Voice of America, 98-04-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] KARAMANLIS OBIT (L ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASAVA (ATHENS)

[02] BOSNIA / FRANCE (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[03] E-U-SANTER (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

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

[05] EURO: A PRIMER BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

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

[07] PAK EUROPE (L-ONLY) BY ALI ZAIDI (ISLAMABAD)

[08] SENATE-NATO EXPANSION (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[09] SERBIA REFERENDUM (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

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

[11] U-S / MONTENEGRO PRESIDENT (L-ONLY) BY VALONDA BRUINTON (WASHINGTON)

[01] KARAMANLIS OBIT (L ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASAVA (ATHENS)

INTRO: ONE OF GREECE'S MOST REVERED POLITICAL LEADERS OF THIS CENTURY, CONSTANTINOS KARAMANLIS, HAS DIED. ANTHEE CARASAVA IN ATHENS REPORTS THE 91-YEAR OLD FORMER LEADER HELPED RE-BUILD GREECE AFTER WORLD WAR TWO AND THEN HELPED RESTORE DEMOCRACY AFTER A MILITARY DICTATORSHIP.

TEXT: THE GREEK GOVERNMENT HAS DECLARED A THREE-DAY PERIOD OF NATIONAL MOURNING TO HONOR MR. KARAMANLIS, WHO DIED EARLY THURSDAY FROM COMPLICATIONS FROM A HEART ATTACK AND VIRAL INFECTIONS. HE HAD BEEN IN A HOSPITAL FOR MORE THAN TWO WEEKS WITH A RESPIRATORY INFECTION.

CONSTANTINOS KARAMANLIS WAS BORN EARLY IN THIS CENTURY IN A VILLAGE IN NORTHERN GREECE. HE BECAME PERHAPS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL GREEK POLITICAN IN THE LAST HALF OF THE CENTURY.

MR. KARAMANLIS -- A LAWYER BY PROFESSION -- SERVED IN A NUMBER OF MINISTERIAL POSTS IN THE POST-WORLD WAR TWO ERA, HELPING REBUILD THE COUNTRY. IN 1955, HE BECAME PRIME MINISTER AT THE AGE OF 48 THE YOUNGEST PERSON EVER TO HEAD A MODERN GREEK GOVERNMENT.

HIS GREATEST SUCCESS CAME IN 1974 WHEN HE RETURNED FROM SELF-EXILE IN PARIS -- AFTER A SEVEN-YEAR MILITARY DICTATORSHIP IN GREECE -- TO OVERSEE A TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY IN THE BIRTHPLACE OF DEMOCRACY.

MR. KARAMANLIS ORGANIZED A REFERENDUM THAT ABOLISHED THE MONARCHY. HE STRENGTHENED TIES WITH THE WEST, BACKING GREECE'S COMMITMENT TO NATO, AND HE LED GREECE INTO WHAT IS NOW THE EUROPEAN UNION IN 1981.

HE WAS A GRUFF, NO-NONSENSE LEADER THROUGHOUT HIS 40 YEARS IN PUBLIC LIFE. IN ALL, HE SERVED SIX TERMS AS GREEK PRIME MINISTER AND 10 YEARS IN THE MORE CEREMONIAL POST OF PRESIDENT. HE RETIRED THREE YEARS AGO.

MR. KARAMANLIS' BODY WILL BE BURIED FRIDAY AFTER A PRIVATE FUNERAL CEREMONY IN AN ATHENS SUBURB. (SIGNED)
NEB/AC/JWH/WTW
23-Apr-98 6:36 AM EDT (1036 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA / FRANCE (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: THE FRENCH DEFENSE MINISTRY HAS DENIED A NEWSPAPER REPORT THAT NATO TROOPS CALLED OFF AN ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC AFTER HE HAD MET SECRETLY WITH A FRENCH MILITARY OFFICER. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: THE FRENCH DEFENSE MINISTRY SAID THAT CONTACTS BETWEEN A FRENCH ARMY OFFICER AND RADOVAN KARADZIC COULD HAVE SEEMED SUSPICIOUS. BUT IT SAID THESE HAD NEVER UPSET ALLIED PLANS TO ARREST THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER.

A SPOKESMAN AT NATO MILITARY HEADQUARTERS IN BELGIUM DESCRIBED THE REPORT IN THE WASHINGTON POST NEWSPAPER AS "RIDICULOUS." THE REPORT SAID NATO FORCES CALLED OFF AN ATTEMPT TO ARREST MR. KARADZIC AFTER THEY LEARNED OF THE CONTACTS HE HAD HAD WITH THE FRENCH OFFICER.

THE FRENCH DEFENSE MINISTRY CONFIRMED THAT MAJOR HERVE GOURMELON, STATIONED WITH FRENCH TROOPS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, DID HAVE UNSPECIFIED COMMUNICATIONS WITH MR. KARADZIC. IT SAID THESE COMPLIED WITH ALLIED PLANS TO BRING THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER TO TRIAL AND DID NOT UPSET ANY OPERATION.

IN A SOMEWHAT ENIGMATIC STATEMENT, THE DEFENSE MINISTRY SAID THAT, ONCE THESE CONTACTS SEEMED, IN ITS TERMINOLOGY, "QUESTIONABLE," THE OFFICER WAS RECALLED TO FRANCE. OTHER SOURCES SAID THE MAJOR RETURNED TO FRANCE AT THE END OF LAST YEAR.

MAJOR GOURMELON, A COMMUNICATIONS EXPERT, HAS HAD SEVERAL ASSIGNMENTS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WHERE FRENCH TROOPS HAVE PLAYED A LEADING ROLE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF PEACE EFFORTS.

TWO WEEKS AGO, THE FRENCH DAILY LE MONDE SAID A FRENCH OFFICER, WHO IT DESCRIBED AS A COLONEL, HAD BEEN NEGOTIATING WITH MR. KARADZIC TO PERSUADE HIM TO GIVE HIMSELF UP. IT, TOO, SAID THE OFFICER HAD SINCE RETURNED TO FRANCE, BUT DID NOT HINT AT ANY CONTROVERSY OVER HIS MISSION OR HIS METHODS.

FRENCH DEFENSE EXPERTS SAY THAT FRANCE, WHOSE TROOPS CONTROL THE SECTOR AROUND THE TOWN OF PALE, WHERE MR. KARADZIC HAS HIS HOME, FEARS THAT A MILITARY OPERATION TO ARREST HIM COULD BE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SINCE HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN HEAVILY GUARDED.

LE MONDE SAID EARLIER THIS MONTH THAT, AS PART OF NEGOTIATIONS TO SURRENDER AND FACE TRIAL AT THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE, MR. KARADZIC HAD HIRED TWO AMERICAN LAWYERS. SOON AFTER THAT, HIS WIFE TOLD SERBIAN JOURNALISTS THAT HE WOULD NEVER GIVE HIMSELF UP. (SIGNED)
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23-Apr-98 12:06 PM EDT (1606 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] E-U-SANTER (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER WARNED (EDS: THURSDAY) THAT THE 15-NATION EUROPEAN UNION RISKS BECOMING WHAT HE CALLED A "POLITICAL DWARF," UNLESS IT IS GIVEN NEW MILITARY MIGHT. WE GET DETAILS IN THIS REPORT BY JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS.

TEXT: PRESIDENT SANTER WARNED AN AUDIENCE OF INTERNATIONAL ACADEMICS THAT EUROPE IS IN DANGER OF BECOMING A POLITICAL DWARF, RATHER THAN A WORLD ACTOR. THE SAYS THE EUROPEAN UNION IS CONSTANTLY BEING UPSTAGED BY THE UNITED STATES -- EVEN THOUGH THE E-U PROVIDES FAR MORE CASH AID THAN AMERICA TO THE MIDDLE EAST, BOSNIA AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION.

HE COMPLAINS THAT IT IS THE UNITED STATES -- RATHER THAN EUROPE WHICH IS NORMALLY CALLED UPON TO ACT AS A GREAT INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR, PEACE-MAKER AND GUARANTOR OF STABILITY. SO WHILE AMERICA'S FINANCIAL INVOLVEMENT IS SMALLER THAN THAT OF EUROPE, ITS POLITICAL IMPACT IS ENORMOUS.

MR. SANTER POINTS OUT THAT EUROPE HAS INTERESTS AROUND THE GLOBE, BUT NOT ENOUGH INFLUENCE OVER WORLD EVENTS. HOWEVER, HE CLAIMS THAT EUROPEANS HAVE NO ONE TO BLAME OTHER THAN THEMSELVES FOR THEIR WEAKNESSES.

HE SAYS THE E-U WOULD BE FAR MORE FORCEFUL AND INFLUENTIAL ON THE WORLD STAGE, IF IT HAD A MILITARY DECISION-MAKING CAPABILITY.

PRESIDENT SANTER SAYS HE IS NOT SEEKING TO ESTABLISH A NEW EUROPE-WIDE ARMY, BUT HE DOES WANT THE E-U TO BE ABLE TO TAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THE DEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS FROM MEMBER STATES, AND TO BE ABLE TO BACK UP ITS FOREIGN POLICY WITH THE THREAT OF MILITARY MUSCLE. //OPT// HE ARGUES THAT IN SOME CONFLICTS, DIPLOMACY CAN SUCCEED ONLY IF THERE IS A UNITED POLITICAL FRONT BACKED UP BY MILITARY MEANS. AND HE SAYS THAT EUROPE'S INTERNATIONAL IMAGE IS A DISASTER -- BECAUSE IT APPEARS INCAPABLE OF MATCHING ITS WORDS WITH ACTIONS. //END OPT//

PRESIDENT SANTER ALSO ARGUES THAT THE E-U MUST BE PREPARED TO REMOVE THE RIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS NATIONS TO BLOCK, OR TO WEAKEN, FOREIGN POLICY DECISIONS. //OPT// HE COMPLAINS THAT THE CURRENT DECISION-MAKING PROCEDURES CAN MAKE EUROPE APPEAR AS POWERLESS AS A COALITION OF BOY SCOUTS. //END OPT// HE BELIEVES A MAJORITY VOTING SYSTEM, IN WHICH INDIVIDUAL NATIONS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BLOCK DECISIONS, IS THE BEST WAY FORWARD.

PRESIDENT SANTER CONCLUDES THAT THE E-U'S NEW "AMSTERDAM TREATY," WHICH SHOULD COME INTO FORCE AROUND THE END OF THIS YEAR, WILL PROVIDE A MECHANISM FOR ALLOWING A LIMITED NUMBER OF COUNTRIES TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN UNION -- EVEN WHERE THERE IS NOT UNIVERSAL AGREEMENT. HE BELIEVES IN THIS WAY, EUROPE CAN OVERCOME THE CONFUSION, UNCLEAR SIGNALS AND INEFFECTIVENESS OF ITS FOREIGN POLICY. (SIGNED)
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23-Apr-98 11:19 AM EDT (1519 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE THURSDAY CLOSED ON THE DOWN SIDE -- SOME DOWN SUBSTANTIALLY. VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE NUMBERS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE BIG MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE CONTINUED THEIR DOWNWARD SLIDE THURSDAY, WITH FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS ALL CLOSING LOWER.

FRANKFURT CLOSED DOWN SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER -- ALMOST TWO PERCENT FOR THE DAY, AS THE "DAX" (EDS: EARLY DAY DAX 30) ENDED TRADING OFF 109 POINTS. LESS DRAMATIC WERE DECLINES HERE IN LONDON, WHERE THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX FELL 33 POINTS AT THE CLOSE AND IN PARIS, WHERE THE KEY INDEX, THE "CAC 40," CLOSED DOWN 13 POINTS.

ON THE CURRENCY MARKETS, THE U-S DOLLAR WAS RELATIVELY STEADY AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND UP SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.

LONDON GOLD PRICES WERE UP THURSDAY BY ALMOST A DOLLAR. THE LATE DAY TRADING PRICE WAS 313-DOLLARS-65 CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
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23-Apr-98 2:55 PM EDT (1855 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] EURO: A PRIMER BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ELEVEN EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES ARE SET NEXT JANUARY TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF MERGING THEIR ECONOMIES BY CREATING A SINGLE CURRENCY. BARRY WOOD REPORTS ON THE ORIGINS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE WORLD'S MOST AMBITIOUS MONETARY EXPERIMENT IN 25-YEARS.

TEXT: THE GOAL OF EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION WAS FORMALIZED IN THE MAASTRICHT TREATY OF 1992. NAMED AFTER THE DUTCH TOWN WHERE E-U LEADERS GATHERED, THE ACCORD LAID OUT A PROCESS THAT WILL CULMINATE IN PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES ABANDONING THEIR NATIONAL CURRENCIES IN FAVOR OF AN E-U MONEY CALLED THE EURO.

CHAMPIONED BY LONG-SERVING GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL AND FORMER FRENCH PRESIDENT FRANCOIS MITTERRAND, MONETARY UNION -- ABOVE ALL -- HAS A POLITICAL OBJECTIVE. THAT IS TO LINK THE ECONOMIES OF FRANCE AND GERMANY, CONTINENTAL EUROPE'S DOMINANT POWERS THAT OVER THE CENTURIES HAVE ENGAGED IN RECURRENT WARFARE.

THE SIX-YEARS OF PREPARATION FOR CURRENCY UNION HAVE PROCEEDED SMOOTHLY. INTEREST RATES AND EXCHANGE RATES AMONG GERMANY, FRANCE, THE LOW COUNTRIES (HOLLAND, BELGIUM, LUXEMBURG), AND AUSTRIA HAVE BEEN HARMONIZED. THE OTHER COUNTRIES INITIALLY PARTICIPATING IN MONETARY UNION ARE ITALY, IRELAND, FINLAND, SPAIN, AND PORTUGAL.

IN JANUARY THE EXCHANGE RATES BETWEEN PARTICIPATING CURRENCIES WILL BE FIXED AND WILL NO LONGER FLUCTUATE. WHILE NATIONAL CURRENCIES WILL CIRCULATE UNTIL 2002, PRICES THROUGHOUT THE EUROPEAN UNION ARE LIKELY TO ALSO BE MARKED IN EUROS, PROVIDING A COMMON STANDARD FROM HELSINKI TO NAPLES.

AN ECONOMIST AT PARIBAS BANK IN LONDON, PAUL MORTIMER-LEE, BELIEVES PRICES IN THE EURO ZONE ARE LIKELY TO FALL.

THE EXTENT OF THE MARKET IN EUROPE IS EXPANDED VERY CONSIDERABLY AS WE MOVE FROM 11 SMALL ONES TO AN ECONOMY WHICH WILL HAVE A G-D-P VERY CLOSE TO THAT OF THE U-S. AND THAT, I THINK, WILL ALLOW PEOPLE TO ACHIEVE SUBSTANTIAL ECONOMIES OF SCALE, IN SOME AREAS QUICKER THAN OTHERS. IT SHOULD MEAN LOWER PRICES IN EUROPE AND MORE EFFICIENT INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION.

WHILE A COMMON CURRENCY IS INTENDED TO MAKE A COMMON MARKET A REALITY, THERE ARE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SINGLE CURRENCY SYSTEM IN THE 50 U-S STATES AND IN 11 E-U COUNTRIES. EUROPE, LIKE AMERICA, WILL HAVE A SINGLE CENTRAL BANK. BUT UNLIKE AMERICA, BUDGETARY ARANGEMENTS IN EUROPE WILL REMAIN IN THE HANDS OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS.

NO-ONE KNOWS WITH CERTAINTY WHAT THE EFFECTS OF MONETARY UNION WILL BE. ANALYSTS WORRY WITH A BIG MARKET, A SINGLE CURRENCY, AND A LARGELY IMMOBILE LABOR FORCE THERE COULD BE BIG RISES IN UN-EMPLOYMENT IN REGIONS THAT FAIL TO ATTRACT ADEQUATE INVESTMENT FLOW.

FLEMMING LARSEN OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND CALLS EUROPE'S INFLEXIBLE LABOR MARKET THE ACHILLES HEEL OF MONETARY UNION.

THIS IS PRECISELY THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY, THAT ALSO FUNCTIONS VERY WELL WITH A COMMON CURRENCY, AND THE COUNTRIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION WHERE LABOR MARKETS ARE IN MOST CASES MUCH LESS FLEXIBLE. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO CAUSE IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS FOR MONETARY UNION. THERE IS STILL PLENTY OF TIME TO ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS. BUT IN THE FUTURE WHEN EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES EXPERIENCE THE KINDS OF SHOCKS THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST THEY COULD RUN INTO DIFFICULTIES IF THEIR LABOR MARKETS DO NOT BECOME MORE FLEXIBLE. SUCH DIFFICULTIES WOULD SHOW UP IN THE FORM OF HIGHER UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN SOME COUNTRIES OR REGIONS AND OF COURSE INCREASED PRESSURE ON BUDGETS.

THE NEXT TANGIBLE STEP TOWARDS MONETARY UNION WILL BE THE ESTABLISHMENT IN JULY OF A EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK TO BE BASED IN FRANKFURT AND MODELED AFTER THE U-S FEDERAL RESERVE. ANALYSTS SAY THE BANK'S CHARTER GUARANTEES ITS INDEPENDENCE FROM POLITICAL INTERFERENCE. THE BANK'S MANDATE IS TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN LOW INFLATION.

THE PRINCIPAL DRAMA IN THE MAY 2ND AND 3RD BRUSSELS E-U SUMMIT IS WHO WILL BE NAMED CHAIRMAN OF THE E-C-B FOR A NON-RENEWABLE EIGHT-YEAR TERM. THE E-C-B PRESIDENT WILL PRESIDE OVER AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND A DECISION MAKING COUNCIL COMPRISED OF THE GOVERNORS OF THE CENTRAL BANKS OF THE COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING IN MONETARY UNION. (SIGNED)
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23-Apr-98 3:05 PM EDT (1905 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (THURSDAY) IN WHAT SOME ANALYSTS SAY WAS A ROUTINE "CORRECTION." V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 91-HUNDRED-43, DOWN 33 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11-HUNDRED-19, DOWN 10 POINTS.

THERE WAS NO MAJOR ECONOMIC NEWS TO MOVE STOCK PRICES. MANY ANALYSTS, ///OPT///SUCH AS ALFRED GOLDMAN OF THE A-G EDWARDS INVESTMENT COMPANY///END OPT///, SAY IT IS ABOUT TIME FOR AT LEAST A MODEST DOWNWARD MOVE IN STOCK PRICES.

MANY STOCKS RELATED TO THE COMPUTER INTERNET FELL SHARPLY AFTER ANALYSTS STARTED TO QUESTION WHETHER THEIR RECENT PRICE INCREASES ARE REALLY JUSTIFIED BY THEIR NEAR-TERM VALUE. THE ANALYSTS SAY A GOOD EXAMPLE IS THE STOCK OF K-TEL CORPORATION, A MUSIC RETAILER. A WEEK AGO, THE STOCK TRADED AT LESS THAN SEVEN DOLLARS A SHARE BUT SOARED TO ALMOST 44 DOLLARS AFTER THE COMPANY ANNOUNCED IT WILL SELL MUSIC VIA THE INTERNET. K-TEL'S STOCK FELL SHARPLY ON THURSDAY.

THE MELLON BANK OF PITTSBURGH IS ASKING A FEDERAL COURT TO BLOCK AN UNWANTED TAKEOVER OFFER FROM THE BANK OF NEW YORK. ON WEDNESDAY, THE BANK OF NEW YORK OFFERED 24 BILLION DOLLARS FOR MELLON.

THE STOCK OF THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY ROSE AFTER REPORTING A 22 PERCENT EARNINGS INCREASE AND ANNOUNCING IT WILL SPLIT ITS STOCK THREE FOR ONE. THE ENTERTAINMENT GIANT REPORTED ROBUST PERFORMANCE IN ITS CORE THEME PARK AND ANIMATED MOVIE BUSINESSES.

LOW CRUDE OIL PRICES CONTINUE TO DRAG DOWN THE PROFITS OF MAJOR OIL COMPANIES. TEXACO'S QUARTERLY EARNINGS FELL 90 PERCENT AND PROFITS AT THE CHEVRON OIL COMPANY FELL BY 77 PERCENT.

THE REYNOLDS METALS COMPANY WILL SELL ITS GLOBAL CAN BUSINESS TO THE BALL CORPORATION FOR 820 MILLION DOLLARS. REYNOLDS SAYS IT WILL USE THE PROCEEDS FOR DEBT REDUCTION AND A STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM.

PRESIDENT CLINTON IS PROPOSING A 21 BILLION DOLLAR PROGRAM TO PROVIDE WORKING PARENTS WITH CHILD CARE SERVICES. THE PRESIDENT SAYS AMERICANS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN BEING GOOD WORKERS AND GOOD PARENTS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/JO
23-Apr-98 5:23 PM EDT (2123 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] PAK EUROPE (L-ONLY) BY ALI ZAIDI (ISLAMABAD)

INTRO: PAKISTAN AND THE EUROPEAN UNION HAVE SIGNED A MAJOR AGREEMENT ON TRADE AND POLITICAL RELATIONS. AS ALI ZAIDI REPORTS FROM ISLAMABAD, THE AGREEMENT -- WHICH TOOK MORE THAN TWO YEARS TO NEGOTIATE -- INCLUDES FOR THE FIRST TIME A CLAUSE EXPRESSING COMMITMENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY.

TEXT: PAKISTANI AND E-U OFFICIALS SIGNED THE AGREEMENT AT THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS, IN THE PRESENCE OF VISITING PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF AND E-U PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER.

THE EUROPEAN UNION IS ALREADY PAKISTAN'S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, AND PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF FUNDING FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE COUNTRY. WITH THE NEW COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES, THAT INTERACTION IS EXPECTED TO GROW.

AN E-U PRESS RELEASE ISSUED AFTER THE SIGNING SAYS UNDER THE NEW PACT, RELATIONS WITH PAKISTAN WILL BE CONSIDERABLY STRENGTHENED AND MODERNISED.

THIS IS THE THIRD FORMAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND PAKISTAN SINCE 1976. HOWEVER, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE AGREEMENT INCLUDES A CLAUSE STIPULATING A COMMITMENT FROM BOTH SIDES TO HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY.

SIMILAR E-U AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE PAST HAVE PROVIDED THE EUROPEAN UNION WITH LEVERAGE WHEN PROVIDING FOREIGN AID AND TRADING WITH COUNTRIES ACCUSED OF SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS.

PAKISTAN HAS BEEN CRITICISED FOR THE USE OF CHILD LABOR IN SOME INDUSTRIES, NOTABLY ITS EXPORT-ORIENTED SPORTING GOODS AND CARPET WEAVING SECTORS. PAKISTANI FINANCE MINISTER SARTAJ AZIZ, WHO IS ACCOMPANYING MR. SHARIF ON THE TRIP, SAYS PAKISTAN IS WORKING TO DEVELOP INSTITUTIONS TO ENFORCE LAWS ALREADY PASSED AGAINST CHILD LABOR. THE EUROPEAN UNION IS OFFERING ASSISTANCE TO PAKISTAN ON THIS ISSUE AS WELL. AT THE SIGNING, PRESIDENT SANTER EXPRESSED APPRECIATION OF THE PAKISTAN GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM OF CHILD LABOR.

THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL ALSO BE PROVIDING PAKISTAN WITH 74 MILLION DOLLARS FOR ITS SOCIAL ACTION PROGRAM. THE E-U AID WILL BE FOCUSED ON DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WOMEN.

THE TWO SIDES ALSO PROMISE ENHANCED COOPERATION IN CURBING THE DRUG TRADE, AND THE SPREAD OF AIDS, AND PLEDGE TO COOPERATE MORE CLOSELY IN CONTROLING MONEY-LAUNDERING.

PROMOTING FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN PAKISTAN HAS BEEN HIGH ON PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF'S AGENDA ON THIS TRIP, WITH PRESIDENT SANTER PRAISING MR. SHARIF'S EFFORTS TO LIBERALIZE PAKISTAN'S ECONOMY. UNDER THE AGREEMENT, BOTH SIDES PLEDGE TO FURTHER REMOVE BARRIERS TO TRADE INVESTMENT, AND PAKISTAN COMMITS TO MORE EFFICIENT PROTECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. FOR ITS PART, THE EUROPEAN UNION PROMISES TO LOOK INTO PAKISTANI COMPLAINTS AGAINST WHAT IT CALLS UNFAIR ANTI-DUMPING SANCTIONS IMPOSED BY THE E-U ON PAKISTAN'S TEXTILE EXPORTS.

THE AGREEMENT STILL HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION COUNCIL OF MINISTERS AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT BEFORE IT CAN COME INTO FORCE. (SIGNED)
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23-Apr-98 8:59 AM EDT (1259 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] SENATE-NATO EXPANSION (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: OPPONENTS OF NATO EXPANSION HAVE LAUNCHED A LAST-DITCH CAMPAIGN TO BLOCK THE PROPOSAL IN THE U-S SENATE, WHERE A CRUCIAL RATIFICATION VOTE COULD COME NEXT WEEK. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS THE ANTI-ENLARGEMENT FACTION CLAIMS TO BE GAINING GROUND.

TEXT: THOSE WHO OPPOSE OR HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THE PLAN HAVE FORMED AN UNLIKELY COALITION WHICH INCLUDES SOME OF THE SENATE'S MOST CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS AND LIBERAL DEMOCRATS. THEY ARGUE THERE IS NO COMPELLING REASON TO EXPAND THE ALLIANCE NOW, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE MOVE WOULD SET BACK RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA AND STRENGTHEN THE HAND OF THAT COUNTRY'S ULTRANATIONALISTS.

NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATOR BOB SMITH, ONE OF THE CONSERVATIVES WHO OPPOSES EXPANSION, SAYS THIS IS THE REAL DANGER FOR NATO'S PROSPECTIVE NEW MEMBERS.

THE GREATEST THREAT TO THESE NATIONS IS, IS THE SITUATION THAT WOULD DEVELOP IN THE FUTURE WHERE RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES ARE NOT ALLIES. THAT IS THE RISK.

THE OPPONENTS ALSO CHARGE EXPANSION WOULD BRING AN UNFAIR BURDEN ON AMERICAN TAXPAYERS. DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TOM HARKIN SAYS THE WHITE HOUSE HAS BADLY UNDERESTIMATED THE COST OF TAKING IN POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY.

THE 400-MILLION DOLLARS DOES NOT INCLUDE U-S CONTRIBUTIONS THAT ENABLE THE NEW NATIONS TO UPGRADE AND MODERNIZE THEIR AIRCRAFT, TANKS AND OTHER WEAPONS. AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, THE (CLINTON) ADMINISTRATION COST ESTIMATES SHOULD HAVE A BIG WARNING LABEL -- "WEAPONS NOT INCLUDED."

THE ANTI-ENLARGEMENT GROUP SAYS IT HAS GROWN IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, WITH A NUMBER OF SENATORS WHO ONCE FAVORED EXPANSION NOW UNDECIDED OR EXPRESSING DOUBTS. HOWEVER, THE COALITION IS NOT SAYING HOW MANY VOTES IT MAY HAVE LINED UP. THE OPPONENTS NEED 34 VOTES TO STOP THE TREATY FROM WINNING THE NEEDED TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY. LEADERS OF BOTH PARTIES SAY THEY STILL EXPECT NATO EXPANSION TO PASS. (SIGNED)
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23-Apr-98 1:41 PM EDT (1741 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] SERBIA REFERENDUM (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

INTRO: THOUSANDS OF SERBIAN VOTERS CAST BALLOTS THURSDAY IN A REFERENDUM ON WHETHER FOREIGN MEDIATORS SHOULD BE INVITED TO HELP RESOLVE THE DISPUTE WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN THE KOSOVO PROVINCE, WHERE ALBANIANS OUTNUMBER SERBS NINE-TO-ONE. SERBIAN STATE MEDIA HAS BEEN URGING VOTERS TO REJECT ANY FORM OF FOREIGN MEDIATION. AND AS JULIA GLYN-PICKETT REPORTS FROM BELGRADE, SERBIA'S ELECTORATE IS EXPECTED TO FOLLOW THE MEDLA'S LEAD.

TEXT: ///ACT OF SOUNDS OF JUBILANT VOTERS IN KRALJEVO, A TOWN IN CENTRAL SERBIA -- ESTABLISH AND FADE UNDER AND LOSE///

A CROWD OF JUBILANT VOTERS DANCE AND SING OUTSIDE A POLLING STATION IN KRALJEVO, A TOWN IN CENTRAL SERBIA. THEY HAVE JUST VOTED AGAINST WHAT THEY SEE AS FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN SERBIA'S INTERNAL MATTERS -- THE INCREASINGLY VIOLENT DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN SERBS AND ALBANIANS OVER THE STATUS OF KOSOVO. THE SAME MESSAGE WAS HEARD FROM SERBIAN VOTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT AND LEADER OF SERBIA'S RULING SOCIALIST PARTY, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, CALLED FOR THURSDAY'S REFERENDUM AFTER THE UNITED STATES THREATENED MILITARY INTERVENTION OVER KOSOVO. THE THREAT FOLLOWED A SERBIAN POLICE CRACKDOWN ON ETHNIC ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS TWO MONTHS AGO WHICH LEFT 80 DEAD.

AFTER CASTING HIS VOTE , MR. MILOSEVIC CALLED ON KOSOVO'S ALBANIAN POLITICAL LEADERS TO START TALKS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT. BUT HE REPEATED HIS MESSAGE THAT TALKS SHOULD TAKE PLACE WITHOUT WESTERN MEDIATION.

MR. MILOSEVIC TOLD REPORTERS THAT THURSDAY'S REFERENDUM WAS TO SHOW THAT ONLY SERBIA'S CITIZENS SHOULD DECIDE THE FATE OF SERBIA. HE SAID THAT CITIZENS OF SERBIA HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO SOLVE TOGETHER THE PROBLEMS FACING THEIR COUNTRY. MR. MILOSEVIC THEN CALLED ON KOSOVO'S ALBANIAN LEADERS TO START TALKS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS HAVE SET A DEADLINE OF SATURDAY FOR SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO OPEN DIALOGUE. BUT THE ALBANIAN SIDE SAYS IT WILL NOT OPEN TALKS -- WITHOUT AN INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR.

IN SPITE OF THE ALBANIAN BOYCOTT, MANY POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAY VOTERS WILL MOST CERTAINLY BACK MR. MILOSEVIC'S CALL TO REJECT THE OFFER OF FOREIGN MEDIATION ON THE FUTURE OF KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
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23-Apr-98 1:52 PM EDT (1752 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: U-S NEWSPAPERS ARE HAILING WHAT AMOUNTS TO A REVOLT IN CONGRESS AMONG THE RANK AND FILE LEGISLATORS TO FORCE A VOTE ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM THAT THE LEADERSHIP WANTED TO AVOID. THE PAPERS ARE ALSO COMMENTING ON THE CONFUSION SURROUNDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WAKE OF A NEW SUPREME COURT CASE; THE VISIT OF TURKMENISTAN'S RULER; THE CONTROVERSIAL DEATH OF A BABY IN SOUTH AFRICA; /// OPT /// THE U-N VOTE ON CUBAN HUMAN RIGHTS; /// END OPT /// AND THE FOREIGN POLICY INITIATIVES OF BRITAIN'S TONY BLAIR. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND A QUOTE OR TWO IS ___________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THREE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL NEWSPAPERS, THE NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES "TIMES", AND "THE WASHINGTON POST" ARE ALL RUNNING PROMINENT EDITORIALS ON THE CONGRESSIONAL FLOOR REVOLT IN THE HOUSE WEDNESDAY.

HERE IS PART OF "THE NEW YORK TIMES" ASSESSMENT.

VOICE: NEWT GINGRICH DID NOT QUITE SURRENDER TO THE FORCES OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM YESTERDAY, BUT HE ORDERED A HASTY RETREAT AS A REPUBLICAN REBELLION AGAINST HIS LEADERSHIP GAINED STRENGTH. FACED WITH THE PROSPECT OF A MAJORITY OF HOUSE MEMBERS FORCING HIM TO SUBMIT REFORM LEGISLATION TO A VOTE, MR. GINGRICH VOLUNTEERED TO BRING THE BILL TO THE FLOOR NEXT MONTH. BUT EUPHORIA IS PREMATURE. A GREAT MANY OBSTACLES STILL STAND IN THE WAY OF ENACTING A MEANINGFUL CHANGE IN THE LAW. ...THE BIGGEST ENEMY NOW IS CYNICISM, REFLECTED BY MONTHS OF HEADLINES PROCLAIMING THE DEATH OF CAMPAIGN REFORM. IT IS ACTUALLY VERY MUCH ALIVE.

TEXT: NOTES "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES:"

VOICE: ALMOST MIRACULOUSLY, THERE IS NEW LIFE IN THE EFFORT TO FREE WASHINGTON FROM ONE OF ITS MOST CORRUPTING INFLUENCES: UNREGULATED 'SOFT MONEY' CONTRIBUTIONS TO POLITICAL PARTIES BY CORPORATIONS, UNIONS AND THE RICH. REFORMERS, HOWEVER, ARE NOT CELEBRATING YET. ALTHOUGH REPUBLICAN LEADERS AGREED WEDNESDAY TO REVIVE REFORM LEGISLATION AND ALLOW A HOUSE VOTE ON IT NEXT MONTH, THEY ACTED ONLY AFTER A PETITION BY HOUSE MEMBERS GAINED NEARLY ENOUGH SIGNATURES TO COMPEL THEM TO DO SO.

...MUCH HAS BEEN MADE OF HOW SOFT MONEY INAPPROPRIATELY INFLUENCES ELECTED OFFICIALS, BUT ITS MOST INSIDIOUS INFLUENCE MAY BE ON VOTERS. GROWING NUMBERS OF AMERICANS STAY AWAY FROM THE POLLS AS THEY GROW INCREASINGLY CYNICAL ABOUT THE POLITICAL PROCESS.

TEXT: LASTLY ON THIS, "THE WASHINGTON POST" ADDS:

VOICE: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF YESTERDAY'S EVENTS IS ... THAT MAJORITIES OF BOTH HOUSES NOW HAVE SIGNALED THEIR UNEASINESS WITH THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE. THERE CERTAINLY IS NOT AGREEMENT ON AN ALTERNATIVE. BUT A MAJORITY IS NO LONGER WILLING TO BE SEEN AS DEFENDING THE PRESENT SYSTEM. THAT IS PROGRESS.

TEXT: REGARDING THE CONFUSION REGARDING WHAT IS AND IS NOT SEX HARASSMENT, "USA TODAY" IS PLEASED THE SUPREME COURT HAS HEARD ARGUMENTS IN A CASE THAT MAY CLARIFY LOWER COURT RULINGS ON THE SUBJECT.

VOICE: THE COURT HEARD ARGUMENTS IN THE CASE OF AN ILLINOIS WOMAN WHO QUIT HER SALES JOB AFTER 14 MONTHS AND TIED TO SUE ON GROUNDS SHE'S BEEN SUBJECTED TO A STEADY BARRAGE OF SEXUAL INNUENDO FROM A CORPORATE VIDE PRESIDENTL. SHE CITED REPEATED SUGGESTIONS THAT SHE WOULD BE WISE TO MAKE HERSELF AVAILABLE FOR HIS PLEASURE. ... THE CASE IS ONE OF A TRIO NOW BEFORE THE COURT THAT ADDRESSES THE QUESTION OF EMPLOYERS' CLAIMS OF IGNORANCE AS A DEFENSE. THEY COME NONE TOO SOON. THE STATE OF THE LAW IS SO CONFUSED THAT IN THE ILLINOIS CASE AN 11-JUDGE APPEALS COURT FILED EIGHT DIFFERENT OPINIONS. /// OPT /// SURELY THE SUPREME COURT CAN USE THESE CASES TO WRITE COMMON-SENSE GUIDELINES. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: THE PRESIDENT OF TURKMENISTAN IS VISITING PRESIDENT CLINTON AT THE WHITE HOUSE, TODAY, THE HIGHLIGHT OF HIS THREE-DAY WASHINGTON VISIT, BUT HIS DICTATORIAL RULE AT HOME COMES IN FOR SOME SARCASTIC COMMENT FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES" WHICH CALLS HIM A "DICTATOR.'"

VOICE: MR. NIYAZOV'S TRIP HAS BEEN FULL OF SUCH TRIUMPHAL POMP. HE GETS THESE DIPLOMATIC GOODIES BECAUSE HE HAS TWO THINGS WASHINGTON WANTS. ONE IS POLITICAL NEUTRALITY -- TURKMENISTAN OFFERS A BULWARK AGAINST THE INFLUENCE OF ITS NEIGHBOR IRAN. MORE IMPORTANT, TURKMENISTAN HAS THE WORLD'S FOURTH-LARGEST NATURAL GAS RESERVES, AND WASHINGTON WANTS AMERICAN COMPANIES TO PUMP THE GAS THROUGH FRIENDLY NATIONS TO THE WEST. ... AMERICANS OFFICIALS HAVE CONSISTENTLY RAISED HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS WITH THEIR TURKMEN COUNTERPARTS, AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY ... MR. NIYAZOV HAS PROMISED TO BE MORE DEMOCRATIC. YET ... ANY TALK ABOUT LOOSENING HIS HOLD ON HIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN LOST IN THE DIN OF THE WELCOMING TRUMPETS.

TEXT: IN THE SAME VEIN, "THE WASHINGTON POST" ADDS:

VOICE: PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL WELCOME TO THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY A MAN WHO HAS ... TURNED ... TURKMENISTAN ... INTO A KIND OF LIVING MUSEUM OF SOVIET TOTALITARIANISM AND STALINIST SELF-GLORIFICATION. ... INVITING HIM TO WASHINGTON WITHOUT ANY PRECONDITIONS OR EVEN A MODICUM OF DEMOCRATIZATION RISKS SENDING A MESSAGE THAT, AS THE U-S HELSINKI COMMISSION SAID IN A LETTER TO MR. CLINTON, 'NO POLITICAL REFORMS OR HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES MATTER TO THE UNITED STATES AS LONG AS YOU HAVE OIL OR NATURAL GAS.'

TEXT: THE DEATH OF A BLACK BABY IN A SHOOTING BY A WHITE SOUTH AFRICAN FARMER HAS CAUSED A POLITICAL AND SOCIAL CRISIS IN THAT COUNTRY, AND ELICITS THIS FROM TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD."

VOICE: DEPENDING ON WHOSE IS TELLING THE STORY, A WHITE FARMER, NICHOLAS STEYN, FIRED AT THE CHILDREN BECAUSE HE THOUGHT ... THEY WERE INTRUDERS HIDDEN IN TALL GRASS, BECAUSE HE WAS TIRED OF CHILDREN ON HIS PROPERTY, OR BECAUSE ALCOHOL HAD BROUGHT RACISM TO THE SURFACE. POLICE SAID ... HE WAS NOT ARRESTED IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN HELPFUL AFTER THE SHOOTING. SUCH A SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES IS HARDLY PECULIAR TO SOUTH AFRICA. NOR ARE THE REACTIONS THAT GO FROM CALLS FOR RECONCILIATION TO HARDENING OF ATTITUDES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RACIAL DIVIDE. BUT TO WHAT PURPOSE IS THAT DIVIDE? AND HOW MANY CHILDREN, BLACK AND WHITE, WILL DIE WHILE ADULTS SORT OUT THEIR ATTITUDES? /// OPT /// WHITE SOUTH AFRICA HAS SEEN THIS FAMILY'S FACE AND HOW IT MOURNS ITS DAUGHTER. WHAT MORE-HUMAN LINK BETWEEN PEOPLES COULD BE NEEDED? /// END OPT ///

TEXT: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR COMES IN FOR COMMENT ON TWO IMPORTANT FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES. ONE IS THE REVELATION THAT HE STEPPED FORWARD TO TAKE SOME HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM FROM THE UNSTABLE REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA WHEN IT WAS POLITICAL DIFFICULT FOR THE UNITED STATES TO DO SO. SAYS "NEWSDAY" OF THIS LATEST MOVE:

VOICE: IT WAS A SOUND AND COURAGEOUS DECISION ON HIS PART. SCOTLAND HAS THE DISPOSAL FACILITIES AND NO OTHER NATION WILL ACCEPT THIS CARGO, NOT EVEN -- ESPECIALLY, NOT EVEN -- THE UNITED STATES. YET IT WAS PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON WHO FIRST PROPOSED DISPOSING OF THE GEORGIAN MATERIAL WITH RUSSIA'S HELP, MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO. THE REASONS ARE COMPELLING. WITH GEORGIA NEARLY BANKRUPT AND ON THE EDGE OF ANARCHY, ITS NUCLEAR SUPPLIES ARE UP FOR GRABS. ANY DECENTLY BANKROLLED TERRORIST COULD BUY ENOUGH STUFF TO BUILD A NUCLEAR WEAPONS. ... POLITICAL COURAGE CARRIES A PRICE, BUT IT HAS ITS REWARDS. IF [MR.] BLAIR STANDS FAST, HE WILL HAVE SHOWN THE WORLD HE HAS THE RIGHT STUFF [EXTREME COURAGE].

TEXT: AND AS REGARDS HIS PLAN TO HAVE A MIDDLE-EAST SUMMIT MAY FOURTH IN LONDON, "THE NEW YORK POST" NOTES BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK MAY BE AN IMPEDIMENT TO PROGRESS.

VOICE: .... IN A VERY SHORT TIME HE [COOK] HAS DISPLAYED A MARKED TALENT FOR GIVING OFFENSE. LAST YEAR HE MANAGED TO ALIENATE INDIA DURING THE QUEEN'S VISIT THERE WITH BADLY TIMED AND ILL-ADVISED REMARKS ABOUT THE FIGHTING IN KASHMIR. IN MARCH, [MR.] COOK ARRIVED IN THE HOLY LAND AND MADE AN ANTI-ISRAEL SPECTACLE OF HIMSELF. ... EVEN IF [MR.] COOK HAD NOT ALIENATED THE ISRAELIS WITH HIS LEFTISH-ARABIST GESTURES, THE ISRAELIS ARE UNLIKELY TO BE RECEPTIVE TO ANY PROPOSALS FROM THE BLAIR GOVERNMENT. /// OPT /// ANGLO-ISRAELI RELATIONS ARE COLORED BY BRITAIN'S LONG TRADITION OF ARABISM -- A TRADITION THAT HAS ENDURED DESPITE ITS MANY HUMILIATIONS AT ARAB HANDS. /// END OPT /// BRITISH POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST HAS LONG BEEN AN UNEASY MIX OF APPEASEMENT, HIGH HANDEDNESS AND SKULLDUGGERY.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, A REACTION TO THE RECENT U-N HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION NOT TO CONDEMN CUBA FOR HUMAN-RIGHTS ABUSES THIS YEAR, AS IT HAS FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS. OUTRAGED, "THE MIAMI HERALD" SAYS:

VOICE: TALK TO ORDINARY CUBAN CITIZENS WHO AFTER 39-YEARS OF SYSTEMATIC REPRESSION CARRY A CENSOR WITHIN. TRY TO CONVINCE THEM THAT THE POPE'S VISIT AND VISIBLE RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE LESSEN OTHER HUMAN-RIGHTS ABUSES. THEN PRAY FOR ALL PEOPLES, INCLUDING THOSE IN COUNTRIES WHOSE GOVERNMENTS PRACTICE OPPRESSION AND [WHO] OPPOSE THE CONDEMNATION OF CUBA.

TEXT: THAT BRINGS TO A CLOSE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM SOME OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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23-Apr-98 10:58 AM EDT (1458 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] U-S / MONTENEGRO PRESIDENT (L-ONLY) BY VALONDA BRUINTON (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE PRESIDENT OF THE YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO SAYS HIS COUNTRY HOPES TO OPEN ITSELF UP TO THE WORLD THROUGH MULTI-ETHNIC DEMOCRACY AND ECONOMIC REFORM. AS VALONDA BRUINTON REPORTS, THE PRESIDENT DISTANCED MONTENEGRO FROM ITS SISTER STATE, SERBIA, AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA, WHICH CONTROLS THE TWO, ON MANY ISSUES DURING A NEWS CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON.

TEXT: PRESIDENT MILO DJUKANOVIC BROKE WITH SERBIA AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA WHEN HE ANNOUNCED HIS SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION IN RESOLVING THE DISPUTE OVER KOSOVO. THE LARGELY ETHNIC ALBANIAN POPULATION IN THAT PROVINCE WANTS INDEPENDENCE FROM SERBIA.

FEARING THAT A WAR IN THE REGION COULD QUICKLY SPREAD THROUGH THE BALKANS, THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION HAVE OFFERED TO HELP THE TWO SIDES REACH A COMPROMISE ON THE FUTURE STATUS OF KOSOVO.

BUT SERBIA CONTENDS THE PROBLEM IS AN INTERNAL ONE AND CAN ONLY BE RESOLVED INTERNALLY. IT HAS PUT THE QUESTION OF WHETHER SERBIA SHOULD ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION TO THE PEOPLE IN A REFERENDUM. SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, MR. DJUKANOVIC SAID A "NO" VOTE AMOUNTS TO SELF-IMPOSED ISOLATION.

WHAT THE CITIZENS ARE BEING ASKED IS, 'DO WE WANT TO LIVE IN THE WORLD OR OUTSIDE OF THE WORLD?' IF WE WANT TO LIVE AS PART OF THE WORLD AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS IN OUR BEST INTEREST, THEN WE MUST EMBRACE THOSE STANDARDS WHICH ARE IN PLACE IN THE WORLD. THEREFORE, I THINK THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE PRODUCTIVE IF THEIR LEADERSHIP HAD TAKEN THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESOLVING THIS ISSUE RATHER THAN WISHING TO SHARE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY WITH THEIR CITIZENS.

MOST SERBIANS ARE EXPECTED TO VOTE AGAINST INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION IN RESOLVING THE PROBLEM. THE CRISIS INTENSIFIED LAST MONTH WHEN SERBIAN POLICE LAUNCHED A CRACKDOWN AGAINST WHAT THEY SAID WERE TERRORISTS, AND ENDED UP KILLING ABOUT 80 KOSOVO ALBANIANS, INCLUDING MANY WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

PRESIDENT DJUKANOVIC SAID SERBIA'S TALKS WITH THE ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO SHOULD NOT LEAD TO INDEPENDENCE.

THE SOLUTION FOR THE KOSOVO ISSUE CANNOT BE INDEPENDENCE AND IT CANNOT BE STATUS QUO. WE BELIEVE THAT THE SOLUTION SHOULD BE THROUGH A BROAD AUTONOMY WITHIN SERBIA AND WITHIN YUGOSLAVIA AND THROUGH SECURING A HIGH-LEVEL OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN LINE WITH THE HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.

MR. DJUKANOVIC SAID THE CURRENT CRISIS, AS WELL AS PAST CONFLICTS IN THE BALKAN REGION, SERIOUSLY JEOPARDIZE ECONOMIC REFORMS FOR HIS COUNTRY. HOWEVER, HE SAID MONTENEGRO CAN BLOSSOM WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND INVESTMENT.

I WANT TO SAY TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT EVEN IN SUCH A REGION, THERE IS AN OASIS THAT WANTS TO DEVELOP DEMOCRACY AND INDULGE IN SERIOUS BUSINESS WITH THE WORLD.

SINCE PRESIDENT DJUKANOVIC ARRIVED IN WASHINGTON WEDNESDAY, HE HAS MET WITH DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN, SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, U-S SPECIAL ENVOY FOR THE BALKANS ROBERT GELBARD AND VARIOUS AID OFFICIALS.

SECRETARY ALBRIGHT PRAISED MONTENEGRO'S MULTI-ETHNIC GOVERNMENT, WHICH INCLUDES ALBANIANS, AND SAID IT SHOULD SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE FOR THE ENTIRE REGION.

SHE SAID THE UNITED STATES WOULD TRY TO SHIELD MONTENEGRO FROM ANY FURTHER SANCTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA THAT ARE MEANT TO PUNISH THE FEDERATION FOR THE CRACKDOWN ON THE ALBANIANS. (SIGNED)
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23-Apr-98 4:48 PM EDT (2048 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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