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Voice of America, 99-06-03Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] NATO / KOSOVO (L) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250177 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO HAS REFUSED TO COMMENT ON THE REPORTED YUGOSLAV ACCEPTANCE OF AN INTERNATIONAL PEACE PLAN FOR KOSOVO. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS. TEXT: CHIEF NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA REFUSED TO COMMENT IN DETAIL ON NEWS THAT YUGOSLAVIA HAS ACCEPTED NATO'S PEACE DEMANDS. HOWEVER, HE INSISTS THAT IF THIS IS SO, THE ALLIANCE IS READY TO START DEPLOYING A PEACEKEEPING FORCE TO ESCORT KOSOVAR REFUGEES BACK HOME. FOR THE MOMENT, THE AIR OPERATION WILL CONTINUE, AND MR. SHEA SAYS IT CAN BE HALTED ONLY IF NATO AMBASSADORS VOTE TO END IT. MR SHEA SAYS THAT FOR THE CAMPAIGN TO END, YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS TO AGREE TO ALL OF NATO'S CONDITIONS, AND HAS TO BEGIN IMPLEMENTING A WITHDRAWAL OF HIS FORCES FROM KOSOVOV. HE ADDS THAT THAT A FORCE OF 16-THOUSAND IS WAITING IN MACEDONIA, READY TO ENTER KOSOVO. /// SHEA ACT ///THIS IS A FORCE WHICH IS WELL ARMED, AS WELL AS FULLY INTEGRATED AND HAS HAD A LOT OF TIME TO DO TRAINING, INCLUDING TRAINING ON THE BORDER AREAS. SO THIS FORCE WHICH IS JUST UNDER 16-THOUSAND AT THE MOMENT IS REALLY FULLY READY FOR THE MISSION. AND I HAVE NO DOUBT IT WILL BE A VERY STRONG ENABLING FORCE ONCE IT IS GIVEN THE ORDER TO DEPLOY -- FULLY ABLE TO CARRY OUT THE ESSENTIAL TASKS WHILE WAITING FOR THE OTHER FORCES TO BE DEPLOYED TOO. /// END ACT ///MR. SHEA INSISTS THAT NATO IS FULLY READY FOR THE MISSION TO ESCORT THE KOSOVAR REFUGEES BACK TO THEIR HOMES. HE ALSO SAYS IT WILL NOT BE DIFFICULT FOR NATO TO VERIFY A YUGOSLAV WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO. HE SUGGESTS THAT IF NATO PILOTS CAN FIND A CAMOUFLAGED TANK IN A DITCH AND DESTROY IT, IT CAN VERIFY THE DEPARTURE OF A WHOLE ARMY FROM KOSOVO. MEANWHILE, NATO MILITARY SPOKESMAN CONRAD FREYTAG SAYS HE CALCULATES THAT TEN-THOUSAND SERB TROOPS IN KOSOVO HAVE BEEN EITHER KILLED OR INJURED IN THE MORE THAN 70 DAYS OF NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN. IN THE LATEST ROUND OF AIR STRIKES, NATO ALSO HIT HARD AGAINST
SERB TANKS, ARTILLERY AND OTHER ARMOUR, CONCENTRATING ITS ATTACK
ON AREAS CLOSE TO KOSOVO'S BORDER WITH ALBANIA. (SIGNED)
[02] NATO / TALBOTT (L-O) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250207 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT HAS BRIEFED THE 19 NATO AMBASSADORS ON YUGOSLAVIA'S ACCEPTANCE OF AN INTERNATIONAL PEACE PLAN FOR KOSOVO. BUT NATO HAS WARNED THAT WORDS ARE NOT ENOUGH, AND YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC MUST NOW ACT TO IMPLEMENT HIS PROMISES. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS. TEXT: AMERICAN ENVOY STROBE TALBOTT GAVE THE NATO AMBASSADORS AN ACCOUNT OF HIS DISCUSSIONS WITH THE TWO EUROPEAN ENVOYS WHO HAVE RETURNED FROM BELGRADE: PRESIDENT MARTTI AHTISAARI OF FINLAND AND RUSSIA'S VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN. MR. TALBOTT SAYS THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO WELCOME THE PROGRESS WHICH HAS BEEN MADE, BUT ALSO TO SHOW CAUTION. HE STRESSES THAT THERE IS NOW A NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT HAS BEEN PROMISED WILL BE DELIVERED. /// TALBOTT ACT ///THE QUESTION IS NOW HOW TO MAKE SURE THAT INDEED THE DECISION, IN ALL OF ITS NECESSARY SPECIFICS, HAS BEEN MADE BY THE YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES -- AND THAT THE YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES ARE PREPARED TO PROCEED WITH PROMPT, UNAMBIGUOUS IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT DECISION. /// END ACT ///MR. TALBOTT ADMITS THAT THERE ARE STILL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN NATO AND RUSSIA OVER THE COMMAND OF THE MILITARY PEACEKEEPING FORCE, WHICH WILL BE NEEDED TO ESCORT REFUGEES BACK HOME INTO KOSOVO, ONCE THERE IS A PEACE DEAL. HOWEVER, HE NOTES THAT A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS SUCCESSFULLY RESOLVED IN ESTABLISHING A PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR BOSNIA. HE STRESSES NATO WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THIS ISSUE WITH RUSSIA. THE ALLIANCE IS CONTINUING ITS AIR CAMPAIGN WHILE IT WAITS TO
CONFIRM ALL THE DETAILS OF THE PLAN -- TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS
INDEED A PEACE ON NATO'S TERMS. ONLY WHEN YUGOSLAV FORCES BEGIN
TO COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO WILL NATO ORDER A HALT TO THE
AIR STRIKES. (SIGNED)
[03] K-L-A / BUILDUP BY AMY BICKERS (TIRANA)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-43566 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: ON THE BORDER BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE AND ALBANIA, KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY FIGHTERS ARE WAGING WAR WITH SERBIAN TROOPS. AS AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM TIRANA, THE RENEGADE FORCE HAS DRAWN THOUSANDS OF RECRUITS FROM ETHNIC ALBANIAN COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD, BUT IT IS HAMPERED BY A LACK OF SOPHISTICATED WEAPONS. TEXT: ACROSS ALBANIA, NEW RECRUITS TO THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY ARE IN TRAINING. THEY ARE PREPARING TO HEAD TO K-L-A BASES IN THE NORTH AND INTO KOSOVO, WHERE THEIR COMPATRIOTS ARE TRYING TO OPEN A CORRIDOR TO THE CITY OF PRIZREN. ANDREA ANGELI (PRONO: AN-JELLY) OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, SAYS NEW K-L-A RECRUITS REGULARLY ARRIVE IN ALBANIA DESPITE THE DEATH-DEFYING RISKS K-L-A FIGHTERS MUST TAKE. /// ANGELI ACT ///ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS AT THE DURRES PORT THERE ARE VOLUNTEERS COMING FROM EUROPE BUT ALSO FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. USUALLY THEY ARE TAKEN TO CENTRAL ALBANIA FOR TRAINING AND THEN SENT UP NORTH. ALSO THERE ARE A LOT OF RECRUITS FOUND IN REFUGEE CAMPS THROUGH ALBANIA BUT USUALLY IN THE KUKES CAMP. /// END ACT ///A SENIOR K-L-A POLITICAL OFFICER, VISAR REKA, SAYS THE NUMBER OF K-L-A TROOPS HAS MORE THAN TRIPLED TO AT LEAST 17-THOUSAND SINCE THE START OF NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN IN LATE MARCH. MR. REKA SAYS THEY COME BECAUSE THE GUERRILLA GROUP'S MANDATE IS VITAL TO ALBANIANS EVERYWHERE. /// REKA ACT ONE ///THE K-L-A ROLE TODAY IS THE SAME THAT IT HAS BEEN FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. THE K-L-A AIM IS TO EXPEL ALL THE SERB MILITARY, PARAMILITARY, AND POLICE FORCES FROM KOSOVO, WHICH MEANS THE THE TOOLS OF REPRESSION BY THE MILITARIST REGIME AGAINST THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE IN KOSOVO. /// END ACT ///THE K-L-A WAS FOUNDED IN 1993 AS A LOOSE AMALGAMATION OF MILITIA GROUPS WHICH WANTED TO DEFEND KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN POPULATION FROM WHAT THEY VIEWED AS A GROWING THREAT FROM LOCAL SERB FORCES. IT HAS GROWN INTO A MUCH MORE UNIFIED ORGANIZATION WITH A ORDERLY COMMAND STRUCTURE, REPRESENTATIVES IN FOREIGN CITIES, AND ITS OWN WEBSITE. HOWEVER, CRITICS SAY IT HAS SOME LINKS TO DRUG DEALERS AND OTHER CRIMINALS, CLOUDING ITS LEGITIMACY WITH SOME WESTERN GOVERNMENTS. U-S MILITARY SOURCES SAY THE K-L-A HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE IN ATTACKING SERB TROOPS WEAKENED BY THE NATO BOMBING. HOWEVER, THEY INSIST THAT NATO FORCES AND THE K-L-A OPERATE COMPLETELY INDEPENDENTLY. WHILE NATO FAVORS AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO -- STOPPING SHORT OF OUTRIGHT INDEPENDENCE -- THE K-L-A SUPPORTS KOSOVO'S INDEPENDENCE FROM SERBIA. THE REBEL FORCE HAS NOT CONVINCED WESTERN GOVERNMENTS TO END AN ARMS EMBARGO ON YUGOSLAVIA THAT BLOCKS ITS ACCESS TO WESTERN-MADE HEAVY ARTILLERY AND OTHER SOPHISTICATED ARMS. MR. REKA SAYS A LACK OF WEAPONS IS THE K-L-A'S TOP INTERNAL ISSUE.. /// REKA ACT TWO ///THE K-L-A ALREADY HAS MANY MORE SOLDIERS THAN GUNS WHICH IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM THE K-L-A IS FACING. THE K-L-A DOES NOT NEED TO RECRUIT PEOPLE IT NEEDS GUNS. /// END ACT ///MONEY IS ALSO IN SHORT SUPPLY, SINCE MANY KOSOVAR ALBANIANS LIVING ABROAD CHOOSE TO DONATE FUNDS TO KOSOVO'S MORE MODERATE UNOFFICIAL GOVERNMENT LED BY IBRAHIM RUGOVA. NOT ALL ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO SUPPORT THE K-L-A. AND
OBSERVERS SAY THE INTERNAL DISPUTES HAVE HAMPERED THE ALBANIANS
IN THEIR STRUGGLE FOR AUTONOMY. (SIGNED)
[04] KOSOVO/REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY AMY BICKERS (TIRANA)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250208 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NEARLY A MILLION ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES WHO FLED KOSOVO ARE EAGERLY WATCHING THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ON A POSSIBLE PEACE ACCORD AND WONDERING WHEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN HOME. AS AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM TIRANA, THE MOVE BACK TO KOSOVO WILL REQUIRE INTRICATE PLANNING AND THE GUARANTEE THAT THE REFUGEES WILL BE SECURE. TEXT: KOSOVAR REFUGEES THROUGHOUT THE BALKANS ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE EARLY SIGNS OF A PEACE ACCORD WILL LEAD TO THEIR REPATRATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. DAAN EVERTS, THE TIRANA-BASED HEAD OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, SAYS THE SAFETY OF THE REFUGEES IS FOREMOST. /// EVERTS ACT ///THERE HAS TO BE A SECURITY BLANKET FOR THE WHOLE OF KOSOVO. WE ARE TALKING IN MAJOR DIMENSIONS -- THIS IS NOT SMALL BUSINESS. PEOPLE WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO RETURN IF THEY HAVE CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE AGREEMENT ALLOWS AND ENABLES EFFECTIVE SECURITY TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY AN INTERNATIONALLY TRUSTED FORCE. /// END ACT ///UNDER THE NATO CONDITIONS FOR PEACE, AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE WHICH WOULD INCLUDE NATO TROOPS WILL SAFEGUARD THE REFUGEES ONCE THEY RETURN TO KOSOVO. IN ADDITION, KOSOVO WILL HAVE TO BE CLEARED OF AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF MINES AND THE POLLUTED WATER SUPPLY MUST BE CLEANED UP. BOMBED AND DESTROYED INFRASTRUCTURE, HOMES, ROADS AND BRIDGES MUST BE REBUILT. MR. EVERTS ESTIMATES IT COULD TAKE AT LEAST THREE MONTHS TO EMBARK ON THESE TASKS AND TO COMPLETE AN ORDERLY REPATRIATION OF REFUGEES. IN THE MEANTIME, THE REFUGEE EXODUS CONTINUES, DESPITE SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. ETHNIC ALBANIANS REFUGEES WHO CROSSED INTO ALBANIA FROM KOSOVO THURSDAY SAID HUNGER HAS BECOME A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR THOSE LEFT BEHIND AND SOME OF THE NEW ARRIVALS SHOWED SIGNS OF MALNUTRITION. THEY WARNED THAT UP TO 100-THOUSAND PEOPLE COULD STILL BE HEADING FOR THE BORDERS. MR. EVERTS OF THE O-S-C-E SAYS CONDITIONS REMAIN SEVERE IN THE FAR NORTH OF ALBANIA'S KUKES PREFECTURE, WHERE SEVEN-THOUSAND REFUGEES AND ALBANIANS DISPLACED BY THE WAR HAVE SOUGHT SHELTER IN THE HOMES OF LOCAL PEOPLE. /// EVERTS ACT ///WHERE THEY ARE HOUSED NOW IT IS VERY DIFFICULT. IT IS HARD TO COME BY FOOD AND OTHER SUPPLIES AND MOST OF THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS ARE IN DISMAL SHAPE AND THE SANITARY CONDITIONS ARE JUST AWFUL. THEY CANNOT REALLY STAY THERE. /// END ACT ///AID WORKERS ARE TRYING TO CONVINCE THE REFUGEES TO MOVE TO CAMPS
FARTHER SOUTH. BUT MANY ARE RELUCTANT TO MOVE FARTHER AWAY FROM
KOSOVO, ESPECIALLY NOW, WHEN MANY ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE END OF THE
CRISIS IS IN SIGHT. (SIGNED)
[05] U-N-H-C-R REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY SUZANNE KELLY (SKOPJE)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250172 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY (U-N-H-C-R) STILL IS STRUGGLING TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS FACING REFUGEES IN MACEDONIA. AS SUZANNE KELLY REPORTS FROM SKOPJE, THE ORGANIZATION IS PLANNING FOR THE WINTER BUT SAYS IT IS NOT SURE EXACTLY HOW MUCH IT CAN HANDLE ON ITS OWN. TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY STILL IS FACING MAJOR PROBLEMS IN DEALING WITH THE NUMBERS OF REFUGEES FLEEING KOSOVO AND SEEKING SHELTER IN MACEDONIA. THE ORGANIZATION SAYS IT IS PREPARING FOR ANOTHER MAJOR INFLUX OF REFUGEES, WHICH ARE EXPECTED AT ANY TIME. IT ALSO HAS A PLAN IN PLACE FOR THE RETURN OF THE REFUGEES TO KOSOVO, ONCE A PEACE AGREEMENT IS IN EFFECT. BUT WHETHER THE REFUGEES ARE IN CAMPS IN MACEDONIA OR REBUILDING THEIR HOMES IN KOSOVO, THE U-N-H-C-R SAYS IT IS EXTREMELY WORRIED ABUT THE WINTER. SPECIAL ENVOY DENNIS MCNAMARA SAYS THAT THE SAME PROBLEMS WILL FACE THE REFUGEES REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY ARE. MAINLY THOSE PROBLEMS ARE PROVIDING ELECTRICITY FOR HEAT AND NEW INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE FORM OF ROADS AND BRIDGES. BUT MR. MCNAMARA SAYS THE UNDERTAKING IS MORE THAN THE U-N-H-C-R CAN HANDLE ON ITS OWN. /// MCNAMARA ACT ///WE HAVE TO HANDLE SOME OF IT, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT, BUT IF WE'RE TALKING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS FOR ELECTRIFICATION AND STRUCTURES AND ROADS, THAT IS A MAJOR DONOR TYPE STRUCTURE IS NECESSARY. /// END ACT ///MR. MCNAMARA SAYS THE RESPONSE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST BE MASSIVE AND IMMEDIATE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY MEANS TO CARE FOR REFUGEES ONCE COLD WEATHER SETS IN. THE U-N-H-C-R ESTIMATES THAT MORE THAN TWO-MILLION DISPLACED
PEOPLE IN THE BALKANS WILL NEED ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE WINTER
SEASON. (SIGNED)
[06] RUSSIA / ENVOY RETURNS (L) BY EVE CONANT (MOSCOW)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250193 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: RUSSIA'S SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE BALKANS, VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN, NOW BACK IN MOSCOW, SAYS HE BELIEVES THE WAR IN YUGOSLAVIA IS DRAWING TO A CLOSE. V-O-A'S EVE CONANT REPORTS RUSSIA PLANS TO CONTINUE TO PLAY A KEY ROLE IN THE PEACE PROCESS. TEXT: BALKANS ENVOY VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN TOLD REPORTERS AT A MOSCOW AIRPORT HE EXPECTS NATO WILL STOP BOMBING ONCE BELGRADE AND THE ALLIANCE BEGIN CONCRETE WORK ON IMPLEMENTING THE PEACE DEAL. /// CHERNOMYRDIN ACT IN RUSSIAN, IN AND UNDER ///RUSSIAN NEWS AGENCIES QUOTE MR. CHERNOMYRDIN AS SAYING THE MAIN ACHIEVEMENT OF NEGOTIATORS WAS TO PUT PEACE EFFORTS UNDER UNITED-NATIONS CONTROL. THE ENVOY EXPLAINED THE MEASURES ELABORATED IN THE PEACE PLAN PROVIDE, AS HE PUT IT, "A WAY TO CONTROL BOTH WARRING PARTIES -- YUGOSLAVIA AND NATO." HE ALSO EMPHASIZED THAT THE RUSSIAN DELEGATION DID NOT RETREAT FROM ITS INITIAL PRINCIPLES DURING NEGOTIATIONS WITH WESTERN ENVOYS. MR. CHERNOMYRDIN'S COMMENT MAY BE AIMED AT RUSSIAN HARD-LINERS, WHO HAVE ACCUSEDHIM OF SELLING OUT YUGOSLAVIA TO THE WEST BY GIVING IN TO TOO MANY NATO DEMANDS. NEWS AGENCIES REPORT MR. CHERNOMYRDIN REITERATED THAT RUSSIA WOULD TAKE PART IN AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE TO PROTECT KOSOVO, BUT ONLY UNDER RUSSIA'S COMMAND, NOT UNDER NATO CONTROL. THIS APPEARS TO CONTRADICT NATO'S INSISTENCE ON A UNIFIED PEACE-KEEPING FORCE WITH A NATO CORE. MR. CHERNOMYRDIN IS EXPECTED TO BRIEF PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN
BEFORE THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT MAKES A FORMAL REACTION TO THE
PEACE DEAL. (SIGNED)
[07] RUSSIA ENVOY BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-43567 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: RUSSIA'S BALKANS ENVOY, VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN, PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN PERSUADING YUGOSLAVIA TO ACCEPT NATO'S KOSOVO PEACE PLAN. BUT AS V-O-A'S PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS FROM MOSCOW, MR. CHERNOMYRDIN'S EFFORTS HAVE ANGERED MANY RUSSIANS. TEXT: MOSCOW WAS THE SCENE OF FREQUENT ANTI-NATO DEMONSTRATIONS SEVEN WEEKS AGO WHEN FORMER PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN WAS APPOINTED RUSSIA'S BALKANS ENVOY. SEVERAL POLITICIANS WERE PUBLICLY CALLING FOR MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO BELGRADE. BUT WHEN MR. CHERNOMYRDIN TOOK OVER, RUSSIA'S TONE CHANGED. THE ANGRY RHETORIC GAVE WAY TO EARNEST NEGOTIATIONS, BOTH WITH NATO AND BELGRADE. THE BALKANS ENVOY, DESPITE HIS LIMITED DIPLOMATIC EXPERIENCE, BEGAN SHUTTLING BACK AND FORTH AMONG VARIOUS WORLD CAPITALS IN SEARCH OF A POLITICAL SOLUTION. FIVE MISSIONS TO BELGRADE AND WEEKS OF INTENSE NEGOTIATIONS LATER, MR. CHERNOMYRDIN APPEARS TO HAVE SUCCEEDED IN PERSUADING YUGOSLAVIA'S LEADERSHIP TO ACCEPT THE INEVITABLE. IN THE END, THAT COULD BE SEEN AS A TRIUMPH FOR RUSSIAN DIPLOMACY, AT A TIME WHEN MOSCOW'S INFLUENCE ON THE WORLD STAGE HAS BEEN IN STEADY DECLINE. BUT IN DOING SO, MR. CHERNOMYRDIN HAS BROUGHT RUSSIA MUCH CLOSER TO SUPPORTING NATO'S DEMANDS. THAT HAS RAISED SUSPICIONS AT HOME, ESPECIALLY AMONG OLD COLD WARRIORS AND MILITARY HAWKS. COLONEL-GENERAL LEONID IVASHOV, HEAD OF THE DEFENSE MINISTRY'S INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION DEPARTMENT, AND A MEMBER OF MR. CHERNOMYRDIN'S TEAM IN BELGRADE, TOLD REPORTERS THE MILITARY IS NOT HAPPY WITH MANY PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT. SOME LAWMAKERS WENT EVEN FURTHER IN THEIR CRITICISM. NIKOLAI KHARITONOV, HEAD OF ONE OF THE COMMUNIST FACTIONS IN THE DUMA, OR LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT, ACCUSES MR. CHERNOMYRDIN OF BARGAINING AWAY RUSSIA'S INTERESTS. /// KHARITONOV ACT IN RUSSIAN, IN AND FADE UNDER ///VLADIMIR LUKIN, INFLUENTIAL CHAIRMAN OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE IN PARLIAMENT, SAYS WHAT RUSSIA IS CALLING A DIPLOMATIC SUCCESS IS NOTHING MORE THAN GIVING IN TO NATO. /// LUKIN ACT IN RUSSIAN, IN AND UNDER ///BUT WHEN HE RETURNED TO MOSCOW THURSDAY, MR. CHERNOMYRDIN DISMISSED THOSE CRITICISMS. /// CHERNOMYRDIN ACT IN RUSSIAN, IN AND UNDER ///SUPPORTERS SAY THE FORMER PRIME MINISTER HAD LITTLE CHOICE BUT TO COMPROMISE. THE SCOPE OF MR. CHERNOMYRDIN'S ACHIEVEMENT WILL NOT BE KNOWN UNTIL DETAILS OF THE AGREEMENT EMERGE. BUT IF RUSSIA IS ULTIMATELY SEEN AS A PEACE BROKER, ALL CRITICISMS MAY BE FORGOTTEN. AND FOR THE FORMER PRIME MINISTER, THAT COULD MARK A TRIUMPHANT
RETURN FROM THE POLITICAL WILDERNESS, JUST IN TIME FOR
PARLIAMENTARY AND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS COMING UP IN THE NEAR
FUTURE. (SIGNED)
[08] RUSSIA/KOSOVO (S) BY EVE CONANT (MOSCOW)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250181 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: RUSSIA IS CALLING ON NATO TO SEND OFFICERS TO BELGRADE WITHIN TWENTY FOUR HOURS TO IMMEDIATELY BEGIN OVERSEEING THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES FROM KOSOVO. V-O-A'S EVE CONANT REPORTS FROM MOSCOW. TEXT: BEFORE DEPARTING TO MOSCOW, AN AIDE TO THE RUSSIAN DELEGATION, VALENTIN SERGEYEV, TOLD RUSSIAN NEWS AGENCIES THAT SENIOR NATO OFFICIALS COULD ARRIVE WITHIN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO. HE SAID RUSSIA'S BALKANS ENVOY, VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN, SPOKE WITH U-S DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT AND URGED HIM TO SEND NATO OFFICIALS TO BELGRADE TO BEGIN IMPLEMENTING THE DEAL. HE ALSO SAID MR. TALBOTT HAS APPROVED MOSCOW'S PLAN TO SEND MILITARY STRATEGISTS TO YUGOSLAVIA. IT WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY CLEAR HOW DIFFERENCES WOULD BE OVERCOME OVER HOW TO INTEGRATE RUSSIAN TROOPS INTO THE ALLIED COMMAND STRUCTURE. MR. SERGEYEV QUOTED THE RUSSIAN ENVOY AS SAYING THAT THE DAY AND
HOUR NATO OFFICERS ARRIVE IN BELGRADE UNDER U-N SUPERVISION WILL
BE THE DAY AND HOUR THE NATO AIRSTRIKES END. (SIGNED)
[09] YUGOISLAV OFFICIAL / L-A / L-O BY MIKE O'SULLIVAN (LOS ANGELES)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250160 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: YUGOSLAVIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS HAS REPEATED HIS GOVERNMENT'S OPPOSITION TO NATO PARTICIPATION IN A UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN THE BALKANS. THE COMPOSITION OF SUCH A FORCE WAS ONE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION IN RECENT TALKS IN BONN ON A BALKAN SETTLEMENT. V-O-A'S MIKE O'SULLIVAN REPORTS -- AS BELGRADE OFFICIALS CONSIDER THE LATEST SETTLEMENT OFFER -- THE YUGOSLAV ENVOY HAS TAKEN HIS GOVERNMENT'S CASE TO THE U-S WEST COAST IN A SERIES OF PUBLIC ADDRESSES. TEXT: YUGOSLAV U-N AMBASSADOR VLADISLAV JOVANOVIC (YO-'VAHN-OH-VICH) SAYS HIS COUNTRY SUPPORTS DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO END THE BALKAN WAR. HE SAYS IT HAS HAS ACCEPTED THE PRINCIPLES OUTLINED IN GENERAL TERMS BY THE MAJOR INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS, PLUS RUSSIA, MAY SIXTH. AS OF WEDNESDAY, HOWEVER, HE HAD NO WORD ON HIS GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE TO THE MORE-RECENT PROPOSAL DRAFTED IN BONN BY U-S, FINNISH, AND RUSSIAN NEGOTIATORS. STILL, HE REJECTED TWO DEMANDS NATO CONSIDERS CRUCIAL: THAT AN PEACEKEEPING FORCE INSIDE KOSOVO INCLUDE A LARGE CONTINGENT OF TROOPS FROM THE LARGEST NATO NATIONS, AND THAT YUGOSLAVIA WITHDRAW ITS SOLDIERS AND SPECIAL POLICE FROM KOSOVO. MR. JOVANOVIC MET WITH REPORTERS -- AND WITH A NUMBER OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS -- BEFORE ADDRESSING A CIVIC GROUP, THE LOS ANGELES WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL. HE AVOIDED DISCUSSION OF KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES AND CALLED THE CRISIS IN THE PROVINCE A PRODUCT -- IN HIS WORDS -- OF SEPARATISM AND TERRORISM. HE REPEATED WHAT HE CALLED YUGOSLAVIA'S BASIC POSITION. /// JOVANOVIC ACTUALITY ///WE ARE FOR PEACE. WE ARE FOR DIALOGUE. WE ARE FLEXIBLE. WE ARE READY TO ACHIEVE A COMPROMISING SOLUTION. BUT, WE ARE NOT READY TO SURRENDER. WE ARE NOT READY TO GIVE UP THE SOVEREIGNTY OF OUR COUNTRY OR ANY OF ITS PARTS. /// END ACTUALITY ///THE YUGOSLAV DIPLOMAT IS PRESENTING HIS GOVERNMENT'S CASE BEFORE PRIVATE CIVIC GROUPS IN THE CALIFORNIA CITIES LOS ANGELES, VENTURA, AND SAN DIEGO. MR. JOVANOVIC REPEATED HIS GOVERNMENT'S STAND THAT NATO MUST STOP
ITS BOMBING BEFORE A PEACE AGREEMENT IS REACHED. NATO OFFICIALS,
FOR THEIR PART, SAY THERE WILL BE NO HALT IN THE BOMBING UNTIL AN
AGREEMENT IS REACHED AND YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS HAVE STARTED TO
IMPLEMENT ITS PROVISIONS. (SIGNED)
[10] CLINTON / KOSOVO (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250203 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS THE NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THERE IS A VERIFIABLE SERB TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO PROVINCE. HE WAS REACTING TO BELGRADE'S ACCEPTANCE OF A KOSOVO PEACE PLAN THURSDAY. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. TEXT: MR. CLINTON APPEARED ENCOURAGED BY BELGRADE'S ACCEPTANCE OF THE PLAN CALLING FOR, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES FROM KOSOVO AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY FORCE TO OVERSEE THE SAFE RETURN OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES. // CLINTON ACTUALITY //MOVEMENT BY THE SERBIAN LEADERSHIP TO ACCEPT THESE CONDITIONS ESTABLISHED BY NATO AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS OF COURSE WELCOME. // END ACT //THE PRESIDENT SPOKE TO REPORTERS SHORTLY AFTER BEING BRIEFED BY HIS DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE, STROBE TALBOTT, WHO MET IN BONN THURSDAY WITH FINNISH PRESIDENT MARTI AHTISAARI, THE EUROPEAN UNION REPRESENTATIVE IN TALKS WITH THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT. BUT U-S OFFICIALS SAY YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS MADE PROMISES BEFORE THAT HE HAS NOT KEPT. MR. CLINTON SAYS HE IS LOOKING FOR ACTIONS BY THE SERBS TO BACK UP THEIR WORDS. // CLINTON ACTUALITY //BASED ON OUR PAST EXPERIENCE, WE MUST ALSO BE CAUTIOUS. FIRST WE MUST HAVE CLARITY THAT THE SERBIAN LEADERSHIP HAS FULLY ACCEPTED THESE CONDITIONS, AND INTENDS TO FULLY IMPLEMENT THEM. UNTIL THEN, AND UNTIL SERB FORCES BEGIN A VERIFIABLE WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO, WE WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE DIPLOMACY, BUT WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE THE MILITARY EFFORT THAT HAS BROUGHT US TO THIS POINT. // END ACT //MR. CLINTON SPOKE AHEAD OF A MEETING WITH HIS JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF TO REVIEW THE PROGRESS OF THE TWO-AND-HALF MONTH-OLD NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN, AND PLANS TO SET UP A 50-THOUSAND STRONG PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO IF A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION IS REACHED. THE MEETING WAS ALSO TO REVIEW CONTINGENCY PLANS TO DEPLOY GROUND
FORCES TO OUST SERB TROOPS FROM KOSOVO IN THE EVENT DIPLOMACY AND
THE AIR CAMPAIGN TO DO NOT SUCCEED. (SIGNED)
[11] CLINTON / KOSOVO UPDATE (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250199 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS WELCOMED YUGOSLAVIA'S ACCEPTANCE OF NATO CONDITIONS FOR A SUSPENSION IN THE ALLIANCE'S BOMBING RUNS. BUT HE SAYS THERE NEEDS TO BE A VERIFIABLE WITHDRAWAL OF YUGOSLAVIA'S SERB FORCES FROM KOSOVO PROVINCE BEFORE THERE IS A HALT IN THE AIR CAMPAIGN. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. TEXT: IN A BRIEF APPEARANCE BEFORE REPORTERS THURSDAY, MR. CLINTON DELIVERED A CAUTIOUS RESPONSE TO BELGRADE'S ACCEPTANCE OF A KOSOVO PEACE DEAL. // CLINTON ACTUALITY //FIRST WE MUST HAVE CLARITY THAT THE SERBIAN LEADERSHIP HAS FULLY ACCEPTED THESE CONDITIONS, AND INTENDS TO FULLY IMPLEMENT THEM. UNTIL THEN, AND UNTIL SERB FORCES BEGIN A VERIFIABLE WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO, WE WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE DIPLOMACY, BUT WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE THE MILITARY EFFORT THAT HAS BROUGHT US TO THIS POINT. // END ACT //MR. CLINTON SPOKE AS HEADED INTO A MEETING WITH HIS JOINT CHIEFS
OF STAFF TO REVIEW THE PROGRESS OF THE NATO CAMPAIGN AS WELL AS
ALLIANCE PLANS TO SET UP A 50-THOUSAND STRONG PEACEKEEPING FORCE
IN KOSOVO IF A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION IS REACHED. (SIGNED)
[12] KOSOVO / PEACE / DETAILS (L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2- CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS NATO WILL KEEP BOMBING YUGOSLAVIA UNTIL THE ALLIANCE IS SURE THAT SERB TROOPS ARE LEAVING KOSOVO. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, PENTAGON OFFICIALS ARE WORKING ON WAYS TO VERIFY THAT YUGOSLAV FORCES ARE KEEPING THEIR END OF THE BARGAIN. TEXT: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN PAPER PROMISES TO STOP THE NATO AIR ATTACKS. THERE ARE AROUND 40-THOUSAND YUGOSLAV TROOPS, POLICE AND PARAMILITARY FIGHTERS STATIONED IN OR NEAR THE SERB PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. MR. COHEN SAYS BELGRADE MAY BE TALKING ABOUT PEACE, BUT HAS NOT MOVED A SINGLE SOLDIER OUT OF KOSOVO. /// COHEN ACT ///THERE MUST BE A MANIFESTATION BY MILOSEVIC THAT HE INTENDS TO FULLY COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT ITSELF. UNTIL THAT TAKES PLACE, WE INTEND TO CONTINUE THE AIR CAMPAIGN. /// END ACT ///MR. COHEN SAYS HE EXPECTS NATO AND YUGOSLAV MILITARY OFFICIALS TO TALK OVER WAYS TO KEEP NATO'S CONTINUED BOMBING CAMPAIGN FROM HITTING SERB SOLDIERS LEAVING KOSOVO. HE SAYS NATO HAS A "SUBSTANTIAL CAPACITY" TO VERIFY WHAT IS GOING ON INSIDE KOSOVO, AND SO ALLIANCE OFFICIALS WILL KNOW IF YUGOSLAV FORCES HAVE ACTUALLY LEFT THE SERB PROVINCE. THE TEN WEEK LONG NATO AIR CAMPAIGN WAS DESIGNED TO FORCE JUST SUCH A WITHDRAWAL AND ALLOW ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO RETURN SAFELY TO THEIR HOMES, PROTECTED BY AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE WITH NATO AT ITS CORE. MR COHEN SAYS PART OF THE U-S CONTINGENT OF A PROPOSED 50-THOUSAND MEMBER PEACEKEEPING FORCE COULD MOVE INTO KOSOVO IN A MATTER OF DAYS. THE DEFENSE SECRETARY DOWNPLAYED REPORTS THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON AND HIS MILITARY ADVISORS DISCUSSED A POSSIBLE GROUND INVASION OF KOSOVO. BUT HE SAID THAT OPTION HAS NOT BEEN RULED OUT. /// COHEN ///THE PRESIDENT INDICATED TODAY THAT NATO MUST BE SUCCESSFUL, AND WILL BE SUCCESSFUL, WHATEVER IT TAKES. AND SO NO OPTIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN OFF THE TABLE BY THE PRESIDENT. /// END ACT ///THE REPORTED PEACE OVERTURES COME AS THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY IS ENGAGED IN HEAVY FIGHTING WITH SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO NEAR THE ALBANIAN BORDER. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY EXPECT THE K-L-A TO 'DEMILITARIZE' ONCE A VERIFIABLE PEACE AGREEMENT IS IN PLACE AND SERB FORCES LEAVE THE PROVINCE. SECRETARY OF STATE MADELYN ALBRIGHT SAYS U-S DIPLOMATS HAVE BEEN TALKING TO THE K-L-A ABOUT KEEPING A PROMISE MADE WHEN THEY SIGNED A PEACE ACCORD IN FRANCE BEFORE THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN BEGAN. /// ALBRIGHT ACT ///IT IS OUR EXPECTATION THAT THEY WILL DEMILITARIZE ON THE BASIS OF THE RAMBOILLET (CK SPELL) AGREEMENT. BUT THE MAIN QUESTION IS FOR ALL SERB FORCES TO WITHDRAW AND THAT IS WHERE THE FOCUS IS NOW. /// END ACT ///DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN SAYS HE THINKS THE K-L-A WILL GET RID OF THEIR WEAPONS BECAUSE A SOLID AGREEMENT WOULD BRING PEACE, AND EVENTUALLY PROSPERITY TO THE BATTERED PROVINCE. BUT THE K-L-A HAS LOST MANY MEMBERS AND FOUGHT MANY BATTLES SINCE
THE RAMBOULLET AGREEMENT, AND IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF THEY WILL
BE WILLING TO REDUCE THEIR MILITARY FORCES. (SIGNED)
[13] KOSOVO / PEACKEEPERS (L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250191 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IF DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO END THE AIR WAR OVER KOSOVO SUCCEED, THE PENTAGON SAYS AT LEAST PART OF A 50-THOUSAND MEMBER PEACEKEEPING FORCE COULD BE IN KOSOVO IN A MATTER OF DAYS. BUT AS V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS THE U-S MILITARY WANTS TO SEE ACTION, NOT JUST WORDS, FROM YUGOSLAVIA. TEXT: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY TWO THOUSAND MEMBERS OF A MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ABOARD SHIPS IN THE ADRIATIC COULD MOVE INTO KOSOVO SWIFTLY AND BEGIN THE TASK OF ENFORCING THE PEACE AGREEMENT. SIXTEEN THOUSAND NATO TROOPS, THE CORE OF THE KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCE, ARE ALREADY ON DUTY JUST ACROSS THE BORDER IN MACEDONIA AND WOULD HAVE TO TRAVEL ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE TO START THEIR ROLE IN PEACEKEEPING. ONE OF THEIR FIRST OBSTACLES WILL BE CLEARING THE MANY MINES THAT U-S OFFICIALS SAY SERB FORCES HAVE PLANTED ON KEY ROADS AND BRIDGES IN THE SERB PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. NATO IS EXPECTED TO SEND A LARGE CONTINGENT OF ENGINEERS TO CLEAR AWAY THE HIDDEN EXPLOSIVES. NATO MILITARY PLANNERS HAVE BEEN WORKING OUT WHERE TO GET THE ENGINEERS AND OTHER DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED 50-THOUSAND MEMBER PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO, CALLED "K-FOR." THE U-S CONTINGENT IS EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT SEVEN THOUSAND SOLDIERS, ALONG WITH MILITARY EQUIPMENT THAT WILL INCLUDE MORE THAN 150 TANKS AND OTHER ARMORED VEHICLES, ARTILLERY UNITS, AND HELICOPTERS. PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY DETAILS ARE STILL BEING WORKED OUT IN BRUSSELS AND WASHINGTON, BUT THEY EXPECT MOST OF THE AMERICAN FORCES TO COME FROM THE FIRST INFANTRY DIVISION, NOW STATIONED IN GERMANY. NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA SAYS K-FOR SHOULD BE MODELED ON WHAT HE SAYS IS THE SUCCESSFUL PEACEKEEPING EFFORT THAT STOPPED THE FIGHTING IN BOSNIA. THE BOSNIA PEACKEEPERS, NOW CALLED THE STABILIZATION FORCE OR S-FOR, INCLUDES SOLDIERS FROM NATO COUNTRIES AND OTHER EUROPEAN NATIONS AS WELL AS RUSSIA AND UKRAINE. THE RUSSIAN TROOPS ARE TECHNICALLY NOT UNDER NATO COMMAND, BUT THEIR TOP OFFICERS REPORT TO A THE U-S GENERAL WHO COMMANDS NATO. NATO OFFICIALS APPARENTLY HOPE TO CRAFT A SIMILAR ARRANGEMENT FOR
THIS NEW PEACEKEEPING FORCE. (SIGNED)
[14] KOSOVO / PEACKEEPERS (L-UPDATE) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250202 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// EDS: UPDATES CR 2-250191; NEW LEAD W/ WALD AND BACON ACTS ///INTRO: IF DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO END THE AIR WAR OVER KOSOVO SUCCEED, PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY AT LEAST PART OF A 50-THOUSAND MEMBER PEACE-KEEPING FORCE COULD BE IN KOSOVO IN A MATTER OF DAYS. BUT MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY NATO AIR RAIDS WILL CONTINUE -- UNTIL DETAILS OF A PEACE AGREEMENT ARE WORKED OUT, AND SERB FORCES START LEAVING THE PROVINCE. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS. TEXT: U-S AIR FORCE GENERAL CHUCK WALD SAYS HUNDREDS OF NATO PLANES ARE POUNDING SERB TARGETS ACROSS YUGOSLAVIA (TODAY/THURSDAY). /// WALD ACT ///THEY ARE ATTACKING TARGETS IN KOSOVO, THEY HAVE HIT 19 ARTILLERY OR MORTAR SITES, TODAY. THEY HAVE HIT SOME A-P-C'S [ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS]. THEY ARE ATTACKING TARGETS THROUGHOUT THE "FRY" [FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA] AND KOSOVO. UNTIL THERE IS AN AGREEMENT AND THE MILITARY IS TOLD TO STOP BOMBING, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE MILITARY WILL DO. /// END ACT ///NATO OFFICIALS SAY 31-THOUSAND FLIGHTS OVER 10 WEEKS OF BOMBING HAVE KILLED OR INJURED PERHAPS 10-THOUSAND PEOPLE IN YUGOSLAVIA. THE U-S MILITARY SAYS THE ATTACKS HAVE ALSO DESTROYED MORE THAN 100 SERB AIRCRAFT, HUNDREDS OF PIECES OF ARTILLERY, 120 TANKS AND FOUR DOZEN BRIDGES. THE ATTACKS ARE DESIGNED TO FORCE YUGOSLAVIA TO MOVE SERB FORCES OUT OF KOSOVO AND ALLOW AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE -- WITH NATO AT ITS CORE -- TO PROTECT REFUGEES RETURING TO THEIR HOMES IN KOSOVO. PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS NATO IS ASSEMBLING THE INTERNATIONAL FORCE, BUT HAS NOT YET SEEN SERB ARMY, POLICE AND PARAMILITARY FORCES BEGIN TO LEAVE THE SERB PROVINCE. /// BACON ACT ///WE HAVE TO SEE PERFORMANCE, NOT PROMISES. AS FAR AS I KNOW, NOT ONE SERB SOLDIER HAS YET TO LEAVE KOSOVO. THERE WILL BE MANY DETAILS TO BE WORKED OUT IN THE NEXT DAYS. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO TRANSLATE WHAT WE READ ON THE [NEWS]WIRES INTO A WORKABLE AGREEMENT, OR IF THAT CAN BE DONE. ALL OF THAT WILL DEPEND ON THE WILLINGNESS OF THE SERB AUTHORITIES TO LIVE UP TO WHAT'S BEEN REPORTED. /// END ACT ///MR. BACON SAYS ONE KEY DETAIL TO BE WORKED OUT IS HOW TO KEEP NATO FROM BOMBING SERB TROOPS WHO ARE TRYING TO LEAVE THE PROVINCE. MEANTIME, PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY TWO-THOUSAND MEMBERS OF A MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ABOARD SHIPS IN THE ADRIATIC COULD MOVE INTO KOSOVO SWIFTLY AND BEGIN THE TASK OF ENFORCING THE PEACE AGREEMENT. SIXTEEN-THOUSAND NATO TROOPS, THE CORE OF THE KOSOVO PEACE-KEEPING FORCE, ARE ALREADY ON DUTY JUST ACROSS THE BORDER IN MACEDONIA, AND WOULD HAVE TO TRAVEL ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE TO START THEIR ROLE IN PEACE-KEEPING. /// REST OPT ///ONE OF THEIR FIRST TASKS WILL BE CLEARING THE MANY MINES THAT U-S OFFICIALS SAY SERB FORCES HAVE PLANTED ON KEY ROADS AND BRIDGES IN KOSOVO. NATO IS EXPECTED TO SEND A LARGE CONTINGENT OF ENGINEERS TO CLEAR AWAY THE HIDDEN EXPLOSIVES. NATO MILITARY PLANNERS HAVE BEEN WORKING OUT WHERE TO GET THE ENGINEERS AND OTHER DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED 50-THOUSAND MEMBER PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO, CALLED "K-FOR." THE U-S CONTINGENT IS EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT SEVEN-THOUSAND SOLDIERS, ALONG WITH MILITARY EQUIPMENT THAT WILL INCLUDE MORE THAN 150 TANKS AND OTHER ARMORED VEHICLES, ALONG WITH ARTILLERY UNITS AND HELICOPTERS. PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY DETAILS ARE STILL BEING WORKED OUT IN BRUSSELS AND WASHINGTON, BUT THEY EXPECT MOST OF THE AMERICAN FORCES TO COME FROM THE FIRST INFANTRY DIVISION, NOW STATIONED IN GERMANY. NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA SAYS "K-FOR" SHOULD BE MODELED ON WHAT HE SAYS IS THE SUCCESSFUL PEACE-KEEPING EFFORT THAT STOPPED THE FIGHTING IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE BOSNIA PEACEKEEPERS, NOW CALLED THE STABILIZATION FORCE, OR "S-FOR," INCLUDES SOLDIERS FROM NATO COUNTRIES AND OTHER EUROPEAN NATIONS AS WELL AS RUSSIA AND UKRAINE. RUSSIAN TROOPS ARE TECHNICALLY NOT UNDER NATO COMMAND, BUT THEIR TOP OFFICERS REPORT TO A THE U-S GENERAL WHO COMMANDS NATO. NATO OFFICIALS APPARENTLY HOPE TO CRAFT A SIMILAR ARRANGEMENT FOR
THIS NEW PEACE-KEEPING FORCE (CALLED "K-FOR"). (SIGNED)
[15] U-S / KOSOVO (S) CQ BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250184 CONTENT= VOICED AT: ///// CHANGES TO SERBIAN IN TEXT GRAF 1 OF CR2-250179. /////INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS ARE REACTING CAUTIOUSLY TO YUGOSLAVIA'S REPORTED ACCEPTANCE OF A PEACE PLAN FOR KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. TEXT: ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ARE MONITORING REPORTS OUT OF BELGRADE ABOUT THE SERBIAN PARLIAMENT'S APPROVAL OF THE KOSOVO PEACE PLAN. BUT THEY ARE WITHHOLDING COMMENT UNTIL THEY ARE BRIEFED ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS FROM FINLAND'S PRESIDENT MARTII AHTISAARI, WHO IS REPRESENTING THE EUROPEAN UNION IN TALKS WITH THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT. MR. AHTISAARI IS TO MEET WITH DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT LATER (THURSDAY) IN BONN. WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAYS NATO'S CONDITIONS ARE CLEAR FOR WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO BRING THE CONFLICT TO AN END. IN THE MEANTIME, NATO IS PLANNING TO DEPLOY A 50-THOUSAND-MEMBER PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO IF A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION IS REACHED. PRESIDENT CLINTON IS TO DISCUSS SUCH PLANS WITH HIS JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF LATER, AND WILL ALSO REVIEW CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR THE USE OF GROUND TROOPS TO OUST SERB FORCES SHOULD DIPLOMACY FAIL. BEFORE THAT MEETING, THE PRESIDENT WILL ADDRESS THE KOSOVO
SITUATION IN AN APPEARANCE IN THE WHITE HOUSE ROSE GARDEN.
(SIGNED)
[16] E-U / KOSOVO (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (COLOGNE)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250167 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: LEADERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION -- MEETING IN GERMANY -- ARE WAITING FOR A REPORT BY THEIR DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATIVE, FINNISH PRESIDENT MARTTI AHTISAARI, WHO IS DISCUSSING THE KOSOVO SITUATION WITH YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS IN BELGRADE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM COLOGNE. TEXT: HOPEFUL BUT NOT EUPHORIC IS THE MOOD OF THE EUROPEAN LEADERS AS THEY WAIT FOR THE FINNISH PRESIDENT'S REPORT. THE FEELING AMONG THE EUROPEAN LEADERS IS THAT AFTER 10 WEEKS, THERE IS FINALLY HOPE FOR A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO. THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT MET WITH THE LEADERS AT THEIR OPENING SESSION. JOSE MARIA GIL-ROBLES TELLS REPORTERS THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, THE ACTION OF SERBIA'S PARLIAMENT IN ACCEPTING A PEACE PLAN IS THE MOST HOPEFUL SIGN. /// GIL-ROBLES ACT ONE / WITH INTERPRETER ///NOW THAT SUGGESTS THAT SOME KIND OF DECISION WILL HAVE TO BE TAKEN AND THAT MIGHT SUGGEST A SACRIFICE FOR YUGOSLAVIA, AN UNPOPULAR DECISION, THAT WOULD BE BETTER FOR IT TO BE TAKEN BY PARLIAMENT RATHER THAN BY MR. MILOSEVIC. IT LOOKS LIKE MR. MILOSEVIC IS PREPARING TO ACCEPT CONDITIONS WHICH HE MIGHT NOT LIKE AND HIS FELLOW CITIZENS MIGHT NOT LIKE EITHER. /// END ACT ///THE IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION LEADERS IS THE RETURN OF THE ALBANIAN REFUGEES TO KOSOVO. FOR THAT REASON, NATO LEADERS AND NON-NATO LEADERS ALL SUPPORT A PEACEKEEPING FORCE WITH A NATO COMMAND STRUCTURE TO ASSURE THE REFUGEES OF A SAFE RETURN. THE E-U LEADERS ARE READY TO AGREE HERE IN COLOGNE ON A COMMON FOREIGN AND DEFENSE POLICY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION. THEY ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO CONFIRM NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA AS THEIR REPRESENTATIVE FOR THIS COMMON POLICY. HIS TERM AS NATO'S LEADER EXPIRES AT THE END OF THE YEAR. SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, MR. GIL ROBLES SAYS KOSOVO PROVES EUROPE HAS A LONG WAY TO GO TO MATCH NATO'S CAPABILITY. /// GIL ROBLES ACT TWO / WITH INTERPRETER ///I THINK WHAT THESE TWO MONTHS OF WAR HAVE SHOWN IS WHAT WAS SHOWN IN THE GULF WAR, I.E. THAT EUROPE DOES NOT HAVE ITS OWN AUTONOMOUS MILITARY CAPABILITY. IT DOESN'T HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF GETTING INFORMATION WHICH IS ESSENTIAL FOR AIR OPERATIONS. IT DOESN'T HAVE SUFFICIENT AIR CAPABILITY TO BE INVOLVED APPROPRIATELY. WE DON'T HAVE APACHE HELICOPTERS OR SIMILAR EQUIPMENT. /// END ACT ///BRITAIN AND FRANCE SAY THEY DO NOT PLAN TO REPLACE NATO BUT
HOPE TO GIVE EUROPE THE INDEPENDENT CAPABILITY FOR PEACEKEEPING
OR CONFLICT PREVENTION WHEN NATO AND THE UNITED STATES ARE NOT
INTERESTED IN TAKEN PART. (SIGNED)
[17] EU SUMMIT-KOSOVO (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (COLOGNE)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250205 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE LEADERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION MEETING IN COLOGNE, GERMANY HAVE ENDORSED THE KOSOVO PEACE DEAL BROUGHT BACK TO THEM BY THEIR ENVOY, FINNISH PRESIDENT MARTTI AHTISAARI. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM COLOGNE, PRESIDENT AHTISAARI IS CAUTIOUS ABOUT THE PEACE PLAN. TEXT: IF ANYONE KNOWS ABOUT FIRST STEPS, IT IS FINNISH PRESIDENT MARTTI AHTISAARI. HE HAS LEARNED TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT PEACE PROCESSES FROM HIS EXPERIENCE AS THE UNITED NATIONS' NAMIBIA NEGOTIATOR. ///AHTISAARI ACT///THE ENGLISH HAVE A VERY GOOD SAYING THAT THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING IS IN EATING IT AND THE SAME GOES FOR PEACE PROCESSES. I'M A PERSON WHO WAS ENGAGED IN NEGOTIATIONS DEALING WITH NAMIBIA FROM THE YEAR SUMMER, 1978 TO THE FIRST OF APRIL, 1989 SO I HAVE SCARS ALL OVER MY BODY BECAUSE THERE WERE MOMENTS WHEN I BELIEVED WE HAD FINALLY FOUND COMMON GROUND AND IT TOOK ALL THESE YEARS BEFORE WE FINALLY HAD IT AND WE COULD START THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREED PLAN THAT HAD BEEN READY ALL ALONG. SO BEAR WITH ME IF I AM NOT JUMPING HERE WITH ENTHUSIASM BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF HARD WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. ///END ACT///THE FINNISH PRESIDENT REPORTED TO HIS FELLOW EUROPEAN LEADERS ABOUT YUGOSLAVIA'S ACCEPTANCE OF THE PEACE PLAN NEGOTIATED AMONG RUSSIA, THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER WAS LESS RESTRAINED IN HIS ENTHUSIASM. ///SCHROEDER ACT///THIS IS A POLITICAL BREAKTHROUGH, PEACE IS NOW WITHIN REACH AND WE WILL ENSURE POLITICALLY THAT IT DOES NOT SLIP OUT OF OUR GRASP. ///END ACT///IN A JOINT STATEMENT, THE EUROPEAN UNION LEADERS SAY THE FIRST STAGE IS TO PROCEED WITH A VERIFIABLE WITHDRAWAL OF YUGOSLAV FORCES FROM KOSOVO. THE LEADERS SAY THIS WOULD ALLOW NATO OPERATIONS TO BE SUSPENDED AND CALL FOR THIS PROCESS TO START IMMEDIATELY. FOR HIS PART, PRESIDENT AHTISAARI CANNOT SPEAK FOR NATO BUT HE PREDICTS THE BOMBING WILL END SHORTLY. ///AHTISSARI ACT///IT WOULD BE IN DAYS, A VERY FEW DAYS IF I UNDERSTAND IT, THE SUSPENSION OF THE WAR ACTIVITIES, IN OTHER WORDS THE PAUSE IN THE BOMBING WOULD TAKE PLACE. SO YOU CAN CALCULATE YOURSELF, I'M IN NO POSITION TO SAY WHETHER IT IS ONE DAY OR TWO DAYS OR THREE DAYS BUT IT IS A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. ONE WANTS TO BE ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT WHAT HAPPENS IS WHAT HAS BEEN AGREED UPON BUT NOT THE WHOLE PROCESS. ///END ACT///MR. AHTISAARI CANNOT SAY FOR EXAMPLE IF THE SINGLE COMMAND
STRUCTURE MENTIONED IN THE AGREEMENT WILL BE A SINGLE NATO
COMMAND STRUCTURE. AS A VETERAN OF BOSNIA, THE FINNISH PRESIDENT
EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE THE KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCE WILL BE
SIMILAR TO THE NATO LED FORCE THAT KEEPS THE PEACE NOW IN BOSNIA.
(SIGNED)
[18] POPE / ANNAN / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY SABINA CASTELFRANCO (ROME)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250176 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: POPE JOHN PAUL THE SECOND DISCUSSED THE KOSOVO CRISIS THURSDAY WITH U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN. SABINA CASTELFRANCO IN ROME REPORTS THE UNITED NATIONS CHIEF CAME TO THE VATICAN TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE CONFLICT FOLLOWING AN INVITATION FROM THE POPE. TEXT: THE MEETING WAS THE LATEST EFFORT BY POPE JOHN PAUL TO HELP BRING PEACE TO THE BALKANS. AS SOON AS HE ARRIVED AT THE VATICAN, THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL WAS RECEIVED IN THE POPE'S PRIVATE APARTMENTS. DURING THEIR TALKS, WHICH LASTED NEARLY TWO HOURS, THE POPE AND MR. ANNAN EXAMINED THE SITUATION IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. THEY DISCUSSED THE HUMITARIAN PROBLEMS FACING THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO. THE POPE TOLD MR ANNAN THAT THE UNITED NATIONS SHOULD OVERSEE THE END OF HOSTILITIES AND THE RETURN OF REFUGEES TO THEIR HOMES WITH THE AID OF AN INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE ACCEPTED BY ALL SIDES. THE POPE HAD SENT A PERSONAL LETTER TO MR. ANNAN IN APRIL, INVITING HIM TO THE VATICAN TO DISCUSS THE CRISIS AND PROPOSED SOLUTIONS TO RETURN PEACE TO THE AREA. IN HIS LETTER, THE POPE HAD WRITTEN THAT "IT IS PARTICULARLY URGENT THAT LAWS AND INSTITUTIONS MAKE THEMSELVES HEARD OVER THE ROAR OF WEAPONS." THE POPE HAS MADE MANY CALLS FOR PEACE SINCE NATO BEGAN ITS AIR
RAIDS ON YUGOSLAVIA IN LATE MARCH. HE HAS REPEATEDLY URGED FOR
AN END TO THE VIOLENCE AND THE START OF A WHAT HE CALLS A JUST
AND GLOBAL DIALOGUE. (SIGNED)
[19] KOSOVO / SEX CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY AMY BICKERS (TIRANA)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250174 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A NEW REPORT INDICATES THAT WAR-RELATED RAPE IN KOSOVO HAS BEEN MORE WIDESPREAD THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT. AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM TIRANA THAT INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED WITH RAPE VICTIMS NOW REFUGEES IN ALBANIA -- SUGGEST THAT THE ATTACKS ON WOMEN HAVE INCREASED IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, AND THAT ABDUCTIONS OF GROUPS OF WOMEN ARE BECOMING MORE PREVALENT. TEXT: A UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND REPORT RELEASED THURSDAY SUGGESTS THAT RAPE HAS BEEN WIDELY USED BY SERB SOLDIERS AS A WEAPON OF WAR AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. THE REPORT, WRITTEN BY A PSYCHOLOGIST WHO HAS INTERVIEWED DOZENS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN RAPE VICTIMS, NOW IN REFUGEE CAMPS, INDICATES THAT THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT UPSURGE IN SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. GJAKOVA ('JACK-OH-VA), PEC (PETCH) AND DRENITZA ARE OFTEN CITED AS TOWNS WHERE KIDNAPPING AND COLLECTIVE RAPES ARE TAKING PLACE. THE WOMEN, WHO SAY THERE WERE FREED ANYWHERE FROM A FEW HOURS TO SEVERAL DAYS AFTER BEING ATTACKED, SHOW EVIDENCE OF BRUTALITY: LACERATIONS AND BRUISES ON THEIR ARMS, LEGS AND BACKS. KERSTIN TRONE, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND, SAYS THAT THE KOSOVAR WOMEN BELIEVE THE SERB FORCES ARE USING RAPE AS A TOOL OF WAR. /// TRONE ACT ///SOME OF THE SOLDIERS THAT WERE MENTIONED ARE RELEASED PRISONERS THAT HAD DONE INDIVIDUAL RAPES. BUT THE WOMEN FELT THAT EVEN IN THE CASES WHERE THERE WERE INDIVIDUAL RAPES THEY WERE SAYING THAT THERE HAD BEEN COMMANDING OFFICERS SOMEWHERE THAT KIND OF CONDONED IT. /// END ACT ///WHILE THERE IS NO CONCRETE EVIDENCE THAT SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO IS SYSTEMATIC, MS. TRONE SAYS THAT IT APPEARS THAT SERBIAN TROOPS BELIEVE THAT NATO'S AIR ATTACKS HAVE GIVEN THEM THE PSYCHOLOGICAL LICENSE TO RAPE ETHNIC ALBANIAN WOMEN. /// TRONE ACT ///THIS IS A WAY OF HUMILIATING NOT JUST A WOMAN BUT HER HUSBAND OR BROTHER OR FATHER, EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT PRESENT AT THAT PLACE. KNOWING THE HORRIBLE IMPACT IN THE FAMILY OF RAPE, THEY CAN USE RAPE TO GET AT THE FAMILIES AND THE MEN THEY ARE TRYING TO GET AT THROUGH THE WAR EFFORT. /// END ACT ///THE REPORT WARNS THAT ETHNIC ALBANIAN WOMEN STILL IN KOSOVO FACE
A HEIGHTENED RISK OF RAPE. IT ALSO UNDERSCORES THE NEED FOR
COUNSELING AND SPECIALIZED MEDICAL CARE FOR RAPE VICTIMS AND
THEIR FAMILIES ONCE THEY ARRIVE AS REFUGEES IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
(SIGNED)
[20] TURKEY / HUMAN RIGHTS (L) BY SCOTT BOBB (ANKARA)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250182 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IN TURKEY, LEADING HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST AKIN BIRDAL (AH-KEEN BEER-DAHL) HAS GONE TO PRISON FOR SPEECHES IN WHICH HE MENTIONED THE KURDISH REBELLION IN SOUTHEAST TURKEY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB IN ANKARA REPORTS MR. BIRDAL HAD APPEALED FOR A DELAY OF THE SENTENCE BUT THAT REQUEST WAS TURNED DOWN AT THE LAST MINUTE. TEXT: THE PRESIDENT OF TURKEY'S HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION, AKIN BIRDAL, THURSDAY BEGAN SERVING A TWO-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR URGING A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE 14-YEAR KURDISH REBELLION. BEFORE SURRENDERING, MR. BIRDAL TOLD V-O-A THERE ARE MORE THAN 150 ARTICLES IN TURKISH LAW WHICH RESTRICT FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND HE JOINS 148 OTHERS, WRITERS AND INTELLECTUALS, CURRENTLY IN PRISON FOR THEIR REMARKS. /// BIRDAL ACT - IN TURKISH - FADE UNDER ///MR. BIRDAL SAID HE IS SAD BECAUSE ON THE EVE OF A NEW CENTURY, HIS COUNTRY IS STILL IMPRISONING PEOPLE BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY SAY. THE HUMAN RIGHTS LEADER THEN ADDRESSED A RALLY OF SEVERAL HUNDRED SUPPORTERS IN DOWNTOWN ANKARA. /// SOUND OF RALLY - CHANTING AND CLAPPING - FADE UNDER ///MR. BIRDAL CALLED IT A DARK DAY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN TURKEY, BUT SAID PERHAPS HE WILL BE FREER INSIDE PRISON THAN OUTSIDE. DOZENS OF SECURITY OFFICIALS WERE ALSO AT THE RALLY BUT DID NOT INTERFERE. AFTER THE RALLY, MR. BIRDAL REPORTED TO PRISON OFFICIALS. AUTHORITIES AT THE LAST MINUTE REJECTED AN APPEAL TO POSTPONE MR. BIRDAL'S SENTENCE ON MEDICAL GROUNDS. MR. BIRDAL WAS NEARLY KILLED ONE YEAR AGO IN AN ATTACK BY NATIONALIST GUNMEN. NINE MEN HAVE SINCE BEEN ARRESTED. HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS SAY TWO OF THEM BELONG TO TURKISH SECURITY FORCES AND THE OTHERS TO A NATIONALIST PARAMILITARY GROUP CALLED THE GREY WOLVES. MR. BIRDAL IS STILL PARALYZED IN HIS RIGHT HAND AND REQUIRES PHYSICAL THERAPY. THE PROSECUTOR SAID, HOWEVER, THE MEDICAL GROUNDS WERE INSUFFICIENT. MR. BIRDAL FACES ADDITIONAL TIME IN PRISON IF CONVICTED ON A SCORE OF SIMILIAR CHARGES WHICH ARE STILL PENDING IN COURT. HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD HAVE CALLED ON THE
TURKISH GOVERNMENT TO FREE INDIVIDUALS IMPRISONED FOR THEIR
REMARKS AND TO REPEAL THE ARTICLES RESTRICTING FREEDOM OF
EXPRESSION. (SIGNED)
[21] OCALAN TRIAL (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (BURSA, TURKEY)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250187 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN -- ON TRIAL FOR TREASON -- HAS RENEWED HIS OFFER FOR HIS REBELS TO LAY DOWN THEIR ARMS. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM BURSA, THE PROVINCE CLOSEST TO THE PRISON ISLAND WHERE THE REBEL LEADER IS BEING HELD AND TRIED, MR. OCALAN SAID HE WOULD -- IN HIS WORDS -- DO HIS BEST TO SEE THAT NO TURKISH SOLDIERS LOST THEIR LIVES ANYMORE. TEXT: ON THE FOURTH DAY OF HIS TREASON TRIAL, MR OCALAN REJECTED WIDESPREAD REPORTS THAT HIS CALL FOR PEACE WAS MOTIVATED BY EFFORTS TO SAVE HIS OWN LIFE RATHER THAN OUT OF CONCERN TO PROMOTE PEACE BETWEEN TURKS AND KURDS. MR. OCALAN -- WHO WAS CAPTURED IN FEBRUARY BY TURKISH AGENTS IN KENYA -- IS FACING THE DEATH PENALTY FOR LEADING THE 15 YEAR ARMED CAMPAIGN BY THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY (P-K-K) FOR KURDISH SELF RULE IN SOUTHEAST TURKEY. STANDING IN A BULLET GLASS CUBICLE FLANKED BY ARMED SOLDIERS, MR. OCALAN SAID HE IS SINCERE AND THAT HE IS IN A POSITION TO BRING HIS GUERRILLAS DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS. BUT HE SAID THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT ALSO MUST EXTEND A HELPING HAND TO THE KURDS. MR OCALAN THANKED THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT NUMEROUS TIMES FOR TREATING HIM WELL AND SAID THAT HE FEELS VERY BAD ABOUT MANY OF THE ACTIONS OF HIS REBELS. THE P-K-K LEADER SAID THEY HAD ON OCCASION TORTURED AND KILLED THEIR FELLOW REBELS. THURSDAY'S SESSION TOOK PLACE WITHOUT MR. OCALAN'S DEFENSE LAWYERS. THE LAWYERS ANNOUNCED THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND BECAUSE THEY HAD BEEN CHASED OUT OF BURSA BY ULTRA-NATIONALIST VIGILANTES WHO WERE THREATENING THEIR LIVES. THE LAWYERS SAID THE OWNER OF THE HOTEL WHERE THEY WERE STAYING HAD RECEIVED SIMILAR THREATS AND HAD ASKED THEM TO LEAVE. BURSA GOVERNOR ORHAN TASANLAR SAID THE LAWYERS COULD STAY IN A STATE GUEST HOUSE. SO THEY ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND FRIDAY'S HEARING. MEANWHILE THE P-K-K IN A STATEMENT ISSUED FROM BRUSSELS WARNED THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT AGAINST UNDERESTIMATING ITS STRENGTH AND RESOLVE TO CARRY ON ITS STRUGGLE. THE REBELS ACCUSED WHAT THEY TERMED THE CHAUVINISTIC TURKISH PRESS OF BELITTLING THEIR LEADER. BUT IN PRIVATE, SOURCES CLOSE TO THE REBELS SAY, THEY ARE
BITTERLY DISAPPOINTED IN MR. OCALAN FOR WHAT THEY TERM HIS
SURRENDER BEFORE THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT AND ARE NO LONGER
PREPARED TO HEED HIM. (SIGNED)
[22] EURO/EUROPEAN LABOR BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-43571 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A PROMINENT AMERICAN ECONOMIST SAYS THE UNIFIED EUROPEAN CURRENCY, THE EURO, WILL HAVE A PROFOUND EFFECT ON LABOR MARKETS. V-O-A BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: ROBERT MCGUCKIN SAYS ALTHOUGH LABOR COSTS IN EUROPE ARE MUCH HIGHER THAN IN JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES, EUROPEAN WORKERS RECEIVE LOWER NET PAY. ///MCGUCKIN ACT///THIS SITUATION MAKES FOR A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD FOR LABOR PARTICIPATION. NOT ONLY DO THE HIGH COSTS DISCOURAGE COMPANIES FROM HIRING PEOPLE, THE LOW NET PAY CAUSES MANY POTENTIAL LABORERS NOT TO WANT TO WORK. THEY DO NOT WANT TO GET INTO THE JOB MARKET. ///END ACT///MR. MCGUCKIN IS DIRECTOR OF ECONOMICS AT THE CONFERENCE BOARD BUSINESS RESEARCH GROUP. SPEAKING TO INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISTS IN NEW YORK, HE SAYS THAT, ON AVERAGE, EUROPEAN COMPANIES PAY ABOUT 10 PERCENT MORE FOR LABOR, WHILE EUROPEAN WORKERS TAKE HOME ABOUT 25 PERCENT LESS THAN THOSE IN JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES. THE REASON FOR THE DIFFERENCE, MR. MCGUCKIN OBSERVES, IS THE EXTENSIVE SOCIAL WELFARE SYSTEM -- OR NATIONAL INSURANCE POLICIES TO WHICH EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS HAVE BEEN COMMITTED. ///MCGUCKIN ACT///WE CALL IT AN INSURANCE POLICY BECAUSE IT HAS TO DO WITH PAYMENTS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT -- THE FUTURE LOSS OF A JOB, RETIREMENT THE FUTURE LOSS OF WORK OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE YOU ARE OLD, DISABILITY -- IF YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT YOU GET PAYMENTS. ALL I AM SAYING IS THAT IT IS A LARGE INSURANCE POLICY RELATIVE TO THE REST OF THE WORLD. ///END ACT///MR. MCGUCKIN SAYS THAT, BECAUSE WAGE AND BENEFIT POLICIES IN EUROPE ARE SPECIFIC TO EACH COUNTRY, THE EURO WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR INDIVIDUAL EUROPEAN NATIONS TO MAKE LOCAL ADJUSTMENTS. ///MCGUCKIN ACT///THE CURRENCY HAS LOTS OF ADVANTAGES. YOU HAVE TRANSPARENCY, LOWER EXCHANGE RATES, YOU CAN TRADE BETWEEN GERMANY AND FRANCE AS EASILY AS BETWEEN CALIFORNIA AND NEW YORK, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS AND SO FORTH. NOW, WHEN THINGS START TO DETERIORATE IN ONE COUNTRY RELATIVE TO ANOTHER, WHAT WILL HAPPEN? THE ANALOGY WE DRAW IS TO THE UNITED STATES. STATES WITH ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OFTEN GIVE TAX SUBSIDES, RELAX REGULATIONS AND MODERATE WAGES TO MAKE THEM MORE ATTRACTIVE TO COMPANIES. WE BELIEVE IT IS THIS COMPETITION AMONG STATES MODEL THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN EUROPE. ///END ACT///ECONOMIST ROBERT MCGUCKIN SAYS THE EURO CURRENCY WILL TEND TO REDUCE WAGE AND BENEFIT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EUROPEAN NATIONS AND BETWEEN EUROPE AND THE REST OF THE INDUSTRIALIZED WORLD. ///MCGUCKIN ACT///MY PREDICTION IS THAT WAGES WILL MODERATE. OVERALL, THERE WILL BE PRICE DISCIPLINE. WAGE DIFFERENTIALS WILL HAVE TO NARROW AS BUSINESSES START TO MOVE TO DIFFERENT AREAS, ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE MADE. PRODUCTIVITY WILL TEND TO CONVERGE BUT IT WILL NOT GO TO PERFECT CONVERGENCE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE UNITED STATES, YOU WILL SEE DISPARITIES IN PRODUCTIVITY, BUT IT IS MUCH LESS THAN IN EUROPE. ///END ACT///MR. MCGUCKIN SAYS IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME BUT HE FIRMLY BELIEVES
THE EURO WILL HELP EUROPEAN NATIONS RESPOND MORE QUICKLY TO
ECONOMIC CHANGES AND INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND PER CAPITA
INCOMES.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/JO
[23] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=6/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250204 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED TODAY (THURSDAY) REFLECTING SOME EASING OF CONCERNS ON WALL STREET ABOUT INFLATION. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10 THOUSAND 663, UP 85 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 12 HUNDRED 99, UP FOUR POINTS. BUT THE NASDAQ INDEX LOST ONE PERCENT. THERE WAS SOME OPTIMISM ABOUT INFLATION AFTER THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED U-S FACTORY ORDERS FELL IN APRIL. SOME ARGUED THE DROP IN FACTORY ORDERS MAY MAKE IT A LITTLE LESS LIKELY THAT THE U-S CENTRAL BANK WILL RAISE INTEREST RATES LATER THIS MONTH. ///BEGIN OPT//////MAGUIRE ACT///IT REALLY IS A MIXED BAG HERE. IT IS A MARKET THAT IS LOOKING FOR A REASON TO REACT AND THAT REASON WILL CERTAINLY BE THE EMPLOYMENT NUMBERS TOMORROW. ///END ACT & OPT///MAJOR U-S RETAILERS SAY SALES CONTINUED TO RISE IN MAY WITH MANY STORES SURPASSING ESTIMATES. THE BIGGEST GAINS WERE IN CLOTHING AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES. ///REST OPT///THE LOCKHEED MARTIN AEROSPACE COMPANY WILL CUT TWO THOUSAND JOBS AT A PLANT THAT PRODUCES CARGO AIRCRAFT FOR THE U-S MILITARY BECAUSE OF A CUTBACK IN ORDERS. TEXACO HAS BROKEN OFF MERGER TALKS WITH CHEVRON. THE TWO OIL COMPANIES WERE UNABLE TO AGREE ON TERMS OF A DEAL. ROCHE, THE SWISS-BASED PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY, SAYS IT WILL PAY FOUR POINT TWO BILLION DOLLARS TO BUY THE REMAINING ONE-THIRD OF GENENTECH COMPANY WHICH ROCHE DOES NOT ALREADY OWN. GENENTECH, BASED IN CALIFORNIA, IS A LEADING BIOTECHNOLOGY COMPANY. THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE SAYS IT WILL NOT EXTEND ITS TRADING HOURS UNTIL AT LEAST THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR. LAST WEEK, OFFICIALS OF THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET SAID THEY WILL EXTEND THEIR HOURS WITHIN THREE MONTHS. BUT NEW YORK EXCHANGE CHAIRMAN RICHARD GRASSO SAYS HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO YEAR 2000 COMPUTER PROBLEMS BEFORE TRADING HOURS ARE EXTENDED. SOME AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBES HAVE FILED A LAWSUIT WHICH COULD DELAY PAYMENTS TO STATE GOVERNMENTS OF THE 206 BILLION DOLLAR TOBACCO INDUSTRY SETTLEMENT. THE TRIBES SAY THEY WERE UNFAIRLY EXCLUDED FROM RECEIVING ANY OF THE MONEY DESPITE THE FACT THAT NATIVE AMERICANS HAVE A HIGHER SMOKING RATE THAN THE REST OF THE U-S POPULATION. A FEDERAL COMMISSION IS CALLING FOR A HALT TO EXPANSION OF
LEGALIZED GAMBLING IN THE UNITED STATES. IN A DRAFT REPORT, THE
GAMBLING IMPACT STUDY COMMISSION EXPRESSES ALARM ABOUT THE GROWTH
IN LEGAL WAGERING, SOME FORM OF WHICH IS NOW PERMITTED IN ALL BUT
THREE (HAWAII, TENNESSEE AND UTAH) STATES. THE COMMISSION ALSO
RECOMMENDS BANNING AMERICANS FROM GAMBLING ON THE INTERNET,
ALTHOUGH IT CONCEDES THAT WOULD BE DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE,
TO DO.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/WFR
[24] NATO AND KOSOVO BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)DATE=06/3/99TYPE=U-S OPINION ROUNDUP NUMBER=6-11321 TELEPHONE=619-2702 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= /// ED'S: MATERIAL DATED AFTER 10 P-M EASTERN TIME ///INTRO: THE POSSIBILITY THAT YUGOSLAVIA MAY BE READY TO ACCEPT A PLAN FOR ENDING NATO'S WAR OVER KOSOVO IS THE SUBJECT OF EDITORIALS THURSDAY IN SOME OF AMERICA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL NEWSPAPERS. HERE WITH EXCERPTS IS ____________ AND TODAY'S OPINION ROUNDUP. TEXT: REPORTS FROM BELGRADE SUGGESTING THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED THE OUTLINES OF A KOSOVO PEACE PLAN CAME ON THE SAME DAY THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON WAS MEETING WITH HIS TOP MILITARY ADVISORS FOR DISCUSSIONS INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF A NATO INVASION. THE NEW YORK TIMES WRITES IF THIS PEACE AGREEMENT IS A NON-STARTER, NATO WOULD BE WELL SERVED TO THINK ABOUT GETTING COMBAT TROOPS TO THE BALKANS QUICKLY. VOICE: HIS MEETING TODAY WITH THE NATION'S TOP MILITARY COMMANDERS SHOULD GIVE MR. CLINTON A CHANCE TO REVIEW THE RISKS INVOLVED IN AN INVASION. THEY ARE CONSIDERABLE AND CONGRESS AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE WARY OF AN INVASION. IF MR. MILOSEVIC BALKS AT PEACE, THERE WILL BE TIME THIS SUMMER FOR THE NATION AND NATO TO DECIDE WHETHER GROUND FORCES SHOULD BE USED. BUT UNLESS THE SOLDIERS AND WEAPONS ARE IN PLACE BY EARLY SEPTEMBER, THERE WILL BE NO INVASION OPTION UNTIL NEXT SPRING. TEXT: CRITICAL OF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS THE WALL STREET JOURNAL WHICH, IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL THURSDAY, BLAMES THE PRESIDENT FOR UNNECESSARILY PROLONGING THE WAR. VOICE: THE CURRENT BOMBING-ONLY CAMPAIGN IN YUGOSLAVIA IS A TYPICAL CLINTON HEDGE. IT'S LIKE CUTTING OFF THE DOG'S TAIL AN INCH AT A TIME SO IT WON'T HURT SO MUCH. DESPITE ACCURATE WEAPONS AND MUCH CARE, BOMBING FROM HIGH ALTITUDES MEANS THAT CIVILIANS WILL INEVITABLY BE KILLED. PRESUMABLY THE PURPOSE OF ATTACKS ON POWER GRIDS AND SIMILAR INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN TO INCREASE PRESSURE ON SERBIA'S LEADERS BY MAKING LIFE MISERABLE FOR ITS CIVILIANS. THIS IS A DUBIOUS COURSE, BOTH POLITICALLY AND MORALLY. TEXT: THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE CALLS THIS WEEK CRITICAL IN THE WAR AND WRITES THAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MAY SENSE THAT NOW IS THE BEST TIME FOR SURRENDER -- SHORT OF HAVING TO SURRENDER LATER TO WAR CRIMES CRIMES. VOICE: WITH PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR ITS AIR WAR EBBING IN SUCH CRUCIAL MEMBER STATES AS GERMANY AND THE UNITED STATES, NATO ALSO IS UNDER PRESSURE TO BRING THE WAR TO A CONCLUSION. TIME, IT WOULD APPEAR, HAS CEASED TO BE ANYONE'S ALLY IN THIS CONFLICT. TEXT: THE MIAMI HERALD IS URGING NATO TO SEIZE THE MOMENT, AND SAYS THE ALLIANCE SHOULD HALT THE DAILY BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA TO TEST THE PROSPECTS FOR PEACE. VOICE: THE TIME IS RIGHT TO TRY SOMETHING NEW. NATO, THE WORLD'S MIGHTIEST MILITARY JUGGERNAUT, HAS SHOWN ITSELF INCAPABLE OF STOPPING MILOSEVIC'S ETHNIC CLEANSING OF KOSOVARS. IT IS ON THE VERGE OF IMPLODING FROM INTERNAL DISSENSION . . . NATO IS SLOWLY BEING PORTRAYED AS A KILLER OF CIVILIANS AND INNOCENTS. BUT THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER TAKES THE OPPOSITE VIEW AND ENCOURAGES NATO TO PLAN FOR AN INVASION. VOICE: THE PRESSURE ON MR. MILOSEVIC TO WITHDRAW (FROM KOSOVO), WHICH IS ALREADY CONSIDERABLE, WOULD BE ALL THE GREATER IF THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES FINALLY STARTED PLANNING AND PREPARING FOR THAT RISKY, CONTROVERSIAL OPTION. THAT EXCERPT FROM THE MIAMI HERALD CONCLUDES THIS EDITION OF THE
U-S OPINION ROUNDUP FOR THURSDAY. (SIGNED)
[25] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)DATE=06/3/99TYPE=EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-11320 TELEPHONE=619-3937 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= ////// ED'S: MATERIAL DATED AFTER 10 P-M EASTERN TIME. //////INTRO: SOME OF THE NATION'S MOST INFLUENTIAL NEWSPAPERS ARE WONDERING WHETHER THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO MAY HAVE REACHED A TURNING POINT -- AND WHAT WILL BE AT STAKE IF NATO HAS TO CONTINUE ITS BOMBING CAMPAIGN. ALSO NOTED IS PROGRESS DEMOCRACY IS MAKING ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD. HERE WITH SOME EXCERPTS OF WHAT SOME OF AMERICA'S MAJOR DAILIES ARE SAYING IS ____________. TEXT: THURSDAY, IT LOOKED LIKE SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAD FINALLY AGREED TO THE OUTLINES OF A NATO PLAN FOR ENDING THE WAR OVER KOSOVO. BUT, AS WITH ALL AGREEMENTS, THE DIFFICULTY MAY REST IN THE DETAILS AS "THE NEW YORK TIMES" POINTS OUT IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL THURSDAY. VOICE: THE LATEST PEACE PLAN PROPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA IS REASONABLE BUT FRAGILE. MR. MILOSEVIC ACCEPTS MANY OF THE IDEAS IN PRINCIPLE, INCLUDING THE PRESENCE AFTER THE WAR OF A INTERNATIONAL SECURITY FORCE IN KOSOVO. BUT THE PLAN WILL COLLAPSE IF HE IS UNWILLING TO ACCEPT CRUCIAL ELEMENTS, INCLUDING THE USE OF WELL-ARMED NATO TROOPS AS PEACE KEEPERS AND THE REMOVAL OF SERBIAN ARMY, POLICE AND PARAMILITARY FORCES FROM KOSOVO. TEXT: THE APPARENT BREAKTHROUGH CAME AS PRESIDENT CLINTON WAS MEETING WITH HIS TOP MILITARY COMMAND, THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, TO DISCUSS OPTIONS SHOULD THE WAR CONTINUE -- INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY THAT NATO TROOPS MAY HAVE TO INVADE SERBIA TO DRIVE YUGOSLAV TROOPS OUT OF KOSOVO. "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL"" BELIEVES PRESIDENT CLINTON MAY BE INCAPABLE -- FOR REASONS UNRELATED TO THE PROSECUTION OF THE WAR -- OF COMMITTING HIMSELF TO PUTTING TROOPS ON THE GROUND. VOICE: MILITARILY, THERE IS BARELY A CASE TO BE MADE AGAINST GROUND TROOPS. SO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? THE PROBLEM IS THAT BILL CLINTON TOO IS A PRODUCT OF OUR AGE, THE QUINTESSENTIALLY MEDIA-SAVVY POLITICIAN FOR WHOM A WAR'S STRATEGY OR EVEN ITS MORALITY ARE SECOND-ORDER CONCERNS. WHOLLY MEDIA-CENTRIC, MR. CLINTON IS SPOOKED BY THE TERRIBLE IMAGES OF HIS 1993 FIASCO IN SOMALIA, AND BY THE POLLSTER'S NOTION THAT THE PUBLIC WOULD NOT TOLERATE ANY U-S CASUALTIES. /// OPT ///VOICE: SOUTH AFRICA HAS REDUCED DEFICITS AND INFLATION. BUT UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINS AT A SHOCKING 38-PERCENT AND INCOME HAS NOT INCREASED. APARTHEID LEFT THE COUNTRY WITH ONE OF THE WORLD'S WORST-EDUCATED WORK FORCES. IT ALSO HAS INFLEXIBLE LABOR RULES THAT INHIBIT JOB CREATION. REFORM IS NECESSARY FOR GROWTH, BUT IS OPPOSED BY INFLUENTIAL UNIONISTS AND COMMUNISTS INSIDE THE A-N-C. /// END OPT ///TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" LOOKS BACK AT THE 10-YEARS SINCE THE CHINESE MILITARY LED THE VIOLENT CRACKDOWN ON THE PEACEFUL PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT IN BEIJING. WHAT PATH CHINA WILL TAKE DURING THE NEXT DECADE IS THE SUBJECT "THE POST'S" LEAD EDITORIAL. VOICE: A CIVIL SOCIETY IS RISING THAT CAN HELP CHINA MOVE GRADUALLY FROM ITS COMMUNIST PAST TO A MORE PLURALISTIC FUTURE. ANOTHER VIEW SEES MORE CAUSE FOR ALARM IN THE REGIME'S CONTINUING INTOLERANCE OF DISSENT. AS UNEMPLOYMENT, INEQUALITY, AND ECONOMIC INSECURITY ALL GROW, MANY PEOPLE WILL DEMAND MORE ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THEIR LEADERS AND A GREATER POLITICAL VOICE. IF THE COMMUNIST PARTY CONTINUES TO SQUELCH ALL COMPETING VOICES, SUCH DEMANDS COULD EASILY TURN VIOLENT. TEXT: STILL IN ASIA, INDONESIA IS ABOUT TO HOLD ITS FIRST FREE VOTE AFTER THREE-DECADES OF SUHARTO RULE. "THE BOSTON GLOBE" OUTLINES SOME OF WHAT IS AT STAKE IN NEXT WEEK'S ELECTION. VOICE: NEXT MONDAY, 48 POLITICAL PARTIES WILL COMPETE IN WHAT COULD BE THE MOST DEMOCRATIC ELECTION IN THE COUNTRY'S HISTORY, THE DAWNING OF A NEW POLITICAL DAY. OR IT COULD BE A VIOLENCE STREWN DISASTER AS COMPETING INTERESTS AND NATIONALITIES TAKE TO THE STREETS. TEXT: JUST SOME OF THE ISSUES BEING DISCUSSED BY AMERICA'S MAJOR
NEWSPAPERS THURSDAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/RAE/
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