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Voice of America, 98-09-04Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] BULGARIA'S STRUGGLE TO REFORM BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)DATE=9/4/98TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-41311 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: BEWARE OF COMPLACENCY, SAID BULGARIAN PRESIDENT PETAR STOYANOV AT THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT THIS MONTH. PROGRESS TO DATE MUST NOT BE WASTED, HE ADDED. THAT MEANS CONFRONTING THE ARMY OF BUREAUCRATS WHO USE THEIR POSITIONS TO ACQUIRE WEALTH WHILE BLOCKING REFORM. BUT HOW IS REFORM PROCEEDING IN BULGARIA? V-O-A'S ED WARNER ASKED A LEADER OF ONE OF THE NATION'S POLITICAL PARTIES AND TWO ECONOMIC ANALYSTS. TEXT: ON A RECENT TRIP TO BULGARIA, BOIAN KOULOV FOUND A MORE SUBDUED PEOPLE THAN ON PREVIOUS VISITS - SOME CLOSE TO DESPAIR. A PROFESSOR OF GEOGRAPHY AND EARTH SYSTEMS AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY IN VIRGINIA, MR. KOULOV SAYS 90 PER CENT OF BULGARIANS ARE NOW ON OR BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. THE AVERAGE MONTHLY SALARY IS LESS THAN ONE 100 DOLLARS AND GOING DOWN. FOR ALL THAT, HE REPORTS BULGARIANS STILL HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT THEY VOTED INTO OFFICE LAST YEAR. THEY HAVE SOME NOSTALGIA FOR THE MORE SECURE DAYS IN THE PAST, BUT THEY ARE ALSO REALISTS: // KOULOV ACT //PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THEY WERE BETTER OFF THEN, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THERE IS AN UNDERSTANDING THAT WHAT HAS BEEN WOULD NEVER BE AGAIN. THE SOCIAL SECURITY THAT WAS PRESENT UNDER THE PREVIOUS REGIME WOULD NEVER COME BACK, AND PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FORWARD GENERALLY. THERE CERTAINLY HAS BEEN A MENTAL CHANGE. // END ACT //THIS CHANGE IN ATTITUDE MUST BE REWARDED BY IMPROVEMENTS IN LIVING CONDITIONS, SAYS PROFESSOR KOULOV. BUT THEY ARE NOT YET IN SIGHT. THE COALITION GOVERNMENT HAS PASSED SOME CRUCIAL LEGISLATION AND HAS BROUGHT INFLATION UNDER CONTROL, BUT IT HAS NOT SPARKED AN ECONOMIC RECOVERY. PROFESSOR KOULOV SAYS THE GOVERNMENT HAS ONLY LIMITED TIME: // KOULOV ACT //THAT IS THE LAST CHANCE FOR BULGARIA, AND EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT. THEY HAVE A MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT. THEY HAVE A MAJORITY IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. THERE ARE NO POLITICAL REASONS THAT WOULD IMPEDE THEIR ACTIONS. THE GOVERNMENT ALSO HAS EXTERNAL SUPPORT - I-M-F AND THE WORLD BANK. SO THE CONDITIONS ARE THERE. WE WILL SEE IF THE GOVERNMENT HAS THE SKILLS AND THE WILL POWER TO DO IT. // END ACT //AS IN OTHER COUNTRIES OF THE FORMER SOVIET BLOC, A MAJOR TASK IS TO PRIVATIZE THE LARGE STATE RUN COMPANIES THAT DOMINATE THE ECONOMY. ANASTASIA DIMITROVA MOSER, CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE PEOPLE'S UNION PARTY IN BULGARIA, SAYS THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT MOVING FAST ENOUGH: // MOSER ACT //OF COURSE, THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT STEP BECAUSE IT MEANS CLOSING A LOT OF LOSING ENTERPRISES, THROWING A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THE STREET. BUT THE SOONER THIS IS DONE THE BETTER, BECAUSE THOSE LOSING ENTERPRISES LEFT OVER FROM THE COMMUNIST REGIME CANNOT COMPETE IN THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET. PRIVATIZATION IS ONE OF THE BASIC MEASURES OF THE REFORM. // END ACT //NOT EVERBODY FAVORS REFORM, ESPECIALLY A NEW CADRE OF BUREAUCRATS WHO, LIKE THEIR COMMUNIST PREDECESSORS, LOOK ON THEIR JOBS AS A WAY TO GET RICH OFF THE STATE. THIS KIND OF CORRUPTION STYMIES REFORM, SAYS CHARLES MOVIT, VICE PRESIDENT OF PLANECON, AN ECONOMIC CONSULTING AND FORECASTING FIRM THAT SPECIALIZES IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE. HE NOTES THE FRUSTRATION OF FOREIGN INVESTORS: // MOVIT ACT //FIRMS CAN BE NEGOTIATING OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME TO PURCHASE A STATE OWNED ASSET, AND AT THE LAST MINUTE, A GROUP OF THE MANAGEMENT FINDS SOME SORT OF FINANCING AND USES POLITICAL INFLUENCE TO DERAIL THE DEAL, AND THEY END UP ACQUIRING THE COMPANY ON VERY PREFERENTIAL TERMS. THAT SORT OF AN ENVIRONMENT IS NOT CONDUCIVE TO ATTRACTING INVESTORS AND ALSO NOT CONDUCIVE TO LAUNCHING A RECOVERY BASED ON A VIBRANT PRIVATE SECTOR. // END ACT //WITHOUT OUTSIDE INVESTMENT, SAYS MR. MOVIT, THERE WILL BE NO
ECONOMIC TAKEOFF, AND THE SMALL, STRUGGLING PRIVATE SECTOR WILL
NOT GROW. (SIGNED)
[02] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)DATE=9/4/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-238179 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: MAJOR WEST EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS ENDED THE TRADING WEEK FRIDAY IN POSITIVE TERRITORY. PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES. TEXT: WHILE EACH OF THE BIG MARKETS IN PARIS, LONDON, AND FRANKFURT POSTED GAINS AT THE CLOSE, SOME SMALLER MARKETS, NOTABLY MILAN AND MADRID, CLOSED LOWER. THOSE MARKETS TRACK COMPANIES WITH LINKS TO LATIN AMERICA -- THE LATEST REGION TO FEEL THE EFFECTS OF THE WORLD STOCK MARKET RETREAT. AT THE CLOSE OF TRADING FRIDAY, THE LONDON "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF BRITISH STOCKS CLOSED UP 48 POINTS. THE PARIS "CAC 40" STOCK INDEX WAS UP 44 POINTS. AND THE GERMAN "DAX" ENDED THE WEEK'S TRADING WITH A NEARLY 68-POINT GAIN. IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, THE VALUE ADDED IN EACH OF THOSE MARKETS WAS ABOUT ONE PERCENT FOR THE DAY. NEVERTHELESS FOR THE WEEK AS A WHOLE, FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS
WERE ALL DOWN IN THE RANGE OF ONE PERCENT. (SIGNED)
[03] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)DATE=9/4/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-238179 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: MAJOR WEST EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS ENDED THE TRADING WEEK FRIDAY IN POSITIVE TERRITORY. PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES. TEXT: WHILE EACH OF THE BIG MARKETS IN PARIS, LONDON, AND FRANKFURT POSTED GAINS AT THE CLOSE, SOME SMALLER MARKETS, NOTABLY MILAN AND MADRID, CLOSED LOWER. THOSE MARKETS TRACK COMPANIES WITH LINKS TO LATIN AMERICA -- THE LATEST REGION TO FEEL THE EFFECTS OF THE WORLD STOCK MARKET RETREAT. AT THE CLOSE OF TRADING FRIDAY, THE LONDON "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF BRITISH STOCKS CLOSED UP 48 POINTS. THE PARIS "CAC 40" STOCK INDEX WAS UP 44 POINTS. AND THE GERMAN "DAX" ENDED THE WEEK'S TRADING WITH A NEARLY 68-POINT GAIN. IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, THE VALUE ADDED IN EACH OF THOSE MARKETS WAS ABOUT ONE PERCENT FOR THE DAY. NEVERTHELESS FOR THE WEEK AS A WHOLE, FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS
WERE ALL DOWN IN THE RANGE OF ONE PERCENT. (SIGNED)
[04] EURO STOCKS WEEKEND (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)DATE=9/4/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-238179 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// EDS: DO NOT USE AFTER 0730 UTC MONDAY -- 3:30 AM EDT ///INTRO: THE MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE CLOSED TRADING THIS PAST WEEK BY POSTING HIGHER PRICES ON FRIDAY, BUT LOWER PRICES OVERALL FOR THE WEEK. PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON REVIEWS THE FIGURES. TEXT: FOLLOWING THE BIG DROP MONDAY IN NEW YORK'S MARKETS AND THE CONTINUING POLITICAL DRAMA IN MOSCOW, STOCK MARKETS IN LONDON, PARIS AND FRANKFURT THIS PAST WEEK TOOK INVESTORS ON A GYRATING RIDE. FOR THE WEEK, EACH OF THE MAJOR STOCK INDEXES IN THOSE CITIES POSTED A LOSS RANGING FROM ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT ON THE PARIS "CAC 40" -- DOWN 18 POINTS FOR THE WEEK ... TO A LITTLE MORE THAN A ONE PERCENT LOSS ON THE FRANKFURT "DAX" -- DOWN 61 POINTS FOR THE WEEK ... TO MORE THAN A PERCENT-AND-A-HALF LOWER ON THE LONDON "FOOTSIE" 100, WHICH SHED MORE THAN 82 POINTS OVERALL. SINCE EACH OF THOSE INDEXES POSTED RECORD CLOSING HIGHS IN
MID-JULY, THIS NOTABLE MARKET CORRECTION HAS SEEN THE "FOOTSIE"
AND "CAC" INDEXES OFF BY ABOUT 16 PERCENT IN VALUE, WHILE THE
"DAX" IS OFF ABOUT 21 PERCENT. (SIGNED)
[05] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=09/04/98TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-10896 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= ////////INTRO: U-S PAPERS ARE REACTING IN THEIR EDITORIAL COLUMNS TO THE CRASH OF THE SWISS AIR JETLINER OFF THE COAST OF NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA. AS THE NEW YORK PAPERS POINT OUT, IT IS A CASE OF DEJA VU FOR MANY IN THEIR REGION, BRINGING BACK MEMORIES OF THE TWA EXPLOSION OFF LONG ISLAND. PRESIDENT CLINTON COMES IN FOR MORE CRITICISM IN THE MONICA LEWINSKY AFFAIR, ///OPT /// AND THERE IS ALSO SOME THOUGHTS ON RUSSIA'S BLEAK ECONOMIC SITUATION. /// END OPT /// THE PAPERS ARE ALSO COMMENTING ON: THE GULF WAR SYNDROME CONTROVERSY; AND SOME DISTURBING CHANGES IN MALAYSIA. NOW, HERE AT OUR V-O-A MICROPHONE IS _______________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: FROM FLORIDA TO MAINE, PAPERS ARE LAMENTING THE TRAGIC CRASH OF SWISSAIR FLIGHT 111, KILLING ALL 229 PEOPLE ON BOARD. "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" CALLS IT "A TRAGIC LOSS," ADDING: VOICE: /// OPT /// IDEALLY, CANADIAN AUTHORITIES - - WITH HELP FROM U-S NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD INVESTIGATORS AND THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION - - WILL FIND OUT QUICKLY WHAT CAUSED THE AMERICAN-MADE SWISSAIR JET TO PLUNGE INTO THE ATLANTIC /// END OPT /// ..... WITH TRAGEDIES OF SUCH TREMENDOUS SCOPE, IT'S EASY TO FORGET THAT EACH VICTIM WAS A SPOUSE, A SIBLING, A CHILD OR A LOVED ONE - - EACH DEATH AN UNSPEAKABLE SORROW FOR SURVIVING FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. /// OPT /// ... THE KEY, THEN, IS TO FOCUS ON WHAT DID CAUSE THE JETLINER TO FAIL - - IF ONLY TO PREVENT SUCH TRAGEDIES IN THE FUTURE./// END OPT /// TEXT: /// OPT /// MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" NEARER THE CRASH SITE, LAMENTS THE LOSS OF SO MANY UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS ABOARD THE DOMED PLANE. VOICE: A NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON BOARD WERE ENGAGED IN EFFORTS TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE. AMONG THEM WERE SEVEN UNITED NATIONS WORKERS AND DR. JONATHAN MANN AND HIS WIFE, MARY-LOU CLEMENTS-MANN. [MR.] MANN WAS A PIONEER IN AIDS RESEARCH, AND FORMERLY HEADED THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION'S GLOBAL PROGRAM ON AIDS. ..... THE WORLD IS POORER TODAY FOR THE LOSS ..... /// END OPT /// TEXT: IN NEW YORK, "THE DAILY NEWS" SAYS THE CRASH BRINGS BACK PAINFUL MEMORIES, ONLY RECENTLY BEGINNING TO FADE. VOICE: /// OPT /// FOR NEW YORKERS, THE STORY, THE SETTING, THE IMAGES, WERE CHILLINGLY FAMILIAR. A PLANE WAS DOWN JUST OFF THE COAST. AN ARMADA OF RESCUE BOATS HAD BEEN LAUNCHED. SHOCKED LOCAL RESIDENTS GATHERED ON THE BEACHES. /// END OPT /// ... LAST TIME, TWO YEARS AGO, THE SCENE WAS LONG ISLAND, WHERE TWA FLIGHT 800 OUT OF KENNEDY AIRPORT PLUNGED INTO THE ATLANTIC, TAKING WITH IT 230 SOULS. ... AS HUMANKIND MOURNS THE LOST AND PRAYS FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES, IT ALSO PONDERS THE FRAGILITY OF LIFE AND, AS EVER, MUDDLES ITS COLLECTIVE BRAIN TRYING TO COMPREHEND FATE OR DESTINY OR GOD OR BAD LUCK OR WHATEVER PROTECTS SOME PEOPLE AND HANDS OTHERS ONE-WAY TICKETS TO ETERNITY. TEXT: ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED SENATE DEMOCRATS, JOSEPH LIEBERMAN, OF CONNECTICUT, LONG A SUPPORTER OF PRESIDENT CLINTON, DELIVERED A STRONG CRITICISM OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S BEHAVIOR IN THE SENATE THURSDAY. THERE IS THIS COMMENT FROM "USA TODAY," WHICH SUPPORTS THE CRITICISM. VOICE: APPARENTLY, THE PRESIDENT STILL DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE SCALE OF HIS TRANSGRESSIONS - - THAT HE'S NOT JUST OFFENDED HIS FAMILY BUT SHAMED HIS OFFICE AND EMBARRASSED HIS NATION. INCREASINGLY, THOUGH, OTHERS TO. TALK OF AN UNPRECEDENTED CENSURE BY THE SENATE HAS GROWN STEADILY SINCE THE PRESIDENT'S ADMISSION, AND THURSDAY SENATOR ... LIEBERMAN, A DEMOCRAT AND CLINTON ALLY, RAISED THE PROFILE. HE TOOK THE SENATE FLOOR TO SAY ... THE PRESIDENT'S BEHAVIOR DEMANDS 'SOME MEASURE OF PUBLIC REBUKE AND ACCOUNTABILITY.' INDEED. /// OPT ///TEXT: IN NEBRASKA, "THE OMAHA WORLD-HERALD" PICKS UP WHAT IT SAYS ARE INCONSISTENCIES OF MR. CLINTON'S COMMENTS ON THE AFFAIR, POINTING OUT THAT HE HAS YET TO SAY HE IS SORRY FOR MISLEADING HIS FAMILY AND THE NATION. VOICE: THE 'REGRET' THE PRESIDENT SPOKE OF ON AUGUST 17TH WAS REGRET ONLY ABOUT HAVING MISLED HILLARY CLINTON AND OTHERS. YET IN MOSCOW ON WEDNESDAY (9/2) [MR.] CLINTON SAID IT WAS 'CLEAR' THAT ON AUGUST 17TH HE WAS 'EXPRESSING MY PROFOUND REGRET TO ALL WHO WERE HURT AND TO ALL WHO WERE INVOLVED.' YEAH, RIGHT. IT WASN'T CLEAR AT ALL. IT WAS THE SAME OLD [BILL] CLINTON WORD-SPLITTING. /// OPT /// LIKE SAYING ORAL SEX IS NOT SEX. ... AGAIN, THE REGRET EXPRESSED BY THE PRESIDENT ON AUGUST 17TH WAS FOR HAVING DECEIVED AND FOR HAVING BEEN CAUGHT. IT WAS NOT REGRET FOR HAVING BEHAVED LIKE A FOOL. NOR WAS IT REGRET 'TO ALL WHO WERE HURT,' INCLUDING MONICA LEWINSKY. /// END OPT ///TEXT: IN WHAT MAY BE OTHER BAD NEWS FOR THE PRESIDENT, IT APPEARS ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO IS MOVING TOWARD APPOINTING A SPECIAL COUNSEL TO PROBE PRESIDENTIAL FUND RAISING IRREGULARITIES DURING THE 1996 CAMPAIGN. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" WHICH HAS BEEN EDITORIALIZING REPEATEDLY FOR SUCH A MOVE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, IS PLEASED. VOICE: FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS MS. RENO HAS STUBBORNLY BLOCKED AN UNRESTRICTED INVESTIGATION INTO ONE OF THE MOST CORRUPT ELECTION CAMPAIGNS IN MODERN HISTORY. RECENTLY SHE BEGAN RECONSIDERING ON THE NARROW QUESTION OF WHETHER HAROLD ICKES AND VICE PRESIDENT GORE MAY HAVE LIED ABOUT THEIR OWN CAMPAIGN PRACTICES. BUT THERE IS NO NEED FOR MORE DITHERING [INDECISION]. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHOULD COMBINE ALL THE CAMPAIGN ISSUES, INCLUDING SUCH EXCESSES AS THE DEMOCRATS' HARVESTING OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FOREIGN MONEY, POSSIBLY IN RETURN FOR FAVORS TO CHINA, UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF ONE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR. IT HAS LONG BEEN OBVIOUS THAT SUCH A STEP IS NECESSARY. TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" TOTALLY DISAGREES, EXPLAINING: VOICE: BOTH PARTIES PUSHED THE LINE IN THE 1996 ELECTION, BUT IT IS FAR FROM CLEAR THAT THEIR CONDUCT VIOLATED CRIMINAL LAW. INDEED, THIS BODY OF LAW IS SO MURKY [UNCLEAR, NOT PRECISE] THAT EVEN AS REPUBLICANS BLAST MS. RENO'S READING OF IT, THEIR OWN PARTY PARROTS HER LEGAL VIEWS IN FEDERAL COURT AS THE CORRECT ANALYSIS. THE PRUDENT RESPONSE TO THIS AMBIGUITY - - AND THE ONE MS. RENO HAS TAKEN TO DATE - - IS TO REFUSE TO INVOKE THE [INDEPENDENT COUNSEL] STATUTE. /// OPT ///TEXT: OVERSEAS QUICKLY, AND THIS COMMENT ON RUSSIAN ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CRISIS FROM "THE [MAINE] PORTLAND PRESS HERALD." VOICE: RUSSIA'S SITUATION [IS] BLEAK, DESPITE [MR.] CLINTON'S ADVICE. ... WITH MILLIONS OF WORKERS GOING UNPAID AND FOREIGN INVESTORS FLEEING, [PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN] ... HAS RESPONDED WITH A GOVERNMENT SHAKEUP THAT FIRED THE FREE-MARKET REFORMERS IN WHOM WESTERN EXPERTS HAD PLACED SO MUCH HOPE. ..... THIS GOVERNMENTAL INFIGHTING HAS LEFT NO ONE IN CHARGE TO WAGE A BATTLE TO IMPROVE THE NATIONAL ECONOMY ..... [MR.] CLINTON CALLED ON RUSSIANS TO MAKE THE SACRIFICES THAT ESTABLISHING A FREE ECONOMY WOULD DEMAND. THE WEST CAN ONLY HOPE HIS MESSAGE GOT THROUGH. TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS WRITING ABOUT WHAT IT CALLS "A MAJOR PUBLIC HEALTH ADVANCE," A CONTRACEPTIVE PILL WOMEN CAN TAKE AS LONG AS THREE DAYS AFTER INTERCOURSE. VOICE: REPRODUCTIVE EXPERTS SAY WIDESPREAD USE OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION, LIKE THE NEW PILL, COULD PREVENT UP TO THREE MILLION UNINTENDED PREGNANCIES AND 800-THOUSAND ABORTIONS ANNUALLY. /// OPT /// THAT INCLUDES HALF OF ALL ABORTIONS AND UNWANTED PREGNANCIES NOW OCCURRING IN THIS COUNTRY, ACCORDING TO ONE ESTIMATE. /// END OPT /// END OPT ///TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" HAS THIS COMMENT TO THE LATEST REPORT ABOUT A SERIES OF SYMPTOMS SUFFERED BY GULF WAR VETERANS, AND THE SUBJECT OF NUMEROUS STUDIES. VOICE: VETERANS OF THE PERSIAN GULF WAR .... BELIEVE ... THEIR WIDE-RANGING SYMPTOMS CAN BE EXPLAINED ONLY BY SOME HITHERTO UNDISCLOSED EXPOSURE TO CHEMICAL WEAPONS. ..... A REPORT ISSUED BY THE SENATE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE - - WHICH HAS LOBBIED HARD IN SUPPORT OF VETERANS' CLAIMS - - PUTS ANY MEDICAL EXPLANATION OF THIS TYPE EVEN FARTHER OUT OF REACH BY CONCLUDING THAT NO EVIDENCE EXISTS THAT ANY SUCH LARGE-SCALE EXPOSURE EVEN OCCURRED. ..... HISTORY SHOULD NOT OVERSHADOW THE REPORT'S ADMISSION: THAT A CENTRAL ASSUMPTION ADVANCED FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF 'GULF WAR SYNDROME' AS AN ACTION-RELATED CASUALTY CANNOT BE PROVEN. TEXT: LASTLY, AS REGARDS A CONTROVERSIAL STEP BY MALAYSIA'S GOVERNMENT ENACTING STRICT CURRENCY CONTROLS, TO HELP ISOLATE IT FROM EFFECTS OF THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" COMMENTS: VOICE: MALAYSIA'S CONTROVERSIAL PRIME MINISTER MAHATHIR MOHAMAD HAS CAST NEW UNCERTAINTY OVER HIS NATION'S ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL FUTURE /// OPT /// BY IMPOSING RADICAL CURRENCY CONTROLS AND SACKING ANWAR IBRAHIM, HIS DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND FINANCE MINISTER. /// END OPT /// IN WORD AND DEED, THE MALAYSIAN LEADER HAS TURNED HIS BACK ON OPEN MARKETS. FORTRESS MALAYSIA BECOMES A BAD EXAMPLE FOR OTHER ASIAN NATIONS STRUGGLING TO RECOVER FROM ECONOMIC COLLAPSE. TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE END THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT
FROM FRIDAY'S U-S PRESS.
[06] HILL/KOSOVO (S & L) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)DATE=9/4/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-238188 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE SPECIAL U-S ENVOY FOR KOSOVO SAYS SERBIAN OFFICIALS ARE OBJECTING TO A KEY ELEMENT IN PROPOSED TALKS AIMED AT ENDING FIGHTING IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE, WHERE ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE DEMANDING INDEPENDENCE. STILL, CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS, AMBASSADOR CHRISTOPHER HILL -- WHO HAS JUST RETURNED FROM THE REGION -- IS CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC NEGOTIATIONS ON KOSOVO'S FUTURE CAN GET UNDERWAY. TEXT: THE TWO SIDES IN THE KOSOVO CONFLICT HAVE REACHED TENTATIVE AGREEMENT TO PUT OFF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE REGION'S FINAL STATUS FOR THREE YEARS. IN THE MEANTIME, TALKS WOULD BE HELD UNDER THE FRAMEWORK OF AN INTERIM ACCORD TO ESTABLISH DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IN THE PROVINCE. BUT AMBASSADOR HILL SAYS SERB AUTHORITIES HAVE ALREADY RAISED OBJECTIONS. // HILL ACT //ALTHOUGH THE SERB SIDE HAS AGREED THAT THE ISSUE CAN BE LOOKED AT AGAIN IN THREE YEARS WITH FURTHER MEASURES, THEY DON'T WANT TO CALL IT AN INTERIM ACCORD. THEIR CONCERN IS THAT IF YOU CALL IT AN INTERIM ACCORD, YOU WILL BE UNDERMINING THE VALUE OF THE ACCORD, THAT IS YOU WILL BE STARTING A SORT OF COUNTDOWN TO INDEPENDENCE. // END ACT //HE INDICATED IT'S TOO EARLY TO PREDICT WHETHER BOTH SIDES WILL IN FACT, STOP FIGHTING AND ENGAGE IN FACE TO FACE TALKS. // OPT SECOND ACT FOR LONG //IF WE CAN GET THIS AGREEMENT, AND WE HAVE MANY, MANY MILES AHEAD OF US BEFORE WE CAN DO THAT, I THINK WE CAN THEN SEE IF WE CAN ESTABLISH DEMOCRACY IN KOSOVO EVEN IF IT BECOMES AN IRONIC FACT THAT DEMOCRACY WOULD ONLY BE IN KOSOVO BECAUSE IT IS NOT IN THE REST OF YUGOSLAVIA. // END ACT //THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPEAN NATIONS DO NOT SUPPORT DEMANDS BY
KOSOVAR ALBANIANS FOR INDEPENDENCE. FIGHTING BETWEEN SERB FORCES
AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS HAS KILLED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN THE
PROVINCE THIS YEAR AND HAS RAISED THE THREAT OF A WIDER BALKAN
WAR. (SIGNED)
[07] KOSOVO / CHILDREN (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)DATE=9/4/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-238174 CONTENT= INTRO: WITH WINTER NEARING IN KOSOVO, THE FATE OF THOUSANDS OF DISPLACED PERSONS -- ESPECIALLY CHILDREN -- IS HIGH ON THE LIST OF FOREIGN AID GROUPS. BUT GETTING AID TO THE NEEDY IS NOT THAT SIMPLE. A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE INTERNATIONAL AID GROUP, SAVE THE CHILDREN, HAS JUST RETURNED FROM KOSOVO WITH THE LATEST ASSESSMENT OF SITUATION THERE. V-O-A'S LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON. TEXT: SAVE THE CHILDREN WARNS OF A HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE IF ACTION IS NOT TAKEN SOON TO HELP THOUSANDS OF DISPLACED PERSONS IN KOSOVO. DAN SEYMOUR, HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER IN THE ORGANIZATION'S LONDON OFFICE, HAS JUST RETURNED FROM KOSOVO AND DESCRIBES THE DETERIORATING SITUATION IN THE HILLS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE FLED THE FIGHTING. /// SEYMOUR ACT ///THEY SOMETIMES HAVE SET UP SHELTERS WITH BRANCHES OR WHATEVER THEY CAN GET THEIR HANDS ON. THERE ARE SNAKES UP THERE. PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM SNAKE BITES. IT GETS COLD UP THERE AT NIGHT. IT WILL GET COLDER. ACCESS TO CLEAN DRINKING WATER IS QUESTIONABLE. THEY'RE VERY FRIGHTENED. THEY'RE AFRAID IF THEY GO INTO MORE ACCESSIBLE AREAS, THEY'LL BE FOUND AND BE IN SOME KIND OF TROUBLE. /// END ACT ///MR SEYMOUR SAYS THE CHILDREN ARE MOST AT RISK. /// SEYMOUR 2ND ACT ///I'VE SEEN KIDS WITH SCABIES, LICE, VARIOUS OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS. THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO MEDICAL ATTENTION. CHILDREN HAVE DIED IN CHILDBIRTH. /// END ACT ///SEVERAL AID GROUPS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO BRING IN FOOD AND MEDICINES. BUT THEY ARE OFTEN BLOCKED BY SERB TROOPS AND REBEL FIGHTERS. /// SEYMOUR 3RD ACT ///BASICALLY, WE ARE VERY MUCH AT THE MERCY OF THE COMBATANTS TO ALLOW US ACCESS TO THESE POPULATIONS. WE'RE ALSO VERY LIMITED BY THE FACT WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO OPERATE RADIOS. THAT MEANS AS SOON AS WE GO OUT OF MOBILE PHONE NETWORK RANGE -- WHICH MEANS OUTSIDE PRISTINA -- WE CAN'T TALK TO EACH OTHER. SO WE DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S SAFE TO GO, OR NOT SAFE TO GO, OR WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE, SO WE CAN'T RESPOND VERY QUICKLY. SO THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM. /// END ACT ///MR SEYMOUR SAYS HIS GROUP IS NOW PUTTING TOGETHER WHAT HE CALLS EMERGENCY FAMILY KITS TO HELP THE DISPLACED GET THROUGH THE COMING COLD MONTHS. /// SEYMOUR 4TH ACT ///WE'RE DELIVERING THINGS LIKE RUBBER BOOTS FOR CHILDREN, UNDERWEAR, SANITARY ITEMS, DISINFECTANTS, SALTS, JACKETS, AND OTHER THINGS THAT ARE ACTUALLY VERY ESSENTIAL, ESPECIALLY WITH WINTER COMING ON. AND THESE ARE ALL PACKAGED IN A LARGE WATER BARREL, WHICH CAN THEN BE FILLED AND PROVIDE CLEAN WATER. AND OTHER AGENCIES ARE PROVIDING THINGS LIKE CHLORINE TABLETS TO MAKE SURE THE WATER IS CLEAN. /// END ACT ///SAVE THE CHILDREN HAS CALLED ON BOTH SIDES IN KOSOVO'S CONFLICT
TO RESPECT THE RIGHT OF THE DISPLACED TO HAVE ACCESS TO
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE. BUT MR SEYMOUR WARNS THAT TIME IS
RUNNING OUT. (SIGNED)
[08] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=9/4/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-238186 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (FRIDAY) IN ANOTHER NERVOUS AND VOLATILE SESSION. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 76 HUNDRED 40, DOWN ALMOST 42 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST 411 POINTS OR ALMOST FIVE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT NINE HUNDRED 73, DOWN EIGHT POINTS. STOCK PRICES WERE DOWN FOR MOST OF THE DAY BUT THE SELLING ACCELERATED LATE IN THE SESSION WITH THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE DROPPING ABOUT 180 POINTS BEFORE RECOVERING. ANALYSTS SAY MANY TRADERS DID NOT WANT TO HOLD STOCK POSITIONS IN ADVANCE OF THE THREE-DAY LABOR DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND IN THE UNITED STATES. U-S FINANCIAL MARKETS WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY. THERE WAS OF COURSE, CONTINUED CONCERN ABOUT FINANCIAL PROBLEMS IN ASIA, RUSSIA AND, RECENTLY, IN LATIN AMERICA. ///REST OPT///MANY ANALYSTS, SUCH AS BILL MEEHAN OF THE CANTOR FITZGERALD INVESTMENT COMPANY, EXPECT STOCK MARKET VOLATILITY WILL CONTINUE. ///MEEHAN ACT///I WOULD BE AMAZED IF WE DO NOT CONTINUE TO SEE QUITE A BIT OF VOLATILITY. THERE IS UNCERTAINTY NOT ONLY OF AN ECONOMIC NATURE BUT OF A POLITICAL NATURE THROUGHOUT THE EMERGING ECONOMIES. ///END ACT///THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS THE U-S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS UNCHANGED IN AUGUST AT FOUR AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. A RETURN TO WORK BY STRIKING GENERAL MOTORS WORKERS HELPED TO SWELL THE NUMBER OF NEW JOBS TO 365-THOUSAND BUT THAT WAS SLIGHTLY BELOW WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS. COOPER INDUSTRIES OF THE UNITED STATES WILL PAY 535 MILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE THE T-L-G COMPANY OF BRITAIN. THE COMBINED COMPANY WILL BE A WORLD LEADER IN LIGHTING FIXTURES WITH MORE THAN ONE POINT SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS IN ANNUAL REVENUES. THE SATURN CAR DIVISION OF GENERAL MOTORS HAS AVERTED A STRIKE.
UNION AND MANAGEMENT AT SATURN ANNOUNCED THEY HAVE REACHED
AGREEMENT ON ISSUES WHICH HAD THREATENED THE FIRST STRIKE AT
SATURN.(SIGNED)
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