Voice of America, 98-09-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA UNREST (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[02] ALBANIA UNREST OVERNIGHT UPDATE (S/L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[03] U-S/ALBANIA (S ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[04] BOSNIA ELECTION (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[05] INTERIM ACCORD FOR KOSOVO? BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

[06] KOSOVO MONETNEGRO REFUGEES (L-O) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

[07] U-S/BOSNIAN ELECTIONS (S ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[08] U-S/KURDS (S ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[09] E-U / SAF TRADE (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

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

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

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

[01] ALBANIA UNREST (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: A FUNERAL PROCESSION IN ALBANIA TURNED VIOLENT (MONDAY), AS SUPPORTERS OF THE OPPOSITION DEMOCRATIC PARTY TRIED TO CARRY THE BODY OF ONE OF THEIR POLITICAL LEADERS WHO WAS KILLED SATURDAY INTO THE GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS BUILDING. CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS FROM OUR REGIONAL NEWS BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: THE SHOOTING BEGAN AS SUPPORTERS OF THE OPPOSITION DEMOCRATIC PARTY TRIED TO BRING THE BODY OF AZEM HAJDARI TO THE OFFICE OF PRIME MINISTER FATOS NANO.

GUARDS INSIDE THE BUILDING APPARENTLY FIRED AT THE CROWD, NUMBERING IN THE THOUSANDS. EXPLOSIONS ALSO COULD BE HEARD INSIDE THE BUILDING.

OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS TOOK CONTROL OF SEVERAL TANKS, WHICH WHERE AMONG THE ARMORED VEHICLES SEEN ON THE STREETS OF TIRANA. GROUPS OF ARMED MEN ROAMED THE STREETS.

THE VIOLENCE FOLLOWED A FUNERAL FOR MR. HAJDARI AND HIS BODYGUARD, WHO WERE GUNNED DOWN SATURDAY AT THE OFFICES OF THE OPPOSITION DEMOCRATIC PARTY. THE ASSASSINATION TRIGGERED RIOTS SUNDAY, WHEN PROTESTERS ATTACKED THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING DURING A CABINET MEETING, FORCING MINISTERS TO FLEE. THE PROTESTERS SET FIRE TO A NUMBER OF CARS AND TO THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING ITSELF.

THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE UNITED STATES HAVE APPEALED FOR CALM. SO HAS PRIME MINISTER FATOS NANO.

OPPOSITION LEADER SALI BERISHA SAYS HE BLAMES PRIME MINISTER NANO FOR THE DEATH OF THE AZEM HAJDARI AND HAS CALLED ON HIM TO RESIGN. MR. NANO AND MR. BERISHA ARE BITTER POLITICAL RIVALS. MR. NANO, A REFORMER AND EX-COMMUNIST, CAME TO POWER IN LAST YEAR'S ELECTIONS.

OBSERVERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A POSSIBLE REPEAT OF LAST YEAR'S ANARCHY THAT FOLLOWED THE COLLAPSE OF PYRAMID INVESTMENT SCHEMES. IN THE UNREST LAST YEAR, STATE ARMORIES WERE LOOTED OF AN ESTIMATED ONE-MILLION OR MORE WEAPONS. THE GOVERNMENT STILL HAS ONLY LIMITED AUTHORITY IN MUCH OF THE COUNTRY. (SIGNED)
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14-Sep-98 7:51 AM EDT (1151 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBANIA UNREST OVERNIGHT UPDATE (S/L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: OFFICIALS IN ALBANIA SAY GOVERNMENT FORCES HAVE REGAINED CONTROL OF MUCH OF THE CAPITAL, TIRANA, AFTER A DAY OF CHAOS AND VIOLENCE THAT LEFT AT LEAST THREE DEAD AND MORE THAN A DOZEN WOUNDED. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS FROM OUR REGIONAL NEWS BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: ALBANIAN POLICE AND SPECIAL FORCES APPEAR TO HAVE RESTORED SOME SENSE OF ORDER IN TIRANA, AFTER OPPOSITION FORCES TOOK CONTROL OF THE TELEVISION STATION AND GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, AND SEIZED SEVERAL TANKS.

EARLIER MONDAY, ARMED GANGS LOOTED STORES AND FIRED SHOTS IN THE AIR. A SPOKESMAN SAID PRIME MINISTER FATOS NANO CALLED THE UNREST "A COUP."

IT BEGAN SATURDAY WHEN POPULAR OPPOSITION POLITICIAN AZEM HAJDARI WAS KILLED AT DEMOCRATIC PARTY HEADQUARTERS. OPPOSITION LEADER SALI BERISHA BLAMED PRIME MINISTER NANO FOR THE ASSASSINATION, AND CALLED ON HIM TO RESIGN.

MONDAY'S UNREST WAS TRIGGERED WHEN AN ANTI-GOVERNMENT CROWD TRIED TO BRING THE BODY OF MR. HAJDARI TO THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE, WHERE GUARDS FIRED AT THE CROWD.

IT WAS THE WORST VIOLENCE SEEN IN TIRANA SINCE LAST YEAR, WHEN ANGRY ALBANIANS RIOTED OVER FINANCIAL LOSSES IN FRAUDULENT INVESTMENT SCHEMES. MORE THAN AN ESTIMATED ONE MILLION WEAPONS WERE LOOTED FROM STATE ARMORIES LAST YEAR, MANY OF WHICH ARE STILL IN PRIVATE HANDS.

EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN OFFICIALS HAVE APPEALED FOR CALM. ITALY IS WORKING ON PLANS TO EVACUATE ITS NATIONALS FROM ALBANIA IF NECESSARY. ITALY HAS LONG TIES TO ALBANIA, AND LED A MULTINATIONAL PEACE FORCE THAT HELPED RESTORE ORDER AFTER LAST YEAR'S UNREST.

THE GOVERNMENT STILL HAS ONLY LIMITED AUTHORITY IN MUCH OF THE COUNTRY. ALBANIA'S RECOVERY HAS BEEN SLOW AND DIFFICULT, AND IT REMAINS THE POOREST COUNTRY IN EUROPE. (SIGNED)
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14-Sep-98 4:58 PM EDT (2058 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] U-S/ALBANIA (S ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO:(PLEASE UPDATE INTRO WHEN THERE IS A SECOND SOURCE FOR THE REPORT OF SALI BERISHA BEING ORDERED OUT OF ALBANIA) IN ALBANIA, THERE WERE VIOLENCE CLASHES MONDAY BETWEEN GOVERNMENT SECURITY FORCES AND OPPOSITION DEMONSTRATORS. ACCORDING TO THE ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY TROOPS HAVE NOW REGAINED CONTROL OF BUILDINGS THAT HAD BEEN SEIZED BY OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS. THE UNITED STATES HAS CONDEMNED THE VIOLENCE AS VOA STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER REPORTS.

TEXT: WHAT IS DESCRIBED AS THE WORST VIOLENCE IN ALBANIA SINCE MARCH OF 1997 HAS ERUPTED IN TIRANA WITH DEMANDS FOR PRIME MINISTER FATOS NANO TO RESIGN. OPPOSITION LEADER AZEM HAJDARI WAS KILLED BY UNKNOWN GUNMEN OUTSIDE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HEADQUARTERS ON SATURDAY. DEMONSTRATORS TOOK OVER BUILDINGS INCLUDING THE TELEVISION STATION AND PARLIAMENT ON MONDAY.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN CALLED FOR AN END TO VIOLENCE AND WARNED THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT RECOGNIZE ANY GOVERNMENT THAT COMES TO POWER IN ALBANIA THROUGH VIOLENCE.

THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT RECOGNIZE OR WORK WITH A GOVERNMNENT THAT COMES TO POWER THROUGH VIOLENT MEANS. WE CALL ON THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP OF ALBANIA TO COOPERATE WITH THE PRESIDENT IN WORKING ON CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSALS THAT WILL END THE CURRENT UPHEAVAL.

AN ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY OFFICIAL SAYS AT LEAST THREE OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS WERE KILLED AND 14 WOUNDED IN RETAKING THE BUILDINGS.(SIGNED)
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14-Sep-98 4:43 PM EDT (2043 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA ELECTION (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OFFICIALS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA SAY THEY EXPECT TO HAVE PRELIMINARY RESULTS TUESDAY FROM THIS WEEKEND'S ELECTIONS. CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM OUR REGIONAL NEWS BUREAU IN PRAGUE THE ELECTION GENERALLY WENT WELL, DESPITE CRITICISM FROM A DELEGATION OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT MEMBERS.

TEXT: ALMOST EIGHT OUT OF 10 BOSNIA'S REGISTERED VOTERS WENT TO THE POLLS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. A COMPUTER PROBLEM FORCED VOTERS AT A SMALL NUMBER OF POLLING PLACES TO CAST A SPECIAL BALLOT, BUT OFFICIALS EMPHASIZE ALL ELIGIBLE VOTES WILL BE COUNTED.

A DELEGATION OF PARLIAMENTARY MONITORS FROM EUROPE MONDAY CRITICIZED THE WAY THE VOTE WAS ORGANIZED, SAYING IT COULD UNDERMINE VOTER CONFIDENCE. THE DELEGATES CITED THE LARGE NUMBER OF APPARENTLY-ELIGIBLE VOTERS WHOSE NAMES WERE NOT ON THE REGISTRATION LISTS.

BUT A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, WHICH RAN THE ELECTION, REJECTED THE CRITICISM. SPOKESMAN DARDAN GASHI CRITICIZED THE PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATES FOR NOT GETTING THEIR SIDE OF THE STORY. HE SAID THERE WERE PROBLEMS IN ONLY TWO-PERCENT OF THE POLLING PLACES.

IT IS PRETTY HARD, AFTER THE WAR AND AFTER ALL THE MILLIONS OF REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PEOPLE, TO GET A 100-PERCENT CLEAR VOTERS' REGISTER. AND ACTUALLY, THE BOSNIAN VOTERS WERE NOT COMPLAINING. WE DID NOT HAVE COMPLAINTS FROM THE BOSNIAN VOTERS. WE DID NOT HAVE COMPLAINTS FROM THE BOSNIAN POLITICAL PARTIES.

VOTERS IN BOSNIA'S TWO ENTITIES -- THE SERB REPUBLIC AND THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION -- VOTED FOR OFFICES INCLUDING A SERB PRESIDENT, AND JOINT AND INDIVIDUAL LEGISLATURES.

ONE OF THE MOST CLOSELY-WATCHED CONTESTS WILL BE FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE SERB REPUBLIC. THE CURRENT PRESIDENT, BILJANA PLAVSIC, HAS COOPERATED WITH THE WESTERN POWERS IMPLEMENTING THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT. SHE IS BEING CHALLENGED BY THE HARDLINE RADICAL PARTY (WHOSE CANDIDATE IS NIKOLA POPLASEN).

PRELIMINARY RESULTS ARE EXPECTED LATE TUESDAY, WITH FINAL RESULTS DUE AT THE END OF THE WEEK. (SIGNED)
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14-Sep-98 11:04 AM EDT (1504 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] INTERIM ACCORD FOR KOSOVO? BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A WEEK AGO [9/4], THE U-S ENVOY FOR KOSOVO INDICATED THAT THE TWO SIDES TO THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO HAD REACHED A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT TO PUT OFF DISCUSSIONS ON THE REGION'S FINAL STATUS FOR THREE YEARS. AMBASSADOR CHRISTOPHER HILL EXPRESSED CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM THAT NEGOTIATIONS ON KOSOVO'S FUTURE COULD GET UNDERWAY AND THAT TALKS WOULD BE HELD UNDER THE FRAMEWORK OF A SO-CALLED "INTERIM ACCORD" TO ESTABLISH DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IN KOSOVO. BUT, AMBASSADOR HILL ALSO POINTED OUT THAT IT'S TOO EARLY TO PREDICT WHETHER THE SERBIANS AND KOSOVAR ALBANIANS WILL STOP FIGHTING AND

TEXT: JAMES HOOPER, DIRECTOR OF THE BALKAN ACTION COUNCIL IN WASHINGTON, D-C, SAYS THE PURPOSE OF AN INTERIM ACCORD WOULD BE TO POSTPONE THE DISCUSSION ABOUT FINAL STATUS ARRANGEMENTS FOR KOSOVO -- WHETHER IT BECOMES INDEPENDENT OR REMAINS PART OF SERBIA.

TAPE: CUT ONE -- HOOPER (0:39) "THE DEVICE OF AN INTERIM ACCORD IS DESIGNED TO AVOID TAKING A POSITION ON THOSE FINAL ARRANGEMENTS WHILE STILL FOCUSING ON ENDING THE FIGHTING AND OBTAINING AS MUCH A DEGREE OF AUTONOMY AND SELF-GOVERNMENT FOR THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS AS IS POSSIBLE. FIRST OF ALL, OUR POSITION ON THE NEGOTIATIONS IS THAT THEY ARE NOT SERIOUS, THAT THEY'RE BEING USED BY [MR.] MILOSEVIC AND THE UNITED STATES AND THE NATO GOVERNMENTS TO ALLEVIATE PRESSURE ON NATO TO RESPOND FORCEFULLY TO THE ETHNIC CLEANSING THERE AND THE WAR. ON THE SERBIAN SIDE, [MR.] MILOSEVIC HAS NO INTENTION OF HONORING ANY AGREEMENT."

TEXT: THE DIRECTOR OF THE BALKAN ACTION COUNCIL SAYS THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT IS USING THE NEGOTIATIONS TO OBTAIN U-S SUPPORT TO LEGITIMIZE SERBIA'S POSITION IN THE UNITED NATIONS AND TO GET WESTERN FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR RECONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE.

TAPE: CUT TWO -- HOOPER (0:53) "THAT IS, WHAT HE [MR. MILOSEVIC] WANTS US TO DO IS TO PAY HIM AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR CLEANING UP THE MESS THAT HE HAS CREATED IN KOSOVO. WHAT WE [MEMBERS OF THE BALKAN ACTION COUNCIL] SUPPORT THEN IS NOT A SERIES OF NEGOTIATIONS THAT GO ON AND ON, WHILE THE FIGHTING CONTINUES, BUT A FORCEFUL NATO INTERVENTION BY NATO AIR POWER, LED BY THE UNITED STATES, TO STOP THE FIGHTING, TO FORCE SERBIAN MILITARY AND POLICE FORCES TO WITHDRAW FROM KOSOVO AND FOR KOSOVO ITSELF TO ENTER AN INTERIM SETTLEMENT. [OPT] FOR A PERIOD OF THREE TO FIVE YEARS IT WOULD BE A PROTECTORATE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, AND DURING THAT TIME, ITS ACTIONS WOULD BE JUDGED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, AND -- IF IT TREATED ITS MINORITIES WELL AND GAVE THEM EQUAL RIGHTS AND DID NOT TRY TO UNDERMINE MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA BY LINKING ITSELF TO THEM -- THEN IT WOULD BE ABLE TO SEEK INDEPENDENCE."

TEXT: FORMER STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL JOHN FOX DIRECTS THE WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE. HE SAYS AN INTERIM ACCORD ON KOSOVO WOULD PRIMARILY BENEFIT THE GOVERNMENT IN BELGRADE.

TAPE: CUT THREE -- FOX (1:28) "THE MAJOR IMPLICATION OF THIS ENTIRE NEGOTIATION IS TO BUY TIME FOR THE ATTACKS ON THE GROUND AND FOR THE DEPOPULATION OF HALF OF KOSOVO. SINCE MAY WE'VE HAD A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DISPLACED PERSONS AND REFUGEES, A WHOLE VARIETY OF ATROCITIES AND WAR CRIMES COMMITTED, WHICH ONLY GET WORSE BY THE WEEK. SO, THE MAJOR IMPLICATION SO FAR OF THIS NEGOTIATING PROCESS HAS BEEN THAT IT ACCOMPANIES VIOLENCE AND SERVES AS A COVER FOR FACTS BEING CREATED ON THE GROUND. IT ALSO ACTS AS A VERY CONVENIENT COVER FOR THE WEST, AND PARTICULARLY THE UNITED STATES, TO DO VERY LITTLE IN FULFILMENT OF THE PLEDGES IT MADE NOT TO ALLOW PRECISELY THIS KIND OF VIOLENCE TO TAKE PLACE IN KOSOVO. [OPT] THE FACT IS THAT THE UNITED STATES AND NEGOTIATORS INVOLVED ARE NOT ABLE TO GIVE ANY KIND OF SECURITY GUARANTEE TO THIS PROCESS. THEY REFUSE TO DO AN INTERVENTION TO STOP THE VIOLENCE, TO IMPOSE A CEASE FIRE, AND THEY ARE VERY VAGUE AND NONCOMMITAL ABOUT A SECURITY GUARANTEE THAT WOULD COME OUT OF THIS. IT'S QUITE ABSURD TO BE DISCUSSING THESE THINGS SO DETERMINEDLY OVER IN THE CORNER WHILE THERE'S A FIRE BURNING IN THE CENTER OF THE ROOM WHICH IS ENGULFING THE ROOM. SO, IT'S A VERY ACADEMIC EXERCISE AT THE MOMENT." [END OPT]

TEXT: JANUSZ BUGAJSKI [YAHN-USH BOO-GYE-SKEE], DIRECTOR OF EAST EUROPEAN STUDIES AT THE CENTER FOR STATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IN WASHINGTON, D-C, SAYS HE'S PESSIMISTIC ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF ANY INTERIM AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY UNKNOWNS.

TAPE: CUT FOUR -- BUGAJSKI (0:51) "ONE IS THE CONTINUING WAR, CONTINUING BLOODSHED, CONTINUING EXPULSION OF CIVILIANS AND DESTRUCTION OF VILLAGES, THAT I DO NOT SEE, AT LEAST IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE, ANY KIND OF AGREEMENT THAT WILL BE BINDING. WHO'S GOING TO VERIFY THAT ANY AGREEMENT THAT'S REACHED IS GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTED? MR. MILOSEVIC'S RECORD ON THIS, AS WE KNOW, IS NOT BEEN VERY GOOD. [OPT] [MR.] MILOSEVIC HAS ONLY CARRIED THROUGH ON WHAT HE SAYS WHERE THE ALTERNATIVE FOR HIM IS WORSE THAN THE ACCEPTANCE, WHERE THERE IS SOME PUNISHMENT IF HE DOESN'T ABIDE BY THE AGREEMENT. OTHERWISE, WE'VE KNOWN FOR 10 YEARS, HE TALKS AND FIGHTS AND TEARS UP AGREEMENTS, AND MAKES MOVES THAT ARE OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF ANY AGREEMENT, AND THEN COMES BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. [END OPT] HE'S A VERY TRICKY CUSTOMER. THE UNITED STATES HAS TO OVERSEE THIS PROCESS VERY CLOSELY -- EVEN, I WOULD SAY, TO THE POINT OF SENDING IN SOME KIND OF AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE TO SUPERVISE THE AGREEMENT, IF INDEED IT IS SIGNED."

TEXT: FORMER STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL PAUL WILLIAMS AND SENIOR ASSOCIATE AT THE CARNEGIE ENDOWNMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE IS PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN WASHINGTON, D-C. HE SAYS HE IS SKEPTICAL OF THE PLAN FOR AN INTERIM ACCORD ON KOSOVO.

TAPE: CUT FIVE -- WILLIAMS (0:57) "THE WAY THE U-S GOVERNMENT IS CURRENTLY CONCEIVING OF THIS, NATO WOULD GUARANTEE THE INTERIM STATUS, THE OSCE WOULD PROVIDE THE MONITORING OF ELECTIONS, AND THE EUROPEAN UNION WOULD SEND IN HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS. YOU MOSTLY NEED THE COMPLIANCE OF [MR.] MILOSEVIC, WHICH YOU'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAVE. HE'S RESPONSIBLE FOR GENOCIDE IN BOSNIA, HE'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISINTEGRATION OF YUGOSLAVIA, HE HAS HIS OWN INTERESTS IN KOSOVO. SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS NO INCENTIVE TO NEGOTIATE PEACE IN KOSOVO. THE U-S HAS GIVEN HIM THE GREEN LIGHT ESSENTIALLY TO COMMIT ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO. AND WHAT'S NECESSARY IS FOR THE UNITED STATES TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR TO [MR.] MILOSEVIC THAT HE WILL SUFFER SEVERE REPERCUSSIONS IF HE IS UNWILLING TO NEGOTIATE. THEY SHOULD IMPOSE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS, THEY SHOULD THREATEN USE OF FORCE, NO-FLY ZONED, AND QUITE FRANKLY THE [INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES] TRIBUNAL SHOULD INDICT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC FOR WAR CRIMES. AND U-S POLICY SHOULD BE TO BEGIN TO ERODE HIS LEGITIMACY RATHER THAN SUPPORTING HIS LEGITIMACY."

TEXT: BALKAN ANALYSTS SUCH AS JAMES HOOPER, JOHN FOX, JANUSZ BUGAJSKI, AND PAUL WILLIAMS URGE EXTREME CAUTION IN NEGOTIATING ANY INTERIM ACCORD ON THE STATUS OF KOSOVO BECAUSE THEY SAY THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT IS NOT COMMITTED TO A GENUINE PEACE.
14-Sep-98 8:36 AM EDT (1236 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO MONETNEGRO REFUGEES (L-O) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES IS PRESSING THE TINY YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO TO ALLOW IN THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES FLEEING FIGHTING IN NEIGHBORING KOSOVO. REPORTER PHILIP SMUCKER IN PRISTINA JUST VISITED SOME OF THOSE STRANDED IN THE RUGOVA MOUNTAINS OF YUGOSLAVIA, HOPING TO SEEK REFUGE IN MONTENEGRO.

TEXT: WHILE U-N REFUGEE OFFICIALS HAVE GENERALLY PRAISED MONTENEGRO FOR ITS ASYLUM POLICY, THEY'RE NOW CONCERNED THAT THOUSANDS OF KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES ARE BEING MISTREATED BY MONTENEGRIN AUTHORITIES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES SAID THAT THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAD OBJECTED TO THE SEPARATING OF MEN CARRYING ARMS FROM OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE U-N SPOKESMAN IN KOSOVO, FERNANDO DEL MUNDO, SAID THAT A U-N SPECIAL ENVOY IS ON HIS WAY TO THE MONTENEGRIN CAPITAL, PODGORICA, TO DISCUSS THE PLIGHT OF DISPLACED PERSONS.

SOME THREE-THOUSAND REFUGEES WERE TRANSPORTED FROM MONTENEGRO TO THE ALBANIAN BORDER OVER THE WEEKEND. THOUSANDS MORE ARE TRAPPED IN THE MOUNTAINS OF KOSOVO AND MONTENEGRO.

THE REFUGEES ARE TREKKING ACROSS HIGH MOUNTAINS TO A BORDER THAT IS MINED AND PATROLLED BY THE YUGOSLAV ARMY. SOME RESIDENTS IN THE NEARBY MOUNTAINS SAID THAT YUGOSLAV ARMY SNIPERS ARE SHOOTING FROM INSIDE OF MONTENEGRO AT THE REFUGEES. HEAVY RAINS HAVE DRENCHED THE REFUGEES WHO HAVE TREEKED TO THE MONETENGRO FRONTIER ON THE BACK OF DONKEYS AND ON FOOT. THEY COMPLAINED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DRIVEN FROM KOSOVO BY SERRBIAN POLICE AND MILITARY UNITS.

KOSOVO ALBANIAN OFFICIALS SAY THAT MORE THAN A DOZEN OF THEIR PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN AMBUSHES WHILE TRYING TO CROSS INTO MONTENEGRO SINCE LAST FRIDAY.

UNLIKE SERBIA -- THE LARGEST REPUBLIC IN YUGOSLAVIA -- MONTENEGRO HAS GOOD RELATIONS WITH THE WEST. BUT RECENTLY HUNDREDS OF MONTENEGRIN POLICEMEN HAVE BEEN SENT TO KOSOVO TO HELP SERBIA PUT DOWN THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN UPRISING THERE. THE 40-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO ARE ALREADY IN MONTENEGRO HAVE SWELLED THE POPULATION BY NEARLY 10 PERCENT. (SIGNED)
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14-Sep-98 4:50 PM EDT (2050 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-S/BOSNIAN ELECTIONS (S ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATE SAYS THE JUST-CONCLUDED ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WERE THE FREEST AND FAIREST IN THE COUNTRY'S HISTORY. BUT AS V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER REPORTS, OFFICIALS AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAY THEY WILL WAIT TO SEE WHAT POLICIES THE ELECTED BOSNIAN OFFICIALS PURSUE.

TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN QUOTED AMERICA'S BALKAN ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD AS SAYING ONLY A FEW OF THE POLLING PLACES HAD REPORTED PROBLEMS. THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE UNITED STATES WILL WITHHOLD JUDGMENT ON THE ELECTIONS UNTIL THE NEWLY-ELECTED OFFICIALS ACT.

WE WILL BE AWAITING BOTH PRELIMINARY AND OFFICIAL RESULTS OF THE ELECTION, BUT IT IS OUR VIEW THAT WE WILL BE REALLY WAITING TO SEE WHAT ACTIONS THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND WHAT POLICIES THE ELECTED OFFICIALS PURSUE AND THAT WILL BE THE GUIDE FOR HOW WE RESPOND.

U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, IN HER RECENT VISIT TO BOSNIA, SAID REPEATEDLY THAT AMERICAN HELP WILL ONLY GO TO THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE DAYTON ACCORDS THAT ENDED THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT.

ONE OF THE DAYTON GOALS WAS THE RETURN OF BOSNIAN REFUGEES TO AREAS IN WHICH THEY REPRESENT ETHNIC MINORITIES. MR. RUBIN SAID WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN MINORITY RETURNS, THE PACE IS UNACCEPTABLY SLOW.(SIGNED)
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14-Sep-98 3:47 PM EDT (1947 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S/KURDS (S ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: IN WASHINGTON, U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS MET SEPARATELY WITH TWO LEADING KURDISH POLITICAL FIGURES AND IS EXPECTED TO HOST A FACE-TO-FACE MEETING LATER IN THE WEEK. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: LAST WEEK, MASSOUD BARZANI OF THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, CAME TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT FOR A SERIES OF MEETINGS THAT INCLUDED TALKS WITH SECRETARY ALBRIGHT. NOW, JALAL TALABANI, THE LEADER OF THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN, HAS MET MS. ALBRIGHT. SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN TOLD REPORTERS WHAT THE SECRETARY SAID.

SHE EXPRESSED THE UNITED STATES CONTINUING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE KURDS THERE AND OUR CONCERN FOR THE IRAQI KURDS AND ALL THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRAQ. THESE LEADERS ARE REAL VOICES OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF MILLIONS OF IRAQI KURDS.

RECONCILIATION OF THE KURDISH FACTIONS IS A MAJOR GOAL OF THE WASHINGTON TALKS AND LATER THIS WEEK (FYI THURSDAY OR FRIDAY), SECRETARY ALBRIGHT WILL PRESIDE AT A FACE TO FACE MEETING AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT BETWEEN MR. BARZANI AND MR. TALABANI. MR. RUBIN SAID THERE IS NOW A GREATER RECOGNITION THAT THEIR COMMON ENEMY IS IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN.(SIGNED)
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14-Sep-98 4:48 PM EDT (2048 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] E-U / SAF TRADE (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NEGOTIATORS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION AND SOUTH AFRICA MEET WEDNESDAY IN THE 21ST AND WHAT THEY HOPE WILL BE THE LAST ROUND OF TALKS ON A FREE TRADE AGREEMENT. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN IN BRUSSELS REPORTS WINE AND FISH ARE PROVING TO BE TOUGH ISSUES BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND SOUTH AFRICA.

TEXT: SOUTH AFRICA'S WINES ARE POPULAR IN EUROPE. THE SOUTH AFRICANS WOULD LIKE ACCESS TO EUROPE FOR THE SHERRIES AND PORT WINES IT PRODUCES. SPAIN AND PORTUGAL LIKE THEIR SHARE OF THE EUROPEAN MARKET AND RESENT LETTING SOUTH AFRICA MARKET THESE SPIRITS BY THE NAMES SHERRY OR PORT. IN RETURN, SPAIN AND PORTUGAL ARE EAGER TO GAIN A SHARE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FISHING WATERS. SO WHILE THE PREVIOUS 20 ROUNDS OF NEGOTIATION HAVE PRODUCED THE BASIS FOR AGREEMENT ON MANY INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURE MARKET OPENINGS, FISH AND WINE ARE REQUIRED ELEMENTS FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION IN THIS WEEK'S NEGOTIATION.

PHILIP LOWE IS NEGOTIATING FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION.

THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT THE FISHERIES AS A MAJOR SECTOR SHOULD NOT BE LEFT OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT. NECESSARILY, WE'RE LOOKING AT OUR MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES, BUT WE 'RE ALSO RECOGNIZING ON THEIR SIDE THAT THEY NEED TO DEVELOP THEIR INDUSTRY AND THAT WE NEED TO CONSERVE STOCKS, BUT LEAVING OUT A SECTOR AS IMPORTANT AS THE FISHERIES SEEMS TO US NOT A GOOD IDEA. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A FREE TRADE AGREEMENT COVERING ALL THE MAJOR SECTORS.

IF SOUTH AFRICA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION AGREE ON A FREE TRADE AREA, 90 PERCENT OF THEIR TRADE WOULD BE COVERED. IF FISHING IS LEFT OUT, THE AGREEMENT WILL COVER JUST ONE-AND-THREE-TENTHS PERCENT LESS.

SOUTH AFRICA HAS A WELL-ESTABLISHED INDUSTRY BUT IS ALSO LOOKING FOR A PROTECTION OF ITS MARKETS AS A DEVELOPING NATION. MR. LOWE SAYS SOUTH AFRICA IS BEING ASKED TO MEET A STANDARD OF COMPETITION SIMILAR TO WHAT THE UNION IS REQUIRING OF PROSPECTIVE E-U MEMBERS FROM CENTRAL EUROPE.

IT IS PROMOTING TRADE, DEVELOPING SOUTH AFRICA'S CAPACITY TO MEET INTERNATIONAL LEVELS OF COMPETITION, AND THAT INVOLVES AREAS LIKE PROCUREMENT RULES, CERTIFICATION, STANDARDIZATION. IT MEANS CONFORMING TO THE SAME SORT OF INTERNAL MARKET RULES AS WE HAVE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION, AND WE'RE EXPECTING EASTERN EUROPE COUNTRIES TO CONFORM TO. SO THE WHOLE PROCESS IS A MODERNIZATION EXERCISE FOR SOUTH AFRICA.

NEGOTIATORS EXPECT TO ANNOUNCE BY FRIDAY IF THIS IS THE LAST ROUND OF FREE TRADE TALKS WITH A SIGNING OF AN AGREEMENT ENVISIONED BY LATE NEXT MONTH. THAT IS, IF A COMPROMISE CAN BE FOUND ON WINE AND FISH. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/JWH
14-Sep-98 12:04 PM EDT (1604 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: WESTERN EUROPE'S MAJOR STOCK EXCHANGES (MONDAY) JOINED OTHER KEY MARKETS IN A RALLY ON SHARE PRICES. PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS THE CLOSING FIGURES FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE KEY STOCK INDEXES ON THE LONDON AND FRANKFURT EXCHANGES WERE UP ALMOST THREE-PERCENT. PARIS GAINED ALMOST FOUR-PERCENT. MARKET ANALYSTS SAY TALK OF LOWER INTEREST RATES AND EASING CONCERN OVER THE SITUATION IN RUSSIA AND THE CLINTON PRESIDENCY IN THE WAKE OF THE REPORT BY SPECIAL PROSECUTOR KENNETH STARR ALL FACTORED INTO MONDAY'S RALLY.

AT THE CLOSE OF TRADING, THE LONDON "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 STOCK INDEX WAS UP 150-POINTS. THE GERMAN "DAX" INDEX IN FRANKFURT CLOSED NEARLY 139-POINTS HIGHER. AND THE PARIS "CAC 40" STOCK INDEX ADDED MORE THAN 136-POINTS IN VALUE.

THE U-S DOLLAR IN EUROPE TRADED HIGHER MONDAY AGAINST BOTH THE GERMAN MARK AND BRITISH POUND.

LONDON GOLD PRICES WERE OFF ABOUT THREE-DOLLARS FROM FRIDAY TRADING, WITH THE METAL SELLING JUST SHY OF 290-DOLLARS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/RAE
14-Sep-98 2:41 PM EDT (1841 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP STRONGLY TODAY (MONDAY) ON RENEWED CONFIDENCE ABOUT PRESIDENT CLINTON AND HIS ABILITY TO DEAL WITH INTERNATIONAL ISSUES. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 79 HUNDRED 45 UP 149 POINTS OR ALMOST TWO PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 29, UP 20 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY A COMBINATION OF FACTORS CAUSED STOCKS TO RISE. SOME TRADERS WERE ENCOURAGED BY PUBLIC OPINION POLLS WHICH SHOW A MAJORITY OF AMERICANS DO NOT WANT PRESIDENT CLINTON REMOVED FROM OFFICE. ANALYSTS SAY WALL STREET WAS ALSO PLEASED BY THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH TO A FOREIGN POLICY GROUP IN NEW YORK. THE PRESIDENT CALLED FOR A MEETING OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCE OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS REFORMS IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC SYSTEM.

SOME ANALYSTS SUCH AS TONY DWYER OF THE LADENBURG THALMANN INVESTMENT COMPANY, SAY THE WORST OF THE STEEP DOWNWARD CORRECTION MAY BE OVER.

I THINK WE SAW THE BOTTOM OF THE MARKET A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO ON THAT BAD MONDAY AND, WHILE WE MAY BE VOLATILE, I THINK WE WILL HAVE UPWARD PROGRESS.

GENERAL MOTORS CHAIRMAN JACK SMITH IS JOINING IN THE CALL ON THE U-S CENTRAL BANK TO CUT INTEREST RATES. MR. SMITH SAYS AN INTEREST RATE CUT COULD PREVENT GLOBAL ECONOMIC PROBLEMS FROM SPREADING TO THE UNITED STATES.

THE STOCK OF THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY PLUNGED MORE THAN 10 PERCENT AFTER THE ENTERTAINMENT GIANT WARNED ITS QUARTERLY EARNINGS WILL BE BELOW WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS. DISNEY SAYS WEAKER INTERNATIONAL SALES ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM.

ALSO WARNING OF DISAPPOINTING EARNINGS IS THE HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION WHICH SAYS LOWER MANAGEMENT FEES FROM HOTELS IN ASIA WILL DRAG ITS PROFITS DOWN.

THE INTEL COMPANY WILL CUT PRICES ON SOME OF ITS MICROPROCESSORS BY AS MUCH AS 34 PERCENT. ANALYSTS SAY INTEL IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF LOWER MANUFACTURING COSTS IN AN EFFORT TO INCREASE DEMAND.

THE ALLIED SIGNAL CORPORATION SAYS IT WILL PROCEED WITH ITS HOSTILE TAKEOVER ATTEMPT OF THE AMP ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR COMPANY. ALLIED SIGNAL WILL IMMEDIATELY ACQUIRE 18 PERCENT OF AMP STOCK. HOWEVER, AMP IS DETERMINED TO FIGHT ALLIED SIGNAL'S EFFORTS AND SAYS ITS OWN RESTRUCTURING PLAN WILL OFFER STOCKHOLDERS A BETTER VALUE THAN A TAKEOVER.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/WFR
14-Sep-98 5:08 PM EDT (2108 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE NATION'S PRESS HAS HAD THE WEEKEND TO DIGEST THE KENNETH STARR REPORT ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SEXUAL AFFAIR WITH MONICA LEWINSKY AND TODAY THERE ARE MANY EDITORIALS EXPRESSING THE PAPERS' OPINIONS.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE SOME THOUGHTS ON GERMANY'S PENDING NATIONAL ELECTIONS; THE FAILURE OF DEMOCRACY IN CAMBODIA AND BURMA, AND THE NEW LEADERSHIP IN RUSSIA. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IS ___________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE DAMNING REPORT ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S AFFAIR WITH A YOUNG WHITE HOUSE INTERN CAME OUT AT THE END OF THE WEEK, AND ON SATURDAY WAS REPRINTED IN FULL IN SOME NEWSPAPERS. NOW THOSE SAME PAPERS, HAVING READ AND STUDIED IT, ARE COMMENTING ON THE PRESIDENT AND HIS FUTURE.

REACTIONS VARY, FROM SUPPORT IN "THE [NEW YORK] DAILY NEWS" TO NEW CALLS FOR HIS RESIGNATION IN "USA TODAY." HERE'S PART OF THAT FIRST;.

VOICE: UNDER THE HEADING "CRISIS IN THE PRESIDENCY" "USA TODAY" CALLS IT A "MATTER OF INTEGRITY" AND ADDS, "[MR.] CLINTON SHOULD RESIGN," SUGGESTING THE LEGAL SKIRMISHING OVER THE POINTS RAISED IN THE STARR REPORT MISES THE CENTRAL QUESTION, WHICH IS:

VOICE: HAS THE PRESIDENT SO FAILED IN HIS DUTIES TO THE NATION THAT HE SHOULD LEAVE OFFICE? THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS YES, AND THE TIME FOR THE PRESIDENT TO LEAVE IS NOT AFTER MONTHS OF CONTINUED NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT, BUT NOW. BILL CLINTON SHOULD RESIGN. /// OPT /// NOT BECAUSE HE IS UNQUESTIONABLY GUILTY OF ANY SPECIFIC CRIMINAL OFFENSE, THOUGH HE MAY WELL BE. NOT BECAUSE OF HIS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR, AS DISGRACEFUL AS IT IS. AND NOT SOLELY BECAUSE OF [MR.] STARR'S REPORT, WHICH IS FAR FROM AN IMPARTIAL JUDGMENT. HE SHOULD RESIGN /// END OPT /// BECAUSE HE HAS RESOLUTELY FAILED -- AND CONTINUES TO FAIL -- THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL TEST OF ANY PRESIDENT: TO PUT HIS NATION'S INTERESTS FIRST.

TEXT: "THE MANCHESTER [NEW HAMPSHIRE] UNION-LEADER" IS ALSO REPEATING ITS CALL THAT MR. CLINTON RESIGN, NOTING:

VOICE: BILL CLINTON SAYS THAT HE IS SORRY, SO VERY, VERY SORRY. HE SAYS SO DAILY, IN FACT. ... TALK IS CHEAP. /// OPT