Voice of America, 99-05-19

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] KOSOVO / DESERTERS (L) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[03] KOSOVO / DESERTERS (L-ALTERNATE) (CQ) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[04] KOSOVO / KOFI ANNAN (L-ONLY) BY SUZANNE KELLY (SKOPJE)

[05] KOSOVO MASSACRE (L-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[06] MACEDONIA REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY SUZANNE KELLY (SKOPJE)

[07] U-N-H-C-R / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[08] CONGRESS/KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY JIM MALONE (CONGRESS)

[09] RUSSIA/YUGOSLAVIA (L-ONLY) BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (MOSCOW)

[10] RUSSIA/YUGOSLAVIA (L-UPDATE) BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (MOSCOW)

[11] GERMANY-KOSOVO (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[12] KEEGAN / KOSOVO BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)

[13] HOW TO END THE WAR IN KOSOVO BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[14] YETON'S STORY BY NICK SIMEONE (KUKES, ALBANIA)

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

[16] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

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

INTRO: NATO HAS ISSUED NEW BATTLE DAMAGE ESTIMATES WHICH IT SAYS SHOW THAT SEVEN WEEKS OF AIR STRIKES ARE HAVING AN IMPACT ON YUGOSLAV MILITARY FORCES IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN IN BRUSSELS REPORTS NATO IS KEEPING UP MILITARY PRESSURE WHILE DIPLOMATS WORK TOWARD A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION.

TEXT: WHILE NATO COUNTRIES DISAGREE ABOUT WHETHER AIR POWER ALONE WILL BE ENOUGH TO ACHIEVE THE ALLIANCE'S POLITICAL GOALS, NATO INSISTS THE CONSTANT AIR STRIKES ARE HAVING THE DESIRED EFFECT.

AN ESTIMATED 312 TANKS, ARTILLERY PIECES, AND ARMORED VEHICLES -- ABOUT 31-PERCENT OF SERB HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN KOSOVO -- HAVE BEEN DESTROYED IN SEVEN WEEKS OF AIR STRIKES. NATO ALSO TAKES CREDIT FOR BOMBING 69-PERCENT OF YUGOSLAVIA'S MIG-29'S, ITS TOP AIRCRAFT, PLUS 34-PERCENT OF ALL YUGOSLAV COMBAT AIRCRAFT.

NATO MILITARY SPOKESMAN WALTER JERTZ TELLS REPORTERS THE NATO AIR STRIKES ARE ACCOMPLISHING THEIR PURPOSE.

MILOSEVIC FORCES IN THE FIELD ARE BEING TAKEN APART, FASTER AND FASTER. THEIR ABILITY TO OPERATE EFFECTIVELY, LET ALONE CARRY OUT ACTS OF BRUTALITY, IS FURTHER REDUCED WITH EACH DAY OF THIS CAMPAIGN. THE SERB AIR DEFENSE IS WEAKENED, COMMAND AND CONTROL UNDERMINED, MILOSEVIC FORCES ON THE GROUND ARE AT A GROWING RISK AS THE CONFLICT GOES ON.

THIS IS THE MILITARY PICTURE THAT NATO GIVES VISITING LEADERS AT ITS HEADQUARTERS. GERMANY'S CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER SAYS HE SEES NO REASON TO CHANGE NATO'S STRATEGY EVEN AS HE HOPES THAT DIPLOMATIC MOVES HAVE IMPROVED THE CHANCES FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION. ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER MASSIMO D'ALEMA FOLLOWS CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER TO NATO HEADQUARTERS ON THURSDAY TO HEAR THE SAME OPTIMISTIC PICTURE.

BOTH THE GERMAN AND ITALIAN LEADERS ARE HOPING THE MISSION OF RUSSIAN ENVOY VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN TO BELGRADE AND THE DRAFTING OF A POTENTIAL U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION BY RUSSIA AND MAJOR INDUSTRIAL NATIONS WILL LEAD TO THE POLITICAL SOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT.

THEY BOTH OPPOSE THE INTRODUCTION OF NATO GROUND TROOPS TO KOSOVO UNTIL A UNITED NATIONS APPROVED PEACEKEEPING FORCE CAN SAFELY ENTER THE PROVINCE TO HELP ALBANIAN REFUGEES RETURN HOME.

NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA CONTENDS YUGOSLAVIA WILL NOT ESCAPE AN ARMED PEACEKEEPING FORCE BY TRYING TO NEGOTIATE AWAY NATO'S CONDITIONS FOR A SETTLEMENT.

WE ARE CLOSING THE MILITARY ESCAPE HATCH AND WE ARE SLAMMING DOWN THE POLITICAL ESCAPE HATCH AND THEN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WILL HAVE NO CHOICE. BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO NEGOTIATE ON THOSE FIVE CONDITIONS. WE HAVE NO INTEREST IN DOING SO. WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU STRIKE A COMPROMISE DEAL WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. YOU EITHER HAVE AN ENDLESS NEGOTIATION LEADING NOWHERE OR YOU HAVE A HALF-BAKED DEAL WHICH MAY SEEM LIKE PEACE IN OUR TIME BUT SIX MONTHS LATER IS IN SHAMBLES.

WHILE GERMANY AND ITALY WITH COALITION GOVERNMENTS ARE EAGER FOR THE DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO SUCCEED, NATO BELIEVES THEY AND THE OTHER ALLIES WILL TOLERATE A THIRD MONTH OF BOMBING YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/JWH
19-May-99 12:15 PM EDT (1615 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO / DESERTERS (L) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS SAY AS MANY AS 500 YUGOSLAV ARMY SOLDIERS MAY HAVE DESERTED THEIR POSTS IN KOSOVO, AMID SIGNS OF GROWING OPPOSITION TO THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: U-S OFFICIALS SAY DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE MILITARY DRAFT HAVE NOW BEEN REPORTED IN AT LEAST THREE SERB TOWNS.

REPORTS FROM THE TOWN OF KRUSEVAC SAY SERB POLICE USED WATER CANNON TO TRY TO DISPERSE PROTESTERS, INCLUDING WOMEN AND CHILDREN, WHO HAVE GATHERED FOR THE PAST THREE DAYS.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS IT APPEARS THE ANTI-DRAFT PROTESTS MAY HAVE TRIGGERED A WAVE OF ARMY DESERTIONS.

AS MANY AS 500 SERBIAN ARMY SOLDIERS APPEAR TO HAVE DESERTED THEIR DEPLOYMENT LOCATIONS IN KOSOVO YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES IN SERBIA.

MR. RUBIN SAYS THE SOLDIERS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE LEFT THEIR POSTS TO RETURN HOME TO PROTECT THEIR FAMILIES AFTER HEARING OF SERB POLICE ACTION AGAINST THE DEMONSTRATORS.

U-S AND NATO OFFICIALS HAVE CITED REPORTS OF ARMY DESERTIONS IN THE PAST, BUT IF CONFIRMED, THIS WOULD BE THE LARGEST KNOWN INCIDENT OF ITS KIND SINCE THE CONFLICT BEGAN.

MR. RUBIN CALLED THE DESERTIONS YET ANOTHER SIGN THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS COMING UNDER INCREASING PRESSURE TO END THE CONFLICT.

WE HAVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT SUGGESTS THAT THIS PARTICULAR FACT THAT SERBIAN ARMY FORCES ARE DESERTING TO GO DEAL WITH THE DEMONSTRATIONS IN THEIR HOME TOWNS IS FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT THE MILOSEVIC REGIME IS BEGINNING TO CRACK AND THE AIR CAMPAIGN IS WORKING AND NATO CONTINUES TO HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT THAT AIR CAMPAIGN CAN ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVES NATO HAS SET OUT.

IN ADDITION TO REPORTS OF DESERTIONS, U-S OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE OTHER SIGNS THAT BELGRADE MAY BE MOVING TOWARD ACCEPTANCE OF NATO DEMANDS IN KOSOVO. THOSE SIGNS INCLUDE RECENT REPORTS FROM SERBIA THAT MR. MILOSEVIC MAY NOW BE WILLING TO NEGOTIATE AN END TO THE CONFLICT. SO FAR MR. MILOSEVIC HAS GIVEN NO PUBLIC INDICATION HE IS ABOUT TO CAPITULATE, AND NATO HAS GIVEN NO INDICATION IT IS ABOUT TO HALT ITS BOMBING CAMPAIGN. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/WTW
19-May-99 3:10 PM EDT (1910 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO / DESERTERS (L-ALTERNATE) (CQ) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY LARGE GROUPS OF SERB SOLDIERS DESERTED THEIR UNITS IN NORTHERN KOSOVO IN RECENT DAYS TO RUSH HOME AND PROTECT THEIR FAMILIES. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS THE INCIDENTS BEGAN WHEN SOME SERBS MARCHED TO PROTEST THE DANGERS FACED BY THEIR HUSBANDS, BROTHERS AND FATHERS IN THE SERB ARMY IN KOSOVO.

HE SAYS SERB INTERIOR MINISTRY POLICE USED FIRE HOSES AND FORCE TO SUPPRESS DEMONSTRATIONS IN THREE SERB CITIES, PROMPTING WHOLE BATTALIONS OF RESERVISTS TO LEAVE THEIR UNITS AND HEAD FOR THEIR HOME TOWNS.

OUR UNDERSTANDING IS THAT APPROXIMATELY 500 SOLDIERS -- MAYBE MORE, MAYBE AS MANY AS ONE-THOUSAND BY SOME ACCOUNTS -- HAVE LEFT UNITS IN KOSOVO, AND TRIED TO MOVE BACK TO KRUSEVAC, IN ORDER TO STOP WHAT THEY CONSIDER THE MISTREATMENT OF THEIR FAMILIES BY THE SPECIAL POLICE.

MR. BACON SAYS OTHER SERB SOLDIERS AND OFFICERS TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO STOP THE EXODUS. HE SAYS THE SERB FAMILIES HAVE REASON TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR SOLDIERS DEPLOYED IN KOSOVO, BECAUSE ONE-THIRD OF THE TANKS AND OTHER ARMORED VEHICLES DEPLOYED THERE HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY NATO BOMBS.

THE PENTAGON SPOKESMAN SAYS THE TOLL IS MUCH HIGHER IN SERB ARTILLERY UNITS THAT HAVE BEEN MASSED ALONG KOSOVO'S BORDER WITH ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA.

AND WE HAVE BEEN TARGETING THAT AND HAVE NOW REMOVED THE MAJORITY OF ARTILLERY IN KOSOVO -- PERHAPS AS MUCH AS 90 PERCENT OF THE ARTILLERY IN KOSOVO -- IN THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS, BY ATTACKING MASSED ARTILLERY ALONG THE BORDERS.

MR BACON SAYS SERB-LED YUGOSLAV TROOPS HAVE BEEN DEPLOYING TO POSITIONS NEAR THE BORDER TO RESIST A FEARED INVASION BY NATO FORCES. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/WTW
19-May-99 6:15 PM EDT (2215 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO / KOFI ANNAN (L-ONLY) BY SUZANNE KELLY (SKOPJE)

INTRO: U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN VISITED REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO AND MET WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN MACEDONIA WEDNESDAY, TRYING TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE COUNTRY'S BORDER WITH YUGOSLAVIA WILL REMAIN OPEN. SUZANNE KELLY REPORTS FROM SKOPJE.

TEXT: U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN MADE A BRIEF VISIT TO MACEDONIA (WEDNESDAY) TO DELIVER A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO THE THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES WHO HAVE BEEN FLOODING INTO THE COUNTRY FROM YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE.

MR. ANNAN TOURED A BIG REFUGEE CAMP AT STENKOVIC -- ONCE HOME TO MORE THAN 30-THOUSAND REFUGEES -- AND MET WITH MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. THE SECRETARY GENERAL SAYS HE RECEIVED ASSURANCES THAT THE BORDER BETWEEN MACEDONIA AND KOSOVO WILL REMAIN OPEN.

MR. ANNAN ALSO IS USING THE TRIP TO MAKE A PUSH FOR THE UNITED NATIONS TO PLAY A LARGER ROLE IN SEEKING A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS.

I THINK WE ARE NOW MOVING FORWARD IN A COORDINATED MANNER TO GET A POLITICAL SOLUTION. EVERYONE INVOLVED ALSO AGREES THAT IT HAS TO COME BACK TO THE U-N, AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL MUST PLAY ITS ROLE AND GIVE ANY [PEACE-KEEPING] PRESENCE ON THE GROUND THE LEGITIMACY THAT IT REQUIRES.

PERHAPS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS HIS COMMENTS ABOUT THE U-N ROLE IN BRINGING A PEACEFUL END TO THE CRISIS, MR. ANNAN'S MISSION TO MACEDONIA WAS A MISSION OF HOPE. FIRST, FOR THE REFUGEES, WHO CARE LESS ABOUT A POLITICAL SOLUTION THAN THEY DO ABOUT GOING HOME AGAIN. SECONDLY, FOR THE U-N REFUGEE WORKERS, WHO HAVE STRUGGLED FOR TWO MONTHS NOW TO PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE LIVING CONDITIONS TO THE NEARLY 250-THOUSAND REFUGEES WHO HAVE FLED TO MACEDONIA. AND FINALLY, MR. ANNAN WANTED TO BRING HOPE TO MACEDONIAN OFFICIALS, ASSURING THEM THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS THE PRESSURE BEING PLACED ON THIS COUNTRY. (SIGNED)
NEB/SK/WTW
19-May-99 4:33 PM EDT (2033 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO MASSACRE (L-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS HAVE RELEASED SPY-SATELLITE IMAGES FROM KOSOVO THAT APPEAR TO BACK UP ALLEGATIONS OF A SERB MASSACREOF MORE THAN 100 ELDERLY ETHNIC ALBANIANS. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: THE IMAGES RELEASED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT DO NOT SHOW ANY KILLINGS TAKING PLACE, OR WHO MAY HAVE CARRIED THEM OUT. INSTEAD, THEY SHOW BEFORE-AND-AFTER PHOTOGRAPHS OF A KOSOVO VILLAGE, WHERE ROWS OF NEAT GRAVES APPEARED SOMETIME IN LATE MARCH OR EARLY APRIL.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS THE IMAGES ARE IMPORTANT, BECAUSE THEY PROVE THE AUTHENTICITY OF A VIDEOTAPE THAT WAS RECENTLY SMUGGLED OUT OF KOSOVO. THAT TAPE SHOWS THE BODIES OF MORE THAN 100 ELDERLY ETHNIC ALBANIAN VILLAGERS, AND AN EYEWITNESSES WHO DESCRIBES HOW HE NARROWLY ESCAPED A MASSACRE BY SERB POLICE.

WHAT THAT COMBINATION WILL SHOW CONCLUSIVELY IS THAT THE VIDEOTAPE THAT WAS RELEASED EARLIER TODAY OF THE MASSACRE OF OVER A HUNDRED ALBANIANS IN IZBICA IS THE VERY SAME LOCATION THAT WE WERE ABLE TO RELEASE FROM OVERHEAD IMAGERY EARLIER IN THE YEAR.

U-S EXPERTS SAY THE MAJORITY OF THE VICTIMS SHOWN IN THE VIDEOTAPE WERE ELDERLY MEN WEARING CIVILIAN CLOTHES. THEY APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN SHOT IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD.

MR. RUBIN SAYS THE EVIDENCE IS BEING PROVIDED TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AND MAY BE HELPFUL IN A WAR CRIMES PROSECUTION, EVEN IF EVIDENCE AT THE SITE IS LATER DESTROYED.

IF YOU HAVE REFUGEE ACCOUNTS, YOU HAVE A VIDEOTAPE, YOU HAVE OVERHEAD IMAGERY AND YOU HAVE A WHOLE SET OF OTHER INFORMATION, YOU DON'T NECESSARILY NEED TO HAVE THE KIND OF DIRECT EVIDENCE THAT WOULD NORMALLY BE NEEDED.

U-S OFFICIALS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT SERB FORCES APPEAR TO BE DIGGING UP ALLEGED MASSACRE SITES IN AN EFFORT TO DESTROY EVIDENCE OF WAR CRIMES.

SERB OFFICIALS HAVE DENIED ANY MASSACRE TOOK PLACE IN IZBICA, OR THAT THEIR FORCES HAVE COMMITTED WAR CRIMES IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/WTW
19-May-99 7:10 PM EDT (2310 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] MACEDONIA REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY SUZANNE KELLY (SKOPJE)

INTRO: WHILE KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN MACEDONIA TRY TO DEAL WITH THE TRAUMA OF THEIR SITUATION, A NEW PROBLEM IS BREWING IN THE REFUGEE CAMPS. AS SUZANNE KELLY REPORTS FROM THE STENKOVICS CAMP NEAR THE KOSOVO BORDER, SOME OPPORTUNISTS ARE TRYING TO SELL THE REFUGEES ONE MORE CHANCE TO ESCAPE THEIR SITUATION.

TEXT: FOR MANY OF THE MORE 18-THOUSAND REFUGEES NOW LIVING AT STENKOVICS, THE CAMP IS NOT A PLACE WHERE THEY WILL FIND PEACE. WITH CROWDED LIVING CONDITIONS AND NOTHING TO DO BUT WAIT, MANY OF THEM ARE DESPERATELY TRYING TO GET ON FLIGHTS TO THIRD COUNTRIES.

MANY OF THE REFUGEES NOW CLAIM THAT PEOPLE IDENTIFYING THEMSELVES AS WORKERS FOR THE U-N-H-C-R -- THE U-N REFUGEES ORGANIZATION -- HAVE ASKED THEM FOR MONEY IN RETURN FOR A TICKET ON HUMANITARIAN EVACUATION FLIGHTS. IT'S A PROBLEM THAT IS CAUSING GREAT CONCERN WITHIN THE U-N-H-C-R. ITS SPOKESMAN RON REDMOND SAYS THE ACCUSATIONS ARE ENOUGH TO WARRANT AN INVESTIGATION.

WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING INTO THIS AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, WELL WHO EXACTLY COULD BE RESPONSIBLE, IF THIS IS TRUE. AS FAR AS I KNOW, SO FAR, WE HAVEN'T FOUND ANYBODY INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM, IN U-N-H-C-R, WHO HAS BEEN CHARGING BRIBES OR TAKING BRIBES.

THE REFUGEES SAY THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE APPROACHING THEM ARE WEARING U-N-H-C-R TEE-SHIRTS AND HATS, TELLING THEM THAT THEY CAN GUARANTEE THE REFUGEES A FLIGHT OUT OF MACEDONIA. ALTHOUGH THE U-N-H-C-R SAYS IT HASN'T FOUND EVIDENCE THAT ANY OF IT'S WORKERS HAVE BEEN APPROACHING PEOPLE FOR BRIBES, MR. REDMOND SAYS THEY DO HAVE A THEORY.

ONE SUSPICION IS THAT MAYBE THESE TEE-SHIRTS AND CAPS HAVE FALLEN INTO THE WRONG HANDS AND YOU HAVE PEOPLE GOING UP AND SAYING, "I'M AN OFFICIAL WITH U-N-H-C-R, I CAN GET YOU OUT OF HERE IF YOU PAY ME SOME MONEY", I MEAN THAT'S ONE THING WE'RE LOOKING AT, WE ALSO HAVE AN INVESTIGATOR COMING FROM GENEVA, FROM A SPECIAL UNIT AT U-N-H-C-R WHO WILL BE LOOKING INTO THE ENTIRE OPERATION OF THIS PLAN TO BE SURE THAT IT'S ON THE UP AND UP AND THIS TYPE OF THING ISN'T HAPPENING.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE HUMANITARIAN EVACUATION FLIGHTS ARE CONTINUING, AND THE REFUGEES WHO SAY THEY HAVE SOMETIMES PAID UP TO TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A SEAT ON A FLIGHT, FIND OUT THAT ONCE AGAIN, THEY MUST SIT AND WAIT. (SIGNED)
NEB/SK/PCF
19-May-99 8:10 AM EDT (1210 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-N-H-C-R / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, SAYS THE FLOW OF REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO TO MACEDONIA HAS NOW RESUMED. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE U-N AGENCY ESTIMATES ABOUT 25-HUNDRED PEOPLE ARRIVED AT THE BLACE BORDER CROSSING ON WEDNESDAY.

TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY IS AT A LOSS TO EXPLAIN THE RECENT UPSURGE IN THE NUMBER OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES ARRIVING IN MACEDONIA. UNTIL A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, ONLY A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE WERE CROSSING THE BORDER. U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN, KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS SERB SECURITY FORCES MAY BE ENGAGED IN, WHAT HE CALLS, A MOPPING UP OPERATION.

THE PEOPLE SAID THAT THEY CAME FROM VILLAGES AROUND SLATINA WHICH WERE SYSTEMATICALLY EMPTIED LAST WEEK AND THE INHABITANTS WERE PUSHED TOWARD THE TOWN ITSELF UNTIL YESTERDAY (WHEN) THEY WERE ORDERED TO GET ON THE ROAD AND GET OUT.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS SOME OF THE REFUGEES REPORT BETWEEN 20-THOUSAND AND 30-THOUSAND PEOPLE ARE MOVING TOWARDS MACEDONIA ALONG THE SAME ROAD.

MORE THAN 900 OF THE NEW REFUGEES ARRIVED FROM UROSEVAC ON A TRAIN. MR. JANOWSKI SAYS SOME OF THE PASSENGERS HAD TRIED TO CROSS BY TRAIN INTO MACEDONIA ON MONDAY. BUT, AT THAT TIME, THE SERBS DID NOT ALLOW THEM TO DISEMBARK.

THESE PEOPLE WERE THEN ORDERED OFF THE TRAIN BACK IN UROSEVAC, KEPT OVERNIGHT IN EMPTY ALBANIAN HOUSES, AND THEN THE NEXT DAY TOLD TO BOARD THE TRAIN AND GET OUT AGAIN. THE REFUGEES WERE CONFIRMING AGAIN REPORTS ABOUT ARMED FORCES BASING THEMSELVES IN SCHOOLS, HOUSES AND STORING WEAPONS IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

ON ANOTHER ISSUE, MR. JANOWSKI SAYS IT IS BELIEVED THAT 17 KOSOVO ALBANIAN DRAFT AGE MEN ARE STILL BEING DETAINED BY SERB AUTHORITIES. THE MEN WERE PART OF A LARGER GROUP OF ALBANIAN MEN WHO WERE PICKED UP BY SERB FORCES ON SATURDAY AT THE BORDER BETWEEN MONTENEGRO AND ALBANIA. ON TUESDAY 106 OF THE MEN WERE RELEASED. MR. JANOWSKI SAYS HE DOES NOT KNOW WHY 17 MEN ARE STILL IN DETENTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH
19-May-99 8:59 AM EDT (1259 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] CONGRESS/KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY JIM MALONE (CONGRESS)

INTRO: THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS APPROVED AN ADDITIONAL 15-BILLION DOLLARS FOR MILITARY AND HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE REPORTS THAT WHILE LAWMAKERS EASILY APPROVED THE ADDITIONAL MONEY BY A VOTE OF 269 TO 158 , CONGRESSIONAL DOUBTS REMAIN ABOUT U-S POLICY IN THE BALKANS.

TEXT: THE EMERGENCY SPENDING BILL APPROVED BY THE HOUSE IS TWICE THE AMOUNT REQUESTED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON.

MOST OF THE 15-BILLION DOLLARS WILL BE USED TO BOLSTER U-S MILITARY AND HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO. BUT THE BILL ALSO CONTAINS ASSISTANCE FOR HURRICANE VICTIMS IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND TORNADO VICTIMS IN THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS HELP FOR AMERICAN FARMERS.

REPUBLICANS TACKED ON MORE THAN SEVEN-BILLION DOLLARS IN ADDITIONAL MILITARY SPENDING TO SHORE UP THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT WHICH THEY FEEL HAS BEEN SHORTCHANGED DURING THE CLINTON PRESIDENCY.

SOME DEMOCRATS COMPLAINED THE EXPANDED FUNDING IN THE BILL COULD HAVE BEEN USED INSTEAD FOR PROGRAMS TO HELP THE POOR AT HOME.

BUT THE REPUBLICAN SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, DENNIS HASTERT, SAYS THE MEASURE REPRESENTS A COMPROMISE HASHED OUT AFTER DAYS OF CLOSED DOOR NEGOTIATIONS AMONG HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS FROM BOTH PARTIES.

BUT YOU KNOW, IT IS NOT THE TIME TO FIGHT FOR SPECIAL INTERESTS. IT IS A TIME FOR CONGRESS TO PROMOTE THE NATIONAL INTERESTS AND THIS BILL SERVES, IN MY OPINION,THE NATIONAL INTEREST.

BUT EVEN THOUGH THE SPENDING MEASURE WAS APPROVED BY A WIDE MARGIN, DOUBTS REMAIN ABOUT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S POLICY IN THE BALKANS AND THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN.

THIS IS CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN DANA ROHRABACHER.

WELL, WE HAVE DONE OUR PART FOR NATO. WE HAVE DONE OUR PART FOR EUROPE. LET'S HAVE THE EUROPEANS STEP FORWARD AND CARRY THEIR OWN LOAD RATHER THAN TAKING IT OUT OF THE HIDE (POCKETS) OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THE SENATE WILL LIKELY APPROVE THE EMERGENCY SPENDING BILL FOR KOSOVO LATER IN THE WEEK AND AFTER THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON IS EXPECTED TO SIGN THE MEASURE INTO LAW. (SIGNED)
NEB/JBM/PT
18-May-99 8:37 PM EDT (0037 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] RUSSIA/YUGOSLAVIA (L-ONLY) BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA'S SPECIAL BALKANS ENVOY, VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN, IS RETURNING TO MOSCOW AFTER A ROUND OF TALKS IN BELGRADE WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE RUSSIAN ENVOY SAYS HE HAS URGED BOTH SIDES IN THE CONFLICT TO BREAK OFF HOSTILITIES LONG ENOUGH TO NEGOTIATE A PEACE SETTLEMENT. V-O-A'S CHALLISS MCDONOUGH REPORTS FROM MOSCOW.

TEXT: MR. CHERNOMYRDIN WENT TO BELGRADE TO TALK OVER DETAILS OF A POSSIBLE WESTERN-BACKED PEACE PLAN WITH THE YUGOSLAV LEADER.

BEFORE THE MEETING (LATE WEDNESDAY), THE RUSSIAN ENVOY CALLED FOR A PAUSE IN MILITARY ACTIVITIES, TO MAKE WAY FOR NEGOTIATION. HE SAID -- IN HIS WORDS -- IT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO STOP KILLING PEOPLE. MR. CHERNOMYRDIN REPEATED MOSCOW'S CALL FOR AN END TO THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA.

THE MEETING BETWEEN MR. CHERNOMYRDIN AND PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC STRETCHED ON INTO THE NIGHT. AIR RAID SIRENS IN BELGRADE SIGNALED POSSIBLE NEW NATO AIRSTRIKES AS THEY TALKED.

THE RUSSIAN ENVOY'S TRIP TO BELGRADE CAPS AN INTENSIVE PERIOD OF DIPLOMACY SURROUNDING THE KOSOVO CRISIS. HE WAS EXPECTED TO DISCUSS WITH MR. MILOSEVIC A PEACE PROPOSAL THAT HAS GRADUALLY BEEN HAMMERED OUT BY RUSSIAN AND WESTERN OFFICIALS IN RECENT WEEKS.

THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE AGREEMENT EMERGED FROM A MEETING EARLIER THIS MONTH IN GERMANY OF THE SO-CALLED G-8 -- THE SEVEN LEADING INDUSTRIAL NATIONS AND RUSSIA. THE G-8 PLAN CALLS FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF YUGOSLAV FORCES FROM KOSOVO, THE RETURN OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES, AND THE DEPLOYMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL PEACE-KEEPING FORCE IN THE PROVINCE.

THE MAKEUP OF THAT FORCE HAS BEEN A STICKING POINT IN THE TALKS, BUT MR. CHERNOMYRDIN AND SEVERAL WESTERN LEADERS HAVE INDICATED THEY ARE EDGING CLOSER TO AN AGREEMENT. EVEN SO, UNTIL MR. CHERNOMYRDIN RETURNED TO BELGRADE FOR WEDNESDAY'S TALKS WITH MR. MILOSEVIC, RECENT PEACE TALKS HAD NOT INCLUDED YUGOSLAVIA.

DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE IN MOSCOW ON THURSDAY, WITH A NEW ROUND OF TALKS BETWEEN MR. CHERNOMYRDIN, FINLAND'S PRESIDENT MARTTI AHTISAARI AND U-S DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT. (SIGNED)
NEB/CEM/WTW
19-May-99 5:42 PM EDT (2142 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] RUSSIA/YUGOSLAVIA (L-UPDATE) BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA'S SPECIAL BALKANS ENVOY, VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN, IS RETURNING TO MOSCOW AFTER A ROUND OF TALKS IN BELGRADE WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE RUSSIAN ENVOY SAYS HE HAS URGED BOTH SIDES IN THE CONFLICT TO BREAK OFF HOSTILITIES LONG ENOUGH TO NEGOTIATE A PEACE SETTLEMENT. V-O-A'S CHALLISS MCDONOUGH REPORTS FROM MOSCOW.

TEXT: MR. CHERNOMYRDIN WENT TO BELGRADE TO TALK OVER DETAILS OF A POSSIBLE WESTERN-BACKED PEACE PLAN WITH THE YUGOSLAV LEADER.

BEFORE THE MEETING (LATE WEDNESDAY), THE RUSSIAN ENVOY CALLED FOR A PAUSE IN MILITARY ACTIVITIES, TO MAKE WAY FOR NEGOTIATION. HE SAID -- IN HIS WORDS -- IT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO STOP KILLING PEOPLE. MR. CHERNOMYRDIN REPEATED MOSCOW'S CALL FOR AN END TO THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA.

THE MEETING BETWEEN MR. CHERNOMYRDIN AND PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC STRETCHED ON INTO THE NIGHT, WITH AIR-RAID SIRENS WAILING IN BELGRADE AS THEY TALKED. SEVERAL HOURS AFTER MR. CHERNOMYRDIN LEFT FOR MOSCOW, CORRESPONDENTS IN THE YUGOSLAV CAPITAL SAID EXPLOSIONS ROCKED THE CITY.

THE RUSSIAN ENVOY'S TRIP TO BELGRADE CAPPED AN INTENSIVE PERIOD OF DIPLOMACY SURROUNDING THE KOSOVO CRISIS. HE WAS EXPECTED TO DISCUSS WITH MR. MILOSEVIC A PEACE PROPOSAL THAT HAS GRADUALLY BEEN HAMMERED OUT BY RUSSIAN AND WESTERN OFFICIALS IN RECENT WEEKS.

THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE AGREEMENT EMERGED FROM A MEETING EARLIER THIS MONTH IN GERMANY OF THE SO-CALLED G-8 -- THE SEVEN LEADING INDUSTRIAL NATIONS AND RUSSIA. THE G-8 PLAN CALLS FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF YUGOSLAV FORCES FROM KOSOVO, THE RETURN OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES, AND THE DEPLOYMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL PEACE-KEEPING FORCE IN THE PROVINCE.

THE MAKEUP OF THAT FORCE HAS BEEN A STICKING POINT IN THE TALKS, BUT MR. CHERNOMYRDIN AND SEVERAL WESTERN LEADERS HAVE INDICATED THEY ARE EDGING CLOSER TO AN AGREEMENT. EVEN SO, UNTIL MR. CHERNOMYRDIN RETURNED TO BELGRADE FOR WEDNESDAY'S TALKS WITH MR. MILOSEVIC, RECENT PEACE TALKS HAD NOT INCLUDED YUGOSLAVIA.

DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE IN MOSCOW ON THURSDAY, WITH A NEW ROUND OF TALKS BETWEEN MR. CHERNOMYRDIN, FINLAND'S PRESIDENT MARTTI AHTISAARI AND U-S DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT. (SIGNED)
NEB/CEM/WTW
19-May-99 7:31 PM EDT (2331 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] GERMANY-KOSOVO (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER CAME TO MEET NATO POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERS AT NATO HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS WEDNESDAY. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS, THE GERMAN LEADER REMAINS HOPEFUL FOR A DIPLOMATIC SETTLEMENT OF THE KOSOVO CONFLICT.

TEXT: CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER SAYS GERMANY'S POLICY IS THE SAME AS NATO'S -- NAMELY, THAT THERE IS NO NEED TO SEND IN GROUND TROOPS TO KOSOVO BEFORE A DIPLOMATIC SETTLEMENT TO THE CRISIS IS FOUND. THE CHANCELLOR SAYS AIR STRIKES SHOULD CONTINUE UNTIL YUGOSLAVIA AGREES TO NATO'S POLITICAL CONDITIONS.

AT THE SAME TIME, CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER BELIEVES THE DIPLOMATIC TRACK IS STARTING TO SHOW SOME PROMISE. HE SPEAKS THROUGH A TRANSLATOR:

THAT IS NOT YET ENOUGH REASON TO BE JUBILANT OR TRIUMPHANT, OVERLY ENTHUSIASTIC, BUT I THINK IT IS QUITE A HOPEFUL SIGNAL. WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS A POLITICAL SOLUTION. IT MAKES IT VERY CLEAR THAT THE PATH ON WHICH WE SET OUT IS A PATH THAT WILL LEAD US TOWARDS SUCCESS IN THE LONG RUN.

THE GERMAN CHANCELLOR BASES HIS OPTIMISM ON TALKS FORMER RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN WILL HAVE IN BELGRADE. HE ALSO FEELS THE PRINCIPLES WORKED OUT BY RUSSIA AND THE G-7 INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES WILL BE THE BASIS FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL. POLITICAL DIRECTORS OF THE EIGHT COUNTRIES ARE NEGOTIATING THE TEXT OF A PROPOSED RESOLUTION IN BONN.

THERE IS LITTLE ENTHUSIASM WITHIN NATO FOR GROUND TROOPS BEFORE A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION IS FOUND. GERMANY FAVORS SENDING IN PEACEKEEPING TROOPS TO HELP ALBANIAN REFUGEES RETURN TO THEIR HOMES AS PART OF A UNITED NATIONS APPROVED SETTLEMENT. UNTIL THEN, GERMANY FAVORS THE NATO STRATEGY OF MAINTAINING INTENSIFIED AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/PCF
19-May-99 8:35 AM EDT (1235 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] KEEGAN / KOSOVO BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NATO WARPLANES CONTINUE TO HIT YUGOSLAV MILITARY TARGETS AS DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TRY TO FIND A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS. FROM WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA SPOKE WITH BRITISH MILITARY HISTORIAN JOHN KEEGAN ABOUT THE NATO BOMBINGS.

TEXT: NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA BEGAN MARCH 24TH.

SINCE THAT TIME, WARPLANES FROM THE WESTERN ALLIANCE HAVE HIT ALL SORTS OF TARGETS, INCLUDING AMMUNITION DEPOTS, AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS, COMMUNICATIONS LINKS, AND TRANSPORTATION ROUTES AS WELL AS SERB GROUND FORCES IN THE INDEPENDENCE-MINDED KOSOVO PROVINCE. VARIOUS NATO MISSILES HAVE GONE ASTRAY, HITTING CIVILIAN INSTALLATIONS -- CAUSING WHAT IS KNOWN IN MILITARY JARGON AS "COLLATERAL DAMAGE."

NATO OFFICIALS SAY THE AIR CAMPAIGN IS HARMING YUGOSLAVIA'S MILITARY INFRASTRUCTURE. BUT MANY MILITARY ANALYSTS DISAGREE.

ONE OF THEM IS BRITISH MILITARY HISTORIAN JOHN KEEGAN, DEFENSE EDITOR OF LONDON'S "DAILY TELEGRAPH" NEWSPAPER. AN AUTHOR OF NUMEROUS BOOKS ON MILITARY STRATEGY AND A BALKAN EXPERT, MR. KEEGAN SAYS NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN IS CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO SERBIA'S INFRASTRUCTURE -- BUT IS NOT WINNING THE WAR AGAINST YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

HE SAYS NATO BOMBS HAVE NOT KILLED MANY YUGOSLAV SOLDIERS AND HAVE NOT DESTROYED GREAT QUANTITIES OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT.

AND AT THE MOMENT IT IS ALL THAT NATO HAS GOT. THEY ARE JUST BOMBING AND BOMBING AND BOMBING. THAT IS ALL THEY ARE DOING. THEY HAVE NO OTHER PLAN, NO OTHER STRATEGY. THIS IS THEIR ONLY WAY OF PUTTING PRESSURE ON MILOSEVIC -- AND IF IT IS NOT EXERTING EFFECTIVE PRESSURE, THEN IT IS UNLIKELY TO WORK. IT IS NOT WORKING -- AND IT WILL NOT WORK.

MR. KEEGAN SAYS FROM THE BEGINNING, THE NATO WAR PLAN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA WAS POORLY PLANNED.

I THINK THEY (NATO) EXPECTED THAT A BIT OF BOMBING WOULD BREAK MILOSEVIC'S WILL AND WHEN THEY FOUND THAT IT DID NOT, THEY ADDED ON A BIT DAY BY DAY. IT HAS BEEN WHAT YOU MIGHT CALL AN "INCREMENTAL CAMPAIGN." IT WAS NOT PROPERLY THOUGHT OUT FROM THE START. THE COMPARISON WITH THE GULF WAR: THE GULF WAR WAS ABSOLUTELY PERFECTLY THOUGHT OUT. PRESIDENT (GEORGE) BUSH AND GENERAL (COLIN) POWELL KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE DOING AND THEY PUT TOGETHER A PERFECT PLAN. THE PRESIDENT CONDUCTED AN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL DIPLOMATIC EFFORT TO WIN ALLIES AND KEEP THEM CLOSE TO THE CAUSE -- AND AS A RESULT THE WAR WAS SHORT AND VICTORIOUS.

THE BRITISH MILITARY EXPERT SAYS NATO SHOULD HAVE FROM THE START MADE CLEAR TO PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC THERE WOULD BE A GROUND CAMPAIGN COUPLED WITH AIR ATTACKS IF HE CONTINUED HIS CAMPAIGN OF ETHNIC CLEANSING AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. BUT NOW HE SAYS IT WILL BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET ALL 19 NATO COUNTRIES TO AGREE ON SENDING GROUND TROOPS TO THE SERBIAN PROVINCE.

MR. KEEGAN BELIEVES THE CURRENT DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO FIND A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS COULD END THE WAR.

BUT THE TERMS WOULD NOW BE DICTATED BY MR. MILOSEVIC -- NOT BY PRESIDENT CLINTON OR BY ANY OF THE EUROPEAN LEADERS. THIS IS WHAT IS SO UNSATISFACTORY ABOUT THE WHOLE SITUATION, THAT WITH EVERY DAY THAT WE DO NOT GET RESULTS BY BOMBING AND WITH EVERY DAY THAT THE BAD WEATHER COMES NEARER WITHOUT GROUND TROOPS IN PLACE, EVERY DAY MILOSEVIC SAYS TO HIMSELF: "WELL, A FAVORABLE RESULT IS COMING MY WAY AND NOT NATO'S WAY."

BRITISH MILITARY HISTORIAN JOHN KEEGAN PAINTS A BLEAK PICTURE OF NATO'S CONTINUING WAR AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. HE SAYS NATO WILL NEITHER FIND THE WILL TO PUT GROUND TROOPS IN KOSOVO NOR WILL IT ADMIT DEFEAT. HE SEES THE AIR CAMPAIGN DRAGGING ON FOR WEEKS -- IF NOT FOR MONTHS TO COME. HE SAYS IN THE END, THE ONLY WINNER WILL BE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/RAE
19-May-99 1:15 PM EDT (1715 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America 5/19/99 TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
NUMBER=5-43447
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO: HOW TO END THE WAR IN KOSOVO WAS DISCUSSED THIS WEEK (TUES., MAY 18) AT THE CATO INSTITUTE IN WASHINGTON. V-O-A'S ED WARNER REPORTS SOME OF THE PROPOSED IDEAS RANGE FROM A GROUND INVASION, TO PROMPT NEGOTIATION, TO PARTITION OF BOTH KOSOVO AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

TEXT: PARTICIPANTS IN A DISCUSSION OF HOW TO END THE WAR IN KOSOVO AGREED THERE ARE NO GOOD SOLUTIONS, ONLY ONES THAT ARE NOT AS BAD AS OTHERS.

COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS SENIOR FELLOW ALTON FRYE SAID IT IS CLEAR BOMBING HAS NOT ACCOMPLISHED ITS PURPOSE. HE SAYS ON THE CONTRARY, IT HAS MADE THINGS WORSE. GOOD INTENTIONS HAVE LED TO BAD RESULTS. SO IT IS NOW NECESSARY TO NEGOTIATE A SETTLEMENT WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF NATO OBJECTIVES, WHICH HE FINDS SENSIBLE:

SENSIBLE GOALS, HOWEVER, DO NOT GUARANTEE POLITICAL SUCCESS. AS MANY NATO LEADERS UNDERSTAND, THE STATED CONDITIONS MUST ALLOW FOR FLEXIBLE DIPLOMACY. THEY CAN NOT BE TANTAMONT TO A DEMAND FOR UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER. THERE IS AMPLE ROOM FOR MANEUVER TOWARD ACHIEVING THOSE GOALS IN SUBSTANCE WITHOUT ADHERING TO RIGID DEFINITIONS.

MR. FRYE URGED A BOMBING PAUSE FOR 72-HOURS, IN WHICH SERBIAN FORCES WOULD START WITHDRAWING FROM KOSOVO. DURING THAT TIME, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO FEAR A NATO ATTACK.

BUT IF THEY DO NOT WITHDRAW, BOMBING WOULD RESUME. AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE UNDER U-N DIRECTION WOULD THEN ENTER KOSOVO WITHOUT U-S, BRITISH, OR FRENCH TROOPS, THOUGH THESE WOULD REMAIN READY FOR ACTION IF NEEDED. HUMANITARIAN AID WOULD BE BROUGHT TO KOSOVO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

NEGOTIATION IS A DEAD END, SAID WILLIAM TAFT, FORMER U-S DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE:

WHILE THIS APPROACH SHOULD NEVER BE IGNORED, THE FACT THAT IT WOULD ALMOST INEVITABLY REQUIRE THE COMPROMISE OF SOME OF THE ALLIES KEY OBJECTIVES MAKES IT UNATTRACTIVE. IT SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN THAT THIS APPROACH HAS BEEN TRIED AND TRIED FOR A LONG TIME, BUT FAILED. FOR OVER A YEAR, THE ALLIES NEGOTIATED WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN BELGRADE. AGREEMENTS WERE OFTEN NOT REACHED OR WHEN REACHED, NOT KEPT.

MR. TAFT SAID THE FAILURE OF NEGOTIATIONS LED TO ETHNIC CLEANSING AND CONSEQUENTLY WAR. HE SAID THAT WAR MUST NOW BE PURSUED TO VICTORY WITH GROUND TROOPS WHO WILL SUFFER CASUALTIES, BUT WHO WILL DEFEAT THE SERBS AND MAINTAIN NATO AND U-S CREDIBILITY, WHICH WOULD BE DESTROYED BY ANYTHING LESS THAN VICTORY.

FORMER TOP U-S FOREIGN POLICY ADVISER WILLIAM HYLAND SAID WE ARE THINKING IN TOO NARROW TERMS. IN THE OPINION OF THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR THERE SHOULD BE AN OVERALL BALKAN SETTLEMENT ACCOMPLISHED BY PARTITIONING KOSOVO, AS WELL AS BOSNIA, ALONG ETHNIC LINES. FOR HIM, THAT IS THE ONLY REALISTIC SOLUTION.

THE (CLINTON) ADMINISTRATION POINTS OUT TIME AFTER TIME THAT WE CAN NOT BREAK UP A MULTI-ETHNIC STATE. THAT WOULD BE A VIOLATION OF PRINCIPLE, THOUGH IT SEEMS TO ME THAT A LOT OF MULTI-ETHNIC STATES HAVE BEEN BROKEN UP: CZECHOSLOVAKIA AND THE ENTIRE SOVIET UNION. SO IT IS NOT A PRINCIPLE THAT I THINK IS ALL THAT FORMIDABLE.

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR JOHN MEARSHEIMER AGREES PARTITION, DISTASTEFUL AS IT MAY BE, IS THE ONLY WAY TO END THE WAR AND PRESERVE U-S CREDIBILITY.

HE SAID BECAUSE OF THEIR OWN COUNTRY AMERICANS BELIEVE IN MUTLI-ETHNIC STATES, BUT MUCH OF THE REST OF THE WORLD DOES NOT. THE FORCE OF NATIONALISM BREAKS DOWN SUCH STATES WITH YUGOSLAVIA THE LATEST EXAMPLE:

NOW NOT ONLY DO YOU HAVE THAT POWERFUL FORCE OF SELF-DETERMINATION, YOU HAVE ALL THE HATRED AND ALL THE FEAR ON TOP OF THAT, THAT COME WITH THE KILLING THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE OVER THE PAST YEAR OR SO. DOES ANYBODY SERIOUSLY BELIEVE THAT AT THIS POINT IN TIME YOU COULD CREATE A POLITICAL SYSTEM WHERE THE KOSOVARS AND THE SERBS CAN LIVE TOGETHER? I JUST FIND IT ALMOST UNFATHOMABLE.

WITHOUT PARTITION, PROFESSOR MEARSHEIMER SAID, NATO TROOPS WILL HAVE TO KEEP THE WARRING GROUPS APART INTO THE DISTANT FUTURE -- A PERMANENT OCCUPATION THAT IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF EITHER THE BALKANS OR NATO. (SIGNED)
NEB/EW/RAE
19-May-99 2:55 PM EDT (1855 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] HOW TO END THE WAR IN KOSOVO BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE FLOW OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES INTO ALBANIA HAS VIRTUALLY COME TO A HALT. HOWEVER, THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS MORE REFUGEES STILL COULD BE ON THE WAY BUT NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE BORDER. V-O-A'S NICK SIMEONE, IN THE ALBANIAN TOWN OF KUKES, NEAR THE YUGOSLAV BORDER, TELLS THE STORY OF ONE KOSOVO BOY WHO HAS BEEN SEPARATED FROM HIS FAMILY AND FEARS THEY MAY BE DEAD.

TEXT: THE CHILDREN PLAYING IN THE SHADOW OF ALBANIA'S RUGGED MOUNTAINS AT A GREEK-RUN REFUGEE CAMP APPEAR NORMAL -- AND THEY ARE -- EXCEPT WHEN THEY TELL YOU ABOUT THE NIGHTMARES THAT MAKE THEM WAKE UP CRYING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. AT AGE 14, YETON MYFTARI HAS BEEN HERE FOR FIVE WEEKS, ALONE AND CRYING FOR MUCH OF THAT TIME -- CRYING BECAUSE HE HAS NO IDEA WHERE HIS FOUR BROTHERS AND TWO SISTERS ARE. HE KNOWS WHERE HIS FATHER IS. YETON WAS FORCED TO LEAVE HIM BEHIND IN KOSOVO WHEN HIS FATHER FELL VICTIM TO SERB SHELLING. ALL HE HAS NOW IS A BRIGHT RED SWEATER, DIRTY JEANS, AND RECURRING NIGHTMARES OF WHAT HE SAW AFTER FLEEING INTO THE WOODS OF KOSOVO.

AND ALL THE MALES THEY COULD GET WERE SENT A FEW KILOMETERS OUTSIDE THAT AREA AND WERE EXECUTED. TEN OF THEM WERE FROM MY VILLAGE.

AFTER WALKING BAREFOOT TO ALBANIA, YETON IS NOW ON HIS OWN, PART OF THE SPILLOVER OF THE WAR IN KOSOVO, ALONG WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER REFUGEES IN KUKES. THE SEVENTH GRADE CLASSES HE ATTENDS AT THIS CAMP, AND THE POETRY HE WRITES, CANNOT TAKE HIS MIND OFF ALL HE HAS SEEN AND LOST AT SUCH AN EARLY AGE.

OTHER CHILDREN GATHER WHILE HE TELLS HIS STORY AND AS HE TRIES TO HOLD BACK TEARS WHILE HE RECITES A POEM HE HAS WRITTEN DEDICATED, HE SAYS, TO KOSOVAR ALBANIAN LEADER IBRAHIM RUGOVA, THE KOSOVO ALBANIAN POLITICAL LEADER WHO ADVOCATES A NON-VIOLENT SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO ISSUE.

SIMEONE: DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU GO BACK TO KOSOVO SOMEDAY YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE YOUR WHOLE FAMILY?

YETON / TRANSLATOR: I'M NOT SURE I WILL FIND THEM ALIVE OR NOT.

HE IS NOT SURE OF MUCH, EXCEPT THAT AT AGE 14, HE HAS BEEN LEFT ON HIS OWN IN A SEA OF REFUGEES WITH ONLY THE CLOTHES HE IS WEARING AND A TENT TO CALL HOME. (SIGNED)
NEB/NS/JWH
19-May-99 11:15 AM EDT (1515 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[14] YETON'S STORY BY NICK SIMEONE (KUKES, ALBANIA)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES ROSE TODAY (WEDNESDAY), AS A LATE RALLY LIFTED A LARGELY LACKLUSTER MARKET. V-O-A BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10-THOUSAND-887, UP 50 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 13-HUNDRED-44, UP 10 POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX GAINED ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF ONE PERCENT.

THERE WAS NO MAJOR ECONOMIC NEWS, AND STOCKS TRADED IN A NARROW RANGE UNTIL THE LAST FEW MINUTES OF THE SESSION, WHEN A LATE BUYING SURGE LIFTED ALL MAJOR AVERAGES INTO POSITIVE TERRITORY.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A MARKET WHICH IS RUNNING IN WET SAND. THERE MAY BE SOME EFFORT TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TRACTION TO HAVE ANY BIG ADVANCE.

IN BUSINESS NEWS, TYCO, A LEADING MANUFACTURER OF ELECTRONIC CONNECTORS, WILL PAY ALMOST THREE-BILLION DOLLARS IN STOCK AND CASH FOR RAYCHEM, A MAKER OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS. THE DEAL IS TYCO'S SECOND HUGE ACQUISITION IN RECENT MONTHS, AFTER ITS PURCHASE OF THE AMP ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS COMPANY LATE LAST YEAR.

THE CONSOLIDATION TREND IN THE U-S BANKING INDUSTRY CONTINUES. U-S BANCORP, BASED IN THE MID-WESTERN STATE OF MINNESOTA, WILL PAY ALMOST ONE-BILLION DOLLARS FOR THE WESTERN BANCORP OF CALIFORNIA.

HEALTHEON CORPORATION PLANS A MERGER WITH WEB-M-D TO CREATE THE WORLD'S LARGEST INTERNET SERVICE SERVING THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY.

THE STOCK OF THE DELL COMPUTER COMPANY FELL MORE THAN 10 PERCENT, AFTER DELL REPORTED A SECOND STRAIGHT QUARTER OF SLOWING SALES GROWTH.

THE STOCKS OF MANY MAJOR AIRLINES WERE DOWN, AFTER WALL STREET ANALYSTS EXPRESSED CONCERNS THAT RISING FUEL PRICES AND INCREASING CAPACITY WOULD LIMIT PROFIT GROWTH.

A SURVEY SHOWS THAT NEW AUTOMOBILES ARE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR AMERICANS THAN AT ANY TIME IN THE PAST 19 YEARS. THE COMERICA BANK SAYS [BASED ON AVERAGE PRICES] A NEW CAR NOW COSTS LESS THAN AN AVERAGE AMERICAN EARNS IN 24 WEEKS.

THE MITSUBISHI MOTOR COMPANY OF JAPAN PLANS TO INTRODUCE A NEW COMPACT CAR, WHICH MITSUBISHI SAYS WILL HAVE THE HIGHEST FUEL EFFICIENCY OF ANY GASOLINE-POWERED AUTO. THE COMPANY CLAIMS THE NEW MODEL WILL TRAVEL 125 KILOMETERS ONE FOUR LITERS GALLON OF GAS. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/WTW
19-May-99 5:16 PM EDT (2116 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: CONTINUING REACTION TO THE ELECTION IN ISRAEL AND THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED OPENING OF THE NEW "STAR WARS" MOVIE ARE THE MAJOR TOPICS IN U-S PAPERS AT MID WEEK. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: A MAJOR CHANGE IN HOW MEXICO PLANS TO CHOSE ITS NEXT PRESIDENT; A SETBACK FOR CLEAN AIR REGULATIONS IN AMERICA; THE AIR CAMPAIGN IN THE BALKANS; AND VICE PRESIDENT GORE PICKS A NEW LEADER FOR HIS POLITICAL CAMPAIGN. NOW, HERE IS ___________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS, IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: PAPERS CONTINUE TO COMMENT ON THE ELECTION IN ISRAEL OF LABOR'S EHUD BARAK TO THE POST OF PRIME MINISTER. HERE'S MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD."

VOICE: ISRAEL'S PRIME MINISTER-ELECT LIVED UP TO HIS HEBREW NAME -- BARAK: LIGHTNING -- IN HIS STUNNING VICTORY OVER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU ... EHUD BARAK HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN THE LIGHTNING-LIKE REMAKE OF THE ISRAELI POLITICAL SCENE.... REVIVING THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE PROCESS, WHICH [MR.] NETANYAHU HAD DONE SO MUCH TO DERAIL, IS AT THE TOP OF HIS LIST.

TEXT: FLORIDA'S "SUN-SENTINEL" IN FORT LAUDERDALE ADDS:

VOICE: ISRAEL VOTED RESOUNDINGLY TO RETURN TO THE PRAGMATIC PEACEMAKING STYLE OF THE ASSASSINATED YITZHAK RABIN ... [GIVING MR.] BARAK BOTH A MANDATE TO RESUME THE PEACE PROCESS AND THE MOMENTUM TO TAKE BOLD INITIATIVES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE MIDDLE EAST. /// OPT /// NOT EVEN HIS MENTOR, [MR.] RABIN, COULD HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE HISTORY.

TEXT: "THE [NEW YORK] DAILY NEWS" CALLS THE RESULT: "'LIGHTNING' STRIKES FOR PEACE," WHILE IN MEMPHIS, [TENNESSEE] "THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL CAUTIONS: "AS IMPRESSIVE AS [MR.] BARAK'S VICTORY ... WAS ... FORMING A UNITED, STABLE AND EFFECTIVE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT IS LIKELY TO POSE A FAR MORE DIFFICULT CHALLENGE ...

... AND IN FORTH WORTH TEXAS, "THE STAR-TELEGRAM" WRITES:

VOICE: SELDOM HAS ANYONE EMBARKED UPON A MISSION ADDLED WITH MORE DAUNTING EXPECTATIONS THAT THE ONE THAT ... EHUD BARAK WILL BEGIN WHEN HE TAKES OFFICE ...

TEXT: "THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION" IN JACKSONVILLE CALLS THE RESULT "A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION," WHILE RALEIGH'S [NORTH CAROLINA] "NEWS AND OBSERVER" SAYS IT "OFFERS HOPE FOR ADVANCING THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS, [SIGNALING] THAT THERE IS A BUILDING CONSENSUS FOR COMPROMISE."

TEXT: "THE OMAHA [NEBRASKA] WORLD-HERALD" ANALYZES THE VOTE THIS WAY.

VOICE: THERE MAY BE CAUSE FOR HOPE. THE OUTSIDE COLD WAR PRESSURES FROM EAST AND WEST NO LONGER MAGNIFY THE TRADITIONAL TENSIONS OF THE REGION. ... PEOPLE SEEM TO BE WEARY OF YEARS OF WAR AND TERRORISM AND TENSE CONFRONTATIONS. IF [MR.] BARAK CAN SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES OF THE MOMENT, HE MAY BE IN A POSITION TO SERVE HIS NATION EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVELY AS A POLITICIAN THAN HE DID AS A SOLDIER.

TEXT: LASTLY, "THE SAN JOSE [CALIFORNIA] MERCURY NEWS" SUGGESTS :"ISRAELI VOTERS HAVE DECIDED THEY WANT MORE PEACE AND LESS BIBI."

TEXT: MOVING TO THE DAY'S OTHER MUCH-DISCUSSED TOPIC, THE OPENING IN THEATERS ACROSS AMERICA TODAY OF THE GEORGE LUCAS FILM "STARS WARS - EPISODE ONE - - THE PHANTOM MENACE," "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS:

VOICE: SO FAR, [THE] ... NEW FILM ... HAD BEEN PREQUEL ONLY TO ITSELF. THE SOUNDTRACK WAS RELEASED EARLY, AND SO WAS THE NOVELIZATION. 'PHANTOM MENACE' MERCHANDISE WENT ON SALE NATIONWIDE TWO WEEKS AGO. HYPE IS TOO SMALL A WORD FOR THE SALES PRESSURE THAT HAS BEEN BUILDING UP BEHIND THIS MOVIE, WHICH IS ONLY APPROPRIATE, SINCE THE ORIGINAL 'STAR WARS' TRILOGY SET A PRECEDENT NOT ONLY IN THE USE OF SPECIAL EFFECTS AND THE FERVOR THE FILMS INSPIRED AMONG FANS BUT ALSO IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF RETAIL LICENSING. ... IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HARD ENOUGH FOR 'THE PHANTOM MENACE' TO COMPETE WITH THE ORIGINAL 'STAR WARS' TRILOGY. TO COMPETE WITH WHAT IS EXPECTED OF IT MAY PROVE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE.

TEXT: "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE" BEGINS WITH ALL THE NEGATIVE COMMENTS PEOPLE HAVE MADE WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN TO A N Y OF THE STAR WARS MOVIES, AND THEN CONCLUDES WITH THIS ADVICE FOR THEM.

VOICE: FINE. ALL OF YOU STAY HOME. THAT LEAVES MORE ELBOW ROOM AND BUTTERED POPCORN FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD - - THE LEGIONS OF FANS YOUNG AND OLD WHO LOVED THE FIRST THREE MOVIES AND EAGERLY WILL BE LINING UP FOR THIS ONE AND THE NEXT TWO. /// OPT /// ... JOSEPH CAMPBELL, WHOSE BOOK ON HEROISM SPARKED GEORGE LUCAS' FIRST 'STAR WARS' MOVIE, DROPPED OUT OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY'S DOCTORATE PROGRAM IN 1929 WHEN THE UNIVERSITY INFORMED HIM MYTHOLOGY WAS AN UNACCEPTABLE TOPIC. UNACCEPTABLE? MYTHS ARE CENTRAL. THEY HELP HAPLESS HUMANS DEAL WITH THE UNKNOWABLE AND THE UNANSWERABLE. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: TURNING TO OTHER ISSUES, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" HAILS MEXICO'S RULING PARTY'S DECISION TO INSTALL A NATIONAL PRIMARY ELECTION TO PICK PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.

VOICE: MOVING TO A BROAD-BASED NATIONAL PRIMARY WILL CONTRIBUTE TO A HEALTHY OPENING OF MEXICAN POLITICAL LIFE. IT MAY ALSO HELP REINVIGORATE A PARTY THAT HAS GROWN COMPLACENT AND OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE MODERN MEXICAN ELECTORATE. ... CREDIT FOR THE NEW SYSTEM GOES MAINLY TO PRESIDENT ERNESTO ZEDILLO, WHO PRESSED AHEAD WITH CHANGES FAR BOLDER AND MORE RESISTANT TO HIGH-LEVEL TAMPERING THAN MOST MEXICAN ANALYSTS EXPECTED.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON TIMES" IS HAILING A U-S COURT OF APPEALS RULING IN WASHINGTON THAT SAYS THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CLEAN AIR REGULATIONS CONCERNING OZONE ARE INVALID.

VOICE: LAST FRIDAY'S RULING ... IS AN AMAZING REVERSAL OF FORTUNE FOR ONE OF THE MOST OUT-OF-CONTROL OF ALL FEDERAL BUREAUCRACIES AND A MEASURED VICTORY FOR RATIONAL POLICY AND THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. /// OPT /// ... HUNDREDS OF AREAS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY THAT HAD BEEN CONSIDERED PERFECTLY 'CLEAN' UNDER THE OLD STANDARDS WERE TRANSFORMED OVERNIGHT INTO SINKS OF POLLUTION AND THUS SUBJECT TO STRICT NEW EMISSIONS CONTROLS ON AUTOMOBILES, INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS AT COSTS OF 60-BILLION ANNUALLY OR MORE, ACCORDING TO THE PRESIDENT'S OWN COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" DISAGREES, HOWEVER, CALLING THE COURT'S RULING "A BIZARRE AND TORTURED DECISION ... [AGAINST] ... REGULATIONS IMPOSED ... TO EASE THE SUFFERING OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WITH ASTHMA AND LUNG DISEASE. " AND THE PAPER URGES THE GOVERNMENT TO APPEAL. "THE KANSAS CITY STAR" AGREES "THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OUGHT TO APPEAL" SUGGESTING THAT "EVENTUALLY ... COMMON SENSE ... SHOULD PREVAIL ...

TEXT: AS FOR THE WAR IN THE BALKANS, TODAY'S "DAILY OKLAHOMAN," CITING NEW POLL RESULTS, SAYS:

VOICE: AMERICANS ARE TURNING AGAINST BILL CLINTON'S WAR ON YUGOSLAVIA. ... A MAJOR SHIFT [IN PUBLIC OPINION] ... SEEMS LINKED TO KILLING OR MAIMING OF CIVILIANS BY ERRANT BOMBS. ... THE OKLAHOMAN HAS OPPOSED THIS AGGRESSIVE INTERVENTION IN YUGOSLAVIA'S CIVIL WAR, BOTH FOR DISCRETIONARY REASONS AND BECAUSE A DIRECT U-S INTEREST IS NOT AT STAKE. ... REGARDLESS OF POLLS, WE OPPOSE [MR.] CLINTON'S WAR AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE.

TEXT: REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT OF TONY COELHO, A FORMER CALIFORNIA CONGRESSMAN, AS AL GORE'S NEW CAMPAIGN CHIEF, "THE MANCHESTER [NEW HAMPSHIRE] UNION LEADER" SAYS:

VOICE: SO MUCH FOR AL GORE OF BUDDHIST TEMPLE FAME DISTANCING HIMSELF FROM BILL CLINTON'S SLEAZY [DISREPUTABLE] CAMPAIGN FINANCE SHENANIGANS. AND THE VICE PRESIDENT CAN KISS GOOD-BYE ANY NOTION OF POSING AS A 'NEW DEMOCRAT.' /// OPT /// ... MR. COELHO, FOR THOSE WHO FORGET ...PERFECTED THE ART OF PUTTING THE SQUEEZE [PRESSURE] ON BUSINESESS AND SPECIAL INTERESTS [IMPLIED: FOR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS] ... ANY HOPE THAT AL GORE ... HAD OF PRESENTING HIMSELF TO THE VOTERS AS A MODERATE, CENTRIST, PRAGMATIC DEMOCRAT WENT A-GLIMMERING WITH THE [TONY] COELHO APPOINTMENT.

VOICE: SINCE THE POST OFFICE DOESN'T WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE LOCATION OF THE GRAND CANYON ... PERHAPS THAT'S WHERE ALL THE LOST MAIL ENDS UP. ANYONE CHECKED?

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE , WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM WEDNESDAY'S DAILY PAPERS.
NEB/ANG/KL
19-May-99 11:30 AM EDT (1530 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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