Voice of America, 99-02-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA/SERB LEADER (L-ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[02] KOSOVO AGREEMENT BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[03] KOSOVO TALKS (L) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[04] MONTENEGRO AT THE CROSSROADS BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

[05] DEUTSCHE BANK / NAZI TIES (L-ONLY) BY MIKE O'SULLIVAN (LOS ANGELES)

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

[07] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] BOSNIA/SERB LEADER (L-ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE BELEAGUERED PRIME MINISTER OF THE SERB REPUBLIC IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WAS IN WASHINGTON TODAY (THURSDAY) TO REASSURE SUPPORTERS HIS MODERATE COALITION IS STILL IN CHARGE. HE SPOKE TO A GATHERING AT THE INSTITUTE OF PEACE, ONE OF THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ASSISTING WITH BOSNIA'S RECOVERY. V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS.

TEXT: MILORAD DODIK [PRON: 'ME-LUH-RAD 'DOH-DICK], THE MODERATE PRIME MINISTER OF BOSNIA'S SERB REPUBLIC, IS ENGAGED IN A POWER STRUGGLE WITH HARD-LINE NATIONALIST PRESIDENT NIKOLA POPLASEN [PRON: 'NIH-KOH-LA PUP-'LAH-SHEN]. MR. POPLASEN HAS TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO REPLACE MR. DODIK, AND HAS PUT FORTH THREE CHOICES FOR PRIME MINISTER IN AS MANY WEEKS. THE FIRST TWO FAILED TO WIN MAJORITY SUPPORT IN THE ASSEMBLY. MR. DODIK TOLD THE WASHINGTON GATHERING THAT THE LATEST NOMINEE, PETAR DJOKIC [PRON: 'PET-AR 'DYO-KITCH], WILL DECLINE THE POST:

THE THIRD NOMINATION, WHICH I AM SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF, IS GOING TO END IN FAILURES. MR. DJOKIC IS GOING TO REJECT THAT NOMINATION.

LAST SEPTEMBER'S ELECTIONS FAILED TO GIVE EITHER MODERATES OR HARD-LINERS A MAJORITY IN THE BOSNIAN-SERB ASSEMBLY. THE MODERATES WANT TO KEEP PRIME MINISTER DODIK, WHO HAS WON INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR HIS PLEDGES TO HONOR THE 1995 DAYTON PEACE ACCORD. BUT HARD-LINERS, INCLUDING PRESIDENT POPLASEN, WANT HIM REPLACED, IN AN EFFORT TO WEAKEN HIS MODERATE "SLOGA" [UNITY] COALITION IN THE BOSNIAN SERB ASSEMBLY.

IN HIS WASHINGTON ADDRESS, MR. DODIK REPEATED HIS PLEDGE TO HONOR DAYTON, BUT WARNED THAT HARD-LINERS ARE RECEIVING IMPORTANT SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONALIST LEADERSHIP IN NEIGHBORING SERBIA:

PRESIDENT POPLASEN IS RECEIVING ORDERS ON A DAILY BASIS FROM [SERBIAN RADICAL LEADER VOJISLAV] SESELJ IN BELGRADE.

VOJISLAV SESELJ [PRON: 'VOY-IH-SLAHF 'SHEH-SHELL] IS DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF SERBIA, AND ONE OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S MOST HARD-LINE NATIONALIST ADVISORS.

PRIME MINISTER DODIK SOUGHT TO REASSURE THOSE GATHERED AT WASHINGTON'S INSTITUTE OF PEACE THAT HE CONTINUES TO COOPERATE FULLY WITH OTHER ETHNIC LEADERS [-- BOTH MUSLIMS AND CROATS --] IN BOSNIA'S JOINT INSTITUTIONS. BUT HE SAYS FURTHER COOPERATION WILL BE DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, UNTIL ALL THOSE WHO WERE IN POWER DURING BOSNIA'S BLOODY WAR RETIRE OR ARE OTHERWISE OUT OF POWER. (SIGNED)
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04-Feb-99 7:54 PM EST (0054 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO AGREEMENT BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: SERBIA'S MONOPOLY ON POWER IN KOSOVO COULD WELL COME TO AN END IF THE PEACE PLAN BEING DISCUSSED IN FRANCE IS ACCEPTED. THE U-S - BACKED PLAN PRESENTS A TAKE-IT-OR-LEAVE-IT FRAMEWORK FOR PEACE. BUT AS V-O-A'S KYLE KING EXPLAINS, SOME OF THE DETAILS OF THE PLAN WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR THE PARTIES TO ACCEPT.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON AND SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAVE REPEATEDLY SAID THEY DO NOT EXPECT THE ALBANIANS OF KOSOVO TO GIVE UP THEIR DREAM OF INDEPENDENCE.

BUT THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES DO NOT SUPPORT THAT GOAL. INSTEAD, THEY HOPE THE PEACE PLAN WILL PROVIDE ENOUGH AUTONOMY OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS TO SATISFY THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS' DEMANDS, AND END THE FIGHTING THAT HAS RAVAGED THE SERBIAN PROVINCE.

ALTHOUGH STILL A DRAFT, MANY DETAILS OF THE PEACE PLAN HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE PUBLIC. IT WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE WARRING FACTIONS LARGELY AS A DONE DEAL [A FAIT ACCOMPLI], AND THEY WILL HAVE ABOUT A WEEK TO SIGN IT.

THE BASIC OUTLINE CALLS FOR INTERNATIONALLY-SUPERVISED ELECTIONS IN KOSOVO LATER THIS YEAR. THE NEWLY-ELECTED REGIONAL GOVERNMENT COMPLETE WITH A PRESIDENT, ASSEMBLY, LOCAL COUNCILS, INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY AND POLICE -- WOULD TAKE CONTROL OF DAY-TO-DAY AFFAIRS.

INTERNATIONAL MONITORS WOULD BE GIVEN WIDE POWERS TO SUPERVISE THE AGREEMENT. WESTERN PEACEKEEPING TROOPS WOULD ENFORCE A CEASE-FIRE.

SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS THE PLAN GIVES KOSOVO'S TWO-MILLION ETHNIC ALBANIANS A VERY HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY.

THE FACT THAT THERE WOULD BE A PRESIDENT AND AN ASSEMBLY AND AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY, AND POWER DEVOLVED TO THE COMMUNITY [AT THE] LOCAL LEVEL, TO THE CREATION OF LOCAL POLICE AND A WHOLE HOST OF LOCAL UNITS ... THIS IS A LOT MORE SELF-GOVERNMENT THAN I THINK MOST PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FINAL STATUS OF KOSOVO, WHICH IS A PROVINCE OF SERBIA, WOULD BE PUT OFF FOR THREE YEARS -- A CONDITION AIMED AT MEETING THE SERBS' DEMAND THAT THEY MUST MAINTAIN THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF YUGOSLAVIA.

SERB OFFICIALS HAVE ALREADY EXPRESSED THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE IDEA OF INTERNATIONAL TROOPS BEING STATIONED IN KOSOVO. ACCEPTANCE OF THE PLAN THEREFORE WILL NOT BE EASY.

BALKAN EXPERT JANUSZ BUGAJSKI (FROM THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IN WASHINGTON) SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC WILL PROBABLY AGREE TO THE PLAN. BUT MR. BUGAJSKI SAYS IMPLEMENTATION WILL BE ANOTHER MATTER.

WHATEVER AGREEMENT YOU HAVE, [PRESIDENT] MILOSEVIC IS GOING TO TRY TO DELAY IT. HE'S GOING TO TRY TO OBSTRUCT IT. HE'S GOING TO TRY TO PREVENT THE ALBANIANS FROM CONTROLLING THE POLICE FORCE [AND] THE SECURITY FORCE. I THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR STICKING POINT. ELECTIONS, I THINK, ARE GOING TO BE ANOTHER BIG ISSUE.

NATO OFFICIALS ARE STILL WORKING OUT HOW MANY PEACEKEEPING TROOPS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO ENFORCE AN AGREEMENT. EUROPEAN NATIONS WILL SUPPLY MOST OF THE FORCE, BUT THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT IS WILLING TO CONTRIBUTE SEVERAL THOUSAND SOLDIERS.

OF THE ESTIMATED 25-THOUSAND SERB SECURITY FORCES NOW BASED IN KOSOVO, ALL BUT ABOUT FOUR- OR FIVE-THOUSAND WOULD BE PULLED OUT. WHAT ROLE THEY WILL PLAY HAS NOT YET EMERGED.

IF THE PLAN IS ACCEPTED, U-S OFFICIALS HOPE IT WILL TEMPORARILY SATISFY DEMANDS FOR INDEPENDENCE. BUT OVER THE LONG TERM, SOME ANALYSTS SAY, IT MAY HAVE THE OPPOSITE EFFECT. THREE YEARS OF PEACE AND RELATIVE PROSPERITY, WITHOUT SERB INTERFERENCE, MAY INCREASE SENTIMENT FOR FULL INDEPENDENCE. ANALYSTS SAY SELF-GOVERNMENT COULD WELL REINFORCE THE BELIEF THAT ANY TIES WITH THE SERBS ARE UN-NECESSARY. (SIGNED)
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05-Feb-99 2:14 PM EST (1914 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO TALKS (L) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: ETHNIC ALBANIAN NATIONALISTS FROM KOSOVO AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE YUGOSLAV AND SERB GOVERNMENTS ARE DUE TO START TALKS JUST OUTSIDE PARIS SATURDAY IN THE MOST SERIOUS EFFORT YET TO BRING PEACE TO THE SERBIAN PROVINCE. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: MEMBERS OF KOSOVO'S RESISTANCE MOVEMENT AND OFFICIALS OF THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT ARE TO MEET IN THE 14TH CENTURY PALACE OF RAMBOUILLET, JUST SOUTHWEST OF PARIS.

THE PALACE IS THE OFFICIAL SUMMER RESIDENCE OF THE FRENCH PRESIDENT. THE PALACE IS SURROUNDED BY A HUGE PARK AND FORESTS, AND FRENCH AUTHORITIES SAY THE SECURITY THERE WILL ENSURE THAT THE TWO SIDES CAN NEGOTIATE IN TOTAL CONFIDENTIALITY.

THE FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS IT IS OPERATING WHAT IT CALLS "WYE PLANTATION RULES" TO PREVENT LEAKS REACHING THE MEDIA. THIS IS A REFERENCE TO LAST YEAR'S TALKS AT WYE PLANTATION IN THE UNITED STATES THAT WERE HELD TO BREAK THE DEADLOCK IN THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS.

THE TALKS IN KOSOVO HAVE BEEN CALLED BY THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP, MADE UP OF THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, AND RUSSIA. THEY HAVE GIVEN THE TWO SIDES JUST TWO WEEKS IN WHICH TO COME TO A PEACE AGREEMENT.

THE PLAN IS TO LAY THE BASIS FOR A THREE-YEAR MOVE TOWARD AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO. RUSSIA, THE MAIN ALLY OF BELGRADE, INSISTS THAT THIS CAN ONLY BE AUTONOMY AND THAT THERE IS NO QUESTION OF KOSOVO GAINING FULL INDEPENDENCE.

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE 1990'S, SLOVENIA, MACEDONIA, CROATIA AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAVE ALL OBTAINED INDEPENDENCE FROM THE YUGOSLAV FEDERATION. IN THE CASE OF CROATIA AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, THIS WAS WON AFTER LONG AND BITTER CIVIL WARS.

THE KOSOVO AUTONOMY PLAN, AS PRESENTED IN RAMBOUILLET, ALLOWS FOR ELECTIONS WITHIN NINE MONTHS UNDER INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION TO CHOOSE NEW LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO RUN KOSOVO.

THE NEW AUTHORITIES WILL THEN HAVE CONTROL OF THE PROVINCE'S ECONOMY, TAX COLLECTION, AND EDUCATION. MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, IT WILL CONTROL AND RECRUIT THE POLICE. THE CURRENT POLICE FORCE IN KOSOVO IS CURRENTLY CONTROLLED BY SERBS.

A KEY PART OF THE FINAL PLAN WILL BE THE STATIONING OF A MILITARY PEACEKEEPING FORCE, DRAWN FROM THE EUROPEAN ARMIES OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION.

ON THIS POINT, RUSSIA SAYS MOSCOW WILL BACK THE PLAN ONLY IF THE YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE GIVE THEIR GO-AHEAD. DIPLOMATS SAY OBTAINING BELGRADE'S AGREEMENT COULD BE ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT HURDLES FACING THE NEGOTIATORS. (SIGNED)
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05-Feb-99 9:19 AM EST (1419 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] MONTENEGRO AT THE CROSSROADS BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: WHEN YUGOSLAVIA BROKE APART IN THE EARLY 1990'S, THE REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO CHOSE TO REMAIN IN THE SURVIVING YUGOSLAV FEDERATION WITH SERBIA. BUT TENSIONS HAVE INCREASED BETWEEN THE TWO REPUBLICS FOLLOWING THE ELECTION OF A YOUNG, REFORM-MINDED PRESIDENT A YEAR AGO. V-O-A'S JUDITH LATHAM HAS TALKED WITH BALKAN SPECIALISTS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ABOUT THE WIDENING RIFT BETWEEN MONTENEGRO AND SERBIA. HERE'S ______ WITH A REPORT.

TEXT: MONTENEGRO CONTINUES TO DISTANCE ITSELF FROM YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC FOR BOTH POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REASONS. SANCTIONS HAVE PUSHED MONTENEGRO TO DEVELOP ITS OWN ECONOMIC STRATEGIES. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FIRST IMPOSED THESE SANCTIONS IN 1992 IN RESPONSE TO THE WAR IN BOSNIA. AND RECENTLY, OFFICIALS IN PODGORICA, THE MONTENEGRIN CAPITAL, HAVE INDICATED THEIR DISAPPROVAL OF SERBIA'S MEDIA CRACKDOWN BY OFFERING SUPPORT TO INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS AND BROADCASTERS BANNED BY BELGRADE.

MANY MONTENEGRINS HAVE FEARED BELGRADE'S RESPONSE TO THEIR INDEPENDENT STANCE COULD ONE DAY BE VIOLENT. THEIR FEARS WERE HEIGHTENED IN NOVEMBER WHEN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC DISMISSED YUGOSLAV ARMY CHIEF-OF-STAFF MOMCILO PERISIC [MOM-CHEE-LOH PAIR-E-SHICH], WHO IS A MONTENEGRIN. GENERAL PERISIC HAD REPORTEDLY DISOBEYED ORDERS TO IMPOSE MARTIAL LAW IN MONTENEGRO EARLY LAST YEAR, A MEASURE WIDELY SEEN AS AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT MILO DJUKANOVIC [MEE-LOH JOO-KAHN-OH-VICH]. EVER SINCE MR. DJUKANOVIC WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT OF MONTENEGRO IN LATE 1997, THE TINY REPUBLIC HAS TRIED TO PULL AWAY FROM THE POLICIES OF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. MONTENEGRIN OFFICIALS SAY THEIR BEST DEFENSE AGAINST UNWANTED INTERVENTION FROM BELGRADE IS DEMOCRATIC AND ECONOMIC REFORM. MONTENEGRO'S FOREIGN MINISTER BRANKO PEROVIC [BRAHN-KOH PAIR-OH-VICH] SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT'S ACTION COULD INSPIRE A MOVE TOWARD GREATER DEMOCRACY IN SERBIA.

TAPE: CUT ONE -- PEROVIC (0:16) "ONCE WE ESTABLISH A POSITIVE EXAMPLE HERE, IT WILL BE A VERY CONVINCING THING TO THOSE WHO DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO ESTABLISH SOMETHING NEW. BUT WE'LL BE ABLE TO SHOW THE SERBIANS THAT NEW IS POSSIBLE AND NEW IS BETTER THAN THE OLD SYSTEM."

TEXT: BUT, FOREIGN MINISTER PEROVIC SAYS, BELGRADE HAS BEEN SABOTAGING MONTENEGRO'S ECONOMIC REFORMS THROUGH TRADE BOYCOTTS AND BLOCKADES.

TAPE: CUT TWO -- PEROVIC (0:23) "WE HAVE A COMMON TRADE MARKET. OBVIOUSLY WE BUY A LOT OF THINGS IN SERBIA AND WE ALSO SELL SOME OF OUR PRODUCTS IN SERBIA. BUT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS THAT THE BORDER THAT DID NOT EXIST IS BECOMING AN OFFICIAL BORDER, SOMETIMES WITH CUSTOMS OFFICERS."

TEXT: BORDER CONTROLS ARE NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM. WESTERN ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA ARE HURTING MONTENEGRO. BUT THAT MAY BE CHANGING. THE U-S CONGRESS RECENTLY VOTED TO GIVE MONTENEGRO ACCESS TO INVESTMENT LOANS, AND THE EUROPEAN UNION IS CONSIDERING EXCLUDING MONTENEGRO FROM THE SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON SERBIA.

FORMER U-S STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL JOHN FOX, A SPECIALIST ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, SAYS ECONOMICS PLAY AS GREAT A PART IN MONTENEGRO'S INDEPENDENT STAND AS DO POLITICAL DIFFERENCES.

TAPE: CUT THREE -- FOX (0:37) "ON THE TAXATION AND REVENUE ISSUE, FOR EXAMPLE, FUNDS THAT ARE OWING TO MONTENEGRO FROM BELGRADE ARE NOT BEING PAID, INCLUDING PENSIONS, WHICH IS REQUIRING MONTENEGRO TO TAKE OVER SOME OF ITS OWN REVENUE COLLECTION, TAXATION FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING CUSTOMS. THERE'S A WIDENING GAP ON THE WAY THE MONTENEGRIN GOVERNMENT IS TREATING MEDIA, N-G-O'S, CIVIL SOCIETY. THERE ARE VERY LIBERAL PRACTICES THERE NOW IN, OF COURSE, SHARP CONTRAST TO WHAT'S GOING ON IN SERBIA, WHERE THE LEGAL, POLITICAL, AND POLICE REPRESSION OF INDEPENDENT MEDIA AND CIVIL SOCIETY IS ONLY INCREASING."

TEXT: MR. FOX SAYS THERE IS CONSIDERABLE CONCERN IN MONTENEGRO ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A SERBIAN CRACKDOWN TO REVERSE THE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL REFORMS OF PRESIDENT DJUKANOVIC'S GOVERNMENT.

TAPE: CUT FOUR -- FOX (0:30) "IF THESE KINDS OF REFORMS ARE POSSIBLE TO BE DONE BY MONTENEGRINS AND SERBS AND ALBANIANS IN MONTENEGRO, AND IN FACT A MULTIETHNIC DEMOCRATIC COALITION IN MONTENEGRO, WHICH IS OF COURSE THE VERY IMPORTANT THING THAT'S HAPPENING IN MONTENEGRO, IT'S A MICROCOSM OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA. IF THAT EXAMPLE SUCCEEDS, IF IT'S NOT STOPPED, THEN OF COURSE THAT'S A DANGER FOR ANY AUTHORITARIAN, REPRESSIVE, ANTI-REFORMIST GOVERNMENT SUCH AS SERBIA'S."

TEXT: (OPT) MR. FOX SAYS MONTENEGRO'S INDEPENDENT STAND MAY ALSO HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF KOSOVO.

TAPE: CUT FIVE -- FOX (0:37) "I THINK THE STRONGER THAT MONTENEGRO IS AS A REFORMING ENTITY AND AS A LIBERAL TERRITORY WITHIN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA, THE MORE SPACE THERE IS FOR MODERATES THROUGHOUT THE F-R-Y -- IN SERBIA AND, I WOULD SAY, IN KOSOVO. I THINK THAT A SUSTAINABLE, PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE DISASTER IN KOSOVO RELIES AT LEAST IN PART ON THE CONTINUATION OF A REFORMIST AND PEACEFUL GOVERNMENT IN MONTENEGRO. THIS IS NOT A SMALL ELEMENT, IF WE HAVE AN INTERIM SETTLEMENT OF THE KOSOVO CRISIS." (END OPT)

TEXT: FORMER STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL JOHN FOX SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN ACTIVELY SUPPORTING THE DEMOCRATIC REFORM MOVEMENT IN MONTENEGRO.

TAPE: CUT SIX -- FOX (0:38) "THE UNITED STATES HAS GOTTEN INVESTMENT GUARANTEES FOR U-S INVESTMENT IN MONTENEGRO. THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE THAT WILL BE FLOWING TO MONTENEGRO IN THE NEXT YEAR. AND, I WOULD SAY, IF IT WERE NOT FOR BELGRADE'S BEHAVIOR, MONTENEGRO COULD OPEN UP A GREAT DEAL MORE. MORE PREVENTIVE ACTIONS ARE NEEDED. IN FACT, ONE MORE THING THE U-S AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY COULD DO WOULD BE TO INCREASE THE PRESENCE OF THE O-S-C-E, THE EUROPEAN UNION, ON THE GROUND IN MONTENEGRO. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. AND THERE SHOULD BE A VERY MAJOR WESTERN PRESENCE IN PODGORICA."

TEXT: BALKAN SPECIALIST JOHN FOX SAYS CONTINUED WESTERN SUPPORT IS CRITICAL IN BOLSTERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY AND CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE REGION.
05-Feb-99 3:09 PM EST (2009 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] DEUTSCHE BANK / NAZI TIES (L-ONLY) BY MIKE O'SULLIVAN (LOS ANGELES)

INTRO: MONDAY, GERMAN AND U-S OFFICIALS WILL HOLD TALKS IN WASHINGTON OVER COMPENSATION FOR JEWISH VICTIMS OF THE NAZI REGIME. GERMANY'S LARGEST BANK, DEUTSCHE BANK, WILL PROBABLY BE PART OF THAT SETTLEMENT. THIS WEEK, DEUTSCHE BANK ADMITTED THAT IT HELPED FINANCE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AUSCHWITZ CONCENTRATION CAMP IN POLAND. V-O-A'S MIKE O'SULLIVAN REPORTS FROM LOS ANGELES, ONE JEWISH ORGANIZATION SAYS THE ADMISSION IS NOT ENOUGH TO SATISFY THE VICTIMS.

TEXT: FRIDAY, THE SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER DISPLAYED A REPORT ON DEUTSCHE BANK THAT HAS BEEN IN ITS ARCHIVES FOR 20 YEARS. DATED NOVEMBER, 1946, THE REPORT WAS COMPILED BY INVESTIGATORS FOR THE U-S MILITARY GOVERNMENT OF POST-WAR GERMANY.

RABBI MARVIN HIER [PRON: HIRE], THE WIESENTHAL CENTER'S DIRECTOR, READ FROM THE THREE MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE REPORT.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT "THE DEUTSCHE BANK BE LIQUIDATED," THAT "THE RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS OF THE DEUTSCHE BANK BE INDICTED AND TRIED AS WAR CRIMINALS," THAT "THE LEADING OFFICIALS OF THE DEUTSCHE BANK BE BARRED FROM POSITIONS OF IMPORTANCE OR RESPONSIBILITY IN GERMAN ECONOMIC OR POLITICAL LIFE."

THE OFFICIALS WERE NOT TRIED -- POSSIBLY, SPECULATES RABBI HIER, BECAUSE THEIR FINANCIAL EXPERTISE WAS NEEDED TO REBUILD GERMANY. AND THE BANK WAS NOT DISBANDED. ONE DEUTSCHE BANK OFFICIAL, HERMANN ABS [PRON: AHPS], BECAME A LEADING FINANCIAL FIGURE IN POST-WAR EUROPE.

THE WIESENTHAL CENTER DIRECTOR SAYS THE U-S REPORT OUTLINES DEUTSCHE BANK'S ROLE AS A MAJOR SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR A RUBBER PLANT IN THE AUSCHWITZ DEATH CAMP. IT WAS OPERATED BY THE INDUSTRIAL FIRM I-G FARBEN USING CAMP INMATES AS UNPAID WORKERS.

DEUTSCHE BANK'S FORMER ROLE AS THE MAJOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION IN NAZI GERMANY -- AND AS PERSONAL BANKER TO HITLER AND OTHER LEADING PARTY OFFICIALS -- IS UNDER SPECIAL SCRUTINY NOW. U-S OFFICIALS ARE CONSIDERING WHETHER TO APPROVE DEUTSCHE BANK'S PROPOSED 10-BILLION-DOLLAR TAKEOVER OF THE U-S CORPORATION BANKERS TRUST. DEUTSCHE BANK HAS ALSO BEEN NAMED IN AN EIGHTEEN-BILLION-DOLLAR LAWSUIT BY THE FAMILIES OF HOLOCAUST VICTIMS.

RABBI MARVIN HIER SAYS THAT DEUTSCHE BANK TODAY IS NOT THE SAME INSTITUTION IT WAS 50 YEARS AGO, BUT IT STILL BEARS RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS PAST ACTIONS. ATTORNEYS FOR THE BANK AND U-S JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS WILL ALSO MEET IN WASHINGTON MONDAY, BUT THE WIESENTHAL CENTER OFFICIAL SAYS THE ISSUE IS ONE OF MORALITY, AS WELL AS A QUESTION OF LAW.

THE LAWYERS SAY THERE'S A LEGAL CASE. MANY (OTHERS) SAY THERE'S NO LEGAL CASE, IT'S A DIFFERENT BANK. THAT'S NOT THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS PERCEPTION, GOOD PUBLIC POLICY. THEY'RE COMING TO THE UNITED STATES. DO YOU WANT CUSTOMERS TO KNOW ABOUT I-G FARBEN AND AUSCHWITZ, OR DO YOU WANT THE RECORD TO READ "YES, THAT WAS OUR PAST. WE DIDN'T DO IT. IT WAS DONE IN OUR NAME. WE CLEANED UP THE MESS AND WE DID THE RIGHT THING. AND WE MADE A GLOBAL SETTLEMENT."

A GLOBAL SETTLEMENT FOR HOLOCAUST VICTIMS WHO LOST THEIR FUNDS IN GERMAN BANKS AND FOR SURVIVORS OF NAZI LABOR CAMPS WOULD SET UP A FUND FOR CLAIMANTS. IT WOULD BE MUCH LIKE THE FUND CREATED BY BANKS IN SWITZERLAND LAST YEAR, WHICH WILL PAY ONE-AND-A-QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS TO FAMILIES OF HOLOCAUST VICTIMS WHO LOST THEIR SAVINGS IN SWISS BANKS. (SIGNED)
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05-Feb-99 5:20 PM EST (2220 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (FRIDAY) BUT SOME LATE-SESSION BUYING CUT THE LOSSES. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 93 HUNDRED FOUR, DOWN A FRACTION OF ONE POINT. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST 54 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 12 HUNDRED 39, DOWN NINE POINTS.

STOCKS WERE DOWN FOR MOST OF THE DAY AND THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE HAD LOST MORE THAN 40 POINTS A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE CLOSE OF TRADING. BUT A LATE BUYING SURGE CUT VIRTUALLY ALL OF THE LOSS IN THE DOW. HOWEVER, SELLING PRESSURE CONTINUED IN MANY HIGH TECHNOLOGY STOCKS WITH THE NASDAQ INDEX DOWN MORE THAN ONE PERCENT.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS ANOTHER SIGN OF A STRONG U-S ECONOMY. THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINS AT ITS LOWEST LEVEL IN 30 YEARS AND THE NUMBER OF NEW JOBS CREATED LAST MONTH WAS LARGER THAN EXPECTED.

THE STRONG JOB MARKET REVIVED CONCERNS ON WALL STREET THAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, THE U-S CENTRAL BANK, MAY RAISE INTEREST RATES NEXT MONTH IN AN EFFORT TO WARD OFF INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.

DAVID JONES OF THE AUBREY LANSTON INVESTMENT COMPANY SAYS, HISTORICALLY, A TIGHT JOB MARKET HAS LED TO WAGE INFLATION.

AT THE ADVANCED STAGE IN AN ECONOMIC EXPANSION, WE SEE PRESSURES FROM THE LABOR MARKET BEGIN TO PUSH UNIT LABOR COSTS HIGHER. THAT IN TURN WOULD LEAD TO HIGHER INFLATION AND THAT WOULD TRIGGER A "FED" (FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD) TIGHTENING RESPONSE IN THE FORM OF HIGHER INTEREST RATES.

WITH THE U-S ECONOMY BOOMING, AMERICANS ARE MORE WILLING TO TAKE ON NEW DEBT. THE U-S CENTRAL BANK REPORTS CONSUMER BORROWING INCREASED IN DECEMBER BY MORE THAN SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS, WELL AHEAD OF WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS.

IN THE LARGEST AUTOMOTIVE DIVESTITURE IN HISTORY, GENERAL MOTORS SPUN OFF ITS DELPHI PARTS BUSINESS INTO A SEPARATE CORPORATION. THE MOVE WILL GIVE DELPHI A CHANCE TO EXPAND ITS BUSINESS WITH AUTOMAKERS THAT WERE RELUCTANT TO DEAL WITH DELPHI WHEN IT WAS PART OF G-M. MORE THAN 80 PERCENT OF THE NEW COMPANY'S STOCK IS BEING GIVEN TO EXISTING G-M STOCKHOLDERS BUT THE PORTION THAT WAS SOLD RAISED ABOUT ONE POINT SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS. C-B-S, THE GIANT U-S BROADCASTING COMPANY, REPORTED A SMALL QUARTERLY LOSS, LARGELY BECAUSE OF RESTRUCTURING COSTS. AT THE SAME TIME, C-B-S CONFIRMED IT IS CONSIDERING SPINNING OFF ITS INTERNET SERVICES INTO A SEPARATE CORPORATION.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE U-S COMMERCE DEPARTMENT WILL PUBLISH INTERNET-GENERATED RETAIL SALES FIGURES AS A SEPARATE CATEGORY. UNTIL NOW, THOSE FIGURES HAVE BEEN COMBINED WITH CATALOG SALES. THE MOVE IS SEEN AS A RECOGNITION OF THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF INTERNET RETAILING WHICH AMOUNTED TO ALMOST 10 BILLION DOLLARS IN THE UNITED STATES LAST YEAR.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
05-Feb-99 5:15 PM EST (2215 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IN THE SENATE NEARS A CONCLUSION, IT REMAINS THE NUMBER ONE TOPIC IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF MANY U-S DAILY PAPERS. OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION THIS FRIDAY INCLUDE: THE BATTLE IN CONGRESS FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM; THOUGHTS ON A MILITARY ALLIANCE WITH AZERBAIJAN; DEALING WITH NORTH KOREA; EMERGING CAPITALISM IN CHINA; AND A TRIBUTE TO A GREAT PATRON OF THE ARTS WHO DIED THIS WEEK, PAUL MELLON. NOW, HERE IS ____________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: AMERICANS ARE, ACCORDING TO THE POLLS, INCREASINGLY TIRED OF THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS. THEY MAY BE GRANTED RELIEF NEXT WEEK, WHEN THE SENATE IS FINALLY SCHEDULED TO VOTE ON WHETHER TO REMOVE BILL CLINTON FROM OFFICE. THE HEADLINE OF THE EDITORIAL IN NEW YORK'S "DAILY NEWS" READS: "THE END IS NEAR."

VOICE: WITH YESTERDAY'S BI-PARTISAN SENATE VOTE AGAINST CALLING MONICA LEWINSKY, THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL'S LAST CHANCE TO FLY OUT OF CONTROL HAS BEEN AVERTED. THAT MEANS THE END IS NEAR, OR AS A MAN SHOUTED FROM THE GALLERY, 'GOD ALMIGHTY, TAKE THE VOTE AND GET IT OVER WITH!' THAT MAN WAS ARRESTED, AS HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN, BUT HE HAD THE RIGHT IDEA. THE OUTCOME IS KNOWN BY ALL. PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL NOT BE REMOVED, SO BRING DOWN THE FINAL CURTAIN.

TEXT: ON LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK'S "NEWSDAY" IS REJOICING THAT MONICA LEWINSKY'S LIVE SENATE TESTIMONY WAS REJECTED.

VOICE: THE SENATE FINALLY SAID NO TO THE HOUSE IMPEACHMENT MANAGERS YESTERDAY, AND ITS DECISION AGAINST SUMMONING MONICA LEWINSKY TO ITS CHAMBER MAY BE AS CLOSE TO A GENUINE VOTE OF CONSCIENCE AS THIS MISBEGOTTEN TRIAL WILL EVER GET. OR WAS IT JUST A CRY FOR MERCY BY A SQUIRMING BODY OF JUROR-JUDGES WHO UNTIL THEN HAD DENIED THE PROSECUTORS ALMOST NOTHING THEY ASKED?

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS STILL CALLING FOR ACQUITTAL OF THE PRESIDENT, BUT THEN A STRONG RESOLUTION OF CENSURE BY THE SENATE, ALTHOUGH IT WARNS:

VOICE: THE JOCKEYING OVER THE LANGUAGE OF THE CENSURE RESOLUTION AND THE MECHANICS OF INTRODUCING IT WILL BE INTENSE. [HOWEVER] ... MOST DEMOCRATS, LOOKING TO THEIR OWN FUTURES, WANT TO GO ON RECORD AS CONDEMNING MR. CLINTON. BUT THEY WILL HAVE TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE REPUBLICANS, WHO ARE RIGHT ON A KEY POINT. MR. CLINTON DID NOT SIMPLY MISBEHAVE. HE COMMITTED SERIOUS OFFENSES THAT, WHILE NOT RISING TO THE LEVEL OF REMOVABLE HIGH CRIMES, MUST NONETHELESS BE PERMANENTLY RECORDED AS BASE AND CALCULATED OFFENSES ...

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS ALSO COMMENTING ON WHAT IT FEELS IS A "STUMBLE" BY THE NEW HOUSE SPEAKER IN AVOIDING A VOTE ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM.

VOICE: DENNIS HASTERT ... SAYS HE WANTS TO AVOID THE BLUNDERS OF HIS PREDECESSOR, NEWT GINGRICH. HE IS HEADED IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. THE OTHER DAY MR. HASTERT SAID THAT CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM WOULD STAY ON THE BACK BURNER [BE PUSHED ASIDE] WHILE LAWMAKERS TAKE UP SOCIAL SECURITY, HEALTH CARE, TAX AND SPENDING ISSUES. THAT COURSE WOULD EFFECTIVELY BURY A REFORM BILL THAT COMMANDS OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND CAN BE PASSED QUICKLY.

TEXT: MOVING TO OVERSEAS ISSUES, "NEWSDAY" SAYS DEALING WITH A "BELLICOSE NORTH KOREA DEMANDS [A] NEW U-S POLICY."

VOICE: IRAQ AND KOSOVO [PROVINCE IN YUGOSLAVIA] DOMINATE THE FOREIGN NEWS, BUT A FAR GREATER THREAT IS LOOMING: NORTH KOREA'S ACCELERATING BALLISTIC-MISSILE PROGRAM ISN'T JUST A POTENTIAL HEADACHE; IT'S A FULL-BLOWN MIGRAINE [INTENSE HEADACHE] JUST WAITING TO STRIKE. AND IT CALLS FOR SOME QUICK RETHINKING OF U-S POLICY, WITH CREDIBLE, EFFECTIVE OPTIONS THAT CAN BE ACTED ON WITHIN MONTHS, NOT YEARS. /// OPT /// ... A POLICY REVIEW BEING CARRIED OUT FOR PRESIDENT ... CLINTON BY FORMER DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY IS DUE TO BE COMPLETED NEXT MONTH. ... THE OPTIONS HE MAY OFFER COULD RANGE FROM PASSIVE CONTAINMENT TO NEW ATTEMPTS TO PULL AN INCREASINGLY DESPERATE AND PARANOID NATION, RAVAGED BY FAMINE AND FISCAL FAILURE, INTO A TIGHTER WEB OF DIPLOMATIC AND ECONOMIC OBLIGATIONS. /// END OPT /// ... SOME NEW THINKING IS NEEDED. URGENTLY.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL" TAKES NOTE OF PLANS IN CHINA TO MAKE OFFICIAL MANY OF THE 'MARKET-SOCIALISM' THEORIES OF THE LATE LEADER DENG XIAOPING, WHEN THE NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS CONVENES IN NEXT MONTH. SAYS "THE JOURNAL:"

VOICE: THE PROPOSED UPGRADE OF PRIVATE ENTERPRISE -- FROM A MERE 'SUPPLEMENT' TO AN 'IMPORTANT PART' OF THE SOCIALIST MARKET ECONOMY IS THE MOST WELCOME SIGN ... IT INDICATES THAT THE LEADERSHIP IN BEIJING RECOGNIZES THE EXTENT TO WHICH CHINA'S CONTINUED ECONOMIC PROGRESS DEPENDS ON FREEING THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO SERVE AS AN ENGINE OF GROWTH. ... MORE ENCOURAGING YET, THE PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AMENDMENT IS WIDELY SEEN AS A SIGNAL OF THE GOVERNMENT'S RESOLVE TO DOWNSIZE THE STATE-OWNED SECTOR.

TEXT: ESTABLISHING A MILITARY ALLIANCE WITH AZERBAIJAN, THE FORMER SOVIET REPUBLIC ON THE CASPIAN SEA, DRAWS A REBUKE FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES," WHICH POINTS OUT:

VOICE: AZERBAIJAN ... FAILS TO MEET MINIMAL STANDARDS OF DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS. DETAINEES ARE TORTURED, DEMONSTRATIONS SUPPRESSED AND JOURNALISTS ARRESTED. LAST YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION GOT FAILING MARKS FROM INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS. AZERBAIJAN MUST IMPROVE IN THESE AREAS AND RESOLVE THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH DISPUTE. CLOSER AMERICAN SECURITY LINKS CAN WAIT UNTIL IT DOES.

TEXT: A FEDERAL COURT JURY DECISION IN OREGON THIS WEEK ORDERING A HUGE DAMAGE SETTLEMENT AGAINST AN ANTI-ABORTION GROUP THAT, USING COMPUTERS, PORTRAYS DOCTORS WHO PERFORM THE PROCEDURE AS SIMILAR TO NUREMBURG WAR CRIMINALS, DRAWS THIS RESPONSE FROM "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS."

VOICE: THE [COMPUTER] WEB SITE IS FRIGHTENING. ANY REASONABLE PERSON WHOSE NAME AND PERSONAL DATA APPEARED ON IT WOULD FEEL THREATENED. GIVEN THEIR CONTEXT, THE DOSSIERS ON DOCTORS ARE AS INTIMIDATING AS CROSSES BURNED OUTSIDE A FAMILY'S HOME. BUT ALTHOUGH THE SITE'S TONE AND MESSAGE ARE UNMISTAKABLY CLEAR, IT MAY STILL ENJOY CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION. THE FIRST AMENDMENT IS RELATIVELY ABSOLUTE, AND COURTS TRADITIONALLY PROTECT AMERICANS' RIGHT TO PRONOUNCE REMARKABLY OFFENSIVE, INFLAMMATORY VIEWS. IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT THE CASE WILL BE OVERTURNED ON APPEAL. BUT THAT SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A GREEN LIGHT FOR VIOLENT THREATS.

TEXT: AND LASTLY SOME WORDS OF FAREWELL FROM "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE, TO ONE OF AMERICA'S RICHEST MEN, PAUL MELLON. HE GAVE AWAY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE ARTS AND OTHER NOBEL PROJECTS DURING A LONG LIFE.

VOICE: PAUL MELLON WORKED AT SPENDING, NOT EARNING. HIS ONLY CONNECTION TO BUSINESS WAS OWNING IT. SOME ONE BILLION DOLLARS IN PHILANTHROPY FLOWED FROM HIM, SAVING ATLANTIC SHORELINE IN THREE STATES, GIVING YALE A MUSEUM OF BRITISH ART, PROMOTING MODERN LITERATURE. EACH IS A REFLECTION OF PAUL MELLON'S TASTE, NOT HIS NAME. THE GENIUS OF ANDREW [MELLON, MR. MELLON'S FATHER, AND FORMER SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, WHO MADE THE FAMILY FORTUNE] AND PAUL MELLON'S CREATION WAS TO CALL IT [THE WASHINGTON D-C ART MUSEUM THEY PAID FOR AND BUILT] THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART -- POSSESSED BY ALL CITIZENS, ATTRACTING OTHER DONORS -- NOT A MELLON MONUMENT. HOW DIFFERENT FROM MANY WORTHY RICH PEOPLE WHO BUILD SOMETHING TO PUT THEIR NAMES ON.

TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF FRIDAY'S U-S PRESS EDITORIALS .
NEB/ANG/KL
05-Feb-99 11:03 AM EST (1603 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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