Voice of America, 98-06-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY (L ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (PRISTINA)

[02] ALBANIAN REFUGEES (L) BY ART CHIMES (BAJRAM CURRI)

[03] ALBRIGHT/KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[04] CONGRESS-KOSOVO (L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

[05] NATO / KOSOVO (S) OVERNIGHTER BY JIM RANDLE (BRUSSELS)

[06] NATO-KOSOVO-PLANES (L 2ND UPDATE) BY JIM RANDLE (BRUSSELS)

[07] RUSSIA / YUGOSLAVIA (L) BY MICHELE KELEMEN (MOSCOW)

[08] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY KEVIN LYNCH (LONDON)

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

[10] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY (L ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (PRISTINA)

INTRO: IN AN INTERVIEW WITH VOA, A KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY COMMANDER SPOKE AT LENGTH ABOUT THE NATURE OF THE SERBIAN FORCES HE IS FIGHTING. THE COMMANDER SAYS HIS GUERRILLA GROUP IS PREPARED TO FIGHT FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES TO DEFEAT THE COMBINED FORCES OF SERBIAN POLICE AND PARAMILITARY UNITS. VOA'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS:

TEXT: ISNI KILAJ IS THE LOCAL K-L-A COMMANDER IN THE TOWN OF MALISHEVA. HE SAYS HE IS IN CONTROL OF 41 OF 42 VILLAGES IN A STRATEGIC WESTERN PART OF THE CONTESTED SERBIAN PROVINCE. HE WOULD NOT GIVE ANY OTHER DETAILS OF THE STRENGTH OR POSITIONS OF THE K-L-A, BUT TALKED OPENLY ABOUT HIS VIEW OF THE SITUATION.

COMMANDER KILAJ VIGOROUSLY DENIES SERB CLAIMS THAT THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY HAS BURNED THE HOMES OF ALBANIANS IN ORDER TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE SERB ATTACKS. AND HE SAYS WHILE SERB FORCES HAVE KILLED MANY ETHNIC ALBANIAN CIVILIANS, THE SERBS HAVE NEVER REPORTED A CIVILIAN DEATH AT THE HANDS OF THE K-L-A -- ONLY POLICE DEATHS.

ASKED ABOUT REPORTS THAT PARAMILITARY UNITS COMMANDED BY SERBS WERE INVOLVED IN ATROCITIES DURING THE WARS IN BOSNIA AND CROATIA, COMMANDER KILAJ AGREED THAT THEY WERE IN THE AREA. BUT HE SAID WHETHER THEY WERE REGULAR UNITS OF THE YUGOSLAV ARMY, LOCAL SERB POLICE OR PARAMILITARY UNITS, THEY ALL BEHAVE THE SAME:

COMMANDER KILAJ SAID HE HAS HEARD THAT MANY SERBS ARE REFUSING TO COME TO KOSOVO TO FIGHT AND HE INTERPRETS THIS AS EVIDENCE THAT THE PROVINCE IS NOT AS IMPORTANT TO ORDINARY SERBS AS SERB POLITICIANS WANT PEOPLE TO BELIEVE. ALSO HE SAYS, THE ALBANIANS HAVE A GREATER REASON TO DIE FIGHTING THAN SERBS:

THE SERBIAN MYTH OF KOSOVO BEING THEIRS IS JUST A MYTH. YOU CAN SEE THAT POLICE AND TROOPS ARE NOT COMING TO FIGHT HERE BECAUSE THEY (SERBIAN SOLDIERS) KNOW WHAT THE REALITY IS AND THAT THERE IS NO REAL REASON FOR THEM TO FIGHT.

WHEN ASKED WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT THE K-L-A HAS FROM ABROAD, EITHER IN MONEY OR WEAPONS, COMMANDER KILAJ SAID THE K-L-A'S SUPPORT COMES ENTIRELY FROM THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO. HE SAYS HE BELIEVES THE ALBANIANS OF KOSOVO ARE UNITED IN THEIR DESIRE TO FREE THE PROVINCE FROM SERBIAN DOMINATION AND THAT THE K-L-A WILL FIGHT TO THE LAST MAN TO DO THAT. (SIGNED)
NEB/PAM/KL/GE
11-Jun-98 3:25 PM EDT (1925 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBANIAN REFUGEES (L) BY ART CHIMES (BAJRAM CURRI)

INTRO: HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS IN NORTHERN ALBANIA SAY REFUGEES CONTINUE TO COME ACROSS THE BORDER FROM SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE AT THE RATE OF ABOUT ONE HUNDRED A DAY. AS WE HEAR FROM V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES THE TIDE OF REFUGEES HAS SLOWED IN RECENT DAYS.

TEXT: THE FLOW PEAKED A WEEK OR TWO AGO, COINCIDING WITH THE WORST SERBIAN ATTACKS ON ETHNIC ALBANIAN COMMUNITIES IN KOSOVO. NEARLY EIGHT THOUSAND REFUGEES HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY REGISTERED. BUT OFFICIALS SAY THE ACTUAL NUMBER IS AT LEAST TWELVE THOUSAND.

ALBANIAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE MOVING TO WHAT THEY CALL STAGE TWO IN THE REFUGEE PROGRAM: BUILDING CAMPS IN ABANDONED MILITARY BASES AND IN OTHER FACILITIES. THE PLAN IS, IN EFFECT, AN ADMISSION THAT THEY EXPECT THE REFUGEES TO BE HERE FOR SOME TIME, AND THAT PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS ARE AT THE BREAKING POINT.

SOME OF THE REFUGEES ARE STAYING WITH RELATIVES, OTHERS WITH STRANGERS WHO HAVE OPENED THEIR HOMES TO THEIR FELLOW ETHNIC ALBANIANS FLEEING SERB ATTACKS ON VILLAGES ACROSS THE BORDER IN KOSOVO.

ALBANIANS SPEAK WITH PRIDE ABOUT THEIR HOSPITALITY, BUT A DISTRICT OFFICIAL, XHEVDET HOXHA, SAYS THAT THE IMPOVERISHED AND UNDERDEVELOPED PART OF ALBANIA HAS REACHED THE BREAKING POINT.

WE'RE IN NO POSITION TO CONTINUE HELPING, HE SAYS. JUST ONE EXAMPLE: WHEN REFUGEES WANTED TO CONTACT THEIR FAMILIES IT TOOK DAYS JUST TO GET PHONE CALLS THROUGH.

THE GOVERNMENT IS APPOINTING A SPECIAL MINISTERIAL-LEVEL OFFICIAL TO DEAL WITH THE REFUGEE CRISIS. THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT HAS SPENT MORE THAN THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TO HELP THE REFUGEES. THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR THE POOREST COUNTRY IN EUROPE. BUT IT WORKS OUT TO JUST TWENTY DOLLARS FOR EACH REFUGEE.

THE TIDE OF REFUGEES, PLUS THE TEAMS FROM INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THE WORLD'S NEWS MEDIA HAS STRESSED THE RESOURCES OF THE TOWNS AND VILLAGES IN THIS REMOTE CORNER OF ALBANIA.

WATER SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED AND SOME PRICES HAVE GONE UP REFLECTING THE INCREASE DEMAND FOR FOOD AND OTHER NECESSITIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/AC/LTD/GE
11-Jun-98 3:46 PM EDT (1946 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] ALBRIGHT/KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS CALLED FOR A CEASE FIRE IN KOSOVO SO THAT MEANINGFUL TALKS BETWEEN SERBS AND ALBANIANS CAN TAKE PLACE. MS. ALBRIGHT WILL MEET OTHER FOREIGN MINISTERS IN LONDON FRIDAY TO DISCUSS THE KOSOVO CRISIS. (FYI: HER PLANE LEAVES 6PM EST ARRIVES 6AM LONDON TIME FRIDAY). V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS THE STORY.

TEXT: SECRETARY ALBRIGHT USED VERY PLAIN WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE INCREASED VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO, WHERE SERBIAN FORCES HAVE BEEN ATTACKING ETHNIC ALBANIAN VILLAGES. SHE CALLED IT A BLOODY BUSINESS AND SAID THE DEADLINE FOR PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO STOP IS NOW.

OUR GOAL THERE IS TO HAVE A CEASE FIRE THAT WOULD REALLY PROVIDE THE CONDITIONS WHEREBY THESE TALKS THAT HAVE STARTED COULD CONTINUE AND THAT THE TALKS THEMSELVES WOULD NOT IN ANYWAY ALLOW MILOSEVIC TO GO FORWARD AND CARRY OUT THE BLOODY BUSINESS THAT HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN OR DIRECTING IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.

ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING SHORT OF MILITARY FORCE THAT WOULD INFLUENCE MR. MILOSEVIC, MRS. ALBRIGHT REPEATED THE WISH FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION.

OUR DESIRE IS TO SOLVE THIS DIPLOMATICALLY. IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN. AND WE DO BELIEVE THAT A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION IS THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH IT. BUT I ALSO THINK THAT--AS WE HAVE FOUND IN OTHER PLACES--THE THREAT OF THE USE OF FORCE DOES WORK IN SUPPORT OF DIPLOMACY. AND WE BELIEVE THE MILITARY PLANNING THAT HAS NOW BEEN DIRECTED SHOULD BE A VERY STRONG MESSAGE TO MILOSEVIC THAT WHAT HE IS DOING IS UNACCEPTABLE TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

THE SECRETARY SAID THE VICTIMS ARE PEOPLE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF FIGHTING BETWEEN SERBIAN FORCES AND KOSOVAR ALBANIAN EXTREMISTS. SHE SAID IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE OFFENSIVE BY THE YUGOSLAV ARMY AND SPECIAL FORCES HAS HAD THE EFFECT OF RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS FOR THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN EXTREMISTS.(SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/TMD/PT
11-Jun-98 4:46 PM EDT (2046 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CONGRESS-KOSOVO (L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: NATO PLANS TO SEND A MESSAGE TO SERBIA BY STAGING MILITARY EXERCISES IN THE SKIES OVER MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA. BUT SOME MEMBERS OF THE U-S CONGRESS ARE CALLING FOR STRONGER ACTION TO STOP SERBIAN ATTACKS ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS FROM CAPITOL HILL.

TEXT: THERE ARE MANY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO FEAR ANOTHER BALKAN WAR COULD IGNITE IN KOSOVO.

NEW YORK DEMOCRAT ELIOT ENGEL HAS BEEN WARNING OF THE DANGER FOR YEARS. HE SAYS THE TIME FOR DIPLOMACY HAS RUN OUT. HE WANTS UNITED STATES AIR RAIDS ON SERBIAN POSITIONS.

DO WE INTERVENE NOW AND SAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LIVES? OR DO WE ULTIMATELY INTERVENE LATER AFTER HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED.

CONGRESSMAN ENGEL SAYS HE IS NOT CALLING FOR U-S TROOPS ON THE GROUND. HE STRESSES AMERICAN AIR STRIKES PUSHED THE SERBIANS TO NEGOTIATE AN END TO THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT....AND WILL WORK AGAIN IN KOSOVO.

THE UNITED STATES MUST TAKE THE LEAD, BECAUSE IF WE DON'T TAKE THE LEAD, NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN EXCEPT THE KILLING OF INNOCENT CIVILIANS -- THE KILLING OF INNOCENT ALBANIANS -- BY MILOSEVIC AND HIS HENCHMEN.

MORE THAN THIRTY MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAVE SIGNED A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT AUTHORED BY MR. ENGEL. THEY URGE NOT ONLY IMMEDIATE AIR STRIKES, BUT THE CREATION OF A NO-FLY ZONE. THEY HAVE SUPPORT IN THE SENATE FROM NEW YORK REPUBLICAN ALFONSE D'AMATO. HE SAYS THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL MUST PASS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING "ALL NECESSARY MEANS" TO END THE FIGHTING IN KOSOVO.

CERTAINLY, A NO-FLY ZONE IS SOMETHING THAT IS LONG OVERDUE. CERTAINLY, THE ABILITY TO SHOOT DOWN AND TAKE WHATEVER MILITARY ACTION IS NECESSARY TO KEEP VILLAGERS AND CHILDREN FROM BEING SLAUGHTERED WOULD FALL WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF "ALL NECESSARY MEANS."

CONCERNED LAWMAKERS SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO SPEAK OUT UNTIL STRONG ACTION IS TAKEN TO STOP THE SERBS. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THEY MAY BE PUTTING OUT NEWS RELEASES AND HOLDING PRESS CONFERENCES FOR SOME TIME TO COME. (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/LTD/MMK
11-Jun-98 1:14 PM EDT (1714 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] NATO / KOSOVO (S) OVERNIGHTER BY JIM RANDLE (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL SUPPORT INVOLVING NATO PLAN TO SEND WARPLANES OVER ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA IN RESPONSE TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS THE AIRCRAF WILL BE INVOLVED IN AIR EXERCISES, TO TRAIN PILOTS AND SEND A MESSAGE TO THE SERBS.

TEXT: THE MESSAGE IS THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD WON'T STAND IDLY BY AND WATCH AS SERB ARMY UNITS LEVEL VILLAGES WITH ARTILLERY AND TANKS. THE NUMBER AND NATIONALITY OF THE AIRCRAFT, WHAT SORT OF EXERCISES THEY WILL CARRY OUT AND THE TIMING OF THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES ALL MATTERS TO BE WORKED OUT BY NATO MILITARY PLANNERS AFTER THEY GET POLITICAL GUIDANCE FROM NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS.

THE MINISTERS ARE GATHERED HERE IN BRUSSELS FOR TALKS ON MILITARY OPTIONS IN KOSOVO. TALKS OF MILITARY EXERCISES IN ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA WHICH BORDER SERBIA HAVE BEEN UNDER WAY FOR WEEKS. BUT THE FOCUS ON WARPLANES IS A NEW TWIST. PRECISION BOMBING RAIDS WERE ONE OF THE FACTORS THAT BROUGHT SERBIAN FORCES TO THE BARGAINING TABLE DURING THE WAR IN BOSNIA FOR WHAT BECAME THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/WDC/PT
10-Jun-98 8:05 PM EDT (0005 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] NATO-KOSOVO-PLANES (L 2ND UPDATE) BY JIM RANDLE (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: SOME NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS ARE SENDING STRONG WARNINGS TO SERBIA TO STOP AN OFFENSIVE IN ITS TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE. THE NATO MINISTERS ARE MEETING IN BRUSSELS TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE NATO MILITARY ACTION IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS.

TEXT: GERMANY'S DEFENSE MINISTER VOLKER RUEHE SAYS NATO PLANNERS SHOULD ARRANGE A "FIREPOWER DEMONSTRATION" NEAR KOSOVO TO SEND A STRONG MESSAGE TO THE SERBS. HE ALSO SAID IF NATO DECIDES TO MAKE REAL AIRSTRIKES, TARGETS COULD BE SELECTED IN SERBIA OR ANYWHERE IN YUGOSLAVIA. SERBIA IS ONE OF YUGOSLAVIA'S TWO REMAINING REPUBLICS.

MR. RUEHE TOLD FELLOW NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS NATO SHOULD ALSO LOOK INTO DIRECT MILITARY ACTION IN KOSOVO TO STOP ATTACKS BY SERBIAN ARMY UNITS ON VILLAGES NEAR THE BORDER WITH ALBANIA.

BRITISH DEFENSE MINISTER GEORGE ROBERTSON SAYS SERBIA COULD FACE MILITARY ACTION WITHIN DAYS UNLESS VIOLENCE STOPS.

NATO MINISTERS APPROVED WAR GAMES IN THE SKIES OVER ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA, WHICH BORDER KOSOVO. A SENIOR U-S OFFICIAL SAYS PLANNING IS UNDERWAY IN ITALY, AND MANY DETAILS REMAIN TO BE WORKED OUT. // OPT // HE SAYS PLANNERS ARE STILL DECIDING WHAT KINDS OF AIR CRAFT WILL BE INVOLVED, WHAT THEY WILL DO AND WHICH NATIONS WILL SEND THEM. // END OPT //

BUT HE SAYS THE GOAL OF THE EXERCISE IS VERY CLEAR -- TO REMIND THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT THAT NATO CAN BACK UP DIPLOMATIC PLEAS FOR RESTRAINT WITH BOMBS. // OPT // A PRECISION BOMBING CAMPAIGN IS CREDITED WITH HELPING BRING THE SERBS TO THE BARGAINING TABLE TO NEGOTIATE THE DAYTON ACCORDS THAT ENDED THE WAR IN BOSNIA. // END OPT // (SIGNED). NEB/JR/LTD/GE/MMK
11-Jun-98 11:43 AM EDT (1543 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] RUSSIA / YUGOSLAVIA (L) BY MICHELE KELEMEN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN, IN A BID TO TRY TO END THE BLOODSHED IN KOSOVO, HAS INVITED SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC FOR TALKS IN MOSCOW. V-O-A'S MICHELE KELEMEN REPORTS.

TEXT: PRESIDENT YELTSIN IS HOPING TO USE HIS INFLUENCE ON MR. MILOSEVIC TO STOP THE SERB CRACKDOWN ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. RUSSIA, A TRADITIONAL ALLY OF THE SERBS, HAS LONG CALLED FOR A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT TO THE CONFLICT AND STRONGLY OPPOSES NATO INTERVENTION IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. BUT RUSSIAN OFFICIALS HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY WORRIED ABOUT THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO, AND INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE IS BUILDING FOR NATO ACTION.

THE KREMLIN PRESS SERVICE SAYS THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT WILL VISIT MOSCOW MONDAY AND TUESDAY. A SPOKESMAN AT RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS SHOULD BE AIMED AT BRINGING ABOUT RENEWED TALKS BETWEEN BELGRADE AND PRISTINA.

SOME EXPERTS CONSIDER MR. YELTSIN'S MEDIATION EFFORT AS A LAST ATTEMPT TO AVERT NATO MILITARY ACTION. POLITICAL ANALYST IRINA KOBRINSKAYA SAYS THE RUSSIAN LEADER HAS SUPPORT IN HIS MISSION.

THERE IS A POSSIBILITY TO PREVENT THE INTERVENTION AND TO MODERATE THE SITUATION AND RUSSIA IS NOT ALONE IN THIS WISH.

I THINK THE CHANCES (FOR SUCCESS) ARE QUITE SUFFICIENT BECAUSE THERE IS INTEREST ON BOTH SIDE. RUSSIA IS NOT INTERESTED IN LOSING INFLUENCE IN THE REGION OR AGAIN ACTING UNDER NATO'S COMMAND, NOR IS MILOSEVIC INTERESTED IN INTERNATIONAL ISOLATION.

OTHER EXPERTS ARE LESS OPTIMISTIC, ARGUING MR. YELTSIN HAS HAD FEW SUCCESSES IN HIS BALKAN POLICY. BUT, EITHER WAY, THE MOSCOW TALKS ON THE KOSOVO CONFLICT WILL GIVE MR. YELTSIN AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW HE IS DOING WHAT HE CAN TO PREVENT NATO INTERVENTION INTO A CONFLICT RUSSIA CONSIDERS TO BE AN INTERNAL MATTER FOR YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/MLK/JWH
11-Jun-98 10:45 AM EDT (1445 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY KEVIN LYNCH (LONDON)

INTRO: MARKETS DROPPED IN PARIS AND LONDON, AS BOTH BECAME NERVOUS OVER THE HEALTH OF THE JAPANESE YEN. V-O-A'S KEVIN LYNCH HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES FROM OUR OFFICES IN LONDON.

TEXT: LONDON AND PARIS MARKETS DECLINED FOR THE SECOND DAY IN A ROW. THERE WAS NO TRADING AT ALL IN FRANKFURT AS GERMANY WAS CELEBRATING A HOLIDAY (CORPUS CHRISTI). IN LONDON AND PARIS THE MARKETS WERE JITTERY OVER THE CONTINUED FALL OF THE YEN AND THE EFFECT THAT WILL HAVE ON EUROPEAN COMMERCE.

HERE ARE THE CLOSING FIGURES. IN LONDON, THE FINANCIAL TIMES 100-SHARE INDEX ENDED THE DAY DOWN 135 POINTS, A DROP OF TWO-POINT-THREE PERCENT, THE SECOND BIGGEST DROP OF THE YEAR FOR THE FOOTSIE 100, WHILE IN PARIS THE CAC-40 INDEX WAS DOWN 67 POINTS, OR ONE-POINT-SIX PERCENT.

THE PRICE OF GOLD CLOSED IN LONDON AT 289 DOLLAR 60 CENTS AN OUNCE, DOWN THREE DOLLARS 50 CENTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/KL/PT
11-Jun-98 3:07 PM EDT (1907 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 DOWN SHARPLY TODAY (THURSDAY) AS TRADERS CONTINUED TO WORRY ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS ON THE PROFITS OF AMERICAN CORPORATIONS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 88 HUNDRED 11, DOWN ALMOST 160 POINTS OR MORE THAN ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 94, DOWN 17 POINTS.

THURSDAY WAS REALLY A TALE OF TWO ENTIRELY DIFFERENT MARKETS. THE BOND MARKET ROSE, WITH INTEREST YIELDS FALLING TO RECORD LOWS. BUT STOCKS PLUNGED STEADILY DOWN, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF LARGE MULTI-NATIONAL COMPANIES. TRADERS CONTINUE TO WORRY ABOUT THE FINANCIAL CRISIS IN ASIA AND ITS IMPACT ON U-S CORPORATE EARNINGS.

THE U-S DOLLAR SOARED TO A RECORD HIGH AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN. U-S TREASURY SECRETARY ROBERT RUBIN INDICATED EARLY IN THE DAY THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT INTERVENE IN THE CURRENCY MARKETS TO SUPPORT THE YEN. LATER, HOWEVER, MR. RUBIN CLARIFIED HIS REMARKS BY SAYING THAT INTERVENTION IS ALWAYS AN OPTION.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS RETAIL SALES IN THE UNITED STATES ROSE IN MAY FOR THE SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE MONTH. DAVID BLITZER, THE CHIEF ECONOMIST AT THE STANDARD AND POOR'S RESEARCH COMPANY, SAYS HE EXPECTS STRONG RETAIL SALES WILL CONTINUE.

WE HAVE SEEN STRONG EMPLOYMENT REPORTS. WE HAVE SEEN INCREASES IN WAGES AND SALARIES. THOSE PATTERNS HAVE REALLY SET THE STAGE FOR A GOOD SUMMER IN TERMS OF RETAIL.

SOME ANALYSTS SAY STRONG DOMESTIC DEMAND IS HELPING TO CUSHION THE IMPACT ON U-S CORPORATE PROFITS OF THE FINANCIAL CRISIS IN ASIA.

MITSUBISHI OF AMERICA WILL PAY 34 MILLION DOLLARS TO SETTLE SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMPLAINTS. A U-S GOVERNMENT AGENCY CHARGED THE COMPANY PERMITTED WIDESPREAD HARASSMENT OF FEMALE AUTO WORKERS AT ITS PLANT IN THE MIDWESTERN STATE OF ILLINOIS. MITSUBISHI OF AMERICA IS A SUBSIDIARY OF MITSUBISHI OF JAPAN.

GENERAL MOTORS HAS RESUMED NEGOTIATIONS AIMED AT ENDING A WEEK LONG STRIKE AT A STAMPING PLANT AND IS WORKING TO AVOID ANOTHER STRIKE AT A PARTS PLANT. THE LABOR TROUBLES ARE THREATENING TO SHUT DOWN VIRTUALLY ALL OF G-M'S NORTH AMERICAN VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PLANTS.

THE NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR COMPANY HAS REPORTED A 69 MILLION DOLLAR LOSS FOR ITS FISCAL FOURTH QUARTER. THE COMPANY CITES A CONTINUING DECLINE IN ITS SALES OF CHIPS USED IN PERSONAL COMPUTERS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
11-Jun-98 5:17 PM EDT (2117 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNEXPECTED DEATH (MONDAY) OF NIGERIAN DICTATOR SANI ABACHA CONTINUES TO DRAW COMMENT FROM THE AMERICAN NEWS MEDIA THIS THURSDAY. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE NUCLEAR CLOUD HANGING OVER THE DISPUTED STATE OF KASHMIR; SOUTH KOREA'S PRESIDENT VISITS WASHINGTON; SOME THOUGHTS ON THE GROWING CONFLICT IN THE BALKANS; /// OPT /// AND THE MURDER OF A BLACK MAN IN TEXAS, ALLEGEDLY BY A TRIO OF WHITE MEN. /// END OPT /// NOW, HERE IS __________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: EDITORIALS IN SEVERAL PAPERS SAY THAT THE DEATH OF GENERAL ABACHA, NIGERIA'S MILITARY DICTATOR, GIVES AFRICA'S MOST POPULOUS STATE AN UNEXPECTED OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN RETURNING TO TRUE DEMOCRACY. "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" IS ONE OF SEVERAL PAPERS COMMENTING THIS THURSDAY ON THE DEATH.

VOICE: // OPT /// THOUGH DEATH DID NOT CATCH UP TO POL POT UNTIL AFTER HE HAD INFLICTED LASTING WOUNDS ON CAMBODIA, IT HAS INTERCEDED IN A MORE TIMELY FASHION IN NIGERIA, ENDING THE BRUTAL DICTATORSHIP OF GENERAL ..... ABACHA BEFORE HE COULD DESTROY THE WESTERN AFRICAN NATION. /// END OPT /// ..... [MR.] ABACHA'S DEATH PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON TO DELIVER A CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE REMAINS OF THE RULING JUNTA: CIVILIAN RULE MUST BE RESTORED, AND SOON. /// OPT /// ..... WASHINGTON CONTINUES TO IMPORT OIL FROM NIGERIA, A PRACTICE IT SHOULD HAVE STOPPED TO PUT THE SQUEEZE ON ONE OF [GENERAL] ABACHA'S BIGGEST SOURCES OF FOREIGN CAPITAL. IT IS NOT TOO LATE FOR [PRESIDENT] CLINTON TO ISSUE THAT WARNING TO [MR. ABACHA'S SUCCESSOR, GENERAL] ABUBAKAR AND OTHERS IN THE MILITARY ..... /// END OPT ///

TEXT: MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" FEELS THAT MR. ABACHA'S SUCCESSOR HAS GOTTEN OFF TO A BAD START.

VOICE: /// OPT /// GENERAL ABDULSALAM ABUBAKAR SO FAR HAS DONE EVERYTHING WRONG IN HIS SUCCESSION TO POWER ..... HE APPEARED IN MILITARY TOGS [UNIFORM] AND BERET TO ANNOUNCE A RETURN TO DEMOCRACY BY OCTOBER FIRST, THE DATE SET BY THE LATE DICTATOR. .....THEN, IN ONE OF HIS EARLY OFFICIAL ACTS, [MR.] ABUBAKAR DECLARED SEVEN DAYS OF MOURNING FOR THE DEPARTED DICTATOR. THIS WAS WHILE PEOPLE WERE TURNING CARTWHEELS OF JOY ON THE STREETS OF LAGOS. /// END OPT /// ..... IT WILL SOON BECOME APPARENT TO THE GENERAL, IF IT HASN'T ALREADY, THAT HE HAS TO MAKE A CLEAN BREAK WITH NIGERIA'S DICTATORIAL PAST IF HE IS TO HAVE ANY CREDIBILITY. THE QUICKEST, SUREST WAY TO DO THIS IS TO FREE MOSHOOD K-O ABIOLA IMMEDIATELY FROM THE PRISON CELL WHERE HE HAS BEEN HELD ILLEGALLY SINCE 1994. [MR.] ABIOLA SHOULD THEN BE RESTORED TO THE PRESIDENCY HE WAS ON HIS WAY TO WINNING ...... FIVE YEARS AGO [THIS] FRIDAY .... WHEN [GENERAL] ABACHA SUSPENDED THE COUNTING OF BALLOTS AND BEGAN HIS TAKEOVER. /// OPT /// FRESH MULTI-PARTY, INTERNATIONALLY MONITORED FREE ELECTIONS THEN SHOULD BE HELD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO CHOOSE A PRESIDENT - - WHO MIGHT WELL BE [MR.] ABIOLA - - TO COMPLETE NIGERIA'S TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" ASSESSES THE CHANGES IN POLICY TOWARD NORTH KOREA ADVOCATED BY SOUTH KOREA'S NEW PRESIDENT KIM DAE JUNG, AS HE TOURS THIS COUNTRY, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: /// OPT /// THE SOUTH KOREAN LEADER, WHOSE FORMER LIFE AS A GADFLY FOR DEMOCRACY TAUGHT HIM PERSEVERANCE, CLEARLY SEES A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY. HE'D LIKE TO BRIDGE THE GULF WITH NORTH KOREA EVEN AS HE REBUILDS THE SOUTH'S BATTERED ECONOMY. /// END OPT ///..... PRESIDENT KIM'S PLEA THAT WASHINGTON EASE SANCTIONS AGAINST THE NORTH AS A WAY OF ENTICING FURTHER MOVEMENT DESERVES A CAREFUL HEARING. THIS KOREAN LEADER IS DETERMINED TO BREAK ALL THE MOLDS - - INCLUDING PERHAPS, THE ONE THAT KEEPS 37-THOUSAND AMERICAN TROOPS IN HIS COUNTRY.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE BALKANS, "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" HAS TWO EDITORIALS. ONE CALLS FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF U-S TROOPS FROM BOSNIA WHERE IT SEES TOO LITTLE PROGRESS FOR THE LONG, AMERICAN PEACEKEEPING ROLE. THE SECOND EDITORIAL IS AN URGENT PLEA FOR THE U-S TO STAY OUT OF KOSOVO PROVINCE, WHERE, "THE SENTINEL" SAYS:

VOICE: ....THE WHITE HOUSE'S MUSINGS ABOUT POTENTIAL U-S MILITARY INTERVENTION IN KOSOVO SHOULD CAUSE AMERICANS TO JUMP OFF THEIR SOFAS. AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK, THE UNITED STATES MIGHT APPROACH THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL FOR A GREEN LIGHT [I.E. PERMISSION] TO USE MILITARY FORCE IN YUGOSLAVIA. HAS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION LEARNED SO LITTLE FROM THE BOSNIA FIASCO THAT IT WOULD PUT AMERICAN LIVES AT RISK AND SQUANDER UNTOLD TAX DOLLARS IN KOSOVO? IF NOT, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SHOULD STEP BACK AND TAKE STOCK OF THE SITUATION. KOSOVO IS NO PLACE FOR U-S TROOPS.

TEXT: THE FLORIDA PAPER SAYS EUROPE SHOULD NOW TAKE THE LEAD IN THE BALKANS. TURNING TO RUSSIA'S AILING ECONOMY, "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" IS SUGGESTING THAT THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND [I-M-F] BE RESCUED SO THAT IT CAN CONTINUE TO AID RUSSIA OR OTHER NEEDY NATIONS.

VOICE: AS IT TURNED OUT, THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND DIDN'T HAVE TO BAIL OUT RUSSIA'S TEETERY ECONOMY LAST WEEK. BUT IT MIGHT HAVE. AND IT MIGHT YET. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE I-M-F HAS DEPLETED ITS RESERVES FIGHTING ECONOMIC MELTDOWN IN ASIA. IF IT HAD HAD TO LOAN RUSSIA THE FIVE BILLION TO TEN BILLION DOLLARS THAT WAS DISCUSSED, IT WOULD HAVE HAD LITTLE LEFT FOR OTHER CRISES. THAT'S WHY CONGRESS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY GIVE IT THE EIGHTEEN BILLION PROPOSED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON. ..... CONGRESS MUST ACT BEFORE A CRISIS IN RUSSIA OR SOME OTHER QUARTER LEAVES THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND UNABLE TO RESPOND.

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS CONCERNED OVER WHAT IT FEELS IS A "POINTLESS" DISPUTE BETWEEN THIS COUNTRY AND MEXICO OVER HOW BEST TO COUNTER ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFICKING BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS. THE LATEST INCIDENT IS A U-S INVESTIGATION WITHIN MEXICO THAT CAUSED THE ARREST OF SEVERAL PROMINENT BANKERS FOR DRUG MONEY-LAUNDERING. THE U-A OPERATION, "THE TIMES" WRITES, HAS HEIGHTENED THE TENSION BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS.

VOICE: AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF U-S AND MEXICAN OFFICIALS THIS WEEK, IN WASHINGTON CAN HELP HEAL THE RIFT. IN THE LONGER RUN, MEXICAN OFFICIALS FED UP WITH DRUG-STING OPERATIONS BY FOREIGN AGENTS MUST DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT DRUG-RELATED CORRUPTION HAS REACHED INTOLERABLE HEIGHTS IN MEXICO, POSING A THREAT TO THE NATION'S SECURITY. IF WASHINGTON IS ANGERED BY MEXICO'S COMPLAINTS, IT SHOULD CONSIDER HOW AMERICANS WOULD FEEL IF THE SITUATION WERE REVERSED.

TEXT: "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE CONTINUES TO WORRY THAT INDIA'S DISPUTE WITH PAKISTAN OVER KASHMIR MAY UNLEASH THOSE NATION'S NEWLY REVEALED NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

VOICE: FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE FIVE MAJOR NUCLEAR POWERS NOTABLY FAILED AT THEIR EMERGENCY MEETING LAST WEEK IN GENEVA TO PUT REINS ON THE DANGEROUS ESCALATION OF MILITARY RIVALRY BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN. ..... THE BIG FIVE .... POINTEDLY REFUSED TO ADMIT THE UPSTARTS TO THEIR CLUB - - THE NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION TREATY, SIGNED BY 186 COUNTRIES. ..... THE SOVIET UNION AND UNITED STATES SO FRIGHTENED THEMSELVES WITH NUCLEAR RIVALRY THAT THEY SET UP A HOT LINE TO PREVENT WAR BY ACCIDENT. INDIA AND PAKISTAN HAVE NO SUCH ARRANGEMENT. THE BIG FIVE NEED A PERMANENT BODY TO KEEP WORKING ON THE PROBLEM, A GROUP THAT CAN OFFER SAFETY MEASURES TO BOTH NEW NUCLEAR POWERS.

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, THERE ARE EDITORIAL CRIES OF OUTRAGE OVER THE PARTICULARLY VIOLENT DEATH OF A BLACK MAN IN A SMALL TEXAS TOWN. THE MAN ALLEGEDLY WAS DRAGGED BEHIND A SMALL TRUCK, RESULTING IN HIS DEATH. "THE DAILY NEWS" IN NEW YORK CALLS THE MURDER OF JAMES BYRD, JR., "A MODERN-DAY LYNCHING." "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS THE INCIDENT WAS "AN ACT OF BARBARISM, AND AN "INCOMPREHENSIBLE" CRIME.

VOICE: THE 49-YEAR-OLD FATHER OF THREE WAS WALKING HOME FROM HIS NIECE'S BRIDAL SHOWER ON SUNDAY WHEN THREE MEN WITH REPORTED TIES TO WHITE SUPREMACIST GROUPS ALLEGEDLY ABDUCTED HIM, CHAINED HIM TO THEIR PICKUP [TRUCK] AND DRAGGED HIM MORE THAN THREE KILOMETERS DOWN A WINDING, ASPHALT ROAD, TEARING OFF HIS HEAD AND HIS RIGHT ARM. ..... SUCH CRIMES DO NOT SPRING FROM A VACUUM. THEY ARE STOKED IN THE EVERYDAY ACCEPTANCE OF RACIAL INTOLERANCE. THAT'S WHY IT'S SO DISCONCERTING TO HEAR THE FOLK OF JASPER [TEXAS, WHERE THE MURDER TOOK PLACE] EXPRESS SURPRISE THAT A RACIAL CRIME COULD HAPPEN IN THEIR "QUIET COUNTRY TOWN ...." EVEN AS THE NATION ENTERS A NEW CENTURY, IT'S TOO EASY AND GLIB TO SHAKE OUR HEADS AND PRETEND THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO JAMES BYRD JUNIOR COULDN'T STILL HAPPEN ANYWHERE.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM THURSDAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/GE
11-Jun-98 11:34 AM EDT (1534 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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