AM Summary

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-1999
AM Summary

SYDNEY, Dec 16 AAP - The main stories in today's 0800 (AEDT) edition of the ABC's AM program:

* IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch has been questioned by a US congressional committee
about corruption within the IOC. Mr Samaranch tried sidestepping the difficult questions
on corruption and IOC reform. He also said the Sydney ticketing scandal had a positive
side because it demonstrated Australians were interested in the Games.

* Prime Minister John Howard has called for legal advice on how to stop state-run heroin
injecting trials, after a warning from the UN Narcotics Control Board. Opposition Leader
Kim Beazley says he supports the trials and has already received advice they do not breach
an international treaty. Interview with Mr Beazley on the heroin trials and gambling issues.

* At least six Aboriginal inmates in Sydney's Parklea Prison have been stabbed in the
past few months, apparently because of race-related tension. Aboriginal advocates say
the prison is not safe for indigenous inmates and they should be transferred. But Parklea
governor Stuart Campbell says the violence was caused by the Aborigines. Interview with
Mr Campbell.

* There is outrage within the Victorian police force about a decision to DNA test at
least ten officers to discover who urinated on a senior officer's locker and uniform.

Interview with assistant state secretary of the Victorian Police Association, Paul Mullett.

* In Washington, President Bill Clinton has opened two days of peace talks between
Israel and Syria. It appears the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has accepted that peace
with Syria will mean the return of most, if not all, of the Golan Heights. A report on
reaction in Israel.

* Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett remains the target of the new Labor government.

Premier Steve Bracks is auditing all contracts made by the Kennett government, particularly
the Crown Casino deal.

AAP vc/rft/wjf v

KEYWORD: AM SUMMARY

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