Voice of America, 99-03-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO REFUGEES (L/S VER) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[02] ALBANIA / REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (KORCE, ALBANIA)

[03] MACEDONIA/REFUGEES (L/S) BY NICK SIMEONE (SKOPJE)

[04] KOSOVO / GENOCIDE (L-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[05] KOSOVO DIPLOMACY (L-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[06] KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE? BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)

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

[08] NATO ATTACKS / ONITER (S&L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[09] PENTAGON-KOSOVO (S & L/UPDATE) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

[10] CLINTON/KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[11] CLINTON / KOSOVO (L-UPDATE) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[12] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[13] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (S) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[14] BLAIR/KOSOVO (L-O) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[15] AUSTRALIA / KOSOVO PROTEST (L-ONLY) BY BRONWYN CURRAN (SYDNEY)

[16] ISRAEL / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (JERUSALEM)

[17] ISRAEL / KOSOVO (L-UPDATE) BY DEBORAH TATE (JERUSALEM)

[18] RUSSIA / YUGOSLAVIA (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[19] RUSSIA / YUGO -- 2ND UPDATE (S/L VER) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[20] RUSSIA/YUGO--3RD UPDATE (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[21] EDITORIAL: NOVEMBER 17TH TERRORIST GROUP

[22] NORTHERN IRELAND (S/L VER) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[23] MARINES/CABLE CAR (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

[24] FRANCE IRAN (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[25] TURKISH FILM/ KURDS BY KATAYOUN BEGLARI (WASHINGTON)

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

[27] OIL MERGER TALKS (L ONLY) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

[28] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[29] BRITAIN/PINOCHET (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[30] GENERAL PINOCHET'S FUTURE BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] KOSOVO REFUGEES (L/S VER) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, SAYS THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO IS SLIDING RAPIDLY INTO A HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE. THE GENEVA-BASED AGENCY SAYS THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS CONTINUE TO FLEE INTO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. DETAILS FROM REPORTER LISA SCHLEIN.

TEXT: THE U-N AGENCY SAYS REFUGEES ARRIVING IN ALBANIA, MACEDONIA AND MONTENEGRO ARE PAINTING AN ALARMING, TERRIFYING PICTURE OF EVENTS IN KOSOVO.

U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS THE PICTURE EMERGING IS ONE OF VIOLENCE, FIGHTING AND EXPULSIONS AT GUNPOINT. HE SAYS TWO REFUGEES TOLD AID WORKERS IN ALBANIA THAT THEY HAD WITNESSED SEVERAL PEOPLE BEING SUMMARILY EXECUTED BY SERB SOLDIERS. MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THERE'S NO WAY TO CORROBORATE THESE STORIES BECAUSE THERE ARE NO INDEPENDENT OBSERVERS IN KOSOVO.

SOME OF THEM ARE ALLOWED TO LEAVE IN VEHICLES, FOR EXAMPLE, EVEN THOUGH THEIR IDENTITY PAPERS ARE TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM AT THE BORDER AND THEIR LICENSE PLATES ARE TORN OFF THEIR VEHICLES. BUT, SOME OF THEM, ESPECIALLY THOSE ARRIVING IN MONTENEGRO HAVE BEEN ARRIVING BASICALLY IN JUST THEIR CLOTHES. THEY ARE LUCKY IF THEY CAN GRAB SOME BASIC PERSONAL BELONGINGS. SO, THEY ARE VIRTUALLY ARRIVING WITH NOTHING.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS MOST OF THE KOSOVARS ARE HEADING FOR ALBANIA, WHICH NOW HOSTS OVER 60-THOUSAND REFUGEES. ABOUT 40-THOUSAND OF THEM ARRIVED BETWEEN SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. //REST OPT FOR LONG// MORE THAN 50-THOUSAND OTHER REFUGEES HAVE GONE TO MACEDONIA AND MONTENEGRO. MR. JANOWSKI SAYS AID AGENCIES ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO COPE WITH THIS EMERGENCY SITUATION.

IT'S GETTING VERY DIFFICULT. THE REFUGEES ARE FLEEING INTO AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH ITSELF IS VERY VERY POOR WITH VERY VERY POOR AND BASICALLY DEVASTATED INFRASTRUCTURE IN NORTHERN ALBANIA. SO A LOT OF HELP WILL BE REQUIRED FROM US AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO HELP MACEDONIA AND TO HELP ALBANIA AND TO HELP MONTENEGRO COPE WITH THIS INFLUX.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THE REFUGEES ARE BEING HOUSED WITH LOCAL PEOPLE. BUT, IF THE NUMBERS KEEP RISING, HE SAYS COLLECTIVE CENTERS WILL HAVE TO BE SET UP. HE SAYS THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY IS RUSHING TENTS INTO THE AREA TO ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO SHELTER. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/PCF
29-Mar-99 10:32 AM EST (1532 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBANIA / REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (KORCE, ALBANIA)

INTRO: ALBANIA IS DEALING WITH A BIG INFLUX OF REFUGEES WHO ARE FLEEING SERBIAN FORCES IN KOSOVO. BUT TIM BELAY REPORTS FROM KORCE, ALBANIA, AND THE COUNTRY APPEARS TO FIRMLY SUPPORT NATO ATTACKS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA.

TEXT: OFFICIALS SAY 20-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS FLED SERB FORCES AND CROSSED THE BORDER INTO NORTHERN ALBANIA FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

IN THE CAPITAL, TIRANA, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE CROWDED A SQUARE IN THE CITY CENTER FOR A PRO-NATO RALLY ON SUNDAY. PROTESTERS AROUND THE WORLD HAVE VENTED THEIR ANGER AT THE NATO ACTION. BUT, AT THE RALLY, ALBANIAN PRESIDENT REXHEP MAIDANI READ A DECLARATION A DENOUNCING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE YUGOSLAVIAN TROOPS AND SUPPORTING THE BOMBING CAMPAIGN.

HERE IN KORCE IN SOUTHERN ALBANIA -- NEAR THE GREEK BORDER -- MAYOR DIONIS KOTMILO SAYS THE BIG GAP BETWEEN WHERE THE TWO COUNTRIES STAND ON THE BOMBING HAS NOT DAMAGED RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND ALBANIA.

IN CONTRAST, INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS IN SOUTHERN ALBANIA TELL OF INCIDENTS WHERE GREEK BORDER GUARDS DESTROYED THE PASSPORTS OF SOME ALBANIANS WHO TRIED TO ENTER.

ALBANIA CONTINUES A STRUGGLE TO RECOVER FROM THE FINANCIAL CRISIS AND CHAOS WHICH FOLLOWED THE COLLAPSE OF PYRAMID INVESTMENT SCHEMES TWO YEARS AGO. THE ALBANIAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY ESPECIALLY SEES THE NATO ACTION AS A NECESSARY STEP TO BRINGING STABILITY AND INVESTMENT TO THE BALKANS. ONE BUSINESSMAN IN THE MIDDLE OF RENOVATING A FORMER MUSEUM INTO A RESTAURANT SAYS HE WILL FINISH THE PROJECT, EXPLAINING HE HAS MORE REASON TO BELIEVE IN THE FUTURE NOW THAT NATO HAS BOMBED YUGOSLAVIA. MEANWHILE, WHETHER ON THE NORTHERN BORDER WITH KOSOVO OR HERE IN THE SOUTH NEAR GREECE, ALBANIANS ARE BRACING FOR WHAT INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS SAY COULD BE AN ADDITIONAL 200-THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/TB/JWH
29-Mar-99 4:39 AM EST (0939 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] MACEDONIA/REFUGEES (L/S) BY NICK SIMEONE (SKOPJE)

INTRO: THE MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS IT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CARE FOR REFUGEES FROM NEIGHBORING KOSOVO IF THEIR NUMBERS BEGIN TO POSE A THREAT TO NATIONAL STABILITY. WE GET MORE ON THE EXODUS OF ETHIC ALBANIANS FLEEING SERB RETALIATION IN KOSOVO PROVINCE FROM CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE IN THE MACEDONIAN CAPITAL, SKOPJE.

TEXT: MACEDONIA IS APPEALING FOR MORE HUMANITARIAN AID TO HANDLE THE INFLUX OF THOUSANDS OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES. IT WARNS IF REFUGEES CONTINUE TO ENTER AT THE CURRENT RATE, IT MAY SOON HAVE TO DIRECT THEM TO OTHER COUNTRIES.

THE BALKAN REGION IS FACING WHAT COULD BE THE LARGEST MASS MOVEMENT OF REFUGEES SINCE WORLD-WAR TWO.

MORE THAN 20-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAVE FLED TO MACEDONIA FROM KOSOVO IN WHAT THE UNITED STATES AND NATO SAY IS PLANNED ETHNIC CLEANSING BY SERB FORCES, AS WELL AS AN EFFORT BY BELGRADE TO DESTABILIZE ITS NEIGHBORS.

COMING WITH THE TIDE OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES ARE ACCOUNTS OF ATROCITIES AT THE HANDS OF SERB FORCES.

THE TERROR REFUGEES SAY THEY ARE FLEEING SUGGESTS THE NATO BOMBING OF SERB TARGETS HAS FAILED TO SAFEGUARD THESE PEOPLE FROM RETALIATION OR TO LESSEN THE POLITICAL AND HUMANITARIAN BURDEN FALLING ON YUGOSLAVIA'S NEIGHBORS.

WHILE THIS HUMAN TRAGEDY UNFOLDS, MORE THAN 10-THOUSAND NATO SOLDIERS ARE STANDING BY IN MACEDONIA. THEY ARE READY TO ACT, BUT UNABLE TO ENTER KOSOVO WITHOUT A PEACE AGREEMENT IN PLACE. MACEDONIA, WHICH WANTS TO JOIN NATO, MADE CLEAR MONDAY IT WILL NOT ALLOW ITS TERRITORY TO BE USED FOR ATTACKS ON YUGOSLAVIA. THE GESTURE APPARENTLY AIMED AT PUTTING TO REST ANY NOTION THESE TROOPS MIGHT BE CALLED ON TO SERVE AS A GROUND FORCE TO END SERB ATTACKS.

WITHOUT A MANDATE FOR PEACEKEEPING, BRITISH MEMBERS OF THE NATO FORCE WERE LEFT MONDAY TO HELP INSTRUCT THE UNITED NATIONS ON HOW TO SET UP TENTS TO PROCESS ARRIVING REFUGEES. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/RAE
29-Mar-99 1:59 PM EST (1859 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO / GENOCIDE (L-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE COOPERATING WITH THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE TO DETERMINE IF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC CAN BE PROSECUTED FOR WAR CRIMES IN (YUGOSLAVIA'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN) KOSOVO (PROVINCE). FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: U-S OFFICIALS SAY IT IS CLEAR THAT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC BEARS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE EVENTS THAT LED TO WAR CRIMES IN CROATIA, BOSNIA AND NOW KOSOVO.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY ARE BEING COMMITTED IN KOSOVO, WHERE EVENTS ARE BEING DIRECTED BY OFFICIALS IN BELGRADE.

THAT RAISES ISSUES OF COMMAND RESPONSIBILITY. JUST AS IT DID DURING PART OF THE CROATIAN AND BOSNIAN CONFLICTS. THEREFORE IT WOULD BE LOGICAL THAT THE INVESTIGATION INTO EVENTS IN KOSOVO WOULD POINT TO LEADERSHIP IN BELGRADE, AND WE ARE CERTAINLY COOPERATING IN THAT VEIN WITH THE TRIBUNAL.

MR. RUBIN REJECTED SUGGESTIONS THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN TRYING TO SHIELD MR. MILOSEVIC FROM PROSECUTION, SO HE CAN REMAIN A KEY PLAYER IN THE DIPLOMATIC PROCESS.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT BEARS POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT IS HAPPENING IN KOSOVO. BUT, THEY SAY IT WILL BE UP TO THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL TO DETERMINE IF HE HAS LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY.

MR. RUBIN SAYS IT IS CLEAR THAT SERB FORCES ARE COMMITTING CRIMINAL ACTIONS ON A MASSIVE SCALE IN KOSOVO.

THESE INCLUDE ETHNIC CLEANSING, WAR CRIMES, CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY -- ALL ARISING OUT OF ATROCITIES COMMITTED BY MILOSEVIC'S FORCES. THERE ARE INDICATORS THAT GENOCIDE IS UNFOLDING IN KOSOVO, BUT WE ARE LOOKING AT A MIXTURE OF CONFIRMED AND UNCONFIRMED REPORTS AT THIS TIME. THERE IS NO REASON, HOWEVER, TO AWAIT CONFIRMATION OF GENOCIDE, BECAUSE WE CAN CLEARLY SAY CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY ARE BEING COMMITTED BY MILOSEVIC'S FORCES.

YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS DENY THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE KILLINGS THAT ARE ALLEGEDLY TAKING PLACE IN KOSOVO OR FOR THE MASS EXODUS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS. THEY BLAME NATO AIR STRIKES FOR KILLING ETHNIC ALBANIAN CIVILIANS AND DRIVING THEM FROM THEIR HOMES.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY DESPITE THEIR SUFFERING, MOST ETHNIC ALBANIANS SUPPORT NATO AIR STRIKES. SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT'S SPOKESMAN SAYS SHE DISCUSSED THE KOSOVO SITUATION SUNDAY WITH ONE OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN NEGOTIATORS WHO TOOK PART IN THE FAILED PEACE TALKS IN FRANCE.

MR. THACI, THE LEADER OF THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS WHO SIGNED THE AGREEMENT SPOKE TO HER YESTERDAY AND TOLD HER THAT YUGOSLAV ARMY AND POLICE UNITS AS WELL AS PARAMILITARY GROUPS WERE KILLING CIVILIANS AND BURNING HOUSES. THE K-L-A (KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY) WAS TRYING TO DEFEND CIVILIANS, BUT THE FIGHTING HAD SPREAD TO THE CITIES AND THERE HAD BEEN A SENSE THAT THEY WERE BEING OVERWHELMED.

REFUGEES FROM THE FIGHTING HAVE BEEN FLOODING OUT OF KOSOVO INTO NEARBY COUNTRIES. U-S OFFICIALS SAY AS MANY AS 90-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE TRYING TO REACH ALBANIA. MANY MORE ARE WAITING TO GET INTO MACEDONIA AND THE YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO. OFFICIALS ESTIMATE A HALF MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL MAKE EIGHT POINT FIVE MILLION DOLLARS AVAILABLE TO THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES. U-N-H-C-R OFFICIALS ARE TO MEET IN GENEVA TUESDAY TO DISCUSS THE UNFOLDING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/JO
29-Mar-99 6:20 PM EST (2320 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO DIPLOMACY (L-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV HEADS TO THE YUGOSLAV CAPITAL OF BELGRADE TUESDAY IN A FRESH BID TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT ON THE LATEST DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO GET YUGOSLAVIA TO STOP ITS MILITARY ACTION AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO PROVINCE -- EVEN AS NATO CONTINUES TO BOMB SERB TARGETS.

TEXT: MR. PRIMAKOV WILL BE TRAVELING TO BELGRADE WITH RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV AND DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEYEV.

RUSSIA STRONGLY OPPOSES NATO AIR STRIKES AGAINST THE SERB-LED YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT. MR. PRIMAKOV IS EXPECTED TO USE HIS TALKS WITH PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO TRY TO FIND A WAY TO END THE BOMBING.

U-S OFFICIALS HAVE WELCOMED THE RUSSIAN DIPLOMATIC EFFORT. BUT STATE DEPARTMENT JAMES RUBIN SAYS THERE IS NO CHANGE IN WHAT MR. MILOSEVIC MUST DO IF HE WANTS TO END THE CRISIS.

LET ME BE CLEAR, NATO WILL CONTINUE AIR OPERATIONS UNTIL SUCH TIME AS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HALTS HIS OFFENSIVE AND COMMITS TO A SETTLEMENT BASED ON THE RAMBOUILLET (PEACE) ACCORDS.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THAT AS A MEMBER OF THE SIX NATION CONTACT GROUP -- THAT HELPED NEGOTIATE THE PEACE ACCORDS IN FRANCE LAST MONTH -- RUSSIA HAS PLAYED A CONSTRUCTIVE DIPLOMATIC ROLE.

SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT'S SPOKESMAN SAYS SHE HAS BEEN IN REGULAR CONTACT WITH FOREIGN MINISTER IVANOV, AND HOPES THE RUSSIANS WILL SUCCEED WHERE OTHER DIPLOMATS HAVE FAILED. BUT U-S OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE NO ILLUSIONS ABOUT THE FUNDAMENTAL DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA CONCERNING THE USE OF NATO AIR STRIKES.

OVER THE PAST TWO DAYS U-S OFFICIALS HAVE ALSO DISCUSSED THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO WITH UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS WHO ARE LEADING A SEPARATE DIPLOMATIC EFFORT TO END THE CRISIS. FOLLOWING A VISIT TO POLAND, UKRAINE'S FOREIGN MINISTER IS EXPECTED TO VISIT BONN, PARIS AND LONDON.

LIKE RUSSIA, UKRAINE SHARES RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL TIES WITH THE SERBS, WHO CONTINUE TO REJECT THE WESTERN BACKED PEACE PLAN FOR KOSOVO. THE PLAN CALLS FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF 28-THOUSAND NATO PEACEKEEPING TROOPS IN KOSOVO, WHICH WOULD BE GIVEN AUTONOMY FROM SERBIA, THE DOMINANT REPUBLIC IN THE YUGOSLAV FEDERATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/JO
29-Mar-99 3:58 PM EST (2058 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE? BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA'S MILITARY HAS INTENSIFIED AS THE WESTERN ALLIANCE TRIES TO END YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S ATTACKS ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. AS CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON, SOME BALKAN SCHOLARS SAY THE ISSUE IS NO LONGER AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO, BUT INDEPENDENCE.

TEXT: NATO OFFICIALS SAY THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN KOSOVO IS CATASTROPHIC. THEY SAY SERB ARMED FORCES AND PARAMILITARY GROUPS ARE ENGAGED IN ETHNIC CLEANSING AS THEY FORCE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO FLEE TO NEIGHBORING ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA. REFUGEES TALK OF MASSACRES AND OF TOWNS BEING BURNED TO THE GROUND. NATO OFFICIALS SAY THE SERBS' SCORCHED EARTH TACTIC HAS LEFT MORE THAN 500-THOUSAND PEOPLE HOMELESS IN KOSOVO.

MANY MILITARY ANALYSTS AND BALKAN SCHOLARS SAY A DIPLOMATIC CASUALTY OF THE SERB ATTACKS ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS IS THE PEACE AGREEMENT WORKED OUT IN RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE, SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. THE ACCORD PROVIDES KOSOVO WITH AUTONOMY WITHIN SERBIA, A THREE-YEAR "COOLING OFF PERIOD" AND THE INTRODUCTION OF NATO TROOPS TO KEEP THE PEACE. ETHNIC ALBANIANS, WHO WANTED INSTANT INDEPENDENCE, RELUCTANTLY AGREED TO THE DEAL -- YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS NOT. RETIRED (AMERICAN) COLONEL RALPH PETERS IS A MILITARY STRATEGIST AND WRITER ON BALKAN AFFAIRS. HE SAYS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC UNDERSTANDS THE ISSUE IS NO LONGER AUTONOMY.

I HATE TO SAY ANYTHING GOOD ABOUT THE MAN, BUT HE READ THE SITUATION BETTER THAN THE AMERICANS. HE DOES CLEARLY SEE THAT THE ISSUE IS NOT ABOUT AUTONOMY NOW. IT HAS GONE TOO FAR. THE ISSUE RIGHT NOW IS ABOUT KOSOVAR ALBANIAN INDEPENDENCE.

COLONEL PETERS SAYS GIVEN THE APPALLING AND AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS BY SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO, THE WEST MUST REALIZE THE PROVINCE WILL INEVITABLY BECOME INDEPENDENT: EITHER ALL OF KOSOVO, OR PART OF IT.

RETIRED CANADIAN GENERAL LEWIS MACKENZIE WAS THE COMMANDER IN 1992 OF THE UNITED NATIONS "UNPROFOR" FORCES IN THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL OF SARAJEVO. HE SAYS FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, THE RAMBOUILLET PEACE ACCORD IS DEAD AND WHAT IS IN STORE FOR KOSOVO IS PARTITION.

IF YOU THINK OF KOSOVO AS A DIAMOND, THE NORTHERN PART -- THE TOP HALF OF THE DIAMOND -- IS THE PART THAT IS EMOTIONALLY LINKED TO SERBIA'S PAST: THE BATTLEFIELD OF THE BLACKBIRDS, THE GREAT DEFEAT AT THE HANDS OF THE TURKS OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE IN THE 14TH CENTURY, A LOT OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES AND A LOT OF THE MONASTERIES THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THEIR CULTURE AND THEIR RELIGION (ARE THERE). WHEREAS THE SOUTHERN PART -- OR THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE DIAMOND -- COULD IN FACT BE TURNED OVER TO THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS WHO WOULD IMMEDIATELY LINK IT WITH ALBANIA -- AND CONVENIENTLY SHARE A BORDER WITH ALBANIA. NOW YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO TALK ABOUT THINGS LIKE THAT AT THIS STAGE OF THE CONFLICT, BUT QUITE FRANKLY I THINK -- LIKE MOST OF THESE THINGS IT WILL END UP AS A COMPROMISE -- AND THAT TO ME (PARTITION) IS PROBABLY THE BEST COMPROMISE.

GENERAL MACKENZIE BELIEVES SERB FORCES ARE DRIVING OUT ETHNIC ALBANIANS FROM KOSOVO TO GAIN AS MUCH NORTHERN TERRITORY AS POSSIBLE BEFORE EVENTUAL PARTITION.

(OPT ) // BENNETT ACT //

WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO TAKE THINGS A LONGER WAY FORWARD. WE HAVE TO BE LOOKING AT LONGER TERM SOLUTIONS. THIS PIECEMEAL APPROACH THAT WE HAVE ADOPTED TO DATE IN BOSNIA, IN KOSOVO, IN CROATIA -- SEPARATE SETTLEMENTS EVERYWHERE -- DOES NOT WORK.

MR. BENNETT BELIEVES WESTERN POWERS MUST HELP THE BALKAN COUNTRIES WORK OUT POLITICAL SYSTEMS WHICH RECONCILE THE LEGITIMATE INTERESTS OF THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE WHO SHARE THE SAME TERRITORIES. NOT AN EASY TASK, HE SAYS. // END OPT //

COLONEL RALPH PETERS SAYS THE PROBLEMS IN THE BALKANS -- AND IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD -- ARE IN LARGE PART DUE TO ARTIFICIAL BORDERS ESTABLISHED BY WESTERN POWERS.

WE ARE FACED WITH BORDERS THAT WERE DRAWN BY DEFUNCT EUROPEAN EMPIRES, OR DRAWN AT VERSAILLES (1919). THERE WERE A FEW BORDERS DRAWN IN THE POST WORLD WAR TWO ERA, WHEN THINGS WERE DIVIDED UP AFTER THE GREAT CONFLICT. THE STATES THAT DREW THOSE BORDERS ARE LONG GONE, THE EMPIRES ARE GONE. AND YOU HAVE THIS PECULIAR SITUATION THAT IS ONE OF THE PARADOXES OF HISTORY, WHERE THE WORLD'S LEADING DEMOCRACY - THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - HAS LET ITSELF FALL INTO THE TRAP OF DEFENDING BORDERS DRAWN BY CORRUPT, DECAYED EMPIRES : BORDERS DRAWN IN IGNORANCE AND GREED. AND SO, ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO INTERNATIONAL MECHANISM AT PRESENT FOR PEACEABLY CHANGING THOSE BORDERS, THEY ARE GOING TO CHANGE -- EVEN IF IT IS THROUGH FORCE.

COLONEL PETERS SAYS UNLESS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FINDS A PEACEFUL WAY TO RESOLVE BORDER DISPUTES WORLDWIDE, CONFLICTS WILL CONTINUE FOR DECADES TO COME. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/KL
29-Mar-99 5:16 PM EST (2216 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: NATO SAYS ITS TIMETABLE FOR ATTACKING YUGOSLAV MILITARY FORCES IN KOSOVO IS ON TARGET. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS THAT THE TIMETABLE HAS COME TOO LATE FOR SOME PROMINENT ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO.

TEXT: NATO HAS BEGUN SHIFTING THE EMPHASIS OF ITS AIR ATTACKS TO TARGET THE YUGOSLAV MILITARY AND POLICE FORCES ON THE GROUND IN KOSOVO. AT THE SAME TIME, NATO MILITARY SPOKESMAN DAVID WILBY ACKNOWLEDGES YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES HAVE ALREADY KILLED A MEMBER OF THE KOSOVO ALBANIAN PEACE TEAM -- AMONG A SERIES OF MURDERS.

FEHMI AGANI, A MEMBER OF THE KOSOVO ALBANIAN DELEGATION AT RAMBOUILLET, A PRINCIPAL (ALBANIAN LEADER IBRAHIM) RUGOVA ADVISER AND A PEACE NEGOTIATOR OVER MUCH OF THE PAST YEAR, WAS EXECUTED ON SUNDAY, SOMETIME AFTER HE ATTENDED THE FUNERAL OF BAJRAM KELMENDI. FOUR OTHER PROMINENT ALBANIANS WERE REPORTEDLY EXECUTED ON SUNDAY, INCLUDING THE EDITOR IN CHIEF OF (NEWSPAPER) "KOHA DITORE," BATON HAXHIU.

MR. AGANI WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE OF KOSOVO AND WAS CLOSE TO IBRAHIM RUGOVA, THE POLITICAL LEADER OF KOSOVO ALBANIANS. NATO HAS ALREADY REPORTED THAT MR. RUGOVA IS IN HIDING AFTER SERBIAN AUTHORITIES SET FIRE TO HIS HOME. THE FUNERAL WAS FOR THE LAWYER MR. BAJRAM KELMENDI, WHO WAS KILLED BY SERBIAN POLICE ON THE FIRST NIGHT OF NATO AIR STRIKES. THE OFFICE OF THE ALBANIAN NEWSPAPER, KOHA DITORE, HAD ALREADY BEEN WRECKED BY THE SERBS.

IN ADDITION, COMMODORE WILBY REPORTS THAT 10 KOSOVO VILLAGES WITH PREDOMINANTLY ALBANIAN POPULATIONS HAVE BEEN SET ON FIRE IN KOSOVO, SEVEN OF THEM IN THE NORTHWEST NEAR PEC. NATO HAS ALREADY WARNED OF A HUMANITARIAN DISASTER WITH 80-THOUSAND KOSOVO ALBANIANS FORCED TO FLEE TO NEIGHBORING ALBANIA IN THE LAST FEW DAYS AFTER BEING STRIPPED OF THEIR YUGOSLAV IDENTITY CARDS.

DESPITE THE KILLINGS, NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA INSISTS THE NATO AIR STRIKES ARE ON A SYSTEMATIC PLAN.

WE ARE HAVING AN IMPACT. WE'RE ON PLAN, WE'RE ON TIMETABLE AND WE'RE ON TARGET AND WE'RE GOING IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO PROGRESSIVELY TIGHTEN THE NOOSE AROUND THE SERB WAR MACHINE.

NATO WILL CONTINUE TARGETING THE YUGOSLAV AIR DEFENSE, BUT IS DEVOTING MORE OF ITS ATTACKS TO THE TANKS, ARMORED VEHICLES AND GROUND TROOPS THAT ARE CARRYING OUT WHAT IS DESCRIBED HERE AS "ETHNIC CLEANSING."

I THINK HE HAS A VERY IMPORTANT JOB TO DO. IF HE DOES IT PROPERLY, IT WILL BE FOR ME -- GOOD NEWS. BUT HE HAS TO DO IT TO CONVINCE PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO STOP THE KILLINGS. IF THAT IS THE CASE, WE WILL BE VERY HAPPY TO ACHIEVE THAT.

NATO IS SKEPTICAL THAT RUSSIA WILL BE ABLE TO STOP THE KILLING IN KOSOVO -- WHICH IS WHY NATO'S TIMETABLE OF ATTACKS HAS SEVERAL DAYS TO RUN. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/PCF
29-Mar-99 12:05 PM EST (1705 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] NATO ATTACKS / ONITER (S&L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: NATO IS ATTACKING SERB TARGETS IN YUGOSLAVIA FOR THE FIFTH NIGHT IN A ROW, AND YUGOSLAV MEDIA REPORT EXPLOSIONS AND MISSILE STRIKES IN THE SERB PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON, SUNDAY'S AIR RAIDS INVOLVED SOME CRUISE MISSILES AND SCORES OF NATO WARPLANES.

TEXT: THE FIRST REPORTS OF EXPLOSIONS CAME FROM THE OUTSKIRTS OF KOSOVO'S CAPITAL, PRISTINA.

THE ATTACKS FOLLOW A STATEMENT BY NATO OFFICIALS THAT THEY ARE SHIFTING THEIR ATTACKS FROM YUGOSLAV AIR DEFENSES TO SERB GROUND FORCES IN KOSOVO PROVINCE.

THOSE FORCES ARE ACCUSED OF GENOCIDE AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO, BURNING THEIR VILLAGES AND FORCING FAMILIES TO FLEE. NATO OFFICIALS SAY THE BRUTAL PROCESS OF "ETHNIC CLEANSING" HAS PRODUCED A HALF-MILLION REFUGEES AND CREATED A HUMANITARIAN DISASTER.

THE SERB-LED YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT DENIES IT IS MISTREATING THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS -- WHO ARE THE MAJORITY IN KOSOVO.

THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT SHOT DOWN TWO OR MORE NATO PLANES DURING SUNDAY'S RAIDS -- A CLAIM DENIED BY NATO.

IT IS THE ONLY NATO PLANE TO HAVE CRASHED DURING THE FIVE-DAY OFFENSIVE. FIVE YUGOSLAV AIRCRAFT HAVE BEEN LOST IN AIR-TO-AIR COMBAT SO FAR. MEANTIME, BRITAIN SAYS IT WILL SOON SEND MORE PLANES TO NATO'S 350-PLANE AIR ARMADA. THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER NATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE SIMILAR ACTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/RRM
28-Mar-99 8:34 PM EST (0134 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] PENTAGON-KOSOVO (S & L/UPDATE) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

INTRO: MORE AMERICAN WARPLANES ARE ON THEIR WAY TO EUROPE, AS NATO STEPS UP THE SECOND PHASE OF ITS AIR CAMPAIGN IN YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS, THE RAIDS ARE SHIFTING AWAY FROM SERB AIR DEFENSES AND TOWARD THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO.

TEXT: WITH UP TO HALF THE DAILY SORTIES NOW AIMED AT TARGETS INSIDE KOSOVO PROVINCE, THE U-S AIR FORCE IS SENDING IN MORE SPECIALIZED FIREPOWER. FIVE BEE-ONE-BEE HEAVY BOMBERS SHOULD BE ON STATION BY THE END OF THIS WEEK, CARRYING CLUSTER BOMBS DESIGNED TO HIT TANKS AND ARTILLERY.

PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON HINTS AT THE BEE-ONES' MISSION AS HE RECALLS THEIR ROLE IN LAST YEAR'S STRIKES ON IRAQ.

WHERE THEY LAID DOWN A LINE OF BOMBS QUITE ACCURATELY ON A SERIES OF BARRACKS. THEY HAVE A VERY PRECISE BOMB-DROP CAPABILITY.

THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES ARE UNDER MOUNTING PRESSURE TO TAKE ON THE FORCES BLAMED FOR ETHNIC CLEANSING AND KILLINGS OF CIVILIANS. MR. BACON SAYS THOSE UNITS ARE ON THE TARGET LIST.

WE HAVE ATTACKED SPECIAL POLICE AND ARMY BARRACKS IN PRISTINA,PRIZREN, (AND) MITROVICE.

BUT THE YUGOSLAV TROOPS ARE SAID TO BE WIDELY DISPERSED WITH FEW LARGE CONCENTRATIONS. DESPITE THE ESCALATING VIOLENCE IN THE PROVINCE, OFFICIALS SAY THE UNITED STATES STILL HAS NO INTENTION OF SENDING IN ITS OWN GROUND TROOPS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/PT
29-Mar-99 6:18 PM EST (2318 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] CLINTON/KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS THE PEACE MISSION TO BELGRADE BY RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV CAN BE USEFUL, BUT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ALREADY KNOWS WHAT HE HAS TO DO TO END THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY THERE WAS NO ADVANCE CONSULTATION WITH MOSCOW ABOUT THE PRIMAKOV MISSION.

BUT CLINTON SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAYS IT CAN BE USEFUL IN DELIVERING WHAT HE CALLED -- A STARK MESSAGE -- TO THE YUGOSLAV LEADER THAT HE CAN EITHER EMBRACE PEACE OR FACE FURTHER NATO AIR ATTACKS.

RUSSIA WAS HEAVILY INVOLVED IN NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE PLAN FOR KOSOVO, BUT STRONGLY OPPOSES THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST ITS TRADITIONAL SERB ALLY.

DESPITE WHAT HE CALLED THE PROFOUND DISAGREEMENT WITH MOSCOW ON THE AIRSTRIKES, MR. LOCKHART MADE CLEAR THE ADMINISTRATION WELCOMES THE INTERCESSION OF ANYONE WHO HAS INFLUENCE WITH THE YUGOSLAV LEADER.

MR. LOCKHART SAID THE YUGOSLAV OFFENSIVE IN KOSOVO IS STEADILY INTENSIFYING, WITH CREDIBLE REPORTS OF ATROCITIES BY SERB FORCES AND A REFUGE EXODUS FROM KOSOVO THAT HE CALLED -- A TEXTBOOK CASE OF ETHNIC CLEANSING.

BUT HE INSISTED THE SERB OFFENSIVE WAS LONG-PLANNED AND NOT A CONSEQUENCE OF THE NATO AIRSTRIKES. HE SAID IN ADVANCE OF THE AIR CAMPAIGN, MR. MILOSEVIC HAD 40-THOUSAND TROOPS POISED FOR THE ATTACK -- AND NATO HAD THE CHOICE OF DOING NOTHING OR TAKING ACTION TO PUNISH HIM AND DEGRADE HIS MILITARY CAPABILITY.

DESPITE THE INTENSIFICATION OF VIOLENCE, MR. LOCKHART INSISTED NATO HAS NO INTENTION OF INTRODUCING GROUND TROOPS UNLESS, AND UNTIL, THERE IS A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT TO MONITOR.

HE SAID THE ALLIES CAN REACH THEIR MILITARY OBJECTIVES WITH AIR ATTACKS -- OVER TIME -- BUT HE WOULD NOT SAY HOW LONG THE CAMPAIGN MIGHT LAST.

PRESIDENT CLINTON SPENT MUCH OF THE WEEKEND MONITORING THE KOSOVO SITUATION FROM THE CAMP DAVID RETREAT IN MARYLAND. HE TALKED BY TELEPHONE SUNDAY WITH THE PILOT OF THE U-S STEALTH FIGHTER JET DOWNED OVER SERBIA, AND MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY TEAM THAT RESCUED HIM. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/RAE
29-Mar-99 11:19 AM EST (1619 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] CLINTON / KOSOVO (L-UPDATE) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS GIVEN A CAUTIOUS WELCOME TO THE PEACE MISSION TO BELGRADE TUESDAY BY A RUSSIAN DELEGATION HEADED BY RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: OFFICIALS HERE SAY THERE WERE NO ADVANCE CONSULTATIONS WITH MOSCOW ABOUT THE PRIMAKOV MISSION. BUT THEY SAY IT CAN BE USEFUL IN DELIVERING TO (YUGOSLAV) PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC THE STARK MESSAGE THAT HE MUST EITHER EMBRACE PEACE IN KOSOVO, OR FACE A CONTINUED NATO AIR CAMPAIGN.

WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAID DESPITE RUSSIA'S OPPOSITION TO THE AIRSTRIKES, IT WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE KOSOVO PEACE PROCESS AND STILL HAS A ROLE TO PLAY:

THOSE WHO HAVE INFLUENCE IN BELGRADE, THOSE WHO HAVE INFLUENCE WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WHO CAN TAKE A CLEAR MESSAGE OF WHERE NATO AND THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT STANDS AND WHAT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC NEEDS TO DO TO END THIS BOMBING CAMPAIGN SHOULD DELIVER THAT MESSAGE.

UNDER QUESTIONING, MR. LOCKHART ALSO INSISTED THAT THE NATO AIR STRIKES HAD NOT TRIGGERED THE ONSLAUGHT OF ETHNIC CLEANSING NOW UNDERWAY IN KOSOVO. HE SAID THE YUGOSLAV LEADER HAD BEEN PREPARING FOR THE OFFENSIVE EVEN AS THE KOSOVO PEACE TALKS WERE UNDERWAY IN RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE LAST MONTH:

HE WAS GOING TO DO THIS. WE KNOW HE WAS GOING TO DO THIS. BUT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT HE CONTINUES TO PAY SUCH A HEAVY PRICE THAT HE EITHER CONCLUDES THAT THE PRICE IS TOO HIGH AND HE NEEDS PEACE, OR WE DEGRADE HIS ABILITY TO DO THIS AND TO CONTINUE DOING THIS.

MR. LOCKHART SAID THERE WERE ALREADY SIGNS THAT THE SECOND PHASE OF THE AIR STRIKES -- TARGETING GROUND FORCES, TANKS AND ARTILLERY IN THE FIELD -- IS BEGINNING TO INHIBIT YUGOSLAV OFFENSIVE CAPABILITIES. HE CAUTIONED THAT THE NATO CAMPAIGN "WILL TAKE TIME," BUT WILL CONTINUE EITHER UNTIL ALLIANCE MILITARY OBJECTIVES ARE MET OR PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC ACCEPTS A PEACE AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/JO
29-Mar-99 4:34 PM EST (2134 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITAIN'S FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS THE NATO ALLIES ARE COLLECTING EVIDENCE ABOUT YUGOSLAV COMMANDERS TO PASS TO THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON REPORTS BRITISH OFFICIALS SAY THOSE IN COMMAND OF YUGOSLAV FORCES WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CAMPAIGN OF REPRESSION IN KOSOVO PROVINCE.

TEXT: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY COOK SAYS THOSE IN CHARGE, INCLUDING THE TOP SECURITY AND MILITARY COMMANDERS, WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE ATROCITIES BEING COMMITTED AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO PROVINCE.

WE KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING. WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT YOU, THE FIELD COMMANDERS, DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING AND IF YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO STOP IT.

MR. COOK NAMES SIX TOP BELGRADE OFFICIALS HE WOULD HOLD RESPONSIBLE, INCLUDING YUGOSLAVIA'S PRESIDENT, HIS CHIEF OF STAFF, THE HEAD OF THE SECURITY FORCES, AND TOP MILITARY COMMANDERS. MR. COOK SAYS HE IS IN CONTACT WITH THE WAR CRIMES PROSECUTOR IN THE HAGUE TO OFFER ALL HELP AND EVIDENCE TO BRING THOSE ACCUSED OF THE ATROCITIES TO JUSTICE.

BRITISH OFFICIALS SAY THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT TWO PARAMILITARY GROUPS -- KNOWN FOR WHAT CRITICS CALL THEIR BUTCHERY IN BOSNIA -- ARE NOW OPERATING IN KOSOVO PROVINCE.

FOREIGN SECRETARY COOK SAYS THE NATO AIR STRIKES ARE TARGETTING THE YUGOSLAV MILITARY MACHINERY IN KOSOVO PROVINCE TO PREVENT ETHNIC CLEANSING IN EUROPE.

THAT PRACTICE BELONGS TO THE MIDDLE AGES, IT DOES NOT BELONG TO A MODERN EUROPE. WE ARE RIGHT TO FIGHT IT AND THAT'S WHY WE CANNOT STOP MILITARY ACTION UNTIL WE HAVE STOPPED THAT AGGRESSION ON THE GROUND.

THE SERB TROOPS IN KOSOVO ARE ALSO FORCING THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS FROM THEIR HOMES AND OUT OF YUGOSLAVIA. MR COOK SAYS BRITAIN IS INCREASING ITS HELP TO U-N AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE GROWING REFUGEE CRISIS IN NEIGHBORING MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
29-Mar-99 7:22 AM EST (1222 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (S) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITAIN'S FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS THE NATO ALLIES ARE COLLECTING EVIDENCE ABOUT YUGOSLAV COMMANDERS TO PASS TO THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON REPORTS BRITISH OFFICIALS SAY THOSE IN COMMAND OF YUGOSLAV FORCES WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CAMPAIGN OF REPRESSION IN KOSOVO PROVINCE.

TEXT: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY COOK SAYS THOSE IN CHARGE, INCLUDING THE TOP SECURITY AND MILITARY COMMANDERS, WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE ATROCITIES BEING COMMITTED AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO PROVINCE.

WE KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING. WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT YOU, THE FIELD COMMANDERS, DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING AND IF YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO STOP IT.

MR. COOK NAMES SIX TOP BELGRADE OFFICIALS HE WOULD HOLD RESPONSIBLE, INCLUDING YUGOSLAVIA'S PRESIDENT, HIS CHIEF OF STAFF, THE HEAD OF THE SECURITY FORCES, AND TOP MILITARY COMMANDERS. MR. COOK SAYS HE IS IN CONTACT WITH THE WAR CRIMES PROSECUTOR IN THE HAGUE TO OFFER ALL HELP AND EVIDENCE TO BRING THOSE ACCUSED OF THE ATROCITIES TO JUSTICE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
29-Mar-99 7:23 AM EST (1223 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[14] BLAIR/KOSOVO (L-O) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR TOLD PARLIAMENT ON MONDAY THE NATO ALLIES WILL INTENSIFY THEIR AIR STRIKES ON YUGOSLAVIA'S MILITARY TO STOP WHAT HE CALLED THEIR CAMPAIGN OF REPRESSION IN KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS PRIME MINISTER BLAIR ACCUSES YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC OF USING RECENT PEACE TALKS AS A COVER FOR HIS MILITARY BUILD-UP IN KOSOVO PROVINCE.

TEXT: PRIME MINISTER BLAIR SAYS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MUST PAY A HIGH PRICE FOR THE ATROCITIES BEING COMMITTED AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS BY HIS MILITARY AND PARAMILITARY FORCES IN KOSOVO.

FOR EVERY ACT OF BARBARITY, EVERY SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENT, MILOSEVIC SHOULD BE MADE TO PAY A HIGHER AND HIGHER PRICE.

BUT THE LEADER OF BRITAIN'S LIBERAL DEMOCRATS, PADDY ASHDOWN, ARGUES THAT THE ONLY WAY TO PROTECT ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO FROM SERB REPRESSION IS TO MAKE THE PROVINCE AN INTERNATIONAL PROTECTORATE.

MAY I PUT THIS TO THE PRIME MINISTER: SURELY HE WOULD AGREE THAT THERE CAN BE NO POINT IN TERMINATING THIS OPERATION OR PUTTING AT RISK THE LIVES OF OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN AND THEN LEAVING KOSOVO WITH LESS THAN A DURABLE AND SUSTAINABLE PEACE. AND IF THAT IS TO BE DONE, THERE IS NO OTHER WAY OF DOING IT BUT TO ESTABLISH -- WHETHER BY LAW OR IN FACT -- AN INTERNATIONAL PROTECTORATE. RAMBOUILLET (PEACE ACCORDS) IS ONE WAY TO DO THAT, BUT IF MILOSEVIC WILL NOT AGREE, WE'LL HAVE TO ESTABLISH IT ANYWAY.

IN RESPONSE, PRIME MINISTER BLAIR SAID THE PEACE PLAN ALREADY SIGNED BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS OFFERS THAT POSSIBILITY.

I BELIEVE, DE FACTO, TO USE HIS WORDS, THAT RAMBOUILLET (ACCORDS) OFFERS THEM A PROPER PROTECTORATE AND OBVIOUSLY THE PURPOSE OF GROUND TROOPS WOULD BE TO GO IN AND SUPPORT THAT.

THE PEACE PLAN OFFERS KOSOVO AUTONOMY WITH A PUBLIC POLLING AFTER THREE YEARS ON THE FUTURE STATUS OF THE SERBIAN PROVINCE. WESTERN ALLIES HAVE ALWAYS RESISTED THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS' CALL FOR TOTAL INDEPENDENCE. THE SERB DELEGATION AT THE PEACE TALKS CRITICIZED THE PLAN FOR GIVING TOO MUCH POWER TO THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS. KOSOVO IS CONSIDERED THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE SERB NATION. THE SERBS ALSO REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE USE OF NATO PEACEKEEPER TROOPS TO IMPLEMENT THE AGREEMENT.

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR HAS ACCUSED YUGOSLAVIA'S PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC OF USING SERB PARTICIPATION IN THE PEACE TALKS TO MASK THE MILITARY BUILD-UP IN KOSOVO AND THE CAMPAIGN OF REPRESSION. NATO OFFICIALS NOW REPORT THAT SERB FORCES EXECUTED A MEMBER OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN DELEGATION WHO HELPED NEGOTIATE THE KOSOVO PEACE PLAN. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF
29-Mar-99 11:00 AM EST (1600 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[15] AUSTRALIA / KOSOVO PROTEST (L-ONLY) BY BRONWYN CURRAN (SYDNEY)

INTRO: POLICE IN AUSTRALIA HAVE LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS BY THE COUNTRY'S SERBIAN COMMUNITY, ON SUNDAY. UNITED STATES CONSULATES IN THREE CITIES WERE DAMAGED IN PROTESTS OVER NATO AIRSTRIKES AGAINST SERBIA. BRONWYN CURRAN REPORTS FROM SYDNEY.

TEXT: NO ARRESTS WERE MADE DURING SUNDAY'S VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS, BUT SYDNEY'S ASSISTANT POLICE COMMISSIONER, KEN MORONEY SAID MONDAY AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENTS IS UNDERWAY.

WE'LL BE VIEWING AN AMOUNT OF VIDEO OF THE SCENE YESTERDAY (SUNDAY) WITH A VIEW TO IDENTIFYING THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE ACTIONS.

SEVEN THOUSAND PROTESTERS DESCENDED ON THE CONSULATES IN SYDNEY, MELBOURNE AND PERTH SUNDAY, HURLING BRICKS AND BOTTLES, SMASHING WINDOWS AND BURNING U-S FLAGS.

A GASOLINE BOMB WAS THROWN IN ONE PROTEST, TWO POLICEMEN WERE INJURED, A CAMERA CREW WAS ATTACKED AND ONE REPORTER HAD HER NOTEBOOK SNATCHED AWAY AND THROWN INTO BURNING FLAGS.

ORGANIZERS COMPARED PRESIDENT CLINTON, TO ADOLF HITLER.

YOU ARE A MURDERER, A GANGSTER, A CRIMINAL AND A LIAR

JEERED FOR PLEDGING HIS SUPPORT FOR NATO'S ACTION, MR HOWARD HAD THIS REPLY:

THE ARGUMENT OF THE NATO COUNTRIES IS WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF SERBIA, NOT WITH ITS PEOPLE

THE PRIME MINISTER LATER CONDEMNED THE VIOLENCE DURING THE PROTESTS.

POLICE HAVE BEEN PROMISED THE COOPERATION OF THE SERBIAN COMMUNITY, BY CHIEF ORGANIZER OF THE SYDNEY DEMONSTRATIONS, VELIBOR MILOVANOVIC.

WE CAN'T HIDE NOTHING, THE PICTURES WERE THERE, THERE WAS HARD EVIDENCE. IF SOMEBODY STEPPED OVER THE LINE OF LAW AND ORDER, WELL THEY HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH ACCORDINGLY, I THINK. THERE WAS FRUSTRATION WITHIN THE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, WITH WHAT'S GOING ON OVERSEAS.

DEFENDING THE PROTESTS, ONE SERBIAN COMMUNITY LEADER ACCUSED THE MEDIA OF DELIBERATELY FOCUSSING ON INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE. (SIGNED).
NEB/BC/FC
29-Mar-99 6:00 AM EST (1100 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[16] ISRAEL / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (JERUSALEM)

INTRO: ISRAEL SAYS IT IS PREPARED TO OFFER HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO KOSOVO. MEANWHILE, AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS, A SMALL, BUT NOISY, GROUP OF PROTESTERS DEMONSTRATED OUTSIDE THE U-S EMBASSY IN TEL AVIV CALLING FOR AN END TO NATO AIRSTRIKES.

TEXT: SCORES OF YUGOSLAV EXPATRIATES DEFENDED SERB ACTION AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS, AND CALLED ON THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT TO PRESS NATO TO HALT ITS AIR CAMPAIGN OVER THEIR HOMELAND.

THE PROTESTERS LIKENED THEIR OPPOSITION TO ETHNIC-ALBANIAN DEMANDS FOR INDEPENDENCE IN KOSOVO TO ISRAEL'S OPPOSITION TO PALESTINIAN DEMANDS THAT EAST JERUSALEM BECOME THE FUTURE CAPITAL OF AN INDEPENDENT PALESTINIAN STATE. MEANWHILE, FOREIGN MINISTER ARIEL SHARON TOLD ISRAEL RADIO MONDAY HIS COUNTRY IS READY TO PROVIDE MEDICAL AND HUMANITARIAN AID TO KOSOVO.

MR. SHARON ALSO CALLED FOR THE PARTIES TO RETURN TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE TO FIND A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO THE ISSUE.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL ELYAKIM RUBINSTEIN SAYS IF REPORTS OF GENOCIDE IN KOSOVO ARE TRUE, IT IS ISRAEL'S MORAL AND LEGAL DUTY TO HELP INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE THOSE RESPONSIBLE.

THE BRITISH AND GERMAN DEFENSE MINISTERS HAVE ACCUSED YUGOSLAV FORCES OF COMMITTING GENOCIDE IN KOSOVO.

THE LEADER OF THE LEFT-OF-CENTER PARTY MERETZ, YOSSI SARID, CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO SET UP AN EMERGENCY AID PROJECT, SAYING THE JEWISH STATE CANNOT STAND IDLE WHILE GENOCIDE TAKES PLACE. MR. SARID, WHO HAS LED AID MISSIONS TO RWANDA AND BOSNIA, SAYS HE IS WILLING TO LEAD AN ISRAELI HUMANITARIAN MISSION TO KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/JWH
29-Mar-99 8:45 AM EST (1345 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[17] ISRAEL / KOSOVO (L-UPDATE) BY DEBORAH TATE (JERUSALEM)

INTRO: IN ISRAEL, PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU HAS EXPRESSED HIS SUPPORT FOR THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. HE MADE HIS COMMENTS AS DEMONSTRATED PROTESTED THE NATO ACTION OUTSIDE THE U-S EMBASSY IN TEL AVIV. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM JERUSALEM.

TEXT: MR. NETANYAHU SAYS ISRAEL UNDERSTANDS AND SUPPORTS THE U-S-LED NATO EFFORT TO TRY TO ACHIEVE A SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS. HE SAYS EVERYONE MUST SPEAK OUT AGAINST GENOCIDE -- A REFERENCE TO REPORTS OF SERB ATROCITIES AGAINST THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS.

THE PRIME MINISTER MADE HIS COMMENTS AFTER MEETING WITH U-S CONGRESSMAN BENJAMIN GILMAN OF NEW YORK, WHO CHAIRS THE HOUSE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE. EARLIER, FOREIGN MINISTER ARIEL SHARON SAID ISRAEL IS PREPARED TO SEND HUMANITARIAN AND MEDICAL AID TO KOSOVO, IF ASKED TO DO SO. MEANWHILE, SCORES OF YUGOSLAV EXPATRIATES PROTESTED THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN OUTSIDE THE U-S EMBASSY IN TEL AVIV.

DRAGAN DIMITROV ORGANIZED THE DEMONSTRATION:

THIS IS THE COMPLETELY WRONG WAY OF RESOLVING PROBLEMS IN KOSOVO. WE CANNOT EXPECT THAT BY BOMBING WITHIN A FEW DAYS THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE LASTED A FEW HUNDRED YEARS WILL BE SOLVED. IT IS COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE.

PROTESTERS CARRIED A LETTER FROM MEMBERS OF THE YUGOSLAV JEWISH COMMUNITY CALLING ON THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT TO PRESS NATO TO HALT THE AIR STRIKES. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/PCF
29-Mar-99 12:35 PM EST (1735 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[18] RUSSIA / YUGOSLAVIA (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA IS PREPARING A NEW DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVE AIMED AT ENDING THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN ALSO REPORTS A SENIOR RUSSIAN OFFICIAL SAYS THE BOMBINGS HAVE KILLED ONE THOUSAND CIVILIANS.

TEXT: RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEYEV TOLD REPORTERS (MONDAY) THAT NATO BOMBS HAVE KILLED TEN TIMES MORE CIVILIANS THAN MILITARY PERSONNEL IN YUGOSLAVIA. MR. SERGEYEV WAS SPEAKING AFTER A MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV AND SENIOR DEFENSE, SECURITY, AND INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS.

HE GAVE NO SOURCE FOR THE INFORMATION.

MR. SERGEYEV ALSO SAID THE AMERICAN STEALTH FIGHTER JET DOWNED IN YUGOSLAVIA HAD BEEN HIT BY A SOVIET-MADE (EDS: CQ) ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILE.

FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV, ALSO BRIEFING REPORTERS AFTER THE MEETING, SAID RUSSIA WILL SOON TAKE NEW DIPLOMATIC STEPS INTENDED TO END NATO AIR STRIKES. HE SAID PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN WOULD BE ANNOUNCING THE MEASURES.

THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE WORD ON WHEN THE ANNOUNCEMENT MIGHT COME, BUT PRESIDENT YELTSIN IS SCHEDULED TO DELIVER HIS ANNUAL STATE OF THE NATION SPEECH TUESDAY. MEANWHILE, MR. YELTSIN IS SAID TO BE IN REGULAR CONTACT WITH YUGOSLAV LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE INTERFAX NEWS AGENCY QUOTES YUGOSLAVIA'S AMBASSADOR TO MOSCOW AS SAYING THE TWO PRESIDENTS ARE STAYING IN CLOSE TOUCH, AND MAY MEET SOON.

IN A RELATED DEVELOPMENT, MOSCOW POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A SUNDAY INCIDENT IN WHICH A MAN TRIED TO FIRE A ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADE AT THE U-S EMBASSY. THE GRENADE LAUNCHER FAILED TO WORK, AND THE MAN JUMPED INTO A CAR AND FLED TO ESCAPE A HAIL OF POLICE GUNFIRE.

THE VEHICLE -- POCKMARKED WITH BULLET HOLES -- WAS LATER RECOVERED A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY, AS WAS THE GRENADE LAUNCHER, BUT NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE.

A U-S EMBASSY SPOKESMAN SAYS ONLY ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL ARE ON THE JOB. VISA PROCESSING AND OTHER SERVICES ARE TEMPORARILY SHUT DOWN. THE SPOKESMAN SAID ALL OFFICES FACING THE STREET HAVE BEEN EVACUATED, AND STAFF RELOCATED TO MORE SECURE POSITIONS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE MASSIVE EMBASSY COMPLEX.

AFTER SUNDAY'S ATTEMPTED MISSILE ATTACK, DEMONSTRATORS PROTESTING THE NATO AIR STRIKES WERE MOVED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WIDE BOULEVARD WHERE THE EMBASSY IS LOCATED. SCORES OF POLICE WEARING HELMETS AND BULLET PROOF VESTS ARE ON GUARD AROUND THE AMERICAN COMPOUND.

MOSCOW'S MAYOR SAID SIMILAR SECURITY IS BEING PROVIDED FOR OTHER NATO EMBASSIES IN THE CITY. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/JWH
29-Mar-99 4:27 AM EST (0927 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[19] RUSSIA / YUGO -- 2ND UPDATE (S/L VER) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS ORDERED A TRIO OF SENIOR RUSSIAN OFFICIALS TO LAUNCH AN URGENT PEACE MISSION TO YUGOSLAVIA. VOA MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS THAT RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER ESTIMATES NATO AIR STRIKES HAVE KILLED ONE-THOUSAND CIVILIANS IN YUGOSLAVIA.

TEXT: PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV WILL FLY TO BELGRADE TUESDAY, ACCOMPANIED BY FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV AND DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEYEV. KREMLIN SPOKESMAN DMITRY YAKUSHKIN SAYS THE THREE WILL HOLD TALKS WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

SENIOR OFFICIALS SAY PRIME MINISTER PRIMAKOV WILL PROBABLY TRAVEL ON FROM YUGOSLAVIA TO GERMANY TO CONTINUE DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO END THE AIR STRIKES.

PRESIDENT YELTSIN IS SAID TO BE IN REGULAR CONTACT WITH THE YUGOSLAV LEADER. RUSSIA'S INTERFAX NEWS AGENCY QUOTES BELGRADE'S AMBASSADOR TO MOSCOW AS SAYING THE TWO PRESIDENTS ARE STAYING IN CLOSE CONTACT BY TELEPHONE.

RUSSIA -- A MEMBER OF THE SIX-NATION "CONTACT GROUP" ON YUGOSLAVIA -- IS A TRADITIONAL SERB ALLY, AND HAS HARSHLY CRITICIZED THE AIR STRIKES. BUT MOSCOW'S RESPONSE HAS BEEN MOSTLY LIMITED TO SYMBOLIC ACTIONS, SUCH AS CUTTING OFF ALL RELATIONS WITH NATO, EXCEPT FOR HUMANITARIAN PROGRAMS.

OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CONTACT GROUP IMMEDIATELY WELCOMED THE PRIMAKOV INITIATIVE. BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAID OTHER COUNTRIES INTERESTED IN THE SEARCH FOR PEACE HAVE ALWAYS ENCOURAGED RUSSIA TO USE ITS INFLUENCE TO BRING AN END TO THE REPRESSION IN KOSOVO.

IF RUSSIA HAS INFLUENCE AND ACTS ON IT IN BELGRADE TO ACHIEVE THAT OUTCOME, THEN WE WELCOME IT. BUT LET'S BE CLEAR -- WE'RE NOT GOING TO SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN AN END TO THE REPRESSION, OR WITHDRAWAL OF SOME OF THE FORCES TO SHOW THAT THAT CEASE-FIRE IS SERIOUS, AND A CLEAR COMMITMENT TO THE PEACE PLAN.

EARLIER MONDAY, RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER SERGEYEV TOLD REPORTERS THE NATO AIR STRIKES HAVE KILLED ONE-THOUSAND CIVILIANS -- 10 TIMES MORE THAN THE NUMBER OF MILITARY CASUALTIES. HE GAVE NO SOURCE FOR THE INFORMATION, AND THE REPORT COULD NOT BE INDEPENDENTLY CONFIRMED.

MR. SERGEYEV ALSO SAID THE U-S AIR FORCE FIGHTER JET SHOT DOWN OVER YUGOSLAVIA HAD BEEN HIT BY A SOVIET-MADE ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILE SYSTEM. TELEVISION PICTURES SHOWED WHAT APPEAR TO BE BULLET HOLES IN THE WRECKAGE OF THE CRAFT.

NATO FORCES, HOWEVER, RESCUED THE PILOT, WHO WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/PCF
29-Mar-99 9:20 AM EST (1420 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[20] RUSSIA/YUGO--3RD UPDATE (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS DISPATCHED A TRIO OF SENIOR RUSSIAN OFFICIALS TO YUGOSLAVIA ON AN URGENT PEACE MISSION. MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS THAT ON THE EVE OF THE PEACE INITIATIVE, RUSSIAN OFFICIALS UNLEASHED A BARRAGE OF CRITICISM AGAINST NATO.

TEXT: PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV FLIES TO BELGRADE TUESDAY MORNING FOR TALKS WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE PRIME MINISTER WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV AND DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEYEV, AS WELL AS THE HEADS OF SEVERAL RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES.

MR. IVANOV TOLD REPORTERS MONDAY THE MISSION'S OBJECTIVE IS TO HALT WHAT HE CALLED THE "NEGATIVE DYNAMIC" ENDANGERING EUROPEAN SECURITY.

RUSSIAN OFFICIALS SAID PRIME MINISTER PRIMAKOV WAS LIKELY TO FLY ON TO GERMANY AFTER HIS TALKS IN BELGRADE TO CONTINUE EFFORTS TO MEDIATE AN END TO THE KOSOVO CONFLICT.

RUSSIA -- A MEMBER OF THE SIX-NATION "CONTACT GROUP" ON YUGOSLAVIA -- IS A TRADITIONAL SERB ALLY. UNTIL NOW, MOSCOW'S RESPONSE TO THE AIR STRIKES HAS BEEN MOSTLY LIMITED TO SYMBOLIC ACTIONS, SUCH AS CUTTING OFF RELATIONS WITH NATO.

BUT ON THE EVE OF THE PEACE MISSION, THE HARSH RHETORIC OF RUSSIAN OFFICIALS SUGGESTED A TOUGHER LINE MAY BE AHEAD.

ADDRESSING REPORTERS, FOREIGN MINISTER IVANOV CALLED INTO QUESTION THE FUTURE OF THE CONTACT GROUP. AND HE ACCUSED NATO OF PROVIDING COVER FOR ATTACKS BY THE SEPARATISTS KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY ON SERB TARGETS.

MR. IVANOV SAID "THE K-L-A MILITANTS REGARD NATO STRIKES AS AIR SUPPORT FOR THEIR ATTACKS." HE CHARGED NATO AND THE K-L-A WITH COORDINATING THEIR ACTIONS.

EARLIER MONDAY, RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER SERGEYEV TOLD REPORTERS THE NATO AIR STRIKES HAVE KILLED ONE-THOUSAND CIVILIANS -- 10 TIMES MORE THAN THE NUMBER OF MILITARY CASUALTIES. HE GAVE NO SOURCE FOR THE INFORMATION, AND THE REPORT COULD NOT BE INDEPENDENTLY CONFIRMED.

MR. SERGEYEV ALSO SAID THE U-S AIR FORCE STEALTH FIGHTER SHOT DOWN OVER YUGOSLAVIA HAD BEEN HIT BY A SOVIET-MADE ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILE SYSTEM. TELEVISION PICTURES SHOWED WHAT APPEAR TO BE BULLET HOLES IN THE WRECKAGE OF THE CRAFT.

PRESIDENT YELTSIN, IN A STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, IS EXPECTED TO TELL PARLIAMENT RUSSIA WILL NOT ACCEPT WHAT HE CALLS "STRONG-ARM DECISIONS" BY NATO. IN PRE-RELEASED PORTIONS OF THE SPEECH, MR. YELTSIN DEPLORES THE USE OF FORCE, CALLING IT "DANGEROUS AND INADMISSIBLE."

BUT DESPITE THOSE STATEMENTS, THE RUSSIAN LEADER RENEWS HIS COMMITMENT TO BETTER RELATIONS WITH THE WEST, ESPECIALLY THE UNITED STATES. IN ONE PASSAGE, HE SAYS "MOSCOW ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO RUSSIAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS, AND THE RETURN TO CONSTRUCTIVE COOPERATION." (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/PCF
29-Mar-99 1:24 PM EST (1824 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[21] EDITORIAL: NOVEMBER 17TH TERRORIST GROUP

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

THIS MONTH, BOMBS EXPLODED OUTSIDE TWO BRANCH OFFICES OF THE AMERICAN-OWNED CITIBANK CORPORATION NEAR ATHENS, GREECE. NO ONE HAS CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY, BUT GREEK AUTHORITIES SUSPECT THE TERRORIST GROUP, NOVEMBER 17TH. THIS GROUP CARRIED OUT A SIMILAR ATTACK AGAINST CITIBANK LAST APRIL.

THE GROUP TAKES ITS NAME FROM THE NOVEMBER 17TH, 1973, STUDENT UPRISING IN ATHENS AGAINST THE MILITARY REGIME THEN RULING GREECE. BUT DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT WAS RESTORED IN 1974, AND THE NOVEMBER 17TH GROUP DID NOT CLAIM ITS FIRST VICTIM UNTIL 1975. CLEARLY, THE GROUP'S REAL GOAL IS TO UNDERMINE GREEK DEMOCRACY. ANOTHER GOAL HAS BEEN TO DRIVE GREECE OUT OF THE NATO ALLIANCE AND NATO BASES OUT OF GREECE.

NOVEMBER 17TH HAS CARRIED OUT TERRORIST ATTACKS AGAINST PEOPLE FROM MANY NATIONS. IT HAS MURDERED SEVERAL AMERICANS INCLUDING A DIPLOMAT AND TWO NAVAL OFFICERS. TURKISH DIPLOMATS HAVE BEEN SPECIAL TARGETS. THEY INCLUDE THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION OF THE TURKISH EMBASSY IN ATHENS, ASSASSINATED IN 1994. BUT MOST OF THE VICTIMS HAVE BEEN GREEK. LAST MAY, GREEK SHIPPING MAGNATE CONSTANTINE PERATIKOS WAS SHOT TO DEATH ON AN ATHENS STREET BY NOVEMBER 17TH GUNMEN.

DURING THE PERSIAN GULF WAR, NOVEMBER 17TH AIDED IRAQI DICTATOR SADDAM HUSSEIN BY ATTACKING PERSONNEL OF THE INTERNATIONAL COALITION IN GREECE. ONE OF THEIR MURDER VICTIMS WAS A U.S. AIR FORCE SERGEANT IN ATHENS. AND SINCE 1990, THE GROUP HAS USED IMPROVISED ROCKETS TO BOMB EUROPEAN UNION FACILITIES AND FOREIGN FIRMS INVESTING IN GREECE.

ARE THE TERRORISTS OF NOVEMBER 17TH ANY BETTER THAN THE FORMER JUNTA-LED GOVERNMENT THEY CLAIM TO DESPISE? TYRANTS AND TERRORISTS ARE THE ETERNAL ENEMIES OF ALL DEMOCRACIES. NO ONE KNOWS THIS BETTER THAN THE PEOPLE OF GREECE -- THE BIRTHPLACE OF DEMOCRATIC IDEALS AND INSTITUTIONS.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, V-O-A, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO COMMENT AT WWW-DOT-VOA-DOT-GOV-SLASH-EDITORIALS, OR FAX US AT (202) 619-1043.
29-Mar-99 2:06 PM EST (1906 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[22] NORTHERN IRELAND (S/L VER) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: THE BRITISH AND IRISH PRIME MINISTERS ARE TO MEET IN BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND, IN AN EFFORT TO BREAK THE IMPASSE OVER DISARMING PARAMILITARY GROUPS AND GET THE PEACE PROCESS BACK ON TRACK. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN SAYS THE DEADLINE FOR HANDING OVER SELF-RULE POWERS IS THIS FRIDAY.

TEXT: CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT POLITICIANS ARE TRYING TO FIND A COMPROMISE THAT WILL ALLOW THE PEACE PROCESS TO GO AHEAD, AS SCHEDULED. BRITAIN'S HANDOVER OF SELF-RULE POWERS IS DUE LATER IN THE WEEK, BUT SO FAR THE 10-MEMBER CABINET HAS NOT BEEN SET UP.

PROTESTANT FIRST MINISTER DAVID TRIMBLE REFUSES TO LET SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, TAKE TWO CABINET POSTS BEFORE THE I-R-A STARTS HANDING OVER ITS WEAPONS. SINN FEIN LEADER GERRY ADAMS SAYS THE AGREEMENT HAS NO PRE-CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE NEW GOVERNMENT.

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR AND IRISH PRIME MINISTER BERTIE AHERN ARE JOINING THE MAKE-OR-BREAK TALKS TO TRY TO THRASH OUT A COMPROMISE. FORMER U-S SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL, WHO HELPED BROKER THE PEACE PLAN, SAYS HE IS READY TO HELP, IF NEEDED.

BRITAIN'S SECRETARY FOR NORTHERN IRELAND WAS TO TRANSFER HOME-RULE POWERS TO THE NEW CABINET LAST MONTH, BUT POSTPONED IT BECAUSE OF THE IMPASSE OVER WEAPONS DECOMMISSIONING. THE NEW DEADLINE COINCIDES WITH THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEACE PLAN, KNOWN AS THE "GOOD FRIDAY" AGREEMENT, WHICH ENDED 30-YEARS OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND.

THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE BRITISH AND IRISH PRIME MINISTERS IN THE TALKS THIS WEEK ECHOES THEIR HANDS-ON APPROACH LAST YEAR THAT HELPED CLINCH THE PEACE DEAL. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF/RAE
29-Mar-99 11:48 AM EST (1648 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[23] MARINES/CABLE CAR (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

INTRO: A U-S MARINE AVIATOR HAS AGREED TO PLEAD GUILTY TO (HAS PLEADED GUILTY TO) CHARGES OF DESTROYING EVIDENCE ABOUT THE DEADLY COLLISION BETWEEN HIS PLANE AND A GONDOLA CABLE IN ITALY. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: CAPTAIN JOSEPH SCHWEITZER WAS NAVIGATOR ON THE ELECTRONIC WARFARE JET THAT SLICED THROUGH THE CABLE, SENDING 20-PEOPLE PLUNGING TO THEIR DEATHS IN THE GONDOLA.

HE WAS ACCUSED OF OBSTRUCTING AND CONSPIRING TO OBSTRUCT JUSTICE BY DESTROYING A VIDEOTAPE HE SHOT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. BY ADMITTING TO THE CHARGES, CAPTAIN SCHWEITZER AVOIDS A COURT-MARTIAL (MILITARY TRIAL). HE WILL BE SENTENCED THIS WEEK AT THE CAMP LEJEUNE MARINE BASE IN NORTH CAROLINA.

THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE IN FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR, WHEN THE PLANE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE NATO FORCE PATROLLING BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE DEATHS, AND THE WAY THE PENTAGON HANDLED THE AFTERMATH, BADLY STRAINED RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND ITALY.

THE MARINE CORPS DROPPED ALL CHARGES AGAINST TWO OF THE FOUR CREWMEN. THE PILOT, CAPTAIN RICHARD ASHBY, WAS ACQUITTED OF MANSLAUGHTER THIS MONTH. BUT, HE STILL FACES TRIAL ON THE SAME OBSTRUCTION AND CONSPIRACY COUNTS LODGED AGAINST CAPTAIN SCHWEITZER.

AT THE EARLIER COURT-MARTIAL, CAPTAIN ASHBY TESTIFIED HIS NAVIGATOR FILMED THE EARLY PART OF THEIR FLIGHT, THEN TOOK THE TAPE AFTER THE PLANE LANDED. CAPTAIN ASHBY SAID HE NEVER SAW THE VIDEO AGAIN. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/RAE
29-Mar-99 12:16 PM EST (1716 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[24] FRANCE IRAN (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: IRAN ON MONDAY (TODAY) POSTPONED A PLANNED TRIP TO FRANCE BY PRESIDENT MOHAMMAD KHATAMI, SAYING FRANCE WAS NOT WILLING TO RESPECT ISLAMIC CUSTOMS DURING HIS STAY. MR. KHATAMI HAD BEEN EXPECTED FOR A THREE-DAY VISIT BEGINNING APRIL 12TH. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL FRENCH EXPLANATION FOR IRAN'S DECISION, DIPLOMATS IN PARIS SAY THE REASON FOR THE IRANIAN PRESIDENT'S POSTPONEMENT IS THAT FRANCE INSISTS ON SERVING WINE DURING OFFICIAL BANQUETS.

DURING DISCUSSIONS WITH IRANIAN DIPLOMATS LAST WEEK, FRENCH SENATE OFFICIALS REFUSED TO BAN ALCOHOL FROM THE TABLE DURING A LUNCH FOR PRESIDENT KHATAMI.

ONE OFFICIAL SAID THE FRENCH ARGUED THAT WHEN THEIR DELEGATIONS VISIT TEHRAN, THEY OBSERVE IRANIAN AND ISLAMIC TRADITION WITH, FOR EXAMPLE, FRENCH WOMEN WEARING HEADSCARVES SO AS NOT TO OFFEND THE IRANIANS. IN RETURN, THE FRENCH OFFICIAL ADDED, FRANCE EXPECTS TO BE ABLE TO OBSERVE ITS OWN TRADITIONS -- INCLUDING SERVING WINE AT MEALS -- ON ITS OWN SOIL.

THE STATEMENT ISSUED BY IRAN SAID ONLY THAT MR. KHATAMI'S VISIT WAS POSTPONED INDEFINITELY BECAUSE THE TWO SIDES COULD NOT AGREE ON "RESPECTING ISLAMIC AND NATIONAL NORMS."

THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE AS MEMBERS OF THE DISSIDENT NATIONAL COUNCIL OF RESISTANCE STAGED A DEMONSTRATION IN PARIS AGAINST THE VISIT.

ONE COUNCIL MEMBER, ELAHEH AZIMFAR, SAYS WESTERN VIEWS THAT PRESIDENT KHATAMI IS A MODERATE ARE MISGUIDED.

NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN IRAN, THE SITUATION IS STILL THE SAME. KHATAMI BELONGS TO THE SAME REGIME. HE IS A MULLAH LIKE THE OTHERS. HE IS NOT A NEW FACE FOR THE IRANIANS AND, UNDER KHATAMI, 340-PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXECUTED AND NINE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STONED TO DEATH.

THE IRANIAN DISSIDENTS IN PARIS SAY THEY BELIEVE THE TEHRAN LEADERSHIP FEAR AN OUTBREAK OF PROTESTS DURING MR. KHATAMI'S VISIT, WHEN AND IF IT TAKES PLACE. FOR THAT REASON, THEY SAID THEY PLAN TO CONTINUE THEIR DEMONSTRATIONS TO PERSUADE FRANCE TO CANCEL THE VISIT ENTIRELY. (SIGNED)
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29-Mar-99 9:29 AM EST (1429 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[25] TURKISH FILM/ KURDS BY KATAYOUN BEGLARI (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE 18TH INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL FILM FESTIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE FROM APRIL 17 TO MAY 2 AND WILL SHOW NEARLY 150 FILMS, MANY OF WHICH HAVE WON AWARDS AT OTHER FILM FESTIVALS. ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED FILMS AT THE ISTANBUL FESTIVAL IS A TURKISH MOVIE DEALING WITH THE ISSUE OF KURDISH MINORITY IN TURKEY. VOA'S KATAYOUN BEGLARI HAS PREPARED THIS REPORT.

TEXT: ARTISTS OFTEN USE THEIR WORK TO MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT IMPORTANT ISSUES AFFECTING THEIR COUNTRY. A NEW FILM FROM TURKEY, "JOURNEY TO THE SUN," IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THIS. THE FILM, DIRECTED BY YASIM USTAOGLU (YASHIM USTA OGHLOO), ONE OF THE FEW FEMALE DIRECTORS IN TURKEY, EXAMINES ONE OF THE MOST SENSITIVE TOPICS OF LIFE IN MODERN-DAY TURKEY, THE SITUATION OF THE KURDISH MINORITY. "JOURNEY TO THE SUN" TELLS THE STORY OF THE FRIENDSHIP OF TWO YOUNG TURKISH MEN, MEHMET AND BARZAN, WHO LEAVE THEIR SMALL HOME TOWN AND MOVE TO ISTANBUL IN SEARCH OF A BETTER LIFE. IN ISTANBUL, MEHMET MEETS ARZU, A YOUNG WOMAN WHO, LIKE HIM, IS STRUGGLING TO MAKE A LIFE FOR HERSELF IN ISTANBUL. THE TWO SOON FALL IN LOVE.

BUT AFTER A PROMISING START IN ISTANBUL, MEHMET GETS INTO TROUBLE WITH THE POLICE, WHO MISTAKE HIM FOR A KURD BECAUSE OF HIS DARK COMPLEXION. THE ENCOUNTER WITH POLICE HAS A DEVASTATING EFFECT ON MEHMET. HIS HOPES OF MAKING A GOOD LIFE FOR HIMSELF IN ISTANBUL COLLAPSE AND HE RETURNS TO HIS HOME TOWN. "JOURNEY TO THE SUN" FIRST CAME TO INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION AT THE BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL IN FEBRUARY. THE FILM WAS PRAISED FOR ITS HANDLING OF POLITICAL ISSUES AND IT WENT ON TO WIN TWO PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS, INCLUDING "THE BLUE ANGEL," ONE OF THE FESTIVAL'S HIGHEST AWARDS.

THE LEADING ACTOR IN THE FILM, NEWROZ BAZ, IS A KURDISH STAGE ACTOR WHO LIVES IN TURKEY. HE SAYS THAT IN SPITE THE STRONG POLITICAL CONTENT OF THE FILM, HE IS CONFIDENT IT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED IN TURKEY WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTIONS BY TURKEY'S CENSORSHIP BUREAU. MR. BAZ SAYS THE ATMOSPHERE IN TURKEY IS MORE OPEN NOW THAN IT HAS BEEN IN YEARS.

IT IS NOT GOING TO BE BIG PROBLEM, BECAUSE A FILM WHICH WAS BANNED IN TURKEY FOR SEVENTEEN YEARS, YILMAZ GUNEY'S "YOL" HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED IN TURKEY, AND ALSO TURKISH POLITICS IS MUCH MORE OPEN AND THE FILM IS NOT GOING TO BE A BIG CONTROVERSY OR CENSORED.

MOST OF THE COUNTRIES OF EUROPE AND ASIA HAVE BOUGHT THE FILM RIGHTS TO"JOURNEY TO THE SUN." BUT GERMANY, WHICH HAS LARGE TURKISH AND KURDISH MINORITIES AND TRADITIONALLY BUYS THE RIGHTS TO TURKISH FILMS, HAS YET TO DO SO FOR "JOURNEY TO THE SUN." GERMAN OFFICIALS, IT IS SAID, ARE NERVOUS ABOUT SHOWING THE FILM AT A TIME WHEN TENSIONS BETWEEN KURDS AND TURKS ARE HIGH BECAUSE OF THE ARREST OF ABDULLAH OCALAN, THE LEADER OF THE PKK, THE KURDISH REBEL GROUP, BY TURKISH AUTHORITIES

BUT NEWROZ BAZ, THE KURDISH ACTOR, SAYS IT IS NOT ALL THAT IMPORTANT TO HIM IF "JOURNEY TO THE SUN" IS NOT SHOWN IN GERMANY. THE BIG AUDIENCE FOR THE FILM, HE SAYS, IS IN TURKEY.

IT WOULD NOT MAKE SO MUCH CHANGE ON THE FILM, BECAUSE TURKISH POLITICS IS EVER CHANGING AND NOBODY KNOWS WHAT BE THE NEXT THING, BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE AUDIENCE WILL BE THE KURDISH IN TURKEY AND DEMOCRATIC-MINDED TURKISH PEOPLE IN TURKEY.

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP SHARPLY TODAY (MONDAY) WITH THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSING ABOVE 10 THOUSAND FOR THE FIRST TIME. V-O-A'S BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10 THOUSAND SIX, UP 184 POINTS OR ALMOST TWO PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 13 HUNDRED 10, UP 27 POINTS AND THE NASDAQ INDEX GAINED THREE PERCENT.

THERE WAS CHEERING ON THE FLOOR OF THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE AT THE CLOSE OF TRADING. BUT THE ENTHUSIASM WAS PERHAPS A BIT LESS THAN IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE FIRST TRADED ABOVE 10 THOUSAND BUT FAILED TO CLOSE AT THAT LEVEL. AS SOON AS THE CLOSING BELL RANG, EXCHANGE CHAIRMAN RICHARD GRASSO AND NEW YORK CITY MAYOR RUDOLPH GIULIANI STOOD AT THE BALCONY PODIUM AND THREW CAPS AT FLOOR TRADERS. THE CAPS CARRY THE WORDS "DOW 10 THOUSAND" AND MAKE GOOD SOUVENIRS OF AN HISTORIC DAY.

GENE PERONI, DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL ANALYSIS AT THE JANNEY MONTGOMERY SCOTT INVESTMENT FIRM, SAYS THERE WERE TWO MAIN REASONS FOR THE RECORD PERFORMANCE OF THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE.

I THINK THE MARKET IS CHARGED BECAUSE IT BECAME A BIT OVERSOLD AFTER LAST WEEK'S TRADING AND THERE ARE SEVERAL RUMORED TAKEOVERS IN THE WORKS.

CORPORATE TAKEOVERS ARE OFTEN VIEWED AS POSITIVE SIGNS BECAUSE THEY INDICATE CONFIDENCE IN THE ECONOMY AND THEY REDUCE THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF STOCK AVAILABLE.

B-P AMOCO OF BRITAIN AND ATLANTIC RICHFIELD OF THE UNITED STATES ARE IN TALKS TO CREATE THE SECOND-LARGEST NON-GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED OIL COMPANY IN THE WORLD. ANALYSTS SAY A DEAL COULD BE WORTH ABOUT 25 BILLION DOLLARS AND WOULD REFLECT A TREND TOWARD CONSOLIDATION IN THE OIL INDUSTRY. NEWS OF THE TALKS CAUSED THE STOCKS OF MOST OTHER OIL COMPANIES TO RISE.

TWO HUGE INTERNATIONAL DRUG COMPANIES HAVE REPORTEDLY ENGAGED IN MERGER TALKS. SOURCES SAY TALKS INVOLVING GLAXO WELLCOME OF BRITAIN AND BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB OF THE UNITED STATES HAVE STALLED TEMPORARILY BUT COULD BE RESUMED. NEITHER COMPANY HAD ANY COMMENT ON THE REPORTS.

COMPUTER ASSOCIATES WILL PAY THREE AND ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS FOR THE PLATINUM TECHNOLOGY COMPANY IN ONE OF THE LARGEST DEALS EVER IN THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE INDUSTRY.

THE MICROSOFT COMPUTER SOFTWARE COMPANY HAS ANNOUNCED A MAJOR REORGANIZATION IN WHICH THE COMPANY WILL BE SPLIT INTO FOUR DIVISIONS, ORGANIZED BY CUSTOMER GROUPS.

LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES HAS RECEIVED A ONE BILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT TO SUPPLY EQUIPMENT TO THE A-T AND T TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY. LUCENT, WHICH WAS SPUN-OFF FROM A-T AND T SEVERAL YEARS AGO, IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST MAKER OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT.

THE LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION WILL REDUCE ITS WORK FORCE BY 10 PERCENT OR ABOUT 12 HUNDRED JOBS. THE COMPANY SAYS THE MOVE IS PART OF A REORGANIZATION AIMED AT IMPROVING EFFICIENCY.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
29-Mar-99 5:16 PM EST (2216 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[27] OIL MERGER TALKS (L ONLY) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

INTRO: TALKS ARE UNDERWAY TO CREATE ONE OF THE LARGEST OIL CORPORATIONS IN THE WORLD. IN NEW YORK, CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS ON THE POSSIBLE MERGER OF "B-P AMOCO" -- THE ANGLO-AMERICAN COMPANY -- AND ATLANTIC RICHFIELD OF THE UNITED STATES.

TEXT: IN A JOINT STATEMENT, THE COMPANIES CONFIRM THEY ARE IN MERGER TALKS, BUT CAUTION A DEFINITE AGREEMENT HAS NOT YET BEEN REACHED. THERE ARE REPORTS A DEAL WOULD INVOLVE B-P AMOCO BUYING ATLANTIC RICHFIELD FOR ABOUT 25-BILLION DOLLARS.

THAT WOULD COME ON TOP OF LAST YEAR'S MERGER OF BRITISH PETROLEUM WITH THE AMOCO OIL COMPANY OF THE UNITED STATES WHICH CREATED "B-P AMOCO".

IF THE DEAL IS COMPLETED, IT WOULD BE THE LATEST IN A WAVE OF INTERNATIONAL OIL INDUSTRY MERGERS WHICH ARE GENERALLY DESIGNED TO CUT COSTS IN AN ERA OF LOW OIL PRICES.

OIL INDUSTRY ANALYST FOR THE EDWARD JONES INVESTMENT COMPANY, KATE WARNE (WARN), SAYS A B-P AMOCO-ATLANTIC RICHFIELD MERGER WOULD OFFER SOME GOOD COST-CUTTING OPPORTUNITIES.

IT IS A GOOD COMBINATION IN ALASKA WHERE THE TWO FIRMS HAVE ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THAT STATE'S OIL PRODUCTION AND THEREFORE, GOOD OPPORTUNITIES TO CUT COSTS. THEY ALSO HAVE GULF OF MEXICO OPERATIONS TOGETHER.

THE POSSIBLE DEAL WOULD CREATE THE SECOND-LARGEST NON-GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED OIL COMPANY IN THE WORLD, BEHIND THE COMBINED EXXON-MOBIL CORPORATION WHICH IS AWAITING FINAL REGULATORY APPROVAL IN THE UNITED STATES.

TALK OF A B-P AMOCO MERGER WITH ATLANTIC RICHFIELD SPARKED A RALLY IN TRADING NEARLY ALL OIL COMPANY STOCKS, LARGE AND SMALL, IN ANTICIPATION OF FURTHER MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS IN THE INDUSTRY. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/RAE
29-Mar-99 1:07 PM EST (1807 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[28] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THERE ARE SURPRISINGLY FEW EDITORIALS THIS MONDAY ON THE SITUATION IN YUGOSLAVIA. OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE: SOME QUESTIONS ON CHINA'S HUGE CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECT; THE CHANGES IN GASOLINE PRICES; THE DECISION BY ENGLAND'S LAW LORDS ON GENERAL PINOCHET; AND THE CONTINUING PLIGHT OF CENTRAL AMERICA AFTER THE HURRICANE. NOW, HERE IS _______________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST

TEXT: WHILE THE NATO ASSAULT ON YUGOSLAVIA IS NOT DISCUSSED IN THAT MANY EDITORIAL COLUMNS, THERE ARE STILL SOME COMMENTARIES ABOUT IT. ONE OF THE MAIN THEMES IS THE POSSIBILITY OF STOPPING, WITH AIR POWER ALONE, WHAT APPEAR TO BE GROWING ATROCITIES BY SERBS AGAINST THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS ON THE GROUND. "USA TODAY," THE NATIONAL JOURNAL PUBLISHED IN A SUBURB OF WASHINGTON, D-C, FOCUSES ON THAT ASPECT.

VOICE: SIX DAYS INTO NATO'S AIR ASSAULT ON YUGOSLAVIA, THE CONFLICT APPEARS ODDLY DISJOINTED. NATO PLANES AND MISSILES ARE SYSTEMATICALLY DEVASTATING SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S MILITARY, JUST AS PLANNED. BUT [MR.] MILOSEVIC IS SIMULTANEOUSLY STEPPING UP HIS ETHNIC-CLEANSING CAMPAIGN IN KOSOVO TO HORRIFIC LEVELS. ACTION AND REACTION DON'T QUITE MESH, INVITING CONFUSION, OR WORSE, ILL-CONSIDERED ESCALATION. ... NEITHER PRESIDENT CLINTON NOR OTHER NATO LEADERS EVER CLAIMED THE BOMBING COULD STOP SYSTEMATIC, DOOR-BY-DOOR SLAUGHTER. BUT THE SIGHT OF NATO ATTACKS FAILING TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT IS ... DANGEROUS. SOME PROMINENT REPUBLICANS ... ALREADY HAVE CALLED FOR AT LEAST THE THREAT OF GROUND FORCES IF THE BRUTALITY CONTINUES. ... [BUT] EVEN IF NATO WERE TO DECIDE NOW ON A FULL-SCALE GROUND ATTACK, WHICH IT MOST CERTAINLY WILL NOT, IT WOULD COME TOO LATE.

TEXT: "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL," NOTING THE REPORTS OF HUGE DISPLACEMENT OF ALBANIANS BY SERBIAN FORCES AND INCREASED KILLING, SUGGESTS THE ULTIMATE REASON.

VOICE: SERBIA IS A VICTIM OF CRAZED NATIONALISM. SERBS HAVE NEVER BEEN ALLOWED TO FORGET ... THEY WERE DEFEATED BY TURKS IN KOSOVO SIX CENTURIES AGO. HENCE, GOES THIS REASONING, KOSOVO SHOULD BE OCCUPIED BY SERBS. HENCE, ETHNIC CLEANSING IS JUSTIFIED. [MR.] MILOSEVIC HAS ACHIEVED HIS PRESENT POSITION OF POWER BY PROPAGANDIZING THIS CRAZINESS. IT NOW HAS BROUGHT DOWN THE FULL FORCE OF THE NATO ALLIANCE ON THE HEADS OF THE SERBIAN PEOPLE.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON TIMES" IS WORRIED ABOUT MISSION CREEP, WRITING:

VOICE: WHAT CONTINUES TO TROUBLE MANY HERE IN WASHINGTON, THOUGH, IS THE EVOLVING NATURE OF THE MISSION AND THE STILL TO BE DEFINED OBJECTIVES OF THE CAMPAIGN. AND, NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE QUESTION OF THE DEPLOYMENT OF GROUND TROOPS CONTINUES TO HANG IN THE AIR, UNANSWERED AND OMINOUS. ... IT HAS BEEN UNSETTLING TO SAY THE LEAST TO LISTEN TO GENERALS AND POLITICIANS FUMBLE THEIR WAY THROUGH ANSWERS ABOUT THE MISSION OF THE NATO FORCE AND ITS ULTIMATE GOAL.

TEXT: MOVING TO THE ORIENT, TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" NOTES THAT THE CONTINUING ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROVERSY OVER THE THREE GORGES DAM, UNDER CONSTRUCTION ON THE YANGTZE RIVER, IS BEGINNING TO SURFACE EVEN IN THE CHINESE MEDIA.

VOICE: ... IT IS ENCOURAGING THAT SOME PUBLICATIONS [IN CHINA] HAVE CAST AN INCREASINGLY CRITICAL EYE ON THE THREE GORGES DAM ... THE OFFICIAL LINE IS THAT THERE IS NO TURNING BACK ON A PROJECT THAT WILL DESTROY ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREAT SCENIC AREAS, INUNDATE HUNDREDS OF ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES AND FORCE ONE-POINT-THREE MILLION PEOPLE TO RESETTLE ELSEWHERE ... BUT THE INSOLUBLE SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE PLAGUED THE PROJECT CANNOT BE WISHED AWAY, AND THEY MAY NOW BE GETTING SOME CONSIDERATION. ... IT IS NOTEWORTHY THAT THE CHINESE JOURNAL "STRATEGY AND MANAGEMENT" PRINTED AN ARTICLE .... DETAILING THE FAILURE OF RESETTLEMENT EFFORTS SO FAR, AND THE EXTREME PROBLEMS OF RELOCATING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE INTO STEEP HILLSIDES THAT ARE BARELY HABITABLE.

TEXT: "THE TIMES" MENTIONS OTHER PRESS CRITICISM, THEN CONCLUDES BY SAYING: "THE ... DAM IS A THROWBACK TO FAILED DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES OF DECADES PAST ..." AND THAT "THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WANTS NO PART OF THIS DESTRUCTIVE ... PROJECT."

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" IS ANGRY THAT THE RULING MILITARY JUNTA IN BURMA REFUSED TO GRANT A VISA TO THE HUSBAND OF OPPOSITION LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI, MICHAEL ARIS, WHO DIED SATURDAY OF CANCER. SAYS "THE POST":

VOICE: WHEN MR. ARIS KNEW HE WAS DYING OF CANCER, HE ASKED ONCE MORE FOR A VISA, WITHOUT PUBLICITY, WITHOUT ANY WISH TO CAUSE EMBARRASSMENT OR SCORE POLITICAL POINTS. HE SIMPLY WISHED TO SEE HIS WIFE, FROM WHOM HE HAD BEEN BARRED FOR THREE YEARS, ONE MORE TIME. EVEN THIS, THE THUGS WHO HAVE TURNED ALL OF BURMA INTO A PRISON WOULD NOT ALLOW. AND SO HE DIED WITHOUT HAVING SEEN HER. 'I FEEL SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE HAD SUCH A WONDERFUL HUSBAND, WHO HAS ALWAYS GIVEN ME THE UNDERSTANDING I NEEDED,' AUNG SAN SUU KYI SAID IN A STATEMENT DEVOID OF POLITICS. 'NOTHING CAN TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME.' ... THIS LATEST ACT OF INHUMANITY WILL REINFORCE THE DICTATORS' PARIAH STATUS....

TEXT: HERE AT HOME, RISING GASOLINE [PETROL] PRICES HAVE BECOME AN IMPORTANT TOPIC, AND "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE SUGGESTS IT WILL GIVE SOME RELIEF TO THE WORLD'S OIL PRODUCING NATIONS, IF THEY CONTINUE TO DISCIPLINE THEMSELVES.

VOICE: THE OIL QUOTAS AGREED TO AT THE OPEC [ORGANIZATION OF PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES] MEETING IN VIENNA YESTERDAY ... WILL PROBABLY STICK [HOLD] FOR A WHILE. WHETHER THEY WILL SURVIVE A YEAR IS PROBLEMATIC. ... IF THE NEW OPEC DISCIPLINE ACTUALLY SUCCEEDS IN RESTORING PRODUCER ECONOMIES WITHOUT HARMING IMPORTER ECONOMIES, THAT WOULD HELP THE U-S NATIONAL INTEREST IN A STABLE AND PROSPEROUS WORLD.

TEXT: "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" COMMENTS ON THE MOST RECENT RULING IN THE CASE OF FORMER CHILEAN DICTATOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET, UNDER HOUSE ARREST IN ENGLAND. THE COURT RULED THAT HE MUST STILL FACE EXTRADITION FOR SOME OF THE ALLEGED CRIMES THAT TOOK PLACE UNDER HIS REGIME.

VOICE: THE MASS MURDERER WHO RULED CHILE IN THE 1970S AND 1980S, GENERAL ... PINOCHET, MAY YET BE PROSECUTED. THAT'S THE UPSHOT [RESULT] OF A LANDMARK RULING LAST WEEK BY ENGLAND'S HIGHEST COURT. ... EVEN IF HE ENDS UP WITH A LEGAL VICTORY -- IN ENGLAND OR IN SPAIN -- HE WILL HAVE SUFFERED INCONVENIENCE AND IGNOMINY FROM THE FIGHT. THAT'S TO THE GOOD. THE U-S GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO DO ITS UTMOST TO PROVIDE SPANISH AUTHORITIES WITH DOCUMENTS THAT MIGHT HELP BRING MR. PINOCHET TO JUSTICE.

TEXT: AND STILL WITH LATIN AMERICAN AFFAIRS, THERE IS A NEW PLEA FOR SPEEDING UP HURRICANE RELIEF AID TO THE BATTERED REPUBLICS OF CENTRAL AMERICA FROM MONDAY'S "MIAMI HERALD."

VOICE: NEARLY FIVE MONTHS AFTER HURRICANE MITCH DEVASTATED CENTRAL AMERICA ... U-S AID REMAINS STUCK IN WASHINGTON. ... THE SENATE ON TUESDAY APPROVED A TWO-BILLION PACKAGE THAT INCLUDED NEARLY ONE BILLION DOLLARS IN RELIEF FOR HONDURAS, GUATEMALA, EL SALVADOR, AND COSTA RICA. AND ON WEDNESDAY THE HOUSE NARROWLY APPROVED 968 MILLION ... [BUT] UNFORTUNATELY, THE STAGE IS SET FOR FURTHER DELAY. ... WITH CONGRESS NOW IN RECESS FOR TWO WEEKS ... SWIFT AGREEMENT IS UNLIKELY. ... HURRICANE RELIEF MUST NOT BE HELD HOSTAGE TO POLITICAL BICKERING LEST A TRAGEDY BE COMPOUNDED.

TEXT: LASTLY, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" COMMENTS ON DEVELOPMENTS SINCE THE DEATH OF A WEST AFRICAN IMMIGRANT, AMADOU DIALLO, WHO WAS SHOT BY FOUR WHITE NEW YORK CITY POLICEMEN.

VOICE: THIS PAST WEEKEND, NEW YORKERS AT LAST GLIMPSED THE POSSIBILITY THAT SOME CONSTRUCTIVE CHANGE WILL COME FROM THE DEATH OF AMADOU DIALLO. [NEW YORK CITY] POLICE COMMISSIONER HOWARD SAFIR ANNOUNCED AN OVERHAUL OF THE STREET CRIMES UNIT, INCLUDING MORE MINORITY OFFICERS AND CLOSER SUPERVISION. ... THE ADMINISTRATION'S STEPS SIGNALED A WELCOME SHIFT FROM DEFENSIVENESS TO BRIDGE-BUILDING AND STRUCTURAL REFORMS. MEANWHILE, THE LEADERS OF THE PROTESTS THAT HAVE FOCUSED PUBLIC ATTENTION ON THE CASE PRODUCED A TEN-POINT AGENDA FOR DEALING WITH POLICE MISCONDUCT THAT THE MAYOR SHOULD TAKE AS A REASONABLE BASIS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION. ... IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT MR. GIULIANI NOT PASS UP THIS CHANCE TO ESTABLISH A NEW UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN POLICE AND THE MINORITY COMMUNITY.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/KL
29-Mar-99 11:42 AM EST (1642 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[29] BRITAIN/PINOCHET (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITAIN'S HIGH COURT SAYS HOME (INTERIOR) SECRETARY JACK STRAW HAS UNTIL APRIL 15TH TO DECIDE IF THE EXTRADITION CASE MAY PROCEED AGAINST FORMER CHILEAN LEADER AUGUSTO PINOCHET. SPAIN HAS REQUESTED BRITAIN TURN OVER MR. PINOCHET TO STAND TRIAL ON A VARIETY OF CHARGES. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON MR. PINOCHET'S LAWYERS ARE FIGHTING TO HAVE THE CASE DISMISSED.

TEXT: HOME SECRETARY JACK STRAW SAYS HE NEEDS THE EXTRA TIME TO REVIEW THE CASE AFTER LAST WEEK'S HOUSE OF LORDS RULING THAT EXTRADITION OF THE FORMER CHILEAN RULER COULD ONLY BE BASED ON ALLEGED CRIMES COMMITTED AFTER 1988. THAT'S WHEN BRITAIN SIGNED THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON TORTURE.

BESIDES THE DELAY GRANTED TO MR. STRAW, THE COURT ALSO AGREED TO LET MR. PINOCHET'S LAWYERS APPEAL MR. STRAW'S ORDER -- ISSUED LAST DECEMBER -- TO LET THE EXTRADITION CASE PROCEED. THE LAWYERS ARGUE THE NEW LAW LORDS' RULING ELIMINATES MOST OF THE CHARGES AGAINST AUGUSTO PINOCHET.

THE SPANISH JUDGE SEEKING HIS EXTRADITION IS PRESENTING ANOTHER 30 CASES OF TORTURE AND MURDER, WHICH HE SAYS MEET THE LAW LORDS' NEW CONDITIONS.

SPANISH JUDGE BALTAZAR GARZON HAD REQUESTED MR. PINOCHET'S EXTRADITION LAST OCTOBER ON CHARGES OF TORTURE, MURDER AND THE DISAPPEARANCE OF CHILEANS AND OTHER NATIONALS -- INCLUDING SPANIARDS -- DURING HIS 17-YEAR RULE. THE FORMER GENERAL WAS ARRESTED WHILE RECOVERING FROM BACK SURGERY AT A LONDON CLINIC LAST OCTOBER.

LAST NOVEMBER, THE HOUSE OF LORDS RULED THAT GENERAL PINOCHET COULD FACE EXTRADITION, EVEN AS A FORMER HEAD OF STATE NORMALLY IMMUNE TO SUCH PROSECUTION. BUT THAT RULING WAS OVERTURNED AFTER IT WAS REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE FIVE JUDGES ON THE PANEL HAS LINKS TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, WHICH HAS LONG CAMPAIGNED TO BRING CHARGES AGAINST GENERAL PINOCHET.

THE HOUSE OF LORDS THEN RECONSIDERED THE CASE. LAST WEEK AN EXPANDED SEVEN-JUDGE PANEL RULED THAT MR. PINOCHET IS NOT IMMUNE FROM EXTRADITION ON CHARGES OF CRIMES COMMITTED AFTER BRITAIN SIGNED THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON TORTURE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF
29-Mar-99 9:07 AM EST (1407 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[30] GENERAL PINOCHET'S FUTURE BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE RETIRED ARMY GENERAL WHO LED THE CHILEAN GOVERNMENT FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, AUGUSTO PINOCHET, CONTINUES TO STIR CONTROVERSY AS HE WAITS FOR A POSSIBLE EXTRADITION TO SPAIN.

THAT DECISION IS STILL UP TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AFTER THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF RULINGS ABOUT THE GENERAL'S FUTURE. IN THIS COUNTRY, THE CASE -- AND THE BROADER QUESTION OF HOW, OR WHETHER, FORMER DICTATORS SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR WORST ACTIONS, WHEN THEY TRAVEL ABROAD -- ARE THE SUBJECT OF DEBATE.

WE GET A SAMPLING NOW FROM _________________ IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: GENERAL AUGUSTO PINOCHET RULED CHILE WITH AN IRON HAND FROM 1973 UNTIL 1990, AFTER LEADING A MILITARY COUP THAT OUSTED AND THEN KILLED DEMOCRATICALLY-ELECTED PRESIDENT SALVATORE ALLENDE.

DURING HIS 17 YEAR-RULE, MANY OPPONENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT WERE TORTURED, AND SEVERAL THOUSAND DISAPPEARED, AND WERE PRESUMABLY KILLED BY CHILE'S SECRET POLICE. LAST OCTOBER, GENERAL PINOCHET, NOW A SENATOR FOR LIFE IN CHILE'S LEGISLATURE, WENT TO LONDON FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT. SPAIN FILED AN EXTRADITION ARREST WARRANT FOR HIM, CHARGING CRIMES AGAINST SPANISH CITIZENS IN CHILE DURING HIS RULE. IN RESPONSE, THE BRITISH PLACED THE 83-YEAR-OLD GENERAL UNDER HOUSE ARREST WHILE THEY PONDERED WHAT TO DO.

WHEN A LOWER COURT RULED THAT GENERAL PINOCHET COULD NOT FACE EXTRADITION TO SPAIN, THE MATTER WAS REFERRED TO THE HOUSE OF LORDS, BRITAIN'S HIGHEST LEGAL AUTHORITY. LAST WEEK, THE LAW LORDS -- A GROUP OF LAWYERS AND FORMER JUDGES IN THE UPPER HOUSE DECIDED THAT GENERAL PINOCHET CAN BE MADE TO STAND TRIAL FOR SOME CRIMES COMMITTED DURING THE LATTER PART OF HIS RULE. // OPT

NOW THE HOME SECRETARY, BRITAIN'S HIGHEST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL, MUST DECIDE WHETHER TO HONOR THE SPANISH REQUEST, OR ALLOW THE GENERAL TO FLY BACK TO CHILE. SEVERAL U-S PAPERS HAVE OPINIONS ON THE MATTER, AND WE BEGIN NEAR THE CENTER OF THE COUNTRY, IN NEBRASKA, WHERE "THE OMAHA WORLD-HERALD" SAYS IT IS A "BAD IDEA" TO "JAIL ... THE CHIEF."

VOICE: EXPERTS AROUND THE WORLD HAVE SAID THEY FEAR THAT IF [GENERAL] PINOCHET ... IS EXTRADITED AND PROSECUTED, ALL WORLD LEADERS WOULD BECOME VULNERABLE TO BEING TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON CHARGES -- REAL OR TRUMPED-UP [SLANG FOR: PHONY] -- FILED BY OTHER GOVERNMENTS. /// OPT /// SUPPOSE GEORGE BUSH WAS VACATIONING IN A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY THAT SECRETLY MAINTAINED GOOD RELATIONS WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN. IN THE WINK OF AN EYE, [MR.] BUSH COULD FIND HIMSELF IN PRISON AND ON HIS WAY TO BAGHDAD FOR TRIAL AS THE ORIGINATOR OF THE GULF WAR. /// END OPT

TEXT: "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" BEGS TO DIFFER, HOLDING OUT HOPE THAT ALTHOUGH THE "COURT RULING GOES MOSTLY [MR.] PINOCHET'S WAY ... THERE'S STILL A CHANCE HE'LL STAND TRIAL."

VOICE: EVEN IF HE ENDS UP WITH A LEGAL VICTORY -- IN ENGLAND OR IN SPAIN -- HE WILL HAVE SUFFERED INCONVENIENCE AND IGNOMINY FROM THE FIGHT. THAT'S TO THE GOOD. THE U-S GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO DO ITS UTMOST TO PROVIDE SPANISH AUTHORITIES WITH DOCUMENTS THAT MIGHT HELP BRING MR. PINOCHET TO JUSTICE.

TEXT: "THE MIAMI HERALD" FEELS THAT THE BRITISH LORDS' DECISION WEAKENED THE CASE AGAINST THE GENERAL, BUT FEELS THAT, OVER ALL, THE EPISODE HAS HELPED GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW EVOLVE.

VOICE: THERE ** ARE ** [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] SOME CRIMES THAT SO OFFEND HUMANITY THAT THEY MUST BE PROSECUTED. THAT SHOULD APPLY WHETHER THE ATROCITIES WERE COMMITTED BY THOSE ON THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT. IT SHOULD ALSO APPLY IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER AN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION OUTLAWING TORTURE HAD BEEN SIGNED BY THE NATIONS INVOLVED -- AS IS THE SITUATION HERE. THE SAD REALITY, THOUGH, IS THAT THE WORLD ISN'T QUITE THERE YET. TYRANTS SUCH AS IDI AMIN, 'THE BUTCHER OF UGANDA,' ENJOY RETIREMENT IN EXILE. FIDEL CASTRO FREELY TRAVELS, DESPITE HIS REGIME'S LONG RECORD OF REPRESSION, TORTURE AND MURDER. ... MAYBE IT'S TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR A WORLD THAT JUSTLY PUNISHES GROSS HUMAN-RIGHTS VIOLATORS. BUT SURELY THIS RULING IN THE PINOCHET CASE MOVES US FORWARD.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" HAS THIS TO SAY:

VOICE: WE HAVE INCLINED TO THE VIEW THAT THE ARREST -- HE THOUGHT IT A KIDNAPPING -- OF THE VISITING GENERAL PINOCHET IN LONDON COULD BE A MODEL FOR EXTENDING ACCOUNTABILITY INTERNATIONALLY, AND THEREFORE A POWERFUL DETERRENT TO FURTHER GROSS ABUSES OF POWER. BUT THE CLAIMS OF THOSE -- INCLUDING CHILE -- WHO WOULD RESERVE THE HANDLING OF CRIMINAL FORMER LEADERS TO THEIR NOW-DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED, LAW-RULED GOVERNMENTS HAVE THEIR OWN LOGIC AND APPEAL.

TEXT: "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL," HOWEVER, TAKES A DIFFERENT VIEW, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: IT IS THE HEIGHT OF HYPOCRISY FOR BRITAIN, WHICH IS CURRENTLY RELEASING HUNDREDS OF BONA FIDE [EDITORS: UNDERSTOOD, NOT STATED IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY] TERRORISTS FROM PRISON IN THE HOPES IT WILL HELP A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IN NORTHERN IRELAND, TO DENY CHILE THE EQUAL RIGHT TO CONCLUDE THAT THERE ARE SOMETIMES CONSIDERATIONS MORE IMPORTANT THAN 'JUSTICE.'

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF OPINION ON THE LATEST DECISION IN THE CONTROVERSIAL CASE OF FORMER CHILEAN DICTATOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET.
NEB/ANG/JO
29-Mar-99 4:07 PM EST (2107 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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