DIFFERENT VOICES

Date: 02/10/1997

“I was scared because they were fully armed and had Kalashnikovs pointed at us. This is an example of how people live here every day, in a situation of random terror.” Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Emma Bonino speaking after she and 18 others were arrested and held for three and a half hours by Islamic Taliban in Afghanistan for taking pictures in a women's hospital in Kabul.

“This incident shows quite clearly the grotesque view of the role of women held by the Taliban ... Anyone who deals with high-level foreign visitors, under immunity, in this way should not be surprised if Afghanistan remains largely isolated internationally.” German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel launching a savage attack on the Islamic Taliban for the arrests.

“A lasting, stable euro will grow into a major rival of the US dollar in the international markets. Mind you, superseding the US dollar as the leading reserve and investment currency is not directly on the agenda, but rather fruitful competition.” Bundesbank president Hans Tietmeyer speaking during a visit to Korea.

“By being constructive in Europe, we have started to get our own way.” British Prime Minister Tony Blair speaking on the eve of the Labour Party's annual conference and insisting that one of the biggest changes his government had brought about since taking office in May was in the way the UK was seen abroad.

“Tourism activities represent an immediate test bed for applying a balanced and sustainable strategy of development to achieve growth and employment.” Tourism Commissioner Christos Papoutsis stressing the industry's potential for job creation in a message issued to coincide with World Tourism Day.

“It is disheartening that others in Europe have, for different reasons, stepped in to resuscitate the Cuban economy just as it began to feel the effects of our embargo.”

US congressman Benjamin Gilman in a letter to the 40-nation Council of Europe protesting over its attitude towards the controversial Helms-Burton law which penalises foreign firms with dealings in Cuba.