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Voice of America, 97-05-21Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] ALBANIA POL (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)DATE=5/21/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-214590 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THERE ARE SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN NEGOTIATIONS AMONG POLITICAL PARTIES IN ALBANIA CONCERNING PROCEDURES FOR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN LATE JUNE. V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPEAN BARRY WOOD REPORTS. TEXT: POLITICAL LEADERS WERE MEETING AGAIN WEDNESDAY, FOLLOWING MARATHON TALKS THE PREVIOUS NIGHT. PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS MADE SOME CONCESSIONS TO OPPOSITION PARTIES. THE INTERIM PRIME MINISTER, A SOCIALIST, IS URGING OTHER PARTIES IN THE NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE JUNE 29TH ELECTION. THE ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER, ROMANO PRODI, SAYS THE DIFFERENCES AMONG THE ALBANIAN PARTIES HAVE NARROWED AND HE EXPECTS AN AGREEMENT ON ELECTION RULES WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. ITALY HAS OVERALL COMMAND OF THE SIX-THOUSAND MEMBER MULTI-NATIOINAL FORCE THAT WAS SENT TO ALBANIA LAST MONTH AFTER THE COUNTRY PLUNGED INTO ANARCHY. ITALY HAS THREATENED TO WITHDRAW THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE UNLESS THE QUARRELING PARTIES QUICKLY AGREE ON ELECTION PROCEDURES. REPORTS FROM TIRANA SAY PRESIDENT BERISHA HAS AGREED TO BROADEN THE COMPOSITION OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTION COMMISSIONS. SOME OPPOSITION PARTIES ARE INSISTING POLLS CLOSE AT SIX P-M RATHER THAN THE PREVIOUSLY DESIGNATED NINE P-M. THE OPPOSITION SAYS IN LAST MAY'S FLAWED PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION, THE LATE CLOSING TIME GAVE MR. BERISHA'S DEMOCRATS MORE OPPORTUNITY TO MANIPULATE THE RESULTS. ALBANIA'S SMALLEST PARTIES ARE SEEKING GENEROUS RULES THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO WIN PARLIAMENTARY SEATS. THE ELECTION WILL COMPRISE A MIX OF PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION AND SINGLE-MEMBER DISTRICTS. THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, THE O-S-C-E, HAS BEEN SPEARHEADING THE DRIVE TO WIN CONSENSUS ON ELECTION PROCEDURES. EXPERTS SAY THE ALBANIAN PARTIES REMAIN DEEPLY DISTRUSTFUL OF ONE ANOTHER. THE EARLY PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION WAS SEEN AS THE BEST WAY TO
RESOLVE THE POLITICAL CRISIS THAT ENVELOPED ALBANIA IN MARCH,
AFTER WEEKS OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS. (SIGNED)
[02] ALBRIGHT-BOSNIA OVERNIGHTER (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)DATE=5/21/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-214622 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT IS EXPECTED TO LAY OUT ADMINISTRATION POLICY TONIGHT (THURSDAY 815PM) IN NEW YORK ON BOSNIA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT ON THE APPROACH SECRETARY ALBRIGHT WILL TAKE IN HER SPEECH AND ON HER TRIP TO BOSNIA AT THE END OF THE MONTH. TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT WILL OFFER ECONOMIC INCENTIVES TO BOSNIAN SERBS WHO CHOSE TO COOPERATE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AND TO ALLOW THE RETURN OF MUSLIM AND CROAT REFUGEES. TO THOSE WHO REFUSE TO COMPLY WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT SHE PLANS TO OFFER ECONOMIC PENALTIES. MADELEINE ALBRIGHT WILL MAKE HER FIRST SPEECH ON BOSNIA IN NEW YORK CITY SINCE BECOMING SECRETARY OF STATE. TEN DAYS LATER ON MAY 31ST,SHE WILL VISIT BOSNIA, MEETING WITH THE BOSNIAN SERBS IN BANJA LUKAAND BRCKO, AS WELL AS WITH THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT IN SARAJEVO. SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS SHE WILL EMPHASIZE MORE THAN ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION ON HER BALKAN VISIT. ///BURNS ACT///ON WAR CRIMINALS, ON RETURN OF REFUGEES, TWO OF THE AREAS WHERE WE HAVE NOT SEEN COMPLIANCE BY ANY OF THE MAJOR PARTIES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT. ///END ACT///SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT HAS NAMED DAVID SHEFFER, ANINTERNATIONAL LAWYER WHO WORKED WITH HER IN NEW YORK, AS SPECIAL ENVOY FOR WAR CRIMES ISSUES. SHE HOPES TO GIVE THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL MORE VISIBILITY. THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA STILL HAS 67 SUSPECTS, MOSTLY CROATS AND SERBS, WHO HAVE NOT BEEN TURNED OVER FOR TRIAL. THESE INCLUDE FORMER BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC WHO APPEARS TO EXERCISE AUTHORITY BEHIND THE SCENES IN DEFYING THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT HOPES TO ENCOURAGE MORE MODERATE
ELEMENTS WITHIN THE BOSNIAN SERBS WITH HER VISIT. (SIGNED)
[03] BRITAIN / SINN FEIN (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)DATE=5/21/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-214600 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: BRITISH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE MET REPRESENTATIVES FROM SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY THEIR FIRST MEETING SINCE THE END OF THE I-R-A CEASEFIRE 15-MONTHS AGO. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON. TEXT: A BRITISH GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN DESCRIBED THE TWO-AND-ONE-HALF HOUR MEETING OUTSIDE BELFAST AS USEFUL AND HELD IN A CORDIAL ATMOSPHERE. HE SAID IT GAVE BOTH SIDES A CHANCE TO OUTLINE THEIR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS. HE WENT ON TO SAY THEY AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO MEET AGAIN -- BUT NO SPECIFIC DATE WAS SET. THE MEETING CAME ABOUT AFTER NEWLY-ELECTED PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR REVERSED THE PREVIOUS CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY WHICH PROHIBITED ANY KIND OF CONTACT WITH SINN FEIN UNTIL A NEW I-R-A CEASEFIRE. BUT DURING AN EXCHANGE WITH LAWMAKERS AT THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, MR. BLAIR MADE CLEAR SINN FEIN IS STILL PROHIBITED FROM TAKING PART IN POLITICAL TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND SCHEDULED TO RESUME JUNE THIRD. /// BLAIR ACT ///THERE IS NO QUESTION OF SINN FEIN PARTICIPATING IN ANY TALKS WHATEVER, UNLESS THERE IS A CLEAR, CREDIBLE AND UNEQUIVOCAL CEASEFIRE AND THAT SHOULD BE DEMONSTRATED IN WORD AND DEED -- AND THEY AND EVERYBODY ELSE SHOULD BE UNDER NO ILLUSION ABOUT THAT WHATEVER. /// END ACT ///POLITICAL ANALYSTS HERE DID NOT EXPECT ANY PROGRESS ON SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES DURING WEDNESDAY'S TALKS. BUT MANY SAID THE FACT THAT THEY EVEN TOOK PLACE IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. MARTIN MCGUINNESS -- WHO HEADED SINN FEIN'S DELEGATION -- TOLD REPORTERS BOTH SIDES WILL NOW REFLECT ON WHAT WAS DISCUSSED AND SEE HOW THEY CAN MOVE THE SITUATION FORWARD. /// MCGUINNESS ACT ///THE DIFFICULTY RIGHT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING WAS THAT THE PROCESS WAS DOGGED -- AND I TAKE NO PLEASURE IN SAYING IT -- BUT IT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE AND I THINK HISTORY WILL BEAR THIS OUT. THE REASON WE DID NOT MOVE FORWARD OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WAS BECAUSE WE WERE DEALING WITH A BRITISH GOVERNMENT THAT HAD A MILITARISTIC APPROACH TO RESOLVING THE CONFLICT. I NOW HOPE WE ARE GOING TO GET A BRITISH GOVERNMENT WHICH RECOGNIZES THAT THE PROBLEM WE HAVE TO SOLVE IS A POLITICAL PROBLEM. /// END ACT ///NO ONE EXPECTS A NEW I-R-A CEASEFIRE AS A RESULT OF THE FIRST
CONTACT BETWEEN SINN FEIN AND BRITISH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN
15-MONTHS. TRUST HAS TO BE RE-ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES.
MANY EXPERTS SEE WEDNESDAY'S MEETING AS THAT FIRST, TENTATIVE
STEP IN RE-ESTABLISHING A TRUST WHICH COULD LEAD, EVENTUALLY TO A
NEW I-R-A CEASEFIRE. (SIGNED)
[04] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)DATE=5/21/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-214606 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES CLOSED HIGHER IN TRADING WEDNESDAY IN MAJOR EUROPEAN EXCHANGES. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON. TEXT: EUROPEAN MARKETS ENDED THE DAY UP STRONGLY, WITH INVESTORS APPARENTLY RELIEVED THE U-S FEDERAL RESERVE DECIDED AGAINST HIGHER INTEREST RATES -- FOR THE MOMENT AT LEAST. THE BIGGEST GAIN WAS IN FRANKFURT. THE DAX-30 INDEX WAS UP MORE THAN 52-POINTS, ABOUT ONE-POINT-FIVE-PERCENT OF THE GERMAN MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX ROSE 35-POINTS, MORE THAN ONE-POINT-TWO-PERCENT. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX FINISHED UP MORE THAN 34-POINTS, ABOUT SEVEN-TENTHS-PERCENT. ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED A LITTLE
AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN. BUT IT LOST VALUE AGAINST THE GERMAN
MARK AND THE BRITISH POUND. (SIGNED)
[05] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=5/21/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-214618 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A VOLATILE SESSION. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 72 HUNDRED 90, DOWN 12 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 839, DOWN TWO POINTS. IT WAS A VOLATILE SESSION WITH THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE UP BY MORE THAN 50 POINTS, THEN DOWN BY MORE THAN 50 POINTS BEFORE RECOVERING MUCH OF THE LOSS. THERE WAS GOOD NEWS FROM THE GOVERNMENT ON U-S TRADE DEFICIT. THE DEFICIT DROPPED BY A STUNNING 19 PERCENT IN MARCH DUE TO RECORD U-S EXPORTS. THE U-S TRADE GAP WITH CHINA NARROWED BY 22 PERCENT BUT ITS TRADE DEFICIT WITH JAPAN GREW BY MORE THAN EIGHT PERCENT. /// REST OPT FORT LONG ///PART OF THE REASON FOR RISING JAPANESE IMPORTS INTO THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN THE RELATIVELY WEAK YEN WHICH MAKES JAPANESE PRODUCTS MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE U-S MARKET. THE TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY SAYS THE WEAK YEN HELPED BOOST ITS PROFITS BY 50 PERCENT IN THE LATEST FISCAL YEAR. U-S TREASURY SECRETARY ROBERT RUBIN SAYS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTS MAJOR REFORMS OF U-S BANKING LAWS, INCLUDING ALLOWING BANKS TO ENTER THE SECURITIES AND INSURANCE INDUSTRIES. THE STOCK OF THE DELL COMPUTER COMPANY JUMPED ALMOST 10 PERCENT AFTER DELL REPORTED BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED QUARTERLY EARNINGS. DELL'S REPORT HELPED BOOST THE STOCKS OF OTHER TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES. THE BELL HELICOPTER DIVISION OF THE TEXTRON COMPANY WILL ACQUIRE A 70 PERCENT INTEREST IN A ROMANIAN AIRCRAFT COMPANY IN A DEAL SAID TO BE WORTH BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. BECAUSE IT WILL INVOLVE SENSITIVE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS, THE AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT. THE WORLD GOLD COUNCIL SAYS GOLD DEMAND JUMPED BY 17 PERCENT IN
THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, LARGELY BECAUSE OF INCREASED GOLD
CONSUMPTION IN DEVELOPING NATIONS.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
[06] TALBOTT/ NATO AND RUSSIA (L-ONLY) BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)DATE=TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-214566 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AT A MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY), U-S DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT EXPLAINED AND DEFENDED THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN NATO AND RUSSIA ON EXPANSION OF THE ALLIANCE. BUT THERE IS CONSIDERABLE CRITICISM OF AN EXPANDED NATO IN THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS IN RUSSIA. V-O-A'S ED WARNER REPORTS. TEXT: U-S DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT CONCEDED NATO EXPANSION HAS CAUSED GREAT ANXIETY IN RUSSIA AMONG NATIONALISTS WHO FEAR THREATENED BY THE WEST AND AMONG REFORMERS WHO WORRY ABOUT THE NATIONALIST REACTION: // TALBOTT ACT //WE BELIEVE THAT THAT RISK IS BOTH EXAGGERATED AND MANAGEABLE. ONE REASON WE BELIEVE THAT IS BECAUSE PRESIDENT CLINTON AND PRESIDENT YELTSIN HAVE SPENT MANY, MANY HOURS OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS DISCUSSING HOW TO MANAGE THIS ISSUE, WHILE BUILDING ON THE SUBSTANTIAL COMMON GROUND THAT EXISTS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES. THEY DID THIS WITH PARTICULAR INTENSITY TO PARTICULARLY GOOD EFFECT WHEN THEY MET IN HELSINKI ON MARCH TWENTY-FIRST AND TWENTY-SECOND. // END ACT //MR. TALBOTT SAID THE PROPOSED NATO-RUSSIA COUNCIL WILL BE CONSULTATIVE. RUSSIA WILL NOT HAVE A VETO OVER ANY NATO DECISION, AS PRESIDENT YELTSIN HAS CLAIMED. THE DEPUTY SECRETARY ADDED THAT IN CURRENT AND FORESEEABLE CIRCUMSTANCES, NATO HAS NO INTENTION OF DEPLOYING NUCLEAR WEAPONS ON THE TERRITORY OF NEW MEMBERS. "WE MUST AVOID ANOTHER YALTA", SAID MR. TALBOTT, REFERRING TO THE GREAT POWER AGREEMENT THAT DIVIDED EUROPE AT THE END OF WORLD WAR TWO, RELINQUISHING THE EAST TO SOVIET COMMUNISM FOR CLOSE TO HALF A CENTURY. BUT A NEW DIVISION IS WHAT MANY CRITICS OF EXPANSION FEAR. MR. TALBOTT SAID THE RUSSIAN LEADERSHIP IS WELL EQUIPPED TO RECONCILE THEIR COUNTRY TO THE NEW NATO: // TALBOTT ACT //I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT WAS DRAMATICALLY AND IMPRESSIVELY CLEAR THROUGHOUT THESE NEGOTIATIONS IN WHICH SECRETARY ALBRIGHT AND I OCCASIONALLY TOOK PART - BECAUSE THERE WAS A BILATERAL DIMENSION AS WELL AS THE NATO-RUSSIAN DIMENSION - THAT OUR RUSSIAN COUNTERPARTS WERE ACUTELY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THIS WOULD BE PERCEIVED AND UNDERSTOOD BY THE RUSSIAN PUBLIC OPINION AND BY THE DUMA. // END ACT //MR. TALBOTT SAID THIS IS THE PRICE OF DEMOCRACY AS OPPOSED TO
SOVIET TIMES WHEN DECISIONS WERE MADE AT THE TOP AND NOT SUBJECT
TO DEBATE. HE EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT PRESIDENT YELTSIN CAN
PURSUADE RUSSIANS TO SUPPORT HIM ON NATO. (SIGNED)
[07] TURKEY / KURDS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=5/21/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-214588 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: TURKEY'S SEMI-OFFICIAL ANATOLIAN NEWS AGENCY REPORTS THAT SYRIA, IRAQ AND IRAN ARE BUILDING UP THERE FORCES NEAR KURDISH-CONTROLLED NORTHERN IRAQ. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA. TEXT: A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MAIN OPPOSITION IRAQI NATIONAL CONGRESS CONFIRMED THE REPORTS, SAYING LARGE NUMBERS OF IRANIAN REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS ARE MASSING ALONG THE IRAQI BORDER. HE SAID IRAQI REPUBLICAN GUARDS BACKED BY RUSSIAN-MADE TANKS ARE ALSO GATHERING NEAR THE IRAQI KURDISH CITIES OF SULAYMANIYAH AND ARBIL. MEANWHILE, EYEWITNESSES ALONG THE TURKISH BORDER SAID SYRIAN TROOPS HAD BEEN MASSING NEAR SYRIA'S FRONTIER WITH IRAQ AND HAD BEEN CONDUCTING MILITARY EXERCISES. ALL THREE OF TURKEY'S MIDDLE EASTERN NEIGHBORS HAVE CONDEMNED ITS BIG CROSS-BORDER OFFENSIVE AGAINST REBELS OF THE SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, P-K-K, WHICH WEDNESDAY ENTERED ITS EIGHTH DAY. SYRIAN OFFICIALS HAVE ACCUSED TURKEY OF SEEKING TO ESTABLISH A PERMANENT MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE KURDISH AREA WHICH HAS REMAINED UNDER ALLIED AIR PROTECTION SINCE THE END OF THE GULF WAR. TURKEY DENIES THE CLAIM, AND SAYS IT LAUNCHED THE ANTI-REBEL OPERATION IN RESPONSE TO CALLS FROM ONE OF THE MAIN KURDISH FACTIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ, THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, OR K-D-P. THE K-D-P CONTROLS NEARLY HALF OF NORTHERN IRAQ. IT ACCUSES THE TURKISH KURD REBELS OF FORCING IRAQI KURDISH CIVILIANS TO JOIN THEIR RANKS IN A BID TO INCREASE THE P-K-K'S PRESENCE IN THE REGION. TURKEY SHOWED NO SIGN OF LETTING UP ITS DRIVE AGAINST THE REBELS WEDNESDAY FERRYING IN FRESH TROOPS AND SUPPLIES. TURKISH DEFENSE MINISTER TURHAN TAYAN SAID TUESDAY THAT THE TROOPS WOULD STAY ON UNTIL -- IN HIS WORDS -- RESULTS ARE ACHIEVED. U-N OFFICIALS IN BAGHDAD SAID THE TURKISH OFFENSIVE WAS DISRUPTING U-N FOOD DISTRIBUTION EFFORTS IN THE AREA. THE OFFICIALS SAID THE OPERATION HAD LED TO TO THE DISPLACEMENT OF IRAQI KURDISH CIVILIANS FLEEING THE FIGHTING. THE OFFICIALS ADDED THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO REACH AREAS WHERE SHELLING AND BOMBING IS TAKING PLACE. THE P-K-K HAS BEEN WAGING A 13-YEAR LONG ARMED CAMPAIGN FOR AN
INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE CARVED OUT OF TURKEY'S MAINLY KURDISH
SOUTHEAST PROVINCES. MORE THAN 28-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN
THE REBELLION WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO COST THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT A
MILLION DOLLARS DAILY TO CONTAIN. (SIGNED)
[08] TURKEY / POLITICS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=5/21/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-214582 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A SENIOR TURKISH PROSECUTOR HAS CALLED ON THE COUNTRY'S CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO BAN THE RULING ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY FOR THREATENING SECULARISM IN TURKEY. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA. TEXT: PROSECUTOR VURAL SAVAS, THE HEAD OF THE REPUBLICAN APPEALS COURT PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, SAID HE HAS DEMANDED THE CLOSURE OF PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN'S ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY BECAUSE IN HIS WORDS -- IT HAD PUSHED THE COUNTRY TOWARDS AN ATMOSPHERE OF CIVIL WAR. THE PROSECUTOR CITED SEVERAL EXAMPLES OF WELFARE PARTY ACTIONS HE TERMED UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND ANTI-SECULAR. THEY INCLUDE AN OFFICIAL DINNER HOSTED RECENTLY BY MR. ERBAKAN IN HONOR OF TURKEY'S LEADING ISLAMIC BROTHERHOOD LEADERS. THE FRATERNITIES, WHICH WIELD POLITICAL CONSIDERABLE INFLUENCE, WERE BANNED BY THE FOUNDER OF MODERN TURKEY, KEMAL ATATURK. WELFARE PARTY OFFICIALS SAID THEY ARE NOT WORRIED BY THE PROSECUTOR'S CALL. NEWSPAPER REPORTS SAY WELFARE IS ALREADY WORKING ON PLANS TO FOUND A NEW PARTY IN A BID TO CIRCUMVENT THE LATEST LEGAL CHALLENGE. ON TUESDAY, THE ISLAMIST-LED COALITION NARROWLY SURVIVED A CENSURE MOTION IN THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT. THE MOTION WAS PRESENTED BY FOUR OPPOSITION PARTIES, WHICH ACCUSED THE GOVERNMENT OF UNDERMINING SECULARISM. SOME POLITICAL COMMENTATORS SAID THEY BELIEVE THE PROSECUTOR MIGHT HAVE BEEN ACTING UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE STAUNCHLY PRO- SECULAR TURKISH MILITARY, WHICH THEY DESCRIBE AS DETERMINED TO OUST THE ISLAMISTS FROM POWER. TENSIONS BETWEEN TURKEY'S GENERALS AND PRIME MINISTER ERBAKAN HAVE RISEN IN RECENT WEEKS AS THE COUNTRY'S FIRST ISLAMIST LEADER CONTINUES TO DEFY A SET OF MILITARY-INSPIRED MEASURES AIMED AT CURBING THE SPREAD OF ISLAMIC RADICALISM. MR. ERBAKAN'S APPARENT DECISION TO IGNORE THE MILITARY'S
WARNINGS, SOME COMMENTATORS SAY, MARKS THE FIRST TIME ANY
CIVILIAN LEADER IN TURKEY HAS DEFIED THE COUNTRY'S POWERFUL
GENERALS -- SETTING A PRECEDENT, THE COMMENTATORS ADD, WHICH
COULD UNDERMINE THE MILITARY'S SO FAR UNQUESTIONED AUTHORITY.
(SIGNED)
[09] U-N / YUGO TRIBUNAL (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)DATE=5/20/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-214564 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TODAY (TUESDAY) ELECTED 11 NEW JUDGES TO A TRIBUNAL INVESTIGATING VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE 11 NEW JUDGES WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CASES DEALING WITH THE PROSECUTION OF SERIOUS VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW COMMITTED IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA SINCE 1991. THE JUDGES WILL BEGIN THEIR TERMS ON NOVEMBER 11TH, REPLACING THE TRIBUNAL'S CURRENT MEMBERS, WHO WERE ELECTED IN 1993. SINCE 1993, THE TRIBUNAL HAS INDICTED 74 PEOPLE -- INCLUDING BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC -- BUT IT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GAIN CUSTODY OVER MOST OF THEM. IT HAS CONVICTED ONE MAN -- A SERB -- ON 11 COUNTS OF PERSECUTING AND BEATING MUSLIM PRISONERS IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA. HE HAS NOT YET BEEN SENTENCED. ANOTHER SEVEN PEOPLE ARE IN THE CUSTODY OF THE TRIBUNAL, WHICH IS BASED AT THE HAGUE. U-N GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT ISMAIL RIZAL PRESIDED OVER THE ELECTION. /// RIZAL ACT ///THE JUDGES SHALL BE PERSONS OF HIGH MORAL CHARACTER, IMPARTIALITY AND INTEGRITY, WHO REPRESENT THE QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED IN THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES FOR APPOINTMENTS TO THE HIGHEST JUDICIAL OFFICES. /// END ACT ///THE JUDGES WILL SERVE FOUR YEAR TERMS. ONLY ONE PERSON FROM EACH COUNTRY IS ALLOWED TO SERVE ON THE TRIBUNAL. NINETEEN PEOPLE WERE NOMINATED FOR THE TRIBUNAL POSTS. THOSE ELECTED INCLUDE LEGAL EXPERTS FROM THE UNITED STATES, FRANCE AND BRITAIN, IN ADDITION TO MALAYSIA, GUYANA AND COLUMBIA. TWO OF THOSE TO RECEIVE THE MOST VOTES IN THE ELECTION ARE WANG TIEYA FROM CHINA AND FOUAD ABDEL-MONEIM RIAD FROM EGYPT. MR. WANG IS A PROFESSOR AT CHINA'S INTERNATIONAL LAW INSTITUTE
AND HAS WRITTEN EXTENSIVELY ON ISSUES CONCERNING THAT SUBJECT.
HE IS A MEMBER OF THE PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION AT THE HAGUE
AND PRESIDENT OF THE CHINESE SOCIETY OF INTERNATIONAL LAW. MR.
RIAD, FROM EGYPT, HAS ALSO WRITTEN EXTENSIVELY ON INTERNATIONAL
LAW. HE HAS STUDIED AND TAUGHT AT UNIVERSITIES IN THE UNITED
STATES, BRITAIN, FRANCE AND EGYPT AND IS PRESIDENT OF THE
EGYPTIAN SOCIETY OF INTERNATIONAL LAW. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/PT
[10] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=05/21/97TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-10173 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=NEAL LAVON CONTENT= INTRO: THE NEW GOVERNMENT IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - - KNOWN FORMERLY AS ZAIRE - - REMAINS A POPULAR EDITORIAL TOPIC IN THE U-S PRESS. OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION THIS WEDNESDAY INCLUDE THE CASE OF A FEMALE BOMBER PILOT CHARGED BY THE U.S. AIR FORCE WITH ADULTERY; THE MOST-FAVORED-NATION TRADE STATUS FOR CHINA; THE LATEST PROBLEM IN THE MIDDLE EAST - - DEATH FOR ARABS SELLING LAND TO JEWS; AND WHAT IS GOING ON IN ALBANIA. NOW, HERE IS _____________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: TODAY'S ORLANDO SENTINEL HAILS THE TRANSITION OF POWER IN THE CONGO AS A HOPEFUL MOVE FORWARD. VOICE: "THE IRON-FISTED RULE OF FORMER ZAIRE PRESIDENT MOBUTU SESE SEKO WAS EXCRUCIATINGLY LONG. BUT THE END CAME QUICKLY AS REBELS SWEPT INTO THAT COUNTRY'S CAPITAL DURING THE WEEKEND AND FOUND ONLY THE DICTATOR'S DUST. THUS CONCLUDED ONE OF THE MOST SHAMEFUL EPISODES IN MODERN AFRICAN HISTORY - - MADE EVEN MORE SO BECAUSE OF LONGSTANDING U-S SUPPORT FOR THE MOBUTU REGIME. ..... HOW COULD ABUSING HUMAN RIGHTS, PILLAGING ZAIRE'S TREASURY AND MEDDLING IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES' AFFAIRS - - ALL [MR.] MOBUTU TRADEMARKS - - CONTRIBUTE TO STABILITY? ..... IDEALLY LAURENT KABILA - - LEADER OF THE REBELS AND SELF-PROCLAIMED RULER - - EVENTUALLY WILL DELIVER THE DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS HE HAS PROMISED. THE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SUPPRESSED FOR TOO LONG." TEXT: ON LONG ISLAND, NEWSDAY (LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK) WONDERS WHETHER MR. KABILA CAN "TURN EX-ZAIRE INTO A DEMOCRACY"? VOICE: "AS REVOLUTIONS GO, ZAIRE'S TAKEOVER BY A REBEL ALLIANCE .... WAS SWIFT AND BLOODLESS. THAT'S A GOOD START. BUT COMPETENT MANAGEMENT IN A DEMOCRATIC FRAMEWORK IS WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL NATION OUT OF THE NEW DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. CAN ITS LEADER, LAURENT KABILA, DO IT? [OPT] A SAVVY BOOKIE [BET MAKER] WOULD NOT GIVE GOOD ODDS ON THE SELF-PROCLAIMED NEW PRESIDENT BEING AN ENLIGHTENED LEADER. BUT [END OPT] THE MILITARY ALLIANCE THAT TOOK OVER KINSHASA SO FAR HAS BEHAVED WELL, GIVING EVERY INDICATION THAT IT DOES NOT INTEND TO FOLLOW THE RAPACIOUS MODEL OF DEPOSED PRESIDENT MOBUTU ....." TEXT: [ED. NOTE: WATCH FOR UPDATES ON THIS STORY] TURNING TO A MAJOR TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AT HOME, THE CASE OF AIR FORCE FIRST LIEUTENANT KELLY FLINN, THE NATION'S FIRST FEMALE BOMBER PILOT. SHE HAS BEEN CHARGED BY THE AIR FORCE WITH ADULTERY AFTER SHE CARRIED ON AFFAIRS WITH A CIVILIAN MAN MARRIED TO AN ENLISTED WOMAN AND AN ENLISTED MAN. BOTH VIOLATED MILITARY RULES. THE AIR FORCE ALSO SAYS SHE VIOLATED ORDERS TO END THE AFFAIR AND LIED TO INVESTIGATORS. MANY PEOPLE FEEL SHE IS BEING HELD TO A DIFFERENT, HIGHER STANDARD THAN MALE AIR FORCE PILOTS, AND SOME NEWSPAPERS APPEAR TO AGREE. HERE IS HOW THE NEW YORK TIMES SUMS UP ITS LEAD EDITORIAL ON THE MATTER, TALKING FIRST OF WHAT IT SAYS IS A CONSENSUS IN HER FAVOR. VOICE: "THAT CONSENSUS IS DRIVEN BY PUBLIC AWARENESS THAT WHILE SHE HAS BROKEN MILITARY RULES, THE AIR FORCE HAS BUNGLED THE CASE SO BADLY THAT IT HAS SHOWN HER TO BE A SCAPEGOAT DESERVING OF MERCY RATHER THAN PROSECUTION. MR. [SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TRENT] LOTT IS ALSO RIGHT THAT DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN NEEDS TO STEP IN IF HIS AIR FORCE SECRETARY, SHEILA WIDNALL, LACKS THE GUMPTION TO AUTHORIZE AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE. ... THE AIR FORCE ... CANNOT RESTORE A CAREER THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN SAVED BY THE KIND OF DEFT MANAGEMENT THAT TURNS BUMPTIOUS JUNIOR OFFICERS INTO WISE COMMANDERS. THE LEAST IT CAN DO IS ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS LAPSES BY ISSUING AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE." TEXT: NEWSDAY GOES EVEN FURTHER, SUGGESTING THE AIR FORCE SHOULD FIND A WAY TO KEEP THE YOUNG WOMAN PILOT. VOICE: "THE AIR FORCE SPENT SOMETHING LIKE ONE MILLION DOLLARS TRAINING FIRST LIEUTENANT KELLY FLINN TO BE ITS FIRST FEMALE B-52 BOMBER PILOT. IT WOULD BE A FECKLESS WASTE OF THAT INVESTMENT TO DRUM HER OUT FOR HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH A MARRIED MAN WHO LIED TO HER ABOUT HIS MARITAL STATUS. AND IT WOULD BE A FLAGRANT INJUSTICE TO INFLICT THIS PUNISHMENT FOR AN OFFENSE THAT IS OFTEN PENALIZED FAR LESS SEVERELY WHEN THE OFFENDER IS A MAN. .... IT'S HARD TO SEE WHY THE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR OF MILITARY PERSONNEL WITH OTHER CONSENTING ADULTS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO MILITARY REGULATIONS AT ALL, EXCEPT AS IT MIGHT IMPINGE ON THEIR JOB PERFORMANCE." TEXT: BUT PATRICK BUCHANAN, WRITING IN THE WASHINGTON TIMES, SAYS THE FEMALE PILOT IS EXPECTING DIFFERENT TREATMENT BECAUSE OF HER SEX. VOICE: "NO MALE PILOT WHO WAS CAUGHT IN ADULTERY WITH THE WIFE OF AN ENLISTED MAN, LIED UNDER OATH, DEFIED HIS COMMANDER AND SHACKED UP WITH THE GIRL WOULD BE AWARDED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE. ANY MALE WHO ATTEMPTED LT. FLINN'S DEFENSE...('I WAS 25 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME AND...VERY CONFUSED') WOULD BE LAUGHED OUT OF THE SERVICE BY A PRESS CORPS THAT HAS RISEN LIKE LANCELOT TO THE DEFENSE OF LT. FLINN... KELLY FLINN CANNOT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS. EITHER SHE IS A BOMBER PILOT WHO CAN BE ENTRUSTED WITH A NUCLEAR PAYLOAD, OR SHE IS A VULNERABLE GIRL FOR WHOM WE MUST CUT SOME SLACK--IN WHICH CASE SHE SHOULD GO HOME TO MOTHER." TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DECISION TO GRANT CHINA A RENEWAL OF ITS MOST- FAVORED-NATION [MFN] TRADING STATUS IS DRAWING CONSIDERABLE COMMENT, INCLUDING THIS FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES. VOICE: "WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOCUSING ON THE COMING RETURN OF HONG KONG TO CHINA, PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS MOVED DECISIVELY AND SENSIBLY TO RENEW THE MOST-FAVORED-NATION TRADING STATUS OF BEIJING. THIS WOULD KEEP THE CHINESE ENGAGED- - POLITICALLY AS WELL AS ECONOMICALLY - - FOR ANOTHER YEAR, A YEAR THAT PROMISES TO BE AN EXCEPTIONAL ONE. ... [MR.] CLINTON'S MOVE, HOWEVER, COMES AT THE PRICE OF ALIENATING AN UNUSUAL CONGRESSIONAL LOBBYING COALITION OF CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVES, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS AND LABOR GROUPS OPPOSED TO MFN FOR CHINA. [OPT] ...... THE TWO POWERS MUST WORK TOGETHER ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES, INCLUDING CHEMICAL WEAPONS, PEACE ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA, HUMAN RIGHTS, CHINESE WEAPON SALES AND, OF COURSE, TRADE. A COMFORTABLE PASSAGE OF MFN THIS YEAR WOULD HELP ESTABLISH AN ATMOSPHERE FOR PROGRESS." [END OPT] TEXT: A SOMEWHAT HARSHER VIEW OF THE PRESIDENT'S HANDLING OF THE ISSUE COMES FROM THE WASHINGTON POST, WHICH SAYS, WHILE AGREEING WITH THE DECISION, THERE IS A "CORNERSTONE" MISSING. VOICE: "...... MR. CLINTON'S DECISION WILL TRIGGER SHARP OPPOSITION IN CONGRESS, ..... FOR GOOD REASON. SIMPLY PUT, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT MADE GOOD ON ITS PROMISE TO BALANCE THE GRANTING OF TRADE PRIVILEGES WITH FORCEFUL REPRESENTATION OF U-S INTERESTS IN OTHER AREAS OF THE U-S- CHINA RELATIONSHIP .....[INCLUDING] .....HUMAN RIGHTS, NONPROLIFERATION AND OTHER TROUBLING AREAS." TEXT: CANADA HOLDS NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN A FEW DAYS, AND TODAY'S PORTLAND [MAINE] PRES HERALD, NEAR THE BORDER, HAS THESE THOUGHTS ON THE VOTE. VOICE: "THE BIG QUESTION IN THE JUNE SECOND ELECTION REMAINS WHICH PARTY WILL BE IN THE NUMBER TWO SPOT, MAKING IT THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION. THE SOVEREIGNTIST BLOC QUEBECOIS CURRENTLY HAS THAT DISTINCTION, BUT COULD LOSE IT THIS TIME TO THE CONSERVATIVES OR EVEN THE LEFT-OF-CENTER NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY. ALL FIVE MAJOR PARTIES ARE CONTENDING FOR A LARGER SHARE OF THE 301 SEATS IN THE NEWLY EXPANDED HOUSE OF COMMONS. ..... THE CANADIAN IDENTITY IS A RECURRING THEME IN THE NATION'S POLITICS. WHAT PROBABLY WILL BE THE LAST NATIONAL ELECTION ... THIS CENTURY WILL HELP DECIDE WHAT THAT IDENTITY WILL BE IN THE CENTURY AHEAD." TEXT: THE MOST SEVERE PENALTY THERE IS - - DEATH - - FOR REAL ESTATE DEALS IN PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY-CONTROLLED AREAS AROUND ISRAEL COMES IN FOR CRITICISM FROM THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. VOICE: "[OPT] THE NEWS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST IS NOT GOOD. THE STALLED ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATIONS SHOW NO SIGN OF BEING JUMP-STARTED. AND RELATIONS BETWEEN MANY PALESTINIANS AND ISRAELIS ARE DEGENERATING, AS NASTY, SUSPICIOUS STATEMENTS FLY AND TENSIONS MOUNT. IN THIS CONTEXT, THE LATEST MOVE BY PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSER ARAFAT IS ALL THE MORE TROUBLING. [END OPT] EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY'S JUSTICE MINISTER SAID ... THE AUTHORITY WOULD HOLD SWIFT TRIALS AND EXECUTE ARABS CONVICTED OF SELLING LAND TO JEWS. .... IT SEEMS ... IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR THIS POLICY TO BE IMPLEMENTED. TWO PALESTINIANS WHOM THE ISRAELIS SAY WERE ACCUSED OF SELLING LAND TO ISRAELIS HAVE BEEN FOUND DEAD. ..... THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY DENIES ANY INVOLVEMENT IN THE KILLINGS, BUT NO AUTHORITY OFFICIALS CONDEMNED THE SLAYINGS. THE IMPLICATION IS CHILLING ....." TEXT: LASTLY, TO ALBANIA, ANOTHER WORLD TROUBLE SPOT, TEMPORARILY OUT OF THE NEWS HEADLINES, AND THIS COMMENT FROM THE WASHINGTON POST. VOICE: "ITALY IS FINDING OUT THE HARD WAY WHETHER IT BIT OFF MORE THAN IT COULD CHEW [TOOK ON A BIGGER JOB THAN IT HAD RESOURCES FOR] WHEN IT TOOK THE LEAD IN ORGANIZING A EUROPEAN INTERVENTION FORCE TO RESTORE ORDER IN NEIGHBORING ALBANIA. ..... SOME PLUSES CAN BE MARKED UP SO FAR: LOW CASUALTIES AMONG THE SIX-THOUSAND INTERVENING TROOPS, NO HUNGER AMONG ALBANIANS. BUT THE KEY TO ROME'S IRREDUCIBLE POLITICAL REQUIREMENT OF GETTING IN AND OUT SWIFTLY AND SAFELY ALWAYS HAS BEEN TO ORGANIZE CREDIBLE ELECTIONS, AND THESE NOW ARE BEING CAST INTO DOUBT BY THE DEVIOUS AND AUTOCRATIC ALBANIAN PRESIDENT, SALI BERISHA. ..... MANY COUNTRIES HAVE A STAKE IN ITALY'S SUCCESS IN PUTTING ALBANIA ON A PATH TO STABILITY." TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL TOPICS FROM
WEDNESDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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