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Voice of America, 99-02-22Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] KOSOVO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)DATE=2/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245803 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IN THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL SAYS SHE IS EXTREMELY ALARMED THAT THE LAST DRAFT AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO -- CURRENTLY BEING NEGOTIATED OUTSIDE PARIS -- HAS DROPPED REFERENCES TO THE TRIBUNAL. DETAILS FROM REPORTER LAUREN COMITEAU. TEXT: TRIBUNAL PRESIDENT GABRIELLE KIRK MCDONALD CALLED THE MOVE TO CUT OUT REFERENCES TO THE TRIBUNAL A TERRIBLE PRECEDENT. YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS HAVE REPEATEDLY DENIED TRIBUNAL PROSECUTORS VISAS TO INVESTIGATE IN KOSOVO -- SAYING THE TRIBUNAL HAS NO JURISDICTION. BY REMOVING SPECIFIC LANGUAGE FROM THE AGREEMENT GIVING TRIBUNAL PROSECUTORS UNFETTERED ACCESS TO INVESTIGATE, JUDGE MCDONALD SAYS THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP ON YUGOSLAVIA IS, IN EFFECT, SUPPORTING YUGOSLAVIA'S EFFORT TO UNDERCUT THE TRIBUNAL'S AUTHORITY. ///MCDONALD ACT///I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT WE WILL GO BACKWARDS, THAT WE WILL SACRIFICE A SHORT-TERM INTEREST IN REACHING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LONG-TERM NEEDS FOR A LASTING PEACE. ///END ACT///JUDGE MCDONALD CALLED THE MOVE SHORT-SIGHTED AND VERY DANGEROUS.
THERE CAN BE NO LASTING PEACE, SHE SAID, WITHOUT JUSTICE. THAT
MEANS REMOVING WAR CRIME SUSPECTS FROM THE AREA AND BRING THEM TO
JUSTICE IN THE HAGUE. (SIGNED)
[02] KOSOVO VERIFIERS (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BELGRADE)DATE=2/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245797 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /////INTRO: NEW FIGHTING IS REPORTED IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE AHEAD OF THE TUESDAY DEADLINE FOR AGREEMENT ON A PEACE SETTLEMENT. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN IN BELGRADE ALSO REPORTS INTERNATIONAL PEACE MONITORS IN KOSOVO SAY THEY ARE THE TARGETS OF HARASSMENT. TEXT: THE MOST SERIOUS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE SUNDAY AFTERNOON WHEN TWO OF THE MONITORS WERE STOPPED IN THEIR VEHICLE BY SERBIAN MILITARY POLICE. A SPOKESWOMAN IN PRISTINA SAID ONE OF THE POLICE ASKED THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE TO PRODUCE HIS IDENTIFICATION. SHE SAID WHEN HE ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOW TO DO THAT, THE POLICEMAN ORDERED HIM OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE REFUSED, THE POLICEMAN PULLED HIM OUT AND BEGAN TO PUNCH HIM. WHEN THE OTHER MONITOR TRIED TO RADIO FOR HELP, HE WAS PULLED FROM THE VEHICLE AND PUNCHED AS WELL. THE SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE VERIFIERS REPORTS THE TWO MEN WERE NOT SERIOUSLY HURT BUT THEY HAVE BEEN SHAKEN UP BY THE INCIDENT. EARLY MONDAY, OTHER VERIFIERS WERE REFUSED GASOLINE BY SERBIAN WORKERS WHO TOLD THEM THEY WERE ACTING UNDER ORDERS NOT TO SERVE THEM. THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE REPORTED A PATTERN OF HARASSMENT TO THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS IN RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE. SATURDAY, TWO LOCAL FIELD OFFICES FOR THE MONITORS WERE SURROUNDED BY ANGRY SERB CIVILIANS WHO THREW STONES AND SHOUTED SLOGANS AGAINST THE VERIFIERS. ONE OF THE OFFICES HAD TO BE EVACUATED. THE 12-HUNDRED CIVILIAN VERIFIERS WILL BE PULLED OUT OF KOSOVO IF NATO DECIDES TO PUNISH YUGOSLAVIA FOR ITS REFUSAL TO AGREE TO ARMED PEACEKEEPING FORCES. THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE OFFICIAL YUGOSLAV ATTITUDE AGAINST A NATO-LED PEACE FORCE. THERE HAVE BEEN HINTS THAT SOME OTHER FORM OF PEACEKEEPING -- PERHAPS SPONSORED BY THE UNITED NATIONS -- MIGHT BE ACCEPTABLE SO LONG AS IT DISARMS THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. THE ALBANIAN REBELS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR KOSOVO'S INDEPENDENCE FROM YUGOSLAVIA. NEW FIGHTING HAS BEEN REPORTED BETWEEN YUGOSLAV MILITARY POLICE AND THE KOSOVO LIBERATION FORCES NORTHWEST OF THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA. THE VERIFIERS REPORT A COLUMN OF MILITARY TRUCKS CAME UNDER FIRE FROM THE ALBANIANS AND THE POLICE FIRED BACK. IN THE SAME AREA, TWO-THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM THE VILLAGE OF OKRASTICA WERE BLOCKED FROM FLEEING THE FIGHTING. AHEAD OF TUESDAY'S NEGOTIATION DEADLINE, BOTH SIDES APPEAR TO BE
FIGHTING FOR LAST-MINUTE ADVANTAGE. (SIGNED)
[03] KOSOVO VERIFIERS UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRISTINA)DATE=2/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245813 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: WITH MORE FIGHTING BREAKING OUT IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE, INTERNATIONAL MONITORS WITH THE TRUCE VERIFICATION MISSION -- OR K-V-M -- ARE REPORTING A PATTERN OF HARASSMENT. MEANWHILE, THE MONITORS REPORT FIGHTING HAS CAUSED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE TO SEEK REFUGE AWAY FROM THEIR HOME VILLAGES (EDS: WATCH FOR UPDATE -- FIGURE MAY CHANGE TO "THOUSANDS"). PHILIP SMUCKER HAS DETAILS FROM THE KOSOVO CAPITAL OF PRISTINA. TEXT: SENIOR K-V-M OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE ALARMED BY WHAT THEY SEE AS A PATTERN OF HARASSMENT BY SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES. THEY SAY BEATINGS AND OTHER FORMS OF HARASSMENT HAVE INCREASED ACROSS KOSOVO IN THE LAST WEEK. THEY ALSO NOTE THAT SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES HAVE POSITIONED HEAVY ARMOR ON MAJOR ROADS AROUND KOSOVO, SEEN AS AN INDICATION THAT THEY CAN -- AND WILL -- BLOCK EVACUATION ROUTES. THE HARASSMENT CHARGES COME AS SERBIAN FORCES HAVE GONE ON A WAR FOOTING IN KOSOVO IN PREPARATION FOR POSSIBLE NATO AIR STRIKES. IN THE WORST REPORTED INCIDENT OF HARASSMENT, MONITORS FROM LUXEMBOURG AND LITHUANIA WERE PUNCHED BY TWO SERBIAN POLICEMEN. WHEN THEY TRIED TO RADIO FOR HELP, THEY WERE AGAIN BEATEN. SENIOR K-V-M OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAD PROTESTED TO YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES ABOUT, TO USE THEIR WORDS, A "PATTERN OF HARASSMENT" AGAINST THEIR MONITORS. OFFICIALS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE K-V-M MISSION WAS IN ADVANCED STAGES OF PLANNING AN EVACUATION FROM KOSOVO. ONE U-S OFFICIAL SAID THE K-V-M MISSION WAS CONSIDERING ASKING SERBIAN AUTHORITIES TO PROVIDE ARMED ESCORTS OUT OF KOSOVO, WHEN AND IF THE MISSION LEFT. MEANWHILE, MORE FIGHTING BROKE OUT IN SEVERAL VILLAGES IN KOSOVO ON MONDAY. SERB FORCES BATTLED ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS NORTHWEST OF PRISTINA. MORTARS AND SMALL ARMS FIRE WERE REPORTED. SERB FORCES CALLED IN REINFORCEMENTS, INCLUDING TWO TANKS AND AN ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER. K-V-M OFFICIALS SAYS THE SERBS RESPONDED TO A REBEL ATTACK FROM THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. BUT THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN-RUN KOSOVO INFORMATION CENTER IN PRISTINA SAYS THE FIGHTING BEGAN WHEN SERBIAN GOVERNMENT TROOPS ATTACKED THREE VILLAGES. THE INFORMATION CENTER SAYS BODIES OF A 50-YEAR-OLD ETHNIC
ALBANIAN MAN AND HIS SON WERE FOUND MONDAY NEAR KACANE, ABOUT 50
KILOMETERS SOUTH OF PRISTINA NEAR THE MACEDONIAN BORDER. (SIGNED)
[04] KOSOVO TALKS (S&L-ONITER) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE)DATE=2/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245815 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// EDS: KOSOVO TALKS DEADLINE IS 1400 UTC / 9 A.M. ///INTRO: A DEADLINE FOR AGREEMENT IN THE KOSOVO TALKS IS ONLY HOURS AWAY (TODAY/TUESDAY), AND A FULL PEACE ACCORD IS STILL NOT CERTAIN. U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SPENT MOST OF MONDAY WORKING WITH ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADERS FROM KOSOVO, AND EVEN CALLED ALBANIAN LEADERS IN TIRANA - TRYING TO GET THE DELEGATES TO APPROVE THE PEACE PLAN. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN HAS MORE FROM THE TALKS IN RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE. TEXT: LATE-HOUR CONSULTATIONS CONTINUED MONDAY IN AN EFFORT TO RESOLVE THE REMAINING OBSTACLES. KOSOVAR ALBANIANS INSIST ON A REFERENDUM ON INDEPENDENCE AFTER THE THREE-YEAR INTERIM AUTONOMY PLAN RUNS OUT. SERBS SAY ANY SUCH VOTE MUST BE CARRIED OUT ACROSS YUGOSLAVIA -- NOT ONLY IN KOSOVO, WHOSE POPULATION IS MOSTLY ETHNIC-ALBANIAN. THE REBEL "KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY" HAS NOT AGREED TO DISARM ITS FORCES. THE SERB DELEGATION REFUSES TO LET NATO FORCES INTO KOSOVO TO GUARANTEE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PEACE PLAN. SECRETARY ALBRIGHT WORKED WITH THE KOSOVAR ALBANIAN DELEGATION MOST OF MONDAY, WITH FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER HUBERT VEDRINE JOINING THE TALKS. OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SIX-NATION "CONTACT GROUP" ON YUGOSLAVIA ALSO ARE EXPECTED (LATE TUESDAY MORNING). AS THE DAY WORE ON MONDAY, THE MOOD APPEARED MORE PESSIMISTIC. BY EVENING, MR. VEDRINE TOLD REPORTERS EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE, BUT NOTHING YET HAS BEEN ACHIEVED. /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///TENSIONS HAVE INCREASED WITH REPORTS OF RENEWED FIGHTING IN KOSOVO PROVINCE. INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS DEPLOYED THERE TO MONITOR THE FRAGILE CEASE-FIRE ARE ALSO COMPLAINING OF INCREASED HARASSMENT BY SERB FORCES. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS PRESSING FOR A QUICK PEACE SETTLEMENT IN RAMBOUILLET TO END THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO. BUT THAT MEANS BOTH DELEGATIONS MUST AGREE ON THE POLITICAL SETTLEMENT AND THE SECURITY DIMENSIONS -- WHICH INCLUDES PUTTING NATO PEACEKEEPERS IN KOSOVO. SERB PRESIDENT MILAN MILUTINOVIC SAYS HE WON'T TALK ABOUT SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS UNTIL THE PEACE PLAN IS FIRST AGREED. SECRETARY ALBRIGHT HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO ACCEPT THE PEACE PLAN, TO PUT MORE PRESSURE ON THE SERBS TO DO THE SAME. BUT TIME IS QUICKLY RUNNING OUT FOR A POSITIVE DECISION.
(SIGNED)
[05] E-U / OCALAN (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (LUXEMBOURG)DATE=2/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245800 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE 15 EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES HAVE CALLED ON TURKEY TO MAKE SURE CAPTURED KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN RECEIVES A FAIR TRIAL. JOHN FRASER IN LUXEMBOURG REPORTS THE E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS ALSO SAID THEY DEPLORED THE OCCUPATION OF SEVERAL E-U DIPLOMATIC OFFICES BY PROTESTING KURDS. TEXT: THE 15 EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS WORKED TO AVOID TAKING SIDES IN THE DISPUTE BETWEEN TURKISH AUTHORITIES AND KURD SEPARATISTS. IN THEIR STATEMENT, THE FOREIGN MINISTERS SAID THEY WELCOME ASSURANCES BY TURKEY THAT JAILED KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN WILL RECEIVE A FAIR TRIAL. THEY SAID THIS MUST INCLUDE FAIR AND CORRECT TREATMENT OF MR. OCALAN. AND THEY SAID THERE SHOULD BE AN OPEN TRIAL BEFORE AN INDEPENDENT COURT, WITH THE ADMISSION OF INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS AND THE LEGAL COUNCIL OF MR. OCALAN'S CHOICE. THE E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS ALSO CRITICIZED KURDISH DEMONSTRATORS WHO OCCUPIED DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS AS PART OF THEIR PROTEST OF MR. OCALAN'S ARREST. THEY SAID SUCH ACTIONS ARE INTOLERABLE. AND THEY SAID LEGITIMATE INTERESTS MUST BE EXPRESSED THROUGH A POLITICAL PROCESS, NOT THROUGH VIOLENCE. THE E-U MINISTERS REAFFIRMED THEIR OPPOSITION TO TERRORISM, BUT SAID THE LEGITIMATE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM MUST BE CONDUCTED WITH FULL RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, THE RULE OF LAW, AND DEMOCRATIC NORMS. THE E-U DISCUSSIONS TOOK PLACE AS DOZENS OF KURDISH PROTESTORS CHANTED BEHIND A BARRICADE, WHICH HAD BEEN ERECTED TO PROTECT THE E-U CONFERENCE CENTER IN LUXEMBOURG. THE EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS APPEALED TO TURKEY TO RESOLVE THE KURDISH PROBLEM BY POLITICAL MEANS, WITH FULL RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND IN LINE WITH TURKEY'S OBLIGATIONS AS A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE. THEY CALLED FOR GENUINE EFFORTS TO PROMOTE RECONCILIATION, THROUGH A SEPARATION OF THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM FROM THE SEARCH FOR POLITICAL SOLUTIONS. THEY ALSO PLEDGED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ANY EFFORTS TO SEEK A
PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM, AND ADDED THAT A POSITIVE
RESPONSE FROM TURKEY WILL IMPROVE THE COUNTRY'S RELATIONS WITH
THE EUROPEAN UNION. (SIGNED)
[06] E-U KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (LUXEMBOURG)DATE=2/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245801 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION IS OFFERING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO RECONSTRUCT KOSOVO, IF BOTH SIDES IN THE DISPUTE AGREE ON A PEACE ACCORD BEING NEGOTIATED IN FRANCE. THE CRISIS IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE WAS DISCUSSED DURING A MEETING OF E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS IN LUXEMBOURG, WHERE JOHN FRASER REPORTS. TEXT: THE 15 E-U MINISTERS THREW THEIR WEIGHT BEHIND THE EFFORTS TO SECURE A PEACE DEAL OF THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP, AND PRAISED THE RELENTLESS EFFORTS OF THE NEGOTIATORS IN PURSUING PEACE. AS AN INDUCEMENT, THEY PROMISED TO COME UP WITH A PACKAGE OF FINANCIAL AID TO HELP BOTH SIDES IN THE DISPUTE, IF THERE IS A PEACE DEAL. AS A FURTHER ENCOURAGEMENT, THE E-U MINISTERS PLEDGED TO ORGANIZE A DONORS CONFERENCE FOR KOSOVO, SOON AFTER AN AGREEMENT IS REACHED. AND THE FOREIGN MINISTERS PROMISED THAT THEY WILL BEGIN TO DROP SANCTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA ONCE A PEACE DEAL STARTS TAKING EFFECT. //OPT//THE E-U MINISTERS STRESSED THAT THEY HOLD BOTH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT
SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND THE LEADERSHIP OF THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS
PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF WHAT THEY
CALL THIS LAST OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE A COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT.
(SIGNED)
[07] E-U SAF TRADE (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (LUXEMBOURG)DATE=2/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245802 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: SOUTH AFRICA IS BEING URGED TO MAKE FURTHER TRADE CONCESSIONS TO THE EUROPEAN UNION, AFTER FIVE E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS REFUSED MONDAY TO SIGN UP TO A PROVISIONAL FREE TRADE DEAL. THE ACCORD WAS NEGOTIATED LAST MONTH IN SWITZERLAND AT A MEETING OF WHAT'S CALLED THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM. IT WOULD COMMIT BOTH SIDES TO DISMANTLING MOST TRADE BARRIERS, WHILE ALLOWING SOME PROTECTION FOR SENSITIVE ECONOMIC SECTORS. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM THE E-U MEETING IN LUXEMBOURG. TEXT: THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY INDICATED THAT WHILE IT CONSIDERS THE PROVISIONAL ACCORD WITH THE E-U FAR FROM IDEAL, IT IS PREPARED TO SIGN UP TO IT. BUT ON MONDAY, SPAIN LED THE ATTACK ON THE AGREEMENT WHEN IT WAS PRESENTED TO E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS BY EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER JOAO DE DEUS PINHEIRO. FACED WITH OPPOSITION FROM SPAIN, FRANCE, ITALY, PORTUGAL AND GREECE TO THE PROVISIONAL ACCORD, IT WAS AGREED THAT THE COMMISSIONER SHOULD SEEK A MEETING IN SOUTH AFRICA WITH THAT COUNTRY'S TRADE AND INDUSTRY MINISTER ALEC ERWIN, TO TRY TO SALVAGE THE AGREEMENT. MR. PINHEIRO SAYS HE IS SEEKING A FINE-TUNING OF THE ACCORD, RATHER THAN A FULL RENEGOTIATION OF THE DEAL. THE EUROPEAN OPPONENTS OF THE ACCORD WORRY THAT IT IS TOO GENEROUS TO SOUTH AFRICAN AGRICULTURAL EXPORTERS, AND WILL DAMAGE THE LIVELIHOODS OF EUROPEAN FARMERS AND FOOD PROCESSORS. HOWEVER, THE MAIN STUMBLING BLOCK REMAINS AN UNDERTAKING TO PHASE OUT THE USE OF THE TERMS "PORT" AND "SHERRY" BY SOUTH AFRICAN PRODUCERS OF FORTIFIED WINE. THE CURRENT ACCORD CONTAINS A LOOPHOLE WHICH MIGHT ALLOW THESE NAMES TO BE USED BEYOND THE PLANNED 12 YEAR PHASE-OUT PERIOD. IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE DETAILS OF FUTURE AGREEMENTS ON THE OVERALL ISSUE OF COPYRIGHT WHICH WILL BE SOUGHT INSIDE THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. BUT SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER ABEL MATUTES CALLS THE ISSUE OF LABELING PORT AND SHERRY BOTTLES A PROBLEM OF PRINCIPLE, AND IT MUST BE CLEAR THAT THE USE OF THESE NAMES BY SOUTH AFRICAN PRODUCERS WILL END, ONCE AND FOR ALL, AT A GIVEN DATE. SPAIN ALSO WORRIES THAT IT DOES NOT CURRENTLY HAVE SUFFICIENT GUARANTEES TO WIN NEW FISHING RIGHTS IN SOUTH AFRICAN WATERS. SOUTH AFRICA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE EUROPEAN UNION, ELIAS LINKS, SAYS HE IS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT SOME OF THE 15 FOREIGN MINISTERS WERE UNABLE TO ACCEPT THE ACCORD. HE ADDED THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN ONLY NOW BE SOLVED AT THE TOP POLITICAL LEVEL. BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR HAS WRITTEN TO HIS E-U COLLEAGUES, URGING THEM TO BACK THE DEAL. HE SAYS THE E-U HAS MADE MANY PROMISES IN THE PAST TO HELP SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH THE TRANSITION FROM APARTHEID, AND THAT PRESIDENT MANDELA WAS PROMISED NINE MONTHS AGO THAT THERE WOULD BE A SPEEDY ACCORD. //REST OPT//BRITAIN HAS SUPPORT FROM MOST OF THE NORTHERN EUROPEAN STATES IN
SEEKING A RAPID TRADE DEAL WITH SOUTH AFRICA AS A FAREWELL
TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA, WHO WILL LEAVE OFFICE AFTER
ELECTIONS LIKELY TO TAKE PLACE THIS MAY. (SIGNED)
[08] TURKEY / OCALAN (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=2/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245807 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: TURKISH OFFICIALS HAVE ANGRILY REJECTED A CALL FROM EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS FOR TURKEY TO ALLOW FOREIGN OBSERVERS TO MONITOR THE TRIAL OF CAPTURED KURDISH REBEL CHIEF ABDULLAH OCALAN. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY EUROPE SHOULD NOT INTERFERE IN TURKEY'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS. TEXT: TURKISH PRIME MINISTER BULENT ECEVIT MADE HIS GOVERNMENT'S POSITION CLEAR SHORTLY BEFORE EUROPEAN UNION MINISTERS MET MONDAY IN LUXEMBOURG AND CALLED ON TURKEY TO TRY THE KURDISH REBEL LEADER IN AN INDEPENDENT COURT. THE E-U MINISTERS ALSO CALLED ON TURKEY TO ALLOW MR. OCALAN ACCESS TO FOREIGN LAWYERS. MR. ECEVIT SAID TURKEY WOULD VIEW OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE IN THE TRIAL AS AN UNACCEPTABLE AFFRONT TO THE TURKISH JUSTICE SYSTEM. ABDULLAH OCALAN -- THE LEADER OF THE OUTLAWED KURDISH REBEL GROUP KNOWN AS THE P-K-K -- HAS BEEN ON A PRISON ISLAND SINCE LAST TUESDAY AFTER TURKISH SPECIAL FORCES CAPTURED HIM IN KENYA'S CAPITAL, NAIROBI. A TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAYS THE TRIAL OF THE REBEL LEADER WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE SAME MANNER AS THAT OF ANY TURKISH CITIZEN WHO HAD COMMITTED A SIMILAR CRIME. OBSERVERS HERE SAY IT IS HARD TO THINK OF ANY SIMILAR CASE. THE P-K-K LEADER IS BLAMED BY TURKEY FOR THE DEATHS OF 30-THOUSAND TURKISH CITIZENS, INCLUDING MANY UNARMED CIVILIANS. LEGAL EXPERTS SAY ABDULLAH OCALAN'S LEADERSHIP OF A 14-YEAR ARMED CAMPAIGN FOR KURDISH SELF-RULE IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY MEANS THAT HE WILL LIKELY BE CHARGED WITH TREASON. TREASON IS , AN OFFENSE PUNISHABLE BY EXECUTION HERE, ALTHOUGH THE DEATH PENALTY HAS NOT BEEN CARRIED OUT IN TURKEY FOR 15 YEARS. /// REST OPT ///TURKISH OFFICIALS DESCRIBE EUROPEAN CALLS FOR A FREE AND FAIR TRIAL FOR THE P-K-K LEADER AS "HYPOCRITICAL," ESPECIALLY, THEY SAY, BECAUSE AT LEAST ONE EUROPEAN COUNTRY -- GERMANY -- FAILED TO PUT MR. OCALAN ON TRIAL WHEN IT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO. A WARRANT FOR MR. OCALAN'S ARREST IS PENDING IN GERMANY OVER HIS ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT IN THE SLAYING OF TWO P-K-K DEFECTORS. BUT FEARING A VIOLENT BACKLASH FROM ABOUT ONE-HALF-MILLION KURDS LIVING IN GERMANY, THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT DID NOT SEEK THE KURD REBEL LEADER'S EXTRADITION WHEN HE WAS BEING HELD IN ITALY EARLIER THIS YEAR. ANGER WITH GREECE IS ALSO MOUNTING IN TURKEY BECAUSE OF THE ALLEGED GREEK GOVERNMENT ROLE IN SUPPORTING ABDULLAH OCALAN. THREE GREEK CABINET MINISTERS WERE FORCED TO RESIGN LAST WEEK OVER THEIR ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT IN HARBORING MR. OCALAN AT THE GREEK AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE IN NAIROBI. TURKISH PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL THREATENED UNSPECIFIED ACTION
AGAINST GREECE, SAYING TURKEY RESERVES THE RIGHT -- IN HIS WORDS
TO TAKE ALL PRECAUTIONS IF GREECE CHOOSES TO CONTINUE WHAT HE
TERMED ITS ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR.
IN REPLY, GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN DIMITRIS REPPAS
ACCUSED TURKEY OF SEEKING TO DIVERT INTERNATIONAL OPINION AWAY
FROM WHAT HE CALLED TURKEY'S HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES. (SIGNED)
[09] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=2/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245820 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP STRONGLY TODAY (MONDAY) AS SEVERAL HUGE CORPORATE TAKEOVERS SPARKED NEW CONFIDENCE ON WALL STREET. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 95 HUNDRED 52, UP 212 POINTS OR ALMOST TWO AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 12 HUNDRED 72, UP 33 POINTS. AND THE TECHNOLOGY-HEAVY NASDAQ INDEX GAINED MORE THAN TWO PERCENT. ANALYSTS SAY A WAVE OF MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR CORPORATE ACQUISITIONS AND SOME NEW OPTIMISM ABOUT EARNINGS SPARKED THE RALLY. AS THE RALLY GAINED MOMENTUM, ANALYSTS SAY SHORT-COVERING BECAME A POSITIVE FACTOR. SHORT-COVERING OCCURS WHEN TRADERS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY SOLD A STOCK, HOPING ITS PRICE WILL FALL, DECIDE TO BUY IT BACK. THE ENTHUSIASM ON WALL STREET CAME DESPITE SCHEDULED CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY TUESDAY BY U-S CENTRAL BANK CHIEF ALAN GREENSPAN. MANY TRADERS ARE USUALLY NERVOUS IN ADVANCE OF ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS BY MR. GREENSPAN. ///REST OPT///ANDY BROOKS OF THE T-ROWE PRICE INVESTMENT COMPANY, SAYS LONG-TERM INVESTORS SHOULD STILL BE WARY ABOUT MANY TECHNOLOGY STOCKS WHICH HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY VOLATILE IN RECENT WEEKS. ///BROOKS ACT///YOU REALLY SHOULD WATCH THINGS PRETTY CLOSELY IF YOU ARE PLAYING WITH SOME OF THE "HOT" STOCKS. ON THE OTHER HAND, IF YOU HAVE BOUGHT GOOD COMPANIES WHEN THEY WERE OUT-OF-FAVOR, YOU CAN PUT THOSE STOCKS IN YOUR DRAWER AND FORGET ABOUT THEM. ///END ACT///AMONG THE BIG ACQUISITIONS, UNITED TECHNOLOGIES, A MAJOR U-S DEFENSE AND AEROSPACE COMPANY WILL PAY FOUR POINT THREE BILLION DOLLARS FOR SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION, A SUPPLIER OF AEROSPACE COMPONENTS. THE DEAL VALUES SUNDSTRAND AT MORE THAN 20 PERCENT OVER ITS RECENT MARKET PRICE. THE STOCK OF PINKERTON, THE AMERICAN SECURITIES SERVICE FIRM, JUMPED ALMOST 70 PERCENT AFTER IT AGREED TO BE ACQUIRED BY SECURITAS OF SWEDEN IN A 384 MILLION DOLLAR DEAL. THE COMBINED COMPANY WILL HAVE OPERATIONS IN MORE THAN 30 NATIONS. A FURTHER CONSOLIDATION IN THE U-S GAS AND ELECTRIC UTILITY INDUSTRY WAS ANNOUNCED. DOMINION RESOURCES COMPANY WILL PAY SIX POINT THREE BILLION DOLLARS FOR THE CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY. THE COMBINED FIRM WILL BE THE FOURTH-LARGEST UTILITY IN THE UNITED STATES WITH OPERATIONS CENTERED ON THE EAST COAST. OLIVETTI, THE ITALIAN-BASED COMPUTER AND COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, HAS LAUNCHED A HOSTILE TAKEOVER BID FOR TELECOM ITALIA, THE RECENTLY PRIVATIZED ITALIAN TELEPHONE COMPANY. HOWEVER, TELECOM ITALIA SAYS OLIVETTI'S 58 BILLION DOLLAR OFFER IS MUCH TOO LOW. THE U-S COMMERCE DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE IS A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT
IN A TRADE DISPUTE WITH RUSSIA. RUSSIA WILL CUT ITS STEEL EXPORTS
TO THE U-S BY 70 PERCENT AND, IN RETURN, THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT
WILL DROP AN UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES CASE AGAINST RUSSIA.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
[10] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=02/22/99TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-11157 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= ////////INTRO: ALTHOUGH HIS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IN THE SENATE IS NOW OVER, PRESIDENT CLINTON'S CHARACTER AND ASSOCIATED ISSUES CONTINUE TO CREATE LOTS OF MATERIAL FOR THE NATION'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS. OTHER TOPICS DISCUSSED TODAY INCLUDE: THE TANGLED KOSOVO PEACE TALKS; THE CONTROVERSIAL DRUG CERTIFICATION DEBATE; THE QUALITY OF MEXICO'S POLICE; THE ILLS OF THE GOVERNMENT IN BELARUS; AND CELEBRATING GEORGE WASHINGTON ON HIS BIRTHDAY. NOW, HERE IS _______________ WITH SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: THERE ARE NEW ALLEGATIONS OF PAST WRONG-DOING ON THE PART OF BILL CLINTON THAT OCCUPY SEVERAL EDITORIAL COLUMNS. "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" COMMENTS ON THE STORY OF AN ARKANSAS NURSING HOME OWNER, JUANITA BROADDRICK, WHO ALLEGES MR. CLINTON RAPED HER 21 YEARS AGO, WHILE HE WAS ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ARKANSAS. THE PAPER IS CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THE MEDIA IS DEALING WITH THIS STORY. VOICE: IT'S NOW WIDELY KNOWN THAT THE PRESS HAS BEEN CIRCLING JUANITA BROADDRICK'S STORY FOR YEARS. NOW THAT SHE'S GONE PUBLIC WITH HER ACCOUNT ... SOME LIKE THE WASHINGTON POST ARE GOING WITH THEIR OWN VERSIONS. ... OTHERS ARE IMAGINING REASONS NOT TO GO WITH [REPORT] IT ... WE HAVE TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING WHY ANY JOURNALIST SHOULD THINK TWICE ABOUT THIS STORY. IN AN IMPEACHMENT OF THE PRESIDENT ... WE WOULD THINK, EVERYTHING'S ON THE TABLE. /// OPT /// ... WHAT THE PUBLIC MOST NEEDS NOW ARE JOURNALISTS WHOSE FIRST INSTINCT IS TO FIND REASONS WHY THEY SHOULD PUBLISH REAL NEWS, EVEN JUANITA BROADDRICK'S, RATHER THAN SPEND THEIR HOURS CONVINCING THEMSELVES THAT NO ONE ELSE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IT./// END OPT /// TEXT: BUT "USA TODAY," SAYS THE NEWLY SURFACING REPORTS, ARE NOT RELEVANT TO MR. CLINTON'S PRESIDENCY. VOICE: THE ASSAULT CHARGE SEEMS DESTINED FOR A FLEETING LIFE. ... [MRS.] BROADDRICK'S STORY IS JUST ANOTHER UNCORROBORATED ALLEGATION OF THE SORT THAT THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN WILLING TO OVERLOOK SINCE [MR.] CLINTON'S FIRST CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT. AND EVEN IF IT DID OCCUR ... TERRIBLE AS IT MAY BE, [IT] HAS N O BEARING ON [MR.] CLINTON'S ACTIONS AS PRESIDENT. TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IN BOSTON HAS THIS TO SAY ON THE ISSUE OF PRESIDENTIAL CHARACTER. VOICE: PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE PRESIDENCY HAS FLUCTUATED THROUGHOUT U-S HISTORY. IT TENDS TO BOUNCE BACK AFTER A LOW PERIOD. IT CERTAINLY WILL RESPOND TO THE THREE CS - - CHARACTER, CAPABILITY, AND CHARISMA -- IN FUTURE WHITE HOUSE OCCUPANTS. IT WILL ALSO RESPOND IN TIMES OF PERCEIVED NATIONAL PERIL. ... FUTURE CANDIDATES ... AND THEIR FAMILIES WILL NOT BE HECTORED BEYOND WHAT ANY POLITICAL LEADER NORMALLY EXPECTS. THAT'S ESPECIALLY TRUE OF SKILLED CANDIDATES WITH DEMONSTRABLY ETHICAL AND MORAL RECORDS. /// OPT ///TEXT: IN A RELATED DEVELOPMENT, A POSSIBLE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT PENDING INVESTIGATION OF KENNETH STARR, THE MAN WHO INVESTIGATED THE PRESIDENT, DRAWS THIS OBSERVATION FROM TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES." VOICE: THAT IS PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA, PROVIDED ... THE INQUIRY IS INDEPENDENT OF MS. RENO. BY BLOCKING RIGOROUS INVESTIGATION OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S FUND RAISING, SHE HAS SHOWN THAT SHE CANNOT BE TRUSTED BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO HANDLE ANY MATTER TOUCHING ON HER BOSS OR HIS OPPONENTS. /// END OPT ///TEXT: MOVING TO INTERNATIONAL TOPICS: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS ALSO MUSING ON WHAT IT CALLS "THE TANGLED KOSOVO PEACE TALKS," AND THE ALBANIAN KOSOVARS LAST-MINUTE REQUEST FOR AN INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM WITHIN THREE YEARS. VOICE: AT LAST WORD YESTERDAY, THE ALBANIANS HAD NOT WITHDRAWN THE DEMAND. THEY SHOULD DO SO QUICKLY. THOUGH A REFERENDUM WOULD BE CERTAIN TO PASS, IT WOULD N O T GUARANTEE THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WOULD AGREE THAT KOSOVO SHOULD BECOME AN INDEPENDENT STATE. ... THE [ETHNIC ALBANIANS' INSISTENCE ON SUCH] A REFERENDUM, WILL LESSEN PRESSURE ON MR. MILOSEVIC TO ALLOW NATO PEACEKEEPERS IN KOSOVO. TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" TALKS ABOUT THE PENDING DRUG CERTIFICATION ANNOUNCEMENT, AND ITS FALLACIES: VOICE: THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN THE UNITED STATES TAKES IT ON ITSELF TO MEASURE HOW WELL OTHER COUNTRIES ARE WAGING WAR AGAINST THE SUPPLY AND TRANSIT OF DRUGS TO US; THOSE ADJUDGED NOT TO BE 'FULLY COOPERATING' RISK TRADE AND AID PENALTIES. REGRETTABLY IGNORED IS THE EQUALLY PRESSING QUESTION OF WHETHER THE UNITED STATES IS COOPERATING FULLY IN THE WAR AGAINST ITS OWN DEMAND FOR DRUGS. THE LAPSE IS GROSSLY UNFAIR ... OTHERS RESENT BEING HELD TO AMERICAN JUDGMENTS FROM WHICH THE UNITED STATES EXEMPTS ITSELF. TEXT: STILL IN THIS HEMISPHERE, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS LAMENTING THE FAILURE IN CRIME SOLVING OF THE MEXICAN POLICE. VOICE: THE CHILLING FREQUENCY OF RANSOM KIDNAPPINGS IN MEXICO AND THE IMPUNITY ENJOYED BY THOSE WHO COMMIT THEM HAVE TOUCHED EVERY LEVEL OF SOCIETY. IT'S PRACTICALLY AN INDUSTRY, A DARK AND DANGEROUS ONE INCREASINGLY PRODUCTIVE THROUGHOUT LATIN AMERICA. /// OPT /// ACCORDING TO MEXICAN GOVERNMENT STATISTICS, ONLY SIX OF EVERY 100 CRIMES REPORTED ARE SOLVED, AND ONLY HALF THE PERPETRATORS END UP IN JAIL. THE DISMAL PERFORMANCE OF THE MEXICAN JUDICIARY SYSTEM BEARS MUCH OF THE BLAME. /// END OPT ///TEXT: TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" HAS SOME HARSH WORDS FOR THE METHODS OF BELARUS LEADER ALEKSANDR LUKASHENKO. VOICE: STALINIST DICTATOR ALEKSANDR LUKASHENKO ... DOES NOT MERELY PERSECUTE INDEPENDENT POLITICIANS, JOURNALISTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS. HE ALSO CRUSHES ENTREPRENEURS ... WHO ARE BELARUS' ONLY HOPE FOR ESCAPING POVERTY. THOUSANDS OF BELARUSSIANS HAVE RUN AFOUL OF A WEB OF ARBITRARY, OBSCURE AND SOMETIMES RETROACTIVE DECREES AND LAWS REGULATING TAXES, EXCHANGE RATES AND OTHER ASPECTS OF BUSINESS. ... MR. LUKASHENKO'S PHILOSOPHY IS A PUZZLING ONE FOR A COUNTRY WHOSE ECONOMY HAS ESSENTIALLY COLLAPSED. BUT WHAT MATTERS TO HIM IS NOT PROSPERITY, BUT ABSOLUTE CONTROL. /// OPT ///TEXT: REGARDING ASIA, "THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD" IS UPSET AT THE JAILING OF A NOTED JOURNALIST. VOICE: GAO YU ENTERED THE CHINESE GULAG SIX YEARS AGO A BRIGHT, PERKY, DEFIANT JOURNALIST, 'WILLING TO SACRIFICE ALL THAT I HAVE FOR MY COUNTRY'S MODERNIZATION AND JOURNALISM.' SHE CAME OUT LAST WEEK, SEVEN MONTHS BEFORE THE END OF HER SIX-YEAR SENTENCE FOR 'REVEALING STATE SECRETS,' WITH HEART AND KIDNEY AILMENTS AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, WHICH HAD BEEN NEGLECTED IN PRISON. ...[MS.] GAO SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN HELD ON THE SPURIOUS CHARGES ... IN THE FIRST PLACE. HER LONG IMPRISONMENT AND THE CYNICAL STAGING OF HER 'PAROLE' ONLY HIGHLIGHT THE WEAKNESS OF A REGIME THAT DARES NOT SUBMIT ITSELF TO THE INDEPENDENT SCRUTINY OF SUCH AS GAO YU. TEXT: "THE BOSTON GLOBE," REMEMBERING POPE JOHN PAUL THE SECOND'S CALL FOR CUBA "TO OPEN HERSELF TO THE WORLD" DURING HIS RECENT TRIP, IN WHICH HE URGED THE FREEING OF POLITICAL PRISONERS, HAS THIS GLOOMY ASSESSMENT OF THE CASTRO GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE. VOICE: OF THE POLITICAL PRISONERS ... RELEASED, MOST WERE FORCED TO LEAVE THE ISLAND AS A CONDITION OF THEIR RELEASE - - THE SAME PRACTICE THAT PREVAILED BEFORE THE POPE'S VISIT. FOUR WELL-KNOWN PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE - - LEADERS OF THE INTERNAL DISSIDENCE WORKING GROUP - - HAVE LANGUISHED IN PRISON FOR 19 MONTHS WITHOUT CHARGES BEING BROUGHT AGAINST THEM. ... IF [MR.] CASTRO WANTS THE U-S EMBARGO LIFTED AND THE WORLD TO OPEN UP, HE SHOULD BEGIN BY KEEPING HIS PART OF HIS IMPLICIT BARGAIN WITH THE POPE. /// END OPT ///TEXT: LASTLY, ON THIS ANNIVERSARY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON'S BIRTH, /// OPT /// ANOTHER /// END OPT ///VOICE: ... WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY REMINDS US NOT ONLY OF THE GREATNESS OF THE MAN, BUT OF HOW THE FIRST AMERICAN PRESIDENT SET THE COURSE OF THE REPUBLIC. 'A TRUE NATIONAL HERO, A HERO ON A WORLD SCALE AND A MODEL FOR OTHER COUNTRIES,' PROFESSOR KENNETH BOWLING CALLS HIM. AMERICA OFTEN HAS STRAYED FROM WASHINGTON'S IDEAL, BUT HIS EXAMPLE ALWAYS IS THERE TO POINT THE WAY BACK. TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL
COMMENT FROM MONDAY'S U-S PRESS.
[11] ISRAEL / NORWAY (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (JERUSALEM)DATE=2/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245792 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE PRIME MINISTER OF NORWAY, HOST COUNTRY OF THE 1993 OSLO MIDDLE EAST PEACE CONFERENCE, SAYS HE IS CONVINCED THE STALLED ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE PROCESS WILL BE RE-STARTED. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST IN JERUSALEM REPORTS THE NORWEGIAN LEADER KJELL MAGNE BONDEVIK -- COMPLETED A TWO-DAY SET OF TALKS WITH LEADERS OF THE TWO SIDES. TEXT: MR. BONDEVIK SAYS REGARDLESS OF WHO WINS ISRAEL'S UPCOMING ELECTIONS, THE PEACE PROCESS WILL GET GOING AGAIN. ISRAEL SUSPENDED TROOP WITHDRAWALS CALLED FOR IN THE WYE RIVER INTERIM PEACE ACCORD LAST DECEMBER AMID MUTUAL CHARGES OF NON-COMPLIANCE. BUT THE NORWEGIAN LEADER, WHO MET ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU HERE AFTER TALKS IN GAZA SUNDAY WITH PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSER ARAFAT, SAYS HE EMERGED FROM THE MEETINGS MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT PEACE PROSPECTS: /// BONDEVIK ACTUALITY ///I THINK THAT THE PEACE PROCESS WILL BE ON THE TRACK AGAIN. WE HAVE TO SEE WHICH GOVERNMENT ISRAEL WILL HAVE AFTER THE ELECTIONS HERE. BUT I'M CONVINCED THAT THE PEACE PROCESS WILL GO ON. /// END ACT ///THE NORWEGIAN PRIME MINISTER SAYS HE ASKED MR. ARAFAT TO POSTPONE
THE UNILATERAL STATEHOOD DECLARATION HE HAS THREATENED TO MAKE
MAY FOURTH, WHICH IS JUST TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE FIRST ROUND OF THE
ISRAEL ELECTION. (SIGNED)
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