Voice of America, 98-03-11

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From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIANS / GERMANY (L) BY KYLE KING (=BONN)

[02] CLINTON/KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[03] E-U / U-S (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[04] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

[05] ITALY CRASH INVESTIGATION - L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[06] KOSOVO / RED CROSS (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[07] KOSOVO FUNERAL (L) BY ART CHIMES (PREKAZ)

[08] KOVOVO / ALBANIANS REACT (S) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

[09] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

[10] THE KOSOVO ISSUE:WHERE WILL IT LEAD? BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[11] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] ALBANIANS / GERMANY (L) BY KYLE KING (=BONN)

INTRO: HUNDREDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES HAVE STAGED PROTEST RALLIES AT SEVERAL WESTERN EMBASSIES IN GERMANY TO PUSH DEMANDS FOR WESTERN INTERVENTION IN THE TROUBLED PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. FROM BONN, CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: // SOUNDS OF RALLY, FADES UNDER //

AT ONE RALLY OUTSIDE THE GATES OF THE U-S EMBASSY IN BONN, SEVERAL-HUNDRED REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO CHANTED THE NAME OF THEIR HOMELAND AND ANGRILY DENOUNCED SERBIAN AUTHORITIES.

THIRTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD ENVER XHELI (PRON: DEE-LEE) SAID HIS FATHER AND BROTHER WERE KILLED ABOUT 10-DAYS AGO WHEN SERB POLICE BURST INTO THEIR HOUSE AND OPENED FIRE.

HE SAYS OTHER MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY FLED INTO THE WOODS AND NOW LIVE IN FEAR OF THEIR LIVES. MR. XHELI, WHO HAS LIVED IN GERMANY FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, SAYS INDEPENDENCE IS THE ONLY ANSWER FOR THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO.

AS LONG AS THEY ARE KILLING WOMEN AND CHILDREN MR. XHELI SAYS, WE CAN NOT LIVE WITH THE SERBS, THERE CAN BE NO PEACE.

WESTERN GOVERNMENTS HAVE CALLED FOR SERBIA TO OPEN TALKS WITH ETHNIC-ALBANIAN LEADERS TO DISCUSS A RETURN OF KOSOVO'S BROAD AUTONOMY, WHICH WAS REVOKED IN 1989.

HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES IN GERMANY HAVE ALSO CALLED FOR NATO TO SEND PEACEKEEPING TROOPS INTO THE REGION, AND URGED THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT TO SUSPEND ALL DEPORTATIONS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS FROM KOSOVO.

SEVERAL GERMAN STATES ANNOUNCED TUESDAY THEY WOULD TEMPORARILY SUSPEND THE DEPORTATIONS, BUT THE GOVERNMENT IN BONN HAS REJECTED THE MOVE AS UNNECESSARY.

SPEAKING ON GERMAN RADIO, INTERIOR MINISTER MANFRED KANTHER CRITICIZED THE STATES HAVE DECIDED TO SUSPEND THE DEPORTATIONS. HE SAID THE DECISION SENDS A SIGNAL THAT WILL ENCOURAGE OTHER REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO TO TRY TO COME TO GERMANY.

GERMANY IS NOW HOME TO ABOUT 140-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS, MANY OF THEM REFUGEES WHO FLED THE REGION DURING THE WAR IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. DURING THE PAST MONTH, GERMANY'S CASH-STRAPPED STATES HAVE BEEN SLOWLY SENDING SMALL NUMBERS OF THE REFUGEES BACK. (SIGNED)
NEB/RAE
11-Mar-98 9:45 AM EST (1445 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CLINTON/KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON, AT A MEETING WITH U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN, HAS STRONGLY CRITICIZED THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT FOR ITS ACTIONS IN THE RENEWED VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THE PRESIDENT VOLUNTEERED HIS STATEMENT ON KOSOVO TO REPORTERS AS HE BEGAN THE MEETING WITH THE U-N CHIEF -- CONDEMNING THE KOSOVO VIOLENCE WHILE LAYING THE BLAME SQUARELY ON THE AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE:

THE UNITED STATES AND I CONDEMN IN THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE TERMS EXCESSIVE VIOLENCE THAT HAS LED TO THE DEATH OF INNOCENT CIVILIANS THERE. WE BELIEVE THE CAUSE OF IT IS THE INADEQUATE RESPONSE BY THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT TO THE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS OF THE ALBANIAN MINORITY IN SERBIA BUT THE MAJORITY IN KOSOVO.

MR. CLINTON SAID THERE MUST BE NO REPEAT OF THE SCENES OF BLOODSHED FROM KOSOVO IN RECENT DAYS, WHICH HE SAID ARE SO REMINISCENT OF WHAT HAPPENED EARLIER IN BOSNIA. HE WELCOMED THE DECISION BY THE CONTACT GROUP ON THE BALKANS TO IMPOSE NEW SANCTIONS AGAINST BELGRADE AND SAID NO OPTIONS -- INCLUDING THE USE OF FORCE -- SHOULD BE RULED OUT IF FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/WDC/JO
11-Mar-98 2:04 PM EST (1904 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] E-U / U-S (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION'S EXECUTIVE COMMISSION HAS CALLED ON THE UNITED STATES TO NEGOTIATE A NEW TRADE PARTNERSHIP. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE EUROPEANS CALL THEIR PROPOSAL A NEW TRANSATLANTIC MARKETPLACE.

TEXT: EUROPEAN TRADE COMMISSIONER LEON BRITTAN SAYS THE AGREEMENT HE IS PROPOSING WOULD BRING TARIFFS AND OTHER TRADE BARRIERS CRASHING DOWN ON A WHOLE RANGE OF GOODS AND SERVICES.

BUT IT WOULD NOT BRING TOTAL FREE TRADE. THE TWO MOST SENSITIVE AREAS -- AGRICULTURAL TARIFFS AND SUBSIDIES, AND THE AUDIO-VISUAL SECTOR -- WOULD BE EXEMPT.

COMMISSIONER BRITTAN SAYS THE ACCORD WOULD BE GOOD FOR CONSUMERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC, AS IT WOULD BRING DOWN PRICES OF IMPORTED GOODS AND SERVICES. AND HE SAID IT WOULD CREATE NEW JOBS AND WEALTH.

HE SAYS INITIAL SOUNDINGS INDICATE THE UNITED STATES IS RECEPTIVE TO HIS PLAN, AND HE SAYS IT IS TIME FOR EUROPE TO BE AGGRESSIVE IN THE BEST SENSE.

HE SAYS THAT THE 15 EUROPEAN NATION FREE TRADE CLUB IS GAINING NEW STRENGTH WITH PLANS FOR A COMMON CURRENCY AND THROUGH THE PROPOSED EXPANSION OF E-U MEMBERSHIP INTO EASTERN EUROPE. BUT HE SAYS THERE IS NO POINT IN BEING STRONGER IF YOU DO NOT USE THAT STRENGTH. AND ONE WAY TO DO THIS, HE SAYS, IS TO PURSUE A NEW TRANSATLANTIC TRADE ACCORD.

MR. BRITTAN SAYS THE AGREEMENT WOULD NOT ONLY BRING PROSPERITY AND LOWER PRICES, BUT IT WOULD ALSO DEFUSE TRANSATLANTIC TENSIONS, AND IT WOULD INCORPORATE A NEW MECHANISM FOR RESOLVING TRADE DISPUTES. THE 15 E-U GOVERNMENTS ARE BEING ASKED TO APPROVE THE LAUNCH OF NEGOTIATIONS, WHICH COULD TAKE PLACE AT A SPECIAL SUMMIT INVOLVING PRESIDENT CLINTON, EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER, AND BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR IN MAY.

MR. KINNOCK IS FURIOUS THAT HE HAS BEEN DENIED THE RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE A NEW AIRLINES AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES ON BEHALF OF ALL 15 E-U STATES. INSTEAD, E-U GOVERNMENTS HAVE DEALT WITH THE UNITED STATES ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.

MR. KINNOCK SAYS THESE EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS CREATED SERIOUS DISCRIMINATION AND DISTORTIONS OF COMPETITION IN THE DEALS THEY HAVE REACHED WITH THE UNITED STATES. HE SAYS THE RESULT HAS BEEN TO RENDER E-U RULES "INEFFECTIVE."

THE GOVERNMENTS CONCERNED SAY THEY SEE NOTHING WRONG IN THE WAY THEY HAVE DEALT INDIVIDUALLY WITH THE UNITED STATES, AND SAY THEY WILL VIGOROUSLY DEFEND THEMSELVES WHEN THE CASE REACHES THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/JWH
11-Mar-98 10:00 AM EST (1500 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE HIGHER IN TRADING WEDNESDAY IN EUROPE. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: EUROPEAN MARKETS CLOSED UP IN WEDNESDAY'S TRADING, WITH TWO EXCHANGES REACHING NEW RECORD CLOSING HIGHS.

ONE OF THE NEW RECORDS WAS SET IN LONDON. THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX WAS UP FRACTIONALLY, JUST OVER ONE POINT (TO 5829.8.)

THE FRANKFURT MARKET ALSO REACHED A NEW RECORD CLOSING HIGH. THE DAX INDEX FINISHED UP MORE THAN TEN POINTS, TWO-TENTHS PERCENT (TO 4862.41).

AND IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX CLOSED UP 18 POINTS, ONE-HALF PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR ROSE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND THE JAPANESE YEN. BUT IT WAS DOWN AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.
NEB/JWH/KL
11-Mar-98 2:07 PM EST (1907 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] ITALY CRASH INVESTIGATION - L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: INVESTIGATORS HAVE FINISHED THEIR PROBE OF THE MARINE JET ACCIDENT THAT KILLED 20 PEOPLE IN ITALY IN EARLY FEBRUARY -- AND U-S OFFICIALS ARE QUOTED AS SAYING THE CREW WILL BE BLAMED FOR THE ACCIDENT. DEFENSE OFFICIALS HAVE PREVIOUSLY ACKNOWLEDGED THE JET WAS FLYING WELL BELOW ITS ASSIGNED ALTITUDE WHEN IT SLICED THROUGH A SKI LIFT CABLE, SENDING A CABLE CAR PLUNGING TO THE GROUND. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UNDERWAY AT THE AVIANO AIR BASE IN THE ITALIAN ALPS, WHERE THE MARINE E-A-6-B PROWLER WAS BASED AND NEAR WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. U-S MARINE MAJOR GENERAL MICHAEL DELONG, WHO HEADED THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BOARD, IS SCHEDULED TO BRIEF REPORTERS ON THE FINDINGS THURSDAY AT AVIANO.

PENTAGON MARINE SPOKESMAN MAJOR DAVE LAPAN SAYS ANY CREW MEMBERS BELIEVED RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MISHAP COULD FACE LEGAL ACTION BY THE U-S MILITARY.

ANYTHING FROM A REPRIMAND-TYPE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION OR COURTS MARTIAL, AGAIN, BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF THE BOARD.

ITALIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE ASKED THE MARINES TO TURN THE FOUR MAN CREW OVER TO ROME FOR LEGAL ACTION. MAJOR LEPAN SAYS THAT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION. BUT OTHER PENTAGON SOURCES SAY NATO MILITARY MEMBERS ARE USUALLY TRIED BY COURTS IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES.

THE CREW IS REPRESENTED BY A MILITARY LAWYER AS WELL AS AN ITALIAN CIVILIAN ATTORNEY. IN A V-O-A INTERVIEW, ITALIAN LAWYER BRUNO MALATTIA REFUSED TO CONFIRM OR DENY REPORTS THAT THE INVESTIGATORS WOULD BLAME PILOT ERROR FOR THE ACCIDENT. BUT SEVERAL NEWS ACCOUNTS QUOTE UNNAMED DEFENSE SOURCES WHO SAY THE INVESTIGATION WILL FAULT ONE OR MORE CREW MEMBERS.

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED FEBRUARY THIRD, WHILE THE AGING ELECTRONIC WARFARE PLANE WAS ON A TRAINING MISSION IN THE DOLOMITE MOUNTAINS IN ITALY. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/MMK
11-Mar-98 2:12 PM EST (1912 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO / RED CROSS (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS, I-C-R-C, AND ITS SISTER AGENCY, THE RED CROSS FEDERATION, HAVE TEMPORARILY PULLED THEIR FOREIGN STAFF OUT OF THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE AGENCIES SAY THEY ACTED AFTER THEIR STAFF MEMBERS RECEIVED DEATH THREATS.

TEXT: AN I-C-R-C SPOKESMAN, KIM GORDON-BATES, SAYS THE RED CROSS HAS NOT SUSPENDED ITS HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO. BUT, IN LIGHT OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE THREATS RECEIVED, IT HAS TEMPORARILY TAKEN FIVE FOREIGN STAFF MEMBERS OUT OF KOSOVO AND SENT THEM TO BELGRADE, THE CAPITAL OF SERBIA.

WHAT HAPPENED IS DURING THE COURSE OF THE DAY, YESTERDAY, MARCH THE 10TH IN THE EVENING, BOTH THE I-C-R-C DELEGATION AND THE SUB-DELEGATION OF THE FEDERATION IN PRISTINA RECEIVED A NUMBER OF PHONE CALLS, THREATENING PHONE CALLS, FIVE IN ALL, WHICH WERE VERY EXPLICIT IN THAT THEY THREATENED THE LIVES OF OUR EXPATRIATE STAFF.

MR. GORDON-BATES SAYS HE DOES NOT KNOW WHO IS BEHIND THE ANONYMOUS THREATS OR WHY THEY WERE MADE. HE SAYS THE I-C-R-C IS A NEUTRAL, NON-POLITICAL ORGANIZATION WHOSE ONLY FUNCTION IS TO HELP PEOPLE CAUGHT IN SITUATIONS OF CONFLICT.

HE SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL STAFFERS ARE CONSULTING WITH RED CROSS OFFICIALS AND YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE ABOUT HOW BEST TO COPE WITH THIS PROBLEM. HE ADDS THE RED CROSS HOPES THE AID WORKERS CAN RETURN TO KOSOVO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

IN THE MEANTIME, HE SAYS LOCAL RED CROSS EMPLOYEES ARE ACTIVELY WORKING TO PROTECT AND ASSIST PEOPLE HARMED BY THE RECENT BLOODY EVENTS.

THERE IS SOME LEVEL OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. THERE IS SOME LEVEL OF FOOD ASSISTANCE. BUT, MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE TRYING TO REACH, DESPARATELY TRYING TO REACH THOSE POPULATIONS, OR THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT WOULD HAVE FLED THEIR VILLAGES OR WOULD HAVE FLED THEIR HOMES TO TAKE REFUGE IN THE HILLS OR THE FORESTS. IT HAS BEEN SNOWING RECENTLY, WHICH ADDS ON TO THE DIFFICULTIES. AND WE HAVE JUST BEEN TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THOSE PEOPLE, GET IN CONTACT WITH THOSE PEOPLE.

MR. GORDON-BATES SAYS THE RED CROSS ALSO IS TRYING TO GET PERMISSION FROM SERBIAN AUTHORITIES TO ALLOW ITS WORKERS TO VISIT PRISONS IN THE AREA. HE SAYS HE DOES NOT KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED DURING THE RECENT FIGHTING. BUT, HE SAYS HE HOPES THE RED CROSS WILL SOON GAIN ACCESS TO THEM. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH/RAE
11-Mar-98 11:00 AM EST (1600 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] KOSOVO FUNERAL (L) BY ART CHIMES (PREKAZ)

INTRO: VICTIMS OF THE POLICE OFFENSIVE LAST WEEK IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE RECEIVED A PROPER BURIAL WEDNESDAY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM THE VILLAGE OF PREKAZ.

TEXT: THERE ARE 54 OF THEM -- GRAVES PILED HIGH WITH CLUMPS OF MUDDY DIRTY ON A LOW RISE ON THE EDGE OF PREKAZ, ACROSS THE ROAD FROM THE REGULAR VILLAGE CEMETERY.

BARE-HANDED MEN USED SHOVELS AND PICKAXES ON THIS DAMP, FREEZING AFTERNOON TO CLOSE THE GRAVES AFTER THE BODIES WERE IDENTIFIED -- THOSE THAT COULD BE -- AND ORIENTED TO FACE MECCA, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISLAMIC TRADITION.

AT A BRIEF CEREMONY, HISTORIAN ZACHARIAH CANA SAID THE MESSAGE OF THE GRAVES IS THAT -- IN HIS WORDS -- "WE MUST LOVE ONE ANOTHER, WE MUST BE STRONGER, AND WE MUST STICK TOGETHER." "GLORY TO THE HEROES," HE CALLED OUT. AND THE CROWD RESPONDED, "GLORY."

THE VICTIMS WERE KILLED IN POLICE OFFENSIVE LATE LAST WEEK. AUTHORITIES SAY THE POLICE WERE AFTER TERRORISTS. BUT MORE THAN HALF THE DEAD WERE WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND THE ELDERLY.

HUNDREDS OF MOURNERS THEN WALKED TO THE JASHARI FAMILY COMPOUND A FEW MINUTES AWAY. MORE THAN HALF THE VICTIMS WERE MEMBERS OF THIS ONE EXTENDED FAMILY. THE JASHARI HOUSES WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED, AS WERE OTHERS IN THE VILLAGE. THE AREA LOOKS LIKE A WAR ZONE.

ONE MAN SAID HE FEARS THERE STILL MIGHT BE MORE BODIES TO BURY.

IT IS POSSIBLE, HE SAID. THERE MAY BE MORE DEAD. THERE WERE SNIPERS OUT THERE.

MANY ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN THE DRENICA AREA HAVE STAYED IN THEIR HOMES FOR FEAR OF BEING SHOT BY POLICE IF THEY GO OUT IN THE OPEN, EVEN TO USE THEIR OUTDOOR TOILETS.

AT ONE POINT, AN ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER DROVE PAST, FOLLOWED BY A TRUCKLOAD OF HELMETED POLICE.

A NERVOUS YOUNG MAN GAVE A REPORTER HIS NAME, THEN ASKED HER TO TEAR IT OUT OF HER NOTEBOOK FOR FEAR IT WOULD BE SEEN BY AUTHORITIES.

POLICE ROADBLOCKS LIMITED ACCESS TO THE AREA. AUTHORITIES WERE DETERMINED NOT TO HAVE A REPEAT OF AN EARLIER FUNERAL OF ALBANIANS KILLED IN A POLICE OFFENSIVE WHEN ABOUT 30-THOUSAND MOURNERS CAME -- TO SHOW THEIR OUTRAGE MORE THAN PERSONAL GRIEF.

THOUSANDS IN THE AREA WHO FLED THEIR HOMES IN ADVANCE OF THE POLICE CRACKDOWN STILL HAVE NOT RETURNED. THE NORMALLY BUSY MARKET STREET AND THE NEARBY TOWN, WHICH THE SERBS CALL SRBICA AND THE ALBANIANS CALL SKANDERAJ, IS NEARLY DESERTED. MOST FOUND SHELTER WITH RELATIVES OR WITH OTHER FAMILIES.

ALBANIAN JOURNALISTS SAY SOME OF THEM HAVE LIVED IN THE OPEN FOR THE PAST WEEK, DESPITE FREEZING TEMPERATURES AND A SNOW STORM. BUT THESE REPORTS HAVE NOT BEEN CONFIRMED. (SIGNED)
NEB/AC/JWH
11-Mar-98 1:40 PM EST (1840 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] KOVOVO / ALBANIANS REACT (S) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THE MODERATE ALBANIAN LEADERSHIP IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE HAS REACTED CAUTIOUSLY TO A SERBIAN OFFER FOR "OPEN DIALOGUE" ON THE KOSOVO ISSUE. BUT AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM KOSOVO'S CAPITAL, PRISTINA, THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS STILL INSIST THEY WANT INDEPENDENCE, SOMETHING THE SERBIANS SAY IS OUT OF THE QUESTION.

TEXT: WHILE INSISTING THAT AN INDEPENDENT KOSOVO REMAINS THE BEST SOLUTION FOR ALL SIDES, ALBANIAN LEADER IBRAHIM RUGOVA TOLD REPORTERS THAT HE WOULD ENTER A DIALOGUE WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS, ALTHOUGH HE SAID IT IS NOT CLEAR JUST WHAT THE SERBIANS ARE PROPOSING.

IN ANY EVENT, HE SAID THE PARTIES WOULD NEED SOME OUTSIDE HELP.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS HERE WANT INDEPENDENCE AND MR. RUGOVA WARNED THAT ANYTHING SHORT OF THAT WOULD BE A SOURCE OF NEW CONFLICT.

DIPLOMATS FROM WESTERN EUROPE, RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES ON MONDAY AGREED ON SANCTIONS UNLESS BELGRADE OPENS TALKS ON KOSOVO. BUT THE CONTACT GROUP MEMBERS SAY THE GOAL OF THE TALKS SHOULD BE INCREASED AUTONOMY, NOT INDEPENDENCE.

MR. RUGOVA HEADS THE DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE OF KOSOVO, THE LARGEST ETHNIC ALBANIAN POLITICAL PARTY. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/JWH
11-Mar-98 7:02 AM EST (1202 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WITH MAJOR INDEXES AGAIN CLOSING AT RECORD HIGHS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 86 HUNDRED 75, UP 32 POINTS, OR ABOUT HALF OF ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 68, UP FOUR POINTS. IT WAS THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE DAY OF RECORD HIGH CLOSINGS FOR BOTH INDEXES.

SOME ANALYSTS WORRY THAT U-S STOCK PRICES ARE MOVING UP TOO FAST. BUT OTHERS, SUCH AS BILL ALLEN OF THE JEFFRIES INVESTMENT FIRM, SAY STOCK PRICES WILL REMAIN HIGH IF FIRST QUARTER CORPORATE EARNINGS ARE STRONG.

THE NEXT MAJOR HURDLE FOR THE MARKET WILL BE THE EARNINGS REPORTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER. AFTER THAT, I THINK THE MARKET WILL TRADE ON THE POWER OF THE MONEY THAT IS COMING INTO IT.

MR. ALLEN IS REFERRING TO THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT INDIVIDUAL AMERICANS CONTINUE TO POUR INTO STOCK MUTUAL FUNDS.

SOME ANALYSTS CITE MUTUAL FUNDS AS ONE OF THE BIG REASONS FOR THE CURRENT RALLY. WHILE THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX HAS GAINED ALMOST 10 PERCENT THIS YEAR, MANAGED MUTUAL FUNDS ARE UP AN AVERAGE OF ONLY SIX PERCENT AND MANY OF THE MANAGERS ARE TRYING TO CATCH UP.

A HUGE TAKEOVER IN THE WASTE DISPOSAL INDUSTRY WAS ANNOUNCED. THE U-S-A WASTE SERVICES COMPANY WILL ACQUIRE THE WASTE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION IN AN ALL-STOCK DEAL WORTH ABOUT 13 AND ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS.

THE XEROX DOCUMENT PROCESSING COMPANY HAS AGREED TO SELL ITS CRUM AND FOSTER INSURANCE SUBSIDIARY TO THE FAIRFAX COMPANY OF CANADA FOR 680 MILLION DOLLARS. THE DEAL ENDS A FIVE YEAR EFFORT BY XEROX TO COMPLETELY DIVEST ITSELF OF THE INSURANCE BUSINESS.

STOCKHOLDERS OF THE M-C-I TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY HAVE OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED A PROPOSED 37 BILLION DOLLAR TAKEOVER OF M-C-I BY THE WORLDCOM COMPANY. HOWEVER, THAT DEAL IS UNDER INTENSE SCRUTINY BY BOTH U-S AND EUROPEAN REGULATORS WHO ARE CONCERNED THE COMBINED COMPANY COULD DOMINATE BOTH THE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE AND INTERNET MARKETS.

B-A-T INDUSTRIES, THE BRITISH-BASED TOBACCO COMPANY, REPORTED A 28 PERCENT DROP IN EARNINGS LAST YEAR. THE COMPANY SAID RESTRUCTURING CHARGES AND THE COST OF SETTLING SMOKING-RELATED LAWSUITS IN THE UNITED STATES WERE THE REASONS FOR THE POOR EARNINGS PERFORMANCE.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
11-Mar-98 5:31 PM EST (2231 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] THE KOSOVO ISSUE:WHERE WILL IT LEAD? BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE VIOLENCE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE, PITTING SERBIAN POLICE, WHO ARE PREDOMINANTLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS, AGAINST THE MAJORITY ETHNIC ALBANIAN MUSLIM POPULATION, HAS MANY OBSERVERS WORRIED.

GIVEN THE THE RISING ANIMOSITY BETWEEN THE SERBIANS AND THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS, THE FEAR IS THAT THE BLOODSHED IN KOSOVO WILL SPREAD BEYOND THE BORDERS INTO ALBANIA, MACEDONIA AND, POSSIBLY, EVEN TO GREECE AND TURKEY.

JOINING US NOW IS ______________ WITH SOME COMMENTS FROM THE U-S PRESS IN TODAY'S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: IN KOSOVO WEDNESDAY, THE PROVINCE'S ETHNIC-ALBANIANS REBURIED THE BODIES OF FAMILY MEMBERS KILLED IN A BLOODY SERBIAN POLICE CRACKDOWN, REBURYING THEM ACCORDING TO MUSLIM CUSTOM. THE 54 GRAVES WERE OPENED AND THE BODIES REORIENTED TOWARD MECCA BEFORE BEING REBURIED. THE BODIES WERE FIRST BURIED BY SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES WHO THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS SAY WERE TRYING TO PRECLUDE EXAMINATION BY INTERNATIONAL FORENSIC EXPERTS.

SO FAR ABOUT 80 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN A SECURITY ACTION AGAINST ETHNIC-ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS, SET OFF BY THE AMBUSH KILLING BY AN ALBANIAN TERRORIST GROUP OF FOUR SERBIAN POLICE OFFICERS. MEANWHILE, U-S NEWSPAPERS ARE WORRYING ABOUT HOW EASILY THIS VIOLENCE COULD SPREAD BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF YUGOSLAVIA. THE CHIEF FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT FOR "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER," TRUDY RUBIN, SAYS THAT THE WEST SHOULD PRESSURE YUGOSLAVIA'S PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, A SERBIAN, TO HAVE A DIALOGUE WITH THE LEADER OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO.

VOICE: THE MAN WHO SINGLEHANDEDLY BEARS MOST RESPONSIBILITY FOR STIRRING UP THE SLAUGHTER IN BOSNIA[-HERZEGOVINA] IS AT IT AGAIN. THIS TIME, SERBIAN STRONGMAN SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS FUELING ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO, A GODFORSAKEN, IMPOVERISHED REGION OF SOUTHERN SERBIA. [MR.] MILOSEVIC DOESN'T GIVE A HOOT [ANYTHING] THAT SERBIAN MASSACRES OF ALBANIAN MUSLIMS, WHO MAKE UP 90 PERCENT OF KOSOVO'S POPULATION, COULD DRAW NEIGHBORING ALBANIA, MACEDONIA AND EVEN NEARBY GREECE AND TURKEY INTO WAR. [MR.] MILOSEVIC IS INTERESTED ONLY IN STAYING IN POWER AS PRESIDENT OF A SHRUNKEN YUGOSLAVIA. /// OPT /// TIMES ARE TOUGH FOR THIS COMMUNIST TURNED NATIONALIST, WHOSE FAILED EFFORT TO BUILD A GREATER SERBIA ON THE RUINS OF BOSNIA [-HERZEGOVINA] HAS DEVASTATED HIS OWN SERBIAN PEOPLE. SO HE'S LOOKING FOR A NEW WAY TO DISTRACT HIS RESTIVE POPULATION. AND WHAT BETTER VEHICLE THAN KOSOVO, WHERE OTTOMAN ARMIES DEFEATED THE MEDIEVAL SERB EMPIRE IN 1389, THE PRELUDE TO CENTURIES OF BITTER OTTOMAN OCCUPATION? KOSOVO IS CONSIDERED HOLY TURF BY MOST SERBS, EVEN THOUGH VERY FEW WANT TO LIVE THERE. /// END OPT /// ..... NOW [MR. MILOSEVIC] HAS UNLEASHED HIS GOONS TO DESTROY WHOLE [KOSOVO] VILLAGES IN REPLY TO A [KOSOVO] INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT SPAWNED BY YEARS OF BRUTAL SERBIAN MILITARY OCCUPATION OF THE REGION. BUT THIS TIME THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY KNOWS BETTER THAN TO LET [MR.] MILOSEVIC'S EGO INFLAME WHOLE SECTIONS OF EUROPE DOESN'T IT? ..... THE BEST WAY TO THWART [MR.] MILOSEVIC'S INTENTIONS IS TO PUSH HIM TOWARD A DIALOGUE WITH [KOSOVO'S ELECTED LEADER, IBRAHIM] RUGOVA AND FORCE HIM TO LISTEN TO THOSE SERBS WHO SEE THROUGH HIS PLOTS. THE SERBS OF KOSOVO KNOW THAT [MR.] MILOSEVIC IS NO NICE GUY AND THAT THE KOSOVO PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED ONLY THROUGH DIALOGUE. THEY DESERVE ALL THE HELP WE CAN GIVE.

TEXT: NEW ENGLAND'S MAJOR DAILY, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" IS CALLING THE PROVINCE A "TINDERBOX" WHICH HAS BECOME A COMMON NICKNAME IN THE U-S PRESS SINCE THE FIGHTING BROKE OUT.

VOICE: IT WOULD BE HARD TO UNDERESTIMATE THE DANGER OF CONTINUED BLOODSHED IN KOSOVO. NOT ONLY ARE CONDITIONS IN PLACE FOR A REPEAT OF THE HORRORS VISITED UPON BOSNIA AND CROATIA, BUT A SPARK LIT IN KOSOVO ALSO THREATENS TO START A CONFLAGRATION THAT COULD EASILY SPREAD TO NEIGHBORING MACEDONIA, ALBANIA, BULGARIA, GREECE, AND TURKEY. IT IS GOOD THAT SERBIA HAS FINALLY AGREED TO HOLD TALKS WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS, BUT WOULD-BE-PEACEMAKERS MUST BE CLEAR AND FORCEFUL. THEY MUST ALSO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE HISTORICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL BACKGROUND THAT IMPELS THE ANTAGONISTS TOWARD IRRATIONAL, VENGEFUL ACTIONS. .... THE AIM OF INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY MUST BE FIRST TO PREVENT VIOLENCE, AND THEN TO ENCOURAGE A POLITICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN SERB AUTHORITIES AND THE MODERATE LEADERS OF KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS, WHO CONSTITUTE 90 PERCENT OF THE REGION'S POPULATION.

TEXT: SIMILAR CONCERNS ARE EXPRESSED IN MAINE, BY "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD."

VOICE: MURDER IN KOSOVO COULD EASILY BECOME MASS SLAUGHTER IN A MUCH WIDER SPHERE, SO IT MUST BE HALTED. AFTER IT IS, A GENUINE PEACE THAT EMPOWERS THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS THERE - - AND DEALS ONCE AND FOR ALL WITH [MR.] MILOSEVIC -- SHOULD BE A MAJOR U-N AND NATO GOALS. THE PEACEMAKERS HAVE TO ACT, OR THOSE WHO WOULD MAKE WAR SURELY WILL.

TEXT: "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, IN AN EDITORIAL, " URGES THE WEST: "DON'T DELAY ON KOSOVO":

VOICE: SEVEN YEARS AGO, WHEN VIOLENCE BROKE OUT IN THE BALKANS, WESTERN NATIONS FAILED TO PREEMPT IT. THE TRAGEDY OF BOSNIA, WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CASUALTIES, WAS THE RESULT. NOW SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT IS TRYING TO RALLY EUROPEANS TO PREVENT MAKING A SIMILAR MISTAKE: IGNORING A BLOODY SERB GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWN ON ETHNIC MUSLIM ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. SHE IS RIGHT TO MAKE THE KOSOVO QUESTION A PRIORITY. IF THERE IS ANY LESSON TO BE LEARNED FROM BOSNIA, IT'S THAT WESTERN NATIONS MUST TRY TO STOP BALKAN KILLING BEFORE IT GETS OUT OF HAND. IF IT ISN'T HALTED SOON, VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO COULD SPREAD. THE ONLY SOLUTION FOR KOSOVO IS A RETURN TO LOCAL AUTONOMY THAT PROTECTS INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND CULTURAL FREEDOMS. [YUGOSLAVIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN] ......MILOSEVIC SHOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO MANIPULATE THE WEST THE WAY HE DID FOR YEARS ON BOSNIA ....

TEXT: "KOSOVO BLOODSHED MUST END" READS THE EDITORIAL HEADLINE IN BALTIMORE'S "THE SUN." THE PAPER FEARS THE DEMANDS FOR AN END TO THE FIGHTING, MADE BY THE SO-CALLED CONTACT GROUP OF NATIONS TRYING TO BROKER PEACE IN THE BALKANS, WILL BE IGNORED BY YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

VOICE: MR. MILOSEVIC IS LIKELY TO IGNORE THE CONTACT GROUP'S ULTIMATUM. SINCE 1991, WHEN HIS POLICIES LED THE OLD YUGOSLAVIA INTO A BLOODY BREAKUP AND CIVIL WAR, HE HAS CYNICALLY USED BRUTALITY TO CLING TO POWER. NOW RULING OVER A RUMP FEDERATION CONSISTING ONLY OF SERBIA (WHICH INCLUDES KOSOVO) AND MONTENEGRO, MR. MILOSEVIC REJECTS FOREIGN MEDIATION EFFORTS, CLAIMING THE TURMOIL IS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM. HE IS WRONG. .... MR. MILOSEVIC'S ACTIONS IN KOSOVO ARE DRIVEN BY DESPERATION. UNDER HIS PRESIDENCY, RUMP YUGOSLAVIA IS SUNK DEEP IN POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL TROUBLE. HE IS TRYING TO KEEP THE UNION FROM DISINTEGRATING. AT ANY COST.

TEXT: "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL," FOR ITS PART, SUMS UP ITS REACTION THIS WAY.

VOICE: SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC LAUNCHED HIS CAREER AS A HARD-LINE SERB NATIONALIST IN 1987 WHEN HE PROMISED SERBS IN THE COUNTRY'S SOUTHERN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO THAT 'NEVER AGAIN WILL ANYONE DEFEAT YOU.' TWO YEARS LATER, MR. MILOSEVIC REVOKED THE PROVINCE'S AUTONOMOUS STATUS AND BEGAN FEEDING THE WORN FABRIC OF WHAT WAS ONCE A MULTIETHNIC SOCIETY IN YUGOSLAVIA INTO THE SHREDDER. THAT DISCONTENT HAS NOW SPAWNED A GUERRILLA MOVEMENT, THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, AMONG THE 90 PERCENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY. WHEN SERB POLICE KILLED 24 (PEOPLE IN KOSOVO IN THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF FIGHTING), THE CAPITAL, PRISTINA, ERUPTED WITH A MASS DEMONSTRATION THAT POLICE PUT DOWN WITH RIOT GEAR AND BEATINGS. AFTER A FOUR-DAY KILLING SPREE IN A GROUP OF (KOSOVO) VILLAGES, SERBIAN POLICE DECLARED YESTERDAY THAT THEIR 'SECURITY SWEEP' WAS SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED. DON'T BET ON IT.

TEXT: "NEWSDAY" CALLS THE PROVINCE A "TINDERBOX" AND SUGGESTS THAT "NATO MUST TRY TO STEM [THE] SERBS' GROWING CONFLICT WITH KOSOVO REBELS BEFORE IT SPREADS." HOWEVER THE PAPER FEELS THAT WASHINGTON'S "STERN CONDEMNATIONS OF THE VIOLENCE" ..... ARE "A PATHETICALLY INADEQUATE RESPONSE" TO THE SITUATION.

ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF REACTION TO THE LATEST VIOLENCE IN THE BALKANS, IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO.
NEB/ANG/KL
11-Mar-98 1:51 PM EST (1851 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: WHILE THE NEW VIOLENCE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE IS NOT DOMINATING U-S EDITORIAL COLUMNS, IT REMAINS A TOP ITEM OF CONCERN IN SEVERAL PAPERS. OTHER TOPICS AFLOAT THIS WEDNESDAY INCLUDE: THE EXPANSION OF NATO; AN ECONOMIC BATTLE PLAN FOR CHINA; POTENTIAL AID FOR AFRICA; THE KENNETH STARR INVESTIGATION OF BILL CLINTON; AND THE INDIAN ELECTIONS TAKE THAT HUGE NATION TO A TURNING POINT.

JOINING US IN THE STUDIO NOW IS ______________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" SAYS IN AN EDITORIAL HEADLINE, "HANDS OFF IN KOSOVO," AND GOES ON TO COMMENT:

VOICE: THE LAST TIME SERBS BEHAVED BADLY, THE WORLD HAD THE BOSNIAN WAR. NOW THE SERBS ARE AT IT AGAIN, THIS TIME IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE, WHERE MOST OF THE PEOPLE ARE ETHNIC ALBANIANS. SERB AUTHORITIES -- WHO SAY THEY ARE TRYING TO QUELL VIOLENT ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS -- HAVE KILLED OR WOUNDED MANY ALBANIANS RECENTLY. WHAT TO DO? THAT IS FAIRLY SIMPLY. CONDEMNATION OF BRUTALITY SHOULD COME FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE GLOBE. EVERYONE HAS A GENERAL INTEREST IN HUMAN RIGHTS. THE UNITED STATES AND SEVERAL ALLIES ALSO AGREED ... TO SUPPORT AN INTERNATIONAL ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA ... [AND] THREATEN FURTHER PENALTIES IF YUGOSLAVIA DOES NOT MEND ITS WAYS. THOSE ACTIONS WERE APPROPRIATE. BEYOND THAT, HOWEVER, IT IS UP TO EUROPEANS TO TAKE THE LEAD. KOSOVO, LIKE BOSNIA, IS ESSENTIALLY A EUROPEAN PROBLEM. ... THE UNITED STATES HAS LITTLE STAKE IN THIS CONFLICT.

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" ADDS:

VOICE: ANY ATTEMPTS BY ... PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ...[AND] HIS SERBIAN-LED REGIME IN BELGRADE TO CONTINUE THE OPPRESSION SHOULD BE MET WITH FURTHER RESTRICTIONS, AT THE MINIMUM A BAN ON EXPORT CREDITS AND VISAS FOR KEY OFFICIALS. THAT COULD AT LEAST HURT AND SHAME YUGOSLAVIAN OFFICIALDOM. NONE OF THE WESTERN NATIONS RAISED THE POSSIBILITY OF SENDING TROOPS INTO THIS LATEST BALKAN FLARE-UP.

TEXT: STILL WITH EUROPEAN ISSUES, THE DEBATE OVER EXPANDING NATO CONTINUES UNABATED AFTER A SENATE COMMITTEE VOTED TO RATIFY THE TREATY EXPANDING THE ALLIANCE TO INCLUDE THREE FORMERLY EAST EUROPEAN WARSAW PACT NATIONS. THE NATIONAL DAILY "USA TODAY," PUBLISHED IN THE WASHINGTON SUBURBS, SAYS IT IS A GOOD IDEA.

VOICE: AGAINST THE ODDS, THE FIRST EXPANSION OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION IN 16-YEARS NOW APPEARS HEADED FOR EASY APPROVAL BY THE U-S SENATE. OPPONENTS OF MEMBERSHIP FOR THE FORMER SOVIET-CONTROLLED POLAND, HUNGARY AND CZECH REPUBLIC ARE IN RETREAT, HOPING TO DRAW A NEW LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST ANY FURTHER EXPANSION. ...THEY FEAR NATIONALISTS WILL USE NATO'S GROWTH AS AN EXCUSE TO STOKE HISTORIC RUSSIAN INSECURITIES ABOUT EXTERNAL THREATS. ... THAT IS A LEGITIMATE WORRY. BUT EXPANDING THE NATO ALLIANCE -- GRADUALLY AND WITH CAUTION -- IS WORTH THE RISK. AND RUSSIAN FEARS CAN BE OVERCOME WITH FACTS.

... FOR HALF A CENTURY, NATO HAS PROTECTED U-S AND WESTERN EUROPEAN INTERESTS. AS A LARGER AND STRONGER ALLIANCE, NATO CAN OFFER THE SAME PEACE PROSPECTS FOR OTHERS. SOMEDAY EVEN RUSSIA ITSELF.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" AGREES, MAKING THIS CASE.

VOICE: THE CORE ISSUE REMAINS WHAT IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN. SHOULD THE UNITED STATES PUSH ITS SECURITY FRONTIER INTO THE FORMERLY MOSCOW-RULED TERRITORIES LIBERATED BY THE END OF THE COLD WAR? WE SHARE THE PRO-ENLARGEMENT VIEW THAT IT IS A FITTING,PRUDENT AND DESIRABLE EXERCISE OF AMERICAN POWER TO SHELTER THE NEW DEMOCRACIES IN AN ARC WHOSE INSTABILITY HAS REPEATEDLY MEANT CHAOS, REPRESSION AND WAR. ...TO ASK COUNTRIES EMERGING FROM DECADES OF ENFORCED SUBORDINATION TO MOSCOW TO CONTINUE RESTING THEIR INTERNATIONAL ORIENTATION ON THE UNWANTED WISHES OF MOSCOW IS TO US UNTHINKABLE.

TEXT: TURNING TO ASIA, AND CHINA'S RECENT NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS IT WAS INTERESTING TO OBSERVE THE BODY'S REACTION TO THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS ON CHINA'S DOORSTEP, AND THE MAN "THE TIMES" CALLS "AN ENERGETIC REFORMER" ZHU RONGJI, SET TO BE THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER.

VOICE: ASIA'S CRISIS WILL AFFECT CHINA IN SEVERAL WAYS. NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES, THE COSTS CUT BY DEVALUATION, WILL BE TOUGHER TRADE COMPETITORS. THE LARGE INVESTMENTS THAT CHINA DEPENDS ON FROM ASIA'S OVERSEAS CHINESE COMMUNITIES MAY DRY UP. ASIA'S SUDDEN MELTDOWN IS ALSO A WARNING OF PROBLEMS CHINA ITSELF COULD FACE WITHOUT MAJOR NEW REFORMS. MR. ZHU IS A PRAGMATIST WHO BELIEVES IN USING GOVERNMENT TO SPUR GROWTH, WITH HELP FROM MARKET FORCES. BUT CHINA'"S ECONOMIC DECISION-MAKING REMAINS MIRED IN PATRONAGE AND DISTORTED BY POLITICS. MR. ZHU HAS SOME AUTHORITY TO CHANGE THAT, BUT IS ANSWERABLE TO A COMMUNIST PARTY UNWILLING TO LOOSEN ITS GRIP.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON TIMES" IS CONCERNED ABOUT A BILL ABOUT TO BE VOTED ON IN THE U-S HOUSE THAT WOULD AID AFRICA, WHICH, "THE TIMES" POINTS OUT, COULD USE SOME HELP.

VOICE: HOME TO 600 MILLION PEOPLE, SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA HAS AN ANNUAL PER CAPITA INCOME OF 300-DOLLARS; CLEARLY, ECONOMIC GROWTH IS THE NAME OF THE GAME. TO THAT END, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILL LIKELY BE VOTING ON A BILL TODAY ... THE AFRICA GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT ...WITH IS SUPPORTED BY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AS WELL AS MANY REPUBLICANS. WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON ABOUT TO EMBARK ON A TRIP TO AFRICA, PASSAGE OF THE BILL COULD NOT COME AT A BETTER TIME. ... THE PROBLEMS FACED BY AFRICA ARE NOT GOING TO BE SOLVED BY A SINGLE PIECE OF U-S LEGISLATION. BUT TOO OFTEN, OUR AFRICA POLICY HAS BEEN AD HOC RESPONSE TO CRISES. IF CONGRESS PASSES THIS BILL, THERE'S A CHANCE TO GET THE POLICY ON A FIRM FOOTING AT LAST.

TEXT: SPECIAL COUNSEL KENNETH STARR'S ON-GOING INVESTIGATION OF PRESIDENT CLINTON AND HIS ALLEGED SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A WHITE HOUSE INTERN IS STILL IN THE PUBLIC EYE. "THE OMAHA WORLD-HERALD" IN NEBRASKA, SAYS IN TODAY'S EDITIONS, SOME OF THE CRITICISM OF MR. STARR BY THE PUBLIC MAY COME FROM IGNORANCE.

VOICE: NEW YORK UNIVERSITY LAW PROFESSOR STEPHEN GILLERS SPECIALIZES IN LEGAL ETHICS. BY HIS OWN ACCOUNT, HE IS NO FAN OF [MR.] STARR. ... BUT ONCE ON THE JOB, [PROFESSOR] GILLERS SAID, [MR.] STARR HAS FOLLOWED 'STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE BY PROSECUTORS -- EVERY TIME, EVERY PLACE, EVERY DAY.' ...[MR.] STARR IS NOT IN A POPULARITY CONTEST. HIS RESPONSIBILITY IS TO LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT WHY [PRESIDENTIAL FRIEND VERNON] JORDAN TRIED SO HARD TO FIND [FORMER PRESIDENTIAL INTERN MONICA] LEWINSKY A GOOD JOB -- AND WHY [PRESIDENT] CLINTON WAS SO INTERESTED IN THE JOB HUNT ... CLEVER AND POWERFUL PEOPLE ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO DESTROY [MR.] STARR'S CREDIBILITY AND SIDELINE HIS INVESTIGATION. BUT HIS PERFORMANCE WINS HIGH MARKS FROM A FORMER CRITIC WHO, AS A PROFESSOR SPECIALIZING IN LEGAL ETHICS, SHOULD HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF APPROPRIATE PROSECUTORIAL BEHAVIOR.

TEXT: BACK OVERSEAS AGAIN, AND TO THE SUB-CONTINENT WHERE THERE IS STILL UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE POLITICAL FUTURE IN INDIA, AFTER THE RECENT PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN WHICH NO PARTY WON A CLEAR MAJORITY. THIS CAUSES "NEWSDAY" TO SUGGEST INDIA IS AT A "TURNING POINT."

VOICE: THE POTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE FORCE OF NATIONALISM HAS SWEPT THROUGH INDIA'S 980 MILLION PEOPLE, PROPELLING TO THE BRINK OF POWER A PARTY WITH A MILITANT HINDU AGENDA. LATER THIS WEEK, IN CONJUNCTION WITH SMALLER PARTIES, THE HINDU NATIONALIST BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY IS LIKELY TO CLAIM ITS ELECTORAL MANDATE TO GOVERN. IT WILL MARK A MOMENTOUS TURNING POINT IN INDIA'S POST COLONIAL HISTORY. AND IT WILL CARRY SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE STABILITY OF THE SUBCONTINENT.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
11-Mar-98 10:56 AM EST (1556 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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