Voice of America, 99-06-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] BALKAN AID (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

[02] KOSOVO FAMILIES / DIRECTORY (L-ONLY) BY AMY BICKERS (TIRANA)

[03] KOSOVO REFUGEES RETURN BY EVE CONANT (KACANIK)

[04] KOSOVO RETURNS (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[05] KOSOVO SERB WITHDRAWAL (S&L) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

[06] KOSOVO-PEACEKEEPERS (L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[07] N-Y ECON WRAP (S&L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (NEW YORK)

[08] NATO-KOSOVO (S&L VER) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[09] PRISTINA SERB WITHDRAWAL (S-ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

[10] RUSSIA/KOSOVO BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

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

[12] U-N KOSOVO AID (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[13] U-S / RUSSIA / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[01] BALKAN AID (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: VARIOUS EXPERTS FROM GOVERNMENTS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR ATTENDED A CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON TUESDAY ON ASSISTANCE AND RECONSTRUCTION IN THE BALKANS IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE WAR IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS BELIEVE THE PROVINCE CAN BECOME ECONOMICALLY VIABLE.

TEXT: THE REPRESENTATIVE OF KOSOVO'S SELF-STYLED PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED STATES, DINO ASANAJ, IS OPTIMISTIC THAT KOSOVO WILL BECOME A THRIVING WESTERN ORIENTED MARKET ECONOMY. HE SAYS BECAUSE SERBIAN AUTHORITIES FIRED 80 PERCENT OF THE ALBANIAN WORK FORCE FROM STATE OWNED ENTERPRISES IN 1990, ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAD TO CREATE SMALL BUSINESSES IN ORDER TO SURVIVE.

SINCE ALL OTHER MEANS OF EMPLOYMENT WERE CLOSED TO ALBANIANS, PRIVATE ENTERPRISE BECAME THE PRIMARY ECONOMIC FIELD FOR ALBANIANS TO ENGAGE IN. THE RESULT OF THIS IS NOT ONLY A SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT FORM OF ECONOMIC REVIVAL AND THE ACQUISITION OF THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO OPERATE IN A FREE MARKET ECONOMY.

MR. ASANAJ SAYS UNTIL THEIR EXPULSION THIS YEAR ETHNIC ALBANIANS PAID VOLUNTARY TAXES TO THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT, FINANCING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM OF ALBANIAN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.

MR. ASANAJ IS GRATEFUL FOR THE ASSISTANCE ALREADY PROVIDED TO REFUGEES AND HE SAYS THE AID REQUIREMENTS NOW ARE FOOD AND HOUSING RECONSTRUCTION.

BECAUSE MOST OF THE FOOD STOCKS WERE DESTROYED OR PLUNDERED AND THE CONFLICT DISRUPTED THE NORMAL HARVEST, THE MAIN NECESSITY AT THIS TIME AND IN THE NEAR FUTURE WILL BE FOOD AID. AID IN TERMS OF DRUGS AND OTHER MEDICAL PROVISIONS ARE SECONDARY PRIORITIES. DEMINING AND PROVISION OF CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION ARE NEXT. THE REBUILDING OF HOMES WILL BE A MASSIVE UNDERTAKING SINCE IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ONE THOUSAND VILLAGES HAVE BEEN RENDERED VIRTUALLY UNLIVABLE BECAUSE OF THE CAMPAIGN OF DESTRUCTION BY THE SERBIAN FORCES.

THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND TUESDAY APPROVED A SECOND 30 MILLION DOLLAR LOAN INSTALLMENT FOR ALBANIA, WHICH ALONG WITH MACEDONIA ABSORBED MOST OF THE REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO. THE I-M-F COMMENDS THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT FOR MAINTANING MACROECONOMIC STABILITY DESPITE THE REFUGEE CRISIS. THE I-M-F SAYS WITH SUFFICIENT EXTERNAL SUPPORT, THE CRISIS NEED NOT DERAIL ALBANIA'S IMPRESSIVE ECONOMIC RECOVERY FROM A NEAR FINANCIAL COLLAPSE TWO YEARS AGO. (SIGNED)
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15-Jun-99 4:50 PM EDT (2050 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO FAMILIES / DIRECTORY (L-ONLY) BY AMY BICKERS (TIRANA)

INTRO: ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES ARE EAGERLY AWAITING THEIR RETURN HOME. IN THE MEANTIME, MANY REMAIN CONCERNED ABOUT MISSING RELATIVES AND FRIENDS. AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM TIRANA THAT A GUIDE TO HELP THEM LOCATE EACH OTHER WAS UNVEILED (ON TUESDAY).

TEXT: NEARLY ONE-MILLION ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO ARE SCATTERED THROUGHOUT ALBANIA, MACEDONIA, MONTENEGRO AND OTHER COUNTRIES. LOCATING FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS HAS BEEN DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND CONTINUES TO BE A MAIN SOURCE OF THEIR ANGUISH.

ON TUESDAY, THE U-S INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AID GROUP, THE INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE, RELEASED A DIRECTORY TO HELP REFUGEES FIND EACH OTHER. ONE OF ITS CREATORS, PAUL MEYER, SAYS THE BOOKLET, CALLED "THE KOSOVO FAMILY FINDER," IS A PHONE BOOK FOR THE KOSOVO COMMUNITY IN EXILE.

BASICALLY, (IT IS) LIKE A PHONE BOOK, WHICH EVERYBODY HAS SORT OF SEEN BEFORE. IT'S ORGANIZED BY THE COMMUNITY IN KOSOVO, AND THEN ALPHABETICALLY BY NAME UNDER THAT. WE'VE GOT PEOPLE, THEIR FULL NAMES, AND WHERE THEY ARE NOW AND PHONE NUMBERS IF THEY HAVE THEM. THE IDEA BEHIND ORGANIZING IT BY COMMUNITY IS THAT WILL LET PEOPLE SEE THEIR VILLAGES AND COMMUNITIES RECONSTITUTED ON PAPER AND SEE THE NAMES COME BACK TOGETHER.

THE FAMILY FINDER LISTS NEARLY 20-THOUSAND FAMILY NAMES AND REPRESENTS OVER 120-THOUSAND REFUGEES SPREAD ACROSS 23 COUNTRIES. TEN-THOUSAND COPIES HAVE BEEN PRINTED AND WILL SOON BE DISTRIBUTED IN REFUGEE CAMPS THROUGHOUT ALBANIA, MACEDONIA, MONTENEGRO, AS WELL AS IN KOSOVO.

MR. MEYER SAID THE DATA CAME FROM MANY ORGANIZATIONS.

IT'S BEEN COMPILED FROM LOTS OF DIFFERENT SOURCES. WE'VE GOTTEN NAMES FROM THE RED CROSS, NAMES FROM CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES, GOT NAMES FROM NEWSPAPERS, RADIO, TELEVISION. AGAIN, A LOT OF INFORMATION HAS BEEN MADE PUBLIC, THE PROBLEM IS IT HASN'T BEEN PUT IN AN EASILY DIGESTIBLE FORM AND A FORM THAT CAN ACTUALLY BE USED BY PEOPLE IN THE CAMPS.

THE INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE WILL PUBLISH AND DISTRIBUTE MONTHLY UPDATES, SINCE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES WILL SOON BE ON THE MOVE. HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS WILL GIVE CARDS TO REFUGEES TO FILL IN THEIR LATEST CONTACT INFORMATION, WHICH WILL BE ADDED TO THE NEXT DIRECTORY.

PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD CAN ACCESS THE KOSOVO FAMILY FINDER ON THE INTERNET. IT CAN BE FOUND AT WWW - DOT - KOSOVO FAMILY FINDER - DOT - ORG. (SIGNED)
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15-Jun-99 9:25 AM EDT (1325 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO REFUGEES RETURN BY EVE CONANT (KACANIK)

INTRO: K-FOR PEACEKEEPING FORCES CONTINUE TO MOVE THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN KOSOVO ON THEIR FOURTH DAY OF DEPLOYMENT. AS SERB FORCES AND SERB CIVILIANS SLOWLY DEPART KOSOVO, THE FIRST ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES ARE RETURNING. V-O-A'S EVE CONANT REPORTS FROM THE SOUTHERN VILLAGE OF KACANIK (KAH CHA NEEK'), ONLY TWELVE KILOMETERS FROM THE MACEDONIAN BORDER, WHERE REFUGEES ARE COMING HOME DESPITE WARNINGS THAT KOSOVO IS NOT YET SAFE FOR THEIR RETURN.

TEXT: HAMDI LOKI PRETENDS NOT TO NOTICE THE SERB GRAFFITI WRITTEN ACROSS HIS FRONT DOOR AS HE OPENS IT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MONTHS.

HE PEEKS INTO WHAT WAS ONCE HIS LIVING ROOM. EVERY THING HAS BEEN STOLEN HE SAYS. BUT HE HAD BEEN PREPARED FOR THE SHOCK. A K-L-A OFFICER HAD ALREADY WARNED HIM THAT HIS HOME HAD BEEN USED AS HEADQUARTERS FOR SERB SOLDIERS.

A HUGE SKULL AND CROSSBONES IS PAINTED IN BLACK ACROSS HIS LIVING ROOM WALL. ON ANOTHER WALL IS THE SERB SYMBOL S-S-S-S MEANING ONLY UNITY SAVED SERBS. BULLET HOLES DECORATE THE WALLS, CEILINGS AND FLOORS. BUT THERE IS SOMETHING NEW. A STOLEN TELEVISION SET THE SERBS USED TO WATCH VIDEOS. IT IS AS IF THE SERBS LEFT JUST A MOMENT AGO. STALE BREAD IS STILL OUT ON THE TABLE, BLANKETS ARE STILL SPREAD ACROSS THE COUCHES WHERE THE SOLDIERS HAD SLEPT. HIS BACK YARD IS FILLED WITH GARBAGE BUT HAMDI LOKI IS STILL HAPPY.

HE SAYS THANK GOD THEY DID NOT BURN MY HOUSE DOWN. I FEEL FREE HE SAYS WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES. THAT IS THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS.

ONE REASON THIS VILLAGE SUFFERED SO MUCH DESTRUCTION IS THAT IT WAS AND IS STILL FULL OF K-L-A OFFICERS.

OUTSIDE HAMDI LOKI'S HOUSE SITS A K-L-A OFFICER WHO TAKES DOWN THE NAMES AND AGES OF RETURNING REFUGEES ON THE BACK OF A MAGAZINE. THE OFFICER HAS 20 NAMES SO FAR JUST FROM THIS DAY. AS THEY ARRIVE IN SMALL GROUPS HE WARNS THEM THERE ARE STILL LAND MINES IN THE HILLS BUT SAYS THEIR HOMES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND CLEARED ALREADY BY THE K-L-A.

ONE REFUGEE WHO HAS JUST RETURNED HOME IS FOURTEEN YEAR OLD AFRIFE ZENELI. SHE IS SWEATING AND OUT OF BREATH AS SHE PUSHES A WHEELBARROW PILED HIGH WITH THE CHARD REMAINS OF HER HOME.

SHE EXPLAINS, "I AM TAKING THE GARBAGE OUT." THE TOP TWO FLOORS OF HER HOME HAVE BEEN BURNED BEYOND RECOGNITION. HER 18 YEAR OLD SISTER BUKURIGE ZENELI IS ALSO BUSY SCRUBBING A RUG.

FILLED WITH HATE, THE YOUNG GIRL SAYS ANGRILY, "I AM CLEANING AWAY THE FILTH OF THE SERBS."

LIFE IS SLOWLY RETURNING TO SOME OF THE OTHER ALBANIAN VILLAGES IN SOUTHERN KOSOVO.

SMALL GROUPS OF REFUGEES, MOSTLY MEN, CAN BE SEEN EVERY FEW KILOMETERS WALKING ALONG THE HOT AND DUSTY ROADS WITH THEIR SHIRTS OVER THEIR HEADS TO BLOCK THE SUN.

INTERNATIONAL AID WORKERS SAY THEY ARE CONCERNED THE REFUGEES ARE COMING BACK BEFORE ANYONE IS PREPARED FOR THEM. MANY AREAS HAVE YET TO BE CLEARED OF LANDMINES AND SERB FORCES ARE STILL INSIDE KOSOVO. BUT DESPITE THE WARNING NOTES, PLACED IN REFUGEE CAMPS, THEY ARE COMING HOME (SIGNED)
NEB/EC/CB-T/PLM
15-Jun-99 4:25 AM EDT (0825 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO RETURNS (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, IS ONCE AGAIN APPEALING TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES IN MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA TO DELAY BY SEVERAL WEEKS THEIR RETURN TO KOSOVO. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE U-N AGENCY IS WARNING THE REFUGEES IT IS NOT SAFE FOR THEM TO RETURN NOW.

TEXT: SPOKESWOMAN JUDITH KUMIN SAYS THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY IS URGING THE REFUGEES NOT TO GO BACK TO KOSOVO UNTIL YUGOSLAV SECURITY FORCES HAVE FULLY WITHDRAWN FROM THE SERBIAN PROVINCE, SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 20TH.

SO THERE'S STILL A LARGE PRESENCE OF YUGOSLAV SECURITY FORCES IN THE AREA AND THERE'S STILL MANY MANY ROADS WHICH K-FOR HAS NOT TRAVELED DOWN TO REMOVE MINES. SO, WE DON'T THINK IT'S SAFE FOR PEOPLE TO BE GOING BACK. WE ARE TELLING PEOPLE THAT.

MS. KUMIN SAYS THE U-N AGENCY WILL NOT PREVENT THE REFUGEES FROM GOING HOME, IF THEY DECIDE TO DO SO. BUT, SHE SAYS, SHE HOPES THE REFUGEES WILL HEED THE AGENCY'S WARNINGS AND WAIT UNTIL "K-FOR" PEACEKEEPING TROOPS ARE FULLY DEPLOYED, AND ALL YUGOSLAV FORCES HAVE WITHDRAWN. MS KUMIN SAYS IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT THAT THE MAIN THOROUGHFARES IN THE PROVINCE BE CLEARED OF LAND MINES AND BOOBY TRAPS BEFORE THE REFUGEES HEAD BACK.

JUST AS AN EXAMPLE, MY COLLEAGUE IN PRISTINA TOLD ME THIS MORNING ... A WOMAN WHO LIVED IN LIPLJAN WAS KILLED BY A MINE. SO IT'S CLEAR THAT ON THE SIDES OF THE ROADS THERE ARE A LOT OF DANGERS LURKING, AND WE NEED TO GIVE K-FOR A CHANCE TO AT LEAST DO THEIR BEST ON THE MAIN ROADS.

TOGETHER WITH THE "INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION," THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY PLANS TO OFFER REFUGEES ORGANIZED RETURNS BY BUS TO KEY AREAS IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/PCF/WTW
15-Jun-99 10:28 AM EDT (1428 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO SERB WITHDRAWAL (S&L) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: YUGOSLAV MILITARY AND POLICE HAVE UNTIL MIDNIGHT, LOCAL TIME (2200 UTC / 6 P-M EDT TUESDAY) TO COMPLETE THEIR WITHDRAWAL FROM THE SOUTHERN PART OF KOSOVO, INCLUDING PRISTINA, THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL. NATO OFFICIALS SAY THEY EXPECT THE TIMETABLE WILL BE MET. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER REPORTS FROM PRISTINA, WHERE NATO FORCES ARE PLAINLY ALREADY IN CONTROL.

TEXT: YUGOSLAV ARMY TANKS AND ARMORED CARS ARE STILL IN THE STAGING AREA IN DOWNTOWN PRISTINA, AS THE HOURS TOWARD MIDNIGHT TICK AWAY. LARGE NUMBERS OF SERB FORCES HAVE LEFT, HOWEVER -- 20-THOUSAND FROM SOUTHERN KOSOVO, ACCORDING TO NATO SPOKESMAN COLONEL ROBIN CLIFFORD.

AT THE GRACANICA MONASTERY, TWO UNARMED YUGOSLAV SOLDIERS PRAYED, THEN SAT IN THE CALM OF THE 14TH-CENTURY CHURCH YARD. THEY SAID THEY EXPECT NATO FORCES TO PROTECT THE SITES THAT ARE SACRED TO SERBS.

NORTH OF PRISTINA -- ON THE MAIN ROAD TO BELGRADE -- BRITISH TROOPS HALTED A CONVOY OF SERB TRUCKS AFTER AN ALBANIAN SHOWED THEM PAPERS PROVING THAT ONE OF THE TRUCKS BELONGED TO HIM. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF STANDOFF, THE TRUCK WAS RETURNED.

NEWLY-ARRIVING RUSSIAN TROOPS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMING SOUTH ON THAT HIGHWAY TOO, AS WELL AS DEPARTING SERB CIVILIANS, FEARFUL OF THEIR FUTURE IN KOSOVO. IT COULD BE A TENSE MIXTURE. // END OPT

THE STREETS OF THIS CAPITAL DO NOT HAVE CROWDS NOW -- UNLIKE THE RIOTOUS SCENES IN PRIZREN (KOSOVO) ON MONDAY, WHEN ALBANIANS TRIED TO STORM WITHDRAWING SERBS. THE BRITISH FORCES HERE HAVE TRIED TO TAKE STEPS THAT WILL PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING -- PERHAPS BY ENCOURAGING YUGOSLAV TROOPS AND SERBS TO LEAVE PRISTINA BY A CIRCUITOUS ROUTE. (SIGNED)
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15-Jun-99 2:05 PM EDT (1805 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO-PEACEKEEPERS (L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: NATO OFFICIALS SAY SERBIAN FORCES ARE STREAMING OUT OF KOSOVO AND APPEAR LIKELY TO MEET DEADLINES FOR WITHDRAWAL FROM THE SERB PROVINCE. THE GENERAL IN CHARGE OF U-S PEACEKEEPERS IN KOSOVO SAYS A LARGE SERB MILITARY CONVOY HAS JUST GONE THROUGH THE AMERICAN SECTOR ON ITS WAY OUT OF THE PROVINCE. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON, WHERE OFFICIALS SAY THE FIRST BATCH OF U-S PEACEKEEPERS WILL BE IN PLACE SOON.

TEXT: U-S ARMY GENERAL JOHN CRADDOCK SAYS SO MANY TROOPS AND POLICE ARE HEADED IN AND OUT OF KOSOVO THAT TRAFFIC JAMS ARE DEVELOPING ON THE PROVINCE'S NARROW ROADS. HE SAYS ALL FOUR THOUSAND OF THE U-S PEACEKEEPERS IN THE INITIAL PARTY WILL BE IN PLACE BY THURSDAY.

SPEAKING BY SATELLITE HOOKUP FROM MACEDONIA, GENERAL CRADDOCK SAYS THE OPERATION IS GOING SMOOTHLY, AND THAT SERB FORCES SEEM TO BE HONORING THE WITHDRAWAL AGREEMENT WORKED OUT BY SERB AND NATO GENERALS.

BUT HE SAYS IT IS MUCH LESS CLEAR HOW NATO FORCES ARE SUPPOSED TO DEAL WITH ARMED MEMBERS OF THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. HE SAYS NATO OFFICIALS ARE TALKING WITH THE K-L-A ABOUT DEMILITARIZING THE REBEL FORCES, AND HE EXPECTS SOME SORT OF AGREEMENT SOON GOVERNING RELATIONS BETWEEN NATO FORCES AND THE K-L-A.

IN THE MEANTIME, GENERAL CRADDOCK SAYS U-S SOLDIERS AND MARINES WILL MAINTAIN THE PEACE BY KEEPING K-L-A FIGHTERS AWAY FROM RETREATING SERB FORCES.

WE HAVE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DEFUSE POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE SITUATIONS. WE DON'T WANT ARMED K-L-A CLOSE TO WITHDRAWING SERBS. SO WE ASSESS THE SITUATION, OUR SOLDIERS WILL INTERVENE AND ASK K-L-A TO BACK OFF.

THE NATO-YUGOSLAV MILITARY AGREEMENT REQUIRES ALL YUGOSLAV FORCES AND POLICE TO BE OUT OF THE SERBIAN PROVINCE BY LATE SUNDAY (JUNE 20TH).

NEWS REPORTS SAY SOME SERBS ARE BURNING HOUSES ON THEIR WAY OUT OF THE PROVINCE. GENERAL CRADDOCK SAYS HE HAS NOT SEEN SUCH ACTIONS, BUT WILL STOP THEM IF HE DOES.

WE WILL NOT TOLERATE THAT. WE WILL INTERVENE TO ENSURE THAT THOSE FORCES FOLLOW WHAT THEY AGREED TO DO WHICH IS WITHDRAW IN AN ORDERLY MANNER, WHICH IS NOT TO INCITE ANY PROBLEMS WITH ANY OTHER PARTIES.

MOSCOW SAYS ITS TROOPS WILL NOT SERVE UNDER NATO COMMAND AND DEMANDS ITS OWN PEACEKEEPING SECTOR IN KOSOVO.

U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN AND SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT ARE ON THE WAY TO HELSINKI, FINLAND FOR MEETINGS WITH THEIR RUSSIAN COUNTERPARTS AIMED AT WORKING OUT A RUSSIAN ROLE IN THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE. (SIGNED).
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15-Jun-99 6:32 PM EDT (2232 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] N-Y ECON WRAP (S&L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP MODESTLY TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH SMALL GAINS IN THE BELEAGUERED HIGH TECHNOLOGY SECTOR. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10 THOUSAND 595, UP 31 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX ENDED THE DAY AT 13 HUNDRED ONE, UP SEVEN POINTS. AND THE TECHNOLOGY-DOMINATED NASDAQ INDEX GAINED SIX-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT, FOLLOWING MONDAY'S TWO PERCENT LOSS.

WALL STREET IS STILL THINKING ABOUT INTEREST RATES. INVESTORS ARE LOOKING AHEAD TO JUNE 29TH WHEN THE FEDERAL OPEN MARKET COMMITTEE MEETS. THAT'S THE POLICY-MAKING BODY OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD -- THE U-S CENTRAL BANK. ANALYSTS, FOR THE MOST PART, AGREE THE STOCK MARKET IS ALREADY PREPARED FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF HIGHER SHORT-TERM RATES. THEY ANTICIPATE NO MAJOR DISRUPTION.

ANALYST AL GOLDMAN ACTUALLY EXPECTS THE STOCK MARKET TO RALLY AFTER THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD MEETING:

A RATE HIKE IS DISCOUNTED. THEREFORE IF WE GET IT, IT'S ALREADY IN THE PRICE OF STOCKS AND BONDS. IF WE DON'T GET IT, IT WOULD BE A PLEASANT SURPRISE SHORT-TERM. AND SO, WIN-WIN. EITHER WAY I THINK WE GO UP AND SEE NEW HIGHS AFTER THE F-O-M-C (FEDERAL OPEN MARKET COMMITTEE) MEETING.

BUT FOR NOW, U-S INVESTORS SEEM TO BE MOVING CAUTIOUSLY AMID SIGNS OF SOME INFLATIONARY BUILD-UP IN THE UNITED STATES. TRADING VOLUME CONTINUES TO BE UNUSUALLY LIGHT.

THE U-S NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECURITIES DEALERS AND SOFTBANK A JAPANESE INTERNET INVESTMENT COMPANY -- SAY THEY WILL JOINTLY CREATE A JAPANESE VERSION OF THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET AND HOPE TO BRING IT ON-LINE IN TOKYO BY THE YEAR TWO-THOUSAND. THIS WILL ALLOW JAPANESE INVESTORS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN FIVE-THOUSAND HIGH-GROWTH STOCKS IN THE UNITED STATES DURING U-S TRADING HOURS. TRADING WILL BE LIMITED DURING THE JAPANESE TRADING DAY TO A HANDFUL OF MAJOR U-S COMPANIES -- LIKE MICROSOFT.

U-S RETAIL GIANT WAL-MART HAS TAKEN A GIANT STEP TOWARD ACQUIRING BRITAIN'S SUPERMARKET CHAIN -- THE ASDA GROUP. WAL-MART GOBBLED UP MORE ASDA STOCK FOLLOWING ITS 10-POINT-EIGHT BILLION DOLLAR BID FOR THE BRITISH COMPANY MONDAY.

U-S FOOD GIANT H-J HEINZ REPORTS A QUARTERLY NET INCOME INCREASE OF NEARLY 12 PERCENT. IT ATTRIBUTES THE GAIN, IN PART, TO INCREASED KETCHUP CONSUMPTION IN THE UNITED STATES.

A GERMAN COURT HAS SENTENCED AN AMERICAN NATIONAL TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON FOR IMPORTING ILLEGALLY COPIED MICROSOFT COMPUTER PROGRAMS. IT IS SAID TO BE THE FIRST TIME GERMANY IS SENDING SOMEONE TO JAIL FOR A CRIME INVOLVING SOFTWARE PIRACY. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/EJ/LSF/GM
15-Jun-99 5:01 PM EDT (2101 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] NATO-KOSOVO (S&L VER) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO SAYS IT IS SATISFIED THAT SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO ARE MAKING A LEGITIMATE EFFORT TO MEET THE SCHEDULE FOR WITHDRAWAL BACK INTO SERBIA PROPER. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS.

TEXT: THERE ARE TRAFFIC JAMS, MECHANICAL BREAKDOWNS AND FUEL SHORTAGES, BUT NATO IS CONFIDENT THE SERBS ARE PROCEEDING WITH THEIR WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO ON SCHEDULE.

BUT NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA TELLS REPORTERS THAT IF EVERY SERB TANK IS NOT REMOVED FROM NORTHERN KOSOVO, NATO WILL NOT BE CONCERNED.

IF THEY HAVE A PROBLEM HERE WITH PULLING OUT A TANK BECAUSE THEY ONLY HAVE THESE 22 HEAVY EQUIPMENT TRANSPORTERS, THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN BE FLEXIBLE ON -- PROVIDED THAT CLEARLY THE WITHDRAWAL IS TAKING PLACE.

MOVEMENT OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT WILL BE DIFFICULT, MR. SHEA NOTES, BUT HE SAYS THE SERBS ARE MEETING NATO'S SCHEDULE FOR WITHDRAWING MANPOWER AND VEHICLES. NEARLY ONE-THIRD OF THE 40-THOUSAND YUGOSLAV TROOPS IN KOSOVO HAVE ALREADY WITHDRAWN AND NATO'S SPOKESMAN SUGGESTS THE SERBS HAVE NO INTEREST IN DELAYING THEIR PULLOUT BACK TO SERBIA PROPER.

NATO IS ALSO CONFIDENT THAT RUSSIA IS MERELY RESUPPLYING THEIR 200 SOLDIERS AT PRISTINA AIRPORT. BUT MR. SHEA SAYS NATO IS NOT WORRIED THAT RUSSIA IS TRYING TO BOLSTER ITS TROOPS THERE.

NATO WANTED TO SET UP ITS OWN HEADQUARTERS AT PRISTINA AIRPORT, BUT RATHER THAN CHALLENGE THE RUSSIAN CONTINGENT THERE, THE NATO-LED KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCE HAS ESTABLISHED ITS ALTERNATIVE HEADQUARTERS IN AN OLD FACTORY IN SOUTHWEST PRISTINA.

IF THE SERB WITHDRAWAL CONTINUES ON SCHEDULE, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA IS READY SUNDAY EVENING TO DECLARE AN END TO NATO'S AIR STRIKES. THE BOMBING WAS ONLY SUSPENDED LAST THURSDAY AT THE FIRST SIGNS OF THE SERB PULLOUT FROM NORTHERN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
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15-Jun-99 7:35 AM EDT (1135 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] PRISTINA SERB WITHDRAWAL (S-ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THE MIDNIGHT TUESDAY DEADLINE FOR YUGOSLAV MILITARY AND POLICE TO COMPLETE THEIR WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO HAS PASSED. BUT THERE ARE STILL SOME UNITS IN THE KOSOVO CAPITAL PRISTINA. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE FROM PRISTINA WHERE NATO FORCES ARE PLAINLY ALREADY IN CONTROL.

TEXT: YUGOSLAV ARMY TANKS AND ARMORED CARS ARE STILL PARKED AT ONE OF THE MILITARY HEADQUARTERS IN DOWNTOWN PRISTINA AND AT LEAST SOME YUGOSLAV SOLDIERS ARE IN A DEFIANT MOOD. A GROUP OF DRUNKEN SERB SOLDIERS LEFT A BAR IN THE CENTER OF PRISTINA AND STARTED FIRING SHOTS INTO THE AIR. BRITISH UNITS QUICKLY RESPONDED. BUT THERE WAS NO FURTHER CONFRONTATION. AND A BRITISH COLONEL SAID IT WILL BE DEALT WITH ON WEDNESDAY.

TWENTY THOUSAND YUGOSLAV TROOPS HAVE LEFT SOUTHERN KOSOVO. ALL ARE TO BE OUT OF THE PROVINCE BY SUNDAY. BUT IF TUESDAY NIGHT'S INCIDENTS ARE ANY INDICATION OF THINGS TO COME, IT MAY NOT BE A SMOOTH WITHDRAWAL. (SIGNED)
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15-Jun-99 7:31 PM EDT (2331 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] RUSSIA/KOSOVO BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: WAS RUSSIA'S UNEXPECTED DECISION TO OCCUPY KOSOVO'S MAIN AIRPORT AN ACT OF PERFIDY OR JUST INNOCENT MIS-COORDINATION WITH NATO? MAJOR AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS ARE DENOUNCING MOSCOW FOR SUDDENLY DISPATCHING 200 TROOPS TO PRISTINA AIRPORT, SAYING THE MOVE SHOULD SEND A LOUD SIGNAL TO THE WEST ABOUT HOW FAR PRESIDENT YELTSIN'S RUSSIA CAN BE TRUSTED. HERE WITH A SAMPLING OF WHAT SOME OF AMERICA'S MAJOR NEWSPAPERS ARE SAYING ON THE MATTER IS ___________ WITH TUESDAY'S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: BY THEMSELVES, SEVERAL HUNDRED RUSSIAN TROOPS OCCUPYING PRISTINA AIRPORT ARE NOT GOING TO IMPAIR NATO'S OVERALL PEACE KEEPING MISSION IN KOSOVO. THAT, AT LEAST, IS THE VIEW OF THE NATO COMMANDER ON THE SCENE, GENERAL MIKE JACKSON, AS WELL AS THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. THE JOURNAL QUOTES RUSSIA'S CHIEF MILITARY NEGOTIATOR AS SAYING MOSCOW WAS NOT GOING TO BEG, AS HE PUT IT, FOR ITS OWN ZONE OF CONTROL IN KOSOVO. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL HAS SOME ADVICE ABOUT HOW THE UNITED STATES SHOULD RESPOND:

VOICE: THE SECRETARIES OF STATE AND DEFENSE ARE NOW HEADED INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE RUSSIANS; WE HOPE THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A TIME FOR STANDING FIRM EVEN AT THE RISK OF CONFRONTATION. NOTHING COULD BE SILLIER THAN THE HOARY NOTION, ALREADY BEING FLOATED ONCE AGAIN, THAT RUSSIANS WILL BEHAVE BETTER IF WE GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT. EVERYTHING IN OUR EXPERIENCE, NOT LEAST THEIR DUPLICITOUS BEHAVIOR LAST WEEKEND, OUGHT TO TELL US THEY WILL BEHAVE WORSE.

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES WRITES THAT RUSSIA'S MOVE TO GRAB PRISTINA AIRPORT, AND WITH IT A ZONE OF CONTROL IN KOSOVO, CAUGHT NATO OFF GUARD, AND ILLUSTRATES HOW DETERMINED MOSCOW IS TO REMAIN A PLAYER IN EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.

VOICE: RUSSIA'S CHALLENGE TO THE WEST MIGHT WELL WIN IT A BIGGER ROLE IN KOSOVO THAN NATO WAS PREPARED TO GRANT. THAT WOULD ASSURE YUGOSLAVIA'S PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AN ADVOCATE AMONG OCCUPYING FORCES. THAT IS NOT SOMETHING NATO WANTED. WORSE, IT IS NOT SOMETHING IT HAD THE VISION TO ANTICIPATE.

TEXT: THE BALTIMORE SUN WRITES THAT THE PROBLEM FACING NATO NOW IS ONE THAT WIT -- NOT BOMBS -- WILL HAVE TO RESOLVE.

VOICE: THE DIPLOMATIC CHALLENGE IS TO BRING THE RUSSIANS ABOARD. THE ISSUE IS NOT WHETHER A RUSSIAN GENERAL WILL TAKE AN ORDER FROM A BRITISH GENERAL, BUT WHETHER RUSSIANS WILL PARTITION KOSOVO ETHNICALLY. THEY MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO DO SO.

TEXT: THE NEW YORK POST SAYS RUSSIA'S MOVE INTO KOSOVO SHOULD SERVE AS A WAKE-UP CALL [AN ALARM SIGNAL] TO THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION. NATO, THE POST WRITES, DID NOT SPEND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON ITS AIR CAMPAIGN ONLY TO HAVE RUSSIA TO INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

VOICE: RUSSIA CONTINUES TO RESIST THE NOTION OF A UNIFIED COMMAND UNDER NATO FOR ALL PEACEKEEPING TROOPS. THE RUSSIANS SEE THEMSELVES AS DEFENDERS OF SERBIAN INTERESTS -- TO THE POINT WHERE JEERING SERBS WERE ALLOWED INTO THE PRISTINA AIRPORT WHILE NATO TROOPS WERE TURNED AWAY.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS LOOK AT WHAT SOME OF AMERICA'S MAJOR NEWSPAPERS ARE SAYING ABOUT RUSSIA'S MILITARY INTERVENTION IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/WTW
15-Jun-99 11:45 AM EDT (1545 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE QUESTION OF RACE IN AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY, THE ON-GOING MARCH OF INDEPENDENT PROSECUTOR KEN STARR AND THE PRESIDENTIAL AMBITIONS OF TEXAS GOVERNOR GEORGE BUSH ARE JUST SOME OF THE TOPICS PROVOKING EDITORIAL COMMENT IN AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS TUESDAY. HERE WITH A SAMPLING IS ___________ WITH TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: WHY WOULD THE UNITED STATES CONTRIBUTE ONLY 15-MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP END WAR IN SIERRA LEONE WHILE PLEDGING NEARLY 10 TIMES THAT AMOUNT FOR KOSOVO? THE WASHINGTON POST WRITES THAT WHERE AMERICAN AID IS CONCERNED, WHITE COUNTRIES OFTEN FARE BETTER IN TIMES OF CRISIS THAN BLACK ONES.

VOICE: THE TRADITIONAL EUROCENTRIC QUALITY OF AMERICAN GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT IS PLAIN AND BECOMES EVEN SHARPER WHEN CRISIS FLOWERS. THUS DID THE UNITED STATES TURN A DECADE'S FULL ATTENTION ON BOSNIA AND THEN KOSOVO, EVEN AS SUCCESSIVE UPHEAVALS IN SOMALIA, SUDAN, RWANDA, ZAIRE/CONGO, AND SIERRA LEONE GENERALLY PROMPTED A LESS AMBITIOUS AND MORE SELECTIVE APPROACH.

TEXT: ON SATURDAY, TEXAS GOVERNOR GEORGE BUSH, THE SON OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT, ANNOUNCED WHAT HAD BEEN CLEAR FOR MONTHS: HE WILL SEEK THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S NOMINATION TO SUCCEED BILL CLINTON AS PRESIDENT. THE NEW YORK POST IS GIVING THIS EARLY DEBUT A GOOD REVIEW, AND IS LEAVING LITTLE DOUBT ABOUT WHOM IT MIGHT ENDORSE AMONG REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDERS DOWN THE ROAD.

VOICE: ALTHOUGH HE SUCCESSFULLY DEFINED HIS OWN IDEOLOGICAL POSITION AND CAMPAIGN ISSUES, [GOVERNOR] BUSH SUBTLY POINTED OUT THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HIMSELF AND THE CURRENT WHITE HOUSE ADMINISTRATION: "I DON'T RUN POLLS TO TELL ME WHAT TO THINK. I MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON A CONSERVATIVE PHILOSOPHY THAT IS INGRAINED IN MY HEART." ... WELL, THE RESULTS ARE IN: THE WELL-SPOKEN TEXAN PASSED HIS FIRST TEST WITH FLYING COLORS.

TEXT: THE ARREST OF 13 JEWS IN IRAN ON CHARGES OF SPYING FOR ISRAEL MAKES THE CASE FOR THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE THAT IRAN IS NOT YET READY TO TAKE ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE AMONG RESPECTED NATIONS.

VOICE: THE CHARGES ARE HIDEOUS AND PITIFULLY BOGUS. THE ORIGINAL CHARGES, ACCORDING TO ONE REPORT, INCLUDE THE GIVING OF HEBREW LESSONS. THE INCREASING HARASSMENT OF JEWS IN IRAN AND THE INCREASING LEVEL OF ANTI-SEMITIC PROPAGANDA IN THE STATE-CONTROLLED IRANIAN PRESS MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE REAL CRIME IN THE EYES OF IRANIAN AUTHORITIES SIMPLY IS BEING JEWISH, AND THE WORLD KNOWS TOO WELL WHAT EVIL HAPPENS WHEN SUCH THINGS ARE ALLOWED TO GO UNCHALLENGED.

TEXT: IN WASHINGTON, THE INDEPENDENT PROSECUTOR WHOSE MULTI-FACETED INVESTIGATION INTO THE CLINTONS UNCOVERED THE PRESIDENT'S AFFAIR WITH MONICA LEWINSKY IS NOT YET FINISHED WITH HIS WORK. THE NEW YORK TIMES REPORTED SUNDAY THAT KEN STARR MAY BE PLANNING A FINAL, SCATHING REPORT INTO QUESTIONABLE ACTIONS BY THE FIRST COUPLE, BUT THAT HE PLANS TO BRING NO NEW INDICTMENTS. THE TIMES SAYS AMERICANS ARE ENTITLED TO A FINAL REPORT, BUT THAT MR. STARR SHOULD TAKE CARE TO ENSURE IT IS NOT SEEN AS A PARTISAN SWIPE AT THE FIRST FAMILY, JUST AS HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON PREPARES TO MAKE A RUN FOR THE SENATE.

VOICE: ... THERE IS NO REASON THAT MR. STARR CAN NOT PRESENT HIS REPORT IN FAIRLY SHORT ORDER. TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR, WHEN MRS. CLINTON'S CAMPAIGN WOULD BE IN FULL SWING, WOULD SIMPLY CONFIRM HER ALLIES' WORST SUSPICIONS. IN ADDITION, THE REPORT SHOULD BE AN EVEN-HANDED RECITATION OF THE EVIDENCE, INCLUDING ANY EXCULPATORY FINDINGS.

TEXT: THAT COMMENT FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF U-S NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 15TH. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS
15-Jun-99 12:57 PM EDT (1657 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] U-N KOSOVO AID (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: ON TUESDAY, SEVERAL TEAMS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, WILL MAKE ASSESSMENTS OF CONDITIONS IN THREE AREAS OF KOSOVO. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE AGENCY SAYS THESE INVESTIGATIONS WILL GIVE AID WORKERS A BETTER IDEA OF THE KIND OF ASSISTANCE PEOPLE IN THESE AREAS NEED.

TEXT: UNITED NATIONS AND PRIVATE AID AGENCIES ARE STEPPING UP THEIR DELIVERY OF RELIEF SUPPLIES TO THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO WHO HAVE BEEN WITHOUT INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. UNICEF, THE UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND SAYS ITS PRIORITY IS TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE LIFE-SAVING ASSISTANCE TO SOME 5-THOUSAND INFANTS, 50-THOUSAND CHILDREN AND 10-THOUSAND WOMEN.

THE AGENCY PARTICIPATED IN THE FIRST HUMANITARIAN CONVOY, WHICH DISTRIBUTED AID ON MONDAY TO UP TO 20-THOUSAND PEOPLE IN THE TOWN OF GLOGOVAC. SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY, JUDITH KUMIN SAYS THE PRE-WAR POPULATION IN GLOGOVAC WAS AROUND 4-THOUSAND. THIS MEANS THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE NOW ARE DISPLACED FROM OTHER AREAS IN KOSOVO.

THE CHILDREN CAME OUT OF THE HOUSES. THE ADULTS WERE MUCH MORE CAUTIOUS ABOUT COMING OUT. BUT, IN GENERAL, THE PEOPLE WERE ECSTATIC TO SEE A U-N AID TEAM ARRIVING. THEY HAD BEEN SCROUNGING FOR FOOD IN THE VILLAGES AND HILLS AROUND GLOGOVAC FOR MANY WEEKS. THE CONVOY CARRIED READY-TO-EAT FOOD, WATER, BABY FOOD, BLANKETS AND SOAP.

AID WORKERS WHO WENT TO GLOGOVAC DESCRIBE THE PEOPLE AS BEING QUITE THIN AND VERY HUNGRY. MS. KUMIN SAYS ALTHOUGH THE WORKERS SAW SOME MALNOURISHED CHILDREN, THEY DETECTED NO PATTERN OF GENERAL MALNUTRITION OR STARVATION. SHE SAYS THE U-N IS SENDING TEAMS TO THREE DIFFERENT AREAS OF KOSOVO ON TUESDAY TO ASSESS CONDITIONS.

ONE TEAM WILL RETURN TO GLOGOVAC WITH MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND TO WORK OUT MORE DURABLE DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS FOR THAT AREA WAREHOUSE, AND LOOK INTO FINDING PARTNERS FOR DISTRIBUTION AND SEE WHETHER MORE DISPLACED PEOPLE HAVE COME DOWN FROM SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE NEWS GOT OUT OF THE U-N PRESENCE YESTERDAY.

MS. KUMIN SAYS A SECOND TEAM WILL CARRY OUT AN ASSESSMENT IN THE AREA OF PRISTINA, THE CAPITAL OF KOSOVO. AND A THIRD TEAM WILL TRAVEL FROM PRISTINA TO THE WESTERN TOWN OF PRIZREN. SHE SAYS THE U-N IS CONTINUING TO FERRY SUPPLIES FROM SKOPJE, MACEDONIA TO PRISTINA ON A DAILY BASIS. A CONVOY WITH 45 VEHICLES, INCLUDING 22 TRUCK LOADS OF AID, LEFT SKOPJE TUESDAY MORNING. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/GE
15-Jun-99 9:33 AM EDT (1333 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] U-S / RUSSIA / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY HOPE AN AGREEMENT ON RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCE CAN BE WORKED OUT DURING TALKS IN HELSINKI THIS WEEK. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: WHEN 200 RUSSIAN TROOPS DASHED INTO KOSOVO LAST WEEK, THEY SURPRISED WESTERN OFFICIALS WHO WERE STILL NEGOTIATING RUSSIA'S ROLE IN THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE, KNOWN AS K-FOR.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THERE WAS PROGRESS ON THE ISSUE THIS WEEK DURING MEETINGS BETWEEN THE TOP RUSSIAN GENERAL IN KOSOVO AND THE BRITISH K-FOR COMMANDER, GENERAL MICHAEL JACKSON.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS THE RUSSIANS APPEAR TO HAVE AGREED TO A KEY DEMAND THAT THE KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCE HAVE A SINGLE UNIFIED COMMAND STRUCTURE.

OUR UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE RUSSIAN GENERAL AND GENERAL JACKSON HAVE BEEN MEETING. THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE AGREEMENT ON THE PRINCIPLE OF UNITY OF COMMAND AND THE FACT THAT GENERAL JACKSON IS THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY IN KOSOVO FOR ALL THOSE PARTICIPANTS OF THE KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCE THERE. THERE ARE STILL SOME SIGNIFICANT DETAILS THAT NEED TO BE WORKED OUT, BUT AS SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT INDICATED YESTERDAY, WE THINK WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY WANT RUSSIAN TROOPS TO PARTICIPATE IN K-FOR, BUT THEY MUST BE PART OF A UNIFIED COMMAND TO AVOID THE APPEARANCE THAT THE SERB PROVINCE IS BEING DIVIDED UP INTO ZONES.

U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN TRAVELS TO HELSINKI WEDNESDAY TO BEGIN TALKS WITH HIS RUSSIAN COUNTERPART ON THE ISSUE. ON THURSDAY, SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT WILL JOIN THE TALKS, WHICH WILL ALSO INCLUDE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV.

IN THE MEANTIME, U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE RECEIVED FRESH ASSURANCES THAT RUSSIA DOES NOT PLAN TO SEND ANY MORE TROOPS INTO KOSOVO UNTIL AN AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED. THEY SAY ANY FURTHER DEPLOYMENTS, BEYOND SMALL RE-SUPPLY OPERATIONS, WOULD BE A PROBLEM. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PHW/GM
15-Jun-99 5:16 PM EDT (2116 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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