Voice of America, 99-03-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] GERMANY / OCALAN (L-ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[02] TURKEY/ OCALAN BY NEJLA SAMMAKIA (WASHINGTON)

[03] KOSOVO FIGHTING (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (GAJRE, KOSOVO)

[04] KOSOVO TALKS BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[05] NATO-KOSOVO (S&L) (BRUSSELS)

[06] U-S FOREIGN POLICY BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

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

[08] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] GERMANY / OCALAN (L-ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: GERMANY'S FOREIGN MINISTER JOSCHKA FISCHER IS URGING TURKEY TO ENSURE THAT KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN IS GIVEN A FAIR TRIAL. SPEAKING AT THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE GERMAN OFFICIAL WARNED OF UNPREDICTABLE RESPONSES IF THE TRIAL IS PERCEIVED AS UNFAIR. V-O-A'S U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT: GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER FISCHER SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT AND OTHER EUROPEAN STATES HAVE NO DESIRE TO INTERFERE IN TURKEY'S HANDLING OF ABDULLAH OCALAN. BUT HE BELIEVES IT IS VERY MUCH IN TURKEY'S INTEREST TO ENSURE THAT THE KURDISH REBEL LEADER IS GIVEN A TRIAL THAT IS CONSIDERED FAIR ON AN INTERNATIONAL BASIS.

I THINK YOU KNOW VERY WELL THAT THERE IS NOW A BIG CHANCE. THERE IS A CRIMINAL PROBLEM, AND ON THE OTHER HAND THERE IS A POLITICAL PROBLEM, A CULTURAL PROBLEM. WHAT I THINK WOULD NOT BE VERY WISE IS TO PRODUCE A NEW MARTYR. THEREFORE, THE CONCENTRATION ON THE LEGAL PROCESS, ON A FAIR TRIAL -- I KNOW IT IS VERY DIFFICULT SOMETIMES TO BRING DOWN THE EMOTIONS, I UNDERSTAND VERY WELL THIS SITUATION OF MANY FAMILIES, ABOUT EMOTIONS ON BOTH SIDES. BUT I THINK IT WOULD NOT BE WISE TO UNDERESTIMATE THE PROBLEM THAT COULD EMERGE FROM AN UNFAIR TRIAL.

ABDULLAH OCALAN WAS SEIZED LAST MONTH IN KENYA AND FLOWN TO TURKEY, WHERE HE FACES TRIAL ON TREASON CHARGES. CONVICTION ON THOSE CHARGES COULD RESULT IN HIS EXECUTION OR LIFE IN PRISON.

THE CAPTURE OF MR. OCALAN TRIGGERED KURDISH PROTESTS IN MANY CITIES AROUND THE WORLD. THOSE PROTESTS WERE PARTICULARLY VIOLENT IN GERMANY, WHICH IS HOME TO ABOUT HALF-A-MILLION ETHNIC KURDS.

THE GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, FOUNDED BY MR. OCALAN, HAS BEEN OUTLAWED IN GERMANY AS A CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION. HE URGED ITS MEMBERS TO LAY DOWN THEIR WEAPONS AND PURSUE DEMOCRACY THROUGH PEACEFUL MEANS.

MR. FISCHER SPOKE TO REPORTERS AT U-N HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK AFTER A MEETING WITH U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WTW
03-Mar-99 5:37 PM EST (2237 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] TURKEY/ OCALAN BY NEJLA SAMMAKIA (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE ARREST OF KURDISH REBEL CHIEF ABDULLAH OCALAN HAS DRAWN WORLD ATTENTION TO TURKEY'S KURDISH PROBLEM. NEJLA SAMMAKIA RECENTLY SPOKE ABOUT THE KURDISH SITUATION WITH TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR TO THE U-S, AND THE AUTHOR OF A NEW BOOK ON TURKEY WHO SAYS ANKARA FACES A DILEMMA IN THE OCALAN CASE.

TEXT: JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR NICOLE POPE SAYS TURKEY'S ARREST OF ABDULLAH OCALAN, THE KURDISH REBEL LEADER, HAS DRAWN WORLD ATTENTION TO A PROBLEM THAT, UNTIL RECENTLY , WAS LARGELY IGNORED. MS. POPE, WHO WITH HER HUSBAND HUGH POPE CO-AUTHORED A BOOK ON MODERN TURKISH HISTORY ENTITLED "TURKEY UNVEILED," SAYS ANKARA IS NOT NECESSARILY ENJOYING THE PUBLICITY.

AS LONG AS ABDULLAH OCALAN WAS IN SYRIA, VERY FEW PEOPLE HAD HEARD OF HIM, APART FROM SPECIALISTS WHO WERE FOCUSING ON TURKEY AND THE KURDISH ISSUE. I MEAN, HE WAS NOT REALLY A MAJOR PUBLIC FIGURE, EVEN AS A SORT OF LEADER OF THE KURDS. BUT OF COURSE, SINCE HE LEFT SYRIA AND APPEARED IN ITALY, WAS ARRESTED THERE, THERE WAS THIS WHOLE SAGA OF HIS BEING PUT UNDER HOUSE ARREST AND LOOKING FOR ASYLUM IN OTHER COUNTRIES. IT'S REALLY DRAWN A LOT OF PRESS ATTENTION AND, OF COURSE, AS A RESULT IT'S DRAWN A LOT OF ATTENTION TO THE KURDISH ISSUE AS A WHOLE.

MS POPE SAYS THIS INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION MAKES TURKISH AUTHORITIES UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE THEY SEE THE KURDISH PROBLEM AS PURELY A DOMESTIC ISSUE.

TURKISH FORCES ARRESTED MR. OCALAN IN KENYA ON FEBRUARY 15TH WHEN HE WAS UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE EMBASSY OF GREECE. HE LEFT SYRIA FIVE MONTHS EARLIER UNDER PRESSURE FROM TURKEY, AND HAD SOUGHT A SAFER HAVEN IN ITALY AND THE NETHERLANDS, BOTH OF WHICH REFUSED TO GRANT HIM POLITICAL ASYLUM, BEFORE HE ENDED UP IN KENYA.

MR OCALAN HEADED THE KURDISH WORKER'S PARTY, OR THE P-K-K, WHICH HAS BEEN FIGHTING THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT OUT OF BASES IN SOUTH EASTERN TURKEY AND FROM NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. TURKEY HAD BEEN SEEKING HIM FOR YEARS AND HAS TRIED HIM IN ABSENTIA SEVERAL TIMES.

WITH HIS ARREST, TURKEY NOW HAS TO ANSWER TO INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF THE KURDISH PEOPLE AS WELL AS MR OCALAN'S OWN HUMAN RIGHTS. HE IS CHARGED WITH TREASON, MASS MURDER AND LEADERSHIP OF A TERRORIST GROUP AND IF CONVICTED, COULD FACE THE DEATH SENTENCE.

MS. POPE SAYS THAT WHILE MR. OCALAN'S ARREST WAS A MAJOR TRIUMPH FOR TURKEY, THE WHOLE ISSUE HAS SOURED ANKARA'S RELATIONS WITH EUROPE. TURKEY, SHE SAYS, IS STILL ANGERED BY ITALY'S REFUSAL TO HAND OVER MR OCALAN WHEN HE SURFACED THERE LAST NOVEMBER AND WAS BITTERLY DISAPPOINTED WHEN EUROPEAN AUTHORITIES DID NOTHING TO CAPTURE HIM.

I THINK IT'S BOUND TO AFFECT RELATIONS WITH EUROPE BECAUSE EUROPE HAS ALWAYS FOCUSED QUITE HEAVILY, PARTLY ON THE KURDISH CAUSE BUT MORE GENERALLY ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS PROBLEMS IN TURKEY AND RELATIONS WERE ALREADY PRETTY BAD BECAUSE TURKEY FELT REJECTED BY EUROPE WHEN IN NOVEMBER HE WAS ARRESTED BY ITALY AND THE EUROPEANS SORT OF FAILED TO COME UP WITH A WAY TO BRING HIM TO JUSTICE AND SORT OF ALLOWED HIM TO GET AWAY.

WHILE PRAISING SOME EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AND CRITICIZING OTHERS, TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES, BAKI ILKIN SAYS HE HOPES THE HANDLING OF THE OCALAN CASE WOULD NOT HARM TURKEY'S RELATIONS WITH EUROPE.

SOME COUNTRIES REFUSED TO COOPERATE (WITH) (MR.) OCALAN, FOR EXAMPLE, THE NETHERLANDS REFUSED TO ALLOW HIS PLANE TO LAND, THEY SENT HIM BACK. THERE WERE COUNTRIES WHICH HAD ARREST WARRANTS ISSUED FOR (MR.) OCALAN, BUT THEY DECIDED NOT TO PURSUE IT, THAT IS A DECISION THEY HAVE COME TO. AND IN ITALY'S CASE, WE HAD SOME PROBLEMS AS YOU KNOW, BUT EVENTUALLY THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO SEND HIM AWAY. SO I HOPE THAT THE OCALAN CASE WILL NOT BE AN IMPEDIMENT IN FURTHERING OUR RELATIONS WITH THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.

TURKISH AUTHORITIES SO FAR HAVE REJECTED THE IDEA OF ALLOWING FOREIGN OBSERVERS TO ATTEND MR. OCALAN'S TRIAL. THEY HAVE ALLOWED HIS DEFENSE LAWYERS TO MEET HIM ONCE, IN THE PRESENCE OF A JUDGE. AND MS. POPE SAYS THIS MAY NOT BE SITTING WELL WITH TURKEY'S EUROPEAN NEIGHBORS.

I THINK THE EUROPEANS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS; THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT (MR.) OCALAN BEING GIVEN A FAIR TRIAL. I THINK THAT IN EUROPE THERE IS VERY MUCH A FEELING THAT EVEN THOUGH MOST COUNTRIES SEE THE P-K-K AS A TERRORIST GROUP, AND OBVIOUSLY HE HAS COMMITTED SOME PRETTY VILE CRIMES, PEOPLE FEEL THAT HE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO A PROPER TRIAL AND BE DEFENDED BY LAWYERS -- AND OBSERVERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE TRIAL AND TO CHECK THAT IT'S DONE UNDER PROPER CONDITIONS.

AMBASSADOR ILKIN, DEFENDS HIS COUNTRY'S DECISION TO REFUSE OBSERVERS, BUT SAYS SOME KIND OF INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE MAY BE ALLOWED AT THE TRIAL, DEPENDING ON THE PRESIDING JUDGE.

THE TURKISH COURTS ARE INDEPENDENT. THE TURKISH COURTS ARE GOING TO BE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO DECIDE ON THE FATE OF (MR.) OCALAN IN LIGHT OF THE TRIALS. WE WOULD NOT WANT TO HAVE OBSERVERS, OR THIS AND THAT, COMING TO THE COURT ROOM AND TRYING TO BE PART OF THE TRIAL. IF THE JUDGE DECIDES THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE IN CAMERA (I.E. IN PRIVATE), THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE ABLE TO WITNESS, AND I'VE SAID THE FOREIGNERS AS LISTENERS WOULD BE ABLE TO COME AND LISTEN, UNLESS THE JUDGE DECIDES THAT IT MUST BE HELD IN CAMERA, SO LET'S WAIT AND SEE.

AMBASSADOR ILKIN STRESSES THAT SOME EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT MR. OCALAN ON TRIAL, BUT DECLINED. SO, HE SAYS, HE DOES NOT THINK THEY SHOULD COMMENT ON HOW THE TRIAL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN TURKEY. (SIGNED)
NEB/NS/GE
03-Mar-99 1:32 PM EST (1832 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO FIGHTING (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (GAJRE, KOSOVO)

INTRO: WESTERN PEACE MONITORS IN KOSOVO ARE EXPRESSING ALARM AT YUGOSLAV MILITARY MOVEMENTS WHICH HAVE PROVOKED NEW CLASHES WITH ETHNIC-ALBANIAN REBELS. PHILIP SMUCKER IN THE REBEL-HELD VILLAGE OF GAJRE REPORTS THE ALBANIAN FIGHTERS SAY THEY HAVE TAKEN UP NEW POSITIONS TO DEFEND CIVILIANS.

TEXT: WESTERN PEACE MONITORS WITH THE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION SAY THE YUGOSLAV ARMY HAS DEPLOYED 15 COMPANIES ACROSS KOSOVO. THAT IS 12 MORE THAN THEY ARE PERMITTED UNDER A CEASEFIRE ACCORD SIGNED IN OCTOBER.

THE YUGOSLAV ARMY UNITS ARE DISPERSING ACROSS THE PROVINCE, A MOVE THAT WOULD MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR NATO FORCES TO EFFECTIVELY STRIKE AT HEAVY ARMOR, INCLUDING TANKS AND ROCKET LAUNCHERS.

IN THE SOUTHERN TIP OF KOSOVO, ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS HAVE TAKEN UP NEW POSITIONS IN AN EFFORT THEY SAY IS TO PREVENT NEW CIVILIAN MASSACRES BY THE SERBIAN FORCES.

CLASHES THIS WEEK HAVE KILLED FIGHTERS ON BOTH SIDES. BUT U-N REFUGEE OFFICIALS SAY THE HEIGHTENED YUGOSLAV ARMY MOVEMENTS ALSO HAVE PROMPTED FIVE-THOUSAND ADDITIONAL REFUGEES TO FLEE THEIR HOMES. THEY SAY AT LEAST ONE-THOUSAND HAVE CROSSED THE BORDER INTO MACEDONIA.

AN ALBANIAN REBEL COMMANDER WITH PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE AS A YUGOSLAV ARMY OFFICER, HAJRUSH KURTI, SAYS THE REBELS DO NOT EXPECT THE SERBS TO PULL BACK FROM THEIR NEW POSITIONS.

HE SAYS HE DOES NOT THINK THEY ARE GOING TO WITHDRAW. THEY HAVE MADE AGREEMENTS, HE SAYS, AND ALL THE WORLD HAS ASKED THEM TO WITHDRAW THEIR ARMY AND SOLDIERS. BUT HE SAYS HE DOES NOT THINK THEY WILL WITHDRAW BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT RESPECTED THEIR AGREEMENTS NOR LIVED UP TO THEIR PROMISES IN THE PAST.

THE REBEL COMMANDER ALSO VOWED TO DEFEND THE ALBANIAN CIVILIANS FROM ATTACKS BY SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES. BUT WESTERN OFFICIALS SAY THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY (K-L-A) IS OUTGUNNED AND GENERALLY IS NOT CAPABLE OF DEFENDING CIVILIANS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PS/JWH
03-Mar-99 1:55 PM EST (1855 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO TALKS BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: THE KOSOVO PEACE TALKS RESUME IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AND DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS HAVE INTENSIFIED, IN PARTICULAR, TO GET THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS TO SIGN THE PEACE SETTLEMENT FOR LIMITED AUTONOMY. THE RESIGNATION TUESDAY OF KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY HARDLINER ADEM DEMACI (DUH MAH CHEE) IS EXPECTED TO CLEAR THE WAY FOR FINAL K-L-A ACCEPTANCE. THAT SHOULD PUT MORE PRESSURE ON THE SERBS TO ALSO SIGN THE ACCORD. BUT OTHER OBSTACLES MUST BE OVERCOME PRIOR TO A PEACE DEAL, AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS.

TEXT: THERE WAS A CRITICAL MOMENT DURING THE MARATHON NEGOTIATIONS LAST MONTH IN RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE, WHEN THE KOSOVAR ALBANIAN DELEGATION APPEARED WILLING TO APPROVE THE PEACE AGREEMENT GRANTING KOSOVO LIMITED AUTONOMY. THEN, THE 29-YEAR-OLD CHIEF OF THE DELEGATION -- WHO IS ALSO A COMMANDER OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY -- FLEW OFF TO CONSULT K-L-A HARDLINER ADEM DEMACI (EDS: UNDISCLOSED LOCATION). MR. DEMACI HAS NEVER BUDGED FROM HIS REJECTION OF ANYTHING LESS THAN INDEPENDENCE FOR KOSOVO PROVINCE.

THE DELEGATION CHIEF, HASHIM THACI (THAH CHEE), RETURNED FROM HIS MEETING WITHOUT THE K-L-A SUPPORT HE NEEDED FOR AN UNEQUIVOCAL "YES." THE BEST THAT WESTERN DIPLOMATS ACHIEVED IN RAMBOUILLET WAS A VERBAL K-L-A READINESS TO SIGN THE PEACE DOCUMENT -- BUT ONLY AFTER CONSULTATIONS BACK HOME.

FOLLOWING MR. DEMACI'S RESIGNATION TUESDAY, SUPPORTERS OF THE PEACE SETTLEMENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE KOSOVO NOW PREDICT THE K-L-A LEADERSHIP WILL SIGN THE FINAL DOCUMENT WHEN TALKS RESUME ON MARCH 15TH IN FRANCE.

K-L-A SPOKESMAN PLEURAT SEJDIU SAYS THE DECISION OF KOSOVAR ALBANIANS HAS NEVER DEPENDED ON JUST ONE MAN'S OPINION OR HIS RESIGNATION.

THE K-L-A NEVER DEPENDS ON ONE SINGLE PERSON OR TWO. WHOEVER WILL REPRESENT THE K-L-A WILL DO SO IN THE NAME OF THE ENTIRE HIGH COMMAND.

U-S MEDIATOR CHRIS HILL, WHO HAS WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS, ALSO SOUNDED MORE UPBEAT WHEN HE BRIEFED NATO OFFICIALS WEDNESDAY IN BRUSSELS.

WE BELIEVE THE K-L-A IS INDEED PREPARED TO SUPPORT THIS PEACE AGREEMENT. THEIR LEADER AT THE TALKS, HASHIM THACI, INDICATED HIS SUPPORT AND THAT HE WOULD BE CONSULTING WITHIN THE K-L-A. THIS CONSULTATIVE PROCESS IS WELL UNDERWAY, AND I THINK THE SIGNS ARE VERY POSITIVE.

DISARMING THE K-L-A IS OUT OF THE QUESTION AS FAR AS THE ALBANIAN SIDE IS CONCERNED. THAT WILL MEAN THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE WOULD BE DEFENSELESS AT THE END OF THE AGREEMENT.

HE SAYS A HIGH LEVEL K-L-A DELEGATION WILL MEET WITH U-S OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON TO CLARIFY THE ISSUES BEFORE PEACE TALKS RESUME.

THAT TRIP UNDERLINES THE POLITICAL POWER AND INFLUENCE OF THE REBEL LEADERSHIP, WHOSE POPULARITY AND CREDIBILITY HAVE GROWN STEADILY DURING THEIR FIGHT AGAINST SERB DOMINATION OF THE MOSTLY ETHNIC-ALBANIAN PROVINCE.

K-L-A SPOKESMAN SEJDIU SAYS THE KOSOVAR ALBANIAN DELEGATION IS UNDER PRESSURE NOT TO SIGN ANY AGREEMENT THAT ELIMINATES THE POSSIBILITY OF FUTURE INDEPENDENCE.

AT THE MOMENT, THE WHOLE POLITICAL SPECTRUM OF KOSOVO IS STUDYING AND DISCUSSING THE DOCUMENT WITH ACADEMICIANS, STUDENTS AND WHOEVER. IN THE END, WE WILL HAVE SOME MAJORITY VIEW ON THIS DOCUMENT, HOPEFULLY IN FAVOR, IF IT IS ATTRACTIVE (BENEFICIAL) FOR US. IF IT IS NOT, IT WILL BE REJECTED..

WESTERN DIPLOMATS ARGUE THAT FINAL K-L-A APPROVAL OF THE PEACE PACKAGE WILL INCREASE THE PRESSURE ON BELGRADE TO ACCEPT THE NATO PEACEKEEPING ROLE.

IT WILL ALSO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO CLEARLY BLAME BELGRADE, IF THE PEACE TALKS FAIL. NATO IS STILL THREATENING AIR STRIKES IF THE SERBS DO NOT END THEIR OFFENSIVE IN KOSOVO AND PULL THEIR FORCES OUT. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF/GE
03-Mar-99 11:59 AM EST (1659 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] NATO-KOSOVO (S&L) (BRUSSELS)

CORRESPONDENT=RON PEMSTEIN CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO: THE NEGOTIATORS OF A KOSOVO PEACE SETTLEMENT TOLD NATO AMBASSADORS WEDNESDAY THEY BELIEVE AN AGREEMENT IS STILL POSSIBLE, DESPITE SERB RESISTANCE TO ALLOWING IN NATO-LED PEACEKEEPERS. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS THAT NEGOTIATORS ARE BLAMING THE YUGOSLAV ARMY FOR MUCH OF THE VIOLENCE.

TEXT: AMERICAN AMBASSADOR CHRISTOPHER HILL SAYS THE YUGOSLAV ARMY IS OUT OF GARRISON -- AND THEREFORE OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED BY RICHARD HOLBROOKE WITH THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT LAST OCTOBER.

WE ALL FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE COMPLIANCE WITH THE OCTOBER AGREEMENT. THERE IS CONSIDERABLE NON-COMPLIANCE ON THE GROUND. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME VERY UGLY INCIDENTS IN RECENT DAYS, AND OBVIOUSLY THIS HAS TO STOP, AND OBVIOUSLY THE NATO WARNINGS STAND.

WHILE THE NATO AIR STRIKE WARNINGS STAND, THERE IS NO SIGN THE NATO AMBASSADORS HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL TO DO ANYTHING TO ENFORCE IT BEFORE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS RESUME ON MARCH 15TH.

NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA SAYS THE SERBS AND ALBANIANS MUST USE THE TIME REMAINING TO CONSTRUCT PEACE -- NOT TO PREPARE FOR WAR.

WHILE MR. SOLANA HAS, IN THEORY, THE AUTHORITY TO ORDER AIR STRIKES, HE WILL CONSULT THE AMBASSADORS BEFORE ORDERING ANY MILITARY ACTION IN YUGOSLAVIA.

AMBASSADOR HILL AND HIS EUROPEAN UNION COLLEAGUE, WOLFGANG PETRITSCH, BRIEFED THE NATO AMBASSADORS ON THE VIOLENCE. THEY SAYS THEY ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT THE ALBANIANS ARE CLOSE TO SIGNING A PEACE AGREEMENT WHEN THE PEACE TALKS RESUME.

AMBASSADOR HILL SAYS THE SERBS MAY EVENTUALLY BACK OFF THEIR REFUSAL TO DISCUSS A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO.

MY SENSE IS THAT MANY SERBS UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS INDEED AN INSEPARABLE PART OF THE AGREEMENT, AND THAT IN TALKING TO OTHER PEOPLE WE FEEL -- OR I FEEL -- THAT THERE HAS BEEN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF COMING TO TERMS WITH THE FACT THAT THIS PEACE AGREEMENT WILL INCLUDE A NATO-LED FORCE.

PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC REPEATED TO THE NORWEGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER THIS WEEK YUGOSLAVIA'S OPPOSITION TO A NATO-LED FORCE.

WHILE NATO CONTINUES TO TALK TOUGH TO THE SERBS AND THE ALBANIANS, THE ALLIANCE IS HOPING KOSOVO'S VIOLENCE DOES NOT ESCALATE TO THE POINT WHERE NATO IS FORCED TO TAKE ACTION BEFORE PEACE TALKS RESUME. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/PCF
03-Mar-99 9:54 AM EST (1454 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] U-S FOREIGN POLICY BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AS THE ONLY REMAINING SUPERPOWER, HOW MUCH RESPONSIBILITY DOES THE UNITED STATES HAVE FOR KEEPING ORDER IN THE WORLD AND HOW MUCH CAN IT DO? THESE QUESTIONS ARE NOW BEING VIGOROUSLY DEBATED AS THE UNITED STATES BECOMES INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF CONFLICTS THAT HAVE NO EASY RESOLUTION. V-O-A'S ED WARNER REPORTS SOME OF THE DEBATE AND THE COMMENTS OF TWO LEADING STRATEGIC THINKERS.

TEXT: U-S TROOPS ARE NOW INVOLVED IN MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES, AND HAVE CONDUCTED MILITARY EXERCISES WITH NATIONS OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION. AN EXPANDING NATO ADDS TO U-S COMMITMENTS, ALONG WITH PEACE-KEEPING EFFORTS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, KOSOVO AND ELSEWHERE. IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, THE UNITED STATES HAS BOMBED THREE COUNTRIES -- IRAQ, SUDAN AND AFGHANISTAN -- AND THREATENED A FOURTH -- SERBIA. "WELCOME TO THE POST-COLD WAR WORLD," SAYS ELIOT COHEN, A PROFESSOR AT JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY WHO DIRECTED A U-S AIR FORCE STUDY OF THE PERSIAN GULF WAR. "THIS IS THE KIND OF IMPERIAL POLICING THAT THE AMERICAN MILITARY IS GOING INCREASINGLY TO BE CALLED ON TO DO."

A NEW ERA CALLS FOR A NEW STRATEGY, SAYS RALPH PETERS, A RETIRED U-S ARMY OFFICER WHO SERVED IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE DEVELOPING WORLD AND IS AUTHOR OF THE FORTHCOMING BOOK, "FIGHTING FOR THE FUTURE: WILL AMERICA TRIUMPH?"

MR. PETERS SAYS MOST TROUBLE STARTS WITH A HARD CORE OF EVIL MEN WHO CAN QUICKLY BE STOPPED, IF THEY ARE CONFRONTED EARLY ENOUGH:

A FRACTION OF ONE PERCENT OF A NATION'S POPULATION CAN DESTROY A FRAGILE COUNTRY. LATER ON, OF COURSE, MORE ACTORS ARE INVOLVED -- THE UNEMPLOYED, NATIONALISTS. THE NUMBERS SNOWBALL. BUT AT THE CORE, THERE IS ALWAYS A SMALL GROUP OF VIOLENT ACTORS -- HITLER'S BROWNSHIRTS, FANATICS EVERYWHERE. AND IF YOU DO NOT RID THE SUBJECT COUNTRY OF THOSE FANATICS -- WHETHER BY IMPRISONING THEM, TRYING THEM OR KILLING THEM OR WHATEVER IT TAKES --YOU LEAVE THE CANCER TO FESTER.

MR. PETERS SAYS PROMPT ACTION CAN SAVE A THREATENED SOCIETY FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF ITS LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS.

TO DO THIS, SAYS MR. PETERS, MEANS MOVING BEYOND A STRICT DEFINITION OF THE U-S NATIONAL INTEREST IN PURSUIT OF A LARGER GOBAL INTEREST. HE IS NOT SUGGESTING THE UNITED STATES INTERVENE IN ALL CRISES. THEY MUST BE DETERMINED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS:

SOMETIMES, CLEARLY GENOCIDE OR ACTS OF BARBARISM ARE SO HORRIFIC THAT WE MUST RESPOND BECAUSE IN THE END, WE ARE OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER[S]. THE PENTAGON WILL EVALUATE THESE CONFLICTS IN TERMS OF THE COST TO US INSTEAD OF THE COST TO GLOBAL SOCIETY. SOME CONFLICTS MAY BE MORE EXPENSIVE IN TERMS OF TREASURE AND LIVES TO FIX, TO SOLVE. BUT THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ARE WORTHWHILE.

MR. PETERS SAYS AMERICANS WILL ACCEPT CASUALTIES IN A JUST CAUSE WITH CLEAR RESULTS. THEY WILL NOT TOLERATE LIVES WASTED IN VAIN. HE BELIEVES IT IS IN THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGY TO COME TO THE AID OF THE OPPRESSED. LIKE IT OR NOT, HE SAYS THE U-S MILITARY WILL CONTINUE TO ENGAGE IN SMALL WARS IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

NATO COMMANDER GENERAL WESLEY CLARK SAYS "THERE IS A GREAT HUNGER FOR AMERICAN VALUES, IDEAS AND SECURITY. THEY [ -- PEOPLE OVERSEAS -- ] WANT TO SEE AMERICANS. THEY WANT TO BE TOUCHED BY AMERICANS."

BUT HOW MUCH CAN AMERICA REALLY DO? ASKS ROBERT MANNING, DIRECTOR OF ASIAN STUDIES AT THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS. THERE ARE FINITE LIMITS TO NATIONAL WILL, ENERGY AND RESOURCES. HE THINKS THEY HAVE BEEN NOW BEEN REACHED. YET THERE ARE PROPOSALS TO STRETCH THEM EVEN FARTHER, PERHAPS INTO THE UNSTABLE REGIONS OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION.

THE UNITED STATES IS OVER-COMMITTED, SAYS MR. MANNING, BECAUSE IT LACKS A STRATEGY:

HERE WE ARE ALMOST A DECADE AFTER THE BERLIN WALL HAS FALLEN DOWN. DO WE HAVE ANY SENSE OF DIRECTION OF A NEW INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM? I GUESS MY ANSWER WOULD BE, "WE DO NOT." RATHER THAN STEPPING BACK AND TRYING TO HAVE A LARGER IDEA OF HOW THOSE PIECES FIT TOGETHER, WE ARE JUST SORT OF REACTING -- ONE MASSACRE, ONE CRISIS AT A TIME.

MR. MANNING SAYS A TOP PRIORITY OF U-S FOREIGN POLICY SHOULD BE TO WORK IN CONCERT WITH THE OTHER MAJOR POWERS WHO MUST HELP MAINTAIN THE PEACE. BUT THEY FEEL INCREASINGLY NEGLECTED BY THE UNITED STATES.

COLUMNIST FLORA LEWIS WRITES (IN THE INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE): "FOR THE FRENCH, THE UNITED STATES HAS BECOME THE 'HYPER-POWER,' DETERMINED TO TELL EVERYBODY ELSE WHAT TO DO." // OPT // MANY EUROPEANS ARE ESPECIALLY CRITICAL OF AMERICAN PRESSURE TO OPEN CAPITAL MARKETS, WHICH IN THEIR VIEW HAS LED TO EXCESSIVE CURRENCY SWINGS AND A GLOBAL ECONOMIC MELTDOWN. IN REACTION, EUROPEAN NATIONS ARE TURNING TO MULTILATERAL SOLUTIONS.

U-S-RUSSIAN RELATIONS ARE EVEN MORE FRAYED, BECAUSE OF NATO EXPANSION AND SHARP POLICY DIFFERENCES OVER IRAQ AND KOSOVO. SAYS STEPHEN BLANK, A PROFESSOR AT THE STRATEGIC STUDIES INSTITUTE AT THE U-S ARMY WAR COLLEGE: "U-S OFFICIALS DANGEROUSLY MIS-READ RUSSIA. THEY THINK IT WILL BE LIKE POST-1945 GERMANY [ -- PEACEFUL AND DEMOCRATIC]. I THINK THEY ARE DEAD WRONG. WE ARE EXPANDING OUR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE RUSSIANS."

ROBERT MANNING SAYS CURRENT U-S POLICY RISKS LOSING THE SUPPORT OF AMERICANS AS WELL:

THEY ARE PREPARED TO SEE US DO OUR FAIR SHARE. BUT THEY DO NOT WANT TO SEE US DO EVERYTHING, AND THEY WANT TO SEE OUR FRIENDS AND ALLIES DOING THEIR FAIR SHARE. THE DANGER IS WHEN WE KEEP MAKING LARGE INVESTMENTS IN PLACES THAT ARE MARGINAL TO OUR INTERESTS. I THINK OVER TIME YOU ARE GOING TO ERODE SUPPORT FOR AMERICAN INTERNATIONALISM.

MR. MANNING SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS THE GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ONLY SUPERPOWER. IT IS THE STABILIZER OF LAST RESORT. BUT BEFORE THAT POINT IS REACHED, HE SAYS OTHERS SHOULD SHARE THE BURDEN. (SIGNED)
NEB/EW/WTW
02-Mar-99 7:55 PM EST (0055 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AS INTEREST-RATE WORRIES CONTINUED. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 92 HUNDRED 75, DOWN 21 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 12 HUNDRED 27, UP TWO POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX ROSE BY A FRACTION OF ONE PERCENT.

STOCK PRICES WERE DOWN FOR MOST OF THE SESSION BUT SOME LATE BUYING PRESSURE LIFTED SOME OF THE AVERAGES.

ANALYSTS SAY STOCK TRADERS WERE AGAIN WORRIED ABOUT RISING U-S INTEREST RATES, WITH BOND PRICES FALLING. THERE IS A GENERAL CONCERN THAT THE U-S ECONOMY IS GROWING TOO RAPIDLY AND THAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD -- THE U-S CENTRAL BANK -- WILL SOON MOVE TO RAISE SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES TO SLOW GROWTH AND CONTROL INFLATION.

THERE IS A REAL FEAR THAT PROSPERITY IS BREAKING OUT. THE ECONOMY SEEMS TO BE GROWING FASTER THAN ANYONE, INCLUDING THE "FED" (CENTRAL BANK), HAD EXPECTED. THAT HAS GOT A LOT OF THE BOND VIGILANTES WORRIED.

THE HEAD OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK HAS AGAIN EXPRESSED HIS OPPOSITION TO USING FUNDS FROM SOCIAL SECURITY, THE GOVERNMENT PENSION PROGRAM, TO INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET. ALAN GREENSPAN TOLD CONGRESS SUCH INVESTMENTS COULD NOT BE INSULATED FROM POLITICAL PRESSURES AND, IN ANY CASE, WOULD NOT INCREASE THE OVERALL U-S SAVINGS RATE.

GOLDMAN SACHS, THE HUGE NEW YORK INVESTMENT BANKING AND BROKERAGE FIRM, HAS REVIVED A PLAN TO SELL ITS STOCK TO THE PUBLIC, WITH AN INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING PLANNED IN A FEW MONTHS. GOLDMAN SACHS CANCELLED A STOCK OFFERING LAST YEAR DURING A STEEP DOWNTURN IN THE MARKET.

GENERAL MOTORS REPORTS A 17 PERCENT JUMP IN U-S VEHICLE SALES LAST MONTH, DUE TO STRONG DEMAND FOR MID-SIZE CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS. THE INCREASE WAS WELL ABOVE ANALYSTS' ESTIMATES. ON TUESDAY, FORD REPORTED AN EIGHT PERCENT SALES INCREASE AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER REPORTED A SEVEN PERCENT GAIN.

THE R-J REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY HAS AGREED TO ADD A DISCLAIMER TO ADVERTISING FOR ITS WINSTON BRAND CIGARETTES. U-S REGULATORS SAY THE COMPANY WILL MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE FACT THAT WINSTONS CONTAIN "NO ADDITIVES" DOES NOT MEAN THEY POSE LESS OF A HEALTH RISK THAN ANY OTHER CIGARETTE.

THE CIRCUS CIRCUS CORPORATION HAS OFFICIALLY OPENED "MANDALAY BAY," THE LATEST ONE BILLION DOLLAR RESORT HOTEL AND CASINO IN LAS VEGAS. BUT COMPETITION IS HEATING UP WITH THREE OTHER BILLION DOLLAR-PLUS FACILITIES SCHEDULED TO OPEN THERE SOON. HOWEVER, CASINO EXECUTIVES SAY THE AGING U-S POPULATION, WITH ITS CONSTANT SEARCH FOR LEISURE ACTIVITIES, WILL KEEP THE HOTELS AND GAMBLING HALLS BUSY.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
03-Mar-99 5:21 PM EST (2221 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S RELATIONS WITH CHINA AND HOW TO DEAL WITH THAT NATION'S RECENT CRACKDOWN ON PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS IS ONE OF TODAY'S POPULAR EDITORIAL TOPICS.

IN OTHER COMMENTARIES, THE U-S PRESS IS DISCUSSING REVELATIONS ABOUT U-S SPYING ON IRAQ UNDER THE GUISE OF UNITED NATIONS OPERATIONS; AND THE CHANGE IN POLICY TOWARD IRAQ REGARDING THE "NO-FLY" ZONES; THE LATEST REPORT ON OLYMPIC WRONG-DOING; WHERE THE KOSOVO PEACE PLAN IS HEADED; AND ISRAEL'S LEBANON SECURITY ZONE DEBACLE. NOW, HERE IS ________________ WITH A FEW EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIALS DIGEST.

TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT'S VISIT TO CHINA IS BEING DISSECTED IN SEVERAL EDITORIALS. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS THE WHITE HOUSE MUST FACE THE FACT THAT SINO-U-S RELATIONS ARE SLIPPING.

VOICE: ... [THE] ... VISIT ... SERVED TO EMPHASIZE RATHER THAN EASE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AMERICA'S INTERESTS AND CHINA'S. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION CALLS ITS CHINA POLICY 'CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT,' BUT THE ARTFUL AMBIGUITY OF THAT LABEL CAN'T HIDE THE DEEPENING RIFTS IN THE BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP. WASHINGTON MUST CONFRONT THESE DIFFERENCES UNFLINCHINGLY. /// OPT /// ... THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATIONS SAYS IT WOULD LIKE TO DEVELOP A 'STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP' WITH CHINA. ALL SUCH PARTNERSHIPS, TO WORK, HAVE TO BE BASED ON SHARED GOALS AND INTERESTS. THERE IS PRECIOUS LITTLE EVIDENCE OF THAT IN THE CURRENT RELATIONSHIP./// END OPT ///

TEXT: IN MAINE, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" SUMS UP IT'S RESERVATIONS ABOUT RELATIONS WITH CHINA THIS WAY:

VOICE: WHILE ENGAGING THE CHINESE ECONOMICALLY MAKES SENSE, KEEPING SILENT ABOUT CHINA'S DEPLORABLE HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD DOES NOT. THE UNITED STATES SHOULD CONTINUE TO HIGHLIGHT BEIJING'S ABUSES. THAT MEANS ALLOWING DEBATE ON MOST-FAVORED-NATION STATUS TO GO FORWARD ...

TEXT: TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" BLAMES SOME OF THE SENSE OF CONTENTIOUSNESS AT THE TALKS ON THE U-S MEDIA'S "APPETITE FOR CONFLICT." "THE GLOBE" COUNSELS PATIENCE WITH CHINA:

VOICE: THE UNITED STATES NEED NOT MUFFLE ITS CRITICISM OF BEIJING'S CRACKDOWN ON DISSIDENTS, BUT IT SHOULD NURTURE A PATIENT AND CONFIDENT EXPECTATION THAT A NEW CHINESE GENERATION, MOLDED BY THE INTERNET AND THE ENTREPRENEURIAL PRINCIPLE OF CONSTANT CHANGE, WILL SOON UNDO THE STRUCTURES OF THE OLD REDS [COMMUNISTS].

TEXT: FROM DEALING WITH CHINA TO DEALING WITH IRAQ AND A PAIR OF DEVELOPMENTS, COMMENTED ON BY TWO OF THE NATION'S LARGEST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL DAILIES. "THE WASHINGTON POST" DESCRIBES AS 'SHABBY EXPLOITATION' THE REVELATION THAT U-S INTELLIGENCE WAS SPYING ON IRAQI COMMUNICATIONS UNDER THE GUISE OF THE UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTION TEAM.

VOICE: WHAT HAPPENED IS NOT A MORAL CRIME, BUT ... A BLUNDER, BESTOWING FURTHER EMBARRASSMENT ON A LINE OF AMERICAN POLICY ALREADY AFFLICTED WITH A BAD CASE OF THE STAGGERS. [SLANG: IN THIS CASE, FOR "UNEVEN AND NOT WELL THOUGHT OUT"]

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS UPSET AT THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE SCOPE OF U-S AND ALLIED AIR ATTACKS WITHIN THE NO-FLY ZONES, WONDERING WHY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS NOT ADMITTING IT IS AN ESCALATION OF THE UNDECLARED WAR WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN.

VOICE: THE BOMBING RAIDS APPEAR DESIGNED TO PUNISH THE IRAQI MILITARY IN HOPES THAT DISGRUNTLED OFFICERS WILL LEAD A REBELLION AGAINST MR. HUSSEIN RATHER THAN SUFFER FURTHER LOSSES OF MEN AND EQUIPMENT. IF THIS IS THE NEW AMERICAN STRATEGY, PRESIDENT CLINTON OR DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SHOULD LET THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND CONGRESS KNOW.

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, ANOTHER REPORT ON CORRUPTION REGARDING THE OLYMPIC COMMITTEE'S SELECTION OF SALT LAKE CITY AS THE NEXT WINTER GAMES VENUE IS OUT AND DRAWING COMMENT. "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" SAYS OF THE FINDINGS, CHAIRED BY FORMER SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL:

VOICE: [SENATOR] MITCHELL'S PANEL SAID THE GAMES HAD SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE FROM THE BRIBES, AND SUGGESTED THAT THEIR VERY SURVIVAL DEPENDED IN PART ON ADOPTING AT LEAST SOME OF THE RECOMMENDED REFORMS. ... THOUGH [MR.] MITCHELL'S REPORT DIDN'T CALL FOR IT, I-O-C [INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE] CHAIRMAN JUAN ANTONIO SAMARANCH SHOULD RESIGN. NEW LEADERSHIP IS NEEDED TO ASSURE THAT REFORMS ARE CARRIED OUT.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS PLEASED WITH SOME OF THE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE MITCHELL COMMISSION.

VOICE: AS A PRIVATE ENTITY UNDER SWISS LAW, THE I-O-C IS CURRENTLY ACCOUNTABLE TO NO ONE. BUT IN A POTENTIALLY STRONG DETERRENT TO CORRUPTION, THE COMMISSION URGED THE I-O-C TO BECOME A 'PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION' AS DEFINED BY A NEW GLOBAL CONVENTION ON COMBATING BRIBERY IN BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS. THIS AGREEMENT CALLS FOR THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER SIGNATORIES TO EXPAND ANTI-BRIBERY LAWS TO COVER OFFICERS AND AGENTS OF PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL GROUPS. ALL PRESIDENT CLINTON NEED DO IS DESIGNATE THE I-O-C AS A PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION AND PERSUADE OTHER NATIONS TO DO THE SAME.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE KOSOVO DILEMMA, BOSTON'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" WONDERS "WHAT NEXT?" IN THE TROUBLED SERBIAN PROVINCE.

VOICE: IT'S TIME TO STOP ASSUMING THAT REASON AND COMPROMISE ARE IMPOSSIBLE IN THE BALKANS. FACED WITH TOUGH PROBLEMS AND GROWING VIOLENCE AS SERB FORCES MASS ALONG THE SOUTHERN BORDER OF KOSOVO, EUROPEAN AND U-S DIPLOMATS MUST INTENSIFY THEIR EFFORTS. BRING THE KOSOVARS ABOARD THE TENTATIVE PEACE PLAN, THEN REDOUBLE PRESSURES ON [YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN] MILOSEVIC. HE HAS TO KNOW THE WORLD WON'T TOLERATE MORE ETHNIC CLEANSING AND ATROCITIES.

TEXT: NIGERIA'S NEW PRESIDENT-ELECT IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS QUESTION FROM "NEWSDAY" ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND, WHICH WONDERS: "CAN [HE] LEAD NIGERIA TO DEMOCRACY?"

VOICE: ... [MR.] OBASANJO HAS A BIG - - SOME WOULD SAY AN IMPOSSIBLE - - JOB AHEAD OF HIM. AFTER 16 YEARS OF CORRUPT, BRUTAL AND INCOMPETENT MILITARY RULE, NIGERIA IS IN A SHAMBLES. ITS ECONOMY IS WRECKED, HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS ARE RAMPANT, AND ITS POPULATION IS BEING RAVAGED BY POVERTY AND AIDS. ... BY ALTERING THE COZY DEALS THE JUNTAS HAD WITH OIL COMPANIES EXPLOITING NIGERIA'S RICH FIELDS, [MR.] OBASANJO COULD ALSO WORK TO REVERSE SOME OF THE IMMENSE ECOLOGICAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY UNREGULATED OIL EXPLORATION AND PROCESSING IN NIGERIA'S DELTA REGION. ... GOOD LUCK.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" TODAY IS SUPPORTING ISRAEL'S HARSH MILITARY RETALIATION FOR THE KILLING OF AN ISRAELI BRIGADIER AND OTHER SOLDIERS SUNDAY BY HEZBOLLAH GUERRILLAS IN THAT SOUTHERN LEBANON "SECURITY" ZONE CONTROLLED BY ISRAEL AND PRO-ISRAELI LEBANESE MILITIAS.

VOICE: MR. [ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN] NETANYAHU HAS DECIDED HE WON'T WAIT TILL NEXT TIME TO RETALIATE AGAINST THE MILITIA'S MOST RECENT 'MORALLY-JUSTIFIED' ATTACKS. AND THIS TIME, HE HAS ANNOUNCED A WIDENING OF THE MILITARY TARGETS TO INCLUDE VARIOUS PARTS OF THE CIVILIAN INFRASTRUCTURE, SIGNALING THAT ISRAEL IS STEPPING UP THE PRESSURE.

TEXT: IN FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS, "THE SOUTHWEST TIMES RECORD'S" EDITOR, JACK MOSELEY WRITES ABOUT THE PUBLIC'S REACTION TO THE LATEST ACCUSATION OF SEXUAL IMPROPRIETY AGAINST PRESIDENT CLINTON. AN ARKANSAS WOMAN, JUANITA BROADDRICK, ALLEGES HE RAPED 21 YEARS AGO WHILE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ARKANSAS.

VOICE: ... SUPPORTERS OF JUANITA BROADDRICK ... ARE READY TO MAKE HER A SAINT FOR HER COURAGE IN COMING FORWARD BELATEDLY. PRO-CLINTON TYPES, ON THE OTHER HAND, ARE GRINDING THAT POOR WOMAN TO SHREDS. AND THEY ARE BEING ASSISTED BY PRO-CLINTON ELEMENTS OF THE MEDIA. LEFT IN THE MIDDLE ARE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WHO SIMPLY WISH THE CLINTON SEX SCANDALS WOULD DRY UP AND BE GONE WITH THE WIND. FOR BETTER OR WORSE, MOST PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY SEEM INDIFFERENT TO THE BROADDRICK STORY. /// OPT /// EVEN HERE IN ARKANSAS LAST WEEK, MORE PEOPLE WATCHED THE RAZORBACKS [THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS SPORTS TEAMS ARE NICKNAMED "THE RAZORBACKS" AFTER A FAMED BREED OF HOG COMMONLY GROWN IN ARKANSAS] AND THE GRAMMY AWARDS [UNDERSTOOD: "ON TELEVISION"] THAN SAW [MRS.] BROADDRICK TELL HER STORY ON ... N-B-C.

TEXT: AND IN RELATED NEWS, MONICA LEWINSKY WILL DO HER FIRST TELEVISION NEWS INTERVIEW TONIGHT ON THE AMERICAN BROADCASTING COMPANY'S PROGRAM "TWENTY-TWENTY" ELICITING THIS FROM "THE [NEW YORK] DAILY NEWS."

VOICE: SINCE THE STORY OF HER SEXCAPADES WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS BEEN TOLD AD NAUSEAM - - AND SINCE SHE IS BARRED FROM TALKING ABOUT HER ENCOUNTERS WITH INDEPENDENT PERSECUTOR KENNETH STARR - - IT'S NOT LIKELY THERE'LL BE MUCH WE HAVEN'T HEARD BEFORE. BUT YOU'LL HEAR IT STRAIGHT FROM [MS.] LEWINSKY, AND THAT'S BOUND TO BE ENTERTAINING. ... THIS IS SHOWBIZ. [MS.] LEWINSKY IS SELLING A PRODUCT. AND AMERICA IS BUYING.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM THE PAGES OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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03-Mar-99 11:49 AM EST (1649 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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