Voice of America, 99-01-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] U-S / KOSOVO ONITER (S&L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

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

[03] OPERATION KOSOVO BY MICHAEL LELAND (CHICAGO)

[04] KOSOVO / OSCE (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

[05] KOSOVO CONTACT GROUP (L-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[06] KOSOVO CONTACT GROUP UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[07] KOSOVO CRISIS (S&L) (CQ) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (BELGRADE)

[08] KOSOVO CRISIS UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (BELGRADE)

[09] U-S OPINION ROUNDUP: KOSOVO AND NATO

[10] EDITORIAL: KOSOVO MASSACRE

[11] ROMANIAN STRIKE (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BUCHAREST)

[12] FRANCE FRONT (L) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[13] FRANCE ISLAMISTS TRIAL (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[14] RUSSIA / OCALAN (L) BY EVE CONANT (MOSCOW)

[15] SLOVAKIA/NATO (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

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

[17] BRITAIN PINOCHET (L-ONLY) BY CHRISTINE FURNELL (LONDON)

[01] U-S / KOSOVO ONITER (S&L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES CALLS YUGOSLAVIA'S DECISION TO FREEZE ITS EXPULSION ORDER AGAINST THE TOP U-S DIPLOMAT IN KOSOVO,AMBASSADOR WILLIAM WALKER, 'INSUFFICIENT'. V-O-A'S DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES WAS INFORMED THAT AMBASSADOR WALKER COULD REMAIN IN KOSOVO AND CARRY ON WITH HIS DUTIES BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (KNUT VOLLEBAEK) LATE THURSDAY.

A SENIOR U-S OFFICIAL WHO DID NOT WANT TO BE IDENTIFIED SAYS YUGOSLAVIA'S DECISION IS NOT ENOUGH. HE SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODON MILOSEVIC INVENTED THE IDEA OF EXPELLING AMBASSADOR WALKER FOLLOWING THE MASSACRE OF 45 ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO LAST WEEK.

AMBASSADOR WALKER HAD BLAMED YUGOSLAV SECURITY FORCES FOR THE MASSACRE. THE U-S OFFICIAL BRIEFING THIS REPORTER SAYS MR. MILOSEVIC SOLVING HIS OWN PROBLEM DOES NOT ADVANCE THE PROCESS, AND IS NOT THE ISSUE. COMPLYING WITH UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTIONS IS WHAT MATTERS, HE SAYS.

TWO KEY MEETINGS BRINGING TOGETHER THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES FRIDAY WILL DISCUSS POSSIBLE NEXT STEPS TO HALT SERBIAN ATTACKS ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS -- INCLUDING THE OPTION OF USING FORCE. THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP WILL HOLD TALKS IN LONDON,AND NATO'S GOVERNING NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL WILL MEET IN BRUSSELS.

PRESIDENT CLINTON AND BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR SPOKE BYTELEPHONE IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETINGS THURSDAY NIGHT. IN THEIR HALF-HOUR CONVERSATION, OFFICIALS SAY, THE TWO LEADERS DISCUSSED THE MILITARY OPTION AND THE NEED FOR MORE TO BE DONE TO FIND A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS. (SIGNED)
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21-Jan-99 9:05 PM EST (0205 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: U-S AND EUROPEAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL PUSH FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION IN KOSOVO, BUT THE USE OF FORCE REMAINS AN OPTION IF YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES DON'T DO MORE TO END THE CRISIS. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES AND ITS EUROPEAN ALLIES SAY YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC MUST ALLOW AN INTERNATIONAL PROBE INTO LAST WEEK'S KILLING OF 45 ETHNIC ALBANIANS.

THE INCIDENT HAS SPARKED FEARS OF A FURTHER BREAKDOWN OF THE CEASE-FIRE WORKED OUT LAST OCTOBER.

IN AN EFFORT TO EASE TENSIONS, THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT HAS SUSPENDED THE EXPULSION OF U-S DIPLOMAT WILLIAM WALKER, WHO ACCUSED SERB FORCES OF CARRYING OUT LAST WEEK'S KILLINGS.

SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS THE FREEZING OF THE EXPULSION ORDER WAS NECESSARY, BUT NOT SUFFICIENT TO END THE CRISIS.

IT'S NOT SUFFICIENT BECAUSE THERE NEEDS TO BE A WAY OF INVESTIGATING WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED AT RACAK BY LOUISE ARBOR (PROSECUTOR) AND THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AND THAT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.

MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS THERE ARE ALSO SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT'S COMPLIANCE WITH THE CEASE-FIRE NEGOTIATED BY U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE. THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS SERB FORCES AND KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY FIGHTERS MUST COMPLY WITH THE CEASE-FIRE.

MS. ALBRIGHT PLANS TO BE IN EUROPE NEXT WEEK, TO CONSULT WITH RUSSIAN, BRITISH AND FRENCH OFFICIALS ABOUT WAYS TO FORGE A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT.

THAT JOB WILL NOT BE EASY. THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY REPRESENTATIVE IN LONDON SAYS THE RECENT KILLINGS SHOW THAT KOSOVO IS A MILITARY ISSUE THAT CAN ONLY BE SOLVED BY MILITARY MEANS. THE GROUP HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR INDEPENDENCE, SOMETHING THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT SUPPORT.

BUT U-S SENTIMENT AGAINST CONTINUED YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT RULE OF THE MOSTLY ALBANIAN PROVINCE APPEARS TO BE GROWING. A U-S CONGRESSIONAL (HELSINKI) COMMISSION SAYS THE KILLINGS IN KOSOVO DEMONSTRATE THAT SERBIA SHOULD NO LONGER RETAIN SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE PROVINCE.

A LEADING U-S SENATOR (KENTUCKY REPUBLICAN MITCH MCCONNELL) HAS ALSO WRITTEN AN EDITORIAL IN THE WASHINGTON POST, SAYING NO STATE HAS THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE ITS AUTHORITY IN THIS MANOR.

NATO OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE PREPARED TO USE FORCE TO IF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC DOES NOT END HIS CRACKDOWN ON KOSOVO. OFFICIALS SAY A SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS MUST BE FOUND SOON, OR FULL SCALE FIGHTING COULD RETURN AS THE WEATHER WARMS UP IN THE SPRING. (SIGNED)
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22-Jan-99 4:46 PM EST (2146 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] OPERATION KOSOVO BY MICHAEL LELAND (CHICAGO)

INTRO: SINCE YUGOSLAV FORCES BEGAN THEIR CRACKDOWN ON ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS IN THE PROVINCE OF KOSOVO, AN ESTIMATED 200-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES, CREATING EUROPE'S LARGEST REFUGEE CRISIS SINCE THE BOSNIAN AND CROATIAN CONFLICTS. KEEPING TRACK OF THE REFUGEES, AND PROVIDING THEM WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR HOME COMMUNITIES IS AN ENORMOUS TASK, ONE THAT IS BEING CARRIED OUT WITH THE HELP OF A UNIVERSITY IN THE MIDWEST U-S CITY OF CHICAGO. VOA'S MICHAEL LELAND HAS MORE.

TEXT: // TRAIN, STREET SOUNDS (ESTABLISH, FADE) //

IT IS A LONG WAY FROM THE ELEVATED TRAINS AND BUSY STREETS OF DOWNTOWN CHICAGO TO YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE, BUT THE CHICAGO-KENT COLLEGE OF LAW, PART OF THE ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, IS PLAYING A ROLE IN HELPING THE REGION'S REFUGEES, AS WELL AS THE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING AID. ASSISTANT DEAN FOR INTERNATIONAL LAW AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT, CHARLES RUDNICK, HELPED DEVELOP "PROJECT KOSOVO."

THIS IS THE CHICAGO-KENT HOME PAGE. IF YOU CLICK ONTO OUR GLOBAL LAW AND POLICY INITIATIVE, THIS ACTS AS AN UMBRELLA FOR MANY OF OUR INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

PROJECT KOSOVO USES THE INTERNET AND TWO DATABASES COMPILED IN PRISTINA, KOSOVO AND TIRANA, ALBANIA, TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON AS MANY REFUGEES AS POSSIBLE.

YOU HAVE THE NAME OF THE REFUGEE, THEIR ADDRESS, LOCATION, WHEN THEY ARRIVED. THIS PERSON CAME (TO TIRANA) IN MAY. IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT WHETHER THEY HAVE RECEIVED ANY RELIEF SO FAR, WE HAVE A SECOND PAGE YOU CAN CLICK ABOUT RELIEF SUPPLY INFORMATION.

COLLEGE DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL PROJECTS, I-V ASHTON, SAYS THE PROJECT ALSO HELPS REFUGEES IDENTIFY THEMSELVES TO RELIEF WORKERS.

THE DATABASE WE DESIGNED IS PRETTY NEAT IN A SENSE THAT, IT CREATES NOT ONLY THE INFORMATION, BUT ALSO PICTURES WHICH ARE TURNED INTO REFUGEE CARDS WHICH ARE GIVEN OUT TO THE REFUGEES.

WE ARE THE ONLY LAW SCHOOL IN THE UNITED STATES THAT IS AFFILIATED WITH A MAJOR TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY -- THE ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, WHICH IS OUR PARENT SCHOOL. WE DRAW FROM ALL DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY. FOR INSTANCE, WE HAVE COMPUTER SCIENTISTS THAT HELP US DESIGN THE PROGRAMS AND NETWORKS. WE EVEN HAVE PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS WHO GET INVOLVED.

PROJECT KOSOVO AND ITS ASSOCIATED WEB SITES ALSO OFFER LEGAL INFORMATION TO REFUGEES AND GROUPS WORKING IN THE REGION. LISTINGS INCLUDE : INTERNATIONAL REFUGEE AND ASYLUM LAWS, AS WELL AS THE REFUGEE LAWS OF POTENTIAL HOST COUNTRIES. MR. RUDNICK SAYS USERS CAN ALSO GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE REGION, AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON CONDITIONS IN SOME OF KOSOVO'S MOST SERIOUSLY-AFFECTED VILLAGES.

THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE HOMES FROM WHICH THEY WERE FORCED TO FLEE IN KOSOVO, ITEMS SUCH AS THE CONDITIONS OF THE ROADS, WATER AND SANITATION, THE STATUS OF THE SCHOOLS, WHETHER THERE IS SECURITY IN THE REGION.

THE CHICAGO-KENT COLLEGE OF LAW IS NOT TAKING ANY POSITION ON THE POLITICS OF THE KOSOVO CRISIS, BUT SEEKS ONLY TO PROVIDE LEGAL AND OTHER INFORMATION TO REFUGEES AND INTERESTED ORGANIZATIONS. MR. ASHTON HOPES THE SCHOOL'S EFFORTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

BEFORE I GOT INVOLVED WITH THE PROJECT, I WOULD HAVE NEVER THOUGHT THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN A PART OF CREATING CHANGE SOMEWHERE HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD. IT NOT ONLY HELPED ME UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION THERE ON THE GROUND, IT HELPED ME UNDERSTAND THAT I ACTUALLY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND THAT EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS.

YOU CAN VISIT THE PROJECT KOSOVO INTERNET SITE AT W-W-W-DOT-KENTLAW-DOT-E-D-U/KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
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22-Jan-99 4:58 PM EST (2158 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO / OSCE (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS AGREED TO POSTPONE THE EXPULSION ORDER FOR WILLIAM WALKER -- THE U-S HEAD OF THE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION. HE REACHED THE COMPROMISE WITH MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE. MEANWHILE, FIVE SERB CIVILIANS HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED IN THE VILLAGE OF NEVOLJANE. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM PRISTINA.

TEXT: THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, KNUT VOLLEBAEK, SAYS HE HAD CONSTRUCTIVE TALKS WITH YUGUSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC AGREED TO FREEZE THE 'PERSONA NON GRATA' STATUS OF WILLIAM WALKER, THE HEAD OF THE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION. MR. WALKER SAID HIS EXPULSION ORDER HAS BEEN LIFTED, BUT MR. MILOSEVIC APPEARED TO HOLD ONTO THE RIGHT TO TOSS THE CHIEF OF THE CEASEFIRE MONITORING MISSION OUT ANYTIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

O-S-C-E OFFICIALS STOOD BY THEIR ACCUSATIONS THAT SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MASSACRE OF ETHNIC-ALBANIAN CIVILIANS LAST WEEK IN THE VILLAGE OF RACAK. A SEVEN-PAGE REPORT RELEASED IN VIENNA BLAMED THE SERBIAN FORCES FOR THE KILLINGS OF 45 CIVILIANS. MEANWHILE, IN THE KOSOVO COUNTRYSIDE, THE SECURITY SITUATION DETERIORATED FURTHER. SERB RESIDENTS SAY ETHNIC-ALBANIAN FIGHTERS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY ABDUCTED FIVE SERB CIVILIANS IN THE VILLAGE OF NEVOLJANE IN CENTRAL KOSOVO PROVINCE.

LJUBINKA BIGOVIC, THE WIFE OF ONE ABDUCTED SERB, SAID THE K-L-A FIGHTERS CAME LOOKING FOR GUNS EARLY FRIDAY, AFTER HER HUSBAND RETURNED FROM HIS JOB AS A NIGHT WATCHMAN.

MRS. BIGOVIC SAID THE K-L-A THREATENED TO CUT THE NECKS OF HER HUSBAND AND A MARRIED COUPLE FROM NEXT DOOR. WHEN THE REBELS ASKED FOR COFFEE, MRS. BIGOVIC ESCAPED.

KOSOVO VERIFICATION OFFICIALS WERE UPSET AT THE KIDNAPPING, CALLING IT PART OF A PATTERN OF "TIT FOR TAT" (RECIPROCAL) VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
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22-Jan-99 2:33 PM EST (1933 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO CONTACT GROUP (L-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: OFFICIALS OF THE SIX-NATION "CONTACT GROUP" ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA ARE MEETING (EDS: BEGAN 1100 UTC--6 AM) IN LONDON TODAY/FRIDAY IN AN ATTEMPT TO DEFUSE RISING TENSIONS IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. THE MEETING COMES AS THE NATO ALLIANCE CONTINUES PREPARATIONS FOR A POSSIBLE AIR STRIKE AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. MORE FROM VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON.

TEXT: WHILE THE MEETING IS NOT AT THE MINISTERIAL LEVEL, THE DIPLOMATS HERE IN LONDON NEVERTHELESS HOPE THEIR WORK MAY MARK ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN BRINGING SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS TOGETHER TO FIND A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS.

WHILE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC THURSDAY PUT A FREEZE ON AN EARLIER ORDER TO EXPEL THE HEAD OF THE GROUP MONITORING COMPLIANCE OF THE SHAKY, THREE-MONTH TRUCE IN KOSOVO, BRITAIN'S FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAID AGAIN FRIDAY THAT NATO MILITARY INTERVENTION IS AN OPTION, IF SERB FORCES FAIL TO HALT ATTACKS ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS.

MR. COOK SAID IN A BRITISH RADIO INTERVIEW THAT FIGHTING IN KOSOVO IS NO SOLUTION, AND THAT "REPEATED ATROCITIES," AS HE PUT IT, BY THE YUGOSLAV ARMY AGAINST ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS WILL ONLY KEEP PUTTING THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN POPULATION BEHIND THE GUERRILLAS.

THERE HAS TO BE A POLITICAL PROCESS. NOW THAT'S WHAT TODAY'S MEETING OF THE CONTACT GROUP IS ABOUT. WE HAVE DEVELOPED A VERY DETAILED PAPER ON THE WAY FORWARD FOR KOSOVO, PROVIDING IT WITH ITS OWN INTERNAL GOVERNMENT, MAKING SURE IT'S IN CHARGE OF ITS OWN POLICE, FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS SUPERVISED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. AND THEN AT THE END OF THREE YEARS, A REVIEW OF THE BROAD STATUS KOSOVO SHOULD HAVE.

THE YUGOSLAVIA CONTACT GROUP MEMBERS CONSIST OF THE UNITED STATES, FRANCE, BRITAIN, RUSSIA, GERMANY AND ITALY. FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE GROUP PLAN A FOLLOW-UP MEETING NEXT WEEK AT A YET-TO-BE NAMED VENUE IN EUROPE. (SIGNED)
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22-Jan-99 7:05 AM EST (1205 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO CONTACT GROUP UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: OFFICIALS FROM WHAT IS CALLED THE "CONTACT GROUP" ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA SAY URGENT TALKS ARE NEEDED TO REACH A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CONFLICT. THE OFFICIALS ISSUED THE CALL AFTER MEETING (FRIDAY) IN LONDON. V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE DIPLOMATS FROM MEMBER NATIONS -- THE UNITED STATES, FRANCE, BRITAIN, RUSSIA, GERMANY AND ITALY -- ISSUED A STATEMENT AFTER THEIR MEETING, SETTING WHAT THEY CALL -- A GOAL OF EARLY NEGOTIATIONS ON A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT (IN KOSOVO) WITH DIRECT INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT.

THOSE ATTENDING FRIDAY'S GATHERING WERE NOT MINISTER-LEVEL OFFICIALS. A MEETING OF FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM THE CONTACT GROUP IS LIKELY TO TAKE PLACE NEXT WEEK.

RUSSIA'S DIPLOMAT AT THE LONDON MEETING REPEATED HIS GOVERNMENT'S WARNING THAT A WIDER BALKAN WAR COULD FOLLOW, IF NATO MILITARY ACTION IS TAKEN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. THE NATO ALLIANCE IS ON ALERT FOR POSSIBLE AIR STRIKES, IF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC FAILS TO WITHDRAW SPECIAL FORCES FROM THE SERBIAN PROVINCE, POPULATED OVERWHELMINGLY BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS.

THE CURRENT CRISIS WAS SPARKED BY THE DISCOVERY LAST WEEK OF 45 ETHNIC ALBANIANS KILLED IN A VILLAGE SOUTHWEST OF THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA. AMERICAN DIPLOMAT WILLIAM WALKER HEADS A TEAM OF MONITORS CHARGED WITH VERIFYING COMPLIANCE WITH A TRUCE ON KOSOVO, NEGOTIATED LAST OCTOBER. AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE TRUCE CALLS FOR THE WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO OF THE SERBIAN SPECIAL FORCES.

AMBASSADOR WALKER BLAMED THE SERBS FOR LAST WEEK'S KILLINGS. SERBIAN OFFICIALS SAY THOSE KILLED WERE GUERRILLA REBELS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. YUGOSLAVIA HAS BACKED OFF ITS THREATS TO EXPEL MR. WALKER, AFTER HE BLAMED THE SERBS.

THE CONTACT GROUP REPRESENTATIVES MEETING (FRIDAY) IN LONDON CALLED FOR YUGOSLAVIA TO COOPERATE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS AND ALLOW UNIMPEDED ACCESS TO ITS INVESTIGATORS. EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE TRIBUNAL'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR WAS DENIED ACCESS TO KOSOVO WHEN SHE TRIED TO CROSS AT ITS BORDER WITH MACEDONIA. (SIGNED)
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22-Jan-99 1:52 PM EST (1852 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] KOSOVO CRISIS (S&L) (CQ) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (BELGRADE)

INTRO: YUGOSLAVIA SAYS IT IS PUTTING ON HOLD -- BUT NOT LIFTING -- ITS EXPULSION ORDER AGAINST (WILLIAM WALKER) THE AMERICAN WHO HEADS THE INTERNATIONAL MONITORING MISSION IN KOSOVO PROVINCE. OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON SAY THIS WILL NOT BE ENOUGH TO RESOLVE THE CURRENT CRISIS OVER KOSOVO. MEETINGS ARE CONTINUING IN BELGRADE, BETWEEN YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATS CONCERNED ABOUT VIOLATIONS OF AN OCTOBER CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT. V-O-A'S LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS SO FAR, THE YUGOSLAV LEADER IS SHOWING LITTLE FLEXIBILITY.

TEXT: INTENSIVE TALKS CONTINUE BUT INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATS 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 A CRACKDOWN ON ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS IN KOSOVO, WHICH VIOLATES THE OCTOBER CEASE-FIRE. 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 KOSOVAR 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" [NO YIELDING] 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 RESPONSIBLE 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 CEASE-FIRE. 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 CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT. SERB AUTHORITIES SAY THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE. THEY CONTEND THE O-S-C-E MONITORS ARE NOT RESTRAINING ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
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21-Jan-99 7:57 PM EST (0057 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] KOSOVO CRISIS UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (BELGRADE)

INTRO: IN YUGOSLAVIA, ONE CRISIS SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN AVERTED WHILE ANOTHER STILL LOOMS. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE -- THE O-S-C-E -- HAS WON AGREEMENT TO FREEZE THE ORDER TO EXPEL THE HEAD OF THE KOSOVO TRUCE VERIFICATION MISSION. BUT NATO ALLIES STILL THREATENED TO USE FORCE, IF THE FIGHTING CONTINUES IN KOSOVO. MORE FROM VOA'S LAURIE KASSMAN IN BELGRADE.

TEXT: THE O-S-C-E CHAIRMAN, KNUT VOLLEBAEK, SAYS THE YUGOSLAV DECISION TO FREEZE THE EXPULSION ORDER MEANS U-S VETERAN DIPLOMAT, WILLIAM WALKER -- WHO HEADS THE KOSOVO TRUCE VERIFICATION MISSION -- CAN CONTINUE HIS WORK, WITHOUT CONDITIONS.

THIS IS AN UNCONDITIONAL FREEZE -- WHICH MEANS, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A MANDATE FOR ONE YEAR, AND WITHIN THE LIMIT OF THIS YEAR THERE ARE NO CONDITIONS ATTACHED TO IT.

MR. VOLLEBAEK SAYS MR. WALKER'S DEPARTURE WOULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR THE O-S-C-E MISSION, WHICH IS MONITORING THE CEASE-FIRE IN KOSOVO. MR. WALKER WAS ORDERED TO LEAVE YUGOSLAVIA AFTER HE BLAMED SERB SPECIAL FORCES FOR THE KILLINGS OF 45 KOSOVAR VILLAGERS LAST WEEK. SERB AUTHORITIES HAVE CALLED MR. WALKER A LIAR.

MR. WALKER THEN CALLED FOR THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE TO CARRY OUT AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION. BUT YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES WOULD NOT LET HER ENTER THE COUNTRY.

O-S-C-E CHAIRMAN VOLLEBAEK SAYS THERE ARE NOW SOME MOVEMENTS ON THAT ISSUE, AND TALKS CONTINUE. BUT MR. VOLLEBAEK SAYS THE KEY ISSUE REMAINS COMPLIANCE WITH THE OCTOBER CEASE-FIRE.

I HAVE STRESSED, TIME AND AGAIN, THAT I HAVE A LIMITED SCOPE TO FULFILL MY MISSION, MY MANDATE -- IF THERE IS NO POLITICAL MOVEMENT, IF THERE IS NO POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT. AND IN ORDER TO HAVE THIS POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, FIRST OF ALL, THEY HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT AND BOTH SIDES HAVE TO SHOW RESTRAINT. AND THEN THERE HAS TO BE ACTIVITY SO THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE THAT THERE IS SOME HOPE FOR A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.

NATO ALLIES ARE THREATENING TO USE FORCE IF THE FIGHTING IN KOSOVO CONTINUES. SERB FORCES AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS HAVE BEEN CLASHING FOR THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS.

THE NATO ACT ORDER ... IS STILL THERE AS A THREAT. AND I THINK THAT PRESIDENT (SLOBODAN) MILOSEVIC UNDERSTANDS THAT VERY WELL -- THAT THIS IS BEHIND THE SCENE, EVEN TODAY. MY HOPE IS THAT WE CAN NOW TRY TO START A POLITICAL PROCESS, THAT WE CAN AVOID ANY KIND OF AIR STRIKE. BUT THIS OF COURSE NECESSITATES THE FULL COOPERATION FROM YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES. ALSO WITH REGARD TO THE OTHER ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED HERE. AND AS YOU SAY, THE QUESTION OF REDUCTION OF FORCES.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS POINT TO THE SCOPE AND EXTENT OF SERB POLICE PATROLS IN KOSOVO, AND THE DEPLOYMENT OF MILITARY ASSETS OUT OF THEIR GARRISONS AS VIOLATIONS OF THE OCTOBER CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT. THEY ALSO HAVE URGED RESTRAINT ON THE PART OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS WHO CONTINUE TO FIRE ON SERB POLICE.

[09] U-S OPINION ROUNDUP: KOSOVO AND NATO

INTRO: YUGOSLAV LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S RESPONSE TO THE KILLING OF 45 ETHNIC ALBANIANS BY SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES HAS GENERATED SCORES OF EDITORIALS IN THE U-S PRESS. HERE WITH THE U-S OPINION ROUNDUP IS V-O-A'S______________.

TEXT:: THE DEATHS OF 45 ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO LAST WEEK AT THE HANDS OF SERBIAN AUTHORITIES PROMPTED EDITORIAL WRITERS IN THE UNITED STATES TO CALL FOR A STRONG RESPONSE BY NATO. FOR INSTANCE, THE BOSTON GLOBE POINTS TO WHAT IT CALLS A "PATTERN OF CRIMES" BY MR. MILOSEVIC.

VOICE: LAST WEEK'S MASSACRE OF ALBANIAN VILLAGERS IN KOSOVO CONFIRMS THE MILOSEVIC PATTERN OF BELLICOSE ACTION, DIPLOMATIC ACCORDS, AND BROKEN PLEDGES....NATO MUST CONFRONT (MR.) MILOSEVIC WITH AN ULTIMATUM: STOP THE CARNAGE OR SERB MILITARY TARGETS WILL BE BOMBED. /// OPT /// BUT THE MASSACRE IN RACAK ALSO DEMONSTRATES THAT THE UNARMED OSCE MONITORS ARE NOT ABLE TO KEEP THE PEACE. THEY OUGHT TO BE REPLACED WITH A LARGE FORCE OF ARMED NATO TROOPS, A CONTINGENT POTENT ENOUGH TO DETER BOTH THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY AND THEIR SERB ANTAGONISTS. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: WHILE THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE PONDERS THE ROLE OF NATO IN KOSOVO, THE NEWSPAPER ALSO SEES AN OPENING FOR EUROPEANS TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN THE REGION.

VOICE: THERE HAS BEEN MUCH TALK LATELY OF A SEPARATE EUROPEAN FORCE WITHIN NATO TO TAKE ON MISSIONS THAT THE U-S MAY BE UNWILLING TO JOIN. AND LAST FALL, AFTER AMERICAN ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE NEGOTIATED THE KOSOVO CEASEFIRE, SOME EUROPEANS ACTUALLY HARRUMPHED (COMPLAINED) THAT AMERICA HADN'T KEPT THEM ADEQUATELY INFORMED. 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 10,000 TROOPS AT RISK IN BOSNIA, WHERE WE HAVE NO REAL NATIONAL INTEREST.

TEXT: THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR IS ASKING BOTH SIDES IN THE KOSOVO FIGHTING TO END THE BLOODSHED AND RETURN TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, THE PAPER WRITES, MUST MAKE THAT HOPE TO A REALITY.

VOICE: GUERRILLAS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY (K-L-A), REARMED AND BETTER ORGANIZED, HAVE PERSISTENTLY SNIPED AT THE YUGOSLAV (I.E., SERB) FORCES, KILLING SOME, TAKING OTHERS HOSTAGE. AT THE SAME TIME, (MR.) MILOSEVIC'S TROOPS HAVE RETURNED TO KOSOVO IN FORCE, VIOLATING THE OCTOBER PACT. THEY ARE DETERMINED, APPARENTLY, TO AVENGE K-L-A ATTACKS ON THEIR COMRADES. THE STAGE IS SET FOR EXCESSES OF VIOLENCE AND CRUELTY ON THE SCALE OF BOSNIA. BUT FIRM INTERNATIONAL ACTION MUST PREVENT THAT.

TEXT: DIFFERENCES IN NATO, WARNS THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, SHOULD NOT PREVENT THE ALLIANCE FROM TAKING ACTION IN KOSOVO. THE PAPER ARGUES THAT, DESPITE ANY INTERNAL DIFFERENCES, NATO MUST MAKE GOOD ON ITS THREAT TO USE FORCE IN KOSOVO.

VOICE: /// OPT /// (MR.) MILOSEVIC THINKS HE CAN GET AWAY WITH MURDER IN KOSOVO BECAUSE OF DIVISIONS WITHIN NATO. /// END OPT

BUT DURING THE MONTH IN WHICH MR. LE PEN HAS HEAPED INSULTS ON HIS OPPONENTS, MR. MEGRET HAS BEEN GATHERING MORE SUPPORT FROM PARTY OFFICIALS. EVEN ONE OF MR. LE PEN'S THREE DAUGHTERS WAS AMONG THE FIRST TO JOIN THE REBELS.

A PARIS COURT HAS REFUSED MR. LE PEN'S DEMAND THAT MR. MEGRET BE STOPPED BY LAW FROM USING THE NAME OF HIS PARTY. BUT THE NATIONAL-FRONT FOUNDER CAN STILL DRAW SOME COMFORT FROM OPINION POLLS THAT INDICATE MR. LE PEN IS MORE POPULAR THAN HIS RIVAL AMONG ORDINARY VOTERS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JN/RAE/GE
22-Jan-99 12:29 PM EST (1729 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] FRANCE ISLAMISTS TRIAL (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: A PARIS COURT FRIDAY ACQUITTED NEARLY ONE-QUARTER OF 138 DEFENDANTS ACCUSED OF BEING ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS IN A TRIAL THAT OPENED LAST SEPTEMBER. THE DECISION ADDS TO THE EMBARRASSMENT OF A FRENCH ANTI-TERRORIST SERVICE THAT IS UNDER FIRE FOR OVERREACTING AND PRODUCING ONLY MEAGER RESULTS. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: THE THREE MAIN DEFENDANTS IN THE TRIAL WERE EACH GIVEN SENTENCES OF EIGHT YEARS IN JAIL FOR THEIR ROLE IN RUNNING A LOGISTICS NETWORK FOR ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS FIGHTING THE GOVERNMENT IN ALGERIA.

BUT ANOTHER 31 OF THE 138 ON TRIAL WERE ACQUITTED ON ALL CHARGED. ANOTHER 20 HAD CHARGES OF KNOWINGLY BELONGING TO A TERRORIST GROUP DISMISSED.

THE MAINLY NORTH AFRICAN DEFENDANTS WERE ACCUSED OF OBTAINING AND TRANSPORTING ARMS AND EXPLOSIVES FOR TERRORIST GROUPS IN ALGERIA. THE TRIAL, HELD FOR SECURITY REASONS IN A PRISON GYMNASIUM JUST OUTSIDE PARIS, SHOULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR COURT CASES IN FRANCE IN MODERN TIMES. HOWEVER, FROM THE SECOND DAY OF HEARINGS, MANY OF THE DEFENDANTS REFUSED TO APPEAR IN COURT. SO DID MANY OF THE 120 FRENCH LAWYERS REPRESENTING THEM. THEY ARGUED THAT THE SECTION OF THE PARIS PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE HANDLING TERRORIST AFFAIRS HAD OVERSTEPPED THE MARK AND HAD ROUNDED UP FAR TOO MANY SUSPECTS.

THIS VIEW WAS GIVEN SOME JUSTIFICATION BY THE JUDGES, WHO DID NOT HEED THE PROSECUTION'S CALL TO GIVE ALLEGED RING LEADERS 10-YEAR-JAIL TERMS.

A WEEK AGO, ANOTHER COURT DISMISSED CHARGES AGAINST ILICH RAMIREZ SANCHEZ, THE VENEZUELAN BETTER KNOWN AS "CARLOS," FOR BOMBING A PARIS CAFE IN 1974. THE COURT CRITICIZED THE CASE DRAWN UP BY MR. BRUGUIERE. IN PRACTICAL TERMS FOR CARLOS, THIS MEANS LITTLE SINCE HE IS ALREADY SERVING A LIFE SENTENCE IN A FRENCH JAIL FOR THE MURDER OF TWO FRENCH SECURITY AGENTS.

MR. BRUGUIERE HAS ALSO BEEN RECEIVING UNFAVORABLE PUBLICITY BECAUSE HIS ANTI-TERRORIST UNIT HAS FAILED TO FIND THE KILLERS OF THE MAIN FRENCH GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE ON THE MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND OF CORSICA, WHO WAS ASSASSINATED LAST FEBRUARY.

IN THAT CASE, MR. BRUGUIERE AND TWO FELLOW INVESTIGATING MAGISTRATES HAVE THEMSELVES BEEN QUESTIONED OVER ILLEGAL LEAKS TO THE MEDIA. EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE FAMILY OF THE DEAD CORSICAN PREFECT CLAUDE ERIGNAC APPEALED FOR AN END TO QUARRELS BETWEEN THE INVESTIGATORS AND FOR NEW EFFORTS TO FIND THE MURDERERS.

ADDING TO THE PROBLEMS HAS BEEN A NEW REPORT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS FEDERATION, ALLEGING THAT THE FRENCH ANTI-TERRORIST SERVICE ABUSES ITS POWERS. THE FEDERATION ACCUSED MR. BRUGUIERE OF INDULGING IN SPECTACULAR BUT INEFFECTIVE OPERATIONS THAT PUT THE RIGHTS OF THE CITIZEN AT RISK. /// END OPT /// (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/PCF/GE
22-Jan-99 10:57 AM EST (1557 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[14] RUSSIA / OCALAN (L) BY EVE CONANT (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY IS DENYING REPORTS THAT KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN IS HIDING IN RUSSIA. V-O-A'S EVE CONANT BRINGS US MORE DETAILS FROM MOSCOW.

TEXT: FOR SEVERAL DAYS THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT HAS REFUSED TO DISCUSS MEDIA REPORTS THAT ABDULLAH OCALAN IS IN HIDING AT AN AIR BASE IN RUSSIA AND IS ENROUTE TO BELARUS. BUT AT A NEWS CONFERENCE FRIDAY, RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV DENOUNCED THE WIDESPREAD RUMORS.

HE SAYS -- UNDER THE PRIME MINISTER'S ORDERS, COMPETENT RUSSIAN SERVICES CONDUCTED A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION. I CAN TELL YOU OFFICIALLY THAT OCALAN IS NOT ON RUSSIAN TERRITORY.

THE FOREIGN MINISTER DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER COMMENTS. MR. OCALAN IS HEAD OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, THE P-K-K, WHICH HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR AUTONOMY FROM TURKEY FOR 14 YEARS. TURKISH AUTHORITIES SAY ABDULLAH OCALAN IS A TERRORIST RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS OF MORE THAN 30-THOUSAND PEOPLE AND WANT HIM HANDED OVER.

TURKISH INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES HAVE REPORTED THAT MR. OCALAN IS IN RUSSIA, BUT SAY THEY DO NOT KNOW HIS EXACT WHEREABOUTS. THE KURDISH LEADER IS KNOWN TO HAVE ARRIVED IN ITALY FROM RUSSIA ON NOVEMBER 12TH.

BUT TURKISH PRIME MINISTER BULENT ECEVIT HAS CITED WHAT HE DESCRIBES AS -- EXTREMELY RELIABLE SOURCES -- WHICH REPORT MR. OCALAN LEFT ITALY TO RETURN TO RUSSIA MORE THAN A WEEK AGO. TURKISH AUTHORITIES SAY MR. OCALAN MAY BE TRAVELING TO EITHER AZERBAIJAN OR BELARUS.

RUSSIAN NEWSPAPERS REPORT THE KURDISH LEADER IS OPTIMISTIC MOSCOW WILL SUPPORT THE KURDISH FIGHT FOR AUTONOMY, AS IT HAD IN SOVIET TIMES.

BUT DURING A MEETING IN KAZAKHSTAN EARLIER THIS WEEK, RUSSIA'S PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV PROMISED TURKISH LEADERS THAT RUSSIA WILL NOT ALLOW ABDULLAH OCALAN TO STAY WITHIN RUSSIAN BORDERS. (SIGNED)
NEB/EC/RAE/RRM
22-Jan-99 12:39 PM EST (1739 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[15] SLOVAKIA/NATO (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: SLOVAKIA'S NEW FOREIGN MINISTER, EDUARD KUKAN, WAS IN WASHINGTON FRIDAY WHERE HE MET WITH SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT AND EMPHASIZED HIS GOVERNMENT'S DETERMINATION TO GAIN ENTRY INTO NATO. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS.

TEXT: MRS. ALBRIGHT PRAISED SLOVAKIA'S NEW CENTRIST GOVERNMENT FOR BEING ON THE RIGHT TRACK. DURING A 30 MINUTE MEETING, SHE TOLD MR. KUKAN THAT SLOVAKIA IS ON ITS WAY TO RECLAIMING ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE AS A FULL PARTNER WITH WESTERN NATIONS. WHILE SAYING NO EARLY INVITATION TO JOIN NATO IS LIKELY, SHE SAID IF REFORMS CONTINUE SLOVAKIA IS A STRONG CANDIDATE FOR EVENTUAL MEMBERSHIP.

MR. KUKAN SPOKE OF THE NEW FACE OF SLOVAKIA SINCE SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS BROUGHT A DISPARATE COALITION TO POWER REPLACING THE AUTHORITARIAN, PRO-RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT OF VLADIMIR MECIAR. MR. KUKAN, WHO WAS SLOVAK FOREIGN MINISTER IN 1994, SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT IS PRO-WESTERN AND HAS AS ITS PRIORITY GAINING MEMBERSHIP IN NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. STRATEGICALLY PLACED IN CENTRAL EUROPE, SLOVAKIA WAS PASSED OVER WHEN ITS NEIGHBORS, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, HUNGARY AND POLAND WERE ASKED TO BE THE FIRST FORMER SOVIET BLOC COUNTRIES TO JOIN NATO.

IN AN APPEARANCE AT THE INTERNATIONAL REPUBLICAN INSTITUTE, MR. KUKAN APPEALED FOR WESTERN FOREIGN INVESTMENT. HE SAID SLOVAKIA WILL BROADEN ITS MILITARY COOPERATION WITH THE WEST AND BEHAVE AS IF IT IS A NATO MEMBER. HE SAID THE POPULAR ELECTION OF A NEW STATE PRESIDENT IN MAY SHOULD PUT TO REST FEARS THAT SLOVAKIA IS NOT YET POLITICALLY STABLE. MR. KUKAN WAS ASKED IF MR. MECIAR WILL BE A CANDIDATE.

I THINK HE WILL NOT ENTER THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE. I WOULD BE GLAD IF HE RUNS BECAUSE I AM SURE HE WOULD LOSE. AND THAT WOULD BE HIS FINAL BLOW.

MR. KUKAN SAYS THE NEW GOVERNMENT HAS INHERITED ECONOMIC PROBLEMS FAR WORSE THAN EXPECTED. HE SAID FORMER PRIME MINISTER MECIAR TREATED RUSSIA VERY FAVORABLY AND THERE ARE SUSPICIONS THAT HE SIGNED SECRET MILITARY OR INTELLIGENCE AGREEMENTS WITH MOSCOW. SO FAR, HE SAYS, NO EVIDENCE OF THAT HAS BEEN FOUND BUT THAT INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/PT
22-Jan-99 6:04 PM EST (2304 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (FRIDAY) AS TRADERS CONTINUED TO WORRY ABOUT ECONOMIC PROBLEMS IN BRAZIL. V-O-A BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 91 HUNDRED 20, DOWN 143 POINTS, OR ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST 220 POINTS, OR MORE THAN TWO PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 12 HUNDRED 25, DOWN NINE POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY THERE WAS CONTINUED CONCERN ABOUT THE ECONOMIC SITUATION IN BRAZIL. SOURCES SAID THE BRAZILIAN CENTRAL BANK SPENT AT LEAST 100 MILLION DOLLARS IN HARD CURRENCY RESERVES IN AN EFFORT TO HALT THE SLIDE OF THE BRAZILIAN REAL.

I-B-M WAS A BIG DRAG ON THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE. THE STOCK OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST COMPUTER COMPANY FELL SEVEN PERCENT. I-B-M REPORTED BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED QUARTERLY EARNINGS, BUT REVENUES SLOWED, ALARMING MANY ANALYSTS.

BUT MANY INTERNET-RELATED STOCKS, WHICH SOLD OFF HEAVILY ON THURSDAY, ATTRACTED SOME BARGAIN HUNTERS.

TED WEISSBERG OF THE SEAPORT SECURITIES COMPANY, SAYS THE MOVEMENT OF INTERNET STOCKS HAS A STRONG PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT ON MANY INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS.

THE PUBLIC IS MESMERIZED AND COMPLETELY FOCUSED ON THE INTERNET STOCKS, AND WHEN THEY DO BETTER IT SORT OF MAKES EVERYBODY FEEL BETTER. CONVERSELY, WHEN THEY GET SMACKED AROUND (FALL) A LITTLE BIT, IT SEEMS TO PUT A BLANKET (I.E. HAS A BAD EFFECT) OVER EVERYTHING.

MARATHON OIL, U-S STEEL'S SISTER COMPANY, ALSO REPORTED A STEEP PROFIT DROP BECAUSE OF LOW OIL PRICES. MARATHON'S EARNINGS WERE WELL BELOW EXPECTATIONS AND THE STOCK DROPPED BY THREE PERCENT.

SOURCES SAY THAT TWO U-S AIRLINES, AMERICAN AND CONTINENTAL, ARE NEGOTIATING TO BUY A MAJORITY INTEREST IN AEROPERU, PERU'S NATIONAL AIRLINE. THE CARRIER IS IN FINANCIAL TROUBLE AND IS IN NEED OF CAPITAL, WHICH THE PERUVIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL NOT PROVIDE. CALDOR, THE AMERICAN DISCOUNT STORE CHAIN, SAYS IT WILL ABANDON EFFORTS TO EMERGE FROM BANKRUPTCY LAW PROTECTION AND PLANS TO SHUT ALL 145 STORES WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. CALDOR'S DEATH WILL MEAN THE LOSS OF 20 THOUSAND JOBS.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/GE
22-Jan-99 5:11 PM EST (2211 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[17] BRITAIN PINOCHET (L-ONLY) BY CHRISTINE FURNELL (LONDON)

INTRO: LAWYERS SEEKING THE EXTRADITION OF FORMER CHILEAN LEADER AUGUSTO PINOCHET TO SPAIN MADE THEIR FINAL PRESENTATIONS BEFORE BRITAIN'S HIGHEST COURT, THE HOUSE OF LORDS. THE HEARING IS ADJOURNED UNTIL MONDAY. AS VOA'S CHRISTINE FURNELL HAS BEEN MONITORING THE PROCEEDINGS THIS WEEK AND REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: AT THE END OF THE PROSECUTION CASE, LAWYERS SEEKING MR. PINOCHET'S EXTRADITION TO SPAIN ON GENOCIDE CHARGES SAID SUCH CRIMES ARE THE CONCERN OF THE ENTIRE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND DENIED THEY WERE INTERFERING WITH CHILE'S SOVEREIGNTY.

THE HEARING, WHICH BEGAN ON MONDAY, HAS ATTRACTED INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION AND HAS BEEN ATTENDED BY HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS, RELATIVES OF ALLEGED VICTIMS AND PINOCHET SUPPORTERS.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL WERE AMONG TRIAL OBSERVERS THIS WEEK AND MADE A PRESENTATION TO THE COURT LATE THURSDAY. THE GROUP'S LAWYER, IAN BROWNLIE, SAID BRITAIN'S 1978 STATE IMMUNITY ACT DOES NOT PROVIDE ANYONE WITH EXEMPTION FROM PROSECUTION FOR ACTS OF TORTURE, MURDER AND KIDNAPPING.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL HAS BEEN A KEY PLAYER IN BRINGING CHARGES AGAINST MR. PINOCHET. SPOKESMAN SORAYA BERMEJO EXPRESSED OPTIMISM THAT MR. PINOCHET WILL NOT BE GRANTED IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION.

WE HOPE THAT THE PANEL OF LAW LORDS WILL LISTEN TO OUR ARGUMENT, WHICH WE FEEL IS A VERY STRONG ONE. INTERNATIONAL LEGISLATION IS UNEQUIVOCAL IN THIS SENSE, BOTH CHILE AND THE U-K HAVE SIGNED THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE WHICH SPECIFIES THAT THIS KIND DOES NOT ENJOY IMMUNITY. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER THE PERSON ACCUSED IS A FORMER HEAD OF STATE. OUR POINT IS THAT HE SHOULD BE TRIED FOR CASES OF TORTURE AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY AND THAT THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO GRANT HIM IMMUNITY UNDER UK OR INTERNATIONAL LEGISLATION.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL FIGURED PROMINENTLY IN THE CURRENT HEARINGS BEFORE BRITAIN'S LAW LORDS. AFTER A HEARING LAST NOVEMBER IN WHICH THE LAW LORDS RULED MR. PINOCHET COULD BE EXTRADITED, IT WAS REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE JUDGES WAS ASSOCIATED WITH AMNESTY. THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST RESULTED IN THE NEW ROUND OF HEARINGS.

SPAIN ACCUSES MR. PINOCHET OF COMMITTING CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY AND HAS ORDERED HIS EXTRADITION FROM BRITAIN UNDER AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT.

PROSECUTION LAWYERS ARE ALSO ALLEGING THE 83-YEAR-OLD GENERAL ORDERED THE TORTURE OF POLITICAL ENEMIES BEFORE HE ASSUMED THE POST OF HEAD OF STATE. NEWS AGENCIES FRIDAY REPORTED THAT BRITAIN'S FOREIGN OFFICE SENT A LETTER TO THE LAW LORDS SAYING THERE WAS AN 11-DAY GAP BETWEEN THE TIME THE PINOCHET MILITARY JUNTA SEIZED POWER IN 1973 AND LONDON GRANTED FORMAL RECOGNITION. LEGAL ANALYSTS SAY THIS PERIOD IN WHICH GENERAL PINOCHET WAS NOT RECOGNIZED AS HEAD OF STATE COULD BE USED TO COUNTER THE ARGUMENT THAT HE WAS ENTITLED TO ANY IMMUNITY AT THAT TIME FOR CRIMES ALLEGEDLY COMMITTED.

WHEN THE HEARING RESUMES MONDAY, MR. PINOCHET'S LAWYERS WILL PRESENT THEIR CASE. THEY'RE EXPECTED TO ARGUE THAT AS A FORMER HEAD OF STATE, HE IS IMMUNE FROM PROSECUTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/CEF/PCF
22-Jan-99 11:39 AM EST (1639 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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