Voice of America, 99-01-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] CLINTON / KOSOVO (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

[02] KOSOVO / CONTACT GROUP UPDATE BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[03] KOSOVO FIGHTING (S-ONLY) (CQ) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

[04] KOSOVO MILITARY BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[05] KOSOVO-INTERNAL REFUGEES BY GIL BUTLER (DRAMNJAK, KOSOVO)

[06] KOSOVO/CONTACT GROUP (S HOLDING) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[07] KOSOVO/CONTACT GROUP UPDATE BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[08] TURKEY/KURDS (L-O) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

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

[10] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY NELSON BROWN (WASHINGTON)

[01] CLINTON / KOSOVO (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS WELCOMING A CONTACT GROUP PROPOSAL TO END THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO, AND VOWED NATO WOULD BACK THE PLAN WITH FORCE, IF NECESSARY. V-O-A'S DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: SPEAKING AT A WHITE HOUSE EVENT FRIDAY, MR. CLINTON WARNED THE PARTIES TO THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO THAT NATO IS PREPARED TO USE AIRSTRIKES TO END THE FIGHTING IF THE CONTACT GROUP PEACE PLAN DOES NOT SUCCEED.

OUR GOAL IS NOT MERELY TO RESPOND TO THE RECENT ATROCITIES IN KOSOVO, BUT TO HELP RESOLVE THE CONFLICT SO THE VIOLENCE CAN END FOR GOOD. THE CONTACT GROUP HAS NOW APPROVED THE TERMS OF AN INTERIM AGREEMENT TO DO JUST THAT, BY PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF ALL THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO, AND GIVING THEM THE SELF-GOVERNMENT THEY CLEARLY DESERVE. BOTH SIDES NOW HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STOP A WAR THAT NEITHER SIDE CAN WIN, AND TO START BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE BY PEACEFUL MEANS.

UNDER THE CONTACT GROUP PLAN -- ANNOUNCED IN LONDON -- THE PARTIES ARE TO BEGIN PEACE TALKS BY NEXT FRIDAY, AND COME TO AN AGREEMENT TWO WEEKS LATER.

THE CONTACT GROUP ALSO DEMANDED A RETURN TO A CEASEFIRE REACHED LAST OCTOBER, AND ACCESS TO KOSOVO BY THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL.

THE UNITED STATES HAS SAID IT WOULD CONSIDER CONTRIBUTING PEACEKEEPERS TO AN INTERNATIONAL MONITORING FORCE IN KOSOVO AFTER A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IS REACHED, BUT WOULD RULE OUT SENDING GROUND TROOPS THERE DURING THE CONFLICT. (SIGNED)
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29-Jan-99 12:01 PM EST (1701 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO / CONTACT GROUP UPDATE BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: AMID REPORTS OF CONTINUED FIGHTING IN KOSOVO, THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP ON YUGOSLAVIA HAS SUMMONED YUGOSLAV AND SERB AUTHORITIES, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO START PEACE NEGOTIATIONS IN FRANCE BY FEBRUARY SIXTH OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY WILL DELIVER THE SUMMONS SATURDAY IN BELGRADE AND PRISTINA.

TEXT: FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS THE CONTACT GROUP IS DEMANDING RESULTS FROM THE PEACE TALKS WITHIN THREE WEEKS. HE WILL DELIVER THE MESSAGE IN PERSON.

I WILL MAKE IT PERFECTLY PLAIN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY EXPECTS A POSITIVE RESPONSE. SHOULD IT BE A NEGATIVE RESPONSE, WE WILL, OF COURSE, MEET AGAIN AND CONSIDER ALL THE MEASURES THAT MAY THEN BE AVAILABLE TO US.

THE CONTACT GROUP ALSO DEMANDS ADHERENCE TO THE OCTOBER CEASEFIRE AND ACCESS TO KOSOVO FOR INVESTIGATORS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL.

THE TALKS ARE SET TO BEGIN BY NEXT FRIDAY IN A PARIS SUBURB, WITH A ONE-WEEK DEADLINE FOR RESULTS. THE PROPOSAL INCLUDES THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES AND SUBSTANTIAL AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO PROVINCE. (SIGNED)
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29-Jan-99 6:59 AM EST (1159 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO FIGHTING (S-ONLY) (CQ) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES SAY THEY KILLED 20 KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY GUERRILLAS WHO THEY SAY ATTACKED POLICE IN THE VILLAGE OF ROGOVO IN THE WEST OF KOSOVO. VOA'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE ON THE STORY FROM THE CAPITAL OF KOSOVO, PRISTINA.

TEXT: ACCORDING TO THE OFFICIAL SERB VERSION, A 21-YEAR-OLD POLICEMAN WAS KILLED EARLY FRIDAY MORNING WHEN K-L-A GUERRILLAS ATTACKED. THE REPORT SAYS POLICE FIRED BACK AND KILLED ABOUT 20. LATER, THE OFFICIAL SERBIAN REPORT SAYS, 10 POLICE OFFICERS ENTERED ROGOVA TO ARREST THE K-L-A FIGHTERS, WHO WERE HIDING IN ONE OF THE VILLAGE HOUSES.

IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, SERB BORDER GUARDS SAY THEY STOPPED A LARGE GROUP OF ARMED ALBANIANS AND KILLED ONE MEMBER OF THE GROUP.

THE VIOLENCE COMES AS BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK PREPARES TO DELIVER AN ULTIMATUM TO BOTH SIDES TO STOP FIGHTING AND START NEGOTIATING WITHIN A WEEK. (SIGNED)
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29-Jan-99 11:33 AM EST (1633 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO MILITARY BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE LEADERS OF SEVERAL NATO NATIONS ARE DISCUSSING SENDING TROOPS TO KOSOVO TO HELP ENFORCE PEACE BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA AND KOSOVAR REBELS. TALK OF THE POSSIBLE TROOP DEPLOYMENT FOLLOWS WARNINGS THAT NATO PLANES MIGHT STRIKE YUGOSLAV TARGETS IF THE TWO SIDES REFUSE TO START PEACE TALKS. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE CONSIDERING ANY TROOP DEPLOYMENT WITH GREAT CAUTION.

TEXT: WHILE FRENCH AND BRITISH LEADERS HAVE SAID THEY WILL CONSIDER SENDING THOUSANDS OF GROUND TROOPS TO HELP BRING PEACE TO TROUBLED KOSOVO, U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL NOT SEND AMERICAN TROOPS INTO KOSOVO UNTIL THERE IS A PEACE AGREEMENT TO ENFORCE. IF A PEACE AGREEMENT IS REACHED, U-S OFFICIALS SAY, THEY WILL THEN TALK OVER TROOP DEPLOYMENTS WITH EUROPEAN ALLIES AND THE U-S CONGRESS.

SOME U-S LAWMAKERS SHARE THE ADMINISTRATION'S RELUCTANCE TO COMMIT U-S TROOPS AND EXPRESS AN UNWILLINGNESS TO SEND AMERICAN TROOPS INTO A DANGEROUS AREA THAT IS NOT VITAL TO U-S NATIONAL INTERESTS.

BUT NOT ALL LAWMAKERS ARE OPPOSED TO SENDING U-S TROOPS. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, JOHN WARNER, SAYS WITHOUT GROUND TROOPS, ANY PEACE ACHIEVED BY DIPLOMACY OR THREATENED NATO AIR STRIKES MIGHT BE VERY BRIEF.

I THINK A NATO FORCE WOULD HAVE TO BE PUT IN ON THE GROUND, WITH A U-S ELEMENT AS A PART OF THAT FORCE.

SENATOR WARNER SAYS THE TROOPS WOULD STABILIZE THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO AND ALLOW DIPLOMATS, THE UNITED NATIONS AND NON- GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS TO RECONCILE THE WARRING FACTIONS. UNDERSECRETARY OF DEFENSE WALT SLOCOMBE SAYS AMERICAN SECURITY OFFICIALS ARE DISCUSSING THE IDEA, BUT HAVE NOT MADE ANY DECISION TO SEND TROOPS.

A SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL SAYS THE U-S MILITARY WANTS CLEAR, ACHIEVABLE MILITARY GOALS BEFORE IT DEPLOYS U-S TROOPS TO KOSOVO. THE OFFICER SAYS THE MILITARY LEADERSHIP IS RELUCTANT TO TACKLE NON-MILITARY TASKS IN KOSOVO AND FEARS THAT A DEPLOYMENT COULD GO ON FOR YEARS.

THE COMMENTS BY U-S DEFENSE OFFICIALS COME AT A TIME WHEN TOP MILITARY OFFICERS SAY THEY HAVE TOO MANY COMMITMENTS, TOO FEW TROOPS AND TOO LITTLE MONEY. MEANTIME, NATO OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE UPDATED PLANS FOR BOMBING CAMPAIGNS FOCUSED ON KOSOVO. ALLIANCE OFFICIALS SAY NATO PLANES COULD STRIKE SERB TARGETS ANYWHERE IN YUGOSLAVIA. THEY HAVE ASSEMBLED A FORCE OF 250 PLANES AND A NUMBER OF SHIPS CLOSE TO YUGOSLAVIA. A 1995 NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN IS CREDITED WITH HELPING END THE WAR IN BOSNIA BY INCREASING MILITARY PRESSURE ON THE SERBS. IN THAT CASE, NATO BOMBS AND MISSILES STRUCK KEY AIR DEFENSE FACILITIES, COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, AS WELL AS FORCES AND WEAPONS DEPLOYED IN THE FIELD. NATO OFFICIALS SAY A NEW CAMPAIGN WOULD FOLLOW A SIMILAR OUTLINE, AND BE AIMED AT PRESSURING BOTH SIDES TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS.

U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS NATO WILL HAVE TO TAKE A BALANCED APPROACH AND DO WHAT IT CAN TO PRESSURE THE SERBS. AS WELL AS THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, KNOWN BY ITS INITIALS, IN ALBANIAN, AS THE U-C-K.

WE DON'T INTEND TO BE AN AIR FORCE FOR THE U-C-K. WE BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE AN AGREEMENT DEALING WITH PROVIDING GREATER AUTONOMY FOR THE KOSOVARS, BUT HAVE NOT SUPPORTED THEIR DRIVE FOR INDEPENDENCE. SO IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE COMPLIANCE ON BOTH SIDES, NOT JUST ONE.

BALKAN EXPERTS SAY MOST OF THE ARMS USED BY U-C-K ARE SMUGGLED INTO KOSOVO FROM ALBANIA. NATO OFFICIALS SAY PATROLS BY ALLIANCE SHIPS AND TROOPS COULD HURT THE U-C-K FORCES BY BLOCKING THE SMUGGLERS WHO KEEP THEM SUPPLIED WITH WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION. A LACK OF VITAL MILITARY SUPPLIES COULD PRESSURE THE K-L-A INTO JOINING THEIR RIVALS AT PEACE TALKS. (SIGNED)
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29-Jan-99 5:10 PM EST (2210 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO-INTERNAL REFUGEES BY GIL BUTLER (DRAMNJAK, KOSOVO)

INTRO: KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS, AS WELL AS ITS MINORITY SERB POPULATION, HAVE BEEN UPROOTED REPEATEDLY DURING ALMOST A YEAR OF FIGHTING TOUCHED OFF BY A SERBIAN OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY -- THE K-L-A. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER VISITED A KOSOVO VILLAGE THAT HAS TAKEN IN HUNDREDS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE.

TEXT: DRAMNJAK SPRAWLS ALONG AN ICY ROAD IN THE SNOW-COVERED HILLS ABOUT AN HOUR'S DRIVE FROM PRISTINA. ONE OF ITS NEIGHBORING VILLAGES -- RACEK -- WAS THE SCENE OF A MASSACRE THAT KILLED 45 ETHNIC ALBANIANS EARLIER THIS MONTH.

THE RESULT HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF INTERNAL REFUGEES, NOT ONLY FROM RACEK, BUT FROM OTHER VILLAGES WHOSE RESIDENTS FLED THE FIGHTING. THEY ARE NOT IN CAMPS -- INSTEAD, THE VILLAGE HAS FOUND HOMES FOR THEM.

SEFER MUHADINI IS IN CHARGE OF THE MOTHER TERESA ORGANIZATION IN DRAMNJAK. HE SAYS, THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, THAT THE LAST OF THE FLOUR HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO ALBANIANS WHO ARE SHELTERING IN DRAMNJAK.

AT THE MOMENT WE HAVE MORE THAN 700 REFUGEES IN OUR VILLAGE.

HE SAYS HIS ORGANIZATION WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR NEIGHBORS AS LONG AS THEY ARE HERE IN DRAMNJAK.

IT COULD BE A LONG TIME. MANY OF THEM -- PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ESCAPED THE HORROR OF RACEK -- ARE NOT AT ALL READY TO GO BACK HOME AS LONG AS SERB SECURITY FORCES ARE IN THE REGION.

HE SAYS WITHOUT AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE GUARANTEEING THEIR SAFETY, THEY WILL STILL BE AFRAID TO GO HOME. SOME -- LIKE A YOUNG GIRL NAMED MERITA WHO ESCAPED WITH HER FAMILY FROM RACEK -- WANT TO GO HOME, SOMETIME.

WHEN DO YOU THINK YOU WILL GO BACK TO RACEK? (ALBANIAN) WHEN IT IS FREE.

MERITA AND THE OTHER REFUGEE CHILDREN ATTEND SCHOOL IN DRAMNJAK ALONG WITH THE NATIVE CHILDREN OF THE VILLAGE.

TODAY IS THE DAY AT THE SCHOOL FOR THE TWICE-MONTHLY MEDICAL CLINIC OPERATED BY THE CHARITY CALLED THE I-M-C -- THE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS. WOMEN WITH TINY BABIES, CHILDREN WITH INFLUENZA ARE WAITING IN THE HALLWAY TO CONSULT A DOCTOR. LAURA BOWMAN OF THE I-M-C SAYS KOSOVO'S REFUGEES DIFFER FROM OTHERS IN THE WORLD.

THERE IS A REALLY GOOD ABILITY FOR FAMILIES TO HELP EACH OTHER, VERSUS IN OTHER SITUATIONS SOMETIMES REFUGEES END UP IN COLLECTIVE CENTERS. HERE THE COMMUNITIES ARE VERY STRONG AND THEY WELCOME PEOPLE INTO THEIR HOMES. THERE ARE A LOT OF VERY STRONG FAMILY TIES AMONG COMMUNITIES AND SO PEOPLE TEND, FOR THE MOST PART, TO END UP IN SOMEONE'S HOME WHICH IS A BETTER LIVING SITUATION THAN A COLLECTIVE CENTER.

SHE SAYS THE MAIN ILLNESSES THE I-M-C DOCTORS TREAT ARE COLDS, INFLUENZA, AND URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS.

THINGS THAT ARE THE EFFECT, MAYBE, OF SPENDING THE NIGHT OUT IN THE OPEN. OF NOT HAVING ACCESS TO PRIMARY HEALTH CARE FOR A LONG TIME.

FARTHER ALONG THE SNOWY RIDGE OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE WE STOP SABRI RAMOUSA -- HE HAS BEEN DISPLACED THREE SEPARATE TIMES BEFORE ENDING UP IN DRAMNJAK. HE DOES NOT APPEAR VERY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE CHANCES OF A PEACE AGREEMENT.

DESPITE THE HARDSHIPS AND DANGER THE VILLAGERS HAVE BEEN THROUGH, THE CHILDREN ON THIS SNOWY DAY SEEM PERFECTLY NORMAL -- SLIDING DOWN AN ICY MOUND AND THROWING SNOWBALLS. TWO-WEEKS AGO SOME OF THEM WERE FLEEING FOR THEIR LIVES. (SIGNED)
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29-Jan-99 10:48 AM EST (1548 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO/CONTACT GROUP (S HOLDING) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP ON YUGOSLAVIA IS MEETING (EARLY FRIDAY) IN LONDON TO MAP OUT A PEACE PLAN FOR KOSOVO THAT WOULD CALL FOR SELF-RULE FOR THE SERBIAN PROVINCE. THAT CALL WILL BE BACKED BY NATO'S THREAT OF FORCE IF SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS DO NOT AGREE TO START NEGOTIATIONS WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON THAT BRITAIN AND FRANCE SAY THEY WOULD CONSIDER SENDING GROUND TROOPS TO ENFORCE A PEACE AGREEMENT.

TEXT: BEFORE THE MEETING STARTED, BRITAIN'S FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK TOLD BRITISH RADIO THE GROUP WILL SET A DEADLINE FOR NEGOTIATIONS TO BEGIN.

WE WANT THEM TO COME WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK. WE WANT TO SET A TIGHT DEADLINE FOR AGREEMENT AND WE WANT THAT AGREEMENT TO BE BROADLY ON THE PROPOSALS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEVELOPED BY THE CONTACT GROUP.

THOSE PLANS INCLUDE SELF-GOVERNMENT AND FREE ELECTIONS FOR KOSOVO, AND AS MR COOK PUTS IT, A WAY OUT FOR BELGRADE FROM A CONFLICT IT CANNOT WIN. SO FAR, THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS FIGHTING SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO REFUSE TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING LESS THAN FULL INDEPENDENCE. (SIGNED)
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29-Jan-99 4:44 AM EST (0944 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] KOSOVO/CONTACT GROUP UPDATE BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP ON YUGOSLAVIA HAS SUMMONED YUGOSLAV AND SERB AUTHORITIES, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO START PEACE NEGOTIATIONS IN FRANCE BY FEBRUARY SIXTH OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON .

TEXT: FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS THE CONTACT GROUP IS DEMANDING THE TALKS START AND END WITH AN AGREEMENT NOT MORE THAN TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT. HE WILL DELIVER THE MESSAGE IN PERSON TO BELGRADE AND KOSOVO'S PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA.

I WILL MAKE IT PERFECTLY PLAIN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY DOES EXPECT A POSITIVE RESPONSE. SHOULD IT BE A NEGATIVE RESPONSE WE WILL OF COURSE MEET AGAIN AND CONSIDER ALL THE MEASURES THAT MAY THEN BE AVAILABLE TO US.

THE CONTACT GROUP ALSO DEMANDS COMPLIANCE WITH THE OCTOBER CEASEFIRE AND ACCESS TO KOSOVO FOR THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL TO INVESTIGATE THE RECENT MASSACRE OF 45 ETHNIC-ALBANIAN VILLAGERS.

SECRETARY OF STATE MADELINE ALBRIGHT SAYS THE GROUP'S DEMANDS ARE BACKED BY THE CREDIBLE THREAT OF FORCE.

AND WE WILL MAINTAIN THE CREDIBLE THREAT OF FORCE, WHICH HAS PROVEN AGAIN AND AGAIN THE ONLY LANGUAGE THAT PRESIDENT (SLOBODAN) MILOSEVIC UNDERSTANDS.

BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY COOK SAYS BOTH SIDES IN KOSOVO'S CONFLICT HAVE TO REALIZE THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT .

NEITHER SIDE CAN WIN THIS BY WAR. THIS IS NOT A CONFLICT THAT HAS A MILITARY SOLUTION. THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY CANNOT THROW THE YUGOSLAV ARMY OUT OF KOSOVO. AND, EQUALLY, BELGRADE CANNOT WIN A GUERRILLA WAR AGAINST 90-PERCENT OF THE POPULATION. BOTH SIDES NEED THIS POLITICAL PROCESS.

THE CONTACT GROUP'S PROPOSED SETTLEMENT INCLUDES THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES, FREE ELECTIONS FOR KOSOVO AND SUBSTANTIAL AUTONOMY FOR THE SERB PROVINCE. SPECIAL U-S, RUSSIAN, AND EUROPEAN UNION ENVOYS WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP MEDIATE THE NEGOTIATIONS, WHICH ARE TO TAKE PLACE IN A PARIS SUBURB.

PEACE TALKS WERE SUPPOSED TO START THREE-MONTHS AGO AFTER U-S SPECIAL ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE BROKERED THE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT. BUT NO MEETINGS HAVE TAKEN PLACE. SO FAR SERB OFFICIALS HAVE REJECTED THE IDEA OF AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS REFUSE TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING LESS THAN INDEPENDENCE. (SIGNED)
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29-Jan-99 4:29 PM EST (2129 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] TURKEY/KURDS (L-O) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKEY'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR DEMANDED THE CLOSURE OF THE COUNTRY'S MAIN KURDISH PARTY (FRIDAY) ON THE GROUNDS IT IS ACTING AS THE POLITICAL WING OF THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, THE P-K-K. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, THE PROSECUTOR'S DEMANDS COME JUST THREE-MONTHS BEFORE NATIONWIDE PARLIAMENTARY AND MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 18TH.

TEXT: THE CHARGES AGAINST THE PRO-KURDISH "PEOPLE'S DEMOCRACY PARTY," CALLED HADEP, WERE OUTLINED IN A 56-PAGE INDICTMENT THAT WAS PRESENTED BY PROSECUTOR SAVAS TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT MONDAY.

CHARGES BEING LEVELED AGAINST HADEP INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS THE PARTY ACTED AS A RECRUITMENT CENTER FOR REBELS OF THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY. THE PARTY IS ALSO BEING ACCUSED OF PROMOTING SEPARATISM BECAUSE OF A CALENDAR IT PUBLISHED LAST YEAR WHICH FEATURED WHAT TURKISH AUTHORITIES DESCRIBE AS A MAP OF AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE.

HADEP LEADER MURAT BOZLAK IS IN AN ANKARA JAIL AWAITING TRIAL ON CHARGES HE HAS ENCOURAGED KURDISH SEPARATISM IN SEVERAL SPEECHES HE MADE. IN THOSE SPEECHES HE REFERRED TO P-K-K LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN AS A PARTY CHAIRMAN RATHER THAN AS THE TERRORIST THE TURKISH STATES SAYS THAT HE IS.

TURKEY IS TRYING TO TRACK DOWN THE P-K-K LEADER WHO DISAPPEARED FROM ROME THIS MONTH AFTER BEING REFUSED POLITICAL ASYLUM BY THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT. THE P-K-K HAS BEEN WAGING A 14-YEAR CAMPAIGN FOR KURDISH SELF RULE IN TURKEY'S MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST REGION.

SHOULD THE COURT BAN HADEP, IT WILL BECOME THE FOURTH PRO-KURDISH PARTY TO BE SHUT DOWN FOR CHARGES OF PROMOTING KURDISH SEPARATISM AND ACTING AS A FRONT FOR THE P-K-K.

IT REMAINS UNCLEAR WHETHER THE COURT WILL ACT ON MR. SAVAS'S RECOMMENDATION OR WHETHER IT WOULD BE BANNED BEFORE THE APRIL ELECTIONS. HADEP IS HUGELY POPULAR IN THE MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST PROVINCES.

MR. SAVAS WAS ALSO INSTRUMENTAL IN THE BANNING OF THE PRO- ISLAMIC WELFARE PARTY, REFAH, LAST YEAR. THE CLOSURE OF TURKEY'S LARGEST ISLAMIST PARTY DREW SHARP CRITICISM FROM WESTERN GOVERNMENTS. (SIGNED)
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29-Jan-99 11:02 AM EST (1602 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (FRIDAY) TO END A POSITIVE SHOWING FOR JANUARY, SOMETHING MANY WALL STREET VETERANS BELIEVE IS A GOOD OMEN FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 93 HUNDRED 58, UP 77 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 238 POINTS, MORE THAN TWO AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT A RECORD HIGH 12 HUNDRED 79, UP 14 POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT DAY.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED THE U-S ECONOMY GREW AT A FIVE POINT SIX PERCENT ANNUAL RATE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR. THAT WAS WELL AHEAD OF EXPECTATIONS AND THE STRONGEST RATE OF GROWTH IN ALMOST THREE YEARS.

WHEN ONE CONSIDERS THE TURBULANCE THAT WE HAD ABROAD, THIS SHOWS THAT THE CONSUMER SECTOR CONTINUES TO PROVIDE THE BULK OF SUPPORT.

ON THE LAST TRADING DAY OF JANUARY, ALL MAJOR U-S STOCK AVERAGES WERE UP FROM THE FIRST OF THE YEAR AND, ACCORDING TO AN OLD WALL STREET THEORY, THAT IS GOOD NEWS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. IN 45 OF THE PAST 48 YEARS, THE TREND OF STOCKS IN JANUARY HAS BEEN THEIR TREND FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.

THE APPETITE FOR NEW STOCK ISSUES OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES CONTINUES ON WALL STREET. THE STOCK OF TUT SYSTEMS, WHICH MAKES HIGH SPEED DATA TRANSMISSION NETWORKS, SOARED BY MORE THAN 200 PERCENT ON ITS FIRST DAY OF TRADING.

A SURVEY SHOWS WORLDWIDE SALES OF PERSONAL COMPUTERS WERE UP 12 PERCENT LAST YEAR. THE TOP THREE P-C MAKERS, IN TERMS OF SALES VOLUME, WERE COMPAQ, I-B-M AND DELL, ALL BASED IN THE UNITED STATES.(SIGNED)
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29-Jan-99 5:07 PM EST (2207 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY NELSON BROWN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AN EXPECTED ULTIMATUM FROM NATO CONCERNING THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO, A CALL FOR THE UNITED STATES TO "FINISH THE JOB" IN IRAQ, AND NEW HOPE FOR INDONESIA'S EAST TIMOR. THOSE WERE SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED IN FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS IN MAJOR AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS. HERE, WITH THE U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST IS V-O-A'S _______________.

TEXT: NATO AMBASSADORS ARE MEETING IN BRUSSELS SATURDAY TO CONSIDER A MILITARY RESPONSE IF KOSOVO ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES FAIL TO ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL PEACE PROPOSALS WITHIN THREE WEEKS.

AN EDITORIAL IN "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS THE INTENSIFIED PRESSURE FROM NATO MAY BE THE LAST CHANCE FOR PEACE IN THE TROUBLED SERBIAN PROVINCE:

VOICE: THE ULTIMATUM THAT NATO IS DUE TO HAND BOTH SIDES IN THE KOSOVO CONFLICT THIS WEEK COULD BE THE LAST CHANCE TO PREVENT A FULL-SCALE WAR. [TOMORROW] NATO IS LIKELY TO ENDORSE A PLAN TO BOMB SERBIAN TARGETS IF THE SERBIAN LEADER, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, DOES NOT CEASE HOSTILITIES IN KOSOVO AND AGREE TO AN INTERIM PEACE PLAN [IN TWO WEEKS]. IF THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS DO NOT SIGN THE PLAN, NATO WILL IMPOSE AN ARMS BLOCKADE. PEACE STILL REMAINS AGONIZINGLY DISTANT, BUT IT MAY BE CLOSER NOW THAT THE WEST, WITH SOME SUPPORT FROM RUSSIA, HAS COME UP WITH THE RIGHT BALANCE OF DIPLOMACY AND FORCE.

TEXT: /// OPT /// "THE NEW YORK TIMES" GOES ON TO SAY THAT THE PEACE PLAN WOULD HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF ACCEPTANCE BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS IF IT MADE KOSOVO A REPUBLIC WITHIN YUGOSLAVIA, EQUAL TO SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO. /// END OPT ///

ANOTHER NEW YORK PAPER, THE NATIONALLY-CIRCULATED BUSINESS-ORIENTED "WALL STREET JOURNAL" SAYS IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER FULL-SCALE ATTACK ON IRAQI TARGETS TO COMPLETE A TASK BEGUN LAST DECEMBER. THE U-S DEFENSE HEADQUARTERS SAYS U-S AND BRITISH AIR STRIKES AGAINST IRAQI TARGETS IN MID-DECEMBER SET BACK IRAQ'S MISSILE PROGRAM BY AT LEAST TWO YEARS. THE JOURNAL SAYS RESULTING INTERNAL MISGIVINGS ABOUT IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN, AND A HARDENING OF ATTITUDES TOWARDS HIM BY OTHER REGIONAL LEADERS, MAKE THIS A GOOD TIME TO FINISH THE JOB:

VOICE: CLEARLY SADDAM IS INCREASINGLY DESPERATE, AND JUST AS CLEARLY HIS OVERTHROW SHOULD BE THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS OF U-S SECURITY POLICY. THE DECEMBER RAIDS SHOW THAT AMERICAN AND BRITISH PLANNERS ARE LEARNING HOW MODERN WEAPONS CAN INFLICT MILITARY DAMAGE WITHOUT DEVASTATING CIVILIAN POPULATIONS. THIS SHOWS SIGNS OF WORKING, AND IS SURELY WORTH TRYING SOME MORE.

TEXT: /// OPT /// THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL" ALSO SAYS PRESIDENT CLINTON MIGHT HAVE HAD BETTER RESULTS IF HE HAD LAUNCHED THE ATTACK IN NOVEMBER, AS FIRST PLANNED. THE PAPER SAYS THE DELAY GAVE SADDAM A CHANCE TO SUPPRESS AN INCIPIENT UPRISING OF REGULAR TROOPS. /// END OPT ///

MOVING TO EAST ASIAN ISSUES, THE "BOSTON GLOBE" WELCOMES AN INDONESIAN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT IT IS PREPARING TO OFFER INDEPENDENCE TO EAST TIMOR, THE TERRITORY INDONESIA INVADED IN 1975 AND ANNEXED IN 1976. AN EDITORIAL SAYS THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS A WELCOME SIGN THAT THE LONG NIGHTMARE OF THE TIMORESE PEOPLE MAY BE ABOUT TO END:

VOICE: INDONESIA'S REPRESSIVE OCCUPATION OF EAST TIMOR HAS TAKEN A TERRIBLE TOLL. HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS ESTIMATE THAT 200-THOUSAND PEOPLE WERE WIPED OUT -- MORE THAN A QUARTER OF THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION. IF INDONESIAN OFFICIALS ARE SINCERE IN WHAT THEY SAID [WEDNESDAY] ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT'S NEW WILLINGNESS TO ALLOW THE TIMORESE TO CHOOSE INDEPENDENCE IN A REFERENDUM, THEIR CHANGE OF HEART REFLECTS A TIMELY APPRECIATION OF DIPLOMATIC AND ECONOMIC REALITIES.

TEXT: THE "BOSTON GLOBE" SAID JAKARTA HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY DEPENDENT ON THE OUTSIDE WORLD FOR ECONOMIC COMFORT AND DIPLOMATIC ACCEPTANCE. IT SAYS THE WORLD SHOULD HOLD INDONESIA TO ITS WORD AND STAND READY TO ASSIST IN EAST TIMOR'S TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENCE.

ANOTHER BOSTON-BASED NEWSPAPER, THE NATIONALLY-CIRCULATED "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR," TAKES CHINA TO TASK FOR SETTING UP ROADBLOCKS ON BRANCHES OF THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY THAT LEAD INTO CHINA. THE PAPER NOTES PRESIDENT CLINTON RECENTLY SAID THAT IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO ISOLATE CHINA. THE "MONITOR" SAYS CHINA'S GOVERNMENT, DETERMINED TO POLICE THE CHANNELS OF INFORMATION, DOES ENOUGH OF THAT ALL BY ITSELF:

VOICE: THE LATEST EVIDENCE: BEIJING'S ONGOING TILTING WITH THE INTERNET. CHINESE ENTREPRENEUR LIN HAI HAS BEEN HANDED A TWO-YEAR SENTENCE FOR TRADING E-MAIL ADDRESSES WITH A GROUP IN WASHINGTON THAT PUBLISHES 'VIP REFERENCE,' AN ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER AIMED AT POLITICAL DISSIDENTS WITHIN CHINA.

TEXT: THE "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SAYS MR. LIN WAS JUST TRYING TO BUILD HIS CONTACTS AS A WEB-PAGE DESIGNER IN CHINA, BUT THE GOVERNMENT SAW HIM BUILDING THE RANKS OF THE POLITICALLY DISAFFECTED. THE PAPER CONCLUDES:

VOICE: YOU CAN'T OPEN UP THE INFORMATION HIGHWAY TO CHINA, AS THAT GOVERNMENT HAS ENCOURAGED, AND TRY TO SHUT NUMEROUS LANES AT THE SAME TIME. THE CHINESE, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG, WANT TO GET ON WITH THE OPENING. MAKING 'EXAMPLES' OF INDIVIDUALS LIKE LIN ONLY HIGHLIGHTS BEIJING'S SAD EXAMPLE OF A GOVERNMENT AFRAID OF ITS PEOPLE AND THEIR THIRST FOR PROGRESS.

TEXT: FINALLY, "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" DISCUSSES THE CLINTON ADMINSIRTATION'S RENEWED INTEREST IN THE THREAT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, REFERRED TO AS GLOBAL WARMING. THE PAPER NOTES APPROVINGLY THAT MR. CLINTON HAS ASKED CONGRESS TO INCREASE ANNUAL SPENDING ON CLIMATE-CHANGE ABATEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES FROM FOUR BILLION DOLLARS TO FIVE BILLION. LOOKING TO THE COMING BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE ON THE MATTER, THE "INQUIRER" CONCLUDES:

VOICE: THE BEST COURSE WOULD INCLUDE RATIFICATION BY CONGRESS OF THE MODEST AGREEMENTS ON CLIMATE CONTROL ENTERED INTO BY THE [CLINTON] ADMINISTRATION AT MEETINGS IN BUENOS AIRES AND KYOTO, JAPAN. NOW THAT THERE IS SUBSTANTIAL SCIENTIFIC AGREEMENT THAT GLOBAL WARMING IS A SIGNIFICANT ECOLOGICAL PERIL, THE WORLD BADLY NEEDS LEADERSHIP FROM THE UNITED STATES.

TEXT: AND WITH THAT COMMENT, WE END THIS EDITION OF FRIDAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.
NEB/NCB/GE
29-Jan-99 11:30 AM EST (1630 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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