Voice of America, 99-01-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] NATO / KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[02] KOSOVO / NATO PLANES (L ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[03] KOSOVO/REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (MALOPOLJCE)

[04] KOSOVO-UNHCR (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[05] CHINA / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY ROGER WILKISON (BEIJING)

[06] U-S / KOSOVO (L) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[07] THE KOSOVO MASSACRE BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[08] ROMANIA/PROTESTS (L-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

[09] BRITISH AEROSPACE DEAL (L-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[10] NY ECON WRAP (S&L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (NEW YORK)

[11] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] NATO / KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO'S TOP GENERALS WILL DELIVER (ARE DELIVERING) A STRONG MESSAGE TO YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TODAY (TUESDAY) IN BELGRADE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, WHERE NATO OFFICIALS SAY THAT MESSAGE WILL INCLUDE A WARNING.

TEXT: NATO OFFICIALS SAY IF THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT RESISTS THE WARNING BY GENERALS WESLEY CLARK AND KLAUS NAUMANN, YUGOSLAVIA COULD FACE AIR STRIKES WITHIN DAYS. THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR TO NATO, ALEXANDER VERSHBOW, SAYS IF THERE IS NO CHANGE IN SERBIAN BEHAVIOR IN KOSOVO, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE NATO COULD RETURN TO ITS DECISION OF LAST OCTOBER TO LAUNCH AIR STRIKES.

THE NATO GENERALS ARE DELIVERING THAT WARNING TO PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. THEY ARE ALSO GIVING NATO'S MESSAGE TO ALLOW A VISIT TO KOSOVO BY THE PROSECUTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. THE PROSECUTOR, LOUISE ARBOUR, WAS REFUSED ENTRY MONDAY BY YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES. THE GENERALS WILL ALSO URGE PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO REVERSE THE EXPULSION ORDER AGAINST WILLIAM WALKER, THE HEAD OF THE TRUCE VERIFIERS IN KOSOVO.

GERMANY'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS BEFORE NATO INTERVENES MILITARILY IN YUGOSLAVIA, ALL POLITICAL POSSIBILITIES MUST FIRST BE EXHAUSTED. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/PCF
19-Jan-99 6:55 AM EST (1155 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO / NATO PLANES (L ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: NATO'S TOP GENERALS ARE HOLDING (EDS: WATCH FOR UPDATES -- HAVE HELD) TALKS IN BELGRADE TO PERSUADE SERBIAN LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO EASE TENSIONS IN KOSOVO. MEANWHILE, U-S AND NATO OFFICIALS SAY NATO COMMANDERS NOW HAVE ABOUT 100 PLANES AVAILABLE WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE OF YUGOSLAVIA IF THE DECISION IS MADE TO LAUNCH AN AIR ATTACK. AS V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON, THE NUMBER OF PLANES IS GROWING.

TEXT: U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER ENTERPRISE -- WITH ABOUT 75 AIRCRAFT ABOARD -- IS HEADING FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA TO ADRIATIC WATERS NEAR YUGOSLAVIA. ITS ARRIVAL WILL INCREASE THE MILITARY POWER AVAILABLE TO NATO COMMANDERS IF A DECISION IS MADE TO STRIKE YUGOSLAV MILITARY TARGETS.

NATO OFFICIALS SAY AT THE HEIGHT OF TENSIONS WITH BELGRADE OVER KOSOVO LAST OCTOBER THERE WERE SLIGHTLY LESS THAN 400 PLANES READY TO STRIKE TARGETS IN YUGOSLAVIA.

DURING THE HEIGHTH OF LAST YEAR'S CRISIS, NATO LEADERS SAID THEY HAD PLANS FOR TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF AIR CAMPAIGNS. ONE, CALLED "THE LIMITED AIR OPTION" WAS A BRIEF BUT INTENSE SERIES OF AIR ATTACKS ON YUGOSLAV MILITARY TARGETS. THE SECOND, "THE PHASED AIR CAMPAIGN" WAS A LARGER, LONGER CAMPAIGN THAT USED MORE PLANES AND HAD A LONGER LIST OF TARGETS. ITS LONG DURATION AND GROWING INTENSITY WAS DESIGNED TO PUNISH BELGRADE MORE SEVERELY FOR CONTINUING ATTACKS IN KOSOVO.

NATO MEMBERS CONTRIBUTE THE PLANES NEEDED BY THE ALLIANCE FOR ANY KIND OF BOMBING CAMPAIGN. THE AIRCRAFT AND CREWS ARE THEN PUT UNDER DIRECT NATO COMMAND.

U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SAY THE PLANES NEEDED FOR THE LIMITED AIR OPTION ARE STILL PROMISED TO NATO WITHIN 96 HOURS OF A NATO REQUEST. BUT OFFICIALS SAY NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE TO STRIKE YUGOSLAV TARGETS YET. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/WFR
19-Jan-99 1:09 PM EST (1809 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO/REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (MALOPOLJCE)

INTRO: IN KOSOVO, ETHNIC ALBANIAN VILLAGERS ARE ON THE RUN AGAIN, TRYING TO FLEE THE FIGHTING BETWEEN SERB FORCES AND REBELS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY -- THE K-L-A. THE EXODUS TAKES PLACE WHILE HIGH-LEVEL TALKS TO STOP THE FIGHTING GO ON IN BELGRADE BETWEEN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND NATO'S TOP GENERAL WESLEY CLARK. VOA'S LAURIE KASSMAN FILED THIS REPORT FROM THE REFUGEE TRAIL, IN THE WOODED HILLS NEAR MALOPOLJCE (MAH LOH POH LEE ZEH).

TEXT: ///SOUND OF HORSES -- IN FULL AND UNDER ///

AN ELDERLY MAN LEADS TWO HORSE-DRAWN WAGONS WITH HIS FAMILY OF NINE ALONG A PATH OOZING WITH MUD THAT WINDS DOWN THROUGH THE WOODED HILLS. OTHERS ARE MAKING THEIR WAY ON FOOT THROUGH THE ANKLE-DEEP MUD.

THEY FLED THE FIGHTING AROUND THE VILLAGE MALOPOLJCE LAST FRIDAY AND HAVE BEEN HIDING IN THE WOODS EVER SINCE. ON THIS DAY, THEY DECIDE TO MOVE TO SAFER GROUND. BUT FIRST, THEY MUST CROSS THROUGH AN AREA THAT PUTS THEM IN THE CROSSFIRE BETWEEN SERBS AND K-L-A REBELS BEFORE REACHING SAFER GROUND.

WE (HAVE BEEN) FIVE DAYS IN THE WOODS. WE DON'T KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING.

THE OLD MAN, HIS EYES REDDENED FOR LACK OF SLEEP, SAYS THE REST OF HIS FAMILY HAS REMAINED IN THE WOODS.

K-L-A FIGHTERS -- ONE IN KHAKI UNIFORM WITH MACHINE GUN, THE REST IN JEANS AND SKI JACKETS WITH RIFLES SLUNG OVER THEIR SHOULDERS GUIDE THEM TO THE SAFER PATH THAT WILL LEAD THEM DOWN TO THE VILLAGE OF DRAMNJAK (DRAM NEE AK). THE K-L-A FIGHTERS THEN HEAD BACK UP THE HILL TOWARD PETROVA, WHERE THE FIGHTING CONTINUES.

DOWN BELOW AT DRAMNJAK, INTERNATIONAL MONITORS AND STAFF FROM THE U-N REFUGEE COMMISSION ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH ANOTHER SEVERAL HUNDRED REFUGEES, HUDDLED THERE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

A YOUNG MAN IN THE GROUP, CRADLING ONE OF HIS EIGHT CHILDREN IN HIS ARMS, SAYS THEY ARE AFRAID THEY WILL BE ARRESTED IF THEY GO ANY FURTHER, BECAUSE SERB POLICE ARE STATIONED ON THE MAIN ROAD.

U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN FERNANDO DEL MUNDO SAYS THE REFUGEE CRISIS IS GROWING WITH THE RENEWED CLASHES.

THERE ARE BETWEEN 60 AND 70 FAMILIES TRAPPED IN THE WOODS SOUTH OF MALOPOLJCE. THIS IS WHERE WE ARE TRYING TO GO AND TRY AND GET SOME FOOD AND BLANKETS AND MATTRESSES TO THEM. BUT THIS IS NOT THE SOLUTION. UNLESS THE FIGHTING STOPS AND THESE GUYS (SERB FORCES) WITHDRAW, THERE IS VERY LITTLE WE CAN DO.

MR. DEL MUNDO SAYS ONE FAMILY TOLD HIM THAT TWO INFANTS HAVE ALREADY DIED FROM EXPOSURE TO THE FREEZING COLD NIGHTS IN THE WOODS. HE ALSO SAYS THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES HAS INCREASED TO SEVERAL THOUSAND IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS IN OTHER PARTS OF KOSOVO.

YOU HAVE PODUJEVO, YOU HAVE DECAN, ABOUT 20-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS.

HEAVY SHELLING AND ARTILLERY FIRE CAN STILL BE HEARD IN THE AREA. THE LATEST OFFENSIVE BEGAN LAST WEEK, A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE MASSACRE OF MORE THAN 40 PEOPLE IN RACAK, VILLAGE JUST UP THE ROAD. SOME WHO ESCAPED THE KILLINGS THERE HAVE JOINED THE GROWING NUMBER OF REFUGEES ... HIDING IN THE WOODED HILLS ABOVE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF/WFR
19-Jan-99 2:28 PM EST (1928 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO-UNHCR (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, THE U-N-H-C-R, IS EXPRESSING SHOCK AND HORROR AT LAST FRIDAY'S KILLINGS IN THE KOSOVO VILLAGE OF RACAK. THE U-N AGENCY ALSO REPORTS THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE FLED RACAK AND NEIGHBORING VILLAGES, AND WARNS OF A HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE IF FIGHTING BETWEEN SERB FORCES AND KOSOVO REBELS DOESN'T STOP. LISA SCHLEIN REPORTS FROM GENEVA.

TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS IT IS TRYING TO REACH ABOUT ONE-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO ARE CAMPED OUT IN THE WOODS. THEY ARE REPORTEDLY TRAPPED BY THE FIGHTING IN VILLAGES SOUTH OF PRISTINA, THE CAPITAL OF KOSOVO.

U-N-H-C-R SPOKESWOMAN, JUDITH KUMIN, SAYS A CONVOY LOADED WITH FOOD, BLANKETS, PLASTIC SHEETING AND OTHER RELIEF SUPPLIES IS STANDING BY. MS. KUMIN SAYS A GROUP OF 29 PEOPLE TOLD AID WORKERS THEY HAD LEFT THE WOODS EARLY MONDAY MORNING AND REACHED THE VILLAGE OF DRAMNAK AFTER WALKING FIVE HOURS.

THE GROUP WAS FAIRLY TYPICAL OF THE DISPLACED PEOPLE, IN THAT IT CONSISTED MAINLY OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN. AND, OF THE 29 PEOPLE, 11 WERE BABIES BETWEEN THE AGES OF TWO MONTHS AND 24 MONTHS. THEY SAID THAT WHILE THEY HAD BEEN IN THE WOODS ON THE WEEKEND, TWO ... INFANTS HAD DIED OF THE COLD. AND THEY TOLD OUR COLLEAGUES THAT BETWEEN 60 AND 70 FAMILIES WERE STILL IN THE WOODS.

MS. KUMIN SAYS THE GROUP HAD TRIED TO GO BACK TO THEIR VILLAGES SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE WEEKEND BUT, WERE TURNED BACK BECAUSE OF GUNFIRE AND MORTAR BLASTS.

THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY ESTIMATES ABOUT 53-HUNDRED PEOPLE HAVE FLED RACAK AND NEARBY VILLAGES BECAUSE OF A NEW WAVE OF FIGHTING.

WITH THE EVENTS OF THE WEEKEND, OF COURSE, THE HIGH COMMISSIONER IS VERY CONCERNED THAT ANY SIGNS OF STABILIZATION MAY BE REVERSED AND THAT WE MAY SEE NEW AND LARGE-SCALE WAVES OF DISPLACED PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINTER.

MS. KUMIN SAYS ABOUT 200-THOUSAND PEOPLE, MAINLY ETHNIC ALBANIANS, REMAIN HOMELESS IN KOSOVO. SHE SAYS AN ALREADY SERIOUS SITUATION WILL BE MADE EVEN WORSE, IF THE FIGHTING CONTINUES AND THOUSANDS MORE FLEE THEIR HOMES. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/PCF/GE
19-Jan-99 10:36 AM EST (1536 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] CHINA / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY ROGER WILKISON (BEIJING)

INTRO: CHINA SAYS WESTERN NATIONS WOULD DO BETTER IF THEY RELIED ON DIPLOMACY INSTEAD OF FORCE OR THREATS OF FORCE TO SOLVE THE ETHNIC STRIFE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ROGER WILKISON REPORTS BEIJING HAS REITERATED ITS OPPOSITION TO MILITARY MOVES AGAINST THE YUGOSLAV FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

TEXT: CHINA SAYS A POLITICAL SOLUTION IS THE ONLY DESIRABLE OUTCOME FOR STRIFE-TORN KOSOVO, WHERE SERB-LED FEDERAL FORCES ARE BATTLING ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS. BEIJING HOLDS ONE OF THE FIVE PERMANENT SEATS ON THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL AND HAS LONG CRITICIZED WHAT ONE CHINESE DIPLOMAT TUESDAY CALLED THE WEST'S PROPENSITY TO TAKE UP THE MILITARY OPTION.

THE DIPLOMAT'S COMMENTS CAME AS WARNINGS FROM THE UNITED STATES AND THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION SEEMED TO BE HAVING LITTLE EFFECT ON YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. MR. MILOSEVIC HAS INITIATED A TOUGH CRACKDOWN ON THE REBELS AND HAS STYMIED PLANS FOR AN INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATION OF LAST WEEK'S MASSACRE OF AT LEAST 45 ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN THE PROVINCE.

CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SUN YUXI -- SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER -- WARNED THE WEST AGAINST ANY HASTY RESORT TO MILITARY ACTION.

ANY EFFORTS MADE BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD BE INSTRUMENTAL TO THE STABILIZATION OF THE REGIONAL SITUATION INSTEAD OF RESORTING TO THE USE OR THREATS OF FORCE AT WILL.

THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED THAT YUGOSLAVIA'S SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY SHOULD BE RESPECTED AND THAT THE INTERESTS OF VARIOUS ETHNIC GROUPS IN THE KOSOVO REGION SHOULD BE GUARANTEED.

CHINA HAS NEVER SPELLED OUT WHETHER OR NOT IT AGREES WITH U-S PROPOSALS FOR EXPANDED SELF-RULE IN KOSOVO, WHERE THE POPULATION IS 90 PERCENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN. BUT IT HAS HINTED THAT IT WILL WIELD ITS VETO IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL IF THE UNITED STATES PROPOSES MILITARY ACTION AGAINST BELGRADE. (SIGNED)
NEB/RW/FC/JO
19-Jan-99 5:00 AM EST (1000 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] U-S / KOSOVO (L) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS DEMANDING THAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC END HIS LATEST ATTACKS ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO AND REVERSE HIS DECISION TO EXPEL A U-S DIPLOMAT. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: U-S OFFICIALS SAY NATO MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO ARE STILL AN OPTION.

THE RENEWED THREAT CAME AS TOP NATO GENERALS WERE DELIVERING WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A TOUGH WARNING TO YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSOVIC. ON MONDAY, MR. MILOSOVIC ORDERED U-S DIPLOMAT WILLIAM WALKER TO LEAVE KOSOVO, AFTER HE ACCUSED SERB FORCES OF KILLING 45 ETHNIC ALBANIAN CIVILIANS DURING AN ATTACK ON A VILLAGE.

SERB OFFICIALS HAVE REFUSED TO ALLOW INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATORS TO LOOK INTO THE KILLINGS. THEY SAY THE VICTIMS WERE MEMBERS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY.

IN WASHINGTON, SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS SPOKEN BY TELEPHONE WITH FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM SEVERAL NATIONS TO DISCUSS HOW TO GET MR. MILOSOVIC COMPLY WITH THE CEASE FIRE HE SIGNED LAST OCTOBER.

AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAID MR. MILOSOVIC NEEDS TO COMPLY WITH A SERIES OF DEMANDS IF HE WANTS TO END THE CRISIS.

ONE IS TO REVERSE THE REQUIREMENT THAT HE MADE THAT AMBASSADOR WALKER LEAVE SERBIA. NUMBER TWO, TO ALLOW THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL'S INVESTIGATORS TO DO THEIR WORK TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS. NUMBER THREE, TO IDENTIFY THOSE RESPONSIBLE AND THOSE WHO GAVE THE ORDERS, AND TO INSURE THAT ACCOUNTABILITY AND JUSTICE IS DONE, AND FOURTH TO REVERSE THE GROWING PATTERN OF DEPLOYMENT AND NUMERICAL VIOLATIONS OF THE ACCORD THAT HE AGREED TO WITH THE WEST, WITH NATO GENERALS, WITH AMBASSADOR (WILLIAM) HOLBROOKE.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED BY THE UNITY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, WHICH HAS DEMANDED MR. MILOSOVIC REVERSE COURSE AND END HIS MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN KOSOVO.

LATE LAST YEAR, NATO FORCES WERE POISED TO GO ON THE OFFENSIVE AGAINST SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO. THOSE AIR STRIKES WERE HALTED AT THE LAST MINUTE WHEN MR. MILOSOVIC AGREED TO WITHDRAW MOST OF HIS TROOPS FROM THE PROVINCE, WHICH IS POPULATED MOSTLY BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS.

U-S AND NATO OFFICIALS SAY THE THREAT OF FORCE IS STILL AN OPTION IF MR. MILOSOVIC DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE CEASE FIRE HE SIGNED. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/WDC/WFR
19-Jan-99 4:48 PM EST (2148 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] THE KOSOVO MASSACRE BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S NEWSPAPERS ARE REACTING WITH OUTRAGE TO THE SLAUGHTER OF 45 UNARMED ETHNIC-ALBANIAN CIVILIANS LATE LAST WEEK BY SERBIAN FORCES.

WE GET A SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM THIS COUNTRY'S DAILY PAPERS NOW AS WE WELCOME _________________ TO THE STUDIO WITH TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: AS THE FIGHTING ESCALATED AROUND THE VILLAGE OF RACAK, IN SOUTHWESTERN KOSOVO, NATO'S TOP GENERALS VISITED SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO WARN HIM AGAINST FURTHER VIOLENCE.

HOWEVER IN THE U-S PRESS, THERE IS AS MUCH ANGER AT NATO'S SLOW STANCE TO PUNISH THE SERBIAN LEADER FOR THIS LATEST BOUT OF ETHNIC CLEANSING AS THERE IS ABOUT THE MASSACRE ITSELF.

WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING IN THE MIDWEST, WHERE MIDDLE AMERICA'S LARGEST DAILY, "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE" SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: /// OPT /// THE MASSACRE ... IS THE STRONGEST INDICATION TO DATE THAT IF AN ENDURING POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IS NOT REACHED BY SPRING, FULL-SCALE WAR ALMOST CERTAINLY WILL ERUPT ONCE AGAIN IN THAT YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. GIVEN HIS REPUTATION AS A PUPPETMASTER WHO MANIPULATED SERBIAN NATIONALISM INTO GENOCIDE IN BOSNIA, IT'S NO SURPRISE THE KOSOVO KILLERS WERE SERBS UNDER THE CONTROL OF ... PRESIDENT ... MILOSEVIC. /// END OPT /// ... STRIKES US THAT KOSOVO OFFERS THE EUROPEANS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THE LEAD. ALL THE MORE SO SINCE THE U-S ALREADY HAS NEARLY TEN-THOUSAND TROOPS AT RISK IN BOSNIA, WHERE WE HAVE N O REAL NATIONAL INTEREST. AS AN ALLY, THE U-S MUST BE PREPARED TO PROVIDE LOGISTICAL AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO THE EUROPEANS, BUT IT IS THEIR PEOPLE WHO OUGHT TO GO INTO HARM'S WAY IN KOSOVO - - IF THAT IS WHAT THE ALLIANCE DECIDES TO DO.

TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS FRUSTRATED, AS IT WRITES IN TUESDAY'S [1/19] EDITORIAL COLUMN:

VOICE: /// OPT /// ... WHAT DO THE DIPLOMATS GET FROM [MR.] MILOSEVIC AND HIS MEN? DENIALS. EVASIONS. A CLOSED DOOR. THE GOVERNMENT DECLARED U-S NEGOTIATOR WILLIAM WALKER 'AN UNDESIRABLE PERSON' AND GAVE HIM 48 HOURS TO LEAVE BELGRADE, THE CAPITAL OF YUGOSLAVIA AND OF THE SERBIAN HEARTLAND. U-N WAS CRIMES PROSECUTOR LOUISE ARBOUR, A CANADIAN, WAS TURNED BACK AT YUGOSLAVIA'S BORDER WITH MACEDONIA. .... BEYOND DIPLOMACY LIES FORCE. /// END OPT /// WE HAVE SAID BEFORE AND SAY AGAIN THAT THE COMMITMENT OF NATO LAND FORCES, INCLUDING AMERICANS, TO TRY TO RESOLVE YET ANOTHER BALKAN CRISIS SHOULD BE REJECTED. /// OPT /// NATO GROUND AND AIR FORCES HELPED END THE BOSNIAN WAR, BUT MAINLY BECAUSE THE PARTICIPANTS THEMSELVES HAD HAD ENOUGH OF FIGHTING. NATO AIR FORCES, HOWEVER, REMAIN A TRUMP CARD THAT CAN BE PLAYED TO FORCE A POINT. /// END OPT /// EUROPEAN MEMBERS OF NATO HAVE MADE CLEAR THAT IF U-S FORCES DECLINE TO JOIN OFFENSIVE ACTION, THEY WILL TOO. THIS LEAVES LITTLE CHANCE OF RESOLVING THE KOSOVO CRISIS ANY TIME SOON. BUT TO DIMINISH IT BY DIPLOMACY ALWAYS WILL BE WORTH AN EFFORT. ... NATO SHOULD HOLSTER ITS GUNS, FOR THE MOMENT, AND CONTINUE TO PRESS FOR A DEAL.

TEXT: "USA TODAY," THE NATIONAL DAILY PUBLISHED IN A WASHINGTON SUBURB, CALLS THE SITUATION A "QUANDARY."

VOICE: /// OPT /// HORRIBLY FAMILIAR ETHNIC HATRED RETURNED TO YUGOSLAVIA THIS WEEKEND IN THE FORM OF 45 ETHNIC ALBANIAN CORPSES, SOME WITH GOUGED-OUT EYES. SERBIAN TANKS AND ARTILLERY HAVE PUMMELED THE PROVINCE OF KOSOVO SINCE SUNDAY. /// END OPT /// .. SERB LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ... HAS NOW LEFT THE U-S AND NATO, WITH WHOM HE MEETS TODAY, A CLEAR CHOICE. THEY CAN BLUSTER AND SETTLE FOR MEANINGLESS PROMISES - - STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR BOTH SIDES. OR THEY CAN MAKE DEMANDS, BACKED BY A CREDIBLE THREAT OF FORCE, THAT [MR.] MILOSEVIC ACT IMMEDIATELY TO REVERSE THE TIDE OF EVENTS. FAILING TO TAKE THE LATTER COURSE .... RISKS ESCALATING THE KOSOVO CONFLICT INTO A BOSNIA-SCALE MASSACRE AND CAUSING IT TO BOIL RIGHT OUT OF ITS YUGOSLAV POT. IT'S TIME TO EXTRACT FROM [MR.] MILOSEVIC SOMETHING MORE THAN PROMISES. IF WORDS DON'T DO IT, EXTRACT WITH HARDWARE ... HE UNDERSTANDS.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: THE ONLY TIME ... MR. MILOSEVIC HAS BEEN HELD AT BAY IN HIS ETHNIC CLEANSING OF KOSOVO WAS WHEN NATO SERIOUSLY THREATENED AIR STRIKES IN OCTOBER. MR. [NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER] SOLANO IS RIGHT. WE SHOULDN'T CHANGE OUR PEACE-KEEPING PHILOSOPHIES, BUT WE DO NEED TO ACT ON THEM. AND THAT MEANS BEING UNAFRAID TO USE THE FORCE THAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE AGREEMENT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

TEXT: "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" IS UPSET AT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION FOR OVERSELLING LAST OCTOBER'S CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO, AND, IN "THE JOURNAL'S VIEW," MISHANDLING THE CRISIS SINCE THEN.

VOICE: A LOT OF SELF-CONGRATULATORY WHITE HOUSE SPIN FOLLOWED LAST OCTOBER'S U-S-BROKERED CEASEFIRE IN KOSOVO. BUT BY NOW IT SHOULD BE GLARINGLY CLEAR THAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC NEVER INTENDED TO FULFILL THE AGREEMENT. /// OPT /// .... THE CEASEFIRE HAVING FAILED, THE U-S ADMINISTRATION HAS REVERTED TO THE TEPID THREATS THAT CHARACTERIZED WESTERN POLICY PRIOR TO LAST OCTOBER. .... MEANWHILE, WESTERN NEGOTIATORS PRESSURED THE K-L-A [KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY] TO BACK DOWN FROM ITS DEMANDS FOR FULL-FLEDGED INDEPENDENCE. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THIS POLICY, PROPERLY IMPLEMENTED, MIGHT HAVE WORKED. IF MR. CLINTON HAD FOLLOWED THROUGH ON HIS THREATS EARLY ON, [MR.] MILOSEVIC MIGHT HAVE AGREED TO SERIOUS NEGOTIATIONS AND THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS' MODERATE POLITICAL LEADERS MIGHT HAVE BEEN WILLING TO ACCEPT AUTONOMY. BUT AFTER MONTHS OF ABUSE AT THE HANDS OF SERB FORCES, KOSOVO'S MODERATES HAVE BEEN SIDELINED. /// END OPT /// ... IT IS SAD THAT IT GOT THIS FAR. BUT NOW THAT IT HAS, BACKING INDEPENDENCE IS THE ONLY WAY TO SEND A CLEAR AND CREDIBLE MESSAGE TO [MR.] MILOSEVIC THAT THE SLAUGHTER WON'T BE TOLERATED. THAT, OF COURSE, WOULD REQUIRE A LEVEL OF LEADERSHIP IN THE WEST THAT HAS SO FAR BEEN ABSENT.

TEXT: IN MAINE, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD AGREES, SUGGESTING IN ITS EDITORIAL HEADLINE, "WORDS WILL NOT STOP THE MURDERS IN KOSOVO."

VOICE: USING TERMS SUCH AS 'FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW,' NATO COMES OFF AS RIDICULOUS IN THE FACE OF MURDEROUS ACTS. .... BOB DOLE, THE FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, PUT IT WELL IN A MONDAY T-V INTERVIEW. 'I THINK IT'S TIME THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED NATIONS AND NATO STOPPED EXPRESSING GRAVE CONCERN AND DO SOMETHING TO STOP [MR.] MILOSEVIC BEFORE HE KILLS MORE INNOCENT PEOPLE, ... I WOULD HOPE THERE WOULD BE NATO AIRSTRIKES AT LEAST.' [MR.] DOLE IS RIGHT.

TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF THE LATEST REACTION IN THE U-S PRESS TO THE MOST RECENT VIOLENCE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE THAT SAW SERB FORCES KILL 45 UNARMED CIVILIANS WITH THE PAST FEW DAYS.
NEB/ANG/GE
19-Jan-99 1:14 PM EST (1814 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] ROMANIA/PROTESTS (L-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

INTRO: THE ROMANIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL USE ALL MEANS, INCLUDING MILITARY FORCE, TO STOP THOUSANDS OF STRIKING COAL MINERS FROM MARCHING INTO THE CAPITAL, BUCHAREST. THE WARNING CAME FOLLOWING CLASHES TUESDAY IN WHICH AT LEAST 15 PEOPLE WERE WOUNDED INCLUDING ONE JOURNALIST. STEFAN BOS IS MONITORING THE SITUATION FROM THE HUNGARIAN CAPITAL, AND HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: SPEAKING ON NATIONAL TELEVISION, ROMANIAN PRIME MINISTER RADU VASILE WARNED THOUSANDS OF STRIKING MINERS THAT HE WILL NOT ALLOW A REPEAT OF THE ANTI-GOVERNMENT RIOTS OF 1990 AND 1991, WHICH LEFT NINE PEOPLE DEAD. MR. VASILE SPOKE AFTER TEN-THOUSAND MINERS GATHERED IN A SPORTS STADIUM IN THE TOWN OF TIRGU JIU -- AND VOWED TO CONTINUE THEIR MARCH TO THE CAPITAL ON WEDNESDAY.

THE MINERS ARRIVED AT THE TOWN, 240 KILOMETERS WEST OF BUCHAREST, AFTER THEY OVER-RAN BARRICADES AND CLASHED WITH POLICE, WHO SPRAYED TEAR GAS AND HURLED SMOKE BOMBS. A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE CLASHES.

EARLIER TUESDAY, DEFENSE MINISTER VICTOR BAJUC TOLD ROMANIAN RADIO THAT HE WOULD SEND IN THE ARMY IF THE POLICE LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE SITUATION. ANALYSTS SAY THE 15-DAY MINERS STRIKE IS THE WORST CRISIS OF THE ROMANIAN GOVERNMENT SINCE IT TOOK OFFICE IN 1996. //OPT// BUT PRIME MINISTER VASILE SAYS HE WILL ONLY OPEN NEW TALKS WITH THE PROTEST LEADERS IF THE MINERS RETURN TO WORK. HOWEVER, STRIKE LEADER MIRON COZMA HAS CALLED ON PROTESTORS NOT TO BELIEVE THE PRIME MINISTER, WHO HAS SO FAR REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE MINERS' DEMANDS. //END OPT//

THE MINERS ARE PROTESTING AGAINST GOVERNMENT PLANS TO CLOSE UP TO 140 MINES THIS YEAR, AND ARE DEMANDING A PAY HIKE OF UP TO 35 PERCENT. BUT PRIME MINISTER VASILE AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAY THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCEPT BECAUSE THEY SAY MINERS ALREADY EARN ABOUT 200 DOLLARS A MONTH -- TWICE THE AVERAGE NATIONAL SALARY.

IN ADDITION, THEY SAY ROMANIA FACES WHAT OFFICIALS DESCRIBE AS THE COUNTRY'S "BIGGEST FOREIGN DEBT IN HISTORY" -- TOTALLING SOME THREE BILLION DOLLARS. THE LATEST OUTBREAK OF VIOLENCE COMES AS A WORLD BANK DELEGATION IS DUE TO ARRIVE IN BUCHAREST ON WEDNESDAY, AND AN INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND MISSION LATER THIS MONTH.

I-M-F REPRESENTATIVES HAVE TIED RESUMPTION OF CREDITS TO A CONCRETE REFORM PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES THE CLOSURE AND RESTRUCTURING OF MONEY-LOSING STATE INDUSTRIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/WFR
19-Jan-99 6:24 PM EST (2324 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] BRITISH AEROSPACE DEAL (L-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: TWO BRITISH AEROSPACE COMPANIES ANNOUNCED MERGER PLANS TUESDAY. IF APPROVED, THE NEWLY COMBINED COMPANY WOULD BECOME A SERIOUS RIVAL TO U-S-BASED AEROSPACE GIANTS BOEING AND LOCKHEED-MARTIN. DETAILS FROM LONDON AND V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH.

TEXT: TALKS OF A MERGER BETWEEN BRITAIN'S "G-E-C MARCONI ELECTRONICS SYSTEMS" COMPANY AND "BRITISH AEROSPACE" HAD BEEN RUMORED FOR YEARS. ON TUESDAY MORNING, THE TWO COMPANIES MADE IT OFFICIAL, ANNOUNCING THE G-E-C UNIT WOULD BECOME PART OF BRITISH AEROSPACE IN A DEAL ESTIMATED TO BE WORTH AT SEVEN-POINT-SEVEN BILLION POUNDS STERLING -- JUST SHORT OF 13-BILLION U-S DOLLARS.

IF APPROVED BY SHAREHOLDERS AND GOVERNMENT REGULATORS, THE NEW COMPANY IS LIKELY TO RANK AS THE WORLD'S THIRD LARGEST COMPANY IN LUCRATIVE AEROSPACE DEFENSE CONTRACTS BEHIND BOEING AND LOCKHEED-MARTIN.

BRITISH AEROSPACE CHAIRMAN RICHARD EVANS CALLED THE PLANNED MERGER AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE INDUSTRY IN EUROPE.

IT CREATES A WORLD CLASS DEFENSE AND AEROSPACE COMPANY AND IT BRINGS TOGETHER A CRITICAL MASS IMPORTANT FOR US TO TAKE ON THE MAJOR CONTRACTS THAT CUSTOMERS WISH TO PLACE IN THE FUTURE.

THE MERGED BRITISH AEROSPACE-MARCONI ELECTRONICS COMPANY WOULD REMAIN ALL-BRITISH. INDUSTRY WATCHERS HAD EXPECTED BRITISH AEROSPACE TO BE THE MERGER TARGET OF GERMAN-BASED DAIMLER-CHRYSLER AEROSPACE -- BUT THAT WAS BEFORE TUESDAY'S BRITISH MERGER ANNOUNCEMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/JO
19-Jan-99 5:19 AM EST (1019 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] NY ECON WRAP (S&L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (NEW YORK)

INTRO: U-S STOCK PRICES CLOSED UP TODAY (TUESDAY). BUT IT WAS A ROCKY ROAD (DIFFICULT DAY), WITH BLUE-CHIP (MAJOR) STOCKS RECOVERING LATE IN THE DAY. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK:

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE -- DOWN AS MUCH AS 130 POINTS -- CLOSED UP OVER 14 POINTS AT 93 HUNDRED 55. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX GAINED EIGHT POINTS, CLOSING AT 12 HUNDRED 51.

ANALYSTS SAY THE MARKET WAS UNSETTLED IN ANTICIPATION OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH LATER TUESDAY -- A YEARLY APPEARANCE BEFORE THE U-S CONGRESS. ALSO, ALAN GREENSPAN, HEAD OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK, IS GOING TO CAPITOL HILL WEDNESDAY TO GIVE HIS FIRST FORMAL REMARKS OF THE YEAR ON THE U-S ECONOMY.

BUT ANALYST BOB SEIJAS (SAY-HAHS) SAYS INVESTORS SIMPLY WERE TRYING TO MAKE SOME MONEY:

MORE PROFIT-TAKING THAN ANYTHING ELSE. THE FIGURES LOOK PRETTY GOOD IN TERMS OF THE ECONOMY. I DON'T THINK IT'S A FUNDAMENTAL CONCERN THERE. THE MARKET ALWAYS NEEDS SOME REASON TO TAKE SOME PROFITS.

U-S CORPORATIONS BEGAN REPORTING QUARTERLY BUSINESS PROFITS. MANY LARGER COMPANIES EXCEEDED WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS, WHICH HAD BEEN SCALED BACK OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY, PFIZER -- BEST KNOWN FOR ITS ANTI-IMPOTENCY DRUG VIAGRA -- SAYS ITS PROFITS WERE UP 14 PERCENT FROM THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR. THE COMPANY SAYS VIAGRA SALES WERE ESPECIALLY VIGOROUS DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER.

BANKAMERICA, THE LARGEST U-S BANK, SAW ITS EARNINGS SLUMP.

NORTHWEST AIRLINES, THE FOURTH LARGEST AIRLINE IN THE UNITED STATES, REPORTED STEEP LOSSES DUE MOSTLY TO A COSTLY RECOVERY FROM LAST YEAR'S STRIKE. BUT DELTA AIRLINES, NUMBER THREE IN THE COUNTRY, BEAT WALL STREET PREDICTIONS WITH A RECORD PROFIT.

THE BIG NEWS THAT HELPED DRIVE THE NASDAQ INDEX TO A NEW RECORD HIGH WAS A MERGER IN THE INTERNET BUSINESS. HIGH-SPEED INTERNET PROVIDER "AT HOME" IS BUYING ANOTHER INTERNET COMPANY, "EXCITE," FOR A REPORTED SIX POINT SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS. IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST INTERNET DEALS EVER. THE BIG BENEFICIARY WILL BE AT-T AND T, WHICH IS COMPLETING ITS ACQUISITION OF TELE-COMMUNICATIONS INC. -- "AT HOME'S" MAJOR SHAREHOLDER. MEANWHILE, A NEW U-S PUBLIC OPINION POLL BY C-N-N, U-S-A TODAY AND GALLOP SHOWS THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS -- 60 PERCENT -- BELIEVES THE U-S ECONOMY RIGHT NOW IS THE BEST EVER. A HIGHER PERCENTAGE -- 63 PERCENT -- BELIEVES ECONOMIC CONDITIONS ARE GETTING EVEN BETTER. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/EJ/LSF/PT
19-Jan-99 5:05 PM EST (2205 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE NATION RETURNS TO WORK THIS TUESDAY AFTER THE THREE-DAY MARTIN LUTHER KING, JUNIOR, HOLIDAY, AND AGAIN CONFRONTS THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF PRESIDENT CLINTON.

JUXTAPOSED WITH THE PRESIDENT'S OPENING DAY OF DEFENSE BEFORE THE SENATE, IS HIS STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH (TONIGHT). AND IT IS THAT STRANGE CONTRAST ABOUT WHICH MANY NEWSPAPERS HAVE CHOSEN TO COMMENT.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE MASSACRE IN YUGOSLOVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE: BRAZIL'S FINANCIAL TROUBLES; THE OLYMPIC SCANDAL; AND IMPROVING SECURITY AT U-S EMBASSIES. NOW, HERE WITH SOME EXCERPTS, IS _________________AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND SEES A "SURREAL" QUALITY TO THE PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH, GIVEN THE BACKGROUND OF THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.

VOICE: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PERSONAL ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND CONTINUE ... WITH HIS ANNUAL STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS. HIS PRESIDENCY GETS CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER. ..... TONIGHT ... THE PRESIDENT WILL MARCH INTO THE HOUSE CHAMBER, FACE 70-MILLION TO 90-MILLION TELEVISION VIEWERS, AND THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO VOTED ONE MONTH TO THE DAY TO IMPEACH HIM, AND GIVE ANOTHER TRIUMPHANT ADDRESS ... THE STATE OF THE UNION IS TERRIFIC. /// OPT

TEXT: "THE MIAMI HERALD" SAYS MANY PEOPLE WILL BE WATCHING THE PRESIDENT, SEEKING SIGNS OF IMPEACHMENT STRAIN, MORE THAN LISTENING TO HIS WORDS.

VOICE: /// OPT /// ... HOW CAN ANYONE COMPARTMENTALIZE SOMETHING AS BIZARRE AS THIS? /// END OPT /// WITH THE EERIE BACKGROUND NOISE OF THE UNPRECEDENTED IMPEACHMENT SUSPENDED OVER HIM - - AND ON THE VERY DAY THAT MR. CLINTON'S LAWYERS LAUNCH THEIR DEFENSE OF THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM - - HOW CAN HE OR THE REST OF US POSSIBLY CONCENTRATE ON THE SUBSTANCE OF POLICIES THAT, IN A WORST-CASE SCENARIO, HE MIGHT NOT BE AROUND TO IMPLEMENT?

TEXT: IN NEW YORK CITY, "THE DAILY NEWS" SAYS THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY OF BILL CLINTON'S PRESIDENCY, AND WISHES HIM WELL IN BOTH HIS SENATE DEFENSE AND HIS STATE OF THE UNION, WHILE

VOICE: MR. CLINTON'S SPEECH IS BEST UNDERSTOOD ... AS AN ACT COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM POLITICAL OR OTHER REALITY. FAR BEYOND THE PRESIDENT'S FAMOUS ABILITY TO 'COMPARTMENTALIZE,' TONIGHT'S ADDRESS WILL REVEAL A MAN WHO SURVIVES BY CREATING HIS OWN ALTERNATIVE WORLD OF FACT AND TRUTH. /// OPT /// ... OF COURSE, A NORMAL PRESIDENT - - A HARRY TRUMAN - - WOULD NEVER DELIVER SUCH A SPEECH. HE WOULD BE TOO EMBARRASSED, OR TOO RESPECTFUL OF HIS OFFICE, TO ASK CONGRESS TO LISTEN TO HIS PROMISES BEFORE HIS IMPEACHMENT WAS CLEARED AWAY.

TEXT: THE OTHER MAJOR TOPIC OF DISCUSSION THIS TUESDAY IS THE MASSACRE OF 45 ETHNIC ALBANIAN CIVILIANS IN KOSOVO PROVINCE BY SERBIAN FORCES, AND HOW TO REACT. "NEWSDAY" ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND SAYS, "NATO MUST COMPEL [THE] SERBS TO END THEIR ATROCITIES, WITHOUT BEING SEEN AS TAKING SIDES." "USA TODAY," THE NATIONAL DAILY PUBLISHED IN A WASHINGTON SUBURB, CALLS THE SITUATION A "QUANDARY."

VOICE: /// OPT /// HORRIBLY FAMILIAR ETHNIC HATRED RETURNED TO YUGOSLAVIA THIS WEEKEND IN THE FORM OF 45 ETHNIC ALBANIAN CORPSES, SOME WITH GOUGED-OUT EYES. SERBIAN TANKS AND ARTILLERY HAVE PUMMLED THE PROVINCE OF KOSOVO SINCE SUNDAY. /// END OPT /// ... SERB LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ... HAS NOW LEFT THE U-S AND NATO, WITH WHOM HE MEETS TODAY, A CLEAR CHOICE. THEY CAN BLUSTER AND SETTLE FOR MEANINGLESS PROMISES - - STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR BOTH SIDES. OR THEY CAN MAKE DEMANDS, BACKED BY A CREDIBLE THREAT OF FORCE, THAT [MR.] MILOSEVIC ACT IMMEDIATELY TO REVERSE THE TIDE OF EVENTS. FAILING TO TAKE THE LATTER COURSE .... RISKS ESCALATING THE KOSOVO CONFLICT INTO A BOSNIA-SCALE MASSACRE /// OPT /// AND CAUSING IT TO BOIL RIGHT OUT OF ITS YUGOSLAV POT. IT'S TIME TO EXTRACT FROM [MR.] MILOSEVIC SOMETHING MORE THAN PROMISES. IF WORDS DON'T DO IT, EXTRACT WITH HARDWARE ... HE UNDERSTANDS. /// END OPT

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: THE ONLY TIME ... MR. MILOSEVIC HAS BEEN HELD AT BAY IN HIS ETHNIC CLEANSING OF KOSOVO WAS WHEN NATO SERIOUSLY THREATENED AIR STRIKES IN OCTOBER. MR. [NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER] SOLANO IS RIGHT. WE SHOULDN'T CHANGE OUR PEACE-KEEPING PHILOSOPHIES, BUT WE DO NEED TO ACT ON THEM. AND THAT MEANS BEING UNAFRAID TO USE THE FORCE THAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE AGREEMENT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

TEXT: WHILE IN MAINE, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD AGREES, SUGGESTING IN ITS EDITORIAL HEADLINE, "WORDS WILL NOT STOP THE MURDERS IN KOSOVO."

VOICE: USING TERMS SUCH AS 'FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW,' NATO COMES OFF AS RIDICULOUS IN THE FACE OF MURDEROUS ACTS. .... BOB DOLE, THE FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, PUT IT WELL IN A MONDAY T-V INTERVIEW. 'I THINK IT'S TIME THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED NATIONS AND NATO STOPPED EXPRESSING GRAVE CONCERN AND DO SOMETHING TO STOP [MR.] MILOSEVIC BEFORE HE KILLS MORE INNOCENT PEOPLE,' ... I WOULD HOPE THERE WOULD BE NATO AIRSTRIKES AT LEAST. [MR.] DOLE'S RIGHT.

TEXT: TURNING TO WORLD ECONOMICS, "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" FEARS THAT WHILE THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY APPEARS TO BE AN ISLAND OF PROSPERITY IN A WORLD-WIDE SEA OF ECONOMIC TROUBLES, THAT CAN'T LAST INDEFINITELY.

VOICE: /// OPT /// THOUGH THE GLOBAL CRISIS HASN'T SIGNIFICANTLY HARMED US SO FAR, THE RISKS ARE RISING, ESPECIALLY WITH BRAZIL NOW IN SO MUCH TROUBLE. BRAZIL IS THE BIGGEST ECONOMY IN A REGION THAT PURCHASES ONE-FIFTH OF OUR EXPORTS. /// END OPT /// IF BRAZIL'S ECONOMY PLUNGES AND TAKES THE REST OF LATIN AMERICA WITH IT, OUR EXPORT-DEPENDENT MANUFACTURERS AND FOOD GROWERS COULD BE SEVERELY HARMED. ... OUR LONG-TERM ABILITY TO REMAIN A PALMY ISLAND DEPENDS ON OUR WILLINGNESS TO HELP OUR NEIGHBORS STABILIZE THEIR ECONOMIES WITH GENEROUS LOANS AND CLOSE TRADING TIES.

TEXT: THE GROWING CORRUPTION SCANDAL ENGULFING THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE, AFTER ALLEGATIONS OF BRIBES BEING SOLICITED AND PAID TO CHOSE A PARTICULAR VENUE, LIKE SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, DRAWS THIS COMMENT FROM "THE WASHINGTON POST."'

VOICE: /// OPT /// THE OLYMPICS ARE SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT WHAT IS PUREST IN INDIVIDUAL ATHLETIC STRIVING. PAST FAILURES TO MEET THE FULL TERMS OF THIS IDEAL HAVE NOT MADE IT ANY THE LESS WORTHY AS AN OLYMPICS GOAL. BUT THE SALT LAKE CASE HAS AN UNHAPPY DISTINCTION OF ITS OWN. CHARGES ARE RICOCHETING THAT THE CITY BOUGHT THE GAMES BY BRIBING OR OTHERWISE SUBORNING SOME MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE /// END OPT /// .... THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME A CLOUD OF DOLLARS HAS DESCENDED UPON THE ... GAMES. IF THE OLYMPICS MOVEMENT IS TO MAINTAIN ANY CLAIM FOR RESPECT ... IT MUST FIND WAYS TO MAKE THE GAMES TRANSPARENT ENOUGH TO DESERVE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE.

TEXT: "THE MIAMI HERALD," IN ANOTHER COMMENTARY, CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PROVIDE THE FUNDS TO MAKE U-S EMBASSIES AND OTHER OVERSEAS BUILDINGS SAFER FROM TERRORIST ATTACKS.

VOICE: SUCH A PROGRAM IS LONG OVERDUE. GIVEN THE HOSTAGE-TAKINGS AS IN TEHRAN AND BOGOTA, BUGGINGS AND OTHER BREACHES OF SECURITY AS IN MOSCOW OR MOB ATTACKS AS IN FILL-IN-THE-BLANK (I.E. OTHER COUNTRIES), TOO MANY OF AMERICA'S EMBASSIES ARE SITTING DUCKS [EDITORS: SLANG FOR EXTREMELY VULNERABLE]

MOREOVER, THE RISE OF TERRORISM FOLLOWING THE COLD WAR HAS MADE MATTERS WORSE.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, FROM MAINE, THIS WORD OF FRATERNITY WITH THE NATION'S MUSLIMS CELEBRATING THE END OF THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN, FROM "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD."

VOICE: /// OPT /// ... TODAY ... IS THE BEGINNING OF THE THREE-DAY FESTIVAL OF EID AL-FITR, THE HOLIDAY THAT MARKS THE END OF THE MUSLIM HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN. ... [WHICH] MARKS GOD'S REVELATION OF THE QU'RAN, ISLAM'S HOLY BOOK, TO THE PROPHET MOHAMMED THROUGH THE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL. /// END OPT /// ACCORDING TO RECENT ESTIMATES, THERE ARE MORE THAN TWO MILLION MUSLIMS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND THE NUMBER IS GROWING STEADILY. AMERICANS OF ALL FAITHS JOIN IN WISHING MUSLIMS HERE AND ABROAD ALL THE BEST DURING EID AL-FITR, ONE OF ISLAM'S HOLIEST CELEBRATIONS.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM TUESDAY'S DAILY PAPERS.
NEB/ANG/GE
19-Jan-99 11:31 AM EST (1631 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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