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Voice of America, 99-05-17Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] NATO-KOSOVO (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=5/17/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249467 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO SAYS TENS OF THOUSANDS MORE KOSOVO ALBANIANS MAY BE TRYING TO FLEE TO NEIGHBORING MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA BUT ARE BEING HELD BACK BY SERBIAN AUTHORITIES IN YUGOSLAVIA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS. TEXT: NATO IS CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTS THAT A TRAIN CARRYING TWO-THOUSAND ALBANIAN REFUGEES HAS BEEN TURNED BACK FROM THE MACEDONIAN BORDER BY SERBIAN AUTHORITIES. THERE IS ADDITIONAL CONCERN THAT KOSOVAR MEN ARE BEING REMOVED FROM BUSES THAT ARE CROSSING THE BORDER. THE ALLIANCE HAS BEEN TRACKING 70-THOUSAND DISPLACED ETHNIC ALBANIANS INSIDE KOSOVO AND HAS HEARD THAT 40-THOUSAND MORE ARE TRYING TO FLEE TO SAFETY. NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA ACCUSES SERBIAN AUTHORITIES OF CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF ALBANIANS LIKE USING A WATER TAP. ///SHEA ACT///THE LAST THING WE WANT TO SEE IS REFUGEES BEING TURNED ON AND OFF LIKE A TAP. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THOSE WHO WISH TO LEAVE TO BE SECURE IN THE NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. ///END ACT///NATO ALSO ESTIMATES THAT 19-THOUSAND ALBANIANS HAVE BEEN USED AS
HUMAN SHIELDS IN THREE LOCATIONS TO PROTECT YUGOSLAV MILITARY
EQUIPMENT FROM NATO AIR STRIKES. (SIGNED)
[02] REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: NATO IN ALBANIA BY NICK SIMEONE (TIRANA)DATE=5/17/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-43425 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE WAR OVER KOSOVO IS HELPING CHANGE THE FACE OF ALBANIA. FOR DECADES THAT SMALL NATION IN SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE KEPT ITSELF CUT OFF FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD, FEARING AN INVASION FROM EAST OR WEST. THAT INVASION FINALLY CAME, WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THOUSANDS OF NATO TROOPS SENT IN NOT TO FIGHT, BUT TO HELP CARE FOR REFUGEES FLEEING NEIGHBORING KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS HOW NATO HAS MADE A VIRTUAL MILITARY BASE OUT OF ALBANIA. TEXT. THE INVASION THAT ALBANIA'S LATE COMMUNIST DICTATOR, ENVER HOXHA, HAD LONG PREPARED FOR, HAS FINALLY CAME -- BUT IN A WAY HE WOULD NEVER HAVE EXPECTED DURING THE COLD WAR. THOUSANDS OF NATO SOLDIERS ARE HERE -- NOT AS A HOSTILE FORCE, AS THE FORMER STALINIST LEADER FEARED, BUT TO ASSIST TENS OF THOUSANDS OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES CAMPED AROUND THE COUNTRY. THE NATO PRESENCE IN ALBANIA IS EVIDENT EVEN BEFORE A VISITOR LANDS AT TIRANA AIRPORT. ONLY TWO MONTHS AGO THE SLEEPY CRUMBLING AIRPORT HANDLED JUST A FEW FLIGHTS PER DAY. NOW ALBANIAN AIRSPACE IS UNDER NATO COMMAND, AND TIRANA AIRPORT HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A NATO MILITARY BASE FULL OF ALLIED AIRCRAFT, CARGO PLANES AND TROOPS. THE AMERICAN FLAG FLIES NEAR ONE AIRPORT TENT ENCAMPMENT, BUT WHAT CAPTURES AN ARRIVING PASSENGER'S EYE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY ARE THE U-S ARMY'S MUCH-TALKED-ABOUT APACHE ATTACK HELICOPTERS, PARKED NEATLY ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE AIRSTRIP. TWO APACHES HAVE BEEN LOST IN TRAINING EXERCISES. NONE HAS YET SEEN COMBAT. DEPLOYED ACROSS ALBANIA ARE NEARLY SEVEN-THOUSAND NATO TROOPS, BUILDING TENTS AND ASSISTING UNITED NATIONS WORKERS IN RELIEF OPERATIONS. THERE IS NO LIMIT ON HOW MANY MORE SOLDIERS MIGHT COME HERE IF NATO WOULD DECIDE TO MOVE INTO KOSOVO TO PROTECT REFUGEES OR TO DRIVE OUT SERB FORCES. ALLIANCE SPOKESMAN MAJOR ANTHONY KONSTADINIDIS: /// KONSTADINIDIS ACT ///IT WOULD BE BIGGER, BUT WHEN? I DON'T HAVE THIS INFORMATION OR HOW LARGE IT WOULD BE. BUT I DON'T THINK THE MANPOWER NOW IS ENOUGH TO GO OUTSIDE ALBANIA TO BUILD OVER THERE [IN KOSOVO] CAMPS TOO. WE WILL NEED MORE PEOPLE TO GO INSIDE KOSOVO TO BUILD CAMPS. SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM IN 1991, ALBANIA HAS BEEN SEEKING
CLOSER COOPERATION WITH THE NATO ALLIANCE. NOW NATO HAS COME TO
ALBANIA, NOT WITH AN OFFER OF MEMBERSHIP, BUT WITH A MISSION
THAT IS HELPING TO PULL ALONG THIS ISOLATED COUNTRY CLOSER TO THE
FRAMEWORK OF MAINSTREAM EUROPE. (SIGNED)
[03] CONGRESS/KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY JIM MALONE (CONGRESS)DATE=5/17/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249477 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE U-S CONGRESS IS EXPECTED TO GIVE FINAL APPROVAL THIS WEEK TO A 15-BILLION DOLLAR EMERGENCY SPENDING BILL TO FUND MILITARY OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO. PRESIDENT CLINTON INITIALLY ASKED FOR ONLY SIX-BILLION DOLLARS. BUT AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE REPORTS, LAWMAKERS KEPT ADDING MONEY FOR OTHER ITEMS AS THE BILL MADE ITS WAY THROUGH CONGRESS. TEXT: TWELVE OF THE 15-BILLION DOLLARS WILL BE USED EITHER FOR MILITARY OR HUMANITARIAN EXPENSES RELATED TO THE KOSOVO OPERATION. REPUBLICANS ARE USING THE EMERGENCY SPENDING MEASURE TO BEEF UP THE DEFENSE BUDGET IN GENERAL INCLUDING MONEY FOR A MILITARY PAY INCREASE AND FOR NEW WEAPONS AND AIRCRAFT. HOUSE AND SENATE NEGOTIATORS AGREED ON A FINAL VERSION OF THE BILL LATE LAST WEEK BUT ONLY AFTER SOME INFLUENTIAL LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH PARTIES WITHDREW FUNDING PROPOSALS FOR SOME OF THEIR PET PROJECTS SUCH AS LOANS FOR OIL, GAS AND STEEL COMPANIES. PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS WARNED LAWMAKERS NOT TO OVERLOAD THE BILL WITH UNRELATED SPENDING ITEMS DESIGNED TO BOOST THEIR OWN POLITICAL STANDING IN THEIR HOME STATES AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS. THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILL VOTE ON THE KOSOVO SPENDING BILL TUESDAY. THE SENATE WILL HAVE ITS CHANCE LATER IN THE WEEK. /// REST OPT ///THE NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN CONTINUES TO BE THE SUBJECT OF HEATED DEBATE ON CAPITOL HILL. REPUBLICAN HOUSE MEMBER ED WHITFIELD OF KENTUCKY VOICED HIS CONCERNS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR MONDAY. /// WHITFIELD ACT. ///MR. PRESIDENT, STOP THE BOMBINGS. GIVE NEGOTIATIONS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK. ARE WE WILLING TO CONTINUE BOMBING WHATEVER THE COST IN HUMAN LIFE, IN PAIN AND IN SUFFERING UNTIL MR. MILOSEVIC REMOVES ALL OF HIS FORCES FROM KOSOVO? THERE MUST BE SOME OTHER WAY. BOMBING IS NOT THE ANSWER. /// END ACT. ///BUT EVEN SOME REPUBLICANS CRITICAL OF THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN ARE
EXPECTED TO SUPPORT THE EMERGENCY SPENDING BILL FOR KOSOVO AS A
DEMONSTRATION OF SUPPORT FOR THE U-S MILITARY. (SIGNED)
[04] COLIN POWELL / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY COLIN LOVETT (WASHINGTON)DATE=5/17/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249488 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE U-S JOINTS CHIEFS OF STAFF, GENERAL COLIN POWELL, SAYS NATO'S POLITICAL LEADERS SHOULD HAVE THREATENED TO USE GROUND TROOPS IN KOSOVO. AS V-O-A'S COLIN LOVETT REPORTS, GENERAL POWELL SAYS THE IDEA OF GROUND TROOPS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PUBLICLY DISCOUNTED, EVEN IF NATO HAD NO INTENTION OF USING THEM. TEXT: GENERAL POWELL, WHO LED U-S FORCES DURING THE 1991 GULF WAR, SAYS HE BELIEVES THE UNITED STATES AND ITS NATO ALLIES HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO LAUNCH THEIR AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. AT A LUNCHEON IN WASHINGTON (MONDAY), GENERAL POWELL SAID THE NATO STRIKES HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE IN INFLICTING A TERRIBLE BEATING ON YUGOSLAVIA. HOWEVER, HE SAID IT IS NOT YET CLEAR WHETHER NATO CAN BREAK THE WILL OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND HIS MILITARY. THE FORMER U-S MILITARY CHIEF ADDED THE LACK OF A THREAT THAT NATO MIGHT SEND GROUND FORCES INTO YUGOSLAVIA GIVES THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT LESS TO FEAR. // POWELL ACT //BECAUSE THE DISADVANTAGE OF AIRPOWER ONLY, IT THAT YOU ARE PUNISHING SOMEBODY, BUT THAT SOMEBODY IS THE ONE WHO DECIDES WHEN HE FEELS HE HAS BEEN PUNISHED ENOUGH AND HE HAS TO CHANGE COURSE. // END ACT //NO MATTER HOW THE CURRENT CONFLICT ENDS, MR. POWELL SAYS THAT WHEN THE BOMBS STOP FALLING AND FOREIGN TROOPS CAN ENTER KOSOVO WITHOUT RESISTANCE, THE TOUGHEST TASK WILL BE JUST BEGINNING. // POWELL ACT //AND THAT IS TO RESETTLE A VERY LARGE REFUGEE POPULATION, IN THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS, BACK INTO VILLAGES THAT HAVE BEEN DESTROYED AND HOMES THAT HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. WITH CROPS THAT HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. AND LIVESTOCK THAT HAS BEEN DESTROYED. AND TO TRY TO DO IT BEFORE WINTER AND THEN PROTECT THEM FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THIS IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR MILITARY OPERATION. // ENDS ACT //THE RETIRED U-S GENERAL FEELS IT IS PREMATURE TO CALL THE CURRENT
AIR STRIKES A SUCCESS OR A FAILURE, SAYING A FINAL ASSESSMENT
WILL HAVE TO BE WITHHELD UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN IS OVER. (SIGNED)
[05] NATO / PRISONERS (S-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=5/17/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249485 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS SAY TWO YUGOSLAV PRISONERS OF WAR WILL BE RELEASED SOON TO THE RED CROSS. THE SOLDIERS WERE CAPTURED BY THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY AND EVENTUALLY TURNED OVER TO U-S FORCES. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON. TEXT: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS THE SERB SOLDIERS WERE NOT TRADED FOR THREE U-S SOLDIERS WHO WERE RECENTLY RELEASED BY YUGOSLAV FORCES. /// BACON ACT ///IT IS NOT A QUID PRO QUO [TRADE]. IF IT HAD BEEN A QUID PRO QUO, IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED A LONG TIME AGO. /// END ACT ///THOSE AMERICANS WERE CAPTURED NEAR THE BORDER BETWEEN SERBIA AND MACEDONIA. THEY WERE RELEASED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO AFTER AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER JESSE JACKSON VISITED BELGRADE. MR. BACON SAYS THE TWO SERBS DECLINED A CHANCE TO TALK TO THE
INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL ON WAR CRIMES. HE ALSO SAYS PRESS REPORTS
THAT THE TWO MEN DID NOT WANT TO RETURN HOME ARE WRONG.
(SIGNED)
[06] YUGO/PRISONERS (S-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (WASHINGTON)DATE=5/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249447 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY TWO YUGOSLAV SOLDIERS HELD AS PRISONERS OF WAR WILL BE RELEASED -- PERHAPS AS EARLY AS MONDAY. V-O-A PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT JIM RANDLE REPORTS. TEXT: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THE TWO MEN WILL BE RELEASED SOON, BUT SOME UNSPECIFIED DETAILS REMAIN TO BE WORKED OUT. ONE OF THE MEN IS A 20 YEAR OLD SERBIAN LIEUTENANT WHO LED A 20 MAN ARMY PLATOON UNTIL HIS CAPTURE BY KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY REBELS IN KOSOVO. THE OTHER SOLDIER WAS ALSO CAPTURED BY K-L-A FORCES AND BOTH WERE TURNED OVER TO NATO OFFICIALS. THE SERB PRISONERS ARE CURRENTLY IN U-S CUSTODY AT A BASE IN GERMANY. DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN RECENTLY SAID HE WAS CONSIDERING
RETURNING THE MEN TO THEIR COUNTRY. THE MOVE FOLLOWS
YUGOSLAVIA'S RELEASE OF THREE U-S PRISONERS AFTER A VISIT TO
BELGRADE BY AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER JESSE JACKSON A FEW
WEEKS AGO. (SIGNED)
[07] KOSOVO-HUMAN SHIELDS (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=5/17/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249482 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS UP TO HALF OF THE PEOPLE KILLED IN NATO AIR RAIDS IN SERBIA AND KOSOVO WERE PUT IN HARM'S WAY DELIBERATELY BY YUGOSLAV FORCES. MR. BACON SAYS THERE IS GROWING EVIDENCE THAT SERB-LED FORCES ARE USING KOSOVAR ALBANIANS AND OTHERS AS HUMAN SHIELDS TO PROTECT MILITARY TARGETS FROM NATO BOMBS. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON. TEXT: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE REPORTS THAT SERB TROOPS GATHERED KOSOVAR REFUGEES FROM THE HILLS AND ORDERED THEM TO STAY AT A MILITARY COMPOUND NEAR THE VILLAGE OF KORISA LAST WEEK. VERY EARLY FRIDAY MORNING, NATO PLANES LEVELED THE BUILDING AND SOME NEARBY ARTILLERY EMPLACEMENTS WITH BOMBS, KILLING 87 REFUGEES AND WOUNDING MANY MORE. PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS THERE ARE MORE AND MORE REPORTS THAT SERB FORCES ARE DELIBERATELY PUTTING CIVILIANS AT RISK, TO EMBARRASS NATO WHEN ALLIANCE PLANES STRIKE TARGETS. /// BACON ACT ///IT MAY BE THAT AS MANY AS HALF, OR CERTAINLY A THIRD OF THE PEOPLE KILLED IN NATO ATTACKS WERE PUT THERE SPECIFICALLY BY MILOSEVIC AS HUMAN SHIELDS. THIS APPLIES TO SERBS AS WELL. WE'VE SEEN PICTURES IN SERBIA WHERE HE HAS [TROOPS HAVE] PUT PEOPLE ON BRIDGES TO USE THEM AS HUMAN SHIELDS. /// END ACT ///MR. BACON SAYS USING HUMAN SHIELDS IS DIABOLICAL. HE ADMITS THAT NATO HAS MADE SOME MISTAKES THAT HAVE COST CIVILIAN LIVES, BUT INSISTS THAT DELIBERATE ACTIONS BY PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S FORCES HAVE KILLED MANY TIMES MORE INNOCENT PEOPLE. /// BACON ACT ///NO MATTER WHAT [YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN] MILOSEVIC SAYS, THE NUMBER OF KOSOVAR ALBANIANS WHO HAVE BEEN UNFORTUNATELY KILLED IN NATO ATTACKS IS TINY COMPARED TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HE HAS MASSACRED. WE NOW BELIEVE THAT THE MASS EXECUTIONS ARE OVER FIVE-THOUSAND IN KOSOVO. /// END ACT ///MR. BACON SAYS TWO SERB SOLDIERS HELD BY NATO AS PRISONERS OF WAR
WILL BE RELEASED SOON, AFTER THEY ARE INTERVIEWED BY THE RED
CROSS. (SIGNED)
[08] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)DATE=5/17/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249462 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK IS BLAMING THE YUGOSLAV MILITARY FOR CIVILIAN DEATHS IN THE KOSOVO VILLAGE OF KORISA WHEN IT WAS HIT BY NATO BOMBS LAST WEEK. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON REPORTS THE BRITISH OFFICIAL ALSO SAYS MORE TROOPS WILL BE NEEDED TO ESCORT KOSOVAR REFUGEES BACK HOME ONCE THE CONFLICT ENDS. TEXT: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY COOK SAYS SERB FORCES ARE USING ETHNIC ALBANIANS AS HUMAN SHIELDS AS PART OF THEIR TERROR CAMPAIGN IN KOSOVO. /// COOK ACT ONE ///WE HAVE NOW GATHERED 80 SEPARATE REPORTS FROM REFUGEES IN MACEDONIA OF THE USE OF HUMAN SHIELDS BY THE SERB FORCES WITHIN KOSOVO. THEY INCLUDE AT KLINA THE USE OF 500 KOSOVAR MEN DURING FIGHTING WITH THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. /// END ACT ///MR. COOK SAYS THE REPORTS TELL OF 700 KOSOVAR MEN FORCED TO STAND WITH THEIR HANDS TIED IN FRONT OF SERB TANKS FOR TWO DAYS. HE SAYS KOSOVAR ALBANIANS ALSO WERE USED AS HUMAN SHIELDS IN KORISA WHERE NATO'S BOMBING WAS BLAMED FOR THE DEATH OF AT LEAST 87 CIVILIANS. HE SAYS IT IS THE YUGOSLAV MILITARY WHICH BEARS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEATHS. MR. COOK IS IN BRUSSELS FOR MEETINGS WITH EUROPEAN UNION AND NATO COLLEAGUES. HE IS EXPECTED TO DEFEND BRITAIN'S TRANS-ATLANTIC LINKS AMID REPORTS OF DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE UNITED STATES ABOUT WHEN GROUND TROOPS WILL BE DEPLOYED IN KOSOVO. MR. COOK SAYS THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE OVER THE NEED FOR NATO FORCES TO ESCORT KOSOVAR REFUGEES HOME. BUT HE SAYS AN ESTIMATED 20-THOUSAND SOLDIERS WAITING IN MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA ARE NOT ENOUGH TO DO THE JOB. /// COOK ACT TWO ///WE ENVISAGED THAT WE MIGHT HAVE SOME 28-THOUSAND MEN. WE NOW RECOGNIZE THAT IN LIGHT OF THE CONFLICT OF THE LAST EIGHT WEEKS -- AND PARTICULARLY THE MASSIVE DESTRUCTION BY SERB FORCES ON ALL THE TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF KOSOVO -- IT WILL REQUIRE A LARGER FORCE TO TAKE THE REFUGEES BACK, SECURE THE TERRITORY, SECURE THE CEASEFIRE, AND HELP THEM IN THE TASK OF RECONSTRUCTION. /// END ACT ///MR. COOK SAYS NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA IS DUE TO
UPDATE THE OPTION OF GROUND FORCES FOR NATO ALLIES LATER THIS
MONTH. THE BRITISH DIPLOMAT SAYS THE MOST OPTIMISTIC PLAN WOULD
HAVE THE REFUGEES HEADING HOME BEFORE THE COLD MONTHS OF WINTER.
(SIGNED)
[09] BRITAIN / U-S / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)DATE=5/17/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249456 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR IS BACK IN THE BALKANS SHORING UP SUPPORT FOR NATO'S AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. AND FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK IS SHORING UP BRITAIN'S LINKS TO WASHINGTON AMID GROWING SPECULATION OF A RIFT OVER STRATEGY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON. TEXT: A JOINT EDITORIAL BY FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK AND U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELINE ALBRIGHT IS THE FIRST OF MANY JOINT APPEARANCES -- IN PRINT AND ON T-V. MR COOK TOLD B-B-C RADIO HE WILL TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON LATER THIS WEEK TO UNDERLINE NATO SOLIDARITY ON ITS STRATEGY IN KOSOVO. /// COOK ACT ONE ///I GO TO WASHINGTON ON THURSDAY. I CAN DISCUSS MANY OF THESE POINTS AND MAKE SURE WE ARE TOGETHER WORKING ON THE PLANNING THAT IS GOING AHEAD FOR WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR SUCCESS IN KOSOVO, AND GO BACK WITH THE REFUGEES. BUT I'M ALSO GOING TO DEMONSTRATE THE SOLIDARITY AND JOINT RESOLVE OF OUR TWO COUNTRIES IN A NUMBER OF JOINT T-V INTERVIEWS WITH MADELINE ALBRIGHT. AND WE'LL BE STRESSING OUR COMMON RESOLVE TO MAKE SURE WE SECURE OUR OBJECTIVE. /// END ACT ///THE PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN COMES AMID REPORTS OF TRANS-ATLANTIC DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT STRATEGY, ESPECIALLY THE USE OF GROUND FORCES. DURING THE DAILY BRITISH BRIEFING ON KOSOVO, MR COOK INSISTED THE QUESTION IS NOT IF BUT WHEN NATO TROOPS WOULD GO INTO KOSOVO. /// COOK ACT TWO ///NOBODY EVER RULED OUT GROUND TROOPS. ON THE CONTRARY, THE UNITED STATES BACK AT RAMBOUILLET (PEACE TALKS) COMMITTED GROUND TROOPS FROM AMERICA AS PART OF THE FORCE THAT IT WAS ALWAYS IMAGINED WOULD ENTER KOSOVO TO SECURE THE PEACE AND UNDERWRITE THE CEASEFIRE. /// END ACT ///MILITARY ANALYSTS SAY AIR STRIKES ALONE WILL NOT REVERSE THE ETHNIC CLEANSING CAMPAIGN IN KOSOVO. PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS RULED OUT THE USE OF GROUND TROOPS BEFORE
THE SERB MILITARY RETREATS FROM KOSOVO. BRITISH PRIME MINISTER
TONY BLAIR HAS TRIED TO GET NATO ALLIES TO CONSIDER DEPLOYING
GROUND TROOPS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.
FOR NOW, MR BLAIR IS VISITING ALBANIA AND BULGARIA TO SHORE UP
SUPPORT FOR NATO'S AIR STRIKES. HE IS ALSO RENEWING PROMISES OF
EUROPEAN UNION AID TO HELP REBUILD THE REGION AFTER THE KOSOVO
CONFLICT IS ENDED. PRIME MINISTER BLAIR ALREADY CARRIED THAT
MESSAGE TO MACEDONIA AND ROMANIA EARLIER THIS MONTH. (SIGNED)
[10] NATO / E-U / KOSOVO (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=5/17/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249459 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ARE MEETING RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER IN AN EFFORT TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES OVER SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS IN KOSOVO ONCE NATO AIR STRIKES END. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE PACE OF BOTH DIPLOMACY AND THE NATO AIR ATTACKS AGAINST YUGOSLAV TARGETS IS INCREASING. TEXT: THE EUROPEAN UNION SUPPORTS NATO'S CONDITIONS FOR ENDING THE BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA -- INCLUDING THE NEED FOR A SECURITY FORCE TO ESCORT ALBANIAN REFUGEES BACK TO KOSOVO PROVINCE. RUSSIA HAS NOT AGREED TO A WELL-ARMED MILITARY FORCE LED BY NATO -- WHICH IS WHAT THE ALLIANCE BELIEVES WILL BE NEEDED TO ASSURE THE REFUGEES THAT IT WILL BE SAFE TO RETURN HOME. E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS ARE MEETING WITH RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV HERE IN BRUSSELS TO EVALUATE HOW MUCH MORE WORK WILL BE NEEDED TO FASHION A U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE. BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS NATO DOES NOT PLAN TO WAIT FOR A FORMAL CEREMONY (TO SIGN AN EVENTUAL PEACE ACCORD) TO BEGIN SENDING IN PEACEKEEPING TROOPS TO KOSOVO. /// COOK ACT ONE ///WE HAVE ALWAYS STRESSED THAT (YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN) MILOSEVIC HAS NO VETO. WE ARE NOT GOING TO HANG AROUND IN MACEDONIA UNTIL THERE IS A GRAND SIGNING CEREMONY IN FRONT OF THE FLAGS AND THE CAMERAS. BUT WE DO NEED TO KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE APPROPRIATE, WHEN IT WOULD BE SAFE AND WHEN IT WOULD BE RIGHT TO ENTER KOSOVO. AND THAT IS A MATTER THAT WE CONTINUE IN DIALOGUE AMONG OURSELVES WITHOUT ANY DIFFERENCE OVER THE OBJECTIVE. /// END ACT ///THE E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS ALSO CAME TO BRUSSELS TO MEET WITH THE KOSOVO MODERATE POLITICAL LEADER, IBRAHIM RUGOVA, AND WITH MONTENEGRO'S PRESIDENT, MILO DJUKANOVIC. THEY ARE OFFERING THE E-U'S SUPPORT FOR MONTENEGRO'S EFFORT TO DISTANCE THE YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC FROM THE POLICIES OF SERBIA AND OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. // UNVOICED OPT // MONTENEGRO IS THE JUNIOR PARTNER OF THE SERBIAN REPUBLIC IN THE YUGOSLAV FEDERATION. // END OPT // /// OPT ///FOREIGN SECRETARY COOK SAYS HE HAS BEEN TOLD BY HASHIM THACI OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY THAT SERBIAN FORCES IN KOSOVO ARE DEMORALIZED BY NATO AIR STRIKES -- WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO INTENSIFY THIS WEEK. MR. COOK SAYS HE EXPECTS THAT MR. RUGOVA AND MR. THACI WILL WORK TOGETHER DESPITE THEIR POLITICAL DIFFERENCES OVER VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF KOSOVO. /// COOK ACT TWO ///WE URGE BOTH OF THEM TO SHOW UNITY AT A TIME WHEN IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE WORLD CAN SEE THAT THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS ARE WORKING TOGETHER IN SUPPORT OF THE NATO EFFORTS TO SECURE THE RETURN OF THE KOSOVARS TO KOSOVO. /// END ACT ///MR. RUGOVA SUPPORTS AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO WITHIN YUGOSLAVIA WHILE
MR. THACI AND THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY STILL HOLD OUT HOPE OF
THE PROVINCE'S EVENTUAL INDEPENDENCE. (SIGNED)
[11] NATO / E-U / KOSOVO (L-UPDATE) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=5/17/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249475 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// EDS: UPDATES CR2-249459 W/ RUSSIAN COMMENTS ///INTRO: EUROPEAN (UNION) FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE MET IN BRUSSELS WITH RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER TO SEEK AN END TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS RUSSIA SAYS IT IS READY TO WORK ON A PROPOSED U-N RESOLUTION ON KOSOVO, DESPITE MOSCOW'S OPPOSITION TO NATO'S MILITARY ACTION. TEXT: RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV SAYS MOSCOW'S RELATIONS WITH NATO ARE FROZEN, BUT RUSSIA HAS NO PROBLEM WORKING WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION AND MAJOR INDUSTRIAL COUNTRIES ON A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CONFLICT. MANY OF THOSE SAME COUNTRIES ARE NATO MEMBERS BOMBING YUGOSLAVIA. SPEAKING TO REPORTERS (THROUGH AN INTERPRETER) AFTER MEETING EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS, MR. IVANOV SAYS RUSSIA IS WILLING TO WORK ON A SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION -- EVEN BEFORE NATO'S AIR STRIKES ON YUGOSLAVIA STOP. /// IVANOV W/ INTERPRETER ACT ///CERTAINLY RUSSIA HAS NO ARTIFICIAL PROBLEMS WHICH WOULD STOP IT FROM COMING TO AN AGREEMENT. WE WANT TO BE CONSTRUCTIVE, TO TRY AND FIND AN AGREEMENT WHICH WE WOULD ALL FIND MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE. BUT THE WORK WHICH WILL HAVE TO GO ON WILL NOT GO ON IN THE BEST POSSIBLE FORM IF THE BOMBS ARE STILL BEING DROPPED. /// END ACT ///DIPLOMATS FROM THE MAJOR INDUSTRIAL COUNTRIES START WORK DRAFTING A RESOLUTION ON WEDNESDAY ON THE VAGUE PRINCIPLES WORKED OUT IN BONN BY THEIR FOREIGN MINISTERS ON MAY SIXTH. THESE PRINCIPLES TALK ABOUT A SECURITY FORCE TO HELP ALBANIAN REFUGEES RETURN HOME TO KOSOVO. THE PRINCIPLES ARE SILENT ON WHETHER THAT FORCE WILL BE WELL ARMED OR WILL HAVE NATO MEMBERS AT ITS CORE. BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK, WHO MET SEPARATELY WITH MR. IVANOV, SAYS RUSSIA MAY TAKE PART IN THAT KOSOVO FORCE. /// COOK ACT ///I AM HOPEFUL NOW THAT WHEN WE ENTER KOSOVO WITH AN INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION FORCE TO PROVIDE THE SECURITY FOR THE REFUGEES, THAT RUSSIA WILL JOIN US IN KOSOVO IN MAKING SURE WE CAN GUARANTEE A CEASE-FIRE AND PROVIDE THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THE REFUGEES CAN REBUILD THEIR SHATTERED HOMES AND CAN RECONSTRUCT THEIR COMMUNITIES. /// END ACT ///// OPT //WHILE THE DIPLOMATIC EFFORT IS INTENSIFYING TO FIND A PEACEFUL
SETTLEMENT IN KOSOVO, NATO HAS MADE IT CLEAR IT PLANS TO
INTENSIFY THE BOMBING OF KOSOVO, TO FORCE YUGOSLAVIA TO AGREE TO
THE ALLIANCE'S CONDITIONS FOR PEACE. (SIGNED)
[12] SPAIN / RUSSIA / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (MOSCOW)DATE=5/17/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249461 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: RUSSIA'S BALKANS ENVOY, VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN, HAS DISCUSSED THE KOSOVO CONFLICT WITH THE VISITING PRIME MINISTER OF SPAIN. AS V-O-A'S CHALLISS MCDONOUGH REPORTS FROM MOSCOW, THE SPANISH LEADER SAYS THERE COULD BE A BREAKTHROUGH SOON IN NEGOTIATIONS TOWARD A PEACE AGREEMENT. TEXT: SPANISH PRIME MINISTER JOSE MARIA AZNAR (PRON: ATH-'NAR) TOLD REPORTERS HE IS CONVINCED THE NEXT FEW DAYS WILL BE PIVOTAL FOR A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE BALKAN PROBLEM. MR. AZNAR SPOKE AFTER MEETING WITH RUSSIAN SPECIAL BALKANS ENVOY VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN -- WHO SAID HE THINKS WORK TOWARD A PEACE SETTLEMENT HAS ENTERED ITS FINAL PHASE. // CHERNOMYRDIN ACT IN RUSSIAN -- ESTABLISH AND FADE UNDER //MR. CHERNOMYRDIN SAYS HE AGREES WITH THE SPANISH LEADER THAT A DECISIVE MOMENT IN THE NEGOTIATIONS MAY COME SOON. // OPT //// END OPT //THE RUSSIAN ENVOY SAYS HE WILL HEAD TO BELGRADE LATER THIS WEEK TO MEET WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. BUT FIRST, HE PLANS TO VISIT HELSINKI FOR NEW TALKS WITH FINLAND'S PRESIDENT, MARTTI AHTISAARI, AND U-S DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT. // REST OPT //MR. CHERNOMYRDIN'S OFFICE TOLD V-O-A HE WILL LEAVE FOR HELSINKI
TUESDAY, AND THE TIMING OF THE TRIP TO BELGRADE WILL DEPEND ON
THE OUTCOME OF HIS TALKS IN FINLAND. (SIGNED)
[13] U-N / BOSNIA PEACE (L-ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)DATE=5/17/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249478 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE IMPACT OF THE CRISIS IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE APPEARS TO BE SPREADING AND HAS NOW STALLED THE PEACE PROCESS IN NEARBY BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF DISCUSSIONS IN THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL MONDAY, AS WE HEAR FROM OUR U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON. TEXT: IN A CLOSED-DOOR MEETING, THE SECURITY COUNCIL RECEIVED A BRIEFING ON THE SITUATION IN BOSNIA FROM U-N MEDIATOR CARLOS WESTENDORP. MR. WESTENDORP TOLD THE COUNCIL BOSNIA IS FACING INCREASED ECONOMIC AND REFUGEE PROBLEMS AS A RESULT OF THE UNREST IN KOSOVO. HE SAYS THESE PROBLEMS HAVE STALLED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1995 DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT IN BOSNIA. /// WESTENDORP ACT ///THE SITUATION IS SOMEWHAT STALLED. BESIDES THAT, THERE IS PROGRESS, AND UNTIL SUCH A TIME AS THE KOSOVO PROBLEM IS OVER, I DO NOT FORESEE MUCH IMPROVEMENT IN THE SITUATION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, WHICH IS PEACEFUL, THE REACTIONS OF THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MODERATE. /// END ACT ///ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONCERNS IN BOSNIA, MR. WESTENDORP SAYS, IS THE DETERIORATING ECONOMIC SITUATION. HE SAYS THE SITUATION IS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT IN AREAS OF BOSNIA THAT WERE ALMOST ENTIRELY DEPENDENT ON TRADE WITH NEIGHBORING YUGOSLAVIA. HE IS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF YUGOSLAV PROPAGANDA IN BOSNIA, AND HAS TRIED TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION BY CLOSING SOME PRO-SERB RADIO STATIONS, AND ENSURING PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO BALANCED INFORMATION SOURCES. ON THE KOSOVO CRISIS, MR. WESTENDORP TOLD REPORTERS HE BELIEVES IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE A LASTING SOLUTION WHILE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC REMAINS IN POWER. HE SAID A DURABLE SOLUTION REQUIRES THE FULL DEMOCRATIZATION OF YUGOSLAVIA. AFTER MEETING WITH MR. WESTENDORP, THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL ISSUED A STATEMENT EXPRESSING CONCERN FOR WHAT IT CALLED THE UNSATISFACTORY RESULTS ACHIEVED IN THE MINORITY RETURN AREA -- A REFERENCE TO EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT ETHNIC MINORITIES CAN SAFELY RETURN TO THEIR HOMES. COUNCIL PRESIDENT DENIS DANGUE REWAKA, OF GABON, EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR MR. WESTENDORP'S WORK IN BOSNIA, BUT SAID MORE WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE. /// REWAKA ACT ///NEVERTHELESS, THEY [THE SECURITY COUNCIL] CONSIDERED THAT MUCH MORE REMAINED TO BE DONE TO MAKE PEACE IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA SELF-SUSTAINING AND THIS WILL REQUIRE A CONTINUED BROAD COMMITMENT OF ALL THE PARTIES CONCERNED. /// END ACT ///THE COUNCIL WELCOMED A PLANNED DONOR CONFERENCE, SCHEDULED FOR
LATER THIS MONTH, AT WHICH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS
EXPECTED TO INCREASE AID TO BOSNIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WTW
[14] CHINA/U-S (L-ONLY) BY STEPHANIE HO (BEIJING)DATE=5/17/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249451 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AS U-S MARINES AND CHINESE WORKERS SHOVELED DEBRIS AND SCRUBBED PAINT SPLATTERS FROM THE AMERICAN EMBASSY IN BEIJING, THE U-S MISSION OFFICIALLY RE-OPENED MONDAY. V-O-A'S STEPHANIE HO REPORTS EVEN THOUGH THE DEMONSTRATIONS ARE OVER, CHINA'S OFFICIAL MEDIA CONTINUES TO VOICE ANGER OVER NATO'S MISTAKEN BOMBING OF BEIJING'S EMBASSY IN YUGOSLAVIA. TEXT: A LITTLE MORE THAN ONE WEEK AGO, THOUSANDS OF FURIOUS CHINESE DEMONSTRATORS BESEIGED THE AMERICAN EMBASSY -- TRAPPING THE AMBASSADOR INSIDE THE BUILDING FOR FOUR DAYS. MONDAY, ALL WAS QUIET, AS POLICE KEPT SOME STREETS IN THE EMBASSY AREA CLOSED TO NON-DIPLOMATIC TRAFFIC. THE U-S EMBASSY RE-OPENED FOR BUSINESS MONDAY, BUT A SPOKESMAN SAYS THE VISA OFFICES WILL REMAIN CLOSED FOR THE TIME BEING. CONSIDERABLE REPAIR WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE. WORKERS SWEPT UP LUMPS OF CONCRETE AND THE REMNANTS OF GASOLINE AND PAINT BOMBS THAT HAD BEEN TOSSED AT THE BUILDING. A U-S DIPLOMAT, WHO WAS ALSO TRAPPED INSIDE THE EMBASSY DURING THE DEMONSTRATIONS, TOLD JOURNALISTS THAT PROTESTERS ALSO HURLED BOTTLES FILLED WITH URINE AND FECES. EVIDENCE OF THE VIOLENCE CAN STILL BE SEEN. THE BULLET-PROOF GLASS ON THE U-S EMBASSY'S MAIN DOOR IS POCKMARKED AND CRACKED. A CHARRED AND TWISTED AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WAS DUMPED BY THE FRONT GATE. WINDOWS SHATTERED BY ROCKS REMAIN BOARDED UP. THE DEMONSTRATIONS MAY BE OVER, BUT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO DISPLAY ITS ANGER. THE MAIN CHINESE NEWSPAPER, THE PEOPLE'S DAILY, CARRIED A FRONT-PAGE COMMENTARY ACCUSING THE UNITED STATES OF TRYING TO DOMINATE THE WORLD. THE NEWSPAPER ALLEGED THAT WASHINGTON IS USING THE NATO BOMBING
OF YUGOSLAVIA TO STRENGTHEN ITS GRIP OVER EUROPE. IT ALSO SAID
THE UNITED STATES IS USING DEMOCRACY, FREEDOM AND HUMAN RIGHTS AS
EXCUSES TO IMPOSE AMERICAN IDEALS ON OTHER NATIONS.
MEANTIME, CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS ARE SHOWING THAT THERE IS MONEY
TO BE MADE FROM THE REACTION TO NATO'S BOMBING OF CHINA'S EMBASSY
IN BELGRADE. THEY HAVE QUICKLY PUMPED OUT COMMEMORATIVE PRODUCTS
INCLUDING T-SHIRTS PRINTED WITH TARGETS, AS WELL AS A BOOK
CONTAINING REPORTAGE ON THE ATTACK AND CHINA'S OFFICIAL RESPONSE.
(SIGNED)
[15] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=5/17/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249484 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED TODAY (MONDAY) IN ADVANCE OF TUESDAY'S MEETING OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10 THOUSAND 853, DOWN 59 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 13 HUNDRED 39, UP ONE POINT. THE NASDAQ INDEX GAINED MORE THAN ONE PERCENT THERE WAS A CARRYOVER OF INFLATION FEARS WHICH BEGAN FRIDAY WHEN THE U-S CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR APRIL WAS HIGHER THAN EXPECTED. THE CONCERN IS THAT GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD -- THE U-S CENTRAL BANK -- MAY BE INCLINED TO RAISE INTEREST RATES TO FIGHT INFLATION. THEY MEET TUESDAY BUT THE CONSENSUS ON WALL STREET IS THAT THEY WILL NOT RAISE RATES IMMEDIATELY, BUT WILL CHANGE THEIR INCLINATION, OR "BIAS" IN THE DIRECTION OF HIGHER RATES. /// REST OPT FOR LONG //////WOOD ACT///WE ACTUALLY DO NOT THINK THAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE WILL ADOPT A BIAS TOWARD TIGHTENING. WE THINK THAT WILL ULTIMATELY COME LATER IN THE YEAR. WE THINK THAT THE "FED" ACTUALLY NEEDS TO SEE MORE EVIDENCE THAT INFLATION IS BECOMING A PROBLEM. ///END ACT///NEW HOLLAND, THE DUTCH-BASED HEAVY EQUIPMENT MAKER, WILL BUY RIVAL CASE CORPORATION OF THE UNITED STATES FOR FOUR POINT THREE BILLION DOLLARS IN CASH. THE DEAL WILL CREATE THE WORLD'S SECOND LARGEST PRODUCER OF FARMING AND CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY, BEHIND THE DEERE COMPANY OF THE UNITED STATES. GENERAL DYNAMICS, THE U-S DEFENSE CONTRACTOR, WILL PAY FIVE POINT THREE BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE, A MAKER OF CORPORATE JETS. THE DEAL IS A MOVE TO DIVERSIFY GENERAL DYNAMICS' BUSINESS WHICH IS NOW 90 PERCENT DEPENDENT ON U-S GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS. U-S WEST, A REGIONAL TELEPHONE COMPANY, WILL MERGE WITH GLOBAL CROSSING, A TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK COMPANY. THE DEAL, WHICH IS VALUED AT 37 BILLION DOLLARS, WILL EXPAND GLOBAL CROSSING'S REACH INTO TELEPHONE OPERATING COMPANIES. C-V-S, ONE OF THE LARGEST DRUGSTORE CHAINS IN THE UNITED STATES, WILL ACQUIRE SOMA DOT COM, AN INTERNET PHARMACY, FOR 30 MILLION DOLLARS. ANALYSTS SAY THE MOVE IS AN EFFORT BY C-V-S TO EXPAND ITS PRESENCE IN THE FAST-GROWING MARKET FOR ON-LINE DRUGS. THE HOME DEPOT, THE U-S-BASED HOME IMPROVEMENT CHAIN, WILL ADD
NEW STORES IN SOUTH AMERICA. THE COMPANY WILL ADD STORES IN CHILE
AND MOVE INTO THE ARGENTINA FOR THE FIRST TIME.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/JC/PT
[16] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=05/16/99TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-11293 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= //// EDS: MATERIAL DATED AFTER 10 P-M E-D-T ////INTRO: CASTING A GLANCE AT THE MONDAY EDITORIAL COLUMNS, ONE FINDS A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS, FROM THE WAR IN KOSOVO TO A DEBATE OVER CLOSING MORE U-S MILITARY BASES. THERE ARE ALSO COMMENTS ON TODAY'S ISRAELI ELECTION; DEVOLVING THE UNITED KINGDOM; ONGOING REVELATIONS OF CLINTON-REELECTION FUND RAISING IMPROPRIETIES; AND SOUTH AFRICA AFTER NELSON MANDELA. TEXT: TODAY'S "FLORIDA TIMES-UNION" IN JACKSONVILLE IS EXPRESSING FRUSTRATION AT THE BALKAN WAR'S UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. VOICE: SEVEN WEEKS INTO THE WAR OVER KOSOVO, YUGOSLAVIA IS IN RUBBLE. LARGE PARTS OF BELGRADE AND OTHER CITIES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. ... ROADS, BRIDGES, BROADCAST STATIONS, GASOLINE REFINERIES - - ALL GONE. CHINA HAS BROKEN OFF MOST RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES. ITS PEOPLE, ONCE EXPECTED TO PROTEST ON THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TIANANMEN SQUARE FIASCO, ARE RALLYING BEHIND BEIJING -- A SETBACK FOR THE DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT. RUSSIA'S COMMUNISTS, ONCE FALTERING, HAVE BEEN ENERGIZED. .... BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THE WAR, DESPITE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PROMISE TO USE ALL SURPLUSES TO SAVE THE FUND. ALL OF THIS IS DEEMED NECESSARY TO SECURE A BETTER DEAL FOR REBELS IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO THAN THEY COULD ENGINEER EITHER ON THE BATTLEFIELD OR AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE.... [HOWEVER] THE STATE DEPARTMENT CONCEDES THE K-L-A IS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION.... FOR SUCH PEOPLE, CIVILIANS MUST DIE AND A COUNTRY MUST BE DESTROYED ? TEXT: REGARDING THE BOMBING OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE AND CHINA'S REACTION TO IT, "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS OF BEIJING'S ANGER: VOICE: ACCORDING TO THE PEOPLE'S DAILY, THE EMBASSY WAS DESTROYED DELIBERATELY AS PART OF A STRATEGY TO 'DRAG CHINA INTO CHAOS.' ... WHY WOULD CHINA'S COMMUNIST REGIME CONTINUE IN THIS VEIN? IT'S ALWAYS PROBLEMATIC TO SPECULATE ON THE MOTIVES OF A DICTATORSHIP THAT OPERATES MOSTLY IN SECRET. POSSIBLY, CHINA'S LEADERS, OR SOME OF CHINA'S LEADERS, REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT AMERICA IS THEIR ENEMY, IN WHICH CASE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S VISION OF A "STRATEGIC CONSTRUCTIVE PARTNERSHIP' MUST BE QUESTIONED. TEXT: TURNING TO THE MID-EAST, SEVERAL PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON TODAY'S ISRAELI ELECTION, INCLUDING "THE NEW YORK POST" WHICH SAYS DON'T COUNT ON THE POLLS FOR ACCURACY. VOICE: ISRAELIS HEAD TO THE POLLS TODAY TO ELECT A PRIME MINISTER AND 120-MEMBER KNESSET. IT HASN'T BEEN A PARTICULARLY EDIFYING CAMPAIGN -- WHICH IS A REAL SHAME, GIVEN THE CRITICAL ISSUES OF NATIONAL SECURITY THAT FACE THE JEWISH STATE. ELECTION-EVE POLLS SHOW FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER EHUD BARAK OF THE LEFT-LEANING LABOR PARTY LEADING PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, BUT THE OUTCOME REMAINS IN DOUBT. (ISRAELI POLLS ARE NOTORIOUSLY UNRELIABLE. ... ISRAEL IS MOVING INTO THE MOST DANGEROUS PERIOD IN ITS HISTORY. WHOEVER LEADS IT WILL NEED A COOL HEAD -- AND A WILLINGNESS TO IGNORE THE CONSTANT DRUMBEAT OF WESTERN OPINION SEEKING TO FORCE ISRAEL INTO COMPROMISING ITS SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR A FEW NICE WORDS FROM POLS AND THE PRESS. /// OPT ///TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON TIMES," IN SUPPORT OF THE CURRENT PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, SAYS IN PART: VOICE: THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE TO REVIVE THE STALLED PEACE PROCESS IS FOR VOTERS TO SHOW MR. NETANYAHU THEY WANT HIM TO RENEW HIS COMMITMENT TO HIS OSLO AND WYE ACCORD RESPONSIBILITIES , WHILE NOT ALLOW THE PALESTINIANS TO GET AWAY WITH FORGETTING THEIRS. THIS WILL MEAN KEEPING THE SUPPORT OF THE CONSERVATIVE HARDLINERS, BUT THIS IS BETTER THAN STARTING OVER WITH THE PEACE PROCESS. MR. NETANYAHU HAS SHOWN ... THAT HE KNOWS THE PRICE AND THE BENEFITS OF COMPROMISE, BUT HE MUST CONTINUE TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS ACCORD COMMITMENTS. /// END OPT ///TEXT: IN BRITAIN, THE BIG POLITICAL STORY CONTINUES TO BE DEVOLUTION, THE GIVING AWAY OF SOME POWERS FROM THE PARLIAMENT IN LONDON TO LOCAL SCOTTISH AND WELSH GOVERNMENTS. SAYS "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" OF THE RECENT SCOTTISH AND WELSH ELECTIONS: VOICE: THE CHALLENGE FOR BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR AND THE DEVOLUTION ELECTIONS EARLIER THIS MONTH IN SCOTLAND AND WALES WAS HOW TO PRESERVE THE UNITED KINGDOM UNDER A FORMULA FAIR TO ALL. THE RESULTS SHOW HIS STRATEGY WAS RIGHT ON TARGET. THE TWO U-K REGIONS GAINED MORE AUTHORITY ON LOCAL MATTERS AND LONDON PREVAILED IN TURNING BACK SEPARATIST DEMANDS. [MR.] BLAIR'S PLAN COULD EVEN BE A BLUEPRINT FOR DEMOCRATIC SOLUTIONS TO THE GROWING SEPARATIST OR AUTONOMIST DEMANDS IN OTHER COUNTRIES. TEXT: IN DOMESTIC POLITICS, THERE IS CONTINUING CONCERN IN THE PRESS ABOUT THE REVELATIONS, IN TESTIMONY ON CAPITOL HILL, OF FORMER DEMOCRATIC FUND RAISER JOHNNY CHUNG. HE'S THE FORMER GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL WHO MAY HAVE ILLEGALLY FUNNELED CHINESE GOVERNMENT MONEY INTO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN. TODAY'S "WICHITA [KANSAS] EAGLE" WRITES: VOICE: IT WAS THE FORMER DEMOCRATIC FUND-RAISER'S FIRST PUBLIC TESTIMONY ABOUT HOW MONEY FROM CHINESE FOREIGN NATIONALS ENDED UP - - UNLAWFULLY - - IN THE CAMPAIGN COFFERS OF CLINTON-GORE: ... FOR HIS FUND-RAISING EFFORTS, MR. CHUNG SECURES WHITE HOUSE ACCESS FOR NUMEROUS CHINESE CLIENTS, WHOSE U-S TRAVEL IS MADE POSSIBLE BY A VISAS-FOR-FAVORS ARRANGEMENT INVOLVING A FORMER OFFICIAL AT THE U-S EMBASSY IN BEIJING. ... IN A PERFECT WORLD, THE CHINESE-DONATION SCANDAL WOULD BE FULLY PROBED AND ANY CRIMES PROSECUTED. BUT, HAVING FACED DOWN IMPEACHMENT, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SEEMS UNLIKELY TO BE FAZED BY EVEN THE CHINESE SCANDAL ... INVOLVING TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS AND NUCLEAR SPYING AS WELL AS CAMPAIGN DONATIONS. TEXT: TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES," LOOKING AHEAD TO SOUTH AFRICA'S FUTURE AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF NELSON MANDELA, SAYS OF HIS ANOINTED SUCCESSOR, THABO MBEKI: VOICE: HE IS WIDELY SEEN AS SOPHISTICATED, EFFECTIVE AND HONEST. BUT HE HAS WEAKNESSES THAT HE MUST OVERCOME IF THE COUNTRY'S HEALING IS TO CONTINUE. ... MR. MBEKI, WHO SPENT MUCH OF HIS LIFE IN EXILE AS A DIPLOMAT FOR THE A-N-C, IS A MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND EXPERIENCED ADMINISTRATOR THAN MR. MANDELA. BUT HE HAS NO POWER BASE WITHIN THE PARTY. IN AN EFFORT TO WIN SUPPORT, HE HAS APPOINTED SOME PARTY HACKS AND CURRIED FAVOR WITH SOME OF THE A-N-C'S MOST DANGEROUS DEMAGOGUES, SUCH AS WINNIE MANDELA. HE HAS ALSO USED SOME OF HIS SPEECHES TO THE A-N-C TO PANDER TO EXTREMIST RACE-BAITING. THIS TENDENCY MAY CONTINUE IF SOUTH AFRICA'S ECONOMIC PROBLEMS DO NOT IMPROVE. ... WHEN MR. MANDELA STEPS DOWN ... MR. MBEKI WILL HAVE TO RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO EXPLOIT RACIAL RESENTMENT AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR ECONOMIC PROGRESS. TEXT: WHILE IN MAINE, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" IS CONCERNED THAT SOME IN THE SENATE, INCLUDING MAINE'S SENATOR OLYMPIA SNOWE, ARE OPPOSING ADDITIONAL U-S MILITARY BASE CLOSING. VOICE: /// OPT /// ACCORDING TO DEFENSE DEPARTMENT STUDIES, THE MILITARY, WHICH HAS GREATLY REDUCED ITS NUMBERS OF TROOPS AND EQUIPMENT IN RECENT YEARS, STILL HAS NOT CUT ITS BASES BY AN EQUIVALENT AMOUNT. KEEPING THOSE BASES OPEN IS COSTING THE NATION UPWARD OF SIX BILLION-DOLLARS-A-YEAR, ACCORDING TO DEFENSE SECRETARY BILL COHEN'S STAFF. [SENATOR] SNOWE, HOWEVER, WASN'T CONVINCED. /// END OPT /// ... THE U-S MILITARY HAS BEEN TAKING MONEY FROM ONE POCKET AND PUTTING IT IN ANOTHER FOR LONG ENOUGH. IF BILLIONS CAN BE SAVED BY CLOSING SOME BASES, WHICH THE PENTAGON ADAMANTLY INSISTS IS TRUE, THEN THOSE WHO HAVE CONTROL OVER THE BUDGET HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO PURSUE THOSE SAVINGS ... /// OPT ///TEXT: AND LASTLY, THERE IS THIS COMPLAINT FROM "THE WASHINGTON POST" THAT THE LAWMAKERS ARE BASICALLY MARKING TIME AND N O T MOVING THE COUNTRY FORWARD. VOICE: MORE AND MORE, THIS LOOKS LIKE A CONGRESS WHOSE PRINCIPAL GOAL IS TO MAKE THE TIME PASS UNTIL THE NEXT ELECTION. EACH PARTY IS GAMBLING THAT THE VOTERS THEN WILL DEAL IT A STRONGER HAND. THE CURRENT SPLIT ALLOWS NEITHER TO HAVE ITS WAY. TO PASS MAJOR LEGISLATION, EACH WOULD HAVE TO MAKE PROGRAMMATIC CONCESSIONS AND TAKE POLITICAL RISKS THAT BOTH HOPE TIME WILL MAKE UNNECESSARY. /// END OPT ///TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM
TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
[17] PROFILE: EHUD BARAK BY DAVID GOLLUST (JERUSALEM)DATE=5/17/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-43421 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: ISRAELI LABOR PARTY EHUD BARAK COULD BE POISED TO BECOME ISRAEL'S NEXT PRIME MINISTER. AS V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM JERUSALEM, THE SOLDIER-TURNED-POLITICIAN HAS TOUGHENED THE IMAGE OF A PARTY ONCE CONSIDERED DOVISH AND ELITIST. TEXT: MR. BARAK HAS GOTTEN CAMPAIGN ADVICE FROM JAMES CARVILLE AND OTHER AMERICAN POLITICAL STRATEGISTS WHO HELPED PRESIDENT CLINTON CAPTURE THE WHITE HOUSE IN 1992. AND HIS RE-ENGINEERING OF THE ISRAELI LABOR PARTY RESEMBLES WHAT MR. CLINTON AND HIS ASSOCIATES DID WITH THE DEMOCRATS -- REPOSITIONING TO THE RIGHT AND APPEALING TO CENTRIST VOTERS WITH A STRESS ON ECONOMIC ISSUES AND A TOUGH APPROACH TO ISRAELI SECURITY ISSUES. MR. BARAK'S CREDENTIALS IN THE SECURITY AREA ARE UNASSAILABLE FROM THE RIGHT. HE IS A FORMER MILITARY CHIEF OF STAFF AND ISRAEL'S MOST DECORATED MILITARY MAN, WHO HAS DISTANCED HIMSELF FROM THE LEFTIST IMAGE OF FORMER LABOR PRIME MINISTER SHIMON PERES, WHO WENT DOWN TO DEFEAT TO MR. NETANYAHU IN 1996. MR. BARAK SAYS HE WANTS TO RESTORE TRUST AND MOMENTUM TO THE PEACE PROCESS WITH THE PALESTINIANS, WHICH GROUND TO A HALT LAST YEAR WITH THE BREAK-UP OF MR. NETANYAHU'S RIGHT-WING COALITION. UNLIKE MR. NETANYAHU, HE DOES NOT RULE OUT CREATION OF A PALESTINIAN STATE. BUT IN THE FIVE-MONTH CAMPAIGN, HE HAS STRESSED THAT STATEHOOD FOR THE PALESTINIANS WOULD NOT COME AT THE EXPENSE OF ISRAEL'S SECURITY: /// BARAK ACTUALITY ONE ///WE WILL GO TOWARD PHYSICAL SEPARATION FROM THE PALESTINIANS UNDER FULL SECURITY REDLINES: A UNITED JERUSALEM UNDER OUR SOVEREIGNTY. THE CAPITAL OF ISRAEL FOREVER. PERIOD. NO RETURN UNDER WHATEVER CIRCUMSTANCES TO THE 1967 BORDERS. NO ARMED FORCES WEST OF THE JORDAN RIVER. AND BLOCKS OF SETTLEMENTS THAT WILL INCLUDE MOST OF THE SETTLERS IN JUDEA AND SAMARIA (EDS: WEST BANK). /// END ACT ///MR. BARAK'S LANGUAGE ON SETTLEMENTS LEAVES OPEN THE PROSPECT THAT ISRAEL MIGHT DISMANTLE SOME OF THEM UNDER TERMS OF A FINAL STATUS AGREEMENT WITH THE PALESTINIANS -- A PROSPECT CERTAIN TO SPUR BITTER IF NOT VIOLENT CONTROVERSY IN ISRAEL. BUT HE INSISTS HE CAN BUILD A PEACE DEAL WITH THE PALESTINIANS THAT WILL HAVE BROAD PUBLIC SUPPORT: /// BARAK ACTUALITY TWO ///ONCE WE ACHIEVE SUCH AN AGREEMENT, WE WILL BRING IT TO A REFERENDUM. NO ONE HAS NOTHING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT. WE WILL BRING ABOUT AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL STRENGTHEN, RATHER THAN WEAKEN, STRENGTHEN THE SECURITY OF ISRAEL. AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT IF AND WHEN WE WILL BRING SUCH AN AGREEMENT, IT WILL BE APPROVED IN A REFERENDUM BY A LANDSLIDE MAJORITY. /// END ACT ///MR. BARAK ALSO SAYS HE WILL HAVE ISRAELI TROOPS OUT OF LEBANON WITHIN A YEAR OF TAKING OFFICE AS PART OF A RENEWED PEACE DIALOGUE WITH SYRIA. HE SAYS ISRAEL IS WILLING TO MAKE TERRITORIAL CONCESSIONS ON THE GOLAN HEIGHTS AS PART OF AN AGREEMENT THAT WOULD BRING FULL PEACE WITH DAMASCUS AND THAT ACCORD -- TOO -- WOULD BE SUBJECT TO A REFERENDUM. THE 57-YEAR-OLD MR. BARAK, WHO SPENT 36 OF THOSE YEARS IN THE ISRAELI MILITARY, HAS A REPUTATION OF BEING ALOOF AND STUBBORN. AND DESPITE HIS MEDIA COACHING HE STILL SEEMS SOMEWHAT STIFF AND ILL-AT-EASE WHEN CAMPAIGNING. ISRAEL'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES UNDER THE PREVIOUS LABOR GOVERNMENT, ITAMAR RABINOVICH, SAYS MR. BARAK HAS OVERCOME SOME OF THOSE SHORTCOMINGS DURING THE COURSE OF THE FIVE MONTH CAMPAIGN: /// RABINOVICH ACTUALITY ///HE'S SOMEBODY WHO WAS ACTUALLY BUILT UP AS A LEADER BY THE CAMPAIGN. HE HAD SOME DIFFICULTY MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM MILITARY HERO -- CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE I-D-F (EDS: ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES) -- TO A POLITICAL LEADER. HE HAS DONE VERY WELL IN THAT TRANSFORMATION THROUGH THE CAMPAIGN. I THINK THAT BARAK AT THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM BARAK AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CAMPAIGN. AND IF VICTORIOUS HE WILL HAVE TO MAKE ANOTHER TRANSITION -- NAMELY FROM RUNNING A VERY GOOD CAMPAIGN TO MAKING POLICY AND BUILDING CONSENSUS. /// END ACT ///MR. BARAK'S ABILITY AT CONSENSUS-BUILDING WOULD GET AN EARLY TEST IF HE WINS THE RACE, AS HE WOULD IMMEDIATELY FACE THE TASK OF BUILDING A MAJORITY COALITION IN A KNESSET THAT STANDS TO BE MORE FRAGMENTED THAN EVER. HIS LABOR PARTY WILL PROBABLY HAVE LITTLE MORE THAN HALF OF THE
61-SEATS IT NEEDS TO CONTROL THE PARLIAMENT. SO MR. BARAK WILL
HAVE TO LOOK TO ALLIANCE-BUILDING WITH LEFTWING, CENTRIST AND
SPECIAL INTEREST FACTIONS IN ORDER TO GOVERN. (SIGNED)
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