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Voice of America, 98-12-21

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

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] EURO POPULATION STUDY (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)
  • [02] TURKEY POL (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)
  • [03] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)
  • [04] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

  • [01] EURO POPULATION STUDY (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

    DATE=12/21/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-243359
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: A NEW UNITED NATIONS STUDY FINDS THAT AGING TRENDS IN EUROPE POSE WHAT IT CALLS A "CRISIS," WARNING THAT GOVERNMENTS TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PLAN FOR THE CHANGE. THE GROUP, CALLED THE U-N ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE, PROJECTS A FUTURE WHERE A FEW YOUNG EUROPEANS MAY HAVE TO CARE FOR A GREAT MANY MORE ELDERLY. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA HAS DETAILS.

    TEXT: THE REPORT SAYS THE POPULATION DECLINE IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE HAS BEEN UNDERWAY FOR THE PAST FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS. IF THE TREND CONTINUES, U-N DEMOGRAPHERS PREDICT BY THE MIDDLE OF THE NEXT CENTURY, THE REGION'S POPULATION WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED BY ONE-QUARTER TO ONE-THIRD.

    U-N DEMOGRAPHER MIROSLAV MACURA ATTRIBUTES THE DECLINE TO A COMBINATION OF VERY LOW FERTILITY RATES AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL MORTALITY RATES, ESPECIALLY AMONG MIDDLE AGED MEN -- WHO ARE USUALLY IN THE MOST PRODUCTIVE PHASE OF THEIR CAREERS, AND ARE THE MAIN INCOME SUPPORT OF THEIR FAMILIES.

    ///MACURA ACT///

    ONE WAY OF ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM IS TO ATTEMPT TO BRING MORTALITY DOWN FURTHER ... AND, THIS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED AND WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED. TO REVERSE FERTILITY AND TO BRING IT TO THE SO-CALLED "REPLACEMENT LEVEL" IS A MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TASK.

    ///END ACT///

    WHILE THE PROBLEM IS MORE EXTREME IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE, MR. MACURA SAYS BIRTH RATES ARE ALSO DROPPING IN WESTERN EUROPE, ESPECIALLY IN ITALY, SPAIN AND GREECE. HE SAYS POPULATIONS IN THOSE COUNTRIES ARE EXPECTED TO DECLINE BY 30 PERCENT IN THE NEXT CENTURY. WESTERN EUROPE, HE SAYS, HAS THE ADDITIONAL FACTOR OF OLDER PEOPLE LIVING LONGER -- BUT WHO ARE NO LONGER PART OF THE WORK FORCE.

    //OPT// ///SECOND MACURA ACT///

    I WOULDN'T SAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE AN UPHEAVAL AS A RESULT OF AGING BECAUSE SOCIETIES ARE CAPABLE OF ADAPTING TO MANY CHANGES, INCLUDING TO THOSE IN THEIR POPULATIONS, INCLUDING THE AGING PROCESS.

    ///END ACT/////END OPT//

    THAT, SAYS MR. MACURA, WILL FORCE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES TO REASSESS SUCH THINGS AS LAWS ON EMPLOYMENT AND RETIREMENT, AND TO REVIEW HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL POLICIES.

    THE U-N STUDY RECOMMENDS AGAINST PUSHING INTO RETIREMENT OLDER PEOPLE WHO WANT TO KEEP WORKING. IT SAYS EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS FACED WITH RAPIDLY AGING POPULATIONS SHOULD PROMOTE NEW TYPES OF PENSION SCHEMES WHICH CARE FOR THOSE WHO RETIRE EARLY BUT ALSO REWARD THOSE WHO CONTINUE WORKING. THE STUDY ALSO URGES EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS TO INSURE ADEQUATE SERVICES FOR THOSE ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO IMMEDIATE FAMILY TO CARE FOR THEM. (SIGNED)
    NEB/LS/PCF
    21-Dec-98 11:20 AM EST (1620 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [02] TURKEY POL (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

    DATE=12/21/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-243354
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: TURKEY'S PRIME MINISTER-DESIGNATE BULENT ECEVIT HAS GIVEN UP EFFORTS TO FORM A NEW GOVERNMENT AFTER MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES FAILED TO GIVE HIM THE SUPPORT NEEDED TO FORM A COALITION. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, MR. ECEVIT WAS ASKED THREE WEEKS AGO TO ESTABLISH A NEW GOVERNMENT.

    TEXT: ONCE AGAIN, TURKISH PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL IS PONDERING JUST WHO TO INVITE TO TRY TO STITCH TOGETHER A COALITION FROM TURKEY'S FRACTIOUS PARLIAMENT

    SHORTLY AFTER MR. ECEVIT HANDED BACK HIS MANDATE TO MR. DEMIREL, THE PRESIDENT BEGAN MEETING WITH PARLIAMENT SPEAKER HIKMET CETIN AND PARTY LEADERS TO DESIGNATE SOMEONE NEW. SO FAR, EFFORTS TO FORM A GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON EXCLUDING THE ISLAMIST VIRTUE PARTY -- THE LARGEST PARTY IN THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT.

    BUT THIS IS PROVING A NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TASK. TO GAIN A MAJORITY AND TO BLOCK THE ISLAMISTS, A POLITICIAN MUST BRING TOGETHER THE TWO MAIN RIGHT WING PARTIES -- TANSU CILLER'S TRUE PATH AND OUTGOING PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ'S MOTHERLAND.

    BUT BITTER FEUDING BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES HAS STOOD IN THE WAY OF A POWER SHARING AGREEMENT WHICH MR. ECEVIT WAS HOPING TO LEAD. CONTINUED OPPOSITION FROM THE POWERFUL MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT TO THE ISLAMISTS MAKES IT UNLIKELY THAT PRESIDENT DEMIREL WILL ASK VIRTUE LEADER RECAI KUTAN TO TRY TO FORM A GOVERNMENT.

    POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAY THE MOST LIKELY DEVELOPMENT IS THAT PRESIDENT DEMIREL WILL SELECT A NEUTRAL FIGURE FROM THE PARLIAMENT TO FORM A CARETAKER GOVERNMENT WHO WOULD HEAD THE COUNTRY UNTIL EARLY GENERAL ELECTIONS WHICH WOULD TAKE PLACE NEXT APRIL (SIGNED)
    NEB/AZ/JWH
    21-Dec-98 10:03 AM EST (1503 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=12/21/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-243385
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP STRONGLY TODAY (MONDAY) IN WHAT SOME ANALYSTS SAY WAS THE START OF A YEAR-END RALLY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

    TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 89 HUNDRED 88, UP 85 POINTS, ALMOST ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED UP 14 POINTS AT A RECORD HIGH 12 HUNDRED TWO. AND THE NASDAQ INDEX CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT SESSION.

    ANALYSTS SAY THE WEEKEND IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON HAD ABSOLUTELY NO IMPACT ON THE STOCK MARKET BECAUSE THE ACTION WAS EXPECTED. EXPECTED EVENTS USUALLY DO NOT MOVE STOCK PRICES. INSTEAD, MANY TRADERS EMBARKED ON AN END-OF-THE YEAR BUYING SPREE, CONFIDENT STOCKS WILL CONTINUE TO RALLY INTO NEXT YEAR.

    ///BEGIN OPT///

    JACK SHAUGHNESSY OF THE ADVEST SECURITIES FIRM SAYS INVESTORS ARE CONCENTRATING ON ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS.

    ///OPT///SHAUGHNESSY ACT///

    THE ECONOMY IS IN GOOD SHAPE. THE CHRISTMAS SELLING SEASON SEEMS FAIRLY STRONG AND THERE IS NO SIGN OF A RECESSION. ALL THAT CERTAINLY HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT ON INVESTOR PSYCHOLOGY.

    ///END ACT///END OPT///

    BUT A LESS POSITIVE VIEW COMES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND WHICH EXPECTS THE RATE OF U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH WILL SLOW NEXT YEAR FROM ABOUT THREE AND ONE HALF PERCENT TO LESS THAN TWO PERCENT. IN A REPORT, THE I-M-F ALSO SAYS THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF WHAT IT CALLS A "RENEWED CORRECTION" IN U-S STOCK PRICES NEXT YEAR.

    /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///

    IN MONDAY'S TRADING THE STOCK OF THE AMGEN BIOTECHNOLOGY COMPANY ROSE MORE THAN 20 PERCENT AFTER AMGEN WON A LEGAL BATTLE WITH THE JOHNSON AND JOHNSON DRUG COMPANY OVER RIGHTS TO AN ANEMIA MEDICATION.

    THE U-S TRADE COMMISSION HAS DECIDED TO SUE THE MYLAN PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY ON CHARGES THAT MYLAN CONSPIRED TO FIX PRICES FOR SEVERAL POPULAR DRUGS. THE COMMISSION IS SEEKING 120 MILLION DOLLARS IN REFUNDS TO AMERICAN CONSUMERS.

    UNOCAL HAS BECOME THE LATEST U-S OIL COMPANY TO CUT CAPITAL SPENDING BECAUSE OF CURRENT LOW OIL PRICES. UNOCAL SAYS IT WILL SLASH NEW INVESTMENTS BY ALMOST 400 MILLION DOLLARS. LEVITZ, A MAJOR U-S FURNITURE RETAILER, WILL CLOSE 27 STORES IN EIGHT STATES TO CONCENTRATE ON 63 REMAINING STORES IN THE NORTHEASTERN REGION OF THE COUNTRY. LEVITZ HAS BEEN OPERATING UNDER BANKRUPTCY LAW PROTECTION FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.

    THE PRICES OF PERSONAL COMPUTERS CONTINUE TO GO DOWN. THE HEWLETT PACKARD COMPANY SAYS IT WILL REDUCE ITS PRICES BY UP TO 20 PERCENT ON BOTH DESKTOP AND NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
    21-Dec-98 5:06 PM EST (2206 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=12/21/98
    TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-11062
    TELEPHONE=619-3335
    EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS
    CONTENT=

    ////

    EDS: PERISHABLE MATERIAL, DATED AFTER 10 P-M E - S - T ! !

    ////

    INTRO: THE IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON BY THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE ATTACKS ON IRAQ ARE THE PRIMARY TOPICS OF DISCUSSION IN THE NATION'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS THIS MONDAY. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: TROUBLE IN ZIMBABWE; ACCESS TO CONSULATES FOR U-S CRIMINALS FROM OTHER LANDS AND THE RISING ANTI-SEMITISM IN RUSSIA. NOW, HERE IS _____________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

    TEXT: MANY NEWSPAPERS COMMENTED IN THEIR SUNDAY'S EDITIONS ON THE IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON, BUT THAT TOPIC CONTINUES TO DOMINATE THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS TODAY. MANY EDITORIALS ALSO COMMENT ON THE UNEXPECTED RESIGNATION OF CONGRESSMAN ROBERT LIVINGSTON, WHO WAS IN LINE TO BECOME THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SAYS THE PRESIDENT SHOULD NOT RESIGN.

    VOICE: IMPEACHMENT IS AN ACCUSATION. ONLY AFTER A TRIAL AND CONVICTION IN THE SENATE CAN THE PRESIDENT BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE. IT IS DOUBTFUL THINGS WILL COME TO THAT. .... CRIES FOR THE PRESIDENT TO RESIGN ARE INTENSIFYING. THAT'S NOT THE RIGHT COURSE, FOR TWO REASONS: ONE: THE PROSPECT OF SENATORIAL CENSURE INCLUDES THE PROSPECT OF PRESIDENTIAL HUMILITY AND REFORM. THE NATION HAS IMPORTANT TASKS AHEAD, AND A CONTRITE AND THUS MORALLY STRENGTHENED PRESIDENT COULD CONTRIBUTE MUCH TO THE PROCESS. THAT POSSIBILITY SHOULD BE HELD OPEN. TWO: IF A HOUSE CONTROLLED BY ONE PARTY WERE, IN EFFECT, TO FORCE THE RESIGNATION OF A PRESIDENT OF THE OTHER PARTY BY A SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE, THIS WOULD APPROXIMATE A PARLIAMENTARY VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE. THAT'S CLEARLY AT ODDS WITH THE FRAMERS SEPARATION OF EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, AND JUDICIAL POWERS.

    TEXT: "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" SAYS THAT IF ANY DEAL DEVELOPS SAVING THE PRESIDENT FROM REMOVAL, THEN HIS ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO MUST RESIGN AS PART OF THAT AGREEMENT, TO BE REPLACED WITH AN "INDIVIDUAL OF UNQUESTIONED INTEGRITY AND INDEPENDENCE."

    VOICE: IT'S CLEAR FROM SATURDAY'S VOTE THAT BILL CLINTON HAS BROUGHT THE PRESIDENCY TO THE LOWEST REPUTE SINCE IMPEACHMENT THREATENED RICHARD NIXON. THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN IMPEACHED, A NEGATIVE ACHIEVEMENT OF ALMOST UNIMAGINABLE DIFFICULTY, AND THE CAPITAL'S POLITICAL FABRIC HAS BEEN TORN. IT IS UP TO SENATORS, AND FOR THAT MATTER THE REST OF WASHINGTON, TO DECIDE HOW BEST TO REBUILD THEIR POLITICS NOW.

    TEXT: "USA TODAY" POINTS OUT THAT, WHILE PARTISANSHIP PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THE IMPEACHMENT DECISION, THERE W A S DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT FOR MR. CLINTON'S IMPEACHMENT, AND THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF CONTRIBUTED TO THE PARTISAN FRENZY.

    VOICE: THE PRESIDENT WAS NOT IMPEACHED SOLELY BY A BAND OF FANATICS. IN FACT, WITHOUT DEMOCRATIC VOTES, THE MORE SERIOUS OF THE TWO IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES PASSED BY THE HOUSE - - OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE - - WOULD HAVE BEEN DEFEATED. AND THE OTHER - - LYING TO A FEDERAL GRAND JURY - - ATTRACTED REPUBLICAN MODERATES WHO REJECTED THE OTHER CHARGES. AS SERIOUS A PROBLEM AS PARTISANSHIP IS, IT IS A SEPARATE ISSUE. /// OPT /// AND IN ANY CASE, IT'S ONE ON WHICH THE PRESIDENT'S HANDS ARE NOT CLEAN. HIS DEMONIZATION OF ANYONE WHO DARED CHALLENGE HIS ABUSES INTENSIFIED THE POLARIZATION THAT HAS SO INFURIATED THE PUBLIC THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS./// END OPT ///

    TEXT: IN FLORIDA, "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" AGAIN ASKS MR. CLINTON TO RESIGN, SUGGESTING:

    VOICE: /// OPT /// ... WHAT'S GOING ON NOW PUSHES BEYOND THE LIMITS EVEN OF MR. CLINTON. HE CANNOT HOPE TO OVERCOME THE DISABLING EFFECTS OF THE IMPEACHMENT AND THE SENATE TRIAL. THINGS WILL ONLY GET WORSE AS THE INQUIRY INTO THE PRESIDENT'S MISDEEDS WIDENS, THE POLITICIZATION OF THE ISSUES INTENSIFIES AND THE PUBLIC BECOMES FURTHER DIVIDED. SUCH PREOCCUPATION WILL SHACKLE THE NATION WHEN IT CAN ILL AFFORD TO BE RESTRICTED. FROM SABER-RATTLING ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA TO ECONOMIC WOES IN ASIA AND LATIN AMERICA TO IRAQ'S BELLIGERENCE TO FRAYING PEACE EFFORTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST TO TENSIONS IN KOSOVO TO POLITICAL INSTABILITY IN RUSSIA, CRISES CONFRONT THE UNITED STATES. ... NOW

    /// END OPT ///

    SENATE DEMOCRATS SHOULD NOT WASTE TIME SENDING THE MESSAGE ... THEY BELIEVE ... THE COUNTRY NEEDS A BETTER LEADER. HE HAS SHAMED THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND THROWN THE COUNTRY INTO A CRISIS OF LEADERSHIP. ... THEY [THE SENATE'S DEMOCRATS] SHOULD ASK HIM TO RESIGN AND AVOID A SENATE TRIAL.

    TEXT: AS REGARDS THE AFTERMATH OF THE FOUR-DAY ATTACK ON IRAQ, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" OPINES:

    VOICE: INITIAL PENTAGON ASSESSMENTS OF THE .... CAMPAIGN AGAINST IRAQ SUGGEST THAT SADDAM HUSSEIN SUFFERED HEAVY BUT NOT IRRETRIEVABLE LOSSES. /// OPT /// IT MAY TAKE IRAQ AS LONG AS A YEAR TO RESTORE ITS ABILITY TO DELIVER BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS AGAINST POTENTIAL TARGETS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. IF THAT ESTIMATE HOLDS UP, THE TIME SHOULD BE USED TO REINFORCE DIPLOMATIC SUPPORT FOR SANCTIONS AND FUTURE MILITARY ACTION. /// END OPT

    /// .... BUT WASHINGTON SHOULD NOT DELUDE ITSELF INTO THINKING THAT SUCH ATTACKS WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR A REVOLT THAT TOPPLES MR. HUSSEIN. HIS RULE IS TOO WELL ENTRENCHED AND OPPOSITION FORCES ARE TOO WEAK AND DIVIDED FOR THAT TO BE A REALISTIC POSSIBILITY ANYTIME SOON.

    TEXT: TAKING A MUCH LESS ENCOURAGING VIEW OF THE RESULTS IS "THE NEW YORK POST" WHICH GRUMBLES:

    VOICE: IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING WHAT EFFECT A LIAR PRESIDENT CAN HAVE ON HIS UNDERLINGS, CONSIDER THIS: THEY ALL WENT ON TV SUNDAY MORNING TO DECLARE DESERT FOX A SUCCESS, EVEN THOUGH THEY COULD CLAIM NOT A SINGLE ACCOMPLISHMENT EXCEPT SOME VAGUE 'DEGRADING' OF SOME VAGUE IRAQI WAR-MAKING CAPABILITY. /// OPT

    /// IF YOU WERE CONSIDERING GIVING THE ADMINISTRATION THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT ON THIS ABSURD MILITARY ACTION THAT EXPLICITLY AVOIDED TAKING ACTIONS AGAINST IRAQI CHEMICAL-WARFARE SITES, WE DON'T BLAME YOU. /// END OPT /// IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE ... THE PRESIDENT WOULD USE BOMBS TO SWAY VOTES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. BUT THE CONCLUSION IS UNAVOIDABLE: HE DID.

    TEXT: TURNING BRIEFLY TO OTHER TOPICS, "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE PREDICTS THE DEMISE OF ANOTHER OF AFRICA'S POST-INDEPENDENCE LEADERS WHO HAS, LATELY, MISUSED HIS POWER: ZIMBABWE'S ROBERT MUGABE.

    VOICE: WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY AND PUBLIC SCRUTINY, THE LEADERSHIP OF THE RULING ZIMBABWE AFRICAN NATIONAL UNION-PATRIOTIC FRONT HAS BECOME SEVERELY TARNISHED BY REPEATED SCANDALS. THIS YEAR THINGS HAVE MOVED FROM BAD TO WORSE. THE FINAL STRAW WAS A 67 PERCENT FUEL-PRICE INCREASE. .... FOR THE FIRST TIME, ZIMBABWEANS TALK OPENLY ABOUT GETTING RID OF MR. MUGABE. BUT HE IS NOT BUDGING. .... HOWEVER .... MR. MUGABE'S TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

    /// OPT ///

    TEXT: ON THE SENSITIVE ISSUE OF U-S POLICE FAILING TO TELL FOREIGNERS, ARRESTED FOR MURDER, OF THEIR RIGHT TO CONTACT THEIR CONSULATE, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" NOTES THAT ONLY FOUR OF 74 FOREIGNERS NOW ON DEATH ROW, WERE GIVEN SUCH INFORMATION. THE PAPER WRITES:

    VOICE: IT SHOULD BE CLEAR HOW SUCH NEGLIGENCE WOULD BE WEIGHED IN WASHINGTON IF THE SHOE WERE ON THE OTHER FOOT. AMERICANS IN TROUBLE ABROAD EXPECT AND SEEK HELP FROM THEIR CONSULATES. DETAINED FOREIGNERS MUST BE INFORMED OF SUCH A RIGHT TOO. ... IT'S THE LAW.

    /// END OPT ///

    TEXT: NOTING THE RISING TIDE OF ANTI-SEMITISM IN RUSSIA'S LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT, THE DUMA, TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" REMARKS:

    VOICE: THE LATEST ERUPTION OF FASCIST IDEOLOGY FROM A COMMUNIST LEGISLATOR WAS THE ANTI-SEMITIC OUTBURST OF VIKTOR ILYUKHIN, CHAIRMAN OF THE DUMA'S DEFENSE COMMITTEE. AT A HEARING ... HE KNEW WAS BEING TAPED, THIS PROMINENT COMMUNIST DEPUTY OFFERED A SCAPEGOATING EXPLANATION FOR RUSSIA'S CURRENT TROUBLES ....[BLAMING] ... WHO ELSE? - - THE JEWS. ... TO ITS CREDIT, [MR.] YELTSIN'S GOVERNMENT HAS COME DOWN HARD ON THE ANTI-SEMITISM OF THE COMMUNISTS. /// OPT /// WHEN THE COMMUNISTS HELD POWER IN THE SOVIET UNION, THEY EXERCISED A STATE MONOPOLY ON ALL FORMS OF IDEOLOGY AND RACISM. UNDER THE GUISE OF INTERNATIONALISM, STALIN STARVED TO DEATH PERHAPS SEVEN MILLION IJKRAINIANS AND EXPORTED TO THE EAST NEARLY THE ENTIRE CHECHEN NATION. BUT CERTAIN BIG LIES WERE NOT ALLOWED TO BE SPOKEN IN PUBLIC. NOW THE COMMUNISTS CAN SHOW THEIR TRUE COLORS. /// END OPT ///

    TEXT: LASTLY, REGARDING THE TRIAL OF SEVERAL DISSIDENTS IN CHINA WHO ARE TRYING TO KEEP ALIVE THE CHINESE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, "THE WASHINGTON POST" WRITES:

    VOICE: THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THEIR TRIALS CALL INTO QUESTION CLAIMS THAT CHINA HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS TOWARD A RULE OF LAW. EACH COULD BE SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS OR MORE IN PRISON FOR VAGUE CHARGES OF SUBVERSION. YET EACH WAS TRIED IN AN ESSENTIALLY CLOSED COURTROOM WITHOUT THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL. ... THESE CASES DEMONSTRATE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN CHINESE PROPAGANDA ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND REALITY. /// OPT /// TO GREAT INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM, CHINA SIGNED IN OCTOBER THE FUNDAMENTAL INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON HUMAN RIGHTS. ..... CHINESE OFFICIALS MAY ASSUME THAT EVENTS IN WASHINGTON AND IRAQ WILL DISTRACT OUTSIDE ATTENTION FROM THEIR LATEST OFFENSES.F MR. CLINTON AND UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF MARY ROBINSON SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN. /// END OPT ///

    TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS IN TODAY'S PAPERS IN THE UNITED STATES.
    NEB/ANG/KL
    21-Dec-98 11:11 AM EST (1611 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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