Voice of America, 98-03-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] CLINTON/NATO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[02] E-U TRADE (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

[03] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[04] FRANCE RIGHT (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[05] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY GARY EDQUIST (WASHINGTON)

[06] GERMANY / NUKE WASTE (S) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[07] KOSOVO CRISIS (S/L VER) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

[08] KOSOVO DIPLOMACY (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

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

[10] NATO EXPANSION DEBATE BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[11] U-N/ BOSNIA (L-O) BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (UNITED NATIONS)

[01] CLINTON/NATO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS MADE A FINAL PITCH FOR U-S SENATE RATIFICATION OF NATO'S EXPANSION NEXT YEAR INTO CENTRAL EUROPE. SENATORS ARE ALL BUT CERTAIN TO APPROVE THE ADDITION OF POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC BUT THERE ARE LINGERING CONCERNS ABOUT THE COST OF NATO EXPANSION, AND ITS IMPACT ON RUSSIA. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THE PRESIDENT LEAVES SUNDAY ON A TWO-WEEK TRIP TO AFRICA AND IS UNLIKELY TO BE IN WASHINGTON WHEN THE SENATE VOTES. SO HE GATHERED TOP ADVISERS AND SENATE ALLIES TO MAKE ONE FINAL APPEAL FOR AN EXPANSION PROCESS HE SAYS IS ESSENTIAL TO CONSOLIDATE THE STABILITY AND SECURITY OF EUROPE IN THE POST-COLD WAR ERA.

THE ADDITION OF POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC ENJOYS BROAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE SENATE AND CLINTON ADVISERS SAY THERE IS NO DANGER THAT IT WILL NOT GET THE NECESSARY TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY.

BUT THERE IS CONCERN ABOUT POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS, INCLUDING A PROPOSAL BY REPUBLICAN SENATOR JOHN WARNER AND DEMOCRAT DANIEL PATRICK MOYNIHAN FOR A THREE YEAR FREEZE ON ANY FURTHER EXPANSION -- TO SEE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, HOW THE FIRST PHASE AFFECTS RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA. MR. CLINTON HOWEVER SAYS IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THERE BE NO LIMITS ON NATO'S OPEN DOOR POLICY TO ASPIRING MEMBERS:

A UNILATERAL FREEZE ON ENLARGEMENT WOULD REDUCE OUR OWN COUNTRY'S FLEXIBILITY AND PERHAPS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, OUR LEVERAGE, OUR ABILITY TO INFLUENCE OUR PARTNERS. IT WOULD FRACTURE NATO'S OPEN-DOOR CONSENSUS. IT WOULD UNDERMINE FURTHER REFORMS IN EUROPE'S DEMOCRACIES. IT WOULD DRAW A NEW AND POTENTIALLY DESTABILIZING LINE, AT LEAST TEMPORARILY IN EUROPE.

THE PROPONENT OF THE EXPANSION FREEZE -- SENATOR WARNER -- ARGUES THAT AN EARLY MOVE TO ADMIT EVEN MORE NEW MEMBERS RUNS THE RISK OF CREATING WHAT HE CALLED AN "IRON RING" ISOLATING RUSSIA FROM THE WEST OF EUROPE. AND HIS REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUE, SENATOR KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, SAYS THE ADMINISTRATION IS RUSHING TO EXPANSION WITHOUT ANY CLEAR IDEA OF WHAT IT WILL COST:

WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT WHAT IT WILL COST THE UNITED STATES. THE ADMINISTRATION'S OWN ESTIMATES HAVE VARIED -- WILDLY. THEY'RE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 400 MILLION AND 125 BILLION DOLLARS.

SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, HOWEVER, TOLD THE WHITE HOUSE GATHERING THAT NATO EXPANSION HAS GOTTEN CAREFUL CONSIDERATION IN CONGRESS IN RECENT MONTHS, AND THE NOTION THAT THE SENATE IS RUSHING TO JUDGEMENT ON THE ISSUE IS, AS SHE PUT IT: BALDERDASH (NONSENSE).

IF THE SENATE VOTES TO RATIFY EXPANSION NEXT WEEK AS EXPECTED, THE UNITED STATES WOULD BECOME THE FOURTH NATO MEMBER AFTER CANADA, DENMARK AND NORWAY TO DO SO. PARLIAMENTS OF ALL 16 CURRENT MEMBERS MUST APPROVE BEFORE THE THREE NEW MEMBER STATES CAN OFFICIALLY JOIN THE ALLIANCE. (SIGNED)
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20-Mar-98 2:22 PM EST (1922 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] E-U TRADE (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION'S TOP TRADE OFFICIAL, SIR LEON BRITTAN, FRIDAY CONCLUDED A TWO DAY VISIT TO WASHINGTON WHERE HE UNVEILED A NEW INITIATIVE TO EXPAND TRANSATLANTIC TRADE. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. BRITTAN DISCUSSED HIS TRADE INITIATIVE WITH THE U-S TRADE REPRESENTATIVE AND THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS. THE PROPOSAL CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE TALKS AIMED AT ELIMINATING INDUSTRIAL TARIFFS BY THE YEAR 2010 AND CREATING A FREE TRADE AREA FOR SERVICES--THINGS LIKE BANKING AND INSURANCE. MR. BRITTAN SAYS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S FAILURE TO WIN NEW TRADE NEGOTIATING AUTHORITY FROM THE CONGRESS IS N0T AN OBSTACLE.

I BELIEVE THE TIMING IS PARTICULARLY GOOD. I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT WHAT WE ENVISAGE IS A NEGOTIATION THAT WOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR. SO THAT WE WOULD BE CLEARING THE DECKS FOR THE NEW MILLENIUM ROUND. AND THAT MEANS THAT WE SHOULD DO IT AND DO IT NOW.

MR. BRITTAN TOLD REPORTERS AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB THAT THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS SHOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION AND AMERICA TO DEEPEN THEIR COMMITMENT TO FREE TRADE. THE 15 NATION EUROPEAN UNION IS THE WORLD'S BIGGEST TRADING UNIT AND THE E-U'S BIGGEST TRADE PARTNER IS THE UNITED STATES.

MR. BRITTAN CALLS THE NEW INITIATIVE THE NEW TRANSATLANTIC MARKET PLACE AGREEMENT. EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES BOTH FAVOR A NEW ROUND OF GLOBAL NEGOTIATIONS TO FURTHER ELIMINATE TARIFF AND NON-TARIFF BARRIERS TO TRADE. (SIGNED)
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20-Mar-98 5:34 PM EST (2234 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: FRIDAY ENDED THE TRADING WEEK ON EUROPEAN MAJOR STOCK MARKETS WITH SOME RECORD HIGHS -- AND A SHARP DECLINE. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE NUMBERS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: TRADERS CALL IT "TRIPLE-WITCHING" -- DAYS WHEN OPTIONS AND FUTURES EXPIRE. THE EFFECTS ARE UNPREDICTABLE, AS WITNESSED ON FRIDAY, WHEN TRIPLE-WITCHING HAUNTED TRADERS IN EUROPE.

HERE IN LONDON, THE KEY STOCK INDEX -- THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 DROPPED MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF A PERCENT -- DOWN ALMOST 42 POINTS. BUT OVER IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" INDEX OF STOCKS INCHED AHEAD BY A FRACTION OF A POINT -- ENOUGH TO KEEP THE CAC IN RECORD-HIGH TERRITORY. AND IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX ENDED THE TRADING DAY UP MORE THAN 95 POINTS -- ALMOST TWO PERCENT -- AND ANOTHER RECORD HIGH.

IN CURRENCY TRADING IN EUROPE, THE U-S DOLLAR WAS VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED AGAINST BOTH THE GERMAN MARK AND THE BRITISH POUND.

GOLD IN LONDON GAINED 70 CENTS TO CLOSE AT 292-DOLLARS-25 CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
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20-Mar-98 1:46 PM EST (1846 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] FRANCE RIGHT (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: ROBBING THE FRENCH LEFT OF EXPECTED VICTORY IN REGIONAL ELECTIONS AND CAUSING A POLITICAL SENSATION, THE EXTREME RIGHT "NATIONAL FRONT" MOVEMENT BACKED MODERATE CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATES FOR REGIONAL PRESIDENCIES ON FRIDAY. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: WHEN THE RESULTS OF LAST SUNDAY'S ELECTIONS TO FRANCE'S 22 REGIONAL COUNCILS WERE COUNTED, THE RULING LEFT-WING COALITION OF SOCIALISTS, COMMUNIST AND ECOLOGISTS SEEMED SURE OF TAKING AT LEAST 12 COUNCILS. NOW, THE LEFT ONLY SEEMS CERTAIN OF FOUR -- ALTHOUGH THE CONTROL OF FOUR OTHERS WILL NOT BE DECIDED UNTIL NEXT WEEK.

THE TWO MODERATE CONSERVATIVE PARTIES -- THE GAULLIST "RALLY FOR THE REPUBLIC" AND THE CENTER-RIGHT "UNION FOR FRENCH DEMOCRACY" HAD AGREED, AS BEFORE, THAT THEY WOULD MAKE NO ALLIANCES WITH THE EXTREME-RIGHT, ANTI-IMMIGRATION NATIONAL FRONT. THIS WAY, THE LEFT SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THOSE COUNCILS WHERE IT WAS IN THE LEAD, EVEN WHEN IT DID NOT HAVE AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY.

BULLDOZING ITS WAY TO CENTER-STAGE, THE NATIONAL FRONT FINALLY MANAGED TO LURE AWAY MANY LOCAL POLITICIANS AND PROMISED TO SUPPORT ALL THOSE CONSERVATIVES WHO AGREED TO ITS MINIMUM DEMANDS. THESE DEMANDS -- LEAVING OUT SOME OF THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL ELEMENTS OF THE NATIONAL FRONT'S USUAL PROGRAM, SUCH AS SENDING IMMIGRANTS HOME -- INCLUDED CALLS FOR STRENGTHENING LAW AND ORDER AND PLEDGES NOT TO INCREASE TAXES.

THE PARIS HEADQUARTERS OF THE POLITICAL PARTIES WARNED THEIR MEMBERS NOT TO LISTEN TO THE NATIONAL FRONT. BUT, WHEN THE ELECTIONS TO THE REGIONAL PRESIDENCIES BEGAN FRIDAY, THE NATIONAL FRONT VOTED FOR CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATES IN SEVERAL REGIONS.

IMMEDIATELY, CONSERVATIVE LEADERS EXPELLED THOSE POLITICIANS WHO HAD STRUCK DEALS WITH THE NATIONAL FRONT. IN ONE REGION, THE NEW COUNCIL PRESIDENT INSTANTLY RESIGNED, SAYING HE DID NOT WANT TO TAKE OFFICE WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE EXTREME RIGHT.

IN FOUR OTHER REGIONS, INCLUDING THE ILE DE FRANCE REGION AROUND PARIS, CONSERVATIVE COUNSELORS BOYCOTTED THE OPENING COUNCIL SESSIONS. THIS MEANT THERE WAS NO QUORUM AND THE ELECTIONS TO THE COUNCIL PRESIDENCIES WILL NOW BE HELD NEXT WEEK.

WHATEVER THE OUTCOME OF THOSE ELECTIONS, THE FAILURE OF PARTY DISCIPLINE AND THE SUDDEN EMERGENCE OF THE EXTREME RIGHT AS A POWER BROKER ARE ALREADY SENDING SHOCK WAVES THROUGH THE FRENCH POLITICAL SCENE. (SIGNED)
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20-Mar-98 1:39 PM EST (1839 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY GARY EDQUIST (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: KOSOVO, WORLD OIL PRICES AND U-S RELATIONS WITH CUBA ARE SOME OF THE TOPICS AMERICAN EDITORIAL WRITERS ARE CONSIDERING THIS FRIDAY. HERE IS _________ WITH A SAMPLING OF THE EDITORIAL COMMENT.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE / HAS ANNOUNCED [EDS: STATE DEPT. ANNOUNCEMENT AT 14:15 E-S-T / 1915 U-T] AN EASING OF SOME OF ITS SANCTIONS AGAINST CUBA TO MAKE THE DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN AID TO THE CUBAN PEOPLE EASIER. /// OPT /// THE POLICY CHANGE INCLUDES RESUMING DIRECT HUMANITARIAN PLANE FLIGHTS TO CUBA, AS WELL AS LIFTING THE BAN ON SENDING MONEY BY CUBAN-AMERICANS TO FRIENDS AND RELATIVES IN CUBA. THE U-S MOVE FOLLOWS POPE JOHN PAUL'S VISIT TO CUBA IN JANUARY. /// END OPT

TEXT: THE SUN OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND NOTES THAT "THE INSTITUTIONS OF EUROPE CAN NO MORE ENFORCE PEACE ON SERBIA'S REBELLIOUS PROVINCE OF KOSOVO THAN THEY COULD QUELL SERBIA'S EARLIER WARS IN BOSNIA AND CROATIA." THE SUN CONCLUDES THAT THE U-S MUST REMAIN INVOLVED.

VOICE: PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S RUMP YUGOSLAVIA ENDURES ECONOMIC SANCTIONS, MOB RULE AND SOCIAL DISINTEGRATION. MR. MILOSEVIC CARES NO MORE THAN IRAQ'S SADDAM HUSSEIN DOES FOR THE SUFFERING OF HIS PEOPLE. SUCH EUROPEAN ORGANIZATIONS AS NATO AND THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE -- OSCE -- HAVE FAILED TO IMPOSE ORDER. THE ALBANIANS, TO THEIR CREDIT, HAVE KEPT MASSIVE DEMONSTRATIONS PEACEFUL. THE U-S ROLE IS ONCE AGAIN NECESSARY IN EUROPE. BUT UNITY OF THE SIX MAJOR POWERS IN THE CONTACT GROUP IS THE ONLY LANGUAGE WITH A CHANCE OF PERSUADING MR. MILOSEVIC AND HIS ALBANIAN ADVERSARIES TO SEEK ACCOMMODATION.

TEXT: WORLD ENERGY PRICES HAVE DECLINED DRAMATICALLY. AUTOMOBILE DRIVERS IN THE UNITED STATES, FOR EXAMPLE, ARE PAYING LESS FOR GASOLINE AND ALSO ARE FINDING HEATING COSTS CHEAPER, HELPED ALONG BY MILD WINTER WEATHER. THE DALLAS, TEXAS MORNING NEWS WRITES THAT OIL PRICES "SLIPPED SINCE THE ORGANIZATION OF PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES ANNOUNCED A TEN PERCENT HIKE IN PRODUCTION QUOTAS LAST YEAR." BUT THE TEXAS NEWSPAPER WRITES THAT WHILE LOWER PRICES HAVE HELPED U-S MOTORISTS AND BUSINESSES, MEXICO -- A MAJOR U-S OIL SUPPLIER -- HAS SUFFERED.

VOICE: IN MEXICO, THE PRICE SLIDE HAS ADDED TO ALREADY SERIOUS ECONOMIC WOES. BECAUSE OIL REVENUES ACCOUNT FOR NEARLY HALF OF GOVERNMENT REVENUE, MEXICO FACES A BUDGET CRISIS. THE GOVERNMENT ALREADY HAS SCALED BACK ITS BUDGET BY ONE-POINT-EIGHT BILLION, AND COULD FACE DEEPER CUTS IF PRICES DON'T RECOVER SOON. THE GREAT FEAR AMONG MEXICO WATCHERS IS THAT LOWER OIL PRICES AND MORE SPENDING CUTS WOULD FURTHER ROIL THE MEXICAN ECONOMY.

TEXT: THAT COMMENT FROM THE DALLAS, TEXAS MORNING NEWS CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF AMERICAN EDITORIAL COMMENT.
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20-Mar-98 12:39 PM EST (1739 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] GERMANY / NUKE WASTE (S) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: ANTI-NUCLEAR PROTESTERS IN GERMANY HAVE DELAYED A CONTROVERSIAL SHIPMENT OF NUCLEAR WASTE THAT IS BEING TRANSPORTED TO A STORAGE FACILITY IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE COUNTRY. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN.

TEXT: POLICE USED WATER CANNON TO TRY TO MOVE SEVERAL HUNDRED PROTESTERS, WHO GATHERED ALONG RAIL TRACKS NEAR THE NUCLEAR STORAGE FACILITY IN THE NORTHERN TOWN OF AHOUS.

A TRAIN CARRYING CONTAINERS OF SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL FROM SOUTHERN GERMANY HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY DELAYED BY PROTESTERS, WHO ALSO TRIED TO BLOCK TRUCKS CARRYING A LOAD OF WASTE FROM ANOTHER PLANT. ABOUT 30-THOUSAND POLICE HAVE BEEN MOBILIZED TO PROTECT THE CONTROVERSIAL SHIPMENTS, WHICH HAVE TRIGGERED WIDESPREAD ANTI-NUCLEAR PROTESTS IN THE PAST.

DURING THE NIGHT, A POLICEMAN TAKING PART IN THE MASSIVE SECURITY OPERATION WAS KILLED WHEN HE WAS ACCIDENTALLY STUCK BY A TRAIN. (SIGNED)
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20-Mar-98 6:45 AM EST (1145 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] KOSOVO CRISIS (S/L VER) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: AS DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVES CONTINUE IN HOPES OF ENDING THE CRISIS IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE, THERE ARE SIGNS OF POSSIBLE PROGRESS. BUT SERBIAN OFFICIALS AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADERS STILL REMAIN FAR APART ON FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES. V-O-A'S ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA.

TEXT: MODERATE ALBANIAN LEADER IBRAHIM RUGOVA SAYS THIRD-PARTY MEDIATION IS NEEDED FOR TALKS WITH SERBIAN OFFICIALS ON THE FUTURE OF KOSOVO. BUT AT A NEWS CONFERENCE (FRIDAY), HE STRESSED THAT INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION IS NOT A PRECONDITION.

SERBIAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE WILLING TO HAVE TALKS WITH THE ALBANIANS, BUT WITHOUT ANY FOREIGN HELP -- SINCE BELGRADE REGARDS THE CRISIS AS AN INTERNAL MATTER.

DIPLOMATS FROM EUROPE, RUSSIA AND AMERICA, MEETING IN BELGIUM, SAY THERE HAS BEEN SOME MOVEMENT BY YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN MEETING THE BIG POWERS' DEMAND TO OPEN TALKS. BUT THEY SAY HE HAS NOT GONE FAR ENOUGH. MEANWHILE, SEVERAL THOUSAND SERBS STAGED RALLIES IN SMALLER TOWNS IN KOSOVO FRIDAY, DEMANDING THAT KOSOVO REMAIN IN SERBIA ( -- THE DOMINANT REPUBLIC IN YUGOSLAVIA).

ETHNIC ALBANIANS SAY THE SERB DEMONSTRATORS ARE BEING BUSED INTO KOSOVO, WHERE THEY ARE OUTNUMBERED BY ALBANIANS NINE-TO-ONE.

ALBANIANS WANT AN INDEPENDENT KOSOVO, BUT THE BIG POWERS SAY THE GOAL SHOULD BE INCREASED AUTONOMY -- NOT INDEPENDENCE -- WHICH THEY FEAR COULD DESTABILIZE THE REGION.

THE LONG-SIMMERING CONFLICT IN KOSOVO HAS REACHED A CRISIS STAGE OVER THE PAST MONTH, WITH CRACKDOWNS BY POLICE AND PARAMILITARY UNITS THAT LEFT SOME 80 ETHNIC ALBANIANS DEAD. THE AUTHORITIES SAY THEY WERE AFTER TERRORISTS, BUT MANY OF THOSE KILLED IN THE OFFENSIVE WERE WOMEN, CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY. (SIGNED)
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20-Mar-98 1:27 PM EST (1827 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] KOSOVO DIPLOMACY (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES SAYS RUSSIA IS BLOCKING INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS ON HOW TO SETTLE THE CRISIS IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. JOHN FRASER REPORTS A U-S DIPLOMAT MADE THE COMMENTS AFTER A MEETING FRIDAY IN BRUSSELS OF OFFICIALS FROM THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP WHICH IS ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE THE CRISIS.

TEXT: THE DIPLOMATS MET IN BRUSSELS TO REVIEW PROGRESS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO DEFUSE THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO. AND THEY WERE PREPARING FOR A MEETING OF THEIR FOREIGN MINISTERS NEXT WEEK IN GERMANY.

THE SO-CALLED CONTACT GROUP -- BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES -- CALLED TEN DAYS AGO FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF BOTH YUGOSLAVIA AND THE ALBAINIAN MAJORITY IN KOSOVO TO ENTER PEACE TALKS, WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS. AND THEY CALLED ON YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO ORDER THE WITHDRAWAL OF SPECIAL POLICE FORCES, WHO ARE BLAMED FOR PROVOKING MUCH OF THE KOSOVO VIOLENCE.

BRITISH AND AMERICAN OFFICIALS SAID AFTER THE BRUSSELS MEETING ON FRIDAY THAT WHILE THERE ARE SMALL SIGNS OF PROGRESS, PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS FAILED TO MEET INTERNATIONAL DEMANDS TO DEFUSE TENSIONS AND TO COME TO THE PEACE TABLE.

A SENIOR AMERICAN DIPLOMAT SAID MR. MILOSEVIC WILL RESPOND ONLY TO PRESSURE. BUT HE SAID EFFORTS TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT ARE BEING UNDERMINED BY RUSSIA, WHICH IS REFUSING TO SUPPORT AN INTERNATIONAL ARMS EMBARGO. HE ALSO SAID SERBIAN SPECIAL POLICE STILL ARE OPERATING IN KOSOVO, EVEN THOUGH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS DEMANDED THEIR WITHDRAWAL.

THE U-S OFFICIAL SAID RUSSIA AGREED TO AN ARMS EMBARGO AT AN EARLIER CONTACT GROUP MEETING -- BUT NOW SEEMS TO BE BLOCKING THE PROPOSAL. HE SAID THE UNITED STATES EXPECTS GOVERNMENTS WHICH MAKE COMMITMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THEM.

AND HE SAID THE LONGER THE SITUATION STAGNATES, THE MORE LIKELY IS THE PROSPECT OF FURTHER VIOLENCE.

THE UNITED STATES AND WEST EUROPEAN MEMBERS OF THE CONTACT GROUP HAVE AGREED TO TIGHTEN THEIR OWN NATIONAL ARMS EMBARGOES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, TO IMPOSE VISA RESTRICTIONS ON OFFICIALS FROM THE COUNTRY, AND TO MOUNT ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST SERBIA.

FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM THE SIX CONTACT GROUP NATIONS WILL CONTINUE TALKS ON THE KOSOVO SITUATION WHEN THEY MEET WEDNESDAY IN BONN. (SIGNED)
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20-Mar-98 12:50 PM EST (1750 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP AGAIN TODAY (FRIDAY) WITH MAJOR INDEXES SETTING RECORDS FOR THE FIFTH DAY IN A ROW. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORT FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 89 HUNDRED SIX, UP 103 POINTS, MORE THAN ONE PERCENT. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 304 POINTS OR ALMOST FOUR PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT ONE THOUSAND 99, UP NINE POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY THAT, IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY FUNDAMENTAL REASONS FOR THE WEEK-LONG RALLY, MANY INVESTMENT MANAGERS ARE SIMPLY ACTING OUT OF FEAR THEY WILL MISS PROFIT OPPORTUNITIES. ///BEGIN OPT///CUMMINS CATHERWOOD OF THE RUTHERFORD, BROWN INVESTMENT COMPANY, SAYS NO ONE ON WALL STREET WANTS TO BE LEFT OUT.

SOME ANALYSTS SAY THE FACT THAT FRIDAY WAS A "TRIPLE WITCHING DAY" HELPED TO ACCELERATE THE RALLY. "TRIPLE WITCHING" MEANS THE SIMULTANEOUS EXPIRATION OF OPTIONS ON STOCKS, STOCK INDEXES AND FUTURES CONTRACTS. THOSE EXPIRATIONS FORCE MANY TRADERS TO BUY OR SELL STOCKS.

THE BOEING AIRCRAFT COMPANY WILL ELIMINATE MORE THAN EIGHT THOUSAND JOBS -- OR ABOUT FOUR PERCENT OF ITS WORK FORCE, DURING THE NEXT THREE YEARS. BOEING SAYS THE CUTBACKS ARE THE RESULT OF ITS MERGER WITH THE MCDONNELL DOUGLAS CORPORATION AND THE ELIMINATION OF THAT FIRM'S MID-RANGE JETLINERS.

THE MANAGEMENT OF BANKRUPT PAN AM AIRWAYS HOPES THE COMPANY CAN BE REVIVED AS A CHARTER AIRLINE. THE JUDGE, SUPERVISING PAN AM'S BANKRUPTCY, SAYS HE WILL CONSIDER THE IDEA BEFORE ORDERING A COMPLETE LIQUIDATION OF THE COMPANY.

THE STOCKS OF TOBACCO COMPANIES ROSE AFTER A JURY IN THE MIDWESTERN STATE OF INDIANA FOUND THE COMPANIES WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE DEATH OF A WOMAN IN A SO-CALLED "SECOND HAND SMOKE" CASE.

THE STOCK OF BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOARED ON RUMORS IT IS ON THE VERGE OF A MERGER OR STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH A U-S TELEPHONE COMPANY. LAST NOVEMBER, A PLANNED COMBINATION OF BRITISH TELECOM AND THE M-C-I CORPORATION OF THE UNITED STATES COLLAPSED.

THERE IS A REPORT (WALL STREET JOURNAL) THAT FEDERAL PROSECUTORS MAY FILE NEW CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH A SO-CALLED "FRONT RUNNING" SCANDAL AT THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE. "FRONT RUNNING'" MEANS THE ILLEGAL USE OF STOCK ORDER INFORMATION TO EARN PROFITS. LAST MONTH, EIGHT FLOOR BROKERS AT THE NEW YORK EXCHANGE WERE CHARGED WITH FRONT RUNNING.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PLM
20-Mar-98 5:00 PM EST (2200 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] NATO EXPANSION DEBATE BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: THE U-S SENATE HAS FINISHED A WEEK OF OFF-AND-ON DEBATE ON THE EXPANSION OF NATO, WITHOUT A FIRM INDICATION OF WHEN THE FINAL VOTE WILL COME. DESPITE ITS HISTORIC NATURE, THE MATTER HAS NOT ATTRACTED MUCH NOTICE FROM THE AMERICAN PUBLIC -- AND CRITICS SAY THE SENATE IS NOT GIVING IT THE RIGHT TREATMENT EITHER. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS.

TEXT: SUPPORTERS OF NATO EXPANSION ARE FOND OF POINTING OUT HOW CLOSELY THE SENATE HAS EXAMINED THE ISSUE IN RECENT MONTHS. THE RELEVANT COMMITTEES HELD SCORES OF HEARINGS ON WHETHER THE ALLIANCE SHOULD STRETCH ITS BOUNDARIES EASTWARD TO COVER THE CZECH REPUBLIC, POLAND AND HUNGARY.

BUT SUPPORTERS AND OPPONENTS ALIKE ARE CRITICIZING THE WAY THE TREATY FINALLY REACHED THE SENATE FLOOR. DEMOCRAT PAUL WELLSTONE, WHO IS AGAINST THE PROPOSAL, IS AMONG THEM.

BUT THE WAY WE'RE DOING THIS IS WE'RE DOING IT IN BITS AND PIECES. I MEAN, WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE EDUCATION BILL AND WE'VE JUST COME BACK TO NATO AS FILLER! UNTIL WE GET BACK TO THE EDUCATION BILL.

AS MR. WELLSTONE SAYS, THE NATO DEBATE BEGAN, SOMEWHAT ABRUPTLY, WHEN THE SENATE WAS BOGGED DOWN IN A CONTROVERSIAL REPUBLICAN EDUCATION BILL. FOR MOST OF THE WEEK THE DISCUSSION SEESAWED BACK AND FORTH FROM NATO TO EDUCATION -- WITH OCCASIONAL BREAKS FOR SPEECHES ON OTHER SUBJECTS LIKE TAXES AND EVEN BASKETBALL.

THIS BROUGHT COMPLAINTS THAT REPUBLICANS WERE USING NATO TO AVOID DEALING WITH EDUCATION -- AND GIVING CASUAL, OFFHAND TREATMENT TO A MAJOR FOREIGN POLICY QUESTION. MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT EVENTUALLY ALLOCATED MORE TIME FOR THE NATO PROPOSAL, AND DENIED ANY NEGLECT.

THE DUAL TRACK OF BOTH THE EDUCATION ISSUE AND NATO ENLARGEMENT IS NOT INTENDED AT ALL TO DIMINISH EITHER. IN FACT, IT'S INTENDED TO RAISE UP BOTH OF THEM IN THE AWARENESS AND CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

I FOREWARN THAT IN THIS EXPANSION, OUR TROOPS COMMITTED TO NATO SOME DAY COULD BE INVOLVED IN MISSIONS WHICH IN MY JUDGEMENT, WOULD BE VERY VERY HARD TO SAY THEY'RE IN THE VITAL SECURITY INTERESTS OF THIS COUNTRY.

THAT SET OFF A FURIOUS REBUTTAL FROM DEMOCRAT JOSEPH BIDEN, ONE OF THE STRONGEST SUPPORTERS OF EXPANSION. PACING THE SENATE FLOOR, HIS ARMS FLAILING, MR. BIDEN ANGRILY REJECTED THE CHARGES.

AND THE COMPARISON IS MADE BETWEEN POLAND AND SOMALIA -- WE HAD NO STAYING POWER IN VIETNAM OR SOMALIA. I WOULD RESPECTFULLY SUGGEST VIETNAM AND SOMALIA ARE NOT CENTRAL EUROPE! THEY ARE NOT POLAND! THEY ARE NOT HUNGARY!

WHILE SENATORS LIKE MR. BIDEN HAVE BACKED THE PLAN ALL ALONG, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION LOBBIED AGGRESSIVELY TO WIN OVER HIS COLLEAGUES. OFFICIALS WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE INFLUENTIAL FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, JESSE HELMS, AND OTHERS. THE WHITE HOUSE AND STATE DEPARTMENT ALSO LINED UP SUPPORT FROM SCORES OF EXPERTS, RETIRED GENERALS AND CITIZENS GROUPS.

EVERY DAY BOB LOVETT, WHO WAS THEN THE NUMBER TWO GUY AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, WOULD GO TO VANDENBURG'S APARTMENT. THEY'D HAVE MARTINIS, LOVETT WOULD SHOW HIM TOP-SECRET CABLES ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON IN EUROPE AND THEY REELED VANDENBURG RIGHT IN.

[11] U-N/ BOSNIA (L-O) BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE HEAD OF UNITED NATIONS OPERATIONS IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA, ELIZABETH REHN, SAYS CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANCO TUJMAN IS NOT HELPING TO FOSTER COOPERATION IN BOSNIA. . V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NAIIONS.

TEXT: MS. REHN SAYS THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF THE SERB REPUBLIC IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA HAS SHOWN A COMMITMENT TO FULFIL THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, MS. REHN SAYS, THE ATTITUDE IN PARTS OF THE BOSNIA-CROAT FEDERATION HAS BEEN LESS COOPERATIVE.

MS REHN'S MAIN TASK IS OVERSEEING MORE THAN TWO-THOUSAND INTERNATIONAL POLICE CHARGED WITH TRAINING, MONITORING AND CERTIFYING LOCAL POLICE IN BOSNIA. MS. REHN SAYS THE POLICE TRAINING PROGRAM IS WORKING WELL IN EIGHT OF THE 10 CANTONS THAT MAKE UP THE BOSNIA-CROAT FEDERATION. BUT SHE SAYS THE TWO CROAT-DOMINATED CANTONS IN THE WESTERN PART OF BOSNIA ARE NOT COOPERATING.

WE WENT TO SEE PRESIDENT TUJMAN SOME TIME AGO. WE TRIED TO GET HIS SUPPORT FOR MORE COOPERATION FROM THE CROAT SIDE. UNFORTUNATELY THAT FAILED. AND THE SPEECH THAT PRESIDENT TUJMAN GAVE TO HIS PARTY CONGRESS WAS NOT VERY HELPFUL FOR COOOPERATION IN THE FEDERATION IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA.

IN SPITE OF THE LACK OF COOPERATION ON THE PART OF THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT, MS. REHN SAYS POSITIVE ACHIEVEMENTS OUTWEIGH THE NEGATIVES.

ON THURSDAY MS. REHN BRIEFED THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL ON BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA. SHE SAYS SHE ASKED FOR LONGER MANDATES FOR THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE AND MORE FEMALES TO HELP TRAIN LOCAL WOMEN POLICE TO DEAL WITH DOMESTIC DISPUTES AND RAPE CASES. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/BJS/LSF/PT
20-Mar-98 3:13 PM EST (2013 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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