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Voice of America, 98-03-06Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] ALBRIGHT ITALY OVERNIGHTER (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (ROME)DATE=3/6/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227727 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT MEETS ITALIAN LEADERS AND POPE JOHN PAUL IN ROME TODAY (SATURDAY). RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM ROME, THE SECRETARY OF STATE ARRIVED THERE WITH AN APOLOGY. TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT HAS ARRIVED HERE FOR TALKS WITH ITALIAN LEADERS THAT ARE EXPECTED TO FOCUS ON THE TENSION IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO AND WHAT MEASURES THE CONTACT GROUP CAN TAKE TO PUT PRESSURE ON YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE FIVE NATION CONTACT GROUP INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES AND ITALY MEET IN LONDON MONDAY FOR A JOINT STATEMENT. THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S DISCUSSIONS WITH ITALIAN LEADERS ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO INCLUDE WEAPONS INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ. AS MS. ALBRIGHT ARRIVED HERE FROM UKRAINE, SHE CAME WITH AN APOLOGY FOR THE AMERICAN AIR FORCE JET ACCIDENT THAT KILLED 20 PEOPLE AT THE ITALIAN SKI RESORT OF CAVALESE LAST MONTH. ///ALBRIGHT ACT///THIS IS THE KIND OF EVENT THAT MIGHT HAVE DISRUPTED A RELATIONSHIP LESS SOLID AND MATURE THAN THAT WHICH WE HAVE BUILT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND ITALY. ///END ACT///THE SECRETARY OF STATE ALSO PAYS A CALL ON POPE JOHN PAUL IN THE
VATICAN TO DISCUSS DEVELOPMENTS IN CUBA, SINCE HIS VISIT THERE
LAST MONTH, AS WELL AS EVENTS IN THE BALKANS AND THE MIDDLE EAST.
(SIGNED
[02] EDITORIAL: CRACKDOWN IN KOSOVODATE= MARCH 7, 1998TYPE= EDITORIAL NUMBER= 0-07678 CONTENT=THIS IS THE ONLY EDITORIAL BEING RELEASED FOR BROADCAST MARCH 7, 1998. ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. VOICE: VIOLENCE HAS ERUPTED IN KOSOVO, A PROVINCE IN SOUTHERN SERBIA MADE UP LARGELY OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS. THE FIGHTING WAS IGNITED BY AN AMBUSH ATTACK LAST WEEKEND BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS ON A SERBIAN POLICE PATROL. SEVERAL SERBIAN POLICEMEN WERE KILLED. IN THE RESULTING CLASHES, A NUMBER OF ALBANIANS -- WELL OVER TWENTY -- WERE KILLED. AMONG THE ALBANIAN DEAD, SOME APPARENTLY WERE EXECUTED. ON MONDAY, IN A SHOW OF EXCESSIVE FORCE, POLICE USED WATER CANNONS TO BREAK UP A PEACEFUL RALLY IN THE CAPITAL OF PRISTINA, WHERE THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAD GATHERED TO PROTEST THE WEEKEND VIOLENCE. POLICE BEAT A VOICE OF AMERICA STRINGER TO THE POINT OF REQUIRING HOSPITALIZATION. BY WEEK'S END THE FIGHTING HAD INTESIFIED AND THERE WERE MORE CASUALTIES. KOSOVO'S RESIDENTS ARE NINETY PERCENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN. THE PROVINCE WAS STRIPPED OF ITS AUTONOMY BY SERBIA IN 1989. SINCE THEN, KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS HAVE SUFFERED OPPRESSION AT THE HANDS OF THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT. RECENTLY A GROUP CALLED THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY HAS CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR ARMED ATTACKS AGAINST OFFICIAL SERBIAN TARGETS. EVENTS THIS PAST WEEK DEMONSTRATE THAT THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE VIOLENCE. THE GOVERNMENT IS ALL TOO READY TO USE FORCE TO ADDRESS POLITICAL DISPUTES BETWEEN SERBIAN AUTHORITIES AND KOSOVO. IT IS INCUMBENT UPON THE SERBIAN POLICE IN KOSOVO TO ACT WITH MAXIMUM RESTRAINT. THE YUGOSLAV ARMY SHOULD TAKE NO ACTION THAT COULD FAN THE FLAMES OF VIOLENCE. THE U.S. CALLS ON ALL SIDES TO ENTER INTO AN UNCONDITIONAL DIALOGUE. TO REDUCE TENSION, AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE MUST IMPLEMENT IMMEDIATELY THE KOSOVO EDUCATION AGREEMENT. THE U.S. HAS ALSO CALLED ON THE KOSOVAR ALBANIAN LEADERS TO CONDEMN TERRORIST ACTIONS BY THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. FURTHER STATE-SPONSORED VIOLENCE WILL ONLY DEEPEN SERBIA'S INTERNATIONAL ISOLATION. THE RIGHTS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO MUST BE RESPECTED. ANNCR: THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED
STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE,
PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C,
20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043.
YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
[03] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)DATE=3/6/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227729 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IT WAS HIGHER PRICES ALL-AROUND ON THE MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE FRIDAY. VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM OUR OFFICES IN LONDON. TEXT: WEST EUROPE'S KEY MARKETS CLOSED THE WEEK SHARPLY HIGHER, WITH THE PARIS "CAC" INDEX SETTING A RECORD HIGH. //OPT//HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX GAINED A PERCENT-AND-A-HALF IN VALUE AND WAS UP 87 POINTS. AN 87-POINT GAIN WAS ECHOED BY FRENCH STOCKS TRACKED BY THE "CAC 40," WHICH ADDED TWO-AND-A-HALF PERCENT IN VALUE -- A NEW RECORD CLOSE. EARLY TRADING FRIDAY ON THE GERMAN DAX INDEX SOARED AND CONTINUED IN LATE-DAY COMPUTER TRADING, BRINGING THE DAX UP 86 POINTS -- A DAILY GAIN OF JUST UNDER TWO PERCENT. THE U-S DOLLAR TRADED ABOUT A PFENNIGE HIGHER AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND ALMOST A CENT HIGHER AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND. GOLD IN LONDON ADDED A HALF DOLLAR IN VALUE TO CLOSE AT
294-DOLLARS-15 CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
[04] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=03/06/98TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-10605 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= //// EDS: PERISHABLE MATERIAL, DATED AFTER 10 P-M E-S-T ! ! ////INTRO: A WIDE ARRAY OF SUBJECTS FALL UNDER DISCUSSION IN THIS COUNTRY'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS TODAY, FRIDAY. AMONG THEM ARE WHAT "THE NEW YORK TIMES" CALLS "THE ROT IN INDONESIA," AND OTHER COMMENTS ON THE LATEST ARREST OF A DEMOCRACY LEADER IN BURMA BY THE GOVERNING COUNCIL. OTHER PAPERS ARE DEALING WITH THE INDIAN ELECTIONS; THE FUTURE OF AUGUSTO PINOCHET IN CHILE; AND PUERTO RICAN SELF-DETERMINATION. NOW, WE'RE JOINED BY ___________________ WHO GIVES US A CLOSER LOOK WITH TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: THINGS SEEM TO BE GOING FROM BAD TO WORSE IN INDONESIA, AS PRESIDENT SUHARTO CONTINUES TO RESIST SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO COPE WITH THE NATION'S FINANCIAL CRISIS. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS BACK ON THAT TOPIC THIS FRIDAY, NOTING: VOICE: INDONESIA FACES AN IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL CRISIS THAT THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND CAN HELP FIX, AND A LONGER-TERM POLITICAL CRISIS THAT CAN BE REMEDIED ONLY BY REFORMS THAT PRESIDENT SUHARTO SEEMS INCAPABLE OF ADOPTING. THOUGH THE MONETARY FUND IS RIGHT TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT CORRUPTION AND FINANCIAL FAVORITISM IN INDONESIA, IT SHOULD BE CONCENTRATING ON THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS THAT THREATEN TO BANKRUPT THAT COUNTRY. THE OTHER PROBLEMS, INCLUDING THE BUSINESS MANIPULATIONS OF THE SUHARTO FAMILY, WILL REQUIRE SUSTAINED AMERICAN PRESSURE. TEXT: STILL ON ASIA, TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" IS CRITICIZING THE MILITARY COUNCIL THAT RULES BURMA, THE SLORC, FOR THE ARREST OF THE RESPECTED, 81-YEAR-OLD DEMOCRATIC POLITICIAN, U OHU MYINT. VOICE: ONE WONDERS WHETHER THIS LATEST ASSAULT ON CIVILIZED NORMS REFLECTS THE ADVICE BURMA'S MILITARY RULERS HAVE BEEN RECEIVING FROM THEIR RECENTLY RETAINED AMERICAN IMAGE-MAKERS.... THESE U-S PUBLIC RELATIONS EMPLOYEES OF THE CRUEL REGIME APPARENTLY HAVE PERSUADED IT TO CHANGE ITS NAME FROM THE UNAPPETIZING SLORC (STATE LAW AND ORDER RESTORATION COUNCIL) TO THE EQUALLY MENDACIOUS BUT MORE NEUTRAL-SOUNDING STATE PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL. BUT THE ARREST OF U OHN MYINT, THE CONTINUING DETENTION OF THE HEROIC LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI, AND THE DETENTIONS -- ANNOUNCED JUST LAST WEEKEND -- OF 40 OTHER ACTIVISTS SHOW THAT, EVEN WITH A NEW NAME, IT'S BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR THE RULING JUNTA. TEXT: ACROSS THE BAY OF BENGAL FROM BURMA IS INDIA, WHERE THE RECENT ELECTIONS, GIVING THE HINDU NATIONALIST PARTY B-J-P THE LARGEST VOTE, CALLS FORTH CONCERN FROM "THE WASHINGTON TIMES." VOICE: THE RESULTS OF ITS MAY 1996 ELECTIONS FAILED TO GIVE ONE PARTY A MAJORITY AND POLITICAL CHAOS HAS BEEN THE ORDER OF THE DAY EVER SINCE. ..... INDIAN VOTERS ARE DEEPLY DISILLUSIONED. HOW ELSE TO EXPLAIN WHY MORE THAN HALF THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT LOST THEIR SEATS AND MOST STATE GOVERNMENTS EXPERIENCED SUBSTANTIAL REVERSALS? WHEN THE DUST SETTLED, HOWEVER, THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK WAS MORE CONFUSING THAN BEFORE -- MAYBE MORE MUDDLED THAN EVER BEFORE. THAT HARDLY BODES WELL AS THE NATION OF 980 MILLION PEOPLE DESPERATELY SEEKS TO DEVELOP ECONOMICALLY. TEXT: TURNING NOW TO LATIN AMERICA, THE LATEST MOVE OF FORMER MILITARY DICTATOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET IN CHILE, INTO THAT NATION'S SENATE, DRAWS THIS COMMENT FROM "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES." VOICE: AS FORMER DICTATOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET PREPARES TO SWEAR HIMSELF INTO A SEAT IN THE SENATE, CHILE AGAIN APPROACHES A DEEP DIVIDE. THE ISSUE IS FRONT CENTER FOR PRESIDENT EDUARDO FREI, WHO HAS MADE AN IMPASSIONED APPEAL FOR CALM AND UNITY. [MR.] FREI IS CONCERNED THAT LEFTIST ATTEMPTS TO DENY [GENERAL] PINOCHET A SENATE SEAT -- HIS REWARD FOR WITHDRAWING THE MILITARY FROM GOVERNMENT -- COULD UNLEASH THE OLD POLITICAL FURIES AND DESTABILIZE THE FRAGILE DEMOCRACY. THAT MAY WELL BE THE CASE. BUT THOSE WHO SURVIVED THE 17-YEAR-DICTATORSHIP, AND RELATIVES OF THOSE WHO DID NOT, HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE OUTRAGED BY THE PROSPECT OF [GENERAL] PINOCHET BECOMING A SENATOR FOR LIFE ..... TEXT: IN THE GREAT PLAINS, NEBRASKA'S "OMAHA WORLD-HERALD" SUGGESTS THAT "IT IS GOOD THAT VOICES OF CAUTION TEMPER STRIDENT TALK ABOUT IRAQ." THAT EDITORIAL HEADLINE, IN FRIDAY'S EDITIONS, IS FOLLOWED BY THIS ARGUMENT. VOICE: CONSIDERABLE TALK HAS BEEN HEARD ON CAPITOL HILL ABOUT OVERTHROWING SADDAM HUSSEIN. THE IDEA HAS RECEIVED SUPPORT IN PUBLIC-OPINION POLLS. FORTUNATELY, VOICES OF CAUTION ARE EVIDENT, TOO. IRAQI EXILE AHMAD CHALABI, LEADER OF THE PARIS-BASED IRAQI NATIONAL CONGRESS, HAS URGED THE U-S SENATE TO GIVE HIS GROUP MONEY AND ARMS TO TOPPLE SADDAM. ..... SOME PEOPLE EVEN FAVOR ASSASSINATION WHICH IS BANNED BY LONG-STANDING PRESIDENTIAL ORDER. ..... EVEN THE REMOVAL-BY-PROXY PROPOSALS ARE BASED ON BOLD ASSUMPTIONS. ONE IS THAT A REBEL ARMY WOULD STAND A CHANCE AGAINST [MR.] SADDAM'S FORCES. ANOTHER IS THAT A MAJORITY OF IRAQIS WANTS [MR.] SADDAM REPLACED WITH A WESTERN-STYLE DEMOCRACY. EVEN AMERICA'S FRIENDS IN THE REGION, KUWAIT AND SAUDI ARABIA DO NOT EMBRACE DEMOCRACY. NO ONE KNOWS WHAT KIND OF LEADER AND GOVERNMENT MIGHT SUCCEED SADDAM.... IT'S DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE REMOVAL OF [MR.] SADDAM WITHOUT A U-S-LED INVASION. ADVOCATES OF OVERTHROW, ACCORDINGLY, OUGHT TO BE PREPARED TO SAY HOW BIG A COST THEY EXPECT AMERICA TO SHOULDER, NOT ONLY IN RESOURCES BUT IN HUMAN LIVES. /// OPT ///TEXT: THE DISCOVERY OF WATER ON ONE OF JUPITER'S MOONS, EUROPA, PROVIDES EXCITEMENT IN THIS BOSTON GLOBE EDITORIAL, WRITTEN ***BEFORE*** THURSDAY'S EVEN MORE EXCITING NEWS CONFIRMING THE EXISTENCE OF WATER ICE ON THE MOON. VOICE: GOOD NEWS FROM A JUPITER MOON ..... DETAILED PHOTOS FROM THE GALILEO SPACECRAFT SUGGEST THAT AN OCEAN SWIRLS BELOW THE FROZEN SURFACE OF EUROPA, ONE OF JUPITER'S FOUR MOONS. ..... THE THEORY OF WATER ON EUROPA MAY .... EVAPORATE WITH FURTHER STUDY, BUT FOR NOW IT OFFERS A FINE PLACE TO FANTASIZE ABOUT UNDERWATER WORLDS, SEA CREATURES, AND AN INTELLIGENCE THAT MIGHT BE SEEKING COMMUNICATION WITH THE BEINGS WHO BREATHE AIR CLOSER TO THE SUN. /// END OPT ///TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON THE SUBJECT OF PUERTO RICAN SELF-DETERMINATION, MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" FEELS THE ISLAND'S THREE-AND-ONE-HALF-MILLION RESIDENTS DESERVE TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN POLITICAL FUTURE. VOICE: IT WOULD BE FITTING IF, DURING THIS CENTENNIAL YEAR OF PUERTO RICO HAVING BECOME A U-S TERRITORY, [IT IS A COMMONWEALTH] CONGRESS ENACTS LEGISLATION THAT WOULD GIVE THE ISLAND ANOTHER CHANCE TO DETERMINE ITS FATE.... ON WEDNESDAY THE HOUSE APPROVED ... A BILL THAT WOULD PUT THE QUESTION ... BEFORE ITS PEOPLE FOR THE THIRD TIME IN A LITTLE MORE THAN 30 YEARS..... THE AMERICAN PEOPLE LIVING ON THE ISLAND ... DESERVE THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE THEIR DESTINY. AS SUCH, THE SENATE AND PRESIDENT SHOULD FOLLOW THE HOUSE'S LEAD AND PUT PUERTO RICO'S FUTURE TO A VOTE IN PUERTO RICO. TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF
EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM AROUND THE NATION ON THIS FIRST FRIDAY IN
MARCH.
NEB/ANG//MMK
[05] KOSOVO OVERNIGHTER (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)DATE=3/6/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227735 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PARTS OF SERBIA'S MAJORITY ALBANIAN KOSOVO PROVINCE REMAIN SEALED OFF FRIDAY AS SERB POLICE AND ARMY UNITS ARE REPORTEDLY CONTINUING OPERATIONS AGAINST SUSPECTED SEPARATIST VILLAGES. THE MODERATE ALBANIAN LEADERSHIP HAS CALLED FOR INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE ON BELGRADE TO STOP THE ACTION IN WHICH TWENTY ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND TWO SERB POLICEMEN HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY REPORTED KILLED IN THE PAST TWO DAYS, ALTHOUGH ALBANIANS SOURCES SAY THE TOLL IS CONSIDERABLY HIGHER. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA. TEXT: ETHNIC ALBANIAN WITNESSES SAY ATTACKS CONTINUE ON VILLIAGES IN THE DRENICA AREA. A SENIOR MEMBER OF THE ALBANIAN SHADOW GOVERNMENT WHO GOT INTO THE SEALED OFF AREA TOLD REPORTERS HE HEARD CONTINUOUS SHELLING AND SPORADIC GUNFIRE. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ALBANIAN LEADERSHIP XHEMAIL MUSTAFA ACCUSED THE SERBS OF TRYING TO FORCE ALBANIANS OUT OF THE AREA. ///ACT ONE///THE MAIN AND ULTIMATE GOAL, HE SAYS, IS TO MAKE ALBANIANS FLEE THE COUNTRY. IN OTHER WORDS, ETHNIC CLEANSING. SERB AUTHORITIES SAY THEY ARE ACTING AGAINST TERRORISTS, AND SAY THEY HAVE FOUND UNDERGROUND BUNKERS, INCLUDING ONE EQUIPPED AS A HOSPITAL ANOTHER LOADED WITH AMMUNITION. THE AREA REMAINS SEALED OFF, AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO VERIFY THE REPORTS AND CASUALTY FIGURES. SOME RESIDENTS FROM THE DRENICA AREA WEST OF THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA, ARE FLEEING. THE REFUGEES, HUNDRED AND PERHAPS THOUSANDS OF MOSTLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN, ARE LEAVING BY TRAIN FOOT AND TRACTOR. MODERATE LEADER IBRAHIM RUGOVA HAS CALLED ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO RESTORE PEACE. DIPLOMATS FROM EUROPE, AMERICA AND RUSSIA HAD TALKS WITH BOTH SIDES IN PRISTINA TODAY, IN ADVANCE OF MONDAY'S MEETING ON THE ISSUE IN LONDON. FEARS THAT THE SITUATION COULD SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL WERE
REFLECTED IN TIRANA FRIDAY, WHEN ALBANIA PUT ITS TROOPS ALONG THE
BORDER ON A HIGH STATE OF ALERT. (SIGNED)
[06] KOSOVO UNREST (L) BY ART CHIMES (MITROVICE)DATE=3/6/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227723 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE, SERB FORCES CONTINUE TO SEAL OFF VILLAGES IN THE DRENICA AREA, WEST OF THE CAPITAL, PRISTINA. ETHNIC ALBANIAN SOURCES REPORT ONE VILLAGE IS SAID TO BE UNDER ARTILLERY ATTACK, WHILE POLICE ARE SEARCHING HOUSES IN OTHERS. JOURNALISTS ARE BARRED FROM THE CORDONED-OFF AREA. VOA'S ART CHIMES FILED THIS REPORT FROM THE NEARBY TOWN OF MITROVICE. TEXT: THERE IS AN EERIE QUALITY TO MITROVICE. THE STREETS ARE QUITE CROWDED BUT MOST OF THE SHOPS ARE CLOSED, AS ARE THE CAFES AND SCHOOLS. THREE POLICEMEN WITH AUTOMATIC WEAPONS GUARD THE POLICE STATION. LOCAL RESIDENTS POINT OUT SLOW-MOVING CIVILIAN CARS WITH PLAINCLOTHES SECURITY FORCES. SINAN PREKAZI IS AN ETHNIC ALBANIAN MEDICAL DOCTOR WHO HAS VOLUNTEERED TO HELP PEOPLE FLEEING THE AREA WHERE SERB FORCES HAVE DEPLOYED. /// PREKAZI ACT IN ALBANIAN -- ESTABLISH AND FADE ///ONE WOMAN WHO GOT OUT IS NEZAFETE RAMA, A 32-YEAR-OLD UNEMPLOYED ECONOMIST, WHO ACTUALLY LIVES IN MITROVICE BUT WAS VISITING RELATIVES IN PREKAZ WHEN IT CAME UNDER ATTACK. SHE HAD TO WALK SEVEN OR EIGHT KILOMETERS BEFORE SHE FOUND SOME VILLAGE PEOPLE WITH A TRACTOR WHO WERE ATTRACTED BY THE SOUND OF SHOOTING. MS. RAMA ACTUALLY NEVER CAME UNDER ATTACK. SHE LEFT AROUND DAWN, BEFORE THE FIRING BEGAN -- BUT THAT VILLAGE, PREKAZ, HAS REPORTEDLY BEEN THE TARGET OF SERB ARTILLERY. SHE SAYS HER FIVE HOUR JOURNEY WAS VERY STRESSFUL. /// RAMA ACT IN ALBANIA -- ESTABLISH AND FADE ///SERB AUTHORITIES SAY THEIR OPERATION IS TARGETING TERRORISTS AFTER A CLANDESTINE GROUP CALLED THE "KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY" CLAIMED ATTACKS ON POLICE TARGETS. KOSOVO HAS LOST MOST OF THE AUTONOMY IT ONCE ENJOYED AND NATIONALIST SENTIMENT IS HIGH. MANY, IF NOT MOST OF THE RESIDENTS FAVOR INDEPENDENCE. BUT FOR SERBIA, KOSOVO IS HOME TO HISTORIC AND RELIGIOUS LANDMARKS THAT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO LOSE. // REST OPT //A LOCAL BUSINESSMAN, AGIM HAXHA, SAYS AFTER SEEING EVENTS ELSEWHERE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, HE IS AFRAID OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF THE VIOLENCE CONTINUES TO SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL. /// HAXHA ACT ///WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED IN CROATIA, WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED IN BOSNIA -- AND WE KNOW WITH WHO WE ARE LIVING, SO EVERYBODY IS AFRAID. /// END ACT ///ON THE STREET A FEW MINUTES LATER, A YOUNG GIRL ASKS A STRANGER
IF HE HAS SEEN HER UNCLE, MR. HAXHA. SHE SEEMS TERRIFIED THAT
SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED TO HIM. (SIGNED)
[07] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=3/6/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-22742 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (FRIDAY) IN A STRONG REBOUND FROM THURSDAY'S LOSSES. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 85 HUNDRED 69, UP 125 POINTS OR ABOUT ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 24 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT ONE THOUSAND 55, UP 20 POINTS. STOCK PRICES STAGED A STUNNING COMEBACK AFTER THURSDAY'S ALMOST 100 POINT DROP IN THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE. ANALYSTS SAY A CONSENSUS SEEMED TO DEVELOP THAT THE DIP IN PRICES PRESENTED A GOOD BUYING OPPORTUNITY. THE U-S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED ONE-TENTH OF ONE PERCENT LAST MONTH TO FOUR POINT SIX PERCENT, MATCHING LAST NOVEMBER'S 24-YEAR LOW. IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED 310 THOUSAND NEW JOBS WERE CREATED, FAR EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS. /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///ECONOMIST DAVID JONES SAYS MANY AMERICAN WORKERS ARE NOW IN A STRONG POSITION. /// JONES ACT ///I THINK WORKERS HAVE A GOOD OUTLOOK, CERTAINLY IN THE EARLY MONTHS OF THIS YEAR IN TERMS OF FINDING A JOB AND ASKING FOR HIGHER WAGES. ///END ACT///BUT MANY ECONOMISTS SAY THE STRONG JOB MARKET WILL PROBABLY NOT, IN ITSELF, BE ENOUGH TO SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE U-S INFLATION RATE. A RUMOR THAT U-S CENTRAL BANK CHAIRMAN ALAN GREENSPAN WAS SUFFERING HEALTH PROBLEMS CAUSED SOME BRIEF CONCERN IN FINANCIAL MARKETS BEFORE IT WAS DENIED. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENTRAL BANK SAYS MR. GREENSPAN DID HAVE A COMMON COLD A FEW WEEKS AGO BUT THAT, OTHERWISE, HIS HEALTH IS GOOD. THE STOCK OF THE MOTOROLA ELECTRONICS COMPANY WENT AGAINST THE TREND FRIDAY, ITS PRICE FALLING AFTER THE COMPANY ISSUED AN EARNINGS WARNING. MOTOROLA SAYS IT IS FACING PRICING PRESSURES IN MARKETS FOR SEMICONDUCTORS AND MOBIL TELEPHONES. THE EMBATTLED COLUMBIA/H-C-A HEALTH CARE COMPANY FINALLY HAD SOME GOOD NEWS, SAYING ITS QUARTERLY PROFITS WILL EXCEED WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS. HOWEVER, THE COMPANY CONTINUES TO BE UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ALLEGED FRAUDULENT BILLING PRACTICES. HEIRS OF THE LATE SAM WALTON, FOUNDER OF THE WAL-MART DISCOUNT
STORE CHAIN, SAY THEY PLAN TO SELL 25 MILLION OF THE COMPANY'S
SHARES. HOWEVER, THAT REPRESENTS ONLY ABOUT ONE PERCENT OF
WAL-MART'S OUTSTANDING STOCK AND THE SALE IS NOT EXPECTED TO HAVE
ANY SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE STOCK'S VALUE.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
[08] NATO/KOSOVO BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)DATE=3/6/98TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-39177 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION, OR NATO, IS FOLLOWING VERY CLOSELY DEVELOPMENTS IN KOSOVO -- A MOSTLY ETHNIC ALBANIAN PROVINCE IN SERBIAN-LED YUGOSLAVIA. AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON, SENIOR NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA BELIEVES DIPLOMACY MUST RUN ITS COURSE BEFORE ANY MILITARY ACTION IS CONTEMPLATED AGAINST YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. TEXT: NATO OFFICIALS HAVE ADDED THEIR WEIGHT TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION OF SERBIA FOR ITS HEAVY-HANDED TACTICS AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THURSDAY, NATO OFFICIALS CALLED FOR AN END TO VIOLENCE AND AN IMMEDIATE DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS AND BELGRADE. THE NATO STATEMENT FOLLOWS DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS IN BELGRADE BY BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK, WHO RELAYED TO YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC THE EUROPEAN UNION'S CONCERN OVER THE DETERIORATING SITUATION IN KOSOVO. SENIOR NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS WESTERN COUNTRIES HAVE REACTED SWIFTLY TO THE CRISIS. // SHEA ACT //THIS TIME AROUND, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS SWINGING INTO ACTION RATHER QUICKLY AND SENDING A VERY CLEAR MESSAGE TO BELGRADE THAT WE WILL SIMPLY NOT TOLERATE THE VIOLENCE. NOR ARE WE GOING TO TOLERATE THE VIEW THAT THIS IS PURELY AN INTERNAL PROBLEM OF YUGOSLAVIA IN WHICH WE HAVE NO RIGHT TO HAVE A VOICE. // END ACT //MR. SHEA SAYS NATO OFFICIALS ARE MONITORING THE SITUATION HOUR-BY-HOUR -- AND HE SAYS IT IS TOO EARLY TO CONTEMPLATE MILITARY STRIKES. // SECOND SHEA ACT //WE ARE NOT AT THE MOMENT TALKING ABOUT MILITARY ACTION OR A MILITARY INTERVENTION. WE CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE ON (YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN) MILOSEVIC TO INITIATE A DIALOGUE AND STOP THE VIOLENCE CAN WORK. AS YOU KNOW, MILOSEVIC BADLY NEEDS THE LIFTING OF THE SANCTIONS AGAINST HIM. HE BADLY NEEDS WESTERN HELP AND WE HAVE SEEN IN BOSNIA ALREADY THAT DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE ON BELGRADE CAN BRING ABOUT SIGNIFICANT CHANGE. SO FOR THE TIME BEING, THE BALL IS VERY MUCH IN THE DIPLOMATIC CAMP -- BUT NATO IS SEIZED (INTENSELY FOCUSED ON) WITH THE ISSUE. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED AND NATURALLY WE ARE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY TO TRY TO FIND A SOLUTION. // END ACT //AS AN INDICATION OF THE SERIOUSNESS GIVEN TO THE KOSOVO ISSUE, THE SO-CALLED "CONTACT GROUP" WILL MEET IN LONDON MONDAY TO DISCUSS THE DETERIORATING SITUATION -- AND WHAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CAN DO IN RESPONSE. MR. SHEA BELIEVES SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM "CONTACT GROUP" MEMBERS FRANCE, BRITAIN, THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIA, ITALY AND GERMANY WILL REACT STRONGLY. // THIRD SHEA ACT //I AM CERTAIN THAT THEY WILL FIRST OF ALL PRODUCE A VERY CLEAR POLITICAL MESSAGE TO BELGRADE TO IMMEDIATELY CEASE THESE ACTS OF REPRESSION, THE USE OF ARMED FORCE AGAINST PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIMPLY BEEN PEACEFULLY DEMONSTRATING FOR THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS. //OPT// NATURALLY, WE WOULD ALSO -- I AM SURE -- SEE THE "CONTACT GROUP" CONDEMN TERRORISM, BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN PROVOCATIONS (BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS) AS WELL. SO BOTH SIDES HAVE TO RESPECT THE LAWS OF A PEACEFUL DIALOGUE -- THAT IS ESSENTIAL. AND THEN I AM CERTAIN THERE WILL BE SOME MEASURES -- I CAN NOT SPECIFY THEM AT THIS STAGE -- TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS PREPARED TO FOLLOW UP ITS STRONG WORDS WITH STRONG ACTIONS. //END OPT// // END ACT //SENIOR NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS THE RECENT EXAMPLE OF IRAQ
PROVES THAT STRONG WORDS, BACKED BY THE THREAT OF MILITARY FORCE,
CAN BRING RESULTS. AND HE HINTED THAT SUCH A COURSE OF ACTION
COULD ALSO BE USED TO RESOLVE THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
[09] RUSSIA/KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY MICHELE KELEMEN (MOSCOW)DATE=3/6/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227722 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: RUSSIA SAYS IT WILL NOT TOLERATE WHAT IT CALLS THREATS BY WESTERN NATIONS TO INTERFERE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. V-O-A'S MICHELE KELEMEN REPORTS ON THE REACTION FROM MOSCOW. TEXT: IN A STATEMENT ISSUED FRIDAY, RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY SAID IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR WESTERN COUNTRIES TO TALK ABOUT GETTING DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN STOPPING THE UNREST IN THE MAINLY ETHNIC-ALBANIAN PROVINCE. THE STATEMENT ALSO CRITICIZED WESTERN THREATS OF SANCTIONS AGAINST THE SERB-LED YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT. RUSSIA, A TRADITIONAL ALLY OF SERBIA, DENOUNCED WHAT IT CALLS TERRORIST ACTS BY THE K-L-A, THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. SERBIAN AUTHORITIES SAY THEIR ONGOING CRACKDOWN ON VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO IS AIMED AT SUPPRESSING THE K-L-A, WHICH ADVOCATES AN ARMED STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE. WHILE RUSSIA HAS ENCOURAGED BOTH SIDES TO REFRAIN FROM VIOLENCE,
IT SAYS ANY RESOLUTION MUST RECOGNIZE YUGOSLAVIA'S TERRITORIAL
INTEGRITY. A RUSSIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER HEADS TO LONDON FOR
A MEETING ON MONDAY WITH OTHER DIPLOMATS IN HOPES OF FINDING A
WAY TO RESOLVE THE CRISIS. (SIGNED)
[10] U-N / KOSOVO (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)DATE=3/6/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227738 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: SEVERAL HUNDRED ETHNIC ALBANIANS PROTESTED TODAY (FRIDAY) OUTSIDE THE UNITED NATIONS IN NEW YORK AGAINST THE LATEST VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO PROVINCE. V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON SPOKE WITH THE PROTESTERS. TEXT: /// DEMONSTRATORS ACT -- FADE UNDER /// THE DEMONSTRATORS HELD UP BANNERS OBJECTING TO SERBIAN AGGRESSION IN KOSOVO AND DEMANDING AN END TO THE SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENT ALBANIANS. MOST ARE RESIDENTS OF THE NORTHEAST UNITED STATES. MUSA DAKAJ, OF THE DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE OF KOSOVO FOR NEW YORK, HELPED ORGANIZE THE DEMONSTRATION. /// DAKAJ ACT ///WE ARE ASKING THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE UNITED STATES, AS WELL, TO STOP THE GENOCIDE THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE LAST WEEKEND. A LOT OF INNOCENT PEOPLE GOT KILLED AND BUTCHERED. A LOT OF OUR SISTERS AND WIVES AND MOTHERS GOT RAPED. /// END ACT ///THE PROTEST TOOK PLACE AS HEAVILY ARMED SERBIAN POLICE CONTINUED WITH OPERATIONS AGAINST ETHNIC-ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS IN KOSOVO PROVINCE. AT LEAST 50 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE REGION OVER THE PAST WEEK. U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE HAS INFORMALLY RAISED THE ISSUE OF VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL AND THAT FORMAL TALKS ON IT WILL TAKE PLACE SOON. /// ANNAN ACT ///THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT HAS FORMALLY REQUESTED THE SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSS THE ISSUE SO I WILL BE CONSULTING WITH THEM TO MAKE A JUDGMENT AS TO WHAT THE U-N SHOULD DO. /// END ACT ///MR. ANNAN SAYS HE HAS BEEN WORRIED ABOUT THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO
FOR SOME TIME. (SIGNED)
[11] U-S/BOSNIA FORCE BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=3/6/98TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-39184 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IT WAS CONFIRMED WITH LITTLE FANFARE THIS WEEK THAT THERE WILL BE NO REDUCTION IN THE SIZE OF THE NATO-LED FORCE IN BOSNIA AT THE END OF JUNE, WHICH WAS ONCE PROJECTED AS A WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE FOR THE 31-THOUSAND-MEMBER CONTINGENT. AS VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, THE DECISION REFLECTS A HIGH DEGREE OF U-S AND ALLIED CONCERN ABOUT INSTABILITY IN THE BALKANS. TEXT: IT HAD BEEN KNOWN SINCE DECEMBER THAT NATO'S STABILIZATION FORCE WOULD BE STAYING ON IN BOSNIA BEYOND THE JUNE 30TH EXPIRATION OF ITS ORGINAL MANDATE. BUT THE FACT THAT THERE WILL BE NO REDUCTION IN ITS TROOP STRENGTH OF ABOUT 31-THOUSAND IS A SURPRISE AND UNDERSCORES HOW WORRIED U-S AND ALLIED OFFICIALS ARE ABOUT THE BALKANS, INCLUDING THE NEW FLASH OF ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. FORMAL WORD OF THE DECISION CAME IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT TO CONGRESS BY PRESIDENT CLINTON LATE WEDNESDAY. HE SAID BOSNIA CONTINUES TO BE QUOTE "A FUSE IN A REGIONAL POWER KEG," AND WHILE THE PROGRESS TOWARD REBUILDING A STABLE SOCIETY THERE HAS BEEN TANGIBLE, MANY OF THE GAINS ARE REVERSIBLE AND A "ROBUST" INTERNATIONAL MILITARY PRESENCE IS STILL NEEDED. MR. CLINTON DID SAY THE U-S CONTINGENT IN THE STABILIZATION FORCE NOW ABOUT EIGHT THOUSAND TROOPS -- WILL BE TRIMMED BY ABOUT 20 PER CENT WITH ALLIES MAKING CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MILITARY JOINT CHIEFS, ARMY GENERAL HUGH SHELTON, STRESSED THAT POINT IN SENATE HEARINGS FRIDAY AS HE DEFENDED AN ADMINISTRATION REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR BOSNIAN OPERATIONS: ///SHELTON ACTUALITY///IT IS CLEAR THAT THE U-S CONTRIBUTION CAN BE SMALLER, WHILE STILL REFLECTING THE KEY ROLE THAT WE PLAY IN NATO, AND S-FOR, THOUGH THE EUROPEAN NATIONS WILL SHOULDER INCREASED RESPONSIBILITIES. LET ME ASSURE YOU THAT FORCE PROTECTION REMAINS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. THE U-S CONTINGENT WILL BE STRONG ENOUGH TO DEFEND ITSELF AGAINST ALL THREATS THAT IT IS LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER IN BOSNIA. ///END ACT///ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ARE LEAVING OPEN THE POSSIBILITY THAT DEEPER REDUCTIONS IN THE BOSNIAN PEACE FORCE MIGHT BE POSSIBLE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, ESPECIALLY IF ELECTIONS THERE SET FOR SEPTEMBER, DO NOT LEAD, AS SOME ANALYSTS FEAR, TO RENEWED ETHNIC VIOLENCE. BUT CONGRESSIONAL CRITICS OF BOTH PARTIES SAY THE DECISION ONLY HEIGHTENS THEIR CONCERNS THAT U-S FORCES -- WHO WILL STILL BE THE BACKBONE OF S-FOR -- ARE BECOMING MIRED IN BOSNIA. DEMOCRATIC SENATOR ROBERT BYRD TOLD GENERAL SHELTON AT THE HEARING, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN LESS THAN CANDID SINCE THE OPERATION BEGAN ABOUT HOW LONG AMERICAN TROOPS MIGHT HAVE TO REMAIN THERE: ///BYRD ACTUALITY///WE WERE TOLD LAST YEAR THAT OUR FORCES WOULD BE IN BOSNIA FOR ROUGHLY A YEAR. TO PUT IT CHARITABLY, THE ADMINISTRATION WAS BEING VERY DISINGENUOUS. I BELIEVE THAT THE TERMS OF U-S INVOLVEMENT ARE TURNING INTO A PERMANENT FORCE WITH NO PRESSURE TO GET OUT. THAT THE MISSION IS SLIDING TOWARD NATION-BUILDING. THAT THE EUROPEANS ARE NOT UNDER ANY PRESSURE, OR VERY LITTLE AT BEST, TO REPLACE OUR COMBAT FORCES ON THE GROUND. ///END ACTUALITY///MR. BYRD'S REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUE, SENATOR BEN NIGHTHORSE CAMPBELL OF COLORADO, SAID IT IS UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT ANY EARLY RESOLUTION OF THE BALKANS DISPUTES WHICH DATE BACK CENTURIES: ///CAMBELL ACTUALITY///AS I LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF THAT COUNTRY, I KNOW WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME INVOLVEMENT. BUT, I THINK THERE'S ONLY BEEN TWO TIMES THEY'VE BEEN AT PEACE IN THE LAST 400 YEARS. ONE WAS UNDER TITO AND ONCE UNDER HITLER. AND I'M CONVINCED THAT THE END OF THEIR STRIFE IS NOT YET IN SIGHT. ///END ACT///THE TWO SENATORS' MISGIVINGS ASIDE, OFFICIALS HERE SAY THEY EXPECT THE ADMINISTRATION TO BE ABLE TO TURN BACK ANY CONGRESSIONAL EFFORT TO IMPOSE A DEADLINE ON U-S INVOLVEMENT OR BLOCK THE MORE THAN TWO BILLION DOLLARS IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR BOSNIA THE WHITE HOUSE WANTS FOR THE REST OF THIS YEAR AND IN 1999. THEY SAY THERE IS BROAD SUPPORT FOR THE CLINTON POLICY, AS
EVIDENCED BY THE LARGE BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION,
INCLUDING 1996 REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BOB DOLE, THAT
ACCOMPANIED THE PRESIDENT TO BOSNIA IN LATE DECEMBER. (SIGNED)
[12] U-S/KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=3/6/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-227741 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION FRIDAY RENEWED ITS CALL ON THE PARTIES TO THE UNREST IN KOSOVO TO AVOID FURTHER BLOODSHED. U-S DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS ON KOSOVO ARE BEING STEPPED UP. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. TEXT: WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS THE UNITED STATES STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE VIOLENCE IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE AND IS URGING BOTH SERBIAN AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN ELEMENTS IN THE REGION TO TRY TO NEGOTIATE THEIR DIFFERENCES PEACEFULLY. HE ALSO MADE CLEAR THE ADMINISTRATION LOOKS TO SERBIAN LEADER SLOBODON MILOSEVIC TO USE HIS CONSIDERABLE INFLUENCE TO TRY TO END THE FLARE-UP OF VIOLENCE: ///MCCURRY ACTUALITY///WE HAVE HAD VERY HIGH-LEVEL CONTACT WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, SERBIA PROPER, TO ENCOURAGE PRESIDENT MILSEVIC TO RECOGNIZE HIS OBLIGATIONS AND HIS RESPOBSIBILITIES AT A TIME OF TENSION. ///END ACT///THE SPOKESMAN SAID SECRETARY OF STATE MADALEINE ALBRIGHT WILL
ATTEND A MEETING OF THE BIG-POWER CONTACT GROUP ON THE BALKANS IN
LONDON MONDAY. HE SAID HE EXPECTS SENIOR ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD TO
GO TO BELGRADE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT TO TAKE UP U-S CONCERNS
DIRECTLY WITH TOP OFFICIALS OF THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)
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