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Voice of America, 99-04-04Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] ALBANIA REFUGEE SITREP BY TIM BELAY (TIRANA)DATE=4/4/99TYPE=NEWS FEATURE NUMBER=5-43020 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: OFFICIALS ESTIMATE THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES POURING INTO ALBANIA FROM KOSOVO HAS TOPPED THE 200-THOUSAND MARK (SUNDAY). TIM BELAY REPORTS FROM THE ALBANIA'S CAPITAL, TIRANA, WHERE AUTHORITIES ARE WORKING TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEMS. TEXT: /// OPEN WITH NAT SOUND OF CARNIVAL AND FADE AFTER A FEW SECONDS /// THIS PLAYGROUND WITH BUMPER CARS AND A MINIATURE FERRIS WHEEL PROVIDES A PLACE FOR LOCAL FAMILIES TO ENJOY AN EASTER SUNDAY AFTERNOON. BUT THE TENT CITY ERECTED AROUND IT TELLS A MUCH DIFFERENT STORY OF LOCAL LIFE. THE CAMP HAS BEEN FILLED BEYOND ITS INTENDED CAPACITY OF TWO-THOUSAND PEOPLE, FOLLOWING THE ARRIVAL OF 500 NEW REFUGEES THE PAST TWO DAYS. KRESTEN CHRISTENSEN OF A GROUP CALLED THE "ALBANIAN ENCOURAGEMENT PROJECT" SAYS HIS ORGANIZATION HAS TAKEN OVER THE PREPARATION AND SERVING OF THREE DAILY MEALS TO THE CAMP'S RESIDENTS -- THIS AFTER LOCAL RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS BECAME EXHAUSTED. MR. CHRISTENSEN SAYS SANITATION IS NOW THE NUMBER-ONE CONCERN, AND THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF THE TOILET AND SHOWER FACILITIES EVERY DAY. /// CHRISTENSEN ACT ///I DO NOT THINK THAT THE HYGIENE SHOULD BE A PROBLEM HERE. OKAY, I AM A BOY SCOUT AND AN OFFICER OF THE RESERVE IN DENMARK (ED'S: HE IS PREPARED FOR THIS), AND WE HAVE HAD MANY OF THESE KIND OF BIG CAMPS AND ALSO WITH TWO OR THREE OR FOUR THOUSAND OR MORE PEOPLE. AND I FEEL THAT THIS IS ... IN FACT THE STANDARD AS I AM USED TO. AND I FEEL IT IS QUITE INCREDIBLE IN A COUNTRY WHERE YOU KNOW THE STANDARD ISN'T THAT HIGH. /// END ACT ///MR. CHRISTENSEN SAYS THE TEAM WORKING WITH THE FOOD INCLUDES 25 KOSOVARS WHO HAVE PITCHED IN TO HELP FEED FELLOW REFUGEES. HE SAYS THEY WASH THEIR HANDS IN CHLORIDE WATER PRIOR TO HANDLING THE FOOD. A 15-BY-SEVEN-METER TENT IS BEING USED TO STORE FOOD AS IT ARRIVES. IT IS FINE WITH THE PRESENT COOL TEMPERATURES, BUT IT MAY BECOME A PROBLEM AS THE WEATHER WARMS UP. ANU TOIVANEN IS ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE ALBANIAN ENCOURAGEMENT PROJECT. /// TOIVANEN ACT ///IF IT IS GETTING WARMER AND WARMER I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. BUT I THINK WE CAN TRY TO FIND OUT TO HAVE THE FOOD COMING ONLY FOR MAYBE TWICE A DAY, SO IT WILL ONLY HAVE TO STAY HERE FOR A SHORT TIME. ///END ACT//// OPT ///// TANKU ACT ///I HOPE THAT THE CONFLICT WILL END AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO...I CAN NOT IMAGINE THE PROBLEMS. THERE ARE GOING TO BE ENORMOUS PROBLEMS IF THE CONFLICT WILL CONTINUE FOR A LOT OF TIME. SO, I AM PRAYING GOD THAT THIS WILL HAVE AN END WITHIN A MONTH -- OR EVEN SOONER. /// END ACT // END OPT ///BLEDAR MANE IS THE CHAIRMAN OF A GROUP CALLED "BALKAN CHILDREN CRISIS," A LONDON-BASED RELIEF ORGANIZATION WORKING AT THE TEMPORARY SHELTER TO REGISTER AND HELP YOUNG PEOPLE. MR. MANE, WHO IS ORIGINALLY FROM SOUTHERN ALBANIA, SAYS HE TOO IS WORRIED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF WARMER WEATHER. /// MANE ACT ///THE SUMMER IS COMING AND ALBANIA IS A MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRY AND IT IS GOING TO BE VERY HOT. I AM A BIT SCARED BECAUSE VERY SOON, SOMETHING HORRIBLE IS GOING TO HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY WHERE WE ARE NOW. ALBANIA IS ... TIRANA IS A DIRTY CITY WHERE THE INFECTIONS AND VIRUSES ARE EVERYWHERE. /// END ACT ///IN THE NORTHERN ALBANIAN DISTRICT OF KUKES, CLOSER TO THE
YUGOSLAV BORDER WHERE THERE ARE ALREADY GRAVE PUBLIC HEALTH
CONCERNS, 53 NATO CARGO HELICOPTERS CARRYING RELIEF AND MEDICAL
SUPPLIES LANDED SUNDAY AFTERNOON. NOW, RELIEF AGENCY VOLUNTEERS
AND OFFICIALS HAVE THE URGENT TASK OF DISTRIBUTING THE SUPPLIES
WHERE NEED MOST. FOR THEM, IT IS A VITAL BATTLE AGAINST TIME.
(SIGNED)
[02] KOSOVO REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)DATE=4/4/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-247617 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, SADAKO OGATA, IS URGING COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD TO OFFER SAFE HAVEN TO THE FLOOD OF PEOPLE NOW FLEEING SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. LISA SCHLEIN REPORTS FROM GENEVA MS. OGATA'S STATEMENT SAYS ALBANIA, MACEDONIA, AND MONTENEGRO ARE SWAMPED WITH KOSOVAR REFUGEES AND ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO COPE WITH THE INFLUX. TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY ESTIMATES 350-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE FLED KOSOVO DURING THE PAST 11 DAYS. THE AGENCY CALLS THIS THE MOST INTENSE AND DRAMATIC EXODUS SINCE THE BALKANS WAR OF THE EARLY 1990'S. IT SAYS EFFORTS TO ASSIST HUNDREDS-OF-THOUSANDS OF TERRIFIED AND EXHAUSTED KOSOVO ALBANIANS HAVE TURNED INTO A LOGISTICAL NIGHTMARE. U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN PAUL STROMBERG SAYS A MILITARY-SCALE OPERATION IS NEEDED TO DISTRIBUTE RELIEF SUPPLIES. HE SAYS THE HEALTH OF THE REFUGEES IS DETERIORATING SHARPLY, SAYING AT LEAST SEVEN CHILDREN ARE REPORTED TO HAVE DIED FROM A COMBINATION OF EXHAUSTION AND DEHYDRATION. HE SAYS THE REFUGEES TELL AID WORKERS THEY WERE DRIVEN OUT OF KOSOVO BY SERB SECURITY FORCES. /// STROMBERG ACT ///ALL OF WHOM SAY THEY ARE FLEEING MASSACRES, THEIR HOUSES ARE BEING BURNED, THEY ARE GIVEN DEADLINES OF FIVE OR 10-MINUTES BEFORE THEY MUST LEAVE. SO, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A NIGHTMARE IN THE SENSE THAT AGAIN, THE CIVILIAN POPULATIONS ARE BEING HELD HOSTAGE IN A POLITICAL AND MILITARY CONTEST. /// END ACT ///MACEDONIA IS REFUSING TO LET IN MORE PEOPLE FROM KOSOVO BECAUSE IT IS INUNDATED WITH REFUGEES. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, MR. STROMBERG SAYS MACEDONIAN AUTHORITIES ARE ONLY ALLOWING THREE AID AGENCIES TO ASSIST THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WAITING AT THE BORDER, MAKING IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD, BLANKETS AND OTHER RELIEF SUPPLIES TO THEM. BRITAIN'S FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK TOLD A TELEVISION INTERVIEWER (SUNDAY) THAT MACEDONIA HAS AGREED TO ALLOW AN INTERNATIONALLY-RUN SANCTUARY BE SET UP ON ITS BORDER WITH YUGOSLAVIA WHICH COULD SHELTER PERHAPS 100-THOUSAND KOSOVO REFUGEES. // REST OPT ///// SECOND STROMBERG ACT ///NO MORE TRAINS APPARENTLY WOULD RUN YESTERDAY, SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE'S NOBODY TO TRANSPORT OUT OF PRISTINA. SO OBVIOUSLY THIS CRUEL BRINKMANSHIP THAT MILOSEVIC IS PLAYING HAS CAUGHT OUT THE COUNTRIES IN THE AREA -- THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA AND, MOST OF ALL, THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS WHO HAVE SIMPLY BEEN CAUGHT IN THIS GAME. /// END ACT ///MR. STOMBERG SAYS THE REFUGEES REPORT A COLUMN OF PEOPLE STRETCHING 25-KILOMETERS BACK INTO KOSOVO AND HEADING TOWARD MACEDONIA. THE U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN SAYS THE VERY POOR COUNTRIES IN THE
REGION ARE RELUCTANT TO ADMIT MORE REFUGEES BECAUSE THEY FEAR
THIS WILL DESTABILIZE THEIR ALREADY FRAGILE SOCIETIES. HE SAYS
THIS IS HAMPERING AID EFFORTS. (SIGNED)
[03] MACEDONIA/REFUGEES (L/S) BY NICK SIMEONE (SKOPJE)DATE=4/4/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-247621 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED STATES AND ITS NATO ALLIES ARE WORKING TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS NOW OVERWHELMING THE BALKANS. MORE THAN 100-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS FROM YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE ARE WITHOUT SHELTER IN ALBANIA AND IN CAMPS IN MACEDONIA WHERE THE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT CAN TAKE NO MORE. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS ON A DIRE SITUATION WITHOUT A QUICK SOLUTION. TEXT: NATO PREDICTS WITHIN 10-TO-20 DAYS, SERB FORCES MAY SUCCEED IN EMPTYING KOSOVO OF NEARLY EVERY ETHNIC ALBANIAN. // OPT FOR LONG //CONDITIONS AT THE BORDER CAMP ARE DIRE. MACEDONIAN SECURITY FORCES ARE KEEPING THE REFUGEES PENNED IN BETWEEN THE SNOW CAPPED MOUNTAINS THAT FORM THE KOSOVO-MACEDONIA BORDER, FORCING DESPERATE, HUNGRY PEOPLE TO WAIT IN THE COLD FOR OTHER COUNTRIES TO ACCEPT THEM. // OPT FOR LONG //KEN ISAACS WORKS FOR THE U-S BASED HUMANITARIAN GROUP "SAMARITAN'S PURSE". // ISAACS ACT //THEY ARE COLD. THEY ARE HUNGRY. YOU HAVE BEEN UP THERE TODAY. THEY ARE BRINGING BODIES OUT. PEOPLE ARE DYING. THEY COME OUT IN AMBULANCES AND THEY HAUL THEM OFF. IT IS REALLY A DIRE AND URGENT SITUATION. // END ACT //EUROPE'S RICHER COUNTRIES ARE BEING SLOW TO ACCEPT PEOPLE CAUGHT IN A WAR AND WITHOUT A PLACE TO CALL HOME. THE UNITED STATES DISPATCHED DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT TO THE REGION TO DEAL WITH THE HUMAN FALLOUT FROM NATO'S AIRSTRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. BUT HE LEFT MACEDONIA (SUNDAY) REFUSING TO SAY IF ANY COUNTRIES HAD AGREED TO HELP ABSORB AN OUTPOURING OF REFUGEES OF A SIZE NOT SEEN IN EUROPE IN 50-YEARS. /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///// TALBOTT ACT //IT IS UP TO THEM TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. // END ACT //WHILE MUCH OF THE WORLD CELEBRATED EASTER, THE EQUIVALENT OF A
SMALL CITY SPENT ANOTHER NIGHT UNPROTECTED, UNFED, AND WITHOUT A
HOME. THE FUTURE FOR KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIANS -- THE VERY
PEOPLE NATO TROOPS WERE SENT TO PROTECT -- IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF
EUROPE'S LEADERS. (SIGNED)
[04] NAO ATTACK / SATURDAY (S) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=4/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-247610 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO WEAPONS REPORTEDLY DESTROYED AT LEAST TWO MAJOR BRIDGES IN NORTHERN SERBIA SATURDAY. IT IS THE 11TH STRAIGHT NIGHT OF NATO MISSILE AND BOMB ATTACKS ON SERB TARGETS IN YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON. TEXT: ONE BRIDGE LINKED PARTS OF SERBIA'S SECOND LARGEST CITY (NOVI SAD) THE OTHER CONNECTED SERBIA AND CROATIA (AT THE TOWN OF BACKA PALANKA). TELEVISON NEWS PICTURES OF THE ATTACKS SHOW A LARGE GAP IN THE MIDDLE OF ONE OF THE BRIDGES. THE ATTACKS FOLLOW REPORTS OF LARGE NUMBERS OF AIRCRAFT TAKING
OFF FROM THE NATO AIR BASE AT AVIANO ITALY, AND A PENTAGON REPORT
THAT AT LEAST ONE CRUISE MISSILE HAD BEEN LAUNCHED.
SATURDAY, PENTAGON OFFICIALS ADMITTED THE FIRST TEN DAYS OF NATO
AIR ATTACKS HAVE NOT STOPPED THE OFFENSIVE BY 40-THOUSAND
SERB-LED YUGOSLAV TROOPS AND POLICE AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN
KOSOVO. OFFICIALS SAID CLOUDY WEATHER HID SOME TARGETS, BUT
INSISTED THAT BOMBING KEY SERB FUEL AND AMMUNITION FACILITIES IN
KOSOVO WILL HAMPER THEIR ASSAULT. (SIGNED)
NEB/SD.
[05] NATO ATTACK / SATURDAY UPDATE (S) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=4/3/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-247611 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: REPORTS FROM YUGOSLAVIA SAY NATO BOMBS OR MISSILES HIT TARGETS IN BELGRADE FOR A SECOND NIGHT IN A ROW, SETTING FIRE TO A HEATING PLANT. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON, WHERE OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE AWARE OF THE NEWS ACCOUNTS, BUT WON'T CONFIRM THEM. TEXT: WESTERN JOURNALISTS IN BELGRADE SAY THREE LARGE EXPLOSIONS ROCKED THE CENTRAL PART OF THE YUGOSLAV CAPITAL EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. LOCAL SERB MEDIA REPORTED THAT A HEATING PLANT WAS HIT AND THAT FIRE TRUCKS AND AMBULANCES WERE DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE. SERB TELEVISION SHOWED PICTURES OF A BUILDING IN FLAMES THAT THE STATION SAID WAS THE TARGET OF NATO ATTACKS. EARLIER, SERB TELEVISON SAID NATO ATTACKS HIT BRIDGES IN NORTHERN SERBIA, WRECKING THE SPANS AND INJURING SOME CIVILIANS. SATURDAY EVENING, SCORES OF NATO PLANES TOOK OFF FROM THE AIR
BASE AT AVIANO, ITALY, PRESUMABLY ON THE WAY TO HIT SERB TARGETS
IN YUGOSLAVIA. AND A (CNN) REPORTER ON BOARD A U-S NAVY SHIP
SAID THE NATO FLOTILLA FIRED AT LEAST 25 CRUISE MISSILES SATURDAY
NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING. (SIGNED)
[06] NATO-KOSOVO (S&L VER) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=4/4/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-247622 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO CELEBRATED ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY ON SUNDAY BY ANTICIPATING INCREASED AIR ATTACKS ON YUGOSLAVIA -- NOW THAT THE WEATHER FORECAST PREDICTS LESS CLOUD COVER. AT A NATO HEADQUARTERS BRIEFING, THE ALLIANCE ALSO CAST DOUBT ON LAST WEEK'S REPORTED MEETING BETWEEN YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND PROMINENT KOSOVO ALBANIAN LEADER, IBRAHIM RUGOVA. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN HAS DETAILS. TEXT: NATO SAYS IBRAHIM RUGOVA IS UNDER HOUSE ARREST BY SERBIAN FORCES IN KOSOVO. THE MODERATE ALBANIAN POLITICAL LEADER WAS SHOWN ON SERBIAN TELEVISION LAST WEEK, CALLING FOR AN END TO NATO AIR STRIKES AT A MEETING WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. AT THE TIME, NATO SUGGESTED MR. RUGOVA MAY HAVE BEEN ACTING UNDER DURESS. NOW NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS A NATO MEMBER BELIEVES THE TELEVISION FILM IS FROM TWO-YEARS AGO AND MR. RUGOVA'S WORDS MAY HAVE BEEN CHANGED BY YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES. /// SHEA ACT ///THE MESSAGE THAT HE GAVE, AND WHICH WAS CONVEYED BY SERB TELEVISION WHERE HE WAS REPORTED TO HAVE CALLED FOR A HALT TO NATO'S ACTIONS, WAS IN FACT, A CALL FOR THE CESSATION OF VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. AND IT WAS ALTERED IN THE TRANSCRIPTION. /// END ACT ///MR. SHEA DID NOT IDENTIFY THE NATO ALLY THAT HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MR. RUGOVA'S ASSOCIATES. /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///FROM THOSE CONTACTS, MR. SHEA SAYS NATO HAS LEARNED MR. RUGOVA'S HOUSE IS PERMANENTLY OCCUPIED BY SERB SECURITY FORCES, WITH HIS FAMILY LIMITED TO USE OF THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE HOUSE. MR. SHEA SAYS MR. RUGOVA HAS NO FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AND IS REQUIRED TO REPORT TO THE LOCAL POLICE STATION SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. THE RUGOVA-MILOSEVIC MEETING WHEN REPORTED BY SERB TELEVISION HAD PUZZLED NATO AMBASSADORS BECAUSE MOST KOSOVO ALBANIANS HAVE SUPPORTED THE NATO AIR STRIKES AND BLAME SERB SECURITY FORCES FOR THEIR FORCED EXPULSION FROM KOSOVO. NATO IS USING ITS AIRCRAFT AND TROOPS TO DEAL WITH THE MORE THAN 300-THOUSAND REFUGEES WHO HAVE POURED INTO MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA FROM KOSOVO. MR. SHEA SAYS THIS IS NOT THE WAY NATO EXPECTED TO CELEBRATE ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY ON SUNDAY. /// SECOND SHEA ACT ///I AM SURE THAT NONE OF US THOUGHT A FEW YEARS AGO THAT THIS WOULD BE THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH WE WOULD MARK NATO'S 50TH -- BUT THEN THIS ORGANIZATION WAS NOT SET UP TO DEAL WITH THE HAPPY SITUATIONS IN LIFE. IT WAS SET UP TO DEAL WITH THE TOUGH CRISIS SITUATIONS WHICH WE NOW FACE. ///END ACT///THE TOUGHEST CRISIS WILL LIKELY BE HOW TO RETURN THOSE REFUGEES
TO KOSOVO -- IF NATO'S AIR STRIKES ACHIEVE THEIR AIM OF
DESTROYING YUGOSLAVIA'S MILITARY POWER. (SIGNED)
[07] BRITAIN/KOSOVO (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)DATE=4/4/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-247615 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: BRITAIN SAYS MACEDONIA HAS AGREED TO ALLOW AN INTERNATIONALLY-RUN SANCTUARY FOR KOSOVAR ALBANIANS ALONG ITS BORDER WITH YUGOSLAVIA. BRITISH DEFENSE MINISTRY OFFICIALS ALSO SAY NATO IS DEVOTING MORE RESOURCES TO CARE FOR TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES WHO HAVE FLOODED INTO MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON. TEXT: BRITISH ARMED FORCES MINISTER DOUG HENDERSON SAYS SOLDIERS FROM NATO'S PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN MACEDONIA HAVE BEEN RECRUITED TO HELP FEED AND SHELTER THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES STRANDED NEAR THE YUGOSLAV BORDER. /// HENDERSON ACT ///IT IS A PROBLEM WHICH SEEMS CERTAIN TO GET WORSE, AND THAT IS WHY NATO AND THE AID AGENCIES ARE PREPARED TO DEVOTE SUCH RESOURCES TO DEAL WITH IT. THIS WILL BE DONE WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE AIR CAMPAIGN, WHICH IS STILL THE ONLY CHANCE TO FINDING A WAY TO ENABLE THEM TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES IN SAFETY. /// END ACT ///FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK EARLIER TOLD BRITAIN'S "SKY" T-V NEWS THAT MACEDONIA HAS AGREED TO LET AN INTERNATIONALLY-RUN SANCTUARY BE SET UP ALONG THE BORDER TO CARE FOR UP TO 100-THOUSAND REFUGEES. ///OPT THE REST FOR LONG CR ///MACEDONIA HAS BEEN OVERWHELMED BY THE FLOOD OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES AND HAS TEMPORARILY CLOSED THE BORDER TO TRY TO COPE. THE GOVERNMENT ALSO IS CALLING ON OTHER EUROPEAN STATES TO HELP. BRITISH DEFENSE OFFICIALS ESTIMATE THE SERB MILITARY HAS FORCED 650-THOUSAND KOSOVAR ALBANIANS TO FLEE THE SERBIAN PROVINCE IN THE PAST 10-DAYS. BUT THE OFFICIALS INSIST NATO AIR STRIKES ARE CUTTING DEEP INTO THE SERB MILITARY MACHINE BEHIND THE CAMPAIGN OF ETHNIC CLEANSING. BRITAIN'S AIR MARSHAL, JOHN DAY, SAYS NATO IS DAMAGING THE YUGOSLAV INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SUPPORTS THE MILITARY. /// DAY ACT ///NATO ATTACKED A WIDE RANGE OF TARGETS, WHICH INCLUDED AMMUNITION FACILITIES, LINES OF COMMUNICATION, ARMY HEADQUARTERS AND FUEL STORAGE AND PRODUCTION FACILITIES. ATTACKS WERE ALSO SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCTED AGAINST SERBIA'S INTEGRATED AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM. /// END ACT //THE BRITISH DEFENSE OFFICIAL SAYS THE WEATHER IS CLEARING OVER
YUGOSLAVIA, WHICH HE SAYS WILL ALLOW NATO TO INTENSIFY ITS AIR
CAMPAIGN. BRITISH OFFICIALS ECHO NATO'S INSISTENCE THAT THERE
ARE NO PLANS TO SEND IN GROUND TROOPS -- EXCEPT TO ENFORCE A
PEACE SETTLEMENT AND SAFEGUARD THE RETURN OF THE REFUGEES.
(SIGNED)
[08] KOSOVO - COPTERS - L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=4/4/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-247627 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: WASHINGTON IS SENDING SOME NEW KINDS OF WEAPONS INTO THE AIR BATTLE AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. TWO DOZEN TANK-KILLING HELICOPTERS WILL BE BASED IN ALBANIA, ALONG WITH TWO THOUSAND U-S TROOPS TO OPERATE AND PROTECT THEM. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON, WHERE OFFICIALS SAY THIS IS NOT A STEP TOWARD DEPLOYING AMERICAN GROUND TROOPS IN THE CONFLICT IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. TEXT: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY AMERICAN SOLDIERS SENT TO ALBANIA, WILL HAVE ARMORED VEHICLES TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THE OPERATING BASE FOR THE HELICOPTERS. THEY WILL ALSO HAVE MISSILES, CALLED TACMS [PRON: TACK - UMS ], THAT CAN HIT TARGETS ANYWHERE IN KOSOVO. THESE MISSILES DISPENSE NEARLY ONE THOUSAND GRENADE-LIKE EXPLOSIVES THAT RAIN DOWN OVER A WIDE AREA AND ARE INTENDED TO SUPPRESS YUGOSLAV AIR DEFENSES. THE APACHE ATTACK HELICOPTERS NEED THE MISSILES' PROTECTION BECAUSE THEY FLY LOW AND SLOW AS THEY SEARCH FOR SERB-LED YUGOSLAV TANKS, MAKING THE HELICOPTERS VULNERABLE TO AIR DEFENSES. PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS THE APACHE HELICOPTERS CAN FLY UNDER THE CLOUDS AND FOG THAT HAVE FRUSTRATED MANY PREVIOUS NATO AIR ATTACKS. MR. BACON -- APPARENTLY ANTICIPATING CRITICISM OF THE DEPLOYMENT FROM SOME MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, SAYS THE TWO THOUSAND TROOPS ARE NOT A STEP TOWARD DEPLOYING U-S GROUND TROOPS TO FIGHT IN THE KOSOVO CONFLICT. /// BACON ACT ///ABSOLUTELY NOT. THIS IS PURE AND SIMPLE, AN EXPANSION OF THE AIR OPERATION. ITS TO GIVE US THE KIND OF TANK-KILLING CAPABILITY THAT THE BAD WEATHER HAS DENIED US. IT WILL GIVE US THE ABILITY TO GET UP CLOSE TO THE MILOSEVIC (YUGOSLAV) ARMOR UNITS IN KOSOVO. /// END ACT ///SERB TANKS ARE BLAMED FOR SOME OF THE MOST DEVASTATING ATTACKS ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY SERB-LED YUGOSLAV FORCES SOMETIMES SURROUND VILLAGES AND THEN POUND THEM WITH TANK CANNON UNTIL THE SURVIVING VILLAGERS FLEE FOR THEIR LIVES. TOP NATO OFFICIALS ON THE NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL ARE EXPECTED TO
MEET MONDAY TO ACCEPT OR REJECT THE ATTACK HELICOPTERS OFFERED BY
THE UNITED STATES. AND PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE
ISSUE ONE MORE TIME BEFORE THE AIR CRAFT MOVE FROM THEIR CURRENT
BASE IN GERMANY. PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY BOTH APPROVALS ARE
EXPECTED. IF THAT HAPPENS, THE APACHES COULD SEE COMBAT IN A
WEEK OR TEN DAYS. (SIGNED).
[09] KOSOVO / U-S TALK SHOWS (L-O) BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (WASHINGTON)DATE=4/4/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-247625 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE UNITED STATES HAVE AGREED TO TAKE IN REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO TO HELP EASE THE BURDEN ON YUGOSLAVIA'S NEIGHBORS. AS V-O-A'S CHALLISS MCDONOUGH REPORTS, THE U-S OFFICIALS ALSO SAY THE UNITED STATES WILL SEND ATTACK HELICOPTERS TO THE REGION. TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS AGREED TO TAKE IN ABOUT 100-THOUSAND KOSOVAR REFUGEES. SHE TOLD N-B-C NEWS "MEET THE PRESS" THE UNITED STATES WOULD TAKE WHAT SHE CALLED A PROPORTIONAL NUMBER OF REFUGEES, BUT SHE SAYS THE EXACT NUMBER HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. // ALBRIGHT ACT ONE //IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THEM NOT TO BE TOO FAR AWAY FROM KOSOVO SO THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO RETURN. BUT WE DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE U-S TO SHARE THE BURDEN IN THIS. // END ALBRIGHT ACT //SECRETARY ALBRIGHT ALSO SAID THE PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS DECIDED TO SEND AN UNDISCLOSED NUMBER OF MILITARY ATTACK HELICOPTERS TO THE REGION. BUT NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER SANDY BERGER TOLD C-B-S TELEVISION'S "FACE THE NATION" THE PRESIDENT HAS NOT DECIDED TO USE APACHE HELICOPTERS IN YUGOSLAVIA. MR. BERGER ALSO SAYS THE LOW-FLYING ATTACK HELICOPTERS ARE NOT PART OF A GROUND FORCE DEPLOYMENT. // BERGER ACT //WHAT IT MEANS IS THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN RESPONSIVE TO REQUESTS FROM HIS COMMANDERS IN THE FIELD FOR ADDITIONAL ASSETS. // END ACT //MR. BERGER RULED OUT THE DEPLOYMENT OF U-S GROUND TROOPS TO YUGOSLAVIA, SAYING IT IS NOT IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST. HE SAID A GROUND FORCE WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO ASSEMBLE AND COULD LEAD TO THOUSANDS OF CASUALTIES. // OPT //// OPT MCCAIN ACT //IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY IN A WAR THAT YOU ARE PREPARED TO DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO GAIN VICTORY. WE MUST DO THAT, WE HAVE TO DO THAT NOW. AND I HOPE THAT THAT OPTION IS NOT NECESSARY, BUT FOR US NOT TO BE PREPARED IS A TERRIBLE MISTAKE. YOU CAN NOT WIN A WAR IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WAGE IT. // END MCCAIN ACT //SENATOR MCCAIN TOLD C-B-S HE ADVOCATES A WIDESPREAD, SIGNIFICANT BOMBING CAMPAIGN -- AN AIR WAR MUCH HEAVIER THAN THE ONE NATO IS CURRENTLY WAGING AND ONE THAT WOULD PROBABLY RESULT IN CIVILIAN CASUALTIES. // END OPT // THE U-S OFFICIALS REITERATED THAT NATO'S OBJECTIVE IS TO WEAKEN THE MILITARY PRESENCE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS IN KOSOVO AND DECREASE ITS ABILITY TO CARRY OUT ATROCITIES. BUT YUGOLSAV OFFICIALS DISPUTE ALLEGATIONS OF SERB-LED ATROCITIES IN KOSOVO. YUGOSLAV AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS VLADISLAV JOVANOVIC TOLD N-B-C'S "MEET THE PRESS" THE REFUGEES ARE FLEEING NATO BOMBS, NOT SERB FORCES. // JOVANOVIC ACT //BECAUSE NOT ONLY ALBANIANS, BUT 50-THOUSAND SERBS AND MANY OTHER NON-ALBANIANS ARE FLEEING IN ORDER TO PROTECT THEIR LIVES FROM THE FIGHTING ZONE AND THE BOMBINGS. MANY ALBANIANS ARE NOW IN CENTRAL SERBIA TRYING TO PROTECT THEIR LIVES FROM THAT VERY INSECURE REGION, AS WELL AS MANY SERBS FROM KOSOVO TOOK SHELTER AND REFUGE IN NEIGHBORING MACEDONIA. THIS IS ONE TRAGIC SITUATION WHICH DOES NOT CHARACTERIZE KOSOVO ONLY BUT THE WHOLE OF YUGOSLAVIA. THIS IS A DIRECT CONSEQUENCE RESULTING FROM THE AGGRESSION AND BOMBING. // END ACT //MR. JOVANOVIC SAYS YUGOSLAVIA HAS NOT OBSTRUCTED THE PEACE PROCESS FOR KOSOVO, AND THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY FOR THE CONFLICT TO END. // JOVANOVIC ACT TWO //THERE IS ONE VERY SIMPLE PRESCRIPTION. WHAT WAS UNLAWFULLY, CRIMINALLY STARTED AS A BOMBING AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED. // END JOVANOVIC ACT TWO //SECRETARY ALBRIGHT SAID THE CHOICE TO END THE WAR LIES WITH MR. MILOSEVIC. SHE SAID HE CAN AGREE TO PULL HIS TROOPS OUT OF KOSOVO AND MAKE IT A MULTI-ETHNIC, DEMOCRATIC AUTONOMOUS REGION WITH AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE. // ALBRIGHT ACT TWO //IF HE DOES NOT NOT TAKE THAT ROUTE, HE THEN HAS LEFT HIMSELF OPEN FOR A SUSTAINED MILITARY CAMPAIGN BECAUSE THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS BASICALLY TO HAVE HIM LOOSEN HIS GRIP OVER THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO, WHO WANT TO LIVE THERE IN PEACE. // END ACT //SECRETARY ALBRIGHT SAID NATO IS NOW FOCUSING ON WHETHER IT IS
STILL POSSIBLE TO NEGOTIATE WITH SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. (SIGNED)
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