Voice of America, 99-04-06

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA / REFUGEES / TENSION (L ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (TIRANA)

[02] KOSOVO REFUGEES / HEALTH (S - ONLY) BY DAVID MCALARY (WASHINGTON)

[03] KOSOVO: WOMEN AND CHILDREN BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (NEW YORK)

[04] KOSOVO REFUGEES / GUANTANAMO (L-O) BY MICHAEL BOWMAN (MIAMI)

[05] U-S / CUBA/ KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID GOLLST (WHITE HOUSE)

[06] MACEDONIA/REFUGEES (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (KOSOVO-MACEDONIA BORDER)

[07] KOSOVO REFUGEES-TURKEY (L) BY NEJLA SAMMAKIA (WASHINGTON)

[08] TURKEY / KOSOVO REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[09] RED CROSS / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[10] U-N KOSOVO RELIEF (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[11] U-N / KOSOVO RELIEF (L UPDATE) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

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

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

[14] ALBRIGHT / KOSOVO (S) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[15] COHEN KOSOVO L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[16] CONGRESS-KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

[17] PENTAGON/KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)

[18] KOSOVO / U-S OPINION BY JIM MALONE (WASHINGTON)

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

[20] BRITAIN / KOSOVO AID (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[21] BRITAIN / KOSOVO REFUGEES BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[22] FRANCE / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[23] GERMANY NATO ROLE BY JONATHAN BRAUDE (BERLIN)

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

[25] RUSSIA / KOSOVO BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)

[26] RUSSIA/KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[27] NATO ATTACKS MONDAY S (UPDATE) & L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

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

[29] NATO ANNIVERSARY / KOSOVO (L) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[30] KOSOVO WAR CRIMES ENVOY (L-O) BY NEJLA SAMMAKIA (WASHINGTON)

[31] EDITORIAL: SERBIA'S BRUTALITY MUST END

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

[33] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[34] LIBYA FINALLY SURRENDERS THE LOCKERBIE SUSPECTS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[35] LOCKERBIE / MIDEAST REACT (L/O) BY SCOTT BOBB (CAIRO)

[36] LOCKERBIE BOMBING ARRAIGNMENT (L-ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

[01] ALBANIA / REFUGEES / TENSION (L ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (TIRANA)

INTRO: SOME RELIEF AGENCY OFFICIALS IN ALBANIA ARE VOICING CONCERNS ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF THE HUGE NUMBER OF REFUGEES ENTERING THE COUNTRY. TIM BELAY IN TIRANA REPORTS THEY ESPECIALLY CITE THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THIS TEN PERCENT INCREASE IN ALBANIA'S POPULATION WILL AFFECT PUBLIC ORDER.

TEXT: THE U-N RESIDENT COORDINATOR IN ALBANIA, JANS WAHLBERG, SAYS THE MOVEMENT OF MOSTLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN ACROSS THE BORDER FROM YUGOSLAVIA DURING THE PAST TWO WEEKS HAS BEEN ORDERLY AND TRAGIC. AND HE SAYS THAT SO FAR, NO INCIDENTS OF UNREST HAVE BEEN REPORTED AMONG THE REFUGEES -- EVEN THOUGH THEY CAME HERE IN DESPERATE CONDITIONS AND INTERNATIONAL RELIEF AGENCIES WERE NOT ABLE TO HELP IMMEDIATELY.

BUT MR. WAHLBERG SAYS HE IS AFRAID THE CURRENT ATMOSPHERE OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE ALBANIANS AND THE KOSOVARS MAY NOT LAST FOREVER.

NOT BECAUSE THERE IS SOME INHERENT PROBLEM BETWEEN KOSOVARS AND ALBANIANS, BUT PERHAPS MORE THAT THIS IS A POOR COUNTRY AND THOSE FAMILIES THAT ARE NOW READY TO HELP, GIVEN THE TRAGIC SITUATION ACROSS THE BORDER, IN A MONTH'S TIME OR TWO MONTHS' TIME, THEY MUST THINK ABOUT THEIR OWN FAMILIES, THEIR OWN SURVIVAL AS IT WERE. AND SO THERE ARE POSSIBILITIES OF FRICTION BECOMING A REAL ISSUE.

MR. WAHLBERG SAYS POTENTIAL LAW AND ORDER PROBLEMS COULD DEVELOP IF THE REFUGEES REMAIN INACTIVE. HE SAYS NEW ARRIVALS WITH A LOT OF TIME ON THEIR HANDS MIGHT BE EASY RECRUITS FOR THE ORGANIZED CRIME ELEMENT IN ALBANIA.

CRIME AS SUCH SHOULD NOT BE EQUATED WITH THE FLOW OF REFUGEES. THEY HAVE SUFFERED, AS IT WERE. THERE IS CRIME ALREADY IN ALBANIA AND IT IS HIGH -- PARTICULARLY THE ORGANIZED CRIME IS HIGH. AND THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES AGAIN FOR USING PEOPLE WHO ARE IN A DESPERATE SITUATION FOR THEIR OWN PURPOSES.

MR. WAHLBERG SAYS AGENCIES MUST FIND WAYS TO HELP THE ALBANIAN FAMILIES WHO ARE HOUSING REFUGEES. HE SAYS CONTINUED EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF THE ALBANIAN POLICE FORCE ALSO WILL BE A KEY TO HEADING OFF TROUBLE.

A DOCTOR WITH THE FRENCH RED CROSS, ROBERT SEEBAG, SAYS HIS AGENCY WILL FOCUS ON HELPING FAMILIES WHO ARE RECEIVING REFUGEES...

UP TO NOW, IT'S OKAY. IT'S A BIG SOLIDARITY BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY SIMILAR PEOPLE SPEAKING THE SAME LANGUAGE. BUT, YOU KNOW, THIS COUNTRY IS SO POOR, AFTER YOU CAN CREATE SOME JEALOUSY BETWEEN THE REFUGEES AND THE ALBANESE PEOPLE.

MR. WAHLBERG OF THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS THE REFUGEE CRISIS PRESENTS OTHER LONGER-TERM IMPLICATIONS BEYOND THE QUESTION OF LAW AND ORDER. THEY INCLUDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION, URBAN MANAGEMENT, AND AN INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH IS ALREADY BEING STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT. (SIGNED)
NEB/TB/JWH
06-Apr-99 2:01 PM EDT (1801 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO REFUGEES / HEALTH (S - ONLY) BY DAVID MCALARY (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SAYS THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS ARE LIKELY TO FACE OUTBREAKS OF DISEASES AS THEY FLEE THEIR HOMELAND. SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT DAVID MCALARY REPORTS THE AGENCY IS APPEALING FOR AID FOR THE REFUGEES' MEDICAL NEEDS.

TEXT: THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SAYS THE MAIN HEALTH THREATS TO THE KOSOVO REFUGEES ARE LIKELY TO COME FROM WATERBORNE ILLNESSES AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASES FOR WHICH VACCINATION WAS INSUFFICIENT IN THEIR HOMELAND.

THE INITIAL CONCERNS ARE MEASLES AND OTHER VACCINE-PREVENTABLE AILMENTS, CHOLERA, ACUTE RESPIRATORY AND GASTROINTESTINAL INFECTIONS, AND THE WORSENING OF EXISTING CHRONIC CONDITIONS IN ELDERLY REFUGEES.

THE W-H-O SAYS THE REFUGEES WILL ALSO NEED PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING.

THE U-N HEALTH AGENCY SAYS IT HAS INCREASED ITS OPERATIONS IN ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA, THE PRINCIPAL REFUGEE DESTINATIONS. IT ESTIMATES IT WILL NEED TWO-AND-ONE-HALF MILLION DOLLARS DURING THE NEXT THREE MONTHS TO ASSIST THE REGIONS' PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES.

THE W-H-O IS APPEALING FOR MEDICAL KITS FOR HYGIENE, SURGERY, ANESTHESIA, AND TUBERCULOSIS. ITALY AND BRITAIN HAVE DONATED KITS WORTH 250-THOUSAND DOLLARS, BUT THE AGENCY SAYS MORE ARE NEEDED. (SIGNED)
NEB/DEM/RAE
06-Apr-99 12:38 PM EDT (1638 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO: WOMEN AND CHILDREN BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (NEW YORK)

INTRO: DISEASE, STARVATION AND LACK OF WATER ARE MAJOR CULPRITS IN REFUGEE CRISES, BUT CHAOS AND CONFUSION CAN ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE HUMAN DRAMA THAT TAKES PLACE. FROM V-O-A'S NEW YORK BUREAU, CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS ON EFFORTS TO MINIMIZE THE RISKS FOR REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO.

TEXT: REFUGEE EXPERTS ESTIMATE THAT 80-PERCENT OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS FLEEING KOSOVO ARE WOMEN AND CHILDREN. THE FIGURE PRESENTS HUMANITARIAN WORKERS IN THE KOSOVO CRISIS WITH A FORMIDABLE CHALLENGE -- TRYING TO KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER.

MARY DIAZ HEADS THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION FOR REFUGEE WOMEN AND CHILDREN, AN AFFILIATE OF THE PRIVATELY-SPONSORED INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE. SHE SAYS RELIEF AGENCIES HAVE LEARNED VALUABLE LESSONS IN RECENT YEARS FROM HUMANITARIAN DISASTERS, SUCH AS THOSE IN RWANDA AND BOSNIA.

IN THESE KINDS OF REFUGEE EMERGENCIES, THERE ARE LOTS OF CHILDREN WHO ARE SEPARATED. THEY BECOME UNACCOMPANIED MINORS. THEY GET LOST IN A VERY COMPLICATED SYSTEM AND OFTEN HAVE TROUBLE FINDING THEIR FAMILIES AGAIN. WE KNOW THAT ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO ADDRESS THAT IS TO BE PRO-ACTIVE, TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE REFUGEE COMMUNITY. "DO NOT BECOME SEPARATED FROM YOUR CHILDREN." "HOLD THEIR HAND." "BE CAREFUL." "MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHERE THEY ARE AT ANY TIME." WE KNOW THAT THAT WORKS AND THAT THERE IS LESS SEPARATION WHEN THOSE KINDS OF WARNINGS ARE ISSUED.

THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION ALSO RECOMMENDS REGISTERING FAMILIES -- AND MISSING FAMILY MEMBERS -- AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THEY CROSS THE BORDER.

AND ALSO, BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN STRIPPED OF THEIR PASSPORTS -- AND ALL THE REPORTS SHOWS THAT BIRTH CERTIFICATES, PROPERTY DEEDS, LICENSE PLATES, ALL KINDS OF PERSONAL EFFECTS ARE TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM -- IF THEY CAN GET THAT INFORMATION REPORTED QUICKLY, IT WILL BE EASIER LATER WHEN THEY NEED TO RETURN HOME TO PROVE THAT THEIR CITIZENSHIP OR NATIONALITY IS KOSOVO AND THAT IS WHERE THEY HAVE COME FROM AND INDICATE WHAT THEY HAVE LOST.

THESE PRECAUTIONS MAY SOUND BUREAUCRATIC, BUT MS. DIAZ SAYS THE INFORMATION IS CRITICAL TO REFUGEES WHEN THEY ACHIEVE THEIR ULTIMATE GOAL OF GOING HOME TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES AND COMMUNITIES.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF WIDOWS AND FAMILIES WITHOUT HUSBANDS AND FATHERS AND UNCLES AND GRANDFATHERS. IT IS A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. HOW DO WE HELP THE WOMEN REBUILD, GIVEN THIS KIND OF TRAUMA? GIVEN THAT MAYBE IN SOME VILLAGES OR COMMUNITIES THEY WERE NOT IN CHARGE OF THE FAMILY FARM OR THEY WERE NOT IN CHARGE OF THE BANK ACCOUNTS, THEY NEED TRAINING AND THEY NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY ARE GOING TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES. THOSE ARE THE LONGER TERM THINGS WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT AND THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT NOW IN PLACES LIKE BOSNIA AND RWANDA.

MARY DIAZ SAYS RELIEF WORKERS MUST ALSO BE AWARE OF SITUATIONS WITHIN THE REFUGEE CAMPS THAT THREATEN YOUNG PEOPLE.

WHEN IT TURNS INTO A LONG SITUATION AND PEOPLE ARE WAITING AROUND A LONG TIME IN REFUGEE CAMPS -- RECRUITMENT OF CHILD SOLDIERS BEGINS TO TAKE PLACE. OF COURSE, WE WANT TO BE THINKING AHEAD ABOUT THAT AND HOW TO PREVENT THAT. THEY ARE RECRUITED VERY YOUNG, 15 AND 16, SOMETIMES YOUNGER. FOR GIRLS, THERE IS A THREAT OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION. YOU HAVE SUCH LIMITED SUPPLIES. YOU DO NOT HAVE CLOTHING. YOU DO NOT HAVE FOOD. THE GIRLS MAY BARTER SEX FOR FOOD OR FOR HEALTH CARE. OR CASH.

MARY DIAZ OF THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION FOR REFUGEE WOMEN AND CHILDREN SAYS HUMANITARIAN GROUPS HAVE ALSO LEARNED THE IMPORTANCE OF INTRODUCING SOME STABILITY INTO THE LIVES OF THE CHILDREN IN REFUGEE CAMPS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. SHE RECOMMENDS INFORMAL CLASSES IN THE REFUGEE CAMPS TO PROVIDE BASIC EDUCATION AND, AT THE SAME TIME, GIVE CHILDREN SOME STRUCTURE. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BJS/LSF/RAE
06-Apr-99 10:53 AM EDT (1453 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO REFUGEES / GUANTANAMO (L-O) BY MICHAEL BOWMAN (MIAMI)

INTRO: U-S MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY WORK WILL SOON BEGIN TO PREPARE THE U-S NAVAL BASE AT GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA TO SHELTER AS MANY AS 20-THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. V-O-A'S MICHAEL BOWMAN HAS DETAILS FROM MIAMI.

TEXT: OFFICIALS WITH THE ATLANTIC FLEET IN NORFOLK, VIRGINIA SAY A JOINT TASK FORCE REPRESENTING ALL FOUR U-S MILITARY SERVICES WILL BE DISPATCHED TO GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE TO OVERSEE THE PREPARATIONS.

ATLANTIC FLEET OFFICIALS TELL V-O-A THE BASE ALONG CUBA'S SOUTHEASTERN COAST IS CURRENTLY CAPABLE OF HOUSING ONE-THOUSAND REFUGEES, AND THAT FACILITIES WILL BE GREATLY EXPANDED. NO DEFINITIVE DATE HAS BEEN SET FOR COMPLETION OF THE TASK, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO INCLUDE THE ERECTION OF A TENT CITY.

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE CURRENTLY HOLDS SEVERAL DOZEN CUBAN ASYLUM-SEEKERS - A RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER COMPARED TO THE 50-THOUSAND CUBAN AND HAITIAN BOAT PEOPLE WHO WERE HELD AT THE BASE DURING A REFUGEE CRISIS IN 1994. AT THAT TIME, OVER-CROWDING BECAME SO SEVERE THAT EIGHT-THOUSAND CUBANS WERE EVENTUALLY TRANSFERRED TO CAMPS IN PANAMA. THERE WAS UNREST WAS AT BOTH GUANTANAMO BAY AND THE FACILITIES IN PANAMA, AS RAFTERS WHO HAD HOPED TO REACH THE UNITED STATES BECAME DISILLUSIONED AND FRUSTRATED OVER THEIR DETENTION.

MUCH OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE FROM THE 1994 REFUGEE MISSION REMAINS IN TACT ON THE U-S NAVAL BASE, BUT MUST BE UPGRADED TO ACCOMMODATE THE ANTICIPATED INFLUX FROM KOSOVO.

CUBA LEASED THE LAND ON WHICH THE U-S NAVAL BASE IS CONSTRUCTED TO THE U-S IN 1903 AT A COST OF TWO-THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR. BARBED WIRE NOW RINGS THE FACILITY, WHICH SPANS ABOUT 115 SQUARE KILOMETERS AND INCLUDES A DEEP-WATER HARBOR. U-S OFFICIALS HAVE INDICATED A WILLINGNESS TO CONSIDER RETURNING THE BASE TO CUBAN CONTROL OR RENEGOTIATING THE LEASE ONCE A DEMOCRATICALLY-ELECTED GOVERNMENT COMES TO POWER IN HAVANA. (SIGNED)
NEB/MCB/GE
06-Apr-99 3:34 PM EDT (1934 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[05] U-S / CUBA/ KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID GOLLST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS ANNOUNCED IT WILL USE A U-S NAVAL BASE AT GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA, TO HOUSE 20-THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM (YUGOSLAVIA'S) KOSOVO (PROVINCE). THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT IS OFFERING TEMPORARY SAFE HAVEN TO THE REFUGEES. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: GUANTANAMO HAS BEEN USED TO SHELTER CUBAN AND HAITIAN BOAT PEOPLE IN THE PAST. THE FIRST REFUGEE FLIGHTS FROM THE BALKANS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN ARRIVING THERE AT THE END OF THE WEEK. WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAYS THE ADMINISTRATION EXPECTS THAT ALL THE REFUGEES WILL EVENTUALLY RETURN HOME.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS AS A TEMPORARY REFUGEE [CAMP,] OR SAFE-HAVEN FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN TEMPORARILY DISPLACED FROM THEIR HOMES. AND IT'S BEING DONE FOR HUMANITARIAN REASONS. AND GUANTANAMO OFFERS THE FACILITIES TO DO THIS QUICKLY.

GUANTANAMO, WHICH WAS LEASED TO THE UNITED STATES BY CUBA'S PRE-COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT, IS TECHNICALLY NOT U-S SOIL, AND THUS IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT FOR THE REFUGEES TO CLAIM U-S AYSLUM. THE ADMINISTRATION INFORMED CUBA OF THE DECISION TO HOUSE REFUGEES THERE BUT DID NOT ASK PERMISSION. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/WTW
06-Apr-99 4:19 PM EDT (2019 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] MACEDONIA/REFUGEES (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (KOSOVO-MACEDONIA BORDER)

INTRO: AIRLIFTS ARE UNDERWAY TO FLY KOSOVAR ALBANIANS IN MACEDONIA TO OTHER COUNTRIES THAT HAVE AGREED TO ACCEPT THEM. BUT TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF KOSOVARS FORCED BY SERBS TO LEAVE ARE STILL WAITING IN CAMPS ALONG THE MACEDONIAN BORDER, FROM WHERE CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS.

TEXT: LITTLE BY LITTLE, ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO LOST IT ALL IN KOSOVO ARE MAKING IT ON TO SANCTUARY -- OR AT LEAST TO A BETTER PLACE THAN THIS CAMP. MACEDONIAN SOLDIERS ON PATROL HAVE STARTED WEARING GLOVES AND ARE COVERING THEIR FACES WITH SURGICAL MASKS TO GUARD AGAINST DISEASE AS THE STENCH OF HUMAN WASTE MIXED WITH GARBAGE WAFTS THROUGH THE AIR, MIXING WITH SMELL OF SMOKE FROM BURNING CAMPFIRES.

FOR SOME REFUGEES, THE ONLY WAY OUT OF THIS CAMP WAS ON A STRETCHER. THIS WOMAN WAS LUCKIER.

THERE ON THE BORDER (IT IS) TERRIBLE. PEOPLE DIED. GIRLS AND BOYS, BABIES, THEY NEED HELP.

BUSES SPEED DOWN THE DUSTY ROAD FROM THE BORDER TOWARD THE CAPITAL, SKOPJE, ALL OF THEM PACKED WITH KOSOVO REFUGEES WHO WILL EVENTUALLY BE SCATTERED AMONG THE HANDFUL OF COUNTRIES PLEDGING TO ACCEPT THEM. SOME COULD END UP AS FAR AWAY AS CUBA.

IN THE PAST WEEK, WHOLE TOWNS AND CITIES FROM KOSOVO MAY HAVE PASSED THROUGH THIS BORDER CAMP. HANNA-PEKKA LAITHO WORKS FOR THE RED CROSS.

NOW IT SEEMS THINGS ARE MOVING, AND THE GOVERNMENT IS GIVING US THE GREEN LIGHT FOR US TO REMOVE THESE PEOPLE AWAY FROM HERE.

JUST A FEW KILOMETERS AWAY, WHERE THE BORDER MOUNTAINS GIVE WAY TO RURAL MACEDONIAN FLATLAND, SEVERAL-HUNDRED NATO TROOPS HAVE SET UP A TENT CITY, WHERE AN ESTIMATED 15-THOUSAND REFUGEES ARE BEING FED AND SHELTERED. NATO OFFICER NEILL PAGE EXPECTS AS MANY AS 100-THOUSAND MORE.

ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS THEY ARE ASKING -- BECAUSE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PLAN TO GET SOME OF THEM TEMPORARILY TO OTHER COUNTRIES -- IS THEY WANT TO KNOW WHEN THAT IS GOING TO BE ORGANIZED? HOW THAT IS GOING TO BE ORGANIZED? AND WHEN THEY CAN GO?

ETHNIC ALBANIANS, LIKE THIS GIRL, WANDER THE SPRAWLING TENT CITY LOOKING FOR MISSING RELATIVES.

IT IS TERRIBLE THERE, TERRIBLE IN KOSOVO. WHERE IS MY FAMILY?

ALL AROUND HER, PEOPLE ARE HUDDLED IN TENTS, SOME SLEEPING, OTHERS EATING FOOD RATIONS, OR WAITING IN THE LINE TO GET FRESH WATER. SOME DEPORTEES, LIKE THIS WOMAN, ARE ALREADY DREAMING OF GOING HOME.

THIS IS TERRIBLE FOR THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE. IN KOSOVO NOW ... I AM SURE TOMORROW I WILL COME BACK IN MY HOME TOWN AND I AM SURE ONE THAT IT WILL BE MINE. ONE DAY. THANKS NATO.

ALL ARE BETTER OFF NOW THAT THEY HAVE BEEN MOVED OUT OF THE FILTHY BORDER CAMP. BUT MANY MORE ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE WAITING TO BE MOVED, AND STILL MORE ARE REPORTED TO BE WAITING JUST TO GET OUT OF KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/PCF/RAE
06-Apr-99 8:39 AM EDT (1239 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] KOSOVO REFUGEES-TURKEY (L) BY NEJLA SAMMAKIA (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: TURKEY HAS ANNOUNCED IT WILL TAKE IN 20-THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO, AND THE FIRST 17-HUNDRED HAVE ARRIVED FROM MACEDONIA AT A MILITARY AIRBASE IN WESTERN TURKEY. NEJLA SAMMAKIA REPORTS TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON GIVES DETAILS OF THE TURKISH EFFORTS, AND SAYS HE HOPES THE ALBANIANS WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN HOME, IN DUE TIME.

TEXT: AMBASSADOR BAKI ILKIN SAYS ANOTHER 500 KOSOVAR REFUGEES ARE EXPECTED IN TURKEY LATER TODAY. HE SAYS ANKARA HAS ALSO PLEDGED TO SET UP TWO CAMPS IN ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA TO HOUSE 10-THOUSAND PEOPLE EACH.

HE ADMITS THE DECISION TO FLY SOME OF THE REFUGEES FAR FROM THE BORDER WITH KOSOVO MAY MAKE IT HARDER FOR THEM TO RETURN HOME. BUT, HE SAYS IT WAS IMPERATIVE TO DO SO. HE INSISTS THE REFUGEES WILL RETURN HOME WHEN IT IS BE SAFE FOR THEM TO DO SO.

THAT IS EXACTLY THE PURPOSE OF THE (NATO MILITARY) OPERATIONS IS NOT TO ALLOW THESE PEOPLE TO BE KEPT REFUGEES IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, THE PURPOSE OF THE OPERATION IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE IN THEIR OWN LANDS AND THAT IS WHAT NATO IS TRYING TO ACHIEVE. SO WERE NOT TALKING ABOUT YEARS, HOPEFULLY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MONTHS, IF NOT WEEKS.

MR. ILKIN SAYS A NUMBER OF REFUGEES FROM BOSNIA HAVE REMAINED IN TURKEY, BUT HE SAYS MOST OF THOSE REFUGEES HAD RELATIVES IN THE COUNTRY.

A LARGE PART OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, INCLUDING KOSOVO AND PARTS OF BOSNIA, WAS UNDER TURKISH-OTTOMAN OCCUPATION FROM THE 14TH CENTURY TO THE LATE 1800'S. SOME ETHNIC TURKS REMAINED THERE AFTER THE OTTOMAN AUTHORITIES PULLED BACK.

THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR SAYS APART FROM THE ALMOST TWO-THOUSAND REFUGEES THAT ARRIVED RECENTLY, SIX-THOUSAND REFUGEES EARLIER FLED KOSOVO TO JOIN RELATIVES IN TURKEY. BUT HE SAYS RECENT ARRIVALS WERE NOT OF TURKISH DESCENT, AND THAT IS NOT A CONDITION FOR EXTENDING RELIEF TO THE KOSOVARS.

NOW WE ARE BUILDING CAMPS, WE ALREADY HAVE CERTAIN FACILITIES WE ARE RENOVATING AND ADDING NEW FACILITIES TO WHAT WE HAVE,. BASICALLY THEY WILL BE IN THRACE, THE EUROPEAN PART OF TURKEY. AND WHATEVER IS NEEDED, FOOD, MEDICATION, YOU NAME IT, WE WILL PROVIDE THEM WHATEVER THEY NEED, TO MAKE LIFE AS COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE.

MR ILKIN SAYS TURKEY HAS SENT SEVEN-AND-ONE-HALF-MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF ASSISTANCE TO MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA. HE SAYS THE TURKISH RED CRESCENT WILL COVER THE COST OF ITS CAMPS IN MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA. TURKEY IS ALSO SEEKING INTERNATIONAL FUNDING TO HOST THE 20-THOUSAND REFUGEES. (SIGNED)
NEB/NS/LTD/RAE
06-Apr-99 2:32 PM EDT (1832 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[08] TURKEY / KOSOVO REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKEY HAS RECEIVED THE FIRST OF THE 20-THOUSAND KOSOVO REFUGEES IT HAS PLEDGED TO ACCEPT. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

TEXT: TURKISH TELEVISION SHOWED GROUPS OF BEDRAGGELD KOSOVARS -- MAINLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN -- CRYING IN APPARENT RELIEF AS THEY WERE RECEIVED BY SMILING TURKISH AID WORKERS AT A SMALL SEMI MILITARY AIRBASE AT CORLU IN WESTERN TURKEY.

MANY DESCRIBED THE HORRORS THEY HAD ENDURED AS SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES ORDERED THEM OUT OF THEIR HOMES AT GUNPOINT AND THEY FLED TO NEIGHBORING MACEDONIA.

THE KOSOVAR ALBANIAN REFUGEES HAD SPENT DAYS IN AN OPEN FIELD IN MACEDONIA WITHOUT ANY FOOD OR SHELTER AND WITHOUT NEWS OF LOVED ONES THEY HAD LEFT BEHIND. HERE IN TURKEY THEY WILL BE HOUSED AT A TENT CITY IN THE PROVINCE OF KIRKLARELI ON THE BULGARIAN BORDER.

THE TENT CITY WAS INITIALLY ERECTED IN 1989 TO ACCOMMODATE A MUCH LARGER WAVE OF ETHNIC TURKS FROM BULGARIA. MORE RECENTLY, IT HOUSED BOSNIAN MUSLIMS WHO FLED THE WAR IN THEIR COUNTRY.

TURKEY HAS PLEDGED TO PROVIDE SHELTER FOR UP TO 20-THOUSAND KOSOVAR ALBANIANS. THE DECISION FOLLOWED A SUSTAINED MEDIA CAMPAIGN ACCUSING THE TURKISH AUTHORITIES OF INDIFFERENCE IN THE FACE OF WHAT MANY NEWSPAPERS DESCRIBED AS THE GENOCIDE INFLICTED ON FELLOW MUSLIMS.

TURKEY HAS CLOSE ETHNIC, RELIGIOUS, AND LINGUISTIC TIES WITH THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS. THESE TIES DATE TO OTTOMAN TIMES WHEN THE OTTOMAN TURKS RULED OVER MUCH OF THE PRESENT DAY BALKAN STATES FOR NEARLY FIVE CENTURIES.

THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED THREE-MILLION ETHNIC ALBANIANS LIVING IN TURKEY. MOST MIGRATED HERE AFTER THE FIRST WORLD WAR. TURKEY'S LEFTIST PRIME MINISTER BULENT ECEVIT DESCRIBED THE MOVE TO ACCEPT THE KOSOVO REFUGEES AS TURKEY'S "HISTORICAL DEBT." MEANWHILE, TURKEY'S RED CRESCENT SOCIETY SENT 21 TRUCKS LOADED WITH 64 TONS OF FOOD, MEDICINE AND TENTS, FOR REFUGEES STILL STRANDED IN ALBANIA. TURKEY, WHICH IS A MEMBER OF NATO, HAS ALSO PROVIDED WARPLANES FOR MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA AND HAS DECLARED ITSELF READY TO SEND GROUND TROOPS AS WELL, IF NECESSARY. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH
06-Apr-99 11:53 AM EDT (1553 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[09] RED CROSS / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE HEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS (I-C-R-C) HAS APPEALED TO BOTH NATO AND YUGOSLAV FORCES TO RESPECT INTERNATIONAL LAW AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF CIVILIANS CAUGHT IN THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE OFFICIAL ALSO URGED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO ALLOW THE RED CROSS TO RESUME ITS HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES IN KOSOVO.

TEXT: THE TWO BRANCHES OF THE WORLD RED CROSS MOVEMENT -- THE I-C-R-C AND THE FEDERATION OF RED CROSS SOCIETIES -- ARE LAUNCHING AN EMERGENCY APPEAL FOR 68-MILLION DOLLARS. THEY SAY THE MONEY WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR 850-THOUSAND VICTIMS DURING THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS, CORNELIO SOMMARUGA, SAYS HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE MUST BE GIVEN TO THE CIVILIANS WHO ARE STILL INSIDE KOSOVO AS WELL AS TO THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO HAVE FLED TO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES.

THE RED CROSS PULLED ITS INTERNATIONAL STAFF OUT OF KOSOVO AS NATO BEGAN ITS AIR STRIKES TWO WEEKS AGO. MR. SOMMARUGA SAYS THE RED CROSS IS AFRAID THE LIVES OF CIVILIANS REMAINING IN KOSOVO ARE UNDER THREAT. HE SAYS HE HAS ASKED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC FOR PERMISSION TO RETURN TO KOSOVO. BUT, SO FAR, HE SAYS, HE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE.

MR. SOMMARUGA SAYS BEFORE THE RED CROSS LEFT KOSOVO, IT WAS ABLE TO VISIT DETAINESS AND TO PROTECT SOME CIVILIANS FROM ABUSE.

DO NOT FORGET THAT UP TO THE 24TH OF MARCH, THE I-C-R-C WAS VISITING UP TO 750 KOSOVARS DETAINED BY THE SERBIAN AUTHORITIES. THIS HAS BEEN STOPPED FROM ONE DAY TO ANOTHER AND WE CANNOT PROTECT THESE PEOPLE. AND, THERE MAY BE MUCH MORE PEOPLE DETAINED IN THERE THAT WE SHOULD ASSIST.

THE RED CROSS CHIEF SAYS ALL PARTIES TO THE CONFLICT MUST RESPECT INTERNATIONAL LAW TO PROTECT THE LIVES OF CIVILIANS. HESAYS HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTS OF VIOLATIONS AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS BY SERB SECURITY FORCES. HE SAYS HE ALSO IS CONCERNED AT THE HUMANITARIAN IMPACT OF THE NATO AIRSTRIKES ON YUGOSLAV CIVILIANS WHO ARE FORCED TO SPEND THEIR NIGHTS IN AIR RAID SHELTERS AND HAVE TO ENDURE PHYSICAL HARDSHIPS.

WE WILL WATCH VERY CLOSELY ALL THAT. BUT, WE ARE NOT HERE TO DENOUNCE VIOLATIONS. WE ARE HERE TO TELL YOU WE ARE WATCHING THE MATTER AND THAT WE WILL CERTAINLY INTERVENE WITH THE PARTIES CONCERNED WHEN WE ESTABLISH OURSELVES VIOLATIONS OF THIS KIND.

MR. SOMMARUGA SAYS AID AGENCIES ARE TRYING TO COPE WITH THE KOSOVO CRISIS. BUT, HE SAYS URGENT STEPS AND GENEROUS ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO RESOLVE WHAT HE CALLS THIS DEPLORABLE SITUATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH
06-Apr-99 1:04 PM EDT (1704 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[10] U-N KOSOVO RELIEF (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, SADAKO OGATA, WARNS THE DRAMATIC EVENTS IN KOSOVO ARE AN ATTEMPT TO, WHAT SHE CALLS "DESTROY ITS COLLECTIVE IDENTITY." THE HIGH COMMISSIONER, WHO IS CHAIRING AN EMERGENCY MEETING ON THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO, IS APPEALING FOR INTERNATIONAL HELP IN ENSURING THE SAFETY OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FLEEING THE SERBIAN PROVINCE. LISA SCHLEIN HAS MORE FROM GENEVA.

TEXT: INTERNATIONAL AID AGENCIES AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM 56 COUNTRIES -- INCLUDING ALBANIA, YUGOSLAVIA AND MACEDONIA -- ARE ATTENDING THE ONE-DAY EMERGENCY MEETING. IT AIMS TO COME UP WITH A COORDINATED PLAN OF ACTION TO QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY MEET THE OVERWHELMING HUMANITARIAN NEEDS OF THE KOSOVO REFUGEES.

IN STRESSING THE URGENCY OF THE SITUATION, U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER OGATA WARNS THAT PEOPLE FLEEING KOSOVO ARE LIKELY TO SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE BALKAN REGION. SHE SAYS ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARRIVING IN ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA TELL APPALLING STORIES OF VIOLENCE.

... OF PEOPLE FORCED TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES AT GUNPOINT. OF SEPARATION OF MEN FROM THEIR FAMILIES. BUT, ALSO OF PERSONAL DOCUMENTS AND VEHICLE NUMBER PLATES BEING DESTROYED AND OF PROPERTY RECORDS BEING WIPED OUT. THESE UNPRECEDENTED VIOLATIONS OF THE MOST ELEMENTARY RIGHTS OF AN ENTIRE CIVILIAN POPULATION APPEAR TO AIM AT DESTROYING ITS COLLECTIVE IDENTITY.

THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY ESTIMATES MORE THAN 400-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE FLED OR BEEN EXPELLED FROM KOSOVO IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. THIS IS THE LARGEST EXODUS OF REFUGEES IN EUROPE SINCE WORLD WAR TWO.

MS. OGATA SAYS THIS REFUGEE FLOOD-TIDE IS, TO USE HER WORDS, "FORCED, PLANNED AND DIRECTED," MAKING IT ALL THE MORE UNMANAGEABLE AND DESTABILIZING. SHE SAYS THE UNRELENTING FLOW OF REFUGEES HAS OVERWHELMED AID WORKERS. BUT, SHE SAYS HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES ARE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK AND ARE STEPPING UP EFFORTS TO ASSIST THE VICTIMS OF THIS ETHNIC CONFLICT.

TELEVISED IMAGES MAY CONVEY A PICTURE OF CHAOS AND DISORDER. HOWEVER, AN IMPRESSIVE HUMANITARIAN EFFORT HAS ALREADY BEEN UNDERWAY FOR A FEW DAYS AND STARTING TO HAVE SOME POSITIVE RESULTS ... EFFORTS HAVE CONCENTRATED ESPECIALLY ON PROVIDING SHELTER, FOOD, WATER, HEALTH AND SANITATION SUPPLIES.

THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER NOTES THE LARGE NUMBER OF REFUGEES COULD HAVE A DESTABILIZING EFFECT ON THE FRAGILE SOCIETIES OF ALBANIA, MACEDONIA AND MONTENEGRO. SHE APPEALS TO OTHER COUNTRIES IN EUROPE AND BEYOND TO SHARE THE BURDEN AND TO TAKE IN KOSOVAR REFUGEES ON WHAT SHE TERMS AN EXCEPTIONAL AND TEMPORARY BASIS. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/PCF
06-Apr-99 7:37 AM EDT (1137 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[11] U-N / KOSOVO RELIEF (L UPDATE) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

CUBA HAS CRITICIZED THE MOVE. A SENIOR CUBAN OFFICIAL SAYS IT IS A EUROPEAN REFUGEE PROBLEM AND THE UNITED STATES -- WHICH HE CALLS THE AGGRESSOR IN YUGOSLAVIA -- HAS NO RIGHT TO BRING THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO CUBA. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/WTW
06-Apr-99 3:56 PM EDT (1956 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[14] ALBRIGHT / KOSOVO (S) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS REJECTED A YUGOSLAV OFFER FOR A CEASEFIRE IN KOSOVO. SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS NATO MUST BE PREPARED FOR AN EXTENDED CONFLICT TO END SERB ETHNIC CLEANSING. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS NATO IS STRIKING HARD AT SERB FORCES BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO TO STOP CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IN KOSOVO.

SPEAKING IN WASHINGTON, MS. ALBRIGHT SAID DESPITE BAD WEATHER THAT HAD HINDERED OPERATIONS, NATO AIR STRIKES WERE BEGINNING TO HAVE AN EFFECT ON SERB FORCES.

AS HARD AS IT IS WE MUST BE PATIENT AND PERSIST. WE MUST BE PREPARED FOR AN EXTENDED CONFLICT. BUT DAY BY DAY, THE DAMAGE INFLICTED BY NATO POWER ON THE SOURCES OF MILOSEVIC'S POWER WILL GROW.

MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS THE ONLY WAY TO END THE CONFLICT IS FOR MR. MILOSEVIC TO PULL HIS FORCES OUT OF KOSOVO, LET ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES RETURN, AND ALLOW NATO PEACEKEEPING TROOPS IN TO VERIFY A PEACE AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/KK/LTD/KL
06-Apr-99 12:03 PM EDT (1603 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[15] COHEN KOSOVO L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN IS REJECTING YUGOSLAVIA'S OFFER OF A UNILATERAL CEASEFIRE AS "UNACCEPTABLE" AND "ABSURD." V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON, WHERE MR. COHEN ALSO SAYS BAD WEATHER MAY HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN CIVILIAN DEATHS IN THE LATEST ROUND OF AIR RAIDS ON SERB TARGETS IN YUGOSLAVIA .

TEXT: MR. COHEN SAYS THIS IS NO TIME TO STOP AIRSTRIKES ON FORCES LED BY YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC BECAUSE SERB TROOPS AND POLICE HAVE BEEN ON THE WORST ETHNIC CLEANSING RAMPAGE SINCE WORLD WAR TWO.

AND AT THIS POINT TO SAY NOW IS THE TIME TO STOP THE FIGHTING I THINK WOULD BE A REAL ABDICATION OF RESPONSIBILITY ON THE PART OF THE UNITED STATES AND NATO. WE INTEND TO CONTINUE OUR AIR STRIKES AND OUR AIR CAMPAIGN UNTIL SUCH TIME AS WE ACHIEVE OUR MILITARY OBJECTIVE.

NATO'S MILITARY GOAL IS TO MAKE KOSOVO SAFE FOR THE RETURN OF THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES WHO HAVE FLED TO NEIGHBORING NATIONS. TO THAT END, THE ALLIANCE INSISTS THAT SERB TROOPS LEAVE THE SERB PROVINCE AND THAT A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE BE ALLOWED TO ESCORT REFUGEES BACK TO THEIR HOMES.

MR. COHEN SAYS THE AIR CAMPAIGN WILL CONTINUE IN THE MEANTIME. NATO OFFICIALS SAY A PART OF THAT CAMPAIGN WENT WRONG EARLY TUESDAY MORNING, WHEN A BOMB KILLED CIVILIANS INSTEAD OF STRIKING MILITARY TARGETS.

IN A V-O-A INTERVIEW, MR COHEN SAID A CLOUD INTERFERED WITH THE LASER THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO SEND THE BOMB TO A MILITARY TARGET.

THIS APPEARS TO BE ONE OF THOSE CASES WHERE CLOUD COVER CAME IN AND THEY (THE PILOT) LOST THE LASER-GUIDED ASPECT OF IT AND IT WENT ASTRAY.

NATO OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THEY GO TO GREAT LENGTHS TO AVOID HITTING CIVILIANS WITH THEIR AIR STRIKES. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/LTD
06-Apr-99 2:33 PM EDT (1833 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[16] CONGRESS-KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: THE U-S CONGRESS MAY BE ON RECESS (UNTIL NEXT MONDAY), BUT THAT IS NOT STOPPING LAWMAKERS FROM SPEAKING OUT ON THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS MEMBERS OF A SPECIAL COMMISSION THAT MONITORS COMPLIANCE WITH THE HELSINKI ACCORDS (ON SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE) RETURNED TO CAPITOL HILL FOR A HEARING ON THE HUMANITARIAN NIGHTMARE IN THE BALKANS.

TEXT: THE MIXED VIEWS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE BEING REFLECTED BY THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.

WHEN THEY SPEAK OF KOSOVO YOU HEAR MANY EMOTIONS IN THEIR VOICES: FRUSTRATION, DETERMINATION, FEAR, AND DISMAY AT THE PLIGHT OF HUNDREDS-OF-THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS TURNED INTO REFUGEES.

COMMISSION CO-CHAIRMAN CHRISTOPHER SMITH IS A STRONG CRITIC OF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S BALKAN POLICY. THE NEW JERSEY REPUBLICAN SAYS NATO'S MILITARY OBJECTIVES HAVE NOT BEEN MET AND THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IS GETTING WORSE. CONGRESSMAN SMITH WONDERS ALOUD IF IT IS TIME TO RETURN TO DIPLOMACY.

IS THERE ANY CHANCE, ANY TIME SOON, OF A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT?

BUT A DIPLOMAT WITH FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE REGION SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS NO REAL INTEREST IN NEGOTIATIONS. WILLIAM WALKER IS AN AMERICAN WHO HEADS THE CEASE-FIRE MONITORING MISSION SENT TO KOSOVO LAST OCTOBER BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE.

I DO NOT SEE AT THE PRESENT MOMENT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GETTING MR. MILOSOVIC TO SERIOUSLY NEGOTIATE ANYTHING VIS-A-VIS (REGARDING) KOSOVO. I THINK HE IS SHOWING BY HIS ACTIONS EXACTLY WHAT HE THINKS OF THAT PROVINCE (OF SERBIA) AND WHAT HE THINKS OF THE PEOPLE THERE.

THE O-S-C-E MISSION LEFT KOSOVO BEFORE THE BOMBING BEGAN AND IS NOW -- IN THE WORDS OF AMBASSADOR WALKER -- OPERATING "IN EXILE" IN MACEDONIA. HE SAYS HIS PEOPLE WANT TO RETURN, BUT ADDS KOSOVO IS NO PLACE FOR UNARMED MONITORS TO WORK ALONE.

I THINK TO GO BACK IN, YOU CAN ONLY GO IN WITH AN ARMED BODY AT YOUR SIDE.

CONGRESSMAN STENY HOYER AGREES. THE MARYLAND DEMOCRAT SAYS THE WORLD MUST REMEMBER THAT VIOLENCE AND ATROCITIES HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME IN KOSOVO. HE SAYS SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC WAS MASSING TROOPS FOR AN OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS LONG BEFORE THE NATO BOMBING BEGAN.

HIS HISTORY SINCE EARLY 1998 IN KOSOVO -- AND OVER THE PAST DECADE, SINCE BECOMING PRESIDENT IN 1989, IN CROATIA AND BOSNIA -- IS THAT HE USES HIS FORCES AGAINST CIVILIANS. HAVING MADE THE COMMITMENT TO STOP THIS MADNESS, THE UNITED STATES AND OUR ALLIES MUST SEE THIS ACTION THROUGH.

HUMANITARIAN AID AGENCIES ARE ALSO PROVIDING THE CONGRESS WITH INFORMATION. ONE GROUP -- PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS -- IS PASSING ON CHILLING ACCOUNTS FROM MEDICAL PERSONNEL FORCED OUT OF KOSOVO. THEY SAY ALMOST ALL THE ALBANIAN PATIENTS IN THE MAIN HOSPITAL IN PRISTINA HAVE BEEN ORDERED OUT OF THEIR SICK BEDS AND TOLD TO LEAVE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/RAE
06-Apr-99 1:45 PM EDT (1745 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[17] PENTAGON/KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SAY THE GOOD WEATHER OVER KOSOVO AND GREATER SERBIA IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS WILL ALLOW NATO PLANES TO FLY A GREATER NUMBER OF MISSIONS. AS CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON, PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THE LATEST STRIKES HAVE INFLICTED HEAVY DAMAGE ON SERB MILITARY FORCES IN KOSOVO.

TEXT: DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS TOLD REPORTERS DURING THE LAST 24 HOURS, NATO WARPLANES HIT 30 TARGETS -- AND THEY EXPECT MORE SORTIES DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS GIVEN THE GOOD WEATHER OVER YUGOSLAVIA.

ADMIRAL THOMAS WILSON SAID THE LATEST TARGETS INCLUDED SERB FORCES AS WELL AS INTERIOR MINISTRY TROOPS.

WE DO HAVE INDICATIONS THROUGH MULTIPLE SOURCES INCLUDING SOME SOURCES THAT REMAIN ON THE GROUND IN KOSOVO, THAT THEY ARE SUFFERING INCREASED LOSSES OF PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT. SOME OF THIS IS IN THE FIELD -- MORE OF IT IS IN STAGING AREAS AND WE CONTINUE TO HIT HARD AT THEIR GARRISON LOCATIONS IN KOSOVO AND IN THE AREA AROUND KOSOVO.

ADMIRAL WILSON SAID OTHER TARGETS INCLUDED BRIDGES, KEY LINES OF COMMUNICATIONS, AMMUNITION AND STORAGE DEPOTS -- AND ROADS. HE TOLD REPORTERS YUGOSLAVIA'S AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM CONTINUES TO POSE A THREAT -- AND THUS REMAINS A PRIME NATO TARGET. WARPLANES CONTINUE TO HIT EARLY WARNING RADARS, SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE SITES AS WELL AS COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTERS. MEANWHILE, DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS HAVE REJECTED THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF A UNILATERAL CEASEFIRE IN HONOR OF ORTHODOX EASTER.

SENIOR PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAID YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC MUST MEET FOUR CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO END NATO STRIKES. THEY ARE A CEASEFIRE, WITHDRAWAL OF HIS FORCES FROM KOSOVO, A COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRATIC SELF-GOVERNMENT AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF A NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL PEACE-KEEPING FORCE.

MR. BACON REJECTED THE YUGOSLAV CEASEFIRE, SAYING IT DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH TO END THE NATO STRIKES.

WE THINK THIS IS NOT SUFFICIENT. IT DOES NOT MEET THE FOUR GOALS THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS OUTLINED REPEATEDLY -- NOR WOULD IT ESTABLISH A CONDITION THAT WOULD ALLOW ONE REFUGEE TO RETURN WITH ANY CONFIDENCE OF LIVING IN A SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT.

[18] KOSOVO / U-S OPINION BY JIM MALONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A NEW PUBLIC OPINION POLL INDICATES AMERICANS MAY BE MORE WILLING TO SUPPORT THE DEPLOYMENT OF U-S GROUND TROOPS IN KOSOVO THAN THEY WERE JUST ONE WEEK AGO. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE CONTINUES TO MONITOR U-S PUBLIC OPINION ON THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO.

TEXT: THE LATEST WASHINGTON POST-ABC NEWS POLL SHOWS 55-PERCENT OF THOSE SURVEYED WOULD NOW SUPPORT THE INTERVENTION OF U-S GROUND TROOPS INTO THE CONFLICT. 41-PERCENT OF THOSE POLLED OPPOSE THE USE OF GROUND FORCES.

THAT IS A CHANGE FROM A POLL LAST WEEK BY CBS NEWS WHICH FOUND ONLY 41-PERCENT OF THOSE SURVEYED FAVORED THE USE OF GROUND TROOPS IN KOSOVO WHILE 52-PERCENT WERE OPPOSED.

DESPITE THE APPARENT GRADUAL SHIFT ON THE ISSUE OF GROUND TROOPS, CALLERS TO RADIO AND TELEVISION TALK SHOWS AROUND THE COUNTRY LIKE THIS ONE REMAIN SKEPTICAL ABOUT SENDING IN U-S GROUND FORCES.

ALL THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLING EACH OTHER FOR HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF YEARS. THEY ALL HAVE BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS AND SENDING OUR TROOPS AND GETTING INVOLVED HERE IS NOT WORTH THE BONES OF ONE AMERICAN BOY.

SOME PUBLIC OPINION ANALYSTS BELIEVE THE SEEMINGLY ENDLESS FLOW OF TRAGIC TELEVISION IMAGES OF REFUGEES ALONG THE KOSOVO BORDER MAY BE HAVING AN IMPACT ON THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. TOM DEFRANK IS WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS (NEWSPAPER) AND A REGULAR GUEST ON V-O-A'S ISSUES IN THE NEWS PROGRAM.

AND I DO THINK THAT THESE HEARTBREAKING PICTURES OF REFUGEES STREAMING ACROSS THE BORDERS OF ALBANIA, MACEDONIA AND MONTENEGRO ARE REALLY BEGINNING TO AFFECT AMERICAN PUBLIC OPINION. NOT TO THE POINT WHERE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT THE U-S GROUND COMBAT TROOPS IN THE REGION. BUT I DO THINK IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR THE PRESIDENT TO SUSTAIN PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR A BOMBING CAMPAIGN.

IF YOU SEE AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR, IF YOU SEE BODY BAGS, ALL THESE SORTS OF THINGS, I THINK, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE CONDITIONED TO SEE THAT AND THEY THINK VIETNAM AND IT GETS THEM VERY NERVOUS. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THEY WORRY ABOUT AN AWFUL LOT AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO INSIST THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF SENDING U-S GROUND TROOPS INTO KOSOVO. BUT POLITICAL ANALYSTS BELIEVE THERE IS A GROWING SENSE AMONG THE AMERICAN PUBLIC THAT AIR POWER ALONE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH IN THE NATO CONFLICT AGAINST SERBIA. FORMER (CLINTON) WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF LEON PANETTA SAYS (ON N-B-C'S TODAY PROGRAM) ANY ESCALATION OF U-S MILITARY FORCE IN THE BALKANS CARRIES ENORMOUS POLITICAL RISKS AT HOME FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON.

THE REALITY IS THAT THE UNITED STATES IS CARRYING THE HEAVIEST LOAD HERE, BOTH IN TERMS OF OUR FORCES AS WELL AS, I THINK, JUST THE LEADERSHIP THAT HAS TO COME FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON AND THE UNITED STATES IN TRYING TO MAINTAIN AND STAY THE COURSE IN THIS VERY DIFFICULT WAR. SO BECAUSE OF THAT, BECAUSE THE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE FALLING LARGELY ON HIS SHOULDERS, THEN HE WILL GET THE CREDIT OR HE WILL GET THE BLAME.

U-S MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN KOSOVO COULD ALSO BECOME AN ISSUE IN NEXT YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN. ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE STANDS TO LOSE THE MOST IF THE NATO OPERATION FAILS.

REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDERS APPEAR TO BE DIVIDED OVER THE KOSOVO SITUATION AT THE MOMENT. TEXAS GOVERNOR GEORGE W. BUSH AND ARIZONA SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN BELIEVE THE UNITED STATES SHOULD CONSIDER ALL MILITARY OPTIONS IN TRYING TO WIN THE WAR. BUT OTHERS INCLUDING FORMER VICE PRESIDENT DAN QUAYLE, COMMENTATOR PAT BUCHANAN AND PUBLISHER STEVE FORBES SAY THEY OPPOSE THE USE OF AMERICAN GROUND TROOPS IN THE KOSOVO CONFLICT. (SIGNED)
NEB/JBM/KL
06-Apr-99 1:44 PM EDT (1744 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: BRITISH DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY CLEAR WEATHER HAS ALLOWED NATO TO INTENSIFY ITS ATTACKS ON YUGOSLAV UNITS CARRYING OUT ETHNIC CLEANSING IN THE SERB PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. BUT THEY SAY THE SERBS ARE HIDING THEIR WEAPONS AND THEIR TROOPS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS THE OFFICIALS ESTIMATE THAT MORE THAN ONE-MILLION KOSOVAR ALBANIANS HAVE BEEN DISPLACED OR DEPORTED BY THE SERB OFFENSIVE.

TEXT: BRITISH DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY THE YUGOSLAV CAMPAIGN IN KOSOVO HAS FORCED ONE-POINT-ONE-MILLION KOSOVAR ALBANIANS FROM THEIR HOMES -- AND NEARLY HALF OF THEM OUT OF THE COUNTRY. KOSOVO'S TOTAL POPULATION IS ESTIMATED AT ONE POINT EIGHT MILLION.

THE MASS DEPORTATION OF KOSOVAR ALBANIANS HAS CREATED A REFUGEE CRISIS IN NEIGHBORING MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA. BRITAIN'S INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY CLARE SHORT HAS ASSESSED THE SITUATION IN BOTH COUNTRIES AND TOLD THE DAILY DEFENSE MINISTRY BRIEFING IT IS CRITICAL.

MISS SHORT PRAISES ALBANIA FOR ITS GENEROSITY BUT SHARPLY CRITICIZES MACEDONIA.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN PREVENTING MORE THAN 50-THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM ENTERING THE COUNTRY. I TOLD THEM THIS WAS EXTREMELY DAMAGING TO THE IMAGE OF THEIR COUNTRY AND WOULD HARM THEIR RELATIONS WITH THE WEST, THE VERY COUNTRIES WHICH WANT TO BRING MACEDONIA MORE CLOSELY INTO EUROPE.

IN ALBANIA, MISS SHORT SAYS NATO IS SETTING UP AN AIR-BRIDGE TO FERRY SUPPLIES TO REFUGEES ALONG THE BORDER, WHICH IS HARD TO REACH BY ROAD.

MISS SHORT SAYS MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE FAST TO AVOID MORE DEATHS AND THE SPREAD OF DISEASE AMONG THE REFUGEES.

THE REFUGEE CRISIS NOW IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR NATO ALLIES BUT BRITISH DEFENSE OFFICIALS INSIST IT WILL NOT COMPROMISE MILITARY OPERATIONS.

DEFENSE SECRETARY GEORGE ROBERTSON SAYS THE SERB MILITARY IS HIDING WEAPONS AND TROOPS NOW THAT CLEAR WEATHER HAS LET NATO INCREASE ITS DAYTIME BOMBING RAIDS.

THE FACT IS THAT THE SERBS WE KNOW ARE MOVING THEIR TROOPS AND EQUIPMENT INTO RESIDENTIAL AREAS, INTO FACTORIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES. THEY'RE MOVING THEM AROUND SCHOOLS AS WELL, WITH ONE CLEAR OBJECTIVE -- TO MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR THESE ASSETS TO BE TARGETED.

MR. ROBERTSON EXPRESSES REGRET IF SOME NATO BOMBS HAVE HIT RESIDENTIAL AREAS, BUT HE SAYS IT IS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, NOT NATO, WHO IS PUTTING SERB CIVILIANS AT RISK. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
06-Apr-99 9:06 AM EDT (1306 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[20] BRITAIN / KOSOVO AID (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITISH AID AGENCIES HAVE LAUNCHED AN APPEAL TO HELP BUY MORE RELIEF SUPPLIES FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF KOSOVAR ALBANIAN REFUGEES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS THE AID OFFICIALS SAY THEY WERE PREPARED FOR A REFUGEE CRISIS BUT NOT OF THIS MAGNITUDE.

TEXT: TWELVE BRITISH AID AGENCIES HAVE JOINED FORCES FOR THE APPEAL TO HELP PAY FOR MORE EMERGENCY SUPPLIES FOR THE KOSOVAR REFUGEES.

SAM YOUNGER OF BRITISH RED CROSS SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL RELIEF COMMUNITY WAS PREPARED TO DEAL WITH A REFUGEE CRISIS, BUT NOBODY EXPECTED SO MANY KOSOVAR ALBANIANS TO BE DEPORTED SO QUICKLY.

IT WOULDN'T BE RIGHT TO SAY WE WERE UNPREPARED. BUT I THINK THE PRESSURE IS REALLY ON US ALL NOW, GIVEN THE SCALE, WHICH IS GREATER THAN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SENSIBLE IN ADVANCE TO PLAN FOR.

AMA ANNAN OF CHRISTIAN AID HAS JUST RETURNED FROM MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA WHERE SHE ASSESSED WHAT IS NEEDED. SHE DESCRIBES DESPERATE CONDITIONS AND SAYS SHE SAW THREE PEOPLE DIE DURING AN HOUR AND HALF VISIT TO ALBANIAN BORDER.

LOTS OF PEOPLE WE SPOKE TO HADN'T EATEN OR DRUNK FOR THREE DAYS AND MANY FOR AS LONG AS FIVE DAYS. AND SO WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THIS BORDER CROSSING IS THAT PEOPLE ARE VERY, VERY WEAK AND DISTURBED AND DISTRESSED. THEY NEED FOOD, WATER AND SHELTER. BUT THE ALBANIA GOVERNMENT HAS A POLICY OF GETTING THEM OUT OF THE BORDER REGION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

IN ALBANIA THEY'VE BEEN WELCOMED AND GIVEN AN EASY TRANSITION INTO THE COUNTRY. BUT IN MACEDONIA THERE HAS BEEN MUCH MORE DIFFICULTY AND HARSHNESS SHOWN, SOMETIMES BY MACEDONIAN TROOPS.

THE DISASTER EMERGENCY COMMITTEE, WHICH LAUNCHED THE APPEAL, REPRESENTS 12 BRITISH AID AGENCIES. THE MONEY WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE FOOD, TENTS AND BLANKETS, MEDICINES, MATTRESSES, WATER, AND SANITATION MATERIALS.

SPEAKING FOR THE COMMITTEE, MR. YOUNGER ACKNOWLEDGES THE RELIEF EFFORT IS NOT A SHORT-TERM ISSUE.

THE IMPORTANT ISSUE NOW IS TO SUSTAIN THE SUPPORT WE CAN GIVE TO THE REFUGEES AND SUSTAIN ANY NEW WAVES OF REFUGEES THAT COME ACROSS THOSE BORDERS. IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A SHORT-TERM ISSUE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO GO ON FOR A LONG TIME.

BRITISH RELIEF OFFICIALS ALSO ARE LOOKING AT LONG-TERM NEEDS AND EVEN NOW ARE STARTING TO DRAW UP PLANS FOR HELPING THE REFUGEES RETURN TO KOSOVO AND START REBUILDING THEIR HOMES AND THEIR LIVES ONCE IT SAFE TO DO SO. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
06-Apr-99 11:30 AM EDT (1530 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[21] BRITAIN / KOSOVO REFUGEES BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: THE MASSIVE DEPORTATION OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS FROM THE SERB PROVINCE OF KOSOVO HAS OVERWHELMED THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH THE REFUGEE CRISIS. SOME EUROPEAN LEADERS SAY THEY ARE READY TO GIVE TEMPORARY SHELTER TO THE REFUGEES. OTHERS SAY THAT WOULD BENEFIT YUGOSLAV LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. IN LONDON, CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN TAKES A CLOSER LOOK.

TEXT: INTERNATIONAL AID WORKERS SAY THEIR PRIORITY IS TO PROVIDE FOOD AND SHELTER FOR THE REFUGEES WHERE THEY ARE. BUT THE SIZE AND SPEED OF THE EXODUS HAS OVERWHELMED THEM. MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA -- TWO OF EUROPE'S POOREST NATIONS -- ARE FINDING IT HARD TO COPE.

AT ONE POINT, MACEDONIAN OFFICIALS CLOSED THE BORDER AND SAID THEY WOULD TAKE IN KOSOVAR REFUGEES ONLY IF AN EQUIVALENT NUMBER WERE AIR-LIFTED OUT TO OTHER COUNTRIES.

BRITAIN'S SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, CLARE SHORT, CRITICIZES THE PRACTICE, BUT ACKNOWLEDGES SOME REFUGEES SHOULD BE MOVED ELSEWHERE TEMPORARILY FOR THEIR OWN WELFARE.

IT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE THAT ANYONE IS REMOVED ON AN AIRLIFT WITHOUT AGREEING TO GO. PEOPLE ARE DESPERATE THERE BECAUSE FAMILIES ARE BEING BROKEN UP AND IT'S AN ADDITIONAL CRUELTY TO MOVE THEM WHEN THEY HAVEN'T FOUND THEIR CHILDREN, WIVES, OR HUSBANDS. SECONDLY, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD ASSIST AND HELP PEOPLE TO COME OUT TEMPORARILY AND THEN RETURN.

BRITAIN HAS OFFERED TO TAKE IN SOME REFUGEES. SO HAVE GERMANY, THE UNITED STATES, AND OTHER NATO ALLIES. SEVERAL THOUSAND REFUGEES ALREADY HAVE BEEN FLOWN TO TURKEY AND NORWAY.

BUT FRENCH PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN, FOR ONE, OPPOSES THE TRANSFER OF LARGE NUMBERS OF REFUGEES OUT OF THE REGION. HE ARGUES THAT IT ONLY SERVES YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND HIS CAMPAIGN TO EMPTY KOSOVO OF ITS ETHNIC ALBANIAN POPULATION.

BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK DEFENDS THE TRANSFERS AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE.

PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS CONDEMNED HIS COUNTRY TO ISOLATION FROM MODERN EUROPE. WE WILL NOT ALLOW HIM TO CONDEMN THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO TO A LIFE IN EXILE.

BRITISH DEFENSE OFFICIALS ESTIMATE THAT ALREADY MORE THAN ONE-MILLION KOSOVAR ALBANIANS HAVE BEEN FORCED FROM THEIR HOMES. KOSOVO'S TOTAL POPULATION IS ABOUT ONE-POINT-EIGHT-MILLION.

BRITISH REFUGEE COUNCIL DIRECTOR NICK HARDWICK SAYS MOVING REFUGEES FARTHER AWAY FROM KOSOVO IS TRAUMATIC FOR THE REFUGEES, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE BRUTALITY OF THE SERB MILITARY, WITNESSED KILLINGS, OR THE DESTRUCTION OF THEIR VILLAGES. BUT HE SAYS GIVING THEM SOME SEMBLANCE OF A NORMAL LIFE CAN HELP.

BECAUSE THE THING ABOUT BEING A REFUGEE IS THAT IT IS SO HUMILIATING AND DREADFUL AN EXPERIENCE AND THE CRITICAL THING IS TO GIVE THE PEOPLE BACK SOME DIGNITY AND CONTROL OVER THEIR LIVES. AND THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO TRY AND REPAIR SOME OF THE DAMAGE THAT HAS BEEN DONE.

MR. HARDWICK SAYS MOVING REFUGEES OUT OF MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA IS A SECOND-BEST OPTION.

I THINK THAT ABSOLUTELY EVERYBODY IS AGREED THAT THE BEST PLACE FOR THE REFUGEES WOULD BE AT HOME IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY IN CONDITIONS OF SAFETY AND DIGNITY. AND THAT IS WHAT EVERYBODY IS WORKING FOR. IF THAT'S GOING TO BE ACHIEVED QUICKLY, THE REFUGEES ARE MORE LIKELY TO GO HOME IF THEY'RE KEPT IN PROXIMITY TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY. BUT I THINK IT IS GENERALLY RECOGNIZED THAT THE NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES CAN NOT COPE WITH THE NUMBERS ANY MORE.

REFUGEE OFFICIALS SAY THE NUMBERS OF KOSOVAR ALBANIANS MOVING TO OTHER COUNTRIES WILL BE RELATIVELY SMALL. BUT SOME PRIVATELY WARN OF POTENTIAL POLITICAL AND SOCIAL TENSIONS FROM THE PROCESS THAT SELECTS WHO GOES AND WHO STAYS. AND, MR. HARDWICK WARNS THAT THE GENEROSITY OF OTHER STATES SHOULD NOT DISTRACT THEM FROM DEALING WITH THE REAL AND IMMEDIATE CRISIS FACING THOSE REFUGEES WHO STAY BEHIND. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
06-Apr-99 1:38 PM EDT (1738 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[22] FRANCE / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT IS UNDER ATTACK FROM POLITICIANS AND AID ORGANIZATIONS FOR ITS DECISION NOT TO ACCEPT REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO. AS JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS, FRANCE ARGUES THAT ACCEPTING REFUGEES WOULD EFFECTIVELY HELP THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT CARRY OUT A POLICY OF ETHNIC CLEANSING.

TEXT: THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT SAYS ITS AIM IS TO INSURE THAT THE REFUGEES NOW STREAMING OUT OF KOSOVO RETURN HOME.

FRENCH PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN SAID AFTER AN INNER CABINET MEETING THAT FRANCE WILL SEND AID TO THE REFUGEES IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES BUT DOES NOT WANT TO ACCEPT LARGE NUMBERS OF REFUGEES ON FRENCH SOIL.

IF FRANCE DID TAKE IN THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES, MR. JOSPIN SAID, THIS WOULD IN EFFECT HELP BELGRADE CARRY OUT ITS POLICY OF ETHNIC CLEANSING BY TAKING KOSOVAR ALBANIANS FAR FROM THEIR HOMES AND MAKING THEIR RETURN UNLIKELY.

EXPLAINING THIS ATTITUDE, FRENCH DEFENSE MINISTER ALAIN RICHARD SAYS IT IS IMPERATIVE TO WORK FOR THE RETURN OF THE REFUGEES AND NOT CREATE A CATEGORY OF PERMANENT EXILES.

THIS HAS BROUGHT A BARRAGE OF CRITICISM FROM ALL SIDES OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM AND FROM AID ORGANIZATIONS. THEY ARGUE THAT THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT IS PUTTING REFUGEES' LIVES AT RISK BY REFUSING TO GIVE THEM SHELTER.

DANIEL COHN-BENDIT, THE BEST-KNOWN LEADER OF THE MAY 1968 RIOTS THAT SHOOK THE FRENCH STATE, WHO IS A SUPPORTER OF THE NATO AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, SAYS MR. JOSPIN'S POSITION ON THE REFUGEES IS "INADMISSIBLE."

APART FROM THE REFUGEE ISSUE, THE OTHER MAIN PROBLEM CONFRONTING THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT IS THE POSITION OF THE THREE COMMUNIST MINISTERS IN THE CABINET. THEIR PARTY IS OPPOSED TO NATO AIR STRIKES. A NUMBER OF CONSERVATIVE POLITICIANS ARGUE THAT THE COMMUNISTS SHOULD LEAVE GOVERNMENT IF THEY DO NOT SUPPORT FRANCE'S MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN YUGOSLAVIA.

AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, THE LATEST OPINION POLLS SHOW THAT FRENCH SUPPORT FOR THE STRIKES IS GROWING. ONE POLL SHOWS THAT 63 PERCENT OF THE FRENCH APPROVE OF THE NATO OPERATION, SIX POINTS MORE THAN A WEEK AGO. IN ADDITION, 58 PERCENT SAY THEY EVEN FAVOR AN OFFENSIVE USING GROUND TROOPS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/JWH
06-Apr-99 10:58 AM EDT (1458 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[23] GERMANY NATO ROLE BY JONATHAN BRAUDE (BERLIN)

INTRO: AS NATO'S PLANES BEGAN BOMBING SERBIA LAST MONTH, GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER EMERGED FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION'S BERLIN SUMMIT AND DECLARED THAT EUROPE SPOKE WITH ONE VOICE ON KOSOVO. BUT WITHIN HIS OWN GOVERNING COALITION, THERE IS DISUNITY AND A SENSE OF EMBARRASSMENT THAT GERMANS ARE ONCE AGAIN INVOLVED IN A EUROPEAN WAR. AS JONATHAN BRAUDE REPORTS, GERMANY'S PART IN THE NATO CAMPAIGN IN KOSOVO HAS OPENED OLD WOUNDS.

TEXT: EASTER IS "MARCHING SEASON" IN GERMANY. EACH YEAR, THOUSANDS TAKE TO THE STREETS TO CALL FOR WORLD PEACE. THIS EASTER, AS NATO'S WARPLANES POUNDED SERBIA FOR THE SECOND WEEK IN A ROW, THE MARCHERS WERE OUT IN FORCE. IN BERLIN ALONE, POLICE ESTIMATES PUT THE CROWD AT 12-THOUSAND. THE ORGANIZERS SAID 25-THOUSAND.

ONE WOMAN INTERVIEWED ON T-V EXPLAINED SHE WAS OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER A TIME WHEN GERMANY WAS THE AGGRESSOR IN YUGOSLAVIA. THE IDEA THAT GERMAN SOLDIERS WERE ONCE AGAIN BOMBING BELGRADE FILLED HER WITH ANGER.

SHE SPOKE FROM A DEPTH OF EXPERIENCE HER MUCH YOUNGER COMPANIONS LACKED. BUT FOR MANY, THE REASONING WAS SIMILAR. APRIL 6TH IS THE 58TH ANNIVERSARY OF ADOLF HITLER'S BOMBING OF BELGRADE, WHEN 15-THOUSAND PEOPLE DIED IN THE SERBIAN CAPITAL.

ALTHOUGH GERMANY HAS ALSO MOUNTED ITS LARGEST-EVER HUMANITARIAN OPERATION, MANY PEOPLE ARE DEEPLY EMBARRASSED BY THE AIR WAR.

THE SAME SHAME AFFECTS POLITICIANS. GERMANY HAS 14 TORNADO AIRCRAFT COMMITTED TO NATO. IT HAS ALSO ALLOWED BRITISH AIRCRAFT TO TAKE OFF FROM BASES ON ITS TERRITORY AND IT HAS THREE-THOUSAND SOLDIERS WITH TANKS IN MACEDONIA, WHO COULD BE CALLED ON SHOULD GROUND TROOPS EVER BE DEPLOYED. YET ITS GOVERNMENT IS A COALITION OF PARTIES WITH A MEMBERSHIP PARTLY DRAWN FROM THE PEACE MOVEMENT OF THE 1980S.

THE ENVIRONMENTALIST "GREEN" PARTY IN PARTICULAR IS BITTERLY SPLIT BETWEEN ITS PACIFIST WING AND THE SO-CALLED REALISTS, LED BY FOREIGN MINISTER JOSCHKA FISCHER, WHO HAVE GONE ALONG WITH NATO ACTION. MR. FISCHER, WHO OPPOSED THE EMPLOYMENT OF GERMAN TROOPS IN BOSNIA, NOW FINDS HIMSELF UNDER ATTACK FOR WHAT MANY SEE AS AN ABOUT-FACE.

BUT EVEN IN MR. SCHROEDER'S OWN SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THE VOICES OF OPPOSITION HAVE BECOME LOUDER. HE WILL HAVE TO FIGHT TO BE CONFIRMED AS PARTY HEAD AT A SPECIAL MEETING ON APRIL 12TH, AND MAY FACE A CALL FROM HIS LEFT WING FOR AN IMMEDIATE END TO HOSTILITIES.

BOTH MEN ARE BATTLING HARD TO KEEP THEIR MEMBERS IN LINE. MR. FISCHER, FOR EXAMPLE, SAID ANY GOVERNMENT WHICH BEGAN TO WOBBLE NOW WOULD GIVE THE SERB LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSOVIC A CHANCE. GERMANY, ANALYSTS SAY, IS FULLY COMMITTED TO NATO. IT CANNOT KEEP A LOW PROFILE WHILE IT OCCUPIES THE PRESIDENCY OF BOTH THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE "GROUP OF SEVEN" LEADING INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES. //OPT// IT WAS TO MR. SCHROEDER THAT RUSSIA REPORTED AFTER PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV'S ABORTIVE ATTEMPT TO BROKER A COMPROMISE WITH YUGOSLAVIA EARLY IN THE CAMPAIGN. AND TO MR. SCHROEDER AGAIN THAT RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS TURNED FOR SUPPORT IN HIS CALL FOR A SPECIAL MEETING WITH THE G-7 ON KOSOVO. //END OPT// MEANWHILE, AMONG THE GERMAN PEACE MOVEMENT ITSELF THERE WERE DECLARATIONS OF DISGUST AND EMBARRASSMENT THAT THE EASTER MARCH IN BERLIN HAD BEEN HIJACKED BY SOME FOUR-THOUSAND SERBS SHOUTING PRO-MILOSOVIC, PRO YUGOSLAVIA SLOGANS.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO NATO HAS THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE CONSERVATIVE OPPOSITION. MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY AFTER THE END OF WORLD WAR TWO, MANY GERMANS OF ALL AGES NOW ARGUE THE TIME TO SET THEMSELVES APART AS A NATION OF EMBARRASSED PACIFISTS HAS PAST. FOR MANY, PARTICIPATION IN THE COUNTRY'S FIRST MILITARY CAMPAIGN SINCE THE WAR IS A RETURN TO NORMALITY -- AND A CONFIRMATION OF ITS COMPLETE REHABILITATION AMONG THE COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRATIC NATIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JB/PCF
06-Apr-99 12:59 PM EDT (1659 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: ISRAEL'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS AN INDEPENDENT MUSLIM STATE OF KOSOVO COULD BECOME A CENTER FOR ISLAMIC MILITANCY THAT WOULD THREATEN ALL OF EUROPE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM JERUSALEM.

TEXT: ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER ARIEL SHARON SAYS AN INDEPENDENT KOSOVO COULD UNITE WITH ALBANIA AND CREATE A GREATER ISLAMIC STATE THAT COULD THREATEN EUROPEAN STABILITY.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH ISRAEL RADIO, MR. SHARON SAID -- IN HIS WORDS -- "THE FREE WORLD MUST HEED THE RISK POSED BY THE POSSIBLE INDEPENDENCE OF KOSOVO."

HE SAID THE UNITED STATES AND NATO MUST STOP WHAT HE CALLED THE TRAGEDY OF KOSOVO'S REFUGEES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. BUT, HE ADDED, THEY CANNOT IGNORE THE LONG-TERM POLITICAL STAKES CREATED BY THE SITUATION. LAST WEEK, MR. SHARON WAS QUOTED IN AN ISRAELI NEWSPAPER SAYING ISRAEL HAD REASON NOT TO BACK NATO AIRSTRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, BECAUSE NATO MAY ONE DAY TRY TO USE FORCE TO IMPOSE A SOLUTION TO THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT.

EARLIER TUESDAY, DEFENSE MINISTER MOSHE ARENS EXPRESSED HIS FULL SUPPORT FOR THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN. HE SPOKE AS ISRAEL SENT A 100-BED ARMY FIELD HOSPITAL AND STAFF TO MACEDONIA TO HELP ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES FLEEING EMBATTLED KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/JWH
06-Apr-99 10:44 AM EDT (1444 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[25] RUSSIA / KOSOVO BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO CRITICIZE NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. AT THE SAME TIME, MOSCOW IS TRYING TO PLAY A DIPLOMATIC ROLE WHILE SENDING A RECONNAISSANCE SHIP INTO THE MEDITERRANEAN TO MONITOR THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO. IN THIS REPORT FROM WASHINGTON, V-O-A'S FORMER MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS AT RUSSIA'S ROLE IN THE KOSOVO CRISIS.

TEXT: SENIOR RUSSIAN OFFICIALS HAVE USED VERY STRONG LANGUAGE TO PUBLICLY CRITICIZE NATO FOR ITS AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN DESCRIBED IT AS AN ACT OF "NAKED AGGRESSION" AND DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEYEV CALLED IT AN "IMMORAL ACTION." ON HIS WAY TO THE UNITED STATES, PRIME MINISTER YEVGENI PRIMAKOV TURNED HIS PLANE AROUND AFTER HE WAS INFORMED THAT NATO AIR ATTACKS WERE IMMINENT.

THE HISTORICAL, CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS LINKS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND SERBIA GO BACK CENTURIES. THERE STILL IS A DEFENSE AGREEMENT BETWEEN MOSCOW AND BELGRADE, ALTHOUGH THERE IS AN ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. HOWEVER, RUSSIA HAS SENT A RECONNAISSANCE SHIP TO THE MEDITERRANEAN FROM ITS BLACK SEA PORT OF SEVASTOPOL. RUSSIAN DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY THE SHIP WILL COLLECT INFORMATION VITAL TO RUSSIA'S SECURITY. THEY SAY SIX MORE RUSSIAN SHIPS ARE ON STANDBY.

A RUSSIAN EXPERT WITH THE (WASHINGTON-BASED) "BROOKINGS INSTITUTION" -- MICHAEL MCFAUL -- QUESTIONS THE ROLE THE RUSSIAN SHIPS WILL PLAY IN THE REGION AT A TIME WHEN TENSIONS BETWEEN MOSCOW AND WASHINGTON ARE HIGH.

IF WE GET REPORTS THAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY TRANSMITTING INTELLIGENCE REPORTS TO THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT, THE REACTION IN WASHINGTON, AT LEAST, WILL BE INCREDIBLY NEGATIVE AND THE ANTI-RUSSIAN SENTIMENT -- WHICH IS ALREADY PRETTY HIGH AS IT IS -- WILL REACH A FEVERISH PITCH. I WILL SUSPECT YOU WILL SEE ALL ASSISTANCE TO RUSSIA CUT. I SUSPECT YOU WILL SEE THE PRESSURE ON THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND TO STOP THEIR PROGRAMS IN RUSSIA. IT COULD REALLY BE A DISASTER.

MR. MCFAUL BELIEVES IT IS NOT IN RUSSIA'S LONG-TERM INTEREST TO SIDE WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC -- EVEN IF MOSCOW WANTS TO SUPPORT ITS SLAVIC BRETHREN.

BRUCE JOHNSON IS A RUSSIAN EXPERT WITH THE "HUDSON INSTITUTE" RESEARCH CENTER. HE SAYS THE SIX RUSSIAN SHIPS HELD ON STANDBY ARE MEN-OF-WAR EQUIPPED WITH SURFACE TO AIR MISSILES. HE SAYS IF THE WAR IN KOSOVO SPREADS TO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES SUCH AS BULGARIA, MOSCOW COULD GET INVOLVED.

RUSSIA IS WATCHING VERY, VERY CAREFULLY TO SEE IF IT CAN SAY THAT ITS INTERESTS ARE DIRECTLY IMPERILED BY THE NATO ACTION. CLEARLY, IF THE (MILITARY) ACTION MOVES TO THE EAST INTO MACEDONIA AND BULGARIA DECLARES ITS INVOLVEMENT TO DEFEND ITS TERRITORY -- THAT IS THE LEADING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, DON'T FORGET, FOR THE SOVIET WAR MACHINE AND ONE OF THE STRONGEST WARSAW PACT COUNTRIES IN THE PAST AND A BLACK SEA COUNTRY AS WELL -- THAT WILL STIMULATE RUSSIA INTO ACTION.

ALONG WITH SENDING A SHIP TO THE MEDITERRANEAN, RUSSIA IS ALSO TRYING TO PLAY A MEDIATING ROLE AT A TIME WHEN DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS BETWEEN BELGRADE AND THE WEST ARE VIRTUALLY NON-EXISTENT. LAST WEEK, RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER YEVGENI PRIMAKOV MET FOR MORE THAN SIX HOURS WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC -- BUT MADE NO HEADWAY. MICHAEL MCFAUL FROM THE "BROOKINGS INSTITUTION" SAYS THAT FIRST DIPLOMATIC ATTEMPT BY MR. PRIMAKOV WAS NOT A SERIOUS EFFORT.

HE DID NOT GO THERE WITH A PLAN. HE DID NOT EMERGE WITH A PLAN. I THINK IT WAS RATHER JUST AN ATTEMPT TO GET RUSSIA BACK INTO THE BALLGAME AND IT WAS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT FOR HIM DOMESTICALLY. IT PLAYED VERY WELL IN MOSCOW AND IT SHOWED THAT HE IS A LEADER WILLING TO REPRESENT MOSCOW'S INTERESTS, EVEN WHEN THEY CLASH WITH THE WEST. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS THE LAST WE ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM MR. PRIMAKOV. OBVIOUSLY, IT DEPENDS ON HOW THINGS DEVELOP WITHIN THE WAR ITSELF -- BUT IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A MEDIATOR, MR. PRIMAKOV IS WELL PLACED TO PLAY THAT ROLE.

MR. MCFAUL SAYS RUSSIA HAS BEEN MARGINALIZED AND ISOLATED AS NATO EMBARKED ON ITS AIR CAMPAIGN. HE SAYS THE NATO BOMBING TRAGICALLY UNDERSCORES TO RUSSIANS HOW IRRELEVANT AND WEAK THEY HAVE BECOME ON THE WORLD STAGE. BUT HE SAYS THE WEST SHOULD NOT SIMPLY DISMISS RUSSIA, BECAUSE MOSCOW CAN STILL PLAY A POSITIVE, DIPLOMATIC ROLE GIVEN ITS TRADITIONAL TIES WITH SERBIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/KL
06-Apr-99 1:26 PM EDT (1726 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[26] RUSSIA/KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS CALLED FOR FRESH DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVES ON YUGOSLAVIA, AND RULED OUT RUSSIAN MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN ANY BALKANS CONFLICT. BUT AS VOA MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS, BELGRADE'S AMBASSADOR IS PUBLICLY APPEALING TO RUSSIA FOR MILITARY ASSISTANCE.

TEXT: PRESIDENT YELTSIN REITERATED ON TUESDAY RUSSIA'S CONDEMNATION OF NATO AIR STRIKES, CALLING THEM "BARBARIC." BUT HE SAYS MOSCOW REMAINS COMMITTED TO A DIPLOMATIC, RATHER THAN A MILITARY SOLUTION IN THE BALKANS.

BUT MILITARY ASSISTANCE IS WHAT YUGOSLAVIA WANTS. BELGRADE'S AMBASSADOR TO MOSCOW, BORISLAV MILOSEVIC -- PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S BROTHER -- SAID TUESDAY YUGOSLAV FORCES COULD USE HELP FROM THEIR SLAVIC, ORTHODOX BRETHREN IN RUSSIA.

WHILE MILITARY AID IS RULED OUT, A CONVOY OF TRUCKS CARRYING 900 TONS OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE LEFT MOSCOW TUESDAY BOUND FOR BELGRADE. RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH PATRIARCH ALEXY THE SECOND BLESSED THE FOOD, CLOTHING AND MEDICINES, WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN YUGOSLAVIA SUNDAY -- THE ORTHODOX EASTER.

IN ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT TUESDAY, RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS THE HEAD OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE WILL VISIT MOSCOW THURSDAY, AFTER STOPS IN MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA. THE OFFICIAL, NORWEGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER KNUT VOLLEBAEK, WILL HOLD TALKS ON THE KOSOVO REFUGEE CRISIS.

NORWAY NOW HOLDS THE O-S-C-E'S ROTATING PRESIDENCY.

A WESTERN DIPLOMAT SAYS THE TALKS WILL FOCUS ON A RUSSIAN REQUEST TO DISBAND THE O-S-C-E'S KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION. THE MISSION WAS SET UP TO MONITOR THE CEASE-FIRE AGREED TO LAST OCTOBER, BUT IS CURRENTLY INACTIVE. THE O-S-C-E OPPOSES DISBANDING THE MISSION, SAYING IT COULD PLAY A PROMINENT ROLE ONCE HOSTILITIES IN THE REGION CEASE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/PCF
06-Apr-99 10:12 AM EDT (1412 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[27] NATO ATTACKS MONDAY S (UPDATE) & L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: NATO WARPLANES STRUCK AN OIL REFINERY AND ANOTHER BRIDGE IN YUGOSLAVIA EARLY TUESDAY MORNING LOCAL TIME. IT WAS THE 13TH STRAIGHT NIGHT OF AIR RAIDS AGAINST SERB TARGETS THERE. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON, WHERE OFFICIALS CONFIRM THAT RAIDS ARE UNDERWAY, BUT WILL NOT TALK ABOUT INDIVIDUAL TARGETS.

TEXT: SERB MEDIA AND WESTERN REPORTERS IN YUGOSLAVIA SAY BOMBS AND MISSILES FELL ON AT LEAST FIVE SERBIAN CITIES MONDAY. FIFTEEN EXPLOSIONS WERE REPORTED IN OR NEAR THE KOSOVO'S CAPITAL, PRISTINA.

TEN PEOPLE WERE HURT IN ANOTHER ATTACK ABOUT 200 KILOMETERS SOUTH OF BELGRADE, WHERE BOMBS BLEW ROOFS OFF BUILDINGS.

OTHER REPORTS SAY WARPLANES HIT AN AIRPORT IN THE CITY OF NIS' (PRONO: NEESH), A TELEVISON FACILITY, AND AN OIL REFINERY IN NOVI SAD.

EXPLOSION ALSO WRECKED ANOTHER BRIDGE OVER THE DANUBE RIVER, ONE THAT USED TO LINK SERBIA AND CROATIA. IT IS THE FOURTH MAJOR SPAN TO FALL TO NATO MISSILES.

SERB MEDIA ALSO SAID SOME OF YUGOSLAVIA'S TWO THOUSAND ANTI AIRCRAFT GUNS TRIED TO SHOOT DOWN THE ATTACKING PLANES.

EARLIER MONDAY, NATO OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO FOCUS ATTACKS ON SERBIAN MILITARY UNITS N KOSOVO THAT ARE DRIVING ETHNIC ALBANIANS FROM THEIR HOMES AND BURNING THEIR VILLAGES.

NATO HAS ALSO APPROVED A U-S PLAN TO DEPLOY TANK-KILLING APACHE HELICOPTERS IN NEIGHBORING ALBANIA, THOUGH IT MAY TAKE TWO WEEKS OR LONGER TO GET THEM IN PLACE. MEANTIME, THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER THEODORE ROOSEVELT HAS ARRIVED IN THE WATERS OFF YUGOSLAVIA. IT CARRIES 75 WARPLANES AND IS ACCOMPANIED BY THREE SHIPS AND A SUBMARINE THAT CAN FIRE CRUISE MISSILES. (SIGNED).
NEB/PT
05-Apr-99 9:03 PM EDT (0103 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: NATO ADMITS ONE OF ITS MISSILES PROBABLY WENT ASTRAY IN SOUTHERN SERBIA KILLING CIVILIANS. VOA CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS OFFICIALS AT NATO HEADQUARTERS BELIEVE THEIR TWO WEEKS OF AIR STRIKES IN YUGOSLAVIA ARE MAKING PROGRESS -- DESPITE THIS MISTAKE.

TEXT: NATO INTENDED TO STRIKE THE COAL-MINING TOWN OF ALEKSINAC IN SOUTHERN SERBIA MONDAY NIGHT. BUT NATO DID NOT INTEND TO TARGET CIVILIANS IN THE TOWN.

THE TARGET WAS YUGOSLAVIA'S 203RD MIXED ARTILLERY BRIGADE BASED THERE. ONE RESULT, ACCORDING TO SERB REPORTS CONFIRMED BY WESTERN REPORTERS, IS THAT AT LEAST FIVE CIVILIANS WERE KILLED.

NATO SAYS ITS INTENSIFIED AIR STRIKES ARE DIRECTED ONLY AT MILITARY TARGETS. NATO MILITARY SPOKESMAN AIR COMMODORE DAVID WILBY SAYS PLANS SOMETIMES GO AWRY.

IT IS POSSIBLE THAT ONE OF OUR WEAPONS FELL SHORT OF THE TARGET. DESPITE OUR METICULOUS AND CAREFUL PRE-ATTACK PLANNING, THE LAW OF STATISTICS WILL AT SOME STAGE GO AGAINST US AND WE WILL BE EXPOSED TO TECHNICAL DEFECTS. THUS WHILE THE COCKPIT INDICATIONS AND RELEASE PARAMETERS MAY HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED SUCCESSFULLY, AFTER-RELEASE TECHNICAL FAILURE, SUCH AS A GUIDANCE FAULT IN THE FINAL STAGES OF TRAJECTORY COULD CAUSE AN IMPACT ERROR.

THE SPOKESMAN SAYS FIRE FROM THE GROUND ALSO COULD HAVE DIVERTED THE MISSILE 600 METERS FROM THE TARGET. AT THE SAME TIME, HE EXPRESSES NATO'S REGRET AT THE UNINTENDED CIVILIAN DEATHS.

AS NATO ENTERS ITS THIRD WEEK OF BOMBING YUGOSLAVIA, OFFICIALS HERE BELIEVE THEY ARE STARTING TO CRIPPLE THAT COUNTRY'S MILITARY POTENTIAL. AIR COMMODORE WILBY SAYS ENCOURAGING RESULTS WERE ACHIEVED BY NATO AGAINST SERB ARMORED FORCES OPERATING IN KOSOVO ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON BUT NOT HE DOES NOT ELABORATE.

I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT OUR PURSUIT AND ATTACK OF THESE UNITS WHICH HAVE CAUSED SO MUCH DISTRESS TO SO MANY WILL BE RELENTLESS.

NATO EXPECTS TO BE BETTER ARMED TO BATTLE THE SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO WITH THE AMERICAN APACHE HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS THAT WILL BE BASED JUST ACROSS THE BORDER IN ALBANIA.

ASKED WHETHER ALBANIA WILL OPEN ITSELF TO SERB ATTACKS BY ACCEPTING THE AMERICAN HELICOPTERS, NATO RESPONDS THAT YUGOSLAVIA HAS ALREADY VIOLATED ALBANIAN AIR SPACE WITH ITS JETS AND HAS FIRED MISSILES THAT LANDED ON ALBANIAN TERRITORY. A NATO SPOKESMAN SAYS THE MOST DAMAGE YUGOSLAVIA ALREADY HAS DONE TO ALBANIA IS TO EXPEL 244-THOUSAND KOSOVO ALBANIANS ACROSS THE BORDER. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/JWH
06-Apr-99 12:23 PM EDT (1623 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[29] NATO ANNIVERSARY / KOSOVO (L) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS THAT BY ACTING ON BEHALF OF JUSTICE IN KOSOVO, NATO IS REAFFIRMING ITS PURPOSE AS A DEFENDER OF HUMAN DECENCY IN EUROPE. AND AS THE ALLIANCE PREPARES TO CELEBRATE ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY, MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS IT IS BEING TESTED AS NEVER BEFORE. VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: IN A SPEECH ON NATO'S ROLE IN THE NEW CENTURY, MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS THE ALLIANCE IS DETERMINED TO STOP THE ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO.

SHE SAYS THE MILITARY OBJECTIVE OF NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN IS TO RELENTLESSLY DEGRADE AND DIMINISH THE SERB ABILITY TO IMPOSE ITS WILL ON OTHERS.

AFTER LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, AND DESPITE ADVERSE WEATHER, WE ARE BEGINNING TO SEE EVIDENCE THAT OUR STRIKES ARE HAVING AN EFFECT, HINDERING TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS, SOWING UNCERTAINTY AND DEMONSTRATING RESOLVE. AS HARD AS IT IS, WE MUST BE PATIENT AND PERSISTENT. WE MUST BE PREPARED FOR AN EXTENDED CONFLICT, BUT DAY BY DAY THE DAMAGE INFLICTED BY NATO POWER ON THE SOURCES OF MILOSEVIC'S POWER WILL GROW.

IN ADDITION TO HALTING WHAT SHE CALLED THE ETHNIC CLEANSING AND WAR CRIMES BEING COMMITTED IN KOSOVO, MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS NATO IS DETERMINED TO BRING LONG TERM STABILITY TO THE REGION.

WORKING WITH THE LEADERS IN THE REGION OUR EXPLICIT GOAL SHOULD BE TO TRANSFORM THE BALKANS FROM THE CONTINENT'S PRIMARY SOURCE OF INSTABILITY INTO AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE EUROPEAN MAINSTREAM.

THE SECRETARY REJECTED THE IDEA THAT VIOLENCE IS ENDEMIC TO THE REGION OR THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE BALKANS WILL NEVER GET ALONG. AS EXAMPLES TO THE CONTRARY, MS. ALBRIGHT POINTED TO THE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE IN BOSNIA AND THE MEMBERSHIP OF GREECE AND TURKEY IN THE NATO ALLIANCE.

WHEN NATO LEADERS GATHER TO CELEBRATE THE ALLIANCE'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY LATER THIS MONTH, MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS THEY WILL WORK TO DRAW UP A BLUEPRINT FOR THE NATO OF THE 21ST CENTURY.

AT THE WASHINGTON SUMMIT, SHE SAYS NATO LEADERS WILL ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR UPGRADING THEIR FORCES. SHE SAYS FUTURE MISSIONS WILL LIKELY DIFFER IN SIZE AND LENGTH.

THE SAYS THE SUMMIT WILL ALSO FOCUS ON WAYS TO HELP PREPARE POTENTIAL NEW MEMBERS TO MEET ALLIANCE STANDARDS AND EXPAND COOPERATION WITH NON-MEMBERS.

THE WASHINGTON SUMMIT WILL SHOW HOW MUCH NATO VALUES ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH ALL OF EUROPE'S DEMOCRACIES, INCLUDING RUSSIA. THE INCLUSION AND FULL PARTICIPATION OF EACH IN THE TRANS-ATLANTIC COMMUNITY IS ESSENTIAL TO THE FUTURE WE SEEK.

THE NATO SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON ON APRIL 23RD AND 24TH WILL BRING TOGETHER THE HEADS OF STATE OR GOVERNMENT OF THE 19 MEMBER ALLIANCE AS WELL AS PROSPECTIVE NEW MEMBERS.

MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS THE GATHERING WILL BE A CELEBRATION OF AN ALLIANCE THAT HAS SUCCESSFULLY EMERGED FROM THE COLD WAR AS A DEFENDER OF DEMOCRACY, STABILITY AND HUMAN DECENCY. BUT SHE SAYS AS NATO PLANS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY, THERE IS STILL URGENT 20TH CENTURY BUSINESS TO CONDUCT IN PLACES LIKE KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PT
06-Apr-99 3:46 PM EDT (1946 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[30] KOSOVO WAR CRIMES ENVOY (L-O) BY NEJLA SAMMAKIA (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS SETTING UP SPECIAL TEAMS TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON WAR CRIMES COMMITTED BY SERB FORCES IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. THE EVIDENCE WILL GO TO THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. NEJLA SAMMAKIA REPORTS, U-S WAR CRIMES ENVOY DAVID SCHEFFER JUST RETURNED FROM MACEDONIA WHERE HE INTERVIEWED AT LEAST 200 ALBANIAN KOSOVAR REFUGEES WHO SPOKE OF FORCED EXPULSIONS, EXECUTIONS, AND KIDNAPPINGS.

TEXT: MR. SCHEFFER SAYS MOST OF THE REFUGEES HE INTERVIEWED IN THE REFUGEE CAMP AT BLACE [BLA-TZE] (MACEDONIA) WERE FROM THE NORTHERN PART OF KOSOVO. THE STORIES THEY TOLD WERE CONSISTENT AND POINTED TO A BASIC PATTERN OF EVENTS. SERB MILITARY, PARAMILITARY AND POLICE WOULD ENTER A VILLAGE OR A CITY AND SYSTEMATICALLY CLEANSE OUT EACH NEIGHBORHOOD OF ALBANIANS. HE SAYS THE BASIC MESSAGE TO THEM WAS: YOU EITHER LEAVE OR DIE.

MR. SCHEFFER -- WHO IS THE FIRST SENIOR AMERICAN OFFICIAL BACK WITH A REPORT FROM THE KOSOVO BORDER AREA -- ALSO SAYS REFUGEES TOLD HIM THAT THOSE WHO REFUSED TO LEAVE WERE SHOT ON THE SPOT, OR LOCKED UP IN THEIR HOMES WHICH WERE THEN TORCHED.

A LARGE NUMBER OF REFUGEES TOLD HIM THAT SNIPERS HAD SURROUNDED THEIR VILLAGE AND SHOT AT ANYONE WHO DID NOT OBEY ORDERS MARCH TO TRAINS TO CARRY THEM OUT OF KOSOVO. IN PRISTINA, THE SNIPERS WERE IN THE CITY CENTER.

I HAD REFUGEES TELL ME, 'YES, I SAW PEOPLE WHO DEVIATED FROM THE MARCH AND WERE LITERALLY PICKED OFF BY SNIPERS AS THEY DID SO. OR YES, WE HAD TO HUNKER DOWN IN OUR HOMES AND WE COULDN'T MOVE ANYWHERE BECAUSE WE SAW PEOPLE BEING PICKED OFF BY SNIPERS. WE ONLY MOVED WHEN THEY BARGED IN TO OUR DOORS AND THEN WE MOVED AT THEIR DIRECTION AND PRECISELY HOW THEY ASKED US TO MOVE.'

THESE REFUGEE ACCOUNTS CONTRADICT YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT CLAIMS THAT NATO'S BOMBING CAMPAIGN IS FORCING THE KOSOVARS TO FLEE.

THERE WAS ONE WOMAN WHO BROKE DOWN CRYING IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE SHE SAID IN THE LINE THAT SHE WAS WALKING IN, THE BEAUTIFUL KOSOVAR WOMEN WERE SIMPLY RIPPED OUT OF THE LINE AND WERE NEVER SEEN AGAIN.

MR. SCHEFFER SAYS HE CONCLUDES THAT WHAT IS UNFOLDING IN KOSOVO IS A PATTERN OF WAR CRIMES WHICH HE SAYS MIGHT BE DESCRIBED AS GENOCIDE.

WE WILL LEAVE IT TO THE TRIBUNAL TO INVESTIGATE VERY THOROUGHLY THE CHAIN OF COMMAND AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COMMISSION OF THESE CRIMES IN KOSOVO. OBVIOUSLY THE POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT IS OCCURRING IN KOSOVO REACHES BACK TO BELGRADE, REACHES BACK TO PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. IT WOULD BE IMPLAUSIBLE THAT ALL OF THIS POSSIBLY COULD BE UNFOLDING IN KOSOVO WITHOUT BELGRADE DIRECTING IT.

HE SAYS THE INTERVIEWS HE CONDUCTED WILL BE CONTINUED BY AMERICAN TEAMS IN THE REGION AND EVIDENCE WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. HE SAYS THE TRIBUNAL WOULD ALSO HAVE TO CARRY OUT ITS OWN INVESTIGATION ON THE GROUND IN MACEDONIA, ALBANIA AND ULTIMATELY IN KOSOVO AS WELL. ANY DETERMINATION OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S CULPABILITY WILL BE DECIDED BY THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL. (SIGNED)
NEB/NS/JO
05-Apr-99 9:38 PM EDT (0138 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[31] EDITORIAL: SERBIA'S BRUTALITY MUST END

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:

IT HAS BECOME CLEAR THAT SERB FORCES ARE COMMITTING HORRENDOUS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AND WAR CRIMES IN KOSOVO. SERB FORCES ARE EXPELLING ETHNIC ALBANIANS ON A SCALE NOT SEEN IN EUROPE SINCE THE SECOND WORLD WAR. THIS CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN THE PRINCIPAL FACTOR IN THE DISPLACEMENT OF MORE THAN THREE-HUNDRED FIFTY-THOUSAND KOSOVAR ALBANIANS SINCE MARCH 24TH.

REFUGEES HAVE PROVIDED EXTENSIVE ACCOUNTS OF SUMMARY EXECUTIONS IN AT LEAST FIFTY TOWNS AND VILLAGES. ONE SURVIVOR VIDEOTAPED THE CARNAGE IN VELIKA KRUSA, WHERE APPROXIMATELY ONE-HUNDRED KOSOVAR MEN WERE EXECUTED. SERB FORCES ALSO ARE BURNING TOWNS AND VILLAGES THROUGHOUT KOSOVO IN AN APPARENT ATTEMPT TO ENSURE THAT THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN POPULATION CANNOT RETURN.

SUMMARY EXECUTIONS AND ATTACKS AGAINST THE CIVILIAN POPULATION OF KOSOVO ARE CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW. THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLOVIA WILL INDICT THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH CRIMES. ON MARCH 31ST, THE TRIBUNAL PROSECUTOR, LOUISE ARBOUR, ANNOUNCED THE INDICTMENT OF ZELJKO RAZNJATOVIC, ALSO KNOWN AS ARKAN, ONE OF YUGOSLAVIA'S MOST NOTORIOUS WARLORDS.

NATO'S BOMBING CAMPAIGN WILL CONTINUE UNTIL YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC CEASES HIS OFFENSIVE IN KOSOVO. SERB MILITARY, POLICE AND PARAMILITARY FORCES MUST BE WITHDRAWN. AN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY FORCE MUST BE DEPLOYED AND REFUGEES ALLOWED TO RETURN UNDER ITS PROTECTION. AND PEACE NEGOTIATIONS MUST BE RESUMED ON THE BASIS OF THE RAMBOUILLET ACCORDS.

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.
06-Apr-99 11:41 AM EDT (1541 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE GENERALLY DOWN AS A RESULT OF PROFIT-TAKING TUESDAY, ALTHOUGH ONE MAJOR INDEX AGAIN CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH. V-O-A BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 99-HUNDRED-63, DOWN 43 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 13-HUNDRED-17, DOWN THREE POINTS. BUT THE NASDAQ INDEX CLOSED UP THREE POINTS, AT A RECORD HIGH FOR THE SECOND DAY IN A ROW.

ANALYSTS SAY SOME PROFIT-TAKING WAS TO BE EXPECTED AFTER MONDAY'S STRONG RALLY, WHICH SAW ALL MAJOR AVERAGES AT RECORD HIGHS.

SOME ANALYSTS ARE CONCERNED THAT THE RECENT STOCK MARKET RALLY HAS BEEN CONFINED TO THE STOCKS OF LARGE CORPORATIONS, WITH THE STOCKS OF MANY WORTHWHILE SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES IGNORED.

AS LONG AS PORTFOLIO MANAGERS ARE RATED ON THEIR RETURNS IN COMPARISON TO THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX, AND TO THEIR PEERS, I THINK THEY WILL KEEP DUMPING MONEY INTO THE LARGE-CAPITALIZATION STOCKS.

AN INDEX DESIGNED TO FORECAST FUTURE U-S ECONOMIC ACTIVITY WAS UP IN FEBRUARY FOR THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE MONTH.

THE STOCK OF THE GILLETTE COMPANY, WHICH SELLS PERSONAL-CARE PRODUCTS, DROPPED 10 PERCENT AFTER GILLETTE SAID ITS EARNINGS WILL FALL SHORT OF ESTIMATES. THE COMPANY BLAMED WEAKNESS IN MANY INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.

THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY REPORTED A U-S SALES INCREASE OF ALMOST 14 PERCENT IN MARCH, LED BY A STRONG DEMAND FOR LIGHT TRUCKS.

STOCKHOLDERS HAVE GIVEN FINAL APPROVAL FOR A 36-BILLION-DOLLAR MERGER OF THE ZENECA AND ASTRA PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES. THE ANGLO-SWEDISH FIRM IS NOW THE LARGEST PRESCRIPTION DRUG COMPANY IN THE WORLD, WITH ANNUAL SALES IN EXCESS OF 17-BILLION DOLLARS.

MERCK OF THE UNITED STATES, NOW THE THIRD-LARGEST INTERNATIONAL DRUG COMPANY, IS AWAITING U-S REGULATORY APPROVAL OF VIOXX [PRON: 'VIE-OX], A NEW PAIN-KILLER. ANALYSTS SAY VIOXX COULD BE A HUGE SUCCESS, AND OFFSET REVENUE LOSSES EXPECTED WHEN PATENTS ON SEVERAL OTHER MERCK DRUGS EXPIRE.

THE DELL COMPUTER COMPANY SAYS IT WILL NOW OFFER THE LINUX COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEM IN ADDITION TO THE MICROSOFT CORPORATION'S POPULAR WINDOWS SOFTWARE. DELL SAYS IT HAS MADE AN INVESTMENT IN RED HAT SOFTWARE, A LEADING PRODUCER OF LINUX. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/WTW
06-Apr-99 5:23 PM EDT (2123 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[33] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE PLIGHT OF REFUGEES FROM SERBIA'S MAJORITY ETHNIC ALBANIAN KOSOVO PROVINCE IS THE DOMINANT TOPIC OF COMMENTARY IN TUESDAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS. HOWEVER, THE ARRIVAL IN THIS COUNTRY OF CHINA'S PRIME MINISTER IS ALSO DISCUSSED, AS IS THE TURNOVER OF THE TWO LIBYAN SECURITY MEN ACCUSED OF DOWNING PAN AM FLIGHT 103 OVER SCOTLAND ELEVEN YEARS AGO WITH A BOMB.

TEXT: THERE ARE SEVERAL FACETS OF THE NATO ATTACK AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA DRAWING COMMENT IN TODAY'S PRINT MEDIA. IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, "THE DENVER POST" SAYS IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE: "TIGHTEN [THE] SCREWS ON SERBIA."

VOICE: THE U-S / NATO POLICY OF BOMBING SERBIAN MILITARY TARGETS TO FORCE THAT NATION TO STOP ITS ATROCITIES IN KOSOVO HAS MANIFESTLY FAILED TO PREVENT EUROPE'S WORST HUMANITARIAN DISASTER SINCE WORLD WAR TWO. IT'S TIME TO REIMPOSE STRONG ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON SERBIA, BACKED BY A NAVAL BLOCKADE. ... IF RULING OUT GROUND FORCES WAS A MISTAKE, IS IT TIME TO REVOKE THAT PLEDGE AND COMMIT GROUND TROOPS TO THE WAR IN KOSOVO? UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

TEXT: "THE KANSAS CITY [MISSOURI] STAR" IS UPSET AT THE NATO POLICY, WHICH IT CALLS "TOO-LITTLE, TOO-LATE," ADDING:

VOICE: WHEN ASKED WHY THE UNITED STATES WAS NOT CONDUCTING A MORE VIGOROUS AIR CAMPAIGN, PRESIDENT CLINTON VAGUELY BLAMES THE EUROPEANS FOR NATO'S CAUTIOUS APPROACH AND TOO-FEW FLYING MISSIONS. ... CLEARLY SOME NATO COUNTRIES HAVE SHOWN A FUNDAMENTAL MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE KOSOVO CRISIS. ... BUT IT ALSO APPEARS THAT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS UNDERESTIMATED [MR.] MILOSEVIC, ASSUMING BOTH THAT HE WOULD NOT STRIKE THIS HARD AT THE EDITORS: WE SHOULD ADD "ETHNIC] ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO AND THAT HE WOULD BACK OFF [RETREAT] QUICKLY IN THE FACE OF NATO AIR STRIKES.

TEXT: REGARDING U-S PLANS TO HOUSE ITS SHARE OF THE KOSOVO REFUGEES AT GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL STATION IN CUBA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" THINKS THAT IS A BAD IDEA.

VOICE: ...THE IDEA OF THE UNITED STATES PUTTING ITS SHARE OF WAR VICTIMS INTO MILITARY CAMPS AT GUANTANAMO BAY AND GUAM IS APPALLING. PUTTING 20-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS INTO TEMPORARY SHELTERS WHERE THEY WOULD BE ISOLATED FROM U-S COMMUNITIES AND OFFERS OF COMFORT AND SUPPORT IS A HALF-BAKED [NOT WELL THOUGHT OUT] SOLUTION TO A SERIOUS HUMANITARIAN CRISIS. /// OPT /// .... IS THIS HOW WE WANT TO TREAT THE KOSOVARS? HAVEN'T THEY BEEN BRUTALIZED ENOUGH BY SERBIAN ETHNIC CLEANSING? SHELTERING THE REFUGEES OUTSIDE THE U-S MAINLAND MAY BE POLITICAL EXPEDIENT, BUT IT ISN'T HUMANE. /// END OPT

TEXT: "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" SAYS THE RESPONSE BY NATO TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS IS HEARTENING, BUT THE WAR AGAINST MR. MILOSEVIC IS "NOT AS CLEAR-CUT." AND IN "THE NEW YORK TIMES," THE PAPER FEELS THE ROAD TO PEACE IN YUGOSLAVIA MAY STILL LEAD THROUGH MOSCOW.

VOICE: DESPITE RUSSIA'S RHETORICAL BELLIGERENCE ABOUT THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN AND PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV'S FAILED DIPLOMATIC MISSION TO BELGRADE ... RUSSIA HAS THE CREDENTIALS AND MOTIVATION TO PLAY A CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN ENDING THE CONFLICT. /// OPT /// DOING SO WILL REQUIRE SOME STRAIGHT TALKING BY THE RUSSIANS TO THEIR SERBIAN COUSINS, AND A DEGREE OF COOPERATION WITH WASHINGTON THAT MAY BE AWKWARD FOR THE KREMLIN, BUT RUSSIA COULD GREATLY ENHANCE ITS INTERNATIONAL STATURE BY BROKERING A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT. /// END OPT /// ... THE WHITE HOUSE SHOULD BE WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES TO ENCOURAGE A CONSTRUCTIVE RUSSIAN ROLE.

TEXT: THE DAY'S OTHER FAVORITE TOPIC IS THE VISIT OF CHINA'S PRIME MINISTER ZHU RONGJI TO THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SUGGESTS "IT'S TO THE PREMIER'S CREDIT THAT HE'S MAKING THE TRIP AT ALL IN THESE TURBULENT TIMES."

VOICE: ON THE SLIDING SCALE OF U-S -CHINA RELATIONS, PREMIER ZHU ... BEGINS AN EIGHT-DAY VISIT TO AMERICA TODAY AT A SOUR POINT. LET US COUNT THE WAYS: BEIJING IS DEMANDING THAT NATO HALT ITS AIR OFFENSIVE IN YUGOSLAVIA; TRADE REMAINS A CONTENTIOUS ... ISSUE, AND HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES, AS ALWAYS, WILL BE HIGH ON THE LIST WHEN THE PRESIDENT MEETS PRESIDENT CLINTON THURSDAY IN WASHINGTON. /// OPT /// [MR.] ZHU HAS MADE A REPUTATION AS A POLISHED, ENERGETIC LEADER IN CHINA, BUT HE'LL FIND THE GOING TOUGH ON FUNDAMENTALS OF THE BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP ..... AND [MAKING] CHINA'S CASE FOR ITS NUMBER ONE ISSUE: MEMBERSHIP IN THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: IN SOUTH FLORIDA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" ASKS OF THE VISIT:

VOICE: ARE WE FRIENDS, OR ENEMIES? WHILE BILATERAL TRADE IS BRISK AND AMERICAN BUSINESS REMAINS EAGER TO OPEN MORE CHINESE MARKETS, THE ALLEGED MEDDLING IN THE 1996 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND RECENT SPY SCANDALS RAISE CONGRESSIONAL ALARM. THE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO THE LATTER IS FOR THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO INCREASE SECURITY TO MAINTAIN THE COUNTRY'S TECHNOLOGICAL EDGE WHILE ALSO REASSESSING TRADE POLICIES. ... YET BEIJING AND WASHINGTON STILL PERCEIVE - - CORRECTLY - - THAT THERE ARE MORE GOOD REASONS TO TALK THAN NOT.

TEXT: ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND, "NEWSDAY" SAYS A "MORE REALISTIC POLICY TOWARD CHINA" IS NEEDED, ADDING:

VOICE: [PRESIDENT] CLINTON MUST RISE ABOVE THE ANTI-CHINESE HYSTERIA BUBBLING UP ON CAPITOL HILL OVER ALLEGATIONS THAT CHINA STOLE U-S NUCLEAR SECRETS AND TRIED TO INFLUENCE AMERICAN POLITICS THROUGH CONTRIBUTIONS TO [MR.] CLINTON'S RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN. BOTH ARE SERIOUS CHARGES BUT THEY CANNOT OVERSHADOW THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING A BALANCED, IF WARY, SINO-AMERICAN RELATIONSHIP.

TEXT: A THIRD IMPORTANT STORY, THE LONG-AWAITED SURRENDER OF TWO LIBYANS SUSPECTED IN THE BOMBING OF PAN AM 103 OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND ELEVEN YEARS AGO, IS ALSO DRAWING COMMENT. "USA TODAY," THE NATIONAL DAILY PUBLISHED IN A WASHINGTON, D-C SUBURB, MAKES IT THE LEAD EDITORIAL, AND CALLS IT "A VICTORY FOR DIPLOMACY."

VOICE: ...IT'S A SIGHT FEW EVER EXPECTED TO SEE: (LIBYAN LEADER MUAMMAR) GADHAFI, NOTORIOUS FOR HIS ANTI-WESTERN TIRADES AND LINKED TO TERRORIST ACTIVITIES ACROSS EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST IN THE '70S AND '80S, LETTING TWO OF HIS REPUTED SECRET AGENTS FLY OFF TO BE TRIED BY A SCOTTISH COURT SITTING IN THE NETHERLANDS. /// OPT /// .... WHETHER THE BOMB-PLOT EVIDENCE GATHERED IN AN EXHAUSTIVE ... SEARCH BY BRITISH AND U-S DETECTIVES STANDS UP IN COURT REMAINS TO BE SEEN. ... BUT AGAINST FRESH REMINDERS FROM KOSOVO OF HOW FEW TERRORISTS AND WAR CRIMINALS ARE EVER BROUGHT TO TRIAL, THE SUCCESSFUL DIPLOMATIC AND ECONOMIC SQUEEZE ON LIBYA IS GOOD NEWS FOR INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: ON THE ISSUE OF THE WIDER RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HEINOUS CRIME, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" ADDS:

VOICE: /// OPT /// EARLIER THIS YEAR [U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI] ANNAN, WITH AMERICAN APPROVAL, ASSURED COLONEL GADHAFI THAT ONLY THE TWO SUSPECTS, NOT THE LIBYAN GOVERNMENT, WOULD BE PUT ON TRIAL. IN A LITERAL SENSE, THAT IS AS IT SHOULD BE. BUT MR. ANNAN'S ASSURANCE SHOULD NOT PRECLUDE QUESTIONING ABOUT WHO MIGHT HAVE ORDERED THE SUSPECTS TO CARRY OUT THE BOMBING. /// END OPT /// THERE REMAIN MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LOCKERBIE CASE, INCLUDING WHETHER SYRIA OR IRAN MAY ALSO HAVE PLAYED A ROLE. THE TRIAL SHOULD BE USED TO ESTABLISH A FULLER PICTURE ...

TEXT: TURNING TO OTHER TOPICS, BOSTON'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE ROAD BLOCK IN THE WAY OF CULMINATING THE NORTHERN IRISH PEACE ACCORD: DISARMING THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY.

VOICE: THE 1988 GOOD FRIDAY PEACE PACT CONSIDERABLY BRIGHTENED THAT FUTURE, [OF NORTHERN IRELAND] SOMETHING IT SORELY NEEDED. IT SET UP A SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE THAT PROVIDES BOTH SIDES A VOICE. THE TEN-MEMBER CABINET THAT WOULD SERVE AS EXECUTIVE FOR THE NEW NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY WAS TO HAVE BEEN FORMED BY NOW. AMONG ITS MEMBERS WOULD BE TWO REPRESENTATIVES OF SINN FEIN, THE I-R-A'S POLITICAL ARM ..... PROBLEM IS, THE UNIONISTS ARE SET AGAINST SINN FEIN TAKING THOSE SEATS UNTIL THE I-R-A DEMONSTRATES A WILLINGNESS TO DISARM. SINN FEIN, FOR ITS PART, SAYS THERE'S NO SUCH PRECONDITION IN THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT. MAYBE NOT, BUT THERE'S A CLEAR OBLIGATION ON BOTH SIDES TO DISARM.

TEXT: THE PROFESSIONAL MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SEASON HAS BEGUN IN THE UNITED STATES, ALWAYS A REASON TO CELEBRATE SPRING IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE, BUT TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" CAUTIONS FANS IT WILL BE HARD TO EXCEED LAST YEAR'S EXCEPTIONALLY EXCITING YEAR.

VOICE: /// OPT /// IF THE 1988 SEASON PROVED ANYTHING, IT IS THAT GOOD BASEBALL CAN ERASE A LOT OF BAD FEELINGS. WHEN THE SEASON BEGAN, THE SPORT SEEMED ADRIFT, TORN FROM ITS OLD MOORINGS BY TOO MANY LABOR DISPUTES, TOO MANY GREEDY OWNERS, TOO MANY INFLATED SALARIES. /// END OPT /// THEN CAME THE THRILLING LATE-SUMMER HOME RUN DUEL BETWEEN MARK MCGWIRE AND SAMMY SOSA AND THE MAGISTERIAL PERFORMANCE BY THE NEW YORK YANKEES, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN BASEBALL'S DISAFFECTED FANS CAME BACK. THE NEW SEASON THAT BEGAN IN EARNEST YESTERDAY WILL NOT EASILY REPLICATE LAST YEAR'S HEROICS.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM TUESDAY'S U-S PAPERS.
NEB/ANG/GE
06-Apr-99 10:19 AM EDT (1419 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[34] LIBYA FINALLY SURRENDERS THE LOCKERBIE SUSPECTS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: IT HAS TAKEN MORE THAN A DECADE, BUT THE MILITARY LEADER OF LIBYA, COLONEL MUAMMAR GADHAFI, FINALLY RELEASED FOR TRIAL THE TWO AGENTS BELIEVED RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BOMBING OF A PAN AM JETLINER OVER SCOTLAND THAT KILLED 270 PEOPLE.

THE U-S MEDIA, WHICH HAS FOLLOWED THE STORY SINCE THE DECEMBER 1988 CRASH, AND THE TORTUOUS DIPLOMATIC PROCEEDINGS, WHICH FINALLY RESULTED IN THE HANDOVER, HAS BEEN QUICK TO RESPOND WITH COMMENT. WE GET A SAMPLING NOW FROM ______________ IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THE TWO SUSPECTS -- LAMEN KHALIFA FHIMAH AND ABDEL BASSET ALI AL-MEGRAHI -- ARE BELIEVED TO BE MEMBERS OF THE LIBYAN INTELLIGENCE SERVICE. /// OPT /// U-S AND BRITISH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS WHO DID A PAINSTAKING INVESTIGATION OF THE CRASH, THINK THEY PLACED A SMALL BOMB ABOARD THE PLANE DURING A STOPOVER IN LONDON, WHERE THEY GOT OFF. /// END OPT ///

THE PLANE BLEW UP OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND KILLING EVERYONE ON BOARD AND SEVERAL PEOPLE ON THE GROUND, WHERE IT MADE A HUGE CRATER IN THE SMALL VILLAGE. BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT, THE MEN HAVE BEEN TURNED OVER TO SCOTTISH POLICE FOR A TRIAL IN THE NETHERLANDS, BEFORE SCOTTISH JUDGES, AND UNDER SCOTTISH LAW. SHOULD THEY BE FOUND GUILTY, THEY WOULD SPEND TIME IN A SCOTTISH PRISON. WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING OF COMMENT IN TEXAS, WHERE "THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE" WONDERS ON WHOSE ORDERS THE MEN WERE WORKING?

VOICE: /// OPT /// IN TURNING ABDEL BASSET ALI AL-MEGRAHI AND AL-AMIN KHALIFA FHIMAH OVER FOR TRIAL, LIBYAN STRONGMAN MUAMMAR GADHAFI WINS SUSPENSION OF THE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS IMPOSED BY THE UNITED NATIONS AGAINST HIS COUNTRY FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, ALTHOUGH UNILATERAL SANCTIONS BY THE UNITED STATES REMAIN IN PLACE. /// END OPT /// ... WHILE THE TRIAL IS A START TOWARD WESTERN-STYLE JUSTICE, FRIENDS AND RELATIVES OF THOSE WHO DIED IN [THE ... BOMBING] ... 259 PEOPLE ON BOARD AND ELEVEN PEOPLE ON THE GROUND ... ARE UNLIKELY TO LEARN THE COMPLETE TRUTH BEHIND THE TERRORIST ACT FROM ANY REVELATIONS [IN] COURT. ONE THING IS CLEAR. FOR THE TWO LIBYANS TO HAVE CONCOCTED THE BOMBING PLAN AND CARRIED IT OUT ALONE EXCEEDS RATIONAL BELIEF.

TEXT: THAT SAME THEME DOMINATES "THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE'S" EDITORIAL, ENTITLED: "BUT WHO WAS THE MASTERMIND?"

VOICE: FAMILIES OF THE 270 VICTIMS .... ARE RIGHT TO BE SKEPTICAL THAT ALL THOSE RESPONSIBLE WILL FINALLY FACE JUSTICE FOR THAT UNSPEAKABLE CRIME. /// OPT /// ... SOME RELATIVES OF THE DEAD ARE UNDERSTANDABLY DOUBTFUL THE PAIR IN CUSTODY ACTED ON THEIR OWN, WITHOUT OFFICIAL AUTHORITY. 'WE'RE TRYING THE CONCENTRATION CAMP GUARDS INSTEAD OF THE COMMANDANT. IN A SOCIETY SUCH AS LIBYA'S, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS TWO FREE-LANCERS GOING OUT ON THEIR OWN (TO) COMMIT AN ACT LIKE THIS,' SAID GEORGE WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT OF VICTIMS OF PANAM FLIGHT 103, WHOSE 24 YEAR-OLD SON GEORGIE WAS KILLED IN THE CRASH. WE SHARE HIS SUSPICIONS, /// END OPT /// BUT BY TURNING OVER THE SUSPECTS FOR TRIAL AT LEAST THE WORLD WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED AND TESTED IN COURT AFTER 10 YEARS OF DOUBT ANYONE WOULD EVER BE PROSECUTED. /// OPT /// LIBYA'S SURRENDER OF THE TWO PRIME SUSPECTS IS A STEP - - HOWEVER INCOMPLETE - - TOWARD SOLVING ONE OF THE CENTURY'S WORST ACTS OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: IN SOUTH FLORIDA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" WRITES THAT IN TURNING OVER THE TWO SUSPECTS, SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA CAME TO AN END:

VOICE: /// OPT /// IN LESS THAN A DAY, THE UNITED NATIONS REWARDED LIBYA FOR DOING WHAT IT HAD AVOIDED DOING FOR 3-THOUSAND-753 DAYS .... [ALLOWING] THE TRANSFER TO THE NETHERLANDS OF TWO LIBYANS SUSPECTED OF THE 1988 BOMBING OF PAN AM FLIGHT 103 OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND /// END OPT /// ...SUSPENSION OF THE SANCTIONS ... MEANS THAT LIBYA CAN ENJOY INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVEL AND BUY BOTH WEAPONS AND OIL-PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT AGAIN. /// OPT /// MANY FAMILIES OF THE ...VICTIMS CONSIDER GADHAFI A CONSPIRATOR IN THE BOMBING. BUT HE WON'T STAND TRIAL WITH HIS TWO COUNTRYMEN. IS THIS JUSTICE? NO. BUT IT IS BETTER THAN NO TRIAL OF TWO BELIEVED RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS STILL SHOCKING ACT OF TERRORISM. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" CALLS THE SURRENDER OF THE MEN FOR TRIAL, A "PAYOFF IN RESPECTING GLOBAL LAW, " AND ADMITS THAT WHILE COLONEL GADHAFI REMAINS AT LARGE, THE TRIAL REMAINS A STRONG, HOWEVER LIMITED VICTORY FOR DIPLOMACY AND LAW.

VOICE: IT'S TRUE THAT THE TRIAL MIGHT NOT LEAD ALL THE WAY TO THE PUPPET MASTERS OF THIS TRAGEDY; SYRIA AND EVEN IRAN HAVE BEEN SUSPECTED OF SOME ROLE IN THE LOCKERBIE CRASH, ALONG WITH LIBYA. BUT IT BOLSTERS THE RULE OF LAW, ALWAYS A DEVELOPMENT TO APPLAUD.

TEXT: "USA TODAY," THE NATIONAL DAILY PUBLISHED IN A WASHINGTON, D-C SUBURB, CALLS IT "A VICTORY FOR DIPLOMACY."

VOICE: ...IT'S A SIGHT FEW EVER EXPECTED TO SEE: (LIBYAN LEADER MUAMMAR) GADHAFI, NOTORIOUS FOR HIS ANTI-WESTERN TIRADES AND LINKED TO TERRORIST ACTIVITIES ACROSS EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST IN THE '70S AND '80S, LETTING TWO OF HIS REPUTED SECRET AGENTS FLY OFF TO BE TRIED BY A SCOTTISH COURT SITTING IN THE NETHERLANDS. /// OPT /// .... WHETHER THE BOMB-PLOT EVIDENCE GATHERED IN AN EXHAUSTIVE ... SEARCH BY BRITISH AND U-S DETECTIVES STANDS UP IN COURT REMAINS TO BE SEEN. ... BUT AGAINST FRESH REMINDERS FROM KOSOVO OF HOW FEW TERRORISTS AND WAR CRIMINALS ARE EVER BROUGHT TO TRIAL, THE SUCCESSFUL DIPLOMATIC AND ECONOMIC SQUEEZE ON LIBYA IS GOOD NEWS FOR INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: ON THE ISSUE OF THE WIDER RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HEINOUS CRIME, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" ADDS:

VOICE: EARLIER THIS YEAR [U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI] ANNAN, WITH AMERICAN APPROVAL, ASSURED COLONEL GADHAFI THAT ONLY THE TWO SUSPECTS, NOT THE LIBYAN GOVERNMENT, WOULD BE PUT ON TRIAL. IN A LITERAL SENSE, THAT IS AS IT SHOULD BE. BUT MR. ANNAN'S ASSURANCE SHOULD NOT PRECLUDE QUESTIONING ABOUT WHO MIGHT HAVE ORDERED THE SUSPECTS TO CARRY OUT THE BOMBING.THERE REMAIN MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LOCKERBIE CASE, INCLUDING WHETHER SYRIA OR IRAN MAY ALSO HAVE PLAYED A ROLE. THE TRIAL SHOULD BE USED TO ESTABLISH A FULLER PICTURE ...

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT ON THE TURNOVER TO SCOTTISH AUTHORITIES IF THE NETHERLANDS OF THE TWO MEN SUSPECTED IN THE PAN AM JETLINERS BOMBING OVER SCOTLAND ELEVEN YEARS AGO.
NEB/ANG/GE
06-Apr-99 12:11 PM EDT (1611 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[35] LOCKERBIE / MIDEAST REACT (L/O) BY SCOTT BOBB (CAIRO)

INTRO: ITALY'S FOREIGN MINISTER LAMBERTO DINI HAS FLOWN TO LIBYA, ONE DAY AFTER THE UNITED NATIONS SUSPENDED SANCTIONS THAT INCLUDED A BAN ON AIR TRAVEL TO THE NORTH AFRICAN NATION. MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM OUR CAIRO BUREAU THAT THE SANCTIONS WERE SUSPENDED MONDAY, AFTER LIBYA SURRENDERED TWO SUSPECTS WANTED IN THE LOCKERBIE BOMBING CASE.

TEXT: THE ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER WAS THE FIRST FOREIGN OFFICIAL TO FLY TO LIBYA FOLLOWING THE SUSPENSION OF THE SANCTIONS. HIS SPOKESMAN CALLED IT THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LIBYA'S REINCLUSION IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

GOVERNMENTS AND NEWS MEDIA ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST TUESDAY WELCOMED THE HAND OVER AND THE ARAB AND AFRICAN DIPLOMACY THAT HELPED BRING IT ABOUT.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE ARAB LEAGUE, ESMAT ABDEL-MEGUID, TOLD V-O-A TUESDAY THAT THE ARAB LEAGUE YEARS AGO PROPOSED THE TRIAL BE HELD IN A NEUTRAL COUNTRY, LIKE THE NETHERLANDS. BUT HE SAID BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES REJECTED THE COMPROMISE UNTIL LAST AUGUST. MR. ABDEL-MEGUID SAYS IT TOOK ANOTHER SIX MONTHS TO REACH AGREEMENT ON CERTAIN GUARANTEES SOUGHT BY LIBYA.

I AM SATISFIED WITH THE OUTCOME OF THE DISCUSSIONS. PERSONALLY, YES. ALL PARTIES MADE CONCESSIONS. AND THE RESULT WAS THE COMPROMISE SOLUTION. LIBYA HAS ASKED FOR GUARANTEES. YES, I THINK THEY ARE ENTITLED TO GUARANTEES.

THE ARAB LEAGUE OFFICIAL WOULD NOT PREDICT THE OUTCOME OF THE TRIAL BUT HE UNDERSCORED THAT UNDER THE LAW, THE SUSPECTS ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.

A SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST WITH CAIRO'S "AL-AHRAM CENTER FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES," HALA MOUSTAFA, SAYS THE SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA WERE THE DECIDING FACTOR IN THE BREAKTHROUGH.

THESE INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS SUCCEEDED TO ISOLATE LIBYA FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SPHERE, AND AT THE SAME TIME PUT MORE PRESSURE ON ITS ECONOMY. AND I THINK THAT WAS THE ONLY SOLUTION.

PROFESSOR MOUSTAFA BELIEVES LIBYA'S RELATIONS WITH ARAB COUNTRIES NOW SHOULD MOVE TOWARD NORMALIZATION, AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF STRAIN. LIBYA CRITICIZED ARAB COUNTRIES FOR REFUSING TO BREAK THE SANCTIONS, WHILE SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS IGNORED THE BAN ON AIR TRAVEL FOR OFFICIAL AND RELIGIOUS EXCHANGES. PROFESSOR MOUSTAFA SAYS SHE EXPECTS RELATIONS WITH WESTERN COUNTRIES IN GENERAL TO IMPROVE.

THE EXILED LIBYAN OPPOSITION, HOWEVER, BELIEVES NOTHING WILL CHANGE. A LEADER OF THE CAIRO-BASED, LIBYAN SALVATION FRONT, FAIZ JABRIL, SAYS ENDING THE SANCTIONS WILL NOT HELP LIBYA BECAUSE OF THE AUTHORITARIAN MANNER IN WHICH COLONEL MUAMMAR GADHAFI RULES THE COUNTRY.

THE LIBYANS WILL CONTINUE SUFFERING A LOT OF ECONOMIC PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF HIS (GADHAFI) WAY OF RULING THE COUNTRY. WE DON'T HAVE A CONSTITUTION. WE DON'T HAVE A GOVERNMENT ELECTED. WE DON'T HAVE ELECTIONS. WE DON'T HAVE NO (ANY) THINKERS, NO SCHOLARS, NO FREE OPINIONS. WE DON'T HAVE NO LEADERS, ACTUALLY.

MR. JABRIL ALSO SAYS HE DOES NOT EXPECT RELATIONS TO IMPROVE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, IF THE TRIAL REVEALS THAT THE LIBYAN GOVERNMENT WAS BEHIND THE LOCKERBIE BOMBING. HE SAYS THIS WOULD PROVE THAT THE GADHAFI REGIME HAS NOT ONLY USED TERRORISM AGAINST ITS OWN PEOPLE, BUT ALSO AGAINST WHAT HE CALLED INNOCENT CIVILIANS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/PCF
06-Apr-99 1:09 PM EDT (1709 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[36] LOCKERBIE BOMBING ARRAIGNMENT (L-ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: SCOTTISH POLICE HAVE BROUGHT FORMAL CHARGES OF MURDER AGAINST TWO LIBYANS ACCUSED OF BLOWING UP AN AMERICAN PASSENGER JET OVER (LOCKERBIE) SCOTLAND, MORE THAN 10 YEARS AGO. IF THE MEN ARE CONVICTED OF KILLING THE 270 PEOPLE ABOARD THE PLANE, THEY COULD BE SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON. THE SUSPECTS ARRIVED IN THE NETHERLANDS MONDAY TO STAND TRIAL BEFORE A SPECIAL COURT. LAUREN COMITEAU REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE.

TEXT: THE ARRAIGNMENT TOOK PLACE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. A SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT TOLD REPORTERS THE TWO MEN LISTENED AS THE NAMES OF ALL 270 OF THE BOMBING VICTIMS WERE READ OUT.

THEY WERE CHARGED -- IN BOTH ENGLISH AND ARABIC -- WITH MURDER, CONSPIRACY AND VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL AVIATION LAW FOR ALLEGEDLY PLANTING A BOMB IN A SUITCASE THAT EXPLODED ABOARD THE PAN AMERICAN [AIRWAYS] JUMBO JET.

THE ACCUSED MEN DID NOT ENTER A PLEA. THAT WILL COME WHEN THEIR TRIAL GETS UNDERWAY. THEY CONFIRMED THEIR IDENTITIES BEFORE A SCOTTISH JUDGE -- AND WERE FINGER-PRINTED, PHOTOGRAPHED, AND MADE TO GIVE D-N-A SAMPLES IN THIS FIRST STEP OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS WITHIN THE SCOTTISH SYSTEM.

IN AN UNPRECEDENTED ARRANGEMENT, THE TWO MEN WILL BE TRIED BY THREE SCOTTISH JUDGES AT A FORMER U-S MILITARY BASE, KAMP ZEIST, 10 KILOMETERS OUTSIDE THE CENTRAL DUTCH CITY OF UTRECHT. THE BASE HAS BEEN CEDED TO BRITAIN -- MUCH LIKE A CONSULATE OR EMBASSY -- FOR THE DURATION OF THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

SECURITY IS TIGHT, WITH SCOTTISH POLICE ARMED WITH MACHINE GUNS AND ATTACK DOGS PATROLLING THE BASE'S PERIMETER. // OPT // THE MEN ARE STAYING IN A TEMPORARY DETENTION CENTER -- RENAMED "HER MAJESTY'S PRISON, ZEIST" -- WHILE WORKERS FINISH CONVERTING A BOMB-PROOF UNDERGROUND COMPLEX INTO MORE PERMANENT CELLS. THEY WILL ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO A PRAYER ROOM AND AN EXERCISE ROOM. // END OPT //

PROSECUTORS HAVE ABOUT ONE WEEK TO PRESENT A SUMMARY OF THE EVIDENCE AGAINST THE LIBYAN MEN. UNDER SCOTTISH LAW, A TRIAL SHOULD START WITHIN 110 DAYS OF THE ARRAIGNMENT.

BUT SCOTTISH POLICE -- WHO MADE INQUIRES IN 70 COUNTRIES -- HAVE GATHERED ABOUT 15-THOUSAND STATEMENTS, 18-THOUSAND ITEMS OF PROPERTY, AND 35-THOUSAND PHOTOGRAPHS. THAT EVIDENCE MUST BE DISCLOSED TO DEFENSE LAWYERS WHO THEN NEED TIME TO PREPARE THEIR CASES.

A SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT SPOKESWOMAN SAYS THAT COULD DELAY THE TRIAL BY SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR.

THE MEN SAY THEY ARE INNOCENT. IF FOUND GUILTY, THEY WILL SERVE THEIR SENTENCES IN SCOTLAND. (SIGNED)
NEB/LC/JWH/WTW
06-Apr-99 3:02 PM EDT (1902 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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