Voice of America, 97-04-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] EDITORIAL: BLINKEN ON NATO

[02] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[03] E EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[04] FRANCE ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[05] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[06] GERMANY / TURKEY (S-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[07] ITALY ALBANIANS (L-ONLY) BY PEGGY POLK (ROME)

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

[09] SERBIA / U-S (L-ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[10] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

[01] EDITORIAL: BLINKEN ON NATO

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

NATO ENLARGEMENT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT BOTH TO AMERICA AND TO THE NEW DEMOCRACIES OF CENTRAL EUROPE. AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO HUNGARY DONALD BLINKEN SAID IN A RECENT SPEECH, THE U.S. HAS LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT IT CANNOT CONTROL WHEN OR WHERE CONFLICTS MIGHT BREAK OUT ON THE EUROPEAN CONTINENT. NATO HAS PROVED ITSELF TO BE THE MOST MILITARILY RESPONSIVE, POLITICALLY COHESIVE, AND COST EFFECTIVE INSTITUTION YET DEVISED -- THE LINCHPIN OF A STABLE, DEMOCRATIC EUROPE.

NO ONE IS MORE AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF POLITICAL AND MILITARY INSTABILITY THAN THE PEOPLE OF CENTRAL EUROPE, WHERE TWO WORLD WARS BEGAN. WITH THE END OF THE COLD WAR, THE U.S. HAS A MORAL OBLIGATION TO HELP THE COUNTRIES OF EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE MAKE THE TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY. ENLARGEMENT OF NATO WILL OFFER THESE NEWLY FREE NATIONS THE SAME BENEFITS THE ALLIANCE HAS PROVIDED WESTERN EUROPEAN NATIONS FOR NEARLY HALF A CENTURY: THE SECURITY ESSENTIAL TO ENABLE DEMOCRACY, FREE MARKETS AND PEACE TO FLOURISH.

LAST YEAR, THE ALLIANCE COMPLETED A STUDY WHICH DEFINED BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP IN NATO. TO BE CONSIDERED FOR MEMBERSHIP, A COUNTRY MUST HAVE ACHIEVED A DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT; SUBSTANTIAL ECONOMIC REFORM, INCLUDING PRIVATIZATION; CIVILIAN CONTROL OVER THE MILITARY; AN INTENTION TO MAINTAIN GOOD RELATIONS WITH ITS NEIGHBORS; AND THE ABILITY TO WORK CLOSELY WITH NATO IN ALL ASPECTS OF MILITARY DOCTRINE. THE DOOR REMAINS OPEN FOR ALL COUNTRIES IN THE REGION TO BE CONSIDERED FOR MEMBERSHIP.

AS AMBASSADOR BLINKEN SAID, EVERY EUROPEAN NATION SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE ITS SECURITY WITHIN A COOPERATIVE STRUCTURE. THAT INCLUDES NOT JUST A REVITALIZED NATO BUT ALSO AN ENLARGED EUROPEAN UNION, A STRENGTHENED ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, AND A CONSTRUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NATO AND RUSSIA. FOR THE U.S., SUCH AN APPROACH IS THE BEST MEANS FOR PROTECTING ITS INTERESTS AND VALUES IN AN UNPREDICTABLE AND OFTEN DANGEROUS WORLD.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
04-Apr-97 11:37 AM EST (1637 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: KEY STOCK MARKETS IN WEST EUROPE FRIDAY ENDED A WEEK OF TRADING, CUT SHORT BY THE EASTER HOLIDAY, ON A POSITIVE NOTE. VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM OUR OFFICES IN LONDON.

TEXT: AFTER SOME SUBSTANTIAL LOSSES EARLIER IN THE WEEK, FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS ALL CLOSED HIGHER ON FRIDAY, THANKS IN PART TO BETTER-THAN-ANTICIPATED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES IN THE UNITED STATES -- FIGURES WHICH COULD HAVE INFLUENCED THE COURSE OF INTEREST RATES.

FRANKFURT'S "DAX 30" INDEX GAINED 30 POINTS FRIDAY. IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" POSTED A MODEST GAIN OF THREE-AND-A-HALF POINTS. HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX CLOSED UP 22 POINTS. SEVERAL MARKET ANALYSTS, HOWEVER, ANTICIPATE MORE VOLATILITY ON WEST EUROPEAN STOCK EXCHANGES IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

ON THE LONDON MONEY MARKET, THE DOLLAR WAS UP FRACTIONALLY AGAINST THE POUND AND ALMOST A CENT AGAINST THE MARK. GOLD LOST ONE-DOLLAR-20-CENTS AN OUNCE, CLOSING AT 347-DOLLARS-45 CENTS. (SIGNED)
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04-Apr-97 12:50 PM EST (1750 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] E EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: STOCK MARKETS WERE SHARPLY LOWER IN MOST EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES THIS WEEK, FOLLOWING THE DECLINES ON WALL STREET AND IN WESTERN EUROPE. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM PRAGUE.

TEXT: THE BIGGEST DECLINES CAME IN POLAND, WHERE THE MARKET ONLY TWO MONTHS AGO HAD REACHED A THREE-YEAR HIGH. THE "WIG" INDEX FELL A WHOPPING SIX PERCENT -- OR ONE-THOUSAND POINTS -- TO 15-THOUSAND-670. THE MARKET HAD BEEN DOWN EVEN MORE, BUT RECOVERED MODESTLY ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. THE STORY WAS SIMILAR IN BUDAPEST -- THE OTHER HIGH-FLYING EMERGING MARKET IN EUROPE. THE BUDAPEST "BUX" INDEX FELL TWO PERCENT -- OR 100 POINTS -- TO 53-HUNDRED-15. IN PRAGUE, THERE WAS LESS DAMAGE AS VOLUME WAS ALSO LOWER. THE "PX 50" INDEX SHOWED A MODEST GAIN OF EIGHT POINTS ON THE WEEK, CLOSING AT 543. IN SLOVAKIA THE MARKET WAS UNCHANGED WITH THE "11 STOCK INDEX" CLOSING AT 207. THE STEEL COMPANY, V-S-Z, WAS SHARPLY HIGHER ON FRIDAY.

ON THE OTHER SMALLER EXCHANGES, ZAGREB WAS MIXED AND SLOVENIA DEFIED THE DOWNWARD TREND TO CLOSE SHARPLY HIGHER. THAT MARKET WAS UP SIX PERCENT. BUCHAREST CONTINUED TO SHOW INCREASING VOLUME AMID RISING OPTIMISM ABOUT ROMANIA'S ECONOMIC PROSPECTS. (SIGNED)
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04-Apr-97 11:28 AM EST (1628 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] FRANCE ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: MEDIA REPORTS IN FRANCE PREDICT PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC IS ABOUT TO DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT AND CALL A SNAP ELECTION. THIS COMES AS OPINION POLLS SHOW THAT FRENCH VOTERS WOULD RETURN TO POWER THE CURRENT CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT COALITION. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: FRANCE'S OPPOSITION SOCIALIST PARTY CALLED MEETINGS THIS WEEK TO TELL MILITANTS AMONG THEM THAT PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC IS ABOUT TO DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT. ACCORDING TO MILITANTS WHO WERE PRESENT, THE SOCIALIST PARTY TOLD THEM PRESIDENT CHIRAC WILL MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON APRIL 22 AND HOLD NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS IN LATE MAY.

OFFICIALLY, THERE IS NO WORD ON THIS. BUT PERSISTENT FRENCH MEDIA REPORTS TALK ABOUT AN ELECTION IN JUNE. THE NEXT REGULAR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTION IS NOT SCHEDULED UNTIL NEXT MARCH. THE FRENCH PRESIDENT HAS THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT AND CALL ELECTIONS, IF HE SEES FIT.

THERE ARE SEVERAL ATTRACTIONS IN AN EARLY ELECTION. THE CURRENT POLITICAL TIMETABLE WOULD PUT FRANCE IN THE THROES OF AN ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN THE WEEKS BEFORE THE FINAL PARITIES FOR THE NEW SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY ARE DUE TO BE FIXED IN APRIL, 1998. AN ELECTION CAMPAIGN JUST BEFORE COULD DESTABILIZE THE FRENCH FRANC AT A CRUCIAL TIME.

AN EARLY ELECTION WOULD ALSO GIVE MR. CHIRAC AND HIS CONSERVATIVE SUPPORTERS A QUICK OPPORTUNITY TO FIGHT OFF THE CHALLENGE COMING FROM THE EXTREME-RIGHT NATIONAL FRONT. THE ANTI-IMMIGRATION PARTY IS STEADILY GROWING AND MR. CHIRAC'S GAULLIST SUPPORTERS HAVE PLEDGED TO FIGHT IT HEAD ON.

IN ADDITION, OPINION POLLS SHOW THAT BOTH MR. CHIRAC AND PRIME MINISTER ALAIN JUPPE ARE RISING IN PUBLIC ESTEEM AFTER MONTHS IN THE DOLDRUMS. AT THE SAME TIME, THEY SHOW THAT SOCIALIST LEADER LIONEL JOSPIN IS SLIPPING AND PREDICT THAT THE CONSERVATIVES WOULD WIN AN ELECTION NOW. // OPT // THE CONSERVATIVE COALITION COULD NOT, NONETHELESS, EXPECT TO KEEP ITS CURRENT CRUSHING MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT WHERE IT HAS FOUR-FIFTHS OF THE 577 SEATS.

PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANT, HOWEVER, IS THAT A NATIONAL ELECTION COULD HELP DEFUSE A WAVE OF SOCIAL DISCONTENT. THIS WEEK ALONE, DOMESTIC AIRLINE STAFF, HOSPITAL DOCTORS AND BANK EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN ON STRIKE.

[05] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A LARGE NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC TOPICS HAVE FOUND THEIR WAY INTO THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF THE NATION'S MAJOR PAPERS THIS FIRST FRIDAY IN APRIL. THEY INCLUDE: THE NEW TENSIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST; RENEWED VIOLENCE IN CAMBODIA; THE IMPACT ON IMMIGRANTS CAUSED BY THE NEW U-S IMMIGRATION LAW AND A POSSIBLE NEW MILITARY AID POLICY TO LATIN AMERICAN ARMIES [OPT] AS WELL AS A PROPOSED CUBA TRIP BY THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES BASEBALL TEAM. [END OPT]

NOW, ____________________ HAS A CLOSER LOOK AND A QUOTE OR TWO.

TEXT: U-S PAPERS CONTINUE TO BE WORRIED ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE PEACE PROCESS BETWEEN THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY AND THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT. TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST LEADS WITH A QUESTION IN ITS MIDEAST EDITORIAL, ASKING "'ANOTHER CAMP DAVID'?" AND GOES ON TO SAY:

VOICE: "ALL THE PARTIES TO THE MIDDLE EAST NEGOTIATION SEE A LOOMING CRISIS, AND ISRAEL'S PRIME MINISTER, BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, IS DUE IN WASHINGTON WITH A RESCUE PLAN. HE WOULD PARK THE BROKEN-OFF TALKS ON THE 'OSLO ACCORDS' FOR A PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI INTERIM SETTLEMENT AND OPEN CRASH TALKS ON THE BIG PERMANENT-SETTLEMENT ISSUES - - JERUSALEM, JEWISH SETTLEMENTS, ARAB REFUGEES, BORDERS, SECURITY. MR. NETANYAHU HOPES FOR ACCORD IN SIX MONTHS, PERHAPS WITH AMERICAN HELP AT A CAMP DAVID-LIKE PRESSURE-COOKER [PRESSURE FILLED] FINALE. STRANGE THINGS HAPPEN IN THE MIDEAST, AND SO YOU CANNOT SAY THIS IDEA COULD NEVER WORK. BUT VERY STRANGE AND UNLIKELY THINGS WOULD HAVE TO HAPPEN FOR THE NETANYAHU PLAN TO PRODUCE A BREAKTHROUGH. [OPT] ..... PALESTINIAN RESPONSIBILITY ON PEACE WOULD MAKE ISRAEL READIER FOR COMPROMISE. ISRAELI EASING UP ON LAND WOULD UNDERCUT THE TERRORISM. THIS IS WHAT MR. NETANYAHU NEEDS TO HEAR FROM MR. CLINTON." [END OPT]

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, THE SAME SUBJECT IS THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN FRIDAY'S MIAMI HERALD.

VOICE: "AS YET ANOTHER ROUND OF MIDEAST VIOLENCE UNFOLDS, THE PROSPECTS FOR AN AGREED-UPON PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINIANS GROWS EVER DIMMER. THE LATEST SPATE OF TERROR AND TENSION IS PART OF A PATTERN, ALL TOO FAMILIAR, THAT HAS STALKED PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU'S TEN MONTHS IN OFFICE. ONE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT NEXT WEEK'S MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND THE ISRAELI LEADER CAN ALTER THE EQUATION SUFFICIENTLY TO RESTART NEGOTIATIONS."

TEXT: BESIDES PERCEIVED PROBLEMS IN THE PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI NEGOTIATIONS, THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR FINDS RESISTANCE TO SIMILAR PEACE INTIATIVES.

VOICE: "PEACEMAKING HAS RUN INTO TROUBLE IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD. THE MIDDLE EAST, NORTHERN IRELAND, HAITI, AND RWANDA COME TO MIND. BUT CAMBODIA, THE SMALL SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRY WHOSE TRAGIC HISTORY COINED THE PHRASE 'KILLING FIELDS,' IS A PARTICULARLY POIGNANT EXAMPLE OF PEACEMAKING AT THE CROSSROADS. ...... THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, WORKING THROUGH THE UNITED NATIONS, INVESTED TWO-BILLION DOLLARS IN 1992 AND 1993 TO BUILD PEACE AND DEMOCRACY THERE. ..... LIKE OTHER STRIFE-TORN PARTS OF THE WORLD - - BOSNIA, FOR INSTANCE, OR HAITI - - CAMBODIA HAD LITTLE PREPARATION FOR DEMOCRACY AND A HUGE BURDEN OF INJUSTICE AND FEAR TO LIFT. THAT BURDEN SEEMED TO CRASH DOWN AGAIN ON MARCH 30 WHEN GRENADES WERE THROWN INTO A POLITICAL RALLY HELD BY A SMALL PARTY VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED TO HUN SEN [THE FORMER PRIME MINISTER WHO RAN THE COUNTRY THROUGH THE 1980S WITH VIETNAM'S BACKING] MORE THAN A DOZEN PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND OVER 100 INJURED. THE INCIDENT BROUGHT FORECASTS OF DOOM FOR CAMBODIA'S DEMOCRATIC EXPERIMENT. ..... CAMBODIA IS A VITAL TEST CASE THAT CAN'T BE ALLOWED TO DROP OFF THE WORLD'S SCREEN."

TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE ADDS:

VOICE: "THERE IS A GREATER NEED THAN EVER FOR CAMBODIA'S INTERNATIONAL BENEFACTORS TO USE THEIR LEVERAGE ON THE AUTHORITIES IN PHNOM PENH TO PREVENT A RETURN TO THE KILLING FIELDS."

TEXT: REGARDING CAMBODIANS AND OTHER GROUPS OF IMMIGRANTS TO THIS COUNTRY, THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS MANY ARE SUFFERING UNDER THE NEW IMMIGRATION LAW THAT WENT INTO EFFECT THIS WEEK.

VOICE: "MOST OF THE RECENT CRITICISM OF AMERICA'S IMMIGRATION POLICY HAS FOCUSED ON THE NEW WELFARE REFORM LAW'S MEAN-SPIRITED LIMITS ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FOR LEGAL IMMIGRANTS. BUT THE BROAD IMMIGRATION BILL THAT TOOK EFFECT THIS WEEK MAY TURN OUT TO BE A GRAVER THREAT. THE LAW STRIPS EVEN LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE RIGHT TO GO TO COURT TO CHALLENGE DECISIONS ON DEPORTATION BY THE IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE. IT ALSO ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE MOST JUDICIAL CHECKS ON THE I-N-S, AND AGENCY WITH A RECORD OF MISMANAGEMENT, DISCRIMINATION AND BRUTALITY. [OPT] THE [NEW IMMIGRATION] LAW IS NOT JUST AN ASSAULT ON VULNERABLE PEOPLE WHO DESERVE PROTECTION FROM ABUSE, BUT A THREAT TO THE LIBERTIES OF ALL AMERICANS." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE CURRENT VOLATILITY ON WALL STREET. AFTER MORE THAN TWO YEARS OF A "BULL " [UPWARD MOVING] MARKET, THE PAST FEW WEEKS HAVE SEEN DRAMATIC FALLS IN THE STOCK MARKET IN RESPONSE, IN PART, TO A QUARTER-PERCENT INCREASE IN A KEY LENDING RATE BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM. WHICH CAUSES THE GLOBE TO SUGGEST:

VOICE: "ALMOST EVERY DAY, IT SEEMS, THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE MAKES BIG SWINGS THAT SPAN 100 POINTS IN A MATTER OF A FEW HOURS - - AND ON A COUPLE OF DAYS IT TOPPLED MORE THAN THAT AS THE MARKETS DISPLAYED AN AMPLE SUPPLY OF EDGINESS [NERVOUSNESS]. THE STOCK MARKET HAS PLENTY TO BE EDGY [NERVOUS] ABOUT .... THERE IS TOO MUCH GOOD NEWS. ..... THE PROFESSIONALS [IN THE MARKET] ARE SMART ... AND EAGER TO BE AHEAD OF THE WAVE. [OPT] THEY MOVE QUICKLY AND SOMETIMES TELL COMPUTERS TO MOVE FOR THEM WHEN PRICES PASS CERTAIN POINTS [END OPT] ..... HOWEVER WELL QUALIFIED THEY MAY BE, A LOT OF THEM THINK ALIKE AND ARRIVE AT SIMILAR DECISIONS ABOUT THE SAME TIME FOR ESSENTIALLY THE SAME REASONS. THEY MAY NOT RESEMBLE A HERD IN OTHER RESPECTS, BUT THE EFFECT IS THE SAME....."

TEXT: BACK TO THE NEW YORK TIMES WHICH CALLS FOR A NEW ASSESSMENT ON U-S MILITARY AID TO LATIN AMERICAN ARMIES WHICH ARE ACCUSED OF BRUTALITY.

VOICE: "AS DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN CONTINUES HIS PREDECESSORS' EFFORTS TO ADAPT THE PENTAGON TO A POST-COLD-WAR WORLD, HE MUST PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO MODERNIZING ITS RELATIONS WITH LATIN AMERICAN MILITARIES. FEW ASPECTS OF DEFENSE POLICY WERE MORE POISONOUS THAN THE PENTAGON'S SUPPORT FOR ABUSIVE AND ANTI-DEMOCRATIC LATIN AMERICAN OFFICERS. DURING PRESIDENT CLINTON'S FIRST ADMINISTRATION, OFFICIALS AT DEFENSE MADE A START IN ABANDONING THIS COLD WAR POLICY. BUT THEY HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

..... MR. COHEN ALSO NEEDS TO INSURE THAT AMERICAN MILITARY OFFICERS BASED IN LATIN AMERICA DO NOT UNDERMINE THE PENTAGON'S NEW PRO-DEMOCRACY POLICIES."

TEXT: AND THERE ARE SEVERAL COMMENTS ABOUT A PROPOSED TRIP PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR BY THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL TEAM TO PLAY SOME EXHIBITION GAMES IN CUBA. NO WAY SAYS THE MIAMI HERALD.

VOICE: "THE ORIOLES APPLIED FOR A TREASURY DEPARTMENT LICENSE TO PLAY [AN EXHIBITION] SERIES IN CUBA LAST YEAR. THE LICENSE ... WAS DENIED. THIS NEW ORIOLES APPLICATION SHOULD BE DENIED , TOO. ORIOLES OWNER PETER ANGELOS CANNOT BE SO NAIVE AS TO THINK ... THIS EXHIBITION SERIES WOULD NOT HELP LEGITIMIZE CASTRO'S REGIME. 'ALL THIS WOULD LEGITIMIZE,' HE SAYS, 'IS THAT BASEBALL IS THE NATIONAL GAME OF THE UNITED STATES AND CUBA. ..... THE LAST [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] PLACE THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES SHOULD WANT TO PLAY IS IN THE NEST OF THE HAVANA VULTURE."

TEXT: COUNTERS THE SUN IN BALTIMORE:

VOICE: "IF THE ANTI-CASTRO ESTABLISHMENTS OF SOUTH FLORIDA AND WASHINGTON HAD SENSE, THEY WOULD SUPPORT THE ANGELOS PROPOSAL AND LET THE CASTRO REGIME TAKE THE RAP FOR PREVENTING IT."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF SOME OF FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS FROM THE U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/NL
04-Apr-97 10:21 AM EST (1521 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] GERMANY / TURKEY (S-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: GERMAN AUTHORITIES HAVE ARRESTED A 42-YEAR-OLD TURKISH MAN ON SUSPICION OF STARTING A DEADLY FIRE LAST SUNDAY THAT SOME TURKISH OFFICIALS HAD BLAMED ON ANTI-FOREIGNER SENTIMENT. VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS THE INCIDENT HAS STRAINED RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES.

TEXT: POLICE IN THE NORTHWESTERN GERMAN CITY OF KREFELD SAY THE MAN SUSPECTED OF STARTING THE FIRE IS THE FATHER OF THE TWO CHILDREN WHO DIED WITH THEIR MOTHER IN THE BLAZE. TWO OTHER CHILDREN WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE FIRE, WHICH AUTHORITIES SAY APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN SET WITH A FLAMMABLE LIQUID FOUND ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DOOR TO THE THIRD-FLOOR APARTMENT.

THE ARREST OF THE TURKISH FATHER OF THE FAMILY COMES JUST ONE DAY AFTER GERMAN AUTHORITIES SUMMONED THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO THE FOREIGN MINISTRY. GERMAN OFFICIALS WERE INCENSED BY COMMENTS REPORTEDLY MADE BY THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER, WHO SAID GERMAN AUTHORITIES WERE PARTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ARSON BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GIVING THE NECESSARY PUNISHMENT TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE.

GERMANY HAS BEEN PLAGUED BY A WAVE OF DEADLY NEO-NAZI ATTACKS AGAINST FOREIGNERS FOLLOWING UNIFICATION IN 1990. BUT IN THE LAST YEAR SUCH ATTACKS HAVE TAPERED OFF. (SIGNED) NEB/KBK/PCF/
04-Apr-97 6:37 AM EST (1137 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] ITALY ALBANIANS (L-ONLY) BY PEGGY POLK (ROME)

INTRO: THE TURMOIL IN ALBANIA IS HAVING POLITICAL REPERCUSSIONS ACROSS THE ADRIATIC SEA IN ITALY. AS PEGGY POLK REPORTS FROM ROME, ONE PARTY IN ITALY'S GOVERNING COALITION HAS REFUSED TO BACK PLANS FOR A MILITARY INTERVENTION IN ALBANIA, AND THIS HAS CAUSED ANOTHER COALITION PARTY MEMBER TO QUESTION WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT CAN SURVIVE.

TEXT: PLANS FOR ITALY TO LEAD A MULTINATIONAL MILITARY FORCE IN ALBANIA HAVE CREATED A SPLIT IN THE CENTER-LEFT COALITION OF PRIME MINISTER ROMANO PRODI.

THE RE-FOUNDED COMMUNIST PARTY -- WHOSE SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO MAINTAIN A MAJORITY IN THE LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT -- HAS ANNOUNCED IT WILL VOTE AGAINST THE MISSION AFTER DEBATE IN BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT NEXT WEEK.

MR. PRODI MET WITH THE COMMUNIST LEADER FAUSTO BERTINOTTI, BUT COULD NOT SWAY HIM TO CHANGE. THE COMMUNISTS CONTEND THAT THE INTERVENTION WOULD NEEDLESSLY RISK THE LIVES OF ITALIAN TROOPS, AND AFTER THE MEETING WITH MR. PRODI, MR. BERTINOTTI CONFIRMED HIS PARTY'S "NO" VOTE.

BUT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE NO TROUBLE WINNING THE VOTES TO SURVIVE BECAUSE THE CENTER-RIGHT OPPOSITION BACKS THE INTERVENTION. YET IN THE EYES OF ANOTHER COALITION MEMBER, FRANCO MARINI, LEADER OF THE CENTRIST POPULAR PARTY, THE SPLIT MAY INDICATE A FATAL LACK OF COMMON OBJECTIVES WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT.

MR. PRODI INSISTS THAT HIS GOVERNMENT, SWORN IN NOT QUITE A YEAR AGO, WILL BE THE FIRST SINCE THE FOUNDING OF THE POST-WAR ITALIAN REPUBLIC TO LAST FOR ITS FULL FIVE-YEAR TERM. AND MR. BERTINOTTI SAYS HE IS NOT TRYING TO BRING THE GOVERNMENT DOWN. STILL, ALBANIA IS ONLY THEIR LATEST BONE OF CONTENTION (POINT OF DISPUTE). THEY ALSO DISAGREE ABOUT NATO AND THE SACRIFICES IN SOCIAL BENEFITS NEEDED FOR ITALY TO QUALITY FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION.

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (FRIDAY) IN A SHARP REBOUND FROM RECENT LOSSES. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 65 HUNDRED 26, UP 48 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST 214 POINTS ABOUT THREE PERCENT. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 757, UP SEVEN POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY A REBOUND WAS TO BE EXPECTED AFTER THE RECENT STEEP DROP IN STOCK PRICES. HOWEVER, THERE STILL SEEMS TO BE NO CONSENSUS AS TO WHETHER THE WEEK'S DECLINE WAS SIMPLY A "CORRECTION,'" OR THE START OF A SUSTAINED DOWN MARKET.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED 175 THOUSAND NEW JOBS WERE CREATED IN THE U-S ECONOMY IN FEBRUARY. THAT WAS SLIGHTLY LESS THAN HAD BEEN EXPECTED.

U-S FEDERAL REGULATORS HAVE AGAIN REJECTED A PROPOSED MERGER OF THE OFFICE DEPOT AND STAPLES OFFICE SUPPLY STORE CHAINS. THE REJECTION CAME DESPITE A PROMISE BY THE TWO STORES TO SELL A NUMBER OF LOCATIONS TO A COMPETITOR. BUT REGULATORS SAY A MERGER WOULD STILL RESULT IN AN ILLEGAL CONCENTRATION OF THE BUSINESS AND HIGHER PRICES FOR OFFICE SUPPLIES.

LEADERS OF THE AMERICAN AIRLINES PILOTS' UNION HAVE APPROVED A PROPOSED NEW CONTRACT. IF APPROVED BY THE ENTIRE UNION MEMBERSHIP, THE DEAL WOULD AVERT A THREATENED STRIKE AT THE NATION'S SECOND-LARGEST AIRLINE.

THE STOCK OF THE I-B-M COMPUTER COMPANY CONTINUED TO FALL AFTER THE MERRILL LYNCH INVESTMENT COMPANY LOWERED ITS EARNINGS ESTIMATES FOR I-B-M.

A GROUP REPRESENTING AMERICAN DISTILLERIES IS CALLING ON PRESIDENT CLINTON TO HELP DEVELOP A COMMON ADVERTISING CODE FOR THE BEER, WINE AND LIQUOR INDUSTRIES. EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE PRESIDENT ASKED FEDERAL REGULATORS TO INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBILITY OF BANNING LIQUOR COMMERCIALS ON TELEVISION. BUT HE DID NOT MENTION BEER AND WINE ADS AND THE DISTILLERS GROUP BELIEVES IT IS BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST, SAYING "ALCOHOL IS ALCOHOL."(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/LWM
04-Apr-97 5:03 PM EST (2203 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] SERBIA / U-S (L-ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THREE LEADERS OF SERBIA'S OPPOSITION MOVEMENT ARE IN WASHINGTON FOR A ROUND OF MEETINGS AT WORLD BANKING INSTITUTIONS AND WITH U-S OFFICIALS, INCLUDING SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALLBRIGHT. VOA'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS THE THREE LEADERS ARE ADAMENT -- DEMOCRACY MUST TAKE ROOT IN SERBIA BEFORE PEACE CAN BE GUARANTEED.

TEXT: /// ACT. DRASKOVIC (ENGLISH) ///

WE ARE HERE TO ASK, LET ME SAY TO DEMAND, SUPPORT FOR THE DEMOCRATIC FORCES IN SERBIA.

VUK DRASKOVIC IS THE BEARDED LEADER OF THE SERBIAN RENEWAL MOVEMENT -- ONE OF THE THREE PARTIES IN THE OPPOSITION ZAJEDNO COALITION. MR. DRASKOVIC AND TWO COALITION PARTNERS SPOKE WITH REPORTERS IN WASHINGTON FRIDAY. HE OUTLINED ZAJEDNO'S PROPOSAL FOR UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL AND LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS IN SERBIA, INCLUDING THE DEMAND FOR NEW MEDIA AND ELECTORAL LAWS.

VESNA PESIC OF THE SERBIAN CIVIC ALLIANCE SAID ZAJEDNO HAS REPEATEDLY SOUGHT TALKS WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ON THE COALITION'S REFORM PROPOSALS BUT, SHE SAID, PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS SO FAR IGNORED THEM.

THERE ARE NO SIGNS FROM THE SIDE OF THE (MILOSEVIC) REGIME THAT THEY WILL GO ANY FURTHER INTO THE PROCESS OF DEMOCRATIZATION OR SERIOUSLY DISCUSS THESE MAIN POINTS FOR CREATING HONEST, FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

EVEN AS MS. PESIC SPOKE IN WASHINGTON ,THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED IN BELGRADE NEW CHANGES IN A DRAFT MEDIA LAW -- DROPPING SEVERAL PROVISIONS WHICH HAVE SPARKED INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM.

IN WASHINGTON FRIDAY, MR. DJINDJIC ECHOED THE CONCERN OF THE OTHER COALITION LEADERS THAT ALTHOUGH THOSE THREE MONTHS ON THE WORLD STAGE CHANGED THE IMAGE OF SERBS ABROAD, THE UNITED STATES IS IGNORING SERBIA'S GROWING DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT.

PEOPLE FROM THE WEST WHO ARE PRONE TO EASY SOLUTIONS SAY IT IS BETTER TO HAVE A DICTATORSHIP THAN ANARCHY. (SERBIAN) BECAUSE DICTATORSHIP CONTAINS WITHIN ITSELF, STABILITY.

SHORTLY BEFORE THE ZAJEDNO GROUP HELD A PRIVATE MEETING WITH SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALLBRIGHT, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS PRAISED THE COALITION LEADERS. HE NOTED THEY HAVE TRAVELLED TO THE UNITED STATES TO ATTEND A CONFERENCE IN NEW YORK NEXT WEEK ON THE TROUBLED SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO WHICH IS INHABITED MOSTLY BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS.

WE'RE VERY PLEASED THAT THE ZAJEDNO LEADERS HAVE AGREED TO TAKE PART IN THIS. WE ARE DISMAYED HOWEVER THAT THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT HAS REFUSED TO ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE AND WE CONSIDER THIS AN UNFORTUNATE SIGN THAT THE MILOSEVIC REGIME IS UNWILLING TO ADDRESS THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.

THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS SAID PARTICIPATION IN TALKS OUTSIDE SERBIA WOULD SERVE LITTLE PURPOSE AND WOULD ONLY INTERNATIONALIZE THE KOSOVO PROBLEM. (SIGNED)
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04-Apr-97 4:06 PM EST (2106 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS APPEALS TO REBELS IN ZAIRE TO ALLOW EVACUATION OF AILING REFUGEES AS NEW HOPE SURFACES FOR AN END TO THE WAR; A FORMER U-S SECRETARY OF STATE PREPARES FOR HIS NEW MISSION AS SPECIAL U-N ENVOY FOR WESTERN SAHARA; THE PALESTINIANS PREPARE FOR AN EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE ISSUE OF JEWISH HOUSING IN JERUSALEM; AND, THE WORLD'S DIPLOMATS THREATEN ACTION AGAINST NEW YORK CITY OVER NEW PARKING RESTRICTIONS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK:

TEXT: SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE IS DETERMINED TO BRING MORE THAN FIVE MONTHS OF WAR IN ZAIRE TO A CLOSE. HIS SPECIAL ENVOY MOHAMMED SAHNOUN IS TO LEAD NEGOTIATIONS. THE REBELS AND GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD GATHER IN SOUTH AFRICA TO LAY OUT THEIR STRATEGY FOR TALKS.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS THE PARTIES MUST WORK IN EARNEST FOR A COMPREHENSIVE POLITICAL SETTLEMENT:

ONCE WE GET THEM TO SIT AND WE BEGIN DISCUSSIONS AND A CEASEFIRE IS DECLARED, WE SHOULD DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO KEEP THEM AT THE TABLE TO RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES AND DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF ZAIRE, WHERE I HOPE THERE WILL BE AN ELECTION AND THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE WILL CARRY THE DAY.

THE REBELS HAVE VOWED TO END THE LONG RULE OF PRESIDENT MOBUTU SESE SEKO. MEANWHILE, THE PLIGHT OF RWANDAN HUTU REFUGEES IN EASTERN ZAIRE HAS PROMPTED RENEWED CONCERN. THE UNITED NATIONS HAS APPEALED TO REBEL LEADER LAURENT KABILA TO ALLOW RELIEF WORKERS TO EVACUATE SICK AND MALNOURISHED HUTU BY AIR FROM THE NORTHEASTERN CAPITAL OF KISANGANI.

U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD SAYS IT SHOULD MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IF SOME OF THOSE STRANDED ARE MILITANTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 1994 MASSACRES IN RWANDA:

THE MAJORITY OF THOSE REFUGEES IN EASTERN ZAIRE ARE INNOCENT WOMEN AND CHILDREN. AND SO, WE CALL IN MR. KABILA TO LET THE RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS DO THEIR WORK AND TO STOP THE KILLING OF THESE PEOPLE -- WHICH IS WHAT IT IS.

THE HUTU MILITANTS HAVE FOUGHT ALONGSIDE THE ZAIREAN ARMY TO QUASH THE REBELLION.

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THE UNITED NATIONS IS TRYING A HIGH-POWERED APPROACH TO BREAK THE POLITICAL STALEMATE OVER WESTERN SAHARA. MOROCCO AND ITS RIVAL, POLISARIO FRONT, ARE LOCKED IN DISPUTE OVER VOTER REGISTRATION FOR A LONG POSTPONED REFERENDUM TO DECIDE THE TERRITORY'S FUTURE. FORMER U-S SECRETARY OF STATE JAMES BAKER WAS BRIEFED THIS PAST WEEK ON HIS ROLE AS U-N SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE.

MR. BAKER CONCEDED BEING U-N ENVOY DOES NOT MEASURE UP TO HIS PREVIOUS DUTIES. BUT HE TOLD REPORTERS HE WANTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE CAUSE OF PEACE:

I THINK THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PROMOTING PEACE AND DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM AROUND THE WORLD OUGHT TO BE AVAILABLE TO SERVE WHEN SOMEONE CALLS UPON THEM TO DO SO, IF THEY HAVE THE EXPERIENCE. I THINK I HAVE THE EXPERIENCE.

MR. BAKER WILL ASSESS WHETHER THE UNITED NATIONS CAN SALVAGE ITS PLAN FOR WESTERN SAHARA OR NEEDS A NEW ONE.

JAMES BAKER SERVED AS SECRETARY OF STATE UNDER (FORMER PRESIDENT) GEORGE BUSH. HE HELPED PUT TOGETHER A MULTINATIONAL COALITION IN 1991 -- WITH THE BLESSING OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL -- TO OUST THE IRAQI ARMY FROM KUWAIT.

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ARAB GOVERNMENTS HAVE REQUESTED AN EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE U-N GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF NEW JEWISH HOUSING IN MAINLY ARAB EAST JERUSALEM. THIS FOLLOWS TWO AMERICAN VETOES IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL.

THE ASSEMBLY ALREADY MET ON THE TOPIC LAST MONTH AND OVERWHELMINGLY RULED AGAINST ISRAEL. HOWEVER, PALESTINIAN REPRESENTATIVE NASSER AL-KIDWA SAYS HE WILL KEEP UP THE PRESSURE UNTIL ISRAEL ABANDONS CONSTRUCTION:

POLITICAL CONFRONTATION WITH THE ISRAELI SIDE WILL CONTINUE AS LONG AS THE ILLEGAL ISRAELI ACTION CONTINUES. IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT. WE CANNOT ALLOW THEM TO IMPOSE ON US FACTS ON THE GROUND FORCEFULLY, UNILATERALLY AND NOT TO REACT.

NO DATE HAS BEEN SET FOR THE NEW MEETING.

ISRAEL OPPOSES U-N INTERVENTION ON ISSUES RELATED TO THE PEACE PROCESS. SO DOES THE UNITED STATES, WHICH -- IN ANY CASE -- HAS DENOUNCED THE ISRAELI CONSTRUCTION AS UNHELPFUL TO NEGOTIATIONS.

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THE DIPLOMATIC COMMUNITY WENT INTO A TAILSPIN (LOSS OF CONTROL) THIS PAST WEEK AS NEW YORK CITY BEGAN A TOUGH ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM ON DIPLOMATIC PARKING. A LEGAL EXPERT FROM FRANCE SUGGESTED MOVING THE UNITED NATIONS OUT OF NEW YORK, AND THREATENED TO TAKE THE ISSUE TO THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

U-N DELEGATES ARGUED THE ENFORCEMENT MEASURES VIOLATE GUARANTEES OF DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY AND PRIVILEGES. U-S OFFICIALS TOLD THEM DRIVING IS A RIGHT NOT A PRIVILEGE AND ADVISED THEM TO START OBEYING THE LAW.

NEW YORK HAS ACCUMULATED THOUSANDS OF UNPAID TICKETS FOR ILLEGAL PARKING. THOSE WHO FAIL TO PAY UP WITHIN A YEAR STAND TO LOSE THEIR DIPLOMATIC LICENSE PLATES. (SIGNED)
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04-Apr-97 2:50 PM EST (1950 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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