 |
Compact version |
|
 |
        |
|
 |
||
|
Saturday, 23 November 2024
|
||
 |
 |
|
|
|
Voice of America, 99-06-23Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] ASIA/ECONOMY(L-ONLY) BY AMY BICKERS (HONG KONG)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250984 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: ASIAN STOCK MARKETS WERE MIXED ON WEDNESDAY, AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF LARGE GAINS. AS AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM HONG KONG, ANALYSTS SAY A POSITIVE TONE PREVAILS FOR THE NEAR TERM FUTURE. TEXT: JAPAN'S NIKKEI AVERAGE ENDED WEDNESDAY ON A DOWN NOTE AFTER CLIMBING TO THE BEST LEVEL OF THE YEAR IN THE PREVIOUS SESSION. THE NIKKEI LOST A LITTLE MORE THAN ONE-PERCENT WEDNESDAY WHICH TRADERS BLAME ON PROFIT TAKING AND THE DROP ON WALL STREET TUESDAY. SHARES IN JAPANESE EXPORTERS HAVE ADVANCED SHARPLY IN RECENT DAYS BECAUSE OF THE WEAKER YEN. A SOFT CURRENCY MAKES JAPANESE PRODUCTS MORE COMPETITIVE OVERSEAS. EQUITIES ANALYST KEN OKAMURA, OF INVESTMENT BANK DRESDNER KLEINWORT BENSON JAPAN, SAYS BARGAIN HUNTING IS STILL STRONG AND IS LIKELY TO LIFT THE MARKET IN THE COMING DAYS. BUT HE WARNS JAPAN IS STILL STRUGGLING WITH ECONOMIC WOES. /// OKAMURA ACT ///IF THE YEN WEAKENS, IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE WE WILL SEE SOME STRENGTH IN THE MARKET PLACE. I PERSONALLY AM NOT CONVINCED IT IS MATCHED BY FUNDAMENTALS BUT THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF OPTIMISM WITH REGARD TO BOTH THE ECONOMY AND CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING IN JAPAN. /// END ACT ///IN SINGAPORE, THE MARKET ROSE TWO-PERCENT, AS INVESTORS BOUGHT SHARES IN SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FIRMS. SOUTH KOREA'S COMPOSITE INDEX ROSE FOR THE SIXTH SESSION IN A ROW. IT CLIMBED ONE-AND-A-HALF PERCENT TO EIGHT - 88 -- THE BEST LEVEL IN MORE THAN THREE YEARS. MALAYSIAN STOCKS ALSO GAINED GROUND. DEALERS SAY STRONG PROSPECTS FOR A GENERAL ELECTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE WILL CONTINUE TO LIFT THE MARKET. OTHER ASIAN MARKETS ECHOED THE DOW'S ONE-PERCENT DIP. THAILAND, HONG KONG, MANILA AND INDONESIA ALL ENDED LOWER. THE INDONESIAN CURRENCY, THE RUPIAH, HELD STEADY AFTER REBOUNDING EARLIER THIS WEEK. ON TUESDAY, IT LIFTED TO ITS HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 1998. ASIAN STRATEGIST DANIEL LIAN, OF BARCLAY'S CAPITAL IN SINGAPORE, SAYS SENTIMENT IS GOOD FOLLOWING THE PEACEFUL PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS EARLIER THIS MONTH. /// LIAN ACT ///CLEARLY PEOPLE ARE TAKING COMFORT FROM THE FACT THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE A LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT, A COALITION BETWEEN MEGAWATI AND THE RULING GOLKAR PARTY OR MEGAWATI AND SOME OTHER OPPOSITION PARTY. SO I THINK THE POLITICAL SCENE IS STABLE AND PEOPLE ARE REALLY FOCUSING ON POLITICAL STABILITY AND ONGOING SUPPORT FROM SUPRA-NATIONAL AGENCIES. /// END ACT ///THE KOREAN WON IS ALSO STRONG, HOVERING NEAR THE FIVE-AND A-HALF
MONTH HIGH IT REACHED EARLIER THIS WEEK. (SIGNED)
[02] E-U / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251000 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION IS TRYING TO RESPOND QUICKLY TO KOSOVO'S RECONSTRUCTION NEEDS, IN CONTRAST TO THE EUROPEANS' SLOW REACTION WHEN PEACE CAME TO BOSNIA. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, THE EUROPEAN UNION IS RULING OUT HELP FOR OTHER PARTS OF YUGOSLAVIA AS IT PLANS ITS RECONSTRUCTION OF KOSOVO. TEXT: THE BOSNIA EXPERIENCE HAS CONVINCED THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT ITS AID PROGRAMS FOR KOSOVO HAVE TO BE FLEXIBLE AND DECENTRALIZED. THE EUROPEANS ARE BEING ASKED TO FUND THE LARGEST SHARE OF KOSOVO'S RECONSTRUCTION. IN CONTRAST TO BOSNIA, THEY WANT TO MANAGE A LARGE NUMBER OF SMALL PROJECTS QUICKLY. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IS SENDING A TASK FORCE TO KOSOVO NEXT MONTH TO SET UP THE EUROPEAN AGENCY FOR RECONSTRUCTION. THIS AGENCY WILL RECRUIT EXPERTS IN A NUMBER OF FIELDS SUCH AS ENGINEERING, HEALTH, AND ARCHITECTURE. THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS PUT ASIDE 155-MILLION DOLLARS THIS YEAR FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF KOSOVO. FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS, THE BUDGET IS PUT AT ANYWHERE FROM 500 TO MORE THAN 700-MILLION DOLLARS EACH YEAR. THAT ESTIMATE DOES NOT INCLUDE HUMANITARIAN AID OR LOANS. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, HANS VAN DEN BROEK, SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, SAYS NONE OF THIS RECONSTRUCTION MONEY WILL GO TO THE REST OF YUGOSLAVIA SO LONG AS PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS IN CHARGE. /// VAN DEN BROEK ACT - INTERPRETER ///WE SHALL NOT BE ABLE TO CONCLUDE AGREEMENTS WITH MILOSEVIC OR HIS GOVERNMENT FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE RECONSTRUCTION AGENCY. THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING AT ALL FOR THE SERBIAN POPULATION HOWEVER, SINCE HUMANITARIAN AID IS ALREADY BEING PROVIDED AND THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS. AND THERE IS THE OTHER POSSIBILITY-PROJECTS FOR SERBIA THROUGH THE N-G-O'S (NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS). I THINK THAT MAYBE THESE WOULD BE DEMOCRATIZATION PROJECTS, AND CERTAINLY PROJECTS INVOLVING ASSISTANCE TO THE FREE MEDIA. /// END ACT ///MR. VAN DEN BROEK DOES NOT RULE OUT SPECIFIC PROJECTS FOR SERBIAN CITIES THAT ARE DEMOCRATICALLY RULED OR IN THE SMALLER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO. BUT THE EUROPEAN UNION BUDGET FOR RECONSTRUCTION IS FOCUSED ON KOSOVO, WHERE THE UNITED NATIONS WILL BE RUNNING THE CIVIL ADMINISTRATION. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IS ORGANIZING A DONOR CONFERENCE WITH THE
WORLD BANK NEXT MONTH TO CONCENTRATE ON SHORT-TERM NEEDS OF
REFUGEES RETURNING TO KOSOVO. AN INITIAL CALL FOR PLEDGES WILL
BE MADE AT THAT CONFERENCE. THERE WILL BE A SECOND DONOR
CONFERENCE IN SEPTEMBER TO OBTAIN PLEDGES FOR RECONSTRUCTION IN
KOSOVO. IT IS ASSUMED BY THAT TIME THERE WILL BE A BETTER IDEA
OF HOW MUCH HAS BEEN DAMAGED AND WHAT IT WILL COST TO RE-BUILD.
(SIGNED)
[03] KOSOVO / E-U MINISTERS (S) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250988 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM FOUR WESTERN EUROPEAN NATIONS ARE TOURING KOSOVO. TIM BELAY REPORTS FROM PRISTINA. TEXT: THE FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY, AND ITALY WILL MEET WITH PROMINENT KOSOVARS, NATO TROOPS, AND U-N REPRESENTATIVES. THEY ALSO PLAN TO VIEW A MASS GRAVE SITE IN A ONE-DAY TRIP AIMED AT RALLYING EUROPEAN SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL PLANS TO REBUILD KOSOVO. THE TRIP ALSO IS INTENDED TO HELP ASSURE KOSOVO SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS THAT THEY WILL BE PROTECTED BY NATO. ABOUT 30-THOUSAND SERB RESIDENTS HAVE FLED KOSOVO SINCE THE YUGOSLAV ARMY WITHDREW. SEVERAL HUNDRED OF THEM HAVE NOW RETURNED. THE FOREIGN MINISTERS PLAN MEETINGS WITH THE COMMANDER OF NATO
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO, BRITISH LIEUTENANT GENERAL MIKE
JACKSON, AS WELL AS WELL AS WITH SERGIO DE MELLO, THE SPECIAL
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL. (SIGNED)
[04] KOSOVO / EUROPEAN MINISTERS (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251015 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// EDS: MARGINAL AUDIO QUALITY IN ACTUALITIES ///INTRO: FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY, AND ITALY TRAVELED TO KOSOVO WEDNESDAY, IN THE FIRST HIGH-LEVEL VISIT BY EUROPEAN LEADERS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE NATO PEACE KEEPING MISSION THERE. TIM BELAY REPORTS FROM PRISTINA. TEXT: THE MINISTERS SPENT THE AFTERNOON IN AND AROUND THE CAPITAL OF PRISTINA, MEETING WITH PROMINENT KOSOVARS, NATO REPRESENTATIVES AND OFFICIALS WITH THE UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN KOSOVO. THE MINISTERS SAY THEY MADE THE SYMBOLIC JOURNEY TO SHOW EUROPE'S COMMITMENT TO BUILDING A DEMOCRATIC AND FREE SOCIETY IN THE WAR-TORN PROVINCE. THE FOURSOME ALSO VISITED A SUSPECTED MASS GRAVE SITE, WHICH MAY BE USED AS EVIDENCE IN ANY WAR CRIMES TRIALS. BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS THERE WAS NO WAY TO PREPARE FOR WHAT HE SAW. /// FIRST COOK ACT ///BUT HOWEVER MUCH YOU KNOW OF THE REPORTS OF THE ATROCITIES, OF THE MASSACRES, THEY CAN NOT PREPARE YOU EMOTIONALLY FOR THE SHOCK OF BEING CONFRONTED WITH THE SIGHT OF WHAT HAPPENED, WITH THE EVIDENCE OF THE SKELETONS STILL ON THE GROUND. AND WE WERE MOVED WITH PITY FOR THE TERROR THAT THOSE PEOPLE MUST HAVE FELT DURING THEIR LAST FEW MINUTES, WHEN THEY WERE HERDED INTO TINY ROOMS, KNOWING THAT THEY WERE GOING TO BE MACHINE-GUNNED. /// END ACT ///MR. COOK SAYS HE LEFT THE SITE WITH THE RENEWED DETERMINATION TO BRING THOSE WHO ORDERED THE KILLINGS TO JUSTICE. THE DELEGATION ALSO TALKED WEDNESDAY WITH LEADERS IN THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF KOSOVAR SERBS. /// SECOND COOK ACT ///WE GAVE A VERY CLEAR ASSURANCE THAT THE KOSOVO FORCE IS THERE TO PROTECT ALL PEOPLE OF KOSOVO -- WHETHER ALBANIAN OR SERB OR FROM OTHER ETHNIC IDENTITIES -- THAT THE KOSOVO FORCE WILL DOUBLE IN SIZE, AND AS IT DOES SO WE'LL MAKE SURE IT DOES PROVIDE PROTECTION TO ALL PARTS OF KOSOVO. WE WANT TO SEE A KOSOVO IN WHICH THERE'S A MULTI-ETHNIC AND A MULTI-RELIGIOUS SOCIETY, LIVING TOGETHER AND SHARING IN THE SAME DEMOCRACY. /// END ACT ///MR. COOK POINTED TO THE RETURN IN THE PAST TWO DAYS OF UP TO SEVEN-THOUSAND KOSOVAR SERBS -- WHO ORIGINALLY FLED THE PROVINCE LAST WEEK -- AS A SIGN THAT THE MESSAGE OF EQUAL PROTECTION FOR ALL GROUPS IS GETTING THROUGH. THERE ARE NOW 20-THOUSAND NATO TROOPS IN KOSOVO, AND
SEVEN-THOUSAND IN NEIGHBORING MACEDONIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/TB/ENE-WTW-T/WTW
[05] KOSOVO / FBI (L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251001 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PROSECUTORS AT THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL SAY INVESTIGATORS ARE MAKING SWIFT PROGRESS IN THEIR SEARCH FOR EVIDENCE OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IN KOSOVO. OFFICIALS IN THE HAGUE SAY FORENSIC TEAMS FROM SEVERAL NATIONS ARE ALREADY AT WORK OR WILL ARRIVE SOON. THEY HOPE TO FIND EVIDENCE THAT WILL SUPPORT OR BROADEN LAST MONTH'S INDICTMENT OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON, WHERE THE HEAD OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION SAYS ITS TEAMS IN KOSOVO BEGAN THEIR KOSOVO WORK TODAY (WEDNESDAY). TEXT: F-B-I DIRECTOR LOUIS FREEH SAYS 57 U-S AGENTS, SCIENTISTS, TECHNICIANS AND OTHER EXPERTS BEGAN EXAMINING TWO AREAS NEAR DJAKOVICA, WHERE THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL ALLEGES THAT SERBS MASSACRED 340 PEOPLE. THE TEAMS ARE CAREFULLY SIFTING CRIME SCENES FOR BONE FRAGMENTS, BULLETS AND OTHER CLUES THAT MAY LINK VICTIMS OF WAR CRIMES TO THEIR ATTACKERS. MR. FREEH SAYS BRITISH INVESTIGATORS WERE ALREADY AT WORK IN KOSOVO, AND FRENCH AND CANADIAN FORENSIC TEAMS WILL JOIN THE EFFORT SOON. MR. FREEH SAYS LAND MINES AND SNIPERS MAKE THE JOB POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, WHILE THE PASSAGE OF TIME SINCE THE KILLINGS AND SERB ATTEMPTS TO DESTROY EVIDENCE MAKE THE WORK CHALLENGING /// FIRST FREEH ACT ///WE KNOW IN MANY CASES THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE CRIMES TOOK ACTIVE MEASURES TO HIDE EVIDENCE, DESTROY BODIES, MOVE EVIDENCE, TRANSFORM IT, DEGRADE IT. SO THIS WAS NOT EITHER A FRESH CRIME SCENE OR A SCENE THAT HAS BEEN UNTAMPERED WITH. /// END ACT ///MR. FREEH SAYS INVESTIGATORS EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY MANY OF THE VICTIMS BY EXAMINING CLOTHING, DENTAL RECORDS, OR EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS. HE SAYS IN A FEW DIFFICULT CASES IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO USE COMPLEX TECHNIQUES LIKE D-N-A MATCHING TO IDENTIFY VICTIMS. HE SAYS INVESTIGATORS WILL DO WHAT THEY CAN BE SENSITIVE TO THE RELIGIOUS CUSTOMS OF THE VICTIMS' FAMILIES AND AVOID ADDING TO THEIR GRIEF. MR. FREEH SAYS THE F-B-I AND OTHER INVESTIGATORS ARE MOVING QUICKLY BUT METHODICALLY TO GATHER THE EVIDENCE, ANALYZE, CATALOGUE AND PRESERVE IT SO IT CAN BE USED --- EVENTUALLY --- IN WAR CRIMES TRIALS. /// SECOND FREEH ACT ///WHETHER YOU ARE A FUGITIVE ON OUR TOP TEN LIST (OF MOST WANTED CRIMINALS) OR THE PRESIDENT OF A COUNTRY WHO HAS BEEN INDICTED BY AN INTERNATIONAL COURT, SOONER OR LATER, YOU ARE GOING TO BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. /// END ACT ///MR. FREEH SAYS THIS WILL BE A "VERY, VERY DIFFICULT ASSIGNMENT"
BUT ONE THAT IS VITAL BECAUSE CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY "CAN NOT
BE TOLERATED" BY CIVILIZED SOCIETY. (SIGNED).
[06] KOSOVO DIVIDED CITY BY EVE CONANT (MITROVICA)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-43706 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: WITH ALL SERB MILITARY OUT OF KOSOVO, REMAINING SERB CIVILIANS ARE TERRIFIED THEY WILL BECOME TARGETS OF REPRISALS BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS. CORRESPONDENT EVE CONANT REPORTS FROM WHAT HAS BECOME THE DIVIDED CITY OF MITROVICA, WHERE ONE BRIDGE SEPARATES WHAT IS NOW THE SERB SIDE OF THE CITY FROM THE ALBANIAN SIDE. TEXT: MANY QUESTION WHETHER THE SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS OF KOSOVO WILL EVER BE ABLE TO LIVE TOGETHER AGAIN. ONE LOOK AT THE CITY OF MITROVICA IS PERHAPS THE FIRST ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION. A BRIDGE LINKS THE SERB PART OF THE CITY WITH THE ALBANIAN PART OF TOWN. FRENCH PEACEKEEPING TROOPS GUARDING THE BRIDGE LOOK ON AS MORE AND MORE SERBS CROSS OVER, CARRYING BUNDLES OF CLOTHES AND FOOD. //OPT//THIS IS A SPONTANEOUS DIVIDE, CREATED AFTER THE SERB ARMY WITHDREW ALL OF ITS FORCES FROM KOSOVO LAST WEEK. IRONICALLY, THE ALBANIAN CEMETERY IS LOCATED IN THE SERB SECTOR. THE ORTHODOX CEMETERY IN THE ALBANIAN SECTOR. AOSMAN ABOULLAHU -- AN ETHNIC ALBANIAN -- PEERS OVER THE BRIDGE AT A GROUP OF ABOUT 30 SERB MEN ON THE OTHER SIDE. HE SAYS THEY ARE SERB PARAMILITARIES WHO HAVE TAKEN OFF THEIR UNIFORMS. /// ABOULLAHU ACT IN ALBANIAN -- ESTABLISH AND UNDER ///ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE SERBS ARE CHECKING ANY CARS THAT TRY TO PASS OVER. THEY'RE SAYING THEY'RE MAKING SURE NO SOLDIERS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY -- KNOWN HERE AS THE U-C-K (OOH-CHAY-KAH) TRY TO SNEAK INTO THE SERB AREA. ONE OF THE MEN IS A SERBIAN SOLDIER -- ALEXANDER VAIJSEL -- WHO HAS TAKEN OFF HIS UNIFORM AND IS FINDING IT HARD TO RETURN TO CIVILIAN LIFE. /// VAIJSEL ACT ///WE HAVEN'T GOT ARMS. WE HAVEN'T GOT POLICE. THEY PROMISED US PROTECTION. WHAT DID THEY DO? THEY PROTECT THE U-C-K ... EVERY DAY THE U-C-K KILLS SERBS. /// END ACT ///HE SAYS THE SERBS OF MITROVICA ARE SO SCARED, THEY WILL NOT LEAVE THE ENCLAVE. HE SHOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO THREE SERBS WHO TRIED. JUST A FEW BLOCKS INTO THE SERBIAN SECTOR IS EVIDENCE OF WHAT ALEXANDER VAIJSEL SAYS IS AN ORCHESTRATED CAMPAIGN OF REVENGE BY THE U-C-K (K-L-A). HE SHOWS A CAR PUNCTURED WITH BULLET HOLES. INSIDE THE CAR IS A UPHOLSTERY STAINED RED WITH BLOOD, PILES OF BROKEN GLASS AND PIECES OF BONE. HE SAYS THREE MEN WERE SHOT AT BY THE K-L-A WHEN THEY TRIED TO DRIVE THROUGH THE ALBANIAN SIDE TO REACH THEIR VILLAGE. // OPT// HE SAYS THERE IS ONLY ONE REASON THEY WERE MURDERED. /// SECOND VAIJSEL ACT ///BECAUSE THEY ARE SERBS. THERE IS U-C-K. BETWEEN THAT VILLAGE AND MITROVICA IS U-C-K. SO THEY WENT HOME AND THEY (U-C-K) WAIT FOR HIM, AND THEY KILL HIM. TWO MEN ARE DEAD AND ONE IS INJURED. ///END ACT /////END OPT//ONLY IN MITROVICA DO BOTH THE SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS WALK
FREELY OUT ON THE STREETS. BUT THAT IS ONLY BECAUSE THERE IS A
BRIDGE, TANKS AND FOREIGN SOLDIERS SEPARATING THEM. (SIGNED)
[07] KOSOVO DIVIDED CITY BY EVE CONANT (MITROVICA)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-43706 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: WITH ALL SERB MILITARY OUT OF KOSOVO, REMAINING SERB CIVILIANS ARE TERRIFIED THEY WILL BECOME TARGETS OF REPRISALS BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS. CORRESPONDENT EVE CONANT REPORTS FROM WHAT HAS BECOME THE DIVIDED CITY OF MITROVICA, WHERE ONE BRIDGE SEPARATES WHAT IS NOW THE SERB SIDE OF THE CITY FROM THE ALBANIAN SIDE. TEXT: MANY QUESTION WHETHER THE SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS OF KOSOVO WILL EVER BE ABLE TO LIVE TOGETHER AGAIN. ONE LOOK AT THE CITY OF MITROVICA IS PERHAPS THE FIRST ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION. A BRIDGE LINKS THE SERB PART OF THE CITY WITH THE ALBANIAN PART OF TOWN. FRENCH PEACEKEEPING TROOPS GUARDING THE BRIDGE LOOK ON AS MORE AND MORE SERBS CROSS OVER, CARRYING BUNDLES OF CLOTHES AND FOOD. //OPT//THIS IS A SPONTANEOUS DIVIDE, CREATED AFTER THE SERB ARMY WITHDREW ALL OF ITS FORCES FROM KOSOVO LAST WEEK. IRONICALLY, THE ALBANIAN CEMETERY IS LOCATED IN THE SERB SECTOR. THE ORTHODOX CEMETERY IN THE ALBANIAN SECTOR. AOSMAN ABOULLAHU -- AN ETHNIC ALBANIAN -- PEERS OVER THE BRIDGE AT A GROUP OF ABOUT 30 SERB MEN ON THE OTHER SIDE. HE SAYS THEY ARE SERB PARAMILITARIES WHO HAVE TAKEN OFF THEIR UNIFORMS. /// ABOULLAHU ACT IN ALBANIAN -- ESTABLISH AND UNDER ///ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE SERBS ARE CHECKING ANY CARS THAT TRY TO PASS OVER. THEY'RE SAYING THEY'RE MAKING SURE NO SOLDIERS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY -- KNOWN HERE AS THE U-C-K (OOH-CHAY-KAH) TRY TO SNEAK INTO THE SERB AREA. ONE OF THE MEN IS A SERBIAN SOLDIER -- ALEXANDER VAIJSEL -- WHO HAS TAKEN OFF HIS UNIFORM AND IS FINDING IT HARD TO RETURN TO CIVILIAN LIFE. /// VAIJSEL ACT ///WE HAVEN'T GOT ARMS. WE HAVEN'T GOT POLICE. THEY PROMISED US PROTECTION. WHAT DID THEY DO? THEY PROTECT THE U-C-K ... EVERY DAY THE U-C-K KILLS SERBS. /// END ACT ///HE SAYS THE SERBS OF MITROVICA ARE SO SCARED, THEY WILL NOT LEAVE THE ENCLAVE. HE SHOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO THREE SERBS WHO TRIED. JUST A FEW BLOCKS INTO THE SERBIAN SECTOR IS EVIDENCE OF WHAT ALEXANDER VAIJSEL SAYS IS AN ORCHESTRATED CAMPAIGN OF REVENGE BY THE U-C-K (K-L-A). HE SHOWS A CAR PUNCTURED WITH BULLET HOLES. INSIDE THE CAR IS A UPHOLSTERY STAINED RED WITH BLOOD, PILES OF BROKEN GLASS AND PIECES OF BONE. HE SAYS THREE MEN WERE SHOT AT BY THE K-L-A WHEN THEY TRIED TO DRIVE THROUGH THE ALBANIAN SIDE TO REACH THEIR VILLAGE. // OPT// HE SAYS THERE IS ONLY ONE REASON THEY WERE MURDERED. /// SECOND VAIJSEL ACT ///BECAUSE THEY ARE SERBS. THERE IS U-C-K. BETWEEN THAT VILLAGE AND MITROVICA IS U-C-K. SO THEY WENT HOME AND THEY (U-C-K) WAIT FOR HIM, AND THEY KILL HIM. TWO MEN ARE DEAD AND ONE IS INJURED. ///END ACT /////END OPT//ONLY IN MITROVICA DO BOTH THE SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS WALK
FREELY OUT ON THE STREETS. BUT THAT IS ONLY BECAUSE THERE IS A
BRIDGE, TANKS AND FOREIGN SOLDIERS SEPARATING THEM. (SIGNED)
[08] KOSOVO MARINES (S) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251014 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE GENERAL IN CHARGE OF U-S PEACEKEEPERS IN KOSOVO SAYS U-S MARINES HAVE KILLED TWO PEOPLE WHO FIRED AT THEM. GENERAL JOHN CRADDOCK SAYS THE ARMED STANDOFF BEGAN ABOUT 6 PM LOCAL TIME (NOON EDT) AND ENDED WITHOUT INJURY TO U-S TROOPS. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON. TEXT: IN A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW FROM HIS HEADQUARTERS IN KOSOVO, GENERAL CRADDOCK SAID U-S MARINES WERE MANNING A CHECKPOINT WHEN SOMEONE BEGAN SHOOTING AT THEM. THE MARINES RETURNED FIRE, KILLING TWO PEOPLE. THERE WERE TWENTY OR THIRTY MARINES AT THE CHECKPOINT, AND THEY CALLED FOR HELP. U-S HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS AND OTHER REINFORCEMENTS QUICKLY ARRIVED AND SURROUNDED A GROUP OF BUILDINGS WHERE THE ASSAILANTS WERE THOUGHT TO BE HIDING. /// CRADDOCK ///WE HAVE FOLKS TRYING TO TALK THE FORCE, WHOEVER HAS DONE THE SHOOTING, OUT OF THE BUILDING AND SURRENDER. /// END ACT ///THEY DID SURENDER TO THE MARINES A COUPLE OF HOURS AFTER THE CONFRONTATION BEGAN. GENERAL CRADDOCK SAYS IT IS NOT CLEAR IF THE PEOPLE WHO CONFRONTED THE MARINES ARE SERBS OR ETHNIC ALBANIANS. HE SAYS THE INCIDENT OCCURRED NEAR THE VILLAGE OF ZEGRA, SOUTH OF
GNJILANE, WHERE THE MARINES HAVE THEIR HEADQUARTERS. THIS IS
THE SECOND VIOLENT INCIDENT FOR U-S PEACEKEEPERS IN THE LAST 48
HOURS. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, U-S OFFICIALS SAY NO ONE WAS HURT,
BUT TWO PEOPLE WERE DETAINED BY PEACEKEEPING TROOPS. (SIGNED).
[09] KOSOVO MARINES (S) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251014 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE GENERAL IN CHARGE OF U-S PEACEKEEPERS IN KOSOVO SAYS U-S MARINES HAVE KILLED TWO PEOPLE WHO FIRED AT THEM. GENERAL JOHN CRADDOCK SAYS THE ARMED STANDOFF BEGAN ABOUT 6 PM LOCAL TIME (NOON EDT) AND ENDED WITHOUT INJURY TO U-S TROOPS. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON. TEXT: IN A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW FROM HIS HEADQUARTERS IN KOSOVO, GENERAL CRADDOCK SAID U-S MARINES WERE MANNING A CHECKPOINT WHEN SOMEONE BEGAN SHOOTING AT THEM. THE MARINES RETURNED FIRE, KILLING TWO PEOPLE. THERE WERE TWENTY OR THIRTY MARINES AT THE CHECKPOINT, AND THEY CALLED FOR HELP. U-S HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS AND OTHER REINFORCEMENTS QUICKLY ARRIVED AND SURROUNDED A GROUP OF BUILDINGS WHERE THE ASSAILANTS WERE THOUGHT TO BE HIDING. /// CRADDOCK ///WE HAVE FOLKS TRYING TO TALK THE FORCE, WHOEVER HAS DONE THE SHOOTING, OUT OF THE BUILDING AND SURRENDER. /// END ACT ///THEY DID SURENDER TO THE MARINES A COUPLE OF HOURS AFTER THE CONFRONTATION BEGAN. GENERAL CRADDOCK SAYS IT IS NOT CLEAR IF THE PEOPLE WHO CONFRONTED THE MARINES ARE SERBS OR ETHNIC ALBANIANS. HE SAYS THE INCIDENT OCCURRED NEAR THE VILLAGE OF ZEGRA, SOUTH OF
GNJILANE, WHERE THE MARINES HAVE THEIR HEADQUARTERS. THIS IS
THE SECOND VIOLENT INCIDENT FOR U-S PEACEKEEPERS IN THE LAST 48
HOURS. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, U-S OFFICIALS SAY NO ONE WAS HURT,
BUT TWO PEOPLE WERE DETAINED BY PEACEKEEPING TROOPS. (SIGNED).
[10] KOSOVO MARINES (S) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251014 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE GENERAL IN CHARGE OF U-S PEACEKEEPERS IN KOSOVO SAYS U-S MARINES HAVE KILLED TWO PEOPLE WHO FIRED AT THEM. GENERAL JOHN CRADDOCK SAYS THE ARMED STANDOFF BEGAN ABOUT 6 PM LOCAL TIME (NOON EDT) AND ENDED WITHOUT INJURY TO U-S TROOPS. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON. TEXT: IN A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW FROM HIS HEADQUARTERS IN KOSOVO, GENERAL CRADDOCK SAID U-S MARINES WERE MANNING A CHECKPOINT WHEN SOMEONE BEGAN SHOOTING AT THEM. THE MARINES RETURNED FIRE, KILLING TWO PEOPLE. THERE WERE TWENTY OR THIRTY MARINES AT THE CHECKPOINT, AND THEY CALLED FOR HELP. U-S HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS AND OTHER REINFORCEMENTS QUICKLY ARRIVED AND SURROUNDED A GROUP OF BUILDINGS WHERE THE ASSAILANTS WERE THOUGHT TO BE HIDING. /// CRADDOCK ///WE HAVE FOLKS TRYING TO TALK THE FORCE, WHOEVER HAS DONE THE SHOOTING, OUT OF THE BUILDING AND SURRENDER. /// END ACT ///THEY DID SURENDER TO THE MARINES A COUPLE OF HOURS AFTER THE CONFRONTATION BEGAN. GENERAL CRADDOCK SAYS IT IS NOT CLEAR IF THE PEOPLE WHO CONFRONTED THE MARINES ARE SERBS OR ETHNIC ALBANIANS. HE SAYS THE INCIDENT OCCURRED NEAR THE VILLAGE OF ZEGRA, SOUTH OF
GNJILANE, WHERE THE MARINES HAVE THEIR HEADQUARTERS. THIS IS
THE SECOND VIOLENT INCIDENT FOR U-S PEACEKEEPERS IN THE LAST 48
HOURS. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, U-S OFFICIALS SAY NO ONE WAS HURT,
BUT TWO PEOPLE WERE DETAINED BY PEACEKEEPING TROOPS. (SIGNED).
[11] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251021 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MOSTLY DOWN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AS A RESULT OF CONTINUED CONCERN ABOUT RISING INTEREST RATES. V-O-A BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10-THOUSAND-666, DOWN 54 POINTS, HALF OF ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 13-HUNDRED-33, DOWN TWO POINTS. BUT THE NASDAQ INDEX GAINED ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF ONE PERCENT, REFLECTING A REBOUND IN SOME TECHNOLOGY STOCKS. ANALYSTS SAY INTEREST RATE CONCERNS CONTINUED ON WALL STREET. MANY STOCK TRADERS ARE SAID TO BE AVOIDING THE MARKET UNTIL AFTER THE U-S CENTRAL BANK MEETING NEXT WEEK AT WHICH IT WILL BE DECIDED IF -- AND BY HOW MUCH -- SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES WILL BE RAISED. BUT LONG-TERM INTEREST RATES CONTINUE HIGHER WITH THE YIELD ON THE 30-YEAR U-S GOVERNMENT BOND STILL ABOVE SIX PERCENT. ///BEGIN OPT///ART CASHIN OF THE PAINE WEBBER INVESTMENT COMPANY SAYS THE FALLING BOND MARKET CONTINUES TO ACT AS A BRAKE ON STOCK PRICES. /// CASHIN ACT ///THE STOCK MARKET CAME BACK TO THE HIGHS MADE IN EARLIER RALLIES BUT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ABLE TO BREAK THROUGH. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THE BOND MARKET AND THE YIELD MOVE UP TO MORE THAN SIX PERCENT. /// END ACT ////// END OPT ///THE STOCK OF 3-COM, A COMPUTER NETWORKING COMPANY, FELL 15 PERCENT AFTER IT ANNOUNCED ITS REVENUES WILL LIKELY FALL FOR THE REST OF THIS YEAR. CROWN CORK AND SEAL, THE WORLD''S LARGEST PRODUCER OF PACKAGING PRODUCTS, SAYS IT EXPECTS LOWER EARNINGS BECAUSE OF WEAKER DEMAND IN EUROPE. /// REST OPT ///GOLDMAN SACHS, A LEADING U-S INVESTMENT BANKING FIRM WHICH RECENTLY ISSUED STOCK FOR THE FIRST TIME, REPORTED QUARTERLY EARNINGS SURGED BY 30 PERCENT. THE COMPANY CREDITS STRONG PROFITS IN STOCK AND BOND TRADING ACTIVITY. HEALTH AUTHORITIES IN BELGIUM HAVE LIFTED THE BAN ON THE SALE OF
COCA-COLA WHICH WAS IMPOSED LAST WEEK AFTER ABOUT 200 PEOPLE IN
BELGIUM AND FRANCE REPORTED FEELING ILL AFTER DRINKING COKE.
OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE SATISFIED THERE IS NO CONTAMINATION AT
COKE'S TWO BOTTLING PLANTS IN BELGIUM. HOWEVER, COCA-COLA SALES
ARE STILL BANNED IN SEVERAL OTHER EUROPEAN NATIONS.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/GM
[12] OCALAN TRIAL (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (IMRALI ISLAND, TURKEY)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251011 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN, ON TRIAL FOR HIS LIFE IN TURKEY, HAS RENEWED THREATS OF MORE VIOLENCE IF HE IS SENTENCED TO DEATH. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM IMRALI ISLAND, WHERE THE LEADER OF THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY (P-K-K) IS ON TRIAL FOR TREASON. MR. OCALAN SAYS HE WANTS TO WORK WITH TURKISH OFFICIALS TO BRING ABOUT A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE 15-YEAR KURDISH REBELLION. TEXT: STANDING IN A BULLET-PROOF GLASS CUBICLE, THE P-K-K LEADER SPOKE FOR NEARLY THREE HOURS (WEDNESDAY). MR. OCALAN WAS AT TIMES APOLOGETIC. THE REBELLION, HE SAID, HAS OUTLIVED ITS PURPOSE, SINCE THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT ENDED ITS OFFICIAL BAN ON THE KURDISH LANGUAGE IN 1991. MR. OCALAN SAYS HIS EFFORTS SINCE THAT TIME TO STOP THE BLOODSHED HAVE BEEN STYMIED, FIRST BY THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT AND DISOBEDIENT REBELS WHO CONTINUED TO ATTACK CIVILIANS. HE SAYS KURDISH INDEPENDENCE OR FEDERATIONAL AUTONOMY ARE NOT WHAT HE CALLS PRACTICAL GOALS. MR. OCALAN GOES AS FAR AS TO SAY THAT AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH NATION CAN NOT -- IN HIS WORDS -- PRODUCE EVEN A PIN. HE SAYS EASING RESTRICTIONS ON KURDISH EDUCATION AND BROADCASTING WOULD BE ENOUGH TO MEET THE KURDS' DEMANDS. IT WAS SUCH BANS, HE SAYS, THAT FUELED THE KURDISH CONFLICT TO BEGIN WITH. TURKISH PROSECUTORS ARE SEEKING THE DEATH SENTENCE FOR MR. OCALAN, CITING THE P-K-K'S 15-YEAR FIGHT FOR KURDISH SELF-RULE IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. TURKISH OFFICIALS DESCRIBE MR. OCALAN'S THREAT OF MORE BLOODSHED AS BLACKMAIL, AND SAY THEY WILL NEVER IN THEIR WORDS -- NEGOTIATE WITH A TERRORIST. THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT MUST APPROVE THE DEATH SENTENCE, IF MR. OCALAN IS CONVICTED AS CHARGED. THERE IS STRONG PUBLIC SENTIMENT AMONG LAWMAKERS TO DO SO. BUT THE STRASBOURG-BASED COUNCIL OF EUROPE HAS WARNED IT COULD SUSPEND TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP IF THE P-K-K LEADER IS EXECUTED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO EXECUTIONS IN TURKEY SINCE 1984. MR. OCALAN SAYS ABOUT FIVE-THOUSAND SUICIDE BOMBERS WOULD UNLEASH A CAMPAIGN OF VIOLENCE IF HE IS HANGED. THE P-K-K HAS ECHOED ITS LEADER'S THREATS OF THE PAST WEEK. BUT UNLIKE MR. OCALAN, THE REBELS DO NOT APPEAR SET TO LAY DOWN THEIR WEAPONS IF HIS LIFE IS SPARED. SOURCES CLOSE TO THE REBELS SAY THE P-K-K LEADERSHIP IS BOTH EMBARRASSED AND DISMAYED BY MR. OCALAN'S APPARENT RENUNCIATION OF MANY OF THE GOALS AND PRINCIPLES ON WHICH THE MOVEMENT WAS FOUNDED, AND FOR WHICH ABOUT 20-THOUSAND KURDISH FIGHTERS LOST THEIR LIVES. MR. OCALAN'S LAWYERS, WHO TOOK UP THE DEFENSE LATER IN
WEDNESDAY'S SESSION, WILL CONTINUE READING A 350-PAGE FINAL
DEFENSE STATEMENT ON THURSDAY. THEY ARE CHALLENGING THE TRIAL ON
PROCEDURAL GROUNDS. (SIGNED)
[13] OCALAN TRIAL / KURD REACT (L ONLY) BY SCOTT BOBB (DIYARBAKIR, TURKEY)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250995 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IN TURKEY, LAWYERS FOR KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN BEGAN PRESENTING THEIR FINAL ARGUMENTS WEDNESDAY AS THE TRIAL RESUMED AFTER A TWO-WEEK RECESS. THE TRIAL IS BEING FOLLOWED ESPECIALLY CLOSELY IN THE PREDOMINANTLY KURDISH PART OF SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB IS IN THE REGIONAL CAPITAL, DIYARBAKIR, AND FILED THIS REPORT. TEXT: PEOPLE ARE GOING ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS AS USUAL IN THIS CITY OF TWO-MILLION PEOPLE LYING ON THE DRY PLAINS OF SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. ALTHOUGH BUSINESS IS BAD AND MANY PEOPLE ARE OUT OF WORK, STREETS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA STILL ARE BUSY. MOST SHOPS ARE OPEN AND THE PRESENCE OF SECURITY FORCES IS ABOUT THE SAME AS IT HAS BEEN SINCE THE CAPTURE OF ABDULLAH OCALAN IN FEBRUARY. IN THE SHOPS AND OFFICES OF THIS PREDOMINANTLY KURDISH CITY, TELEVISION SETS REMAIN TURNED ON. AND WHEN ONE OF THE DOZENS OF STATIONS COVERING THE TRIAL BROADCASTS A REPORT, CONVERSATION STOPS AND ALL EYES TURN TO WATCH. THE GENERAL ATTITUDE IS ONE OF WAIT-AND-SEE -- WHETHER MR. OCALAN WILL BE CONVICTED AND IF SO, WHETHER HE WILL BE EXECUTED. MOST BELIEVE HE WILL BE CONVICTED. AND THE FACT THAT MR. OCALAN ADOPTED A CONCILIATORY ATTITUDE AT THE TRIAL ANGERS MANY PEOPLE HERE. THEY SAY HE HAD NOTHING TO GAIN AND SHOULD HAVE REMAINED DEFIANT. ASKED WHETHER THE REMOVAL OF MR. OCALAN WILL END THE KURDISH PROBLEM, DIFFERENCES EMERGE. OFFICIALS OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND THEIR SYMPATHIZERS BELIEVE MR. OCALAN'S CAPTURE, COMBINED WITH A VIGOROUS MILITARY OFFENSIVE AGAINST HIS P-K-K GUERRILLA GROUP, WILL END THE VIOLENCE. WITH PEACE, THEY SAY, INDUSTRY AND JOBS WILL COME AND THE REASONS FOR THE VIOLENCE WILL FADE. THOSE KURDS WHO WILL SPEAK OPENLY TO A REPORTER DO NOT AGREE. MOST DO NOT BELIEVE THE VIOLENCE WILL END AND MANY SAY IT WILL GET WORSE. THEY SAY EVEN IF THE P-K-K IS DEFEATED, THE KURDISH PROBLEM WILL NOT GO AWAY. /// REST OPT ///THE LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR TURKEYS HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION, SEZGIN TANUKULU, SAYS THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT MUST SEEK A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE KURDISH PROBLEM IF IT WANTS TO SOLVE IT ONCE AND FOR ALL. /// TANUKULU ACT - IN TURKISH - FADE UNDER ///MR. TANUKULU SAYS HE THINKS THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT DOES NOT REALIZE HOW BIG THE KURDISH PROBLEM REALLY IS. IF IT DID, HE SAYS, IT WOULD SEEK A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION. ALTHOUGH MANY HERE SYMPATHIZE WITH THE STRUGGLE OF THE P-K-K, MANY DO NOT SUPPORT IT. AND MOST SAY THEY ARE AGAINST THE VIOLENCE AND WANT PEACE. THEY SAY PEACE IS POSSIBLE IF THE GOVERNMENT WILL GRANT MORE FREEDOMS TO THE KURDISH PEOPLE. THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT NOW ALLOWS KURDISH MUSIC TO BE PLAYED IN PUBLIC. AND IT ALLOWS KURDISH MUSIC TO BE SOLD OPENLY. HOWEVER, IT STILL DOES NOT ALLOW THE KURDISH LANGUAGE TO BE TAUGHT IN THE SCHOOLS. AND PEOPLE HERE COMPLAIN THAT MERE SUSPICION OF BEING A REBEL SYMPATHIZER CAN LEAD TO ARREST, TORTURE, AND PRISON. THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT IS UNDER PRESSURE FROM FAMILIES OF THE
VICTIMS OF P-K-K ATTACKS TO HARSHLY PUNISH MR. OCALAN AND HIS
FOLLOWERS. YET, MANY BELIEVE IT ALSO REALIZES THAT THE EXECUTION
OF MR. OCALAN, WHICH CAN OCCUR ONLY WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, COULD LEAD TO A WORSENING OF THE VIOLENCE.
THAT, HOWEVER, IS A CONSEQUENCE THAT FEW IN THIS WAR-WEARY CITY
SEEM TO WANT. (SIGNED)
[14] OCALAN TRIAL / KURD REACT (L ONLY) BY SCOTT BOBB (DIYARBAKIR, TURKEY)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250995 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IN TURKEY, LAWYERS FOR KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN BEGAN PRESENTING THEIR FINAL ARGUMENTS WEDNESDAY AS THE TRIAL RESUMED AFTER A TWO-WEEK RECESS. THE TRIAL IS BEING FOLLOWED ESPECIALLY CLOSELY IN THE PREDOMINANTLY KURDISH PART OF SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB IS IN THE REGIONAL CAPITAL, DIYARBAKIR, AND FILED THIS REPORT. TEXT: PEOPLE ARE GOING ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS AS USUAL IN THIS CITY OF TWO-MILLION PEOPLE LYING ON THE DRY PLAINS OF SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. ALTHOUGH BUSINESS IS BAD AND MANY PEOPLE ARE OUT OF WORK, STREETS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA STILL ARE BUSY. MOST SHOPS ARE OPEN AND THE PRESENCE OF SECURITY FORCES IS ABOUT THE SAME AS IT HAS BEEN SINCE THE CAPTURE OF ABDULLAH OCALAN IN FEBRUARY. IN THE SHOPS AND OFFICES OF THIS PREDOMINANTLY KURDISH CITY, TELEVISION SETS REMAIN TURNED ON. AND WHEN ONE OF THE DOZENS OF STATIONS COVERING THE TRIAL BROADCASTS A REPORT, CONVERSATION STOPS AND ALL EYES TURN TO WATCH. THE GENERAL ATTITUDE IS ONE OF WAIT-AND-SEE -- WHETHER MR. OCALAN WILL BE CONVICTED AND IF SO, WHETHER HE WILL BE EXECUTED. MOST BELIEVE HE WILL BE CONVICTED. AND THE FACT THAT MR. OCALAN ADOPTED A CONCILIATORY ATTITUDE AT THE TRIAL ANGERS MANY PEOPLE HERE. THEY SAY HE HAD NOTHING TO GAIN AND SHOULD HAVE REMAINED DEFIANT. ASKED WHETHER THE REMOVAL OF MR. OCALAN WILL END THE KURDISH PROBLEM, DIFFERENCES EMERGE. OFFICIALS OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND THEIR SYMPATHIZERS BELIEVE MR. OCALAN'S CAPTURE, COMBINED WITH A VIGOROUS MILITARY OFFENSIVE AGAINST HIS P-K-K GUERRILLA GROUP, WILL END THE VIOLENCE. WITH PEACE, THEY SAY, INDUSTRY AND JOBS WILL COME AND THE REASONS FOR THE VIOLENCE WILL FADE. THOSE KURDS WHO WILL SPEAK OPENLY TO A REPORTER DO NOT AGREE. MOST DO NOT BELIEVE THE VIOLENCE WILL END AND MANY SAY IT WILL GET WORSE. THEY SAY EVEN IF THE P-K-K IS DEFEATED, THE KURDISH PROBLEM WILL NOT GO AWAY. /// REST OPT ///THE LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR TURKEYS HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION, SEZGIN TANUKULU, SAYS THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT MUST SEEK A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE KURDISH PROBLEM IF IT WANTS TO SOLVE IT ONCE AND FOR ALL. /// TANUKULU ACT - IN TURKISH - FADE UNDER ///MR. TANUKULU SAYS HE THINKS THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT DOES NOT REALIZE HOW BIG THE KURDISH PROBLEM REALLY IS. IF IT DID, HE SAYS, IT WOULD SEEK A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION. ALTHOUGH MANY HERE SYMPATHIZE WITH THE STRUGGLE OF THE P-K-K, MANY DO NOT SUPPORT IT. AND MOST SAY THEY ARE AGAINST THE VIOLENCE AND WANT PEACE. THEY SAY PEACE IS POSSIBLE IF THE GOVERNMENT WILL GRANT MORE FREEDOMS TO THE KURDISH PEOPLE. THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT NOW ALLOWS KURDISH MUSIC TO BE PLAYED IN PUBLIC. AND IT ALLOWS KURDISH MUSIC TO BE SOLD OPENLY. HOWEVER, IT STILL DOES NOT ALLOW THE KURDISH LANGUAGE TO BE TAUGHT IN THE SCHOOLS. AND PEOPLE HERE COMPLAIN THAT MERE SUSPICION OF BEING A REBEL SYMPATHIZER CAN LEAD TO ARREST, TORTURE, AND PRISON. THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT IS UNDER PRESSURE FROM FAMILIES OF THE
VICTIMS OF P-K-K ATTACKS TO HARSHLY PUNISH MR. OCALAN AND HIS
FOLLOWERS. YET, MANY BELIEVE IT ALSO REALIZES THAT THE EXECUTION
OF MR. OCALAN, WHICH CAN OCCUR ONLY WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, COULD LEAD TO A WORSENING OF THE VIOLENCE.
THAT, HOWEVER, IS A CONSEQUENCE THAT FEW IN THIS WAR-WEARY CITY
SEEM TO WANT. (SIGNED)
[15] RED CROSS / KOSOVO PRISONERS (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250997 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS (I-C-R-C) SAYS IT IS ASKING YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES FOR PERMISSION TO VISIT WHAT IT CALLS "A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER" OF KOSOVO ALBANIAN POLITICAL PRISONERS. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE RED CROSS SAYS IT BELIEVES THE PRISONERS MAY HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUT OF KOSOVO BY SERB FORCES WITHDRAWING FROM THE PROVINCE. TEXT: THE RED CROSS SAYS IT HAS ASKED YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES FOR THE LIST OF KOSOVAR DETAINEES AND FOR ACCESS TO THEM. IT SAYS IT HAS HAD POSITIVE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE YUGOSLAV MINISTER OF JUSTICE IN BELGRADE. RED CROSS SPOKESWOMAN JETTA SOERENSEN SAYS THE ORGANIZATION IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FATE OF THE PRISONERS. BUT, SHE SAYS SHE HOPES THAT RED CROSS DELEGATES WILL BE ALLOWED TO VISIT THE JAILED ETHNIC ALBANIANS BY NEXT WEEK. SHE SAYS THESE VISITS OFFER A MEASURE OF PROTECTION TO THOSE DETAINED. /// SOERENSEN ACT ONE ///THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT THEY GET REGISTERED, THEY HAVE A NAME, THEY GET A DETENTION NUMBER, THEY ARE REGISTERED WITH US SO THEY HAVE AN IDENTITY WHICH MAKES IT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO DISAPPEAR. /// END ACT ///ALL RED CROSS VISITS ARE CONDUCTED IN PRIVATE WITHOUT WITNESSES PRESENT. AND, DURING THESE VISITS, PRISONERS ARE ABLE TO WRITE MESSAGES TO THEIR FAMILIES TELLING THEM THAT THEY ARE ALIVE. MS. SOERENSEN SAYS THE RED CROSS DOES NOT KNOW HOW MANY KOSOVARS HAVE BEEN IMPRISONED. BUT, THE U-N HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE HERE IN GENEVA SAYS IT IS INVESTIGATING REPORTS THAT BETWEEN TWO-THOUSAND AND THREE-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIAN POLITICAL PRISONERS, INCLUDING LAWYERS AND DOCTORS, LEFT KOSOVO WITH DEPARTING SERB TROOPS. A SPOKESMAN SAYS THE U-N OFFICE HAS RECEIVED REPORTS FROM FAMILIES OF THE MISSING IN KOSOVO. AND IT HAS ASKED AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING THEIR WHEREABOUTS. MS. SOERENSEN SAYS THERE IS NOTHING IN THE PEACE DEAL SIGNED BETWEEN NATO AND YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC GUARANTEEING THE RED CROSS ACCESS TO KOSOVAR PRISONERS. /// SOERENSEN ACT TWO ///WE REGRET THAT THERE'S NO MENTION OF THE PRISONERS, OF I-C-R-C'S ACCESS TO PRISONERS OR THE LIBERATION OF THE PRISONERS AFTER THE END OF THE CONFLICT. AND, WE REGRET THAT IT'S NOT MENTIONED IN THE AGREEMENT. /// END ACT ///MS. SOERENSEN SAYS THE RED CROSS ALSO IS IN CONTACT WITH THE
KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, THE K-L-A, ABOUT ALLEGED ARRESTS OF
SERBS. SHE SAYS SHE DOES NOT KNOW IF THE K-L-A IS HOLDING ANY
PRISONERS. BUT, SHE OBSERVES IF THE RED CROSS GETS ACCESS TO
ETHNIC ALBANIAN DETAINEES IN SERBIA, THIS MIGHT OPEN THE DOORS TO
PRISON VISITS ON THE OTHER SIDE. (SIGNED)
[16] U-S / K-L-A (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251016 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL BE CLOSELY WATCHING THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY TO SEE IF IT LIVES UP TO IT'S PLEDGE TO TRANSFORM INTO A POLITICAL ORGANIZATION. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS. TEXT: THE AGREEMENT SIGNED BY THE K-L-A ON MONDAY CALLS ON THE GUERRILLA FORCE TO LAY DOWN ITS WEAPONS IN 90 DAYS AND ABANDON ITS MILITARY STRUCTURE. AT THE INSISTENCE OF K-L-A LEADERS, THE AGREEMENT ALSO CALLS ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO CONSIDER LETTING THE REBEL ARMY FORM A NEW MILITARY FORCE SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE. K-L-A MILITARY LEADERS SAY THEY HOPE TO FORM A NEW DEFENSIVE ARMY BASED ON THE U-S NATIONAL GUARD (WHICH IS COMPOSED LARGELY OF CIVILIANS WHO SERVE PART TIME IN THE FORCE). STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN, WHO HELPED NEGOTIATE THE DE-MILITARIZATION PACT WITH THE K-L-A, SAYS THAT GOAL WILL DEPEND ON SEVERAL FACTORS, INCLUDING ON THE GROUP'S BEHAVIOR. // RUBIN ACT //THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS GOING TO BE WATCHING VERY CLOSELY WHAT TRANSPIRES IN THE BALKANS AND IN KOSOVO, AND THE BEHAVIOR OF THE K-L-A IS GOING TO BE A FACTOR IN THE REPUTATION THEY DEVELOP AND THE WILLINGNESS OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT'S TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM. // END ACT //SINCE YUGOSLAV TROOPS BEGAN THEIR WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO EARLIER THIS MONTH, SOME K-L-A FIGHTERS HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF ATTACKS ON ETHNIC SERBS IN THE PROVINCE. MANY SERB CIVILIANS HAVE FLED KOSOVO FEARING REPRISALS BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO WERE BRUTALIZED BY SERB FORCES WHO HAVE NOW WITHDRAWN. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL BE WATCHING TO SEE IF K-L-A LIVES UP TO ITS PLEDGE TO DISBAND AS A UNIFORMED FORCE AND BECOME A GENUINE POLITICAL PARTY. MR. RUBIN SAID AGAIN THAT THE PLEDGE TO CONSIDER LETTING THE
K-L-A SET UP A NEW MILITARY FORCE WAS SIMPLY AN ASPIRATION OF THE
GROUP THAT WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE. HE
SAID NO TIMETABLE OR COMMITMENT HAS BEEN MADE AND ANY DECISION
WILL BE PART OF THE PROCESS THAT DETERMINES THE FINAL STATUS OF
KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
[17] UNHCR KOSOVO REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250989 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, REPORTS MORE THAN 209-THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM ALBANIA, MACEDONIA AND MONTENEGRO HAVE GONE BACK TO KOSOVO SINCE THE START OF LAST WEEK. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE AGENCY ESTIMATES THAT ON TUESDAY ALONE, ABOUT 30-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS RETURNED. TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS THE RETURN OF SO MANY ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO KOSOVO IS A MAJOR REVERSAL OF THE EARLIER SERBIAN ETHNIC CLEANSING. AND, THEY SAY, THIS IS A VERY WELCOME SIGN. HOWEVER, THE AGENCY STILL URGES THE REFUGEES TO WAIT UNTIL THE SECURITY AND STABILITY OF KOSOVO IMPROVES BEFORE GOING HOME. U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS LAND MINES POSE A THREAT THROUGHOUT THE SERBIAN PROVINCE. HE SAYS LACK OF WATER AND SANITATION FACILITIES IN THE TOWN OF PRIZREN IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. HE NOTES MANY WELLS HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED BY DEAD BODIES AND ANIMALS WHICH HAVE BEEN THROWN INTO THEM. DESPITE THESE ENORMOUS PROBLEMS, MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THE FLOW OF RETURNING REFUGEES SHOWS NO SIGN OF ABATING. ///JANOWSKI ACT///WE'RE ALREADY SEEING A MASSIVE, SPONTANEOUS RETURN MOVEMENT AND WE'LL SEE A MASSIVE RETURN MOVEMENT TO KOSOVO -- SOMETHING THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN THE BALKANS DURING THE WARS IN THE 90'S. ///END ACT/////OPT/////MC CORMICK ACT///... AND OUT OF 13 SCHOOLS, FIVE WERE DEMOLISHED, FOUR BURNED, ONE SUSPECTED OF BEING BOOBY-TRAPPED, AND THE REMAINING THREE WERE OKAY. IF THIS IS AN INDICATION OF WHAT WE WILL FIND THROUGHOUT KOSOVO, OUR AIM OF GETTING ALL CHILDREN BACK TO SCHOOL BY SEPTEMBER FIRST IS LOOKING PRETTY AMBITIOUS. ///END ACT///MR. MC CORMICK SAYS HE THINKS THE SCHOOLS WERE DESTROYED BY THE
SERBS AND NOT BY NATO BOMBS. (SIGNED)
[18] UNHCR KOSOVO REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)DATE=6/23/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250989 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, REPORTS MORE THAN 209-THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM ALBANIA, MACEDONIA AND MONTENEGRO HAVE GONE BACK TO KOSOVO SINCE THE START OF LAST WEEK. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE AGENCY ESTIMATES THAT ON TUESDAY ALONE, ABOUT 30-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS RETURNED. TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS THE RETURN OF SO MANY ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO KOSOVO IS A MAJOR REVERSAL OF THE EARLIER SERBIAN ETHNIC CLEANSING. AND, THEY SAY, THIS IS A VERY WELCOME SIGN. HOWEVER, THE AGENCY STILL URGES THE REFUGEES TO WAIT UNTIL THE SECURITY AND STABILITY OF KOSOVO IMPROVES BEFORE GOING HOME. U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS LAND MINES POSE A THREAT THROUGHOUT THE SERBIAN PROVINCE. HE SAYS LACK OF WATER AND SANITATION FACILITIES IN THE TOWN OF PRIZREN IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. HE NOTES MANY WELLS HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED BY DEAD BODIES AND ANIMALS WHICH HAVE BEEN THROWN INTO THEM. DESPITE THESE ENORMOUS PROBLEMS, MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THE FLOW OF RETURNING REFUGEES SHOWS NO SIGN OF ABATING. ///JANOWSKI ACT///WE'RE ALREADY SEEING A MASSIVE, SPONTANEOUS RETURN MOVEMENT AND WE'LL SEE A MASSIVE RETURN MOVEMENT TO KOSOVO -- SOMETHING THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN THE BALKANS DURING THE WARS IN THE 90'S. ///END ACT/////OPT/////MC CORMICK ACT///... AND OUT OF 13 SCHOOLS, FIVE WERE DEMOLISHED, FOUR BURNED, ONE SUSPECTED OF BEING BOOBY-TRAPPED, AND THE REMAINING THREE WERE OKAY. IF THIS IS AN INDICATION OF WHAT WE WILL FIND THROUGHOUT KOSOVO, OUR AIM OF GETTING ALL CHILDREN BACK TO SCHOOL BY SEPTEMBER FIRST IS LOOKING PRETTY AMBITIOUS. ///END ACT///MR. MC CORMICK SAYS HE THINKS THE SCHOOLS WERE DESTROYED BY THE
SERBS AND NOT BY NATO BOMBS. (SIGNED)
[19] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=06/23/99TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-11348 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= ///// EDS: MATERIAL DATED AFTER 10 P-M E-D-T. /////INTRO: THE DIFFICULT JOB OF DEALING WITH THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY AND OTHER CONCERNS IN THE WAKE OF THE WAR AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA CONTINUE TO BE POPULAR TOPICS FOR COMMENTARY IN THE U-S PRESS. OTHER EDITORIALS ARE DEALING WITH THE ISSUES OF GUN CONTROL AND JOB PROTECTION FOR DISABLED WORKERS, AS WELL AS RELATIONS WITH CUBA, AND THE MOVE TOWARD DEMOCRACY IN INDONESIA. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS __________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE DISCUSSING DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE KOSOVO SITUATION AFTER THE WAR. IN OHIO, "THE AKRON BEACON JOURNAL" WONDERS WHETHER KOSOVAR REFUGEES WILL STILL BE APPLAUDING PRESIDENT CLINTON A YEAR FROM NOW, AS THEY HAVE THIS WEEK ON HIS VISIT. VOICE: YOU CAN HARDLY BLAME [MR.] CLINTON FOR SAVORING THE MOMENT. GENERALS, ARMCHAIR AND OTHERWISE, ROUTINELY DENOUNCED HIS STRATEGY. THE AIR WAR WILL NOT WORK, THEY INSISTED. NEVER HAS, THEY ADDED. WELL, 11-WEEKS OF BOMBS AND MISSILES PERSUADED [MR.] MILOSEVIC TO BACK DOWN. ... THE EMPATHETIC [PRESIDENT] CLINTON OFFERED HOPE. ... AS ALWAYS, EVERY CORNER TURNED IN THE BALKANS PRESENTS NEW CHALLENGES. AN INDEPENDENT KOSOVO POSES RISKS. IF NATO WAS SURPRISED BY THE MILOSEVIC FURY, IT SHOULD BE ALERT TO THE RESULT: THE CRY FOR FREEDOM FROM THE REFUGEES. TEXT: SEVERAL OTHER DAILIES, INCLUDING "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AND "NEWSDAY" ON LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, WONDER HOW NATO IS GOING TO DEMILITARIZE THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY AND THE TOWNS AND VILLAGES THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCE. CALIFORNIA'S "SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS" NOTES: VOICE: ... THE SITUATION IN THE BALKANS IS A LONG WAY FROM HUNKY-DORY [GOOD]. NATO PEACEKEEPING TROOPS THAT HAVE ENTERED KOSOVO ARE HOLDING ANGRY SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS APART IN SOME PLACES. FOUR PEACEKEEPERS WERE KILLED WHEN MUNITIONS THEY WERE REMOVING EXPLODED. TOO MUCH OF KOSOVO IS RUBBLE OR A MINEFIELD. MOST OF THE MINORITY SERBS HAVE FLED. SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, A WAR CRIMINAL, REMAINS IN POWER IN SERBIA. ... REACHING UNDERSTANDINGS WITH THE K-L-A IS CRITICAL. THE K-L-A RANK AND FILE MIGHT RESIST TURNING OVER ALL THEIR ARMS. THEY MIGHT REJECT NATO'S GOAL FOR KOSOVO, WHICH IS AUTONOMY WITHIN YUGOSLAVIA, NOT INDEPENDENCE. ... THE SHOOTING AND MASSACRES MAYBE OVER; THE EFFORT TO ESTABLISH PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE IN THE BALKANS HAS ONLY BEGUN. TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FAILURE TO ACT ON GUN-CONTROL LEGISLATION CONTINUES TO DRAW REACTION. IN THE SOUTHWEST, "THE DAILY [OKLAHOMA CITY] OKLAHOMAN" SAYS THE FOUNDING FATHERS AND NOT CONGRESS SHOULD BE FAULTED FOR THE IMPASSE. VOICE: GUN CONTROL ADVOCATES BLAMED THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION FOR LAST WEEK'S DEFEAT OF A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE TIGHTENED FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS. THEY SHOULD HAVE BLAMED THE FOUNDING FATHERS INSTEAD. THE SYSTEM THEY CREATED IN 1787 -- WITH ALL THE IMPEDIMENTS OF A BICAMERAL [TWO HOUSE] LEGISLATURE, EXECUTIVE VETO POWER AND JUDICIAL REVIEW -- WAS INTENDED TO MAKE MAJOR CHANGE DIFFICULT. ...THE ONLY CONSENSUS IN THE GUN-CONTROL VOTE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WAS THERE WAS NO CONSENSUS ON MAJOR NEW RESTRICTIONS. /// OPT ///TEXT: TODAY'S "FLORIDA TIMES-UNION" IN JACKSONVILLE AGREES, CONCLUDING: VOICE: [PRESIDENT] CLINTON BLAMED N-R-A [NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION] LOBBYISTS FOR THE BILL'S FAILURE. ACTUALLY, THE BILL WAS DEFECTIVE AND DID NOT DESERVE TO BECOME LAW -- AND APPARENTLY WAS NOT MEANT TO. /// END OPT ///TEXT: IN OTHER DOMESTIC AFFAIRS, A RULING BY THE SUPREME COURT LIMITING THE RIGHTS OF MILDLY DISABLED WORKERS, DRAWS THIS SUPPORTIVE COMMENT FROM "THE NEW YORK POST. VOICE: THE SUPREME COURT HAS FINALLY INJECTED A NOTE OF SANITY INTO THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, ONE OF THE MOST CONFUSING AND ILL-ADVISED LAWS EVER TO EMERGE FROM THE HALLS OF CONGRESS. ...YESTERDAY'S RULING IS AN IMPORTANT STEP. HERE'S HOPING FUTURE COURT DECISIONS WILL RESTORE THE [ACT] TO ITS TRUE PURPOSE -- PROTECTING THE LEGITIMATE RIGHTS OF THE LEGITIMATELY DISABLED. TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" IS HAILING YET ANOTHER ATTEMPT BY CONGRESS TO CHANGE IN U-S RELATIONS WITH CUBA. VOICE: THE EMBARGO ON CUBA IS BACK IN A FORM LENDING ITSELF TO A STEP FORWARD BY THE UNITED STATES. A BIPARTISAN SENATE GROUP ... SUPPORTS A FARM APPROPRIATIONS AMENDMENT TO LIFT CERTAIN SANCTIONS ON THE SALE OF GOOD, MEDICINE AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES. IT IS A MODEST ADVANCE BUT A RESPECTABLE ONE AND IT OUGHT TO BE ENACTED. THE ARGUMENT OVER CUBA SANCTIONS COMES DOWN TO THE CONTENTION THAT RELIEF WILL PROFIT NOT THE DESERVING PEOPLE OF CUBA BUT THEIR UNCHOSEN GOVERNMENT. ...MR. CASTRO SURVIVES BY DRAWING ON HIS POLICE, INTERNATIONAL SYMPATHY AND CUBAN NATIONALISM. A HARD AMERICAN POLICY FEEDS THE LATTER. /// OPT /// BETTER FOR US, NO MATTER WHAT ELSE WE DO, NOT TO MAKE IT HARDER THAN THE COMMUNISTS SYSTEM ALREADY DOES FOR THE CUBAN PEOPLE .../// END OPT /// TEXT: MEANWHILE IN KASHMIR, INDIAN FIGHTER JETS AND ARTILLERY ARE TRYING TO DISLODGE MUSLIM GUERRILLAS IN THE SNOWY, HIGH ALTITUDE, BATTLEGROUND BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN. INDIA SAYS GUERRILLAS IN INDIAN-CONTROLLED KASHMIR ARE SUPPORTED BY PAKISTAN. "THE BOSTON GLOBE" COUNSELS RESTRAINT ON ALL SIDES. VOICE: ... THE LINE OF CONTROL ...A DE-FACTO BORDER ... NEEDS TO BE RESPECTED IF PEACE IS TO BE MAINTAINED. ANY ATTEMPT BY INDIA OR PAKISTAN TO CHANGE IT BY FORCE COULD LEAD TO CATASTROPHE. PAKISTAN SAYS THE INFILTRATORS WHO WENT ACROSS THE LINE IN MAY ARE ISLAMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS BEYOND ITS CONTROL. BUT THEY ARE CLEARLY THERE AT THE BIDDING OF THE PAKISTANI MILITARY. INDIA HAS THE STRENGTH TO PUSH THEM OUT, BUT TO DO SO WITHOUT PROHIBITIVE LOSS OF LIFE WOULD MEAN OUTFLANKING THE INFILTRATORS. THIS WOULD MEAN THAT INDIAN ARMY UNITS WOULD HAVE TO CROSS THE LINE OF CONTROL THEMSELVES TO GET BEHIND THE INFILTRATORS, ESCALATING THE CRISIS. /// END OPT ///TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" FROM BOSTON LOOKS HOPEFULLY TOWARD INDONESIA EMERGING DEMOCRACY, AFTER THE RECENT PRESIDENTIAL VOTE, WITH THESE THOUGHTS: VOICE: THE FIRST THING TO EMPHASIZE ABOUT INDONESIA'S JUNE SEVENTH ELECTION IS THAT IT TOOK PLACE AT ALL. THIS WAS ONLY THE SECOND FREE ELECTION IN THE COUNTRY'S HISTORY; THE OTHER WAS HELD IN 1955. TRUE, THE COUNT HAS BEEN SLOW, AND CONCERNS ABOUT FRAUD HAVE SWIRLED, BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SUBSTANTIATED. MOREOVER, THE BALLOTING ... [WAS ... REMARKABLY PEACEFUL, CONSIDERING THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC TURMOIL OF THE PAST YEAR. INDONESIANS APPEAR READY TO MOVE ON TO A NEW, MORE DEMOCRATIC PHASE OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. /// OPT ///TEXT: STILL WITH "THE MONITOR'S" EDITORIAL PAGE, THE PAPER ALSO TALKS ABOUT A NEW CONGRESSIONAL FIGHT OVER THE LONG OVERDUE U-S DUES PAYMENT TO THE UNITED NATIONS. VOICE: THE UNITED STATES OWES THE WORLD BODY HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS (PERHAPS AS MUCH AS ONE-POINT-FIVE-BILLION) MUCH OF IT FOR PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS. BUT COMPROMISES BROKERED IN THE SENATE HAVE FOUNDERED OVER HOUSE INSISTENCE THAT ANY U-N PAYMENTS INCLUDE A PROVISION THAT WOULD REINSTATE PRESIDENT REAGAN'S RESTRICTIONS BARRING AID TO INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT ADVOCATE LEGALIZING ABORTION. PRESIDENT CLINTON, FIRMLY PRO-CHOICE, HAS TWICE VETOED SIMILAR BILLS. ... WITHOUT THE ANTI-ABORTION MEASURE, THE U-N WOULD HAVE AT LEAST A HOPE OF GETTING ITS MONEY. GIVEN MR. CLINTON'S POSITION, INCLUDING THAT PROVISION WOULD STALEMATE U-N PAYMENTS FOR THE THIRD YEAR RUNNING. WHICH IS NO WAY FOR THE WORLD'S LEADING POWER TO BEHAVE. TEXT: AND LASTLY, REGARDING A POTENTIAL WORLD BANK LOAN TO HELP CHINA RELOCATE SOME ETHNIC MINORITIES, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS ITS A BAD IDEA. VOICE: THE WORLD BANK'S BOARD OF ... DIRECTORS OUGHT TO REJECT A LOAN PACKAGE TO CHINA THAT WOULD BE USED TO RELOCATE ABOUT 58-THOUSAND IMPOVERISHED CHINESE AND HUI MUSLIM FARMERS TO A REMOTE AREA ON THE TIBETAN PLATEAU TRADITIONALLY INHABITED BY TIBETANS AND MONGOLIANS. IN THE PAST, CHINA HAS USED MIGRATION POLICIES TO TIGHTEN CONTROL OVER TIBETAN AREAS AND TO DIMINISH THE VIABILITY OF THE DISTINCT TIBETAN CULTURE. THE WORLD BANK SHOULD NOT BE IN THE BUSINESS OF FINANCING THIS DESTRUCTIVE SCHEME. /// END OPT ///TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT
FROM SOME OF TODAY'S U-S DAILY NEWSPAPERS.
Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
All Rights Reserved.