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Voice of America, 99-06-08

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

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] ALBANIA ECONOMY BY AMY BICKERS (TIRANA)
  • [02] ALBRIGHT / KLA (L) BY KYLE KING (COLOGNE)
  • [03] ALBRIGHT / KLA (S) BY KYLE KING (COLOGNE)
  • [04] CHINA/KOSOVO (S ONLY) BY ROGER WILKISON (BEIJING)
  • [05] CHINA/KOSOVO (S ONLY) BY ROGER WILKISON (BEIJING)
  • [06] CHINA/KOSOVO UPDATE (S ONLY) BY ROGER WILKISON (BEIJING)
  • [07] CLINTON / KOSOVO (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)
  • [08] CLINTON / KOSOVO (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)
  • [09] CLINTON / KOSOVO (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)
  • [10] CLINTON / KOSOVO (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)
  • [11] EURO CURRENCY UP (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)
  • [12] G-8 / KOSOVO BY KYLE KING (COLOGNE, GERMANY)
  • [13] G-8 / KOSOVO BY KYLE KING (COLOGNE, GERMANY)
  • [14] G-8 / KOSOVO BY KYLE KING (COLOGNE, GERMANY)
  • [15] G-8 / KOSOVO BY KYLE KING (COLOGNE, GERMANY)
  • [16] K-L-A FIGHTING (S) BY PENTAGON (JIM RANDLE)
  • [17] KOSOVO COHEN - L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)
  • [18] KOSOVO DISPLACED (L-ONLY) BY SUZANNE KELLY (SKOPJE)
  • [19] KOSOVO ENDGAME BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)
  • [20] KOSOVO/SERB-WITHDRAWAL (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)
  • [21] KOSOVO/WAR POWERS (L ONLY) BY JIM MALONE (WASHINGTON)
  • [22] MACEDONIA IN THE WAR BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)
  • [23] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)
  • [24] NATO / KOSOVO (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)
  • [25] RUSSIA/KOSOVO (S ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)
  • [26] RUSSIA/KOSOVO (S ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)
  • [27] SENATE-KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (SENATE)
  • [28] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)
  • [29] TURKEY OCALAN (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)
  • [30] TURKEY OCALAN (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)
  • [31] TURKEY TRIAL / KURDS BY SCOTT BOBB (ANKARA)
  • [32] U-N / KOSOVO / RESOLUTION (L UPDATE) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)
  • [33] U-N / KOSOVO RESOLUTION (S) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)
  • [34] U-N / KOSOVO RESOLUTION (S) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)
  • [35] U-N / KOSOVO RESOLUTION (S) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)
  • [36] U-S / CHINA / KOSOVO (S-ONITER) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)
  • [37] U-S / RUSSIA / KOSOVO (L-ONITER) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

  • [01] ALBANIA ECONOMY BY AMY BICKERS (TIRANA)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-43599
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: ALBANIA, EUROPE'S POOREST NATION, IS HOSTING HALF A MILLION KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN ADDITION TO THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS, INTERNATIONAL AID WORKERS, OFFICIALS FROM WESTERN GOVERNMENTS AND JOURNALISTS. AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM TIRANA THAT THE INFLUX OF PEOPLE IS BOTH A BENEFIT AND A BURDEN TO ALBANIA'S STRUGGLING ECONOMY.

    TEXT: /// :04 TRADE FAIR NOISE ////

    IN ALBANIA'S CAPITAL, LOCAL VENDORS OF FOOD, CLOTHING, COMPUTERS AND MANY OTHER PRODUCTS DISPLAY THEIR WARES AT A TRADE SHOW AT TIRANA'S EXHIBITION CENTER. THEIR POTENTIAL BUYERS: THE MORE THAN 150 HUMANITARIAN AID AGENCIES THAT HAVE COME TO ALBANIA TO ASSIST THE REFUGEES WHO HAVE FLED KOSOVO.

    THE HALF-MILLION KOSOVAR REFUGEES NOW IN ALBANIA ARE PROVIDED WITH FOOD, LODGING AND OTHER NECESSITIES. AID AGENCIES ARE TRYING TO BUY SOME GOODS LOCALLY INSTEAD OF IMPORTING THEM ALL.

    ERITA WORKS FOR THE ICA (PRON:: EYE-KA) DAIRY COMPANY, WHICH IS DISPLAYING ITS PRODUCTS AT THE FAIR.

    //// ERITA ACT ////

    ERITA: THIS IS YOGURT. IT IS IN THIS KIND OF SACK. THIS IS MILK, THIS IS YOGURT IN GLASSES AND THIS IS CHEESE, AND THIS IS BUTTER BUT IT IS NOT SO REQUIRED AS THE OTHER PRODUCTS.

    AMY: WHAT KIND OF CHEESE DO YOU SELL?

    ERITA: KACKAVALL (PRON: CASH-KA-VALL), AND GERMAN EDAM AND GOUDA -- THAT IS A DUTCH SPECIALTY.

    /// END ACT ///

    ERITA SAYS HER COMPANY'S SALES HAVE IMPROVED DRAMATICALLY IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS, SINCE THERE IS GREAT DEMAND FROM AID GROUPS PROVIDING FOOD FOR REFUGEE CAMPS.

    /// ERITA ACT ///

    THERE WERE MANY PEOPLE WHO CAME HERE AND ASKED FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OUR FIRM, ICA, BECAUSE THEY WERE INTERESTED IN OUR PRODUCTS THAT ARE FRESH AND OF HIGH QUALITY. THEY GOT OUR PHONE NUMBER AND SAY THEY WILL COME AND SIGN A CONTRACT WITH US.

    /// END ACT ///

    WHILE ONLY SOME OF THE GOODS NEEDED FOR REFUGEES ARE BOUGHT LOCALLY, THE INFLUX OF SOLDIERS, AID OFFICERS, JOURNALISTS AND GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES IS CREATING A MINI ECONOMIC BOOM. IN TIRANA, LUXURY HOTELS ARE OVERBOOKED, RESTAURANTS ARE DOING A SWIFT BUSINESS, AND TRANSLATORS AND DRIVERS ARE EARNING AS MUCH AS 100-DOLLARS A DAY-- MORE THAN TWICE THE AVERAGE MONTHLY WAGE.

    VOLKER TREICHEL (PRON: TRY-HILL), THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND'S ALBANIA REPRESENTATIVE, SAYS THE SPENDING RELATED TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS IS CREATING WHAT HE CALLS A DEMAND SHOCK. HE SAYS IT HAS GREATLY BOOSTED THE NEED FOR VARIOUS GOODS AND SERVICES. BUT HE WARNS THAT IT WILL NOT LAST FOREVER.

    /// TREICHEL ACT ///

    THIS IS TEMPORARY, IT IS NOTHING THAT CAN MAKE ANY SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCE FOR THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE. THIS WILL BE A BLIP (I.E. INSIGNIFICANT MARK). WHEN THE CRISIS IS OVER, ALBANIA WILL AGAIN FACE THE STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS AS IT WAS FACING BEFORE THE CRISIS AND THEY ARE QUITE SUBSTANTIAL.

    /// END ACT ///

    HIGH ON THE LIST OF STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS: WIDESPREAD CORPORATE TAX EVASION AND AN INEFFICIENT STATE-OWNED SECTOR.

    WHILE THE REFUGEE CRISIS HAS LIFTED DEMAND FOR MANY PRODUCTS, THE WAR THAT HAS BEEN RAGING ACROSS ALBANIA'S BORDER IS SCARING AWAY MOST FOREIGN INVESTORS.

    THAT IS WHERE DONOR COUNTRIES AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS COME IN. THEY RECENTLY DECIDED TO PROVIDE ALBANIA WITH AN EXTRA 150-MILLION DOLLARS IN GRANTS AND LOANS TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT'S 1999 BUDGET. IT WAS DRAWN UP BEFORE THE REFUGEES' ARRIVAL.

    /// TREICHEL ACT ///

    WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT IMPACT FROM AN ECONOMIC POINT OF VIEW IS THE BUDGET, THE ALBANIAN BUDGET. AND HERE THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT THAT TO COME UP WITH QUITE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURES THAT ARE DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE REFUGEE CRISIS, BE IT IN THE AREA OF PROVIDING SECURITY FOR THE CAMPS, EDUCATION EXPENDITURE, HEALTH, PROVIDING WATER AND ELECTRICITY AT THE CAMPS AND THIS IS CREATING QUITE A STRAIN TO THE ALBANIAN BUDGET.

    /// END ACT ///

    WHILE EXPERTS AGREE THAT ALBANIA'S ECONOMY HAS SURVIVED THE KOSOVO CRISIS SO FAR, THEY SAY TOO MUCH OF THE MONEY COMING INTO THE COUNTRY IS USED FOR CONSUMPTION, RATHER THAN INVESTMENT. ALBANIAN OFFICIALS SAY THE COUNTRY NOW BADLY NEEDS ADVICE ON HOW TO HANDLE THE HARD CURRENCY WINDFALL. (SIGNED)
    NEB/AB/GE
    08-Jun-99 11:08 AM EDT (1508 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [02] ALBRIGHT / KLA (L) BY KYLE KING (COLOGNE)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250358
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY SAYS THE GROUP WILL SOON OFFER A PLEDGE TO REFRAIN FROM ATTACKS ON SERB FORCES RETREATING FROM KOSOVO. THE OFFER CAME DURING TALKS WITH SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT WHO IS IN GERMANY TO DISCUSS THE CRISIS. VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM COLOGNE.

    TEXT: SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER TALKS WITH THREE OF THE TOP LEADERS OF KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN COMMUNITY, MS. ALBRIGHT SAID SHE WAS PLEASED BY WHAT SHE HEARD (FROM IBRAHIM RUGOVA, HASHIM THAQI AND REXHIT QOSJA).

    SHE SAID SHE EXPECTED THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY TO LIVE UP TO THE PLEDGES IT MADE DURING LAST YEAR'S FAILED KOSOVO PEACE TALKS IN RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE.

    // ALBRIGHT ACT //

    THE K-L-A WILL DEMILITARIZE, AND ENTER INTO A PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION. KOSOVO'S POLITICAL LEADERS WILL, I HOPE, COOPERATE TO MAKE KOSOVO TRULY DEMOCRATIC. SECURITY GUARANTEES WILL EXTEND TO ALL KOSOVARS WITHOUT REGARD TO ETHNICITY AND TO FOREIGNERS WORKING IN KOSOVO.

    // END ACT //

    MS. ALBRIGHT SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO SEND A MESSAGE TO SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ATTACKED AS THEY WITHDRAW FROM THE PROVINCE UNDER THE TERMS OF A UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NOW BEING DISCUSSED.

    THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, HASHIM THAQI, SAYS THE K-L-A IS PREPARED TO MAKE SUCH A PLEDGE VERY SOON. SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, HE SAID THE PLEDGE COULD COME LATER TODAY OR WEDNESDAY.

    // THAQI INTERPRETER ACT //

    THE KLA VERY SOON WILL DECLARE THAT IT WILL REFRAIN FROM ATTACKING ANY RETREATING SERB FORCES AND THEY HAVE SAID BEFORE, AND VERY SOON THEY WILL DECLARE, THAT THEY WILL NOT ATTACK MILITARILY ANY RETREATING SERB FORCES.

    // END ACT //

    SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT ALSO CALLED ON YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO LIVE UP TO THE AGREEMENTS HE HAD MADE. SHE SAID A VERIFIABLE SERB WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO WAS ESSENTIAL BEFORE NATO WOULD SUSPEND ITS AIR CAMPAIGN. WHEN THAT HAPPENS, SHE SAID, THE CRISIS WOULD ENTER A NEW PHASE.

    // OPTIONAL //

    ANOTHER ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADER, IBRAHIM RUGOVA, SAID A KEY OBJECTIVE SHOULD BE CREATING A SECURE ENVIRONMENT SO REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO COULD GO HOME. ASKED WHEN THAT MIGHT HAPPEN, MR. RUGOVA SAID HE HOPED IT WOULD BE SOON.

    // RUGOVA ACT //

    VERY SOON AFTER DEPLOYMENT OF THE FORCES IN KOSOVO.

    // END ACT // /// END OPTIONAL ///

    SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT IS NOW MEETING WITH OTHER FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM THE GROUP OF SEVEN LEADING INDUSTRIAL NATIONS PLUS RUSSIA TO DISCUSS A DRAFT U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON KOSOVO.

    THOSE TALKS WERE SUSPENDED MONDAY SO RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV COULD CONSULT WITH MOSCOW OVER SEVERAL KEY UNRESOLVED POINTS.

    DIPLOMATS SAY THE RUSSIANS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT NATO'S ROLE IN THE INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY HOPE TO HAVE A DRAFT RESOLUTION FINISHED LATER TODAY SO IT CAN BE SENT TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION. THE RESOLUTION WOULD AUTHORIZE THE DEPLOYMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE WITH NATO AT ITS CORE, SOMETHING YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AGREED TO LAST WEEK. (SIGNED)
    NEB/KBK/KL
    08-Jun-99 6:43 AM EDT (1043 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [03] ALBRIGHT / KLA (S) BY KYLE KING (COLOGNE)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250357
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY SAYS THE GROUP WILL SOON OFFER A PLEDGE TO REFRAIN FROM ATTACKS ON SERB FORCES RETREATING FROM KOSOVO. THE OFFER CAME DURING TALKS WITH SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT IN GERMANY. VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM COLOGNE.

    TEXT: SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER TALKS WITH THREE TOP LEADERS OF KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN COMMUNITY, MS. ALBRIGHT SAID SHE WAS PLEASED BY WHAT SHE HEARD.

    SHE CALLED ON THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY TO LIVE UP TO THE PLEDGES IT MADE TO DEMILITARIZE. SHE SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO SEND A MESSAGE TO SERB FORCES THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ATTACKED AS THEY WITHDRAW FROM KOSOVO.

    SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, HASHIM THAQI, SAYS THE K-L-A IS PREPARED TO MAKE SUCH A PLEDGE.

    // THAQI INTERPRETER ACT //

    THEY HAVE SAID BEFORE, AND VERY SOON THEY WILL DECLARE, THAT THEY WILL NOT ATTACK MILITARILY ANY RETREATING SERB FORCES.

    // END ACT //

    SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT ALSO CALLED ON YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO LIVE UP TO THE AGREEMENTS HE HAD MADE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/KBK/PLM
    08-Jun-99 6:27 AM EDT (1027 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [04] CHINA/KOSOVO (S ONLY) BY ROGER WILKISON (BEIJING)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250354
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: CHINA HAS REITERATED ITS DEMAND THAT NATO'S BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA END BEFORE THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES A PEACE PLAN FOR KOSOVO. V-O-A'S ROGER WILKISON REPORTS FINNISH PRESIDENT MARTTI AHTISAARI --THE EUROPEAN UNION'S PEACE ENVOY-- IS IN BEIJING TO SEEK CHINA'S SUPPORT FOR A JOINT WESTERN AND RUSSIAN PEACE PROPOSAL.

    TEXT: WHILE MR. AHTISAARI WAS BRIEFING CHINESE LEADERS ON THE PEACE PLAN, BEIJING AGAIN LAID DOWN ITS BOTTOM LINE. FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN ZHANG QIYUE --SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER-- TOLD REPORTERS NATO HAS TO HALT THE BOMBING AS A NECESSARY PRECONDITION FOR SOLVING THE KOSOVO CRISIS.

    /////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////

    CHINA HAS MADE IT CLEAR ON MANY OCCASIONS THAT, AS A MATTER OF URGENCY, NATO SHOULD STOP ITS MILITARY ACTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA SO AS TO CREATE THE NECESSARY CONDITIONS AND ATMOSPHERE FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF THE QUESTION OF KOSOVO.

    /////END ACTUALITY/////

    CHINA, WHICH WIELDS A VETO IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL, SAYS A HALT TO THE BOMBING HAS TO PRECEDE ANY DISCUSSION OF THE ISSUE AT THE UNITED NATIONS.

    CHINA HAS CALLED NATO'S AIR WAR AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA AN ACT OF AGGRESSION BECAUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE UNITED NATIONS. IT HAS GIVEN NO INDICATION AS TO HOW IT WILL VOTE WHEN THE PEACE PLAN IS SUBMITTED TO THE COUNCIL (SIGNED).
    NEB/RW/FC/PLM
    08-Jun-99 4:45 AM EDT (0845 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [05] CHINA/KOSOVO (S ONLY) BY ROGER WILKISON (BEIJING)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250354
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: CHINA HAS REITERATED ITS DEMAND THAT NATO'S BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA END BEFORE THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES A PEACE PLAN FOR KOSOVO. V-O-A'S ROGER WILKISON REPORTS FINNISH PRESIDENT MARTTI AHTISAARI --THE EUROPEAN UNION'S PEACE ENVOY-- IS IN BEIJING TO SEEK CHINA'S SUPPORT FOR A JOINT WESTERN AND RUSSIAN PEACE PROPOSAL.

    TEXT: WHILE MR. AHTISAARI WAS BRIEFING CHINESE LEADERS ON THE PEACE PLAN, BEIJING AGAIN LAID DOWN ITS BOTTOM LINE. FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN ZHANG QIYUE --SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER-- TOLD REPORTERS NATO HAS TO HALT THE BOMBING AS A NECESSARY PRECONDITION FOR SOLVING THE KOSOVO CRISIS.

    /////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////

    CHINA HAS MADE IT CLEAR ON MANY OCCASIONS THAT, AS A MATTER OF URGENCY, NATO SHOULD STOP ITS MILITARY ACTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA SO AS TO CREATE THE NECESSARY CONDITIONS AND ATMOSPHERE FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF THE QUESTION OF KOSOVO.

    /////END ACTUALITY/////

    CHINA, WHICH WIELDS A VETO IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL, SAYS A HALT TO THE BOMBING HAS TO PRECEDE ANY DISCUSSION OF THE ISSUE AT THE UNITED NATIONS.

    CHINA HAS CALLED NATO'S AIR WAR AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA AN ACT OF AGGRESSION BECAUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE UNITED NATIONS. IT HAS GIVEN NO INDICATION AS TO HOW IT WILL VOTE WHEN THE PEACE PLAN IS SUBMITTED TO THE COUNCIL (SIGNED).
    NEB/RW/FC/PLM
    08-Jun-99 4:45 AM EDT (0845 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [06] CHINA/KOSOVO UPDATE (S ONLY) BY ROGER WILKISON (BEIJING)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250360
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION'S KOSOVO PEACE ENVOY -- FINNISH PRESIDENT MARTTI AHTISAARI -- SAYS CHINA'S INSISTENCE THERE BE AN IMMEDIATE HALT TO NATO BOMBING IN YUGOSLAVIA IS NOT AN OBSTACLE TO SETTLEMENT OF THE CONFLICT. CORRESPONDENT ROGER WILKISON REPORTS MR. AHTISAARI SAYS HE BRIEFED CHINESE LEADERS ON THE JOINT WESTERN-RUSSIAN PEACE PLAN FOR KOSOVO TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT ENTAILS.

    TEXT: MR. AHTISAARI TOLD REPORTERS AT BEIJING'S AIRPORT, BEFORE FLYING BACK TO FINLAND, THAT HE HOPES THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL CAN DISCUSS THE PEACE PLAN THIS WEEK. CHINA'S SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF FIVE VETO-WIELDING MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

    CHINA HAS CONSISTENTLY DEMANDED A HALT TO NATO'S BOMBING BEFORE THE PEACE PLAN CAN BE BROUGHT TO THE COUNCIL. BUT MR. AHTISAARI SAYS THAT IS NOT AN OBSTACLE BECAUSE OTHER COUNTRIES, NAMELY RUSSIA, ALSO WANT A BOMBING HALT.

    THE FINNISH PRESIDENT SAYS THE FIRST STEP IS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN NATO AND THE YUGOSLAV MILITARY ON WITHDRAWAL OF YUGOSLAV FORCES FROM KOSOVO AND THEIR QUICK REPLACEMENT BY AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE SO THERE IS NO SECURITY VACUUM IN THE PROVINCE. HE SAYS WHEN THE WITHDRAWAL HAS BEEN VERIFIED THE BOMBING WILL BE SUSPENDED.

    MR. AHTISAARI SAYS HE HOPES THE SECURITY COUNCIL CAN BEGIN DEBATE ON A RESOLUTION BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF THE WITHDRAWAL AND THE BOMBING HALT. (SIGNED)
    NEB/RW/RAE
    08-Jun-99 8:27 AM EDT (1227 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [07] CLINTON / KOSOVO (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250367
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS WELCOMED THE AGREEMENT BY THE SEVEN MAJOR INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS AND RUSSIA ON A DRAFT U-N RESOLUTION FOR KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

    TEXT: AT A WELCOMING CEREMONY FOR HUNGARIAN PRESIDENT ARPAD GONCZ, MR. CLINTON CALLED THE AGREEMENT REACHED BY THE G-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS IN COLOGNE, GERMANY 'AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD' IN THE PEACE PROCESS.

    HE SAYS THE KEY NOW IS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEAL.

    // CLINTON ACTUALITY //

    A VERIFIABLE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES WILL ALLOW US TO SUSPEND THE BOMBING AND GO FORWARD WITH THE PLAN.

    // END ACT //

    EARLIER, MR. CLINTON TELEPHONED RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN TO THANK HIM FOR WHAT HE CALLED MOSCOW'S CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN SEEKING A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE YUGOSLAV WAR.

    WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAYS MR. CLINTON TOLD MR. YELTSIN HE IS SENDING DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT TO MOSCOW TO WORK OUT DETAILS OF RUSSIA'S PARTICIPATION IN A KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAT/LTD
    08-Jun-99 10:36 AM EDT (1436 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [08] CLINTON / KOSOVO (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250367
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS WELCOMED THE AGREEMENT BY THE SEVEN MAJOR INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS AND RUSSIA ON A DRAFT U-N RESOLUTION FOR KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

    TEXT: AT A WELCOMING CEREMONY FOR HUNGARIAN PRESIDENT ARPAD GONCZ, MR. CLINTON CALLED THE AGREEMENT REACHED BY THE G-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS IN COLOGNE, GERMANY 'AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD' IN THE PEACE PROCESS.

    HE SAYS THE KEY NOW IS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEAL.

    // CLINTON ACTUALITY //

    A VERIFIABLE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES WILL ALLOW US TO SUSPEND THE BOMBING AND GO FORWARD WITH THE PLAN.

    // END ACT //

    EARLIER, MR. CLINTON TELEPHONED RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN TO THANK HIM FOR WHAT HE CALLED MOSCOW'S CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN SEEKING A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE YUGOSLAV WAR.

    WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAYS MR. CLINTON TOLD MR. YELTSIN HE IS SENDING DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT TO MOSCOW TO WORK OUT DETAILS OF RUSSIA'S PARTICIPATION IN A KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAT/LTD
    08-Jun-99 10:36 AM EDT (1436 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [09] CLINTON / KOSOVO (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250367
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS WELCOMED THE AGREEMENT BY THE SEVEN MAJOR INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS AND RUSSIA ON A DRAFT U-N RESOLUTION FOR KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

    TEXT: AT A WELCOMING CEREMONY FOR HUNGARIAN PRESIDENT ARPAD GONCZ, MR. CLINTON CALLED THE AGREEMENT REACHED BY THE G-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS IN COLOGNE, GERMANY 'AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD' IN THE PEACE PROCESS.

    HE SAYS THE KEY NOW IS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEAL.

    // CLINTON ACTUALITY //

    A VERIFIABLE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES WILL ALLOW US TO SUSPEND THE BOMBING AND GO FORWARD WITH THE PLAN.

    // END ACT //

    EARLIER, MR. CLINTON TELEPHONED RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN TO THANK HIM FOR WHAT HE CALLED MOSCOW'S CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN SEEKING A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE YUGOSLAV WAR.

    WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAYS MR. CLINTON TOLD MR. YELTSIN HE IS SENDING DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT TO MOSCOW TO WORK OUT DETAILS OF RUSSIA'S PARTICIPATION IN A KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAT/LTD
    08-Jun-99 10:36 AM EDT (1436 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [10] CLINTON / KOSOVO (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250367
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS WELCOMED THE AGREEMENT BY THE SEVEN MAJOR INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS AND RUSSIA ON A DRAFT U-N RESOLUTION FOR KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

    TEXT: AT A WELCOMING CEREMONY FOR HUNGARIAN PRESIDENT ARPAD GONCZ, MR. CLINTON CALLED THE AGREEMENT REACHED BY THE G-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS IN COLOGNE, GERMANY 'AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD' IN THE PEACE PROCESS.

    HE SAYS THE KEY NOW IS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEAL.

    // CLINTON ACTUALITY //

    A VERIFIABLE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES WILL ALLOW US TO SUSPEND THE BOMBING AND GO FORWARD WITH THE PLAN.

    // END ACT //

    EARLIER, MR. CLINTON TELEPHONED RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN TO THANK HIM FOR WHAT HE CALLED MOSCOW'S CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN SEEKING A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE YUGOSLAV WAR.

    WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAYS MR. CLINTON TOLD MR. YELTSIN HE IS SENDING DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT TO MOSCOW TO WORK OUT DETAILS OF RUSSIA'S PARTICIPATION IN A KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAT/LTD
    08-Jun-99 10:36 AM EDT (1436 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [11] EURO CURRENCY UP (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250383
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE EURO CURRENCY HAS POSTED ITS SHARPEST ONE-DAY RISE AGAINST THE DOLLAR IN ONE MONTH ON NEWS OF PROGRESS TOWARDS PEACE IN KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT BARRY WOOD REPORTS THE EURO WAS ALSO SPURRED BY A REPORT GERMANY'S ECONOMY MAY BE EMERGING FROM A SLUMP.

    TEXT: THE EURO ROSE MORE THAN ONE-PENNY TO ONE-DOLLAR, FOUR-AND-ONE-HALF CENTS. THE EURO HAS DECLINED NEARLY 11-PERCENT SINCE JANUARY FIRST AND HAS BEEN AS LOW AS ONE-DOLLAR, TWO-CENTS. THE EURO IS THE EUROPEAN UNION'S MONEY THAT WILL REPLACE THE GERMAN MARK, FRENCH FRANC, AND OTHER CURRENCIES IN 2002.

    CHIEF ECONOMIST AT GERMANY'S "DRESDNER BANK", KLAUS FRIEDRICH, SAYS HE IS UNCONCERNED ABOUT THE EURO'S RECENT WEAKNESS. HE BELIEVES THE EURO IS WEAK BECAUSE EUROPEAN INTEREST RATES ARE LOW IN COMPARISON TO THE UNITED STATES, MAKING DOLLAR INVESTMENTS MORE PROFITABLE.

    SPEAKING TO REPORTERS IN WASHINGTON, MR. FRIEDRICH SAYS HE BELIEVES ONCE A STRONGER RECOVERY IS UNDERWAY IN EUROPE, THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK WILL RAISE INTEREST RATES.

    // FIRST FRIEDRICH ACT //

    AS FAR AS GERMANY IS CONCERNED WE ARE IN A MILD RECOVERY PHASE. THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK WILL RAISE INTEREST RATES BECAUSE IT CAN DO SO. BUT IT WILL ONLY RAISE INTEREST RATES AFTER WE HAVE GOTTEN A LITTLE STRONGER GROWTH IN EUROPE.

    // END ACT //

    MR. FRIEDRICH GIVES THE NEW EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK HIGH MARKS FOR CONDUCTING MONETARY POLICY IN ITS FIRST SIX-MONTHS OF OPERATION. HE SAYS HIGH TAXES, AND OTHER RESTRICTIVE ECONOMIC FACTORS, IN EUROPE DO NOT PREVENT THE 15 E-U NATIONS FROM ACHIEVING THE HIGHER GROWTH RATES THAT HAVE BECOME TYPICAL IN THE UNITED STATES.

    // SECOND FRIEDRICH ACT //

    WE HAVE HAD A RECENT PERIOD, THE 1990'S, WHERE THE UNITED STATES GREW FASTER. BUT IT IS A DANGEROUS ARGUMENT TO LOAD ALL OF THAT EXPLANATION ONTO STRUCTURAL RIGIDITIES (SUCH AS HIGH TAXES) IN EUROPE. I THINK OUR POTENTIAL RATE OF GROWTH IS NOT HUGELY LOWER THAN IN THE U-S.

    // END ACT //

    MR. FRIEDRICH SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION TO ESTABLISH ITS OWN TREASURY, INSTEAD OF HAVING EACH MEMBER COUNTRY CONTINUE TO OPERATE ITS FISCAL POLICIES OF SPENDING AND TAXATION. ON BALANCE, MR. FRIEDRICH BELIEVES THE EURO HAS MADE A SMOOTH ENTRY INTO THE GLOBAL ECONOMY. (SIGNED)
    NEB/BDW/RAE
    08-Jun-99 3:02 PM EDT (1902 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [12] G-8 / KOSOVO BY KYLE KING (COLOGNE, GERMANY)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250370
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE SEVEN LEADING INDUSTRIAL NATIONS PLUS RUSSIA HAVE AGREED ON THE TEXT OF A SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO. FROM COLOGNE, GERMANY, CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS.

    TEXT: GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSHKA FISCHER CALLED THE AGREEMENT ON THE TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION -- A BREAKTHROUGH.

    MR. FISCHER SAID AGREEMENT ON THE TEXT CLEARS THE WAY FOR A PULLOUT OF SERB FORCES FROM KOSOVO.

    ONCE A VERIFIABLE WITHDRAWAL IS UNDER WAY, NATO WILL HALT ITS BOMBING CAMPAIGN. ONCE THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES HAS BEEN VERIFIED AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS THE AGREEMENT, A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE WILL BE ABLE TO QUICKLY MOVE INTO THE PROVINCE.

    RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV SAID RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE WOULD STILL HAVE TO BE NEGOTIATED. BUT HE SAID WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THE GOAL OF ENDING THE WAR HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE RESOLUTION. (SIGNED)
    NEB/KBK/LTD/RAE
    08-Jun-99 10:47 AM EDT (1447 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [13] G-8 / KOSOVO BY KYLE KING (COLOGNE, GERMANY)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250370
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE SEVEN LEADING INDUSTRIAL NATIONS PLUS RUSSIA HAVE AGREED ON THE TEXT OF A SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO. FROM COLOGNE, GERMANY, CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS.

    TEXT: GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSHKA FISCHER CALLED THE AGREEMENT ON THE TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION -- A BREAKTHROUGH.

    MR. FISCHER SAID AGREEMENT ON THE TEXT CLEARS THE WAY FOR A PULLOUT OF SERB FORCES FROM KOSOVO.

    ONCE A VERIFIABLE WITHDRAWAL IS UNDER WAY, NATO WILL HALT ITS BOMBING CAMPAIGN. ONCE THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES HAS BEEN VERIFIED AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS THE AGREEMENT, A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE WILL BE ABLE TO QUICKLY MOVE INTO THE PROVINCE.

    RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV SAID RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE WOULD STILL HAVE TO BE NEGOTIATED. BUT HE SAID WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THE GOAL OF ENDING THE WAR HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE RESOLUTION. (SIGNED)
    NEB/KBK/LTD/RAE
    08-Jun-99 10:47 AM EDT (1447 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [14] G-8 / KOSOVO BY KYLE KING (COLOGNE, GERMANY)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250370
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE SEVEN LEADING INDUSTRIAL NATIONS PLUS RUSSIA HAVE AGREED ON THE TEXT OF A SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO. FROM COLOGNE, GERMANY, CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS.

    TEXT: GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSHKA FISCHER CALLED THE AGREEMENT ON THE TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION -- A BREAKTHROUGH.

    MR. FISCHER SAID AGREEMENT ON THE TEXT CLEARS THE WAY FOR A PULLOUT OF SERB FORCES FROM KOSOVO.

    ONCE A VERIFIABLE WITHDRAWAL IS UNDER WAY, NATO WILL HALT ITS BOMBING CAMPAIGN. ONCE THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES HAS BEEN VERIFIED AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS THE AGREEMENT, A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE WILL BE ABLE TO QUICKLY MOVE INTO THE PROVINCE.

    RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV SAID RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE WOULD STILL HAVE TO BE NEGOTIATED. BUT HE SAID WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THE GOAL OF ENDING THE WAR HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE RESOLUTION. (SIGNED)
    NEB/KBK/LTD/RAE
    08-Jun-99 10:47 AM EDT (1447 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [15] G-8 / KOSOVO BY KYLE KING (COLOGNE, GERMANY)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250370
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE SEVEN LEADING INDUSTRIAL NATIONS PLUS RUSSIA HAVE AGREED ON THE TEXT OF A SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO. FROM COLOGNE, GERMANY, CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS.

    TEXT: GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSHKA FISCHER CALLED THE AGREEMENT ON THE TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION -- A BREAKTHROUGH.

    MR. FISCHER SAID AGREEMENT ON THE TEXT CLEARS THE WAY FOR A PULLOUT OF SERB FORCES FROM KOSOVO.

    ONCE A VERIFIABLE WITHDRAWAL IS UNDER WAY, NATO WILL HALT ITS BOMBING CAMPAIGN. ONCE THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES HAS BEEN VERIFIED AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS THE AGREEMENT, A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE WILL BE ABLE TO QUICKLY MOVE INTO THE PROVINCE.

    RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV SAID RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE WOULD STILL HAVE TO BE NEGOTIATED. BUT HE SAID WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THE GOAL OF ENDING THE WAR HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE RESOLUTION. (SIGNED)
    NEB/KBK/LTD/RAE
    08-Jun-99 10:47 AM EDT (1447 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [16] K-L-A FIGHTING (S) BY PENTAGON (JIM RANDLE)

    DATE=6/7/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250350
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS INTENSE FIGHTING CONTINUES BETWEEN K-L-A REBELS AND YUGOSLAV FORCES ALONG THE KOSOVO-ALBANIAN BORDER. BOTH SIDES ARE SENDING ADDITIONAL FORCES INTO THE STRUGGLE. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

    TEXT: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS AT LEAST TWO BATTLES ARE UNDERWAY, ONE NEAR JUNIK, ANOTHER NEAR MOUNT PASTRIK. HE SAYS THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY HAS SENT REINFORCEMENTS TO BOTH FIGHTS, HOPING TO HANG ON TO RECENT GAINS.

    /// BACON ACT 110 ///

    IN THE JUNIK AREA, THE K-L-A CONTINUES TO HOLD TERRITORY AS IT HAS FOR A NUMBER OF DAYS DESPITE OF A FAIRLY AGGRESSIVE SERB COUNTER OFFENSIVE. AND IN THE MOUNT PASTRIK AREA, THE K-L-A ALSO CONTINUES TO HOLD SOME TERRITORY

    /// END ACT ///

    THE MOST RECENT FIGHTING PROMPTED SERBIAN COMMANDERS TO REINFORCE THEIR POSITIONS AS WELL, FORCING SERBIAN TROOPS AND HEAVY WEAPONS TO COME OUT OF HIDING, MAKING THEM VULNERABLE TO NATO AIR ATTACK.

    SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, NATO PILOTS FLEW FEWER THAN THE USUAL NUMBER OF BOMBING MISSIONS OVER YUGOSLAVIA, BUT MR. BACON SAYS THE NUMBER OF AIR STRIKES WILL DOUBLE OR TRIPLE IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO. (SIGNED)
    NEB/JR/PW-T/PT
    07-Jun-99 10:02 PM EDT (0202 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [17] KOSOVO COHEN - L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250379
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT: *INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN WELCOMES APPARENT DIPLOMATIC PROGRESS TOWARD A SETTLEMENT IN KOSOVO - BUT HE SAYS NATO AIR STRIKES WILL CONTINUE UNTIL BELGRADE BEGINS PULLING ITS TROOPS OUT OF KOSOVO. MR. COHEN SAYS ONCE THE BOMBING STOPS, THE 50-THOUSAND MEMBER PEACEKEEPING FORCE SHOULD MOVE IN QUICKLY. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

    TEXT: MR. COHEN SAYS THE U-S PORTION OF THE PEACEKEEPING EFFORT SHOULD BE READY SOON. MORE THAN TWO-THOUSAND MARINES ARE ON SHIPS OFF THE GREEK COAST, WAITING FOR PERMISSION FROM ATHENS TO PASS THROUGH A GREEK PORT ON THEIR WAY TO MACEDONIA, AND EVENTUALLY, KOSOVO. HE SAYS 17-HUNDRED U-S ARMY TROOPS CAN BE DETACHED FROM U-S FORCES ALREADY STATIONED IN ALBANIA AND ADDED TO THE PEACEKEEPING OPERATION. THOUSANDS MORE U-S ARMY TROOPS CAN MOVE INTO PLACE QUICKLY FROM THEIR BASES IN GERMANY.

    MR. COHEN SAYS NATO WILL STOP BOMBING ONLY WHEN SERB FORCES START MOVING, QUICKLY, OUT OF KOSOVO.

    /// FIRST COHEN ACT ///

    IN THE EVENT THAT THERE IS ANY HESITATION ON THE PART OF THE SERBS OR ANY BACKTRACKING ON THEIR PART, THAT BOMBING EFFORT WOULD CONTINUE. SO WE WANT TO SEE STEPS TAKEN BY THEN THAT THEY ARE MANIFESTING AN INTENT TO FULLY COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT.

    /// END ACT ///

    MR. COHEN SAYS THE DRAFT SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION PROPOSED BY THE "G-8" (THE SEVEN LEADING INDUSTRIAL POWERS AND RUSSIA) CAN BE QUICKLY APPROVED BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL.

    WITH THAT AGREEMENT IN PLACE, HE SAYS THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE CAN QUICKLY REPLACE RETREATING SERB FORCES, AND MAKE SURE THAT IT IS SAFE FOR DISPLACED ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES IN KOSOVO.

    MR COHEN SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD EXPECT -- AND STRONGLY RESIST --- SERB EFFORTS TO AVOID FULLY COMPLYING WITH THE DEAL. HE SAYS CURRENT HAGGLING OVER THE TIME REQUIRED TO GET SERB FORCES OUT OF KOSOVO IS A GOOD EXAMPLE.

    /// SECOND COHEN ACT ///

    THIS IS NOT A SLOW ROLL ON THE PART OF THE SERB FORCES TO HAVE A PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL, THEN A DELAY, MORE DELAY, SEEKING TO DIVIDE THE ALLIANCE, TO GET A PAUSE IN THE BOMBING AND THEREBY BOG EVERYTHING DOWN IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL. THAT WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE.

    /// END ACT ///

    MEANWHILE, YUGOSLAVIA'S TANJUG NEWS AGENCY SAYS NATO AND YUGOSLAV MILITARY OFFICIALS HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN TALKS ON PLANS FOR THE YUGOSLAV WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO. THE BRIEF REPORT SAID DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD ON THE YUGOSLAV-MACEDONIAN BORDER. EARLIER TALKS BETWEEN NATO AND YUGOSLAV GENERALS ON DETAILS OF THE WITHDRAWAL BROKE DOWN MONDAY. (SIGNED).
    NEB/JR/LTD/GM
    08-Jun-99 12:56 PM EDT (1656 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [18] KOSOVO DISPLACED (L-ONLY) BY SUZANNE KELLY (SKOPJE)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250366
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: AS POLITICAL PLANS FOR A PEACE DEAL IN KOSOVO ARE DISCUSSED, THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE ORGANIZATION -- THE U-N-H-C-R -- IS WORRIED ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF A FURTHER DELAY. AS SUZANNE KELLY REPORTS FROM SKOPJE, TIME MAY MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE TO THOSE DISPLACED AND STILL TRAPPED INSIDE OF KOSOVO.

    TEXT: AN EXTRA FEW DAYS OR WEEKS FOR POLITICIANS TO DISCUSS PEACE PLANS MAY NOT SEEM TO MAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE AFTER NEARLY 80 DAYS OF NATO BOMBING. BUT FOR THE INTERNALLY DISPLACED IN KOSOVO, THE U-N-H-C-R SAYS DAYS OR WEEKS CAN MEAN LIFE OR DEATH.

    THE U-N-H-C-R REPORTED MORE THAN A WEEK AGO THAT THE BORDER CROSSING INTO MACEDONIA HAD BEEN CLOSED ON THE SERBIAN SIDE. THUS, THE NUMBERS OF REFUGEES ABLE TO CROSS FELL FROM AS MANY AS EIGHT-THOUSAND A DAY TO JUST A FEW HUNDRED. NOW THE HUMANITARIAN AID ORGANIZATION BELIEVES THAT THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS STILL TRYING TO FLEE THE PROVINCE ARE LIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS, TRYING TO MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE BORDER AT NIGHT ON VERY LITTLE FOOD OR WATER.

    REFUGEES WHO WERE ABLE TO CROSS IN THE LAST WEEK -- MOSTLY MEN -- REPORT THAT THEY ARE SURVIVING ON DRIED CORN, MASHED AND BOILED AND MADE INTO A MEAL. U-N-H-C-R SPOKESPERSON PAULA GHEDINI SAYS THAT REFUGEES CAN SURVIVE ON SUCH A DIET, BUT THAT THE PROBLEM IS WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN SURVIVE THE SUBSEQUENT MALNUTRITION.

    /// GHEDINI ACT ///

    THEY CAN SURVIVE FOR SOME TIME. THE PROBLEM WILL BE WHETHER OR NOT THE MALNUTRITION WILL AFFECT CHILDREN AND ELDERLY -- THOSE WHO ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE ARE SURELY IN THE MOST RISK. THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SURVIVE FOR VERY MUCH LONGER WITHOUT ASSISTANCE.

    ///END ACT///

    MISS GHEDINI SAYS THAT IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THE U-N-H-C-R TO DETERMINE EXACTLY HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE LIVING UNDER SUCH CONDITIONS -- BUT SAYS THEY ARE SURE THE NUMBERS ARE IN THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS. SHE ADDS THAT WITH HEIGHTENED TENSIONS AT THE BORDER, MANY OF THEM SIMPLY HAVE NO PLACE TO GO. (SIGNED)
    NEB/SK/PCF
    08-Jun-99 10:22 AM EDT (1422 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [19] KOSOVO ENDGAME BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=06/8/99
    TYPE=U-S OPINION ROUND UP
    NUMBER=6-11327
    TELEPHONE=619-2702
    EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS
    CONTENT=

    ///// ED'S: MATERIAL OUTDATED AFTER 10 P-M EASTERN TIME. /////

    INTRO: SHOULD NATO CONTINUE BOMBING YUGOSLAVIA EVEN THOUGH LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS ALREADY AGREED TO ALLIANCE TERMS FOR PEACE IN KOSOVO? WHILE G-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS TRY TO FINE TUNE THE WORDING OF A SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION, SOME OF AMERICA'S MAJOR NEWSPAPERS ARGUE THE BOMBING SHOULD NOT STOP YET. HERE WITH A SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS IS ___________ WITH TUESDAY'S OPINION ROUND UP.

    TEXT: THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN "THE WASHINGTON POST" ARGUES PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MUST DO WHAT HE HAS PROMISED.

    VOICE: UNTIL MR. MILOSEVIC COMPLIES IN FULL WITH THE PEACE AGREEMENT HE HAS SIGNED, NATO SHOULD INTENSIFY ITS BOMBING OF YUGOSLAV FORCES AND CONTINUE MOBILIZING GROUND TROOPS ALONG KOSOVO'S BORDERS.

    TEXT: MR. MILOSEVIC IS CLEARLY PLAYING FOR TIME, WRITES "THE NEW YORK TIMES", WHICH ALSO CAUTIONS AGAINST LETTING THE UNITED NATIONS HAVE THE SAME ROLE IN KOSOVO AS IT DID IN BOSNIA FOUR-YEARS AGO.

    VOICE: THAT MEANS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT PEACE KEEPING FORCES OPERATE UNDER A NATO CHAIN OF COMMAND RATHER THAN THE MUDDLED SYSTEM THE UNITED NATIONS USED IN BOSNIA BEFORE THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT.

    TEXT: AND, IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE TO STOP THE BOMBING, WRITES "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE", BEFORE THE SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION BELGRADE IS DEMANDING IS AGREED TO AND SERB TROOPS BEGIN THEIR WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO.

    VOICE: THE SERBIAN STRONGMAN WOULD LIKE TO CALL OFF THE BOMBING FIRST AND WORK OUT THE PEACE DETAILS LATER. HE KNOWS THAT ONCE NATO HAS STOPPED THE AERIAL ATTACKS, IT WILL BE UNDER GREAT PRESSURE NOT TO RESUME THEM. AND HE DOUBTLESS WOULD LIKE TO EXPLOIT ANY LOOPHOLE HE CAN FIND TO ALLOW HIM TO MAINTAIN HIS BRUTAL GRIP ON KOSOVO.

    TEXT: "THE BOSTON GLOBE" ARGUES AFTER 10-WEEKS OF BOMBING, NATO CAN NOT AFFORD TO LOSE THE WAR IN ITS FINAL STAGES BY ALLOWING BELGRADE TO HOLD OUT FOR A SETTLEMENT WHILE TRYING TO DIVIDE THE ALLIANCE.

    VOICE: THIS MEANS NO BOMBING PAUSE THAT ALLOWS SERBIA'S FORCES TO REGROUP OR COMPLETE ETHNIC CLEANSING WHILE THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL STALLS OVER A RESOLUTION... WHEN THAT AGREEMENT IS ESTABLISHED, THE BOMBING SHOULD HALT VERY QUICKLY. THE AIR CAMPAIGN APPEARS TO HAVE SUCCEEDED THROUGH THE VIRTUE OF NATO UNITY, DESPITE EVERY EFFORT BY MR. MILOSEVIC TO DIVIDE THE ALLIES. THAT IS ALSO HIS FINAL TACTIC IN THE END GAME. NATO HAS LEARNED THE POWER OF ITS UNITY AND ITS MEMBERS MUST KEEP IT TOGETHER TO THE END.

    TEXT: THE WALL STREET JOURNAL WOULD LIKE THE END OF THE KOSOVO CRISIS TO COINCIDE WITH THE END OF MILOSEVIC RULE.

    VOICE: TO RESTATE WHAT SO MANY SEEM DETERMINED NOT TO SEE: FOR ALL THE BAD BLOOD AND BAD HISTORY, THE BALKAN HORROR SINCE 1989 DID NOT SPONTANEOUSLY ERUPT FROM CURSED SOIL. IT IS THE EXPLICIT RESULT OF SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S STRATEGY OF DEMAGOGUERY AND INVASION. THIS TYRANT DID NOT REACT TO THE SLAUGHTER IN THE BALKANS. HE PLANNED IT. HE EXECUTED IT. NOW, IF NATO IS TO HAVE ANY HOPE OF FINISHING THE JOB IT BEGAN IN THE BALKANS, IT NEEDS TO STATE CLEARLY THAT ITS AIM IS TO REMOVE HIM.

    TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS LOOK AT WHAT SOME OF AMERICA'S MAJOR NEWSPAPERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE END GAME IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
    NEB/NJS/RAE
    08-Jun-99 11:47 AM EDT (1547 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [20] KOSOVO/SERB-WITHDRAWAL (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250392
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: U-S MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE SOME SIGNS THAT YUGOSLAV FORCES ARE GETTING READY TO LEAVE THE SERB PROVINCE OF KOSOVO, BUT NO SERB TROOPS HAVE ACTUALLY LEFT YET. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON, WHERE OFFICIALS SAY U-S HELICOPTERS, ARMORED VEHICLES, AND THOUSANDS OF TROOPS ARE GETTING READY TO MOVE INTO KOSOVO AS PART OF AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING OPERATION.

    TEXT: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS U-S INTELLIGENCE HAS SEEN A NUMBER OF INDICATIONS THAT BELGRADE'S FORCES PLAN TO LEAVE KOSOVO SOON.

    /// BACON ACT ///

    THEY (THE SERB FORCES) ARE MOBILIZING VEHICLES AND OTHER MEANS TO TRANSPORT PEOPLE OUT, BUT WE HAVE NOT YET SEEN SIGNS THAT SERB TROOPS OR SPECIAL POLICE FORCES OR PARAMILITARIES ARE MOVING OUT. WE HAVE CERTAINLY SEEN PREPARATIONS FOR MOVING OUT.

    /// END ACT ///

    MR. BACON'S COMMENTS FOLLOWED NEWS REPORTS THAT HUGE U-S B-52 BOMBERS KILLED HUNDREDS OF SERB TROOPS WHEN THEY RAINED TONS OF BOMBS ON TWO YUGOSLAV UNITS IN KOSOVO.

    PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THE WARPLANES WERE ASSIGNED TO STRIKE TWO "BATTALION SIZED UNITS" BUT SAY THEY HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING FOR SURE HOW MANY SERB SOLDIERS DIED IN THE ATTACK.

    DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THAT NATO'S BOMBING CAMPAIGN WILL CONTINUE UNTIL SERB FORCES BEGIN LEAVING THE PROVINCE, AND HE SAYS THE BOMBERS WILL RETURN IF BELGRADE'S FORCES DELAY THEIR DEPARTURE. MEANTIME, PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY PLANS ARE MOVING FORWARD FOR THE 50-THOUSAND MEMBER PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO. THE TOTAL U-S CONTRIBUTION IS EXPECTED TO BE SEVEN-THOUSAND TROOPS. JUST OVER HALF OF THEM ARE MOVING INTO PLACE NOW, INCLUDING 19-HUNDRED MARINES, ABOARD SHIPS OFF THE GREEK COAST, AND 17 HUNDRED MORE INFANTRY, ARMOR, ARTILLERY AND HELICOPTER SOLDIERS FROM U-S FORCES NOW STATIONED IN ALBANIA. SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS THE FIRST WAVE OF AMERICANS CAN BE READY TO ENTER KOSOVO JUST A FEW DAYS AFTER RECEIVING AN ORDER TO MARCH. (SIGNED)
    NEB/JR/WFR
    08-Jun-99 5:33 PM EDT (2133 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [21] KOSOVO/WAR POWERS (L ONLY) BY JIM MALONE (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250381
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: A FEDERAL JUDGE IN WASHINGTON HAS DISMISSED A LAWSUIT BY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO WANTED TO FORCE PRESIDENT CLINTON TO STOP THE AIR WAR AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE REPORTS THE LAWMAKERS INVOLVED SAY THEY WILL APPEAL THE DECISION.

    TEXT: NEARLY 30 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS LED BY REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN TOM CAMPBELL OF CALIFORNIA HAD FILED SUIT CHARGING THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON HAD VIOLATED THE 1973 WAR POWERS ACT BY AUTHORIZING AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA.

    PRESIDENTS HAVE OFTEN IGNORED THE WAR POWERS ACT, WHICH REQUIRES CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL FOR ANY DEPLOYMENT OF U-S MILITARY FORCES ABROAD FOR MORE THAN 60 DAYS.

    CONGRESSMAN CAMPBELL AND THE OTHER LAWMAKERS BASED THEIR LAWSUIT ON AN APRIL 28TH VOTE IN THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. A MEASURE AUTHORIZING U-S INVOLVEMENT IN THE AIR CAMPAIGN FAILED ON A TIE VOTE OF 213 TO 213. CONGRESSMAN CAMPBELL AND THE OTHERS SAID THE PRESIDENT IGNORED THE VOTE AND CONTINUED THE AIR CAMPAIGN, VIOLATING THE WAR POWERS ACT.

    BUT FEDERAL JUDGE PAUL FRIEDMAN DISAGREED. JUDGE FRIEDMAN SAYS CONGRESS HAS SENT DECIDEDLY MIXED MESSAGES ABOUT THE NATO CAMPAIGN OVER KOSOVO, CITING A VOTE ON MAY 20TH WHEN THE HOUSE EASILY APPROVED ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR U-S MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN THE BALKANS.

    A STATEMENT FROM CONGRESSMAN CAMPBELL SAYS THE EFFECT OF THE RULING WILL BE TO PREVENT ANY MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM CONTESTING A WAR INITIATED BY A PRESIDENT IN THE ABSENCE OF A DECLARATION OF WAR. HE AND THE OTHERS WILL APPEAL THE DISMISSAL OF THEIR LAWSUIT TO A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT. (SIGNED)
    NEB/JBM/KL
    08-Jun-99 1:33 PM EDT (1733 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [22] MACEDONIA IN THE WAR BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-43596
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: SEVENTEEN PER CENT OF THE POPULATION OF MACEDONIA ARE NOW REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO. TEMPORARILY AT LEAST, THIS HAS DRAMATICALLY ALTERED THE ETHNIC MIX IN THE SMALL, LANDLOCKED COUNTRY IN THE STRIFE-RIDDEN BALKANS. THE NEWCOMERS HAVE SWELLED THE NUMBERS OF ALBANIAN MUSLIMS, WHO NORMALLY COMPRISE ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE POPULATION. THIS HAS LED TO INCREASED TENSIONS WITH THE SLAV MAJORITY. BUT AS VOA'S ED WARNER REPORTS, MACEDONIA SEEMS TO BE HOLDING TOGETHER WITH INTERNATIONAL HELP, THOUGH ECONOMIC AID IS URGENTLY NEEDED.

    TEXT: HUNDREDS OF POLICE RECENTLY POURED INTO A REFUGEE CAMP IN MACEDONIA TO RESCUE A GYPSY FAMILY ACCUSED OF WORKING FOR THE SERBS. ALBANIAN REFUGEES, ENRAGED BY ATROCITIES AGAINST THEM IN KOSOVO, HAD BADLY BEATEN THE GYPSIES WHO MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE COLLABORATED WITH SERBS. THE U-S AMBASSADOR TO MACEDONIA, CHRISTOPHER HILL, ARRIVED ON THE SCENE TO ASSURE THE REFUGEES JUSTICE WOULD BE DONE.

    FOR ALL THE INTENSITY OF EMOTIONS IN MACEDONIA, SUCH INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN INFREQUENT, SAYS KURT BASSEUNER OF THE BALKAN ACTION COUNCIL IN WASHINGTON. HE EXPECTS EVEN LESS TROUBLE AS THE REFUGEES LEAVE MACEDONIA, AS MOST OF THEM WANT TO DO:

    // BASSEUNER ACT //

    THERE IS A REAL DISJUNCT BETWEEN THE MACEDONIAN ALBANIAN POPULATION AND THE MACEDONIAN SLAV MAJORITY IN THE WAY THEY VIEW THE WAR IN KOSOVO. THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT. BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS REMARKABLE IS THERE HAVE BEEN VERY FEW FLARE-UPS OF ANY SIGNIFICANT DEGREE. PART OF THAT IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE A MULTI-ETHNIC GOVERNMENT. THE MAIN ETHNIC ALBANIAN PARTY IS PART OF THE RULING COALITION. SO I DO NOT THINK THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE ANY PERMANENT LINGERING DISRUPTION TO THE ETHNIC BALANCE.

    // END ACT //

    AT A RECENT PRESS BRIEFING IN WASHINGTON, MACEDONIA'S PRIME MINISTER, LJUBCO GEORGIEVSKI, SAID HIS COUNTRY HAS PRESERVED STABILITY AND DEMOCRACY SINCE GAINING INDEPENDENCE IN 1991. HE INSISTS IT WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO DESPITE THE WAR IN KOSOVO.

    BUT HE ADDS THE CONFLICT HAS PUT GREAT PRESSURE ON MACEDONIA. IT IS NOW HOST TO SOME 30 THOUSAND NATO TROOPS, TWICE THE NUMBER OF ITS OWN ARMED FORCES. IT HAS ABSORBED 330 THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO:

    // GEORGIEVSKI ACT, FROM MACEDONIAN TO ENGLISH //

    AN ENORMOUS PART OF THE EXPENSES CONCERNING THE REFUGEES ARE BORNE BY THE MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT, AND THE ASSISTANCE PLEDGED COMES TO MACEDONIA VERY SLOWLY. MACEDONIA HAD TWENTY PER CENT OF ITS FOREIGN TRADE WITH YUGOSLAVIA. THIS IS NOW FULLY BLOCKED WITHOUT A CHANCE TO RENEW IN THE NEAR FUTURE. SINCE THE START OF THE WAR, ABOUT FIFTY EUROPEAN AND UNITED STATES COMPANIES HAVE BROKEN CONTRACTS WITH MACEDONIAN PARTNERS.

    // END ACT //

    MR. GEORGIEVSKI ADDED THAT ALL ROADS THROUGH YUGOSLAVIA ARE NOW CLOSED, TRIPLING TRANSPORTATION COSTS FOR MACEDONIAN GOODS. HIS NATION'S ECONOMY IS NO LONGER COMPETITIVE.

    GIVEN THE PROBLEMS OF WAR, MR. BASSEUNER SAYS MACEDONIA IS PRACTICALLY A WARD OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. BUT PRIME MINISTER GEORGIEVSKI DOES NOT OBJECT TO THAT:

    // GEORGIEVSKI ACT //

    IN THIS RESPECT, I MAY SAY THAT THE LARGE PRESENCE OF NATO IS CONSIDERED BY NO ONE IN MACEDONIA AS A THREAT TO SOVEREIGNTY BECAUSE OUR INTENTION IS TO BECOME PART OF NATO. THAT IS OUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE EXPANSION OF NATO IN THE NEXT ROUND.

    // END ACT //

    MR. GEORGIEVSKI SAYS NATO WILL BE ESPECIALLY WELCOME FOR THE ECONOMIC HELP IT BRINGS TO MACEDONIA. (SIGNED)
    NEB/EW/KL
    08-Jun-99 9:33 AM EDT (1333 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250394
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (TUESDAY), GIVING UP ALL THE GAINS MADE MONDAY. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

    TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10 THOUSAND 765, DOWN 143 POINTS OR ALMOST ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 13 HUNDRED 17, DOWN 17 POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX LOST ALMOST TWO PERCENT.

    TRADING VOLUME WAS RELATIVELY LIGHT AS IT WAS ON MONDAY. ANALYSTS SAY MAJOR PRICE CHANGES ON LIGHT TRADING ARE USUALLY LESS SIGNIFICANT THAN THEY WOULD BE ON HEAVY VOLUME. MANY TRADERS ARE SAID TO BE HOLDING BACK IN ADVANCE OF THE LATEST U-S INFLATION FIGURES WHICH WILL BE RELEASED NEXT TUESDAY.

    DIFFERENCES OF OPINION ARE WHAT MAKES A STOCK MARKET AND TWO INFLUENTIAL ANALYSTS HAVE WIDELY DIVERGENT VIEWS. BARTON BIGGS OF THE MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT COMPANY SAYS U-S STOCKS ARE STILL OVERVALUED, PERHAPS BY AS MUCH AS 30 PERCENT. BUT AL GOLDMAN OF THE A-G EDWARDS INVESTMENT COMPANY IS OPTIMISTIC, SAYING THE RECENT DOWNWARD CORRECTION IN STOCK PRICES IS PAST.

    /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///

    ///GOLDMAN ACT///

    WE WERE UP 11 HUNDRED POINTS ON THE DOW IN APRIL. WE HAD ABOUT A TWO AND ONE-HALF WEEK PULLBACK OF ABOUT 600 POINTS. BUT, BY THE MIDDLE OF LAST WEEK, STOCKS STARTED TO GO UP. DESPITE SOME POTHOLES IN THE ROAD (SOME VOLATILITY) THE MARKET WAS ACTING AS IF IT HAD WORKED OFF SHORT-TERM EXCESSES. WE THINK WE ARE BACK TO THE PRIMARY TREND WHICH IS STILL A BULL (UP MARKET).

    ///END ACT///

    THREE LARGE U-S SECURITIES FIRMS PLAN TO START AN ELECTRONIC STOCK MARKET WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY COMPETE WITH THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE. THE PROJECT, BEING DEVELOPED BY MERRILL LYNCH, GOLDMAN SACHS AND THE MADOFF INVESTMENT COMPANY, IS EXPECTED TO BE IN OPERATION WITHIN A YEAR.

    THE STOCKS OF MAJOR U-S AIRLINES WERE DOWN AFTER BOTH UNITED AND U-S AIR ISSUED EARNINGS WARNINGS. IN ADDITION, UNITED ANNOUNCED IT WILL CUT FARES UP TO 25 PERCENT AND OTHER CARRIERS QUICKLY SAID THEY WILL DO THE SAME.

    A HOSTILE TAKEOVER ATTEMPT TURNED FRIENDLY WHEN MANAGEMENT OF THE CHOCK FULL O'NUTS COFFEE COMPANY SAID IT WILL GO ALONG WITH A TAKEOVER OFFER FROM SARA LEE, A PACKAGED GOODS COMPANY. SARA LEE WILL PAY 238 MILLION DOLLARS IN STOCK.

    GENERAL MOTORS ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION, THE FINANCING UNIT OF THE AUTOMAKER, SAYS IT WILL PAY ONE POINT EIGHT BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE THE COMMERCIAL FINANCE DIVISION OF THE BANK OF NEW YORK. ANALYSTS SAY IT'S AN EFFORT BY G-M-A-C TO EXPAND ITS BUSINESS BEYOND AUTOMOTIVE FINANCING.

    THE U-S POSTAL SERVICE HAS AWARDED A 154 MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT TO THE LOCKHEED MARTIN COMPANY TO DEVELOP A NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM WHICH WILL CORRECTLY READ 80 PERCENT OF HANDWRITTEN ADDRESSES. THE CURRENT SYSTEM CAN READ ONLY ABOUT HALF OF ALL HANDWRITTEN ADDRESSES.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
    08-Jun-99 5:20 PM EDT (2120 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250374
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: GERMANY HAS BRIEFED NATO AMBASSADORS ON DETAILS OF THE DRAFT UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION DRAWN UP BY THE G-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS, THE ALLIANCE IS READY TO STOP BOMBING, BUT ONLY WHEN THE CONDITIONS OF THE RESOLUTION ARE MET.

    TEXT: NATO STILL WANTS TO SEE SERBIAN TROOPS BEGIN A COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO BEFORE PAUSING THE AIR STRIKES. NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA WARMLY WELCOMES THE DIPLOMATIC AGREEMENT IN COLOGNE, BUT SAYS NATO'S CONDITION FOR STOPPING THE BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA REMAINS THE SAME.

    /// SHEA ACT ///

    THE SOONER WE SEE THOSE TANK TRACKS START TO MOVE, THE SOONER WE CAN CONSIDER A PAUSE -- BUT NOT UNTIL [THEN]. THAT'S ACTUALLY CLEAR, THE SEQUENCING HAS BEEN WORKED OUT, AND I THINK IT'S A GOOD PLAN -- BUT EVERYTHING HINGES ON BELGRADE BEING WILLING TO PULL ITS FORCES OUT.

    /// END ACT ///

    JUST AS ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, NATO IS WAITING FOR THE YUGOSLAV GENERALS TO AGREE ON THE WITHDRAWAL PLAN WITH NATO'S COMMANDER IN MACEDONIA, GENERAL MICHAEL JACKSON. THE BOMBING WAS REDUCED WHILE THOSE TALKS TOOK PLACE, BUT THEN INTENSIFIED AGAIN, AFTER THE SERBS ATTEMPTED TO NEGOTIATE THEIR OWN CONDITIONS TO ATTACH TO NATO'S PLAN FOR THEIR WITHDRAWAL.

    NATO DOUBLED ITS BOMBING RAIDS MONDAY, HITTING PETROLEUM STORAGE TANKS IN NOVI SAD AND IN PANCEVO, NEAR BELGRADE. IN KOSOVO, NATO BOMBED 20 SERBIAN ARTILLERY PIECES, 10 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS, NINE MORTAR POSITIONS, EIGHT ROCKET LAUNCHERS AND SIX TANKS.

    NATO MILITARY SPOKESMAN WALTER JERTZ TELLS REPORTERS, NATO CAN INTENSIFY THE BOMBING OR REDUCE IT, DEPENDING ON THE MILITARY TALKS IN MACEDONIA. GENERAL JERTZ NOTES THE SERB FORCES ARE STILL FIGHTING THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY ALONG THE ALBANIAN BORDER.

    /// JERTZ ACT ///

    ARTILLERY FIRE INTO ALBANIA, WHICH BEGAN INCREASING ON THE FOURTH OF JUNE, CONTINUED ALONG THE ENTIRE KOSOVO-ALBANIAN BORDER. THAT HEAVY ARTILLERY FIRE HAS CAUSED FURTHER EVACUATION OF ALBANIANS, FROM THE BORDER FURTHER INTO ALBANIA, TO SAFEGUARD THEM. THOUGH THE GROUND ACTIVITY WAS MOSTLY INTENSE ALONG THE WESTERN BORDER, IT WASN'T CONFINED THERE. SERB AND U-C-K [KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY] FORCES WERE ENGAGED ALL OVER KOSOVO -- IN THE NORTH, CENTER, [AND THE] SOUTH. IN SHORT, THE FIGHTING HASN'T STOPPED YET.

    /// END ACT ///

    IF THE FIGHTING HAS NOT STOPPED, THE SERBS HAVE NOT WITHDRAWN FROM KOSOVO. THEREFORE, ACCORDING TO THE SEQUENCE WORKED OUT BY THE G-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS, THERE IS STILL NO NATO BOMBING PAUSE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/RP/GE/WTW
    08-Jun-99 12:10 PM EDT (1610 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [25] RUSSIA/KOSOVO (S ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250362
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS PLANS ARE BEING DRAWN UP TO SEND AS MANY AS 10-THOUSAND TROOPS FOR DUTY WITH AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO. VOA'S PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS FROM MOSCOW.

    TEXT: DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEYEV SAYS AT LEAST THREE OPTIONS ARE BEING CONSIDERED FOR SENDING A RUSSIAN MILITARY CONTINGENT TO KOSOVO. THE MOST ELABORATE CALLS FOR 10-THOUSAND TROOPS TO BE DISPATCHED.

    GENERAL SERGEYEV SAYS THE PLANS WILL BE PRESENTED TO PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN SHORTLY.

    BUT OFFICIALS MAKE CLEAR THE TROOPS WILL NOT BE UNDER NATO COMMAND. THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE WORD ON HOW THE RUSSIAN SOLDIERS MIGHT WORK WITH A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE. NEWS AGENCIES SAY A TEAM OF U-S MILITARY OFFICIALS IS DUE IN MOSCOW WEDNESDAY (TOMORROW) FOR TALKS ON THE ISSUE.

    PRESIDENT YELTSIN, MEANWHILE, REPEATED MOSCOW'S ANTI-NATO STANCE AT A KREMLIN CEREMONY. HE DESCRIBED THE AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA AS, TO USE HIS WORDS, "ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH A DICTATORSHIP OF FORCE THAT VIOLATES THE BASICS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER." (SIGNED)
    NEB/PFH/PCF
    08-Jun-99 9:05 AM EDT (1305 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [26] RUSSIA/KOSOVO (S ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250362
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS PLANS ARE BEING DRAWN UP TO SEND AS MANY AS 10-THOUSAND TROOPS FOR DUTY WITH AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO. VOA'S PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS FROM MOSCOW.

    TEXT: DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEYEV SAYS AT LEAST THREE OPTIONS ARE BEING CONSIDERED FOR SENDING A RUSSIAN MILITARY CONTINGENT TO KOSOVO. THE MOST ELABORATE CALLS FOR 10-THOUSAND TROOPS TO BE DISPATCHED.

    GENERAL SERGEYEV SAYS THE PLANS WILL BE PRESENTED TO PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN SHORTLY.

    BUT OFFICIALS MAKE CLEAR THE TROOPS WILL NOT BE UNDER NATO COMMAND. THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE WORD ON HOW THE RUSSIAN SOLDIERS MIGHT WORK WITH A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE. NEWS AGENCIES SAY A TEAM OF U-S MILITARY OFFICIALS IS DUE IN MOSCOW WEDNESDAY (TOMORROW) FOR TALKS ON THE ISSUE.

    PRESIDENT YELTSIN, MEANWHILE, REPEATED MOSCOW'S ANTI-NATO STANCE AT A KREMLIN CEREMONY. HE DESCRIBED THE AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA AS, TO USE HIS WORDS, "ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH A DICTATORSHIP OF FORCE THAT VIOLATES THE BASICS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER." (SIGNED)
    NEB/PFH/PCF
    08-Jun-99 9:05 AM EDT (1305 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [27] SENATE-KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (SENATE)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250398
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: WHILE DIPLOMATS AND GENERALS ARE WORKING OUT PEACE PLANS FOR KOSOVO, THE U-S SENATE IS WORRYING ABOUT THE COSTS OF PEACEKEEPING AND POSTWAR RECONSTRUCTION. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS.

    TEXT: UNDER A REPUBLICAN PROPOSAL ADOPTED TUESDAY NIGHT, AMERICAN MONEY CAN HELP REBUILD KOSOVO, BUT COULD NOT BE SPENT ELSEWHERE IN SERBIA AS LONG AS SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC RETAINS POWER. MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT SAYS THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MUST NOT BECOME ANOTHER (IRAQI PRESIDENT) SADDAM HUSSEIN, WHO LOST THE GULF WAR BUT STILL THREATENS U-S INTERESTS.

    // LOTT ACT //

    IF WE DON'T GET HIM (MILOSEVIC) REMOVED FROM THE PRESIDENCY OF YUGOSLAVIA, ITS OBVIOUS THAT THE PROBLEMS ARE NOT GOING TO STOP. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CONTINUING PROBLEMS IN BOSNIA OF COURSE, AND IN KOSOVO. SO I DO THINK THAT THAT SHOULD BE THE ULTIMATE GOAL.

    // END ACT //

    THE HOUSE (OF REPRESENTATIVES) HAS YET TO ACT ON THE ISSUE. BUT THERE HAVE BEEN CALLS TO LIMIT AMERICAN SPENDING IN KOSOVO ITSELF. THIS REFLECTS CONCERN ABOUT KEEPING THE FEDERAL BUDGET IN BALANCE AS WELL AS A FEELING THE UNITED STATES HAS LITTLE ATSTAKE IN THE BALKANS.

    REPUBLICAN SENATOR TED STEVENS, WHO CHAIRS THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, IS ONE OF THOSE WHO WANT EUROPE TO TAKE THE LEAD IN RECONSTRUCTION.

    // STEVENS ACT //

    THEIR ECONOMY'S GREATER THAN OURS, THEIR CASH FLOW IS GREATER THAN OURS, THEIR DEBT IS LOWER THAN OURS AND THEIR COST IN FIGHTING THIS WAR HAS BEEN LOWER THAN OURS. SO I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY WOULD SAY WE SHOULD TAKE ANY MORE THAN JUST A SMALL PART OF THE RECONSTRUCTION WHETHER ITS KOSOVO OR SERBIA. IT'S NOT OUR JOB.

    // END ACT //

    THE EXPENSE OF THE PLANNED ALLIED PEACEKEEPING MISSION, AND ITS DURATION, ARE ALSO ON LAWMAKERS' MINDS. SKEPTICS POINT TO THE DEPLOYMENT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WHICH CONTINUES LONG PAST ITS ORIGINAL ENDING DATE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DS/PT
    08-Jun-99 6:58 PM EDT (2258 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [28] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=06/8/99
    TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-11328
    TELEPHONE=619-2702
    EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS
    CONTENT=

    /// ED'S: MATERIAL DATED AFTER 10 P-M EASTERN TIME ///

    INTRO: IN ADDITION TO THE KOSOVO CONFLICT, RENEWED TENSIONS BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN, POST-MANDELA SOUTH AFRICA AND PRESIDENT CLINTON'S NOMINATION OF A HOMOSEXUAL TO SERVE AS AN AMBASSADOR ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES BEING DISCUSSED IN EDITORIALS IN AMERICA'S MAJOR NEWSPAPERS TUESDAY. HERE WITH A SAMPLING IS ___________ WITH TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

    TEXT: THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, DISCUSSING RENEWED TENSIONS BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN OVER KASHMIR, SAYS THAT THE FACT THAT INDIA AND PAKISTAN JUST A YEAR AGO TESTED NUCLEAR DEVICES ADDS TO CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT:

    VOICE: NO ONE WANTS TO SEE THE FIGHTING GO NUCLEAR. YET THAT RISK IS VERY HIGH. WHENEVER THE PENTAGON HYPOTHESIZES WAR BETWEEN MOSTLY HINDU INDIA AND MOSTLY MUSLIM PAKISTAN, THE RESULT USUALLY IS A CATASTROPHIC NUCLEAR EXCHANGE.

    TEXT: AND THE PAPER ARGUES, THE COMPARISON THAT INDIA AND PAKISTAN MAKE TO THE COLD WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION IS NOT VALID.

    VOICE: DURING THEIR HALF CENTURY RIVALRY, THE UNITED STATES AND THE SOVIET UNION NEVER SHARED A BORDER OR CLAIMED PARTS OF EACH OTHERS' TERRITORY, AS INDIA AND PAKISTAN DO. THEY NEVER FOUGHT A 'HOT' WAR. INDIA AND PAKISTAN HAVE FOUGHT THREE AND EVEN NOW ARE KILLING EACH OTHER WITH GREAT GUSTO.

    TEXT: THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE WRITES ABOUT THE VAST PROBLEMS FACING SOUTH AFRICA'S NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT, THABO MBEKI, AND ITS LEADING POLITICAL PARTY, THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, A-N-C. WHAT HAPPENS IN SOUTH AFRICA, THE TRIBUNE SAYS, HAS PARTICULAR RESONANCE IN AMERICA WITH ITS LARGE AFRICAN-AMERICAN POPULATION:

    VOICE: THE 56-YEAR OLD MBEKI REMAINS SOMETHING OF AN ENIGMA, EVEN TO MANY WHO VOTED FOR HIM. UNLIKE MANDELA, WHO SERVED 27 YEARS AS A POLITICAL PRISONER, MBEKI LIVED HALF OF HIS LIFE IN POLITICAL EXILE OUTSIDE SOUTH AFRICA . . . WITH ITS RE-ELECTION PRESSURE MOUNTS FOR THE A-N-C TO DELIVER ON MBEKI'S PROMISE OF A JUST AND PEACEFUL SOUTH AFRICA FOR ALL. THE ROAD TO POWER HAS BEEN LONG AND COSTLY. BUT SOME OF ITS TOUGHEST CHOICES FOR MBEKI AND HIS GOVERNMENT STILL LIE AHEAD.

    TEXT: LAST WEEK, PRESIDENT CLINTON EXERCISED HIS POWER OF RECESS APPOINTMENTS TO BYPASS THE SENATE AND APPOINT JAMES HORMEL AN OPENLY GAY MAN -- AS AMBASSADOR TO LUXEMBOURG. THE PRESIDENT ACTED AFTER THE SENATE REFUSED TO CONFIRM THE NOMINATION. CRITICS CHARGED MR. HORMEL WOULD USE HIS POST TO PUSH A GAY-RIGHTS AGENDA, SOMETHING MR. HORMEL DENIED. THE BALTIMORE SUN CALLS OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE LEADERSHIP TO THE NOMINATION A CASE OF ANTI-GAY BIGOTRY.

    VOICE: IT WASN'T THAT MR. HORMEL LACKED QUALIFICATIONS. HE'S A FORMER DEAN OF THE PRESTIGIOUS UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LAW SCHOOL. NO, MR. HORMEL'S 'SIN' IN THE EYES OF MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT AND FOUR OTHER REPUBLICANS, WAS HIS SEXUAL ORIENTATION . . .THAT THE PRESIDENT HAD TO RESORT TO THIS END-RUN IS SHAMEFUL. MR. HORMEL'S APPOINTMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN DOUBT. HIS SEXUALITY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE, CERTAINLY NOT ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

    TEXT: WITH THAT COMMENT FROM THE BALTIMORE SUN, WE CONCLUDE THIS EDITION OF EDITORIAL DIGEST FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 8. (SIGNED)
    NEB/NJS/KL
    08-Jun-99 12:55 PM EDT (1655 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [29] TURKEY OCALAN (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250365
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: IN THEIR CLOSING ARGUMENTS MADE TUESDAY, TURKISH PROSECUTORS DEMANDED CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN, WHO IS STANDING TRIAL ON CHARGES OF TREASON. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, THE COURT THEN ADJOURNED FOR 15 DAYS TO PERMIT MR. OCALAN'S LAWYERS TO PREPARE THEIR FINAL DEFENSE ARGUMENTS.

    TEXT: JUST AS THE PROSECUTORS WERE DEMANDING THE DEATH SENTENCE FOR THE LEADER OF THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR P-K-K, HIS FOLLOWERS RENEWED WARNINGS THAT TURKEY WOULD BE PLUNGED INTO FURTHER VIOLENCE, IF MR. OCALAN WERE EXECUTED UPON CONVICTION.

    UNDER TURKISH LAW, MR. OCALAN'S LAWYERS CAN APPEAL THE DEATH SENTENCE TO A HIGHER COURT. BUT THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT HAS FINAL SAY ON WHETHER OR NOT TO EXECUTE MR. OCALAN. THERE HAVE BEEN NO EXECUTIONS IN TURKEY SINCE 1994 -- A POLICY TURKEY ADOPTED AS PART OF ITS EFFORTS TO WIN MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION.

    THROUGHOUT TRIAL PROCEEDINGS LAST WEEK, THE P-K-K LEADER SAID HE COULD ORDER HIS MEN DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS AND END THEIR 15 YEAR LONG ARMED CAMPAIGN FOR SELF RULE IN TURKEY'S LARGELY KURDISH SOUTHEAST PROVINCES -- IF HIS LIFE WERE SPARED.

    BUT IN BLAMING WHAT HE TERMED "ENEMIES TO HIS LEADERSHIP" WITHIN THE P-K-K FOR NUMEROUS ATTACKS LAUNCHED BY THE REBELS AGAINST UNARMED CIVILIANS, ANALYSTS SAY MR. OCALAN HAS WEAKENED HIS OWN CLAIMS THAT HE HAS FULL CONTROL OVER THE MOVEMENT HE FOUNDED OVER 20 YEARS AGO.

    THE TURKISH ARMED FORCES ON MONDAY REJECTED THE P-K-K LEADERS' CALL FOR A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION TO THE KURDISH PROBLEM, SAYING THEY WOULD NOT TALK WITH SOMEONE THEY CALL "A TERRORIST."

    MANY KURDS SAY THEY FEEL FRUSTRATED AND HUMILIATED BY THE P-K-K LEADER'S DESCRIPTION OF THE INSURGENCY AS "A MISTAKE," AND HIS CLAIMS THAT LIFE FOR KURDS HAD IMPROVED SINCE THE EARLY 1990S. HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS SAY THAT IS WHEN ABUSES COMMITTED BY TURKISH SECURITY FORCES PEAKED IN THEIR EFFORTS TO CONTAIN THE KURDISH INSURGENCY.

    OTHER KURDS CLAIM THAT THE P-K-K LEADER HAS BEEN, AS THEY PUT IT, "BRAINWASHED" DURING HIS FOUR MONTHS SPENT IN CAPTIVITY. HE WAS ARRESTED IN KENYA BY TURKISH SPECIAL AGENTS IN FEBRUARY. (SIGNED)
    NEB/AZ/PCF
    08-Jun-99 9:40 AM EDT (1340 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [30] TURKEY OCALAN (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250365
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: IN THEIR CLOSING ARGUMENTS MADE TUESDAY, TURKISH PROSECUTORS DEMANDED CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN, WHO IS STANDING TRIAL ON CHARGES OF TREASON. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, THE COURT THEN ADJOURNED FOR 15 DAYS TO PERMIT MR. OCALAN'S LAWYERS TO PREPARE THEIR FINAL DEFENSE ARGUMENTS.

    TEXT: JUST AS THE PROSECUTORS WERE DEMANDING THE DEATH SENTENCE FOR THE LEADER OF THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR P-K-K, HIS FOLLOWERS RENEWED WARNINGS THAT TURKEY WOULD BE PLUNGED INTO FURTHER VIOLENCE, IF MR. OCALAN WERE EXECUTED UPON CONVICTION.

    UNDER TURKISH LAW, MR. OCALAN'S LAWYERS CAN APPEAL THE DEATH SENTENCE TO A HIGHER COURT. BUT THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT HAS FINAL SAY ON WHETHER OR NOT TO EXECUTE MR. OCALAN. THERE HAVE BEEN NO EXECUTIONS IN TURKEY SINCE 1994 -- A POLICY TURKEY ADOPTED AS PART OF ITS EFFORTS TO WIN MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION.

    THROUGHOUT TRIAL PROCEEDINGS LAST WEEK, THE P-K-K LEADER SAID HE COULD ORDER HIS MEN DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS AND END THEIR 15 YEAR LONG ARMED CAMPAIGN FOR SELF RULE IN TURKEY'S LARGELY KURDISH SOUTHEAST PROVINCES -- IF HIS LIFE WERE SPARED.

    BUT IN BLAMING WHAT HE TERMED "ENEMIES TO HIS LEADERSHIP" WITHIN THE P-K-K FOR NUMEROUS ATTACKS LAUNCHED BY THE REBELS AGAINST UNARMED CIVILIANS, ANALYSTS SAY MR. OCALAN HAS WEAKENED HIS OWN CLAIMS THAT HE HAS FULL CONTROL OVER THE MOVEMENT HE FOUNDED OVER 20 YEARS AGO.

    THE TURKISH ARMED FORCES ON MONDAY REJECTED THE P-K-K LEADERS' CALL FOR A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION TO THE KURDISH PROBLEM, SAYING THEY WOULD NOT TALK WITH SOMEONE THEY CALL "A TERRORIST."

    MANY KURDS SAY THEY FEEL FRUSTRATED AND HUMILIATED BY THE P-K-K LEADER'S DESCRIPTION OF THE INSURGENCY AS "A MISTAKE," AND HIS CLAIMS THAT LIFE FOR KURDS HAD IMPROVED SINCE THE EARLY 1990S. HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS SAY THAT IS WHEN ABUSES COMMITTED BY TURKISH SECURITY FORCES PEAKED IN THEIR EFFORTS TO CONTAIN THE KURDISH INSURGENCY.

    OTHER KURDS CLAIM THAT THE P-K-K LEADER HAS BEEN, AS THEY PUT IT, "BRAINWASHED" DURING HIS FOUR MONTHS SPENT IN CAPTIVITY. HE WAS ARRESTED IN KENYA BY TURKISH SPECIAL AGENTS IN FEBRUARY. (SIGNED)
    NEB/AZ/PCF
    08-Jun-99 9:40 AM EDT (1340 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [31] TURKEY TRIAL / KURDS BY SCOTT BOBB (ANKARA)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-43597
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE TRIAL OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN RESUMED TUESDAY. PROSECUTORS PRESENTED THEIR FINAL ARGUMENTS AND DEMANDED THE DEATH PENALTY. JUDGES SUBSEQUENTLY GRANTED A 15-DAY ADJOURNMENT AT THE REQUEST OF THE DEFENSE. THE TRIAL HAS RAISED MANY EMOTIONS. MANY TURKS BELIEVE MR. OCALAN, AS THE LEADER OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR P-K-K, SHOULD BE EXECUTED FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE GUERRILLA WAR IN WHICH 30-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED. FOR MANY KURDS, HOWEVER, MR. OCALAN IS A POLITICAL LEADER WHO SHOULD BE SPARED IN ORDER TO SEEK A SOLUTION TO THE KURDISH PROBLEM. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB HAS BEEN COVERING THE OCALAN TRIAL AND HAS THIS REPORT.

    TEXT: THE TURKISH NEWS MEDIA PRAISE THE ABDULLAH OCALAN TRIAL AS FAIR AND CORRECT. KURDISH LEADERS, MEANWHILE, CRITICIZE IT AS A PIECE OF THEATER STAGED BY TURKISH AUTHORITIES TO HUMILIATE MR. OCALAN, UNDERMINE HIS ORGANIZATION, THE P-K-K, AND ELIMINATE THE KURDISH ISSUE FROM THE NATIONAL AGENDA.

    A PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT ANKARA UNIVERSITY WHO HAS PUBLISHED A STUDY OF THE KURDISH PROBLEM, DOGU ERGIL (DOH-YOO EHR-GIHL), SAYS TURKISH AUTHORITIES AND MANY ORDINARY CITIZENS PERCEIVE THE KURDISH MATTER SIMPLY AS ONE OF TERRORISM. HE SAYS THEY BELIEVE IF MR. OCALAN IS EXECUTED, THE P-K-K WILL DECLINE AND THE KURDISH PROBLEM WILL FADE AWAY.

    PROFESSOR ERGIL SAYS ALTHOUGH MANY KURDS DO NOT LIKE MR. OCALAN AND CONSIDER HIM BRUTAL AND DICTATORIAL, TO THEM HE IS MORE THAN A TERRORIST.

    ///ERGIL ACT.///

    HE (OCALAN) REPRESENTED A KURDISH RESISTANCE, A KURDISH PROTEST, WHICH WAS NEVER HEEDED, BY NOT ONLY TURKEY, BUT BY OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE KURDISH ENCLAVES LIVE AND ARE DEPRIVED OF MANY RIGHTS.

    ///END ACT.///

    PROFESSOR ERGIL SAYS ESSENTIALLY, KURDS FEEL THEY ARE BEING DEPRIVED OF THEIR CULTURAL IDENTITY. THEIR LANGUAGE IS NOT TAUGHT IN SCHOOL. AND THEIR DESIRE FOR LOCAL AUTONOMY IS REJECTED.

    A COMMENTATOR FOR TURKISH NEWSPAPERS AND TELEVISION STATIONS, FEHMI KORU, NOTES THAT THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALLY SEES NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TURKS AND KURDS AND CONSIDERS THEM ALL CITIZENS OF TURKEY.

    ///KORU ACT.///

    WE HAVE HAD PRESIDENTS, PRIME MINISTERS, MINISTERS OF KURDISH ORIGIN. BUT THE (KURDISH) PEOPLE, AT LEAST SOME PEOPLE, FEEL THAT THEY NEED MORE TO BE ACCEPTED AS FULL-FLEDGED CITIZENS.

    ///END ACT.///

    MR. KORU SAYS THAT WHENEVER SOMEONE SUGGESTS NEGOTIATING WITH KURDISH ACTIVISTS, THE AUTHORITIES REPLY THAT THE REBELS ARE KILLING KURDS AS WELL AS TURKS, AND REJECT PROPOSALS TO EASE SECURITY MEASURES.

    ///OPT.///

    A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BERLIN-BASED FORUM FOR PEACE AND DEMOCRACY, KURT RAUCHFUSS (KOOT RAUH-FOOS), SAYS THE KURDISH PROBLEM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 200 YEARS, BUT IT HAS WORSENED SINCE THE 1970S BECAUSE OF GOVERNMENT REPRESSION.

    ///RAUCHFUSS ACT.////// OPT ACT ///

    I THINK THE TURKISH STATE USES THIS ESCALATION TO REPRESS THE PEOPLE HERE ASKING FOR DEMOCRACY. THEY ARE ALWAYS DENOUNCED AS BEING SEPARATIST, AS BEING PEOPLE OF THE P-K-K. BUT IN REALITY THEY AREN'T. LOTS OF THEM ARE REALLY CRITICS OF THE P-K-K.

    ///END ACT.////// END OPT ACT ///

    DR. RAUCHFUSS SAYS THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT USES THE CONFLICT TO SUPPRESS NOT ONLY KURDS, BUT ALSO ISLAMISTS, PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS AND ANYONE SEEN AS A THREAT TO ITS AUTHORITY.///END OPT. ///

    BECAUSE OF PRESSURE FROM FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS AND MUCH OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, MANY BELIEVE MR. OCALAN WILL BE HANGED. PROFESSOR ERGIL SAYS IF MR. OCALAN IS EXECUTED, AN OPPORTUNITY WILL BE MISSED TO RESOLVE THE KURDISH PROBLEM.

    ///ERGIL ACT.///

    THIS IS A HISTORICAL OPPORTUNITY, NOT OFFERED BY OCALAN IN PERSON, BUT BY HIS CAPTURE. BECAUSE WE WERE ALWAYS USING HIS EXISTENCE AND HIS ORGANIZATION AS AN ALIBI TO OUR RESISTANCE TO THE SOLUTION OF HIS PROBLEM, WHICH WE NEVER RECOGNIZED.

    ///END ACT.///

    TURKISH COMMENTATORS NOTE THAT IF MR. OCALAN IS EXECUTED, RADICAL KURDS MAY INTENSIFY THEIR ATTACKS IN ORDER TO KEEP THE RESISTANCE ALIVE AND UNDERSCORE THAT THE KURDISH PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED. YET, THEY ALSO NOTE THAT THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT BELIEVES ITS POLICIES ARE SUCCEEDING AND AS A RESULT, THEY SAY IT IS NOT LIKELY TO ABANDON ITS TOUGH APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM. (SIGNED)
    NEB/SB/GE
    08-Jun-99 10:29 AM EDT (1429 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [32] U-N / KOSOVO / RESOLUTION (L UPDATE) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250390
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL BEGAN DISCUSSIONS TODAY (TUESDAY) ON A DRAFT RESOLUTION ON THE KOSOVO PEACE PROCESS BUT HAS PUT OFF FURTHER ACTION UNTIL WEDNESDAY AT THE EARLIEST. MORE FROM OUR U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON.

    TEXT: THE COUNCIL RECEIVED THE DRAFT TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION, AGREED ON AT THE G-8 MEETING IN GERMANY, AND DISCUSSED IT FOR JUST OVER AN HOUR. THE DIPLOMATS AGREED TO CONSULT WITH THEIR CAPITALS AND CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, MOST LIKELY ON WEDNESDAY.

    BRITISH AMBASSADOR JEREMY GREENSTOCK SPOKE TO REPORTERS AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEETING:

    /// GREENSTOCK ACT ///

    WE HAVE INTRODUCED A SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION WITH ANNEXES AS WE PREDICTED TO YOU AND THAT HAS BEEN BROADLY SUPPORTED IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL. WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THAT. DELEGATIONS WILL WISH TO CONSULT THEIR CAPITALS, BUT THE PROCESS HAS BEEN SET IN HAND.

    /// END ACT ///

    CHINA'S REPRESENTATIVE IN THE COUNCIL MEETING, SHEN GUOFANG, SPOKE LESS OPTIMISTICALLY ABOUT THE DRAFT RESOLUTION. HE MENTIONED THREE POTENTIAL OBSTACLES. FIRST, HE SAYS, NATO STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA MUST STOP BEFORE CHINA WILL CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION. SECOND, CHINA MAY HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT REFERENCES IN THE DRAFT RESOLUTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. THE TRIBUNAL HAS INDICTED YUGOSLAV LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC FOR WAR CRIMES. MR. SHEN SAYS CHINA BELIEVES THE INDICTMENT WAS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

    CHINA IS ALSO RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT REFERENCE IN THE DRAFT RESOLUTION TO CHAPTER SEVEN OF THE U-N CHARTER, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE USE OF FORCE IN IMPLEMENTING COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS. SHEN GUOFANG SAYS CHINA WANTS TO ENSURE THAT NATO DOES NOT USE THE REFERENCE TO CHAPTER SEVEN AS JUSTIFICATION FOR THE RESUMPTION OF STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA AT SOME LATER DATE.

    /// SHEN ACT ///

    YOU SEE AFTER MAYBE WE HAVE ADOPTED THE RESOLUTION, WE CANNOT GIVE JUSTIFICATION TO NATO FOR THE FURTHER AGGRESSION AND FURTHER BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA.

    /// END ACT ///

    RUSSIA HAS ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE RESOLUTION AND INDICATED IT WILL NOT APPROVE IT UNLESS THE NATO STRIKES HAVE STOPPED. RUSSIA AND CHINA ARE AMONG THE FIVE PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WITH THE RIGHT TO VETO DRAFT RESOLUTIONS. THE OTHER THREE PERMANENT MEMBERS -- BRITAIN, THE UNITED STATES AND FRANCE -- ARE ALL MEMBERS OF NATO.

    DIPLOMATS SAY THEY EXPECT TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION ON WEDNESDAY. THEY SAY IF YUGOSLAVIA CARRIES THROUGH WITH ITS PROMISES TO WITHDRAW FROM KOSOVO, THE RESOLUTION WILL MOST LIKELY BE APPROVED BY THE END OF THE WEEK. (SIGNED)
    NEB/UN/MPR/LSF
    08-Jun-99 3:27 PM EDT (1927 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [33] U-N / KOSOVO RESOLUTION (S) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250373
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL BEGINS ITS DISCUSSIONS TODAY (TUESDAY) ON THE DRAFT AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO JUST REACHED BY THE GROUP OF EIGHT COUNTRIES IN GERMANY. MORE FROM OUR U-N CORRESPONDENT, MAX RUSTON.

    TEXT: DIPLOMATS SAY THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ITS WORK ON THE RESOLUTION WITHIN ABOUT 24 TO 48 HOURS. THEY SAY THE MOST DIFFICULT WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE BY THE G-8, AND THE COUNCIL'S MAIN JOB IS TO FORMALIZE THE G-8 TEXT INTO A RESOLUTION.

    BRITAIN'S U-N AMBASSADOR JEREMY GREENSTOCK SAYS FINAL PASSAGE OF THE RESOLUTION WILL BE CLOSELY TIED TO ANY MILITARY AGREEMENT BETWEEN NATO AND YUGOSLAV COMMANDERS. HE SAYS IT IS CLEAR THAT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MILITARY ASPECTS OF THE AGREEMENT WILL HAVE TO OCCUR SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH PASSAGE OF THE RESOLUTION.

    THAT IS AN APPARENT CONCESSION TO CHINA, WHICH SAYS IT WILL NOT APPROVE A RESOLUTION IN THE COUNCIL UNLESS NATO STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA HAVE BEEN HALTED. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WTW
    08-Jun-99 12:02 PM EDT (1602 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [34] U-N / KOSOVO RESOLUTION (S) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250373
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL BEGINS ITS DISCUSSIONS TODAY (TUESDAY) ON THE DRAFT AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO JUST REACHED BY THE GROUP OF EIGHT COUNTRIES IN GERMANY. MORE FROM OUR U-N CORRESPONDENT, MAX RUSTON.

    TEXT: DIPLOMATS SAY THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ITS WORK ON THE RESOLUTION WITHIN ABOUT 24 TO 48 HOURS. THEY SAY THE MOST DIFFICULT WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE BY THE G-8, AND THE COUNCIL'S MAIN JOB IS TO FORMALIZE THE G-8 TEXT INTO A RESOLUTION.

    BRITAIN'S U-N AMBASSADOR JEREMY GREENSTOCK SAYS FINAL PASSAGE OF THE RESOLUTION WILL BE CLOSELY TIED TO ANY MILITARY AGREEMENT BETWEEN NATO AND YUGOSLAV COMMANDERS. HE SAYS IT IS CLEAR THAT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MILITARY ASPECTS OF THE AGREEMENT WILL HAVE TO OCCUR SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH PASSAGE OF THE RESOLUTION.

    THAT IS AN APPARENT CONCESSION TO CHINA, WHICH SAYS IT WILL NOT APPROVE A RESOLUTION IN THE COUNCIL UNLESS NATO STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA HAVE BEEN HALTED. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WTW
    08-Jun-99 12:02 PM EDT (1602 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [35] U-N / KOSOVO RESOLUTION (S) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250373
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL BEGINS ITS DISCUSSIONS TODAY (TUESDAY) ON THE DRAFT AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO JUST REACHED BY THE GROUP OF EIGHT COUNTRIES IN GERMANY. MORE FROM OUR U-N CORRESPONDENT, MAX RUSTON.

    TEXT: DIPLOMATS SAY THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ITS WORK ON THE RESOLUTION WITHIN ABOUT 24 TO 48 HOURS. THEY SAY THE MOST DIFFICULT WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE BY THE G-8, AND THE COUNCIL'S MAIN JOB IS TO FORMALIZE THE G-8 TEXT INTO A RESOLUTION.

    BRITAIN'S U-N AMBASSADOR JEREMY GREENSTOCK SAYS FINAL PASSAGE OF THE RESOLUTION WILL BE CLOSELY TIED TO ANY MILITARY AGREEMENT BETWEEN NATO AND YUGOSLAV COMMANDERS. HE SAYS IT IS CLEAR THAT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MILITARY ASPECTS OF THE AGREEMENT WILL HAVE TO OCCUR SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH PASSAGE OF THE RESOLUTION.

    THAT IS AN APPARENT CONCESSION TO CHINA, WHICH SAYS IT WILL NOT APPROVE A RESOLUTION IN THE COUNCIL UNLESS NATO STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA HAVE BEEN HALTED. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WTW
    08-Jun-99 12:02 PM EDT (1602 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [36] U-S / CHINA / KOSOVO (S-ONITER) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250397
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY DO NOT BELIEVE CHINA WILL BLOCK A U-N RESOLUTION ON KOSOVO, DESPITE BEIJING'S OPPOSITION TO NATO'S BOMBING CAMPAIGN OVER YUGOSLAVIA. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

    TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS HE EXPECTS THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL WILL APPROVE A DRAFT RESOLUTION ENDORSED BY THE SEVEN LEADING INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS AND RUSSIA TO END THE YUGOSLAV WAR.

    HIS SPOKESMAN, JOE LOCKHART, SAYS THE ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT BELIEVE CHINA WILL VETO THE RESOLUTION, DESPITE BEIJING'S INSISTENCE THAT A HALT IN NATO'S BOMBING CAMPAIGN COME FIRST.

    /// LOCKHART ACT ///

    IT IS OUR EXPECTATION THAT CHINA WILL NOT STAND IN THE WAY OF A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO. THEY HAVE MADE QUITE CLEAR THEIR VIEWS AND THEIR EFFORTS TO SEE THE AIR CAMPAIGN COME TO AN END AND REVERSE THE ETHNIC CLEANSING. SO IT IS OUR VIEW THAT THEY WILL NOT STAND IN THE WAY OF THIS.

    /// END ACT ///

    CHINA HAS RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION, BUT HAS NOT THREATENED A VETO. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAT/WTW
    08-Jun-99 5:54 PM EDT (2154 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [37] U-S / RUSSIA / KOSOVO (L-ONITER) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

    DATE=6/8/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250396
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS SENDING U-S DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT TO MOSCOW TO WORK OUT DETAILS OF RUSSIA'S ROLE IN AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

    TEXT: MR. CLINTON HAS LONG BELIEVED IT IS IMPORTANT THAT RUSSIA WITH ITS HISTORICAL TIES TO SERBIA - TAKE PART IN A PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN KOSOVO.

    BUT MOSCOW HAS BALKED AT U-S AND NATO DEMANDS THAT SUCH A FORCE HAVE NATO AT ITS CORE, CALLING INSTEAD FOR THE UNITED NATIONS TO HAVE A DOMINANT ROLE IN THE MISSION.

    ON TUESDAY, MR. CLINTON OFFERED MOSCOW A CONCESSION, SAYING RUSSIAN PEACEKEEPERS IN KOSOVO WOULD NOT HAVE TO BE UNDER NATO COMMAND.

    // CLINTON ACTUALITY //

    I DO NOT EXPECT THAT TO HAPPEN, BUT I DO EXPECT THAT THERE WILL BE AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF COORDINATION.

    // END ACT //

    MR. CLINTON DISCUSSED RUSSIA'S ROLE IN A KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCE WITH HIS RUSSIAN COUNTERPART, BORIS YELTSIN. IN THE 15 MINUTE CONVERSATION, MR. YELTSIN REITERATED HIS GOVERNMENT'S OPPOSITION TO THE NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN.

    BUT WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAYS MR. CLINTON MADE IT CLEAR THE ALLIANCE'S USE OF FORCE WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL SERB TROOPS BEGIN PULLING OUT OF KOSOVO.

    // LOCKHART ACTUALITY //

    THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW THIS WILL ALL PLAY OUT AND SEQUENCING. THE PRESIDENT REITERATED OUR VIEW, WHICH HAS BEEN OUR CORE POSITION FOR SOME TIME NOW, THAT IN ORDER TO PAUSE THE BOMBING, WE NEED TO SEE THE BEGINNINGS OF A VERIFIABLE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES.

    // END ACT //

    MR. CLINTON ALSO USED THE PHONE CALL TO THANK MR. YELTSIN FOR RUSSIA'S EFFORTS TO FIND A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE YUGOSLAV WAR. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAT/PHW/PT
    08-Jun-99 6:04 PM EDT (2204 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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