Voice of America, 99-03-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] 'THE LEGEND OF KOSOVO' BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[02] KOSOVO TENT CITY (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (TIRANA)

[03] MACEDONIA / REFUGEES (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (YUGOSLAV-MACEDONIA BORDER)

[04] U-N / KOSOVO / REFUGEE WRAP (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[05] KOSOVO/U-S OPINION BY JIM MALONE (WASHINGTON)

[06] KOSOVO/U.S. TROOPS BY ALISHA RYU (WASHINGTON)

[07] PENTAGON KOSOVO(L) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

[08] PENTAGON KOSOVO(S-ONITER) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

[09] WHITE HOUSE/KOSOVO (LONG) BY GIL BUTLER (WHITE HOUSE)

[10] YUGOSLAV EMBASSY (L-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPT.)

[11] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (S) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[12] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (L) (CQ) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[13] BLAIR / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[14] NATO / KOSOVO (L) (CQ) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[15] RUSSIA/SHIPS (S) BY EVE CONANT (MOSCOW)

[16] RUSSIA/KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY EVE CONANT (MOSCOW)

[17] RUSSIA/KOSOVO UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY EVE CONANT (MOSCOW)

[18] RUSSIA / KOSOVO (L) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPT.)

[19] RUSSIA/U-S EMBASSY BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[20] U-S / RUSSIA / KOSOVO (L) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPT.)

[21] KOSOVO RELIEF (L) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

[22] KOSOVO MIDEAST REACT (L/O) BY SCOTT BOBB (CAIRO)

[23] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

[24] NATO SUMMIT BY CAROL PINEAU (WASHINGTON)

[25] NORTHERN IRELAND (L- ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[26] EUROPEAN UNION / BURMA (L-ONLY) BY GERALDINE CARROLL (BANGKOK)

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

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

[01] 'THE LEGEND OF KOSOVO' BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: WHY IS KOSOVO SO IMPORTANT TO SERB-LED YUGOSLAVIA? THE PROVINCE IS HOME TO SOME OF THE MOST SACRED MONESTARIES AND CHURCHES OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX RELIGION. IT IS ALSO THE LOCATION OF THE 1389 BATTLE OF KOSOVO POLJE (POLE-YUH), WHICH LAUNCHED 500 YEARS OF OCCUPATION BY THE OTTOMAN TURKS. PAMELA TAYLOR HAS MORE ABOUT 'THE LEGEND OF KOSOVO.'

TEXT: THE MOST FAMOUS SERBIAN TALE IS ABOUT THE 14TH CENTURY BATTLE OF KOSOVO POLJE (POLE-YUH), WHICH MEANS 'FIELD OF BLACKBIRDS'. ACCORDING TO THE LEGEND, THE BATTLE WAS A COURAGEOUS BUT ILL-FATED EFFORT BY THE CHRISTIAN SERBS TO PREVENT EUROPE FROM FALLING UNDER MUSLIM RULE AT THE HANDS OF THE OTTOMAN TURKS.

BUT ALTHOUGH THE LEGEND SAYS THE SERBS WERE DEFEATED ON THE FIELD OF BLACKBIRDS 500 YEARS AGO, THE STORY HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN FOR GENERATIONS AS THE DEFINING SAGA OF SERBIAN NATIONHOOD.

BRITISH AUTHOR REBECCA WEST WROTE ABOUT THE LEGEND IN HER BOOK 'BLACK LAMB AND GRAY FALCON'. THE BLACK LAMB, SHE EXPLAINS, SYMBOLIZES THE MUSLIM PRACTICE OF SACRIFICING A LAMB. THE GRAY FALCON IS THE DISGUISED PROPHET 'ELIJAH' BEARING A MESSAGE FROM GOD TO SERBIAN 'PRINCE LAZAR' ON THE BATTLEFIELD AT KOSOVO POLJE (POLE-YUH). HENRY COOPER, A PROFESSOR OF SLAVIC STUDIES AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY, CONTINUES THE TALE:

THE STORY IS, OF COURSE, THAT THE SERBIAN PRINCE WAS OFFERED EITHER A HEAVENLY KINGDOM OR AN EARTHLY KINGDOM. IF HE WON (THE BATTLE), HE WOULD HAVE AN EARTHLY KINGDOM; IF HE LOST THE BATTLE, A HEAVENLY ONE. AND BEING A DEVOUT MAN, HE PREFERRED THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM AND 'ALLOWED' THE BATTLE TO BE LOST. WHO KNOWS? IT WAS A MOMENT OF PURE BRAVERY AND, OF COURSE, A MOMENT TO CELEBRATE EVEN IF YOU LOST THE BATTLE.

ANOTHER HISTORIAN, THOMAS EMMERT OF GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE IN ST. PETER, MINNESOTA, SAYS THE IMPACT OF THE LEGEND IS SUCH THAT TODAY MANY BELIEVE ONE CANNOT BE A TRUE SERB WITHOUT EMBRACING THE LEGEND OF KOSOVO. HE QUOTES ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS LINES IN THE EPIC POEM ABOUT THE BATTLE:

WHOSOEVER IS A SERB AND OF SERBIAN BLOOD AND COMES NOT TO FIGHT AT KOSOVO, LET NOTHING GROW FROM HIS HAND UNTIL HIS NAME IS EXTINGUISHED FOREVER.

I THINK WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY IS THAT THIS GREAT SPIRIT OF KOSOVO HAS BECOME A GREAT DELUSION WITH SOME VERY OMINOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR THE SECURITY OF SOUTHERN EUROPE. THIS IS NOT WHAT THE GREAT LEGEND OF KOSOVO IS ALL ABOUT. IT CERTAINLY WAS NOT INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE ETHNIC CLEANSING, MASS EXECUTIONS, MASSACRES, WHATEVER.

BUT SERBIAN JOURNALIST VESNA RADULOVIC SAYS TODAY THERE SHOULD BE NO MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF KOSOVO FOR ALL SERBS:

THE KOSOVO ISSUE IS A VERY SENSITIVE QUESTION FOR SERBS. WHATEVER YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IT'S VERY SENSITIVE TO ASK THE SERBS TO GIVE IT UP. AND IF YOU BOMB IT, THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO NEGOTIATE. I'VE VISITED ALL THESE MONESTARIES JUST A YEAR AGO, AND I FEEL THIS IS MY CULTURAL HERITAGE AND I CAN'T GIVE IT UP JUST LIKE THAT. I CAN'T GIVE IT UP UNDER BOMBING. MAYBE IN NEGOTIATION, I DON'T KNOW.

WHEN REMINDED THE RAMBOUILLET AGREEMENT -- HAD IT BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC -- WOULD HAVE KEPT KOSOVO WITHIN SERBIA WHILE GIVING GREATER AUTONOMY TO ITS ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY, MS. RADULOVIC RESPONDED: 'NO ONE BELIEVES THAT HERE.' (SIGNED)
NEB/PAM/RRM
31-Mar-99 4:59 PM EST (2159 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO TENT CITY (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (TIRANA)

INTRO: IN ALBANIA'S CAPITAL TIRANA, THE COUNTRY'S FIRST-EVER EMERGENCY TENT CITY FILLED QUICKLY TO CAPACITY WEDNESDAY AS RESCUE OFFICIALS SCRAMBLED TO MAKE ROOM FOR EVEN MORE KOSOVAR REFUGEES. REPORTER TIM BELAY VISITED THE FACILITY.

TEXT: //OPENS WITH AMBIENT SOUND, LOUDSPEAKERS, AT TENT CITY -- ESTABLISH AND UNDER///

LOUDSPEAKERS ACT AS A CONSTANT MESSAGE BOARD FOR FAMILIES LOOKING FOR LOVED ONES, WHILE TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE SETTLE IN AT A CAMP SURROUNDING ALBANIA'S ONLY PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL.

THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES OFFICE SAYS THIS 450-TENT FACILITY WILL BE THE FIRST OF EIGHT TO GO UP HERE IN COMING DAYS.

ALBANIAN ARMY MAJOR VIKTOR ISAKU, OF THE CIVIL PROTECTION REGIMENT, SAYS RESIDENTS OF THE CAMP INCLUDE MANY SENIOR CITIZENS AND ABOUT 40 BABIES.

FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, AS A MILITARY MAN IT'S A GOOD EXPERIENCE TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION. BECAUSE IF SOMETHING HAPPENS OR IF WE'LL BE ORDERED TO SET UP ANOTHER REFUGEE COMPOUND WE'LL DO BETTER THAN WE DID.

BELAY: SO IT'S BEEN A LEARNING EXPERIENCE?

ISAKU: YES, A LESSON LEARNED.

IT WAS SOME KIND OF SURPRISE TO HAVE ALL THESE PEOPLE COMING AT ONCE. I WAS HELPING BEFORE WITH ALL THE REFUGEES THAT CAME IN THE BEGINNING, BUT THERE WAS NOT VERY MANY. BUT NOW ITS 10 TIMES THAT AND IT IS REALLY LIKE A RIVER FLOODING IN ALBANIA. AND MOST OF THEM ARE EXTREMELY VULNERABLE PEOPLE.

SEFEDIN MUQAJ ARRIVED IN TIRANA MONDAY FROM THE AREA OF PRIZEREN IN SOUTHERN KOSOVO. HE'S STAYING WITH RELATIVES IN TIRANA, BUT PAID A VISIT WEDNESDAY TO WHAT'S BEING CALLED TENT CITY NUMBER ONE TO SEE HIS KOSOVAR NEIGHBORS FROM BACK HOME.

OKAY, THEY SAY THE CONDITIONS ARE GOOD BUT THEY ARE IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY. IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY, YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU'RE IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY. BUT IT IS GOOD THAT ALBANIA HAS ACCEPTED US. THAT'S VERY GOOD. I WOULD SAY THE POPULATION (THE PEOPLE OF ALBANIA) IS VERY GOOD. (BUT) THEY HAVE BAD CONDITIONS.

KADRUSH DAKA, A RETIRED JOURNALIST WHO LIVES IN TIRANA, SAYS THE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY SHOULD BE PROUD OF THE WAY THEY HAVE HANDLED THIS REFUGEE CRISIS SO FAR.

THESE PEOPLE THEY'RE ALSO ALBANIAN JUST LIKE THE PEOPLE FROM KOSOVO. AND TO THEM ITS LIKE A NIGHTMARE WHEN THEY ARRIVE HERE. AND THEY FEEL SORRY FOR THEM BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF TIRANA ARE POOR PEOPLE. AND THE POOR MEN, HE UNDERSTANDS OTHERS WHEN THEY GET IN A CRITICAL SITUATION.

THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY KNOWS OF AT LEAST NINE MORE CARGO PLANES WHICH ARE SCHEDULED TO LAND IN ALBANIA IN THE COMING DAYS, CARING MOSTLY NON-FOOD ITEMS SUCH AS BLANKETS AND SLEEPING COTS. BUT AGENCY OFFICIALS SAY WHILE THESE DESPERATELY-NEEDED ITEMS MAY BE ENOUGH TO CARE FOR PERHAPS AN ADDITIONAL 10-THOUSAND REFUGEES, WESTERN ESTIMATES NOW PUT THE NUMBER OF KOSOVARS ENTERING ALBANIA AT 85-THOUSAND IN THE WEEK SINCE THE NATO BOMBING AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA BEGAN. (SIGNED)
NEB/TB/PCF/JO
31-Mar-99 3:41 PM EST (2041 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] MACEDONIA / REFUGEES (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (YUGOSLAV-MACEDONIA BORDER)

INTRO: THE STREAM OF REFUGEES LEAVING KOSOVO SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SLOWING. MACEDONIA SAYS THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE CROSSING THE BORDER DAILY, AND ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT HAS LIMITS AS TO HOW MANY IT CAN ACCEPT, IT IS PROMISING NOT TO CLOSE THE FRONTIER. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS FROM MACEDONIA'S BORDER WITH THE SERB PROVINCE.

TEXT: NATO SAYS YUGOSLAV FORCES HAVE PLANTED LAND MINES IN KOSOVO JUST ACROSS THE BORDER FROM MACEDONIA. BUT THAT IS NOT STOPPING THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES FROM FLEEING IN THIS DIRECTION.

SO MANY PEOPLE ARE ARRIVING THAT BUSES ARE BEING USED TO GET REFUGEES TO THE CARE THEY HOPE TO FIND. LOCAL AUTHORITIES, HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS, AND ORDINARY MACEDONIANS ARE WILLING TO SHELTER THE WORLD'S LATEST GROUP OF PEOPLE THREATENED WITH GENOCIDE.

SCENES LIKE THIS ARE STARK REMINDERS OF THE MASS MIGRATIONS OF ETHNIC GROUPS DURING THE WAR IN BOSNIA. CIVILIANS OF ALL AGES ARE LINED UP AT THE YUGOSLAV-MACEDONIA BORDER, SOME HAVING SPENT COLD NIGHTS CAMPED IN THE MOUNTAINS.

OLD PEOPLE ARE HELPED ALONG BY THE YOUNG. WOMEN CARRY CRYING BABIES AND LARGE SACKS OF BELONGINGS, ANYTHING THEY COULD COLLECT, THEY SAY, IN THE FEW MINUTES THEY WERE GIVEN BY SERBS TO LEAVE OR BE KILLED.

NEARLY EVERY REFUGEE ASKED HAS A MESSAGE FOR NATO.

AMERICANS, AIR STRIKES ARE NOT ENOUGH. YOU MUST GO FOR GROUND FORCE TO DESTROY OUR SERBS.

SHORT OF A NEW STRATEGY BY NATO, MANY KOSOVAR REFUGEES SAY THERE CAN BE NO HOPE OF RETURNING TO A LAND THAT BY NEARLY EVERY ACCOUNT, YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC WANTS CLEANSED OF AS MANY ETHNIC ALBANIANS AS POSSIBLE. (SIGNED)
NEB/NS/JWH/RAE
31-Mar-99 12:48 PM EST (1748 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] U-N / KOSOVO / REFUGEE WRAP (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS SAY THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES FLEEING YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE IS GROWING BY THE THOUSANDS EACH DAY. THEY SAY MORE THAN 130-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE FLED TO SURROUNDING COUNTRIES SINCE MARCH 24TH ALONE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS BUREAU.

TEXT: REPORTS FROM U-N RELIEF WORKERS IN THE COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES SURROUNDING KOSOVO SAY THE REFUGEE SITUATION IS WORSENING RAPIDLY. IN ONE CASE, A 12-CAR TRAIN, CARRYING ABOUT THREE THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO CROSSED INTO MACEDONIA WEDNESDAY. U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD SAYS MANY OF THE PASSENGERS TOLD STORIES OF BRUTAL TREATMENT AND DEATH THREATS.

THE NEW ARRIVALS TALKED OF BEING FORCED FROM THEIR HOMES WITH DEATH THREATS AND WATCHING THEIR BUILDINGS BEING TORCHED AS THEY LEFT. SEVERAL THOUSAND PEOPLE, MANY OF WHOM SPENT SEVERAL NIGHTS IN THE MOUNTAINS IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES, ALSO REACHED THE SAFETY OF MACEDONIA TODAY [WEDNESDAY]. SEVERAL WOMEN GAVE BIRTH EN ROUTE. SOME PEOPLE ARRIVED BAREFOOT.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY MOST OF THE REFUGEES FLEEING KOSOVO HAVE NO POSSESSIONS OTHER THAN THE CLOTHES THEY ARE WEARING. THEY SAY SOME HAVE HAD THEIR PASSPORTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS DESTROYED BY SERBIAN AUTHORITIES.

MANY REFUGEES HAVE ALSO CROSSED INTO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES BY CAR. U-N OFFICIALS SAY LONG LINES OF VEHICLES HAVE BEEN WAITING TO CROSS INTO MACEDONIA. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF MASKED MEN IN UNIFORMS MOVING FROM CAR TO CAR IN KOSOVO, ROBBING PASSENGERS OF VALUABLES.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY ALBANIA REMAINS THE MAIN EXIT POINT FOR PEOPLE FLEEING FROM KOSOVO. THE LATEST ARRIVALS IN ALBANIA SAY THEY ENCOUNTERED LANDMINE EXPLOSIONS WHILE LEAVING KOSOVO. AT LEAST ONE BABY WAS REPORTED KILLED AND SEVERAL MEN ARRIVED WITH GUNSHOT WOUNDS.

RELIEF SUPPLIES FROM THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE ARE BEING DELIVERED TO THE REGION. BUT U-N OFFICIALS SAY A STEADY AND INCREASING FLOW OF SUPPLIES WILL BE NEEDED TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION.

U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS EXPRESSED OUTRAGE AT WHAT HE DESCRIBES AS THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT'S CAMPAIGN OF ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO. THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL HAS NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION IN RECENT DAYS, AS ITS KEY MEMBER STATES ARE DIVIDED OVER WHETHER THE NATO STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA ARE JUSTIFIED. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/JO
31-Mar-99 5:19 PM EST (2219 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO/U-S OPINION BY JIM MALONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S PUBLIC OPINION POLLS INDICATE TENTATIVE SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON'S HANDLING OF THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO. BUT AS V-O-A NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE REPORTS, PUBLIC OPINION COULD SHIFT DRAMATICALLY IF U-S GROUND TROOPS WERE SENT INTO THE CONFLICT.

TEXT: A RECENT WASHINGTON POST/ABC NEWS POLL FOUND 51-PERCENT OF AMERICANS APPROVE OF THE PRESIDENT'S HANDLING OF THE KOSOVO CRISIS, WITH 31-PERCENT DISAPPROVING AND THE REST HAVING NO OPINION.

A RANDOM SAMPLING OF TOURISTS VISITING WASHINGTON SUGGESTS MANY AMERICANS ARE UNSURE ABOUT HOW DEEPLY THE UNITED STATES SHOULD GET INVOLVED IN THE CONFLICT.

VOICE #1: I HAVE MIXED FEELINGS. ON THE ONE HAND, I UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO BE INVOLVED IN THE WORLD SITUATION. BUT I JUST HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT HOW MUCH AND HOW LONG THE U-S CAN REALLY SERVE AS THE POLICEMAN, IF YOU WILL, OF THE WORLD AND KIND OF HOW THAT WORKS.

VOICE #2: I THINK WE CAN USE AIR SUPPORT OVER THERE, I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. BUT I DO NOT WANT TO SEND GROUND TROOPS IN THERE, NOT INTO A FOREIGN COUNTRY WHERE WE HAVE NOT BEEN THREATENED, THE UNITED STATES HAS NOT BEEN THREATENED. I DO NOT SEE ANY SENSE IN RISKING OUR LIVES. NO.

VOICE #3: IT IS JUST SO COMPLICATED I REALLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT WE SHOULD DO. I DO NOT HAVE AN OPINION.

IF WE COULD SEE MORE EVIDENCE, MORE PROOF THAT THERE REALLY IS GENOCIDE GOING ON OVER THERE THEN, YES, I THINK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL GET MORE BEHIND IT. BUT ALL WE ARE HEARING IS RUMORS. WE ARE NOT ACTUALLY SEEING WHAT IS GOING ON SO IT IS HARD TO MAKE A DECISION FROM THAT.

POLITICAL POLLSTERS LIKE JOHN ZOGBY SAY PRESIDENT CLINTON FACES A TOUGH CHALLENGE IN SUSTAINING U-S PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR MILITARY ACTION IN KOSOVO.

THERE HAS NOT BEEN A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF VIDEO (T-V NEWS STORIES) COMING OUT OF KOSOVO THAT HAS HAD THE KIND OF IMPACT ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FOR THEM TO SUPPORT A MORE AGGRESSIVE NATO RETALIATION. YOU WILL RECALL THAT THE BOSNIA SITUATION TOOK YEARS AND YEARS OF HORRIFIC VIDEOS BEFORE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FINALLY CAME TO SUPPORT SENDING TROOPS IN.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF COMMITTING U-S GROUND FORCES INTO THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO. POLLSTER JOHN ZOGBY SAYS THAT MAY BE A WISE COURSE FOR NOW GIVEN THE LIMITED PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE USE OF AMERICAN GROUND TROOPS.

THE BEST (POLL) NUMBERS SHOW SUPPORT AND NON-SUPPORT AT DEAD-EVEN AND THAT IS NOT ENOUGH TO GIVE A PRESIDENT THE MANDATE (TO SEND IN TROOPS). NOW, A PRESIDENT ALWAYS HAS THE ABILITY TO GO BEFORE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO SELL THE NEXT STEP BUT IN THIS KIND OF A SITUATION WHAT HE HAS TO DO IS SELL A BUNCH OF THINGS AND IT MAY BE A HARD SELL.

PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIANS SAY PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE USE OF AMERICAN GROUND TROOPS HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY HARD TO COME BY SINCE THE U-S MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN VIETNAM ENDED IN THE MID-1970'S. JAMES PFIFFNER (PRONOUN: PIF'-NER) IS A PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY IN VIRGINIA AND A GUEST ON V-O-A'S PRESS CONFERENCE U-S-A PROGRAM.

PUBLIC SUPPORT IS A DIFFICULT ISSUE HERE. ON THE ONE HAND, CLEARLY THERE ARE ATROCITIES BEING COMMITTED AND THE UNITED STATES HAS THIS GOOD WILL AND INTENTION TO GO IN AND STOP THOSE SOME WAY OR ANOTHER. ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE IS A LOT OF SKEPTICISM LEFT OVER FROM VIETNAM IN THE SENSE OF CAN U-S MILITARY MIGHT SOLVE INTERNAL PROBLEMS IN OTHER COUNTRIES? IT IS REALLY A DIFFICULT ISSUE AND I THINK AMERICANS ARE SPLIT, NOT ON THE JUSTIFIABILITY OF IT, BUT ON THE WISDOM OF IT AND WHETHER WE CAN ACTUALLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

AMERICANS MAY BE AMBIVALENT ABOUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT KOSOVO, BUT IT APPEARS THEY WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON THERE. RATINGS FOR CABLE TELEVISION NEWS NETWORKS LIKE C-N-N, M-S-NBC AND FOX NEWS CHANNEL HAVE JUMPED BY AS MUCH AS 80-PERCENT SINCE NATO AIRSTRIKES BEGAN. (SIGNED)
NEB/JBM/KL
31-Mar-99 12:43 PM EST (1743 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO/U.S. TROOPS BY ALISHA RYU (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ALBANIAN-AMERICANS ARE CALLING ON NATO TO MOVE TO THE NEXT PHASE OF THE MILITARY CAMPAIGN AND SEND IN GROUND TROOPS TO STOP THE ETHNIC CLEANSING OF OF YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. V-O-A'S ALISHA RYU REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON THAT FORMER U-S OFFICIALS ARE ALSO SPEAKING OUT IN SUPPORT.

TEXT: // OPEN CHANTING PROTESTERS -- FADE UNDER //

MORE THAN A THOUSAND DEMONSTRATORS -- MOST IDENTIFYING THEMSELVES AS ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND ALBANIAN KOSOVARS -- GATHERED IN FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR NATO AIRSTRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA.

AS THE CROWD WAVED AMERICAN AND KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY FLAGS, RALLY ORGANIZERS EXPRESSED GRATITUDE FOR NATO'S INVOLVEMENT. MANY IN THE CROWD HELD PLACARDS THAT SIMPLY SAID, "THANK YOU, NATO."

BUT WITH THE EIGHT-DAY AIR CAMPAIGN FAILING TO STEM YUGOSLAV OFFENSIVES IN KOSOVO, THE PROTESTERS URGED THE ATLANTIC ALLIANCE TO DISPATCH TROOPS.

NATO IS ON THE VERGE OF LOSING THIS WAR. AND THE TIME HAS COME FOR NATO TO STEP UP, NOT ONLY WITH AIRSTRIKES, NOT ONLY BY HELPING ALBANIANS DEFEND THEMSELVES BUT THE TIME HAS COME TO SEND IN THE TROOPS.

THAT SENTIMENT WAS BEING ECHOED SEVERAL BLOCKS AWAY BY THE NON-PROFIT, WASHINGTON-BASED BALKAN ACTION COUNCIL. AT A NEWS CONFERENCE, FORMER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE AND COUNCIL MEMBER FRANK CARLUCCI SAID THAT HE WAS SKEPTICAL THE CONFLICT COULD BE RESOLVED BY AIR POWER ALONE.

ONCE YOU'RE IN A WAR, YOU NEED TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO PREVAIL. AND IF OUR GOAL IS TO STOP THE SLAUGHTER AND TO BRING ABOUT SOME KIND OF RECONCILIATION, THEN THIS MAY REQUIRE GROUND TROOPS.

ANOTHER COUNCIL MEMBER, WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT, AGREED WITH MR. CARLUCCI. MR. TAFT, WHO WAS ONCE U-S AMBASSADOR TO NATO, SAID THAT NATO MUST ACCEPT THE USE OF GROUND TROOPS AS INEVITABLE.

REGARDLESS OF WHAT SCENARIO YOU CAN THINK OF, IT WILL REQUIRE GROUND TROOPS. AND NOT SIMPLY FOR PEACE KEEPING BUT FOR PEACE MANAGING AND LOOKING AFTER THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THERE AND COMING BACK.

A GROUP OF ALBANIAN AMERICANS RALLYING IN FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE DID MEET WITH U-S OFFICIALS TO PUSH FOR A NATO GROUND DEPLOYMENT BUT RECEIVED NO DEFINITIVE ANSWER. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS NO PLANS TO SEND GROUND TROOPS AT THIS TIME, BELIEVING THAT THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN CAN STILL MEET ITS OBJECTIVE. (SIGNED)
NEB/AR/JO
31-Mar-99 4:34 PM EST (2134 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] PENTAGON KOSOVO(L) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE PENTAGON IS VOWING TO KEEP UP PRESSURE ON YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, THOUGH OFFICIALS ADMIT DAYS OF AIR STRIKES HAVE NOT STOPPED THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS ON THE MILITARY'S ASSESSMENT OF THE CRISIS.

TEXT: AFTER A WEEK OF WAR, 17-HUNDRED AIRCRAFT SORTIES AND ONE-HUNDRED CRUISE MISSILE FIRINGS, THE ALLIES SAY THEY ARE READY TO KEEP FLYING FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES. ADMIRAL SCOTT FRY, HEAD OF OPERATIONS FOR THE U-S ARMED FORCES' JOINT STAFF, SAYS THERE IS NO THOUGHT OF CALLING A HALT.

THERE IS, TO MY KNOWLEDGE AT THIS POINT, NO DESIRE TO PAUSE OR HAVE A STAND-DOWN OR WAIT FOR AWHILE.

THE PENTAGON CLAIMS SOME SUCCESS AT DEGRADING YUGOSLAV FORCES. OFFICIALS SAY THEIR COMMAND CENTERS, AMMUNITION, SUPPLIES,INTELLIGENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS HAVE ALL BEEN ATTACKED AND DAMAGED. MORE THAN HALF THE SERBS' BEST FIGHTER PLANES (MIG-29S) ARE BELIEVED DESTROYED. OTHER AIR DEFENSES ARE WEAKENED ENOUGH TO GIVE THE ALLIES AT LEAST A DEGREE OF AIR SUPERIORITY. BUT AS PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON CONCEDES, THE JOB IS FAR FROM FINISHED.

THERE HAS NOT BEEN A KNOCKOUT PUNCH. WE KNEW THAT A KNOCKOUT PUNCH WOULD NOT COME QUICKLY. WE'RE IN NOW TO THE SEVENTH DAY. I THINK IT WILL TAKE MUCH LONGER TO DEGRADE THE FORCES AS MUCH ASWE THINK WE NEED TO DO.

MR. BACON BLUNTLY ACKNOWLEDGED THE STRIKES HAVE FAILED TO HALT THE GOVERNMENT ONSLAUGHT AGAINST KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIANS.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO SAY THAT WE HAVE PREVENTED ONE ACT OF BRUTALITY AT THIS STAGE.

THE ALLIES ARE NOT YET ABLE TO TARGET THE SMALL, WIDELY SCATTERED SERB UNITS ENGAGED IN ETHNIC CLEANSING. OFFICIALS SAY AMERICAN A-TEN ATTACK JETS HAVE NOT FLOWN THEIR USUAL ANTI-TANK MISSIONS,BECAUSE OF SURVIVING AIR DEFENSES AND BAD WEATHER. ADMIRAL FRY SAYS WEATHER CONDITIONS HAVE GROWN STEADILY WORSE SINCE THE OPERATION BEGAN, CANCELING SOME SORTIES AND ADDING TO WHAT WAS ALREADY A TOUGH TASK.

THERE ARE DIFFICULT TARGETS. THIS IS DIFFICULT TERRAIN. ITS MOUNTAINOUS, ITS TREE-COVERED, THIS IS NOT THE DESERT. THE WEATHER HAS NOT BEEN IN OUR FAVOR EITHER.

THE NATO FORCE MAY BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE U-S ARMY AND MARINE ATTACK HELICOPTERS. OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO SAY THEY HAVE NO PLANS TO PUT GROUND TROOPS IN KOSOVO. NO ONE IS WILLING TO PREDICT HOW LONG THE AIR WAR MIGHT LAST. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/PT
30-Mar-99 7:13 PM EST (0013 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] PENTAGON KOSOVO(S-ONITER) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE PENTAGON SAYS IT HAS NO QUICK SOLUTION TO ETHNIC CLEANSING AND KILLINGS IN KOSOVO PROVINCE, WHICH CONTINUE AFTER A WEEK OF NATO AIR STRIKES ON YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: OFFICIALS CONCEDE THEY HAVE YET TO KNOCK OUT THE YUGOSLAV ARMY AND MAY NOT HAVE STOPPED A SINGLE ACT OF BRUTALITY ON THE GROUND. BUT ADMIRAL SCOTT FRY, HEAD OF OPERATIONS FOR THE PENTAGON'S JOINT STAFF, SAYS PREVENTING ETHNIC CLEANSING WAS NEVER THE MILITARY GOAL.

WE NEVER SUPPOSED OR REPORTED THAT WE HAD A SILVER BULLET THAT WOULD BRING THAT TO A HALT.

THE OFFICIALS SAY WORSENING WEATHER AND SURVIVING YUGOSLAV AIR DEFENSES ARE SLOWING THE OPERATION, THOUGH HALF THE SERBS' TOP FIGHTER JETS AND SOME MISSILE SITES ARE BELIEVED DESTROYED.

THE PENTAGON ALSO REPORTS SUCCESS AT TARGETING TROOP HEADQUARTERS, AMMUNITION DUMPS AND COMMUNICATIONS. HOWEVER, NO ONE IS PREPARED TO SAY HOW LONG THE CAMPAIGN MIGHT LAST. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/PT
30-Mar-99 7:28 PM EST (0028 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] WHITE HOUSE/KOSOVO (LONG) BY GIL BUTLER (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT HAS NO INTENTION OF SENDING GROUND FORCES TO KOSOVO AND HAS DEFENDED THE AIR BOMBARDMENT OF SERBIAN FORCES. CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER HAS MORE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THE WHITE HOUSE IS URGING PATIENCE FROM CRITICS WHO SAY AIR OPERATIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAV TARGETS ARE NOT WORKING. SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART REMINDED REPORTERS THE AIR OPERATIONS IN BOSNIA TOOK ALMOST THREE-WEEKS BEFORE SUCCEEDING IN BRINGING A HALT TO THE FIGHTING.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE IS NO TIMETABLE FOR ENDING WHAT HE DESCRIBES AS A SYSTEMATIC, METHODICAL, AND PHASED OPERATION.

IT WILL CONTINUE. THE OBJECTIVES REMAINS THE SAME: EITHER TO CHANGE THE CALCULATION OF MR. MILOSEVIC AS HE PAYS A HIGHER AND HIGHER PRICE OR TO SYSTEMATICALLY, WHETHER IT BE DAY-BY-DAY AND WEEK-BY-WEEK, TAKE APART HIS ABILITY TO IMPOSE HIS WILL ON KOSOVO.

MR. LOCKHART SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT CHANGED ITS POSITION ON THE POSSIBLE USE OF GROUND TROOPS. HE REPEATED THAT THERE ARE NO PLANS, NO INTENTION OF USING GROUND TROOPS IN KOSOVO. SOME ANALYSTS HAVE CHARGED AIR ACTION ALONE CANNOT SUCCEED IN PROTECTING ETHNIC ALBANIANS UNDER ASSAULT FROM YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT FORCES.

THE PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN SAID THE ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES THE MILITARY CAMPAIGN CAN SUCCEED IN EVENTUALLY BRINGING AN AUTONOMOUS KOSOVO WITHIN SERBIA, WITH PROTECTION FOR ALBANIANS PROVIDED BY NATO FORCES. BUT HE SAID, BY HIS ACTIONS, YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS RISKING HIS AIM OF KEEPING KOSOVO PART OF HIS COUNTRY.

KEEPING KOSOVO AS PART OF SERBIA IS WHAT MILOSEVIC NEEDS THE MOST AND HE IS PUTTING THAT, BY HIS ACTIONS, AT RISK; BOTH FROM FURTHER RADICALIZATION OF THE POPULATION THERE AND THE INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT.

HE SAID THE AMERICAN POSITION IS THE FRAMEWORK FOR A SETTLEMENT SHOULD STILL BE THE PLAN AGREED TO BY THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS AT RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE AND REJECTED BY THE SERBIANS. (SIGNED)
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31-Mar-99 3:06 PM EST (2006 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] YUGOSLAV EMBASSY (L-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPT.)

INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS HAVE FORMALLY SHUT DOWN THE YUGOSLAV EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON. THIS FOLLOWS BELGRADE'S DECISION TO BREAK OFF TIES WITH THE UNITED STATES. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: THE U-S GOVERNMENT TOOK POSSESSION OF THE YUGOSLAV EMBASSY AND AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE IN WASHINGTON EARLY WEDNESDAY. TELEVISION CAMERAS SHOWED SOME OF THE EMBASSY PERSONNEL LEAVING THE BUILDINGS WITH SUITCASES.

OFFICIALS SAY MOST OF THE DIPLOMATS ARE RETURNING HOME, BUT AT LEAST ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO STAY AND REPRESENT THE SERB-DOMINATED YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS TAKING POSSESSION OF THE BUILDINGS WAS A STANDARD RESPONSE TO YUGOSLAVIA'S DECISION LAST THURSDAY (MARCH 25TH) TO CUT DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH THE UNITED STATES.

SETTING A DATE BY WHICH THE PREMISES MUST BE VACATED IS A STANDARD DIPLOMATIC PRACTICE; THE MISSION WAS GIVEN A REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE TIME TO DO SO.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL PROTECT THE BUILDINGS UNTIL THE SETTLEMENT OF PROPERTY ISSUES ARE DEALT WITH BY THE SUCCESSOR STATES OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA.

THE SERB-DOMINATED YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT IN BELGRADE HAS BEEN IN A LONG-RUNNING PROPERTY DISPUTE WITH THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, CROATIA, SLOVENIA AND MACEDONIA.

THE DISPUTE DATES BACK TO THE BREAKUP OF THE YUGOSLAV FEDERATION IN 1991 AND 1992. THE SERB-LED YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT, WHICH INCLUDES MONTENEGRO, CONTENDS IT IS THE LEGAL OWNER OF THE DIPLOMATIC PROPERTIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/RRM
31-Mar-99 5:28 PM EST (2228 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (S) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITISH DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY THERE IS EVIDENCE YUGOSLAVIA IS CONSULTING WITH IRAQ ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE NATO'S AIR STRIKES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON REPORTS THE BRITISH OFFICIALS ALSO ARE WARNING YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AGAINST TRYING TO EXPAND THE CONFLICT TO MONTENEGRO.

TEXT: DEFENSE SECRETARY GEORGE ROBERTSON SAYS A SLIGHT SHIFT IN YUGOSLAV MILITARY TACTICS AND EVIDENCE OF SERB MILITARY VISITS TO BAGHDAD INDICATE INCREASED COOPERATION OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS.

DEFENSE SECRETARY ROBERTSON SAYS THE LINK BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES IS NOT SURPRISING.

WHAT LINKS THESE TWO COUNTRIES TOGETHER APPEARS TO BE A DETERMINATION IN THE FACE OF DOMESTIC ECONOMIC DIFFICULTY TO CONTINUE TO BUILD A WAR MACHINE AND SECONDLY, A CALLOUS DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE.

MR. ROBERTSON SAYS NATO ALSO HAS EVIDENCE THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT IN BELGRADE MAY TRY TO DESTABILIZE MONTENEGRO TO WIDEN THE CONFLICT. AND HE WARNS BELGRADE'S LEADERSHIP THAT NATO IS WATCHING THE SITUATION CLOSELY. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
31-Mar-99 6:54 AM EST (1154 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (L) (CQ) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITISH DEFENSE SECRETARY GEORGE ROBERTSON SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S OFFER TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF TROOPS IN KOSOVO PROVINCE IS THE FIRST CRACK IN THE WALL OF BELGRADE'S OBSTINACY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: BRITISH DEFENSE SECRETARY GEORGE ROBERTSON SAYS THE YUGOSLAV OFFER TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF TROOPS IN KOSOVO IF NATO ENDS ITS AIR STRIKES IS NOT SERIOUS -- BUT IT SHOWS WHAT HE CALLS THE FIRST CRACK IN THE WALL OF BELGRADE'S OBSTINACY.

MILOSEVIC'S OFFER CAN BE SUMMED UP IN THIS WAY -- NATO STOPS THE BOMBING. HE ONLY SLOWS DOWN THE KILLING. THERE WAS NO OFFER OF A CEASEFIRE, NO OFFER TO STOP THE VIOLENCE AND THE CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. THERE WAS NO OFFER TO PULL OUT TROOPS TO THE LEVELS HE AGREED TO LAST OCTOBER. AND THERE WAS NO OFFER TO GUARANTEE SAFETY TO RETURNING REFUGEES OR REBUILD THEIR BLITZED VILLAGES.

MR ROBERTSON SAYS MR MILOSEVIC HAS MISCALCULATED NATO'S RESOLVE.

HE IS NOT GOING TO RE-ENGINEER KOSOVO AND GET AWAY WITH IT. AND WE'VE MADE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS RESOLVED ON THAT AS WELL.

THE BRITISH DEFENSE SECRETARY CONFIRMS NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN NOW IS WIDENING THE SERB MILITARY TARGETS IN ROUND-THE-CLOCK BOMBINGS AS THE OPERATION INTENSIFIES.

NATO'S AIRCRAFT WILL NOW INCREASE THE DAMAGE TO HIS WAR MACHINE, INCLUDING TANK AND TROOP CONCENTRATIONS. WE KNOW WHERE THEY ARE DISBURSED TO AND WE KNOW WHERE THEY ARE HIDING. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO ESCAPE AND THERE WILL BE NO REST TO COMPLETE THE EVIL WORK OR OPPORTUNITY TO ENTRENCH MILOSEVIC'S POSITION.

BRITAIN'S DEFENSE CHIEF OF STAFF SAYS NATO BOMBS AND MISSILES ALREADY HAVE DAMAGED EIGHT SERB AIRFIELDS, MORE THAN ONE-DOZEN RADAR INSTALLATIONS, AND 18 SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE SITES. BUT BAD WEATHER DURING THE FIRST WEEK HAS SLOWED THE NATO OPERATION.

THE BRITISH DEFENSE OFFICIALS ALSO WARN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC AGAINST ACTIONS AIMED AT DESTABILIZING THE YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO. DEFENSE SECRETARY ROBERTSON DOES NOT OFFER ANY DETAILS BUT SAYS ONLY THAT NATO IS CLOSELY MONITORING THE SITUATION THERE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
31-Mar-99 8:33 AM EST (1333 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] BLAIR / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR SAYS NATO WILL INTENSIFY ITS ATTACKS ON YUGOSLAV MILITARY TARGETS UNTIL PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC STOPS THE CAMPAIGN OF KILLINGS IN KOSOVO. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BLAIR SAYS WESTERN ALLIES ARE NOT IMPRESSED WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S OFFER TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF TROOPS IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE IF NATO STOPS ITS AIR STRIKES. MR. BLAIR TOLD PARLIAMENT THE OFFER IS NOTHING MORE THAN A PLOY.

I BELIEVE THAT THE ATTEMPT, THE PLOY MADE BY MILOSEVIC YESTERDAY DOESN'T IMPRESS THIS COUNTRY. IT WON'T IMPRESS OTHER COUNTRIES. WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS TO INTENSIFY THESE ATTACKS AND THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW, TODAY. AND THESE ATTACKS BEING CARRIED OUT TODAY ON THE ACTUAL TROOPS REPRESSING THE PEOPLE IN KOSOVO, WILL INFLICT REAL DAMAGE TO MILOSEVIC'S TANKS, TO HIS ARTILLERY, AND TO THE THUGS WHO ARE CARRYING OUT THE REPRESSION AND KILLINGS IN KOSOVO.

IN RESPONSE TO PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS, PRIME MINISTER BLAIR ANGRILY DISMISSES ANY SUGGESTIONS THAT NATO AIR STRIKES HAVE PROVOKED THE REFUGEE CRISIS IN KOSOVO.

I THINK IT IS THE MOST MUDDLE-HEADED TYPE OF THINKING IMAGINABLE WHEN INNOCENT PEOPLE ARE BEING DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES THAT THE BLAME IS SOMEHOW PUT ON THE ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE TRYING TO DEFEND THEM.

MR. BLAIR SAYS BRITAIN HAS INCREASED ITS CONTRIBUTION TO U-N AGENCIES HELPING KOSOVARS DISPLACED BY THE SERB FORCES.

BRITAIN'S TOP FOREIGN DEVELOPMENT OFFICIAL, CLAIRE SHORT, SAYS BRITAIN HAS INCREASED ITS FUNDING, EMERGENCY SUPPLIES, AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT AND IS SENDING A TEAM TO ALBANIA TO SEE WHAT ELSE IS NEEDED. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMKJWH
31-Mar-99 10:18 AM EST (1518 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[14] NATO / KOSOVO (L) (CQ) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO SAYS THREE YUGOSLAV ARMY BRIGADES HAVE SHELLED A LARGE NUMBER OF REFUGEES IN THE PAGARUSA VALLEY, SOUTHWEST OF KOSOVO'S CAPITAL, PRISTINA. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN AT NATO HEADQUARTERS REPORTS THE ALLIANCE HAS A LONG WAY TO GO IN ITS CAMPAIGN TO STOP ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO.

TEXT: NATO HAS AUTHORIZED AN EXTENDED AIR CAMPAIGN IN YUGOSLAVIA AFTER FAILING TO HALT AN ACCELERATED EFFORT BY SERBS TO CLEAR ALBANIANS FROM KOSOVO. WHILE NATO BOMBING WILL HIT MILITARY TARGETS THROUGHOUT YUGOSLAVIA, MORE EFFORT IS BEING CONCENTRATED ON DISRUPTING ETHNIC CLEANSING IN THE PAGARUSA MOUNTAIN VALLEY, SOUTHWEST OF PRISTINA.

NATO MILITARY SPOKESMAN DAVID WILBY SAYS THREE YUGOSLAV ARMY BRIGADES HAVE SHELLED A LARGE NUMBER OF REFUGEES TRAPPED IN THE VALLEY.

THESE UNFORTUNATE SOULS ARE SURROUNDED BY SERB MILITARY AND M-U-P (MINISTERIAL POLICE) UNITS. THEY HAVE BEEN SHELLED BY SERB ARTILLERY AND TANKS OF THREE BRIGADES OF THE F-R-Y (YUGOSLAV) ARMY, THE 243RD, THE 549TH AND THE 15TH. THIS HAPPENED YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) AND CONTINUES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

AIR COMMODORE WILBY SAYS THESE THREE BRIGADES ARE ON NATO'S TARGET LIST. AFTER ONE WEEK OF AIR STRIKES, NATO HAS NOT SLOWED YUGOSLAVIA'S EFFORT TO GET KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS TO FLEE. MORE THAN 100-THOUSAND ALBANIANS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO LEAVE KOSOVO SINCE NATO'S AIR STRIKES BEGAN.

NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS IT IS NOT THE AIR STRIKES THAT ARE THREATENING TO ELIMINATE ANY TRACE OF THE ALBANIAN MAJORITY PRESENCE IN KOSOVO.

THE YUGOSLAV FORCES, SO WE ARE LEARNING, ARE DESTROYING THE ARCHIVES OF THE KOSOVAR PEOPLE, PROPERTY DEEDS, MARRIAGE LICENSES, BIRTH CERTIFICATES, FINANCIAL, AND OTHER RECORDS. PUBLIC RECORDS ARE BEING SYSTEMATICALLY DESTROYED. THIS IS A KIND OF ORWELLIAN SCENARIO OF ATTEMPTING TO DEPRIVE A PEOPLE AND A CULTURE OF THE SENSE OF PAST AND THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY ON WHICH IT DEPENDS.

MR. SHEA SAYS THESE EFFORTS HAVE SO OUTRAGED NATO AMBASSADORS THERE HAS BEEN NO ARGUMENT AMONG THE 19 NATIONS IN APPROVING MORE INTENSE BOMBING AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA -- RATHER THAN EXPRESSING FRUSTRATION WITH THE AIR CAMPAIGN'S LACK OF SUCCESS IN STOPPING ETHNIC CLEANSING.

AIR COMMODORE WILBY SAYS NATO'S MILITARY IS SATISFIED WITH WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED AFTER ONE WEEK DESPITE BAD WEATHER.

DESPITE THAT POOR WEATHER, WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED ONE HELL OF A LOT IN TIME WE'VE BEEN GOING. WE'VE HIT HIM REALLY HARD. WE'VE HIT HIS AIR DEFENSE. WE'VE HIT HIS AIR POWER. HIS AIR POWER IS ALMOST NON-EXISTENT RIGHT NOW. WE'VE HIT HIS IMMEDIATE LOGISTICS BASE. YOU HAVE SEEN THE PICTURES THAT I'VE SHOWN YOU OVER THE LAST WEEK OF US TAKING OUT AMMUNITION DUMPS, OF US TAKING OUT HANGARS, OF REPAIR FACILITIES. HE IS HURTING, WE KNOW HE IS RUNNING SHORT OF FUEL.

NATO MAY HAVE TO CONTEND WITH A STRONGER RUSSIAN NAVAL PRESENCE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN WATERS OFF YUGOSLAVIA. MR. SHEA DISMISSES THE SHOW OF FORCE BY NOTING THAT PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS SAID RUSSIA DOES NOT WANT TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THE MILITARY CONFLICT IN YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
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31-Mar-99 1:33 PM EST (1833 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[15] RUSSIA/SHIPS (S) BY EVE CONANT (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT WILL SEND A RECONNAISSANCE WARSHIP TO THE MEDITERRANEAN TO MONITOR NATO ATTACKS ON YUGOSLAVIA. CORRESPONDENT EVE CONANT REPORTS FROM MOSCOW.

TEXT: DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEYEV SAYS THE RECONNAISSANCE WARSHIP WILL BE SENT TO THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA FRIDAY TO, AS HE PUT IT, "MONITOR NATO ACTIONS AND ENHANCE RUSSIA'S SECURITY."

HE TOLD A MOSCOW NEWS CONFERENCE THAT HIS GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY REQUESTED THE SHIP'S PASSAGE THROUGH THE BOSPHORUS. HE SAYS THAT SIX OTHER SHIPS COULD BE SENT AT A LATER DATE.

UNITED STATES AND ALLIED WARSHIPS ARE DEPLOYED IN THE REGION FOR OPERATIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA.

RUSSIA'S LEADERSHIP HAS REPEATEDLY RULED-OUT MILITARY INTERVENTION IN THE KOSOVO CONFLICT. BUT MR. SERGEYEV SAYS THAT IF THE SITUATION INTENSIFIES, RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTRY WILL PROPOSE TAKING WHAT HE CALLS "MORE RESOLUTE MEASURES" IN RESPONSE. (SIGNED)
NEB/EC/PCF
31-Mar-99 9:59 AM EST (1459 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[16] RUSSIA/KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY EVE CONANT (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV HAS RETURNED TO MOSCOW, CALLING HIS UNSUCCESSFUL PEACE MISSION TO BELGRADE AN IMPORTANT EXERCISE. AND MR. PRIMAKOV WAS HARSHLY CRITICAL OF NATO'S OUTRIGHT REJECTION OF HIS PEACE PROPOSAL, AS VOA'S EVE CONANT REPORTS FROM MOSCOW.

TEXT: PRIME MINISTER PRIMAKOV TOLD REPORTERS AT A MOSCOW AIRPORT THAT RUSSIA WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR AN END TO NATO AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA.

THE PRIME MINISTER ALSO CONDEMNS NATO FOR WORSENING THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO.

BUT MR. PRIMAKOV DESCRIBES HIS MISSION AS IMPORTANT, SAYING IT RESULTED IN THE FIRST SIGNAL FROM YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC THAT HE IS WILLING TO DISCUSS A CEASE-FIRE WITH NATO. RUSSIAN NEWSPAPERS WEDNESDAY UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORT PRIME MINISTER PRIMAKOV'S EFFORTS, DESPITE ITS FAILURE TO STOP NATO BOMBING.

BUT IN A RARE DISPLAY OF PUBLIC CRITICISM OF BELGRADE, RUSSIA'S FIRST DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER ALEXANDER ARDAYEV TOLD THE UPPER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT THAT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC IS ALSO TO BLAME FOR THE CURRENT KOSOVO CRISIS. HE SAYS ETHNIC GROUPS LIVED IN PEACE IN KOSOVO BEFORE MR. MILOSEVIC STRIPPED THE SERBIAN PROVINCE IT OF HIS AUTONOMY. MR. ARDAYEV ALSO SAYS THE SERBIAN DELEGATION FAILED TO FULLY COOPERATE IN THE RECENT PARIS PEACE TALKS ON KOSOVO.

[17] RUSSIA/KOSOVO UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY EVE CONANT (MOSCOW)

DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEYEV, WHO ACCOMPANIED MR. PRIMAKOV TO BELGRADE, TOLD REPORTERS WEDNESDAY THAT MOSCOW WILL SEND A RECONNAISSANCE WARSHIP TO THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA THIS FRIDAY. HE EXPLAINS THE DECISION WAS MADE IN ORDER TO "MONITOR NATO ACTIONS AND ENHANCE RUSSIA'S SECURITY."

HE TOLD REPORTERS THAT HIS GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY REQUESTED THE SHIP'S PASSAGE THROUGH THE BOSPHORUS, ADDING THAT SIX OTHER WARSHIPS MIGHT ALSO BE SENT AT A LATER DATE. UNITED STATES AND ALLIED WARSHIPS ARE ALREADY DEPLOYED IN THE REGION FOR OPERATIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA.

RUSSIA'S LEADERSHIP HAS REPEATEDLY RULED-OUT MILITARY INTERVENTION IN THE KOSOVO CONFLICT. WHILE SOME ANALYSTS POINT OUT THAT SENDING WARSHIPS IS MOSTLY A SYMBOLIC ACT, IT DOES REPRESENT A STEPPING UP OF RUSSIA'S RESPONSE TO THE AIR STRIKES.

[18] RUSSIA / KOSOVO (L) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPT.)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT RUSSIAN PLANS TO MOVE WARSHIPS CLOSER TO YUGOSLAVIA, WHERE NATO IS STEPPING UP ITS AIRSTRIKES. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER ANNOUNCED IN MOSCOW THAT AN INTELLIGENCE-GATHERING SHIP WOULD BE SENT TO THE MEDITERRANEAN LATER THIS WEEK TO MONITOR NATO MILITARY ACTION IN YUGOSLAVIA.

DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEYEV SAYS SIX OTHER SHIPS FROM THE BLACK SEA FLEET MIGHT ALSO BE SENT TO THE AREA.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE RUSSIAN DEPLOYMENTS AND DOES NOT SEE THE ACTION AS A HELPFUL GESTURE.

RUSSIA HAS INFORMED TURKEY THAT SEVEN UNITS OF THE BLACK SEA FLEET WILL TRANSIT THE BOSPORUS IN EARLY APRIL. WE ARE OBVIOUSLY CONCERNED BY THE SIGNAL THAT SUCH A LARGE DEPLOYMENT MIGHT SEND TO BELGRADE AND OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE ISSUE IS BEING DISCUSSED THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS WITH THE RUSSIANS, WHO HAVE SAID THEY DO NOT INTEND TO BECOME ENTANGLED IN THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO.

RUSSIA SHARES RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL TIES WITH THE SERBS AND IS STRONGLY OPPOSED TO NATO AIRSTRIKES, WHICH NATO SAYS ARE AIMED AT ENDING SERB ATROCITIES IN KOSOVO.

OFFICIALS OF THE SERB-LED YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT SAY THEIR FORCES ARE SIMPLY RESPONDING TO ETHNIC ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS IN KOSOVO. MEANWHILE, U-S OFFICIALS HAVE ALSO DISMISSED RUSSIAN REPORTS THAT THE UNITED STATES IS PLANNING TO LET THE MOSTLY ETHNIC ALBANIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO BREAK AWAY FROM YUGOSLAVIA.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS IT IS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC THAT RISKS LOSING CONTROL OF THE PROVINCE BY HIS ACTIONS AGAINST THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS.

IT'S A SIMPLE FACT THAT THE MORE PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC CARRIES OUT THESE KINDS OF ATROCITIES IN KOSOVO, THE LESS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CAN SUPPORT HIS CLAIMS TO SOVEREIGNTY OVER KOSOVO. THAT IS AN ANALYTICAL FACT.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY STILL BELIEVE THE BEST SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO IS A CEASEFIRE AND SERB ACCEPTANCE OF THE PEACE PLAN NEGOTIATED IN FRANCE LAST MONTH.

THAT PLAN WAS REJECTED BY THE SERBS AND ACCEPTED BY THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS. IT CALLS FOR AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO AND FOR 28-THOUSAND NATO TROOPS TO ENFORCE A CEASEFIRE. U-S AND NATO OFFICIALS SAY AIRSTRIKES AGAINST THE SERBS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THEY ACCEPT THE PEACE ACCORD. (SIGNED)
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31-Mar-99 3:54 PM EST (2054 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[19] RUSSIA/U-S EMBASSY BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES EMBASSY IN MOSCOW REMAINS UNDER HEAVY GUARD, DAYS AFTER AN ATTACKER TRIED TO FIRE ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADES AT THE BUILDING DURING ANTI-NATO DEMONSTRATIONS. VOA MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS NATO STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA HAVE SPARKED A SURGE OF ANTI-WESTERN FEELINGS IN A SOCIETY WHERE MANY STILL VIEW NATO -- AND THE UNITED STATES -- THROUGH COLD WAR EYES.

TEXT: ///SFX OF SINGING, BELLS RINGING, UNDER TO...///

HUNDREDS OF PROTESTERS MARCHED PAST THE U-S EMBASSY IN MOSCOW WEDNESDAY TO CONDEMN THE NATO STRIKES AND EXPRESS SOLIDARITY WITH YUGOSLAVIA.

IT WAS A PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION. PROTESTERS BARELY OUTNUMBERED POLICE. BUT THE MOOD WAS ANGRY. TWENTY-YEAR-OLD ALEXEI SOROKIN SAID HE WAS THERE TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR RUSSIA'S SERB BROTHERS.

THIS BEHAVIOR BY NATO IS OUTRAGEOUS. BOMBING IS NOT A METHOD, FROM THE HUMAN PERSPECTIVE. IT ALSO TOUCHES US ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE BOMBING THE ORTHODOX -- AND WE ARE ORTHODOX PEOPLE.

SECURITY WAS SHARPLY INTENSIFIED AROUND THE EMBASSY COMPLEX LAST SUNDAY, WHEN WHAT HAD BEEN A RELATIVELY PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION SUDDENLY TOOK AN UGLY TURN.

A MASKED MAN JUMPED FROM A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING AND AIMED A GRENADE LAUNCHER. FORTUNATELY, THE WOULD-BE ATTACKER HAD APPARENTLY FORGOTTEN TO RELEASE A SAFETY CATCH ON THE TRIGGER. THE DEVICE FAILED TO FIRE. THE MAN THREW THE WEAPON TO THE GROUND AND FLED.

EMBASSY OFFICIALS, CONCERNED ABOUT FURTHER ATTACKS, EVACUATED OFFICES WITH WINDOWS FACING THE STREET AND TEMPORARILY SHUT DOWN THE CONSULAR SECTION.

CALLERS SEEKING HELP GOT ONLY A RECORDED SECURITY ADVISORY.

EMBASSY EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO STAY AWAY FROM THAT BUILDING. CONSEQUENTLY, THE CONSULAR SECTION IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR ROUTINE BUSINESS. WE HAVE NO INDICATION AMERICAN CITIZENS ARE BEING TARGETED AWAY FROM THE EMBASSY BUILDINGS. HOWEVER, IF YOU HAVE BEEN HARASSED, OR HAD SOME DIFFICULTIES PLEASE CALL US.

AND THE AMERICAN ROCK GROUP "KISS" CANCELLED A MOSCOW CONCERT SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK AFTER BEING ADVISED OF THE HEIGHTENED SECURITY RISK. ///END OPT///

ATTORNEY BRUCE BEAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN RUSSIA, SAYS IN GENERAL, MOSCOW IS A SAFE CITY FOR U-S CITIZENS. BUT HE SAYS THE NATO AIR STRIKES, AND THE WAY THEY HAVE BEEN COVERED IN THE RUSSIAN MEDIA, HAVE SPARKED A SURGE IN ANTI-AMERICAN FEELINGS.

IT DOES SEEM TO HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON AMERICANS. IT'S CHARACTERIZED AS A NATO EXERCISE, BUT CERTAINLY RUSSIANS IN MOSCOW AND MOSCOW T-V STATIONS SEE IT AS AN AMERICAN OPERATION. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME OTHER EVENTS. I THINK THE RUSSIANS DID NOT GET ESPECIALLY UPSET ABOUT THE BOMBINGS IN IRAQ THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON SINCE DECEMBER, BUT THIS IS VERY VERY DIFFERENT.

A SENIOR U-S EMBASSY OFFICIAL SAID WEDNESDAY THE ATMOSPHERE IN MOSCOW MAY SEEM MORE HOSTILE THAN IT REALLY IS BECAUSE ANTI-WESTERN VOICES ARE THE LOUDEST. HE ADMITTED EMOTIONS ARE HIGH, BUT SAID IT IS DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THE RECENT DEMONSTRATIONS WERE SPONTANEOUS.

BUT THE DIPLOMAT, WHO SPOKE ON CONDITION OF ANONYMITY, SAID HE WAS ENCOURAGED THAT DESPITE THE HARSH RHETORIC, MOSCOW'S OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO THE NATO AIR STRIKES HAS BEEN, IN HIS WORDS, "MEASURED, CALCULATED, AND CAREFUL" NOT TO JEOPARDIZE RUSSIA'S LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WEST. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/PCF
31-Mar-99 1:41 PM EST (1841 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[20] U-S / RUSSIA / KOSOVO (L) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPT.)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT RUSSIAN PLANS TO MOVE WARSHIPS CLOSER TO YUGOSLAVIA, WHERE NATO IS STEPPING UP ITS AIRSTRIKES. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER ANNOUNCED IN MOSCOW THAT AN INTELLIGENCE-GATHERING SHIP WOULD BE SENT TO THE MEDITERRANEAN LATER THIS WEEK TO MONITOR NATO MILITARY ACTION IN YUGOSLAVIA.

DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEYEV SAYS SIX OTHER SHIPS FROM THE BLACK SEA FLEET MIGHT ALSO BE SENT TO THE AREA.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE RUSSIAN DEPLOYMENTS AND DOES NOT SEE THE ACTION AS A HELPFUL GESTURE.

RUSSIA HAS INFORMED TURKEY THAT SEVEN UNITS OF THE BLACK SEA FLEET WILL TRANSIT THE BOSPORUS IN EARLY APRIL. WE ARE OBVIOUSLY CONCERNED BY THE SIGNAL THAT SUCH A LARGE DEPLOYMENT MIGHT SEND TO BELGRADE AND OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE ISSUE IS BEING DISCUSSED THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS WITH THE RUSSIANS, WHO HAVE SAID THEY DO NOT INTEND TO BECOME ENTANGLED IN THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO.

RUSSIA SHARES RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL TIES WITH THE SERBS AND IS STRONGLY OPPOSED TO NATO AIRSTRIKES, WHICH NATO SAYS ARE AIMED AT ENDING SERB ATROCITIES IN KOSOVO.

OFFICIALS OF THE SERB-LED YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT SAY THEIR FORCES ARE SIMPLY RESPONDING TO ETHNIC ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS IN KOSOVO. MEANWHILE, U-S OFFICIALS HAVE ALSO DISMISSED RUSSIAN REPORTS THAT THE UNITED STATES IS PLANNING TO LET THE MOSTLY ETHNIC ALBANIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO BREAK AWAY FROM YUGOSLAVIA.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS IT IS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC THAT RISKS LOSING CONTROL OF THE PROVINCE BY HIS ACTIONS AGAINST THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS.

IT'S A SIMPLE FACT THAT THE MORE PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC CARRIES OUT THESE KINDS OF ATROCITIES IN KOSOVO, THE LESS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CAN SUPPORT HIS CLAIMS TO SOVEREIGNTY OVER KOSOVO. THAT IS AN ANALYTICAL FACT.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY STILL BELIEVE THE BEST SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO IS A CEASEFIRE AND SERB ACCEPTANCE OF THE PEACE PLAN NEGOTIATED IN FRANCE LAST MONTH.

THAT PLAN WAS REJECTED BY THE SERBS AND ACCEPTED BY THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS. IT CALLS FOR AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO AND FOR 28-THOUSAND NATO TROOPS TO ENFORCE A CEASEFIRE. U-S AND NATO OFFICIALS SAY AIRSTRIKES AGAINST THE SERBS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THEY ACCEPT THE PEACE ACCORD. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/RRM
31-Mar-99 3:59 PM EST (2059 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[21] KOSOVO RELIEF (L) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS TAKING STEPS TO HELP THE MORE THAN ONE-HUNDRED THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM VIOLENCE AND ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO. MEANWHILE, THE NATO AIR WAR ON YUGOSLAVIA CONTINUES,WITH A LONGER LIST OF TARGETS. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: ACUTELY AWARE OF A MOUNTING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS STARTING A 50-MILLION DOLLAR RELIEF CAMPAIGN. HALF THAT MONEY WILL GO TO THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.

THE REST WILL BE SPENT ON FOOD, TENTS, MEDICINE AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS. THE PENTAGON SAYS IT CAN DELIVER THOSE SUPPLIES QUICKLY, AFTER ADVANCE TEAMS REPORT BACK. SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS AUTHORITIES KNEW OF THE POTENTIAL FOR A REFUGEE DISASTER IN THE REGION, AND HAVE ALREADY STORED ENOUGH FOOD TO FEED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FOR WEEKS OR MONTHS. HOWEVER, THE AID IS MEANT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FLED TO ALBANIA AND THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA. MR. BACON SAYS THERE ARE NO PLANS TO ASSIST REFUGEES STILL IN KOSOVO. HE SAYS THAT WOULD REQUIRE AIR-DROPS, WHICH ARE NOT NOW POSSIBLE AND COULD PROVE INEFFECTIVE.

GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE YUGOSLAV FORCES LARGELY CONTROL THE GROUND, WE WOULD HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO ASSURANCE THAT THE FOOD OR MEDICAL SUPPLIES WOULD GET INTO THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT MOST DESPERATELY.

THE ALLIES ARE TRYING TO EASE THE SITUATION BY HITTING HARDER AT THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT. NATO WARPLANES HAVE NOW STRUCK THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE MILITARY'S SPECIAL FORCES IN WHAT IS SAID TO BE THE CLOSEST ATTACK TO DOWNTOWN BELGRADE SO FAR. TANKS AND ARMORED VEHICLES IN KOSOVO ARE ALSO AMONG THE TARGETS. MR. BACON SAYS THE RAIDS WILL GO ON UNTIL PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS FORCED TO CHANGE HIS WAYS.

OUR GOAL, OUR MILITARY GOAL IS TO CHOKE OFF HIS ABILITY TO CONTINUE THIS BRUTALITY. AND WE WILL DO THAT, WE WILL GRIND AWAY AT IT.

THE CAMPAIGN MAY REQUIRE MORE ALLIED FORCES. COMMANDING GENERAL WESLEY CLARK HAS ASKED FOR ATTACK HELICOPTERS TO JOIN THE AIR ARMADA, THOUGH THE REQUEST HAS NOT YET BEEN APPROVED. THERE ARE ALSO CONCERNS ABOUT THE PENTAGON'S SUPPLY OF AIR-LAUNCHED CRUISE MISSILES. HOWEVER, OFFICIALS SAY THEY STILL HAVE ENOUGH TO HIT THE MOST CRITICAL TARGETS.(SIGNED)
NEB/DS/PT
31-Mar-99 6:15 PM EST (2315 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[22] KOSOVO MIDEAST REACT (L/O) BY SCOTT BOBB (CAIRO)

INTRO: A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST ARE SENDING HUMANITARIAN AID TO REFUGEES FLEEING THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. VOA'S MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS THAT CRITICISM OF THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT'S ACTIONS IN KOSOVO IS WIDESPREAD ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST, BUT THAT REACTION TO THE NATO-LED BOMBINGS IS MIXED.

TEXT: THE GOVERNMENTS OF EGYPT, JORDAN, IRAN AND THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES HAVE ANNOUNCED SHIPMENTS OF FOOD AND MEDICINE TOTALING MORE THAN ONE-MILLION DOLLARS FOR KOSOVO ALBANIANS WHO HAVE BEEN DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES.

THE GOVERNMENT OF EGYPT WEDNESDAY SAID ITS AIRLIFT WOULD DEPART WITHIN HOURS. THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ANNOUNCED IT WAS OPENING AN ACCOUNT FOR PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE KOSOVO REFUGEES.

WHILE ORGANIZING RELIEF SHIPMENTS, GOVERNMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST ARE EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER THE NATO BOMBINGS IN YUGOSLAVIA AND CRITICISM OF THE REPORTED ATROCITIES BY SERBIAN FORCES AGAINST THE MUSLIM MINORITY IN KOSOVO.

JORDAN ON WEDNESDAY RECALLED ITS SENIOR DIPLOMAT IN BELGRADE AS KING ABDULLAH EXPRESSED GRAVE CONCERN AND CONDEMNATION OVER WHAT WERE TERMED THE CRIMES OF KILLING, DISPLACEMENT AND ETHNIC CLEANSING AGAINST THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE OF KOSOVO.

IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER WAS QUOTED BY THE COUNTRY'S OFFICIAL NEWS AGENCY AS SAYING IRAN AND ALL OTHER MUSLIM NATIONS ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED OVER THE MASSACRE AND DISPLACEMENT OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN MUSLIMS IN THE REGION. THE STATEMENT ADDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE SUFFERING WAS DUE TO THE NATO BOMBINGS, WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HALT THE HUMAN CATASTROPHE.

THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ CONDEMNED THE NATO AIR STRIKES IN YUGOSLAVIA AND URGED RUSSIA TO INTERVENE TO BREAK WHAT IT CALLED WESTERN AGGRESSION. A STATEMENT BY A SENIOR IRAQI OFFICIAL SAID YUGOSLAVIA'S FIRMNESS AGAINST THE STRIKES HAS SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD. IRAQ HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO EXTENSIVE AIR STRIKES BY U-S AND BRITISH FORCES SINCE IT SUSPENDED COOPERATION WITH A U-N DISARMAMENT PROGRAM.

SYMPATHY FOR THE PLIGHT OF THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS IS WIDESPREAD IN THE MIDDLE EAST, AND PEOPLE HERE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN THE SLOW RESPONSE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO THE VIOLENCE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA A FEW YEARS AGO. HOWEVER, THAT SYMPATHY IN SOME CASES IS MIXED WITH CONCERN OVER THE VIOLENT NATURE OF THE WESTERN RESPONSE IN YUGOSLAVIA AND THE EXCESSES ON THE PART OF SERBIAN FORCES THAT HAVE FOLLOWED IT.

THE GULF'S "AL-KHALEEJ" NEWSPAPER WEDNESDAY SAID THE AIR STRIKES WILL NOT DEFEAT THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT OR FORCE IT TO ACCEPT THE PEACE AGREEMENT PROPOSED IN FRANCE. QATAR'S "AL-SHARQ" NEWSPAPER, HOWEVER, CALLED THE ATTACKS AGAINST MUSLIMS IN KOSOVO THE MOST ABOMINABLE ETHNIC MASSACRE OF THE 20TH CENTURY. ABU DHABI'S "AL-BAYAN" NEWSPAPER SAID SENDING GROUND TROOPS TO KOSOVO HAS BECOME A NECESSITY AFTER THE MASSACRES AND ATROCITIES COMMITTED BY THE SERBS. IN EGYPT, THE PRO-GOVERNMENT "AL-AHRAM" AND "AL-GOUMHOURIA" NEWSPAPERS EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE NATO AIR STRIKES, BUT OPPOSITION NEWSPAPERS CRITICIZED THEM AS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WESTERN BULLYING TAKEN OUTSIDE THE AUTHORITY OF THE UNITED NATIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/PCF
31-Mar-99 11:33 AM EST (1633 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[23] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR AT THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL MADE PUBLIC WEDNESDAY THE INDICTMENT OF SERB PARAMILITARY LEADER, ZELJKO RAZNATOVIC, KNOWN AS ARKAN. LAUREN COMITEAU REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE WHERE PROSECUTORS HAVE PUBLICLY ISSUED A WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST.

TEXT: ARKAN WAS SECRETLY INDICTED A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. WHILE THE CONTENT OF THE INDICTMENT WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL UNTIL HE IS ARRESTED, HE HAS BECOME NOTORIOUS FOR ALLEGEDLY TERRORIZING NON-SERBS DURING THE WARS IN BOSNIA AND CROATIA.

IN AN UNPRECEDENTED MOVE, CHIEF PROSECUTOR, LOUISE ARBOUR, SAID SHE DECIDED TO MAKE THE INDICTMENT PUBLIC BECAUSE OF REPORTS THAT ARKAN IS NOW ACTIVE IN KOSOVO. WHILST SHE SAID SUCH PUBLIC DISCLOSURE MAY REDUCE THE CHANCES THAT HE WILL BE ARRESTED OUTSIDE YUGOSLAVIA, MS. ARBOUR STRESSED THAT THE TIME HAS COME TO SEND AN UNAMBIGUOUS SIGNAL TO ALL HIS ASSOCIATES.

IT WILL NEVERTHELESS SERVE TO PUT ON NOTICE THOSE WHO MIGHT BE INCLINED TO RETAIN HIS SERVICES OR TO OBEY HIS ORDERS THAT THEY TOO WILL BE TAINTED BY THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL.

INNOCENT ASSOCIATION, SAYS MS. ARBOUR, WILL NOT WORK AS A DEFENCE IF ARKAN'S MEN ARE EVER ON TRIAL IN THE HAGUE.

AS FOR YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, MS. ARBOUR WOULD NOT SAY IF HE HAS ALSO BEEN INDICTED. BUT SHE DID SAY IF THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT HE ORDERED ABUSES OR FAILED TO STOP THEM WHEN HE KNEW THEY WERE BEING COMMITTED, HE COULD ONE DAY BE HELD RESPONSIBLE.

MS. ARBOUR WROTE TO MR. MILOSEVIC LAST WEEK WARNING HIM OF HIS RESPONSIBILITIES TO PREVENT WAR CRIMES, BUT SHE SAID THE YUGOSLAV EMBASSY IN THE HAGUE REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE LETTER.

LOUISE ARBOUR SAID HER OFFICE WILL BE INVESTIGATING ANY CREDIBLE REPORTS OF WAR CRIMES, WHETHER THEY BE COMMITTED BY THE SERBS OR BY NATO. SO FAR SHE SAYS SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING CREDIBLE AGAINST NATO.

WHILE MANY POLITICAL AND NATO LEADERS HAVE BEEN USING THE WORLD GENOCIDE TO DESCRIBE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN KOSOVO, THIS COURT HAS TO PROVE IT. MS. ARBOUR SAYS SHE IS COUNTING ON THE CONTINUING SUPPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE ANY EVIDENCE OF ATROCITIES AND TO ARREST ALL WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS INCLUDING THE MORE THAN 25 STILL WANTED FOR WAR CRIMES IN BOSNIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/LC/PCF
31-Mar-99 7:52 AM EST (1252 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[24] NATO SUMMIT BY CAROL PINEAU (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NEXT MONTH THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION -- NATO WILL CELEBRATE ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY AT A SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON. AS WORLD LEADERS MEET TO MARK THE OCCASION, THEY WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSING DIFFICULT QUESTIONS ABOUT NATO'S FUTURE IN THE POST-COLD WAR ERA. CAROL PINEAU TAKES AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE ISSUES.

TEXT: THE QUESTIONS FACING NATO'S LEADERS ARE MANY AND VARIED. SHOULD MORE OF THE FORMER EASTERN BLOC COUNTRIES BE BROUGHT INTO THE NATO ALLIANCE? WHAT IS NATO'S STRATEGIC MISSION: TERRITORIAL DEFENSE OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC COUNTRIES OR PEACE KEEPING THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE REGION? DOES NATO ACTION REQUIRE A U-N SECURITY COUNCIL MANDATE?

HANS BINNENDIJK IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE OF NATIONAL STRATEGIC STUDIES AT THE NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY IN WASHINGTON. HE SAYS EUROPEAN MILITARY MIGHT WILL BE A MAJOR TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AT THE SUMMIT. HE SAYS THE UNITED STATES WANTS THE EUROPEANS TO BE MORE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN OPERATIONS AND TO ACQUIRE MORE SOPHISTICATED MILITARY HARDWARE, ESPECIALLY COMPUTERIZED WEAPONRY. BUT THE EUROPEANS ARE RELUCTANT TO PARTICIPATE IN OPERATIONS OUTSIDE THE NATO ALLIANCE TERRITORY.

THE UNITED STATES IS EAGER TO HAVE ITS ALLIES PICK UP A LARGER BURDEN, NOT ONLY IN EUROPE, BUT ALSO POSSIBLY IN PLACES AS FAR AWAY AS THE PERSIAN GULF. THE EUROPEANS HAVE COUNTERED WITH OBJECTIONS TO WHAT THEY CALL A GLOBAL NATO.

THE ALLIES WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF U-N MANDATES.

I DON'T THINK NATO CAN GET ITSELF INTO A POSITION WHERE IT REQUIRES A UNITED NATIONS MANDATE IN ORDER FOR IT TO ACT BECAUSE WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT CHINA OR RUSSIA OR BOTH HAVE A VETO OVER ANY NATO ACTION IN PLACES LIKE KOSOVO.

DAVID YOST, A PROFESSOR AND AUTHOR OF THE JUST-PUBLISHED BOOK, "NATO TRANSFORMED: THE ALLIANCE'S NEW ROLES IN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY," SAYS THE ISSUE OF U-N MANDATES IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. HE NOTES NATO'S CURRENT BOMBING IN KOSOVO HAS BEEN TAKEN WITHOUT U-N ENDORSEMENT AND THIS POSES A RISK THAT THE MISSION MAY ANTAGONIZE RUSSIA AND OTHER NATIONS OPPOSED TO THE OPERATION.

MR. YOST ADDS IF NATO IS NOT SUCCESSFUL, THERE COULD BE RECRIMINATIONS WITHIN THE ALLIANCE. NATO MEMBERS MAY SAY THE ALLIANCE SHOULD HAVE SOUGHT A MANDATE FROM THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IN ORDER TO HAVE GREATER LEGITIMACY AND POLITICAL COVER. HE SAYS THERE IS ALSO A LONG-TERM RISK.

NATO IN USING FORCE AGAINST A SOVEREIGN STATE WITHOUT A U-N SECURITY COUNCIL MANDATE IS SETTING AN EXAMPLE THAT COULD BE EXPLOITED BY RUSSIA, CHINA, INDIA, NIGERIA, AND OTHER MAJOR POWERS THAT COULD ASSERT "WE SEE AN OVERWHELMING HUMANITARIAN NECESSITY TO ACT, (AND) NATO USED THIS ARGUMENT TO ACT IN KOSOVO."

ANOTHER EXPERT, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR ANDREW PIERRE SUGGESTS THE OVERRIDING CONCERN AT THE SUMMIT WILL BE WHETHER NATO REMAINS A PRIMARILY DEFENSE ORGANIZATION FOR MEMBER NATIONS OR EXPANDS ITS ROLE AS IT HAS IN KOSOVO.

MR. PIERRE SAYS EVEN IF NATO IS SUCCESSFUL IN KOSOVO, IT MAY BE RELUCTANT TO BROADEN ITS CORE MISSION IN ORDER TO AVOID APPEAR TOO READY TO TAKE MILITARY ACTION.

BUT MR. BINNENDIJK SAYS IF THE KOSOVO MISSION FAILS, THERE WILL BE WHAT HE CALLS THE "SOMALIA EFFECT," REFERRING TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S RELUCTANCE IN THE EARLY 1990'S TO INTERVENE IN CONFLICTS FOLLOWING A FAILED MISSION IN SOMALIA.

MR. BINNENDIJK SAYS WHAT HAPPENS IN KOSOVO IN THE NEXT THREE WEEKS IS LIKELY TO IMPACT THE SUMMIT AND SOME OF THE DECISION THAT ARE TAKEN FOR NATO'S FUTURE. (SIGNED)
NEB/CP/JO
31-Mar-99 1:05 PM EST (1805 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[25] NORTHERN IRELAND (L- ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: IN NORTHERN IRELAND, CATHOLIC, AND PROTESTANT POLITICAL LEADERS ARE STILL TRYING TO THRASH OUT A COMPROMISE OVER WEAPONS DECOMMISSIONING. THE BRITISH AND IRISH PRIME MINISTERS RETURNED HOME AFTER SPENDING TWO-DAYS IN BELFAST TRYING TO PUSH THE NEGOTIATIONS FORWARD. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS THE TWO LEADERS LEFT OPEN THE POSSIBILITY THEY WILL GO BACK TO BELFAST LATER IN THE DAY IF NECESSARY.

TEXT: BEFORE LEAVING BELFAST, PRIME MINISTER BLAIR EXPRESSED SOME CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM A COMPROMISE COULD BE REACHED BEFORE THE FRIDAY DEADLINE FOR THE HAND-OVER OF HOME RULE POWERS. HE SAID HE AND IRISH PRIME MINISTER ARE READY TO RETURN TO THE NEGOTIATIONS IF NEEDED.

THE KEY STUMBLING BLOCK REMAINS THE ISSUE OF DISARMING PARAMILITARY GROUPS. NORTHERN IRELAND'S PROTESTANT FIRST MINISTER DAVID TRIMBLE TOLD REPORTERS IN BELFAST THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY MUST START HANDING OVER WEAPONS BEFORE ITS POLITICAL WING, SINN FEIN, IS ALLOWED TO TAKE UP TWO POSITIONS IN THE NEW CABINET.

SINN FEIN'S GERRY ADAMS INSISTS THE GOOD FRIDAY PEACE AGREEMENT HAS NO PRE-CONDITIONS FOR JOINING THE GOVERNMENT.

BRITAIN'S TOP OFFICIAL FOR NORTHERN IRELAND, MO MOWLAM, HAD TO POSTPONE THE TRANSFER OF HOME RULE POWERS EARLIER THIS MONTH BECAUSE THE DISPUTE WAS NOT RESOLVED. MS MOWLAM IS EXPECTED TO MAKE HER FINAL DECISION LATER IN THE DAY WHETHER TO TRANSFER POWERS TO NORTHERN IRELAND'S ASSEMBLY EVEN IF A NEW CABINET IS NOT NAMED BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

THE GOOD FRIDAY PEACE AGREEMENT ONE YEAR AGO ENDED THREE DECADES OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND.

EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE I-R-A ISSUED ITS TRADITIONAL EASTER MESSAGE REAFFIRMING ITS COMMITMENT TO THE CEASEFIRE. BUT THERE WAS NO MENTION OF ANY HANDOVER OF WEAPONS AS REQUIRED BY THE GOOD FRIDAY PEACE AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
31-Mar-99 11:28 AM EST (1628 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[26] EUROPEAN UNION / BURMA (L-ONLY) BY GERALDINE CARROLL (BANGKOK)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION SAYS IT HAS RESOLVED A TWO-YEAR DISPUTE WITH THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS, OVER BURMA. AS GERALDINE CARROLL REPORTS FROM BANGKOK, THE TWO SIDES HAVE REACHED A COMPROMISE ALLOWING BURMA TO BE PRESENT AT NEWLY-SCHEDULED TALKS IN MAY.

TEXT: THE E-U HAS PLEDGED CONTENTIOUS ISSUES -- INCLUDING BURMA'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD -- WILL NOT RUIN TIES WITH THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS.

TWO PREVIOUS MEETINGS BROKE DOWN AFTER SEVERAL E-U COUNTRIES -- WHICH ACCUSE BURMA OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES -- REFUSED TO ALLOW RANGOON TO PLAY A FULL ROLE AT THE JOINT COOPERATION COMMITTEE.

THE E-U PREVIOUSLY INSISTED BURMA WAS NOT ENTITLED TO JOIN THE MEETING, BECAUSE IT HAD NOT BEEN A SIGNATORY TO THE 1980 COOPERATION PROTOCOL BETWEEN ASEAN AND THE E-U. BURMA JOINED ASEAN, ALONG WITH LAOS, IN 1997.

SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE E-U, HERMANN ERATH -- THE GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO THAILAND -- SAYS THE TWO BLOCS HAVE REACHED A COMPROMISE TO RESUME DIALOGUE. HE SAYS THE COMPROMISE WILL ALLOW BURMA, ALSO KNOWN AS MYANMAR, TO PLAY WHAT THE E-U DESCRIBES AS A "PASSIVE ROLE" IN THE NEWLY-SCHEDULED TALKS, STARTING ON MAY 26TH IN BANGKOK.

MR. ERATH SAYS THE AGREEMENT -- WHICH ALLOWS THE BURMESE TO BE PRESENT BUT GIVES THEM NO VOICE -- PAVES THE WAY FOR PROGRESS.

THERE IS AGREEMENT AMONG ALL E-U COUNTRIES THAT WE SHOULD NOT MAKE THE COOPERATION OF THE E-U AND ASEAN HOSTAGE OF THE MYANMAR PROBLEM.

MR. ERATH WILL NOT TALK ABOUT THE SPECIFICS OF THE COMPROMISE DEAL, BUT SAYS THE E-U DECIDED IN FAVOR OF AN AGREEMENT BECAUSE SUBSTANTIAL POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC INTERESTS ARE AT STAKE.

HE SAYS BURMA'S REFUSAL TO ALLOW MICHAEL ARIS -- THE HUSBAND OF BURMESE OPPOSITION LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI -- TO VISIT HER BEFORE HIS DEATH LAST SATURDAY DID NOT HELP RELATIONS BETWEEN THE E-U AND BURMA.

IT CERTAINLY DID NOT HELP. HIS TREATMENT CONFIRMED ALL THOSE WHO THINK THAT THIS IS A PRETTY HOPELESS STATE OF AFFAIRS. AND IT CERTAINLY DIDN'T ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO THINK, OKAY, NOW LET'S TALK TO THESE PEOPLE. IT WAS A SAD MOMENT AND WAS CERTAINLY NOT HELPFUL.

SOME WESTERN NATIONS ACCUSE BURMA'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT OF SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES. SANCTIONS WERE IMPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE AFTER BURMA'S MILITARY LEADERS REFUSED TO TURN OVER POWER TO THE OPPOSITION NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY PARTY, WHICH WON A LANDSLIDE VICTORY IN ELECTIONS IN 1990. (SIGNED)
NEB / GC / GC / WD
31-Mar-99 6:55 AM EST (1155 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A VERY VOLATILE SESSION. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 97-HUNDRED-86, DOWN 127 POINTS ... OR MORE THAN ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 12-HUNDRED-86, DOWN 14 POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX LOST THREE-QUARTERS OF ONE PERCENT.

STOCK PRICES WERE EXTREMELY VOLATILE. THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE MOVED ABOVE THE 10-THOUSAND LEVEL EARLY IN THE SESSION BUT THEN MOVED DOWN AND UP IN A NARROW RANGE BEFORE A WAVE OF SELLING HIT LATE IN THE DAY. SOME ANALYSTS SAY THE FACT THAT MAJOR STOCK AVERAGES WERE NEGATIVE ON THE LAST DAY OF THE QUARTER COULD BE A NEGATIVE SIGN FOR THE NEAR-TERM FUTURE.

ART CASHIN OF THE PAINE WEBBER INVESTMENT COMPANY SAYS THE MILITARY ACTION IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA IS STARTING TO CAUSE SOME CONCERN ON WALL STREET.

I THINK THE EVENTS IN KOSOVO AND THAT THE RUSSIAN FLEET MAY BE MOVING ABOUT -- NOBODY BELIEVES AND CERTAINLY EVERYONE HOPES NO ILLWILL WILL COME OF IT -- BUT IT MAKES PEOPLE A LITTLE BIT RESTLESS AND A LITTLE BIT CAUTIOUS.

THE FINAL GOVERNMENT REPORT ON U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR SHOWS A SIX PERCENT ANNUAL RATE. THAT WAS REVISED DOWNWARD A FRACTION BUT STILL THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF GROWTH IN TWO AND ONE-HALF YEARS. BUT, IN A NEGATIVE REPORT, THE GOVERNMENT SAYS U-S FACTORY ORDERS DROPPED IN FEBRUARY AT THE SHARPEST RATE IN FOUR YEARS. ANALYSTS SAY WEAKNESS IN MANY INTERNATIONAL MARKETS CONTINUES TO DEPRESS U-S EXPORTS.

SHARES OF ALL U-S TOBACCO COMPANIES WERE WEAK AS A RESULT OF A JURY VERDICT AGAINST THE PHILIP MORRIS COMPANY WHICH AWARDED 80 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE FAMILY OF A MAN WHO DIED OF LUNG CANCER. IT WAS THE LARGEST DAMAGE AWARD EVER AGAINST A TOBACCO COMPANY IN AN INDIVIDUAL LAWSUIT. ALTHOUGH THE U-S TOBACCO INDUSTRY REACHED A SETTLEMENT WITH STATE GOVERNMENTS, INDIVIDUALS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SUE AND ANALYSTS SAY TOBACCO STOCKS REMAIN VERY RISKY.

SHARES OF THE NEW PEPSI-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY BEGAN TRADING FOR THE FIRST TIME ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE AND WERE MET WITH A LESS THAN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. THE STOCK FELL FROM ITS OFFERING PRICE. PEPSICO SPUN OFF ITS BOTTLING OPERATIONS TO RAISE CASH FOR DEBT REDUCTION.

THERE WAS A DIFFERENT RESULT FOR THE FIRST DAY OF TRADING FOR THE STOCK OF Z-D NET, WHICH IS THE ONLINE UNIT OF THE ZIFF-DAVIS PUBLISHING COMPANY. SHARES OF Z-D NET SOARED BY 81 PERCENT.

THE JUDGE IN THE U-S GOVERNMENT'S ANTI-MONOPOLY CASE AGAINST MICROSOFT SAYS THE TRIAL WILL NOT RESUME UNTIL MAY 10TH AT THE EARLIEST. JUDGE THOMAS JACKSON URGED BOTH SIDES TO USE THE NEXT FIVE WEEKS "WISELY," A COMMENT APPARENTLY MEANT TO ENCOURAGE CONTINUED SETTLEMENT TALKS.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF
31-Mar-99 5:32 PM EST (2232 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE NATO AIR WAR AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA'S LEADER, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, CONTINUES TO DOMINATE THE NATION'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS AND THE TONE BECOMES INCREASINGLY STRIDENT IN MANY HEADLINES. THE U-S PRESS IS URGING NATO TO KEEP BOMBING AND NOT EVEN CONSIDER THE TENTATIVE PEACE OFFER FROM THE YUGOSLAV SERBIAN LEADER.

OTHER EDITORIAL TOPICS INCLUDE: THE DOW JONES AVERAGE PASSING THE 10-THOUSAND MARK; A NEW, AND WIDE-SPREAD COMPUTER VIRUS; DEALING WITH NORTH KOREA; THE FUTURE OF CHILE'S GENERAL PINOCHET; AND THE BEGINNING OF PASSOVER. NOW, HERE IS _______________ WITH SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: YOU GET A SENSE OF HOW THE MAJORITY OF THE U-S PRESS FEELS ABOUT THE CURRENT BOMBING CAMPAIGN, AND THE WORSENING ETHNIC CLEANSING, IN KOSOVO PROVINCE FROM TODAY'S "[MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA] STAR TRIBUNE" HEADLINE. IT READS: "MILOSEVIC'S OFFER ... FORGET IT, AND KEEP THE BOMBS COMING." "THE TRIB" CONTINUES:

VOICE: ... PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC SAID TUESDAY THAT HE IS WILLING TO RE-ENTER PEACE TALKS IF NATO FIRST STOPS BOMBING. TO SWEETEN THE DEAL, HE WOULD ALSO 'START DECREASING THE PRESENCE OF [HIS] ...FORCES IN KOSOVO. APPARENTLY THE BUTCHER OF THE BALKANS SAID THIS WITH A STRAIGHT FACE, THOUGH IT IS DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE HOW. [MR.] MILOSEVIC'S SUGGESTION IS AKIN TO A MASS MURDERER PROMISING THAT HE WILL TAPER OFF [REDUCE] HIS KILLING IF THE POLICE GIVE UP THE HUNT. IT IS NUTTY. ... NATO, WITH THE SUPPORT OF ITS PUBLICS, NEEDS TO STAY THE COURSE AND INTENSIFY THE BOMBING UNTIL THE SERB FORCES ARE OBLITERATED, IF NEED BE.

TEXT: IN NEW YORK, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" CALLS "MR. MILOSEVIC'S DIPLOMATIC OFFER ... UNACCEPTABLE," WHILE "THE DAILY NEWS" ADDS:

VOICE: THE ALLIES HAVE TO KEEP UP THE PRESSURE UNTIL [MR.] MILOSEVIC ACCEDES TO THE FULL TERMS OF THE PROPOSED KOSOVO PEACE DEAL. ... IT IS NOT A PERFECT PEACE PLAN ... BUT IT IS A LOT BETTER THAN WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW.

TEXT: IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, "THE OREGONIAN" IS WORRIED ABOUT THE TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC-ALBANIAN REFUGEES, STREAMING OVER THE BORDERS OF KOSOVO PROVINCE INTO NEIGHBORING LANDS. ITS HEADLINE READS: "NATO NEEDS TO ADD RELIEF FOR THE REFUGEES TO ITS AERIAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE SERBIAN PERPETRATORS."

VOICE: THE CONTINUING 'ETHNIC CLEANSING' OF KOSOVO ALSO UNDERLINES WHY NATO WARPLANES MUST MAINTAIN, AND INCREASE, PRESSURE ON YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT ... MILOSEVIC AND THE THUGS HE LEADS TO ABANDON THIS DEADLY COURSE. HE IS RACING TO EMPTY KOSOVO OF ITS ALBANIAN MAJORITY BEFORE THE BOMBERS FORCE HIM TO YIELD. NATO SHOULD DO ITS UTMOST TO KEEP HIM FROM WINNING THAT RACE.

TEXT: AND LASTLY A NEW PROPOSAL TO DEAL WITH MR. MILOSEVIC FROM "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL."

VOICE: ONE OF THE REASONS IT IS SO HARD TO THINK CLEARLY ABOUT SOLUTIONS OR 'ENDGAMES' IN KOSOVO IS THAT WE HAVE ALLOWED SO MANY FALSE IDEAS ABOUT YUGOSLAVIA TO GO UNCHALLENGED. THE BIGGEST FALSE IDEA IMPEDING CLEAR THINKING RIGHT NOW IS THAT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS A NATIONAL LEADER WITH WHOM WESTERN GOVERNMENTS MUST NEGOTIATE LEGAL AGREEMENTS, SUCH AS A CEASE-FIRE. SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS A WAR CRIMINAL. HE IS A PETTY BALKAN THUG, A BULLY WHO SPECIALIZES IN MURDERING UNARMED MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN. THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT SHOULD CALL FOR THE INDICTMENT OF [MR.] MILOSEVIC AS A WAR CRIMINAL.

TEXT: TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD" HAS SOME THOUGHTS ON A BRAND NEW, AND FRUSTRATING COMPUTER VIRUS CALLED MELLISSA, WHICH HAS BADLY CLOGGED ELECTRONIC MAIL ON PERSONAL COMPUTERS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES THE PAST FEW DAYS.

VOICE: THE CREATOR OF THE ... VIRUS ... NEEDS TO BE TAUGHT A LESSON. SUBJECT: CRIME DOES NOT PAY. ... IN THE PAST, COMPUTER HACKERS OFTEN HAVE BEEN TREATED WITH KID GLOVES [LIGHTLY] WHEN CAUGHT. ... IN THE REAL WORLD, THEY ARE ... MORE AKIN TO GRAFFITI 'ARTISTS' WHO BEFOUL PUBLIC SPACES WITH CRUDE SCRAWLINGS. F-B-I INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE ... THEY CAN TRACK DOWN THE AUTHOR OF THE MELISSA VIRUS ... IF THEY [DO] ...THEY SHOULD THROW THE (LEGAL) BOOK [PROSECUTE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW] AT HIM/THEM. THIS IS A CRIME, NOT A GAME.

TEXT: MEANWHILE, BOSTON'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" WELCOMES THE PENDING REPORT ON U-S OPTIONS WITH NORTH KOREA, FROM FORMER DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY.

VOICE: ARRIVING AT A WORKABLE RELATIONSHIP WITH NORTH KOREA IS PROBLEMATIC, AT BEST. BUT WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE? ...DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS SHOULD GO HAND IN HAND WITH CONTINUED MILITARY VIGILANCE ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA. IF THE NORTH WAFFLES ON ITS INSPECTION AGREEMENT, THE BALANCE SHOULD SHIFT TO MILITARY ALERTNESS.

TEXT: ROUNDING OUT TODAY'S LOOK AT THE EDITORIALS, THERE IS ANOTHER COMMENT ON THE FUTURE OF FORMER CHILEAN DICTATOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET, NOW UNDER HOUSE ARREST IN ENGLAND FOR ALLEGED CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY DURING HIS 17-YEAR REIGN IN SANTIAGO. "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" SEES HYPOCRISY WITH LAST WEEK'S DECISION BY THE HOUSE OF LORDS THAT MR. PINOCHET CAN BE EXTRADITED TO SPAIN FOR AT LEAST SOME OF THE ALLEGED CRIMES.

VOICE: THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CAN NOT ALLOW MR. PINOCHET TO BE EXTRADICTED WHILE WE NEGOTIATE AND CAJOLE WITH SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, YUGOSLAVIA'S GENOCIDAL LEADER: INTERNATIONAL LAW REMAINS ... AMBIGUOUS AND MURKY ...

TEXT: CONSIDERING LATIN AMERICAN AFFAIRS, THERE IS PRAISE FROM "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" FOR THE BRAVE YOUNG PEOPLE OF PARAGUAY WHO HELPED TO FORCE EX-PRESIDENT CUBAS FROM THE NATION AFTER THE SLAYING OF THE VICE PRESIDENT WHO OPPOSED HIM.

VOICE: SINCE PARAGUAY WON ITS INDEPENDENCE FROM SPAIN IN 1811, IT HAS MOVED FROM ONE DICTATOR TO THE NEXT, AND EACH HAS RANSACKED THE NATION. ... IF THERE IS HOPE FOR DEMOCRACY IN PARAGUAY, IT WILL COME FROM THE YOUNG PEOPLE. IT IS THEY WHO DEMONSTRATED AGAINST UNDEMOCRATIC RULE AND, IN THE END, WERE A FORCE IN SENDING ... GENERAL LINO OVIEDO [A FORMER MILITARY ATTEMPTED-COUP LEADER] ... AND HIS PUPPET PRESIDENT INTO EXILE.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, "THE NEW YORK POST" SALUTES THE BEGINNING OF THE FESTIVAL OF PASSOVER, WHICH COMMEMORATES THE SUCCESS OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE FROM THEIR 400-YEARS OF SLAVERY IN EGYPT.

VOICE: PASSOVER IS A REMARKABLE TESTAMENT TO JEWISH CONTINUITY AND COMMITMENT -- CAPTURED BEST BY THE WORDS OF THE ... TEXT OF THE SEDER, WHICH COMMANDS THAT 'IN EVERY GENERATION, EACH PERSON IS OBLIGATED TO FEEL AS THOUGH HE, TOO, WENT FORTH FROM EGYPT.' AT A TIME WHEN THE WORLD WORSHIPS AT THE FALSE ALTAR OF NOVELTY AND TURNS AWAY FROM TRADITION, THIS ANCIENT COMMEMORATION IS ESPECIALLY NOTEWORTHY -- AND ESPECIALLY MOVING.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM WEDNESDAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
31-Mar-99 12:24 PM EST (1724 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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