Voice of America, 97-07-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY BETH POTTER (TIRANA)

[02] ALBRIGHT-BOSNIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (MADRID)

[03] CYPRUS/CONFLICT BY AL PESSIN (NICOSIA)

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

[05] GERMANY / IRAN (S) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[06] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

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

[08] NATO SUMMIT (OVERNIGHTER-S-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (MADRID)

[09] READY OR NOT, NATO EXPANDS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[10] U-S/BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[01] ALBANIA ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY BETH POTTER (TIRANA)

INTRO: VIOLENCE MARRED THE SECOND ROUND OF ELECTIONS IN PARTS OF NORTHERN ALBANIA SUNDAY, LEAVING TWO PEOPLE DEAD. BUT ELECTION OBSERVERS SAY THE BALLOTING WAS OTHERWISE TROUBLE-FREE. REPORTER BETH POTTER HAS MORE FROM TIRANA.

TEXT: ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY SPOKESMAN NDREKE GJINI CONFIRMED TO REPORTERS THAT TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED SUNDAY AND TWO OTHERS INJURED IN VIOLENCE CONNECTED WITH VOTING IN THE TOWN OF KUJE, LOCATED IN A MOUNTAINOUS REGION ABOUT 100 KILOMETERS NORTH OF TIRANA.

THE MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAYS A 23-YEAR-OLD MAN IDENTIFIED AS DED STROGU -- APPARENTLY ANGRY THAT THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE POLLING COMMISSION WAS NOT PRESENT WHEN HE WENT TO VOTE -- WENT HOME, GOT A GUN AND RETURNED, FIRING SHOTS THROUGH THE POLLING STATION WINDOW AND KILLING TWO MEMBERS OF THE POLLING COMMISSION (EDS: IDENTIFIED AS COMMISSION VICE-CHAIR, GJON BOKA AND POLLING COMMISSION MEMBER, GJOSH FIEZA). TWO OTHERS WERE WOUNDED. // OPT // MINISTRY SPOKESMAN GJINI SAYS MR. STROGU ALLEGEDLY FLED AND HAS YET TO BE CAPTURED. // END OPT // MEANWHILE, PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM SUNDAY'S ROUND OF PARLIAMENTARY BALLOTING SHOW EIGHT OF THE 17 SEATS UP FOR CHALLENGE WENT TO THE SOCIALIST CANDIDATES. CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION CHAIRMAN THIMJO KONDI SAYS ANOTHER FIVE WENT TO DEMOCRATIC PARTY CANDIDATES -- THE PARTY OF OUTGOING PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA.

SUNDAY'S SECOND ROUND OF BALLOTING TOOK PLACE IN 32 DISTRICTS WHERE NO CANDIDATE WON A MAJORITY IN THE FIRST ROUND. A THIRD ROUND OF BALLOTING IS EXPECTED NEXT SUNDAY IN AT LEAST TWO DISTRICTS. ELECTION COMMISSION OFFICIALS SAY THE SOCIALISTS ARE EXPECTED TO WIN ENOUGH SEATS TO FORM A MAJORITY GOVERNMENT. THE FINAL RESULTS OF ALBANIA'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS MONTH. (SIGNED)
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07-Jul-97 12:27 PM EDT (1627 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBRIGHT-BOSNIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (MADRID)

INTRO: IN MADRID, NATO ENLARGEMENT IS NOT THE ONLY ISSUE THE LEADERS WILL DISCUSS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM MADRID, THE UNITED STATES IS SEEKING A STATEMENT ON BOSNIA SUPPORTING THE BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT AND ISOLATING INDICTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECT RADOVAN KARADZIC.

TEXT: IN THE POLITICAL BATTLE BETWEEN BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC AND RADOVAN KARADZIC, THE UNITED STATES HOPES TO GET THE NATO SUMMIT MEETING TO TAKE SIDES. MRS. PLAVSIC HAS MADE MOVES TO COOPERATE WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE PROCESS BUT THE BOSNIAN SERB PARLIAMENT UNDER THE POLITICAL CONTROL OF MR. KARADZIC IS TRYING TO HAVE HER REMOVED FROM OFFICE.

SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, SPEAKING HERE AFTER A MEETING WITH SPAIN'S FOREIGN MINISTER, SAYS NATO NEEDS TO HAVE A COORDINATED APPROACH TO SUPPORT THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT.

OUR OPERATING PRINCIPLE IS SIMPLE. WE SHALL HELP THOSE WHO HELP DAYTON AND ISOLATE THOSE OPPOSE THE PEACE THAT THE DAYTON ACCORDS ARE TO BRING.

A SENIOR NATO OFFICIAL SAYS THE NATO LEADERS WILL DISCUSS THE SITUATION IN THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC AT THEIR LUNCH MEETING TUESDAY. SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER ABEL MATUTES TOLD SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT THAT NATO SHOULD "TURN UP THE HEAT" ON THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO MAKE THEM COMPLY WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT.

THE BOSNIAN SERBS, UNDER POLITICAL GUIDANCE FROM MR. KARADZIC, HAVE REFUSED TO COOPERATE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL OR TO ALLOW MUSLIMS AND CROAT REFUGEES TO RETURN TO AREAS UNDER SERB CONTROL.

MRS. PLAVSIC HAS MADE OVERTURES TO COMPLY WITH BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT TO WIN INTERNATIONAL PROMISES OF ECONOMIC AID TO THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC. THREATS TO WITHHOLD ASSISTANCE HAVE HAD LITTLE IMPACT ON MR. KARADZIC OR HIS ALLIES.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT DEFENDS THAT APPROACH.

ONE HAS TO EMPHASIZE THE FACT THAT ECONOMIC ACTION IS VERY STRONG ACTION ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS COORDINATED AND AS WE HAVE REVIEWED OUR BOSNIA POLICY AND AS WE DISCUSSED IN SINTRA (PORTUGAL) WHEN WE ALL (NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS) LAST MET, THE CONDITIONING OF ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE BASED UPON HOW VARIOUS SEGMENTS OF BOSNIA AND THE OTHER COUNTRIES LIVE UP TO THEIR DAYTON OBLIGATIONS, I THINK IS AN IMPORTANT TOOL THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS.

ONE TOOL THAT NATO HAS NOT AGREED ON IS TO HAVE NATO TROOPS IN BOSNIA ARREST MR. KARADZIC AND OTHER SUSPECTS WANTED BY THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL. SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT LEFT THAT ISSUE OPEN TO DISCUSSION BY THE LEADERS BUT SAYS A POLITICAL STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR MRS. PLAVSIC IS LIKELY TO EMERGE HERE.

IT IS OUR HOPE THAT AS WE DISCUSS BOSNIA HERE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS THAT IT WILL BECOME EVIDENT THAT EXTRA LEGAL ACTIVITIES BY MR. KARADZIC AND OTHERS WILL BE VIEWED AS UNACCEPTABLE AND THAT THERE WILL BE SUPPORT GIVEN FOR MRS. PLAVSIC, THE DULY ELECTED LEADER OF REPUBLICA SRPSKA.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT WAS BRIEFED HERE MONDAY BY HER POLITICAL DIRECTOR FOR BOSNIA, ROBERT GELBARD, WHO JUST FINISHED TALKS WITH ALL SIDES IN THE BOSNIAN SERB POLITICAL CONFLICT. (SIGNED)
NEB/RON/EH
07-Jul-97 11:49 AM EDT (1549 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CYPRUS/CONFLICT BY AL PESSIN (NICOSIA)

INTRO: AT A MEETING POINT OUTSIDE NEW YORK CITY THIS WEEK, THE LEADERS OF THE ETHNIC GREEK AND TURKISH-CYPRIOT COMMUNITIES WILL HOLD A SUMMIT UNDER U-N AUSPICES TO TRY TO END THE MORE THAN 30-YEAR DIVISION OF THEIR ISLAND. WHILE PREVIOUS TALKS ESTABLISHED THE BASIC OUTLINE LONG AGO, IT HAS NOT RESULTED IN A SETTLEMENT. AND V-O-A'S AL PESSIN REPORTS FROM NICOSIA, THOSE EARLIER AGREEMENTS -- EVEN COMBINED WITH NEW INCENTIVES -- ARE NO GUARANTEE OF SUCCESS THIS TIME EITHER.

TEXT: SOMETIMES IT SOUNDS AS IF A CYPRUS SOLUTION SHOULD BE EASY.

THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO MOVE FORWARD.

THAT IS CYPRIOT PRESIDENT GLAFKOS CLERIDES, LEADER OF THE GREEK-CYPRIOT COMMUNITY. HIS APPROACH SEEMS SIMILAR TO THAT OF ERGUN OLGUN, POLITICAL ADVISER TO THE TURKISH-CYPRIOT LEADER.

WE BELIEVE THAT THE CONFRONTATIONAL RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON IN THE ISLAND FOR 34 YEARS ... THE TIME HAS COME TO CHANGE THAT RELATIONSHIP INTO A RELATIONSHIP OF PARTNERSHIP AND COOPERATION.

BUT DETAILS OF POWER-SHARING BETWEEN THE 18-PERCENT ETHNIC-TURKS AND THE 82-PERCENT ETHNIC-GREEKS ARE MUCH HARDER TO WORK OUT. PRESIDENT CLERIDES SAYS THAT IS BECAUSE THE TURKISH-CYPRIOT SIDE FEELS THREATENED BY THE MAJORITY GREEKS, AND THE GREEKS FEEL THREATENED BY TURKEY, WHICH IS JUST 60 KILOMETERS AWAY AND HAS 35-THOUSAND TROOPS ON THE NORTHERN PART OF THE ISLAND.

WE MUST GO AND TALK FRANKLY ON WHAT IS THE REQUIREMENTS OF BOTH COMMUNITIES IN ORDER TO FEEL SECURE FOR THE FUTURE. IF WE CAN REACH THAT, THEN ALL THE OTHER PIECES WILL FALL INTO PLACE ... WE HAVE TO APPRECIATE EACH SIDE'S DIFFICULTIES AND ANXIETIES AND TRY TOGETHER TO FIND A MIDDLE-OF-THE-WAY APPROACH.

MR. CLERIDES' TURKISH-CYPRIOT NEGOTIATING COUNTERPARTS MAKE SIMILAR CONCILIATORY STATEMENTS. THEY BOTH ALSO SPEAK OF ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ADVANTAGES OF REACHING A SETTLEMENT. BUT BEHIND IT ALL, THERE IS A LEGACY OF FEAR AND MISTRUST.

SENIOR NORTHERN CYPRUS OFFICIAL, ERGUN OLGUN.

MANY PEOPLE IN THE STREET STILL SAY THAT WE DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH THE SAME MASSACRES, WE DON'T WANT TO GO AND EXPOSE OURSELVES TO THE GREEK CYPRIOTS AGAIN AND GO THROUGH THIS THING AGAIN. THEY (GREEK CYPRIOTS) HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN CONSTANTINOPLE, THEY STILL CALL IT "CONSTANTINOPLE" ... BUT THESE THINGS ARE GONE. IT'S FINISHED. BUT THEY DON'T SEE IT THAT WAY.

SIMILAR FEARS OF A REPEAT OF THE INTER-COMMUNAL FIGHTING OF THE 1960S AND 70S ARE ALSO HEARD ON THE GREEK SIDE OF THE ISLAND.

BUT BEYOND THE DISTRUST AND DIFFERENT VISIONS OF WHAT "FEDERATION" MEANS, THERE ARE FACTORS PUSHING THE TWO SIDES TO SETTLE THEIR DIFFERENCES. FOR ONE, BOTH CYPRUS AND TURKEY WANT TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION, AND SETTLEMENT OF THE CYPRUS CONFLICT SEEMS TO BE A PREREQUISITE. IN FACT, ERGUN OLGUN SAYS THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS WILL BREAK OFF THE NEGOTIATIONS, IF THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT IN THE SOUTH EVEN BEGINS FORMAL ACCESSION TALKS, WHICH ARE SCHEDULED TO START EARLY NEXT YEAR.

WE HAVE SAID THAT IF THIS HAPPENS, IT WILL MEAN TO US THAT THERE IS COMPLETE DISRESPECT OF OUR RIGHTS IN CYPRUS, IF THIS IS DONE. AND WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH A PARTNER WHICH DISRESPECTS US. AND WE ARE NOT, AGAIN, FROM THAT DAY ONWARDS CONCERNED WITH ESTABLISHING A PARTNERSHIP.

IN ADDITION, NORTHERN CYPRUS AND TURKEY SAY THEY WILL NOT ALLOW THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT IN THE SOUTH TO TAKE DELIVERY OF RUSSIAN-MADE ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILES, EXPECTED TO ARRIVE ABOUT A YEAR FROM NOW. BUT CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER YANAKIS CASSOULIDES SAYS THE MISSILE ORDER COULD EASILY BE CANCELLED, UNDER THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES.

WE HAVE ORDERED THOSE MISSILES FOR ONE AND SIMPLE REASON, THAT WE FEEL VERY VULNERABLE TO THE PRESENCE OF THE TURKISH ARMY IN CYPRUS ... IF THESE CONDITIONS ARE REMOVED -- AND A POSITIVE OUTCOME FROM THE NEGOTIATIONS WILL CERTAINLY REMOVE THESE CONDITIONS OF INSECURITY ON OUR BEHALF -- IN THAT CASE, YES, IF THERE IS A DECISION IN PRINCIPLE ABOUT THE DEMILITARIZATION OF CYPRUS,THE MISSILES WILL HAVE NO PLACE IN CYPRUS.

THE QUESTION IS WHETHER GREECE AND TURKEY -- AND THE GREEK AND TURKISH-CYPRIOT POLITICAL LEADERS, WHO HAVE BEEN AT THIS FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS -- HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL AND MOTIVATION TO REACH A SETTLEMENT. GREEK-CYPRIOT LEADER GLAFKOS CLERIDES SAYS HE IS READY.

I GO THERE AND PREPARE TO FIND A SOLUTION ... IF RAUF (DENKTASH) IS ALSO READY, I AM SURE WE'LL MAKE IT.

AND SENIOR NORTHERN CYPRUS OFFICIAL ERGUN OLGUN SAYS HIS SIDE IS READY.

OUR AMBITION IS TO, AS CO-OWNERS OF THIS ISLAND, SHARE ISLAND BECAUSE IT'S OUR DESTINY ... THIS IS THE VISION WITH WHICH WE ARE GOING TO NEW YORK. WE WILL FIGHT FOR THIS VISION TO BECOME A REALITY.

BUT EXPERTS SAY THE REAL, TOUGH ANSWERS WILL ONLY COME IN CLOSED DOOR NEGOTIATIONS -- A PROCESS THAT COULD EASILY TAKE A YEAR OR MORE WITH NO GUARANTEE OF SUCCESS. (SIGNED)
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07-Jul-97 12:58 PM EDT (1658 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: IT WAS A MIXED DAY FOR STOCKS ON THE MAJOR MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE MONDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES.

TEXT: SOME INVESTOR WORRY ABOUT YET ANOTHER INTEREST RATE HIKE HERE IN BRITAIN PROMPTED A SLIGHT DECLINE ON THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 STOCK INDEX. IT CLOSED DOWN TWO POINTS. THE LONDON MARKET GOT A LATE BOOST, THOUGH, FROM HIGHER PRICES ON WALL STREET, AS DID THE GERMAN "DAX 30" INDEX, WHICH CLOSED UP JUST OVER 30 POINTS TO SET A NEW MARKET RECORD. THE "CAC 40" INDEX IN PARIS ALSO STARTED THE WEEK ON A POSITIVE NOTE, CLOSING UP JUST OVER 10-AND-A-HALF POINTS.

IN CURRENCY TRADING, THE DOLLAR WAS DOWN A PFENNIGE AGAINST THE MARK AND ALMOST UNCHANGED AGAINST THE POUND. GOLD CONTINUED ITS SLUMP, HITTING ITS LOWEST LEVEL IN MORE THAN A DECADE. IT CLOSED DOWN MONDAY NEARLY SIX DOLLARS FROM THE LONDON CLOSING FIX FRIDAY. MONDAY'S CLOSE WAS 318-DOLLARS-55 CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
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07-Jul-97 1:48 PM EDT (1748 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] GERMANY / IRAN (S) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: GERMAN AUTHORITIES SAY TESTIMONY FROM A NEW WITNESS BLAMES IRAN FOR THE 1988 BOMBING OF AN AMERICAN JETLINER OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN.

TEXT: PROSECUTORS INVESTIGATING THE PAN AM BOMBING WILL SAY ONLY THAT THEY HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWING A NEW WITNESS AND THAT HIS TESTIMONY BLAMES IRAN.

AUTHORITIES REFUSED TO IDENTIFY THE WITNESS. BUT THE LATEST EDITION OF THE NEWS MAGAZINE DER SPIEGEL SAYS HE IS A FORMER IRANIAN INTELLIGENCE AGENT, ABOLGHASEM MESBAHI.

IN HIS TESTIMONY TO GERMAN PROSECUTORS, THE FORMER AGENT IS SAID TO HAVE BLAMED THE LATE AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI FOR ORDERING THE BOMBING OF THE PAN AM JETLINER.

THE ATTACK WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN ORDERED AFTER A U-S WARSHIP MISTAKENLY SHOT DOWN AN IRANIAN PASSENGER PLANE KILLING 290 PEOPLE.

THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT HAS DISMISSED THE REPORT AS UNFOUNDED AND RIDICULOUS. IN 1991 THE UNITED STATES INDICTED TWO LIBYAN INTELLIGENCE AGENTS ON CHARGES RELATED TO THE LOCKERBIE BOMBING. (SIGNED)
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07-Jul-97 8:43 AM EDT (1243 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AMERICANS RETURNING TO WORK TODAY AFTER THEIR THREE-DAY INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY ARE FINDING A WIDE ARRAY OF TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION IN THE NATION'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS.

THE MADRID SUMMIT AT WHICH NATO IS EXPECTED TO BE ENLARGED IS THE MOST POPULAR TOPIC. OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE TURKEY'S POLITICAL SITUATION; THE MARS EXPLORER PATHFINDER IS SALUTED; THE SENATE INVESTIGATION OF CAMPAIGN FINANCING; AND LASTLY TIBET'S UNEXPECTED NAZI CONNECTION.

NOW, HERE WITH A QUOTE OR TWO AND A CLOSER LOOK IS _______________AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: NATO LEADERS ARE GATHERING IN MADRID THIS WEEK FOR A MEETING THAT WILL INCLUDE VOTING TO EXPAND BY INVITING THREE EASTERN EUROPEAN NATIONS, POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC, TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE. THAT CONTINUES TO ELICIT STRONG OPINIONS BOTH PRO AND CON IN THE U-S PRESS. THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER CONTINUES TO BELIEVE NATO EXPANSION AT THIS POINT IS A MISTAKE.

VOICE: "[OPT] ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY DECISIONS OF OUR TIME WILL BE MADE THIS WEEK IN MADRID, WITH VERY FEW AMERICANS EVEN AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON. [END OPT] .....THE DECISION TO ENLARGE NATO, STRONGLY PUSHED BY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, RAISES PROFOUND QUESTIONS THAT HAVE YET TO BE DEBATED: WHO IS THE ENEMY THAT A BIGGER NATO IS MEANT TO COUNTER? WHAT WILL EXPANSION DO TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AMERICA'S MAIN DEFENSE ALLIANCE? WHO WILL PAY FOR THIS EXPANSION? BEFORE THESE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN FULLY THRASHED OUT, [DEBATED] LET ALONE ANSWERED, MANY OF OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES ARE PRESSING FOR NATO TO EXPAND EVEN FURTHER ..... THE ADMINISTRATION MUST FEND OFF THESE PRESSURES."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST DISAGREES, FAVORING EXPANSION NOW, AND MAKES ITS CASE THIS WAY:

VOICE: "IT IS A CHILLY AND EXCLUSIVE WORLD THAT THE OPPONENTS OF NATO EXPANSION WOULD BUILD IN EUROPE. A WHOLE ROW OF EMERGING OR REEMERGING DEMOCRACIES OF A EUROPEAN TRADITION ASPIRE TO THE MANIFEST PSYCHOLOGICAL, POLITICAL AND - - IN A PINCH [EMERGENCY] - - MILITARY COMFORTS OF ALLIANCE. [OPT] THE OPPONENTS WOULD HAVE THESE CANDIDATES FORGO THE CONFIDENCE THAT MEMBERSHIP WOULD SURELY CONVEY TO THEIR DEMOCRATIC AND FREE-MARKET ELEMENTS. [END OPT] .....THE UNITED STATES JOINED THE RESCUE OF CENTRAL EUROPE FROM TWO GREAT WARS AND TWO TYRANNIES IN THIS CENTURY. ONLY AT GREAT COST COULD IT NOW DENY THE RESCUED THE INFUSIONS OF CONFIDENCE AND SUPPORT THAT WILL HELP THEM TO FULFILL A WESTERN DESTINY."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, THE WASHINGTON TIMES, WHICH ALSO SUPPORTS THE EXPANSION.

VOICE: "LET'S HOPE THAT MADRID, 1997, WILL COME TO STAND FOR THE DAY THE WEST ENLARGED ITS BORDERS, BRINGING IN FROM THE COLD COUNTRIES THAT BY CULTURE AND TRADITION ARE ANCHORED TO THE REST OF EUROPE, BUT WHICH THE 20TH CENTURY HAS TREATED SO HARSHLY."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN ONE OF NATO'S CURRENT MEMBERS, TURKEY, WHICH RECENTLY JETTISONED ITS FIRST ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST PRIME MINISTER AFTER STRONG MILITARY PRESSURE.

VOICE: "THE UNITED STATES DEPENDS ON TURKEY AS A VITAL MILITARY AND POLITICAL ALLY IN SOUTHWESTERN EUROPE, CENTRAL ASIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST. THAT MAKES IT WELCOME NEWS THAT TURKEY'S TROUBLED POLITICS HAS NOW TAKEN AN ENCOURAGING TURN. PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL LAST WEEK NAMED MESUT YILMAZ, A FIRM SECULARIST AND DEMOCRAT, TO SUCCEED THE ISLAMIC LEADER, NECMETTIN ERBANKAN, AS PRIME MINISTER. [OPT] IT WOULD BE NAIVE TO GLOSS OVER THE FORMIDABLE CHALLENGES AWAITING THE NEW PRIME MINISTER, INCLUDING ASSERTIVE GENERALS, A BRUTAL WAR AGAINST KURDISH SEPARATISTS AND GROWING VOTER DISENCHANTMENT WITH THE SCANDAL-STAINED POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT. BUT UNDER MR. YILMAZ, HIS COUNTRY'S LEAST TAINTED SECULAR POLITICAL LEADER, TURKEY WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO STRENGTHEN ITS DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND REPAIR ITS DAMAGED INTERNATIONAL PRESTIGE." [END OPT]

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE CELEBRATING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MARS PATHFINDER MISSION, NOW SENDING BACK INCREDIBLE COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE RED PLANET. THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR IS ONE.

VOICE: "WITH THE BOUNCE-DOWN OF THE MARS PATHFINDER, NASA HAS ITS BEST OPPORTUNITY YET TO SHOW WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH INGENUITY AND A SMALLER BUDGET. THIS MISSION TO MARS IS, COST-WISE, [ECONOMICALLY SPEAKING] A SHADOW OF ITS PREDECESSORS. THE VIKING SPACECRAFT THAT FIRST LANDED IN 1976 WERE BIG-TICKET [EXPENSIVE] ITEMS. ..... PATHFINDER RINGS UP [UNDERSTOOD: ON THE U-S BUDGETARY CASH REGISTER] A RELATIVELY PALTRY 266-MILLION DOLLARS. BUT ITS' PHOTOGRAPHY AND, MOST IMPORTANT, ITS ANALYSIS OF MARTIAN ROCKS, SHOULD YIELD A BOUNTY OF NEW INFORMATION ABOUT EARTH'S MOST FABLED PLANETARY NEIGHBOR. .... KUDOS TO NASA FOR A MISSION THAT PROMISES TO ADVANCE BOTH SCIENCE AND EFFICIENCY."

TEXT: THE SUN IN BALTIMORE CONTRASTS THE PATHFINDER'S SUCCESS WITH THE TROUBLES ON THE RUSSIAN SPACE STATION MIR.

VOICE: "THE INDEPENDENCE DAY LANDING ON MARS OF THE .... PATHFINDER SIGNIFIES NOT ONLY HOW FAR THE AMERICAN SPACE PROGRAM HAS COME, BUT THE DEPTHS TO WHICH THE ONCE-SUPERIOR RUSSIAN PROGRAM HAS FALLEN. [OPT] THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SHARED WITH THE PEOPLE WHO AWED AMERICANS 40 YEARS AGO BY LAUNCHING THE FIRST ARTIFICIAL SATELLITE, SPUTNIK. THE RUSSIANS' MARS 96 PROBE WAS SUPPOSED TO LAND ON MARS, TOO, TWO MONTHS FROM NOW. BUT IT CRASHED ONLY HOURS AFTER TAKEOFF LAST NOVEMBER. [END OPT] .... THE AMERICAN SPACE PROGRAM ... SEEMS TO HAVE FINALLY RECOVERED FROM THE DEPRESSION THAT ACCOMPANIED THE 1986 CHALLENGER TRAGEDY."

TEXT: BRIEFLY TURNING TO POLITICAL NEWS, THE SENATE COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING ALLEGED CAMPAIGN FINANCING EXCESSES DURING LAST YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN BEGINS HEARINGS TOMORROW, CAUSING THIS COMMENT FROM NEWSDAY.

VOICE: "... AFTER A PRELIMINARY BOUT OF PARTISAN BICKERING WITH HIS DEMOCRATIC MINORITY, THERE'S AT LEAST A CHANCE THAT [SENATOR FRED] TOMPSON'S GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL PERFORM A USEFUL SERVICE DURING SEVERAL WEEKS OF HEARINGS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN TOMORROW. THIS WOULD BE A GREAT RELIEF TO A CITIZENRY PROFOUNDLY MISTRUSTFUL OF ITS POLITICIANS ......"

TEXT: IN ANOTHER EDITORIAL, THE LONG ISLAND NEWSPAPER WARNS THE U-S NOT TO HELP THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE CONGO-ZAIRE, LAURENT KABILA, "UNTIL HE KEEPS HIS PROMISES."

VOICE: "[OPT] IT DOESN'T COME AS MUCH OF A SURPRISE THAT CONGO'S NEW LEADER, LAURENT KABILA, IS PROVING TO BE AS RESISTANT TO DEMOCRACY AND AS HIGH-HANDED ON HUMAN RIGHTS AS MOBUTU SESE SEKO, THE BRUTAL TIN-POT [SMALL TIME] DICTATOR HE OUSTED. [OPT] BUT WITH [MR.] KABILA, THE UNITED STATES HAS A CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE: TO START, PRESIDENT ... CLINTON CAN WITHHOLD ECONOMIC AID PLEDGED ON CONDITIONS THAT [MR.] KABILA VIOLATED BEFORE HIS REGIME WAS A MONTH OLD...... [END OPT] [PRESIDENT] KABILA MUST BE ... SENT A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT, IF HE CONTINUES ON HIS PRESENT COURSE, HE CAN COUNT ON NEITHER AID NOR FRIENDSHIP."

TEXT: LASTLY, A TOTALLY UNEXPECTED NAZI GERMAN CONNECTION TO TIBET AND THE DALI LAMA FROM THE GERMAN MAGAZINE STERN THAT HAS HEADS SPINNING IN THAT LOFTY, OCCUPIED REGION OF CHINA. THE NEW YORK TIMES LAMENTS:

VOICE: "OUT OF THE BLUE [TOTALLY UNEXPECTEDLY] COMES THE DISCLOSURE THAT HEINRICH HARRER, THE AUTHOR OF 'SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET,' WAS NOT ONLY A NAZI BUT A SERGEANT IN HIMMLER'S SS. SINCE MR. HARRER WAS FRIEND AND TUTOR OF THE YOUNG DALAI LAMA 50 YEARS AGO, THIS LONG-KEPT SECRET MAY NOW BE UNDESERVEDLY USED IN CHINA'S CAMPAIGN TO DISCREDIT THE EXILED TIBETAN. ..... AFTER LEAVING TIBET, TRANSFORMED BY THE BUDDHIST KINGDOM, MR. HARRER DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO NONVIOLENCE AND HUMAN RIGHTS ..... THE PITY IS THAT MR. HARRER DID NOT TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT HIMSELF LONG, LONG AGO."

TEXT: ON THAT BIZARRE NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENTS FROM MONDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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07-Jul-97 10:31 AM EDT (1431 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (MONDAY) IN A RATHER VOLATILE SESSION. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 78 HUNDRED 58, DOWN 37 POINTS. THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 912, DOWN FOUR POINTS.

STOCK PRICES WERE UP STRONGLY FOR THE FIRST SEVERAL HOURS, WITH TALK THAT AN INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE OF EIGHT THOUSAND WAS IN SIGHT. BUT A SELL-OFF BEGAN IN EARLY AFTERNOON.

ANALYSTS SAY SECOND-QUARTER CORPORATE EARNINGS RESULTS WILL BE THE DETERMINING FACTORS FOR STOCK PRICES IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. ALCOA, THE WORLD'S LARGEST ALUMINUM COMPANY, WAS ONE OF THE FIRST BIG COMPANIES TO REPORT. ALCOA ENJOYED A 57 PERCENT PROFIT JUMP IN THE LATEST QUARTER.

THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA HAS REPORTEDLY APPROVED A 700 MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT BY THE COCA-COLA COMPANY. MOST OF THE MONEY WILL BE SPENT TO BUILD NEW BOTTLING PLANTS IN INDIA.

GOLD PRICES PLUNGED TO 12-YEAR LOWS IN A CONTINUED SELL-OFF AFTER LAST WEEK'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE CENTRAL BANK OF AUSTRALIA HAD SOLD 60 PERCENT OF ITS GOLD RESERVES. ANALYSTS SAY GOLD TRADERS ARE WORRIED THAT OTHER CENTRAL BANKS MAY START SELLING. BUT ROBERT RADSCH WHO MANAGES THE LEXINGTON GOLD FUND BELIEVES THAT IS UNLIKELY NOW.

TO ME IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO SELL ANYTHING WHEN IT IS DOWN. YOU SHOULD SELL IT WHEN IT IS UP. IT HAS GOTTEN DOWN TO THESE LEVELS BEFORE. I THINK THIS WORRY IS OVERDONE.

BUT MR. RADSCH CONCEDES GOLD COULD GO BELOW 300 DOLLARS AN OUNCE. IN NEW YORK FUTURES TRADING MONDAY, GOLD WAS SELLING FOR ABOUT 320 DOLLARS AN OUNCE, ITS LOWEST LEVEL SINCE 1985.

NEW YORK FINANCIAL ANALYSTS WHO SPECIALIZE IN LATIN AMERICA SAY THE DEFEAT OF MEXICO'S RULING PARTY IN SUNDAY'S ELECTIONS WILL PROBABLY HAVE NO IMPACT ON U-S INVESTMENT IN MEXICO. THEY SAY THE ELECTIONS, WHICH WERE FREE OF ANY MAJOR VIOLENCE, HAVE REASSURED INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS ABOUT THE FUNDAMENTAL POLITICAL STABILITY IN MEXICO.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
07-Jul-97 5:20 PM EDT (2120 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] NATO SUMMIT (OVERNIGHTER-S-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (MADRID)

INTRO: NATO LEADERS ARE IN MADRID TO FINALIZE PLANS FOR EASTWARD EXPANSION OF THE ALLIANCE AND TO ANNOUNCE WHICH FORMER WARSAW PACT COUNTRIES ARE BEING INVITED TO BEGIN MEMBERSHIP PROCEEDINGS. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA IS IN THE SPANISH CAPITAL AND FILED THIS REPORT.

TEXT: NATO LEADERS WILL CHOSE AT LEAST THREE AND NO MORE THAN FIVE FORMER WARSAW PACT COUNTRIES TO JOIN THE WESTERN ALLIANCE. THOSE CHOSEN WILL BEGIN A TWO-YEAR PROCESS THAT WILL CULMINATE IN THEIR FULL MEMBERSHIP IN 1999, WHEN THE ALLIANCE CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY.

THE UNITED STATES FAVORS POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF EXPANSION -- AND NO MORE. BUT OTHER NATO COUNTRIES -- NOTABLY FRANCE -- ARE CALLING FOR MORE MEMBERS TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS GO-AROUND, WITH ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA FREQUENTLY MENTIONED.

WHATEVER THE OUTCOME, NATO OFFICIALS ARE STRESSING THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST STEP IN AN EXPANSION PROCESS THAT WILL ULTIMATELY INCLUDE MORE FORMER WARSAW PACT COUNTRIES. THEY SAY THE FINAL COMMUNIQUE WILL STRESS WHAT NATO OFFICIALS CALL "AN OPEN DOOR POLICY."

IN ADDITION TO ANNOUNCING NEW NATO MEMBERS, ALLIANCE LEADERS WILL SIGN A SPECIAL CHARTER WITH UKRAINE, DESCRIBING RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO -- A CHARTER NOT UNLIKE THE ONE SIGNED WITH RUSSIA A FEW MONTHS AGO. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF/RRM
07-Jul-97 3:14 PM EDT (1914 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] READY OR NOT, NATO EXPANDS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AS THE DEBATE CONTINUES IN THE UNITED STATES OVER THE EFFICACY OF EXPANDING NATO, THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION'S LEADERS GATHER IN MADRID, SPAIN, TO DO JUST THAT.

WE HAVE A SAMPLING OF THE LATEST COMMENTS ON THIS MOMENTOUS DECISION FROM THE U-S PRESS NOW FROM ____________________IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS ARRIVED IN MADRID FROM THE RESORT ISLAND OF MALLORCA FOR THE NATO SUMMIT WHICH BEGINS (BEGAN) TUESDAY. THE PRESIDENT HAS ALREADY MADE CLEAR HE BELIEVES ONLY POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC SHOULD JOIN NATO IN THE FIRST ROUND.

OTHER NATIONS, LED BY FRANCE, ARE LOBBYING FOR THE ADMISSION OF ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA AS WELL, WHEN NATO EXPANDS. THE LEADERS ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO DISCUSS REFORMING THE NATO ALLIANCE TO STREAMLINE ITS COMMAND STRUCTURE AND GIVE LARGER LEADERSHIP ROLES TO THE EUROPEAN PARTNERS.

U-S NEWSPAPERS ARE FULL OF COMMENTS ABOUT THE WISDOM OF JOINING NATO OR THE FOLLY OF EXPANDING IT AT THIS TIME OF DIMINISHED WORLD TENSIONS. WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING IN MAINE, WHERE THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD SAYS "NATO'S NEW MISSION DEMANDS BOLDNESS."

VOICE: "[OPT] WHEN HISTORIANS LOOK BACK ON BILL CLINTON'S YEARS AS PRESIDENT, THE ACTIONS HE TAKES AT THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION SUMMIT IN MADRID .... WILL IN PART DEFINE HIM. AT LEAST THREE FORMER WARSAW PACT COUNTRIES, POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC, ARE EXPECTED TO BE OFFERED MEMBERSHIP IN THE 16-NATION DEFENSE ALLIANCE..... [END OPT] WITH THE SOVIET UNION BROKEN UP AND DEMOCRACY EMERGING FROM COMMUNISM'S ACHES, WHY DOES EUROPE NEED NATO? TO INSURE STABILITY IS THE COMMON AND OBVIOUS ANSWER. THE SHAKY PEACE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA AND THE DISARRAY IN ALBANIA PROVIDE AMPLE EVIDENCE THAT VIOLENCE CAN STILL ERUPT IN EUROPE. .....IF HISTORY JUDGES [MR.] CLINTON HARSHLY, IT WILL BE FOR HIS FAILURE [TO] ACT BOLDLY. ADDING SLOVENIA AND ROMANIA WOULD MAKE A STRONG STATEMENT ABOUT WHAT THE NEW NATO AND THE UNITED STATES STAND FOR. ..... AS A CANDIDATE FOR OFFICE, [MR.] CLINTON WAS A PROPONENT OF INTERNATIONALISM. ....AS PRESIDENT, HE HAS NOT BEEN AS DECISIVE. ON TUESDAY HE WILL GET HIS CHANCE TO REWRITE HISTORY BY SUPPORTING A LARGER NATO."

TEXT: THE ORLANDO [FLORIDA] SENTINEL FORCEFULLY TAKES THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ISSUE.

VOICE: "THE DEBATE OVER EXPANDING [NATO] ..... HAS TAKEN A BIZARRE TURN. AS PRESIDENT CLINTON AND EUROPEAN LEADERS BEGIN A NATO SUMMIT MEETING .... THEY ACT AS THOUGH THE DISCUSSION IS OVER, THAT THEY ONLY NEED DECIDE HOW MANY NEW COUNTRIES TO ADMIT TO THE ORGANIZATION. ..... STOP THE INSANITY. THERE'S NO GOOD REASON TO MARCH INEVITABLY TOWARD THE EXPANSION OF NATO - - PARTICULARLY NOT SO FAST. THE ISSUE HASN'T BEEN ADEQUATELY EXPLORED - - INCLUDING THE COSTS, WHICH COULD BE HUGE. ..... CRIES THAT EXPANDING NATO IS NEEDED FOR EUROPEAN SECURITY AREN'T CREDIBLE. WHAT'S THE THREAT? ACTUALLY, ENLARGING NATO COULD UNDERMINE SECURITY BY UPSETTING THE WEST'S CONSTRUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH RUSSIA. .... WHY PROVOKE THE RUSSIANS BY MAKING THEM FEEL SURROUNDED BY A POWERFUL AND GROWING MILITARY ORGANIZATION? THAT'S JUST THE AMMUNITION THAT ENEMIES OF REFORM IN RUSSIA NEED TO BUILD PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR A RESURGENCE OF THE OLD SOVIET WAYS."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES IS PLEASED WITH THE EXPANSION AND SAYS THE FORTHCOMING CONFERENCE SHOULD PRODUCE A VERY HISTORIC MOMENT.

VOICE: "LET'S HOPE THAT MADRID, 1997, WILL COME TO STAND FOR THE DAY THE WEST ENLARGED ITS BORDERS, BRINGING IN FROM THE COLD COUNTRIES THAT BY CULTURE AND TRADITION ARE ANCHORED TO THE REST OF EUROPE, BUT WHICH THE 20TH CENTURY HAS TREATED SO HARSHLY."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES FEELS EXPANSION AT THIS TIME IS A MISTAKE AND IS VIGOROUS IN ITS DEMANDS FOR A FULL NATIONAL DEBATE ON THE ISSUE BEFORE THE CONGRESS GIVES ITS FINAL APPROVAL TO THE DEAL.

VOICE: "THE UNITED STATES HAS INITIATED NO MORE FATEFUL ENTERPRISE SINCE THE END OF THE COLD WAR, YET IT HAS DONE SO LARGELY WITHOUT PUBLIC DISCUSSION. WITH NATO PLANNING TO ISSUE INVITATIONS TO THREE NEW MEMBERS IN MADRID, A NATIONAL DEBATE CAN NO LONGER WAIT. ....... TINKERING WITH THE MAP OF EUROPE IS NOT SOMETHING TO BE DONE LIGHTLY. .... EUROPE TODAY IS LARGELY AT PEACE AND THE GREAT THREAT TO DEMOCRACY, THE SOVIET UNION, VANISHED IN 1991. IF THE MAP IS TO BE REDRAWN, THE REASONS MUST BE OVERWHELMING AND THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES BEYOND DOUBT. NATO EXPANSION DOES NOT NOW MEET THOSE TESTS. [OPT] ..... GIVEN THE ABSENCE OF A CLEAR THREAT TO EUROPE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF SO MANY UNPREDICTABLE CONSEQUENCES, NATO EXPANSION SEEMS A GRATUITOUS RISK. IF MR. CLINTON IS DETERMINED TO MAKE IT HAPPEN, HE HAS AN OBLIGATION TO TELL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHY HE IS SO SURE IT WILL NOT UNDERMINE STABILITY IN EUROPE AND LEAD TO A WASTE OF AMERICAN RESOURCES. HE CAN BEGIN IN MADRID." [END OPT]

TEXT: ON THE AFFIRMATIVE SIDE, THE WASHINGTON POST, WHICH SUPPORTS EXPANSION, AND CONCLUDES ITS LATEST LEAD EDITORIAL ON THE SUBJECT THIS WAY.

VOICE: "THE UNITED STATES JOINED THE RESCUE OF CENTRAL EUROPE FROM TWO GREAT WARS AND TWO TYRANNIES IN THIS CENTURY. ONLY AT GREAT COST COULD IT NOW DENY THE RESCUED THE INFUSIONS OF CONFIDENCE AND SUPPORT THAT WILL HELP THEM TO FULFILL A WESTERN DESTINY."

TEXT: AND FINALLY TO NEWSDAY. THE LONG ISLAND PAPER CONSIDERS THE EXPANSION A COLOSSAL BLUNDER WHICH "AT BEST WILL LEAD US DOWN A DEAD-END ROAD AND, AT WORST, COULD SEND US OFF A CLIFF." NEWSDAY SUGGESTS THE PRESIDENT TRAPPED HIMSELF IN THIS POLICY MOVE IN PART BY PANDERING TO ETHNIC VOTERS IN LAST YEAR'S ELECTION.

VOICE: "HOW DID [PRESIDENT] CLINTON GET HIMSELF INTO THIS MESS? ON FORMER SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL SAID IT WOULD TAKE A BOOK TO EXPLAIN THIS BLUNDER. IT STARTED, NOT UNSURPRISINGLY, WITH DOMESTIC POLITICS. PLAYING TO VOTERS OF EASTERN EUROPEAN ETHNIC ORIGIN WHO LIVE IN SUCH KEY ELECTORAL STATES AS ILLINOIS, OHIO AND MICHIGAN IS PART OF THE EXPLANATION. BUT THERE ARE ALSO ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS WHO BELIEVE THE ONLY WAY TO JUSTIFY A CONTINUING AMERICAN PRESENCE IN EUROPE IS TO GIVE NATO A NEW AND EXPANDED MISSION. WHATEVER THE REASON, THE MADRID DECISION MUST BE SEEN AS ONLY THE START OF THIS TRIP. THE NEXT STOP IS THE UNITED STATES SENATE."

TEXT: SO HOWEVER YOU FEEL ABOUT THE MOVE, AS YOU CAN SEE, YOU HAVE SUPPORTING AND DISSENTING OPINIONS AMONG THE AMERICAN PRESS. AND THAT CONCLUDES THIS U-S OPINION ROUNDUP ON THE EXPANSION OF NATO.
NEB/ANG/EH
07-Jul-97 3:10 PM EDT (1910 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] U-S/BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: WITH NATO LEADERS ABOUT TO MEET IN MADRID, THE UNITED STATES SAYS VARIOUS OPTIONS ARE BEING CONSIDERED TO BRING INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS IN THE BALKANS TO JUSTICE. MORE FROMV-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: AT HIS DAILY BRIEFING MONDAY, DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICK BURNS WOULD ONLY TELL REPORTERS ALL OPTIONS ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION REGARDING BRINGING TO JUSTICE INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS INCLUDING FORMER BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC.

HE HAS REMAINED A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE AT THE HAGUE. NATO-LED PEACE KEEPING FORCES IN BOSNIA MAINTAIN IT IS NOT IN THEIR MANDATE TO CHASE DOWN ACCUSED WAR CRIMINALS.

BUT A POWER STRUGGLE WITHIN THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP HAS NOW DEVELOPED WITH PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC CHARGING THAT MINISTERS IN HER GOVERNMENT REMAIN LOYAL TO MR. KARADZIC AND THAT HE IS INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL TRADE AND SMUGGLING OPERATIONS. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION WEIGHED IN ON THE MATTER MONDAY, ANNOUNCING IT WOULD BACK PRESIDENT PLAVSIC IN HER MOVE TO DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT.

THE UNITED STATES WILL THEREFORE NOT RECOGNIZE ANY ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE ASSEMBLY AFTER JULY THIRD. WE WANT THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA TO FOLLOW THE RULE OF LAW AND DEMOCRATIC NORMS AND PRACTICES.

WASHINGTON IS ALSO CALLING ON BOTH CROATIA AND SERBIA TO DO MORE TO IMPLEMENT THE 1995 BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORDS, INCLUDING HANDING OVER INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/PT
07-Jul-97 6:11 PM EDT (2211 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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