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Voice of America, 97-07-08

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

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] CYPRUS / PEOPLE BY AL PESSIN (NICOSIA)
  • [02] CYPRUS TALKS (S-SCENESETTER) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)
  • [03] NATO MEMBERSHIP (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (MADRID)
  • [04] CASPIAN OIL MANEUVERS BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)
  • [05] NATO / BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (MADRID)
  • [06] BOSNIAN SERB POWER STRUGGLE BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASH)
  • [07] GERMANY / JOBLESS (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)
  • [08] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)
  • [09] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)
  • [10] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

  • [01] CYPRUS / PEOPLE BY AL PESSIN (NICOSIA)

    DATE=7/8/97
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-36915
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    ///THIRD IN A THREE-PART SERIES///

    INTRO: THE LEADERS OF THE ETHNIC GREEK AND TURKISH COMMUNITIES ON CYPRUS ARE MEETING PRIVATELY NEAR THE AMERICAN CITY OF NEW YORK THIS WEEK IN ANOTHER EFFORT TO REUNIFY THE ISLAND AFTER 33 YEARS OF SEPARATION. DURING A RECENT VISIT TO THE ISLAND, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT AL PESSIN FOUND SOME OF THE PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES ARE EAGER FOR A SETTLEMENT WHILE OTHERS ARE CAUTIOUS ... AND SOME ARE DOWNRIGHT HOSTILE.

    TEXT: ///MUSIC ACTUALITY -- ESTABLISH, FADE UNDER AND OUT///

    IT IS NOT GREEK MUSIC OR TURKISH MUSIC WHICH PLAYS AT PLACES LIKE THIS WHERE GREEK AND TURKISH-CYPRIOTS GET TOGETHER. IT IS AN AMERICAN BAND AT THE INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION AT THE U-S EMBASSY IN NICOSIA. ONLY ON SUCH NEUTRAL GROUND, OR UNDER THE AUSPICES OF NEUTRAL U-S, U-N OR EUROPEAN ORGANIZATIONS, CAN GREEK AND TURKISH-CYPRIOTS MEET.

    ///LAOURIS ACTUALITY///

    I DO NOT REALLY THINK THAT ANYBODY ON THE PLANET REALIZES HOW UNIQUE THE SITUATION IN CYPRUS IS.

    ///END ACTUALITY///

    YIANNIS LAOURIS, A GREEK-CYPRIOT BUSINESSMAN.

    ///SECOND LAOURIS ACTUALITY///

    WE ARE PROBABLY THE ONLY PLACE ON THIS PLANET WHERE PEOPLE WHO LIVE A COUPLE OF KILOMETERS AWAY FROM EACH OTHER ARE NOT ALLOWED TO MEET AND TALK. THEY CAN NOT CALL EACH OTHER THROUGH A TELEPHONE LINE. THEY CAN NOT SEND A LETTER.

    ///END ACTUALITY///

    MR. LAOURIS IS ONE OF WHAT IS PERHAPS NOW SEVERAL THOUSAND CYPRIOTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DIVIDING LINE INVOLVED IN INTER-COMMUNAL EVENTS -- ORGANIZED VISITS AND DISCUSSION GROUPS DESIGNED TO BEGIN TO BRING THE TWO PEOPLES TOGETHER WHILE THE POLITICAL LEADERS WORK ON BRINGING THE TWO POLITICAL ENTITIES TOGETHER.

    //OPT// ///THIRD LAOURIS ACTUALITY///

    IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO ANY REAL RAPPROCHEMENT WITHOUT HUMAN CONTACT.

    //END OPT// ///END ACTUALITY///

    ON THE TURKISH-CYPRIOT SIDE, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE EQUALLY ENTHUSIASTIC.

    ///BESIMLER ACTUALITY///

    I THINK THESE SESSIONS ARE VERY VALUABLE AND WE HAVE TO SPEND A LOT MORE EFFORT IN THESE WORKSHOPS AND BI-COMMUNAL ACTIVITIES.

    ///END ACTUALITY///

    TURKISH-CYPRIOT DERVIS BESIMLER RAN INTO SEVERAL OF HIS NEW GREEK-CYPRIOT FRIENDS AT THE U-S EMBASSY RECEPTION, AND THEY TOOK HIM ACROSS THE LAWN TO MEET THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT GLAFKOS CLERIDES.

    ///CLERIDES AND BESIMLER ACTUALITY///

    (CLERIDES) THANK YOU VERY MUCH. (BESIMLER) BE BRAVE AT THE MEETINGS, THAT'S WHAT I TRY TO EXPLAIN TO MY PRESIDENT AS WELL ... YOU ARE TWO OF THE BEST LAWYERS IN THE WORLD, SO YOU SHOULD FIND A WAY ...(LAUGHTER) (CLERIDES) WE MUST NOT LOOK AT THIS AS LAWYERS. WE MUST LOOK AT IT AS TWO CYPRIOTS WHO WANT A SOLUTION TO THE CYPRUS PROBLEM.

    ///END ACTUALITY///

    BUT IN SPITE OF SUCH MOMENTS OF CAMARADERIE, A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF SUSPICION, FEAR AND EVEN HATRED REMAINS ON BOTH SIDES OF CYPRUS. SOME PEOPLE REJECT ANY TALK OF REUNIFICATION. AND IN BETWEEN ARE A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO LONG FOR PEACE, AND BELIEVE THE STATUS QUO CAN NOT CONTINUE, BUT WHO ARE ALSO AFRAID TO CHANGE IT.

    ///CROWD NOISE FROM PHOTO EXHIBIT, ESTAB AND UNDER ACTUALITY///

    ///COSTANDINO ACTUALITY///

    I'M NOT AFRAID OF THEM. I DON'T KNOW IF I HATE THEM ... BUT IT'S JUST TOO HARD TO UNDERSTAND MY FEELINGS, ACTUALLY.

    ///END ACTUALITY///

    TWENTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD GALIOBI COSTANDINO SHOWS A FRIEND AN EXHIBIT OF OLD PHOTOGRAPHS ALONG THE BARRICADED AND GUARDED CEASEFIRE LINE ON THE GREEK SIDE OF DOWNTOWN NICOSIA.

    ///SECOND COSTANDINO ACTUALITY///

    ONE OF THOSE, IT'S MY PICTURE IN THERE. MY FATHER IS A MISSING PERSON SINCE 1974. AND WE WERE OUTSIDE THE AMERICAN EMBASSY WITH MY MOTHER, MY SISTER AND MY FATHER'S MOTHER AND MYSELF.

    ///END ACTUALITY///

    MRS. COSTANDINO SAYS 18 YEARS LATER THEY LEARNED HER FATHER HAD DIED, AND WHILE SHE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CYPRUS SETTLEMENT, SHE IS WARY.

    //OPT// ///COSTANDINO ACTUALITY///

    SEEING THIS PICTURE AND KNOWING WHAT WE WENT THROUGH ... I DON'T THINK I CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THE OTHER SIDE. AND EVEN IF I DO, IT'S GOING TO BE VERY HARD ... I THINK ... WE SHOULD DO ANYTHING IN OUR POWER, I MEAN, EVEN IF WE, O-K , TO TALK ... I MEAN I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD GO THROUGH WAR AGAIN. I THINK WE SHOULD TRY EVERYTHING ELSE BUT WAR.

    ///END OPT//////END ACTUALITY///

    MRS. COSTANDINO'S GENERATION HAS NO MEMORIES OF A UNITED CYPRUS, AND THEIR ENTIRE EDUCATION, ON BOTH SIDES, HAS BEEN LACED WITH PROPAGANDA AGAINST THE OTHER SIDE. A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE STARK PHOTO EXHIBIT WHERE MRS. COSTANDINO'S PICTURE HANGS -- BEYOND THE STEEL WALL WHICH MARKS THE CEASEFIRE LINE IN THIS PART OF NICOSIA -- A TURKISH-CYPRIOT WOMAN JUST HER AGE, HATIJEH RUSTAN, IS AS WARY OF RE-UNIFICATION.

    ///RUSTAN ACTUALITY///

    I DON'T HAVE ANY HOPE ... BECAUSE GREEKS ... ALWAYS WANT US TO BE SECOND ... SO WE DON'T WANT THIS. WE WANT THE SAME RIGHTS FOR LIVING. THEY WANT US ALWAYS SECOND ... SECOND CLASS, YES. THIS IS NOT GOOD.

    ///END ACTUALITY///

    ///OPT///

    DOWN THE STREET, TURKISH-CYPRIOT TOBACCO SHOP OWNER HASIN ALI RIZA, WHO FOUGHT IN THE CYPRUS CONFLICT IN THE 1960S AND 70S, IS EVEN MORE SKEPTICAL OF THE PEACE EFFORT, EVEN HOSTILE.

    ///ALI RIZA ACTUALITY///

    I DON'T THINK THEY WILL COME TO AN AGREEMENT. I DON'T THINK SO, REALLY ... IN THE END WE WILL FIGHT TOGETHER, WE WILL FIGHT IN THE END, WE WILL FIGHT, THERE IS NO SOLUTION ... IF THEY DON'T COME TO AN AGREEMENT, IN THE END, WE WILL FIGHT TOGETHER.

    ///END ACTUALITY///

    ON THE GREEK SIDE, DRINK SHOP OWNER COSTAS KIRIAGU -- WHOSE FAMILY FLED THE NORTH IN 1974 -- IS NOT EQUALLY HOSTILE. BUT HE TAKES AN EQUALLY HARD LINE ABOUT THE FUTURE.

    ///KIRIAGU ACTUALITY///

    I CAME HERE RUNNING TO SAVE MY LIFE. I WANT MY HOUSE BACK. I'M NOT A FASCIST, I WANT MY HOUSE. AND I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING WITH THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS. I DON'T HATE THEM. BUT WE CAN NOT LIVE TOGETHER. THIS IS THE TRUTH.

    ///END ACTUALITY//////END OPT///

    PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES SAY THEY FEEL FAIRLY SECURE NOW, PARTICULARLY COMPARED THE YEARS OF CONFLICT. BUT THE TURKISH-CYPRIOT ECONOMY IS HURT BY THE DIVISION, AND GREEK-CYPRIOT PLANS TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION ARE IN JEOPARDY. AND ON BOTH SIDES THERE IS A CERTAIN FEELING OF SOMETHING LOST, SOMETHING MISSING.

    PERHAPS AS A RESULT, ALL THOSE INTERVIEWED ON BOTH SIDES -- INCLUDING THE MOST HARDLINE -- SAY THEY WOULD SUPPORT RE-UNIFICATION, UNDER THE RIGHT TERMS. THE CHALLENGE FOR THE LEADERS MEETING NEAR NEW YORK THIS WEEK, AS IT HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST 33 YEARS, IS TO COME UP WITH TERMS WHICH WILL BE RIGHT FOR BOTH SIDES. (SIGNED)
    NEB/AWP/PCF/EH
    08-Jul-97 2:21 PM EDT (1821 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [02] CYPRUS TALKS (S-SCENESETTER) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

    DATE=7/8/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216867
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS IS OPENING SEVERAL DAYS OF TALKS WEDNESDAY BETWEEN THE LEADERS OF THE GREEK AND TURKISH COMMUNITIES ON CYPRUS IN TROUTBECK -- A SECLUDED AREA NORTH OF NEW YORK CITY. CYPRIOT PRESIDENT GLAFKOS CLERIDES -- REPRESENTING THE MAJORITY GREEK COMMUNITY -- AND RAUF DENKTASH, LEADER OF THE BREAKAWAY TURKISH CYPRIOT REPUBLIC, HAVE NOT MET SINCE NEGOTIATIONS COLLAPSED NEARLY THREE YEARS AGO. CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

    TEXT: CYPRUS HAS BEEN DIVIDED SINCE 1974 WHEN TURKEY SENT IN TROOPS IN RESPONSE TO A COUP IN NICOSIA BACKED BY GREECE. THE TROOPS ARE STILL THERE. AND THE TURKISH COMMUNITY HAS SINCE DECLARED ITS INDEPENDENCE.

    U-N OFFICIALS WANT TO REVERSE ALL THAT AND PUT IN PLACE A FEDERAL SYSTEM LOOSELY LINKING THE TWO GROUPS.

    THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS RALLIED IN SUPPORT OF UNITY. SIX GOVERNMENTS -- INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES -- HAVE APPOINTED SPECIAL ENVOYS. THE EUROPEAN UNION WANTS A SETTLEMENT BEFORE CYPRUS CAN BE CONSIDERED FOR E-U MEMBERSHIP. MEANWHILE, THE GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT HAS ORDERED RUSSIAN MISSILES FOR DEPLOYMENT NEXT YEAR, PUTTING TURKEY ON ALERT.

    U-N OFFICIALS DO NOT ANTICIPATE A BREAKTHROUGH. BOTH SIDES HAVE TRIED THEIR BEST TO DAMPEN EXPECTATIONS. BUT THEY MIGHT AGREE TO MEET AGAIN SOON. THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED PROGRESS, OF SORTS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/EJ/LWM
    08-Jul-97 6:03 PM EDT (2203 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [03] NATO MEMBERSHIP (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (MADRID)

    DATE=7/8/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216862
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: NATO LEADERS MEETING IN MADRID HAVE DECIDED TO INVITE POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS LEADING TO FULL MEMBERSHIP IN TWO YEARS. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA IS AT THE SUMMIT AND HE FILED THIS REPORT.

    TEXT: THERE WAS REALLY NO SURPRISE WHEN NATO-SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

    // FIRST SOLANA ACT //

    TODAY, HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT HAVE AGREED TO INVITE THE CZECHREPUBLIC, HUNGARY AND POLAND TO BEGIN ACCESSION TALKS WITH NATO. OUR GOAL IS TO SIGN THE PROTOCOL OF ACCESSION AT THE TIME OF THE MINISTERIAL MEETINGS IN DECEMBER 1997 AND TO SEE THE RATIFICATION PROCESS COMPLETED IN TIME FOR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME EFFECTIVE BY THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WASHINGTON TREATY IN APRIL 1999.

    // END ACT //

    WHEN NATO LEADERS GATHERED HERE FOR THE SUMMIT, THEY ALREADY AGREED NATO EASTWARD EXPANSION WILL TAKE PLACE. THE ONLY DEBATE WAS WHETHER TO INVITE A MINIMUM OF THREE OR A MAXIMUM OF FIVE NATIONS. THE UNITED STATES FAVORED POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY -AND NO MORE. THERE WAS NEVER ANY OPPOSITION TO THEIR MEMBERSHIP WITHIN THE NATO LEADERSHIP. BUT OTHER COUNTRIES LED BY FRANCE - WANTED MORE MEMBERS, SUCH AS ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA TO BE INCLUDED THIS TIME AROUND. THIS IS WHERE CONCENSUS FAILED, SINCE THE UNITED STATES AND OTHERS SAID THEY WOULD OPPOSE MORE THAN THREE MEMBERS. AS ONE NATO SOURCE PUT IT -- "IT WAS EITHER GET THREE COUNTRIES ON THE ROAD TO FULL MEMBERSHIP - OR NONE."

    IN HIS ANNOUNCEMENT OF EASTWARD EXPANSION, NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL SOLANA SAID THE WESTERN ALLIANCE WILL CONTINUE TO WELCOME NEW MEMBERS AS IT EXPECTS TO EXTEND FURTHER INVITATIONS IN THE YEARS TO COME.

    // SECOND SOLANA CUT //

    NATO WILL MAINTAIN AN ACTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE NATIONS THAT HAVE EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN NATO MEMBERSHIP AS WELL AS THOSE WHO MAY WISH TO SEEK MEMBERSHIP IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THOSE NATIONS THAT HAVE PREVIOUSLY EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN BECOMING NATO MEMBERS BUT THAT WERE NOT INVITED TO BEGIN ACCESSION TALKS TODAY WILL REMAIN UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR FUTURE MEMBERSHIP.

    // END ACT //

    THE FINAL COMMUNIQUE - READ BY MR. SOLANA - DID REFER TO ROMANIA AND SLOVENIA AS HAVING TAKEN POSITIVE STEPS TOWARDS DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW. BUT MANY EXPERTS HERE SAY IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, NATO LEADERS DECIDED THOSE TWO COUNTRIES DID NOT ACHIEVE THE NECESSARYS TANDARDS TO BE IN THE FIRST TEAM. (SIGNED)
    NEB/ADEN/PT
    08-Jul-97 5:06 PM EDT (2106 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [04] CASPIAN OIL MANEUVERS BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=7/8/97
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-36922
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: WHILE THE U-S GOVERNMENT HAS CONCENTRATED ON THE EXPANSION OF NATO, SOME SAY IT HAS NEGLECTED THE CAUCASUS WITH ITS VAST OIL RESERVES AND SMALL NATIONS MAINTAINING A PRECARIOUS INDEPENDENCE. V-O-A'S ED WARNER REPORTS A SHIFT OF ATTITUDE AND GROWING AWARENESS OF THIS REGION ON THE PART OF THE UNITED STATES.

    TEXT: THE FUTURE OF AZERBAIJAN IS JUST A FEW MONTHS AWAY. THAT IS HOW ENERGY CONSULTANT ROBERT EBEL REGARDS THE FIRST FLOW OF OIL FROM THE CASPIAN SEA WESTWARD BY THE END OF THE YEAR

    THE DIRECTOR OF THE ENERGY AND NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAM AT THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, MR. EBEL HAS JUST RETURNED FROM TWO WEEKS IN THE CAUCASUS.

    HE FORESEES A PROSPEROUS FUTURE NOT ONLY FOR AZERBAIJAN, WHICH HAS POSSESSION OF MUCH OF THE OIL, BUT FOR THE OTHER COUNTRIES OF THE REGION IF THE CONFLICT OVER NAGORNO-KARABACH CAN BE RESOLVED. HE FOUND AS MUCH EMOTION ON THAT ISSUE AS ENTHUSIASM OVER OIL.

    THE UNITED STATES HAS MADE SOME EFFORT TO MEDIATE THE DISPUTE BETWEEN AZERBAIJANIS AND ARMENIANS, BUT IT HAS BEEN CRITICIZED FOR PAYING TOO LITTLE ATTENTION TO THE CAUCASUS AS IT CONCENTRATES ON NATO ENLARGEMENT.

    MR. EBEL SAYS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF AMERICAN OIL COMPANIES IN THE CAUCASUS:

    // EBEL ACT //

    THE INTERESTS OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND OF THE OIL COMPANIES TODAY ARE THE SAME - TO GET INVOLVED AND TO GET THE OIL FLOWING. DEVELOPING AN ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF OIL OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES BUT AWAY FROM THE PERSIAN GULF IS A MAJOR PLANK OF U-S ENERGY POLICY. I HAVE TO CAUTION PEOPLE THAT THIS NEW OIL FROM THE CASPIAN IS NOT GOING TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR OIL FROM THE PERSIAN GULF, BUT IT WILL BE AN ALTERNATIVE SOURCE. AND THERE IS SECURITY OF SUPPLY THROUGH DIVERSITY OF SUPPLY.

    // END ACT //

    MR. EBEL SAYS THAT BY 2010, CASPIAN OIL MAY ADD ONLY THREE TO FOUR PER CENT TO WORLD PRODUCTION, BUT THAT WOULD AMOUNT TO SOME THREE MILLION BARRELS A DAY.

    PIPELINES REMAIN A PROBLEM. RUSSIA HAS RESISTED BUILDING ANY THAT WOULD NOT BE UNDER ITS CONTROL. WESTERNERS INSIST ON ALTERNATIVE ROUTES.

    MR. EBEL RECALLS THE MANY OBSTACLES THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED:

    // EBEL ACT //

    IF ONE WERE SOMEWHAT OF A CYNICAL OBSERVER, YOU MIGHT THINK IT IS IN RUSSIA'S INTEREST TO KEEP THE POT BOILING BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN, TO KEEP MATTERS BOILING WITHIN GEORGIA TO REMOVE IT FOR CONSIDERATION AS A TRANSIT PIPELINE, TO SHOW THAT RUSSIA IS THE BEST ALTERNATIVE ROUTE; AND EVEN TO KEEP THE POT BOILING BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND IRAN SO THAT IRAN WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS A TRANSIT PIPELINE.

    // END ACT //

    MR. EBEL SAYS THERE IS NO MORE VOLATILE MIX THAN POLITICS AND OIL.

    RICHARD ARMITAGE SERVED AS ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS AND NOW HEADS A CONSULTING FIRM ADVISING AMERICAN COMPANIES IN THE CAUCASUS. HE IS ONE OF SEVERAL FORMER TOP U-S OFFICIALS WHO HAVE BECOME ACTIVE IN THE REGION:

    // ARMITAGE ACT //

    I AM ONE OF THOSE WHO DOES BELIEVE THAT RUSSIA HAS INTERESTS IN WHAT SHE CALLS HER NEAR ABROAD, WHICH CERTAINLY INCLUDES AZERBAIJAN. BUT HOW SHE PROTECTS THOSE INTERESTS IS A MATTER OF GREAT CONCERN TO ALL OF US. THUS FAR, SHE HAS TRIED TO BULLY AZERBAIJAN, WHETHER IT WAS THROUGH ALLEGED COUP PLOTTING OR WHETHER IT WAS THROUGH DIPLOMATIC DEMARCHES ABOUT THE NEED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE CASPIAN, AND BY THE WAY, THE RUSSIAN REGARD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IS A NEW DEVELOPMENT.

    // END ACT //

    BUT MR. ARMITAGE THINKS RUSSIA HAS BEEN MORE ACCOMMODATING RECENTLY. IT, TOO, STANDS TO BENEFIT FROM CASPIAN OIL. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PT
    08-Jul-97 6:15 PM EDT (2215 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [05] NATO / BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (MADRID)

    DATE=7/8/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216858
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: NATO LEADERS HAVE ISSUED A STATEMENT AT THEIR MADRID SUMMIT EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT THE POLITICAL CRISIS IN THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC AND CALLING FOR INDICTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS TO BE DELIVERED FOR TRIAL. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM MADRID.

    TEXT: THE DECLARATION ON BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA CALLS FOR RETURN OF REFUGEES TO THEIR HOMES, THE DELIVERY OF INDICTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS TO THE HAGUE (U-N WAR CRIMES) TRIBUNAL AND FOR BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS TO BE OBSERVED IN THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC.

    THE STATEMENT DOES NOT MENTION EMBATTLED BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC BY NAME, BUT REFERS TO HER BATTLE WITH HER PARLIAMENT BY SAYING THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IS BEING DISTORTED TO BLOCK THE CONSTITUTIONAL DECISIONS OF THE ELECTED PRESIDENT OF 'REPUBLICKA SRPSKA.'

    THE LEADERS SAY THEY WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY RECOURSE TO FORCE OR VIOLENCE OR THE UNAUTHORIZED DEPLOYMENT OF MILITARY OR PARAMILITARY FORCES. WHAT THE STATEMENT DOES NOT SAY IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THOSE IN BOSNIA, CROATIA OR SERBIA WHO DEFY NATO'S DEMANDS.

    THERE IS NO CALL TO CHANGE THE ORDERS OF NATO TROOPS IN BOSNIA (TO ENABLE THEM) TO ACTIVELY (SEEK OUT AND) ARREST ACCUSED WAR CRIMINALS.

    SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT INSISTS THE COLLECTIVE VOICE OF NATO SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED BY FORMER BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC OR BOSNIAN SERB GENERAL RATKO MLADIC.

    ///ALBRIGHT ACT///

    I THINK THE POINT HERE IS THAT KARADZIC AND MLADIC, THERE IS NO STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON THEIR CRIMES AND THEIR DAY WILL COME. AND WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS FOR DAYTON TO BE IMPLEMENTED FULLY, AND THAT INCLUDES THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARTIES TO TURN THE WAR CRIMINALS OVER. AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO STRENGTHEN THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN ITS WORK TO DO THAT.

    ///END ACT///

    THE NATO STATEMENT REPEATS THE LANGUAGE OF THE DENVER (ECONOMIC) 'SUMMIT OF THE EIGHT' THREATENING THE BALKAN PARTIES WITH ISOLATION IF THEY DO NOT HONOR THEIR COMMITMENTS.

    SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS ECONOMIC SANCTIONS SHOULD BE THREAT ENOUGH.

    ///ALBRIGHT ACT///

    WHAT IT (THE STATEMENT) ALSO STATES IS THAT THOSE WHO ARE UNDERMININ IT WILL BE ISOLATED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ECONOMICALLY, WHICH IS NO SMALL MATTER GIVEN THE FACT THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO REJOIN EUROPE IN SOME FORM OR ANOTHER, AND IF THEY ARE ISOLATED, THAT IS A WAY OF (SAYING, 'DO THIS) OR ELSE.'

    ///END ACT///

    SO FAR, ECONOMIC THREATS HAVE NOT CONVINCED SERBIA, CROATIA OR THE BOSNIAN PARTIES TO COMPLY WITH NATO'S DEMANDS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/RP/RRM
    08-Jul-97 4:52 PM EDT (2052 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [06] BOSNIAN SERB POWER STRUGGLE BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASH)

    DATE=7/7/97
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-36906
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: TWO MONTHS BEFORE BOSNIA'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS (SEPT 14) A POWER STRUGGLE HAS ERUPTED BETWEEN THE TWO PARTS OF THE BOSNIAN SERB ENTITY KNOWN AS REPUBLIKA SRPSKA. LAST WEEK THE PRESIDENT OF THE SERB ENTITY, LOCATED IN THE WESTERN TOWN OF BANJA LUKA, DISSOLVED THE BOSNIAN SERB PARLIAMENT WHICH IS BASED IN THE EASTERN TOWN OF PALE. THE PARLIAMENT RETALIATED BY CALLING FOR HER OUSTER. WESTERN INSTITUTIONS ARE HESITANTLY SUPPORTING MS. PLAVSIC AS THE DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS. PAMELA TAYLOR HAS MORE IN THIS REPORT:

    TEXT: THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR BOSNIA IS THE BODY CHARGED WITH THE CIVILIAN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS. THE SPOKESMAN FOR THIS OFFICE -- IN THE WESTERN BOSNIAN TOWN OF BANJA LUKA -- DUNCAN BULLIVANT, ECHOED COMMENTS MADE BY U-S STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS WHEN HE SAID THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NO LONGER RECOGNIZES THE BOSNIAN SERB PARLIAMENT IN PALE.

    /// ACT ONE BULLIVANT ///

    THE SITUATION WE HAVE NOW AS FAR AS WE'RE CONCERNED IS THAT WE HAVE A LEGITIMATE PRESIDENT IN BANJA LUKA AND A CARETAKER GOVERNMENT IN PALE WHICH WILL SIT UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE PRESIDENT NOMINATES A NEW PARLIAMENT.

    // END ACT ///

    MR. BULLIVANT SAID MRS. PLAVSIC IS ATTEMPTING TO REESTABLISH THE RULE OF LAW BY CALLING FOR THE REMOVAL OF THOSE IMPLICATED IN ILLEGAL MAFIA ACTIVITY. AMONG THOSE ACCUSED WAS INTERIOR MINISTER, DRAGAN KIJAC, OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA AND THE SERB PRESIDENT OF THE JOINT (SERB/MUSLIM/CROAT) BOSNIAN FEDERATION, MOMCILO KRAJISNIK. MR. BULLIVANT SAID THESE OFFICIALS ARE BELIEVED TO TAKE THEIR ORDERS FROM FORMER BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC DESPITE HIS REMOVAL FROM PUBLIC LIFE. MR. KARADZIC IS ALSO UNDER INDICTMENT BY THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE.

    // ACT TWO / BULLIVANT //

    MR. KARADZIC HAS REMAINED A DARK FORCE BEHIND THE SCENES HERE EVER SINCE DAYTON WAS SIGNED AND NOBODY IS DENYING THAT. HE IS VERY INFLUENTIAL AND VERY MUCH ON THE SCENE, ALBEIT NOT IN AN OFFICIAL POSITION. THAT WE ARE NOT DENYING. HIS ARREST AND HIS SUBSEQUENT REMOVAL TO THE HAGUE REMAINS A BIG PRIORITY FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT HAPPEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

    BUT MR. BULLIVANT WOULD NEITHER CONFIRM NOR DENY REPORTS THERE IS AN EFFORT UNDERWAY TO TRY AND SECURE THE ARREST OF MR. KARADZIC SOMETIME BEFORE THE SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS. LAST WEEK, SEVERAL THOUSAND STUDENTS AND INTELLECTUALS DEMONSTRATED OUTSIDE PRESIDENT PLAVSIC'S OFFICE TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR SUPPORT. BUT OTHER BANJA LUKA RESIDENTS, LIKE VLATKA RADULOVIC, A SECRETARY IN THE OFFICE OF A LOCAL HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION, CALL THE POWER STRUGGLE A JOKE:

    // ACT THREE / RADULOVIC //

    YOU KNOW, IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE EVERY TIME SOMEONE STARTS TO TALK ABOUT POLITICS HERE THEY START TO TALK ABOUT MAFIA CONNECTIONS. BECAUSE WITH OUR ELECTIONS SO NEAR EVERYONE STARTS TO TALK ABOUT MAFIA. AND NO ONE CARES ABOUT IT ANYMORE. PEOPLE ARE LIVING VERY BADLY, WITHOUT JOBS AND DON'T CARE ABOUT IT (POLITICS).

    // END ACT //

    MS. RADULOVIC SAYS FOR MOST BOSNIAN SERBS IT IS A VERY FINE LINE BETWEEN ACTIVITY THE WEST WOULD CLASSIFY AS MAFIA OR ORGANIZED CRIME AND THE KIND OF DAILY ACTIVITY MOST PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO ENGAGE IN SIMPLY TO SURVIVE. BUT MS. RADULOVIC ALLOWED HERSELF ONE OPTIMISTIC THOUGHT -- THE POSSIBILITY THAT THIS SEPTEMBER VOTERS WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY VOTING THE WORST WAR PROFITEERS OUT OF OFFICE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PAM/LWM
    07-Jul-97 7:06 PM EDT (2306 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [07] GERMANY / JOBLESS (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

    DATE=7/8/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216826
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE NUMBER OF JOBLESS IN GERMANY ROSE AGAIN IN JUNE, AMID PREDICTIONS THERE WILL NOT BE ANY IMPROVEMENT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN.

    TEXT: THE GERMAN FEDERAL LABOR OFFICE SAYS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE OUT OF WORK IN JUNE WAS UP ABOUT 11-THOUSAND FROM THE PREVIOUS MONTH, BRINGING THE NUMBER OF JOBLESS TO FOUR-MILLION, 370-THOUSAND.

    OFFICIALS SAY THERE HAVE BEEN SOME SIGNS THE NATION'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS STABILIZING. BUT THEY SAY THE ECONOMY REMAINS TOO WEAK TO CREATE ANY SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF NEW JOBS.

    UNEMPLOYMENT IN GERMANY HAS BEEN RUNNING AT MORE THAN 11 PERCENT, AND OFFICIALS SAY THEY EXPECT IT TO REMAIN AT ABOUT THAT LEVEL THROUGH THE YEAR.

    THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT, STRUGGLING TO REBUILD THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY AND AT THE SAME TIME MEET THE CRITERIA TO JOIN THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY, HAD BEEN HOPING FOR A REVERSAL OF THE TREND. (SIGNED)
    NEB/KBK/JWH
    08-Jul-97 9:03 AM EDT (1303 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [08] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

    DATE=7/8/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216845
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE MIXED IN TRADING TUESDAY IN MAJOR EUROPEAN EXCHANGES. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

    TEXT: STOCK PRICES WERE OFF IN BOTH LONDON AND PARIS, BUT CLOSED HIGHER IN FRANKFURT.

    ON THE FRENCH MARKET, THE CAC-40 INDEX FINISHED DOWN ALMOST 18 POINTS, ABOUT SIX-TENTHS PERCENT OF THE MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE.

    PRICES ALSO WERE OFF IN LONDON, WHERE TRADERS APPEAR WORRIED ABOUT POSSIBLE INTEREST RATE INCREASES. THE FOOTSIE-100 FELL MORE THAN 52 POINTS, ABOUT ONE-AND-ONE-TENTH PERCENT. BUT, IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX WAS UP MORE THAN 33 POINTS, ABOUT EIGHT-TENTHS PERCENT.

    ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED IN VALUE AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN AND THE GERMAN MARK. BUT IT FELL AGAIN AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.
    NEB/JWH/RRM
    08-Jul-97 1:21 PM EDT (1721 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=7/8/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-216859
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH MAJOR INDEXES CLOSING AT RECORD HIGHS. CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

    TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 79 HUNDRED 62, UP 103 POINTS. IT WAS THE 30TH RECORD HIGH FOR THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE THIS YEAR. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX, A BROADER MEASURE OF STOCK PRICES, CLOSED AT 918, UP SIX POINTS AND ALSO A RECORD HIGH.

    ANALYSTS SAY TRADERS WERE OPTIMISTIC THAT SECOND-QUARTER CORPORATE EARNINGS WILL BE STRONG.

    ONE STRONG EARNINGS REPORT CAME FROM SAFEWAY, THE SECOND LARGEST SUPERMARKET CHAIN IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH REPORTED AN ALMOST 20 PERCENT JUMP IN QUARTERLY PROFITS.

    BUT MONTGOMERY WARD, THE 125-YEAR OLD AMERICAN DEPARTMENT STORE CHAIN, IS NOT ENJOYING ANY PROFITS. THE COMPANY FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY LAW PROTECTION IN HOPES OF REORGANIZING.//OPT// MONTGOMERY WARD IS HALF-OWNED BY THE GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY'S CAPITAL SERVICES DIVISION WHICH AGREED TO PROVIDE ONE BILLION DOLLARS TO THE STORE TO PAY FOR INVENTORY DURING THE BANKRUPTCY.

    //END OPT//

    /// REST OPT ///

    I-N-G, THE DUTCH FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY, WILL PAY TWO POINT TWO BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE THE EQUITABLE OF IOWA INSURANCE COMPANY. I-N-G IMPLIED IT MAY ALSO MAKE SOME ADDITIONAL ACQUISITIONS OF AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES.

    THE U-S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT FOR BRITISH TELECOM TO ACQUIRE THE M-C-I COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY OF THE UNITED STATES. THE DEAL IS WORTH 24 BILLION DOLLARS, ONE OF THE LARGEST INTERNATIONAL TAKEOVERS OF A U-S COMPANY. THE DEAL FACES ONE FINAL HURDLE WHICH IS APPROVAL BY THE U-S FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION SAYS IT WILL HAVE A DECISION WITHIN THREE MONTHS.

    GOLD PRICES, WHICH HAVE BEEN DEPRESSED IN RECENT DAYS, REBOUNDED SOMEWHAT BUT MANY ANALYSTS SAY THE PRECIOUS METAL REMAINS IN A LONG TERM DOWNTREND. (SIGNED)
    NEB/NY/BA/LWM
    08-Jul-97 5:07 PM EDT (2107 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [10] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=07/08/97
    TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-10243
    TELEPHONE=619-3335
    EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS
    CONTENT=
    // EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS PERISHABLE MATERIAL AND BECOMES DATED AFTER 10 P-M E-D-S-T ON TUESDAY JULY 8TH //

    INTRO: A TRIO OF IMPORTANT STORIES DOMINATES THE EDITORIALS COLUMNS OF MOST U-S NEWSPAPERS THIS TUESDAY MORNING IN JULY. ONE IS THE MEXICAN ELECTION WHERE REAL DEMOCRACY ASSERTED ITSELF AND THE HISTORIC DOMINANT POLITICAL PARTY LOST SOME POWER. THE SECOND IS THE DRAMATIC SUCCESS OF THE MARS PATHFINDER MISSION AND THE THIRD IS THE OPENING TODAY OF SENATE HEARINGS INTO EXCESSES AND POSSIBLE ILLEGALITIES IN LAST YEAR'S CAMPAIGN FINANCING BY BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

    OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE NATO SUMMIT IN MADRID; THE NEW VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND; AND THE DOWNSIDE OF DEFENSE FIRM MERGERS.

    NOW HERE IS _____________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

    TEXT: VOTERS IN MEXICO GAVE A LEFTIST OPPOSITION LEADER THE JOB OF MAYOR IN MEXICO CITY, THE COUNTRY'S SECOND MOST IMPORTANT POSITION IN SUNDAY'S ELECTION, AND IN OTHER VOTES THE RULING PRI PARTY LOST POWER. U-S PAPERS ARE UNIVERSAL IN APPLAUDING THE GROWTH OF GENUINE, RATHER THAN FAUX, DEMOCRACY IN MEXICO. HERE'S THE MIAMI HERALD'S REACTION.

    VOICE: "... SUNDAY'S ELECTIONS WERE AS HISTORIC AS EXPECTED, OR MORE THAN EXPECTED. [OPT] CUAUHTEMOC CARDENAS, AFTER RUNNING TEN YEARS IN OPPOSITION TO THE LONG-RULING PARTIDO REVOLUCIONARIO INSTITUCIONAL, SWEPT THE FIRST ELECTIONS FOR THE POWERFUL POST OF MEXICO CITY MAYOR. PRELIMINARY REPORTS SUGGEST, MOREOVER, THAT THE PRI MAY WELL LOSE ITS LEGISLATIVE MAJORITY IN THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES, MEXICO'S 500-SEAT LOWER HOUSE OF CONGRESS. [END OPT] ..... FREE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES AT LAST, MOST OF MEXICO'S 52 MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS DID SO WITH A VENGEANCE. TURNOUT RAN AS HIGH AS 75 PERCENT IN MEXICO CITY. TIRED OF THE 68-YEAR AUTHORITARIAN RULE BY THE PRI, OF WIDESPREAD AND BLATANT CORRUPTION, OF NOT HAVING A VOICE, MEXICANS PROVIDED A RESOUNDING MANDATE FOR CHANGE."

    TEXT: THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION ALSO PRAISES THE RESULTS, NOTING THAT EVERYBODY WON.

    VOICE: "ELECTION DAY WAS A GRAND EVENT FOR MEXICANS, EVEN FOR LOSERS. OVERALL, THE WHOLE COUNTRY WON BECAUSE THIS YEAR'S CAMPAIGNS WERE THE FAIREST, SUNDAY'S BALLOTING THE CLEANEST AND THE OUTCOMES THE MOST REPRESENTATIVE IN MEXICO'S HISTORY. ..... IF [CUAUHTEMOC] CARDENAS IS THE MAN OF THE HOUR, [PRESIDENT] ZEDILLO MAY BE SOMEONE FOR MEXICO'S HISTORY BOOKS. [OPT] HE HAS BROUGHT THE COUNTRY A LONG WAY FROM THE DARK AND UNCERTAIN DAYS IN 1994 WHEN THE MAN WHO PRECEDED HIM AS PRI PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, LUIS DONALDO COLOSIO, WAS ASSASSINATED. [END OPT] NO ONE DESERVES MORE CREDIT THAN [MR.] ZEDILLO FOR PUSHING TO REFORM MEXICO'S CORRUPTION RIDDEN ELECTION SYSTEM."

    TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES CALLS IT A "NEW DAY IN MEXICAN POLITICS," DECLARING IN ITS SECONDARY EDITORIAL HEADLINE, THAT "DEMOCRACY HAS ARRIVED." THE NEW YORK TIMES IS EQUALLY ECSTATIC, CALLING THE RESULTS "A TASTE OF DEMOCRACY IN MEXICO,"

    [OPT]

    AND ADDING:

    VOICE: "FOR THE FIRST TIME, MEXICO HAS THE MAKINGS OF A MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY .... AN ACHIEVEMENT OF WHICH ALL MEXICANS, REGARDLESS OF PARTY, CAN BE PROUD."

    TEXT: THE LEAD HEADLINE IN TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST EDITORIAL COLUMN SUMS UP THE VIEW OF THE OTHER EDITORIALS: "THREE CHEERS FOR MEXICO."

    [END OPT]

    TEXT: QUICKLY ON TO THE BIG SCIENCE NEWS EVENT OF THE WEEK: THE PATHFINDER LANDING ON MARS AND THE REMARKABLE PICTURES BEAMED BACK AND PUBLISHED IN COLOR ON THE FRONT PAGES OF MANY PAPERS BY PATHFINDER AND ITS MOVABLE MODULE SOJOURNER. THE OREGONIAN IN PORTLAND IS VIRTUALLY AWE STRUCK.

    VOICE: "THERE ARE TIMES WHEN ALL YOU CAN REALLY DO IS GAPE IN SLACK-JAWED WONDER. THIS WEEKEND WAS ONE OF THOSE TIMES, AND THE CAUSE WAS TWO-FOLD. ONE CAUSE WAS THE BLEAK BEAUTY OF THE IMAGES THAT NASA'S PATHFINDER HAS BEAMED BACK TO EARTH FROM MARS. ..... THE OTHER SOURCE FOR OUR RECENT AWE AND WONDER IS ENTIRELY HOME-GROWN ..... THE SHEER SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL KNOW-HOW - - THE WORK AND PASSION OF OUR FELLOW EARTHLINGS THAT MAKES THESE MARS IMAGES AND DISCOVERIES POSSIBLE. [OPT] WE'RE WATCHING IMAGES BEAMED BACK TO EARTH FROM [191-AND-ONE-HALF MILLION KILOMETERS] AWAY. .....WE SHOULD NEVER TAKE THESE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL FEATS FOR GRANTED." [END OPT]

    TEXT: ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE NATION, THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD IS EQUALLY IN AWE.

    VOICE: "THUS FAR, PATHFINDER HAS STIRRED THE IMAGINATION, AND IS A SCIENTIFIC SUCCESS AS WELL. PERHAPS THE MOST PROMISING ASPECT OF THE MISSION , HOWEVER, IS WHAT IT CAN DO FOR THE SPACE PROGRAM ON EARTH. PATHFINDER REPRESENTS A NEW APPROACH FOR NASA, IN BOTH TECHNOLOGY AND IN HOW THE SPACE AGENCY GETS THINGS DONE."

    [OPT]

    TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST CALLS IT A TRIUMPH ON MARS.

    VOICE: "THE TRIUMPH UNFOLDING ON THE MARTIAN SURFACE CAN BE SCORED AS A TEN-STRIKE [A BOWLING TERM USED - - IN TEN PINS - - FOR A PERFECT KNOCK DOWN OF ALL THE PINS WITH ONE BALL, IN OTHER WORDS "PERFECT"] FOR THE BATTLE-SCARRED NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION, FROM THE AS-ADVERTISED PINPOINT FOURTH OF JULY LANDING TO THE TROVE OF PANORAMIC COLOR PHOTOS NOW SPEEDING THROUGH THE ARRAY OF '90'S-VINTAGE MEDIA OUTLETS."

    [END OPT]

    TEXT: SUMMING UP THE REST OF THE COMMENTS FROM VARIOUS PAPERS IS THIS EDITORIAL HEADLINE IN TODAY'S SUN FROM BALTIMORE: "MARS PHOTOS EXCITE THE WORLD."

    TURNING TO DOMESTIC POLITICS FOR THE DAY'S THIRD IMPORTANT TOPIC AND THE BEGINNING OF SENATE HEARINGS INTO ALLEGATIONS OF WRONGDOING IN FUNDING LAST YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS OF THE HEARING CHAIRMAN, TENNESSEE FRESHMAN SENATOR FRED THOMPSON:

    VOICE: "SENATOR THOMPSON HAS A TOUGH JOB AHEAD OF HIM UNTANGLING THE MONEY TRAIL. HE NEEDS TO APPROACH IT IN A BIPARTISAN WAY, ASSURING THE DEMOCRATS THAT THEY WILL GET THEIR TURN TO PROVE REPUBLICAN EFFORTS TO BRING MONEY FROM ASIA AS WELL. THE COUNTRY DESERVES NOTHING LESS THAN A FULL ACCOUNTING OF HOW THE POLITICAL SYSTEM GOT CORRUPTED LAST YEAR...."

    TEXT: USA TODAY, WHICH GOES ON TO COMMENT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SENATE HEARINGS, BEGINS BY REMEMBERING A PREVIOUS COMMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON THIS SUBJECT.

    VOICE: "ADDRESSING CONGRESS IN FEBRUARY, PRESIDENT CLINTON DREW LOUD CHEERS WHEN HE SET A JULY 4 DEADLINE FOR REFORMING THE SEAMY SYSTEM OF FINANCING POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS. 'DELAY WILL MEAN THE DEATH OF REFORM,' HE PROCLAIMED. THE RESULT AT JULY 4 PLUS FOUR [DAYS]: ZIP [ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.] IF REFORM ISN'T DEAD, IT'S COMATOSE. ..... TOO MANY POLITICIANS ... SPEND TOO MUCH TIME CHASING TOO MANY DOLLARS FROM SPECIAL INTERESTS ... AND THE PUBLIC LOSES."

    TEXT: THE NATO SUMMIT IN MADRID, WHERE THREE NEW NATIONS MAY BE ADDED TO THE ALLIANCE, IS BEING PUSHED ALMOST OFF THE FRONT PAGES BY THE STORIES WE'VE ALREADY MENTIONED. BUT THE BOSTON GLOBE WARNS IN AN EDITORIAL

    VOICE: "SADLY, [PRESIDENT] CLINTON'S DECISION TO ENLARGE NATO APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY ELECTORAL CONSIDERATIONS AND THE LOBBYING OF DEFENSE CONTRACTORS EAGER TO SELL ADVANCED WEAPONS TO COUNTRIES THAT HAVE MORE PRESSING NEEDS TO MEET AT HOME. THE BEST HOPE FOR AVOIDING THIS LEAP INTO THE DARK LIES WITH A SENATE REFUSAL TO RATIFY NATO EXPANSION."

    TEXT: AND THE NEW OUTBREAK OF VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND, TRIGGERED BY PROTESTANT MARCHERS THROUGH ROMAN CATHOLIC NEIGHBORHOODS, DRAWS THIS BLEAK OBSERVATION FROM THE [NEW YORK] DAILY NEWS

    VOICE: "THE PEOPLE OF ULSTER, CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT, ARE IN THRALL TO THEIR HISTORY, WHICH CONTINUES TO BE WRITTEN IN BLOOD. AND BRITAIN, DESPITE OUTREACH ATTEMPTS BY ITS NEW PRIME MINISTER, IS WILLING TO LET THINGS THUS CONTINUE. EITHER THAT OR IT HAS MUCH LESS CONTROL OVER THE SITUATION THAN IT WOULD LIKE THE WORLD TO BELIEVE."

    TEXT: AND ON THAT SOBERING NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF TUESDAY'S U-S PRESS.
    NEB/ANG/TBA/RRM
    08-Jul-97 10:55 AM EDT (1455 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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