Voice of America, 99-03-05

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBRIGHT / KOSOVO (S) BY KYLE KING (JAKARTA)

[02] CLINTON / KOSOVO (L) BY GIL BUTLER (WHITE HOUSE)

[03] KOSOVO / DOLE (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

[04] KOSOVO TALKS (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[05] NATO / KOSOVO BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (PENTAGON)

[06] CLINTON/D'ALEMA (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (WHITE HOUSE)

[07] CLINTON / D'ALEMA S-UPDATE BY GIL BUTLER (WHITE HOUSE)

[08] BANANA APPEAL (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

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

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

[01] ALBRIGHT / KOSOVO (S) BY KYLE KING (JAKARTA)

INTRO: U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT WILL FLY TO LONDON AT THE END OF HER VISIT TO INDONESIA (EDITORS: EXPECT HER TO DEPART AT 7:40 AM, FRIDAY, WASH. TIME), FOR TALKS EXPECTED TO INCLUDE THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN KOSOVO. FROM JAKARTA, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: THE SECRETARY HAD BEEN EXPECTED TO FLY HOME AT THE END OF HER THREE NATION ASIAN TOUR, BUT CHANGED PLANS HOURS BEFORE THE END OF HER VISIT TO JAKARTA.

A U-S OFFICIAL TRAVELING WITH THE SECRETARY SAID THE MEETINGS IN LONDON MIGHT TOUCH ON THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO BUT THERE WAS NO FIRM WORD ON HER PLANS. EARLIER, MS. ALBRIGHT SAID SHE HAS BEEN FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS CLOSELY AND HAD BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORMER SENATOR BOB DOLE, WHO HAS BEEN DISPATCHED TO MEET WITH KOSOVO ALBANIAN LEADERS.

THE PURPOSE OF IT IS OBVIOUSLY TO MOVE BEYOND WHERE WE WERE AT RAMBOUILLET AND GET READY FOR THE MARCH 15TH MEETINGS AND KEEP THE PROCESS GOING.

MS. ALBRIGHT SAID IT IS IMPORTANT FOR SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO REACH AGREEMENT SO THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO WILL NOT BE DYING FOR THEIR RIGHTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PLM
05-Mar-99 3:44 AM EST (0844 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] CLINTON / KOSOVO (L) BY GIL BUTLER (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON AND PRIME MINISTER MASSIMO D'ALEMA OF ITALY HAVE URGED BOTH SIDES TO SIGN THE AUTONOMY AGREEMENT FOR YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE -- WORKED OUT AT RAMBOUILLET FRANCE TWO WEEKS AGO. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER REPORTS, A NATO PEACEKEEPING DEPLOYMENT WAS ALSO ADDRESSED AT A JOINT WASHINGTON NEWS CONFERENCE.

TEXT: THOUGH THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING WAS APPARENTLY DOMINATED BY THE ACQUITTAL OF AN AMERICAN MARINE PILOT IN THE DEATHS OF 20 PEOPLE AT AN ITALIAN SKI RESORT LAST YEAR, KOSOVO WAS ALSO A MAJOR TOPIC.

AT THEIR JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE, MR. D'ALEMA SAID BOTH HE AND PRESIDENT CLINTON WANT THE RAMBOUILLET PLAN TO BE SIGNED. HE SAID IT RECOGNIZES THE RIGHTS AND SAFETY OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND, FOR THE SERBIANS, PUTS AN END TO ALBANIAN GUERRILLA ATTACKS AND ENSURES THE PRESENT BORDERS OF YUGOSLAVIA.

IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION, MR. CLINTON REJECTED THE SUGGESTION THAT NATO THREATS (TO USE AIR STRIKES IF THERE IS NO PEACE DEAL) ARE HOLLOW. HE SAID AFTER NATO ACTED IN BOSNIA, YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC DOES NOT HAVE ILLUSIONS THAT THE ALLIANCE WILL NOT TAKE ACTION IF NECESSARY. BUT HE SAID, THE IMPORTANT THING IS FOR BOTH SIDES NOW TO AGREE TO THE AUTONOMY DEAL.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING HERE IS HOW TO GET TO 'YES'. IT IS A GOOD AGREEMENT. IT WILL SAVE LIVES. IT WILL STABILIZE KOSOVO. IT WILL MOVE US TOWARD GENUINE AUTONOMY, WHICH WAS WORKING, I MIGHT ADD, BEFORE IT WAS TAKEN AWAY A DECADE AGO.

PRIME MINISTER D'ALEMA SAID ITALY IS READY TO DEPLOY TROOPS AS PART OF A NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL FORCE TO IMPLEMENT THE RAMBOUILLET AGREEMENT. MR. MILOSEVIC HAS SO FAR REJECTED THE IDEA OF A NATO FORCE IN KOSOVO.(SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/JO
05-Mar-99 4:37 PM EST (2137 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO / DOLE (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: A SPECIAL U-S ENVOY IS PRESSING KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADERS TO SIGN THE WESTERN-BACKED KOSOVO PEACE PLAN. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM PRISTINA.

TEXT: THE SPECIAL U-S ENVOY -- FORMER U-S SENATOR BOB DOLE -- URGED THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADERS TO SIGN THE PROPOSED KOSOVO PEACE DEAL WHICH THEY SAID EARLIER THAT THEY FAVOR.

MR. DOLE MET THE KOSOVO ALBANIAN OFFICIALS IN NEIGHBORING MACEDONIA BECAUSE HE WAS NOT ABLE TO GET A VISA TO ENTER YUGOSLAVIA. THE FORMER U-S SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ALSO SPOKE BY TELEPHONE TO A SENIOR ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBEL LEADER IN KOSOVO IN AN EFFORT TO WIN HIS SUPPORT FOR THE DEAL.

THE ALBANIANS TOLD MR. DOLE THEY WOULD LIKELY SIGN THE PEACE PROPOSAL IN A MATTER OF DAYS. IN KOSOVO, ETHNIC ALBANIAN CIVILIANS INTERVIEWED DURING THE PAST FEW WEEKS SAY THEY LIKE THE NATO-BACKED PEACE PLAN BECAUSE IT BRINGS FOREIGN PEACEKEEPERS TO THE PROVINCE TO DIVIDE THE WARRING FACTIONS.

MANY SERB CIVILIANS ALSO FAVOR THE IDEA OF A FOREIGN PEACEKEEPING MISSION -- ALTHOUGH MANY SAY THEY ARE SKEPTICAL OF NATO'S INTENTIONS.

YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS VOWED TO BLOCK NATO FROM SENDING THE 30-THOUSAND PEACEKEEPERS TO KOSOVO.

BUT A SENIOR WESTERN PEACE MONITOR SAID ONLY NATO'S HIGH-TECH MILITARY EQUIPMENT AND EXPERTISE CAN PUT AN END TO THE FIGHTING IN KOSOVO.

THE EUROPEAN MONITOR, WITH LONG EXPERIENCE IN NEIGHBORING BOSNIA, ASKED THAT HIS NAME NOT BE USED. HE TALKED WHILE STANDING ON A HILL BESIDE SEVERAL ALBANIAN HOMES BLOWN UP FRIDAY BY YUGOSLAV TANKS. HE ACCUSED BOTH SERB SECURITY FORCES AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS OF TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE WESTERN PEACE MONITORING MISSION.

FIFTEEN YUGOSLAV TANKS FIRED FROM KOSOVO'S MAIN EAST-WEST HIGHWAY INTO ETHNIC ALBANIAN VILLAGES ON FRIDAY, DESTROYING SEVERAL HOMES.

THE MONITOR SAID HE HAD TOLD ETHNIC ALBANIAN KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY (K-L-A) SOLDIERS, WHO ROAMED THE VILLAGE AS HE SPOKE, TO STOP HARASSING THE SERBIAN UNITS.

WESTERN MONITORS SAID 11 SERBIAN POLICEMEN WERE INJURED FRIDAY IN CENTRAL KOSOVO AFTER A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE HIT TWO ARMORED TRUCKS.

IN A VILLAGE TO THE NORTH, WESTERN MONITORS TRIED AGAIN FRIDAY TO GAIN THE RELEASE OF A CAPTURED YUGOSLAV SOLDIER WHO SAID HE DESERTED THE YUGOSLAV ARMY TWO DAYS EARLIER. THE YOUNG SOLDIER IS BEING HELD BY THE K-L-A.

SERB FORCES REMAIN MASSED AROUND THE VILLAGE, MIJALIC, WHERE HE WAS TAKEN CAPTIVE, AND HAVE THREATENED TO ATTACK IF HE IS NOT RELEASED. (SIGNED)
NEB/PS/JWH
05-Mar-99 1:40 PM EST (1840 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO TALKS (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: TEN DAYS BEFORE THE KOSOVO PEACE TALKS ARE DUE TO RESUME IN FRANCE, THE FRENCH AND BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTERS ISSUED A STATEMENT STRESSING THAT ANY PEACE DEAL FOR YUGOSLAVIA'S SEPARATIST PROVINCE MUST INCLUDE AN INTERNATIONAL MILITARY FORCE TO IMPLEMENT IT. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS ON THE LATEST FLURRY OF DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO END THE KOSOVO CRISIS.

TEXT: THE STATEMENT SAYS FRANCE AND BRITAIN EXPECT THE SERB AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN NEGOTIATORS TO BE PREPARED TO SIGN A PEACE AGREEMENT WHEN THEY RETURN TO FRANCE ON MARCH 15TH. THE TWO DELEGATIONS APPROVED A FINAL DRAFT IN PRINCIPLE LAST MONTH, BUT WANTED CONSULTATIONS BACK HOME BEFORE TAKING THE NEXT STEP.

THE JOINT STATEMENT EMPHASIZES THE PEACE PLAN MUST INCLUDE THE PRESENCE OF AN INTERNATIONAL MILITARY FORCE TO IMPLEMENT IT. THE FRENCH AND BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTERS WARN ANY SIDE WHICH PUTS OBSTACLES IN THE WAY OF A FULL AGREEMENT WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE.

SO FAR THE SERBS OPPOSE THE PRESENCE OF NATO-LED PEACEKEEPERS IN KOSOVO PROVINCE. BUT THE PRESSURE COULD INCREASE AFTER ETHNIC ALBANIAN NEGOTIATORS HINTED THEY MIGHT BE READY TO SIGN THE PEACE ACCORD -- EVEN BEFORE THE TALKS RESUME ON MARCH 15TH.

DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS ARE UNDERWAY IN YUGOSLAVIA AND OTHER EUROPEAN CAPITALS TO TRY TO ENSURE SUCCESS BEFORE THE NEXT ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS. E-U MEDIATOR WOLFGANG PETRITSCH MET WITH YUGOSLAVIA'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER IN PRISTINA WHILE FORMER U-S SENATOR BOB DOLE MET WITH KOSOVAR ALBANIAN LEADERS IN NEIGHBORING MACEDONIA.

NATO HAS INVITED YUGOSLAV MILITARY COMMANDERS TO BRUSSELS THIS WEEKEND TO TALKS ABOUT THE PLANS FOR AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE. WESTERN DIPLOMATS ARE TRYING TO PERSUADE BELGRADE TO DROP ITS OBJECTIONS TO A NATO-LED FORCE IN KOSOVO.

U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELINE ALBRIGHT IS EXPECTED IN LONDON FOR CONSULTATIONS, FOLLOWING BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK'S MEETINGS THIS WEEK WITH TOP RUSSIAN OFFICIALS. WHILE RUSSIA IS A MEMBER OF THE "CONTACT GROUP" ON YUGOSLAVIA, WHICH ORGANIZED THE PEACE TALKS, IT RESISTS CONTRIBUTING TROOPS TO A PEACEKEEPING FORCE, UNLESS YUGOSLAVIA AGREES TO IT. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF/JO
05-Mar-99 12:09 PM EST (1709 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[05] NATO / KOSOVO BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (PENTAGON)

INTRO: NATO OFFICIALS ARE PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON A PLAN TO SEND PEACEKEEPERS INTO YUGOSLAVIA'S SEPARATIST ETHNIC ALBANIAN REGION OF KOSOVO. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: THE PLAN TO SEND NATO TROOPS INTO YUGOSLAVIA'S PROVINCE OF KOSOVO WILL ONLY COME ABOUT IF ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND SERB OFFICIALS AGREE ON A PEACE PLAN FOR THE REGION.

THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO AN AGREEMENT IS THAT SERB OFFICIALS HAVE CATEGORICALLY REJECTED THE PRESENCE OF NATO TROOPS ON YUGOSLAV SOIL.

MILITARY ANALYSTS AND NATO OFFICIALS SAY ANY EVENTUAL FORCE WILL NUMBER BETWEEN 28 AND 35-THOUSAND PEACEKEEPERS. IT WILL BE MODELED ON NATO'S BOSNIA FORCE. IN OTHER WORDS, KOSOVO WILL BE DIVIDED INTO SECTORS CONTROLLED BY VARIOUS BRIGADES FROM NATO MEMBER STATES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE EASTERN PART OF KOSOVO WILL BE CONTROLLED BY THE UNITED STATES AND BRITISH FORCES WILL PATROL THE CENTRAL PART. FRENCH, GERMAN AND ITALIAN UNITS WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE.

THE BULK OF NATO'S KOSOVO FORCE WILL BE MADE UP OF EUROPEANS WITH THE UNITED STATES PROVIDING AN INITIAL CONTINGENT OF ABOUT FOUR THOUSAND MEN. THE WHOLE FORCE WILL BE UNDER THE COMMAND OF A BRITISH SENIOR OFFICER.

PAUL BEAVER IS SENIOR MILITARY ANALYST WITH THE BRITISH PUBLICATION "JANE'S DEFENSE WEEKLY." HE SAYS THE MANDATE OF THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE IS QUITE CLEAR.

THE MANDATE WILL BE VERY SIMPLY TO DISARM ANYBODY WHO HAS WEAPONS ON THE STREETS: THE ARMY, THE POLICE, THE K-L-A (KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY); TO MAINTAIN PEACE AND TO SET THE SCENE FOR THE CREATION OF A COMMUNITY POLICE FORCE; TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER AND TO GET THE COUNTRY INTO A POSITION WHERE PRESUMABLY AT THE END OF THREE YEARS - AT THE END OF THE (NATO) MANDATE - THERE WILL BE THE OPPORTUNITY EITHER FOR SELF-DETERMINATION IN SOME WAY OR THAT THERE WILL BE SOME WAY OF HAVING A REFERENDUM.

MR. BEAVER SAYS THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT WILL ALSO BE PATTERNED ON NATO'S EXPERIENCE IN BOSNIA. AND HE SAYS THOSE RULES WILL BE "ROBUST."

IF A K-L-A SOLDIER IS STUPID ENOUGH TO APPEAR ON THE STREETS IN UNIFORM WITH A GUN, HIS GUN WILL BE REMOVED. IF HE IS STUPID ENOUGH TO RAISE IT IN A THREATENING MANNER, HE WILL BE DEAD. THE SAME WILL HAPPEN TO THE SERBIAN ARMY -- THE V-J. THERE IS ONLY ROOM FOR ONE ARMY WHEN NATO MOVES IN AND THAT'S NATO. AND IT WILL BE THOSE SOLDIERS WHO WILL CALL THE RULES. I WOULD IMAGINE THAT THE RULES WILL ALLOW THEM TO FIRE IN SELF-DEFENSE AND IF THEY BELIEVE TO BE THREATENED. I DO NOT THINK ANYONE SHOULD BE UNDER ANY ILLUSION - NATO MEANS BUSINESS. IT HAS HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCE NOW IN "I-FOR" AND "S-FOR" (BOSNIAN MISSIONS). IT HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL THERE. IT WILL NOT LET ANYTHING GET IN ITS WAY.

MR. BEAVER SAYS A LOT OF MILITARY PLANNING IS UNDERWAY AT THE MOMENT TO FINALIZE THE DISPATCH OF NATO TROOPS TO KOSOVO. BUT HE SAYS ALL OF THAT PLANNING WILL BE WASTED IF THERE IS NO PEACE AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/ENE/JO
05-Mar-99 5:31 PM EST (2231 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] CLINTON/D'ALEMA (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER MASSIMO D'ALEMA SAYS HE IS NOT SATISFIED THAT JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED BY THE ACQUITTAL OF A U-S MARINE PILOT WHOSE JET KILLED 20 PEOPLE AT AN ITALIAN SKI RESORT LAST YEAR. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE AT THE WHITE HOUSE REPORTS HE AND PRESIDENT CLINTON ARE CALLING FOR A FULL REVIEW OF NATO AIR FLIGHTS AND EXERCISES SO SUCH A TRAGEDY IS NEVER REPEATED.

TEXT: THIS FIRST OFFICIAL MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND PRIME MINISTER D'ALEMA COULDN'T HAVE COME AT A WORSE TIME. THE PRIME MINISTER AND HIS COUNTRYMEN ARE SHOCKED HE SAID, OVER THURSDAY'S VERDICT THAT CLEARED MARINE CAPTAIN RICHARD ASHBY OF MANSLAUGHTER FOR AN AIR TRAINING EXERCISE LAST YEAR THAT FLEW TOO LOW AND CUT THE CABLES OF AN ITALIAN SKI LIFT.

AT THEIR JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE FOLLOWING TALKS HERE, ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER D'ALEMA RARELY SMILED. SPEAKING THROUGH A TRANSLATOR, HE SAID ITALY IS NOT LOOKING FOR A SCAPEGOAT BUT WILL NOT BE SATISFIED UNTIL SOMEONE IS FOUND GUILTY AND PUNISHED.

IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR A MILITARY AIRCRAFT TO FLY IN A VALLEY 300 FEET FROM THE GROUND. IT IS NOT NORMAL OR ACCEPTABLE THAT THIS LEAD TO THE CONSEQUENCES THAT IT DID. WE EXPECT THAT AT THE END OF THE PROCESS, IT IS MADE CLEAR WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ACCIDENT AND THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE PUNISHED FOR IT.

IN THE WAKE OF THE TRAGEDY, BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND ITALY WILL REVIEW NATO PROCEDURES COVERING OPERATIONS, INCLUDING TRAINING FLIGHTS.

WE GAVE A MANDATE TO THE DEFENSE SECRETARIES OF THE UNITED STATES AND ITALY TO JOINTLY RE-EXAMINE ALL MEASURES CONCERNING THE FUNCTIONING OF MILITARY BASES, CONCERNING MILITARY EXERCISES AROUND SUCH BASES, ALL THE SAFETY MEASURES THAT WILL REASSURE CITIZENS THAT SUCH ACCIDENTS CAN NEVER AGAIN OCCUR.

BOTH LEADERS REFRAINED FROM COMMENTING ON LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE CASE SINCE OBSTRUCTION CHARGES ARE STILL PENDING AGAINST CAPTAIN ASHBY AND A SECOND MARINE IS YET TO GO ON TRIAL. BUT PRESIDENT CLINTON DID DECLARE THE UNITED STATES FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCIDENT, AS WELL AS PROFOUNDLY REGRETFUL FOR THE LOSS OF LIFE.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PEOPLE OF ITALY AND THOSE FAMILIES TO KNOW THAT THE UNITED STATES IS NOT TRYING TO DUCK ITS RESPONSIBILITY AND THAT WE ARE HEARTBROKEN AND HORRIFIED BY WHAT HAPPENED AND WE'RE GOING TO DO OUR BEST TO ENSURE THAT NOTHING LIKE THAT EVER HAPPENS AGAIN.

BUT PRIME MINISTER D'ALEMA WILL HAVE TO GO BACK TO HIS OWN PARLIAMENT AND EXPLAIN WHY NO ONE HAS YET BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DEATHS OF 20 PEOPLE. AT THE END OF HIS TALKS WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON, HE SAID RELATIONS BETWEEN ROME AND WASHINGTON REMAIN STRONG BUT ADMITTED BEING AT A LOSS TO EXPLAIN HOW NO ONE HAS YET BEEN FOUND RESPONSIBLE FOR SO MANY DEATHS. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/PT
05-Mar-99 5:01 PM EST (2201 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] CLINTON / D'ALEMA S-UPDATE BY GIL BUTLER (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: ITALY'S PRIME MINISTER SAYS HE IS SHOCKED BY THE ACQUITTAL OF AN AMERICAN MARINE PILOT ACCUSED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT KILLED 20 PEOPLE AT AN ITALIAN SKI RESORT LAST YEAR. HE SPOKE AT A JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE AT THE WHITE HOUSE WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE.

TEXT: PRIME MINISTER MASSIMO D'ALEMA'S TALKS WITH MR. CLINTON CAME THE DAY AFTER A MILITARY COURT ACQUITTED CAPTAIN RICHARD ASHBY. HE SAID HE WOULD NOT BE SATISFIED UNTIL THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TRAGEDY ARE IDENTIFIED AND PUNISHED.

FOR HIS PART, MR. CLINTON EXPRESSED PROFOUND REGRET AND SAID THE UNITED STATES ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY. HE SAID STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO AVOID FUTURE FLIGHT TRAINING TRAGEDIES.

THE PRIME MINISTER AND I TODAY AGREED THAT OUR SECRETARY OF DEFENSE AND THEIR MINISTER OF DEFENSE WILL REVIEW THESE OPERATIONAL AND SAFETY MEASURES TOGETHER TO ASSESS THEIR ADEQUACY AND TO DETERMINE WHETHER ADDITIONAL MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF SAFETY.

MR. D'ALEMA SAID ITALY WILL EVALUATE WHAT MORE TO DO AFTER SEEING THE OUTCOME OF TWO MORE SCHEDULED AMERICAN TRIALS IN THE CASE.(SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/JO
05-Mar-99 4:44 PM EST (2144 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[08] BANANA APPEAL (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: THE U-S AMBASSADOR IN LONDON WAS SUMMONED FRIDAY TO THE BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE TO HEAR A SHARP PROTEST OVER U-S ATTEMPTS TO TAX BRITISH GOODS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON REPORTS THE BRITISH ACTIONS FOLLOW RISING TENSIONS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION'S TRADE DISPUTE WITH THE UNITED STATES OVER BANANA IMPORTS.

TEXT: THE FRIDAY MEETING AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE WAS THE SECOND SUMMONS IN AS MANY DAYS FOR U-S AMBASSADOR PHILIP LADER, UNDERLINING BRITAIN'S ANGER OVER THREATENED U-S TRADE RESTRICTIONS ON BRITISH CASHMERE. BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR HAS ALSO TELEPHONED U-S PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON.

BRITISH OFFICIALS CALL THE U-S TRADE SANCTIONS AGAINST BRITISH AND OTHER EUROPEAN GOODS IRRATIONAL AND UNACCEPTABLE.

AMBASSADOR LADER TOLD REPORTERS THE U-S ADMINISTRATION REGRETS THE TARIFF DECISION BUT BELIEVES IT IS JUSTIFIED.

WE EXPLAINED THE ISSUE IS NOT ABOUT BANANAS. IT IS NOT ESSENTIALLY ABOUT CASHMERE. BUT IT'S ABOUT PLAYING BY THE RULES.

THE NEW U-S TARIFFS WOULD INCLUDE 100 PERCENT DUTIES ON SCOTTISH CASHMERE SWEATERS, ITALIAN CHEESE, AND FRENCH LEATHER BAGS, AMONG OTHER PRODUCTS.

THE THREATENED TARIFFS COME AS THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION ARE LOCKED IN A DISPUTE OVER THE E-U RULES FAVORING BANANA IMPORTS FROM FORMER COLONIES IN AFRICA AND THE CARIBBEAN. THE UNITED STATES ARGUES THE RULES DISCRIMINATE AGAINST CENTRAL AMERICAN BANANAS, WHICH ARE MARKETED BY AMERICAN COMPANIES.

BRITISH INDUSTRY OFFICIALS COMPLAIN THE COMPANIES THAT WILL SUFFER FROM THE U-S TRADE RESTRICTIONS ARE NOT EVEN LINKED TO THE BANANA DISPUTE. THE SCOTTISH CASHMERE ASSOCIATION ESTIMATES THE U-S ACTION COULD COST THE INDUSTRY TWO-THOUSAND JOBS.

IN BRUSSELS, THE E-U TRADE COMMISSIONER'S SPOKESMAN, NIGEL GARDENER, SAYS THE E-U HAS CALLED FOR AN EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION'S GENERAL COUNCIL, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY.

WE WILL NOT RESORT TO THE KIND OF UNILATERALISM AND THE KIND OF BREAKING OF INTERNATIONAL PROCEDURES THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS DONE THIS WEEK.

THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS NOT RULED OUT IMPOSING ITS OWN TARIFFS AGAINST AMERICAN EXPORTS, WHICH COULD TURN THE BANANA DISPUTE INTO A FULL-FLEDGED TRADE WAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
05-Mar-99 11:13 AM EST (1613 UTC)
NNNN
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 SHARPLY TODAY (FRIDAY) WITH THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSING AT A RECORD HIGH FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE JANUARY EIGHTH. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 97 HUNDRED 36, UP 268 POINTS OR ALMOST THREE PERCENT. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 430 POINTS, FIVE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 12 HUNDRED 75, UP 28 POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX GAINED TWO PERCENT.

ANALYSTS SAY THE MONTHLY EMPLOYMENT REPORT WAS THE SPARK THAT IGNITED THE RALLY. THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ROSE ONE-TENTH OF ONE PERCENT IN FEBRUARY AND THAT WAGE INFLATION WAS VIRTUALLY NON-EXISTENT. THE FIGURES INDICATE THAT U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH IS NOT TOO RAPID AND THAT THE U-S CENTRAL BANK WILL NOT RAISE SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES AT ITS MEETING LATER THIS MONTH.

THE BOND MARKET RALLIED ON THE EMPLOYMENT REPORT, BRINGING LONG-TERM INTEREST RATES DOWN.

LARRY WACHTEL OF THE PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT COMPANY SAYS ALL SECTORS OF THE STOCK MARKET WERE STRONG BUT TWO INDUSTRIES STOOD OUT.

FIRST OF ALL, INTEREST SENSITIVE STOCKS HAVE RALLIED, THE BANKS, THE BROKERS, THE UTILITIES, ETCETERA. BUT THEN THERE IS TECHNOLOGY. TECHNOLOGY NEEDS LOWER INTEREST RATES. IF RATES RISE, THE VALUATIONS ON TECHNOLOGIES ARE SO EXTREME THAT THEY HAVE TO GO DOWN. SO I THINK THEY ARE THE OTHER MAIN BENEFICIARY.

THE INTEL MICROPROCESSOR COMPANY WILL PAY TWO POINT TWO BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE LEVEL ONE COMMUNICATIONS, A COMPUTER NETWORKING EQUIPMENT MAKER. LEVEL ONE'S STOCK ROSE BY MORE THAN 50 PERCENT.

BUT NOT ALL STOCKS WERE HIGHER. THE STOCK OF COMP U-S-A, THE TECHNOLOGY RETAILER, LOST ABOUT 30 PERCENT AFTER THE COMPANY WARNED IT WILL REPORT A QUARTERLY LOSS.

A NEW SURVEY SHOWS THAT COMPUTER CRIME COST AMERICAN BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES MORE THAN 100 MILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR. THE COMPUTER SECURITY INSTITUTE SAY CRIMINALS ARE BECOMING MORE SOPHISTICATED IN THEIR ABILITY TO BREAK INTO COMPUTER SYSTEMS, COMMITTING BOTH FINANCIAL FRAUD AND STEALING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

GOLDMAN SACHS, THE HUGE U-S INVESTMENT BANKING AND BROKERAGE FIRM, HAS APPOINTED WOMEN TO TOP MANAGEMENT POSITIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY. TWO WOMEN PARTNERS IN THE FIRM WERE NAMED TO ITS POWERFUL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
05-Mar-99 5:18 PM EST (2218 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: REACTION TO THE NOT-GUILTY VERDICT IN THE ITALIAN SKI LIFT DISASTER; EDITORIAL JUDGMENTS ABOUT MONICA LEWINSKY'S TELEVISION PERFORMANCE; AND CONCERNS ABOUT A BANANA TRADE WAR. THOSE ARE SOME OF THE TOPICS IN TODAY'S NEWSPAPERS. NOW HERE IS _____________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND A FEW EXCERPTS, IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: U-S MARINE CORPS PILOT, CAPTAIN JAMES ASHBY, WAS ACQUITTED OF ALL CHARGES IN LAST YEARS ITALIAN SKI LIFT DISASTER. TWENTY PEOPLE WERE KILLED WHEN CAPTAIN ASHBY'S LOW-FLYING PLANE SEVERED A SKI LIFT CABLE. THE "MIAMI (FLORIDA) HERALD" ENTITLES ITS LEAD EDITORIAL ABOUT THE DECISION, "NOT GUILTY -- BUT NOT BLAMELESS."

VOICE: /// OPT /// THE U-S MARINES LOOK AFTER THEIR OWN: THAT'S HOW CIVILIAN OBSERVERS MAY WELL INTERPRET (THE) 'NOT GUILTY' VERDICT.... YET THE COURT-MARTIAL ALSO HEARD DEFENSE TESTIMONY THAT ATTEMPTED TO DEFLECT THE BLAME.... /// END OPT /// THIS ENTIRE INCIDENT HAS CAUSED AN UPROAR IN A EUROPE THAT ALREADY IS DEBATING HOW LONG IT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR THE U-S MILITARY TO REMAIN THERE, NOTWITHSTANDING ITS PARTNERSHIP IN NATO. ... NOW THE 'NOT GUILTY' VERDICT IS BOUND TO INTENSIFY THE STRAIN IN RELATIONS (WITH EUROPE). WHILE NO AMERICAN IN UNIFORM SHOULD EVER BE SACRIFICED TO POPULAR SENTIMENT HERE OR ABROAD, THIS UNSATISFACTORY OUTCOME IS A REMINDER THAT THE BEST WAY TO AVOID SUCH LOSE-LOSE SCENARIOS IS TO PREVENT SUCH INCIDENTS FROM OCCURRING IN THE FIRST PLACE.

TEXT: THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED AND HIGHLY-PUBLICIZED U-S TELEVISION INTERVIEW (ON A-B-C) OF FORMER WHITE HOUSE INTERN MONICA LEWINSKY (WEDNESDAY EVENING) IS DRAWING EDITORIAL COMMENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY. "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" HAS THIS OBSERVATION:

VOICE: /// OPT /// WATCHING MONICA'S GLIB AND SELF-SATISFIED PERFORMANCE ONE WAS TEMPTED TO CONCLUDE THAT, SEX OR NO SEX, SHE IS INDEED BILL CLINTON'S SOUL MATE. THE TWO WERE NOT ONLY MADE FOR EACH OTHER, THEY DESERVE ONE ANOTHER. JUST LIKE HER MENTOR IN THE OVAL OFFICE, MISS LEWINSKY KNOWS THE VALUE OF A PHONY APOLOGY. /// END OPT