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FBIS4-9288_0 | Russian Duma Delegation Meets With Officials | BFN ["Pool" item] [Text] Belgrade, April 22 (TANJUG) -- Yugoslav Prime Minister Radoje Kontic said on Friday [22 April] that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia resolutely urges a political and peaceful solution to the crisis in the former Yugoslav Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina and supports Russia's principled and objective stand on the crisis in ex-Yugoslav territory. In talks with a delegation of the Russian parliament's lower house [State Duma], Kontic said that Russia's efforts have prevented the escalation of the fighting in Bosnia and underscored that the further continuation of the international sanctions against Yugoslavia practically prolongs the crisis in the former Yugoslav territory. The head of the Russian parliamentary delegation, Nikolay Bezbirodov, said that the aim of the visit is to see for themselves the situation in Yugoslavia and the developments in Bosnia, and thus enable the lower house of the Russian parliament to make objective and principled decisions. Bezbirodov, who is deputy chairman of the parliamentary Defence Committee, said that he lower house is aware that the sanctions should be lifted and that they do not contribute to the resolution of the crisis in ex-Yugoslav territory. He said that the lower house is opposed to the use of military power in the settlement of the Bosnian crisis and that all conflicts should be resolved through negotiations, in a peaceful way. The Russian delegation also met with the Speaker of the Yugoslav Parliament's lower house, Radoman Bozovic, who said that peace in Bosnia should be established immediately along the separation lines and then that all international institutions should be engaged to take part in political talks on all open issues. He said that the peace process requires the objective and equal treatment of the Serb people, on the same footing as all the other warring sides. Pointing out that it is senseless to further maintain the sanctions against Yugoslavia, the Russian delegation said that a legal project on their lifting had been drafted in the lower house, but that the procedure had been halted for the present due to the deterioration of the situation in Gorazde. |
FBIS4-9297_4 | Government, Police Said Tapping Telephones | operational scrutiny" goes to a hotel, then through collaboration between the police and the desk clerk, he is sent to a room that is permanently bugged. Usually between eight and 10 rooms are bugged in the larger hotels. One of the hotel rooms is always "at the service" of the police, and that is the location of the "operative" who listens in and tapes conversations of the person or persons in whom the police are interested. Policemen, depending on the need, also know how to install a hidden camera. They may use three methods at the same time: monitoring the telephone conversations, bugging the rooms, and tailing. The bugging of a room is defeated most easily by turning on the radio or TV, and turning on a water faucet has also proved an effective means of defense. In any case, all the observations of the police, reports, taped conversations, and so on are coded separately and put in the same file. The first and last name of the "suspect" are never used as the code. So, the person, the facility, and the measure (eavesdropping or tailing), the action, and the file itself are given separate codes. The Montenegrin SDB also monitors and records telephone conversations on behalf of the KOS [counterintelligence service]. Although by law the KOS, our sources say, is required to file a request, order and decision of the Montenegrin MUP [Ministry of Internal Affairs] for such "services," eavesdropping is done on no more basis than a verbal agreement between the heads of these two agencies. The equipment which the Montenegrin MUP has for monitoring telephone conversations is nevertheless not quite as good as what the Serbian MUP has. That is, the Serbian SDB has the "5001" system, which is the most up-to-date and was purchased from the French, Germans, and English. This system allows 50 telephones to be monitored from a single point. The system also allows computer monitoring of a particular subscriber in that it prints out data on all the numbers called. This system can also block a large number of telephone lines at the same time, normally if the "security people" judge that certain people should be prevented from contacting one another by telephone. A journalist of POLITIKA has expressed the opinion that "whoever has this equipment in his hands has control of the country." Who Is Monitored? The Montenegrin police regularly follow all |
FBIS4-9301_0 | Rugova Discusses Troop Movements, Bosnia Talks | BFN [Unattributed report: "From President Rugova's Press Conference" -- issued by the Democratic League of Kosova] [Text] "The past week was characterized by harsh Serbian terror, so that it is very difficult to give exact figures of the victims subjected to this repression, which has been taking place for several years in Kosova," president of the republic of Kosova, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said speaking to reporter today in Prishtina [words indistinct] places throughout Kosova, he said. Imer Bala, a member of the Kosova Parliament, [words indistinct] because arms were requested from him, President Rugova added. Dr. Rugova told the reporters that military movements have been reported along the border with Albania in Vermnica village and elsewhere. He also said that additional military units had been deployed in Dragash, a town bordering on Albania. President Rugova expressed his sympathy on the killing by the Serbian border guards of two Albanian citizens last week. "They were unarmed. It means that the border between Kosova and Albania continues to be the last `Berlin Wall,' a very dangerous wall in Europe," he said. The persecution of the Albanian political activists continues unabated, said Dr. Rugova and mentioned the beginning of an another framed political process against 14 Albanians, which like the previous ones is aimed at discrediting the peaceful movement of the Kosova Albanians. Continuing, President Rugova called on the international community to take into consideration the very grave situation in Kosova which may escalate. He condemned the ill-treatment of Ms Adelheid Felicke-Tiemann, a journalist with the "Deutsche Welle." She was ill-treated by the police while in Kosova. Commenting on the latest developments in Gorazde, President Rugova said it was a tragedy and the international institutions should act more decisively to halt it. "If violence and aggression are legalized in Bosnia, many problems will emerge in the Balkans and Europe." President Rugova hailed President Clinton's plan on wider intervention in Bosnia, and expressed hope that the international community would do everything to prevent the tragedy and [passage indistinct]. If a summit on the highest level, USA-EU [words indistinct] definitely included in the talks and solution, as Kosova was part of former Yugoslav federation, a federal unit equal to other federal units," President Rugova remarked. Ending his observations, President Rugova reiterated his call for an international protection in Kosova. President Rugova replied to many questions put by journalists. |
FBIS4-9319_0 | Aid Organization: 535 Killed in Gorazde | BFN [Text] Paris, April 22 (AFP) -- The Bosnian Serb offensive against Gorazde has killed 535 people and wounded 1,740 of the Moslem enclave's population since it began March 29, the charity Medecins Sans Frontieres [MSF] said Friday [22 April]. This was an increase from Thursday's figures of 436 dead and 1,467 wounded, the organization said, adding that the number of children, women and old people killed and wounded continued to rise "dramatically." |
FBIS4-9344_1 | HDZ Denounces Breakaway Members in Address | and it gained momentum after the second general convention of the HDZ, held on 15 October 1993. Manolic and Mesic protested their deep dissatisfaction with decisions adopted with an overwhelming majority at the convention. Their objections referred to the new program envisaging the completion of the transformation of the HDZ from a Pan-Croatian democratic movement [opcehrvatski demokratski pokret] into a Pan-Croatian and all-people's party [opcehrvatska and opcenarodna stranka] which bases its democratic policy on the principles of Christian civilization. They expressed particular disapproval over the new party leaders and the HDZ presidium that was elected in a secret ballot at the convention. Over the past few months Manolic and Mesic were increasingly open in expressing their views that were contradictory to those of the HDZ leadership, the president of the republic, and the prime minister in all important issues concerning internal and foreign policy. Through their separate political activity and the initiative to launch a new party, Manolic and Mesic continued and deepened the work of those from the opposition and from abroad -- the letter of the six and the Initiative Circle -- who called for a change in the constitutional order, the resignation of the president of the republic, and early elections. Considering the circumstances in the internal and international spheres, there can be no doubt as to the intentions and consequences of such activity. The attempt to cause a parliamentary and constitutional crisis, and especially the discrediting of the state policy of the president of the republic did not and cannot aim at anything other than the destabilization of the internal order and the weakening of the international position of democratic Croatia, and consequently the weakening of Croatia's negotiating positions in resolving the problem of the occupied Croatian areas, ending the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the realization of the Croat-Bosnian Muslim Federation and confederation, as well as in reaching economic and financial agreements with other countries. Naturally, respecting the constitutional and democratic rights of every citizen, the HDZ Presidium recognizes Manolic's and Mesic's right to hold differing views and form a separate party. However, the HDZ Presidium has not only the right, but also the obligation toward HDZ members and the Croatian public to present its view on their stances and activity, because this is not only an attempt to create a rift in the HDZ as a majority party, but also an attempt to change the |
FBIS4-9349_1 | `Text' of NATO Ultimatum to Bosnian Serbs | authorised under UN Security Council Resolutions 824, 836 and 844, noting also Security Council Resolution 913. 2. Reaffirmed its support for a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina and called for the intensification of the efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement; and in this context welcomed the coordination and close consultation between the United States, the Russian Federation, the United Nations and the European Union, with the aim of bringing together current diplomatic initiatives. 3. Reiterated its determination to carry out its previous decisions in support of UNPROFOR (UN Protection Force) as it carries out its overall mandate. 4. Demanded strict respect for the safety of UNPROFOR and other UN and relief agency personnel throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina and for the right of free access of all these personnel to UN-designated safe areas, and reaffirmed NATO's readiness to provide close air support in the event Bosnian Serb forces attack UNPROFOR or other UN and relief agency personnel throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina or forcibly interfere with the conduct of their mandate. 5. Responding to the request contained in the UN Secretary General's letter of 18th April; 6. Agreed that Bosnian Serb actions in and around the city of Gorazde meet the conditions in relation to civilian centres identified by NATO on 2nd August 1993 as grounds for air strikes. 7. Agreed that unless: a. Bosnian Serb attacks against the safe area of Gorazde (UN Security Council Resolution 824, Paragraph 3) immediately cease; b. Bosnian Serb forces pull back three kilometres from the centre (to be specifically identified forthwith by NATO military authorities in consultation with UNPROFOR) of the city by 0001 GMT on 24th April 1994; and c. From 0001 GMT on 24th April 1994 United Nations forces, humanitarian relief convoys and medical assistance teams are free to enter Gorazde unimpeded, and medical evacuations are permitted, CINCSOUTH (Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces in Southern Europe) is authorised to conduct air strikes against Bosnian Serb heavy weapons and other military targets within a 20 km radius of the centre of Gorazde (but inside the territory of Bosnia-Herzegovina) in accordance with the procedural arrangements worked out between NATO and UNPROFOR following the council's decisions of 2nd and 9th August 1993. 8. Called on the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina not to undertake offensive military action from within the safe area of Gorazde. 9. Invited the secretary general to inform the secretary general of the United Nations of this decision. |
FBIS4-9350_1 | Kontic Criticizes Western Policy on Gorazde | an offensive against Serb positions in late March. When the Moslems were threatened with military defeat, NATO bombed Serb positions around the town on April 10 and 11 allegedly to protect the local U.N. observers. Since this did not affect the situation on the front, NATO set another ultimatum to Serbs in Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday, this time that they withdraw to 3km from Gorazde by 00:01 GMT Sunday or be bombed (again). The bombing did not take place because Serbs from Bosnia-Herzegovina, under an agreement with head of the U.N. Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in former Yugoslavia Yasushi Akashi, started to withdraw, and around 200 peace-keepers have arrived in Gorazde and have begun their deployment in the buffer zone between Serb and Moslem forces. Assessing that the plan of the European Union (E.U.) on Bosnia-Herzegovina as a union of three ethnic republics had offered a real perspective for resolving the crisis quickly, Kontic said that Serbs had practically met all the Moslem demands, so that it had seemed that the solution was on the horizon. "And then the U.S. enforced the Moslem-Croat federation and the confederation with Croatia, without any participation of the Serbs, and at their expense in fact, because new concessions by the Serb side had been counted on," the Yugoslav prime minister said. In order to get Serbs to make these concessions, it was necessary to intimidate them with air strikes, or blacken them once again in the eyes of the world community and justify the siding against them, Kontic said. Commenting on the U.S. demands for the destruction of bridges and other forms of communication between the Serb Republic in former Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Yugoslav Republic of Serbia, Kontic assessed that such demands which come from extremist circles and individuals should not disturb Yugoslav citizens and cause their concern. "Even if this did take place, it would be an act of aggression on an independent and sovereign country and the answer would be unequivocal and clear. Yugoslavia has such a force that can be placed in the defence of the country at a moment's notice," the Yugoslav prime minister said. "The situation is monitored continually and measures are taken to protect our borders. That is why certain funds are earmarked for equipping the army with modern weapons and strengthening the country's defence even at this moment when the economic situation is very difficult," Kontic told Radio Kragujevac. |
FBIS4-9351_1 | Sainovic Criticizes Policy of `Ultimatums' | Montana international forum in Bucharest that the policy of pressures, ultimatums and punishing of Yugoslavia has been proved ineffective, inhuman and counter-productive. Such a policy only postpones a just solution to the lengthy crisis and widens the economic, social and cultural gap between the Balkans and the other parts of Europe thus providing a favourable terrain for longterm destabilization, Sainovic told today's session on the topic "Prospects for peace in the Balkans." Sainovic, who heads the Yugoslav delegation in Bucharest, said that the holding of the conference on the Yugoslav crisis depends on the fulfillment of three conditions: the equal treatment of all sides in the conflict, the abandoning of a policy of pressures and ultimatums, and the lifting of the sanctions against Yugoslavia. Sainovic recalled that the international sanctions against Yugoslavia, the first against a European country, represent the collective punishment of the entire population of a country and threaten some 60 [?million] refugees, of which 300,000 are children, and who found sanctuary in Yugoslavia. An enture nation has been denied the elementary and civilization rights: the right to health, education, culture, the freedom of movement and travel, and even the right to life, Sainovic said. The imposition of the sanctions against Yugoslavia only, represents the implementation of a policy of double standards which has no basis in democratic principles and can only be explained by the interests and revanschism of certain powers and states who have always had certain historic aspirations towards the Balkans, Sainovic said. The Balkans have dramatically been pushed into the spotlight of world public opinion and have become the stage for new divisions reflected in the disintegration of the former yugoslavia and the civil war in its territory, he said. Internal antagonisms and the in-advance prepared secessionist forces saw their chance in the changes in the balance of power in Europe and carried out the violent secession from an internationally recognized state and the founder of all major institutions of the international order, Sainovic said. The existing constitutional order has been disrupted, the universal principles of the Helsinki CSCE process violated and the rights of peoples who voted for the continuity of a joint state ignored, the Yugoslav vice-prime minister said. At this year's meeting of the Crans Montana forum, attended by some 1,000 prominent world figures, the Yugoslav delegation also includes Yugoslav Foreign Minister Vladislav Jovanovic and Serbian Minister Without Protfolio Dragan Tomic. |
FBIS4-9354_33 | `Text' of Policy Statement of Slovak Government | measures are inevitable to ward off an imminent collapse: -- to quantify and specify the justified demands of health care on the state budget for 1993 and determine the method of settling the liabilities of health care facilities, -- to find ways of alleviating the budget deficit in health care for 1994, -- to carry out changes in the existing system of payments for health services. Concurrently with the aforesaid inevitable measures, conditions will be established for systemic changes in key health care areas. In the sphere of financing health care and health insurance, the government will strive to establish conditions to financially secure the provision of basic health care, support the development of the Health Insurance Fund, and secure its independent operation. The system of assessing the value of health services introduced as of 1 October 1993 will have to be replaced by a new solution that will be more effective, simpler, less demanding administratively, and less costly. The new system will have to be prepared in a differentiated way, separately for individual types of health care providers. In the near future, we will put forward draft laws on health care and on the protection of people's health. Following up on the passage of the law on the protection of people's health, we will ensure in organizational terms the transformation of the institutes of public health and epidemiology into state health institutes. The government will update the National Health Support Program. We will continue to privatize health care facilities, using publicly controllable criteria. In the course of April we will ensure the drafting and publication of conditions for the privatization of pharmacies and health spas. Changes in ownership must not jeopardize the therapeutic functions of natural springs and spas. A majority participation by the state in the privatization of key spa facilities is foreseen. By the end of June 1994, we will prepare documents for the privatization of primary health care establishments. The government will work out an analysis of the present state and structure of health care establishments. In implementing structural changes, it will cooperate with the appropriate regional bodies of state administration involved in health care. In connection with the implementation of essential changes to the existing system of payments for health services, the government will establish conditions for a solution to the wage conditions of health care employees. The government will ensure the drafting of a |
FBIS4-9354_47 | `Text' of Policy Statement of Slovak Government | work of the government administration, and change the style of the government's work. We will support all efforts aimed at improving the quality of the activity of courts and at effectively enforcing their independent operation and status as well as their professional ethics. The government will continue to implement the concept of stabilizing the judiciary of the Slovak Republic that was approved by the National Council of the Slovak Republic. By means of legislative proposals and organizational and financial measures, it will establish conditions for improving the quality and effective exertion of independent judicial power as an essential and equal branch of power in a democratic state based on the rule of law. Amending and recodifying [rekodifikacia] laws pertaining to the judiciary will represent an organic part of purposeful steps leading toward the completion of the democratic legal system. The government will submit the draft principles of laws on judges, the state administration of courts, and court executors, as well as a draft law that changes and amends the law on courts and judges. The government regards as particularly important the preparation of the draft principles of recodifying the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. We want to continue creating conditions for establishing the office of the Slovak Republic's legal representative for proceedings before the European Commission for Human Rights and the European Court for Human Rights in Strasbourg. The government will seek to further raise the functionality of local state administration and self-administrative bodies, strengthen their powers, and de-politicize local state administration. It will reassess the time frame for the implementation of the reform of public administration and the reform of the Slovak Republic's territorial and administrative division. In implementing reform in public administration, we will devote special attention to the rational structure of local state administration bodies, to the devolution of powers from state administration to local self-administrative bodies, to the formation of self-administration in higher-level territorial entities, and to the problem of financial flows in this area. The sequence of pragmatic solutions will be determined so as to guarantee their continuity and so that it results in the proposal for a new territorial and administrative division of the Slovak Republic. In implementing legal policy, the government will proceed from the long-term program of the Slovak Republic in combating crime, including effective prevention. It will complete the institutional framework for crime prevention within individual government departments. |
FBIS4-9358_4 | Party Leaders Comment on Election Prospects Green Party Chairman Zoltan Medveczki | Turtles, and McDonald's." How does a political party fight against prostitution, homosexuality, and an immoral way of life? [Medveczki] We would inform the people that there would be no need for prostitution with an adequate sexual culture. Prostitution and homosexuality are the hotbed of AIDS. However, these monstrosities are constantly advertised in Hungary. No children will be born from a relationship between two homosexuals, and we would not like to see the Hungarian nation disappear from the Carpathian Basin. [Gal] I think this violates human rights and also the Constitution of the Hungarian Republic. [Medveczki] If the homosexuals start thinking, they will realize that we are also fighting for them by strengthening the role of the family with our positive advertisements. We Green men like women, and the Green women like men. [Gal] The MZP also set up a police group and a defense commando unit. What for? [Medveczki] We will defend not only others, but also ourselves against those who attack us. [Gal] A commando unit attacks, it does not defend. [Medveczki] The condition of acceptance in this unit is a basic knowledge of aikido. This combat sport uses the attack energy for defense. If you want to hit me, I will not kick your head off, I will only defend myself. Besides, this commando unit has various tasks. We will have to face tremendous catastrophes in the near future, and this might urge people to blow up the nuclear power stations. The life defense commando unit would find these people and neutralize them. [Gal] You also declared war on the so-called neo-Zionism. What is that? [Medveczki] More correctly, it is pseudo-Zionism. We would like the Arab-Israeli conflict to end. Both Jews and Arabs should be informed that they are not the ones who confront each other in this conflict; those who are inciting this war are the ones that confront each other. [Gal] People find several similarities between the symbol of the MZP and the Nazi symbol. [Medveczki] I would suggest those who judge our party on the basis of such outside appearances to try to use this on the United States or the FTC [a Budapest soccer club], because these two organizations also have the same eagle in their symbol. It is strange that the orange used by the Federation of Young Democrats in their advertisements does not bother anyone, although the orange is a non-Hungarian fruit. |
FBIS4-9359_3 | Party Views on Border, Minority Issues Noted | when drawing up this section. ``The Fidesz urges the signing of basic treaties with the neighboring countries as a culmination of good-neighborly relations. However, it is important to establish a system of diverse bilateral agreements because, without these, the basic treaty would be a formal act without any content.'' Gyula Thurmer, Workers Party: "The Workers Party wishes to base our relations with the neighboring countries on three pillars. We are offering a treaty in which we first declare that we do not want to change the borders. Second, we mutually ensure the rights of national minorities in accordance with the European norms and the possibilities of the affected countries. Third, we put down in writing that we cooperate in all areas." Gyorgy Janosi, Hungarian Socialist Party: "It is expedient to sign the basic treaty with Slovakia and Romania as soon as possible. In the documents, the current borders have to be confirmed, and the guaranteeing of national minority rights in accordance with the European norms has to be stipulated. After the the South Slav crisis is settled, we will immediately have to begin placing our relations with Yugoslavia and Serbia on new foundations. Using the opportunities that will arise from signing the basic treaties, we further have to expand our relations with Croatia, Slovenia, and Ukraine. Also bearing Hungary's security policy interests in mind, there is no alternative to historical reconciliation." Marica Korondy, Mrs. Balla, Independent Smallholders Party [FKGP]: "According to the FKGP's foreign policy program, the Hungarian Republic has to observe the Helsinki Final Act that was also signed by the Hungarian Government. Hungary is not intending to change the borders, and it sees Central and Eastern Europe's stability and security in recognizing the region's national minorities as political entities. It is unnecessary to surrender our future rights in the basic treaties with the neighboring countries. At the wish of the Hungarians in the neighboring countries who were forced into a minority situation as a result of the Paris peace system, a system of viable autonomies has to be established, and this way, the transparency of borders can be achieved when the border issues will no longer need to be raised." Zoltan Kiraly, Social Democratic Party of Hungary [MSZDP]: "If the MSZDP gets into a position to make decisions, then it would be willing to lay down the unchangeability of the current borders in basic treaties with neighboring countries." |
FBIS4-9362_1 | Melescanu Views Improving Bulgarian Relations | cooperation with Romania, which for us will lead to an increase in foreign investments and support from the international financial organizations. [Gotev] How do you view the prospects for the development of Bulgarian-Romanian relations, which includes taking joint foreign policy initiatives in the Balkans and the Black Sea zone? [Melescanu] Romania ascribes particular importance to comprehensively developing its relations with Bulgaria. No disputed or unresolved problems remain between our countries. Since 1990, Romanian-Bulgarian cooperation has been progressing positively in all fields. Despite the fact that we have no top-level official contacts for one year, I am sure that the relations of cooperation and good-neighborliness between Romania and Bulgaria will continue to advance further in the interest of both countries, so as to provide a model of stability in the Balkans. At the same time, I think that Romania and Bulgaria should actively cooperate in formulating a coordinated foreign policy line for cooperation in the Balkans and the Black Sea zone. Our country will use every occasion to hold consultations with Bulgaria with a view to adopting decisions to the benefit of stability, trust, and prosperity in our region. [Gotev] Where do Romania's preferences lie: toward the European alternative, or toward affiliation to the Balkan Orthodox region? [Melescanu] The point of European and Euro-Atlantic integration is precisely to develop a united, stable, democratic, and prosperous Europe. As far as the Central and Eastern European countries are concerned, this is the only way to confirm and consolidate their national, political, economic, and security interests. It is evident that regional and sub regional cooperation has a very important part to play within the all-European architectural framework. Projects such as the Central European initiative, Black Sea economic cooperation, and Balkan cooperation when the tragic Bosnian conflict ends are a necessary complement to the our state's efforts toward European integration. The tracing of new lines of demarcation in Europe, whether based on ethnic, religious, economic, or security criteria, may become a risk factor for our continent's stability. Romania has constantly and firmly spoken out for averting such artificial barriers, which can only become substitutes for the ideological barriers with which we are so familiar. [Gotev] What priorities does Romanian diplomacy have for 1994? [Melescanu] Our priorities may be defined as lying in three complementary directions. First, we want to continue the process of integration with the political, economic, and security structures of Europe and the |
FBIS4-9374_0 | Dimitrov Supports NATO in Former Yugoslavia | BFN [Interview with Filip Dimitrov, chairman of the National Coordinating Council of the Union of Democratic Forces [SDS], by Neli Koleva in Sofia on 15 April: "Only International Organizations Can Stop the Yugoslav Conflict From Spreading"] [Text] [Koleva] In the course of today's debates on the permission that parliament was asked to grant for the transit of UN property through our territory, you mentioned the danger of military expansion that Bulgaria faces, against which only membership in the United Nations and NATO could provide any guarantee. Does such a danger really exist, and from where will it come, in your view? [Dimitrov] Everyone is well aware that since the conflict began in Yugoslavia, risks exist for Kosovo, for Macedonia, and hence for Bulgaria as well. This is why my lips are tired of repeating that intervention by international organizations and effective groups that can really achieve something, namely NATO, is necessary. I have been repeating this since 1991 and have been saying it almost daily since the conflict broke out in Bosnia. In the final event, thank God, it turned out that the policy followed by the SDS government was a sensible one. We recognized the [former Yugoslav] republics, following which others recognized them as well, thus demonstrating that this is the way to prevent the conflict. We have been attacked for recognizing Macedonia [The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia -- FYROM], but, in the end, everyone recognized this republic because they realized that this is the only sensible way to guarantee tranquillity. Our government wanted blue helmets and observers to be sent to the FYROM, and the FYROM got them because this is the way to guarantee that there will be no expansion of the conflict. Naturally, these actions are being carried out because everyone realizes that it cannot be excluded that an unpredictable communist regime like Milosevic's may do anything. If it does something that leads to an expansion of the conflict, there is a very big risk of that our Bulgarian home will be set on fire. Bearing in mind these dangers, which are not immediate at the moment, we should do everything within our powers to ward off this possibility. I am glad that the NATO forces are in [the former] Yugoslavia. They are a guarantee that any such expansion will be checked. [Koleva] Can we regard the stance adopted by the SDS parliamentary group today |
FBIS4-9377_1 | Attitudes of Electorate Toward Voting Viewed | low turnout in a recent parliamentary by-election in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) prompted a team of journalists from the Skopje daily VECER to conduct a survey on the public's attitude toward voting in the general elections scheduled for November. The results of the poll were published in the 31 March issue of VECER on pages 4 and 5. The journalists interviewed 200 people, half of them Skopje residents and the remainder residents of 10 other towns in Macedonia, asking two questions: -- Will you vote in the November elections (with the predetermined responses: yes, no, and do not know); -- Why (with a few answers mentioned but no overall results given). The interviews were conducted partly by telephone and partly face-to-face. VECER claims that it followed "appropriate methods" to assure that the respondents were chosen "accidentally" and remained anonymous. The responses to the first question are broken down by ethnic group: Macedonian, Albanian, and other (Turks, Serbs, Romanies, and so forth), and by gender. VECER provided no further information on methodology, nor was the margin of error supplied. Anticipating Turnout According to VECER, voter turnout in Macedonia's first multiparty elections in 1990 was about 84 percent. Noting that voter turnout can change dramatically and that it is thus too early to predict voter turnout in November, VECER recalls that in the first round of the by-election, which was held on 20 March, 46 percent of those eligible voted, but that in a subsequent survey 54 percent indicated they would vote in a 3 April runoff round. VECER promised to sample the mood of the electorate periodically. With respect to the November elections, VECER found that 73 percent of those surveyed planned to vote, with only 13.5 percent saying they would not vote and an equal percentage uncertain. People between 35 and 45 years of age were the most inclined to vote, as were those with a secondary or higher education, 77 percent of whom intended to vote--compared to only 36 percent of those with a primary school education. Gender was also salient: 81 percent of the men surveyed intended to vote, compared to 59 percent of the women. The breakdown by ethnic groups is shown in the table below: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |Will Vote |Will Not Vote |Undecided | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Macedonians |75 |9 |16 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Albanians |72 |23 |5 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Others |63 |23 |14 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
FBIS4-9396_0 | Simic: Air Strikes Set `Dangerous Precedent' | BFN ["Pool" item] [Text] Belgrade, April 22 (TANJUG) -- Yugoslav Vice-Premier Zeljko Simic said on Friday that the international community had set a dangerous precedent by raiding Bosnian Serb positions at the eastern Bosnian Moslem enclave of Gorazde, which might have incalculable consequences for the future of international relations and the shape of the new world order. Simic, who chairs the committee for monitoring the International Conference on Former Yugoslavia, was speaking at a meeting with a delegation of the Russian State Duma (lower house of the Russian parliament), headed by Nikolay Bezbyrodov, deputy chairman of the parliamentary defence commitee, said a statement released by the Yugoslav Information Ministry. Simic briefed the Russian delegation about the Yugoslav Government's positions in the light of the latest developments in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and said that Yugoslavia (Serbia/Montenegro) had been cooperative and flexible from the very outbreak of the crisis in the region, which means that accusations against its foreign policy orientation are groundless, and most often malicious. The Yugoslav Government has always aspired to an unbiased and objective view of all aspects of the crisis in former Yugoslavia, as the only way for reaching a just and lasting settlement of the two-year-old crisis, simic said and added that the government would never abandon the democratic principles of safeguarding the sovereignty of the country and the freedom of its people. Simic placed special stress on the unsuitability of sanctions and the need for banishing them permanently from international relations. The U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions on Yugoslavia in May 1992 for the country's alleged military involvement in civil war in neighbouring Bosnia-Herzegovina, and has tightened them twice since. Simic stressed that Russia's role had been and continued to be of great importance to Yugoslavia and the future of the world. Without the active, peace-making role of Russia, which justly insists on talks as the only mode of international communication likely to produce lasting peace and stable relations in the region, it is impossible to imagine a satisfactory outcome of the civil war and relaxation of tensions in the region. This is why all international factors must embrace the Russian approach, which is unbiased, heeds the political reality and strives for a comprehensive settlement of the conflict in the territory of former Bosnia-Herzegovina, simic said. He added that lasting and immediate peace was a necessary precondition for all talks and political consultations, whose outcome must not |
FBIS4-9397_0 | Impact of Sanctions on Income Viewed | BFN [Text] Belgrade, April 25 (TANJUG) -- The biggest measurable damage to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the international sanctions is the drop in the national income from 3,000 dollars to 700-900 dollars per capita, Dr. Oskar Kovac told TANJUG on Monday. The prominent economist is a member of a team of experts charged with estimating the damage to the Yugoslav economy since the imposition of the sanctions in May 30, 1992 which caused a drop in the production, a halt of export-import activities, rising unemployment and lower living standards. "The idea on a conference on the economic revival of the former Yugoslavia, recently proposed by U.N. Secretary General Butrus Butrus-Ghali, has only spurred the Yugoslav experts to step up their efforts to estimate the scope of the damage," Kovac said. The former Yugoslav republics have intensified their efforts to estimate the war damage, either independently or with the aid of world experts, he said. Yugoslavia has suffered damages both due to the sanctions and the disintegration of the former Yugoslav Federation which started in 1991 with the violent secession of Slovenia and Croatia. The experts will determine in what measure the sanctions affected the reduction of the social product, which recorded a drop from 23,399 million dollars to 9,520 million dollars in the 1990-93 period. The marked decrease began in 1991 with a 11 percent drop compared to 1990, and 26 percent in 1992. In 1993, this figure was 30.3 percent. In view of the fact that in the 1986-90 period the Yugoslav social product recorded an average annual drop of 1.2 percent, it is clear that the drastic fall is the result of the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia and the introduction of the E.C. and U.N. Security Council sanctions. Much of the damage will be difficult to measure, while a part will become apparent only after the sanctions are lifted when potential losses of commercial banks surface. |
FBIS4-9422_0 | Ethnic Hungarian Involved in 1989 Violence Free | BFN [Report by Bogdana Paun: "One More Ethnic Hungarian Sentenced to Prison After the 1989 December Events To Be Released"] [Text] Yesterday in Alba Iulia another court session took place in the litigation initiated after the presidential decree pardoning eight ethnic Hungarians who were sentenced to long prison terms for their involvement in the December 1989 events [crimes against policemen] was overruled [by the local court of justice] in three cases. The court ruled that Mihaly Balint, of Cristuru Secuiesc, should be released from jail. He is to leave prison within the next three days, during which the formalities will be completed. Otherwise he would have had to serve three more months of imprisonment. The other two detainees did not benefit from a similar court ruling. Over the next few days they will appeal the ruling at the Supreme Court of Justice. The argumentation of the [negative] ruling says that one of them participated in an attempt to break out of prison, while the other had committed a crime that was too serious for him to be pardoned. "This is an anomaly. First because in the prison logbook there is no word about any attempted breakout, and second because other persons who have meanwhile already been freed were sentenced for the same things," Bela Marko, chairman of UDMR [Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania] told us. |
FBIS4-9423_11 | Military Potential of Croat-Muslim Union Viewed | license, and they were also planning to produce the AT-4. Before the war they produced the Strela 2-M light portable antiaircraft system, and production under license of the Igla antiaircraft system, which is also light, was also being prepared. The Lightning air-to-surface 128-mm missiles, which are not guided, and the BR-1 57-mm rocket launcher are also made in Valjevo. The Serbs Have No More Money! According to unverified information, rockets for the Plamen, Oganj, and Orkan multiple-barrel rocket launchers are also made there. At Lucani near Cacak all types of infantry ammunition are made at Prvi Partizan, and gunpowder for infantry ammunition in the plants of Milan Blagojevic. Prva Iskra of Baric is the main producer of rocket propellant. The Serbian military factory in Bosnia with the largest capacity is in the UNIS plants in Vogosca, where all types and calibers of artillery ammunition are produced. According to foreign sources, the Serbs have managed to restore production and repair of 100- and 125-mm tank cannon and also the repair of all types of artillery pieces. A recent brief communique of the Supreme National Defense Council stated that only priority activities of vital important to defense of the country would be financed to meet the needs of the army, and salaries and pensions of military personnel would be paid. All capital investments and new projects are being halted. And the recent strike of workers in the special-purpose section of Crvena Zastava has shown that it will be difficult for Milosevic to fulfill his promise that the Kragujevac factories will operate even on three shifts if necessary. By late 1993 total Serbian industrial output had fallen to only 30 percent of its prewar level. Half of this consisted of wartime production to meet the needs of preserving the territory conquered in Croatia and Bosnia and Hercegovina. Although their effect has been gradual, the sanctions have been having a disastrous impact, even on the Serbian military industry. The miserly salaries, insufficient even for survival, have resulted in large-scale departure of highly trained personnel, mainly to countries overseas. Specialists in the numerous military engineering institutes and factories have joined the people with an engineering education. Another important process is halting the development of projects which were almost finalized and the suspension of investments to develop new armament technology. Serbia simply no longer has the money for that. The immense amount of military-technical documentation stored |
FBIS4-9426_4 | Gligorov on Greek Dispute, Kosovo Dangers | in the Balkans where everything is mixed up in great confusion symbols take on very great significance. But many of our symbols in this region are common property, and I think that it is important that in the future we should view with tolerance and understanding the symbols as common property. The Greek antique culture is part of the cultural legacy of the whole of mankind. If the heated atmosphere in Greece continues and national frustrations remain as they are now it will be impossible to find a solution," Kiro Gligorov said, stressing that Macedonia is the only republic which has left the former Yugoslavia without acts of hostility as a result. "Instead of always talking about Macedonia as a powder keg which could explode any minute, Macedonia should be seen as fundamental pillar of peace and stability in the Balkans. Despite all the warnings and threat scenarios we have succeeded in creating a stable and peaceful society. If this had NOT happened, the war in Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina would have spread south and would have created an all-embracing Balkan war," said Kiro Gligorov, who thinks that the biggest external danger to Macedonia is an explosion of the tense situation in Albanian-dominated Serbian province of Kosovo. If it comes to violent clashes between Kosovo Albanians and the Serbian authorities, this could trigger a flood of refugees to the south which could threaten stability in Macedonia where there exists a very fine and difficult ethnic balance between the Macedonian majority and the large Albanian minority. In such a situation President Gligorov would expect the countries of the West to help by taking the perhaps several hundreds of thousands of Kosovo Albanian refugees. "There is a danger of a destabilization of Macedonia in the event of a conflict in Kosovo, and in such a situation the refugee problem would probably be dramatic. As a small, poor country we will not be in a position to accept a very large number of these refugees, quite simply because we cannot create a life for them here and because we would not be able to guarantee our own internal stability. Our task in such a situation would therefore be to collect the refugees at the border and have them transported on to countries which have a better chance of taking them on and where there is no political danger involved in accepting these refugees." |
FBIS4-9430_3 | Klaus Discusses Political Ideology, Trends | the GDP in the private sector, is a painless and idyllic social activity in which only the best and most honest have succeeded. Unfortunately. However, I cannot imagine this process being carried out in a more rational way. Of course, it was possible to postpone and slow down privatization. I am convinced, however, that the price we would have to have paid for this delay would have been infinitely higher. This is clear to see in many postcommunist countries, where, as a consequence of hesitation, there has been so-called spontaneous privatization and the results are now far worse. There is speculation concerning the social groups in our country from which successful businessmen recruit. I have to say, however, that nothing can be done about this at the moment. These people either have the ability of innovators or not. The state can do nothing for them. The "Heroes of Our Time" in the economic sphere are not the state's civil servants, planners, or ministers. The "Heroes of Our Time" are the entrepreneurs, managers, and businessmen who come up with the ideas, whether these concern a new enterprise, product, or technology. [REFLEX] Many people voted for you because they felt you have a clear vision of society's further development. Are you not now concerned, when many people are abandoning the icebreaker, and mundane problems, including the endless coalition disputes, are cropping up that this vision is being lost from sight? [Klaus] I would not confuse the clear vision of society's development and the everyday political squabbles within the coalition. The vision is something infinitely more profound, and the political level only forms a small part of it. Therefore, I do not believe that our citizens are losing this vision. Nothing I see around me bears this out. The period of more subtle conflict among the ideas about the future is just beginning. This is natural in a pluralist society. In 1990, the main conflict was between visions of East and West. The basic slogan of these elections was "Back to Europe." Now this slogan is trivial. Everyone, so to speak, can ascribe to it. People have matured so much that they are able to ask supplementary questions. We are no longer asking if there should be a market or planned economy here, but we are dealing with how interventionist the market economy should be, how it should be regulated, and how socially |
FBIS4-9433_1 | Further Reportage on Crans Montana Forum Nastase on Peace in Balkans | in the Balkans gave the speaker of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies, Adrian Nastase the opportunity to say: "I think that the theme we are discussing today at the forum is now topical not only for Bucharest, but for all capitals of the world. Listing the factors that keep the Balkans under pressure he named the troubled historical past of the region, the large number of minorities coexisting for centuries in its area, the communist totalitarian regimes that concealed the smoldering tensions without solving their causes, as well as factors extraneous to the region, such as power interests. What should be avoided in this particularly complex social and political background is the domino effect, he suggested. "We must not allow the Yugoslav conflict to spread to other places, so as equally dangerous would be the involvement of the great powers in this conflict." "The Yugoslav crisis has already put international and world organizations to a severe test, (United Nations, CSCE, NATO and West European Union). They have some merit in keeping the conflict under control, but have also displayed serious limitations of their capacity to settle the conflict." Speaking of the risk factors in the Balkans, yet without ignoring those that prompt the optimistic approach, the speaker of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies commended the political and diplomatic efforts of the United States and Russia, which have led to many important results. Adrian Nastase also referred to Romania as a Central-European country, as a state that could become an important center of stability in the Balkans. "We have a considerable economic and military potential if compared to other states in this region, and what is more important, we cherish the strong desire of contributing to the diplomatic settlement of the conflict." In Mr. Nastase's view, the steps to be taken towards normality should be the fortification of democracy and market economies in all Balkan states, the development of concrete joint cooperation projects regarding their common future, a close cooperation between the Black Sea riparian countries, a similar scheme among Danubian countries provided the embargo against Yugoslavia is ended, the association to regional or sub-regional cooperation structures of the newly emerged entities in the ex-Yugoslav space, and, of no less importance, the initiation of an international conference for a scrutiny of all these issues with the purpose of coming up with ideas for new projects on peace prospects in the Balkans. |
FBIS4-9434_0 | Further Reportage on Crans Montana Forum Participants View Balkan Issues | BFN [Text] Bucharest, ROMPRES, 23/4/1994 -- Further to the dialogue started on the first day of the Crans Montana Forum, the plenum session of Friday, 22 April, brought together important personalities to discuss about prospects of peace in the Balkans. The session was chaired by the speaker of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies, Adrian Nastase. The presidium included Deputy Prime minister of the Yugoslav Federal Government Nikola Sainovic, Bosnian Foreign Minister Irfan Ljubijankic, Croatia's First Deputy Foreign Minister Ivo Sanader, Albanian Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi, Russian Deputy Speaker Mikhail Mitiukov [name as received], and Romania's Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu, who all presented their countries' points of view on the situation in former Yugoslavia. They pointed out at the impact the Bosnian conflict is having on the Balkans and at some of the ways that could help settle the crisis. The Yugoslav Federation's viewpoint was that the policy of pressure, ultimatum, sanctions and punishment for Serbia and Montenegro was not only inefficient and inhuman, but even counterproductive, with negative effects both on the Balkans and on Europe. "There is no alternative to achieve peace, outside negotiations, compromise and equal treatment for all the conflicting parties." Nikola Saimovic said, and demanded the immediate cease of hostilities on the territory of Bosnia-Herzegovina, as the only chance to reach a compromise for peace. Bosnia's representative said his country wanted peace, but would never accept the dictate. He requested Europe to wake up and commit itself more firmly in the crisis so as to protect Bosnia against "the imperial ambitions of great Serbia." Recalling the recent signing in Washington of a document for the establishment of a Croatian-Muslim confederation, Croatia's representatives said that this enabled the settlement of a stable peace between Bosnia and Croatia, and expressed his country's readiness to normalize relations with the Yugoslav side. Ivo Sanader pleaded for a new concept in the Balkans: "Scandinavisation", as symbol of stability. Albania's foreign minister demanded that reprisals against Albanians in the Kosovo region be stopped and the province placed under international guarantees "to avoid having a new Bosnia-Herzegovina." Russian Federation envoy Mitiukov reiterated his country's option for a negotiated settlement of the Yugoslav issue, and proposed an international conference be called for the purpose. Concluding the debates, Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu stressed Romania's major interest that the Yugoslav conflict were solved peacefully, and demonstrated the baleful consequences the embargo against Yugoslavia has had |
FBIS4-9437_0 | Further Reportage on Crans Montana Forum Iliescu on Middle East, Yugoslavia | BFN [Text] Bucharest ROMPRES, 24/4/1994 -- After the final session of the Crans Montana Forum conference in Bucharest, Romanian President Ion Iliescu commented for ROMPRES the problems of the Middle East and the conflict in former Yugoslavia from the perspective of the relevant contacts during the conference. The works of the Crans Montana Forum conference in Bucharest have offered the opportunity for a useful meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister Shim'on Peres and PLO Leader Yasir 'Arafat and have increased the chances for peace in one of the most blood-stained zones of the world, said President Ion Iliescu. To a question whether the contacts among the sides of the conflict in former Yugoslavia were bringing hopes as much encouraging, the Romanian president underlined the fact that Bucharest had enabled the Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian representatives to get informed with the opinions of the international community about this conflict but also to have contacts meant to get closer the divergent views. "I had contacts with Yugoslav Foreign Minister Vladislav Jovanovic, with the president of the Parliament of Croatia, Stipe Mesic and with the foreign minister of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Irfan Ljubijankic. I have convinced myself that this conflict is not an ethnic conflict and I have made all the efforts to convince the sides to sit at the negotiations table. I have succeeded to ease way for contacts, except for Stipe Mesic who said he had no mandate to meet Jovanovic. The mere fact that part of the players on the Yugoslav scene have meet and discussed is a gain facilitated by Bucharest for the cause of peace in former Yugoslavia," said President Iliescu. |
FBIS4-9438_1 | Concern Voiced Over `West Europeanization' | reason, then, I have decided to adopt the term suggested by Michelle Bertelli: "Not Western Europe." The difficulty of locating Eastern Europe on a map these days--does any country now identify itself as East European?--leads me to suspect that "Europe" itself is merely the figment of our political imagination. But "Western Europe" anyway does seem to have a real meaning, even if the West European identity, too, is vague in places. So I hope this is enough to explain my title. What I want to analyze is the spread of the political culture of Western Europe to countries formerly under Soviet Marxist-Leninist, Titoist, Hoxhaist and other so-called "socialist" regimes. As a resident of the Czech Republic and a visitor to Slovenia, I am struck by the fact that these two countries both now look like very good candidates for integration into Western Europe at an early date. This naturally leads to self-satisfied self-congratulation from the populations, and also maybe some envy from neighboring states. But apart from these emotional reactions--and I would say that most of the political rhetoric we hear about "peace," "security," "democracy" and so on is in reality merely emotional--perhaps we can suggest some objective reasons why this might be the case, and this will then help us to understand some larger issues. There are, I think, three factors that link the Czech Republic and Slovenia. The first is the preservation of the broadly liberal intellectual habits of the professional people in society; the second is a more or less homogeneous population (in terms of national self-identification, anyway); and the third is the existence of appropriate borders isolating that population from neighboring groups. First, the intellectual culture. It should be obvious to anyone with the smallest knowledge of "Not Western Europe" that only a few people had any serious involvement in its political structures. While many people felt compelled to use Party jargon, and maybe attend some "political" social and sporting events, most people simply tried to get on with their lives and pursued private interests. For educated, professional people, these interests were reading, writing, playing chess or a musical instrument, visiting the theater, the ballet or the opera--the kind of intellectual interests, in fact, that sadly have decayed in the West. Now, these people, who are mostly still just trying to get on with their lives and struggling to make sense of the chaos of transition, |
FBIS4-9438_7 | Concern Voiced Over `West Europeanization' | of whom are certainly not living as Estonians, but still enjoy the vodka-and-misery lifestyle of the dear old USSR. If we want to find another country to put somewhere near the top of the list, Poland looks like a good bet. Its population is pretty much homogeneous, but it doesn't quite fulfill the border requirement, since a significant number of Poles reside in neighboring countries. This problem is most serious in Lithuania; but while this makes Polish-Lithuanian relations a bit sticky it does not actually create any serious international difficulties for Poland. By the same logic, we could put Hungary and Albania on the list, but significantly lower down, because of the difficulties experienced by Hungarians and Albanians living in other states. Readers will be able to fill in the names of whatever other states they may be interested in. What are the consequences of this analysis for practical policy? Let's take a look at two other countries with extremely serious and difficult problems: the Russian Federation and the rump Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). It is quite clear that these tow countries at present fail to fulfill our three criteria, and by wide margins. In the case of Russia, though, I think we must still be patient, since it is still in a phase of transition, and the wide swings in Russia's internal politics illustrate the instability of its general situation. The populations and borders bear little relationship to one another, and due to the enormous expansion of the various incarnations of the Russian state, there are many enclaves of other populations still living on their ancient homelands within what we tend to think of as "Russia." Add to this mix the effects of the large population movements of the Soviet period, and the result if a Russian-speaking federation that is actually polycultural and polynational. I would like to draw one important conclusion from this in connection with the rump Yugoslavia. In the USSR, there was an attempt to create a synthetic Homo sovieticus Soviet nationality; Marshal Tito made a similar effort with the so-called Yugoslavs. When the Yugoslav Federation began to break up, under complex and tragic circumstances, the West, in a political reflex action, tried to find a Yugoslav nation-state to bargain with. This had the immediate effect of giving international legitimacy to the factions in the Yugoslav People's Army and elsewhere who were soon to bring the |
FBIS4-9449_1 | Havel, Zieleniec View European Integration | states and is a forum for debate about EU issues in all spheres, comes out in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary in their national languages for the first time today. Reflecting upon the reasons which have prevented Europe from becoming a continent of peace, cooperation and equal chances for all and from establishing the feelings of certainty, trust and peace after the fall of communism, Havel says that the dramatic changes of the past years and the resurfacing of spectres of the past challenge some not much direct and sometimes cheap optimistic concepts. But Havel says he still believes there is a chance for Europe to gradually become a large community based on the principle of "unity in diversity." It is natural that there are also skeptical moods and disappointment over the pace of changes and that the new democracies even feel "abandoned" by the others, he says. In conclusion, Havel stresses that he personally supports European integration which he sees as the only road not only for Europe, but for the whole of the world. Czech Foreign Minister Josef Zieleniec says in an interview for the magazine that Europe would not be complete without the Czech Republic. He points out that Europe has been living together with the other nations (now EU members) for centuries. "I do not think that Germany should be Europe's border," he says. Zieleniec says that European integration is sometimes viewed as a historical opportunity to build Czech-German relations, which have always been close, but from time to time tragical, on new bases as was the case of other small nations such as the Netherlands and Belgium. The Czech Republic's integration into the EU together with free movement of people and capital could make a full stop after some problems at last. "Both countries have re-evaluated their own history and searched for a new future," Zieleniec stresses. He says that the Partnership for Peace plan is much more interesting from the political than military point of view. Zieleniec says that it would not matter if the Czech Republic was the first Central European country admitted into NATO, but it does not want to be left alone. "It is in our best interests that our neighbours be in the same military bloc as we. It would be unfortunate if Slovakia, Austria or any-one else became part of another security grouping than we," Zieleniec stresses. |
FBIS4-9497_8 | Gligorov Addresses National Assembly | the independence referendum. This commitment also stems from our Constitution, which stresses that the Macedonian nation is based on the principle of self-determination, an aspiration that our people expressed in the referendum on the establishment of the independent Republic of Macedonia. We view this as a historic task and a responsibility toward our people. Simultaneously, we feel a sense of responsibility to the historic heroism of our ancestors, who for centuries struggled for their Macedonian national name and dignity. We are also responsible for the future of the younger generation, which should enjoy a better life than us. With democratic means and the criteria of modern times, we will create both the present and future life. Ladies and gentlemen, dear Bulgarian friends, Macedonia adheres to the principle of good-neighborly relations. Being situated in the very center of the Balkans, at the very crossroads, Macedonia has the privilege of having four different borders with four nations and states, with which it has been destined to share both good and bad. The history of relations with the Balkan states and peoples is a long and complicated one. It is full of many conflicts and misunderstandings, which often related to Macedonia or neighboring territory. Unfortunately, we are witnesses of the fact that problems still exist among the individual Balkan states. We too are involved in serious disputes, such as the one with our southern neighbor. However, past experience shows that when each state strives to resolve the problems on the basis of equal dialogue the danger for the Balkan region can be eliminated. Even the most complex problem can be resolved by peaceful means. Neighborly trust can be directly and responsibly established as a precondition for resolving any problem. This is an instrument that can eliminate all sources of conflicts and instability in the Balkan region. The international community, through the documents of the United Nations and the CSCE, has created powerful instruments for establishing relations between states based on confidence and respect. Thus, a powerful basis for respecting human freedoms was also established. In Macedonia, the democratic foundation for respecting human rights is very firm. This includes the rights of members of the ethnic minorities. We incorporated these minorities by establishing our state upon the principles of modern civilization. In effecting peaceful coexistence within our country, we are actually working for stability not only in our country but also in the entire |
FBIS4-9500_5 | Berisha Addresses National Assembly | The removal of the Iron Curtain was not only accompanied by the liberation of the dozens of countries and hundreds of millions of people from one of the most cruel dictatorships that mankind has experienced, but we have to admit that it was also accompanied by dangerous phenomenons: the Bosnian syndromes, the Zhirinovskiy phenomenon [applause], the Serbian aggression, and its exacerbation by various forms of nationalism, ultranationalism, racism, and so on. Before the specter of communism had fully disappeared, other ghosts from the near and more distant past today pose a threat to peace, security, and democratic values on our continent. Taken together, all of them hamper and interrupt the process of integration that is vitally important and crucial for both the fate of democracy in our countries and the whole of Western mankind, and intensify confrontation. Therefore, today more than ever, the consolidation of bilateral and regional cooperation is of particular importance for our present and future, for our children. [applause] Mr. Chairman, our peninsula has been plunged into in a profound and dangerous crisis. The war in Bosnia is the greatest human drama that Europe has experienced since the time of World War II. This war, if the aggressor is allowed to get away with it, is only the prelude to a regional war waged on a broader scale, the consequences of which cannot be described. [applause] First, the war in Bosnia is the result of the decision of the communist dictatorship in Belgrade to create a Greater Serbia by aggression and in conformance with the memorandum of the Serbian Academy of Sciences that envisages the ethnic purging of more than 40 percent of the population inhabiting this territory, on the sole ground that it is not Serbian. Second, there is an exacerbation and encouragement of this aggression by other nationalist Balkan -- and not only Balkan -- countries that believe that, following the Serbian model, they can satisfy their own chauvinistic and ultranationalistic ambitions. [applause] Third, it is more than naive to think that a Greater Serbia, if established, could establish peace, stability, and equilibrium in the Balkans. In practice, this idea is just as dangerous as the previous two, and would have graver consequences. This is so because first, it accepts the alteration of borders by force, and second, it supports the ridiculous thesis that the Serbian people should dominate in the Balkan peninsula, when it |
FBIS4-9501_0 | Paper Publishes Interview With Ex-King | BFN [Interview with ex-King Mihai I by Liviu Valenas in Versoix, Switzerland; date not given: "I Hope People Will Not Lose Their Courage"; broadcast on Deutsche Welle on 6 April] [Excerpts] [Valenas] Sire, three years ago you granted an interview to our radio station, Deutsche Welle, and here we are again after three years, resuming the discussion that we interrupted then in Paris. Now we are in Versoix, Switzerland, the place of your residence in exile, if I may say so. I would first like you to talk about the award granted last year by the Yad Vashem organization to your mother, Queen Mother Elena. [Mihai I] It was a great pleasure for me that they did that, and I interpreted this move as a reparation of a big injustice; namely that not one single word was said about the Jewish people in Romania and those deported in Dniester, and now, luckily, in the past three years, all kinds of research has been done and memoirs and documents have been consulted to reestablish the truth. Finally, this year, this organization accepted the fact that my mother's righteousness should be recognized. On her behalf, I received a medal and a document, in which everything she did for the Jews in Romania was recognized. [passage omitted] [Valenas] Sire, how would you characterize the current Romanian Army? [Mihai I] In the past three years, I have realized that the Army has regained its so-called independence from the political vicissitude of the past years. The army is at the disposal of the country and is ready to commit itself for the security of the country. All attempts to take away its fundamental role could only provoke a crisis within the army. The Army is there to serve the Romanian people and our homeland, not the policies of others. All officers and soldiers know what the Army means and what our traditions are. However, just like other armies throughout the world, attempts are made to politicize an army, remove it from its own duty toward the country, and provoke qualms. [Valenas] How do you explain that there are still sympathetic feelings toward you among the Romanian officers? [Mihai I] Whether I completed my military training in Romania or whether I was an officer in the Romanian Army still plays a role in this respect, and I do not know why because so many years have |
FBIS4-9504_12 | Parties' Foreign Policy Programs Described | the European Union must follow adequate preparations. This foreign policy task also has many domestic political implications, mainly in the area of the economy and legal harmonization, and the necessary institutions will have to be established to coordinate the preparations. Rather than the time of membership, they consider it vital that the process actually begins and talks on membership are started as soon as possible. Until then, the SZDSZ advocates that cooperation with the European Union should be increasingly diverse. At the same time, in the area of foreign and security policy, they wish to ensure an earlier participation of Hungary in European institutions, and they would also like to achieve our participation in the work of the important European decision-making bodies with consultative rights before full membership is achieved. As for neighborhood policy, according to Szent-Ivanyi, this is the weak side, the most vulnerable part of Hungarian foreign policy at the moment. While there is a general consensus of goals on Europe policy, the approaches fundamentally differ on neighborhood policy. We must not set ideological-style conditions; rather, our interest lies in the ability to make progress concomitantly in two closely related areas, namely in ensuring the rights of Hungarians beyond the border and improving bilateral relations. In the area of neighborhood policy, the politics of small steps is important to make various economic agreements and strengthen cultural links, and it is the SZDSZ's goal that we contribute to the improvement of the situation of Hungarians beyond the border through these links, too. As for the possible signing of the basic treaties, the SZDSZ starts from the premise that these treaties are a means rather than an end: A means to settling the existing problems. Therefore, they advocate such basic treaties that can contribute to easing the disagreements. They do not reject that issues considered important by the partners -- including the border issue -- can be part of these treaties; however, they only see any point in this if the treaties can also resolve the issues considered important by Hungary. In the SZDSZ's view, security policy is inseparable from foreign policy. They consider Hungary's NATO membership a strategic goal. They hope that this can be achieved in a foreseeable period, within a few years. Until then, it is necessary to prepare the proposal that outlines Hungary's tasks within the "Partnership for Peace" program as soon as possible. Independent Smallholders |
FBIS4-9505_1 | Survey Shows Increased Support for Socialists | or does not even reach this minimum -- for example, the National Democratic Federation [NDSZ] and the Social Democratic Party of Hungary [MSZDP]. More people became certain about their preferences as the parliamentary candidates became known, party lists were published, and the campaign became more intensive. While in the second half of March, 40 percent of the citizens could not or did not want to vote; this went down to 34 percent in April. At the moment, 64 percent of the electors promise definite participation, and a large majority of them also named the party they would probably vote for. In the month before the elections, we can attribute major importance to this group. They are the most likely participants of the 8 May elections. (These people say they would vote for a party or deputy "this Sunday.") At the moment, 49 percent of the adult population belongs to the group of potential voters, 5 percent more than in the second half of March. The members of this group have a higher than average schooling level, and most of them are middle-aged rather than young or old. In this group, the MSZP has a large advantage; it enjoys almost four-tenths of the support of active electors. It is the SZDSZ that managed to increase the number of its voters among the potential voters, thus claiming second place, while the MDF has the third largest active support. At the moment, 15 percent of the electors -- more than 1 million people -- consider themselves definite voters but do not know which party to vote for. Elderly people and Budapest citizens are more typical among them than the average. The parties can still increase their number of voters from this group; however, we can only approach their electoral orientation indirectly from their negative sentiments. It follows that those parties have a smaller chance of gaining the support of these people, for which more of them show antagonistic feelings. In this sense, the MDF can be the most pessimistic because antagonistic feelings are shown toward this party by most people (21 percent). Quite a few people also spoke negatively about the FKGP [11 percent). From the group that is certain about participating in the voting but uncertain about the choice, 7 percent named the Workers' Party and the MSZP as parties worth voting for, and 5 percent mentioned MIEP. An increasing number of |
FBIS4-9511_4 | Schmognerova Outlines Economic, Social Aims | in the enterprise sphere, and on exports. [Stulajter] As far as exports are concerned, what kind of pro-export measures can the government take? [Schmognerova] We would like to expand activities associated with providing insurance and possible credit for exports, as long as the resources are found. It will be necessary to improve the information available to our entrepreneurial sphere on the possibilities for exporting. In this context, the government has made it its goal to conclude bilateral agreements to create a good foundation for conducting trade. [Stulajter] How do you intend to proceed with regard to Russia? [Schmognerova] I discussed this with the Russian Federation's ambassador. The question of a link to the gas pipeline that will lead from Russia across Poland is still open. There is great interest in this project and there will be a certain amount of competition among the interested parties. The Russian side would be glad if Slovakia were to hold its ground in this competition. At the moment, we are looking very intensely at the options for financing this project. The options are also being outlined for Russian help in completing the Mochovce nuclear power plant. [Stulajter] Why would the Russian side be pleased if Slovakia were to hold its ground in this competition? [Schmognerova] This is what the ambassador said. [Stulajter] A link to the gas pipeline is one issue, another is Slovak exports to the Russian market... [Schmognerova] The demand for agricultural products has declined and, for this reason, our export potential is limited. In addition, what we are able export comes up against strong competition from the European Union where foodstuffs are heavily subsidized. The situation is similar with regard to exports of engineering equipment. Western exporters receive very advantageous export credits, which Slovakia cannot afford. Despite this, Slovak enterprises should try harder to penetrate into this territory. It is often emphasized that Russian enterprises have payment problems; this is only part of the truth, however. There are also solvent partners there and it is necessary to make contact with them. [Stulajter] The issue of the insufficient ability of Slovak products to compete on world markets is closely associated with the lack of foreign capital, which would bring advanced technology and know-how. What can the government do to increase the flow of foreign capital to Slovakia? [Schmognerova] The entry of foreign capital, compared with the Czech Republic or Hungary, is rather |
FBIS4-9522_0 | TANJUG: 1.5 Million on Brink of `Poverty' | BFN [Text] Belgrade, April 26 (TANJUG) -- The U.N. sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia have brought to the brink of social poverty at least 1.5 million citizens by forcing them to seek Red Cross humanitarian aid. One of the parameters of the drastic overall impoverishment of the Yugoslavs, either left jobless by the sanctions or with considerably lower salaries, is the fact that 95 percent of parents of under-age children are unable to provide school snacks. Regular check-ups in Belgrade schools alone have shown that as many as 1,100 children suffer from undernourishment and aenemia, while many cases of fainting from hunger have been recorded. This is why the Red Cross of Belgrade last month began distributing meagre snacks to all pupils in Belgrade which has the biggest number of schools in the country. Over 500,000 families, i.e. at least 1.5 million people, have so far registered for relief aid with the Yugoslav Red Cross. This is a drastic rise in the number of socially threatened citizens compared to two years ago, when the U.N.imposed sanctions against Yugoslavia and when 62,583 families (or 142,608 people) had asked for humanitarian aid. Demands for opening soup kitchens are arriving from all parts of the country. Owing to the efforts of the International Conference of the Red Cross (ICRC) the Yugoslav Red Cross managed to set up some one hundred soup kitchens which distribute 4,500 meals each day. Today Yugoslavia has over one million unemployed, and those who have work cannot secure the minimum living conditions for their families. Monthly wages are barely sufficient for ten days as the price of the consumer basket by far exceeds the monthly earnings. On January 24 the Yugoslav Government introduced a new economic program of monetary reconstruction and economic revival. In the two months of its implementation, the living standards of the citizens gradually began growing and the hyper-inflation, which had soared to world record highs, has been stemmed. Despite this, the U.N. sanctions have put the majority of Yugoslavs, even those who are still employed, in the category needing humanitarian aid. |
FBIS4-9564_0 | Gligorov's Visit to Bulgaria Viewed | BFN [Article by Gjorgji Ristevski: "Liberation From Myths and Illusions"] [Text] Sofia, 27 April -- "I am very satisfied and it was not by pure chance when I said that the visit of President Kiro Gligorov to Bulgaria was of a historic nature. Not because it is the first official visit, but because it represents the end of a period in the relations between Macedonia [The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia -- FYROM] and Bulgaria, and the beginning of a new one." At a news conference held yesterday afternoon, these were the words with which the President of the Republic of Bulgaria Zelyu Zhelev assessed the visit and the discussions held with President Gligorov. "This is our fourth meeting and my feeling is that we can urge the promotion of relations between the two countries. The Republic of Macedonia, as an independent country, has proven to be a condition for the stability in the Balkans. Macedonia is opposed to any alliances or prominences, because they can lead to new divisions in the Balkans. The Balkans are mixed, so we must respect each other and must not allow constant repetitions of Balkan wars, which brought nothing good to any of the nations." This is how President Kiro Gligorov assessed his first official visit to Bulgaria at yesterday's news conference. In front of hundreds of journalists, the two presidents answered a number of "ticklish" questions, such as what was the number of Bulgarians in Macedonia. President Kiro Gligorov replied that, according to the last census, around 3,000 persons declared themselves as Bulgarians, but Macedonia will soon have a census under an international control, and that it was in our own interest to know who lives in Macedonia and in what number. A similar question was asked of Bulgarian President Zhelyu Zhelev, to which he replied that according to the last census around 7,000 persons declared themselves Macedonians, and only 600-700 did not state their mother tongue was Bulgarian. There were several questions concerning the non-signed agreements between the two states. The dispute came out when Macedonia refused to sign the documents which said that the "documents will be signed in the official languages of the two states," because the Macedonian side considered it should be stated that the agreements would be signed in Macedonian and Bulgarian. The documents are to be signed in the official languages of the Republic of Macedonia and |
FBIS4-9579_1 | Anti-Albanian `Greek State Policy' Criticized | Hellenic nature shrieks. The term "Greek chauvinist circles" is by now outdated. The term "certain circles" is also lackluster. The madness of the senile Sebastiano [ethnic Greek head of the Albanian Orthodox church] can no longer be called simply madness. The anti-Albanian activities of the criminal Omonia organization, the killing of Albanians while they sleep in the night or by a stab in the back; the maltreatment of the Albanian refugees -- all these and other reported or unreported things show that the efforts to Hellenize Albania have become Greek state policy. Hundreds of anti-Albanian bulletins, books, maps, and calendars are being published. Dozens of mass protest rallies are being staged to call for the liberation of Vorio-Epirus. All these things are taking place in Greece, but the Greek Government claims to know nothing about them. The holy Greek state denies any responsibility for the paramilitary groups who cross the border to kill Albanians at night (as if they were not soldiers, but a cloud of rain passing from Greece into Albania). The Greek state knows nothing and disclaims any responsibility for what is going on and what is being engineered in Greece against Albania and the Albanians. However, does the Greek state know what the 50,000 pampered Albanian Greeks are doing in Albania? Or what the Omonia people and the men of God, the priests, are doing? Even these things are not known to the Greek state. It happens perhaps because governing the European Community has given great problems and concerns to the Greek state! Let us then remind the very busy Greek state that a good part of the Greek minority in Albania, who are coddled by the Albanian state and people, illegally distribute their books, bulletins, appeals, and calendars, all calling for Vorio-Epirus to be liberated. Let the Greek statesmen know that Omonia is a criminal organization that pursues anticonstitutional and anti-Albanian activities! Let them learn that the angels of the Orthodox church in Albania want it to be a solely Greek Church! All these things must be taught to the Greek statesmen. They must be taught, although they are already aware of such things. First and foremost they must be taught that the 40-50,000 Greek immigrants who came to Albania to earn a crust of bread can never Hellenize this country. "When you shake hands with a Greek, count your fingers afterward," as the English say. |
FBIS4-9585_0 | TANJUG Cites Moscow Radio Praising Belgrade | BFN [Text] Belgrade, April 28 (TANJUG) - Radio Moscow said on Thursday [28 April] the current and future achievements of Yugoslavia (Serbia/Montenegro) "are a guarantee of stability and peace in the entire territory of former Yugoslavia, a guarantee of the restoration of the legitimate rights of the Serbian people on the international scene." In a broadcast monitored in Belgrade, Radio Moscow commentator Yuriy Bragin said this was why he understood the position currently being formed internationally about Belgrade's new role as the political and social factor which could play a positive role in the future in re-establishing goodneighbourly, partnership and friendship ties among the peoples of former Yugoslavia. Commenting on the second anniversary of promulgating the constitution of the new Yugoslav state, Bragin said the past two years were marked by increasing pressure on Belgrade because the civil war in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina had not been ended. In late May 1992, the U.N. Security Council imposed tough sanctions on Yugoslavia for its alleged involvement in the civil war in neighbouring Bosnia-Herzegovina. Bragin said each time Belgrade sympathized with the Serbs in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the West, dissatisfied, tightened pressure on Yugoslavia, although Yugoslavia made it clear in a declaration made public two years ago that "it has no territorial claims to any of its neighbours." With this, Yugoslavia has clearly shown that it honours the U.N. Charter and CSCE documents and consistently supports the principle of [word indistinct] nonuse of force in solving all oustanding issues, he said. It is evident in practice that Yugoslavia is honouring all its obligations, that it has no territorial claims to any of the newly formed neighbouring countries, that it is constantly proposing new initiatives for a peaceful settlement of conflicts and that it is strictly abiding by the principle of avoiding force, Bragin explained. Bragin also said the plight caused by the international blockade did not cause chaos in Yugoslavia's political, economic and cultural life, but only consolidated its people and proved the vitality of the state organization. The recently launched monetary reform has curbed the disastrous inflation, stabilized prices and revived production both industrial and agricultural production. The country goes on living despite the blockade. Sports competitions and exhibitions are organized, new books are promoted and new plays staged in theatres, Bragin said. |
FBIS4-9586_3 | General Sees Crisis as `Historic Chance' | strategy? [Radinovic] Yes. [Reljic] What can the unfolding of events tell us about the U.S. strategy? There is the impression that NATO -- where the United States is the decisionmaker -- is behaving like the Yugoslav People's Army during the breakup of Yugoslavia. Politicians are in two minds and the army makes a funny impression. [Radinovic] First of all, NATO wants to obtain a new legitimacy, which can be achieved if there are crises that cannot be solved without its participation. In the former Yugoslavia, however, NATO seems to be losing what it has gained so far, because it took part of one side in a civil war. This could be damaging not only for NATO but also for the United Nations. They have underestimated the civil war in the former Bosnia-Herzegovina. [Reljic] Has their strategic interest been seriously affected? [Radinovic] I would not say that this will affect their strategic interest, but they will have to adapt their behavior to the situation. First of all, they have decided to be the only judge, forgetting that Russia also has its legitimate right to require that the Yugoslav crisis be solved with its participation. There are historical, cultural, and other connections between Serbia and Russia, so even Russia is obliged to protect Serbian interests, at least to the extent to which the West and Islamic countries have been protecting the Croats and the Muslims. Apart from that, if Russia allows the Balkan crisis to be solved without its participation, it will give up its historic idea that Russia is and should be a big power, which started with Petar the Great and has lasted until the present day. [Reljic] Apart from this emotional aspect and the opposition to the United States, does Russia have a concrete interest here? [Radinovic] A minimum interest, which is the maximum needed in the present situation. I think that Russian interests are legitimate. [Reljic] Why does it seem now that Karadzic is insisting on the plan made by the European Union? Is this only tactics or is this map also what the Serbs want? [Radinovic] There are both elements in his behavior. I think it is politically wise and strategically favorable to find "cracks" in the clash of interests of superpowers. The European Union is trying to establish its strategic identity in Yugoslavia, but this seems to be a very difficult task. It is not homogeneous |
FBIS4-9603_2 | Delic Views Army's Military Progress | achieved in the past two years of the aggression against Bosnia-Herzegovina by the Serbo-Montenegrin aggressor and the HVO. Although it was Army Day, the day of its foundation, that was the only question related to the achievements reached in the past two years. The severity with which Gorazde is being attacked, as well as the attacks on other territories, determined the content of the interview with the commander in chief of the B-H Army, which took place on 15 April 1994. [Cerimagic] The global strategic goal of the Serbian aggressor is the creation of a 30-km belt on the Bosnian side of the Drina River, while Gorazde, Zepa, and Srebrenica are three enclaves that stand in the way of the Serbs' accomplishment of their ancient dream. What induced the aggressor to take the risk of NATO intervention at such an unfavorable moment, and attack Gorazde, even though it was beleaguered and represented no serious military threat? [Delic] At this stage the creation of a 30-km belt on the Bosnian bank of the Drina is certainly not their global strategic goal. Because, by surrounding those three enclaves, the aggressor has created conditions to solve a long-term problem by pressuring citizens to leave the region. This is from the aggressor's point of view, of course. However, at this stage, the goal of the Serbs is to ease the pressure that is being exerted on them. They want to turn the existing occupation into a factual-legal state at the negotiating table. By carrying out attacks against the free, that is, safe zones of Gorazde and Bihac, which the Serbs know are very difficult to help in any concrete way, because they are surrounded, and that we will demand intervention by the international community, they are trying to legitimize their conquests. When we turn to the United Nations to demand protection and the return to the initial state on the ground, the Serbs then demand a lasting cease-fire, and the positioning of UNPROFOR troops between the warring factions, as they put it. Thereby the situation on the ground would be frozen, with Bosnia-Herzegovina in the same situation as Cyprus or Lebanon. The situation on the ground would turn into a lasting occupation, while in that way the aggressor would establish its para-state. That is a Serb goal, and for that reason, despite the strong international political pressure, and now even military, they have taken |
FBIS4-9615_4 | Changes in Main Customs Office | profit," by charging the customs service a "fee" for the use of the system. In turn, GUC will save administrative and equipment costs and will be able to collect fees faster. It is expected that the system will be speeded up by using scanners that will read "any type of customs document," including SAD (the Standard Administrative Document of the EU [European Union], increasingly used in Poland) into the system and that this "will tighten the borders" throughout the country. The "brain" of the system, Sekula insisted, "will remain in Polish hands, in GUC." Another technical innovation discussed by Sekula is satellite monitoring "of all trucks transiting Poland," required because of the frequency, as noted by the TRYBUNA interviewer, of trucks "disappearing somewhere in Poland"--a reference to increased reports of theft, hijacking, and the smuggling of goods. Sekula would also like to see the transiting TIR (the highly-regulated European "International Transport of Goods by Road" trucking system) vehicles placed on rail lines, a procedure that would be inititated "beyond Poland's borders"--for example, at bases in Magdeburg and near Berlin. Trucks would thus be "protected" on their way from Germany to Brest (in Belarus) or Medyka (near Przemysl, on the Ukrainian border), and drivers would be able to rest. According to Sekula, the Germans "are extremely interested in using rail lines for these trucks, but the drivers "from the east" are against it, "mostly because they receive a per diem of 35 German marks" and thus profit from the delays in the current system, "whether they are driving or waiting in line" to get through customs. Sekula also discussed the issue of modernization and personnel expansion. Even though there are at present approximately 100 border crossings and 300 customs posts throughout Poland, employing about 10,600 people in the central and voivodship administrations, Sekula said, about 2,000 additional customs officers will be needed to assure a faster and fairer customs service. The border-crossing posts require rebuilding and modernization costing Z1.2 billion annually, which he expects will be funded by the financial consortia that would eventually earn "profits for the services rendered." A program for rebuilding the border crossings "is in place." Commenting on such efforts to modernize the service, the 14-18 March GPiH argues that "one dollar invested in strengthening the structure, including the hiring of new customs officers, is returned twice over in the form of greater returns of customs fees." |
FBIS4-9636_1 | KDNP Expert Views Budget Deficit, Taxation | immediate reduction of the budget deficit. [Rabar] We must temporarily put up with the existence of a budget deficit. The current level is obviously too high and cannot be maintained in the long run. However, we have to get out of the vicious circle that there is no income, which in turn increases the budget deficit, so we increase taxes to finance the deficit, and this further reduces the income of the actors in the economy. This can only be broken if we put up with a high budget deficit for a while. However, I would emphasize that the economy can only bear this budget deficit temporarily and to a certain degree. [Correspondent] How would you resolve the financing of the deficit? [Rabar] The deficit can be financed either from domestic or foreign sources. The latter results in upsetting the balance of payments and the economy can also only tolerate this for a limited period of time. However, the current level of foreign currency reserves makes it possible to finance the external deficit. This would give some breathing space to the Hungarian economy and, in the meantime, measures can be used to boost the market. To achieve this, it is vitally important to stimulate savings and investment on the supply side, which can mainly be done through high real interest rates. This has been the practice up to now because the government has tried to keep interest rates high. Savings have increased in recent years but these resources did not reenter the economy. On the supply side, we also need to have an aggressive policy to boost exports. Tax reductions are the most effective way of encouraging investment but this would again result in a temporary growth of the budget deficit. However, when the economy begins to grow, then the tax revenue will also increase. Some kind of interest rate support could be another way of encouraging investment. This means that all or part of the interest on loans taken on for investment is paid by the state. [Correspondent] On the demand side, what kind of measures would you introduce to boost the economy? [Rabar] We would try to increase the purchasing power of those groups of society whose consumption habits do not create too much inflation and do not increase imports. I am mainly thinking of food consumption, which accounts for a large section of spending among the lower |
FBIS4-9653_4 | Media Situation on Eve of Elections Analyzed | its members. Two distinct views have emerged regarding how the elections might be affected by the transformation of Hungarian Radio and MTV into the government's propaganda institution. For that is what they have become, and the fact that before 8 May also the representatives of other parties will be allowed to go before the microphones and face the TV cameras does not alter the situation. One view holds that occupation of the state-controlled electronic media was a mistake even from the viewpoint of the occupiers' self-interest. Actually, this view finds support in two axioms of communications theory. The first axiom states that the mass media are suitable for reinforcing, rather than changing, views that have already been formed. In other words, the mass media are able to reinforce the sympathizers' sympathy and escalate the activists' activity to ecstasy, but they are unsuitable for reversing a generally negative attitude. According to the other axiom, even if the mass media happen to change an opinion, the changes can apply only to things outside the scope of the recipient's direct experience. And it is very likely that the hammering in of opinions which are in conflict with everyday experience, "the propaganda of successes," will backfire. The view, generally accepted among media experts, that isolation from information and contrasting opinions is a prerequisite for successful brainwashing bodes a dismal future from the government's point of view. Yet dependence on state-run television is declining practically day by day because, during nearly a third of their total viewing time, TV viewers watch satellite- or cable-TV programs, rather than those of the MTV. The standpoint of those who claim that the government-run media are ineffective appears to gain support from another view which holds that, by occupying the electronic media, it is possible to influence only those for whom radio and television are the only source of information. But specifically this stratum comprising persons with a low educational level is less interested in politics and, very likely, will not even bother to vote. It will be remembered that the highest voter turnout to date is around 66 percent, and the turnout in May is unlikely to be any higher. Thus, based on our knowledge of communications theory, it can be said that the victory won in the media war will prove a Pyrrhic one. Taking also considerations of social history and social psychology into account, however, no |
FBIS4-9663_6 | Positions of UCR Economic Advisers Discussed | "There are two reports on Argentina. The first is that inflation is low, there is stability, interest rates are low, and foreign funds are coming into the country, albeit for speculative purposes. But the other has to note that there are tragic pockets of poverty and that unemployment remained at 10 percent of the population last year." - "Most of the country is suffering crises that seem definitive for the sake of achieving macroeconomic success." - "The administration's plan is good for only one segment of the population, while the majority of people are enduring a situation of neglect in which they cannot find any space." - "Social strains that could explode in the medium term are being fomented." - "The two problems facing the Cavallo plan, which are impossible to resolve under this model, have to do with the trade deficit and unemployment. And I see no possibility of solving them under this arrangement." Rodriguez Giavarini: "The Accomplishments Are Unquestionable" Adalberto Rodriguez Giavarini is an economic consultant and Fernando de la Rua's main economic adviser. "The administration must remain on this course and under no circumstances close off the economy," he said in an interview with LA PRENSA. - "The economic plan has made three major gains possible. Price stability is foremost. The other two are in fiscal policy and economic activity. The consumer price index over the past six months is equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.1 percent, which is similar to the rate in the United States over the past 12 months." - "There has been major growth in economic activity, although we can criticize the exaggerated consumption slant that the expansion has shown." - "As far as fiscal policy is concerned, the effort to balance the budget and eliminate distorting taxes is praiseworthy." - "The growth in government spending of dubious effectiveness concerns me." - "Some aspects of the technical design of the plan are debatable. I would have preferred more incentives for domestic savings rather than spending on public and private consumption." - "I am not pleased about the administration's tendency to proceed on a case-by-case basis, with a large degree of discretionary authority and straying from the sound principles of universality and transparency." - "The administration should step up its fiscal austerity to try to offset the upward pressure that higher international interest rates put on domestic interest rates, by bringing down the |
FBIS4-9681_4 | Interior Minister Correa Interviewed | to what happened with the Senate president election might happen again? [Correa] No. The decision is not to postpone the issue but to begin working on it now, in a manner so as to obtain results. Because what could we do now? Send the same draft bills that were rejected by the right and put them on Congress' agenda, perhaps with some changes, and then go to the fight? We will not gain anything from such a position. The most important thing is to establish a dialogue with the opposition, see what country we want from the political and institutional point of view, without seeking advantages, within normal democratic dynamics between government and opposition. [ESTRATEGIA] From your point of view, what reform do you consider the most urgent one? [Correa] There is a package of four very important reforms connected to the National Security Council's composition, the Constitutional Court, and the president's ability to appoint the forces of order and Armed Forces commanders. Public Security [ESTRATEGIA] What is the meaning of the interministerial committees that will be created, as announced by the government, and specifically what will be the differences from the former administration's work? [Correa] The former government had experience with interministerial committees. They are institutions that allow mutual dialogue and knowledge among the ministries, and they also allow the coordination of projects and the collective adoption of decisions so as to establish priorities in public investments in different fields; besides, they allow better administration. We will continue with that positive experience and make some changes to it to guarantee greater efficiency and continue making progress. An important concrete change is the division of the social-economic committee into a social committee and an economic committee. The interministerial social committee will concentrate mainly on poverty problems. It also has a very important characteristic because it is directly presided over by the president of the Republic. This shows the importance the government assigns to a frontal confrontation of the country's poverty problem. [ESTRATEGIA] In addition to poverty, citizens also are greatly concerned about an issue handled directly by your ministry: public security. What measures will be adopted to improve public security? [Correa] We will start by studying the important measures we inherited from the previous administration on an important work they achieved: the proposed social safety plan... [ESTRATEGIA] Excuse me, sir, but when did the past administration achieve this? [Correa] Quite |
FBIS4-9717_0 | Government Announces Increases in Fuel Prices | BFN [Text] Tegucigalpa, 30 Mar (NOTIMEX) -- President Carlos Roberto Reina's government, which came to power last January, has announced new gasoline, diesel, and kerosene prices will go into effect beginning today. Super gasoline, which cost 8.66 lempiras per gallon ($1.10), increased to 10.10 lempiras (a $.20 increase), and regular gasoline went from 7.44 lempiras ($.98) per gallon to 9.49 lempiras, a $.35 increase. Diesel prices rose $.70. Kerosene, used by the poor, 70 percent of the Honduran people, increased from 2.97 lempiras ($.40) to 5.28 lempiras ($.75). Prices for cooking gas also increased. According to the Economy Ministry's official communique, the new price structure "does not seek to adversely affect the low-income sector." The communique stated it is "impossible" for the government to continue subsidizing fuel prices because in February it represented losses of 20 million lempiras, some $2.5 million. Adolfo Facusse, president of the Honduran Council for Private Enterprise, said if fuel prices decrease internationally, a fuel price increase in the entire country cannot be justified. "This will lead to an increase in the inflation rate we are experiencing, which is regrettable," Facusse has said. Luis Salgado, vice president of the National Transportation Council, has said the fuel price increase announced today will also lead to an increase in bus fares. |
FBIS4-9718_0 | Congress Recommendations for Economic Plan | BFN [Text] Tegucigalpa -- Congress has sent most government secretariats a document that resembles a government plan. The document includes recommendations, and it reviews issues that range from exerting financial control over decentralized institutions to eliminating the Finance Police. The document, which bears the number 96-94/SCN, is dated 22 February, and a copy of it was provided to TIEMPO in Congress. The document contains the text of a motion approved by the legislative body regarding a total of 41 recommendations on various issues. The document also conveys claims being made by National Congress President Carlos Flores Facusse regarding a government plan. The official note was sent to the members of the economic cabinet and the Government Secretariat to enable its recommendations "to be considered in the Economic and Administrative Action Plan that will be prepared by the executive branch and be presented to the National Congress." The recommendations include resuming the practice of verifying all invoices in the Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula offices; extending the practice to La Ceiba, Puerto Cortes, Santa Rosa de Copan, Danli, and Choluteca; and gradually establishing this practice in cities with a slower commercial pace. The reestablishment of the fiscal lottery also has been suggested. Another proposal involves "placing more emphasis on recovering pending debts to the state by clamping down on defaulters by way of lawsuits; not handing over goods without prior payment of import duties; and suspending vehicle permits for Hondurans and alien residents who fail to pay import duties and license fees, with the exception of tourists who can prove their transient status." Other recommendations include effectively preventing the underpricing of imports and exports, establishing administrative and criminal sanctions for offenders, and maintaining special control over the smuggling of goods and the introduction of tax-exempt vehicles, as well as the obvious underpricing of shrimp exports to the United States. It is also recommended that a modern computer system be created in combination with the Honduran Central Bank to control the authorization and use of foreign exchange and prices on exports and imports to guarantee the correct settlement of customs papers. The installation of electronic guages to keep a tangible record of the production of fuels as well as the production of alcohol and spirits, and to establish a computerized system to estimate the oil differential [diferencial petrolero]. Another suggestion is to conduct administrative audits of the current transactions involved in exporting |
FBIS4-9728_3 | Poll: More Guadalajara Residents To Vote for PRI | to represent 32 percent of the country's total population, that is, one out of every three citizens in the republic had the possibility of being polled. This makes the survey very representative. In those 13 cities, 78.6 percent said they would vote in the upcoming elections; 8.5 percent said they would not vote; and 10.0 percent have still not decided. This shows people are very interested in participating. If this is the case, abstentionism will be surmounted. Of the total number of people polled, 81.7 percent said they already had their photo ID's and 15.2 percent said they did not have them. Regarding the people who said they did not have their ID's, 41.3 percent said they were being processed but they had not received it yet; 23.8 percent said they had not requested their cards; and 9.5 percent had not picked the card up yet. Regarding the degree of trust that the upcoming elections will be honest, 45.5 percent said they did not believe in electoral honesty; 20.7 said they did; and 27.8 percent did not know. Asked if foreign observers would give the electoral process more security and credibility, 54.1 percent said no; 29.6 percent said probably; and only 14.3 percent said yes. Opinions on the Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) were divided because 37.3 percent do not believe it is a trustworthy organization; 34.3 percent do; and 26.4 percent did not answer. With regard to the main national problem that the next president will have to attend, 23.8 percent said it was to improve the people's purchasing power; 21.0 percent considered it to be increasing the number of jobs; 14.2 percent said the main problem to be confronted was to have clean elections; and 16.8 percent believed it was the quality and quantity of education. The opinions of the people polled were even more divided with regard to the personal characteristics a presidential candidate should have. Most of the people polled (32.4 percent) said he has to be responsible; 20.9 percent said intelligent; 22.2 percent said honest; 3.0 percent said intelligent [as published]; 3.9 said he has to be a peacemaker; 5.0 percent said strong; and 7.1 percent did not answer. All of this data, said Morones Servin, is subject to "natural" variations. The CEO, however, will conduct six more polls to survey the citizens' feelings. The results of the last poll will be announced on 15 August. |
FBIS4-9731_0 | Bear Market Causing `Turmoil' at Stock Exchange | BFN [Text] Blue chips were down by 4 percent yesterday, Bocon [consolidation bonds] quotations plummeted, and the Central Bank sold off the staggering amount of $167.4 million. Obviously, this turn in business transactions has caused turmoil in the City. Stockbrokers found a new explanation for the debacle in stock prices: namely the conflict between [National Securities Commission Chairman] Martin Redrado and [Economy Minister] Domingo Cavallo. Financial circles are visibly confused, and cling to any domestic or international event to explain the decline in share prices. Given this state of affairs, bankers do not dare forecast when the present crisis will be over. The drop in public securities parities is severely affecting the pockets of a number of stockbrokers, who had gambled on a bull market. This gamble did not turn out as expected, and they now have to pay off their debts. During the days of euphoria at the Stock Exchange at the beginning of the year, when it seemed there was no ceiling for bonds, many of these brokers closed futures transactions (purchase of papers to be paid for at the end of the month) at prices considerably higher than those current. When it was time to settle their debts in February, stockbrokers rolled over their transactions with the hope that they would be able to reduce their losses this month. But things became worse, and now losses are much greater. Bankers have already stated that this time there will be no extension of the deadline for settling outstanding debts. Stockbrokers will thus have to pay their debts in the coming days. Many of them will have to part with some of their capital. This situation has obliged many stockbrokers to liquidate their positions, which in turn caused share prices to plunge even more. Analysts from the City have noted that the uncertainty prevailing in the leading international stock markets is affecting the Argentine Stock Exchange. They also point out that the decline in Argentine papers is greater than that of other emerging markets because of the unbridled speculation in futures transactions. The stockbrokers that have been able to withstand all this are in no rush to purchase bonds and shares. They are awaiting the forced liquidation by those who are in tight spots financially, so that they can put in an appearance at the stock exchange when prices bottom out. This strategy was reflected yesterday in the slack |
FBIS4-9733_5 | International Bidders Vie for SIVAM Project | He argues that the Europeans are going to be in a better position than the Americans to offer a more attractive financial solution, because they are not facing the same kind of official resistance. There is no question that allegations like this are ploys in the information game intended to bombard the enemy positions, but judging by the initial reactions from the U.S. Eximbank, the American groups have something to worry about. "If the debts are not rescheduled, we will not make any deal with the Brazilian Government," warned Christopher Dorval, the bank's representative. A letter sent in January from the U.S. secretary of commerce to Minister Mario Cesar Flores of the Secretariat of Strategic Affairs (SAE), confirms that the American groups will not get the hoped-for financing and that, at the moment, only the best "basket" of credit options is being discussed. Celso Fernandes Junior and Kenneth Hansen, IBM's representatives in one of the consortia, told ISTOE that the Americans' proposal will surprise people and that the possibility that some of the money might come in the form of donations has not been ruled out. "There is a lot of interest in the United States in supporting the project because of what it means for security in one of the most important parts of the world," Fernandes Junior claimed. The same terms are being sought by the Unisys and Dasa pools. But, during the phase preceding the selection of the best proposal, the jabbering has served to heat up the contest. Beyond the financial bickering, there is another focal point of controversy, one that relates to the nature of the project. Because it involves participation of entities ranging from civil institutions such as Funai [National Indian Foundation] to military bodies like the National Air Defense and Air Traffic Control System (Sindacta), there are those who would like to portray it as a military-led mixed project. The Europeans are especially interested in highlighting the military aspects of the competition in the Amazon Region, for a very simple reason: American laws do not allow that country's companies to supply high-tech equipment and technology for systems that have a military purpose. This way, all the American consortia would be shunted aside with a stroke of a pen. This desire to characterize the project as military has the support of some sectors of the Ministry of Aeronautics, which would then have control over |
FBIS4-9742_1 | Intellectual Property Agreement Praised | months to just 24. In the same way, registering a trademark, which used to take a massive length of time--40 months--can now be done in 120 days. Industry has been quick to take advantage of this improvement: last year 13,270 trademark registrations and over 800 industrial patent applications were filed. The improvements in this area are not limited just to computerizing the proceedings. In more substantive aspects, a great leap forward has been made, leaving behind over two decades of protectionist legislation. The most significant advance for Colombia and the Andean Group countries was Decision 344 of the Cartagena Pact Commission, which brings intellectual property legislation into line with GATT's international standards and with regulations prevailing in more highly developed nations. The decision includes some innovative features like the patentability of biotechnology, which differs from essentially biological processes used to obtain animal breeds and species. Furthermore, it allows the registration of patents for inventions related to nuclear and fissionable materials, and opens up an immediate possibility of patenting pharmaceutical products. It sets a 20-year term for all patents, eliminates the system of extensions, and strengthens legal protections for intellectual property in business. And in the area of trademarks, it ratifies the majority of the provisions now in force, simplifies registration procedures, and grants greater protection to well-known trademarks. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of this reform is the adoption of the new industrial secrets system, which was nonexistent before. Although the text of this change is general in nature, it establishes protection for industrial secrets, which are defined as information not known or easily obtainable about productive activities that have an actual or potential commercial value, information which is held secret and consisting of documents or any other physical form of information storage. This will help to attract foreign investors--who have traditionally been reluctant to set up operations in countries where their rights are not fully protected--and allow the transfer of foreign technology. Because of all this, Colombia has now become a model in Latin America for intellectual and industrial property. Its computerized handling of these matters has drawn praise from WIPO [World Intellectual Property Organization], and offers have been made to export this software to Brazil and to the rest of the Andean Pact member nations. In the eyes of businessmen, Colombia now offers its investors legal protection. An avalanche of new patents may well be seen this year. |
FBIS4-9754_0 | Experts Discuss Nuclear Program | BFN ["Open Agenda" program with host Antonio Resillez and guests Daniel Cordoniu and Gilberto Salazar from the Nuclear Affairs Executive Secretariat, SEAN -- live] [Text] [Resillez] Given the postponement of the Juragua Nuclear Plant project in Cienfuegos, many people were under the impression that in effect, the Cuban nuclear program was being axed. This postponement was announced by Commander in Chief Fidel Castro in September 1992. It has been 18 months since then. Tonight, we will discuss this issue of great interest to our people. In the latest issue of the specialized magazine NUCLEOS, Dr. Daniel Codorniu, deputy secretary of the Cuban Nuclear Affairs Executive Secretariat [SEAN] states: The nuclear program is not only alive, it beats at the same rate as the great challenges our nation faces today. Dr. Codorniu is here with us. We also have engineer Gilberto Salazar, vice president of SEAN. Doctor, what is the main focus of SEAN today? [Codorniu] First, I want to thank this program for giving us the opportunity to explain these issues to our people. I would like to begin by saying that in general, the doubts you mentioned arise from the fact that when people hear, "nuclear program," they think only of the nuclear plant. Although electricity generation is the main application of this technology, it is not the only one. There are numerous uses of atomic power worldwide, ranging from electricity generation to cancer treatment and the use of radiation to fight agricultural pests. The Cuban nuclear program, from its onset several years ago, was conceived as a multifold and multilateral program. Our program was never tied only to the nuclear plant, although the plant was its centerpiece. Our program always included two main areas: electricity production -- nuclear energy. We are still working on this because the Juragua plant project has been postponed, but not killed. We can discuss this further on. Another important area is the the use of radioisotopes and radiation in a variety of sectors nationwide. In this area, we are working in four [as heard] main sectors: The use of this technology in the nation's most important programs, like biotechnology; the pharmaceutical industry; health; the food program; support to primary industries in terms of efficiency, like the nickel, oil, and sugar industries. There is also a program related to the environment and its ties to tourism. Perhaps, we ought to clarify what we mean |
FBIS4-9760_0 | Havana Cites AIDS Figures, Ambulatory Program | BFN [Text] Dr. Rigoberto Torres, an expert on AIDS, has told this newscast that despite significant economic limitations, over 60 participants in a new ambulatory program have their food supplies guaranteed and the same access to treatment and medicines as hospitalized patients. Torres added that the diet program includes eggs, meat, fish, milk, tubers, and vegetables to bolster the regular diet received by every Cuban citizen. Torres acknowledged, however, that this special diet is below the 4,000-calorie diet the patients received while at the sanatoriums and which is still being provided to those living there. The Cuban hospitalization program began in 1986. Since then, 1,011 HIV carriers have been detected. Epidemiologists believe, however, that there could be another 200 undetected cases. So far, 164 people have died of AIDS, 12 of them due to unrelated causes. Full-blown AIDS currently effects 256 individuals. The life expectancy of an HIV carrier in Cuba averages 12 years, while the average for AIDS cases is 1.5 years. These indexes are relatively high in comparison with world statistics. |
FBIS4-9765_0 | Commentary Defends Self-Employment | CSO [Commentary by Jose Alejandro Rodriguez] [Text] As with everything that breaks with tradition, self-employment has sparked controversy in Cuban society. And the spectrum of opinions covers everything from advocating a complete deregulation of this activity, eliminating all controls and restraints, to a fear of any flexibility, and a rejection of even the most modest variants of self-employment. The wisest course of action is to look at the phenomenon in balanced terms. At a time of serious economic contraction, it is a palliative for employment difficulties; it can assure the population of goods and services and resolve myriad daily problems by using everyone's initiative. Furthermore, it represents an opportunity to relieve the state of some burdens. But we must not limit its raison d'etre to temporary problems alone. This type of employment is a new element that is being incorporated into the Cuban labor system, a feasible alternative that is part of the qualitative changes taking place in our economy. It is natural that Decree-Law 141, promulgated by the Council of State just five months ago to authorize self-employment, has raised many questions, and that its implementation has been a matter of trial and error, with many ups and downs. It is the course of events that dictates what procedures are to be followed and what changes need to be made. Because a decree, in and of itself, cannot account for reality. More than 137,000 Cubans are already working for themselves in more than 100 occupations, ranging from plasterer to musical instrument tuner, from palm tree trimmer to potter. It is an inescapable reality that brings new questions: How can this movement, which is elbowing its way into the Cuban economy, be guided correctly? How far will it go? What are its vulnerable sides? How does it fit into the collectivist, socializing approach that has predominated in our society? The first thing we must do is convince ourselves that, economically, politically, and socially speaking, this labor variant is by no means alien to our socialist formula, and can in fact enrich it with a breath of fresh air that will not represent a course change. There is no reason to fear self-employment, and there is every reason to accept its advantages and challenges. Otherwise, we would have to give up and turn our backs on it, because it is easier to say no to something we are unable to accept. |
FBIS4-9766_0 | Editorial Addresses Shortages, Productivity | CSO [Editorial: "Shortages and Vicious Circles"] [Text] As the Workplace Parliament becomes a more common occurrence, more often than not the analysis does not stop at the harmful effects of the financial imbalance, but goes on to consider proposals concerning production, efficiency, the functioning of the business system, and the serious problems involved in stimulating work. This qualitative change in the popular debate has occurred because it has become apparent that it is the shortage of supply, not an exaggerated increase in income, that has essentially created the phenomenon of excess liquidity, which is having serious economic and social repercussions. People are becoming more and more aware that, although the abrupt decrease in supply is associated with external factors (the disruption of Cuba's economic and commercial ties with the former socialist world and the reinforcement of the blockade), the recovery of supply now depends above all on our ability to develop internal capacities for revitalization and economic growth. And it is becoming clear that completely overcoming the shortage is not something that can be accomplished merely by manipulating certain variables that might reduce solvent demand, such as prices, taxes, and other monetary factors. Rather, it has to be accomplished by making positive changes in the most concrete factor in the economy, the place where the production of value is verified. We must recall, to avoid harboring unfounded hopes, that any financial measures that may be taken will not have an immediate or absolute effect of boosting production or increasing supply, because their function is to serve as a bridge to provide access to revitalization. And it should also be emphasized that it is unreasonable to expect the elimination of the shortage to occur uniformly, all at once, and equally for all citizens. To understand this assertion, it is not enough to say that egalitarianism is a tendency that we must banish; we have to start from the notion that Cuba does not now have any external financing that would enable it to put to work a broad range of idle productive capacities in the short term, or to increase supply and stimulate work through consumption, as was done in the 1970's when external financing made it possible to create the parallel market. And that is the vicious circle that workers see when they realize that the internal financial imbalance and low consumption, equitably distributed, erode the motivating force of wages, |
FBIS4-9812_1 | Surcharge Increased for U.S., Canadian Wheat | Mar (EFE) -- Official sources reported here today that the Brazilian Government has ordered an increase in import duties for wheat over a period of four and a half months. The sources added, however, that Argentina -- Brazil's main trade partner in the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) -- will not be affected by the increase. The wheat surcharge -- which ranges from 10 to 17 percent -- will be enforced from 15 September 1994 to 31 January 1995, the period for marketing Brazilian wheat. The measure will particularly affect U.S., Canadian, and German wheat. An Agriculture Ministry spokesman told EFE that the decision is designed to expand trade with Argentina and to promote Brazilian wheat production. Agriculture Minister Sinval Guazelli is also studying a proposal to impose a surcharge on grounds of unfair competition on any wheat purchased by Brazilian mills from countries that are subsidizing agricultural production. The proposal, which is part of a package that would go into effect until 1997, seeks to make the surcharge match the value of the subsidies granted by the producing country. In light of the process of eliminating customs duties within Mercosur, under which member countries are entitled to an 82 percent tax reduction, the import duties to be paid on Argentine wheat sold to Brazil amounts to 1.8 percent. Additionally, a bilateral agreement guarantees the annual purchase by Brazil of 2 million tonnes of Argentine wheat. Actual purchases have, however, often been higher than this minimum figure. In 1994, Argentina will export between 3 and 3.5 million tonnes of wheat to Brazil, but the Brazilian imports will total some 5.5 million tonnes. Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim has described the purchase of Argentine wheat as a "strategic" decision linked to integration within Mercosur and has said that Brazilian mills have acknowledged the advantages of purchasing Argentine wheat because of the low import duties and lower freight costs involved. The Argentine Government has expressed its displeasure over the U.S. offer to sell 500,000 tonnes of wheat to Brazil at subsidized prices. According to official sources in Brasilia, a U.S. Government delegation has made the offer to Brazilian officials. Argentine-Brazilian trade, which has markedly increased since 1990, is negative for Argentina, whose deficit in 1993 amounted to $1,074,200,000. According to the Brazilian Foreign Trade Secretariat, in 1993 Brazilian sales to Argentina totaled $3.7 billion, while its imports from Argentina totaled $2,625,700,000. |
FBIS4-9818_0 | Minister Sends Letter on Protocol to Gaviria | BFN [Text] The Defense Ministry and the Armed Forces suggested yesterday that Colombia join Protocol II of the Geneva Convention of 1949, a multilateral agreement that contains the international human rights principles that cannot be violated during armed conflicts. The protocol bans terrorism as a form of armed struggle, inhumane and collective punishments, torture, the taking of hostages, and, especially, attacks on the civilian population, church representatives, and medical missions, among others. The Cesar Gaviria government decided to submit to Congress a bill to include Protocol II in Colombian legislation after deeming that the agreement does not adversely affect the country's sovereignty, nor undermine the operational capabilities of the Public Force in the fight against armed rebels. Defense Minister Rafael Pardo Rueda and General Ramon Emilio Gil, commander of the Armed Forces, sent a letter to President Cesar Gaviria yesterday saying it was "advisable" for Colombia to join the Protocol II. The defense minister said adherence to Protocol II "would not imply the recognition of the guerrilla groups as a belligerent force." The government's adherence to what has been stipulated in the aforementioned protocol is, in practice, Colombia's demonstration to the international community that in the country the rights of the participants in the armed conflict are respected, which means that international human rights norms are respected. Protocol II supplements Article 3 of the Geneva Convention, which refers to the protection of persons who are victims or who are adversely affected by the conflict. This agreement regulates the treatment given to persons not involved in the conflict or those who have intervened in the conflict but are no longer capable of participating in it. Protocol II, in addition to prohibiting the taking of hostages, homicides, torture, practices such as slavery, terrorism, pillage, and collective punishments, also calls for the protection of persons who have been stripped of their freedom. In the case of a noninternational conflict that is taking place on the territory of a high contracting party (the state, in this case Colombia), Protocol II is applied as long as the rebels are carrying out their actions under a responsible command and are exercising control over part of the territory that can allow them to conduct sustained military operations. If these conditions (as in the case of Colombia) are not fulfilled, the guerrillas may not apply the protocol rules. In this regard, in the letter sent to President Gaviria, |
FBIS4-9820_12 | Minister Goldenberg Addresses Congress | daily lives of Peruvian men and women. In order to carry out this challenge it is necessary that we place an ever-increasing emphasis on social aspects. This is why I wish to explain some of the most important changes that have occurred in the sectors directly involved in the country's social development. In health care, the hub of the government's strategy is to enhance preventive medicine and the quality of basic medical care provided at dispensaries so they can effectively solve minor ailments affecting the majority of the population. We are seeking not only to tackle problems when they are staring us in the face, but also to forestall the damages to which nearly 18 million Peruvians needing medical aid -- which has to be provided by the government -- are exposed. In order to attain this objective, we are streamlining the Health Ministry through efficient management and the linking of administrative systems that previously were unconnected. This will be instrumental in improving and expediting the decisionmaking process and the administration of the scarce resources we have at our disposal. Moreover, the community will share the management of the health care system with the government. This will enable the community to directly administer health centers and dispensaries with government funds. This shared management is not a political measure designed for the government to abandon its obligations. It is a technical approach to come to grips with the health problem in Peru, which will enable us to pinpoint the population's real needs. It also conforms to the constitutional mandate to coordinate goals with institutions from the sector and the people involved. Furthermore, by giving key decisionmaking power to the community, the state reinforces nonpolitical criteria that will prevent changes of government from affecting long-term health care plans that the people are rightfully demanding. To finance their undertakings, health officials have obtained $200 million from international cooperation agencies. These funds will be basically used to supply equipment and infrastructure facilities to medical centers and posts. They also will be earmarked for improving basic maternal-child survival and nutrition levels, eradicating diseases like measles, and controlling others like tuberculosis and cholera. Mr. President: The current educational situation poses the enormous challenge of modernizing the system by promoting the principle of freedom of teaching at public and private levels alike and by decentralizing education. To this end, the government is promoting community participation, strengthening school |
FBIS4-9820_16 | Minister Goldenberg Addresses Congress | integrated country; it wants to expand its domestic market and produce more. To achieve this, it requires basic infrastructure facilities for transportation and communications, electricity generation, potable water and sewage systems, and ports and airports. These facilities will improve the standard of living of all Peruvians and promote efficiency in the private sector. Twenty-six bridges and 3,500 km of roads were either built, repaired, or maintained in 1992. This figure rose to 4,200 km in 1993. Today these projects include approximately 2,000 km of the Panamerican Highway and the Central Highway, and 1,300 km in the Selva area. All these projects, which have been implemented thanks to efficient management of Treasury funds and international cooperation, have used a great deal of manpower. The government also is implementing a plan to take corrective action and improve efficiency in its power companies, with a view to avoiding electricity theft and reducing delinquent payments. To this end, it has put into motion the Special Benefit Program for the Regularization of Electricity Debts. As a result of greater efficiency, electricity maintenance improved markedly in 1990s [when electricity production increased 9.3 percent compared with 1992]. Additionally, to increase the energy supply in the future, the government has built the Ventanilla plant, which required an investment of $100 million, and has earmarked $17 million for 12 small power plant projects. Work also is already under way for the construction of the Cachimayo-Abancay high-tension line that, at a cost of $11 million, will be instrumental in bringing about the much-delayed and much-awaited electrification of Apurimac Department. Besides, the private sector plays a key role in meeting the people's needs for infrastructure facilities and public services. Thus, thanks to the new Law of Electricity Concessions, private companies have been authorized to engage in projects that will substantially increase the electricity supply. Mr. President: Our cabinet is aware that there will be no comprehensive solution to social problems without promoting the development of rural areas, where one-third of the Peruvian people make their living. Thus, it wants to assign top priority to modernizing the agrarian sector by adopting essential business guidelines that will give it greater dynamics. To this end we are implementing a special program for land deeds that will enable tenants of rural plots to obtain deeds and thus promote the establishment of a formal land market and, consequently, attract investments in agriculture as soon as possible. |
FBIS4-9821_0 | Part IV of Article on Judicial Reform | BFN [Part four of a judicial reform series by Victor Andres Ponce] [Text] Just as it is important to resolve the problem of the inadequate number of judges to meet the requirements of justice, it is crucial to address the crisis of the judicial career, which has been markedly degraded in recent decades. Specialists contend that this is a key factor in the reform because judges are responsible for handing down decisions and bringing prestige to their offices. The system used to appoint judges has been one of the most controversial issues concerning the judicial career, as well as a topic that has been widely debated in the nation. Political interference has caused considerable damage in this respect. Background In accordance with Article 223 of the 1933 Constitution, the Judicial Branch Organizational Law provided that "the performance and qualifications of first instance and appellate court judges will be evaluated every five years by the Supreme Court, which, acting as a jury and after conducting the inquiries it might deem appropriate, may dismiss any judge from office..." It should be noted that the only time an evaluation was conducted in accordance with that law was in 1966. No further attempt to evaluate magistrates has been made since that year. Later, a decree-law issued in December 1969 by the military dictatorship provided for a special confirmation in office of judges (based, of course, on criteria advocated by the government at that time). Later, the 1979 Constitution established that Supreme Court justices must be confirmed by the Senate and that all other lower-ranking magistrates must be confirmed by the Supreme Court plenum. The 1979 Constitution did not provide for the periodical confirmation of judges. Prospects The new Constitution has entrusted the National Council for Magistrates (CNM) with the task of selecting and appointing judges and prosecutors. Until the CNM is organized, its functions will be exercised by the Disciplinary Board for Magistrates. Specialists contend that the CNM organizational law should include the requirement of periodical evaluations based on established guidelines for each level. In this respect it should be noted that the Judicial Branch Organizational Law establishes clear, precise guidelines for evaluating the merits of judges, namely the timely and correct disposition of cases, moral integrity, the lack of sanctions or disciplinary measures, duly accredited academic degrees and training studies, publication of legal papers, awards, and decorations. Therefore, there can be no argument |
FBIS4-9862_0 | ANPP To Begin Work on Economic Problems | BFN [Report by Raimundo Lopez] [Text] Havana, 1 Apr (PL) -- This May, following the conclusion of a unique process of consultations with the rank and file of the workers unions, the Cuban parliament will begin working on solutions to one of the most delicate problems facing the nation's economy: cleaning up the domestic financial situation. The debates will begin on the first of next month, which is International Labor Day, according to a summons published today calling for a special session. The Council of State, led by Cuban President Fidel Castro, issued the summons. The National Assembly of the People's Government [ANPP] made the decision to hold such a meeting at the end of last December, during its second ordinary session of the year in which the financial issue was a leading topic. According to statements by Jose Luis Rodriguez, chairman of the state committee on financial matters, the country has a currency surplus of more than 10 billion pesos, equal to the same amount in dollars, according to the official exchange rate. The fiscal deficit has reached 4.2 billion pesos while subsidies for production losses in the agricultural and sugar sector alone are more than 7 billion pesos. Rodriguez explained that such a financial imbalance seriously hampers the flow of Cuba's economy, which has been severely battered by the loss of its commercial partners and the heightened U.S. trade embargo. Cuban President Fidel Castro and other officials have said the situation will never be resolved by neoliberal methods, which have had dramatic social consequences in other nations. Osvaldo Martinez, chairman of the legislative commission on economic matters, said the members of his commission are working with the state financial committee to assess the situation and compile proposals to solve the complex problems plaguing the economy. Martinez told the local media the commission will evaluate the possible decisions and draft recommendations from there, which could be used during the debates at the ANPP. He said the basic criteria used in the analysis begins with the need to reduce the internal financial imbalance, specifically the problems of surplus cash and budget deficit. He added the purpose is to reorganize the domestic economy in order to encourage the production of goods and services, recover salary values, rescue labor discipline, and gradually regain the purchasing power of the national currency. Controlling the internal financial imbalance is like performing vital surgery on a |
FBIS4-9866_0 | Exchange of Russian Oil for Sugar `Should Start Soon' | BFN [Text] Moscow, 29 Mar (PL) -- Sources in the economic section of the Cuban Embassy in Russia have stated, based on the bilateral agreements signed last December, the exchange of Russian oil for Cuban sugar should start soon. Cuban officials who have spoken to PRENSA LATINA mentioned the information published by the INTERFAX NEWS AGENCY today on Russia shipping 2.5 million tons of oil to the Antillean island. This exchange was agreed upon at the talks held between both countries in December 1993. The exchange only required ratification by this country's government [not further identified], a step which was taken 25 March. INTERFAX added Havana will send 1 million tons of sugar, and the Russian Foreign Economic Relations Ministry is to determine which firms will export the crude oil. This operation was ratified in Resolution 228 of the government headed by Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin, the Cuban officials in Moscow added. |
FBIS4-9867_0 | U.S. Congress Anti-Cuban Bill Termed `Vengeful' | BFN [Text] Havana, 24 Mar (PL) -- Today, Luis Suarez, director of the Center of Studies on America, CEA, called the anti-Cuban bill presented to the U.S. Congress by Representative Robert Menendez vengeful and illogical.. In statements to PRENSA LATINA, Suarez said the proposal, which will be analyzed today during a hearing at the U.S. Senate, reacts to the impact caused by the converse project defended by a group of representatives led by Charles Rangel. Rangel spoke out in favor of repealing the so-called Torricelli Law, as well as lifting the economic and trade blockade imposed by Washington on the Caribbean island. Menendez, with his antihistorical proposal, wants to strengthen a policy in Congress that is clearly receiving growing rejection. In the United States, this policy has triggered demonstrations of civil disobedience like that by the Pastors for Peace, the CEA director noted. To conclude, Menendez said the proposal deserves the name of Residual Project of the Cold War [Proyecto Remanente de la Guerra Fria] as it opposes even the interests of U.S. businessmen who want to improve relations between both nations. Meanwhile, Lazaro Barredo, vice president of the International Relations Commission at the National Assembly of the People's Government, said Menendez' proposal is an expression of how, in U.S. power circles, there are those who shy away from the necessary and civilized negotiating table. Barredo explained that what the representative of Cuban origin proposed definitely is no different than the amendment previously presented by Robert Torricelli, while he agreed with Suarez that it is in response to Rangel's proposal. Rangel's proposal had strong repercussions in the political, economic, and academic sectors as it advocates true and effective solutions to the Cuban-U.S. conflict, Barredo indicated. Barredo, who is also a Cuban reporter, recalled that Menendez, together with Ileana Ros Leithenen and Lincoln Diaz Balart, both of whom are also of Cuban origin, became a trio that far from representing their constituency, have undertaken a policy aimed at favoring only their personal interests. |
FBIS4-9872_0 | Researcher Predicts End to Rationing | BFN [Article by correspondent Gabriel Molina "for EL SOL DE MEXICO": "The Cuban Economic Situation Will Make Ration Books Disappear"; PRENSA LATINA in Spanish at 0259 GMT on 29 March transmits a service message killing this item] [Text] Havana -- The Cuban ration book is about to disappear. Strangely enough, this is not because it is no longer necessary, but because it is so necessary that it has become unsustainable. Researcher Dario Machado Rodriguez, director of the Center for Social, Political, and Public Opinion Studies [Centro de Estudios Sociopoliticos y de Opinion] told EL SOL DE MEXICO that surveys and studies carried out among the population show, among other things, that products should no longer be subsidized by maintaining the so-called ration book. Consensus indicates, however, that subsidies should be granted to people or families with lower incomes or experiencing a particularly difficult social situation. "It is my opinion that the general subsidy offered by the ration book should gradually disappear. ``At the same time, salary policies should change. I believe it is essential for these measures to include a wage reevaluation, from which to establish some sort of differentiation system. But this must be accomplished gradually, not in one single blow.'' Machado pointed out the contradiction "between the policy of egalitarianism implemented by the revolutionary process and the inevitable nonegalitarian solution" to solve the crisis. He explained that this is a basic problem that has been examined during the meetings of the Parliaments in the Workplace. According to the Cuban Workers Federation (CTC), there have been about 80,000 such meetings. He added that "the meetings allow us to better understand the crudeness of the possible solutions and the realistic approach the situation requires, in addition," he stressed, "the will to apply these solutions gradually and not as a shock treatment." Machado, a 1977 political science graduate, has worked as the Center's director for eight years. As a leading researcher, he specializes in social issues. He said the people have stayed abreast of the situation, especially since the discussions at the plenary session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba last year and later at the National Assembly of the People's Government. "Our investigations show that the meetings in the workplace have created an interest that has been increasing ever since their inception. The debate itself, the goal of which is to collect ideas, has generated enthusiasm |
FBIS4-9873_0 | Workers Federation Head: Change in Mentality Needed | BFN [Text] Havana, 29 Mar (PL) -- Pedro Ross Leal, secretary general of the Cuban Workers Federation (CTC), has cited the proposals by the workers movement to heal the country's finances, saying a change in mentality is needed to find solutions. He has said the more than 80,000 meetings at work centers, attended by more than 3 million people, undoubtedly had had a positive outcome. The objective of the meetings, which started in late January, was to consult with the rank and file on solutions to the economic problems. The labor movement's biggest accomplishment has been in promoting a change in mentality, even in its own union groups, the CTC leader has told the newspaper GRANMA. After saying the assembly process, popularly known as workers parliaments, had yielded high political gains, Ross said the main demands had centered on greater control of material and financial resources and the implementation of penalties on those who steal government assets. The workers explicitly understand a revamping of the country's finances requires an increase of production based on improved productivity and efficiency, he has said. Ever since Cuba lost its commercial partners in the former socialist bloc, it has been confronting an adverse economic situation that can be translated into an excess of currency greater than $10 billion--equivalent to dollars in the official exchange--a fiscal deficit of 4.2 billion [no currency specified] and high subsidies. [sentence as received] Furthermore, the U.S. blockade, in effect for more than 30 years, was intensified, causing losses calculated at more than $40 billion, according to local authorities' conservative estimates. The Cuban Parliament agreed last December to hold a special meeting to discuss the restoration of the country's internal finances. The date of the meeting has still not been announced officially, but media sources estimate it will be in April. |
FBIS4-9874_0 | Havana Province Head Cited on Food Supply | BFN [By Javier Rodriguez] [Text] Havana, 26 Mar (PL) -- A Cuban province is responsible for the food supply for nearly one third of the country, capital city included. To meet this objective, that province is struggling to overcome the deep crisis affecting its output and local economy. Havana Province, with 600,000 inhabitants, 5 percent of the country's productive soil, and a somewhat significant industrial and scientific output, will have to stimulate substantial improvements in agricultural commodities to nearly 3 million people. During a recent conversation between Hiram Gonzalez, head of the provincial government, and the diplomatic corps accredited in Cuba, a conversation to which PRENSA LATINA had access, he cited efforts to increase food and vegetable harvests, milk and egg supplies, and sugar and tobacco production. In order to better explain these issues, Gonzalez cited the impact caused by the difficult situation through which the island is going as a result of the U.S. economic blockade and the collapse of socialism in Eastern Europe. For example, Gonzalez mentioned the death of more than 100,000 heads of cattle as a result of the shortage. He also cited the significant drop in egg and milk production also due to the inability to obtain half a million tons of needed fodder. Despite the fertilizer and fuel shortages, Havana believes it can produce more than 12.5 million quintals of food and vegetables during the current year, 3 million quintals more than what was obtained during 1993 and which could result in an improvement in the food supply to the people, in addition to the production of 50 million liters of milk. According to disclosed information, it is expected by encouraging cooperative agriculture production through state assistance it will be possible to ensure an increase in harvest yields via a smaller work force and less technical measures. Concurrently, the increasing cattle mortality rate has been decreased by simply changing pasture systems. The province is working to meet its sugar production targets as well as its tobacco surplus. It has also announced the use of five large cold storage plants and the completion of 36 scientific-productive plants already in operation. Despite all these setbacks, the provincial government has cited the fact there are no unemployed teachers or students without a school in Havana. In addition, the infant mortality rate stands at 9.9 per thousand infants born. Adopted measures to ensure the continuation of these advances, |
FBIS4-9880_0 | Havana Notes Korean Military Mobilizations | BFN [Commentary by Eduardo Dimas] [Text] For a few months now, we have been receiving information on the United States' attempt to force the DPRK to allow inspections of their nuclear facilities under the pretext that this country is manufacturing or is currently in possession of atomic weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency has already checked those facilities on two separate occasions. Nevertheless, the U.S. Government continues to insist. Recently, the UN Security Council asked North Korea to authorize inspections, which that government later rejected. The UN Security Council's petition was not mandatory. That same day, President William Clinton threatened to isolate the DPRK internationally if they persist in that position. At the same time, the United States began sending Patriot missiles to South Korean territory and placed U.S. troops stationed on the peninsula on alert. The South Korean defense minister made militant statements in an obvious attempt to intensify the situation. The North Korean Government also mobilized its forces to reject any aggression. A state of war has been created, which does not benefit anyone in the world, especially the more powerful Asian countries like China and Japan, or other countries known to possess nuclear weapons, like India and Pakistan. This situation has created a difference of opinion among regional analysts. For some, this is no more than a diplomatic arm-wrestling match, a contest for a more favorable position at the negotiating table. Others believe a real threat of war exists between the two Koreas, the consequences of which would be unpredictable for the region and for the world as a whole. The moderate positions of China and Russia, who on repeated occasions have requested a continuation of negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang, have reduced the possibility of a harsher stance toward North Korea by the Security Council, in accordance, as usual, with Yankee wishes. In any case, for those who believe that in these times, war is impossible because there is a new government in the United States, I would like to read this paragraph from the book, "Mandate for Change," a compilation by the Institute for Progressive Policy affiliated with the Council for Democratic Leadership, which is to be the leading book of the Clinton administration. It reads: The next key challenge for collective security in the new period will be to give the United Nations the power to use preventive diplomacy. It goes on to emphasize: |
FBIS4-9887_0 | Roundup of Economic Activity | BFN [Editorial Report] The following is a compilation of fileworthy reports on economic developments carried on Havana radio and television in Spanish between 30 March and 4 April. Radio Rebelde at 0000 GMT on 30 March reports that solidarity groups from Ukraine are shipping 400 tons of milk to Cuba as a token of appreciation for the treatment provided to the Ukrainian children affected by the Chernobyl disaster. Radio Reloj at 1506 GMT on 30 March reports that the vessel (Wals Wabi) owned by (Grupo Uno) is unloading 15,650 tons of bulk wheat in the Port of Havana. The ship, which is returning from a four-month journey, visited ports in Suriname, Brazil, France, and England where wheat was loaded. The ship has seven holds for freight. Radio Reloj at 2030 GMT on 30 March reports that in Matanzas, milk production has increased, while the death rate for cattle has dropped considerably, compared to the same quarter of 1993. This report was released by Jorge Pena, a local Agriculture Ministry official. Pena said that milk production for the first quarter of 1994 increased by 1.5 million liters in comparison to the same period in 1993. Radio Rebelde at 1255 GMT on 31 March reports that the supply of recycled paper and cardboard to Havana City Province's main paper and cardboard recycling center has decreased by approximately 70 percent and that Cuba is buying old paper abroad in order to produce various types of containers, like egg cartons and ice cream cups. A recycling official stated the center is now recycling one ton a month, as opposed to the three tons per month it formerly recycled. Radio Rebelde at 1800 GMT on 31 March reports that six provinces -- with Havana Province in first place -- had fulfilled, as of 30 March, the sugarcane planting schedule that covers the period up to 31 March. Cuba attained 90 percent of this quarter's goal, planting 2,811 caballerias, a figure that may increase once the final calculations and adjustments are made. Radio Reloj at 2030 GMT on 1 April reports that seven platoons from the Espana Republicana sugar agroindustrial complex in the municipality of Perico, Matanzas, have cut 1 million arrobas of sugarcane this harvest. Two of these platoons have already cut 2 million arrobas and are striving to attain the third million. Radio Rebelde at 0000 GMT on 2 April reports that after 10 |
FBIS4-9897_0 | Autopsy Shows Traces of Drugs in Dead U.S. Soldier | BFN [From the "Up-to-Date" newscast] [Text] An autopsy has revealed that the U.S. military man who died while playing with a hand grenade had taken three types of drugs. Dr. Juan Mateo Llort, director of the Forensic Medicine Institute, has confirmed that a toxicological examination on the body of U.S. Lieutenant Colonel Julio Ramon Rivera, who died early Sunday, reveals he was under the influence of three illegal drugs when he pulled the pin on the grenade that killed him and wounded four other people. Based on this conclusion, Dr. Llort will ask the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador to perform drug tests on all Embassy officials. Dr. Llort said Rivera died from multiple trauma caused by the explosion of the grenade, which he handled recklessly. [Begin Llort recording] Only a person under the influence of drugs would have played with a live grenade, thinking it was a toy. The three drugs found were 25 nanograms of marijuana, 276 nanograms of meta-amphetamine, and 440 nanograms of phenobarbital -- a considerable quantity. [end recording] The official U.S. Embassy report says Lt. Col. Rivera had gone to the National Civilian Police in the Zacamil neighborhood to meet his bodyguards who were being released. [Begin recording] [Unidentified speaker] He was meeting some of his bodyguards. That is when he received the grenade, which exploded. [Dr. Llort] Routine toxicological tests should be performed on these kinds of people, who should be setting an example for the rest of the country. [end recording] Lt. Col. Rivera was second in command of the U.S. military advisers who have been in the country for the past two years. His body was flown in a C-130 plane to Puerto Rico, where he resided. |
FBIS4-9951_0 | Workshop on Zoonosis Held in Ciego de Avila | BFN [Text] Health specialists encouraged organizations to work together in the prevention of illnesses transmitted from animals to human beings, which in medical terms is known as zoonosis. During a national workshop in Ciego de Avila on the diseases that animals can communicate to humans, there was unanimity of opinion that this can not be a task of the Ministry of Public Health alone, but of other institutions and the population in general. A call was made to the Ministries of Sugar Industry, Agriculture, Education, Fishing Industry, and Veterinary Medicine to cooperate in that area. Dr. Raul Cruz de la Paz, head of the national program for control of diseases transmitted by animals, pointed out that it is necessary to double preventative measures to prevent many of these cases. It was advised that in May, the Pedro Couri Institute of Tropical Medicine will begin experimentating with the Cuban vaccine against leptospirosis in human beings. Leptospirosis is the most dangerous disease transmitted by animals in Cuba. In 1993, 1,446 people were affected by this disease, of whom 75 died. The leptospirosis section of Ciego de Avila was classified as the best in the country, in 1993, for its complete and systematic work. |
FBIS4-9958_12 | Zedillo Discusses National Situation | would be wrong to deny this reality. The second problem is unemployment. This is a problem that, by the way, has worsened recently. Unemployment has worsened significantly during the past year, after several years of improvement. The third very serious problem I see is the very low, and in many cases, insufficient income of our country's working classes. The fourth serious problem I see is the enormous social imbalance that persists in our country. Consequently, we have the conditions of poverty in which many Mexicans live. I would rather not assign these problems specific priorities. Each is as important as the others. Furthermore, I believe it will be difficult to address any one of them without seriously and decidedly addressing the others. [Zabludovsky] There we have four serious problems. How do we plan? Admitting that we need to very closely examine our system for administering justice. This means we need to evaluate our justice system's current situation and have the Congress examine the results. Then, if need be, they can approve the appropriate reforms that will permit the judicial system to execute its basic duty more efficiently. The other three problems that you have mentioned are very interconnected. They are social and economic problems. One is unemployment, another is the working class' low salaries, and the fourth problem you mention is poverty in general. Let us group them together. I would like to ask: How do you plan to confront this situation that so concerns and obsesses all Mexicans? I am talking about solutions to the problems of poverty and economic inequality. [Zedillo] I think these four problems must be solved in an integrated, development-oriented fashion. We cannot just deal with one problem at a time. We must take the four problems as one. Thus we can identify at least four areas in which the government can act. First, we need to strengthen justice and democracy in our country. We need to have fairer laws that can be better applied. This speaks to the issue of the country's social, economic, and political life. If we do not take care of these problems, we will have serious difficulties in confronting the other problems. The first thing we must do is strengthen justice and democracy. The second area for action is social development, which is nothing more than investment in human beings. We have to spend more on education, health, housing, basic |
FBIS4-9958_15 | Zedillo Discusses National Situation | of extreme poverty in which many Mexicans live. [Zabludovsky] We cannot avoid discussing a problem that emerged on 1 January. We can call it the Chiapas problem. How do you view this problem, and how do you view the peace process? [Zedillo] First, I believe that, as all Mexicans have, I must express my feelings regarding the regrettable social conditions behind this problem. Poverty, backwardness, lack of education, and lack of health services are all at the root of this problem. We must accept this first. We must recognize that these conditions exist in Chiapas and other parts of our country. We have a great responsibility as Mexicans to face these social conditions that are so regrettable. At the same time, with all due respect, with all frankness, I deplore the use of violence in the country under any circumstances. I believe that in the face of what has happened, it was very fortunate our Army acted to protect national security, sovereignty, and peace. At the same time, I am very satisfied the government of the republic immediately sought peaceful ways to resolve this conflict. In this regard, I want to take this opportunity to express my full support for the job the president of the republic and his government have done to achieve a peaceful solution in Chiapas. I support the government's decisions. I support each and every one of the steps it has taken through its representatives, especially the commissioner for peace, so we can soon attain an absolutely peaceful solution which can guarantee that we Mexicans will remain united. [Zabludovsky] Dr. Zedillo, returning to Mexico's problems, what are your plans for Mexicans' health? [Zedillo] The health problem is very important. Historically, in past decades, although Mexico has made great strides in extending its health care, we have to recognize that public health care is still insufficient. Even more serious, however, is that the health care system has not reached the country's poorest sectors. In the coming years, therefore, we must make an enormous effort to build more hospitals, increase the numbers of doctors and nurses, and guarantee that there will not be a single Mexican in this country who does not have access to this service. Of course, in the case of people who do not have access to social security, through the Mexican Social Security Institute and other institutions, we must ensure that the state's free |
FBIS4-9996_7 | Industry Minister on Harmonization, Foreign Investment | harmonization of macroeconomic management policies. These are factors that the presidents watch rigorously. The expansion of lists with those countries cannot be very extensive; but we have had talks aimed at incorporating some products between now and May that can be of interest from an export viewpoint. We are hopeful that negotiations with Chile can be concluded during the first half of this year. In any event, they will have to do with the development of complementary economic relations. Pending Review [EL COMERCIO] Nevertheless, there are other agreements that have already been signed and are currently under review.... [Canale] We have a request by the Cuban Government to expand our limited-trade agreement. It is an agreement we signed many years ago within the framework of the ALADI [Latin American Integration Association]. We will review the items having favored tariff treatment. We are also working on extension of the time limit on Andean tariff preferences within the European market that were granted to countries affected by terrorism or drug trafficking. We are conducting a support and justification action together with the benefiting countries, aimed at extending the benefit of zero customs. We also have preferential zero tariff treatment in the American market for a large group of products such as leathers and footwear. [EL COMERCIO] A question that is a must when speaking of integration and international trade, and that is the talk of many analysts: Will we be able to join Mercosur in the very near future? [Canale] Our agreements with Brazil and Argentina are bilateral approaches within the framework of ALADI. We are thinking in terms of a process of hemispheric integration. We must gradually adjust the mechanisms that will gradually bring about this integration among countries with such dissimilar productive structures and such different trade policies, bringing these countries together in pursuit of the development of parallel trading and a harmonization of commercial policies. Our country's particular interest is to further the process of liberalization. [EL COMERCIO] As regards tourism, there has been talk of investments totaling some $100 million.... [Canale] Investments totaling $100 million have been arranged. A sizable group of foreign investors is interested in expanding the hotel infrastructure, besides participating in the Entur-Peru privatization process. There is interest in the exportable offer of adventure-type tourism. This is a very positive year, which therefore calls for investment in infrastructure and services. We are supporting this effort |
FBIS4-10031_0 | Ambassador: Canadian Investments To Increase | BFN [Text] Havana, 31 Mar (PL) -- Mark A. Entwistle, the Canadian ambassador to Cuba, said today that his country's businessmen will increase their investments in Cuba. He also reexpressed his government's opposition to the U.S. blockade of the island. During an interview given to GRANMA newspaper, Entwistle said commerce is the most active sector in the relations between the two nations because the Canadian private sector is showing growing interest in the economic opportunities offered by Cuba. Canadian businessmen are beginning to observe growth potential in the Cuban economy in areas such as tourism, mining, and oil. In some of these areas, Canadian businessmen are already participating, and in others, the investment prospects are very interesting, he said. The ambassador observed that Cuba occupies fifth place in his country's commercial relations with Latin America as trade with Cuba amounted to $370 million in 1992, and shows a tendency to grow. Canadian businessmen foresee Cuba possibly being a bridge between South America and the Caribbean and estimate that possible associations with the Cubans will project them into the future, Entwistle added. The ambassador also ratified his country's disapproval of the U.S. blockade against Cuba and asserted that U.S. attempts to have third countries implement this policy are not being accepted. It is very simple, he said; the United States has a policy on Cuba, and Canada has its own policy on Cuba. For Canada, he added, from our political perspective, Cuba's isolation is harmful. Our interest is to contribute to creating a climate that will allow for improved relations between the countries in the hemisphere. |
FBIS4-10034_0 | Concludes Visit | BFN [Text] Havana, 2 Apr (PL) -- With positive results for the Cuban-Zambian bilateral ties and economic cooperation, Zambian Foreign Minister Remmy Kaindu Gilly Mushota ended his visit to Cuba today. Mushota, who was invited by his colleague Roberto Robaina to visit Cuba, negotiated cooperation agreements in the sectors of sugar industry, agriculture, education, public health, sports, and international relations. The building of a sugar mill in Zambia by Cuban professionals in Zambia, scheduled to start in 1995, was one of the agreements discussed during this visit. It was reported that the agreement will be ratified by Zambian President Frederick Chiluba on his next visit to the Caribbean nation. An increase in the number of Cuban physicians sent to Zambia, the continuation of the studies of 43 Zambians in local education centers, and the exchange of sports trainers were other issues discussed by Mushota and Cuban officials. Regarding possible pressure from international financial institutions and the United States to block Chiluba's announced visit, the foreign minister said in a news conference that his is an independent and sovereign country and its development programs are not established in Washington. He added that negotiations with the IMF and the World Bank had ended, precisely the previous evening, and Zambia was to receive a $150-million loan to promote its economic programs. "They are our partners in cooperation, not our owners. President Chiluba will come to Cuba with Zambian money and not with money from the IMF," Mushota observed. The two countries started to strengthen their bilateral ties on 19 June 6572 [year as received], when diplomatic relations were established. During his two-week visit to Cuba, Mushota visited places of scientific, historic, and cultural interest in Havana and the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, before leaving for Jamaica on Saturday, to continue his tour of the Caribbean. The Zambian territory, which has 174,000 square km, is mostly covered by a plateau that runs from the Malawi tectonic trench to a swampy region bordering Angola. It is the world's third largest producer and number one exporter of copper and has other important mineral resources. |
FBIS4-10039_1 | Robaina on Unconditional Talks, Emigres Meeting | an unjustly imposed blockade." He added that both OAS votes and a genuine willingness to invest in Cuba are needed to end it. As for his government's policy of promoting investments, Robaina assured that even Cubans in exile will have an opportunity to participate in the opening up process. "Cuba cannot say that it is opening itself up legally to capital investment from all quarters without opening itself up to Cubans who left the country," the foreign minister said. He added that "when we say that investment possibilities are available to everyone we mean everyone." Robaina pointed out that this calls for a gradual process as well as the establishment of a climate of trust in the foreign investor within a framework of broad and flexible regulations that excludes no one. The minister also commented on the economic problems facing the island in the wake of the "surprising" demise of the socialist bloc. He said that "although there is no variety on our tables," the basic nourishment of our population is ensured. He pointed out that in view of the dilemma caused by this situation, Cuba has only two options: "Renounce its achievements or decide to ignore their essence and adapt in order to survive under current conditions and with principles that are essential to us." The foreign minister said that the collapse of socialism was not the only thing that affected the expectations of the regime that has ruled the island since 1 January 1959. He admitted that mistakes that led to the current situation included excessive reliance on foreign aid and the neglect of important production sectors like agriculture. In this regard, he pointed out that the preferential relations that Cuba enjoyed with the Soviet bloc had ended and voiced Cuba's willingness to participate in a restructuring process leading to the establishment of new ties. Robaina also talked about exiles and noted that a meeting will be held on the Isle of Youth from 22 to 24 April with representatives of the diaspora from about 60 countries. He pointed out that the government plans to establish a "normal path" to ensure that exiles "cease to be the instrument for hostile policies against the island." The foreign minister said, "I think that certain things involve healthy interests (because) many Cubans of goodwill, who are all over the world, want to maintain normal relations with their homeland." He added that |
FBIS4-10042_0 | Further on Meeting With Abreu | BFN ["Special report" via satellite from Uruguay by Reporter Roberto Cavada] [Excerpts] Good evening to all Cubans. There are absolutely no problems whatsoever in relations between Uruguay and Cuba. We are working toward strengthening those relations, Uruguayan Foreign Minister Sergio Abreu said following a meeting with his Cuban counterpart Roberto Robaina. [passage omitted] Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina Gonzalez gave a broad explanation to Mr. Abreu about the steps Cuba has taken to find a viable national economic model. On this matter, he pointed out that there was no greater policy changes in Cuba than those taking place in the economic sphere. The two foreign ministers noted that there should be no rigidity [debe descongelarse] about the Cuban debt to Montevideo, estimated at some $33 million. They also agreed that a climate of dialogue, initiatives, and prospects should be promoted that will permit, for example, the reactivation of the Uruguaya-Cuban trade commission and the visit of a group of Uruguayan businessmen to Cuba. The invitation was formally extended a few hours ago after Robaina met with businessmen and members of the Uruguayan Chambers of Commerce and Industry. [passage omitted] |
FBIS4-10072_1 | Editorial Backs President, Decries U.S. Envoy | product among consumers. According to official announcements, there are still 1,900 hectares of coca farms to be eradicated -- of the 4,500 the previous government had promised to eradicate by 31 March -- and it is obvious that in the week before the deadline's expiration it will be impossible to fulfill the promise. Unless there is an intention to provoke a serious confrontation much stronger and more tragic than the ones that already have occurred in the region. This is the most serious and sensitive problem the nation is now confronting. If the Chapare boiler goes off now, the other conflicts underlying Bolivian society will immediately worsen, provoking violence and instability. To avoid this, it is necessary to make all efforts and to be extremely prudent and patriotic. If violence prevails in Chapare, there will be no capitalization, participation, educational reform, or the other proposals. There will be no more democracy, economic growth, and inflation control. The country and all its social sectors would lose their course, and our homeland would become the appropriate stage for the situation that is desired by imperialists and by those who advocate military action: a low-intensity war, rapid deployment tactics, the use of new conventional weapons, and clean, smart bombs. Whoever thinks we are exaggerating should review the course of world events to convince himself. Peaceful and prosperous societies have suddenly been taken over by violence and, obviously, by foreign troops. Peace is for society what freedom is for men: It is not appreciated until it is lost, but while we enjoy it, we do not realize that we are making use of an essential value. President Sanchez de Lozada's timely appeal to the U.S. Government, before Vice President Gore, awakened a clumsy reaction by Mr. Richard Bowers, which Bolivians have unanimously repudiated. He did not use the language of an ambassador, or even of a junior diplomat. It is hoped that his superiors in the State Department will reprimand him, because our Foreign Ministry has never dared do it, because of our longstanding weakness. The appropriate thing to do is to outline our position directly to Washington, where Vice President Victor Hugo Cardenas might go in search of justice. This is what Chayanta chief Tomas Catari did 200 years ago when he made a long pilgrimage on foot to Buenos Aires to complain to the viceroy about the abuses of Governor Joaquin Alos. |
FBIS4-10079_2 | Bank President Denies Money-Laundering | and exchange houses, and there are no large-scale operations indicating to us that money laundering is taking place," he said. Taboada said that based on the stability observed in bank transactions, there is no possibility that "money laundering" is done that way. "For example, there is no evidence huge amounts of money have been withdrawn from the financial system overnight," he said. Concerning the dollar surplus, the official said the dollarization of the economy still persists in the country, mainly in sectors that in some way sense instability. "Certain people cannot forget about the inflation and devaluation period, although we insist the situation has changed. We hope they will feel more secure with the signing of the ESAF [Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility], so we can reverse this sentiment," Taboada said. At the start of Holy Week, the price of the dollar had dropped to 6.60 cordobas. The exchange house Multicambios did not miss the opportunity of selling it at up to 6.55 cordobas yesterday. "We need cordobas, and that is why we often have to sell at that price, barely a point above the official price, which today (yesterday) was 6.53.77 cordobas," Gomez has said. Exchange dealer Miguel Angel Mendieta said that before Holy Week, the market experienced a dollar surplus and a cordobas shortage. "We believe this is caused by the economic crisis. People who have dollars are selling them to survive, but only a few are buying to save them as they did before," Mendieta has said. Gomez said the surplus and shortage in demand will lead to a dollarization of the economy. "The balance has been broken; more people are selling dollars, and there are few cordobas to purchase them," he has said. In certain cases the profit margin of certain exchange houses was four cents, but that has dropped to one cent for the above mentioned reasons. Most of the exchange houses have cut back their levels of operations. Alejandro Solorzano, Exchange Houses Association [Asociacion de Casas de Cambio, Asocambio] president, attributed the situation to the shortage of liquidity. "The trend is now toward more people with dollars and fewer with cordobas. We are almost working at the official price," he added. According to Solorzano, the chief problem is that the exchange houses lack the capacity to give incentives to buyers as they did before. "The slow circulation of dollars is hurting the market," he said. |
FBIS4-10085_0 | Daily Supports Commission | BFN [Editorial: "Measures Against Corruption"] [Text] It is undeniable that all sectors agree it is necessary to fight corruption. Yet, when it comes to making a decision on concrete measures, there is no more unanimity. While some people emphasize the legal side of the matter, advocating the use of laws to fight this scourge, others emphasize the ethical side, advocating the teaching of principles to people. The truth is that both are right. A society without sufficient legal instruments, both for preventing and for sanctioning corruption, will have little success in the fight against it. Yet it is also true that people without principles are more likely to engage in practices leading to the unethical and illegal obtaining of wealth. Within this context, it is highly positive that the first "heated debate" at the Chamber of Deputies focused on the search for feasible mechanisms for controlling this scourge. Because even though Chile has traditionally observed the law and the standards of morality, there are indications that the corruption wave affecting other countries might also spread to Chile. An outstanding point in the broad debate on the subject was the need to strengthen the structure and functions of control organs. Proposals were made to expedite and modernize the procedures of the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic and to expand the supervisory duties of the Council for the Defense of the State and of the Chamber of Deputies. A proposal was also made to install an Ombudsman [preceding word in English], or people's defender, and a Superintendency of State-Run Companies. Within the private sector it was proposed to impose sanctions against the illegal obtaining of wealth and the engagement of employees in crimes against the state [delitos funcionarios]. It was also proposed to reestablish the power that professional associations had for sanctioning ethical violations. The government is sponsoring an interesting initiative, which considers the possibility of creating a top-level commission for proposing the necessary legal amendments to prevent fraud in all public sector organs. This initiative, which would in practice call for creation of a National Commission Against Corruption similar to the commission that will be created for fighting poverty, has the advantage that all sectors of the country will be represented in it. In fact, all Chileans should obviously engage in the fight against this scourge, which is the main threat that jeopardizes a democracy. In sum, there |
FBIS4-10098_0 | Election, Vice-Presidential Choices Viewed | CSO [Commentary by Enrique Santos Calderon: "The Echo of the Ballot Boxes"] [Text] A lot of abstention, yes, but what could be expected, given the confusion, the lack of seriousness, the absence of ideas, and the down-home populism that are proving to be one of the most debatable legacies of the Constitution of 1991? Moreover, it did not strike me as all that dramatic. Historically, voter participation in Colombia has always left a great deal to be desired. With a few extraordinary exceptions, such as the plebiscite of 1957, most elections have had little more than a 60-percent turnout. The abstention rate reached 70 percent in the elections for the Constituent Assembly in 1991. After the congressional repeal, the elections to choose a new one had a 65-percent abstention rate. This is disturbing, no matter how you look at it. It would be better to see the voter turnouts of 80 and even 90 percent that democracies such as Italy, Spain, and Costa Rica have. Not because voting is mandatory--that is a disagreeable requirement--but because they have greater political maturity and democratic consciousness. Indifference, cynicism, apathy, skepticism, ignorance, rejection, or complacency--all these and more explain the persistence of abstentionism in Colombia. And it is not exclusive to us; in the United States, to choose an example not too far away, voter turnout is hardly ever more than 50 percent. It is significant, in any event, that with so much political openness, so many new civil rights, the proliferation of electoral lists, new groups, special districts for blacks and Indians, etc., not only do people not flock to the polls, but voter participation actually declines. This is something to think about. Furthermore, if blank ballots, the citizen's most explicit and conscientious way of expressing his repudiation for everything, are not given enough attention, people will feel that this form of protest vote is not worth the trouble, either, and will be discouraged from participating. A central conclusion to be drawn from these legislative elections is that there are no national leaders. Only 16 senators were elected by quotas, and the impressive battle for the leftovers reflects an fragmented political scene in which there is not a single figure with national appeal. There are so many things to remark upon in these elections: the return of longstanding but very weakened electoral barons, such as Guerra Serna and Name Teran; the decline of |
FBIS4-10115_0 | Election, Vice-Presidential Choices Viewed | CSO [Commentary by Enrique Santos Calderon: "The Echo of the Ballot Boxes"] [Text] A lot of abstention, yes, but what could be expected, given the confusion, the lack of seriousness, the absence of ideas, and the down-home populism that are proving to be one of the most debatable legacies of the Constitution of 1991? Moreover, it did not strike me as all that dramatic. Historically, voter participation in Colombia has always left a great deal to be desired. With a few extraordinary exceptions, such as the plebiscite of 1957, most elections have had little more than a 60-percent turnout. The abstention rate reached 70 percent in the elections for the Constituent Assembly in 1991. After the congressional repeal, the elections to choose a new one had a 65-percent abstention rate. This is disturbing, no matter how you look at it. It would be better to see the voter turnouts of 80 and even 90 percent that democracies such as Italy, Spain, and Costa Rica have. Not because voting is mandatory--that is a disagreeable requirement--but because they have greater political maturity and democratic consciousness. Indifference, cynicism, apathy, skepticism, ignorance, rejection, or complacency--all these and more explain the persistence of abstentionism in Colombia. And it is not exclusive to us; in the United States, to choose an example not too far away, voter turnout is hardly ever more than 50 percent. It is significant, in any event, that with so much political openness, so many new civil rights, the proliferation of electoral lists, new groups, special districts for blacks and Indians, etc., not only do people not flock to the polls, but voter participation actually declines. This is something to think about. Furthermore, if blank ballots, the citizen's most explicit and conscientious way of expressing his repudiation for everything, are not given enough attention, people will feel that this form of protest vote is not worth the trouble, either, and will be discouraged from participating. A central conclusion to be drawn from these legislative elections is that there are no national leaders. Only 16 senators were elected by quotas, and the impressive battle for the leftovers reflects an fragmented political scene in which there is not a single figure with national appeal. There are so many things to remark upon in these elections: the return of longstanding but very weakened electoral barons, such as Guerra Serna and Name Teran; the decline of |
FBIS4-10116_1 | Deputy Views Patents Law, U.S. `Pressure' | speed up the approval of a pharmaceutical patents law. "I think the pressure exerted by former Ambassador Terence Todman, who is returning home, as well as by current Ambassador James Cheek and Vice President Al Gore is totally negative. They publicly placed the need to approve a patents law in accordance with U.S. companies' interests as a basic condition. Mr. Carter [not further identified] said the same thing to President Carlos Menem in Chile much more brutally. The least Menem should have done, considering the insolence of this second-class official who was addressing a head of state, is to put him in his place." Storani, however, assured us that he has "always supported the need to change the law, but protecting our interests and without encouraging the monopoly of foreign laboratories, which has had fateful consequences in other countries." "In some cases it is a matter of justice to give something to the inventor. But this gratification should be granted within the framework of a broad health policy," Storani said. "We also must take into account the interests of local laboratories, which are not simply pirates stealing foreign technology." [Bruno] But returning to NAFTA, the government says the national economic interest requires... [Storani, interrupting] Our economic interests are absolutely insignificant. They might be potentially important, but we will see that later. For instance, U.S. producers still receive subsidies, and this is unfair competition affecting Argentine producers. I have the impression that nothing is clear from an economic viewpoint, and I insist our bilateral trade is grossly tilted in favor of the United States. Besides, our exports cannot diversify, and we cannot sell them more manufactured products. [Bruno] Are NAFTA and Mercosur compatible? [Storani] I visited the United States recently. Every single official I talked to said NAFTA and Mercosur are incompatible. Therefore, what [Foreign Minister Guido] Di Tella said about compatibility is incongruous. [Bruno] Let us suppose they really are incompatible, and we have to choose between one or the other. Which one do you think the government would chose? [Storani] If this trend of carnal relations continues, I think the government will chose NAFTA, even though we do not have any economic interest at stake. My position is that our natural space is Mercosur. The fact that today we have economic differences with Brazil does not mean we must leave that path. I would like to participate in both |
FBIS4-10116_2 | Deputy Views Patents Law, U.S. `Pressure' | consequences in other countries." "In some cases it is a matter of justice to give something to the inventor. But this gratification should be granted within the framework of a broad health policy," Storani said. "We also must take into account the interests of local laboratories, which are not simply pirates stealing foreign technology." [Bruno] But returning to NAFTA, the government says the national economic interest requires... [Storani, interrupting] Our economic interests are absolutely insignificant. They might be potentially important, but we will see that later. For instance, U.S. producers still receive subsidies, and this is unfair competition affecting Argentine producers. I have the impression that nothing is clear from an economic viewpoint, and I insist our bilateral trade is grossly tilted in favor of the United States. Besides, our exports cannot diversify, and we cannot sell them more manufactured products. [Bruno] Are NAFTA and Mercosur compatible? [Storani] I visited the United States recently. Every single official I talked to said NAFTA and Mercosur are incompatible. Therefore, what [Foreign Minister Guido] Di Tella said about compatibility is incongruous. [Bruno] Let us suppose they really are incompatible, and we have to choose between one or the other. Which one do you think the government would chose? [Storani] If this trend of carnal relations continues, I think the government will chose NAFTA, even though we do not have any economic interest at stake. My position is that our natural space is Mercosur. The fact that today we have economic differences with Brazil does not mean we must leave that path. I would like to participate in both markets, if possible, and even work for what George Bush proposed in the Americas Initiative. [Bruno] What is your opinion on the issue of a common external tariff system between Brazil and Argentina? [Storani] The unification of our different systems is a step in the right direction, without a doubt. But I think the Argentine Government is overacting on the issue of deadlines. We need a gradual process of economic compatibility before our tariff systems can be unified. Instead of establishing deadlines, the government should have established conditions and guidelines. Regarding relations with Brazil, I think first we must look at the development of the process of economic reforms, make our economies compatible, and eliminate our differences. Then we make evaluate progress in these areas and move forward toward unifying our tariff systems. [passage omitted] |
FBIS4-10118_0 | Congressman Assesses Stance on NAFTA, Mercosur | BFN [Interview with Florencio Acenolaza, chairman of the Foreign Relations and Worship Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, by Eugenio Andrea Bruno; place and date not given] [Excerpt] [Bruno] What is your opinion of Argentina joining NAFTA? [Acenolaza] Argentina's possible entry into NAFTA is positive, as it would enhance trade possibilities and improve our current negative trade balance position with the United States. It has been thought that Argentina's joining NAFTA could be in direct contradiction with our participation in Mercosur [Common Market of the South], but I do not think this is so, as our relations with Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay are independent. [Bruno] The opposition believes that given the characteristics of Argentina's foreign trade -- its main trading partners are Europe and Japan -- it would not be suitable for Argentina to join NAFTA, as it may imply discrimination against these countries. [Acenolaza] I do not think the situation is like that. The current trade policy does not have a definite direction. We are not thinking about trading exclusively with Europe, as we used to do in the past. I believe the point the opposition has raised is natural and normal and I accept it as an action by the opposition. Let us not forget that if we do not join NAFTA now, we will not be able to do so until 1997. [Bruno] Do you believe that joining NAFTA would be tantamount to sailing under the U.S. flag and participating in the trade war it is currently waging against Japan and Europe? [Acenolaza] I believe we ought to start giving top priority to our national interests. Our country's main interest lies in placing our products on foreign markets and giving jobs to our people. It is true that joining NAFTA would imply establishing common policies with the United States, but we have to assess this from the standpoint of our national interests. We will thus see that our joining NAFTA would go hand in hand with an economic upswing. The opposition's handling of this issue is simply political. It seeks to prevent the government, which is doing things right, from joining an economic process that is beneficial for us. [Bruno] The other subject that pertains to our relations with the United States is the one that has to do with patents applied for pharmaceutical products and the alleged pressure exerted by the U.S. Government. [Acenolaza] That issue |
FBIS4-10124_0 | Patents Law `Credential' for Negotiating Tariffs With U.S. | BFN [Text] Buenos Aires, 6 Apr (NA) -- Economy Minister Domingo Cavallo said today that the approval of the Patents Law is "a credential in the negotiations with the U.S. Government to get it to modify the extremely closed tariff stance it has with Argentina." Cavallo complained that while Argentina is "extremely open to the United States, it is extremely closed to us in tariff and rates matters." He stressed it is "fundamental" that the Patents Law be used as a lever in the negotiation of a bilateral trade relation with the United States, and "no ground must be given regarding future sanctions." "It is very important for them that it can be considered as a credential in the negotiations," the minister reiterated during the luncheon he had with an organization of business people. The economy minister warned that if negotiations with the U.S. Government are successful, the norm for acknowledging the intellectual rights of U.S. laboratories "will have to be made within the framework of GATT." This is precisely the measure that is being demanded by the national enterprises grouped within the Industrial Center of Argentine Pharmaceutical Laboratories (CILFA), something the foreign companies, represented in this case by the U.S. Embassy with James Cheek at its head, wish to prevent. The minister hopes that the approval of the Patents Law, which is sleeping in Congress, will be the "key" to unfreeze trade relations. Cavallo then referred to Brazil and stated that trade relations with the neighboring country are "as important as those with as those with the United States." Moreover, he confessed that the Argentine Government "slipped up when it negotiated a free trade" [zone], referring to the Mercosur [Common Market of the South] Treaty, and he said: "There was no need to achieve a customs union." Notwithstanding, he expressed his happiness in that "the Brazilians are quite realistic and have come to the conclusion that free trade is not yet feasible." As a detail to support his position, the minister maintained that many Europeans are "more skeptical about their monetary and economic union." |
FBIS4-10135_0 | Official Says Nation `Open' to U.S. on NAFTA | BFN [Text] On 22 March, Acting Foreign Minister Jose Miguel Insulza reiterated that Chile is open to discuss either of the two possibilities for trade integration with the United States. The possibilities are the signature of a free trade bilateral treaty or the incorporation of Chile into NAFTA, of which the United States, Mexico, and Canada are members. According to Insulza, Finance Minister Eduardo Aninat informed U.S. Trade Representative Michael Kantor of these alternatives during his visit to Chile to attend Frei's presidential inauguration. Insulza said the two countries' trade representatives will define an agenda to begin talks soon. For this, it must first be decided whether Chile will use the bilateral agreement or NAFTA. He added that the United States has not decided which countries will join the "fast track" [preceding two words in English] to begin the negotiations. This mechanism consists of an authorization granted by the U.S. Congress to the executive branch to negotiate quickly and then present a general agreement to the legislative branch for its approval. The acting foreign minister said the two alternatives have advantages and disadvantages. He said a bilateral agreement is quicker because it does not include all the items of NAFTA, which foresees more complex trade relations between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. As for NAFTA, Insulza said the advantage is that Chile could join a broader trade association and the items to be negotiated are already known and defined. Another aspect of bilateral relations between Chile and the United States is connected with the case of cyanide-poisoned grapes, which caused an embargo of Chilean fruit in March 1989. Regarding this subject, Insulza said the diplomatic negotiations are compatible with the lawsuit filed by Chilean fruit exporters. He added that some of the negotiation's elements could change according to the status of the lawsuit. Regarding the approval of the ambassadors named by Chile, Insulza said that so far Argentina, Peru, and Mexico have given the "agreement" [preceding word in English] for Eduardo Rodriguez, Carlos Martinez Sotomayor, and Carlos Portales, respectively. He said this is due not only to the good relations maintained with these countries, but also to the expeditious processing of the documents, which sometimes is complex. He cited as an example the fact that in Europe the approval of ambassadors is made by a council of state and in some Latin American countries it is made by the |
FBIS4-10146_8 | Journalists Discuss Hard Currency | commercial flexibility and initiative be positive? At what point does it begin to be negative? At what point does it become impolitic? At what point does it begin to cause irritation on the part of our citizens because of the shortages they are already being affected by? [Rodriguez] Of course this -- all these attitudes -- is also to a certain extent related to the so-called depoliticizing of the economy. I think that yes, one can to a certain extent speak of economics alone, without relation to politics. When those economics are put into practice, however... [rephrases] I mean: You can talk about ideas, and about economic laws that operate independently of will or of the social system. However, when you go looking for that economy's end goal, that is when politics merges with economics, and that is where these businessmen have to act, taking into account not only economic ideas -- the ideas of businessmen -- but also political ideas. [Sexto] I think what you are saying is obvious: In a society based on social justice -- that is, equitable distribution of wealth and a standard of security for all -- indidputably, for the majority of the population, economics can never be divorced from politics. I think that is one of the many taboos that have arisen recently in certain places in the world; and, in fact, we already know where such a divorce -- that artificial divorce between economics and politics -- is leading. Socialist societies are profoundly humane societies, and in my opinion, politics is nothing more than the art of getting human beings to live together in harmony. Therefore, we cannot forget the political implications of all our economic actions. That is what I am talking about, Osvaldo. However, I think that we also have to talk about other things here, in the few moments left to us. I think there are many Cubans who indeed may have hard currency available to them today, for one reason or another. But I also think that those Cubans who today have access to -- or rather, the right to use -- that hard currency must try to be very careful not to offend the sensibilities of their fellow citizens, because that problem too is occurring. We are not going to criticize, here on our program, only officials who, by making certain decisions, have made a mistake. I think |
FBIS4-10147_0 | Roundup of Economic Activity | BFN [Editorial Report] The following is a compilation of fileworthy reports on economic developments in Cuba carried on Havana radio and television in Spanish between 5 and 7 April. Radio Rebelde at 0900 on 5 April reports that sugar workers in matanzas province have completed the planting of 500 caballerias of sugarcane. Their goal is to plant more than 2,000 caballerias by the end of the year. Radio Rebelde also reports that the combatants of the Western Division of the Antiaircraft Defense and Revolutionary Air Force and Specialized troops of the Revolutionary Armed Forces concluded their mobilization in Havana with outstanding achievements in the potato harvest and other agricultural tasks. The contingent that worked in San Antonio de los Banos received the banner for being the best military force in the miscellaneous crops. Radio Progreso at 1100 GMT on 5 April reports that the International Red Cross made a donation valued at more than $500,000 for families affected by the intense rainfall of last November in Guantanamo. The donation consists of personal hygiene products and household goods, as well as food for rural hospitals, retirement homes, and other institutions. Tele Rebelde and Cuba Vision at 0000 GMT on 5 April reports that the longest bridge built over the sea in Cuba is in Villa Clara. The bridge is 350 meters long and 750 meters high. This bridge, which rests on 156 concrete pillars, has a feature allowing ships to pass under it, as well as an exchange of waters so that the ecology of the area is not affected. Havana Radio Reloj at 1934 GMT on 5 April reports that Matanzas' agroindustrial complexes planted 179 caballerias of sugarcane in the month of March. Radio Rebelde at 0900 GMT on 6 April reports that the 1,800 Western Army troops participating in `Operation Giron' harvested over 550,000 quintals of potatoes and other agricultural products in Havana Province in just 26 days, whereas they had been expected to harvest that amount in 46 days. In the same newscast, Rebelde's Cienfuegos correspondent reports that cane recovery seems to be going well in the province: The local Agriculture Ministry representative says that 143 caballerias have been planted in the province to date, 137 percent of the figure planned for the first 90 days of 1994. There are 67 caballerias of cane left to plant in this month's plan, and the province expects to plant them |
FBIS4-10182_0 | Menem Harshly Criticizes Blank Vote Campaign | BFN [Text] Santiago del Estero, 6 Apr (NA) -- Today, President Carlos Menem harshly criticized the parties that are urging Argentines to cast blank votes in the 10 April elections. He asserted it was time for people "to decide on whether to be hot or cold, as God will spew forth those who are lukewarm." Yesterday, similar to what happened in Cordoba Province, the head of state once again called on citizens to turn out in massive number at the polls to elect Constituent Assembly members. Menem defended the advantages of the constitutional reform during a political tour he made of Frias, La Banda, and the city of Santiago del Estero to prop up the electoral possibilities for the Justicialist Party [PJ] in the provinces. The president arrived in Santiago del Estero this morning from Cordoba, accompanied by Education Minister Jorge Rodriguez, Tucuman Governor Ramon Ortega, and National Mortgage Bank President Adelina Dalesio de Viola. He was welcomed at the airport by Santiago del Estero federal trustee Juan Schiaretti. He then flew to the city of Frias, which is located 175 km from here, where he later presided over a party rally. Menem delivered a speech at this rally, which was held in the 25 de Mayo Square in front of the town hall, after Schiaretti. Menem sharply reprimanded those who are campaigning for the blank vote. Once again, he exhorted citizens to turn out in massive numbers to vote on 10 April because "now is the time to take a firm stand" to keep abreast of our country's transformation process. During his address, the head of state stressed that "the time has come to turn to the Biblical expression: As you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, God will spew you forth. Lukewarmness is not a viable choice. This is why I do not understand how some politicians can be campaigning in favor of the blank vote," he stressed before asking "what is the value of a blank vote at a time when one has to stake everything on our homeland?" Menem harshly reprimanded those who criticize the agreement signed with the Radical Civic Union [UCR]. He stated: "More than 70 percent of Argentines are included in the pact," as they are represented by the two leading political parties in the country, the PJ and the UCR. He recalled that "six constitutional amendments were made in the past |
FBIS4-10183_0 | Political Parties Close 10 Apr Election Campaign | BFN [Text] Buenos Aires, 7 Apr (EFE) -- Argentine political parties will close their political campaign today in the midst of widespread indifference. On 10 April, citizens will elect 305 members of a Constituent Assembly that will be responsible for reforming the Constitution. Numerous radio and television surveys indicate that a good percentage of Argentine citizens are not aware of what is involved in the reform except that it will permit President Carlos Menem to run for reelection. Other surveys indicate that more than 25 percent of eligible voters will not vote despite the fact that voting is compulsory, or they will submit blank votes, as during the 3 October 1993 legislative election. Yesterday, former President Raul Alfonsin, candidate for the Radical Civic Union (UCR) in Buenos Aires Province, asked people to vote for his party "to make sure that the Constitution will be a guarantee of justice and security for all." Carlos Menem, in turn, presided over a ceremony in Santiago del Estero during which he called on citizens to vote for the party of their liking and not submit blank votes, as blank votes "are of no use." The progress made by the center-left coalition Grand Front (FG) in the Argentine capital, where surveys place it behind the ruling Justicialist Party (Peronist) and ahead of the UCR, has been the significant event of the two weeks leading up to the election. The FG is headed by Deputy Carlos Alvarez, a dissident Peronist who has occupied the most important sections in local newspapers over the last few months because according to observers, he is the Argentine leader who understands best that political campaigns must be carried out in the communications media. Over the past few days, Menem and Alfonsin have defended the agreement the two leaders signed at the end of 1993 to have a project for reforming the Constitution approved by Congress. Their remarks were aimed at accusations made by other parties' candidates that "the pact" was signed behind the people's back. The Peronists and Radicals association opened a deep breach between them and the other political groups which are also fighting for votes. Jesus Rodriguez, who is in first place on the UCR ticket for the capital, said "people know the UCR alone can control Menem's growing power," and called on citizens "to concentrate votes for the opposition." Fernando "Pino" Solanas, Argentine actor and candidate for the |
FBIS4-10185_0 | Roundup of Economic Reports | BFN [Editorial Report] The following is a compilation of reports on economic activities monitored through 7 April. Tax collection in March fell 4 percent with respect to February, and 3.7 percent with respect to the estimate for the month. Official sources state that 3.57 billion pesos was the target, while only 3.44 billion were received. This sum is nevertheless 11.2 percent above the figure for March 1993. (Buenos Aires BUENOS AIRES HERALD in English 5 Apr 94 p 5) The government's railway privatization policy picked up steam on 1 April, when the Belgrano Norte and San Martin metropolitan rail services were handed over to their new operators. The Belgrano Norte line was handed over to Ferrovias SAC, which will run the railway for the next 10 years. Ferrovias will be receiving government subsidies of $150 million over the life of the concession to make new investments. The San Martin line will be run by the Transportes Metropolitanos Gral San Martin SA consortium (TMS). The new operators will have to invest $70 million during the 10-year concession with government subsidies of $10.9 million. (Buenos Aires BUENOS AIRES HERALD in English 2 Apr 94 p 5) The World Bank and the Economy Ministry signed loan agreements for $3.3 billion covering the next three years. The loans will cover food, child education, reform of the provincial economies, and the environment. According to Economy Ministry sources, $800 million will be spent on bringing the provincial economies up to date, and $750 million for education and rural poverty plans. The funds will be administered by the World Bank. (Buenos Aires BUENOS AIRES HERALD in English 2 Apr 94 p 5) According to data disclosed today by the National Institute of Statistics and Census, the Consumer Price Index was up by 0.1 percent in March, while wholesale prices and construction costs rose by 0.2 percent. Retail prices have edged up by 5.2 percent over the last 12 months. Accrued inflation since the Argentine peso was pegged to the U.S. dollar is 53.2 percent. (Buenos Aires NOTICIAS ARGENTINAS in Spanish 1957 GMT 6 Apr 94) |
FBIS4-10219_0 | Russia, Colombia Favor Lifting U.S. Blockade | BFN [Text] Russia and Colombia today supported the proposal in favor of lifting the U.S. blockade against Cuba on the occasion of Colombian Foreign Minister Noemi Sanin's visit to Moscow. After signing an agreement on bilateral relations, Sanin confirmed in a brief dialogue with reporters that the Cuban issue was discussed, especially common satisfaction with the reestablishment of relations between Havana and Bogota. Andrey Kozyrev also said that Russia favors the normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States. He added that confrontations should be avoided, and residuals of the Cold War left behind. |
FBIS4-10222_0 | Commentary: Foreign Money Needed for Oil Exploration | BFN [Commentary by Roberto Morejon from the "Evening Information Review" newscast] [Text] Agreements with two countries could clear up Cuba's energy future if they are ultimately implemented, allowing the island to improve its economy, whose Achilles' heel is precisely the lack of fuel. The weekly OPCIONES, which circulates in Cuba to provide information to tourists and foreign residents, said in its latest edition that Cuba and Russia ratified an agreement last December to exchange Cuban sugar for Russian petroleum. Through this agreement, Moscow would send 2.5 million tons of petroleum to the island this year in exchange for 1 million tons of unrefined sugar. A few days ago, Mexican Ambassador to Cuba Carlos Tello revealed both countries had signed a letter of intent to exploit, under a joint enterprise scheme, some 60,000 barrels of petroleum at the Cienfuegos refinery on the southern coast of Cuba, and to produce petroleum byproducts for sale on domestic and world markets. If the accord signed by Havana and the Mexican state-owned company Mexpetrol advances favorably, the refined product would be sold in the Cuban market and the oversupply in other nations. The origin of the current Cuban economic crisis is related to energy following the reduction in petroleum supplies from the defunct Soviet Union, which in 1989 supplied a little more than 13 million tons. Cuba has been forced to get its economy going with only half of this amount, because it does not have the financial reserves to purchase all of its petroleum needs. For similar reasons, Cuba mothballed its electronuclear program launched with the Soviet Union in 1980, when investments exceeded $1.2 billion. For the time being, this has eliminated the possibility of reducing dependence on imported petroleum. Cuba does not have plentiful rivers, large forests, or significant coal deposits, and it only exploits wells of heavy petroleum, whose production last year hit a record of 1.1 million tons. National crude oil is used in industry, the production of cement, and power-generation. Additionally, the country has resorted to foreign investments to explore new fields of light petroleum by granting risk contracts. The results of these contracts will only be known in the future. Even if the agreements with Russia and Mexico bear fruit, not all of the country's needs will be met. Nevertheless, annual payments on imports would be reduced by using petroleum refined at the Cienfuegos installation, in addition to securing |
FBIS4-10233_0 | Scientific Hub Reactivating Camaguey Power Plant | BFN [Text] The reactivation of an old power plant, the "Manuel Julien," located in the historic sector of the city of Camaguey is one of the responsibilities assigned to the province's scientific hub. After being taken out of service a few years ago, this plant is now undergoing modifications that will allow it to burn solid fuels, mainly bagasse. Seven groups made up of people from 11 provincial organizations are working on the power plant, which began operating in the 1920's. These people are responsible for repairing the plant's boilers, cooling system, pipes, and water treatment system. The plant is expected to be operational in June, and to be capable of generating 10 megawatts, which is a third of the city of Camaguey's demand. This is a new responsibility that has been given to the productive scientific hub, and reactivating the plant will allow us to make it available during two periods, as well as incorporate it into the power grid. |
FBIS4-10306_0 | Points of Disagreement Among Economic Team Cited | BFN [Article by Sonia Mossri and Gustavo Patu] [Text] Brasilia -- Disagreements among the members of the economic team prevented Finance Minister Rubens Ricupero from announcing during his swearing-in ceremony on 5 April the rules for transition into the new currency, the real. The only consensus within the economic team is the feasibility of putting the real into circulation on 1 June, despite the fact that the PSDB [Brazilian Social Democracy Party] prefers 1 July. Finance Ministry advisers observe that the acceptance of the URV [Real Value Unit] is widespread. Several price indexes have already adopted the URV as the new unit of reference. The PSDB believes that the creation of the new currency on 1 July will help the candidacy of former Finance Minister Fernando Henrique Cardoso. According to PSDB projections, inflation should be below 5 percent by October. One of the main controversial subjects among the economic team members is the exchange system that will be adopted following the creation of the real; that is, the dollar quotation in the new currency. Central Bank [BC] President Pedro Malan, BC International Affairs Director Gustavo Franco, and special adviser Jose Milton Dallari do not favor a fixed exchange rate (that is, a fixed dollar price in reals). However, Economic Policy Secretary Winston Fritsch and special adviser Edmar Bacha defend a fixed exchange rate during the first stage of the real so as to curb inflation more quickly. Another point of disagreement is the manner by which inflation will be eliminated at the moment of transition from one currency to the other. This means not taking into account the price variations of the periods before and after the creation of the real. The objective is not to transmit the price variations of the old currency (cruzeiro real) to the new currency. As for prefixed contracts [credit card payments or purchases in installments] other economic plans had adopted a conversion scale with daily conversion indexes. Given that these are short-term contracts (an average 30 days), part of the economic team believes that the anticipated announcement of the date of creation of the new currency does not make the adoption of a conversion scale necessary. The economic team has not yet agreed on mechanisms for eliminating the monetary correction during the month that the real will go into effect, and the following month. Gustavo Franco, who used to push for the issuance of |
FBIS4-10326_4 | Nuclear Technology Program Discussed | Cuban agriculture has especially benefited from the use of nuclear techniques. Through the use of ionizing radiation, an important phytotechnical program of mutation has allowed us to obtain a variety of new plants of great economic importance. An accelerated program using the technique that leaves plants insect-free has been implemented to control pests that affect several crops; the most important results achieved have been with the borers that attack sugarcane. Radioactive tracers and nuclear analytical techniques in the sugar agroindustry have allowed us to evaluate the operations of our installations and learn about the chemical composition of the products and by-products obtained. The use of radioisotopic instruments has developed greatly over the past few years. The iron and steel and mechanical industries must be highlighted. Factories in these industries use monitoring systems based on this type of equipment. This production line is currently being strengthened, with the possibility of developing and producing equipment for these purposes in Cuba. An example of this is the nickel industry's humidity-measurement system based on the method of reflecting neutrons that was designed and manufactured in Cuba. This system gives us a tremendous saving in fuel. The other area in which nuclear techniques are used is petroleum research. Determining the point of interphase between water and oil and establishing the causes of failures in wells under exploitation are two of the objectives of the use of radioisotopic techniques in which foreign companies currently operating in Cuba have expressed interest. [end recording] [Resillez] Engineer Salazar, before going on to discuss the use of these practical techniques, I think our viewers might be interested in learning whether our nuclear development program is maintaining fluent international relations or is at all isolated. [Salazar] It maintains good relations, internationally. [Words indistinct] to show that our program is consistent and on the right path. We have bilateral relations with approximately 15 countries, and multilateral relations through the assistance and cooperation system of the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA], of which we are a member. Proof of this is that we have been elected to the board of governors by Latin America for a fourth time. This will give you an idea of the prestige we have achieved and of our current relations in this regard. We have received support from the IAEA for the period 1993-94 in support of the work we have been developing in Cuba involving the use |
FBIS4-10326_7 | Nuclear Technology Program Discussed | in the pharmaceutical industry. Diagnostic methods with the use of radiopharmaceutical instruments are indispensable to the public health system. Among the radioisotopic techniques we can mention is the gammagraphic technique broadly used in neurological, cardiological, oncological, renal, and other studies. Cuba has a total of eight gamma cameras installed in nuclear medical services nationwide, in which professionals and experts in nuclear matters are working. National consumption of radioisotopes and tracer compounds has increased to more than $1 million annually over the past five years, although this cost has dropped over the past few years thanks to a group of radiochemists from the SEAN who have produced three tracer compounds used in renal, bone, and brain studies. This has allowed a savings of more than $100,000 annually. The radiosterilization system has allowed the decontamination and sterilization of bioprepared plastic materials and of medical-pharmaceutical products. The tracer compounds are in great demand in the genetic engineering and pharmaceutical industries. They facilitate the demand for studies of new pharmaceutical products before their registration. The task of the Cuban nuclear experts has also been extended to producing a small quantity of medical equipment. This equipment, which is produced in the country, are of high quality and very competitive. An example of this is the Degos bone density measurer for the diagnosis and treatment of problems in bone metabolism and in osteoporosis. It operates through a nuclear method called (photonic) absorption. This is very important for the studies of bone metabolism implemented by the Public Health Ministry. [end recording] [Salazar] Resillez, with the opportunity presented by this video, I would like to mention a few things. The video says that we have eight gamma cameras in the country. I would like to add that nationwide today, we have 17 nuclear medicine modules. This shows the high-level diagnoses that can be made of given diseases anywhere in the country. The video also mentions the production of some medical equipment we already discussed in the previous program. As you can see, the quality achieved is outstanding, and not only for this show. This has been confirmed by our own medical personnel who are using this equipment, although they are still facing a medical registration process. [Resillez] Thank you, engineer. The use of all these nuclear techniques, not only in Cuba but in any country in the world, demands very professional work and severe safety measures to prevent |
FBIS4-10328_1 | Article Views Runoff, Decries Electoral Tribunal | not even able to supply overall preliminary figures. A lack of openness, impartiality, and effectiveness on 20 March hindered the vote count. The same structural deficiencies have caused the opposition to report fraudulent acts and challenge the election results in 44 municipalities. Nevertheless, the most probable outcome will be that the TSE will dismiss these reports to end, as soon as possible, an electoral process that got out of control. The vote count in these elections has not been much different from those in previous elections. ARENA would like to avoid a runoff, because a first-round victory would make the outcome indisputable and give ARENA a pretext to continue ruling as if it has the complete support of El Salvador's citizens. The truth of the matter, however, is that ARENA only received 25 percent of the vote from those citizens registered. ARENA's untamed ambition for power led it to commit illegitimate acts on 20 March -- acts whose limits are still unknown. If these acts were a determining factor in the final results, ARENA will have to repeat them with the serious risk of getting caught. On the other hand, the coalition is ready for the runoff elections, because it believes that the people's vote is a commitment that cannot and should not be negotiated with the ruling party, and because it wants to show its ability to provide strong opposition in light of the fact that it will be very difficult to win the runoff. The coalition's task is not at all easy. The Christian Democrats, who were divided among those who would like to support ARENA and the coalition, decided not to support either. The small parties also do not appear willing to back the coalition directly. Even though the immediate electoral outlook does not favor the coalition, the runoff election could be an important contribution to the nation's democratic future, especially if one seriously considers the need to totally reform the electoral system after 24 April. Moreover, such a reform process should begin immediately and, in turn, remedy the most easily correctable anomalies in the little time remaining before the runoff elections. Unfortunately, for the time being, it is practically impossible to correct the most serious anomalies. The runoff elections provide a new opportunity to move ahead toward the democratization of the country, but for this to take place, the electoral event has to be radically transformed. |
FBIS4-10337_2 | Grand Front Leader Discusses Policies, Plans | show that corruption in the public administration is not fortuitous. Corruption is systemic, structural, and is affecting the operation of services that are indispensable for the development of a better standard of living. For instance, the most pessimistic estimates of the black money circulating in our financial system is around $4 billion per year. [LA PRENSA] Are your remarks that stability is an important achievement and that you will maintain it, indications of the Grand Front's economic project? [Alvarez] It would be silly to deny the importance of stability. We believe that stability is undeniably beneficial for society, but we must face the problems that stability alone cannot solve. [LA PRENSA] Do you believe in privatizations? [Alvarez] We must study them on a case-by-case basis. It is an instrument that we do not reject. I do not think we can talk about a [Economy Minister Domingo] Cavallo model. There are instruments. We must analyze them one by one. We do not have ideological prejudices against the instrument of privatization. But we must always analyze privatizations case by case. For instance, we believe that the privatization of Aerolineas Argentinas was very bad because we now have a single airline and it is in foreign hands. We know we cannot reverse the process but we want to discuss efficiency, service quality, and fare structure. In sum, we agree with some privatizations and disagree with others. In the same way, we do not think it is prehistoric to discuss if the state could have efficiently administered some profitable companies, as occurs in other parts of the world. [LA PRENSA] What about the economic opening? [Alvarez] The opening process bets on Argentine companies' improved competitiveness. We propose a different opening model, making sure -- as is done by the most advanced countries in the world -- that some industries have the necessary level of competitiveness and insertion into the world. The idea is to design an economic system between the private sector and a state that guides, establishes the infrastructure, and seeks competitiveness. If we leave everything in the hands of the market's spontaneous development we may end up without production of goods with high added value. I do not think it is bad for the state to help private companies. [LA PRENSA] Could Patricio Aylwin's government be an example of your policies? [Alvarez] The Chilean model developed in stages. First, the government sought |
FBIS4-10348_1 | Space Agency Head on U.S. Proliferation Concerns, MTCR | "We want to make it plain that we really never had military objectives." The United States acknowledges the blandishments: "The creation of the civilian agency puts relations between the two countries back on track," commented an American diplomat. There is a clear motive behind these Brazilian signs of good will: a relaxation of the veritable blockade the White House has been imposing on Brazil's space mission. Since the United States suspects that a parallel missile program exists, it has always done everything possible to keep Brazil from accessing the most sensitive technology. One American diplomat told ISTOE that his government went so far as to prohibit the presentation of certain books to Brazilian scientists. A study that the White House commissioned in 1993 from the Rand Corporation, an ultraconservative research institution, concluded that the Brazilian space program is "not economically viable." Unless its true objective were the production of missiles. The skirmishes between the two countries peaked at the end of last year, when Brazil accelerated its participation in a joint program with China for the launching of two observation satellites. At the time, the military command signalled that Brazil might attempt to obtain, from the Chinese and Russians, the special technology denied it by the United States and its allies. The Brazilian space program calls for the launching of four communications satellites. The first two in the Brasilsat series are already in orbit. It is expected that another will take off in 1995, mounted on the nose of a Brazilian satellite launch vehicle (SLV). The Sino-Brazilian project, in turn, includes the launching of two observation satellites, the first in 1996. "Our space mission has not only created about 5,000 highly specialized jobs, it transferred First World technology to different sectors of civilian industry," said Marcio Barbosa, director of the National Institute of Space Research (INPE) in Sao Jose dos Campos (SP). One of the examples of this technological transfer occurred at the Esca company, of Barueri (SP), which is involved in the Sino-Brazilian satellites project. Esca used the aerospace know-how to develop cheaper plastic bottles for soft drinks. Even with all the guarantees offered the United States as to the civilian objective of the space mission, there is little possibility that the Brazilian project will get a powerful injection of the latest technology in the near future. "I do not think our potential partners will help us build the |
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