Voice of America, 98-11-05

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] U-S KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[02] KOSOVO / O-S-C-E (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRIZREN)

[03] SERBIA UNIVERSITIES (L ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

[04] SLOVENIA/U-S/KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (WASHINGTON)

[05] SLOVENIA/NATO (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (WASHINGTON)

[06] SLOVAKIA / E-U / NATO (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[07] YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

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

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

[01] U-S KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS ACCUSED YUGOSLAVIA OF FAILING TO LIVE UP TO ITS OBLIGATION TO ALLOW THE INVESTIGATION OF WAR CRIMES IN KOSOVO -- WHERE TENSIONS ONCE AGAIN APPEAR TO BE ON THE RISE. V-O-A'S DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: THE LATEST DISPUTE OVER YUGOSLAVIA'S COMMITMENT TO RESOLVING THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO, EMERGED WHEN THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL ACCUSED SERB AUTHORITIES OF BLOCKING ITS WORK BY DENYING VISAS TO INVESTIGATORS.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE TRIBUNAL, GABRIELLE KIRK MCDONALD, CALLED THE YUGOSLAV ACTIONS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND ILLEGAL.

JUDGE MCDONALD SAID SHE HAD CALLED OFF A VISIT TO YUGOSLAVIA BECAUSE AUTHORITIES REFUSED TO GRANT HER A VISA TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF WAR CRIMES IN KOSOVO. SHE SAID THE ACTIONS OF YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS HAD TURNED THE SERB-DOMINATED COUNTRY INTO A ROGUE STATE.

U-S STATE DEPARTMENT JAMES RUBIN SAID THE UNITED STATES REJECTS THE VIEW OF SERBIAN AUTHORITIES, WHO SAY THE TRIBUNAL DOES NOT HAVE AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE WAR CRIMES.

WE AGREE WITH JUDGE MCDONALD AND PROSECUTOR (LOUISE) ARBOR'S STATEMENT THAT THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA IS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THEIR OBLIGATIONS, BY NOT ISSUING VISAS TO THESE INVESTIGATORS. WE CATEGORICALLY REJECT THE SERB AUTHORITIES VIEW THAT THE TRIBUNAL DOES NOT HAVE JURISDICTION IN KOSOVO. WE INTEND TO RAISE THIS MATTER IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL AS A CLEAR CASE OF NON-COMPLIANCE.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE INVESTIGATIONS ARE PERMITTED UNDER THE TERMS OF UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS. MEANWHILE, THE STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAYS TENSIONS IN KOSOVO APPEAR TO BE INCREASING AS ETHNIC ALBANIAN FIGHTERS MOVE BACK INTO AREAS THAT DEPARTING SERB FORCES HAD BEEN PATROLLING SINCE THEIR SUMMER OFFENSIVE.

OUR OBSERVERS REPORT THAT THE KLA HAS CARRIED OUT THREE APPARENT RETRIBUTION KILLINGS IN THE PAST FEW DAYS. THE VICTIMS WERE ETHNIC ALBANIANS CHARGED WITH COLLABORATING WITH SERB AUTHORITIES DURING THE FIGHTING.

THERE ARE ALSO REPORTS THAT SOME SERB POLICE APPEAR TO BE HARDENING AND WINTERIZING POSITIONS IN KOSOVO THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABANDON UNDER THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT HAMMERED OUT LAST MONTH BY U-S SPECIAL ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE.

DESPITE THE LATEST SETBACKS, U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE OVERALL SITUATION IN THE TROUBLED PROVINCE APPEARS TO BE IMPROVING. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PT
05-Nov-98 6:13 PM EST (2313 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO / O-S-C-E (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRIZREN)

INTRO: WESTERN DIPLOMATS ARE RUSHING TO SET UP OBSERVER MISSIONS IN KOSOVO, EVEN AS SOME LOW-INTENSITY FIGHTING CONTINUES. AS PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM PRIZREN IN SOUTHERN KOSOVO, THE OBSERVER MISSIONS ARE BEING SET UP BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (O-S-C-E).

TEXT: A GROUP OF O-S-C-E PEACE OBSERVERS FROM BRITAIN WHO WERE ON THEIR WAY TO SET UP OPERATIONS IN PRIZREN HAD THEIR FIRST BRUSH WITH FIGHTING (THURSDAY).

BRITISH LIEUTENANT COLONEL DAVID MEYER SAID A SERBIAN ARMY UNIT IN FRONT OF THE BRITISH CONVOY CAME UNDER FIRE, BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. IN A SIMILAR INCIDENT, SERBIAN POLICE SAY THEY KILLED A UNIFORMED ETHNIC-ALBANIAN REBEL NEAR ANOTHER TOWN, KLINA.

THE BRITISH TEAM WAS ON ITS WAY TO SET UP ONE OF THE FIRST O-S-C-E MISSION OFFICES OUTSIDE OF THE CAPITAL, PRISTINA. FIFTY BRITISH OBSERVERS -- MOST OF THEM WITH MILITARY EXPERIENCE -- ARE EXPECTED TO MAN THE OUTPOST.

THE O-S-C-E MISSION WILL MONITOR A TENSE CEASEFIRE BETWEEN SERB SECURITY FORCES AND THE REBEL ETHNIC-ALBANIAN KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. THE O-S-C-E MANDATE ALSO INCLUDES MEDIATING CEASEFIRES AND HELPING CREATE AN ETHNICALLY-MIXED POLICE FORCE IN KOSOVO.

THE BRITISH OBSERVERS IN PRIZREN, A FORMER OTTOMAN TRADING CENTER, ARE TO BE BASED IN A HOTEL. ONLY A FEW KILOMETERS FROM THEIR HEADQUARTERS ARE THE MOUNTAIN PATHS USED BY ALBANIAN GUERRILLA FIGHTERS TO SMUGGLE IN ARMS AND MEN.

TOWN RESIDENTS REMAIN SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE THE UNARMED O-S-C-E MISSION. ETHNIC ALBANIANS SAY THEY DOUBT IT CAN END POLICE BEATINGS, AND SERBS WARN THAT THEY WILL NOT STAND FOR BEING JUDGED BY OUTSIDE POWERS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PS/JWH/RAE
05-Nov-98 1:53 PM EST (1853 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] SERBIA UNIVERSITIES (L ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

INTRO: PROFESSORS FROM BELGRADE MET THIS PAST WEEK IN BUDAPEST TO DISCUSS WHAT THEY SAY IS A CRACKDOWN AGAINST UNIVERSITIES BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN THE YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF SERBIA. STEFAN BOS IN THE HUNGARIAN CAPITAL REPORTS THE SERB DISSIDENTS PREDICT WHAT THEY CALL A LONG AND DIFFICULT WINTER.

TEXT: SERBIAN PROFESSORS AND DISSIDENTS GATHERED AT THE CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY IN BUDAPEST TO DISCUSS WHAT THEY CALL "ONE OF EUROPE'S MOST DISTURBING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION."

THEY SAY THE PROBLEMS BEGAN IN MAY OF THIS YEAR WHEN SERBIA'S PARLIAMENT PASSED A LAW, WHICH CRITICS SAY, ENDED THE AUTONOMY OF UNIVERSITIES. CRITICS SAY THE LAW MAKES IT TECHNICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR PROFESSORS TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN DEANS AND RECTORS. INSTEAD, THEY SAY, SERB GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS DECIDE WHO WILL FILL THOSE LEADING POSITIONS.

IN ADDITION, THE DISSIDENTS SAY ALL EMPLOYEES AT A UNIVERSITY IN SERBIA ARE FORCED TO SIGN A LABOR CONTRACT WITH THE GOVERNMENT APPOINTEES.

THEY SAY THIS HAS LEAD TO TENSIONS AT BELGRADE UNIVERSITY WHERE ABOUT 130 PROFESSORS ARE SAID TO BE ON A SO-CALLED BLACK LIST BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO SIGN THE CONTRACT. DOZENS OF PROFESSORS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DISMISSED OR TOLD THAT THEY ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED TO TEACH.

A DISSIDENT AND PROFESSOR AT THE FACULTY OF PHILOSOPHY IN BELGRADE, ZAGORKA GOLUBOVIC, SAYS SERB POLICE ALSO ARE MISTREATING INTELLECTUALS, LIKE HERSELF. MS. GOLUBOVIC RECALLED AN INCIDENT (EARLIER THIS YEAR) WHEN SHE PARTICIPATED IN A DEMONSTRATION PROTESTING THE NEW LAW ON UNIVERSITIES.

THAT WAS JUST THE DAY WHEN THE NEW UNIVERSITY LAW WAS INTRODUCED AND WE STOOD UP IN FRONT OF THE PRESIDENCY, PROTESTING AND TRYING THAT THE LAW WOULD BE WITHDRAWN. BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN, POLICE CAME UP AND SO BRUTALLY BEAT THE PEOPLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT INJURED BECAUSE MY COLLEAGUE SOMEHOW HELPED ME TO ESCAPE. BUT SOME STUDENTS OF MINE WERE AROUND ME, WHO WERE ON THE FIRST LINE, HAD THEIR ARMS BROKEN, THEY HAD SOME INJURIES IN THEIR FACES.

SOME PROFESSORS SAY THEY ARE NOW TAKING THEIR MESSAGE TO THE STREETS BY GIVING THEIR LECTURES OUTSIDE, IN FRONT OF BELGRADE UNIVERSITY. AND THE DISSIDENTS SAY THEY ARE PREPARING FOR WHAT THEY CALL A LONG AND DIFFICULT WINTER IN SERBIA.

OFFICIALS AT THE YUGOSLAV EMBASSY IN BUDAPEST REFUSED TO COMMENT ON THE CHARGES, SAYING THE DISPUTE IS -- IN THEIR WORDS -- AN "INTERNAL MATTER OF SERBIA."
NEB/SB/JWH
05-Nov-98 9:45 AM EST (1445 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[04] SLOVENIA/U-S/KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: SLOVENIA'S PRIME MINISTER JANEZ DRNOVSEK HAS BEEN IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEK, MEETING WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON AND OTHER TOP OFFICIALS TO PRESS SLOVENIA'S CASE FOR MEMBERSHIP IN NATO. IN AN APPEARANCE AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB THURSDAY, MR. DRNOVSEK VOICED SUPPORT FOR NATO'S RESPONSE TO THE WARFARE IN KOSOVO. BUT HE WARNED THAT THE CRISIS IS FAR FROM OVER, AS WE HEAR FROM V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS.

TEXT: THE SLOVENIAN LEADER SAID NATO'S APPROACH TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS WAS APPROPRIATE: THE COMBINATION OF WHAT HE TERMED A CREDIBLE MILITARY THREAT, COUPLED WITH DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO BRING AN END TO THE YUGOSLAV ARMY OFFENSIVE IN THE PROVINCE. BUT HE WARNED AGAINST COMPLACENCY IN THE AFTERMATH OF LAST MONTH'S AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO BETWEEN YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE.

I THINK IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE TO CONSIDER THAT THIS AGREEMENT, (THE) HOLBROOKE-MILOSEVIC AGREEMENT, IS NOW A SUFFICIENT STEP THAT GIVES MORE TIME OR (THE) POSSIBILITY OF RELAXATION.

MR. DRNOVSEK SAID THE BELGRADE AGREEMENT MAY BRING A TEMPORARY RESPITE IN KOSOVO THAT WILL HOPEFULLY ALLOW THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES BEFORE WINTER. BUT HE SAID THE SITUATION COULD QUICKLY DETERIORATE AGAIN UNLESS THERE IS A LONG-TERM POLITICAL SETTLEMENT BETWEEN BELGRADE AND KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY.

NOW IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO INTENSIFY POLITICAL ACTIVITIES AND NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE POLITICAL SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM. AND THE PRESSURE SHOULD BE MADE ON BOTH SIDES REALLY, TO SIT AND TO NEGOTIATE A SOLUTION THAT WOULD GIVE SOME NECESSARY AUTONOMY TO KOSOVO WITH NECESSARY GUARANTEES. I SHOULD SAY ALSO, INTERNATIONAL GUARANTEES BECAUSE THERE IS A LACK OF TRUST BETWEEN THE PARTIES THERE, BETWEEN ALBANIANS AND SERBS.

THE SLOVENIAN LEADER SAID THAT DURING HIS TALKS HERE, HE URGED U-S OFFICIALS TO MOVE QUICKLY IN THEIR EFFORTS TO MEDIATE A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IN KOSOVO. BUT HE SAID HE IS NOT OPTIMISTIC THAT A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND ANYTIME SOON. (SIGNED)
NEB/DBR/GE
05-Nov-98 12:22 PM EST (1722 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[05] SLOVENIA/NATO (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: SLOVENIA'S PRIME MINISTER JANEZ DRNOVSEK IS WRAPPING UP A VISIT TO WASHINGTON THAT HAS BEEN DEVOTED LARGELY TO SLOVENIA'S REQUEST TO JOIN NATO. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS THE SLOVENIAN BID HAS BEEN BOLSTERED BY A RECOMMENDATION FROM A PROMINENT U-S LAWMAKER.

TEXT: PRIME MINISTER DRNOVSEK TOLD REPORTERS (THURSDAY) HE RECEIVED BROAD EXPRESSIONS OF SUPPORT FOR SLOVENIA'S MEMBERSHIP IN NATO DURING HIS TALKS WITH U-S OFFICIALS. HE SAID PRESIDENT CLINTON ASSURED HIM NATO'S OPEN DOOR (TO NEW MEMBERS) POLICY REMAINS IN EFFECT, AND SLOVENIA IS A VERY GOOD CANDIDATE.

BUT THERE IS A MUCH MORE EXPLICIT ENDORSEMENT OF SLOVENIA'S BID FOR MEMBERSHIP. IN A NEW REPORT ABOUT THE WESTERN ALLIANCE, U-S SENATOR WILLIAM ROTH RECOMMENDS NATO OPEN ACCESSION TALKS WITH THE SLOVENIAN GOVERNMENT IMMEDIATELY AFTER ITS SUMMIT CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON NEXT APRIL. MR. ROTH, A REPUBLICAN FROM DELAWARE, CHAIRS THE NORTH ATLANTIC ASSEMBLY, NATO'S PARLIAMENTARY GROUP. HIS REPORT "NATO IN THE 21ST CENTURY" IS TO BE RELEASED FRIDAY.

HIS SPOKESWOMAN CONFIRMED THE REPORT RECOMMENDS SLOVENIA, AND SLOVENIA ALONE, BE INVITED TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE. SHE SAID THE SENATOR BELIEVES SLOVENIA MEETS ALL THE CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP, AND COULD MAKE AN EFFECTIVE CONTRIBUTION TO NATO.

AT THURSDAY'S NEWS CONFERENCE, PRIME MINISTER DRNOVSEK ACKNOWLEDGED SOME NATO MEMBERS ARE, AS HE PUT IT, LESS THAN ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT ENLARGEMENT FOR THE TIME BEING, PREFERRING TO CONCENTRATE ON THE THREE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE ALLIANCE -- HUNGARY, POLAND, AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC -- WHICH ARE TO BE FORMALLY INDUCTED AT THE WASHINGTON SUMMIT.

BUT THE PRIME MINISTER SAID HIS GOVERNMENT STILL HOPES ITS BID FOR MEMBERSHIP WILL BE GIVEN EARLY CONSIDERATION.

SO I EXPECT THERE WILL PROBABLY BE SOME COMMITMENT AT THE WASHINGTON SUMMIT FOR FURTHER NATO ENLARGEMENT AND PROBABLY ALSO SOME ENCOURAGEMENT FOR, LET US SAY, THE BEST CANDIDATES, INCLUDING SLOVENIA, BUT THAT THE PROCESS WILL PROBABLY CONTINUE THEN AFTER THE SUMMIT.

MR. DRNOVSEK SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PROCESS MOVE FASTER, BUT ADDED HE UNDERSTANDS THE POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS WITHIN THE WESTERN ALLIANCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/DBR/RAE
05-Nov-98 2:39 PM EST (1939 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] SLOVAKIA / E-U / NATO (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: SLOVAKIA'S NEW PRIME MINISTER, MIKULAS DZURINDA, IS MAKING HIS FIRST TRIP OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY SINCE TAKING OFFICE LAST WEEK. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE SLOVAK PRIME MINISTER IS TRYING TO REPAIR HIS COUNTRY'S RELATIONS WITH NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION.

TEXT: SLOVAKIA WAS ORIGINALLY CONSIDERED A CANDIDATE FOR EARLY MEMBERSHIP IN NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. HOWEVER, SLOVAKIA WAS PENALIZED BY BOTH ORGANIZATIONS FOR ITS LACK OF DEMOCRACY UNDER PRIME MINISTER VLADIMIR MECIAR.

WHEN THE EUROPEAN UNION SELECTED CANDIDATES FOR FAST-TRACK MEMBERSHIP, SLOVAKIA WAS THE ONLY ONE DISQUALIFIED ON POLITICAL GROUNDS ALONE WITHOUT CONSIDERATION OF ITS ECONOMIC POTENTIAL.

PRIME MINISTER DZURINDA IS HERE IN BRUSSELS TO TRY TO CHANGE HIS COUNTRY'S IMAGE. HE MET FIRST WITH NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA AT ALLIANCE HEADQUARTERS. HE TELLS REPORTERS HE IS REALISTIC ABOUT SLOVAKIA'S CHANCES FOR EARLY MEMBERSHIP IN NATO.

I KNOW THAT WE SHOULD CHANGE THE FACE OF SLOVAKIA. WE SHOULD DO SOME ECONOMIC STEPS IN ORDER TO RE-START PROCESSES WHICH ARE NECESSARY FOR THE HEALTH OF OUR ECONOMY. BUT I BELIEVE SLOVAKIA WILL USE THIS CHANCE.

WE WANT SOLID COUNTRIES -- COUNTRIES THAT HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING A STABLE CONTRIBUTOR TO THE SECURITY OF OTHERS NOT ONLY BEING RECEIVERS OF SECURITY -- TO CONTRIBUTE TO WHAT ARE THE VALUES, THE PROFOUND IDEA OF THE COUNTRIES THAT BELONG TO THE ALLIANCE. IT IS AS SIMPLE AS THAT. THE PRIME MINISTER KNOWS VERY WELL WHAT HE HAS TO DO.

PRIME MINISTER DZURINDA NOW BRINGS HIS CASE (FRIDAY) TO THE EUROPEAN UNION. THE UNION HAS GREETED HIS ELECTION BY SAYING SLOVAKIA SEEMS TO BE MOVING IN THE DIRECTION OF DEMOCRACY BUT IT IS TOO EARLY TO ASSESS ITS CHANCES FOR MEMBERSHIP.

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, HANS VAN DEN BROEK, HAS TOLD THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT WHAT HE AND COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER WILL TELL MR. DZURINDA.

WE WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO SEE A SITUATION DEVELOP WHEREBY THE STABILITY OF THE POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS, ITS DEMOCRATIC NATURE, THEIR RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF LAW, INCLUDING RESPECT FOR THE RIGHTS OF MINORITIES WOULD BE CONFIRMED. AND SECONDLY, THAT THE SHORTCOMINGS THAT WE NOTED IN THE ECONOMIC SITUATION WILL BE CORRECTED BY THIS GOVERNMENT.

MR. VAN DEN BROEK SAYS THE DZURINDA GOVERNMENT NEEDS SOME TIME TO IMPLEMENT CHANGES IN SLOVAK POLICY, AND THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION WILL CAREFULLY MONITOR THOSE CHANGES TO SEE WHEN TO RECOMMEND THE OPENING OF MEMBERSHIP NEGOTIATIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/JWH/JO
05-Nov-98 2:26 PM EST (1926 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: PROSECUTORS TRYING TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED WAR CRIMES IN KOSOVO HAVE CALLED OFF A PLANNED TRIP TO THE SERBIAN PROVINCE AFTER YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES SAID THEY WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONDUCT ANY INVESTIGATIONS. LAUREN COMITEAU IN THE HAGUE REPORTS THE PROSECUTORS -- FROM THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL -- INSIST THEY HAVE THE JURISDICTION TO INVESTIGATE.

TEXT: THE BATTLE HAS BEEN BUILDING FOR ALMOST A MONTH NOW, EVER SINCE CHIEF PROSECUTOR LOUISE ARBOUR REQUESTED VISAS FROM YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES FOR HERSELF AND 10 INVESTIGATORS.

THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT HAS CONSISTENTLY DENIED THE TRIBUNAL'S AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE. AND MS. ARBOUR HAS JUST AS CONSISTENTLY ASSERTED WHAT SHE SAYS IS HER RIGHT TO UNRESTRICTED ACCESS IN KOSOVO. AND SHE CITES SEVERAL U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS TO BACK HER ASSERTIONS.

JUST WEDNESDAY, MS. ARBOUR TOLD REPORTERS SHE STILL WAS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT GETTING HER VISAS. BUT THAT HOPE WAS DASHED LATER THAT NIGHT WHEN SHE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS GRANTING HER A VISA ONLY TO ATTEND A LAW CONFERENCE IN BELGRADE. THURSDAY, MS. ARBOUR SAID SHE DECIDED TO DECLINE WHAT SHE CALLED AN UNACCEPTABLY LIMITED VISA.

I INTEND TO CONTINUE PURSUING ALL LEGAL MEANS AVAILABLE TO ME UNTIL I AM GRANTED ACCESS TO THE RELEVANT SITES AND TO THE WITNESSES THAT I MAY CHOOSE TO CONTACT IN KOSOVO.

TRIBUNAL PRESIDENT GABRIELLE KIRK MCDONALD BACKED HER UP, CALLING THE YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS' ACTIONS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND ILLEGAL.

THIS CONDUCT IS A FURTHER EXAMPLE OF THE F-R-Y'S (FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA'S) UTTER DISREGARD FOR THE NORMS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. ESSENTIALLY IT HAS BECOME A ROGUE STATE, ONE THAT HOLDS THE INTERNATIONAL RULE OF LAW IN CONTEMPT.

JUDGE MCDONALD CALLED OFF HER OWN TRIP TO BELGRADE, SAYING IT WAS INAPPROPRIATE FOR HER TO TRAVEL TO A COUNTRY THAT IS BLATANTLY CHALLENGING THE TRIBUNAL'S AUTHORITY. SHE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT IS CHALLENGING THE AUTHORITY OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL, AND SAID SHE WILL URGE THE COUNCIL TO RESPOND FORCEFULLY.

FOR THE MOMENT, THOUGH, THERE ARE NO ON SITE INVESTIGATIONS IN KOSOVO, DESPITE WHAT PROSECUTOR ARBOUR HAS CALLED CREDIBLE REPORTS OF ATROCITIES, INCLUDING SUMMARY EXECUTIONS, DESTRUCTION, AND ATTACKS AGAINST CIVILIANS. (SIGNED)
NEB/LC/JWH/JO
05-Nov-98 12:09 PM EST (1709 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP STRONGLY TODAY (THURSDAY) AND WALL STREET GOT AN UNEXPECTED EARLY LOOK AT U-S EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 89 HUNDRED 15, UP 132 POINTS OR MORE THAN ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED 33, UP 15 POINTS.

STOCKS TRADED IN A NARROW RANGE FOR MOST OF THE DAY BUT A LATE SURGE OF BUYING PUSHED MAJOR INDEXES TO THEIR DAILY HIGHS.

ANALYSTS SAY A FEELING OF OPTIMISM CONTINUED ON WALL STREET AND THERE WAS SOME ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE ACCIDENTAL RELEASE OF THE U-S EMPLOYMENT REPORT. THE FIGURES WERE SUPPOSED TO BE MADE PUBLIC FRIDAY BUT, BECAUSE OF AN ERROR AT THE U-S BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, THEY WERE POSTED ON THE COMPUTER INTERNET A DAY EARLY. THE REPORT SHOWS 116 THOUSAND NEW JOBS WERE CREATED IN THE U-S ECONOMY LAST MONTH, WELL BELOW EXPECTATIONS. SOME ANALYSTS SAY THAT COULD GIVE THE U-S CENTRAL BANK ANOTHER REASON TO REDUCE INTEREST RATES LATER THIS MONTH.

IN A SPEECH THURSDAY TO INVESTMENT INDUSTRY EXECUTIVES CENTRAL BANK CHAIRMAN ALAN GREENSPAN MADE NO REFERENCE TO U-S INTEREST RATES. BUT THAT DID NOT STOP ANALYSTS FROM SPECULATING. SOME ARGUE THAT MR. GREENSPAN, BY SAYING THE CREDIT SITUATION IS SOMEWHAT IMPROVED, WAS HINTING AT NO RATE CUT. OTHERS, SUCH AS MAURY HARRIS OF THE PAINE WEBBER INVESTMENT COMPANY, BELIEVE MR. GREENSPAN WAS IMPLYING THERE WILL BE A FURTHER INTEREST RATE CUT.

THE FACT THAT HE IS SAYING THAT THE CREDIT CRUNCH IS NOT AS BAD AS IT WAS THREE WEEKS AGO, DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE "OUT OF THE WOODS" (OUT OF DANGER). I THINK THE FED IS STILL WORRIED ABOUT THIS CAPITAL MARKETS CREDIT CRUNCH AND I STILL THINK THEY WILL EASE 25 BASIS POINTS (ONE-QUARTER OF ONE PERCENT) AT THE NEXT MEETING.

LEADERS OF THE U-S SECURITIES INDUSTRY SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR REFORMS IN U-S BANKING LAWS WHICH WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR BANKS, BROKERAGE FIRMS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES TO ENTER EACH OTHER'S BUSINESSES. HOWEVER, THE DEFEAT OF REPUBLICAN SENATOR AL D'AMATO IN THE TUESDAY ELECTION MAY MAKE THOSE CHANGES MORE DIFFICULT. SENATOR PHIL GRAHAM, WHO OPPOSES MANY OF THE REFORMS, IS LIKELY TO REPLACE SENATOR D'AMATO AS CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE BANKING COMMITTEE.

IN BUSINESS NEWS, COMPUTER NETWORKING EQUIPMENT MAKER CISCO SYSTEMS SAYS ITS QUARTERLY PROFITS ROSE 34 PERCENT.

THE CONSOLIDATED CIGAR COMPANY SAYS ITS PROFITS WERE CUT IN HALF BECAUSE OF SLOWER SALES OF HIGH PRICED CIGARS. THE COMPANY SAYS IT IS NOW EXPLORING A POSSIBLE MERGER OR SALE.

THE HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY OF SOUTH KOREA IS LAUNCHING A 25 MILLION DOLLAR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN IN THE UNITED STATES TO IMPROVE THE RELIABILITY IMAGE OF ITS CARS. THE ADS WILL FEATURE HYUNDAI'S NEW FIVE YEAR WARRANTY PROGRAM.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
05-Nov-98 5:00 PM EST (2200 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: WITH PAPERS FROM MAINE TO CALIFORNIA ASSESSING TUESDAY'S ELECTIONS, THERE IS BUT A SINGLE TOPIC IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS.

WE GET A SAMPLING NOW FROM ___________________ IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: DEMOCRATS ARE HAILING THEIR GOOD SHOWING IN TUESDAY'S U-S ELECTIONS -- AS REPUBLICANS STRESS THE FACT THEY MANAGED TO KEEP CONTROL OF CONGRESS. PAPERS THAT HAD INSTANT, MORNING-AFTER ASSESSMENTS, ARE BACK WITH EVEN LONGER, AND PRESUMABLY MORE THOUGHTFUL, ANALYSIS TODAY. "THE MIAMI HERALD" /// OPT /// LIKENS THE RESULTS IN FLORIDA TO A CAREFULLY SELECTED MEAL.

VOICE: LIKE DINERS PORING OVER A MENU AT A FANCY RESTAURANT, FLORIDA VOTERS TOOK THEIR TIME AND ORDERED UP PRECISELY WHAT THEY WANTED: A VINTAGE WINE, THE YOUNG CHEF'S LATEST CREATION, THREE CHOICES FROM COLUMN A, THREE FROM COLUMN B - - AND A MIXED SALAD OF CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES.

TEXT: AS FOR THE NATIONAL RESULTS, "THE HERALD" /// END OPT /// SUGGESTS THE COUNTRY IS TURNING TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM.

VOICE: .... VOTERS CHOSE MODERATION AND COMPETENCE WHERE GIVEN A CLEAR-ENOUGH CHOICE. THEY IGNORED THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN PARTY'S TEN MILLION DOLLAR AD CAMPAIGN THAT ATTEMPTED TO LINK DEMOCRATS WITH THE CLINTON-LEWINSKY SCANDAL, FOR INSTANCE. ... THE RESULTS REFLECT WHAT AMERICANS HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR MONTHS: GET ON WITH THE NATION'S BUSINESS.

TEXT: IN MAINE, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" SAYS THE STRONG SHOWING OF DEMOCRATS NATIONWIDE WAS PARTLY THE WORK OF THE OPPOSITION PARTY.

VOICE: .... REPUBLICANS HAVE ONLY THEMSELVES TO BLAME. IN A YEAR WHEN HISTORY SUGGESTED THE G-O-P (REPUBLICANS) SHOULD HAVE GAINED TWO DOZEN SEATS IN THE ... HOUSE AND PADDED ITS ADVANTAGE IN THE ... SENATE, REPUBLICANS LOST FIVE SEATS IN THE HOUSE AND COULD MANAGE ONLY A DRAW IN THE SENATE. .... THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS PAID DEARLY FOR ITS LACK OF FOCUS AMID PARTISAN ATTACKS. /// OPT

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" USES ITS ENTIRE EDITORIAL COLUMN FOR A THOROUGH ANALYSIS, BROKEN DOWN BY SECTIONS ABOUT THE CANDIDATES, THE MONEY, THE VOTERS AND THE REPUBLIC LEADERSHIP. HERE'S A PORTION:

VOICE: IT WAS AN ELECTION DAY THAT HAD A BIT OF EVERYTHING. ... THE QUESTION, OF COURSE, IS WHAT LESSON TO DRAW FROM THIS VARIEGATED SHOW SO FULL OF SUSPENSE, UPSETS AND REVERSALS OF PARTY FORTUNE. THAT IS NO SIMPLE MATTER, FOR A MIDTERM ELECTION LACKS THE FOCUSING PRISM OF A PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST. THIS WAS AN ELECTION THAT TOUCHED ON POWER ALIGNMENTS BETWEEN AND WITHIN THE PARTIES, ON VOTER ATTITUDES, ON CANDIDATES FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM, ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND, OF COURSE, ON IMPEACHMENT. ... IN MANY RECENT ELECTIONS THE PUBLIC, POLLSTERS AND COMMENTATORS HAVE GOTTEN USED TO OUTCOMES DETERMINED BY THE MILITANT REPUBLICAN CORE AND BY THE WEDGE ISSUES OF THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT. SOMETHING DIFFERENT HAPPENED ON TUESDAY. SOME KEY RACES WERE SWUNG BY MODERATE WOMEN AND TRADITIONAL DEMOCRATIC MINORITY GROUPS AND BY MIDDLE-INCOME SUBURBAN VOTERS WHO HAD BEEN BEHAVIORAL REPUBLICANS. THIS EMERGENT COALITION MY BE IMPERMANENT, BUT IT OVERWHELMED THE FACTION ANIMATED BY SCHOOL PRAYER AND FLAG-BURNING.

TEXT: BACK IN NEW ENGLAND, WHERE BOSTON'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SUGGESTS THE RESULTS REFLECT THE FACT THAT:

VOICE: REPUBLICANS HAD NO COHERENT MESSAGE, WHILE DEMOCRATS WERE FOCUSED. ..... TURNOUT WAS AS IMPORTANT AS PREDICTED. DEMOCRATS WORKED INTENSELY TO GET LABOR AND BLACK VOTERS TO THE POLLS, AND IT WORKED. REPUBLICANS IN TOO MANY RACES DIDN'T DO ENOUGH TO REACH OUT BEYOND SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES. /// OPT /// EXIT POLLING SHOWS VOTERS WERE INTERESTED IN BREAD-AND-BUTTER ISSUES, ESPECIALLY EDUCATION, AND NOT IN THE LEWINSKY AFFAIR ..... /// END OPT ///

TEXT: ALSO IN NEW ENGLAND, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" ADDS:

VOICE: IF THERE WAS A THEME TO TUESDAY'S ELECTIONS, IT WAS THE VOTERS' DETERMINATION TO GO THEIR OWN WAY, REFUSING TO BE BUFFALOED [INTIMIDATED] BY EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT, VOTING FOR ISSUES OF IMMEDIATE CONCERN TO THEMSELVES.

TEXT: TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" EDITORIAL CALLS THE RESULTS "A VOTE FOR DOING THE JOB" IN ITS HEADLINE.

VOICE: SOME POLITICAL EXPERTS GRUMBLED THAT THIS ELECTION WASN'T ABOUT ANYTHING BECAUSE IT LACKED COMPELLING NATIONAL ISSUES. BUT IN FACT, TUESDAY'S BALLOTING WAS ABOUT THE CORE OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM: GOVERNING. VOTERS ARE TIRED OF CONSTANT POLITICAL FIGHTING. THEY WANT LEADERS WHO WILL JUST DIG IN AND FIX THINGS.

TEXT: WITH THAT ASSESSMENT, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF HOW SOME OF THE MAJOR PAPERS VIEW TUESDAY'S ELECTIONS.
NEB/ANG/GE
05-Nov-98 10:48 AM EST (1548 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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