Voice of America, 97-12-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] CLINTON / NO. IRELAND (S ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

[02] CZECH POL UPDATE (S-ONLY) BY ALENA KENCLOVA (PRAGUE)

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

[04] GERMANY / NEO-NAZI (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[05] GREECE / U-S PLANES (S-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[06] ISLAMIC MEET (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (TEHRAN)

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

[08] NY ECON WRAP (L ONLY) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

[09] SERBIA VOTE (L) CQ BY ART CHIMES (BELGRADE)

[10] THE BOSNIAN WITHDRAWAL DEBATE HEATS UP BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[11] TURKEY/ISRAEL (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[12] U-S / EUROPE / PARTICLE SMASHER (L - ONLY) BY DAVID MCALARY (WASHINGTON)

[01] CLINTON / NO. IRELAND (S ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE LEADER OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S MODERATE PRO-NATIONALIST PARTY IS EXPRESSING OPTIMISM ABOUT PROGRESS IN MULTI-PARTY TALKS UNDERWAY IN BELFAST. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS DAVID HUME MET (MONDAY) WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: FOLLOWING HIS MEETING WITH MR. CLINTON, "SOCIAL DEMOCRAT AND LABOR PARTY" LEADER, DAVID HUME, SAID HE TOLD THE PRESIDENT HE BELIEVES THE MULTI-PARTY TALKS WILL BE PRODUCTIVE.

OUR HOPE NOW IS THAT THE TALKS PROCESS IS GETTING DOWN TO THE SERIOUS ISSUES, AND THAT WE WILL START MAKING SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

THE PARTIES TO THE TALKS ALSO VOICED OPTIMISM LAST WEEK ABOUT THE CHANCES FOR PROGRESS BEFORE CHRISTMAS. WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAID THE UNITED STATES IS ENCOURAGED BY THE TALKS.

MR. HUME PRAISED MR. CLINTON FOR HIS COMMITMENT TO THE PEACE PROCESS, SAYING THE PRESIDENT IS WILLING TO DO ALL HE CAN TO SUPPORT BOTH GOVERNMENTS TO BRING ABOUT LASTING PEACE. (SIGNED)
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08-Dec-97 1:07 PM EST (1807 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CZECH POL UPDATE (S-ONLY) BY ALENA KENCLOVA (PRAGUE)

INTRO: CZECH PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVEL HAS ASKED THE LEADER OF A JUNIOR PARTNER IN THE OUTGOING CABINET TO LEAD TALKS INTO FORMING A NEW GOVERNMENT. DETAILS FROM VOA'S ALENA KENCLOVA IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: THE CHAIRMAN OF THE "CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION," JOSEF LUX, SAYS HE WILL START NEGOTIATIONS IMMEDIATELY. BUT THE MANDATE AND COMPOSITION OF THE NEW CABINET STILL DEPENDS ON WHETHER THE "CIVIC DEMOCRATIC PARTY" OF PRIME MINISTER VACLAV KLAUS LEAVES THE GOVERNMENT OR NOT. MR. KLAUS'S PARTY WILL MAKE THAT DECISION AT ITS CONGRESS LATER THIS WEEK.

MR KLAUS'S GOVERNMENT COLLAPSED AFTER THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATS WITHDREW THEIR SUPPORT LAST MONTH. HE WAS ALSO CHALLENGED WITHIN HIS OWN PARTY THEN TO RESIGN AS CHAIRMAN OVER FUNDING SCANDALS. MR. LUX, A DEPUTY PREMIER AND AGRICULTURE MINISTER IN THE OUTGOING CZECH CABINET, IS KNOWN AS A SHREWD NEGOTIATOR. HE SAYS HE WILL SEEK NEW CABINET MEMBERS FROM THE FORMER RIGHT-OF-CENTER COALITION AND FROM AMONG INDEPENDENT EXPERTS. MR. LUX ALSO PLEDGED TO SEEK THE SUPPORT OF THE OPPOSITION SOCIAL DEMOCRATS. (SIGNED)
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08-Dec-97 12:45 PM EST (1745 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE ALL CLOSED HIGHER MONDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE MARKET FIGURES FROM OUR LONDON BUREAU.

TEXT: THE MERGER ANNOUNCED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE TRADING DAY BETWEEN SWITZERLAND'S U-B-S AND S-B-C BANKS DROVE FINANCIAL STOCKS HIGHER, WHICH HELPED THE MARKETS ADVANCE IN GENERAL. FRANKFURT, LONDON, AND PARIS ALL POSTED RESPECTABLE GAINS BY THE TIME TRADING ENDED. THE GERMAN "DAX 30" GAINED JUST MORE THAN 53-POINTS, THE FRENCH "CAC 40" WAS UP JUST MORE THAN 22-POINTS, AND IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF STOCKS CLOSED UP 44-AND-ONE-HALF POINTS.

THE U-S DOLLAR CONTINUED TO ADVANCE ON EUROPEAN MONEY MARKETS -- UP A FRACTION OF A PFENNIG AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND MORE THAN A CENT AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.

GOLD SHOWED LITTLE MOVEMENT ON THE LONDON MARKET. IT CLOSED DOWN 30-CENTS AN OUNCE, PRICED AT 287-DOLLARS-75 CENTS. (SIGNED)
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08-Dec-97 2:03 PM EST (1903 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] GERMANY / NEO-NAZI (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: REPORTS THAT A CONVICTED NEO-NAZI WAS INVITED TO SPEAK AT THE GERMAN MILITARY ACADEMY HAVE SPARKED CALLS FOR THE RESIGNATION OF THE COUNTRY'S DEFENSE MINISTER. FROM BONN, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: THE LATEST SCANDAL TO HIT THE GERMAN ARMY ERUPTED WITH REPORTS THAT FORMER LAWYER AND NEO-NAZI, MANFRED ROEDER, LECTURED OFFICERS AT THE MILITARY ACADEMY IN JANUARY OF 1995. ROEDER, WHO SPOKE ABOUT THE FORCED RESETTLEMENT OF ETHNIC GERMANS FROM THE FORMER SOVIET UNION, HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN CONVICTED OF INCITING HATRED OF FOREIGNERS. HE ALSO SERVED AN EIGHT-YEAR JAIL SENTENCE FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT IN A FIRE BOMBING THAT KILLED TWO IMMIGRANTS.

SOME OPPOSITION MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT HAVE CITED THE SCANDAL TO CALL FOR THE RESIGNATION OF DEFENSE MINISTER VOLKER RUEHE. THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS HAVE CALLED FOR PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE OF THE ISSUE.

GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL SAYS HE HAS FULL CONFIDENCE IN HIS DEFENSE MINISTER, AND EXPECTED HIM TO TAKE SWIFT ACTION TO DEAL WITH THE SCANDAL.

ITS IS THE LATEST IN A STRING OF INCIDENTS INVOLVING NEO-NAZI ACTIVITIES IN THE GERMAN ARMY. LAST WEEK, OFFICIALS SUSPENDED SIX SOLDIERS FROM DUTY FOLLOWING REPORTS THEY USED NEO-NAZI FLAGS AND PICTURES OF HITLER TO DECORATE A ROOM FOR A DRINKING PARTY IN 1993.

ANALYSTS SAY THE INCIDENT AT THE MILITARY ACADEMY IS ESPECIALLY DAMAGING, BECAUSE IT INDICATES TOP OFFICERS EITHER KNEW A NEO-NAZI WAS BEING INVITED OR COMPLETELY FAILED TO CHECK THE BACKGROUND OF THE LECTURER. (SIGNED)
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08-Dec-97 12:34 PM EST (1734 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] GREECE / U-S PLANES (S-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE U-S GOVERNTMENT IS ALLOWING AMERICAN AIRCRAFT FIRMS TO PEDDLE ADVANCED FIGHTER-BOMBERS IN GREECE, THOUGH IT HAS NOT YET CLEARED ANY ACTUAL SALE. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: IN WHAT IT CALLS A PRELIMINARY MOVE, THE DEPARTMENT HAS GRANTED PERMISSION FOR F-15E WARPLANES TO MAKE DEMONSTRATION FLIGHTS FOR THE GREEK AIR FORCE. THE MAKER OF ANOTHER U-S JET, THE F-16, WAS GIVEN A SIMILAR LICENSE EARLIER.

THE TWO MANUFACTURERS ARE COMPETING WITH EUROPEAN FIRMS FOR AN ADVANCED FIGHTER CONTRACT. SPOKESMAN JAMES FOLEY SAYS THE DECISION TO AUTHORIZE FLIGHTS WAS WEIGHED CAREFULLY BECAUSE OF THE SALE'S POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE MILITARY BALANCE IN THE AEGEAN. HOWEVER, HE SAYS NO DEAL HAS YET BEEN STRUCK, OR APPROVED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

ITS A PREPARATORY PHASE. THE TOUGH DECISION WILL COME IF THE GREEK GOVERNMENT DECIDES IF IT WANTS TO MAKE -- TO PURCHASE FROM AN AMERICAN MANUFACTURER.

TURKEY ALREADY HAS F-16S. THE F-15E IS ONE OF THE MOST SOPHISTICATED U-S AIRCRAFT, AND HAS BEEN SOLD TO ONLY A FEWFOREIGN COUNTRIES. (SIGNED)
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08-Dec-97 4:14 PM EST (2114 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] ISLAMIC MEET (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (TEHRAN)

INTRO: CHIEFS OF STATE AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM MORE THAN 50 MUSLIM STATES ARE GATHERING IN TEHRAN FOR TUESDAY'S OPENING OF THE EIGHTH SUMMIT OF THE "ISLAMIC CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION." DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS FROM THE IRANIAN CAPITAL.

TEXT: PRINCES, PRESIDENTS AND PRIME MINISTERS HAVE BEEN ARRIVING AT TEHRAN AIRPORT AT REGULAR INTERVALS THROUGHOUT THE DAY TO BE GREETED BY A SMILING IRANIAN PRESIDENT, MOHAMMED KHATTAMI, DRESSED IN CLERICAL GARB WITH A BLACK CAPE AND TURBAN.

IRANIAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY EXPECT AT LEAST 30 HEADS OF STATE TO ATTEND THE SUMMIT, AND THEY SAY ALL 55 MEMBERS OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION WILL BE REPRESENTED.

TEHRAN HAS UNDERGONE A MAJOR FACELIFT FOR THE MEETING. A NEW CONFERENCE CENTER WAS CONSTRUCTED AND MANY OF THE CITY'S HOTELS HAVE BEEN RENOVATED TO ACCOMMODATE THE THOUSANDS OF DELEGATES AND GUESTS AND THE HUNDREDS OF REPORTERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN HERE TO RECORD THE EVENT. A PUBLIC HOLIDAY HAS BEEN DECLARED FOR THE DURATION OF THE SUMMIT. STRICT SECURITY MEASURES ARE IN EFFECT, ALONG WITH TEMPORARY REGULATIONS AIMED AT CONTROLLING TEHRAN'S NORMALLY CHAOTIC TRAFFIC.

THE AGENDA FOR THE TWO-DAY SUMMIT INCLUDES A NUMBER OF CONTROVERSIAL AND POTENTIALLY DIVISIVE ISSUES. BUT THERE WERE CLEAR INDICATIONS ON THE EVE OF THE MEETING THAT THE DIFFERENCES WILL BE SET ASIDE FOR THE SAKE OF MUSLIM UNITY. IRAN'S DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMMED JAWAD ZARF PRESIDED OVER THE PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION.

I BELIEVE ON THE MAJOR CORE ISSUES THERE IS A UNITY OF PURPOSE HERE. THE CORE ISSUES ARE, FOR INSTANCE, THE FACT THAT ISRAEL POSES THE GREATEST THREAT TO THE ISLAMIC WORLD. THAT, FOR INSTANCE, THE SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF IRAQ SHOULD BE MAINTAINED. THAT THE FEUDS AMONG ISLAMIC COUNTRIES SHOULD BE RESOLVED THROUGH PEACEFUL WAYS. THAT ISLAMIC COUNTRIES SHOULD NEVER USE FORCE AGAINST EACH OTHER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. I BELIEVE THESE CORE FACTORS ARE ENOUGH TO OVERCOME THOSE AREAS OF DIFFERENCES OF VIEWS.

A STRONG CONDEMNATION OF ISRAEL FROM THE SUMMIT IS A FOREGONE CONCLUSION. BUT THE RESOLUTION IS NOT EXPECTED TO CALL INTO QUESTION THE COMMITMENT OF MODERATE ARAB STATES TO THE U-S-SPONSORED MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS.

THE SUMMIT IS EXPECTED TO URGE ISLAMIC NATIONS TO REFRAIN FROM ANY MILITARY TIES WITH ISRAEL, BUT WITHOUT SPECIFIC MENTION OF TURKEY, WHICH HAS SIGNED ACCORDS WITH THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT AIMED AT BOOSTING MILITARY COOPERATION. TURKEY'S PRESIDENT, SULEMAN DEMIREL, IS AMONG THOSE ATTENDING THE SUMMIT.

THE MEETING IS EXPECTED TO REAFFIRM SUPPORT FOR THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF IRAQ BUT WITHOUT MENTIONING THE LATEST TURKISH MILITARY INCURSION AGAINST KURDISH GUERRILLAS IN NORTHERN IRAQ.

LOCAL MEDIA REPORTS SAY ANOTHER RESOLUTION WILL VOICE SYMPATHY FOR THE SUFFERING OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE AMID THE CONTINUING U-N ECONOMIC EMBARGO, BUT WILL ALSO INSIST THAT BAGHDAD COMPLY WITH COMPLY WITH U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED IN THE WAKE OF THE IRAQI INVASION OF KUWAIT SEVEN YEARS AGO.

IRAQ IS REPRESENTED AT THE SUMMIT BY VICE PRESIDENT TAHA YASSIN RAMADAN -- THE HIGHEST RANKING IRAQI OFFICIAL TO VISIT TEHRAN SINCE THE END OF THE IRAN-IRAQ WAR NEARLY A DECADE AGO.

THE UNITED STATES IS LIKELY TO COME IN FOR SHARP CRITICISM AT THE SUMMIT OVER ITS SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL AND THE AMERICAN SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA, SUDAN AND IRAN. BUT DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER ZARF TOLD REPORTERS THE SUMMIT WAS NOT CONVENED TO SEND A MESSAGE TO WASHINGTON OR ANYWHERE ELSE. "OUR AIM," HE SAID, "IS TO BRING ABOUT CLOSER TIES AMONG THE NATIONS OF THE MUSLIM WORLD." (SIGNED)
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08-Dec-97 1:13 PM EST (1813 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE APPARENT DOWNFALL OF WINNIE MANDELA CONTINUES TO ARREST THE ATTENTION OF EDITORIAL WRITERS IN THIS COUNTRY AFTER ALMOST TWO-WEEKS OF ELECTRIFYING TESTIMONY AS TO HER ROLE IN CRIMES COMMITTED DURING THE ANTI-APARTHEID ERA.

OTHER TOPICS OF INTEREST TO THE NATION'S NEWSPAPERS INCLUDE U-S POLICY TOWARD BOSNIA; THE PEACEKEEPING WITHDRAWAL FROM HAITI; THE INFLUENCE OF A PARTICULAR VIOLENT FILM ON A SCHOOL SHOOTING IN KENTUCKY; THE LATEST OUTRAGE IN NIGERIA; AND A NEW MAN AT THE HELM IN MEXICO CITY, THE METROPOLIS FIRST ELECTED MAYOR THERE IN A LONG TIME. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT THESE AND OTHER STORIES IS _________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: AS REGARDS WINNIE MADIKIZELA-MANDELA, AS SHE IS NOW KNOWN, "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" CALLS HER PRESENT SITUATION, AFTER 10 DAYS OF EXTREMELY DAMAGING TESTIMONY BEFORE THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION, -- A TRAGIC DOWNFALL -- ADDING IN PART:

VOICE: BACK WHEN HER EX-HUSBAND, NELSON MANDELA, WAS A POLITICAL PRISONER, AND SHE CARRIED OUT A LONELY STRUGGLE AGAINST APARTHEID, WINNIE MANDELA WAS A HEROINE TO MUCH OF THE WORLD. BUT IN THE LAST 1980'S, A PROTECTION SQUAD THAT OPERATED OUT OF HER HOME BECAME INVOLVED IN A GENERAL REIGN OF TERROR, TORTURE AND MURDER. ...THE COMMISSION HEARD 30 WITNESSES OVER EIGHT DAYS; MOST PAINTED AN EVEN UGLIER PICTURE OF MS. MADIKIZELA-MANDELA. ...THE ACCUMULATION OF EVIDENCE SHOWED A WOMAN WHO LET HERSELF BE CORRUPTED BY POWER. ...SHE DENIED ALL CHARGES AND CLAIMED ALL HER ACCUSERS WERE LIARS. ...LET' US HOPE THESE PROCEEDINGS WILL PREVENT MS. MADIKIZELA-MANDELA FROM RUNNING FOR THE DEPUTY PRESIDENCY OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, WHICH COULD HAVE POSITIONED HER TO BECOME THE COUNTRY'S DEPUTY PRESIDENT IN 1999. WINNIE ...MANDELA IS NOT THE HEROINE SHE ONCE WAS.

TEXT: THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD" IS TITLED "ON TRUTH AND DENIAL" AND SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: /// OPT /// [THE]... TESTIMONY SUGGESTS THAT MS. MADIKIZELA-MANDELA, CALLED MAMA BY CLUB MEMBERS, ENCOURAGED TERROR AGAINST INFORMERS AND ENEMIES WHOM SHE ALONE CONVICTED AND SENTENCED. ...BECAUSE THE COMMISSION SEEKS THE TRUTH, IT OFFERS AMNESTY TO THOSE WHO COME CLEAN (TELL THE COMPLETE TRUTH) ABOUT THEIR CRIMES. BUT THE TRUTH COULD HURT MS. MADIKIZELA-MANDELA, WHO IS LOBBYING TO BE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, SOUTH AFRICA'S RULING PARTY. /// END OPT /// ...DESPITE ARCHBISHOP TUTU'S COMPASSIONATE PLEADING FOR HER TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, MS. MADIKIZELA-MANDELA STUCK TO DENIAL. SUCH BLIND REFUSAL TO ADMIT WRONGDOING IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS TRAIT IN PEOPLE WHO WIELD POLITICAL. ...THE TRUTH IS THAT LAUDABLE ENDS CANNOT JUSTIFY INEXCUSABLE MEANS.

TEXT: "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" SAYS:

VOICE: WHILE THE T-R-C'S [TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS ARE NOT A TRIAL, MS.D MANDELA'S REPUTATION AS HER COUNTRY'S HEROIC 'MAMI," AND HER POLITICAL FUTURE, IS AT STAKE. INDEED, SINCE SHE DID NOT APPLY FOR AMNESTY SHE COULD STILL BE TRIED. SHE IS RUNNING FOR THE A-N-C VICE PRESIDENCY AT THE PARTY'S LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS NEXT MONTH. ...THE T-R-C HAS AT LEAST ACCOMPLISHED THE TASK OF BRINGING THE ISSUE OF WINNIE MANDELA AS A FUTURE LEADER OUT INTO THE OPEN. BUT NOW IT IS UP [TO] THE A-N-C ITSELF, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY NELSON MANDELA, TO DECIDE HOW TO RESOLVE IT.

TEXT: TURNING TO EUROPEAN ISSUES, AND THE FATE OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, THERE IS DEBATE OVER THE CHANGING TIMETABLE FOR THE PEACEKEEPERS, IN TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES."

VOICE: THROUGH A SERIES OF SUGGESTIVE HINTS, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS SIDLING [SLOWLY MOVING] TOWARD A DECISION TO KEEP AMERICAN FORCES IN BOSNIA BEYOND THEIR SCHEDULED JUNE 1998 DEPARTURE DATE. THE LATEST PRONOUNCEMENT CAME FROM DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN, WHO MET WITH OTHER NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS IN BRUSSELS LAST WEEK. ...MR. COHEN ...EMPHASIZED TWO IMPORTANT CONDITIONS FOR A CONTINUED AMERICAN PRESENCE. [HE] WANTS PLANNING FOR ANY NATO MILITARY INVOLVEMENT BEYOND JUNE TO INCLUDE A GRADUAL SHIFT OF SECURITY RESPONSIBILITIES FROM REGULAR SOLDIERS TO A STRENGTHENED INTERNATIONAL POLICE FORCE. ...[AND] HE WANTS EUROPE TO ASSUME A GREATER SHARE OF THE EFFORT. ...EUROPE SHOULD RESPOND MORE CONSTRUCTIVELY ON THESE ISSUES. IT MUST ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT CONGRESS AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE NOT YET SIGNED ON TO A CONTINUED UNITED STATES MILITARY PRESENCE IN BOSNIA BEYOND NEXT JUNE.

TEXT: IN THIS HEMISPHERE, ON THE SUBJECT OF PEACEKEEPING TROOPS LEAVING HAITI RECENTLY, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" IS VERY PESSIMISTIC ABOUT THE ISLAND'S FUTURE.

VOICE: LOOK AT THIS THIS WAY. AT LEAST NO ONE HAS GOTTEN HURT, NO AMERICAN TROOPS, THAT IS. (OF OTHER VIOLENCE, THERE IS STILL APLENTY.) THREE YEARS AND TWO-BILLION-DOLLARS LATER, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS PRETTY MUCH ALL THAT CAN BE SAID FOR THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S NATIONAL BUILDING EXPERIMENT IN HAITI. ...IN THE ABSENCE OF POLITICAL LEADERSHIP WITH JUST A MODICUM OF CONCERN FOR ITS PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING, NO AMOUNT OF FOREIGN INTERVENTION CAN TURN A COUNTRY LIKE HAITI AROUND.

TEXT: IN DOMESTIC NEWS, NEBRASKA'S "OMAHA WORLD HERALD" LAMENTS THE ROLE VIOLENT MOTION PICTURES MAY HAVE ON PEOPLE WHO THEN ACT OUT REAL VIOLENCE, INCLUDING A KENTUCKY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WHO RECENTLY SHOT-TO-DEATH THREE CLASSMATES, AND WOUNDED SEVERAL OTHERS.

VOICE: SOMETIMES LIFE IMITATES ART WITH TRAGIC RESULTS. /// OPT /// POLICE INVESTIGATORS SURMISE THAT THE MOVIE 'SCREAM' INFLUENCED THREE GUNMEN WHO TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO HOLD UP TWO OMAHA RESTAURANTS. IN KENTUCKY, A 14-YEAR OLD GUNMAN WHO KILLED THREE CLASSMATES AND WOUNDED FIVE OTHERS SPOKE OF WATCHING 'THE BASKETBALL DIARIES,' A MOVIE WITH A SCENE DEPICTING THE SLAYING OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. /// END OPT /// MOVIES ARE FICTION. THEY DO NOT PORTRAY REALITY. ...HOWEVER VIOLENT A MOVIE MIGHT BE, IT IS STILL FAKE VIOLENCE. THE BLOOD IS NOT REAL. ...REGRETTABLY, OTHERS DO NOT MAKE THAT CRUCIAL DISTINCTION. THERE ARE A FEW MENTALLY UNBALANCED PEOPLE ...WHO LOOK AT THE WIDE SCREEN AS A LINK WITH REALITY. ...CENSORSHIP, NO. BUT SELF-RESTRAINT AND RESPONSIBILITY ON THE PART OF FILMMAKERS -- THAT IS ANOTHER THING ENTIRELY.

TEXT: THE LATEST OUTRAGE IN NIGERIA, AS REGARDS FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, DRAWS THIS IRE FROM TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES."

VOICE: AKINWUMI ADESOKAN, A CULTURAL WRITER WITH THE POST EXPRESS IN LAGOS, NIGERIA'S CAPITAL, WAS ARRESTED NOVEMBER 12TH AND IS SAID TO BE IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT AT THE STATE SECURITY SERVICE OFFICERS THERE. HIS DETENTION IS ONE MORE DESPERATE ACT BY THE AUTHORITARIAN REGIME OF GENERAL SANI ABACHA, WHOSE FEAR OF CRITICAL WORDS SEEMS UNBOUNDED. ALL POSSIBLE PRESSURE SHOULD BE BROUGHT ON [MR.] ABACHA TO RELEASE [MR. ADESOKAN] WHO IS SAID TO BE ILL. ...[HE] MUST FREE THIS CHAMPION OF FREE SPEECH WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY.

TEXT: AND FINALLY, IN ANOTHER COMMENTARY REGARDING THE NEWLY INSTALLED AND FIRST DEMOCRATICALLY-ELECTED MAYOR OF MEXICO CITY, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS:

VOICE: AN OLD DREAM CAME TRUE FRIDAY IN MEXICO CITY AS CUAUHTEMOC CARDENAS, ITS FIRST DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED MAYOR, WAS SWORN IN. THAT DAY, MEXICANS COULD PROUDLY DECLARE DEMOCRACY ALIVE AND WELL IN THE CITY. NOW COMES THE HARD PART. THE TASK AHEAD FOR [MR.] CARDENAS AND HIS TEAM APPEARS OVERWHELMING, YET [MR.] CARDENAS SEEMS CONFIDENT HE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE LIFE A LITTLE BETTER FOR THE 10-MILLION PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE CITY. ...[MR.] CARDENAS, THE SON OF A BELOVED PAST PRESIDENT...BELIEVES MANY OF THE CITY'S PROBLEMS HAVE SOLUTIONS. AND HE HAS AT LEAST ONE ADVANTAGE THAT PUTS HIM AHEAD OF ALL PREVIOUS MAYORS -- THE SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE, WHO ELECTED HIM...

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM MONDAY'S U-S PRESS EDITORIAL PAGES.
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08-Dec-97 10:39 AM EST (1539 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] NY ECON WRAP (L ONLY) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN NEW YORK CLOSED MIXED TODAY (MONDAY) WITH TWO MAJOR INDEXES DOWN AND ANOTHER HIGHER. VOA'S JOE CHAPMAN REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE WIDELY-FOLLOWED DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED DOWN 38 POINTS AT 81-HUNDRED-16 WHILE THE MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 DROPPED ONE POINT TO FINISH AT 983. BUT THE NASDAQ EXCHANGE MARKET AVERAGE WAS UP 18 POINTS AT 16-HUNDRED-52.

WALL STREET ANALYSTS SAY THE TRADING ON THE MARKET REPRESENTED WHAT THEY TERM CONSOLIDATION TYPICAL OF THIS TIME OF YEAR. THE NUMBER OF NEW YORK EXCHANGE STOCKS WHICH WERE UNCHANGED OR INCREASED IN PRICE OUTNUMBERED THOSE WHICH FELL.

MOST OF THE DECLINE CAME IN A FEW BLUE CHIPS THAT HAVE A STRONG EFFECT ON THE DOW-JONES INDUSTRIALS AND SOMETIMES THE S-AND-P 500, SUCH AS THE COCA COLA COMPANY AND PEPSICO. COKE DROPPED IN PRICE NEARLY FIVE PERCENT.

ANALYSTS SAY INVESTORS MOVED INTO COMPANIES LIKE COCA COLA AND PEPSI DURING THE OCTOBER MARKET INSTABILITY. SOME SEE THESE BLUE CHIPS AS OVERVALUED AND ARE MOVING INTO OTHER STOCKS SUCH AS THOSE OF HIGH TECH FIRMS. THREE COMPUTER COMPANIES, COMPAQ, UNISYS, AND GATEWAY WERE ALL UP SHARPLY, ESPECIALLY GATEWAY WHICH JUMPED NEARLY 20 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY ONE FACTOR DRIVING THE MARKET FOR ANOTHER WEEK OR SO WILL BE END OF THE YEAR TRADING BY INVESTORS TRYING TO LOCK IN PROFITS OR TO TAKE LOSSSES FOR TAX PURPOSES. GENERALLY, HOWEVER, ANALYSTS CONTINUE TO SEE THE MARKET AS TENDING UPWARDS.

ONE SENIOR ANALYST, A-C MOORE, SAYS INVESTORS ARE STILL UNCERTAIN ABOUT THE EFFECT OF ECONOMIC PROBLEMS IN ASIA. BUT HE SAYS THE OVERALL EFFECT ON THE U-S ECONOMY WILL BE GOOD.

THE INFLATION HERE I BELIEVE CAN BE PRETTY WELL IGNORED FOR NOW. AND INDEED, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A PRETTY STRONG ECONOMY HERE IN ORDER TO WITHSTAND OR IN ORDER TO ASSIMILATE THE ASIA DEFLATION.

MR. MOORE SAYS THAT HE BELIEVES DEFLATION IN ASIA WILL PUT DOWNWARD PRESSURE ON AUTOMOBILE PRICES, ONE REASON HE IS RECOMMENDING AGAINST SOME AUTOMOBILE STOCKS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/JMC/LSF/WFR
08-Dec-97 5:01 PM EST (2201 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] SERBIA VOTE (L) CQ BY ART CHIMES (BELGRADE)

INTRO: FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE SEPTEMBER, SERBIAN VOTERS HAVE FAILED TO ELECT A NEW PRESIDENT. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS THERE WILL BE A RUNOFF ELECTION IN TWO WEEKS -- BUT THAT CONTEST MAY ALSO LEAVE SERBIA WITHOUT A NEW PRESIDENT.

TEXT: MILAN MILUTINOVIC WON THE MOST VOTES (IN SUNDAY'S ELECTION, WITH 42-PERCENT). HE IS THE CANDIDATE OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF YUGOSLAV LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. MR. MILUTINOVIC WILL FACE ULTRA-NATIONALIST VOJISLAV SESELJ (WHO WON 33-PERCENT OF THE VOTE) IN A RUNOFF ELECTION ON DECEMBER 21ST.

THE BIG LOSER WAS VUK DRASKOVIC, THE SURVIVING MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION COALITION. HE GOT ONLY 16-PERCENT OF THE VOTE, AND ANALYSTS ARE DESCRIBING IT AS A CATASTROPHE FOR HIS SERBIAN RENEWAL MOVEMENT.

TURNOUT WAS A BIT MORE THAN 50 PERCENT -- JUST ENOUGH TO VALIDATE THE ELECTION. VOTER APATHY AFTER REPEATED ELECTIONS, PLUS AN OPPOSITION BOYCOTT, HELPED KEEP VOTERS AWAY. MANY OBSERVERS FEAR THAT THE RUNOFF ELECTION WILL FAIL TO REACH THE 50-PERCENT THRESHOLD, WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED IN OCTOBER'S RUN-OFF.

POLITICAL ANALYST SRDJAN BOGOSAVLJEVIC SAYS THE TURNOUT NEXT TIME COULD BE AS LOW AS 40 TO 45-PERCENT, WHICH WOULD MEAN EITHER ANOTHER CYCLE OF ELECTIONS, OR A CHANGE IN THE ELECTION LAW.

BOTH ARE POSSIBLE. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THEY WOULD AGREE, SOMEHOW, IN PARLIAMENT TO CHANGE THE RULES, BECAUSE NOBODY IS HAPPY WITH THIS SITUATION.

FOR VOTERS IN SERBIA, VOJISLAV SESELJ REPRESENTS NATIONAL PRIDE. HE WAS A PARAMILITARY LEADER IN THE BALKAN WAR AND IS SEEN IN THE WEST AS LIKELY TO PROVOKE NEW CONFRONTATIONS WITH SERBIA'S NEIGHBORS. MR. MILUTINOVIC IS A RELATIVELY COLORLESS FORMER DIPLOMAT WHO WOULD LIKELY BE A POLITICAL EXTENSION OF HIS PATRON, YUGOSLAV FEDERAL PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

MANY OBSERVERS HERE DOUBT THE SOCIALIST CANDIDATE, MR. MILUTINOVIC, COULD WIN IN A FACE-OFF AGAINST MR. SESELJ, ARGUING THAT MANY VOTES THAT WENT TO VUK DRASKOVIC OR MINOR CANDIDATES WERE PROTESTS AGAINST THE RULING SOCIALISTS -- VOTES THAT WOULD LIKELY GO TO MR. SESELJ IN THE RUNOFF. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/PCF/RAE
08-Dec-97 11:40 AM EST (1640 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] THE BOSNIAN WITHDRAWAL DEBATE HEATS UP BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THERE HAVE BEEN INCREASING SIGNS THAT A MAJOR POLICY SHIFT IS BEING CONTEMPLATED IN WASHINGTON REGARDING THE EXTENSION OF U-S TROOPS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, AS PART OF THE U-N PEACEKEEPING MISSION THERE.

THESE COMMENTS HAVE INCREASED THE DEBATE IN THE U-S PRESS OVER THE EFFICACY OF THIS MISSION SO FAR. WE GET A SAMPLING OF THE LATEST COMMENT NOW FROM __________________ IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THE CLOCK CONTINUES TICKING TOWARD JUNE OF 1998, WHEN ALL THE U-N FORCES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ARE SCHEDULED TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM THAT WAR-TORN LAND. HOWEVER THE PROCESS OF NATION-BUILDING - - OR REBUILDING - - IS NOT PROCEEDING AS FAST AS THE UNITED STATES AND THE WESTERN ALLIES WOULD LIKE. IN BONN THIS WEEK, SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM 51 COUNTRIES AND SEVERAL INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE GATHERED TO TRY TO PUMP NEW LIFE INTO THE PEACE PROCESS. MEANWHILE, A NEW WAVE OF EDITORIALS IN THE U-S PRESS HAS COME OUT RECENTLY -- BOTH CRITICIZING AND PRAISING U-S POLICY IN THE REGION. WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING NOW IN THE MIDWEST, WHERE OHIO'S "[CLEVELAND] PLAIN DEALER" DESCRIBES THE PRESENT OUTLOOK AS "BLEAK," ADDING THAT "U-S EFFORTS TO IMPOSE PEACE AND MAKE AN EXIT ARE LOOKING MORE AND MORE DOUBTFUL."

VOICE: FOR U-S POLICY MAKERS, DEVELOPMENTS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA CONTINUE TO BE DISCOURAGING. HOPES FOR STABILITY THAT WOULD ENABLE U-S TROOPS TO BE PULLED UNDERSTOOD: "OUT"] ANY TIME SOON APPEAR ILLUSORY. TRUE, THE WEST IS GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS OF BUILDING A FRAMEWORK FOR LASTING PEACE IN THE ETHNICALLY DIVIDED COUNTRY. MOST RECENTLY, PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS WERE HELD ...... RESULTS ARE INCOMPLETE, BUT THE FIRST RETURNS SUGGEST THAT FOLLOWERS OF ALLEGED WAR CRIMINAL AND FORMER PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC FARED WELL AT THE EXPENSE OF A NEW PARTY FORMED BY HIS SUCCESSOR, BILJANA PLAVSIC [OPT] ..... EVEN MORE WORRISOME FOR THOSE WHO HAVE PINNED THEIR HOPES ON THE DAYTON AGREEMENT, AN ULTRANATIONALIST PARTY LED BY VOJISLAV SESELJ, A SERBIAN PARLIAMENTARY LEADER, IS BELIEVED TO BE NECK-AND-NECK [VIRTUALLY TIED] WITH PLAVSIC'S FACTION. [END OPT] ..... BUT THAT IS NOT THE FULL EXTENT OF THE MISCHIEF DOGGING THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORTS IN BOSNIA. MILITARILY, AS WELL, WASHINGTON SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED BY RECENT REPORTS THAT IRANIAN INTELLIGENCE AGENTS HAVE INFILTRATED A U-S PROGRAM TO TRAIN BOSNIAN TROOPS. ..... SOONER THAN HE HOPES, [PRESIDENT] CLINTON MAY HAVE TO ACCEPT [UNDERSTOOD: "THE FACT"] THAT WITHOUT RISKING SACRIFICES THE AMERICAN PUBLIC IS NOT READY TO MAKE, OUTSIDE EFFORTS TO SHAPE BOSNIA'S FUTURE CAN END ONLY IN FAILURE.

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS, INCLUDING NEWSDAY, ON LONG ISLAND, ARE COMMENTING ON THE MOST RECENT REMARKS ON THE SUBJECT FROM U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN.

VOICE: NATO'S EUROPEAN ALLIES ARE ALREADY PRESSING WASHINGTON FOR A RENEWED TROOP COMMITMENT WHEN THE BOSNIA PEACEKEEPING MANDATE EXPIRES NEXT SUMMER. INSTEAD SECRETARY ..... COHEN, A PRINCIPLED AND CONSISTENT OPPONENT OF A PROLONGED U-S MILITARY PRESENCE IN BOSNIA, IS URGING HIS NATO PARTNERS TO START FORMING A SUBSTANTIAL INTERNATIONAL POLICE FORCE TO TAKE OVER THE MILITARY PEACEKEEPERS' DUTIES. [SECRETARY] COHEN'S PROPOSAL MAKES SENSE. IT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE ORIGINAL DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT ENVISIONED. .... NOW, WITH THE CLOCK TICKING ON THE MILITARY MANDATE, IS AN OPPORTUNE TIME TO START PUTTING THE PLAN INTO EFFECT. [OPT] .... NATO HAS KEPT AN UNEASY PEACE. IT'S LITTLE MORE THAN A WET BLANKET DAMPING DOWN SMOLDERING RESENTMENTS AND HOSTILITIES THAT COULD FLARE UP THE MOMENT NATO PULLS OUT. [END OPT] PERHAPS A POLICE FORCE WOULD MAKE NO DIFFERENCE, BUT IT CERTAINLY COULD DO NO WORSE, AND ITS NATURE WOULD BE BETTER SUITED TO A LONG-TERM MISSION TO KEEP CIVIL ORDER, WITH THE PROVISION THAT NATO TROOPS COULD STILL BE CALLED ON SHORT NOTICE SHOULD WAR ERUPT AGAIN.

TEXT: FOR ITS PART, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS UPSET THAT ALMOST AS SOON AS SECRETARY COHEN MENTIONED HIS IDEA, THE EUROPEAN NATIONS BEGAN COMPLAINING ABOUT IT. IT IS TIME, "THE TIMES" SUGGESTS, FOR THE EUROPEANS TO TAKE ON A LARGER ROLE IN THIS PROBLEM AREA.

VOICE: [OPT] AT FIRST, THE ARMED POLICE WOULD WORK ALONGSIDE NATO TROOPS. BUT AS THEY GROW IN NUMBERS AND THE SECURITY ISSUES IN BOSNIA BECOME INCREASINGLY CIVILIAN IN NATURE, THEY COULD EVENTUALLY REPLACE NATO FORCES. SENDING EUROPEAN PARAMILITARY POLICE UNITS TO BOSNIA WOULD BE A GOOD WAY TO INCREASE EUROPE'S SHARE OF THE OVERALL SECURITY BURDEN. [END OPT] EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ARE ALREADY GRUMBLING ABOUT MR. COHEN'S PROPOSALS ON REAPPORTIONING COSTS AND CREATING AN ARMED POLICE FORCE. EUROPE SHOULD RESPOND MORE CONSTRUCTIVELY ON THESE ISSUES. IT MUST ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT CONGRESS AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE NOT YET SIGNED ON TO A CONTINUED UNITED STATES MILITARY PRESENCE IN BOSNIA BEYOND NEXT JUNE. THEY SHOULD NOT DO SO UNLESS A COMPELLING NEED FOR AMERICAN TROOPS HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AND A CLEAR STRATEGY LEADING TO THEIR EARLY REPLACEMENT BY AN ARMED POLICE FORCE HAS BEEN PUT IN PLACE.

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" WANTS TO SEE THE TROOPS COME HOME BY THE ORIGINAL DATE, IF NOT BEFORE, CALLING THE OPERATION AN "EXPANDED FOLLY."

VOICE: IF EVER A POLICY APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY CLOWNS, THE UNITED STATES' ROLE IN THE STRIFE-TORN NATION OF BOSNIA IS IT. HOW ELSE TO DESCRIBE THE RISKING OF U-S LIVES AND A HUGE INVESTMENT OF TIME AND MONEY AGAINST IMPOSSIBLE ODDS? UNFORTUNATELY, THE UNITED STATES AND ITS PARTNERS IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION APPEAR READY TO EXPAND THEIR FOLLY. LAST WEEK NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS TALKED ABOUT KEEPING SUBSTANTIAL MILITARY FORCES IN BOSNIA BEYOND NEXT SUMMER'S DEADLINE TO WITHDRAW. [OPT] OTHERWISE, PROPONENTS SAY, THAT COUNTRY WILL REGRESS INTO A CHAOTIC MESS OF DESTRUCTION, FIGHTING AND BLOODLETTING. OF COURSE BOSNIA IS LIKELY TO EXPLODE. .... THAT WAS A PROBLEM 100 YEARS AGO, AND IT WILL TILT BOSNIA TOWARD DIVISIVENESS AND INSTABILITY 100 YEARS FROM NOW. THERE'S NO GETTING AROUND THAT BIT OF REALITY. [END OPT] .... THE UNITED STATES HAS TAKEN TOO LARGE A ROLE IN BOSNIA PEACEKEEPING SO FAR. IT ACCOUNTS FOR ONE-FOURTH OF THOSE TROOPS. IF NATO WISHES TO EXTEND ITS COMMITMENT IN BOSNIA BEYOND 1998, IT SHOULD DO SO WITH TROOPS FROM EUROPEAN MEMBERS. THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE PLANNING ONLY TO BRING ITS TROOPS HOME.

TEXT: TAKING A VERY DIFFERENT VIEW FROM ITS FELLOW FLORIDA DAILY IS "THE MIAMI HERALD" WHICH WARNS THE U-S NOT TO "CUT AND RUN" [HASTILY WITHDRAW] AWAY FROM BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. AND THE PAPER GOES ON TO LIST THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE UNDER THE NATO PEACEKEEPERS.

VOICE: IN FACT, BOSNIA, UNDER THE MULTILATERAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE, HAS ACHIEVED SOME STABILITY. ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT, SOME 300-TROOPS HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO CIVILIAN LIFE, IRANIAN MERCENARIES [HAVE] BEEN EXPELLED, AND 5-THOUSAND HEAVY WEAPONS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. TWENTY OF 78 INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS ARE NOW IN ... CUSTODY .... U-N FORCES HAVE SEIZED AND NOW CONTROL FOUR TRANSMITTERS OF THE STATE-CONTROLLED SERB RADIO AND TV, WHOSE INFLAMMATORY BROADCASTS COMPARED NATO TROOPS WITH NAZIS. SUCCESSFUL ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN HELD AT ALL LEVELS, WITH EXTREMISTS LOSING CONTROL OF MOSTAR AND FIVE OTHER SIGNIFICANT CITIES. .... FINALLY, THERE HAS BEEN AN ECONOMIC REVIVAL: INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION DOUBLED IN 1996, AND UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE FEDERATION HAS DROPPED TO 44 PERCENT FROM 53 PERCENT. ..... PRESIDENT CLINTON IS LAYING OUT TO CONGRESS THE CASE FOR STAYING. HE ALSO MUST MAKE THAT CASE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. A UNITED STATES THAT IS UNWILLING TO ASSUME RISKS CANNOT CLAIM THE RESPECT OR INFLUENCE OF A 'SUPERPOWER.'

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF CURRENT OPINION ON THE GROWING CONTENTION THAT U-S AND OTHER PEACEKEEPERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO LEAVE BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ON TIME THIS COMING JUNE.
NEB/ANG/WFR
08-Dec-97 2:05 PM EST (1905 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] TURKEY/ISRAEL (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER YITZAKH MORDECHAI ARRIVED IN ANKARA MONDAY FOR MEETINGS WITH SENIOR TURKISH OFFICIALS, INCLUDING TURKISH PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, THE VISIT MARKS DEEPENING TIES BETWEEN MUSLIM TURKEY AND THE JEWISH STATE -- TIES WHICH HAVE UPSET ANKARA'S ARAB NEIGHBORS AND IRAN.

TEXT: SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE MEETING WITH HIS TURKISH COUNTERPART ISMET SEZGIN, THE ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER STRESSED THAT COOPERATION WITH TURKEY DID NOT CONSTITUTE A THREAT TO THIRD COUNTRIES. MR. MORDECHAI DESCRIBED TIES BETWEEN HIS NATION AND TURKEY AS A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AIMED AT STRENGTHENING RELATIONS.

HIS VISIT COINCIDES WITH A SUMMIT OF ISLAMIC CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION COUNTRIES IN IRAN, DURING WHICH SYRIA CONDEMNED TURKEY'S MILITARY LINKS WITH ISRAEL. SYRIA IS ESPECIALLY WORRIED BY A MILITARY COOPERATION AGREEMENT SIGNED LAST YEAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND TURKEY WHICH ALLOWS ISRAELI AIR FORCE PILOTS TO TRAIN IN TURKISH SKIES. DAMASCUS FEARS THE AGREEMENT ALSO ALLOWS ISRAEL TO USE TURKISH TERRITORY TO SPY ON, AND EVENTUALLY LAUNCH AN ATTACK AGAINST, SYRIA -- CLAIMS THAT ARE VIGOROUSLY DENIED BY BOTH ANKARA AND ISRAELI OFFICIALS.

SOME ANALYSTS AGREE THAT THE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP -- WHICH IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED BY WASHINGTON -- HAS ALTERED THE BALANCE OF POWER IN THE MIDDLE EAST IN FAVOR OF ISRAEL AND TURKEY.

ISRAEL IS NOW SET TO BECOME ONE OF TURKEY'S LARGEST ARMS SUPPLIERS. UNLIKE THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE, ISRAEL DOES NOT MAKE ARMS SALES CONDITIONAL ON TURKEY'S HUMAN RIGHTS PERFORMANCE. ISRAEL IS CURRENTLY UPGRADING TURKEY'S FLEET OF AMERICAN-MADE F-4 WARPLANES AND IS NEGOTIATING A DEAL UNDER WHICH THE TWO COUNTRIES WOULD JOINTLY MANUFACTURE TANKS.

COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND ISRAEL ALSO EXTENDS TO THE AREAS OF AGRICULTURE, EDUCATIONAL COOPERATION AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE -- AS WELL AS TO TRADE, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO RISE SIGNIFICANTLY, FOLLOWING THE SIGNING OF A FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WHICH CAME INTO FORCE EARLIER THIS YEAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF
08-Dec-97 10:40 AM EST (1540 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] U-S / EUROPE / PARTICLE SMASHER (L - ONLY) BY DAVID MCALARY (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS SIGNED AN AGREEMENT TO HELP PAY FOR A PARTICLE SMASHER BEING BUILT IN EUROPE TO HELP PHYSICISTS BETTER UNDERSTAND THE FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURE OF MATTER. V-O-A'S SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT DAVID MCALARY REPORTS THAT WHEN FINISHED IN EIGHT YEARS, THE LARGE HADRON ['HAY-DRON] COLLIDER WILL BE THE MOST POWERFUL PARTICLE SMASHER IN THE WORLD.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND THE U-S NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION WILL JOINTLY INVEST 531 MILLION DOLLARS IN THE COLLIDER, NEARLY 10 PER CENT OF THE PROJECT'S SIX BILLION DOLLAR COST.

THE FACILITY IS BEING BUILT AT THE EUROPEAN LABORATORY FOR PARTICLE PHYSICS, KNOWN AS "CERN", NEAR GENEVA, SWITZERLAND. IT WILL SEND PROTONS AROUND AN UNDERGROUND TUNNEL 27 KILOMETERS IN CIRCUMFERENCE AT NEARLY THE SPEED OF LIGHT. THEY WILL SMASH INTO EACH OTHER AT ENERGIES SEVEN TIMES STRONGER THAN THE HIGHEST ENERGY ACCELERATOR NOW IN EXISTENCE AT THE U-S GOVERNMENT'S FERMILAB NEAR CHICAGO. THE COLLISIONS WILL BREAK THEM DOWN INTO SMALLER PARTICLES.

PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SCIENCE ADVISOR -- JOHN GIBBONS -- SAYS THIS WILL ALLOW RESEARCHERS TO PENETRATE STILL FURTHER INTO THE BASIC NATURE OF MATTER.

OVER THE NEXT NEARLY DECADE, THE UNITED STATES WILL JOIN IN A COLLABORATION WITH MORE THAN FOUR-THOUSAND SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS IN 45 COUNTRIES ON SIX CONTINENTS TO BUILD THE LARGE HADRON COLLIDER AND TWO OF ITS MASSIVE DETECTORS. WHEN IT'S COMPLETED, THE FACILITY WILL DEFINE THE HIGH ENERGY FRONTIER, A LEVEL OF BEAM INTENSITY WHICH WILL ALLOW RESEARCHERS TO DELIVER DEEPER THAN EVER BEFORE INTO UNDERSTANDING THE FUNDAMENTAL NATURE OF MATTER.

THE U-S PHYSICS COMMUNITY URGED PARTICIPATION IN THE NEW "CERN" FACILITY AFTER THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TERMINATED FUNDING FOR A SIMILAR PROJECT IN 1993 IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE GOVERNMENT SPENDING.

THE U-S SECRETARY OF ENERGY -- FEDERICO PENA ['PEN-YUH] -- SAYS THE AGREEMENT IS UNPRECEDENTED AND IS A GOOD RETURN ON U-S INVESTMENT BECAUSE THE 10 PER CENT FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION WILL ALLOW U-S PHYSICISTS A 25 PER CENT SHARE OF THE COLLIDER WORK.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT WE HAVE MADE A VERY SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN A FACILITY LIKE THIS OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES. IN THAT SENSE, IT IS DIFFERENT AND IS IT HISTORIC AND PATHBREAKING. WE THINK IT IS COST BENEFICIAL, IT IS GOOD FOR OUR OWN SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY, IT IS GOOD FOR WORLD SCIENCE. SO WE THINK IN THE FUTURE YOU WILL SEE MORE AND MORE OF THIS TYPE OF INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION.

MR. PENA'S REMARKS WERE INTENDED TO CONFRONT U-S CRITICS WHO HAVE OPPOSED SPENDING ON PROJECTS ABROAD. HE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SHOULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB EXPLAINING TO TAXPAYERS THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL BENEFIT FROM THE LARGE HADRON COLLIDER AND THAT IT COULD NOT HAVE BORNE THE EXPENSE OF SUCH BIG INTERNATIONAL PROJECT ALONE.

THE BRITISH PHYSICIST WHO HEADS THE "CERN" LABORATORY -- CHRISTOPHER LEWELLYN-SMITH -- MAKES THE SAME ARGUMENT FOR HIS FELLOW SUBJECTS.

PARTICIPATION IN THESE EXPERIMENTS IN OTHER REGIONS IS NEVERTHELESS PART OF THE NATIONAL PROGRAM. WE STILL GET THE COMMENT, EVEN IN EUROPE, WHERE WE'VE BEEN WORKING IN CERN FOR 40 YEARS, "NOW WHY ARE WE IN THE U-K," SAY, "PUTTING MONEY IN SWISS PHYSICS," BECAUSE IT'S IN SWITZERLAND. IT'S NOT. IT'S BRITISH PHYSICS, IT'S AMERICAN PHYSICS. IT'S A LAB FOR ALL OF US. JUST WHERE IT IS GEOGRAPHICALLY IS NOT RELEVANT.

IN ADDITION TO THE UNITED STATES AND THE 19 EUROPEAN NATIONS WHICH MAKE UP "CERN", RUSSIA, INDIA, ISRAEL, JAPAN, AND CANADA HAVE ALSO JOINED THE LARGE HADRON COLLIDER PROJECT. (SIGNED)
NEB/DEM/PT
08-Dec-97 4:07 PM EST (2107 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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