Voice of America, 98-11-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] NATO KOSOVO (S/L VER) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[02] U-N-H-C-R / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

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

[04] E-U / TRADE (L-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[05] TURKEY / ITALY / KURDS (L&S) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[06] TURKEY / ITALY / KURDS (L UPDATE) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

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

[08] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] NATO KOSOVO (S/L VER) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO HAS APPROVED PLANS FOR WHAT'S CALLED A RAPID REACTION FORCE TO BE STATIONED IN MACEDONIA JUST ACROSS THE BORDER FROM YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS THAT NATO AMBASSADORS APPROVED THE FORCE TO SUPPORT UNARMED CIVILIAN OBSERVERS IN KOSOVO.

TEXT: THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A RAPID REACTION FORCE THAT WILL STAND BY IN MACEDONIA AND PULL OUT THE TWO-THOUSAND CIVILIANS, IF THEY RUN INTO TROUBLE WHILE CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTIES IN KOSOVO.

THE APPROVAL OF THE OPERATION PLAN WAS TAKEN BY THE AMBASSADORS IN WHAT OFFICIALS CALL A "SILENT PROCEDURE." THIS IS WHEN A PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED PLAN GOES AHEAD, IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION BY A CERTAIN TIME. WITH THIS ACTION, NATO'S SUPREME COMMANDER, GENERAL WESLEY CLARK, CAN NOW GET FORMAL OFFERS FROM THE COUNTRIES THAT HAVE AGREED TO CONTRIBUTE TROOPS TO THE STAND-BY FORCE.

THE RAPID REACTION FORCE IS EXPECTED TO BE BETWEEN 12-HUNDRED AND 18-HUNDRED TROOPS -- ABOUT HALF OF THEM COMING FROM FRANCE. GERMANY, BRITAIN AND THE NETHERLANDS HAVE PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED PLANS TO TAKE PART IN THE FORCE, WHICH WILL BE COMMANDED ON THE GROUND BY A FRENCH GENERAL.

NATO OFFICIALS SAY WHEN GENERAL CLARK HAS THE FORMAL OFFERS OF TROOPS, THE NATO AMBASSADORS WILL ACTIVATE THE FORCE IN MACEDONIA. THE PROBABLY WILL COME LATE NEXT WEEK.

THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT PLAN TO TAKE PART IN THE GROUND FORCE BUT IS CONTRIBUTING OBSERVATION PLANES AND PILOTS TO NATO'S AERIAL SURVEILLANCE OF KOSOVO.

AMBASSADORS DISCUSSED KOSOVO AT THEIR FRIDAY MEETING HERE AND AN OFFICIAL SAYS THEY EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT VIOLENCE IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE COULD AGAIN DEVELOP INTO A MAJOR CONFLICT. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/PCF
13-Nov-98 12:31 PM EST (1731 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] U-N-H-C-R / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: A UNITED NATIONS SURVEY IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE SHOWS THAT 60 PERCENT OF THE HOUSES WERE DESTROYED OR SEVERELY DAMAGED IN VILLAGES WHERE FIGHTING TOOK PLACE. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE U-N TEAM STUDIED 240 OF THE PROVINCE'S 350 VILLAGES.

TEXT: THE SURVEY REPORTS THAT 90 VILLAGES WERE UNAFFECTED BY THE CONFLICT, WHILE THE REMAINING 150 HAD VARYING DEGREES OF DAMAGE. FURTHERMORE, THE SURVEY FINDS ABOUT 40 PERCENT OF THE HOUSES ARE HABITABLE WITH LITTLE OR NO DAMAGE, ABOUT ONE-THIRD ARE DESTROYED, AND 29 PERCENT HEAVILY DAMAGED AND IN NEED OF MAJOR REPAIR. THE SURVEY ALSO ESTIMATES THAT 100-THOUSAND PEOPLE ARE STILL DISPLACED WITHIN KOSOVO AND THAT ANOTHER 125-THOUSAND PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY (U-N-H-C-R) KRIS JANOWSKI, SAYS INFORMATION FROM THE SURVEY WILL HELP THE UNITED NATIONS KNOW WHERE ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED.

OF COURSE, THE U-N-H-C-R IS NOT GOING TO REBUILD DESTROYED VILLAGES. THIS IS PRIMARILY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT TO REBUILD THOSE VILLAGES. WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MATERIAL, THAT KIND OF PERSONNEL AND SO ON AND SO FORTH. WHAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO DO IS BE ABLE TO HELP THE PEOPLE WITH BASIC SHELTER MATERIAL SO THEY CAN BASICALLY FIX THEIR HOUSES.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THE TEMPORARY REPAIRS WILL HELP THE PEOPLE SURVIVE THE WINTER IN A BEARABLE CONDITION. HE SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS PLANS TO CONDUCT ANOTHER SURVEY, WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE REMAINING VILLAGES AND THE LARGER TOWNS IN KOSOVO.

THE U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN ALSO SAYS SERB TROOPS ARE CONTINUING TO TERRORIZE ETHNIC ALBANIANS. HE SAYS YUGOSLAV TROOPS EARLIER THIS WEEK ENTERED A VILLAGE NEAR THE TOWN OF PRIZREN, NEAR THE BORDER WITH ALBANIA, IN SEARCH OF WEAPONS.

YUGOSLAV TROOPS DETAINED 24-HUNDRED VILLAGERS FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS AND THREATENED TO BURN THE VILLAGE UNLESS ALL WEAPONS WERE RETURNED. THE VILLAGERS WERE TERRIFIED AND TOLD US ESSENTIALLY THAT IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN, THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE UP AGAIN AND GO UP TO THE HILLS.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS ACTIONS SUCH AS THIS COULD UNDERMINE THE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH
13-Nov-98 10:28 AM EST (1528 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL WILL HAND DOWN VERDICTS ON MONDAY FOR FOUR MEN CHARGED WITH KILLING, TORTURING, AND RAPING SERBS AT THE CELEBICI DETENTION CENTER IN CENTRAL BOSNIA. LAUREN COMITEAU IN THE THE HAGUE REPORTS THE FOUR DEFENDANTS -- THREE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS AND ONE CROAT -- HAVE BEEN ON TRIAL FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.

TEXT: THE CELEBICI TRIAL HAS BEEN ONE OF EPIC PROPORTIONS FROM THE START. THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL'S FIRST JOINT TRIAL SAW FOUR DEFENDANTS, EIGHT DEFENSE LAWYERS, AND A TABLE OF PROSECUTORS BATTLING IT OUT BEFORE THREE JUDGES -- OFTEN IN LESS THAN CORDIAL TERMS. ABOUT 120 WITNESSES AND 690 EXHIBITS PASSED THROUGH THE CROWDED COURTROOM AT A GLACIAL PACE.

PROSECUTORS CHARGE THAT AT LEAST 14 BOSNIAN SERBS WERE MURDERED AT CELEBICI IN 1992, WHERE THEY WERE KEPT IN SUBHUMAN CONDITIONS. AND THEY SAY THE DEFENDANTS -- WHO RANGE FROM A COMMANDER OF MUSLIM-CROAT FORCES TO A PRISON GUARD -- ARE EITHER DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE CRIMES OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE ABUSES AND USED THEIR AUTHORITY TO STOP THEM. NOW, 20 MONTHS AND 16-THOUSAND PAGES OF COURT TRANSCRIPTS LATER, PROSECUTORS WILL FIND OUT IF THEY HAVE PROVED THE DEFENDANTS' ROLES IN THE MULTIPLE MURDERS, HORRIFIC TORTURES, AND SEXUAL ASSAULTS THAT THEY SAY AWAITED SERB PRISONERS IN CELEBICI.

MIRKO BABIC WAS ONE OF THOSE SERB VICTIMS.

MR. BABIC TOLD THE COURT THAT TWO OF THE DEFENDANTS -- DEPUTY CAMP COMMANDER HAZIM DELIC AND PRISON GUARD ESAD LANDZO -- PUT A MASK OVER HIS EYES AND BEAT HIM UNTIL HE WAS ALMOST UNCONSCIOUS. HE SAYS ESAD LANDZO WAS THE MAN WHO POURED GASOLINE OVER HIS LEG AND THEN SET IT ON FIRE.

MR. LANDZO TESTIFIED HE DOES NOT REMEMBER MIRKO BABIC. BUT HE SAID HE DOES REMEMBER SETTING ANOTHER MAN ON FIRE.

HE SAID IT WAS OUT OF PURE IGNORANCE THAT HE SET A PRISONER'S CLOTHES ON FIRE, THINKING THE EFFECT WOULD NOT BE SO BAD. BUT HE HEARD HERE IN COURT THAT THE MAN WAS WEARING SYNTHETIC CLOTHING, SO THE RESULT WAS IN FACT VERY BAD.

ESAD LANDZO IS THE ONLY ONE OF THE FOUR DEFENDANTS TO ADMIT SOME GUILT. BUT HE SAYS HIS COMMANDER, CO-DEFENDANT HAZIM DELIC, MADE HIM COMMIT THE CRIMES. HAZIM DELIC SAYS THAT IS A LIE.

ESAD LANDZO'S LAWYER ARGUED FOR A FIVE YEAR SENTENCE FOR HER CLIENT, SAYING HE HAS BEEN REFORMED IN JAIL. BUT PROSECUTOR TERESA MCHENRY ASKED JUDGES FOR HARSHER SENTENCES FOR ALL THE DEFENDANTS WHO ARE FOUND GUILTY.

I JUST ASK WHEN FINALLY DECIDING ON A SENTENCE, YOU THINK ABOUT AND REMEMBER THE HUNDREDS OF VICTIMS OF THE CELEBICI CAMP, AND THAT YOU THINK OF WHAT THEIR LIVES WERE LIKE AND HOW A LARGE NUMBER OF THEM DID NOT SURVIVE, AND HOW EVEN THAT THOSE WHO DID SURVIVE WILL BE SCARRED PHYSICALLY OR EMOTIONALLY OR BOTH FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

PROSECUTORS URGED JUDGES TO HAND DOWN LIFE SENTENCES TO HAZIM DELIC AND ESAD LANDZO, WITH LESSER SENTENCES TO THE TWO OTHER DEFENDANTS.

SINCE THE START OF THIS TRIAL, THE NUMBER OF SUSPECTS IN THE TRIBUNAL'S CUSTODY HAS JUMPED FROM SEVEN TO 26, WITH MANY OF THE NEWER SUSPECTS CHARGED WITH MORE SERIOUS CRIMES THAN THE CELEBICI DEFENDANTS.

NEVERTHELESS, PROSECUTORS SAY THE CRIMES HERE ARE INTRINSICALLY GRAVE. AND JUDGING THE DEFENDANTS LIGHTLY, THEY SAY, WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE OF THE TRIBUNAL. (SIGNED)
NEB/LC/JWH/PLM
13-Nov-98 6:16 AM EST (1116 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] E-U / TRADE (L-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION SAYS E-U TRADE WITH ASIAN NATIONS SLUMPED DRAMATICALLY IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: ACCORDING TO THE E-U FIGURES, EXPORTS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION TO JAPAN DROPPED 14 PERCENT, TO HONG KONG BY EIGHT PERCENT, AND BY ONE PERCENT TO TAIWAN IN COMPARISON WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.

DESPITE THE SLOWDOWN IN TRADE WITH ASIA AND RUSSIA, THE 11 COUNTRIES INTRODUCING THE EURO CURRENCY ON NEW YEAR'S DAY HAD AN OVERALL TRADE SURPLUS WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD OF MORE THAN 13-BILLION DOLLARS. GERMANY LED THE WAY WITH THE BIGGEST SURPLUS, FOLLOWED BY ITALY.

THE EUROPEAN STATISTICS COULD SUPPORT THE U-S ARGUMENT THAT EUROPE IS NOT OPENING ITS MARKETS ENOUGH TO HELP RESOLVE THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS. U-S OFFICIALS ARGUE THAT THE UNITED STATES BECOMES THE MARKET OF THE FIRST RESORT FOR RUSSIA AND ASIA AND THE RESULTING U-S TRADE DEFICITS ARE NOT POLITICALLY SUSTAINABLE.

THE EUROPEANS RESPOND THAT THEIR IMPORTS FROM JAPAN GREW BY 14 PERCENT, ALTHOUGH IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA DROPPED BY 10 PERCENT. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SPOKESMAN, NIGEL GARDNER, SAYS E-U NATIONS ARE DOING WHAT THEY CAN.

WE THINK WE ARE DOING OUR BIT FOR THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS AND WE WANT TO CARRY ON DOING OUR BIT. IF YOU LOOK AT THE FIGURES FOR STEEL, STEEL IMPORTS INTO THE E-U ARE UP BY 56 PERCENT IN FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THREE-POINT-TWO-MILLION TONS, THE AMERICANS HAVE ONLY MANAGED TWO-MILLION TONS.

THE EUROPEAN UNION IS LOCKED IN A SEPARATE TRADE DISPUTE WITH THE UNITED STATES OVER BANANA IMPORTS. THE UNITED STATES IS THREATENING IMPORT DUTIES ON A VARIETY OF EUROPEAN PRODUCTS UNLESS EUROPE OPENS ITS MARKETS WIDER TO AMERICAN BANANA DISTRIBUTORS.

MR. GARDNER SAYS THE TWO TRADING PARTNERS SHOULD BE COOPERATING INSTEAD OF THREATENING EACH OTHER.

WE SHOULD BE COOPERATING EVEN MORE AT THE MOMENT TO DEAL WITH THESE ISSUES COMING FROM ASIA AND WHAT THE UNITED STATES IS THREATENING IN TERMS OF UNILATERAL SANCTIONS OVER BANANAS IS GOING TO MAKE THAT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT.

THE EUROPEAN UNION WANTS TO TAKE THE BANANA DISPUTE TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. BUT THE UNITED STATES PLANS TO DOUBLE THE PRICES ON A VARIETY OF EUROPEAN GOODS NEXT YEAR UNLESS EUROPE CHANGES RULES THAT FAVOR FORMER COLONIES INSTEAD OF BANANA IMPORTS FROM CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/JWH/RRM
13-Nov-98 9:14 AM EST (1414 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] TURKEY / ITALY / KURDS (L&S) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKISH POLICE SAY ABDULLAH OCALAN, LEADER OF THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY -- THE P-K-K -- HAS BEEN DETAINED IN ROME. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, TURKEY'S MOST WANTED MAN HAS BEEN LEADING THE SEPARATIST REBEL GROUP FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS.

TEXT: TURKISH POLICE CHIEF NECATI BILICAN ANNOUNCED NEWS OF ABDULLAH OCALAN'S DETENTION BY ITALIAN POLICE FROM GERMANY WHERE HE IS ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT. MR. BILICAN SAYS THE P-K-K LEADER WAS DETAINED AT ROME AIRPORT THURSDAY EVENING AFTER GETTING OFF A PLANE FROM MOSCOW. HE WAS ALLEGEDLY CARRYING A FORGED TURKISH PASSPORT.

TURKISH TELEVISION REPORTED THAT THE REBEL KURDISH LEADER HAD BEEN TAKEN TO AN ITALIAN MILITARY HOSPITAL FOR A PHYSICAL AND THEN PUT IN JAIL. THE REPORT COULD NOT BE INDEPENDENTLY CONFIRMED. TURKISH JUSTICE MINISTER HASAN DENIZKURDU SAID HIS COUNTRY WOULD DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO EXTRADITE THE P-K-K LEADER, WHO IS ON INTERPOL'S LIST OF MOST WANTED CRIMINALS.

TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY THEIR AMBASSADOR TO ITALY HAS ALREADY OFFICIALLY DEMANDED THE P-K-K LEADER'S EXTRADITION.

AN ETHNIC KURD FROM TURKEY'S SOUTHERN PROVINCE OF GAZIANTEP, ABDULLAH OCALAN FOUNDED THE P-K-K IN THE LATE 1970'S. THE GROUP'S OBJECTIVE WAS TO ESTABLISH THROUGH ARMED STRUGGLE AN INDEPENDENT "KURDISTAN," CARVED MAINLY OUT OF TURKEY. THAT ARMED STRUGGLE HAS SO FAR CLAIMED NEARLY 40-THOUSAND LIVES.

THE REBEL GROUP -- WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AROUND FIVE-THOUSAND FIGHTERS, INCLUDING OVER 500 WOMEN -- IS REGARDED AS A TERRORIST GROUP BY TURKEY AND THE UNITED STATES.

ABDULLAH OCALAN'S CAPTURE IS BEING HAILED BY TURKISH OFFICIALS AS A MAJOR VICTORY AGAINST THE P-K-K. BUT IN THE EYES OF MANY ETHNIC KURDS BASED IN SOUTHEAST TURKEY AND NORTHERN IRAQ, THE P-K-K IS VIEWED AS THE ONLY KURDISH MOVEMENT TO HAVE SUCCEEDED IN FORCING TURKEY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE KURDS' EXISTENCE AS A SEPARATE ETHNIC GROUP. STILL, OBSERVERS SAY THE BRUTAL METHODS EMPLOYED BY THE REBELS, WHICH INCLUDE MURDERING KURDISH CIVILIANS WHO SIDE WITH THE TURKISH STATE, HAS REINFORCED THE GROUP'S TERRORIST IMAGE, BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF/RRM
13-Nov-98 8:54 AM EST (1354 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] TURKEY / ITALY / KURDS (L UPDATE) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKISH PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ SAYS HE EXPECTS THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT WILL HAND OVER KURDISH REBEL CHIEF ABDULLAH OCALAN WHO WAS ARRESTED (THURSDAY) IN ROME. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS MR. YILMAZ SAID IT WOULD NOT -- IN HIS WORDS -- BEFIT A FELLOW NATO MEMBER COUNTRY TO OFFER SANCTUARY TO "A MURDERER."

TEXT: MR. YILMAZ SPOKE TO REPORTERS FOLLOWING NEWS OF THE ARREST OF ABDULLAH OCALAN -- THE LEADER OF THE SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, P-K-K. THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER CALLED ON THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT TO RESPECT WHAT HE CALLED ITS OBLIGATIONS TO HELP PRESERVE LAW AND ORDER.

MR. YILMAZ SAID HIS GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY DEMANDED THE P-K-K LEADER'S EXTRADITION BY THE ITALIAN AUTHORITIES.

ABDULLAH OCALAN WAS ARRESTED AT ROME AIRPORT THURSDAY EVENING AFTER HE GOT OFF A PLANE FROM MOSCOW. POLICE SAY HE WAS CARRYING A FORGED TURKISH PASSPORT.

PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ DESCRIBED THE ARREST OF THE P-K-K LEADER AS A MAJOR TURNING POINT IN TURKEY'S BATTLE AGAINST SEPARATIST TERRORISM.

BUT MR. YILMAZ CAUTIONED AGAINST COMPLACENCY, SAYING TURKEY'S FIGHT AGAINST THE P-K-K WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL WHAT HE TERMED THE "VERY END."

MR. YILMAZ SAID HIS GOVERNMENT'S PRESSURE ON DAMASCUS LAST MONTH TO EXPEL ABDULLAH OCALAN FROM SYRIA HAD PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN HIS CAPTURE. FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS, THE P-K-K LEADER HAD BEEN DIRECTING HIS REBELS FROM DAMASCUS BY WALKIE TALKIES AND CELLULAR TELEPHONES. UNDER TURKISH MILITARY THREATS, THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT ORDERED HIM OUT OF THE COUNTRY LAST MONTH, AND TURKEY SAID HE HAD GONE TO MOSCOW.

ABDULLAH OCALAN -- AN ETHNIC KURD FROM TURKEY'S SOUTHERN PROVINCE OF SANLIURFA -- IS A UNIVERSITY DROP OUT WITH A PASSION FOR SOCCER. HE FOUNDED THE P-K-K IN THE LATE 1970'S, WITH THE GOAL OF ESTABLISHING AN INDEPENDENT "KURDISTAN" CARVED MAINLY OUT OF TURKEY THROUGH AN ARMED STRUGGLE AGAINST THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT. NEARLY 40-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE CONFLICT SO FAR.

THE REBEL GROUP IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AROUND FIVE-THOUSAND FIGHTERS INCLUDING MORE THAN 500 WOMEN. IT IS REGARDED AS A TERRORIST GROUP BY TURKEY, THE UNITED STATES, AND LEADING EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS.

BUT TO MANY ETHNIC KURDS IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY AND NORTHERN IRAQ, THE P-K-K IS VIEWED AS THE ONLY KURDISH MOVEMENT TO HAVE SUCCEEDED IN FORCING THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE KURDS EXISTENCE AS A SEPARATE ETHNIC GROUP. STILL, OBSERVERS SAY THE BRUTAL METHODS EMPLOYED BY THE REBELS -- INCLUDING THE MURDERS OF KURDISH CIVILIANS WHO SIDE WITH THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT -- HAS REINFORCED THE GROUP'S TERRORIST IMAGE BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH
13-Nov-98 12:21 PM EST (1721 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (FRIDAY) AS SOME TRADERS BET ON A FURTHER U-S INTEREST RATE CUT NEXT WEEK. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 89 HUNDRED 19, UP 89 POINTS OR ONE PERCENT. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST 56 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 11 HUNDRED 25, UP SEVEN POINTS.

ANALYSTS ARE DIVIDED OVER WHETHER THE U-S CENTRAL BANK WILL AGAIN CUT INTEREST RATES AT A MEETING NEXT TUESDAY. TRADERS WHO BELIEVE THERE WILL BE A RATE CUT WERE BUYING STOCKS FRIDAY. FOR THE MOST PART, POSSIBLE U-S MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ WAS NOT A FACTOR IN STOCK MARKET TRADING.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED RETAIL SALES IN THE UNITED STATES ROSE BY ONE FULL PERCENTAGE POINT IN OCTOBER, LED BY THE STRONGEST NEW CAR SALES FIGURES IN 15 MONTHS.

WHOLESALES PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES ROSE BY TWO-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT LAST MONTH, NOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE ANY SERIOUS INFLATION WORRIES.

DESPITE FRIDAY'S RALLY, JOHN MANLEY OF THE SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INVESTMENT FIRM EXPECTS STOCK PRICES TO BE IN A FAIRLY NARROW TRADING RANGE FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

THE MARKET RAN UP, IT CAME BACK DOWN, THEN IT BOUNCED BACK UP HERE. WE WILL HAVE GOOD DAYS AND BAD DAYS BUT ESSENTIALLY I THINK THERE IS NOT A LOT OF RISK AND, SHORT TERM, NOT A LOT OF UPSIDE POTENTIAL.

THERE WAS OPTIMISM THAT A 41 BILLION DOLLAR FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE FOR BRAZIL WILL PREVENT MAJOR FINANCIAL PROBLEMS IN LATIN AMERICA. THE AID PLAN WAS DEVELOPED BY THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND.

INTERNET-RELATED STOCKS CONTINUED TO BE EXTREMELY STRONG. THE STOCK OF A COMPANY CALLED "THE GLOBE DOT COM" SOARED 700 PERCENT ON ITS FIRST DAY OF TRADING. MOST OF THE INTERNET COMPANIES HAVE YET TO EARN ANY PROFITS BUT A COMPANY CALLED "GO 2 NET" IS AN EXCEPTION. ITS STOCK ROSE ALMOST 40 PERCENT AFTER THE FIRM REPORTED A MODEST PROFIT AHEAD OF EXPECTATIONS.

THE STOCK OF THE DELL COMPUTER COMPANY FELL DESPITE BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED EARNINGS. ANALYSTS SAY TRADERS ARE WORRIED ABOUT INCREASING PRICE COMPETITION IN THE PERSONAL COMPUTER INDUSTRY. PEPSICO, THE BEVERAGE AND SNACK FOOD COMPANY, HAS CONFIRMED REPORTS THAT IT PLANS TO SELL A SUBSTANTIAL STAKE IN ITS COMPANY-OWNED BOTTLING OPERATIONS. PEPSICO SAYS THE SALE WILL BE IN THE FORM OF A STOCK OFFERING IN ABOUT SIX MONTHS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
13-Nov-98 5:04 PM EST (2204 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE PENDING, AND SEEMINGLY UNAVOIDABLE MILITARY CONFRONTATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN AND IRAQ, DOMINATES THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF FRIDAY'S U-S PAPERS.

TEXT: ACROSS THE COUNTRY, PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE POSSIBLE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST SADDAM HUSSEIN'S IRAQ FOR REFUSING FURTHER U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. HERE IS HOW THE ISSUE IS VIEWED IN THE HEARTLAND, FROM AN EDITORIAL IN "THE TOPEKA [KANSAS] CAPITOL-JOURNAL."

VOICE: /// OPT // AT SOME POINT, EVEN THE MOST INTELLECTUALLY CHALLENGED CAT HAS GOT TO GET THE MOUSE OR FIGURE OUT IT'S TIME TO FALL BACK AND RECONNOITER. THAT'S PRECISELY WHAT THE UNITED STATES AND UNITED NATIONS SHOULD DO NOW WITH REGARD TO IRAQ. /// END OPT /// IT'S TIME TO END THIS EXPENSIVE, DANGEROUS GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE. LET'S EITHER GO IN AND FORCE COMPLIANCE WITH U-N INSPECTIONS OR DRAW DOWN OUR FORCES AND LET HIS ARAB NEIGHBORS WORRY ABOUT SADDAM HUSSEIN. /// OPT /// ... LET'S BE HONEST. IT'S RARE WHEN THE OTHER ARAB NATIONS PUBLICLY SUPPORT THE UNITED STATES IN ITS DEALINGS WITH IRAQ. HOW WOULD THEY REACT IF WE JUST LEFT THE GULF ALL TOGETHER AND LET THEM DEAL WITH SADDAM ALONE? IT'S AN OPTION THE UNITED STATES SHOULD CONSIDER UNLESS ARAB SUPPORT CONTINUES. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: TO THE FAR PACIFIC NORTHWEST NOW, AND PORTLAND'S "OREGONIAN," WHICH SAYS THE CHOICE IS NOW UP TO THE IRAQI LEADER.

VOICE: ... THE CHOICE FOR IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN HAS BECOME QUITE SIMPLE: COOPERATE OR BE BOMBED. NO MORE BUYING TIME [STALLING] THROUGH EVASION AND RESISTANCE HOPING THAT THE WORLD WILL WEARY OF IRAQ AND FORGET WHY THE INVADER OF KUWAIT STILL CAN'T BE TRUSTED WITH THE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION HE APPEARS TO BE TRYING DESPERATELY TO RETAIN OR REBUILD. ... IF SADDAM WON'T ACCEPT THE TERMS THE UNITED NATIONS IMPOSED AFTER HIS DEFEAT, HE IS, INDEED, RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSEQUENCES SEVERE AS THEY MIGHT BE.

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, FRIDAY'S "'MIAMI HERALD," REMINDS READERS OF THE EVILS INVOLVED WITH THE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, AND THEN QUOTES THE PRESIDENT.

VOICE: SADDAM'S WILLINGNESS TO USE SUCH WEAPONS IS A MATTER OF RECORD: HE USED POISON GAS AGAINST KURDS AND SHIITES IN IRAQ, AND AGAINST IRAN. NO ONE SHOULD DOUBT THAT HE'D USE SUCH WEAPONS AGAINST ISRAEL, SAUDI ARABIA, AND U-S INTERESTS IN THE MIDEAST - - DESPITE THE CERTAINTY OF RUINOUS REPRISALS. ... 'WE HOPE SADDAM HUSSEIN COMPLIES,' MR. CLINTON TOLD A SOLEMN VETERANS DAY CEREMONY AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY. 'HOWEVER, WE MUST BE PREPARED TO ACT IF HE DOES NOT.' AMEN.

TEXT: BUT THERE ARE VOICES THAT IF NOT IN DISSENT, ARE AT LEAST CONCERNED ABOUT THE STRATEGY AND ITS GOALS. "USA TODAY" WANTS TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS IF AIRSTRIKES DON'T WORK, AND ACCUSES THE PRESIDENT OF FAILING SO FAR, TO "DEFINE [THE] NATION'S COMMITMENT."

VOICE: THE QUESTION IS: HOW DOES THE PRESIDENT EXPECT BOMBING TO END IRAQ'S NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAMS WHEN VIRTUALLY EVERYONE AGREES THE WEAPONS FACILITIES CAN'T BE DESTROYED BY AIR ATTACKS? IN FACT, U-N INSPECTORS ON THE GROUND HAVE YET TO LOCATE ALL THE WEAPONS SITES. ... CURRENT U-S POLICY ON IRAQ IS, AT BEST, ILL DEFINED; AT WORST, UNFATHOMABLE. ... THE FIRST NEED IN WAGING A SUCCESSFUL WAR IS TO DEFINE THE GOALS WITH ENOUGH CLARITY TO KNOW WHAT SUCCESS REQUIRES. THE SECOND IS TO ENLIST THE SUPPORT NEEDED TO ASSURE THAT SUCCESS. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT PRESIDENT BUSH DID IN WINNING THE GULF WAR. SO FAR THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE NEITHER.

TEXT: /// OPT /// "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" SAYS THE CONGRESS IS BEHIND PRESIDENT CLINTON AND THAT NO ONE ANY LONGER DOUBTS HE IS CONDUCTING FOREIGN POLICY TO DISTRACT FROM THE MONICA LEWINSKY SCANDAL, SO:

VOICE: THE WORST POSSIBILITY IS THAT ONCE AGAIN, WE DON'T MEAN IT, AND SOME FACE-SAVING AGREEMENT WILL ALLOW SADDAM HUSSEIN TO CONTINUE HIS DEFIANCE UNPUNISHED. .... GIVEN ALL THESE ASSETS, IF WE ARE UNABLE TO COMMAND SADDAM HUSSEIN'S COMPLIANCE, IT IS DOUBTFUL THERE IS MUCH ELSE IN THE WORLD WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO EITHER. /// END OPT

TEXT: TURNING TO ANOTHER IMPORTANT ISSUE IN THE REGION, "THE WASHINGTON POST" FRETS THAT ISRAEL IS DRAGGING ITS FEET ON THE WYE PEACE ACCORD.

VOICE: WITH THE IRAQ ISSUE AT THE POINT OF EXPLOSION, THIS IS AN ESPECIALLY BAD MOMENT FOR DELAY IN THE SCHEDULED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN ACCORD SIGNED AT WYE. THIS PROSPECT NOW LOOMS AS A RESULT OF ISRAEL'S DECISION TO REVISIT SEVERAL POLITICALLY TENDER CLAUSES BEARING ON ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL AND AMENDMENT OF THE PALESTINIAN CHARTER AND TO PUSH AHEAD WITH A CONTROVERSIAL HOUSING PROJECT IN JERUSALEM.

TEXT: IN THIS HEMISPHERE, "THE DENVER POST" IS ASKING EDITORIALLY THIS FRIDAY, WHAT GOOD IS ALL THAT AID TO CENTRAL AMERICA AFTER HURRICANE MITCH IF IT IS NOT TIED TO FUNDAMENTAL LAND AND OTHER REFORMS?

VOICE: /// OPT // NO MORTAL COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE TERRIBLE DESTRUCTION THE HURRICANE INFLICTED. HOWEVER, SOME HUMAN DECISIONS EXACERBATED THE DESTRUCTION. .... THE SKEWED POLICIES OF SEVERAL CENTRAL AMERICAN GOVERNMENTS LONG HAVE FORCED POOR FARMERS TO CUT DOWN THE FORESTS TO MAKE ROOM FOR ECONOMICALLY MARGINAL CROPS. .... THE HUMAN-CAUSED ...DEFORESTATION WORSENED THE RECENT FLASH FLOODING AND LANDSLIDES. .... WHAT THE REGION REALLY NEEDS IS ... A MARSHALL PLAN FOR THE 1990S AND BEYOND.

TEXT: A BANANA TRADE WAR HAS ERUPTED BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" FAULTS THE U-S STRATEGY AS IT TRIES TO DEFEND THE UNITED STATES GIANTS INCLUDING CHIQUITA, FORMERLY KNOWN AS "UNITED FRUIT COMPANY," AGAINST THE EUROPEAN-BACKED FORMER COLONIAL PRODUCERS.

VOICE: THE POLICY IS UNIFORMLY CONCEDED TO BE A DISASTER, COSTING EUROPEAN CONSUMERS LOTS OF MONEY AND DISTORTING WORLD TRADE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION HAS RULED IN FAVOR OF U-S COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE BANANA REGIME. BUT THE E-U SEEMS INTENT ON IGNORING THE W-T-O. BUT NOW WE ARE FACED WITH THE ABSURD SPECTACLE OF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, AS IT PONDERS CRACKING DOWN ON SADDAM HUSSEIN ... THREATENING TO [ALSO] CRACK DOWN ON SCOTCH WHISKY AND FRENCH WINE IN RETALIATION AGAINST THE E-U'S BANANAS POLICY. ... EUROPE IS WRONG ABOUT BANANAS .... BUT SOMETIMES THE BEST RESPONSE TO CHILDISHNESS ISN'T PUNISHMENT.....

TEXT: IN NEBRASKA, "THE OMAHA WORLD-HERALD" SALUTES C-I-A DIRECTOR GEORGE TENENT FOR HAVING THE CHARACTER TO THREATEN TO RESIGN DURING THE WYE PLANTATION PEACE TALKS, IF THE UNITED STATES BOWED TO ISRAEL'S LAST-MINUTE DEMAND FOR THE RELEASE OF CONVICTED SPY JONATHAN POLLARD.

VOICE: [MR.] TENET THUS BEHAVED HONORABLY IN AN ADMINISTRATION THAT IS OFTEN STARVED FOR PRINCIPLE.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS UPSET THAT AN IOWA LAW MAKING ITS WAY TO THE SUPREME COURT FOR A FINAL RULING, GIVES POLICE FAR TOO MUCH AUTHORITY TO SEARCH CARS THEY ARBITRARILY STOP FOR SPEEDING. SAYS "THE TIMES:"

VOICE: AT THE COURT'S RECENT HEARING IN THE IOWA CASE, JUSTICE ANTHONY KENNEDY ...... SAID ... THE STATE WAS SEEKING AUTHORITY FOR 'ARREST INCIDENT TO [MEANING: "ONLY AS A REASON FOR" AND N O T " ON ITS OWN MERITS"] SEARCH.' FOR THE SAKE OF CIVIL LIBERTIES AND CONSTITUTIONAL CLARITY, THE JUSTICES SHOULD REJECT THAT BACKWARD LOGIC.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE NATION'S DAILY NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL PAGES ON THIS, THE SUPERSTITIOUS-PERSON'S LEAST FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR, FRIDAY THE 13TH.
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13-Nov-98 11:26 AM EST (1626 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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