Voice of America, 99-04-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA / REFUGEE AID (L ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (TIRANA)

[02] MACEDONIA REFUGEES (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (SKOPJE)

[03] DISPLACEMENT CRISIS BY LINDA CASHDAN (WASHINGTON)

[04] NATO REFUGEE CAMP (L ONLY) BY BETH POTTER (SKOPJE, MACEDONIA)

[05] CLINTON/KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[06] CLINTON/KOSOVO ONITER (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[07] KOSOVO-US-STRATEGY (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[08] KOSOVO / U-S TALK SHOWS (L-O) UPDATE BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (WASHINGTON)

[09] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[10] RUSSIA / KOSOVO BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[11] RUSSIA / YUGOSLAVIA (L ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[12] U-N / KOSOVO (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[13] SIMES ON RUSSIA (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

[14] NATO / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[15] NATO ATTACKS / SUNDAY / L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[16] NATO ATTACKS / MONDAY - S BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[17] KOSOVO WAR CRIMES ENVOY (L-O) BY NEJLA SAMMAKIA (WASHINGTON)

[18] KOSOVO / WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

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

[20] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[21] LIBYA / LOCKERBIE HANDOVER (L) BY SCOTT BOBB (CAIRO)

[22] LOCKERBIE SUSPECTS (L) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (ROTTERDAM)

[23] BRITAIN / LOCKERBIE (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[24] BRITAIN / LOCKERBIE (L UPDATE) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[25] CLINTON/LOCKERBIE (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[26] U-N / ANNAN / LOCKERBIE (L) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[27] UN / ANNAN / LOCKERBIE (L) -- UPDATE BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[01] ALBANIA / REFUGEE AID (L ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (TIRANA)

INTRO: ACTIVITY AT ALBANIA'S ONLY COMMERCIAL AIRPORT PICKED UP DRAMATICALLY MONDAY AS AID FOR KOSOVAR REFUGEES BEGAN TO ARRIVE FROM SEVERAL COUNTRIES. TIM BELAY REPORTS FROM THE RINAS AIRPORT, NEAR ALBANIA'S CAPITAL, TIRANA.

TEXT: THE FIRST FIVE PLANES TO ARRIVE MONDAY CAME FROM THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, BRITAIN, FRANCE, GREECE, AND THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY.

THE CARGO INCLUDES MILITARY FOOD RATIONS FROM THE UNITED STATES, MEDICINE FROM ITALY, AND TENTS AND BLANKETS FROM BRITAIN AND CANADA. A LARGE SHIPMENT OF FLOUR AND OTHER BASIC GOODS ALSO ARRIVED FROM THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM.

AT THE AIRPORT, THE AID SUPPLIES WERE LOADED ONTO ALBANIAN MILITARY TRUCKS AND AMERICAN TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS.

A LARGE SHARE OF THE AID IS GOING DIRECTLY TO THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF KUKES, ALONG ALBANIA'S BORDER WITH YUGOSLAVIA. A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS LOOMS IN THE KUKES REGION WHICH HAS BEEN THE ENTRY POINT FOR NEARLY ALL THE REFUGEES WHO HAVE COME TO ALBANIA FROM KOSOVO IN THE PAST 12 DAYS.

A LOGISTICS EXPERT WITH THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY, MIKE AITCHISON, SAYS THE BEGINNING OF THE AIRLIFT HAS BEEN A BIT CONFUSED WITH THE USUAL DISORGANIZATION OF SUCH A BIG OPERATION. MR. AITCHISON SAYS THE RELIEF EFFORT WILL SOON BE BETTER ORGANIZED, WITH THE COUNTRIES INVOLVED COORDINATING THEIR FLIGHT SCHEDULES.

THE AIRPORT'S DIRECTOR, STAVRI VESHO, SAYS UNLOADING THE FIRST FEW AID SHIPMENTS WAS DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF A SHORTAGE OF EQUIPMENT.

WE ARE CHECKING EVERY DAY, TIME AFTER TIME, MINUTE BY MINUTE, THE SCHEDULE FOR ALL AIRCRAFT COMING HERE. AND WE ARE ORGANIZING AND CHECKING THE SITUATION FOR THE TRUCKS TO BE READY, YOU SEE, FOR THE EQUIPMENT, BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T ENOUGH EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT THIS SITUATION.

THE HEAD OF CUSTOMS AT RINAS AIRPORT, ARBEN KOKOMANI, SAYS SOME OF THE AIRLIFT PLANES ARRIVED PRACTICALLY WITHOUT NOTICE.

MR. KOKOMANI SAYS ALBANIAN OFFICIALS HAVE NOT BEEN GETTING ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE ARRIVAL TIMES OF THE PLANES CARRYING RELIEF SUPPLIES. HE SAYS OFFICIALS LEARN ABOUT THE ARRIVALS ONLY A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE PLANES LAND. AND HE SAYS THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO ORGANIZE THE WORK.

MR. AITCHISON OF THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS THE AID SUPPLIES ARRIVED MONDAY FASTER THAN THEY COULD BE UNLOADED FROM THE PLANES. HE SAYS LARGE AMERICAN HELICOPTERS ARE ON THE WAY TO ALBANIA IN ORDER TO SPEED DISTRIBUTION OF THE AID. (SIGNED)
NEB/TB/JWH/JO
05-Apr-99 2:04 PM EDT (1804 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] MACEDONIA REFUGEES (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (SKOPJE)

INTRO: THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES IS EXPRESSING FRUSTRATION WITH THE WAY THE MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT IS RESPONDING TO THE INFLUX OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS FROM NEIGHBORING KOSOVO. WITH MORE ARRIVING, THE U-N-H-C-R SAYS NOT ENOUGH IS BEING DONE TO HELP REGISTER REFUGEES AND GET THEM OUT OF COLD AND MUDDY BORDER CAMPS WHERE SOME HAVE DIED. V-O-A'S NICK SIMEONE REPORTS FROM (THE MACEDONIAN CAPITAL,) SKOPJE.

TEXT: AID AGENCIES SAY THE MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN RESTRICTING THEIR ACCESS TO THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DEPORTED KOSOVARS NOW IN CAMPS ALONG THE BORDER AND IS PLACING OBSTACLES IN THE WAY OF HUMANITARIAN WORK. U-N-H-C-R SPOKESWOMAN PAULA GHEDINI.

IT IS TRUE. NOT ENOUGH (REFUGEES) ARE BEING PROCESSED AND THIS IS GOING TO CREATE NOT ONLY A BLOCKAGE BUT HEALTH HAZARDS IN THE ACTUAL AREAS THEY ARE BEING HELD.

WITH PERHAPS 50-THOUSAND MORE KOSOVO DEPORTEES STILL HEADED HERE, THE U-N-H-C-R SAYS IT IS BEING PREVENTED FROM PROVIDING ALL THE HUMANITARIAN RELIEF IT CAN GIVE.

WE HAVE ALSO REQUESTED THE MACEDONIAN AUTHORITIES TO POSSIBLY ALLOW US TO START TRANSPORTING REFUGEES. WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO MOVE AT LEAST 20-THOUSAND A DAY. WE CAN ALSO ASSIST THE MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT IN REGISTERING THESE REFUGEES, BUT IT IS STILL UNCLEAR WHETHER WE WILL BE ALLOWED TO HELP THEM IN THESE EFFORTS.

SUCH OBSTACLES MUST BE OVERCOME SOON BECAUSE THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS IT HAS BEEN TOLD A COLUMN OF REFUGEES 25 KILOMETERS LONG ON THE KOSOVO SIDE OF THE BORDER IS NOW WAITING TO GET IN. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/PCF/JO
05-Apr-99 10:23 AM EDT (1423 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] DISPLACEMENT CRISIS BY LINDA CASHDAN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE EYES OF THE WORLD TODAY ARE ON KOSOVO, WHERE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO FLEE FROM THEIR HOMES. HOWEVER, LINDA CASHDAN REPORTS, THERE ARE 30 TO 40 "KOSOVOS" AROUND THE WORLD -- SITES OF ETHNIC CONFLICT THAT HAVE CREATED MASSES OF REFUGEES WITHIN THE BORDERS OF THEIR NATIVE LANDS.

TEXT: BROOKINGS INSTITUTION HUMAN RIGHTS SPECIALIST ROBERTA COHEN ESTIMATES THERE ARE MORE THAN 20 MILLION DISPLACED REFUGEES, LIKE THOSE IN KOSOVO, IN OTHER REGIONS OF THE WORLD.

THE SITUATION IS MOST SEVERE IN AFRICA, SHE SAYS, WHERE FOUR MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN UPROOTED BY CIVIL WAR IN SUDAN ALONE, AND WARS IN SOMALIA, SIERRA LEONE, LIBERIA, AND ANGOLA HAVE FORCED MILLIONS MORE FROM THEIR HOMES.

BUT NO CONTINENT HAS BEEN SPARED. ROBERTA COHEN ESTIMATES THERE ARE AT LEAST FIVE MILLION SUCH REFUGEES IN EUROPE, TWO MILLION IN LATIN AMERICA, AND FIVE MILLION IN ASIA, WHERE ETHNIC CONFLICT AND RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION HAVE CAUSED MASSIVE DISPLACEMENT. MOST OF THESE REFUGEES, SHE SAYS, ARE INDIRECT RESULTS OF THE COLD WAR.

ALL DURING THE PERIOD OF THE COLD WAR, THE SOVIET UNION AND THE UNITED STATES WERE ARMING CLIENT GOVERNMENTS AROUND THE WORLD AND FIGHTING PROXY WARS. WHEN THE END OF THE COLD WAR CAME, THEY HAD SHORED UP ALL KINDS OF REPRESSIVE GOVERNMENTS THAT HAD NO LEGITIMACY WITHIN THEIR OWN POPULATIONS, AND WHEN BOTH WITHDREW THEIR SUPPORT, THESE SOCIETIES COLLAPSED, AND YET THEY HAD SO MUCH ARMS FROM THE U-S OR THE SOVIET SIDE THAT THE GROUPS THAT BEGAN RIVALING FOR POWER USED THE ARMS THAT WERE LEFT.

THESE INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE QUICKLY BECOME THE POOREST OF THE POOR, MS. COHEN SAYS, SUBJECT TO ABUSE, MALNUTRITION, AND EXCESSIVELY HIGH DISEASE AND MORTALITY RATES.

THE PROBLEM, SHE SAYS, IS THERE IS NO SYSTEM IN PLACE TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE UPROOTED INSIDE THEIR OWN COUNTRIES. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE RELUCTANT TO INTERFERE, SHE SAYS, AND, SINCE THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS ARE OFTEN THE PERSECUTORS, THEY CAN NOT BE COUNTED ON TO PROVIDE RELIEF.

SO THE QUESTION IS: WHO GOES IN? THERE ARE LOTS OF AGENCIES, LIKE THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM, UNICEF AND MANY OTHERS THAT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. NONE OF THEM HAVE THE SPECIFIC MANDATE TO WORK WITH INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS. NO ONE HAS A SPECIFIC MANDATE FOR THE DISPLACED AS SUCH.

MS. COHEN SAYS TODAY'S HIGHLY PUBLICIZED KOSOVO BORDER SCENES ARE DEMONSTRATING FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE THE TRAUMA OF DISPLACEMENT. SHE IS HOPEFUL THEY WILL ALSO PROVIDE AN IMPETUS FOR SETTING UP MACHINERY TO DEAL WITH SUCH CRISES ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD AS WELL. (SIGNED)
NEB/LC/KL
05-Apr-99 10:45 AM EDT (1445 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] NATO REFUGEE CAMP (L ONLY) BY BETH POTTER (SKOPJE, MACEDONIA)

INTRO: THE THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS REFUGEES FLEEING ACROSS THE BORDER INTO MACEDONIA ARE BEING HOUSED IN TEMPORARY CAMPS. ONE OF THE HASTILY-ERECTED FACILITIES, CALLED -- NATO REFUGEE HANDLING CENTER 100 -- IS IN A FIELD ABOUT FIVE-KILOMETERS FROM MACEDONIA'S BORDER WITH YUGOSLAVIA. IT HAS 300 WHITE TENTS, A FIRST-AID AREA, WATER, AND FOOD PREPARED BY NATO TROOPS, AND, AS BETH POTTER REPORTS, THOUSANDS OF THIRSTY, HUNGRY, EXHAUSTED REFUGEES.

TEXT: THEIR CLOTHES AND SHOES ARE CAKED IN MUD FROM SITTING IN A FIELD AT BLACE (PRONOUNCED BLA-TZE) FOR SEVERAL DAYS ALONG THE BORDER BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA AND MACEDONIA. SO, AFTER DROPPING THEIR MEAGER BELONGINGS NEAR TENTS, THE FIRST GROUP OF REFUGEES CROWDS AROUND THE CAMP'S ONE OUTDOOR WATER FAUCET.

MANY OF THE REFUGEES HAVE NOT EATEN FOR SEVERAL DAYS, AND THEY TAKE AS MUCH COOKED CHICKEN, CANDY BARS, AND WATER AS THEY CAN CARRY TO SHARE WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND TO STOCKPILE AGAINST FUTURE HUNGER. NEARBY, NATO TROOPS PUT UP A COOKING TENT.

THE REFUGEES IMMEDIATELY CROWD AROUND A NEWS REPORTER, USING HIS MOBIL TELEPHONE TO MAKE CALLS TO FAMILY MEMBERS.

ONE REFUGEE, SEDAT RAMADANI, SAY MOST OF THE REFUGEES WANT TO GO BACK HOME. HE SAYS IF THEY ARE ABLE TO GO BACK KOSOVO ALBANIANS WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO REBUILD HOUSES AND SCHOOLS, STORES, AND COMMUNITY CENTERS.

BACK AT THE BORDER, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE MASS OF AN ESTIMATED 10-THOUSAND TO 35-THOUSAND PEOPLE TO AVOID THE EXCREMENT ON THE GROUND AS THEY WAIT FOR BUSES TO ONE OF THE NATO CAMPS.

MEDICAL TEAMS WITH STRETCHERS RUSH BACK AND FORTH FROM THE FIELD TO A SMALL MEDICAL FACILITY IN A TENT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD.

MACEDONIAN RED CROSS WORKERS COUNTED EIGHT DEAD PEOPLE SUNDAY, BUT NONE BY THREE O'CLOCK MONDAY AFTERNOON. MANY PEOPLE BROUGHT TO THE MEDICAL TENT PASSED OUT FROM DEHYDRATION AND FROM A LACK OF FOOD. AND A WORKER WITH ONE RELIEF GROUP, LEX WINKLER OF DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS, SAYS THAT IF SANITARY FACILITIES ARE NOT BROUGHT TO THE AREA SOON, THE NEXT FEW DAYS COULD BRING DYSENTERY AND CHOLERA.

YOU CAN DO MUCH BETTER. I MEAN IF THESE PEOPLE ARE CLINGING TO YOUR SHIRT, AND SAYING, "HEY GIVE ME MEDICINE, PLEASE HELP ME," AND YOU CANNOT DO IT, YOU ARE COMPLETELY FRUSTRATED. AND YOU SPEAK AS A PHYSICIAN AND YOU CAN DO A MUCH BETTER JOB AND YOU SHOULD DO A MUCH BETTER JOB.

POLICE AT THE SITE WEAR PAPER SURGICAL MASKS AND WHITE, PLASTIC GLOVES NOW, AS DO MACEDONIAN DOCTORS TREATING THE SICK. THE PREVENTATIVE MEASURE IS IN SHARP CONTRAST TO THE PEOPLE AND PLASTIC COVERS SPREAD ACROSS AN AREA ABOUT TWO FOOTBALL FIELDS IN SIZE. YUGOSLAV SOLDIERS WATCH FROM THE HILL ABOVE THE FIELD. AND MACEDONIAN SOLDIERS PATROL TO MAKE SURE THE REFUGEES DO NOT LEAVE THE AREA. (SIGNED)
NEB/BP/JWH/RAE
05-Apr-99 2:43 PM EDT (1843 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] CLINTON/KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS THE EFFORT UNDERWAY TO MOVE KOSOVAR REFUGEES FROM THE FRONTLINE AREAS OF THE CONFLICT IN NO WAY SIGNALS ACCEPTANCE OF "ETHNIC CLEANSING" BY BELGRADE. HE ALSO SERVED NOTICE THAT THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES ARE PREPARED TO SUSTAIN THEIR AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST SERB FORCES IN YUGOSLAVIA FOR THE LONG HAUL. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON IS VOWING TO PRESS ON WITH THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN TO END THE SERB ASSAULT IN KOSOVO FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES -- WHILE AT THE TIME DISMISSING SUGGESTIONS OF DISCORD AMONG SENIOR MILITARY ADVISERS ABOUT RELYING ON AN AIR CAMPAIGN ALONE.

AT A WHITE HOUSE MEETING ON THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN THE BALKANS, MR. CLINTON SAID YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS CREATED A DISASTER IN KOSOVO. BUT HE SAID IT CAN BE ENDED TODAY IF THE BELGRADE LEADER STOPS THE KILLING, AND ACCEPTS A POLITICAL FRAMEWORK FOR KOSOVO BASED ON THE RAMBOUILLET PEACE ACCORDS -- INCLUDING AN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY FORCE:

IF MR. MILOSEVIC DOES NOT DO WHAT IS NECESSARY, NATO WILL CONTINUE AN AIR CAMPAIGN. IT WILL BE UNDIMINISHED, UNCEASING AND UNRELENTING. IT WILL INFLICT SUCH DAMAGE THAT EITHER HE WILL CHANGE HIS CALCULATIONS OR WE WILL SERIOUSLY DIMINISH HIS CAPACITY TO MAINTAIN HIS GRIP AND IMPOSE HIS CONTROL ON KOSOVO. WE ARE PREPARED TO SUSTAIN THIS EFFORT OVER THE LONG HAUL. OUR PLAN IS TO PERSIST UNTIL WE PREVAIL.

ANTICIPATING A POSSIBLE PEACE OVERTURE FROM THE SERB LEADER, MR. CLINTON WARNED THAT EMPTY PROMISES AND HALF MEASURES WILL NOT BE ENOUGH.

HE ALSO MADE CLEAR THAT THE WILLINGNESS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES TO ACCEPT REFUGEES IN ORDER TO RELIEVE THE BURDEN ON KOSOVO'S NEIGHBORS IN NO WAY SIGNALS ACCEPTANCE OF ETHNIC CLEANSING -- WHICH, HE VOWED WILL OVER THE LONG-TERM BE REVERSED:

WE ARE PREPARED TO ACCEPT UP TO 20-THOUSAND REFUGEES. OUR GOAL IS TO TAKE SOME OF THE BURDEN OFF THE STRUGGLING FRONT-LINE NATIONS. BUT LET ME CLEAR: THE ETHNIC CLEANSING OF KOSOVO CANNOT STAND AS A PERMANENT EVENT. WE CANNOT SAY, WELL WE'LL JUST TAKE ALL THESE FOLKS AND FORGET ABOUT THEIR RIGHT TO GO HOME. I DON'T BELIEVE ANYONE WANTS TO DO THAT. THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE ABOUT. BUT HE HAVE TO HELP DEAL WITH THE PRACTICAL IMMEDIATE HUMAN PROBLEMS THESE FAMILIES FACE AND THAT THESE FRONT-LINE NATIONS FACE. THE REFUGEES BELONG IN THEIR OWN HOMES ON THEIR OWN LAND.

UNDER QUESTIONING, BOTH MR. CLINTON AND DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN DOWNPLAYED SUGGESTIONS THERE HAD BEEN OPPOSITION AMONG U-S MILITARY CHIEFS TO THE STRATEGY OF RELYING ON AIR POWER ALONE TO FORCE MR. MILOSEVIC'S HAND.

MR. CLINTON SAID EVERYONE AGREED THAT THE AIR CAMPAIGN WAS THE BEST AMONG A NUMBER OF BAD OPTIONS IF DIPLOMACY FAILED. HE SAID HE WOULD RATHER BE ADDRESSING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SHORTCOMINGS OF THE AIR STRIKES, RATHER THAN QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY NATO HAD DONE NOTHING AND PERMITTED A WHOLESALE SLAUGHTER IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/ENE/JO
05-Apr-99 5:01 PM EDT (2101 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] CLINTON/KOSOVO ONITER (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS SERVING NOTICE ON YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC THAT WILL ACCEPT NOTHING LESS THAN A COMPREHENSIVE PEACE IN KOSOVO THAT ALLOWS THE REFUGEES TO RETURN HOME. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: OFFICIALS HERE SAY THEY EXPECT A NEW CEASE-FIRE OVERTURE FROM MR. MILOSEVIC NOW THAT NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN IS IN HIGH GEAR AND A LARGE PORTION OF KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY HAS BEEN DISLODGED.

BUT THEY INSIST THAT NOTHING LESS THAN A COMPREHENSIVE DEAL ALONG THE LINES OF RAMBOUILLET AGREEMENT, INCLUDING A REFUGEE RETURN AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY FORCE, WILL STOP THE BOMBING.

MEETING REPORTERS, PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID "EMPTY PROMISES AND TOKEN HALF MEASURES" FROM THE SERB LEADER WILL NOT DO THE JOB:

A COMMITMENT TO CEASE KILLING IN A KOSOVO DENIED ITS FREEDOM AND DEVOID OF ITS PEOPLE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. IF MR. MILOSEVIC DOES NOT DO WHAT IS NECESSARY NATO WILL CONTINUE AN AIR CAMPAIGN. IT WILL BE UNDIMINISHED, UNCEASING AND UNRELENTING. IT WILL INFLICT SUCH DAMAGE THAT EITHER HE WILL CHANGE HIS CALCULATIONS OR WE WILL SERIOUSLY DIMINISH HIS CAPACITY TO MAINTAIN HIS GRIP AND IMPOSE HIS CONTROL ON KOSOVO.

THE PRESIDENT SAID THE READINESS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES TO OFFER A HAVEN TO REFUGEES IS TO TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA. BUT HE VOWED THAT THE ETHNIC CLEANSING OF KOSOVO CANNOT STAND AS PERMANENT.

MR. CLINTON SHOWED SOME IRRITATION WHEN ASKED ABOUT NEWS REPORTS THAT U-S MILITARY CHIEFS -- IN ADVANCE OF THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN HAD EXPRESSED DOUBT THE AIR STRIKES COULD ACHIEVE ALLIED POLITICAL AIMS. HE SAID ALL HAD AGREED THAT THE AIR CAMPAIGN WAS THE BEST OF SEVERAL BAD OPTIONS ONCE DIPLOMACY HAD FAILED -- WHILE THE ALTERNATIVE OF DOING NOTHING WAS UNACCEPTABLE:

I WOULD FAR RATHER BE STANDING HERE ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS WITH THESE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THIS ENDEAVOR, THAN I WOULD TO BE STANDING HERE HAVING YOU ASK ME WHY WE ARE PERMITTING WHOLESALE ETHNIC SLAUGHTER AND ETHNIC CLEANSING AND THE CREATION OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES AND NOT LIFTING A FINGER TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN BACKED UP MR. CLINTON, SAYING THE MILITARY JOINT CHIEFS UNANIMOUSLY CONCLUDED THAT THE AIR STRIKES UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES -- WERE THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE TO SITTING ON THE SIDELINES. (SIGNED)
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05-Apr-99 7:54 PM EDT (2354 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] KOSOVO-US-STRATEGY (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON AND DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAY THEIR MILITARY ADVISORS HAD DOUBTS ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CURRENT CAMPAIGN OF NATO AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. BUT MR. CLINTON AND MR. COHEN SAY THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF EVENTUALLY CONCLUDED THAT AIR ATTACKS WERE THE BEST OPTION AMONG SOME DIFFICULT CHOICES. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS.

TEXT: THE COMMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT AND THE DEFENSE SECRETARY FOLLOW CRITICISM IN THE PRESS, FROM MEMBERS OF THE U-S SENATE, AND SOME MILITARY EXPERTS THAT NATO AIR STRIKES ALONE WILL NOT BE ENOUGH TO STOP SERB ATTACKS ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO.

SEVERAL PROMINENT SENATORS SAY SERB ATTACKS ARE NOT LIKELY TO STOP UNLESS NATO GROUND TROOPS, INCLUDING AMERICANS, ARE AVAILABLE TO FIGHT IN KOSVO.

A FRONT PAGE STORY IN MONDAY'S WASHINGTON POST SAID THE HEADS OF THE U-S ARMED SERVICES SHARED THOSE RESERVATIONS.

AND PENTAGON OFFICIALS ADMIT THE FIRST 13 NIGHTS OF BOMBING HAVE HAD LITTLE IMPACT ON THE SERB-LED YUGOSLAV FORCE THAT ARE STILL ATTACKING ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN THE SERB PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KOSOVAR ALBANIANS HAVE FLED FOR THEIR LIVES TO NEIGHBORING NATIONS.

BUT DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS, AFTER SOME DEBATE, THE SERVICE CHIEFS DECIDED THAT OTHER OPTIONS WERE EVEN WORSE THAN AIR ATTACKS.

THEY CAME TO THE CONCLUSION, UNAMIOUSLY, THAT THE ONLY OPTION AVAILABLE, OTHER THAN SITTING ON THE SIDELINES, WAS TO PURSUE THE AIR CAMPAIGN, GIVEN ITS LIMITATIONS.

PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS THE UNITED STATES COULD NOT IGNORE SERB ASSAULTS ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS, EVEN IF TAKING ACTION IS RISKY AND COSTLY.

I WOULD FAR RATHER BE STANDING HERE ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS WITH THESE PEOPLE, TALKING ABOUT THIS ENDEAVOR, THAN I WOULD TO BE STANDING HERE HAVING YOU ASK ME WHY WE ARE PERMITTING A WHOLESALE ETHNIC SLAUGHTER AND ETHNIC CLEANSING AND THE CREATION OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSAND OF REFUGEES, AND NOT LIFTING A FINGER TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

THE PRESIDENT SAYS NATO IS USING AIR RAIDS TO EITHER STOP SERB ATTACKS ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS OR TO MAKE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S FORCES PAY A HIGH PRICE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL SEND GROUND TROOPS INTO KOSOVO AS PEACEKEEPERS TO ESCORT REFUGEES BACK TO THEIR HOMES, BUT NOT AS A FIGHTING FORCE TO INVADE THE SERB PROVINCE.

WASHINGTON ALSO WANTS SERB FORCES TO LEAVE THE SERB PROVINCE OF KOSOVO, AND GRANT ITS ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY POLITICAL AUTONOMY. (SIGNED)
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05-Apr-99 7:43 PM EDT (2343 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] KOSOVO / U-S TALK SHOWS (L-O) UPDATE BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (WASHINGTON)

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.

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.

SECRETARY ALBRIGHT ALSO SAID PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS DECIDED TO SEND MILITARY ATTACK HELICOPTERS TO THE REGION.

BUT NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER SANDY BERGER TOLD C-B-S TELEVISION'S "FACE THE NATION" THE LOW-FLYING ATTACK HELICOPTERS ARE NOT PART OF A GROUND FORCE DEPLOYMENT.

WHAT IT MEANS IS THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN RESPONSIVE TO REQUESTS FROM HIS COMMANDERS IN THE FIELD FOR ADDITIONAL ASSETS.

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.

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.

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.

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.

MR. JOVANOVIC SAYS YUGOSLAVIA HAS NOT OBSTRUCTED THE PEACE PROCESS FOR KOSOVO, AND THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY FOR THE CONFLICT TO END.

THERE IS ONE VERY SIMPLE PRESCRIPTION. WHAT WAS UNLAWFULLY, CRIMINALLY STARTED AS A BOMBING AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED.

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.

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.

SECRETARY ALBRIGHT SAID NATO IS NOW FOCUSING ON WHETHER IT IS STILL POSSIBLE TO NEGOTIATE WITH SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. (SIGNED)
NEB/CEM/RAE
04-Apr-99 8:31 PM EDT (0031 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS NATO ALLIES HAVE STEPPED UP THEIR COOPERATIVE EFFORTS TO HELP INTERNATIONAL AID AGENCIES DEAL WITH THE KOSOVAR REFUGEE CRISIS ALONG THE MACEDONIAN AND ALBANIAN BORDERS. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS THE FIRST STEP IS TO FEED AND SHELTER THE KOSOVAR REFUGEES WHERE THEY ARE. BUT EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS ALSO ARE PREPARING TO TAKE IN THOUSANDS AS AN INTERIM SOLUTION UNTIL THEY ARE ABLE TO RETURN TO KOSOVO.

MR. COOK SAYS EUROPEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS WILL MEET THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS COORDINATING HELP FOR THE REFUGEES AND THE TEMPORARY TRANSFER OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEE FAMILIES TO OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION.

THE ISSUE HAS BECOME A FOCUS OF CONTROVERSY, WITH SOME DEVELOPMENT AND RELIEF OFFICIALS OPPOSED TO ANY RESETTLEMENT -- EVEN IF TEMPORARY -- OF THE KOSOVAR REFUGEES. THAT, THEY SAY, WOULD ONLY BENEFIT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

FOREIGN SECRETARY COOK DEFENDS THE MEASURE AS TEMPORARY .

PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS CONDEMNED HIS COUNTRY TO ISOLATION FROM MODERN EUROPE. WE WILL NOT ALLOW HIM TO CONDEMN THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO TO A LIFE IN EXILE.

MR. COOK SAYS THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS WHO HAVE LEFT THE SERB PROVINCE ARE NOT REALLY REFUGEES WHO CHOSE TO LEAVE.

THEY ARE NOT PEOPLE FLEEING FROM THE MILOSEVIC REGIME BUT PEOPLE BEING FORCIBLY EVACUATED BY THAT REGIME. IT WOULD BE MORE ACCURATE TO DESCRIBE THEM AS DEPORTEES. WHAT WE ARE WITNESSING IS A MASS DEPORTATION ON A SCALE THAT EUROPE HAS NOT SEEN SINCE THE DAYS OF STALIN OR HITLER.

DON'T BOTHER OFFERING PEACE UNLESS YOU'RE PREPARED TO REVERSE THE ETHNIC CLEANSING OF THE WAR. PEACE IN KOSOVO WITHOUT THE POPULATION OF KOSOVO WOULD BE A HOLLOW MOCKERY. NATO'S CAMPAIGN WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE REFUGEES CAN RETURN TO THEIR HOMES UNDER INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION.

BRITAIN'S FOREIGN SECRETARY SAYS NATO PEACEKEEPING TROOPS BASED IN MACEDONIA ARE ALREADY SETTING UP THE FIRST OF TWO CAMPS THERE TO BE RUN BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO SHELTER UP TO 100-THOUSAND REFUGEES. HE SAYS THE SECOND CAMP WILL BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE MORE. BUT HE SAYS OTHER COUNTRIES WILL HAVE TO HELP PROVIDE SHELTER TOO.

NATO PEACEKEEPING TROOPS HAVE ALSO BEEN RECRUITED TO SET UP FIELD KITCHENS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL FACILITIES, AND TENT CAMPS FOR THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES STILL TRAPPED ALONG THE BORDER WAITING TO BE PROCESSED BY MACEDONIAN AUTHORITIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
05-Apr-99 8:47 AM EDT (1247 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] RUSSIA / KOSOVO BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: THERE HAS BEEN MORE HARSH ANTI-NATO AND ANTI-AMERICAN RHETORIC COMING FROM MOSCOW IN THE WAKE OF THE BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. VOA'S PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS ON RUSSIA'S GROWING ANGER AND FRUSTRATION OVER THE ATTACK ON ITS TRADITIONAL ALLY, THE SERBS.

TEXT: PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV MONDAY DESCRIBED THE NATO ATTACKS AS "BARBARIC, A TRAGIC MISTAKE THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DESTABILIZE ALL OF EUROPE."

AS HE SPOKE, A SINGLE RUSSIAN RECONNAISSANCE SHIP HEADED TOWARD THE ADRIATIC ON A MISSION TO GATHER INTELLIGENCE ABOUT NATO TROOP MOVEMENTS.

TO BE SURE, BOTH MATTERS SEEM HALF-HEARTED. SIX OTHER SHIPS CLEARED FOR TRAVEL TO THE CONFLICT ZONE REMAIN IDLE IN A BLACK SEA PORT, WITH NO WORD ON WHEN, OR IF, THEY MIGHT BE DISPATCHED.

AND WHILE THE RHETORIC COMING FROM MOSCOW HAS BEEN SHARP, IT HAS ALSO BEEN MEASURED. RUSSIAN OFFICIALS HAVE MADE PLAIN THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF BEING DRAWN INTO A BALKAN WAR.

AT THE SAME TIME, THIS IS CLEARLY THE MOST SERIOUS CRISIS IN MOSCOW-WASHINGTON RELATIONS SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION.

EVEN A SENIOR AMERICAN EMBASSY OFFICIAL IN MOSCOW -- A PERSON NOTED FOR HIS CAUTIOUS ASSESSMENTS -- ADMITTED THIS IS ONE OF THE HARDEST MOMENTS FOR BILATERAL DIPLOMACY. ANALYSTS SAY THAT IN THE WAKE OF THE NATO BOMBING, THE 1993 "START-TWO" ARMS CONTROL TREATY, WHICH HAD BEEN STALLED IN RUSSIA'S PARLIAMENT FOR YEARS, NOW HAS VIRTUALLY NO HOPE OF PASSAGE.

YEVGENY VOLK OF THE MOSCOW HERITAGE FOUNDATION SAYS MOSCOW'S POLITICAL AND MILITARY DECISION-MAKERS ARE BOTH FURIOUS AND FRUSTRATED, BECAUSE RUSSIA'S OPINIONS AND PROTESTS ARE BEING LARGELY IGNORED.

RUSSIA IS VERY MUCH SUFFERING FROM THE INFERIORITY COMPLEX WHEN THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT CONSULT IT ON MAJOR POLITICAL AND MILITARY ACTIONS ... WHEN THE UNITED STATES AND NATO COUNTRIES DO NOT TAKE IT INTO CONSIDERATION, NATURALLY RUSSIA FEELS DEPRIVED OF ITS SUPERPOWER STATUS.

ANOTHER ANALYST, ALEXANDER PIKAYEV OF THE "MOSCOW CARNEGIE CENTER" SAYS THE ANGER PLAYING ITSELF OUT ON MOSCOW'S STREETS OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS COMES FROM DEEP WITHIN THE RUSSIAN PSYCHE.

EMOTIONALLY, IT IS PROBABLY THE WORST CRISIS SINCE THE KOREAN (AIRWAYS) FLIGHT 0-0-7 WAS HIT BY THE SOVIET AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM IN 1983. NEVER AGAIN SINCE THEN, PUBLIC OPINION HERE IN RUSSIA WAS SO ADAMANTLY AGAINST THE UNITED STATES AND THE WEST GENERALLY. AND I REFER ON THE ATTEMPT OF SHOOTING AGAINST THE U-S EMBASSY, AND SOME BEATING WINDOWS AT MC DONALDS (RESTAURANT) ... SO EMOTIONALLY, THE DAMAGE IS SEVERE AND GOES BEYOND EVEN FROM WHAT WE HAD DURING THE COLD WAR.

AVERAGE RUSSIANS SAY THEY ARE CONCERNED BY REPORTS THEY SEE ON TELEVISION DEPICTING NATO FORCES AS THE AGGRESSORS. STANDING IN THE SHADOW OF THE KREMLIN CLOCK TOWER, 66-YEAR-OLD VALENTIN, A VISITOR TO MOSCOW WHO DECLINED TO GIVE HIS LAST NAME, SAYS THERE IS A RENEWED SENSE THAT NATO IS A THREAT TO RUSSIAN SECURITY.

EVERY HUMAN BEING UNDERSTANDS THIS IS AN AGGRESSION. AND OF COURSE THIS CREATES SOME UNPLEASANT FEELINGS. THEY SHOW US ON T-V THAT NORMAL PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING, CHILDREN AND ELDERLY PEOPLE. AND THOSE WHO FLY OVER, BOMB AND SHOOT ARE PROTECTED.

BUT RUSSIANS, FROM THE POLITICAL ELITE TO THE MAN AND WOMAN ON THE STREET, SEEM TO BE OF TWO MINDS ABOUT HOW TO RESPOND TO EVENTS IN YUGOSLAVIA. WITH THEIR ECONOMY AND ARMED FORCES IN SHAMBLES, USE OF MILITARY FORCE IS OUT OF THE QUESTION. ON THE OTHER HAND, COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED STATES IS ESSENTIAL ON VITAL ISSUES SUCH AS THE RESUMPTION OF INTERNATIONAL LOANS TO RUSSIA, AND ENSURING THAT A MILLENNIUM BUG COMPUTER GLITCH DOES NOT ACCIDENTALLY TRIGGER A NUCLEAR EXCHANGE.

[11] RUSSIA / YUGOSLAVIA (L ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA IS SENDING MORE THAN ONE-MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF AID TO YUGOSLAVIA TO HELP PEOPLE DISPLACED BY THE KOSOVO CRISIS. MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS A CONVOY OF TRUCKS FILLED WITH EMERGENCY SUPPLIES WILL LEAVE FOR BELGRADE WITHIN DAYS.

TEXT: RUSSIA'S EMERGENCIES MINISTER SERGEI SHOIGU SAYS AID IS GOING IN TWO SHIPMENTS, ONE BY AIR AND ONE BY LAND -- THROUGH BELARUS AND HUNGARY. HE TOLD REPORTERS THE GOODS -- MOSTLY FOOD, MEDICINE AND CLOTHING -- ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN THE YUGOSLAV CAPITAL BY SUNDAY, THE ORTHODOX EASTER.

MR. SHOIGU SAYS THE FIRST SHIPMENT -- 900 TONS OF GOODS -- WILL LEAVE WEDNESDAY IN A CONVOY OF 120 TRUCKS.

RUSSIA ITSELF IS RECEIVING FOOD AND OTHER AID FROM THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. BUT MR. SHOIGU SAYS HE SEES NO CONFLICT BETWEEN GIVING AND RECEIVING.

HE SAYS THE LOCATION OF THE HOSPITAL IS STILL TO BE DETERMINED.

THE RUSSIAN MINISTER SAYS PART OF THE AID IS INTENDED FOR A CAMP IN (THE YUGOSLAV REPBULIC OF) MONTENEGRO WHERE 50-THOUSAND REFUGEES ARE LIVING. HE SAYS HE HAS NO INFORMATION WHERE THE REFUGEES HAD COME FROM.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS AGREED TO PROVIDE SANCTUARY FOR MORE THAN 100-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO HAVE FLED INTO MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA, CHARGING THEY WERE DRIVEN OUT BY THE SERBS. BELGRADE SAYS THE EXODUS HAS BEEN CAUSED BY NATO AIR STRIKES. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/JWH
05-Apr-99 2:27 PM EDT (1827 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] U-N / KOSOVO (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: A SENIOR UNITED NATIONS OFFICIAL SAYS (MONDAY) THE FORCED DISPLACEMENT OF CIVILIANS IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE MAY CONSTITUTE CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW. V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RECEIVED BRIEFINGS ON THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO FROM U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN AND HUMANITARIAN RELIEF COORDINATOR SERGIO VIEIRA DE MELLO.

MR. VIEIRA DE MELLO PROVIDED DETAILED ACCOUNTS OF ATROCITIES IN KOSOVO. HE SAID THE WIDESPREAD, SYSTEMATIC CAMPAIGN OF FORCED DISPLACEMENT OF CIVILIANS IN KOSOVO MAY BE CONSIDERED CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. IF PURSUED, SUCH CHARGES COULD RESULT IN INDICTMENTS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA'S POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERS IN THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA.

U-S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS PETER BURLEIGH RESPONDED TO THE BRIEFINGS FROM MR. VIEIRA DE MELLO AND MR. ANNAN.

WHAT HE WAS SIGNALING AND WHAT THE SECRETARY-GENERAL WAS SIGNALING WAS THAT THIS IS A VERY DEEP AND SEVERE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS. VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ARE RIFE. IT IS JUST A TERRIBLE SITUATION, AND THEY WERE BASICALLY DOCUMENTING THE STORIES FROM PEOPLE ON THE GROUND ABOUT WHAT HAD ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO THEM INSIDE KOSOVO, WHICH OF COURSE IS COMING THROUGH VARIOUS U-N AGENCIES AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS THERE.

THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL SAID HE SPOKE WITH SEVERAL HEADS OF STATE IN THE REGION AND AROUND THE WORLD ABOUT THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO. HE SAID HE IS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF SO MANY REFUGEES ON NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD SAYS MR. ANNAN ALSO ANNOUNCED PLANS TO NAME A SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE REGION.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ALSO ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTION TO NAME AN ENVOY TO THE REGION TO MONITOR AND REPORT ON WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE UNFOLDING IN THE REGION.

MR. ANNAN AND THE U-N HUMANITARIAN RELIEF COORDINATOR BOTH TOLD THE COUNCIL OF THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL RELIEF EFFORTS AND THE NEED TO FIND TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES.

THE COUNCIL ISSUED A STATEMENT WELCOMING EFFORTS BY MANY COUNTRIES TO ACCEPT REFUGEES AND URGING ALL NATIONS TO PROVIDE AID TO THOSE IN NEED. MEANWHILE, YUGOSLAVIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS SENT A LETTER TO THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL ASKING HIM TO DEMAND AN END TO NATO STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. THE YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS SAID FAILING TO DO SO WOULD MAKE MR. ANNAN AN ACCOMPLICE IN UNDERMINING THE SYSTEM OF THE UNITED NATIONS -- A REFERENCE TO BELGRADE'S CHARGE THAT THE NATO STRIKES VIOLATE INTERNATIONAL LAW. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/PT
05-Apr-99 6:42 PM EDT (2242 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] SIMES ON RUSSIA (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A LEADING ANALYST OF U-S RUSSIA RELATIONS, DIMITRI SIMES, SAYS HE IS WORRIED BY THE GROWING ANTI-U-S SENTIMENT THAT THE NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST SERBIA HAS EVOKED IN RUSSIA. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS MR. SIMES SPOKE MONDAY AT THE WOODROW WILSON CENTER IN WASHINGTON.

TEXT: MR. SIMES SAYS ALMOST ALL SEGMENTS OF RUSSIAN PUBLIC OPINION ARE OUTRAGED BY THE NATO ATTACK ON SERBIA. HE TOLD A LARGE AUDIENCE AT THE WILSON CENTER THAT RUSSIANS FEEL HELPLESS IN THE FACE OF THE WESTERN ATTACK AND DO NOT ACCEPT THAT SERBIA'S EXPULSION OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS IS GENOCIDE. INSTEAD, SAYS MR. SIMES, THE RUSSIANS PERCEIVE A DOUBLE STANDARD AND EMPHASIZE THE RELATIVE WESTERN SILENCE WHEN CROATIA EXPELLED OVER 200-THOUSAND SERBS IN 1995. MR. SIMES, THE HEAD OF THE NIXON CENTER WHICH EXAMINES RUSSIA--U-S RELATIONS, SAYS RUSSIAN POLICY MAKERS FEEL BETRAYED BY THE WEST. HE SAYS THEY WERE ASSURED THAT NATO'S EXPANSION TO INCLUDE THREE FORMER COMUNIST STATES WAS BENIGN AND NOT THREATENING TO RUSSIA BECAUSE NATO WAS PURELY DEFENSIVE. NOW, SAYS MR. SIMES, NATO IS BEING REDEFINED AND THE RUSSIANS BELIEVE THE WEST DOES NOT EVEN FEEL COMPELLED TO CONSULT WITH MOSCOW.

THIS CURRENT PERIOD, SAYS MR. SIMES, IS BOTH DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE WITH RUSSIA TORN BETWEEN ITS NEED FOR WESTERN FINANCIAL HELP AND SOLIDARITY WITH A SLAVIC ALLY.

IF YOU WOULD SEE RUSSIAN VOLUNTEERS IN YUGOSLAVIA, OR NEW RUSSIAN WEAPONS START ARRIVING--EVEN WITHOUT OFFICIAL PERMISSION BUT WITHOUT MUCH OFFICIAL RESISTANCE EITHER, YOU KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN WASHINGTON, ON CAPITOL HILL. HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO SEE CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTIONS (AGAINST RUSSIA), DEMANDING TO END ALL ASSISTANCE TO RUSSIA. IT IS THIS PATTERN OF BLIND ESCALATION, DRIVEN BY EMOTIONS ON BOTH SIDES THAT CONCERNS ME.

MR. SIMES -- A LONGTIME AND PROMINENT EXPERT OF RUSSIAN AFFAIRS FEARS THAT RUSSIAN EMOTIONS COULD LEAD TO OPEN SUPPORT FOR SERBIA AND A RESULTING SUSPENSION OF INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND LENDING TO RUSSIA. WERE THAT TO HAPPEN, HE SAYS, THE WEST WOULD LOSE AN IMPORTANT LEVER OVER RUSSIAN ECONOMIC POLICY AND MOSCOW COULD MOVE TOWARDS CLOSER RELATIONS WITH CHINA. THIS, SAYS MR. SIMES, IS RUSSIA'S TIME OF GREATEST WEAKNESS. RUSSIA, HE SAYS, SEES ITSELF HAVING BEEN REDUCED FROM A GREAT POWER TO THE EQUIVALENT OF A DESTITUTE AFRICAN NATION WITH 30 THOUSAND NUCLEAR WEAPONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/WFR
05-Apr-99 6:28 PM EDT (2228 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[14] NATO / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO SAYS 44-THOUSAND MORE KOSOVO ALBANIANS HAVE BEEN EXPELLED INTO MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA. IT SAYS THAT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS DISPLACED SINCE FIGHTING STARTED IN KOSOVO IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR TO MORE THAN 830-THOUSAND. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN AT NATO HEADQUARTERS ALSO REPORTS NATO FORCES ARE STARTING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BETTER WEATHER TO DEAL WITH THE ETHNIC CLEANSING.

TEXT: NATO'S MILITARY SPOKESMAN, AIR COMMODORE DAVID WILBY, SAYS NATO IS STARTING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IMPROVING WEATHER TO INTERUPT FUTURE SERBIAN ATTEMPTS TO CLEAR KOSOVO OF ITS ETHNIC ALBANIAN POPULATION.

WE WILL CAPITALIZE ON THE CLEAR WEATHER TO ATTACK STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL TARGETS THROUGHOUT THE OPERATIONAL AREA. BUT IN PARTICULAR, WE WILL FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON FIELDED FORCES IN KOSOVO. HOWEVER, THIS IS NO EASY TASK.

THE REASON, ACCORDING TO THE MILITARY SPOKESMAN, IS THAT THE SERB TANKS USE WHAT HE CALLS "CAT AND MOUSE" TACTICS TO HIDE THEIR ARMOR.

THEY ARE TAKING EVERY ADVANTAGE OF DESERTED BUILDINGS AND TERRAIN TO CAMOUFLAGE THEIR POSITIONS. NONETHELESS, WE ARE PUTTING CONSIDERABLE EFFORTS INTO THIS CRITICAL TASK AND I EXPECT THAT THESE ATTACKS WILL SOON SEVERELY DISRUPT SERBIAN MILITARY AND SPECIAL POLICE OPERATIONS ON THE GROUND.

BESIDES THE CLEARER WEATHER, NATO IS APPROVING USE OF THE AMERICAN OFFER OF HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS AND LONG RANGE ARTILLERY INTENDED TO DESTROY TANKS. LAST WEEK, NATO PREDICTED KOSOVO'S ENTIRE ALBANIAN POPULATION OF ONE-POINT-EIGHT-MILLION PEOPLE COULD BE EXPELLED AT THE CURRENT RATE BY APRIL 22ND.

WHILE SAYING THERE IS NO RACE AGAINST TIME, NATO OFFICIALS BELIEVE THEY CAN HALT THE SERBIAN ETHNIC CLEANSING BEFORE EVERY KOSOVO ALBANIAN IS EITHER DEAD OR EXPELLED. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/JWH
05-Apr-99 11:37 AM EDT (1537 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[15] NATO ATTACKS / SUNDAY / L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: NATO HAS STRUCK SERB TARGETS ACROSS YUGOSLAVIA FOR A 12TH STRAIGHT DAY. EXPLOSIONS AND FIRES WERE REPORTED IN THE HOURS BEFORE DAWN MONDAY IN MANY LOCATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: ONE SERB MEDIA REPORT SAYS NATO BOMBS HIT AN ARMY BARRACKS, CAUSING AN UNDETERMINED NUMBER OF CASUALTIES. OTHER SERB REPORTS DESCRIBE STRIKES ON A TELEVISION FACILITY, A RAILROAD TUNNEL AND AN AIRPORT NOT FAR FROM THE YUGOSLAV CAPITAL, BELGRADE.

WESTERN REPORTERS IN KOSOVO'S PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA, SAY THEY HEARD JET AIRCRAFT OVERHEAD AND SAW A LARGE FIRE BURNING ON THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE CITY.

PENTAGON SPOKESMAN BILL DARLEY SAYS HE CANNOT CONFIRM DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ATTACKS -- BUT SAYS MAJOR NATO AIR RAIDS HAVE BEEN STAGED. LIEUTENANT COLONEL DARLEY SAYS THERE WILL BE NO SANCTUARY ANYWHERE IN YUGOSLAVIA FROM NATO'S BOMBS AND MISSILES.

NATO'S CONTINUING AIR RAIDS WERE INTENDED TO SLOW OR STOP AN OFFENSIVE BY 40 THOUSAND SERB-LED YUGOSLAV TROOPS AGAINST THE ETHNIC-MAJORITY ALBANIANS IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE, KOSOVO. BUT PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THE AIR ATTACKS HAVE BEEN HAMPERED BY YUGOSLAVIA'S CLOUDY SPRING WEATHER AND HAVE NOT YET HAD MUCH EFFECT ON THE SERB FORCES.

WASHINGTON IS OFFERING NATO SOME ANTI-TANK HELICOPTERS THAT FLY UNDER THE CLOUDS, IN THE HOPE OF MAKING AIR ATTACKS MORE EFFECTIVE. THE APACHE ATTACK HELICOPTERS WILL BE BASED IN ALBANIA, ALONG WITH TWO THOUSAND U-S TROOPS TO OPERATE AND PROTECT THEM.

PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THE AMERICAN SOLDIERS WILL HAVE ARMORED VEHICLES TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THE OPERATING BASE FOR THE HELICOPTERS. THEY WILL ALSO HAVE MISSILES, CALLED TACMS, (PRONO: TACK-UMS) THAT ARE INTENDED TO SUPPRESS YUGOSLAV AIR DEFENSES.

PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON --0APPARENTLY ANTICIPATING CRITICISM OF THE DEPLOYMENT FROM MEMBERS OF CONGRESS -- SAYS THE TWO THOUSAND TROOPS ARE NOT A STEP TOWARD DEPLOYING U-S GROUND TROOPS TO FIGHT IN THE KOSOVO CONFLICT.

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.

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. PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL CONSIDER THE ISSUE ONE MORE TIME BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT 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).
NEB / WD / WD
05-Apr-99 12:24 AM EDT (0424 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[16] NATO ATTACKS / MONDAY - S BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: NATO HAS LAUNCHED A 13TH STRAIGHT NIGHT OF AIR STRIKES AGAINST SERB TARGETS ACROSS YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON, WHERE OFFICIALS SAY CLEAR WEATHER OVER YUGOSLAVIA MEANS THE RAIDS COULD BE UNUSUALLY HEAVY TONIGHT (MONDAY / TUESDAY).

TEXT: THE FIRST ATTACKS WERE REPORTED BY THE TANJUG NEWS AGENCY, WHICH SAID FIVE MISSILES HIT NIS AND NEARBY AREAS. THE REPORT OFFERED NO ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

EARLIER MONDAY, PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON ADMITTED NATO'S RAIDS HAVE SO FAR DONE LITTLE TO SLOW THE SERB-LED YUGOSLAV FORCES ATTACKING ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO.

BUT MR. BACON SAYS NATO WILL PERSIST, EVEN IF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S FORCES DRIVE MOST ETHNIC ALBANIANS OUT OF KOSOVO.

MILOSEVIC MAY THINK HE IS FINISHED. WE WILL NOT BE FINISHED.

MR. BACON SAID CLEARING CLOUDS ALLOWED NATO PILOTS TO GET PICTURES OF A SERB MILITARY UNIT, USING ARMORED VEHICLES, TO FORCE KOSOVARS OUT OF THEIR HOMES AND BURN A VILLAGE. THE PICTURE CONFIRM THE GRIM STORIES TOLD BY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES WHO HAVE FLED KOSOVO IN RECENT WEEKS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/JO
05-Apr-99 6:00 PM EDT (2200 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[17] KOSOVO WAR CRIMES ENVOY (L-O) BY NEJLA SAMMAKIA (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS SETTING UP SPECIAL TEAMS TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON WAR CRIMES COMMITTED BY SERB FORCES IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. THE EVIDENCE WILL GO TO THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. NEJLA SAMMAKIA REPORTS, U-S WAR CRIMES ENVOY DAVID SCHEFFER JUST RETURNED FROM MACEDONIA WHERE HE INTERVIEWED AT LEAST 200 ALBANIAN KOSOVAR REFUGEES WHO SPOKE OF FORCED EXPULSIONS, EXECUTIONS, AND KIDNAPPINGS.

TEXT: MR. SCHEFFER SAYS MOST OF THE REFUGEES HE INTERVIEWED IN THE REFUGEE CAMP AT BLACE [BLA-TZE] (MACEDONIA) WERE FROM THE NORTHERN PART OF KOSOVO. THE STORIES THEY TOLD WERE CONSISTENT AND POINTED TO A BASIC PATTERN OF EVENTS. SERB MILITARY, PARAMILITARY AND POLICE WOULD ENTER A VILLAGE OR A CITY AND SYSTEMATICALLY CLEANSE OUT EACH NEIGHBORHOOD OF ALBANIANS. HE SAYS THE BASIC MESSAGE TO THEM WAS: YOU EITHER LEAVE OR DIE.

MR. SCHEFFER -- WHO IS THE FIRST SENIOR AMERICAN OFFICIAL BACK WITH A REPORT FROM THE KOSOVO BORDER AREA -- ALSO SAYS REFUGEES TOLD HIM THAT THOSE WHO REFUSED TO LEAVE WERE SHOT ON THE SPOT, OR LOCKED UP IN THEIR HOMES WHICH WERE THEN TORCHED.

A LARGE NUMBER OF REFUGEES TOLD HIM THAT SNIPERS HAD SURROUNDED THEIR VILLAGE AND SHOT AT ANYONE WHO DID NOT OBEY ORDERS MARCH TO TRAINS TO CARRY THEM OUT OF KOSOVO. IN PRISTINA, THE SNIPERS WERE IN THE CITY CENTER.

I HAD REFUGEES TELL ME, 'YES, I SAW PEOPLE WHO DEVIATED FROM THE MARCH AND WERE LITERALLY PICKED OFF BY SNIPERS AS THEY DID SO. OR YES, WE HAD TO HUNKER DOWN IN OUR HOMES AND WE COULDN'T MOVE ANYWHERE BECAUSE WE SAW PEOPLE BEING PICKED OFF BY SNIPERS. WE ONLY MOVED WHEN THEY BARGED IN TO OUR DOORS AND THEN WE MOVED AT THEIR DIRECTION AND PRECISELY HOW THEY ASKED US TO MOVE.'

THESE REFUGEE ACCOUNTS CONTRADICT YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT CLAIMS THAT NATO'S BOMBING CAMPAIGN IS FORCING THE KOSOVARS TO FLEE.

THERE WAS ONE WOMAN WHO BROKE DOWN CRYING IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE SHE SAID IN THE LINE THAT SHE WAS WALKING IN, THE BEAUTIFUL KOSOVAR WOMEN WERE SIMPLY RIPPED OUT OF THE LINE AND WERE NEVER SEEN AGAIN.

MR. SCHEFFER SAYS HE CONCLUDES THAT WHAT IS UNFOLDING IN KOSOVO IS A PATTERN OF WAR CRIMES WHICH HE SAYS MIGHT BE DESCRIBED AS GENOCIDE.

WE WILL LEAVE IT TO THE TRIBUNAL TO INVESTIGATE VERY THOROUGHLY THE CHAIN OF COMMAND AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COMMISSION OF THESE CRIMES IN KOSOVO. OBVIOUSLY THE POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT IS OCCURRING IN KOSOVO REACHES BACK TO BELGRADE, REACHES BACK TO PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. IT WOULD BE IMPLAUSIBLE THAT ALL OF THIS POSSIBLY COULD BE UNFOLDING IN KOSOVO WITHOUT BELGRADE DIRECTING IT.

HE SAYS THE INTERVIEWS HE CONDUCTED WILL BE CONTINUED BY AMERICAN TEAMS IN THE REGION AND EVIDENCE WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. HE SAYS THE TRIBUNAL WOULD ALSO HAVE TO CARRY OUT ITS OWN INVESTIGATION ON THE GROUND IN MACEDONIA, ALBANIA AND ULTIMATELY IN KOSOVO AS WELL. ANY DETERMINATION OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S CULPABILITY WILL BE DECIDED BY THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL. (SIGNED)
NEB/NS/JO
05-Apr-99 6:40 PM EDT (2240 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[18] KOSOVO / WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY BELIEVE SERB FORCES ARE ENGAGING IN WAR CRIMES IN KOSOVO AND THEY HOLD YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC POLITICALLY RESPONSIBLE. BUT OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE NOT YET READY TO SAY IF THEY CONSIDER MR. MILOSEVIC A WAR CRIMINAL. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: U-S OFFICIALS SAY IT WILL BE UP TO THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE TO DETERMINE IF MR. MILOSEVIC SHOULD BE INDICTED AS A WAR CRIMINAL.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS PROVIDING THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL WITH ALL THE ASSISTANCE IT CAN TO TRY TO HELP MAKE THAT JUDGMENT.

AS FAR AS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC IS CONCERNED, WE HAVE SAID FOR SOME TIME THAT THE QUESTION OF COMMAND RESPONSIBILITY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. WE HAVE NO DOUBT THAT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC IS POLITICALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT IS GOING ON IN KOSOVO. THE LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY, PURSUANT TO RULES OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL IS WHAT THEY HAVE TO DETERMINE. WE DON'T WANT TO PREJUDGE THAT FOR THEM, WE WANT TO GIVE THEM ALL THE HELP THEY NEED IN ORDER TO DRAW THEIR INDEPENDENT CONCLUSIONS.

INDICTING MR. MILOSEVIC FOR WAR CRIMES WOULD RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO NATO WOULD DEAL WITH IN THE SEARCH FOR PEACE IN KOSOVO. UNTIL NOW, MR. MILOSEVIC HAS PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN ANY NEGOTIATIONS, BUT IN THE UNITED STATES THERE IS GROWING SENTIMENT AGAINST DEALING WITH HIM ANY FURTHER.

IN SEPARATE NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS, FORMER U-S SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER AND FORMER SENATOR BOB DOLE HAVE CALLED FOR MR. MILOSEVIC TO BE TRIED AS A WAR CRIMINAL.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS ATROCITIES BEING COMMITTED IN KOSOVO MAKE IT HARD TO SEE HOW WESTERN NATIONS WILL BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN WITH MR. MILOSEVIC ONCE NATO AIR STRIKES END.

IN THE MEANTIME, OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE PROVIDING THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL WITH EVIDENCE THAT CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY AND WAR CRIMES HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE.

U-S AMBASSADOR DAVID SCHEFFER IS PUTTING TOGETHER A REPORT BASED ON INTERVIEWS HE CONDUCTED WITH REFUGEES WHO WERE RECENTLY EXPELLED FROM KOSOVO. SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS THE REPORT OUTLINES A CAMPAIGN OF ETHNIC CLEANSING.

PRISTINA IS BEING EXPUNGED NEIGHBORHOOD BY NEIGHBORHOOD WITH SEEMINGLY CALCULATED AND PLANNED EFFICIENCY. KOSOVARS ARE SHAKEN DOWN FOR THEIR CASH MONEY AND THEIR JEWELRY. THOSE KOSOVARS WHO RESIST EXPULSION FROM THEIR HOMES ARE KILLED, THE BASIC MESSAGE IS YOU LEAVE OR YOU DIE. KILLINGS AND BEATINGS ARE COMMON, MANY REFUGEES REPORTED ABOUT INDIVIDUALS KILLED IN THEIR HOMES EITHER BY GUNFIRE OR BY TORCHING THE HOMES WHILE THEY ARE INSIDE. EXECUTED BODIES ARE SEEN IN THE STREETS OF PRISTINA AND OTHER TOWNS WITH NO APPARENT EFFORT TO REMOVE THEM.

SERB OFFICIALS SAY ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES FLEEING KOSOVO ARE TRYING TO ESCAPE NATO BOMBING AND THEY DENY THEIR FORCES HAVE ENGAGED IN ATROCITIES.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR EVENTS IN KOSOVO BELONGS TO MR. MILOSEVIC. AND OFFICIALS SAY IT WILL BE UP TO THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL TO DETERMINE HIS LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY. BUT, UNLESS OR UNTIL THAT HAPPENS, U-S OFFICIALS REFUSE TO SAY IF THEY THINK MR. MILOSEVIC SHOULD BE PUNISHED FOR WHAT THEY CALL HORRENDOUS AND BARBARIC ACTS COMMITTED BY SERB FORCES. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/ENE/PT
05-Apr-99 4:32 PM EDT (2032 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP STRONGLY TODAY (MONDAY) WITH ALL MAJOR AVERAGES CLOSING AT RECORD HIGHS. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10 THOUSAND SEVEN, UP 174 POINTS OR ALMOST TWO PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 13 HUNDRED 21, UP 27 POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX CLOSED AT 25 HUNDRED 60, UP 66 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY STOCK TRADERS WERE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN GENERAL AND THE LATEST U-S EMPLOYMENT REPORT IN PARTICULAR. THE EMPLOYMENT REPORT, RELEASED FRIDAY WHEN THE STOCK MARKET WAS CLOSED, SHOWED SLOWER-THAN-EXPECTED JOB GROWTH AND EASED FEARS OF INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.

INTEREST RATES REMAIN LOW, GROWTH IS CONTINUING AT A MODERATE PACE. INFLATION IS LOW AND THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS IN THE ECONOMY ALL POINT TO A HIGHER MARKET.

STEELWORKERS HAVE GONE ON STRIKE AT THE NEWPORT NEWS SHIPBUILDING COMPANY IN A WAGE DISPUTE. THE COMPANY BUILDS AND MAINTAINS U-S NAVY SHIPS AND SUBMARINES.

THE BOEING AIRCRAFT COMPANY SAYS IT DELIVERED 148 COMMERCIAL JETLINERS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR. THE RESULT WAS CLOSE TO THE PACE NEEDED FOR BOEING TO MEET ITS GOAL OF BUILDING 620 JETLINERS THIS YEAR.

NET BANK SAYS IT OPENED EIGHT THOUSAND NEW ACCOUNTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER, BRING ITS TOTAL NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS TO ALMOST 25 THOUSAND. THE INTERNET-BASED BANK SAYS IT IS ABLE TO PAY HIGHER DEPOSIT INTEREST RATES BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE EXPENSES OF TRADITIONAL BANKS.

AND AMERICAN INVESTORS ARE INCREASINGLY USING THE INTERNET TO PLACE THEIR STOCK TRADES. A RESEARCH STUDY SHOWS ON-LINE STOCK TRADING ROSE MORE THAN 30 PERCENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR TO ABOUT 450 THOUSAND TRANSACTIONS A DAY. FOR THE 11TH STRAIGHT YEAR GENERAL MOTORS RANKS NUMBER ONE IN "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE'S ANNUAL LIST OF THE 500 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE UNITED STATES. HOWEVER, THE MAGAZINE SAYS MANY HIGH TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES ARE RAPIDLY MOVING UP ON THE LIST. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PW/WFR
05-Apr-99 5:29 PM EDT (2129 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[20] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NATO'S WAR AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA IS SHARING THE SPOTLIGHT IN MONDAY'S EDITORIALS COLUMNS WITH THE VISIT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF CHINA, DUE WEDNESDAY IN WASHINGTON.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: JAPAN'S LATEST MOVE TO RIGHT ITS ECONOMY: A MOMENTOUS DECISION AHEAD FOR THE PALESTINIANS AND THE GROWING FIGHT AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS; /// OPT /// AND THE CONTINUING ECONOMIC CRISIS. /// END OPT /// NOW, HERE IS _________ WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIALS DIGEST.

TEXT: THE CONTINUING HORROR OF TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES STREAMING OUT OF YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE, AND THE NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN, CONTINUE TO HOLD AN IMPORTANT PLACE IN THE COMMENTARY PAGES OF U-S DAILY PAPERS.

A COLUMN BY "DETROIT NEWS" EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBER TONY SNOW SAYS MR. MILOSEVIC'S FAILURE TO CAPITULATE MEANS THE UNITED STATES MUST MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS.

VOICE: PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON HAS TAKEN A JUSTIFIABLE DRUBBING FOR THE YUGO-SLAUGHTER, BUT HE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO DESERVES A TRIP TO THE WOODSHED [SLANG FOR PUNISHMENT] MOST CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS ARE GUILTY OF APPALLING CYNICISM AND SILENCE. ... THE FUN IS OVER. SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC DID NOT WAVE THE WHITE FLAG WHEN OUR BOMBERS ARRIVED; HE WAVED THE BLOODY SHIRT ... NOW IT IS AMERICA'S MOVE - AND THE CONSTITUTION PUTS THE ONUS ON CONGRESS ... [WHICH] MUST DECIDE WHETHER [MR.] MILOSEVIC'S PROVOCATIONS MEAN WAR. [CONGRESS MUST ANSWER MANY QUESTIONS.] WHAT WOULD BE AN ACCEPTABLE NUMBER OF CASUALTIES ON THE NATO SIDE? WOULD THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES BACK OFF IF ONE-THOUSAND OF OUR TROOPS DIED? TEN-THOUSAND?

TEXT: TODAY'S "NEW YORK POST" SAYS IN ITS EDITORIAL HEADLINE "THERE WILL BE GROUND TROOPS.," ADDING:

VOICE: ... AS THE SECOND WEEK OF THE NATO CAMPAIGN IN YUGOSLAVIA NEARS ITS END, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS NOW FLAT-OUT [CLEARLY] LYING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THE WORLD WHEN IT SAYS IT IS STILL RULING OUT THE USE OF GROUND TROOPS. THERE WILL BE GROUND TROOPS IN KOSOVO. IT IS EITHER THAT OR AN END TO THIS MISSION ALL TOGETHER -- WHICH WOULD MEAN THE END OF THE NATO ALLIANCE AND A HUMILIATION FOR THE UNITED STATES WITH PARLOUS (DANGEROUS) CONSEQUENCES THAT WE CAN NOT EVEN BEGIN TO GUESS AT.

TEXT: "USA TODAY" IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY FRUSTRATED AT THE PLIGHT OF THE KOSOVO REFUGEES AND ASKS IN TODAY'S COMMENT:

VOICE: HOW COULD WESTERN LEADERS HAVE BEEN SO UNPREPARED? THEY HAVE WARNED FOR YEARS THAT THIS WAS JUST THE SORT OF OUTCOME ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO COULD BRING. THE ANSWERS GIVEN SO FAR IN BOTH BRUSSELS AND WASHINGTON ARE AS CONFUSED AND UNSATISFYING AS THE RELIEF EFFORT ITSELF. THE TRUTH IS SIMPLER. ... THE ALLIANCE HOPED FOR THE BEST WHEN IT LAUNCHED ITS ATTACK WHILE FAILING TO PREPARE FOR THE WORST.

TEXT: THE DAY'S OTHER MAJOR COMMENTARY TARGET IS THE VISIT TO WASHINGTON THIS WEEK OF CHINA'S PRIME MINISTER ZHU RONJI, ABOUT WHICH CALIFORNIA'S SAN JOSE "MERCURY NEWS" SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: A CRITICAL JUNCTURE LIES AHEAD, WITH PREMIER [ZHU'S] TRIP ... IN ADVANCE OF THAT, THE UNITED STATES IS STRONGLY CRITICIZING CHINA IN PUBLIC OVER HUMAN RIGHTS WHILE INTENSELY NEGOTIATING TRADE ISSUES IN PRIVATE. PRESIDENT CLINTON SEES PROSPECTS FOR PARALLEL PROGRESS ON BOTH ISSUES, BY TREATING THEM SEPARATELY. BUT MANY IN CONGRESS WOULD LINK THEM, TAMPERING WITH TRADE TO EXPRESS FRUSTRATION WITH CHINESE OPPRESSION OR SUSPICION OF NUCLEAR SPYING. ENTANGLING THESE ISSUES IS DANGEROUS DIPLOMACY THAT COULD FRACTURE ALREADY FRAGILE RELATIONS.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" ADDS THIS SUMMATION ON THE VISIT'S ISSUES.

VOICE: ... TOO OFTEN, MR. CLINTON HAS SEEMED TO CONSIDER FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH CHINA'S LEADERS A SUCCESS IN ITSELF. BUT AMERICA'S NATURAL ALLIES IN THE REGION ARE ASIA'S DEMOCRACIES -- JAPAN, TAIWAN, SOUTH KOREA, AND THE REST. AND ITS NATURAL ALLIES INSIDE CHINA ARE THOSE PUSHING FOR MORE DEMOCRACY ... THE TEST OF A SUCCESSFUL SUMMIT WILL BE HOW WELL IT ADVANCES THE CAUSE OF [PRO DEMOCRACY OFFICIALS LIKE RECENTLY PURGED] BAO TONG AND HIS ASSOCIATES, NOT WHETHER MR. ZHU GOES HOME HAPPY.

TEXT: STILL WITH ASIAN ECONOMIC ISSUES, TODAY'S "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" HAS HOPE THAT JAPAN'S LATEST ECONOMIC STRATEGY TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY, ZERO-PERCENT INTEREST ON PURCHASES BY JAPANESE CONSUMERS, TOGETHER WITH OTHER RECENT MEASURES, MAY BRING THE ECONOMY OUT OF RECESSION.

VOICE: THE TOKYO GOVERNMENT DRAGGED ITS FEET [STALLED] FOR YEARS AS IT WAS BOMBARDED WITH ALL SORTS OF ADVICE: CUT TAXES, BOOST PUBLIC SPENDING, SLASH INTEREST RATES, REFORM THE BANKING SECTOR, PROMOTE CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING AND COMPETITION. NOW IT IS ESSENTIALLY TAKING ALL OF THE ADVICE AT ONCE, AND THE JAPANESE STOCK MARKET HAS RESPONDED WITH A SUBSTANTIAL RISE. ... THIS CHANGE IS NO PANACEA, OF COURSE. ... BUT IT SEEMS CLEAR THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY YEARS, JAPAN'S ECONOMY IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

TEXT: TO THE MIDDLE EAST, NOW, WHERE THE PALESTINIANS ARE PONDERING THE DECLARATION OF THEIR TERRITORY AS A SOVEREIGN NATION THIS YEAR, AND ADVICE FROM "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" NOT TO DO IT.

VOICE: THE DECISION IS BEING PUSHED BY THE MAY 4TH EXPIRATION OF THE INTERIM PEACE ACCORD REACHED WITH ISRAEL FIVE-YEARS AGO. THE BEST REASON FOR LETTING THAT DATE PASS QUIETLY IS THE ISRAELI NATIONAL ELECTION ON MAY 17TH. NOTHING WOULD DO MORE TO ASSURE THE RE-ELECTION OF PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU AND A HARD-LINE GOVERNMENT THAN FOR THE PALESTINIANS UNILATERALLY TO DECLARE STATEHOOD.

TEXT: IN TODAY'S "'NEW YORK TIMES" THERE IS WORRY ABOUT TUBERCULOSIS, AN OLD MEDICAL NEMISIS RETURNING AROUND THE WORLD, WITH A VENGEANCE, AND NEW, DRUG-RESISTENT STRAINS.

VOICE: WHILE TUBERCULOSIS IS EPIDEMIC IN SOME POOR COUNTRIES, IT CAN BE SPREAD ON A LONG PLANE FLIGHT, AND IMMIGRANT-RICH NEW YORK CITY WAS THE CENTER OF AN AMERICAN OUTBREAK THAT PEAKED IN 1992. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT CONTROLLED IT WITH A NEW TREATMENT THAT INVOLVES WATCHING PATIENTS TAKE THEIR MEDICINE, WHICH HAS PROVED CHEAP AND EFFECTIVE WORLDWIDE. TO PREVENT THE FURTHER SPREAD OF A DRUG-RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS, COUNTRIES AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS NEED TO INVEST MONEY NOW IN TREATMENT EVERYWHERE.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, SOME THOUGHTS FROM "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" ON THE WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS, WHICH THE PAPER SAYS IS STILL VERY MUCH WITH US, AND THE IDEA AS PUT FORTH BY THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND THAT CAPITAL CONTROLS IS NOT THE WAY TO IMPROVE THINGS.

VOICE: ... THE FREE MARKET IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED AN EFFECTIVE INSTITUTION BECAUSE IT HAS A NATURAL CORRECTIVE MECHANISM THAT PUNISHED BAD POLICIES AND CORRUPTION. CAPITAL CONTROLS ARE AN ATTEMPT TO SHIELD POLICY MAKERS FROM THIS REALITY, ALLOWING POLITICIANS TO DELAY REFORMS THAT RUN COUNTER TO THEIR PERSONAL ADVANTAGE. ... IT WOULD BE A PITY IF ... THE I-M-F ENCOURAGED EMERGING MARKET LEADERS IN THE DELUSION THAT ROBUST GROWTH CAN COEXIST WITH CAPITAL CONTROLS THAT TRULY KEEP CAPITAL OUT.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM TODAY'S DAILY PAPERS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
05-Apr-99 11:07 AM EDT (1507 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[21] LIBYA / LOCKERBIE HANDOVER (L) BY SCOTT BOBB (CAIRO)

INTRO: TWO LIBYAN SUSPECTS WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOCKERBIE BOMBING CASE HAVE BEEN HANDED OVER TO U-N OFFICIALS AND WILL FACE TRIAL IN THE NETHERLANDS. CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU.

TEXT: THE TWO SUSPECTS, ABDEL BASSET ALI AL-MEGRAHI AND LAMIN KHALIFA FAHIMA, SURRENDERED TO SENIOR U-N OFFICIALS AT A CEREMONY ATTENDED BY DELEGATES FROM SOUTH AFRICA, SAUDI ARABIA, EGYPT, AND THE ARAB LEAGUE.

APPEARING ON LIBYAN TELEVISION MONITORED IN CAIRO, MR. AL-MEGRAHI SAID THEY WERE LEAVING OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL BECAUSE THEY ARE CONFIDENT OF THEIR INNOCENCE. HE SAID HE HOPES THAT AFTER THEY HAVE PROVEN THEIR INNOCENCE, THEY WILL BE ALLOWED TO RETURN HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES.

LIBYAN FOREIGN MINISTER OMAR AL-MONTASSER SAID LIBYA WAS CONFIDENT IN THE FAIRNESS OF ITS CASE AND THE INNOCENCE OF THE SUSPECTS. HE SAID HE HOPES THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY APPRECIATES WHAT HE CALLED THE CIVILIZED POSITION LIBYA HAS TAKEN.

THE TWO SUSPECTS ARE ACCUSED OF PLANTING THE BOMB THAT EXPLODED IN AN AMERICAN JUMBO JET 10-YEARS AGO, KILLING 270 PEOPLE. THEY WERE INDICTED IN 1991. BUT LIBYA REFUSED TO HAND THEM OVER, SAYING IT FEARED THEY WOULD NOT RECEIVE A FAIR TRIAL IN BRITAIN OR THE UNITED STATES, WHICH HAVE JURISDICTION.

AS A RESULT, SANCTIONS, INCLUDING A BAN ON LIBYAN AIR TRAVEL AND INVESTMENT IN LIBYA'S OIL SECTOR, WERE IMPOSED BEGINNING THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

THE VARIOUS PARTIES AGREED LAST AUGUST TO ALLOW THE SUSPECTS TO BE TRIED IN THE NETHERLANDS, A NEUTRAL COUNTRY, USING SCOTTISH JUDGES. BUT THE HANDOVER WAS DELAYED AS LIBYA SOUGHT FURTHER ASSURANCES.

THE HANDOVER WAS ANNOUNCED TWO-WEEKS AGO FOLLOWING A MEDIATION EFFORT BY SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA AND SAUDI CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH.

UNDER THE AGREEMENT, THE SUSPECTS ARE TO BE HELD AND EVENTUALLY TRIED AT A VACANT AIR BASE. THE NETHERLANDS IS TO TEMPORARILY TRANSFER THE BASE TO BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY. THE ACCUSED ARE THEN TO BE FORMALLY EXTRADITED FOR THE TRIAL. IF CONVICTED, THEY ARE TO SERVE THEIR TERMS IN A SCOTTISH PRISON.

THE U-S AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS HOPE THE SURRENDER OF THE SUSPECTS WILL BRING JUSTICE TO A MAJOR CASE OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM. LIBYA HOPES THE COMPROMISE WILL END ITS DIPLOMATIC ISOLATION AND ALLOW A RESUMPTION OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT. THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS OF THE BOMBING SAY THEY HOPE THE TRIAL WILL BRING CLOSURE TO A DECADE OF PAIN AND UNCERTAINTY. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/RAE
05-Apr-99 10:05 AM EDT (1405 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[22] LOCKERBIE SUSPECTS (L) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (ROTTERDAM)

INTRO: TWO LIBYANS WHO HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH THE 1988 (NOT 1998) BOMBING OF THE AMERICAN JUMBO JET OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND HAVE ARRIVED IN THE NETHERLANDS WHERE THEY WILL STAND TRIAL BEFORE A SPECIALLY CONVENED SCOTTISH COURT. THEY ARE NOW IN THE CUSTODY OF DUTCH POLICE AS BRITAIN SEEKS THEIR EXTRADITION. LORRAINE COMITEAU HAS MORE FROM ROTTERDAM AIRPORT.

TEXT: THE TWO LIBYAN SUSPECTS LANDED AT A DUTCH MILITARY BASE AT 3:45 P.M. LOCAL TIME. THEY WERE EACH ACCOMPANIED BY A BROTHER AND A LIBYAN LAWYER.

U-N CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL, HEINZ CORRELL, WAS ALSO ABOARD, MAKING SURE THE SUSPECTS GOT HERE SAFELY. AFTER MONTHS OF DIPLOMATIC NEGOTIATIONS, MR. CORRELL CALLED THEIR ARRIVAL IN NETHERLANDS AN EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT. THE TRANSFER, HE SAID, TOOK PLACE IN A DIGNIFIED MANNER. AND HE HOPED THE TRIAL WOULD PROCEED IN THE SAME WAY.

AND WITH DUE RESPECT TO THE COURT WHICH IS NOW ABOUT TO TRY TWO PERSONS WHO HAVE, AT THIS STAGE, UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE PRESUMED INNOCENT.

THE SUSPECTS WILL BE TRIED AT A FORMER U-S MILITARY BASE HERE THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED SCOTTISH TERRITORY FOR THE DURATION OF THE LEGAL PROCEEDING. IN A BIZARRE LEGAL MANEUVER, THAT MEANS THE MEN MUST BE FORMALLY EXTRADITED TO BRITAIN. A DUTCH JUDGE WAS AT THE AIR BASE TO PRESIDE OVER THAT PROCESS WHICH COULD TAKE ANYWHERE FROM A FEW HOURS TO MONTHS. (SIGNED)
NEB/LC/PW-T/WFR
05-Apr-99 6:39 PM EDT (2239 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[23] BRITAIN / LOCKERBIE (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITAIN'S FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK HAS WELCOMED NEWS THAT THE TWO LIBYAN SUSPECTS IN THE LOCKERBIE TERRORISM CASE HAVE BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE UNITED NATIONS. THEY WILL FACE TRIAL IN A SPECIAL SCOTTISH COURT SET UP IN THE NETHERLANDS. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON REPORTS RELATIVES OF SOME OF THE 270 PEOPLE KILLED IN THE 1988 BOMBING OF AN AMERICAN JUMBO JET WILL ATTEND THE TRIAL.

TEXT: FOREIGN SECRETARY COOK SAYS THE TRANSFER OF THE SUSPECTS AND THE START OF THE LOCKERBIE TRIAL ALLOWS BRITAIN TO PRESENT ALL THE EVIDENCE KEPT SECRET SO FAR. THE TWO LIBYANS ARE ACCUSED OF PLANTING THE BOMB THAT BLEW UP THE AMERICAN JETLINER OVER THE SCOTTISH TOWN OF LOCKERBIE IN 1988. TWO HUNDRED-70 PEOPLE DIED IN THE BOMBING.

THERE WILL NOW BE A CRIMINAL TRIAL FOR THAT ACT OF MASS MURDER. AND THE RELATIVES OF ALL THOSE WHO DIED THAT DAY WILL HAVE THEIR FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR ALL THE EVIDENCE WE HOLD NOW BROUGHT OUT IN AN OPEN COURT.

MR. COOK SAYS THE TRANSFER ENDS 10-YEARS OF LEGAL AND DIPLOMATIC WRANGLING OVER WHERE AND HOW THE TRIAL WOULD BE CONDUCTED. LIBYA FINALLY AGREED TO LET THE TWO MEN STAND TRIAL IN A SCOTTISH COURT, BUT IN A NEUTRAL COUNTRY. JIM SWIRE, WHOSE ELDEST DAUGHTER FLORA DIED IN THE 1988 TERRORIST ATTACK, EARLIER TOLD V-O-A NEWS HE AND OTHER RELATIVES OF THE 270 VICTIMS ARE ANXIOUS TO HEAR ALL THE EVIDENCE.

IT IS A UNIVERSAL NEED PEOPLE HAVE WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS. THEY NEED TO KNOW IN MINUTE DETAIL WHAT HAPPENED AND WHY.

MR. SWIRE SAYS THE TRIAL ALSO OPENS THE WAY FOR A FULL PROBE INTO AIRPORT SECURITY OPERATIONS AT LONDON'S HEATHROW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT THAT FAILED TO DETECT THE EXPLOSIVE DEVICE LOADED ONTO THE AIRLINER IN A SUITCASE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
05-Apr-99 9:43 AM EDT (1343 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[24] BRITAIN / LOCKERBIE (L UPDATE) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

IT'S A UNIVERSAL NEED PEOPLE HAVE WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS. THEY NEED TO KNOW IN MINUTE DETAIL WHAT HAPPENED AND WHY.

MR. SWIRE -- THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE FAMILIES OF BRITISH VICTIMS -- SAYS HE AND OTHER RELATIVES WILL FOLLOW THE TRIAL CLOSELY AT HOME AND IN THE SPECIAL COURTROOM IN THE NETHERLANDS. SEVERAL ALSO EXPECT TO BE CALLED AS WITNESSES. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
05-Apr-99 11:28 AM EDT (1528 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[25] CLINTON/LOCKERBIE (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS HE IS GRATIFIED THAT THE TWO LIBYAN SUSPECTS IN THE 1988 LOCKERBIE AIRLINER BOMBING HAVE BEEN HANDED OVER TO DUTCH AUTHORITIES. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THE HANDOVER OF THE TWO LIBYANS IS BEING WELCOMED HERE AS A POSITIVE STEP -- THOUGH LONG OVERDUE -- THAT WILL FINALLY OPEN THE WAY TO A TRIAL MORE THAN TEN YEARS AFTER THE BOMBING.

IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT, PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID HE WAS GRATIFIED THAT THE U-N HAD HANDED OVER THE LIBYANS -- WHO HE STRESSED WOULD BE TRIED BEFORE A SCOTTISH COURT IN THE NETHERLANDS IN LINE WITH THE U-S/BRITISH LOCKERBIE INITIATIVE.

THE PRESIDENT THANKED U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN FOR WHAT WAS TERMED HIS "TIRELESS" WORK FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RELEVANT SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS, AND OTHERS INCLUDING SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA, EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK, AND SAUDI AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON PRINCE BANDAR.

MR. CLINTON SAID IT IS, MOST IMPORTANTLY, A DAY TO REMEMBER THE 270 VICTIMS OF THE BOMBING OF PAN AM 1-0-3, WHOSE LOVED ONES HE SAID SUFFERED GREATLY AND ALSO LABORED HARD TO BRING JUSTICE. "NOW AT LAST," MR. CLINTON SAID, "THE ROAD TO JUSTICE HAS BEGUN." (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/LTD/KL
05-Apr-99 11:16 AM EDT (1516 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[26] U-N / ANNAN / LOCKERBIE (L) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE IS RELIEVED BY NEWS THAT LIBYA TODAY (MONDAY) ALLOWED THE EXTRADITION OF TWO OF ITS NATIONALS ACCUSED OF BOMBING A U-S AIRLINER OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND IN 1988. MORE FROM OUR U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON.

TEXT: MR. ANNAN SAYS LIBYA'S DECISION TO HAND OVER THE TWO MEN FOR TRIAL IN THE NETHERLANDS MARKS A VITAL STEP FORWARD IN A LONG ORDEAL. THE NEXT STEP, HE SAYS, IS FOR THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TO KEEP ITS PLEDGE TO SUSPEND SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON LIBYA AS A RESULT OF THE BOMBING.

I WILL SHORTLY BE SUBMITTING A REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL CONFIRMING THE TWO HAVE ARRIVED IN THE NETHERLANDS AND ARE IN THE HANDS OF THE NETHERLANDS AUTHORITIES. THE COUNCIL WILL THEN ACT TO SUSPEND THE SANCTIONS IMMEDIATELY.

MR. ANNAN SAYS HE WILL NOW BEGIN PREPARING A DETAILED REPORT ON WHETHER THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT LIBYA IS NOW INVOLVED IN TERRORIST ACTIVITIES. HE IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THAT REPORT TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL WITHIN 90 DAYS. DIPLOMATS SAY THE REPORT IS EXPECTED TO BE POSITIVE, AND LEAD TO THE COMPLETE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS ON LIBYA. MR. ANNAN'S REPORT TO THE COUNCIL IS ALSO EXPECTED TO DEAL WITH ISSUES CONCERNING COMPENSATION FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE LOCKERBIE BOMBING.

UNDER A U-N-BROKERED AGREEMENT, THE TWO LIBYAN NATIONALS WILL FACE TRIAL IN A SCOTTISH COURT IN THE NETHERLANDS, WITH INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS. IF FOUND GUILTY, THEY WILL SERVE THEIR SENTENCES IN SCOTLAND.

U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE BELIEVES SANCTIONS DID PLAY A ROLE IN PRESSURING LIBYA TO HAND OVER THE TWO SUSPECTS. BUT HE SAYS IT IS NOW TIME FOR LIBYA TO RESUME NORMAL RELATIONS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

I THINK APART FROM LIVING WITH THE SANCTIONS FOR SEVEN YEARS, NO COUNTRY LIKES TO BE TREATED AS AN OUTCAST, AS OUTSIDE THE SOCIETY OF NATIONS TO SOME EXTENT. WHEN ONE IS BRANDED AND SANCTIONS ARE IMPOSED, ONE IS MARKED BY THAT KIND OF THING. AND I THINK LIBYA WANTED TO GET BACK TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. LIBYA WANTED TO GET ON WITH THIS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND LIBYA WANTED TO BE ABLE TO DEAL FREELY WITH ITS NEIGHBORS AND THE REST OF THE WORLD. SO I AM GRATIFIED THAT WE ARE THERE. AND THAT IS WHY I SAID I HOPE THEY WILL NOW REJOIN FULLY THE COMMUNITY OF NATIONS AND PLAY THEIR ROLE IN IT.

MR. ANNAN SAYS SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA AND SAUDI ARABIA'S KING FAHD PLAYED KEY ROLES IN ASSISTING IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH LIBYA. HE SAYS ITALY'S SUPPORT WAS ALSO CRUCIAL, AS IT PROVIDED THE AIRPLANE ON WHICH THE TWO SUSPECTS WERE TRANSPORTED FROM LIBYA TO THE NETHERLANDS. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/JO
05-Apr-99 12:58 PM EDT (1658 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[27] UN / ANNAN / LOCKERBIE (L) -- UPDATE BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL HAS SUSPENDED SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA. THE MOVE FOLLOWS THE ARRIVAL IN THE NETHERLANDS TODAY (MONDAY) OF TWO LIBYAN MEN SUSPECTED OF BOMBING A U-S AIRLINER OVER SCOTLAND IN 1988. V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT: THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL MET WITHIN HOURS OF THE ARRIVAL IN THE NETHERLANDS OF THE TWO LIBYAN SUSPECTS. THEIR ARRIVAL MARKS THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST STAGE OF A U-N BROKERED AGREEMENT CONCERNING LIBYA. UNDER THE AGREEMENT, THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL SAID IT WOULD SUSPEND SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA ONCE THE TWO MEN WERE DELIVERED TO THE NETHERLANDS FOR TRIAL IN A SCOTTISH COURT. THE TWO MEN WILL BE CHARGED WITH BLOWING UP PAN AM FLIGHT 103 OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND, IN 1988. TWO-HUNDRED-70 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN THE BOMBING.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT ALAIN DEJAMMET OF FRANCE SAYS THE SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON LIBYA AS A RESULT OF THE BOMBING HAVE NOW BEEN SUSPENDED.

THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL NOTE THAT WITH THIS REPORT THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN PARAGRAPH EIGHT OF U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 11-92 FOR THE IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION OF THE MEASURES ESTABLISHED IN U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 748 AND 883 HAVE BEEN FULFILLED. THESE MEASURES HAVE BEEN THEREFORE EFFECTIVELY SUSPENDED.

DIPLOMATS AT THE UNITED NATIONS SAY THERE IS AN IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SUSPENSION AND LIFTING OF THE SANCTIONS. THEY SAY IT COULD BE MONTHS OR YEARS BEFORE SANCTIONS ARE COMPLETELY LIFTED.

THEY SAY A FIRST STEP TOWARDS LIFTING THE SANCTIONS IS FOR U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TO SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE COUNCIL ASSESSING WHETHER LIBYA REMAINS ACTIVE IN TERRORISM ACTIVITIES. U-S DIPLOMATS SAY IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT LIBYA RENOUNCE TERRORISM, COOPERATE FULLY IN THE LOCKERBIE BOMBING TRIAL AND PAY RESTITUTION IF ITS NATIONALS ARE FOUND GUILTY IN THAT TRIAL.

EARLIER MONDAY, MR. ANNAN SAID HE FELT GRATIFIED AND RELIEVED AT LIBYA'S DECISION TO HAND OVER THE TWO SUSPECTS FOR TRIAL. HE SAID IT MARKS A VITAL STEP FORWARD IN A LONG ORDEAL. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
05-Apr-99 4:41 PM EDT (2041 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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