Voice of America, 98-07-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] N. IRELAND/BLAIR (L) CQ BY DAVID WEBER (LONDON)

[02] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[03] U-N / ALBANIA ARMS (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[04] E-U KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[05] ALBANIAN-AMERICANS AND THE KOSOVO LIBERATION BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

[06] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[07] NY ECON WRAP (S&L) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

[08] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] N. IRELAND/BLAIR (L) CQ BY DAVID WEBER (LONDON)

INTRO: POLITICAL AND CHURCH LEADERS IN LONDON AND NORTHERN IRELAND HAVE CONDEMNED THE MURDER OF THREE CATHOLIC BOYS WHO WERE BURNED TO DEATH IN A SECTARIAN ATTACK ON THEIR HOME IN NORTHERN IRELAND (EARLY SUNDAY). IN BELFAST, A PROTESTANT MAN WAS BEATEN TO DEATH AND AUTHORITIES THINK IT WAS ANOTHER CASE OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE. DAVID WEBER HAS THIS REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: IN A STATEMENT ISSUED SUNDAY FROM DOWNING STREET, PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR CONDEMNED THE FIREBOMBERS AS -- VILE AND VICIOUS SECTARIAN MURDERERS. HE SAID NOTHING COULD JUSTIFY SUCH AN ACT OF BARBARISM.

THE THREE BROTHERS, AGED ELEVEN, NINE, AND EIGHT, DIED IN THEIR BEDS WHEN A FIREBOMB WAS THROWN INTO THEIR HOUSE IN A MAINLY PROTESTANT NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE TOWN OF BALLEYMONEY.

THE HEAD OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND CONSTABULARY, RONNY FLANAGHAN, SAYS THERE IS A STRONG LESSON TO BE LEARNED FROM THE TRAGEDY.

I THINK PEOPLE NOW WANT TO THINK VERY CAREFULLY, THOSE WHO WANT TO PARADE, AND THOSE WHO WANT TO OPPOSE PARADES. I KNOW HOW DEEPLY THOSE FEELINGS RUN AND I THINK THEY WANT TO REASSESS THOSE FEELINGS IN THE LIGHT OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED OVERNIGHT.

THE ARSON ATTACK CAME JUST BEFORE DAYBREAK ON THE MOST EMOTIVE DATE ON THE NORTHERN IRELAND CALENDAR. THE 12TH OF JULY MARKS THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE IN 1690, WHEN WILLIAM OF ORANGE TRIUMPHED OVER THE CATHOLIC KING JAMES. AROUND THIS DATE, TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS OF THE "LOYAL BRETHREN OF THE ORANGE" STAGE MARCHES, SOME OF THEM THROUGH HOSTILE CATHOLIC AREAS.

ONE SUCH MARCH IN THE TOWN OF PORTADOWN, SOUTHWEST OF BELFAST, HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY BARRED FROM ENTERING THE MAINLY-CATHOLIC GARVAGHY ROAD. THE BAN HAS RESULTED IN A WEEKLONG STANDOFF, WITH POLICE AND SOLDIERS ON ONE SIDE OF TRENCHES WITH HIGH RAZOR WIRE, AND THOUSANDS OF ANGRY ORANGEMEN CAMPED OUT ON THE OTHER SIDE.

TO MARK THE GLORIOUS TWELFTH, AS JULY 12TH IS CALLED IN NORTHERN IRELAND, THOUSANDS OF ORANGE SUPPORTERS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE PROVINCE, AND FROM SCOTLAND, HAVE BEEN CONVERGING ON PARTADOWN TO LEND THEIR SUPPORT TO THE WOULD-BE MARCHERS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DW/RAE
12-Jul-98 10:15 AM EDT (1415 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: IN NORTHERN IRELAND, A CONTENTIOUS PROTESTANT PARADE IN BELFAST HAS PASSED WITHOUT INCIDENT. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: JULY 12TH AND 13TH ARE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DATES ON THE PROTESTANT MARCHING SEASON IN NORTHERN IRELAND. THOUSANDS OF 'ORANGE ORDER' MEMBERS STAGE PARADES THROUGHOUT THE BRITISH PROVINCE COMMEMORATING THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE, WHEN IN 1690, THE PROTESTANT KING WILLIAM OF ORANGE DEFEATED ENGLAND'S CATHOLIC KING JAMES THE SECOND.

MOST OF THESE MARCHES ARE PEACEFUL AS PROTESTANTS WALK ALONG WELL-KNOWN ROUTES PLAYING THEIR FIFES AND DRUMS. HOWEVER WHEN THOSE MARCHES GO THROUGH CATHOLIC -- OR NATIONALIST -- AREAS, THERE IS ALWAYS A CHANCE OF VIOLENCE.

ONE OF THOSE CONTENTIOUS MARCHES IS THE ONE WHICH PASSES THROUGH THE CATHOLIC LOWER ORMEAU ROAD IN BELFAST. THIS YEAR IT TOOK PLACE WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT AS ABOUT 150 MEMBERS OF THE 'ORANGE ORDER' -- TO THE SOUND OF A SINGLE DRUMBEAT -- MARCHED SILENTLY PASSED CATHOLIC RESIDENTS.

THE PROTESTANT MARCH WAS HELD JUST ONE DAY AFTER THREE CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 11 WERE KILLED AS THEIR HOME IN BALLYMONEY WAS FIREBOMBED. THE KILLINGS SENT SHOCKWAVES THROUGH BOTH COMMUNITIES -- AND AS THE PROTESTANT ORANGEMEN MARCHED ON THE LOWER ORMEAU ROAD, CATHOLIC RESIDENTS PROTESTED PEACEFULLY, HOLDING BLACK FLAGS AND BLACK BALLOONS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LOWER ORMEAU COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION -- IAN -- EXPLAINS THE SYMBOLISM.

THEY WERE TO SIGNIFY THE DEATHS OF PEOPLE FROM THE ORMEAU ROAD OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS, THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN MURDERED BY SECTARIANISM -- AND ALSO TO REPRESENT IN SOME WAY THE THREE CHILDREN WHO WERE MURDERED IN THEIR BEDS BY LOYALIST PEOPLE. PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY CAN RELATE QUITE CLEARLY TO THE SECTARIAN MURDERS AND AS I SAY -- IT BROUGHT IT ALL BACK TO THIS COMMUNITY WITH THE DEATHS OF THOSE THREE INNOCENT CHILDREN.

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS DURING THE MARCHING SEASON, THE LOWER ORMEAU ROAD HAS BEEN THE SCENE OF VIOLENT CONFRONTATIONS INVOLVING PROTESTANTS, CATHOLICS, AND BRITISH SECURITY FORCES. AND IN 1992, FIVE CATHOLICS WERE SHOT DEAD IN A LOCAL BETTING PARLOR -- KILLED BY PRO-BRITISH PARAMILITARIES.

WE HAVE TRIED TO DO THIS IN A NUMBER OF WAYS. WE HAVE WRITTEN THEM LETTERS, WE HAVE HAD DIFFERENT MEDIATION GROUPS ATTEMPTING TO DO THIS, CHURCH LEADERS. WE HAVE EXHAUSTED EVERY POSSIBLE AVENUE TO TRY AND GET THESE PEOPLE TO TALK TO THIS LOCAL COMMUNITY. I DO NOT SEE A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM UNLESS THE 'ORANGE ORDER' ACCEPTS THAT THEY NEED TO COME TO TALK TO THIS COMMUNITY ABOUT SECTARIAN PARADES.

MEANWHILE AS THOUSANDS OF PROTESTANTS STAGE MARCHES THROUGH NORTHERN IRELAND, THE STANDOFF CONTINUES BETWEEN 'ORANGE ORDER' MEMBERS AND BRITISH SECURITY FORCES AT PORTADOWN. PROTESTANTS ARE STILL PROHIBITED FROM MARCHING DOWN THE CATHOLIC GARVAGHY ROAD -- AND THERE IS NO END IN SIGHT TO THE PORTADOWN STANDOFF. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/JWH
13-Jul-98 9:59 AM EDT (1359 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] U-N / ALBANIA ARMS (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED A PROPOSAL FOR REDUCING THE NUMBER OF SMALL FIREARMS HELD BY CIVILIANS IN ALBANIA. THE PROGRAM IS SEEN AS CRUCIAL FOR IMPROVING SECURITY IN ALBANIA, ALONGSIDE THAT COUNTRY'S PLANS FOR DEMOCRATIC REFORMS. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS BUREAU.

TEXT: U-N UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL JAYANTHA DHANAPALA SAYS ABOUT 650 THOUSAND WEAPONS WERE TAKEN AWAY FROM ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT DEPOTS IN 1997. THEY WERE TAKEN AMID NATIONWIDE RIOTS AND NEAR ANARCHY FOLLOWING THE COLLAPSE OF PYRAMID INVESTMENT SCHEMES, IN WHICH MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE POPULATION LOST THEIR SAVINGS.

MR. DHANAPALA HAS JUST COMPLETED A VISIT TO ALBANIA, AT THE REQUEST OF THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT, TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO RETRIEVE THOSE WEAPONS. HE SAYS ABOUT 30 PERCENT OF THE WEAPONS HAVE LEAKED TO CONFLICTS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE REGION. MOST OF THE REST ARE IN CIVILIAN HANDS IN ALBANIA.

THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR WAYS TO BUY BACK THE WEAPONS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE SECURITY CONDITIONS. BUT MR. DHANAPALA IS RECOMMENDING AGAINST THAT.

MY MISSION FELT VERY CLEARLY THAT THE BUY-BACK PROGRAM WAS NOT FEASIBLE FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, MAINLY ECONOMIC, BECAUSE IT WOULD BE HIGHLY INFLATIONARY TO SEND SO MUCH MONEY INTO THE ALBANIAN ECONOMY IN ORDER TO BUY BACK WEAPONS THAT HAD BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM THE GOVERNMENT DEPOTS. THERE WAS ALSO A SENSE THAT WE WERE REWARDING UNAUTHORIZED POSSESSION OF WEAPONS AND THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULD NOT PERPETUATE THE PROBLEM.

MR. DHANAPALA IS RECOMMENDING THE USE OF PROJECTS WITH EMPLOYMENT AND DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO TURN IN THEIR GUNS. HE IS PROPOSING A PILOT PROJECT, SUPPORTED BY THE UNITED NATIONS, IN THE DISTRICT OF GRAMSHI, WHERE ABOUT 10 PERCENT OF THE WEAPONS IN CIVILIAN HANDS ARE BELIEVED TO BE HIDDEN.

UNDER THE PROPOSED PLAN, THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT WOULD ESTABLISH LOW-COST, LABOR-INTENSIVE PROJECTS SUCH AS THE BUILDING OF ROADS, AGRICULTURAL PROCESSING PLANTS AND TRAINING CENTERS. DISTRICT LEADERS SAY IN RETURN THEY WILL HELP ENCOURAGE THE POPULATION TO VOLUNTARILY SURRENDER THEIR ILLEGAL WEAPONS.

MR. DHANAPALA SAYS THE PROPOSED PLAN WOULD ENSURE THAT THE RETURN OF WEAPONS IS CARRIED OUT IN THE CONTEXT OF DEMOCRATIZATION AND IMPROVED ECONOMIC PROSPECTS -- KEY FACTORS IN HELPING PEOPLE TRUST THE GOVERNMENT ENOUGH TO HAND OVER THEIR WEAPONS. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PLM
13-Jul-98 5:11 PM EDT (2111 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] E-U KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE 15 FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION NATIONS ISSUED A FRESH APPEAL MONDAY TO BOTH SIDES IN THE KOSOVO CONFLICT TO REACH A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THEIR DISPUTE. THE MINISTERS ALSO CALLED ON THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL TO CLEAR THE WAY FOR MILITARY ACTION, IF THERE IS NO PROGRESS. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: THE EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS ISSUED A STATEMENT WHICH DESIGNED TO PUT FURTHER PRESSURE ON SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE AIM IS TO FORCE HIM TO TO COMPLY WITH INTERNATIONAL DEMANDS TO END OPPRESSION IN KOSOVO, AND TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE MAINLY ETHNIC ALBANIAN COMMUNITY THERE.

THE STATEMENT EXPRESSES GRAVE CONCERN AT THE CONTINUING VIOLENCE AND LOSS OF LIFE, AND WARNS OF THE DANGER THAT THE CONFLICT COULD SPREAD. IT SUPPORTS THE ADOPTION OF A UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION TO PUT THE U-N'S AUTHORITY BEHIND THE REQUIREMENTS EXPECTED OF THE PARTIES BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

SHOULD THESE REQUIREMENTS NOT BE MET, THE E-U MINISTERS SAID FURTHER ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN UNDER THE U-N CHARTER TO BRING ABOUT COMPLIANCE BY THOSE WHO ARE BLOCKING THE PROCESS.

SUCH ACTION WOULD BE LED BY NATO, WHICH HAS ALREADY DRAWN UP FULL CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR AIR ATTACKS AGAINST SERB TARGETS IN KOSOVO, AS WELL AS MORE DIRECT INTERVENTION BY TROOPS. HOWEVER, THE E-U MINISTERS ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE TWO SIDES IN THE CONFLICT, AND THEY HAVE CALLED ON THE ARMED ALBANIAN MILITIAS IN KOSOVO TO ALSO END THEIR VIOLENCE.

THE EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE WELCOMED THE NEWS THAT THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IS TO EXTEND ITS TERRITORIAL SCOPE TO INCLUDE KOSOVO. BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS THIS HAS THE EFFECT OF PUTTING ON NOTICE ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN THE FIGHTING THEY THEY COULD FACE PROSECUTION FOR WAR CRIMES, AND IN PARTICULAR, FOR ATTACKS AGAINST CIVILIANS.

THE LAST THING I'M GOING TO BE IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IS COMPLACENT ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF A RESPONSE, PARTICULARLY FROM BELGRADE, WHICH HAS SHOWN ITSELF SO STUBBORN AND SO UNYIELDING IN RESPONSE, SO FAR. WE HAVE NOW TAKEN A BATTERY OF MEASURES AGAINST BELGRADE.

THE E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE ALSO EXPRESSED ANGER AT ACTION TAKEN AGAINST INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATS IN BELARUS, WITH ATTEMPTS BY THE AUTHORITIES THERE TO EVICT THEM FROM THEIR RESIDENCES. THE E-U MINISTERS HAVE ORDERED A BAN ON THE ISSUING OF VISAS TO A SERIES OF GOVERNMENT FIGURES, FROM THE PRESIDENT DOWN, IN RETALIATION FOR THE ACTION OF THE AUTHORITIES.

THE FOREIGN MINISTERS ALSO DISCUSSED A RECENT MISSION TO EAST TIMOR BY THREE E-U AMBASSADORS, AND THEY PRAISED THE DIPLOMATS FOR THE COURAGE THEY SHOWED DURING THIS DIFFICULT FACT-FINDING EXERCISE.

TO ACHIEVE THIS, BOTH THE APPLICANTS AND THE CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE CLUB NEED TO MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS ON REFORM. THIS WILL REQUIRE ECONOMIC PROGRESS IN EASTERN EUROPE, AND A REFORM TO THE E-U'S OWN AGRICULTURAL AND REGIONAL AID PROGRAMS.

AT THE SAME TIME, ALL E-U MINISTERS AGREED THAT THEIR TOP PRIORITY MUST REMAIN THE FIGHT AGAINST UNEMPLOYMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/PCF
13-Jul-98 3:06 PM EDT (1906 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] ALBANIAN-AMERICANS AND THE KOSOVO LIBERATION BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE SIX-MEMBER CONTACT GROUP, MEETING IN BONN LAST WEDNESDAY [7/8/98], CONDEMNED OUTSIDE SUPPORT FOR THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY AND URGED ALL COUNTRIES TO PREVENT EXILES FROM FINANCING ARMS FOR THE INSURGENTS. THE DIPLOMATS ALSO CALLED ON YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO STOP ATTACKS AGAINST THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS AND RESUME TALKS WITH THEIR POLITICAL LEADER, IBRAHIM

TAPE: JOSEPH DIOGUARDI [DEE-OH-GWAR-DEE], A FORMER CONGRESSMAN FROM NEW YORK, IS PRESIDENT OF THE ALBANIAN-AMERICAN CIVIC LEAGUE. HE SAYS THERE IS INCREASING SUPPORT FOR THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY AMONG THE 400,000 ALBANIAN-AMERICANS IN THE UNITED STATES.

TAPE: CUT ONE -- DIO GUARDI (0:48) "SINCE THE BOMBING OF DRENICA BACK IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, THERE HAS BEEN SUCH AN OUTCRY IN THE ALBANIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY FOR JUSTICE THAT MANY OF THEM HAVE SAID, 'IT LOOKS LIKE WE CAN'T DEPEND ON THE UNITED STATES.' DON'T FORGET, MANY OF THESE ALBANIAN-AMERICANS HAVE FAMILIES TODAY IN THESE VILLAGES, SO OBVIOUSLY THEIR NATURAL INSTINCT IS TO SUPPORT A GROUP THAT WOULD DEFEND THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR PROPERTY, THEIR SACRED HONOR, AS OUR PEOPLE DID 222 YEARS AGO AGAINST ANOTHER TYRANT, KING GEORGE THE THIRD. THE NEW TYRANT FOR THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE IS SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. AND MOST PEOPLE ACKNOWLEDGE HE IS A WAR CRIMINAL. SO, WHY SHOULD NOT THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE BE ABLE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES!"

TAPE: MR. DIOGUARDI SAYS THAT, ALTHOUGH ALBANIAN-AMERICANS HAVE A "FOND PLACE IN THEIR HEARTS" FOR IBRAHIM RUGOVA AS THE PERSON WHO "BROUGHT DEMOCRACY TO KOSOVO," THEIR FINANCIAL SUPPORT IS SHIFTING TO THE K-L-A.

TAPE: CUT TWO -- DIO GUARDI (0:33) "THE ALBANIAN-AMERICANS CONSIDER MEMBERS TODAY OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY TODAY AS HEROES. NO ONE SHOULD EVEN THINK OF CHARACTERIZING THIS GROUP AS A GROUP OF TERRORISTS. THEY ARE NOT. THE ONLY WAY I BELIEVE THEY [THE UNITED STATES] CAN PREVENT MONEY FROM GOING OVER THERE LEGALLY IS TO DECLARE THE K-L-A A TERRORIST GROUP. AND WHY WOULD THEY NOW SAY IT'S A TERRORIST GROUP WHEN THEY HAVE NOT ENGAGED IN ANY WANTON ACTS AGAINST CIVILIAN POPULATIONS? YOU'D HAVE TO DECLARE THEM AS SUCH BEFORE YOU SAY, 'YOU CANNOT SUPPORT THEM.'"

TEXT: SAMI REPISHTI [SAH-MEE RE-PEESH-TEE], PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ALBANIAN-AMERICAN COUNCIL, SAYS MOST ALBANIAN-AMERICANS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT IBRAHIM RUGOVA. BUT, THEY ALSO REGARD WITH ADMIRATION THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, WHICH HE DESCRIBES AS "PEASANTS AND SHEPHERDS WHO HAVE BEEN FORCED TO TAKE UP WEAPONS AND DEFEND THEMSELVES AGAINST SERBIAN AGGRESSION."

TAPE: CUT THREE -- REPISHTI (0:56) "IT IS TRUE THAT THEY HAVE CAUSED A KIND OF EUPHORIA AMONG MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN TOTALLY FRUSTRATED BY THE INACTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THESE PAST 10 YEARS. SINCE THEY ARE TAKING UPON THEMSELVES THE ROLE OF LIBERATORS, THEY DEFINITELY HAVE A GREAT EMOTIONAL APPEAL AMONG THE POPULATION. IN THE UNITED STATES THERE ARE DEFINITELY PEOPLE WHO ARE FIRED UP. THEY FEEL THAT, FINALLY, THE ALBANIANS IN KOSOVA ARE FINDING ENOUGH COURAGE TO STAND UP AND TO SAY, 'THAT'S ENOUGH OF MILOSEVIC.' UNTIL NOW THEY HAVE BEEN HOPING THAT THE POLICIES OF DR. RUGOVA, WHO WAS ELECTED TWICE PRESIDENT OF THE SELF-PROCLAIMED REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO, WOULD BE SOMEWHAT SUCCESSFUL AND THE WESTERN WORLD WOULD PAY SOME ATTENTION TO THEIR COMPLAINTS AND DO SOMETHING AND RELIEVE THEM OF THE PRESSURE OF SERBIAN OPPRESSION. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN."

TEXT: MOST ALBANIAN-AMERICANS ARE FRUSTRATED WITH THE PACIFIST POLICIES OF IBRAHIM RUGOVA. AND THEY SHARE A "SENSE OF PRIDE," MR. REPISHTI SAYS, OVER THE SUCCESSES OF THE K-L-A, OR U-C-K [OO-CHAY-KAY] AS THE GROUP IS KNOWN IN ALBANIAN.

TAPE: CUT FOUR -- REPISHTI (0:23) "THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEFT THE UNITED STATES, TOO, AND THEY WENT THERE TO JOIN THE U-C-K. MOST OF THE POPULATION HERE HAVE HELPED THE U-C-K FINANCIALLY -- THERE IS NO DOUBT. BUT THEY HAVE CONTINUED ALSO TO HELP THE SONS OF KOSOVA. I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT FIGURES IN MONEY THAT HAS GONE TO ONE OR THE OTHER. BUT DEFINITELY A LOT OF MONEY HAS BEEN GOING TO BOTH SIDES."

TEXT: ALBANIAN-AMERICANS, MR. REPISHTI SAYS, ARE DISTRESSED BY THE MOST RECENT CRITICISM OF THE CONTACT GROUP, WHICH CONDEMNED OUTSIDE SUPPORT FOR THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. BUT, HE BELIEVES THEY WILL CONTINUE TO FIND A WAY TO SUPPORT THE K-L-A FINANCIALLY.

TAPE: CUT FIVE -- REPISHTI (0:53) "BUT IN ALL HONESTY I MUST SAY THAT THE DECISION HAS BEEN VERY, VERY DISAPPOINTING FOR ALL OF US, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE SUCCESSIVE STATEMENTS MADE BY OUR GOVERNMENT THAT MILOSEVIC IS THE CULPRIT AND THE ALBANIANS IN KOSOVA ARE -- TO USE [FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE] WARREN CHRISTOPHER'S EXPRESSION -- THE AGGRIEVED PARTY. AND NOW WE HAVE THE UNITED STATES SUCCUMBING TO EUROPEAN PRESSURE AND CHANGING ITS TONE. WE HAVE HERE AN ARMY OF PEASANTS AND SHEPHERDS WHO ARE FIGHTING AGAINST THE ARMY OF MILOSEVIC, WHOSE CONDUCT AND AIMS WE HAVE SEEN IN BOSNIA. ALBANIAN-AMERICANS ARE VERY UPSET ABOUT THE WHOLE THING BECAUSE, WHEN THE EMBARGO WAS PLACED ON BOSNIA, THE BOSNIAN PEOPLE WERE LEFT UNARMED AND DEFENSELESS. IF WE CUT THE FINANCIAL MEANS OF BUYING WEAPONS FOR ALBANIANS, WE ARE GOING TO FIND A LARGE NUMBER OF ALBANIANS FACING THE SERBIAN ARMY TOTALLY UNARMED. AND, OF COURSE, WE ARE GREATLY CONCERNED."

TEXT: BOTH SAMI REPISHTI OF THE NATIONAL ALBANIAN-AMERICAN COUNCIL AND JOSEPH DIOGUARDI OF THE ALBANIAN-AMERICAN CIVIC LEAGUE SAY THAT THE ENTHUSIASM AMONG ALBANIANS GENERATED BY THE INSURGENCY MOVEMENT IN KOSOVO WILL BE DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, TO SUBDUE.
13-Jul-98 2:50 PM EDT (1850 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: ENCOURAGED BY NEWS OF BOTH FINANCIAL AID TO RUSSIA AND POLITICAL CHANGE IN JAPAN, INVESTORS IN EUROPE ON MONDAY SENT STOCK MARKETS UPWARD, AT TIMES REACHING RECORD HIGHS. MORE FROM LONDON AND V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH.

TEXT: PARIS TRADERS WERE ON HOLIDAY MONDAY AND MANY WERE CELEBRATING SUNDAY NIGHT'S WORLD CUP VICTORY BY FRANCE OVER BRAZIL.

BUT IN FRANKFURT AND LONDON, MONDAY WAS BOTH A NORMAL AND PROFITABLE DAY FOR TRADERS, WITH KEY EXCHANGES IN BOTH CITIES ADDING ABOUT ONE-HALF-OF-ONE-PERCENT IN VALUE. ANALYSTS SAY OPTIMISM OVER ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN JAPAN AND RELIEF OVER A NEW INTERNATIONAL LOAN FOR RUSSIA HELPED EUROPE'S BIG STOCK MARKETS ADVANCE.

THE FRANKFURT "DAX" CLOSED UP 22 POINTS, HITTING A RECORD HIGH AT ONE POINT IN THE TRADING DAY. THE SMALLER AMSTERDAM STOCK MARKET DID POST A RECORD CLOSING HIGH. IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF BRITISH STOCKS ADDED 28-AND-ONE-HALF POINTS AT THE CLOSE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/RAE
13-Jul-98 1:47 PM EDT (1747 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] NY ECON WRAP (S&L) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES CLOSED MIXED IN NEW YORK TODAY (MONDAY) DESPITE A STRONG ADVANCE IN TECHNOLOGY STOCKS. V-O-A'S JOE CHAPMAN REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED DOWN 10 POINTS AT NINE-THOUSAND-96, WHILE THE BROADER AND MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX WAS UP ABOUT ONE POINT AT 11-HUNDRED-65.

BUT THE TECHNOLOGY-HEAVY NASDAQ COMPOSITE INDEX MOVED UP NEARLY 23 POINTS -- BETTER THAN ONE PERCENT-- TO CLOSE AT ONE-THOUSAND-965, THE FOURTH SESSION IN A ROW THE NASDAQ HAS REACHED A NEW HIGH.

TRADING THROUGHOUT THE DAY WAS CHOPPY, WITH THE BLUE CHIP (LEADING COMPANY) STOCKS OF THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIALS ALTERNATING BETWEEN HIGHER AND LOWER PRICES. ANALYSTS SAY INVESTORS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE DOWNWARD SURPRISES IN THE CONTINUING FLOOD OF CORPORATE EARNINGS REPORTS.

BUT ANALYSTS SAY INVESTORS ARE ALSO NERVOUS ABOUT THE POLITICAL CHANGES IN JAPAN AND THE CONTINUING ECONOMIC PROBLEMS IN RUSSIA.

THAT NERVOUSNESS HAD LITTLE EFFECT ON SOME BIG TECHNOLOGY STOCKS. MICROSOFT, THE SOFTWARE GIANT, AND DELL COMPUTER EACH SET NEW ALL TIME HIGHS. CHIP MAKER INTEL ALSO MOVED UP.

BUT OVERALL MORE STOCKS FELL IN PRICE THAN INCREASED, INCLUDING SOME OF THE LARGE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL STOCKS. ANALYSTS DOUGLAS CLIGGOTT BELIEVES INVESTORS ARE SHIFTING SOME OF THEIR FUNDS TO MORE GROWTH ORIENTED SHARES.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE INDUSTRIALS SECTOR, REALLY ACROSS THE BOARD, THESE STOCKS CONTINUE TO DRIFT DOWN, IN SOME CASES TO PLUMMET DOWNWARD, THEY'RE CLEARLY A SOURCE OF FUNDS RIGHT NOW FOR PEOPLE (WHO ARE) REALLOCATING INTO THE MORE GROWTH ORIENTED SEGMENTS.

OIL STOCKS WERE LOWER ON CONTINUED UNSETTLED AND LOW OIL PRICES. PHARMACEUTICALS MOVED UP, LED BY MERCK. A NUMBER OF INTERNET COMPANIES POSTED SOLID GAINS. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/JMC/LSF/PT
13-Jul-98 5:10 PM EDT (2110 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AS THE WORLD RETURNS TO NORMAL AFTER THE WORLD CUP WEEKEND, THAT IS EXCEPT FOR VICTORIOUS FRANCE, THE JAPANESE ECONOMY AND SUNDAY'S ELECTION RETURN IS A KEY TOPIC FOR A LARGE U-S EDITORIAL IN TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL."

OTHER AREAS OF CONCERN INCLUDE THE WAY THE TALIBAN IN AFGHANISTAN CONTINUE TREATING WOMEN; THE LATEST MOVES IN KOSOVO; THE SAGA OF BURMA'S LEADING FREEDOM FIGHTER; AND A GRIM ANNIVERSARY REMEMBERED IN MIAMI'S LITTLE HAVANA. NOW, HERE IS _______________ WITH SOME QUOTES AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE RESIGNATION OF JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER RYUTARO HASHIMOTO IS ONLY THE HEADLINE ON "USA TODAY" BECAUSE OF ITS LATE PUBLICATION TIME, BUT MANY OTHER PAPERS HAVE HEADLINES SPECULATING THAT HE WOULD RESIGN AFTER SUNDAY'S UNEXPECTED ELECTION LOSS FOR HIS PARTY. ALREADY "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" IS COMMENTING ON THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN JAPAN'S ON-GOING FINANCIAL TURMOIL.

VOICE: JAPANESE VOTERS YESTERDAY DELIVERED A CLEAR PROTEST MESSAGE TO A PRIME MINISTER AND A POLITICAL PARTY THAT TOGETHER HAVE STEERED THE WORLD'S SECOND LARGEST ECONOMY INTO RECESSION. ... YESTERDAY'S ELECTION RESULTS MAY WELL BE A SIGNAL THAT JAPANESE VOTERS ARE BECOMING MORE DISCERNING AND SOPHISTICATED, FINALLY DEMANDING MORE THAN PORK-BARREL POLITICS AND PUBLIC WORKS HOCUS-POCUS [MAGIC OR BETTER "ILLUSION]. THEY MAY BE SEEKING GREATER FREEDOM TO PUT THEIR MONEY WHERE IT WILL DO THEM AND THEIR ECONOMY THE MOST GOOD. WE SUSPECT ... THE JAPANESE PEOPLE WOULD RESPOND FAVORABLY TO A PARTY MANIFESTO CALLING FOR LESS PROTECTION OF VESTED INTERESTS, INCLUDING THE FARMERS, AND MORE FREEDOM OF ENTRY INTO MARKETS, PARTICULARLY FOR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS AND FOREIGN INVESTORS.

TEXT: TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" CONTINUES TO BEMOAN THE TREATMENT OF WOMEN BY THE FUNDAMENTALIST TALIBAN ISLAMIC MOVEMENT IN CONTROL OF PART OF AFGHANISTAN. THE PAPER IS ESPECIALLY UPSET THAT THE U-N HAS SIGNED AN AGREEMENT THAT APPEARS TO FORMALIZE SOME OF THIS TREATMENT, IN WHAT "THE TIMES" FEELS IS A MISGUIDED EFFORT TO AID AFGHAN WOMEN.

VOICE: WOMEN ARE ESSENTIALLY UNDER HOUSE ARREST IN AFGHANISTAN.

TEXT: WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE TENSE SITUATION IN KOSOVO PROVINCE, WHERE YUGOSLAV ARMY UNITS AND SERB PARA-MILITARY POLICE BATTLE THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY MADE UP OF ETHNIC-ALBANIANS. THAT OCCUPIES PART OF "NEWSDAY'S" EDITORIAL SPACE THIS MONDAY.

VOICE: WHAT TO DO ABOUT KOSOVO? THAT CORNER OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, STUCK TO THE UNDERBELLY OF SERBIA LIKE AN INFLAMED POLITICAL APPENDIX, IS ABOUT TO TOXIC AND BURST. NOBODY WANTS THAT, NOT LEAST BECAUSE A SPREADING WAR BETWEEN KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS AND HARDLINE SERBS COULD INFECT A MUCH BROADER SWATH OF THE BALKANS. BUT NATO'S LEADERS ARE STUMPED ABOUT WHAT TO DO, BECAUSE KOSOVO POSES MUCH THORNIER JURISDICTIONAL ISSUES THAN BOSNIA, THAT OTHER PRICKLY PATCH OF REAL ESTATE TO THE NORTH. SO, AT A LOSS FOR A SOLUTION, NATO IS PINING FOR THE GOOD OLD DAYS. THAT IS THE GIST OF A RESOLUTION BEING DRAFTED BY FRANCE AND BRITAIN FOR THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL ... BUT IT IS JUST COLLECTIVE WHEEL-SPINNING [USELESS TALK].

TEXT: TURNING ONCE AGAIN TO ASIA, "THE WASHINGTON POST" TAKES NOTE OF A SMALL VICTORY FOR BURMESE DEMOCRACY HEROINE AND THEORETICAL PRIME MINISTER,AUNG SAN SUU KYI, DENIED HER ELECTION VICTORY IN 1990 BY THE MILITARY JUNTA. "THE POST" HER STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM TO THAT OF SOUTH AFRICA'S NELSON MANDELA AND NIGERIA'S LATER MOSHOOD ABIOLA.

VOICE: LAST WEEK AUNG SAN SUU KYI, 52, SHOWED AGAIN HER FEARLESSNESS IN THE FACE OF THUGGERY. ... ON TUESDAY SHE DEFIED HER DE FACTO HOUSE ARREST AND DRIVE NORTH FROM THE CAPITAL TO MEET A FELLOW PARTY MEMBER. THE REGIME'S THUGS BLOCKED HER WAY AND SENT SOLDIERS TO LIFT HER CAR AND TURN IT TO POINT SOUTH AGAIN, WITH AUNG SAN SUU INSIDE. EVEN THEN, SHE DID NOT BUDGE. AFTER A STANDOFF OF NEARLY 24-HOURS, THE MEETING SHE HAD SOUGHT TOOK PLACE. IT WAS, HOWEVER, A SMALL VICTORY.

TEXT: RESIDENTS OF MIAMI'S "LITTLE HAVANA" CUBAN NEIGHBORHOOD ARE MARKING A GRIM ANNIVERSARY TODAY, AS "THE MIAMI HERALD" NOTES. IT IS FOUR YEARS SINCE CUBAN FIREBOATS HOSED DOWN, THEN SANK AN OLD TUG, IN HAVANA HARBOR, KILLING THE 72 PEOPLE TRYING TO FLEE CUBA'S REPRESSION, ABOUT WHICH, "THE HERALD" SAYS:

VOICE: WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM CAN BE DESCRIBED ONLY AS COLDBLOODED SLAUGHTER. ... FULL DETAILS MAY NEVER BE KNOWN. CUBA HAS CLAIMED THAT THE [TUG] "13 DE MARZO" SANK AFTER ACCIDENTALLY COLLIDING WITH THE OTHER BOATS, WHICH CUBA SAYS WERE TRYING TO PREVENT ITS THEFT. PLEASE! AS IF THEFT IS JUSTIFICATION FOR MURDER.

TEXT: LASTLY, WE MUST INCLUDE A COMMENT ON SUNDAY'S EXCITING CONCLUSION TO THE FOOTBALL [SOCCER] FRENZY IN FRANCE KNOWN AS THE WORLD CUP. THE FRENCH UPSET FOUR-TIME CHAMPION AND TOURNAMENT FAVORITE BRAZIL IN THE FINAL 3-0 , CREATING THIS COMMENT IN "THE NEW YORK TIMES."

VOICE: // OPT // IN BRAZIL, WHERE SOCCER IS ALMOST A RELIGION, AND WHERE THE NATION'S IDENTITY IS BOUND TIGHTLY TO THE FORTUNES OF ITS NATIONAL TEAM, THERE WILL BE WEEKS OF MOURNING AND MONTHS OF BITTER RECRIMINATION. IN FRANCE -- WELL, // END OPT // THE FRENCH WILL BE TOASTING THEIR HEROES FOR DAYS TO COME, AND MIGHT ACTUALLY BEGIN TO WORKUP SOME LASTING GALLIC PASSION FOR A SPORT THAT HAS ALWAYS COMPETED FOR PUBLIC AFFECTION WITH THE TOUR DE FRANCE AND EVEN RUGBY. THESE ARE THE PROBABLE OUTCOMES OF FRANCE'S DEVASTATINGLY COMPLETE VICTORY OVER A FAVORED BRAZILIAN TEAM IN THE WORLD CUP // OPT // ...THE MESMERIZING FREELANCE WORK FOR WHICH BRAZIL IS JUSTLY FAMOUS SIMPLY FAILED TO MATERIALIZE AND ITS SUPERSTAR, RONALDO, DISAPPEARED ALTOGETHER. // END OPT

TEXT: ON THAT ATHLETIC AND CULTURAL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
13-Jul-98 11:01 AM EDT (1501 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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