Voice of America, 98-03-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[02] EXPANDING NATO: THE DEBATE GOES ON BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[03] GERMANY / JOBLESS (S) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[04] KOSOVO - PENTAGON REACT -L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[05] KOSOVO UNREST (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

[06] KOSOVO OVERNIGHTER (S-ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

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

[08] NATO-KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[09] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[10] TROUBLED KOSOVO:BALKANS BOILING OVER AGAIN? BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[11] WAR CRIMES/SENTENCE (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

[01] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: THE MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE CLOSED MIXED BUT MOSTLY LOWER (THURSDAY). FROM OUR LONDON OFFICE, PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE LATE FIGURES.

TEXT: WARNINGS OF LOWER EARNINGS BY THE BIG COMPUTER CHIP MAKER "INTEL" SEEMED TO BE THE CATALYST FOR INVESTORS TO SELL STOCKS. MARKET ANALYSTS SAY LONDON AND FRANKFURT WERE LOWER, LARGELY ON THE NEWS BY INTEL. IN PARIS, STOCKS BOUNCED BACK LATE IN THE DAY AFTER EARLIER PROFIT-TAKING.

THE CLOSING NUMBERS SHOW LONDON'S "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX CLOSING OFF 37-AND-ONE-HALF POINTS. THE GERMAN DAX WAS DOWN SHARPLY IN EARLY DAY FLOOR TRADING, BUT LATER ELECTRONIC TRADES ENDED WITH THE DAX OFF 14-POINTS. THE PARIS "CAC 40" TURNED AROUND SHARP DECLINES FROM EARLY TRADING, POSTING A GAIN FOR THE DAY OF 14-AND-ONE-HALF POINTS.

WITH INTEREST RATES PUT ON HOLD BY THE BANK OF ENGLAND THURSDAY, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE POUND.

GOLD IN LONDON WAS OFF ABOUT THREE-DOLLARS AN OUNCE AT THE CLOSE THURSDAY, WHEN THE PRICE WAS FIXED AT 293-DOLLARS-95 CENTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/RAE
05-Mar-98 1:45 PM EST (1845 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] EXPANDING NATO: THE DEBATE GOES ON BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE HAS VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY TO RESHAPE THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION, ADDING THREE FORMER FOES, POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC, TO THE ALLIANCE. THE MEASURE IS EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN UP AND APPROVED BY THE FULL SENATE LATER THIS MONTH. NONE OF THIS, HOWEVER, HAS QUELLED THE VIGOROUS DEBATE IN THE NATION REGARDING THE EFFICACY OF EXPANDING THE ORGANIZATION, PRIMARILY SET UP TO DEAL WITH THE SOVIET ARMY'S THREAT TO WESTERN EUROPE DURING THE COLD WAR.

WE CALL ON ________________ FOR THIS SURVEY OF THE U-S PRESS AS THE MOVE TO EXPAND NATO GATHERS SPEED IN THE UNITED STATES.

TEXT: SEVERAL NEWSPAPERS, AMONG THEM "THE NEW YORK TIMES," CONTINUE TO COUNSEL THAT THIS IS A BAD IDEA FOR AT LEAST TWO REASONS. IT IS, "THE TIMES" WARNS, GOING TO COST MUCH MORE THAN THE ADMINISTRATION'S ESTIMATES, AND SECONDLY, IT WILL ALMOST SURELY ALIENATE THE RUSSIANS, AND MAY GIVE RISE TO EVEN MORE ANTI-U-S SENTIMENT AMONG MOSCOW'S RIGHT WING CRITICS THAN THEY NOW EXPRESS. HOWEVER, OTHER PAPERS AGREE WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON THAT STRENGTHENING THE ALLIANCE IN THE WAKE OF THE DEATH OF THE COLD WAR MAKES SENSE, AS A WAY OF GUARANTEEING THE SPREAD AND STRENGTHENING OF DEMOCRACY IN EASTERN EUROPE.

WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING IN TEXAS, WHERE "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" SAYS THE SENATE IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

VOICE: "THE SENATE SHOULD RATIFY NATO MEMBERSHIP FOR POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC. IF IT DECLINES [TO RATIFY NATO MEMBERSHIP], THOSE NATIONS WOULD INHABIT A 'GRAY ZONE' OF INSECURITY BETWEEN NATO AND RUSSIA, INCREASING THE RISK OF INSTABILITY AND THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THE UNITED STATES WOULD BE DRAWN INTO ANOTHER EUROPEAN WAR. THE CONCERNS ABOUT RUSSIA ARE LEGITIMATE. BUT RUSSIA IS GETTING USED TO HAVING LOST ITS VASSAL STATES. IT IS BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND THAT NATO MEMBERSHIP FOR POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC WILL MAKE IT MORE, NOT LESS, SECURE. ITS PEOPLE ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY THAN ABOUT NATO. BARRING SOME UNLIKELY AUTHORITARIAN BACKLASH, ITS PARLIAMENT WILL RATIFY THE NUCLEAR ARMS TREATY. ..... NATO IS EMERGING AS SOMETHING RADICALLY NEW. DON'T THINK OF IT ANYMORE AS A LOT OF TANKS, TROOPS AND AIRPLANES CONGREGATED ALONG A LONG FRONT. THINK OF IT AS PROJECTING STABILITY AND MANAGING CRISES IN A BROADER STRATEGIC SENSE. BOSNIA IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THE KIND OF 'OUT OF AREA' MISSION THAT NATO MIGHT UNDERTAKE IN THE FUTURE. COLD WAR OR NO COLD WAR, THERE IS VALUE IN COLLECTIVE DEFENSE.

TEXT: NOTHING COULD BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH, COUNTERS "THE NEW YORK TIMES, WHICH WORRIES THAT EXPANSION WILL COST TOO MUCH, AND ALIENATE RUSSIA MORE THAN SUPPORTERS REALIZE.

VOICE: NATO EXPANSION RECEIVED A STRONG ENDORSEMENT THIS WEEK FROM THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, BUT THE MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT THE SENATE'S HANDLING OF THIS ISSUE IS THE AMBIVALENCE SO MANY MEMBERS EXPRESS. RARELY HAS SUCH AN IMPORTANT MATTER SEEMED HEADED FOR APPROVAL WITH SO LITTLE ENTHUSIASM OR ATTENTION.... THE UNITED STATES OUGHT NOT TO TAKE SUCH A FATEFUL STEP WITHOUT A COMPELLING JUSTIFICATION AND FERVENT CONVICTION.... SERIOUS DOUBTS ABOUT THE FINANCIAL COST OF ENLARGEMENT REMAIN, EVEN AMONG SUPPORTERS OF EXPANSION.... TO BRING THE NATO MILITARY ALLIANCE TO RUSSIA'S DOORSTEP IS CLEARLY TO INVITE A RESUMPTION OF CHILLED RELATIONS WITH MOSCOW AND EVEN A TURN AWAY FROM DEMOCRACY IN RUSSIA.

TEXT: THERE IS A VERY DIFFERENT VIEW FROM "THE NEW YORK POST," WHICH TITLES ITS COMMENTARY "YES TO NATO EXPANSION."

VOICE: THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE HAS VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY TO ADMIT THE CZECH REPUBLIC, HUNGARY AND POLAND TO FULL MEMBERSHIP IN ....[NATO]. IT'S A VERY GOOD THING IT DID SO. THE ARGUMENTS FOR ... EXPANSION HAVE TO DO WITH PROMOTING THE SPREAD OF DEMOCRACY AND ESTABLISHING FIRMLY THAT 'THE WEST' IS NOW MORE AN IDEA THAN A GEOGRAPHIC DESIGNATION. THE DEBATE ... HAS CENTERED ON ITS COST -- SOMEWHERE BETWEEN ONE BILLION AND TEN BILLION DOLLARS....... SOME OPPONENTS SAY THE U-S SHOULDN'T BE SPENDING THAT KIND OF MONEY, WHICH SEEMS SILLY IN LIGHT OF THE CURRENT DEBATE OVER A HIGHWAY BILL THAT WILL COST WELL IN EXCESS OF 200-BILLION DOLLARS. OTHERS ARE CONCERNED THAT EXPANSION WILL ANGER RUSSIA AND GIVE ITS IRREDENTIST FORCES AMMUNITION FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO REINVENT A RUSSIAN EMPIRE. THAT'S NOT A TRIVIAL CONCERN, BUT THIS COUNTRY DOES NOT BELIEVE IN 'ZONES OF INFLUENCE,' PARTICULARLY WHEN MOSCOW IS CLAIMING ONE OF THE ZONES.

TEXT: COMING DOWN ON THE SIDE OF NOT EXPANDING NATO IS "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE" WHICH MAKES THESE POINTS.

VOICE: SINCE IT IS THEIR SONS AND DAUGHTERS, HUSBANDS AND WIVES WHO WILL PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE, IT WOULD BEHOOVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO GIVE THIS ISSUE THE MOST CAREFUL THOUGHT. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED. INDEED, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AND ITS SUPPORTERS IN THE EXPANSION EFFORT ALSO MAY NOT HAVE THOUGHT AS CAREFULLY ABOUT IT AS THEY MIGHT, BECAUSE EXPANDING NATO COULD HAVE THE IRONIC RESULT OF MAKING EUROPE, IN THE END, LESS SECURE THAN IT OTHERWISE WOULD BE. AMERICANS WHO SUPPOSED THAT THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION AND THE END OF THE COLD WAR MEANT THAT THE U-S COULD FINALLY LAY DOWN THE BURDEN OF DEFENDING EUROPE MAY BE SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT THAT IS NOT SO -- AT LEAST NOT IN THE VIEW OF MANY IN THE FOREIGN POLICY PRIESTHOOD (ESTABLISHMENT). /// OPT /// ..... VACLAV HAVEL, PRESIDENT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC, SUMMED IT UP AS A MATTER OF KEEPING THE EUROPEANS FROM FALLING INTO A 'WAR OF ALL AGAINST ALL,' OF BECOMING EX-YUGOSLAVIA ON A CONTINENTAL SCALE. THAT IS NOT AN IGNOBLE THING TO DO. THE QUESTION IS: WHY IS IT THE JOB OF THE UNITED STATES, ANY MORE THAN IT IS AMERICA'S JOB TO KEEP HUTUS AND TUTSIS FROM EACH OTHER'S THROATS IN RWANDA OR TO SEPARATE ANTAGONISTS IN ANY OF THE SEVERAL DOZEN OTHER PLACES IN THE WORLD WHERE THEY INSIST ON KILLING EACH OTHER? /// END OPT /// ..... LEAVING RUSSIA ASIDE, THE QUESTION REMAINS: IS IT WISE FOR THE U-S TO MAKE A COMMITMENT SO GRAVE AS THAT IMPLICIT IN EXPANDING NATO? IT IS NOT, AND FOR AN IRONIC REASON: THE MORE SUCH PROMISES AMERICA MAKES, THE LESS SERIOUSLY, ULTIMATELY, THEY WILL BE TAKEN, BY THOSE TO WHOM THEY ARE MADE AND THOSE WHO MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO TEST THEM. ..... PHILIPPE MOREAU DEFARGES, AN EXPERT WITH THE FRENCH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, SUMS UP THIS IRONY WITH A FRENCH PROVERB ... 'HE WHO SEEKS TO KISS EVERYONE, KISSES BADLY.'

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE LEAVE THIS DEBATE ON THE EXPANSION OF NATO WHICH IS SURE TO CONTINUE UNTIL, AND EVEN, POSSIBLY, BEYOND THE SENATE'S EXPECTED VOTE ON THE ISSUE LATER THIS MONTH.
NEB/ANG/KL
05-Mar-98 1:03 PM EST (1803 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] GERMANY / JOBLESS (S) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: THOUSANDS OF UNEMPLOYED GERMANS ARE HOLDING MARCHES AND RALLIES AROUND THE COUNTRY TO PROTEST THE COUNTRY'S RECORD-HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE. FROM BONN, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: THE LATEST WAVE OF PROTESTS BY THE NATION'S ARMY OF JOBLESS CAME AS THE GOVERNMENT RELEASED NEW DATA SHOWING THE RECORD-HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE GROWING BY A FEW THOUSAND PEOPLE IN FEBRUARY.

THE FEDERAL LABOR OFFICE SAID THE JOBLESS RATE WAS NO LONGER GROWING AS FAST AS IT HAD BEEN. BUT THE OVERALL RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINS AT AROUND FOUR-POINT-EIGHT MILLION -- MORE THAN 12 PERCENT OF GERMANY'S WORK FORCE.

AS THE LATEST FIGURES WERE BEING RELEASED, PROTESTERS BEGAN GATHERING IN CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY. DEMONSTRATORS HAVE VOWED TO CONTINUE THE PROTESTS EACH MONTH UNTIL THE JOB SITUATION IMPROVES. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF
05-Mar-98 7:30 AM EST (1230 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO - PENTAGON REACT -L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS RESPONDED TO THE USE OF FORCE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE BY WITHDRAWING SOME PRIVILEGES IT HAD OFFERED YUGOSLAVIA FOR COOPERATING IN BOSNIAN PEACE EFFORTS. MEANWHILE, PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY WASHINGTON IS URGING ALL SIDES IN KOSOVO TO STOP FIGHTING AND START TALKING. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE NO CURRENT PLANS TO SEND IN U-S TROOPS.

TEXT: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS WASHINGTON IS FOCUSING FIRST ON DIPLOMATIC, NOT MILITARY MEANS OF STOPPING THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO.

WE ARE IN ACTIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE, AH, OUR ALLIES ABOUT THE KOSOVO ISSUE. AND WE ARE CERTAINLY IN ACTIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH (YUGOSLAV) PRESIDENT (SLOBODAN) MILOSEVIC URGING RESTRAINT ON HIS PART, AND WE ALSO URGED RESTRAINT ON THE PART OF THE KOSOVAR FORCES AS WELL, TO REDUCE FIGHTING AND TO LOOK FOR PEACEFUL WAYS TO REDUCE THEIR PROBLEMS.

MR. BACON SAYS THE ALLIES ARE TALKING ABOUT RENEWING OR EXPANDING SOME OF THE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS THAT HAVE BADLY HURT YUGOSLAVIA'S FRAGILE ECONOMY.

MR. BACON SAID HE COULD NOT CONFIRM PRESS REPORTS OF FIGHTING INVOLVING ARMORED VEHICLES, HELICOPTERS, ARTILLERY OR OTHER MAJOR WEAPONS.

AMERICANS MAKE UP ABOUT HALF OF THE 700 FOREIGN TROOPS ON WATCH IN NEARBY MACEDONIA. THEY WERE SENT THERE SEVERAL YEARS AGO TO KEEP DISTURBANCES FROM SPILLING OVER FROM NEIGHBORING AREAS. MR. BACON SAYS THERE ARE NO CURRENT PLANS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF U-S TROOPS IN MACEDONIA, BUT THEY MAY BE KEPT THERE LONGER THAN ORIGINALLY PLANNED. (SIGNED).
NEB/JR/WDC/MMK
05-Mar-98 3:31 PM EST (2031 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO UNREST (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE THURSDAY, ARMY AND POLICE FORCES REPORTEDLY USED ARTILLERY TO ATTACK VILLAGES THEY CONSIDER STRONGHOLDS OF RADICAL ETHNIC ALBANIAN NATIONALISM. THERE ARE SAID TO BE CASUALTIES, BUT NO DETAILS ARE YET AVAILABLE. AS WE HEAR FROM VOA'S ART CHIMES IN PRISTINA, KOSOVO, THE LATEST INCIDENTS HAVE RAISED GRAVE CONCERNS ABOUT PROSPECTS FOR PEACE IN THE AREA.

TEXT: ETHNIC ALBANIANS SAY SECURITY FORCES HAVE SEALED-OFF SEVERAL VILLAGES IN THE DRENICA AREA, AND THEY'VE USED ARTILLERY TO POUND AT LEAST ONE OF THE SETTLEMENTS.

EYEWITNESSES QUOTED BY THE ALBANIAN-RUN "KOSOVO INFORMATION CENTER" SAY SOME HOUSES ARE IN RUINS AND OTHERS HAVE BURNED DOWN.

MILITARY MOVEMENTS WERE REPORTED THROUGHOUT THE REGION. SOME RESIDENTS FLED THE AREA, MANY GOING TO MITROVICA -- A SMALL CITY JUST OUTSIDE THE ZONE THAT HAS BEEN SEALED OFF. VISITORS TO MITROVICA SAY THE REFUGEES ARE STAYING WITH RELATIVES OR OTHER ALBANIAN FAMILIES IN TOWN.

THE SERB ACTION IS IN APPARENT RETALIATION FOR AN ATTACK ON A POLICE STATION IN THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL OF PRISTINA ON WEDNESDAY EVENING. NO ONE WAS REPORTED HURT IN THAT INCIDENT, IN WHICH SUSPECTED ETHNIC ALBANIAN EXTREMISTS EXCHANGED FIRE WITH POLICE.

THERE HAS BEEN A SERIES OF VIOLENT INCIDENTS OVER THE PAST WEEK. THE OFFICIAL DEATH TOLL INCLUDES FOUR SERB POLICEMEN, AND SOME TWO DOZEN ETHNIC ALBANIAN CIVILIANS.

IN THE LATEST INCIDENT IN DRENICA, ALBANIAN SOURCES FEAR THERE HAVE BEEN HEAVY CASUALTIES, BUT THIS CANNOT BE VERIFIED. SERB AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT GIVEN OUT ANY DETAILS, AND INDEPENDENT CONFIRMATION IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE THE AREA HAS BEEN SEALED OFF TO JOURNALISTS AND OTHER GROUPS.

RED CROSS OFFICIALS SAY THEY WERE DENIED ACCESS TO THE AFFECTED AREA, WHERE THEY HAD HOPED TO ASSESS THE SITUATION AND DELIVER MEDICAL SUPPLIES. THE RED CROSS HAS PROTESTED THE ACTION TO THE GOVERNMENT IN BELGRADE.

ETHNIC ALBANIANS HERE ARE AGAIN ASKING FOR OUTSIDE HELP TO BRING DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE ON YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THIS IS XHEMAIL MUSTAFA -- SPOKESMAN FOR MODERATE ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADER IBRAHIM RUGOVA.

KOSOVO'S POPULATION IS 90 PERCENT ALBANIAN AND MANY, IF NOT MOST, WANT INDEPENDENCE. SOME, INCLUDING THE RADICAL "KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY," ARE WILLING TO USE VIOLENT MEANS TO WIN FREEDOM FROM SERBIA.

THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO HAS BEEN WIDELY CONDEMNED BY GOVERNMENTS IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA, WHICH FEAR IT COULD SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL AND PERHAPS LEAD TO A WAR THAT COULD SPILL OVER INTO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/PCF/KL
05-Mar-98 1:28 PM EST (1828 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO OVERNIGHTER (S-ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THERE IS CONCERN IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE THAT THE SPIRAL OF VIOLENCE MAY GO ON AS SERB FORCES CONTINUE TO SURROUND ETHNIC ALBANIAN VILLAGES, WEST OF THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA. THERE ARE SAID TO BE CASUALTIES, BUT NO DETAILS ARE YET AVAILABLE. AS WE HEAR FROM VOA'S ART CHIMES IN PRISTINA, THE LATEST INCIDENTS HAVE RAISED GRAVE CONCERNS ABOUT PROSPECTS FOR PEACE.

TEXT: IN PRISTINA, THEY'RE WONDERING WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT, AFTER POLICE AND ARMY TROOPS SEALED-OFF VILLAGES SAID TO BE STRONGHOLDS OF ALBANIAN NATIONALISM.

ETHNIC ALBANIAN SOURCES SAY ARTILLERY POUNDED AT LEAST ONE VILLAGE AND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS CASUALTIES. BUT SERB AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT GIVEN OUT ANY DETAILS, AND INDEPENDENT CONFIRMATION IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE THE AREA HAS BEEN SEALED-OFF.

OVER THE PAST WEEK, THERE HAVE BEEN A SERIES OF VIOLENT INCIDENTS, ALTERNATING BETWEEN ATTACKS ON POLICE TARGETS BY RADICAL ALBANIAN NATIONALISTS AND POLICE RESPONSE AGAINST ALBANIAN CIVILIANS.

THE OFFICIAL DEATH TOLL INCLUDES FOUR SERB POLICE OFFICERS AND SOME TWO DOZEN ETHNIC ALBANIANS.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS CONDEMNED THE SPIRALING VIOLENCE, AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS HERE, ARE ASKING FOR A STEP-UP OF THE DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE ON YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/PCF/PLM
05-Mar-98 2:28 PM EST (1928 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN SHARPLY TODAY (THURSDAY) AND STOCKS OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES WERE ESPECIALLY HARD HIT. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 84 HUNDRED 45, DOWN 94 POINTS, MORE THAN ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 35, DOWN 12 DOWN POINTS.

MANY ANALYSTS SAY THE PAST TWO DAYS OF FALLING STOCK PRICES WERE TO BE EXPECTED AFTER THE STRONG RALLIES OF THE PAST FEW WEEKS. SOME ANALYSTS, SUCH AS ALAN ACKERMAN OF THE FAHNESTOCK INVESTMENT COMPANY, SAY THE DOWNTURN COULD BE A BUYING OPPORTUNITY.

THE PAST TENDENCY HAS BEEN FOR MANY INVESTORS TO BUY ON WEAKNESS AND WE CAN EXPECT THAT ONCE THE "DUST SETTLES" (ONCE THE HEAVY SELLING ENDS) THERE WILL BE SOME SELECTIVE BUYERS OUT THERE.

STOCK PRICES WERE DOWN ACROSS INDUSTRY GROUPS, BUT THE STOCKS OF TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES PLUNGED, LEAD BY THE INTEL MICROPROCESSOR CORPORATION. INTEL ISSUED A WARNING THAT ITS QUARTERLY EARNINGS WILL BE BELOW EXPECTATIONS. INTEL'S STOCK LOST MORE THAN 10 PERCENT OF ITS VALUE.

STOCKS MAY HAVE BEEN DOWN BUT THE U-S ECONOMY IS STILL GOING STRONG, AT LEAST IN TERMS OF JOB CREATION. THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED A MAJOR DROP IN CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS LAST WEEK.

U-S RETAIL CHAINS REPORTED GENERALLY STRONG SALES IN FEBRUARY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE WEST COAST WHERE BAD WEATHER KEPT MANY PEOPLE FROM SHOPPING.

GENERAL MOTORS REPORTED A MORE THAN SEVEN PERCENT DECLINE IN SALES OF CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS LAST MONTH. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAID ITS FEBRUARY SALES WERE UNCHANGED.

IN A DEAL WORTH ALMOST ONE AND ONE HALF BILLION DOLLARS, UNITED AIRLINES IS ORDERING 30 JETLINERS FROM AIRBUS INDUSTRIES, THE EUROPEAN CONSORTIUM. BOEING OF THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT WAS NOT SURPRISED BY THE ORDER AND DID NOT ACTIVELY COMPETE FOR IT.

THE BANK OF AMERICA SAYS ITS CONSUMER AND SMALL BUSINESS OPERATIONS IN THE SOUTHWESTERN STATE OF TEXAS ARE UP FOR SALE. ANALYSTS SAY THE BANK WANTS TO CONCENTRATE ON ITS PRIMARY MARKET IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF
05-Mar-98 4:53 PM EST (2153 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] NATO-KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: AT ITS HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS THURSDAY, THE NATO ALLIANCE CONDEMNED SERBIAN AUTHORITIES FOR WHAT IT CALLS BRUTAL TACTICS THE POLICE USED IN DEALING WITH RECENT UNREST IN KOSOVO. NEARLY 30 PEOPLE WERE KILLED DURING WEEKEND UNREST, INVOLVING CLASHES BETWEEN POLICE AND THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN COMMUNITY IN THE PROVINCE (KOSOVO). JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: NATO IS JUST THE LATEST INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION TO JOIN IN THE CONDEMNATION OF SERBIA. THE NATO STATEMENT COINCIDES WITH A VISIT TO SERBIAN-LED YUGOSLAVIA BY BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK, WHO BROUGHT A STERN MESSAGE ON BEHALF OF THE 15-NATION EUROPEAN UNION.

BOTH NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION ARE URGING BOTH SIDES IN THE CONFLICT -- SERBIAN AUTHORITIES AND THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN COMMUNITY IN KOSOVO -- TO EMBARK ON A PEACEFUL DIALOGUE TO RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES. NATO EXPRESSED PROFOUND CONCERN ABOUT THE VIOLENCE, AND IN PARTICULAR CONDEMNED WHAT IT TERMED BRUTAL REPRESSION BY SERBIAN POLICE OF A PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION ON MONDAY IN PRISTINA.

AS WELL AS UNRESERVEDLY CONDEMNING THE VIOLENT REPRESSION OF PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS, THE NATO STATEMENT ALSO WARNS THAT TERRORIST ACTS BY SOME ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN THE PURSUIT OF POLITICAL GOALS CAN NOT BE JUSTIFIED. INSTEAD, NATO URGES BOTH SIDES TO EMBARK ON A SERIOUS DIALOGUE, WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS, TO FIND A MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO.

THE NATO STATEMENT MAKES CLEAR THAT THE ALLIANCE DOES NOT FAVOR THE INDEPENDENCE OF KOSOVO, BUT SEES THE TERRITORY'S FUTURE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF YUGOSLAVIA.

NATO IS ALSO WORRIED ABOUT THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO BECAUSE OF THE DANGER THAT THE VIOLENCE COULD ESCALATE AND SPREAD WITHIN THE REGION, WHICH IS STILL RECOVERING FROM THE EFFECTS OF THE BLOODY BOSNIAN CONFLICT THAT ENDED IN 1995.

THE NATO ALLIANCE IS STILL PLAYING A KEY ROLE IN IMPLEMENTING THE 1995 BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT, BY LEADING THE PEACE STABILIZATION FORCE IN THE COUNTRY. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/PCF/JO
05-Mar-98 12:03 PM EST (1703 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: GLANCING AT THE EDITORIALS PAGES OF TODAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS, ONE SEES THAT ALTHOUGH THE EXPANSION OF NATO IS ON TRACK IN THIS COUNTRY AND ABROAD, THERE IS STILL CONSIDERABLE DEBATE IN THE AMERICAN PRESS ON THE EFFICACY OF IT. OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE THE DEAL WITH IRAQ AND LONG-TERM IMPLICATIONS FOR RELATIONS WITH THAT TROUBLE SPOT; THE TESTIMONY OF BILL GATES, THE MICROSOFT BILLIONAIRE; ///OPT /// A PAIR OF ISSUES INVOLVING MEXICO; THE EVER-PRESENT MONICA LEWINSKY AFFAIR;

TEXT: TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" LEADS ITS EDITORIAL COLUMN WITH ANOTHER ASSAULT ON NATO ENLARGEMENT FOR TWO REASONS: COST AND ALIENATION OF RUSSIA.

VOICE: NATO EXPANSION RECEIVED A STRONG ENDORSEMENT THIS WEEK FROM THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, BUT THE MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT THE SENATE'S HANDLING OF THIS ISSUE IS THE AMBIVALENCE SO MANY MEMBERS EXPRESS. RARELY HAS SUCH AN IMPORTANT MATTER SEEMED HEADED FOR APPROVAL WITH SO LITTLE ENTHUSIASM OR ATTENTION.... THE UNITED STATES OUGHT NOT TO TAKE SUCH A FATEFUL STEP WITHOUT A COMPELLING JUSTIFICATION AND FERVENT CONVICTION.... SERIOUS DOUBTS ABOUT THE FINANCIAL COST OF ENLARGEMENT REMAIN, EVEN AMONG SUPPORTERS OF EXPANSION.... TO BRING THE NATO MILITARY ALLIANCE TO RUSSIA'S DOORSTEP IS CLEARLY TO INVITE A RESUMPTION OF CHILL RELATIONS WITH MOSCOW AND EVEN A TURN AWAY FROM DEMOCRACY IN RUSSIA.

TEXT: JUST A FEW BLOCKS AWAY, THERE IS A VERY DIFFERENT VIEW FROM "THE NEW YORK POST" WHICH TITLES ITS COMMENTARY "YES TO NATO EXPANSION."

VOICE: THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE HAS VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY TO ADMIT THE CZECH REPUBLIC, HUNGARY AND POLAND TO FULL MEMBERSHIP IN ....[NATO]. IT'S A VERY GOOD THING IT DID SO. THE ARGUMENTS FOR ... EXPANSION HAVE TO DO WITH PROMOTING THE SPREAD OF DEMOCRACY AND ESTABLISHING FIRMLY THAT 'THE WEST' IS NOW MORE AN IDEA THAT A GEOGRAPHIC DESIGNATION. /// OPT /// THE DEBATE ... HAS CENTERED ON ITS COST -- SOMEWHERE BETWEEN ONE BILLION AND TEN BILLION DOLLARS....... SOME OPPONENTS SAY THE U-S SHOULDN'T BE SPENDING THAT KIND OF MONEY, WHICH SEEMS SILLY IN LIGHT OF THE CURRENT DEBATE OVER A HIGHWAY BILL THAT WILL COST WELL IN EXCESS OF 200-BILLION DOLLARS. OTHERS ARE CONCERNED THAT EXPANSION WILL ANGER RUSSIA AND GIVE ITS IRREDENTIST FORCES AMMUNITION FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO REINVENT A RUSSIAN EMPIRE. THAT'S NOT A TRIVIAL CONCERN, BUT THIS COUNTRY DOES NOT BELIEVE IN 'ZONES OF INFLUENCE,' PARTICULARLY WHEN MOSCOW IS CLAIMING ONE OF THE ZONES.

TEXT: TODAY'S "PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER," COMMENTING ON THE U-N BROKERED AGREEMENT WITH IRAQ, SAYS IT GIVES THE U-S SOME ADDITIONAL TIME TO CONSIDER LONG-TERM STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN.

VOICE: MR. ANNAN'S DEAL SAVED THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION FROM HAVING TO LAUNCH MILITARY STRIKES THAT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE CAUSED MORE TROUBLE THAN GAINS. BOMBING RAIDS ALONE WOULDN'T HAVE OUSTED THE IRAQI LEADER, NOR STOPPED HIS SECRET WEAPONS PROGRAMS. BUT THEY WOULD HAVE WIDENED THE BREACH BETWEEN AMERICA AND ITS EUROPEAN AND ARAB ALLIES, WHOM WASHINGTON HAS FAILED TO CONVINCE THAT SADDAM HUSSEIN STILL PRESENTS AN UNACCEPTABLE GLOBAL THREAT.... TO AVOID SADDAM REDUX, A LONGTERM U-S STRATEGY IS REQUIRED. IF AMERICA WANTS MR. HUSSEIN OUSTED, IT WILL HAVE TO RELY ON IRAQIS INSIDE THEIR COUNTRY. NO HALF-BAKED [ILL-CONCEIVED AND SUPPORTED] CIA PLOTS OR SUPPORT FOR WEAK IRAQI GOVERNMENTS-IN-EXILE CAN DO THE JOB.

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, THERE IS MORE COMMENT ON THE SENATE APPEARANCE OF MICROSOFT BILLIONAIRE AND COMPUTER SOFTWEAR IMPRESARIO BILL GATES. MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" SAYS THERE IS A DANGER OF HIS COMPANY BECOMING A MONOPOLY.

VOICE: TESTIFYING BEFORE THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE .... BILL GATES .... FINGERED [ACCUSED] GOVERNMENT REGULATION AS THE GREATEST THREAT TO INNOVATION IN THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE INDUSTRY. THIS IS ODD. HERE IS [MR.] GATES, CHAIRMAN OF A COMPANY THAT HAS A MONOPOLY ON PERSONAL COMPUTER OPERATING SOFTWARE, RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT MIGHT POSSIBLY STIFLE INNOVATION IN THE INDUSTRY. HERE IS [MR.] GATES, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMPANY THAT HAS BULLIED ITS DISTRIBUTORS AND PARTNERS INTO EXCLUDING PRODUCTS PRODUCED BY MICROSOFT COMPETITORS, COWERING AT THE THOUGHT OF THE OPPRESSIVE HAND OF GOVERNMENT IN HIS INDUSTRY. .....IT IS TIME FOR THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND CONGRESS IF NECESSARY, TO TAKE ON MICROSOFT AND END THE PRACTICES THAT ARE CHOKING INNOVATION IN THE SOFTWARE INDUSTRY.

TEXT: MEXICO IS DRAWING SOME ATTENTION TODAY, ON TWO FRONTS. THE ISSUE OF DRUG CERTIFICATION BY THE UNITED STATES, AS THE NATION IS JUDGED TO BE DOING ENOUGH TO HALT THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL DRUGS, AND HUMAN RIGHTS, AS A FRENCH PRIEST IS EXPELLED FROM TROUBLED CHIAPAS STATE. FIRST, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" ON THE PRIEST'S EXPULSION, WHICH THE PAPER CALLS "OVERKILL."

VOICE: THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT OF COURSE CAN APPLY ITS LAWS AS IT SEES FIT. BUT IT PLAINLY OVERREACTED IN EXPELLING FROM THE COUNTRY FATHER MICHEL HENRY JEAN CHANTEAU, A FRENCH PRIEST IN CHIAPAS, BECAUSE HE CRITICIZED MILITARY VIOLENCE IN THE BELEAGUERED SOUTHERN STATE. THE ROMAN CATHOLIC PASTOR HAD ADMINISTERED TO A POOR VILLAGE THERE FOR 32 YEARS. ..... THE PEREMPTORY OUSTER .... IS AN INTOLERABLE RESPONSE IN THIS AGE OF OPEN SOCIETIES, AND IT DOES NOT HELP MEXICO'S IMAGE IN THE WORLD.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON TIMES" QUESTIONS THE RECENT RE-CERTIFICATION OF MEXICO BY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AS "FULLY COOPERATING" IN THE WAR AGAINST DRUGS.

VOICE: A RECENT CONFIDENTIAL ASSESSMENT BY THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (DEA) CONCLUDED, 'DURING THE PAST YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO HAS NOT ACCOMPLISHED ITS COUNTER-NARCOTICS GOALS OR SUCCEEDED IN COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.' ...... DESPITE ALL THE HERALDED PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS, THE DEA REPORT FURTHER CONCLUDED THAT 'THE SCOPE OF MEXICAN TRAFFICKING HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY.' ..... IF THIS IS EVIDENCE OF 'ABSOLUTELY SUPERLATIVE COOPERATION,' WHAT WOULD [U-S DRUG CZAR] GENERAL [BARRY] MCCAFFREY AND PRESIDENT CLINTON CONSIDER TO BE UNCOOPERATIVE EFFORTS? WHILE MEXICO IS EVOLVING INTO A NARCO-STATE, PRESIDENT CLINTON AND GENERAL MCCAFFREY ARE TAKING TURNS PLAYING THE FIDDLE -- WITH THEIR EYES CLOSED.

TEXT: AS REGARDS THE CONTINUING MONICA LEWINSKY STORY, THE ALLEGATIONS OF AN IMPROPER SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON AND THE WHITE HOUSE INTERN, "THE WASHINGTON POST" IS AGAIN CALLING ON THE PRESIDENT TO COME FORWARD AND TELL THE NATION WHAT REALLY HAPPENED.

VOICE: IT IS EVEN MORE CRITICAL FOR THE PRESIDENT TO FINALLY STEP UP TO THE PLATE [BASEBALL REFERENCE MEANING "STEP FORWARD"] AND FACE THE QUESTIONS THAT HE HAS SO EMBARRASSINGLY DODGED SINCE THE SCANDAL BEGAN. THIS COURSE IS, NEEDLESS TO SAY, A TOUGH SELL AT A TIME WHEN MR. CLINTON IS ENJOYING THE HIGHEST APPROVAL RATINGS OF HIS PRESIDENCY. THE ATTACKS ON MR. KENNETH] STARR [THE INDEPENDENT COUNSEL INVESTIGATION THE ALLEGED INCIDENT] ARE WORKING, SO THERE SEEMS LITTLE REASON TO CHANGE ANYTHING. BUT MR. CLINTON OWES AN ACCOUNTING THAT ONLY HE CAN GIVE.

TEXT: ON LONG ISLAND, MR. STARR'S INVESTIGATIVE EFFORTS, WIDELY CRITICIZED BY MANY PAPERS, ARE AGAIN IN THE CROSS HAIRS OF "NEWSDAY."

VOICE: AS AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL, KENNETH STARR IS LOOKING MORE AND MORE LIKE A BLINDFOLDED CHILD WILDLY SWINGING A STICK IN THE HOPE OF BREAKING OPEN A BIRTHDAY-PARTY PINATA. INSTEAD OF FOCUSING HIS INVESTIGATION NARROWLY ON PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON, HE KEEPS STUMBLING DOWN BYWAYS THAT TAKE HIM FARTHER FROM HIS LEGITIMATE PURPOSE. THE LATEST EXAMPLE IS [MR.] STARR'S SUBPOENA FOR THE CASE FILES AND NOTES OF FRANCIS CARTER, THE [NOW FORMER] LAWYER ... TO FORMER WHITE HOUSE INTERN MONICA LEWINSKY ......

TEXT: BACK OVERSEAS, AND REGARDING THE ON-GOING ECONOMIC CRISIS IN INDONESIA, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" SAYS THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM IS PRESIDENT SUHARTO HIMSELF.

VOICE: PRESIDENT SUHARTO OF INDONESIA HAS A PERSONAL FORTUNE ESTIMATED AT 16-BILLION DOLLARS..... WHAT THE I-M-F [INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND] AND THE INDONESIAN PEOPLE MUST CONTEND WITH IS AN AUTOCRATIC RULER AT THE HELM OF A NOTORIOUS KLEPTOCRACY. [MR.] SUHARTO'S RELUCTANCE TO FOLLOW I-M-F GUIDELINES SHOULD NOT BE ASCRIBED TO AN HONEST DIFFERENCE OF OPINION ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF THE FUND'S PRESCRIPTION FOR ECONOMIC STABILIZATION. ..... [MR.] SUHARTO'S UNDEMOCRATIC REGIME IS A PRIMARY CAUSE OF HIS COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC CRISIS.

TEXT: AND FINALLY, NOTING THE RESURGENCE OF THE HINDU NATIONALIST PARTY, THE B-J-P, IN INDIA'S ELECTIONS, "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" IS CALLING IT "INDIA'S POISONED CHALICE," AND WONDERS WHY THE CONGRESS PARTY, WHICH CAME IN SECOND, HAS APPARENTLY LOST ITS ENTHUSIASM FOR TRYING TO GOVERN.

VOICE: IT WOULD BE QUITE SOMETHING IF THE CONGRESS PARTY, WHICH WORKED SO HARD TO UNDERMINE INDIA'S LAST GOVERNMENT, IS NO LONGER SO INTERESTED IN LEADING THE NEXT ONE. .... NO DOUBT WHEN CONGRESS PARTY MEMBERS AND OTHERS MUSE THAT IT MIGHT NOT BE SO BAD TO SEE THE B-J-P TAKE POWER, MOST EXPECT OR EVEN HOPE THAT THE NEW GOVERNMENT WILL FALL FLAT ON ITS FACE [FALL MISERABLY]. IN THE MEANTIME, HOWEVER, ALL INDIA WILL BENEFIT IF THE LOSERS SPEND SOME TIME IN PRODUCTIVE CONTEMPLATION OF THE MESSAGE VOTERS HAVE JUST SENT THEM.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/MMK
05-Mar-98 11:12 AM EST (1612 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] TROUBLED KOSOVO:BALKANS BOILING OVER AGAIN? BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AS THIS EDITORIAL SUMMARY OF WORLD PRESS REACTION TO ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN THE AUTONOMOUS YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO WAS COMPILED, MORE TROUBLE IS BEING REPORTED. SERBIAN FORCES HAVE LAUNCHED OPERATIONS, AGAINST VILLAGES IN KOSOVO BELIEVED TO BE THE CENTER OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN SEPARATIST ACTIVITY, USING ARMORED VEHICLES AND HELICOPTERS. AN UNDETERMINED NUMBER OF CASUALTIES ARE BEING REPORTED AND SOME ETHNIC-ALBANIAN SPOKESMEN ARE CALLING THE OPERATION A MASSACRE.

KOSOVO IS PART OF WHAT REMAINS OF YUGOSLAVIA, AFTER THE BOSNIAN AND SERBIAN-CROATIAN CIVIL WAR. YUGOSLAVIA NOW CONSISTS OF THE REPUBLICS OF SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO, AS WELL AS THE SOUTHEASTERN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO, WHICH BORDERS ALBANIA. KOSOVO HAD BEEN REJECTED IN ITS APPEALS FOR INDEPENDENCE IN 1992.

GLOBAL REACTION TO THE VIOLENCE IN THIS BALKAN TROUBLE SPOT IS THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S WORLD OPINION ROUNDUP PRESENTED NOW BY ___________________.

TEXT: SERBS HAVE AN ALMOST MYSTICAL ATTACHMENT FOR KOSOVO PROVINCE, EVER SINCE THE HISTORIC BATTLE THERE IN 1389, IN WHICH THE SERBS WERE DEFEATED BY THE OTTOMAN TURKS, WHO TOOK CONTROL OF MUCH OF WHAT IS TODAY YUGOSLAVIA AND SPREAD THE ISLAMIC FAITH TO PARTS OF IT. EVEN THOUGH THE SERBS LOST THE BATTLE, THEY VIEW IT AS ONE OF THE GREAT HEROIC ACHIEVEMENTS OF THEIR PEOPLE, AND THAT PLUS THE HUNDREDS OF CHURCHES AND HISTORIC SITES IN THE PROVINCE, GIVE IT A VERY IMPORTANT PLACE IN SERBIAN CULTURE AND POLITICS. TODAY, HOWEVER, KOSOVO'S POPULATION IS ABOUT 90 PERCENT ETHNIC ALBANIANS, GOVERNED BY THE TEN PERCENT SERBIAN MINORITY, WHICH ALSO CONTROLS THE SECURITY FORCES. THE SERBS HAVE ALLEGEDLY BEEN GUILTY OF HARSH REPRESSION OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS SINCE THE CIVIL WAR IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, AND REPEATED CALLS FOR KOSOVO'S INDEPENDENCE BY THE ALBANIAN MAJORITY HAVE GONE UNHEEDED IN BELGRADE, AND THE REST OF THE WORLD.

WITHIN THE PAST WEEK, A TERRORIST GROUP CALLED THE ALBANIAN LIBERATION ARMY HAS STEPPED UP ITS ATTACKS AGAINST THE SERBS, KILLING FOUR POLICEMEN. SERBIAN POLICE AND ARMY UNITS RESPONDED WITH AN ATTACK ON VILLAGES THAT KILLED ABOUT TWO DOZEN ETHNIC ALBANIANS, AND AS THE WEEK ENDED, THE FIGHTING APPEARS TO HAVE ESCALATED DRAMATICALLY.

THE U-S AND WESTERN EUROPEAN NATIONS, ALREADY ENGAGED IN PEACEKEEPING IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, FEAR THAT A NEW CIVIL WAR COULD BREAK OUT IN KOSOVO AND QUICKLY INVOLVE THE NEIGHBORING ALBANIAN ARMY, COMING TO THE DEFENSE OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN'S BROTHERS AND SISTERS ACROSS THE BORDER IN YUGOSLAVIA.

WITH THAT BACKGROUND, WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING OF FOREIGN PRESS COMMENT WRITTEN B E F O R E THURSDAY'S NEW VIOLENCE. IN BELGRADE, YUGOSLAVIA'S CAPITOL, "POLITIKA," ONE OF THE LARGEST DAILIES, SUGGESTS THE UNITED STATES IS TAKING SIDES IN THE DISPUTE.

VOICE: [STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES] RUBIN STATED THAT FACT THAT AT LEAST 20 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED SINCE FRIDAY AND THAT REPRESENTATIVES OF THE U-S EMBASSY IN BELGRADE HAD GONE TO PRISTINA. EVEN WITH SUCH AN ASSESSMENT BY OFFICIAL WASHINGTON, THIS TIME A CLEAR U-S CONDEMNATION OF TERRORISM AND THE BLOODY VIOLENCE WHICH ALBANIAN TERRORISTS AND SECESSIONISTS COMMITTED WAS LEFT OUT. ... [MR.] ... RUBIN ... CONFIRMED THAT WASHINGTON EITHER DOES NOT SEE THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA OBJECTIVELY AND TRUTHFULLY, OR IT IS ALSO APPLYING IN THIS CASE THE FAMILIAR STRATEGY OF DOUBLE STANDARDS."

TEXT: NEXT FROM SKOPJE, CAPITOL OF THE NEIGHBORING NATION OF MACEDONIA, WHICH USED TO BE A REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA, BEFORE THE EARLY 1990S CIVIL CONFLICT, WHERE "NOVA MAKEDONIJA" COMMENTS:

VOICE: AFTER TEN YEARS OF STATUS QUO, AND THE DISTURBED BALANCE BETWEEN THE PARALLEL SERBIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE FUNCTIONING ALBANIAN PARA-GOVERNMENT CAN NOT BE MAINTAINED ANYMORE .... THE RECENT WAR IN BOSNIA TAUGHT EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES ANOTHER LESSON THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO THE KOSOVO SITUATION: A WAR IN EUROPE MUST NOT BE ALLOWED.

TEXT: FOR ANOTHER VIEW FROM CLOSE UP, HERE IS SKOPJE'S "DNEVNIK" WHICH SAYS:

VOICE: [YUGOSLAVIAN PRESIDENT] SLOBODON MILOSEVIC'S REGIME SHOWED ITS REAL FACE. BELGRADE SENT A MESSAGE TO THE ALBANIANS AND TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY THAT IT WILL SOLVE THE KOSOVO PROBLEM BY USING FORCE. THUS, THE KOSOVO CRISIS WILL DEFINITELY CULMINATE AND GROW INTO A WAR CONFLICT .... ONLY URGENT AND CONSISTENT INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S ACTION, CARRYING CONDEMNATION OF THE HORRIBLE SERBIAN POLICE AND ALBANIAN TERRORISTS' REPRISAL MAY SAVE THE FRAGILE PEACE.

TEXT: IN WESTERN EUROPE, THE BRITISH PRESS IS NOT HAPPY EITHER, AS LONDON'S "INDEPENDENT" NOTES:

VOICE: WOLF HAS BEEN CRIED TIME AND AGAIN OVER KOSOVO, YET WHEN ALMOST EVERY OTHER POSSIBLE BALKAN CONFLICT HAS HAPPENED, THIS ONE HAS NOT. BUT KOSOVO CONTAINS THE SEEDS OF A DISASTER GREATER EVEN THAN BOSNIA .... THE POWDER KEG IS PRIMED. ... MR. MILOSEVIC OF COURSE IS THE CRAFTIEST OF CUSTOMERS ..... HE HAS HELD ONTO POWER WITH A BRUTAL GRIP. BUT KOSOVO JUST MIGHT BE HIS LAST STAND.

TEXT: ACROSS THE CHANNEL, IN PARIS, "LE MONDE" EDITORIALIZED:

VOICE: IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM OF KOSOVO, WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE MODERATE ALBANIAN POPULATION MAY SOON BE OVERWHELMED BY THE EXTREMISTS, THERE IS NO MIRACLE SOLUTION. THERE IS STILL TIME TO GRANT THE PROVINCE ITS AUTONOMY AND TO APPLY THE AGREEMENTS CONCLUDED IN SEPTEMBER 1996 BETWEEN BELGRADE AND THE ALBANIAN REPRESENTATIVES .... IT IS UP TO EUROPE TO SAY LOUD AND CLEAR THAT SERBIA WILL NOT REJOIN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY UNLESS THERE IS A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION WHICH TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION THE LEGITIMATE ASPIRATIONS OF ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO.

TEXT: ITALY'S "LA STAMPA" FROM TURIN SUGGESTS, IN A WASHINGTON DISPATCH THAT ALTHOUGH THE U-S HAS LONG BEEN WORRIED ABOUT KOSOVO, THE AMERICANS MAY HAVE WAITED TOO LONG TO TAKE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES.

VOICE: .... PERHAPS IT IS TOO LATE .... EVEN BEFORE THEY [THE U-S] STARTED TALKING ABOUT DAYTON, WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION REFUSED TO SEND SOLDIERS TO BOSNIA, 500 AMERICAN BLUE BERETS WERE DEPLOYED IN MACEDONIA. AND FROM SKOPJE THE U-S KEPT THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO UNDER CONTROL. OFFICIALLY WASHINGTON HAS ALWAYS SAID THAT ANY EFFORT PUT FORWARD BY [MR.] MILOSEVIC TO EXTEND CONFLICT IN KOSOVO WOULD HAVE BEEN CONTESTED WITH FORCE. BUT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NEVER ADVOCATED A REAL INDEPENDENCE OF KOSOVO FROM SERBIA. THE RESULTS, SOME DIPLOMATS SAY, HAS BEEN A NOT ALWAYS CLEAR LINE [EXPLANATION OF PUBLIC POLICY].

TEXT: IN PARTS OF THE RUSSIAN PRESS, THERE IS ALSO GREAT WORRY, AS WE SEE IN "ROSSIYSKAYA BAZETA" FROM MOSCOW, WHICH SUGGESTS:

VOICE: THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO MAY PROVE MORE DANGEROUS AND BIGGER THAN THE ONE IN BOSNIA, AS IT INVOLVES TOO MANY FORCES AND INTERESTS. THOUGH IT IS UNDOUBTEDLY AN INTERNAL MATTER OF THE UNION REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA, IT POSES A THREAT TO REGIONAL SECURITY AND TO THE INTERESTS OF THE WORLD COMMUNITY. THIS IS WHY THERE, IN OUR VIEW, IS AN URGENT NEED FOR A POLITICAL DIALOGUE WITH THE LEADERS OF THE KOSOVO COMMUNITY.

TEXT: OVER IN DENMARK, COPENHAGEN'S "BERLINGSKE TIDENDE" EDITORIALIZED THIS WEEK:

VOICE: EUROPE CANNOT AFFORD TO HESITATE IN THE FACE OF A POLITICAL GANGSTER WHO USES THE MISERY OF OTHERS TO REMAIN IN POWER.

TEXT:AND IN BELGIUM, "DE MORGEN" COMMENTED IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS ITS VIEW OF THE DANGER.

VOICE: KOSOVO IS A TIME BOMB UNDER WHAT IS LEFT OF YUGOSLAVIA, ALTHOUGH ALL THE KOSOVARS DO NOT AGREE ON WHAT THEY EXACTLY WANT. THE RETURN OF THE AUTONOMOUS STATUS, ANNEXATION BY ALBANIA, TOTAL INDEPENDENCE, IF NEED BY THROUGH ARMED STRUGGLE: THESE ARE TRENDS THAT CAUSE INTERNAL DIVISION ..... IF A CIVIL WAR BREAKS OUT IN KOSOVO, IT IS VIRTUALLY CERTAIN THAT IT WILL SPREAD OVER THE BORDERS.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, FOR AN OPINION FROM THE GULF, WE TURN TO QATAR, WHERE IN DOHA, "PENINSULA" RAN THIS EDITORIAL, SUGGESTING AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE BEHIND WHAT IS GOING ON.

VOICE: PRESENT WESTERN POLICY TOWARDS KOSOVO SUGGESTS THERE HAS BEEN A TRADE OFF WITH [PRESIDENT] MILOSEVIC; SUPPORT FOR THE DAYTON PROCESS AGAINST NON-INTERFERENCE IN KOSOVO. [MR.] MILOSEVIC CAN EFFECTIVELY BLACKMAIL THE U-S OVER KOSOVO, WITH THREATS TO PULL OUT OF THE DAYTON [ACCORDS], WHICH IS CENTRAL TO U-S PRESTIGE IN THE BALKANS, AND TO WITHDRAW HIS SUPPORT FOR BOSNIAN SERB MODERATES.

TEXT: ON THAT WORRISOME NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF GLOBAL PRESS REACTION TO THE SUDDEN INCREASE IN VIOLENCE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE.
NEB/ANG/PLM
05-Mar-98 5:34 PM EST (2234 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] WAR CRIMES/SENTENCE (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: IN A SURPRISE DECISION, JUDGES AT THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE THURSDAY SENTENCED A BOSNIAN CROAT TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR HIS PART IN THE MASSACRE OF MUSLIMS AFTER THE FALL OF SREBRENICA IN JULY 1996. BOTH PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE HAD SUGGESTED HE SERVE A LONGER TERM OF SEVEN YEARS. FROM THE HAGUE, GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS.

TEXT: PASSING A WAR CRIMES SENTENCE AT AN INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL IS, SAID THE JUDGES, "A BALANCE" -- A BALANCE BETWEEN EXPRESSING OUTRAGE AT THE ATROCITIES COMMITTED IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA ... AND GIVING FAIR TREATMENT TO THOSE ACCUSED WHO HAVE THE HONESTY TO COME FORWARD AND CONFESS.

TWENTY-SIX-YEAR OLD DRAZEN ERDEMOVIC DID CONFESS TO BEING PART OF A BOSNIAN SERB EXECUTION SQUAD WHICH KILLED UP TO 12-HUNDRED MUSLIM MEN IN ONE DAY. HE ESTIMATES THAT HE PERSONALLY KILLED A HUNDRED PEOPLE. FOR THAT CRIME, JUDGES DECIDED FIVE YEARS IN PRISON WAS THE PROPER BALANCE. THEY WEREN'T IGNORING THE SUFFERING OF THE VICTIMS, THEY MAINTAINED, BUT CITED MITIGATING FACTORS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. ERDEMOVIC, SAID PRESIDING JUDGE FLORENCE MUMBA, HAD BEEN ACTING UNDER THREAT OF DEATH AND WAS DEEPLY REMORSEFUL.

THE TRIAL CHAMBER BELIEVES THAT ON ACCOUNT OF HIS CIRCUMSTANCES AND CHARACTER, HE IS REFORMABLE. HE SHOULD THEREFORE BE GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE TO START HIS LIFE AFRESH WHILE HE IS STILL YOUNG ENOUGH TO DO SO.

ERDEMOVIC HAS ALREADY PROVED HIMSELF USEFUL TO PROSECUTORS AT THE TRIBUNAL -- AND MAY DO SO AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. HE'S GIVEN THEM NAMES AND HAS TESTIFIED IN PUBLIC HEARINGS AGAINST FORMER BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC AND HIS MILITARY DEPUTY, RATKO MLADIC. IF THEY EVER COME TO THE HAGUE FOR TRIAL, ERDEMOVIC BE A PROSECUTION WITNESS.

ERDEMOVIC IS SAID TO BE VERY EMOTIONAL AND PLEASED WITH A SENTENCE WHICH WAS CERTAINLY LESS THAT HE'D BEEN EXPECTING. HIS LAWYER, NIKOLA KOSTIC SAYS ERDEMOVIC IS OVERWHELMED.

DRAZEN ERDEMOVIC HAD ORIGINALLY BEEN FACING TEN YEARS IN PRISON. HE'D PLEADED GUILTY TO CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, BUT APPEAL COURT JUDGES SAID IT HADN'T BEEN AN INFORMED CHOICE AND ALLOWED HIM TO PLEAD AGAIN TO THE LESSER CHARGE OF WAR CRIMES. WITH TIME ALREADY SERVED, ERDEMOVIC WILL NOW BE A FREE MAN THE TIME HE'S 29-YEARS-OLD. (SIGNED)
NEB/GS/PCF
05-Mar-98 9:20 AM EST (1420 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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