Voice of America, 99-01-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] ARBOUR / KOSOVO (L-O) BY ANNEMARIE ROODBOL (THE HAGUE)

[02] KOSOVO / ALBRIGHT (S) BY KYLE KING (WASHINGTON)

[03] KOSOVO / WALKER (S) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (BELGRADE)

[04] KOSOVO CRISIS (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (BELGRADE)

[05] THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[06] ROMANIA/RIOTS (L-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

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

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

[01] ARBOUR / KOSOVO (L-O) BY ANNEMARIE ROODBOL (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA -- LOUISE ARBOUR -- IS BACK IN THE HAGUE. EARLIER THIS WEEK SHE WAS REFUSED ENTRY TO KOSOVO TO INVESTIGATE THE MASSACRE AT RACAK IN WHICH MORE THAN FORTY PEOPLE WERE KILLED. ANNEMARIE ROODBOL REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE.

TEXT: JUDGE LOUISE ARBOUR SAYS THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE MURDERS OF 45 ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO WILL CONTINUE -- WITH OR WITHOUT ACCESS TO THE SCENE.

I HAVE TO CONTINUE TO INSIST THAT WE ARE ENTITLED TO GO, WE HAVE TO GO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR, THAT THIS IS NOT SUCH AN INSURMOUNTABLE OBSTACLE THAT WE WOULD BE COMPLETELY DEFEATED BY LACK OF ACCESS. IT IS WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN, IT IS THE LAW, WE HAVE TO GO.

THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR WELCOMED THE FACT THAT A FORENSIC TEAM FROM FINLAND HAD ARRIVED IN KOSOVO TO ASSIST IN CONDUCTING THE POST MORTEMS.

THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THAT KIND OF INDEPENDENT INPUT IS USEFUL TO US. IT IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL, THOUGH, TO EMPHASIZE THAT OUR INVESTIGATIVE WORK IS NOT LIMITED TO POST-MORTEN EXAMINATION. THAT IS ONE STEP IN AN INVESTIGATIVE EFFORT, BUT IT IS ONE OF MANY. WE NEED, AND I BELIEVE THAT THAT IS THE MOST CRITICAL PART. THE REASON WE INSIST ON BEING GRANTED ACCESS, AND IT HAS TO BE ACCESS THAT IS MEANINGFUL. WE NEED TO BE GRANTED UNIMPEDED, PRIVATE CONFIDENTIAL ACCESS TO WITNESSES.

TRIBUNAL INVESTIGATORS WHO HAVE REMAINED IN MACEDONIA HAVE APPLIED FOR YUGOSLAV VISAS TO ENTER KOSOVO IN A CONTINUED BID BY THE PROSECUTOR TO CARRY OUT HER MANDATE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
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21-Jan-99 12:38 PM EST (1738 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO / ALBRIGHT (S) BY KYLE KING (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS THERE ARE NO EASY ANSWERS TO THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO, BUT SHE SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC MUST COMPLY WITH WESTERN DEMANDS. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS THE RESURGENCE OF VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO IS UNACCEPTABLE. SHE SAYS VIOLATIONS OF THE CEASEFIRE COULD BRING A RETURN TO FULL SCALE WAR.

SPEAKING IN WASHINGTON, SHE ACCUSED PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC OF BLOCKING EFFORTS BY THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL TO INVESTIGATE THE RECENT KILLINGS IN KOSOVO.

PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MUST MEET HIS OBLIGATIONS TO COMPLY WITH U-N RESOLUTIONS, REDUCING THE SERB PRESENCE, COOPERATING WITH THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AND PERMITTING THE VERIFICATION MISSION, INCLUDING AMBASSADOR (WILLIAM) WALKER, TO DO HIS JOB.

SECRETARY ALBRIGHT SAYS THE THREAT OF FORCE IS THE ONLY LANGUAGE MR. MILOSEVIC UNDERSTANDS AND SHE SAYS THE WEST MUST BE PREPARED TO USE IT. (SIGNED)
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21-Jan-99 11:25 AM EST (1625 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO / WALKER (S) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (BELGRADE)

INTRO: THE HEAD OF THE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION MONITORING THE CEASEFIRE IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE IS DEFYING AN ORDER TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM BELGRADE A PARADE OF DIPLOMATS HAS BEEN MEETING WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE.

TEXT: THE HEAD OF THE O-S-C-E IS MEETING PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO TRY TO PERSUADE HIM TO REVERSE THE EXPULSION ORDER FOR U-S DIPLOMAT WILLIAM WALKER, WHO HEADS THE INTERNATIONAL VERIFICATION MISSION IN KOSOVO.

TWO U-S SPECIAL ENVOYS HAVE ALREADY TALKED WITH THE YUGOLSLAV PRESIDENT. SO HAVE RUSSIAN AND NATO DIPLOMATS.

IN THE MEANTIME, WILLIAM WALKER REMAINS IN PRISTINA. HE WAS ORDERED TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY AFTER BLAMING SERB SPECIAL FORCES FOR THE MASSACRE OF 45 KOSOVAR VILLAGERS LAST FRIDAY.

NATO ALLIES ARE ALSO DEMANDING PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HALT HIS LATEST CRACKDOWN ON ETHNIC-ALBANIAN REBELS IN KOSOVO PROVINCE. NATO IS THREATENING TO USE FORCE IF HE DOES NOT. THE SHELLING OF REBEL POSITIONS IN KOSOVO VIOLATES THE CEASEFIRE THAT WAS REACHED LAST OCTOBER. (SIGNED)
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21-Jan-99 2:31 PM EST (1931 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO CRISIS (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (BELGRADE)

INTRO: DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS CONTINUE IN BELGRADE TO TRY TO PERSUADE PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO REVERSE THE EXPULSION ORDER FOR THE HEAD OF THE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM BELGRADE THAT SO FAR THE YUGOSLAV LEADER IS SHOWING LITTLE FLEXIBILITY ON THE ISSUE OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE OCTOBER CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT.

TEXT: INTENSIVE TALKS CONTINUE BUT INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIS ARE NOT SOUNDING OPTIMISTIC. AFTER HIS TALKS WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC,U- S ENVOY CHRISTOPHER HILL SAYS THERE IS STILL A LOT OF DISAGREEMENT ON THE KEY ISSUES OF COMPLIANCE.

SUFFICE IT TO SAY WE HAD QUITE A LOT OF DISAGREEMENTS ON THE SITUATION.

NATO ALLIES HAVE THREATENED TO USE FORCE IF MR MILOSEVIC DOES NOT END THE CRACKDOWN ON ETHIC ALBANIAN REBELS IN KOSOVO, WHICH VIOLATES THE OCTOBER CEASEFIRE. THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT ALSO APPEARS INFLEXIBLE ON HIS EXPULSION ORDER FOR THE HEAD OF THE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION, WHO HAS ACCUSED SERB SPECIAL FORCES OF KILLING MORE THAN 40 KOSVAR VILLAGERS LAST WEEK.

THE HEAD OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (KNUT VOLLEBAEK) HAS MET WITH THE YUGOSLAV LEADER ABOUT THE EXPULSION ORDER . HE WOULD NOT COMMENT ON THE SUBSTANCE OF THE DISCUSSIONS BUT SAYS THEY WILL CONTINUE..A SENIOR WESTERN DIPLOMAT SAYS THERE HAS BEEN NO GIVE SO FAR ON THE EXPULSION ORDER FOR WILLIAM WALKER, WHO REMAINS AT HIS POST IN PRISTINA.

HE SAYS SERB AUTHORITIES DO NOT ACCEPT THE PREMISE THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBILE FOR THE ALLEGED MASSACRE. FORENSIC EXPERTS FROM FINLAND ARE NOW IN PRISTINA TO CARRY OUT THEIR OWN EXAMINATION OF THE BODIES OF THE VICTIMS. WESTERN DIPLOMATS ARE ALSO PRESSING THE YUGOSLAV LEADER ON THE NEED FOR FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE OCTOBER CEASEFIRE.

THEY SAY THE SCOPE AND EXTENT OF SERB POLICE PATROLS IN KOSOVO AND THE MOVEMENT OF SERB MILITARY ASSETS OUT OF THEIR GARRISONS VIOLATE THE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT. SERB AUTHORITIES SAY THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE AND ARGUE THAT THE O-S-C-E MONITORS ARE NOT RESTRAINING THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS.(SIGNED)
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21-Jan-99 6:02 PM EST (2302 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NEWSPAPERS AROUND THE WORLD ARE WATCHING THE DETERIORATING SITUATION IN THE FORMERLY AUTONOMOUS YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO WITH GROWING APPREHENSION. THE KILLING OF 45 UNARMED ETHNIC ALBANIANS THERE LAST WEEK BY SERBIAN FORCES, FOCUSED THE ATTENTION ON HOW THE SITUATION HAS CHANGED SINCE THE U-S-BROKERED CEASE FIRE AGREEMENT OF LATE LAST YEAR.

WE GET A SAMPLING OF THIS GLOBAL CONCERN NOW AS WE WELCOME _____________________ TO THE MICROPHONE WITH THIS WEEK'S WORLD OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: IN SOME AREAS, YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS BEING COMPARED TO IRAQ'S SADDAM HUSSEIN AS A "CUNNING AND DECEITFUL" POLITICIAN. HOWEVER IN OTHER QUARTERS, THE U-S AND WESTERN POLICY TOWARD KOSOVO IS BEING CRITICIZED AS DIVIDED AND INCONSISTENT. SOME PAPERS ARE SUGGESTING THAT KOSOVO CANNOT ANY LONGER BE AN AUTONOMOUS PROVINCE UNDER ANY SORT OF SERBIAN / YUGOSLAV CONTROL, SUCH IS THE BITTERNESS OF FEELINGS BETWEEN THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY AND SERBIAN LEADERS IN BELGRADE. LASTLY, A FEW EDITORIAL PAGES ARE WORRIED THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON IS SO PREOCCUPIED WITH THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL, AND THE PROBLEM OF OVERSEEING SADDAM HUSSEIN'S WEAPONS BUILD-UP, THAT KOSOVO IS SLIPPING THROUGH THE DIPLOMATIC CRACKS. THAT SAID, WE TURN FIRST TO THE CLOSEST DAILY TO THE AFFECTED AREA, CROATIA'S "VJESNIK" IN ZAGREB, FOR OUR FIRST ASSESSMENT.

VOICE: RACAK [THE KOSOVO VILLAGE WHERE THE 45 WERE KILLED] IS A POINT OF NO RETURN. IF EVERYTHING REMAINS IN WORDS ONLY, [MR.] MILOSEVIC WILL UNDERSTAND IT AS A SIGN OF WEAKNESS AND INDECISION OF THE WEST, AND WILL EMBARK ON THE FINAL FIGHT WITH THE K-L-A [KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY], BELIEVING THAT IT [EDITORS: TRANSLATION MISTAKE HERE, I BELIEVE, SHOULD BE: "HE" REFERRING TO MILOSEVIC] HAS FREE HANDS.

TEXT: TURNING TO MADRID, NOW, FOR THE VIEW FROM SPAIN, WE OPEN "EL PAIS" TO FIND THIS COMMENTARY:

VOICE: THE TIME HAS COME, IN FACT IT ARRIVED YEARS AGO, TO TREAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN A WAY HE DESERVES. THAT IS, NOT AS SOMEONE MERELY IMPLICATED IN A CONFLICT, BUT RATHER AS THE ONE WHO CAUSED IT ... THE CLEAR AND OBSCENE CHALLENGES ISSUED BY BELGRADE ... AS WELL AS [PRESIDENT] MILOSEVIC'S APPARENT ... RETURN TO A POLICY OF GENERALIZED TERROR IN KOSOVO, DEMAND A QUICK AND FORCEFUL RESPONSE.

TEXT: ACROSS TOWN, "EL MUNDO" ASKS: "WHY SO MUCH TEMPORIZING BY NATO ...? WHILE BARCELONA'S "LA VANGUARDIA" POINTS OUT THE OBVIOUS:

VOICE: ... NATO NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A RESPONSE TO [MR.] MILOSEVIC'S CHALLENGE IF IT HOPES TO DISSUADE HIM FROM HIS EXCESSES.

TEXT: TO THE NORTH AND EAST NOW, AND THE NATO-ELECT NATION OF POLAND, WHERE THE WEEKLY "WPROST" LAMENTS:

VOICE: DESPITE THE DETERMINATION OF THE K-L-A GUERRILLAS, THE OUTCOME OF THE CLASH IS NOT DIFFICULT TO ANTICIPATE: THE SERBS ARE ABLE TO RAZE KOSOVO TO THE GROUND. WHO WILL MANAGE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING?

TEXT: IN THE NETHERLANDS DAILY "TROUW" WE FIND THIS FRONT-PAGE COMMENT FROM AMSTERDAM:

VOICE: IF THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ARREST AND TRY THE ONES GUILTY OF CAUSING THE BLOODBATH, THEN [MR.] MILOSEVIC WILL BE PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE WAR CRIMES. ... THE CURRENT SITUATION CALLS FOR AN ULTIMATUM ...

TEXT: BUT ACROSS TOWN, A SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT VIEW FROM "DE TELEGRAAF:"

VOICE: THE SERBS AND THE K-L-A [KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY] EQUAL ONE ANOTHER WHEN IT COMES TO ATROCITIES. ONLY THE UNITED STATES IS CAPABLE OF STOPPING THEM. AS WAS THE CASE WITH THE IRAQI CRISIS, [PRESIDENT] MILOSEVIC USES THE CURRENT VULNERABILITY OF THE U-S GOVERNMENT CAUSED BY THE PRESIDENT'S PROBLEMS. EUROPE IS AGAIN HESITANT, WHICH IS TOO BAD.

TEXT: AND IN ROTTERDAM, "ALGEMEEN DAGBLAD" SAYS UNEQUIVOCALLY:

VOICE: THE KILLING OF 45 PEOPLE IN RACAK SHOULD NOT GO UNPUNISHED.

TEXT: FOR AN INDICATION OF HOW THE SCOTS FEEL ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON, WE QUOTE THIS PROPOSAL FROM A "SCOTSMAN" EDITORIAL IN EDINBURGH:

VOICE: THE BEST SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVE MUST BE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AUTONOMOUS KOSOVO. THAT MIGHT CONCEIVABLY BE AUTONOMY WITHIN YUGOSLAVIA AND A RETURN TO THE FORMULA ESTABLISHED BY [MARSHAL] TITO IN 1974. IN THE ... EVENT THAT SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT IS NO LONGER TOLERABLE TO KOSOVO ALBANIANS, AUTONOMY MIGHT BE ACHIEVED AS A UNITED NATIONS PROTECTORATE OFFERING EQUAL RIGHTS AND STATUS TO ALBANIAN AND SERB RESIDENTS. NEITHER OUTCOME WILL BE ACHIEVED UNLESS MASSIVE PRESSURE IS BROUGHT TO BEAR ON BELGRADE.

TEXT: IN LONDON, "THE TIMES" SUGGESTS THAT:

VOICE: NATO IS FLOUNDERING IN THE BALKANS ... [MR.] MILOSEVIC IS A POLITICIAN AS CUNNING AND DECEITFUL AS SADDAM HUSSEIN. HE IS RIGHT IN ONE THING: HE HAS SEEN THE RESULTS OF THE GULF ATTACKS AND THE STRAINS THEY CAUSED IN THE WEST. THE WEST IS MORE DIVIDED THAN EVER OVER WHAT SHOULD FOLLOW.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE MIDDLE EAST, IN ISRAEL, "THE JERUSALEM POST" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: THE LATEST ATROCITY IN KOSOVO IS AN ATROCITY TOO FAR. IT IS HIGH TIME THE INTERNATIONAL TROOPS STATIONED IN THE FRAGMENTED STATES OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA STOPPED PUSSYFOOTING AROUND AND START PUTTING BEHIND BARS SOME OF THE WAR CRIMINALS WHO ARE STALKING THIS REGION WITH IMPUNITY ...

TEXT: IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC, "THE AGE" IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, IS ALSO OUTRAGED:

VOICE: NATO MUST NOW ACT DECISIVELY AGAINST THE SERBIANS IN ORDER TO MAKE CLEAR THE WILL OF THE WORLD: THAT SUCH INHUMANITY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED ... IF NATO AIR STRIKES ARE THE ONLY MEASURE THAT THE SERBIAN ADMINISTRATION WILL HEED IN ORDER THAT THE KILLING BE STOPPED, THEN THIS MUST BE THE COURSE THAT IS TAKEN.

TEXT: IN SINGAPORE, "THE STRAITS TIMES" IS UPSET BECAUSE OF WHAT IT SEES AS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PREOCCUPATION WITH OTHER ISSUES.

VOICE: PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON'S DOMESTIC ENTANGLEMENTS AND PREOCCUPATION WITH IRAQ AND THE FACT THAT MORE THAN 30-THOUSAND NATO TROOPS ARE BOGGED DOWN IN BOSNIA MIGHT HELP TO EXPLAIN A RESPONSE THAT IS CAVALIER TO THE POINT OF CALLOUSNESS ... GIVEN ... IMPARTIAL FIRMNESS AT THE POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEVELS, IT SHOULD NOT BE IMPOSSIBLE TO BRING ABOUT A CEASE-FIRE, DISARM BOTH THE K-L-A AND THE SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO, AND PUSH THROUGH AN AUTONOMY SETTLEMENT UNDER STRICT SUPERVISION.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, BACK IN THIS HEMISPHERE, IN ARGENTINA, "CLARIN" IN BUENOS AIRES IS OBVIOUSLY SHOCKED AND SADDENED:

VOICE: KOSOVO IS NOT ONLY THE SCENARIO OF AN ETHNIC TRAGEDY ... THE HORROR CAUSED BY THE MASSACRE PROMOTED BY SERBIA AND THE WESTERN INEFFICIENCY TO STOP IT HAVE SHOWN THE KNOT OF COMPLEX AND EXPLOSIVE INTERESTS COMPETING IN THE REGION. SO FAR, EUROPE HAS ADOPTED A LOW PROFILE IN ITS BACK-YARD CRISIS, BY RELEASING CONDEMNING STATEMENTS AND THREATS OF ACTIONS WHICH NEVER TOOK PLACE.

TEXT: ON THAT DISCONSOLATE NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF THE WORLD PRESS REACTION TO THE LATEST KILLINGS IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE.
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21-Jan-99 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] ROMANIA/RIOTS (L-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

INTRO: THOUSANDS OF STRIKING ROMANIAN COAL MINERS HAVE CLASHED WITH RIOT POLICE, LEAVING SCORES OF PEOPLE INJURED. STEFAN BOS, WHO IS MONITORING THE SITUATION FROM BUDAPEST, REPORTS THURSDAY'S VIOLENCE WAS THE WORST SINCE THE MINERS BEGAN THEIR MARCH TOWARD THE ROMANIAN CAPITAL ON MONDAY TO PROTEST MINE CLOSURES AND DEMAND HIGHER WAGES..

TEXT: ARMED WITH STONES AND CLUBS, THE MINERS BROKE THROUGH POLICE BARRICADES NEAR COSTESTI -- ABOUT 250 KILOMETERS NORTHWEST OF BUCHAREST. THE PROTESTORS WERE HELPED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS, AS POLICE USED CLUBS AND TEAR GAS TO TRY TO CONTAIN THE ANGRY CROWD. DOZENS OF AMBULANCES ARRIVED ON THE SCENE TO CARRY AWAY THE INJURED, WHILE PROTESTORS SEIZED A NUMBER OF POLICE AS HOSTAGES.

THIS WAS THE BLOODIEST BATTLE SINCE THE MINERS BEGAN MARCHING TOWARD BUCHAREST ON MONDAY TO PROTEST A GOVERNMENT PLAN TO CLOSE DOZENS OF MINES AND TO DEMAND A WAGE HIKE OF 35 PERCENT. AFTER THE POLICE FAILURE TO CONTAIN THE PROTESTORS, INTERIOR MINISTER GAVRIL DEJEU ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION LATE THURSDAY, AND HE WAS REPLACED BY FORMER DEFENCE MINISTRY OFFICIAL, CONSTANTIN IONESCU.

BUT DESPITE THESE CHANGES, THERE WAS NO SIGN THAT THE ROMANIAN GOVERNMENT IS READY TO ACCEPT THE MINERS' DEMANDS. AFTER AN EMERGENCY MEETING WITH POLITICAL LEADERS, PRESIDENT EMIL CONSTANTINESCU TOLD ROMANIAN RADIO THAT GIVING IN TO THE USE OF FORCE WOULD BE A BAD SIGNAL TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

AS MR. CONSTANTINESCU PUT IT: GIVING IN WOULD "INDICATE THAT THE PROCESS OF REFORMS AND RESTRUCTURING HAS STOPPED IN ROMANIA." AT THEIR MEETING, ROMANIAN POLITICAL LEADERS URGED THE ROMANIAN PRESIDENT TO CONSIDER DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AND THE WORLD BANK HAVE LINKED NEW LOANS FOR ROMANIA WITH THE RESTRUCTURING AND CLOSURE OF MONEY-LOSING STATE INDUSTRIES, SUCH AS THE MINES.

ROMANIA NEEDS THE MONEY TO PAY OFF WHAT OFFICIALS DESCRIBED AS THE COUNTRY'S WORSTED DEBT IN ITS HISTORY, TOTALLING 3 BILLION DOLLARS. PRESIDENT CONSTANTINESCU HAS CALLED FOR AN EMERGENCY PARLIAMENTARY SESSION T/O/D/A/Y (FRIDAY), AS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WARNED THAT THE CLASHES BETWEEN STRIKING MINERS AND POLICE COULD HARM ROMANIA'S IMAGE ABROAD, AND PREVENT IT FROM RECEIVING NEW INTERNATIONAL LOANS.

BUT AS THE MINERS CONTINUED THEIR MARCH TO THE ROMANIAN CAPITAL, IT REMAINED UNCLEAR HOW THE POLITICAL LEADERS WOULD STOP THE LABOR UNREST.

ROMANIA'S DEFENCE MINISTER VICTOR B/A/B/I/U/C SAID EARLIER THIS WEEK HE MAY SEND IN THE ARMY IF THE POLICE CANNOT STOP THE MINERS FROM ENTERING BUCHAREST. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A REPEAT OF THE ANTI-REFORM RIOTS LED BY MINERS IN THE ROMANIAN CAPITAL IN 1990 AND 1991, WHICH LEFT NINE PEOPLE DEAD AND CAUSED ROMANIA'S FIRST POST-COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT TO STEP DOWN. (SIGNED)
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21-Jan-99 6:55 PM EST (2355 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (THURSDAY) WITH SELLING PARTICULARLY STRONG IN MANY TECHNOLOGY-RELATED STOCKS. V-O-A'S BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 92 HUNDRED 64, DOWN 71 POINTS OR LESS THAN ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 12 HUNDRED 35, DOWN 21 POINTS.

STOCK PRICES WERE DOWN GENERALLY, BUT TECHNOLOGY STOCKS WERE ESPECIALLY HARD HIT. THE NASDAQ INDEX, WHICH CONTAINS MANY TECHNOLOGY STOCKS, WAS DOWN ALMOST THREE PERCENT.

AS FAR AS THE ADVANCE-DECLINE RATIO IS CONCERNED, IF YOU LOOK AT THE ADVANCE-DECLINE AS FAR AS VOLUME IS CONCERNED, THIS WHOLE WEEK THE DOWN VOLUME HAS BEEN MUCH MORE SIGNIFICANT THAN THE UP VOLUME. I THINK YOU HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THAT.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS THAT HIGHER IMPORTS AND LOWER EXPORTS CAUSED THE U-S TRADE DEFICIT TO GROW IN NOVEMBER BY ALMOST TWO BILLION DOLLARS.

TOBACCO COMPANY STOCKS REMAINED UNDER PRESSURE BECAUSE OF A THREAT BY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO SUE THE COMPANIES TO RECOVER MONEY SPENT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON SMOKING-RELATED ILLNESSES. ANY JUDGMENT WOULD COME ON TOP OF THE 206 BILLION DOLLAR AGREEMENT THE INDUSTRY HAS ALREADY MADE WITH STATE GOVERNMENTS TO REIMBURSE THEM FOR HEALTH-RELATED COSTS.

WALL STREET ANALYSTS CONTINUE TO STUDY NUMEROUS FOURTH QUARTER EARNINGS REPORTS.

THE EXXON OIL COMPANY SAYS ITS PROFITS FELL 40 PERCENT AS A RESULT OF THE STEEP FALL IN CRUDE OIL PRICES. HOWEVER, EXXON'S PROFITS WERE SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF EXPECTATIONS.

THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY ALSO BEAT FORECASTS EVEN THOUGH A NUMBER OF SPECIAL CHARGES REDUCED ITS QUARTERLY EARNINGS BY 34 PERCENT. I-B-M, THE WORLD'S LARGEST COMPUTER COMPANY, REPORTED PROFITS WHICH WERE SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF EXPECTATIONS.

THE PROFITS OF LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES, A LEADING PRODUCER OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, WERE ALSO AHEAD OF FORECASTS. LUCENT HAS EXCEEDED WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS IN EVERY QUARTER SINCE THE COMPANY WAS SPUN OFF FROM THE A-T AND T CORPORATION IN 1996.

SEARS ROEBUCK, THE SECOND LARGEST RETAILER IN THE UNITED STATES, SAYS ITS PROFITS ROSE 15 PERCENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER. SEARS SAYS A STRONG CREDIT OPERATION OFFSET RELATIVELY WEAK SALES.

AND TWO LARGE AMERICAN RAILROADS REPORTED VERY DIFFERENT RESULTS. C-S-X CORPORATION, WHICH OPERATES IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES, SAYS ITS PROFITS DROPPED BY ALMOST HALF, LARGELY BECAUSE OF COSTS RELATED TO ITS ACQUISITION OF THE CONRAIL COMPANY. BUT UNION PACIFIC SAYS IT HAS RESOLVED PROBLEMS RELATED TO ITS ACQUISITION OF THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD AND REPORTED BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED PROFITS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/;T
21-Jan-99 5:23 PM EST (2223 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS AND THE VARIOUS PROPOSALS CONTAINED THEREIN, ARE PROVIDING PLENTY OF GRIST FOR THE EDITORIAL MILLS IN THURSDAY'S DAILY PAPERS.

THERE ARE ALSO COMMENTS ABOUT THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IN THE SENATE; DEALING WITH RUSSIA AND THE POSSIBLE THREAT OF STOLEN MISSILES COMING THIS WAY; THE ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO PROVINCE; AND PLAYING BASEBALL WITH THE CUBANS. NOW, HERE IS __________ WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK, IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: PAPERS THAT WAITED A DAY TO DIGEST WHAT PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID IN HIS STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS TUESDAY ARE WEIGHING IN WITH A WIDE DIVERSITY OF OPINION. "THE MIAMI HERALD" CALLS THE SPEECH "A BRAZEN ADDRESS SIGNALING HIS DETERMINATION TO STAY."

VOICE: /// OPT /// HOW MELODRAMATIC WAS THIS? IMAGINE A MOVIE SCRIPT WHERE THE MAN ON TRIAL RISES IN FRONT OF HIS ACCUSERS AND JURORS AND, IN A FINGER-WAGGING, STEMWINDING [SLANG FOR: "FORCEFUL, AND ORATORICALLY STRONG"] ADDRESS, TURNS THE PROCEEDING INTO A PEP RALLY THAT HAS HIM CARRIED FROM THE CHAMBER TO WHOOPS AND CHEERS. /// END OPT /// ... ONE MONTH TO THE DAY AFTER A REPUBLICAN-LED HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VOTED ... IMPEACHMENT AGAINST HIM, PRESIDENT CLINTON STOOD IN THE SAME CHAMBER AND ALL BUT TAUNTED HIS CRITICS WITH A STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE THAT MADE DIAMOND CLEAR THAT HE INTENDS TO REMAIN IN OFFICE UNTIL THE FINAL MINUTE OF HIS TERM. ... MR. CLINTON WALKED INTO THE HOUSE ON TUESDAY NOT UNLIKE DANIEL ENTERING THE LION'S DEN. AND, LIKE DANIEL, HE WALKED OUT AGAIN. THE LIONS WERE CHEERING.

TEXT: "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" HEADLINES ITS ANALYSIS: "TRIAL - QUESTION MARK - - WHAT TRIAL - - QUESTION MARK."

VOICE: IT SEEMED STRANGE AND AWKWARD FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON TO BE ADDRESSING CONGRESS WHILE BATTLING ITS CHARGES OF PERJURY AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE. YET THE PRESIDENT PULLED IT OFF WITH TYPICAL APLOMB ... PITCHING A SERIOUS AGENDA WHILE SPOTLIGHTING HEROES IN THE GALLERY. .... THE RECKLESS BEHAVIOR THAT HAS ENDANGERED HIS PRESIDENCY AND TAINTED HIS LEGACY, IN THE BACK OF EVERYBODY'S MIND, WENT UNMENTIONED /// OPT /// AS HE PROCLAIMED THAT THE STATE OF THE UNION WAS STRONG. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: TAKING AN EVEN MORE CRITICAL VIEW IS "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL," A PERSISTENT CRITIC OF MR. CLINTON, WHICH SAYS OF THE ADDRESS:

VOICE: IT WAS THE MOST SHAMELESS STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH ANY PRESIDENT HAS EVER DELIVERED. ENTERING THE SEVENTH YEAR OF A SECOND TERM, BILL CLINTON'S AUDACITY ALLOWED HIM TO PRETEND THAT HE WAS ON HIS PRESIDENCY'S MAIDEN VOYAGE.

TEXT: IN MAINE, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" SAYS, DESPITE THE IMPEACHMENT PROBLEM:

VOICE: ONE COULD NOT HELP BUT BE IMPRESSED BY HIS COOL DEMEANOR AND HIS SHARP POLITICAL INSTINCTS. INDEED, IT WAS GREAT THEATER. A PRESIDENT A FEW VOTES SHY OF REMOVAL FROM OFFICE ... STOOD BEFORE THE NATION AND CHALLENGED HIS OPPONENTS TO MEET HIM NOT ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL BATTLEFIELD OF IMPEACHMENT, BUT ON THE POLITICAL TURF WHERE THE DIRECTION OF THE NATION IS DETERMINED. BEYOND THE THEATRICAL MEMENTS ... [MR.] CLINTON GAVE A SUBSTANTIAL SPEECH. ... HE HAS GIVEN AMERICANS A GLIMPSE OF WHAT WOULD BE POSSIBLE IF CONGRESS WOULD ONLY GET BEYOND ITS PARTISAN OBSESSION.

TEXT: BUT IN "THE ORLANDO [FLORIDA] SENTINEL" THE SPEECH WAS SEEN AS "HOLLOW" AND OVERSHADOWED BY HIS "IMPEACHMENT PREDICAMENT." AND OF HIS SOCIAL POLICY AGENDA, "THE SENTINEL" SCOFFS:

VOICE: MR. CLINTON, LIKE A TARDY SANTA CLAUS, [FATHER CHRISTMAS] PROPOSED TO TOSS GIFTS OF MONEY TO PROGRAMS OF ALL KINDS. ... THE STATE OF THE UNION, DESPITE SOME ECONOMIC DISTURBANCES IN OTHER COUNTRIES, APPEARS GOOD. BUT CAREFUL FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP IS NEEDED, NOT WILD-EYED SPENDING AND TAX CUTS.

TEXT: TURNING SPECIFICALLY TO THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL, AND DAY TWO OF THE PRESIDENT'S DEFENSE, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: ... THE WHITE HOUSE DEFENSE TEAM [HAS] PUT SOME SIGNIFICANT DENTS IN THE HOUSE .... CASE FOR REMOVING PRESIDENT CLINTON. THROUGH GREGORY CRAIG AND CHERYL MILLS COULD NOT DISENTANGLE MR. CLINTON ... FROM HIS MISCONDUCT AND FALSE STATEMENTS, THEY DID RAISE TECHNICAL AND SUBSTANTIVE DOUBTS ABOUT THE PERJURY AND OBSTRUCTION ACCUSATIONS LEVELED BY THE HOUSE. .... THE SENATE ARITHMETIC SEEMS CLEAR. THE 67 VOTES NEEDED TO CONVICT AND REMOVE MR. CLINTON ... ARE NOT IN SIGHT. ... REMOVING A POPULAR PRESIDENT IS UNWORKABLE IN THE ABSENCE OF A COMPELLING CONSTITUTIONAL CASE. MR. [SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TRENT] LOTT AND MANY REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE KNOW THAT.

TEXT: MOVING ON TO CONCERN ABOUT RUSSIAN NUCLEAR MISSILES FALLING INTO TERRORIST HANDS, AND HOW TO COUNTER THAT, THERE IS COMMENT ON THE PRESIDENT'S COMMITMENT TO SPEND BILLIONS FOR A MODIFIED ANTI-MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM, AND, ON HIS LATEST VIEW OF RUSSIA FROM "THE WASHINGTON POST."

VOICE: RUSSIA FIGURED IN PRESIDENT CLINTON'S STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH ONLY AS A HEADACHE - - A NUCLEAR THREAT, A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY FALLING INTO 'THE WRONG HANDS.' MR. CLINTON'S CONCERN, AND HIS PROPOSAL TO SPEND MORE TO SAFEGUARD RUSSIA'S NUCLEAR WEAPONRY, ARE WELCOME. BUT THEY ALSO SHOW HOW FAR THE U-S-RUSSIA RELATIONSHIP HAS SLIPPED. /// OPT