Voice of America, 98-05-06

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] KOSOVO CONFLICT CQ BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

[03] KOSOVO UNREST (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

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

[05] NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE (PART EIGHT) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[06] POLAND IN NATO BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[07] RUSSIA/KOSOVO (L ONLY) CQ BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[08] SENATE/GULF/BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[09] TURKEY/FOREIGN BY LAURIE KASSMAN (ANKARA)

[10] U-S / ITALY TALKS BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[11] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

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

INTRO: MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE POSTED GAINS WEDNESDAY -- BUT JUST BARELY. FOR THOSE CLOSING NUMBERS, HERE IS V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON.

TEXT: THE MAJOR FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS STOCK INDEXES SHOWED LITTLE SIGN OF TRADING LIFE, AS WORRIES ABOUT INTEREST RATE HIKES SEEMED TO PUT THE DAMPER ON SHARE SALES. EVEN WORD THAT U-S AND GERMAN AUTO GIANTS CHRYSLER AND DAIMLER-BENZ ARE THINKING ABOUT A MERGER HAD LITTLE EFFECT ON THE MARKETS.

HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX ADDED SIX POINT AT THE CLOSE. THE PARIS "CAC 40" WAS UP TWO-AND-A-HALF POINTS. FRANKFURT'S "DAX" INDEX, HOWEVER, GAINED NEARLY ONE PERCENT IN VALUE, RISING 38-AND-A-HALF POINTS AT THE CLOSE.

IN CURRENCY TRADING, THE U-S DOLLAR SAW LITTLE CHANGE IN VALUE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK OR BRITISH POUND.

GOLD IN LONDON FELL THREE DOLLARS TO CLOSE AT ABOUT 300 DOLLARS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF /MMK
06-May-98 2:42 PM EDT (1842 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO CONFLICT CQ BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: IN YUGOSLAVIA'S DIVIDED KOSOVO PROVINCE, ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS AND SERBIAN FORCES CLASH ON AN ALMOST-DAILY BASIS IN WHAT CAN BE DESCRIBED AS LOW-INTENSITY CONFLICT. MEANWHILE, DIPLOMATS ARE PURSUING A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM KOSOVO'S CAPITAL, PRISTINA.

TEXT: THERE IS A SENSE OF FEAR IN KOSOVO -- A FEAR THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR A PEACEFUL SOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT MAY HAVE PASSED, AND THE REGION IS ON AN INEVITABLE SPIRAL TOWARDS ALL-OUT ARMED CONFLICT. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, MODERATES SEEK A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT, AND THE BIG POWERS WORK TO AVOID ANOTHER BALKAN WAR.

THE CHALLENGES ARE CONSIDERABLE. THE TWO SIDES ARE FAR APART. KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS WANT INDEPENDENCE; THE SERBS SAY KOSOVO IS THEIR HISTORIC HEARTLAND AND MUST REMAIN PART OF SERBIA. THE BIG POWERS WANT TALKS TO AIM AT AUTONOMY, WHICH KOSOVO ENJOYED UNTIL 1989.

KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS HAVE LONG PUT THEIR FAITH IN A NEGOTIATED, NON-VIOLENT SOLUTION. BUT IN THE ABSENCE OF PROGRESS IN NEGOTIATIONS -- IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY NEGOTIATIONS AT ALL -- MANY ALBANIANS ARE STARTING TO DOUBT PROSPECTS FOR A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT.

ETHNIC ALBANIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST GAZMEND PULA SAYS GUERRILLAS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, THE K-L-A, ARE GAINING STRENGTH FROM THE FAILURE OF THE NON-VIOLENT POLICIES OF MODERATE LEADER IBRIHIM RUGOVA.

RUGOVA, OF COURSE, HAS NOT LOST HIS SUPPORTERS FOR THE PEACEFUL POLICIES THAT HE HAS PROPAGATED. HOWEVER, HE DOES NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO CONTROL THE K-L-A AS THE K-L-A HAS BEEN BORN OUT OF FRUSTRATION WITH RUGOVA'S PASSIVE POLICIES ... AND THAT IS WHY APPARENTLY THE K-L-A HAS TAKEN TO ARMS IN ORDER TO SIMPLY RESIST FURTHER FAILURES OF RUGOVA'S PEACEFUL POLICIES.

A SERB CRACKDOWN IN THE DRENICE REGION OF CENTRAL KOSOVO IN MARCH DRAMATIZED THE CONFLICT AND INCREASED SUPPORT FOR THE REBELS. KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY FIGHTERS ARE CONCEDED TO HAVE CONTROL OF SOME AREAS OF THE PROVINCE. ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT, MANY VILLAGES OFF THE MAIN ROADS ARE CONSIDERED TOO DANGEROUS FOR SERB POLICE .

FOR NOW THE GUERRILLAS ARE CLEARLY OUT-GUNNED. BUT LIKE IN ANY INSURGENCY, THE LOCAL FIGHTERS KNOW THE TERRAIN, HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE RESIDENTS, AND ARE HIGHLY MOTIVATED. MEANWHILE, DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVES CONTINUE. DEPUTY RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV MET TUESDAY IN BELGRADE WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. AFTERWARDS, THE RUSSIAN MINISTER SAID BELGRADE IS CONSIDERING FOREIGN MEDIATION IN KOSOVO. IF SO, IT COULD BE A SIGNIFICANT BREAK IN THE STALEMATE. SERBIA HAS ADAMANTLY REFUSED THIRD-PARTY HELP IN TALKS ON KOSOVO, INSISTING IT IS STRICTLY AN INTERNAL MATTER. MR. IVANOV WON NO FIRM CONCESSIONS, BUT HE IS QUOTED BY THE ITAR-TASS NEWS AGENCY AS SAYING HE IS CONVINCED BELGRADE IS SERIOUSLY EXAMINING THE MEDIATION PROPOSAL.

IN A SERBIAN REFERENDUM LAST MONTH, VOTERS DECISIVELY WEIGHED IN AGAINST MEDIATION, BUT MR. MILOSEVIC MIGHT ACCEPT MEDIATION UNDER ANOTHER NAME. FORMER SPANISH PRIME MINISTER FELIPE GONZALEZ HAS BEEN NOMINATED (BY E-U AND OSCE) TO HELP FACILITATE THE TALKS.

A SENIOR SERB OFFICIAL IN KOSOVO (VELJKO ODALOVIC) THIS WEEK URGED THE BIG POWERS TO PRESSURE THE ALBANIANS TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS UNDER SERBIA'S GROUND RULES. BUT THE CONTACT GROUP FROM EUROPE, RUSSIA, AND AMERICA AGREES WITH THE ALBANIANS ON THE NEED FOR MEDIATION.

THE CONTACT GROUP SAYS TALKS MUST START BY SATURDAY. IF NOT, THEY THREATEN ECONOMIC SANCTIONS -- ALTHOUGH RUSSIA WILL NOT PARTICIPATE. (SIGNED)
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06-May-98 1:25 PM EDT (1725 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO UNREST (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: SUSPECTED ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS HAVE KILLED A SERBIAN POLICEMAN IN THE LATEST VIOLENCE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S STRIFE-TORN KOSOVO PROVINCE. V-O-A CORESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA, THAT ONE OF THE ATTACKERS WAS REPORTED KILLED, AND TWO OTHER POLICEMEN WERE SERIOUSLY WOUNDED.

TEXT: THE SERB-RUN MEDIA CENTER SAYS THE AMBUSH TOOK PLACE SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT IN THE CENTER OF MITROVICE, (EDS: 35 KM) NORTHWEST OF PRISTINA.

SERBIAN OFFICIALS CHARGE THE ATTACK WAS THE WORK OF THE "KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY," THE GUERRILLA GROUP THAT HAS FREQUENTLY ATTACKED POLICE TARGETS IN ITS CAMPAIGN FOR AN INDEPENDENT KOSOVO.

MITROVICE IS ON THE NORTHERN EDGE OF THE DRENICE REGION -- THE AREA WHERE A POLICE CRACKDOWN CLAIMED ABOUT 80 LIVES IN MARCH.

SINCE THEN, THERE HAVE BEEN FREQUENT INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE -- MOST RECENTLY A BATTLE SUNDAY AND MONDAY NEAR THE ALBANIAN BORDER. KOSOVO'S 90-PERCENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY SEEKS INDEPENDENCE. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS TRYING TO BROKER A DEAL FOR AUTONOMY. BELGRADE INSISTS KOSOVO MUST REMAIN PART OF SERBIA AND HAS RESISTED INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT, SAYING KOSOVO IS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM. (SIGNED)
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06-May-98 5:43 AM EDT (0943 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN SHARPLY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ON NEW CONCERN ABOUT HIGHER INTEREST RATES. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT NINE THOUSAND 54, DOWN 92 POINTS, OR ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED FOUR, DOWN 10 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY TRADERS WERE WORRIED ABOUT A POSSIBLE INCREASE IN SHORT TERM INTEREST RATES. PRESIDENT CLINTON AND U-S CENTRAL BANK CHAIRMAN ALAN GREENSPAN MET PRIVATELY LATE TUESDAY AND THERE IS SPECULATION ON WALL STREET THAT MR. GREENSPAN MAY HAVE ALERTED THE PRESIDENT TO AN INTEREST RATE INCREASE LATER THIS MONTH.

BUT THE BIGGEST STORY IN WALL STREET WAS THE MERGER TALK INVOLVING TWO MAJOR AUTOMAKERS, CHRYSLER OF THE UNITED STATES AND DAIMLER BENZ OF GERMANY. THE DEAL, IF IT IS CONCLUDED, MAY BE WORTH AS MUCH AS 35 BILLION DOLLARS, MAKING IT THE LARGEST INDUSTRIAL MERGER IN HISTORY.

MANY ANALYSTS ARE APPLAUDING THE MERGER IDEA, SAYING IT WOULD COMBINE DAIMLER'S STRENGTH IN LUXURY AUTOS AND ITS PRESENCE IN EUROPE WITH CHRYSLER'S POPULAR TRUCK AND MINIVANS IN THE U-S MARKET. THE MAIN CHALLENGE, ACCORDING TO AUTO INDUSTRY ANALYST MARYANNE KELLER OF THE FURMAN SELZ INVESTMENT COMPANY, IS WHETHER THE COMPANIES CAN EFFECTIVELY COMBINE THEIR DIFFERENT CULTURES.

THE REAL QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN MERGE THEIR CORPORATE CULTURES SO THAT THEY NEITHER INTRUDE ON ONE ANOTHER'S PRODUCTS BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, FIND WAYS OF BUILDING THOSE PRODUCTS MORE EFFICIENTLY.

WALL STREET RESPONDED ENTHUSIASTICALLY TO TALK OF A DAIMLER-CHRYSLER MERGER WITH CHRYSLER'S STOCK UP 14 PERCENT AND DAIMLER'S GAINING 10 PERCENT.

A SURVEY BY THE U-S CENTRAL BANK (BEIGE BOOK) SHOWS U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH CONTINUES TO BE STRONG, WITH ASIA'S FINANCIAL CRISIS SO FAR HAVING A VERY LIMITED EFFECT ON THE NATION'S ECONOMY.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED FACTORY ORDERS ROSE MODESTLY IN MARCH WITH DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT OFFSETTING A DECLINE IN AIRCRAFT ORDERS.

THE U-S TREASURY DEPARTMENT SAYS IT WILL STOP ISSUING THREE YEAR DEBT OBLIGATIONS. TREASURY OFFICIALS SAY SOARING TAX REVENUES MEAN IT WILL NOT HAVE TO BORROW AS MUCH AS IN THE PAST.

THE HEAD OF THE U-S GOVERNMENT AGENCY WHICH REGULATES THE STOCK MARKET SAYS HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LEVEL OF "MARGIN DEBT," MONEY WHICH INVESTORS BORROW TO BUY STOCKS. ARTHUR LEVITT SAYS INVESTORS SHOULD BE CAUTIOUS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST A POSSIBLE MARKET DOWNTURN.(SIGNED)
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06-May-98 5:02 PM EDT (2102 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE (PART EIGHT) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: THE AGREEMENT REACHED LAST MONTH (EDS: APRIL 10) ON NORTHERN IRELAND DEALS ESSENTIALLY WITH POLITICAL ISSUES, GIVING THE BRITISH PROVINCE MORE SAY IN RUNNING ITS OWN AFFAIRS. BUT THE ACCORD ALSO TOUCHES ON CONTENTIOUS ISSUES -- SUCH AS WHAT TO DO WITH PRISONERS CURRENTLY INCARCERATED FOR TERRORIST ACTS. IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS AT THE AGREEMENT'S VERY EMOTIONAL ISSUE OF PRISONERS.

TEXT: PRISONERS BELONGING TO OUTLAWED PARAMILITARY GROUPS AND CURRENTLY INCARCERATED IN EITHER NORTHERN IRELAND OR THE IRISH REPUBLIC HAVE -- IRONICALLY -- ALWAYS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE PEACE PROCESS. FOR EXAMPLE, THEY PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN ESTABLISHING THE CURRENT CEASEFIRES AND THEY ARE REGULARLY CONSULTED ON KEY ISSUES BY THEIR POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVES, WHO TOOK PART IN FORGING THE APRIL 10TH ACCORD.

IN THE SECTION DEALING WITH THOSE CONVICTED OF TERRORIST ACTS, THE AGREEMENT SAYS THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS "WILL PUT IN PLACE MECHANISMS TO PROVIDE FOR AN ACCELERATED PROGRAM FOR THE RELEASE OF PRISONERS." HOWEVER THE ACCORD STIPULATES THAT "PRISONERS AFFILIATED TO ORGANIZATIONS WHICH HAVE NOT ESTABLISHED OR ARE NOT MAINTAINING A COMPLETE AND UNEQUIVOCAL CEASEFIRE WILL NOT BENEFIT FROM THE ARRANGEMENTS."

THE ISSUE OF PRISONERS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A VERY EMOTIONAL ONE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. VIOLENCE HAS BEEN A DAILY PART OF LIFE FOR DECADES AND MANY PEOPLE ARE UNEASY WITH THE PROSPECT OF SEEING TERRORISTS -- SOME OF WHOM HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF MURDER -- OUT IN THE STREETS BEFORE THEIR FULL SENTENCE IS SERVED.

KEN MAGINNIS -- SECURITY SPOKESMAN FOR NORTHERN IRELAND'S LARGEST PARTY, THE PRO-BRITISH "ULSTER UNIONISTS" -- SAYS HE IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF EARLY RELEASES OF PRISONERS.

BUT WITH THESE EARLY RELEASES, THERE WILL BE QUITE -- LET ME PREDICT -- DRACONIAN LEGISLATION WHICH WILL INSURE THAT IF ANY OF THOSE PRISONERS RELEASED INFRINGES THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH HE OR SHE IS RELEASED, AND IF THE ORGANIZATIONS TO WHICH THEY BELONG RESORT ONCE AGAIN TO VIOLENCE, THEN THERE WILL BE SCOPE FOR THESE PEOPLE TO BE RETURNED TO PRISON AND FURTHER RELEASES WILL BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT AND PERHAPS IMPOSSIBLE. // OPT // SO ALTHOUGH IT GIVES ME CONSIDERABLE GRIEF TO SEE SOME OF THE MOST CALLOUS AND PREMEDITATED KILLERS GOING BACK INTO SOCIETY, I HAVE SOME REASSURANCE THAT SUCH WILL BE THE LEGISLATION AND CONDITIONS OF RELEASE THAT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO INFLICT SUFFERING ON SOCIETY AGAIN, WITHOUT IMMEDIATE AND SUMMARY ACTION BY THE AUTHORITIES. // END OPT //

ONE MAN WHO BELIEVES THE PRISONER ISSUE CANNOT BE IGNORED AND MUST BE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ANY PEACE SETTLEMENT IS DAVID ERVINE. ARRESTED IN 1975 FOR CARRYING AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE FOR A PRO-BRITISH PARAMILITARY GROUP, MR. ERVINE SPENT FIVE YEARS IN A BELFAST JAIL. HE IS NOW THE LEADER OF THE "PROGRESSIVE UNIONIST PARTY" WHICH HAS CLOSE LINKS TO PARAMILITARY ORGANIZATIONS. HAVING FORSAKEN VIOLENCE, HE PLAYED AN ACTIVE ROLE IN FORGING THE APRIL 10TH ACCORD.

LET US CUT THE EMOTIONAL NONSENSE OUT OF THE ISSUE OF PRISONERS. IN NO CONFLICT RESOLUTION CIRCUMSTANCE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ARE PRISONERS IGNORED. WE COULD NOT IGNORE THEM HERE AND I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE ACHIEVING. THERE ARE A FEW PRISONERS WHO MIGHT ACHIEVE A YEAR OR TWO YEARS REDUCTION OF THEIR SENTENCE. BECAUSE REMEMBER, IN THE MAIN, THE TWO CEASEFIRES THAT HAVE PRECIPITATED THE CREATION OF THIS AGREEMENT BEGAN IN 1994. THIS IS 1998. SO FOUR YEARS HAVE ALREADY PASSED WHERE THOSE PRISONERS HAVE PLAYED A PIVOTAL AND IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE SEARCH FOR PEACE. ARE WE GOING TO IGNORE THAT? I THINK NOT.

EVERYONE AGREES THAT THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND HAVE SUFFERED GREATLY AS A RESULT OF WHAT IS COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS "THE TROUBLES." JOHN HUME, LEADER OF THE PRO-IRISH "SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC AND LABOR PARTY" SAYS MANY HAVE BECOME -- WHAT HE CALLS -- VICTIMS OF THE PAST.

BUT PRISONERS AND OTHERS ARE ALSO VICTIMS OF OUR PAST, IN THEIR OWN WAY, BECAUSE A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR SOCIETY -- BECAUSE OF THE TERRIBLE THINGS THAT WERE HAPPENING ON OUR STREETS -- GOT SUCKED INTO VIOLENCE. NOW WE CAN KEEP ON POINTING AT THEM, POINTING TO THE PAST. BUT IF WE DO THAT, EVERYBODY IN NORTHERN IRELAND CAN POINT AT THE OTHER SIDE AND KEEP THE PAST ALIVE. AND IF YOU KEEP THE PAST ALIVE, ALL YOU ARE DOING IS KEEPING THE PROBLEM ALIVE. // OPT // IF YOU ARE GOING TO SOLVE A PROBLEM OF OUR NATURE, OR INDEED IN ANY OTHER AREA OF CONFLICT IN THE WORLD, YOU HAVE TO, AT SOME STAGE, DRAW A LINE AND LEAVE THE PAST COMPLETELY BEHIND YOU AND BUILD A NEW FUTURE TOGETHER. // END OPT //

JOHN HUME SAYS THE APRIL 10TH ACCORD REPRESENTS THE BEGINNING OF A HEALING PROCESS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND -- AND HE FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT PRISONERS CURRENTLY INCARCERATED FOR TERRORIST ACTS SHOULD ALSO BE PART OF THAT HEALING PROCESS. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF
06-May-98 11:02 AM EDT (1502 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] POLAND IN NATO BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: SITUATED BETWEEN GERMANY AND RUSSIA, POLAND HAS BEEN THE VICTIM OF BOTH. NOW WITH MEMBERSHIP IN NATO, THE POLISH PEOPLE SAY THEY HAVE FINALLY FOUND SECURITY. THAT IS THE OPINION OF A FORMER U-S AMBASSADOR TO POLAND, THOUGH AN AMERICAN MILITARY ANALYST WARNS AN EXPANDED NATO DOES NOT SOLVE THE RUSSIAN QUESTION. VOA'S ED WARNER REPORTS

TEXT: IT IS A FEELING OF GREAT RELIEF. THAT IS THE REACTION OF NICHOLAS REY TO THE U-S SENATE VOTE APPROVING THE EXPANSION OF NATO:

IT MEANS AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT FOR POLAND BECAUSE POLAND HAS HAD A THOUSAND YEAR HISTORY OF BEING IN THE MIDDLE OF A NO-MAN'S LAND. IT HAS HAD INVASIONS AND OCCUPATIONS AND DIVISIONS, PARTITIONS -- EVERYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF LITERALLY SINCE ITS BIRTH A THOUSAND YEARS AGO.

OPPONENTS OF NATO EXPANSION SAY POLAND MAY NOW BE LESS SECURE BECAUSE OF RUSSIAN HOSTILITY TO THE MOVE. BUT MR. REY IS IMPRESSED WITH THE MEASURED RUSSIAN RESPONSE SO FAR. RUSSIA HAS BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT NEIGHBOR, HE SAYS, BUT THE POLISH PEOPLE ARE NOW BETTER PREPARED TO DEAL WITH IT:

THERE IS TODAY THE SENSE THAT THERE IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP A VERY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH RUSSIA, AND THERE IS PARTICULARLY A SENSE THAT ONCE POLAND DOES BECOME A MEMBER OF NATO AND IS FIRMLY CEMENTED IN WESTERN SECURITY STRUCTURES IT WILL BE EASIER FOR POLAND TO DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP OF EQUALS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THEMSELVES.

AMBASSADOR REY SAYS IN TIME, RUSSIA SHOULD BE INVITED TO JOIN NATO, THOUGH THE ALLIANCE WAS ORIGINALLY DIRECTED AGAINST IT.

THIS COULD HAPPEN, BUT IT IS NOT POLITICALLY VIABLE AT PRESENT, SAYS MICHAEL O'HANLON, A MILITARY ANALYST AT THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION IN WASHINGTON. IN THE MEANTIME, HE SAYS, RUSSIA PRESENTS A PROBLEM AS THE LARGEST, MOST HEAVILY ARMED NATION IN EUROPE:

IT SEEMS THAT IN ONE SENSE WE ARE SETTING OUR SIGHTS FAR TOO LOW. WHY SHOULD WE ONLY TRY TO BRING IN THE SMALLER COUNTRIES OF EUROPE AND NOT TRY TO INTEGRATE RUSSIA? IF OUR CONCERN IS A STABLE SECURITY ORDER FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE, IT SEEMS FAR WISER TO THINK OF HOW TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA AND NOT JUST WORRY ABOUT THE EDGES OF THE PROBLEM, SO TO SPEAK.

MR. O'HANLON IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNED ABOUT ANYTHING THAT WILL SLOW RUSSIAN EFFORTS TO CONTROL ITS NUCLEAR MATERIALS AND WEAPONS, WHICH STILL REMAIN THE MAJOR THREAT TO U-S SECURITY.

TENSIONS ARE INCREASING BETWEEN POLAND AND NEIGHBORING BELARUS, WHICH IS CLOSELY ALLIED TO MOSCOW. GIVEN THE RECORD OF PAST GUARANTEES, MANY POLES WONDER IF THE UNITED STATES WOULD COME TO THEIR AID IN THE EVENT OF A CRISIS. A LEADING AMERICAN SCHOLAR GEORGE KENNAN, AMONG OTHERS, QUESTIONS THE VALUE OF THE NATO COMMITMENT.

AMBASSADOR REY REPLIES BAD NEWS TRAVELS TOO FAST THESE DAYS TO BE IGNORED OR TO GO UNANSWERED:

IN A WORLD OF THAT SORT, IF THERE WERE TO BE A REAL PROBLEM IN CENTRAL EUROPE, IT WOULD BE HARD TO BELIEVE THAT AMERICANS WOULD SIT BACK AND WOULD NOT ACT, JUST AS ULTIMATELY WE DID ACT IN BOSNIA, FOR EXAMPLE.

MR. REY AND OTHERS POINT OUT THAT NATO HAS WORKED SO FAR DESPITE ALL KINDS OF CRITICISM OVER THE YEARS. THEY BELIEVE A REVISED NATO WILL CONTINUE TO WORK. (SIGNED)
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06-May-98 11:18 AM EDT (1518 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] RUSSIA/KOSOVO (L ONLY) CQ BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIAN DIPLOMATS SAY YUGOSLAVIA MAY BE READY TO ACCEPT FOREIGN MEDIATION IN THE KOSOVO CRISIS. MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS.

TEXT: RUSSIA'S ENVOY TO YUGOSLAVIA SAYS PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S DEMAND FOR OUTSIDE MEDIATION OF TALKS ON KOSOVO'S FUTURE.

MR. MILOSEVIC PREVIOUSLY REJECTED THIRD-PARTY INVOLVEMENT IN NEGOTIATIONS ON THE MAJORITY ETHNIC-ALBANIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. THAT REFUSAL WAS OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTED IN A NATIONAL REFERENDUM LAST MONTH.

BUT WITH THE UNITED STATES AND MAJOR EUROPEAN POWERS THREATENING A BAN ON FOREIGN INVESTMENTS BEGINNING MAY NINTH, THE YUGOSLAV LEADER IS UNDER INCREASING PRESSURE TO MODERATE HIS POSITION.

FOLLOWING A MEETING (TUESDAY) IN BELGRADE, DEPUTY RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV SAID WEDNESDAY MR. MILOSEVIC AGREED TO CONSIDER AN OFFER OF A HELPING HAND, IN THE FORM OF A MISSION LED BY EUROPEAN MEDIATOR AND FORMER SPANISH PRIME MINISTER FELIPE GONZALEZ.

IN A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN VALERY NESTERUSHKIN EXPRESSED HOPE THE HELPING-HAND COMPROMISE MIGHT BREAK THE CURRENT DEADLOCK.

BELGRADE IS VERY STRONG AGAINST ANY INTERNATIONAL MEDDLING IN THIS PROCESS. THEY HAD A SPECIAL REFERENDUM ON THIS TOPIC. BUT STILL WE HOPE THAT INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO START THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS IS REALISTIC AND VERY REASONABLE IN THE CURRENT SITUATION.

MR. NESTERUSHKIN SAYS RUSSIA IS PRESSING BOTH SIDES IN THE KOSOVO CRISIS TO MAKE COMPROMISES.

IN THE PAST, MOSCOW HAS SIDED WITH MR. MILOSEVIC, AND HAS DISTANCED ITSELF FROM BIG POWER SANCTIONS SUCH AS THE PROPOSED INVESTMENT BAN. BUT IN RECENT DAYS, RUSSIA HAS BEEN LESS ENTHUSIASTIC IN ITS SUPPORT OF THE MILOSEVIC GOVERNMENT'S HARDLINE ATTITUDE.

SPOKESMAN NESTERUSHKIN SAID THE RUSSIAN ENVOY'S MISSION IS TO MAKE THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO CHANGE HIS STAND, AND BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS WITH OFFICIALS IN KOSOVO'S CAPITAL, PRISTINA. (SIGNED)
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06-May-98 12:01 PM EDT (1601 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] SENATE/GULF/BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: A GROUP OF AMERICAN LAWMAKERS IS CALLING FOR CUTBACKS IN U-S TROOP STRENGTH IN BOTH THE PERSIAN GULF AND BOSNIA- HERZEGOVINA. CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN REPORTS A DELEGATION VISITED THOSE PLACES THIS PAST WEEKEND.

TEXT: THE SENATORS, MOST OF WHOM ARE REPUBLICAN, SAY THE NATION'S ARMED FORCES ARE BEING BADLY STRETCHED BY TWO MAJOR FOREIGN DEPLOYMENTS. APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN TED STEVENS WARNS MORALE, EQUIPMENT, AND BUDGETS ARE SUFFERING, ESPECIALLY IN THE DESERTS OF KUWAIT AND SAUDI ARABIA.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS STOP WASTING MONEY ON THESE DEPLOYMENTS THAT ARE FAR IN EXCESS OF WHAT IS NEEDED AND BEYOND THAT OF TAKING ON PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS.

THE UNITED STATES SENT THOUSANDS OF TROOPS AND HUNDREDS OF AIRCRAFT TO THE GULF IN THE RECENT SHOWDOWN WITH IRAQ OVER U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. REPUBLICAN SENATOR PAT ROBERTS SUGGESTS THE FORCE CAN NOW BE REDUCED TO ITS NORMAL, PRE-CRISIS LEVEL.

I THINK THAT IS APPROPRIATE. I DO NOT THINK THAT WILL ENDANGER THE COLLECTIVE SECURITY. WE KNOW THAT IF SADDAM, YOU KNOW, PULLS ONE OF HIS ALMOST MONTHLY OPERATIONS HERE THAT WE WOULD RESPOND.

THE AMERICAN COMMITMENT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IS ALSO ATTRACTING CONCERN, IN PART DUE TO VIOLENCE IN NEARBY KOSOVO, AND BECAUSE OF WHAT CRITICS CALL AN UNFOCUSED U-S POLICY. REPUBLICAN KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON IS SPONSORING A BILL TO BRING ABOUT WHAT SHE CALLS AN ORDERLY, HONORABLE EXIT.

I AM GOING TO STAND FOR THE UNITED STATES SENATE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ASSURE THAT WE DO NOT FLING OUR TROOPS AROUND THE WORLD IN OPERATIONS OTHER THAN WAR AND DISSIPATE OUR RESOURCES AND OUR READINESS (TO FIGHT).

THE MEASURE WOULD GRADUALLY SHRINK THE U-S FORCE OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, FROM ABOUT SEVEN-THOUSAND NOW TO 25-HUNDRED BY EARLY IN THE YEAR TWO-THOUSAND. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS SAID IT WILL NOT KEEP TROOPS IN THE BALKANS FOREVER, BUT IS SURE TO RESIST ANY ATTEMPT TO SET DEADLINES. (SIGNED)
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06-May-98 12:29 PM EDT (1629 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] TURKEY/FOREIGN BY LAURIE KASSMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: THE RUSH TO EXPLOIT CENTRAL ASIA'S ENERGY FIELDS IS OFTEN COMPARED TO THE AMERICAN GOLD RUSH OF THE MID-1800'S. AND TURKEY WANTS TO BE A PART OF IT, SEEING ITSELF AS THE LINK TO EUROPEAN MARKETS. BUT AS CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS REJECTION OF EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERSHIP FOR TURKEY IS SEEN IN ANKARA AS A REJECTION IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.

TEXT: TURKEY CAPITALIZES ON ITS LOCATION -- STRADDLING EUROPE AND ASIA -- TO SERVE AS A BRIDGE TO THOSE RICHES. OFFICIALS STRESS THE COUNTRY'S ROLE IN A LARGER TERRITORY THEY CALL "EURASIA" -- ESPECIALLY SINCE THE EUROPEAN UNION'S REJECTION OF ITS LONGSTANDING BID FOR MEMBERSHIP.

PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR NEZIHI CAKAR (CHA-KAR) RECENTLY REMINDED WESTERN ANALYSTS THAT TURKEY IS A REGIONAL POWER.

TURKEY EXERCISES A POWERFUL INFLUENCE ON ALL STATES ON ITS PERIPHERY, PARTICULARLY THE CAUCUSES AND CENTRAL ASIAN STATES WHERE THE TURKISH ETHNIC-LINGUISTIC ZONE EXTENDS EASTWARD TO THE CHINESE BORDER.

TURKEY PROMOTES ITS PIPELINE LINKS FOR CENTRAL ASIAN OIL AND GAS TO REACH WESTERN MARKETS. BUT IT FACES STIFF COMPETITION FROM IRAN AND ITS NORTHERN NEIGHBORS ON THE BLACK SEA, WHO SAY THEY CAN OFFER SAFER, CHEAPER ROUTES. IN ANKARA, POLITICAL ANALYST HASSAN KONI SAYS TURKEY'S OWN PUSH INTO CENTRAL ASIA WAS NOT SO SUCCESSFUL, AT FIRST. A SAGGING ECONOMY LEFT THE GOVERNMENT WITH FEW RESOURCES TO BACK ITS AMBITIOUS POLICIES. AND, SURPRISINGLY, HE SAYS TURKEY'S EMPHASIS ON A COMMON TURKISH HERITAGE AND MEMORIES OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE DID NOT CHARM THE NEWLY INDEPENDENT STATES.

BECAUSE OF THEIR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH THE SOVIETS, THOSE REPUBLICS WERE NOT LOOKING FOR ANOTHER BIG BROTHER. THEY WERE AGAINST IT. THEY WERE LOOKING TO BE TREATED AS EQUAL PARTNERS AND FRIENDLY COUNTRIES.

OFFICIALS SUGGEST THAT SECULAR TURKEY CAN SERVE AS A MODEL FOR THE NEWLY INDEPENDENT STATES WHICH ARE GRAPPLING WITH POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS REVIVALS. PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR CAKAR SAYS TURKEY CAN SHOW THEM A SECULAR ALTERNATIVE TO ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM.

TURKEY'S SECULAR DEMOCRACY ALSO SETS IT APART FROM ARAB NEIGHBORS TO THE SOUTH. ANKARA STIRRED ANXIETY ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST WHEN IT SIGNED A MILITARY TRAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE ONLY OTHER NON-ARAB STATE, ISRAEL. CLOSER TIES BETWEEN THE TWO MILITARY POWERS COULD BOLSTER ISRAELI STABILITY. BUT MR. KONI SAYS IT ALSO SERVES TURKISH INTERESTS OUTSIDE THE REGION.

HAVING GOOD RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL, TURKEY IS PROTECTED AGAINST THE LOBBIES IN THE UNITED STATES -- AGAINST THE GREEK AND ARMENIAN AND, MAYBE, THE KURDISH LOBBIES. AND IT IS THE ISRAELI LOBBY WHICH IS SOLVING TURKISH PROBLEMS WITHIN THE AMERICAN CONGRESS.

AS GOOD AS RELATIONS MAY BE WITH ISRAEL, TURKEY'S TIES WITH NEIGHBORING GREECE HAVE STEADILY SOURED. THE HOSTILE RHETORIC HAS INTENSIFIED MOST RECENTLY AROUND THE EXPLOSIVE ISSUE OF CYPRUS AND THE GREEK VETO OF TURKEY'S E-U MEMBERSHIP BID. TURKISH OFFICIALS, LIKE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR CAKAR, HAVE WARNED THAT LEAVING TURKEY OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN UNION WON'T HELP IT RESOLVE BILATERAL DISPUTES.

AS LONG AS EUROPE CONTINUES TO ACCEDE TO GREEK HOSTILITY TOWARD TURKEY, EUROPE REMAINS HOSTAGE TO GREEK POLICY IN THE E-U AND GREECE IS ENCOURAGED TO CONTINUE ITS HOSTILE STANCE TOWARD TURKEY. THIS ACCEPTANCE BY EUROPE ENHANCES THE RISK OF A TURKEY-GREECE CLASH.

[10] U-S / ITALY TALKS BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON AND ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER ROMANO PRODI HAVE HELD TALKS AT THE WHITE HOUSE WITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON THE BALKANS AND THE UNREST IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE TWO LEADERS EXPRESSED THEIR DEEP CONCERN ABOUT THE TROUBLE IN KOSOVO AND THE ABSENCE OF DIALOGUE IN THE CRISIS. THEY PLEDGED TO KEEP WORKING FOR UNCONDITIONAL TALKS AMONG THE PARTIES. BUT THEY ALSO SAID THEY WOULD BE READY TO SUBSTANTIALLY TURN UP PRESSURE ON SERBIAN AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE, IF THEY BLOCK A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION OR TURN TO FORCE AGAINST THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS.

ITALY HAS BEEN HEAVILY INVOLVED IN PEACEMAKING EFFORTS IN KOSOVO, THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN PROVINCE OF SERBIA WHERE MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED SINCE MARCH IN CLASHES BETWEEN SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES AND ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS.

AT A JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE WITH MR. PRODI, PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO NEGOTIATE AN AUTONOMY ARRANGEMENT FOR THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS WHILE PRESERVING IT AS PART OF SERBIA:

THEY OBVIOUSLY NEED TO SIT DOWN AND TALK THROUGH HOW THE LEGITIMATE ASPIRATIONS OF THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS CAN SOMEHOW BE MANIFEST AND GIVING THEM SOME MEASURE OF SELF GOVERNMENT AND DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY OVER THEIR LIVES WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF SERBIA. THERE ARE 50 DIFFERENT WAYS THAT THIS CAN BE WORKED OUT IN A HUMANE, LEGITIMATE WAY. THEY DO NOT HAVE TO KILL EACH OTHER TO GET THIS DONE. AND THEY SHOULD NOT DO THAT.

PRIME MINISTER PRODI, FOR HIS PART, SAID NO OPTION -- INCLUDING THE DISPATCH OF INTERNATONAL FORCES TO KOSOVO -- SHOULD BE RULED OUT. BUT HE DID ACKNOWLEDGE THAT FOREIGN TROOPS WOULD BE POTENTIAL HOSTAGES IN A WORSENING CRISIS.

THE MEETING WAS AIMED, IN PART, AT RESTORING U-S/ITALIAN RELATIONS AFTER THE FEBRUARY ACCIDENT IN WHICH A U-S MARINE AIRCRAFT CLIPPED A CABLE IN THE ITALIAN ALPS -- KILLING 20 SKIERS IN A GONDOLA CAR THAT WAS SENT PLUNGING TO THE GROUND.

PRESIDENT CLINTON REITERATED WHAT HE CALLED HIS PROFOUND REGRET OVER THE CASE. FOUR U-S FLIERS ARE NOW FACING MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES IN A MILITARY COURT. PRIME MINISTER PRODI PRAISED WHAT HE SAID WAS THE PROMPT RESPONSE AND DEEP INVOLVEMENT BY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IN DEALING WITH THE MATTER. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/JO
06-May-98 3:20 PM EDT (1920 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THERE IS GROWING CONCERN ABOUT THE FUTURE OF MIDEAST PEACE TALKS AND THE PROSPECTS OF THE CURRENT LONDON-BASED NEGOTIATIONS FAILING TO PUT ANY MOMENTUM INTO THE EFFORT. THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF SEVERAL EDITORIALS AT MID-WEEK IN THE U-S PRESS.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE UGLY DISPUTE BETWEEN THE WHITE HOUSE AND REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN DAN BURTON OF INDIANA OVER HIS INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGED CAMPAIGN FINANCE ABUSES; THE CURRENT RAPPROCHEMENT WITH IRAN; THE NEW EUROPEAN COMMON CURRENCY; AND THE INCREASING TURMOIL IN INDONESIA. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _____________________AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE CURRENT ROUND OF MIDEAST PEACE TALKS BETWEEN THE ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS IN LONDON MAY OR MAY NOT BE SUCCEEDING IN GIVING SOME NEW IMPETUS TO THE SITUATION, BUT AS "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS IN TODAY'S LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE THIS IS: "A CRITICAL MOMENT IN THE MIDEAST."

VOICE: AFTER MORE THAN A YEAR OF STAGNATION, THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE TALKS HAVE ENTERED A PARTICULARLY DELICATE PHASE. MADELEINE ALBRIGHT MANAGED TO GIVE THE NEGOTIATIONS A NUDGE BY SHUTTLING BETWEEN BENJAMIN NETANYAHU AND YASSER ARAFAT IN LONDON THIS WEEK. BUT IF THE ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER AND PALESTINIAN LEADER CANNOT COME TO TERMS BY SUNDAY ON THE DIMENSIONS OF THE NEXT ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL FROM THE WEST BANK, THE ENTIRE PEACE EFFORT COULD FALTER. /// OPT /// ... THE IMPLICIT AMERICAN THREAT IS THAT FAILURE TO MEET THE SUNDAY DEADLINE, OR AT LEAST TO COME CLOSE, WOULD FORCE WASHINGTON PUBLICLY TO ASSIGN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BREAKDOWN, A STEP LIKELY TO DISCOMFIT MR. NETANYAHU AT LEAST AS MUCH AS MR. ARAFAT. THAT IS A REASONABLE COURSE. IT WOULD NOT BE REASONABLE TO GO FURTHER BY SUSPENDING SOME PORTION OF AMERICAN AID TO ISRAEL, AN APPROACH PRIVATELY CHAMPIONED BY SOME AMERICAN OFFICIALS. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: ADDS "THE WASHINGTON POST:"

VOICE: MR. NETANYAHU IS AT A MOMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL CHOICE: HE MUST DECIDE WHETHER TO CONFRONT HIS RIGHT [THAT IS, THE RIGHT-WING ELEMENTS IN HIS OWN LIKUD PARTY] OR THE UNITED STATES. HIS THIN MAJORITY RESTS ON SUPPORT FROM RELIGIOUS LEGISLATORS TIGHTLY ALIGNED WITH JEWISH SETTLERS. BUT 81 U-S SENATORS SIGNED AN ASTONISHING LETTER LAST MONTH WARNING PRESIDENT CLINTON NOT TO PRESS ISRAEL HARD FOR COMPROMISE WITH THE PALESTINIANS. PERHAPS MR. NETANYAHU FEELS HE WILL COME OFF BETTER CHALLENGING BILL CLINTON AND AL GORE THAN STANDING UP TO HIS OWN RIGHT WING.

TEXT: "NEWSDAY" SAYS THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON IS CORRECT TO PRESS FOR CONCESSIONS THAT MIGHT GET THE LONG-STALLED TALKS MOVING AGAIN.

VOICE: THE QUESTION REMAINS WHETHER [PRIME MINISTER] NETANYAHU IS PREPARED TO REMOVE ISRAELI FORCES FROM ENOUGH TERRITORY IN A SECOND WITHDRAWAL TO MEET CRITERIA SET BY [SECRETARY OF STATE] ALBRIGHT -- 13-PERCENT, OR AT LEAST WHAT [MR.] ARAFAT FEELS HE NEEDS. [MR.] ARAFAT HAD CALLED FOR 430-PERCENT BUT NOW ACCEPTS 13-PERCENT. ISRAEL WANTS TO MOVE TO FINAL STATUS TALKS. ...PROGRESS CAN NOT BE MADE UNLESS BOTH PARTIES ARE WILLING BUT, WHEN IT COMES TO THE END GAME IN SUCH TALKS, IT HAS ALWAYS TAKEN A PUSH FROM WASHINGTON TO CLOSE THE DEAL.

TEXT: INVESTIGATIONS OF THE PRESIDENT, BOTH BY WHITEWATER INDEPENDENT COUNSEL KENNETH STARR AND CONGRESSMAN DAN BURTON'S HOUSE COMMITTEE CONTINUE TO DRAW COMMENT. TODAY'S "PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD" SUGGESTS THAT WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS NOW FROM MR. STARR IS RESULTS.

VOICE: THE RECENT INDICTMENTS PRODUCED BY WHITEWATER-RELATED GRAND JURIES IN WASHINGTON AND LITTLE ROCK COULD INDICATE THAT KENNETH STARR IS FINALLY BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND ... HIS INVESTIGATION HAS TO PRODUCE RESULTS OR BE TERMINATED. ... [MR.] STARR'S INVESTIGATION, WHILE NECESSARILY CAREFUL, HAS COME UNDER JUSTIFIED CRITICISM FOR ITS SEEMINGLY INTERMINABLE DURATION. THAT SAID, IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S LEGAL ADVISORS HAVE BEEN LESS THAN FORTHCOMING ABOUT MANY OF [MR.] STARR'S QUESTIONS.

TEXT: CONGRESSMAN BURTON'S RELATED PROBE OF ALLEGED DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN FINANCE ILLEGALITIES DRAWS A REBUKE FROM "USA TODAY." THE PAPER CASTIGATES HIM FOR RELEASING EDITED TAPE RECORDINGS OF PRISON PHONE CALLS FROM CLINTON CONFIDANT AND FORMER JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL WEBSTER HUBBELL. THE TAPES WERE MADE TO SOUND MORE INCRIMINATING THAN THEY WERE IN FULL CONTEXT. HOWEVER THE PAPER ALSO CHIDES PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR CONTINUING TO USE THE CONCEPT OF EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE TO SHIELD HIS AIDES FROM TESTIFYING BEFORE THE GRAND JURY.

VOICE: // OPT // EDITING REALITY TO SUIT PARTISAN AND PERSONAL PURPOSES HAS BECOME A LOW ART IN WASHINGTON. THIS WEEK, TWO OF THE WORST OFFENDERS WERE CALLED TO ACCOUNT. REPRESENTATIVE DAN BURTON, REPUBLICAN OF INDIANA, CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE, WAS ONE. ...HE WENT BEYOND INVECTIVE LAST WEEK, RELEASING EDITED TRANSCRIPTS OF THE TAPED PRISON CONVERSATIONS OF CONVICTED PRESIDENTIAL CONFIDANTE WEBSTER HUBBELL WITH HIS WIFE, SUZY. // END OPT // LEFT OUT WERE EXCULPATORY STATEMENTS ABOUT [MR.] HUBBELL AND HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON. THE DISTORTED RECORD GAVE DEMOCRATS ... PROOF ... THE GOP COMMITTEE LEADER WAS ENGAGING IN A PARTISAN VENDETTA AGAINST THE FIRST COUPLE. SUCH CLUMSINESS, THOUGH, CAN NOT DEFLECT ATTENTION FROM THE WHITE HOUSE'S OWN VAIN EFFORT TO HIDE VITAL INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC AND INVESTIGATORS. ITS PRIMARY TOOL: CLAIMS OF EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE, TWO OF WHICH HAVE NOW BEEN KNOCKED OUT [DISALLOWED] ... [MR.] BURTON WAS RIGHTLY CHASTISED FOR HIS INDECENT TAPE EDITING. ... BUT WILL [PRESIDENT] CLINTON AND HIS LAWYERS, WITH MORE SPECIOUS CLAIMS OF EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE SLAPPED DOWN, GIVE UP THAT STONEWALLING [UNCOOPERATIVE] TACTIC? NOT LIKELY ...

TEXT: RETURNING TO INTERNATIONAL MATTERS, AND THE GROWING RAPPROCHEMENT WITH IRAN, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS THE GRADUAL THAWING IN RELATIONS SEEMS TO HAVE STALLED AFTER THE EXCHANGE OF WRESTLING TEAMS.

VOICE: THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, HAS PRETTY MUCH BEEN THE HIGH WATER MARK OF THIS NEW RELATIONSHIP. IRANIAN MODERATES COMPLAIN BITTERLY THAT SUBSEQUENT U-S ACTIONS HAVE UNDERCUT WHAT [PRESIDENT MOHAMMAD] KHATAMI HAD HOPED TO ACCOMPLISH, WHILE STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS CALL ATTENTION TO IRANIAN POLICIES -- INCLUDING SPONSORSHIP OF TERRORISM -- THAT CONTINUE TO BE INIMICAL TO U-S INTERESTS. ... A MORE CONSTRUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH IRAN IS CLEARLY IN THIS COUNTRY'S LONG-TERM INTEREST. THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK THAT RELATIONSHIP SHOULD NOT BE SQUANDERED.

TEXT: TURNING TO EUROPE'S BOLD EXPERIMENT WITH THE EURO -- A COMMON CURRENCY AMONG MOST OF THE EUROPEAN UNION'S 15 MEMBERS, "THE MIAMI HERALD," CALLING IT A "BOLD GAMBLE" QUESTIONS:

VOICE: ON MONDAY, MONEY POURED INTO EUROPE'S STOCK MARKETS. INDEED, RATHER THAN - WHO - SHOULD SET MONETARY POLICY, THE REAL QUESTION IS: CAN - ANY - UNIFORM POLICY WORK ACROSS A COLLECTION OF DISPARATE NATIONAL ECONOMIES? WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN HIKING INTEREST RATES IS GOOD FOR PRODUCTIVE GERMANY, BUT CAN POTENTIALLY DEVASTATE POOR PORTUGAL?

TEXT: LASTLY, LOOKING AT THE SWIRLING DISCONTENT FESTERING AMONG INDONESIA'S UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES AND THREATENING ANY DAY TO BURST OUT INTO THE STREETS, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" NOTES:

VOICE: [PRESIDENT] SUHARTO'S REMAINING, AND ONLY GOOD, OPTION IS TO MOVE TOWARD THE REFORMS DEMANDED BY THE STUDENTS. THIS WOULD ENTAIL REPEAL OF THE LAWS THAT STIFLE DEMOCRATIC EXPRESSION. THEN THE DOOR MIGHT OPEN TO A TRANSITION MARKED BY NEITHER BLOOD NOR ECONOMIC RUIN. THE U-S AND OTHER NATIONS INTERESTED IN SEEING ENDURING STABILITY IN THE WORLD'S FOURTH LARGEST COUNTRY [ACTUALLY: MOST POPULOUS] SHOULD BE USING THEIR LEVERAGE TO HELP [MR.] SUHARTO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM SOME OF THE NATION'S NEWSPAPERS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
06-May-98 10:59 AM EDT (1459 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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