Voice of America, 99-02-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] CLINTON/KOSOVO (S) BY NICK SIMEONE (WHITE HOUSE)

[02] CONGRESS-KOSOVO (S-ONITER) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[03] PENTAGON-KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (WASHINGTON)

[04] U-S / KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (WHITE HOUSE)

[05] RUSSIA / KOSOVO (L) BY EVE CONANT (MOSCOW)

[06] KOSOVO MILITARY WARNING (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (BUKOS, KOSOVO)

[07] KOSOVO TALKS (S) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (RAMBOUILLET)

[08] KOSOVO TALKS-UPDATE (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (RAMBOUILLET)

[09] KOSOVO TALKS / YUGO REACT (L-ONLY) (CQ) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BELGRADE)

[10] THE OTHER YUGOSLAV TELEVISION BY RON PEMSTEIN (BELGRADE)

[11] EDITORIAL: OCALAN'S BETRAYAL OF TURKEY'S KURDS

[12] TURKEY/OCALAN (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

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

[14] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[15] NORWAY / PALESTINIANS (L ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (RAMALLAH, WEST BANK)

[01] CLINTON/KOSOVO (S) BY NICK SIMEONE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE DEADLINE FOR REACHING A SETTLEMENT AT KOSOVO PEACE TALKS IN FRANCE HAS PASSED WITH SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS SO FAR UNABLE TO CLINCH AN AGREEMENT. BUT PRESIDENT CLINTON IS STILL HOLDING OUT HOPE FOR A SETTLEMENT TO THE YEAR OLD CONFLICT, AS CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE AT THE WHITE HOUSE REPORTS.

TEXT: MINUTES AFTER THE SECOND DEADLINE FOR THE PEACE TALKS HAD EXPIRED, PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID HE STILL EXPECTED SOME SORT OF RESOLUTION TO EMERGE FROM RAMBOUILLET TODAY (TUESDAY) EVEN THOUGH BOTH THE SERBS AND KOSOVAR ALBANIANS HAVE NOT MOVED FROM THEIR BASIC DEMANDS.

THE SERBS STILL HAVE NOT AGREED TO A NATO-LED MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE TO TRY TO MAINTAIN PEACE OVER A THREE YEAR PERIOD. THE KOSOVARS STILL WANT SOME SORT OF ASSURANCE OF A REFERENDUM AT THE END OF THE THREE YEAR PERIOD.

AFTER SPEAKING WITH SECRETARY OF STATE (MADELEINE) ALBRIGHT --WHO SPENT A LONG NIGHT MONDAY TRYING TO GET THE KOSOVAR REBELS ON BOARD -- (TO AGREE TO THE PROPOSAL), THE PRESIDENT TOLD REPORTERS NEITHER SIDE SHOULD WALK AWAY FROM THE TALKS AFTER ACHIEVING THE PROGRESS THEY HAVE SO FAR MADE. BUT IT'S UP TO NATO, HE SAID, WHETHER BOMBS WILL FALL ON SERB TARGETS, AND THAT WILL LARGELY DEPEND ON RESTRAINT FROM BELGRADE. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/GE
23-Feb-99 10:03 AM EST (1503 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CONGRESS-KOSOVO (S-ONITER) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS ARE RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT THE POSSIBLE DEPLOYMENT OF U-S TROOPS TO KOSOVO IN A NATO PEACEKEEPING ARMY. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS, THE ISSUE WILL BE HIGH ON THE AGENDA WHEN LEADERS OF BOTH PARTIES MEET WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

TEXT: OPPOSITION LAWMAKERS SAY THIS COULD BECOME A COSTLY, OPEN-ENDED MISSION LIKE THE ONE IN NEARBY BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. IN A LETTER RELEASED LATE MONDAY, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT SPELLS OUT A LIST OF WORRIES, INCLUDING HOW LONG U-S FORCES MIGHT STAY IN KOSOVO, AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY WOULD COME UNDE RFOREIGN COMMAND.

REPUBLICANS FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT WE SHOULD NOT GO ABOUT THE WORLD INTRODUCING U-S TROOPS WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT ARE, HOW WILL IT BE PAID FOR, WHAT DO WE EXPECT TO ACHIEVE, WHAT ARE THE GOALS THAT ARE GOING TO BE ACHIEVED AND WHAT IS THE END GAME?

MR. LOTT ALSO CHARGES THE UNITED STATES HAS NO LONG-TERM PLAN FOR DEALING WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. CONGRESS MAY TAKE UP A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE MISSION IN THE COMING DAYS. BUT HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER DICK ARMEY SAYS THERE WOULD BE AN OUTPOURING OF OPPOSITION IF THE MEASURE WERE BROUGHT TO THE HOUSE FLOOR NOW. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/PT
22-Feb-99 7:33 PM EST (0033 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] PENTAGON-KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: DURING THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS -- WHILE NEGOTIATIONS ON A PEACE PLAN FOR YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE WERE GOING IN RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE -- THE UNITED STATES SENT MORE THAN 60 ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT TO THE BALKANS FOR USE, IF NEEDED. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER REPORTS NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE ON WHETHER TO KEEP THOSE PLANES ON STATION WHILE THE RAMBOUILLET TALKS ARE IN RECESS.

TEXT: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KENNETH BACON SAYS IT MAY TAKE A DAY OR TWO FOR DEFENSE PLANNERS TO DECIDE ON WHETHER TO KEEP THE PLANES ON ALERT ON STATION, OR TO BRING THEM BACK. HE SAID THE COST IS NOT HIGH TO KEEP THEM THERE.

AS NATO WAS THREATENING AIR STRIKES AGAINST THE SERBS IF THEY BROKE OFF THE NEGOTIATIONS, ABOUT 60 WARPLANES WERE TRANSFERRED TO CLOSER TO THE BALKANS. THEY INCLUDED B-52 BOMBERS, F-117 STEALTH FIGHTERS, ELECTRONIC WARFARE AIRCRAFT AND RE-FUELING PLANES.

MR. BACON WAS ASKED IF THE THREE WEEK HIATUS IN THE TALKS MEANS SERB FORCES ARE FREE TO LAUNCH OFFENSIVES AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. HE STRONGLY DENIED IT AND SAID NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA CONTINUES TO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ORDER STRIKES, THOUGH HE EMPHASIZED THAT THE UNITED STATES HOPES BOTH ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND SERB AUTHORITIES EXERCISE RESTRAINT.

WE HAVE MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT WE WANT BOTH SIDES TO SHOW RESTRAINT. AND IF THE SERBS WERE TO LAUNCH A VICIOUS ATTACK--A MASSACRE--AS THEY HAVE IN THE PAST, I THINK NATO WOULD TAKE THAT VERY SERIOUSLY AND WOULD REACT. BUT I DON'T WANT TO FORECAST, RIGHT NOW, WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN RESPONSE TO A SITUATION THAT, 1. HAS NOT OCCURRED AND 2. WE HOPE DOESN'T OCCUR.

MR. BACON SAID THE SERBS AND KOSOVAR ALBANIANS HAVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THE FIGHTING BEHIND THEM AND REACH A SETTLEMENT. NEW VIOLENCE, HE SAID, WILL MAKE PEACE IN KOSOVO MORE REMOTE. (SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/JO
23-Feb-99 3:54 PM EST (2054 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] U-S / KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: WITH ONLY A PARTIAL PEACE AGREEMENT REACHED ON THE KOSOVO CRISIS, THE UNITED STATES IS GIVING BELGRADE A DIRECT WARNING NOT TO GO ON THE OFFENSIVE AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS. WE LEARN MORE FROM CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: BOTH SIDES IN THE KOSOVO CONFLICT LEAVE PEACE TALKS IN RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE, WITH FIGHTING IN THE SEPARATIST PROVINCE CONTINUING. AND DESPITE A PLEDGE TO RETURN NEXT MONTH FOR MORE TALKS, RIGHT NOW NEITHER SERB OFFICIALS NOR KOSOVAR REBELS HAVE MADE ANY COMMITMENT TO STICK TO A CEASEFIRE.

FINAL NEGOTIATIONS RESUME IN FRANCE MARCH 15TH. BUT THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT PROGRESS REACHED DURING THE PAST 17 DAYS MAY UNRAVEL.

IN THE ABSENCE OF A SIGNED ACCORD, THE UNITED STATES IS WARNING SERBIAN OFFICIALS NATO REMAINS POISED TO ACT IF BELGRADE USES THE TIME BETWEEN NOW AND MID-MARCH TO GO ON THE OFFENSIVE. WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART:

THAT THREAT REMAINS REAL IF THEY (THE SERBS) ARE UNWILLING TO TAKE THE STEPS THEY NEED TO RESTORE AUTONOMY TO KOSOVO.

THE UNITED STATES AND ITS EUROPEAN PARTNERS HAVE ALREADY EXTENDED THE NEGOTIATIONS ON KOSOVO TWICE. AND U-S OFFICIALS SAY MORE SERIOUS WORK IS STILL AHEAD. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/JO
23-Feb-99 4:16 PM EST (2116 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] RUSSIA / KOSOVO (L) BY EVE CONANT (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS NATO AIR STRIKES ON SERBIA COULD RESULT IN WHAT HE CALLS A VIETNAM-STYLE WAR IN EUROPE. V-O-A'S EVE CONANT IN MOSCOW REPORTS RUSSIA IS STEPPING UP THE RHETORIC IN OPPOSITION TO MILITARY FORCE IN THE BALKANS.

TEXT: DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEEV TOLD A RUSSIAN TELEVISION NETWORK THAT MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST SERBIA COULD LEAD TO WHAT HE CALLS "ANOTHER VIETNAM, THIS TIME IN THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED REGION OF EUROPE."

NATO HAS THREATENED AIR STRIKES ON SERBIA IF THE SERBIAN SIDE REJECTS A PEACE DEAL WITH KOSOVO ALBANIANS.

DEFENSE MINISTER SERGEEV SAID TUESDAY THAT SERBS AND KOSOVO ALBANIANS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE NEGOTIATING TABLE UNTIL AN AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED.

MR. SERGEEV SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS THE SITUATION IS DIFFICULT, BUT THAT HE HAS CONFIDENCE BOTH SIDES ARE IN FAVOR OF SETTLING THE CONFLICT BY PEACEFUL MEANS.

RUSSIA HAS SPOKEN OUT REPEATEDLY AGAINST NATO MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST SERBIA -- A TRADITIONAL SLAV ALLY.

THE INFLUENTIAL MAYOR OF MOSCOW, YURI LUSHKOV, SAID TUESDAY THAT MILITARY ACTION WITHOUT UNITED NATIONS APPROVAL WOULD BE A STEP TOWARDS DISMANTLING POST WAR SECURITY STRUCTURES.

THE OUTSPOKEN HEAD OF THE DEFENSE MINISTRY'S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, COLONEL-GENERAL LEONID IVASHOV, SAID TUESDAY THAT IF UNSANCTIONED NATO AIR STRIKES ARE CALLED, RUSSIA MAY BE COMPELLED TO JOIN THE CONFLICT.

HE SAYS RUSSIA WILL HAVE THE MORAL DUTY TO OFFER MILITARY AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO YUGOSLAVIA.

HE GAVE NO DETAILS OF WHAT SUCH ASSISTANCE MIGHT ENTAIL. RUSSIA IS ONE OF THE SIX CONTACT GROUP NATIONS WORKING TO FORM A PEACE DEAL BETWEEN BELGRADE AND KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS TUESDAY. (SIGNED)
NEB / JWH
23-Feb-99 6:15 AM EST (1115 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO MILITARY WARNING (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (BUKOS, KOSOVO)

INTRO: A TOP BRITISH GENERAL, IN KOSOVO AS PART OF LAST OCTOBER'S TRUCE VERIFICATION MISSION, WARNED TUESDAY OF AN ALL-OUT WAR IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE, IF ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS FAIL TO ACCEPT A WESTERN PEACE FORMULA. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM THE KOSOVO VILLAGE OF BUKOS.

TEXT: MAJOR GENERAL JOHN DREWIENKIEWICZ (PRON: DRE-'VIN KEH-VITS), THE HEAD OF OPERATIONS FOR THE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION, OR K-V-M, SAYS HESITATION TO ACCEPT PLANS HAMMERED-OUT FOLLOWING MORE THAN TWO WEEKS OF NEGOTIATIONS OUTSIDE PARIS COULD OPEN THE WAY FOR A FULL-SCALE SERBIAN OFFENSIVE IN KOSOVO.

THE BRITISH GENERAL SAYS THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS ARE MAKING A MISTAKE NOT TO IMMEDIATELY ACCEPT A PEACE DEAL. HE SPOKE TO REPORTERS NEAR THE VILLAGE OF BUKOS, LOCATED ABOUT 25 KILOMETERS NORTH OF PRISTINA. THE VILLAGE AT THE TIME WAS UNDER FIRE FROM THE THE YUGOSLAV ARMY.

AN ALBANIAN DELEGATION AT PEACE TALKS IN RAMBOUILLET SAID TUESDAY THAT THEY WOULD LIKELY SIGN A PEACE PLAN IN TWO WEEKS, BUT NOT BEFORE IT WON APPROVAL FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS IN KOSOVO. APPROVAL OF THE PEACE PLAN BY THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS WOULD LIKELY SPUR NATO INTO APPLYING GREATER PRESSURE ON THE SERBIAN SIDE TO ACCEPT THE DEAL. NATO CONTINUES TO THREATEN AIR STRIKES AGAINST STRATEGIC TARGETS, IF BELLIGERENTS ON BOTH SIDES FAIL TO REACH A COMPROMISE.

GENERAL DREWIENKIEWICZ SAYS CONTINUED REFUSAL BY THE ALBANIAN SIDE TO APPROVE THE PEACE DEAL HAS GIVEN THE SERBS WHAT HE CALLS CARTE BLANCHE (NO RESTRICTION) TO ATTACK POSITIONS OF THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY -- OR K-L-A.

THE BRITISH GENERAL ALSO TOLD REPORTERS THAT HIS MISSION HAD INDICATIONS THE YUGOSLAV MILITARY IS PREPARING TO SEND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS INTO KOSOVO ON A NEW OFFENSIVE.

A TOP SERBIAN OFFICIAL IN KOSOVO SAID TUESDAY THAT THE STATE HAS PLANS TO USE ALL NECESSARY MEASURES TO GAIN, IN HIS WORDS, THE COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE ALBANIAN TERRORIST GANGS.

GENERAL DREWIENKIEWICZ SAYS THE ALBANIANS ARE STILL NO MATCH FOR SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES. HE ACCUSES THE K-L-A OF OVERESTIMATING ITS OWN FIGHTING ABILITY.

THE BRITISH GENERAL ALSO CONFIRMS THAT HIS VERIFICATION TEAM HAD WITNESSED SERBIAN PREPARATIONS TO BLOW-UP A KOSOVO HIGHWAY BRIDGE LEADING TO NEIGHBORING MACEDONIA. HE SAYS THE MINING OF THE BRIDGE WAS A LIKELY PREPARATION BY THE SERBS FOR A POSSIBLE NATO ATTACK -- BUT NOT, HE SAYS, AN EFFORT TO IMPEDE ANY EVACUATION BY THE VERIFICATION MISSION OBSERVERS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PS/PCF/GE
23-Feb-99 2:54 PM EST (1954 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] KOSOVO TALKS (S) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (RAMBOUILLET)

INTRO: THE KOSOVO PEACE TALKS ARE QUICKLY APPROACHING THE DEADLINE (1400 U-T-C / 9 AM EST), BUT THERE IS STILL NO INDICATION OF AN AGREEMENT. V-O-A'S LAURIE KASSMAN AT THE TALKS IN RAMBOUILLET IN FRANCE REPORTS FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE CONTACT GROUP ARE TRYING TO PERSUADE THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS TO APPROVE THE PEACE PLAN.

TEXT: THE CONTACT GROUP CALLED ON ALBANIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER TO TALK WITH THE KOSOVO ALBANIAN DELEGATION ABOUT ITS REMAINING PROBLEM. BUT SO FAR THERE IS NO SURE RESULT.

THE DEADLINE FOR AGREEMENT IS ONLY HOURS AWAY, BUT THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE CONTACT GROUP HAVE NOT GIVEN UP YET. THEY INSIST A FINAL POLITICAL AGREEMENT ALSO MUST INCLUDE A SECURITY PROVISION -- THE PRESENCE OF NATO PEACEKEEPERS IN KOSOVO PROVINCE TO GUARANTEE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PEACE PLAN. ON MONDAY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE SERB REPUBLIC SAID HE WOULD TALK ABOUT SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS BUT ONLY AFTER A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IS AGREED. FOR NOW, EVERYTHING REMAINS ON HOLD UNTIL THE TALKS CAN PRODUCE SOME CONCRETE RESULTS. AND IF A FULL AGREEMENT CANNOT BE ACHIEVED BY THE DEADLINE, THE TALKS MAY HAVE TO CONTINUE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
23-Feb-99 7:18 AM EST (1218 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] KOSOVO TALKS-UPDATE (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (RAMBOUILLET)

INTRO: THE KOSOVO PEACE TALKS ENDED (TUESDAY) IN RAMBOUILLET FRANCE WITHOUT A FULL AGREEMENT, BUT WITH A COMMITMENT TO RETURN ON MARCH 15TH TO FINISH THE DEAL. FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE SIX-NATION "CONTACT GROUP" ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA SAY THE KOSOVAR ALBANIAN DELEGATION HAS AGREED, IN PRINCIPLE, TO THE FULL PEACE PLAN -- BUT WANTS TIME FOR CONSULTATIONS BACK HOME. THE SERB DELEGATION STILL HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE SECURITY ASPECTS. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM RAMBOUILLET.

TEXT: THE CONTACT GROUP SAYS BOTH DELEGATIONS HAVE PROVIDED THEM WITH LETTERS OUTLINING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE PEACE PLAN. AND BOTH HAVE PROMISED TO RETURN ON MARCH 15TH TO DISCUSS ITS IMPLEMENTATION.

BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS THE CONTACT GROUP EXPECTS THE DELEGATIONS TO SIGN A FULL AGREEMENT AT THAT TIME.

... AND WE WILL CERTAINLY BE SUPPORTING BOTH DELEGATIONS AND SAYING TO BOTH SIDES WHEN THEY RETURN THAT THIS IS A GOOD DEAL FOR BOTH SIDES, AND THEY WILL BE WISE TO TAKE IT.

SO FAR THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS AGREE IN PRINCIPLE TO THE FULL ACCORD. BUT THE SERBS HAVE NOT YET APPROVED SECURITY PROVISIONS CALLING FOR A NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO.

IN THE ABSENCE OF A SIGNED AGREEMENT, THE CONTACT GROUP WARNS BOTH SIDES TO COMPLY WITH THE CEASE-FIRE IN KOSOVO AND REFRAIN FROM ACTIONS THAT WOULD UNDERMINE THE PROGRESS MADE THE PAST TWO WEEKS IN RAMBOUILLET.

SECRETARY OF STATE MADELINE ALBRIGHT PRAISES THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS FOR TAKING WHAT SHE CALLS A "BOLD AND COURAGEOUS STEP FORWARD." SHE ACKNOWLEDGES THEIR DIFFICULTIES IN FORGING A CONSENSUS IN A GROUP THAT REPRESENTS A CROSS-SECTION OF KOSOVAR SOCIETY. SHE CONTRASTS THAT WITH THE DOMINANT ROLE BEHIND THE SERB DELEGATION OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

FOR THE SERBS TO AGREE, ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS MAKE ONE PHONE CALL. FOR THE KOSOVARS, IT MEANS, REALLY, AS THEY ARE LEARNING ABOUT DEMOCRACY AND ENGAGING A LOT OF PEOPLE, IT MEANS CONSULTING WITH THEM.

BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK DISMISSES SUGGESTIONS OF FAILURE, JUST BECAUSE THE RAMBOUILLET TALKS DID NOT PRODUCED A FULL PEACE AGREEMENT.

THERE IS AN AGREEMENT ON BOTH SIDES THAT WE HAVE MADE MAJOR PROGRESS IN COVERING GROUND THAT WOULD PROVIDE FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL SETTLEMENT THAT, ON THE ONE HAND, WOULD PROVIDE FOR SELF-GOVERNING KOSOVO, AND ON THE OTHER HAND PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC AND THE RIGHTS OF THE SERB COMMUNITY IN KOSOVO.

THE CONTACT GROUP EXTENDED ITS DEADLINE AND KEPT WORKING OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS BECAUSE WE ARE WELL AWARE THAT A COLLAPSE HERE RISKED IGNITING RENEWED CONFLICT AND A HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE.

THE NEXT STEP FOR BOTH DELEGATIONS IS TO IRON-OUT THE DETAILS AND RETURN NEXT MONTH, READY TO SIGN A FULL AGREEMENT. THAT MEANS SERB APPROVAL FOR A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO. WITHOUT THE PEACEKEEPERS, THE CONTACT GROUP SAYS THERE CAN BE NO DEAL.

[09] KOSOVO TALKS / YUGO REACT (L-ONLY) (CQ) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BELGRADE)

INTRO: YUGOSLAVIA'S ENVOYS TO THE KOSOVO PEACE TALKS HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIMITED APPROVAL TO A SELF-RULE PLAN FOR SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE, WHILE REFUSING TO ACCEPT PROPOSALS FOR A NATO-LED PEACE FORCE IN KOSOVO. HOWEVER, AS RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BELGRADE, THE GOVERNMENT'S HANDLING OF THE ISSUE AT HOME IN SERBIA INDICATES THE PUBLIC IS BEING PREPARED FOR THE IDEA THAT SOME TYPE OF INTERNATIONAL FORCE MAY BE COMING.

TEXT: A SERBIAN LETTER TO THE PEACE NEGOTIATORS SAYS THE GOVERNMENT IS READY TO CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS ON AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE FOR KOSOVO. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE LETTER WAS READ OVER STATE TELEVISION HERE, TO HELP PREPARE THE PUBLIC FOR A POSSIBLE CHANGE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S OPPOSITION TO FOREIGN MILITARY FORCES PATROLLING THE SERBIAN PROVINCE.

THERE IS NO ACCEPTANCE OF THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE BEING LED BY NATO. HOWEVER, YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS HAVE MENTIONED THAT AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE MAY BE BETTER PLACED THAN THE YUGOSLAV ARMY TO DISARM THE ETHNIC-ALBANIAN FIGHTERS IN THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY.

A STATE TELEVISION REPORT ABOUT THE RAMBOUILLET PEACE TALKS [IN FRANCE] FEATURED A NEWS CONFERENCE BY THE RUSSIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER, ALEKSANDER ADAYEV. HE WAS SHOWN SAYING THAT ANY PRESENCE OF FOREIGN TROOPS WILL REQUIRE YUGOSLAVIA'S PERMISSION. HE WAS ALSO SHOWN REPORTING THERE WILL BE NO MENTION OF AN INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM FOR THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS AT THE END OF A THREE-YEAR AUTONOMY PERIOD.

THE STATE-RUN TELEVISION QUICKLY FOLLOWED WITH MAN-IN-THE-STREET INTERVIEWS, WITH MOST PEOPLE SAYING "KOSOVO IS OURS" -- MEANING IT IS SERBIAN TERRITORY.

INDEPENDENT TELEVISION PRODUCER ZORAN OSTOJIC SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC FEARS NATO TROOPS MORE THAN NATO AIR STRIKES.

HE'S AFRAID OF NATO IN KOSOVO BECAUSE KOSOVO AFTER THAT WILL BE PEACEFUL, AND HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO BE IN POWER WITHOUT BLOOD, WAR, [AND] XENOPHOBIA. HE'S AFRAID OF THAT. IF KOSOVO BECAME PEACEFUL AS THE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA [THE SERB REPUBLIC IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA] WITH NATO TROOPS, HE WILL TRY TO FIND SOME OTHER THINGS, PROBABLY [A DISPUTE WITH] MONTENEGRO [SERBIA'S PARTNER IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA], TO MAKE SOME PRE-WAR SITUATION.

THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS' ACCEPTANCE IN PRINCIPLE OF THE CONTACT GROUP'S AUTONOMY PLAN CAUGHT YUGOSLAVIA BY SURPRISE. WHEN IT APPEARED THE ALBANIANS MIGHT REJECT THE POLITICAL DOCUMENT, YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS SAID THEY WERE READY TO SIGN IT. THEY WERE PREPARED TO BLAME THE ALBANIANS FOR ANY FAILURE IN RAMBOUILLET. YUGOSLAVIA'S WILLINGNESS TO DISCUSS INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING TROOPS BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING ON MARCH 15TH MAY INDICATE AN EVENTUAL CHANGE OF POLICY. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/WDC/WTW
23-Feb-99 6:41 PM EST (2341 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] THE OTHER YUGOSLAV TELEVISION BY RON PEMSTEIN (BELGRADE)

INTRO: TELEVISION WATCHERS IN THE YUGOSLAV CAPITAL, BELGRADE, HAVE NOT SEEN OPPOSITION VIEWS PRESENTED SINCE 1997 WHEN THE MANAGEMENT WAS CHANGED AT THE TELEVISION STATION KNOWN AS STUDIO B. BUT, AS V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BELGRADE, THE FORMER MANAGER OF STUDIO B STILL PROVIDES OPPOSITION VIEWS TO PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN OTHER PARTS OF YUGOSLAVIA.

TEXT: YOU WILL NOT SEE ON YUGOSLAV STATE TELEVISION A DEBATE BETWEEN A SERB INTELLECTUAL AND AN ALBANIAN INTELLECTUAL ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. YOU WILL NOT SEE ON STATE TELEVISION A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE DISMISSAL OF PROFESSORS AT BELGRADE UNIVERSITY. YOU WILL NOT SEE ON STATE TELEVISION A FEATURE ABOUT ALLEGED CORRUPTION IN THE FAMILY OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

THESE TYPE OF REPORTS WERE COMMON IN BELGRADE IN THE EARLY 1990'S WHEN T-V STATION STUDIO B PRESENTED INDEPENDENT VIEWS. THEY REAPPEARED WHEN THE OPPOSITION BRIEFLY HELD POWER IN BELGRADE'S CITY GOVERNMENT IN 1997. BUT THEN, THE OPPOSITION SPLIT. ONE PART JOINED WITH THE RULING SOCIALIST PARTY. AND STUDIO B'S GENERAL MANAGER ZORAN OSTOJIC, WAS FIRED. HOWEVER, BELGRADE'S LOSS OF INDEPENDENT TELEVISION HAS BEEN A GAIN FOR SERBIAN TOWNS SUCH AS CACAK, KRAGUJEVAC AND NEGOTIN. MR. OSTOJIC NOW PRODUCES INDEPENDENT PROGRAMS FOR 18 TELEVISION STATIONS IN SERBIA, MONTENEGRO, AND THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC. HE DESCRIBES HIS PROGRAMING THIS WAY.

THEY PUT USUALLY STORIES ABOUT LIFE IN SERBIA, NOT ONLY POLITICAL LIFE. CULTURE, ECONOMIC, HOW PEOPLE LIVE. WE ARE TRYING TO SHOW TO OUR VIEWERS HOW WE LIVE, WHY WE LIVE LIKE THAT BECAUSE WE DON'T LIVE QUITE GOOD AS OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD (DO).

MR. OSTOJIC'S NETWORK PRODUCTION GROUP EXPOSES HIS AUDIENCE TO THE VIEWS OF MONTENEGRO'S REFORM-MINDED PRESIDENT MILO DJUKANOVIC. THOSE VIEWS ARE NEVER SHOWN ON YUGOSLAV STATE TELEVISION, EVEN THOUGH MONTENEGRO IS ONE OF THE TWO YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS ALONG WITH SERBIA.

ABOUT ONCE A MONTH, THE NETWORK GROUP TRIES TO GIVE A BALANCED DISCUSSION ABOUT THE CONFLICT IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. MR OSTOJIC SAYS THIS SUBJECT IS SENSITIVE.

IT IS HARD TO SHOW THE ALBANIAN SIDE, AND THERE ARE TWO REASONS -- BECAUSE ALBANIANS ARE NOT INTERESTED TOO MUCH TO GIVE THEIR EXPRESSION, THEIR VIEW TO THE SERB POPULATION, AND ON THE OTHER SIDE WHEN WE FIND SOMEBODY WHO IS READY TO TALK, SERBS BECAUSE OF STATE PROPAGANDA, ARE NOT QUITE HAPPY TO SEE ALBANIAN PEOPLE OR TO HEAR ALBANIAN LANGUAGE. BUT WE THINK WE DID ABOUT 10 STORIES THAT WE MADE FROM KOSOVO. WE THINK THAT PEOPLE IN SERBIA KNOW MUCH MORE ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN KOSOVO THAN ONLY WATCHING STATE T-V PROPAGANDA.

A REMARKABLE DISCUSSION WAS SHOWN LAST DECEMBER IN WHICH A SERBIAN OPPOSITION FIGURE (MOMCILO TRAJKOVIC) ARGUED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF KOSOVO WITH AN ALBANIAN INTELLECTUAL (BECAJ BEHLJUIJ) IN THE GRAND HOTEL IN THE KOSOVO PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA.

THE SERB ARGUED FOR A MULTI-ETHNIC KOSOVO AND AGAINST ALBANIAN SEPARATISM. AND THE ALBANIAN EXPLAINED HOW ALL SERB POLICIES, NOT JUST THOSE OF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, ARE DRIVING MOST ALBANIANS TOWARD INDEPENDENCE. SUCH A DISCUSSION WOULD NEVER APPEAR ON BELGRADE STATE TELEVISION.

MR. OSTOJIC SAYS THE CRACKDOWN ON INDEPENDENT MEDIA IN SERBIA HAS MADE SOME OF HIS CUSTOMERS NERVOUS.

I'M HAPPY THAT ONLY TWO FROM 20 SAYS WE ARE AFRAID OF NEW LAW, INFORMATION LAW, AND WE CALL THAT THE LAW AGAINST INFORMATION. THEY ARE JUST AFRAID BECAUSE WITHIN TWO HOURS THEY CAN BE PUNISHED WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, 150 THOUSAND DOLLARS, BECAUSE NOBODY HAS THAT MONEY IN SERBIA EXCEPT A COUPLE OF FAMILIES.

ONE OF THOSE FAMILIES IS THE FAMILY OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

PICTURES ON ONE RECENT NETWORK PROGRAM WERE SURE TO RAISE QUESTIONS IN THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT. THE FILM SHOWED CHILDREN DANCING IN FRONT OF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. INTERSPERSED -- TRYING TO DRAW A COMPARISON -- WERE PICTURES FROM IRAQI TELEVISION THAT SHOWED CHILDREN DANCING IN FRONT OF IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/JWH
23-Feb-99 7:03 AM EST (1203 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] EDITORIAL: OCALAN'S BETRAYAL OF TURKEY'S KURDS

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

THE CAPTURE OF ABDULLAH OCALAN HAS FOCUSED ATTENTION ON TURKEY'S LARGE KURDISH POPULATION. BECAUSE OF THE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES OF OCALAN'S GROUP, THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR P-K-K, OCALAN BECAME TURKEY'S MOST WANTED FUGITIVE. LESS REMARKED IS THE FACT THAT HE MAY ALSO HAVE BEEN THE WORST ENEMY THE KURDISH PEOPLE EVER HAD.

SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN THE 1970S, THE P-K-K HAS AIMED TO CARVE OUT AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. AFTER YEARS OF RURAL-BASED FIGHTING, THE P-K-K MOVED TO URBAN TERRORISM. IN TURKEY, P-K-K TERRORISM INCLUDED MASSACRES OF KURDISH CIVILIANS LOYAL TO THE GOVERNMENT, MURDERS OF TEACHERS, BOMBINGS OF TRAINS AND BUSES, AND KIDNAPPINGS OF FOREIGN TOURISTS. IN OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, IT INCLUDED ASSASSINATIONS, KIDNAPPINGS AND ARSON. THE MORE OCALAN AND HIS FOLLOWERS ENGAGED IN SUCH TERRORISM, THE MORE TURKEY CRACKED DOWN. IN THIS WAY, THE P-K-K ACTUALLY HURT THE INTERESTS OF ALL KURDS IN TURKEY.

THERE ARE NO LEGAL BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION BY KURDS IN TURKEY'S POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS. MANY MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, SENIOR OFFICIALS AND PROFESSIONALS ARE ETHNIC KURDS. BUT KURDS WHO PUBLICLY ASSERT THEIR ETHNIC IDENTITY MAY RISK HARASSMENT OR PROSECUTION. THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS ON KURDISH CULTURAL RIGHTS SUCH AS THE USE OF THE KURDISH LANGUAGE IN RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTS AND IN SCHOOLS.

SUCH RESTRICTIONS HAVE NO PLACE IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. WHY HAVEN'T TURKISH OFFICIALS ELIMINATED THEM? THE REASON -- USUALLY UNSTATED -- IS THAT THEY FEAR THAT ANY RECOGNITION OF A KURDISH IDENTITY IN TURKEY WOULD AID THE SEPARATIST CAUSE TO WHICH ABDULLAH OCALAN'S P-K-K IS DEDICATED.

THE CAPTURE OF ABDULLAH OCALAN PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY: FOR KURDS TO RENOUNCE SEPARATISM AND TERRORISM AND FOR TURKEY TO ELIMINATE RESTRICTIONS ON THE RIGHTS OF TURKISH CITIZENS OF KURDISH ORIGIN.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, V-O-A, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO COMMENT AT WWW-DOT-VOA-DOT-GOV-SLASH-EDITORIALS, OR FAX US AT (202) 619-1043.
23-Feb-99 4:23 PM EST (2123 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] TURKEY/OCALAN (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: IMPRISONED KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH TREASON BY TURKISH OFFICIALS. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA THE CHARGE FOLLOWS BY ONE-WEEK HIS CAPTURE IN NAIROBI BY A TEAM OF TURKISH SPECIAL FORCES.

TEXT: THE LEADER OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, WHICH TURKEY HAS OUTLAWED, IS BEING CHARGED WITH TREASON. ABDULLAH OCALAN FOUNDED AND LED THE GROUP'S 14-YEAR-LONG ARMED CAMPAIGN FOR SELF-RULE IN THE MAINLY-KURDISH SOUTHEAST REGION.

LEGAL EXPERTS SAY IF CONVICTED, MR. OCALAN WILL LIKELY BE HANDED THE DEATH SENTENCE BY A SPECIAL STATE SECURITY COURT THAT INCLUDES A MILITARY JUDGE. BUT FEW BELIEVE AN EXECUTION WILL BE CARRIED OUT.

A TEAM OF TURKISH LAWYERS WHICH VOLUNTEERED TO DEFEND THE CAPTURED REBEL CHIEF IS STILL AWAITING PERMISSION TO TRAVEL TO THE PRISON ISLAND NEAR ISTANBUL WHERE HE IS BEING HELD. ONE OF THE LAWYERS -- OSMAN BAYDEMIR -- WAS CLEARED TO TRAVEL TO IMRALI ISLAND. ACCORDING TO TURKISH TELEVISION REPORTS, HE COULD NOT DO SO TUESDAY, DUE TO POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS.

MR. OCALAN WAS BROUGHT TO TURKEY LAST WEEK AFTER TURKISH SPECIAL FORCES SEIZED HIM ON HIS WAY TO NAIROBI AIRPORT. REPORTS THAT HE SPENT 12-DAYS, PRIOR TO HIS CAPTURE, AT THE GREEK AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE IN NAIROBI HAS LED TO FURTHER TENSIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE.

TURKISH PRIME MINISTER BULENT ECEVIT SAID (TUESDAY) HE HAS INSTRUCTED THE FOREIGN MINISTRY TO LOBBY WESTERN GOVERNMENTS TO HAVE GREECE ADDED TO THE LIST OF COUNTRIES THAT SUPPORT TERRORISM. HE BASES THAT ON WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS GREECE'S SUPPORT FOR A SEPARATIST TERRORIST GROUP THAT WAS FIGHTING TURKEY'S LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF/RAE
23-Feb-99 8:48 AM EST (1348 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED TODAY (TUESDAY) AS TRADERS RECEIVED NO CLEAR INDICATION OF FUTURE INTEREST RATES FROM THE HEAD OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 95 HUNDRED 44, DOWN EIGHT POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 12 HUNDRED 71, DOWN ONE POINT. BUT THE NASDAQ INDEX GAINED MORE THAN ONE PERCENT, REFLECTING NEW ENTHUSIASM FOR SOME TECHNOLOGY STOCKS.

ALAN GREENSPAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK, COMMENTED ON CURRENT STOCK PRICE LEVELS DURING TESTIMONY BEFORE A SENATE COMMITTEE.

EQUITY PRICES ARE HIGH ENOUGH TO RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER SHARES ARE OVERVALUED.

BUT MR. GREENSPAN DID NOT ANSWER THE QUESTIONS. HE DID OBSERVE, HOWEVER, THAT A SHARP DROP IN STOCK PRICES COULD INHIBIT CONSUMER SPENDING. REGARDING U-S INTEREST RATES, MR. GREENSPAN WAS NONCOMMITTAL, SAYING THE CENTRAL BANK STANDS READY TO RAISE OR LOWER INTEREST RATES AS NECESSARY TO PRESERVE ECONOMIC EXPANSION.

A SURVEY SHOWS U-S CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IS UP IN FEBRUARY FOR THE FOURTH MONTH IN A ROW AND CONFIDENCE ABOUT CURRENT CONDITIONS AT ITS HIGHEST LEVEL EVER. THE SURVEY SHOWS AMERICANS ARE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF JOBS.

MANY INTERNET-RELATED STOCKS WERE STRONG AFTER AN INFLUENTIAL WALL STREET ANALYST SAID SHE EXPECTS SOLID GROWTH AHEAD FOR SOME OF THE LEADING INTERNET COMPANIES SUCH AS YAHOO, AMAZON DOT COM AND E-BAY.

A BIG CONSOLIDATION IN THE U-S CABLE TELEVISION INDUSTRY WAS ANNOUNCED. ADELPHIA COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY WILL PAY TWO POINT ONE BILLION DOLLARS FOR FRONTIERVISION. THE COMBINED COMPANY WILL HAVE MORE THAN THREE MILLION CABLE TELEVISION SUBSCRIBERS.

HOME DEPOT, THE WORLD'S LARGEST HARDWARE AND HOME IMPROVEMENT CHAIN, REPORTED A 36 PERCENT PROFIT INCREASE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, AHEAD OF WALL STREET ESTIMATES. HOME DEPOT OPERATES ALMOST 800 STORES, MOST OF THEM IN NORTH AMERICA.

THE PROPOSED SALE BY AN AMERICAN COMPANY OF A 450 MILLION DOLLAR TELECOMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE TO CHINA HAS BEEN REJECTED BY A MAJORITY OF THE FEDERAL AGENCIES REVIEWING THE DEAL. WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAID THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT THE CONSORTIUM INVOLVED IN THE DEAL WHICH INCLUDED THE CHINESE ARMY. HE DID NOT ELABORATE. THE HUGHES ELECTRONICS COMPANY, WHICH APPLIED FOR THE SATELLITE EXPORT LICENSE, HAD NO IMMEDIATE COMMENT ON THE DENIAL.

THE WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS SAYS IT WILL CONSIDER A BOYCOTT OF FRENCH BANKS IF THE BANKS HAVE NOT RESOLVED HOLOCAUST CLAIMS BY THE END OF MARCH. THE JEWISH GROUP IS SEEKING COMPENSATION FOR ASSETS WHICH WERE SEIZED FROM FRENCH JEWS DURING THE NAZI OCCUPATION.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
23-Feb-99 5:09 PM EST (2209 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[14] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE MEETING OF INDIA'S AND PAKISTAN'S PRIME MINISTERS TO EASE TENSIONS BETWEEN THE TWO LONG-TIME FOES IS HIGH IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF THE U-S PRESS THIS TUESDAY. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" CALLS IT "A REMARKABLE ASIAN JOURNEY."

THERE ARE ALSO COMMENTS ON THE IDEA OF HILLARY CLINTON RUNNING FOR THE U-S SENATE FROM NEW YORK; THE STRUGGLE AT THE KOSOVO PEACE TALKS; THE U-S GOVERNMENT'S ALLEGED MISMANAGEMENT OF NATIVE INDIAN MONEY; AND THE ROAD AHEAD FOR THE NEW SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. NOW, HERE IS _________________ WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TWO OF THE NATION'S LARGEST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL DAILY NEWSPAPERS, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AND "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES," ARE TAKING NOTE OF THE HISTORIC WEEKEND SUMMIT BETWEEN THE PRIME MINISTERS OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN. SAYS "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES":

VOICE: LAST WEEKEND INDIA'S PRIME MINISTER, ATAL BEHARI VAJPAYEE, STEPPED ONTO A BUS NEAR THE BORDER AND RODE INTO PAKISTAN TO A WARM RECEPTION FROM HIS COUNTERPART, NAWAZ SHARIF. /// OPT /// AFTER TWO DAYS OF MEETINGS, THE MEN REACHED PRELIMINARY AGREEMENTS INTENDED TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF WAR. THE TWO NATIONS AGREED TO WARN EACH OTHER OF MISSILE TESTS, EXCHANGE INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR WEAPONS AND TRY TO DEVELOP A FAIL-SAFE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM BETWEEN THE TWO ARMIES. /// END OPT /// ... THOUGH THERE WERE NO BREAKTHROUGH AGREEMENTS, NO PLEDGES TO SIGN THE COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN TREATY, THE SUMMIT WAS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD. IT WAS THE FIRST VISIT OF AN INDIAN PRIME MINISTER TO PAKISTAN IN A DECADE. THAT IS FAR TOO LONG. /// OPT /// ... THEY HAVE TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A TOO-SELDOM-SEEN OPPORTUNITY TO REDUCE TENSIONS IN SOUTH ASIA. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" ADDS:

VOICE: IT TOOK COURAGE FOR MR. VAJPAYEE AND MR. SHARIF TO MEET AND REDOUBLE THEIR NEGOTIATING EFFORTS WHILE BOTH ARE UNDER FIRE FROM EXTREMISTS AT HOME. /// OPT /// MR. VAJPAYEE'S DECISION TO ... PAY THE FIRST VISIT TO PAKISTAN BY AN INDIAN PRIME MINISTER IN 10 YEARS WAS A REBUKE TO HINDU NATIONALISTS IN HIS OWN RULING COALITION WHO BELIEVE THAT PAKISTAN HAS FOMENTED THE MUSLIM REBELLION IN THE INDIAN STATE OF KASHMIR. /// END OPT

TEXT: REGARDING THE KOSOVO PEACE TALKS, TODAY'S "DALLAS MORNING NEWS" SAYS NATO "MUST MAKE GOOD ON CLAIMS OF UNITY."

VOICE: ... REGARDLESS OF WHETHER AN AGREEMENT HAS BEEN HAMMERED OUT AT THE LAST MINUTE, THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION MUST RECONSIDER A KEY QUESTION: IS NATO AS UNITED ON THE ISSUE OF KOSOVO AS ITS SIX-MEMBER CONTACT GROUP ON THE BALKANS SAYS IT IS? SADLY, THERE IS REASON TO THINK NATO HAS BEEN BLUSTERING.

THE THREAT OF FORCE ALWAYS IMPLIES THE WILLINGNESS TO USE FORCE. IF THE ALLIANCE WAS NOT PREPARED TO CARRY OUT ITS THREATS, IT SHOULD NOT HAVE MADE THEM. ... BALKANS EXPERTS ARE BETTING THAT THE KOSOVARS WILL ACCEPT THE NATO PLAN. LET'S HOPE SO. ... BUT IF MR. [YUGOSLAVIA PRESIDENT SLOBODAN] MILOSEVIC BALKS, THE ALLIANCE MUST BE WILLING TO DO WHAT IT HAS ALREADY PROMISED.

TEXT: "NEWSDAY" ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND ADDS:

VOICE: WITH FOES IN THE KOSOVO CIVIL WAR FURTHER APART THAN EVER AND DEADLINE FOR AN AGREEMENT EXPIRING TODAY, IT'S CLEAR THE SHADOW PLAY OF DIPLOMATIC NEGOTIATIONS AT RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE, ISN'T OVER. ... PRESSURE FOR A SETTLEMENT MUST BE MAINTAINED ON SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS - - WITH OR WITHOUT THREATS... BUT IT MUST BE GREATER AGAINST SERBIA.

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, THE POSSIBILITY OF HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON RUNNING FOR THE U-S SENATE FROM NEW YORK, DRAWS THIS ADVICE FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES."

VOICE: ... SHE WILL BE GIVING UP SOME OF THE INSULATION AND DEFERENCE THAT GO WITH BEING A RESIDENT OF THE WHITE HOUSE. HER POLICY SPEECHES WILL HAVE TO BECOME MORE FOCUSED, HER RELATIONS WITH THE PRESS MORE OPEN. HER ADVERSARIAL ATTITUDE TOWARD THE MEDIA MIGHT BE UNDERSTANDABLE FOR A FIRST LADY WHOSE MARRIAGE HAS BEEN UNDER SUCH INTENSE AND EMBARRASSING SCRUTINY, BUT AS A SENATE CANDIDATE SHE WOULD BE EXPECTED ... TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS PUT TO HER. /// OPT /// HILLARY CLINTON IS, AT THIS STAGE, THE POTENTIAL CANDIDATE THAT GERALDINE FERRARO [FORMER VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, AND BEFORE THAT, A NEW YORK CONGRESSWOMAN] WANTED TO BE - - A CELEBRITY-ICON SO POWERFUL THAT HER ENTRANCE INTO THE RACE WOULD UNLEASH A FLOOD OF CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND A RESPECTFUL RETREAT BY OTHER POTENTIAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES.

TEXT: TODAY'S "OMAHA WORLD-HERALD" IS LAMENTING A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT DECISION IN VIRGINIA THAT HAS, ESSENTIALLY, VOIDED THE "MIRANDA WARNING." THAT IS A STATEMENT POLICE MUST MAKE WHEN ARRESTING SOMEONE, REMINDING THEM OF THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING REMAINING SILENT OR HAVING A LAWYER PRESENT. SAYS "THE WORLD-HERALD:"

VOICE: WITHOUT THE MIRANDA STANDARD, COURTS ARE FORCED TO GUESS WHETHER THE FACTS OF A CASE INDICATE THAT CONFESSIONS OR OTHER STATEMENTS WERE VOLUNTARY. /// OPT /// IT'S CONCEIVABLE THAT DEFENDANTS WOULD BE BETTER SERVED THAN PROSECUTORS BY ABANDONMENT OF THE MIRANDA WARNING. /// END OPT /// EVERY INCRIMINATING STATEMENT COULD BE SUBJECT TO A CHALLENGE THAT THE DEFENDANT WAS UNFAIRLY BULLIED INTO MAKING IT. THE MIRANDA WARNING IS PRACTICAL AND EFFICIENT. /// OPT /// EVEN IF IT BECAME WIDELY VIEWED AS AN OPTION INSTEAD OF A REQUIREMENT, /// END OPT /// ITS USE WOULD CONTINUE TO SERVE THE CAUSE OF FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE.

TEXT: A DISPUTE BETWEEN SOME NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBES AND THE U-S GOVERNMENT DRAWS THIS COMMENT FROM "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL."

VOICE: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION NOW HAS THE DISTINCTION OF BEING THE FIRST TO HAVE TWO OF ITS CABINET OFFICERS CITED FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT AT THE SAME TIME. ... THE CONTEMPT ORDERS AGAINST INTERIOR SECRETARY BRUCE BABBITT AND TREASURY SECRETARY ROBERT RUBIN GREW OUT OF A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT OVER THE GOVERNMENT'S MISHANDLING OF ... TWO-POINT-FIVE BILLION DOLLARS THAT IT MANAGED ON BEHALF OF AMERICAN INDIANS. ... U-S DISTRICT COURT JUDGE ROYCE LAMBERT ... SAID HE FOUND 'CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE ' THAT INTERIOR AND TREASURY 'ENGAGED IN A SHOCKING PATTERN OF DECEPTION OF THE COURT. I HAVE NEVER SEEN MORE EGREGIOUS CONDUCT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.'

TEXT: LASTLY, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES " TALKS ABOUT THE DIFFICULT JOB AHEAD FOR THE NEW SPEAKER OF THE U-S HOUSE, ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN DENNIS HASTERT, WHO MUST OVERCOME BITTER, POST-IMPEACHMENT PARTISANSHIP.

VOICE: CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS AND THE WHITE HOUSE AGREE THAT IT'S TIME TO CONSIGN THE IMPEACHMENT CONTROVERSY TO HISTORY AND TAKE UP THE LEGISLATIVE ISSUES AMERICANS ARE MOST INTERESTED IN, ESPECIALLY SHORING UP SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE AND TRYING TO IMPROVE THE NATION'S SCHOOLS. BUT A CONSENSUS THAT THESE MATTERS SHOULD BE ON EVERYONE'S AGENDA DOESN'T ASSURE THAT THEY WILL [BE] ... THAT REQUIRES A READINESS FOR PRAGMATIC GIVE AND TAKE, SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN TOO LITTLE IN EVIDENCE IN WASHINGTON LATELY. NOWHERE IS THAT MORE SO THAN IN THE DEEPLY PARTISAN HOUSE. DENNIS HASTERT ... THE NEW SPEAKER, IS ABOUT TO FIND HIS REPUTATION AS A CONCILIATOR PUT TO ITS TOUGHEST TEST.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE EDITORIALS PAGES OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/GE
23-Feb-99 11:01 AM EST (1601 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[15] NORWAY / PALESTINIANS (L ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (RAMALLAH, WEST BANK)

INTRO: NORWEGIAN PRIME MINISTER KJELL MAGNE BONDEVIK, ENDING A VISIT TO ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIAN-CONTROLLED, AREAS, HAS PUBLICLY CALLED ON PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSER ARAFAT TO DEFER A DECLARATION OF PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS THE NORWEGIAN LEADER SPOKE TO THE PALESTINIAN LEGISLATURE IN THE WEST BANK TOWN OF RAMALLAH.

TEXT: MR. BONDEVIK IS NOT THE FIRST WESTERN LEADER TO URGE MR. ARAFAT TO POSTPONE THE STATEHOOD MOVE. BUT HIS GOVERNMENT HAS ADDITIONAL INFLUENCE HERE AS A HEAVY FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTOR TO THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY AND THE SPONSOR AND HOST OF THE 1993 OSLO PEACE CONFERENCE.

MR. ARAFAT HAS THREATENED TO DECLARE STATEHOOD ON MAY FOURTH, WHICH WAS THE DEADLINE FOR COMPLETING A FINAL-STATUS AGREEMENT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS UNDER THE OSLO ACCORD.

IN AN ADDRESS TO THE PALESTINIAN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE NORWEGIAN PRIME MINISTER EXPRESSED SYMPATHY FOR THE PALESTINIAN DESIRE FOR STATEHOOD, BUT SAID UNILATERAL ACTIONS UNDERMINE THE OSLO PEACE PROCESS AND PUT FINAL-STATUS TALKS AT RISK:

YOU SHOULD BE THE FULL MASTERS OF YOUR OWN FATE AND YOUR OWN LAND. YET, WE FEAR THAT A DECLARATION OF STATEHOOD -- IN THE CURRENT SITUATION -- WILL SERVE THE ENEMIES OF PEACE ON BOTH SIDES.

ISRAEL HAS THREATENED TO ANNEX PARTS OF THE WEST BANK UNDER ITS CONTROL IF THE PALESTINIAN LEADER GOES THROUGH WITH THE STATEHOOD PROCLAMATION. MR. ARAFAT HAS SAID HE WOULD CONSIDER POSTPONING THE DECLARATION IN RETURN FOR INTERNATIONAL GUARANTEES OF RECOGNITION OF A FUTURE STATE.

BUT PALESTINIAN LEGISLATOR AND FORMER ARAFAT CABINET MEMBER HANNAN ASHRAWI TOLD V-O-A THAT STATEHOOD IS A PALESTINIAN RIGHT WHICH SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE A SUBJECT OF NEGOTIATION:

I WILL NOT CONFUSE THE FORM WITH THE SUBSTANCE. IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF THE TIMING OF THE STATE. WE'VE ALREADY DECLARED STATEHOOD IN 1988. I THINK STATEHOOD IS A RIGHT. IT SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO POLITICAL MANEUVERINGS. IT SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO ISRAELI ACCEPTANCE. IT SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO NEGOTIATIONS.

IN HIS ADDRESS, THE NORWEGIAN PRIME MINISTER WAS CRITICAL OF ISRAELI SETTLEMENT EXPANSION AND LAND CONFISCATION. BUT HE ALSO HAD BLUNT CRITICISM OF THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY'S FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, AND SAID IT MUST DEAL WITH HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES BY ITS SECURITY FORCES, INCLUDING IMPRISONMENT WITHOUT DUE PROCESS:

WE ARE STILL ALARMED BY THE REPORTED ILL-TREATMENT AND USE OF TORTURE BY THE PALESTINIAN POLICE FORCE AND IN PALESTINIAN PRISONS. IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO CONTINUE WITH ITS CONSIDERABLE SUPPORT, IF THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY'S DETERMINATION OF RESPECT THE RULE OF LAW IS PUT INTO QUESTION.

MR. BONDEVIK FOUND A RECEPTIVE AUDIENCE WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHICH HAS REPEATEDLY DEMANDED THAT THE ARAFAT ADMINISTRATION RELEASE SEVERAL HUNDRED POLITICAL DETAINEES.

THE CROWD OUTSIDE THE COUNCIL'S SPARTAN TEMPORARY QUARTERS HERE INCLUDED PLACARD-CARRYING RELATIVES OF DETAINEES AND OF PRISONERS WHO HAVE DIED IN PALESTINIAN JAILS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/JWH
23-Feb-99 9:07 AM EST (1407 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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