8A
Wednesday. September 6, 1995
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First lady speaks at conference
The Associated Press
BELIING — Human rights took center stage at a global women's gathering yesterday with an impassioned speech by Hillary Rodham Clinton, while the Vatican complained that the conference platform didn't give credit to marriage and motherhood.
In a rousing address on the second day of the U.N.'s Fourth World Conference on Women, the first lady drew cheers and loud applause with a wide-ranging denunciation of human rights abuses worldwide.
And in a surprise move, Hillary Clinton — who had been expected to tread carefully on subjects that might offend the gathering's Chinese hosts — rebuked Beijing for its treatment of private activists at a parallel forum that began last week.
Participants in the gathering of 23,000 private activists in Huairou, an hour's drive outside Beijing, have complained of harassment by Chinese authorities ranging from
Hillary Rodham Clinton
surveillance to too-tight security.
"The voices of this conference and of the women at Huairou must be heard loud and clear," Hillary Clinton said. "It is indefensible that many women in non-governmental organizations who wish to participate in this conference have not been able to attend—or have been prohibited from fully taking part," she said.
There was no immediate response from Chinese officials.
In her address, the first lady said that many human rights violations, from female infanticide to domestic violence, hurt women the most.
"Even in the late 20th century, the rape of women continues to be used as an instrument of armed conflict," she said, in an apparent reference to reports of systematic rape of Bosnian Muslim women by Serb forces.
A day after an opening marked by calls for unity in the struggle for gender equality, the nearly 5,000 official delegates were splitting into working groups on the conference's proposed platform.
The document, to be debated over the next 10 days, calls for steps to alleviate women's poverty and improve health care, education and job opportunities for women.
From others, however, came criticism that the platform was too conservative. Women representing African-American, Asian, American Indian and Latino women told the U.S. delegation they did not think the platform's language was strong enough on fighting racism and combating poverty.
In the opening salvo of what is expected to be a major battle, Vatican delegation head Mary Ann Glendon said promoting women's aspirations should not come at the expense of undermining their roles within the family.
The forum drew a range of Hollywood celebrities, including actresses Sally Field and Jane Fonda. Fonda lent her voice yesterday to the cause of improving women's health, urging governments to give women greater power over decisions that affect their health.
Mayhem makes MTV video awards
Bare butts, star squabbles this show ain't the Grammys
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — It's almost an afterthought, but it's true: They actually hand out AWARDS at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Not that anybody remembers the winners. Viewers can't forget last year's creepy Michael-Lisa Marie kiss that opened the show. Back in '89, there was Andrew "Dice" Clay getting banned for reciting his perverted poetry. In 1991, recently arrested Pee Wee Herman resurfaced to ask, "Heard any good jokes lately?" A year later, there was Howard Stern's butt-baring bit as Fartman.
Indelible images all. But who won for best video last year? (Don't strain yourself: It was Aerosmith.)
No, this isn't the Grammys — and comparisons with the typically staid award shows make the MTV people cringe.
"The perfect show? One we could barely control," said Andy Schuon, MTV senior vice president for music and programming, as preparations started for the 12th annual bash, which airs Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern from Radio City Music Hall.
Madonna is a nominee, while her bizarre former beau Rodman is a presenter. Love will perform with her band Hole; she recently bad-mouthed presenter Barrymur in Rolling Stone magazine.
"But one we can keep on the air," he continued.
"You never know what happens when you put Madonna, Courtney Love, Drew Barrymore and Dennis Rodman in the same room."
The Red Hot Chili Peppers — bassist Flea stood in his underwear, miming masturbation during the 1992 show — are also due to play live. So are Michael Jackson, R.E.M., Hootie & The Blowfish and Green Day (via remote from Sweden).
Based on past performance, here's what to expect when MTVairs its three-hour event.
—BAD TASTE: Last year, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler swapped masturbation jokes with Madonna, while Roseanne traded insults with MTV VJ Kennedy over who was doing the nasty with Rush Limbaugh. Sensing a theme?
—BARE CHEEKS: In 1991, Prince — when he still answered to that name — cavorted in a seethrough outfit that flashed his butt across America while dancers re-created a Roman orgy.
—BAD BLOOD: This mostly involves angry middle-aged man Axl W. Rose. In 1989, he was involved in a backstage punch-up with Motley Crue's Vince Neil (who to root for there?). Three years later, when accepting the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, Axl sniped, "This has nothing to do with Michael Jackson." And in 1993, the members of Nirvana got Axl all riled up by mockingly shouting his name after their live performance.
The person on the hottest seat Thursday night is Carol Donovan, whose hand rests on the network's bleep button. The show airs with a five-
second delay; that wasn't enough in 1992, when Van Halen's Sammy Hagar blurted out an obscenitv.
"It's really hard to walk that line of good taste without falling over," said Donovan, who sweated out several moments with Roseanne last year. "But if you go too far the other way, it's a boring show. So it's a trade-off."
Often, it's a three-ring circus with a host (Dennis Miller this year) instead of a ringmaster. There's always an all-star soundtrack — last year's performers included the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Green Day, Snoop Doggy Dogg and Pet Tommy.
It's an event more than an awards show, but it's a television show more than anything else. The program goes into immediate reruns on MTV. The musical numbers are aired exclusively by MTV, then used to flog future MTV Video Music Award shows.
The winning videos, by the way, must have already aired on MTV, which means the host channel is narrowing down the possible nominees long before it announces the possible nominees. Winners are selected by vote of more than 700 music industry types.
Not everybody thinks the hype overshadows the honorees. Donovan, getting ready for her second show, said she looks forward to seeing the stars step up and receive their silver astronauts.
"I would hate to think that people miss the awards," Donovan said. "Some people don't take it seriously, but I think the awards are important."
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