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Voice of America, 99-02-02Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] CONGRESS / KOSOVO BY NELSON BROWN (WASHINGTON)DATE=2/2/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245009 (CORRECTED) CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: SEVERAL U-S LAWMAKERS HAVE EXPRESSED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR NATO PLANS FOR AIR STRIKES AND FOLLOWUP PEACE KEEPING OPERATIONS IN YUGOSLAVIA. THREE OF THE SENATORS SPOKE WITH REPORTERS (TUESDAY) IN AN EFFORT TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE PART THE UNITED STATES MIGHT PLAY IN KOSOVO -- YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED SERBIAN PROVINCE. V-O-A'S NELSON BROWN HAS DETAILS. TEXT: EIGHT PROMINENT SENATORS WROTE PRESIDENT CLINTON LATE LAST WEEK EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR MILITARY ACTION IN YUGOSLAVIA TO PRESSURE BOTH SIDES OF THE CONFLICT TO MAKE PEACE. THEIR LETTER CAME AS NATO WAS ABOUT TO APPROVE PLANS FOR MILITARY STRIKES IF THEY BECOME NECESSARY. THE SENATORS WARNED THAT WITHOUT NATO ACTION, VIOLENCE AND INSTABILITY IN YUGOSLAVIA COULD SPREAD TO OTHER COUNTRIES, RESULTING IN MORE CASUALTIES AMONG INNOCENT CIVILIANS. ONE OF THE AUTHORS OF THE LETTER IS REPUBLICAN SENATOR RICHARD LUGAR, WHO LAST YEAR CALLED FOR THE END OF THE REGIME OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. SENATOR LUGAR URGED STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT OF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AS IT FINALIZES U-S PLANS IN KOSOVO. // LUGAR ACT //THERE IS A GROWING FEELING ON THE PART OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT THERE SEEMINGLY IS NO END TO THE DIFFICULTIES IN THE AREA. BUT EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE ON THE ALERT THAT MILITARY FORCE IS BEING SUGGESTED, THAT THIS MAY MEAN PARTICIPATION BY AMERICAN GROUND TROOPS, THAT THE NUMBER OF THOSE IS STILL UNDECIDED AS WELL AS THEIR ROLES. // END ACT //// OPT //SENATOR JOSEPH LIEBERMAN, A LEADING DEMOCRAT, ALSO STRESSED THE NEED FOR BIPARTISAN UNITY IN THE KOSOVO CRISIS. // LIEBERMAN ACT // // OPT ACT //IN THE LETTER THAT EIGHT OF US -- MEMBERS OF THE SENATE -- SENT TO PRESIDENT CLINTON AT THE END OF LAST WEEK, AND IN OUR STATEMENTS HERE TODAY, WE ARE EXPRESSING BIPARTISAN CONCERN ABOUT THE LITERALLY EXPLOSIVE SITUATION IN KOSOVO AND THEREFORE THROUGHOUT THE BALKANS; AND, OUR BELIEF, OUR CONCLUSION THAT WITHOUT A WILLINGNESS TO THREATEN AND THEN USE FORCE, IF NECESSARY, THIS EXPLOSION WILL NOT BE CURTAILED. // END ACT // // END OPT ACT //// OPT //ANOTHER REPUBLICAN SENATOR, CHUCK HAGEL, SAID THE PURPOSE AND ROLE OF NATO IS VERY MUCH ON THE LINE (AT STAKE) IN KOSOVO -- AS THE ALLIANCE APPROACHES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN APRIL. SENATOR HAGEL EMPHASIZED THAT U-S SOLDIERS SHOULD HAVE ONLY A PEACEKEEPING ROLE IN ANY NATO GROUND FORCES, AND NOT A PEACE MAKING ROLE. // HAGEL ACT //THE UNITED STATES (SHOULD ONLY) COMMIT GROUND FORCES TO THAT AREA WHEN THERE IS AN AGREEMENT, WHEN THERE HAS BEEN AN INITIAL SEPARATION OF THE WARRING PARTIES MUCH LIKE WE HAVE SEEN IN BOSNIA. // END ACT ///// OPT ///THE BIPARTISAN SHOW OF UNITY AMONG THE EIGHT SENATORS COMES AS A FORMER DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER, LEE HAMILTON, CAUTIONS THAT THE UNITED STATES IS OVER-ENGAGED IN THE BALKANS. IN AN ARTICLE IN THE NEW YORK TIMES NEWSPAPER, MR. HAMILTON SAYS AMERICANS ARE DEEPLY INVOLVED IN MILITARY, CIVILIAN AND HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES ALL OVER THE REGION. HE SAYS THIS INCLUDES MONITORS IN KOSOVO, TROOPS IN BOSNIA, AND OTHERS HEADED FOR MACEDONIA. MR. HAMILTON SAYS THE UNITED STATES SHOULD TRY TO DISENGAGE OVER
TIME, AND CALL ON ITS EUROPEAN ALLIES TO DO MORE. HE WELCOMED
FRANCE'S WILLINGNESS TO LEAD THE NATO TROOPS THAT PROTECT THE
MONITORS IN KOSOVO. HE SAYS THERE ARE NO AMERICAN GROUND
TROOPS IN THAT FORCE. (SIGNED)
[02] K-L-A / PEACE TALKS (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)DATE=2/2/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245010 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY HAS ACCEPTED AN INVITATION TO PEACE TALKS AT RAMBOUILLET, NEAR PARIS. HOWEVER, AS PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM PRISTINA, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLA GROUP SAYS THE REBELS STILL HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THE PEACE PLAN DRAFTED BY U-S AMBASSADOR CHRISTOPHER HILL. TEXT: ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS ACCEPTED AN INVITATION TO ATTEND THE PEACE TALKS BEGINNING LATER THIS WEEK IN FRANCE. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REBEL ORGANIZATION, JAKUP KRASNIQI [YAH-COOP' KRASH 'NICHEE], SAID (TUESDAY) THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY (K-L-A) HAS RESERVATIONS ABOUT A NATO-BACKED PEACE PLAN BUT WOULD, NEVERTHELESS, ATTEND THE PEACE TALKS. SERBIAN AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE HAVE SAID THEY WILL RESPOND TO THE INVITATION BY A VOTE IN PARLIAMENT ON THURSDAY. NATO AND THE WEST HAVE MADE STRONG COMMITMENTS TO THE RAMBOUILLET PEACE PROCESS -- BACKED BY THE PROMISE OF NATO GROUND TROOPS TO HELP GUARANTEE ANY PEACE DEAL THAT EMERGES FROM THE TALKS. THE K-L-A'S DECISION TO ATTEND PRESENTS A MAJOR CHALLENGE -- AND AN OPPORTUNITY -- FOR THE REBEL GROUP THAT HAS GONE FROM OBSCURITY TO INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION IN JUST OVER ONE YEAR'S TIME. SPOKESMAN KRASNIQI SAID THAT AT THE RAMBOUILLET TALKS, THE REBELS WILL INSIST ON A REFERENDUM AFTER THREE YEARS ON KOSOVO'S INDEPENDENCE. WESTERN DIPLOMATS IN KOSOVO SAID THEY ARE PLEASED WITH THE REBEL ACCEPTANCE, BUT EXPRESSED DOUBTS ABOUT THE K-L-A'S ABILITY TO CAPITALIZE ON ITS OPPORTUNITIES. HOWEVER, WESTERN DIPLOMATS SAY THE K-L-A HAS -- THROUGH ITS ARMED STRUGGLE -- EFFECTIVELY MOVED THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN INDEPENDENCE STRUGGLE IN KOSOVO BEYOND JUST AN IDEALISTIC DREAM. IN DOING SO, IT HAS UNDERCUT THE NON-VIOLENT POLICIES OF KOSOVO'S ELECTED ETHNIC ALBANIAN PRESIDENT, IBRAHIM RUGOVA -- WHO HAS CONTINUED TO CALL FOR NON-VIOLENCE. MR. RUGOVA ACCEPTED AN INVITATION TO THE RAMBOUILLET TALKS LAST WEEK. A YEAR OF FIGHTING IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE HAS KILLED
NEARLY TWO-THOUSAND PEOPLE -- MOST OF THEM ETHNIC ALBANIANS.
(SIGNED)
[03] KOSOVO CONFERENCE / MILOSEVIC (L ONLY) (CQ) BY GIL BUTLER (BELGRADE)DATE=2/2/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245002 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THERE IS STILL NO WORD FROM BELGRADE ON WHETHER YUGOSLAVIA WILL TAKE PART IN A PEACE CONFERENCE AT RAMBOUILLET, NEAR PARIS, SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON SATURDAY. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER IN THE YUGOSLAV CAPITAL REPORTS THAT A SPECIAL SERBIAN PARLIAMENTARY SESSION HAS BEEN CALLED FOR THURSDAY -- AN INDICATION THAT AN ANSWER WILL COME AFTER THAT. TEXT: YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS GIVEN LITTLE INDICATION WHICH WAY HE IS LEANING -- TO TAKE PART IN THE PARIS TALKS WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS, OR TO DEFY DEMANDS FOR THE CONFERENCE AND THE THREAT OF MILITARY FORCE. HIS DECISION, WHICH WILL APPARENTLY BE DISCUSSED ON THURSDAY AT A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE SERBIAN PARLIAMENT, WILL BE INFLUENCED BY DOMESTIC POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS. MR. MILOSEVIC HAS A COALITION WITH BOTH THE RADICAL SERB PARTY THAT OPPOSES ANY PEACE TALKS WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS OUTSIDE SERBIA ITSELF AND THE SERB RENEWAL MOVEMENT HEADED BY VUK DRASKOVIC, WHO FAVORS TAKING PART IN THE TALKS. A RESPECTED FORMER YUGOSLAV STATESMAN -- ZIVORAD KOVACEVIC -- SAYS THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT YET TRIED TO PREPARE THE PUBLIC FOR A DECISION. HE SAYS THAT MEANS MR. MILOSEVIC WILL DECIDE AT THE LAST MINUTE. /// KOVACEVIC ACT ///EITHER WAY IS NOT GOOD FOR HIM. HE WOULD MAKE A BIG MISTAKE IF HE DECIDES NOT TO GO. BUT IF HE GOES, IT'S NOT EASY EITHER, BECAUSE THIS TIME, THE PACKAGE IS REALLY WELL PREPARED AND DOESN'T LEAVE ANY ROOM FOR SECOND THOUGHTS AND FOR WITHDRAWAL EITHER BY MILOSEVIC OR KOSOVAR ALBANIANS OR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY BECAUSE THIS TIME IT WILL BE CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF CREDIBILITY IF NOTHING HAPPENS AT THE END. /// END ACT ///THE PROPOSAL CALLS FOR ENHANCED SELF-RULE FOR ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO FOR THREE YEARS, AFTER WHICH THE STATUS OF THE PROVINCE IS TO BE REVIEWED. /// KOVACEVIC ACT ///I THINK THIS IS THE BEST PART OF IT. BECAUSE, IN A WAY, IT POSTPONES THE FINAL DECISION ON THE STATUS OF KOSOVO SO BOTH SIDES CAN CLAIM AFTERWARDS THAT THEY -- IF NOT WON -- SATISFIED SOME BASIC CLAIMS. /// END ACT ///GOVERNMENT AND PARTY-CONTROLLED NEWSPAPERS HERE IN BELGRADE DID
NOT PREDICT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S DECISION. POLITIKA NEWSPAPER
EMPHASIZED SERBIAN OBJECTIONS TO THE THREAT OF NATO AIR STRIKES
AND THE CALL BY BELGRADE FOR THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TO CONDEMN
THE THREAT. GLAS NEWSPAPER -- WHICH IS CLOSE TO THE RADICAL
PARTY -- WENT FURTHER AND QUOTED AN UNNAMED SOURCE IN A REPORT
DETAILING WHICH OFFICIALS WILL REPRESENT YUGOSLAVIA AT THE TALKS,
IF THEY OCCUR. (SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/JWH/JO/KL
[04] KOSOVO DIPLOMACY (L) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)DATE=2/2/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245018 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS SAY KOSOVO PEACE TALKS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN NEAR PARIS ON SATURDAY WILL PROVIDE THE WARRING FACTIONS WITH A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO END THE CONFLICT. AS V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS, TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE PROVINCE WILL NOT BE PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS. TEXT: U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE PLEASED THAT REPRESENTATIVES OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN COMMUNITY HAVE AGREED TO ATTEND THE TALKS. YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS NOT YET COMMITTED HIS GOVERNMENT TO TAKE PART. BUT WITH NATO THREATENING AIR STRIKES, ANALYSTS EXPECT AN ANNOUNCEMENT SOON. IF THE TWO SIDES DO SIT DOWN TOGETHER, THEY WILL TRY TO REACH AGREEMENT ON A DRAFT PEACE PLAN WORKED OUT BY U-S AND EUROPEAN ENVOYS. THE PLAN CALLS FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE COMING MONTHS UNDER SOME FORM OF INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS IT WILL OFFER ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY FROM SERB AUTHORITIES. /// RUBIN ACT ///WE ENVISION A SITUATION WHERE THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE DEGREE OF SELF GOVERNMENT WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO FOR THREE YEARS. THAT WILL INCLUDE POLICE, THAT WILL INCLUDE EDUCATION, THAT WILL INCLUDE HEALTH, THAT WILL INCLUDE OTHER INSTRUMENTS OF SELF GOVERNMENT. /// END ACT ///ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBEL LEADERS, WHO FAVOR INDEPENDENCE FROM SERBIA, SAY THEY WILL BE BRINGING THEIR OWN IDEAS TO THE TALKS. U-S AND EUROPEAN OFFICIALS REMAIN OPPOSED TO INDEPENDENCE. THEY SAY THEIR PLAN WILL DEFER ANY QUESTION ABOUT THE FINAL STATUS OF KOSOVO UNTIL THE END OF THE THREE YEAR PERIOD, WHEN TEMPERS WILL HAVE COOLED. ALTHOUGH DETAILS OF THE PLAN ARE STILL BEING WORKED OUT, U-S OFFICIALS SAY SOME TYPE OF WESTERN MILITARY FORCE WILL BE NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE AGREEMENT. SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT AND PRESIDENT CLINTON'S OTHER TOP NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN BRIEFING CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS ON THE CRISIS. ANY PARTICIPATION BY U-S GROUND TROOPS WILL HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY CONGRESS. A SPOKESMAN FOR MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS THE TALKS OUTSIDE PARIS WILL
OFFER THE TWO SIDES A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO END THE CONFLICT.
OFFICIALS SAY SHE WILL BE STANDING TO DO WHAT EVER SHE CAN TO
HELP FORGE AN AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)
[05] U-S KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)DATE=2/2/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245007 CONTENT= VOICED AT: *INTRO: U-S INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS SAY NATO WILL HAVE TO SEND FORCES TO KOSOVO TO ENFORCE ANY PEACE ACCORD BETWEEN SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS -- BUT WARN ACTION MAY BE NEEDED SOON TO PREVENT FURTHER BLOODSHED. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS. TEXT: C-I-A DIRECTOR GEORGE TENET SAYS THE ALLIES SHOULD NOT PUT TROOPS IN THE PROVINCE UNTIL THE WARRING FACTIONS REACH A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT. BUT HE TOLD A SENATE COMMITTEE (TUESDAY) SOME OUTSIDE PRESENCE IS CRUCIAL, TO KEEP THE FIGHTING FROM ESCALATING EVEN MORE WITH THE COMING OF SPRING. // TENET ACT //A GROUND FORCE, A NATO GROUND FORCE, IS INDISPENSABLE TO A SOLUTION. // END ACT //THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONSULTING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ABOUT POSSIBLY USING AMERICANS IN SUCH A FORCE. WHILE SOME LAWMAKERS ARE RECEPTIVE, OTHERS WORRY ABOUT ANOTHER U-S COMMITMENT IN THE VOLATILE REGION. MR. TENET ACKNOWLEDGED A PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN KOSOVO COULD BE
MORE RISKY THAN THE ONE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. (SIGNED)
[06] TURKEY / KURDS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=2/2/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-244982 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: TURKEY IS CONTINUING ITS SEARCH FOR FUGITIVE KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE HE IS. BUT SOME SAY HE IS LIKELY IN NEIGHBORING GREECE. TEXT: TURKISH PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL SAID (TUESDAY) ABDULLAH OCALAN'S WHEREABOUTS REMAIN UNKNOWN. BUT HE SAID TURKEY HAS RECEIVED ASSURANCES FROM EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS THAT THE LEADER OF THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY (P-K-K) WOULD BE DENIED PERMISSION TO ENTER THEIR TERRITORY. MR. DEMIREL'S STATEMENT COMES A DAY AFTER THE P-K-K LEADER WAS REPORTED TO BE FLYING AROUND EUROPE ON A SMALL PRIVATE PLANE, SEEKING ASYLUM FIRST IN THE NETHERLANDS, THEN LATER IN SWITZERLAND, BELGIUM, AND GREECE. TURKISH AUTHORITIES ON MONDAY SAID ABDULLAH OCALAN WAS ON A PLANE AT ATHENS AIRPORT AWAITING PERMISSION TO DISEMBARK. THE GREEK GOVERNMENT REPEATEDLY DENIED THE CLAIMS. BUT SOME TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY THEY BELIEVE HE IS ON GREEK SOIL. THE P-K-K LEADER HAS BEEN ON THE RUN SINCE OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR. THAT IS WHEN THE SYRIAN GOVERMENT FORCED HIM TO LEAVE SYRIAN TERRITORY AFTER TURKEY THREATENED TO TAKE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST ITS ARAB NEIGHBOR. AFTER A BRIEF STAY IN RUSSIA, THE KURDISH REBEL LEADER FLEW TO ITALY WHERE HE SPENT MORE THAN TWO MONTHS HOPING TO BE GIVEN POLITICAL ASYLUM. ITALY'S REFUSAL TO HAND HIM OVER TO TURKEY WHERE HE IS WANTED ON TREASON CHARGES SPARKED A PROTRACTED DIPLOMATIC DISPUTE BETWEEN THE TWO NATO MEMBER COUNTRIES. FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS, THE P-K-K HAS BEEN WAGING AN ARMED
CAMPAIGN FOR KURDISH SELF-RULE IN TURKEY'S MAINLY KURDISH
SOUTHEAST PROVINCES. NEARLY 40-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE
CONFLICT. (SIGNED)
[07] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=2/2/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245017 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (TUESDAY) AS TRADERS BECAME CONCERNED ABOUT U-S INTEREST RATES. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 92 HUNDRED 74, DOWN 71 POINTS, LESS THAN ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 12 HUNDRED 62, DOWN 11 POINTS. ANALYSTS SAY MANY TRADERS WORRIED ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF HIGHER INTEREST RATES AS U-S CENTRAL BANK GOVERNORS BEGAN A TWO-DAY MEETING. THE CONSENSUS ON WALL STREET REMAINS THAT INTEREST RATES WILL NOT BE RAISED AT THE CURRENT MEETING BUT MAY BE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, ESPECIALLY IF THE RATE OF U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH CONTINUES TO BE VERY STRONG. ///BEGIN OPT//////OPT///HENDERSON ACT///I DO NOT THINK THERE IS ANY PANIC GOING ON. I THINK IT IS JUST THE RESULT OF THE FACT THAT THE MARKET HAS TRADED UP SO HIGHLY IN SPECIFIC AREAS SUCH AS TECHNOLOGY AND FINANCIALS THAT WE ARE JUST HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF A GIVE-BACK PERIOD. I DO NOT THINK IT IS MUCH TO WORRY ABOUT. ///END ACT///END OPT///AN INDEX DESIGNED TO FORECAST FUTURE U-S ECONOMIC ACTIVITY ROSE IN DECEMBER, INDICATING THAT U-S ECONOMIC EXPANSION SHOWS NO SIGNS OF ENDING. ///REST OPT///THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS SALES OF NEW HOMES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN SLIGHTLY IN DECEMBER BUT 1998 WAS STILL THE STRONGEST YEAR IN HISTORY FOR THE SALE OF NEW HOMES. THE STOCK OF PEROT SYSTEMS MORE THAN DOUBLED IN ITS FIRST DAY OF TRADING ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE. THE COMPUTER SERVICES COMPANY IS RUN BY ROSS PEROT, THE BILLIONAIRE BUSINESSMAN WHO TWICE RAN FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AS AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY REPORTS ITS LIGHT VEHICLE SALES IN THE UNITED STATES ROSE BY ALMOST NINE PERCENT LAST MONTH, THANKS TO STRONG DEMAND FOR PICK-UP TRUCKS AND SPORTS UTILITY VEHICLES. MATTEL, THE WORLD'S LARGEST TOY MAKER, SAYS ITS FOURTH QUARTER PROFITS DROPPED BY 69 PERCENT, LARGELY BECAUSE OF BIG INVENTORY CUTBACKS BY RETAILERS. THE PRESIDENT OF THE TOY MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICA SAYS OVERALL INDUSTRY SALES LAST YEAR WERE DOWN SLIGHTLY. DAVID MILLER CITED A SLOWER RETAIL ENVIRONMENT AND A DROP IN THE MARKET FOR LICENSED TOYS WHICH ARE BASED ON MOVIE AND TELEVISION CHARACTERS. THE WILLIAM WRIGLEY COMPANY OF THE UNITED STATES SAYS ITS NEW CHEWING GUM FACTORY IN SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA, IS NOW RUNNING AT FULL CAPACITY. WRIGLEY SAYS THE 70 MILLION DOLLAR FACILITY DEMONSTRATES ITS LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO THE RUSSIAN MARKET. COCA-COLA HAS OPENED A 100 MILLION DOLLAR BOTTLING PLANT IN
UKRAINE. THAT MAKES COKE THE FOURTH-LARGEST INTERNATIONAL
INVESTOR IN UKRAINE.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
[08] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=02/02/99TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-11125 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= ////////INTRO: NEWS THAT SPECIAL COUNSEL KENNETH STARR IS CONTEMPLATING INDICTING PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR PERJURY HAS SENT SHOCK WAVES THROUGH WASHINGTON AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THAT IS REFLECTED IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS, WHICH ARE DISSECTING THE TOPIC WITH GUSTO. THERE ARE ALSO SOME COMMENTS ON THE SENATE IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS, AS WELL AS THOUGHTS ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S NEW BUDGET PROPOSAL. OVERSEAS, TOPICS INCLUDE THE SITUATION IN HAITI, HOW THE FUTURE LOOKS NOW FOR EAST TIMOR, COLOMBIA'S ONGOING TRAVAIL, AND THE VOLVO - FORD MERGER. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS IS _________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: THE SUNDAY "NEW YORK TIMES" REPORTED THAT INDEPENDENT COUNSEL KENNETH STARR'S OFFICE IS CONTEMPLATING AN INDICTMENT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR THE SAME CRIMES HE IS BEING TRIED FOR IN THE SENATE. THERE IS A LEGAL DEBATE WHETHER A SITTING PRESIDENT CAN BE INDICTED, AND THERE IS A PUBLIC DEBATE IN THE PRESS ABOUT THE WISDOM OF THIS MOVE. "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND WONDERS ALOUD: VOICE: WHO NEEDS THIS DISTRACTION AT THIS SENSITIVE POINT [IN] THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS? AND ISN'T [MR.] STARR HIMSELF UNPOPULAR ENOUGH WITH THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL AND DEMOCRATIC SENATORS IN PARTICULAR? DOES THE INDEPENDENT COUNSEL REALLY THINK IT'S HELPFUL AT THIS STAGE FOR HIM TO BE - - OR TO BE PERCEIVED TO BE INJECTING HIMSELF INTO THE SENATE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL? ... DO WE REALLY WANT A SITTING PRESIDENT BOGGED DOWN BY A CRIMINAL CASE BROUGHT FORWARD BY A SINGLE PROSECUTOR /// OPT /// ... WE ARE BETTER OFF TO STICK WITH OUT MOSSY [SLANG: OLD FASHIONED] CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS THAN TO SPECULATE ABOUT A NEW PRESIDENT-BUSTING MECHANISM, PARTICULARLY IN THE MIDDLE OF AN IMPEACHMENT TRIAL. /// END OPT /// TEXT: /// OPT /// CALLING MR. STARR "A NARCISSISTIC LEGAL CRANK," "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SUGGESTS "THE SENATE" ... "NEEDS TO FIND A WAY TO SLAP MR. STARR BACK INTO LINE." /// END OPT /// AND IN FLORIDA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" SAYS: VOICE: ... EVEN IF MR. STARR CAN INDICT, THAT DOESN'T MEAN HE SHOULD. THE THOUGHT IS SO OUTRAGEOUS THAT IT EVEN CAUSES DYSPEPSIA [STOMACH DISTRESS] AMONG REPUBLICAN HOUSE MANAGERS PROSECUTING THE SENATE'S IMPEACHMENT TRIAL AGAINST PRESIDENT CLINTON. /// OPT /// ... APART FROM MR. STARR'S AMAZINGLY POOR TIMING AND TRANSPARENT MOTIVES ... THIS IDEA SHOULD BE REJECTED ON MERIT. /// END OPT /// TEXT: TURNING TO THE RELATED TOPIC OF THE IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE, AND A NEW IDEA BEING PONDERED AS A WAY TO END THINGS, "THE [MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA] STAR-TRIBUNE" IS FORCEFULLY AGAINST IT. VOICE: ... SENATE JUDICIARY CHAIRMAN ORIN HATCH HAS CONCOCTED THE ODD IDEA THAT THE SENATE MIGHT ADJOURN BEFORE CONCLUDING THE CLINTON TRIAL, THEREBY ROBBING THE PRESIDENT OF THE VINDICATION HE COULD CLAIM FROM AN UP-DOWN VOTE ON THE TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT ... [SENATOR] HATCH'S PLAN WOULD GIVE REPUBLICANS A GRACEFUL WAY OUT, BUT IT WOULD DENY THE COUNTRY A CLEAR END TO THIS NIGHTMARE. TEXT: THE OTHER BIG DOMESTIC TOPIC THIS TUESDAY IS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PROPOSED BUDGET ANNOUNCED MONDAY. "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER," CLAIMING THE FIGURES DO NOT ADD UP, IS NOT HAPPY WITH WHAT IT FEELS ARE SPENDING INCREASES. VOICE: THE SPENDING INCREASES IN THE ... BUDGET ARE A POLL-DRIVEN (I.E. PUBLIC OPINION POLLS) HODGE-PODGE THAT AVOID HARD CHOICES. /// OPT /// THERE ARE SENSIBLE INCREASE FOR EDUCATION, CHILD CARE AND THE ENVIRONMENT, ALONG WITH EXCESSIVE LARGESS FOR THE PENTAGON. /// END OPT /// ... OVERALL, MR. CLINTON'S BUDGET PANDERS EXCESSIVELY TO SENIOR CITIZENS' NEEDS WHILE UNDER-INVESTING IN THE WELL-BEING OF AT-RISK YOUTH. ...THE CLINTON BUDGET AND THE G-O-P'S SCREEDS AGAINST IT ARE A DISAPPOINTING START TO THIS ANNUAL DUEL. TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" CAUTIONS: VOICE: THE PROSPECT OF HUGE FEDERAL BUDGET SURPLUSES HAS GONE TO THE HEADS OF BOTH PRESIDENT CLINTON AND REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS. /// OPT /// EACH SIDE IS PROPOSING TO COMMIT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SPENDING NEXT YEAR AND IN YEARS TO COME - - DOLLARS THAT MAY NEVER ACTUALLY SHOW UP IN THE TREASURY. ... THOUGH THE ECONOMY CONTINUES TO BE STRONG, EXPERTS AGREE /// END OPT /// ... A RECESSION CAN HIT AT ANY TIME. THE ROSY FORECASTS OF SOARING SURPLUSES SHOULD BE BALANCED BY A STRONG DOES OF CAUTION. TEXT: TURNING OVERSEAS, "THE WASHINGTON POST" LAMENTS THE DETERIORATING SITUATION IN HAITI, CALLING IT, "PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SADDEST FOREIGN POLICY DISAPPOINTMENT." VOICE: UNFORTUNATELY, THE HAITIAN RULING CLASS CHOSE A POWER STRUGGLE OVER DEMOCRACY-BUILDING, AND CORRUPTION OVER DEVELOPMENT. MOST RECENTLY, PRESIDENT (JEAN-BERTRAND) ARISTIDE'S HAND-PICKED SUCCESSOR, RENE PREVAL, MOVED TO BYPASS THE EXISTING (AND HOSTILE) PARLIAMENT IN WHAT LOOKED SUSPICIOUSLY LIKE A POLITICAL COUP- D'ETAT. THINGS ARE BETTER THAN THEY WERE UNDER THE DUVALIERS ... BUT THE EXPECTATIONS IGNITED BY THE AMERICAN INTERVENTION COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MET EVEN IF A POLITICAL CONSENSUS HAD BEEN ACHIEVED ... TEXT: TO EAST TIMOR NOW, ANOTHER ISLAND TORN BY DISSENSION, BUT WHERE THE FUTURE IS LOOKING BRIGHTER, AS "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR"EXPLAINS. VOICE: WORD THAT INDONESIA MIGHT BE READY TO GRANT INDEPENDENCE TO EAST TIMOR STIRS A MIX OF WELCOME AND CAUTION. WELCOME, BECAUSE THE EAST TIMORESE HAVE CHAFED UNDER JAKARTA'S YOKE FOR ALMOST A QUARTER CENTURY .... CAUTION, TOO. THOUGH THE PEOPLE OF EAST TIMOR HAVE A HISTORY AND RELIGION (PREDOMINANTLY CHRISTIAN) DISTINCT FROM THE REST OF INDONESIA, THEY ARE N O T UNITED POLITICALLY. SOME EAST TIMORESE PREFER CONTINUED UNION WITH INDONESIA. /// OPT /// CURRENT NEWS REPORTS INDICATE PRO-JAKARTA ACTIVISTS ARE BEING ARMED BY THE INDONESIA MILITARY. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FORCED FROM THEIR HOMES BY FIGHTING. /// END OPT /// TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON TIMES" COMMENTS ON THE DIRE SITUATION IN COLOMBIA, WRACKED BY CIVIL WAR, DRUG CRIME, AND NOW A DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE, FOR WHICH AUTHORITIES WERE NOT FULLY PREPARED. VOICE: ... THE QUAKE ITSELF HAS PUSHED EXISTING SOCIAL TENSIONS IN COLOMBIA PAST [THE] BREAKING POINT. A LACK OF REFRIGERATED TRUCKS TO STORE THE DEAD THREATENS AN OUTBREAK OF DISEASE IN THE AFFECTED AREAS. THE GOVERNMENT AND RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS HAVEN'T DELIVERED THE NEEDED FOOD AND MEDICINE TO THE QUAKE'S VICTIMS. HUNGER HAS LED COLOMBIANS LIVING AMID RUBBLE TO LOOT, AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS RESPONDED BY TEARGASSING THE LOOTERS. A SIX-THOUSAND-STRONG MILITARY PRESENCE IS NOW NEEDED TO KEEP ORDER. THOSE HUMAN RESOURCES SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED EARLIER ON TO STEP-UP RELIEF EFFORTS RATHER THAN GAS HUNGRY LOOTERS. /// OPT ///TEXT: AND LASTLY, SOME THOUGHT ON THE SALE OF VOLVO MOTOR CARS TO THE FORD CORPORATION FROM "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE. VOICE: FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S ACQUISITION OF THE AUTOMOBILE BUSINESS OF ... VOLVO IS ANOTHER INDICATION THAT THE GLOBAL CAR-MAKING INDUSTRY IS GOING THROUGH A MASSIVE UPHEAVAL. IN A WORLD WHERE MANUFACTURING CAPACITY EXCEEDS THE WORLDWIDE DEMAND, CONSOLIDATION IS INEVITABLE. MANY WEAKENED EUROPEAN AND JAPANESE MANUFACTURERS ARE LIKELY TO COMBINE WITH STRONGER RIVALS BEFORE THIS PROCESS IS OVER. /// END OPT ///TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM
TUESDAY'S U-S DAILY PRESS.
[09] DUTCH BROTHEL BAN (L-ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)DATE=2/2/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245008 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE DUTCH PARLIAMENT VOTED TUESDAY TO LIFT AN 87-YEAR-OLD BAN ON BROTHELS IN THE NETHERLANDS. LAWMAKERS SAY THAT BY MAKING THEM LEGAL, THEY CAN BETTER REGULATE PROSTITUTION, GETTING RID OF THE CRIMINAL ELEMENTS AND OFFERING MORE PROTECTION TO WOMEN. LAUREN COMITEAU HAS MORE FROM THE HAGUE. TEXT: DESPITE HAVING BEEN BANNED BY LAW SINCE 1912, THERE ARE STILL ABOUT TWO-THOUSAND BROTHELS DOING BUSINESS IN THE NETHERLANDS. IN TYPICAL DUTCH FASHION, THEY HAVE LONG BEEN TOLERATED BY DUTCH AUTHORITIES, AND OWNERS WEREN'T PROSECUTED. BUT AS OF NEXT YEAR, THEY'LL BE CONDUCTING BUSINESS LEGALLY. PROSTITUTION ITSELF IS ALREADY LEGAL IN THE TOLERANT NETHERLANDS, BUT BY LEGALIZING THE BROTHELS TOO, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND LAWMAKERS SAY THEY WILL BE ABLE CRACK DOWN ON OWNERS WHO EMPLOY MINORS, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AND WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN FORCED INTO PROSTITUTION. ANYONE WANTING TO OPERATE A BROTHEL WILL NOW HAVE TO GET A LICENSE FROM LOCAL AUTHORITIES, WHO WILL BE ABLE TO CONDUCT BACKGROUND CHECKS ON THE APPLICANTS. THOSE BROTHEL OWNERS WHO BREAK THE RULES WILL FACE A SIX-YEAR JAIL SENTENCE. IN THE HAGUE, WHERE LOCAL OFFICIALS HAVE ALREADY BEEN CRACKING DOWN ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO WORK AS PROSTITUTES, SOME BROTHEL OWNERS SAY IT WON'T MAKE MUCH, IF ANY DIFFERENCE TO THEIR BUSINESSES, IF THEY BECOME LEGAL. THE OWNERS DO, AFTER ALL, ALREADY PAY TAXES. BUT THE OWNERS SAY THEY ARE BEING THREATENED BY THE LOSS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WORKERS, MOST OF WHOM HAVE EITHER BEEN DEPORTED OR GONE UNDERGROUND. OTHERS HERE WORRY THAT THE CRACKDOWN WILL EXPOSE WOMEN WHO WORK AS PROSTITUTES TO HIGHER RISKS. BUT THERE WAS LITTLE CONTROVERSY BY DUTCH LAWMAKERS OVER THIS BILL. THE ONLY PARLIAMENT MEMBERS WHO VOTED AGAINST IT WERE MEMBERS OF THE CHRISTIAN PARTIES, AND MOST OF THEM MERELY WANTED LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO HAVE MORE CONTROL OVER WHERE BROTHELS CAN OPERATE. //REST OPT//NEB/LC/PCF 02-Feb-99 2:30 PM EST (1930 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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