Voice of America, 98-06-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO ESCALATION (L) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (PRISTINA)

[02] MACEDONIA AND THE KOSOVO CRISIS BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

[03] KOSOVO / MINISTERS (S-UPDATE) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[04] COHEN / RUSSIA / KOSOVO (L) BY JIM RANDLE (BRUSSELS)

[05] E-U SUMMIT (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[06] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY KEVIN LYNCH (LONDON)

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

[08] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] KOSOVO ESCALATION (L) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THERE ARE SIGNS THE YUGOSLAV GOVERMENT IS PLANNING ANOTHER OFFENSIVE IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE DESPITE NATO WARNINGS AIR POWER MAY BE USED TO STOP THE ATTACK. V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS FROM KOSOVO'S CAPITAL PRISTINA ONE TARGET OF THE NEW OFFENSIVE IS EXPECTED TO BE A TOWN IN THE SAME REGION WHERE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES HAVE ALREADY FLED INTO NEIGHBORING ALBANIA.

TEXT: THE SIGNS ARE OMINOUS THAT BELGRADE IS CONTINUING ITS EFFORT TO OUST WHAT IT CALLS THE "TERRORIST" KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY FROM STRATEGIC PARTS OF WESTERN KOSOVO. EARLY FRIDAY, THE SOUND OF JETS TAKING OFF FROM A MILITARY BASE OUTSIDE PRISTINA WOKE RESIDENTS IN THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL.

TWO SERB POLICEMEN WERE KILLED IN OVERNIGHT CLASHES ONLY 12 KILOMETERS FROM PRISTINA. ETHNIC ALBANIAN SOURCES REPORT PEOPLE FLEEING IN PANIC FROM VILLAGES AROUND THE MUNICIPALITY OF OBILIC. IT IS THE CLOSEST THE VIOLENCE HAS COME TO THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL.

THE KOSOVO INFORMATION CENTER SAYS SEVERAL VILLAGES AROUND THE TOWN OF DJAKOVICA WERE SHELLED OVERNIGHT BY SERB MILITARY FORCES. THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN SOURCE SAYS HUNDREDS OF REFUGEES ARE FLEEING TOWARD DJAKOVICA, ABOUT 20 KILOMETERS FROM DECANI, THE TOWN DEVASTATED BY LAST WEEK'S FIGHTING. HUMANITARIAN WORKERS FEAR A NEW REFUGEE CRISIS BUT HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET INTO THE AREA.

ON WEDNESDAY WESTERN REPORTERS SAW A YUGOSLAV ARMY ARMORED DIVISION WITH AT LEAST 50 TANKS AND ARMOURED PERSONNEL CARRIERS MOVING SOUTH FROM PRISTINA TOWARD PRIZREN, THE THIRD LARGEST TOWN IN KOSOVO. A DETACHMENT OF TROOPS AND SPECIAL PARAMILITARY UNITS WERE ALSO SEEN IN HILLTOP POSITIONS OVERLOOKING THE MALISEVO REGION WEST OF THE PRISTINA-PRIZREN ROAD.

THE STRATEGIC MUNICIPALITY OF MALISEVO IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY AND THE THRIVING MARKET TOWN ISA KEY LINK IN SUPPLYING K-L-A FIGHTERS WHO ARE OTHERWISE CUT OFF FROM MAIN ROADS BY SERB FORCES.

MALISEVO IS ONE TOWN IN KOSOVO WHERE K-L-A GUERRILLAS WANDER AROUND OPENLY, SECURE IN THE KNOWLEDGE SERB FORCES ARE AT A SAFE DISTANCE. THE LOCAL K-L-A COMMANDER IN MALISEVO, ISNI KILAJ, SAYS THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN THE 41 VILLAGES UNDER HIS CONTROL NEED NOT FEAR BECOMING REFUGEES IN ALBANIA:

IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE HOW COMMANDER KILAJ IS GOING TO DEFEND HIS TERRITORY FROM A CONCERTED SERB ATTACK. THERE ARE NO FRONT LINES IN THIS WAR AND THEREFORE NO SAFE PLACES BEHIND THOSE LINES. UNLIKE BOSNIA, KOSOVO HAS NO NATURAL BARRIERS LIKE RIVERS OR MOUNTAINS SEPARATING KOSOVO FROM THE REST OF YUGOSLAVIA.

BUT COMMANDER KILAJ SAYS THE STRENGTH OF THE K-L-A LIES THE STRENGTH OF EVERY ABLE-BODIED MAN OF KOSOVO'S 90 PERCENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN POPULATION. AND AS K-L-A POLITICAL ADVISOR, GANI KRASNICI REMINDS -- THESE CITIZEN-SOLDIERS HAVE ARMS -- UNLIKE THE CITIZENS OF BOSNIA WHEN THE FIGHTING FIRST ERUPTED THERE:

(ALABANIAN/ENGLISH) EVERYTIME YOU FIGHT FOR LIBERATION THERE ARE WAYS OF GETTING ARMS. YOU CAN BUILD THEM OR TAKE THEM FROM THE ENEMY. CROATIA AND BOSNIA DID NOT HAVE A MOTHER STATE LIKE WE HAVE IN ALBANIA AND THEY HAD THEIR ARMS CHANNELS. SO YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND A CHANNEL FOR GETTING ARMS.

MR. KRASNICI SAID HE IS ALSO NOT CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTS SERBIA IS TRYING TO CUT KOSOVO OFF FROM THIS WEAPONS SUPPLY LINE IN ALBANIA. THE NEW YORK TIMES REPORTED FRIDAY THAT THE YUGOSLAV ARMY IS LAYING LAND MINES ALONG KOSOVO'S BORDER WITH ALBANIA. IF TRUE, WESTERN DIPLOMATS IN PRISTINA FEAR THE K-L-A MAY BE FORCED TO TURN TO THE MACEDONIAN BORDER TO BRING WEAPONS IN -- THEREBY DRAWING ANOTHER COUNTRY INTO THE CONFLICT. (SIGNED)
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12-Jun-98 4:03 PM EDT (2003 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] MACEDONIA AND THE KOSOVO CRISIS BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP MET IN LONDON [FRIDAY 6/12] ABOUT THE VIOLENCE IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. NATO [THURSDAY] ORDERED AIR EXERCISES OVER MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA TO WARN YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AGAINST FURTHER ATTACKS IN KOSOVO. FOR MONTHS, REGIONAL EXPERTS HAVE BEEN WARNING THAT

TEXT: ERAN FRAENKEL DIRECTS SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND IN MACEDONIA, A NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS IN THE FIELD OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND CONFLICT PREVENTION. MR. FRAENKEL DESCRIBES MACEDONIA AS BEING IN A SORT OF "LIMBO-LIKE" STATE.

TAPE: CUT ONE -- FRAENKEL (0:51) "THE EVENTS IN KOSOVO ARE OBVIOUSLY ON EVERYBODY'S MIND, ESPECIALLY ON THE MINDS OF THE ALBANIAN POPULATION HERE. ON THE OTHER HAND, THINGS ARE EERILY QUIET HERE. THE MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT STATES RATHER EMPHATICALLY THERE HAVE BEEN NO REFUGEES COMING ACROSS THE BORDER. WHAT THERE IS, HOWEVER, IS A GREATER INFLUX OF PEOPLE FROM KOSOVO CROSSING WITH THEIR PASSPORTS, NOT AS TOURISTS OR AS PEOPLE COMING TO VISIT THEIR FAMILIES BUT RATHER AS PEOPLE WHO ARE FLEEING THE VIOLENCE. IN AREAS CLOSER TO THE BORDER, THERE IS A GROWING SENSE OF ANTICIPATION THAT THINGS ARE GOING TO GET WORSE IN MACEDONIA. WHETHER OR NOT THIS CRISIS ACTUALLY HAPPENS HERE IN MACEDONIA, AND WE'RE ALL HOPING THAT IT DOESN'T, IT'S NONETHELESS NOT A VERY FAVORABLE INDICATION THAT MACEDONIAN CITIZENS ARE EVEN PREPARING FOR SUCH AN EVENTUALITY."

TEXT: TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ALBANIANS FROM WESTERN KOSOVO, WHERE MOST OF THE ETHNIC CLEANSING HAS TAKEN PLACE IN RECENT WEEKS, HAVE ALREADY FLED TO NEIGHBORING ALBANIA AND TO MONTENEGRO. AND, THERE'S BEEN CONSIDERABLE TALK IN DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES OF PLACING NATO TROOPS ON THE ALBANIAN AND MACEDONIAN BORDERS TO PREVENT THE VIOLENCE FROM SPREADING. ERAN FRAENKEL SAYS THERE'S BEEN A FAIRLY STRONG REACTION TO THAT IDEA IN MACEDONIA, ESPECIALLY AMONG ETHNIC ALBANIANS.

TAPE: CUT TWO -- FRAENKEL (0:51) "THE ALBANIAN OPINION ON THAT IS THESE TROOPS WOULD SIMPLY CREATE A MORE STRONGLY ENFORCED CAGE FOR THE POPULATION WITHIN KOSOVO, MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE DISPLACED, WHO ARE FLEEING FOR THEIR LIVES, TO IN FACT GET OUT OF HARM'S WAY. I THINK THERE'S PROBABLY LESS CONCERN THAN IS USUALLY EXPRESSED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ALL-OUT WAR THAT WOULD ENGULF MACEDONIA. I THINK THERE'S GREATER CONCERN ABOUT THE POSSIBLE OUTCOME OF VIOLENCE. NAMELY, IF KOSOVO WERE EVENTUALLY TO ATTAIN SOME DEGREE OF AUTONOMY, THE MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE REACTION OF THE ALBANIAN POPULATION WITHIN MACEDONIA -- WHETHER THAT WOULD GIVE THEM SOME LICENSE TO DEMAND SOME SIMILAR DEGREE OF AUTONOMY WITHIN MACEDONIA."

TEXT: SOMEWHERE BETWEEN A QUARTER AND A THIRD OF THE POPULATION OF MACEDONIA IS ETHNIC ALBANIAN. ON [WEDNESDAY] JUNE 10, MR. FRANKEL SAYS, THERE WAS A MASSIVE DEMONSTRATION IN SKOPJE DEMANDING THE PRESENCE OF NATO TROOPS IN KOSOVO TO PUT AN END TO THE VIOLENCE THERE. IN CONTRAST, ETHNIC MACEDONIANS ARE CONCERNED PRIMARILY WITH THE SURVIVAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA. THAT, MR. FRAENKEL SAYS, IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN KOSOVO. AND, HE ADDS, THEY WOULD LIKE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THAT SOME FORM OF STABILITY WITHIN MACEDONIA IS GUARANTEED.

JOHN FOX, A FORMER STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL WHO WORKED ON BALKAN ISSUES DURING THE WAR IN BOSNIA, NOW DIRECTS THE WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE. MR. FOX SAYS IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE MACEDONIA IS AFFECTED BY THE WAR IN NEIGHBORING KOSOVO.

TAPE: CUT THREE -- FOX (0:58) "AND I THINK IT WILL BE SOONER THAN LATER BECAUSE [WITH] THE VERY SUBSTANTIAL ETHNIC CLEANSING CAMPAIGN, WHICH IS NOW IN FORCE, REFUGEES WILL BE PUSHED OVER THE MACEDONIA BORDER AS WELL. THERE'S LOTS MORE COMING, UNLESS WESTERN INTERVENTION TAKES PLACE. AND I THINK PART OF THE POWDER KEG ALL ALONG HAS BEEN THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THE ALBANIAN COMMUNITY IN MACEDONIA WOULD BE DRAWN IN. AND I THINK THIS IS AN EXCELLENT WAY FOR MILOSEVIC AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO ENCOURAGE THAT TO HAPPEN -- IF THEY ALLOW THIS ETHNIC CLEANSING TO PROCEED. FIRST OF ALL, IT WOULD COME BECAUSE OF A LOSS OF CONFIDENCE IN WHAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS PREPARED TO DO TO BACK UP ITS POLICIES OF MANY YEARS ON MACEDONIA. NOW THAT WESTERN DETERRENTS HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO BE HOLLOW, IT'S A QUESTION OF WHETHER THE WEST RECOVERS ITS WILL -- AS I THINK THERE ARE SOME SIGNS THAT IT'S NOW DOING -- AND MOVE ON THE CORE ISSUE INSIDE KOSOVO. IF THAT HAPPENS, THEN I THINK MACEDONIA'S CHANCES ARE MUCH IMPROVED."

TEXT: MR. FOX SAYS A MAJOR CONSEQUENCE OF THE LACK OF EFFECTIVE WESTERN DETERRENCE TO THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO IS AN INCREASING RADICALIZATION AND MILITARIZATION OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE REGION.

TAPE: CUT FOUR -- FOX (0:43) "IT'S BEEN SAID BY MADELEINE ALBRIGHT'S SPOKEMAN, AND I THINK IT'S WORTH REPEATING, THAT MILOSEVIC HAS BEEN THE RECRUITING CHAIRMAN FOR THE K-L-A [KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY], AND THAT'S CERTAINLY TRUE. AND, EVEN MORE PROFOUND DESTABILIZATION CAN COME BY TIPPING THE BALANCE BETWEEN MODERATES AND EXTREMISTS IN A NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES IN MACEDONIA. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE U-S, HAS SO LITTLE UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENDANGERMENT OF MODERATE LEADERS IN THE REGION. I MEAN, THERE THERE WAS MODERATE LEADERSHIP IN KOSOVO THAT PREVAILED FOR MANY YEARS, NOT LEAST BECAUSE OF ASSURANCES THAT WERE GIVEN BY WASHINGTON AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. AND THOSE ASSURANCES TURN OUT TO BE RATHER EMPTY."

TEXT: JOHN FOX OF THE OPEN SOCIETY SAYS THERE SIGNS THAT THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES, ESPECIALLY BRITAIN, ARE "REAWAKENING" ON SOME OF THESE ISSUES. HE SAYS IT IS NOW LIKELY THAT FAR MORE "DECISIVE AND FORCEFUL" ACTION WILL BE TAKEN IN THE COMING WEEKS.
12-Jun-98 1:28 PM EDT (1728 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO / MINISTERS (S-UPDATE) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM THE WORLD'S SEVEN LARGEST INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES PLUS RUSSIA HAVE CALLED ON YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO END THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE PRESENTED PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WITH FOUR KEY POINTS DEMANDING IMMEDIATE ACTION.

AT THE END OF THEIR DAY-LONG MEETING, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK TOLD REPORTERS THE MINISTERS CALLED ON PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S SECURITY FORCES TO CEASE FIRE, AND SAID BELGRADE MUST ALLOW UNIMPEDED ACCESS TO KOSOVO BY INTERNATIONAL MONITORING GROUPS.

THIRD -- BELGRADE MUST WORK WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE RED CROSS TO HELP REFUGEES TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES. AND FOURTH -- BELGRADE MUST ENTER INTO SERIOUS POLITICAL DIALOGUE WITH THE LEADERS OF THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS.

MR. COOK SAID RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN WILL REAFFIRM THE STRONG MESSAGE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WHEN THE YUGOSLAV LEADER VISITS MOSCOW NEXT WEEK. (SIGNED)
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12-Jun-98 1:42 PM EDT (1742 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] COHEN / RUSSIA / KOSOVO (L) BY JIM RANDLE (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC SHOULD 'MAKE NO MISTAKE' ABOUT NATO'S READINESS TO USE MILITARY FORCE TO END THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. HIS COMMENTS FOLLOWED A MEETING WITH RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER IN BRUSSELS. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS.

TEXT: A U-S OFFICIAL SAYS RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEYEV FOCUSED ON RUSSIAN DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE KOSOVO CRISIS. THESE INCLUDE PLANNED TALKS BETWEEN YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN IN MOSCOW MONDAY. RUSSIA IS ALSO PARTICIPATING IN THE "CONTACT GROUP" OF NATIONS THAT ARE MEETING IN LONDON TO RESOLVE THE KOSOVO CRISIS.

THE RUSSIANS SAY THERE IS A NEED TO GET U-N APPROVAL BEFORE NATO OR OTHER OUTSIDE NATIONS TAKE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. KOSOVO IS A PROVINCE OF SERBIA, AND SERBIA IS ONE OF YUGOSLAVIA'S TWO REPUBLICS. THURSDAY, NATO MINISTERS ORDERED NATO WARPLANES TO STAGE MOCK BOMBING RAIDS AND OTHER MILITARY EXERCISES IN THE SKIES NEAR KOSOVO 'AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.' THE MINISTERS ALSO ORDERED THE PLANNING NEEDED FOR ACTUAL AIR RAIDS, ELECTRONIC ATTACKS ON SERBIAN COMMUNICATIONS, AND OTHER KINDS OF ATTACKS.

SECRETARY COHEN SAYS WASHINGTON ALSO FAVORS DIPLOMACY, AND WILL USE THE MILITARY ONLY AS A LAST RESORT.

THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION OR DECISION TO ACTUALLY COMMIT OUR FORCES TO ANY KIND OF A MILITARY OPTION; MILITARY OPTIONS ARE NOW BEING EXAMINED. FRANCE AND RUSSIA WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE UNITED NATIONS ENDORSE THIS. BUT WE HAVE TAKEN THE POSITION THAT A U-N DECLARATION OF SUPPORT WOULD BE DESIRABLE BUT IT'S NOT IMPERATIVE. NONETHELESS, I THINK THERE IS BROAD SUPPORT ON ALL THE COUNTRIES, FRANCE AND RUSSIA AS WELL, TO SEEK A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION IF POSSIBLE, BUT TO EXPLORE MILITARY OPTIONS IF NECESSARY.

A U-S OFFICIAL SAYS THE RUSSIAN-AMERICAN MEETING WAS 'FRANK AND FRIENDLY' AND WENT LONGER THAN SCHEDULED. MR. COHEN SPOKE LATER IN A U-S TELEVISION INTERVIEW (ON THE A-B-C NETWORK). (SIGNED).
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12-Jun-98 9:37 AM EDT (1337 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] E-U SUMMIT (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: LEADERS OF THE 15 EUROPEAN UNION NATIONS GATHER THIS WEEKEND IN CARDIFF, WALES, FOR THEIR SUMMER SUMMIT. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS

TEXT: THIS IS THE JUST THE LATEST GATHERING OF E-U LEADERS TO BE HELD DURING THE SIX-MONTH BRITISH PRESIDENCY OF THE ORGANIZATION. AN EARLIER CONFERENCE LAUNCHED NEGOTIATIONS ON MEMBERSHIP IN THE E-U WITH FIVE EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AND WITH CYPRUS. THERE ALSO WAS A SPECIAL SUMMIT IN BRUSSELS IN MAY TO PREPARE FOR THE NEW SINGLE CURRENCY, CALLED THE EURO.

THE MEETING IN CARDIFF WILL FOCUS ON CONTINUING EFFORTS TO FIND JOBS FOR THE 18-MILLION PEOPLE UNEMPLOYED IN EUROPE, AND ON THE REFORM WHICH IS NEEDED FOR A LARGER EUROPEAN UNION TO FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY.

GERMANY NOW PAYS 10-BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR MORE TO THE E-U THAN IT GETS BACK -- AND IS SEEKING A CUT IN ITS YEARLY CONTRIBUTION. THERE ARE SIMILAR DEMANDS FROM SWEDEN, THE NETHERLANDS, AND AUSTRIA, WHICH ALSO PAY MORE THAN THEY GET BACK. HOWEVER, IF THE COUNTRIES WHICH PAY THE MOST ARE ABLE TO TRIM THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS, THOSE WHO MAKE THE MOST COULD LOSE OUT. SO POORER NATIONS, SUCH AS SPAIN, PORTUGAL, AND GREECE ARE BITTERLY OPPOSED TO BUDGETARY REFORMS.

THE SUMMIT ALSO WILL LOOK AT HOW TO IMPROVE THE E-U'S IMAGE, WITH LEADERS WELL AWARE THAT THE EUROPEAN UNION IS SEEN AS OVER-BUREAUCRATIC, OVER-EXPENSIVE, AND INEFFICIENT IN THE EYES OF MANY OF ITS CITIZENS. HOWEVER, THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, JACQUES SANTER, SAYS IT IS NOT FAIR TO ALWAYS ATTACK EUROPEAN OFFICIALS, WHEN MOST DECISIONS ARE TAKEN BY E-U GOVERNMENTS. HE CITES A HIGHLY UNPOPULAR LAW THAT WILL END DUTY-FREE SALES FOR TRAVELLERS MOVING BETWEEN E-U STATES. HE NOTES THE 15 EUROPEAN FINANCE MINISTERS AGREED TO THE LAW IN 1991, AND THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SHOULD NOT BE BLAMED.

MR. SANTER WILL BE SEEKING A LARGER ROLE FOR EUROPE IN FORMING A COMMON FOREIGN POLICY TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO CRISES SUCH AS THE CURRENT ONE IN KOSOVO. HE ALSO WANTS MORE E-U ACTION AGAINST DRUGS BARONS AND OTHER FORMS OF ORGANIZED CRIME.

THE SUMMIT WILL WELCOME SOUTH AFRICA'S PRESIDENT MANDELA, WHO IS BIDDING HIS FAREWELL TO E-U LEADERS, AS HE PREPARES TO RETIRE FROM ACTIVE POLITICS. HE IS EXPECTED TO REMIND THEM THAT THE E-U PROMISED SOUTH AFRICA A GENEROUS TRADE DEAL AT THE TIME OF THE COUNTRY'S FIRST DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS IN 1994.

NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE E-U AND SOUTH AFRICA WERE STALLED AGAIN THIS PAST WEEK, AND SOUTH AFRICAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE PROMISES MADE SO LONG AGO TO BE TRANSLATED INTO FIRM TRADE CONCESSIONS, WHICH WILL ENABLE THEIR ECONOMY TO RECOVER FROM YEARS OF APARTHEID RULE. (SIGNED)
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12-Jun-98 11:49 AM EDT (1549 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY KEVIN LYNCH (LONDON)

INTRO: THE MAJOR MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE ALL ENDED FRIDAY IN THE LOSS COLUMN, AS FEARS INCREASED ABOUT THE HEALTH OF THE JAPANESE ECONOMY. V-O-A' KEVIN LYNCH HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES FROM OUR OFFICES IN LONDON.

TEXT: UNCERTAINTY OVER THE JAPANESE ECONOMY SENT MARKETS DOWN IN LONDON, PARIS AND FRANKFURT, BUT TRADING WAS LIGHT AS WORLD CUP FEVER CONTINUES TO GRIP THE MARKETS, ESPECIALLY IN PARIS, THE CUP'S HOST CITY, WHERE ONE IN THREE TRADERS IS SAID TO BE TAKING TIME OFF TO SEE THE MATCHES.

HERE ARE THE CLOSING MARKET FIGURES. IN LONDON, THE FINANCIAL TIMES 100-SHARE INDEX FINISHED 83 POINTS LOWER, A DROP OF ONE-POINT-FOUR PERCENT, WHILE IN PARIS THE CAC-40 INDEX CLOSED DOWN 91 POINTS, A DROP OF MORE THAN TWO PERCENT. IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX INDEX WAS DOWN 168 POINTS, A DROP OF ALMOST THREE PERCENT.

ON EUROPEAN CURRENCY MARKETS, THE DOLLAR FINISHED THE DAY LOWER AGAINST THE MARK AND THE POUND.

THE PRICE OF GOLD CLOSED IN LONDON AT 285 DOLLARS 90 CENTS AN OUNCE -- DOWN THREE DOLLARS 50 CENTS. (SIGNED)
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12-Jun-98 3:30 PM EDT (1930 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 UP TODAY (FRIDAY) IN A VOLATILE SESSION. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 88 HUNDRED 34, UP 23 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST 203 POINTS OR MORE THAN TWO PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT ONE THOUSAND 98, UP FOUR POINTS.

IT WAS A VOLATILE SESSION WITH THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE FALLING MORE THAN 120 POINTS IN MID-DAY BEFORE RECOVERING ALL OF THE LOSS AND TURNING POSITIVE. BUT ANALYSTS SAY TRADERS CONTINUE TO WORRY ABOUT HOW THE ECONOMIC CRISIS IN ASIA WILL AFFECT U-S CORPORATE PROFITS.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS WHOLESALE PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES ROSE TWO-TENTHS OF A PERCENT IN MAY, THE SAME AS IN APRIL BUT NOT ENOUGH TO INDICATE ANY INFLATION PROBLEM.

PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS EXTENDED FOR 10 YEARS THE BAN ON OFFSHORE OIL DEVELOPMENT IN THE UNITED STATES. THE BAN, WHICH WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL THE YEAR 2012, IS MEANT TO PROTECT COASTLINES FROM THE THREAT OF OIL SPILLS.

TALKS CONTINUE IN AN EFFORT TO RESOLVE TWO STRIKES AT GENERAL MOTORS PLANTS, STRIKES WHICH HAVE FORCED THE SHUT DOWN OF MANY OTHER G-M VEHICLE PRODUCTION FACILITIES. MICHAEL WARD, THE AUTO INDUSTRY ANALYST AT THE PAINE WEBBER INVESTMENT COMPANY, EXPECTS THE PLANT SHUT DOWNS WILL SPREAD.

YOU WILL SEE A MAJOR IMPACT ALL ACROSS NORTH AMERICAN AUTOMOTIVE OPERATIONS OF GENERAL MOTORS AS WELL AS THEIR SUPPLIERS AS THIS THING DRAGS ON.

MANY ANALYSTS SAY G-M IS WILLING TO ENDURE A PROLONGED SHUTDOWN IN AN EFFORT TO CUTS COSTS.

GERMAN AUTOMAKER VOLKSWAGEN SAYS IT HAS AGREED TO BUY LAMBORGHINI, THE ITALIAN SPORTS CAR MAKER, FOR AN UNDISCLOSED PRICE. THE DEAL COMES JUST A WEEK AFTER VOLKSWAGEN WON A BIDDING WAR FOR ROLLS ROYCE OF BRITAIN.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY, THE MCDONALD'S RESTAURANT CHAIN IS PLANNING TO LAY OFF WORKERS AT ITS CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN THE MIDWESTERN STATE OF ILLINOIS. MCDONALD'S SAYS IT IS PART OF ITS STRATEGY TO CUTS COSTS AND DECENTRALIZE U-S OPERATIONS.

FIDELITY INVESTMENTS, ONE OF THE LARGEST MUTUAL FUND COMPANIES IN THE WORLD, IS DENYING WALL STREET RUMORS THAT IT IS FOR SALE. THE PRIVATELY OWNED COMPANY HAS REPORTEDLY BEEN APPROACHED BY BANKS, BROKERAGE FIRMS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES ABOUT A POSSIBLE SALE BUT THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL" SAYS FIDELITY HAS TURNED DOWN ALL THE OFFERS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/JO
12-Jun-98 4:54 PM EDT (2054 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE NEW DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVE TOWARD NORTH KOREA BEING SUGGESTED BY VISITING SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT KIM DURING HIS U-S VISIT, CONTINUES TO SHOW UP IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF THE NATION'S DAILY PAPERS THIS FRIDAY. OTHER POPULAR TOPICS INCLUDE: THE INCREASING VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT; A CONTROVERSIAL DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING INVESTIGATION IN MEXICO; AN ASSAULT ON THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE IN WISCONSIN; AND THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF THE DRUG VIAGARA. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT THE COMMENTARIES, IS _______________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT KIM DAE JUNG HAS BEEN MEETING WITH WHITE HOUSE AND STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS, AND SPOKE TO A COMBINED SESSION OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE ON HIS VISIT TO WASHINGTON THIS WEEK. HIS MAIN THEMES WERE RENEWED INVESTMENT IN HIS NATION, AND A REASSESSMENT OF POLICY TOWARD NORTH KOREA. HE BELIEVES IT IS TIME TO TRY TO BRING PYONGYANG INTO MORE MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE WITH HIS NATION AND THE REST OF THE WORLD. HE WANTS THE U-S TO BEGIN DROPPING TRADE SANCTIONS AGAINST THE NORTH. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" CALLS HIM AN "'UNLIKELY CHAMPION FOR NORTH KOREA" IN ITS EDITORIAL HEADLINE.

VOICE: HE WANTS AMERICAN BUSINESSES TO EXPAND THEIR INVESTMENTS IN HIS COUNTRY AS IT WORKS ITS WAY BACK TO THE ROBUST ECONOMIC HEALTH THAT, UNTIL LAST YEAR, HAD PLACED IT AMONG THE WORLD'S DOZEN RICHEST NATIONS. AND HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE WASHINGTON EASE ITS SANCTIONS ON NORTH KOREA IN AN EFFORT TO LURE THAT FLOUNDERING AND SELF-ISOLATED STATE INTO ADOPTING MORE CONCILIATORY POLICIES. /// OPT

TEXT: A TOP DOMESTIC TOPIC IS A RECENT STATE SUPREME COURT DECISION IN THE MIDWESTERN STATE OF WISCONSIN.THE RULING IT APPEARS, TO SEVERAL PAPERS, TO BREACH THE CONSTITUTIONAL WALL SEPARATING CHURCH AND STATE. BY LAW, THE GOVERNMENT IS FORBIDDEN TO FAVOR ANY RELIGION. SEVERAL PAPERS, INCLUDING "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AND "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" ARE SUGGESTING THE MATTER MUST NOW GO TO THE U-S SUPREME COURT. "THE INQUIRER" SAYS, IN PART:

VOICE: A WISCONSIN COURT RULING THAT TAXPAYER MONEY [IN THE FORM OF VOUCHERS] CAN BE USED TO SEND POOR CHILDREN TO RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS COULD LEAD TO THE FIRST U-S SUPREME COURT TEST OF THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF VOUCHERS. THIS IS GOOD AND IMPORTANT NEWS. AS SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAMS ARE DEBATED AND VOTED ON IN THIS REGION ......THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THEY VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTIONAL SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE HAS HOVERED OVER EVERY SERIOUS DISCUSSION. ... AT LEAST NOW THERE'S A CHANCE ... THE SUPREME COURT WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER ...... THAT QUESTION.

TEXT: "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" ALSO HAS AN EDITORIAL ABOUT THE UNFORTUNATE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE NEW DRUG VIAGRA, WHICH HAS BEEN A HELP TO PREVIOUSLY IMPOTENT MEN. SPEAKING OF THE RUSH TO TAKE THE DRUG, "THE INQUIRER" SAYS:

VOICE: THE NEWS THAT 16 MEN WITH PRESCRIPTIONS FOR VIAGRA HAVE DIED SHOULD TEACH US TO APPROACH SCIENCE AND MEDICINE WITH THE SAME CAREFUL SKEPTICISM THAT SCIENTISTS AND PHYSICIANS USE. BY ALL AVAILABLE ACCOUNTS, PFIZER INCORPORATED [THE DRUG'S MAKER] WAS COMPASSIONATE, RESPONSIBLE, CAREFUL AND MINDFUL OF THE LAW THROUGHOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF VIAGRA. ..... BUT WHAT COMPANY COULD ANTICIPATE THE MASSED FORCE OF HUMAN DESIRE? DOCTORS HAVE BEEN BESIEGED FOR PRESCRIPTIONS: ONE-POINT-SEVEN-MILLION SINCE THE DRUG WAS APPROVED THIS SPRING ..... SIXTEEN DEATHS OUT OF ALMOST TWO MILLION PRESCRIPTIONS .... IS WELL WITHIN MOST STANDARDS OF SAFETY FOR NEW DRUGS. ....[HOWEVER] PHYSICIANS, CONSUMERS, WRITERS, MEN AND WOMEN EVERYWHERE: BE CAREFUL WITH THE NEWS YOU HEAR, THE DRUGS YOU TAKE AND THE JOKES YOU TELL. .... AND LET'S ADMIT THAT ..... WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE A LOT TO LEARN .... ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY AND CAUTION, TRUTH AND .... DESIRE.

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