Voice of America, 99-04-03

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA / REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (KUKES, ALBANIA)

[02] MACEDONIA / KOSOVO REFUGEES BY NICK SIMEONE (SKOPJE)

[03] MACEDONIA/REFUGEES (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (SKOPJE)

[04] NATO-KOSOVO (L) -- CQ BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[05] NATO/KOSOVO (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[06] NATO-KOSOVO PEACE (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[07] BELGRADE ATTACK (L) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

[08] BELGRADE ATTACK (S-UPDATE) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

[09] NATO ATTACK / SATURDAY (L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[10] RUSSIA/KOSOVO (L-O) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[11] GORE / KOSOVO (S/L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[12] U-S / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

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

[14] KOSOVO / RWANDA REACT BY CAROL PINEAU (WASHINGTON)

[01] ALBANIA / REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (KUKES, ALBANIA)

INTRO: THERE ARE NEW PLEAS FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR KOSOVO REFUGEES AS THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT AND AID ORGANIZATIONS WORK TO AVERT A MAJOR HUMANITARIAN CRISIS. TIM BELAY IS IN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF KUKES IN ALBANIA, WHERE 55-THOUSAND KOSOVAR REFUGEES HAVE ARRIVED IN THE LAST TWO DAYS.

TEXT: BORDER MONITORS NOW SAY ONE-HUNDRED-55-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE ENTERED ALBANIA FROM KOSOVO OVER THE PAST TEN DAYS. THE INFLUX HAS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO MOVE ENOUGH PEOPLE OUT OF KUKES. OWEN O'SULLIVAN IS CHIEF OF THE LOCAL OFFICE OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (O-S-C-E). HE SAYS THE ENTIRE SITUATION IS EVEN MORE SERIOUS.

MR. O'SULLIVAN SAYS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REFUGEES MAY EXCEED 500-THOUSAND. HE ALSO SAYS FORMER RESIDENTS OF MALISHEVO ARRIVED HERE EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. THE TOWN, SAYS MR. O'SULLIVAN, HAS SERVED AS A CENTER OF OPERATIONS FOR THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY.

THEY (TOWN RESIDENTS) WERE IN PRETTY BAD CONDITION. THEY HAD BEEN OUT OF THEIR HOUSES FOR OVER A WEEK, FIRST OF ALL IN THE WOODS, OR IN THE HILLS, AND THEN THEY WALKED FIFTY, SIXTY, OR SEVENTY KILOMETERS, AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT CAME IN WERE IN VERY BAD CONDITION.

ALBANIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ILIR META HAS BEEN HERE IN KUKES MOST OF THIS WEEK AND HAS LED THE CHORUS OF PLEAS FOR A MORE RAPID RESPONSE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. MR META SAYS THE SITUATION SPUN OUT OF CONTROL ON THURSDAY MORNING.

BUT NOW THE FLOW OF REFUGEES (IS) ARE GOING UP IN AN INCREDIBLE WAY, AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE NOW TO MANAGE THE SITUATION. AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE ASSISTANCE, INTERNATIONAL AND INTERNAL, WHICH IS COMING HERE, IS COMING VERY SLOWLY, AND THE FLOWS (OF REFUGEES) ARE COMING VERY QUICKLY.

DOZENS OF MUCH-NEEDED BUSES AND TRUCKS BEGAN ARRIVING IN KUKES LATE FRIDAY AND CONTINUED TO STREAM INTO THE TOWN THROUGHOUT THE DAY SATURDAY. BUT THE O-S-C-E SAYS THE TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM REMAINS CRITICAL. MIRADIE MAQEDONCI SAYS SHE CAME FROM PRISTINA WITH HER HUSBAND AND TWO CHILDREN.

WE COME WITH BUS...HERE...AND WE WALK A ROAD TEN KILOMETERS WITH CHILDREN. WE NOT HAVE FOOD, WATER, NOTHING AND WE ARE VERY TIRED.

MRS. MAQEDONCI AND HER FAMILY WAITED 24 HOURS AND SPENT ONE NIGHT OUT OF DOORS BEFORE BOARDING A MINI-BUS OUT OF TOWN, A DELAY WHICH MAY SEEM SHORT BY COMPARISON IF THE NUMBERS GROW AS EXPECTED. AMBASSADOR DON EVERTS, HEAD OF O-S-C-E OPERATIONS IN ALBANIA, WAS ALSO IN KUKES FRIDAY. MR. EVERTS CALLS THIS WEEK'S DEVELOPMENTS VERY DISTURBING, PARTLY BECAUSE THEY ARE MUCH WORSE THAN ANTICIPATED.

DEPENDING ON THE RESPONSE, IT SHOULD BE MANAGEABLE, BUT WHAT IS NEEDED IS A REAL STEPPED UP EFFORT TO GET TRANSPORTATION HERE, BECAUSE THAT'S THE BIG PROBLEM -- TO MOVE PEOPLE ONWARDS, AND LESSEN THE CONGESTION, AND TO ACCOMMODATE THEM IN CAMPSITES, TENTS, AND BRING THEM THE FOOD AND THE WATER AND THE MEDICINE.

AMBASSADOR EVERTS SAYS WHILE THE SITUATION SHOULD BE MANAGEABLE, ON FRIDAY IT LOOKED MORE LIKE A CASE OF TOO LITTLE TOO LATE. (SIGNED)
NEB/TB/GE
03-Apr-99 12:28 PM EST (1728 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] MACEDONIA / KOSOVO REFUGEES BY NICK SIMEONE (SKOPJE)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS IS APPEALING FOR 70-MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP RESETTLE REFUGEES AS ONE OUT OF THREE OF KOSOVO'S TWO MILLION RESIDENTS HAS BEEN FORCED FROM THEIR HOMES BECAUSE OF THE CONFLICT IN THE SERB PROVINCE. THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS IT IS NOW BEING OVERWHELMED WITH ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES IN MACEDONIA, ALBANIA AND MONTENEGRO. THE U-N SAYS A TOTAL OF 230-THOUSAND REFUGEES HAVE FLED KOSOVO IN THE PAST NINE DAYS ALONE. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS FROM SKOPJE, MACEDONIA.

TEXT: THE BORDER AREA BETWEEN KOSOVO AND MACEDONIA HAS BECOME A TEMPORARY CAMP FOR REFUGEES TURNING A VALLEY INTO A SEA OF PEOPLE LACKING FOOD, SHELTER, AND HEALTH CARE.

THOUSANDS MORE ARE REPORTED TO BE HEADING FOR THE BORDER EITHER BEING HERDED INTO TRAINS BY SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO OR MAKING THE JOURNEY ON FOOT THROUGH RUGGED MOUNTAINS.

THE WORSENING SITUATION IS TESTING THE LIMITS OF THE MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT WHICH IS ACCUSING OTHER COUNTRIES OF DOING LITTLE TO HELP IT COPE WITH THE LARGEST EXODUS OF PEOPLE IN EUROPE SINCE THE END OF WORLD WAR TWO.

AID GROUPS, AS WELL, DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO HANDLE WHAT MACEDONIA SAYS HAS GONE FROM A TRICKLE OF REFUGEES TO A STAMPEDE. WITH MORE AND MORE ETHNIC ALBANIANS NOW STUCK AT THE BORDER IN COLD RAINY WHETHER THERE ARE FEARS THAT THOSE WHO SURVIVE THE JOURNEY OUT OF KOSOVO MAY NOT MAKE IT MUCH FURTHER. (SIGNED)
NEB/NS/DJ/PLM
03-Apr-99 3:51 AM EST (0851 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] MACEDONIA/REFUGEES (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (SKOPJE)

INTRO: MACEDONIA HAS BEEN FORCED TO CLOSE ITS BORDER WITH KOSOVO TO ALL FURTHER REFUGEES UNLESS NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES AGREE TO ACCEPT THEM. BUT V-O-A'S NICK SIMEONE REPORTS FROM SKOPJE THAT MORE CIVILIANS FLEEING TERROR IN THE SERB PROVINCE ARE WAITING AT THE BORDER TO BE LET IN AND IT'S UNCLEAR WHETHER THEY WILL BE ACCEPTED OR TURNED AWAY.

TEXT: MACEDONIA IS AT ITS LIMITS. TEN DAYS AFTER NATO AIRSTRIKES TRIGGERED A MASS DEPORTATION OF KOSOVAR ALBANIANS, SO MANY HAVE NOW FLED HERE THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS BEING FORCED TO BREAK ITS PROMISE TO KEEP THE KOSOVO FRONTIER OPEN TO EVERYONE.

MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS PAVLE TRAJANOV SPOKE TO REPORTERS THROUGH A TRANSLATOR.

THE BORDER CROSSINGS ARE NOT CLOSED. HOWEVER, ONLY THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES WHICH WILL BE TRANSPORTED TO OTHER COUNTRIES WILLING TO ACCEPT THEM WILL BE ALLOWED ENTRY. WE CAN HAVE AIR TRANSPORTATION FOR SUCH REFUGEES AND WE ARE WAITING FOR A SIGNAL FROM GREECE, TURKEY, BULGARIA. . . IN TERMS OF THEIR ACCEPTING REFUGEES.

MACEDONIA SAYS AT LEAST 50-THOUSAND ADDITIONAL KOSOVO ALBANIANS ARE NOW AT ITS BORDER WAITING TO CROSS -- AND THOUSANDS MORE HAVE BEEN REPORTED HEADING HERE.

THE GOVERNMENT SAYS THE CAPACITY OF LOCAL FAMILIES TO ABSORB MORE REFUGEES HAS BEEN EXHAUSTED. BUT IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE HOW MORE THAN A HANDFUL OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARRIVING HERE WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE THEIR OWN ARRANGEMENTS TO BE ACCEPTED IN A THIRD COUNTRY.

SEVERAL REFUGEE CENTERS HAVE BEEN SET UP TO HANDLE ABOUT 10-THOUSAND KOSOVARS AND THE MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT IS RELYING ON NATO TROOPS STATIONED IN THE COUNTRY TO HELP ASSEMBLE SUPPLIES OF EMERGENCY AID.

I AM AWARE THAT MANY EUROPEAN NATIONS ARE ABOUT TO START AN AIRLIFT WITH SHELTER, FOOD AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS AND, INDEED, I THINK AIRCRAFT ARE ALREADY LANDING BOTH HERE IN SKOPJE AND THSELONIKI IN GREECE. WHAT I KNOW IS THAT THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN GREAT DIFFICULTY. I'M NOT VERY INTERESTED IN WHETHER IT'S FIFTY OR SIXTY THOUSAND. ONE PERSON IN THAT SORT OF CONDITION IS ENOUGH TO HELP.

WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD AND RAIN AT THE BORDER, THE MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT IS CRITICIZING ITS NEIGHBORS AND THE UNITED NATIONS. BOTH IT SAYS, HAVE FAILED TO RESPOND AS THEY SHOULD TO WHAT IT CALLS A FULL-BLOWN HUMANITARIAN DISASTER. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/GE
03-Apr-99 12:59 PM EST (1759 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[04] NATO-KOSOVO (L) -- CQ BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO IS ORDERING ITS TROOPS IN MACEDONIA -- AND IS ALSO ARRANGING A RELIEF FORCE FOR ALBANIA -- TO HELP THOSE COUNTRIES DEAL WITH THE FLOOD OF REFUGEES FROM THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. AS V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS, THIS IS NOT A HAPPY ANNIVERSARY FOR THE MILITARY ALLIANCE.

TEXT: NATO MAY BE HOLDING ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN WASHINGTON LATER THIS MONTH, BUT THE ALLIANCE ACTUALLY TURNS 50 ON SUNDAY. THERE IS NO CELEBRATION. NATO AIR ATTACKS CONTINUE AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, EVEN AGAINST MINISTRY BUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN BELGRADE.

ACCORDING TO NATO, YUGOSLAVIA IS EXPELLING ALBANIANS AT A RATE THAT WILL EMPTY THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO OF ITS MAJORITY POPULATION IN THE NEXT 10 TO 20 DAYS. SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA CALLS IT A "DEMOGRAPHIC EARTHQUAKE."

THE EARTHQUAKE IS SHAKING ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA ON THE BORDERS OF KOSOVO. NATO ESTIMATES 290 THOUSAND ALBANIANS HAVE BEEN EXPELLED BY SERB SECURITY FORCES IN THE LAST 10 DAYS, MOST OF THEM TOWARD THOSE TWO COUNTRIES.

MACEDONIA SAYS IT CANNOT ABSORB ANY MORE REFUGEES. NATO HAS ORDERED THE COMMANDER OF ITS PEACEKEEPING FORCES THERE TO USE HIS TROOPS IN ANY WAY HE CHOOSES TO HELP THE REFUGEES. HE'S ALREADY REQUESTED A MILLION READY-TO-EAT MEALS, 200 THOUSAND LITERS OF WATER AND 187 THOUSAND BLANKETS.

NATO AMBASSADORS HAVE ORDERED MILITARY HELP FOR ALBANIA AS WELL. GENERAL WESLEY CLARK, NATO'S MILITARY COMMANDER, IS REQUESTING SIX TO EIGHT THOUSAND TROOPS TO HELP THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT DEAL WITH REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO.

THE AMBASSADORS WANT TO SEND HELICOPTERS THAT WILL SHUTTLE RELIEF SUPPLIES TO THE REFUGEES IN KUKES, NORTHERN ALBANIA, AND THEN BRING SOME OF THE REFUGEES BACK WITH THE HELICOPTERS TO SOUTHERN ALBANIA TO EASE THE PRESSURE FROM THE NORTH.

SPOKESMAN SHEA SAYS NATO WANTS TO HELP ITS PARTNERS IN TROUBLE.

THE TASK OF NATO MILITARY HELP IN BOTH THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA COULD INCLUDE THE ASSISTANCE WITH TRANSPORT AND TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES DIRECTLY TO THE REFUGEES, THE CONSTRUCTION OF REFUGEE CAMPS, THE MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION OF THE NATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF ALLIES AND AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL AND AIRPORT AND PORT LOGISTICS TO ENSURE THE RAPID UNLOADING AND THROUGH-PUT (I.E. MOVEMENT) OF AID SUPPLIES DIRECTLY TO THOSE THAT OBVIOUSLY NEED THEM.

NATO'S OTHER TASK HAS BEEN TRYING TO CRIPPLE THE YUGOSLAV MILITARY EFFORT TO DRIVE THE REFUGEES OUT. THE HEAVY CLOUD COVER HAS PREVENTED NATO AIRCRAFT FROM SLOWING DOWN THE EXPULSION DRIVE.

YES, WE CAN DEMONSTRATE THAT WE CAN HIT RIGHT INTO THE HEARTLAND AND WE ARE PREPARED TO HIT INTO THE HEARTLAND AND TO GO ON HITTING RIGHT INTO THE HEARTLAND WHERE IT'S GOING TO HURT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. AS TO TARGETING PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HIMSELF, THAT IS NOT THE BUSINESS THAT WE'RE INTO.

NATO IS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S POSSIBLE INTENTION TO OVERTHROW THE DEMOCRATICALLY-ELECTED GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO, SERBIA'S SISTER REPUBLIC IN THE YUGOSLAV FEDERATION.

EARLIER IN THE WEEK, YUGOSLAVIA REPLACED ITS MILITARY COMMANDERS IN MONTENEGRO. NATO SAYS IT WILL REACT STRONGLY TO ANY THREAT AGAINST MILO DJUKANOVIC, MONTENEGRO'S PRESIDENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/ALW/GE
03-Apr-99 12:24 PM EST (1724 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[05] NATO/KOSOVO (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: : NATO SAYS YUGOSLAVIA COULD EMPTY THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO OF ITS ALBANIAN POPULATION WITHIN THE NEXT 10 TO 20 DAYS. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS THAT NATO IS PREPARING TO HELP ALBANIA DEAL WITH THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES POURING INTO THAT COUNTRY.

TEXT: NATO AMBASSADORS HAVE ORDERED A FORWARD HEADQUARTERS TO BE SET UP IN ALBANIA TO PROVIDE DIRECT MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO THAT GOVERNMENT. NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS THE AMBASSADORS WANT TO SEND HELICOPTERS TO SHUTTLE IN RELIEF SUPPLIES TO THE REFUGEES IN NORTHERN ALBANIA AND TO SHUTTLE BACK REFUGEES AWAY FROM THE BORDER.

SINCE NATO MILITARY ACTION BEGAN 10 DAYS AGO, 290 THOUSAND ALBANIANS HAVE BEEN EXPELLED FROM KOSOVO, MORE THAN HALF OF THEM TOWARD ALBANIA. SPOKESMAN SHEA CALCULATES THE YUGOSLAVS WILL EMPTY KOSOVO OF ITS ALBANIAN POPULATION.

AT THIS RATE, THE SERB SECURITY FORCES WOULD HAVE MORE OR LESS EMPTIED KOSOVO IN BETWEEN 10 TO 20 DAYS FROM NOW.

NATO HOPES THE WEATHER WILL IMPROVE TO ALLOW MORE SUSTAINED ATTACKS ON THE YUGOSLAV TROOPS FORCING THE EXPULSION OF THE ALBANIANS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/ALW/GE
03-Apr-99 10:30 AM EST (1530 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] NATO-KOSOVO PEACE (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO HAS STIFFENED ITS CONDITIONS FOR A PEACE ARRANGEMENT WITH YUGOSLAVIA ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS.

TEXT: NATO HAS CLARIFIED THE POLITICAL CONDITIONS THAT IT WILL INSIST ON BEFORE STOPPING ITS MILITARY ACTION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS NATO WANTS A MULTI-ETHNIC, DEMOCRATIC KOSOVO WHERE EVERYONE LIVES IN SECURITY.

TO THIS END, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA MUST STOP ALL REPRESSIVE AND COMBAT ACTIVITY AND WITHDRAW ITS FORCES FROM KOSOVO AND ACCEPT ARRANGEMENTS IN WHICH ALL REFUGEES CAN RETURN SAFELY TO KOSOVO UNDER THE PROTECTION OF AN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY FORCE.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME NATO HAS REQUIRED ALL YUGOSLAV FORCES TO LEAVE KOSOVO AND FOR YUGOSLAVIA TO ACCEPT FOREIGN PEACEKEEPERS WITHOUT A SIGNATURE ON A PEACE AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/GE
03-Apr-99 12:45 PM EST (1745 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] BELGRADE ATTACK (L) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

INTRO: NATO HAS FIRED MISSILES INTO DOWNTOWN BELGRADE, IN THE FIRST STRIKE AT THE HEART OF THE YUGOSLAV CAPITAL SINCE THE AIR WAR BEGAN JUST OVER A WEEK AGO. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS, THE ATTACK IS PART OF AN INTENSIFYING ALLIED EFFORT TO TURN THE TIDE OF THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO PROVINCE.

TEXT: WITNESSES SAY HUGE EXPLOSIONS WERE HEARD IN THE EARLY- MORNING HOURS (SATURDAY), AS A BARRAGE OF SEA-LAUNCHED CRUISE MISSILES SLAMMED INTO THE CITY. REPORTS FROM THE SCENE SHOWED FIRES BURNING OUT OF CONTROL AND BUILDINGS BADLY DAMAGED.

PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS THE STRIKE WAS AIMED AT A COMPLEX OF BUILDINGS WITH MULTIPLE AIMING POINTS INSIDE. THAT COMPLEX HOUSES INTERIOR MINISTRIES FOR BOTH YUGOSLAVIA AND SERBIA. MR. BACON SAYS THESE TARGETS PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC USES TO CONTROL THE FORCES RESPONSIBLE FOR ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO. UNTIL NOW, THE ALLIES HAVE SPARED THE CENTER OF BELGRADE. BUT THEY FACE MOUNTING CRITICISM AND A MAJOR REFUGEE CRISIS BECAUSE DAYS OF AIR RAIDS HAVE FAILED TO HALT THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO.

BESIDES BROADENING THE TARGET LIST, THE PENTAGON IS BRINGING IN MORE FIREPOWER. THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER U-S-S THEODORE ROOSEVELT AND ITS ESCORT SHIPS ARE EXPECTED TO JOIN THE STRIKE FORCE IN A FEW DAYS. MR. BACON SAYS THIS WILL GIVE NATO MORE FLEXIBILITY IN CARRYING OUT THE MISSION.

IT WOULD GIVE US NEW PLANES, ADDITIONAL PLANES, TO HELP DO THE JOB THAT WE'RE DOING, WHICH IS TO CONTINUE WITH OUR SYSTEMATIC, DAY AND NIGHT ATTACKS DESIGNED TO CHOKE OFF THE SERB MILITARY.

THE WEATHER, WHICH HAS PLAGUED THE OPERATION THROUGHOUT, REMAINS A PROBLEM. OFFICIALS SAY IT FORCED THEM TO POSTPONE OTHER STRIKES WHICH WERE PLANNED FOR FRIDAY NIGHT. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/JO
02-Apr-99 8:17 PM EST (0117 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[08] BELGRADE ATTACK (S-UPDATE) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

INTRO: FOR THE FIRST TIME, NATO HAS TAKEN THE YUGOSLAV AIR WAR INTO THE HEART OF THE CAPITAL, BELGRADE. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON ON FRIDAY NIGHT'S MISSILE STRIKE.

TEXT: DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY THE SEA-LAUNCHED CRUISE MISSILES WERE AIMED AT THE INTERIOR MINISTRY COMPLEX IN DOWNTOWN BELGRADE. A SPOKESMAN (KEN BACON) SAYS THE TARGETS ARE THOSE USED BY PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO CONTROL THE FORCES RESPONSIBLE FOR ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO.

THE ALLIES HAD WARNED REPEATEDLY THE CITY WOULD NOT BE OFF LIMITS AS THEY SOUGHT TO PRESSURE MR. MILOSEVIC TO PULL BACK HIS TROOPS. BUT SO FAR, THE AIR STRIKES HAVE FAILED TO STOP THE VIOLENCE. NATO IS ALSO FACING A FAST-GROWING REFUGEE CRISIS, AS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DISPLACED ETHNIC ALBANIANS STREAM ACROSS KOSOVO'S BORDERS. FOR NOW, NATO SEEMS DETERMINED TO STEP UP THE CAMPAIGN, WHILE NOT COMMITTING GROUND TROOPS. TO BOLSTER THE AIR FORCE, A U-S AIRCRAFT CARRIER AND MISSILE-EQUIPPED ESCORT SHIPS ARE EXPECTED IN THE REGION SOON.(SIGNED)
NEB/DS/JO
02-Apr-99 8:42 PM EST (0142 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[09] NATO ATTACK / SATURDAY (L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: NATO AIRSTRIKES REPORTEDLY HAVE DESTROYED AT LEAST TWO MAJOR BRIDGES OVER THE DANUBE IN NORTHERN SERBIA. IT IS THE 11TH STRAIGHT NIGHT OF ATTACKS AGAINST SERB TARGETS IN YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: THE FIRST REPORTED AIRSTRIKE SATURDAY NIGHT WRECKED A BRIDGE ACROSS THE DANUBE IN NOVI SAD -- SERBIA'S SECOND LARGEST CITY. TELEVISON PICTURES OF THE BRIDGE SHOW A LARGE GAP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SPAN.

SERB-TV SAYS THE OTHER BRIDGE HIT WAS FARTHER WEST -- AT THE TOWN OF BACKA PALANKA (BATCH-KA PALANKA) -- LINKING SERBIA AND CROATIA.

THE ATTACKS CAME AMID REPORTS OF LARGE NUMBERS OF AIRCRAFT TAKING OFF FROM THE LARGE NATO AIRBASE AT AVIANO, ITALY.

EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE WASHINGTON POST (NEWSPAPER) REPORTED THAT NATO OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON AND EUROPE WERE DISCUSSING THE POSSIBILITY OF SENDING TROOPS TO FIGHT IN KOSOVO. AND NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA HEIGHTENED CONCERN BY SAYING AN ALLIANCE-LED PROTECTION FORCE COULD BE SENT INTO KOSOVO TO RETURN ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES TO THEIR HOMES.

THAT PROMPTED NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA TO TELL REPORTERS AT A HASTILY CALLED NEWS CONFERENCE IN BRUSSELS THAT THE SECRETARY-GENERAL WAS EXPRESSING HIS PERSONAL VIEW -- NOT A MAJOR CHANGE IN ALLIANCE POLICY.

AND IN WASHINGTON, PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON INSISTED THERE ARE NO PLANS TO USE TROOPS FOR COMBA -- ONLY FOR PEACEKEPING. HE SAYS NATO'S UNCHANGED GOAL IS TO STOP THE SERB OFFENSIVE, GET YUGOSLAV TROOPS OUT OF THE PROVINCE, ESTABLISH AUTONOMY FOR ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND GET A NATO-LED FORCE INTO KOSOVO TO ENFORCE A PEACE AGREEMENT.

MR. BACON SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC MADE THE PEACEKEEPERS NECESSARY WHEN HE LAUNCHED THE CURRENT OFFENSIVE THAT HAS FORCED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO FLEE FOR THEIR LIVES TO NEIGHBORING NATIONS.

I THINK IT'S UNREALISTIC TO THINK THAT ANY REFUGEES, AFTER WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH, THE KILLING, THE PILLAGING, AND THE MURDER AND THE BRUTALITY, WOULD RETURN AGAIN TO KOSOVO WITHOUT THIS ASSURANCE.

NATO OFICIALS SAY 290-THOUSAND REFUGEES HAVE FLED KOSOVO, AND ANOTHER 300-THOUSAND DISPLACED PEOPLE ARE MAKING THEIR WAY TO THE BORDER.

PRESIDENT CLINTON REFERRED TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS IN HIS WEEKLY RADIO ADDRESS AND WARNED THAT MR. MILOSEVIC WILL PAY A VERY HIGH PRICE FOR HIS ACTIONS. MEANWHILE, NATO ANNOUNCED PLANS TO SEND SIX- TO EIGHT-THOUSAND TROOPS TO ALBANIA TO ORGANIZE RELIEF EFFORTS FOR THE REFUGEES. ANOTHER 12-THOUSAND NATO SOLDIERS ARE ALREADY STATIONED IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA, WHERE THEY ARE ALSO ASSISTING RELIEF EFFORTS.

THE FIRST LARGE PLANELOAD OF U-S MILITARY RELIEF SUPPLIES TOOK OFF FROM A U-S BASE SATURDAY, AND MANY MORE SHIPMENTS OF FOOD AND EQUIPMENT ARE PLANNED FROM THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER NATO NATIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/RRM
03-Apr-99 4:53 PM EST (2153 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[10] RUSSIA/KOSOVO (L-O) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA HAS DENOUNCED NATO AIR STRIKES ON BELGRADE AND ACCUSED THE ALLIANCE OF MOUNTING A WAR OF DESTRUCTION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S PETER HEINLEIN IN MOSCOW REPORTS SENIOR OFFICIALS ARE PONDERING FURTHER MOVES TO ASSIST THE SERBS AS A RUSSIAN RECONNAISSANCE SHIP SAILS FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN.

TEXT: A FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT SATURDAY CALLS THE BOMBINGS IN CENTRAL BELGRADE A "BARBAROUS ACT," NOTING THE TARGETS WERE NEAR A HOSPITAL, A KINDERGARTEN AND THE RUSSIAN EMBASSY. THE STATEMENT SAY IT IS FORTUNATE NO STAFF MEMBERS WERE INJURED.

AN EARLIER NEWS RELEASE SAYS UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS BEEN INFORMED OF RUSSIA'S INTENTION TO SEND 16-HUNDRED TONS OF HUMANITARIAN AID TO YUGOSLAVIA. MOSCOW MAYOR YURI LUZHKOV TELLS REPORTERS THE FIRST PLANELOAD OF CARGO WILL FLY TO BELGRADE TUESDAY.

RUSSIA ITSELF IS RECEIVING FOOD AID FROM THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. BUT DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER GENNADY KULIK SAYS NONE OF THAT AID WILL BE DIVERTED TO YUGOSLAVIA.

PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV MET SENIOR DEFENSE AND INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS SATURDAY TO DISCUSS EVENTS IN YUGOSLAVIA. MR. PRIMAKOV ALSO SPOKE BY TELEPHONE WITH KOFI ANNAN. A SPOKESMAN SAYS MR. ANNAN INITIATED THE CALL, BUT GAVE NO FURTHER DETAILS.

THE CALL CAME AS A RUSSIAN RECONNAISSANCE SHIP MOVED TOWARD THE MEDITERRANEAN TO KEEP AN EYE ON NATO FORCES INVOLVED IN STRIKES ON YUGOSLAVIA. MILITARY ANALYSTS SAY INTELLIGENCE THE SHIP GATHERS COULD BE A GREAT HELP TO SERB FORCES IN DEFENDING AGAINST AIR ATTACKS, BUT OFFICIALS HERE SAY THE INFORMATION WILL NOT BE PASSED ON TO BELGRADE.

RUSSIANS AND SERBS ARE TRADITIONAL ALLIES, AND MOSCOW HAS KEPT UP A STEADY STREAM OF ANTI-NATO RHETORIC DURING THE BOMBING CAMPAIGN, INCLUDING FREEZING RELATIONS WITH THE ALLIANCE. BUT RUSSIAN OFFICIALS HAVE MADE CLEAR THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF TAKING ACTION THAT COULD DRAW THEM INTO A BALKAN WAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/PH/ALW/GE
03-Apr-99 9:03 AM EST (1403 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[11] GORE / KOSOVO (S/L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: U-S VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS ONLY BEGINNING TO FEEL THE EFFECTS OF THE NATO AIR OFFENSIVE AGAINST SERB FORCES. HE SPOKE AS NATO ATTACKS WERE UNDERWAY AGAINST SECURITY TARGETS IN BELGRADE ITSELF. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. GORE HAS NOT HAD A HIGH-PROFILE ROLE IN THE ADMINISTRATION'S PUBLIC CAMPAIGN ON KOSOVO. BUT HIS COMMENTS TO WHITE HOUSE RADIO REPORTERS WERE SOME OF THE STRONGEST TO DATE ON WHAT MR. MILOSEVIC WILL FACE IF HE DOES NOT RELENT ON HIS DRIVE AGAINST THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS.

IN REMARKS THAT COINCIDED WITH U-S CRUISE MISSILE ATTACKS ON INTERIOR MINISTRY TARGETS IN BELGRADE, MR. GORE SAID THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN IS BEING ESCALATED:

MILOSEVIC HAS BARELY BEGUN TO INCUR THE DAMAGE HE WILL FEEL TO HIS MILITARY AND POLICE AND THE SECURITY APPARATUS BY WHICH HE KEEPS HIS DICTATORSHIP IN POWER -- IF HE CONTINUES THIS ACTIVITY AND IF HE DOES NOT ALLOW THESE INNOCENT FAMILIES (ETHNIC ALBANIANS) TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES (IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO) WITH SECURITY.

MR. GORE ALSO SAID IT IS AN "OPEN QUESTION" WHETHER NEGOTIATIONS WITH MR. MILOSEVIC WOULD EVER AGAIN BE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF WHAT HE SAID WAS THE SUFFERING -- ON AN ALMOST BIBLICAL SCALE --- THAT HE HAS CAUSED IN KOSOVO.

AT THE SAME TIME HE ALSO SHARPENED U-S WARNINGS ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY HARM THE THREE AMERICAN SOLDIERS CAPTURED THIS WEEK ALONG THE MACEDONIA/KOSOVO BORDER -- SAYING THE YUGOSLAV LEADER, AND OTHERS IN THE BELGRADE CHAIN OF COMMAND, WOULD HAVE TO ANSWER IN SUCH AN EVENT:

MILOSEVIC HAS NO RIGHT TO HOLD THEM. HE HAD NO RIGHT TO SEIZE THEM. HE IS IN VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW YET AGAIN. BUT THE IMPORTANT THING FOR HIM TO UNDERSTAND HERE IS THAT HE WILL BE PERSONALLY HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THESE THREE INDIVIDUALS. AND ANY OF THE OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS ANSWERABLE TO MILOSEVIC WHO HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WILL ALSO BE HELD TO ACCOUNT FOR THEIR SAFE-KEEPING.

THE VICE PRESIDENT PLEDGED THAT THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS, DRIVEN OUT BY SERB FORCES, WILL RETURN TO THEIR HOMES, THOUGH HE ALSO INSISTED THERE WAS NO PLAN OR INTENTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO USE GROUND TROOPS IN THE CRISIS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/JO
02-Apr-99 7:46 PM EST (0046 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[12] U-S / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: A U-S MILITARY CARGO PLANE CARRYING THOUSANDS OF FOOD RATIONS FOR KOSOVAR REFUGEES IS ON ITS WAY TO THE BALKANS. OTHER SHIPMENTS OF TENTS, BLANKETS AND SLEEPING BAGS ARE BEING PREPARED AS THE U-S GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES ITS RELIEF EFFORT. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS.

TEXT: IN HIS WEEKLY RADIO ADDRESS, PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID AMERICA CANNOT END ALL THE WORLD'S SUFFERING OR VIOLENCE. BUT HE SAID THE UNITED STATES CANNOT LOOK AWAY FROM THIS CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE OF EUROPE, WHERE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES ARE HUDDLED IN OPEN FIELDS IN NEIGHBORING ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA.

AN ENTIRE PEOPLE ARE BEING MADE TO ABANDON THEIR HOMELAND OR DIE -- NOT BECAUSE OF ANYTHING THEY HAVE DONE, SIMPLY BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE. IF THERE IS ONE LESSON WE'VE LEARNED IN THIS CENTURY, IT IS THAT THAT KIND OF POISON WILL SPREAD IF NOT STOPPED.

THE PRESIDENT HAS ORDERED THE U-S MILITARY TO DO MORE TO HELP WITH RELIEF EFFORTS. A LARGE MILITARY CARGO PLANE TOOK OFF FROM AN EAST COAST BASE SATURDAY, LADEN WITH THOUSANDS OF FOOD RATIONS FOR REFUGEES.

THE MILITARY ALSO DISPATCHED A PLANEFUL OF EQUIPMENT TO HELP UNLOAD CARGO PLANES QUICKLY, AS WELL AS A GROUP OF PEOPLE SPECIALLY TRAINED AND EQUIPPED TO ORGANIZE AIRPORT OPERATIONS AND GET SUPPLIES TO THE NEEDY QUICKLY.

PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS EARLY SHIPMENTS WILL ALSO INCLUDE HUNDREDS OF LARGE TENTS, THOUSANDS OF BLANKETS, COTS AND SLEEPING BAGS.

MR. CLINTON ALSO URGED AMERICANS TO REMEMBER THREE AMERICAN SOLDIERS WHO WERE STATIONED IN MACEDONIA AND CAPTURED BY SERB FORCES.

THE SOLDIERS' PLIGHT IS LIKELY TO INCREASE PUBLIC AND CONGRESSIONAL CONCERN ABOUT THE VALUE AND RISK OF THE U-S ROLE IN KOSOVO, A PLACE LITTLE KNOWN TO MOST AMERICANS.

PUBLIC OPINION POLLS SHOW AMERICANS DIVIDED ABOUT EVENLY ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S KOSOVO POLICY. MANY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE CRITICAL OF THE BOMBING CAMPAIGN AND WARY OF COMMITTING GROUND FORCES TO THE BALKANS. SATURDAY, IN THE OPPOSITION REPUBLICANS' WEEKLY RADIO ADDRESS, VIRGINIA'S REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR -- JAMES GILMORE -- URGED THE PRESIDENT TO TELL AMERICANS WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION HOPES TO ACHIEVE WITH NATO AIRSTRIKES IN YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/RRM
03-Apr-99 5:58 PM EST (2258 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: BRITISH DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY NATO'S AIR STRIKES AGAINST THE YUGOSLAV AND SERB INTERIOR MINISTRY BUILDINGS IN BELGRADE FRIDAY NIGHT ARE PART OF A PATTERN THAT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC STOPS THE MILITARY CAMPAIGN IN THE SERB PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN HAS MORE FROM LONDON.

TEXT: BRITAIN'S ARMED FORCES MINISTER DOUG HENDERSON SAYS THE STRIKES AGAINST THE INTERIOR MINISTRIES ARE PART OF NATO'S PATTERN OF ATTACKS AGAINST WHAT HE CALLS THE NERVE CENTER OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S REPRESSION OF KOSOVAR ALBANIANS.

AND WE SHALL STRIKE AT THE NERVE CENTERS OF HIS (MILOSEVIC) DECISION MAKING MACHINE AS WE SAID BEFORE HE WILL PAY A HIGH PRICE FOR WHAT HE IS DOING TO THE ALBANIAN POPULATION IN KOSOVO.

THE INTERIOR MINISTRIES CONTROL THE SPECIAL POLICE THAT NATO HOLDS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ETHNIC CLEANSING CAMPAIGN IN KOSOVO PROVINCE.

BRITISH AIR MARSHAL JOHN DAY SAYS THE ATTACK ON THE INTERIOR MINISTRIES WAS CARRIED OUT BY CRUISE MISSILES.

LAST NIGHT (FRIDAY), NATO STEPPED UP THE INTENSITY AND THE SCOPE OF ITS AIR ATTACKS. AND THIS WAS IN SPITE OF THE APPALLING WEATHER THAT ONCE AGAIN SEVERELY CURTAILED BOMBING ATTACKS BY THE MAJORITY OF MANNED AIRCRAFT.

HEAVY CLOUD COVER HAS SLOWED NATO BOMBINGS FOR THE PAST TEN DAYS. BUT BRITISH OFFICIALS SAY THE BAD WEATHER IS EXPECTED TO CLEAR, WHICH WILL LET NATO EXPAND ITS AIR CAMPAIGN.

BRITAIN ALSO HAS STEPPED UP ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO RELIEF OPERATIONS FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES ALONG THE MACEDONIAN AND ALBANIAN BORDERS. BRITISH PEACEKEEPER TROOPS BASED IN MACEDONIA HAVE SET UP A FIELD KITCHEN AND TENT CAMPS NEAR THE YUGOSLAV BORDER AND ARE HELPING TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD TO THE REFUGEES THERE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/GE
03-Apr-99 8:14 AM EST (1314 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[14] KOSOVO / RWANDA REACT BY CAROL PINEAU (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AS THE UNITED STATES AND NATO ALLIES CONTINUE AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, MANY DIPLOMATS IN AFRICA ARE ASKING WHY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL GET INVOLVED IN ETHNIC CONFLICTS IN EUROPE, BUT NOT IN AFRICA. CAROL PINEAU MET WITH THE RWANDAN AMBASSADOR, WHOSE COUNTRY SUFFERED ONE OF THE WORST GENOCIDES OF THIS CENTURY.

TEXT: THE 1994 RWANDAN GENOCIDE LEFT NEARLY A MILLION DEAD IN A 100-DAY KILLING SPREE. IN YUGOSLAVIA, THE DECADE-LONG CONFLICT DOES NOT EVEN COME CLOSE TO APPROACHING RWANDA'S DEATH TOLL.

THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE UNITED STATES NEVER SENT TROOPS TO RWANDA. UNTIL RECENTLY, THERE WAS A REFUSAL TO CALL THE KILLINGS A "GENOCIDE" -- A TERM WHICH WOULD HAVE LEGALLY OBLIGATED THE UNITED NATIONS TO SEND IN TROOPS. THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL -- ITS NOSE BLOODIED (CHASTENED) BY A DISASTROUS MISSION IN SOMALIA STOOD IDLY BY AS THOUSANDS PERISHED. BUT TODAY, THE UNITED STATES AND NATO ARE LAUNCHING AIR STRIKES IN AN EFFORT TO SAVE THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS FROM SERB AGGRESSION IN YUGOSLAVIA. AND THE TERM, "GENOCIDE" IS BEING USED.

RWANDAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES THEOGENE RUDASINGWA [TAY-O-JEN ROO-DAH SING-WAH] SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S MILITARY INTERVENTION IN KOSOVO IS POSITIVE. HE SAYS GENOCIDE AND SEVERE HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES SHOULD ATTRACT THE ATTENTION OF THE WORLD. BUT HE SAYS THERE IS A DOUBLE STANDARD.

AS WE TALK, NO FEWER PEOPLE ARE DYING IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, NO FEWER PEOPLE ARE DYING IN ANGOLA, NO FEWER PEOPLE ARE DYING IN SIERRA LEONE OR GUINEA BISSAU. BUT PART OF MY EXPERIENCE HERE IN WASHINGTON D-C HAS BEEN THAT IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO ATTRACT THE ATTENTION OF THE UNITED STATES OR THE WESTERN WORLD OR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO SOME OF THE TERRIBLE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT. BUT WE'VE SEE HOW THEY RESPOND TO THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO. AND SO THAT IS A DOUBLE STANDARD, A FLAW IN THE SYSTEM.

HE ALSO SAYS HE IS CONCERNED THAT NATO AND THE UNITED STATES ARE ACTING OUTSIDE OF THE FRAMEWORK OF MULTI-LATERAL INSTITUTIONS WHICH HE SAYS IS A CONCERN AMONG MANY OF HIS FELLOW DIPLOMATS.

AMBASSADOR RUDASINGWA SAYS PREVENTING GENOCIDE AND SERIOUS CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY TAKES CONCRETE ACTIONS.

PREVENTING OR STOPPING SUCH A CRIME DOES NOT SIMPLY TAKE VERY NOBLE INTENTIONS OF JUST COMMITTING ONESELF THAT THESE THINGS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. HAVING SUCH A COMMITMENT IS ONE THING, BUT CREATING AN INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY, CREATING A COALITION TO PREVENT SUCH PHENOMENON FROM OCCURRING, YOU NEED TO BE VERY ACTIVE AND YOU NEED TO TAKE CONCRETE STEPS.

AMBASSADOR RUDASINGWA SAYS THE RWANDAN GOVERNMENT IS VERY INVOLVED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP VIABLE WAYS WHICH CAN STOP GENOCIDE -- NOT JUST IN RWANDA, BUT EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD. (SIGNED)
NEB/CP/JO
02-Apr-99 7:18 PM EST (0018 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article