Voice of America, 99-04-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA / FIGHTING (S) BY GIL BUTLER (KUKES, ALBANIA)

[02] ALBANIA SITREP (L) BY GIL BUTLER (KUKES)

[03] ALBANIA-SERB PROTEST (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (TIRANA)

[04] KOSOVO BRIDGE - L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[05] KOSOVO WRAP/MONDAY (L ONLY) BY JIM MALONE (WASHINGTON)

[06] BELGRADE MONDAY WRAP (L-ONLY) BY GUY DINMORE (BELGRADE)

[07] AUSTRALIA / KOSOSVO SPY CLAIM (L-ONLY) BY BRONWYN CURRAN (SYDNEY)

[08] MONTENEGRO / SERBIA (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[09] MACEDONIA / BORDER (L ONLY) BY EVE CONANT (JAZHINCE)

[10] MACEDONIA/REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY EVE CONANT (SKOPJE)

[11] ALBRIGHT / KOSOVO (S) BY KYLE KING (BRUSSELS)

[12] ALBRIGHT / KOSOVO (L) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[13] ALBRIGHT/RUSSIA (O'NITER) (S) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPT)

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

[15] COHEN/KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[16] CONGRESS-KOSOVO HOLDING SPOT (S ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

[17] NATO FOREIGN MINISTER (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[18] NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS UPDATE (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

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

[20] RUSSIA / HUNGARY CONVOY (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[21] RUSSIA/HUNGARY CONVOY (L UPDATE) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[22] ISLAMIC RELIEF / KOSOVO BY NEJLA SAMMAKIA (WASHINGTON)

[23] ISRAEL / KOSOVO REFUGEES (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (BEN GURION AIRPORT)

[24] VOLUNTEERS TO KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LARRY FREUND (NEW YORK)

[25] DINSMORE Q&A / NATO BOMBING BY GUY DINSMORE (BELGRADE)

[26] YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

[27] YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

[28] TURKEY ELECTIONS / KURDS BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (DIYARBAKIR)

[29] EURO / BRITAIN (L-ONLY) BY CANDACE WILLIAMS (WASHINGTON)

[30] U-S EURO TRADE (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

[31] GERMAN TRAIN (L ONLY) BY SUZANNE KELLY (BERLIN)

[32] NY ECON WRAP (S&L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (NEW YORK)

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

[01] ALBANIA / FIGHTING (S) BY GIL BUTLER (KUKES, ALBANIA)

INTRO: THERE HAS BEEN A SECOND DAY OF SHELLING ACROSS THE BORDER INTO ALBLANIA BY SERB FORCES INSIDE KOSOVO. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER REPORTS FROM KUKES IN NORTHERN ALBANIA.

TEXT: FOR THE SECOND DAY IN A ROW, SERB ARTILLERY STRUCK SITES IN ALBANIA. THE LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED NEAR TROPOJA, WHICH ALSO WAS STRUCK ON SUNDAY. THEN, A ROCKET REPORTEDLY HIT A MINI BUS, KILLING TWO PEOPLE AND WOUNDING SEVERAL.

OBSERVERS FROM THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, THE O-S-C-E, SAID THE SERB FORCES APPEAR TO BE ATTEMPTING TO CLEAR THE BORDER REGION OF ITS POPULATION. TWO BRIDGES INSIDE KOSOVO -- WHICH THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY CLAIM TO HAVE CAPTURED -- ALSO CAME UNDER ARTILLERY FIRE, LENDING CREDENCE TO THE K-L-A CLAIM.

SOME ANALYSTS THINK THE SERBS ARE CLEARING OUT VILLAGES THAT MAY BE STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT IF THIS BECOMES A GROUND WAR. ONE REPORT SAYS VILLAGES NEAR IMPORTANT KOSOVO FACILITIES -- LIKE THE PRISTINA AIRPORT -- HAVE BEEN CLEARED OF CIVILIANS. AND SERB ANTI-AIRCRAFT UNITS HAVE PUT IN PLACE. (SIGNED)
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12-Apr-99 10:33 AM EDT (1433 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBANIA SITREP (L) BY GIL BUTLER (KUKES)

INTRO: ONE DAY AFTER SERBS FIRED ACROSS THE BORDER IN ALBANIA, KILLING AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE, THE MAIN REFUGEE CROSSING POINT WAS DESERTED. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER REPORTS FROM THE NORTHERN ALBANIAN TOWN OF KUKES.

TEXT: TROPOJA, WHERE THE DEADLY SHELLING INCIDENT TOOK PLACE IS NOT A REFUGEE BORDER CROSSING NORMALLY. FOREIGN AID OFFICIALS SAY THE ENTIRE AREA HAS BEEN MINED AND SOURCES SAY THE REGION IS USED BY THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY AS A CROSSING.

THE MARINA BORDER CROSSING IS THE MAIN REFUGEE CORRIDOR. IT WAS EERILY EMPTY ON MONDAY MORNING. YUGOSLAV AND SERBIAN FLAGS ARE FLYING, BUT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF HEAVY POLICE OR MILITARY PRESENCE. ON THE ALBANIAN SIDE, A SLEEPY BORDER GUARD WHO HAD BEEN ON DUTY ALL NIGHT SAID THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ACTIVITY AT THE CROSSING POINT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR U-N-H-C-R, THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, SAYS HE DOES NOT KNOW THE REASON THE REFUGEE FLOW HAS STOPPED. SPECULATION INCLUDES SERBIAN EMBARRASSMENT AT SCENES OF LONG LINES OF REFUGEE VEHICLES LEAVING KOSOVO, OR A DELIBERATE POLICY TO MAKE IT APPEAR KOSOVARS ARE NO LONGER LEAVING THE SERBIAN PROVINCE.

WHEN THE BORDER WAS CLOSED A FEW DAYS AGO, THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES WERE RETURNED TO KOSOVO BY SERBIAN AUTHORITIES. THE SPOKESMAN SAID THEIR FATE IS STILL UNKNOWN.

U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN JACQUES FRANQUIN SAID THERE IS A DELIBERATE POLICY TO MOVE REFUGEES FROM DANGEROUS BORDERS.

THIS IS BASIC GUIDELINES FOLLOWED BY U-N-H-C-R ALL THE TIME, THAT WE MOVE PEOPLE AT LEAST 60 KILOMETERS FROM THE BORDER. THE REASON IS THE SECURITY, WHEN WE HAVE REFUGEES IN DISTRESS IT IS ALWAYS CAUSED BY SOME FORM OF INSTABILITY AND A WAR SITUATION. WE CAN ALWAYS EXPECT SOME TROUBLES AT THE BORDER AREA. FOR THOSE REASONS WE WANT TO MOVE PEOPLE AS SOON AS WE CAN OUT OF THIS AREA WHICH IS AN AREA OF CONFLICT.

THERE IS NO U-N-H-C-R PLAN TO MAKE PERMANENT-TYPE REFUGEE CENTERS NEAR THE BORDER WITH SERBIA. THE CAMPS HERE ARE EXTREMELY TEMPORARY AND CERTAINLY LOOK MAKE-SHIFT WITH FARM TRACTORS AND TRAILERS SERVING AS TENTS IN MOST CASES. MANY OF THE REFUGEES PREFER TO GO TO OTHER ALBANIAN TOWNS AND CITIES WHERE THEY HAVE FRIENDS OR RELATIVES WHO WILL GIVE THEM SHELTER. MEANWHILE, HERE IN KUKES THE REFUGEE POPULATION HAS DROPPED TO ABOUT 80-THOUSAND WITH ONE-HALF OF THOSE IN PRIVATE HOMES. MORE THAN 200-THOUSAND KOSOVARS HAVE DISBURSED TO OTHER AREAS OF ALBANIA. (SIGNED)
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12-Apr-99 7:01 AM EDT (1101 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] ALBANIA-SERB PROTEST (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (TIRANA)

INTRO: THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT MONDAY ISSUED A STRONGLY WORDED PROTEST IN RESPONSE TO SUNDAY'S SHELLING ALONG ITS NORTHERN BORDER WITH YUGOSLAVIA. TIM BELAY HAS DETAILS IN THIS REPORT FROM THE ALBANIAN CAPITAL CITY OF TIRANA.

TEXT: THE DECLARATION SAYS THREE ALBANIANS WERE KILLED AND 12 WERE SERIOUSLY WOUNDED WHEN YUGOSLAV MILITARY FORCES FIRED HEAVY ARTILLERY OVER THE BORDER INTO THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TROPOJE. OFFICIALS WOULD NOT SAY IF THE VICTIMS ARE MEMBERS OF THE ALBANIAN ARMED FORCES.

ALBANIA'S MINISTER OF INFORMATION, MUSA ULQINI, SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED NOT TO BE PROVOKED INTO A MILITARY RESPONSE. STILL, MR. ULQINI CALLS THE INCIDENT A HARD VIOLATION OF THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF ALBANIA. HE SPOKE THROUGH AN INTERPRETER:

THESE ACTIONS ARE PART OF (YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN) MILOSEVIC'S STRATEGY TO DESTABILIZE THE BALKANS AND EUROPE. THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT WARNS THAT ANY ATTEMPT OF PUTTING THIS DIABOLIC PLAN INTO ACTION WILL BRING THE INEVITABLE END OF THE REGIME IN BELGRADE CLOSER. THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE AND ITS ARMED FORCES ARE READY TO FACE ANY MILITARY AGGRESSION THAT MIGHT BE CARRIED OUT AGAINST THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA.

BUT THE HEAD OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE'S OPERATIONS IN ALBANIA -- AMBASSADOR DON EVERTS -- SAYS THAT WHILE SERIOUS, THE SHELLING DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AN ESCALATION OF YUGOSLAV HOSTILITIES TOWARD ITS NEIGHBOR.

IT IS A GRAVE SITUATION, BUT WE SHOULD NOT BE OVERLY ALARMED. WE HAVE SEEN INCIDENTS IN THE PAST. THIS ONE IS SOMEWHAT MORE SERIOUS ... IN FACT, A LOT MORE SERIOUS, IN THE SENSE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN CASUALTIES. BUT STILL, THE CALL IS FOR RESTRAINT.

THE O-S-C-E'S DON EVERTS SAYS HE THINKS ALBANIAN LEADERS FEEL SECURE UNDER THE CURRENT UMBRELLA OF INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION. AND HE SEES NO REASON RIGHT NOW FOR ALBANIA TO SEE ITSELF AS A TARGET FOR WIDER MILITARY ACTION BY YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
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12-Apr-99 2:46 PM EDT (1846 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO BRIDGE - L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS SAY NATO MISSILES KNOCKED PART OF A PASSENGER TRAIN OFF A BRIDGE SOUTH OF BELGRADE. THEY SAY THE ATTACK KILLED NINE CIVILIANS, AND WOUNDED 16 MORE. NATO OFFICIALS CALL THE BRIDGE A LEGITIMATE MILITARY TARGET AND SAY THEY REGRET ANY CIVILIAN DEATHS. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: THE YUGOSLAV NEWS AGENCY TANJUG SAID THE ATTACK IGNITED THREE RAIL CARS AND THREW AT LEAST ONE CAR OFF THE BRIDGE.

IN BRUSSELS, NATO PRESS SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS FIORENZA SAYS THE BRIDGE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN GETTING SUPPLIES TO YUGOSLAV MILITARY FORCES OPERATING IN KOSOVO. HE SAYS IF THE TRAIN WAS HIT, IT WAS BY ACCIDENT.

THERE WAS NO INTENT TO HIT THE TRAIN. IN OPERATION ALLIED FORCE, WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO AVOID COLLATERAL CASUALTIES, BUT REGRETABLY WE CAN NOT EXCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF CASUALTIES.

AT THE PENTAGON, U-S AIR FORCE MAJOR GENERAL CHARLES WALD SAYS THE INCIDENT IS UNDER REVIEW BY NATO OFFICIALS, BUT INSISTS THE ALLIANCE PLANES WILL CONTINUE TO HIT BRIDGES AND RAILROADS THAT CARRY YUGOSLAV TROOPS OR MUNITIONS INTO KOSOVO.

WE'VE MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT LINES OF COMMUNICATION IN SERBIA ARE BEING ATTACKED. I'VE MENTIONED IT UP HERE PLENTY OF TIMES THAT WE ARE ATTACKING BRIDGES AND RAILROADS. AND I'VE ALSO SAID WE WILL DO EVERYTHING HUMANLY POSSIBLE TO AVOID COLLATERAL DAMAGE (CIVILIAN DEATHS) WITHOUT ACTUALLY PUTTING ANYBODY ELSE (NATO PILOTS) AT ADDITIONAL RISK.

THE ATTACK ON THE BRIDGE COMES AFTER NEARLY THREE WEEKS OF NATO AIR STRIKES ON SERB TARGETS ACROSS YUGOSLAVIA. THE ATTACKS BEGAN AS A WAY TO DETER SERB-LED YUGOSLAV ATTACKS ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO ONCE MADE UP A MAJORITY IN THE SERB PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. BUT GENERAL WALD SAYS SERB ATTACKS HAVE FORCED BETWEEN ONE MILLION AND ONE AND A HALF MILLION OF THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS OUT OF THEIR HOMES AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THEM OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

GENERAL WALD SAYS YUGOSLAV FORCES IN KOSOVO ARE USING CIVILIAN BUILDINGS TO HIDE TANKS AND ARMORED VEHICLES TO AVOID AIR ATTACK. HE SAYS THEY MAY ALSO BE LIMITING MOVEMENT BECAUSE AIR ATTACKS HAVE DESTROYED MUCH OF THE SERB FUEL SUPPLY. (SIGNED)
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12-Apr-99 4:30 PM EDT (2030 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO WRAP/MONDAY (L ONLY) BY JIM MALONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES SAY AT LEAST NINE PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND 16 INJURED MONDAY WHEN NATO AIRSTRIKES HIT A PASSENGER TRAIN CROSSING A BRIDGE SOUTH OF BELGRADE. MEANWHILE, NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IN BRUSSELS SAY THE BOMBING WILL CONTINUE UNTIL YUGOSLAVIA ENDS ITS CAMPAIGN AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE HAS A WRAP-UP OF MONDAY'S DEVELOPMENTS IN THE KOSOVO CRISIS.

TEXT: YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS SAY NATO AIRSTRIKES HIT A RAILWAY BRIDGE AND PASSENGER TRAIN IN SOUTHERN SERBIA. YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN NEBOJSA VUJOVIC (CBS RADIO) SAYS GREEK JOURNALISTS WERE AMONG THE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, INTERNATIONAL CITIZENS HAVE BEEN HURT. THERE WERE GREEK JOURNALISTS ON BOARD THE TRAIN WHO HAVE ALSO BEEN KILLED AND WOUNDED. SO THE WAR AND THE CASUALTIES ARE SPREADING.

NATO OFFICIALS IN BRUSSELS SAY THEY MAY HAVE HIT THE TRAIN BUT WERE NOT TARGETING IT DELIBERATELY. A STATEMENT EXPRESSED REGRET OVER CIVILIAN CASUALTIES AND SAID NATO REMAINS COMMITTED TO ATTACKING ONLY MILITARY TARGETS.

EARLIER NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MET FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE AIR CAMPAIGN BEGAN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA 20 DAYS AGO. NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA SAYS ALL 19 MINISTERS AGREED THE BOMBING CAMPAIGN WILL CONTINUE UNTIL PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AGREES TO WITHDRAW HIS FORCES FROM KOSOVO AND ACCEPT THE DEPLOYMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE THERE.

THE MESSAGE, I THINK, IS CLEAR. MILOSEVIC IS LOSING AND HE KNOWS HE IS LOSING. NATO IS UNITED. WE HAVE JUSTICE AND RIGHT ON OUR SIDE AND WE WILL PREVAIL.

HE (MILOSEVIC) CAN END IT TOMORROW. BUT UNTIL HE DOES, HE SHOULD BE UNDER NO ILLUSIONS THAT WE WILL END IT FROM WEARINESS. WE ARE DETERMINED TO CONTINUE ON THIS MISSION AND WE WILL PREVAIL BECAUSE OF YOU (U-S TROOPS) AND PEOPLE LIKE YOU (APPLAUSE FADES).

U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN IS STARTING TO ERODE MORALE WITHIN THE YUGOSLAV ARMED FORCES. MR. COHEN SAYS YUGOSLAV UNITS APPEAR LESS MOBILE AND ARE BEING HIT BY DESERTIONS.

BUT THERE IS GROWING CONCERN AMONG SOME MEMBERS OF THE U-S CONGRESS THAT AIRSTRIKES ALONE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO FORCE PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO BACK DOWN IN KOSOVO. REPUBLICAN SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN OF ARIZONA IS ONE OF SEVERAL LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH PARTIES URGING THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO PREPARE FOR THE POSSIBLE USE OF U-S GROUND TROOPS IN KOSOVO.

IT IS JUST FOOLISHNESS TO RULE OUT ANY OPTION. WE HAVE TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO WIN ONCE WE GET IN.

BUT JUST AS MANY LAWMAKERS SEEM OPPOSED TO SENDING IN U-S GROUND TROOPS. THIS IS DEMOCRATIC SENATOR BYRON DORGAN OF NORTH DAKOTA.

I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE INTRODUCTION OF U-S GROUND FORCES IN THE BALKANS. I BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY THAT THE NATO COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, MUST BEAR A GREATER RESPONSIBILITY OF THAT BURDEN.

PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL BE MEETING WITH LAWMAKERS OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO. THE REPUBLICAN SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, DENNIS HASTERT, SAYS A SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION WILL TRAVEL TO THE REGION SOON IN ADVANCE OF HEARINGS ON THE MATTER OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. (SIGNED)
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12-Apr-99 4:55 PM EDT (2055 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] BELGRADE MONDAY WRAP (L-ONLY) BY GUY DINMORE (BELGRADE)

INTRO: AT LEAST EIGHT CIVILIANS WERE KILLED MONDAY WHEN A NATO PLANE BOMBED A TRAIN IN SOUTHERN SERBIA. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE OUTRAGED AT THE GROWING NUMBER OF CIVILIAN CASUALTIES AND YUGOSLAVIA'S PARLIAMENT HAS VOTED TO JOIN AN ALLIANCE WITH RUSSIA AND BELARUS. GUY DINMORE REPORTS

TEXT: FOREIGN REPORTERS, TAKEN BY THE YUGOSLAV ARMY TO THE SITE OF THE AIR RAID, DESCRIBED A SCENE OF UTTER DEVASTATION. CHARRED BODIES WERE BEING PULLED FROM THE BURNED-OUT WRECKAGE OF A CARRIAGE HIT BY ONE BOMB, WHILE DIVERS WERE SCOURING THE RIVER BELOW FOR MORE VICTIMS. BY LATE AFTERNOON SERBIAN OFFICIALS CONFIRMED THAT AT LEAST EIGHT PEOPLE, INCLUDING ONE CHILD, HAD BEEN KILLED AND 16 WOUNDED.

THE TRAIN WAS TRAVELLING NORTH FROM THE TOWN OF VRANJE THROUGH THE WINDING GRDELICKA GORGE MID-MORNING MONDAY WHEN, ACCORDING TO SERBIAN OFFICIALS, A BOMB DROPPED FROM A PLANE BROKE THE OVERHEAD ELECTRICITY LINES. THE TRAIN GROUND TO A HALT ON A BRIDGE, CLOSE TO ANOTHER BRIDGE USED BY ROAD TRAFFIC. THE PLANE RETURNED FOR ANOTHER SORTIE AND A SECOND BOMB HIT THE TRAIN DIRECTLY.

NATO CONFIRMED IT HAD TARGETED THE BRIDGE BUT SAID IT HAD NOT INTENDED TO HIT THE TRAIN.

SUCH NATO EXPLANATIONS WERE REJECTED BY OFFICIALS IN BELGRADE WHERE PUBLIC OUTRAGE IS MOUNTING ALONG WITH THE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES FROM MORE THAN TWO WEEKS OF NATO AIR STRIKES. SERBIAN NEWSPAPERS MONDAY PUBLISHED A PICTURE OF A BABY GIRL KILLED ALONG WITH HER FATHER IN ANOTHER AIR RAID SUNDAY.

DEPUTY YUGOSLAV PRIME MINISTER VUK DRASKOVIC SAID NATO WAS INFLICTING COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT ON THE SERB NATION BY TARGETING CIVILIAN INFRASTRUCTURE -- SUCH AS FACTORIES, ROADS AND BRIDGES. HE SAID 70 MEMBERS FROM HIS PARTY ALONE HAD BEEN KILLED SO FAR. HE DID NOT HAVE OVERALL CIVILIAN CASUALTY FIGURES BUT ESTIMATED THAT SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE HAD DIED IN THE RAIDS BY NATO.

ENCOURAGED BY THE PREVAILING SENSE OF ANGER AMONG THE SERBIAN PEOPLE, YUGOSLAVIA'S PARLIAMENT VOTED MONDAY TO APPLY TO JOIN AN ALLIANCE WITH RUSSIA AND BELARUS. THE MOVE IS LARGELY SYMBOLIC, AND UNLIKELY TO LEAD TO MOSCOW SUPPLYING MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO BELGRADE. BUT IT REFLECTS A STRENGTHENING OF NATIONALISTS IN SERBIA AND COMMUNISTS IN RUSSIA WHO SEE EUROPE RETURNING TO ITS COLD WAR DAYS. (SIGNED)
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12-Apr-99 3:01 PM EDT (1901 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] AUSTRALIA / KOSOSVO SPY CLAIM (L-ONLY) BY BRONWYN CURRAN (SYDNEY)

INTRO: AUSTRALIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER DENIES THE ALLEGATION A CAPTIVE AUSTRALIAN AID WORKER SPIED ON YUGOSLAVIA. THE WORKER FOR "CARE AUSTRALIA" APPEARED ON YUGOSLAV STATE TELEVISION SUNDAY AND CONFESSED TO THE SPY CHARGE. BUT AS BRONWYN CURRAN IN SYDNEY REPORTS, THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT REJECTS THE CLAIM, AND HAS DEMANDED HIS IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

TEXT: STEVE PRATT, AND HIS AUSTRALIAN COLLEAGUE, PETER WALLACE, ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN DETAINED MARCH 31ST, AS THEY WERE TRYING TO CROSS THE YUGOSLAV BORDER INTO CROATIA. MR. PRATT HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF COLLECTING INFORMATION ON MILITARY AND POLICE MOVEMENTS BEFORE THE NATO BOMBING BEGAN, AND LATER ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF THE BOMBING.

BUT AUSTRALIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER, ALEXANDER DOWNER, SAYS THERE IS NO BASIS FOR THE ALLEGATIONS.

I HAVE TOLD THE YUGOSLAV AMBASSADOR THAT THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST MR. PRATT ARE SIMPLY PREPOSTEROUS. WE HAVE MADE EXTENSIVE ENQUIRIES, BOTH HERE AND OVERSEAS, AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT WE HAVE NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER THAT MR. PRATT ENGAGED IN INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES, AS ARE APPARENTLY ALLEGED BY THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT.

THE ALLEGATIONS ARE ALSO DENIED BY THE HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION, "CARE AUSTRALIA". SPOKESMAN BRIAN DOOLAN, WHO SAYS HE KNOWS MR. PRATT WELL, BELIEVES THE TELEVISED CONFESSION WAS FORCED.

HE DID NOT MAKE IT OF HIS OWN FREE WILL. THE STATEMENT HE WAS FORCED TO GIVE WAS BASELESS AND RIDDLED WITH INCONSISTENCY.

MR. PRATT'S PREGNANT WIFE, SAMIRA, HAS BEEN MONITORING EVENTS FROM THE HUNGARIAN CAPITAL, BUDAPEST. SHE ALSO SAYS HER HUSBAND IS INNOCENT AND THE CONFESSION WAS MADE UNDER DURESS.

HE IS NOT CONFESSING. THESE ACCUSATIONS ARE FALSE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THEM. I THINK HE HAS BEEN TOLD TO SAY SOMETHING. MAYBE HE MEANT TO DO IT (MAKE THE CONFESSION), JUST TO SHOW THE PEOPLE HE IS SAFE OR SOMETHING. FOR GOD'S SAKE, HE IS NOT (A SPY) ... HE IS AN AID WORKER.

FOREIGN MINISTER DOWNER MET WITH YUGOSLAVIA'S AMBASSADOR TO AUSTRALIA TO DEMAND MR. PRATT'S RELEASE. AMBASSADOR DRAGAN DRAGOLJLOVIC SAYS HE HAS ASKED HIS GOVERNMENT TO FREE THE TWO AID WORKERS, BUT IS NOT SURE IF THEY WILL BE RELEASED.

I CANNOT FORCE MY GOVERNMENT TO RELEASE THEM BECAUSE IF THEY DID SOMETHING AGAINST THE LAW I CANNOT TELL TO MY GOVERNMENT *YES YOU MUST RELEASE THEM'.

AUSTRALIAN DIPLOMATS IN YUGOSLAVIA MET (MONDAY) WITH BELGRADE AUTHORITIES FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE MATTER. MEANWHILE, THERE IS STILL NO SIGN OF THE OTHER MISSING AID WORKER PETER WALLACE, NOR ANY INDICATION OF WHERE HE OR MR. PRATT ARE BEING HELD. (SIGNED)
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12-Apr-99 7:17 AM EDT (1117 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] MONTENEGRO / SERBIA (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: THE PRESIDENT OF THE YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO WARNS BELGRADE AGAINST TRYING TO DESTABILIZE HIS GOVERNMENT. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON REPORTS THE MONTEGRIN LEADER MADE THE COMMENTS IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE BRITISH DAILY TELEGRAPH NEWSPAPER.

TEXT: MONTENEGRO'S PRESIDENT MILO DJUKANOVIC IS NOT AN ALLY OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. SINCE HIS ELECTION MORE THAN ONE YEAR AGO, THE REFORM-MINDED 35-YEAR-OLD POLITICIAN HAS RESISTED BELGRADE'S EFFORTS TO DOMINATE HIS GOVERNMENT. HE HAS TRIED TO DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM BELGRADE'S POLICIES ON ALMOST EVERY ISSUE, INCLUDING THE MILITARY CAMPAIGN IN KOSOVO.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DAILY TELEGRAPH NEWSPAPER, MR DJUKANOVIC ACCUSES PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC OF TRYING TO MANIPULATE THE YUGOSLAV ARMY IN MONTENEGRO. HE WARNS THAT ANY ATTEMPT TO OVERTHROW HIS ADMINISTRATION WOULD FUEL CIVIL WAR AMONG MONTENEGRINS, AS HE PUT IT, WITH ALL THE PASSIONS AND EMOTIONS OF WHICH THEY ARE CAPABLE.

MONTENEGRO'S POPULATION OF 600-THOUSAND IS SHARPLY DIVIDED BETWEEN REFORMERS AND SERB NATIONALISTS LOYAL TO BELGRADE.

PRESIDENT DJUKANOVIC SAYS HE IS CONVINCED BELGRADE WILL USE THE DECLARED STATE OF WAR TO CONFRONT THE CIVILIAN AUTHORITIES AND IMPOSE MARITAL LAW IN HIS REPUBLIC. HE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT TEN-THOUSAND POLICE LOYAL TO HIM WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH TO RESIST ANY COUP ATTEMPT. BUT HE SAYS ORDINARY CITIZENS WOULD JOIN THE STRUGGLE. STILL, MR. DJUKANOVIC DISMISSES SUGGESTIONS OF DECLARING INDEPENDENCE. HE TOLD THE BRITISH NEWSPAPER THE FUTURE OF MONTENEGRO REMAINS WITHIN A YUGOSLAV FEDERATION BASED ON DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES.

HE SAYS NATO SHOULD STOP THE BOMBING AND HELP BUILD DEMOCRACY IN YUGOSLAVIA. HE CALLS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC A MAN WHOSE TIME IS PAST AND SAYS THE FORMER COMMUNIST PARTY BUREAUCRAT CAN BE DEFEATED AT THE POLLS. (SIGNED)
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12-Apr-99 6:54 AM EDT (1054 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] MACEDONIA / BORDER (L ONLY) BY EVE CONANT (JAZHINCE)

INTRO: THE MACEDONIAN BORDER POINT OF JAZHINCE (YAZH' INCE) IS ONE OF THE PLACES WHERE THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES CROSSED OVER FROM KOSOVO. FROM THE VILLAGE OVERLOOKING THE BORDER POINT, ONE CAN SEE THE KOSOVAR VILLAGE OF LOBOCHICA (LO' BO CHIT' SA). V-O-A'S EVE CONANT TALKED WITH VILLAGERS FROM JAZHINCE, MACEDONIA.

TEXT: VILLAGERS HERD COWS AND SHEEP THROUGH THE STONE ALLEYWAYS OF THIS TINY VILLAGE. MOST OF THE ONE-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO LIVE HERE JUST NEED TO LOOK OUT THEIR WINDOWS AND THEY CAN SEE INTO NEIGHBORING KOSOVO. SEVENTY-YEAR-OLD ZULFI SELMANI (ZUL'-FI SEL-MA'-NI) IS A FARMER WHO HAS LIVED IN JAZHINCE HIS ENTIRE LIFE. HE USES HIS TWISTED WOODEN CANE TO POINT TO OTHER SIDE.

THERE ARE STILL SOME PEOPLE INSIDE THE VILLAGE - -HE SAYS IN A SHAKY VOICE -- THEY CAME FROM OTHER CITIES TO CROSS THE BORDER, BUT THEY ARE STILL WAITING.

THE ELDERLY MR. SELMANI THEN POINTS TO A GRASSY HILL ACROSS THE SMALL VALLEY.

THERE ARE TANKS OVER THERE, NEAR THAT ANTENNA -- HE SAYS -- THEY ARE DUG INTO THE GROUND SO YOU CANNOT SEE THEM.

ON THE OTHER SIDE ONE CAN SEE SEVERAL WHITE HOUSES WITH RED ROOFS, A SCHOOL BUILDING, AND EVEN SOME PEOPLE WALKING. ON CLOSER INSPECTION WITH BINOCULARS, IT IS CLEAR THE PEOPLE ARE SERB SOLDIERS IN UNIFORM. THEY NOTICE THEY ARE BEING WATCHED.

MR. SELMANI IS JOINED BY A NEIGHBOR, A YOUNGER ALBANIAN FARMER NAMED FETAH EMINI (FEH'-TA E-MI'-NI).

I HEAR MANY EXPLOSIONS OVER THERE -- HE SAYS -- BUT I THINK THAT'S MOSTLY FROM ANIMALS WALKING OVER LANDMINES.

HE POINTS TO ABOUT 100 PARKED CARS, AND EXPLAINS THAT THEY ARE THE CARS LEFT BEHIND BY KOSOVAR ALBANIANS. HE SAYS SERB SOLDIERS TOOK THE CARS FROM THE REFUGEES BEFORE ALLOWING THEM TO ESCAPE INTO MACEDONIA.

THE VIEW FROM THIS HILLSIDE VILLAGE IS SIMILAR TO WHAT CAN BE SEEN ACROSS FROM OTHER BORDER POINTS BETWEEN MACEDONIA AND THE SERB PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. ABANDONED HOUSES, ABANDONED CARS, EMPTY STREETS AND EERIE SILENCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/EC/JWH/PLM
12-Apr-99 5:52 AM EDT (0952 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] MACEDONIA/REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY EVE CONANT (SKOPJE)

INTRO: SEVERAL HUNDRED MORE ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO HAVE CROSSED THE BORDER INTO MACEDONIA AT BLACE. CORRESPONDENT EVE CONANT REPORTS FROM SKOPJE ON THEIR FIRST HOURS IN A REFUGEE CAMP.

TEXT: ///NAT CROWD SOUND--IN FULL, THEN UNDER AND OUT/// THESE 300 OR SO REFUGEES HAVE JUST BEEN GIVEN ORANGES, BANANAS, WATER AND BREAD. THEY SIT IN SMALL CLUSTERS, PEELING ORANGES, AND STUFFING CARTONS OF JUICE INTO TATTERED LUGGAGE. ONE WOMAN FILLS AN OLD BROWN SUITCASE WITH LOAVES OF BREAD.

U-N REFUGEE WORKERS ARE TRYING TO KEEP ORDER WITH THE NEW ARRIVALS. ONE WORKER TELLS A TRANSLATOR WITH A MEGAPHONE WHAT TO SAY TO A QUIKLY FORMING LINE FOR FOOD.

FATMIR BUCA ('FAT-MIR 'BUT-SA), WHO WORKED AS AN ECONOMIST IN KOSOVO, SITS CROSS-LEGGED ON THE GROUND AND HELPS HIS YOUNG DAUGHTER PEEL A BANANA. LIKE THE OTHER REFUGEES, HIS STORY OF THE OTHER SIDE IS A BRUTAL ONE. HE SAYS HE WAS ON A TRAIN PASSING A MILITARY BASE IN THE KOSOVO VILLAGE OF UROSHEVAC (OORO-'SHE-VATS). FROM HIS WINDOW HE SAW SERB SOLDIERS FORCING CIVILIANS TO STAND AROUND A TANK.

ADITA MUSLIU (A-'D-ITA MIS-'LIYOO), A FRECKLY-FACED 21-YEAR-OLD, SAYS SHE REMEMBERS ONLY ONE THING FROM THE OTHER SIDE.

ONLY SHOOTING, SHOOTING EVERYWHERE.

I AM HERE TO FIND MY FAMILY, MY FATHER AND MY MOTHER. AND I FOUND THEM TODAY.

THEY NEW ARRIVALS WILL BE REGISTERED AND THEN GIVEN SPACE IN ONE OF THE THOUSANDS OF TENTS SET UP HERE. THE FIELD WHERE THEY SIT AND DEVOUR THE FRUIT IS ONLY 10 KILOMETERS FROM KOSOVO. BUT NOW THEIR GREATEST CONCERN IS TO FIND LOST FAMILY MEMBERS, THEN EAT, AND SLEEP IN PEACE. (SIGNED)
NEB/EC/PCF
12-Apr-99 11:39 AM EDT (1539 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] ALBRIGHT / KOSOVO (S) BY KYLE KING (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS NATO IS CONSIDERING SOME FORM OF AN INTERNATIONAL PROTECTORATE IN KOSOVO IN SOUTHERN YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S KYLE KING HAS THIS REPORT FROM THE NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IN BRUSSELS.

TEXT: MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS AMONG NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE FOCUSED ON DIFFERENT WAYS TO ALLOW ETHNIC-ALBANIAN REFUGEES TO RETURN TO KOSOVO.

SHE SAID THE OBJECT IS TO FIND A WAY TO LET THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS EXERCISE SELF-GOVERNMENT WITHOUT FEAR OF REPRESSION FROM YUGOSLAVIA'S SERB FORCES.

THERE IS DISCUSSION OF SOME KIND OF AN INTERNATIONAL PROTECTIVE STATUS, THAT IS AMONG THOSE THAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT.

MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS DISCUSSIONS ON THE ULTIMATE STATUS OF THE SERBIAN PROVINCE ARE INFORMAL AND NO DECISION HAS BEEN REACHED.

ASKED IF THE PROVINCE MIGHT WIND UP DIVIDED INTO SERB AND ETHNIC-ALBANIAN SECTIONS, SHE SAID THAT WAS AN IDEA THAT WENT AGAINST THE THEORIES OF A MULTI-ETHNIC SOCIETY. (SIGNED) NEB/KBK/LTD/JO/RAE
12-Apr-99 1:52 PM EDT (1752 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] ALBRIGHT / KOSOVO (L) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS MONDAY'S NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IN BRUSSELS DEMONSTRATED ALLIANCE UNITY ON THE SUBJECT OF KOSOVO. SHE SAYS NATO IS NOW CONSIDERING THE CREATION OF AN INTERNATIONAL PROTECTORATE THAT WOULD ALLOW REFUGEES TO RETURN HOME SAFELY ONCE THE FIGHTING STOPS. VOA'S KYLE KING HAS THIS REPORT FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS AMONG NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE FOCUSED ON DIFFERENT WAYS TO ALLOW ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES TO RETURN TO KOSOVO.

SHE SAID THE OBJECT IS TO FIND A WAY TO LET REFUGEES RETURN HOME WITHOUT FEAR FROM SERB FORCES AND TO ESTABLISH SOME FORM OF DEMOCRATIC SELF-GOVERNMENT.

THERE IS DISCUSSION OF SOME KIND OF AN INTERNATIONAL PROTECTIVE STATUS, THAT IS AMONG THOSE THAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT.

MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS DISCUSSIONS OF THE ULTIMATE STATUS OF THE SERB PROVINCE ARE INFORMAL AND NO DECISION HAS BEEN REACHED.

ASKED ABOUT A POSSIBLE PARTITION OF THE PROVINCE INTO SERB AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN SECTIONS, SHE SAID THE IDEA APPEARED IMPRACTICAL AND WENT AGAINST THEORIES OF A MULTI-ETHNIC SOCIETY.

MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS THE GOAL IS TO CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE RETURN OF REFUGEES AND SHE SAID AGAIN SERB TROOPS, POLICE AND PARAMILITARY FORCES MUST LEAVE KOSOVO.

THE SECRETARY SAYS SHE IS DISTURBED BY GROWING EVIDENCE OF ATROCITIES AND MASS GRAVES IN THE PROVINCE.

MS. ALBRIGHT ACCUSED SERB FORCES OF TRYING TO STARVE MORE THAN A HALF MILLION ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES WHO HAVE BEEN DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES BUT TRAPPED INSIDE THE PROVINCE.

AS MANY AS 700 THOUSAND PEOPLE ARE AT RISK INSIDE KOSOVO. IT APPEARS THAT BELGRADE IS DELIBERATELY DEPRIVING THEM OF FOOD AND SHELTER. IF THESE PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO DIE WE WILL HOLD SERB AUTHORITIES ACCOUNTABLE.

MS. ALBRIGHT SAID THE ALLIANCE WAS LOOKING AT WAYS TO ASSIST THE REFUGEES AND SHE HAD BEEN IN CONTACT WITH GREEK AUTHORITIES WHO HAVE BEEN HELPFUL.

THE SECRETARY SAYS THE ALLIANCE WILL ALSO BE WORKING WITH THE OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION TO TRY TO STABILIZE THE BALKANS. SHE SAYS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CRISIS LIES WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND SHE VOWED NATO WOULD CONTINUE ON ITS PRESENT COURSE UNTIL THE SITUATION IS RESOLVED.

MS. ALBRIGHT MEETS TUESDAY WITH RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV IN OSLO FOR TALKS ON THE CRISIS. DESPITE STRONG RUSSIAN OPPOSITION TO THE USE OF NATO AIR STRIKES, MS. ALBRIGHT SAID RUSSIA HAS PLAYED A USEFUL ROLE IN BOSNIA AND IN THE SEARCH FOR PEACE IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/KK/ENE/KL
12-Apr-99 2:01 PM EDT (1801 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] ALBRIGHT/RUSSIA (O'NITER) (S) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPT)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT AND RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV MEET IN OSLO TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR TALKS ON THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO. VOA'S KYLE KING IS TRAVELING WITH THE SECRETARY.

TEXT: EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS DESCRIBE THE OSLO MEETING AS AN EFFORT TO GET RUSSIA BACK ON BOARD SO IT CAN PLAY A CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN ANY DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION IN KOSOVO.

RUSSIA HAS BEEN A FIERCE CRITIC OF NATO AIR STRIKES AGAINST SERB-LED YUGOSLAVIA.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS RUSSIA HAS PLAYED A CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN EFFORTS TO BRING PEACE TO THE BALKANS. DESPITE DIFFERENCES OVER KOSOVO, SHE SAYS SHE WANTS MOSCOW AND THE WEST TO WORK TOGETHER.

I EXPECT WHEN I MEET WITH FOREIGN MINISTER IVANOV WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT WHAT THE COMMON APPROACH TO THIS CAN BE.

IN AN EFFORT EASE RUSSIAN OPPOSITION TO NATO INVOLVEMENT IN KOSOVO, ALLIANCE OFFICIALS HAVE STOPPED CALLING FOR A PURELY NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE. OFFICIALS ARE NOW CALLING FOR AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE THAT COULD INCLUDE RUSSIAN TROOPS. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PHW/WFR
12-Apr-99 7:12 PM EDT (2312 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON (MONDAY) PAID ANOTHER VISIT TO U-S SERVICE PERSONNEL SUPPORTING THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN IN THE BALKANS. HE WARNED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC THAT NATO WILL PERSIST IN THE AIR STRIKES UNTIL HE ACCEPTS THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE PLAN FOR KOSOVO. DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THE PRESIDENT WENT TO BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE IN LOUISIANA, WHERE B-52 BOMBERS AND OTHER U-S PLANES INVOLVED IN THE AIR STRIKES ARE BASED.

IN AN ADDRESS TO TWO-THOUSAND SERVICE PERSONNEL AND OTHERS, HE PLEDGED TO PERSIST AND PREVAIL IN THE MILITARY DRIVE AGAINST YUGOSLAV FORCES -- IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE KOSOVO CRISIS FROM SPREADING INSTABILITY ELSEWHERE IN EUROPE.

MR. CLINTON SAID THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES HAD DONE EVERYTHING TO AVOID THE CONFLICT, WHICH IS GENERATING WHAT HE SAID ARE -- TRULY CHILLING REPORTS OF YUGOSLAV ATROCITIES:

SERB SECURITY FORCES HERDING ALBANIAN VILLAGES TOGETHER, GUNNING THEM DOWN WITH AUTOMATIC WEAPONS AND SETTING THEM ON FIRE. TELLING VILLAGERS: LEAVE OR WE WILL KILL YOU. SEPARATING FAMILY MEMBERS. LOADING UP BUSES AND TRAINS, CARRYING SOME TO THE BORDERS AND SOME TO BE SLAUGHTERED. CONFISCATING IDENTITY PAPERS AND PROPERTY RECORDS. SEEKING LITERALLY TO ERASE THE PRESENCE OF THESE PEOPLE IN THEIR OWN LAND, FOREVER. WE MUST NOT LET THAT HAPPEN.

MR. CLINTON URGED MR. MILOSEVIC TO ACCEPT THE PRINCIPLES OF THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE PLAN FOR KOSOVO, INCLUDING A NATO-LED SECURITY FORCE TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF THE PROVINCE, INCLUDING THE SERB MINORITY.

HE ALSO SAID THE BELGRADE LEADER SHOULD NOT BE UNDER ANY ILLUSION THAT HE CAN RIDE OUT THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN FOR EASIER TERMS LATER:

THE UNITED STATES SEEKS NO TERRITORIAL ADVANTAGE. EUROPE SEEKS ONLY STABILITY, SECURITY, FREEDOM, AND DEMOCRACY FOR THOSE PEOPLE. HE CAN END IT TOMORROW. BUT UNTIL HE DOES, HE SHOULD BE UNDER NO ILLUSIONS THAT WE WILL END IT FROM WEARINESS. WE ARE DETERMINED TO CONTINUE ON THIS MISSION. AND WE WILL PREVAIL. BECAUSE OF YOU, AND PEOPLE LIKE YOU. (APPLAUSE)

BRIEFING REPORTERS AT THE AIRBASE, DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAID THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN IS REDUCING THE MOBILITY AND CUTTING THE MORALE OF SERB UNITS IN THE FIELD -- THIS IS EVIDENCED BY WHAT HE SAID ARE INTELLIGENCE REPORTS OF DESERTIONS AND RESISTANCE TO RESERVE CALL-UPS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/LTD/RAE
12-Apr-99 12:45 PM EDT (1645 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[15] COHEN/KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THE NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN IS BEGINNING SHOW RESULTS -- INCLUDING THE EROSION OF MORALE AMONG YUGOSLAV FORCES. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. COHEN SAYS THE FOCUS OF THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN HAS MOVED TO WHAT HE TERMS AGGRESSIVE ATTACKS ON YUGOSLAV UNITS IN THE FIELD. AND HE SAYS THERE ARE ALREADY RESULTS -- INCLUDING REDUCED MOBILITY AND DECLINING MORALE AS EVIDENCED BY DESERTIONS AND GROWING EFFORTS BY YOUNG YUGOSLAVS TO EVADE RESERVE CALL-UPS.

IN A BRIEFING FOR REPORTERS AT BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE IN LOUISIANA, MR. COHEN DECLINED TO QUANTIFY THE DESERTION PROBLEM AMONG SERB FORCES. BUT HE SAID IT WOULD INTENSIFY AS THE AIRSTRIKES CONTINUE TO TARGET FIELD UNITS:

THEY ARE NOW STARTING TO BE TARGETED. THEY ARE NOW STARTING TO FEEL THAT PAIN AND AGONY. THAT IS GOING TO INTENSIFY. AND WE EXPECT IT WILL SEE EVEN GREATER LEVELS OF DESERTION.

MR. COHEN SAID NATO COMMANDERS STILL SEE NO NEED FOR GROUND FORCES IN KOSOVO OR EVEN TO UPDATE A STUDY OF SUCH A CONTINGENCY MADE LAST YEAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/ENE/JO
12-Apr-99 1:25 PM EDT (1725 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[16] CONGRESS-KOSOVO HOLDING SPOT (S ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: HEATED DEBATE IS EXPECTED IN THE U-S CONGRESS THIS WEEK, AS MEMBERS RETURN FROM A TWO-WEEK RECESS. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS THERE ARE DEEP DIVISIONS ON KOSOVO.

TEXT: THOSE DIVISIONS CROSS PARTY LINES. NINE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WHO WENT TO THE BALKANS LAST WEEK ARE URGING PRESIDENT CLINTON TO CONSIDER THE USE OF GROUND TROOPS. OTHERS ARE CALLING FOR AN END TO THE OPERATION AND A FEW CONGRESSMEN ARE QUESTIONING THE LEGALITY OF THE MISSION UNDER THE U-S CONSTITUTION.

SEVERAL PROPOSED PIECES OF LEGISLATION ARE CIRCULATING IN CONGRESS DEALING WITH KOSOVO, BUT NONE HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR A VOTE. A SPOKESMAN FOR HOUSE REPUBLICAN PARTY LEADER RICHARD ARMEY, SAYS MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE WITH ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS BEFORE THEY TAKE ACTION.

PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL BE PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS. HE MEETS LATER (5:30 PM EDT) AT THE WHITE HOUSE WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS. TUESDAY, HE WILL MEET WITH A WIDER GROUP OF LAWMAKERS, INCLUDING THE CHAIRMEN OF KEY COMMITTEES. (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/LTD/RAE
12-Apr-99 10:17 AM EDT (1417 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[17] NATO FOREIGN MINISTER (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE MET FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE ALLIANCE BEGAN AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA NEARLY THREE WEEKS AGO. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN AT NATO HEADQUARTERS REPORTS THE MEETING WAS ABOUT UNITY.

TEXT: THE 19 NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS ARE HERE TO LET YUGOSLAVIA KNOW THEY ARE UNIFIED ABOUT KEEPING THE BOMBING GOING ON FOR AS LONG AS NECESSARY. AS HE CAME INTO THE MEETING, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS THE MINISTERS ALSO AGREED NOT TO LET YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC GET AWAY WITH THE ETHNIC CLEANSING OF ALBANIANS FROM KOSOVO.

THERE CAN BE NO SETTLEMENT THAT DOES NOT REVERSE THE PROGRAM OF ETHNIC CLEANSING WHICH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC BRUTALLY CARRIED OUT IN KOSOVO. ANYTHING LESS THAN THAT WILL BE TO REWARD HIM FOR EMPTYING KOSOVO OF ITS PEOPLE. THAT IS WHY I AM QUITE CONFIDENT THAT TODAY THE NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL WILL CONFIRM THAT OUR OBJECTIVE MUST BE TO ENABLE THOSE REFUGEES TO RETURN TO THEIR HOME AND TO DO SO WITH AN INTERNATIONAL GUARANTEE OF THEIR SECURITY THROUGH A GROUND FORCE IN KOSOVO MAKING SURE A CEASEFIRE STICKS AND THEY CAN RE BUILD THEIR SHATTERED HOME.

AS THE MINISTERS DISCUSS THAT POST-BOMBING SCENARIO, THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THEM ABOUT WHETHER ALL SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES SHOULD LEAVE KOSOVO OR WHETHER SOME CAN BE ALLOWED TO STAY.

U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SEEMS TO LEAVE THAT QUESTION OPEN TO DISCUSSION IN HER REMARKS TO REPORTERS TRAVELING WITH HER FROM WASHINGTON TO BRUSSELS. HOWEVER, HER SPOKESMAN, JAMES RUBIN, SAYS THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S REMARKS WERE MISINTERPRETED.

ALL THE ALLIES ARE COMMITTED THAT THE FORCES --THAT IS THE PARAMILITARY FORCES, THE POLICE FORCES, THE MILITARY FORCES -- THAT ARE IN KOSOVO HAVE TO LEAVE . IT IS OUR STRONG PREFERENCE THAT MEANS ALL THE FORCES HAVE TO LEAVE AND THE SECRETARY MERELY EXPLAINED THE CONSENSUS OF THE NATO ALLIANCE WHICH IS THAT THE FORCES INVOLVED HAVE TO LEAVE. BUT ANY SUGGESTION THAT WE ARE OPENING THE DOOR TO SERB FORCES REMAINING IS INCORRECT.

THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER SUGGESTIONS THAT SOME SERB FORCES COULD REMAIN IN KOSOVO TO PROTECT THE SERBIAN MINORITY AND SERBIAN ORTHODOX MONASTERIES IN KOSOVO. THE TIMING AND CONDITIONS FOR THE ENTRY OF NATO LED PEACEKEEPERS IN KOSOVO IS LIKELY TO SPARK THE MOST DISCUSSION IN THIS ONE DAY MEETING. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/JWH/PLM
12-Apr-99 7:29 AM EDT (1129 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[18] NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS UPDATE (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE AGREED TO CONTINUE AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA UNTIL THE ALLIANCE'S DEMANDS ARE MET IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS, THE 19 MINISTERS AGREE ON SOME FAMILIAR PRINCIPLES BUT LEFT THE SORTING OUT OF DETAILS UNTIL LATER.

TEXT: NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS ALL AGREE THAT THE BOMBING WILL CONTINUE UNTIL YUGOSLAVIA AGREES TO ENSURE THE WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO OF ITS MILITARY, POLICE AND PARAMILITARY FORCES. NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA SAYS IT MEANS ALL FORCES. OTHER MINISTERS ACKNOWLEDGE SOME SERBIAN PRESENCE MAY BE NECESSARY TO PROTECT SERBIAN ORTHODOX MONASTERIES IN KOSOVO.

THE MINISTERS ALSO SUPPORT ANOTHER PRINCIPLE BEFORE THE BOMBING STOPS -- NAMELY, YUGOSLAVIA MUST AGREE TO THE STATIONING OF AN INTERNATIONAL MILITARY PRESENCE LED BY NATO. AGAIN, SECRETARY GENERAL SOLANA SAYS IT MUST BE SO.

THE NATO COUNTRIES, WHICH WITHOUT ANY DOUBT WILL BE THE MOST IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTOR TO ANY FORCE DEPLOYED IN KOSOVO, WILL NOT BE PREPARED TO DEPLOY WITHOUT ANY OTHER SCHEME IN WHICH THEY ARE PREPARED TO WORK -- AND THAT IS THE SCHEME OF NATO. THE LABEL MAY BE SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

MR. SOLANA SAYS THE MODEL IS THE STABILIZATION FORCE IN BOSNIA -- WHICH IS NATO-LED, BUT INCLUDES RUSSIA AND OTHER NATO PARTNERS WITHOUT THE "NATO" LABEL. THE FRENCH AND GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTERS ARE SUGGESTING OTHER LABELS TO MAKE THE KOSOVO FORCE MORE ACCEPTABLE TO RUSSIA.

WHILE THE MINISTERS DID NOT DECIDE ON THE DETAILS OF THE SERBIAN WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO OR THE PARTICULARS OF THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE, THEY DID HEAR AN OPTIMISTIC REPORT FROM NATO THAT THE BOMBING IS ACCOMPLISHING ITS OBJECTIVES AFTER NEARLY THREE WEEKS. AGAIN, SECRETARY GENERAL SOLANA.

LET ME SAY THAT OUR AIR OPERATIONS ARE TAKING A HEAVY TOLL OF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S ARMY AND SECURITY FORCE. WE ARE TIGHTENING THE SCREW ON THOSE FORCES IN KOSOVO WHICH ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPRESSING CIVILIANS.

MR. SOLANA SAYS NATO'S PRIME OBJECTIVE IS TO GET THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KOSOVO ALBANIANS RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES. HE CAUTIONS THIS WILL BE A LONG PROCESS BECAUSE SO MANY OF THEIR HOMES HAVE BEEN BURNT DOWN OR BLASTED BY SERBIAN ARTILLERY. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/PCF
12-Apr-99 12:16 PM EDT (1616 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: BRITISH OFFICIALS SAY BAD WEATHER IS NO LONGER HAMPERING NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST SERB MILITARY TARGETS. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON ALSO REPORTS BRITISH DEFENSE SECRETARY GEORGE ROBERTSON HINTS AT DISSENT WITHIN THE YUGOSLAV MILITARY, BUT HE OFFERS NO SPECIFICS.

TEXT: BRITISH DEFENSE SECRETARY GEORGE ROBERTSON SAYS THERE ARE SIGNS OF REBELLION WITHIN YUGOSLAV ARMY RANKS. BUT HE REFUSES TO OFFER ANY EVIDENCE.

THESE INDICATIONS ARE COMING THROUGH FROM A VARIETY OF DIRECTIONS THAT SUGGEST THAT MILITARY COMMANDERS INSIDE YUGOSLAVIA, AND ESPECIALLY LOCAL COMMANDERS INSIDE KOSOVO, CANNOT POSSIBLY BE HAPPY WITH A SITUATION WHERE THEIR CAPABILITIES ARE BEING SO SYSTEMATICALLY DEGRADED BY THE NATO AIR STRIKES.

BRITISH CHIEF OF STAFF CHARLES GUTHRIE SAYS BETTER INTELLIGENCE FROM INSIDE YUGOSLAVIA HAS LET NATO CONTINUE BOMBING RAIDS DESPITE BAD WEATHER.

MANY OF NATO AIRCRAFT WERE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTE THEIR ATTACKS, PARTICULARLY AGAINST SERB ARMY AND SPECIAL POLICE FORCES IN KOSOVO.

GENERAL GUTHRIE SAYS NATO ALSO TARGETED A FUEL DEPOT IN KOSOVO. ONCE AGAIN, THE BRITISH GENERAL RULED OUT THE USE OF NATO GROUND FORCES TO INVADE KOSOVO.

DEFENSE SECRETARY ROBERTSON DENOUNCES WHAT HE CALLS BELGRADE'S CAMPAIGN OF LIES. HE LISTS SEVERAL NEWSPAPER REPORTS FROM YUGOSLAVIA CLAIMING THAT 32 NATO JETS HAD BEEN SHOT DOWN AND DOZENS OF ALLIED TROOPS HAD DESERTED.

THE SERB PEOPLE ARE BEING SYSTEMATICALLY MISLED BY THE PROPAGANDA OF THE GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED MEDIA.

MR. ROBERTSON ALSO CONDEMNS THE MURDER IN BELGRADE OF NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER SLAVKO CURUVIJA, AN OUTSPOKEN CRITIC OF THE GOVERNMENT OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/RAE
12-Apr-99 8:16 AM EDT (1216 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[20] RUSSIA / HUNGARY CONVOY (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA HAS FILED A FORMAL PROTEST WITH HUNGARY OVER DETENTION OF A CONVOY OF HUMANITARIAN AID BOUND FOR YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS A RUSSIAN MINISTER HAS FLOWN TO BUDAPEST TO ARRANGE THE CONVOY'S PASSAGE.

TEXT: HUNGARY'S AMBASSADOR TO MOSCOW WAS SUMMONED TO THE FOREIGN MINISTRY MONDAY. RUSSIAN OFFICIALS SAY THE AMBASSADOR RECEIVED A FORMAL COMPLAINT ABOUT WHAT IS DESCRIBED AS "THE FAR-FETCHED PRETEXT USED TO DETAIN HUMANITARIAN CARGO" BEING SENT TO BELGRADE.

THE INTERFAX NEWS AGENCY QUOTED FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV AS SAYING THE DETENTION IS A "FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF RIGHTS AND NORMS".

HUNGARIAN CUSTOMS OFFICIALS STOPPED THE 73-TRUCK CONVOY AT THE UKRAINE BORDER SATURDAY AFTER FIVE MILITARY VEHICLES WERE FOUND TO BE HEAVILY-ARMOR PLATED. A SUBSEQUENT SEARCH SHOWED TEN OTHER TRUCKS WERE LOADED WITH 56 TONS OF DIESEL FUEL.

BOTH ARMOR PLATED VEHICLES AND DIESEL FUEL ARE AMONG ITEMS PROHIBITED UNDER UNITED NATIONS EMBARGO RESOLUTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA.

THE LEADER OF THE RUSSIAN CONVOY SAID THE FUEL WAS NEEDED SO THE CONVOY WOULD NOT HAVE TO PURCHASE DIESEL ALONG THE WAY. BUT A HUNGARIAN CIVIL DEFENSE SPOKESMAN IS QUOTED AS SAYING DIESEL FUEL CANNOT BE CONSIDERED AID, AND 56 TONS IS MORE THAN THE CONVOY NEEDS.

A RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL WARNED THE INCIDENT COULD HARM RELATIONS BETWEEN MOSCOW AND BUDAPEST. HE NOTED THE SAME TRUCKS CURRENTLY BEING DETAINED HAD PASSED THE BORDER WITH HUMANITARIAN AID SHIPMENTS SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT, BEFORE HUNGARY BECAME A NATO COUNTRY.

RUSSIA'S EMERGENCIES MINISTER SERGEI SHOIGU FLEW TO BUDAPEST LATE SUNDAY TO TRY TO NEGOTIATE PASSAGE FOR THE CARGO. HIS SPOKESMAN PREDICTED TOUGH TALKS, SAYING THE MINISTER WOULD NOT COMPROMISE. MEANWHILE, THE CONVOY'S HUMANITARIAN CARGO OF FOOD, MEDICINES, AND BLANKETS REMAINS STRANDED FOR A THIRD DAY AT THE UKRAINIAN BORDER. THE CARGO WAS ORIGINALLY DUE TO ARRIVE IN BELGRADE SUNDAY, THE ORTHODOX EASTER. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/JWH/PLM
12-Apr-99 5:58 AM EDT (0958 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[21] RUSSIA/HUNGARY CONVOY (L UPDATE) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA HAS RESOLVED A DISPUTE WITH HUNGARY OVER A CONVOY OF HUMANITARIAN AID BOUND FOR YUGOSLAVIA. VOA MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS THE CONVOY IS BACK ON THE ROAD AFTER A TWO-DAY DELAY, BUT WITHOUT FUEL AND EQUIPMENT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN USED BY YUGOSLAVIA'S ARMED FORCES.

TEXT: HUNGARY AGREED TO LET THE HUMANITARIAN CARGO PASS MONDAY, AFTER URGENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH RUSSIAN OFFICIALS, AND A WARNING FROM MOSCOW THAT FURTHER DELAY WOULD CAUSE A SERIOUS BLOW TO BILATERAL RELATIONS.

BUT IN THE END, IT WAS RUSSIA THAT BACKED DOWN.

HUNGARIAN CUSTOMS OFFICIALS STOPPED THE 73-TRUCK CONVOY SATURDAY AT THE UKRAINIAN BORDER. THEY SAID WHILE THE CARGO INCLUDED MOSTLY FOOD, MEDICINES AND BLANKETS, IT ALSO CONTAINED ARMORED MILITARY VEHICLES AND 56 TONS OF DIESEL FUEL. THESE ITEMS ARE PROHIBITED BY U-N EMBARGOES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA.

UNDER THE DEAL REACHED MONDAY, THE ARMORED VEHICLES AND HALF THE FUEL WERE LEFT BEHIND.

THE HUNGARIAN MOVE TO BLOCK CARGO THAT COULD BE USED BY BELGRADE'S ARMED FORCES CAUSED CRIES OF OUTRAGE IN MOSCOW. A FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN CALLED IT THE FIRST REAL TEST OF RELATIONS BETWEEN BUDAPEST AND MOSCOW SINCE HUNGARY JOINED NATO LAST MONTH.

MANY HERE STILL VIEW HUNGARY AS AN ALLY FROM WARSAW PACT DAYS.

OFFICIALS TRAVELLING WITH THE CONVOY ALSO CLEARLY LINKED THE HUNGARIAN REFUSAL TO ITS NEW TIES WITH THE WESTERN ALLIANCE. IN COMMENTS CARRIED ON RUSSIAN TELEVISION, ONE OFFICIAL COMPLAINED THAT THE SAME ARMORED VEHICLES BARRED THIS TIME HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO TRANSIT HUNGARY ON SIMILAR AID MISSIONS DURING THE BOSNIAN CRISIS -- BEFORE BUDAPEST BECAME A NATO CAPITAL.

RUSSIAN SOURCES MONDAY SAID THE SHORTENED CONVOY IS EXPECTED TO REACH BELGRADE TUESDAY. IT HAD ORIGINALLY BEEN SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE SUNDAY, AS CHRISTIANS IN RUSSIA AND YUGOSLAVIA CELEBRATED THE ORTHODOX EASTER. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/PCF
12-Apr-99 11:03 AM EDT (1503 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[22] ISLAMIC RELIEF / KOSOVO BY NEJLA SAMMAKIA (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: MOSQUES AND ISLAMIC CENTERS IN THE WASHINGTON AREA HAVE BEGUN COLLECTING FUNDS TO HELP KOSOVAR ALBANIAN REFUGEES -- MOST OF WHOM ARE MUSLIM. NEJLA SAMMAKIA REPORTS ON THEIR EFFORTS.

TEXT: THE KOSOVO REFUGEE CRISIS HAS BECOME A CENTRAL THEME DURING RECENT FRIDAY SERMONS IN WASHINGTON AND ITS SUBURBS. MOSQUE CLERICS EXHORT THE FAITHFUL TO DONATE MONEY TO HELP FEED AND CLOTHE THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES.

A FEW OF THE MUSLIM CENTERS ARE SENDING THEIR FUNDS INDEPENDENTLY, WHILE OTHERS GO THROUGH VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS AND, IN A FEW CASES, CHURCHES.

THE WORSHIPPERS OF BAIT UL-RAHMAN MOSQUE IN SILVER SPRING (MARYLAND), NEAR WASHINGTON, HAVE CHANNELED THEIR FUNDS THROUGH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS AND OTHER LARGE AGENCIES AIDING THE KOSOVO REFUGEES. SHAKOOR AHMAD, THE MOSQUE SPOKESMAN, SAYS SOME OF THE 25-THOUSAND DOLLARS COLLECTED SO FAR HAS BEEN PAID TO A LUTHERAN CHURCH HELPING THE KOSOVO REFUGEES.

IN MACLEAN (VIRGINIA), SOUTH OF WASHINGTON, OFFICIALS AT DAR EL- HIJRA ISLAMIC CENTER ARE SENDING THEIR COLLECTIONS TO LOCAL ALBANIAN RELIEF GROUPS. MOHAMED EL-HANOUTY, THE CENTER'S IMAM OR RELIGIOUS LEADER:

THE LAST TWO FRIDAYS, WE HAD A CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT THE KOSOVAN (KOSOVAR) PEOPLE. ... DURING THE SERMON WE ASKED PEOPLE TO DONATE FOR NEEDY PEOPLE IN KOSOVO AND WE COLLECTED FUNDS. ... AND WE COLLECTED ALMOST 20 THOUSAND DOLLARS.

I STILL SEE THAT MUSLIMS ARE ON ALERT, I MEAN HERE IN THE MOSQUE, IN DAR EL HIJRA, WE ARE STILL GIVING THE PRIORITY TO SUPPORT THOSE PEOPLE IN KOSOVO.

DJENENE ALI, ALSO AT DAR EL-HIJRA, IS ONE OF THE WOMEN ORGANIZING A LARGE FUND-RAISING BAZAAR. MS. ALI SAYS SHE IS DRIVEN BY A SENSE OF DUTY AND PERSONAL MEMORY.

I FEEL THAT THOSE PEOPLE ARE BEING PERSECUTED MAINLY BECAUSE BECAUSE OF THEIR RELIGION, WHICH WE SHARE. THESE ARE WOMEN, THEY HAVE CHILDREN, I HAVE CHILDREN. WHEN I SEE THESE PEOPLE I REMEMBER THE PLIGHT OF THE PALESTINIANS (REFUGEES OF 1948), WHICH I AM A PALESTINIAN.

AT THE LARGEST MUSLIM INSTITUTION IN THE AREA, THE ISLAMIC CENTER OF WASHINGTON, MANAGER FARZAD DARUI SAYS THEY HAVE NOT YET SELECTED A RELIEF ORGANIZATION. HE SAYS WHILE THE CENTER DOES NOT DEMAND THAT THE ORGANIZATION BE ISLAMIC, SOME CONTRIBUTORS MAY. THE CENTER IS ALSO NEGOTIATING WITH THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT TO DIRECT AID TO IT. (SIGNED)
NEB/NS/ENE/JO
12-Apr-99 5:37 PM EDT (2137 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[23] ISRAEL / KOSOVO REFUGEES (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (BEN GURION AIRPORT)

INTRO: SOME 100 ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO ARRIVED IN ISRAEL MONDAY IN WHAT WAS SEEN BY MANY AS A HIGHLY SYMBOLIC CEREMONY. VOA CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE WAS AT BEN GURION AIRPORT FOR THE ARRIVAL.

TEXT: ONE-HUNDRED-AND-FOUR (104) KOSOVAR ALBANIAN MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN WEARING WHITE TEE-SHIRTS AND CAPS BEARING THE STAR OF DAVID MADE THEIR WAY OFF THE ISRAELI PASSENGER PLANE ON TO THE TARMAC AFTER THE FLIGHT FROM SKOPJE, MACEDONIA.

THEY WERE MET BY PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU.

SOME CRIED SOFTLY AS THEY SPOKE OF FAMILY MEMBERS THEY LEFT BEHIND. OTHERS, LIKE THIS MAN WHO IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS HASLAN, EXPRESSED APPRECIATION TO ISRAEL FOR COMING TO THE REFUGEES' AID. HE SPOKE THROUGH A TRANSLATOR.

IN THESE TRAGIC DAYS, ISRAEL HELPED US TO COME HERE. FROM THE CAMPS IN MACEDONIA, EVERYTHING WAS ORGANIZED SO WELL.

NONE OF THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS SAW ANY IRONY IN THE FACT THAT THE JEWISH STATE WAS WELCOMING MUSLIM REFUGEES, AND ISRAELI OFFICIALS LIKE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT SHAUL YAHOLOM, ALSO PLAYED IT DOWN.

IT IS NONSENSE WHEN PEOPLE SAY 100 MUSLIMS IS A PROBLEM FOR ISRAEL.

THE ARRIVAL CEREMONY, COMING ON THE EVE OF HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY IN ISRAEL, WAS MARKED BY MUCH SYMBOLISM.

MR. NETANYAHU NOTED THAT AMONG THE REFUGEES WAS A WOMAN WHOSE PARENTS SAVED MANY JEWS IN ALBANIA DURING THE HOLOCAUST. HE SAID ISRAEL IS CLOSING THE HISTORICAL CIRCLE BY GIVING REFUGE TO THOSE WHO PROTECTED THE JEWS.

THE PRIME MINISTER SUGGESTED THE REFUGEES' STAY IN ISRAEL IS OPEN-ENDED.

WE ARE GIVING THIS GROUP SIX MONTHS TO DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO STAY OR LEAVE. IF THEY WANT TO STAY THEY ARE PERFECTLY WELCOME.

WHILE WELCOMING THE OFFER, ALBANIAN AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL, DASHNOR DERVISHI, SAID IF THE REFUGEES STAY, THEY WOULD BE GIVING IN TO YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S CAMPAIGN OF ETHNIC CLEANSING. HE SPOKE THROUGH A TRANSLATOR:

WE KNOW THEIR STAY IN ISRAEL WILL BE A TEMPORARY ONE, THEN OF COURSE THEY MUST TURN BACK TO THEIR HOMELAND. IF THEY REMAIN IN A DIFFERENT COUNTRY, THIS IS THE POLICY OF MILOSEVIC FOR ETHNIC CLEANSING OF KOSOVO.

THE REFUGEES WILL BE HOUSED AT A KIBBUTZ NEAR HAIFA -- THE SAME KIBBUTZ TOOK CARE OF 84 BOSNIAN MUSLIM REFUGEES SIX YEARS AGO. THIRTY OF THOSE PEOPLE REMAIN IN ISRAEL. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/PCF
12-Apr-99 1:09 PM EDT (1709 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[24] VOLUNTEERS TO KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LARRY FREUND (NEW YORK)

INTRO: ABOUT 300 AMERICANS OF ALBANIAN DESCENT SAY THEY ARE LEAVING THIS WEEK FOR ALBANIA TO TRAIN FOR MILITARY DUTY IN THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. CORRESPONDENT LARRY FREUND REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: SEVERAL-HUNDRED ALBANIAN-AMERICANS SAY THEY ARE VOLUNTEERING TO FIGHT AGAINST YUGOSLAV TROOPS IN KOSOVO.

THEY GATHERED IN THE PARKING LOT OF A SUBURBAN NEW YORK MOTEL, DRESSED IN COMBAT FATIGUES BEARING PATCHES OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. MOST WERE MEN, SOME WERE WOMEN.

FORMER U-S CONGRESSMAN AND HEAD OF THE ALBANIAN-AMERICAN CIVIC LEAGUE JOSEPH DIOGUARDI TOLD THE GROUP ALBANIANS ARE WILLING TO DIE FOR FREEDOM.

ONE OF THE VOLUNTEERS IS 19 YEAR-OLD ISRA KODRA, BORN IN BROOKLYN.

YOU WATCH THE NEWS. EVERYBODY KNOWS ATROCITIES ARE HAPPENING. SO EVERYBODY WANTS TO GET A WAY TO FIND OUT HOW THEY COULD SIGN UP.

ISRA KODRA'S MOTHER ELFET WAS AMONG THE FAMILY MEMBERS PARTICIPATING IN THE EVENT. SHE TOLD REPORTERS SHE IS PROUD HER SON IS PLANNING TO FIGHT YUGOSLAV TROOPS IN KOSOVO.

THEY KILL. THEY STOOD THERE, KILLED THE FATHERS, KILLED THE SONS, KILLED EVERYBODY THERE. I AM VERY HAPPY I AM SENDING MY SON. I AM VERY HAPPY I AM SENDING HIM.

THE VOLUNTEERS INCLUDE A NUMBER OF TEENAGERS AS WELL AS SEVERAL OLDER MEN, INCLUDING 56-YEAR-OLD YMER KUKA, WHO WORKS IN A NEW YORK PIZZA RESTAURANT. THEY SAID THEY WILL RECEIVE MILITARY TRAINING BEFORE GOING INTO COMBAT. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/LSF/RAE
12-Apr-99 12:48 PM EDT (1648 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[25] DINSMORE Q&A / NATO BOMBING BY GUY DINSMORE (BELGRADE)

INTRO: V-O-A NEWS NOW REPORTER VICTOR BEATTIE IN WASHINGTON SPOKE BY PHONE TO "FINANCIAL TIMES" REPORTER GUY DINSMORE IN BELGRADE ABOUT THE LATEST NATO ATTACKS ON YUGOSLAVIA. THE TIME OF THE Q&A WAS AT 3:30 AM, EDT, 4/12/99.

TEXT: BEATTIE: WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN OR HEARD CONCERNING THE OVERNIGHT NATO ATTACKS ON YUGOSLAVIA? DINSMORE: WELL IT WAS VERY BAD WEATHER LAST NIGHT, POURING RAIN AND THE CLOUDS WERE VERY LOW. BUT DESPITE THAT, AT ABOUT THREE O'CLOCK THIS MORNING (BELGRADE TIME) THE CITY WAS AWAKENED BY EXPLOSIONS SOMEWHERE IN THE SOUTH OF THE CITY, I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHERE. THEY HAVE BEEN TARGETTING FUEL DUMPS IN THAT AREA PREVIOUSLY. AND THE STATE TELEVISION SAID THAT NATO HAD ONCE AGAIN ATTACKED THE COUNTRY'S BIGGEST OIL REFINERY IN PANCEVO WHICH IS JUST OUTSIDE BELGRADE. HUGE BALLS OF FLAME WERE SEEN SPEWING OUT FROM THAT. BUT I THINK PROBABLY THE BAD WEATHER IS PERHAPS CURTAILING OPERATIONS TO A CERTAIN EXTENT. BEATTIE: WHAT IS THE WEATHER THERE LIKE TODAY? DINSMORE: EH, LOW CLOUDS AND WINDY. TYPICAL APRIL WEATHER REALLY. BEATTIE: ORTHODOX EASTER WAS SAID BY NATO TO HAVE BEEN RELATIVELY QUIET, IS THAT YOUR PERCEPTION? DINSMORE: WELL, "RELATIVE" IS THE WORD. PERHAPS THERE WERE FEWER ATTACKS THAN NORMAL BUT ACCORDING TO STATE MEDIA THEY HAD DEVASTATING EFFECT ON A VILLAGE IN NORTHERN KOSOVO, OR JUST OUTSIDE KOSOVO, WHERE I THINK SIX CIVILIANS WERE REPORTED BY THE OFFICIAL NEWS AGENCY TO HAVE BEEN KILLED INCLUDING A YOUNG GIRL AND HER FATHER. SO, ACCORDING TO THE STATE MEDIA, THE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES ARE MOUNTING. WE TEND TO BELIEVE THESE REPORTS BECAUSE WHERE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CHECK THEM OUT THEY HAVE PROVEN TO BE TRUE. THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS ARE BEING HIT BY NATO, ACCIDENTALLY OR NOT WE DO NOT KNOW, BUT CERTAINLY IT'S TAKING A TOLL ON CIVILIAN LIFE HERE. BEATTIE: GUY, NATO AT ITS SUNDAY BRIEFING INDICATED THAT THE INSISTENT BOMBING IS HAVING AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE MORALE OF THE YUGOSLAV ARMY. WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD? DINSMORE: WELL, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO GET WITHIN THE ARMY TO SEE EXACTLY HOW THOSE SOLDIERS IN UNIFORM ARE FARING, BUT I KNOW ALOT OF MY FRIENDS AT THE MOMENT ARE BEING MOBILIZED AND BEING CALLED UP TO JOIN THE ARMY AND ALOT OF THEM ARE QUITE HAPPY TO GO. AND DO THEIR SERVICE. THERE ARE A FEW IN HIDING WHO ARE TOO AFRAID TO GO AND DO IT BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING I'D SAY THE MOOD OF THE PEOPLE IS ONE OF GREAT SUPPORT FOR THE ARMY AND PEOPLE ARE PREPARED TO FIGHT. BEATTIE: ON THE POLITICAL FRONT, A PROMINENT OPPOSITION NEWSPAPER OWNER WAS APPARENTLY SHOT TO DEATH NEAR HIS HOME. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT? DINSMORE: YES, IT HAPPENED LATE IN THE AFTERNOON IN CENTRAL BELGRADE. AS SOON AS WE HEARD THE NEWS WE WENT AROUND THERE. WHEN I MET HIS LONGTIME COMPANION BLANCA PURTEFA (SP.?) WHO WAS WITH SLAVKO CURUVIJA WHEN THEY WERE JUST ENTERING THE COURTYARD OUTSIDE THEIR HOME. SHE SAID SHE HEARD THE MUFFLED SHOTS FROM PISTOLS. SHE TURNED AROUND AND THERE WERE TWO MEN COMPLETELY DRESSED IN BLACK CAPS FIRING AT HER FRIEND CURUVIJA AND HE FELL TO THE GROUND. THEY THEN PUMPED MORE BULLETS INTO HIM AS HE LAY THERE. SHE WAS CRUSHED ON THE HEAD AND THEN THE MEN RAN OFF AND SHE MANAGED TO RAISE HELP. AND WE SPOKE TO HER A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER IN HER APARTMENT. SHE WAS IN GREAT SHOCK, SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHO THE ATTACKERS WERE OR THEIR MOTIVE BUT SLAVKO CURUVIJA WAS PROBABLY THE MOST OUTSPOKEN CRITIC OF THIS GOVERNMENT IN BELGRADE. ALTHOUGH SINCE THE NATO BOMBINGS HAD BEGUN, I DON'T THINK HE'D MADE ANY PUBLIC STATMENTS. BEATTIE: ALSO ON THE POLITICAL FRONT, MONTENEGRO'S PRESIDENT IS QUOTED IN THE BRITISH PRESS AS WARNING THAT ANY ATTACK OR EFFORT BY YUGOSLAVIA TO OVERTHROW HIS PRO-WESTERN GOVERNMENT COULD PLUNGE THE REGION INTO CIVIL WAR. HAS THERE BEEN ANY REACTION FROM THE OFFICIAL YUGOSLAV MEDIA ON THIS? DINSMORE: AH, NOT IMMEDIATELY BUT GENERALLY THE LINE HERE HAS BEEN THAT THE DJUKANOVIC GOVERNMENT IS NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC JUST AS DJUKANOVIC DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UNDER THE PRIME MINISTER APPOINTED BY MILOSEVIC SO REALLY YUGOSLAVIA IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO HAS ONLY FUNCTIONED IN NAME ONLY. IN PRACTICE THE FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS ARE REALLY NOT WORKING. SO THERE ARE GREAT TENSIONS BETWEEN THE TWO. DJUKANOVIC OFTEN FINDS THE POSSIBLITY OF WIDER CONFLICT AS A REASON FOR TRYING TO DISSUADE BELGRADE FROM OVERTHROWING HIM BUT I THINK AT THE MOMENT DJUKANOVIC'S POSITION IS VERY WEAK. MILOSEVIC PROBABLY DOESN'T EVEN NEED TO OVERTHROW HIM. HE CAN , I THINK, PROBABLY CONTROL EVENTS IN MONTENEGRO LARGELY IF HE WISHES WITHOUT EVEN REMOVING DJUKANOVIC.
NEB/PLM
12-Apr-99 5:37 AM EDT (0937 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[26] YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: TWO BOSNIAN CROATS HAVE GONE ON TRIAL AT THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL -- A YEAR AND ONE-HALF AFTER THEY VOLUNTARILY SURRENDERED TO THE COURT. PROSECUTORS SAY ONE OF THE MEN -- DARIO KORDIC -- WAS AT THE VERY TOP LEVELS OF POWER IN THE BOSIAN CROAT COMMUNITY. LAUREN COMITEAU AT THE HAGUE REPORTS THE TWO MEN ARE CHARGED WITH LEADING A CAMPAIGN OF RACIAL HATRED THAT VIRTUALLY EMPTIED PARTS OF CENTRAL BOSNIA OF ITS MUSLIMS.

TEXT: PROSECUTORS CALL IT A WELL-PLANNED AND SYSTEMATIC CAMPAIGN OF PERSECUTION, VIOLENCE, AND ETHNIC CLEANSING. THE AIM, THEY SAY, WAS TO CREATE A KIND OF GREATER CROATIA, WHERE ALL CROATS -- INCLUDING THOSE IN BOSNIA -- WOULD BE UNITED TO ACHIEVE, IN THE WORDS OF DARIO KORDIC HIMSELF, "THE REALIZATION OF OUR ETERNAL DREAM -- A JOINT CROATIAN STATE."

THEY SAY CROAT TROOPS -- DIRECTED BY ZAGREB -- CARRIED OUT THEIR PLAN BY ATTACKING CITIES AND VILLAGES, KILLING SCORES OF MUSLIMS, IMPRISONING OTHERS, AND FORCIBLY EVICTING MANY OF THOSE WHO REMAINED. WHAT PROPERTY WAS LEFT BEHIND WAS OFTEN DESTROYED OR STOLEN. AND THAT CAMPAIGN, SAY PROSECUTORS, WAS SUCCESSFUL -- THE MUSLIM POPULATION WAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED.

SPEAKING THROUGH A TRANSLATOR, FORMER JOURNALIST DARIO KORDIC PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO CHARGES OF PERSECUTION, MURDER, AND HOSTAGE-TAKING.

CLERK: COUNT NUMBER ONE: CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY. PERSECUTIONS FOR POLITICAL, RACIAL, AND RELIGIOUS REASONS. GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY?

TRANSLATOR: NOT GUILTY.

THE OTHER SUSPECT, MARIO CERKEZ, IS A FORMER MECHANIC WHO ALLEGEDLY COMMANDED TROOPS IN THE AREA OF VITEZ. HE ALSO SAYS HE IS INNOCENT OF THE SAME CHARGES.

BUT PROSECUTORS ARE HOLDING BOTH MEN INDIVIDUALLY RESPONSIBLE AND AS COMMANDERS WHO FAILED TO STOP THEIR TROOPS FROM COMMITTING WAR CRIMES. PROSECUTORS SAY THEY HAVE WITNESSES WHO HEARD DARIO KORDIC ORDERING THE SHELLING OF VILLAGES AND THE BURNING OF MUSLIM HOMES. AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE A WITNESS WHO HEARD MARIO CERKEZ GIVING ORDERS TO KILL LOCAL PEOPLE AND DESTROY MOSQUES ON APRIL 16TH, 1993, THE DAY THE VILLAGE OF AHMICI WAS RAZED. THE 38-YEAR-OLD DARIO KORDIC IS THE MAN PROSECUTORS SAY WAS THE SO-CALLED BIG-FISH. THEY SAY HE WAS IN THE HIGHEST ECHELONS OF POWER IN THE SELF-DECLARED BOSNIAN CROAT REPUBLIC, A POLICY-MAKER WELL-TRUSTED BY ZAGREB. HE WAS SO SENIOR, IN FACT, THAT DEPUTY PROSECUTOR GRAHAM BLEWITT SAYS HE HAD TO BE INVOLVED IN PLANNING THE CRIMES. (SIGNED)
NEB/LC/JWH/PLM
12-Apr-99 6:14 AM EDT (1014 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[27] YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: PROSECUTORS AT THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE ARE LAYING OUT THEIR CASE AGAINST TWO PROMINENT BOSNIAN CROATS WHO THEY SAY PLAYED AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN A LONG-TERM CAMPAIGN OF PERSECUTION AGAINST MUSLIMS. LAUREN COMITEAU REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE ON THE TRIAL OF THE MOST SENIOR POLITICIAN TO COME BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL, TO DATE.

TEXT: THIRTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD DARIO KORDIC LOOKED RELAX AS PROSECUTORS SPOKE OF APPALLING CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST CENTRAL BOSNIA'S MUSLIMS IN THE NAME OF CROAT INTERESTS.

PROSECUTOR GEOFFREY NICE SAID THE VILLAGE OF AHMICI WAS TURNED RED BY THE FLAMES OF BURNING HOUSES AND THE BLOOD OF ITS INHABITANTS. AT LEAST 100 MUSLIMS WERE KILLED THERE WHEN THE VILLAGE WAS DESTROYED IN APRIL 1993. DARIO KORDIC, SAY PROSECUTORS, WAS A TOP LEADER AND POLICY MAKER. THE OTHER ACCUSED, MARIO DERKEZ, A LOCAL COMMANDER.

PROSECUTOR NICE SAYS MAYBE THE TWO MEN DIDN'T SET OUT TO LEAD SUCH MONSTROUS CRIMES. BUT WAR IS DIFFERENT, SAYS GEOFFREY NICE, AND THE ACCUSED BECAME CORRUPTED BY -- AND ADDICTED TO -- POWER.

IF THEY ABUSE THE POWER AND FAIL TO DISCHARGE THE RESPONSIBILITY, THEY MUST FACE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS AND FAILINGS.

BOTH MEN SAY THEY ARE INNOCENT AND ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO CLEARING THEIR NAMES IN COURT.

DARIO KORDIC'S SEVEN DEFENSE LAWYERS SAY THE CHARGES ARE UNFOUNDED. THEY SAY BOSNIAN CROATS WAGED A DEFENSIVE STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL AGAINST THE BOSNIAN MUSLIM MAJORITY -- THE CROATS WERE, IN FACT, TRAPPED IN SMALL ENCLAVES, JUST LIKE THE MUSLIMS WERE TRAPPED BY SERBS IN SREBRENICA.

BUT TRYING TO PROVE THAT IN COURT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE A LONG TIME. (SIGNED)
NEB/LC/PCF
12-Apr-99 10:00 AM EDT (1400 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[28] TURKEY ELECTIONS / KURDS BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (DIYARBAKIR)

INTRO: TURKEY'S ONLY PRO-KURDISH PARTY -- THE PEOPLE'S DEMOCRACY PARTY, OR HADEP -- IS WIDELY EXPECTED TO WIN IN MANY OF TURKEY'S MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST PROVINCES IN NATIONWIDE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ON APRIL 18TH. AMBERIN ZAMAN RECENTLY INTERVIEWED THE PARTY'S MAYORAL CANDIDATE FOR THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL DIYARBAKIR, AND FILED THIS REPORT.

TEXT: FERIDUN CELIK WANTS TO BE MAYOR OF DIYARBAKIR -- THE LARGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT CITY IN TURKEY'S MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST REGION. HE IS RUNNING AS THE CANDIDATE OF THE PRO-KURDISH DEMOCRACY PARTY, HADEP FOR SHORT.

MOST PEOPLE HERE, INCLUDING HIS RIVALS, PREDICT MR. CELIK HAS A VERY STRONG CHANCE OF BEING ELECTED DIYARBAKIR'S NEW MAYOR. BUT MR. CELIK COMPLAINS THAT A SUSTAINED POLICY OF HARASSMENT BY TURKISH AUTHORITIES IS STYMIEING (FRUSTRATING / HINDERING) HIS PARTY'S EFFORTS TO CAMPAIGN IN AND AROUND DIYARBAKIR.

MR. CELIK SAYS PRESSURE ON HIS PARTY HAS INCREASED SINCE THE ARREST IN FEBRUARY OF KURDISH REBEL CHIEF ABDULLAH OCALAN. HE SAYS HUNDREDS OF PARTY CANDIDATES AND OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN ARBITRARILY DETAINED AND PARTY BRANCH OFFICES SHUT. MR. CELIK WAS AMONG THOSE DETAINED LAST MONTH.

MR. CELIK SAYS HE WAS DETAINED FOR NEARLY ONE WEEK WITHOUT BEING TOLD WHY AND THAT FOR THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF HIS DETENTION, HE WAS NOT EVEN ALLOWED TO USE HIS CRUTCHES. HE SAYS MANY OF HIS FELLOW DETAINEES, ALL HADEP MEMBERS, WERE BEATEN AND IN SOME INSTANCES TORTURED.

TURKEY'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR, VURAL SAVAS HAS ACCUSED HADEP OF ACTING AS A "POLITICAL FRONT" FOR MR. OCALAN'S OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR P-K-K. MR. SAVAS IS DEMANDING THAT HADEP BE BANNED FOR THAT REASON.

THE P-K-K HAS BEEN WAGING A VIOLENT 15 YEAR ARMED CAMPAIGN FOR KURDISH SELF-RULE. HADEP DENIES ANY LINKS WITH THE P-K-K ALTHOUGH MANY PARTY OFFICIALS OPENLY EXPRESS SYMPATHY FOR MR. OCALAN.

MR. CELIK WHO IS FACING TRIAL HIMSELF ON CHARGES OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE P-K-K SAYS THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIS PARTY ARE IN LINE WITH WHAT HE TERMS THE TURKISH STATES' EFFORTS TO STOP HADEP FROM GAINING POWER.

FEW ANALYSTS BELIEVE HADEP WILL SECURE THE MINIMUM 10 PERCENT OF THE NATIONAL VOTE NEEDED TO ENTER THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT. HOWEVER, THE PARTY IS WIDELY EXPECTED TO CAPTURE DOZENS OF MAYORAL SEATS IN THE SOUTHEAST REGION.

MANY OF HADEP SUPPORTERS ARE KURDISH VILLAGERS FORCED OUT THEIR VILLAGES BY TURKISH SECURITY FORCES FOR ALLEGEDLY PROVIDING ARMS AND SHELTER FOR THE P-K-K. THOUSANDS OF THESE MIGRANTS LIVE IN THE SQUALOR OF MAKESHIFT HOMES IN AND AROUND DIYARBAKIR. MANY DO NOT HAVE RUNNING WATER, HEATING OR ELECTRICITY. MR CELIK SAYS ONE PRIORITY UPON BEING ELECTED MAYOR WILL BE TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THESE PEOPLE.

MR. CELIK SAYS HE PLANS TO BUILD SPECIAL HOUSING FOR DISPLACED KURD VILLAGERS. HE SAYS HIS PARTY'S AGENDA IS NOT TO PROMOTE A SEPARATE KURDISH STATE AS THE AUTHORITIES CLAIM BUT TO SERVE HIS PEOPLE, BOTH TURKS AND KURDS. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/JO
12-Apr-99 12:59 PM EDT (1659 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[29] EURO / BRITAIN (L-ONLY) BY CANDACE WILLIAMS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ONE HUNDRED DAYS HAVE PASSED SINCE 11 EUROPEAN UNION NATIONS LAUNCHED A NEW SINGLE CURRENCY, BUT WITHOUT ONE NOTABLE FINANCIAL POWERHOUSE, BRITAIN. V-O-A'S CANDACE WILLIAMS REPORTS ON THE VIEWS OF A BRITISH OFFICIAL WHO SUGGESTS HIS COUNTRY WILL EVENTUALLY BE PART OF THE EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION.

TEXT: THE EURO WAS INTRODUCED JANUARY FIRST, 1999 TO GIVE EUROPE A UNIFIED VOICE ON THE WORLD ECONOMIC STAGE. BRITAIN IS ONE OF FOUR EUROPEAN UNION NATIONS THAT HAS NOT ADOPTED THE EURO. //OPT// BRITAIN, DENMARK AND SWEDEN OPTED OUT AT THIS TIME, WHILE GREECE FAILED TO QUALIFY. //END OPT//

DAVID SIMON, A MINISTER IN BRITAIN'S DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY, HAS BEEN MONITORING THE EURO'S PROGRESS SINCE IT WAS LAUNCHED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY. SPEAKING AT A WASHINGTON FORUM MONDAY, HE SAYS THE EURO IS DOING AS WELL AS EXPECTED, DESPITE HAVING FALLEN NEARLY 10 PERCENT AGAINST THE DOLLAR.

MR. SIMON SAYS PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR'S LABOR GOVERNMENT, IN PRINCIPLE, SUPPORTS BRITAIN'S EVENTUAL PARTICIPATION IN MONETARY INTEGRATION, BUT IS STILL TAKING A WAIT-AND-SEE ATTITUDE.

THE KEY FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW ABOUT THE U-K'S MEMBERSHIP IS BASICALLY OUR CAPACITY TO ADD VALUE TO THE SYSTEM. IN OTHER WORDS, CAN WE MANAGE OURSELVES SO THAT IT'S BOTH GOOD FOR THE U-K ECONOMY AND GOOD FOR THE REST OF THE SYSTEM. BECAUSE A BADLY-MANAGED U-K ECONOMY WOULD NOT BE HELPFUL TO THE PROJECT IN ITSELF AND IT CERTAINLY WOULDN'T BE GOOD FOR US BECAUSE THERE ARE COMPLEXITIES IN JOINING THE SYSTEM.

MR. SIMON SAYS BRITISH OFFICIALS WANT LONDON TO REMAIN THE PRE-EMINENT FINANCIAL CENTER FOR EUROPE. BUT HE SAYS TO DO THIS BRITAIN MUST ADJUST ITS FINANCIAL SYSTEM TO MATCH THE REST OF EUROPE IN KEY AREAS SUCH AS INTEREST RATES AND METHODS OF BANK FINANCING THAT INFLUENCE THE COUNTRY'S INFLATION RATE.

MR. SIMON SAYS HE THINKS BRITAIN HAS THREE YEARS TO ACCOMPLISH ITS GOALS AND THAT THE REST OF EUROPE EXPECTS BRITAIN TO SUCCEED.

SUPPORTERS OF THE EURO BELIEVE IT WILL HELP CREATE A NEW ECONOMIC SUPERPOWER TO RIVAL THE UNITED STATES AND ITS DOLLAR. FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS, THE EURO WILL BE USED FOR NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS. THE FIRST EURO BANKNOTES AND COINS ARE EXPECTED TO GO INTO CIRCULATION IN THE YEAR 2002. (SIGNED)
NEB/CAW/WFR
12-Apr-99 7:22 PM EDT (2322 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[30] U-S EURO TRADE (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A BRITISH TRADE OFFICIAL TOLD A WASHINGTON AUDIENCE MONDAY THAT HE IS OPTIMISTIC THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL SOON RESOLVE THEIR CONFLICT OVER TRADE IN BANANAS. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS.

TEXT: DAVID SIMON, A FORMER INDUSTRIALIST NOW IN THE MINISTRY OF TRADE, SAYS EUROPE AND AMERICA HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO QUICKLY RESOLVE THEIR TRADE DIFFERENCES. HE SAYS THE UNITED STATES AND THE 15 EUROPEAN UNION NATIONS COLLECTIVELY ACCOUNT FOR 38 PERCENT OF WORLD TRADE AND ARE THE WORLD'S TWO BIGGEST TRADERS. MR. SIMON SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THESE GIANT TRADING BLOCS SEND APPROPRIATE SIGNALS TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.

THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BEEN ARGUING ABOUT BANANAS--I MEAN IF IT WEREN'T SERIOUS IT WOULD MAKE YOU LAUGH. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN ? HERE WE HAVE THE TWO MOST MASSIVE TRADING BLOCS IN THE WORLD WHO HAVE THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY INTERESTS IN SIGNALLING TO THE WORLD THAT YOU BELIEVE IN LIBERALISM AND OPEN MARKETS AND GROWTH, AND YOU SPEND A WHACKY SIX YEARS TALKING ABOUT BANANAS. THIS TO MY MIND IS NOT GOOD SIGNALLING. WE REALLY DO HAVE TO GO FORWARD AND SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

THE BI-LATERAL DISPUTE INVOLVES THE EUROPEAN UNION'S REFUSAL TO ABIDE BY SUCCESSIVE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (W-T-O) RULINGS THAT IT MODIFY ITS BANANA TARIFF PREFERENCES FOR FORMER COLONIES AND PERMIT FREE TRADE IN BANANAS. U-S TRADING COMPANIES (DOLE AND CHIQUITA) WOULD BENEFIT FROM AN END TO E-U BANANA PREFERENCES. MR. SIMON, A FORMER TOP EXECUTIVE OF BRITAIN'S BIGGEST OIL COMPANY, ALSO SAYS THE TRADING SYSTEM WOULD BENEFIT FROM CHINA'S ENTRY INTO THE W-T-O. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/PT
12-Apr-99 6:39 PM EDT (2239 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[31] GERMAN TRAIN (L ONLY) BY SUZANNE KELLY (BERLIN)

INTRO: A MONORAIL COMMUTER TRAIN PLUNGED INTO A RIVER IN GERMANY ON MONDAY, KILLING FOUR PEOPLE AND INJURING DOZENS. SUZANNE KELLY IN BERLIN REPORTS THE CRASH IS ONCE AGAIN RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT RAIL SAFETY IN GERMANY.

TEXT: INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY ARE NOT SURE WHY THE CROWDED COMMUTER TRAIN FELL FROM A SUSPENSION RAIL AND PLUNGED INTO A RIVER NEAR THE WESTERN GERMAN TOWN OF WUPPERTAL.

THEY SAY IT IS POSSIBLE THAT CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE RAIL LINE MAY HAVE PLAYED A ROLE. INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY ALSO FOUND A METAL CLAMPING TOOL ON THE TRACKS THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THERE.

THE TRAIN FELL ABOUT 30 FEET INTO THE WUPPER RIVER. PASSENGERS MANY OF THEM INJURED -- CLUNG TO HEATING PIPES IN AN ATTEMPT TO DRAG THEMSELVES OUT OF THE SHALLOW WATER.

RAIL WORKERS SAY THE NEARLY CENTURY-OLD TRAIN WAS IN THE MIDST OF A MAJOR OVERHAUL. THEY SAY THE MONORAIL TRAIN HAS HAD ACCIDENTS BEFORE, ALTHOUGH NONE OF THEM FATAL.

NONETHELESS, FOR GERMANS, THE CRASH BRINGS BACK MEMORIES OF AN ACCIDENT LAST JUNE WHEN A HIGH-SPEED TRAIN DERAILED NEAR THE NORTHERN GERMAN TOWN OF ESCHEDE, KILLING 101 PEOPLE.

THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF OTHER FATAL TRAIN ACCIDENTS SINCE THAT TIME, PROMPTING DISPUTES BETWEEN GERMAN LABOR UNIONS AND TRAIN MANAGERS OVER ISSUES OF SAFETY. (SIGNED)
NEB/SK/JWH
12-Apr-99 8:45 AM EDT (1245 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[32] NY ECON WRAP (S&L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (MONDAY) AFTER A ROCKY START TO THE DAY'S TRADING. ALL THE MAJOR INDICES SET NEW RECORD HIGHS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK:

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 165 POINTS -- ABOUT ONE POINT SIX PERCENT -- TO CLOSE AT 10-THOUSAND 339. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX WENT UP 10 POINTS, FINISHING THE DAY AT 13 HUNDRED 58. AND THE NASDAQ CLOSED UP FIVE POINTS AT 25 HUNDRED 98.

COMPAQ COMPUTER -- THE LARGEST MAKER OF PERSONAL COMPUTERS -- REPORTED LATE FRIDAY THAT ITS QUARTERLY PROFITS WOULD BE ABOUT ONE-HALF OF WHAT WALL STREET WAS EXPECTING. THE NEWS HIT THE STOCK MARKET HARD IN EARLY TRADING. BUT THEN IT ALL TURNED AROUND IN VERY IMPRESSIVE FASHION.

ANALYST ANTHONY DWYER SAYS THE COMPUTER INDUSTRY IS HEALTHY. HE EXPECTS THE HIGH-TECHNOLOGY SECTOR TO STABILIZE:

THERE'S A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE BUYING P-C'S. THEY'RE JUST BUYING THEM AT MUCH LOWER PRICE POINTS. THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH COMPAQ, NOT THAT THERE'S NO DEMAND.

SOME ANALYSTS ARE STILL ANTICIPATING A MARKET CORRECTION. THEY SAY U-S STOCK PRICES HAVE MOVED UP TOO HIGH, TOO FAST -- OUT OF PROPORTION TO CORPORATE EARNINGS.

AMONG THE ANALYSTS IS RICHARD CRIPPS, WHO WARNS THE MARKET HAS ALREADY CLIMBED 36 PERCENT SINCE ITS LOWS LAST OCTOBER:

WE HAVE EXTENDED VALUATIONS AND VERY HIGH P-E RATIOS (PRICES TO EARNINGS RATIO). WE HAVE DIVERGENCE IN TERMS OF PERFORMANCE AND VERY, VERY BULLISH INVESTOR SENTIMENT. MAKE ALL THOSE COMBINE, THE CONFLUENCE OF THOSE REALLY SET THE CONDITION FOR SOME TYPE OF CORRECTION.

BUT WALL STREET DEFIED THOSE PREDICTIONS -- AT LEAST ON MONDAY.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY -- THE WORLD'S SECOND-LARGEST AUTOMAKER -- HAS DECIDED TO EXPAND ITS SERVICE BUSINESS AND ITS OPERATIONS IN EUROPE. FORD AGREED TO BUY EUROPE'S LARGEST AUTO REPAIR CHAIN, KWIK-FIT HOLDINGS, FOR ONE POINT SIX BILLION DOLLARS. "KWIK-FIT" BASED IN EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND -- HAS 19-HUNDRED OUTLETS IN EUROPE.

AUTOMAKERS AROUND THE WORLD ARE TIGHTENING CONTROL OVER SERVICES OFFERED TO CUSTOMERS, IN AN EFFORT TO BOOST PROFITS.

U-S RETAILER HOME DEPOT -- THE WORLD'S LARGEST PROVIDER OF BUILDING PRODUCTS -- ALSO HAS ITS SIGHTS ON MARKETS IN EUROPE. HOME DEPOT TOLD INVESTORS MONDAY IT RECENTLY ACQUIRED THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF SWEDISH FURNISHINGS RETAILER -- IKEA -- TO GET THE EXPERTISE NEEDED FOR EXPANSION.

HOME DEPOT OPENED TWO STORES IN CHILE LAST YEAR AND ALREADY OPERATES MORE THAN 40 IN CANADA.

AND U-S BIOTECHNOLOGY FIRM GENENTECH SAYS ITS QUARTERLY PROFITS PLUNGED ABOUT 65 PERCENT BECAUSE OF THE COSTS OF A DISPUTE WITH THE U-S GOVERNMENT. THE COMPANY HAS BEEN NEGOTIATING WITH U-S OFFICIALS TO RESOLVE ALLEGATIONS THAT IT HAD PROMOTED ITS HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE FOR USES NOT APPROVED BY FEDERAL AUTHORITIES. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/EJ/LSF/PT
12-Apr-99 5:10 PM EDT (2110 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: AFTER WEEKS OF COMMENTING ON THE SITUATION IN THE BALKANS, MANY U-S NEWSPAPERS THIS MONDAY ARE COMMENTING ON DOMESTIC AND LOCAL ISSUES, BUT A FEW ARE OFFERING THOUGHTS ON THE KOSOVO SITUATION, WHILE OTHERS ARE TALKING ABOUT THE TRIP OF CHINA'S PRIME MINISTER; THE PENDING DEADLINE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAXES DUE THIS WEEK; THE RISKS OF LOANING MORE MONEY TO RUSSIA; THE POSSIBILITY OF A PALESTINIAN NATIONHOOD ANNOUNCEMENT; AND THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE AFTER THE WEST AFRICAN SHOOTING DEATH.

NOW HERE IS ______________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: NEW JERSEY'S BIGGEST DAILY, "THE NEWARK STAR-LEDGER," SAYS THE CURRENT NATO CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA WILL PLAY A BIG ROLE THE NEXT U-S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

VOICE: THE CRISIS ... MAY EVEN SIGNAL A COMEBACK FOR FOREIGN POLICY AS A PRIME PRESIDENTIAL ISSUE IN TWO-THOUSAND. AT THE MOMENT, KOSOVO'S IMPACT IS MOST NOTABLE IN THE RACE FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION AND THE DIVISION -- OR INDECISION -- KOSOVO HAS EXPOSED AMONG THE LEADING GOP CANDIDATES. /// OPT /// THAT SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISING. THE GOP FOR MUCH OF THIS CENTURY HAS BEEN TORN BETWEEN ITS INTERNATIONALIST AND ISOLATIONIST WINGS. /// END OPT /// ... THE PRESIDENTIAL WANNABE (CONTENDER) MAKING THE MOST OF THE ISSUE IS PAT BUCHANAN [WHO] ... TAKES A DIM VIEW OF THE OUTSIDE WORLD AND WANTS LESS AMERICAN EXPOSURE ABROAD. ... ON THE OTHER SIDE ... IS SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN OF ARIZONA, THE VIETNAM HERO WHO BELIEVES THE U-S AND NATO MUST WIN IN KOSOVO NOW TO DISCOURAGE OTHER REGIONAL DESPOTS. AND THAT, HE SAYS, PROBABLY MEANS U-S AND NATO GROUND TROOPS.

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS AGAIN TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO READERS WHY NATO IS THERE.

VOICE: THE FUNDAMENTAL AIM IS TO FORCE WITHDRAWAL OF YUGOSLAV MILITARY UNITS FROM KOSOVO PROVINCE, AND NATO APPEARS TO BELIEVE THAT CAN BE DONE WITH AIR POWER ALONE. BUT SO FAR PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S ARMY REMAINS IN BRUTAL CONTROL AND NATO TALKS OF SENDING IN GROUND TROOPS SEEMINGLY REMAINS AN EMPTY THREAT. ... THE IS A JUST CAUSE, AND AMERICANS WILL UNDERSTAND THAT IF THE WHITE HOUSE MAKES ITS AIMS CLEAR.

TEXT: "USA TODAY," THE NATIONAL DAILY PUBLISHED IN A SUBURB OF WASHINGTON, D-C, WORRIES THAT THE WORST MAY BE YET TO COME, IF THE REFUGEE TALES CAN BE BELIEVED.

VOICE: [MR.] MILOSEVIC HAS CLOSED KOSOVO'S BORDERS TO REPORTERS OR OBSERVERS. ONLY IMAGES OF PACKED TRAIN CARS AND CRYING CHILDREN, THE TESTIMONIALS OF TERRORIZED REFUGEES AND SATELLITE PHOTOS OF BURNED VILLAGES, HERDED PEOPLE AND ABANDONED CARS OFFER CLUES ABOUT POSSIBLE ATROCITIES. TOGETHER, THESE HORRORS SIGNAL GENOCIDE. MORE LEGALISTICALLY, THEY SIGNAL VIOLATIONS OF THE 1907 HAGUE CONVENTION AND THE 1949 GENEVA CONVENTION ON THE CONDUCT OF WAR.

TEXT: CHINA'S PRIME MINISTER, ZHU RONGJI, CONTINUES HIS VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES, WHILE "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" COMMENTS ON HIS FAILED BID TO WIN SUPPORT FOR ENTRY INTO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. THE PAPER MENTIONS THE 300-THOUSAND DOLLAR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION CHINA'S MILITARY IS ALLEGED TO HAVE MADE TO THE CLINTON RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN, BUT "THE JOURNAL" POINTS OUT, SOMETIMES CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS ARE NOT ENOUGH TO INFLUENCE ACTIONS.

VOICE: THE IRONY HERE IS THAT THE ASSOCIATIONS AND ASSISTANCE THAT HELPED RETURN MR. CLINTON TO THE WHITE HOUSE NOW HELP RENDER HIM IMPOTENT TO PUSH THROUGH ANY AGENDA. WITH REGARD TO CHINA, AMERICA HAS TWO COMPELLING INTERESTS: FIRST, TO DO ITS BEST TO SEE THAT CHINA CONTINUES TO WEAN ITSELF OFF THE COMMUNIST SYSTEM IN THE DIRECTION OF MORE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL OPENNESS; SECOND, TO ENSURE THAT IN THE INTERIM STAGES CHINA'S NEWFOUND WEALTH DOES NOT BECOME THE SOURCE OF INCREASED BELLIGERENCE.

TEXT: THIS IS TAX WEEK IN AMERICA, WHEN THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX IS TO BE PAID BY ALL RESIDENTS. "THE DETROIT [MICHIGAN] NEWS" SAYS THE BURDEN OF ALL GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS, NOT JUST THE INCOME TAX, IS ONEROUS.

VOICE: AS APRIL 15TH DRAWS NEAR, THERE IS LIKELY TO BE THE USUAL HUE AND CRY OVER INCOME TAXES. WITH FEDERAL TAXES DRAINING A RECORD 21 PERCENT FROM GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (OR TOTAL ECONOMIC OUTPUT), A LEVEL RIVALING THE DAYS OF WORLD WAR TWO, THAT'S UNDERSTANDABLE. BUT AMERICANS SHOULDN'T LOSE SIGHT OF THE BURDENS IMPOSED BY A FAR SNEAKIER FORM OF TAXATION: FEDERAL REGULATION. THERE IS ALMOST N O ASPECT OF AMERICAN LIFE THAT ISN'T REGULATED BY WASHINGTON. ... LAST YEAR, NEARLY 5-THOUSAND NEW RULES WERE PROMULGATED. ... THE WHITE HOUSE'S OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET (O-M-B) OFFICIALLY ESTIMATES THAT COSTS OF COMPLYING WITH THE REGULATORY BEHEMOTH [GIANT] COME TO 170 BILLION - TO 230-BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. /// OPT /// ... A CONSERVATIVE WASHINGTON THINK TANK, HOWEVER [FEELS] THE COSTS MAY BE AS HIGH AS 737-BILLION DOLLARS -- MORE THAN THE GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT OF CANADA ... /// END OPT ///

TEXT: TALKING ABOUT MONEY, TODAY'S "[CLEVELAND, OHIO] PLAIN DEALER" IS WORRIED ABOUT RESUMING THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND LOANS TO RUSSIA, TOTALING 22-POINT-SIX BILLION DOLLARS, WITHOUT MORE REFORMS.

VOICE: WE'RE NOT SUGGESTING THAT THE I-M-F LOOK FOR EXCUSES NOT TO HELP; WE STILL BELIEVE THAT PUTTING RUSSIA ON SOUND ECONOMIC FOOTING IS IN THE WEST'S BEST LONG-TERM INTERESTS. BUT THE I-M-F AND OTHER WESTERN LENDING INSTITUTIONS MUST GUARD AGAINST THE TEMPTATION TO DOWNPLAY THE SERIOUSNESS OF RUSSIA'S PROBLEMS OUT OF A DESIRE TO AVOID GIVING OFFENSE ... IF THEY DON'T, THEIR ONLY ACCOMPLISHMENT WILL BE TO THROW GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD.

TEXT: BOSTON'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR," IS CONCERNED THAT PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSER ARAFAT MAY STILL PROCLAIM HIS TERRITORY A SOVEREIGN STATE ON MAY 4TH, THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE OSLO ACCORDS IN 1993.

VOICE: [MR.] ARAFAT'S TIMING COULDN'T BE WORSE. ISRAEL IS IN THE THROES OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS PROVOKED LARGELY BY [MR.] NETANYAHU'S SIGNATURE ON THE WYE RIVER ACCORDS LAST FALL. THE ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER, WHOSE HANDS HAVE BEEN TIED SINCE THE DISSOLUTION OF HIS GOVERNMENT IN DECEMBER, THREATENS TO ANNEX THOSE LARGE AREAS OF THE WEST BANK STILL UNDER ISRAEL CONTROL IF [MR.] ARAFAT ACTS. BOTH DEVELOPMENTS WOULD BE A DISASTROUS MOVE AWAY FROM THE PEACE THAT EVERYONE IN THE REGION NEEDS AND MOST WANT.

TEXT: LASTLY, THE SAME PAPER, TALKS ABOUT THE INCREASED TENSION BETWEEN MINORITY CITIZENS AND THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE AFTER THE KILLING OF AMADOU DIALLO, A WEST AFRICAN, BY A SPECIAL POLICE UNIT. THE POLICE HAVE NOW BEEN CHARGED WITH MURDER.

VOICE: THE BLACK COMMUNITY'S REACTION TO SUCH INCIDENTS IS UNDERSTANDABLE. AFRICAN-AMERICANS, ESPECIALLY YOUNG MEN, ARE FREQUENTLY HARASSED BY POLICE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. TRAGICALLY, POLICE TOO FREQUENTLY SHOOT AND KILL UNARMED BLACKS THAT OFFICERS BELIEVED -- OR SAY THEY BELIEVED -- WERE REACHING FOR A GUN. ... WHAT'S NEEDED NOW IS A HEALING TOUCH. ROMAN CATHOLIC CARDINAL JOHN O'CONNOR SET THE RIGHT EXAMPLE LAST WEEK, MEETING WITH THE [AMADOU] DIALLO FAMILY, WHO ARE MUSLIMS ... PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL FROM ALL FAITHS AND ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS MUST MAINTAIN CONTROL OF EVENTS. AT STAKE HERE ARE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES OF PUBLIC TRUST AND CIVIL ORDER.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE U-S PRESS THIS MONDAY.
NEB/ANG/KL
12-Apr-99 10:57 AM EDT (1457 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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