Voice of America Digest, 19 January 1996

From: "Ioannis V. Bousnakis" <[email protected]>

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] !!! VOA DIGEST - JANUARY 19, 1996 !!!

RUSSIA / CIS -- PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS CALLED ON RUSSIA'S NEIGHBORS TO FORM A COLLECTIVE SECURITY SHIELD TO BALANCE NATO'S MILITARY MIGHT. YELTSIN MADE THE COMMENT DURING A SUMMIT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES. STRINGER PETER HEINLEIN IN MOSCOW REPORTS THE RUSSIAN LEADER ALSO USED THE OCCASION TO REAFFIRM HIS COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC REFORMS. (1/19)

RUSSIA / CHECHNYA -- RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN IS DEFENDING HIS DECISION TO ORDER THE ARMY TO CRUSH CHECHEN REBELS IN THE VILLAGE OF PERVOMAISKOYE IN SOUTHERN RUSSIA. BUT AS CORRESPONDENT PETER COLLINS REPORTS FROM MOSCOW, THE OUTCOME OF THE OPERATION TO FREE HOSTAGES HELD BY THE REBELS HAS PROVOKED A STORM OF CRITICISM IN THE RUSSIAN MEDIA AND POLITICS. (1/19)

RUSSIA / PERVOMAISKOYE -- RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS DECLARED VICTORY AT PERVOMAISKOYE, SAYING REBEL FORCES WERE WIPED OUT AND 82 HOSTAGES RESCUED. BUT AS WE HEAR FROM PETER HEINLEIN IN MOSCOW, OTHER REPORTS FROM THE SCENE HAVE CALLED YELTSIN'S VERSION INTO QUESTION. (1/18)

CHRISTOPHER / RUSSIA -- SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS WARNED RUSSIA THAT AMERICAN SUPPORT IS DEPENDENT ON A CONTINUATION OF REFORM EFFORTS AND AN END TO THE VIOLENCE IN CHECHNYA. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT ON CHRISTOPHER'S ADDRESS TO HARVARD UNIVERSITY'S KENNEDY SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT. (1/18)

BOSNIA / NATO -- SOUTH AFRICAN JUDGE RICHARD GOLDSTONE, WHO IS THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR IN THE UN TRIBUNAL INVESTIGATING WAR CRIMES IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, HAS HIT OUT AT THE SERBS. HE WAS SPEAKING AT NATO HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS, WHERE HE HAS BEEN SEEKING SUPPORT FOR HIS WORK. THE JUDGE WARNED THAT IF THE SERBS CONTINUE TO REFUSE TO COOPERATE WITH HIM, THEY MAY FACE RENEWED INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS. STRINGER JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS. ( 1/19)

DEFENSE / BOSNIA -- HERE IN WASHINGTON, DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY THE BOSNIAN PARTIES APPARENTLY WILL MAKE THE MIDNIGHT FRIDAY DEADLINE FOR PULLING BACK FROM CONFRONTATION LINES AROUND THE COUNTRY. NATO'S PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE WILL ENFORCE THE ZONE OF SEPARATION BETWEEN THE FACTIONS. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON. (1/18)

PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS / PREVIEW -- FINAL PREPARATIONS ARE UNDER WAY FOR SATURDAY'S PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS, WITH A MILLION VOTERS SET TO GO TO THE POLLS TO ELECT A PRESIDENT FOR THE PALESTINIAN AUTONOMY AUTHORITY AND AN 88-MEMBER COUNCIL. CORRESPONDENT AL PESSIN REPORTS FROM JERUSALEM. (1/19)

PALESTINIAN BALLOTING -- THE PALESTINIANS LIVING IN THE WEST BANK, GAZA STRIP AND EAST JERUSALEM TERRITORIES NOW ADMINISTERED BY CHAIRMAN YASSER ARAFAT'S PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY, WILL VOTE SATURDAY TO ELECT A PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. FROM WASHINGTON, DAUD MAJLIS REPORTS ON HOW SOME PALESTINIAN LEADERS ARE LOOKING AT DEMOCRACY IN ACTION FOR THE FIRST TIME. (9/19)

PALESTINE ELECTION / OBSERVERS -- THE FORMER US PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER ARRIVED IN JERUSALEM THURSDAY TO JOIN A TEAM OF MORE THAN 700 FOREIGNERS AND TWO THOUSAND PALESTINIANS WHO WILL MONITOR SATURDAY'S PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS. CORRESPONDENT AL PESSIN REPORTS FROM JERUSALEM THE OBSERVERS HAVE POINTED TO SOME PROBLEMS, BUT ARE GENERALLY SATISFIED WITH WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN SO FAR. (1/18)

ISRAEL / SYRIA -- WITH ISRAEL-SYRIA PEACE TALKS SCHEDULED TO RESUME NEXT WEEK, US SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS TOLD AN ISRAELI NEWSPAPER THERE IS REAL HOPE OF AN ISRAEL-SYRIA PEACE AGREEMENT THIS YEAR. CORRESPONDENT AL PESSIN IN JERUSALEM REPORTS THE COMMENTS WERE PUBLISHED THE DAY AFTER ONE OF THE ISRAELI NEGOTIATORS REFERRED TO A "REVOLUTIONARY" CHANGE IN APPROACH BY THE SYRIAN PRESIDENT HAFEZ AL-ASSAD. (1/19)

CHINA / DISSIDENT RELEASED -- A LEADING CHINESE PRO-DEMOCRACY ADVOCATE HAS BEEN RELEASED AFTER ALMOST SEVEN MONTHS IN DETENTION WITHOUT CHARGES. CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER REPORTS FROM BEIJING, LIU XIAOBO CAME TO PROMINENCE DURING THE 1989 TIANANMEN SQUARE DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT. (1/19)

CAMBODIA / VIETNAM -- CAMBODIAN-VIETNAMESE RELATIONS HAVE TAKEN A TURN FOR THE WORSE THIS WEEK WITH CAMBODIA'S FIRST PRIME MINISTER ACCUSING VIETNAMESE TROOPS OF BACKING A BORDER INCURSION INTO CAMBODIAN TERRITORY. STRINGER TRICIA FITZGERALD REPORTS FROM PHNOM PENH. (1/19)

MALAYSIA / ARRESTS -- A VIETNAMESE MAN HAS DIED FROM INJURIES RECEIVED AFTER CLASHES WITH POLICE AT A REFUGEE CAMP OUTSIDE THE MALAYSIAN CAPITAL ON THURSDAY. STRINGER PETER KANDIAH REPORTS FROM KUALA LUMPUR, POLICE HAVE FOUND WHAT THEY SAY ARE INGREDIENTS FOR MAKING BOMBS. (1/19)

BANGLA / POL -- BANGLADESH PLANS TO HOLD A VIRTUAL ONE-PARTY ELECTION NEXT MONTH, A MOVE THAT IS RAISING FEARS ABOUT POLITICAL STABILITY IN THE POOR SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRY. CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL DRUDGE ANALYZES THE SITUATION. (1/19)

BURUNDI / REFUGEES -- ANOTHER GROUP OF RWANDAN REFUGEES FLEEING INSECURITY IN NORTHERN BURUNDI HAS MANAGED TO CROSS INTO TANZANIA. BUT CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTS UN OFFICIALS INDICATE THE CRISIS IN THE AREA APPEARS TO BE OVER AT LEAST FOR THE MOMENT. (1/19)

SAF / DEFENSE SMUGGLING -- IN SOUTH AFRICA, REVELATIONS OF YET ANOTHER APARTHEID-ERA SCANDAL HAVE SPARKED OUTRAGE IN MANY QUARTERS. STRINGER DELIA ROBERTSON IN JOHANNESBURG TELLS US AN OFFICIAL REPORT WAS RELEASED THIS WEEK, REVEALING SOUTH AFRICAN DEFENSE FORCE INVOLVEMENT IN ELEPHANT IVORY AND RHINO HORN SMUGGLING IN BEHALF OF ANGOLA'S UNITA MOVEMENT. (1/19)

GERMANY / ARSON -- GERMAN AUTHORITIES WHO ARE PROBING THE DEADLY FIRE THAT SWEPT THROUGH A HOME FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS EARLY THURSDAY SAY THEY HAVE RELEASED THREE MEN WHO HAD BEEN HELD FOR QUESTIONING. CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS OFFICIALS IN THE NORTHERN PORT CITY OF LUEBECK STILL HAVE NOT DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE INVESTIGATING THE POSSIBILITY OF ARSON. (1/19)

EAST EURO / INVESTMENT -- DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN THE THREE FASTEST REFORMING ECONOMIES OF EAST EUROPE ROSE LAST YEAR BY 43-PERCENT. CORRESPONDENT BARRY WOOD REPORTS THAT POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, AND HUNGARY ARE THUS WIDENING THEIR LEAD OVER THE REGION'S OTHER POST-COMMUNIST ECONOMIES. (1/19)

CONGRESS / CLINTON BUDGET -- US CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS HAVE REJECTED PRESIDENT CLINTON'S CALL TO REOPEN TALKS ON BALANCING THE NATION'S BUDGET. THE LAWMAKERS INSIST THE WHITE HOUSE COME FORWARD WITH NEW IDEAS FIRST. SENATE CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS. (1/18)

RUBIN / G-7 / BUDGET -- THE US BUDGET STALEMATE HAS CLOUDED AN EFFORT BY A TOP-RANKING US ECONOMIC OFFICIAL TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON THE UPCOMING G-7 ECONOMIC SUMMIT IN PARIS. CORRESPONDENT ANDREW BAIRD REPORTS. (1/18)

CONGRESS / CLINTON / BUDGET -- THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS REMAIN AT IMPASSE OVER HOW TO ELIMINATE DEFICIT SPENDING, WITH REPUBLICANS TURNING DOWN THE PRESIDENT'S CALL FOR NEW MEETINGS. WHILE THEY INSIST THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS IS STILL ALIVE, THE LAWMAKERS SAY A SETTLEMENT MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR NOW. CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS. (1/18)

IRAQ / UN INVITATION -- UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI HAS INVITED IRAQ TO A NEW ROUND OF TALKS ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL'S OFFER TO SELL A LIMITED AMOUNT OF OIL TO BUY BADLY NEEDED HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES. THE SO-CALLED FOOD FOR OIL RESOLUTION OF LAST YEAR PERMITS IRAQ TO SELL TWO BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF OIL EVERY SIX MONTHS UNDER STRICT UN SUPERVISION. CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS. (1/18)

ECUADOR / PERU -- FOREIGN MINISTERS OF ECUADOR AND PERU HAVE AGREED ON A FRAMEWORK TO DISCUSS DIFFERENCES THAT LED TO A WAR NEARLY A YEAR AGO ALONG AN UNMARKED SECTION OF THEIR BORDER. THE AGREEMENT CAME IN TWO DAYS OF TALKS IN LIMA. CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK REPORTS. (1/18)

JACKSON / PRESLEY DIVORCE -- THE MARRIAGE OF POP SUPERSTAR MICHAEL JACKSON AND LISA MARIE PRESLEY IS BREAKING UP. NEWS OF THE DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS BROKE THURSDAY IN LOS ANGELES WHERE CORRESPONDENT ALAN SILVERMAN HAS THE STORY. (1/18)

BETA CAROTENE / CANCER -- TWO MAJOR US STUDIES HAVE FOUND THAT SUPPLEMENTS OF VITAMIN "A" AND ITS CHEMICAL PRECURSOR, BETA CAROTENE, DO NOT LOWER THE CHANCES OF LUNG CANCER AND HEART DISEASE. IN FACT, THEY MAY EVEN INCREASE THE RISK, AS SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT DAVID MCALARY REPORTS. (1/18)

PROFILE / PAT BUCHANAN -- CONSERVATIVE COMMENTATOR PATRICK BUCHANAN IS MOUNTING HIS SECOND BID IN FOUR YEARS FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION. CORRESPONDENT JANE BERGER REPORTS BUCHANAN'S CONTROVERSIAL OPINIONS ON DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN POLICY MATTERS HAVE INFLUENCED DEBATE AMONG THE CANDIDATES ABOUT THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. (1/19)

NEW YORK / CAPITAL OF BUSINESS -- ALTHOUGH WASHINGTON, DC, IS THE CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES, NEW YORK CITY HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN CONSIDERED THE CAPITAL OF US BUSINESS AND FINANCE. IN NEW YORK, CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS ON SOME OF THE REASONS THE CITY BECAME THE CENTER OF THE AMERICAN ECONOMY. (1/19)

US GROWTH / UNEMPLOYMENT -- THE US UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HELD STEADY AT FIVE-POINT-SIX PERCENT IN DECEMBER, THANKS TO THE CREATION OF 151-THOUSAND NEW JOBS. AS JILL GATHMANN REPORTS, THE US ECONOMY IS SHOWING SIGNS OF STRENGTH, WITH LAST YEAR'S THIRD QUARTER GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT COMING IN AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF THREE-POINT-TWO PERCENT. (1/19)

INSIDE USA:

NEW COLLECTION OF FICTION AND VERSE -- STRINGER VINH CHAU IN HOUSTON INTERVIEWED EDITOR ANH VAN AT A RECEPTION HONORING HIS NEW ANTHOLOGY OF SHORT STORIES, 'QUE HUONG NGAN DAM 2," BY EMIGRE VIETNAMESE WRITERS IN THE US AND ABROAD. (VIETNAMESE 1/18)

US / FLAT TAX REACT -- REPORTER JOHN PITMAN SPEAKS TO BILL GALE OF THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION ABOUT THE PROPOSAL TO TRASH THE CURRENT TAX SYSTEM AND REPLACE IT WITH A FLAT TAX. GALE SAYS AN ACROSS THE BOARD FLAT TAX HAS NEVER BEEN IMPLEMENTED ANYWHERE AND THAT SOME OF THE ASSUMPTIONS ON WHICH JACK KEMP AND OTHER REPUBLICANS MAY BASE THEIR PLANS ARE UNREALISTIC. HE SAYS A 20 PERCENT OR LESS FLAT TAX WOULD NOT COVER THE GOVERNMENT'S EXPENSES, AND HE DOES NOT BUY THE REPUBLICANS' ASSURANCES THAT A LOW FLAT TAX WILL ENLARGE THE TAX BASE. ASSUMING NO CHANGE IN THE TAX BASE, HE BELIEVES A REALISTIC FLAT TAX WOULD HAVE TO BE AT LEAST 30 PERCENT, MAYBE MORE. GALE ALSO TALKS ABOUT ALTERNATIVES. REACHED BY TELEPHONE AT HIS OFFICE IN WASHINGTON. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 1/18)

INSIDE AFRICA:

NIGER / PARTY CONVENTION -- STRINGER LAWAL BUCKAR REPORTS THE COUNTRY'S RULING POLITICAL PARTY HAS CALLED ON PRESIDENT MOHAMMAN USMAN TO DISSOLVE THE COUNTRY'S PARLIAMENT AND CALL FOR NEW ELECTIONS WITH A VIEW TO SETTLE THE CURRENT POWER DISPUTE BETWEEN THE PRESIDENCY AND THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER. (HAUSA 1/19)

NIGERIA / EXPLOSION -- STRINGER SANI ABDULLAHI TSAFE REPORTS FROM KADUNA, NIGERIA, THAT A BOMB EXPLOSION HAS KILLED ONE PERSON AND INJURED ANOTHER IN DURBAR HOTEL ON THURSDAY. (HAUSA 1/19)

NIGERIA / SECOND EXPLOSION -- A SIMILAR INCIDENT ALSO OCCURRED IN KANO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FRIDAY. THE AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING THE MATTER. A GROUP CALLING IT SELF "FOR THE FREEDOM OF NIGERIA" IS CLAIMING RESPONSIBILITY. STRINGER AHMED MOHAMMED KWALLAM REPORTS FROM KANO. (HAUSA 1/19)

ETHIOPIA / EXPLOSION -- AN EXPLOSION ROCKED THE GOVERNMENT-OWNED HOTEL GHION IN THE CAPITAL ADDIS ABABA. ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, THREE PEOPLE DIED AND 20 OTHERS ARE INJURED. STRINGER TAFESSE KIFLE REPORTS FROM ADDIS ABABA. (AMHARIC 1/19)

INTERVIEW WITH ETHIOPIAN ARTIST -- STAFFER MIMI SEBHATU INTERVIEWED THE MOST ACKNOWLEDGED ETHIOPIAN PLAYWRIGHT, ACTOR AND DIRECTOR TESFAYE GESESSE. HE IS ALSO CURRENTLY HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATER ARTS AND DIRECTOR OF THE CULTURAL CENTER IN ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY. IN THE INTERVIEW, HE TALKED ABOUT THE THEATER ARTS AND THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS. (AMHARIC 1/19)

EAST AFRICA / POLITICS -- SOME POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAY IN 1996 EAST AFRICAN LEADERS MUST RESOLVE REGIONAL CONFLICTS AND PROMOTE INTEGRATION TO ASSURE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. REPORTER WILLIAM EAGLE SPOKE WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE THE UNIT OF DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE AT THE ACCRA-BASED INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, AHMED MOHIDDIN; A KENYAN MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR THE FORD-KENYA PARTY, PETER ANYAN-NYONGO; A FELLOW AT THE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY MICHAEL CHEGE; AND PATRICK SMITH OF THE LONDON-BASED AFRICA CONFIDENTIAL NEWSLETTER. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 1/15)

VIOLENCE / KWAZULU-NATAL -- A NEW REPORT ON VIOLENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA'S KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE IS DUE OUT IN ABOUT A WEEK. THE INDEPENDENT GROUP HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE HAS BEEN TRACKING THE POLITICAL-BASED VIOLENCE THERE. REPORTER JOE DECAPUA SPOKE TO THE COMMITTEE'S HUMAN RIGHTS RESEARCHER IN DURBAN, LINDA MCLAIN. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 1/19)

NIGERIA / CRASH -- SECURITY FORCES HAVE BEGUN A MANHUNT FOR MEMBERS OF A PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN MILITANT GROUP, THE UNITED FRONT FOR NIGERIAN LIBERATION. THE GROUP HAS CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR YESTERDAY'S PLANE CRASH, WHICH KILLED THE ELDEST SON OF MILITARY RULER GENERAL SANI ABACHA. REPORTER CHINEDU OFFOR HAS DETAILS. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 1/19)

WORLD BANK / CONGRESS -- THE US CONGRESS IS CONSIDERING CUTTING ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, A WORLD BANK GROUP THAT GIVES LOANS TO SOME OF THE WORLD'S POOREST COUNTRIES. REPORTER SCOTT STEARNS SPOKE WITH ERIC CHINJE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AFRICA REGION AT THE WORLD BANK. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 1/19)

BURUNDI / REFUGEES / TANZANIA -- STAFFER FERDINAND FERELLA INTERVIEWED PETER KESSLER, SPOKESPERSON FOR THE UNHCR IN NAIROBI, ABOUT RWANDAN REFUGEES CROSSING INTO TANZANIA FROM BURUNDI. FIERCE FIGHTING IN NORTHEAST BURUNDI HAS FORCED 10-15,000 RWANDAN REFUGEES FROM THE MUGANO CAMP TO FLEE TOWARD THE TANZANIAN BORDER. (FRENCH TO AFRICA 1/18)

IVORY COAST / MEDIA -- STAFFER SAMUEL KIENDREBEOGO AND INTERN GNANOU YAYA TAMANI REPORT ON PRESS FREEDOM IN IVORY COAST. PRISON SENTENCES WERE HANDED DOWN FOR THE DIRECTOR OF LA VOIE NEWSPAPER AND TWO OTHER JOURNALISTS FOR PUBLISHING STORIES THE COURT DESCRIBED AS INSULTING TO THE IVORIAN PRESIDENT. IN AN INTERVIEW, LA VOIE JOURNALIST FELIX TEHA SAID THESE SENTENCES WERE NOT JUSTIFIED. INTERVIEWED ALSO WAS THE IVORIAN INFORMATION MINISTER DANIELLE BONI-CLAVERIE WHO BLAMED THE INCIDENT BOTH ON THE WAY THE LAW IS WRITTEN AND ON THE FACT THAT MANY JOURNALISTS IGNORE THE EXISTENCE OF THE RULES PERTAINING TO THEIR PROFESSION. MS. DANIELLE BONI-CLAVERIE SAID SHE IS WORKING ON HAVING THE LAWS MODIFIED. DIEGOU BAILLY, PRESIDENT OF THE IVORIAN JOURNALISTS UNION SAID SOME JOURNALISTS FAIL TO CHECK THEIR STORIES AND THEIR SOURCES BEFORE PUBLISHING BUT ADDED THAT THE LAWS GOVERNING THE MEDIA IN IVORY COAST ARE TOO RESTRICTIVE. (FRENCH 1/18)

SOCCER / AFRICA CUP -- STAFFER CLAUDE PORSELLA AND LIBREVILLE STRINGER FRITZ KOUM REPORT ON THE AFRICA CUP SOCCER MATCHES UNDERWAY IN SOUTH AFRICA. (FRENCH 1/18)

GUINEA BISSAU -- A PRESIDENTIAL DECREE PUBLISHED IN GUINEA BISSAU ANNOUNCED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN RESHUFFLED. THERE IS A NEW MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND A NEW SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SOCIAL COMMUNICATION. CORRESPONDENT TERESA RIBEIRO REPORTS. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 1/19)

GUINEA BISSAU / CABRAL DAY -- PORTUGUESE JOURNALIST JOSE PEDRO CASTANHEIRA PUBLISHED A BOOK ABOUT THE LIFE AND THE ASSASSINATION OF AMILCAR CABRAL, THE FOUNDING FATHER OF A LIBERATION MOVEMENT IN GUINEA BISSAU AND CAPE VERDE. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH CABRAL'S HALF BROTHER LUIS CABRAL, HE DISCUSSES THE MOTIVES BEHIND CABRAL'S ASSASSINATION AND THE MYSTERY INVOLVED IN THE CASE. STAFFER NELSON HERBERT COVERED. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 1/19)

ANGOLA / POL -- UNITA'S LEADERSHIP IS MEETING IN BAILUNDO TO DISCUSS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PEACE PROCESS IN ANGOLA. MEANWHILE, US AMBASSADOR TO UNITED NATIONS MADELEINE ALBRIGHT MET WITH REBEL LEADER JONAS SAVIMBI IN BAILUNDO, UNITA'S HEADQUARTERS. STAFFER LUIS COSTA AND PORTUGUESE JOURNALIST LUIS LOUREN?CO DISCUSS THE UNITA MEETING IN BAILUNDO. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 1/19)

SAO TOME / ELECTIONS -- THE NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION PROPOSED THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS DUE TO A LACK OF EQUIPMENT, MONEY AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT. AFTER A MEETING WITH THE SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT, MEMBERS OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION CONCLUDED THAT CONDITIONS ARE NOT MET IN ORDER TO CALL FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AS PROPOSED BY THE PRESIDENT TO BE HELD ON MARCH 3, 1996. MEANWHILE THE FORMER PRESIDENT, PINTO DA COSTA WHO RULED THAT COUNTRY OVER 15 YEARS, IS BACK IN POLITICS, ANNOUNCING TODAY THAT HE IS A CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. STAFFER OVIDIO PEQUENO REPORTS. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 1/19).

SPORTS FEATURE -- STAFFER PAULO OLIVEIRA AND PORTUGUESE SPORTSCASTER JOAO PEDRO MENDON?CA OF RADIO RENASCEN?CA PREVIEW SOCCER MATCHES IN THE PORTUGUESE CHAMPIONSHIP. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 1/19)

INSIDE MIDEAST:

PALESTINIANS / ELECTIONS -- STAFFER ANA GUEDES INTERVIEWING ALAN MAKOVSKY, MIDDLE EAST EXPERT FROM THE INSTITUE OF NEAR EAST POLICIES ABOUT THE FIRST PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS. THE REPORT ALSO INCLUDES REMARKS MADE BY AL FATAH MEMBER MARWAN BARGHUTI AND PALESTINIAN JOURNALIST AL KOUTIB. THE FIRST PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD SATURDAY. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 1/19)

AFGHAN MUSEUM -- ITALY AND GREECE PLEDGED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN RESTORING THE WAR-DEVASTATED MUSEUMS IN AFGHANISTAN. IN A SEMINAR HELD IN THE EASTERN AFGHAN CITY OF JALALABAD, WAYS TO RECOVER HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS PILLAGED DURING THE WAR WERE DISCUSSED AND SUGGESTIONS WERE MADE TO SALVAGE AND PRESERVE THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN THE COUNTRY. DARI STRINGER ABDUL HAI WARSHAN REPORTS THAT ISLAMABAD AMBASSADORS OF ITALY AND GREECE ATTENDED THE MEETING AND PLEDGED THEIR COUNTRIES' SUPPORT. JALALABAD WAS ONE OF THE MAIN CENTERS OF GRECO-BUDDHIC CULTURE IN THE REGION. (DARI, PASHTO 1/19)

CONFLICT RESOLUTION / AFGHANISTAN -- THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA IS ABOUT TO LAUNCH A PROGRAM TO TRAIN AFGHAN STUDENTS IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION TECHNIQUES. THE PROJECT FOLLOWS A SIMILAR COURSE COACHING STUDENTS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM TAJIKISTAN. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER ABDUL WAHAB HADI, PROFESSOR THOMAS GOUTTIERE, DEAN OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AT UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA, OMAHA, SAYS THAT THE COLLAPSE OF TRADITIONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION MECHANISMS IN WAR-TORN AFGHANISTAN REQUIRES DEVELOPMENT OF NEW APPROACHES TO HELP RESOLVE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DISPUTES AMONG PEOPLE IN THE MULTI-ETHNIC SOCIETY. (DARI 1/18)

IRAN / POLITICAL PRISONER -- STAFFER FARAH JAHANGIRI INTERVIEWED PARIS-.BASED IRANIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST DR. ABD AL-KARIM LAHIJI ABOUT UNCONFIRMED REPORTS THAT IRANIAN POLITICAL PRISONER AMIR ENTEZAM HAD BEEN RELEASED. LAHIJI SAID THAT ENTEZAM'S STATUS HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED. HE IS STILL UNDER HOUSE ARREST, BUT NOW IS GIVEN LEAVE SEVERAL DAYS A WEEK. (FARSI 1/19)

PALESTINE ELECTIONS / PRELUDE -- STAFFER LIDA FIROUZI DISCUSSES WITH JOURNALIST HAERI OF L'EXPRESS, PARIS, THE UPCOMING PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS. HAERI, WHO HAS VISITED A NUMBER OF TOWNS ON THE WEST BANK, TALKS ABOUT THE BASIC ISSUES IN THE ELECTIONS. (FARSI 1/19)

FARSI ELECTRONIC MEDIA / US -- FARSI LANGUAGE RADIO AND TELEVISION IN THE US WAS THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S FARSI SERVICE ROUNDTABLE SHOW. GUESTS INCLUDED MANOUCHEHR BIBIYAN OF JAM-I JAM TELEVISION AND ASADOLLAH MOROVATI OF THE VOICE OF IRAN RADIO, BOTH BASED IN LOS ANGELES. AHMAD BAHARLOO HOSTED THE SHOW. (FARSI 1/19)

UK / IRAN -- STAFFER MOHAMMAD RAZAVI DISCUSSED WITH THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO THE US, SIR JOHN KERR, UK/IRAN RELATIONS. THE BRITISH DIPLOMAT SAID THAT HIS COUNTRY WOULD LIKE TO APPLY PRESSURE ON IRAN TO MODIFY ITS BEHAVIOR. THE UK AND MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY BELIEVE THAT CRITICAL DIALOGUE, RATHER THAN ECONOMIC SANCTIONS IS THE WAY TO GO. BRITAIN'S MAJOR DISCUSSION POINT WITH IRAN TODAY, KERR SAID, IS THE LATE AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI'S DECREE, CALLING FOR THE DEATH OF WRITER SALMAN RUSHDIE, A BRITISH SUBJECT. (FARSI 1/20)

RAMADAN / US -- STAFFER, AMIN FEKRAT INTERVIEWED DR. MUSTAFA QAZWINI, AN ISLAMIC SCHOLAR, ORIGINALLY FROM IRAQ ABOUT HOW MUSLIMS IN THE UNITED STATES OBSERVE THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMAZAN, WHICH BEGINS THIS YEAR ON OR AROUND JANUARY 22. (FARSI 1/20)

PALESTINIANS / ELECTION -- JAMES ZOGBY, PRESIDENT OF THE ARAB-AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF THE UNITED STATES, COMMENTS FROM JERUSALEM ON AN OBSERVER DELEGATION THERE TO WATCH THE PALESTINIAN ELECTION PROCESS, IN INTERVIEW WITH REPORTER FRANK WHITEIS. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 1/18)

INSIDE SOUTH ASIA:

BANGLADESH / DEMOCRACY -- IN BANGLADESH THE RULING BANGLADESH NATIONALIST PARTY AND THREE MAJOR OPPOSITION PARTIES LED BY AWAMI LEAGUE FAILED TO RESOLVE THE POLITICAL CRISIS AND IT SEEMS THAT THE GENERAL ELECTION NEXT MONTH WILL BE VIRTUALLY A ONE PARTY SHOW AS ALL MAJOR PARTIES HAVE DECIDED TO BOYCOTT AND RESIST THE POLLS. THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY IS NOW AT STAKE IN THAT SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRY. THE LEADING NATIONAL DAILY NEWSPAPERS BLAME BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION PARTIES FOR THEIR FAILURE TO RESOLVE THE CRISIS. STRINGER ZAHURUL ALAM REPORTS FROM DHAKA. (BANGLA 1/19)

BANGLADESH / INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR -- SEVERAL COUNTRIES INCLUDING MANY WESTERN AND SOUTH ASIAN NATIONS ARE PARTICIPATING IN AN INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR IN BANGLADESH. STRINGER ZAHURUL ALAM REPORTS FROM DHAKA. (BANGLA 1/19)

INSIDE EAST ASIA:

CHINA / DISSIDENT RELEASED -- PROMINENT CHINESE PRO-DEMOCRACY ADVOCATE LIU XIAOBO HAS BEEN RELEASED AFTER HAVING BEEN DETAINED FOR SEVEN MONTHS WITHOUT CHARGES. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER CHEN JIAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA XIAO QIANG WELCOMED THE MOVE BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME CALLED FOR THE RELEASE OF OTHER DISSIDENTS. (MANDARIN 1/19)

HONG KONG REACT / ARREST OF DR. ZHANG'S BROTHER -- STAFFER CHOU YOUKANG INTERVIEWS A HONG KONG PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST, A BEIJING-APPOINTED POLITICIAN FROM HONG KONG, AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST HARRY WU ON THE RECENT ARREST OF DR. ZHANG SHUYUN'S BROTHER AND THE GOVERNMENT'S COVER-UP OF CONDITIONS AT A SHANGHAI ORPHANAGE. DR. ZHANG REVEALED SEVERE ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF CHILDREN IN A SHANGHAI ORPHANAGE. INTERVIEWS WITH LI HAIPING, PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST, BEIJING-APPOINTED NATIONAL CONGRESSWOMAN LIU FENGMAN, AND HARRY WU. (MANDARIN 1/19)

CHINA / HUMAN RIGHTS / ORPHANAGE -- ZHANG SHUYUN, THE CHINESE DOCTOR WHO HELPED HUMAN RIGHT/ASIA PREPARE A REPORT ABOUT CHILD ABUSE IN SHANGHAI'S CHILDREN'S WELFARE INSTITUTE, SAID SHE WANTS TO TESTIFY AT A UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE CONFERENCE IN MARCH. DR. ZHANG IS A FORMER EMPLOYEE WITH THE SHANGHAI ORPHANAGE. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER FANG BING, THE DOCTOR SAID SHE DECIDED TO LEAVE CHINA WHEN ALL HER ATTEMPTS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS IN THE ORPHANAGE FAILED. (MANDARIN 1/18)

CHINA / ORPHANAGES -- THERE'S ANOTHER SIDE TO THE STORY, ONE FROM US ADOPTION AGENCIES AND THE THOUSANDS OF PARENTS WHO HAVE BROUGHT HEALTHY INFANTS HOME FROM CHINESE ORPHANAGES. CINDY KLEIN IS THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ADOPT INTERNATIONAL IN SAN FRANCISCO. LAST YEAR, CHINA BECAME THE NUMBER ONE SOURCE OF BABIES FOR AMERICAN PARENTS ADOPTING ABROAD, AND SHE'S CONCERNED THAT THE RECENT CRITICISM BY HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH ASIA OF ONE SHANGHAI ORPHANAGE WILL CAUSE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO CUT OF THE SUPPLY OF CHILDREN OUT OF PIQUE. SHE SAYS THE BABIES OBTAINED BY HER AGENCY ARE IN GOOD HEALTH, THAT SHE AND HER COLLEAGUES IN THE BUSINESS AGREE, CHINA HAS COME A LONG WAY IN DEALING WITH ORPHANS AND UNWANTED CHILDREN. SHE WISHES MORE NEW AGENCIES WOULD BE EVEN-HANDED IN COVERING THE STORY. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 1/18)

TOKYO / CHINESE STUDENTS DISCUSS KOBE QUAKE --TOKYO STRINGER XIAO YAN INTERVIEWS A STUDENT FROM CHINA AND A STUDENT FROM TAIWAN WHO WERE IN JAPAN AT THE TIME OF THE KOBE EARTHQUAKE LAST YEAR. (MANDARIN 1/19)

CHINA / DENG'S ECONOMIC POLICY -- SOME OF CHINA'S TOP LEADERS HAVE CRITICIZED DENG XIAOPING'S ECONOMIC POLICY. CRITICS SAY DENG'S POLICY IS TOO RADICAL AND HAS GIVEN RISE TO ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS. IN THURSDAY'S DATELINE PROGRAM, STAFFER FANG BING INTERVIEWED CHINA AFFAIRS EXPERTS HO PIN, DIRECTOR OF CHINESE ECONOMIC & POLITICAL CENTER, AND PROFESSOR WANG NIANZU, CHINA INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PROJECT, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY. BOTH THINK THE CHINESE LEADERSHIP NEEDS TO RE-EXAMINE DENG'S POLICY. (MANDARIN 1/18)

CHINA / DENG'S ECONOMIC POLICY -- STAFFER YANG FAN INTERVIEWED TANG BEN, DIRECTOR OF ASIAN STUDIES AT CLAREMONT INSTITUTE, FOR THURSDAY'S DATELINE PROGRAM. TANG BEN DOES NOT AGREE WITH THE EXPERTS INTERVIEWED BY STAFFER FANG BING. HE BELIEVES DENG'S ECONOMIC POLICY HAS GREATLY IMPROVED THE CHINESE ECONOMY, AND THOUGH NOT PERFECT, THE POLICY SHOULD CONTINUE WITHOUT RE-EXAMINATION. (MANDARIN 1/18)

CURBING FINANCIAL NEWS FROM ABROAD -- CHINA ANNOUNCED NEW RULES RESTRICTING THE PROVISION OF ECONOMIC INFORMATION BY FOREIGN NEWS AGENCIES TO CUSTOMERS IN CHINA. CITING NATIONAL SECURITY, A STATE COUNCIL DECREE EMPOWERS XINHUA NEWS AGENCY TO SUPERVISE INTERNATIONAL WIRE AGENCIES FOR THE CONTENT OF THEIR REPORTS. INFORMATION THAT "SLANDERS OR JEOPARDIZES THE NATIONAL INTEREST" WILL RESULT IN PUNISHMENT. REACTION IN HONG KONG IS STRONG. PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED THAT THESE RULES, THOUGH NOT LIKELY TO BE APPLIED TO HONG KONG AFTER 1997, WILL HAVE A STRONG NEGATIVE IMPACT ON HONG KONG NEVERTHELESS. STRINGER LAWRENCE NG INTERVIEWED WU TUN OI, SENIOR LECTURER, BAPTIST UNIVERSITY; CHENG HAN LEUNG, CHIEF, CHINA TIMES BUREAU; CHIM PUI CHUNG, LEGISLATOR. (CANTONESE 1/19)

HONG KONG / MOVIES -- ONCE THE MOST PROFITABLE AND AMONG THE BEST PRODUCED IN THE CHINESE MARKETS, HONG KONG MOVIES HAVE BEEN SUFFERING AT THE BOX OFFICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS. SINCE 1993, WHEN THE TOTAL REVENUE OF HONG KONG'S MOVIE INDUSTRY REACHED HK$ 1.5 BILLION, BOX OFFICE RECEIPTS HAVE DECLINED BY AN AVERAGE OF 10 PERCENT EVERY YEAR. A LOT OF MOVIE GOERS HAVE SHIFTED TO AMERICAN MOVIES. CRITICS SAY ONLY BETTER-WRITTEN SCREENPLAYS AND HIGHER-QUALITY PRODUCTION CAN SAVE THE INDUSTRY. STAFFER SHEILA TANG AND STRINGER LAWRENCE NG INTERVIEW HO SUN CHAN, HONG KONG MOVIE PRODUCER. (CANTONESE 1/19)

CHINESE LAWS / DEBATE -- DEMOCRATIC AND PRO-BEIJING MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN HONG KONG HAD A HEATED DEBATE OVER ISSUES INVOLVING CHINA. DEMOCRATS PROPOSED A BILL CALLING ON CHINA TO RELEASE DISSIDENT WEI JINGSHENG AND REVISE LAWS ON SUBVERSION AND ESPIONAGE. PRO-BEIJING LEGISLATORS INSISTED HONG KONG'S LEGCO HAD NO BUSINESS INTERFERING WITH CHINA'S LEGISLATIVE AND JUDICIAL DECISIONS. STRINGER LAWRENCE NG COVERED THE DEBATE IN THE LEGCO CHAMBER AND A PRO-DEMOCRACY DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF WEI. INTERVIEWS WITH MAK HOI WAH, VICE CHAIRMAN, ALLIANCE IN SUPPORT OF PATRIOTIC DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENTS IN CHINA; ANDREW CHENG, DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATOR; LAU HAN TSUEN, MEMBER OF PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR HONG KONG. (CANTONESE 1/17)

LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS QUESTIONED -- AN OPEN HEARING WAS HELD BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THE FUNCTIONS OF THE NEWLY ANNOUNCED PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR HONG KONG. PRO-BEIJING LEGISLATORS INSISTED THE COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE NO ROLE IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE. DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS REASSERTED THE COUNCIL'S RIGHT TO HEAR THE VIEWS OF ITS CONSTITUENTS. STRINGER LAWRENCE NG COVERED THE DEBATE ON-SCENE, WITH COMMENTS BY DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS SZETO WAH AND CHEUNG PING LEUNG; DAB LEGISLATORS YIP KWOK HIM AND CHAN KAN LAM; PREPARATORY COMMITTEE MEMBER LAU SUK CHING. (CANTONESE 1/16)

EIGHTH LARGEST STOCK MARKET IN WORLD -- HONG KONG'S STOCK MARKET MADE A REMARKABLE COMEBACK IN 1995 DESPITE SLOWING ECONOMIC GROWTH, RISING UNEMPLOYMENT AND A STAGNANT PROPERTY MARKET. THE PAST YEAR SAW THE VALUE OF STOCKS IN THE HANG SENG INDEX RISE BY MORE THAN 20 PERCENT REACHING HK$2,300 BILLION, MAKING HONG KONG THE EIGHTH LARGEST STOCK MARKET IN THE WORLD. STAFFER QIDE HE AND STRINGER MICHELLE YEUNG IN HONG KONG REPORT ON THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROSPECTS OF THE MARKET. (CANTONESE 1/15)

DISSIDENTS APPLYING FOR HOME VISIT -- THREE PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS IN HONG KONG HAVE APPLIED FOR VISAS TO RETURN TO THE MAINLAND, BUT IT IS UNCERTAIN WHETHER THEY WILL BE GIVEN PERMISSION. THEY INSIST RETURNING HOME IS A RIGHT, BUT PRECEDENTS SHOW CHINESE AUTHORITIES OFTEN DISALLOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE TAKEN PART IN PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG TO GO BACK TO THE MAINLAND. LAWRENCE NG INTERVIEWED LEUNG KWOK HUNG, MEMBER OF "APRIL FIFTH ACTION"; LAU SAN CHING, DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST; VICTOR SIT, HONG KONG DELEGATE TO THE NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS. (CANTONESE 1/15)

SOUTH / NORTH KOREA / FOOD RELIEF AID -- THE SOUTH KOREAN GOVERNMENT FRIDAY REAFFIRMED ITS STANCE THAT IT WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RELIEF ASSISTANCE TO FLOOD-STRICKEN NORTH KOREA ONLY AFTER IT IS PROVED THAT THE STALINIST COUNTRY IS REALLY SUFFERING FROM SEVERE FOOD SHORTAGE AND THE OUTSIDE FOOD ASSISTANCE IS NOT DIVERTED FOR MILITARY USE. KOREAN STRINGER TAE SOO KIM REPORTS THAT THE SEOUL GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE THE STANCE KNOWN TO THE US AND JAPAN WHEN THE THREE COUNTRY HOLD A STRATEGY MEETING IN HONOLULU NEXT WEEK TO COORDINATE THEIR POLICIES TOWARD PYONGYANG. (KOREAN 1/19)

SOUTH KOREA / BOSNIA -- A FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL IN SEOUL SAYS THAT THE US HAS OFFICIALLY ASKED THE SOUTH KOREAN GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE ITS SECURITY FORCES TO HELP SECURE PEACE IN BOSNIA. STRINGER TAE SOO KIM QUOTED THE OFFICIAL AS SAYING THAT THE ASSISTANCE CAN BE FURNISHED IN TERMS OF PROVIDING POLICE FORCES OR FINANCIAL AID. (KOREAN 1/19)

KOREAN / CHINA / ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION -- AN INCREASING NUMBER OF CHINESE ARE TRYING TO ENTER SOUTH KOREA ILLEGALLY THROUGH THE KIMPO AIRPORT, SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIALS SAY. DURING THIS MONTH, SEVERAL DOZENS OF CHINESE AND KOREAN-CHINESE WERE CAUGHT AS THEY ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT IN DISGUISE OF TRANSIT PASSENGERS. SOUTH KOREAN PROSECUTORS SAY THERE ARE BROKERS IN CHINA AND SOUTH KOREA WHO ORGANIZE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATIONS INTO SOUTH KOREA. STRINGER TAE SOO KIM REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 1/19)

NORTH KOREAN DEFECTORS / HUSBAND -- THE SOUTH KOREAN AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING THE WIFE OF A NORTH KOREAN DIPLOMAT AND THE TAEKWONDO INSTRUCTOR WHO DEFECTED TO SOUTH KOREA FROM ZAMBIA, SAY THAT THE DIPLOMAT COUPLE AND THE INSTRUCTOR, ALLEGEDLY PLANNED TO FLEE THE NORTH KOREAN EMBASSY TOGETHER, BUT THE HUSBAND DID NOT SHOW UP TO A WAITING CAR IN THE FRONT OF THE EMBASSY AT THE PROMISED TIME. STRINGER TAE SOO KIM HAS AN UPDATE REPORT. (KOREAN 1/19)

SOUTH KOREA / ELECTION CAMPAIGNS -- LEADERS OF SOUTH KOREAN RULING AND OPPOSITION PARTIES ARE KICKING OFF THEIR OUTDOOR CAMPAIGNS FOR GENERAL ELECTIONS SLATED FOR APRIL 11. STRINGER TAE SOO KIM REPORTS FROM SEOUL. (KOREAN 1/19)

US OFFICIAL / BOAT PEOPLE -- IN BANGKOK CORRESPONDENT LE LAI INTERVIEWED ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE WINSTON LORD ON THE PROPOSED "TRACK TWO" PROGRAM TO INTERVIEW BOAT PEOPLE WHO RETURN TO VIETNAM TO DECIDE ELIGIBILITY FOR US VISAS AND HANOI RELUCTANCE TO ACCEPT THIS PLAN. (VIETNAMESE 1/19)

BANGKOK / BOAT PEOPLE -- MOST OF THE 40,000 BOAT PEOPLE HELD IN CAMPS IN HONG KONG, THAILAND, PHILIPPINES, MALAYSIA, AND INDONESIA FACE A RETURN TO VIETNAM BY JULY, STAFFER LE LAI REPORTS FROM THE 30-NATION CONFERENCE ON INDOCHINA REFUGEES IN BANGKOK. WITHIN 60 DAYS THE SRV AGREES TO CERTIFY ALL DETAINEES FOR RETURN. DELEGATES VOTED AGAINST ANY RESCREENING OF THE BOAT PEOPLE AS PROPOSED BY THE US CONGRESS. SHIPS AS WELL AS PLANES WILL BE USED FOR REPATRIATION TO HASTEN THE PROCESS. (VIETNAMESE 1/17)

US / VIETNAM / REFUGEES -- REPORTER SUSAN YACKEE SPEAKS WITH STEPHEN HAYES, PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND DIRECTOR FOR INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL PROJECTS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER IN COLORADO, ABOUT THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE PROBLEM IN EAST ASIA. US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE WINSTON LORD IS IN VIETNAM TRYING TO HELP SORT OUT A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. MR. HAYES IS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE AMERICAN PLAN TO RETURN THE REFUGEES TO VIETNAM AND THEN RE-INTERVIEW THEM TO CONFIRM THEIR REFUGEE STATUS. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 1/18)

TIGER CONSERVATION -- REPORTER JOHN PITMAN SPEAKS TO JEANNETTE HENLEY, DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION AT THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND, ABOUT EFFORTS TO SAVE THE SOUTH CHINA TIGER. SHE HAS WORKED ON PROJECTS TO REDUCE THE DEMAND FOR TIGER PARTS FOR USE IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINES, AND SAYS IT IS NOT EASY TO CHANGE THEIR WAYS. SHE SAYS SINCE MOST CONSERVATION EFFORTS ORIGINATE IN THE WEST, YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO INSULT LOCAL PEOPLE OR THEIR TRADITIONS. BUT YOU HAVE TO BE FIRM. SHE SAYS SCIENTISTS TRY NOT TO OFFER WESTERN ALTERNATIVES, LIKE ASPIRIN, BUT SEARCH FOR ANOTHER LOCAL ALTERNATIVES. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 1/18)

"MISS SAIGON" ON STAGE DOWN UNDER -- FROM SYDNEY STRINGER NGOC HAN REPORTS ON THE ARRIVAL OF THE "MISS SAIGON" MUSICAL IN AUSTRALIA AND RECENT BOOKS IN ENGLISH ON THE VIETNAM WAR AUTHORED BY AUSTRALIANS AND VIETNAMESE. (VIETNAMESE 1/19)

INSIDE EUROPE:

SIMITIS / ALBANIA'S GREEKS REACT -- ALBANIA'S GREEKS WELCOME THE NEW GREEK PRIME MINISTER KOSTAS SIMITIS WHICH WAS ELECTED BY THE RULING PANHELLENIC SOCIALIST MOVEMENT (PASOK) THEY SAID THEY EXPECT IMPROVEMENT IN THE GREEK-ALBANIAN RELATIONS. STRINGER RAJMOND KOLA REPORTS FROM GJIROKASTRA ALBANIA. (ALBANIAN 1/19)

DURR?ES / NEW RESIDENTS -- IN THE ALBANIAN CITY OF DURRES NEWCOMERS FROM OTHER PARTS OF ALBANIA FACE VARIOUS DIFFICULTIES. ACCORDING TO THE MAYOR, OF DURRES, CITY AUTHORITIES ARE TRYING TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION. STRINGER ILIRIAN AGOLLI REPORTS FROM TIRANA. (ALBANIAN 1/19)

INSIDE EURASIA:

CHECHNYA -- CORRESPONDENTS LAURI KASSMAN AND PETER COLLINS LEAD OFF TALK TO AMERICA WITH THE LATEST DETAILS ON THE SITUATION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND CHECHEN SEPARATISTS. THEY JOIN US FROM ISTANBUL, TURKEY AND MOSCOW AS THEY MONITOR THE UNFOLDING DRAMA IN THE BLACK SEA. OUR GUESTS INCLUDE PROFESSOR THOMAS NICHOLS AND MR. IGOR BORISENKO WHO JOINED US TO BRING FURTHER INSIGHT ON THE SITUATION AS THEY DEBATE THE ISSUES. (ENGLISH 1/19)

CHECHEN / CRISIS -- PRESIDENT YELTSIN ANNOUNCED THURSDAY THAT THE CHECHEN REBELS HAD BEEN CRUSHED AND THEIR HOSTAGES FREED WITH A MINIMUM OF LOSS TO THE HOSTAGES AND THE RUSSIAN FORCES. MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT ALEC BATCHAN REPORTS ON BRIEFINGS BY MIKHAIL BARSUKOV, HEAD OF THE FEDERAL SECURITY FORCES AND EDOUARD VOROBYOV, INTERIOR MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ON THE HOSTAGE CRISIS RESOLUTION. (RUSSIAN 1/18)

CHECHNYA / FALLOUT -- REPORTER TERRY WING TALKS WITH MARSHALL GOLDMAN OF THE RUSSIAN RESEARCH CENTER IN CAMBRIDGE, MASS ABOUT THE POLITICAL FALLOUT IN THE AFTERMATH OF PERVOMAISKOYE. HE SAYS YELTSIN IS GOING TO FOOL NO ONE IN DECLARING THIS A SUCCESSFUL MISSION. HE SAYS MODERATES ARE TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT CHECHNYA AND HARDLINERS ARE EMBARRASSED ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT'S INABILITY TO BRING THIS CIVIL WAR TO AN END. HE SAYS THE EPISODE RAISES A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT RUSSIA'S ABILITY TO MANAGE ITS INTERNAL SECURITY. HE SAYS THIS IS JUST THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF PROBLEMS FOR RUSSIA IN THE CAUCASUS, AND HE PREDICTS MORE. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 1/18)

MOSCOW / POLITICAL CLIMATE -- DIMITRY SIMES, PRESIDENT OF THE NIXON CENTER FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM, LEON ARON OF THE AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE AND VLADIMIR MATLIN ANALYZED THE CHANGING POLITICAL CLIMATE IN MOSCOW. THE POSSIBILITY OF AN AUTHORITARIAN BACKLASH WAS TOUCHED ON, ESPECIALLY IN VIEW OF THE RESIGNATIONS OF FOREIGN MINISTER ANDREY KOZYREV, PRIVATIZATION MINISTER ANATOLY CHUBAIS AND CHIEF OF STAFF SERGEI FILATOV. (RUSSIAN 1/18)

INSIDE LATIN AMERICA:

CHARGES AGAINST CUBANS DROPPED -- US AUTHORITIES DECIDED TO DROP CHARGES AGAINST THREE CUBANS ACCUSED OF PREPARING AN INVASION TO CUBA TO ENCOURAGE ARMED REBELLION AGAINST FIDEL CASTRO'S REGIME. CORRESPONDENT HECTOR VELAZQUEZ MEJIA REPORTS. (SPANISH 1/18)

CAMPAIGN AGAINST SERVICES TO ALIENS -- ORGANIZERS OF A CAMPAIGN TO CUT SOCIAL SERVICES TO ILLEGAL ALIENS IN FLORIDA ANNOUNCED THAT THEY HAVE ENOUGH ELEMENTS TO TAKE THE CASE TO THE STATE'S SUPREME COURT. CORRESPONDENT JORGE WEHBY REPORTS. (SPANISH 1/18)

UN / FINANCIAL TROUBLES -- UN HIGH OFFICIALS SAID THE ORGANIZATION IS ON THE BRINK OF ECONOMIC COLLAPSE BECAUSE SOME COUNTRIES ARE NOT PAYING THE CONTRIBUTIONS IN TIME. CORRESPONDENT LUIS TAMAYO REPORTS. (SPANISH 1/18)

19-Jan-96 5:11 PM EST (2211 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America