Voice of America, 99-04-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] NATO ATTACKS SATURDAY (L-O) BY JIM RANDLE (WASHINGTON)

[02] RED CROSS/KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[03] ALBANIA / REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (KUKES, ALBANIA)

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

[05] NATO SUMMIT - L BY KYLE KING (WASHINGTON)

[06] NATO SUMMIT (S UPDATE) BY KYLE KING (WASHINGTON)

[07] NATO SUMMIT OVERNIGHTER / L BY PAULA WOLFSON (WHITE HOUSE)

[08] CLINTON / KOSOVO (L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (WHITE HOUSE)

[09] ALBANIA / YUGOSLAVIA (L-ONLY) BY CANDACE WILLIAMS (WASHINGTON)

[10] KOSOVO-OIL (S-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (WASHINGTON)

[11] NATO / UKRAINE (L ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (WASHINGTON)

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

[13] NATO / SERB PROTEST (L ONLY) BY CAROL PINEAU (WASHINGTON)

[14] FRANCE / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[01] NATO ATTACKS SATURDAY (L-O) BY JIM RANDLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NATO OFFICIALS SAY YUGOSLAVIA'S MILITARY IS SHOWING SIGNS OF SERIOUS STRAIN AFTER A MONTH OF ALLIANCE AIR STRIKES. THEY SAY SOME HIGH RANKING FORMER MILITARY OFFICERS ARE UNDER HOUSE ARREST, AND SERBIAN TROOPS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO TAKE DRASTIC MEASURES TO FUEL MILITARY VEHICLES IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE NATO SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON, WHERE OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE SEARCHING FOR MORE WAYS TO INCREASE THE MILITARY PRESSURE ON YUGOSLAVIA.

TEXT: NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS TEN OR MORE RETIRED OR FIRED YUGOSLAV GENERALS ARE BEING CONFINED BY BELGRADE. HE IMPLIED THAT IT IS A SIGN THAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS NERVOUS ABOUT SUPPORT FROM HIS MILITARY FORCES.

THERE ARE MANY RETIRED GENERALS IN YUGOSLAVIA BECAUSE MILOSEVIC RETIRES GENERALS ALL THE TIME. HE DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE MUCH TRUST IN THEM. I WONDER IF THEY HAVE MUCH TRUST IN HIM.

AIRSTRIKES CONTINUED FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING, WITH NATO PLANES HITTING A BRIDGE, AIR FIELDS, MOBILE RADARS AND KEY OIL REFINING AND DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES.

ALLIANCE SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS THE NATO ATTACKS HAVE CUT FUEL SUPPLIES BY ABOUT 70 PERCENT, SOMETHING HE SAYS IS BADLY HURTING SERB FORCES OPERATING IN KOSOVO.

THE SERBS ARE NOW GOING AROUND TO ALL OF THE ABANDONED REFUGEE CARS, AND THERE ARE MANY OF THEM INSIDE KOSOVO, AND ARE SIPHONING THE PETROL OUT OF THE TANKS. I MEAN THEY ARE THAT DESPERATE NOW TO FIND FUEL WHERE EVER THEY CAN.

NATO MILITARY PLANNERS ARE ALSO WORKING OUT WAYS TO ENFORCE AN OIL EMBARGO AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, AND TOP NATO OFFICIALS ARE EXPECTED TO REVIEW THE PLAN NEXT WEEK IN BRUSSELS.

NATO SPOKESMEN COULD NOT SAY WHAT ACTION ALLIANCE WARSHIPS WOULD TAKE IF VESSELS HEADED FOR YUGOSLAV PORTS REFUSE TO STOP SO THEY CAN BE SEARCHED BY NATO CREWS.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL ADD TO THE MILITARY PRESSURE AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA BY DISPATCHING ANOTHER TWO THOUSAND AMERICAN TROOPS TO NEIGHBORING ALBANIA, ALONG WITH SOME ARTILLERY AND 15 HEAVY TANKS. THE FRESH FORCES JOIN 33-HUNDRED AMERICANS ALREADY ASSIGNED TO PROTECT, FLY AND MAINTAIN 24 APACHE HELICOPTERS AT A BASE IN ALBANIA. THOSE TANK-KILLING HELICOPTERS ARE SUPPOSED TO BEGIN OPERATIONS DEEP INSIDE KOSOVO IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/JO
24-Apr-99 12:55 PM EDT (1655 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] RED CROSS/KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS WILL MEET WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN BELGRADE MONDAY TO DISCUSS A VARIETY OF HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS ARISING OUT OF THE KOSOVO CONFLICT. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE WELFARE OF THREE CAPTURED U-S SERVICEMEN IS ALSO EXPECTED TO BE ON THE AGENDA.

TEXT: THE RED CROSS SAYS ITS INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT, CORNELIO SOMMARUGA, INTENDS TO ASK PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC FOR SECURITY GUARANTEES THAT WILL ALLOW RED CROSS DELEGATES TO RETURN TO KOSOVO. THE RED CROSS, ALONG WITH ALL OTHER INTERNATIONAL AID AGENCIES, LEFT KOSOVO BEFORE THE START OF NATO'S BOMBING CAMPAIGN ON MARCH 24.

RED CROSS SPOKESMAN URS BOEGLI SAYS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TRAPPED IN YUGOSLAVIA'S SERBIAN PROVINCE ARE IN NEED OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION. HE SAYS THE RED CROSS IS EAGER TO RESUME ITS OPERATIONS THERE.

THE RED CROSS WORKS IN WARTIME SITUATIONS AND EVEN NOW HAS VIABLE OPERATIONS IN SEVERAL CONFLICT AREAS. THIS IS WHAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS IS MADE FOR. AND, WHILE IT'S PROBABLY NOT REALISTIC THAT WE CAN RETURN TOMORROW WITH FULL STRENGTH, I THINK IT'S HIGH TIME TO DESIGN AN HUMANITARIAN OPERATION FOR KOSOVO AND TO BUILD IT UP GRADUALLY AS SECURITY PERMITS.

MR. BOEGLI SAYS THE RED CROSS IS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE WELFARE OF SERB CIVILIANS IN YUGOSLAVIA WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM AIR STRIKES.

HE SAYS MR. SOMMARUGA WILL ASK PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO LET RED CROSS DELEGATES VISIT THE THREE U-S SERVICEMEN CAPTURED BY SERB TROOPS SEVERAL WEEKS AGO.

AS YOU KNOW, I-C-R-C HAS ASKED ACCESS TO THESE THREE. AND WHILE WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE WOULD BE I-C-R-C VISITS, THESE VISITS HAVE STILL NOT TAKEN PLACE YET. SO, WE ARE A BIT IMPATIENT, AND WE HOPE THAT THIS VISIT CAN REMOVE WHATEVER OBSTACLES THERE WERE AND THAT I-C-R-C CAN FULFILL THIS PART OF ITS MANDATE.

MR. BOEGLI SAYS YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES HAVE ASSURED THE RED CROSS THAT THE AMERICAN SOLDIERS WOULD BE TREATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENEVA CONVENTION -- INCLUDING VISITS TO PRISONERS OF WAR.

MR. BOEGLI SAYS THE RED CROSS ALSO WANTS TO RESUME VISITS TO ETHNIC ALBANIAN PRISONERS IN KOSOVO. THESE VISITS WERE BROKEN OFF WHEN THE RED CROSS WAS FORCED TO LEAVE THE PROVINCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/ALW/JO
24-Apr-99 11:48 AM EDT (1548 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] ALBANIA / REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (KUKES, ALBANIA)

INTRO: CLEAR WEATHER SATURDAY GAVE INTERNATIONAL RELIEF AGENCIES A CHANCE TO CATCH UP ON THE TASK OF COPING WITH THE LARGE REFUGEE POPULATION IN NORTHERN ALBANIA. TIM BELAY REPORTS FROM KUKES ABOUT ONE OF THE DAY'S PRIORITIES -- FINDING A BETTER PLACE FOR FAMILIES CAMPED AROUND THEIR TRACTORS.

TEXT:

THE ORGANIZATION DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS ESTIMATES ABOUT 11-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE ESCAPED FROM KOSOVO ON TRACTORS TO THEIR TEMPORARY HOME IN KUKES.

THE MEDICAL GROUP SAYS FAMILIES OF 10 OR MORE HUDDLED AROUND THIS PRIZED POSSESSION FACE THE WORST LIVING CONDITIONS OF ANY OF THE REFUGEES IN KUKES. THEY ARE IN DANGEROUS, DISORGANIZED SQUATTER CAMPS, WHERE FOOD IS ADEQUATE BUT WATER, SAFETY, AND SANITATION ARE A BIG PROBLEM.

ARMED BANDITS HAVE STOLEN 50 TRACTORS IN THIS REGION DURING THE PAST THREE WEEKS.

NATALIE VAN DE VERDER IS THE PROJECT COORDINATOR FOR DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS IN NORTHERN ALBANIA. SHE SAYS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FAMILIES AND THE TRACTORS IS UNDERSTANDABLY VERY STRONG.

THEY LEFT THEIR COUNTRY VERY QUICKLY, AND I THINK, IN GENERAL, THEY DID NOT HAVE THE TIME TO GATHER A LOT OF STUFF, AND IT'S (THE TRACTOR) IS THE ONLY THING OF VALUE THEY HAVE HERE. IT'S PART OF THEM -- THE TRACTORS ARE PART OF THEM.

INTERNATIONAL RELIEF AGENCIES ARE TAKING STEPS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR THE ONE-THOUSAND SO-CALLED "TRACTOR" FAMILIES. DANIEL ENDRES IS THE EMERGENCY TEAM LEADER IN NORTHERN ALBANIA FOR THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY. HE SAYS IT NORMALLY WOULD BE A BAD IDEA TO PUT THE TRACTORS BACK ON THE ROAD. BUT THIS, HE SAYS, IS DIFFERENT.

OFFICIALLY, THERE IS A BAN ON TRACTORS, TO MOVE DOWN SOUTH. BUT THIS BAN HAS BEEN RELAXED A BIT, ESPECIALLY FOR TRACTORS THAT ARE FIT FOR THE ROAD. WE FULLY AGREE WITH THE (ALBANIAN) GOVERNMENT THAT TRACTORS NOT FIT FOR THE ROAD SHOULD NOT TRAVEL BECAUSE THAT ONLY EXPOSES REFUGEES TO ADDITIONAL RISKS.

FOR THE TRACTOR FAMILIES WHO STAY, MR. ENDRES SAYS A SPECIAL CAMP IS BEING BUILT HERE, COMPLETE WITH GUARDS AND FENCING FOR NIGHTTIME SECURITY.

WE ARE MOVING TRACTORS THAT ARE SQUATTING IN KUKES TOWN TO THIS CAMP SITE WHERE THEY (THE FAMILIES) WILL BE GIVEN A TENT SO THEY HAVE, AT LEAST, SOME DECENT FORM OF SHELTER AND THEY HAVE ACCESS TO WATER AND SANITATION.

FIVE-THOUSAND REFUGEES WHO WERE STAYING IN KUKES LEFT ON FRIDAY FOR SAFER LOCATIONS AWAY FROM THE BORDER WITH YUGOSLAVIA. THIS IS PART OF THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY'S CONTINUED CAMPAIGN TO MOVE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE OUT OF THE KUKES DISTRICT. (SIGNED)
NEB/TB/JWH
24-Apr-99 9:19 AM EDT (1319 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: FOR SEVERAL DAYS INTERNATIONAL AID WORKERS IN MACEDONIA WERE DENIED ACCESS TO THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES FLOODING INTO THE REMOTE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE OF MALINA. V-O-A'S EVE CONANT REPORTS FROM SKOPJE THAT WHEN AID WORKERS WERE FINALLY ABLE TO BRING FOOD TO THE VILLAGE, THE REFUGEES HAD DISAPPEARED.

TEXT: FOR FOUR DAYS INTERNATIONAL AID WORKERS FROM THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY AND WORLD FOOD PROGRAM DESPERATELY TRIED TO GAIN ACCESS TO A TINY MOUNTAIN VILLAGE CALLED MALINA. THE VILLAGE OF 60 HOUSES HAD BECOME AN UNOFFICIAL CROSSING POINT FOR OVER SIX THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO.

MACEDONIAN POLICE, HOWEVER, BARRED ACCESS TO THE VILLAGE FOR SEVERAL DAYS, CREATING FEAR AMONG AID WORKERS OF AN OUTBREAK OF DISEASE AND WIDESPREAD HUNGER.

WORLD FOOD PROGRAM SPOKESPERSON LINDSEY DAVIES SAYS MACEDONIAN POLICE WOULD NOT ALLOW TRUCKS OF FOOD AID TO ENTER THE VILLAGE.

WE HAD TO JUST OFFLOAD THE TRUCK INTO THE LOCAL VEHICLES AND FERRY IT UP TO THE VILLAGE. WHICH WAS IMPROVISATION BUT TOTALLY INADEQUATE.

MS. DAVIES SAYS AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF TRYING TO REACH THE VILLAGE, THEY WERE FINALLY ALLOWED FULL ACCESS TO THE SIX THOUSAND PEOPLE BELIEVED TO BE STRANDED THERE.

WE GOT FOOD IN, BUT THE BIG ISSUE WAS THERE WERE HARDLY ANY REFUGEES THERE. SO THAT WAS BIG SURPRISE, WE HAD SPENT ALL THIS TIME GETTING THE FOOD IN, THINKING THERE WOULD THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THERE. AND NOTABLY, THERE WERE VERY FEW AND IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS PEOPLE HAD GONE. SO THE QUESTION WAS -- WHERE HAD THEY GONE AND WHO HAD TAKEN THEM?

THE CONCERN OF WORLD FOOD PROGRAM OFFICIALS SUCH AS MS. DAVIES IS THAT THE REFUGEES WERE FORCIBLY REMOVED.

U-N-H-C-R HAD NOT TAKEN THEM, BECAUSE THEY HAD BEEN DENIED ACCESS, THE SAME AS THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM. AND WHEN ASKING THE LOCAL VILLAGERS AND LOCAL HEADMAN THEY TOLD ME THAT THE MACEDONIAN MILITARY HAD LOADED THE REFUGEES ONTO BUSES AND TAKEN THEM TO OTHER LOCATIONS AS WELL AS FORCING MANY TO WALK TO OTHER VILLAGES UP TO SIX HOURS AWAY.

HUMANITARIAN AID ORGANIZATIONS ARE PRESENTLY TRYING TO LOCATE THE REFUGEES. SOME HAVE BEEN FOUND IN NEARBY VILLAGES, AND A SMALL NUMBER AT ONE REFUGEE CAMP, BUT OFFICIALS SAY THAT STILL LEAVES SEVERAL THOUSAND REFUGEES UNACCOUNTED FOR. (SIGNED)
NEB/EC/ALW/JO
24-Apr-99 10:41 AM EDT (1441 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] NATO SUMMIT - L BY KYLE KING (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO CONTINUES TO DOMINATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY NATO SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON, WHERE LEADERS ARE USING THEIR SECOND DAY TO PLAN ALLIANCE STRATEGY FOR THE FUTURE. FROM THE SUMMIT, V-O-A'S KYLE KING HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: THE 19 ALLIANCE LEADERS SAT DOWN WITH THEIR FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTERS TO DISCUSS LONG TERM STRATEGY -- AS NATO AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA WENT INTO A SECOND MONTH.

IN BRIEF OPENING REMARKS TO SUMMIT LEADERS, SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA REAFFIRMED NATO'S DETERMINATION TO DEFEAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. MR. SOLANA SAID THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO IS A CHALLENGE THE ALLIANCE WAS PREPARED TO MEET.

OUR ACTION IN KOSOVO SHOWS THAT THE COUNTRIES OF NATO TOGETHER POSSESS THE NECESSARY RESOURCES AND DETERMINATION. WE ARE PLEDGED TO UPHOLD THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY.

WITH THE COLD WAR NOW OVER, NATO LEADERS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY. THAT PLAN IS EXPECTED TO LAY OUT NATO'S POLICY ON INTERVENING IN CONFLICTS THAT TAKE PLACE OUTSIDE OF THE BORDERS OF ITS MEMBER STATES.

PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO HAS UNDERSCORED THE IMPORTANCE OF NATO AND OF MODERNIZING THE ALLIANCE.

THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO HAS UNDERSCORED THE IMPORTANCE OF NATO AND THE IMPERATIVE OF MODERNIZING THE ALLIANCE FOR 21ST CENTURY CHALLENGES.

THE NEW STRATEGIC CONCEPT WILL GO BEYOND THE COLD WAR FOUNDING PRINCIPLES OF COLLECTIVE DEFENSE OF MEMBER STATES.

IN ADDITION TO CRISIS INTERVENTION, THE DOCUMENT IS EXPECTED TO DEFINE NATO'S ROLE IN DEFENDING MEMBERS AGAINST WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION, AND THREATS SUCH AS TERRORISM.

IT WILL ALSO LAY OUT THE RULES FOR ACCEPTING NEW MEMBERS AND IS EXPECTED TO DEFINE WHAT ROLE THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL WILL PLAY IN AUTHORIZING THE USE OF FORCE.

ALLIANCE LEADERS SAY THEY ALSO WANT TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA, WHICH HAVE BEEN BADLY STRAINED BY RUSSIAN OPPOSITION TO AIR STRIKES IN YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/JO
24-Apr-99 12:04 PM EDT (1604 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] NATO SUMMIT (S UPDATE) BY KYLE KING (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS IT WILL TAKE TIME TO REVERSE THE SERB OFFENSIVE IN KOSOVO, WHERE HE SAYS NATO MUST FOCUS ON WAYS TO BRING THE NATION'S OF THAT REGION TOGETHER. VOA'S KYLE KING HAS THIS REPORT FROM THE SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON.

TEXT: DAY TWO OF NATO'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY SUMMIT FOCUSED ON THE ALLIANCE'S STRATEGY FOR THE FUTURE. BUT AGAIN THE DISCUSSION WAS OVERSHADOWED BY THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO.

PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID IT WILL TAKE TIME FOR THE AIR CAMPAIGN TO SUCCEED, BUT HE VOWED TO PRESS AHEAD WITH THE STRATEGY. IN THE LONG TERM HE SAYS NATO MUST DO MORE TO INTEGRATE THE NATIONS OF THE REGION INTO WESTERN INSTITUTIONS.

WE HAVE TO CREATE A POSITIVE FUTURE FOR THIS PART OF EUROPE IF WE WANT TO AVOID BEING IN THE VERY POSITION WE ARE IN TODAY AGAIN IN ANOTHER PLACE.

SUMMIT LEADERS, MEANWHILE, WERE BUSY DRAWING UP A ROAD MAP FOR POTENTIAL NEW MEMBERS, AND OUTLINING WAYS TO HALT THE SPREAD OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/KL
24-Apr-99 5:49 PM EDT (2149 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] NATO SUMMIT OVERNIGHTER / L BY PAULA WOLFSON (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE NATO SUMMIT MOVES INTO ITS SECOND DAY, WITH THE CONFLICT IN THE BALKANS HIGH ON THE AGENDA. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS ALLIANCE LEADERS WILL ALSO TURN PHILOSOPHICAL, AS THEY DEBATE THE FUTURE OF THE ALLIANCE IN THE POST-COLD WAR WORLD.

TEXT: THE FIRST DAY OF MEETINGS AND CEREMONY ENDED WITH A DINNER AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS FOR A GALA EVENING: TUXEDOS, LAUGHTER AND CHAMPAGNE.

BUT THIS IS AN ALLIANCE IN THE MIDST OF A MILITARY CONFLICT. AND, AS ALLIED AIRCRAFT FLEW OVER YUGOSLAVIA, NATO LEADERS GATHERED IN BUSINESS SUITS AROUND A CRESCENT-SHAPED TABLE AND TALKED ABOUT A CONFLICT FAR AWAY.

PRESIDENT CLINTON SPOKE OF A MORAL OBLIGATION -- A LEGACY FROM THOSE WHO SIGNED THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY 50 YEARS AGO.

WE OWE A GREAT DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO OUR FOUNDERS; TO THE GENERATION OF PEOPLE AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR WHO CONSTRUCTED A WORLD OF FREEDOM THAT STOOD AGAINST TYRANNY AND THE COLD WAR. WE CAN BEST PAY THAT DEBT BY STANDING UP FOR THOSE VALUES TODAY, INCLUDING MEETING OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE CHILDREN AND THE FUTURE OF SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE.

THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE ROOM WAS MORE SERIOUS THAN FESTIVE. NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA LIFTED HIS GLASS AND OFFERED A TOAST TO THE ALLIANCE AND THE TROOPS OF OPERATION ALLIED FORCE.

WE HAVE PROCLAIMED PRINCIPLES ON MANY, MANY OCCASIONS. NOW WE ARE GOING BEYOND THAT. WE ARE PROCLAIMING THE PRINCIPLES AND DEFENDING THE PRINCIPLES.

HE SAID IT WOULD NOT BE EASY; THAT TOUGH TIMES WOULD LIE AHEAD. BUT -- AS HE LOOKED AT THE ASSEMBLED LEADERS OF THE 19 NATO MEMBER COUNTRIES -- MR. SOLANA REPEATED THE VOW THAT HAS BECOME THE MOTTO OF THIS SUMMIT: NATO WILL PREVAIL.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO LIVE THROUGH DIFFICULT MOMENTS, BUT WE ARE GOING TO WIN. NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT

[08] CLINTON / KOSOVO (L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS HE IS CONVINCED NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA WILL ULTIMATELY SUCCEED. DURING A NEWS CONFERENCE AT THE NATO FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY SUMMIT, MR. CLINTON SOUGHT TO ALLAY FEARS THE UNITED STATES IS BEING DRAWN INTO AN OPEN- ENDED CONFLICT IN THE BALKANS. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THE PRESIDENT SAYS TO GIVE THE AIR CAMPAIGN MORE TIME. HE SAYS NATO WILL PREVAIL, BUT IT WILL NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

WE ARE NOT DRIFTING. WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH A STRATEGY THAT I BELIEVE STRONGLY WILL SUCCEED. ONE THAT WE HAVE REAFFIRMED HERE AND INTENSIFIED.

IF WE EXECUTE WELL, IF WE ARE DETERMINED AND WE SPEND ENOUGH TIME DOING IT, WE WILL EITHER BREAK DOWN HIS MILITARY CAPACITY TO RETAIN CONTROL OF KOSOVO OR THE PRICE OF STAYING THERE WILL BE FAR GREATER THAN THE PERCEIVED BENEFITS.

IT WAS MR. CLINTON'S ONLY SOLO NEWS CONFERENCE OF THE NATO SUMMIT. AND THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO DOMINATED THE QUESTIONING. THE PRESIDENT REAFFIRMED HIS OPPOSITION TO THE INTRODUCTION OF GROUND TROOPS IN THE CONFLICT. HE SAID THE DECISION TO SEND ADDITIONAL U-S FORCES TO NEIGHBORING ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA DOES NOT INDICATE A CHANGE OF HEART.

WE ARE TRYING TO HELP THEM MANAGE A MASSIVE REFUGEE PROBLEM. AND IN ALBANIA WE HAVE TROOPS THERE ALSO TO SECURE THE HELICOPTER OPERATION WE HAVE PUT IN THERE

PRESIDENT CLINTON WAS ALSO ASKED ABOUT PLANS FOR STEPPED UP SANCTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. SHOULD NATO TROOPS BOARD SHIPS WITH OIL BOUND FOR SERBIA? MR. CLINTON ANSWERED WITH A QUESTION OF HIS OWN.

HOW CAN WE JUSTIFY RISKING THE LIVES OF THE PILOTS TO GO UP AND DESTROY THE REFINERY AND THE SUPPLY CAPACITY OF SERBIA AND THEN SAY IT IS OKAY WITH US IF PEOPLE WANT TO CONTINUE TO SUPPLY THIS NATION AND ITS OUTLAW ACTIONS IN KOSOVO IN ANOTHER WAY?

THE PRESIDENT WENT ON TO DEFEND NATO'S DECISION TO BOMB THE HEADQUARTERS OF SERBIAN TELEVISION. (OPT) HE SAID THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT USES ITS STATE T-V AS A PROPAGANDA TOOL.

SERB TELEVISION IS A ESSENTIAL INSTRUMENT OF MR. MILOSEVIC'S COMMAND AND CONTROL. HE USES IT TO SPEW HATRED.

[09] ALBANIA / YUGOSLAVIA (L-ONLY) BY CANDACE WILLIAMS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER PASKAL MILO SAYS THE KOSOVO CONFLICT CANNOT BE RESOLVED UNLESS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS FORCIBLY REMOVED FROM OFFICE. THE FOREIGN MINISTER'S TOUGH TALK CAME IN WASHINGTON (FRIDAY), WHERE HE IS ATTENDING THE NATO SUMMIT. V-O-A'S CANDACE WILLIAMS HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: FOREIGN MINISTER MILO SAYS KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAVE LONG SUFFERED UNDER THE REPRESSION OF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, WHO STRIPPED THE PROVINCE OF AUTONOMY IN 1989 AND HAS USED FORCE TO CRACK DOWN ON DISSENT.

MR. MILO BELIEVES STABILITY AND DEMOCRACY IN KOSOVO -- AND THROUGHOUT THE BALKANS -- ARE POSSIBLE. BUT HE SAYS IN ORDER FOR CHANGE TO OCCUR, GOVERNMENTS LIKE THE ONE IN BELGRADE MUST BE TOPPLED.

IT'S NECESSARY TO OVERTHROW THIS REGIME WITH ALL THE MEANS, INCLUDING MILITARY ACTION, BECAUSE DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IS NOT A PERSONAL QUESTION. KOSOVO IS NOT AN INTERNAL PROBLEM OR AFFAIR AS MILOSEVIC, MANY, MANY TIMES HAS DECLARED. THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL ONE, BECAUSE THE PEACE AND SECURITY IN OUR REGION BELONG TO ALL THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, TO ALL EUROPEAN NATIONS, AND TO ALL DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES.

MR. MILO SAYS HE SUPPORTS THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN TO DESTROY MR. MILOSEVIC'S MILITARY CAPABILITIES AND END THE CRISIS THAT HAS DRIVEN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS FROM KOSOVO. HE SAYS, HOWEVER, HE OPPOSES ANY SOLUTION THAT ENVISIONS A PARTITION FOR KOSOVO. HE SAYS THAT WOULD SET A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT FOR OTHER BALKAN NATIONS, GIVEN THEIR DIVERSE ETHNIC MAKEUP, POSSIBLY DESTABILIZING THE REGION FURTHER. (SIGNED)
NEB/CAW/JO
24-Apr-99 10:32 AM EDT (1432 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] KOSOVO-OIL (S-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NATO MILITARY OFFICIALS ARE WORKING ON A NEW PLAN TO CUT OFF OIL TO YUGOSLAV FORCES AS THE ALLIANCE TRIES TO IMOBILIZE THE SERB WAR MACHINE. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE NATO SUMMIT.

TEXT: NATO'S DEFENSE MINISTERS DIRECTED STAFF OFFICERS TO COME UP WITH A SCHEME THAT WILL ALLOW ALLIANCE NAVAL VESSELS TO SEARCH SHIPS HEADED FOR YUGOSLAVIA AND BLOCK THE ONES CARRYING FUEL. NATO OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE LEGAL, POLITICAL AND PRACTICAL PROBLEMS TO BE WORKED OUT, BUT THE ALLIANCE MEMBERS AGREED TO THE BASIC PLAN IN PRINCIPLE.

NATO PLANES AND MISSILES HAVE BEEN BLASTING YUGOSLAV OIL REFINERIES AND THE FACILITIES THAT BRING FUEL TO THE SERB-LED YUGOSLAV FORCES IN KOSOVO. NATO OFFICIALS SAY A FUEL SHORTAGE WILL FORCE FUEL-THIRSTY SERB TANKS TO SLOW OR STOP THEIR OPERATIONS. MEANTIME, U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE ADDING TWO THOUSAND TROOPS, SOME ARTILLERY AND 15 TANKS TO THE FORCE PROTECTING TWO DOZEN APACHE HELICOPTERS THAT HAVE JUST ARRIVED IN ALBANIA. THE TANK-KILLING HELICOPTERS ARE EXPECTED TO CROSS THE BORDER INTO YUGOSLAVIA AND BEGIN HUNTING DOWN SERB ARMORED FORCES SOON. (SIGNED).
NEB/PT
23-Apr-99 10:14 PM EDT (0214 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] NATO / UKRAINE (L ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: UKRAINE WON WARM PRAISE FROM NATO LEADERS FOR EFFORTS TO BROKER A PEACE DEAL WITH YUGOSLAVIA. BUT THE ALLIANCE SECRETARY GENERAL SAYS THE PROPOSED AGREEMENT IS FLAWED. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE NATO SUMMIT, WHERE UKRAINE'S PRESIDENT SAYS HE WILL KEEP TRYING TO BRING PEACE TO KOSOVO.

TEXT: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT LEONID KUCHMA SAYS YUGOSLAVIA WOULD ALLOW INTERNATIONAL TROOPS TO ENFORCE A PEACE DEAL IN KOSOVO AS LONG AS THOSE TROOPS DO NOT COME FROM THE NATO NATIONS THAT ARE NOW BOMBING YUGOSLAVIA.

BUT NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA SAYS WITHOUT NATO TROOPS, ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES WILL NOT TRUST THE PEACE FORCE AND WILL NOT RETURN HOME.

THE AIM IS TO REVERSE THE SITUATION. THEREFORE TO RETURN THE REFUGEES. IF WE WANT TO RETURN THE REFUGEES WE HAVE TO DEPLOY ON THE GROUND, AND EVERYBODY AGREES ON THAT, AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE, WITH GUARANTEES THAT IT GIVES TO REFUGEES TO RETURN. IT SEEMS TO ME, THAT TO HAVE A GUARANTEE OF SECURITY, IT HAS TO BE A ROBUST FORCE DEPLOYED ON THE GROUND.

SPEAKING AFTER A MEETING WITH PRESIDENT KUCHMA AT THE NATO SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON, THE NATO SECRETARY GENERAL SAYS UKRAINE AND RUSSIA HAVE PLAYED A HELPFUL ROLE IN ENDING THE WAR IN NEIGHBORING BOSNIA BY PROVIDING SOLDIERS WHO SERVE ALONGSIDE NATO TROOPS IN THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE. HE SAYS HE HOPES A SIMILAR AGREEMENT CAN BE WORKED OUT FOR KOSOVO.

PRESIDENT KUCHMA SAYS UKRAINE'S IDEAS GOT A HEARING AT THE NATO SUMMIT, AND HE SIGNALED A WILLINGNESS TO KEEP WORKING FOR A PEACE DEAL. SPEAKING THROUGH A TRANSLATOR, HE SAID:

THERE IS UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ROLE OF UKRAINE IS NOT LIMITED ONLY BY THESE PROPOSALS.

PRESIDENT KUCHMA SAYS ALBANIANS AS WELL AS SERBS SHOULD TAKE THE BLAME FOR THE CURRENT CONFLICT, AND HE IS WILLING TO GO TO BELGRADE TO WORK OUT A PEACE AGREEMENT.

MR. KUCHMA MET WITH NATO LEADERS SATURDAY TO FORMALLY GRANT PERMISSION TO USE A FORMER SOVIET MILITARY BASE IN WESTERN UKRAINE FOR TRAINING ALLIANCE FORCES. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/KL
24-Apr-99 7:57 PM EDT (2357 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: RUSSIA HAS WARNED NATO AGAINST USING A SEA BLOCKADE TO INCREASE ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON BELGRADE. VOA MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS RUSSIA IS VOWING TO CONTINUE OIL SHIPMENTS TO YUGOSLAVIA IN DEFIANCE OF NATO.

TEXT: RUSSIA'S BALKANS ENVOY VICTOR CHERNOMYRDIN SATURDAY CALLED THE ALLIANCE PLAN TO CUT OFF OIL SUPPLIES TO BELGRADE "A BAD IDEA". MR. CHERNOMYRDIN TOLD SUPPORTERS AT A MEETING OF HIS POLITICAL PARTY "THE BLOCKADE IS BAD. THE AIR STRIKES ARE BAD WHEN PEOPLE DIE, IT IS BAD."

MR. CHERNOMYRDIN'S COMMENTS WERE BACKED UP BY FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV. ON A TRIP TO THE MIDDLE EAST, MR. IVANOV WAS QUOTED AS SAYING MOSCOW WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPLY OIL TO BELGRADE IN KEEPING WITH ITS COMMITMENTS.

RUSSIA IS YUGOSLAVIA'S MAIN OIL SUPPLIER. AS MUCH AS 80 PERCENT OF RUSSIAN EXPORTS TO YUGOSLAVIA ARE SAID TO BE ENERGY PRODUCTS.

NATO LEADERS MEETING IN WASHINGTON, HOWEVER, SAY THEY ARE DETERMINED TO CUT OFF VITAL OIL SHIPMENTS FUELLING SERB FORCES.

BUT THE ALLIANCE PLAN FOR A "VISIT AND SEARCH" OPERATION FOR SHIPS HEADED FOR YUGOSLAVIA SETS UP A CERTAIN CONFRONTATION WITH MOSCOW. AND IT COMES AT A TIME WHEN THE ALLIANCE IS URGING RUSSIA TO HELP MEDIATE A SETTLEMENT AND CONTRIBUTE TROOPS TO AN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY FORCE TO PROTECT ETHNIC ALBANIANS ON THEIR RETURN TO KOSOVO.

DESPITE THE LOOMING CONFRONTATION, MR. CHERNOMYRDIN CONTINUES TO EXPRESS OPTIMISM ABOUT THE CHANCES FOR A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT OF THE CONFLICT. HE SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS READY TO ACCEPT AN INTERNATIONAL MILITARY PRESENCE IN KOSOVO.

THE BALKANS ENVOY SAYS HE HOPES TO BRIEF NATO REPRESENTATIVES ON HIS TALKS WITH MR. MILOSEVIC LAST THURSDAY IN BELGRADE. BUT THE PEACE INITIATIVE APPEARS TO BE STILLBORN.

YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS SEEM TO BE CONTRADICTING MR. CHERNOMYRDIN'S ASSERTION OF A BREAKTHROUGH, SAYING THE ONLY DISCUSSION WAS ABOUT AN UNARMED PRESENCE IN KOSOVO UNDER UNITED NATIONS SUPERVISION. NATO OFFICIALS SAID EVEN IF THE SERBS ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT A MILITARY PRESENCE, SUCH AN OFFER WOULD BE INADEQUATE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/KL
24-Apr-99 4:25 PM EDT (2025 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] NATO / SERB PROTEST (L ONLY) BY CAROL PINEAU (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AS NATO LEADERS WERE MEETING A FEW BLOCKS AWAY, SEVERAL THOUSAND SERBIAN AMERICANS GATHERED NEAR THE WHITE HOUSE TO PROTEST WHAT THEY CALLED NATO AGGRESSION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. CAROL PINEAU HAS THE STORY.

TEXT: /// SFX -- CHURCH SERVICE -- ESTABLISH AND FADE UNDER

IT WAS CALLED A SERVICE IN TIMES OF HOSTILITIES. SERBIAN ORTHODOX PRIESTS LED MORE THAN FIVE THOUSAND SERBIAN AMERICANS IN PRAYER AND PROTEST AGAINST NATO BOMBINGS IN BELGRADE AND KOSOVO.

THEY CAME FROM CHICAGO, INDIANAPOLIS, DETROIT AND OTHER CITIES, GATHERING SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT LAFAYETTE PARK ACROSS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

CARRYING SIGNS THAT READ "STOP THE BOMBING," "PROUD TO BE SERB," AND "COLLATERAL DAMAGE IS MY FAMILY," THE PROTESTERS CALLED ON PRESIDENT CLINTON AND OTHER LEADERS OF THE NATO NATIONS TO STOP THE AIR STRIKES.

WITH AIR RAID SIRENS BLARING IN SYMPATHY FOR THEIR RELATIVES IN BELGRADE, THE CROWDS CHEERED AND RELEASED HUNDREDS OF BLACK BALLOONS INTO THE BRIGHT BLUE SKY.

ONE OF THE PROTESTERS SAID THAT WHILE SHE WAS PROUD TO BE AMERICAN, SHE WAS APPALLED BY WHAT THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT WAS DOING TO THE PEOPLE OF SERBIA.

IT HITS HARD WHEN I CALL HOME AND I HEAR WHAT GOES ON... IT JUST BREAKS MY HEART. LIKE WHEN I WAS CALLING MY FAMILY LAST WEEK I COULD HEAR THEM BOMBING IN THE BACKGROUND AND I'M SITTING HERE. MY TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING TOWARD THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT SLAUGHTERING MY FAMILY. AND IT JUST KILLS ME, IT'S TEARING ME UP.

DURING THE PRAYER SERVICE, SERB ORTHODOX PRIESTS SPOKE AGAINST NATO AGGRESSION AND PRAYED FOR THE PEOPLE OF SERBIA, PARTICULARLY THOSE SERVING IN THE ARMY.

THE PROTESTERS DESCRIBED KOSOVO AS THEIR HOLY LAND AND SPOKE OF TENSIONS WITH ISLAM, AND ASKED WHY THE WORLD DID NOT REACT WHEN THE SERBS ACCUSED CROATIA OF COMMITTING ETHNIC CLEANSING ON THE SERBS. BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING, THEY WORRIED FOR THEIR FAMILIES IN BELGRADE.

MY UNCLE CALLED MY MOM AND SAID HE WAS LIVING IN A BOMB SHELTER WITH MY TWO YOUNG COUSINS. AND HIS WIFE WAS SLEEPING IN THE MENTAL HOSPITAL WHERE SHE WORKS. SHE WAS SLEEPING THERE BECAUSE THE CHILDREN WERE VERY DISTURBED AND HAVING A HARD TIME COPING WITH THE BOMBINGS. I DON'T SLEEP ANYMORE, I DON'T EAT ANYMORE, WHEN I DO SLEEP I DREAM OF BOMBS DETONATING UNDER MY FEET, AND IMAGINING WHAT MY RELATIVES ARE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW.

THE ORGANIZERS OF THE DEMONSTRATION STRESSED THE PEACEFULNESS OF MARCH. THEY ALSO STRESSED THAT THEY WERE NOT PROTESTING IN SUPPORT OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODON MILOSEVIC. THE IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR THEM WAS THAT KOSOVO MUST REMAIN SERBIAN.

[14] FRANCE / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: FRANCE HAS POSTED EXTRA TROOPS AND HEAVILY ARMED POLICE IN PARIS AND OTHER FRENCH CITIES TO GUARD AGAINST POSSIBLE TERRORIST ATTACKS LINKED TO THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. JULIAN NUNDY IN PARIS REPORTS THE FRENCH INTERIOR MINISTRY DESCRIBED THE MEASURE AS A PRECAUTION, SAYING THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY SPECIFIC THREAT.

TEXT: FRANCE HAS BEEN ON THE ALERT AGAINST TERRORIST ATTACKS FOR NEARLY FOUR YEARS AFTER AN OUTLAWED ALGERIAN ISLAMIC EXTREMIST ORGANIZATION SET OFF SEVERAL BOMBS IN PARIS AND OTHER CITIES. SINCE 1995, FRANCE HAS MAINTAINED WHAT IT CALLS THE "VIGIPIRATE" SECURITY ALERT. UNDER VIGIPIRATE, SOLDIERS AND PARAMILITARY POLICE PATROL HEAVILY POPULATED SITES, LIKE TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, MAINLINE RAILROAD AND SUBWAY STATIONS AND AIRPORTS. NOW, FRENCH INTERIOR MINISTER JEAN-PIERRE CHEVENEMENT HAS ORDERED ANOTHER 600 TROOPS TO TAKE UP POSITION IN THE BIG CITIES. THIS MEANS THAT A TOTAL OF 11-HUNDRED ARMED MEN, CARRYING AUTOMATIC RIFLES AND WEARING BULLET-PROOF JACKETS, ARE NOW PATROLLING PUBLIC PLACES IN PARIS ALONE.

MR. CHEVENEMENT LINKED THE ORDER TO THE NATO CAMPAIGN OF AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA.

IN ADDITION TO POSTING PATROLS AT TOURIST SITES LIKE THE EIFFEL TOWER, TROOPS ARE ALSO GUARDING THE BIG PARIS DEPARTMENT STORES AS WELL AS EMBASSIES AND OTHER BUILDINGS BELONGING TO NATO COUNTRIES.

THE PARIS POLICE CHIEF CALLED A MEETING SATURDAY OF OFFICIALS FROM THE CITY'S TRANSPORT SYSTEM, HOSPITALS, TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS, AND OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO ADVISE THEM TO INCREASE SECURITY. HE COUNSELED THEM TO CHECK THE CONTENTS OF VISITORS' BAGS AND LUGGAGE AND OF VEHICLES ENTERING THEIR PREMISES.

THE INTERIOR MINISTER SAID THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT IS NOT CURRENTLY AWARE OF ANY EXPLICIT THREATS OF TERRORIST ACTION IN FRANCE.

INSISTING THAT THERE IS NO PARTICULAR REASON FOR ALARM, THE MINISTER SAID HE DOES NOT WANT TO CAUSE WHAT HE CALLS "A PSYCHOSIS" BUT THAT HE BELIEVES IT IS NECESSARY TO BE ESPECIALLY VIGILANT WHILE THE NATO CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA CONTINUES. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/JWH/JO
24-Apr-99 8:49 AM EDT (1249 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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