Voice of America, 98-03-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIAN REFUGEES / GERMANY (L/S VER) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[02] CHINA/ KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY ROGER WILKISON (BEIJING)

[03] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: INTL RESPONSE TO VIOLENCE IN BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

[04] CYPRUS TALKS (L-ONLY) BY CHRIS DRAKE (NICOSIA)

[05] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

[06] FRANCE ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[07] GERMANY'S CHANCELLOR GETS A TOUGH, NEW OPPONENT BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[08] KOSOVO / AID AGENCIES (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[09] KOSOVO / GELBARD (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

[10] KOSOVO OVERNIGHT UPDATE (S) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

[11] KOSOVO/ RICHARDSON (L-O) BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (UNITED NATIONS)

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

[13] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[14] U-S / KOSOVO WARNING (L-ONLY) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

[01] ALBANIAN REFUGEES / GERMANY (L/S VER) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: FOUR OF GERMANY'S 16 STATES HAVE ANNOUNCED THEY HAVE STOPPED DEPORTING ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES WHO HAVE ARRIVED FROM THE TROUBLED YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. FROM BONN, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: ALTHOUGH GERMANY'S FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS THERE IS NO REASON TO HALT THE DEPORTATION OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS, FOUR STATES CONTROLLED BY THE OPPOSITION "SOCIAL DEMOCRATS" (POLITICAL PARTY) SAY THEY ARE SUSPENDING THE EXPULSIONS.

UNDER GERMANY'S CONSTITUTION, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SETS IMMIGRATION POLICY, BUT THE STATES HAVE THE POWER TO SUSPEND DEPORTATIONS FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS.

GERMANY IS NOW HOME TO ABOUT 140-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES. MOST FLED THE SERB-CONTROLLED PROVINCE OF KOSOVO IN THE EARLY 1990'S WHEN WAR BROKE OUT IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA.

SINCE THE FIGHTING STOPPED, GERMANY'S CASH-STRAPPED STATES HAVE BEEN SLOWLY FORCING REFUGEES TO GO HOME. SINCE THE DEPORTATIONS BEGAN, OFFICIALS SAY HUNDREDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAVE BEEN SENT BACK.

GERMAN INTERIOR MINISTER MANFRED KANTHER SAYS OFFICIALS WILL BE MONITORING THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO AND MAY CHANGE THEIR POLICY IN THE COMING DAYS. BUT THE SURGE OF VIOLENCE IN THE PROVINCE HAS RAISED FEARS OF A NEW WAVE OF REFUGEES. IN BONN, THE LEADER OF THE ALBANIAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF KOSOVO, MARK KRASNIQI, SAYS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE UNREST IS TO SEND INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING TROOPS INTO THE PROVINCE.

SPEAKING ON GERMAN RADIO, DONICA GERVALLA SAID KOSOVO ALBANIANS HAD ALREADY DECLARED INDEPENDENCE AND WILL ONLY SIT AT A NEGOTIATING TABLE IF THERE ARE NO PRECONDITIONS.

WESTERN POLITICAL LEADERS, FEARFUL OF A NEW CONFLICT IN THE REGION, HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR A RESTORATION OF FULL AUTONOMY IN KOSOVO, WHICH WAS SUSPENDED BY SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN 1989. (SIGNED)
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10-Mar-98 11:06 AM EST (1606 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CHINA/ KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY ROGER WILKISON (BEIJING)

INTRO: CHINA SAYS THE SITUATION IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE IS AN INTERNAL AFFAIR OF THAT COUNTRY AND SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT UP BEFORE THE UNITED NATIONS, UNLESS BELGRADE REQUESTS IT. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ROGER WILKISON REPORTS THAT CHINA'S INSISTENCE ON NON-INTERVENTION REFLECTS ITS FEARS OF FOREIGN MEDDLING IN ITS OWN AFFAIRS.

TEXT: CHINA DOES NOT AGREE WITH THE WESTERN NATIONS THAT IMPOSED SANCTIONS ON YUGOSLAVIA AND DEMANDED THAT IT END A CRACKDOWN ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. CHINA, WHICH, AS A PERMANENT MEMBER OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL, HAS BEGUN FLEXING ITS DIPLOMATIC MUSCLE IN WORLD AFFAIRS, DID NOT WASTE TIME IN CRITICIZING THE WESTERN MOVE. FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ZHU BANGZAO -- SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER --EXPRESSED BEIJING'S OPPOSITION TUESDAY TO ANY INTERVENTION IN YUGOSLAVIA'S AFFAIRS.

THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HOLDS THAT THE SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF YUGOSLAVIA AS A SOVEREIGN STATE SHALL BE RESPECTED. CHINA HOLDS THAT THE QUESTION OF KOSOVO IS AN INTERNAL AFFAIR OF YUGOSLAVIA WHICH SHOULD BE PROPERLY ADDRESSED BY THE COMPETENT SIDES OF YUGOSLAVIA.

MR. ZHU ALSO SAID CHINA DOES NOT BELIEVE THE KOSOVO MATTER SHOULD BE DISCUSSED AT THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL UNLESS BELGRADE REQUESTS IT.

WITH NO REQUEST MADE BY YUGOSLAVIA, IT IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TO INTERVENE IN A MATTER WHICH BELONGS TO THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF A COUNTRY.

YUGOSLAVIA'S DOMINANT SERBS SAY THEY ARE TRYING TO PREVENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN ATTEMPTS TO SEPARATE KOSOVO FROM YUGOSLAVIA. CHINA, WHICH HAS ITS OWN PROBLEMS WITH SEPARATIST SENTIMENT IN ITS OUTLYING REGIONS OF TIBET AND XINJIANG, CAN EMPATHIZE WITH BELGRADE'S POSITION. IN RECENT WEEKS, CHINA USED THE SOVEREIGNTY ARGUMENT TO OPPOSE THE USE OF FORCE AGAINST IRAQ -- DESPITE SUSPICIONS THAT BAGHDAD WAS CONCEALING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION FROM U-N ARMS INSPECTORS.

DIPLOMATS IN BEIJING SAY CHINA STILL WORRIES ABOUT WESTERN INTERVENTION IN ITS OWN INTERNAL AFFAIRS. CHINA ACCUSES THE UNITED STATES OF INTERFERENCE EVERY TIME WASHINGTON CRITICIZES BEIJING'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD. THE DIPLOMATS SAY CHINA SEES THE SOVEREIGNTY OF IRAQ OR YUGOSLAVIA AS BEING COMPATIBLE WITH WHAT BEIJING FEELS IS ITS SOVEREIGN RIGHT TO HANDLE ITS OWN AFFAIRS.

IN THE SAME WAY, THE DIPLOMATS SAY, CHINA FEARS THAT INTERNATIONAL ACTION IN IRAQ OR YUGOSLAVIA MAY SET A PRECEDENT FOR U-S INTERVENTION IN THE TAIWAN STRAIT. CHINA REGARDS TAIWAN AS A RENEGADE PROVINCE AND HAS REFUSED TO RULE OUT THE USE OF FORCE TO BRING THE ISLAND UNDER ITS SWAY. MOST DIPLOMATS BELIEVE SUCH A MOVE WOULD BE RESISTED BY THE UNITED STATES. (SIGNED)
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10-Mar-98 5:18 AM EST (1018 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: INTL RESPONSE TO VIOLENCE IN BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS RESPONDED TO THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT'S BLOODY CRACKDOWN ON THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO DURING THE PAST WEEK BY CONDEMNING THE VIOLENCE. ON MONDAY [3/9/98], A "CONTACT GROUP" OF SENIOR FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS FROM BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, THE UNITED STATES, AND RUSSIA MET IN LONDON, BUT WAS DIVIDED OVER WHAT SANCTIONS TO IMPOSE IMMEDIATELY. ALL SIX PARTICIPANTS AGREED TO ASK THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL FOR AN ARMS EMBARGO ON YUGOSLAVIA AND TO PROHIBIT THE SENDING OF SO-CALLED "REPRESSIVE EQUIPMENT" THAT COULD BE USED AGAINST CIVILIANS BY SECURITY FORCES. BUT, RUSSIA DID NOT ACCEPT TWO OTHER SANCTIONS -- DENYING TRAVEL VISAS TO SENIOR YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS AND A MORATORIUM ON EXPORT CREDITS TO HELP THE

TEXT: BALKAN ANALYST OBRAD KESIC [OH-BRED KES-ICH] OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND EXCHANGES BOARD DESCRIBES THE RELATIVELY MILD RESPONSE OF THE CONTACT GROUP ON KOSOVO AS "PRETTY MUCH WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN EXPECTED."

TAPE: CUT ONE -- KESIC (0:52) "REALLY, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS KIND OF HAMSTRUNG [CRIPPLED] IN TERMS OF WHAT IT CAN DO BECAUSE, TO A LARGE DEGREE, WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THE RESULT OF ITS POLICIES IN RELATION TO BELGRADE AND SPECIFICALLY TO [YUGOLAV PRESIDENT] SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. AND IT'S CREATED KIND OF A LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH [PRESIDENT] MILOSEVIC TO THE POINT WHERE THERE'S A MUTUAL DEPENDENCY. HE'S DEPENDENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF REMAINING IN POWER. [MR.] MILOSEVIC HAS BENEFITED WITHIN HIS OWN POLITICAL CONTEXT IN SERBIA BECAUSE HE'S BEEN ABLE TO SHOW THAT HE IS THE STRONG MAN, HE STANDS UP TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, AND THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS ONLY WILLING TO CUT A DEAL WITH HIM. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS COME TO RELY ON HIM TO DELIVER THE GOODS, WHEN IT COMES TO BOSNIA IN PARTICULAR. I THINK THAT WILL EXPLAIN TO A LARGE DEGREE WHY [PRESIDENT] MILOSEVIC THOUGHT THAT THE TIMING WAS OPPORTUNE FOR HIM TO TRY TO CRUSH THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY."

TEXT: [OPT] SERB-LED SECURITY FORCES SWEPT THROUGH KOSOVO LAST WEEK, KILLING MORE THAN 60 PEOPLE. SERB AUTHORITIES TARGETED ALLEGED TERRORISTS AFTER A CLANDESTINE GROUP CALLED THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR ATTACKS ON SERBIAN POLICE. [END OPT] MR. KESIC SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS LIMITED IN ITS OPTIONS SO LONG AS IT IS UNWILLING TO "PAY THE PRICE" FOR PUTTING GREATER PRESSURE ON MR. MILOSEVIC.

TAPE: CUT TWO -- KESIC (0:28) "ONE IS THAT THE UNITED STATES DEFINITELY DOES NOT WANT TO BREAK UP THE COALITION THAT EXISTS WITHIN THE CONTACT GROUP AND THE NEAR CONCENSUS THAT HAS EXISTED OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS SINCE THE SIGNING OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. SECOND, THE U-S IS LIMITED BY THE FACT THAT THIS GOVERNMENT THAT'S CURRENTLY IN THE SERB REPUBLIC, THE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA, IS TO A LARGE DEGREE THE RESULT OF MANIPULATION AND OF INTRIGUE THAT MR. MILOSEVIC ENGINEERED IN ORDER TO PULL SOME CONCESSIONS FROM THE WEST."

TEXT: MR. KESIC SAYS THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT HAS IN EFFECT BEEN WILLING TO TRADE SERBIA'S ORIGINAL TERRITORIAL CLAIMS IN BOSNIA FOR RETAINING POLITICAL POWER IN KOSOVO, REGARDED BY SERBS AS THE CRADLE OF THEIR CULTURE. FORMER U.S. DIPLOMAT JIM HOOPER, DIRECTOR OF THE BALKAN INSTITUTE IN WASHINGTON, D-C, SAYS SERBIA HAS ALREADY EMBARKED ON A CAMPAIGN OF ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO. AND, FURTHERMORE, HE BELIEVES, THE RESPONSE OF THE SIX-MEMBER CONTACT GROUP IN LONDON IS REMINISCENT OF THE LACK OF RESOLVE BY WESTERN GOVERNMENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR IN BOSNIA.

TAPE: CUT THREE -- HOOPER (0:44) "WHAT WE SAW LAST WEEKEND WAS A MICROCOSM OF GENOCIDE PAST IN BOSNIA AND GENOCIDE AND ETHNIC CLEANSING YET TO COME IN KOSOVO. I THINK THE MEASURES WERE COMPLETELY INADEQUATE TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION THAT WE FACE IN KOSOVO. WHAT THEY AMOUNT TO IS TOUGH RHETORIC MASKING WEAK MEASURES AND WESTERN INACTION. THE CONTACT GROUP'S DECISIONS ARE TANTAMOUNT TO A GREEN LIGHT FOR [PRESIDENT] MILOSEVIC TO MOVE AHEAD WITH A GENOCIDAL CONFLICT OF ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO AT A TIME OF HIS OWN CHOOSING. THE ONLY THING THAT WILL STOP HIM WOULD BE THE CREDIBLE THREAT OF THE USE OF FORCE BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES."

TEXT: MR. HOOPER SAYS HE BELIEVES THE DECISIONS OF THE CONTACT GROUP ON KOSOVO AT THEIR LONDON MEETING WILL BE "IRRELEVANT" INSOFAR AS PRESSURING MR. MILOSEVIC TO RESOLVE THE CONFLICT PEACEFULLY.

TAPE: CUT FOUR -- HOOPER (1:06) "IT'S WHAT THE UNITED STATES DOES THAT'S CRUCIAL AND WHAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES DOES. FIRST, HE SHOULD PERSONALLY REVALIDATE THE CHRISTMAS WARNING FIRST MADE BY PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH IN DECEMBER 1992, WARNING [MR.] MILOSEVIC THAT A VIOLENT CRACKDOWN IN KOSOVO WOULD LEAD TO A UNITED STATES MILITARY RESPONSE AND MILITARY INTERVENTION. SECOND, WE SHOULD MAKE CLEAR THAT WE WANT TO SEND A CONFLICT PREVENTION FORCE, SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN MACEDONIA, ESTABLISH THAT IN KOSOVO IMMEDIATELY, NOW THAT WE HAVE THIS PAUSE. THIRD, I THINK NATO SHOULD WARN THAT THEY WILL ESTABLISH A NO-FLY ZONE IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT THE SERBS FROM USING HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS IN THEIR ETHNIC CLEANSING. I THINK THE PRESIDENT ALSO NEEDS TO APPOINT A PRESIDENTIAL ENVOY, AN AMERICAN OF RECOGNIZED STATURE, WHO CAN GO OUT AND RESOLVE THE KOSOVO SITUATION. AND I WOULD ADD TO THIS THAT THE WEST NEEDS TO WARN MILOSEVIC THAT WAR CRIMES COMMITTED IN KOSOVO WILL BE DEALT BY THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE."

TEXT: THE CRITICAL FACTOR, ACCORDING TO MR. HOOPER, IS POSING A "CREDIBLE THREAT" THAT THE UNITED STATES IS PREPARED TO USE FORCE TO PREVENT ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO.

TAPE: CUT FIVE -- HOOPER (0:50) "I THINK THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON COULD DO THIS BY FOCUSING ON U.S. INTERESTS AND ON THE STAKES IN KOSOVO. AND THE STAKES, IT SEEMS TO ME, ARE THAT, FIRST, THE UNITED STATES HAS AN INTEREST IN PREVENTING GENOCIDAL CONFLICT IN EUROPE AND IN PREVENTING THE SPILLOVER FROM SUCH A CONFLICT TO OTHER COUNTRIES THAT COULD LEAD TO A BROADER WAR. THE UNITED STATES WANTS TO SUSTAIN THE VIABILITY AND CREDIBILITY OF NATO, AND ALSO THE UNITED STATES NEEDS TO MAINTAIN THE BELIEF IN THE POWER, PURPOSE, AND RESOLVE OF AMERICAN LEADERS TO DEAL WITH THE TOUGHEST PROBLEMS OF POST-COLD WAR EUROPE. SO, I BELIEVE, IF THE PRESIDENT COMMITTED HIMSELF TO DO THIS, HE WOULD FIND THE CONGRESS AND THE COUNTRY BEHIND HIM. BUT, IT IS SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S CALCULATION THAT THE PRESIDENT WILL NEITHER TRY NOR SUCCEED IN DOING THIS."

TEXT: JIM HOOPER OF THE BALKAN INSTITUTE IN WASHINGTON, D-C, SAYS BALKAN ANALYSTS HAVE BEEN WARNING FOR YEARS THAT CONFLICT IN KOSOVO COULD SPILL OVER INTO NEIGHBORING STATES -- ALBANIA, MACEDONIA, BULGARIA, AND ULTIMATELY, PERHAPS, TO GREECE AND TURKEY. AND, HE SAYS, THE EXAMPLE OF MACEDONIA, WHERE THE UNITED NATIONS STATIONED A SMALL CONFLICT PREVENTION FORCE TO KEEP THE WAR IN BOSNIA FROM SPREADING, IS THE "BEST MODEL" TO DATE OF A SOLUTION "THAT WORKS."
10-Mar-98 2:50 PM EST (1950 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CYPRUS TALKS (L-ONLY) BY CHRIS DRAKE (NICOSIA)

INTRO: INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO REUNITE THE DIVIDED MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND OF CYPRUS ARE GATHERING PACE WITH A VISIT TO THE REGION BY THOMAS MILLER, THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIAL COORDINATOR FOR CYPRUS. HE TRAVELS TO GREECE AND TURKEY FOR TALKS WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS THERE, AFTER COMPLETING A TWO-DAY VISIT TO THE ISLAND TO SPEAK WITH LEADERS OF THE GREEK AND TURKISH COMMUNITIES. BEFORE LEAVING CYPRUS, HE TALKED WITH REPORTERS IN NICOSIA. CHRIS DRAKE HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE SITUATION HERE HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, WITH THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS NOW DEMANDING THEY BE RECOGNIZED AS HAVING A SEPARATE STATE IN THE NORTH OF THE ISLAND.

THIS MEANS THEY NO LONGER WANT TO DISCUSS REUNIFICATION ON THE BASIS OF TWO COMMUNITIES, BUT AS TWO STATES.

THAT'S QUITE UNACCEPTABLE TO THE GREEK CYPRIOTS -- WHO RUN THE INTERNATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED GOVERNMENT IN THE SOUTH -- BECAUSE IT WOULD BE TANTAMOUNT TO REWARDING TURKEY FOR ITS INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF THE NORTH BACK IN 1974.

BUT THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS, SUPPORTED BY TURKEY, REMAIN ADAMANT -- AND MR. MILLER ADMITTED THIS MADE HIS TASK, AND THAT OF OTHER FOREIGN MEDIATORS, MUCH MORE DIFFICULT. EVEN SO, HE INSISTED A SOLUTION IS STILL FEASIBLE -- PROVIDED BOTH COMMUNITIES FACED THE FACTS.

IF THERE IS TO BE A SOLUTION TO THE CYPRUS PROBLEM, WHAT IS NEEDED IS CREATIVITY AND FLEXIBILITY ON THE PART OF BOTH SIDES AND THIS IS SOMETHING, THIS IS ONE OF THE MESSAGES I BRING.

MANY YEARS OF MEDIATION HAVE SHOWN LITTLE INTEREST IN EITHER CREATIVITY OR FLEXIBILITY, AND MR. MILLER AGREED THAT THE RESPECTIVE MOTHERLANDS HAVE A VITAL PART TO PLAY IN CHANGING THAT SITUATION.

THE AMERICAN ROLE IN TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM HAS TAKEN ON ADDED IMPORTANCE, NOW THAT CYPRUS -- IN EFFECT, MEANING THE GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION -- IS ABOUT TO START FORMAL TALKS ON JOINING THE EUROPEAN UNION.

BUT TURKEY'S REQUEST TO DO THE SAME HAS BEEN REFUSED. NOW, THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS SAY THEY'LL HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION, AND ARE REFUSING TO MEET ANY OF ITS REPRESENTATIVES. (SIGNED)
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10-Mar-98 10:29 AM EST (1529 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE MIXED IN TRADING TUESDAY IN EUROPE. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: EUROPEAN MARKETS WERE MIXED IN TUESDAY'S TRADING, WITH TWO MAJOR EXCHANGES SETTING NEW RECORDS, BUT PRICES WERE DOWN IN ANOTHER.

THE MARKET SET A NEW RECORD CLOSING HIGH IN LONDON. THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX WAS UP 10 POINTS, ALMOST TWO-TENTHS PERCENT.

THE FRANKFURT MARKET ALSO SET A NEW RECORD HIGH. THE DAX-30 INDEX ENDED THE FLOOR-TRADING DAY UP ALMOST 54 POINTS, MORE THAN ONE-AND-ONE-TENTH PERCENT.

BUT PRICES WERE DOWN IN PARIS. THE CAC-40 INDEX CLOSED OFF MORE THAN FOUR POINTS, JUST OVER ONE-TENTH PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR ROSE A BIT AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, BUT IT WAS DOWN AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN AND THE BRITISH POUND.
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10-Mar-98 1:41 PM EST (1841 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] FRANCE ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: AMID VOTER APATHY, FRANCE IS PREPARING FOR REGIONAL AND LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS THIS COMING SUNDAY. OPINION POLLS INDICATE THE LEFT-WING GOVERNMENT COALITION IS EXPECTED TO MAKE BIG GAINS ... AND THE EXTREME-RIGHT "NATIONAL FRONT" TAKING ITS BEST SHOWING EVER. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: ALTHOUGH SOME 50 PERCENT OF THE FRENCH SAY THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN SUNDAY'S ELECTIONS TO FRANCE'S 22 REGIONAL COUNCILS, THE RESULTS COULD WELL SEND FAR-REACHING SHOCKWAVES THROUGH THE COUNTRY'S POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT.

ACCORDING TO OPINION POLLS, THE LEFT-WING COALITION OF SOCIALISTS, COMMUNISTS AND ECOLOGISTS CAN EXPECT TO TAKE A COMMANDING 40 PERCENT OF THE VOTE -- SOME FIVE OR SIX POINTS AHEAD OF THE CONSERVATIVE OPPOSITION PARTIES THAT CURRENTLY CONTROL ALL BUT TWO OF THE COUNCILS.

BUT THE BIG QUESTION HANGS OVER HOW MANY VOTES THE EXTREME-RIGHT, ANTI-IMMIGRATION "NATIONAL FRONT" PARTY OF JEAN-MARIE LE PEN WILL TAKE.

IN THE PAST, VOTER APATHY HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO THE ADVANTAGE OF THE NATIONAL FRONT, AND THE PARTY COULD WELL TAKE ITS BIGGEST SCORE EVER. THE POLLS, WHICH TRADITIONALLY UNDERESTIMATE THE EXTREME RIGHT'S STRENGTH, GIVE THE NATIONAL FRONT BETWEEN 14 AND 16 PERCENT OF THE VOTE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

GIVEN THAT THE ELECTIONS TO THE REGIONAL COUNCILS ARE BY PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION, THIS SHOULD GUARANTEE THE FRONT A GOOD NUMBER OF COUNCIL SEATS. ITS PREVIOUS RECORD IN A NATIONAL VOTE WAS 15 PERCENT.

AT THE SAME TIME AS THE ONE-ROUND-ONLY REGIONAL ELECTIONS ARE HELD, THERE WILL BE THE FIRST OF TWO ROUNDS OF VOTING IN LOCAL ELECTIONS. ALREADY, SOME PROMINENT CONSERVATIVE POLITICIANS IN SOME AREAS SAY THEY ARE READY TO STRIKE DEALS WITH THE NATIONAL FRONT FOR THE SECOND AND FINAL ROUND HELD A WEEK LATER.

THE CONSERVATIVE PARTIES' HEADQUARTERS IN PARIS ARE THREATENING SOME OF THESE POLITICIANS WITH EXPULSION, IF THEY MAKE ALLIANCES WITH THE FAR RIGHT. THAT, COMBINED WITH WHAT COULD BE VERY TENSE ELECTIONS FOR THE PRESIDENCIES OF THE REGIONAL COUNCILS -- AS THE SAME PRESSURES WILL APPLY IN THOSE REGIONS WHERE THE CONSERVATIVES HAVE A CHANCE OF TAKING A MAJORITY -- MEANS AFTER A DULL AND UNINSPIRING CAMPAIGN, FRANCE WILL FIND ITSELF PLUNGED INTO INTENSE POLITICAL INFIGHTING FOR ALL OF NEXT WEEK.

AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, THE SOCIALIST-LED GOVERNMENT COALITION IS WARNING THE CONSERVATIVES AGAINST ANY TEMPTATION TO STRIKE BARGAINS WITH MR. LE PEN. A MAJORITY OF CONSERVATIVE VOTERS ALSO SAY THEY WOULD DISAPPROVE OF SUCH TACTICS.

THE CONSERVATIVES CHARGE THAT THIS IS NOTHING LESS THAN A STRATEGY BY THE SOCIALISTS TO HOLD ON TO POWER BY CLAIMING THAT THEY ARE THE ONLY DEMOCRATIC ALTERNATIVE TO A RIGHT-WING THAT IS BECOMING BEHOLDEN TO THE NATIONAL FRONT. (SIGNED)
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10-Mar-98 4:55 AM EST (0955 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] GERMANY'S CHANCELLOR GETS A TOUGH, NEW OPPONENT BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: VOTERS IN GERMANY'S STATE OF LOWER SAXONY HAVE RE-ELECTED THEIR POPULAR GOVERNOR GERHARD SCHROEDER TO ANOTHER TERM AND, THEREBY, CREATED A MAJOR CHALLENGE FOR THE NATION'S VETERAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL. GOVERNOR SCHROEDER, A YOUNG AND TELEGENIC POLITICIAN FROM THE OPPOSITION SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY, SPD, IS NOW THE PRINCIPAL CHALLENGER TO MR. KOHL'S BID FOR ONE LAST TERM IN OFFICE. IF MR. KOHL WINS RE-ELECTION, HE WOULD BECOME GERMANY'S LONGEST-SERVING CHANCELLOR SINCE OTTO VON BISMARCK.

FOR AN IDEA OF HOW THE U-S PRESS VIEWS THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN GERMAN POLITICS, WE WELCOME _______________________ WHO JOINS US NOW WITH AN EDITORIAL SAMPLING IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: GERHARD SCHROEDER WON REELECTION TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IN LOWER SAXONY MARCH FIRST BY 48 PERCENT OF THE VOTE, FOUR PERCENTAGE POINTS HIGHER THAN IN THE LAST STATE ELECTION, IN 1994. HE EASILY DEFEATED HIS CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION (DCU) OPPONENT, AND THEREBY BECAME THE S-P-D'S FRONT-RUNNER IN THE RACE TO UNSEAT MR. KOHL IN THIS YEAR'S FEDERAL PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION.

SOME POLITICAL OBSERVERS IN GERMANY VIEW MR. SCHROEDER AS THE GERMAN COUNTERPART TO THIS COUNTRY'S "NEW" DEMOCRAT BILL CLINTON, ORBRITAIN'S "NEW LABOR" PARTY PRIME MINISTER, TONY BLAIR, BECAUSE HE HAS STEERED AWAY FROM SOME OF THE S-P-D'S TRADITIONALLY LEFTIST POSITIONS ON SOME ISSUES.

MANY IN THE U-S PRESS ARE VIEWING MR. SCHROEDER'S CHALLENGE AS PERHAPS THE 67-YEAR-OLD MR. KOHL'S TOUGHEST YET IN A VERY LONG AND, AT TIMES, HARD FOUGHT POLITICAL CAREER. WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING IN NEW ENGLAND, WHERE RHODE ISLAND'S "PROVIDENCE JOURNAL-BULLETIN" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: MANY OBSERVERS BELIEVE .... MR. SCHROEDER IS CLEARLY ON HIS WAY TO THE TOP. BUT TO GET THERE, HE AND THE S-P-D WILL HAVE TO DO SOMETHING THEY'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH: DEFEAT THE C-D-U'S HELMUT KOHL. THIS WILL NOT BE AN EASY TASK. MR. KOHL .... IS THE INCUMBENT CHANCELLOR, WITH ALL THAT MEANS IN TERMS OF EXPERIENCE, STATUS, PATRONAGE AND THE ABILITY TO SHAPE (ALTHOUGH BY NO MEANS TO CONTROL) EVENTS. FURTHERMORE, ALTHOUGH THE TALL AND PORTLY MR. KOHL HAS NONE OF MR. SCHROEDER'S PERSONAL CHARISMA, HE HAS AMPLE SUPPLIES OF SHREWDNESS. HE HAS DEFEATED HIS S-P-D OPPONENTS IN FOUR STRAIGHT NATIONAL ELECTIONS SINCE 1982. HE HAS HELD GERMANY'S POST CHANCELLORSHIP FOR MORE YEARS THAN ANYONE ELSE, AND IS BY FAR THE WEST'S LONGEST-SERVING MAJOR ELECTED STATESMAN. ALL IN ALL, THEN, IT'S TOO EARLY TO ASSUME THAT MR. SCHROEDER WAS CORRECT IN DECLARING AFTER SUNDAY'S [3/1] ELECTION, 'THE KOHL ERA IS OVER.'

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" WONDERS WHETHER AS THE SAYING GOES, THE LEOPARD CAN REALLY CHANGE ITS SPOTS, NOTING THAT UNTIL FAIRLY RECENTLY, MR. SCHROEDER COULD BE FOUND "HUDDLED WITH HIS COMRADES IN THE S-P-D'S LEFT WING." SO SAYING, "THE TIMES" GOES ON TO CHALLENGE HIS CREDENTIALS AS A "PRO-BUSINESS CANDIDATE" IN THE COMING NATIONWIDE ELECTION.

VOICE: INDEED, MR. SCHROEDER WAS A SELF-PROCLAIMED MARXIST. AMAZING. EVEN [FORMER SOVIET PREMIER LEONID] BREZHNEV AND HIS POLITBURO CRONIES DIDN'T BELIEVE THE MARXIST DRIVEL THAT SO ENAMORED THE THEN 33-YEAR-OLD MR. SCHROEDER AS THE LEADER OF THE YOUNG SOCIALISTS. ..... NOW MR. SCHROEDER'S PACKAGERS ARE LABELING HIM 'PRO-BUSINESS.' BUT HIS ACTIONS SPEAK OTHERWISE. RATHER THAN LET AN AUSTRIAN STEEL FIRM PURCHASE A FAILING STEEL MILL IN LOWER SAXONY, MR. SCHROEDER SPENT 600-MILLION DOLLARS OF TAXPAYERS' MONEY TO NATIONALIZE IT, AN ACTION THAT HAS HELPED MAKE LOWER SAXONY THE MOST INDEBTED OF ALL OF GERMANY'S 16 FEDERAL STATES. AT LEAST IN THE SHORT TERM HE MANAGED TO SAVE 12-THOUSAND JOBS -- AND VOTES. BUT THE NATIONALIZATION STILL DID NOTHING TO CHANGE LOWER SAXONY'S POSITION AS THE STATE WITH THE HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN GERMANY, WHERE THE NATIONAL RATE EXCEEDS 12 PERCENT. MR. SCHROEDER WAS FIRST REELECTED IN 1994 PROMISING TO CREATE JOBS, NOT HAVE TAXPAYERS PURCHASE THEM. GERMANY'S UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM, THE SOURCE OF MR. KOHL'S POLITICAL WOES, IS LARGELY THE RESULT OF HIGHLY REGULATED LABOR MARKETS AND WELFARE-STATE BENEFITS THAT MAKE GERMAN LABOR THE MOST EXPENSIVE IN THE WORLD. WHAT DOES MR. SCHROEDER PROPOSE TO DO ABOUT THAT? ...... THE PARTY SEEKS TO MAKE IT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO DISMISS WORKERS. ..... IT ALSO PROMISES TO ROLL BACK THE SOCIAL SECURITY REFORMS THAT REDUCED PENSIONS ..... AND CUT WIDELY ABUSED SICK PAY .... HARDLY A 'PRO-BUSINESS' AGENDA.

TEXT: TURNING TO BALTIMORE, IT IS THE OPINION OF "THE SUN" THAT MR. KOHL MAY, INDEED, BE VULNERABLE.

VOICE: HELMUT KOHL'S DREAM OF BREAKING OTTO VON BISMARCK'S RECORD AS THE LONGEST-SERVING GERMAN CHANCELLOR MAY REMAIN A DREAM, UNLESS HE CAN BEAT GERHARD SCHROEDER IN SEPTEMBER. ..... WITH MORE THAN SIX MONTHS OF CAMPAIGNING REMAINING, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. BUT TIME ALONE CANNOT SAVE MR. KOHL, THE 1990 'CHANCELLOR OF REUNIFICATION' WITH EASTERN GERMANY. IN THE PAST, HE HAS REPEATEDLY SURPRISED DETRACTORS BY STAGING ELECTORAL UPSETS. BUT NOW HE MAY FACE HIS TOUGHEST TEST. LATEST FIGURES SHOW UNEMPLOYMENT IN GERMANY HAS RISEN TO FOUR-POINT-EIGHT MILLION -- THE HIGHEST IN MORE THAN 50 YEARS. ..... AFTER 16 YEARS IN POWER, THE CHANCELLOR'S TIME MAY BE RUNNING OUT.

TEXT: IN OUR FINAL EDITORIAL, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" ALSO MENTIONS THE HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT AS A MAJOR PROBLEM, AND CALLS THE CHALLENGER MR. SCHROEDER "AN APPEALING CANDIDATE" BUT POINTS OUT THAT THE COMPARISONS WITH TONY BLAIR ARE NOT TOTALLY VALID, NOR IS MR. SCHROEDER, IN "THE TIMES" VIEW, A SURE WINNER.

VOICE: WHEN MR. BLAIR TOOK OVER THE LABOR LEADERSHIP IN BRITAIN, HE HAD A CLEAR VISION OF THE FUTURE, WHICH HE USED TO RESHAPE HIS PARTY AND WIN OVER A SKEPTICAL ELECTORATE. LIONEL JOSPIN'S SUCCESSFUL SOCIALIST CAMPAIGN FOR PRIME MINISTER OF FRANCE LAST YEAR WAS REFINED THROUGH HIS UNSUCCESSFUL RUN FOR PRESIDENT TWO YEARS EARLIER. MR. SCHROEDER STARTS WITH LESS TIME, LESS CLARITY AND A MORE FORMIDABLE OPPONENT. HE STILL HAS A CHANCE, BUT HE MUST GIVE NEW FOCUS TO THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS AND CONVINCE ONE OF EUROPE'S MOST CAUTIOUS ELECTORATES THAT HIS PARTY CAN OFFER GERMANY MODERN, RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENTS ABOUT THE RACE FOR CHANCELLOR SHAPING UP IN GERMANY.
NEB/ANG/KL
10-Mar-98 2:31 PM EST (1931 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] KOSOVO / AID AGENCIES (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: U-N AID AGENCIES HAVE EXPRESSED ALARM ABOUT WHAT THEY CALL THE DETERIORATING SITUATION IN THE SERBIAN REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE AID AGENCIES PLAN TO COORDINATE THEIR PROGRAMS TO HELP VICTIMS OF THE KOSOVO FIGHTING.

TEXT: REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, AND THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM, W-F-P, ARE MEETING IN THE ALBANIAN CAPITAL, TIRANA, (TUESDAY) TO SET UP AN EMERGENCY AID OPERATION FOR KOSOVO. THE AGENCIES SAY THEY HOPE SUCH AN OPERATION WILL NOT BE NECESSARY. BUT, THEY SAY THEY HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR THE WORST.

U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO REMAINS CONFUSED. HE SAYS AID WORKERS ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY GAINING ACCESS TO THE VILLAGES WHERE DOZENS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS WERE KILLED DURING THIS PAST WEEKEND.

WE HAVE ASKED THE SERBIAN AUTHORITIES, THE YUGOSLAV MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS MORE PRECISELY, FOR UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE AREAS OF DISPLACEMENT. AND, ALSO, WE HAVE AGAIN EXPRESSED OUR ALARM ABOUT THE SITUATION THERE.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS ABOUT 44-HUNDRED PEOPLE FROM KOSOVO HAVE FLED TO THE NEIGHBORING YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO. THEY INCLUDE BOTH ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND SERB REFUGEES FROM THE CROATIAN REGION OF KRIJINA.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS U-N STAFF IN THE CAPITALS OF KOSOVO AND SERBIA WILL KEEP TRYING TO GET INTO AREAS AFFECTED BY VIOLENCE. IN THE MEANTIME, THE U-N AGENCY HAS APPEALED TO GOVERNMENTS IN WESTERN EUROPEAN TO STOP SENDING REJECTED ASYLUM-SEEKERS FROM KOSOVO BACK TO YUGOSLAVIA. MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO IS UNCERTAIN. AND HE SAYS HE HOPES EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS WILL WAIT UNTIL THE CRISIS EASES BEFORE SENDING REFUGEES BACK.

THE SITUATION MAY GET BETTER. IT COULD ALSO GET WORSE. SO, WE JUST HAVE TO WATCH THE SITUATION. IN OUR APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENTS, WE SAID THAT WE WOULD LIKE THEM TO HOLD SENDING PEOPLE BACK UNTIL THE SITUATION STABILIZES.

WEST EUROPEAN NATIONS HAVE REJECTED ASYLUM REQUESTS FROM MORE THAN 150-THOUSAND PEOPLE -- MAINLY KOSOVO ALBANIANS. THE REFUGEES ARE SLATED TO BE RETURNED HOME UNDER AGREEMENTS WORKED OUT BETWEEN THE WEST EUROPEAN NATIONS AND YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH
10-Mar-98 8:20 AM EST (1320 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] KOSOVO / GELBARD (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: U-S ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD SAYS YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES MUST TAKE ACTION TO EASE TENSIONS SO A POLITICAL SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND TO THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO PROVINCE. V-O-A'S ART CHIMES IN KOSOVO'S CAPITAL, PRISTINA, REPORTS MR. GELBARD SPOKE AFTER TALKS WITH KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADERS AND WITH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS.

TEXT: MR. GELBARD CAME FROM LONDON WHERE TOP DIPLOMATS FROM WESTERN EUROPE, RUSSIA, AND THE UNITED STATES AGREED ON SANCTIONS AIMED AT OPENING TALKS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT IN BELGRADE AND KOSOVO'S MODERATE ALBANIAN LEADERSHIP.

AFTER A SERIES OF MEETINGS, MR. GELBARD SAYS TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.

WHAT'S VERY CLEAR IS THAT THIS REQUIRES TREMENDOUS URGENCY. THE UNITED STATES IS PREPARED TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF ALL EFFORTS. BUT IT IS UP TO THE LEADERS OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA AND KOSOVO'S ALBANIAN LEADERS TO MAKE THIS A REALITY.

AMBASSADOR GELBARD WAS HIGHLY CRITICAL OF THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. HE SAID AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE HAVE TRAMPLED THE RULE OF LAW, FAILED TO PROTECT ALL THEIR CITIZENS, AND HAVE HAMPERED THE WORK OF HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS.

HIS COMMENTS FOLLOWED POLICE OPERATIONS AND VIOLENT CLASHES IN WHICH AT LEAST 80 PEOPLE DIED, INCLUDING WOMEN AND CHILDREN. HE SAID GOVERNMENT FORCES USED -- IN HIS WORDS -- BRUTAL, DISPROPORTIONATE, AND OVERWHELMING FORCE.

MR. GELBARD ALSO SAID THE RADICAL ALBANIAN GROUPS IN KOSOVO MUST STOP VIOLENT ATTACKS. HE SAID THOSE ATTACKS PROVIDE A PRETEXT FOR GOVERNMENT VIOLENCE. IN FACT, SERBIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE DEFENDED THEIR LATEST OFFENSIVE AS AN ANTI-TERRORIST ACTION. ABOUT 50 BODIES ARE AWAITING BURIAL IN A MAKE-SHIFT MORGUE. RELATIVES HAVE BEEN VIEWING THE BODIES, BUT FUNERALS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY WERE DELAYED FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS AS RELATIVES CONTINUED TO DEMAND INDEPENDENT FORENSIC EXPERTS EXAMINE THE BODIES -- BOTH TO IDENTIFY THOSE BURNED OR OTHERWISE DISFIGURED, AND TO EXAMINE THE DEAD FOR SIGNS OF ABUSE.

SERB AUTHORITIES HAD DEMANDED PROMPT BURIALS, THREATENING TO DUMP THE BODIES INTO A MASS GRAVE. MANY ALBANIANS BELIEVE THE SERBS WANT THE BODIES OUT OF THE WAY FOR FEAR THEY WOULD PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF POLICE MISCONDUCT. (SIGNED)
NEB/AC/JWH/PLM
10-Mar-98 2:07 PM EST (1907 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] KOSOVO OVERNIGHT UPDATE (S) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: ALMOST FIFTY ETHNIC ALBANIANS KILLED IN A RECENT CRACK DOWN IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE HAVE BEEN BURIED BY SERBIAN POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS AFTER FAMILY MEMBERS REFUSED TO TAKE THE BODIES. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT AT CHIMES REPORTS FAMILIES HAD BEEN HOLDING OUT FOR INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION OF THE BODIES WHICH MANY OF THE FAMILIES BELIEVE WOULD SHOW EVIDENCE OF ABUSE.

TEXT: WITNESSES SAY SERBIAN AUTHORITIES MADE GOOD ON THEIR THREAT TO BURY THE BODIES THEMSELVES AFTER FAMILIES DELAYED BURIAL IN THE HOPE THAT LOCAL DOCTORS OR INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS WOULD EXAMINE THE BODIES. SERBIAN AUTHORITIES REFUSED THE AUTOPSIES SAYING THEIR OWN DOCTORS WERE CAPABLE OF CONDUCTING PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATIONS OF THE CORPSES.

THE VICTIMS DIED IN A CRACK DOWN ON WHAT SERB AUTHORITIES CALLED TERRORIST BUT ABOUT HALF THE VICTIMS WERE WOMEN, ELDERLY MEN, OR CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS FIVE YEARS OLD. MEANWHILE, U-S ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD HAS ENDED TALKS WITH SERBIAN OFFICIALS AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADERS AFTER DIPLOMATS FROM EUROPE, RUSSIA AND AMERICA MONDAY ADOPTED SANCTIONS AIMED AT OPENING TALKS ON GREATER AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO. MR. GELBARD WAS HIGHLY CRITICAL OF SERBIA SAYING POLICE USED BRUTAL FORCE IN THE RECENT OFFENSIVE WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS TOTALLY OUTSIDE THE RULE OF LAW. (SIGNED)
NEB/AC/ENE-T/PT
10-Mar-98 6:55 PM EST (2355 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] KOSOVO/ RICHARDSON (L-O) BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST STOP THE INCREASING VIOLENCE BETWEEN SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT: VIOLENCE BETWEEN SERB FORCES AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS, SEEKING AUTONOMY IN SERBIA'S SOUTHERN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO, HAS CLAIMED MORE THAN 75 LIVES IN THE LAST WEEK, INCLUDING WOMEN AND YOUNG CHILDREN.

THE SO-CALLED CONTACT GROUP -- BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES -- THAT MONITORS YUGOSLAVIA, HAS ALREADY IMPOSED MODEST ECONOMIC AND DIPLOMATIC SANCTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA FOR "UNACCEPTABLE USE OF FORCE."

NOW AMBASSDOR RICHARDSON SAYS, THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL WILL BE WORKING ON A RECOMMENDATION BY THE CONTACT GROUP, TO IMPOSE A COMPREHENSIVE ARMS EMBARGO IN KOSOVO.

WE NEED THE VIOLENCE TO STOP IN KOSOVO. THERE IS A TRAGIC HUMAN SITUATION THERE AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST UNITE TO STOP THAT VIOLENCE.

MR. RICHARDSON ALSO REPEATED THE CONTACT GROUP'S CALL FOR THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, MARY ROBINSON, TO UNDERTAKE A MISSION TO KOSOVO. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/BJS/LSF/PLM
10-Mar-98 4:39 PM EST (2139 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH MAJOR INDEXES CLOSING AT RECORD HIGHS. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 86 HUNDRED 43, UP 76 POINTS, ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED UP 12 POINTS AT ONE THOUSAND 64, ALSO A RECORD HIGH.

THERE WAS MUCH EUPHORIA ON WALL STREET OVER THE RECORD HIGHS IN MAJOR STOCK INDEXES AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT U-S STOCK PRICES, SO FAR THIS YEAR, SEEM TO BE UNABLE TO GO ANYWHERE BUT UP. BUT, OF COURSE, FOR EVERY BUYER THERE IS A SELLER. SOME ANALYSTS ARE STARTING TO TURN CAUTIOUS.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS REVISED DOWNWARD THE RATE OF PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH IN THE UNITED STATES DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR. THE PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH WAS A SOLID ONE POINT SIX PERCENT BUT LESS THAN THE SOARING TWO PERCENT RATE INITIALLY ESTIMATED.

AN ARBITRATION PANEL AT THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE HAS AWARDED SIX MILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGES TO THE EVEREN CAPITAL COMPANY. FOUR YEARS AGO, EVEREN COMPLAINED THAT DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS, A RIVAL INVESTMENT FIRM, UNFAIRLY HIRED EVEREN BROKERS WHO TOOK THEIR CLIENTS WITH THEM.

U-S GOVERNMENT REGULATORS HAVE APPROVED SIMPLIFIED INFORMATION MATERIALS FOR POTENTIAL MUTUAL FUND INVESTORS. MANY AMERICANS HAVE COMPLAINED THAT THE OFFERING STATEMENTS ISSUED BY THE FUNDS ARE WRITTEN IN LEGAL AND TECHNICAL JARGON WHICH IS DIFFICULT FOR AVERAGE PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND. NOW, THE FUNDS MUST WRITE THE INFORMATION IN WHAT IS CALLED "PLAIN ENGLISH."

EVEN WITH A STRONG ECONOMY, A RECORD ONE POINT FOUR MILLION AMERICAN CONSUMERS FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY LAW PROTECTION LAST YEAR. SOME ECONOMISTS WORRY THAT, IN AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, THE NUMBER OF PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY CASES WILL ESCALATE, MAKING ECONOMIC CONDITIONS EVEN WORSE. CONGRESS IS NOW CONSIDERING A BILL WHICH WOULD MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR AMERICANS TO ESCAPE THEIR DEBTS THROUGH BANKRUPTCY.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF
10-Mar-98 5:06 PM EST (2206 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR CONCERN OF U-S NEWSPAPERS, AS EXPRESSED IN THEIR EDITORIALS THIS TUESDAY. OTHER TOPICS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE INCLUDE JAPAN'S ROLE IN THE ASIAN ECONOMIC CRISIS; INDONESIA'S RELATIONS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; THE KENNETH STARR WHITEWATER INVESTIGATION OF PRESIDENT CLINTON, AND THE STATUS OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THE UNITED STATES. JOINING US NOW IN THE STUDIO IS __________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE SERBIAN ATTACKS ON CIVILIAN VILLAGES IN KOSOVO PROVINCE IN RETALIATION FOR SOME KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY ATTACKS ON SERBIAN POLICE CONTINUE TO DRAW WORRIED COMMENTS IN THE U-S PRESS. "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" IS URGING THE WEST "DON'T DELAY ON KOSOVO" IN ITS EDITORIALS HEADLINE, ADDING:

VOICE: SEVEN YEARS AGO, WHEN VIOLENCE BROKE OUT IN THE BALKANS, WESTERN NATIONS FAILED TO PREEMPT IT. THE TRAGEDY OF BOSNIA, WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CASUALTIES, WAS THE RESULT. NOW SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT IS TRYING TO RALLY EUROPEANS TO PREVENT MAKING A SIMILAR MISTAKE: IGNORING A BLOODY SERB GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWN ON ETHNIC MUSLIM ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. SHE IS RIGHT TO MAKE THE KOSOVO QUESTION A PRIORITY. IF THERE IS ANY LESSON TO BE LEARNED FROM BOSNIA, IT'S THAT WESTERN NATIONS MUST TRY TO STOP BALKAN KILLING BEFORE IT GETS OUT OF HAND. IF IT ISN'T HALTED SOON, VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO COULD SPREAD. /////OPT //// THE ONLY SOLUTION FOR KOSOVO IS A RETURN TO LOCAL AUTONOMY THAT PROTECTS INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND CULTURAL FREEDOMS. [YUGOSLAVIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN] ......MILOSEVIC SHOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO MANIPULATE THE WEST THE WAY HE DID FOR YEARS ON BOSNIA ...../// END OPT ///

TEXT: "KOSOVO BLOODSHED MUST END" READS THE LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE IN TODAY'S "SUN" FROM BALTIMORE. THE PAPER FEARS THE DEMANDS FOR AN END TO THE FIGHTING, MADE BY THE SO-CALLED CONTACT GROUP OF NATIONS TRYING TO BROKER PEACE IN THE BALKANS, WILL BE IGNORED BY YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

VOICE: MR. MILOSEVIC IS LIKELY TO IGNORE THE CONTACT GROUP'S ULTIMATUM. SINCE 1991, WHEN HIS POLICIES LED THE OLD YUGOSLAVIA INTO A BLOODY BREAKUP AND CIVIL WAR, HE HAS CYNICALLY USED BRUTALITY TO CLING TO POWER. NOW RULING OVER A RUMP FEDERATION CONSISTING ONLY OF SERBIA (WHICH INCLUDES KOSOVO) AND MONTENEGRO, MR. MILOSEVIC REJECTS FOREIGN MEDIATION EFFORTS, CLAIMING THE TURMOIL IS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM. HE IS WRONG. .... MR. MILOSEVIC'S ACTIONS IN KOSOVO ARE DRIVEN BY DESPERATION. UNDER HIS PRESIDENCY, RUMP YUGOSLAVIA IS SUNK DEEP IN POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL TROUBLE. HE IS TRYING TO KEEP THE UNION FROM DISINTEGRATING. AT ANY COST.

TEXT: TURNING TO AN ECONOMIC, RATHER THAN A MILITARY, CRISIS, "THE WASHINGTON POST" IS WORRYING ABOUT JAPAN'S FAILURE TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN RESOLVING THE ASIAN ECONOMIC CRISIS.

VOICE: SO MANY PEOPLE ARE BEATING UP ON JAPAN'S POLICYMAKERS THESE DAYS THAT YOU MIGHT ALMOST BE TEMPTED TO FEEL SORRY FOR THEM. DON'T. IN ITS REFUSAL TO BEAR A FAIR SHARE OF THE BURDEN OF RELIEVING ASIA'S ECONOMIC CRISIS, JAPAN'S GOVERNMENT IS SHIRKING ITS RESPONSIBILITY. THE CRITICISM IS DESERVED -- AND, WHAT IS MORE UNFORTUNATE, IT MAY BE THE ONLY THING THAT CAN BUDGE JAPAN'S POLITICAL SYSTEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OVER TIME, ALTHOUGH EVEN THAT IS FAR FROM CERTAIN.

TEXT: STILL IN THE REGION, AND ON THE SAME SUBJECT, TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL" IS COMMENTING ON PRESIDENT SUHARTO'S RE-ELECTION, AS IT AFFECTS INDONESIA'S WORSENING FINANCIAL STATE.

VOICE: IT MUST BE SAID THAT IN AN IMPORTANT SENSE THE PREDICAMENT IS OF HIS OWN MAKING. IF INDONESIA HAD FOLLOWED THE PATH OF SOUND, HONEST ECONOMIC POLICIES THROUGH THE YEARS, IT WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO CALL ON THE I-M-F FOR A 43-BILLION-DOLLAR BAILOUT. NOR WOULD MR. SUHARTO, WHO ASSUMED 'EMERGENCY POWERS' YESTERDAY, BE IN THE FIX [PREDICAMENT] HE IS IN TODAY, WHERE INTERNATIONAL TECHNOCRATS ARE THREATENING TO WITHHOLD THE MONEY INDONESIA NEEDS TO STAY AFLOAT UNLESS HE DOES THEIR BIDDING. ..... [HOWEVER] AS THE SHOWDOWN IN JAKARTA INTENSIFIES, ASIAN MARKETS ARE REGISTERING THEIR FEAR OF A BAD OUTCOME. IT IS NO CONSOLATION AT ALL TO THINK THAT IF WORSE COMES TO WORSE, IT IS THE I-M-F, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AND OTHERS ON THEIR SIDE WHO MAY BE REMEMBERED AS THE CHIEF CULPRITS.

TEXT: TURNING TO A KEY DOMESTIC ISSUE, THE KENNETH STARR INVESTIGATION OF PRESIDENT CLINTON, "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" SAYS "IT'S TIME TO WRAP UP [THE] INVESTIGATION," AS IT COMMENTS ON THE DEATH IN PRISON SUNDAY OF ARKANSAS BANKER AND WHITEWATER PRINCIPAL JAMES MCDOUGAL.

VOICE: THE COLORFUL FINANCIER ONCE WAS CENTRAL TO MR. STARR'S INVESTIGATION OF THE WHITEWATER REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS ..... BUT MR. STARR NOW HAS GONE ONTO NEW TERRITORY ..... THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND FORMER WHITE HOUSE INTERN MONICA LEWINSKY .... THE INDEPENDENT COUNSEL SHOULD PRESENT INDICTMENTS IN THIS CASE SOON. OR SHIP HIS INFORMATION TO CONGRESS WITH A RECOMMENDATION FOR ACTION. OR CLOSE HIS CLINTON/LEWINSKY WORK AND RETURN TO WHITEWATER, TRAVELGATE AND THE LINGERING INVESTIGATIONS BEFORE. .... THE DANGER IS THAT THE LONGER MR. STARR'S INVESTIGATION DRAGS ON, THE GREATER THE POSSIBILITY THE PUBLIC WILL LOSE INTEREST AND LOSE FAITH IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM.

TEXT: BACK OVERSEAS, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS CRITICIZING PART OF ISRAEL'S POLICY TOWARD THE PEOPLE IN THAT "SECURITY ZONE" IT CONTROLS IN SOUTHERN LEBANON.

VOICE: FOR AT LEAST ELEVEN YEARS, ISRAEL HAS HELD A NUMBER OF LEBANESE IT SUSPECTS OF BEING MEMBERS OF HEZBOLLAH, THE MILITANT, IRAN-BACKED ISLAMIC ORGANIZATION THAT SPRANG TO PROMINENCE AFTER ISRAEL INVADED LEBANON IN 1982. SOME OF THESE MEN HAVE APPARENTLY NEVER BEEN CHARGED WITH SPECIFIC CRIMES. SOME WHO WERE CONVICTED REMAIN IN CUSTODY EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE COMPLETED THEIR SENTENCES. UNTIL RECENTLY, MANY ... WERE NOT EVEN ALLOWED .... ACCESS TO LAWYERS. LAST NOVEMBER, IN A DECISION THAT HAS BECOME KNOWN ONLY IN RECENT DAYS, A PANEL OF THE ISRAELI SUPREME COURT RULED .... THE DETENTION .... IS PERMISSIBLE. ... THIS IS AS WRONGHEADED AND IMMORAL A DECISION AS ANY HIGH COURT IN A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY IS LIKELY TO MAKE. IT APPROVES STATE HOSTAGE-TAKING FOR POLITICAL ENDS. .... IN THE NAME OF SECURITY AGAINST TERRORISM, ISRAEL HAS CO-OPTED THE TACTICS OF THE TERRORISTS.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, TODAY'S "ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" IS UPSET BY A PROPOSAL IN THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO AMEND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM BY LEGALIZING ORGANIZED PRAYER IN SCHOOLS AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES.

VOICE: THE FORCES OF RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE ARE ALIVE AND WELL IN THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. LAST WEEK, THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE APPROVED A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE U-S CONSTITUTION THAT WOULD GREATLY WEAKEN THE RIGHT OF AMERICANS TO WORSHIP AS THEY CHOOSE WITHOUT GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE.... MORE THAN 200 YEARS AGO, OUR FOUNDING FATHERS UNDERSTOOD THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD NEVER BE USED BY THE MAJORITY TO IMPOSE ITS RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ON THE MINORITY, AND THEY DRAFTED THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO ENSURE AGAINST THAT ABUSE. TODAY, THAT FIRST AMENDMENT IS WORKING EXACTLY AS DESIGNED. IT CONTINUES TO FRUSTRATE THE ATTEMPT BY A FEW POLITICALLY POWERFUL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES TO HIJACK GOVERNMENT AND USE IT TO IMPOSE THEIR OWN BELIEFS.... THIS 'RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AMENDMENT' IS A BETRAYAL OF OUR HERITAGE, AND ITS APPROVAL BY A HOUSE COMMITTEE SPEAKS POORLY FOR THIS NATION.

TEXT: ON THAT PHILOSOPHICAL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM SOME OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/MMK
10-Mar-98 11:45 AM EST (1645 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[14] U-S / KOSOVO WARNING (L-ONLY) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A FORMER TOP WHITE HOUSE AIDE SAYS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS PUT YUGOSLAVIA ON NOTICE THAT FORCE MAY BE AN OPTION, IF THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO GETS OUT OF CONTROL. FORMER U-S NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER ANTHONY LAKE DISCUSSED THIS WARNING IN A SPEECH IN WASHINGTON. V-O-A'S MAXIM KNIAZKOV HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE LAST TIME VIOLENCE FLARED-UP IN KOSOVO IN THE EARLY 1990'S, THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION WARNED YUGOSLAVIA IT WILL INTERVENE MILITARILY, IF THE PROVINCE DESCENDS INTO CHAOS.

WITH SERBIAN AUTHORITIES UNLEASHING A NEW CRACKDOWN AGAINST INDEPENDENCE-MINDED KOSOVO ALBANIANS, THERE HAVE BEEN DOUBTS WHETHER THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS ADOPTED THE SAME APPROACH.

ON TUESDAY, ANTHONY LAKE, WHO SERVED AS NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER DURING PRESIDENT CLINTON'S FIRST TERM, GAVE A CLEAR ANSWER AS HE SPOKE AT THE WOMEN'S NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CLUB.

YES, DURING BOTH THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION AND THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, WE PUT FORCE ON THE TABLE (LISTED IT AS AN OPTION), IF SERBIA WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUTBREAKS OF VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO.

MR. LAKE SAYS THE KILLINGS IN KOSOVO MUST STOP BECAUSE THE CONFLICT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SPILL OVER ACROSS YUGOSLAVIA'S BORDERS.

U-S OFFICIALS ARE CONCERNED THAT A CONTINUED YUGOSLAV CRACKDOWN ON KOSOVO ALBANIANS COULD PROMPT NEIGHBORING ALBANIA TO INTERVENE. IT ALSO RISKS DESTABILIZING MACEDONIA, WHOSE POPULATION IS MORE THAN 20-PERCENT ALBANIAN. IF THAT HAPPENS, SAY U-S EXPERTS, THE UPHEAVAL COULD PROMPT INTERVENTION FROM GREECE, BULGARIA AND TURKEY -- AGE-OLD REGIONAL RIVALS.

MR. LAKE BELIEVES THE BEST WAY TO END THE VIOLENCE AND STOP TENSION FROM SPREADING IS FOR YUGOSLAVIA TO RESTORE KOSOVO'S AUTONOMY, RESTRICTED BY BELGRADE IN 1989.

THAT WAS ALSO THE MESSAGE DELIVERED TUESDAY TO BELGRADE BY U-S SPECIAL ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD, WHO CALLED THE KOSOVO CRACKDOWN BRUTAL AND DISPROPORTIONATE. UNDER INTENSE INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE, THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT IS OFFERING KOSOVANS A DIALOGUE ON VITAL ISSUES -- BUT DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL ARE NOT YET CLEAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/MAX/JO
10-Mar-98 4:45 PM EST (2145 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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