Voice of America, 99-07-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] MORE WARS LIKE KOSOVO? BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[02] SERBIA / PRISONERS (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

[03] WORLD BANK KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

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

[05] KOSOVO SCHOOLS (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (UROSHEVAC, KOSOVO)

[06] U-S/KOSOVAR REFUGEES (S ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (WASHINGTON)

[07] KOSOVO / GNJILANE (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

[08] COHEN/KOSOVO/HUNGARY (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (BUDAPEST)

[09] HUNGARY-VOJVODINA (L-ONLY) BY BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (JIM RANDLE)

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

[11] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[12] CLINTON/IRELAND (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[13] BOMBING ARRESTS (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

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

[15] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] MORE WARS LIKE KOSOVO? BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A DEBATE IS UNDERWAY IN THE UNITED STATES OVER THE LESSONS TO BE DRAWN FROM THE KOSOVO WAR. SOME SAY AIR POWER SHOWED IT COULD WIN A WAR ALONE WITH NO U-S CASUALTIES. OTHERS CONTEND THE WAR HAD TOO MANY SETBACKS TO BE CALLED SUCCESSFUL AND COULD NOT BE REPEATED AGAINST A TOUGHER ENEMY. V-O-A'S ED WARNER REPORTS.

TEXT: AIR POWER WORKED TOO WELL FOR THE KOSOVO WAR TO BE DISMISSED AS ONE OF A KIND, SAYS EDWARD LUTWAK, A MUCH PUBLISHED ANALYST AND MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY STUDY GROUP OF THE U-S GOVERNMENT. IN HIS OPINION, KOSOVO ILLUSTRATES WHAT HE CALLS POST-HEROIC WAR.

IT IS A WAR WITHOUT CASUALTIES. IT ALSO A WAR WHICH ONE FIGHTS WITHOUT MOST U-S MILITARY POWER, BECAUSE YOU DO NOT USE THE INFANTRY. YOU DO NOT USE THE ARTILLERY. YOU DO NOT USE ARMOR. YOU DO NOT USE ARMED HELICOPTERS. YOU DO NOT, IN FACT, EVEN USE FIGHTER BOMBERS IN ANYTHING RESEMBLING A LOW-LEVEL ACTION. YOU DO EVERYTHING BY STRATEGIC BOMBARDMENT, BY REMOTE ATTACK.

SUCH A WAR HAS ITS LIMITS, SAYS MR. LUTWAK. IT DID NOT PROTECT THE ALBANIANS UNDER ATTACK BY THE SERBS. IT COULD ONLY PUNISH THE SERBS AFTER THEY HAD DONE THEIR DAMAGE AND ACHIEVED THEIR PURPOSE.

BUT AS LONG AS THERE WERE NO U-S CASUALTIES, SAYS MR. LUTWAK, AMERICANS SEEMED INDIFFERENT TO THE PLIGHT OF THE ALBANIANS.

HAVING ENGAGED TO ASSURE THEIR POLITICAL RIGHTS, WE PROCEEDED NOT TO HELP THEM WHEN IT WAS THEIR LIVES THAT WERE THREATENED AND SOMETIMES TAKEN. THERE WERE NO PROTESTS ABOUT THAT. AMERICANS ACCEPTED THAT. AMERICANS, FOR EXAMPLE, WERE NOT SHOCKED WHEN SOME NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION WANTED TO HIRE UKRAINIAN PILOTS TO DROP FOOD BECAUSE OUR AIR FORCE REFUSED TO DO IT ON THE GROUNDS THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME RISK.

FOR THIS REASON, MR., LUTWAK EXPECTS THIS TYPE OF REMOTE, RELATIVELY PAINLESS WARFARE TO BE WAGED AGAIN. HE BELIEVES IT WOULD FIT MOST CIRCUMSTANCES, SHORT OF AN OUTRIGHT INVASION OF THE UNITED STATES. IN TIME, IT MIGHT END THE NEED OF TRADITIONAL ARMED FORCES IN AMERICA.

KOSOVO IS ONE OF A KIND, SAYS CARL FORD, PRESIDENT OF "FORD AND ASSOCIATES," A WASHINGTON CONSULTING FIRM ON DEFENSE AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES. THE U-S AIR FORCE PERFORMED DIFFICULT MISSIONS ALMOST FLAWLESSLY, HE SAYS, BUT THE BATTLE WAS QUITE LIMITED.

THE PROBLEM WITH USING KOSOVO AS AN EXAMPLE IS THAT YOU WILL NOT FIND VERY MANY OPPONENTS WHO HAVE LESS TO OFFER THAN SERBIA DID AGAINST U-S-NATO AIR POWER. WHEN YOU ARE BEATING UP ON A RELATIVELY INSIGNIFICANT FORCE - SURPRISE! SURPRISE! - YOU WIN. THAT IS NOT TO SAY THAT THE S-A-M (SURFACE-TO-AIR) ENVIRONMENT WAS NOT A DIFFICULT ONE FOR THE PILOTS TO NEGOTIATE. BUT THE FACT IS THE SERBS DID NOT HAVE MUCH TO FIGHT BACK WITH.

OTHER ENEMIES COULD BE MORE OF A CHALLENGE, SAYS MR. FORD: CHINA, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE UNITED STATES WERE DRAWN INTO A WAR OVER TAIWAN. WHILE TAIWIAN WOULD BEAR THE BRUNT OF THE FIGHTING, THE UNITED STATES WOULD HAVE A KEY SUPPORTIVE ROLE.

THE DISTANCES ARE MUCH GREATER IN THE CASE OF TAIWAN THAN THEY ARE IN KOSOVO. THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA THAT WOULD BE OF IMPORTANCE TO U-S MILITARY FORCES IN A TAIWAN CRISIS WOULD BE FAR MORE WIDESPREAD. YOU WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY HAVE TO RELY MORE ON NAVAL AIR POWER; THAT IS, CARRIERS. THERE IS ALSO THE NAVAL THREAT ITSELF THAT IS NOT EASILY DEALT WITH BY AIR POWER: SUBMARINES, FOR EXAMPLE. MY GUESS IS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A MUCH LARGER COMMITMENT OF FORCES AND A MUCH LARGER CONFLICT THAN KOSOVO.

IN OTHER WORDS, SAYS MR. FORD, CHINA IS NOT SERBIA AND WOULD HARDLY BACK DOWN IN A SIMILAR WAY. BUT IF THE STAKES ARE HIGH ENOUGH AND U-S FORCES ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED, HE BELIEVES THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WOULD BE WILLING TO ACCEPT THE CASUALTIES THAT ACCOMPANY ALMOST ALL WARS EXCEPT KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
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12-Jul-99 5:36 PM EDT (2136 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] SERBIA / PRISONERS (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS -- I-C-R-C NOW SAYS IT CAN ACCOUNT FOR THE WHEREABOUTS OF MORE THAN TWO-THOUSAND KOSOVARS JAILED IN SERBIA. TIM BELAY HAS THIS REPORT FROM PRISTINA.

TEXT: THE SERBIAN MINISTRY OF JUSTICE HAS RELEASED THE NAMES OF TWO-THOUSAND-95 PEOPLE BEING HELD AS SO-CALLED -- SECURITY DETAINEES. THE PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE WHO WERE ARRESTED IN KOSOVO AND JAILED OUTSIDE THE PROVINCE. THEY ARE ACCUSED OF WHAT THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT CALLS -- OFFENSES AGAINST THE SECURITY AND INTEGRITY OF THE STATE. THAT IS ACCORDING TO DALONI ('DAHL OWN EE) CARLISLE OF THE I-C-R-C.

PEOPLE WERE BEING ARRESTED FOR CARRYING WEAPONS, (OR) SOMETIMES FOR GIVING AID TO TERRORISTS. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF DOCTORS WHO [WERE] CHARGED WITH THAT SORT OF OFFENSE.

MS. CARLISLE SAYS THE STATUS OF THE PRISONERS IS UNCLEAR. SHE SAYS SOME MAY BE AWAITING TRIAL AND OTHERS MAY ALREADY HAVE BEEN SENTENCED. BUT, SHE SAYS KNOWING THE NAMES AND LOCATIONS OF PRISONERS OPENS THE DOOR TO FINDING OUT ABOUT THEIR STATUS.

BUT WE DO NOW NEED TO SEE SOME SERIOUS NEGOTIATIONS ON THE FATE OF THESE PRISONERS, AND ALL OF THOSE HELD IN RELATION TO THE CONFLICT. BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT JUST THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO WERE ARRESTED IN KOSOVO, BUT WE DO ALSO NOW HAVE INFORMATION ON 39 SERBIAN ARMY OFFICERS WHO ARE (LISTED AS) MISSING IN ACTION. WE ALSO HAVE VARIOUS ALLEGATIONS OF ARREST OR ABDUCTION BY THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY.

DALONI CARLISLE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS SAYS THE PEACE AGREEMENT FOR KOSOVO LEFT OUT PROVISIONS FOR THE RELEASE OF PRISONERS. THE ORGANIZATION SAYS THE ISSUE MAY HAVE BEEN OVERLOOKED BECAUSE THE AGREEMENT WAS PUT TOGETHER SO QUICKLY.

THE RED CROSS HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP IS PLEASED BY THE QUICK RELEASE OF THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRISONERS. BUT THEY CAUTION AGAINST EXPECTATIONS FOR SIMILAR FAST RESULTS IN THEIR RELEASE. (SIGNED)
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12-Jul-99 9:18 AM EDT (1318 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] WORLD BANK KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE WORLD BANK SAYS IT WILL BEGIN THIS WEEK AN ON-THE-GROUND ASSESSMENT OF HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO REBUILD KOSOVO AND ASSIST THE WAR IMPACTED ECONOMIES OF BALKAN NATIONS. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS.

TEXT: WORLD BANK ECONOMISTS WILL ARRIVE IN KOSOVO WEDNESDAY, FOLLOWING A MEETING ON BALKAN RECONSTRUCTION IN BRUSSELS. THAT MEETING (TUESDAY) INCLUDES THE HEAD OF THE WORLD BANK AND FINANCE MINISTERS OF THE GROUP OF SEVEN INDUSTRIAL NATIONS WHO WILL PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN FINANCING THE AID EFFORT.

AT A PRESS CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON (MONDAY), WORLD BANK OFFICIALS SAY REBUILDING KOSOVO IS A HIGHLY COMPLICATED CHALLENGE. THEY SAY REACTIVATING THE KOSOVO ECONOMY REQUIRES A BROADER STRATEGY OF REPAIRING THE ECONOMIES OF NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY ALBANIA, MACEDONIA, BOSNIA, BULGARIA, CROATIA AND ROMANIA. THE WORLD BANK AND THE EUROPEAN UNION HAVE BEEN HANDED THE CHALLENGE OF COORDINATING THE BALKAN RECONSTRUCTION EFFORT.

BANK VICE PRESIDENT JOHANNES LINN SAYS THE KOSOVO EFFORT IS FURTHER COMPLICATED BY YUGOSLAVIA NOT BEING A MEMBER OF THE WORLD BANK. MR. LINN SAYS SINCE KOSOVO IS A PROVINCE OF YUGOSLAVIA SPECIAL PROCEDURES MUST BE FOLLOWED IN ORDER FOR THE BANK TO PROVIDE MONEY FOR KOSOVO RECONSTRUCTION.

WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO NON-MEMBER COUNTRIES OR ENTITIES OF NON-MEMBER COUNTRIES IF OUR BOARD DECIDES IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE BANK. SO ONCE OUR BOARD MAKES THAT DETERMINATION WE CAN PROCEED.

BANK OFFICIALS SAY THEIR TOP PRIORITIES ARE RESTARTING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND PRODUCING JOBS. THEY SAY THE INITIAL WORK IN KOSOVO WILL BE HUMANITARIAN, RELATED TO REFUGEE RETURN AND THE NEEDS OF THOSE WHO REMAINED. THEY SAY BECAUSE OF THE CONFLICT ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE REGION AS A WHOLE WILL BE REDUCED BY NEARLY TWO PERCENT THIS YEAR. THE WAR IN KOSOVO AND THE NATO BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA THAT BEGAN IN LATE MARCH SEVERED TRADE ROUTES AND DISRUPTED EXPORTS.

MR. LINN SAYS HE HOPES YUGOSLAVIA WILL ULTIMATELY BE INCLUDED IN THE REGIONAL RECONSTRUCTION EFFORT. BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN HAVE MADE CLEAR THAT THEY WILL OPPOSE ANY RECONSTRUCTION MONEY FOR YUGOSLAVIA AS LONG AS PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC REMAINS IN POWER. (SIGNED)
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12-Jul-99 4:34 PM EDT (2034 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY AND THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION SAY THEY WILL BEGIN RETURNING KOSOVO REFUGEES FROM THIRD COUNTRIES OF ASYLUM ON THURSDAY. LISA SCHLEIN REPORTS REPRESENTATIVES FROM 29 HOST COUNTRIES MEETING IN GENEVA HAVE AGREED THAT ALL RETURNS WILL BE VOLUNTARY.

TEXT: THE AGENCIES SAY THE DEMAND FROM KOSOVO REFUGEES TO RETURN HOME IS OVERWHELMING. DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE KOSOVO CONFLICT, MORE THAN 90-THOUSAND REFUGEES WERE FLOWN TO THIRD COUNTRIES OF ASYLUM UNDER A SO-CALLED -- HUMANITARIAN EVACUATION PROGRAM.

IN ORDER TO AVOID A CHAOTIC SITUATION, THE AGENCIES SAY THE TIMING, MEANS, AND PACING OF RETURN HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT VERY CAREFULLY.

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION REPRESENTATIVE, JAN DE WILDE SAYS ABOUT ONE-THOUSAND PEOPLE A DAY PEOPLE WILL BE RETURNED ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE BASIS. HE SAYS ALL THE REFUGEES WILL BE FLOWN BACK TO SKOPJE, MACEDONIA.

...PLANES COME IN. THEY ARE MET BY BUSES. PEOPLE GET RIGHT ON THE BUSES. THEY ARE TAKEN RIGHT OFF INTO KOSOVO. IT IS A VERY SMOOTH OPERATION WHICH WE HOPE TO KEEP SMOOTH EVEN AS THE INTENSITY BUILDS UP, WHICH IT WILL.

THE AIR OPERATIONS WILL BE CO-ORDINATED FROM SKOPJE JOINTLY BY THE U-N-H-C-R AND I-O-M. SLOTS FOR RETURNS FROM HOST COUNTRIES WILL HAVE TO BE BOOKED AT LEAST FIVE-DAYS IN ADVANCE. THE AGENCIES SAY THEY HOPE THEY ALSO WILL BE ABLE TO USE PRISTINA AIRPORT IN KOSOVO FOR RETURN FLIGHTS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

THE DIRECTOR OF U-N-H-C-R'S EUROPEAN BUREAU, ANNE WILLEM BIJLEVELD, SAYS IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL THE PEOPLE RETURN HOME VOLUNTARILY.

BECAUSE THE SITUATION IS EXTREMELY PRECARIOUS. THERE ARE MANY LAND-MINES, BOOBY TRAPS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN MARKED AS YET. WE MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO GO BACK ARE AWARE THAT THAT IS THE CASE. IF THEY WANT TO TAKE THE RISK, THAT IS THEIR RIGHT. BUT, WE CANNOT FORCE ANYONE WHO DOES NOT WANT TO GO UNDER SUCH CONDITIONS TO GO BACK.

MR. BIJLEVELD SAYS HE EXPECTS MANY THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES WILL GO HOME BEFORE THE ONSET OF WINTER. BUT, HE SAYS MANY MAY DEFER THEIR RETURN TO KOSOVO UNTIL SPRING, WHEN THE WEATHER GETS BETTER. HE SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS WILL ARRANGE THE RETURNS. BUT, THE HOST COUNTRIES WILL PAY FOR THE OPERATION. (SIGNED)
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12-Jul-99 2:16 PM EDT (1816 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO SCHOOLS (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (UROSHEVAC, KOSOVO)

INTRO: UNICEF SAYS ALMOST HALF OF KOSOVO'S PRIMARY SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED OR SEVERELY DAMAGED. TIM BELAY REPORTS FROM THE SOUTHERN KOSOVO CITY OF UROSHEVAC ON WHAT SOME EDUCATORS THERE THINK ABOUT WHETHER SCHOOLS WILL BE UP AND RUNNING BY THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER.

TEXT: ON MONDAY THE UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN FUND OR UNICEF REPEATED A PLEDGE TO TRY TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR LESSONS TO BEGIN HERE ON THE FIRST OF SEPTEMBER. ACCORDING TO A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF KOSOVO'S PRIMARY SCHOOLS, FORTY-THREE PERCENT ARE NOT FIT FOR BUSINESS TODAY. NEARLY ALL OF THE SCHOOLS HAVE REQUESTED REPAIRS TO DOORS AND WINDOWS AND MANY NEED SUCH ESSENTIALS AS NEW ROOFING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.

HALIM THACI IS THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL IN A VILLAGE NEAR THE SOUTHERN KOSOVO CITY OF UROSHEVAC. HE SAYS THE CHANCE FOR A NORMAL SCHOOL YEAR DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU ARE.

IT MAY BE POSSIBLE HERE, IF YOU MEAN IN THIS CITY, BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF DAMAGES. THE DAMAGES ONLY IN FURNITURE LIKE FOR EXAMPLE IN DESKS AND CHAIRS AND SOMETHING THAT CAN BE EASILY REPLACED. BUT WE HAVE TWO OR THREE SCHOOLS BURNED CLEAR TO THE GROUND. THAT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR THOSE SCHOOLS, FOR INSTANCE, TO GET READY FOR SEPTEMBER TO BEGIN SCHOOL.

NEVJAT QORROLLI ALSO WORKED AS A TEACHER HERE. HE IS CONFIDENT ABOUT THE SEPTEMBER GOAL FOR THE BEGINNING OF CLASSES.

SOME SCHOOLS ARE IN GOOD ORDER, YOU KNOW, SOME NEED A LOT OF THINGS TO BE DONE, BUT PROBABLY THE SCHOOLS WILL START IN SEPTEMBER FOR SURE.

UNICEF HAS VISITED HALF THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN KOSOVO AND FOUND THAT ABOUT ONE FOURTH OF THEM HAVE BURNED AND MORE THAN A DOZEN SHELLED. PERHAPS THE MOST DISTURBING FINDING OF THE UNISEPT SURVEY IS THAT THE PROPERTY AROUND NEARLY TWO HUNDRED SCHOOLS HAVE NOT BEEN CLEARED FOR MINES. (SIGNED)
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12-Jul-99 6:54 PM EDT (2254 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] U-S/KOSOVAR REFUGEES (S ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO HELP ABOUT 10-THOUSAND KOSOVAR ALBANIAN REFUGEES RETURN TO THEIR HOMES -- IF THEY CHOOSE TO. CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER HAS THE STORY FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS CONTRACTED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION TO ARRANGE FOR THE RETURN OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES WHO WANT TO RETURN HOME. DURING THE REFUGEE CRISIS IN KOSOVO, THE UNITED STATES OFFERED REFUGE TO 20-THOUSAND KOSOVARS, ABOUT HALF THAT NUMBER HAVE BEEN ADMITTED.

WITH THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES FROM KOSOVO AND THE PRESENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPERS, TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF KOSOVARS HAVE RETURNED OR ARE RETURNING HOME.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES FOLEY EMPHASIZED ALL THE KOSOVARS WHO CAME TO AMERICA CAN STAY IF THEY WANT TO, BUT THE RETURN TRIP FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO GO HOME WILL BE PAID FOR BY THE U-S GOVERNMENT.

MR. FOLEY SAID IT WAS TO THE CREDIT OF KOSOVARS THAT THOUGH THEY CAN STAY IN AMERICA, THEY WANT TO RETURN TO BE PART OF, WHAT HE SAID, IS GOING TO BE A SUCCESS STORY FOR THEM. (SIGNED)
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12-Jul-99 2:47 PM EDT (1847 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] KOSOVO / GNJILANE (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THE U-S MILITARY SAYS UNREST IN GNJILANE (JIL AN), KOSOVO SATURDAY (JULY 10) APPEARED TO BE A TEST OF THE NEW U-S ARMY COMMAND THERE. TIM BELAY REPORTS FROM PRISTINA THAT THE TEST DID NOT SUCCEED.

TEXT: A TWO-THOUSAND MEMBER CONTINGENT OF THE U-S MARINES CAME TO LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE ARMY IN KOSOVO NEARLY ONE-MONTH AGO. NOW THE MARINES ARE GONE AND THE ARMY IS TAKING UP THE TASK OF PROTECTING THE LOCAL POPULATION.

THE CHANGE HAS RESULTED IN WHAT ARMY OFFICIALS SAY ARE CHALLENGES TO THEIR ABILITY TO KEEP THE PEACE IN SOUTHEASTERN KOSOVO.

THREE SEPARATE INCIDENTS ON SATURDAY -- THE DAY THE ARMY OFFICIALLY TOOK OVER -- INCLUDED GRENADE EXPLOSIONS, GUNFIRE, AND THE DETENTION OF 11 KOSOVARS, INCLUDING 2 WOMEN. TWO KOSOVARS WERE KILLED AND ANOTHER WAS SERIOUSLY WOUNDED.

CAPTAIN PAUL SWIERGOSZ (SWER GUS), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE U-S TROOPS IN KOSOVO, SAYS THE TROUBLE CAME AS NO SURPRISE.

I THINK QUITE POSSIBLY SOME OF THE VERY FEW CRIMINAL ELEMENTS THAT ARE LEFT WANTED TO TEST OUT THE NEW GUYS. ONLY THEY DIDN'T REALIZE, THE NEW GUYS ARE NOT THE NEW GUYS. THE NEW GUYS ARE VERY EXPERIENCED IN PEACE KEEPING OPERATIONS. WE ARE GOING TO RESPOND EXACTLY THE WAY THAT ALL K-FOR FORCES, ALL UNITED STATES FORCES, ARE GOING TO RESPOND. IF THEY FEEL THEY'RE THREATENED, THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE ACTION TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A STABLE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT HERE.

IN ONE OF THE THREE INCIDENTS, U-S ARMY SNIPERS SHOT AND KILLED ONE PERSON AND SEVERELY INJURED ANOTHER AFTER PEOPLE IN A PASSING CAR SHOT AT A SNIPER UNIT.

THE ETHNIC BACKGROUND OF THE PEOPLE WHO EXCHANGED FIRE WITH U-S FORCES WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY KNOWN. ALTHOUGH THE MAN WHO DIED IN THE EXCHANGE WAS IDENTIFIED AS ETHNIC ALBANIAN. CAPTAIN SWIERGOSZ SAID THE ARMY DOES NOT MAKE DISTINCTIONS IN THIS REGARD.

IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU ARE A SERB. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU ARE ALBANIAN. THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO DESERVE A SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES AND OPERATE. IF THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO DISTURB THAT -- (THE) SAFETY AND SECURITY -- AND THEY ARE GOING TO PERSIST IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, WE ARE GOING TO PUT THAT TO A STOP.

THE U-S ARMY OFFICIALLY TOOK OVER PEACEKEEPING DUTIES IN THE SOUTHEASTERN SECTION OF KOSOVO SATURDAY. THERE ARE A TOTAL OF SIX-THOUSAND U-S TROOPS ON THE GROUND HERE. (SIGNED)
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12-Jul-99 1:15 PM EDT (1715 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] COHEN/KOSOVO/HUNGARY (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (BUDAPEST)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS RECENT SHOOTING INCIDENTS MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE PEACEKEEING MISSION IN KOSOVO IS A DANGEROUS UNDERTAKING. HE IS URGING NATIONS THAT HAVE PLEDGED TROOPS TO THE K-FOR MISSION TO GET THEM IN PLACE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. MR. COHEN'S COMMENTS FOLLOW DISCUSSIONS WITH HUNGARY'S DEFENSE MINISTER, AS V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM BUDAPEST.

TEXT: U-S TROOPS ON PEACEKEEPING DUTY HAVE EXCHANGED GUNFIRE WITH RESIDENTS OF KOSOVO AT LEAST THREE TIMES IN RECENT DAYS. NO U-S SOLDIERS HAVE BEEN HURT, BUT AT LEAST ONE RESIDENT OF KOSOVO HAS BEEN KILLED AND SEVERAL INJURED. MEANTIME, RUSSIAN PEACEKEEPERS HAVE BEEN GREETED BY THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN PROTESTORS.

MR. COHEN SAYS KOSOVO'S RECENT ETHNIC WARFARE DID NOT END ANCIENT HATREDS IN THE PROVINCE AND LEFT SOME ARMED GROUPS IN POSITION TO CONTINUE ATTACKING EACH OTHER AND THE PEACEKEEPERS TRYING TO STOP SUCH BLOODSHED.

IT (KOSOVO) IS LIKELY TO REMAIN DANGEROUS FOR SOME TIME TO COME BY VIRTUE OF THE TENSIONS AND THE PASSIONS THAT ARE RUNNING VERY HIGH WITH EVERY DAY'S DISCLOSURE OF THE KIND OF SLAUGHTER THAT SERB FORCES INDULGED IN, ENGAGED IN IN KOSOVO, I THINK THOSE PASSIONS WILL CONTINUE TO BE INFLAMED.

AFTER TALKS WITH HUNGARY'S DEFENSE MINISTER, MR. COHEN PRAISED HUNGARY FOR SENDING TROOPS TO BOLSTER K-FOR AND FOR HELPING NATO DURING THE ALLIANCE'S AIR STRIKES DURING THE KOSOVO CONFLICT.

NATO PLANES WERE BASED IN HUNGARY DURING THE CAMPAIGN, AND BUDAPEST BLOCKED RUSSIAN LAND AND AIR SHIPMENTS THAT NATO OFFICIALS SAID WOULD HAVE MADE THINGS MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE ALLIANCE.

SUPPORTING NATO CAME AT SOME RISK TO HUNGARY, WHICH IS THE ONLY NATO NATION THAT SHARES A BORDER WITH THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA, BECAUSE THERE IS AN ETHNIC HUNGARIAN MINORITY IN THE NORTHERN PART OF YUGOSLAVIA'S DOMINANT REPUBLIC, SERBIA. HUNGARIANS WATCHED THE CONFLICT BETWEEN ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND SERBS IN SOUTHERN SERBIA CLOSELY, FEARING THAT SIMILAR STRIFE MIGHT AFFECT THEIR KIN IN NORTHERN SERBIA. WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN SOME TENSIONS, THERE IS NOTHING APPROACHING THE CONFLICT SEEN BETWEEN ALBANIANS AND SERBS.

HUNGARY IS THE THIRD STOP ON SECRETARY COHEN'S WEEK LONG VISIT TO SIX EUROPEAN NATIONS. HE SPOKE WITH NORDIC AND BALTIC DEFENSE MINISTERS IN DENMARK AND NORWAY, AND WILL HOLD FURTHER TALKS WITH MILITARY OFFICIALS IN BOSNIA, GREECE AND TURKEY. (JIM RANDLE, VOA NEWS, BUDAPEST)
12-Jul-99 6:16 AM EDT (1016 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] HUNGARY-VOJVODINA (L-ONLY) BY BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (JIM RANDLE)

INTRO: HUNGARY'S PRIME MINISTER SAYS ANY NEGOTIATIONS OVER THE FUTURE OF YUGOSLAVIA SHOULD CONSIDER THE PLIGHT OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC HUNGARIANS IN NORTHERN YUGOSLAVIA. HUNGARIANS AND OTHER NON-SERBS ARE A SUBSTANTIAL MINORITY IN SERBIA'S VOJVODINA (PRONO: VOY-VO-DIN-YAH) PROVINCE, AND PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR ORBAN FEARS THEY WILL NOT GET THE SAME KIND OF AUTONOMY ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE LIKELY TO GAIN IN THE WAKE OF THE KOSOVO CONFLICT. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM BUDAPEST.

TEXT: THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND ETHNIC HUNGARIANS MAKE UP ABOUT 17 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION OF SERBIA'S NORTHERN VOJVODINA PROVINCE. TROUBLED KOSOVO IS PART OF SOUTHERN SERBIA, AND SERBIA IS THE DOMINANT REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA. HUNGARY BORDERS YUGOSLAVIA.

THE ETHNIC HUNGARIANS AND OTHER MINORITIES HAD CONSIDERABLE CONTROL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATION, UNTIL YUGOSLAVIA'S SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ENDED AUTONOMY FOR BOTH KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS AND THE ETHNIC HUNGARIANS IN VOJVODINA A DECADE AGO.

MR. ORBAN SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD ENCOURAGE YUGOSLAVIA TO RESTORE LOCAL CONTROL AND MAKE THE ETHNIC HUNGARIAN POPULATION A PART OF ANY FUTURE NEGOTIATIONS OVER YUGOSLAVIA.

IT WOULD BE VERY GOOD TO HAVE AN EXAMPLE IN THAT REGION, THAT A MINORITY CAN REACH SOME RESULTS IN FIGHTING FOR MINORITY RIGHTS, WITHOUT USING ANY FORM OF VIOLENCE.

TENSIONS BETWEEN THE ETHNIC HUNGARIANS AND SERBS IN VOJVODINA HAVE NEVER BEEN AS SERIOUS AS THE STRIFE BETWEEN ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND SERBS IN KOSOVO.

MR.ORBAN'S COMMENTS FOLLOWS TALKS WITH VISITING U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN IN BUDAPEST

MR. COHEN PRAISED THE IDEA OF REACHING A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT TO ETHNIC FRICTIONS IN VOJVODINA. HE ALSO THANKED BUDAPEST FOR ALLOWING NATO BOMBERS AND REFUELING PLANES TO OPERATE OUT OF HUNGARIAN AIRFIELDS DURING THE AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST SERB TARGETS IN YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
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12-Jul-99 6:15 PM EDT (2215 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: A FORMER DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF THE BOSNIAN-SERB REPUBLIC HAS PLEADED "NOT GUILTY" TO CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY AT THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. LAUREN COMITEAU REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE HE WAS ARRESTED LAST WEEK BY NATO-LED TROOPS IN BOSNIA.

TEXT: JUST LAST WEEK 51-YEAR-OLD RADOSLAV BRDJANIN WAS STILL A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT IN THE BOSNIAN-SERB REPUBLIC. TODAY, FLANKED BY TWO U-N GUARDS, HE LISTENED FOR 45-MINUTES TO AN INDICTMENT THAT ACCUSES HIM OF BEING ONE OF THE KEY ORCHESTRATORS IN THE ETHNIC CLEANSING OF NORTHWEST BOSNIA DURING THE SUMMER OF 1992.

RADOSLAV BRDJANIN PLEADED "NOT GUILTY" TO THE SINGLE CHARGE AGAINST HIM -- A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY FOR THE PERSECUTION OF NON-SERBS. THERE MAY BE ONLY ONE CHARGE, BUT PROSECUTORS SAY HE AIMED FOR NOTHING LESS THAN THE ALMOST COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE BOSNIAN-MUSLIM AND CROAT COMMUNITIES IN THE PART OF BOSNIA WHERE SERBS WERE TRYING TO CREATE AN ETHNICALLY-PURE STATE.

AS HEAD OF THE REGIONAL WAR TIME GOVERNMENT HE WAS IN THE MOST POLITICALLY POWERFUL POSITION IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA AT THE TIME. PROSECUTORS SAY HE WAS ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE BRUTAL ETHNIC CLEANSING THAT LEFT HUNDREDS OF NON-SERBS DEAD AND THOUSANDS IMPRISONED IN NOTORIOUS CAMPS LIKE ONARKSA. THE MAJORITY OF THOSE WHO REMAINED WERE FORCED TO LEAVE, ABOUT 100-THOUSAND OF THEM BY THE END OF 1992.

PROSECUTORS SAY RADOSLAV BRDJANIN HELPED INITIATE THE THREE-PART PLAN AGAINST MUSLIMS AND CROATS -- CREATE IMPOSSIBLE LIVING CONDITIONS, DEPORT THOSE RELUCTANT TO LEAVE, AND THEN KILL THOSE WHO REMAINED. THEY SAY HE DECLARED THAT THREE-PERCENT WAS THE ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF NON-SERBS TO HAVE IN A SERBIAN STATE.

THE ONE-TIME ASSOCIATE OF FORMER BOSNIAN-SERB LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC, NOW AWAITS A TRIAL DATE AT THE TRIBUNAL'S PRISON -- WHERE 27 OTHER WAR CRIME SUSPECTS, MANY OF THEM HIS SUBORDINATES, ARE ALREADY IN CUSTODY. (SIGNED) NEB/LC/TVM-T/ENE-T/RAE
12-Jul-99 3:02 PM EDT (1902 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: IN NORTHERN IRELAND, PROTESTANT MARCHERS ARE PARADING IN SEVERAL CITIES, INCLUDING BELFAST TO COMMEMORATE THE ANNIVERSARY OF A 17TH-CENTURY BATTLE IN WHICH PROTESTANTS DEFEATED CATHOLICS. POLICE HAVE BEEN ON HIGH ALERT, BUT SO FAR NO VIOLENCE HAS BEEN REPORTED. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON REPORTS THAT WHAT IS CALLED THE "MARCHING SEASON" THIS YEAR IS ESPECIALLY TENSE BECAUSE OF SIMMERING DISPUTES OVER THE DISARMING OF "IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY" PARAMILITARIES.

TEXT: THE PROTESTANT "ORANGE ORDER" HAS STARTED PARADING THROUGH BELFAST -- SO FAR WITHOUT ANY CLASHES OR VIOLENCE REPORTED. POLICE PUT UP CONCRETE AND BARBED WIRE BARRICADES TO KEEP THOUSANDS OF MARCHERS OUT OF BELFAST'S CATHOLIC NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE LEADER OF THE PARADE IN THAT AREA HANDED A LETTER OF PROTEST TO A POLICE OFFICER AT THE BARRICADE AND THEN PEACEFULLY LED HIS MARCHERS ALONG THE DETOUR ROUTE TO JOIN THE "ORANGE ORDER" RALLY IN A PARK NEARBY.

THE ANNUAL "ORANGE ORDER" RALLY CELEBRATES PROTESTANT MILITARY VICTORIES OVER CATHOLICS THREE-CENTURIES AGO.

THE MARCHING SEASON THIS YEAR HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY TENSE BECAUSE IT COINCIDES WITH DISPUTES OVER DISARMING THE "IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY" AND LETTING ITS POLITICAL WING, "SINN FEIN", SHARE POWER WITH PRO-BRITISH "UNIONISTS" IN AN ALL-PARTY GOVERNMENT FOR NORTHERN IRELAND.

TEN-DAYS AGO, THE BRITISH AND IRISH PRIME MINISTERS OFFERED A CAREFULLY SEQUENCED PLAN THAT WOULD SEE THE NOMINATION OF THE 10-MEMBER PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE THIS THURSDAY. THE ALL-PARTY COUNCIL WOULD INCLUDE TWO SINN FEIN MEMBERS. HOME-RULE POWERS WOULD THEN BE TRANSFERRED FROM LONDON TO BELFAST AND THE I-R-A WOULD START THE DISARMING PROCESS.

UNIONIST FIRST MINISTER DAVID TRIMBLE STILL WANTS GUARANTEES THAT SINN FEIN WOULD BE EXPELLED FROM THE EXECUTIVE, IF THE I-R-A DO NOT CARRY OUT DISARMAMENT. IRISH PRIME MINISTER BERTIE AHERN INSISTS THE ENTIRE EXECUTIVE WOULD HAVE TO BE SUSPENDED.

MR. TRIMBLE MEETS WITH BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR FOR LAST-MINUTE TALKS WHILE HIS PARTY STILL THREATENS TO REJECT THE DRAFT PLAN WHEN IT VOTES ON THE EVE OF THE THURSDAY DEADLINE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF/RAE
12-Jul-99 8:52 AM EDT (1252 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] CLINTON/IRELAND (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS CONTINUING ACTIVE DIPLOMACY ON NORTHERN IRELAND AS A THURSDAY DEADLINE NEARS FOR IMPLEMENTING KEY PARTS OF LAST YEAR'S GOOD FRIDAY PEACE ACCORD. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN REACHING THE GOOD FRIDAY ACCORD. AND HE IS CONTINUING PERSONAL DIPLOMACY IN AN EFFORT TO OVERCOME THE LATEST CRISIS THREATENING ITS IMPLEMENTATION.

THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT ARE WORKING AGAINST A THURSDAY DEADLINE FOR THE FORMATION OF NEW EXECUTIVE BODY FOR AN ALL-PARTY GOVERNMENT FOR NORTHERN IRELAND.

BUT THE PROCESS IS SNAGGED OVER PROTESTANT RELUCTANCE TO TAKE PART IN THE ABSENCE OF ASSURANCES THAT THE MILITARY WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY -- THE PRINCIPAL ROMAN CATHOLIC MILITIA GROUP -- WILL SURRENDER ITS WEAPONS.

BRIIISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR IS TRYING TO PUSH LEGISLATION THROUGH BRITAIN'S PARLIAMENT THAT WOULD EFFECTIVELY BAR THE I-R-A'S POLITICAL MOVEMENT, SINN FEIN, FROM THE NEW COUNCIL IF DISARMAMENT TERMS ARE NOT MET.

WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS SAY MR. CLINTON HAD TWO TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH MR. BLAIR MONDAY ON HIS SETTLEMENT EFFORTS, WHILE DEPUTY WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER JIM STEINBERG MET HERE WITH SINN FEIN'S SECOND-RANKING OFFICIAL, MARTIN MCGUINNESS.

MEETING REPORTERS AFTERWARD IN THE RAIN OUTSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE, MR. MCGUINNESS SAID THE LEGISLATION AMOUNTS TO "PANDERING" TO PROTESTANT REJECTIONISTS, WHOSE REAL CONCERN HE SAID IS NOT DISARMAMENT -- THE SO-CALLED DE-COMMISSIONING OF WEAPONS -- BUT SHARING POWER WITH NORTHERN IRELAND CATHOLICS:

MANY PEOPLE IN IRELAND ARE OF THE VIEW THAT THIS ISSUE OF DE-COMMISSIONING IS BEING USED TO CAMOUFLAGE THE REAL REASON WHY THE UNIONISTS WON'T PRESS FORWARD. AND THAT IS BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITHING THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP OF UNIONISM -- AND I DRAW A VERY CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE POLITICAL LEADERS AND THE UNIONIST GRASS-ROOTS -- THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO SEE CATHOLICS IN GOVERNMENT. THAT'S THE REALITY THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH. AND THESE PEOPLE NEED TO BE FACED-DOWN BY THE PRO-AGREEMENT PARTIES AND THE TWO GOVERNMENTS.

MR. MCGUINNESS SAID IF THE COUNCIL DISPUTE CANNOT BE RESOLVED BY THURSDAY'S DEADLINE, THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS SHOULD STEP IN AND EFFECTIVELY IMPOSE THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND CALLED FOR IN THE GOOD FRIDAY ACCORD.

THE SINN FEIN OFFICIAL SAID HE HAD PRESENTED PROPOSALS TO MR. STEINBERG, WHICH HE SAID MIGHT HELP DETERMINE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S NEXT MOVE IN THE CRISIS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DG/TVM/PT
12-Jul-99 7:48 PM EDT (2348 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] BOMBING ARRESTS (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: TWO EGYPTIANS HAVE APPEARED IN A LONDON COURT ON CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY TO MURDER. AS CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON, A U-S WARRANT FOR EXTRADITION OF THE TWO MEN ACCUSES THEM OF BOMBING TWO AMERICAN EMBASSIES LAST YEAR IN AFRICA.

TEXT: THE TWO MEN APPEARED IN A LONDON COURT TO START THE EXTRADITION CASE AGAINST THEM. BRITISH AUTHORITIES HAVE IDENTIFIED THE MEN AS IBRAHIM HUSSEIN ABDEL HADI EIDAROUS AND ABEL MOHAMMED ABDUL ALMAGID BARY. THEY WERE ARRESTED SUNDAY AFTER THE U-S GOVERNMENT ISSUED AN ARREST WARRANT FOR THEIR EXTRADITION.

U-S AUTHORITIES ARE LINKING THE TWO MEN TO THE 1998 BOMBINGS OF THE U-S EMBASSIES IN NAIROBI AND DAR ES SALAAM. MORE THAN 220-PEOPLE DIED IN THE TWO TERRORIST ATTACKS, MORE THAN FIVE-THOUSAND WERE INJURED.

LAWYERS FOR THE U-S GOVERNMENT TOLD THE COURT THEY HAVE EVIDENCE THE TWO MEN WERE INVOLVED IN THE 1998 EMBASSY BOMBINGS. BOTH MEN HAVE DENIED THE CHARGES.

THE MEN ARE BEING CHARGED WITH CONSPIRING WITH A SAUDI ISLAMIC MILITANT, OSAMA BIN LADEN, TO MURDER AMERICANS.

A SAUDI CITIZEN, WHO ALSO IS LINKED TO OSAMA BIN LADEN, WAS ARRESTED IN LONDON LAST SEPTEMBER AND ALSO FACES EXTRADITION TO THE UNITED STATES ON SIMILAR CHARGES.

U-S AUTHORITIES ACCUSE OSAMA BIN LADEN OF FINANCING AND MASTERMINDING THE ATTACKS IN KENYA AND TANZANIA. THE U-S GOVERNMENT ALSO HAS ACCUSED THE ALLEGED TERRORIST OF ATTACKS AGAINST U-S PERSONNEL IN SAUDI ARABIA AND SOMALIA.

THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION HAS PUT OSAMA BIN LADEN ON ITS LIST OF THE 10 MOST WANTED CRIMINALS. A FIVE-MILLION DOLLAR REWARD HAS BEEN OFFERED FOR HIS CAPTURE.

OSAMA BIN LADEN HAS BEEN BASED IN AFGHANISTAN AND ALLEGEDLY RUNS A NETWORK OF ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS IN AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH/RAE
12-Jul-99 9:44 AM EDT (1344 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED TODAY (MONDAY) IN LACKLUSTER TRADING. ANALYSTS SAID INVESTORS MAY BE CAUTIOUS IN ADVANCE OF NEW ECONOMIC DATA COMING OUT LATER THIS WEEK. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK:

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED SEVEN POINTS HIGHER AT 11 THOUSAND 200, SETTING ANOTHER RECORD. STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX LOST FOUR POINTS TO CLOSE AT 13 HUNDRED 99. AND THE NASDAQ ENDED FRACTIONALLY LOWER.

U-S BUSINESSES WILL START FLOODING THE MARKET WITH THEIR EARNINGS REPORTS ON TUESDAY. ANALYSTS ANTICIPATE A GOOD SHOW OF PROFITS GENERALLY.

BUT INVESTORS ALSO SEEM TO BE WAITING FOR THE LATEST NEWS ON THE U-S ECONOMY. ANALYST JOSEPH BARTHELL SAYS THERE IS STILL CONCERN OVER INTEREST RATES:

UNTIL WE GET SOME ADDITIONAL DATA ON THE INFLATION FRONT AND ALSO ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT, IT IS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO BE CERTAIN THAT INTEREST RATES ARE GOING TO BACK OFF OR MOVE UP FROM HERE.

AMONG THE AWAITED REPORTS THIS WEEK -- WHOLESALE AND CONSUMER PRICES.

DISNEY WILL HAVE A 72 PERCENT STAKE IN "GO DOT COM", WHICH WILL ISSUE NEW SHARES AND TRADE ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE.

I-B-M SAYS IT WILL BUY SEQUENT -- A MONEY-LOSING COMPUTER NETWORKING COMPANY -- FOR ABOUT 800 MILLION DOLLARS. I-B-M, THE WORLD'S LARGEST COMPUTER MAKER, SAYS SEQUENT WILL PROVIDE IT WITH UNIQUE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES TO ADVANCE I-B-M'S BUSINESS IN COMPUTER SERVERS.

ACCOR OF FRANCE -- THE WORLD'S FOURTH LARGEST HOTEL COMPANY -- IS BUYING THE ECONOMY LODGING CHAIN, RED ROOF INNS OF THE UNITED STATES FOR OVER ONE BILLION DOLLARS. ACCOR SAYS THE DEAL WILL GIVE IT 10 PERCENT OF THE U-S MARKET FOR LOW-PRICED ROOMS AND MOVE IT UP TO THIRD PLACE IN WORLD-WIDE RANKING.

CUSTOMERS ARE TRADING GOODS AGAIN USING ONLINE AUCTIONEER E-BAY, AFTER THE COMPANY RESTORED ITS WEB SITE OVER THE WEEK-END. E-BAY LOST POWER SATURDAY -- ITS FOURTH OUTAGE IN LESS THAN A MONTH. E-BAY STOCK HAS LOST ABOUT 25 PERCENT OF ITS VALUE SINCE EARLY JUNE. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/EJ/LSF/PT
12-Jul-99 4:45 PM EDT (2045 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[15] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE THRILLING VICTORY OF THE U-S WOMEN'S FOOTBALL [SOCCER] TEAM OVER CHINA IN THE WORLD CUP IS THE MOST POPULAR TOPIC TO BE FOUND IN MONDAY'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS. OTHER SUBJECTS COMING IN FOR ATTENTION INCLUDE: THE BORDER DISPUTE OVER KASHMIR: THE DEBATE OVER WHAT TO DO WITH THE NATIONAL BUDGET SURPLUS; BROACHING FREE TRADE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA AND PROBLEMS WITH THE U-S MAPPING AGENCY. NOW, HERE IS __________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TODAY'S "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" IS ONE OF MANY PAPERS PRAISING THE U-S WOMEN'S FOOTBALL [SOCCER] TEAM FOR ITS VICTORY IN PASADENA SATURDAY.

VOICE: WHAT A GLORIOUS COMING-OF-AGE DAY FOR WOMEN'S SPORTS. THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP IS NOT EVEN A DECADE OLD -- THE BLINK OF AN EYE IN THE MALE-DOMINATED SPORTS WORLD. BUT ... THIS AMERICAN TEAM HAS CAPTURED THE IMAGINATION OF A NATION IN A WAY THAT WOULD HAVE SEEMED UNTHINKABLE AS RECENTLY AS LEAST YEAR.

TEXT: "USA TODAY," THE NATIONAL PAPER PUBLISHED IN A WASHINGTON, D-C SUBURB, CALLS THE CONTEST "A DEFINING MOMENT FOR WOMEN'S SPORTS," /// OPT /// WHILE IN BOSTON, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" NOTES:

VOICE: THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP SOCCER FINAL ... LEAVES SOME INDELIBLE IMPRESSIONS: THAT A GAME WITH MINIMAL SCORING ... CAN STILL BE RIVETING. ... THAT INTERNATIONAL ATHLETIC COMPETITION RETAINS A FLAVOR ALL ITS OWN. ... THAT SPORTS REMAINS AN ARENA FOR ASSESSING SOCIAL CHANGE, AS WELL AS INDIVIDUAL MASTERY. ON BOTH SCORES, WOMEN HAVE ARRIVED.

TEXT: AFTER CONGRATULATING THE TEAM, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" NOTES THE FEDERAL LAW MANDATING EQUALITY IN WOMEN'S COLLEGE SPORTS IS ALSO HAVING DRAWBACKS.

VOICE: THE PROBLEM IS, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT MALE SPORTS ARE SUFFERING. [THE LAW SAYS ] ... THERE HAS TO BE PROPORTIONALITY BETWEEN THE ENROLLMENT AND PARTICIPATION RATES ON SPORTS TEAMS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE MAY NOT BE, INDEED OFTEN ARE NOT, AS MANY GIRLS WHO WANT TO WRESTLE OR PLAY BASEBALL, TENNIS, OR GOLF AS BOYS ... THE RESULT IS THREATS AND LAWSUITS, AND OFTEN, /// OPT

TEXT: TURNING TO NEWS OF THE ASIAN SUB CONTINENT, NEW YORK "NEWSDAY" ON LONG ISLAND CALLS KASHMIR A "POWDER KEG" AND WORRIES THE BORDER DISPUTE IS NOT YET SETTLED.

VOICE: WARS STEEPED IN A VOLATILE MIX OF ETHNICITY, RELIGION AND TERRITORIAL CLAIMS HAVE A WAY OF SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL, IGNITING WIDER CONFLICTS. THAT IS WHY THE UNITED STATES, QUITE ACTIVELY, AND CHINA, MORE PASSIVELY, HAVE CHOSEN TO USE THEIR CONSIDERABLE INFLUENCE TO BRING AN END TO THE BURGEONING CONFLICT BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN OVER ... KASHMIR. ... INDIA AND PAKISTAN MUST FIND A FACE-SAVING WAY TO BACK DOWN FROM WHAT COULD TURN INTO ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS CONFRONTATIONS IN THE SUBCONTINENT. BUT THERE CAN NOT BE A LASTING PEACE UNTIL KASHMIR'S FATE IS FINALLY DECIDED BY ITS OWN PEOPLE.

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE OVER HOW TO SPEND THE ANTICIPATED TRILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET SURPLUS PREDICTED DURING THE NEXT DECADE.

VOICE: ... IT TURNS OUT THAT THE NEW ERA OF SURPLUSES IS JUST AS CONTENTIOUS AS THE OLD ERA OF DEFICITS. ... HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE PREPARING A TAX CUT SO LARGE IT WOULD USE UP VIRTUALLY ALL OF THE SURPLUS FOR TEN YEARS, LEAVING NO MONEY TO MAKE MEDICARE SOLVENT OR TO AVOID DEEPER DOMESTIC CUTS. THE LIKELIHOOD THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON WOULD VETO AN OUTSIZED TAX CUT IS ONLY SPURRING THEM ON. ... /// OPT /// ... WITH THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD RAISING INTEREST RATES FOR FEAR OF AN OVERHEATED ECONOMY, NO STIMULUS IS NEEDED. IT IS PERVERSE TO CUT TAXES FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BENEFITED MOST FROM THE CURRENT BOOM. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: BACK OVERSEAS, AND IN SOUTHERN AFRICAN AFFAIRS, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS CHEERED BY AN APPARENT NEAR AGREEMENT AMONG THE 14-NATIONS OF THE REGION ON A TRADE PACT.

VOICE: SOUTH AFRICA AND ITS PARTNERS IN THE ... SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (S-A-D-C) HAVE STRUGGLED FOR THREE-YEARS TO REACH AGREEMENT ON REGIONAL FREE TRADE. THEY RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT A DEAL IS NEAR. IF IT HOLDS TOGETHER ... [IT] WOULD CREATE A MARKET OF 150-MILLION PEOPLE AND PROVIDE THE STIMULUS FOR WESTERN COMPANIES TO INVEST IN THE REGIONAL ECONOMY. TOGETHER WITH PEACE, POLITICAL STABILITY, RULE OF LAW, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE, FREE TRADE IS A KEY ELEMENT FOR PROSPERITY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA.

TEXT: /// OPT /// IN CALIFORNIA, "THE FRESNO BEE" IS PLEASED THAT PEACE PROSPECTS APPEAR TO BE BRIGHTENING IN TWO OF AFRICA'S WORST HOT SPOTS.

VOICE: TWO CIVIL WARS ... MAY BE ENDING -- OR MAYBE NOT. HALTING THE CARNAGE IN CONGO AND SIERRA LEONE WILL REQUIRE MANY THINGS: A MAJOR COMMITMENT BY THE OPPOSING SIDES; CREDIBLE PEACEKEEPING FORCES; AND LARGER, MORE EXPENSIVE COMMITMENTS OF SUPPORT THAN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SEEMS LIKELY TO PROVIDE. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION COULD HELP SHORTEN THOSE LONG ODDS, BUT WILL IT? ... ALTHOUGH NO SENIOR U-S OFFICIAL WILL ADMIT IT, WASHINGTON SEES AFRICA AS OF ONLY MARGINAL INTEREST TO THIS COUNTRY. AT THE MOMENT THAT JUDGMENT MAY SEEM SOUND. BUT IN A SHRINKING WORLD WHERE ANY REGION'S PROBLEMS INEVITABLY AFFECT OTHERS, IT IS ALSO A SHORTSIGHTED JUDGMENT, AS WELL AS A CALLOUS ONE.

TEXT: YASSER ARAFAT'S PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY COMES IN FOR SOME CRITICISM IN "THE BOSTON GLOBE" WHICH CITES A NEW REPORT:

VOICE: ... THERE IS A CRYING NEED TO EVALUATE THE 'SHORTCOMINGS' OF [MR.] ARAFAT'S ADMINISTRATION. THE REPORT [BY THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS] ACKNOWLEDGES THAT DURING THE INTERIM PERIOD MANDATED BY THE 1993 OSLO ACCORDS, THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY HAS HAD TO CONTEND WITH DIFFICULT CONDITIONS. ... NEVERTHELESS, THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY HAS A LONG WAY TO GO TO ACHIEVE THE 'GOOD GOVERNANCE' THE TASK FORCE IDENTIFIES AS THE INDISPENSABLE FOUNDATION FOR FRUITFUL INDEPENDENCE.

... INDEED, THE PALESTINIAN SPECIALISTS WHO WROTE THE REPORT WERE MORE CRITICAL OF ARAFAT'S FAILINGS THAN WERE THE FOREIGN NOTABLES ON THE TASK FORCE. THEY AND THEIR COMPATRIOTS WANT AND NEED DECENTRALIZED POWER AND HONEST ADMINISTRATION -- A STATE MOLDED FOR THE AGE OF THE INTERNET, NOT FOR THE CAPRICES OF A REVOLUTIONARY OR A VILLAGE CHIEFTAIN.

TEXT: LASTLY, SOME CRITICISM FROM PORTLAND'S " OREGONIAN" FOR THE GOVENMENT'S PRINCIPAL MAPMAKER, THE NATIONAL IMAGERY AND MAPPING AGENCY.

VOICE: THE CARELESS TARGETING OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE FOLLOWING ON THE ITALIAN TRAGEDY WHEN A MARINE PLANE HIT AN UNMAPPED SKI GONDOLA CABLE SHOWS THE NEED FOR AN OVERHAUL OF THE NATIONAL IMAGERY AND MAPPING AGENCY (N-I-M-A) AND TARGETING PROCEDURES. BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE NEEDLESSLY KILLED BY RELIANCE ON INACCURATE AND INCOMPLETE MAPS. PUBLICLY, IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THE ADMINISTRATION, FROM WHITE HOUSE ON DOWN TO THE PENTAGON, IS PLANNING TO SWEEP THE AGENCY'S MAPPING MISCUES UNDER THE RUG. OFFICIALS HAVE INDICATED THAT NO INDIVIDUAL IS BEING DISCIPLINED OVER THE CHINESE EMBASSY BOMBING. ... OUR TECHNICAL ABILITY TO LOCATE ANY FEATURE ON EARTH WITHIN A FEW FEET IS USELESS IF WE CAN NOT SHOW IT ACCURATELY ON A MAP.

TEXT: ON THAT THOUGHT, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
12-Jul-99 11:25 AM EDT (1525 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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