Voice of America, 99-01-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] CLINTON / KOSOVO (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

[02] KOSOVO/COOK (S) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

[03] KOSOVO/MESSAGE (L) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

[04] KOSOVO/MESSAGE, UPDATE (S&L) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

[05] NATO / KOSOVO (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[06] U-N / KOSOVO (S&L) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[07] RUBIN ON WORLD ECONOMY (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (DAVOS, SWITZERLAND)

[01] CLINTON / KOSOVO (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS WELCOMING A CONTACT GROUP PROPOSAL TO END THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO, AND VOWED NATO WOULD BACK THE PLAN WITH FORCE, IF NECESSARY. V-O-A'S DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: SPEAKING AT A WHITE HOUSE EVENT FRIDAY, MR. CLINTON WARNED THE PARTIES TO THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO THAT NATO IS PREPARED TO USE AIRSTRIKES TO END THE FIGHTING IF THE CONTACT GROUP PEACE PLAN DOES NOT SUCCEED.

OUR GOAL IS NOT MERELY TO RESPOND TO THE RECENT ATROCITIES IN KOSOVO, BUT TO HELP RESOLVE THE CONFLICT SO THE VIOLENCE CAN END FOR GOOD. THE CONTACT GROUP HAS NOW APPROVED THE TERMS OF AN INTERIM AGREEMENT TO DO JUST THAT, BY PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF ALL THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO, AND GIVING THEM THE SELF-GOVERNMENT THEY CLEARLY DESERVE. BOTH SIDES NOW HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STOP A WAR THAT NEITHER SIDE CAN WIN, AND TO START BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE BY PEACEFUL MEANS.

UNDER THE CONTACT GROUP PLAN -- ANNOUNCED IN LONDON -- THE PARTIES ARE TO BEGIN PEACE TALKS BY NEXT S/A/T/U/R/D/A/Y (FEB.6), AND COME TO AN AGREEMENT TWO WEEKS LATER.

THE CONTACT GROUP ALSO DEMANDED A RETURN TO A CEASEFIRE REACHED LAST OCTOBER, AND ACCESS TO KOSOVO BY THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL.

THE UNITED STATES HAS SAID IT WOULD CONSIDER CONTRIBUTING PEACEKEEPERS TO AN INTERNATIONAL MONITORING FORCE IN KOSOVO AFTER A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IS REACHED, BUT WOULD RULE OUT SENDING GROUND TROOPS THERE DURING THE CONFLICT. (SIGNED)
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29-Jan-99 8:58 PM EST (0158 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO/COOK (S) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK HAS DELIVERED THE MESSAGE TO YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC THAT SERBS MUST REACH AGREEMENT WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO WITHIN THREE WEEKS. THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE TO TAKE PLACE IN RAMBOULLET OUTSIDE PARIS BEGINNING LATE NEXT WEEK. THE SAME DEADLINE WILL BE GIVEN TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE ON THE STORY FROM THE KOSOVO CAPITAL, PRISTINA.

TEXT: IN BELGRADE MR. COOK DELIVERED HIS MESSAGE PERSONALLY TO YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, THEN TOLD REPORTERS AN ANSWER IS EXPECTED WITHIN A FEW DAYS.

THE PROPOSAL IS FOR A RETURN TO SELF-GOVERNMENT IN KOSOVO, WHICH ENJOYED AUTONOMY UNTIL MR. MILOSEVIC TOOK IT AWAY IN 1989. AFTER THREE YEARS, DURING WHICH MAJORITY PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE MINORITY KOSOVO SERBS CAN BE ASSESSED, THE FINAL STATUS OF THE PROVINCE IS TO BE NEGOTIATED.

MR. COOK'S NEXT STOP IS SKOPJE, MACEDONIA. HE WILL MEET WITH ALBANIAN LEADERS INCLUDING KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY -- K-L-A -- REPRESENTATIVES. TWO OF THE ALBANIAN PARTICIPANTS ARE IBRAHIM RUGOVA AND ADEM DEMACI. MR. RUGOVA REPRESENTS A MORE MODERATE ELEMENT AMONG KOSOVO ALBANIANS. MR. DEMACI IDENTIFIES HIMSELF WITH THE K-L-A. (SIGNED)
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30-Jan-99 10:36 AM EST (1536 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO/MESSAGE (L) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK HAS DELIVERED THE MESSAGE TO YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC THAT SERBS MUST REACH AGREEMENT WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO WITHIN THREE WEEKS. THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE TO TAKE PLACE IN RAMBOUILLET OUTSIDE PARIS BEGINNING LATE NEXT WEEK. THE SAME DEADLINE WILL BE GIVEN TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE ON THE STORY FROM THE KOSOVO CAPITAL, PRISTINA.

TEXT: IN BELGRADE, MR. COOK DELIVERED HIS MESSAGE PERSONALLY TO YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, THEN TOLD REPORTERS AN ANSWER IS EXPECTED WITHIN A FEW DAYS.

THE PROPOSAL IS FOR A RETURN TO SELF-GOVERNMENT IN KOSOVO, WHICH ENJOYED AUTONOMY UNTIL MR. MILOSEVIC TOOK IT AWAY IN 1989. AFTER THREE YEARS, DURING WHICH MAJORITY PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE MINORITY KOSOVO SERBS CAN BE ASSESSED, THE FINAL STATUS OF THE PROVINCE IS TO BE NEGOTIATED.

MR. COOK'S NEXT STOP IS SKOPJE, MACEDONIA. ACCOMPANIED BY THE HEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL VERIFICATION MISSION, THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY HAD TO CHANGE HIS MEETING SITE FROM PRISTINA BECAUSE A LATE-JANUARY SNOWSTORM HAS CLOSED THE AIRPORT. IN SKOPJE, HE WILL MEET WITH ALBANIAN LEADERS INCLUDING KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY -- K-L-A -- REPRESENTATIVES. TWO OF THE ALBANIAN PARTICIPANTS ARE IBRAHIM RUGOVA AND ADEM DEMACI. MR. RUGOVA REPRESENTS A MORE MODERATE ELEMENT AMONG KOSOVO ALBANIANS. MR. DEMACI IDENTIFIES HIMSELF WITH THE K-L-A.

HERE IN PRISTINA, 51 STUDENTS ARE CONTINUING A HUNGER STRIKE TO DEMAND THAT THE FRACTIOUS ETHNIC ALBANIANS UNIFY POLITICALLY FOR NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE SERBS. (SIGNED)
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30-Jan-99 11:19 AM EST (1619 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO/MESSAGE, UPDATE (S&L) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK HAS DELIVERED A MESSAGE TO BOTH SERBS AND ALBANIANS IN THE KOSOVO DISPUTE. MR. COOK, ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE SIX-NATION INTERNATIONAL CONTACT GROUP AND WITH UNITED NATIONS BACKING, SPOKE FIRST IN BELGRADE WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBAVAN MILOSEVIC AND THEN IN SKOPJE, MACEDONIA, WITH KOSOVAN ALBANIAN REPRESENTATIVES. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS DETAILS FROM KOSOVO.

TEXT: IN BOTH CASES THE MESSAGE WAS CLEAR: SERBS AND ALBANIANS MUST COME TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE AT RAMBOUILLET IN PARIS IN ONE WEEK. THEY HAVE TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT TO COME TO A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT.

EXPLICIT BEHIND THE DIPLOMACY REPRESENTED BY MR. COOK IS THE THREAT OF NATO MILITARY ACTION.

IN BELGRADE, MR. COOK SAID THIS MAY BE THE LAST CHANCE FOR PEACE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY OF OBTAINING THE STABILITY OF THE PEACE THAT THEY NEED, AND ALSO THAT BELGRADE IS GIVEN THIS OPPORTUNITY OF EXTRICATING ITSELF FROM A CONFLICT IT CANNOT WIN.

THE CONTACT GROUP PROPOSAL IS FOR A RETURN TO SELF-GOVERNMENT IN KOSOVO, WHICH ENJOYED AUTONOMY UNTIL MR. MILOSEVIC TOOK IT AWAY IN 1989.

PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC SAID HE WOULD CAREFULLY STUDY THE PROPOSAL AND GIVE AN ANSWER. THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY SAID A RESPONSE IS EXPECTED NEXT WEEK.

MR. COOK'S MEETING WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS WAS SWITCHED TO SKOPJE FROM PRISTINA BECAUSE BAD WEATHER CLOSED THE AIRPORT HERE.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE HEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL VERIFICATION MISSION, HE MET WITH ALBANIANS FROM MOST OF THE FACTIONS IN THIS DIVIDED COMMUNITY, FROM MODERATE IBRAHIM RUGOVA TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. (SIGNED)
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30-Jan-99 1:53 PM EST (1853 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] NATO / KOSOVO (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO HAS AUTHORIZED ITS SECRETARY-GENERAL TO LAUNCH AIRSTRIKES IF THE WARRING SERBS AND ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO DO NOT AGREE TO PEACE TALKS AND EVENTUAL AUTONOMY FOR THE PROVINCE. AS RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, NATO NOW HAS THE GREEN LIGHT FOR AIRSTRIKES.

TEXT: THE KEY TO AI STRIKES IS NO LONGER IN THE HANDS OF THE 16 NATO AMBASSADORS. IF THERE IS ANOTHER ATROCITY IN KOSOVO OR IF EITHER SIDE RESISTS COMING TO PEACE TALKS NEXT WEEK OUTSIDE PARIS, THE DECISION RESTS WITH NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA.

IF THESE DEMANDS ARE NOT MET, NATO IS READY TO TAKE WHATEVER MEASURES ARE NECESSARY. THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL TODAY HAS AGREED IN AUTHORIZING ME FOR AIRSTRIKES AGAINST TARGETS IN YUGOSLAV TERRITORY.

MR. SOLANA HAS ONLY TO CONSULT WITH KEY ALLIES BEFORE HE ORDERS AIRSTRIKES. ANOTHER CONSENSUS OF THE 16 AMBASSADORS IS NOT REQUIRED. SINCE LAST OCTOBER'S CEASEFIRE IN KOSOVO, NATO HAS KEPT THE RED LIGHT ON ITS ORDER TO ACTIVATE ALLIED AIR AND SEA POWER. NOW, A SENIOR NATO DIPLOMAT SAYS, THE GREEN LIGHT IS ON.

THE NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS REPORTERS WHAT HE WILL BASE HIS DECISION ON.

I WILL TAKE THIS DECISION IN THE LIGHT OF BOTH PARTIES' COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS WITH INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING, IN PARTICULAR, ASSESSMENTS BY THE CONTACT GROUP.

IF THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT OR KOSOVO ALBANIANS DECLINE TO COME TO THE AUTONOMY NEGOTIATIONS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT SATURDAY IN RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE, SOUTHWEST OF PARIS, THEY WILL BE AN OBVIOUS TARGET FOR NATO'S POWER.

IF EITHER SIDE HOLDS UP THE AUTONOMY NEGOTIATIONS AND THE CONTACT GROUP FOREIGN MINISTERS (-- WHICH INCLUDE THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY AND RUSSIA) GIVE UP HOPE OF AN AGREEMENT, MR. SOLANA WILL CONSULT WITH KEY ALLIES ABOUT LAUNCHING AIRSTRIKES.

MR. SOLANA SAYS NATO IS ALSO STUDYING WAYS TO STOP ARMS SMUGGLING INTO KOSOVO, AND THE ALLIANCE WILL TAKE APPROPRIATE MEASURES IF THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS REFUSE TO COMPLY WITH INTERNATIONAL DEMANDS.

NATO STILL DEMANDS THAT THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE (RECENT) MASSACRE OF ALBANIANS AT THE VILLAGE OF RACAK BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE AND THAT YUGOSLAVIA COOPERATE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. YUGOSLAVIA IS ALSO EXPECTED TO WITHDRAW ARMY AND SPECIAL POLICE FORCES FROM KOSOVO, A DEMAND FROM LAST OCTOBER THAT NATO SAYS YUGOSLAVIA IS NOW VIOLATING.

AMERICAN OFFICIALS EXPRESSED SATISFACTION WITH THE NATO AMBASSADOR'S STATEMENT BECAUSE THEY DID NOT WANT DECISIONS ABOUT NATO'S MILITARY ACTION TO BE SUBJECT TO THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP. THAT GROUP INCLUDES FIVE NATO MEMBERS PLUS RUSSIA. RUSSIA HAS PUBLICLY OPPOSED NATO MILITARY ACTION IN YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
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30-Jan-99 5:41 PM EST (2241 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] U-N / KOSOVO (S&L) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL SAYS (FRIDAY) IT SUPPORTS INTERNATIONAL DEMANDS FOR A NEGOTIATED AUTONOMY PLAN FOR YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS BUREAU.

TEXT: AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF TALKS, THE COUNCIL ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING IT SUPPORTS A PLAN THAT SUMMONS SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO PEACE TALKS IN FRANCE AND SETS A DEADLINE FOR AGREEING TO AN AUTONOMY DEAL. THE PLAN WAS DEVISED BY THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP, WHICH INCLUDES FRANCE, ITALY, RUSSIA, BRITAIN, GERMANY AND THE UNITED STATES.

THE COUNCIL STATEMENT DOES NOT ENDORSE OUTSIDE MILITARY INTERVENTION IN THE KOSOVO CONFLICT - A REFLECTION OF COUNCIL DIVISIONS OVER THREATS OF NATO'S MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL, RUSSIA AND CHINA HAVE OPPOSED ANY SUPPORT FOR MILITARY INTERVENTION, SAYING IT WOULD BE UNNECESSARY INTERFERENCE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

IN ITS STATEMENT, THE COUNCIL EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN WITH THE ESCALATING VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO AND CALLS ON ALL PARTIES TO IMMEDIATELY CEASE ACTS OF VIOLENCE.

THE STATEMENT CALLS FOR A FULL, UNHINDERED INVESTIGATION OF ALL ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS IN KOSOVO.

IT REAFFIRMS THE COUNCIL'S COMMITMENT TO YUGOSLAVIA'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND SOVEREIGNTY BUT SAYS IT ALSO RECOGNIZES THE LEGITIMATE RIGHTS OF KOSOVO ALBANIANS AND OTHER COMMUNITIES IN KOSOVO.

THE STATEMENT IS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF COUNCIL RESPONSES TO THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. MOST OF THE STATEMENTS HAVE CALLED FOR AN END TO VIOLENCE IN THE PROVINCE BUT STOPPED SHORT OF TAKING ACTION TO ENFORCE THOSE CALLS. (SIGNED)
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30-Jan-99 12:53 AM EST (0553 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] RUBIN ON WORLD ECONOMY (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (DAVOS, SWITZERLAND)

INTRO: AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM IN SWITZERLAND, THE U-S TREASURY SECRETARY, ROBERT RUBIN, SATURDAY GAVE SOME SUGGESTIONS OF THE KINDS OF CHANGES BEING CONSIDERED FOR THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL SYSTEM TO MINIMIZE THE THREAT OF FUTURE FINANCIAL CRISES. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD LISTENED TO MR. RUBIN'S REMARKS IN DAVOS AND FILED THIS REPORT.

TEXT: THIS YEAR'S ECONOMIC FORUM IS, IN A SENSE, HAUNTED BY THE FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CATASTROPHE THAT SWEPT THROUGH ASIA AND THEN RUSSIA IN 1998. THE ONE THOUSAND OR SO WEALTHY BUSINESS EXECUTIVES ATTENDING THE FORUM ARE IMPATIENT TO KNOW WHAT MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN TO HEAD OFF ANOTHER ROUND OF COMPETITIVE CURRENCY DEVALUATIONS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

THE U-S TREASURY SECRETARY, SPEAKING FROM THE SAME PODIUM WHERE THE U-S VICE PRESIDENT, AL GORE, HAD APPEARED A DAY EARLIER, OUTLINED SOME OF THE ELEMENTS OF WHAT HE CALLS A NEW FINANCIAL ARCHITECTURE. HE SAID THE MEASURES WILL BE DISCUSSED BY AMERICA'S PRINCIPAL ECONOMIC ALLIES IN BONN NEXT MONTH (FEBRUARY 20) AND THEN PRESENTED TO MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND IN APRIL.

MR. RUBIN SAID THE ONGOING TURMOIL IN MONEY MARKETS IS PROBABLY THE MOST SERIOUS GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS IN 50 YEARS. HE SPOKE POSITIVELY ABOUT SIGNS OF RECOVERY IN SOME OF THE DISTRESSED ECONOMIES LIKE SOUTH KOREA AND THAILAND, BUT EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT JAPAN, BRAZIL AND RUSSIA. HE REJECTED THE VIEW THAT THE FINANCIAL CRISIS WAS CAUSED BY THE RAPID FLOW OF SHORT TERM MONEY INTO ASIAN MARKETS. HE SAID CONTROLS ON CAPITAL FLOWS WOULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

THE U-S TREASURY SECRETARY SAID THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN PREVENTING FUTURE CRISES IS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO FOLLOW SOUND ECONOMIC POLICIES. /// OPT /// BANKING REGULATIONS MUST BE TIGHTENED AND THEN ENFORCED. GOVERNMENTS MUST MAKE PUBLIC MORE FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FIND -- THE I-M-F, HE SAID, MUST BE EQUIPPED TO BETTER RESPOND TO PROBLEMS WHEN THEY OCCUR. /// END OPT ///

THIS (TRADE DEFICIT) CAN PROBABLY GO ON FOR SOME CONSIDERABLE PERIOD OF TIME. BUT HAVING SAID THAT, I THINK WE WOULD HAVE A HEALTHIER WORLD ECONOMY IF THE PROCESS OF IMPORTING FROM THE CRISIS COUNTRIES --DEVELOPING COUNTRIES THAT ARE SEEKING TO WORK THEIR WAY THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT PERIOD -- WAS MORE BROADLY SHARED AND THE TRADE IMBALANCES AMONG INDUSTRIAL COUNTRIES WERE REDUCED.

SOME OF THE PARTICIPANTS AT THE FORUM SAY URGENT STABILIZATION MEASURES ARE REQUIRED IN BRAZIL TO KEEP ITS CURRENCY STABLE AND PREVENT A DEEP RECESSION. INVESTOR GEORGE SOROS REPEATED HIS VIEW THAT THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM IS BROKEN AND REQUIRES EXTENSIVE REGULATION BY A MORE POWERFUL I-M-F. MR. RUBIN CALLS THE DEBATE ON THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM COMPLICATED BUT POSITIVE. AND WHILE HE SAID THERE ARE NO MAGIC REMEDIES OR EASY ANSWERS, PRACTICAL REFORM MEASURES ARE LIKELY TO BE UNVEILED WITHIN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS. (SIGNED)
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30-Jan-99 11:08 AM EST (1608 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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