Voice of America, 98-07-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO / UNREST (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

[02] KOSOVO / GOVERNMENT (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

[03] KOSOVO / FOOD SHORTAGE (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[04] REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO STRAIN NEIGHBORING MONTENEGRO BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

[05] ISRAEL / TURKEY (L ONLY) BY AL PESSIN (JERUSALEM)

[06] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY KEVIN LYNCH (LONDON)

[07] NY ECON WRAP (S&L) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

[08] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[09] E-U/U-S-CUBA (L-ONLY) BY BILL RODGERS (WASHINGTON)

[10] BOSNIA / WORLD CUP VIOLENCE (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVEA)

[11] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[01] KOSOVO / UNREST (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: AT LEAST TWO SERB POLICEMEN HAVE BEEN KILLED IN FIGHTING IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. THREE ETHNIC ALBANIANS DIED IN A SEPARATE INCIDENT. CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IN PRISTINA REPORTS THE CLASHES CAME AS DIPLOMATS ACCREDITED IN BELGRADE INAUGURATED A NEW PROGRAM OF INTERNATIONAL MONITORING IN KOSOVO.

TEXT: THE VICTIMS DIED IN EXCHANGES BETWEEN SEPARATIST GUERRILLAS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY AND SERB SECURITY FORCES AROUND PEC (PRON. PEC), IN WESTERN KOSOVO, AND PRIZREN, IN THE SOUTH.

ALSO NEAR PRIZREN, SERB SOURCES SAY AN ETHNIC ALBANIAN FARMER AND HIS SON WERE KILLED BY AUTOMATIC WEAPONS FIRE. LOCAL OFFICIALS SAY THEY ASSUME THEY WERE SHOT BY THE SEPARATIST REBELS BECAUSE THE VICTIMS WERE LOYAL TO THE AUTHORITIES.

THE VIOLENCE COMES AS AMBASSADORS AND OTHER DIPLOMATS TOURED PARTS OF CENTRAL KOSOVO, IN AREAS THAT HAVE SEEN VIOLENT CLASHES BETWEEN ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND SERB SECURITY FORCES.

MONDAY'S VISIT WAS DESCRIBED AS SYMBOLIC, BUT STARTING LATER THIS WEEK DIPLOMATS FROM WESTERN EUROPE, RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES WILL TRAVEL THROUGHOUT KOSOVO ON A DAILY BASIS TO GATHER FIRST-HAND INFORMATION AND DETER VIOLENCE. THE EMBASSIES ARE ADDING PERSONNEL TO STAFF THE MISSION.

THE MONITORING MISSION WAS PART OF A DEAL BROKERED BY RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. MEANWHILE, THE TOP SERB POLITICIAN IN PRISTINA SAYS SERBIAN FORCES ARE CAPABLE OF PROTECTING THE CITY AND ITS INFRASTRUCTURE, AND WILL USE ALL MEANS TO DO SO. THE COMMENTS BY VELJKO ODALOVIC CAME FOUR DAYS AFTER A BOMB EXPLODED HERE, AND ABOUT A WEEK AFTER SECURITY FORCES RECAPTURED A NEARBY COAL MINE THAT SUPPLIES A MAJOR ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANT.

WE WOULDN'T BE A SERIOUS STATE IF WE CAN'T PROTECT THOSE FACILITIES, HE SAYS. THE FACT IS, THE REBELS TRIED TO DISRUPT THE POWER, BUT ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION IS CONTINUING.

MR. ODALOVIC REJECTED AS "PROPAGANDA" PUBLISHED CLAIMS BY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY (JAKUB KRASNIQI IN "DER SPIEGEL") THAT THEY HAD FIGHTERS SURROUNDING PRISTINA READY TO ATTACK ON COMMAND. IN AN INTERVIEW, THE OFFICIAL SAID THE REBELS ARE TRYING TO PRESENT THEMSELVES AS A WELL-ORGANIZED MILITARY FORCE, WHEN IN FACT HE SAID THEY ARE ONLY ACTING INDIVIDUALLY.

ANALYSTS AGREE THE REBEL MOVEMENT IS FRAGMENTED, WITH NO UNIFIED COMMAND STRUCTURE, BUT IT IS WIDELY BELIEVED THAT THE GUERRILLAS DO HAVE SOME MILITARY STRUCTURE, OR STRUCTURES, AND ARE NOT THE UNDISCIPLINED BANDS SUGGESTED BY MR. ODALOVIC'S COMMENTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/JWH
07-Jul-98 9:32 AM EDT (1332 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO / GOVERNMENT (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THE TOP GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL IN THE CAPITAL OF SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE HAS ACCUSED SEPARATIST REBELS OF DELIBERATELY ATTACKING FROM POPULATION CENTERS SO THE SERBIAN RESPONSE WILL CAUSE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES. THE OFFICIAL MADE THE COMMENTS IN AN INTERVIEW WITH V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IN PRISTINA.

TEXT: VELJKO ODALOVIC SAYS THE GUERRILLAS -- HE CALLS THEM TERRORISTS -- ARE USING POPULATED AREAS AS THEIR BASE. AS A RESULT, HE SAYS, THERE ARE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES WHEN SECURITY FORCES RESPOND TO REBEL ATTACK.

ABSOLUTELY, HE SAYS, AND THERE DO THIS IN MANY PLACES. THEY FORCE CIVILIANS TO STAY WITH THEM. HE SAYS THE TOWN OF JUNIK, NEAR THE ALBANIAN BORDER, IS ONE EXAMPLE.

MR. ODALOVIC, THE KOSOVO DISTRICT GOVERNOR, ALSO INSISTS SECURITY FORCES CAN PROTECT THE CAPITAL, DESPITE A BOMBING HERE LAST FRIDAY AND A REBEL OFFENSIVE THAT CAPTURED A NEARBY COAL MINE WHICH SUPPLIES ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANTS. MR. ODALOVIC SAID ISOLATED ATTACKS, SUCH AS THE BOMB, MIGHT OCCUR. BUT SERB FORCES ARE INTENT ON PROTECTING THE INFRASTRUCTURE, AND HE NOTED THAT THE REBELS WERE DISLODGED AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES WERE NOT DISRUPTED.

HE ALSO DISMISSED THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY AS A COLLECTION OF INDIVIDUAL FIGHTERS, SAYING IT IS NOT A WELL-ORGANIZED MILITARY FORCE.

ANALYSTS AGREE THE REBEL MOVEMENT IS FRAGMENTED, WITH NO UNIFIED COMMAND, BUT IT IS WIDELY BELIEVED THAT THE GUERRILLAS DO HAVE SOME MILITARY STRUCTURE, AND ARE NOT THE UNDISCIPLINED BANDS SUGGESTED BY MR. ODALOVIC'S COMMENTS.

HE CRITICIZED A CONTROVERSIAL MEETING BETWEEN AMERICAN ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE AND REBELS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS "HARMFUL."

DIPLOMATS FROM WESTERN EUROPE, RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES ARE PREPARING TO BEGIN REGULAR INSPECTION TRIPS THROUGHOUT KOSOVO -- STARTING PROBABLY ON THURSDAY -- TO GATHER FIRST-HAND INFORMATION AND DETER VIOLENCE. THE MONITORING MISSION WAS PART OF A DEAL BROKERED BY RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, AND MR. ODALOVIC SAID THEY ARE WELCOME TO TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN KOSOVO. WE HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE, HE SAYS. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/JWH
07-Jul-98 12:23 PM EDT (1623 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO / FOOD SHORTAGE (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY (U-N-H-C-R) WARNS THAT THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO MAY SOON FACE A FOOD SHORTAGE IF FIGHTING BETWEEN SERBIAN SOLDIERS AND SEPARATISTS IN KOSOVO CONTINUES. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA SAYS THE REFUGEE AGENCY IS AFRAID OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN AS TENSIONS IN THE PROVINCE CONTINUE TO RISE.

TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY DESCRIBES THE AREA IN WESTERN KOSOVO, NEAR ALBANIA'S NORTHERN BORDER, AS PARTICULARLY TENSE. U-N AID WORKERS IN ALBANIA REPORT HEAVY ARTILLERY FIRE ON THE KOSOVO SIDE OF THE BORDER. THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY HAS REGISTERED MORE THAN 13,000 KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN ALBANIA SINCE FIGHTING BEGAN A FEW MONTHS AGO.

BUT U-N-H-C-R SPOKESWOMAN JUDITH KUMIN SAYS THE REFUGEE FLOW HAS DRIED UP IN RECENT WEEKS. SHE SAYS AID WORKERS IN THE AREA REPORT IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR CIVILIANS TO CROSS INTO NORTHERN ALBANIA BECAUSE SERB SOLDIERS ARE OUT IN FORCE ALONG THE BORDER. THE U-N OFFICIAL SAYS THE REFUGEES THAT DO GET THROUGH TO ALBANIA SAY THE SITUATION IN WESTERN KOSOVO IS VERY SERIOUS.

THE FEW NEW ARRIVALS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS HAVE REPORTED THAT SHELLING OF VILLAGES IN WESTERN KOSOVO CONTINUES AT NIGHT AND THAT FOOD IN THE MOUNTAIN VILLAGES IN THE RURAL AREAS IS SCARCE AS PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO GO INTO TOWNS TO COLLECT FOOD.

THE REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS NEIGHBORING MONTENEGRO HAS BECOME THE BEST HOPE FOR THOSE WANTING TO ESCAPE THE FIGHTING IN KOSOVO. THE AGENCY REPORTS THAT AN AVERAGE OF 250 PEOPLE FROM VARIOUS ETHNIC GROUPS -- SERBS, ALBANIANS, MUSLIMS AND ROMA -- FLEE TO MONTENEGRO EACH DAY. TO DATE, AN ESTIMATED 15,000 REFUGEES HAVE ARRIVED THERE. THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS MONTENEGRO, A COUNTRY OF ONLY HALF A MILLION PEOPLE, MAY FIND IT DIFFICULT TO COPE WITH INCREASING NUMBERS OF REFUGEES. ON MONDAY, A GROUP OF U-N AID WORKERS VISITED THE TOWN OF DECANI IN WESTERN KOSOVO. MS. KUMIN SAYS THE WORKERS REPORTED THAT THE TOWN HAS SUFFERED CONSIDERABLE DESTRUCTION AND IS NOW VIRTUALLY EMPTY. SHE ADDS THAT THE FARMING AREAS OUTSIDE THE TOWN ARE ALSO IN A DESPERATE CONDITION.

CROPS ARE READY FOR HARVEST. BUT THEY'RE STANDING IN THE FIELDS, AND THIS IS GOING TO POSE A PROBLEM, OF COURSE, IN CASE CONDITIONS FOR RETURN BEING POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE CROPS WILL NOT HAVE BEEN HARVESTED THIS YEAR. THEY REPORT THAT FARM ANIMALS SEEM TO BE EITHER DEAD OR DYING AND ARE JUST WANDERING AROUND FARM YARDS. POLICE AND MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE AREA IS STILL HEAVY.

MS. KUMIN SAYS IN SOME RURAL AREAS, U-N STAFF NOTICED LARGE NUMBERS OF DISPLACED PEOPLE, AMONG THEM MANY CHILDREN, LIVING IN WALLED-OFF COMPOUNDS. AID WORKERS, SHE SAID, REPORTED THAT MANY PEOPLE WERE SO AFRAID THEY WOULD NOT EVEN VENTURE TO LEAVE THE COMPOUNDS. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/KL
07-Jul-98 11:23 AM EDT (1523 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO STRAIN NEIGHBORING MONTENEGRO BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: WITH UNOFFICIAL REPORTS BY THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY THAT YUGOSLAVIA HAS CLOSED THE BORDER BETWEEN KOSOVO AND NORTHERN ALBANIA, MORE AND MORE REFUGEES ATTEMPTING TO FLEE THE FIGHTING IN KOSOVO HAVE BEEN STREAMING INTO

TEXT: PIERRE FRANCISCO NATTA [PEE-YAIR FRAHN-CHEE-KOH NAH-TAH], AN INTERNATIONAL LAWYER FROM ITALY, HAS HEADED THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY IN MONTENEGRO SINCE 1992. SIX YEARS AGO, HE SAYS, MONTENEGRO BEGAN RECEIVING REFUGEES WHO WERE FLEEING THE WAR IN BOSNIA AND CROATIA. SINCE MARCH THIS YEAR, AS THE RESULT OF THE CONFLICT IN NEIGHBORING KOSOVO, THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES LIVING IN MONTENEGRO HAS INCREASED BY ABOUT 13,000, MR. NATTA SAYS.

TAPE: CUT ONE -- NATTA (0:24) "NINETY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE ARE ACCOMMODATED PRIVATELY WITH RELATIVES OR FRIENDS. SOME OF THEM [THE REFUGEES] HAVE ALSO STARTED TO PAY THEM [THEIR HOSTS]. HOWEVER, WE HAVE AROUND 450 PEOPLE IN THE NORTHERN PART OF MONTENEGRO IN FOUR COLLECTIVE CENTERS THAT WERE ALREADY ACCOMMODATING REFUGEES FROM BOSNIA AND CROATIA, AND NOW THEY ARE HOSTED IN THESE CENTERS."

TEXT: THERE ARE, IN FACT, ABOUT AS MANY REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO WHO HAVE CROSSED INTO MONTENEGRO IN THE PAST FOUR MONTHS AS HAVE SOUGHT REFUGE IN ALBANIA. MR. NATTA SAYS ALL ETHNIC GROUPS HAVE BEEN WELCOMED BY MONTENEGRO, BUT THE FLOOD OF NEW REFUGEES IS NOW STRAINING THE PROVINCE'S CAPACITY TO ACCOMMODATE THEM.

TAPE: CUT TWO -- NATTA (0:25) "IN THESE SIX YEARS OF WAR IN BOSNIA AND NOW OF CONFLICT IN KOSOVO, MONTENEGRO HAS RECEIVED ALL THE INFLUX IN A VERY GENEROUS WAY. HOWEVER, THE SITUATION IS QUITE DRAMATIC BECAUSE THEY ARE HOSTING ALREADY AROUND 26,000 REFUGEES FROM BOSNIA AND CROATIA. NOW THIS ADDITIONAL INFLUX OF PEOPLE IS REALLY PLACING A TERRIBLE PRESSURE ON THE LOCAL COMMUNITY."

TEXT: MR. NATTA DESCRIBES A SYSTEM OF "PRIVATE LINKS" THAT HAS THUS FAR WORKED VERY WELL, BUT HE SAYS HE AND HIS STAFF WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE SINCE THE WAR IN KOSOVO SHOWS NO SIGNS OF ABATING.

TAPE: CUT THREE -- NATTA (0:15) "WHEN YOU HAVE FAMILIES COMING WITH 20-25 MEMBERS IN A HOUSE THAT IS ALREADY HOSTING A 10- OR 15-MEMBER FAMILY, ANY PRIVATE SYSTEM WILL BE IN DISTRESS IN A VERY SHORT WHILE."

TEXT: THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO HAS TAKEN A STAND DISTINCT FROM ITS SISTER REPUBLIC OF SERBIA, MR. NATTA SAYS, IN NOT SUPPORTING THE WAR AGAINST THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS AND URGING A "DURABLE SOLUTION" THROUGH NEGOTIATION. BUT, HE ADDS, MONTENEGRO NEEDS HELP FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE A SAFE HAVEN FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE WAR.

TAPE: CUT FOUR -- NATTA (0:42) "WE BELIEVE THAT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO HELP THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES HERE WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED VERY MUCH THAT THEY LOOK NOT AT THE POLITICAL SITUATION BUT MORE AT THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION. AND THEY HAVE MAINTAINED AN OPEN DOOR POLICY. HOWEVER, IF NO INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE IS GIVEN TO THIS SMALL COUNTRY, WE WILL SEE AN EXODUS FROM MONTENEGRO TO OTHER AREAS THAT ARE BORDERING THE COUNTRY AND, IN PARTICULAR, [THE REST OF] EUROPE. SO, WE BELIEVE THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS TO MAKE MORE EFFORT TO COME TO MONTENEGRO AND TO ASSIST THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN TAKING CARE OF THIS EXODUS."

TEXT: PIERRE FRANCISCO NATTA OF THE U-N HIGH COMMISION FOR REFUGEES IN PODGORICA SAYS HE AND HIS SMALL STAFF ARE DEDICATED TO THEIR JOB OF COODINATING THE WORK OF LOCAL AND GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES IN MONTENEGRO. BUT, HE ADDS, THEY ARE NOW ASKING SUPPORT FROM OTHER INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES TO HELP MONITOR THEIR INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT WORK.
07-Jul-98 12:10 PM EDT (1610 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] ISRAEL / TURKEY (L ONLY) BY AL PESSIN (JERUSALEM)

INTRO: TURKEY'S FOREIGN MINISTER, ISMAIL CEM, SAYS TURKEY WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP ITS RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL, INCLUDING MILITARY COOPERATION. BUT HE SAYS ISRAEL SHOULD NOT EXAGGERATE THE RELATIONSHIP SO AS NOT TO ANTAGONIZE ARAB COUNTRIES. V-O-A'S AL PESSIN REPORTS FROM JERUSALEM, WHERE MR. CEM IS MAKING HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT AS FOREIGN MINISTER.

TEXT: FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TOLD ISRAEL'S YIDIOT AHARONOT NEWSPAPER THAT ARAB COUNTRIES CRITICIZE TURKEY FOR ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL AT EVERY DIPLOMATIC MEETING. BUT THE MINISTER SAYS THAT WILL NOT FORCE TURKEY TO "SACRIFICE" WHAT HE CALLED THE "SPECIAL" ISRAEL-TURKEY RELATIONSHIP.

TURKEY HAS CLOSER RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL THAN ANY OTHER MUSLIM COUNTRY. THERE ARE FREQUENT OFFICIAL VISITS, INCLUDING TRIPS BY SENIOR MILITARY OFFICERS. AND THERE IS A THRIVING ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP. EARLIER THIS YEAR, ISRAELI AND TURKISH NAVAL FORCES HELD THEIR FIRST JOINT EXERCISES.

MR. CEM SAYS THE ARAB COUNTRIES SEE THE ISRAEL-TURKEY RELATIONSHIP AS VIRTUALLY A MILITARY ALLIANCE, A VIEW HE CALLED "NOT EXACTLY RIGHT." THE TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS TURKEY TELLS ARAB COUNTRIES THEIR CRITICISMS ARE NOT JUSTIFIED, AND HE SAYS ISRAEL-TURKEY RELATIONS ARE NOT MAINTAINED AT THE EXPENSE OF ANY OTHER COUNTRY, AND ARE NOT A THREAT TO ANY OTHER COUNTRY.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, MINISTER CEM CALLED ON ISRAEL NOT TO EXAGGERATE THE EXTENT OF THE RELATIONSHIP, OR TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MILITARY COOPERATION WITH TURKEY, WHICH HE SAID COULD PROVOKE ARAB COUNTRIES.

HE SAYS THE SITUATION IS MADE MORE DIFFICULT BY THE DEADLOCK IN THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE PROCESS. BUT HE SAYS TURKEY STILL WANTS TO CONTINUE DEVELOPING SERIOUS POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND MILITARY RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL.

FOREIGN MINISTER CEM IS SPENDING THREE DAYS IN ISRAEL, AND HE WILL ALSO VISIT THE AUTONOMOUS PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/AWP/JWH
07-Jul-98 10:10 AM EDT (1410 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY KEVIN LYNCH (LONDON)

INTRO: EVEN THOUGH MARKETS IN SEVERAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES REACHED RECORD HIGHS WEDNESDAY, TRADERS WEREN'T ALL THAT IMPRESSED. THEY CONTINUED TO EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT JAPAN'S ECONOMY. FROM LONDON, KEVIN LYNCH HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES FROM EUROPE'S MAJOR MARKETS.

TEXT: STOCK MARKETS IN GERMANY, FRANCE, SWEDEN AND THE NETHERLANDS ALL CLOSED HIGHER THAN EVER BEFORE WEDNESDAY, BUT STOCK ANALYSTS IN EUROPE EASILY MANAGED TO WITHHOLD THEIR EXCITEMENT. THEY WERE MORE CONCERNED, AS THEY HAVE BEEN FOR WEEKS NOW, WITH WHAT MOVES THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO MAKE TO END THE COUNTRY'S RECESSION. BUT ALL THREE OF EUROPE'S MAJOR MARKETS STILL MANAGED TO CLOSE ON THE PLUS SIDE. IN LONDON, THE FINANCIAL TIMES 100-SHARE INDEX FINISHED UP 13 POINTS, A GAIN OF ALMOST A QUARTER PERCENT. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX ENDED THE DAY WITH ITS SECOND CONSECUTIVE RECORD FINISH, GAINING 22 POINTS, OR A HALF OF A PERCENT. THE DAX INDEX IN FRANKFURT, ANOTHER RECORD BREAKER, FINISHED 34 POINTS HIGHER, GAINING POINT FIVE SEVEN PERCENT.

THE PRICE OF GOLD IN LONDON CLOSED AT 293 DOLLARS 75 CENTS AN OUNCE, UP 65 CENTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/KL/PT
07-Jul-98 3:05 PM EDT (1905 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] NY ECON WRAP (S&L) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN NEW YORK CLOSED DOWN JUST SLIGHTLY TODAY (TUESDAY) AMID THE FIRST OF A FLOOD OF SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS REPORTS. V-O-A'S JOE CHAPMAN REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE MAJOR STOCK MARKET INDEXES WERE ESSENTIALLY UNCHANGED. THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED DOWN SEVEN POINTS AT NINE-THOUSAND-85 WHILE THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX WAS OFF THREE POINTS AT 11-HUNDRED-55.

ANALYSTS SAY THE MARKET WAS GENERALLY POSITIVE WITH THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIALS UP NEARLY 60 POINTS DURING THE DAY. BUT OIL STOCKS PULLED THE MARKET LOWER ON A FALL IN CRUDE OIL PRICES. COMPUTERIZED PROGRAM-SELLING, THAT BEGAN LESS THAN ONE HALF HOUR BEFORE THE MARKET CLOSED, PUSHED PRICES LOWER.

ALCOA ALUMINUM, ONE OF THE 30 COMPONENT STOCKS OF THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIALS, WAS UP SLIGHTLY. ALCOA WAS THE FIRST OF THE DOW COMPONENTS TO REPORT SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS AND COMFORTABLY EXCEEDED WALL STREET ESTIMATES. NASDAQ STOCKS WERE PULLED DOWN BY PROFIT-TAKING IN INTERNET SHARES.

THE AIRLINES LED A TRANSPORTATION STOCK SURGE AFTER THE PARENT OF UNITED AIRLINES REPORTED HIGHER EARNINGS. MARK ALTHERR, AN ANALYST WHO FOLLOWS THE AIRLINES, SAYS THE INDUSTRY IS BEING HELPED BY MORE PASSENGERS AND CHEAPER FUEL.

THESE GUYS ARE ALL DOING VERY, VERY WELL ... CONTINUING THE PACE OF STRONG PROFITS DUE TO A LOT OF GOOD TRAFFIC AND LOWER FUEL COSTS WHICH OF COURSE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN'T PREDICT TOO FAR IN ADVANCE.

TWO OTHER DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL STOCKS -- GENERAL ELECTRIC AND MCDONALDS, THE FAST FOOD COMPANY -- SET NEW ALL-TIME HIGHS DURING THE DAY'S TRADING. ANALYSTS SAY GENERAL ELECTRIC, ALREADY THE WORLD'S LARGEST COMPANY WHEN MEASURED BY ITS STOCK MARKET VALUATION, BECAME THE FIRST TO BE VALUED AT MORE THAN 300-BILLION DOLLARS. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/JMC/LSF/PT
07-Jul-98 5:21 PM EDT (2121 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NIGERIA'S STRUGGLE, IN THE AFTERMATH OF GENERAL ABACHA'S DEATH, TO RETURN TOWARD DEMOCRACY IS GETTING PRIME ATTENTION IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF TUESDAY'S U-S PAPERS. THE FRENCH ABORTION PILL RU 486, AND THE BATTLE TO MAKE IT LEGAL HERE IS ALSO DRAWING COMMENT. IN OTHER EDITORIALS, READERS CAN LEARN PAPER'S VIEWS ON THE PROBLEMS IN KOSOVO: THE CURRENT CROP OF JOURNALISTIC SINS: THE THREAT OF NEW VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND; BILL CLINTON'S CHINA TRIP; AND BIDDING FAREWELL TO ROY ROGERS,A FAMOUS FILM COWBOY. NOW, HERE COMES ____________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: A HIGH RANKING U-S DELEGATION IS IN THE NIGERIAN CAPITAL OF ABUJA TODAY, URGING THE NEW MILITARY LEADER THERE, GENERAL ABDULSALAM ABUBAKAR, TO RELEASE MOSHOOD ABIOLA, THE BUSINESSMAN WHO APPEARED TO HAVE WON THE LAST ELECTION FOR PRESIDENT. "THE WASHINGTON POST" MAKES THIS TOPIC ITS LEAD EDITORIAL, NOTING THIS IS A CRITICAL MOMENT FOR NIGERIANS.

VOICE: IN HIS BRIEF RULE ... GENERAL ... ABUBAKAR ... HAS FREED SOME DETAINEES, PROMISED TO RELEASE THEM ALL AND REMOVED SOME OF THE STRONGMAN'S [DECEASED GENERAL SANI ABACHA] STRATEGICALLY PLACED CRONIES. THE QUESTION REMAINS OF WHETHER HIS LOYALTIES TO THE MILITARY COMMAND OUTWEIGH HIS OBLIGATIONS TO NIGERIA'S DEMOCRATIC HERITAGE. NIGERIA'S IMPORTANCE IN THE AFRICAN SCHEME OF THINGS MAKES HIS DECISIONS CRUCIAL TO THE CONTINENT.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS LESS ENTHUSIASTIC, ENTITLING ITS THOUGHTS: "THE ILLUSION OF DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA." THE PAPER CALLS BOTH FOR THE RELEASE FROM PRISON OF MR. ABIOLA, AND FOR HIM, NOT THE MILITARY, TO BE THE ONE TO MAKE THE TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN RULE, SINCE HE WON THE PRESIDENCY IN 1993, BEFORE BEING JAILED FOR TREASON.

VOICE: THE [VARIOUS FOREIGN] VISITORS [THE U-S DELEGATION WAS PRECEDED BY THE U-N SECRETARY GENERAL] HAVE URGED MR. ABIOLA'S RELEASE. BUT THEY HAVE INEXPLICABLY ENCOURAGED HIM TO RETURN TO CIVILIAN LIFE, WHICH HE HAS APPARENTLY AGREED TO DO, AND LET THE MILITARY RUN THINGS FOR THE SEVERAL MONTHS, IF NOT LONGER, IT WILL TAKE TO ORGANIZE FAIR ELECTIONS. GIVEN THE SORDID HISTORY OF PAST MILITARY RULE IN NIGERIA, THIS IS A DANGEROUS ACCOMMODATION.

TEXT: HERE AT HOME, ONE DEBATE IS OVER THE RECENT BANNING BY CONGRESS OF THE FRENCH ABORTION PILL RU 486, WHICH BIRTH-CONTROL PROPONENTS HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING TO GET APPROVED IN THIS COUNTRY FOR YEARS. "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND, SAYS THE RECENT HOUSE VOTE TO BAN THE DRUG IS "ANOTHER UNDERHANDED ATTACK ON WOMEN'S HEALTH CHOICES."

VOICE: /// OPT /// THE HOUSE RECENTLY VOTED 223 TO 202 TO FORBID THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION FROM SPENDING ANY MONEY TO TEST OR APPROVE ANY DRUG KNOWN TO INDUCE ABORTION, INCLUDING RU-486, THE FRENCH ABORTION DRUG. WHAT IS IRONIC IS THAT RU-486 INDUCES SPONTANEOUS ABORTION EARLY IN A PREGNANCY. IT WOULD AVOID THE ADMITTEDLY GRUESOME LATE-TERM PROCEDURE ABORTION OPPONENTS HAVE SPENT A LOT OF PASSION IN RECENT YEARS TRYING TO BAN. /// END OPT /// ... THE LOGICAL CONCLUSION IS THAT ANTI-ABORTION GROUPS WANT TO END ALL ABORTIONS, AND SINCE THEY CAN NOT GET AN ABSOLUTE BAN, THEY WILL CHIP AWAY AT WOMEN'S RIGHTS TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOMS UNTIL THEY ARE GONE. ... THAT IS THE LESSON SUPPORTERS OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS MUST DRAW FROM THIS LATEST LEGISLATIVE ATTACK IN CONGRESS.

TEXT: ON LONG ISLAND, "NEWSDAY" CALLS THE HOUSE VOTE "UNACCEPTABLE" AND "DANGEROUS MEDDLING WITH THE PROFESSIONALS AT THE F-D-A [FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.] "THE NEW YORK POST" MEANWHILE, LOOKING OVERSEAS AGAIN, BEMOANS THE FACT THAT TRYING TO BROKER PEACE IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO APPEARS TO BE HOPELESS:

VOICE: ... IN PART BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIGURE OUT JUST WHAT A GOOD SOLUTION WOULD BE IN THIS CASE. IN BOSNIA, THE SOLUTION WAS ALWAYS CLEAR -- BOSNIA NEEDED AND NEEDS TO BE FREE OF INTERFERENCE FROM NEIGHBORING SERBIA. UNLIKE BOSNIA, HOWEVER, KOSOVO IS A RECOGNIZED PART OF SERBIA. AND THE ALBANIAN FORCES WAGING WAR THERE ARE TRYING TO MAKE WEIRD THINGS HAPPEN -- THINGS LIKE BREAKING KOSOVO AWAY FROM SERBIA AND JOINING IT TO ALBANIA. ... APART FROM THE FACT THAT IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE WHY ANY LAND WOULD WILLINGLY WANT TO JOIN ALBANIA, ONE OF THE MOST CHAOTIC COUNTRIES ON EARTH, THERE IS NO CLEAR WESTERN ROLE HERE. /// OPT /// THE WHOLE BUSINESS IS FAR TOO UNCLEAR, AND LACK OF CLARITY IS POISONOUS IN ANY INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATION. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: A RASH OF RECENT ERRORS AND OTHER UNFACTUAL REPORTING PROBLEMS IN SOME MAJOR U-S NEWS ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING A FAULTY C-N-N [CABLE NEWS NETWORK] -- "TIME" MAGAZINE JOINT REPORT ON THE ALLEGED USE OF NERVE GAS IN VIETNAM BY U-S FORCES, PROMPTS THIS COMMENT FROM "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES:"

VOICE: /// OPT /// THIS HAS NOT BEEN A BANNER [GOOD] YEAR FOR AMERICAN JOURNALISTIC CREDIBILITY. AN ASSOCIATE EDITOR AT THE NEW REPUBLIC WAS FIRED FOR PHONYING UP MORE THAN A SCORE OF STORIES. A BOSTON GLOBE COLUMNIST RESIGNED AFTER ADMITTING SHE HAD FABRICATED SOURCES AND QUOTATIONS. /// END OPT /// AS EMBARRASSING AND DISTURBING AS THESE INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN, IT IS WORTH KEEPING IN MIND THAT IN EACH CASE THE DECEPTIONS, ONCE DISCOVERED, WERE QUICKLY ACKNOWLEDGED. ... SOME MISTAKES ARE ALL BUT UNAVOIDABLE IN GATHERING AND REPORTING NEWS. THAT RISK DOES NOT DIMINISH THE ESSENTIAL MANDATE OF GOOD JOURNALISM: TO SEARCH FOR FACTS DILIGENTLY AND FEARLESSLY ...

TEXT: COMMENTING ON THE RISING TENSION IN NORTHERN IRELAND, AS PROTESTANT ORANGE ORDER MARCHERS DEMAND TO BE ALLOWED TO MARCH THROUGH A MOSTLY ROMAN CATHOLIC PORTADOWN NEIGHBORHOOD, MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: THE ORANGE ORDER NOW SHOULD PUT THE PAST BEHIND IT .... AND 'MEET THE FUTURE.' IT CAN DO THIS BY CALLING OFF THE PORTADOWN PROTEST, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PARADES COMMISSION HAS AGREED TO ITS MARCH THROUGH THE [ROMAN CATHOLIC] LOWER ORMEAU SECTION OF BELFAST NEXT WEEK. SOME THINGS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN SIMPLY MAKING ONE'S POINT. MAKING PEACE, A PEACE FOR WHICH NORTHERN IRELAND HAS WAITED SO LONG, IS ONE OF THEM.

TEXT: TODAY'S "ORLANDO SENTINEL" IS GIVING PRESIDENT CLINTON A GRADE OF B ON HIS TRIP TO CHINA, CALLING IT "A SOLID EFFORT" AND SUGGESTING THAT THE TRIP -- SHOWS THAT MUCH WORK LIES AHEAD, BUT CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES ARE ON A COURSE OF STEADY PROGRESS. FINALLY, THERE ARE NUMEROUS EDITORIALS BIDDING FAREWELL TO ONE OF AMERICA'S FAVORITE CINEMA COWBOYS, ROY ROGERS, WHO DIED PEACEFULLY IN HIS SLEEP MONDAY IN CALIFORNIA, AT THE AGE OF 86. "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" REMEMBERS HIM THIS WAY:

VOICE: STARTING AS A COUNTRY-MUSIC SINGER, MR. ROGERS BECAME A SINGING COWBOY FOR REPUBLIC STUDIOS, WHICH TURNED OUT GRADE B [NOT FIRST CLASS] WESTERNS ON AN ASSEMBLY-LINE BASIS IN THE LATE 1930'S AND 1940'S. ... OFF SCREEN, MR. ROGERS REMAINED TRUE TO HIS ON-SCREEN APPEARANCE .... A FINE HORSEMAN, AND A DECENT, MODEST AND GOOD MAN. ...UNLIKE MANY OF TODAY'S CELEBRITIES, ROY ROGERS PROVIDED A MODEL WELL WORTH EMULATING. HAPPY TRAILS, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOSTALGIC NOTE, WE WILL RIDE OUT OF HERE, TOO, CONCLUDING THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TUESDAY'S U-S PAPERS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
07-Jul-98 11:55 AM EDT (1555 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] E-U/U-S-CUBA (L-ONLY) BY BILL RODGERS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A TOP EUROPEAN COMMISSION OFFICIAL SAYS THE EUROPEAN UNION WANTS THE UNITED STATES TO COMPLY WITH ITS PART OF AN AGREEMENT AVERTING A POSSIBLE CONFRONTATION WITH EUROPE OVER U-S SANCTIONS AGAINST CUBA. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION VICE PRESIDENT COMMENTED TO REPORTERS TUESDAY FOLLOWING MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON WITH TOP U-S OFFICIALS -- AS WE HEAR FROM VOA'S BILL RODGERS

TEXT: SIR LEON BRITTAN, ONE OF TWO EUROPEAN COMMISSION VICE PRESIDENTS, SAYS THE E-U IS WAITING FOR THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO SUBMIT LEGISLATION AMENDING THE CONTROVERSIAL HELMS-BURTON LAW. THE 1996 LAW CONTAINS PROVISIONS PENALIZING FOREIGN COMPANIES THAT INVEST IN FORMER U-S ASSETS NATIONALIZED BY CUBA'S COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT. THESE PROVISIONS SO ANGERED THE E-U THAT IT THREATENED TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT BEFORE THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION, ARGUING THAT THE HELMS-BURTON LAW VIOLATED FREE TRADE RULES.

BUT THIS POTENTIAL CONFRONTATION WAS AVERTED IN MAY AFTER THE UNITED STATES AND THE E-U REACHED AN AGREEMENT IN LONDON. UNDER THE ACCORD, THE E-U AGREED TO DROP ITS THREATENED ACTION BEFORE THE W-T-O IF THE UNITED STATES AMENDED THE CONTROVERSIAL PROVISIONS OF THE HELMS-BURTON LAW. IN RETURN, THE E-U WOULD DETER INVESTMENT IN ILLEGALLY-EXPROPRIATED PROPERTIES IN CUBA.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION VICE PRESIDENT BRITTAN DISCUSSED PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THIS AGREEMENT WITH TOP U-S STATE DEPARTMENT AND TRADE OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON. HE LATER TOLD REPORTERS THE E-U WILL NOT FULFILL ITS PART OF THE AGREEMENT UNTIL THE U-S CONGRESS PASSES LEGISLATION AMENDING THE HELMS-BURTON LAW.

THE AGREEEMENT SAYS THAT WE WILL DO CERTAIN THINGS IF THE UNITED STATES DOES CERTAIN THINGS. WHAT THE UNITED STATES HAS TO DO IS TO AMEND THE LEGISLATION, IF THE UNITED STATES IS NOT ABLE TO DO THAT YOU CAN'T EXPECT US TO CARRY OUT OUR PART OF THE BARGAIN.

[10] BOSNIA / WORLD CUP VIOLENCE (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVEA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY (U-N-H-C-R) REPORTS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO SOME REFUGEE PROJECTS IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA BY BOSNIAN-CROATS CELEBRATING CROATIA'S QUARTER-FINAL VICTORY OVER GERMANY IN THE WORLD CUP SATURDAY. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA SAYS THE REFUGEE AGENCY IS BRACING FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF MORE VIOLENCE AFTER CROATIA PLAYS ON WEDNESDAY.

TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS A GROUP OF BOSNIAN CROATS WENT ON A VICTORY RAMPAGE SATURDAY NIGHT IN THE TOWN OF STOLAC.

U-N-H-C-R SPOKESWOMAN JUDITH KUMIN SAYS JUBILANT CROATS POURED ONTO THE STREETS AFTER CROATIA BEAT GERMANY THREE TO ZERO IN THE WORLD CUP QUARTER FINAL. SHE SAYS A MOB OF PEOPLE MARCHED DOWN A STREET WHERE BOSNIAN MUSLIM RETURNEES WERE REBUILDING THEIR HOUSES.

ABOUT 200 PEOPLE MARCHED DOWN THE STREET, RIOTED, THREW STONES AT THE HOUSES THAT THE RETURNEES HAD BEEN REBUILDING, BROKE QUITE A FEW WINDOWS AND CAUSED SOME DAMAGE. THEY ALSO DESTROYED A WATER TANKER AND TWO BUSES WHICH U-N-H-C-R HAD BEEN USING (TO TRANSPORT) THESE MUSLIM RETURNEES.

MS. KUMIN SAYS LOCAL POLICE WERE PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE INCIDENT. BUT DID NOT INTERVENE IN TIME TO PREVENT THE DAMAGE. STOLAC, WHICH IS A CROAT-RUN TOWN IN BOSNIA-HERZOGOVINA, HAS BEEN THE SCENE OF MANY VIOLENT ETHNIC CLASHES SINCE THE END OF THE WAR THREE YEARS AGO. SO FAR, ONLY 400 OF THE EIGHT THOUSAND BOSNIAN MUSLIMS WHO FLED THE TOWN DURING THE WAR HAVE RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES. THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS THE MUSLIMS HAVE BEEN PREVENTED FROM RETURNING BY HARD-LINE CROATS.

CROATIA PLAYS FRANCE IN A SEMI-FINAL GAME ON WEDNESDAY IN PARIS. IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION, MS. KUMIN SAYS THE AGENCY IS MAKING PREPARATIONS TO PREVENT MORE VIOLENCE AGAINST ITS REFUGEE OPERATIONS AFTER THAT GAME.

WELL I CAN SAY WE'VE BEEN DOING SOME CONTINGENCY PLANNING TO SAFEGUARD SOME OF OUR RETURN PROJECTS IN AREAS WHICH MIGHT BE TARGETED BY PEOPLE CELEBRATING AN EVENTUAL VICTORY.

STOLAC IS NOT THE ONLY BOSNIAN TOWN WHERE VICTORY CELEBRATIONS TURNED UGLY. OTHER TOWNS ALSO REPORTED VIOLENT INCIDENTS. IN THE DIVIDED CITY OF MOSTAR, A 25-YEAR OLD MUSLIM WOMAN WAS KILLED AND A MAN SERIOUSLY WOUNDED BY STRAY BULLETS FIRED BY CELEBRATING CROATS. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/KL
07-Jul-98 11:13 AM EDT (1513 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: IN NORTHERN IRELAND, FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT DAY, THE STAND-OFF BETWEEN PROTESTANTS AND BRITISH SECURITY FORCES IS CONTINUING IN THE SMALL TOWN OF PORTADOWN, SOUTHWEST OF BELFAST. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: HUNDREDS OF PROTESTANTS FACED HEAVILY ARMED BRITISH SOLDIERS AND POLICE BARRING THEIR ENTRY INTO THE CATHOLIC ENCLAVE OF PORTADOWN.

SINCE SUNDAY, MEMBERS OF THE PROTESTANT 'ORANGE ORDER' HAVE BEEN PREVENTED FROM PARADING ON THEIR TRADITIONAL ROUTE WHICH TAKES THEM DOWN THE CATHOLIC GARVAGHY ROAD. THEY HAVE VOWED TO STAY IN PORTADOWN UNTIL THEY ARE ALLOWED TO DO SO -- BUT BRITISH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL ENFORCE THE DECISION BY AN INDEPENDENT 'PARADES COMMISSION' PROHIBITING THE MARCH FROM TAKING PLACE.

THE DECISION TO STOP THE TRADITIONAL 'ORANGE ORDER' MARCH IN PORTADOWN HAS SPARKED VIOLENCE IN THE PREDOMINANTLY PRO-BRITISH AREAS OF BELFAST. YOUTHS BURNED CARS AND HURLED GASOLINE BOMBS AT SECURITY OFFICERS -- AND SOME POLICE PATROLS WERE SHOT AT.

TO UNDERLINE THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS DISPATCHED AN ADDITIONAL 800 TROOPS TO THE BRITISH PROVINCE.

NORTHERN IRELAND'S NEWLY-ELECTED FIRST MINISTER AND LEADER OF THE PRO-BRITISH "ULSTER UNIONIST" PARTY -- DAVID TRIMBLE -- ONCE AGAIN APPEALED FOR CALM.

VIOLENCE IS NOT IN THE INTERESTS OF ANY SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY IN NORTHERN IRELAND. IT IS NOT IN THE INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. WE WILL, ALL OF US, BE THE POORER, WE WILL ALL OF US SUFFER IF THERE IS CONTINUED VIOLENCE AND IF VIOLENCE ESCALATES.

STANDING NEXT TO MR. TRIMBLE WAS DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER SEAMUS MALLON, A LEADING FIGURE OF THE PRO-NATIONALIST "SOCIAL, DEMOCRATIC AND LABOUR PARTY."

HE TOLD REPORTERS EFFORTS ARE CONTINUING TO FIND A PEACEFUL SOLUTION. MR. MALLON SAID THOSE EFFORTS HAVE BEEN SLOW AND TEDIOUS -- BUT HE SAID SOME PROGRESS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED.

WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS GET AN ACCOMMODATION WHICH WILL ALLOW BOTH SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO PROCEED AND LIVE THEIR LIVES OUT WITHOUT FEAR AND WITHOUT THE TYPE OF TERRIBLE TENSION THAT THEY HAVE NOW.

MR. MALLON SAID NORTHERN IRELAND'S POLITICAL LEADERS WILL NOT GIVE UP TRYING TO GET A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION. MEANWHILE, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR IS EXPECTED TO MEET LEADERS OF THE PROTESTANT 'ORANGE ORDER.' A SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE PRIME MINISTER SAID THE MEETING WILL PROBABLY TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/KL
07-Jul-98 12:24 PM EDT (1624 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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