October 16, 1998 All Things Considered (entire program) Requires the RealAudio Player

An index of the day's stories:

Nobel Peace Prize -- This year's Nobel Peace Prize has gone to John Hume and David Trimble, the leaders of Northern Ireland's main rival political parties for their efforts to end more than three decades of sectarian violence in the British province. But even with such a prestigious honor, NPR's Michael Goldfarb reports that reactions are not uniform. Catholic leader Hume has welcomed the prize as a gesture of international support for the agreement the two men reached. But Trimble says the prize may be premature, with much more work to be done before peace comes to Northern Ireland. (3:30)

Middle East Summit -- All Things Considered host Noah Adams talks to NPR's Ted Clark about the Israeli and Palestinian peace negotiations underway at a Maryland conference. Today, negotiators met in committees to discuss issues such as economic development, passage for Palestinians between Gaza and the West Bank and, most important, the problem of security. The security committee is focusing on a U.S. proposal for steps the Palestinian Authority could take to stop terrorism in the area under its control. Israel is asking for security guarantees in return for withdrawing troops from more territory. The talks are expected to last through the weekend. (4:30)

Japan Banking Reform -- NPR's Eric Weiner reports that legislation to pump as much as a half-trillion dollars into Japan's troubled banks has passed the upper house of parliament. The legislation, desperately needed to put the country on a course of financial recovery, passed the lower house on Tuesday. The measure would provide bail-out money for banks that are hurting but not in danger of failing. It's part of a legislative package designed to address some one-trillion dollars in bad loans. (3:45)

Papal Anniversary -- NPR's Lynn Neary reports on the legacy of the first Pole ever elected Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Today is the 20th anniversary of his papacy. Pope John Paul the Second has been a dynamic force for world peace and an unflinching opponent of moral relativism both inside and outside the church. (5:30)

'Father of Lies' -- Book reviewer Alan Cheuse says the first novel by Brian Evenson, "Father of Lies," is a rather clunky psychological thriller that reads more like hate mail to the Mormon Church than a mystery novel. (Note: "Father of Lies" by Brian Evenson is published by Four Walls Press.) (2:15)

California Gubernatorial Race -- The race to succeed term-limited California GOP Governor Pete Wilson pits Lt. Governor Gray Davis, a Democrat, against state Attorney General Dan Lungren, a Republican. But as NPR's Richard Gonzales reports, if you listened to last night's debate, you would have thought the contest was between Ronald Reagan and Jerry Brown. (5:00)

U.S. vs. Microsoft -- NPR's John McChesney reports one of the most important anti-trust cases in decades begins in Washington D.C. on Monday. The Justice Department charges that Microsoft has engaged in illegal, anti-competitive behavior. The software giant maintains it hasn't done anything illegal and says the government should stay out of the software business. McChesney examines a split among conservatives, many of whom take a dim view of antitrust actions, but who are siding with the government in this case. (7:30)

Felicity Flap -- Noah talks with Jenny Hontz, the television editor of Variety Magazine, about the writer of t.v. series "Felicity," Riley Weston. Weston was acclaimed as a 19-year-old 'wunderkind' until it was recently discovered she is really 32 years old. (3:30)

Friday Sports Talk -- All Things Considered host Robert Siegel speaks with Stefan Fatsis, sports writer with the Wall Street Journal and a contributor to All Things Considered each Friday, about the World Series which begins tomorrow night. One of the things the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres have in common is that they both seek new stadiums from their communities. (4:15)

NATO Extends Deadline -- Noah talks to NPR's Sylvia Poggioli about the ten day extension NATO today gave Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. Milosevic must comply with international demands for an end to the conflict in Kosovo or face potential air strikes. Under the agreement brokered last week, Milosevic must pull troops and special police units out of the Kosovo province by October 27 in order to meet NATO demands. (3:30)

View From Washington -- NPR's Martha Raddatz reports on the view of Washington officials about the extension of the NATO deadline for air strikes against Yugoslavia. At the State Department, officials are saying the extension suggests no softening of Western resolve, but other experienced observers say the extension just makes it that much harder to pull the trigger when the time comes. (3:30)

Plan for the Kosovars -- Noah speaks with Christopher Hill, U.S. Ambassador to the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia, who is negotiating an interim political agreement between Serbia and ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. He describes the progress they've made thus far and the difficulty he is encountering. (5:00)

Leftist Asked to Form Italian Government -- In an effort to resolve Italy's latest political crisis, left wing leader Massimo D'Alema has been asked to form a new government. D'Alema is a former communist and the first ever with a communist background to be asked to perform such a task. If successful, D'Alema would become Italy's next prime minister. The right-wing opposition is up in arms, promising demonstrations unless new elections are called. (3:00)

Iceberg on the Move -- Robert talks with Mary Keller, who's a geophysicist at the National Iceberg Center in Maryland. This week Keller witnessed, via satellite, images of a 90 x 32 mile iceberg in Antarctica. The iceberg is named A-38, is the size of Delaware and is moving very slowly. Such movement, Keller says, occurs about every ten years. (4:15)

Clinton on the Budget Deal -- President Clinton gathered Congressional Democrats at the White House today to celebrate their victories in the budget negotiations, and to castigate Republicans for not approving more spending on school construction. NPR's Mara Liasson reports the event became a renewal of the Democrats' election campaign, with candidates heading home next week for the lead up to voting day. (4:30)

Voters on Character -- NPR's Debbie Elliott begins a series of reports on what Americans think about their government and the possible impeachment of President Clinton. Today's report takes us to rural Alabama, where people are talking about character. (5:30)

Waldorf Salad -- Commentator Daniel Pinkwater tells the story of how his father may have invented, or re-invented, the Waldorf salad. This item is unavailable due to copyright issues.

'Ex Libris' -- Noah talks with Anne Fadiman, author of "Ex Libris," a collection of essays about books and reading. Fadiman encourages her two children to love their books and if that means they scribble in them or chew on their corners, she does not mind. When Fadiman was growing up, she was taught the content within the books mattered, but the books themselves didn't matter so much. (Note: "Ex Libris" is published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, NY, ISBN 0-374-14860-0) (4:00)

'Happiness' -- Critic Bob Mondello reviews the new film "Happiness," by director Todd Solondz. Mondello says the movie is both funny and haunting. Solondz takes a handful of ordinary characters and delves into their sexual fantasies and dysfunctions. (3:30)