Voice of America, 98-10-15

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] DEBATING THE KOSOVO AGREEMENT BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (WASHINGTON)

[02] KOSOVO CONTACT GROUP (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[03] KOSOVO REBELS (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[04] NATO KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (LONDON)

[05] NATO KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (LONDON)

[06] NY ECON WRAP (S&L) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

[07] PICKERING/KOSOVO (L&S) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

[08] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (WASHINGTON)

[09] TURKEY'S ISLAMIST CHALLENGE BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[10] U-N / KOSOVO FACTFINDING (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[11] U-S/KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[01] DEBATING THE KOSOVO AGREEMENT BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THIS WEEK'S DEVELOPMENTS IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO HAVE CAPTURED THE ATTENTION OF NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL WRITERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE STRUCK AN AGREEMENT MONDAY TO AVERT NATO AIRSTRIKES IN THE AREA.

WE ARE JOINED NOW BY _____________ TO GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHAT THE NEWSPAPERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE KOSOVO AGREEMENT WITH THIS WEEK'S WORLD OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: BOTH CRITICISM AND PRAISE HAS COME FROM ALL QUARTERS FOR THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE.

MR. MILOSEVIC AGREED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT FORCES IN KOSOVO AND TO BEGIN TALKS ON AUTONOMY FOR THE PROVINCE. NATO AIRPLANES WILL FLY OVER KOSOVO TO MONITOR TROOP MOVEMENTS. TWO-THOUSAND INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS -- SUPPLIED BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, OR O-S-C-E WILL CHECK ON THE YUGOSLAV LEADER'S COMPLIANCE WITH THE AGREEMENT.

WORLD NEWSPAPERS ARE DIVIDED ON ALMOST EVERY ASPECT THE AGREEMENT. SOME PRAISE IT WHILE NOTING THERE IS MORE WORK TO BE DONE. OTHERS CONDEMN IT AS NATO INTERVENTION IN A SOVEREIGN NATION. STILL OTHERS ROUNDLY CRITICIZE NATO AND THE UNITED NATIONS FOR FAILING TO ACT SOONER TO STOP THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO.

WE START WITH REACTION FROM WITHIN YUGOSLAVIA ITSELF. AS COULD BE EXPECTED, THE PRO-GOVERNMENT DAILY "POLITIKA" CALLS THE DEAL A "HISTORIC VICTORY" FOR YUGOSLAVIA. THE PAPER SAYS MR. MILOSEVIC "IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AVERTING A MILITARY CATASTROPHE."

BUT NOT EVERYONE IN YUGOSLAVIA IS SO FULL OF PRAISE. A COLUMNIST IN THE INDEPENDENT "NASA BORBA" (OUR STRUGGLE) SAYS THIS:

VOICE: I AM AFRAID THAT THERE WILL BE NO PEACE IN KOSOVO. THE [INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS], WHICH MR. MILOSEVIC ACCEPTED UNDER THE UTMOST PRESSURE, WILL IN REALITY HELP HIM PRESERVE THE STATUS QUO. HE HAS ALREADY COMPLETED HIS PART OF THE WAR, AND NOW THIS INTERNATIONAL MISSION WILL BE ABLE TO REPORT MOSTLY ON THE ACTIONS BY AND THE VIOLENCE OF THE REMAINING ALBANIAN DESPERADOS.

THE INTERVENTION OF NATO IN THE BALKAN CONFLICT SPARKED MUCH COMMENT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL PRESS, PARTICULARLY IN NON-NATO COUNTRIES. IN YUGOSLAVIA'S NEIGBORING BULGARIA, THE CENTER-LEFT "KONTINENT" SAID NATO INVOLVEMENT WAS "NOT A PROBLEM."

VOICE: THE BALKAN STATES ARE INTERESTED IN RESOLVING THE CONFLICT IN THE FASTEST POSSIBLE WAY, AND NATO'S INTERFERENCE SEEMS TO BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE TOOL.

BUT OPINION FROM THE RUSSIAN PRESS WAS LESS WELCOMING. TWO WRITERS FOR THE CENTRIST DAILY "NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA" COMPLAIN THAT NATO HAS VIOLATED INTERNATIONAL LAW.

VOICE: CONCERN FOR THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN KOSOVO, REGRETTABLY, IS NOT JUST A NOBLE GESTURE. IT IS MORE LIKE AN EXCUSE FOR NATO. ... NATO ... IS CONCERNED ONLY FOR THOSE OF THE KOSOVO REFUGEES WHO HAPPENED TO BE ON THE TERRITORY OF ITS MEMBER-COUNTRIES AND GIVE A LOT OF TROUBLE TO THEIR UNWILLING HOSTS.

A WRITER FOR THE OFFICIAL "BEIJING DAILY" IN CHINA ALSO CRITICIZED NATO FOR THREATENING MILITARY ACTION AGAINST A SOVEREIGN STATE. BUT ANOTHER VIEW CAME FROM THE CARIBBEAN. THE "BARBADOS ADVOCATE" HAD THIS TO SAY:

VOICE: IF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY EVER WANTED AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHED ITS AMBIVALENCE IN THE FACE OF EXTREME STATE-SPONSORED ATROCITIES ... THE MURDEROUS REGIME IN ... BELGRADE PROVIDES AN IDEAL CHANCE.

THE CONSERVATIVE BRITISH "DAILY TELEGRAPH" CALLS THE KOSOVO AGREEMENT "DEEPLY FLAWED," SAYING NATO AIR STRIKES WERE NOT A CREDIBLE THREAT TO THE YUGOSLAV LEADERSHIP.

VOICE: A DECENT AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO WOULD ENSURE THAT THE MONITORS WERE EFFECTIVE AND REINFORCED BY NATO GROUND TROOPS. AND IT WOULD HAVE AS ITS STATED GOAL [KOSVAR] INDEPENDENCE.

THE LIBERAL "GUARDIAN" AND THE CONSERVATIVE "TIMES" OF LONDON APPEAR TO AGREE THAT FURTHER NATO INVOLVEMENT -- INCLUDING GROUND TROOPS -- MAY BECOME NECESSARY.

BUT THE LEFTIST FENCH DAILY "LE MONDE" PREFERS GETTING CONCESSIONS FROM MR. MILOSEVIC WITHOUT FORCE.

VOICE: MILITARY INTERVENTION IS ALWAYS RISKY. THIS ONE WOULD BE PARTICULARLY RISKY BECAUSE NATO WOULD FOR THE FIRST TIME BE INTERVENING IN A SOVEREIGN NATION ... BUT MOST OF ALL THE RISK LIES IN THE FACT THAT THE WEST WAS NOT YET READY FOR ... FOLLOWING UP WITH TROOPS ON THE GROUND.

FEW WESTERN PAPERS HAVE TAKEN EITHER COMPLETELY POSITIVE OR ABSOLUTELY NEGATIVE STANCES ON THE KOSOVO DEAL. SOME, LIKE "LA VANGUARDIA" FROM BARCELONA, SPAIN, SAY THE AGREEMENT "IS THE BEST WAY OUT OF THE CONFLICT, PROVIDED MR. MILOSEVIC KEEPS HIS PART OF THE BARGAIN." BUT MANY NEWSPAPERS ECHOED THE CAUTIOUS TONE TAKEN BY THE NETHERLANDS' "HAAGSCHE COURANT."

VOICE: THE NATO THREATS [OF AIRSTRIKES] HAD SOME IMPACT. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO REASON FOR TOO MUCH OPTIMISM. EVEN THOUGH THE IMMEDIATE THREAT OF A WAR HAS BEEN DIVERTED, THE POLITICAL CRISIS ABOUT THE STATUS OF KOSOVO IS STILL ON THE TABLE. MR. HOLBROOKE HAS A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN THE BALKANS.

SOME OF THE HARSHEST CRITICISM FOR THE DEAL COMES FROM PAPERS IN ISLAMIC COUNTRIES. THE LEADING PAKISTANI NEWSPAPER, "JANG," TAKES THE WEST TO TASK FOR FAILING TO ACT SOONER IN KOSOVO.

VOICE: HAD THERE BEEN SUCH AN AGGRESSION AGAINST A NON-MUSLIM MINORITY, EUROPE AND AMERICA WOULD HAVE JUMPED IN TO FRAY LONG AGO. RUSSIA HAS BEEN PROVING ITS ANTI-MUSLIM CREDENTIALS BY OPPOSING NATO STRIKES AGAINST SERBIA. ... KOSOVO MUSLIMS ARE BEING PUNISHED FOR BEING MUSLIMS ... THE ISLAMIC WORLD SHOULD RAISE ITS VOICE AGAINST THE ATROCITIES OF SERBIA AND MOVE FORWARD TO HELP THE MUSLIMS OF KOSOVO. MERE TRUST IN AMERICAN AND U-N PROMISES IS NOT GOING TO HELP IN THIS RESPECT.

BUT IT IS NOT JUST MUSLIM NEWSPAPERS THAT SAY ACTION SHOULD HAVE COME SOONER. "BERLINGSKE TIDENDE" OF DENMARK SAYS NATO'S THREAT OF MILITARY INTERVENTION "CAME FAR TOO LATE." ITALY'S "LA REPUBBLICA" AGREES, AND THE SOUTH AFRICAN "STAR" SAYS THIS:

VOICE: FORCE APPEARS TO BE THE ONLY LANGUAGE THAT [MR.] MILOSEVIC UNDERSTANDS. ... AS PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID: "BALKAN GRAVEYARDS ARE FILLED WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S BROKEN PROMISES." THAT SOMETHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT KOSOVO IS COMMENDABLE. THAT IT HAS TAKEN SO LONG TO GET TO THIS POINT IS AN INDICTMENT OF THE WAY INTERNATIONL PEACEKEEPING IS CONDUCTED.

AND WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS LOOK AT GLOBAL EDITORIAL REACTION TO THE AGREEMENT TO AVERT NATO AIRSTRIKES IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/CEM/PT
15-Oct-98 5:11 PM EDT (2111 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO CONTACT GROUP (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP ON YUGOSLAVIA -- THE UNITED STATES, ITS MAIN NATO PARTNERS AND RUSSIA -- HAVE AGREED TO MAKE SURE ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO CAN RETURN TO THEIR HOMES SAFELY. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: MEETING JUST 48 HOURS BEFORE NATO'S ULTIMATUM TO BELGRADE RUNS OUT, THE SIX MEMBERS OF THE CONTACT GROUP WELCOMED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S AGREEMENT TO THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT IN KOSOVO.

MR. MILOSEVIC AGREED TO WITHDRAW FORCES FROM THE PROVINCE IN MEETINGS WITH U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE. REVIEWING THIS AGREEMENT, THE MAIN WESTERN POWERS AND RUSSIA AGREED IT IS NOW IMPORTANT TO ENFORCE MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT THAT ACCORD.

SEVERAL OF THE FOREIGN MINISTERS ATTENDING THE PARIS CONFERENCE SAY THE ONLY REAL TEST IS THE SPEEDY RETURN OF REFUGEES TO THEIR HOMES IN CONDITIONS OF SAFETY AND TRUST.

RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV AND HUBERT VEDRINE OF FRANCE BOTH SAY THE NEXT STEP SHOULD BE A NEW U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION, UNDERLINING INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR A SETTLEMENT. THE RESOLUTION WOULD LAY DOWN TERMS FOR SURVEILLANCE OF TROOP WITHDRAWALS AND STEPS TOWARD A DEGREE OF SELF-RULE IN THE PROVINCE.

MR. IVANOV SAYS THE RESOLUTION COULD BE ADOPTED NEXT WEEK. THE RUSSIAN MINISTER PRAISED THE ATMOSPHERE AT THE PARIS MEETING WITH HIS WESTERN COLLEAGUES AS "VERY CONSTRUCTIVE."

THROUGHOUT THE CONFLICTS THAT HAVE HIT YUGOSLAVIA THIS DECADE, THE ATTITUDE OF RUSSIA -- THE MAIN POWER SUPPORTING THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT -- HAS BEEN CRUCIAL.

WITH A NEW GOVERNMENT IN MOSCOW, THEREFORE, THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO PROVIDES A FRESH TEST OF NATO'S RELATIONS WITH THE RUSSIANS.

DISCUSSING THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN MR. HOLBROOKE AND MR. MILOSEVIC, THE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DESCRIBES IT AS "AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS A SETTLEMENT BY PEACEFUL MEANS."

IN THE PROCESS OF WHAT THE AGREEMENT CALLS "VERIFICATION" OF THE WITHDRAWAL OF ARMED FORCES, THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE [-- THE O-S-C-E --] IS PLANNING TO SEND TWO-THOUSAND OBSERVERS TO KOSOVO, WHILE NATO AIRCRAFT WILL CONDUCT AERIAL SURVEILLANCE.

MR. IVANOV SAYS THAT IF MILITARY INTERVENTION IS FINALLY RULED OUT, THEN MOSCOW WILL CONSIDER SENDING ITS PLANES TO FLY ALONGSIDE THOSE OF THE NATO ALLIANCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/JWH/WTW
15-Oct-98 11:10 AM EDT (1510 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO REBELS (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: A SPOKESMAN FOR ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS IN KOSOVO SAYS YUGOSLAVIA IS VIOLATING THE KOSOVO PEACE DEAL WORKED OUT EARLIER THIS WEEK. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE REBEL SPOKESMAN TOLD REPORTERS THAT WESTERN NATIONS KNOW ABOUT THE VIOLATIONS BUT ARE KEEPING SILENT.

TEXT: A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, BARDHYL MAHMUTI, SAYS SERB TROOPS BOMBED AND SET FIRE TO ABOUT 20 VILLAGES IN CENTRAL KOSOVO ON WEDNESDAY. HE SAYS THE BOMBING AND SHELLING OF INNOCENT CIVILIANS WENT ON THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.

MR. MAHMUTI SAYS WESTERN NATIONS KNOW ABOUT THE ATTACKS THROUGH PICTURES TAKEN FROM SATELLITES. BUT HE SAYS THEY ARE REMAINING SILENT SO AS NOT TO CAST DOUBT ON THE KOSOVO PEACE DEAL ANNOUNCED TUESDAY. MR. MAHMUTI SAYS HE RECEIVED HIS INFORMATION ABOUT THE ALLEGED SERB ATTACKS FROM K-L-A MILITARY HEADQUARTERS IN KOSOVO.

THERE HAS BEEN NO INDEPENDENT CONFIRMATION OF THE ALLEGED ATTACKS.

MR. MAHMUTI SAYS THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, K-L-A, HAS GONE ALONG WITH THE AGREEMENT IN ORDER TO AVERT WHAT HE CALLS A HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE.

MR. MAHMUTI SAYS THE K-L-A HAS AVOIDED A CONFRONTATION WITH THE SERB FORCES. HE SAYS THE K-L-A'S CONTINUED RESPECT OF A CEASEFIRE WILL DEPEND ON THE PRESSURE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY PLACES ON YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO STOP THE SERB BOMBING CAMPAIGN.

THE REBEL SPOKESMAN SAYS NATO SHOULD ATTACK SERB MILITARY INSTALLATIONS IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THE ONLY LANGUAGE THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT UNDERSTANDS IS FORCE.

MR. MAHMUTI SAYS NO POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CONFLICT WILL BE POSSIBLE UNLESS THE K-L-A TAKES PART IN THE NEGOTIATIONS. BUT, HE ALSO SAYS THE K-L-A WILL SETTLE FOR NOTHING LESS THAN COMPLETE INDEPENDENCE FROM SERBIA. WESTERN NATIONS HAVE SAID THEY DO NOT SUPPORT AN INDEPENDENT KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH
15-Oct-98 11:06 AM EDT (1506 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[04] NATO KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (LONDON)

INTRO: WITH A DEADLINE TO COMPLY BY SATURDAY WITH U-N SECURITY COUNCIL DEMANDS FOR A TROOP WITHDRAWAL, SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES REMAIN DUG IN AROUND THE TROUBLED YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. TOP U-S OFFICIALS SAY THAT REMAINING SERB FORCES MUST WITHDRAW TO WHAT THEY CALL -- "LESS THREATENING POSITIONS," BUT ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES SAY THAT ANY REMAINING SERBIAN POLICE OR ARMY UNITS ARE SUFFICIENT REASON NOT TO RETURN HOME. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM PRISTINA.

TEXT: YUGOSLAV TANKS REMAIN ON HILLTOPS IN KOSOVO. POLICE UNITS WITH ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS LINE THE MAJOR HIGHWAYS, DIGGING IN FOR WHAT PROMISES TO BE A HARSH WINTER.

WESTERN OFFICIALS SAY THAT SOME SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES ARE WITHDRAWING FROM THE REGION -- BUT NOT ALL.

UNDER THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION, YUGOSLAVIA MUST REDUCE SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO DOWN TO LEVELS MAINTAINED BEFORE THE CURRENT TROUBLES BEGAN IN FEBRUARY. THAT MEANS ROUGHLY CUTTING ARMY TROOPS FROM 18-THOUSAND DOWN TO 12-THOUSAND-500 AND REDUCING THE NUMBER OF PARAMILITARY POLICE FROM 11-THOUSAND DOWN TO 65-HUNDRED.

BUT EVEN THOSE NUMBERS SEEM TOO HIGH TO ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO CHARGE THAT KOSOVO HAS BECOME, IN EFFECT, A SERBIAN POLICE STATE. ALBANIANS MAKE UP NEARLY 90 PERCENT OF KOSOVO'S POPULATION AND MANY ARE DEMANDING THAT THIS ETHNIC MAKEUP BE REFLECTED IN THE PROVINCIAL POLICE FORCE.

NEAR THE TOWN OF MALISEVO, ABOUT 40 KILOMETERS SOUTHWEST OF PRISTINA, DOZENS OF HEAVILY-ARMED SERBIAN POLICE UNITS STILL PATROL THE RUBBLE-STREWN STREETS. BEFORE THE CURRENT CRISIS, THE TOWN WAS ALMOST ENTIRELY POPULATED BY ALBANIANS. THERE WERE NO SERBIAN POLICE OFFICERS.

BOTH KOSOVAR REFUGEES AND REBELS IN THE NEARBY HILLS SAY THEY WON'T COME DOWN INTO MALISEVO UNTIL THE SERBIAN POLICE UNITS LEAVE.

ONE OFFICER OF THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY SAYS HE IS ENCOURAGED BY THE CONTINUING THREAT OF NATO INTERVENTION IF THE SERBS DON'T RETREAT. BUT HE ALSO VOWS TO CONTINUE FIGHTING UNTIL, AS HE PUTS IT, THE "SERBIAN OCCUPIER" GIVES UP.

HE SAID THAT IF THE OCCUPIER STILL WANTS TO STAY HERE, OR IF HE TRIES TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT WITH US, WE WILL CONTINUE. BECAUSE HE MUST KNOW ONE THING -- HE MUST KNOW THE TRUTH THAT THIS PLACE IS NOT SERBIAN.

YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE SAY THEY ONLY HAVE AS MANY FORCES IN KOSOVO AS THE REBELS HAVE WANDERING THE FORESTS AND HILLS NEAR THE REFUGEE CAMPS.

WHILE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT WILL COMPLY WITH U-N SECURITY COUNCIL DEMANDS, NATO FORCES AND OBSERVERS FROM THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE ARE ON THEIR WAY TO THE BALKAN COUNTRY TO MAKE SURE BELGRADE'S PROMISES ARE FOLLOWED UP BY ACTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/PS/PCF/JO
15-Oct-98 12:16 PM EDT (1616 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[05] NATO KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (LONDON)

INTRO: WITH A DEADLINE TO COMPLY BY SATURDAY WITH U-N SECURITY COUNCIL DEMANDS FOR A TROOP WITHDRAWAL, SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES REMAIN DUG IN AROUND THE TROUBLED YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. TOP U-S OFFICIALS SAY THAT REMAINING SERB FORCES MUST WITHDRAW TO WHAT THEY CALL -- "LESS THREATENING POSITIONS," BUT ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES SAY THAT ANY REMAINING SERBIAN POLICE OR ARMY UNITS ARE SUFFICIENT REASON NOT TO RETURN HOME. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM PRISTINA.

TEXT: YUGOSLAV TANKS REMAIN ON HILLTOPS IN KOSOVO. POLICE UNITS WITH ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS LINE THE MAJOR HIGHWAYS, DIGGING IN FOR WHAT PROMISES TO BE A HARSH WINTER.

WESTERN OFFICIALS SAY THAT SOME SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES ARE WITHDRAWING FROM THE REGION -- BUT NOT ALL.

UNDER THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION, YUGOSLAVIA MUST REDUCE SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO DOWN TO LEVELS MAINTAINED BEFORE THE CURRENT TROUBLES BEGAN IN FEBRUARY. THAT MEANS ROUGHLY CUTTING ARMY TROOPS FROM 18-THOUSAND DOWN TO 12-THOUSAND-500 AND REDUCING THE NUMBER OF PARAMILITARY POLICE FROM 11-THOUSAND DOWN TO 65-HUNDRED.

BUT EVEN THOSE NUMBERS SEEM TOO HIGH TO ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO CHARGE THAT KOSOVO HAS BECOME, IN EFFECT, A SERBIAN POLICE STATE. ALBANIANS MAKE UP NEARLY 90 PERCENT OF KOSOVO'S POPULATION AND MANY ARE DEMANDING THAT THIS ETHNIC MAKEUP BE REFLECTED IN THE PROVINCIAL POLICE FORCE.

NEAR THE TOWN OF MALISEVO, ABOUT 40 KILOMETERS SOUTHWEST OF PRISTINA, DOZENS OF HEAVILY-ARMED SERBIAN POLICE UNITS STILL PATROL THE RUBBLE-STREWN STREETS. BEFORE THE CURRENT CRISIS, THE TOWN WAS ALMOST ENTIRELY POPULATED BY ALBANIANS. THERE WERE NO SERBIAN POLICE OFFICERS.

BOTH KOSOVAR REFUGEES AND REBELS IN THE NEARBY HILLS SAY THEY WON'T COME DOWN INTO MALISEVO UNTIL THE SERBIAN POLICE UNITS LEAVE.

ONE OFFICER OF THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY SAYS HE IS ENCOURAGED BY THE CONTINUING THREAT OF NATO INTERVENTION IF THE SERBS DON'T RETREAT. BUT HE ALSO VOWS TO CONTINUE FIGHTING UNTIL, AS HE PUTS IT, THE "SERBIAN OCCUPIER" GIVES UP.

HE SAID THAT IF THE OCCUPIER STILL WANTS TO STAY HERE, OR IF HE TRIES TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT WITH US, WE WILL CONTINUE. BECAUSE HE MUST KNOW ONE THING -- HE MUST KNOW THE TRUTH THAT THIS PLACE IS NOT SERBIAN.

YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE SAY THEY ONLY HAVE AS MANY FORCES IN KOSOVO AS THE REBELS HAVE WANDERING THE FORESTS AND HILLS NEAR THE REFUGEE CAMPS.

WHILE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT WILL COMPLY WITH U-N SECURITY COUNCIL DEMANDS, NATO FORCES AND OBSERVERS FROM THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE ARE ON THEIR WAY TO THE BALKAN COUNTRY TO MAKE SURE BELGRADE'S PROMISES ARE FOLLOWED UP BY ACTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/PS/PCF/JO
15-Oct-98 12:16 PM EDT (1616 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] NY ECON WRAP (S&L) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

INTRO: THE U-S CENTRAL BANK MADE AN UNUSUAL CUT IN INTEREST RATES TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT PROPELLED STOCKS IN NEW YORK TO ONE OF THE LARGEST POINT GAINS IN HISTORY. VOA'S JOE CHAPMAN REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE CENTRAL BANK RATE CUT, ANNOUNCED ONLY 45 MINUTES BEFORE THE END OF THE TRADING DAY, IGNITED A BUYING FRENZY THAT PUSHED THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE UP 33O POINTS, MORE THAN FOUR PERCENT, TO 8-THOUSAND-299. THE POINT GAIN WAS THE THIRD LARGEST EVER ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE WHILE THE VOLUME OF 931 MILLION SHARES WAS THE SIXTH HEAVIEST.

THE BROADER STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 CLOSED UP 42 POINTS, FOUR PERCENT, AT ONE-THOUSAND-47. THE NASDAQ COMPOSITE CLOSED UP 70 POINTS AT 16-HUNDRED-11.

THE U-S CENTRAL BANK IS NOT SCHEDULED TO MEET AGAIN UNTIL MID- NOVEMBER, BUT ANALYSTS SAY CHAIRMAN ALAN GREENSPAN OBVIOUSLY FELT THE BANK MADE A MISTAKE IN ONLY CUTTING ONE QUARTER PERCENT FROM INTEREST RATES AT ITS OCTOBER MEETING.

THE CENTRAL BANK, WHICH RARELY CUTS RATES BETWEEN MEETINGS, SAYS THE ADDITIONAL QUARTER PERCENT CUT IN BOTH THE DISCOUNT RATE AND ITS FEDERAL FUNDS RATE IS NEEDED TO SUSTAIN U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH. THE CENTRAL BANK STATEMENT SUGGESTS INFLATION IS UNDER CONTROL AND CITES GROWING LENDER CAUTION, UNSETTLED FINANCIAL MARKETS AND LOWER DEMAND.

THE CENTRAL BANK ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AFTER A VERY POSITIVE DAY FOR WALL STREET WITH HIGH TECHNOLOGY STOCKS LEADING THE MARKET UP JUST OVER ONE PERCENT. AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT, FINANCIAL SERVICES FIRMS JOINED THE RALLY WITH SOME MOVING UP MORE THAN 10 PERCENT INCLUDING CITIGROUP. AMERICAN EXPRESS WAS UP MORE THAN NINE PERCENT.

BARBARA MARCIN, A SENIOR STOCK ANALYST, SAYS THE INTEREST RATE CUT IS SHIFTING THE FOCUS FROM CORPORATE EARNINGS TO THE EFFECT THE LOWER INTEREST RATES WILL HAVE ON THE ECONOMY.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME DISAPPOINTMENT WITH CURRENCY AND SOME DISAPPOINTMENT WITH ASIA RELATED EARNINGS. BUT CERTAINLY EARNINGS TIED TO THE U-S HAVE NOT REALLY SURPRISED PEOPLE. I THINK PEOPLE WERE LOOKING AHEAD AT A SLOWDOWN THAT MIGHT COME IN THE FIRST OR SECOND QUARTER NEXT YEAR. THEREFORE I DON'T THINK EARNINGS ARE THE BIG STORY NOW. I THINK IT IS THE INTEREST RATE CUT.

STOCKS IN BRAZIL AND CHILE RALLIED STRONGLY AFTER THE U-S CENTRAL BANK ACTION. THE DOLLAR CLOSED DOWN SHARPLY AGAINST MOST MAJOR CURRENCIES INCLUDING A FALL OF NEARLY TWO JAPANESE YEN AGAINST THAT CURRENCY. A WEAKER DOLLAR IS AN EXPECTED RESULT OF LOWER INTEREST RATES IN THE UNITED STATES. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/JMC/LSF/WFR
15-Oct-98 5:21 PM EDT (2121 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] PICKERING/KOSOVO (L&S) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES SAYS YUGOSLAVIA HAS MADE LITTLE PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING A U-S BROKERED AGREEMENT AIMED AT AVERTING NATO AIRSTRIKES IN KOSOVO -- AND THAT THE ALLIANCE MAY DECIDE TO EXTEND ITS 96 HOUR DEADLINE (MIDNIGHT FRIDAY) FOR COMPLIANCE. UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE THOMAS PICKERING MADE THE COMMENTS AFTER BRIEFING U-S LAWMAKERS ON THE POSSIBILITY OF MILITARY INTERVENTION IF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC DOES NOT WITHDRAW FORCES FROM THE SERBIAN PROVINCE. V-O-A'S NICK SIMEONE BRINGS US UP TO DATE.

TEXT: LITTLE OF THE AGREEMENT WORKED OUT IN NINE DAYS OF TALKS BETWEEN THE YUGOSLAV LEADER AND SPECIAL U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE HAS BEEN PUT IN PLACE. AMBASSADOR PICKERING CALLS THAT WORRISOME.

WE'RE SEEING SOME OF HIS FORCES MOVE INTO ASSEMBLY AREAS, THEY HAVE BEEN FOR SOME TIME. BUT THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE IN LARGE NUMBERS -- WHERE THEY SHOULD BE -- MOVING OUT OF KOSOVO AND SO WE'RE WATCHING THAT VERY, VERY CAREFULLY.

WE HOPE THAT WE WILL SEE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO MAKE A SERIOUS BEGINNING AND REAL PROGRESS BEFORE THE 96 HOURS RUNS OUT. AFTER THAT, NATO WILL HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO AND OBVIOUSLY IT HAS A NUMBER OF OPTIONS.

BUT WHAT EVER THE RESULTS OF THE U-S EFFORT TO END THE KOSOVO CONFLICT, AMBASSADOR PICKERING SAYS PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS WRITTEN TO CONGRESS TO ASSURE LAWMAKERS HE DOES NOT INTEND TO PUT U-S TROOPS ON THE GROUND THERE. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/PT
14-Oct-98 8:02 PM EDT (0002 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[08] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AFTER A FEW DAYS OF RESPITE, THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF SEVERAL U-S DAILIES HAVE AGAIN TURNED THEIR ATTENTION TO THE PRESIDENTIAL IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS ON CAPITOL HILL. THIS TIME, THEY ARE ADDRESSING HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN HENRY HYDE'S SUGGESTION THE POSSIBLE IMPEACHMENT CHARGES AGAINST PRESIDENT CLINTON BE CONDENSED TO THREE BASIC CATEGORIES.

BUT THE NEWSPAPERS ARE ALSO TALKING ABOUT TALKS -- SPECIFICALLY, THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE TALKS OUTSIDE WASHINGTON. HERE IS __________________ TO GIVE US A CLOSER LOOK WITH TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: SEVERAL KEY U-S DAILIES -- INCLUDING "THE WASHINGTON POST" AND "THE NEW YORK TIMES" -- HAVE WELCOMED HOUSE JUDICIARY CHAIRMAN HENRY HYDE'S SUGGESTION TO CONDENSE THE IMPEACHMENT CHARGES AGAINST PRESIDENT CLINTON. MR. HYDE HAS PROPOSED THAT HIS COMMITTEE CONSIDER THREE BASIC CATEGORIES: LYING UNDER OATH, OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, AND WITNESS-TAMPERING. THAT IS A DRAMATIC REDUCTION FROM THE 11 DISTINCT CHARGES ORIGINALLY PROPOSED BY INDEPENDENT COUNCIL KENNETH STARR, AND THE 15 IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMITTEE'S OWN MAJORITY COUNCIL. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" CALLS MR. HYDE'S PROPOSAL RESPONSIBLE, AND IT SAYS A CONCENTRATED INVESTIGATION WILL ALLOW BOTH CONGRESS AND THE PUBLIC TO EXAMINE THE CASE WITH GREATER CLARITY. "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS MR. HYDE'S IDEA IS LARGELY A MATTER OF PRESENTATION, BUT IS STILL A GOOD IDEA.

VOICE: IT INDICATES A WELCOME WILLINGNESS TO FOCUS THE COMMITTEE'S DELIBERATIONS ON THOSE QUESTIONS THAT WILL ULTIMATELY DETERMINE WHETHER MR. CLINTON SHOULD STAY IN OFFICE. THE "POST" GOES ON TO CALL FOR THE COMMITTEE TO WORK ON SEVERAL KEY ISSUES, INCLUDING IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROPER STANDARD FOR IMPEACHMENT.

THE NEW YORK "DAILY NEWS" SAYS MR. HYDE KNOWS OPINION POLLS INDICATE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT THE SCANDAL TO END.

VOICE: WHETHER IT IS HIS GENUINE SENTIMENT OR WHETHER HE IS JUST READING THE POLLS, THE CUTBACK IS THE MOST SENSIBLE THING MR. HYDE HAS DONE. ... IF CONGRESS, IN THE PERSON OF MR. HYDE, IS REALLY GOING TO SET SOME LIMITS, THEN MAYBE WASHINGTON IS NOT TOTALLY DEAF [TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE] AFTER ALL.

THE EDITORIAL WRITERS OF A FEW PAPERS HAVE ALSO TURNED THEIR GAZE SLIGHTLY TO THE EAST OF WASHINGTON, TOWARD THE MARYLAND PLANTATION WHERE PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL MEET WITH ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN LEADERS DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

AFTER MORE THAN A YEAR OF STAGNATION IN ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN RELATIONS, THESE TALKS MAY YIELD A LONG-AWAITED SECOND INTERIM PEACE AGREEMENT. ON THE AGENDA: ECONOMIC INITIATIVES, AND A LAND-FOR-PEACE DEAL INVOLVING ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL FROM ANOTHER 13-PERCENT OF THE WEST BANK IN EXCHANGE FOR STEPPED-UP PALESTINIAN SECURITY MEASURES. THE "LOS ANGELES TIMES" CITES A SERIES OF UNCERTAINTIES LEADING TO LOWERED EXPECTATIONS FOR THE TALKS, BUT THE PAPER THINKS THERE IS STILL POTENTIAL FOR SUCCESS.

VOICE: UNLESS A [LAND-FOR-PEACE] DEAL IS FINALIZED ... THE PEACE PROCESS WILL HAVE REACHED A DEAD END, A FAILURE THAT WOULD PLEASE ONLY THE EXTREMISTS ON BOTH SIDES. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" OFFERS UP A CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC LIST OF AGREEMENTS THAT COULD COME OUT OF THE MARYLAND TALKS. THE 'TIMES" CALLS FOR MODERATION AND FLEXIBILITY ON THE PART OF BOTH ISRAELI PRESIDENT BENJAMIN NETANYAHU AND PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSIR ARAFAT.

VOICE: AMERICA'S ROLE IN CONVENING THESE TALKS HAS BEEN VITAL, BUT ONLY MR. NETANYAHU AND MR. ARAFAT CAN ASSURE THEIR SUCCESS. TO DO SO, BOTH MUST RISE ABOVE PETTY MANEUVERING AND BLAME-MONGERING AND RECOMMIT THEMSELVES TO A REALISTIC PEACE.

THAT CONCLUDES TODAY'S EDITORIAL SAMPLING FROM THE U-S PRESS.
NEB/CEM/RAE
15-Oct-98 10:50 AM EDT (1450 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[09] TURKEY'S ISLAMIST CHALLENGE BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: TURKEY, A MUSLIM STATE, IS ALSO SECULAR AND WESTERN-ORIENTED. NOW IT IS CHALLENGED BY A GROWING ISLAMIST MOVEMENT THAT SEEKS A GREATER ROLE FOR RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE. THIS CONFLICT WAS DISCUSSED AT A RECENT WASHINGTON CONFERENCE THAT ALSO EXAMINED TURKEY'S INCREASING IMPORTANCE IN ITS REGION. VOA'S ED WARNER REPORTS.

TEXT: TWO YOUNG TURKISH JOURNALISTS DECIDED TO CONDUCT AN EXPERIMENT. FIRST, THEY DONNED SHORT SKIRTS AND VENTURED INTO A MOVIE HOUSE IN A STRICT ISLAMIST AREA OF ISTANBUL. THEY WERE SOON DRIVEN AWAY BY BEARDED ELDERS. NEXT, THEY DRESSED IN BLACK WITH VEILS OVER THEIR FACES AND ENTERED A WELL-KNOWN NIGHT CLUB. THEY WERE PROMPTLY ORDERED TO LEAVE.

THAT ILLUSTRATES THE CURRENT DIVISION IN TURKEY, SAID BINNAZ TOPRAK, IN A SPEECH SHE GAVE AT THE RECENT CONFERENCE OF THE ASSEMBLY OF TURKISH-AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS.

A PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AT BOSPHORUS UNIVERSITY, SHE SAID THIS CONFLICT MAY BE TURKEY'S MOST PRESSING PROBLEM:

AT THE ROOT OF THIS CONFLICT LIES TWO DIFFERENT CIVILIZATIONAL PROJECTS: THE SECULAR WESTERN ORIENTED PROJECT OF THE REPUBLIC VERSUS THE ISLAMIST PROJECT. RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR RADICALISM FEED UPON EACH OTHER, LEADING TO I THINK AN UNFORTUNATE CLIMATE OF INCREASING INTOLERANCE OF THE OTHER.

THE ISLAMISTS, SAID PROFESSOR TOPRAK, HAVE REDISCOVERED COMMUNITY AND EVEN UTOPIA, FILLING A VOID ONCE OCCUPIED BY THE POLITICAL LEFT. THE RURAL IMMIGRANTS POURING INTO THE LARGE CITIES ARE WON OVER BY A CREED THAT GIVES THEM A SENSE OF BELONGING AND A WIDE ARRAY OF SERVICES. EVEN ITS DETRACTORS ADMIT THAT THE ISLAMISTS' "WELFARE" PARTY HAS PERFORMED ADMIRABLY IN THE MANY CITIES IT NOW GOVERNS.

IT BECAME SO EFFECTIVE THAT THE PARTY HEADED THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT UNTIL IT WAS EASED OUT OF POWER BY THE TURKISH MILITARY LAST YEAR. NOW RECONSTITUTED AS THE "VIRTUE" PARTY, IT REMAINS UNDER ATTACK. ISTANBUL'S POPULAR ISLAMIST MAYOR, RECEP AYYIP ERDOGAN, HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO TEN MONTHS IN PRISON BY THE NATIONAL SECURITY COURT, A MILITARY-BACKED TRIBUNAL. HIS CRIME: READING IN PUBLIC A VERSE FROM A TRADITIONAL POEM:

THE MOSQUES ARE OUR BARRACKS,

THE MINARETS ARE OUR SPEARS,

THEIR DOMES ARE OUR HELMETS

AND THEIR FAITHFUL ARE OUR ARMY.

THE MAYOR WAS PUNISHED FOR THE CRIME OF PROVOKING RELIGIOUS HATRED, BUT HIS DEFENDERS SAY FAR MORE HATRED WILL RESULT FROM THE WAY HE HAS BEEN TREATED.

THIS IS PARTLY A MATTER OF MISUNDERSTANDING, SAID SERIF MARDIN, PROFESSOR OF ISLAMIC STUDIES AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN WASHINGTON. IN HIS CONFERENCE SPEECH, HE NOTED TURKEY'S SECULAR STATE DOES NOT MAKE ALLOWANCE FOR INFORMAL GROUPINGS LIKE THE ISLAMISTS:

TO KEEP A COUNTRY IN EQUILIBRIUM, WHICH HAS HAD THE PROBLEMS THAT TURKEY HAS, A BRIDGE HAS TO BE BUILT BETWEEN THE FORMAL IDEOLOGICAL SECTOR AND THE SPHERE OF THE INFORMAL, AND THAT CAN ONLY BE SECURED WITH DISCUSSION, DIALOGUE AND COMPROMISE.

TURKEY'S INTERNAL TENSIONS ARE INCREASING JUST WHEN IT IS HAVING FAR MORE INFLUENCE BEYOND ITS BORDERS. PAUL GOBLE, A SPECIALIST IN THE NATIONALITIES OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION, SAID TURKEY HAS SERVED AS THE MODEL FOR THE NEWLY INDEPENDENT COUNTRIES OF THE REGION:

TURKEY HAS PLAYED A FAR MORE FUNDAMENTAL ROLE IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE SOCIETIES IN THE CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA THAN ANYONE HAS BEEN WILLING TO SAY. AND THAT IS EQUALLY TRUE FOR COUNTRIES IN THE REGION THAT ARE LIKELY TO BE HISTORICALLY ISLAMIC AS WELL AS COUNTRIES THAT ARE LIKELY TO BE HISTORICALLY SOMETHING ELSE.

MR. GOBLE SAID TURKEY, FOR ALL ITS PROBLEMS, IS SEEN AS A QUITE SUCCESSFUL DEMOCRACY THAT COMBINES SECULARISM WITH ISLAM AND SERVES A FORCE FOR STABILITY AND ECONOMIC PROGRESS IN THE REGION. ALL THE MORE REASON, THEN, FOR TURKEY NOT TO DESTROY THE CIVIC EQUILIBRIUM THAT MAKES IT SO ATTRACTIVE TO ITS NEIGHBORS. (SIGNED)
NEB/EW/KL
15-Oct-98 12:25 PM EDT (1625 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[10] U-N / KOSOVO FACTFINDING (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IS SENDING AN INVESTIGATIVE TEAM TO YUGOSLAVIA TO ENSURE HE HAS FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON CONDITIONS IN THE TROUBLED YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. ANNAN HAS BEEN ASKED BY THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TO SUPPLY REGULAR REPORTS ON THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO, AND THE DEGREE OF COMPLIANCE WITH COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS. IN HIS MOST RECENT REPORT, GIVEN TO THE COUNCIL AT THE START OF THIS MONTH, MR. ANNAN STATED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE THE MEANS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE AN INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF COMPLIANCE, BECAUSE HE LACKED A DIRECT POLITICAL PRESENCE ON THE GROUND IN KOSOVO.

THE COUNCIL THEN URGED HIM TO ESTABLISH SUCH A PRESENCE.

U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD:

IN RESPONSE TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL'S REQUEST LAST WEEK, THE SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS DECIDED TO SEND A MISSION TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA TO EXPLORE THE SECRETARIAT'S FIRST-HAND CAPABILITY TO ASSESS DEVELOPMENTS ON THE GROUND AND TO CONTINUE REPORTING TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON THE COMPLIANCE BY THE F-R-Y (FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA) WITH ITS RESOLUTIONS ON KOSOVO.

THE TEAM IS EXPECTED TO PREPARE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ESTABLISHING A MECHANISM THAT WILL PROVIDE REGULAR, FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO TO THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL.

THE TEAM WILL BE LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE U-N INFORMATION CENTER IN ROME, STAFFAN DE MISTURA, WHO HAS ALSO ASSISTED WITH PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE INSPECTION OF CONTROVERSIAL SUSPECTED WEAPONS SITES IN IRAQ. MR. DE MISTURA'S MISSION IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN YUGOSLAVIA OVER THE WEEKEND AND TO SPEND ABOUT A WEEK IN THE REGION. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WFR
15-Oct-98 4:34 PM EDT (2034 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[11] U-S/KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH NATO DEMANDS ON KOSOVO -- LITTLE MORE THAN A DAY BEFORE THE FRIDAY EXPIRATION OF AN ALLIANCE DEADLINE FOR YUGOSLAV ACTION. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: WHITE-HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN SOME STEPS BY BELGRADE TO COMPLY WITH THE KOSOVO DEAL, INCLUDING POSITIVE POLITICAL STATEMENTS AND GREATER ACCESS TO REFUGEES BY INTERNATIONAL RELIEF WORKERS.

BUT HE SAID NO ONE BELIEVES THERE HAS BEEN FULL COMPLIANCE. HE SAYS NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA AND ALLIED MILITARY COMMANDER GENERAL WESLEY CLARK WILL MAKE CLEAR IN TALKS WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WHAT HE MUST DO TO FORESTALL NATO MILITARY ACTION.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN RELUCTANT TO DECLARE THE KOSOVO CRISIS OVER -- DESPITE THE DEAL REACHED TUESDAY WITH MR. MILOSEVIC, BY U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE, FOR MONITORING THE PROVINCE BY OUTSIDE AIR AND GROUND OBSERVERS.

MR. LOCKHART SAID THE MESSAGE FROM MR. SOLANA AND GENERAL CLARK IN BELGRADE IS THAT NATO MUST SEE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS BY THE DEADLINE. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/RAE
15-Oct-98 11:31 AM EDT (1531 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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