ABOUT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S APPARENT TURNABOUT REGARDING CUTS IN THE FEDERAL WELFARE SYSTEM. VOICE: "THE WHITE HOUSE HAS LET IT BE KNOWN THAT THE PRESIDENT WILL SEEK TO RESTORE A SHARE OF THE FOOD STAMP AND OTHER BENEFITS THAT WERE CUT IN THE WELFARE BILL HE SIGNED AS THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN WAS FIRMING UP LAST FALL. THE AMOUNT WILL BE LESS THAN IT ALREADY IS BEING MADE TO SOUND. LEADING CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS NONETHELESS ALREADY HAVE RESPONDED THAT THEY, AT LEAST, MEANT WHAT THEY SAID IN THE WELFARE BILL AND HAVE NO INTENTION OF REVERSING THE DECISION... THE PRESIDENT, HAVING ZIGGED [CHANGED POSITION] WHEN HE SIGNED THE BILL, NOW ZAGS [REVERSES HIS POSITION AGAIN] AND OFFERS HIMSELF AS THE CHAMPION OF SOME OF THE VERY PEOPLE ... THE BILL WILL SQUEEZE. IN THIS AS IN OTHER AREAS OF POLICY ... HE CONTINUES TO MAKE A CAREER OUT OF PROPOSING SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS THAT HE HIMSELF PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN CREATING. [OPT] ...THE MISNAMED WELFARE BILL WAS ... NEVER ... JUST ABOUT WELFARE... IT WAS AN EFFORT TO MAKE DEEP CUTS IN ALMOST ALL THE PRINCIPAL FORMS OF ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME PEOPLE." TEXT: ANOTHER MAJOR CONTROVERSY IS DEVELOPING WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT FEDERAL CLEAN AIR STANDARDS WILL BE FURTHER TIGHTENED, PROMPTING INDUSTRY CLAIMS THAT IT WILL COST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, AS WELL AS THE SOME JOBS. THAT'S THE LEAD EDITORIAL TOPIC IN TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES. VOICE: "THE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1970 -- STRENGTHENED ... IN 1977 ... AND ... IN 1990 -- HAS GREATLY IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF AMERICA'S AIR. RESPONDING TO TOUGH FEDERAL MANDATES, SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY HAVE PRODUCED CLEANER CARS, FUELS AND POWER PLANTS. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NOW SAYS IT WILL TRY TO DRAW THE REGULATORY NOOSE EVEN TIGHTER TO HELP HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM RESPIRATORY DISEASES... THEY WILL SURELY BE COSTLY, TO INDUSTRY AND CONSUMERS. BUT IN PUBLIC HEALTH TERMS, ... [THE] DECISION IS THE RIGHT ONE." TEXT: TURNING OVERSEAS ONCE AGAIN, TO IRAN, THE WASHINGTON POST VOICES CONCERN ABOUT A NEW WAVE OF REPRESSION AGAINST IRANIAN WRITERS. THE PAPER FEARS THE STATE MAY BE TARGETING SOME OF 134 AUTHORS WHO SIGNED AN ANTI-CENSORSHIP DECLARATION TWO YEARS AGO. VOICE: "IN THE PAST MONTH, FOLLOWING SIGNS OF A MORE GENERAL TIGHTENING, ONE OF THE 134 [WRITERS] WAS FOUND DEAD UNDER MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES, AND A SECOND DISAPPEARED AND IS THOUGHT TO BE EITHER IN CUSTODY OR DEAD AS WELL. IRAN, OF COURSE, IS NOT THE ONLY COUNTRY THAT DEALS WITH POLITICAL AND LITERARY DISSENT BY THROWING WRITERS IN JAIL ... [OPT] ALL THESE CASES NEED CONTINUOUS SCRUTINY AND PRESSURE FROM OUTSIDE NATIONAL BORDERS ... [END OPT] BUT THE METHODICAL MURDER OF WRITERS ON A LIST, IF THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING, IS MORE ALARMING." TEXT: MOVING TO THE BALTICS, THE NEW YORK TIMES RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FATE OF A PRICELESS RELIGIOUS TREASURE IN LITHUANIA. VOICE: "MUCH OF THE SPLENDID JEWISH LITERARY HERITAGE OF VILNIUS, LITHUANIA, SITS DETERIORATING AND UNTENDED IN A CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE BALTIC CAPITAL. THE THOUSANDS OF HEBREW AND YIDDISH TEXTS ... ARE NEARLY ALL THAT IS LEFT FROM THE JEWISH CIVILIZATION THAT ONCE FLOURISHED THERE. THE PAPERS AND BOOKS, LONG HIDDEN UNDER STACKS OF SOVIET FARM STATISTICS, DESERVE BETTER TREATMENT AND PERMANENT STORAGE IN A PLACE WHERE SCHOLARS CAN USE THEM. [OPT] IDEALLY, THE COLLECTION SHOULD REMAIN IN VILNIUS, BUT IF THAT PROVES IMPRACTICAL, THE ARCHIVE SHOULD BE MOVED TO A CENTER OF JEWISH SCHOLARSHIP AND LIFE LIKE JERUSALEM OR NEW YORK. [END OPT] ... THE JEWISH CULTURE OF VILNIUS WAS DELIBERATELY DESTROYED. THE RECORD OF THAT CIVILIZATION SHOULD NOT BE LOST NOW THROUGH NEGLECT." TEXT: AND FINALLY, A WORD FROM USA TODAY ABOUT HOLIDAY SEASON STRESS, AS THE GREAT CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SPREE GETS UNDERWAY. VOICE: "THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS BEARING DOWN ON US LIKE A STAMPEDE OF CAFFEINATED [HYPER-ACTIVE] REINDEER, SO GIRD YOUR LOINS. THE WEEKS FROM NOW TO 1997 WILL BE FULL OF FESTIVITY AND FRENZY AND FRAZZLE. SOME OF THIS HUBBUB IS THE WORK OF THE MARKETPLACE... HARDLY ANY ADVERTISEMENT -- PRINT, RADIO, TELEVISION, INTERNET -- WILL ABSTAIN FROM SOME MERRY IMAGE... KIDS [CHILDREN] WILL BE LOADED WITH SUGAR. ADULTS MAY JUST WANT TO GET LOADED [DRUNK]. AVOID THE TEMPTATION. IT'S BAD FOR YOU. AND BESIDES, YOU WANT TO BE CLEAR-HEADED FOR WHAT'S COMING UP. THERE'S HANUKKAH, CHRISTMAS, KWANZAA [AN AMERICAN-DESIGNED HOLIDAY PRINCIPALLY FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS] AND NEW YEAR'S OF COURSE... CITIZENS OF CANADA AND ELSEWHERE WILL TOSS A TODDY [HAVE A DRINK] ON BOXING DAY. MANY LATINOS WILL CELEBRATE GUADALUPE DAY. ... STILL, IT'S POSSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT THE COMING WEEKS MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS. HOW? LOWER THEM ... AND TRY TO RELAX." TEXT: WITH THAT ADVICE WELL IN HAND, WE'LL CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF
SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM SOME OF TODAY'S U-S
NEWSPAPERS.
[02] BELGRADE DEMO (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)DATE=11/29/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-206850 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST MARCHES CONTINUED IN BELGRADE FRIDAY -- THE 10TH DAY WITH NO SIGN OF A PEACEFUL SOLUTION. REPORTER JULIA GLYN-PICKETT WAS AT FRIDAY'S DEMONSTRATION. TEXT: THE CRIES AND WHISTLES OF THOUSANDS OF ANTI-MILOSEVIC DEMONSTRATORS FILLED THE AIR FRIDAY IN BELGRADE. /// ACT OF DEMONSTRATION -- ESTABLISH, THEN FADE ///MORE THAN 100-THOUSAND STUDENTS, PENSIONERS, AND WORKERS MARCHED THROUGH THE STREETS OF THE SERBIAN CAPITAL, WAVING FLAGS AND BANNERS TO DEMAND THE RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. ONLOOKERS HUDDLED ON THEIR BALCONIES TO RALLY THE CROWD IN SLEET AND SNOW, AS IT WOUND ITS WAY THROUGH THE CITY'S CENTER. THE PRO-DEMOCRACY PROTEST FOLLOWS ALLEGED FRAUD IN THE LOCAL ELECTIONS HELD NOVEMBER 17TH, AND IS THE LARGEST PROTEST TO BE SEEN IN BELGRADE SINCE 1991, WHEN MR. MILOSEVIC USED TANKS TO SUPPRESS POPULAR CRITICISM OF THE RULING SOCIALISTS. TWO-WEEKS AGO, THE OPPOSITION COALITION "TOGETHER" CLAIMED LANDSLIDE VICTORIES IN 34 OF SERBIA'S 179 MUNICIPALITIES, INCLUDING BELGRADE AND ALL OTHER MAJOR TOWNS AND CITIES. SERBIAN COURTS LATER ANNULLED THESE RESULTS, FOLLOWING UNSPECIFIED PROCEDURAL COMPLAINS FROM MR. MILOSEVIC'S GOVERNING SOCIALIST PARTY. ALL CANCELLED SEATS WENT TO A THIRD ROUND OF VOTING THIS WEDNESDAY WHICH THE OPPOSITION COALITION BOYCOTTED. THURSDAY, THE CITY'S ELECTION COMMISSION ANNOUNCED VICTORY FOR THE SOCIALISTS IN THAT ROUND, BUT THE OPPOSITION'S OWN ELECTION MONITORS STATED TURN-OUT WAS AS LOW AS EIGHT TO 12-PERCENT. //OPT////OPT//ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS CONTINUE IN OTHER SERBIAN TOWNS WHERE THE OPPOSITION ALSO CLAIMS ITS ELECTORAL VICTORIES WERE ILLEGALLY INVALIDATED, AND IN THE TOWN OF NIS, MORE THAN 20-THOUSAND DEMONSTRATORS GATHERED IN FRONT OF THE CITY HALL. SPEAKING TO A CROWD AFTER FRIDAY'S MARCH WHERE DEMONSTRATORS HAD AGAIN HURLED EGGS AT THE BUILDINGS OF STATE-CONTROLLED MEDIA, OPPOSITION LEADER VUK DRASKOVIC PLEDGED THEIR PROTEST WOULD CONTINUE TO BE PEACEFUL. BUT AN INCREASINGLY FRUSTRATED AND IMPATIENT CROWD SHOUTED BACK -- LET'S GO AND ATTACK. /// PROTEST ACT -- ESTABLISH, THEN FADE UNDER ///PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC AND HIS PARTY HAVE STILL TO ISSUE AN OFFICIAL
COMMENT ON THE CRISIS -- INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF POLICE
INTERVENTION TO END THE PROTESTS. (SIGNED)
[03] E-U DRUGS (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)DATE=11/29/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-206851 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE NETHERLANDS TODAY (FRIDAY) REFUSED TO BOW TO PRESSURE FROM ITS EUROPEAN UNION PARTNERS TO END ITS LIBERAL DRUG CULTURE, WHICH MAKES IT AS EASY TO BUY A MARIJUANA "JOINT" (CIGARETTE) IN AMSTERDAM AS IT IS TO ORDER A BEER. THE OTHER E-U NATIONS ARE PRESSING FOR A TOUGH EUROPE-WIDE DRUGS PLAN, UNDER WHICH THE DUTCH "COFFEE SHOPS" WHERE DRUGS ARE SOLD WOULD BE FORCED TO CLOSE DOWN. HOWEVER, A DEAL WAS REACHED THAT WILL NOT FORCE HOLLAND TO CHANGE ITS DOMESTIC DRUGS LAWS -- OR THE WAY IN WHICH THEY ARE ENFORCED. JOHN FRASER HAS DETAILS FROM BRUSSELS. TEXT: THE 15 JUSTICE MINISTERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION REACHED AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL ALLOW THE DUTCH TO CONTINUE THEIR DRUGS PRACTICE. BUT THE ACCORD ALSO WILL FORCE THE NETHERLANDS TO BOOST ITS COOPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFICKERS. FRANCE HAS RESERVED ITS FINAL POSITION, PENDING CONSULTATIONS IN PARIS, BUT THE FRENCH MINISTER AT THE BRUSSELS TALKS, JACQUES TOUBON, SEEMS HAPPY WITH THE DEAL. // OPT //THE DUTCH COFFEE SHOPS OFTEN SERVE NO ALCOHOL, BUT OFFER MARIJUANA AND (IN SOME CASES) ECSTASY, WHICH CAN ALL BE CONSUMED ON THE PREMISES OR TAKEN AWAY. THIS LAX PRACTICE HAS ANGERED BELGIUM, FRANCE AND OTHER COUNTRIES, WHICH CONTEND THAT DRUGS BEING TRANSPORTED ACROSS OPEN BORDERS FROM THE NETHERLANDS ARE POLLUTING THEIR OWN SOCIETIES. ALTHOUGH THE EUROPEAN UNION CANNOT FORCE THE DUTCH TO CLOSE DOWN THE DRUGS COFFEE SHOPS, THE NEW ACCORD WILL OBLIGE HOLLAND TO TAKE TOUGHER MEASURES TO HELP PREVENT DRUG TRAFFICKING. DUTCH MINISTER WINNIE SORGDRAGER CONTENDS THE NETHERLANDS' LIBERAL EXAMPLE IS WORKING. SHE SAYS DECRIMINALIZING THE USE OF DRUGS HAS REDUCED THE PROBLEMS OF ADDICTION AND THE THREAT TO YOUNG CHILDREN FROM HARD DRUGS. SHE TOLD THE E-U MEETING THAT HOLLAND HAS FEWER ADDICTS AND FEWER DEATHS FROM HEROIN (THAN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES). MRS. SORGDRAGER SAYS EVERY COUNTRY HAS DEVELOPED METHODS OF ITS OWN FOR TACKLING THE PROBLEM OF DRUGS. THAT IS WHY SHE REFUSED TO SIGN ON TO AN EARLY DRAFT OF THE E-U ACCORD -- WHICH WOULD HAVE FORCED A CRACKDOWN ON THE DRUG TRADE AND AN END TO HOLLAND'S DRUGS CAFE CULTURE. IN ANOTHER DEBATE, THE E-U MINISTERS AGREED ON A SERIES OF
MEASURES TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF PEDOPHILIA, INCLUDING TOUGHER
CONTROLS ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY. THIS IS ANOTHER AREA WHERE THE
DUTCH RESISTED ACTION, BUT A FORMULA WAS FOUND TO BRING THEM ON
BOARD. IT ALLOWS HOLLAND TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO OWN SMALL QUANTITIES
OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY -- AS LONG AS ITS SALE IS OUTLAWED. (SIGNED)
[04] EAST EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)DATE=11/29/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-206853 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES ON EUROPE'S NEWEST MARKETS WERE MOSTLY UNCHANGED THIS PAST WEEK. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD IN PRAGUE HAS THE WEEK'S WRAP-UP OF EASTERN MARKETS. TEXT: ONLY LATE-WEEK RALLIES IN PRAGUE AND WARSAW PERMITTED THOSE MARKETS TO BREAK EVEN. IN PRAGUE, THE "PX 50" INDEX WAS UNCHANGED AT 510. VOLUME WAS LOWER. THE CZECH MARKET SEEMED TO HAVE ALREADY FACTORED IN THE RULING COALITION'S VICTORY IN LAST WEEK'S SENATE ELECTIONS. IN WARSAW THE "WIG" INDEX ENDED AT 13-THOUSAND-790 -- A 170-POINT GAIN. IN BUDAPEST, PRICES DID RISE, WITH THE "BUX" INDEX UP 145 POINTS TO 37-HUNDRED-ONE. THAT WAS A NEARLY THREE-POINT-FIVE PERCENT RISE ON THE WEEK. ON THE SMALLER MARKETS, THERE WAS FINALLY SOME OPTIMISM IN
SLOVENIA AS POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY DIMINISHED THREE WEEKS AFTER
INDECISIVE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. THE LJUBLJANA EXCHANGE
GAINED ONE PERCENT ON FRIDAY. ZAGREB WAS LOWER. BRATISLAVA WAS
LOWER, AND THERE WAS LITTLE ACTIVITY IN SOFIA AND BUCHAREST.
(SIGNED)
[05] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)DATE=11/29/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-206852 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE UP ON ALL THREE MAJOR BOURSES IN WESTERN EUROPE FRIDAY. V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM LONDON. TEXT: STOCKS SET ANOTHER RECORD HIGH ON THE GERMAN "DAX 30" INDEX IN FRANKFURT FRIDAY, GAINING 28 POINTS FOR THE DAY AT THE CLOSE. THE FIRM U-S DOLLAR AND STRONGER GERMAN GOVERNMENT BONDS WERE CITED AS KEY FACTORS DRIVING THE DAX INTO RECORD TERRITORY. THE PARIS "CAC 40" INDEX OF STOCKS FRIDAY CLOSED AT ITS HIGHEST LEVEL FOR THIS YEAR -- UP ALMOST 25-AND-A-HALF (25.35) POINTS. THAT MARKET, TOO, WAS SPURRED BY THE STRONGER DOLLAR IN EUROPE AND SIGNS THAT THE CRIPPLING TRUCKERS' STRIKE WAS REACHING AN END. GAINS WERE NOT AS SPECTACULAR HERE IN LONDON. THE KEY "FINANCIAL TIMES" OR "FOOTSIE" INDEX, AS IT IS CALLED, GAINED JUST UNDER EIGHT POINTS FOR THE DAY. WHILE THE DOLLAR GAINED SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND
JAPANESE YEN ON FRIDAY, IT EDGED BACK A BIT AGAINST THE BRITISH
POUND. GOLD CONTINUED TO LOSE ITS GLITTER, SHEDDING NEARLY A
DOLLAR-AND-A-HALF AND CLOSING IN LONDON AT 371-DOLLARS-35 CENTS
AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
[06] HUNGARY / CRIME (S-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)DATE=11/29/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-206857 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE HUNGARIAN GOVERNMENT FIRED THE CHIEFS OF THE NATIONAL AND BUDAPEST POLICE FRIDAY (TODAY) FOR FAILING TO HALT GANGLAND BOMBINGS AND SHOOTINGS IN THE CAPITAL. STEPHAN BOS REPORTS THE DECISION CAME AFTER BUDAPEST WAS ROCKED BY 11 BOMBINGS AND FIVE SHOOTINGS IN JUST TWO MONTHS. TEXT: PRIME MINISTER GYULA HORN AND INTERIOR MINISTER GABOR KUNCZE DECIDED TO FIRE THE LEADERS OF THE NATIONAL AND BUDAPEST POLICE, HOURS AFTER A 52-YEAR-OLD BUDAPEST CASINO OWNER WAS SERIOUSLY WOUNDED IN A SHOOTING. MR. KUNCZE TOLD REPORTERS PERSONNEL CHANGES WERE NEEDED TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY AND TO FIGHT ORGANIZED CRIME. SINCE SEPTEMBER, BUDAPEST HAS BEEN ROCKED BY 11 BOMBINGS AND FIVE SHOOTINGS IN WHICH ONE MAN WAS KILLED. IT IS BELIEVED HUNGARIAN, RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE ATTACKS. FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN GABOR SZENT IVANYI TELLS V-O-A GANGS ARE FIGHTING FOR TERRITORY IN BUDAPEST'S UNDERWORLD. // IVANYI ACT //THEY ARE THROWING HAND GRENADES AT EACH OTHER'S CARS, EACH OTHER'S SHOWROOMS AND EACH OTHER'S QUOTE-UNQUOTE "OFFICES." // END ACT //INVESTIGATORS SAY THE GANG WAR BEGAN AFTER AN UNDERWORLD FIGURE BORROWED ABOUT 17-MILLION DOLLARS AT HIGH INTEREST RATES AND THEN DISAPPEARED. POLICE ARRESTED TWO ARMS DEALERS THURSDAY, BUT POLICE OFFICIALS
WARN THAT THE GANG WAR IS NOT OVER YET. (SIGNED).
[07] ROMANIA PRESIDENT (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)DATE=11/29/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-206844 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: ROMANIA'S FIRST PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER IN MORE THAN 50-YEARS OCCURRED FRIDAY IN BUCHAREST AS REFORMIST ACADEMIC EMIL CONSTANTINESCU TOOK THE PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE. BARRY WOOD REPORTS. TEXT: DURING THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY IN THE HUGE PALACE OF THE PEOPLE, PRESIDENT CONSTANTINESCU PLEDGED TO DEVOTE ALL HIS STRENGTH TO BUILDING PROSPERITY FOR THE ROMANIAN PEOPLE. HE ALSO PROMISED TO LEAD IMPOVERISHED ROMANIA INTO EUROPE'S FAMILY OF DEMOCRATIC NATIONS. THE 57-YEAR-OLD FORMER UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR SAID HE WOULD REVIVE ROMANIA'S TRADITIONS OF HARD WORK AND FAIR PLAY AND WOULD STRIVE TO BUILD AN ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK WHICH WOULD PROTECT ORDINARY PEOPLE. HE SAID ROMANIANS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR OF TOMORROW. HE SAID THE COUNTRY MUST EMBRACE EUROPEAN AND ATLANTIC INSTITUTIONS. HE SPOKE SPECIFICALLY ABOUT ROMANIA'S GOAL OF JOINING NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. /// OPT ///ROMANIA'S NEW GOVERNMENT IS STILL BEING FORMED. THE PRIME MINISTER DESIGNATE, VICTOR CIORBEA, IS A TRADE UNIONIST WHO AS A REFORMIST WAS ELECTED MAYOR OF BUCHAREST FIVE-MONTHS AGO. THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION OF MR. CONSTANTINESCU IS FORMING A COALITION WITH THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS AND THE PARTY REPRESENTING ROMANIA'S HUNGARIAN MINORITY. THE GOVERNMENT'S FIRST PRIORITY IS TO BE REVIVE THE ECONOMY AND STABILIZE THE CURRENCY. AN INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND MISSION IS EXPECTED IN BUCHAREST NEXT WEEK. IN ONE OF HIS LAST OFFICIAL ACTS, OUTGOING PRESIDENT ION ILIESCU
GRANTED PARDONS TO SIX FORMER COMMUNIST PARTY LEADERS WHO SERVED
THE CEAUCESCU REGIME. MORE THAN ONE-THOUSAND PEOPLE DIED IN
ROMANIA'S BLOODY ANTI-COMMUNIST UPRISING IN DECEMBER 1989.
(SIGNED)
[08] ROMANIA'S DEMOCRATIC PROGRESS BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)DATE=11/29/96TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-35087 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRODUCTION: IN KEEPING WITH TRENDS IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE, RECENT ELECTIONS IN ROMANIA HAVE REPLACED AN OLD GUARD COMMUNIST REGIME WITH ANTI-COMMUNIST REFORMERS. BUT THE NEWCOMERS FACE A HOST OF PROBLEMS, MANY OF THEM BROUGHT ON BY THEIR COMMUNIST PREDECESSORS. VOA'S ED WARNER REPORTS. TEXT: "ROMANIA COMES BACK NOW TO THE GREAT CONCERT OF A DEMOCRATIC EUROPE," SAID EMIL CONSTANTINESCU AFTER WINNING THE PRESIDENCY OF ROMANIA. HIS SUBSTANTIAL VICTORY IN THE MID- NOVEMBER ELECTION IS CONSIDERED BOTH A REBUKE TO COMMUNISM AND A MANDATE FOR CHANGE. FOR MUCH OF THE WORLD, IT WAS ALSO UNEXPECTED, SINCE ROMANIA HAD BEEN ONE OF THE MOST STIFLING AND ISOLATED OF COMMUNIST COUNTRIES UNDER ITS LONGTIME DICTATOR NICOLAE CEAUCESCU. WHEN HE WAS OVERTHROWN IN 1989, ANOTHER, THOUGH MILDER COMMUNIST TOOK OVER, ION ILIESCU. NOW ROMANIA HAS FINALLY JOINED THE POST-COMMUNIST WORLD, SAYS CHARLES KING, PROFESSOR OF ROMANIAN STUDIES AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY: // KING ACTUALITY //THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN ROMANIAN HISTORY THAT THE HEAD OF STATE HAS ACTUALLY BEEN VOTED OUT OF OFFICE IN A FREE AND FAIR DEMOCRATIC ELECTION. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1989 THAT ROMANIA HAS EXPERIENCED WHAT IT IS LIKE TO HAVE FORMER POLITICAL FIGURES, TO HAVE FORMER POLITICAL LEADERS NOW IN OPPOSITION, ATTEMPTING TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT A CONSTRUCTIVE OPPOSITION DOES. // END ACT //THERE ARE SOME WHO SAY THE COMMUNISTS ARE PERFECTLY WILLING TO LET THE REFORMERS TAKE OFFICE WITH SO MANY PROBLEMS AHEAD. BERNARD GOLD IS A SPECIALIST ON ROMANIA AT PLANECON, A WASHINGTON-BASED ECONOMIC CONSULTING FIRM. HE SAYS THE COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT AVOIDED ECONOMIC SHOCK THERAPY IN FAVOR OF GRADUAL REFORM. IT WAS SO GRADUAL THERE WAS NO REFORM. NOW SAYS MR. GOLD, THE NEW GOVERNMENT WILL BE FORCED TO SUPPLY SOME OF THE SHOCKS. PRESIDENT-ELECT CONSTANTINESCU FACES A PARTICULARLY ACUTE DILEMMA. TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE AID FROM THE WEST, HE MUST PURSUE AUSTERITY REFORM POLICIES AT A TIME WHEN PEOPLE ARE POORER THAN EVER. HE HAS SENT MIXED SIGNALS: PLEDGING TO CUT GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND AT THE SAME TIME RAISE LIVING STANDARDS: // GOLD ACTUALITY //THEREFORE, THERE IS THIS IDEA THAT, WELL, THERE IS GOING TO BE SOME PAIN, BUT WE ARE ALSO GOING TO RAISE WAGES, PENSIONS, AND THE IMF AND FOREIGN INVESTORS WOULD RATHER THAT THAT ASPECT BE IMPLEMENTED LATER, THAT IT WOULD BE MORE IMPORTANT TO HAVE SOME SORT OF STABILIZATION OF THE ECONOMY, TO HAVE THE RIGHT LAWS IN PLACE TO ENCOURAGE FOREIGN INVESTMENT. WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT RAISING WAGES AND RAISING SOCIAL PROGRAMS, YOU ARE TALKING BUDGET DEFICITS AND INFLATION. // END ACT //MR. GOLD SAYS ONCE THE ECONOMY IS STABILIZED, ROMANIA CAN REALIZE ITS POTENTIAL WITH ITS AMPLE NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSIDERABLE INDUSTRY. ROMANIA'S PROGRESS, OF COURSE, DEPENDS ON ITS OWN CAPABILITIES, SAYS MARY ELLEN FISCHER, PROFESSOR OF GOVERNMENT AT SKIDMORE COLLEGE: // FISCHER ACTUALITY //BUT I THINK THAT THE WESTERN PRESSURE - FOREIGN OBSERVERS IN ELECTIONS, FOR EXAMPLE, AS WELL AS THE PRESSURE FROM THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO CONFORM TO ETHNIC AND MINORTY PROVISIONS IN WESTERN EUROPEAN CONSTITUTIONS - THOSE KINDS OF PRESSURES CAN BE VERY HELPFUL IN ESTABLISHING A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT WITHIN A COUNTRY. CERTAINLY WHEN GERMANY AND JAPAN DEMOCRATIZED AFTER WORLD WAR TWO, EXTERNAL PRESSURES WERE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. // END ACT //BUT IF THE WEST FAILS TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT HELP, SAYS CHARLES KING, THE OPPOSITION COULD MAKE AN ISSUE OF IT. ROMANIA IS ESPECIALLY INTENT ON JOINING THE EUROPEAN UNION AND NATO. RESIDUAL FEAR OF RUSSIA IS ONLY ONE REASON, ACCORDING TO THE GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR: // KING ACTUALITY //MORE THAN ANYTHING, ROMANIA SEE ITSELF AS WANTING TO JOIN NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION SIMPLY BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE IT FEELS IT BELONGS. A LATIN SPEAKING COUNTRY IN A MAINLY SLAVIC PART OF EUROPE, ROMANIA HAS REALLY ALWAYS FELT IT BELONGS MORE TO THE WEST THAN TO THE EAST, AND IT SEES THE PERIOD OF COMMUNISM AS BEING REALLY VERY MUCH AN ABERRATION. // END ACT //MIRCEA GEOANA, ROMANIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES, SAYS IT
WOULD BE A MAJOR SETBACK IF THE COUNTRY WERE EXCLUDED FROM THE
FIRST ROUND OF NATO EXPANSION. "IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO
EXPLAIN TO THE ROMANIAN PEOPLE," HE SAYS. "WE HAD A LATE START,
BUT WE ARE CATCHING UP FAST." (SIGNED)
[09] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)DATE=11/29/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-206838 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A MAN WHO ADMITTED TAKING PART IN THE MASSACRE OF BOSNIAN MUSLIMS AFTER THE FALL OF SREBRENICA HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO 10-YEARS IN PRISON BY THE U-N'S YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. FROM THE HAGUE, GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS JUDGES SAID DRAZEN ERDEMOVIC -- WHO HAD PLEADED GUILTY TO CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY -- HAD SHOWN REMORSE. TEXT: ONLY FOUR DAYS AFTER HIS 25TH BIRTHDAY, DRAZEN ERDEMOVIC LISTENED -- HEAD BOWED -- AS JUDGES PASSED SENTENCE IN THE FIRST WAR CRIMES TRIAL BEFORE AN INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL IN 50-YEARS. ERDEMOVIC -- A CROAT -- WAS PART OF A BOSNIAN-SERB EXECUTION SQUAD WHICH SHOT UP TO 12-HUNDRED MUSLIM MEN AND BOYS IN ONE DAY. HE PERSONALLY KILLED AS MANY AS 100 PEOPLE. HE SAID HE HAD BEEN GIVEN A SIMPLE CHOICE -- SHOOT, OR BE SHOT WITH THE VICTIMS. JUDGES AT THE TRIBUNAL SAID WHILE THIS MAY BE TRUE, THERE IS NO INDEPENDENT EVIDENCE AND THE THREAT WAS NOT A MITIGATING FACTOR IN THE SENTENCING. THROUGH A TRANSLATOR, PRESIDING JUDGE CLAUDE JORDA SAID ERDEMOVIC'S AGE -- HE WAS 23 AT THE TIME OF THE MASSACRE, HIS OBVIOUS REMORSE, AND HIS COOPERATION -- HAD BEEN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS IN THE SENTENCING. /// JORDA ACT -- THROUGH TRANSLATOR -- OPT ACT///IN PUNISHMENT OF SAID CRIME, SENTENCES DRAZEN ERDEMOVIC BORN 25TH NOVEMBER 1971 IN TUZLA, TO 10-YEARS IMPRISONMENT AND RULES THAT FROM THE TOTAL DURATION OF THIS SENTENCE SHALL BE DEDUCTED THE PERIODS THROUGH WHICH THE CONVICTED PERSON WAS IN CUSTODY, OR IN PROVISIONAL DETENTION, PENDING HIS TRANSFER TO THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL AND HIS JUDGMENT BY THIS TRIAL CHAMBER...JUDGMENT DONE IN FRENCH AND ENGLISH, THE FRENCH VERSION BEING AUTHENTIC TODAY, 29 NOVEMBER 1996, THE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS. //ENDS ACT//BEFORE ERDEMOVIC TOLD HIS STORY, TRIBUNAL PROSECUTORS HAD NO IDEA THIS MASSACRE HAD TAKEN PLACE. OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM, ERDEMOVIC'S LAWYER, JOVAN BABIC, TOLD REPORTERS HIS CLIENT WAS SURPRISED AND DISAPPOINTED. /// BABIC -- IN SERBO-CROATIAN, ESTABLISH, THEN FADE UNDER ///HE ADMITS HE IS GUILTY. MR. BABIC SAID HE DOES NOT THINK THE REASONS THAT LED TO HIS GUILT ARE VALID AND HE DOES NOT REALLY THINK THESE THINGS HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION. THE VERDICT IS TOO STRICT AND HE PLANS TO APPEAL. WHATEVER HE DID, HE DID UNDER EXTREME DURESS AND REALLY HAD NO CHOICE. ERDEMOVIC WILL SERVE HIS PRISON SENTENCE IN EITHER FINLAND,
NORWAY, OR ITALY. (SIGNED)
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