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Voice of America, 97-06-21

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] CLINTON / BILATERALS WRAP (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (DENVER)
  • [02] DENVER SUMMIT (S-UPDATE) BY DAVID GOLLUST (DENVER)
  • [03] FRANCE AIRSHOW (L&S) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)
  • [04] G-7 ENVIRONMENT OVERNIGHTER (L) BY ANNE BOOZELL (DENVER)
  • [05] NATO PREVIEW (S-ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)
  • [06] NATO WORKSHOP (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)
  • [07] ROMANIA/APOLOGY (L & S) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)
  • [08] SUMMIT-NAGARNO-KARABAKH (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (DENVER)
  • [09] SUMMIT / BOSNIA (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (DENVER)
  • [10] SUMMIT / PARIS CLUB (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (DENVER)
  • [11] SUMMIT JAPAN (S-ONLY) BY ANNE BOOZELL (DENVER)
  • [12] SUMMIT OPENER (L) BY JIM MALONE (DENVER)
  • [13] TURKEY/KURDS (L) BY AL PESSIN (ANKARA)
  • [14] TURKEY/KURDS UPDATE (S) BY AL PESSIN (ANKARA)
  • [15] TURKEY POLITICS (S ONLY) BY AL PESSIN (ANKARA)

  • [01] CLINTON / BILATERALS WRAP (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (DENVER)

    DATE=6/20/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216030
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE DENVER SUMMIT OF THE LEADING INDUSTRIAL POWERS AND RUSSIA IS OFFICIALLY GETTING UNDERWAY IN DENVER, COLORADO, AFTER A FLURRY OF BILATERAL MEETINGS AMONG THE EIGHT LEADERS. PRESIDENT CLINTON HAD WHAT BOTH DELEGATIONS DESCRIBED AS A PRODUCTIVE MEETING WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM DENVER.

    TEXT: THE CLINTON-YELTSIN MEETING WAS THEIR THIRD SINCE MARCH AND THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE BILATERALS PRECEDING THE SUMMIT'S OPENING DINNER.

    THE HOUR-LONG SESSION FOLLOWED ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE CONCLUSION OF NEGOTIATIONS BRINGING RUSSIA INTO THE "PARIS CLUB" OF CREDITOR NATIONS.

    IT IS ANOTHER MAJOR STEP IN THE EFFORT LED BY THE UNITED STATES AND FRANCE TO MORE FULLY INTEGRATE RUSSIA INTO THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC SYSTEM. DEPUTY U-S TREASURY SECRETARY LAWRENCE SUMMERS SAID IT AMOUNTS TO, AS HE PUT IT, THE "FINANCIAL END OF THE COLD WAR."

    MR. SUMMERS SAID THAT RUSSIA BENEFITS WITH NORMALIZED FINANCIAL RELATIONS WITH THE WEST, AND THAT DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WITH BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SOVIET-ERA DEBTS TO MOSCOW -- MOST OF IT FOR WEAPONS -- WILL SEE THEIR DEBT BURDEN SHARPLY CUT.

    ///SUMMERS ACT///

    THIS IS A WIN-WIN AGREEMENT. IT IS A WIN FOR RUSSIA BECAUSE IT IS NOW PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S REGULARIZED PROCESS FOR HANDLING DEBTS TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. IT IS A WIN FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES BECAUSE RUSSIA HAS AGREED TO ADJUSTMENT OF DEBTS TO REFLECT REALITY IN LIGHT OF CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES. AND IT IS A WIN FOR THE UNITED STATES AND FOR FRANCE, WHICH PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN BROKERING THIS AGREEMENT, BECAUSE IT SERVES THE OBJECTIVE OF BRINGING RUSSIA INTO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, WHICH HAS BEEN OUR TASK OVER THESE YEARS.

    ///END ACT///

    MR. YELTSIN TOLD PRESIDENT CLINTON HE WILL MAKE A NEW PUSH FOR ACTION IN THE RUSSIAN DUMA ON THE STALLED "START-TWO" STRATEGIC ARMS ACCORD.

    AND THERE WAS A JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT BY PRESIDENTS CLINTON, YELTSIN, AND JACQUES CHIRAC OF FRANCE THAT EXPRESSED DEEP CONCERN OVER THE CONTINUING CONFLICT IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH, AND URGED ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN TO ACCEPT THE THREE POWERS' NEW PROPOSAL FOR A SETTLEMENT.

    MR. CHIRAC, IN HIS SEPARATE MEETING WITH MR. CLINTON, PRESSED HIS CASE FOR THE INCLUSION OF ROMANIA AS A NEW NATO MEMBER WHEN ALLIANCE LEADERS CONVENE NEXT MONTH IN MADRID. BUT U-S OFFICIALS SAY MR. CLINTON REMAINED FIRM IN HIS STAND THAT THE FIRST PHASE OF NATO EXPANSION SHOULD BE LIMITED TO POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC.

    WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER SAMUEL BERGER SAID MR. CLINTON BELIEVES ROMANIA HAS MADE GREAT PROGRESS IN ECONOMIC AND MILITARY REFORMS BUT STILL HAS SOME DISTANCE TO GO.

    ///BERGER ACTUALITY///

    THE PRESIDENT ARTICULATED HIS REASONS FOR HAVING DECIDED THAT, WHILE HE IS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE REALLY DRAMATIC REFORMS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN ROMANIA, THEY ARE STILL IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THOSE -- OR AT LEAST THERE HAS NOT BEEN A LOT OF TIME FOR THOSE TO CONSOLIDATE. AND THAT HE DOES NOT BELIEVE THIS IS THE TIME TO GO FORWARD WITH ROMANIA. BUT THEY WE ARE IN FAVOR OF ADMITTING THE THREE NATIONS WITH A VERY AGGRESSIVE, OPEN-DOOR POLICY IN WHICH THIS PROCESS OF EXPANSION WOULD BE ON-GOING.

    ///END ACT///

    MR. BERGER SAID HE DOES NOT THINK ANY MINDS WERE CHANGED AS A RESULT OF THE DISCUSSION. SINCE NATO DECISIONS ARE TAKEN BY CONSENSUS, THE CLINTON POSITION AMOUNTS TO A VETO OVER A BROADER INITIAL EXPANSION OF THE ALLIANCES.

    // OPT //

    THE CLINTON-CHIRAC MEETING ALSO DEALT HEAVILY WITH THE MIDDLE EAST, WITH BOTH LEADERS STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF RESTARTING THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE PROCESS, AND MR. CHIRAC CRITICIZING TO CONTINUED BAN ON TRAVEL BY AMERICANS TO LEBANON.

    // END OPT //

    IN A 40-MINUTE MEETING WITH MR. CLINTON, ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER ROMANO PRODI EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT OVER EXCLUSION OF SLOVENIA FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF NATO EXPANSION. PRESIDENT CLINTON, IN TURN, HAILED ITALY'S ROLE IN SETTING UP THE MULTINATIONAL FORCE IN ALBANIA, PREDICTING IT WILL BE SEEN, AS QUOTE, "A REAL WATERSHED" IN EUROPEAN LEADERSHIP IN THE BALKANS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAG/RRM
    20-Jun-97 8:47 PM EDT (0047 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [02] DENVER SUMMIT (S-UPDATE) BY DAVID GOLLUST (DENVER)

    DATE=6/21/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216066
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: LEADERS AT THE SUMMIT OF THE EIGHT IN DENVER ARE TAKING UP ECONOMIC ISSUES AFTER AN OPENING PLENARY THAT INCLUDED A BROAD DISCUSSION OF AID TO AFRICA, TERRORISM AND THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS.

    TEXT: THE EVENING SESSION ON MACRO-ECONOMICS IS THE ONLY ONE IN THE THREE-DAY SUMMIT TO EXCLUDE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN REFLECTING MOSCOW'S EXPANDING ROLE IN DELIBERATIONS.

    THE LEADERS CONVENED AT DENVER'S PUBLIC LIBRARY SATURDAY MORNING FOR WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A VIGOROUS DISCUSSION OF POST-COLD-WAR PROBLEMS -- INCLUDING WAYS TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN AFRICA, THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM AND DRUG TRAFFICKING, AND COOPERATION IN CONTAINING INFECTIOUS DISEASES, INCLUDING AIDS.

    WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY ACKNOWLEDGED THERE IS NO HIGH DRAMA HERE, BUT THAT THIS IS A POSITIVE EFFECT OF THE END OF THE SUPERPOWER CONFRONTATION:

    ///MCCURRY ACTUALITY///

    WE HAVE IN SOME SENSE THE LUXURY, IN A WORLD THAT'S NO LONGER DOMINATED BY SUPERPOWER RIVARLY -- BY THE UNITED STATES VERSUS THE SOVIET UNION -- WE HAVE THE LUXURY OF WORKING IN AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TOGETHER WE CAN WORK ON ISSUES THAT I THINK MATTER VERY MUCH TO TYPICAL AMERICANS.

    ///END ACT///

    THE LEADERS HAVE LEFT DISCUSSION OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND OTHER TROUBLE SPOTS TO SUNDAY'S CLOSING SESSION, BUT HAVE ALREADY PREPARED A STATEMENT WARNING OF A CUT-OFF OF AID TO THE BOSNIAN PARTIES, IF THEY LEAVE CIVILIAN ASPECTS OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS UNFULFILLED. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAG/KL
    21-Jun-97 5:39 PM EDT (2139 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [03] FRANCE AIRSHOW (L&S) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

    DATE=6/21/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216053
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: FRANCE'S NEW SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER HAS DELAYED SENSITIVE DECISIONS ON THE COUNTRY'S DEFENSE INDUSTRY. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

    TEXT: FRENCH PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN'S SPEECH CLOSING THE LE BOURGET AIR SHOW WAS PERHAPS THE MOST EAGERLY AWAITED MOMENT IN THE WEEK-LONG EVENT.

    EUROPEAN AIRCRAFT-MAKERS, SUCH AS BRITISH AEROSPACE, SAID THEY WERE ANXIOUS TO HEAR WHETHER FRANCE'S SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT WILL KEEP TO ELECTION PROMISES NOT TO PRIVATIZE STATE-OWNED DEFENSE FIRMS. THEIR PRIVATIZATION WAS A KEY PART OF DEFENSE REFORMS ANNOUNCED BY THE PREVIOUS CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT.

    BUT MR. JOSPIN OPTED FOR CAUTION. HE SAID HIS GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE ITS FINAL DECISION AFTER A CAREFUL STUDY OF THE ISSUES. HE DID, HOWEVER, PROMISE THAT IT WILL MOVE QUICKLY.

    UNDER THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT'S PLANS, THE FRENCH PLANE-MAKERS DASSAULT AND AEROSPATIALE WERE TO BE MERGED AND PRIVATIZED. OTHER DEFENSE FIRMS, LIKE THE ELECTRONICS COMPANY THOMSON-CSF, WERE ALSO DUE TO BE SOLD OFF.

    OTHER EUROPEAN COMPANIES ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY IMPATIENT WITH FRANCE'S HESITATION. THEY BELIEVE THE EUROPEAN AEROSPACE INDUSTRY CAN ONLY COMPETE WITH AMERICAN FIRMS IF THEY STRIKE UP CROSS-FRONTIER ALLIANCES. THEY SAY IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO JOIN FORCES WITH NATIONALIZED COMPANIES.

    ACCORDING TO FRENCH MEDIA REPORTS, BRITISH AEROSPACE AND GERMANY'S DAIMLER-BENZ AEROSPACE COMPANY HAVE ALREADY AGREED TO WORK TOGETHER WITHOUT AEROSPATIALE, THEIR PARTNER IN THE EUROPEAN AIRBUS CONSORTIUM, IF THE FRENCH COMPANY IS NOT PRIVATIZED.

    SAYING THAT NO DECISIONS ON STRATEGIC COMPANIES COULD BE TAKEN WITHOUT THE STATE, MR. JOSPIN DID HINT, HOWEVER, THAT HE IS NOT ENTIRELY OPPOSED TO PRIVATIZATION. HE SAID HIS GOVERNMENT HAS "NO TABOOS" AND IS ANXIOUS TO CREATE THE CONDITIONS FOR EUROPEAN COOPERATION.

    ALTHOUGH HE AVOIDED SPECIFICS, MR. JOSPIN IMPLICITLY CONFIRMED THAT THE MERGER OF DASSAULT AND AEROSPATIALE WILL CONTINUE. HE SAID IT IS ESSENTIAL TO BRING TOGETHER CIVIL AND MILITARY MANUFACTURERS.

    AEROSPATIALE EARNS MUCH OF ITS INCOME FROM CIVIL AVIATION WHEREAS DASSAULT IS MAINLY A MILITARY MANUFACTURER.

    MR. JOSPIN SAID FRANCE'S AEROSPACE INDUSTRY NEEDS TO EVOLVE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE. FOR MANY ANALYSTS, THE PRIME MINISTER'S WORDS INDICATE THAT HE IS CONSIDERING A LIMITED FORM OF PRIVATIZATION UNDER WHICH THE STATE WOULD KEEP A CONTROLLING SHARE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/SD
    NEB/JWN/DW
    21-Jun-97 12:42 PM EDT (1642 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [04] G-7 ENVIRONMENT OVERNIGHTER (L) BY ANNE BOOZELL (DENVER)

    DATE=6/20/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216028
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: LEADERS GET DOWN TO BUSINESS AT THE GROUP OF EIGHT SUMMIT IN DENVER ON SATURDAY. THEY PLAN A SERIES OF MEETINGS TO TALK ABOUT ISSUES RANGING FROM HOW TO HELP EMERGING DEMOCRACIES TO NATO EXPANSION TO HOW TO CREATE JOBS IN THE 21ST CENTURY. V-O-A'S ANNE BOOZELL REPORTS THAT SOME OF THE TALKS WILL FOCUS ON WAYS TO CUT DOWN ON AIR POLLUTION.

    TEXT: EVERYONE AGREES ON THE NEED TO CUT DOWN ON THE POLLUTING GASES WHICH ARE THOUGHT TO WARM THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE. THE QUESTION IS HOW TO DO THAT. THE EUROPEAN UNION IS PUSHING FOR STRICT TARGETS. ITS MEMBERS ARE CALLING FOR REDUCTIONS IN THE EMMISION OF GASES SUCH AS CARBON DIOXIDE BY SOMETHING IN THE RANGE OF SEVEN AND A HALF TO 15 PERCENT. THE UNITED STATES IS RESISTING FIRM TARGETS.

    IN DECEMBER, JAPAN WILL HOST A MEETING ON THE ENVIRONMENT IN KYOTO. HIROSHI HASHIMOTO IS A SPOKEMAN FOR THE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH V-O-A, HE SAID JAPAN FEELS IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO SET SPECIFIC REDUCTION GOALS:

    /// HASHIMOTO ACT ///

    JAPAN IN GENERAL TERMS THINKS ITS NECESSARY TO ISSUE CONCRETE TARGETS OF REGULATING CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS. BUT WHAT LEVEL SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AND SO ON AFTER 2001 REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

    END ACT///

    HE SAID THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT IS PRESENTING TWO IDEAS FOR CONSIDERATION BY LEADERS AT THIS SUMMIT:

    /// HASHIMOTO ACT ///

    ONE IS TO RESTRICT THE CARBON DIXIDE PER CAPITA, AND THE OTHER ONE IS TO REGULATE THE OVERALL EMISSIONS OF CARBON DIOXIDE AT A CERTAIN LEVEL. AND WE SAY THAT A MEMBER OF THE CONFERENCE CAN TAKE EITHER OF THESE FORUMLAS, BUT EACH OPTION HAS GOT TO BE WITH A CONCRETE FIGURE OF REGULATION.

    /// END ACT ///

    MR.HASHIMOTO SAYS HE HOPES THAT LEADERS OF THE GROUP OF EIGHT WILL BE ABLE TO REACH CONSENSUS HERE IN DENVER, SO THAT THEY CAN PRESENT A UNIFIED FRONT GOING IN TO THE DECEMBER MEETING IN JAPAN. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PT
    20-Jun-97 8:42 PM EDT (0042 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [05] NATO PREVIEW (S-ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

    DATE=6/21/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216039
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:
    // EDS: MEETING IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN 1700 UTC SATURDAY, ENDING MONDAY //

    INTRO: MINISTERS FROM NATO MEMBERS -- AND THOSE THAT WANT TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE -- ARE GATHERING IN PRAGUE TO DISCUSS MILITARY AND POLITICAL MATTERS. AS WE HEAR FROM V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES, THE FOCUS IS LIKELY TO BE ON NATO EXPANSION.

    TEXT: THIS MEETING HERE IN PRAGUE GIVES ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA ONE MORE CHANCE TO ARGUE THEIR CASE FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP. THEY WANT IN, BUT NATO'S DOMINANT MEMBER -- THE UNITED STATES -- HAS MADE CLEAR THAT IT WOULD SUPPORT ONLY THREE NEW MEMBERS: POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC.

    NATO LEADERS MEET IN MADRID NEXT MONTH TO OFFICIALLY DECIDE. BUT WITH THE U-S COMMITMENT TO LIMITED EXPANSION, THE MADRID MEETING WOULD SEEM TO BE A FORMALITY.

    NEVERTHELESS, HERE IN PRAGUE, ROMANIAN PRESIDENT EMIL CONSTINTINESCU AND SLOVENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ZORAN THALER ARE CONTINUING THEIR EFFORTS TO WIN AN INVITATION TO JOIN THE ATLANTIC ALLIANCE.

    THEY DO HAVE SUPPORT FROM SOME MEMBERS, BUT ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA CLEARLY FACE AN UPHILL BATTLE IN THEIR BID TO JOIN NATO. (SIGNED)
    NEB/ART/MMK
    21-Jun-97 5:06 AM EDT (0906 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [06] NATO WORKSHOP (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

    DATE=6/21/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216067
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    /// RE-ISSUING TO CORRECT ERROR IN FIRST LINE OF TEXT ///

    INTRO: A FIVE-DAY NATO WORKSHOP ON POLITICAL AND MILITARY ISSUES HAS OPENED IN PRAGUE. A KEY SUBJECT IS NATO EXPANSION. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS WHEN NATO LEADERS MEET IN MADRID NEXT MONTH, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, HUNGARY AND POLAND ARE VIRTUALLY ASSURED AN INVITATION.

    TEXT: NATO'S DOMINANT MEMBER, THE UNITED STATES, WANTS ONLY THOSE THREE NEW MEMBERS. OTHER COUNTRIES THAT WANT IN (WANT TO JOIN NATO) SEE THIS MEETING AS ONE LAST OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN AN INVITATION.

    NATO COMMANDER GENERAL GEORGE JOULWAN SUGGESTED THREE NEW MEMBERS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

    // JOULWAN ACTUALITY //

    WE ARE ONE TEAM, WITH ONE MISSION, FOR EUROPE.

    // END ACTUALITY //

    BUT CZECH PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVEL WAS MORE CAUTIOUS. HE ACKNOWLEDGED NATO WILL HAVE TO EXPAND IN STAGES, AND HE CALLED ON NATO LEADERS IN MADRID TO SET OUT CLEAR STANDARDS FOR MEMBERSHIP WHICH, HE SAID, SHOULD BE OPEN TO ALL. (SIGNED)
    NEB/ART/KL
    21-Jun-97 6:43 PM EDT (2243 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [07] ROMANIA/APOLOGY (L & S) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

    DATE=6/21/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216048
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE PRESIDENT OF ROMANIA HAS MADE A PUBLIC APOLOGY FOR THE HORRORS OF COMMUNISM. STEFAN BOS REPORTS FROM BUDAPEST THAT HE IS THE FIRST ROMANIAN LEADER TO APOLOGIZE FOR COMMUNIST-ERA REPRESSION.

    TEXT: IN A MESSAGE READ OUT AT AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ATTENDED BY FORMER POLITICAL PRISONERS, ROMANIAN PRESIDENT EMIL CONSTANTINESCU SAID HE WANTED TO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS FROM ALL THE VICTIMS OF COMMUNIST REPRESSION.

    HE SAID ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS IN THE NAME OF THE ROMANIAN NATION WAS THE ONLY WAY TO ATONE FOR KEEPING SILENT AT A TIME WHEN COMMUNIST VICTIMS HAD THE COURAGE TO SPEAK OUT.

    MR. CONSTANTINESU MADE THE REMARKS IN A MESSAGE SENT TO A CONFERENCE ON THE HORRORS OF COMMUNIST ERA DETENTION CAMPS. THE CONFERENCE IS ATTENDED BY FORMER POLITICAL PRISONERS AND EXPERTS FROM ROMANIA AND OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE OLD COMMUNIST BLOC.

    //OPT//

    THE THREE-DAY SEMINAR IS BEING HELD IN THE NOTORIOUS 19TH CENTURY PRISON IN THE TOWN OF SIGHETU MARMATIEI, NOW CONVERTED TO A MEMORIAL TO THE VICTIMS OF THE COMMUNIST PERIOD. //END OPT///

    PRESIDENT CONSTANTINESCU TOLD DELEGATES HE WILL ASK PARLIAMENT TO PARDON ALL POLITICAL SENTENCES ISSUED DURING THE COMMUNIST YEARS FROM 1948 TO 1989.

    //REST OPT//

    MR. CONSTANTINESCU TOLD VOA EARLIER HE DOES NOT SEEK TO PUNISH THOSE WHO JAILED OR DETAINED AS MANY AS TWO-MILLION ROMANIANS. HE SAID SOME COMMUNIST ACTIVISTS MAY EVEN RECEIVE AN AMNESTY IN EXCHANGE FOR REVEALING WHAT THEY KNOW ABOUT THE COMMUNIST DICTATORSHIP. (SIGNED)
    NEB/SB/DW/SD
    21-Jun-97 10:36 AM EDT (1436 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [08] SUMMIT-NAGARNO-KARABAKH (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (DENVER)

    DATE=6/20/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-215026
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIA AND FRANCE HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR JOINT CONCERN OVER THE CONTINUING CONFLICT INNAGORNO-KARABAKH, THE ARMENIAN POPULATED ENCLAVE IN AZERBAJIAN. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE SUMMIT OF THE EIGHT IN DENVER.

    TEXT: PRESIDENTS BILL CLINTON, JACQUES CHIRAC AND BORIS YELTSIN HAVE WARNED IN A JOINT STATEMENT THAT A CEASEFIRE IN NAGORNO KARABAKH IS NOT ENOUGH. WITHOUT PROGRESS TOWARD A DURABLE SETTLEMENT, THE THREE LEADERS WARN, THE CEASEFIRE COULD BREAK DOWN. THEY CALL ON ARMENIA AND AZERBAJIAN TO ACCEPT THEIR JOINT PROPOSAL FOR A COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH DISPUTE.

    AMERICAN OFFICIAL JAMES STEINBERG SAYS THE LEADERS FEEL THE DISPUTE HAS BOTH DANGERS AND PROMISE.

    ///STEINBERG ACT///

    BOTH PRESIDENT CLINTON AND PRESIDENT YELTSIN IDENTIFIED IT NOT ONLY AS AN AREA OF CONSIDERABLE DANGER IF THE PROBLEM WERE NOT SOLVED BUT ONE OF GREAT PROMISE IN TERMS OF ENHANCING REGIONAL STABILITY.

    //END ACT///

    THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIA AND FRANCE ARE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SO-CALLED MINSK GROUP THAT TRIES TO NEGOTIATE A SETTLEMENT IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH (SIGNED)
    NEB/PT
    20-Jun-97 7:14 PM EDT (2314 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [09] SUMMIT / BOSNIA (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (DENVER)

    DATE=6/21/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216063
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: AT THE DENVER SUMMIT OF THE EIGHT INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES, MINISTERS HAVE AGREED ON A STATEMENT ABOUT THE PEACE PROCESS IN BOSNIA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM DENVER, AN AID CUTOFF IS THREATENED TO THOSE PARTIES WHO REFUSE TO COOPERATE.

    TEXT: THE SUMMIT LEADERS ARE EXPECTED TO GIVE THEIR APPROVAL TO A STATEMENT WARNING THE BALKAN COUNTRIES THAT CONTINUED ECONOMIC AID IS NOT UNCONDITIONAL. THE DRAFT STATEMENT SINGLES OUT SERBIA AND CROATIA FOR NOT SHOWING A STRONGER COMMITMENT TO THE PEACE PROCESS IN BOSNIA.

    WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS THE LEADERS WANT TO HELP BOSNIA BY IMPROVING THE CIVILIAN ASPECTS OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT.

    ///MCCURRY ACT///

    THESE LEADERS IN PARTICULAR WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE NECESSITY OF MAKING THOSE CIVILIAN IMPLEMENTATION ASPECTS OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS WORK SO THAT BOSNIA CAN ATTRACT ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM COUNTRIES THAT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO HELP THEM RECOVER FROM THE WAR.

    ///END ACT///

    THE STATEMENT CALLS FOR THE STABILIZATION FORCE IN BOSNIA TO PROVIDE A SECURE ENVIRONMENT BY JUNE, 1998 BUT AVOIDS THE ISSUE OF WHETHER THAT DATE FOR WITHDRAWAL CAN BE EXTENDED. (SIGNED)
    NEB/RP/KL
    21-Jun-97 4:59 PM EDT (2059 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [10] SUMMIT / PARIS CLUB (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (DENVER)

    DATE=6/20/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216029
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: AT THE DENVER 'SUMMIT OF THE EIGHT,' PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS WELCOMED RUSSIA'S ENTRY INTO THE 'PARIS CLUB' OF CREDITOR COUNTRIES. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM DENVER WHAT THE AGREEMENT MEANS.

    TEXT: THE PARIS CLUB IS A GROUP OF CREDITOR COUNTRIES THAT PROVIDE DEBT RELIEF TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. PRESIDENT CLINTON AND PRESIDENT YELTSIN WELCOMED THE AGREEMENT REACHED EARLIER IN NEW YORK THAT WILL PUT RUSSIA INTO THE RANKS OF THE MAJOR INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES.

    PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS RUSSIA IS SWEEPING INTO INTEGRATION WITH THE WORLD'S DECISION-MAKING NETWORKS. DEPUTY TREASURY SECRETARY LAWRENCE SUMMERS SAYS THE MOVE HAS SYMBOLIC IMPORTANCE.

    ///SUMMERS ACT///

    IN A REAL SENSE, THIS AGREEMENT REPRESENTS THE FINANCIAL END OF THE COLD WAR. WHAT IS INVOLVED IS AN AGREEMENT THAT RUSSIA, ALONG WITH THE OTHER CREDITOR NATIONS, WILL WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THE DEBT PROBLEMS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

    ///END ACT///

    MR. SUMMERS CALLS THIS "A WIN-WIN AGREEMENT." RUSSIA AGREES TO REDUCE ITS CLAIM OF 120-BILLION DOLLARS FROM THE SOVIET ERA AND TO OFFER PARIS CLUB TERMS TO ITS DEBTORS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/RP/RRM
    20-Jun-97 8:31 PM EDT (0031 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [11] SUMMIT JAPAN (S-ONLY) BY ANNE BOOZELL (DENVER)

    DATE=6/21/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216049
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: LEADERS OF THE G-7 NATIONS ALONG WITH RUSSIA BEGIN THE FIRST WORKING MEETINGS AT THE G-7 SUMMIT TODAY (SATURDAY) IN THE WESTERN U-S CITY OF DENVER. .VOA'S ANNE BOOZELL REPORTS EACH COUNTRY HAS COME TO DENVER WITH ITS OWN PRIORITIES.

    TEXT: AS THE HOST COUNTRY, THE UNITED STATES HAS HAD CONSIDERABLE INPUT ON TODAY'S AGENDA. THE DISCUSSIONS FOCUS ON A HOST OF ISSUES INCLUDING THE ENVIRONMENT, INFECTIOUS DISEASES, INTERNATIONAL CRIME AND AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT. LEADERS WILL ALSO WORK ON THE LANGUAGE TO BE USED FOR THEIR FINAL COMMUNIQUE.

    HIROSHI HASHIMOTO IS A SPOKESMAN FOR JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER RYUTARO HASHIMOTO. HE EXPLAINED JAPAN'S PRIORITIES FOR VOA NEWS

    HASHIMOTO ACT//

    ONE IS THE REFORM OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL OF THE UNITED NATIONS. AFRICA IS ALSO OUR INTEREST. THE ENVIRONMENT IS OUR BIG INTEREST.

    END ACT///

    HE SAID JAPAN, IN ADDITION, IS CONCEREND ABOUT REGIONAL ISSUES SUCH AS CAMBODIA, THE KOREAN PENINSULA, AND THE TRANSFER OF HONG KONG. (SIGNED)
    NEB/AB/SD
    21-Jun-97 11:29 AM EDT (1529 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [12] SUMMIT OPENER (L) BY JIM MALONE (DENVER)

    DATE=6/21/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216055
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: LEADERS OF THE SEVEN MAJOR INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS PLUS RUSSIA HAVE FORMALLY OPENED THEIR TALKS AT THE SUMMIT OF THE EIGHT IN DENVER, COLORADO. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE REPORTS THAT THE LEADERS ARE EXPECTED TO DISCUSS A RANGE OF ISSUES INCLUDING BOSNIA, THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS AND THE SITUATION IN CAMBODIA.

    TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON PERSONALLY WELCOMED EACH OF THE OTHER SEVEN LEADERS AS THEY ARRIVED AT DENVER'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. IN HIS OPENING REMARKS, MR. CLINTON SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO WELCOME RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN AS A FULL SUMMIT PARTICIPANT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

    AND BEFORE THE LEADERS SAT DOWN FOR THEIR FIRST SESSION, PRESIDENT CLINTON EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE MEETING WILL BE USED AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND THE BENEFITS OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMY.

    /// CLINTON ACT. ///

    OUR CHALLENGE IN THIS MOMENT OF PEACE AND STABILITY IS TO ORGANIZE OURSELVES FOR THE FUTURE, TO MAKE CHANGE WORK FOR US, NOT AGAINST US. WE NEED TO SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMY TO EXPAND OUR OWN PROSPERITY, BRING IN OTHER NATIONS THAT WANT TO SHARE IN ITS BENEFITS AND WORK TOGETHER TO MEET THE NEW THREATS.

    /// END ACT. ///

    AT A LATE DINNER FRIDAY, SOME OF THE EUROPEAN LEADERS EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE SCHEDULED PULLOUT FROM BOSNIA OF U-S PEACEKEEPING TROOPS NEXT YEAR. PRESIDENT CLINTON URGED THEM INSTEAD TO CONCENTRATE ON SPEEDING UP THE RETURN OF REFUGEES AND FORMING LOCAL POLICE FORCES. MORE DISCUSSION ON BOSNIA IS EXPECTED.

    JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER RYUTARO (RHUTARO) HASHIMOTO THEN SHIFTED THE DISCUSSION TO CAMBODIA WHERE HE PROPOSED SENDING A JAPANESE ENVOY TO LOOK INTO THE VIOLENCE AND POLITICAL TURMOIL THERE.

    THE EIGHT LEADERS ARE EXPECTED TO ISSUE STATEMENTS ON ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL MATTERS LATER SATURDAY INCLUDING THE TROUBLED MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS.

    THE EIGHT SUMMITEERS ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO DISCUSS A WIDE RANGE OF OTHER GLOBAL ISSUES SATURDAY INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL CRIME, DRUG TRAFFICKING, THREATS TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND CHECKING THE SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

    THE SUMMIT WRAPS UP WITH A JOINT COMMUNIQUE ON SUNDAY. (SIGNED)
    NEB/JBM/SD
    21-Jun-97 1:08 PM EDT (1708 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [13] TURKEY/KURDS (L) BY AL PESSIN (ANKARA)

    DATE=6/21/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216056
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: TURKEY'S MILITARY SAYS IT HAS PULLED MOST OF ITS TROOPS OUT OF NORTHERN IRAQ, ENDING A FIVE-WEEK OFFENSIVE AGAINST KURDISH REBELS. V-O-A'S AL PESSIN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

    TEXT: THE ARMY SAYS IT LEFT AN "ADEQUATE" FORCE BEHIND IN IRAQ TO HELP A KURDISH GROUP, ALLIED WITH TURKEY, RE-ESTABLISH CONTROL OF THE BORDER REGION. THE PLAN REPORTEDLY INCLUDES RE-BUILDING AND RE-POPULATING NEARLY 400 VILLAGES ALONG THE BORDER WITH PEOPLE SYMPATHETIC TO TURKEY AND ITS KURDISH ALLIES IN IRAQ.

    THE TURKISH PULLOUT TOOK A WEEK AND IS BELIEVED TO HAVE INVOLVED WELL OVER TEN-THOUSAND TROOPS.

    THE ARMY SAYS THE OFFENSIVE ACCOMPLISHED ITS GOAL -- THE ELIMINATION OF 15 BASES OF ANOTHER KURDISH GROUP. THAT GROUP, THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, IS MADE UP OF TURKISH KURDS AND IT HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR AUTONOMY FOR THE KURDISH REGION OF SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY FOR THE LAST 13 YEARS.

    THE REBELS HAVE ALWAYS MANAGED TO REGROUP AFTER PREVIOUS TURKISH ARMY INCURSIONS INTO NORTHERN IRAQ.

    ACCORDING TO THE ARMY, 26-HUNDRED REBELS AND 99 SOLDIERS WERE KILLED IN THE RECENT OPERATION, BRINGING THE TOTAL DEAD IN THE CONFLICT TO MORE THAN 25-THOUSAND. THE REBELS DISPUTE THE FIGURES.

    DETAILS ABOUT THE CURRENT SITUATION ARE LIMITED TO ARMY AND REBEL COMMUNIQUES BECAUSE JOURNALISTS HAVE BEEN BARRED FROM THE AREA SINCE THE OFFENSIVE BEGAN MAY 14TH.

    THE RIVAL KURDISH GROUPS FROM THE TWO SIDES OF THE BORDER DISLIKE EACH OTHER AS FIERCELY AS EACH DISLIKES ITS CENTRAL GOVERNMENT IN BAGHDAD OR ANKARA.

    TURKEY SAYS THE IRAQ-BASED TURKISH KURDS ARE TRYING TO SPLIT THE TURKISH STATE. THE REBELS ACCUSE TURKEY OF REPRESSING KURDISH IDENTITY. KURDS HAVE FULL RIGHTS UNDER TURKISH LAW, BUT SOME OF THEM WANT POLITICAL, OR AT LEAST CULTURAL, AUTONOMY AS WELL. (SIGNED)
    NEB/AWP/SD
    21-Jun-97 1:21 PM EDT (1721 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [14] TURKEY/KURDS UPDATE (S) BY AL PESSIN (ANKARA)

    DATE=6/21/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216052
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    ///CORRECTS FIGURE, FIRST SENTENCE OF TEXT.///

    INTRO: TURKEY'S MILITARY SAYS IT HAS PULLED MOST OF ITS TROOPS OUT OF NORTHERN IRAQ, ENDING A FIVE-WEEK OFFENSIVE AGAINST KURDISH REBELS. V-O-A'S AL PESSIN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

    TEXT: THE ARMY SAYS IT LEFT AN "ADEQUATE" FORCE BEHIND IN IRAQ AFTER A WEEK-LONG PULLOUT BELIEVED TO HAVE INVOLVED WELL OVER TEN-THOUSAND TROOPS. THOSE LEFT BEHIND ARE TO HELP A KURDISH GROUP, ALLIED WITH TURKEY, RE-ESTABLISH CONTROL OF THE BORDER REGION.

    THE ARMY SAYS THE OFFENSIVE ACCOMPLISHED ITS GOAL -- THE ELIMINATION OF 15 BASES OF ANOTHER KURDISH GROUP, WHICH IS FIGHTING FOR AUTONOMY FOR THE KURDISH REGION OF SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY.

    ACCORDING TO THE ARMY, 26-HUNDRED REBELS AND 99 SOLDIERS WERE KILLED IN THE OPERATION. THE REBELS DISPUTE THE FIGURES. THEY HAVE ALWAYS MANAGED TO REGROUP AFTER PREVIOUS TURKISH ARMY INCURSIONS INTO NORTHERN IRAQ.

    TURKEY SAYS THE IRAQ-BASED REBELS ARE TRYING TO SPLIT THE TURKISH STATE. THE REBELS ACCUSE TURKEY OF REPRESSING KURDISH IDENTITY. KURDS HAVE FULL RIGHTS UNDER TURKISH LAW, BUT SOME OF THEM WANT POLITICAL, OR AT LEAST CULTURAL, AUTONOMY AS WELL. (SIGNED)
    NEB/AWP/DW/SD
    21-Jun-97 12:32 PM EDT (1632 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [15] TURKEY POLITICS (S ONLY) BY AL PESSIN (ANKARA)

    DATE=6/21/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216046
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: TURKEY'S PREMIER-DESIGNATE MESUT YILMAZ MET WITH SENIOR ADVISERS SATURDAY TO BEGIN THE TASK OF FORMING A NEW GOVERNMENT. V-O-A'S AL PESSIN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

    TEXT: MR. YILMAZ SAYS HE WILL HAVE A GOVERNMENT IN PLACE BY A WEEK FROM MONDAY, BUT A MAJORITY OF PARLIAMENT MEMBERS ARE PLEDGED BY THEIR PARTY LEADERS TO SUPPORT A DIFFERENT COALITION. MR. YILMAZ, OF THE CENTER-RIGHT MOTHERLAND PARTY, SAYS HE CAN BREAK THAT AGREEMENT BY FORMING A NATURAL ALLIANCE WITH MEMBERS OF THE OTHER CENTER-RIGHT PARTY, THE TRUE PATH.

    HE SAYS THE ONLY OBSTACLE IS THE PERSONAL ANIMOSITY OF TRUE PATH LEADER TANSU CILLER, WHO HAD HOPED TO BE NAMED PREMIER INSTEAD. DEFECTIONS BY TRUE PATH MEMBERS BROUGHT DOWN ITS PREVIOUS COALITION WITH THE MAJOR ISLAMIST PARTY LAST WEEK, AND MR. YILMAZ HOPES HE CAN EXTEND THAT TREND ENOUGH TO FORM A MAJORITY OF HIS OWN.

    IF HE FAILS, THERE WILL LIKELY BE NEW ELECTIONS. THAT COULD BRING THE ISLAMISTS BACK TO POWER AND RE-KINDLE TENSION WITH THE MILITARY, WHICH ALSO PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN BRINGING THE LAST GOVERNMENT DOWN. (SIGNED)
    NEB/AWP/DW/SD
    21-Jun-97 9:36 AM EDT (1336 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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